Friday, 17th March, 2023

Friday, 17^thMarch, 2023

The House met at 0900 hours

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_______

RULING BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

POINT OF ORDER RAISED BY HON. J. J. MWIIMBU, MP, MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY, ON HON. B. M. MUNDUBILE, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, AND MR S. KAMPYONGO, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR SHIWANG’ANDU CONSTITUENCY, FOR DISREGARDING THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 251 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA, WHEN THEY ASKED QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR-GENERAL DURING THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, the House will recall that on Friday, 17^th February, 2023, when the House was considering Question for Oral Answer No.142, and the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Hon. M. Chikote, MP, had concluded responding to a question, Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, raised a point of order pursuant to Standing Order 65 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2021, on Hon. B. M. Mundubile, Leader of the Opposition and Member of Parliament for Mporokoso Constituency, and Mr S. Kampyongo, hon. Member of Parliament for Shiwang’andu Constituency.

In his point of order, Hon J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, inquired whether Hon. B. M. Mundubile, MP, and Mr S. Kampyongo, MP, were in order to mislead the House and the nation by alleging that the Executive was interfering in the operations of the Auditor-General, contrary to Article 250 (2), which protects the office from interference. He added that, in doing so, the hon. Members disregarded the provisions of Article 251 –

Mr Mutale entered the Assembly Chamber and took his seat.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, I think we know the rules. You are supposed to stop and stand at the door when the Speaker is upstanding.

Mr Mutale: Sorry, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: He added that, in doing so, the hon. Members disregarded the provisions of Article 251 of the Constitution that empower the President to appoint persons to act in the Office of the Auditor-General and other provisions relating to the removal of the Auditor-General from office.

Hon. Members, in my immediate response, I reserved my ruling in order to study the matter. I have since studied the matter and will now render my ruling.

Hon. Members, I wish to begin by giving a background to what gave rise to Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP’s point of order. As you may recall, during Her Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time, Hon. B. M. Mundubile, MP, asked a question relating to two senior officers in the Office of the Auditor-General, whom he alleged had been transferred or dismissed under suspicious circumstances.

He highlighted the fact that the Constitution contained safeguards for watchdog bodies like the Office of the Auditor-General in order to keep the Government in check. He submitted that the incident pertaining to the two officers brought into question the Government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, particularly in the light of issues such as cancelled hunting licences.

He further asked Her Honour the Vice-President how the Government could convince the people and its co-operating partners of its commitment to accountability and transparency when the transfer or dismissal of the officers had occurred at a time that an audit report covering the period in which the United Party for National Development (UPND) had been in charge was being expected.

During the same segment, Mr S. Kampyongo, MP, also touched on the issue of the Office of the Auditor-General, citing Article 250 (2) of the Constitution, which gives the Auditor-General’s office autonomy. He inquired why the Government was in such a panic that it was micro-managing the Office of the Auditor-General, by halting the institution’s internal processes of capacitating itself by identifying competent professionals through interviews.

Hon. Members, from the background that I have outlined above, it is evident that Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP’s point of order requires that I go into the interpretation of the constitutional provisions relating to the Office of the Auditor-General, which is a preserve of the Constitutional Court. Points of order only relate to the interpretation or enforcement of a law on privileges of hon. Members or procedure or practice regulating the Business of the House. This is clearly stated in Standing Order 131 (7) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2021, which provides as follows:

“(7) A Point of Order shall relate to the interpretation or enforcement of a law on privileges of members, or the procedure or practice regulating the business of the House.”

Hon. Members, from the foregoing, it is clear that Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP’s point of order breached the admissibility criteria set out in Standing Order 131 (7). In that regard, this point of order is not admissible.

I thank you.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

_______

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the House Business Committee met on Thursday, 16^th March, 2023, to determine and schedule Business of the House for the period 21^stto 31^st March, 2023. Accordingly, the Committee resolved to lay before the House the following business for consideration:

Announcements

The Hon. Madam Speaker may make an announcement to the House on any day when it is necessary to do so.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order on my left!

Can you please lower your voices or maybe you can even go outside and caucus a bit, so that we can be able to hear the business statement by Her Honour the Vice-President. It is a very important statement. It will guide us on what will be covered in the coming week and final week. So can we please lower voices as we caucus.

Her Honour the Vice-President, you may continue.

The Vice-President: …

Rulings

The Hon. Madam Speaker may render rulings, if there will be any.

Ministerial Statements

The ministerial statements hereunder will be issued:

the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security will issue a statement on the violence that occurred in Kitwe during the Youth Day celebrations. This will be done on 22^nd March, 2023; and
other ministerial statements may be issued, if there will be any.

Motions

The Vice-President will table a Motion on the suspension of relevant Standing Orders to enable the House to conclude business on the Order Paper on Friday, 31^st March, 2023, and thereafter adjourn sine die. This will be done on 30^th March, 2023.

Bills

The Bills listed hereunder will be considered:

The Zambia Qualifications Authority Bill, 2022. This will be at the Second Reading stage and the date for consideration is yet to be determined;
The Anti-Terrorism and Non-Proliferation (Amendment) Bill, 2022. This will also be at Second Reading stage on 21^st March, 2023;
The National Pension Scheme (Amendment) Bill, 2023. This will also be Second Reading stage on 22^nd March, 2023;
The Controlled Substances Bill, 2023. This will be at Second Reading stage on 22^nd March, 2023;
The Examination Council of Zambia Bill, 2023 will come for Second Reading on 22^nd March, 2023;
The Teaching Profession (Amendment) Bill, 2023 will also come for Second Reading on 22^nd March, 2023; and
The Rural Electrification Bill, 2023 will as well come for Second Reading on 22^nd March, 2023;

Parliamentary Committee Reports

The following Committee reports will be considered:

Report of the Planning and Budgeting Committee on the Review of the Third and Fourth Quarter Performance of the 2022 Budget for Selected Ministries and Provinces. This will be considered on 23^rdMarch, 2023;
Report of the Select Committee on the Appointment of Constitutional Court and Court of Appeal Judges. This will be on 29^th March, 2023; and
Report of the Select Committee on the Appointment of High Court Judges. This will be on 30^th March, 2023;

Questions

Her Honour the Vice-President Question Time

The House shall consider questions without notice during Her Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time every Friday in accordance with Standing Order 80 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2021; and

Questions for Oral Answer

Hon. Ministers will respond to fifty-five Questions for Oral Answer, as set out hereunder. The details of the questions are contained in this statement, which will be circulated to all hon. Members and other stakeholders.

Madam Speaker, the House may also consider questions of urgent nature, if there will be any.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House Business Committee and in accordance with Standing Order 189(5) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2021, I have the pleasure to present the business for the next two weeks to this august House.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

_______

THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME

Mr Mundubile (Mporokoso): Madam Speaker, thank you for this opportunity, and good morning to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, Zambian nationals believe that the country is in a state of entropy. By definition, entropy means the disorderly manner in which things occur in order. This entropy relates to what is happening in our country. Every other day, we see leaders appearing before the youth, and instead of delivering inspirational messages, they utter unprintables. We see Government ministries issuing tenders without following the law. We see members from the Ruling Party accusing the police of discrimination in the arrests in the sugilite scandal. There are a number of thefts by a number of senior Government officials.

Madam Speaker, in 2016, the United Party for National Development (UPND) was among the stakeholders that called for national dialogue when they felt that things were not going the right way. Therefore, my question to Her Honour the Vice-President is: Is her Government considering calling a National Indaba where various stakeholders could meet to try and help the UPND Government to put the country back on track?

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Madam Speaker, maybe, next time, the hon. Member should be a little slower because he says a lot of things. That would enable me to take note. I cannot remember all the things he has spoken about. Further, in asking questions, hon. Members are now debating, which means that we have to really take note of what they have debated about as there is a creation of some kind of perception.

Madam Speaker, I will just respond to the last part of the question or, maybe, the first part, in which he used a new word. He said entho –

Laughter

Hon. Members: Entropy!

Laughter

The Vice-President: Whatever, it is a new word to me. However, I am grateful that he gave the interpretation of the same word and said that this Government is running in a disorderly manner. At least, that, I can respond to.

Madam Speaker, this is the most orderly Government, particularly –

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, we have said that we are going to do things in a methodical manner, and that is what we are doing. We have been accused in certain quarters of being too slow. At the same time, others think we are running too fast. That simply means we are on the right trajectory. Hon. Colleagues should know that this is what we are doing.

Madam Speaker, many hon. Members on your left have been in the Government, and there is no need for them to pretend that things run that way. Those in the Government understand governance and there is no need for people to make political statements that will not help us. If there is hope to govern one day, let us govern together.

Madam Speaker, the question that the hon. Member asks is whether we are ready, as a Government, to have a national indaba. It was a good idea which, in the end, was spoiled. In a democracy, we want people to participate. So, participation is important. If this is a part where the public participates, it is good. However, when the hon. Member says, “You have failed”, he already brings negativity. He can propose that we look for solutions together, if there is anything of concern. However, when he tells his colleagues, who have the mandate, that they have failed – Does he want to prove how we have failed? He should wait until 2026.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You can stop the clock.

Hon. Members, can we, please, be very specific as we ask questions. Let us not debate the questions so that we allow as many hon. Members as possible to ask their questions as well.

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Madam Speaker, I sincerely thank you for the opportunity to ask Her Honour the Vice-President a question.

Madam Speaker, there seems to be a trend where the Opposition, particularly, the members of the Patriotic Front (PF), is setting the tone in terms of the agenda for the country, almost suggesting they want to start ruling through the back door.

Laughter

Mr Kambita: On any national issue, they seem to be speaking far much louder than us who are actually ruling. Why is it that we are not setting the tone on each and every Government agenda and are allowing the Opposition to be making more noise than ourselves?

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members! Can we have order on my left!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Kambita, who says that Members of the Patriotic Front (PF), in particular, are making noise and setting the tone as if they are in the Government. His concern is: Why are was not making the noise? I think if that is what –

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: It is setting the tone.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, we are setting the tone for development. We are not making noise to set a tone that is like clouds without rain. We are here to show people our performance. We are here to work and ensure we change and improve the livelihoods of our people, under very difficult circumstances. Making noise is nothing. Indeed, what else can they do other than look like they are in the driving seat? They are part of governance and we appreciate that, but talking loudly shows that they have no time to act. We are acting and people are seeing the work that we are doing.

Madam Speaker, I urge my hon. Colleagues on the right to work for the people. Let us continue working and not fearing the noise of the Opposition. That is part of what they do to pretend they are working, but we are working, and the work can be seen.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: We are working. The noise will continue, …

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

The Vice-President: … but the people are seeing our work.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Sialubalo (Sinazongwe): Madam Speaker, the United Party for National Development (UPND) took over a broken economy and a Government that is highly indebted. Surprisingly, in its first year in the Government, all of us here got K25.7 million in each and every constituency. Again, all the 156 constituencies will get K28.3 million. How is the Government managing, considering that the country is highly indebted? Where is it getting the resources and how is it doing it?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Sialubalo for the question, in which he wonders how we are managing the affairs of the country, particularly, the economic ones. He says we found a highly indebted country. So, how are we managing to disburse, for example, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for last year and this year? How are we managing to pay pensioners, give bursaries and provide free education? I think there is a lot of wonder. I will not even spend so much time on that because, last week, we went through our achievements. Maybe, I should lay on the Table the list showing the achievements of this Government so that people stop wondering as they see what we have done in the last one and half years.

Madam Speaker, we are managing because we are prudent. It is prudent management of the little resources that are available. With little resources, if you prioritise properly, you are able to move on. We will continue to move on. We never said it is easy. It is not easy, but we will work prudently to ensure that our people benefit from their wealth which is still left with us.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chitotela (Pambashe): Madam Speaker, I am a worried Member of Parliament. My experience is like that of Her Honour the Vice-President; we are in inter-marriages. It is disturbing for our children to hear that the Government which is supposed to preach ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ is doing the contrary.

Madam Speaker, yesterday, a Council Chairperson, who superintends over the affairs of people of different backgrounds and tribal origins; belongs to the governing party; and is also the Deputy Youth National Chairperson was heard using hate language on people of a different origin, where he does not seem to come from. What is the Government doing about that, bearing in mind that he is one of theirs and a Council Chairperson superintending over the affairs of the people of Mwense District? Disparaging other tribes in that manner is unacceptable to every reasonable Zambian. What action will the Government take against him to show the Zambian people that Her Honour the Vice-President and I stand for ‘One Zambia, One Nation’?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I take the point that has been raised personally and seriously. I think this is one point where we all should unite. One time, I did read in the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, on the issue of inciting tribal hatred. It does not matter where it comes from; it should not be acceptable. All of us must agree. Our founding fathers knew why they said ‘One Zambia, One Nation’. We cannot rule that out. For me, standing here as the Vice-President, it does not matter where the tribal sentiments come from. We cannot allow them. We know how such have brought nations down. We cannot incite tribal hatred, particularly, through language. However, it does not matter which mode you use to perpetuate tribal hatred. God put us here.

Madam Speaker, the question from the hon. Member is: What are we going to do? There is a law, to start with. There is a law in the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia. I read it. It is there, unless it has been amended. I saw it some time back. If you incite hatred based on religion, race or tribe, you are criminally liable. So, that is the starting point. However, as a party, we also have our disciplinary procedure and we will go through it. We have said that we will govern by the rule of law. That means even internally, we will follow our procedures to see what we do to those who may be found guilty of inciting or uttering hateful language against other people. That must not be done, particularly, by leaders like the hon. Members and I. We cannot afford that. So, indeed, our party will take its role the way it does it. The internal procedures will be followed, and the nation has laws.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Munir Zulu (Lumezi): Thank you, very kind Madam Speaker, and good morning to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, I am standing here on behalf of the good people of Lumezi. The District Commissioner (DC) there stole maize and a bag of mealie meal is now costing K300.

To Her Honour the Vice-President, I am a bearer of a message from the good people of Lumezi that as she receives her counterpart from the United States of America (USA), she should ensure that she does not lecture us on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rights because we know our rights. We are a country of morals.

Interruptions

Mr Munir Zulu: This message must be well-received. We have a culture and morals that we respect, as Zambians.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member for Lumezi, you are not supposed to lecture Her Honour the Vice-President. You are just supposed to ask her a question so that she responds. Do not lecture Her Honour the Vice-President. Please, go straight to your question.

Mr Munir Zulu: Madam Speaker, I appreciate your guidance. I derive my authority from Article 76 of the Constitution.

Madam Speaker, I believe all hon. Members in here have smart phones that can access the Mining Cadastre Portal. The portal shows that there have been changes on the company names of the mine where that sugilite mineral came from. All of us here can easily go to the Mining Cadastre Portal under the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development. The name of the company that was initially there has changed. Does Her Honour the Vice-President have any interest in the new company showing on the portal?

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Your Honour the Vice-President, you can pick one question.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thank you. I think it is not easy and I must say. You may have to guide me on which question I should answer. The hon. Member started with the issue of maize in Lumezi and the District Commissioner (DC) who stole maize there. Even if you are premising, there has to be a flow of information. That is the way we think. You cannot run –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Your Honour the Vice-President, that was, indeed a loaded question. You cannot even tell what the final question is. I do not know whether you picked one question from what he talked about which you can answer.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I will follow the guidance of the Hon. Madam First Deputy Speaker. I will not respond to whether I have interests in the mine. I do not know. I have not seen the portal. So, the hon. Member may come and see me. I will just say something on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBT) rights. That is what I choose.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: He talked about the issue.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Then I choose nothing, Madam.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, can we, please, be orderly. I have already guided that Her Honour the Vice-President will pick out what she heard. So, can we accord her the opportunity to respond.

Your Honour the Vice-President, you may proceed.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I appreciate that there are many things to ask about, but hon. Members could share questions if they want rather than bring three things at once. I will start answering. There is nothing for me to fear here because I answer according to what I know. If I am wrong, I can qualify or clarify later. If it is politics, we can all do politics. This is a House where people want to get facts. We should not create some story for people to be misled.

Madam Speaker, on maize, the hon. Member knows what has happened. What is left is for the law to address. The Government has already discarded his DC.

Madam Speaker, on the issue of LGBTQ rights, we are so clear. This is another issue on which I would like to call upon hon. Members of this House to stand together instead of trying to confuse everybody. We are clear. The Government is very clear. The President is very clear on our position on LGBTQ rights. So, why can we not speak one language? Please, this is your country. Let us give no room to a third party because we have agreed that the country does not tolerate LGBTQ rights. Should we continue to debate that here? My President was there (pointing to the Speaker’s Chair). I do not want to remind you of the past because I also know the past. Somebody, may his soul rest in peace, recognised LGBTQ rights.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Madam, these are the facts they want.

Madam Speaker, on the change of the name of the mining company, I am being sincere. If the hon. Member wants to ask me whether I have my name there, currently it is not there. However, if he has found it, it could be that, maybe, my application has been approved.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Katambo (Masaiti): Madam Speaker, the continuous depreciation of the Kwacha against the United States (US) Dollar is really worrying. This will exacerbate import inflation in the country. As you can see, Madam Speaker, Her Honour the Vice-President is equally worried.

Laughter

Mr Katambo: Madam Speaker, we need an assurance from Her Honour the Vice-President as to whether the international reserves at the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) are intact and what level they are sitting at.

The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning attributes this, solely, to debt restructuring. You may recall that debt restructuring was there even before. It existed even in our era.

Hon. Government Members: No!

Mr Katambo: The Kwacha then – Yes, facts do not lie. Debt restructuring existed even in our regime and, for sure, the Kwacha was at K15.89 in our time. So, could Her Honour the Vice-President, ...

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What is your question?

Mr Katambo: ... assure the Zambian people on the levels of the international reserves at the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) and what measures the Government is putting in place to stabilise the Kwacha.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I can say too many things and end up confusing people because this is not a field in which I can answer a question off the cuff. However, what I know is that the reserves are still intact. That is what I can say. I cannot start giving explanations on inflation and how it works. I just say the reserves are still intact. We know the challenge of import inflation. I think we all know what we are going through.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Wamunyima (Nalolo): Thank you, Madam Speaker, and good morning to her Honour the Vice-President. This week, or rather a few days ago, the Constitutional Court of Zambia made a ruling in the case of Bowman Lusambo and Joseph Malanji. In that ruling, the majority held that nullification is not disqualification to an election. At the bedrock of this, Zambia will be hosting the Democracy Summit from 29^thto 30^th March, 2023. From this ruling, it is clear that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) proceeded to hold elections without considering the rule of law. With us, as a country, hosting the Democracy Summit, how proud are you about how you exercised the rule of law in view of the ruling that has been made, which clearly indicates that the ECZ, with its lean structure of commissioners, went ahead to hold an election disenfranchising people who should have qualified to contest the election?

Hon. PF. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Nalolo –

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

May Her Honour the President continue.

The Vice-President: This is on the ruling, he says, of the Constitutional Court, and he goes on to ask why elections were held. I think we had enough debate the time when we went to those elections.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Can we listen to the response by Her Honour the Vice-President.

The Vice-President: I am informed, I will not go further –

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Hon. Members, I am on the Floor, I can claim it. I want to respond in the simplest –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

The Patriotic Front (PF) Whip, please, ensure that your members are orderly.

Interruptions

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

I did not invite any of you to come in. I just requested the PF Whip, the Chief Whip and the Independent Whip to manage their members.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

We need to be orderly. We want to hear the responses from Her Honour the Vice-President.

Her Honour the Vice-President may proceed.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would have responded in a certain way, including the issue of the separation of powers, but I am told the process is on-going. The matter is still in court. There is a challenge on that ruling and commenting on it would be sub-judice.

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Thank you, Madam Speaker, and good morning to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, of late, His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has been taking international trips. Unlike in the past, where the President would travel with a group of dancers and cadres who ended up drinking Jameson –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What is your question hon. Member?

Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, what are the benefits of all the President’s good international trips?

Th Vice-President: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Mitete refers to our President, His Excellency Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s trips, which he has been undertaking. He is asking what the benefits are. He has done a comparison between the former Head of State and the current one. Furthermore, he has given a description of the kind of trips that were undertaken and how they were undertaken in the past and how they are being undertaken now.

Madam Speaker, I think it is important to see that this Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has been very clear. As a country, let us admit that we went through many problems, including debt and perception. The cadreism that was here was not inspiring. This is why I say, again, that together, let us fight any rearing of the ugly head of cadreism because it brought us down. So, the President has had one important thing to do for Zambia, which is to rebrand. We were losing credibility at the international level. He has had to rebrand at the international level.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: In addition, he has had to woo investors after rebranding and assuring the international community of how compatible the economic and political environment is with their investment. Therefore, today, we are being seen in a different light and investment is coming in, and will continue to do so. There is no more fear of tear gas every time. This is what he has been doing.

Madam Speaker, if hon. Members want me to go into detail, indicating where he went and what he negotiated for and so on and so forth, that would be for another day because I do not have that information with me. That is what your President has been doing.

Madam Speaker, we have had to rebrand, it is important. Again, unless we admit failure, we will not move forward together.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Simumba (Nakonde): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this chance to ask Her Honour the Vice-President a question. Good morning to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, we saw her Government enter into a concession agreement with Macro Ocean Investment Limited for the construction of the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway which entails that the concessionaire is going to be collecting toll fees for a period of twenty-five years. The question is: Has the Government found other sources of income or irevenue streams to make sure that it closes the gap that the concession agreement is going to create?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I think the issue of this concession has been going on in the House for so long. I do not know whether the hon. Member wants to cut something. However, I think he has asked whether we have found resources to fill the gap that the concession agreement, which entails the concessionaire collecting toll fees, will create. That is my understanding. May he repeat the question?

Interruptions

The Vice-President: No, he said that. I do not understand.

Interruptions

Mr Simumba: The question, Madam Speaker, is –

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member.

Stop the watch.

The watch was stopped.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, can you, please, be specific with your question so that it becomes very clear to Her Honour the Vice-President what you are asking for.

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, my question is: Since the Government is giving those toll gates to the concessionaire for twenty-five years, has it found other sources of revenue to mitigate or close the gap that will be created by what it is going to give out? That way, the people of Zambia can benefit from what the Government is going to introduce.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I just used different words. I think I do understand. What he said was: Is there money ... maybe, I repeat. He wants me to use his ‘irevenue.’ I think I understand when he says ‘irevenue.’ He is talking about the revenue gap that will be created. That is what I was trying to repeat. I thought I understood. Now, I should use his ‘irevenue’ ...

Laughter

The Vice-President: ... so that we are on the same page. I am serious.

Laughter

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I think we have to see this not just in this one project, but the total benefit that will come out of the project. It will, definitely, when it is done – I think I will not go into the issue of toll gates and so on and so forth because it has been debated. I will talk about this gap or the other source of revenue. When the economy grows because of the attractive road, it will mean more tax and income. That is what we are thinking. We will not be spending money. That is another way of bridging the gap. We are looking at the money or the resources that will be made not just by this concession, but by the fact that we will not be maintaining the road. That is revenue in itself.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Revenue is not just what you hold in your hands, but also the work done. So, there are, indeed, alternatives. In fact, not even alternatives. There is a benefit that is coming out of this project. That is why we are doing it. There will be more income and growth of the economy and flow of traffic will be better. We will collect more even at the Kasumbalesa Border and many other points. So, the construction of the road is necessary. It will grow the economy.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kasune (Keembe): Madam Speaker, this Government, under the United Party for National Development (UPND) and the able leadership of His Excellency, Hakainde Hichilema, and Her Honour the Vice-President, has shown this country that it is here to unite it from all its corners; ...

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kasune: ... not just for one tribe that may see itself as privileged, but for all the seventy-three tribes in Zambia because all of them are Zambian. The deliberate policy that the Government has taken to ensure that within the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), we can build palaces for all chiefs in our country is commendable.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kasune: Previously, there was segregation of our chiefs.

Hon. Opposition Members: What is your question?

Ms Kasune: The question, therefore, is: Is there a deliberate policy or mechanism that will ensure that all their Royal Highnesses in the entire Zambia know that within the CDF, they can access K1 million, which is unprecedented, from this ruling Government? We need Her Honour the Vice-President’s answer.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Deputy Chief Whip who has spoken on a matter that should be kind of a follow-up to the question asked by Hon. Chitotela. We are one Zambia, one nation. This Government, like its name, means to unite the nation. Therefore, we have to work towards equity. Unity also refers to the distribution of wealth. That is very important. We cannot say we are equal, yet resources go to one side. That brings disunity. So, equity in the distribution of wealth is an indication of uniting a people because there is no one above the other.

Mr Mabeta: Correct!

The Vice-President: This issue is, indeed, important thus the deliberate undertaking to ensure that a palace is built for every chief anywhere who is, indeed, recognised, gazetted or known. I am saying this, hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, because, again, we have an issue of mushrooming chiefdoms. We have to be careful on that. All those chiefs who are known are entitled to have a palace built.

Madam Speaker, for those whose palaces were built by the previous Government, theirs have been done. We appreciate. I hope that is understood. The rest have a right to access K1 million from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). I believe that this is good. All of us, hon. Members of Parliament, should be able to indicate to their Royal Highnesses whether we are going to do it now, which would be good, so that we get it out of the way and continue to use the CDF in other fields, or later.

Madam Speaker, what I take from here is that this Government is uniting the people. There is no small tribe like mine and there is no big tribe like, whose?

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Mundubile is from a small tribe.

Laughter

The Vice-President: Like the hon. Member for Lumezi.

Laughter

The Vice-President: Everybody is important, colleagues. We are all important. Under this Government, this is one thing we want to leave behind. After fifty years, there will be no small, big or preferred tribe. Every Zambian will be free to do anything under our democracy, including being President of this country, if they are able to function and perform. That is all we need.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, thank you so much and good morning to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, this institution of Parliament, mandated to perform oversight functions, depends on one very important Government institution called the Auditor-General’s office. Three of your Committees largely depend on this institution, through the Auditor-General’s reports. The Auditor-General’s office is crippled.

Mr Simushi interjected.

Mr Kampyongo: Young man!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, please, just proceed. We are looking at time.

Interruptions

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, there is a young man there who has a tendency of …

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

We are supposed to make progress.

Mr Kampyongo: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I just want to teach him some manners so that he can find a chance to be on the Front bench.

Madam Speaker, this institution is crippled. Last week, we saw the arrest, for the first time in the history of this country, of the Auditor-General, after the two deputies. We had expressed these concerns much earlier, regarding this institution.

Madam Speaker, what guarantee is Her Honour the Vice-President giving us that the Auditor General’s report of 2022 will be brought to this august House on time and without any amendments? What measures has the Government put in place, knowing that the Auditor-General’s office is now –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member.

Can we have one question?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, it is one question, but critical.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: It is becoming loaded now. Try to summarise your question, hon. Member.

Interruptions

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, in summarising this question – This is –

Interruptions

Madam Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Yes. You are now debating and I am worried. Please, just go straight to your question.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, what guarantee is Her Honour the Vice-President giving us that even the next person to be in that office will be respected in accordance with the Constitution?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question, except it was posed in the same manner even the last time I remember. I am sure the hon. Member agrees with me. What guarantee is there that we will have – In fact, the words that were used were “credible report.” So, I am made to repeat things.

Now, the question is: Will the report be brought on time? We believe so.

Interjection

The Vice-President: I am using the phrase, “I believe so.” The report should be brought on time. That is what the hon. Member has talked about. Will it be brought without amendments? I do not know whether this House is able to tell the amendments that are being made in that office. I think in writing reports, people discover things that are left out and so on and so forth. I do not know whether the hon. Member calls those amendments.

Madam Speaker, if the hon. Member meant that it will be tampered with, I believe not. I am using the words extremely deliberately.

Madam Speaker, will the next person to occupy that office be respected? I believe so. Even the current one is being respected. The issue, which we have discussed here, is that when there is a question of doubt, people move out of the way, but the due process must be followed up to the end. Right now, we cannot fully condemn anybody because what is happening is part of the process. We do not know how far it will go. So, even to talk about the next person who will occupy that office is a little premature. Let us wait and see the process of the law take its course. That is what we are doing. Whoever will sit in that office, be it the current or a new one, will be treated with respect according to the law. That is what we stand for.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, I thank you, and good morning to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, when the Posts and Telecommunications Department was divided into two, creating the Zambia Telecomunications (Zamtel) and the Zambia Postal Office (Zampost), the two entities, there and then, started facing liquidity challenges.

Madam Speaker, in 2014, over 1,000 employees at Zampost were laid off and up to now, they have not been paid their dues. There are some people in my constituency who have become destitute.

Madam Speaker, when the Indeni Oil Refinery Company Limited was placed under care and maintenance, there and then, employees were paid their packages. When is the New Dawn Government going to take care and pay these over 1,000 former Zampost employees their dues?

Hon. Government Members: It is time up!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Roan for that concern. Indeed, it is time up. I should sit down.

Laughter

The Vice-President: Maybe, let me just say that in my office, I keep receiving information that some were paid, but later on thought that their money was not enough. Some of those people were laid off as far back as 1994 and 1995.

Madam Speaker, this is a matter that needs to be looked at because I cannot just respond to it off the cuff. Probably, we could liaise with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning so that we really get to know how to proceed on this matter. Right now, I do not have specific answers as to when the Zampost laid-off employees would be paid. I cannot give a specific answer. The hon. Member should continue the conversation, particularly, with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

_______

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

SUSPECTED CASES OF TYPHOID

The Minister of Health (Mrs Masebo): Madam Speaker, I thank you for according me this opportunity to issue a ministerial statement on the suspected cases of typhoid in Petauke District in the Eastern Province. The House may recall that on Friday, 3^rd March, 2023, the hon. Mr Second Deputy Speaker directed that a ministerial statement be issued on suspected typhoid cases in Petauke District. This directive followed a matter of urgent public importance raised by Mr J. E. Banda, the hon. Member of Parliament for Petauke Central Constituency.

Madam Speaker, may I begin by indicating that by 6^th March, 2023, no district had reported and active outbreak of typhoid, although sporadic cases have been investigated. Indeed, two cases of intestinal perforation which were highly suggestive of typhoid were recorded at the Levy Mwanawasa Medical University in February 2023. One case was from Chongwe District while the other was from within district.

Zambia previously reported outbreaks of typhoid across the country, including in cities such as Lusaka, Mufulira and Kitwe, and in more rural districts, such as Mbala. These outbreaks were largely associated with contaminated water sources.

Madam Speaker, allow me to apprise this august House on what typhoid fever is. Typhoid fever is a disease caused by a bacterium called salmonella typhi. The disease is caused by the ingestion of contaminated food or water. People who drink contaminated water or eat food washed in contaminated water can develop typhoid fever. Other ways typhoid fever can be contracted include using a toilet contaminated with bacteria and touching your mouth before washing your hands. Typhoid symptoms include a sustained fever, headache and abdominal symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and, in rare and severe circumstances, cause perforation of the intestines. Personal and environmental hygiene with good water and sanitary facilities help prevent typhoid.

Madam Speaker, the Government, through the Ministry of Health Headquarters, and its public health security wing, the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), has been working closely with both the Eastern Province Health Office and the Petauke District Health Office to determine whether there is an ongoing typhoid outbreak. While the district reports a high burden of respiratory tract infections and diarrhoeal diseases, no suspected or confirmed cases of typhoid fever have been reported in 2023. The District Health Office in Petauke continues to work to provide efficient and reliable health services to its population, including malaria prevention and control services.

Madam Speaker, between 1^stJanuary and 4^th March, 2023, the district recorded 2,219 diarrhoea cases, a marginal increase from the 2,073 cases reported over the same period in 2022. None of the patients who have been to health facilities, so far, have been deemed to have signs and symptoms consistent with typhoid. However, the House may wish to note that on 22^nd February, 2023, Lusangazi District, which borders Petauke District, recorded a case of suspected cholera. Subsequently, laboratory analysis ruled out cholera as the illness and no similar cases have been reported from that district.

However, recognising the risk posed by water and foodborne diseases, Petauke Health District Office under the guidance of the Provincial Heath Director, is currently undertaking the following interventions:

active surveillance: the district remains on high alert to ensure prompt detection of cholera, dysentery and typhoid. High-risk areas in the district have been identified and surveillance has been heightened at the community health facility and hospital levels;
risk communication: the district has continued to hold stakeholder engagement meetings regularly with different stakeholders in the district such as church leaders, community leaders, traditional leaders, civic leaders, line ministries, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and others. Engagement meetings with chiefs and their headmen on diarrhoea diseases such as cholera as well as other disease events and threats, including polio and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), are ongoing. The district is also airing radio programmes, using public address systems, and is distributing printed information and educational materials;
case management: all diarrheal cases are managed according to stipulated Ministry of Health guidelines;
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Education (WASHE): WASHE activities are ongoing, including water sampling activities;
waste management: the local authority is spearheading waste collection and disposal activities. The people in Petauke carry out the ‘Keep ZambiaClean Campaign’ cleaning exercise every week, which is highly commendable; and
food safety: the districts conduct both food inspections and inspection of food trading premises to ensure compliance to set standards.

Madam Speaker, I reiterate that we do not have an outbreak of typhoid in Petauke District. However, we are mindful of the risks we face. We, therefore, continue to be vigilant and to strengthen our surveillance systems to ensure that we promptly detect any public health threats. I assure the House that the Ministry of Health is ready to respond to these threats in a timely manner in order to prevent morbidity and mortality. So far, the Ministry of Health and all its staff and partners have worked hard to be where they are today.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the ministerial statement issued by the hon. Minister of Health.

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Health has informed the country, through the statement, that currently, there is no outbreak of typhoid. In raising this urgent matter, the hon. Member of Parliament for Petauke Central’s primary concern was how we would ensure that we gave the right attention to those whom it was reported by various health centres had signs or symptoms of typhoid. In the statement, the hon. Minister equally added the fact that the ministry is enhancing steps to ensure that it provides the best health care in such an area.

Madam Speaker, my follow-up question to the hon. Minister of Health, which I believe is a crosscutting issue relating to the quality of water that our people are accessing, is: Is she engaging actively with the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation to ensure the quality of water that the people are taking in Petauke improves to the standard that would prevent them from acquiring waterborne diseases?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Before the hon. Minister comes in, there has been an indication for a point of order by the hon. Member for Chilubi.

Mr Chibuye: He is not in the House!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: He is not in the House.

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mabeta: Madam Speaker, thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, I rise on a serious point of order pursuant to Standing Order 65 (a). The Member of Parliament for Shiwang’andu, my brother, Hon. Kampyongo, has continuously and repeatedly been drawing me in his debate, and referring to me as a ‘young man’. I would like to understand what he means by ‘young man’. Is ‘young man’ parliamentary language?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I heard that phrase and I thought it was targeted ar the hon. Member for Moomba. However, the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu was out of order because we do not have young men here. We only have hon. Members of Parliament.

The hon. Minister of Health may proceed.

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that follow-up question. Indeed, there is very close collaboration, not just with the Ministry of –

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

The hon. Minister is responding.

You may continue, hon. Minister.

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, I was saying that, indeed, there is close collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation for obvious reasons. Water and sanitation are some of the key factors or determinants of health. In fact, this is why His Excellency the President and the New Dawn Government decided to make this a fully-fledged ministry, realising the importance of water and sanitation in relation to health. So, if, indeed, we had a situation where we all drunk clean water, half of the diseases we suffer from would be prevented.

Madam Speaker, may I use this opportunity to appeal to hon. Members of Parliament to prioritise water supply and sanitation in their constituencies using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) so that we lessen the budget on health. The putting of a huge amount of money on health could really be avoided if we improved on water supply and sanitation.

Madam Speaker, yes, there is a committee under the Office of the Vice-President that brings us together as sector ministries. Health, water, and education are some of the key sectors that meet to discuss some of the issues articulated, and we agree on them. There are many consultations and a lot of good work. If we are able to assess what the New Dawn Government has done in one year in the area of water, hon. Members will attest to the fact that we have all improved in our constituencies, but of course, there is still a lot more to do in terms of ensuring that water is provided.

Madam, I have a challenge of water supply in my constituency and the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation has been to Chongwe and has promised a good water system. Hopefully, this year or the coming year, we will have good water supply. I am not sure when, but it just shows that there is a lot of –

I encourage hon. Members of Parliament, in their individual capacities, to work with the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation so that we can improve.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Can the Whips, please, ensure that we have a quorum. I am seeing many hon. Members leaving the Assembly Chamber. I do not know whether they are going for Committee work, but can we ensure that the quorum does not collapse.

Mr J. E. Banda (Petauke Central): Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to ask a follow-up question on behalf of the good people of Petauke Central on the ministerial statement delivered by the hon. Minister of Health.

Madam Speaker, in her statement, the hon. Minister said that typhoid comes as a result of dirty and unsafe water. She also confirmed that Petauke has recorded the highest number of diarrheal cases. Further, she said that diarrhoea and typhoid are almost the same. I am a layman and not a professional in the health sector.

Mr B. Mpundu: Walipya iwe!

Mr J. E. Banda: Madam Speaker, my understanding is that diarrhoea and typhoid come from the same source, which is drinking unclean water.

Laughter

Mr J. E. Banda: At several times, I have complained that there is no water in Nyika Ward. In addition, I have been to the hon. Minister’s office several times to inform him about the water situation in Nyika Ward, but my people are not getting any help. Even today, if you went to Nyika Ward in Petauke Central, you will find that the people there have no water.

Hon. Government Member: Use the CDF.

Mr J. E. Banda: Do you want me to use the CDF? Why are you talking about the CDF? The CDF is disbursed quarterly.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, what is your question?

Mr J. E. Banda: Madam Speaker, let me make it clear to the hon. Member of Parliament for Katombola that the CDF is released quarterly and the money for projects –

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member for Petauke Central, please, do not involve the hon. Member for Katombola in your question. The question is between you and the hon. Minister of Health, through me. What is your question to the hon. Minister of Health?

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

Laughter

Mr J. E. Banda: He wants to distract me with a point of order. Is the hon. Minister going to help the good people of Petauke Central, especially in Nyika Ward where there is no water? Can the hon. Minister of Health help the good people of Petauke Central by talking to the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation so that this challenge can come to an end? By her doing so, maybe, he will listen to his fellow hon. Minister than an ordinary hon. Member of Parliament for Petauke Central, who was sent here to represent its good people of Petauke Central, because I am not getting any help. I am now scared to go and face the people in my constituency because I do not have solutions for them. So, I am asking the hon. Minister of Health to help me and assure the people of Nyika Ward that they will have clean water not too long from now so that diarrhoea and suspected typhoid can come to an end.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Before the hon. Minister of Health comes in, there is an indication for a point of order by the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation.

What is your point of order, hon. Minister?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I rarely rise on points of order, but I am really concerned. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 65, which states that we must be factual. As a much respected hon. Member of Parliament for Petauke Central, I expect that as he brings out issues to represent his people. He really needs to try to be honourable and factual.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Petauke Central has never been to my office to discuss the water challengein Nyika Ward, but has been meeting me in the corridors complaining about the issue. He met me only twice, but to say that he has been to my office several times is not true. In my office, there is a tracking system that shows any person who visits my office. The record will show when and what time he/she came through and what issues we were discussing. Therefore, to come on the Floor of the House to mislead the House and the people of Nyika area in Petauke Central that he has been to the ministry to speak to me on their behalf when actually not, is worrying. Is he in order to use me and my ministry to pursue his fears to go and meet the people of Petauke Central? I need your serious ruling.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I thank the hon. Minister for the point of order. In fact, in the hon. Member’s question, I heard him asking the hon. Minister Health to talk to the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation on his behalf.

Hon. Member, hon. Ministers are supposed to be there for you. We have guided, over and over, that you should meet hon. Ministers so that you have fruitful discussions with them. I remember a question about the same problem, concerning the same ward or community, was brought to the House. So, ensure that you make a serious follow-up all the time with hon. Ministers concerning the problems that you have.

It will help you as well as the people in your constituency, because if you do not meet the hon. Minister, I don’t know what answer you are going to give the people in your constituency. The dialogues between you and the hon. Ministers, including the hon. Minister of Health, are very important as they will, at all times, provide you with answers for your people. So, hon. Member for Petauke Central, please, try to be more factual and be free to visit any of the hon. Ministers because they are supposed to work with you and help you with your problems in your constituency. So, I invite the hon. Minster of Health to respond to the question that was raised by the hon. Member for Petauke Central.

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, you have guided the hon. Member of Parliament well. On the question by the hon. Member, I cannot remember just off cuff, but he has to come through.

Before the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development was established, I know that we, sometimes, used to have funds for the drilling of boreholes under the Ministry of Health. So, I would like to check if that is still the case. The hon. Member can come through and check, and we can drill one borehole under the Ministry of Health.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, in joining my colleague from Petauke Central, let me mention that my constituency is struggling with water. How equipped is the Ministry of Health’s surveillance team? I have noticed that most of the questions under the Ministry of Health are coming as points of order and then the hon. Minister has to go back and respond.

Madam Speaker, last week, I was in Ninambe Ward, where there are cases of mumps in children and about thirty families were affected. I visited the health centre there because I wanted to understand how well-equipped the surveillance team was, if at all there was one. We cannot continue raising points of order on the Floor of this House before a statement is issued. Please, could the hon. Minister share that information with us.

I thankyou, Madam Speaker.

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, we do have internal surveillance programmes within the facilities, but at the moment, we have a fully-fledged institution that has been established specifically for this, and I want to say that Zambia is currently one of the few countries on the continent that have moved a step further. To that extent, I can safely say that our surveillance team under the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) is actually doing a commendable job in detecting various diseases in the country. Of course, sometimes, it is the health workers in a particular district that would raise the alert or the public in the community. It is normal, and from seeing how many people are going to a clinic for a particular disease or outbreak, you are able to tell that something is wrong. So, the health workers are generally trained in such a manner that they are able to identify such. However, these are matters for laboratory testing and ensuring that there is a confirmation. So, yes, one can show signs of diarrheal disease and one can say it is cholera or typhoid, but tests have to be done, and the laboratory that we have in the country is quite sufficient to do that job.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr J. E. Banda: Madam Speaker, I am grateful to the hon. Minister for that solution that she has given to the good people of Petauke, especially Nyika Ward. I am sure that from here, I will go to her office, so that the good people of Nyika Ward can be helped.

Madam Speaker, I am on record of having brought to the attention of this august House the problems of water, and the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation was given a chance to issue a ministerial statement to that effect. I am from reading a message on my phone from the good people of Petauke and they have stated that they are very disappointed with the hon. Minister for saying that I have never visited his office.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Petauke Central!

We are now moving away from the ministerial statement that was targeted at the hon. Minister of Health. We now want to involve the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation. Hon. Member for Petauke Central, if you have issues or problems to do with water, specifically for your constituency, please, find another avenue to reach out to the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, so that your problems can be addressed rather than bringing those problems in the ministerial statement from another hon. Minister, in this case, the hon. Minister of Health. I do not know if it was even a question, but you are advised to come up with a specific question to the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation.

Hon. Member for Chilubi, you have been indicating for a point of order. I gave you the Floor, but you were not in the House. I do not know whether the breach that occurred when you had indicated is still the same breach that you are looking at because we have moved on. You had indicated that point of order soon after Her Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time and now we are on another item. Is it possible for you to file-in a written complaint or question to the office of –?

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I will write, except that from history, what I have written has never been attended to.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you hon. Member of Chilubi. You can write that complaint or point of order and address it to the Speaker. It will be attended to.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Let us make progress.

Mr. P. Phiri (Mkaika): Madam Speaker, just like the hon. Member for Kantanshi, I would like to know how capacitated we are in terms of handling these diseases in case of an outbreak. I am aware that we have the Petauke Referral Hospital. Is that hospital able to handle these diseases and does it have enough human resource to handle an outbreak?

Ms Masebo: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Member referring to Kalindawalo?

Mr Phiri indicated assent.

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for the follow-up question. I did visit that hospital and did get a detailed brief from the Executive Director of the hospital, who you call the senior person in charge.

Madam Speaker, one of the challenges the hospital faces is the lack of human resource. Currently, it is operating at slightly above 50 per cent or, maybe, 54 per cent in terms of staff. It is quite understaffed, especially when it comes to highly skilled health workers. Equipment is not an issue as the hospital is well equipped such that some of the equipment may not even have the qualified staff to manage it. However, more health staff will be sent there this year.

Madam Speaker, the hospital did not even have transport, and the Government has since provided three utility vehicles just to facilitate its running.

Madam Speaker, generally, the main issue at the hospital is human resource.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1040 hours until 1100 hours.

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was concluding an answer to the question asked by the hon. Member for Mkaika on the issue of the Kalindawalo Hospital staffing and equipment.

Mr Speaker, I said that the equipment at the hospital is okay. The issue is the lack of human resource. Since we are continuing with recruitment this year, we will send more staff to that hospital. It also had an issue of a lack of vehicles. However, arising from my visit, the ministry has been able to, at least, send some utility vehicles. The hospital wanted five vehicles, but we only gave it two or three, I cannot remember. However, we will be working towards improving the situation at the hospital.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Munir Zulu: Mr Speaker, taking advantage of this opportunity, allow me to say that Madam First Deputy Speaker guided that we should make it a habit to visit hon. Ministers, and I hope that you can equally emphasise that they should stop telling their secretaries to shun them. For the record, it is not that hon. Members do not visit, but that there is a habit by secretaries to not allow hon. Members to see hon. Ministers.

Mr Speaker, I am watching zoom earth here (points at his phone). The third wave of the Cyclone Freddy is getting closer to the eastern part of Zambia. How prepared are we in terms of combating waterborne diseases, should we be affected, knowing very well that Petauke and Nyika, on the eastern side, border with Mozambique? Already, we have waterborne disease challenges before we are hit by the cyclone. From the way the Cyclone Freddy is moving, it is showing that, anytime soon, we could be addressing the ugly side of it.

Mr Speaker, how prepared are we in terms of fighting any waterborne disease that could hit the eastern parts of Petauke, Lumezi and Chama?

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for a very important question. I wish it had been asked of the Leader of Government Business in the House the time we had the Vice-President’s Question Time because it is very timely.

Mr Speaker, I can only say that we are ready, as the Ministry of Health, to a certain level, but not for the extent we are seeing happening in Mozambique. We hope that does not come to Zambia. As a Christian nation, we are prayerful that it will not come. However, if it did, one of the issues I have been thinking about is that we have to do a lot, as the Government, in terms of alerting people, especially in communities, some of which do not even know about this thing, although it has been reported, so that they prepare themselves.

Mr Speaker, many houses – you know the illegalities in Zambia that the previous administration entertained where the construction of people’s houses was not authorised or did not follow the rules – will not stand. When I look at our country’s position, I think we are in danger. We just need to unite beyond the Government, as a country, and get ourselves ready. We also need to start alerting our people that it is possible that the cyclone can hit Zambia. If it is, where are they sitting? I was thinking the other day that should we not be telling people to not travel around and to be alert, especially those who have trees next to their homes? People must be helped to be alert.

Mr Speaker, the starting point of support during this process would be individual. Where would one be found at such a time? Is it in a bar half drunk or malingering in wrong places? Can we, as a country, just have that mindset of being alert before talking about whether the Ministry of Health is ready?

Mr Speaker, we have limited capacity to handle such disasters. So, I would like to use this opportunity to say that all of us; the Government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), churches, communities and individuals, should look around where we are sitting. Are we safe? Is there anything we can do at individual level? In fact, people should not even be staying in some houses at this point in time. They are a danger even before the wind comes.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Katambo (Masaiti): Mr Speaker, the people of Nyika Ward in Petauke District are still asking for the hon. Minister to give a ministerial statement and respond to questions. His staff in the ministry of Health did carry out tests in Nyika Ward. For him to now inform the nation that there was no outbreak of the salmonella, typhi or para-typhi, what type of diagnostic tests did the ministry carry out? People need assurance.

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, I thought that the statement explained that aspect of the tests that were done, and that it was not typhoid, but some form of diarrheal disease.

Mr Speaker, I hope I have answered the question. If not, maybe, the hon. Member can see me away from the proceedings of the House.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Shakafuswa (Mandevu): Mr Speaker, my question is arising from the question that was asked by the hon. Member of Parliament for Lumezi on Cyclone Freddy and the response that the hon. Minister gave. I am concerned that she is equally worried that we are not sensitising the people on the dangers of Cyclone Freddy, especially those who are in the Eastern part of Zambia.

Mr Speaker, arising from the hon. Minister’s answer in which she appealed to stakeholders to take up roles, can she assure the people of the Eastern Province and Zambia, at large, that starting from today, they are going to see sustainable sensitisation activities around the cyclone prone areas, which are near our borders?

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, this is normally the problem that we have as people because we love to politicise issues. This is a new thing and it was announced by the State. What I said is that the information has not really gone down to the communities. It is our role to sensitise our people. Hon. Members of Parliament and councillors have the mandate to sensitise the people when they hear such information. So, instead of pointing at others, we need to know that this is not a political issue and that is why I had to admit that we need to do a lot of work. First of all, as the Government, hon. Members of Parliament, traditional leaders and individuals, we need to get involved. Although this information has been given, written and spoken about, I just do not get the feeling that we are all ready.

Mr Speaker, sometimes, I ask myself whether I should be in the House at the moment or I should be taking cover. I note that in Mozambique, people were being asked to put sand around their houses. So, there are certain practises that people will have to do, like cutting down of trees that are close to our homes and making sure that the young children are escorted to school, to prevent disastrous situations. If it is about to rain, people should go and pick up their children from school to protect them. These are the simple things. This House is giving us an opportunity to articulate some of these issues and alert the people of the Eastern Province and other parts of Zambia.

Mr Speaker, the way the situation has become now, if you look at Chongwe, a lot of trees have been cut. When we were telling people to stop cutting trees, they did not understand. Some of the hon. Members here would even say, “Leave them. What are they going to eat if you stop them?” This is the disaster we are seeing. These are the effects of cutting trees, whipping wild animals, corruption and poor leadership. So, let us just wake up, work together and face this situation as Zambians. We need to know that this situation might come, but since we have been warned, what are we doing about it? What are the parents doing to protect their children and properties?

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

HIGH ELECTRICITY CONNECTION FEES

The Minister of Energy ( Mr Kapala): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank you for granting me this opportunity to render a ministerial statement on measures being put in place regarding the electricity connection fees being charged by the national utility company, Zesco Limited. This follows a matter of urgent public importance raised by Hon. Luka Simumba, Member of Parliament for Nakonde.

Mr Speaker, in April, 2022, Zesco Limited applied to the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) for an upward revision of connection fees for standard connections relating to three customer categories namely;

high density, demarcated and reticulated areas;
low density demarcated and reticulated areas; and
undemarcated high density areas.

Mr Speaker, the application was necessitated by numerous challenges hindering the provision of quality services, including the prompt connection for new applications for electricity. It is worth noting that the connection fees were last revised in 2005, which means that it has been over eighteen years since the fees were adjusted. Over this period, the cost of materials required for connecting customers to electricity as well as labour and transport, have increased substantially.

Mr Speaker, as a result of these non-cost reflective connection fees, Zesco Limited has had to use funds meant for operations and maintenance to cover this funding gap, which is unsustainable and has, over the years, compromised service delivery to both existing and would be customers. This funding gap also resulted in outstanding connection accumulating to over 67,000 paid for connection applications, which is a backlog. As of 31^st December 2021, with some paid for application dating as far back as 2014, continuing with the status quo entails Zesco Limited operational and maintenance budgets will be stretched even further and its customers would continue to be subjected to poor service delivery.

Mr Speaker, upon receiving the application from Zesco Limited, the ERB reviewed it in accordance with the provisions of the Energy Regulation Act, No. 12 of 2019 and Electricity Act No. 11 of 2019. As part of this review process, the board called for public comments in April, 2022 and in May, 2022. All written submissions and comments were reviewed comprehensively during the public hearing. Consequently, the ERB considered and approved the new Zesco Limited connection fees which came into effect on January 1, 2023.

Mr Speaker, the Government remains committed to ensuring increased access to sustainable energy services for all. Despite the increase in electricity connection fees, the Government has not diverted from this policy position and in this regard, ensured that several measures were considered to cushion low-income households living in rural areas against this increase. These include the following:

moderation of upward adjustment from four to twenty times higher in ZESCO’s application to relatively lower fees ranging from one point five to five times higher as approved connection fees;
Seventy to thirty cost sharing mechanism.

This is where the customer would meet 70 per cent of ERB determined cost of connection while Zesco Limited would finance the remaining 30 per cent.

Staggered Payment Options: Under this mechanism, households living in rural areas who are not able to make a lump sum payment shall be connected to the national grid upon paying 50 per cent of the approved standard charges after which they will be required to complete the full payment within twelve months.

Mr Speaker, with the approved connection fees, Zesco Limited will be able to respond to request for electricity connection within third working days after receiving payment for the connection. This will greatly expedite the connection process for perspective customers. It will also result in improved network performance thereby, enhancing the quality of service and contributing to the overall sustainability of Zesco Limited’s operations.

Mr Speaker, going forward, the Government, through my ministry and alongside the regulator, the utility company, and other stakeholders, will continue to explore ways of stabilising the financial sustainability of ZESCO Limited and increasing consumer affordability. Among some of the options being considered is the possibility of embedding the connection fees in the domestic electricity tariff structures.

Mr Speaker, I am sure the House understands why connection fees in rural areas cannot be cheaper than those in town. The cost of materials required for connections are the same and, in many instances, more expensive in rural areas due to logistical reasons and also the fact that most rural dwellings are sparsely located. This entails that more equipment such as poles and transmission lines are required to effect a rural connection dwelling compared to a similar dwelling in urban areas. Rural dwellings are charged similar fees to those in high-density areas and the approved rate is K3,510.

Mr Speaker, the Government, ZESCO Limited and the Energy Regulation Board (ERB)are working on a concept note aimed at reducing the impact of the high connection fees in rural areas. This will involve the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) undertaking a last mile connection, as opposed to bringing the main grid infrastructure to the location and letting ZESCO Limited effect the connection upon payment. The authority will, as part of its work, connect rural households in all its projects. The cost of the connection fees will then be recovered through monthly payments over a period of twelve months. ZESCO Limited has also been engaging the ERB on the possibility of embedding the connection fee into the tariffs for new customers, a component that will eventually fall off after being repaid.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the ministerial statement issued by the hon. Minister of Energy.

Mr Andeleki (Katombola): Mr Speaker, thank you for allowing the people of Katombola to take the first slot in response to the ministerial statement.

Mr Speaker, the people of Katombola are very happy with the New Dawn Government’s achievement of upgrading the status of our people. My question is in relation to rural connectivity of our people and the agreement that was made that K1 million from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) should go towards rural connections. When do we expect our people’s households to be connected to the national grid?

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, REA has a detailed laid-out work plan of all the areas that need to be electrified. The K1 million contribution from all constituencies will be used to carry out projects in selected areas and, as a result, schools, hospitals and chiefs’ palaces will be electrified. However, the electrification of rural areas will include the connection of certain structures, houses or schools by REA. Instead of people paying for the connections, that will be passed on now to the tariffs. That will be done at the preliminary stage and ZESCO Limited will only come in and install the meter at a cost of K1,400. One will have to pay K700 for one’s house to be connected to the grid and ZESCO Limited will come and install themeter,and the balance of K700 can be paid over a period of twelve months. So, this is the good message I bring to the House.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Simumba (Nakonde):Mr Speaker, I have gotten very clearly the ministerial statement issued by the hon. Minister of Energy on the connection fees to be paid by the people in rural areas. Currently, the connection fee is K4,850. The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) already erected poles in some places in Nakonde, and people jubilated, but because of the connection fees, they are unable to have their houses connected to the national grid. In areas like Kantongo, Chilolwa and Ibrahim, REA also commissioned some projects but the people in those areas’ households cannot be connected to the national grid, because of the connection fees. However, the hon. Minister stated that people can pay 50 per cent of the connection fee, which is K2,425.When my people pay the K2,425, will ZESCO Limited connect their households to the national grid?

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, standard connections, as I indicated earlier on, will be done within thirty days of payment.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Nyirenda (Lundazi): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me a chance, on behalf of the people of Lundazi, to ask the hon. Minister a question.

Mr Speaker, we have had an issue of power in rural areas, especially in Lundazi. I am sure the ministry has been bombarded with many questions because of the challenges that we have been facing with power. Taking advantage of the ministerial statement, will the people of Dunda and Mpamba benefit from the REA programme, which the ministry will put in place?

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, I assure the people of Lundazi that they will benefit from the programme that REA will undertake in all rural settlements, and Lundazi in particular, is destined to have a 2.5 MW Solar Plant. We are currently carrying out feasibility studies, and we hope that before the end of the year or in the first quarter of next year, the people of Lundazi should be connected to that power plant.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Munir Zulu (Lumezi): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me an opportunity, on behalf of the people of Lumezi, to ask a follow-up question.

Mr Speaker, the people in Lumezi are worried. We know we are still villagers, but some areas enjoy the privilege of having electricity. The hon. Minister talked about the tariff adjustments, but does he not think that they are disfranchising many citizens with the increment? All the time, it is the citizens who are made to pay high tariffs at the expense of many industrial co-operations. Does the hon. Minister not think that the more they increase the connectivity tariffs, the fewer the people who will be connected to the national grid?

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, I did mention that the last adjustment was in 2005. That is a long time ago and prices of labour and materials have gone up. We need to devise ways and means of alleviating the impact of the increase of the connection fees.

ZESCO Limited, REA and ERB are in talks so that they can allow REA to connect rural households before the households even pay for the metres that will be installed by ZESCO Limited. So, this exercise is going to take place in all rural areas and Lumezi will definitely benefit from that.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr E. Tembo (Feira): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the statement. The people of Feira are not happy with the increment in electricity connection fees because we have been looking forward to having domestic usage but it has become difficult to do so because of the cost. Electricity is a factor in productivity as well as in economic growth. Should we not then say that there should be no electricity connection fee? After ZESCO Limited or REA invests in connecting households, then it can recover the money monthly from electricity tariffs. What is the position of the Government on that?

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, I just said that REA will do the connections. What will happen is once REA has brought a line to a household, when the household pays 50 per cent of the K1,400 which is K700, then the connection charges will be recovered by ZESCO Limited through the use of electricity in terms of monthly bills or something like that.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sialubalo (Sinazongwe): Mr Speaker, the people of Sinazongwe do understand why there has been the upward adjustment on electricity tariffs. Way back in 2014 or 2015, the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) embarked on a project of electrifying some areas within Sinazongwe, particularly in Mwezia Ward. Immediately after I defeated the Patriotic Front (PF) hon. Member of Parliament and took over as the hon. Member of Parliament for Sinazongwe in 2016, the project was abandoned. Letters have been written to REA to have the project restarted but nothing has happened. We are willing to go the route of paying whatever is required so that ZESCO Limited can have the money that is required for it to run. What should the people of Sinazongwe, particularly those in Mwezia Ward do to have the project restarted as soon as possible? Poles were already installed. What is remaining is just the line aspect. What can we do? We have written a letter that has not been responded to yet. What can we do immediately so that ZESCO Limited can benefit as well?

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, those are projects that need to be revisited. The hon. Member of Parliament is free to come to my office and sit down with REA so that we can come up with a work plan that will please the people of Sinazongwe.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Mabonga (Mfuwe): Mr Speaker, the people of Lavushimanda District in Mfuwe Constituency do not agree with the increment in electricity connection fees because as we know, the cost of everything has been increasing. The cost of electricity has increased. What is the hon. Minister doing for the people of Zambia looking at the fact that the price of everything else has increased, including the cost of living?

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, this is about facing reality, okay. I will give you an example of what was submitted by ZESCO Limited, the current charges, and what was approved by the ERB. For a single phase overhead connection, the current charge is K769. Am I right? ZESCO Limited proposed to increase it to K4,655, okay. The ERB approved K3,510. So, you can see that the ERB has taken into consideration all factors that will make ZESCO Limited provide an efficient service, unlike what is happening at the moment. There are so many complaints that ZESCO Limited is inefficient. It is because it is cash-strapped. So, we need to help ZESCO Limited, as a national utility company, to give us a proper service that we need.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, what criteria were put in place to come up with the one year or twelve months in which customers will have to pay the 50 per cent considering that many rural areas in Zambia have people who do not have much. What led ZESCO Limited to come to twelve months instead of more than twelve months?

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, I think my short answer is that electricity production is not cheap and ZESCO Limited is cash-strapped. It needs to provide the same service to a number of areas throughout the country. If we allow a situation where people in rural areas start paying K20 and the balance is spread over ten years, we will not mitigate the issue of access to electricity immediately. We are also mindful that we want to target at least 51 per cent of our rural population to have electricity by 2030. So, we are facing a mammoth task. That is why we need to accelerate this process by charging the tariffs.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Mr Speaker, I am alive to the fact that ZESCO Limited is a business entity which is supposed to make profits. However, at the same time, it is a public utility which was created for the purpose of providing affordable electricity to the people of Zambia, taking into account that electricity is an important component in the production of goods and services.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has stated that the last time ZESCO Limited adjusted electricity connection fees was in 2005. I think that was a deliberate policy to ensure that more Zambians have access to electricity. Does he not think that the unprecedented increase in electricity connection fees will hinder Zambia from achieving universal access to electricity? Why do we not have affordable electricity connection fees? It is not a loss to have affordable fees because ZESCO Limited will still recoup money through people’s monthly electricity consumption.

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, those are ideas that bring about, I do not want to say insolvency of companies. As of December 2022, we had a backlog of 67,000 electricity connection applications. So, ZESCO Limited had to borrow US$108 million in order to deal with the backlog. It borrowed US$108 million to fund the clearance of this backlog. Part of that money was funded by ZESCO Limited. So, for us to deal with this backlog, ZESCO Limited had to borrow additional money. I am sure all hon. Members of Parliament here understand the indebtedness of ZESCO Limited and we should not encourage the company to keep increasing the debt.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr C. Chibuye (Mkushi North): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has just indicated to the people out there that the new connections will not take more than thirty days. People in Mkushi North have been waiting for connections for the past two to three years. What word does the hon. Minister have for the people whose connections have been pending or, indeed, what advice can he give to the people who have applied to have electricity connected to their properties and fall in the bracket of not waiting for over thirty days to be connected?

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, I do not want to dwell on the past. The information I have here is that as at 7^th March, 2023, the backlog which was around 67,000 was reduced to only 9,000. As regards the thirty days, ZESCO Limited has indicated to us that once the connection fee is paid, especially on standard connections like in a residential area where you have got a pole outside, it will be done within thirty days. However, where ZESCO Limited has to bring in poles and additional lines, it will take almost three months to connect.

I thank you, Sir.

Mt Katambo (Masaiti): Mr Speaker, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) considered the application by the utility company to vary the connection charges.

Mr Speaker, this utility company, ZESCO Limited, unilaterally suspended the issuance of quotations for new customers. Was this not a direct breach by this utility company? Further, what punitive measures has the Government meted out on this utility company for not adhering to the licence conditions?

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, I think I need to get back to the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to find out what action has been taken on ZESCO Limited for having suspended the issuance of quotations.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chewe (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, I followed the hon. Minister when he talked about people in rural areas like Lubansenshi Constituency paying K1,400. What I know is that the Government is the people, and so, when people say the cost of living has gone up, it is the duty of the Government to listen. In this case, we, your people from rural constituencies, are complaining because at the moment, we cannot afford to pay the tariffs that the hon. Minister has brought to this House and the nation. Is it so difficult for him to come up with a policy that says those who are in rural areas can, maybe, pay K200 in the meantime and then in the long run, we can increase after connecting these houses?

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, I think I stated before that electricity production and distribution is not cheap. The cost is much higher in rural areas than it is in urban areas. What the hon. Member for Lubansenshi is suggesting is that the people in his constituency pay K200 to bring in a metre which costs K1,400, but I do not think that will be sustainable. We need to help ZESCO Limited so that it can help other people in Lumezi access electricity. This can be done by asking the people of Lubansenshi to pay the K700 so that Lumezi can also have power.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I think I will allow two further questions from the hon. Members for Chilubi and Kamfinsa. I will add three more minutes.

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Mr Speaker, thank you for being lenient with the people of Chilubi. Currently, the rural electrification stands at 8.1 per cent, if I am not mistaken. The hon. Minister did indicate that the ministry’s target is 51 per cent rural electrification by 2030. From all the explanations by the hon. Minister, the mode of financing is that much of it will be financed by the clients, who are the customers in this case, through the tariffs that they are paying towards that. Is there any other way of making another mode of payment to cushion this, especially that when you look at the poverty levels, you will see that the rural areas are actually more affected? This applies to others things that add to the quality of life. Is the Government considering any other mode apart from the tariff mode to finance the connectivity?

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, REA will, this year, receive from the Government an amount close to K1 billion. So, this Government has started giving REA not necessarily the actual, but the anticipated moneys that will enable it to meet the target of 51 per cent rural electrification by 2030. However, due to financial constraints, I am sure everybody is aware that Government cannot give REA say US$50 million every year to 2030 to achieve that target. I am sure with these revised connection fees, the Government will be able to achieve that target.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Mr Speaker, thank you very much for your kindness.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister for Energy has informed this nation that connection fees need to be cost reflective and also that they need to reflect the actual cost. The hon. Minister is aware that the Government has been offloading millions of dollars and now it is in excess of US$1.3 billion to regulate the exchange rate. This money is coming from mining receipts; taxes from the mining sector. I believe the hon. Minister is representing the Government. So, has he considered getting some of these millions of dollars that the Government has been injecting into the economy, in trying to control the exchange rate, to partly give money to ZESCO Limited to create some form of subsidy for the people that will not be able to afford these high connection fees? We have actually tried to control the exchange rate and it is not working. Why can we not get some of those dollars, put them into ZESCO Limited and allow ZESCO to connect electricity to our residents at a far much lower cost?

Mr Speaker, I ask this follow up question and I want to put it on record that I do not support the proposed increment because it will impact negatively on our people. So, have we considered that option?

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, I thank my fellow engineer for that question. The information I have currently is that ZESCO still owes. It is in debt of US$2.7billion. So, we need to find ways and means of dismantling that in order for us to enjoy cheaper electricity.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

_______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF WATER IN CHIKWANDA AREA IN MPIKA PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

205. Mr Kapyanga (Mpika) asked the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation:

whether the Government is aware that there has been a critical shortage of water, for the past two weeks, in Chikwanda area in Mpika Parliamentary Constituency; and
if so, what urgent measures are being taken to resolve the water crisis and prevent waterborne diseases.

The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Mr Mposha): Mr Speaker, the Government is aware that there has been a critical shortage of water, for the past two weeks, in Chikwanda area in Mpika Parliamentary Constituency. The cause of the critical shortage of water is the breakdown of three out of the five boreholes in Chikwanda area.

Mr Speaker, the following are the urgent measures being undertaken to resolve the water crisis and prevent an outbreak of waterborne diseases:

the Government, through local authorities and area pump menders, is assessing the status of the three borehole hand pumps to determine the scope of work and cost of repair and rehabilitation;
the Government plans to upgrade some boreholes and construct a piped water network in order to increase the coverage to the people of Chikwanda area; and
the ministry is facilitating the arrangement of a water bowser to supply water, in the immediate term, to the people of Chikwanda area.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the response. In Mpika, there is a project under way called Small Towns Integrated Water and Sanitation Project which comes from the same Chikwanda area as a long-term solution for the shortage of water in that community. Is the office of the hon. Minister considering tapping into that water supply system so that the people of Chikwanda can also benefit from that project?

Mr Mposha: Mr Speaker, I was responding to a very specific question which talked` about the critical challenges of water in the past two weeks, but it looks like this is an extension of it. However, it is true that we have the Small Town Integrated Water Supply and Sanitation Project from which Mpika is going to benefit. As to whether we are considering tapping supply to provide water to the people of Chikwanda, this will be quite challenging because the water which is passing through –

Mr Chewe: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: May the hon. Minister continue.

Mr Mposha: Thank you for the protection, Mr Speaker. The water which –

Mr Chewe: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: May the hon. Member resume his seat. The hon. Minister is on the Floor.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I have to remind you that points of order are granted at the discretion of the Presiding Officer.

Hon. UPND Members: Yes!

Interruptions

Hon. Opposition Members: There is no quorum in the House!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: It is not mandatory that when one rises on a point of order, he/she is granted. It is at the discretion of the Presiding Officer.

May the hon. Minister continue.

Interruptions

Mr Fube: That is against the Standing Orders!

Interruptions

Mr Mposha: Mr Speaker, may I advise the hon. Member of Parliament for Mpika that the water which –

Mr Mukosa: There is no quorum here and you are refusing us to raise points of order.

Mr Mposha: The project which he is talking about –

Interruptions

Hon. Opposition Members: There is no quorum

Interruptions

Hon. Opposition Members rose.

Interruptions

Mr Mwiimbu: You are now collapsing the quorum.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, you are now trying to break the quorum which is against the rules of this House.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: No one in the House has declared that there is no quorum.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: The Presiding Officer has not declared that there is no quorum.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: So, whoever is trying to be part of this illegality will face the consequences.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Yes.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: The rules are quite clear. So, if you have an agenda to ensure that you collapse the quorum, there are always rules. You will be part of that illegality. If you are trying to ensure that the House collapses, you will have yourselves to blame.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, if you are trying to have a game that you cannot sustain, this is a House of rules and they will be applied effectively.

I have observed in the recent past that you are trying to have unnecessary manoeuvres. That will just cost you.

Yesterday, there was a point of order that was raised that has not been ruled on. Whoever is present here is noted. So, if there are hon. Members who are trying to promote illegality, there will be consequences. This is not a market; it is a House of rules.

May the hon. Minister continue.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: No one is above the law. No individual whatsoever. The games that you are trying to play will not work.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Zambia is not a banana State.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: That you should know.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Certain schemes that you are trying to plot will not work.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: They will backfire on you.

Interruptions

Hon. Opposition Members: There is no quorum in the House.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: There is a point of order in that regard that was raised and –

Mr Mukosa: You are now issuing threats.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: No, I am not issuing a threat.

Hon. Opposition Members: You are!

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: When I am speaking, do not speak whilst seated.

Interruptions

Amb. Kalimi: You are a Chairperson on our behalf.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members –

Interruptions

Amb. Kalimi: No, you are a Chairperson because we are here as hon. Members.

Interruptions

Mr Fube: We are guided by the Constitution and the Standing Orders.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, you only speak when you are called upon.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: This is a House of rules.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: So, if I am speaking, and you have –

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

May the hon. Minister continue.

Mr Mposha: Mr Speaker, let me take advantage of being on the Floor and say that I am getting very worried as a member of the Executive, about the conduct of hon. Members on the left that they could –

Interruptions

Mr Mundubile: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Simushi: Sit down!

Mr Mundubile: Do not tell me to sit down, iwe. You keep quiet. You cannot address me like that, ala.

Interruptions

Mr Mundubile: No! You cannot address me like that, ala. No, but you cannot not address me like that.

Laughter

Mr Mposha: Mr Speaker, for hon. Members to stand up and even point fingers at the Chair, I think it is becoming unbecoming.

Mr Speaker, in making progress, I want to respond to the question raised by my brother, the hon. Member for Mpika, which seeks to know whether we could tap-off water from the network which we are laying, which passes through Chikwanda area.

Mr Speaker, the water we are abstracting under the Small Towns Integrated Water Supply and Sanitation project, which passes through Chikwanda is raw. So, it means that we will be tap-off water that is not treated to the people of Chikwanda area. This water is coming from our source, passing through Chikwanda area to the treatment plant. However, we will be looking at a long term solution in terms of how best we can provide clean and safe water to the people of Chikwanda area, and not necessarily tapping-off from the ongoing project in Mpika.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Shakafuswa (Mandevu): Mr Speaker, I note the answers from the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation. He has given us three mitigation measures for the people of Mpika, which include assessing the level of breakdown for the three boreholes, upgrading the boreholes, constructing water network, and in the meantime, putting a water bowser.

Mr Speaker, I would like to find out the timelines for all these measures because if it were up to him and I, to rehabilitate a broken-down pump would just take a day. We have seen through experience that local authorities, because of their procurement processes sometimes, take three months just to do a simple job. So, could the hon. Minister give us the timelines for all these measures that he has highlighted?

Mr Mposha: Mr Speaker, I want to thank my brother, the hon. Member for Mandevu for that question. Like he has rightly said, sometimes, procedures take long. It is not because of our officers but because this is Government money, and one cannot just wake up, open the drawer and start spending it. So, there are procedures which people must satisfy in order to have access to the money. However, let me just assure the hon. Member that everything possible will be done so that these works are attended to in the shortest possible time.

Mr Speaker, I might not necessarily give the precise timeline because like I have indicated, an assessment is being done and as soon as that is done, we will be able to understand the nature of repairs that have been undertaken and the cost, therein.

Mr Speaker, I am afraid that I will not be able to give a specific timeline as I might end up misleading the House but suffice it to say that measures to access these funds will be put in place and works will be expedited.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Simumba (Nakonde): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has stated that three out of five boreholes broke down. He also indicated that the shortest measure to alleviate the shortage of water is by putting a water bowser to supply water to the people of Chikwanda. Now, I am worried because he stated to say that this is when he is trying to make those arrangements. According to the information, the people of Chikwanda have had no water for two weeks. What is the hon. Minister doing now to make sure that the people of Chikwanda can have access to water now?

Mr Mposha: Mr Speaker, in my response, like he has rightly observed, I have highlighted three interventions which my ministry is carrying out now to ensure that the people in the affected areas receive water. One of the short term measures is that we are facilitating the provision of the water browser to delivery water to the affected places. This is what my ministry is doing now.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Mr Speaker, my question was similar to what the hon. Member for Nakonde asked. So, it has been overtaken by events.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr J. E. Banda (Petauke Central): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving the good people of Petauke Central a chance to ask a follow-up question on behalf of the good people of Mpika, Chikwanda area.

Mr Speaker, when a father sees that there is a problem in an area, he usually goes there to see for himself so that the children can be motivated. Has the hon. Minister had any chance to go to Mpika to see the way the people of Chikwanda are suffering due to the problem of water? If he has never been there, when is he going to see them? The people of Chikwanda are waiting to hear from him as the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, because he is the one who can give them hope. As we know, water is life.

Mr Mposha: Mr Speaker, truly, if the hon. Member of Parliament for Petauke Central listens to the news and he has been following, he will appreciate that this hon. Minister has been to all the ten provinces and not only to appreciate the water challenges but also, to ensure that he pushes the projects which are in these provinces. So, I just want to inform and assure the hon. Member that yes, I have been to Mpika and was well-received by the good people of Mpika, including His Royal Highness Chief Chikwanda, where we had a conversation around the challenges of water. I also want to appreciate the hon. Member of Parliament for Mpika, who has been very passionate about the challenges of water. I think we have been engaging each other in a much more sober way to ensure that we address the challenges of water in Mpika. So, I appreciate and I am alive to the challenges and what is being done to mitigate the water challenges in Mpika. I have been on the ground, hon. Member.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika): Mr Speaker, indeed, the hon. Minister and his Permanent Secretary (PS) have been to Mpika. However, I wish the water bowser could be deployed as early as yesterday because the situation on the ground is very bad. So, I humbly ask for his very quickest intervention. I know the people on the ground would say no, we have deployed the water bowser, but my eyes and ears are on the ground. As I am speaking, there is literally nothing that has been actualised in terms of what he is planning. So, my appeal is to have the water bowser deployed on the ground so that our people can have water before we start experiencing diseases.

Mr Mposha: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Mpika for that comment. I assure him that the water bowser will be provided. I also want to say that this area is serviced by our commercial utility called Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company, which services the Northern Province as well Muchinga Province. Through the utility company, we have procured two bowsers. One bowser has 10,000 litres capacity and the other one 20,000 litres. However, we had a small problem, which we managed to resolve last week. Therefore, I assure the hon. Member of Parliament that we will do everything possible to fulfil our promise, under intervention number three, of providing a water bowser to the affected area. So, I assure him that this will be done. My appeal to the hon. Member of Parliament is that between now and Tuesday next week, let us continue engaging and reminding each other to see how soon this can be done.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Mr Speaker, the most agonising part for the people of Chikwanda is that the pipes are passing through their area. They are able to see the pipes that are being laid and they hope the water situation will improve.

Mr Speaker, when the hon. Member asked a question about Kamwanya, we discussed this issue of water bowsers. However, the hon. Minister has said that the two water bowsers that will be provided by Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company are yet to be delivered. Where will these bowsers be stationed? As the hon. Minister knows, Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company does not only service the Northern Province, but also Muchinga Province. So, where will the two bowsers that Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company is procuring going to be stationed in order for the people of Chikwanda and the rest of Muchinga Province to be helped in view of the situation obtaining in Chikwanda?

Mr Mposha: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Shiwang’andu for that question. It is true that the people of Chikwanda area are seeing the pipes because that is where the network is passing. However, like I said earlier, these pipes are transporting raw water, which is not yet treated, to the treatment plant. So, I responded to that question.

Mr Speaker, in terms of the water bowsers, I need to make a small correction. We have a 20,000 m³vacuum tanker and a 10,000 m³vacuum tanker. So, in total, it is 30,000 m³. Sorry, I was mixing up the vacuum tankers and the water bowsers. However, we will position the water bowser as promised under intervention number three in the affected area in Mpika, and we have discussed this with the commercial utility, Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company. However, on the two equipment that I talked about – sorry, I mixed the issue of the vacuum tankers and the water bowsers. So, to correct what I said earlier, we have a 20,000 m³vacuum tanker and a 10,000 m³ vacuum tanker. These facilities will service the Northern Province as well as Muchinga Province, to ensure that we attend to sanitation challenges. However, in view of the question and the challenges in Chikwanda area of Mpika, we are discussing with the commercial utility so it can provide a water bowser.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: The last question will be from the hon. Member for Chama South.

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, allow me to thank Her Honour the Vice-President for the timely response to the disaster that has befallen the people of Chama, and in particular the people of Mabinga. Her Honour the Vice-President has assured me that tents and other commodities are actually on the way. I appeal to the people in the low areas in the district to consider moving to higher areas because it has continued raining. Cyclone Freddy that hit Malawi is actually partially affecting Chama and Lundazi. So, I appeal to our people to move so that we preserve lives.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that the pipes passing through Chikwanda area are supposedly carrying un-purified water or raw water to the purification plant. Is the ministry considering putting up pipes in Chikwanda, so that the water that goes for purification goes back to service the people of Chikwanda, as a long-term plan?

Mr Mposha: Mr Speaker, I thank my brother for that question.

Mr Speaker, there has been a population growth in the area which is targeted to be serviced by the ongoing project, just like in Chikwanda area. Supplying water back to Chikwanda will mean reducing the capacity for the intended area under this project. However, suffice it to say that there are other interventions that we are looking at to ensure that the people in Chikwanda area are not completely left out. On that score, other than just looking at the small towns integrated in the water supply project, I appeal to hon. Members of Parliament, particularly in this area, to work with us to see how we can prioritise issues of water supply using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in that area. For now, I cannot specifically say that we have plans to take the treated water back to Chikwanda because that is not within the scope of the project. However, suffice it to say that we will put in place other plans to ensure that this area is not left out.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

OUTBREAK OF MEASLES IN CHINSALI CONSTITUENCY

206. Mr Mukosa (Chinsali) asked the Minister of Health:

whether the Government is aware of the outbreak of measles in the following areas in Chinsali Parliamentary Constituency:

Choshi;
Chandamali; and
Mulyangolo.

if so, what urgent measures are being taken to contain the outbreak.

The hon. Minister delayed to give her response.

The Minister of Health (Mrs Masebo): Mr Speaker, sorry, I had the answer on this paper. So, let me just open my pad.

Ms Kasune passed a paper to the hon. Minister.

Mrs Masebo: My apologies, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, let us ensure that we are able to observe the order paper as questions come. You should be orderly and prepared. We are now eating into people’s time.

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, the Government is aware of the outbreak of measles in the following areas in Chinsali Parliamentary Constituency:

Choshi;
Chandamali; and
Mulyangolo.

Mr Speaker, the House may wish to note that the first cases were reported from Shika Village in Choshi area on 22^nd February, 2023, following a community alert. Of the seven specimens that were subsequently collected and submitted to the laboratory, three were positive for measles. By 14^th March, 2023, the district had recorded a total of twenty-two cases, five of whom were under admission. Seven of the cases were from Shika Village, one from Mulyangolo and sixfrom Chandamali Village.

Mr Speaker, the Government is implementing the following measures in order to contain the outbreak:

a Multi-Sectoral District Epidemic Committee meeting was convened on 15^th March, 2023 to address the outbreak;
surveillance has been intensified and all health facilities are on high alert to detect any further cases and investigate them accordingly including contact tracing and mapping of cases;
case management is ongoing for both in-patients and out-patients. An isolation space has been set up within Chinsali District Hospital and all facilities have identified isolation areas within their premises;
the district is taking steps to strengthen routine immunisation, including vaccination of children who may have missed their scheduled vaccinations;
the district is conducting risk communication and community engagement activities to ensure community awareness and encourage vaccination of children. Senior Chief Nkula has been engaged in the dissemination of information on the outbreak to all headmen;
the District Health Director (DHD) and other district staff are appearing on live programs on the local radio stations to sensitise communities;
at national level, a request has been made to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), the United Nations (UN) wing responsible for vaccine support to World Health Organisation (WHO) Member States requesting for additional vaccine supplies to support supplementary activities for districts reporting measles outbreaks including Chinsali district;
the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) has been engaged and schools have been sensitised.
following the confirmation of the outbreak, the District Health Office (DHO) under the guidance of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) established an Incident Management System involving key stakeholders to coordinate the response. The first coordination meeting was held on 11^th March, 2023.
both the Ministry of Health Headquarters and the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) continue to provide technical support and facilitate the logistical requirements for responding to this outbreak.

Mr Speaker, the House may wish to note that measles tends to affect unvaccinated or malnourished children and those with compromised immunity. Infection with measles can result in complications such as blindness, pneumonia and death. It is, however, a disease for which a safe and effective vaccine exists to protect children. Our national immunisation schedule stipulates that a child must receive two doses of the vaccine. The first dose is given at nine months and the second at eighteen months of age. It is only after receiving both the doses that a child is considered to be fully vaccinated.

Furthermore, I wish to inform the House that we have in place a public health surveillance system that functions to ensure prompt detection of suspected measles cases in order to facilitate a prompt response thereby minimise additional cases, and prevent deaths. The surveillance system is supported by robust laboratory capacity in-country, for the confirmation of suspected measles cases.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that among the things that contribute to the spread of measles is an unvaccinated population. I want to learn from the hon. Minister what the levels of vaccination, especially for under five children in Choshi, Chandamali and Mulyangolo areas are.

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, I am not be able to give the exact levels of vaccination in that particular district. Suffice it to say that nationally, we are at 90 per cent. I think it is also important to say that we would only consider ourselves safe if we were at 95 per cent. 90 per cent is not good enough. It means that 10 per cent of our children have the disease, and it is very easy for them to spread it. So, considering that there is an outbreak in the district,it would be safe to say that they are at 90 per cent or below 9 per cent. We still have a number of children who have not come forward to get vaccinated whenever health authorities call for vaccinations.

Mr Speaker, I would like to use this opportunity to appeal to hon. Members to help the Government, in particular the Ministry of Health, in sensitising our parents and guardians to ensure that every time there is a call, especially during health weeks or months, children get vaccinated. Even without those campaigns, it is important that they go to the nearest health facility in their areas or communities and ensure that their children get vaccinated.

Mr Speaker, the statement is clear that for a child to be fully vaccinated, he/she needs two doses. So, if your child only got one dose, it is as good as saying that he/she has not been vaccinated. Please, help us ensure that all Zambian children are attended to. Once you have one or three children in a community who are not vaccinated, they become a threat to those who may be vaccinated.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Nyirenda (Lundazi): Mr Speaker, of late, we have heard a lot of reports of some of the outbreaks such as scabies in Lundazi, measles and diarrhoea. Yesterday, I listened to the news on Diamond Television and there was an item to the effect that the vaccines in Chinsali had run out. Since some of the challenges we are facing just require us, maybe, to improve sanitation. Are you considering involving some local individuals running companies so that they can offer corporate social responsibility to help the Ministry of Health?

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, indeed, it is important for the private sector to support the Government, especially the Ministry of Health. May I use this opportunity to say that we get good support from some companies in this country, including donors of course, that have always worked with us in the fight against a number of diseases. I must say that without their support, whatever we have achieved would not have been possible. Obviously, we continue to call upon others who have never taken any social responsibility of any sort. We need support.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I will call upon the last two hon. Members for Shiwang’andu and Chimwemwe.

Mr Mukosa interjected.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: You will be given an opportunity. Your party Whip indicated.

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Mr Speaker, we appreciate the interventions that the hon. Minister has spoken about. Chinsali is surrounded by many peripheral areas, and Shiwang’andu is just next door. With the lack of vaccines, what measures are being put in place by the teams that are attending to the situation to ensure that measles does not spread to the other areas connected to Chinsali, and escalate the problem beyond what it is?

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, first of all, it is not correct to say that we have run out of vaccines. We do have. In fact, the area that has been affected currently has an ongoing vaccination exercise. The only point that has come out of the statement is that at national level, we have made a request to Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) that is the United Nations (UN) wing responsible for vaccine support to World Health Organisation (WHO) member States. We have requested for additional vaccine supplies to support activities for districts mentioned that are around that area and, indeed, any other area in case the measles outbreak gets out of hand.

Mr Speaker, I would like to believe that the measures we have put in place are not confined to Chinsali. It is for the entire province because we have the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), the ministry and Muchinga provincial office involved. So, the provincial office is already looking at the districts around that area. There is an alert, in fact, in most of the districts in the province. We have made it mandatory so that every facility begins to internally look for any of those cases in patients with symptoms. That is all in an effort to ensure that the outbreak does not spread to other districts.

Mr Speaker, I think there are many other interventions that can be considered beyond this. For instance, the hon. Member, since he is popular in his district and I am sure the province, can help us by going on radio to speak in his mother tongue to the women to ensure that children are taken for vaccinations. It is going to help. Maybe, he can also use the councillors in the respective wards, and extend that to the province considering that he is not a constituency leader, but a provincial leader. That way, we will see that the outbreak is contained.

Mr Speaker, I think the most important point is that these are diseases that are preventable. Vaccination is the first level. Every time you get someone diagnosed with diseases that can be prevented by vaccinations, just know that the child has not been vaccinated fully. Remember, a child must go to the clinic twice to get the full dose. So, mothers must ask themselves if their children have been vaccinated against measles fully. If not, it means their child is in danger.

Mr Speaker, using this opportunity, and through the hon. Member for Chinsali, I urge the women to take their children for two doses against measles; the first one, when the child is nine months old, and the second one, at eighteen months. Then we can say that we have all our children vaccinated. The truth of the matter is that we have a number of children that have not yet been vaccinated not just against measles, but even other preventable diseases.

Mr Speaker, again, may I use this opportunity to call upon all the mothers in Zambia to please, get their children vaccinated. As I said, if you go to any health facility right now, the vaccines are there. Of course, if the whole country demands vaccines at the same, we may find that some facilities may not have. However, I would like to believe that it is possible for any mother to take her child to any clinic now, and they will get the vaccination.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the responses. We will definitely assist and respond positively to her appeal for us to help in the sensitisation process because it is for the good of all of us.

Mr Speaker, I noted in the hon. Minister’s response that she actually acknowledged that there are a lot of children who are not vaccinated against measles, not just in Chinsali, but countrywide. Therefore, as we help in sensitising the public to take their children for vaccination, I would like to know: Does the ministry have a system that can help with identifying children who are not vaccinated to make it easy for it, working in collaboration with our offices, to trace and advice parents to take the children for vaccination so that they do not become carriers of this deadly disease.

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, I am sorry. I missed the point.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, repeat your question.

Mr Mukosa: Mr Speaker, in short, has the ministry a system that can be used to identify and monitor the children who are not vaccinated against this deadly disease?

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, that is interesting. Regarding the system, just yesterday, we were getting results of a research that was done by our Tropical Diseases Research Centre (TDRC), working with Hopkins University, Macha Research Centre and the University Teaching Hospital (UTH). In this research, one of the things they were trying to do was to address that question: Are we are able to track?

Mr Speaker, I learnt that we have blood, for example, that is stored in our hospitals. If that blood is tested, it can tell you that a child has not been vaccinated against a particular disease.

During the time that the Government calls for national vaccination exercises for children in certain weeks and months, again, health personnel are able to count how many have gone in for vaccinations, looking at the catchment area. With a catchment area, normally, you tell yourself that you are covering, for example, the whole of Mtendere Compound or Kanyama Constituency. A clinic is able to know the population.

Mr Speaker, the challenge that Zambia has had is that its statistical surveys are supposed to be done every five years. So, if you have covered four of the five years, and are using that data, obviously, your assessment may not be good enough. So, you have to make an estimate as to how many children you think you have vaccinated. There are times you have heard people say “We have covered 100 or 150 per cent beyond our target.” It is simply because the baseline that they are using could be of a population done five, four or three years ago. When you look at the number of children being born in Zambian now, the population is growing at a very fast rate.

Mr Speaker, to an extent, yes, we do, but it may not be that factual. So, we have to take those other issues, looking at the population rate, and just calculate and estimate the number of children there were five years ago. For example, if you had 1,000 children in the area, you estimate how many children are being born. It takes a bit of time, but it can be done.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Allen Banda (Chimwemwe): Mr Speaker, measles is an air born disease and, usually, the advice given to patients is that they are supposed to remain in air born precaution for the first four days. We know that measles spreads quickly, especially, amongst school going children. So, amongst those who are affected, do we have any school going children, and what precautions have put in place in schools so that we contain the disease?

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, considering that this is a very important question, and we use question time as a way of speaking to the masses out there, let me give some additional information to assist.

Mr Speaker, measles is, indeed, a very serious childhood illness that is caused by the measles virus. The disease is highly contagious and is transmitted through direct contact and air. So, you can see; through direct contact and air. Affected children will present with fever, coughing, running noise, red eyes and a characteristic body rash. So, since 2022, Zambia has experienced several measles outbreaks. A number of districts, including Mushindamo in the North-Western Province and Pemba, Siavonga and Chirundu District in the Southern Province have all recorded outbreaks.

Mr Speaker, from January 2022 to date, we have recorded 4,471 cases across all provinces, including 432 laboratory confirmed cases. Unfortunately, over the same period, we recorded forty-eight measles-related deaths. In 2023 alone, we have already recorded over 1,000 cases across the country. More recently, we have seen cases in the Northern Province and Muchinga Province with districts such as Mpulungu, Mpika and Chinsali recording cases. The Ministry of Health is responding to these outbreaks by strengthening routine immunisation and conducting supplementary immunisation activities in these districts.

Mr Speaker, supplementary immunisation activities have so far been conducted in Lusaka, Kafue, Pemba, Sinazongwe, Mumbwa and Kasempa Districts. It is important to note that Chinsali District has been highly proactive in responding to this outbreak. Therefore, we need to commend the people there, the district and the provincial leadership.

Mr Speaker, the ministry, obviously, is conscious of the gravity of this measles in our country. Illness and death due to a vaccine preventable disease such as measles is, therefore, unacceptable. We also recognise that vaccination coverage, particularly, for the second dose has been sub optimal over the last few years. Our public health surveillance also requires strengthening.

Mr Speaker, further, the impact of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on our immunisation services should also not be underestimated. Unfortunately, we continue to have communities that are resistant to vaccination efforts that are targeted at their children, thus jeopardising our efforts. So, we are working with co-operating partners to continue to ensure that every child is reached and we provide the life serving vaccines such as measles vaccines.

Mr Speaker, hon. Members here are urged to help the Ministry of Health in championing this cause in the constituencies so that together, we can reach every district and child with these life serving child vaccines.

Mr Speaker, I thought that extra additional notes that I was given should be read out for the sake of the hon. Member and the public.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

COTTON GINNERY PLANT IN CHAMA DISTRICT

207. Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North) asked the Minister of Agriculture.

whether the Government has any plans to establish a cotton ginnery plant in Chama District;
if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Chikote) (on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Mtolo)): Mr Speaker, the Government has no immediate plans to establish a cotton ginnery plant in Chama District. However, a private ginnery plant called Barchart is in existence and the Government is in contact with the investor of the privately-owned ginnery so that the company can revamp the ginnery and make it operational.

Mr Speaker the Government has no immediate plans to establish a ginnery plant. However, the Government will continue to encourage investments in ginning in areas of high cotton production including Chama.

Mr Speaker the Government will continue encouraging \investors and investment in the sector.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Mr Speaker, since the Eight National Development Plane (8NDP) talks about crop diversification and the textile industry is one of those windows that can be helping us to post goods at the export window, from the hon. Minister’s response, I have noticed that the Government has a laissez faire approach in terms of investing in the cotton sector. This is where it has been left to those investors who may come through foreign direct investment as well as local investors. Are we not in disagreement with the 8NDP, with that approach?

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, in the first place, the New Dawn Administration is eager to see that the economy of this country is driven by the private sector. We have the responsibility of creating a conducive environment for the private sector to invest in most of our areas that we believe can drive the economy of the country. So, even in the 8NDP, we have stated and encouraged that we will continue creating a conducive environment for private investors. In this vain, the Government is still committed to making sure that we have private investors who can help Chama District and our farmers who are producing cotton in that district.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr J. E. Banda (Petauke Central): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving the good people of Petauke Central an opportunity to ask a follow-up question on the question raised by the hon. Member for Chama North.

Mr Speaker, before I ask the hon. Minister a question, let me congratulate Her Honour the Vice-President for standing firm on the question that has been asked by people all over Zambia with regard to the issue of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ). Today, that question has been answered firmly, and I am sure that everyone is clear and this issue should now come to an end. Her Honour the Vice-President stated clearly that the Government does not support the LGBTQ and she gave her stance.

Laughter

Mr J. E. Banda: Mr Speaker, anyone who wants to come into our country with such issues should know that Zambia is a Christian nation and does not allow that. I am sure that every Christian out there is very happy and our cultural values have been maintained.

Mr Speaker, let me now ask my question. Chama has a lot of cotton farmers compared to maize farmers, but the maize farmers seem to be helped more by the Government. What measures has the Government put in place as they are waiting for investors to come…

Mr Speaker: Order!

(Debate adjourned)

_______

The House adjourned at 1255 hours until 1430 hours on Tuesday, 21^stMarch, 2023.

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