Tuesday, 22^nd October, 2024

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER

ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I have received communication to the effect that in the absence of Her Honour the Vice-President, who is attending to other Government business, the Minister of Defence, Hon. Ambrose Lufuma, MP, has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House from today, 22^nd October, 2024, until further notice.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

STUDENTS AND LECTURERS FROM CHRESO UNIVERSITY

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Public Gallery of students and lecturers from Chreso University of Lusaka District.

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

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM MATERO BOYS SECONDARY SCHOOL

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Public Gallery of pupils and teachers from Matero Boys Secondary School of Lusaka District.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I warmly welcome our visitors into our midst.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM ST JOHN’S SCHOOL

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Public Gallery of pupils and teachers from St John’s School of Lusaka District.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I warmly welcome our visitors into our midst.

I thank you.

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MOTIONS

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

The Minister of Defence, and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Lufuma): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that Order No. 24 and Order No. 27 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, be suspended to enable the House to sit from 0900 hours to 1300 hours on Wednesday, 23^rd October, 2024.

Mr Speaker, as the House is aware, the country will be celebrating sixty years of Independence on Thursday, 24^th October, 2024. Order No. 24 outlines the days and times of Sitting while Order No. 27 provides for automatic adjournment. It is, therefore, necessary to suspend these Orders to accord hon. Members ample time to travel to their various constituencies after adjournment on Wednesday, 23^rd October, 2024, to celebrate sixty years of Zambia’s Independence with their constituents.

Mr Speaker, as hon. Members commemorate the sixtieth, diamond jubilee, anniversary of our nation’s Independence with their constituents, I wish to encourage them to honour the sacrifices that were made by our founding fathers and mothers who fought for our freedom and teach our children the significance of this day on our national calendar.

Mr B. Mpundu: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, this year’s Independence celebration is a significant milestone, as it speaks to the peace and unity that have prevailed in our country since we gained self-rule in 1964. Hon. Members are, therefore, encouraged to actively participate in Zambia’s diamond jubilee Independence celebrations in their various constituencies with a deep sense of pride and patriotism.

Mr Speaker, this is a procedural and non-controversial Motion. I, therefore, urge all hon. Members to support it.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, indeed, this Motion that has been laid out by the Executive is non-controversial. I heard the hon. Acting Leader of Government Business in the House remind us of the struggles that our forefathers went through and how Zambia got to where it is now, that is, celebrating its sixty years or diamond jubilee.

Mr Speaker, in supporting the Motion, I would like to say that I think it would be important for us, as leaders gathered in this House, to ask ourselves if we have really been as selfless as the people who made it possible for us to celebrate the Independence that we will be celebrating the day after tomorrow. I think that we have a lot of work to do and that it is important to not shy away from accepting our failures. How can we go to our constituencies and celebrate with pride amid the high levels of poverty? How do we celebrate with pride when sixty years down the line, we have failed to provide electricity, water and sanitation? At least, we are happy that free education has been re-introduced. That is worth talking about. If one looks around, one will see that all the challenges that we, as a country, are facing today can easily be turned into achievements by working together and applying the right attitudes as we serve in Parliament.

Mr Speaker, I tend to wonder about the opportunities that we have in this country. Looking at sectors like mining, which is the backbone of the Zambian economy, one sees that it is filled with rampant casualisation, yet we have people in the House who have progressed from such sectors. They have served in the mines and other sectors, but we are not getting the necessary output that we deserve in terms of the wealth that we are supposed to create for our people. So, as we go back to our constituencies, each one of us in the House needs to engage in serious introspection as far as the contributions that we are making for the communities that sent us to this House are concerned. Just being present in our constituencies with the people with smiles and jubilations will not be worth it knowing that the challenges that lie ahead can easily be turned into achievements.

Mr Speaker, in supporting the non-controversial Motion, I say that, at least, the Executive should have something to think about as we celebrate Independence in our various communities.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, as I support the Motion that has been moved by the Executive, which is, indeed, non-controversial, I would like to say that it is clear that we need to suspend the Orders to allow your hon. Members to travel to their respective constituencies. Zambia will be celebrating sixty years of Independence, which is a diamond jubilee. Each one of us will need to reflect on what we have achieved and contributed to the wellbeing of Zambia. As leaders, we need to be at the forefront of contributing positively to the wellbeing and economic development of our country. I remember that one popular figure, Mr Chama Chakomboka from Luanshya, may his soul rest in peace, at one time, mentioned to us, as young ones then, that he knew where the wealth of this country lay in terms of mineral resources and, true to that, this country is endowed with a lot of wealth across its length and breadth. This is the time we need the Government to critically look at how it is going to utilise that wealth for the benefit of the people of Zambia. After sixty years of Independence, we need every household to, at least, be comfortable.

Mr Speaker, we also need to work towards embracing one another. It was just last week that this country bowed down to the Almighty God to pray for better rainfall this year. We need to come together in the thickness, challenges and difficulties to work as one entity. Pointing fingers and accusing one another will not help this country. As leaders, we need to go back to our people to celebrate this important day for our nation with them. Of course, we should also not forget the people who laboured, suffered and shed their blood, some of whom are still living, for the emancipation of our country. It is time for the Government to start looking after those people. Most times, we want to remember the good that they did when they are no more. It is important for the Executive to start taking stock of which freedom fighters are still living so that we can embrace and take care of them whilst they are living. A Bemba adage says, “Mayo mpapa naine nkakupapa”. Another one says, “Kolwe akota asabilwa nabana”, meaning that as the people who are enjoying the fruits and freedom of Independence, which were fought for by our forefathers, some of whom have passed on, it is our turn to put them on our shoulders so that they can also feel the comfort of their struggle and their sweat.

Mr Speaker, this is a non-controversial Motion, and I support it. As I go back to Roan Constituency, we will celebrate well this time around because Luanshya 28 Mine Shaft is up and running, and the road network that was giving us a headache, the Masangano/Luanshya Road, is now open and we are moving on it.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the two hon. Members who stood on the Floor of this Parliament to support the non-controversial Motion that has been moved. Despite the various challenges in terms of economic development, and social and economic issues that besiege our country, peace, unity and tranquillity are prerequisites to any type of development in every country and, as such, we must celebrate. We must celebrate the people who fought for Independence, which goes without saying because we have enjoyed sixty years of peace. Looking at the world today, we can see that few countries have managed to attain sixty years of uninterrupted peace, and so it calls for all of us to celebrate with our people when we go back to our constituencies.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Question put and agreed to.

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URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

MR B. MPUNDU, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR NKANA, ON MR LUFUMA, HON. MINISTER OF DEFENCE, ON ARMY OFFICERS BEATING UP INNOCENT PEOPLE AND DESTROYING PROPERTY

Mr B. Mpundu (Nkana): Mr Speaker, I rise on a matter directed to the hon. Minister of Defence. The Defence Wings under the ministry are the Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force (ZAF), and Zambia National Service (ZNS). I am a young man who grew up in a ZNS Camp. In the recent past, there have been disturbing reports to the effect that the Zambia Army, which is a wing that was established to protect our territorial integrity and sovereignty, is now threatening the peace that this country has enjoyed in our sixty years of Independence. Many reports have come up, such as the infamous decision made by the new Army Commander to demote officers, which is against the establishment, but that is not why I have risen.

Mr Speaker, I have risen concerning two incidents; army officers in Mufulira went onto the streets to beat up innocent people, and an hon. Member was caught up in the crossfire and property was destroyed. Just two days ago, another incident happened in Ndola. Again, army officers went into the streets and mercilessly beat up anyone and anything they found moving, destroyed property and, in the process, another hon. Member had his property destroyed.

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Your time is up.

Mr B. Mpundu: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Defence –

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Your time is up.

Mr B. Mpundu: No, ba Speaker, takwaba.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Your two minutes are up. May you resume your seat.

Mr B. Mpundu: Takwaba naimwe. Takwaba efyo.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, we all know the provisions of our Standing Orders and we are guided by the rules. These matters are timed. Our Standing Orders are specific. An Urgent Matter Without Notice has to be precise.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Nkana, an Urgent Matter Without Notice has to be precise, meaning that you have to raise one substantive issue. I think, you are on record saying that you were raising two matters. As a result, they cannot be admitted.

MR MUMBA, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR KANTANSHI, ON DR MUSOKOTWANE, HON. MINISTER OF FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING, ON CHALLENGES COLLECTING REVENUE

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, I am rising on an Urgent Matter Without Notice directed to the hon. Acting Leader of Government Business in the House, since the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning is not in the House; he is attending to other duties. Last week on Thursday, I raised a concern on Budget integrity relating to the resources that were not remitted to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning for it to spend on various activities. I was given guidance to the effect that I should file in an Urgent Question. After that interaction, however, another report came out indicating that the ministry is facing challenges in collecting close to K9 billion, which is also part of the anticipated revenue. A budget is a shopping list that has to co-relate with revenue. In the absence of that revenue, it becomes difficult to execute it. We are all aware that for the National Budget to be credible, the expenses have to be aligned with the revenue. Some expenses came up to respond to challenges caused by the drought.

Mr Speaker, I am seeking your indulgence so that we can get the necessary assurance from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning that even with the identified challenges in collecting the resources, which were budgeted for in terms of revenue, our Budget will remain aligned and not be –

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

The time is up.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: It is good that you have acknowledged that last week on Thursday, you were given guidance to file in a question. Seeing as today is Tuesday, I do not know whether you have started processing the question. If you have not started, ensure that the other concerns are incorporated so that when the hon. Minister responds, he will do the needful. That is my guidance.

MR CHARLES MULENGA, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR KWACHA, ON MR MWIIMBU, SC., HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY, ON ALLEGATIONS ABOUT THE FORMER PRESIDENT, MR EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU, BEING ATTACKED DURING A BURIAL IN CHINGOLA

Mr Charles Mulenga (Kwacha): Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, my Urgent Matter Without Notice is directed to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, who is not in the House. I believe that the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House can take it up.

Mr Speaker, there are serious reports on various media platforms to the effect that the Sixth Republican President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, was attacked at a funeral gathering in Chingola. The incident happened during the burial of the two brothers of Mr Kambwili. The Zambian people, especially those on the Copperbelt, would like to know the truth about what transpired because the allegations that are coming through are being targeted at the United Party for National Development (UPND) family, which is being portrayed as being responsible for such atrocities. It is also alleged that foodstuffs and chairs at the place from where the people who gathered for the funeral were supposed to eat were destroyed.

Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House the actual position on what transpired so that the Zambian people can know the truth.

Mr Speaker, I seek your indulgence.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I instruct the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security to come up with a Ministerial Statement to put this issue on the Floor of the House on Tuesday next week.

Thank you.

Mr B. Mpundu: It is an instruction.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Our Standing Orders provide that only three matters will be looked at. So, I think that we have exhausted our number.

Let us make progress.

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I have permitted the hon. Minister of Energy to issue a Ministerial Statement.

Mr Kapyanga: Mwabwesha amafuta pali K9?

FUEL SUPPLY SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY

The Minister of Energy (Mr Chikote): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank you for according me this opportunity to issue a Ministerial Statement on the fuel supply situation in the country in response to an Urgent Matter Without Notice that was raised by Mr B. Mpundu, hon. Member for Nkana.

Mr Speaker, as you may be aware, Zambia imports all its petroleum products either by road or through the pipeline network. Currently, the country consumes 3,800,000 litres of diesel and 1,600,000 litres of petrol daily. The majority of the diesel stock comes through the Tanzania-Zambia Mafuta (TAZAMA) Pipeline while petrol, kerosene, jet A-1 and 20 per cent of diesel are imported via road transportation.

Mr Speaker, may I also take this opportunity to inform this august House that the New Dawn Administration disengaged from procuring and financing petroleum products in 2022. The policy shift was driven by the following issues in the petroleum sub-sector:

1. the previous Administration had accumulated a debt close to US$1 billion in the supply of petroleum products due to inefficiencies in the management of supply contracts;

1. desire of the New Dawn Administration to provide efficiency in pricing and the supply chain so as to pass on the benefits to the Zambian people; and

1. inefficient operations at Indeni Energy Company Limited, coupled with the double handling of petroleum products, which proved costly and led to a higher pump price on the market.

Mr Speaker, the option to disengage from fuel procurement and finance is an inclusive approach in the development process, which is being spearheaded by the New Dawn Administration, and is meant to promote an efficient and responsive petroleum sub-sector.

Mr Speaker, I wish to confirm to the House that in the last fourteen days, we have had challenges in the petroleum sub-sector, leading to a stressed fuel supply chain. Our findings indicate that:

1. there was delayed berthing of a ship carrying petrol at the Port of Beira. That led to congestion, as some of the oil marketing companies (OMCs) with major market shares on the Zambian market had locked orders for petrol that was on the vessel; and

1. the Zimbabwean Government has introduced transit deposits for trucks transiting through Zimbabwe with petroleum products to prevent transit fraud. The transit deposit is in the range of US$22,000 and US$30,000 per truck, which increases operating costs for the OMCs using that route. To avoid paying the transit deposit, some OMCs have re-routed their trucks through the Chanida Border, which is 400 km longer than transiting through Zimbabwe. That has not only increased the turn-around time, but has also increased the cost of transportation.

Mr Speaker, despite those setbacks, petroleum products have continued being supplied through the pipeline and road network across the country. The ministry has been engaging all the stakeholders to avert any major crisis during this period. In the immediate term, the ministry, through the Energy Regulation Board (ERB), has been engaging the OMCs on a daily basis to remove all the bottlenecks that they may have encountered. In addition, our mission in Mozambique has been engaged to ascertain the situation on the ground; determine the extent of the delays being experienced at the Port of Beira and help resolve any matters arising with our counterparts. Further, the ministry is closely working with other relevant Government Institutions, such as the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry; the Ministry of Transport and Logistics; the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA; Cabinet Office; and the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), using a co-ordinated approach to resolving the current challenges.

Mr Speaker, in the medium term to long term, the Government is facilitating the construction of a bigger multi-product petroleum pipeline alongside the existing (TAZAMA) pipeline. Further, private developers are being encouraged to develop other pipelines from our neighbouring countries in order to be adequately supplied with fuel at a reduced cost.

Mr Speaker, in raising his matter, the hon. Member for Nkana Constituency also alluded to reports to the effect that in some places in the North-Western Province, fuel was fetching for as much as K100 per litre. I wish to inform this august House that the energy sector is a market regulated by the ERB, which is mandated by the Energy Regulation Act No. 12 of 2019, to determine, regulate and review charges and pricing in the energy sector. To that effect, all licensed service stations across the country are expected to sell petroleum products at the ERB’s prescribed price or less. However, due to the circumstances that are faced in rural areas, such as in the North-Western Province, as a result of the poor network of service stations, I recognise that there is a challenge of illegal fuel vending. The matter continues to receive attention from the ERB with the help of law enforcement agencies.

Mr B. Mpundu: Very good!

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, the New Dawn Administration is a Government that operates within the confines of the laws of this great nation. I, therefore, wish to encourage the hon. Member for Nkana to report businesses that are selling fuel beyond the prescribed price to the ERB or law enforcement agencies.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, may I also take this opportunity to urge the public to refrain from engaging in illegal activities like fuel vending, as it constitutes a criminal offence and poses a risk to public safety. It may also cause environmental pollution and damage to petroleum equipment, since the products are exposed to contamination.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, the Government of His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema, through my ministry, remains committed to making petroleum products readily available on the market and accessible to all the Zambian people. I must also hasten to indicate that monitoring the fuel situation in the country is an activity that we undertake on a daily basis through the ERB. Therefore, with the measures that we have put in place, there should be no panic buying by the citizens.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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

Mr Menyani Zulu (Nyimba): Mr Speaker, thank you.

Mr Speaker, allow me to advise the hon. Minister to the effect that from the 22,000, I am happy that we have been –

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, may you resume your seat.

Mr Menyani Zulu resumed his seat.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I think that you ought to ask questions on points of clarification, not to debate, so that the hon. Minister can respond.

Also, let us stick to the contents of the Ministerial Statement.

Mr Menyani Zulu: Mr Speaker, we need to slap Zimbabweans with the same provisions so that we see who is going to suffer.

Mr Speaker, looking at what is obtaining on the fuel market, is there a reason we are not fully stocking the 42,000 m³ storage at Indeni Energy Company Limited so that in the event of such shocks, we can have somewhere to run to?

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, Indeni Energy Company Limited is a Government asset, and after having made the policy shift, we need to understand its mandate. Currently, it is not stocking Government reserves. That is the position. In my statement, I mentioned that the Government changed the policy on the procurement of petroleum products. Participation is entirely by the private sector.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika): Mr Speaker, I am grateful.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has stated that the Government of President Hakainde Hichilema would ensure that fuel was made available as well as affordable to the public. I also appreciate the hon. Minister’s role as someone who is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the promises made by His Excellency the President are fulfilled. Government policies are made from promises that the political party makes.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, avoid debating.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, the question to the hon. Minister is: When is the Government going to make fuel affordable, specifically, priced at K9, as was promised during election campaigns?

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, when I was issuing my statement, I alluded to the reason we, as the Government, decided to move away from procuring petroleum products. We went further to introduce the TAZAMA Pipeline so that the price of the products would be affordable to our people. I also stated that under the long-term measures, we are trying to expand the pipelines, which will help us to reduce the price of the products. If the situation was to continue in the fashion that the previous Administration was running the energy sector, by this time, the pump price of petrol would have reached K50 per litre.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Laughter

Mr Charles Mulenga (Kwacha): Thank you, Mr Speaker, for allowing me to ask a question on behalf of the people of Kwacha.

Hon. UPND Member: Hear, hear!

Hammer, hammer!

Mr Charles Mulenga: Mr Speaker, apart from the reasons that the hon. Minister has advanced for the erratic supply of fuel in the country, we have heard numerous reports to the effect that the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) is also at the core of perpetuating the erratic supply by not clearing the tankers in good time.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, let us stick to the contents of the Ministerial Statement to avoid unnecessary misrepresentation of the statement. Let us stick to interrogating what the hon. Minister has presented on the Floor.

Mr Charles Mulenga: Mr Speaker, my point is in the same line, to the effect that we are experiencing erratic supply because the ZRA is not clearing the tankers that are transporting the petroleum products through the various borders in good time, and that is what has led to the erratic supply. I need a comment from the hon. Minister on this matter.

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, indeed, we had some challenges with the ZRA, and it was not of the agency’s own making. It is a situation similar to what we are experiencing in terms of load-shedding. In my statement, I also mentioned that there was a delay with the vessel that was supposed to offload petroleum products destined for this country, which did not allow the OMCs to be cleared in time. Hence, it resulted in congestion and during load-shedding hours, the ZRA had no option but to operate in accordance with what we were supplying to it. However, that issue has been attended to and things will not be the same.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Nyirenda (Lundazi): Mr Speaker, I am grateful to you for giving me a chance, on behalf of the people of Lundazi, to ask a question on this important issue that is on the Floor.

Mr Speaker, in his statement, the hon. Minister indicated that Zimbabwe is charging a US$22,000 transit deposit fee per truck. I am worried. Are we enjoying good relations with Zimbabwe for it to charge a US$22,000 fee per truck? Is the hon. Minister in a position to inform the House whether the Government will soon be heading to Zimbabwe to meet the leaders? This issue is about having a poor relationship with a neighbour. We cannot suffer because of the poor relations that exist between Zimbabwe and Zambia today.

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, to start with, I would like to state that we have a good relationship with Zimbabwe. The introduction of the charge was not targeted at Zambia. It is an in-house policy to maintain and correct certain things that the country feels are not moving well. It was avoiding issues of dumping. It is not a target on Zambia. It is a policy for the country, which has affected us, as a country, because we use that route. However, engagement at a higher level with our colleagues has already began to see how we are going to address the matter. So, there is nothing to worry about concerning a bad relationship and targeting Zambia. No, please. We have good relations with the Government of Zimbabwe.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, I wanted to get a comment on why the Government is not promoting the use of the storage facilities in the provinces. I believe that there was a programme aimed at constructing fuel storage facilities in all the provinces. Why has the Government not continued supporting that agenda so that the provinces can be stocked with enough fuel for some time to overcome sudden changes in prices?

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, indeed, the Government spent a good amount of money on setting up the infrastructure in our provinces. However, I have mentioned that the Government is no longer procuring petroleum products because of a policy shift. Hence, at present, the procurement of petroleum products is entirely in the hands of the private sector. The Government is reviewing how it is going to utilise that infrastructure, which is dotted around the country, to ensure that the country becomes petroleum secure. The issues are being reviewed in relation to the policy that is currently running.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr B. Mpundu (Nkana): Mr Speaker, in his statement, the hon. Minister confirmed that his Government decided to step away from the fuel sub-sector and leave it completely to private sector players. Whereas the hon. Minister is aware that no government steps away from the fuel sub-sector, our Government proceeded to do so, thereby leaving the country vulnerable to such happenings as this one. Would it not be magnanimous of the Government, learning from this experience, to consider the fact that it is not right for a government to leave the fuel sub-sector completely in the hands of private sector players? Would it not be prudent for the Government to change the policy and allow itself to still be part of the sub-sector and utilise the storage facilities that we have across the country so that in times like this, the country has sufficient stocks to cushion the need for fuel?

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, as I said in my response to the question asked by the hon. Member for Kalabo, those are some of the issues that we are reviewing. This is a Government that has said that it is committed to addressing the challenges that are affecting its people and, indeed, the economy. This Government is trying to review how we are going to utilise that infrastructure and put in place mechanisms and systems that will secure this country's energy sector.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Twasa (Kasenengwa): Mr Speaker, thank you very much for this opportunity that you have given me to ask a question.

Mr Speaker, unfortunately, the issues around fuel have become extremely political in this country. Considering the problem and situation that we experienced in Mozambique, that is, the delay in loading the tankers that were en route to Zambia, the hon. Minister has stated that the Government is thinking about how it can utilise the storage facilities in the provincial capitals. What timeframe is the hon. Minister giving to us, as the Zambian people, for announcing when the ministry will start utilising those storage facilities, which are now white elephants? What timeframe are we looking at in averting what happened in Mozambique?

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, work is in progress. We are working on the issue and, soon, the people will hear how we are going to utilise the infrastructure dotted across the country.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Mr Speaker, thank you very much.

Mr Speaker, on the issue of fuel, the hon. Minister is slowly sounding like his predecessor, who used to assure us about electricity generation matters without giving us timeframes.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Let us stick to the Ministerial Statement.

Mr Mumba: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has talked about the pipeline. I did some research on the pipeline. After all the millions of Dollars of taxpayers’ money that were spent on it, only 50 per cent of the pipeline is being used two years down the line. Can the hon. Minister give us an assurance on when the optimal use will start so that we can cut down on the logistical challenges that he is talking about?

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, I did not clearly get the part about the 50 per cent in the question asked by the hon. Member

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Kantanshi, may you repeat the question.

Mr Mumba: Mr Speaker, the pipeline was created to cut down on the cost of logistics in the transportation of fuel. Two years down the line, the pipeline only has a usage capacity of around 50 per cent. Furthermore, only one client is using it up to now. I want to know when the Government is going to ensure that the pipeline is used at 100 per cent to avert the logistical challenges that he highlighted.

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, firstly, I need to make a correction to the effect that the usage of the pipeline is currently at 80 per cent while 20 per cent of the imported petroleum products are transported using the road network. I would like to inform the House that we are also introducing a drag-reducing agent (DRA), which will move the pipeline to 100 per cent usage.

Mr Speaker, the point that the hon. Member has made about only one player using the pipeline is not clear to me because I know that we always give permits to the OMCs to use the pipeline. However, we need to keep in mind that before the commencement of the usage of the pipeline, there was a player who cleaned it up, and we agreed to pay him in kind – I will put it that way – so that he could recover the capital that he invested in it. All in all, measures are being put in place to ensure that the usage of the pipeline becomes transparent so that even hon. Members can know which players are using it. Hence, we are pushing for open access to the pipeline, which will help to clear up the minds of the people by knowing what exactly happens to their assets.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

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

Mr Speaker, I was disturbed when I heard the hon. Minister mention the figure that the Government found, that is, US$1 billion, in debt left by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government. There are Zambian people who may not manage to translate US$1 billion into Zambian Kwacha. It is K26 billion. That was left by the PF Government. It was debt that was not paid for fuel supplied. The same PF Government left another debt under ZESCO Limited in Mozambique owed to the ship that was supplying the country with electricity. Now, just imagine the many billions of Kwacha owed. I want to know how much of that debt the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government has paid off so far and how much the balance is so that at some point, we should start chasing those people around to find out exactly where they took that US$1 billion or K26 billion. The Zambian people really want to know because that is purely stealing from them. We want to know where that money was taken by the PF.

Mr Munir Zulu and Mr Miyutu rose.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lumezi and hon. Member for Kalabo Central, resume your seats.

Hon. Minister, you may respond.

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, that was a loaded question.

Mr Speaker, that is why, sometimes, it is important for people to introspect before they start criticising and passing on any statements. Indeed, the previous Government left behind a huge debt. This Government is working around the clock to clear it. At the moment, I will not be able to give the exact amount, but we have paid more than US$800 million towards the debt. I cannot give what the exact balance is as well. I would have prepared to bring those statistics or, maybe, if my experts from the ministry, who are in the House, have the figures we can –

Mr Speaker, I can tell from their body language that they were not ready to give out information on how much the balance is. However, we are making frantic efforts to clear the debt, as this Administration is committed to the service of the people of this country.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chewe (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, thank you very much for this opportunity you have given to me to ask a question.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister may be aware that Zambia still has a big problem where fuel is concerned. He has talked about long-term solutions. I would like to find out if the ministry has proper plans to sit with our experts who can assist the Government in coming up with a lasting solution to the challenge. As long as we are importing from someone, at some point, maybe, that person or country will have a problem. We cannot run away from that fact when it comes to issues concerning petroleum. What are we going to do in such instances? How are we going to survive?

Mr Speaker, maybe, just to repeat the question: Rather than continuing to depend on the people abroad, does the ministry have plans to sit with experts who can find a lasting solution?

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, I alluded to the fact that as the Government, we are putting in place a number of interventions that will address the situation that we are going through, especially arising from the current challenge with regards to the issue with our colleagues. The plans being put in place will secure the energy sector of this country. That is why, earlier, I said that the Government is in the process of working on something. The experts whom the hon. Member referred to are not just seated idly; they are reviewing certain policies and putting in place plans that will help us to have a secure energy sector. I also mentioned that we are planning on constructing a number of pipelines. There is work in progress, and we have advanced in that regard. Soon, we will not depend on one country.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chala (Chipili): Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, since we know that after changing the policy that was in place, the Government is no longer participating in the procurement of fuel, can the hon. Minister state the three benefits that the Zambian people are receiving from the current one? We know that the energy sector is the backbone of our economy. I want to know the three benefits that the people have accrued from the change of policy.

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, firstly, the Government has managed to keep the price of petroleum products within an affordable range. Secondly, it is facilitating the OMCs’ ease of transportation of petroleum products using the pipeline. Thirdly, the Government can safely have stock in the country even when we are going through such setbacks. We are able to respond quickly and avert crises. So, the policy is a success because if we left the situation the way it was in the past Administration, the situation would be something else for this country.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, today is 22^nd October, 2024, and a few days from now, the Energy Regulatory Board (ERB) will announce the reviewed prices of petroleum products. There is a tendency of some oil marketing companies (OMCs) to hold on to fuel stocks two days or three days before the ERB announces the new prices, thereby causing panic and confusion among the citizens. What measures has the Government put in place so that the OMCs do not abuse the citizens of this country?

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, the ERB is mandated to monitor and understand how petroleum products are distributed. I agree with the hon. Member that due to human nature, sometimes, some people hold on to the products until they hear that the prices have increased. The ERB has intensified its monitoring of the movement of petroleum products to ensure that no OMC holds on to the product while waiting for the prices to increase. A number of issues are being reviewed to enhance the mechanism that will help us to monitor the products in our country to avoid dealing with that kind of human nature in certain people who just want to hold the Government to ransom.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

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

Mr Speaker, the problem being experienced with regards to petroleum products will persist as long as the Government is not involved in exploration. This country is believed to have many petroleum reserves. I will give an example. In my constituency, Chama South, in the late 1980s, there was a company called Placid Oil Company that started drilling activities. We were told that the company did not hit the target, well deliberately, and the late Former President Kenneth Kaunda even lamented about that issue. I want to know if the Government has plans of undertaking petroleum exploration in Chama, I also know about some potential in the Western Province. So, in the long run, the Government can address the petroleum challenge.

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, I have taken note of the question, but I cannot respond to it because it is outside the content of my Ministerial Statement. I have taken note of the proposal made by the hon. Member, and it will be forwarded to the experts so that they can tell us what is required for us, as a country, to start exploring the oil deposits in this country.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

_______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

Mr Second Deputy Speaker gave the Floor to Mr Sing’ombe to indicate his question number, but the hon. Member had challenges with his House communication system.

Laughter

NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES OF MARKETEER BOOSTER LOANS PROGRAMME IN DUNDUMWEZI

46. Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi) asked the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development:

1. how many marketeers applied for booster loans under the Marketeer Booster Loan programme countrywide in 2022 and 2023, year by year; and

1. of the applicants above, how many benefited from the programme in Dundumwezi Parliamentary Constituency.

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima) (on behalf of the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Mr Mubanga)): Mr Speaker, –

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

There is a huge movement of hon. Members. To those who are leaving the Assembly Chamber, I will use my discretion to mark you absent today and you may not be paid. We expect everyone to be in their seats. Our rules do not allow situations in which people want to intentionally collapse the quorum of the House. I am observing how people are moving. The act may be punishable at the end of the day.

Hon. Minister, you may continue.

Mr Syakalima: Mr Speaker, in its endeavour to empower citizens, the Government, through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), has, among other products, disbursed marketeer booster loans to cater to low-income entrepreneurs. In 2022 and 2023, there were a total of 102,750 applications worth K513,750,000. Out of those applications, a total of 74,392 disbursements worth K153,292,433 were made, broken down as follows:

1. in 2022, the number of applications was 56,730, with 23,591 disbursements, which gives a total of K93,656,664.

1. In 2023, the number of applications was 46,020, amounting to K230,100,000. The disbursements amounting to K59,635,769 were made to 40,808 applicants, which gives the total amount disbursed I mentioned earlier.

Mr Speaker, the empowerment products that are given by the Government through the CEEC are disbursed at the district level, not the constituency level. In this case, Dundumwezi Parliamentary Constituency is categorised under Kalomo District. To that effect, there were a total of thirty-seven beneficiaries under Kalomo District, which includes Dundumwezi, of the Marketeer Booster Loans programme, worth K125,601.

Mr Speaker, I also wish to inform the House that the Government, through the CEEC, will re-launch the Marketeer Booster Loans product, and we expect positive participation from marketeers in the rural areas, including the Dundumwezi Constituents.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, from the hon. Minister’s answer, it is clear that the response was couched to ensure that the people of Dundumwezi are not told the number of people who got money from the programme. The question was specifically about Dundumwezi. However, his response is talking about the district level. What difficulties did the ministry encounter in isolating information about the people from Dundumwezi who got money from the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC)? We saw it happen here, in Lusaka. People went to the Show Grounds to get money. However, I do not think that there are more than two people from Dundumwezi who got money. What difficulties did the ministry encounter in ensuring that the hon. Minister told us the number of people from Dundumwezi, not Kalomo, who got money?

Mr Syakalima: Mr Speaker, I think that even here, in Lusaka, the policy is that one has to apply through the district, as I said. I am not saying that in Kalomo, per se, which includes –

How many constituencies are in Kalomo District?

Hon. UPND Member: Two!

Mr Syakalima: Two? So, there is Dundumwezi and Kalomo, itself.

Mr Speaker, we categorise the districts. That is how we count. Whether the application comes from Dundumwezi Constituency or Kalomo Central Constituency, it is under that category. So, it would be rather difficult to separate the information because when applications are entered into the system, they are entered under the district.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mabeta (Kankoyo): Mr Speaker, looking at the figure, that is, K458 million for one product, the Marketeer Booster Loans programme, it is already more than the entire annual budgetary allocation for the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC). That is an indication that it is not possible for many applicants to benefit from the programme when they apply. I want to know if we should continue encouraging our members, especially in Dundumwezi, to apply when we know that the funds that are allocated are far below the amounts that are available to lend to the applicants.

Mr Syakalima: Mr Speaker, that is why, earlier, I said that we must especially encourage rural participants because even if the amounts are not as sufficient as the hon. Member would want them to be and our budget falls below what we require, we are better off giving our people something to start with. We probably need to continuously preach to our people. When they get loans, they should pay them back so that the programme becomes a revolving fund. I cannot discourage people in Dundumwezi from applying simply because the resource envelope is small. I would rather encourage them. While I am not sure about the number of people who got the loans in Dundumwezi, I encourage the hon. Member for Dundumwezi to tell our people to apply because, as we have heard what the hon. Member for Kankoyo has said, money will never be sufficient. That is why the Patriotic Front (PF) Government kept on borrowing and taking money somewhere else.

Laughter

Mr Syakalima: So, I would encourage my brother to continuously encourage our people.

An hon. Member interjected.

Mr Syakalima: Mr Speaker, all I am saying is, that is why the PF Government continuously borrowed, but it borrowed for bad reasons. We are distributing the funds in good faith. We have just heard the hon. Minister of Energy say that US$1 billion was borrowed. Is that not madness?

Mr Sing’ombe: Mr. Speaker, ideally, I should not have asked the hon. Minister a follow-up question because he is simply acting in that position. However, allow me to ask because I know that he will report the feedback to his counterpart about the challenges that we, as the people of Dundumwezi, are facing.

Mr Speaker, it is clear that all the thirty-seven people who benefited from the programme under Kalomo District were from Kalomo Central Constituency. I did a survey. No one in Dundumwezi got a loan. Is the ministry going to consider Dundumwezi as a special case so that the people there can also access that money? We have constructed markets under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), but the women and youths who want to trade in those spaces are unable to do so because none of them has benefited from the loan programme.

Mr Syakalima: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Dundumwezi should not say that I am just acting in this capacity. Boma ni Boma. I am here (laughs).

Mr Speaker, the Government is the government. So, when one hon. Minister is not available, the other one who takes charge is fully in charge.

Mr Speaker, coming to the question, earlier, I said that I would rather encourage many of them to apply. I am not sure what he means when he says that no one got the loans because he also said that only two people got them. As the ministry launches another package, let us encourage our people to apply. That is why I specifically said that we should encourage our people in the rural areas to apply, and the hon. Member’s constituency is part of that category. So, we are encouraging those people to apply for the loans. Many of the people who were applying, that is what the statement indicates, are from peri-urban areas. Only a few people from rural areas apply. I would like to encourage the hon. Members with rural constituencies to encourage their people to apply.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

CONSTRUCTION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL IN NYANGWE

47. Ms Nyirenda (Lundazi) asked the Minister of Education:

1. when construction of a secondary school funded by the World Bank in Nyangwe area in Lundazi District will commence;

1. what the cause of the delay in commencing the project is; and

1. what the estimated timeframe for the completion of the project is.

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the construction of Nyangwe Weekly Boarding Secondary School in Lundazi District has already commenced. The project funds were disbursed on 12^th June, 2024, and work on the ground has advanced significantly. Most of the structures have already been excavated and the project implementation committee (PIC), which consists of community members, is actively engaged in the procurement of building materials. The project is being implemented as a community-driven development (CDD) initiative, maximising community engagement, promoting sustainable development, and leading to more successful and well-maintained infrastructure.

Mr Speaker, the delay in commencing the construction of the school under Phase 2 of the Zambia Education Enhancement Project (ZEEP) was due to the need to prepare, clear and disclose the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). The requirement is mandatory for all World Bank-funded projects. The ESMP for Phase 2 was prepared by the ministry, cleared by the World Bank and officially disclosed on 11^th June, 2024, allowing construction to commence soon after. The estimated completion timeframe for all the secondary school projects under the World Bank-funded ZEEP, including Nyangwe Weekly Boarding Secondary School, is December 2025.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Nyirenda: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that the project has already started. The excavations have been done. The rainy season is about to start and, at the moment, only the foundations have been laid. Does the hon. Minister think that the other works are going to start this year?

Mr Syakalima: Mr Speaker, we undertook excavation and foundation works, which the hon. Member is aware of, as she has mentioned to that effect. So, the work has started. The delay was actually due to the problem of water availability; the contractor draws water from far-flung areas. However, the Government is now going to use Sunshine Drilling Company, which was undertaking drilling works in the Southern Province. The company is headed to the Eastern Province to sink a borehole in Nyangwe. That is being done to just quicken the slow pace that was being experienced when the contractor was drawing water from far-off places. Also, you may be aware that if we use the method of drawing water from far-off places, then, the slab being installed would not hold. We want to, first of all, quickly drill boreholes and then start the work. Obviously, even during the rainy season, we can still continue building. We have started the works and that is why we have set our completion date as December 2025. I know that in some places, they may complete construction even in June because they started at a different time. We started with four provinces in Phase 1. Then, unfortunately, for six provinces, including the Eastern Province, the works came in later.

Mr Speaker, the monies will be disbursed in three instalments during the course of the project. K8 million has already been disbursed, which the contractor is using to procure materials. So, we have started the works and we hope, when the project reaches the wall plate stage, to release more money. I am sure that if we have enough water, we may not even reach December 2025. We are careful about the way we are setting the deadline because some will finish before December. I know, some projects that already started, especially those under Phase 1, might complete the works even in October. However, my gut feeling is that we will finish all the 120 projects by December 2025.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Munir Zulu (Lumezi): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, we are celebrating sixty years of Zambia being an independent and unitary State.

Mr Speaker, I do not know whether I should continue because there is no quorum in the House. Should I continue with my question?

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Who has said that there is no quorum? I am the only Presiding Officer privileged to know those who have logged in virtually, those whom I have given permission and those who are in the House. So, other than me, no one can say that there is no quorum. You may proceed with your question.

Mr Munir Zulu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that Nyangwe Weekly Boarding School may be attended to by the end of December in the year 2025. As we celebrate sixty years of Independence, we know well that the rules change at any given time depending on who the referee is. Is the ministry going to change the contractor or will it maintain the same one, bearing in mind that the rules change based on who the referee is?

Mr Syakalima: Mr Speaker, I am not quite sure which contractor the hon. Member is talking about. There is nothing wrong with what we are doing. So, why should we change? It is a community mode of work in which the community mobilises 25 per cent of the resources. If I told the House what some communities have done under such projects, one would learn that some of them have even reached the window level in the construction process, depending on whether the community mobilises quickly. In the case of Nyangwe Weekly Boarding Secondary School, I think that the delay has been because of a lack of water availability. That is why the ministry has undertaken to drill a borehole there. Walls are not difficult to raise. What is usually difficult is installing the slab structure. Otherwise, within a short period of time, the walls will be constructed.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Nyirenda: Mr Speaker, the community is expected to contribute materials. In Lundazi, we do not have any quarry, stones and pit sand, except in some areas. What the community can contribute, in terms of the 25 per cent, maybe, can only be in form of labour or something else. We buy quarry and stones from Chipata. What is the ministry going to do to ensure that the slab structure that the hon. Minister is talking about is installed in time? We do not have the mentioned materials in Lundazi.

Mr Syakalima: Mr Speaker, mostly, what we ask from the community is labour. Otherwise, when I talk about materials, I think, we classify everything as materials. I will verify just to follow-up on the issue. Otherwise, when we talk about the community, we mostly talk about their labour. They do the excavating.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

PREVALENCE RATE OF PROSTATE CANCER IN THE COUNTRY

48. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Health:

1. what the prevalence rate of prostate cancer in the country was as of April 2024;

1. what the most affected age group was; and

1. what measures are being taken to enhance prostate cancer awareness countrywide.

The Minister of Health (Mr Muchima): Mr Speaker, allow me to indicate that prostate cancer is a cancer that affects the prostate gland in men. The prevalence rate for prostate cancer, as of April 2024, was 8.8 per cent per 100,000 population. Further, allow me to highlight the fact that Zambia records 1,642 cases of prostate cancer per annum, with 863 deaths, which is 50 per cent of those who are affected.

Mr Speaker, the most affected age group are the elderly people between the ages of 70 to 79, followed by the age group 60 to 69, then, the age group 50 to 59 and 40 to 49, meaning that the older one is, the more at risk one will be.

Mr Speaker, the Government recognises that prostate cancer is a significant health concern. Therefore, to enhance awareness countrywide, the following measures are being taken:

1. the Ministry of Health has developed the 2022-2026 National Cancer Control Strategic Plan, which outlines several key objectives and strategies to tackle various cancers;

1. under public sensitisation campaigns, the Government, through the Ministry of Health, partners with organisations like the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Zambia, Prostate Cancer Campaign Zambia (PCCZ) and the Zambian Cancer Society, which are actively involved in spreading awareness about prostate cancer and emphasise the importance of regular screening and early detection. The campaigns include the distribution of information and educational materials on prostate cancer, radio and television talk shows and congregate settings like church and sports events;

1. educational programmes are undertaken through community health outreach programmes at which men are educated on the symptoms and risks of prostate cancer. That also includes information on the importance of screening and the benefits of early detection; and

1. mentorship and training of primary health workers is carried out to create awareness in the communities on the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, and to enable early detection, screening and health-seeking behaviour by men.

Mr Speaker, those initiatives, among others, aim to improve the overall health and wellbeing of men across Zambia by promoting screening, early detection and management of prostate cancer.

Mr Speaker, may I also take this opportunity to encourage all the men above the age of forty to get screened for prostate cancer.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, may the souls of those who have died of prostate cancer rest in eternal peace.

Mr Speaker, I have not raised this question out of assumption. I have raised it from a practical issue that occurred in my family. I have observed the attitudes of health workers towards prostate cancer. Quite alright, the hon. Minister has given his response through that written text. However, if I was to take him to Kalabo, he would observe that his responses do not reflect what happens in practice. Is he aware that the sensitisation programmes that he is talking about are not available in Kalabo and that they are only here, in Lusaka? What is the Government doing practically? Let us face reality. Let us talk about practical measures that are visible to the people in the communities, not just transferring the scenarios from Lusaka. It is a situation in which scenarios are transferred, I do not know through what mechanism, so that they can be replicated in the rural areas where people are heavily affected.

Mr Speaker, what practical measures has the ministry put in place that we can observe in Kalabo, where one finds –

Mr Speaker, my cousin died. That is the source of this question. It is not just from the blues that I have asked it. It is a situation that occurred. In terms of the way men are being handled, at what stage does a man know that he has prostate cancer? It is only at the point of death. I want to hear about the practical measures.

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, indeed, we are in an era of denial. We have not been effective in communication. Cancer is a silent disease. We are saying that we need awareness. After listening to that issue, my colleagues, the hon. Members, should help us. It is quite costly for the ministry to go everywhere. However, we need to bring awareness to the people, especially about the symptoms, through radio and television stations. Colleagues who are trained in health issues, like Hon. Dr Kalila, coming from that field, should be helping us when Parliament adjourns in terms of taking awareness to the people within the field, colleagues like nurses, to tell them to bring this –

Mr Speaker, we have taken note of the fact that we need to push our strategies, not just putting them in our offices. We need to be practical. I am grateful to the hon. Member. This Government, which wants to ensure universal healthcare, needs to take this matter seriously because the disease is a silent killer. Imagine that out of 1,642 patients, half of them die. We need to be proactive. We need to go to the rural areas. It is not only in Kalabo. Even in the area I come from, people have died of cancer because they do not know the symptoms. If we sensitise our community effectively, we shall avoid such occurrences because cancer can be treated.

An. hon. Member interjected.

Mr Muchima: Yes, in the early stages. However, the problem is that it is only discovered later like when it is already in Stage 4. The professionals can tell you.

Mr Speaker, we appreciate what the hon. Member has echoed. We sympathise with him. Now, we have to change our strategy. We need to reach out. There are outreach programmes. The programmes should reach the farthest mile in the country. I also need to liaise with my colleagues, the hon. Members, Councillors and, especially, healthcare officers. Indeed, cancer is killing us. We also do not have the time and money to evacuate everyone. We need to go to various areas using the Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) and other means. Even the mobile hospitals need to be brought back into operation so that we can attend to our people. It is the desire of your President that we move closer to the people as much as possible. We sympathise and are greatly concerned. We are losing many people.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

REHABILITATION OF CHIPEPO BOARDING SECONDARY SCHOOL

49. Mr Simuzingili (Gwembe) asked the Minister of Education:

(a)     whether the Government has any plans to rehabilitate Chipepo Boarding Secondary School in Gwembe District, which is in a dilapidated state;

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

(c)     what the cost of the exercise is;

(d)     what the timeframe for undertaking the exercise is; and

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

Mr Syakalima: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Government has plans to rehabilitate Chipepo Boarding Secondary in Gwembe District, which is in a dilapidated state. The plans will be implemented in the 2025-2027 Medium term Framework, subject to the availability of funds.

Mr Speaker, the cost of the exercise is over K13 million, as indicated in the Needs Assessment Report, covering works on the learning areas, dormitories, ablution blocks and the sick bay.

Mr Speaker, the timeframe for undertaking the exercise will be known when the Treasury sources the funds, plans are prepared and the contractor is engaged.

Mr Speaker, due to the responses given to part (a) of the question, part (e) falls off.

I thank you, Mr Speaker. 

Mr Simuzingili: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the fact that the ministry acknowledges that Chipepo Boarding Secondary School is in a dilapidated state. I also appreciate the measures that the Government is going to take. I thank the hon. Minister for that.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

STALLED IRRIGATION PROJECT IN KATONDWE

50. Mr E. Tembo (Feira) asked the Minister of Agriculture:

(a)     whether the Government is aware of the stalled irrigation project under the Strengthening Climate Resilience of Agricultural Livelihoods in Agro-Ecological Regions (SCRALA) in Katondwe Ward in Feira Parliamentary Constituency;

(b)     if so, what measures the Government is taking to complete the project;

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

(d)     when the project will be completed.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Mtolo): Mr Speaker, the Government is aware of the stalled irrigation project under the Strengthening Climate Resilience of Agricultural Livelihoods in Agro-Ecological Regions (SCRALA) programme in Katondwe Ward in Feira Parliamentary Constituency.

Mr Speaker, the Government resumed works on the stalled irrigation scheme and has, so far, conducted site surveys and assessments.

Mr Speaker, the estimated cost of completing the project is US$ 120,000. The proposed date of completion of the project is December 2024.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Next question.

Hon. Member for Nyimba, you may proceed.

Mr Menyani Zulu (Nyimba): Mr Speaker, Question No. 51.

Mr E. Tembo: I have a follow-up question, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: You took time to indicate. When the hon. Minister finished responding to the question, there was no indication, hon. Member.

You may proceed with your follow-up question.

Hon. Members, let us ensure that when an hon. Minister has finished responding to a question, we indicate on the House communication system. If I see that there are no indications, then, I take it that the answer has covered all the areas that an hon. Member needed to be attended to.

Hon. Member, you are free to ask the question.

Mr E. Tembo: Mr Speaker, thank you for your guidance. I wanted to wait for you to call upon us.

Mr Speaker, just one follow-up question. I appreciate the fact that the works have resumed. I wanted to find out what else has been done, apart from the site surveys. Boreholes were drilled, but no installations were set up to start the irrigation process.

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, what is important is that the works have resumed. I might not know, exactly, what has been done or why the contractors have just drilled a borehole and not installed the equipment. I would be guessing. I can assure the hon. Member that we are working on all the programmes and fixing them one by one.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

REHABILITATION OF STAFF HOUSES AT NYIMBA POLICE CAMP

51. Mr Menyani Zulu asked the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security:

(a)     whether the Government has any plans to rehabilitate staff houses at Nyimba Police Camp in Nyimba District;

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

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

The Minister of Defence (Mr Lufuma) (on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu, SC.)): Mr Speaker, I wish to state that the Government is aware of the dilapidated housing units at Nyimba Police Camp in Nyimba District, and has plans to rehabilitate them. The plans will be implemented when funds are made available. So, we have the plans. However, the money is inadequate. When the money is available, we shall rehabilitate the housing units.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE OF MULUNGUSHI TEXTILES

52. Ms Nakaponda (Isoka) asked the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry:

(a)     what the ownership structure of Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe District is;

(b)     what the major challenges that hamper the company’s operations are; and

(c)     when the company will resume its operations.

Mr Mtolo (on behalf of the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Chipoka Mulenga)): Mr Speaker, the Zambia-Chana Mulungushi Textiles (ZCMT) joint venture is a partnership between the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Zambia Limited, which owns 34 per cent, and the Chinese Government, through ‘Gwingdow’ Qingdao General Textile Corporation, which owns 66 per cent. Excuse my pronunciation. It could be ‘Chingdow’.

Mr Speaker, the major challenge hampering the operations is the fact that about 80 per cent of the machinery is obsolete. So, there is a need for heavy re-capitalisation and modernisation of equipment. That issue is being addressed, as the company is in the process of importing equipment for Phase 1 of re-capitalisation. It is expected to resume operations before the end of this year, 2024.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Nakaponda: Mr Speaker, having carefully listened to the hon. Minister’s response, I would like to inform the Government that my constituency wants to see the resumption of operations at the Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles (ZCMT) so that our people, especially the youths, and women and men can be provided with employment. In so doing, they will be –

Interruptions

Ms Nakaponda: It is just a comment. It is not a question. The hon. Minister has clarified everything.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Nakaponda: I am just making a comment. The hon. Minister has given the answers.

Mr Speaker, we want our men and women to be employed. So, we want the Government to move forward fast.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Laughter

Mr Mabeta: Mr Speaker, the Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles (ZCMT), just like the Mufulira/Ndola Road, has been used by many Presidents for commissioning and official opening ceremonies, but nothing happens. Tomorrow –

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

May you ask your question. There is a very energetic hon. Minister in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development who would tackle that one.

Laughter

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: You may proceed with your question, hon. Member.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mabeta: Mr Speaker, I just wanted to inform the nation that tomorrow, the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development as well as Hon. Mumba will be in Ndola to finally break the ground for the Ndola/Mufulira Road project.

Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry to assure the people of Kabwe that what is happening in Mufulira will also happen for them. The road in Mufulira was commissioned five times, but nothing was happening. Tomorrow, 23^rd October, 2024, the dream of the people of Mufulira is coming to reality. Is the company going to open?

Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, that is a very important question.

Mr Speaker, on 20^th August, 2024, the substantive hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry received fifteen containers of equipment, which is currently being installed. So, this time around, it is not a campaign gimmick or joke. This Government does what it says it will do.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

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ADJOURNMENT

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

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The House adjourned at 1634 hours until 0900 hours on Wednesday, 23^rd October, 2024.

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