- Home
- About Parliament
- Members
- Committees
- Publications
Thursday, 7th July, 2022
Thursday, 7th July, 2022
The House met at 1430 hours
[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]
NATIONAL ANTHEM
PRAYER
______
ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM SPEAKER
ADDRESS BY MR SERGIO MATTARELLA, THE PRESIDENT OF ITALY
Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, as the House is aware, His Excellency, Mr Sergio Mattarella, the President of the Republic of Italy, will address the House later today. In addressing the House, His Excellency the President, will use the Italian language.
In this regard, arrangements have been made for simultaneous interpretation to enable hon. Members to follow the proceedings in the English language. Interpretation gadgets have been placed beside the Bosch Multimedia Chamber System in front of each hon. Member.
Hon. Members are advised to use Channel I for the English language. The button for adjusting the volume is on the left side, while the button for the channel selection is on the right side of the gadget.
Hon. Members who may need assistance should indicate to the Clerks-At-The-Table.
I thank you.
______
MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
MR MUNIR ZULU, HON. MEMBER FOR LUMEZI, ON MR MWIIMBU, HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY
Mr Munir Zulu: On a matter of urgent public importance, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: A matter of urgent public importance is raised.
Mr Munir Zulu: Thank you kind, Madam Speaker, for permitting the good people of Lumezi to rise on Standing Order No. 134.
Madam Speaker, on Monday, 4th July, a Mr Edward Manda of Lumezi Constituency in Chief Zumwanda’s area was shot by a Chinese national for having gone to a mining area to pick quartz. As I speak, the person who was shot passed on yesterday in the afternoon at Chipata General Hospital and the Chinese national is currently imprisoned at Lundazi Police.
Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security in order to remain mute when life has been lost, especially that that mine has no licence?
I seek your indulgence, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Lumezi, it is unfortunate that the person died. As you have rightly stated, the Chinese person is already in police custody, and he has been arrested. So, I believe the police are doing their work. There is nothing that will change by us ordering the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security to come to this House to deliver a statement. So, I believe the matter is in capable hands; it is receiving the appropriate attention. It would have been different if you said that nobody has been arrested and there is disorder in the region. For now, I think the responsible authorities are doing their work. So, let us leave it with them. We do not want to pre-empt what they are doing.
______
QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER
COMPLETION OF SENIOR CHIEF MUNUNGA’S PALACE
352. Rev. Katuta (Chienge) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housingand Urban Development:
(a) when the construction of Senior Chief Mununga’s Palace in Chienge District, which is at 90 per cent,
will be completed;
(b) what the cause of the delay in completing the project is;
(c) what the cost of the outstanding works is; and
(d) what the timeframe for the completion of the outstanding works is.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Housingand Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, the construction of Senior Chief Mununga’s Palace in Chienge District, which is at 90 per cent, will be completed on 31st December, 2022 subject, of course, to the availability of funds.
Madam Speaker, the cause of the delay in completing the project is due to financial constraints.
Madam Speaker, the cost of the outstanding works is K776,275.37.
Madam Speaker, the timeframe for the completion of the outstanding works is three months.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, I heard the hon. Minister respond that the palace will be completed when funds are made available. I thought he was talking about billions of Kwacha, but it is K710,000. How long can it take a listening and responsible Government, to find that money? The palace is already being vandalised, so, it means we will be going backwards instead of moving forward. May I know why the Government cannot avail K700,000?
Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that very reasonable question.
Madam Speaker,the cost estimate to complete the work, as I said, is K776,000. It sounds small, so small that even the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) can complete this work.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Eng. Milupi: However, she is welcome to engage with me so that we can find a solution and the project can be completed, as I said, by 31st December. She is welcome to come and visit me so that we can conclude that.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: I hope the hon. Member for Chienge has heard.
Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, the project is at 90 per cent. There is an outstanding amount of K700,000 and the project is estimated to be completed by December 2022. What is so special about this project that at 90 per cent, we are still remaining with K700,000?
Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I do not quite understand the hon. Member of Parliament for Kamfinsa. What is so special that we have not concluded this project? I said funds; that is what was so special. What I said, now that the question has come, is that the hon. Member of Parliament for Chienge and myself can sit down, and find the best way to address the issue. I already suggested one route and if it is not applicable, our discussion will result in the resolution of this issue.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, indeed, we are concerned. Works done are at 90 per cent and the remaining works are worth K700,000 plus. In our opinion, and the hon. Minister is an engineer so he knows that in that amount, it is possible to build another palace. Is it possible that he can raise this K700,000 before December so that the chief occupies the palace? Is it possible to work around and beat this deadline for December? It is only K700,000 that is needed to complete the project so that the chief can occupy the palace.
Madam Speaker: It is the same question being asked in another form.
Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the former Leader of the Opposition is usually a very understanding person.
Laughter
Eng. Milupi: I have difficulty accepting that he has failed to understand our explanations on exactly what we are going to do. Maybe, he needs to take over as the Leader of the Opposition, then he will have a better understanding.
Laughter
Eng. Milupi: We shall look at this and we shall complete the work. That is the Government assurance.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, we are a bit confused by the response from the hon. Minister. He knows very well that this contract is binding, and if the contract is binding, even that option he is proposing to the hon. Member of considering using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) cannot suffice.
Madam Speaker, it is K700,000 today, but with escalating prices of goods and services, it might be more than K1 million in December. He assured us that all those projects at 80 per cent and above were going to be catered for in the current Budget. What has been stopping the hon. Minister from getting resources from the Budget as he assured us early this year, to complete this project which is at 90 per cent?
Interruptions
Madam Speaker: Order!
Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, let me make it very clear that the abandonment of this project at 90 per cent was not by this Administration, it was by his Administration.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Eng. Milupi: We are going to complete it –
Mr Lusambo: Question!
Eng. Milupi: He said that we promised to complete all projects at 80 per cent. These were started by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, and it abandoned all projects that were less than 80 per cent. This is not the only project that was abandoned, and this is not the only chief who requires a palace. The hon. Member said that K700,000 can build a new palace; it shows how expensive the contracts the previous Government was giving were.
Mr Lusambo: Question!
Eng. Milupi: We are tiding up all these things so that we start doing the correct things.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, let us listen to the answers. Otherwise, you will be asking the same questions and getting the same answers.
Mr Chala (Chipili): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the project will be completed when the money is made available. Has the hon. Minister considered the same project in the 2023 Budget because he is not going to complete this project if it is not in the Budget? Can he assure the people of Chienge that through the 2023 Budget, the Government will complete this project?
Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chipili, if you were listening, the hon. Minister said that the project is supposed to finish by December 2022. Do you want it to go beyond that?
Interruptions
Mr Chala: Madam Speaker, when funds are available means the Government is not going to work outside the Budget.
Interruptions
Madam Speaker: Can we have order? If we continue like this, I will move to the next question.
Hon. Member: Let us move, Madam Speaker.
Interruptions
Madam Speaker: Also, please, do not debate while you are seated. I can see those debating from their seats from here. There is so much noise in the House. So, it was better when we were all not in the House because of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Laughter
Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has contradicted himself. He said that the project will be completed when funds are made available and that this project will be completed in December. He also said that this contract was done by the previous regime, the Patriotic Front (PF).
Madam Speaker, in my language we say “Mpyanangoapyananamabala.”
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Rev. Katuta: I did not expect that from the hon. Minister. I asked this question because the people of Chienge have confidence in this Government. This Government has taken over so I cannot go and ask the PF Government. However, the hon. Minister said that the project will be completed when funds are made available. He also talked about the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and said that the project will be completed in December.The Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) will not allow the cancellation of that contract so the CDF can be used. Can the hon. Minister clarify to the people of Chienge on the Floor of the House whether I should go ahead and use the CDFbecause we need to know the correct position. There are four positions as of now. May the hon. Minister tell the people of Chienge and Chief Mununga the correct position which will be delivered to the people of Chienge?
Mr Kampyongo: On a point of order, Madam.
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order pursuant to Standing Order No. 65,which states that the information we give here must be factual and verifiable.
Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development and the President of the Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) ...
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Laughter
Mr Kampyongo: ... knows very well that the Constituency Development Fund Act and the guidelines do not permit us to utilise funds on projects such as palaces, and the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development is here. He stated that the project was abandoned. If the project was abandoned, it could have been in abeyance,and he would not have been responding to this question.
Mr Kang’ombe:It was abandoned.
Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, can we have order, please!
Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, if the project was abandoned as he claims, it could have been in abeyance and he would not have been responding to this question and giving an assurance of completing it by December. The fact that he is giving an assurance that this project can be completed by December means that it is an active project.
Madam Speaker, is he in order to insinuate that the project was abandoned by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, and he was reminded that the Government operates on perpetual succession? Is he further in order to mislead this august House and the people of Chienge that they can use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to complete the project?
I seek your serious ruling,Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: The hon. Member for Shiwang’andu has sufficiently debated his point of order.
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Madam Speaker: May the hon. Minister answer the question.
Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I do not know why our answers seem to be generating some controversy and why the sensitivity to any reference to the previous Administration’swork or lack of work. How can we make progress without reference to history? When the Patriotic Front (PF) Government came into power, it made reference to the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government, very much so.
Interruptions
Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the guilty are afraid, that is why this sensitivity. Let me just remind them. The question that the hon. Member has asked refers to what I said, that I am contradicting myself and said that the project will be completed by 31st December 2022 and, at the sametime,I talked about various sources of funds or when funds are made available
Madam Speaker, when funds are made available, we will be able to complete the project by 31st December. What I indicated to the House are the methods that we will use to make those funds available. If the CDF route is found to be suitable, we could use it. If not, we have to look at other ways to get funds from somewhere else. This is the commitment of the Government and this is what it is going to do.
I thank you, Madam Speaker,
Rev. Katuta: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chienge, I have not called upon you.
Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Madam Speaker, going forward and arising from the hon. Minister’s answer that this is not the only palace that needs to be completed, will the Government conduct an audit of all the other palaces which are at 90 per cent and less, so that everything is done methodically as the New Dawn Government?
Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, this question appears to be generating a lot of interest. Let me give a bit more information.
Madam Speaker, this project started on 28th March, 2018, and even though we are now saying it is at 90 per cent, the contract sum was K1,547,056. The amount of money paid to date is slightly over half, which is K770,780. So, if half the amount has completed up to 90 per cent, what sort of contract was it? This is what we mean by carrying out audits and so on and so forth.
Madam Speaker, with reference to the question asked by the hon. Member for Mitete, yes, those of us who travel throughout the country come across many of our chiefs who have no palaces and some palaces are at various levels of completion, so this is not the only case. All hon. Members of Parliament here, without any exception, can refer to a chief in their area who is in exactly the same predicament.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: Let us make progress.
CATTLE RESTOCKING EXERCISE IN KANCHIBIYA DISTRICT
353. Mr Fube (Chilubi) (on behalf ofMr Chanda (Kanchibiya)) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:
(a) whether the Government has any plans to conduct a cattle restocking exercise in Kanchibiya District;
and
(b) if so, when the exercise will commence.
The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Chikote): Madam Speaker, the Government has places to conduct a cattle restocking exercise in Kanchibiya District, but the plans will be actualised when the resources are available.
Interruptions
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, currently, the Government has prioritised the stocking and restocking of chickens and small ruminants in the district. The hon. Member who is talking here should note that we have stocked Kanchibiya District with 600 goats. We have also given Kanchibiya 10,300 chickens.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, in response to part (d) of the question, I have already indicated above that the cattle restocking programme will commence once resources are made available for restocking large ruminants.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Madam Speaker, what are the chances in percentage terms that the funds will be available before the end of this year for this exercise to restock cattle in Kanchibiya Constituency?
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, first of all, the hon. Member must understand that this Government is committed to improving the welfare of the people. Under this ministry, the district is doing very well in the livestock sector. As I stated in my earlier response, we are doing something because the whole essence of empowering communities is to remove people from poverty. This Government has found an easier and better way of quickly removing people from poverty by giving them what they can manage at the moment.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, you may wish to note that when you give poor people chickens and goats, it is easy to quickly address their livelihood challenges. However, I cannot give the hon. Member a percentage in terms of where we are in trying to rebuild the resources of this country, which our hon. Colleagues did not do very well. Therefore, there are no percentages as at now. All I am assuring the hon. Member is that the Government has those plans and as soon as we get resources, cattle restocking will be done in Kanchibiya District.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Interruptions
Madam Speaker: Hon. Members in the Frontbench on my left, please, if you are whispering, do it softly because you are distracting me. I cannot follow the proceedings. If you want to discuss anything, please, just take leave and discuss outside. When you are done, you can come inside. If you distract me, I will not be able to follow the proceedings.
Mr Chitotela: On a point of order, Madam.
Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, Standing Order No. 206 gives your hon. Members of Parliament the privilege to get correct answers from hon. Ministers according to the questions as they appear on the Order Paper.
Madam Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya was seeking a response from the Government on when the restocking of cattle in Kanchibiya Constituency will take place. To belittle the people of Kanchibiya and reduce them to chickens and goats, which is not the question –
Interruptions
Mr Chitotela: Do not cheapen this House. We have been in this House for long.
Interruptions
Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Pambashe!
Please, let us learn to speak through the Presiding Officer. Let us not engage each other directly. I expect more from senior hon. Members of the House. So, just ask a question. Do not engage other hon. Members.
Hon. Members, please, let us not debate while we are seated. I will start giving warnings from here now on because I can see whichever hon. Member is making noise. I have got a vantage position and I can see everyone. So, even when I am looking at one side, my eyes can also see the other side.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Laughter
Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Pambashe, please, proceed.
Mr Chitotela: I apologise, Madam Speaker, for having responded to hecklers.
Madam Speaker, the Standing Orders are very clear and that is why questions are sent to hon. Ministers in advance for them to respond according to the way they appear on the Order Paper. The Order Paper is very clear that the hon. Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya is seeking a response from the Government on when the restocking of cows will take place in Kanchibiya Constituency, but the hon. Minister went on to respond to what was not sought.
Madam Speaker,is the hon. Minister, therefore, in order to give an answer that was not sought for? I seek your serious ruling.
Madam Speaker: From what I listened to when the hon. Minister was answering the question, my understanding is that he started with stating that the restocking will be done when the funds are made available. However, since we are talking about livestock, he gave a bonus answer. It was a bonus answer and so …
Mr Kalobo:Ema defender aya.
Madam Speaker: … if he wants a – who said, “Niba defender?”
The hon. Member in a checked jacket, the hon. Member for Wusakile, take a step outside.
Interruptions
Madam Speaker: I am giving you leave to leave the House. We must have order. I am being lenient. You can stay outside for ten minutes and then come back.
Laughter
Mr Kalobo left the Assembly Chamber.
Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity.
Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock for the well elaborated answer and for giving more information on how organised and planned the programme in Kanchibiyais. What I am not sure of – because our colleagues –
Mr Fube: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.
Mr Kambita: Madam Speaker, what I am not sure of is whether the hon. Member who raised the question for oral answer cared to sit down with the people of Kanchibiya to prioritise the issue of restocking livestock and factor it in where we already have available resources, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), other than depending on that which is coming from the central Government.
Interruptions
Mr Kambita: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister if there was correspondence between his office and the hon. Member concerning that.
Mr Fube: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.
Interruptions
Madam Speaker: Order! I did not even understand the question.
Hon. Minister, if you understood the question, you may answer it.
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, the question gives additional information to what we are encouraging hon. Members. The hon. Member for Zambezi East is asking if the hon. Member sat with the people of Kanchibiya to understand what their priorities are because we have, in the CDF, a portion of doing what we want to do as a community. Therefore, the hon. Member is saying that if the restocking of cattle is so urgent for the people of Kanchibiya, let them sit down and consider using part of the CDF to buy the large ruminants for the district.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: I believe the hon. Member for Chilubi was asking on behalf of the hon. Member for Kanchibiya.
Mr Fube: Yes,Madam Speaker, although the people of Kanchibiya were over looked by accommodating that which is not within the Standing Orders.
Madam Speaker, in mid-November, 2021, the hon. Minister was in Luampa where the Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (ESLIP) was being implemented and he gave out 1,300 goats and 153 chickens. He indicated, at the same event, that what would follow was the restocking of cattle and pigs,and he also gave out chickens to forty-six clubs.
Madam Speaker, since the hon. Minister said that funds allowing, the people of Kanchibiya would like to find out whether the ESLIP closed, especially that it was being done by the Government of Zambia, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the OPEC Fund for international Development (OFID). He made a promise based on the ESLIP and the people of Kanchibiya would like to benefit from the same promise he made, especially that he mentioned pigs and goats apart from the chickens that he talked about.
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, I think that is the hon. Member’s nature of not being specific with his questions. He talked about goats and chickens, and I have failed to understand what really the hon. Member is trying to ask.
Madam Speaker, I was in the district and I interacted with the people of Kanchibiya. I physically empowered the people in the district and they were very happy. So, I do not really understand how Luampa and the issue of goatscomes in. I do not know what the hon. Member is trying to ask. However, I said that the cattle restocking exercise will be done in the district once resources are made available. That is the assurance I have given the good people of Kanchibiya District. For you to start painting a picture that, maybe, we do not care for the people of Kanchibiya is very wrong. The people of Kanchibiya have confidence in the New Dawn Government because it is working tirelessly to make sure that the poverty levels in this country are addressed.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Mushanga (Bwacha): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the responses.
Madam Speaker, I just want to learn from the hon. Minister. In view of the restocking of animals in Kanchibiya District that he talked about, are there any plans of scaling out the restocking of small ruminants or animals to other districts?
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member. That is the way to go to represent our people; straight and to the point.
Madam Speaker, as we are rolling out the programme to other districts, the experts are carrying out an audit of those districts that have been left behind. So, those who benefitted will not benefit now because we want to ensure that there is equity, which this Government encourages. So, we are carrying out a quick audit in all the 116 districts to find out where we have not empowered our communities. So, I rest assure the hon. Member that we are going to attend to those districts which have not benefitted from this programme of empowerment under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Kasandwe (Bangweulu): Madam Speaker, Kanchibiya, just like the Bangweulu Wetland, is a disease-free area for cattle diseases but is very prone to chicken diseases. Did the ministry do any research to know if those chickens will survive because the area is prone to chicken diseases?
Madam Speaker: We are expanding the question, but since the hon. Minister gave a bonus answer, he will answer the question.
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, another bonus answer is that, so far, we have no reports about the goats and chickens I delivered in Kanchibiya District, and they are doing very well in that district.
Mr Mukosa: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.
Mr Chikote: So, I feel that is the way to go.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, my point of order is on the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock. He has shown a tendency of not providing correct answers for the questions that he is being asked. For example, the hon. Member for Bangweulu asked if the ministry undertook a research, and not whether it has received reports of any chickens dying. Is the hon. Minister in order to provide wrong answers to questions that are being asked in a very straight and forward manner?
Madam Speaker: Hon. Minister, have you done a research? That is the question.
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for that follow-up question. The answer is very simple. We deal with experts in my department, and before we do anything, an assessment is done and then we provide what is required by the people. Hence, I said that so far, I have not received any report concerning what we provided because the research and assessment the experts did has responded very well. So, I do not think the experts can provide something to an environment, which is not suitable. The hon. Member must understand that before we do anything, experts do their part, which is to carry out assessments, on whether the goats and chickens we will give out to a specific area will survive. That is part of what our experts do.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: Before we proceed, hon. Member for Nalikwanda, do you want to raise a point of order?What is your point of order?
Hon. Member: He is missing.
Laughter
Madam Speaker: Okay, since we were born before computers, we will ignore that.
Mr Shakafuswa (Mandevu): Madam Speaker, I am getting worried that the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock is now copying from the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development …
Hon. UPND Members: How?
Mr Shakafuswa: … by avoiding giving direct answers.
Madam Speaker, I remember that while in the Opposition, our President in 2019, went to the United States of America (USA), and while there, he secured US$25 billion through pledges and he informed the nation through the Zambia Daily Mailnewspaper that he would use US$8 billion of the pledges in agriculture,and in particular for cattle restocking,and that he would give twenty-one animals per household for milk production and cultivating. Will the hon. Minister be kind enough to ask the President to engage those partners so that the Government can be given money and it can begin restocking cattle in districts such as Kanchibiya?
Interruptions
Madam Speaker: Order!
First of all, the hon. Member is talking about 2019 and I do not know which President he is referring to.
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Madam Speaker: Secondly, the question is not related to the question on the Order Paper. He is expanding the question too wide.
Hon. Member for Zambezi East, do you have a point of order?
Mr Kambita: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for allowing me to raise a point of orderon the hon. Member for Mandevu who has just asked a question with a lot of misleading information.
Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Zambezi East, I have already dealt with him. So, it is okay.
Hon. Member for Chilubi, do you have another supplementary question?
Mr Fube: Yes.
Hon. Member: It is a third one.
Mr Fube: It is not the third one.
Madam Speaker, the people of Kanchibiya would like to put on record that this question was not satisfactorily answered, espsecialy that when I asked a question as to wheher the ESLIP had closed, the hon. Minister chose to be political.
Madam Speaker: Order!Hon. Members, you are supposed to be asking supplementary questions.
Mr Fube: Yes, I will ask but I wanted to indicate –
Interruptions
Madam Speaker: Can we have order!
There is a tendency by hon. Members to debate their questions. Right now, you are asking supplementary questions and seeking clarification on what the hon. Minister said, and the questions should relate to the question on the Floor of the House. So, do not expand the questions deliberately in order to debate.
Hon. Member for Chilubi, you can ask a specific question related to the question that you asked on behalf of the hon. Member for Kanchibiya. Proceed.
Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I will rephrase my question.
Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister the variety of cattle they intend to restock under the ESLIP because he talked about funding?Is it Angoni, Barotse, ba Ila or Tonga?
Laughter
Mr Sing’ombe: That is not even a question.
Madam Speaker: That type of question will attract an answer. So, the hon. Minister will answer the question. I do not know if there are animals called ba Lozi or Ila, but I know there is Angoni.Anyway, let the hon. Minister indicate.
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member. I really find it very difficult to deal with his questions because the nature of the questions leaves me to wonder.
Madam Speaker,first of all, hon. Members must understand that the question is about restocking cattle in Kanchibiya. The question did not specify the type of breed the people of Kanchibiya want. What they want is cattle restocking. So, when money is made available, this Government will restock cattle in Kanchibiya. We are not talking of the typeof breed we are going to restock in Kanchibiya because that is the work of our experts. When the resources are made available and we buy cattle, the experts will advise us on the type of cattle required andshould be given to the people of Kanchibiya.As at now, the question does not specify the type of breed we should provide to the people of Kanchibiya.
Madam Speaker, I also want to inform the hon. Member that the ESLIP is an ongoing programme. They have not yet closed the programme. I believe most hon. Members of Parliament are aware that some of the programmes that the Government does are supported by co-operating partners. So, they must understand that as we move forward, we keep on trying to bring on board co-operating partners who are willing to assist this Government. I believe most hon. Members have seen that many co-operating partners have confidence in this Government and things will move very well.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Mubika (Shang’ombo): Madam Speaker, I am failing to understand the hon. Member for Chilubi…
Hon. PF Members: Ah!
Mr Mubika: …who is asking questions on behalf of the hon. Member for Kanchibiya. He said there is Angoni, Barotse–
Madam Speaker: Is it a point of order or are you just asking a question?
Mr Mubika: I want to find out from the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock …
Madam Speaker: Okay.
Mr Mubika: …if we have breeds like Barotse, Angoni or ba Ila? Do we have such breeds and Kanchibiya breed in Zambia?
Interruptions
Madam Speaker: Order!
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, that is why I said that I am left wondering as regards some ofthe questions I am being asked. However, regarding some of these breeds being mentioned, in my sector, we do not understand where they are coming from. So, the Barotse, the what – yes, there is a mixture of feelings and we understand that and we accept what hon. Members say in this House. However, to be specific, some of the breeds that the hon. Member has mentioned are not there.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has answered the two questions. However, based on the responses that the hon. Minister has provided,has the ministry quantified how much will be needed to undertake the works that the hon. Minister is referring to under the exercise, relating to as and when funds are available? How much will be needed to undertake the cattle restockingexercise?
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, first of all, I thank the hon. Member for asking that question.
Madam Speaker,the ministry has not quantified that. We have plans to do that and when that is done, that is when we shall know how much will be given to Kanchibiya District depending on the availability of resources. For now, we have not yet quantified for Kanchibiya District.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Ms Sefulo (Mwandi): Madam Speaker, I commend the hon. Minister for the great works they are doing. I must mention that as Mwandi, should we be given 10,000 chickens, we will donate an animal to Kanchibiya.
Laughter
Ms Sefulo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister explained that there are experts on the ground. Are the 116 districts going to be restocked with animals? My understanding is that there are areas where goats do better than cattle and there are areas where chickens do better than cattle, and that does not mean it takes out the value of chickens as opposed to cattle. So, I would to find out if this exercise will be carried out in 116 districts or will districts receive different livestock according to what a particular district can handle?
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, in line with what the hon. Member asked, when resources are made available, each district will be assessed, and we will find out the kind of livestock that will do better in a particular district. So, we will not just give out the animals. As you are aware, all what this Government does is methodical. So, we are going to do the right thing for the people of this nation.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: Let us make progress.
PROCUREMENT OF AMBULANCES FOR HEALTH FACILITIES IN SIOMA DISTRICT
354. Mr Mandandi (Sioma) asked the Minister of Health:
(a) whether the Government has any plans to procure ambulances for health facilities in Sioma District to
enhance their operations;
(b) if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
(c) if there are no such plans, why.
The Minister of Health (Mrs Masebo): Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to procure ambulances to cater for health facilities countrywide that do not have adequate ambulance services and the procurement will be implemented in a phased approach, and health facilities in Sioma District are expected to benefit from this Government initiative.
Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that due to the increasing demand for ambulances for maternal and neo-natal emergencies and road traffic accidents coupled with the high cost associated with the ambulatory service, at the district level, ambulances are managed from the District Health Office. The district normally is divided in zones, and available ambulances are assigned to zones. A zone is a collection of health centres and health posts within a given district. The assigned ambulances are utilised to send referrals to higher levels for specialised management. At the hospital level, ambulances are attached to district hospitals, general hospitals, central hospitals and teaching hospitals. The assigned ambulances are utilised to send referrals to higher levels for specialised management.
Madam Speaker, the implementation of the procurement processhas already startedand is expected to be implemented within this year.
Madam Speaker, as stated earlier, the Government has plans to procure ambulances not only for health facilities in Sioma District, but for all health facilities countrywide. Therefore, question (c) falls off.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Anakoka (Luena): Madam Speaker, can the hon. Minister confirm that districts that do not have ambulances at the moment such as Limulunga District will be considered in the first phase of the phased approach?
Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, yes, that is the position.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Sioma, do you have any supplementary question?
Mr Mandandi: No supplementary question, Madam Speaker. I am very satisfied.
Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister’s response is that the distribution of ambulances will be done in a phased approach. There is Phase I, Phase II and I am sure the ministry has done different phases. My question is:Is the hon. Minister kind enough to provide us with information on which constituency and which district is in which phase?
Madam Speaker: I believe that is expanding the question too wide. The issue relates to Sioma. Of course, there was a bonus answer but expecting the hon. Minister to state which phase and how much, I think will not be fair.
Mr Kang’ombe:Let me rephrase my question, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: Okay, you can rephrase it.
Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, allow me to find out from the hon. Minister, in which phase Kamfinsa Constituency is?
Laughter
Madam Speaker: At the rate we are going, every hon. Member will ask about his/her constituency. So, let us be specific to Sioma, please.
Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister informed the whole nation that the Government plans to procure ambulances for health facilities in the entire nation. Can the hon. Minister confirm whether this procurement will be done within this fiscal year,under the current Budget.
Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, you will recall that this House approved the 2022 Budget, and one of the items approved was the purchase of ambulances. You may also recall that the amount in the Budget was for 100 ambulances. So, all things being equal, and looking at the cost of living and the prices, we expect to acquire 100 ambulances this year, which is in this year’s Budget.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, I have been privileged to see the kind of transportation that the people of Sioma use when carrying patients. There was a time I saw a pregnant woman being carried on what we call in our usual language ichikochikala. I do not know what it is called in English.
Laughter
Rev. Katuta: Theyuse cows and that thing at the back.
Hon. Members: Oxcart!
Rev. Katuta: I cannot say that word. Ichikochikala.
Laughter
Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, it made me cry to see a pregnant woman being transported in that manner. The then hon. Member of Parliament told me that that is the usual transport provided for patients in Sioma.
Madam Speaker, we are talking about Sioma where they do not have any means of carrying patients. Is there a way of providing small ambulances, which she informed the House had been retrieved, because of some kind of confusion in the contract? Can those be given to Sioma in the meantime? I would like to find out if the Government can do that because we cannot let people in Sioma to live like that.
Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for the follow-up question.
Madam Speaker, the situation in Sioma is bad. The fact is that this is the third year that Sioma has had no ambulance. I was told that we have lost lives on account of the lack of transport to take urgent referral cases to the next level. So, it is an emergency. In fact, as a ministry, we will look at whether it is possible, in the meantime, to retrieve an ambulance from a particular area, which may not be in good condition and requires repairs. We can repair it quickly and send it to Sioma in the meantime whilst we await the arrival of the new ambulances, hopefully before the end of this year, God-willing. Yes, the situation is pathetic, but that is the situation in a number of districts.
Madam Speaker, let me also take this opportunity to speak to hon. Members of Parliament. They may consider acquiring ambulances using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). They can get in touch with the ministry’s department that is procuring these for them to be introduced to areas where there are quality ambulances which they may consider buying. I am saying this because I am alive to the fact that, in the past, hon. Members of Parliament were gongad and they bought second-hand ambulances which ended up being fake or not good. So, this time around, Zambia is working with the European countries that have shown us they are able to produce good quality ambulances. There are also strong 4x4 vehicles at Toyota Zambia that can be used for this purpose.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the good answers that she has provided.
Madam Speaker, the answer that the hon. Minister provided has raised anxiety among the hon. Members here, as well as the listeners out here, because she stated that the Government has plans to buy ambulances for all the districts. I believe even the people in Sioma are interested to know in which phase they are going to be in, considering that she said that the Government will implement this exercise of procuring ambulances in a phased approach. The hon. Minister also stated that some hon. Members of Parliament can consider buying ambulances using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Madam Speaker, is it possible for the hon. Minister to come back to the House, because she may not have the answers today, with a written schedule showing the constituencies in each phase so the people and hon. Members of Parliament can understand which phase they are in so that those who may not be in any phase can consider buying ambulances using the CDF?
Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, I think that is a fair request and I can come back with that information after assessing all the districts and seeing which districts are more in dire need than others. So, for the first 100, we can do that kind of schedule.
Madam Speaker, let me also say that even if we were to start with 150 constituencies and gave one ambulance to every constituency, they would not be sufficient. The requirement for more ambulances is something that hon. Members should seriously consider. In most rural areas like Chongwe, for example, even if I am given two ambulances, they are not sufficient because Chongwe is divided into four parts. It does not make sense for one ambulance to leave Manyika area and go to Ngwerere or Kasisi to pick up a patient and take him/her back to Chongwe. Hon. Members will note that the demand for ambulances for referral purposes and also to reduce maternal deaths is so critical.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mrs Chonya (Kafue): Madam Speaker, I will not try to ask for Kafue because I know that the hon. Minister is already aware and I am sure that we are the ones in the first phase for consideration.
Laughter
Mrs Chonya: Madam Speaker, I looked at the cost of ambulances. At one point, the Government paid US$288,000, and at the current rate, it translates to over K4 million for an ambulance. What are the indicative costs for the procurement that will be done in the New Dawn Government because over K4 million from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is colossal and we will be left with nothing to do other projects, if we were to go that route? What are we looking at procuring in terms of unit costs for ambulances this time around?
Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for the follow-up question. Yes, I visited Kafue District and the desire for an ambulance in Kafue is as desperate as it is in Chinsali. So, I hope that they will be part of the first 100.
Madam Speaker, since there has been a request that I come back with the list, I ask that I also bring the cost element of what the Government is acquiring and other options. We had an opportunity to visit the Czech Republic and the Czechs were here with their Minister of Foreign Affairs. They made presentations here in Lusaka and on the Copperbelt to showcase what they are able to do. It is true that you can get good quality value for money from some of the suppliers.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Dr Mwanza (Kaumbwe): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for allowing the people of Kaumbwe to ask a follow-up question and I thank the hon. Minister for the explanation on Sioma.
Madam Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to explain the criterion for allocating the ambulances. She already explained, but she needs to give more details because I heard her say that the allocation of an ambulance to an area is dependent on the number of health centres in a constituency or area. I want to know if Kaumbwe falls in or out of that criterion.
Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Kaumbwe, I believe the hon. Minister has indicated that she is going to come back with more details. So, I am sure she might not have those details right now. Let us give her time to come back with more details and then, we can ask further questions.
Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving the good people of Solwezi East, and in particular Mushindamo District, an opportunity to ask the hon. Minister a follow-up question.
Madam Speaker, in the various health facilities, there are a number of ambulances parked on the rocks or on stones with just minor repairs needed. Is the ministry in a position to undertake an audit to find out how many ambulances are just laying idle so that they can be repaired? In Mushindamo, there is one Land Cruiser on the rocks, with minor repairs needed, so that the people of Sioma can benefit if such ambulances were repaired as opposed to waiting until we procure new ones.
Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, that is a very good point and I have taken note. That is a matter that we must pursue very urgently and, maybe, support councils by way of mobilising resources within the ministry so, in the meantime, some ambulances can be fixed and allocated to areas which are in dire need.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
_______
BILLS
FIRST READING
THE PUBLIC DEBT MANAGEMENT BILL, 2022
The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi) (on behalfof the Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Public Debt Management Bill, 2022. The objects of the Bill are to provide for –
(a) the raising of loans and grants;
(b) the issuing of guarantees;
(c) the approval of loans by the National Assembly;
(d) the issuing of loans by or on behalf of, the Government;
(e) the establishment of sinking funds;
(f) the establishment of the Debt Management Office and provide for its functions;
(g) the repeal of the Loans and Guarantees (Authorisation) Act, 1969, and the General Loan and Stock Act,
1931; and
(h) matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker:The Bill stands referred to the Planning and Budgeting Committee. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Wednesday, 27th July, 2022. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (Amendment) BILL, 2022
The Minister of Transport and Logistics (Mr Tayali): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill, 2022. The objects of the Bill are to –
(a) revise the composition of the Board of the Agency;
(b) revise the provisions relating to the registration of a motor vehicle and trailer;
(c) revise the provisions relating to licensing of motor vehicles and drivers;
(d) enhance road safety provisions;
(e) revise the penalties for driving offences; and
(f) provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker:The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Transport, Works and Supply. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Wednesday, 27th July 2022. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.
THE PUBLIC ROADS (Amendment) BILL, 2022
The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Public Roads (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
Madam Speaker, the object of the Bill is to amend the Public Roads Act, 2002 so as to –
(a) revise the composition of the Board of the Agency and re-define its functions;
(b) provide for the protection of execution of judgements against the property of the Agency; and
(c) provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker:The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Transport, Works and Supply. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Wednesday, 27th July, 2022. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.
THE TOBACCO BILL, 2022
The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Mtolo): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Tobacco Bill, 2022.
Madam Speaker, the objects of the Bill are to –
(a) provide for the promotion, regulation and monitoring of the production, marketing and packing of tobacco
in the Republic;
(b) provide for the regulation of the import of tobacco to the Republic;
(c) continue the existence of the Tobacco Board of Zambia and re-define its functions;
(d) re-constitute the composition of the Board and revise the Board functions;
(e) provide for the imposition and collection of a levy on tobacco grown in the Republic;
(f) repeal and replace the Tobacco Act, 1967 and the Tobacco Levy Act, 1967; and
(g) provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Madam Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Lands and Natural Resources. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Wednesday, 27th July, 2022. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.
THE ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATION BILL, 2022
The Minister of Information and Media (Ms Kasanda): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Zambia Institute of Public Relations and Communication Bill, 2022. The objects of theBill are to –
(a) continue the existence of the Zambia Public Relations Association and re-name it as Zambia Institute of
Public Relations and Communication and re-define its functions;
(b) provide for registration of public relations and communication professionals;
(c) regulate public relations and communication professionals’ conduct;
(d) constitute the Council of the Institute and provide for its functions; and
(e) provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Media, Information and Communication Technologies. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Wednesday, 27th July, 2022. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.
THE CHILDREN’S CODE BILL, 2022
The Minister of Community Development and Social Services(Ms D. Mwamba): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Children’s CodeBill, 2022. The objects of the Bill are to –
(a) reform and consolidate the law relating to children;
(b) provide for parental responsibility, custody, maintenance, guardianship, foster care, adoption, care and
protection of children;
(c) provide for the grant of legal aid to, and establish procedures for the treatment of, children in conflict with
the law;
(d) provide for the making of social welfare reports in respect of a child in conflict with the law;
(e) establish diversion and alternative correctional programmes and promote the rehabilitation of a child in
conflict with the law through programmes to facilitate restorative justice and compliance with laws;
(f) provide for the protection of a child victim and child witness in investigative and judicial processes;
(g) provide for the probation of a child in conflict with the law and provision of probation services;
(h) provide for the development of treatment programmes, early intervention services and programmes to
combat crime and prevent further offending;
(i) limit the negative effects of confinement by minimising the impact of a finding of guilty on the family of a
child in conflict with the law and facilitate the re-integration of the child in conflict with the law into
society;
(j) provide for the establishment of child approved centres and child reformatory centres;
(k) provide for the regulation of child care facilities;
(l) provide for child safeguarding;
(m) domesticate the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of
the Child, the Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption
and the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction;
(n) repeal the Legitimacy Act, 1929, the Adoption Act, 1956, the Juveniles Act, 1956, and the Affiliation and
Maintenance of Children Act, 1995; and
(m) provide for matters connected with, or incidental to the foregoing.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee onSport, Youth and Child Matters. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Wednesday, 27th July, 2022. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.
THE PENAL CODE (Amendment) BILL, 2022
The Minister of Green Economy and Environment (Eng. Nzovu) (on behalf of the Minister of Justice (Mr Haimbe, SC): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2022. The object of theBill is to amend the Penal Code so as to revise the age of criminal responsibility of a child.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Legal Affairs, Human Rights and Governance. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Wednesday, 27th July, 2022. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.
THE PROBATION OF OFFENDERS (Amendment)BILL, 2022
Ms D. Mwamba: Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Probation of Offenders (Amendment)Bill, 2022. The object of theBill is to amend the Probation of Offenders Act so as to –
(a) revise the provisions relating to the probation of children in conflict with the law; and
(b) provide for matters connected with, or incidental to the foregoing.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House on Wednesday, 27th July, 2022. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.
_______
The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that His Excellency, Mr Sergio Mattarella, the President of the Republic of Italy, will arrive at 1720 hours to address the House.
Thank you.
Business was suspended from 1611 hours until1700 hours.
[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]
ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
DELEGATION FROM THE REPUBLIC OF ITALY
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to acquaint the House with the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery, of the following delegates from the Republic of Italy:
Ms Laura Mattarella First Lady
Ms Marina Sereni Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation
Mr Antonio Maggiore Ambassador of Italy in Zambia
Ms Carolina Monteiro Spouse of the Ambassador of Italy to Zambia
Mr Ugo Zampetti Advisor, Secretary General of the Presidency of the Italian Republic
Mr Gianfranco Astori Information and Social Participation Advisor to the President of the Italian Republic
Mr Simone Guerrini Advisor, Chief of Secretary Office of the President of the Italian Republic
Mr Giovanni Grasso Press and Communication Advisor to thePresident of the Italian Republic
Gen. Gianni Candotti Military Advisor to the President of the Italia Republic
Mr Inigo Lambertini Chief of Protocol
Mr Fabritio Saggio Deputy Diplomatic Advisor
Mr Sacopo Albergoni Chief of the visits’ office
Mr Alberto Comito Diplomat at the office of the Diplomatic Advisor
Mr Francesco Pitrolo Health Security Advisor
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish, on behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, to receive our distinguished guests and warmly welcome them into our midst.
I thank you.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Businesswas suspended from 1714 hours until 1725 hours.
The President entered the Assembly Chamber escorted by Madam Speaker.
THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS
(Assembly resumed)
Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, the House would like to welcome to the Assembly, the President of the Republic of Italy, His Excellency Mr Sergio Mattarella.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Madam Speaker: We are honoured Your Excellency that in the course of your official visit to Zambia, you decided to address this august House. May I now invite you Mr President to deliver your Address.
The President (Mr S. Mattarella):Your Excellency, Madam Speaker, and hon. Members of Parliament, I wish to thank Madam Speaker of the National Assembly for the kind words of friendship during the meeting we held a few minutes ago. I want to thank her for the kind words of friendship towards Italy and towards myself personally. I wish to express to Speaker, Nelly Butete Kashumba Mutti and all hon. Members of the Assembly my utmost gratitude for giving me the honour to address you in this Chamber.
Parliament is a place where we express the peoples will democratically. Therefore, to me, it is especially important to take the Floor in front of this Assembly. Democracy has solid roots in Zambia and it has proven to be appreciated by its people and through their vote, on a number of occasions, there have been alternate Governments. The Zambian people and the Italian people are united by age old bonds of friendship for many decades after the Second World War. Our countries went through intense collaboration at the time when the independence of a number of African countries was happening. A number of Italian businesses contributed to the economic and social development of the country beginning with the building of the Kariba Dam, which continues to be one of the most important dams of the entire continent, with the large presence of Italians.
When I referred to the relations between our peoples and all the peoples of Southern Africa, I can also think of the important role played by the Italian Civil Society in consolidating our friendship. A friendship which was also shared by other peoples in the Southern Africa through their desire for freedom and Italy firmly supported the movements which were struggling against the segregation regimes. It is hard to believe that struggling for the dignity in all manner of the continent was needed, yet it is part of our recent history.
The support of the Italian Republic to Zambia which, at the time, was one of the few countries in the region to have achieved a full-fledged independence under the leadership of Dr Kenneth Kaunda the Founding Father and one of the key players in the founding of contemporary Africa, expressed our closeness and solidarity through sharing of politics and values with his vision of an enlightened Pan-African idea, the idea of a regenerated Africa guided by the desire for a peaceful destiny for all peoples beginning with the peoples of the continent. Dr Kaunda, as mentioned by President Hakainde last June, one year after his passing, was a source of inspiration for Africa and the rest of the world. After colonialism, a season of hope was beginning for the emancipation of the unity of Africa similar to one which had started in Europe following the defeat of Marxism and fascism and the laying of the ground work which would led to the European Union. This was an aspiration which was expressed by the beginning in Lusaka of the conference for the co-ordination of the development of Southern Africa which was at the roots of the current development community.
Meaningful experiences led to the treaty, which then paved the way for the building of a common future for sixteen countries in Southern African. Thirty years have passed following the visit to Zambia of the then President of the Italian Republic, Mr Cossiga, and today, we wish to express our desire to further strengthen the unity in our intentions, especially given the very delicate current international context.
Madam Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, hon. Members of Parliament, recently, the world has been shocked by two major crises, first by the pandemic and then, by the Russian Federations invasion of Ukraine. The pandemic was a turning point for all of humanity. It made us face our common vulnerability and the many problems that no single nation can deal with alone. Africa, along with Europe and Asia, was affected badly not only in terms of the victims as the pandemic but also due to the fact that the global crisis linked to the pandemic weakened the task towards progress.
Now, the need to overcome the health emergency and its serious social and economic consequences forced the global debate to focus, for the first time, on issues such asglobal access to vaccines, the protection of health and the consequences on the more fragile economies. It requires us to look to new and more effective forms of co-operation.
Despite all the progress made two years after the beginning of the vaccination campaign, we still have much to do as a way of ensuring adequate protection for all of those who are most fragile. Especially on the African continent, the vaccination rates are still unsatisfactory in many cases both due to the difficulties in the procurement of vaccines in as far as the criticalities in their distribution which would require greater investments in a more effective healthcare network.
Italy, during itsGroup of Twenty (G20) Presidency, last year, was on the frontline of promoting the broadest possible dissemination of vaccination campaigns. The consignment last week of 500,000 new vaccine doses is the most recent testimony of this commitment, but we have to look beyond managing the emergency. We have to work towards an increasingly intense interaction of our testing and research centres so that we can lead the way to significant vaccine and pharmaceutical production activity on your continent.
The pandemic has also shown the limits of aglobal economy organised on value chains which often depend on a limited number of manufacturing centres, especially in Asia. This led to a scarcity of goods following the closures stemming from the health crisis. In some cases, this dependency also led to financial implications which often led to indebtedness which, in turn, undermined the possibilities of achieving social and economic development. This is a problem which affects a number of countries, including African ones. Italy is a sensitive partner within the context of the international financial institutions as a way of finding a solution that can help us block the solution connection between indebtedness and a lack of development.
The several distortions within international trade and in the flow of goods and people led us to focus more, especially on the European level, on the need of creating stronger partnerships with our neighbouring regions. It goes to show, once again, that your African co-operation is valuable. It goes to show that our two continents share a common destiny. Africa and Europe share a common destiny.
Overcoming the legacy of colonialism was not easy. The expropriation of Africa happened through the slave trade besides the exploitation of its natural resources and now we run the risk of facing a new form of impoverishment represented by the disorderly and irregular migration towards the west of so much youthful energy which would in fact be useful for the development of the continent.
The international crisis, the pandemic and the climate crisis along with the consequences of the Russian Federation’s war will lead towards further new migrations which led to the concern expressed by President Hichilema when he recently addressed the European Parliament in Strasburg.
Hon. Member: Hear, hear!
The President: He underscored that streamlining the movement of manpower should and could contribute to the exchange of knowledge amongst peers improving the flow of information and leading to new innovation. He added that formal agreements for the circulation of people amongst our regions will contribute to reducing illegal migration. He said, and I quote, “We have to open formal channels so that we can deal with this problem at its very root. We have to work together in the awareness that it is not healthy to repel people on ships once they have had access to countries. We can avoid this in a proactive way beforehand.” I share his ideas.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine, I think, is another watershed. It has, once again, brought to the forefront doctrines such as militarism and imperialism which had been condemned by history and which we thought had been overcome by all of mankind’s aspirations towards a peaceful coexistence among people and international co-operation.
The events unfolding in Ukraine are a threat to the principle of equal dignity amongst states. It is a threat to an international system based on the United Nations (UN) and on law, a system that calls for equality among all states, be they large or small, and it safeguards sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is a system which does not allow the strong to prevail over the weak. The devastating consequences of this war are being felt especially in Europe where over 8 million Ukrainians were forced to abandon their homes to flee against the oncoming Russian troops which in many cases were also the perpetrators of atrocious crimes. This is an action which will have heavy repercussions and not just in Europe.
In addressing the African Union, President Hichilema mentioned that instability anywhere is instability everywhere.
Hon. Member: Hear, hear!
The President: Its consequences are felt by the entire planet and especially by the African Continent where the future of millions of people is put at risk by the economic crisis, the increase in the price of energy and the block of exports of foodstuffs caused by the Russian Invasion.
In facing the tangible risk of a progressive weakening of the international political and economic order which was built after World War II beginning with the UN, I am increasingly convinced of the fact that Africa and Europe have a common interest in defending a multi-polar and multi-lateral system based on rules and shared institutions. We need an increasingly effective multilateralism that can encourage co-operation amongst people allowing humanity to face the many challenges ahead, beginning with climate change to energy transition all the way to the need of ensuring a balanced and fair growth that can allow us to reduce the deep social and economic inequalities which, to this day, characterise our planet.
We have to achieve towards a future of collaboration and prosperity, a shared one, and the African Continent is Europe’s natural partner and Europe is Africa’s natural partner. All of the great projects to usesolar and wind power, agriculture 4.0, the production of green hydrogen and the potential for co-operation between Africa and Europe are all indeed very promising without ever forgetting the context referring to small and medium-sized enterprises. The impulse toward co-operation following the European Union African Union Summit last February has to be consolidated and broadened. It has to fully be able to use the resources equal to some EUR€ 150 billion between public and private funds which have been announced for new investments in infrastructure.
Being able to give value swiftly and fully to these opportunities is all the more urgent given the current international context since it could contribute to reducing the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine, especially when it comes to food and energy security of our continents within an approach that will be to the benefit of us all.
Naturally, the key to success has to be long lasting and common.The key to success lies in strengthening the awareness of the complementary nature between Africa and Europe. The AfricanUnion’s Agenda 2063 and the working plans drafted by the European Union can and must coincide. This is an area which will be at the very heart of the global dynamics and the African continent will be able to express the largest possible potential.
Madam Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, Members of Parliament. In the past, we used to say that Africa is the continent of the future and, therefore, the time for Africa is now. Africa is the present, …
Hon. Member: Hear, hear!
The President: … a present we have to invest in to promote a better future.
Over 60 per cent of the 1.4 billion African population is aged twenty-five and below and by 2050, according to estimates, young Africans will represent over 25 per cent of the global workforce. We have a shared responsibility. The enormous potential which can be of benefit to all of humanity should not be wasted.
Underscoring the value of the African youth has to be followed by special focus on education. We have to work to remove all the economic, social and cultural obstacles that do not allow young people, especially young women, to complete their education. In this sense, I have a deep appreciation for the Zambian authority’s policy aimed at guaranteeing free access to education to all.
Hon. Member: Hear, hear!
The President: Madam Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, Members of Parliament, intensifying relations with the African continent, Italy and the European Union know that they can count on a dialogue with those countries which, like Zambia, have gone through an important path towards the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law. Our ambition (inaudible) is to build a partnership focused on common interests and shared values, the respect for the dignity of all people, the promotion of democratic values, attention to growth and to the development of young generations and the care for global common goods beginning with the environment. From this point of view, Zambia’s experience is especially important because it expresses a democratic model which is authentically African with a focus on human rights and it is a benchmark, an example for the region.
Hon. Member: Hear, hear!
The President: Zambia is a country which adheres to its longstanding tradition of being a positive protagonist. Zambia is a country which is committed to peace and to the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the area. The Republic of Zambia knows that it can count on a long-standing friendship with Italy.
In conclusion, allow me to thank you, once again, for the high honour given to me. This is further proof of the friendship between our peoples and our continents. Thank you very much, indeed, for your attention.
Hon. Member: Hear, hear!
The President left the Assembly Chamber.
_______
[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
_______
MOTION
ADJOURNMENT
The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.
Question put and agreed to
_______
The House adjourned at 1747 hours until 0900 hours on Friday 8th July, 2022.
____________