Wednesday, 18^th September, 2024

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM CHUDLEIGH HOUSE SCHOOL

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Public Gallery of pupils and teachers from Chudleigh House School of Lusaka District.

On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I warmly welcome our visitors into our midst.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM LILAYI SECONDARY SCHOOL

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Public Gallery of pupils and teachers from Lilayi Secondary School of Chilanga District.

On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I warmly welcome our visitors into our midst.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM CROWNED EAGLES SCHOOL

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Public Gallery of pupils and teachers from Crowned Eagles School of Lusaka District.

On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I warmly welcome our visitors into our midst.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

YOUTH POLITICIANS FROM SWEDEN, REPRESENTATIVES FROM UNICEF ZAMBIA VACCINE ALLIANCE (GAVI), GLOBAL FUND AND REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS YOUTH ORGANISATIONS IN ZAMBIA

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Public Gallery of youth politicians from Sweden, representatives from the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Zambia GAVI; the Vaccine Alliance, Global Fund and representatives of various youth organisations in Zambia.

On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I warmly welcome our visitors into our midst.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

ZAMBIA PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS ON POST-LEGISLATIVE SCRUTINY

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I wish to inform the House that the National Assembly of Zambia has established the Zambia Parliamentary Caucus on Post-Legislative Scrutiny (ZPC PLS); a voluntary group consisting of hon. Members who are passionate about the implementation and effectiveness of legislation following its enactment. The caucus is set to be launched on Thursday, 19^th September, 2024, in the Amphitheatre, at Parliament Buildings, at 10:00 hours. In this regard, all hon. Members are encouraged to attend the event.

Please, note that attendance will be on voluntary basis.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

LEGISLATIVE CHART

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I wish to inform the House that the National Assembly of Zambia is in the process of producing a Legislative Chart bearing photographs of all hon. Members of Parliament of the Thirteenth National Assembly. In this regard, an officer from the Public and International Relations Department will be stationed at the main reception of Parliament Buildings from today, Wednesday, 18^th September, 2024, to Friday, 20^th September, 2024, to take photographs of all hon. Members of Parliament.

I urge all hon Members to ensure that their photographs are taken within the stipulated period.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

There were no indications.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I see no indications for urgent matters without notice.

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

PROGRESS MADE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EMERGENCY CASH TRANSFER PROGRAMME IN THE EIGHTY-FOUR DISTRICTS AFFECTED BY DROUGHT

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Ms Tambatamba) (on behalf of the Minister of Community Development and Social Services (Ms D. Mwamba)): Madam Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to issue a ministerial statement on the progress made in the implementation of the Emergency Cash Transfer programme in the eighty-four districts affected by the drought.

Madam Speaker, following the declaration of the drought as a national disaster by the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, the Government has been implementing various drought-response interventions. The Government, through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, has made significant progress in expanding coverage of the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme to include households that have been affected by the drought in eighty-four districts.

Madam Speaker, the House will recall that following a rapid assessment of households affected by the drought, which was conducted by the ministry, 1.2 million households were targeted and successfully registered in six weeks. I am happy to report that since July 2024, the Government has disbursed funds amounting to K1.8 billion to facilitate the payment of the emergency cash transfers for the May-June cycle.

Madam Speaker, the beneficiaries of the Emergency Cash Transfer programme will be receiving K400 per month for twelve months. The first cycle of payments covering May and June has been made to 886,311 households out of the targeted 952,570 households in 116 districts. Of the targeted 726,361 beneficiary households in the eighty-four districts, 682,779 received their cash transfer benefits, representing a 94 per cent payment rate.

Madam Speaker, in terms of the regular SCT programme, 1,258,666 beneficiaries out of the targeted 1,311,101 have received a K400 top-up on the K400 bi-monthly regular cash transfer scheme. Further, 551,428 households out of the targeted 574,405 households on the SCT programme received cash transfers, representing a 96 per cent payment rate.

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that preparations for the disbursement of funds for the second payment cycle, which is September to October 2024, have commenced. Hon. Members are encouraged to work with the ministry and to report any challenges that will be faced by the beneficiaries in accessing the emergency social cash transfer as well as other social protection services being delivered by the Government.

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I wish to reiterate that the Government will continue to undertake measures aimed at improving the welfare and livelihoods of the vulnerable in our communities, as they are the most affected in times of drought and other shocks induced by climate change.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, you are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the Ministerial Statement presented by the Acting hon. Minister of Community Development and Social Services.

Mr Kapyanga: Akuna problemo!

Hon. Opposition Members: It is clear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Are there any questions?

Hon. Opposition Members: It is clear!

There were no indications on the House communication system.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I see none.

I have also permitted the hon. Minister of Energy to present a ministerial statement.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The honourable –

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Acting hon. Minister of Energy –

Mr Chikote walked to the Table.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Oh, sorry.

Hon. Minister of Energy, you can go ahead.

THE ELECTRICITY SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY

The Minister of Energy (Mr Chikote): Madam Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to issue a ministerial statement on the electricity situation in the country.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, this is an important topic, which we believe that the public is also listening to. Can we have order.

Hon. Minister, you may continue.

Mr Chikote: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, the statement will also outline the measures being implemented to mitigate the impact of the power deficit.

Madam Speaker, energy is to the country's economy what water is to a flourishing garden; an essential element that sustains growth and prosperity. Energy powers industries, fuels transportation and lights up homes, thus providing the foundation on which our economic engine thrives.The availability and affordability of energy sources have a direct impact on our productivity, competitiveness, and quality of life. In today's rapidly changing world, the need for a reliable and sustainable energy supply has never been more urgent. As we explore the challenges and opportunities in the energy sector, we must strive to strike a balance between economic growth and environmental responsibility. Only by harnessing the power of innovation and collaboration can we ensure a bright and prosperous future for the generations to come.

Madam Speaker, I wish to report that the country's installed electricity generation capacity stands at 3,777.3 MW, with hydro-power accounting for 85 per cent. Peak demand is estimated at 2,400 MW. Currently, the country's power generation output stands at 1,019 MW, presenting a deficit of 1,381 MW, thus leading to the current average of twenty-one-hour load-shedding periods.

Madam Speaker, there are a number of factors that have led to the current long hours of load-shedding. Principal among the factors is the low water levels in the major reservoirs following the below-normal rainfall patterns experienced during the 2023/2024 Rainy Season because of the El Niño weather phenomenon leading to the scaling down of power generation at the hydro-power plants.

Madam Speaker, the second factor is the annual maintenance works being carried out at the 300 MW Maamba Coal Plant. Maamba Energies Limited commenced its mandatory bi-annual maintenance works in a phased manner on 27^th August, 2024. The maintenance works on the first unit have since been completed. The second unit was taken out of commission on 17^th September, 2024, and the exercise is expected to be completed by 1^st October, 2024. This entails that only 150 MW is available from the coal plant during this period.

Madam Speaker, despite those challenges, short-term, medium-term and long-term measures have been put in place to address the situation. The following are the short-term measures that have been put in place:

Madam Speaker, the country is importing about 450 MW of power, which is determined by the availability of power on the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) market and transmission capacity.

Madam Speaker, secondly, a schedule to install twenty-three diesel generators amounting to 12.2 MW in strategic institutions, such as water utilities and markets, is already on course. Further, ZESCO Limited has so far clawed back 290 MW of power from the export market to mitigate the current deficit.

Madam Speaker, a solar loan scheme system has also been introduced. The Government, through the Public Service Micro-Finance Company (PSMFC), has introduced a facility to enable civil servants to access solar and other products affordably. By so doing, the demand for power from the national grid is expected to be reduced, thus making available power for other users.

Madam Speaker, in terms of the medium-term and long-term measures, ZESCO Limited is currently developing a 100 MW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Chisamba. The project is underway with a scheduled duration time of ten months aiming for completion and commission by the end of this year. Further, implementation of the 120 MW Solar PV portfolio power projects under the Global Energy Transfer Feed-in Tariff (GET-FiT) programme has reached an advanced stage.

Madam Speaker, the implementation of the net-metering regime is designed to allow individuals who generate their own electricity to sell the excess power on the market through ZESCO Limited. Thus far, regulations have been formed and put into law.

Madam Speaker, the development of the 300 MW Maamba Coal Project Phase II is already underway under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement. The project has an eighteen-month construction timeframe and, all things being equal, it is expected to be completed by 2026.

Madam Speaker, in terms of signing memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in the electricity generation sector, on 4^th September, 2024, ZESCO Limited and China Datang Overseas Investment Corporation Limited signed an MoU to jointly develop and invest in PV projects in different locations in Zambia. The first of which shall be in:

1. Itezhi-Tezhi, 100 MW;
2. Choma, 50 MW; and
3. Kasama, 70 MW.

Madam Speaker, the parties in the MoU also agreed to develop projects in other sites that may be agreed upon.

Madam Speaker, the Government of the Republic of Zambia and Power China International signed an MoU to establish a framework and to facilitate the undertaking of a national power planning assessment for the development of energy sector projects to ensure the stability and security of power supply in Zambia. The MoU intends to attract great investment and develop generation and transmission infrastructure.

Madam Speaker, the Government and TBEA Corporation Limited signed an MoU to facilitate investment by TBEA Corporation Limited in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind as well as thermal energy. TBEA Corporation Limited’s immediate action is to set up a 2,000 MW solar power plant in Zambia. The company also plans to set up the manufacturing of solar panels, transformers, inverters, electric cables and wires in Zambia.

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, the measures are, indeed, a venture that the New Dawn Government is determined to undertake. Once fully implemented, the current power deficits we are experiencing will be addressed. The Government, through my ministry, remains committed to monitoring the situation closely and is actively seeking additional interventions to address the current power deficit and make Zambia a power hub in the region.

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President Mr Hakainde Hichilema is concerned about the plight of salon and barbershop owners, welders and other small business owners. Through my ministry, we, as the Government, are working round the clock to ensure that we alleviate the temporal challenge. I would like us to stand as a united Zambia in resolving the crisis. We are all in this situation together.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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

Hon. Member for Lufubu, you may proceed.

Mr Kolala (Lufubu): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister did not talk about importing power in his ministerial statement. Can he explain in detail what the problem has been in the importation of power? Importation of power can, at least, reduce the load-shedding hours to eight hours than the current state in which a whole day can pass without power being supplied.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, the question is: Why are we taking long to import power? I think that in my statement I mentioned that about 450 MW is being imported to mitigate the challenge that we are experiencing. We also need to understand that for ZESCO Limited to import power, other factors need to be put into consideration. The first consideration is the source from which power is imported. Secondly, we also need to consider the infrastructure that we have in the country. Did we invest in the necessary infrastructure so that in times like this one we could import power? Those are the areas that we are now working on round the clock so that we can increase capacity in terms of importation to mitigate the crisis that the people are facing.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mrs Sabao (Chikankata): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, Tanzania is one of the countries that has excess energy in the region. I know that we have a challenge in terms of a lack of infrastructure to connect Zambia to that country. I hear that there are plans to come up with the infrastructure. My question is: How soon is the Government planning to implement the development of the infrastructure needed to connect Zambia to Tanzania?

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, investment in energy infrastructure is among the interventions that we, as a country, are putting in place to become energy secure. Feasibility studies are underway for the setting up of interconnectors from Zambia to Tanzania and Kenya. We are likely to conclude the studies by October. All things being equal, those are long-term interventions.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Halwiindi (Kabwe Central) Madam Speaker, thank you for this opportunity given to me to ask a question.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the fact that the Government is doing many things to mitigate load-shedding in the country.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister knows that because of the shortage of power, we also have a lack of availability of water in our communities. Unfortunately, there is no replacement or substitute for water. In terms of power needs, one can use other sources of energy. Does the Government have any plans of installing dedicated power lines for water pumping systems so that we can, at least, have water in our communities?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, did you get the question?

Mr Chikote: No, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Kabwe Central, please, repeat your question.

Ms Halwiindi: Madam Speaker, what I am saying is that we do not have alternatives to water. We currently do not have water supply in the communities because of the non-availability of power to run the water pump houses. Does the Government have any plans of installing dedicated power lines for the water pumps at the water utility companies? A dedicated power line means that there is a power line designated to supply power to the water pump houses so that even during load-shedding hours, power is only switched off in the communities while pump houses remain with electricity and there is a continuous supply of water to our communities.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, indeed, water is life, and with the crisis that we are going through, water supply has been seriously affected. Hence, in my statement, I said that all our important points of water supply from the water utility companies have also been provided with generators in the immediate term to ensure that during load-shedding hours, the generators can provide power to continue the supply of water.

Madam Speaker, in the long term, experts from ZESCO Limited are trying to ensure that utilities like hospitals and water supply entities are given their own power lines to not disturb service delivery. So, that is what is being put in place to mitigate the challenge of water supply in the country.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Hamwaata (Pemba): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I would also like to thank the Government for the short-term, medium-term and long-term measures that are being put in place.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister talked about the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between ZESCO Limited and China Datang Overseas Investment Corporation Limited to set up solar power plants in Itezhi-tezhi, Choma and Kasama. Can he share with the House the duration of that programme in terms of when it will be kicked-off and completed?

Mr Chikote:  Madam Speaker, indeed, I mentioned that China Datang Overseas Investment Corporation Limited would put up a 100 MW solar power plant in Itezhi-tezhi, a 50 MW solar power plant in Choma and a 70 MW solar power plant in Kasama. Those are long-term measures, and the estimated timeframe for the projects is twelve months.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, under the short-term interventions, the hon. Minister mentioned the works being undertaken at Maamba Energy Limited. Is that measure going to increase power supply come October? He said that on 1^st October, the annual maintenance works at Maamba Energy Limited will be completed. Are we going to see an improvement in load-shedding hours?

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, I mentioned that Maamba Energy Limited is going through bi- annual maintenance works. When the company is undergoing that process, the supply that it feeds into the national grid is withdrawn. At present, we are talking about 150 MW that has been withdrawn. So, by 1^st October, the 150 MW will be supplied back into the national grid, and that entails that a 100 per cent supply of power from the company will support the ZESCO Limited deficit. It also means that there will be stability in terms of the load-shedding hours we are experiencing. There is much hope that when the company gives us back the 150 MW, there will be stability in load-shedding hours.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I commend the hon. Minister for the effort his ministry, as the Government, is putting in to find solutions to end the power deficit that we have in the country.

Madam Speaker, I think that majority of the Zambian people are not well-sensitised on the reason we are in the electricity crisis. What is the Government doing, especially his ministry, to ensure that the citizens are well-sensitised so that we can move at the same pace in understanding why we are in this crisis?

Mr Chikote:  Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that concern.

Madam Speaker, through my ministry, the Government has come up with a strategy for updating the nation on the situation in the energy sector. We have weekly briefs to update our people. At the same time, the Government believes that we, as leaders, seated here, in this House, that is the reason I have issued this Ministerial Statement, can help to sensitise and give correct information on why we, as a country, have found ourselves in this crisis. When I concluded my ministerial statement, I said that we are all in it together.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Sialubalo (Sinazongwe): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, in his statement, the hon. Minister indicated that the Government is giving out loans to its employees, as a way to access funds to buy solar systems. There are people who are not in formal employment, but would want to access electricity by having affordable solar systems installed. I want to find out whether the Government has any plans of making resources available for an ordinary person in Sinazongwe, a villager, for example, so that he or she can buy solar systems for use in his or her home.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, first of all, we are in a crisis. So, we are looking at possible means to put interventions in place to mitigate it. We, as the Government, feel that by giving civil servants and others in formal employment the opportunity to access loan schemes for solar products, they will tap into the facility so that the burden of power consumption on the national grid can be reduced. Then, that power can be provided to an ordinary person who is not in formal employment. Those are the measures that have been put in place to mitigate the crisis that we, as a country, are going through.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kamondo (Mufumbwe): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I want to agree that, indeed, the power deficit problem has come a long way. We, as a country, did not do enough to ensure that we have other alternative sources of energy. In his statement, the hon. Minister talked about the measures that the Government is putting in place. However, I did not hear him talk about geothermal energy. What is the ministry doing to ensure that possibilities of exploring all the sources of energy are brought forward so that they can be tapped into? For example, in Kenya, they have the Great East Rift Valley. I think that geothermal energy can be available in the northern circuit of our country. What is the Government doing, as a long-term measure, to ensure that we also tap into that source of energy?

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is right. Among the sources of energy other than hydro-power, geothermal energy is one of the interventions that we, as the Government, think that we will need to invest in going forward. Currently, we are trying to create a conducive environment for private players to invest in geothermal power generation. We have an investor who has come on board in that regard in Bweengwa Constituency. We want to see how geothermal generation is going to perform in terms of increasing our power supply capacity.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Madam Speaker, the lack of power supply has killed people in hospitals due to a lack of oxygen, barbershops have been closed down and salons are not operating. It is a real disaster. A similar situation happened during the reign of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, and the United Party for National Development (UPND) blamed it on poor leadership. What can we say today apart from the fact that poor leadership is the cause of the load-shedding situation that we are experiencing?

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Ms Nyirenda: In addition, Madam Speaker, why has the Government failed to even engage the ship that supplies electricity through Mozambique, which its friends engaged so that it –

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Ms Nyirenda: It is my chance. Can you keep quiet.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Interruptions

Ms Nyirenda: It is my chance.

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

Please, it is one question per hon. Member.

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, is the Government able to procure even the expensive electricity so that our people can be saved or else the Government is killing our people? It is to be blamed.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Before the hon. Minister comes in to answer the question, let me give guidance.

Hon. Member for Lundazi, when you bring up matters such as killing people, you should come with evidence so that we are sure that there are people who are dying in hospitals. Next time, please, come with evidence to show that people have died because of a lack of power supply.

Hon. Minister, you may proceed.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to correct the thinking of the hon. Member, as she has said that we blamed the previous regime for having a lack of leadership.

Hon. PF Members: Question!

Mr Chikote: Yes, we did. Madam Speaker, if we had invested in the sector, we would not be going through what we are experiencing at present.

Hon. PF Members: Question!

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, the electricity that was supplied from the ship that the hon. Member has talked about was not paid for. So, what did the previous Government invest in the sector? In my ministerial statement, I stated the interventions we, as the United Party for National Development (UPND) leadership, New Dawn Government, are putting in place. The measures that I have talked about, which mean that going forward the energy supply in the country is secured, are examples of providing leadership. Through the measures, the country will not experience the energy shocks that we are currently going through. That is leadership. This Ruling Party has the leadership needed to solve the crisis. I even asked myself; if the crisis had occurred at a time when the other regime was in power, what could have been the situation in the country?

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Before the hon. Member for Kankoyo asks his question, there is an indication for a point of order.

Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, what is your point of order?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order pursuant to Order No. 71(b). Indeed, we are in a crisis. If the hon. Minister wants to behave like a crisis himself, then, we are even in deeper trouble.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to insinuate that the previous Government did not invest in the energy sector when he knows that his Government inherited 3,000 MW and 1,600 MW plus, and that is before we even mention the production value at Maamba Energy Limited, which we advised his hon. Colleague, the predecessor, on here, in the House. The hon. Colleague exported power without taking into account the water levels in the Kariba Dam. We knew what we were talking about, and we advised the Government.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to insinuate that the current Government inherited nothing in the energy sector? I know that the hon. Minister is just a few weeks old in that portfolio and is yet to learn about the figures and engineering factors in his ministry. Is he also in order to forget that another one of his hon. Colleagues proposed that we tap water from the Luapula River into the Kafue River for power generation? If the hon. Minister spoke to that investment, then, we could say that we have the leadership to solve the problem. Before he starts peddling innuendos, can he say how much the Government has invested in power generation so far?

Madam Speaker, was the hon. Minister in order to blow hot air without speaking to the facts and figures?

I seek your ruling, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, the problem with that point of order is that you have debated it. You have made suggestions and recommendations. You have even involved other people in raising the point of order.

Hon. Members, we are in a crisis as far as power is concerned. Please, my guidance to you is that we find solutions to the problem at hand. Let us take this matter seriously. What is the way forward? The hon. Minister has mentioned some measures. If we have other thoughts on the matter, let us work as a team. The people need your help. Let us work as a team instead of accusing one another.

We make progress.

Hon. Member for Solwezi East, you may proceed.

Oh, sorry, hon. Member. There was an hon. Member who indicated before you.

Hon. Member for Kankoyo, you may proceed.

Mr Mabeta (Kankoyo): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Energy has indicated that in October, 150 MW of power will be available from Maamba Energy Limited and that the Government will import power from South Africa through the interconnector that passes through Namibia, which has been out of commission and is being worked on. So, we are going to have close to 190 MW from that interconnector and 150 MW from Maamba Energy Limited added to the national grid. With that added power to the national grid, how many hours of load-shedding should we expect from October onwards? Knowing what to expect will make it easier for us to plan our activities and ensure that we can live within what we can control.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, currently people are failing to plan their activities because of the way we are managing the load-shedding schedule. It is difficult for our people. The interventions that I have spoken about, which the hon. Member has highlighted, such as importing power into the country will give us a proper way of managing the load-shedding situation. As the Government, we are planning to get back to the load-shedding schedule we had previously. You remember that in one of my updates, I stated that we were going to have seventeen-hour load-shedding periods, but we could not manage because of the factors that I mentioned earlier. Now, with the power that we are going to import, we are likely to, firstly, restore the seventeen-hour load-shedding schedule, then, people can plan well. Secondly, as we continue to import power, we will restore the twelve-hour load-shedding schedule. Again, we will continue and see ourselves reducing the hours further. All things being equal, our target is to get as close as we can to a five-hour load-shedding schedule.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mukumbi (Solwezi West): Madam Speaker ­

Mr Michelo interjected.

Interruptions

Mr Mukumbi: Is the hon. Minister listening?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Solwezi West, please, continue asking your question.

Mr Mukumbi: Madam Speaker, we have many uranium deposits in our district, Kalumbila. We also have sufficient water bodies that can be used to cool nuclear reactors in case we embark on nuclear energy generation. Does the Government have any plans of establishing a nuclear power plant in that location or any other part of Zambia?

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Before the hon. Minister responds to the question, there is an indication for a point of order.

Hon. Member for Bweengwa, what is your point of order?

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, I am rising on a point of order pursuant to Order No. 71.

Madam Speaker, I am raising my point of order based on the information that is coming from the hon. Minister. In his responses, he is failing to explain to the Zambian people the facts about what transpired during the partial droughts that occurred in 2017 and 2019. Currently, we have a serious drought in which the Kariba Dam is almost drying up. The hon. Minister will remember that in 2018, we had serious load-shedding issues and the Kariba Dam did not have a lot of water. The people were told to urinate in Lake Kariba by the Patriotic Front (PF) regime so that we could have a lot of water. That Government was teasing the Zambian people. The hon. Minister is failing to remind the PF that it was its Government that told the Zambian people to urinate in Lake Kariba so that we could have a lot of water.

Interruptions

Mr Michelo: Is the hon. Minister in order to not remind the Zambian people?

Laughter

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Bweengwa, you are actually out of order. We cannot guide the hon. Minister on the content of his ministerial statement. The hon. Minister is in order to bring a ministerial statement on a matter that he wishes to inform the public about. We cannot control what he has forgotten or what he needs to add to his ministerial statement.

We need to make progress. There was a question on the Floor asked by the hon. Member for Solwezi West.

Hon. Minister, you may proceed.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, in the immediate, this Government has no such plans. However, those are the things that we are considering for the future.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Lubozha (Chifubu): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, the power deficit has inflicted an economic calamity on our nation whose effects will be greater than the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the time we will be recovering. We know the economic challenges that our country is going through and will go through in the post-drought era. At this stage, I want to appreciate what the Government is doing in terms of the short-term and long-term measures being implemented to supplement the power deficit. As part of the information being given to the people, my question is: How many interconnectors do we, as a country, have connecting us to other countries and how much power are we importing through them? I ask this because, at this stage, the only solution to the load-shedding challenge is the importation of power.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, so far, we are using the Namibia interconnector, which gives us about 120 MW. We also have an interconnector that connects the country to Botswana through which we are still exporting 60 MW. We have another one that connects us to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which we are not using to import any power. Currently, as a country, we are importing our power from SAPP. That is the only line we are using. Even as I responded to the hon. Member for Chikankata, you may have heard me say that the Government is trying to set up other interconnectors that will connect the country to Tanzania and Kenya. If we had that infrastructure, we would have started importing power through those lines.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Chisenga (Mambilima): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity, on behalf of the people of Mambilima, to comment on this important topic that we are discussing.

Madam Speaker, one of the duties of the Opposition hon. Members is to advise the Government of the day. So, this is just a bit of advice to our hon. Colleagues. They have failed. People have died and it is time for them to go.

Laughter

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mambilima, this is the time to ask questions on points of clarification. So, that comment is unacceptable.

Let us make progress.

Hon. Member for Chienge, you may proceed.

Rev. Katuta (Chienge): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this important moment on behalf of the people of Chienge to ask a question.

Madam Speaker, we are a Christian nation. If, indeed, we are a Christian nation, we should put God first. No matter how much we try to do things on our own, they will not happen. My question is: Why has the Government not turned to God to inquire about what should be done?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Again, hon. Member for Chienge, the hon. Minister issued a ministerial statement and you are supposed to ask questions on points of clarification. I did not hear the hon. Minister mention anything about God whatsoever.

Hon. Members, if there are no other questions, we can make progress. I will admit the last two hon. Members’s questions.

Hon. Member for Solwezi East, you may proceed.

Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. It is always a pleasure for me to ask questions.

Madam Speaker, if the hon. Minister recalls, we have the Kabompo River with abundant water in the North-Western Province. Years back, the Kabompo Hydro-Power Station project started on that river. That has been one of the Government’s assurances. I would like to find out if the Government has any plans to revamp that project. Works on the project stalled at 25 per cent during the previous Government’s reign. It can be a mitigation plan either under the immediate plans or the long-term plans. I just want clarification on that.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, there are a number of projects that stalled for reasons known to the previous regime.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, this Government has many things that it is analysing to ensure that the energy sector is properly set in the right position. Many studies are underway both in the Northern and Southern circuits to ensure that where there is potential for setting up new power plants we do so to secure the energy needs of this country. As an Administration, we believe that power plants are the drivers of developmental programmes in this country.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The last hon. Member to ask a question is the hon. Member for Kaumbwe.

Dr Mwanza (Kaumbwe): Madam Speaker, thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, from the statistics that were shared, the hon. Minister indicated that there is a deficit of 1,381 MW and we are currently producing 1,119 MW. Is the Government ready to import power From the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) and the East African Power Pool (EAPP) or, in short, let me say from the existing power sources that the region has to meet the deficit? Does the Government have the money available to meet the deficit?

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, what I stated earlier here, on the Floor, is that we are looking in that direction by setting up infrastructure that will support the importation needs. At a time when Zambia gets back on its feet, we will use the same infrastructure to export power. Currently, we are not getting anything from the Eastern Power Pool of Africa (EAPP). We are getting the imports from SAPP. This Government is putting up resources in phases to ensure that we continue to increase our imports to mitigate the crisis.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

_______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

Ms Nyirenda (Lundazi): Question No. 80 from the people of Lundazi.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Did you say eight?

Ms Nyirenda: I said 80, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Your question is supposed to be Question No. 6.

Ms Nyirenda: Oh! It is Question No. 6. I saw eighty.

CONSTRUCTION OF MODERN BUS STATION IN LUNDAZI

6. Ms Nyirenda asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

(a)     whether the Government has any plans to construct a modern bus station in Lundazi Parliamentary Constituency;

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

(c)     what the estimated cost of the project is; and

(d)     if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Nkombo): Madam Speaker, I wish to thank the hon. Member for Lundazi for the question.

Also, just to say, please, concentrate when you are asking questions.

Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to construct a modern market in Lundazi Parliamentary Constituency with support from the German Development Bank (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau). This will include the construction of a market shelter, an administration block as well as an ablution block.

Madam Speaker, the plans are underway with the project scheduled to commence by the last quarter of 2024. As a matter of fact, the procurement process for the project is on course with designs and the Bills of Quantity (BoQ) already in place.

Madam Speaker, the estimated cost of the project is K20 million.

Madam Speaker, part (d) of the question falls off, as the plans are there.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, the people of Lundazi are suffering because the existing bus station was built long before Independence. I would like to find out when we are likely to have the contractor on site.

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, what the hon. Member has said may be true that the people of Lundazi have been suffering since Independence, sixty years ago, because of a lack of that facility. This political party, your Ruling Party, your Government, has only been in power shy of three years. I have said that by the end of this year, the project will begin.

Madam Speaker, for the avoidance of doubt, there are only three months before this year comes to an end. So, within this period, we will see some activity. I am hopeful that the hon. Member will be there to commission the project that the political party in power has initiated for her voters.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lundazi, do you have another question to ask?

Ms Nyirenda: Yes, Madam Speaker. Though it may not really be a question. Just to say that the people of Lundazi are grateful.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Madam Speaker, can the hon. Minister kindly tell me if between 2011 when the Patriotic Front (PF) took over power and 2021 there was a bus station in Lundazi or the project that is going to be undertaken will entail constructing the new bus station as the first. Let the people of Zambia know and I am also interested.

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, let me first respond to the gratitude expressed by the hon. Member of Parliament for Lundazi. That is as it ought to be. I take it with humility that she is grateful for what this Government is doing to ensure that her people are travelling from a semblance of a transport hub called a bus station.

Madam Speaker, as I move on to the question asked by the hon. Member for Bweengwa, I would like to say that the situation has been that way not just since Independence, but since people started living in that place called Lundazi. They were there at creation. There has not been anything to call a bus station.

Laughter 

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, of the magnitude of the issue that the hon. Member of Lundazi is inquiring about, what has been there is a place where buses would conveniently stop, drop off and pick up people. From the question that I have answered, I have stated that the facility will have much more than just a place where buses can stop for people to embark and disembark. It will also have an ablution block, a market shelter and an administration block for officers to operate from. It will mark a huge difference from the way things were before.

Madam Speaker, it is completely unfortunate that the hon. Member for Bweengwa can compare our work, as the current Government, with what used to happen before, especially in the era of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government. It is completely unfair because the PF had its way of doing things and we also have our ways. So, he cannot compare apples and oranges.

I thank you, Madam Speaker. 

Ms Nyirenda: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lundazi, what is your point of order?

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, it is humiliating to think that since Independence, the people of Lundazi have not even had a shelter. If the hon. Minister got my question well I asked him whether the Government has any plans to put up modern infrastructure. However, for him to say that since the beginning of time and age Lundazi has not had anywhere for us to board buses from is humiliating for our people. When answering the question asked by the hon. Member of Bweengwa, who has not even been to Lundazi, was the hon. Minister in order to insinuate that the previous Government did not do anything for the people of Lundazi? The people of Livingstone and Choma are enjoying beautifully constructed bus stations. That is where I saw the infrastructure and demanded that the same should be done in Lundazi.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lundazi, I get your point, but in the manner in which you have raised your point of order, you did not cite the Standing Order that has been breached. Then, you also debated about another market in Livingstone. When you rise on a point of order, you should be precise and cite the breach that has been committed. Do not debate the point of order so that the Presiding Officer can respond. You have debated about how you went to Livingstone, saw something there and tried to bring it this way. Your point of order is not admissible.

Let us make progress.

Rev. Katuta: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

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

Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, I have just forgotten the Standing Order, but it relates to the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to pretend to be calm today when we all know the kind of person he is? It is worrying because we want him to be his true self in Parliament.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, you cannot remember the Standing Order that has been breached? It is difficult to render a ruling on that point of order. It is like we are all forced to assess the mood of the hon. Minister. My duty is to listen to what he is saying and bringing to the Floor of the House. The question of whether he is calm, not happy or annoyed is another thing. The most important thing is whether we have heard the message that he has brought to the House.

 Hon. Minister, I do not know whether you are calm or what.

As I have said, what is important is the content of the message that he has brought to the House and if we were able to get the message. Was it loud and clear? Was it said in a Parliamentary way? I think that is how far we can go than assessing the calmness of the hon. Minister and so on and so forth. I think we cannot do that.

Let us make progress.

MINING ACTIVITIES AT KANTOBO MINE IN NGABWE CHIEFDOM

7. Mr Kolala (Lufubu) asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development:

1. whether the Government is aware of the mining activities at Kantobo Mine in Ngabwe Chiefdom in Lufubu Parliamentary Constituency;
2. if so, which company was awarded the licence to conduct the mining activities in the area;
3. what minerals are being extracted from the mine;
4. why the local traditional leadership was not notified of the mining activities; and
5. what measures are being taken to ensure that the local community benefits from the mining activities.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi) (on behalf of the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Kabuswe)): Madam Speaker, the Government is aware of the mining activities that are taking place at Kantobo Mine in Ngabwe Chiefdom in Lufubu Parliamentary Constituency.

Madam Speaker, Kantobo Mining Limited was awarded licence number 8310-HQ-SML by the ministry in Ngabwe District of Central Province valid from 30^th November, 2005, to 29^th November, 2030.

Madam Speaker, the company was granted a small-scale mining licence to extract minerals, which include copper and cobalt.

Madam Speaker, in line with the Mines and Minerals Development Act No. 11 of 2015, which places the responsibility to get consent from the local traditional leadership with the licence holder, after the mining company was granted the mining rights in 2005, the Government, through the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, ensured that Kantobo Mining Limited obtained consent from the traditional leadership responsible for the area before conducting the mining operations.

Madam Speaker, the Government is undertaking measures aimed at ensuring that the local community benefits from the mining activities by facilitating employment opportunities and participation in the supply of goods and services to the mining company for the local people.

Madam Speaker, in addition, the Government is encouraging the formation of cooperatives by the local people for them to participate in the exploitation of mineral resources within their communities.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kolala: Madam Speaker, now that the hon. Minister knows that the people of Lufubu are not participating and benefitting from the mining activities in the area, how is his ministry going to help them so that they start benefitting? When exactly will that happen?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, let me make it clear that all hon. Members, by the principle that the Government is made up of the three arms including this Legislature, are part of the Government. Often times, on the Floor of this House, hon. Ministers have asked hon. Members to be involved in Government activities. With respect to the question on the Floor, if the substantive hon. Minister is aware that the local communities are not participating in those operations, we expect the matters to be taken up and dealt with at that level by the relevant authorities in the district and the central Government here, in Lusaka.

Madam Speaker, if the situation obtaining is as he has described it, I urge the Member for Lufubu, Hon. Kolala, to engage us, as the Government, to ensure that it is corrected. It is a requirement of the Government that the local people participate in the economic activities that take place in their areas.

Madam Speaker, the other issue that the hon. Member raised in his question was on the traditional leadership in the area. The hon. Member and I are aware that there may have been certain issues among the traditional leaders and so on but, certainly, some traditional leaders were made aware of what was taking place. However, again, it is a matter that requires the involvement of the hon. Members. That is why we are elected to represent the people, that is to straighten some of these matters.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

NUMBER OF MEDICAL DOCTORS AND NURSES IN CHINSALI DISTRICT

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

1. how many medical doctors and nurses there were in Chinsali District as of February 2024;
2. whether the number of health personnel at (a) was adequate for the district; and
3. if not, what the deficit was.

The Minister of Health (Mr Muchima): Madam Speaker, as of February 2024, Chinsali District had a total of fifty-nine medical doctors and 214 nurses.

Madam Speaker, the number of health personnel, that is, doctors and nurses, was not adequate for the district. The current deficit stands at eight medical doctors and 115 nurses.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that at the time, the number of medical personnel was not adequate. How many do we need to have for the number to be adequate for both medical doctors and nurses?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, we actually need junior resident doctors. We are supposed to have forty, but as of September, we only had twenty-eight, and that number further reduced by twelve. There will be fifteen senior doctors by 27^th September. There were four medical specialists in February and by September we had six, and the deficit is eight. There were 180 nurses and by September the number was still at 180. There were thirty-four midwives in February and by September there were thirty-two bringing the total to 115.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, considering that we have inadequate medical personnel in Chinsali, should we expect the ministry to recruit more medical personnel who are going to be sent to Chinsali so that the district can have adequate personnel to look after the welfare of the people?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, as you know, this Government does not discriminate. Whenever there is a recruitment exercise, it covers the whole country. We have improved in the number of infrastructure that has been established meaning that there is a need for more recruitment. However, the number of deficits is not equal to the envelope we have. Chinsali will benefit from the 4,000 health personnel that will be recruited.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

LOANS FOR SOLAR-POWERED HAMMER MILLS FROM CITIZENS ECONOMIC

EMPOWERMENT COMMISSION IN DUNDUMWEZI

9. Mr Chaatila (Moomba) (on behalf of Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi)) asked the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development:

1. how many co-operatives in Dundumwezi Parliamentary Constituency obtained loans from the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) for the purchase of solar-powered hammer mills; and 
2. what the cost of each hammer mill was.

The Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Mr Mubanga): Madam Speaker, I wish to start by informing the hon. Member for Dundumwezi Constituency and this august House that the empowerment products offered by the Government, through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), are currently disbursed at the district level not at the constituency level. In this case, Dundumwezi Constituency is in Kalomo District. To that effect, four co-operatives obtained loans to purchase solar-powered hammer mills in 2023. In 2024, the area received two small-sized milling plants meaning that a total of six co-operatives obtained loans.

Madam Speaker, the solar-powered hammer mills cost K100,000 each, and since four were procured, K400,000 was approved for disbursement in 2023. In 2024, the two small-sized milling plants that were delivered were worth K185,000 bringing the total amount disbursed in Kalomo District to K585,000.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

There were no indications for supplementary questions.

Madam First Deputy Speaker gave the Floor to Mr Kafwaya to ask Question No. 10, but he was not in the House. Question lapsed.

PATCHING POTHOLES AND DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES

11. Eng. Mabenga (Mulobezi) asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

1. why some local councils have not been painting faded road markings and speed humps within their localities;
2. whether the local councils have a programme of patching up potholes as soon as they appear on the roads in their localities;
3. if so, what the cause of delay in patching up potholes is; and
4. when the demolition of illegally-constructed structures, countrywide, will be conducted. 

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, most local authorities are unable to constantly work on road markings and install speed humps due to budgetary constraints.

Madam Speaker, the local authorities have a programme to maintain township roads, including carrying out pothole patching, under the Department of Engineering Services. The delays in the maintenance of township roads, including patching up potholes as soon as they appear, are due to budgetary constraints, as mentioned in the response to part (a) of the question. Further, most local authorities largely depend on Government grants for road maintenance, as they are not capable of generating sufficient resources to sustain road maintenance activities.

Madam Speaker, the local authorities are mandated to enforce the development controls under the Urban and Regional Planning Act, No.3 of 2015. Under the programme, local authorities carry out the demolition of illegally-constructed structures as an ongoing activity. The ministry that I am privileged to run has continued to provide oversight to the local authorities to ensure the enforcement of the provisions of the Act, including addressing illegal developments.

Madam Speaker, the country is large. Some people have a tendency to not want to adhere to the provisions of the Urban and Regional Planning Act by building in the hours of darkness. I want to take advantage of this question to appeal to our citizens to remember that it is within their rights to demand planning and build authority each time they see something that is being built in places that look suspicious. We have just concluded formulating the integrated development plans (IDPs) for all the 116 districts, which is a document that we intend to adhere to to the letter. Therefore, I want to make a call, again, on us to depart from the old ways of doing things, that is, of disregarding the planned development agenda and sticking to the old rules. We need the cities, the developing towns, to keep functioning even after we are gone. We do not want a situation such as the one that happened in Lagos where at one point the congestion just closed down the whole city. That happens because of a lack of planning. I want to appeal, once again, to all the citizens to help us with that.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Lubozha (Chifubu): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that the demolition of illegal structures is an ongoing process in his ministry. When will his ministry demolish the illegal structures that were built in Forest No. 27?

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I want to take advantage of this question so that, maybe, we can clarify the matter once and for all. I am the one who made the pronouncement that Forest No. 27 had been encroached on by the people who were there before us. It was a matter that was topical in this Parliament. It was a matter for which the hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources then, provided the whole list.

Madam Speaker, we demanded to know the list of people who had benefitted from the destruction of the water aquifer, which has since caused a lot of harm to the Chalimbana River. The argument at that point was that the area was a water recharge site. It remains a water recharge area, which if disturbed is going to contaminate the underground water system at that aquifer and, consequently, also lead to the drying up of the Chalimbana River, which would also adversely affect Chongwe River. At the time those arguments were made, we, as the United Party for National Development (UPND), said that when we come into office ­ courtesy of the Zambian people ­ we would demolish whatever was built in Forest No. 27.

Madam Speaker, in the first week of my appointment as the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, I, with the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources then, Hon. Muchima, went to see what kind of developments were in the area. We also opened up files in the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and found that at a time when we were concerned about the proliferation of buildings in that forest, the President then, had gone ahead to de-gazette it. The de-gazetting of land did not mean that the action was the right thing to do. When the buildings started coming up, nearly 90 per cent of the beneficiaries had not gone through the due process of acquiring land. They were just hand-picked and all of them, save for 5 per cent, were Patriotic Front (PF) members, Cabinet Ministers and so on and so forth. However, the chickens came home to roost because at one point some of them went to court and revelations were made to the effect that after they had acquired those properties in the area they were sold off to unsuspecting citizens of this country. Those are the facts that we have on the ground.

Mr Kasandwe indicated dissent. 

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, to cut the long answer short, that issue has become a legal matter. At a time when the echoes were loud about the destruction of the water aquifer, the President then, went ahead and appended his signature to de-gazette that piece of land. The negative effects, as a result of that President’s signature, have not changed, the Chalimbana River remains threatened. The only thing that we did was to ensure that beyond a certain point, the forest was reserved. We, as the Government, indicated that no one should cut trees down around that area because, with a bit of fortune, the water recharge can rebuild itself. That is the answer that I have for the hon. Member. If it were up to me alone, I would have brought those structures down a long time ago. Remember, however, that we are all bound by the law.

Madam Speaker, with your permission, allow me to say something. I have observed that no one is talking today. I was not in the House yesterday.

Is something wrong, hon. Members?

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: Everything is okay?

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, everything is okay. The hon. Members are asking questions and the hon. Ministers are responding to the questions that have been raised.

Laughter

_______

MOTION

MOTION OF THANKS

(Debate resumed)

Mr Hamwaata (Pemba): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity, on behalf of the good people of Pemba Constituency, to add a voice to the debate on the Motion on the Floor of this House.

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President of this Republic, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, in his address, acknowledged and sympathised with the Zambian people on the challenges that they are going through, as a result of the drought that was brought on by the El Niño weather phenomenon. The drought has brought many challenges. It has slowed down economic growth; eighty-four districts have challenges in the provision of clean water for the people and animals and load-shedding has affected the availability of electricity. As a result of all the challenges, our people are struggling to manage their businesses; big or small, and most of our farmers have failed to harvest their grain, especially in the eight-four districts.

Madam Speaker, Pemba Constituency has not been spared from the challenges. As a result of the drought, 22,216 households and 45,000 animals are in dire need of clean water. It is expected that by the end of October, 90 per cent of our dams will dry up. The only reliable source of water for my constituency, especially in the central business district (CBD), is a dam called Likwele, and it has dried up. The situation has posed a challenge for our people. However, we, as a constituency and district, are not just seated. Under the 2023/2024 constituency budget, we allocated some resources that were approved to put up water provision schemes in public institutions. That was done in response to His Excellency Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s call to have tap water in public institutions.

Madam Speaker, I have taken the time to engage public and private institutions in search of the commodity called water. The challenge in Pemba District, especially in the CBD, is big. We have a deficit of 260 cubic litres of water, which we are supposed to consume per day. Actually, the total quantity of water that the district is supposed to consume, in terms of provision to the CBD, is about 435 cubic litres, but we are only able to supply 175 cubic litres to the people.

Madam Speaker, I would like to appeal to the companies and institutions that I have visited to support our small district in terms of sinking boreholes; hand-operated pumps and commercial boreholes, so that our people and animals can have clean water.

Madam Speaker, with those few words, I thank you.

Ms Halwiindi (Kabwe Central): Madam Speaker, thank you for this opportunity that you have given to me, on behalf of the people of Kabwe Central Constituency, to add a voice to the debate on the Motion to adopt the Address rendered by the President.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, for the speech that he delivered to this House whose theme was “Enhancing National Resilience: Sustaining Socio-Economic Gains in the Face of Adverse Effects of Climate Change”. The situation we, as a country, are in is not easy. So, I commend the Government for the positive response it has taken so far to address it. The effects of the drought have hit us hard. Drought is a natural disaster or an act of God. I heard one of my hon. Colleagues ask why we cannot ask God why this is happening. Unfortunately, we do not have the right to question God. What do we need to do in such a situation? Maybe, God wants to teach us something. We do not know. As it is said, people perish because of a lack of knowledge. We have been given the sun freely. So, we can generate power using it. It is time for us to wake up from slumber and utilise other sources of energy that can help our people. The situation is not something that we can question God about. I thank God that the New Dawn Government is on the right trajectory in utilising the sun and, maybe, if possible, coal, as alternative energy sources so that even if a drought occurs, will not have problems with power shortages.

Madam Speaker, I would also like to call upon the people of Zambia to respond positively to the situation. This is a business opportunity, but there is little response from the people. Even when a power purchase agreement is announced, we see little happening on the ground, especially among our local businesses that have been given those agreements. The President had to travel to China to ask our colleagues to participate in the power generation industry. It is a wake-up call for us. We should seize the opportunity to generate power using the sun.

Madam Speaker, I also want to mention a point that is on page No. 23 of the speech. The President talked about the effects that the drought has had on water supply in our communities. Indeed, it is a big challenge, especially in my town, Kabwe. Wells are drying up. When we drill boreholes, we are hitting dry water beds. I know that there is a programme that is being sponsored by the European Union (EU) and the German Government for our water utility companies to install new water pipes and rehabilitate the Mulungushi Dam. Since the President declared the drought a national disaster, I would like to request the ministry involved in the donor-sponsored programme to have a conversation with institutions that want to help us to ensure that they speed up the negotiation process so that we can see the start of the rehabilitation works on the water system in Kabwe.

Madam Speaker, let me also appeal to the Ministry of Energy to urgently connect us to dedicated power lines for the water supply points, such as boreholes and water pumps, so that the people of Kabwe can have access to water. At the moment, there is a crisis. If you went to Kabwe, you would see that the people have problems.

Madam Speaker, at some point, we had the Zambia Mining and Environmental Remediation and Improvement Project (ZMERIP) in Kabwe, under which boreholes were sunk in certain schools. I would like to appeal to the Government and the local authorities to open up that initiative to the communities so that our people can have access to water.

Madam Speaker, on page No. 27 of the speech, our President talked about constitutional reforms. That is important for us, as a country. Unfortunately, some people misinterpreted what he said. The President means well. Any good reader would not miss the point that he made. I know that the time will come when he would have served his two terms in office. He would not want to see a leader take over the reins who would want to perpetuate his or her stay in office. So, something has to be done to the provisions of the Constitution so that no one can take advantage of the lacunae in it.

Madam Speaker, let me also emphasise the fact that there is a need to undertake delimitation. Some of our constituencies are too big. My constituency is big although some people think that it is small. It has a large population. Since it is centrally located, it harbours many people from Bwacha and other constituencies in Central Province. The people conduct their businesses in my constituency. You can imagine one constituency having ten markets. It means that the constituency is too big. Kabwe Central needs to be considered when the time for delimitation comes.

Madam Speaker, when the time comes to undertake constitutional reforms, I want to recommend that we put the percentage of women representation in the House in black and white. We should not overlook that aspect. Our democracy is under threat. You can see that the number of women Parliamentarians is low in our House and other decision-making processes. If it is enshrined in the Constitution, we will not labour much to attain 50 per cent women representation, especially in political positions such as being an hon. Member of Parliament.

Madam Speaker, I fully support the Motion to adopt the President’s Speech. The speech came at the right time. The positive measures that are being taken to respond to the drought are welcome. Kabwe Central is benefiting from such programmes.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Simunji (Nalikwanda): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me time to add a voice to the debate on the Motion on the Floor.

Madam Speaker, I will talk about the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which the President mentioned in the speech. Over a long period of time, all the developmental projects in the country were undertaken through the Central Government. The result of that situation was that while certain areas were being developed, other areas were not developing. So, there is that disparity in our country. The CDF was brought in as a way of taking decentralisation to the people. We have seen money being budgeted for all the constituencies in the country because of decentralisation. So, the people on the ground can determine what they want. If in Nalikwanda they want a road, they can buy earth-moving equipment so that they can work on their feeder roads. If they draw their water from shallow wells, they can budget for boreholes to be sunk in the constituency. As a result, through the CDF, we can see an effective way of investing in the country, and that means that we can undertake projects at the right price, within the right timeframe and efficiently. We can budget for projects directly and the community can come on board to say what developmental projects they want in their constituencies. In Nalikwanda, for example, we have procured earth-moving equipment and constructed clinics with the CDF allocation. We have also constructed classrooms at schools where there were no classrooms previously. So, we are happy with the way that the CDF is working and we commend the Government for increasing the allocation. I urge the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to further increase funding to the CDF because that is the only way the local communities can be improved.

Madam Speaker, the second area I want to debate on is the media. The media is one of the important entities in the world. Its main function is to communicate and inform the public. Now, because the media can communicate and inform the public, it has the power to create and change public opinion, control discussions and change society. If this entity is very important, what does it do? It has propaganda machinery that it can use to persuade people to believe its ideas. In the previous Government, media institutions in Zambia suffered a lot. Whenever the media reported something contrary to what the Government wanted, the Government would close down such media outlets. However, in the current system, it is a different scenario. I will give you an example. Prime Television, Muvi Television, Itezhi-tezhi Radio and Komboni Radio were closed down. Even The Post newspaper was closed down. However, when the new Government came into power, what did it do? All the entities that were closed down were re-opened and they can operate freely. No one is controlling what the media wants to write. Apart from re-opening those outlets, there are new entities that have been opened up. For example, Kwathu Radio in Vubwi, 3FM Radio, the Daily Revelation and Times Media are now operating. We can see that there is free space for the media to operate in Zambia without control from anybody. Therefore, I feel that media institutions should operate the way they want. Their main aim is to communicate and inform. It is up to them to decide what to communicate to the people. This is the right space in which the media should operate.

With those few words, I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, from the outset, let me state that His Excellency the President’s presentation to this august House last Friday was not only inspiring, it gave hope to many of us, as Zambians, who listened to it. If I may refer to what he mentioned on infrastructure development, he said that in the Eastern Province, the Chadiza/Chipata Road, which is now called HH Road, is being worked on. He also showed commitment when he said that the Chipata/Lundazi stretch is being worked on. I appeal to this Government to consider working on an extension of that road from Lundazi to Chama. If the works on that road end in Lundazi –

Madam Speaker, you will be interested to know that 90 per cent of the agricultural products that come from the Eastern Province come from Chama District. Not only that, if the works are extended to Chama, the route going to East Africa will also be shortened. We are grateful that the Road Development Agency (RDA), for the first time, is doing spot-improvement works on the roads. It used to take four hours, at times five hours, to travel a distance of 160 km from Chama to Lundazi. It now takes an average of two hours to travel between the two districts because of what the RDA is doing on that portion of the road.

Madam Speaker, coming to the issue in the Constitution that the President hinted on, indeed, Cap No. 1 of the land’s Constitution has many lacunae. The reason is simple. The Constitution that we have is incomplete. The piece of legislation that we have was abandoned at the drafting stage. We are privileged to have people who were involved in the formulation of the Constitution. I would like to appeal to the President to, maybe, sit down with Madam Eva Jhala. She can explain the provisions. She is one of the best drafters not only in this country, but the entire continent.

Madam Speaker, when the work on drafting the Constitution was at 30 per cent, the former hon. Minister of Justice, allow me to mention his name, Hon. Winter Kabimba, went to where the drafting process was taking place and told everyone to stop what they were doing. So, they all packed up and left. That is the reason we have that part of the Constitution with many lacunae. It is the duty of this august House to refine the Constitution. For example, if one Presidential candidate decides to withdraw, then, everything is cancelled, and that can be done over and over. So, because of that action, eight years or ten years can go by without elections being held.

Madam Speaker, as hon. Members, we appeal to the Executive, especially the hon. Minister of Justice, to not shy away from making decisions. Bring the Constitution. Let us build consensus. Certain issues are not contentious, like hon. Members being part of the local councils again. Further, many constituencies are huge. Let us remove the clause that has tied down the number of constituencies to 156 so that people can have better representation.

Madam Speaker, the President emphasised that the fight against corruption should not see the tribe, colour and religion of individuals involved. We have to support the Head of State on that call. We are developing a tendency in which if we are involved in corruption and we are supposed to be answerable, we rush to the traditional leaders. When we were involved in corruption, were the traditional leaders there? The answer is no. If we allow such tendencies to take root, we will not fight corruption. The people of Chama South are in support of what the President hinted at.

Madam Speaker, we are extremely excited about the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). The President mentioned that the Government is going to increase the allocation again this year. We cannot wait. The CDF is changing people’s lives in my constituency. We might have certain difficulties in implementation by the local councils, but we are there to correct the deficiencies that are identified. For the first time, our children are enrolled at skills development centres and boarding schools that, ordinarily, they could not afford. We have earth-moving equipment being procured. What we need is actual execution on the ground, and we believe that we will do it. We are grateful to the President and we will remain grateful, especially that he has increased the allocation. Let that increment go toward infrastructure, and loans and grants so that more people can benefit.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, Chama South fully endorses and supports what the President presented last Friday.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lumayi (Chavuma): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Chavuma, I stand here, on the Floor, to support the Motion to adopt the President’s Address to this House.

Madam Speaker, I am grateful to His Excellency Mr Hakainde Hichilema for not massaging the challenges that Zambia is facing. What is important is that he outlined the challenges that not only the people of Zambia are facing, but the people in the Republic of Namibia, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mozambique. The drought has not spared any country in Southern Africa. Yesterday, in the morning, I was in the Republic of South Africa. Since the challenges are known to everyone, it is difficult to see our brothers and sisters in the Opposition, the former Government, stand on the Floor to say negative things about what the President said in this House.

Madam Speaker, the President addressed the energy crisis. The issue does not only concern electricity, it also concerns fuel. At the time we, as the United Party for National Development (UPND), were in the Opposition under the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, when we said that fuel is expensive, we would make comparisons. Fuel was cheaper in neighbouring countries. So, when our comrades in the Opposition stand to challenge the UPND Government on the prices of fuel, I want them to say that while fuel is expensive in Zambia, it is cheaper in another named country.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours 

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Lumayi: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was merely saying that at the time we were in the Opposition, when we offered criticism to the Government then, we would compare what was happening in other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries with what was prevailing in our country.

Mr Speaker, allow me to also take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, and his team for managing to keep the economy moving despite the challenges that SADC countries and, indeed, Africa, as a whole, are facing. Had it been in the other regime, the economy of this country would have been shut down. We can give food for work to the citizens of this republic because we have assembled the brains of different men and women.

Mr Speaker, despite the challenges, we have increased the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) allocation and the citizens are receiving that money. Also, you have not heard the civil servants complaining about not receiving their salaries. I want to thank Mr Hakainde Hichilema for standing on his word to keep the economy of this republic running.

Mr Speaker, the people of Zambia have seen the works that are being carried out on the dual carriageway from Lusaka to the Copperbelt Province. Allow me to take this opportunity to address the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. The engineers should not disappoint the people of Zambia. Many were times that we saw roads constructed under the previous regime develop cracks two years down the line. We do not want to see that happening in the New Dawn Government era. Allow me to also emphasise the need for the engineers to help the republic because most of the debt that African countries have acquired arises from the money that we borrow to construct our roads.

Mr Speaker, all hon. Members, both on the left and right, will agree with me that the current Constitution needs amendments. It is for the good of the ruling party and the Opposition.

Imagine, Hon. Chisopa, that after filing in your nomination, fifteen days down the line –

Mr Chisopa interjected.

Mr Lumayi: Madam Speaker, I withdraw the mention of his name in my statement.

Madam Speaker, imagine that fifteen days after filing in nominations, as candidates for seats in Parliament, somebody who did not even have substance to stand as an hon. Member of Parliament withdraws because he or she just filed in the nomination to cause havoc. Then, you are told that the election in your constituency is not going ahead because there is a lacuna in the Constitution. It is upon us, as hon. Members of Parliament, to take a keen interest, as requested by His Excellency the President, in amending the Constitution.

Mr Speaker, the people of Chavuma know that the district is not the same today because they work with His Excellency President Mr Hakainde Hichilema. It has changed. People can see development in all the fifteen wards in the district. The people of Chavuma did not vote for a joker. They voted for me, a strong man, as I stand here, in the House, to work with Mr Hakainde Hichilema to develop the welfare of the district.

Mr Speaker, taking advantage of President Hakainde Hichilema’s Address to this House, I would also like to appeal to the people of Zambia to support the President because he means well for this republic. Zambia is no longer the same. We need to support Mr Hakainde Hichilema because he has offered what he promised the people of Zambia. We have not seen any administrative errors arising that we can say that His Excellency the President has made.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mapani (Namwala): Mr Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to add two sentences or three sentences to the debate on the Motion on the Floor of this House.

Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the President for almost making it a habit to not miss out on mentioning three words; unity, love and hard work, whenever he is here, in the House. He always says them. That alone has given a couple of hon. Members the zeal to ensure that there is unity, working towards attaining set goals and, whilst doing that, maintaining an attitude of love in whatever they do. In so doing, this country will not see issues of division that were there before. This country was purely divided on the lines of political affiliation and ethnicity. With the coming of the trend that the President exhibits, we all realise that we have a duty to work together towards getting our economy back to where it is supposed to be.

Mr Speaker, the President also talked about good governance. Zambia has written laws, that is, the Constitution. It is from those laws that the citizens of this country are now treated according to the tenets of good governance, which we have not seen before. The President talked about human rights, the rule of law, decentralisation, transparency and accountability. Of course, among the other issues that were left out is capacity-building. The citizens are now enjoying those tenets wherever they are.

Mr Speaker, the freedom of movement and association did not exist previously in the sense that the people who were given the mandate to superintend national affairs ensured that only those who were affiliated to or supported them enjoyed the rights. However, we are lucky that the Head of State has continued emphasising the fact that the citizens of this country ought to be treated equally. The national resources also ought to be shared equally. Further, we are all aware that the previous Government did not see it inevitable to implement the elements of decentralisation. However, the New Dawn Government has bravely implemented those elements. What is it that we are seeing coming out of decentralisation? The people in our constituencies can now make decisions on what they feel should be done in their communities, and that is what we have been crying for all these years. The decentralisation process works with the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from which the people in rural setups and urban areas can choose what they want to be worked on in their areas, and that is done through the Ward Development Committees (WDCs) and the Constituency Development Fund Committees (CDFCs).

Mr Speaker, on education, the President has continued to place an emphasis on the fact that citizens should not allow children who are supposed to be in school to stay at home because the Government has ensured that free education is implemented. The Free Education Policy is offered in all the corners of this country and it ought to be enjoyed by all the children. Further, the President also emphasised on the implementation of the School Feeding Programme. We heard that so far out of seventy districts, the number of schools that are supposed to enjoy the programme has been increased. That will give our children the courage and motivation to go to school knowing that, at the end of the day, they will have a meal that will enable them to walk kilometres back to their homes.

Mr Speaker, continuing with the point on the CDF, we are now constructing schools, which means that we have shortened the distances that children used to walk to their schools. Previously, they would walk about 10 km to learn under the trees. Our children now learn in classrooms within reasonable distances from their homes. Not only that, we have teachers who can attend to our children to teach them what is supposed to be taught. Further, children who dropped out of school because, maybe, they did not see the sense in being in school at the time and those who were unfortunate because their parents were unable to sponsor them to school are now able to acquire skills training. Three-quarters of our youths have acquired skills and can live on their own.

Mr Speaker, still on the issue of education, the President said that we are likely to have more teachers recruited this year. That alone will help our constituencies, districts, schools and children to have all that they have ever wanted. The opportunity has been given to them. Our children will be able to debate and compete in educational activities and progress to where they want to be by purely using their grey matter.

Mr Speaker, with those few words, I thank you.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Any further debate?

There were no indications.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: We are not adjourning today if you are not indicating.

I will tell the parliamentary security officers to lock the doors.

Laughter

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: We are using taxpayers’ money to be here, in this House. As such, we have to justify the expense. So, we are not knocking off today. I am not adjourning the House.

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Mwiimbu, SC): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Question put and agreed to.

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The House adjourned at 1718 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 19^th September, 2024.

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