DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE  FIRST SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 11th July, 2012

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER
________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

MWINILUNGA/JIMBE (T5) ROAD

456. Mr Katuka (Mwinilunga) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)when the upgrading of the Mwinilunga/Jimbe (T5) Road to bituminous standard would be completed;

(b)when the Chibwika/Kamapanda Road in Mwinilunga, which leads to Angola, would be rehabilitated; and

(c)when the Makanu/Ntambu (D274) Road in Mwinilunga Parliamentary Constituency would be rehabilitated.
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Dr Mwali): Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), has set aside K8.4 billion in the 2012 Road Sector Annual Work Plan for the Mwinilunga/Jimbe and Kabompo/Manyinga roads. This is meant for consultancy services to provide the necessary information, including cost estimates, on the requirements for tarring this road. Preparations for the feasibility study, detailed engineering designs and tender documents will be completed in the first half of 2013. Thereafter, it is anticipated that the actual construction works will follow, depending on the availability of funds. 

Mr Speaker, the tender for the rehabilitation of the Chibwika/Kampanda Road in Mwinilunga is currently running in the local press and closes on Friday, 13th July, 2012. Works are expected to commence before the end of the year.

Sir, the rehabilitation of the Makanu/Ntambu Road (D274) was not part of the planned road works in this year’s Road Sector Annual Work Plan. However, the rehabilitation works on the Kabompo Bridge along the same road commenced early this year. Rehabilitation of the above-mentioned road will be prioritised for next year, depending on the priorities to be set by Mwinilunga District Council.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Katuka: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister if the Makanu/Ntambu Road will be included in the 2013 Annual Work Plan.

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, we said that this will depend on the priorities that will be set by the district council. If the council prioritises that road, then it will be included in the 2013 Annual Work Plan.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kakoma (Zambezi West): Mr Speaker, there are many roads in Zambia on which feasibility studies have been conducted, but the roads have not been worked on. Why is the PF Government going ahead to spend K8.4 billion on feasibility studies when they do not know whether or not they will find the money to work on the road? 

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, the PF Government is a working Government …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: … and we are going to execute everything that we are going to put on paper. We have planned to conduct a feasibility study. In the process of doing this, we will be trying to source the requirements so that by the end of the feasibility study, we will know the value of the jobs and execute them. The people of Zambia should be able to see the changes that we are making. This plan will be executed because we are committed to delivering the service to the people of Zambia. This has nothing to do with politics. Promises have been made in the past, but only performance is reality.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, on behalf of Hon. Muchima, who cannot speak for himself, I want to find out …

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: … whether the Government will be in a position to complete the rehabilitation of the Mutanda/Mwinilunga Road which connects to the Mwinilunga/Jimbe Road before rehabilitating the road leading to Angola.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Although the question does not seem to be related to the principal question, the hon. Minister can attempt to answer it.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, since that is a new question, I will reserve my answer.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

ELECTORAL REGULATIONS

457. Mr Chilangwa (Kawambwa) asked the Vice-President when the current electoral regulations would be amended to improve the electoral process.

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, major amendments to the electoral regulations and amendments to the electoral laws can only be effected after the Constitutional Review Process has been finalised and the proposed new Constitution enacted. This is in order to avoid a conflict of laws and to incorporate the contents of the proposed new Constitution into the electoral regulations.

In case hon. Members are interested, I have a little more supplementary information. There were minor amendments to the electoral regulations by statutory instrument before the 20th September, 2011 Elections. If there is an urgent need to make some more minor amendments, this can be done through the statutory instrument again. Some electoral regulations were going to undergo major amendments and, I guess, this was planned for last year. However, this fell through when the …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, order!

We have no problem with people consulting but, when people are consulting loudly, it appears as though there are many people addressing the House. Can we consult quietly and allow His Honour the Vice-President to be heard.

The Vice-President: … 2010 Constitution Bill did not go through Parliament. Hon. Members will recall that this was due to the voting of the Patriotic Front (PF), acting together with the United Party for National Development (UPND) in patriotic harmony. Hence, the need to wait for the proposed amendments to the electoral regulations until after the Constitution-making process is complete. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chilangwa (Kawambwa): Mr Speaker, will it be possible to amend the electoral regulation, once again, before the new Constitution, especially the clause that talks about campaign time, arising from the fact that we are now made to stop campaigning two days before the voting day as opposed to what used to happen in the past? As you may be aware …

Mr Deputy Speaker: The question is clear.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, that would be a minor amendment, I would suggest. It could possibly be changed if there was a compelling reason to do so but, as of now, we have no intention of doing so. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, may His Honour the Vice-President indicate whether it is possible to ban the use of campaign materials during the campaigns through a statutory instrument.

Mr Deputy Speaker: I overrule that question because I do not see the relevance between the campaign materials and the electoral process.

Mr Kakoma: Mr Speaker since His Honour the Vice-President has informed the House that the electoral regulations are tied to the proposed new Constitution, may he indicate to us when it is going to be enacted, considering that it is now uncertain because of the …

Mr Deputy Speaker: The question has being asked.

Laughter

Hon. Members: The question is hanging.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker as far as I am aware, there has been no change in the estimated date, which is before the end of this year, for the final Constitution Bill to be agreed upon. Beyond that, it is simply a matter of what is practical and required. The hon. Member knows that I must duck his question because I cannot commit to firm dates beyond those that have already been given.

I thank you, Sir.

ZAMTEL COLLEGE IN NDOLA

458. Mr Chisala (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)    whether the ZAMTEL College in Ndola had been privatised and, if so, who the new owners were;

(b)    what necessitated the transfer of the ZAMTEL Headquarters from Ndola to Lusaka; and

(c)    whether the transfer would be reversed.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Colonel Kaunda): The former ZAMTEL College, which is now known as the Zambia Information and Communication Technology College, has not been privatised. Prior to the partial privatisation of ZAMTEL in 2012, the college was separated from ZAMTEL and it was not part of the privatisation. The Government plans to transform it into a centre of excellence for information and communication technologies. The college is supported by the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA).

Mr Speaker, the decision to relocate the ZAMTEL Headquarters from Ndola to Lusaka was necessitated by commercial expedience. Principally, it was realised that although Ndola housed the ZAMTEL Headquarters, the centre of business activities and operations was in Lusaka. Arising from this, more than 50 per cent of management and technical staff had to shuttle between Ndola and Lusaka for meetings and other operational matters. In this regard, ZAMTEL maintained two offices for management; one in Lusaka and another in Ndola. This state of affairs resulted in high operational expenses associated with the frequent travel to and from Lusaka, including attendant allowances. This was, therefore, found not to be commercially viable and sustainable in the competitive environment.

Mr Speaker, in view of the competitive environment and the need for ZAMTEL to operate commercially, it would not be prudent to relocate the ZAMTEL Headquarters to Ndola.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Laughter

Mr Chisala: Sir, may I know the duration of the courses that are offered by the institution of learning.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I think that is a new question. However, the courses that are offered at this institute are short courses, ranging from, maybe, six months to two years. I will only be able to give a specific answer pertaining to the duration of each course the next time the hon. Member asks that question.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kazonga (Vubwi): Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister indicated that the college is supported by ZICTA as a centre of excellence. May I know the form of support ZICTA gives the ZAMTEL College.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, the support that this college is receiving from ZICTA is in the form of capacity building and infrastructure.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

ZAMBIA’S RANKING IN INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

459. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication how Zambia ranked at the international level with regard to information communication technology for development purposes.

Colonel Kaunda: Mr Speaker, to be able to measure and compare information communication technology (ICT) development amongst countries, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which is a United Nations Agency responsible for the ICTs, developed the Information and Communication Technology Development Index (IDI) as a tool in 2009. 

Mr Speaker, the IDI takes into account the availability of the ICT infrastructure and access, level of the ICT usage and the capability to use the ICTs effectively. On infrastructure and access, the indicators include fixed telephone, mobile telephone, international Internet bandwidth, households with computers and households with internet. According to statistics of the ITU Measuring Information Society Report of 2011, only six countries on the African Continent are in the top 100 of global performance as measured using the IDI. These are:
Country                Position in Africa
Mauritius                 69 
Seychelles                 71 
Tunisia                     84             
Morocco                 90 
Egypt                     91
South Africa                 97 
Zambia is ranked 28th on the African Continent and 139th at the global level, ahead of the following African countries:
 
Country                Position in the World

Uganda                     140 
Madagascar                 141                 
Rwanda                     142
Guinea                     144 
Mozambique                 145 
Mali                     146 
Democratic Republic of Congo         147 
Eritrea                     148                
Burkina Faso                 149 
Ethiopia                 150 
Niger                     151 
Chad                     152 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.  

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, Zambia ranks low at the international level. What measures do we need to put in place so that we can match with those ahead of us?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, in Africa, we rank very high. In the region, we are the best because none of our neighbours can compete with us. There are, however, many measures that we need to put in place to advance. We need to look at access, in terms of mobile phones and broadband Internet, household access to the Internet and other facilities such as infrastructure.  

Mr Speaker, if we reduced tariffs on Internet and mobile phone services, we would have more people accessing the ICTs in the country and this would result in us matching and competing with other countries in the world. There are two measures we need to look at and these are tariffs reduction and infrastructure development. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

LOCAL AND FOREIGN TOURISTS

460. Mr Bwalya asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism:

(a)how many local and foreign tourism operators there were in Zambia, as of February, 2012;

(b)how much revenue the Government realised from the operators at (a) above from January, 2010 to September, 2011;

(c)what the major challenges for the local tourism operators were;

(d)how the Government intended to address those challenges; 

(e)whether the Government had any plans to encourage investment in the tourism sector in Lupososhi Parliamentary Constituency; and

(f)if so, what the plans were.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, Sir, …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Your Honour, it is ‘Mr Speaker’ or ‘Sir”.

Laughter

The Vice-President: Sir, as of February, 2012, there were about 1,150 local and about 250 foreign tourism operators countrywide working as accommodation establishments, safari and adventure tour operations, travel agencies, car hire companies, casinos, night clubs and restaurants. 

Sir, the Government realised K1,633,803,796 from January, 2010 to September, 2011, through the licensing of tourism enterprises. 

Mr Speaker, the major challenges for the local tourism operators are as follows:

Underdeveloped Tourism Infrastructure

Mr Speaker, tourism infrastructure is largely underdeveloped, particularly roads, railways, airports and airstrips, telecommunications and accommodation facilities. Lack of all-weather roads in national parks limits access to tourist areas during wet periods of the year, resulting in operators confining their tours mainly to accessible and rehabilitated areas or closing for the duration of the wet season.  

Limited Product Base

Mr Speaker, Zambia’s tourism product continues to be largely nature based. 

Inadequate Resources for the Marketing of Zambia as a Tourist Destination

Mr Speaker, though the Government’s financing of marketing and promotional activities has improved in recent years, it is still insufficient and, therefore, inhibits the performance of the marketing agency. In addition, 90 per cent of the people in the world still think that the Victoria Falls are either in Zimbabwe or South Africa. 

The Perception of Zambia as a High-cost Destination

The high costs are attributed to various factors such as high input costs, limited international carriers and domestic flight connections. 

Access to Financing 

Mr Speaker, unfavourable conditions in financial institutions, high interest rates, short lending periods and the difficulty of accessing finances hinder small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) from contributing to the development of the sector. 

Inadequately Trained and Skilled Human Resource

Mr Speaker, there is a limited number of training facilities providing courses in tourism programmes and specialised fields lack training facilities that facilitate the attainment of higher qualifications. This has resulted in a low level of skilled manpower which affects the quality of service delivery and has also impacted on the quality of our tourism product. 

Mr Speaker, addressing the challenges faced by the local tourism operators requires solutions to be effected over a long term. The Government, however, intends to do the following to address the challenges identified above: 

(i)review the policy and regulatory framework so as to introduce a regulatory regime that fosters the development of the industry and makes investment in the sector attractive and profitable to both local and foreign investors;

(ii)promote an increased targeted Government investment in infrastructure development and, hence open up new tourist sites in the country;

(iii)encourage more investment and competition in the sector;
    
(iv)promote joint ventures;

(v)diversify the tourism product by identifying and encouraging investments in areas such as meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE), eco-tourism, cultural tourism, special interest groups and adventure tourism;

(vi)encourage the development of SMEs through the provision of incentives in collaboration with other agencies such as the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA);

(vi)collaborate with the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) to develop curricula addressing the needs of the industry;

(vii)collaborate with the private sector to introduce economical routes, by road and air, to viable destinations; and

(viii)collaborate with the private sector to enhance the marketing of the sector locally and internationally.

Lastly, Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that Lupososhi Parliamentary Constituency is part of the Northern Circuit and is covered in the Government’s plans for the development of that area. In this regard, the constituency will benefit from the public infrastructure investments as well as the investment promotion activities carried out by this ministry and the ZDA.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, what measures has the Government put in place or intends to put in place to ensure that Zambia becomes competitive, considering that it is a very expensive tourist destination?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I mentioned several specific measures in the first answer I gave, in addition to which there are some general measures aimed at cutting the cost of doing business in Zambia, such as lowering the interest rates structure, which forms the core of our policy over the next few years. Interest in short-term financing is a very major contributor to the high costs of operations in Zambia and that will come down. I could go on with the list as long as my arm, but I feel that that gives a good sense of how we are tackling the problem.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, it is true that Zambia’s tourism product is not well-marketed. However, could His Honour the Vice-President say when the PF Government is going to finalise the implementation of the tourism levy as provided for in the Tourism Act.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I feel that is a complete tangent to the main question. In other words, it is a new question.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Siliya (Petauke): Mr Speaker, would His Honour the Vice-President consider a two-tier pricing system for the tourism product, as is done in other countries such as Egypt, so that Zambians can appreciate the tourism product in their own country.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, it is not the Government’s business to develop a two-tier, three-tier or four-tier system for the tourism product …

Interruptions

The Vice-President: … because the private sector has always charged differently between local residents and foreign tourists, and still does. In fact, there are further refinements, that is, a three-tier system; whether Zambians or local residents of non-Zambian origin and so on and so forth. I am sure that, if the hon. Member of Parliament for Mafinga ever goes into the tourism business, she will have a four-tier system, that is, indigenous Zambians, non-indigenous Zambians, local residents, non-indigenous local residents and foreigners, who are, by definition, not indigenous.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Kaingu (Mwandi): Mr Speaker, is His Honour the Vice-President aware that there is a relationship between tourism and colonialism?

Laughter

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I will think about it and you can ask me the same question on Friday morning.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}

KAMENYANI BASIC SCHOOL IN MULOBEZI

461. Mr Sililo (Mulobezi) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a)when the construction of a 1 x 3 classroom block at Kamenyani Basic School, which stalled in 2009, would resume;

(b)how much money was paid to the contractor who abandoned the project;

(c)how much money would have been spent on the project on completion; and

(d)what the estimated timeframe for completing the project was.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Professor Willombe): Mr Speaker, the construction of a 1 x 3 classroom block at Kamenyani Basic School, which stalled in 2009, will resume when there is adequate funding. The contractor was contracted to build up to the slab level, the stage at which the project is now. This was so because the Poverty Reduction Strategic Paper funds were released in phases and the funding released for the project, to date, is only for building up to the slab level.

Sir, the contractor did not abandon the project, but was paid K5,292,000.00. The funds released for the project were managed by the school to a stage where the Poverty Reduction Strategic Paper money could suffice.

Sir, K150,000,000.00 will be required to complete the project and the amount has been included in the 2012 Infrastructure Operational Plan and Budget.

Mr Speaker, the estimated time frame for completing the project is twenty-five weeks, if all materials were on site and the stakeholders involved co-operate.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that, while we are waiting for the completion of this school, the nearest basic school, Mulauli, to be specific, is about 20 km away from the school in question?

The Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Dr Phiri): Mr Speaker, the ministry is aware and regrets the delay in the construction of the school. 

Sir, the construction of the 1 x 3 classroom block at Kamenyani Basic School was provided for in the 2010 Infrastructure Operational Plan. However, funds for this plan were not released. It is with regret that all we can do is state that K150 million has been put aside in the 2012 Infrastructure Operational Plan. I hope that nothing will go wrong this time around.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mufalali (Senanga): Mr Speaker, which statement are we going to believe? Is it the indefinite one of “when the money is found” or in the programme for 2013? Which one is it? The hon. Minister said “indefinitely” in his first answer, then, he says “2013”. Which one are we going to pick between the two?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister did indicate that K150 million would be required to complete the project, and that this amount has been included in the 2012 Infrastructure Operational Plan. There is no contradiction at all.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, roughly, how much does it cost to build a 1 x 3 classroom block?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I do not want to be pushed into speculation. If that information is vital to the hon. Member of Parliament, I would welcome it as a question on its own.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, I would like to get a clarification on whether the hon. Minister said the money for the works is in the 2012 Infrastructure Operational Plan or it is supposed to be in the 2013 one?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I would like to repeat that this amount has been included in the 2012 Infrastructure Operational Plan and we will execute the works.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

NORTHERN TOURISM CIRCUIT

462. Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa) asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism when works on the Northern Tourism Circuit Project would resume.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Interruptions 

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

We are not listening to what is being said on the Floor of the House. Please, can we listen. I am addressing the hon. Members on my left. Can we, please, listen.

The Vice-President (Dr Scott) (on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism (Mr Lubinda)): Mr Speaker, works on the Northern Tourism Circuit Project have already commenced and are at different levels of development with some about to commence, others at an advanced stage and others already completed.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Mwiimbu took the Floor.

Ms Namugala: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised. 

The problem is that you are raising your point of order even before the hon. Member for Monze Central has started speaking. Anyway, I will allow you to raise your point of order.

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, I rarely rise on points of order.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member of Parliament for Feira, whom the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) supported and worked very hard for until he was elected to come to this House, in order …

Hon. Government Members: Aha, aha!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, order!

What is that “aha” which I am hearing on my right all about? We have to follow the rules of the game. There should be no “aha” in here.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: In here, we say, “hear, hear”. So, please hon. Members on my right, if you want to acknowledge that you are listening to what is being said just say, “hear, hear”. 

Continue with your point of order, Hon. Namugala.

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member of Parliament of Feira in order to sit on the wrong side of the House when he belongs to the mighty MMD which worked so hard for him to be elected to this House and to properly represent the people of Feira through the MMD? 

Sir, I need your serious ruling.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: The serious ruling is that, as far as the Chair knows, the hon. Member of Parliament for Feira, was sworn in this morning as hon. Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education. So, he is in order.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the issues that were raised by the former Opposition hon. Member of Parliament for Feira over the Rufunsa Circuit and Feira are now going to be taken into account now that he has moved to the Government side?

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: That is an important question, but it is irrelevant to the issues at hand which are about the Northern Circuit.

STAFFING IN RURAL SCHOOLS

463. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a)why schools in rural areas were understaffed;

(b)what measures the Government had taken to redress the situation;

(c)why it was difficult for the Government to retain teachers in rural areas; and

(d)whether rural hardship, recruitment and retention allowances were still being paid to deserving teachers and, if not, why.

Professor Willombe: Mr Speaker, schools in rural areas are understaffed due to a number of reasons, some of which are:

(a)lack of teachers’ accommodation. Most of the schools in rural areas have few houses for teachers in comparison to the number of teachers;

(b)teacher output from universities and colleges is not adequate to meet the requests in all the schools. However, measures have been put in place to address the situation such as fast track teacher training programmes as well as other restructuring initiatives intended to address the problem of understaffing;

(c)trained teachers continue to shun schools in rural areas.

Sir, the following are some of the measures the Government has taken to redress the situation:

(a)the ministry has continued with the programme of constructing teachers’ houses in order to increase the housing stock; 

(b)communities are being encouraged to build teachers’ houses;

(c)the Government has enabled teachers to obtain loans for building houses as a way of empowering them through home ownership; and

(d)the ministry has come up with a strategy to recruit teachers where their services are needed. Recruitment has targeted rural areas where the teachers have to serve for, at least, two years before they can be transferred to another station. 

Mr Speaker, the retention of teachers in rural areas is difficult due to lack of good accommodation for staff and social amenities.

Sir, rural hardship allowance is still being paid at 20 per cent of one’s basic salary. However, recruitment and retention allowances have been consolidated into the basic salary in line with the new Government pay policy structure.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Professor Willombe left his microphone on.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Please, switch off your microphone, hon. Deputy Minister.

Professor Willombe switched off his microphone.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, arising from the response given by the hon. Minister …

Dr Chituwo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, I think it is clear that I rarely rise on points of order …

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Chituwo: … unless they are of a very serious nature. We keep seeing MMD hon. Members of Parliament being appointed to deputy ministerial positions. Is His Honour the Vice-President in order not to bring a statement to this august House to confirm that there is actually a serious lack of capacity in the Patriotic Front (PF) …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Dr Chituwo: … to fill those very important positions? I need your serious ruling.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

I have a problem with deciding whether I should make a ruling on that point of order or not. Maybe, His Honour the Vice-President might want to say something, but then, again, I think, let me protect him.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member for Kalabo Central may continue with his question.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Miyutu: … is the hon. Minister aware that the Government is encouraging teachers not to stay in rural areas? Maybe, I should repeat the question.

Mr Deputy Speaker: No, I have heard it. I am sure the hon. Minister has also done so.

Laughter

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, the Government is aware that it is encouraging our teachers to stay in rural areas.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Belemu (Mbabala): Mr Speaker, in one of his responses, the hon. Minister indicated that the Government was giving loans to teachers to build houses as one way of redress the shortage of teachers in rural areas. May he confirm that it is the policy of the PF Government not to transfer teachers who have built houses from places where they are located.

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, we are committed to empowering teachers by all means necessary. Giving them loans is one of those means. What they do with the houses upon being transferred is another matter altogether.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that the ministry is giving about 20 per cent of a teacher’s basic pay as rural hardship allowance in order to entice the teachers to stay in rural areas. Obviously, this allowance is not making them stay in these areas. Does the Government have any other plans in terms of incentives to ensure that teachers stay in rural areas?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, the Government has serious intentions to redress the movement of teachers, who we train at great cost, from rural areas. The House may want to know that, each year, we work out a new pay policy system. For 2012, it was effected in April. Among other things, it dealt with the rural hardship, recruitment and retention allowances. This system is evaluated from time to time to ensure that it goes a long way in retaining teachers in rural areas. The hon. Deputy Minister mentioned a number of factors that militate against teachers staying in rural areas. However, the Government will endeavour to do what it can to make teachers stay in rural areas because the pupils in these places need their services.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, one of the reasons given by the hon. Deputy Minister for teachers not staying in rural areas is lack of accommodation. However, I wish to state that it is also common knowledge that there is no accommodation in some of the …

Mr Deputy Speaker: What is your question?

Mr Mutelo: My question is: Even at schools like Yotamu Muleya Basic School here in Lusaka, there is no accommodation …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

There is no question which starts with the word ‘even’.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Can you pose your question.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, I thank you for your guidance. Yotamu Muleya Basic School has no houses for all its teachers.

Mr Deputy Speaker: No, that is a statement, hon. Member for Lukulu West. Can you pose a question and not make a statement.

Mr Mutelo: The question is: What immediate measures will the ministry take to ensure that teachers do not leave rural schools because this is a serious problem?

Mr Deputy Speaker: That is good.

Laughter

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I thank you for your efforts to guide the hon. Member. If I heard the hon. Member of Parliament correctly, he is emphasising, on my behalf, that the acute shortage of teachers’ accommodation does not only apply to rural areas, but also urban areas. I totally agree with him, but wish to state that, in urban areas, there are alternatives open to our teachers, although they cannot be seen as a solution to the accommodation problem by many people. In rural areas, the alternatives are almost non-existent. Let me confirm that although, generally, in the nation, there is an acute shortage of teachers’ accommodation, the problem is more pronounced in rural areas. As has already been stated, the Government has begun addressing this problem. In fact, it has been addressing this problem with little doses. One is hoping that with an improved budgetary allocation, we can tackle this issue more vigorously than we are doing at the moment.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister indicated that one of the measures taken to ensure teacher retention in rural areas is for them to serve for two years in rural areas before they can be transferred. Is the Government sure that this measure is sustainable in terms of addressing the equity issue, both vertically and horizontally, in the distribution of teachers in the country?

Laughter

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, the policy of asking teachers to remain in rural stations for two years is difficult to implement. However, so far, indications are that we are doing well. I say so because, lately, I think the number of teachers asking for transfers from rural to urban areas has lessened a great deal, although some still do so. I wished I had been asked this question in advance so that I would have provided the statistics to prove this point. Nonetheless, we will continue evaluating the situation year by year to ensure that policies are adhered to as much as possible.

I thank you, Sir.

CROCODILE ATTACKS IN KABOMPO

464. Mr Chingimbu (Kabompo East) asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism:

(a)whether the ministry was aware that a lot of people had lost their lives due to crocodile attacks in Kabompo and Manyinga rivers; and

(b)when the reptiles would be cropped.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the ministry, through the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), is aware of the five people who were killed by crocodiles from 2009 to date in the Kabompo and Manyinga rivers in Kabompo District. These were officially reported to ZAWA …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, order!

Hon. Members on my right, His Honour the Vice-President is on the Floor answering a question and it is only fair that consultations are made quietly so that he can be heard.

May His Honour the Vice-President continue, please.

The Vice-President: The five crocodile-related deaths were officially reported to the ZAWA Office in Solwezi. There is no ZAWA Office in Kabompo District. As a result, it is possible that there were other incidents that were not officially reported to ZAWA.

Mr Speaker, the ministry has no plans to stop crocodiles in Kabompo and Manyinga rivers …

Laughter

The Vice-President: Sorry, the ministry has no plans to crop crocodiles in the Kabompo and Manyinga rivers because there is no crocodile population data on these two rivers. Cropping of animals involves killing of a significant number and should, therefore, be undertaken when population data indicates that animal numbers are high and able to support cropping without undermining the survival of the species. 

Mr Speaker, with your indulgence, I will add some further information rather than wait for questions to come up. In the absence of cropping, the Government has put in place the following measures to reduce the human-crocodile conflict:

(i)the ZAWA field officers have been mandated to kill individual crocodiles that threaten or attack humans and their property. This is the so-called problem-animal categorisation. From the five incidents which were officially reported to ZAWA from 2009 to date, three crocodiles have been identified and shot dead by ZAWA officers; and

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

It is inconceivable that when His Honour the Vice-President is on the Floor, hon. Members on my right should be consulting loudly. If you find it necessary to consult loudly, go outside to consult and then come back.

May the Vice-President continue.

The Vice-President: … 

(ii)sensitising communities, especially young people, to avoid confrontations with crocodiles by keeping away from rivers is one of the options open. After all, these are endemic in southern African rivers and I believe everyone knows that they may not always be sufficiently cautious. According to reports received by ZAWA, most people killed in Kabompo District, from 2009 to date, were young girls who were caught by crocodiles when bathing in the rivers;

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

When I stopped the hon. Members on my right from consulting loudly, I did not say that the hon. Members on the left should be talking while His Honour the Vice-President is on the Floor.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, both on my right and left, must listen because we cannot hear what His Honour the Vice-President is saying.

May His Honour the Vice-President continue, please.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, cropping of wild animals, generally, is undertaken when population data available indicates that animal numbers are high. It is for this reason that ZAWA intends to conduct crocodile counts on rivers in Zambia when funds are made available.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chingimbu: Mr Speaker, since His Honour the Vice-President mentioned that data is a pre-requisite to cropping these reptiles, could we know when this data will be collected so that the cropping goes ahead.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I do not have any information at hand but, again, the hon. Member has an added opportunity to ask me this question on Friday during His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kakoma: Mr Speaker, given that ZAWA Offices are located in Solwezi, which is almost 300 km from Kabompo where the incidences are reported to have happened, I would like to find out from His Honour the Vice-President whether the local people can be empowered to crop these crocodiles, instead of waiting for ZAWA which will never collect data to enable it crop these animals.

Laughter

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I think empowering local people to take the killing of wild animals into their own hands just like that is not a feasible option and we know what the consequence would be. In fact, it is the free for all hunting of crocodiles that led to the classification of these beasts as threatened species and, hence the allowance of the fresh growth of their population. On the other hand, ZAWA does have the provision to employ village scouts, which is an excellent way of distributing money apart from anything else in the rural areas. As long as the supervision is correct, they can do much of the work.

Mr Speaker, there are some similarities between crocodile populations and populations of politicians. One of these similarities is that politicians and crocodiles both move from one place to another and, sometimes, cross the Floor or river …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter

The Vice-President: … leaving other ‘crocodiles’ behind so that they can acquire expertise, experience and training on either side of the House.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, what other measures would the Government put in place in areas where the rivers, which are infested with crocodiles, are the only sources of water and people have no choice, but to go to those rivers such as it is happening in Sinazongwe and Siavonga on the Zambezi River?

Mr Monde: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, is His Honour the Vice-President in order to insinuate that the MMD camp is full of crocodiles that are crossing the Floor?

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

Unfortunately, I did not take it that way. So, I will not make a ruling in that regard. 

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Secondly, the hon. Member for Siavonga has asked a question that is not relevant to the question under discussion. I, therefore, overrule that question.

GRZ AND THUTHUKA GROUP LIMITED PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

465. Mr Mwango (Kanchibiya) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)what the progress on the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Agreement entered into between the Government and Thuthuka Group Limited of South Africa for the concessioning of Longacres Lodge, under the Hostels Board of Management, was;

(b)whether the employees of Longacres Lodge would have the option to be re-deployed;

(c)who would pay the terminal benefits of the employees who would opt to discontinue their employment with the lodge; and

(d)how much capital the Thuthuka Group Limited had invested in the venture.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Dr Mwali): Mr Speaker, the concession agreement was signed on 1st July, 2011, by the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning and the Thuthuka Group Limited. 

Mr Speaker, to date, the developer has not done anything as it awaits the Government’s review of the concession agreement with regard to the terms on value for money to the Government.

Sir, following the stakeholders meeting held on 16th May, 2012, a submission highlighting the concerns of the stakeholders was made to the Secretary to the Treasury. The concerns were reviewed by the Technical Committee and a meeting was, thereafter, held with the Council of Ministers. 

Mr Speaker, these concerns include:

(i)    workers’ terminal benefits;

(ii)    other concession fees, that is Construction Land Lease fees; and 

(iii)    Government equity.

Mr Speaker, a team of experts will meet with the stakeholders tomorrow, as directed by the Council of Ministers, to look at the concerns which have been highlighted above.

Mr Speaker, an option to re-deploy some of the employees has been put in place through the Public Service Management Division.

Sir, as regards the terminal benefits, the developer will pay the terminal benefits of the employees who opt to discontinue their employment with the lodge, as this has been reviewed as one of the terms in the concession agreement.

Mr Speaker, lastly, the Thuthuka Group has not yet invested anything in the venture. However, the intended investment amount is US$20 million.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwango: Mr Speaker, since the investor has not put in any money, can there be a change of mind by the Government?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, currently, we know that there is a team of experts that will be meeting with stakeholders on 12th July, 2012. Depending on the outcome of the meeting, a decision on what direction to take will be made.

I thank you, Sir.

_________{mospagebreak}

MOTIONS 

MAINSTREAMING CULTURE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Dr Kaingu (Mwandi): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that in order for development to impact meaningfully on the people, this House urges the Government to mainstream culture as a fundamental dimension in all aspects of national development. This Motion is non-controversial and well researched. Therefore, it deserves support from both sides of the House.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Ms Lubezhi (Namwala): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Mr Deputy Speaker rose to put the question.

Mr Masumba rose.

Hon. Opposition Members: Order, order!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

I thank you for helping me.

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, let me begin by stating that there are five fundamental pillars of sustainable development, namely culture, entrepreneurship, research, technology and environment. The pillars are mutually exclusive. Today, my focus will be on the fundamental dimension of culture in sustainable development.

Mr Speaker, developmental trajectories of communities are usually explained by reference to economic history, human capital deficits and/or the structure of local labour markets. Rarely is local culture seen to play a significant role in development outcomes nor does empirical research routinely consider the role of local culture in fostering more complete understanding of community development. Instead, culture is often viewed as an outgrowth of a particular region and dependent upon economic and other experiences and not as an independent force. 

Further, the tacit meaning of culture to be dances, music, handicrafts and witchcraft has …

Interruptions

Dr Kaingu: … often overshadowed the potency of culture as a pillar of sustainable development. 

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members on my left, please, let us give Hon. Dr Kaingu a chance to be heard.

Dr Kaingu: Sir, such perspectives miss an important aspect of the development process. The culture of a community significantly shapes debate and action. Local culture also presents unique options for locally-based economic and other developments. Local understanding and interpretation of a community’s history reflects past events that feed into and are partially driven by demands, sentiments and interests of those in the present. This makes it crucial for community development practitioners such as the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health to consider the importance of culture in efforts to improve local well-being. By paying attention to and incorporating unique cultural values, traditions and other related factors, more efficient and effective development efforts can be achieved.

Mr Speaker, do you not wonder that Zambia’s rural population is still very poor despite her attaining a middle-income status? Therefore, poverty alleviation programmes, which ignore the culture of the people, are bound to fail. In view of the foregoing, let me, therefore, define culture.

Mr Speaker, I have noted that culture is diverse and many scholars have defined it in several ways. In general terms, culture can be defined as a totality of life in which people are involved in their attempts to meet the challenges of living in their environment which gives order and meaning to their social, political, economic and religious norms and modes of organisation, thus distinguishing a people from their neighbours.

Mr Speaker, this definition implies that culture should not be interpreted merely as a return to customs of the past. It embodies the attitude of the people to the future of their traditional values faced with the demands of modern technology, which is an essential component of development and progress.

Further, the World Conference on Cultural Policies, which was held in Mexico City, in 1982, came up with a unique definition that links culture to development. Culture was defined as follows:

“Culture is the whole complex of distinctive, spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features that characterise a society or social group. It includes not only arts and letters, but also modes of life, the fundamental rights of a human being, value systems, traditions and their beliefs.”

Mr Speaker, this definition means that local culture provides a sense of identity for citizens of a country. This identity facilitates a common understanding, traditions and values or central identifications of plans of action to improve people’s well-being. Culture also contributes to building a sense of local solidarity and influences the confidence communities have for coming together to address specific needs and problems in the spirit of voluntarism or community participation.

Mr Speaker, it is, therefore, important to engage the local community for any development, be it economic or social, in order to seek its commitment. What is important is to understand that the rural areas, through their cultures, have legal and institutional frameworks which help them pass vocational training to their youth. They also have methods of implementation and monitoring their community activities which lead to a subsistence way of life.

These frameworks must be taken into consideration when introducing empowerment and poverty alleviation programmes in rural areas because they vary from one community to the other. Furthermore, the culture of a society or the community is also influenced by the ecosystem found in its geographical contiguous areas. Thus, a local cultural linkage is fundamental in achieving sustainable development. People are likely to take part and remain committed to development efforts with which they have a direct connection. Similarly, development efforts that focus on culture provide a mechanism for linking local residents to the development process. Through such efforts, local residents can encourage development that preserves or promotes their culture. This is particularly important in development efforts that seek to enlist local participation, volunteerism and community action. 

Mr Speaker, it is worth noting that, in understanding the place of culture in the development process, it is important to consider the social basis of culture, its relationship to interaction, the types of development and local action it can contribute to. Thus, culture is an essential component of human development. It represents a source of identity, innovation and creativity for individuals and the community. Culture is an important factor in fighting poverty, providing economic growth and ownership of development processes. Therefore, it is a fallacy to think that a one-size-fits all type of enhancing development in rural areas can work, since natural resources in rural areas and the local culture of the people differ.

Mr Speaker, the relationship between culture and development cannot be over-emphasised. For a clearer understanding of this relationship, there is a need to briefly assess the activities and position of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on the same issue. UNESCO has, from inception, stressed the connection between culture and development. This is emphasised in its mission statement that reads as follows:

“Advancing through educational, scientific and cultural relations of the people of the world, the objects of peace and the common welfare of mankind.” 
The mission statement stresses the fact that education, science and culture are inter-related and mutually inclusive. UNESCO’s commitment to promoting culture can be traced to the 1960s or post-colonial period when culture became increasingly important with the evident deficiencies in cultural diversity in the development model that was adopted at that time. The liberated people had become aware of this mode of existence and they persistently challenged the notion that modernisation had to mean westernisation, rather than it being based on their own tradition. Hence, in response, in 1966, the UNESCO General Conference in Article (1) of the Declaration stated that:

“Each culture has a dignity and value which must be respected and preserved and that every people have the right and duty to develop its culture.”

Mr Speaker, to further fulfil the objective of making cultural factors the focal point of all development strategies, the world decade for cultural development was identified and it spanned from 1988 to 1999. Within this decade, UNESCO earmarked the following four key objectives:

(i)acknowledging the cultural dimension of development;

(ii)affirming and enriching cultural identities;

(iii)broadening participation in cultural life; and 

(iv)promoting international cultural co-operation.

Mr Speaker, in addition, projects totalling more than 1,200 were launched in almost every country worldwide. More recently, the Inter-governmental Conference on Cultural Policies for Development devised an action plan on cultural policy for development and it identified some crucial principles for development. Further, in the report on the implementation of the United Nations’ General Assembly Resolution on Culture and Development, the UNESCO Director-General recognises, in this respect, that despite significant progress made over the last two decades, the nexus between culture and development is still inadequately reflected in international development policies and that culture remains auxiliary in the development equation as defined by the different development objectives and measures.

Mr Speaker, it is important that culture, which encompasses heritage, creative and cultural industries, cultural tourism and cultural infrastructure, is enhanced so as to generate substantial economic benefit which will include job creation. A development paradigm is emerging that links the economy and culture, embracing economic, cultural, technological and social phenomena of development at both the macro and micro levels. Central to this paradigm is the fact that creativity, knowledge and access to information is increasingly recognised as a powerful engine driving economic growth and promoting development in the globalised world. It is important for each country to realise that strong cultures will swallow weak cultures in terms of economic products, lifestyles and languages. It is envisaged that weak cultures, especially those in Africa, will give way to strong cultures of the West through the paradox of globalisation. It has been noticed that the emerging creativity economy has become a leading component of economic growth, employment, trade, innovation and social cohesion in most advanced economies.

Mr Speaker, unfortunately, the large majority of developing countries like Zambia, are not yet able to harness their creativity capacity for development. These countries face the great problem of extreme poverty and seem to have a lesser capacity to mobilise their cultural resources for the purpose of economic development. It is important to observe that each product on the market represents the culture of the country where it is manufactured  Therefore, cultural influence is no longer through languages only, but also through the products being released into the global market, mainly in the African market.

Mr Speaker, allow me to address the deep-seated cultural dominance of the West in Africa. The cultural dominance of the West is entrenched in the western way of life, thus making political, economic and development aspirations conform to this alien way of life. Very often, we wonder why certain tourism, trade and technological ideas implemented by our leaders go wrong. It is not surprising that such should be the fate of projects fashioned strictly within the western way of thinking because they disregard our cultural heritage.

 Further, it can be argued that there has been no cultural exchange between the economically and politically strong Western and African counties. Notions of exchanges are mere myths. What is obvious is that because of its strong cultural and technology development, the West will flood their cheap goods on African markets. The dichotomies of this are; mass unemployment, sustainable development and political unrest.

Mr Speaker, maybe, what Africans need is a cultural re-orientation, targeting at sieving that which will always radiate the beauty of Africanness, to create a balance between modern and traditional outlooks.

Sir, I want to remind the hon. Members in the House that our culture is important for the future of our children and our nation because culture ensures a history, past, present and, certainly, a future.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu: It is, therefore, important and absolutely necessary to hand down such an important birthright and inheritance to an informed and prepared generation. The future of this nation lies in the hands of our children.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu: They are our future and must carry the identity. They deserve to be cared for, directed, nurtured, cultured and prepared for the future of this nation.

Interruptions

Dr Kaingu: However, we may also be accused of being willing recipients of western cultures without making concerted efforts to project our African heritage as attractive and unique enough to be assimilated or emulated by others. In reality, our world is gradually moving to a line when exchanges should be promoted because no nation should be completely satisfied with reclining in an armchair, waiting to savour what others have to offer.

Further, Mr Speaker, it should be noted that cultural production simultaneously generates demand for, and rides on the services of other economic sub-sectors, including restaurants, hotels, local attractions, entertainment not related to traditional arts and so on and so forth.

Sir, one practical implication of this inter-relation is that investment and employment gains generated in any part of the sector cannot be disentangled from the gains made by the sector as a whole. All are important parts of the same production engine. In the light of this, we should guard against the paradox of globalisation which is there to de-culture the poor nations, all in the name of economic development. We should, instead, take a leaf from the far-east countries like Japan, China and Taiwan which have shown typical examples as far as embracing cultural aspects in sustainable development is concerned.

Mr Speaker, I also note that the PF Government has recognised the importance of culture by forming a Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu: This notwithstanding, the ministry is not culturally embracing. It focuses more on the affairs of chiefs.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Dr Kaingu: The ministry would have been more encompassing of the cultural fraternity if it was called the Ministry of Culture and Entrepreneurship because culture is more than just chiefs and traditional affairs.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, in conclusion, – I am sure you were waiting for this.

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: I am urging the Government to seriously consider including culture in community and economic development models. This means that development interventions should also promote community-based natural resources enterprises. 

Sir, in this regard, the Government should prioritise community-based natural resources enterprises, research and promote indigenous knowledge. There is also a need to have a paradigm shift in the development agenda from sector-based development to promoting community-based natural resources through territorial development. 

Mr Speaker, this will ensure that the aspirations of our rural areas, their economic basis and means for their development …

Interruptions

Dr Kaingu:  May I repeat that?

Interruptions

Dr Kaingu: This is very important. I want your attention, hon. Members.

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: This will ensure that the aspirations of rural areas, their economic basis and the means for their development will need to be more closely considered in future policy efforts. This is particularly true when considering the changing character of rural areas and diversity of communities.

Further, Zambia should embrace a Zambian development model that will begin with the identification of Zambia’s conditions as well as solution for correcting these conditions, formulated by Zambians for Zambians. It must also be enunciated that for as long as Zambians remain armchair recipients of the western cultures without learning to do things targeted at their awakening, the development challenge will persistently remain an illusion. I look forward to the time when Africa will be self-sufficient. I tend to agree with Chika Onyeni who, in his book entitled, Capitalist Nigger, proposes a day of atonement when Africans will boycott all goods not made by them.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Does the seconder wish to speak now or later?

Ms Lubezhi: (In a chitenge outfit) Now, Mr Speaker.

Mr Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member for Namwala.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear! Cultured member!

Ms Lubezhi: Mr Speaker, it is a great privilege to be asked to second this important Motion on Mainstreaming Culture in National Development. 

Sir, from the outset, I would like to commend the mover for the manner he presented the Motion before this august House.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Lubezhi: Mr Speaker, allow me to state that by advocating for culture to be given great consideration in national planning and implementation, the Motion is providing an opportunity for ordinary citizens to be part of the development process in this country.

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: Hear, hear!

Ms Lubezhi: Sir, the Motion on the Floor is important and deserves support from all hon. Members because culture is an important catalyst in national development.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Lubezhi: Mr Speaker, as the mover has rightly pointed out, culture is closely connected with identity. It is culture that defines who we are in our respective communities and as a nation. 

Hon. Member interjected.

Laughter

Ms Lubezhi: This is particularly true in our country where culture is characterised by a rich diversified heritage and a wealth of cultural traditions. This means that culture plays a key role in the lives of many Zambians.

Interruptions

Ms Lubezhi: Sir, more importantly, culture is not only a collective memory of our people, but also a fundamental aspect of …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

We have stopped listening. Can we please, listen.

May the hon. Member continue.

Ms Lubezhi: Sir, more importantly, culture is not only a collective memory of our people but also a fundamental of a country’s social cohesion. 

Mr Speaker, in this regard, in a young democracy such as ours, culture can be used as a unifying factor in times of crisis. Culture is thus important for national building, peace, recognition and reconciliation.

Mr Speaker, in the light of the foregoing, it is disappointing that after about forty-eight years of Independence, and the fact that our country has enjoyed unity in the face of a diverse and rich cultural set up, the majority of Zambians still wallow in poverty. We, as leaders, therefore, must begin to ask ourselves why this is the case. Part of the reason is that our culture has not been integrated into development planning. Our development plans have mainly focused on foreign development models with emphasis on gross domestic product (GDP) growth. 

Mr Speaker, in mainstreaming culture as a fundamental dimension in all aspects of national development, the informal sector would be empowered and refined as one of the drivers of developments. What this implies is that, while commending the PF Government for creating the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, it should go beyond rhetoric and begin to deal with cultural issues more seriously. 

Interruptions

Ms Lubezhi: Sir, the PF Government should advance a broader and more integrating concept of development by putting Zambians at the centre of all actions, as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has stated:

“A nation’s true wealth lies with its people. The overarching objective of development is to create an atmosphere allowing human beings to enjoy a long, healthy, creative life.”

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: Hear, hear!

Ms Lubezhi: Mr Speaker, this is in line with His Excellency President Sata’s observation that:

“Zambia has the capacity to become self-reliant and lift its millions of unemployed youths out of poverty, if its vast natural resources were exploited to the benefit of Zambia.”

Underlying the President’s observation is the need to embrace culture as the best media through which the youth can express their ability to fulfill their aspirations and be an integral part of development. I would, therefore, like to urge the Government to facilitate an enabling environment that supports cultural activities. If well planned and implemented, such an undertaking has the potential to promote sustainable livelihoods and economic development.

Mr Speaker, let me end by stating that all hon. Members should support the call for a greater prioritisation of culture in development programmes and ensure that adequate financing mechanisms are put in place. This is the only way to not only facilitate the implementation of activities that have been identified, but also impart the dimension of the right cultural contribution to sustainable development.

Mr Speaker, I beg to second.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr Mulusa (Solwezi Central): Mr Speaker, … 

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Mulusa: … I thank you for this opportunity to contribute to debate on this very important Motion. I expect all the PF hon. Members of Parliament who used witchcraft to get to this House should support this Motion because it is very important.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! 

You will realise that, maybe, that was being said in a context, but people out there will think that some people come here through witchcraft. 

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: So, can you, please, withdraw that statement.

Mr Mulusa: Mr Speaker, I thank you for your guidance. I wish to withdraw that statement and state that all those hon. Members of Parliament on the right, who have debated on witchcraft before, and they are many, should support this Motion …

Laughter

Mr Mulusa: … because it underwrites the truth in what you have previously stated. 

Mr Speaker, this Motion brings out the inadequacy and lack of ingenuity in our development policy formulation. Just like we are failing to realise enough benefits from our natural resource endowments such as copper, equally, we are failing to realise enough benefits from our cultural heritage. I just wished that the mover of the Motion had brought tourism into this topic so that the issue of culture is identified together with tourism. We could have used tourism as a platform to promote our cultural heritage. 

Mr Speaker, the lack of ingenuity among ourselves, in terms of ensuring that we benefit from our cultural heritage, can be observed from the fact that not a single town or province in Zambia has a one-stop station where, when you enter that town or province, you would be informed …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours to 1630 hours.{mospagebreak}

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the Chair]

Mr Mulusa: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was driving home the point that no single town or province in this country has any facility or one-stop point that would sell the cultural identity of the people of that particular place to visitors. This has led to the loss of our cultural identity. Today, you can go to Chavuma and find Bemba being spoken there. We need to support our people and ensure that they retain their cultural identity by promoting their languages and not allowing them to die.

Mr Speaker, at break time, I was corrected by the mover of the Motion that, actually, he did link culture to tourism. Of the sectors that benefit from tourism such as the hospitality industry, transport industry, craftsmanship and retail, culture has not been taken advantage of, in terms of ensuring that it benefits from the value chain. I hope that what came out of this debate, including the debate by the mover, will be taken seriously and that this Motion will be supported by our colleagues on your right to ensure that we use our culture as one of those endowments which we can use to develop our economy and we craft policies that will maximise beneficiation from our rich cultural heritage, just like it is happening in Swaziland and South Africa.

Mr Speaker, with those few words, I wish to support the Motion.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, thank you for according me the opportunity to debate and support the Motion that has been ably moved by Hon. Dr Kaingu and seconded by Hon. Lubezhi. 

I wish to define two terms. The first term that I would like to define is ‘culture’ while the second one is ‘culture shock’. According to the English Oxford Dictionary, culture is “the ideas, customs and social behaviour of a particular people or society”. Culture shock is defined as “the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone when they are suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life or set of attitudes”.

The Deputy Chairperson: From which book are you quoting?

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, from the English Oxford Dictionary. As I support this Motion, I would like to state that, in this country, we have a leadership that has experienced a culture shock. 

Interruptions

Mr Mwiimbu: As a result of the disorientation, we are making decisions that have not been mainstreamed into the development agenda of this country.

Mr Speaker, earlier in the day, I heard His Honour the Vice-President say that there are people who are behaving like crocodiles and are just crossing floors and rivers, for they do not know what they are doing. That is exactly what is obtaining on the ground.

Mr Speaker, we have witnessed a situation …

The Deputy Chairperson: As you debate, remember that even human beings cross streams.

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: Yes, Mr Speaker. What we have noticed is that we have members of the MMD who have suffered a cultural shock. They are disoriented; they do not know the agenda of their constituencies and, as a result, are failing to define their role as representatives of the people. They are failing to appreciate that, even when one is in the Opposition, there is a need to be cultured and ensure that one has a vision and mainstream culture.

Mr Mwila: On a point of order, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker is the hon. Member of Parliament for Monze Central in order to start debating his fellow hon. Members? I need your serious ruling.

The Deputy Chairperson: To the extent that he is debating an issue on culture, it is advisable that he treads a thin line because we are not supposed to debate ourselves. In so far as the debate is on culture is concerned, the hon. Member is on course, but should remember not to debate his fellow hon. Members.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I always cherish your guidance.

Mr Speaker, there are people, in this country who have lost their cultural upbringing. As a result of the cultural shock, they are failing to have a definite direction. Consequently, they are failing to mainstream culture in the country. They are failing to lead our people so that there is cultural development in their respective jurisdictions. 

Mr Speaker, we need to inculcate a sense of culture in the politics of this country; a culture in which we do not insult and belittle each other because culture is very important. For instance, if one humiliates a colleague, that is being uncultured and it should not be allowed. 

Mr Speaker, I heard the mover of the Motion mention that culture is very important. I have noticed that those who have lost their culture are usually lost and do not know what they are supposed to do as they lead the development agenda. 

Mr Speaker, culture is so important that all of us, in this House, and those who are outside, have identified ourselves with a culture. We have noted, with concern, that the culture of various people has been debased and vandalised by them. We have been asking the Government to ensure that, as we sell the tourism agenda, culture is prioritised. If those who are supposed to be leading the cultural agenda are not cultured and flip-flopping, then, we will not get anywhere. 

Sir, I appeal to all of us to search our souls to find our culture in our hearts and ensure that whatever we do always reflects our cultural upbringing. If this does not happen, then, we have lost direction. I have seen about nine people in this House who have lost direction.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Laughter

Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, having attentively listened to the previous debater, I think that it was quality debate. As I stand to support this Motion, which the mover termed non-controversial, I would like to say that it requires deep analysis. I say this because we have had many attempts at taking development to our various constituencies, through lobbying the Executive. The reason this has failed is that we may be overlooking a very important ingredient, which is the culture aspect of those whom we represent in the various constituencies.

Mr Speaker, the Motion is on mainstreaming culture in national development. The contribution of our people in empowerment projects is, to a large extent, governed by their cultural beliefs and upbringing. This can be seen in the social aspect of various groupings of our people. The cultural environment determines, to a large extent, the temperament of a group of people. It is very well known that farmers and fishermen are, by and large, patient people. They have to wait and, sometimes pray, for a good harvest or catch. Therefore, when we attempt to empower such people in various aspects of economic development, it is important that we identify these attributes that have been shaped by culture so that we can shepherd and utilise them. For instance, it will not work to ask people who are used to fishing to rear goats. This would be dislocating them from their cultural upbringing. 
    
Mr Speaker, to maximise culture in terms of belief and the traditional outlook towards work, identifying their cultural setting, which is fishing and promoting it, would yield maximum benefit in such an area. This can be done by using modern technology such as that which is used in aquaculture, where we do not have to depend on rivers, but rain water. Perhaps we can even improve on the preservation of fish using modern technology such as refrigeration. The value and economic development that we would get out of this would benefit the entire country.   

Mr Speaker, the other example I want to cite is that of hunters. Hunters are, by and large, impatient people. They are action oriented and want quick results. Why do we not identify and harness such groups and link them to some form of economic development opportunities?

Mr Speaker, clearly, as the mover and seconder ably stated, education and indigenous knowledge are pivotal to the country’s development.  If we are not careful, we shall be consumers of products of other strong cultures other than our own.  Even in our homes, if we are not careful, the younger generations will be brought up as passive participants who will sit in front of television from morning to afternoon, expecting others to act while they sit and watch. This will be a feature in their adult lives.  In the past, quite a number of us in this room were creative. We would mould clay into bulls and see which ones got crushed first. That was creativity. 

Mr Speaker, talking about work ethics, it was only a few weeks ago that we bemoaned the work ethics of the majority of our people. Why is it so? This has to do with our cultural setting. It is high time that our colleagues in the Government seriously considered the various ecosystems and resources in various areas and how they have shaped our people’s culture as they endeavour to reduce poverty and improve development in those areas. 

In this regard, Sir, I strongly support this Motion which actually needs more research to see how we can tie it to decentralisation in order to accelerate economic development in various areas. 

Finally, I want to state that when we bring investors into our country, it is important that our cultural setting is taken into account for sustainable development. This is important, especially if we have to utilise fully our soils for agriculture development. These other God-given resources like minerals are perishable. Mining will come to an end at some point. The core of our sustainable development is land. Our various ways of utilising land, such as through tourism, can be used to exploit our various cultural values to bring about sustainable development. 

Let me, now, talk about farming in relation to our culture. Can we not bring economic development and improve the livelihood of our people if we were to incorporate our traditions that have evolved over many years in the way we use modern agriculture technology? I think doing things that way can help us to use our land to support sustainable development. 

Mr Speaker, with these few words, I would like to state that this is a well-thought-out Motion. It is thought provoking and has been very well researched. We can do well to apply the principles which have been talked about when debating the Motion at the village, community, constituency, district and national levels.

I thank you, Sir. 

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

 Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, allow me to support the Motion on the Floor of the House. 

Mr Speaker, in supporting this Motion, I want to bring out very basic, but fundamental issues concerning culture. I know that Zambia is endowed with diverse cultures. However, I would like to zero in on the culture I know best which is the one in the area I come from. 

Mr Speaker, there are a few issues that I would like to bring out which, I believe, if well harnessed, will enhance development in our country. I know that most of us have gone to school and acquired various professional and academic qualifications. However, I would like to urge this august House to also think of marrying this education with our cultural values. 

Let me start by giving examples. Firstly, we have heard of and seen very educated people who lack certain basic values which would be cardinal in discharging their duties. We have seen a policeman who is supposed to combat crime get involved in it. Where I come from, stealing, killing ….

Hon. Government Member: Is allowed.

Laughter

Mr Hamudulu: …or getting somebody’s property was unheard of. Now, however, we see people who steal with impunity even when they are charged with the responsibility of catching thieves. They lack cultural values. 

Laughter

Mr Hamudulu: We have heard of people who are well educated, but fail to discharge their duties properly because they lack certain values that are cardinal in their work. 

Mr Speaker, imagine a well-trained teacher defiling a child whose interests are supposed to be taken care of by that very teacher. That is lacking cultural values. In the area where I come from, a neighbour’s child was as good as my own. 

Mr Kalaba: Ubufi!

Mr Hamudulu: We have lost it on this one because it no longer obtains. 

Mr Speaker, we have seen street children in our towns simply because their mothers and fathers …

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

There is too much debating while seated on my right. 

Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, it is a question of culture. 

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: Order! 

Hold it. 

Hon. Members, please. desist from debating while seated. Consultations are allowed, obviously, but loud consultations are frowned upon. 

The hon. Member for Siavonga may continue. 

Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, as an afterthought, where I come from, in the olden days, when a meeting was called to order, everybody kept quiet and waited until they were given their time to speak. All that is part of our cultural values.

Laughter

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamudulu: Those values sound very basic, but are very fundamental.

Sir, what I am saying is that culture can teach us a lot. If you go to a village setup, now, and see their way of life and compare it to how we live, eat, dress and drink, you will discover that despite us living well, we die quicker than the people in the village. It is a question of culture. We have lost some things somewhere on the way. We are quick to adopt other people’s cultures at the expense of our own cultures which sustained our forefathers for so many years.

Sir, my next point is on discipline. How can you be a managing director in a company and you are the one who comes late? That is lacking proper cultural values. When you are well brought up, you will always endeavour to follow proper cultural values. The cultural values sound basic, but are very important. If you are given a responsibility, you need to perform it to the best of your ability. These days, it is possible to find people abandoning their offices. If you go to some offices, the officers are not there because they have no sense of duty as the case was in the past. 

In the past, gentleman’s agreements were made. In the past, when a person borrowed money from you, he/she would just say that, “I will pay you your money on Friday” and you would get your money on that day. However, nowadays, because of the erosion of culture, people agree to do things they know very well they will not do. That is a lack of cultural values.

Laughter

Mr Hamudulu: In my culture, when you make a promise, you endeavoured to fulfil that promise, but now we see people who make promises knowing very well that they will not fulfil them.

Interruptions

Hon. Opposition Members: Eeh!

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

I know that the debater is debating very well, but may I, please, advise that the decorum of the House demands that if you agree with him you say, “Hear, hear” and not “Eeh, eeh!”

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: Can we stop that, please.

May the hon. Member, please, continue.

Hon Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, I will now move on to corruption.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamudulu: Corruption is rampant in our midst, even among the so-called learned people. Of course, one can talk of work ethics. Yes, they are there. However, I wish to state that work ethics are taught to us and are not inherent in us. 

Sir, where I come from, even when you are hungry, if you are passing through a field of maize which is not yours, you contain yourself because, culturally, it is wrong to get that which does not belong to you. 

Let me now talk about corruption. If I know that something is culturally wrong, no matter how much money is dangled before me, I should still see it as being wrong. However, here, people would just look around and ask the question: Is there anybody seeing me? If no one is seeing them, they go ahead and do the wrong thing. That is lack of cultural values.

So, in other words, Mr Speaker, what I am saying is that there should be a cultural aspect in our actions. Sometimes, arguing from without is a clear sign of lack  of cultural values.

Mr Mwiimbu: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Mr Kakoma: Tell them!

Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, where I come from, when you do not agree with something, you go to the brother and tell him  that in a respectful manner. However, I know that there could be certain cultures where people just talk from without. As for me, I think that if you talk from without, you fail to get the point somebody is trying to tell you.

Sir, where I come from, being violent is a sign of being uncultured. You cannot …

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order, order!

Mr Hamudulu: I am saying, Mr Speaker …

The Deputy Chairperson: Order, order!

Let us, please, allow the hon. Member to debate without any disturbance. We are debating a very important topic regarding our culture. Even in here, there are norms to be followed. For instance, you do not debate while seated. If you want to debate or you are dying to debate, all you have to do is to catch my eye and you will be given an opportunity to debate. That is our culture.

May you continue, please.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamudulu: I agree with you, Mr Speaker. Where there is no culture, people perish because they have no morals. Morality is a question of culture. When you have been well brought up, you fear doing certain things not because you fear to be arrested, but because you strongly feel that they are wrong. That is what I mean by culture.

So, where I come from, hard work is a cultural issue. Young people are taught to be hard workers from a very tender age.

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamudulu: When we went out to look after cattle, we were not being forced to do so. It was inherent in us to do it. That is why, even to date, it is a shame where I come from to ask for food from someone else because we have always been taught to fend for ourselves by working hard.

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Bwalya: Kumwenu ekwaba icipowe!

Mr Hamudulu: However, when we entrust certain people to look after our affairs and they temper with certain implements that we need to use in order to produce food, then we are forced to beg.

Laughter

Mr Hamudulu: When we are well cultured leaders, we discharge our duties diligently according to the mandate that we have been given …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamudulu: … not because we fear to be removed from power, but because we believe that that is what we should do. That is culture.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, professional and academic training alone is not enough. Like I said earlier, we have seen well-trained people failing to discharge their duties because they lack basic cultural values. These values are basic, but important.

How does a timekeeper come late for work? Who will keep the time for the others who come earlier? So, when you have been given a mandate to lead, you must be in the forefront of showing how things are supposed to be done. If we want certain things to be done, let us be the first ones to do them. Things cannot be done that way in the absence of well-cultured leaders. Leaders can only do that which they are mandated to do well if they are well cultured.

Mr Speaker, in concluding, the only problem that I see is that we look at our own cultural values as inferior to the cultural values we acquire from others which, sometimes, do not even add value to our lives.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}

Mr Hamudulu: We have seen a lot of street kids simply because their fathers and mothers have died. Where are the relatives? Where are the uncles? The lack of appreciation of our culture is what is making such things happen. In certain cases, some of the street kids have parents … 

Mr Mwiimbu: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamudulu: … who do not care for them because somewhere along the way there has been an erosion of cultural values. Now, if we consider this Motion and give it the seriousness that it deserves and make sure that we inculcate cultural values from as early as Grade 1 in our academic system, in my view, everybody will grow up knowing very well that parenting is a responsibility which has to be performed according to agreed norms. 

Mr Speaker, with these few words, I beg to support the Motion and urge those who are charged with the responsibility of seeing to it that what is being promoted by it comes to fruition, to reflect deeply and think of how we can enhance development in our country if we embraced our cultural values.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Minister of Youth and Sport (Mr Kambwili): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity, on behalf of the Government, to summarise and say a few words on this Motion.

Indeed, Sir, I agree with the previous speaker that certain things that we do show that we are uncultured. For instance, where I come from, if you have a completely bald head, it is either you lost a wife or you are from prison.

Laughter

Mr Kambwili: So, it is also a sign of being uncultured.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: In the olden days, people never used to shave anyhow unless found in one of the two situations which I have mentioned.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order, order!

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, if we have to be cultured, we need to change our thinking and this includes even the way we shave our heads bald.

Mr Speaker, I also agree with the previous speaker who said that when you argue from without, you are uncultured. Going by what he said, all the people who have spoken are uncultured. This is for one reason, which I will justify. We have a policy on mainstreaming of culture into development. This policy was developed in 1992. However, what surprises me is that it was completed in 2006 and the custodian of this policy was the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare where the person who has moved this Motion was hon. Minister. So, we expect him to tell us what he did to mainstream culture in development.

Sir, this clearly shows that our colleagues, in the MMD, did not know what they were doing. If they knew what they were doing, we would not have had such a Motion being moved by somebody who was an hon. Minister in the MMD Government responsible for cultural mainstreaming, but did not do anything. That is why the people of Zambia kicked the MMD out of power. Now that it is in the Opposition, it is seeing things from a different angle when it should have seen these things while in the Government.

Mr Speaker, for the sake of those who are doubting Thomases, let me give this analysis. The Department of Culture was established in 1965 through a Presidential decree. It was first under the ambit of the Ministry of Education. Then, it was moved to the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.

Sir, in the post-election era, in 2011, the PF created the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, which currently houses the department. The guiding document for programme implementation is the National Cultural Policy. The process of coming up with this policy started in 1992 and was only completed in 2003 when it was launched. In a foreword message, the then Minister of Community Development and Social Services Hon. Marino Nsingo, Member of Parliament, said the policy was aimed at facilitating the participation of all stakeholders in the creation of employment, development and promotion of cultural wealth.

Mr Speaker, my big brother left this policy in the ministry but, today, because he is in the Opposition, comes to tell us that his Government was a failure. I want to assure the House and the nation that the vision of this Government is to mainstream culture in national development processes in order to achieve sustainable human and economic development.

So, what you are asking us to implement is what you failed to do, but which we, unlike you, will do.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: During the MMD era, the policy provided that there shall be provincial and district cultural officers. How many did you leave? The department is dead. There are only about four provincial cultural officers and now you want to tell us to mainstream. You should have mainstreamed when you were in office.

Sir, on this part of the House, we cannot accept to push an open door because the policy is there and we are going to implement it. We will build on the failures of the MMD. So, to me, moving this Motion is an abuse of parliamentary procedure, a waste of time and we are not going to support it.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, let me thank the hon. Members who debated very well and those who supported the Motion while quietly seated, like the hon. Ministers of Health and Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Childhood.

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the idea is to give …

Dr Phiri: On a point of order, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I have never stood on a point of order. This is shown by me kneeling rather than standing, since I am hearing people say, “stand up, stand up”, which is very uncultural.

Laughter

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to insinuate that I have been listening to him attentively and agreeing with him when, in fact, the position by the hon. Minister is the Government’s position? I seek your indulgence. 

The Deputy Chairperson: To the extent that there was misjudgement, the hon. Member speaking was out of order. 

May you continue.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, we, on this side of the House, have strived to give the PF Government answers to development and I am very happy to note that it is not willing to accept the advice, suggestions and wisdom from this side of the House. It wants to continue in the same manner that we did things when we were that side of the House. This pleases me because, then, I can foresee our coming back in 2016.

Interruptions

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, it is clear, from the way the hon. Minister of Youth and Sport has debated, that the PF Government is only willing to continue with our failures. This Government is failing to create policies which should help it govern the country.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

As a result of debating while seated, the hon. Member speaking is unable to wind up. 

May you now wind up.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, thank you very much for that observation. As I conclude, I would to thank all the hon. Members and to say that we, on this side, will try by all means to give the Government guidance on how to govern but, if it rejects that guidance, we thank it very much for doing so.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question that this House urges the Government to mainstream culture as a fundamental dimension in all aspects of national development put and negatived.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL WELFARE 

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do adopt the Report of the Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Welfare for the First Session of the Eleventh National Assembly laid on the Table of the House on 25th June, 2012.

The Deputy Chairperson: Is the Motion seconded?

Mr Chisala (Chilubi): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Dr Chituwo: Sir, your Committee is guided by the terms of reference as set out in the National Assembly Standing Orders. Going by its terms of reference, your Committee considered two topical issues, namely maternal health in Zambia and social protection for the aged. It also considered the Action-Taken Report on the previous Committee’s report. Further, your Committee also undertook a foreign tour to the Republic of Mauritius.

Mr Speaker, considering that hon. Members have read your report, I will only highlight some pertinent issues that emanated from your Committee’s interaction with the stakeholders regarding maternal health in Zambia and social protection for the aged, as well as its findings during its foreign tour.

Maternal Health in Zambia

Sir, although Zambia has done well to reduce the previous levels of maternal, neonatal and child mortality rates, the magnitude of the problem is still unacceptably high and well off the set millennium development goal (MDG) number five whose main targets are to:

(a)reduce, by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio; and

(b)achieve, by 2015, universal access to reproductive health.

Sir, according to the Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) carried out in 2007, the maternal mortality ratio in Zambia reduced from 729 deaths per 100,000 live births, in 2002, to 591 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2007. Therefore, in order to attain the MDG target, Zambia has to reduce its maternal mortality ratio to approximately 162 deaths per 100,000 live births. This means that a further reduction of 429 deaths per 100,000 live births has to be achieved between now and 2015. Premised on the above, your Committee interacted with stakeholders who tendered both written and oral submissions before it. 

Sir, allow me to give a brief analysis of some of the observations and recommendations as contained in your Committee’s report. The House may wish to note that in order to improve women’s overall health and mortality outcomes visualised by the MDGs, women must have access to comprehensive healthcare. Therefore, ideal and comprehensive health care requires health systems that make high quality services accessible, available and affordable at both the primary care and referral levels. However, this is not the case in Zambia due to the constraints in the current health system. 

Sir, regrettably, your Committee observes that the deplorable state of various health centres and medical equipment in the country continues to compromise the quality of health care received by women. Your Committee, therefore, recommends that the Government invests more in developing new infrastructure where it does not exist and refurbish infrastructure that is not functional. The availability of good infrastructure will enable the Government to provide health services in the most underserved areas of the country.

Sir, your Committee observes, with great concern, that the number of health workers in rural health centres is inadequate because trained health workers are concentrated in urban areas. As a result, this has further compromised the quality of service delivery. Arising from this fact, your Committee recommends that the Government develops strict measures to ensure that it is mandatory for graduates from public or private health training institutions to serve, at least, a year in a rural area through licensing mechanisms. Failure to serve in rural postings should be accompanied by a penalty.

Mr Speaker, your Committee observes, with great sadness, that the maternal health sector continues to be underfunded, as evidenced by the inadequate supply of health commodities such as drugs, delivery equipment and the insignificant progress made in the implementation of maternal health programmes. Your Committee, therefore, recommends that, as a matter of urgency, the Ministry of Health engages the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to increase funding to the maternal health sector. 

Sir, your Committee further observes that unsafe abortion is a major cause of maternal mortality in Zambia. Your Committee, therefore, recommends that the grounds for legal abortion be broadened and its access implemented under criteria permitted by existing laws. Furthermore, there is a need to ensure expanded coverage of comprehensive safe abortion care services and popularisation of the Termination of Pregnancy Act to the general public.

Social Protection for the Aged

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health is the one legally responsible for the delivery of social protection programmes in Zambia. Your Committee, however, regrets to observe that the ministry has continued to receive low levels of funding, making it difficult to implement programmes effectively. For instance, concerns have been raised regarding the Social Cash Transfer Scheme, which is highly dependent on funding from co-operating partners supporting social protection in Zambia. This has raised the question of national ownership and sustainability of the programme once donor funding ceases or is reduced in the long run. It is in this regard that your Committee is appealing to the Government to increase funding to the ministry so that social protection programmes can be adequately funded and implemented.

Mr Speaker, your Committee also notes that the needs and challenges facing old people are diverse and dynamic. Your Committee wishes to inform the House that there is insufficient research on issues affecting older persons in our communities to help guide the implementation of programmes that are aimed at addressing their dynamic needs and challenges. In this regard, your Committee strongly recommends that the Government, as a matter of urgency, promotes extensive research on older persons in Zambia in order to improve and guide programming.

Foreign Tour to the Republic of Mauritius

Mr Speaker, in its quest to familiarise itself with the best practices of maternal health and social protection for the aged, your Committee undertook a tour to the Republic of Mauritius. Knowing that the report gives a detailed account of your Committee’s findings during the tour, I will only highlight a few important issues on both topics.

With regard to maternal health, your Committee observed that the Government of the Republic of Mauritius emphasises contraceptive use regardless of age, gender or creed. Owing to this fact, various methods of contraceptives are widely accessible in all health centres and these methods are free of charge. Mauritius has been cited as one of the countries with the highest contraceptive prevalence rate of 79.5 per cent in Africa because of the promotion of family planning. However, the House may wish to note that this is not the case in Zambia because the 2007 ZDHS revealed that Zambia’s contraceptive prevalence rate is at 33 per cent with an unmet need for family planning of 27 per cent.

Your Committee, therefore, urges the Government of Zambia to scale up access to family planning, especially targeting poorer and less educated segments of the population. Furthermore, the Government should provide improved family planning methods, choice and mix, especially the uptake of long-term reversible and permanent methods of family planning. This will also provide for a more sustainable contraceptive prevalence rate across families and communities.

Sir, your Committee also learnt that the Mauritian Government has developed its own local networking across the reproductive and maternal health sector in order to avoid heavy reliance on foreign and other donor-based initiatives. In this regard, your Committee recommends that the Zambian Government emulates the Republic of Mauritius by developing its own locally-grown indicators across the reproductive and maternal health continuum of care to be able to monitor its own indicators and follow the progress being made. Regarding reproductive health, these indicators will also help the Government to identify where the need for intervention is greatest.

Your Committee further observed that the Mauritian Government has shown commitment and consistency in designing programmes aimed at improving reproductive health services. Therefore, your Committee urges the Zambian Government to demonstrate commitment and consistency in programmes aimed at improving reproductive health in order to guarantee the continuous delivery of better health services to the people. Your Committee further observed that the Republic of Mauritius has attributed its success to ensuring that most programmes undertaken in sexual and reproductive health are research based. Therefore, the Government should invest heavily in sexual and reproductive health research to ensure that decisions are evidence based.

Sir, pertaining to social protection for the aged, your Committee observes that the Government of Mauritius has developed a national policy on aging that has facilitated the quality of health care for the aged. Your Committee regrets that there is no national policy on aging in Zambia, making it difficult to implement co-ordinated efforts to address the plight of the aged. Further, your Committee is disappointed that the Draft National Policy on Aging that has been before Cabinet for some time now has not been approved. Therefore, your Committee recommends that the draft policy be approved and implemented without further delay.

Mr Speaker, your Committee further observed that the private sector in Mauritius has complimented the Government’s efforts in the running of homes for elderly persons. As a result, homes for the elderly in Mauritius are adequately funded and well equipped. Your Committee, therefore, recommends that social protection for the aged in Zambia be a shared responsibility between the Government and private sector with the Government taking the lead. The private sector should be allowed to run such homes for the aged under the guidance of the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health. These homes should be managed by trained care givers and frequently monitored by the ministry. 

Your Committee also urges the Government to address the outstanding issues that have been raised in the Action-Taken Report for the Fifth Session of the Tenth National Assembly. 

Sir, may I conclude by taking this opportunity to thank you, Mr Speaker, for the guidance provided to your Committee during the session. I also wish to thank all the stakeholders who appeared before it and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius for hosting your Committee. Sir, allow me to also thank members of your Committee for their co-operation, hard work and input in your Committee’s work. Lastly, but not the least, let me thank the Clerk of the National Assembly and her staff for the unwavering support rendered to your Committee.

Mr Speaker, I beg to move.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: Does the seconder wish to speak now or later?

Mr Chisala: Yes, Mr Speaker.

Interruptions

Mr Chisala: Now, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker …

The Deputy Chairperson: I noticed that it was a slip of the tongue.

Laughter

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, I thank you for affording me this opportunity to second this important Motion to adopt the Report of the Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Welfare which is on the Floor of the House. In seconding this Motion so eloquently moved by the Chairperson of your Committee, I wish to comment on a few points contained in your Committee’s report. 

With regard to maternal health, your Committee observed that women in rural areas, who are at a high risk of maternal deaths due to their low levels of education and social economic status, are poorly targeted and underserved with regard to quality health services. Your Committee, therefore, recommends that the Government develops effective outreach services to ensure that underserved women in rural areas have access to quality reproductive health information and services. In addition, the Government should strongly emphasise on contraceptives to be used in rural areas where access to contraceptives is limited. Your Committee notes that there is limited access to youth friendly sexual and reproductive health information and services in Zambia despite adolescents being the most vulnerable to unwanted pregnancies, abortions and sexually transmitted diseases. 

Sir, the 2010 Population Census Report revealed that almost half of Zambia’s population is under the age of fifteen with adolescents constituting more than one-quarter of the total population. The report further revealed that many adolescents are sexually active and vulnerable to sexual abuse, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections because of inadequate information on sex, reproductive health and relationships.

Mr Speaker, the House may wish to note that an escalating youth population means that there is a need for sexual and reproductive health services. Furthermore, considering the established vulnerabilities and extremely low consistent contraceptive use among adolescents, it is only logical to project that maternal mortality resulting from unsafe abortions will rise unless targeted interventions are urgently introduced. 

Mr Speaker, it is on this premise that your Committee strongly recommends that the Government develops, as a matter of urgency, comprehensive youth friendly sexual and reproductive health services, including the full range of contraceptives in order to reduce the increasing number of unwanted pregnancies, abortions and sexually transmitted diseases. Further, the Government should also develop a package of care for them covering sexuality education. This education should be advocated for at the family, school and church levels.

Mr Speaker, your Committee further observes, with great concern, that there has been a lot of inconsistency in the maternal death reviews from the community to the national level. Therefore, your Committee recommends that the Government takes significant steps to establish a registration system for the number of maternal live births to deaths and the cause of death. The consistency in these statistics will help the Government to identify gaps that need immediate attention.

Mr Speaker, one of the issues that your Committee dealt with is that of a legal framework regarding social protection for the aged. Your Committee expresses concern that Zambia has had no legal framework to implement a social protection policy. Arising from this fact, the implementation of activities on the welfare of older persons and the roles of the Government and stakeholders lack clarity and proper co-ordination. Your Committee finds this unacceptable as it fails to guarantee equity in service delivery.

In this regard, your Committee recommends that the Government formulates, as a matter of urgency, a broader social protection policy encompassing both social security and assistance.

Mr Speaker, your Committee further observes that the participation of vulnerable persons in matters that involve their plight is cardinal for the formulation of effective policy interventions. Regrettably, your Committee observes that older persons in Zambia are not involved in planning interventions surrounding their welfare in most sectors.

Your Committee, therefore, urges the Government, through the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, to work closely with stakeholders to devise measures that will promote the active participation of old people in matters that concern them instead of being passive recipients of handouts.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, let me take this opportunity to thank you for your guidance. I further wish to thank the Clerk of the National Assembly and her staff for the invaluable support they rendered to your Committee during its deliberations.

Mr Speaker, with these few remarks, I beg to second.

Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Monde (Itezhi-tezhi): Mr Speaker, as I support this Motion, I would like to quickly discuss maternal health and wind up with the role the Government is playing in promoting protection of the aged.

Mr Speaker, your Committee has highlighted a lot of areas that are challenging and indicate that, as a nation, we have fallen short of meeting the numbers.

Mr Speaker, under maternal health, on page 3 of your report, you will note that there is a point where figures have been mentioned but, five years down the road, we still have no survey, which has been conducted, to ascertain whether or not we are going to meet the MDGs as per the dates that have been recorded. On this page, the statistics show that there were 729 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2002 and 591 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2007. 

Sir, seeing that we are getting closer to the 2015 limit for this part of the MDGs, it would have been better to check ourselves and see whether we are on the right rating with regard to the bad figures that we have seen in terms of deaths in young children. 

Mr Speaker, the stakeholders who submitted to your Committee have stated, in the report, that the maternal health situation in Zambia was among the worst in the Southern region and had not improved substantially in most of the areas of the country. If you looked at the figures and made a comparison, you would note that the areas that are mostly affected and, I am glad it was reflected in the report, are rural areas which cover much bigger areas of this country. It is unfortunate that every time programmes are initiated, we see that the first beneficiaries are usually the urban areas. I think that this is not a good picture because we have a lot of people in the outskirts. Therefore, this issue must be dealt with decisively. 

Sir, the previous Government had initiated a programme for putting up over three hundred health posts. I am not really sure how that programme is being run and whether it is going to take effect, and yet we have also heard that the construction of over six hundred hospitals or clinics is being initiated. How I wish that these could be put up so that we could mitigate the deaths that are being recorded.

Mr Speaker, on page 4, there is a point under Zambia’s total fertility rate which has increased from 5.9 per cent in 2002 to 6.2 per cent by 2007, according to the survey which was conducted, making it one of the highest fertility rates in the world.

Mr Speaker, when you check the poverty rates in the period under review, you will see that Zambia has also had a drop in poverty ratios. This makes me wonder whether it is a coincidence that when our poverty levels are getting lower, the fertility rates are also getting higher. I think that the Government, to a bigger extent, is responsible for the fertility rate. What do I mean? For as long as the Government does not create jobs for the people, the people will have nothing to do, but resort to activities that increase the number of births and the fertility rate will then go up. Those are the only choices they have. 

Mr Speaker, with the levels of unemployment, people in the rural areas have nothing to keep them meaningfully engaged. Therefore, this causes the fertility rate to go up. So, in mitigating the fertility rate, which we are failing to manage by way of providing maternal health requirements, we need to create jobs to ensure that people are distracted from indulging in activities that will increase the fertility rate. In Mauritius, …

Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

Laughter{mospagebreak}

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, the issue of jobs must not be underestimated. We have seen that, because of high levels of unemployment, more than thirteen people died in Mpulungu trying to get employment. Such things have never happened before. I urge the Government to take this issue seriously.

Mr Speaker, your Committee regrets that women in rural areas are often poor and uneducated, hence they resort to indulging in activities that increase the rate of maternal deaths. I think that rural areas should be given preference in terms of reducing the distances women have to cover to get to hospitals. The long distances between clinics are causing deaths. Your Committee thinks that there must be emphasis on establishing health centres in rural areas.

Mr Speaker, the last point I would like to make, under maternal health, is on maternal nutrition. Malnutrition is a lack of requirements that have been mentioned, namely iron, folic acid, vitamin A and balanced meals. We need to create capacity for our citizens, especially the poor, whom we promised to serve. If this is not done, this situation is going to continue. I think that the Government is responsible for this. We know that the people in urban areas or those who are well-to-do, give their pregnant wives a special diet consisting of fruits such as bananas. What about the people in rural areas? 

Interruptions

Mr Monde: It is our responsibility to empower the people in rural areas. This country is not really poor. We have seen that we have the capacity to implement some of the things that we talk about. Unfortunately, along the way, we are getting distracted. We forget about what we promised to do for the people. For example, the current Government promised to reduce the size of the Cabinet. However, along the way, we have lost it. Hence, we cannot provide for the needs of the people. The only thing we are doing is expanding the size of the Cabinet to ensure that we are well fed. The current Cabinet has close to thirty members, compared to the previous …

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Allow the hon. Member to debate because, when you interject, it means that the hon. Member, who was about to wind up, will open up other areas of debate. 

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Allow him to wind up properly. 

You may continue, hon. Member.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, if our resources were mobilised, instead of using them to expand the size of the Cabinet, which has close to thirty members, ...

Mr Kambwili: On a point of order, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson:

 A point of order is raised.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member of Parliament debating in order to mislead the House and the nation that this Cabinet has close to thirty members? Even the simple mathematical law of rounding off figures dictates that the closest to eighteen is twenty. Is he in order to say that the Cabinet has close to thirty members? 

I need your serious ruling, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

The hon. Member should take that correction into account as he debates. 

Please, continue, hon. Member.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, we have noted that resources are spread among the Executive. Today, we have more than three hon. Deputy Ministers in each ministry and even the pews of the Cabinet …

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Try and relate your debate to the Motion.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, the point I am making is that …

Mr Chitotela: On a point of order, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member of Parliament for Itezhi-tezhi in order to mislead the nation? The Mauritian Government, with a population of 1.2 million and seventy-two hon. Members of Parliament, has twenty-five hon. Ministers. Is he in order to mislead the nation that the PF Government is spending money on the Executive? I need your serious ruling.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

The hon. Member for Itezhi-tezhi may continue.

Laughter

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, if our finances are not managed and channelled well, the maternal malnutrition rates and deaths will continue. 

Your Committee has noted …

Mr Sampa: On a point of order, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

Mr Sampa: I wish to raise a point of order and correct the hon. Member of Parliament for Itezhi-tezhi.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

What is your point of order?

Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to mislead this House and the nation that this Executive has three hon. Deputy Ministers per ministry when, in fact, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, for instance, has one hon. Deputy Minister, the one currently speaking? 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

The serious ruling is that not all ministries have three hon. Deputy Ministers. I think that the hon. Member was not in order.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, your Committee notes that good nutrition is important for maternal health, and that the lack of essential nutrition often contributes to incidences of neonatal morbidity and mortality. 

Before I was disrupted by those points of order, I said that it is very important that the Government concentrates its efforts on honouring the promises it made to the people. Running away from these issues by bringing happiness to ourselves alone will not do us any good, as people in the driving seat. The rates of mortality will continue to rise.

Mr Speaker, one recommendation of your     Committee, under maternal health, with which I wish to disagree, is about publicity and legal abortions. The Termination of Pregnancy Act should not be promoted so much, at this stage, because we know that victims of this Act are those who indulge in sexual activities outside marriage. I think that promoting this is not good. The last point, under this recommendation, is that authority of terminating a pregnancy should be signed by three doctors. I do not think that this will work in areas like Itezhi-tezhi, where I come from. This IS because there are only two doctors in the District at any given time.

Mr Speaker, let me speak about the aged in our society. Your Committee observed, on page 12, that there are very few measures being taken to help the aged in our society.

This leaves me with the question of what the Government is doing to alleviate the problem of poverty among the aged in our communities and takes me to a few activities of the Government in addressing the problem. For example, personally, I would like to see the report on how taking small political parties and their cadres, such as Mr Chipimo and Ms Nawakwi, to Brazil has benefitted the people.

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Interruptions

Mr Monde: I am really wondering because that was done at taxpayers’ expense. I think that this is not enough for the Government to do.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kapata: On a point of order, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member debating in order to mention people who are not here to defend themselves? I seek your serious ruling.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

The hon. Member veered off course and started mentioning people who are not here. To that extent, he is out of order.

May the hon. Member continue.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, moving away from the issue of people who are not here, – because I am comparing the few measures that the Government is taking – I am wondering how re-alignments of ministries, for almost eight months, realigning of provinces, for over eight months, and naming of areas, are going to help alleviate the poverty of the aged in our society. The Government must begin to look at these issues very seriously.

Sir, I am also looking at some of the activities of the Government such as causing unnecessary by-elections which, when they lose, they result in elections on the MMD side and they win them.

Laughter

Mr Monde: These are not activities that are going to enhance the quality of life of our people. It is time the Government put an effort in doing the right thing.

Mr Speaker, there is a Draft National Policy on the Aged, which has been in the hands of the Government for a long time now. I am looking forward to the time when it is going to be released. Maybe, this is going to be beneficial to our community.

With those few remarks, I thank you, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: Hmm! Few, indeed.

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to support the Motion on the Floor, for and on behalf of the people of Lupososhi Constituency.

Sir, a well-defined social safety-net is a good thing in reducing social vices. I will look at Page 10 and 15 of the report. 

Sir, I know that the Ministry of Health and the Government, as a whole, has provided for the construction of 650 health posts in the 2012 Budget. That must be commended. However, there is a recommendation on Page 10 (v), that says:

“The Government should enforce strict measures to ensure that, as soon as an individual graduates from a public or private health training institution, it is mandatory for them to serve a year in a rural posting. The failure to serve in these rural postings should be accompanied by a penalty.” 

Mr Speaker, indeed, penalties are welcome but, in my view, the solution does not lie in penalties. It lies in bettering the conditions of service. The solution lies in all of us, in this Republic, building good infrastructure in the rural areas. That, in itself, will attract the new graduates and those who graduated a long time ago to stay in the rural areas and serve the rural masses who are in dire need of health services. I, therefore, would have liked these recommendations to have gone further to say that we need to improve the infrastructure and the salaries for health workers in rural areas.

Mr Speaker, the Social Cash Transfer Scheme is very good, and many people are benefitting from it in my constituency. I have been receiving many queries on when it would be extended to other areas. It is unfortunate that it is not a national programme.

Sir, however, my concern with this good scheme is that it is donor-dependent. It is important that we look at it seriously to see how best, as a country, we can put more resources in it so that we support more people who need the scheme. However, that will also spell the sustainability aspect of the scheme because, as soon as the donors pull out, the scheme will collapse and many people will be complaining. I, therefore, wish to urge the country, as a whole, to see how best we can sustain this programme.

Mr Speaker, yes, page 25 of the report reveals some good aspects of the foreign trip. It refers to social housing. 

Sir, with the coming of the MMD in 1990/91, we saw an empowerment programme being pursued, which resulted in many houses being sold. As a result of that, the current generation and, indeed, the generation to come will have difficulties getting decent accommodation. Therefore, I suggest that, in future, the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, together with the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, see how best they can work together to provide decent accommodation to people in this country.

Mr Speaker, the loan scheme that we are trying to encourage people to subscribe to by getting loans and building houses is, as we know, quite costly. The cost of obtaining a loan from a bank is very high. Therefore, this Social Housing Scheme could just be the answer to some of the ills and problems that the Zambian people are facing, today, as regards accommodation.

Sir, with those few remarks and suggestions, I thank you.

The Deputy Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health (Ms Kapata): Mr Speaker, I thank you for according me the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Report of the Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Welfare. 

Sir, allow me to commend the Committee on a well-written report which has raised salient issues. Allow me to debate issues raised under maternal health.

Mr Speaker, your Committee has called for an increase in funding to maternal health. It is pleasing to note that the Government has prioritised maternal health. In order to get more funding for these programmes, all preventive and safe motherhood initiatives which are packaged as primary health care have been moved to the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health and the unit in charge of it has been upgraded to a directorate. 

Mr Speaker, to scale up access to family planning, the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health has embarked on an accelerated reduction of unmet needs in family planning by:

(a)scaling up training of providers for long-term family planning methods;

(b)ensuring increased access to commodities, especially by the rural population, by training the community-based distributors;

(c)ensuring no stock outs of different choices and mixtures by strengthening the supply chain management system; and

(d)piloting administration of injectable contraceptives by community based distributors just awaiting to be scaled up.
Sir, in the area of infrastructure development, the Government, realising that there are limited resources, has zoned districts so as to have referral health centres in each zone. These are called emergency obstetric care centres and are being strengthened in the following ways:

(a)rehabilitating and constructing maternity wings;

(b)training of health workers in the management of maternal complications;

(c)equipping the centres with all the appropriate equipment and supplies; and

(d)building mothers’ shelters for mothers travelling from far-flung villages. 

Mr Speaker, as you are aware, we have three bottlenecks that surround the high rate of maternal deaths, one of which is distance. The Government is building mothers’ shelters so that mothers can access health centres during the estimated date of delivery (EDD) period. We are also seeing to it that a lot of midwives are placed in most of these rural health centres. One of the bottlenecks is that as mothers arrive in the hospitals, there are no people to attend to them.  

Mr Speaker, with regard to rural posting, the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health will engage the Ministry of Health to ensure equitable distribution of all health workers. At the moment, the policy which is there for mandatory rural posting is for doctors only. We are going to extend it to other cadre in the two ministries.

Sir, the Adolescent Health Services Strategic Plan has been completed. Some of the initiatives being implemented from there are:

(a)revamping or re-establishing youth-friendly centres where information and services on family planning and other reproductive health issues will be provided;

(b)strengthening linkages with the Ministry of Education to ensure that sexual education curriculum is updated and delivered appropriately;

(c)strengthening collaboration between the line ministries such as the Ministries of Youth and Sport, Health and Community Development, Mother and Child Health.
Sir, under comprehensive abortion care, guidelines have already been developed and the sensitisation and training of health workers is being done in phases due to resources.

Mr Speaker, I would like to also talk about the Social Cash Transfer Programme and the aged. The Government has a policy framework for social protection as outlined in the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) which provides direction in the sector. We are also in the process of developing a multi-sectoral social protection policy with support from the Finish Government to co-ordinate all social protection programming in the country. However, there was a concern expressed by your Committee that there is no policy for older persons. As a ministry, in June this year, we had successfully concluded the stakeholders consultation on finalising the National Policy for the Aged. It is regrettable that it has taken so long to develop the policy. However, I wish to state that it has taken long due to a few factors outside the control of our ministry. 

Sir, since poverty reduction has been prioritised, the Government will ensure that adequate resources are provided to the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health.

Mr Speaker, there was a concern regarding the small number of old people’s homes in the country. While appreciating the fact that this concern is genuine, I would like to inform the House that institutional care is a measure of the last resort and, as Government, we promote the caring of our senior citizens within the family set up. My ministry will consider, perhaps, constructing one old people’s home per province. 

Sir, the Committee has also observed that the Social Cash Transfer Scheme is donor driven. May I point out that my ministry has been making significant efforts to increase Government funding to this programme. For instance, in 2008, our contribution was K0.5 billion and this year, it is at K11.5 billion with the intention of matching the donor’s contribution in the coming years as we scale up the programme to the rest of the country in a phased manner. 

Sir, with regard to research on issues affecting older persons, our ministry has a wealth of knowledge obtained from HelpAge International which is the leading organisation in addressing issues of ageing at a global scale. Local research will be conducted to enrich the one existing at the international level. 

Mr Speaker, may I also appreciate the recommendation made by your Committee on the need to involve older persons in national development. This is exactly what the National Policy on for the Aged is promoting so as to ensure that we enter old age with dignity and security. 

Mr Speaker, may I also state that my ministry will undertake a study visit to Mauritius so as to have an appreciation of what is being done in that country, especially on issues affecting the aged.

Sir, may I, yet again, thank your Committee for supporting our ministry through its recommendations. Our ministry will study them carefully and consider implementing them seriously. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

The Minister of Health (Dr Kasonde): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me the brief opportunity to endorse the support of the Government as expressed by the hon. Deputy Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health of your Committee’s report. In so doing, I also wish to recognise the fact that we shall act on the recommendations which have been made in the report. There are some notable recommendations such as the one stating that older persons should participate in decision-making processes. There are also some comments which have made us wonder about certain cause and effect relationships. It is good that in my concluding remarks, I should not only echo the thanks that have been expressed but also classify the comments that have been made into very simple categories to enable us to follow them up.  There have been comments that are both innovative and constructive. An example of such comments would be the one regarding the issue of not only counting, but also analysing maternal deaths. I think an exercise, as recommended by your Committee, of analysing maternal deaths is innovative and constructive. 

Sir, the larger group of contributors to the debate has been constructive. I do not need to go into the various examples of research which were talked about involving the Government or private sector. I think the larger group was definitely very constructive. If we were not lucky, there could have also been another category of neither constructive nor innovative contributors. Fortunately, we have been spared from that. There was one area in which I agree with the hon. Member for Itezhi-tezhi, which looked a little bit controversial regarding what we should do when implementing the Abortion Act. I am glad that he urged us to be cautious with how we should proceed in this area.  

Mr Speaker, it is clear to me that the convergence of the medical needs of our mothers and children with the contribution …

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Business was suspended from 1815 hours until 1830 hours.

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the chair]

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, in conclusion, …

Laughter

Dr Kasonde: … I see, from this debate, the convergence of ideas that are promoting a health system in the community which values the maintenance of a close relationship between the medical needs of a child and those of a mother. I am therefore, happy to support this Motion.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Members of Parliament …

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Dr Chituwo: … who took the trouble and time to read your report. I would also like to, particularly, thank the hon. Minister of Health and the hon. Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health for their contributions. Your Committee’s report was truly non-partisan. I am sure we are all interested in seeing the delivery of health services to our mothers improved.  We are grateful that most of the issues which have been raised will be followed up so that we can see a change for the better. 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Question put and agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

________

The House adjourned at 1835 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 12th July, 2012.