Debates- Thursday, 22nd December, 2011

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DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FIRST SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Thursday, 22nd December, 2011

The House met at 1430 hours

[Mr SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

________________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

PRESIDENTIAL FOREIGN TRIPS

61.  Mr Kalaba (Bahati) asked the Vice-President how much money was spent on foreign trips by the Fourth President of the Republic of Zambia from 1st January, 2010 to 1st September, 2011.

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, according to our records, K39,790,069,570.70 was spent on foreign trips by the Fourth President of the Republic of Zambia from 1st January, 2010 to September, 2011.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kalaba: Mr Speaker, what measures has the PF Government taken to avert such colossal amounts of money being spent on presidential travels?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President has made it very clear that he intends to keep his overseas travels to a minimum. Ministerial delegations have gone in his place and I have travelled three times in his place to the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) in Malawi, the Commonwealth Conference in Australia and to Beijing in China at the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party. He could have, perhaps, led all these delegations but, according to some estimates, it costs nearly ten times as much for the President to travel as it does for junior people like me.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kazabu (Nkana): Mr Speaker, how many trips does the said amount account for?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I am afraid, I cannot answer that question because I do not have the breakdown of the amount which slightly under K40 billion.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chitotela (Pambashe): Mr Speaker, how much was the economical benefit to this country?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I can only say that that is a new question and I certainly do not have any cost benefit analysis available at the moment.

I thank you, Sir.

FILLING STATION IN CHAMA

62. Mr D. Mumba (Chama North) asked the Minister of Lands, Energy and Water Development whether the Government had any plans to establish a filling station in Chama District and, if so, what the plans were.

The Deputy Minister of Lands, Energy and Water Development (Mr C. Zulu): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Government has plans to establish filling stations in all rural districts where such facilities do not currently exist, including Chama. Let me also put it clearly that as much as the Government is putting in place such measures, I encourage hon. Members to engage businessmen in this sector. That will help us a lot.

I thank you, Sir.
_________

MOTION

SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES NO. 1 OF 2011

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Mr Chikwanda): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now resolve into Committee of Supply to consider the Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure No. 1 of 2011.

Sir, I am a bearer of a message from His Excellency the President recommending favourable consideration of the Motion which I now lay on the Table.

Mr Chikwanda laid the paper on the Table.

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure are prepared in accordance with the requirement of Article 115(2)(d) of the Zambian Constitution. Using the authority conferred in the above mentioned article of our Constitution, I wish to present the Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure covering the financial year 1st January to 31st December, 2011.

Sir, the total supplementary request stands at about K8.2 trillion. Of this amount, K222.5 billion represents funds released to institutions towards the end of the financial year, 2010, but carried forward and spent in 2011 while K485 billion are savings declared within the 2011 approved Budget due to variations from slow-moving budget lines. From the same total amount, K77.7 billion represents funds that were released directly to institutions in 2011 by the co-operating partners, but were not part of the 2011 approved estimates of expenditure.

Sir, the following are some of the areas where substantial amounts have been supplemented:

 Head 21 – Loans and Investments

Under my jurisdiction, K2.52 trillion has been included to largely cater for extra spending on a number of road infrastructure projects. Of this amount, K1.01 trillion is for the repayment of due loans obtained to finance various infrastructure projects and payments of outstanding pensions and benefits for civil servants among others. Of the same amount, K905 billion is for the urban roads rehabilitation projects also called Formula I Projects, while K215.7 billion is for providing for anticipated extra earmarked revenue under fuel levy and road user charges for the roads sector.

Head 37 – Ministry of Finance and National Planning

Under the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, K761 billion has been allowed of which K437.8 billion is meant to cover the 10 per cent salaries and wages award to civil servants and bearers of constitutional offices. You may wish to note that this amount has been varied from a non-spending Vote under Head 99 to Head 37 which is a spending Vote. The other notable provisions is for K115.1 billion to pay terminal benefits for contractual employees that include former Permanent Secretaries, District Commissioners and others.

Head 89 – Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives

There is a proposed extra allocation of K1.96 trillion for supplementary spending. Out of this amount, K1.5 trillion is meant for the purchase of agricultural produce through the Food Reserve Agency while the extra financing of the Farmer’s Input Support Programme (FISP) for the 2011/2012 agricultural season accounts for K411 billion.

Head 27 – Public Service Management Division

K475.1 billion has been provided to cater mainly for outstanding pension payments to retired civil servants.

Head 13 – Ministry of Energy and Water Development

K300 billion has been set aside to meet the cost subsidy on fuel.

Head 05 – Electoral Commission of Zambia

An extra K288 billion has been provided to supplement the cost of conducting the Tripartite Elections in September, this year and the Continuous Voters’ Registration Exercise.

Head 99 – Constitutional and Statutory Expenditure

Under Constitutional and Statutory Expenditure, K242.4 billion has been allowed to pay for costs related to the construction of houses for personnel in the Defence Forces.

Head 77 – Ministry of Defence

A provision of K218.8 billion has been made to finance the procurement of specialised equipment and repayment of outstanding amounts for personal emoluments and suppliers of goods and services.

Head 46 – Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education

Extra provisions of K199.6 billion and K191.3 billion have been made respectively. These will mainly facilitate the procurement of more drugs and other medical supplies, the payment of on-call allowances to doctors and the purchase of desks for distribution countrywide.

Mr Speaker, I need to mention that the supplementary estimates have partly been financed by extra resources of K6.19 trillion of which domestic revenues and Budget support account for K3.69 trillion and the balance will be extra financing both internally and externally.

Sir, in brief, the 2011 Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure are about carry over funds from the previous year, new donor moneys not appropriated in the 2011 Budget, additional allocations as a result of extra domestic revenues, including mining arrears, extra financing and re-adjustments to certain heads.

Mr Speaker, I, therefore, seek the support of this House in approving the Supplementary Estimates No. 1 of 2011.

Mr Speaker, I wish to thank my hon. Colleagues for their magnanimous support.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Question put and agreed to.

_________

SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY

[THE CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the 
Chair]

SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES NO. 1 OF 2011

Vote 02/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 02/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 03/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 04/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 04/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 05/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 07/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 08/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 08/05 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 09/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 10/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 11/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 13/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 13/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 13/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 14/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Interruptions

The Chairperson: Order! Please, I am failing to concentrate.

Vote 15/05 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/06 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/08 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Mr Simuusa was consulting.

The Chairperson: Order! {mospagebreak}

May I appeal to the hon. Minister of Mines and Natural Resources to, please, appreciate that I need to concentrate.

Vote 15/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/11 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/13 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/16 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/17 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/26 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/ 28 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/29 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/30 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/33 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/34 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/35 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/37 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/39 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/46 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/48 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 16/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 16/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 16/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 16/08 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 16/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/05 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/06 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/07 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/08 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/11 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/12 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/13 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/15 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/18 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/20 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/23 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/24 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/26 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/27 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/28 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/30 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/31 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

Vote 17/32 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/33 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/35 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/35 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/36 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

Vote 17/37 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/38 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/43 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/45 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/47 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/50 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 18/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 18/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

Vote 19/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 20/06 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

Vote 21/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 26/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 26/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 27/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

 Vote 29/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 29/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 29/05 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 29/08 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 31/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 31/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 31/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 33/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/06 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/07 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/08 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/10 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/11 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/12 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/14 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 44/05 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/06 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/07 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/10 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/11 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/12 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/13 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/14 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/15 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 51/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 51/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 64/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 64/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 64/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 65/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 65/10 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 68/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 76/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 76/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 76/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 77/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 77/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 77/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 77/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 77/06 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 77/08 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 77/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 78/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 80/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 80/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 85/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 85/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 85/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 87/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/05 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/07 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/11 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/16 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/17 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/19 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/20 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/21 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/22 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/23 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/24 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/26 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/27 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/29 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/30 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/31 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/32 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/33 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/05 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/07 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/10 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/12 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/13 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/17 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/19 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/20 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/21 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/23 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/24 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/27 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/28 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/29 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/32 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/33 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/16 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Interruptions

The Chairperson: Order!

You have stopped listening. That also gives me the opportunity to cough.

Laughter

Hon. Members: Long live the Chair!

Vote 91/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/19 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/41 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/42 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/52 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/42 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

VOTE 93/09 – (Office of the President – Buildings Department – K1,298,123,875).

Mrs Masebo (Chongwe): Sir, I need guidance on this Vote from the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning. I notice that this is a supplementary budget but, maybe, he can shed some light on how come we are approving a supplementary budget which is more than the normal budget that was approved for 2011? Looking at the figures that have been considered such as Vote 93/09 – Office of the President – Buildings Department – K1,298,123,875, the question then becomes: Why was this expenditure necessary? If it was, why was it not budgeted for at the right time and what necessitated this kind of expenditure? I think it is important that the Zambian people understand how this money was being spent.

I thank you, Sir.

The Chairperson: The unfortunate thing is that, once we begin to look at the figures after the debate has been concluded, we cannot go back to the debate.

Vote 93/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/16 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Mrs Masebo rose.

The Chairperson: Order! I am a bit hesitant to allow you, Hon. Masebo, to say something because, at this point in time, we are past the general policy debate during which time you should have raised those questions. Unfortunately, maybe, you had not arrived at that time. However, we cannot go back on our own rules as much as you are my girl.

Laughter

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Chairperson: Order! I beg your pardon. That was meant to be a light moment.

Vote 93/19 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/42 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/48 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/49 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/51 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/52 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/07 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/19 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/42 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/43 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/46 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/48 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/49 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 95/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 95/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 95/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 95/17 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 95/19 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 95/42 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 95/52 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 97/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 97/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 99/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 99/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

________________

HOUSE RESUMED

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Supplementary Estimates No. 1 of 2011 reported approved.

Report adopted.

Question put and agreed to and Mr Speaker appointed the Minister of Finance and National Planning to be a committee of one to bring in the necessary Bill to give effect hereto at a later date.

________

BILLS

REPORT STAGE

The Customs and Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2011

Report adopted

Third Reading on Friday, 23rd December, 2011.

THIRD READING

The following Bills were read the third time and passed:

The Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2011

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

The Mines and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill, 2011

The Zambia Development Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2011

The Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2011

___________

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY

[THE CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the 
Chair]

VOTES 90 to 98 – (Office of the President – Provinces: Lusaka – K41,245,806,143, Copperbelt – K51,661,948,103, Central – K43,247,063,113, Northern – K54,264,850,234, Western – K43,571638,829, Eastern – K48,136,212,317, Luapula – K42,730,233,176, North-Western – K44,694,899,913 and Southern – K65,924,586,365).

(Consideration resumed)

Mr P. Ngoma (Feira): Mr Chairperson, I thank you for allowing me to contribute to debate on the Vote for Lusaka Province.

Sir, I want to express my sadness on the transfer of Hon. Sampa to the Southern Province. I worked very well with him, and he has been good to me. So far, he has visited my constituency, Luangwa District.

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear! Ema Ministers aba!

Mr P. Ngoma: We danced together at one traditional ceremony and have eaten food together.  He is a kind man.

Sir, let me encourage the new hon. Minister for Lusaka Province, Hon. Colonel Chanda, not to be scared of working in Lusaka Province. This province, as far as I am concerned, is divided into two parts as follows; the rural part which is Luangwa, Chongwe and Rufunsa, and the urban, which  is Lusaka City.

So, all that the hon. Minister needs to do is make sure that he divides himself into  two so that he can work as a city man in Lusaka and a rural man in the three districts I mentioned.

Mr Chairperson, I wish to encourage Hon. Sampa to try by all means and adapt to the way of life of the people of Southern Province. I am pretty sure that if he does that, he will be welcomed very well.

Sir, what makes the people of Luangwa sad about the transfer of Hon. Sampa to the Southern Province is that when he visited Luangwa, he promised them a number of things that he would do as Minister for Lusaka Province. One of the promises was the tarring of D145 Road from Great East Road Turn-Off to Luangwa Boma. This road was lightly graded some three to four months ago but, because of the rains, the road has become impassable again.  People of Luangwa have been crying for this road to be tarred.

So, when Hon. Sampa promised that it would be tarred, the people were happy. I hope the hon. Minister who has taken over from Hon. Sampa will carry on from where he left. I would like to advise him to have a chat with his colleague so that he takes up from where he left and have the road tarred.

Mr Chairperson, so many pronouncements have been made by His Excellency President Michael Chilufya Sata about a new road which will start from Mikango Barracks to Chiawa and, eventually, to Luangwa.

Sir, there is no allocation in the Yellow Book to this effect. This is a sign that even the road which Hon. Sampa promised the people of Luangwa will not be tarred. It may not be tarred for the next five years. I have facts to give the House on what happened earlier on.

Mr Chairperson, Presidents come and go. When Dr Kaunda, the first President of this country visited Luangwa, he promised the people of Luangwa that he would have the road tarred. The late Dr Chiluba did the same and so did the late Dr Mwanawasa.

Sir, I would like to inform the House that the former provincial ministers, including, Hon. Kapulu, Hon. Chipimo and Hon. Sonny Mulenga visited Luangwa District. However, they never promised that they would have the road tarred because they knew that is a controversial road. Anybody who mentions about tarring it is condemned. Fortunately for Hon. Sampa, he was not. He is the only provincial minister who pronounced that the road would be tarred. However, he was not condemned because people trusted him very much. So, I believe that the issue of this road will be looked into seriously and it will be tarred, not in ninety days but, possibly, within twelve months.

Mr Chairperson, I would like to talk about the electrification of Luangwa District. As you may be aware, Luangwa District is part of Lusaka Province. We, in Luangwa, are still shocked because in 2004, as I have said before in this House, one former hon. Minister launched the electrification of Luangwa District. I am aware that Lusaka Province, at that time, gave the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) approximately K3.5 billion to commence the electrification of Luangwa, but nothing has happened to date.

Sir, when I came back from where I went to work, I was told that a contract agreement between the Government and a contractor through ZESCO was signed so that Luangwa could be finally connected to the National Grid.

Now, you will be sympathetic with people in some parts of Luangwa, Chongwe and Rufunsa because of the way they live. These people are part of Lusaka Province. Luangwa is very near to Lusaka, but it is not electrified. However, you will find that some places in Bemba land have already been electrified. I do not know what people of Luangwa must do to make the Government of the day appreciate that Luangwa is part of Lusaka.

Mr Chairperson, this is the reason most of the hon. Members do not understand Hon. Chipungu when he talks about delinking the three districts from Lusaka. What he means is that the Government has concentrated on making Lusaka a city and all the money is given to Lusaka District.

Hon. Government Members: But it is already a city!

Mr Ngoma: I am talking about making it a bigger city.

So, more money goes to Lusaka City, forgetting about the three districts which also need upgrading. I think if these three districts were separated from Lusaka and given a provincial status, I am pretty sure that the development in the three districts will be seen. 

Mr Chairperson, I also would like to talk about fishing. In Luangwa, we have the Luangwa River and the Zambezi River. The two rivers meet at a place called Luangwa Confluence. When it is time for a fishing ban, the people along the Luangwa River, both on the Mozambican side and the Zambian side stop fishing. In Zimbabwe, they used to have a fishing ban like in Zambia but, at the moment, it is like they have stopped it. During a fishing ban, the Zimbabweans are allowed to fish, but the Zambians are not allowed. That has created a problem as many people emulate the Zimbabwean fishermen and end up getting arrested for fishing illegally by the fisheries officers. I think we need to meet with our colleagues on the Zimbabwean side so that we can come up with an agreement on the fishing ban. It is very important that the fishing bans for the two countries are harmonised so that the situation is brought under control.

Sir, I, therefore, wish Hon. Sampa well in the Southern Province. I hope he will work together with the hon. Members of Parliament in his province. I respect the hon. Members from the Southern Province. They are understanding and can help him as long as he is able to take their advice on what he needs to do. If he will not keep his promises, the people of that area may end up flushing him out because they might not be as good as the people of Luangwa.

I thank you, Chairperson.

Mr Mutati (Lunte): Mr Chairperson, let me make a few contributions on the Vote for the Northern Province. To start with, let me say that the Northern Province had a problem of size. Before the separation of the districts that have now formed part of Muchinga Province, the Northern Province was the biggest in Zambia. Its size posed challenges of equitable development. There were challenges associated with the allocation of resources in the Northern Province. It also posed challenges for effective administration, particularly, with regards to monitoring and evaluation of the various projects that were being undertaken in the province. Consequently, we had a somewhat slow pace of development. The creation of Muchinga Province is a welcome development in the sense that we shall have equitable development and, therefore, accelerate the pace of development in the Northern Province. The Northern Province commits to handhold Muchinga until it is able to walk and be independent.

Mr Chairperson, that not withstanding, there are still a number of challenges that we need to address in the Northern Province. The first challenge is associated with infrastructure. Under infrastructure, there is the issue of roads. I, therefore, would like to commend the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning for allocating over K600 billion to rehabilitate some of the roads that are critical to the development of the province. These are the Nakonde/Mbala Road which has been allocated K291 billion and the now famous Mporokoso/Kasama Road which has been allocated K56 billion. There is also the Kasama/Mbesuma Road and, indeed, many other roads. I think this is going to anchor the development that we desire in the Northern Province. This is what we look for.

Sir, we are only asking the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning and the Provincial Minister to ensure the implementation of these critical projects. The challenge associated with infrastructure is in the area of energy, particularly, low voltage. I know that there were efforts to try and realise the Kalungwishi Power Project and my appeal is that they be continued.

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

Mr Mutati: Sir, I would like the hon. Minister of Lands, Energy and Water Development to accelerate the Kalungwishi Power Project and make consideration of the fact that Chishimba Falls is an independent power producer. Let the people in the Northern Province manage power for themselves. Once this is done, they will not complain to the ministry because it will have given them a power station to manage. In the experiments that the ministry will make, please, let it consider Chishimba Falls as an independent power producer for the Northern Province.

Sir, the third challenge is water supply. We have seen that in the Ministry of Local Government, Housing, Early Education and Environmental Protection, there is an allocation of money for capacity building of institutions, particularly, to the water sector. We have critical water supply challenges in Kasama, Mbala, Mpulungu and Mporokoso. We, therefore, would like to ask the hon. Minister of Local Government, Housing, Early Education and Environmental Protection to spare some resources to address the infrastructure bottlenecks associated with water supply so that we can have water flowing freely. Once these key infrastructure needs are  addressed, the ministry will be able to create the platform that is necessary to anchor development. Investment is what is going to create jobs in the Northern Province. We started on the journey of investment. We revived the Kasama Coffee Company Limited and it is now working. We also supported Pende Fisheries and Zampam in Mpika thereby creating jobs.

Sir, these are the important projects that are creating jobs in the Northern Province. What needs to be taken on board is what we call, “the unfinished business.” There are three key projects. There is the Jatropha Soya Beans project in Nakonde which the hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry need to push. The second one is the coffee processing project in Luwingu and the hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry needs to ensure it is fully operational. There is also a project in Mpika on Jatropha. I think these three key projects anchored by the infrastructure development that has been provided for in this Budget will begin to change the fortunes of the Northern Province and bring it to a level where the Northern Province should be. The various hon. Ministers who are responsible for these challenges should support the development.

Mr Chairperson, a number of schools, health centres and hospitals are being constructed, and I have seen that more are going to be constructed.

The biggest challenge that we face is staffing. Therefore, the hon. Minister of Health and the hon. Minister of Education, Science, and Vocational Training must consider equitable distribution of staff in the Northern Province, according to the number of recruitments pronounced. We need to fill the vacancies. Let us not continue to build infrastructure without necessarily addressing the challenge of staffing. I am, therefore, appealing to the Government to equitably distribute members of staff in 2012. I deliberately used the word “equitably” in the hope that some newly-recruited officers will also be given to our cousins in the Eastern Province because they also deserve to have teachers and nurses.

Laughter

Mr Mutati: Mr Chairperson, the fourth big challenge has to do with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. It is simply late distribution of inputs. The impact of late distribution of inputs will be a subtraction of money that is meant to go into the pocket, particularly in 2012. The hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, therefore, must address the issue of late distribution of inputs. He must also address the issues related to marketing, particularly for the 2012 marketing. We are willing to work very hard if only the hon. Minister can crank us by ensuring that the inputs are delivered on time. I know that the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock will take this issue seriously.

Mr Chairperson, now that we have a tenth province, Muchinga, we need to add one more district to the Northern Province. I think that Senga Hill is big, both in population and size. It is actually equivalent to Mbala. Let us, therefore, create a new district so that this development can be better distributed in the province. I hope that in 2012, as His Honour the Vice-President looks at the issue of districts will begin with Senga Hill. In 2013, consideration must be taken to make Lunte a district.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutati: Mr Chairperson, we also need officers to speed up development in Lunte.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutati: Mr Chairperson, the next challenge is on decentralisation. The policy has been properly articulated and its implementation has started. The only issue that worries me is that while we have the policy, the Budget has not sufficiently tilted to anchor decentralisation.

One of the challenges that we face, which I think you can alleviate, has to do with the fact that on one hand the budget of the Northern Province has staff housing and certain schools administrated at provincial level and on the other, the Ministry of Education, Science and Vocational Training also has its own budget for schools and housing. What happens is that the contractors from the Ministry of Education, Science and Vocational Training are hardly supervised by the provincial administration and the resultant factor is unpaid workers. Therefore, as much as possible, in anchoring decentralisation, let us ensure that the province administers the various developmental projects.

Mr Chairperson, I would now like to narrow down my contribution to Mporokoso District in support of my brother the professor. There are numerous challenges in Mporokoso District, amongst which are, infrastructural needs and water for Mporokoso High School and Mporokoso Hospital. We already started the process of putting up a bank in the district. These efforts must continue. If we could tackle the many challenges that Mporokoso District faces in 2012, we would have taken, at least, one or two steps to development.

 Mr Chairperson, I now narrow down my contribution to Lunte. Lunte has many challenges as well, but we believe in equitable development. The 2012 priorities for Lunte are simply feeder roads and bridges. If we address these two issues, we would have moved Lunte as a constituency forward in terms of development. I know that there are many other challenges, but these two are the primary ones.

Hon. Minister, the Northern Province is not as challenging as it was before Muchinga Province was created. Your supervision capabilities now should be much more effective. Visitations to the constituency should now be more regular. Also, when the hon. Minister visits, he will be part of the Northern Province. He should not go and play politics in my constituency because …
Laughter

Mr Mutati: …we only believe in development.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Mutati: Hon. Minister, as you come to the province, we shall welcome you, but we do not want to see party symbols all over the place. Just go and monitor developmental projects.

Laughter

Mr Mutati: When you speak in Lunte, start by recognising that there is a sitting Member of Parliament for Lunte. This will be the starting point …

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

I hope that you are addressing the Chairperson.

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: If not, please, take heed.

Mr Mutati: I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chairperson, I am just trying to counsel the hon. Minister, who looks very energetic. I am sure that he will deliver for the Northern Province. He is supported by a very energetic permanent secretary. The two of them are brand new. They are not yet tainted. They have the opportunity to make progress without being tainted. The way to this is by ensuring that they implement the budget and that there is equitable development in the province. This is the only answer to remaining taint-free, just like us here.

Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

As we proceed, let me remind the House that we have, so far, received three contributions from hon. Members of Parliament from the Northern, Luapula, Southern, Western and Lusaka provinces. I will, therefore, be expecting hon. Members of Parliament from the Copperbelt, Central, Eastern and North-Western provinces to indicate if they want to make a contribution.

Hon. Member: What about Muchinga?

Interruptions

Mr Chishiba (Kafulafuta): Mr Chairperson, I thank you for allowing me to stand on the Floor of this august House to make a contribution to the debate on the Vote for the Copperbelt Province.

First and foremost, I would like to thank Hon. Kazabu, Member of Parliament for Nkana, and Hon. Namulambe, Member of Parliament for Mpongwe for ably debating the Vote for Copperbelt Province.

Mr Chairperson, I would like this House to know that the Copperbelt comprises two parts, urban and rural. It should be put on record that there is no such thing as Lambaland. Lambaland means secessionism. There is only Copperbelt rural.

Mr Chairperson, I would like to emphasise that the people of Copperbelt rural are the main settlers of Copperbelt urban, where all the minerals come from. Copperbelt urban is where people are more permanent. It is their first choice of settlement. We are all aware that the Copperbelt Province is the engine that has driven this country’s economic development this far. People talk about copper, yet they do not know where it comes from. It comes from the Copperbelt Province, ...

Mr Zimba: Namwingililwa shikulu!

Mr Chishiba: … where people who surrendered their land for copper mining now live in the rural parts of the province. I am now talking as a member of the Mushili Royal family.

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chishiba: Mr Chairperson, my point is that, despite surrendering our first choice of settlement area, we have not benefited anything to show that we are the ones who gave out our land for the development of this country. As I said earlier, all the development that took place in this country since Independence and before then, mainly came from the Copperbelt. The province built all the other towns and provinces in Zambia, as well as those in Nyasaland. The list is endless. Unfortunately, the people that gave out this land for the sake of national development have not benefited.

Sir, I am glad to note that the PF-led Government has spoken on many forums that it is a listening Government, but we are yet to see how this is going to benefit the people in rural parts of the province. However, I have already seen an indication that the chiefs’ plight, in terms of allowances, has already been addressed because an increment has already been effected. It is a sign, at least, that this Government is listening. However, we are yet to see proper reciprocation when the Budget takes effect next year.

Mr Chairperson, we should not be treated differently from others. Consideration should be made and money realised from copper production should be ploughed back into the communities so that people benefit. Why can we not be considered?

Sir, I would like to request His Excellency the President, who is a listening President and a veteran, having worked in many administrations, to go back to the drawing board and address this issue, just like he has done with the chiefs.

Mr Chairperson, to say that there has been no development taking place in the four rural constituencies on the Copperbelt would be a lie. For example, Kafulafuta and Masaiti make up a district, while Mpongwe and Lufwanyama are each districts as well as constituencies. There are only two constituencies, Masaiti and Mpongwe, which have a road to talk about, and the communication of development can flow in that order.

Sir, Kafulafuta has no road. I was telling the Permanent Secretary for the Copperbelt Province and the incoming hon. Minister that there is no road leading to Kafulafuta. You have to find a way of your own to pass. In Lufwanyama, the road that has been earmarked for tarring, which connects Kalulushi, Lufwanyama and Solwezi, is on the extreme right of the constituency, leaving the bigger part without roads and communication.

Sir, His Excellency the President clearly stated in this august House that infrastructural development will be given priority. I hope the rural part of the Copperbelt Province will be given first priority.

Sir, there are many challenges on the Copperbelt that I can talk about, but let me just welcome the new Minister, Hon. Rogers Mwewa to the province. The people living there, especially the Lambas, are humble and friendly.

Mr D. Mwila: But why do you talk about tribes?

Mr Chishiba: Within a short period of time, they will give you the title of “Mwisho” which means uncle. This is great respect. The hon. Minister is welcome. Let the right thing be done for the rural people. At least, for the urban part, which I can call cosmopolitan, there is infrastructural development because people are able to survive and rise to greater heights. However, the rural part is still underdeveloped. I wish to emphasise that the hon. Minister looks at these rural constituencies. He has to make physical tours and see what I am talking about.

Mr Chairperson, there is a bridge at the Kafue River, in Lufwanyama District, which connects the road to Luanshya. However, this bridge has not been properly constructed. As of now, the people in that area have not received fertiliser because the trucks are marooned across the bridge. With the planting season on course and almost coming to an end, this is unfortunate because farming is the mainstay of the rural parts of the Copperbelt. Due to lack of infrastructure, the people may not contribute to the agricultural sector and be called names, which should not be the case. The people in Kafulafuta are determined to work very hard for their own betterment.

Mr Mwila: Ku vota bwino kaili!

Mr Chishiba: In the same vein, I wish to bring to the attention of the House that people have not received their money from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), yet we heard in this House that this money has already been sent. For this reason, I wish to remind the new hon. Minister that this is the time to take up his role seriously.

Sir, the other issue I wish to talk about is that of safe and clean drinking water. There is no safe drinking water in my constituency. People have to walk distances of about 8 km in search of water yet, when you climb a mountain or an anthill, you will be able to see the lights in town. That is how near the town is. The proximity of the constituency to the provincial capital, Ndola, has not benefited the people at all.

Sir, looking at the allocation for the Vote on the Copperbelt Province, I have noted that K300 million has been put aside to service the broken boreholes. However, in Kafulafuta there are no boreholes. What are they going to service there? This is a serious omission in the Budget and I think it should be revisited.

With these few words, I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapyanga (Kabwe Central): Mr Chairperson, my full names are James Mambepa Kapyanga. I thought I should remind you because I have seen your hesitation in mentioning them.

Mr Chairperson, I would like to start by thanking you most sincerely for according me this opportunity to add my voice to the debate on the budget for Central Province. This is one of the most important provinces because of its role in the political history of this country. It is where the United National Independence Party (UNIP) and Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) were launched. All the significant party conventions that have been held in this country were also held in the province.

Mr Sichula: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapyanga: The much talked about Chachacha movement was also born in Central Province at the Mulungushi Rock of Authority.

Interruptions

Mr Kapyanga: However, there is very little development to talk about in Central Province, from Serenje up to Mumbwa and I will explain why I say so.

Mr Chairperson, I am really sad because, under the twenty-year rule of the MMD, nothing much has been done in terms of infrastructural development in Central Province, yet the province is the one that gave a face to the former Ruling party. The results of the just-ended tripartite elections reaffirm my assertion that this province was a stronghold of the MMD. However, the party did nothing to develop the province.

Mr Chairperson, Central Province is endowed with a lot of mineral deposits. In Mumbwa, there is amethyst …

Mr Lubinda: On appoint of order, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

Mr Lubinda: Mr Chairperson, thank you very much for allowing me to raise this point of order and I want to apologise to my brother for disrupting his debate. However, this is a very serious point of order. I wonder whether Hon. Felix Mutati, Leader of the Opposition, is in order to force my good friend, Hon. Konga, to continue suffering in this House and struggle to clear his throat, instead of allowing him to go and seek the attention of medical officers who are just here in the precincts of Parliament.

Laughter

Mr Lubinda: Sir, is Hon. Mutati, honestly, in order to punish that innocent man who needs medical attention so desperately? I seek your seriously ruling.

The Deputy Chairperson: The serious ruling is that Hon. Mutati is order because …

Mr Konga coughed.

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: … he is proceeding on the assumption that the hon. Member who is struggling to clear his throat passed through the clinic before coming here.

Laughter

Mr Konga stood up to leave the Chamber.

Laughter

The Chairperson: May the hon. Member continue.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Chairperson, I think the hon. Minister for Central Province, whom I congratulate at this moment, will have a great deal of work to do. Central Province faces many challenges. To start with, the water supply is very erratic across the province. From Serenje to Mumbwa, there are very few boreholes that have been sunk. I am, therefore, calling upon the Ministry of Lands, Energy and Water Development to sink more more boreholes in the province.

Mr Chairperson, coming to health, there is nothing to write home about because infrastructure, such as clinics, is in a deplorable condition and need total rehabilitation. I am saying this on behalf of the whole province.

Mr Chairperson, mineral deposits are plenty in this province and, if this Government will exploit them, I know for sure that many jobs will be created. We have amethyst in Mumbwa, zinc and lead in Kabwe, and silica in Kapiri-Mposhi.

Sir, the other important issue is road infrastructure, whose state is nothing to talk about, especially in Kabwe. Prior to the 20th September, 2011 tripartite elections, we saw a lot of road construction activity to try and give a facelift to Kabwe, in particular. Almost nineteen roads were graded under the Formula One project. However, immediately after the general elections, we saw a complete withdraw by the contractors. We were left to think that the projects were fictitious. The abrupt end of those projects has really left Kabwe in disarray and, today, this town is a sorry sight.

  Mr Chairperson, I have been sitting here listening to various important debates by many hon. Members on the Floor and, at times, I get worried because I have seen that whatever we have been debating has be talked about before by our predecessors in this House. For example, the many governance issues we have been raising in the present Session were also raised in the last Parliament and the one before the last. Therefore, we are always discussing the same things but never find solutions to them. I am, therefore, appealing to all hon. Members of Parliament that this is the time that we must rise and find lasting solutions, not questions, to the many problems in this country. The current Government has assured us that it will address these many issues. True to its word, we have seen that the PF has already reduced fuel prices within sixty days of being in power.

Hon.  PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Chairperson, I think that it is important that we also look at the labour-related problems, which are many in the province because investors in the area are offering workers very bad conditions of service. As a result they are doing things with impunity even when laws are there. However, I am requesting the Ministry of Labour, Youth and Sport to ensure that it deals with these erring investors.

Mr Chairperson, let me now talk about Kabwe. I would like to say that it is sad that Kabwe being the provincial capital for the Central Province and also being at the centre of most of these provinces is in the state it is in. Most of the infrastructure that you find in Kabwe was built in 1912 and yet, that is where most political parties including the MMD were born from. Right now, there is a problem of street lights in Kabwe. You will find that in the night the whole town is in the dark just like a town which was ravaged by war and yet, it is a few kilometres from Lusaka. There are no shopping malls there ...

Laughter

Mr Kapyanga: … and yet, it is only 76 km from Lusaka.

Hon. Members: No, it is 120 km.

Mr Kapyanga: Yes, it is 120 km from Lusaka.

   Hon. Government Members:  Aah!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Chairperson, the water supply in Kabwe is erratic. Women and children walk long distances to go and fetch water. My humble request to the Ministry of Local Government, Housing, Early Education and Environmental Protection is that it should work hand in hand with the Ministry of Land, Energy and Water Development to ensure that the issue of water supply in Kabwe is sorted out.

Mr Chairperson, I think Kabwe is the place with one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. After the closure of Kabwe Mine in 1994, other industries in the town also folded up. The reopening of Mulungushi Textiles is a song which has repeatedly been sung in this House. Mulungushi Texitles employed almost 2,000 employees. Following the multiplier effect theory, if you multiply 2,000 employees by 6 dependants, you will arrive at 12,000 people. In Kabwe, we have problems associated with gross unemployment. I wish to urge the ministries of Defence and Commerce, Trade and Industry to ensure that they speed up the reopening of Mulungushi Textiles so that most of these unemployment problems are sorted out.

Mr Chairperson, in Kabwe, just recently we had the privilege of welcoming a Bishop who was ordained under the Catholic Church. Kabwe now is a diocese. You know what it means when a place is declared a diocese. There is a lot that is supposed to be done to upgrade the face of Kabwe. Since Kabwe is the provincial capital, its face should give an indication of how the rest of the province is like. Another reason which makes Kabwe need a facelift is that it houses some of the most important military training centres in the country. They are found in Kabwe Central Constituency. That is how important Kabwe Central Constituency is. I wish to earnestly request the Ministry of Defence to work hand in hand with my able hon. Deputy Minister for the province to ensure that the standard of living for our service men in those two barracks, Kohima and Chindwin is improved. Women in those two barracks find it very difficult to locate where water is. You would find others crossing the Great North Road to go and fetch water. There is need for the boreholes to be sunk in those two barracks so as to alleviate the water shortages.

Mr Chairperson, I would be failing in my duty if I do not thank you most sincerely for according me this opportunity to debate the budget for Central Province which seems to be very small. As much as I support the approval of this budget, I still think it is very small and cannot bring about meaningful development in the Central Province.

I thank you, Sir.

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

The Minister for Central Province (Colonel Chanda): Mr Chairperson, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to say something about the estimates of expenditure for the Lusaka Province for the year 1st January, 2012 to 31st December, 2012. Before I say anything, let me pay special tribute to my predecessor, Hon. Miles Sampa for the effort that he had put in during a very short time to keep Lusaka together. I would also like to pay special tribute to him for conducting a very smooth handover.

Mr Chairperson, let me at this juncture begin by acknowledging the positive and mature manner the three hon. Members of Parliament in the province have highlighted the expectations and challenges which my province is experiencing. Let me start with what Hon. Sylvia Masebo said. Hon. Masebo is a very passionate debater. The manner in which she debated the allocation for Lusaka Province gives us a lot of impetus to do good things for the province. If I may summarise her debate, it was centred on five key areas of concern namely, rationalisation of the resources, decentralisation of the local governance system, road  rehabilitation especially as it relates to the performance of Rural Road Unit (RRU), enforcement of labour rules and the damage that the infamous tujilijili has caused to the nation. Hon. Masebo in her debate made it very clear that most of the failures in Lusaka Province in terms of the rationalisation of resources are tied to our failure to implement our decentralisation strategy. I agree with her that as soon as we decentralise our local governance system, we will be able to see a higher degree of effectiveness in the way our resources are utilised. The PF Government will ensure that the Decentralisation Policy which we already have is implemented in its totality.

Mr Chairperson, the road infrastructure starting from Luangwa through to Rufunsa, Chongwe and Kafue is in a very bad state. We know that in the province we received some equipment which was placed under the care of the Road Development Agency (RDA) and the RRU to be more specific. Unfortunately the usage of this equipment leaves a lot to be desired.

Firstly, the quality of the equipment is substandard. It is the Government’s wish to reverse this trend so that we attend to the ever increasing deterioration of roads in our various constituencies in the Lusaka Province.

Let me now respond to the issues which were raised by Hon. Masebo even though she is not in the House. She talked of the need for us to ensure that the laws pertaining to the conditions of work for workers in farming blocks such as those in Chongwe are observed. This is an issue which we will have to address because we cannot have a situation where we have a labour force that is committed to producing so much food for this country, but is paid paltry salaries. The PF principles cannot allow such a situation to continue happening.

I can assure Hon. Masebo that we shall also work to ensure that the neglected children on the farms are to school. These children have a right to education. It is the policy of the PF Government to provide education to all children.

As regards tujilijili, I will not say much. The drinking of tujilijili is a burning issue that this House has talked so much about so many times, but very little action has been taken against it. In 2009, this is a matter that was brought before this House by no other than Hon. Masebo. All we have done is to pay lip service to the abuse of this very destructive beverage in the Lusaka Province. I am glad to note that the Government’s Liquor Licensing Department is in our province. We will work with it to ensure that this problem is addressed.

Sir, I wish to thank Hon. Chipungu, Member of Parliament for Rufunsa for the kind words and sentiments about my ascendancy to this very challenging position, which I have accepted with humility. With the envisaged co-operation from the likes of Hon. Chipungu, I am quite positive that our challenges are not insurmountable in the Lusaka Province in general and Rufunsa in particular. He did also touch on the need for us to rationalize our expenditure. Hon. Masebo also talked about the same issue. I can only assure you that no matter how megre they are, resources will have to be equitably shared. I say this with the sense of responsibility that I am not an hon. Deputy Minister for Lusaka urban, but for the whole Lusaka Province which includes Rufunsa Constituency.

Sir, Hon. Chipungu did remind me that as soon as I settle down, there is need for me to tour the province and meet the chiefs so that we can see how best we can harmonise all the developmental efforts. This is my priority. As soon as I settle down, I will be able to undertake these tours and meet our chiefs in order to discuss any gray areas in our overall developmental efforts and how best we can uplift the living standards of the people in all the constituencies.

Hon. Chipungu, I take note of your concern about Shikabenga and Chakwenga Roads. When I come to visit Rufunsa, I hope you will be available to take me through these roads so that we can see how best we can address the deteriorating situation that you highlighted during your debate.

The agriculture activities in Rufunsa must be commended. I was very impressed with the figures which were given by Hon. Chipungu regarding the agricultural productivity in Rufunsa. There is need, therefore, for me to come there and see how best we can help our people to improve on their productivity.

Furthermore, I would like us to find ways and means of encouraging our people to grow more crops. I also hope to ensure that the people are paid on time for their produce.

Sir, as regards the electrification of Rufunsa, I can only comment that my office will liaise with the Rural Electrification Authority to see how best we can extend its services to the area if plans to do so are not already underway. I have taken note of his concerns regarding this issue. When I visit his area, I hope he will take me round so that together we can identify the areas that need electrification.

Sir, I am not so sure whether I am competent enough to comment on whether Rufunsa should be given a district status. However, I am sure that there are some parameters that are taken into account before any locality is given a district status. I can only say that if Rufunsa qualifies for such a status, it is in the best interest of the province that the relevant authorities are made aware of this. When I go to the area, I hope I will be availed an opportunity to go around Rufunsa to see how best we can address this concern that has raised.

Hon. Ngoma, I thank you for your advice and I hope you are listening to my debate. I was a little bit taken aback when you debated like you were talking to a stranger who was not familiar with Luangwa. What you have forgotten is that when you came to this House the first time, I was Provincial Secretary for the MMD and was even your campaign manager. Luangwa is an area that is close to my heart. I am only disappointed about your lamentation that most of the problems that I left at the time when I was there are still there and yet you have been an hon. Member of Parliament, I think for three terms. I have to sit down with you and other stakeholders in order to come up with measures to address the issues that you have raised.

Sir, I also agree that the D145 Road is in a deplorable state. Promises to have it worked on have been made, but I am not going to make any. I will have to inspect the road to see in what state it is. After that, the area hon. Member, with the relevant authorities, will have to sit down with me to see how best we can make good this particular road.

Mr Chairperson, the issue of infrastructure development in Lusaka is critical and it must be taken very seriously and I plead with the hon. Members of the House to do as such. The population of Lusaka has increased to over 2 million when that of the rest of the country has increased to 13 million. This means that the faster growing population is in Lusaka Province. The increase in population has led to numerous developmental challenges. Notable among these are challenges of inadequate water supply, lack of decent accommodation, limited access to health care and lack of decent schools to offer quality education.

Sir, the 2012 Budget for the Lusaka Province, which is to be approved, is K41, 245,806,143 while K34, 260,873,301 was approved in the 2011 Budget. This translates into a rise by K6, 984,932,842. However, what saddens me is that, in the current year, although K34, 260,873,301 billion was approved, only K28 billion was released for capital and other developmental projects. The challenge, as highlighted above, is to make use of the entire K41,245,806,143 so that all areas of concern are addressed for the betterment of the people and this is something that we will ensure.

Mr Chairperson, land in Lusaka Province has opened up mainly for industrial development in the two economic zones, namely the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic and Lusaka East Zambia/China Economic Zone. These zones focus on manufacturing, processing, researching and developing institutions of higher learning and commercial and residential development. The province is ready to facilitate interested local and foreign investors.

The issue of street kids, Mr Chairperson, is one which is very worrisome in the Lusaka Province. The PF Government is cognisant of this fact. Therefore, it will do everything possible to make sure that this unfortunate development is addressed. This will be done through the Central Government

Sir, in order to ease the traffic congestion in Lusaka urban, in the near future, there will be an initial construction, under the Lusaka City Master Plan, of a ring road of a stretch of 23.5 km from Mumbwa Road to the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone. This we feel, as a Government, is what will help decongest the unfortunate development of heavy traffic in the Lusaka business district.

In conclusion, Mr Chairperson, the Lusaka Province administration is confident that, with the timely funding, in 2012, much more will be achieved in the implementation of planned projects in line with our Government’s developmental plan. I, therefore, would like to sincerely thank and urge this august House to favourably consider the 2012 Budget for the Lusaka Province.

I thank you, Sir.

The Deputy Minister of Copperbelt Province (Mr Mwewa): Mr Chairperson, I wish to record my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Republican President of Zambia, His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, for according me the honour to serve as hon. Deputy Minister of the Copperbelt Province.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwewa: Sir, today, I make a solemn pledge to do all to live up to the expectations of the Government of Zambia, the PF Party and the people on the Copperbelt Province. I will undertake this task to the best of my ability.

Sir, I have taken note of the concerns raised by the three hon. Members from the Copperbelt Province and I followed their debates attentively. Whatever was said will be done by all of us, together. You and I, working with the provincial administration, will ensure that the people on the Copperbelt are catered for. So, I seek support from hon. Members and thank those that have already done so by advising me on how to run this province. I will never discriminate against anybody whether PF, Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) or United Party for National Development (UPND). I will treat everyone the same. I am not going to behave the way the MMD did during its reign. I shall not rest until, once again, the destinies of our people ...

The Deputy Chairperson: Order! Hon. Members should desist from cross country consultations. I am interested in following the debate being made by the hon. Member.

You may continue.

Mr Mwewa: … on the Copperbelt are joined together as one.

Mr Chairperson, in response to the three hon. Members’ debates, let me start by commenting on education. The PF Government recognises the paramount responsibility of the Government to the education sector. The previous Government constructed various schools to which this PF Government will add more. It will lay emphasis on life skills to enable youths cope with demands of self-employment. I have in mind the Lukanga North Resettlement Scheme, Kwilimuna Youth Centre, Masaiti and another centre in Mufulira. A total of 970 youths can be trained through development that aims at empowering them. The PF Government is determined to do so. These youth centres, which are already operational, will absorb excess unemployed youths and equip them with various skills to help them stay away from mischief. 

Under health, Mr Chairperson, good health is an essential prerequisite for development. The province has done a lot to promote health. Notable among the efforts made to improve health are the construction of the district hospital in Lufwanyama, which is in Phase II and the most important; others include construction of wards at Kamuchanga Hospital and most of the clinics in Kitwe such as Kamakonde, Nkana East, Ndeke Village Clinic; the rehabilitation of Roan General Hospital School of Nursing; completion of a kitchen and dining hall at Roan High School; and also the construction of a library and offices for the Nchanga North Hospital.

Mr Chairperson, on the agricultural sector, for two consecutive years we have had good rains resulting in bumper harvests. This contributed to the stability of the economy in terms of prices of commodities. The sad part of it is that, in most parts of this country, most of the harvest, especially maize, went to waste. From this we draw the conclusion of the need to put up food storage sheds, which the PF Government is determined to do.

Mr Ntundu: Question.

Mr Mwewa: We are going to do it.

Mr Chairperson, under local government and housing, Government workers in Lufwanyama, Mpongwe and Masaiti commute from neighbouring towns because they do not have houses. This is a big challenge and also very unproductive. We invite public- private partnerships (PPPs) to help build houses because we need them. So, my administrative office, the hon. Members of Parliament and I are going to ensure that we have more houses in these areas that lack housing units.

Mr Chairperson, as regards resettlement, it has been observed that, sometimes, unemployed retired workers have nowhere to go after their productive life. The Maposa Resettlement Scheme in Luanshya is an establishment where people without planned settlements can settle and make use of agricultural land. This is just one of the resettlement schemes. We have more than seventeen resettlement schemes on the Copperbelt.

Mr Chairperson, let me now dwell on infrastructure on the Copperbelt, particularly the road network which is in very bad state. We have, on agenda, the rehabilitation of feeder roads, the drilling of boreholes and the rehabilitation of dams. This is not all as we shall continue to build more schools, health facilities and agricultural related infrastructure. In the next Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), the province will focus on contracting and completing projects that have been on-going.

Mr Chairperson, we, as a Government, feel that there is a need to engage the corporate world on the Copperbelt, particularly the mines which, I think, need to do more than what they are currently doing. For example, the road from Ndola to Mufulira is impassable. There is a need to engage Mopani to help us make that road passable. So, we have agreed to do just that. When I report for work on Monday, I will liaise with my team to see how best we can coerce the mines to help us.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwewa: Mr Chairperson, for 2012, the province has been allocated K51.7 billion, indicating an increment of K7.8 billion, as compared to the 2011 Budget provision of K43.8 billion. As earlier stated, the 2012/2014 MTEF seeks to address sustained growth through infrastructure development, economic diversification and poverty reduction.

Mr Chairperson, my Government has already shown willingness to bring back the economic glamour of our country. Consequently, the PF Government is dedicated to restore the pride of the Copperbelt. We feel that we can do that.

Mr Chairperson, in order to accelerate development, all stakeholders, hon. Members of Parliament from different political parties and all the communities on the Copperbelt need to get involved. It is said that it takes an entire village to raise a child. Therefore, for development to come through, it will take everybody’s involvement.

Mr Chairperson, let this be my inspiration. I am ready to serve and we are ready to serve. Together, let us continue to change the course of our history. Let us take the shattered remnants of our country and build a new and confident Zambia for a new and changing world.

Thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister for Central Province (Mr Kosamu): Mr Chairperson, I thank you for according me the opportunity to wind up the debate on the estimates of expenditure for the Central Province.

Mr Chairperson, the 2011 Budget allocation to the province stands at K53, 247,063,113 out of which K15,883,862,840 will be for personal emoluments, K14,613,274,000 for recurrent departmental charges and K13,210,000,000 for poverty reduction programmes. This translates to 18.5 per cent increase from the 2011 provincial Budget allocation.

Mr Chairperson, let me take this opportunity, on behalf of the people of the Central Province, to thank the hon. Members of this august House for supporting this important budget for the Central Province. Let me also thank Hon. Chituwo and Hon. James Kapyanga for their contribution on the need for the construction of roads, dams, and health infrastructure in the six districts of the Central Province.

Hon. Members, rest assured that the PF led Government, under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, is already taking care of what you have talked about during your debates.

Mr Chairperson, allow me to conclude my debate by emphasising that the development efforts, during 2012, will prioritise programmes that will ensure improvements in the livelihoods of all the communities in the Central Province, especially the women, the youth and the vulnerable groups. In this vein, every effort will be made towards enhancing the efficiency of programme implementation at the local level. It is further hoped that disbursement of funds for development programmes will improve in this fiscal year.

Mr Chairperson, I, once again, want to thank the hon. Members for supporting the Vote for the Central Province and wish to assure them that the provincial administration will leave no stone unturned in the implementation of the programmes.

Mr Chairperson, with these few words, I beg to move.

Thank you, Sir.

The Minister for Northern Province (Mr Sikazwe): Mr Chairperson, I wish to express my sincere thanks to you for giving me this opportune time to say a few words on the estimates of expenditure for the Northern Province.

Mr Chairperson, allow me, also, to thank all the hon. Members of Parliament from the Northern Province and all stakeholders in the province for contributing to the attainment of the development agenda for the province.

Mr Chairperson, as you may be aware, the 2012 Budget for Northern Province, amounting to K54,264,850,234 was allocated before the province was split to create the new province, Muchinga. This, therefore, entails that some of the projects in the 2012 Northern Province Budget will be implemented in the districts in Muchinga Province.

I am aware that the Government has set aside K15 billion in the 2012 Budget for infrastructure development in Muchinga Province under the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication. However, there is still a need for a Supplementary Budget for Muchinga Province, especially for administrative purposes.

Sir the funds in the 2012 Budget for Northern Province are not enough to cater for the needs of the province.

Mr Chairperson, below is the performance of some of the key sectors in the province for 2012.

Sir, as regards communication, although we are still experiencing some challenges in the transport sector, I am happy to note that major roads in the province are under construction, notably Kasama/Luwingu, Mbala/Kasaba Bay, Kasama/Mporokoso, Kasama/Mbesuma Bridge, Serenje/Mpika/Nakonde and the Isoka/Mafinga/Chama.

Mr Chairperson, I wish to announce that in the 2010/2011 farming season, the Food Reserve Agency purchased 5,474,289 x 50kg bags of maize in the province, valued at K356 billion. The favourable weather patterns in the province also helped the province to record increased production of other crops.

Sir, in tourism, I wish to report that in the year ending 2010, tremendous strides were made in the development of the Tourism Sector in the province. Major areas worth mentioning include tourism promotion and infrastructure development.

Sir, the total budget for the major projects under the Provincial Administration in 2011 was K12.5 billion. Out of the budgeted amount, only 90 per cent had been released as at 30th November, 2011. In this regard, the projects to be being undertaken in 2012 are as follows:

(i) rehabilitation of key feeder roads and river crossings under the Rural Roads Unit (RRU);

(ii)  purchase of school desks in selected schools;

(iii) drilling of boreholes;

(iv) purchase of linen and mattresses in health institutions for Mbala, Kasama, Nakonde and Mpulungu;

(v) construction and rehabilitation of Government buildings; and

(vi)  cattle restocking at Mbesuma Ranch.

Mr Chairperson, funds for Recurrent Department Charges (RDCs) were also released on time to the Provincial Administration. As at November, 2011, 85 per cent of the budgeted amount for RDCs was released. However, the major challenge was still inadequate staff levels to execute Government programmes, especially in the health and education sectors.

I was following the debates by Hon. Mutati and Hon. Kampyongo, respectively who spoke largely on the issue of schools and clinics having been built when there are no teachers and health personnel to help in looking after our people. Nevertheless, this Government is looking into that seriously.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Chairperson, in the education sector, the Government has continued to place education as one of the development priorities in the province. This is evidenced by several infrastructure developments being carried out in the education sector.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

The consultations are rather on the loud side. May you, please, moderate? Can you proceed?

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Chairperson, some of the notable projects being undertaken in 2011 include construction of new basic schools in all the districts of the province and construction of high schools in Kasama, Mbala, Mporokoso, …

Interruptions

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Mutati is okay.

… Mpulungu, Chilubi, Kaputa and Luwingu districts.

Sir, allow me now to mention some of the planned projects to be implemented in the province in 2012.

Mr Chairperson, in the road sector, the province has been overwhelmed by the number of roads that have been rehabilitated in 2012 under the sector ministry, notably Mbala/Nakonde and Mporokoso/Kawambwa. Mbesuma Bridge along Chambeshi River will also be worked on.

Sir, as mentioned earlier, in 2012, the proposed Budget for the Northern Province is K54,264,850,234. We expect to carry out major departmental activities using part of this money as set out below.

(i) rehabilitate canals;

(ii) rehabilitate feeder roads and river crossings using the RRU earth- moving machines;

(iii) develop infrastructure in the district at sub-district level;

(iv) implement youth co-ordination and welfare enhancement programmes;

(v) rehabilitate and construct Government buildings;

(vi) protect and manage forest resources;

(vii) mainstream cross-cutting issues (gender, HIV/AIDS, governance and environment);

(viii) implement community development and sensitisation programmes;

(ix)  provide social protection; and

(x)  develop infrastructure.

Mr Chairperson, the development activities that I have outlined above have been proposed based on the province’s priorities. The budget focuses on projects, programmes and activities aimed at reducing poverty levels among our people. As per tradition, some projects and programmes for the province are reflected in the sector ministry budgets.

Sir, it is our hope that the funds for the approved programmes and activities will be released with minimum delay.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Sir, allow me to conclude by saying that the province is in a dire need of resources that can match its size if any meaningful development could take place. We are pleased by the announcement by His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, that a new province known as Muchinga has be created. This is a positive step taken by the President. This has reduced the size of the Northern Province and will entail increased resource allocation to the districts.

Mr Chairperson, I want to take this opportunity to inform fellow hon. Members of Parliament from the Northern Province that I am not a Minister for Mpulungu, but a minister for Northern Province.

Sir, I have a word of caution for hon. Members of Parliament from the Northern Province. It will be ‘out of sight out of mind’ for those who do not visit their constituencies. Do not blame anybody if we forget about you. We expect hon. Members of Parliament to assist in the development of the province. I expect hon. Members of Parliament to come to Kasama and tell us what their problems are. Do not expect Sikazwe to go to Lunte …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Malama: Especially Mutati!

Mr Sikazwe: … to find out what problems are there. I expect the hon. Member for Lunte to come and tell me what problems he is facing in Lunte, thereafter we will take action.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Chairperson, with these few words, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Business was suspended from 1815 hours until 1830 hours.

[THE DEPUTY CHAIPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the
 Chair]

The Deputy Minister for Western Province (Mr Mubukwanu): Mr Chairperson, I would like to thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to wind up debate on the Head that was ably moved by His Honour the Vice-President. I would also like to thank the three hon. Members of Parliament from the Western Province who ably debated and raised very relevant issues about the province.

Mr Chairperson, I have heard the issues that they have raised very clearly. What they have said on the Floor of this House truly reflects the cries and concerns of the people of the Western Province. These are issues such as high poverty levels, lack of infrastructure development, dilapidated schools, hospitals, clinics, a lack jobs for our youths and indiscriminate cutting of our trees without any benefits to the locals. I would like to assure the hon. Members of Parliament from the Western Province and the people of the Western Province that the Provincial Administration is open to their ideas and efforts. I would like to extend this invitation so that all hon. Members of Parliament can join hands and work together with my administration. Part of our challenges, as a province, has been a lack of co-ordinated leadership. From now on, I would like to urge all the hon. Members of Parliament from the Western Province to participate in all the provincial development co-ordinating committees so that they too could make a contribution to the development process of the province. 

Mr Chairperson, the Patriotic Front Government is fully aware that the Western Province is the poorest and as such, requires a lot more resources than other provinces in order for us to speed up development. I am very positive that the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning will consider increasing our Budget ceilings in the next budgeting process.

Mr Chairperson, the Budget that we are presenting next year for the Western Province amounts to K43.6 billion with poverty reduction programmes receiving K14.8 billion compared to K8.3 billion in 2011. The concern around accountability and use of public resources has been well noted. My administration will ensure that all public resources are put to good use and well accounted for. My administration shall leave a legacy in this respect. As a province, we no longer wish to be in the top list of provinces appearing in the Auditor-General’s Report.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Chairperson, for canals, the concerns are also very genuine. The development agenda for the Western Province would be incomplete if it did not address the issue of canals. At the moment, the dredger is on duty, clearing canals and deepening them in Mongu District. This was Hon. Imenda’s concern. We hope to do this district by district.

Sir, on forestry and forestry products, soon, my administration shall convene an Indaba to determine how our local communities could benefit from our forest products. The Lukulu Road and the connection of the Lukulu District to the National Grid is a very serious concern. The PF Government will definitely do everything possible, within its mandate, to ensure that Lukulu gets connected to the national grid.

Sir, in conclusion, I wish to, yet again, pledge my personal commitment, that of my Provincial Administration and, indeed, of the PF Government to graduating the great Western Province from the poorest to the most admired province in the Republic.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mubukwanu: Sir, with these few remarks, I wish to appeal on the Floor of this House to the hon. Members to support the Vote for Western Province.

I thank you, Sir.

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

The Deputy Minister for Eastern Province (Mr Mbuzi): Mr Chairperson, I thank you for allowing me to contribute very briefly to the debate on the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the Eastern Province for the 2012 Financial Year.

Sir, allow me to point out that an attempt was made to align the inherited MMD Budget to the PF Government’s manifesto. However, the programmes captured in the Budget were all drawn from the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP). For the 2012 Annual Budget, the Eastern Province has been allocated a total of about K48 billion as opposed to the K39 billion that the province was allocated in the 2011 Annual Budget. This represents a 21 per cent budgetary increment for the 2012 Annual Budget. On behalf of the people of the Eastern Province, I wish to thank the PF Government for this increment.

Mr Chairperson, it is important to note that the bulk of the money in the 2012 Budget has been allocated to recurrent departmental charges, personnel emoluments, each getting 39 per cent and 30 per cent of the budget, respectively. However, it is important to mention also that K12.2 billion has been allocated to poverty reduction programmes out of which, K10 billion has been allocated to the Rural Roads Unit (RRU) for rehabilitation of the rural feeder roads in the province. This is in line with the PF Government manifesto of opening up rural areas to facilitate accessibility to facilities such as clinics, schools as well as ensuring improved movement of goods and services.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

May hon. Members, please, consult quietly. They may, perhaps, not be interested in listening but I am. Allow me to follow everything that is said.

Mr Mbuzi: Hear, hear!

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: May the hon. Member proceed.

Mr Mbuzi: Mr Chairperson, the remaining balance of K2.2 million has been allocated to other poverty reduction programmes (PRPs), sanitation and cattle development, youth and sports development, education and social protection and community development. These include some projects and programmes that were planned for in 2011, but have not been completed due to ceiling and funding limitations and other technical reasons. 
Mr Chairperson, given the magnitude of the problem of climate change and environmental degradation, and their impact on the lives of our people, the province has decided to put in place measures to address them. To this end, my province will continue with the implementation of the Luangwa Valley Ecosystem Partnership Management Initiative (LVEPMI). This programme is aimed at addressing environmental problems in a holistic, multi-disciplinary and sustainable manner. To this end, about K400 million has been allocated to the LVEPMI.

Mr Chairperson, allow me to briefly talk about the performance of the 2011 Annual Budget. As you may be aware, Eastern Province is one of the pilot projects for the Integrated Financial Management and Information System (IFMIS). I would like to point out that IFMIS has brought about efficiency, effectiveness and accountability in the use of public funds in the province. The good financial practices that are now at play in the province have also resulted in financial discipline to the extent that the province is now moving towards zero audit queries. It is my wish, therefore, that IFMIS is quickly rolled out to the other provinces of the country. In terms of financial disbursements from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning for the 2011 annual Budget, they have not been bad in all departments. As of 12th December, 2011, the total 2011 Budget disbursement was at 75 per cent. However, the major concern has been on the late release of funds to poverty reduction programmes, which was done towards the end of the third quarter. This resulted in the delay in implementing planned programmes.

Mr Chairperson, my submission will not be complete if I do not talk about the bad state of the Great East Road, especially the stretch between Luangwa Bridge and Petauke District which is in disrepair and has witnessed many fatal road traffic accidents and, therefore, requires urgent attention. I, therefore, appeal to the Road Development Agency (RDA) to quickly carry out works on the road to avoid unnecessary traffic accidents.

Finally, I would like to thank the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, Hon. Alexander Chikwanda, for his brilliant A++ speech and Budget presentation format. 

Laughter

Mr Mbuzi: Eastern Province praises the President, His Excellency Michael Chilufya Sata, for his great sense of frugality and sympathetic approach to the plight of street vendors and car washers, as this is one way of empowering the poorest of the poor.

I thank Hon. Dr Kazonga and that young man …

Laughter    

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

We only have hon. Members of Parliament here.

Mr Mbuzi: Mr Chairperson, the young man is Hon. Mutolo Phiri, who debated so well yesterday even though I had to stand on a point of order, if you remember. I am sure he is regretting that he continued to mention my name, rubbing me into his speech.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Minister for Luapula Province (Mr D. Mwila): Mr Chairperson, I thank you for according me this opportunity to add my voice to the debate on the 2012 budget for Luapula Province. I will be very brief.

Mr Chairperson, to give direction to the development process, the province has a vision, a mission and a goal. The vision is to have a poverty-free province by the year 2030. The mission statement is, “to effectively and efficiently promote and co-ordinate sustainable development in the province in order to ensure quality and timely service delivery to the communities in a transparent, accountable and equitable manner”. Our goal as is to achieve increased and equitable access to quality socio-economic services in the province in order to promote a high standard of living.

Mr Chairperson, during the 2012/2014 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period, development in the province will be guided by various policies and reforms to be implemented in the various sectors. Notably, the implementation of the Decentralisation Implementation Plan (DIP) will play a key role in accelerating development in the province.

In the 2012 Budget, the province has focused on completion of all on-going programmes as well as rehabilitation of feeder roads to ease transportation of agricultural inputs and crops as well as the provision of other services. The province will ensure that the K10 billion allocated in the Budget for feeder roads is put to good use to realise this purpose.

Mr Chairperson, I would now like to respond to my uncle, Hon. Mbulakulima, MP for Chembe, who talked about the RRU. As a province, we have continued working on the feeder roads and all hon. Members of Parliament from Luapula Province will attest to the fact that, in eight constituencies, at least, one road has been done. We will ensure that the money, about K3.8 billion, that has been allocated to the province, is put to good use.

Mr Chairperson, as the provincial administration, we are monitoring how the monies are being spent because we do not want any hon. Member of Parliament, whether Hon. Mbulakulima or any one else, to complain. We will not segregate on development.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
 
Mr D. Mwila: Secondly, as the provincial administration, we have set aside K3 billion to purchase road equipment. Our objective is for each district to have, at least, a grader.

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
 
Mr D. Mwila: This is our focus as the provincial administration because we have seven districts.  On top of this the provincial administration has allocated almost K1 billion to each district …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr D. Mwila: … so that, when the graders are distributed, the RRU will be able to do all the feeder roads in the districts.

Mr Chairperson, Hon. Mwansa Mbulakulima and Hon. Chilangwa complained about the supervision of the RRU. I want to assure them that I have taken keen interest in ensuring that there is quality work so that, come tomorrow, people do not blame us. 
 
Hon. Mwansa Mbulakulima raised issues regarding presidential appointments. He said that in his last debate, he complained that there were only two hon. Ministers from the Luapula Province. I wish to inform the hon. Member that Mr Michael Sata, as a listening President of this country, has appointed five hon. Deputy Ministers from the Luapula Province. Therefore, that problem has been sorted out.

Mr Mbulakulima: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Chairperson, Hon. Chitotela talked about under funding. I wish to respond to him that actually, under the leadership of President Michael Chilufya Sata, the people of Luapula Province are in safe hands. If you go through the Yellow Book, starting from pages 383 to 388, you will see that the Luena Farm Block has been allocated K40 billion. The farm block is in fact in Hon. Chitotela’s constituency. You will recall that under the MMD leadership, this project was abandoned, but the PF Government has given it money.

Mr Chairperson, the same PF Government has given us K105 billion in the 2012 Budget to continue tarring the Pedicle Road.

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Thirdly, under the leadership of Michael Chilufya Sata, we have been given K10 billion to continue the construction of three hospitals namely; Chienge, which is going in phase three, Milenge in phase two and Mwense in phase two.

Fourthly, the PF Government has given us K53.7 billion to work on the Mansa/Kashikishi Road.

Mr Chisala: Hear, hear! Ee buteko bwacine!

Mr Mwila: Those of you who have used this road before know that it needs to be worked on. Not only that, we have also been given K200 million for cattle restocking at Mbesuma Ranch. This is in Pambashe Constituency. I have not even talked about education yet.

Mr Chairperson, in the 2012 Budget, K1.8 billion has been allocated for feasibility studies of the Mansa/Milenge Road. The province has also been allocated K4.5 billion for feasibility studies of the Kashikishi/Lunchinda Road up to Kaputa Road.

Hon. Members from Luapula: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: The Government has also allocated us K3.9 billion to do feasibility studies of the Kawambwa/Mporokoso Road. It has also allocated us K4.4 billion to do the feasibility study of the Samfya/Musaila Road to Kasaba up to Luwingu.

Lastly, Mr Chairperson, the Government has allocated our province K1.8 billion in the 2012 Budget to do the feasibility study of the Mansa/Matanda Road. It means that the Government will start tarring all these roads in 2013. That is how lucky we are in Luapula Province.

Hon. Members from Luapula: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Chairperson, allow me to pay tribute to our late President, Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, who gave us the Chembe Bridge. The people of Luapula will never forget him.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: He did a lot for us than these other presidents who just make noise unnecessarily.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: We will never forget Levy Mwanawasa. May his soul rest in peace.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Let me now talk about something I forgot to look at. Hon. Mwansa Mbulakulima wanted to know what we were going to do with the Rural Road Unit (RRU). All hon. Members of Parliament must submit the names of the feeder roads they want us to work on.

Mr Mbulakulima: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: They have to do that through their councils since they are councillors. Then the list will be submitted to the Permanent Secretary. Then the Permanent Secretary and I will work to ensure that all the feeder roads are done in all the fourteen constituencies.

Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Therefore, I appeal to my colleagues …

Hon. Opposition Member: You are a minister you!

Mr Mwila: I am a very experienced hon. Deputy Minister.

Laughter

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Chairperson, I just want to appeal to all my colleagues, the fourteen hon. Members of Parliament from Luapula to support the budget for 2012.

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

The Deputy Minister for North-Western Province (Ms Limata): Mr Chairperson, thank you for allowing me to say something on the Vote for the North-Western Province. I also wish to thank His Honour the Vice-President and the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning and all the people in North-Western Province for the work which they are doing.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Limata: Sir, let me now respond to the questions raised by two hon. Members of Parliament in this august House who spoke about issues to do with the North-Western Province.

I will start with the issues which were raised by Hon. Kabinga Pande. I am happy that he is around and listening to my debate. He talked about Kansanshi Mines. I wish to inform him that I am aware of the mining activities going on in the North-Western Province.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Limata: I am also aware that the Zambian people working for these mines are suffering because of the investors who are not paying them enough money.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Limata: Hon. Pande also talked about the projects which were started under the MMD Government. I want to assure you that all the projects which were started a long time ago are going to be finished.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Limata: Hon. Pande also talked about charcoal burning. I wish to inform you that I am going to discuss the issue with the hon. Minister in charge of protecting our environment. It is not only in the North-Western Province where charcoal burning is taking place, but also in the Western Province and the entire Zambia.

Hon. Pande also talked about the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). I wish to inform him that the day before yesterday, we had a meeting with the hon. Minister of Local Government, Housing Early Education and Environmental Protection regarding the CDF. We are going to seriously look into matters related to administration of the CDF seriously because councils misuse money intended for the poor people in our country.

The hon. Member also talked about poor planning, I wish to agree with what he said regarding poor planning. When I go back to the province on Monday, I will meet the Town Clerk so that we discuss ways and means of planning the development of Solwezi Township. Not only are we going to plan for Solwezi, but also Kabompo, Kasempa, Mufumbwe, Mwinilunga and Ikeleng’i.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisala: Ema ministers aya!

Ms Limata: Let me …

Hon. Opposition Member: Sit down!

Ms Limata: No Sir, I am not doing that.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

May the hecklers who specialise in debating while seated allow the Hon. Lady Minister to make important pronouncements.

May you proceed.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Limata: Thank you for your protection, Sir.

Mr Chairperson, let me now address the issues raised by Hon. Mwanza. He talked about the Mutanda/Chavuma Road. I wish to assure him that we are going to work on the road. Immediately I was appointed as hon. Deputy Minister for the North-Western Province, I toured the area to see all the projects that were going on.

The other issue raised is about the Chavuma to Angola via Njimbe Road. Money has already been allocated for this project. I can assure him that we are going to work on it, including the border post.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Limata: Mr Chairperson, there was also mention of Ikeleng’e, where my neighbour here, the hon. Minister, comes from. We are building Government houses and offices there. So those are the projects which are doing in North-Western Province.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Limata: I also heard the mention of the road from Chipushu going into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). North-Western Province is on the boundary between Zambia and DRC and there is a lot of trade between the two countries in the province. Therefore, we must do something as the Government so that our people can go into DRC to sell whatever they want and even the Congolese can come here to do business. This will result in more revenue for our country.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Limata: We are also going to look into the issue of Mushindo High School that was mentioned earlier. I promise Mr Mwanza that as the hon. Minister for North-Western Province, I am going to address this issue. Someone also mentioned the Mumbwa/Kasempa road. Indeed, even the President mentioned this road in his speech to the opening of Parliament. So we are going to construct this road. There also mention of the delivery of agricultural inputs in Mufumbwe, which the people in the area urgently need. This will be done and I am going to visit Mufumbwe so that we do the projects which people want.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Limata: Mr Chairperson, our budget for North-Western Province in 2012 is K44,694,899,913. This money which the Government has allocated to North-Western Province will go a long way in improving the standard of living for the people.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Limata: Mr Chairperson, the last issue which I want to comment on, which Hon. Mwansa mentioned yesterday, is about tribe …

Hon. Members: He is Hon. Mwanza.

Ms Limata: Yes, Hon. Mwanza. How can I forget my husband? Sorry.

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: Please, continue debating without reminding us who your husband is.

Laughter

Ms Limata: Mr Chairperson, yesterday the hon. Member talked about tribe. He said that the main tribes in North-Western Province are Chokwe, Lunda, Luvale, Kaonde and Lamba. Let me remind the hon. Member that I am a Nkoya by tribe and I come from Kabompo. So I am part and parcel of North-Western Province.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Limata: All Lundas and Kaondes are my traditional cousins. All Luvales are my bothers and sisters and all Lambas are my sweethearts.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Limata: So I want to repeat that I am part and parcel of North-Western Province. Now, when you talk about tribe, you are only dividing Zambians.

Mr Kaunda: Shame!

Ms Limata:  In North-Western Province, we have Luvales, Luchazis and Chokwes but we have never told them to go back to Angola because they are Zambians. It is not right, therefore, to start dividing our ourselves.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Limata: There also talk of the Permanent Secretary being transferred. I cannot say much about that and go into tribal issues. However, my provincial Permanent Secretary comes from Lusaka Province. On the other hand, we have Lundas, Kaondes and many other tribes living here in Lusaka. Therefore, why should we divide ourselves? I beg hon. Members that we need to work together. Tribalism will never take us anywhere.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear! Naupwisha!

Ms Limata: Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister for Southern Province: Mr Chairperson, I thank you for this time to summarise and respond to issues …

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order! Order!

Mr Sampa: … raised on the budget estimate for Southern Province; my adopted province. First of all, I wish to thank the last two provincial hon. Ministers of Southern Province, my brother there, Hon. Elijah Muchima, and the outgoing, Hon. Lukulo Katombora.

Sir, the Vice-President indicated that when you compare figures for 2011 and 2012 in the budget for Southern Province, the PF Government has increased the allocation by 51 per cent. This is mainly due to the K50 billion for the Bottom Road and K15 billion set aside for the establishment of the provincial headquarters in Choma.

Mr Chairperson, before I go further and respond to pertinent issues raised by the three hon. Members who debated on Southern Province, let me first touch and hopefully put to bed one common concern that they all raised and that is my statement made in this august House on 25th November this year to which I consequently made an apology statement on 30th November, 2011. I would not wish to go into specifics of the statement because that would be undoing the apology already made.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sampa: Sir, suffice to say that I meant will and the gist of that part of my debate was to call for national unity across tribal and party lines. For those who have accepted my apology, I sincerely thank you. For those who have not and may never do so, I still thank them and agree with them that the statement was wide open to various interruptions; some good and some potentially offensive.

Mr Sampa’s microphone turned off.

Hon. Members: Switch on the microphone.

The Deputy Chairperson: Just a minute, in case you have a phone that is on, you may have to put it somewhere else because I think somebody in that area has a cell phone which is on and is what is interfering with the microphones.

Mr Sampa removed his cell phone from  his pockets.

The Deputy Chairperson: Thank you. You may proceed.

Mr Sampa: I apologise, Sir. I guarantee them that with time, they may realise that I made the statement purely from a humor point of view.

I will now go a step further and heed the advice of the hon. Member of Parliament for Kalomo Central, Hon. Request Muntanga (my hon. Member of Parliament) and do hereby withdraw that statement from the Floor of this House.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sampa: I wish to thank my colleague the hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central, Hon. Garry Nkombo, for his magnanimous approach to the topic. I overhead one person describe him as a diplomat and one who knows how to choose the right words …

Mr Sampa’s microphone turned off again.

Interruptions

 Mr Sampa: Sabotage.

Mr Chairperson, I was saying that I overhead one person describe Hon. Nkombo as a diplomat and one who knows how to choose the right words and sentences in every situation. I assure him that through various consultations and particularly his indulgence, plans to seek judicial intervention for defamation statements that were made outside this House by some citizen have also been frozen.

Mr Chairperson, yes, I have been told that there is no such a thing as adopted traditional cousin. In fact, that statement did not only annoy the ones I was giving, but also the ones I was getting from, the easterners. The hon. Member for Malambo Constituency in the Eastern Province has not spoken to me ever since I made that statement.

Interruptions

Mr Sampa: He has cried that I was depriving him of his birthright.

Mr Chairperson, I agree with the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning that the people of Southern Province are so accommodating and caring that when one goes there, they have difficulty leaving the province. My family is a testimony to that. My only elder brother lives in Choma. He is married to a beautiful Tonga woman and has failed to leave the area. My younger brother is also married to a beautiful Tonga woman from Kalomo and so is my only younger sister who just got married to a Tonga man this year.

UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sampa: I am married to a Lozi woman from Ikabako in Mongu.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sampa: Therefore, I am sure to leave the Southern Province after my tour of duty. I wish to rest this case here and move on to discuss the budget for the Southern Province.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Walanda bwino sana.

Mr Sampa: Mr Chairperson, I said earlier that the PF Government has increased the budget for the Southern Province by 51 per cent.

Mr Chairperson, the hon. Member for Monze Central, Hon. Mwiimbu, in his submission, stated that the province was the most neglected. It received a raw deal year in and year out. This is a true statement, but this will not be the case in the PF Government.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Sampa: Surely, an increase by 51 per cent for the provincial budget is a good start. This is not going to be the end.

Mr Chairperson, K65.9 billion has been allocated to the province for recurrent expenditure. I note that the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning has set aside an additional K362.6 billion this year for the Southern Province to work on various roads. These roads are a total completion of the Zimba/Livingstone, the Lusaka/Chirundu, works on the Chaanga/Njami also known as the Bottom Road. These figures are on page 382 of the Yellow Book under Vote 21/01 - Loans and Investment, Ministry of Finance and National Planning. The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning has also set aside K2 billion for the improvement of roads in Monze District.

 Hon. Mwiimbu stated that the Bottom Road has been neglected since 1964 and that the amount indicated in the Yellow Book is only enough to complete 30 km of the 400 km- stretch. I wish to assure him that the K50 billion set aside by this Government for this road is only the beginning and not the end. If these funds run out in 2012, I will be the first to ask the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning for supplementary funds. However, I am sure adequate funds will be provided in the 2013 Budget. I can assure the hon. Member that the Bottom Road will be completed in the shortest possible time.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sampa: Mr Chairperson, I have taken note of his submission that this Government should consider tarring the Monze/Nico Road …

Mr Hamududu: Hear, hear!

Mr Sampa: … and work on the Monze/Namwala Road for the people of Bweengwa.

Mr Hamududu: Hear, hear!

Mr Sampa: Mr Chairperson, on ranching, I take note that the subject of livestock restocking should not just be lip service. Indeed, I will ensure that this Government walks the talk on that subject. I will also ensure that the subject of compulsory dipping is a reality.

Mr Chairperson, Hon. Mwiimbu also expressed concern on the water shortage in Choma to cater for the anticipated increase in population and economic activities. I had chat with the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning who indicated that there are plans already to work on water reticulation for all provincial capitals of the ten provinces, including Choma.

Mr Chairperson, the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central submitted that this Government should, as a matter of urgency, consider working on the Nalusanga/Itezhi-tezhi, Chisekesi/Gwembe Road and tarring of the Chikankata Road. I wish to assure the hon. Member that I will engage the Ministries of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication and Supply and Finance and National Planning immediately to see how best the Government can work on these roads.

UPND Member: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}

Mr Sampa: Mr Chairperson, Hon. Nkombo’s concerns on the pending eviction of the people of Chibuyu Compound at Mazabuka Research Station are valid. I wish to assure him that I am already looking into this matter. The Permanent Secretary of Southern Province, Ms Ing’utu Suba, has already given me a report and we will revert to the hon. Member as soon as possible suffice to mention that the matter in question is a classic example of problems left by the previous President’s public announcements of housing empowerment to existing tenants of certain Government or parastatal houses. Tenants who have nothing to do with Government and, in some cases, who have never worked for the Government are also claiming that they are entitled to the houses as long as they occupied a Government house at the time of the presidential announcements. Now, what will happen to the Government workers, for instance, at this research station in Mazabuka? As I said, I will engage the hon. Minister responsible so that we get a win-win solution for the hon. Member, the people of Chibuyu Compound and the Government.

Mr Chairperson, lastly, allow me to address the issue raised by the hon. Member for Kalomo Central, Hon. Muntanga, who submitted that there was only K600 million in the Yellow Book for grading rural roads in Kalomo and this was inadequate. I note that districts such as Livingstone, Itezhi-tezhi and Namwala have been allocated about K1.7 billion each under the Rural Roads Unit (RRU) while the rest have been allocated K600 million each. This implies that the three districts will have funds to purchase graders. In fact, all districts in the province will use the same graders except that they will be domiciled in the said districts.

Mr Chairperson, I take note of Hon. Muntanga’s submission that the provincial ministry should not buy graders from China because they are not durable. I am sure the Provincial Permanent Secretary and her procurement department are listening.

Mr Chairperson, Hon. Muntanga asked me to quickly move to Choma so that I oversee the establishment of the town as provincial headquarters. Let me assure him that I will only be in Livingstone only when it is necessary. I am committed to making Choma the best provincial capital that Zambia has ever had.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sampa: Mr Chairperson, although we officially have two-and-half years to completely close all provincial offices in Livingstone for Choma, I am committed to a personal challenge of twelve months. I have had discussions with the engineer at the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication in charge of the project and he indicated that twelve months is feasible. This means breaking the ground and completing the office building, building some houses and upgrading the Choma airstrip so that the hon. Members can fly to Choma and back to Parliament.

Mr Chairperson, where there is a will, there is a way and I am sure it can be done.

Mr Chairperson, finally, I extend my arm to all hon. Members of Parliament in the Southern Province to the office of the Provincial Minister which will be open twenty-four hours. Politics aside, this Government owes development to the people of Zambia and, indeed, the people of Southern Province. My mandate is to monitor that development and I invite all hon. Members of Parliament to be part of that development.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Chairperson, I opened this debate and then twenty-seven hon. Members of Parliament and nine provincial hon. Ministers spoke. Here, I am back, again, with very little extra to say. Of course, they were uneven contributions here and there, but many people are new to this game. I think they deserve to be applauded rather than criticised for their attempts to put, very earnestly some of them, the concerns of their provinces.

However, I think the key concept here is that, next year, we will be working under a much more decentralised system where the distinctions between national-policy making and local, district or provincial implementation will be clearer because, as Hon. Masebo pointed out, the present situation where we have all different levels of funding and implementation agencies is not effective. When you are trying to co-ordinate them to get something done, the money runs out just on co-ordination. Therefore, I would urge the House to support the budgets for the nine provinces, bearing in mind that next year, we will have a tenth province. However this is not an issue at the moment.

With those few words, Sir, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Vote 90/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/08 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/16 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/18 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/19 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/23 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/24 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/40 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/41 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/42 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/43 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/44 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/46 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/48 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/49 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/51 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/52 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/53 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/55 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/16 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/17 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/18 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/19 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/23 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/24 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/35 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

May the consultations on my right, please, be moderated?

Vote 91/36 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/37 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/40 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/41 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/42 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/43 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/44 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/45 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/46 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/47 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/48 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/49 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/51 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/52 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/53 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/54 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/55 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/08 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/16 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/17 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/18 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/19 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/23 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/24 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 
     
Vote 92/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/35 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/36 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/37 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/40 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/41 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/42 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/43 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/44 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/44 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/45 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/46 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/47 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/48 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/49 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/51 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/52 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/53 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/54 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

Vote 93/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/16 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/17 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/18 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

(Debate adjourned)

______

HOUSE RESUMED

[THE DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

(Progress reported)

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The House adjourned at 1956 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 23rd December, 2011.