Tuesday, 14^th February, 2023

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_______

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM SPEAKER

DELEGATION FROM THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I have two announcements to make. Before I make these two announcements, I wish everyone a happy Valentine’s Day.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Special thanks go to the hon. Member for Lumezi for the valentine present that he sent to me early this morning.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, I wish to acquaint the House with the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery, of the following hon. Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry, and staff from the Parliament of Uganda.

Hon. Prof. Mushemeza Dickens, MP, Chairperson and Leader of the Delegation;

Hon. Mugole Stephen, MP;

Hon. Edakasi Elalu Alfred, MP;

Hon. Kirumira Hassan, MP;

Hon. Mwijukye Francis, MP;

Hon. Amero Susan, MP;

Hon. Nayebale Sylvia, MP;

Hon. Mbwatekamwa Gaffa, MP;

Hon. Okella Geoffrey Charles, MP; and

Ms Kudha Tabitha, Legal Counsel.

I wish, on behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, to receive our distinguished guests and warmly welcome them in our midst.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

SUBMISSION OF NAMES OF PRIORITY AREAS TO RECEIVE COMMUNICATION TOWERS

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members will recall that on Tuesday, 29^th November, 2022, I informed the House that the Ministry of Technology and Science, in collaboration with the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), had undertaken an exercise to determine areas that did not have access to telecommunication services, countrywide. I further informed the House that the ministry had requested the hon. Members of Parliament to submit names of priority areas in their constituencies that need communication towers by Friday, 2^nd December, 2022. Further, on Friday, 9^th December, 2022, I reminded the hon. Members to make their submissions before close of business. However, only fifty-two hon. Members have submitted the information, thus far.

In this regard, I wish to inform the House that hon. Members who have not yet submitted the information should take their submissions to the Journals and Table Office Department from today, Tuesday, 14^th to Friday, 17^th February, 2023. After Friday, 17^th February, 2023, there will be no further extension.

I thank you.

_______

BUSINESS OF THE WEEK

The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Madam Speaker, before I give the House some idea of the business it will consider this week, let me take this opportunity to welcome all hon. Members to the second meeting of the Second Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly. Let me also take this opportunity to wish all the hon. Members a happy Valentine’s Day.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: I hope hon. Members had a peaceful and restful festive period and that they are ready to proceed with the Business of the House. Let me now turn to the business which the House is expected to consider this week.

Madam Speaker, as indicated on the Order Paper for Tuesday, 14^th February, 2023, the House will consider Questions for Oral Answer.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, 15^th February, 2023, the Business of the House will start with Questions for Oral Answer. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider Private Members’ Motions, if there will be any.

Madam Speaker, on Thursday, 16^th February, 2023, the Business of the House will start with Questions for Oral Answer. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any.

Madam Speaker, on Friday, 17^th February, 2023, the Business of the House will start with Her Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time. This will be followed by Questions for Oral Answer. Then, the House will consider presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

_______

MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

MR J. CHIBUYE, HON. MEMBER FOR ROAN, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION, MR KAKUBO, ON WHETHER ANY ZAMBIAN LIFE WAS LOST IN THE RECENT EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY AND SYRIA

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): On a matter of urgent public importance, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A matter of urgent public important is raised.

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, allow me to convey fraternal greetings from the good people of Roan Constituency to your office and the members of staff of the National Assembly of Zambia. The matter that I raise is directed to my brother, the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

Madam Speaker, last week, the world woke up to devastating news about an earthquake that hit Turkey and parts of Syria. Over 30,000 people are feared dead and thousands others injured, with a lot of destruction of property.

Madam Speaker, we live in a global village in which people criss-cross countries, looking for employment, education and, indeed, to participate in athletics programmes or play football. So, it would be prudent for the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation to indicate to this august House and the country whether any Zambian soul has been lost or injured in that devastating earthquake.

Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me the first opportunity to raise a matter of urgent public importance.

MR MUNG’ANDU, HON. MEMBER FOR CHAMA SOUTH, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY, MR MWIIMBU, ON HON. MEMBERS NOTIFYING THE POLICE FOR PUBLIC GATHERINGS

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): On a matter of urgent public importance, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A matter of urgent public importance is raised.

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, I rise on this very important matter of urgent public importance on the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

Madam Speaker, if you look at our Public Order Act, Cap. 113 of the Laws of Zambia, you will see that it clearly states that some people are exempted from notifying the police before holding public gatherings. Among those exempted are your hon. Members. When we are carrying out our duties in our constituencies, we are supposed to interact with our electorates freely without interference. However, there was an incident last week in Kasenengwa in which police officers went to disrupt a multi-party meeting held by the Hon. Twasa, which was meant for the hon. Member to get views from the people of Kasenengwa for purposes of planning. That was a meeting at where members of all political parties, including those of the Ruling Party, were in attendance.

Madam Speaker, are we, hon. Members of Parliament, safe? Are we going to continue to discharge our duties without being interfered with? Is that what we expect from the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, whom I can see smiling over there? He is very happy and gesturing me to sit down.

Interruptions

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling because we are here to help our hon. Colleagues govern.

MR MUNIR ZULU, HON. MEMBER FOR LUMEZI, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ENG. MILUPI, ON THE COLLAPSED BRIDGE IN LUMEZI

Mr Munir Zulu (Lumezi): On a matter of urgent public importance, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A matter of urgent public importance is raised.

Mr Munir Zulu: Thank you kindly, Madam Speaker. Fraternal greetings from the kind people of Lumezi.

Madam Speaker, I raise my matter of urgent public importance on the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development.

Madam Speaker, we have a bridge in Lumezi called Lusangazi Bridge. It connects the people on the plateau to the valley of Lumezi. That is, from Mbuzi to Chief Chitungulu’s area. Every rainy season, the bridge collapses and we lose lives. I was in Lumezi last week and I could not manage to cross over to Chitungulu to see the good people of the area. All the times we have tried to put timber on the bridge, it has still collapsed. Is the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development in order to be seated here when lives are being lost as a result of the collapsed bridge?

MS MULENGA, HON. MEMBER FOR KALULUSHI, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY, MR MWIIMBU, AND THE HON. MINISTER FOR COPPERBELT PROVINCE, MR MATAMBO, ON TRUCKS MAROONED IN KALULUSHI

Ms Mulenga (Kalulushi): On a matter of urgent public importance, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A matter of urgent public importance is raised.

Ms Mulenga: Madam Speaker, thank you for giving the people of Kalulushi an opportunity to raise a matter of urgent public importance.

Madam Speaker, as you are aware, the longest stretch of the Kitwe/Chingola Dual Carriageway is in my constituency, and there is the issue of truckers parking along the dual carriageway. The intention of the Government when constructing the dual carriageway was to lessen the incidence of accidents. Now, only one lane of the dual carriageway is being used. I was in my constituency from Friday to Sunday, and I saw that the trucks are using only one lane, which is very dangerous. Further, across the road is Chambishi Town, and there are young girls there who carry buckets of hot water to sell to the truckers, which is very dangerous. In additionally, there are no toilets in the area where the truckers park; there is no sanitation, and we have been made alive to the fact that the number of cholera cases is escalating.

Madam Speaker, the truckers are men who park in the area for ten days or even longer, waiting for passage.

Interruptions

Ms Mulenga: Give me an opportunity. This has everything to do with the people of Kalulushi. So, listen.

Madam Speaker, there is no sanitation in the area, and we are talking about young girls crossing the road in question even as late as 2100 hours. Heaven knows what happens to those young girls.

Madam, are the hon. Minister for Copperbelt Province and hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security in order to keep quiet and smile like nothing has happened or like the people of Chambishi and Kalulushi do not matter? Almost on a daily basis, lives are being lost because there is only one lane in use. Your hon. Ministers are quiet and doing nothing while our children, mothers and fathers are affected. By the way, across the road is China Nonferrous Metals (NFC) or Sino Metals, and our miners are at risk. I hope that the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, who is over there, smiling, can do something about the situation. This also goes for the hon. Minister for Copperbelt Province. Could they intervene in this matter of urgent importance to the people of Kalulushi because lives are at risk.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: We will start with the matter raised by the hon. Member for Roan concerning the earthquake that occurred in Turkey. There is the concern and worry that, maybe, Zambians have been affected by the earthquake. I see that the Acting hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation is here.

Do you have anything to say at the moment, hon. Minister?

The Minister of Justice (Mr Haimbe) (on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation (Mr Kakubo)): Madam Speaker, we request some time to be able to give a comprehensive report.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: So, the Acting hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation will come back to the House to issue a ministerial statement on this matter on Thursday, this week.

The issue raised by the hon. Member for Chama South was directed to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, and concerned the enforcement of the Public Order Act. In particular, he referred to what transpired in Kasenengwa Constituency when the hon. Member for Kasenengwa was addressing a meeting. The hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security is in attendance.

I do not know whether you have anything to say, hon. Minister.

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu): Madam Speaker, I appreciate the issue raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for Chama South, but I would like to correct him by saying that there is no law in this country that exempts him or any other hon. Member of Parliament from notifying the police when they intend to hold meetings in their constituencies.

Interruptions

Mr Mwiimbu: There is no such law.

Madam Speaker, what has happened is that you and my office have allowed hon. Members of Parliament to interact with their constituents without notifying the police. The law, under Section 8, does not allow hon. Members to not notify the police. I have, however, with that caveat, taken note of the issue he has raised, and we will take appropriate measures to ensure that hon. Members of Parliament are not inconvenienced.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you for that clarification, hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

We now go to the point raised by the hon. Member for Lumezi and directed to the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, concerning a bridge in Lumezi Constituency.

Hon. Minister, could you make a statement on that?

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, as the House may know, this year’s floods are unprecedented. So, a number of crossing points have been affected and a number of areas flooded. The bridge that the hon. Member for Lumezi mentioned, Lusangazi Bridge, is not an exception. What I would advise the hon. Member to do when there are situations like that, in which communities are either cut off or likely to be cut off, is that he engages the ministry immediately rather than wait to come here and raise matters of urgent public importance.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, you are reminded that when a situation of that nature occurs, please, do not wait to come and raise it as a matter of urgent public importance. As we have been advised before, engage the respective ministry or hon. Minister to ensure that the problem is attended to as quickly as possible.

On the issue raised by the hon. Member for Kalulushi which, I believe, is directed to the hon. Minister for Copperbelt Province or the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, is in relation to the parking of trucks. She said that the road is a dual carriageway, but one lane is taken by parked trucks. I am not sure whether it is the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security who is supposed to address that issue or it is the hon. Minister of Transport and Logistics.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Maybe, the hon. Minister of Transport and Logistics can go and carry out an investigation on what is happening on the ground, and come back to the House with a ministerial statement this Friday.

Is Friday okay, or do we push it to next week?

Mr Tayali indicated assent.

Madam Speaker: On Tuesday, next week?

The hon. Minister can come back on Tuesday, next week, and give a full briefing on what is happening in Kalulushi regarding the trucks.

Thank you very much. That concludes the matters of urgent public importance.

_______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

PLANS TO CONSTRUCT A BOARDING SECONDARY SCHOOL IN MKAIKA PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

 

105. Mr Peter. Phiri (Mkaika) asked the Minister of Education:

1. whether the Government has any plans to construct a boarding secondary school in Mkaika Parliamentary Constituency; and
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented.

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima): Madam Speaker, let me inform the House that the Government has plans to construct a boarding secondary school in Mkaika Parliamentary Constituency, through the Ministry of Education, under the Zambia Education Enhancement Project (ZEEP), funded by World Bank.

Madam Speaker, plans to construct a boarding secondary school will commence in quarter three of 2023.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: Supplementary questions, if any. Hon. Member for Mkaika, are you satisfied?

Mr Peter Phiri indicated assent.

Madam Speaker: In that case, we make progress.

PLANS TO CONSTRUCT A TRADES TRAINING INSTITUTE IN GWEMBE DISTRICT

106. Mr Simuzingili (Gwembe) asked the Minister of Technology and Science:

1. whether the Government has any plans to construct a trades training institute in Gwembe District;
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented; 
3. what the estimated cost of the project is; and
4. if there are no such plans, whether Government will consider upgrading the Munyumbwe Skills Training Centre to a trades training institute.

The Minister of Technology and Science (Mr Mutati): Madam Speaker, in line with the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), the Government has recognised investment in skills development as a key enabler to economic transformation and job creation agenda. All the interventions will contribute to development of skills ideal for the creation of decent jobs, and foster entrepreneurship, particularly, for the youth whose unemployment levels are disproportionately higher.

Madam Speaker, consequently, the Government has been constructing trades training institutes in various parts of the country such as Sesheke, Mporokoso, Lundazi, Mumbwa and Nsumbu, in order to enhance access to skills training and further bridge the skills’ gap. These are chosen on the basis of location due to various demographic and socio-economic potential. Given that background, plans by the Government to construct a trades training institute in Gwembe District will, therefore, be considered once a Training Needs Assessment (TNA) has been undertaken. The assessment will inform the Government’s decision to either construct a new institute or expand or upgrade existing infrastructure.

Madam Speaker, plans to construct a trades training institute in Gwembe will be considered after a needs assessment has been undertaken.

Madam Speaker, the estimated cost of the project will be known once a TNA has been undertaken.

Madam Speaker, as stated in part (a) and (b) of the response, the Government will undertake a TNA on whether to construct a new trades training institute or expand the existing infrastructure at Munyumbwe Skills Training Centre.

However, the hon. Member of Parliament may wish to note that the people of Gwembe could still access training at existing nearby trades training institutes such as the Livingstone Institute for Business and Engineering Studies (LIBES) in Livingstone, St. Mawaggali Trades Training Institute in Choma, and Kasiya College in Pemba District and Monze District.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Order!

There is too much whispering. Can we maintain order.

Mr Simuzingili: Madam Speaker, thanks to the hon. Minister for the good answers he has provided.

Madam Speaker, when will the needs assessment be done? Secondly, the hon. Minister may note that the Southern Province only has three trades training institutes to cater for the whole province. Besides that, we are all aware of the New Dawn Government’s free education policy. There are so many pupils in schools. If we do not have plans, how are we going to manage pupils who will be exiting the secondary school system due to the provision of free education?

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, the needs assessment will be undertaken this year. The hon. Member may wish to note that we have twenty-eight trades training institutes, and if you divide that by ten provinces, it gives an average of three trades institutes in each province. The Southern Province has three institutes. So, that is called equity.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr E. Tembo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the responses. In agreeing with my colleague, the hon. Member who posed the question, I would like to know if the hon. Minister is considering opening up campuses, in view of the existing gaps. For instance, he said that people can still access the Livingstone Trades Training Institute and other trades institutes. As regards the institute that is not being used, we have a similar situation with Kaunga Farmers Training Centre and Chipata Trades Training Institute which are have been idle. So, is the ministry considering opening up campuses for quick offering of these services?

Mr Mutati: Indeed, Madam Speaker, it is an expanded question. The hon. Member may wish to note that Chipata Trades Training Institute is being fully utilised and wherever we have space, we are actually using it for skills training. There is absolutely no empty space that has been left.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Sialubalo (Sinazongwe): Madam Speaker, if the good people of Gwembe came up with their own strategic plan of using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to come up with training institutes, would the Government be in a position to chip in and help them?

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, if, indeed, they decided to set up an institute using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and any other resource that they may have, we would cheer them on and provide them with the necessary teaching staff.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

_______

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM SPEAKER

STATUS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC NATIONWIDE

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, before we go to the next item, I have seen that the hon. Minister for Health is in the House. We have an issue over the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) sitting arrangements in the House, and we are not yet sure what the status of the COVID-19 pandemic is, nationwide. So, the hon. Minister can deliver a ministerial statement on Thursday, this week, to give us the national status with regards to COVID-19, so that as we sit in the House, we are aware and we can implement whatever measures need to be taken to prevent the outbreak of the pandemic.

I thank you.

_______

 Mr Nyambose (Chasefu): Madam Speaker, I bring fraternal greetings from the good people of Chasefu. I also want to extend my greetings to the Her Honour the Vice-President and all hon. Members of Parliament and I greet them in the name of Jesus.

CONSTRUCTION OF CHASEFU BOARDING SCHOOL IN CHASEFU

107. Mr Nyambose (Chasefu) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

1. why the construction of Chasefu Boarding Secondary School in Chasefu District has stalled;
2. when the project will resume;
3. whether there are any plans to construct another secondary school in the district; and
4. if so, when the plans will be implemented.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, the construction of Chasefu Boarding Secondary School in Chasefu District stalled due to delayed payments.

Madam Speaker, the project will resume when funds are made available and the contractor is paid the outstanding Interim Payment Certificates (IPC).

Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to construct another secondary school in Chasefu District.

Madam, the Government is currently constructing a new secondary school known as Lupamazi Mini-Day Secondary School in Chasefu District.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Nyambose: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when these interim payments will be made. He may wish to note that Chasefu District has no boarding school. All our children go to school outside the district, and this is the only hope for the people of Chasefu. We are in a hurry to see it done, so that we can be like any other district or constituency where they have a boarding school. So, when will the Government make these interim payments?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I do sympathise with the hon. Member for Chasefu Parliamentary Constituency who is very hardworking as we all know.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the payment of IPCs is an on-going exercise. It is part of the problems we inherited, where we owe contractors a lot of money. I have said elsewhere that in the road sector, secondary schools, clinics, and so on and so forth, we still owe quite a lot of money. However, we have started the process of liquidating some of these IPCs, and as more money becomes available, a lot more will also be directed towards making these payments.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan):Madam Speaker, allow me to, first of all, sincerely thank the hon. Minister for Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development for coming to my constituency when the House was on recess to check on what he provided for in terms of funding for the bridge that we have been crying for.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned that the project stalled because of the Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) owed to the contractor. Is he ina position to state whether this project had a line budget before commencement? Was it budgeted for, and if it was, where did the money go?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Roan for hosting us. We had a wonderful time together in his constituency.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has asked whether there was a budget for the project. These are some of the issues the New Dawn Government is grappling with. Our view is that before any project is started or before any contract is signed, it must be supported by a budget and readily available funds. In a number of contracts that were issued previously, the two elements were not satisfied. That is why we have ended up owing so much money to so many contractors in this country, both in the road sector and also on the infrastructure side. So, this particular project is one of those where we did not have the resources to complete the project.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mapani (Namwala): Madam Speaker, when funds are available, will the Government re-engage the same contractor or it will re-advertise the same project?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, as the hon. Member of Parliament for Namwala would have noticed, works on this particular project stalled because the Government was not able to satisfy its conditions; by paying the Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs), which implies that the contractor completed a certain amount of work for which payment was due and the Government was not able to pay. Therefore, when funds are made available, if it is one of the projects that is not going to be cancelled or terminated, it is only reasonable to expect that the existing contractor continues.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Nyirenda (Lundazi): Madam Speaker, greetings from the good people of Lundazi.

Madam Speaker, Chasefu and Lundazi are good neighbours and share similar challenges. My question hinges on how sad it is that our children are merging in my Constituency. This is taking up some of the space for children in the area who are supposed to be enjoying the free education which is being offered at the moment.

Madam Speaker, concerning the school in Chasefu, does the Government have any specific budget or money reserved to complete it in the 2023 Budget?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, this demonstrates the difficulties that we find ourselves in. Right across this country, a number of day and boarding schools were abandoned by the previous administration. I can give a number of examples; the Michael Chilufya Sata Girls Secondary School in Isoka Constituency; Kasaba Secondary Schools in Chifunabuli; and many others. I can go on constituency by constituency.

Madam Speaker, I ask hon. Members of Parliament in this House to understand that to deal with a mammoth problem like this, it is required of the Government to really sit down and ensure that, as resources are made available, it begins to tackle these particular problems.

Madam Speaker, in Lundazi, for example – it is not just Chasefu, which is your neighbour – the trade school, which the Hon. Member and I visited, was left abounded also.

Madam Speaker, what I can assure this House, however, is that the New Dawn Administration has made a commitment that all uncompleted infrastructure, especially schools, will be completed. It forms an important element in the Government’s resolve to ensure that the adage that education is the greatest equaliser, as espoused by our President, is realised. So, hon. Members should help us with this resource mobilisation. I know that the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning is also working flat-out to find money to come and complete, especially, these secondary schools.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

UPGRADING OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TO GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS

108. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Education:

1. how many community schools there were in Kalabo District, as of October, 2021;
2. whether the Government has any plans to upgrade the community schools to Government schools;
3. if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
4. what the cause of the delay in upgrading the schools is.

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that there were nineteen community schools in Kalabo District, as of October 2021.

Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to convert community schools in Kalabo District into Government schools.

Madam Speaker, a community school can be converted whenever the process is completed and requirements are met, which include, but are not limited to:

1. land ownership;
2. grant of education management;
3. information systems (EMIS) identifier number;
4. schools that are functional;
5. a whole ministry’s assessment report;
6. clearance report from the Ministry of Justice; and
7.  gazette notice signed by the hon. Minister.

Madam Speaker, the cause of the delay in converting these community schools into Government primary schools is because of the process the schools undergo in meeting the requirements mentioned above.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, the response from the hon. Minister is quite clear. However, interacting with the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS), indications are that reports have been submitted several times, but there seem to be no quick response from the ministry headquarters. Would the ministry not try to waive some of those conditionalities, which seem to be delaying the process of gazetting the schools into Government schools?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, those are necessary steps and the Government will not waive them. The hon. Member was once a teacher and knows how important those steps are. However, we can do better to quicken the process. I will ask my hon. Colleague from the Ministry of Justice to just quicken the process. I think we have about 2,900 such schools which are supposed to be upgraded. So, I hope we can be fast into doing that.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Menyani Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, greetings to you from the people of Nyimba, and the entire House.

Madam Speaker, sadly, the hon. Minister answered my question in advance, even before I asked. However, just to add up, he will agree with me that in most rural parts of this country a good number of schools are community based. However, with the enhanced Constituency Development Fund (CDF), we have been changing the narrative from grass thatched to better schools.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Menyani Zulu: My question to the Hon. Minister is: Since he is going to consult with the hon. Minister of Justice – I know that what he mentioned are necessary steps and should be taken – does he not think it would be prudent for him to make sure that in the case of Kalabo, he sends qualified teachers to those community schools so that, at least, the quality of education is enhanced?

Mr Syakalima: The hon. Member diverted the question because I answered him in advance.

Madam Speaker, we will do just that. Quality education is what we want to see in the country. So, each time the schools are upgraded to Government schools, it is necessary to send qualified teachers there. Each child deserves a qualified teacher, whether they are in urban or rural areas.

I thank you, Madam Speaker

Mr Sialubalo (Sinazongwe): Madam Speaker, the people of Kalabo, who are represented by my neighbor here, would like to find out whether the hon. Minister is willing to put them on financial help in terms of school books for teachers, feeding programme or any other requirement by other Government institutions. Would the ministry provide such services to these community schools other than the teaching services that is provided? Is there any financial help? Is the ministry willing to help the people of Kalabo?

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Syakalima: The hon. Member who is your neighbour was entitled to ask another question. So, he should have asked the question himself. Anyway, we will do everything possible under the sun to help community schools where they lack.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

PLANS TO CONSTRUCT A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN MUWELE AREA IN MFUWE

109. Ms Mabonga (Mfuwe) asked the Minister of Education:

(a)        whether the Government has any plans to construct a secondary school in Muwele area in Mfuwe Parliamentary Constituency;

(b)        if so, when the project will commence; and

(c)        what the estimated cost of the project is.

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Government has plans to build a secondary school in Muwele area of Mfuwe Parliamentary Constituency through the Ministry of Education under the Zambia Education Enhancement Project (ZEEP), which is funded by the World Bank.

Madam Speaker, the plans to construct a secondary school in Muwele area, in Mfuwe Parliamentary Constituency, will commence in quarter three of 2023.

Madam Speaker, the estimated cost of the project is US$326,000.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Mabonga: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that response. I want to find out if the plans the hon. Minister has put in place include powering of the school with either solar power or power from the national grid.    

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, a secondary school requires power. As to whether the project will include providing power for the school, that is something that we are considering. However, in all essence, power must be installed in every secondary school, be it solar or power from the national grid.

I thank you, Madam Speaker

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu):  Madam Speaker, before I pose a follow-up question to the hon. Minister of Education, with your indulgence, allow me on behalf of my hon. Colleagues here to convey our sincere condolences to the Mwansa Kapeya family for the demise of Hon. Mwansa Kapeya. He was an hon. Member of Parliament for Mpika Central and also, a full Cabinet Minister, who served in different portfolios under the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Lands. He passed away yesterday.

Madam Speaker, we are grateful that the hon. Minister has plans to construct a school in Muwele in Mfuwe District. Which fiscal year does the hon. Minister expect to budget for this school so that the people of Muwele can be expectant?

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, for avoidance of doubt, I will repeat the question. In question (b), the hon. Member of Parliament asked, “If so, when will the project commence?” He further sought to know the expected cost for the project. My answer was that plans to construct a secondary school in Muwele Area in Mfuwe Parliamentary Constituency would commence in quarter three of 2023, and the estimated cost of the project would be US$326,000. Does that answer the hon. Member’s question? Certainly?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister indicated that this school is funded by the World Bank. May I know what motivates the commencement of the project in quarter three? I presume the money is available for that project.

Mr Syakalima: If I got the hon. Member right, he wants to know why this project will commence in quarter three.

Mr Fube: Yes!

Mr Syakalima:  And not which quarter?

Madam Speaker: Speak through the Speaker. Please, do not engage each other.

Laughter

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, we were motivated in quarter three because the money which was there at first to construct a model secondary school was not enough. The first money that the World Bank brought was only going to carter for, four teachers’ houses and one laboratory. The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning suggested that we built a secondary school where we could put up ten houses for teachers, a school hall and another laboratory.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, we were motivated by that. From four teachers’ houses, we were allowed to build ten houses. So, we had to mop-up coins from here and there for this plan to go through. We will therefore, finish planning for all these things in quarter three.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr E. Daka (Msanzala): Madam Speaker, receive greetings from the good people of Msanzala. Since the hon. Minister mentioned that the construction of the school will start in quarter three of 2023, has he already identified the contractor who will work on this school?

Mr Syakalima: Not yet, Madam Speaker.

I thank you, Madam Speaker

Mr Anakoka (Luena): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister just indicated that initially, the infrastructure provided for was a little bit on the lower side and that is why the Government decided to intervene and have it increased. Given that the construction of these schools will be done under the World Bank, is the hon. Minister in a position to share a list of other facilities we expect in these schools in terms of the number of classrooms and staff houses? What other infrastructure are we looking at in the US$326,000 that the hon. Minister suggested will be the cost for constructing the school?

Madam Speaker: Hon. Minister of Education, I do not know if you have that information.

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I do not have a list. A list is nice, and it will include water, certainly, and the rest will follow very nicely.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mutinta (Itezhi-tezhi): Madam Speaker, most World Bank-funded projects have a community participation model. What is the hon. Minister’s take on the community participation model on World Bank-funded projects?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I am not quite sure on my take on the community participation model. That is the way the projects are tailored. We feel that they must be under stringent supervision because there are engineers at the ministry who go to supervise the construction works.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): First and foremost, I convey fraternity greetings from the people of Chama North to you, Madam Speaker, and this august House.

PLANS TO CONSTRUCT BRIDGES ACROSS RIVERS ON THE MAFINGA/MULILOROAD IN CHAMA

110. Mr Mtayachalo asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

(a)    whether the Government has any plans to construct bridges across the following rivers on the Mafinga/Mulilo Road in Chama North Parliamentary Constituency:

         (i)         Wila; and

        (ii)        Kamimba; and

 (b)       if so, when the plans will be implemented.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Chama North. When we do not hear his voice in this House, we do not feel alright.

Madam Speaker, the Government will consider plans to construct bridges across Wila and Kamimba rivers on the Mafinga/Mulilo Road in Chama North Parliamentary Constituency.

Madam Speaker, the plans to construct bridges across Wila and Kamimba rivers on the Mafinga/Mulilo Road will be undertaken once the required funds have been secured.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, if my memory serves me right, the infrastructure budget indicates that 600 km of roads will be worked on and we allocated K250 million for that. The hon. Minister said that the Government will consider working on the bridges. From which Vote will the Government get the funds that will be used to work on the bridges?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, let me reiterate exactly what I said so that the hon. Member for Chilubi can comprehend what I said. The plan to construct bridges across Wila and Kamimba rivers on the Mafinga/Mulilo Road will be undertaken once the required funds have been secured. That was the answer. So, the budget will be provided once the funds are made available.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, the rivers are in Chief Mulilo’s Chiefdom and it is an agricultural area. It leads in terms of rice production, and there are gypsum deposits in that area. Is the Government considering allocating Acrow bridges to those rivers?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, that is a very specific question as to whether we will allocate Acrow bridges to those rivers. Let me provide a little history on the Acrow bridges so that the House may understand how this thing came about. 131 Acrow bridges were purchased by the previous Government and they were site specific. In other words, they were specific to certain sites. So, before those bridges were manufactured in the United States of America (USA), certain sites were measured, and on that basis, the bridges were manufactured and delivered here in Zambia. The 131 bridgesthat are available are already allocated to certain sites in the six provinces that were catered for. So, any new site will not be considered for the existing 131 Acrow bridges.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Simumba (Nakonde): Madam Speaker, how much money is required for the bridges? The hon. Minister stated in his submission that the bridges will only be constructed when the required funds are made available.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Nakonde wishes to know how much exactly we are talking about. Here is an expanded answer. The Government, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), is scheduled to carry out condition surveys on the Wila and Kamimba crossings on the Mafinga/Mulilo Road before the end of the first quarter of 2023. The condition surveys will ascertain the required intervention on the crossings, and the cost of implementing the projects. The construction works will be undertaken once funds have been secured. So, really, the answer to the hon. Member’s question will only be known once the surveys are completed. We hope, by the end of this quarter, to know the figures.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, allow me to pass a message of condolences to the Mwansa Kapeya family and the people of Mpika. Mr Mwansa Kapeya was a former Cabinet hon. Minister.

Madam Speaker, the bridges that the hon. Member for Chama North has indicated, connect the people of Chief Mulilo to Isoka, where they get all their services. As we speak, they cannot access advanced health services from Isoka. The hon. Minister said the bridges will be attended to when funds will be made available. Could he be kind enough and indicate when the funds will be made available, or will we wait for the next ten or fifteen years, or will the funds be made available this year? Knowing that the hon. Minister is a practical man, when will the funds be made available?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, a bit of explanation to the hon. Member for Chama South, who is seated there, smiling, with the Leader of Opposition.

Laughter

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, as Government, we have defined the Budget for 2023.Within the Budget, there is obviously the expenditure and the revenue. As you have noticed, locally generated revenues are not adequate to fund the Budget. Therefore, there has been an element of external borrowing. I think we have to understand that if we had to have more revenues, there are various options. One of the options is to get more taxes which, as you know, you cannot get because we are already a heavily taxed country. What is Government, therefore, doing realising that we cannot come in this House and ask for more taxes? The biggest problem that the Government was left with was the level of debt. The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning and his able team are working flat-out to have the issue of debt resolved. When that is done, there will be two things. Firstly, the level debt servicing will reduce and that will make more money available for other expenditures. Secondly, when that is resolved, it will enable the Government to borrow money more responsibly than it was done in the past.

PLANS TO INTRODUCE SUBSIDIES FOR FISH FARMERS UNDER FISP

111. Mr Simuzingili (Gwembe) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

1. whether the Government has any plans to introduce subsidies for fish farmers under the Farmer Input Support Programme; and
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented.

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Chikote): Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to broaden the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) to include subsidies for fish farmers.

Madam, the Government plans to implement the initiative in a phased manner commencing in the 2023/2024 farming season. The Government initially plans to roll out the initiative in few provinces and scale up to the remaining provinces in the subsequent farming seasons, in 2025 and 2026. The Government plans to gradually transition from the direct input supply modalities to the electronic modalities. In the new electronic modality, farmers will have an opportunity to selects their preferred inputs from crops, fish and livestock farming.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Rev. Katuta (Chienge): Madam, Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned that the Government will start the introduction of subsidies in certain provinces. Can I get clarity on which provinces he was referring to, in terms of the farmers who are going to benefit from these subsidies.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, we are going to start with Central Province and Lusaka Province.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chitotela (Pambashe): Madam Speaker, thank you so much and happy Valentine’s Day to you and all Members of Parliament.

Laughter

Ms Mulenga: She is a beautiful woman. Leave her alone.

Mr Chitotela: Hon. Mtolo wamvela jealous?

Madam Speaker: Thank you hon. Member for Pambashe.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, I am making a follow-up on the hon. Minister’s statement where he said that in subsequent years, they will graduate. However, this year’s Budget Speech by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning clearly states a complete shift to Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP). What is the exact Government policy? Is it what was announced by the Minister of Finance and National Planning in the Budget Speech that is promoting a total shift to CASP or what the hon. Minister has just informed the nation.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP)that the Minister of Finance and National Planning mentioned is a comprehensive programme that includes many factors that need to be carried out and requires farmers to choose and help promote themselves. What I am saying is that the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) is going to be broadened so that the two provinces I mentioned will have the choice to choose what they want to do when we go electronic. So, in CASP, we have many things like issues to do with electricity and infrastructure. All those things are in CASP.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Simuzingili (Gwembe): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for giving hope to the aquaculture farmers in Zambia. He has indeed answered their cries because he is indicating to us that the aquaculture sector can be sustainable because the feed is so high. With the subsidies the hon. Minister has indicated, I am a very happy Member of Parliament. I thank the hon. Minister.

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, on a lighter note, I have observed that people seem to be struggling for Valentine’s Day messages. From 2014 to date, I am the only Valentine’s Day Member of Parliament. I need to claim on that. You go and check the record. Hon.Mundubile can bear me witness.

Madam Speaker: Hon Member for Chilubi, we wish you a happy Valentine’s Day.

Laughter

Mr Fube: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Having said that, Madam Speaker, may I find out from the hon. Minister the shift from the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) to the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP) because the people of Chilubi seem to have gotten confused a bit when he was explaining about the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP).He said that it takes on board livestock farming, fisheries and crop farming. However, from the budget, the CASP is weighing more on the extension services and the Budget for 2023 is speaking much to extension services. I seek clarification from the hon. Minister whether it is the money from his ministry that will support CASP or is it the CASP under what the Minister of Finance and National Planning projected under the Ministry of Agriculture budget. I am confused a bit on that score.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, the confusion starts with him. Since he is confused, he has also confused me, but …

Laughter

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, the question is about whether or not we are going to consider fish farmers. This is why I have said in this year’s Budget, under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), we have come up a system to phase out provinces in a systematic way and we will start with the Central Province and Lusaka Province. That is FISP. These issues are factored in the 2023 Budget. This is why I have said even fish farmers are going to have a choice of buying inputs that they think they can support their activities. That is what I was trying to explain to him.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chitotela: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker:A point of order is raised.

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order pursuant to a very popular Standing Order No. 60 which requires hon. Members to be factual when they give information to this august House. Is the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock in order to mislead himself and the Zambian people by saying that your Budget, which was approved by this august House and presented by the Government through the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, has anything to do with the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) this year when the policy in the budget speech is very clear. It is talking about the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP)Is he therefore, in order to mislead himself and the Zambian people on the Government’s policy that is well-laid by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning?

I seek your serous ruling, Madam.

Madam Speaker: I do not know whether the hon. Minister wants to make a comment on that or not.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, the question reads as follows:

“Whether the Government has got plans under the Farmer Input Support Programme to support fish farmers”.

So, I am responding in relation to the question.

I thank you, Madam Speaker

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: My ruling is that since the hon. Minister is responding according to the question, he is not out of order.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, since the hon. Minister has confirmed that the Government is going to support subsidies for fish farmers, I would like to find out whether his ministry has any plans of coming up with a legal framework that will support the fish farming industry unlike the current legal framework that is actually drawn from the other part. So, I would like to find out if the ministry is going come up with a law that will support the fish farming or aquaculture farming.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question. In the first place, I was explaining the FSIP which sits in the Ministry of Agriculture and the hon. Member of Parliament was asking whether the fish farmers will be supported by this ministry.This is why I have gone further to explain that while the FISP sits in the Ministry of Agriculture, it has made it flexible for the farmers to choose what they want to do. So, they will either buy inputs which are going to support the fish farmers. So, this programme sits in the Ministry of Agriculture. It does not sit in the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

Now, coming to the mandate, I would like to state that the policy is there. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock supports aquaculture because it is one of our mandates as a ministry. So, the policy is there hence, we have programmes such as the Zambia Aquaculture Enterprise Development Project (ZAEDP). We have been supporting our fish farmers through ZAEDP where we have been giving very good support in terms of loans which just attract about 5 per cent interest. So, that is the support we are giving to our aquaculture fish farmers.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister may be aware that the aquaculture industry has been infiltrated. We have many foreigners who are doing fish farming. Now, with the plan to introduce the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) for aquaculture, are the foreigners going to benefit as well? How are they going to be treated?

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, I think that is just a direct question whereby the hon. Member should know that what we do with fertiliser and seed is what we are going to do even with our fish framers. These programmes are for the citizens of this country. They are not for foreigners. So, even when we introduce or when we support the fish farmers, we will deal with our own citizens and not foreigners.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, let me join the long of colleagues who are bringing fraternal greetings to you and Her Honour the Vice-President. Actually, the people of Chama South genuinely instructed me and sent greetings to Her Honour the Vice-President and that they are waiting for the relief food including roller meal.

Laughter

CONSTRUCTION OF ZESCO SUBSTATIONS IN CHAMA, LUNDAZI AND

CHASEFU

 

112. Mr Mung’andu asked the Minister of Energy when the Government will construct ZESCO Limited substations in the following areas in order to facilitate the connection of Chama, Lundazi and Chasefudistricts to the national electricity grid:

1. Chasefu;
2. Chama Central;
3. Kalovya;
4. Tembwe Chiefdom;
5. Chama South Boarding School; and
6. Chikwa Central.

The Minister of Energy (Mr Kapala): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House the yes, the Government of the Republic of Zambia through ZESCO Limited has plans to electrify the districts. Currently, a 132kV transmission line from Chipata to Chama through Lundazi has been constructed. In addition, logistics and ordering of equipment with a long-lead time for the establishment of 132/33kV substations at Lundazi, Egichicken, Mwasemphangwe and Chama is in progress. The actual construction is expected to start in the second quarterof 2023 and will run for twenty-four months once underway. From these substations, ZESCO will distribute to selected areas within the districts.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that very inspiring response. So, when should the people of Lundazi, Chikwa, Tembwe and Chama expect to be connected to the national electricity grid? When will these works be completed, so that we know whether it is this month, this year or next year when the people will be connected to the national grid?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, I do not think the hon. Member paid attention to my answer. I should read it again so that he understands. I will be slow in reading it out.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapala: Actual construction is expected to start in the second quarter of 2023 …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapala: … and will run for twenty-four months once underway.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Rev. Katuta (Chienge): Madam Speaker, I have a concern, seeing that most Government institutions, especially schools and clinics, are not connected to the national electricity grid. Having listened to the hon. Minister explain, may I know whether he is in a position to assure the people of Chikwa and Zambians at large on how Government institutions, especially schools, are going to be connected to the national electricity grid? We have Information Communication Technology (ICT) issues, but do not have power in most Government institutions. I need to hear the hon. Minister assure the people of Chikwa and the nation.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, it is not a question of just connecting all rural schools to the national electricity grid. We have an integrated Master Plan that is being carried out by the Rural Electrification Authority (REA). There is a plan and the hon. Member is free to come and look at the time when various schools will be electrified.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that answer. On 24^th March, 2023, the hon. Minister gave a similar answer; that Chama would be connected to the national electricity grid after twenty-four months. He is now telling us that it will take twenty-four months, like he did last year. Can he be precise because currently, in Chama, as I speak, there is no electricity and water? There is no water at Chama Boarding School. The situation is so desperate. When are we going to be connected to the national electricity grid? We are tired of getting power from Malawi.

Hon. UPND Members: Ah!

Mr Mtayachalo: So, I think it is important that the hon. Minister gives us precise answers. He assured us on 24^th March, 2022. We cannot continue to be talking about the same thing. We want a precise time when the construction of the substation is going to commence.

Madam Speaker: I think we are being repetitive now.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, I already answered. I think I should read the same sentence I read out to Hon. Mung’andu. Actual construction is expected to start in the second quarter of 2023 and will run for twenty-four months once underway. After twenty-four months, the schools will be connected.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: I think the hon. Member for Chama North said that you had provided a similar answer previously. So now, what is the correct position? That is what he wants to know.

Interruptions

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, yes, I did give a similar statement to this question at the time, there were feasibility studies that were being done. We had promised that construction would still take twenty-four months. Now, we are at a situation where we are sourcing equipment such as transformers and other accessories. There is also a project to do with transmission lines which will be part of the whole project.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has mentioned twenty-four months, which will be two years from now. Meaning, it will be –

Hon. Government Members: Ah!

Mr Mung’andu: So, you do not know that twenty-four months is two years?

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Let us pay attention.

Mr Mung’andu: So, that means we will be in 2026. My question is: Is there something that the hon. Minister can do …

Hon. UPND Members: There is nothing!

Mr Mung’andu: … in order to ensure that –

Interruptions

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, I need your protection. Is hon. Member –

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, can we have some order. Please, do not answer on behalf of the hon. Minister of Energy by saying “nothing.”

Laughter

Madam Speaker: You will be discouraging the person who is asking the question.

May the hon. Member for Chama South continue.

Mr Mung’andu: Knowing that we have a methodical Government, which can be articulate in shortening the period, is there something that the hon. Minister can do to alleviate the suffering of the people of Chama? They only have power for about twenty to thirty minutes, which is restored, maybe, around 0200 hours …

Mr Kampyongo: Ema load shedding ayo.

Mr Mung’andu: … and then goes off around 0300 hours. The Malawi power grid is unreliable and I know that the hon. Minister is aware of that. So, is there something that the ministry can do temporarily to ensure that the people, especially in the Chama Central Business District (CBD) where there is the hospital and secondary school, can have power while those in Chikwa and Tembwe wait for that procurement?

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Can we have some order, please!

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, as a stop-gap measure, the hon. Member can use part of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Hon. UPND Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapala: It is available and the Government has increased its allocation. So, he can use part of it as he waits for the next twenty-four months when the area is going to be connected to the national electricity grid.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: The hon. Member for Shangombo. Oh! Sorry, the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu.

Laughter

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, the people of Chama would like to get an assurance from the hon. Minister. Their situation is dire. How does the hon. Minister refer to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) the hon. Member is not responsible for. He knows that his colleague, the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, has provided guidelines. Is he aware about the guidelines on the CDF? Is he conversant for him to start proposing the utilisation of the CDF in that fashion?

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, I do not know whether you are raising a point of order or challenging the hon. Minister of Energy. What I know is that – well, I do not want to answer on behalf of the hon. Minister. Maybe, the hon. Minister can answer, whether he is aware.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, we discussed this issue of using the CDF for rural electrification. I can take this opportunity to inform the former hon. Minister of Home Affairs that we intend to utilise K1million from each constituency to accelerate rural electrification this year.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: I think that closes that matter. Let us make progress.

Ms Nyemba (Chifunabuli): Madam Speaker, allow me also to pass my message to the hon. Minister of Infrastructure and Urban Development, although he has just walked out. Senior Chief Mwewa and the traditional leaders from Chifunabuli are grateful that he paid a visit to do a spot check on the road and Kasaba Secondary School. Hon. Minister wherever you are, the people of Chifunabuli are so grateful and humbled.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Nyemba: Let me also take this opportunity to wish my friend, Hon. Mazoka, a happy Valentine’s Days.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: It looks like it is wako ni wako on Valentine’s Day.

Laughter

PROVISION OF TEACHING AIDS AND EQUIPMENT TO SCHOOLS IN CHIFUNABULI

113. Ms Nyemba (Chifunabuli) asked the Minister of Education:

1. when the Government will provide teaching aids and equipment to schools in Chifunabuli District;
2. whether there are any plans to establish units for children with special education needs in schools in the district;
3. if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
4. which schools are earmarked for the establishment of the units.

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Government provided teaching aids and equipment to schools in Chifunabuli District in 2021.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member may wish to note that in addition to the procurement that was done centrally, the New Dawn Administration has provided schools with guidelines to procure teaching/learning materials and equipment at their level.

Madam Speaker, there are no immediate plans to establish units for children with special education needs in schools in Chifunabuli District because Lubwe Girls and Kaongwe Primary Schools with established units are sufficient to meet the current demand for children with special education needs.

Madam Speaker, given the response in part (b), part (c) falls off and, on account of the response in part (b), part (d) also falls off.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Nyemba: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has mentioned Lubwe Girls Primary School, where our able Head Teacher, Sister Judith Nkolonga used her initiative to come up with the special education unit.

Madam Speaker, when the hon. Minister goes to Chifunabuli, does he look at the infrastructure that is there for him to see that children with special needs need special classrooms? Those children lack things like toys and Braille kits. The room which they are using is the former home economics classroom, where I learnt from. So, if the hon. Minister does not have any immediate plans to construct the infrastructure, does he not think that parents to these children will feel neglected? Children with special needs are supposed to be taken care of, the way we care for the able-bodied children.

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, indeed, the hon. Member is right. We need to provide for these special units. However, as I stated earlier, in terms of population, I think the two schools are adequate for the district. However, the issue is for us to expand. I do appreciate that in terms of special needs, the ratio is 1:10 in terms of pupils compared to teachers in normal schools. So, really, we are lagging behind in terms of teachers. This is why we want to finish the secondary school in Munali and every centre of excellence that is earmarked for the boys and girls with disabilities. So, I think the hon. Member is right. We are therefore, trying to do everything possible to help many of the disadvantaged children.

 

 Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Rev. Katuta (Chienge): Madam Speaker, I believe the hon. Minister has a special school in his constituency just like I do. However, the problem I know which the hon. Member for Chifunabuli is talking about is quite deep. Generally, we do not have teachers in Zambia, and most of the people who are supposed to deal with special education are not employed.

 Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether he is going to give us more teachers and equipment, or maybe, there will be a special arrangement between him and his counterpart in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development since even the desks that are there cannot be used by our children living with disabilities.

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I think that was not really a question but a suggestion. I agree with the hon. Member that we need desks that are required for our disadvantaged pupils. So, I cannot agree any further than that.  

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Halwiindi (Kabwe Central): Madam Speaker, I do not want to practice wako ni wako. Therefore, allow me to wish everybody a happy valentine's day. 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Halwiindi: Madam Speaker, allow me to ask a follow-up question to the hon. Minister of Education, especially that our hon. Member asked if there are any plans to procure teaching aids in Chifunabuli Constituency. I want to say that if there is anything that brings smiles on my face is the free education policy and that the hon. Minister is even able to provide finances to these schools to procure teaching materials. So, I want to find out if the money which is specifically meant for teaching materials can also be used to procure teaching aids in Chifunabuli?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, we did provide carpentry tools, laboratory installations, laboratory equipment, laboratory supplies, designs, technological equipment, and office furniture to Chifunabuli District.

I thank you, Madam   Speaker.   

     HARDSHIP ALLOWANCES FOR TEACHERS DEPLOYED TO MILANZI

114. Mr P. Phiri (Mkaika) (on behalf of Ms M. Phiri (Milanzi)) asked the Minister of Education:

1. whether teachers deployed to schools in Milanzi Parliamentary Constituency are entitled to rural hardship allowance; 
2. if so, why the teachers are not paid the allowance; and
3. what the eligibility criteria for payment of rural hardship allowances are.

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that, yes, teachers deployed to schools in Milanzi Parliamentary Constituency are entitled to rural hardship allowance.

Madam Speaker, some teachers are not paid the allowance because the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources classified their work stations as urban schools instead of rural schools.

Madam Speaker, the Payroll Management Establishment and Control (PMEC) can only pay the allowance if the schools are classified as rural as a prescribed in the collective agreement between the Government and the teacher trade unions.

Madam Speaker, the criteria for payment of rural hardship allowance are based on the distance of a school from the central business as prescribed in the collective agreement between the Government and the teacher trade unions.

Madam Speaker, the rural hardship allowance has a distance range from 25 km to 99 km while the remote rural hardship allowance is 100 km and above.

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr P. Phiri: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the response.

Madam Speaker, since the hon. Minister said these people qualify to be paid the rural hardship allowance, will they be paid the arrears or will the payment be backdated?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I did not say all of them. It depends on where they are. The distance determines whether a teacher is entitled to a rural hardship allowance or not.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Interruptions

Mr Twasa (Kasenengwa): You are harassing me. I will report you to the police.

Madam Speaker: We cannot hear you, hon. Member for Kasenengwa. Ask your supplementary question.

Mr Twasa: Madam Speaker, most schools in rural areas are not established. As a result, most teachers who were at urban schools and were sent to rural areas, are still classified as being in urban areas. Some still get their salaries from the urban schools they were based before they were transferred to rural stations. Does the hon. Minister think that some teachers do not get their rural hardship allowances because they are still considered as being based in urban schools?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, that is not really a question, but yes, we need to check on that.

Interruptions

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I am saying that the hon. Member did not really ask a question because he said probably that could be the case. I said, yes, we need to check on that.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, this is a very serious matter, which I think most teachers have been grappling with. What system does the ministry use to ensure that when teachers are transferred to rural schools from the Central Business District (CBD), as the hon. Minister put it, they are put in the system the same month to identify them as teachers serving in schools which qualify them to be entitled to the rural hardship allowance? After being transferred from one point to another, most of them stay for months before they are paid.

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, those are legacy problems.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, things were not done in the most effective manner. Under normal circumstances, when a teacher is transferred, things are supposed to be done properly starting from the head teacher, through the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS), the Provincial Education Officer (PEO), and the Central Government. However, for a long time, things were left just like that. So, we are trying to ameliorate a problem of several years. Actually, what we have said today is what should have been done ten years ago. So, you can imagine the mammoth task that I have as Minister of Education. As hon. Members may be aware, the Ministry of Education is half the Civil Service of Zambia. So, the task is too huge to be dealt with just in one year, but those are the things that are being done. How I wish those things were said and done at that time. All these legacy problems could not have been there.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr P. Phiri: Madam Speaker, according to the set up and the distance, the teachers in Milanzi qualify to be getting the rural hardship allowance. So, what assurance can the hon. Minister give the teachers in Milanzi, so that they have hope that at some point, they will be paid the hardship allowance?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, like I said, we will deal with this problem which is not only in Milanzi, but across the breadth of this country. Those who qualify to get the rural hardship allowance need to get it. However, as I said, the DEBS in Katete actually wrote to the ministry in 2013 to ask about the same issue, and we are in2023. Earlier, I said that we will tackle this problem. Tackling this problem may not take a day or two, and it will take some time. So, the assurance is there. Like I answered, we will deal with the problem that has been there for a long time. So, the hon. Member can go and tell the teachers that the assurance is there. Sometimes, the teachers work very hard; that I can tell you. So, in order to keep them in the rural areas, they are given an allowance called hardship allowance. So many things are not found in rural areas such as electricity and toilets. So, the teachers in rural areas are given the rural hardship allowance to enable them stay in those areas.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Lunte, have you withdrawn?

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Madam Speaker, it is good for me to have an opportunity to interact with the hon. Minister of Education.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that it will take one year to solve such a magnified problem; that is a quantum. Hopefully, the one year the hon. Minister is referring to is the five-year mandate that the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government has. Now that that one year has passed, what is the degree of success that the hon. Minister has scored in solving that problem in comparison to the remaining period of three or so years?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I have not yet calculated the degrees of how far we have gone, but we are dealing with the situation. We have done some work, but I may not know to what extent, off the cuff.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

REPLACEMENT OF AMBULANCE IN KASENENGWA DISTRICT

115. Mr Twasa asked the Minister of Health:

1. when the only ambulance in Kasenengwa District, which was involved in a road traffic accident, will be replaced;
2. whether the Government has any plans to procure an additional ambulance for the district;
3. if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
4. if there are no such plans, why.

Minister of Health (Mrs Masebo): Madam Speaker, the ambulance in Kasenengwa District which was involved in a road traffic accident is expected to be replaced in June, 2023.

Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to procure ambulances to cater for hospitals countrywide that do not have adequate ambulance services. Due to the limited fiscal space, the procurement of ambulances is being implemented in a phased approach and health facilities countrywide, including those in Kasenengwa District, are expected to benefit from the initiative.

Madam Speaker, the phased procurement process for ambulances by the Government commenced in 2022 and it will consist of the procurement of 100 ambulances. The House may wish to note that the said procurement process is underway. The procurement was tendered and evaluated, however, there was no successful bidder as the respondents did not meet the conditions that were put in the bid by the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA). The procurement is scheduled to be re-advertised this month, February, 2023.

Madam Speaker, as stated earlier, Government has plans to procure ambulances to cater for hospitals, countrywide, that do not have adequate ambulance services. Therefore, question (d) falls off.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Twasa: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that response. However, I would like to find out from her whether the procurement of ambulances the Government has planned this year starting in June will be done under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) or will itbe the responsibility of the ministry to procure and supply them to the districts.

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, maybe the hon. Member did not hear me clearly. I actually said that was Government’s responsibility to procure ambulances, and I stated that we did start the process of acquiring 100 ambulances in last year’s budget, as you recall, and ZAMMSA did advertise for the same. However, I stated that the tender was not successful because the people that actually bid did not meet the requirements that were specified in the tender. So, as a result, the tender is being re-advertised, and we hope that this time around, we can have bidders that meet the requirements specified by ZAMMSA.

Madam Speaker, Kasenengwa, like any other district in the case of not having an ambulance, would have to obtain one of the ambulances. However, the ambulance which was involved in the accident in that district was actually insured at K800,000. At the time when the district health office submitted a claim, it took a bit of time in the process of negotiating with the insurance company. But last month, January, the insurance company released some resources; just a little under K800,000. That is why I said that by June, Kasenengwa will have a new ambulance. At the time when the ambulances were purchased, they were going for about K800,000.  Unfortunately, now, the same ambulance is going for K1,296,013 at Toyota Zambia, I think, as the new cost. The district only hasK800,000. So, there is a shortfall.

Madam Speaker, what has transpired is that through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) funded Peace Health Maternal Health Project, the district hospital has been assisted with a top-up of K247,791.65, as a contribution. I am also informed that the Kasenengwa Constituency Development Fund (CDF)Committee, earlier this month, had also approved a contribution of K700,000. So, the district has the mentioned amounts plus the insurance claim of K748,800 in their custody. That is well above the amount for an ambulance. I am also aware that the procurement process has started with Toyota Zambia, but obviously, because this is an importation, we were told that the ambulance would only be in the country by June.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chala (Chipili): Madam Speaker, firstly, let me salute you for allowing all the questions that were asked by the hon. Members on Matters Urgent of Public Importance. Thank you, Madam Speaker. May you live long.

Laughter

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Thank you for the well wishes. I am being lenient today because it is the first day of the meeting and it is Valentine’s Day.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

CONSTRUCTION OF A POLICE STATION IN CHIPILI

116. Mr Chala (Chipili) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

1. when the construction of the police station in Chipili District will be completed;
2. what the cause of the delay in completing the project is;
3. what the estimated cost of the outstanding works is; and
4. how much money was owed to the contractor, as of March, 2022.

The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango) (on behalf of Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi)):Madam Speaker, the construction of the police station, two medium-cost houses, eight low-cost houses, and associated external works in Chipili District are expected to be completed by second quarter of 2024.

Madam Speaker, the delay in the completion of the construction of the police station in Chipili District has been due to the following:

1. delays in honouring Interim Payment Certificates for executed works;
2. cost fluctuations of building materials due to the passage of time; and
3. the policy decision by the Government, at the time, to prioritise the completion of projects that were at 80 per cent and above.

Madam Speaker, the estimated cost for the outstanding works is K7,387,727.

Madam Speaker, as of March, 2022, the contractor was not owed any amount as all the interim payment certificates (IPC’s)were honoured.

Thank you, Madam.

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Chala: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I was seeking clarity on the certificate of payments, which were mentioned. These works were supposed to have been completed in 2023, meaning that the money for this project is still there. So, when is this money going to be released for the completion of Chipili Police Station?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, when an IPC is not paid, it is clearly an indication that the money is not available to pay for the same. So, it is not quite correct for the hon. Member to say that the money is still available because the IPC was not paid.

Madam, as regards when it is going to be done, I think, I have clearly stated in the answer, that this particular project had reached 35 per cent completion rate, which was way below the 80 per cent.

However, we have stated very clearly as a Government, that all projects started will be completed. As of 13^th May, 2022, a total ofK6.5million had been certified and paid to the contractor for the works executed. So, currently, the contractor is not owed any money. Therefore, funds being made available, we will go back to this project and have it completed. That is the police station, and the people of Chipili need that particular police station. I was there last week.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chala: Madam Speaker, has the Government included this project in its Budget Estimate for 2023 so that it can be completed or if it has not done so, should we just continue waiting for the next Budget? I seek clarity on that so that my people in Chipili can have the hope that this station is going to be constructed.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I would like to commend the hon. Member for the passion he is showing for the people he represents.

Madam Speaker, all uncompleted projects, especially the ones that have not reached 80 per cent completion are under review to align them with the funds that are available in the Government. When that is done, the money that is going to be available and hopefully, the discussion that this Government is undertaking with its creditors will release money. These are the projects that we shall then put back on the budget so that they can be completed.

Madam Speaker, I assure the hon. Member of Parliament for Chipili that this particular police station is not the only project that is undergoing this treatment. Right throughout our country, there are schools, police stations, hospitals and even roads that were left uncompleted. Our task as the New Dawn Government is to ensure that we manage it in such a way that our people will be serviced by these same projects. That can only be done when they are completed and they can only be completed when funds are available. You cannot make a budget when funds are not available.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

_______

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 1708 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 15^th February, 2023.

____________