Friday, 13^th September, 2024

The House met at 1000 hours

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

______

TIME OF THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr Hakainde Hichilema, …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: … will arrive at 1030 hours to address the House.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Business was suspended from 1003 hours until 1032 hours.

The President entered the Assembly Chamber escorted by Madam Speaker.

(Assembly resumed)

The Clerk read the Proclamation.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, the House would like to welcome to the Assembly the President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Dr Hakainde Hichilema.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: We are honoured, Your Excellency to have you in our midst.

May I now invite you, Mr President, to deliver your Address.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

The President (Mr Hakainde Hichilema): Madam Speaker, we are very pleased to join you today, on this important occasion marking the commencement of the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly.

Madam Speaker, this year marks the centenary anniversary of the Legislative Assembly in our country. We congratulate the House on this significant milestone …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … and acknowledge the contributions made by the National Assembly in advancing democracy and development in our beloved country, Zambia.

Madam Speaker, we commend you and the two Deputy Speakers for your leadership in guiding the proceedings of the House. We also commend the Leader of Government Business in the House, Her Honour the Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia, for aptly representing the Government in this august House.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Thank you, Madam Vice-President.

Further, our gratitude goes to you, hon. Members of Parliament, for effectively representing your constituencies across the country. We appreciate that.

Equally, we recognise the Clerk and his team for ensuring effective and efficient operations of the House during the last Session.

Madam Speaker, during the last session, the House considered 400 questions, sixty-two Committee Reports, thirty-two Bills and sixty-two ministerial statements. The House also adopted six reports on the ratification of international treaties.

Madam Speaker, the House was also privileged to host two Heads of State, who delivered special addresses to this House. We are grateful for that.

His Excellency Mr Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique, addressed the House on 28^th June, 2024, while His Excellency Mr Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, delivered his address on 2^nd August, 2024.

Theme of the Address

Madam Speaker, this address is being delivered at a time when our country is going through a very challenging period. This is in view of the severe drought that we have experienced, caused by El Niño weather conditions. The drought has had a negative impact on most sectors of our economy, especially the agriculture, water and, indeed, energy sectors.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: This has dramatically affected us negatively. Inevitably, this has affected the livelihoods of our people. Our food security has been threatened. Our water levels are, indeed, at a record low in living memory. Our electricity generation is at its lowest, resulting in long hours of load-shedding. In some cases, there is no power for periods longer than hours. This is regrettable, and we sympathise with our fellow citizens across the ten provinces of our country for the difficulties that they are enduring during this difficult time.

Our hearts are with them and with you, fellow citizens.

Madam Speaker, following our declaration of the drought as a national disaster and emergency, the Government has put in place a Drought Response Plan. We are providing humanitarian assistance to our people. We are enhancing coping capacities for our communities. We are also implementing recovery and resilience interventions to mitigate the impact of climate change. In light of these interventions, we commend our citizens for their resilience and patience. We also commend the civil society, the Church and, indeed, the international community for their support in many ways.

Madam Speaker, it is against this background that the theme for this year’s Address is “Enhancing National Resilience: Sustaining Socio-Economic Gains in the Face of Adverse Effects of Climate Change.” I shall Repeat: the theme for this year’s Address is “Enhancing National Resilience: Sustaining Socio-Economic Gains in the Face of Adverse Effects of Climate Change.”

Macroeconomic Developments

Madam Speaker, notwithstanding the effects of the devastating drought, we have recorded a number of successes in unlocking the growth potential of our economy. Evidently so.

Mr Simumba: Hmm, where?

The President: In the last three years, our Government has placed the economy on a positive growth trajectory. The gross domestic product (GDP) has posted positive growth averaging 5.3 per cent in the last three years despite challenging environment.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hmm.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Madam Speaker, due to the debilitating effects of the drought, the economic growth forecast for 2024, this year, had to be revised downwards from 4.7 per cent growth in GDP to 2.3 per cent. Further, we had to re-align the 2024 National Budget to accommodate the necessary expenditure of somewhere in the region of K41.9 billion. This was to finance drought response interventions, resume servicing of the restructured external debt. I shall repeat: and dismantling of the costly fuel arrears. It should be noted that even after restructuring, and this is very important, our country is still carrying a heavy debt burden from the past years of extravagance.

Mr Simumba: Fimofine!

The President: We appreciate the House for passing the Supplementary Budget to make this possible. Thank you to the hon. Members of Parliament in this House.

Madam Speaker, the global economy, in which Zambia is firmly intertwined, is experiencing difficulties that include rising inflation and high interest rates, leading to a shortage of capital as well as depreciation of currencies. This, together with domestic challenges, is negatively affecting the cost of living of our people. Our Government will continue to work diligently to address the issue of the cost of living to alleviate the difficulties that our people are facing as a consequence of these parameters outlined above. Again, our hearts are with our people the people of Zambia. We are putting in place multiple measures to address these issues.

Madam Speaker, we will now proceed to highlight the achievements we have made and the policy measures that we will continue to pursue in line with our national development agenda, as espoused in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).

Madam Speaker, our Administration continues to implement key macro-economic reforms. This is difficult and painful, but it is necessary for us to heal and turn the corner. These macro restructuring measures and others are essential. I make this point emphatically because there is no way out other than through these measures that we have put in place if we want longevity in success in our country.

Madam Speaker, our Administration is working hard following the reaching of agreements with the Official Creditors Committee. The House and the country at large need to be aware that the debt was in four components. The first one was the official creditors, if you want, you can call it bilateral creditors. The second one was the Eurobonds, the third one was commercial creditors and the fourth was the domestic arrears. These are the four categories that we have been dealing with. This is just for ease of reference so that as we go through our presentation, we can put context to what are saying. Therefore, following the reaching of agreements with the Official Creditors Committee and Eurobond Holders, we are glad to inform this august House that our Government has since resumed servicing of the external debt since defaulting in 2020.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: We are now back on track. We have restored our country’s credibility in the international financial system. No doubt about it.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning will soon present the 2025 National Budget to this august House. The Budget will outline specific policy measures to safeguard macro-economic stability, and restore and maintain debt sustainability. Remember, climate change has brought factors that were not incorporated in our calculation of debt sustainability. So, we are working hard to take these into account. It is very important that we remain on top of the gains that we have made. So, as we address our socio-economic challenges, we take account of all of these variables so that we do a smart and professional job, difficult as it may be. We request this august House to support the Budget once it is tabled in this House.

Economic Transformation and Job Creation

Madam Speaker, in our last Address, we announced measures to stimulate maize production. These included the increase in the maize purchasing price; in the floor price, to make farmers viable at the farm gate. Otherwise, you will not have maize. There will be no maize if you do not address those issues. So, we had to address that issue to ensure that the maize floor prices are attractive to producers. Establishment of an Agricultural Credit Window and guaranteeing a ready market for early maize production. Our people responded favourably by putting a record 2.2 million ha of land under maize cultivation, compared to 1.8 million ha in the previous season.

As a consequence of the severe drought that we experienced in the 2023/24 Agricultural Season, only 684,000 ha out of the 2.2 million ha, which is only 31 per cent of the area planted, was harvested. Disaster, indeed! This significantly reduced maize production to 1.5 million tonnes from an expected harvest of 4.4 million tonnes. This, largely, is the cause of the current challenges in food security. The nation needs to be aware of that.

Madam Speaker, we commend our citizens for their remarkable response to the call to grow more maize and food in general.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Thank you to the citizens who responded positively. We must remain positive.

Madam Speaker, to cover the maize deficit, we are importing maize from neighbouring countries, and that is normal. We want to reassure our people that no one will go hungry in our country. Our citizens, …

Mr Simumba: People are already starving!

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … wherever they are, across the ten provinces, that is 116 districts and 156 constituencies, we are your keepers. We are interested in your welfare. That is why you elected us into office. So, this is our assurance: no one will go hungry in our country during this challenging period. At least, some food will be available.

Madam Speaker, to further mitigate the effects of the drought, we are encouraging the cultivation of winter and early maize by all our farmers including those who have never produced any food in their life. This is the time to give it a try because the country needs food. The Government will soon contract farmers to supply early maize to be delivered by April 2025.

Madam Speaker, to promote resilience among smallholder farmers amid climate change, the Government is providing affordable financing for mechanisation and the necessary irrigation. Specifically irrigation, more importantly. We, as a Government, are conscious that mechanisation and irrigation will help us to improve and increase the quantum of production and, more importantly, improve productivity. The two are different, but we are interested in both as a Government.

Madam Speaker, the Sustainable Agricultural Financing Facility, with irrigation, will enable our farmers to grow crops all-year-round. There will be nothing called a planting season; every month is a planting season.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Every month is a harvest month. That is where we should be going.

In the 2024/2025 Agricultural Season, the financing facility will be enhanced to the tune of over K1.2 billion from K400 million in the 2023/2024 Agricultural Season.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: This is in order to include additional crops, livestock and aquaculture. It is gratifying to note that the number of participating banks in this facility has increased from five last year to nine now, and more are expected to come on board.

Madam Speaker, to improve productivity among our farmers, we have continued to expand coverage of extension services countrywide.

Madam Speaker, for the forthcoming season, the distribution of inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) will be carried out using the Electronic Voucher (e-Voucher) System in seventy-four districts and the Direct Input Supply (DIS) System in forty-two districts, benefiting over 1 million farmers. The benefits of the e-Voucher model are that it empowers farmers to choose inputs best suited to their specific needs, and supports job creation in our rural areas by increasing market participation of suppliers and credible agro-dealers.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 The President: Madam Speaker, the growth of the livestock sub-sector has long been constrained by disease outbreaks. The Government has, therefore, intensified efforts in fighting livestock diseases. We managed to control the outbreak of anthrax in the Eastern Province, the Southern Province and the Western Province towards the end of 2023. We have also heightened our vaccination campaign against the Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), African Swine Fever, anthrax, as well as, Foot and Mouth Diseases across the country. We are proud that, as a country, we are making progress in producing animal vaccines. For instance, by mid-August this year, 880,400 doses of the anthrax vaccine had been produced locally; within our country. We are determined to be self-sufficient in the production of vaccines.

Madam Speaker, the mining sector remains key in driving economic growth, providing employment opportunities and revenue generation. Our Administration is, therefore, resolved to bring all our mining assets to full production in our quest to attain our target of 3 million tonnes of copper by 2031.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 The President: Madam Speaker, the last time I sat in this Chair, we made commitments and I am pleased to report to you and the House that most outstanding issues at Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) and Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) have since been successfully resolved.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mabeta: These are big machines!

The President: The companies are now back in business.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: After many years of dormancy, these companies are now back in business.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: We must celebrate as a nation. This achievement is for the country. It is not for one individual, the Cabinet or the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government. It is for the 20 million Zambians.

Mr Mabeta: Hear, hear!

Correct!

The President: Madam Speaker, at Mopani Copper Mines, for instance, International Resources Holdings (IRH) is investing a total of US$1.1 billion, …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … which is well on course. In fact, production has already started going up, within the shortest possible time.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: With respect to KCM, Vedanta Resources is expected to invest another US$1.2 billion.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Out of this amount, US$250 million has already been paid to dismantle arrears owed to contractors, suppliers of goods and services, including the local authorities, …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … who have now been able to pay their retirees and are moving towards providing services to residents of the cities. Wonderful, indeed! Further, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Corporation (CNMC) has begun investing US$500 million…

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … in reviving production at 28 Shaft in Luanshya.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Abena Luanshya.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Abena Roan.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: The de-watering of the mine, which is expected to take up to twenty-one months, has since commenced. This will see 28 Shaft and the Luanshya community spring back to life after more than twenty years of dormancy.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Madam Speaker, we need to acknowledge these developments so we can inject a positive spirit in our bodies and work even harder.

In Chililabombwe, Lubambe is also on course to being revived, with an investment from JCHX  of US$300 million.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Madam Speaker, with the revival of these mining assets, the local economy on the Copperbelt is surely rebounding.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: We are glad that Zambians continue to own a stake in all these assets through Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investments Holding (ZCCM-IH) Limited.

Madam Speaker, other investments are being made in greenfield mines, distinguished from the existing mines; the brownfields. The new mines are the greenfields. So, other investments are being made in greenfield mines. These include the US$600 million Kitumba Mining Project by Sino mine in Mumbwa District.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: This is a new mine. Just to inform the House that in Mumbwa District alone, in the last three years, this Government has mobilised well over US$800 million.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: And it is beginning to work.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: 2,500 jobs are on line.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Madam Speaker, Kobold Metals and ZCCM-IH mine are developing a US$2 billion mine in Mingomba in Chililabombwe.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Since we took office, Barrick Lumwana, who were on their way out are now staying and are developing a super pit worth US$2 billion.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: This super pit in the North-Western Province, in Lumwana, is a game changer. It will mean a lot to our people there and our economy. Other on-going projects include Kasenseli Gold and Kalengwa Mine, …

Mr Samakayi: Hear, hear!

The President: … also in the North-Western Province, the new Copperbelt. In fact, it is not the new Copperbelt because the Copperbelt Province is rebounding. So, we now have two ‘Copperbelt’ provinces.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: One is the traditional Copperbelt, and another is the North-Western Province, equally important as well as is the Mimbula Minerals in Chingola. We are on the upswing. Three million tonnes of copper is in sight, no question about it.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 The President: Madam Speaker, in our last Address, we announced that the Government would embark on a National Geological Mapping. We announced in the last speech that your Government would embark on a National Geological Mapping Exercise to unlock the untapped potential of our minerals so that we do not rely on our farmers to discover minerals for us. We need to know what lies underground in an organised way.

We are pleased, Madam Speaker, sitting here, very pleased, to announce to you, to this House and the nation that the High-Resolution Aerial Geophysical Survey to explore minerals and groundwater deposits across the whole country has commenced.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: The mapping exercise will enhance our ability to realise the true market value of our minerals and our natural resources. This is further expected to reduce exploration costs because now we will have the backbone data for any detailed exploration to take place, and promote investment in the mining sector, going forward. We call upon our citizens to support and co-operate with this exercise. As low-flying planes, 50 m above the surface, go around, they are not enemy planes. Rather, they are your planes, fellow citizens, to discover value for yourselves.

Madam Speaker, the activities of illegal mining are a big challenge that our Government is fully committed to addressing. This scourge has resulted in needless loss of life which we regret and posed a significant threat to the national security of the country. To combat this, our Government is ready and willing to issue mining licences to Zambians and others and facilitate access to credit, further enabling the miners to meet necessary safety standards. So, legal mining is what we support, safe mining is what we support and capital plus access to markets. We said so many years back. We are doing it now, and we need the co-operation of everybody so that we do a good job.

Madam Speaker, we will continue to apply the law and maintain order to eradicate illegal mining activities, going forward. The marching orders have been given already to all the agencies that should ensure the safety and security of our areas, including unwanted individuals operating in those areas. So, please, Members of Parliament, support that effort because it is happening in your constituencies. That is where the mines are. We, therefore, call upon our traditional leaders, in addition to Members of Parliament, the Council Chairperson, the Mayors, Councillors, elected officials and local authorities, civil society, all of us and our church to join forces with the Government to stop illegal mining. Very important!

Madam Speaker, to support expansion in agricultural production and other economic activities, the Government will continue to make land available to our people legally again, rule of law, land to our people legally, and protect their rights to own land. We will work with our traditional leaders to ensure that all land, whether State, traditional or customary, as the law defines it, is protected from encroachment and other vices. No thuggery or grabbing land illegally. This will not be tolerated, going forward. Going forward, there is a need to address land disputes. We will address land disputes so that land can be put to economic use, life line use, for the development of the country.

Madam Speaker, tourism remains an important economic sector, creating jobs for our people as well as foreign exchange and revenue for the country. In the first half of this year, international tourist arrivals tremendously increased …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: …as compared to the same period in 2023. Progress: this is how you measure it. To encourage local tourism, the Government is actively engaging tourism establishments, tour operators and other players in the sector to design attractive packages for our people to promote domestic tourism as well as international tourism.

Madam Speaker, to promote the tourism sector and enhance its contribution to wealth and job creation, tourist promotion activities are being scaled up. In this regard, a number of traditional ceremonies were actively marketed and supported this past period. The Government has continued to market and promote Zambia as a tourist destination of choice in key tourism source markets. We will also continue to promote tourism product development in partnership with the private sector; regional partners and global partners is a matter that will be encouraged.

Madam Speaker, the energy sector, which is an enabler of economic growth, has been severely, as indicated already, affected by the drought. The electricity sub-sector, which is predominantly hydroelectric power, has experienced a significant decline in electricity generation due to low water levels. To mitigate the effects of the drought on electricity generation and the growing electricity deficit, yet the demand going up, the Government is implementing a number of interventions, a myriad of interventions.

In a bid to enhance resilience and reduce our dependency on hydroelectric power, we are promoting alternative sources of electricity generation. To this end, from a discussion table, we finally commissioned the construction of the 300 MW thermal power plant in Maamba. Construction is going on day and night. This power plant is expected to come onstream by mid-2026.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: And this is firm power.  This is base load.

To diversify the energy mix further and address the country's current power deficit, Madam Speaker, Zesco Limited, with various partners, including those from China and different parts of the world, is spearheading the development of several solar electricity projects. This is in addition to a number of private-sector initiatives, which this Government is encouraging and encouraging seriously. Any citizen is invited to invest in the energy sector.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: We have reduced the regulatory burden; the time lost. Please, come forward and, for once, run genuine businesses. You will be supported by your Government.

Madam Speaker, to boost alternative energy sources further, the Government has issued the Electricity (net metering) Regulations of 2024. I am talking about the operating environment to attract more investors in the sector. The net metering system will allow customers who produce their own electricity to feed excess electricity generated into the national grid. Very important!

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: We encourage all citizens, without discrimination, to explore and invest in these alternatives to adopt alternative sustainable energy sources to reduce our reliance on traditional hydropower.

Madam Speaker, over the past decades, we must all agree, we abdicated our responsibility to invest in this important energy sector.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Now, we must work together to ameliorate this situation. Hence, our Government is working around the clock to find lasting solutions to this historical challenge. We share the pain, once more, our citizens are going through. Our resolve is to turn these challenges into opportunities to make Zambia an energy-surplus country. It will happen much quicker than some think. We are working very hard.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkandu: These are big machines!

The President: Madam Speaker, in the petroleum sub-sector, we have continued to ensure the security of supply of petroleum products. We remain committed to ensuring efficient supply and stable pricing of petroleum products is in place.

Madam Speaker, your Government will continue to promote investments and growth of the manufacturing sector. Value addition is very important. We have put in place a legal framework that has provided incentives for the expansion of existing projects across the country. We are also keen to make sure that all provinces begin to process something so that we can distribute development across the country.

Madam Speaker, your Government will continue to promote investments and growth of the manufacturing sector, as I have said, but diversity is also a matter of importance to us.

Madam Speaker, the Government has continued to use special economic zones as a model for industrialisation and job creation. For instance, the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) and the Jiangxi Multi-Facility Economic Zone in Chibombo have continued to attract a number of investments aimed at value addition. We continue deliberately attracting investors into these zones. Once more, we invite citizens of Zambia to invest in these zones. Please, look at the incentives that are in these zones. A lot of incentives are there. Pay attention, if not for yourself, legally I mean, then your voters, members or those who are willing to invest. Your Government wants Zambian citizens and companies to locate also in these economic zones so that they can be part of the development process.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Madam Speaker, to further expand the local manufacturing base, the Government is promoting the production and consumption of local products. To achieve this, we are developing legislation to support local manufacturers by encouraging public institutions, to procure locally produced goods and services. Public institutions include Parliament.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: It starts with each one of us. We, therefore, will continue to promote the “Proudly Zambian” campaign machinery.

Madam Speaker, the Government has intensified efforts in economic diplomacy so as to increase exports of Zambian products into regional and international markets. This has been achieved through engaging strategic trading partners in order to remove trade barriers affecting Zambian’s exports. Soon, we will address the nation to be more specific on this area. The country will be very pleased with the open market access we have achieved in huge markets, which we cannot even satisfy. Now, we must produce. All of us must produce.

Madam Speaker, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play an important role in fostering –

Hon. PF Member interjected.

The President: Yes, yes!

I repeat: Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play an important role in fostering innovation as well as creating employment and wealth. It is for this reason that your Government revised the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Policy. Recently, we promoted preferential procurement regulations aimed at substantially increasing the participation of MSMEs in public procurement. Very important opportunity!

Madam Speaker, to support the MSMEs, the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) disbursed 670 loans, this year alone, amounting to a figure of  K189.2 million for small businesses.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President:  It is a lot of money.

In addition, the Government has continued to provide financing under the Zambia Credit Guarantee Scheme. The number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) accessing financing under guarantees from the commercial banks has increased tremendously. The number of banks through which the scheme provides guarantees has also risen to ease access, with expanded outreach into the rural areas. So, hon. Members who occupy rural constituencies, you are not forgotten. Please, encourage your voters to access these facilities instead of queueing up or tantameni. Further, we are providing empowerment funds in the form of grants and loans under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). This year, so far, more than K485 million has been disbursed countrywide to benefit the youth, women, community groups and other businesses …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … directly in the constituencies. These funds are disbursed directly to the constituency. This has never been done before! We are walking the talk in ensuring that our citizens, especially the most vulnerable, including youths, women and persons living with disabilities, are empowered to effectively participate in the economic development of thier country; our country.

In light of the above, we call upon the beneficiaries, please, to pay back the loans because the interests are very low.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: In some cases, it is 5 per cent. Please, pay back in order for more Zambians to benefit from these initiatives.

Madam Speaker, the development of transport infrastructure remains a priority for our Administration. This will enhance connectivity and accessibility to all parts of our country, both rural and urban, and into the region. Very important! In this vein, the Government has continued with the development of road infrastructure, particularly through public-private partnerships (PPPs), a model which many people thought would not work. It is working now and working very well. We are very proud of this. Raising resources off debt and the national balance sheet.  Very smart!

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

The President: Madam Speaker, under the PPP model, we have delivered and commissioned the 35 km Chingola/Chililabombwe/ Kasumbalesa Road.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: In May this year, we also commissioned the construction of the 327 km Lusaka /Ndola Dual Carriageway …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … and the rehabilitation of the 45 km Luanshya via Fisenge to Masangano Road.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: A lot of hard work is being done.

I am here to say that we are pleased to report that the works are progressing very well …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … and very fast. The project is being undertaken at a mere cost of US$650 million. As opposed to US$1.3 million plus interest; US$1.8 billion. Big difference! Three principles: the right price or cost, timely delivery and quality.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkandu: Big machine!

The President: That is what we said years back. It is working now.

The project is expected to be completed within thirty-six months.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: On time. We are working to push for that project to be done even ahead of time. Very important! This is what we call value for money. To repeat: right price, quality work, and timely delivery. The project will contribute to actualising our aspiration of becoming a transport and logistics hub in the region. We are a land-linked country. We should never use the expression that we are a land-locked country. We are a land-linked country. On one side of the coin, there is a risk, but when you flip it, there is an opportunity on the other side.

Madam Speaker, through other financing mechanisms, the Government is implementing the US$270 million Transport Corridors for Economic Resilience (TRACER) project. Under the project, we will rehabilitate the 238 km Serenje /Mpika Road. We will also upgrade the Nakonde Border Post into a modern international non-stop border post.

Mr Simumba: Where?

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkandu: Kokolenipo apo!

The President: I am sure, people have not heard. We were priding ourselves on a one-stop border post, but we want to move towards a non-stop border post. For now, a one-stop border post transitioning to a non-stop border post, with technology, is possible.

Your Government is also working on the Katete/Chanida Road in the Eastern Province, ...

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … taking us to that border with a modern border post at Chanida. Excellent!

Madam Speaker, we also commissioned the rehabilitation works on the Lusaka/Mongu Road from Tateyoyo Gate to Katunda/Lukulu Junction, covering 87.3 km.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: In addition, the North-South and Dar-es-Salaam Corridor will be transformed into a multi-modal smart transport corridor with quality infrastructure and logistics facilities that we are working on.

Madam Speaker, a good rural road network is equally critical to our development agenda. During the period under review, over 2,980 km of feeder roads were rehabilitated and maintained by local authorities throughout the country. Here is the connection: this has been made possible through the enhanced Constituency Development Fund (CDF) that your Government is providing to all the constituencies across the country. Further, 186 km of feeder roads have been rehabilitated under the improved Rural Connectivity Project.

Madam Speaker, the development of aviation infrastructure is another strategy we are implementing in our quest to become a transport and logistics hub of the region. To this end, we have embarked on the construction of a second runway at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA).

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: This will not only make the airport more efficient, but also safer. Some people will remember that we had a challenge on the only runway and some airplanes could not land here, in Lusaka, they had to go to Ndola. Let us assume that the plane did not have enough fuel; we cannot think of such a situation. A second runway is inevitable. It makes us more attractive as an airport of international standards. That is very important.  This will also attract more international airlines than what we have done already.

Madam Speaker, with regard to provincial airports, equally important, we are glad to report that the upgrading of Kasama Airport has been finally completed following the installation of the airfield ground lighting. The runway is fantastic. I have used it. We are in the process of further upgrades in the Northern Corridor. We are focusing on the Northern Corridor because of the distance from Lusaka and other reasons. So, after Kasama, we will move to Mansa.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Work has commenced in Mansa. From there, Nakonde.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: We have taken the view that Nakonde is strategic to our country’s economic investment trade flows and it must be given quick attention even above some areas because of its strategic nature, but without leaving Chinsali behind. That is the work that is going on.

Madam Speaker, the railway transport remains the most cost-effective mode for the haulage of heavy and bulk cargo. In this regard, the Government has prioritised the development and rehabilitation of the railway network to improve connectivity at both the national and regional levels. We have worked very hard behind the scenes and have made progress. The main projects to be undertaken, include the development of the Lobito Corridor. The Lobito North-West Railway Line as we call it. From Luau in Angola, through Chibwika, Mwinilunga, Kalumbila, Lumwana into Chingola.

Mr Samakayi: Hear, hear!

The President: Very important! This will take us to the Atlantic Ocean through the Lobito Corridor in Angola, the revitalisation of the Tanzania Zambia Railway (TAZARA), and the rehabilitation of Zambia Railways. We have good news for you: we have signed this transaction. All is in place, including the rehabilitation of Zambia Railways so that, there is a link where Chingola and Kapiri Mposhi are, joining the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Then we will be moving towards being a transport hub.

Madam Speaker, the information and communication technology (ICT) sector has demonstrated a remarkable degree of versatility even in the face of climate change. To drive innovation for improved service delivery and job creation, we are enhancing ICT infrastructure and digital capabilities. To enhance digital inclusion and connectivity in the unserved and underserved areas, the Government is undertaking the nationwide construction of 202 communication towers. In addition, the private sector is constructing 212 towers. I know, sometimes we forget. We talked about Starlink not long ago. Starlink now provides Internet to any part of this country. It is a reality. It is no longer a story, it is real. Once completed, these towers will transform the socio-economic status of our people. Our people will be able to access a number of key services electronically, such as social cash transfer, agricultural, legal and health services. Further, improved rural connectivity is critical in the attainment of our vision of having smart villages, such as the recently launched Muchila Smart Village in Namwala District. This will be rolled out across the country. That was a pilot project.

Madam Speaker, the concept of smart villages, which we have adopted, entails the provision of electricity using alternative energy sources, mainly solar, to homes in the villages, schools and clinics within the locality of the project. This also includes information and communication services.

Madam Speaker, the Government is implementing interventions to harness science, and research and development (R&D) to promote industrialisation and green growth. We are enhancing the capacity of the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR) to facilitate innovation as well as technological transfer and adaptation. We are also revising the legal framework to provide for venture capital funding for innovators in our country. Further, the Government is allocating more resources to promote productivity and output-enhancing technologies in sectors such as agriculture. The technologies include early maturing, disease and pest resistant, high yielding and climate-smart seed varieties of maize, cassava, rice, sorghum, pigeon pea as well as groundnuts. We will increase the multiplication of the improved seed varieties to make them accessible across the country. Our researchers have also developed a rain-fed wheat variety for the first time to enable small-scale farmers to engage in wheat production even if they do not have massive irrigation capabilities. So, wetland wheat will become possible because of these varieties.

Human and Social Development

Madam Speaker, education remains high on our development agenda. It is our conviction that an educated citizenry contributes to enhanced national resilience required for sustainable development. To this end, the Government policy is to increase access to, and improve the quality of education. Our free education policy has led to a huge increase in enrolment levels across the country. Our young people now have a fairer chance to a brighter future than ever before. Our young people are now being empowered to overcome poverty. Our young people now have an opportunity to become key players in the socio-economic development of their country.

Mr Samakayi: Hear, hear!

The President: Further, our free education policy is helping to curb early marriages, teen pregnancies and, indeed, general delinquency among our young people, especially in certain parts of our country with high-density populations.

Madam Speaker, to increase access to quality education for our learners, we have continued to expand infrastructure in our schools. Under the CDF, we have constructed 1,551 new classroom blocks while 332 existing classroom blocks have been rehabilitated countrywide.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: This brings the total number of completed classroom blocks to 1,883, so far. This is tremendous.

Madam Speaker, to maintain our policy that no learner sits on the floor, we have continued with the procurement of desks through the CDF and other forms of financing. It is work in progress. If more children enter school, more desks must be brought. So, this is not an ending process; it is a continuing process. This has not only improved the learning environment, but has also contributed towards employment creation for our people, as the desks are now produced locally. We can proudly sit here and say that we do not have to import desks as was the case before. They are manufactured by our local people using our local wood, labour and the skills under the CDF skills training. This is fantastic.

In our continued effort to improve the teacher-pupil ratio, 7,222 teachers were recruited last year. This year, we will recruit more teachers, yes, and support staff.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkandu: More teachers!

The President: Yes, more teachers and support staff.  That is our commitment; to further reduce the teacher deficit and improve the learning outcomes. To all of us, Members of Parliament in this House, let us encourage our nieces and nephews that, when they are given jobs as teachers, they must go and report at the schools where they are posted and work. If they do not work, we will replace them and no one should complain because pupils need teachers in classrooms.

Madam Speaker, the New Dawn United Party for National Development (UPND) Administration has embarked on educational reforms. So far, the new National Education Curriculum Framework has been developed to promote life-long learning, entrepreneurship and practical skills, which our industry and economy require. No more teaching anything anyhow. Speaking English does not mean that people are skilled, no. The two are different. So, we are moving in the direction of appropriate skills as demanded by the economy.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Speaking good English is just an advantage, but you need to be skilled in something.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: This implies making our education curricula more appropriate, as I said, to the needs of industry and the economy. Sometimes, to the geography of an area. For example, tourism applies in certain areas. So, it is important that we acknowledge those geographical differences and offer skills that are required in the institutions around those areas.

Madam Speaker, the Government is scaling up the home-grown School Feeding Programme to cushion learners from the effects of the drought and keep them in school in order to improve learning outcomes. Currently, the programme is benefiting 2.3 million of our learners in seventy districts across the ten provinces of Zambia. So, it is the whole country. We will extend the coverage of the programme from seventy districts to all the 116 districts.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: When? In 2025. The whole country. Excellent! Further, to keep the girl child in school, your Government has continued to provide free sanitary wear, especially in rural areas, where these are needed the most.

Madam Speaker, the shortage of quality and affordable student housing in our public universities and other institutions continues to be a major challenge. To this end, the Government is expediting the completion of stalled hostel construction projects in public tertiary institutions across the country. It does not matter who started building these blocks.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: It does not matter which Government started doing these things. This Government will complete them …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: …because these are national assets.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Thank you.

We will complete these. We are working very hard within the drought and energy challenges, to continue, if you like clearing these one by one until all of them are put into full useable form for our students.

Madam Speaker, skills development is key to enhancing entrepreneurship and employability, especially for our youth. We have already touched on this issue. Through CDF bursaries, student enrolment in trades training institutes and Youth Resource Centres continues to grow dramatically.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

The President: To enhance quality and access to vocational skills training, we have completed the construction of the Lundazi and Mporokoso trade training institutes. Yes, you heard me, Lundazi, mwana wa kwithu and Mporokoso, kumwesu ku mporokoso.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: In addition, we have rehabilitated sixteen of the twenty-three Youth Resource Centres across the country.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Further, the National Youth Policy has been revised and a multi-sectoral Youth Development Strategy has been formulated.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

The President: By investing in education and skills development, Madam Speaker, we are laying a firm and strong foundation for the future of our country. A more prosperous, innovative and resilient Zambia.

Mr Samakayi: Hear, hear!

The President: That lies in the skills held in our people.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

The President: It is not by magic or witchcraft, but by skills held in our people.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Madam Speaker, this fellow speaking here is Champion of Foundational Learning in Africa, courtesy of the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). It is our responsibility to strengthen early learning and education in general, which is the cornerstone of the development of any nation.

Madam Speaker, I am monitoring the progress of countries across the world. All of those that are doing well have invested in education heavily. It is even easy to implement policies when citizens have some amplitude of some kind.

Madam Speaker, the vision for economic growth cannot be possible without a healthy and productive workforce to drive it. Therefore, your Government remains committed to strengthening access to quality health care for all our citizens and enhancing the nutrition status of our people. To improve health service delivery at the community level, especially in rural areas, the Government has decentralised to the district level these services as we march on the constituency level.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: It is a process. It is organised.

Madam Speaker, in order to bring health services as close to the people as possible, your Government has accelerated health infrastructure development in the country.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: The Government has completed seven Level 1 hospitals and 111 mini-hospitals out of the target 115 mini-hospitals.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Not bad.

We are now commencing Phase II of mini-hospital construction aiming to complete 120 more facilities by 2027.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Madam Speaker, I must mention here, we are looking at areas which were not covered. We want the country to be treated in an equitable way …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … and distribute these facilities across the country. One Zambia, One Nation, One People.

Mr Samakayi: One leader!

Interruptions

The President: Madam Speaker, I have not heard that. I shall continue under your instruction.

 Laughter

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

The President: Madam Speaker, I remain committed to the instruction you gave me in the room to continue working.

Madam Speaker, the Government recruited over 3,500 health workers in 2023 alone, in addition the numbers we have recruited since 2021. An additional 4,000 health workers are to be recruited this year.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Despite the drought and all these challenges, we remain committed to the cause of health of all our people.

Mr Nkandu: These are big machines!

The President: The resource envelope is always small, but it is how you use it.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: We choose to manage the resource envelope in these areas that are the most needy and will help our country dramatically over the years.

Madam Speaker, to be recruited this year, I repeat, is 4,000 health workers, equipping our health service with the much-needed workforce. Again, patient-health worker ratio must continue to come down so that the quality of service can go up. Very important!

Madam Speaker, this House has heard this person speaking here talk about the importance of maternal health. So, to reduce maternal mortality, and in line with our earlier pronouncement, the Government has constructed 166 maternity annexes in the past two years, with 123 completed. So, 166 less 123 are on course because they all started at different times. You cannot complete them at the same time. That is the truth.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Madam Speaker, to further safeguard our citizens from public health threats, the Government has strengthened surveillance, detection and response.  I am seated here proudly on behalf of the people of Zambia, to announce that the journey we started of looking for something has now matured. We are pleased to confirm that we have taken steps to begin the local manufacture of the cholera vaccine.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: This is to safeguard our people and create job opportunities. Note that the market is not just for Zambia, but for the region, Africa and beyond. That is what your Government is doing.

Madam Speaker, we are stabilising the availability of medicines and medical supplies in our health facilities. To this end, we have procured 42,000 health centre kits and essential medicines under bulk procurement. We are pleased to report to the House and, through the House, to the nation, that stock availability of essential medicines in our health facilities has improved. The stock availability has increased to an average level of 85 per cent at health centres and 76 per cent at hospitals this year. This is above the 75 per cent World Health Organization (WHO) minimum level requirement. It is the international standard.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Going forward, the Government will continue to strengthen the supply and management of drugs to ensure the availability of essential medicines in all our health facilities at all times. Additionally, your Government is putting in place measures to safeguard the drugs against pilferage. We have strengthened the law. This House has allowed that to happen. If you have not passed the Bill, you need to pass it. If you steal medicines, drugs or anything that is lifesaving, you will go in for a long period of time …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … so, that we can create a deterrent because what is going on is unacceptable. Those charged with the responsibility of due diligence and care are the ones taking drugs away from the citizens of Zambia. So, no complaints. That is what is called rule of law. Do not say you were not told.

Madam Speaker, the Government recognises the challenge of mental health on our people and we remain committed to implementing measures to address this problem.

Madam Speaker, the drought has, as said already, negatively affected the nutrition status of people living in drought-hit districts. In this regard, the Government is distributing high-energy and high-protein supplements to pregnant and breast-feeding mothers as well as children to avoid malnutrition.

Madam Speaker, we envisage a Zambia where every citizen has access to quality health care and opportunities for healthy living. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation.

Madam Speaker, prudent management of water resources is critical to building resilience to climate change. The Government has, therefore, continued to implement interventions to develop and manage our water resources. Only yesterday, we appointed a Permanent Secretary (PS) for this ministry, who has been well-selected. One citizen, Mr Kamanga. We wish him well. In this regard, the Government has revised the National Water Policy to take into account emerging challenges in the sector. The Government will continue to promote water harvesting and other climate-smart technologies to enhance water storage and supply. Great attention will be placed on protecting headwaters, water catchment areas and water bodies from encroachment, degradation and pollution.

Madam Speaker, the drought has also posed challenges in the water supply and sanitation sector. The low water levels have negatively affected most of our major sources of water supply. Utility companies are experiencing drying water sources, compounded by load-shedding; the necessary load-shedding, I must say. If you are hydro-based and you have no water, you have no electricity. There is not much, really, that we should be debating around this issue. Our attention should be focused on mitigating the problem. That is where our attention should be, not to quarrel over load-shedding. It is here because of obvious reasons. Let us work together to mitigate and quickly climb out of this problem. Let us take it as an opportunity, difficult as it may be. So, this reduced amount of water supplied to our communities is a concern; human consumption, animal consumption for both domesticated and wild animals and, really, for the vegetation as well, such as grass and trees. We are concerned. We are working hard. Your Government is working hard.

Madam Speaker, to improve access to water, the Government has scaled up the completion of on-going water supply infrastructure projects, including that which had stalled for over ten years. We are working hard now to complete these projects. We have continued to implement piped water schemes and drilling of boreholes across the country. The hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation knows this story very well. We are pushing each other every day and night, including taking out people stealing from the water programmes. Overpricing of water supply is a serious crime. Some people have been knocked out. We shall knock out more and no complaint should arise because this is unnecessary.

Madam Speaker, providing clean and safe drinking water to citizens is not just to quench the thirst or for industrial use, but also a health matter. It is a matter of health, given the need for sanitation.  

Madam Speaker, to improve the living conditions of the needy and vulnerable, the Government has continued to implement social protection programmes, such as the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) and Food Security Pack (FSP) Programmes. Under the regular Social Cash Transfer Programme, the number of household beneficiaries had increased from 1,027,000 in 2022 …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … to 1,311,000, ....

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … a whooping close to 300,000 additional numbers. Very important!

Madam Speaker, to further cushion beneficiary households from the effects of the drought, the regular Social Cash Transfer beneficiary households are now receiving a top-up. The regular ones, …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … not the new ones, an addition of K200 …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President:  … per month for a period of twelve months so they can recover, starting from June this year.  This is very specific. This money is making a significant difference in the lives of our people.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: We would like to hear reports and feedback from hon. Members of Parliament so that we can correct that which is wrong out there.

Madam Speaker, the Government is also implementing the Drought Emergency Cash Transfer Programme to enhance food and nutrition security. Under the programme, 952,770 households that experienced crop failure and are not on regular Social Cash Transfer are also benefiting. The cash transfer value for households on this programme is K400 per month for a period of twelve months. Currently, the total number of beneficiary households for both regular and drought- emergency cash transfer stands at 2,263,671.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Madam Speaker, please, take note of the definition. It is not individuals, it is households. Which means that millions more people are benefitting. You can work out the numbers. If in an average household there are five people, multiply that by 2,263,671.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Quite a lot!

Mr Nkandu: 10 million!

The President: Madam Speaker, as an additional drought response intervention, the Government is implementing the Cash-For-Work Programme. It is a very new programme. I am very thankful to this House, through your leadership, that approved the 2024 amended Budget. We embedded this figure to allow our people to benefit. So, thank you to Parliament; to the hon. Members of Parliament.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: So, as an additional drought response intervention, the Government is implementing the Cash-For-Work Programme. The programme is providing financial relief to individuals in exchange for their labour to undertake public works on a temporary basis.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Better to work in exchange for pay rather than tantameni …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … because when you work for pay, you produce. You help to grow the economy.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Very important!

We would like to thank our co-operating partners for their support to these initiatives.

Madam Speaker, I wish for the hon. Members of Parliament and the citizens to pay particular attention to the way these programmes are arranged. They are thought through. We look at many factors, including ensuring that every activity and money spent adds to some gross domestic product (GDP) growth of some kind, especially given that we have lost GDP from electricity and agriculture. It is very important! So, hon. Members of Parliament, this is very important to you and your constituencies.

Madam Speaker, the Government has introduced the community maize sales programme. In addition to what we have articulated, the Government; your Government, our Government …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … has introduced the community maize sales programme in deficit areas to improve the availability of the commodity; our staple food. Under the programme, members of the community are buying maize at K330 per 50kg bag from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). We have taken the maize back to the buying depots; closer to the people.

Madam Speaker, we had teething problems, but it coming through. We encourage this House to report any issues that they experience in their constituencies so that we can address them. It is very important! We are one team. So, this is what your Government is doing as part of the mitigation measures to the drought, water shortage, energy shortage and food insecurity. These are a combined or myriads of measures. By mid-August this year, more than 92,000 metric tonnes of maize had been sold across the country on this programme. We are also providing food relief to vulnerable households in the eighty-four drought-affected districts. This is in addition, because some families cannot afford even after these measures. So, we recognised that, and are providing relief to the most vulnerable households in the eighty-four drought-affected districts. In this area, a total of 40,865 metric tonnes of relief white maize, which is non-genetically modified organisms (GMO), had been distributed by mid-August this year.

Mr Nkandu: Nothing, no GMO!

The President: Of this amount, 28,755 metric tonnes were issued to beneficiary households.

Madam Speaker, to further address food and nutrition security among the needy and vulnerable households, the Government is providing basic farming inputs to vulnerable, but viable farmers under the FSP Programme. These measures are add-ons. They are not this or that. It is this plus that so that we can ameliorate the needs of our people. This is what it is. So, currently, 242,000 beneficiary households are being supported. Out of this number, 200,000 are under the rain-fed component and, surprise, 40,000 are under the wetland component, which were never utilised before. Under your Government, we have seen an opportunity in utilising the wetlands. So, we are now moving fast to use the wetlands. The wetlands component is one great opportunity for our country. So, we want to grow this area more and more because of the water and the moisture that is naturally held in the wetlands. So, we can produce something rather than just watching and burning things over the top.

Environmental Sustainability

Madam Speaker, our natural environment and ecosystems have continued to be under threat. We have witnessed increased incidences of adverse climate change effects, such as droughts, flash floods and extreme temperatures. This has been compounded by the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources.

Madam Speaker, to enhance preparedness and resilience of our communities to the impact of climate change, the Government is strengthening early warning systems.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: In this regard, over 200 modern weather stations have been installed in all the 116 districts and around our major water bodies.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Very important!

Madam Speaker, the House may remember that early into our term, we talked about weather forecasting. This is it, and this is the investment we are making in this area. We will equally ensure that our farmers are provided with information on the weather in a timely manner. Already, the information has started coming out on how this season is looking.

Further, Madam Vice-President, please, relocate the people in low-lying areas. We do not need to take the helicopters during the high floods. Let us relocate them now because we know what is coming. That is the value of weather forecasting and the investment made in these areas. So, although our people may resist, they must be educated because we do not want to lose lives.

Madam Speaker, the Government will continue to implement the Zambia Integrated Forest Landscape Project in the Eastern Province of our country. We are also implementing the Transforming Livelihoods for Resilience and Development projects in Luapula Province, Muchinga Province and the Northern Province.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: These programmes will continue because they are very important and your Government is committed to making sure these programmes succeed, and we will carry the communities in these areas to change habits, including farming habits, which is important. That is why we are providing farming implements and other things so that habits can change to restore our environment. To conserve and protect forests is a necessity.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: We have, therefore, established ten Community Forest Management Groups covering an estimated 183,000 ha of forest while 515 ha have been put under natural forest regeneration. Further, twenty-six ha of land has been planted with 21,000 pine tree seedlings. These are generated from this country in Mpulungu District, where we are focusing on planting pine. There is a scientific reason your Government has selected Mpulungu. It is important that these projects succeed. So, the hon. Member for Mpulungu and our colleagues around Mpulungu should support this project.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Madam Speaker, another location that has been carefully selected for scientific reasons is Nsama District.  There, we are looking at planting 7,300 pine tree seedlings.

Madam Speaker, in the Eastern Province, 72,800 ha of forest has been placed under land management practices. A lot of degradation is going on in that part of our country. So, this project is very important as it will address the degradation in that part of our country. So, we will continue to ensure that communities are brought on board, and monetary and non-monetary benefits are also offered to wean off communities that are dependent on certain practices. We recognise that as well because some of these practices are based on age-old traditions. As such, we need to be conscious as we deal with these issues. So, your Government is making these interventions. It is gratifying to note that our people are increasingly adopting alternative livelihoods, such as beekeeping, livestock production, small ranches of livestock and vegetable production throughout the year. There is no planting month because every month is planting month. Equally, there is no harvest month because every month is harvest month.

Madam Speaker, to reverse forest and land degradation, your Government has placed 7.6 million ha of forests under sustainable forestry management. The forests have been designed as Community Forest Management Areas and are being managed by over 284 recognised Community Forest Management Groups across the country. This is important so that there is a sense of ownership by the community. When the community feels that they own these programmes, they will look after them and the programmes will succeed. So, this is very important. This is similar to poaching. So, we urge our traditional leaders, civil society and the Church; our partners, we call them our partners, to collaborate with Government agencies and local communities to help sensitise our people to desist from bush burning. There is too much bush burning, a harmful vice that threatens the ecosystems and exacerbates the effects of climate change. Going forward, the Government will ensure that the livelihoods of our people and the environment are taken as a package and are protected fairly and equally even as we endeavour to develop our country. As we want to irrigate and water harvest, we will take account of sustainability. The hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment should lead us in this way.

Human Rights and Good Governance

Madam Speaker, the rule of law, respect for human rights and constitutionalism are at the core of our Government.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: We are committed to upholding and protecting these principles in totality.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Not from one angle, but in totality.

The New Dawn UPND Administration, therefore, will continue to uphold the rule of law no matter what is being said out there. We will continue to uphold the rule of law …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … without segregation. The rule of law must be deepened. Our democratic credentials must continue to be deepened, but within the rule of law.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: The rights and obligations of citizens are essential, but every right ends somewhere because someone else’s right begins there. So, the rights, obligations and responsibilities are part of the totality of the rule of law. Citizens must continue to enjoy their basic rights, but as I said, every right comes with obligations and responsibilities especially on social media.

Madam Speaker, the Constitution remains an important document for our identity as a people. Let me just reinforce the issue of rights and obligations. We have seen how the social media is being used to damage countries. People are hiding behind a cellullar or a smartphone to commit crimes. This Government will take all criminality as crimes.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Whether it is on social media, behind a laptop or on a platform, if you break the law, you are on your own. You have seen countries that have been put on flames because of falsehoods. Falsehoods are a crime.

Interruptions

The President: Yes!

Madam Speaker, the Constitution remains an important document to our country’s identity, as a people. The country has, however, failed to reach consensus on this very important national document over many years. As a country, therefore, we still need to reform our constitutional order to ensure that it truly reflects the aspirations of all citizens. Given the substantial work that has been done in the past, the New Dawn UPND Government does not want to repeat that expensive and time-consuming work. This Government is committed to facilitating a least-costly, efficient and credible process …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … to address lacunas, omissions or oversights, so to say, in our Constitution. So, we are looking to this House under your leadership, to be supportive of the process that will be least-costly, time-conscious and not lead to more and more allowances and sittings. That we will not do. absolutely not! Consensus building in this House is what should help us and we will be happy to go. After all, some of your constituencies are too big.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The President: I do not understand the wisdom in how hon. Members of Parliament were taken out of the council chambers.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The President: After all, some lacunas can lead us to a situation where we could have no general election for eight years. That is not a joke. Yes! We could have no elections for eight or nine years because lacunas sit in the Constitution. So, I am not sure what those who designed and signed that Constitution were intending to do.

Interruptions

The President: So, Madam Speaker, the Judiciary, the Executive and the Legislature are one Government, and we should work together. This is not a partisan issue, but a national issue. I would like to urge all that we should work as a team. I am a team believer.

Madam Speaker, we are determined to eradicate all forms of corruption. We remain firmly committed to the zero-tolerance policy against the vice. All suspected cases and all forms of corruption of the past, present and future will not be tolerated. There is nothing to hide behind ethnicity, religion or political party in the fight against corruption. None of that stuff will be tolerated. There is no ethnicity, religion or political affiliation in the fight against corruption.

Madam Speaker, I wish to indicate that asset recovery is an integral part of the process of fighting corruption.  In the last few months only, your Government has recovered phenomenally more than K100 million worth of property, K56.6 million cash and US$30.8 million cash.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: These have been forfeited to the State and we are restoring value to the true owners; the citizens of Zambia. The figures are there. Should you wish to know, from one individual, we recovered over US$25 million.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: So, this House must be united on the fight against corruption. We started slowly because the laws were weak, but we amended the laws. We started slowly because the court procedures were weak and were being abused. We looked through and we amended those. The fight against corruption and recovery of assets has now gathered speed.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: You will see more. This is nothing. This is the tip of the iceberg. Yes, it is in the public domain. Did we not recover a motor vehicle only two days or three days ago? We did.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: We did.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: When I say we did, it is all of us because this is the Government, and Parliament is part of the Government.

Madam Speaker, we want to thank you and the hon. Members of Parliament for allowing the legislative changes that we pushed through once we realised the difficulties and also the learning points that we did by sending our teams around the region and the world. We are doing fine in that area. So, please, there should be no ethnicity, religious affiliation, political party affiliation or cultural heritage affiliation. This fight will continue. So, let us just work together, and you will see how many more desks we will buy and the hospitals that we will build.

Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, as a demonstration of our Administration’s commitment to fighting the vice, we launched the revised National Policy on Anti-Corruption early this year. The policy, among other guiding principles, includes the reforms of the law and practising guidelines in the judicial processes. I know, some people did not pay attention when we were making these changes, but this is the result of the changes. The taste of the pudding is in the eating.

We are placing a premium on morality in our country. This is very important. I hope, voters will begin to make those decisions to take account of morality as well because it is creating problems that they elect people into public offices who are supposed to protect public resources, yet they are the ones in the forefront of damaging public resources. This is not a good thing to do. So, morality is important. We are also creating disincentives that will make it not attractive to engage in corruption. This House will be required to support those changes. We will continue to fight the past, present and future corruption. So, please, if you know of anything in the present, do not shout, do not post a social media article;  report to the police. That is the best thing a civilised citizen can do. Do not go on social media and allege. Go to the police, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) or anyone, and your report or actions will be appreciated and actioned.

Madam Speaker, to enable our country to benefit from international co-operation and foreign relations, the Government has continued to ensure that bilateral trade, and economic and technical co-operation continue to be the hallmark of our foreign policy. The foreign policy of this House and the nation is anchored on two pillars only: peace, security and stability on one side, and on another side, economic diplomacy. That is all. It is very simple. When we apply this, it will deliver results. It is already delivering results. If you look at the restructured relationships we have with other countries, it is excellent. The investments and the value that are coming into our country are excellent.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Madam Speaker, let us work together in this area. All hon. Members of Parliament are diplomats, and they must push the country’s foreign policy as they travel around in their Committees and other work that they do.

Madam Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation to work closely with you to interpret the two pillars so that the hon. Members of Parliament can bring value back home whenever they travel outside this country. This is a very important issue and not a small one. I do follow what hon. Members do; their presentations and the work they do when they go out. I think, we can support them even more. That is my request.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Madam Speaker, as a country, we effectively play our part in the region. Firstly, your Government will continue to create strategic partnerships. This is the hallmark of success in a modern and civilised society. Networking and partnerships are very important. So, we will continue doing that to promote trade, and investment, and facilitate high-level engagements to attract investments. The work we have done in this area speaks for itself. The resuscitation of the mines is from these strategic relationships.

Mr Kabuswe: Hear, hear!

Hon. PF Member: Mulungushi Dam.

The President: Yes, we have a big day for Mulungushi, and the nation will be very happy about it. So, I stay away from the temptation.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: However, I want to emphasise that your Government will continue to create strategic partnerships in the region, on the African continent and in the global community. This is in order to facilitate the re-entry of our country into the league of decent nations and also to promote investment, trade, and partnerships of all types, as long as they add a job or business opportunity for a Zambian. This is very important, and all hon. Members of Parliament must be part of his agenda. When we are here, we do not distinguish who is UPND.

Mr Simumba: Question!

Laughter

The President: We are one team! We are mature enough to distinguish between when we campaign for elections and when we serve the people. Once, we are elected, we are here to serve the people, chapwa! Sorry, that is our Bemba language. I meant to say; that is all. I apologise.

Madam Speaker, we effectively presided over the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation during the time we were leaders, as Zambia, during which, we fulfilled SADC’s mandate of promoting peace, security and stability in the region and ultimately creating economic opportunities for our own country. That is how it works. During our Chairmanship, we successfully led the SADC Electoral Observer Missions to Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Lesotho and South Africa. This was in our one year of leadership in this organ also known as Troika, as we call it, where we contributed towards the enhancement of democracy and good governance for our region. Peace in Zambia is important to the region and peace in the region is important to Zambia and to the global.  This is who we are; this is what we stand for, as a country, since Kenneth Kaunda’s time, and this is what we will continue to do going forward, as a people.

Madam Speaker, the media plays a pivotal role in promoting good governance as well as informing, educating and entertaining our people. We cherish the Fourth Estate and remain committed to freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Our people are now free to voice their concerns without fear of retribution, when they do it within the law.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: However, when you break the law, it is a different issue. I think, it is important to say so. We have increased the civic and democratic space. No question about it.

Madam Speaker, not a single media institution has been closed down for political or other considerations three years down the road, not one! This is very important. Since we assumed office, not one has been closed. Rather, there are now more community radio stations and television stations that have been opened and are operating freely. Anyone who attacks a radio or a television station will not hide behind a political placard.

Interruptions

The President:  They will not hide. When they do it, the law will take course because that is how it works. We have put laws, but criminals still steal. When they steal, we go for them. So, when you attack a radio station, we go for you. That is all. That is the difference. Before you are attacked, you are protected. However, when you attack others, the police will follow you, be it in Mpika or anywhere else. So, do not just do it. That is what we are saying. So, I think, the distinction must be that no one says there will be no criminals. Rather, we are saying that when you commit a crime, the law will visit you, unlike before, when you committed a crime, politics protected you. We should not do those things, going forward. However, when you see a crime being committed, just report it to the police. If there is no action, you can, then, raise the issue to a different level. That is what we are saying. That is the civility we are looking for.

 Madam Speaker, I do not want to belabour this point, I am a cattleman. We enhanced the fight against crime. People are still stealing, but they are now being arrested. I think, that is the very important distinction we must make. So, political players, civil societies, churches, other stakeholders and the media, itself, let us all act responsibly. Freedom does not mean abuse. To enhance access to information, the Access to Information Act No. 24 of 2023 was enacted. The legislation enables our citizens to access information from public institutions. Even now, you can go to a public institution and ask for information. You should get it. With these freedoms, we urge citizens to avoid abusing, I repeat, social media and other media. We have seen countries go down in the last three months. Those countries will never be the same again. Street fights instigated by falsehoods through social media are serious crimes. So, we will be asking this Parliament to enhance the laws and the punishment. We want to learn from the new British Prime Minister. He has done a great job; he has deepened the law and quickened the prosecution process, and people are locked up because one can put a nation on fire from a smartphone based on falsehoods. When people are spreading falsehoods, the nation will be burning. So, if you want to run a country, what country will you run when it is in smoke?

Madam Speaker, some of us endured a lot in the past, but we never asked our supporters to go in the street. Not a single day. No serious leader does a thing like that. I am following, listening and watching people enticing young people to go in the streets. To go and do what? To kill fellow citizens and burn property? Then, you want to lead ashes? God help you. This Parliament must deepen and enhance the laws, punishment and expeditious prosecution by maintaining freedoms, but acting on criminality. I know what I am talking about.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: We are talking, globally as responsible leaders, and we agreed that this should not be the way the world evolves because it will destroy things.

Madam Speaker, let us move as a nation, not as pieces and bits, but as a nation. That is the way to survive even under drought. That is the way to survive even under load-shedding. We should move as a team. We move as a country.

Madam Speaker, we have continued to devolve public services to local authorities. This programme will continue. As you are aware, by December, this year, agricultural services, livestock and fisheries services in addition to the already devolved services, will also be moving in that direction. Community development and social welfare are already there at the local level. So, more services will be put in place. We will bring the number of devolved functions to thirteen. This is supported with resource allocation as appropriate. You cannot devolve without resource allocation. Then, it becomes playing with words. That is why we are very happy with the CDF, and more will be done in that direction. We are taking decision-making closer to the people and enhancing their participation in local development ...

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … based on their priorities in those areas. If you want to clean a canal, that is what is important to you. You will be supported. If you want to plant in a dambo because you have a dambo in your area, you will be supported. This is what this Government is all about.  

Madam Speaker, the CDF is very important to me and to the hon. Members in the House. If they want to be successful, they should utilise the enhanced CDF properly. This is why we want them to go back to the council chamber so that they can be part of the planning process, allocation of resources and implementation and monitoring. That is why we need to amend the Constitution to take hon. Members of Parliament back to the council chamber so that they can truly monitor development.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The President: When we allocate more CDF, which we will this year, …

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … you can use it better. Where there are mistakes, take note of those mistakes, raise them and they shall be dealt with. I think that is what we should do as a family, as a Zambia-united family; unity in diversity.

Madam Speaker, the New Dawn …

Hon. UPND Members: Bwekeshenipo nakabili.

The President: Nakabili?

Laughter

The President: Sorry, I meant to say ‘again’. I apologise.

Laughter

The President:  Kwena namumfwa bwino bwino.

Madam, I am saying that the people have heard. The message is clear.

Madam Speaker, we have noticed the slowdown in the upcheck of the CDF in certain constituencies, which appears to be deliberate. You are not injuring the UPND, Hakainde Hichilema or Madam Speaker. You are injuring your own voters. Why should a child in one constituency be sitting on the floor when the money for desks is there? Why? My urging is that, let us distinguish pettiness from seriousness. This is a serious developmental issue, and we must deliver in all constituencies.  I am hoping that, with the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, we can devise a legal obligation for hon. Members of Parliament to deliver development for their people irrespective of which party they come from.

Madam Speaker, last time, I asked for a meeting with hon. Members of Parliament. Others did not come because they are not UPND. That meeting was a meeting of the  President and all hon. Members of Parliament so that we could discuss the challenges around the CDF and other challenges on some of the things that your Government should address. The CDF is not partisan. Decentralisation is not partisan. The CDF is for the people whom we claim to serve. So, let us work together.

Madam Speaker, the New Dawn UPND Administration values the role that our traditional leaders play in our development efforts. As such, to uplift the conditions, the status and the dignity of the traditional leaders, we have made a special provision under the CDF for the construction of chiefs’ palaces. We are currently constructing 110 new chiefs’ palaces across the country.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Good progress has been made so far.

Madam Speaker, our quest is to promote gender equity and equality across the country, and across social status. Speedy access to justice for victims of gender-based violence (GBC) is what we are working towards. This year, new courts have been constructed in Solwezi, Kasama, Mansa and Chinsali districts. This brings the number of GBV fast-track courts in the country to ten. Let us utilise them.

Madam Speaker, the Government will continue to promote a good governance environment in the country and will ensure that policy, legal and institutional reforms are strengthened.

Madam Speaker, we proudly salute our talented sportsmen and women for flying the Zambian flag high over the past year, particularly, during the world's greatest sports spectacle, the Paris Olympic Games, 2024. Special recognition goes to our resilient women's football team, …

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The President:  … who bravely faced off against some of the world's top teams. Our women worked hard and made us proud.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

The President: We cannot ignore Muzala Samukonga …

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … who brought immense glory and pride to our nation by winning a bronze medal. We also commend the outstanding performance of other Olympic competitors across the disciplines. I will not pre-empt, but we have a programme for Muzala and his relay team, and the nation will be proud to know what we are doing around that. Very shortly, the hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts will deal with that issue.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The President: I must say, sport has, once again, proven itself to be the greatest unifier of our nation, showcasing its potential to not only bring people together, but also provide employment opportunities. Through sport, we witness the best of the human spirit: determination, perseverance and triumph.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Conclusion

Madam Speaker, as I move to conclude, as a country, we have made significant progress in many spheres despite the challenges we are faced with, unbudgeted changes, especially the drought. Our nation has experienced the worst and harshest realities of the negative effects of climate change. At my age, I have never seen that before. I grew up in a village, but I have never seen a year when we never harvested. This is the first time. Despite that, your Government, the nation and your people move on.

Madam Speaker, the milestones attained under the debt restructuring have given us fiscal space to place our economy back on track.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Were it not for the drought, we were going to hit significant growth this year. However, we will turn the drought into an opportunity. I raised this issue before: irrigation,  diversity in energy, resilience and research. We may not have done all these without a drought, but the drought has given us the flip tag of a coin, which is an opportunity.

Madam Speaker, the revival of our mines on the Copperbelt has gained traction. Some would like to say that the New Dawn UPND Government has a knack for bringing things from the grave …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … back into life.  Shaft 28 is one example. Difficult environment, but we keep soldiering on and making progress; restoration of hope and resurgence of economic activities in our mining sector and mining towns such as KCM, Shaft 28, Mingomba Mining Limited (MML), and several others like the Lumwana Supper Pit in the North-Western Province, First Quantum Minerals (FQM) and Nickel Mining. All these are reviving normalcy into our mining communities.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: It is not just that, but suppliers and contractors have also been paid. If you go to the Copperbelt now, suppliers in Mufulira, Mafken have been paid.

Madam Speaker, hon. Members from different parts in Mufulira are doing a good job.

Mr Mwila: Hear, hear!

The President: They are working together to help revive Mafken. Mafken is Mufulira. So, they are working together. Yes, they could have differences, but they are working together.  We have three hon. Members working together. Teamwork. To drive this country forward, we need to work together and override small petty differences and focus on what we can do together. Very important! This is a signal that lives will be better on the Copperbelt and in Zambia. It is just a matter of time.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Madam Speaker, our fight against corruption and recovery of assets is on course, delayed in the beginning, but it is on course. We are equally on course in empowering our people through the decentralisation agenda.

Madam Speaker, as citizens of this great country, we owe it to ourselves and future generations to rapidly enhance our resilience to natural and economic disruptions. Yes, climate change presents us with challenges. More importantly, it is an opportunity, depending on how your brain is framed, but it is an opportunity for us to devise solutions to our challenges. It is a call to action and a catalyst for innovation. Let us seize this opportunity to find solutions to build a sustainable future. Let us harness the power of national unity, demeaning and miniaturing differences, and power of national unity by working together in this unitary State, …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … the indivisible Zambia. Let us nurse this power. Let us collaborate with determination and embrace sustainable practices, invest in green technologies and empower our communities to adapt and to thrive.

Madam Speaker, a prosperous and better Zambia is not a mere dream, but a tangible aspiration within our reach. I am confident that in five to six years from now, this will be a different country. I have no doubt about it. So, I want all of us in this House to believe in ourselves. Where we fall short, someone will lift us within our country. If not, within our region or our continent. We will bring the skills required to make this country achieve these aspirations.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: This country should not work against anyone. This country should work for everybody. It is a big difference.

Madam Speaker, we must commit to working together, and embracing an inclusive and shared future. As we tackle the bad habits of the past, we must embrace each other. When we tackle bad habits, we are not doing it against anybody, but to make society better. We have a shared future.  We must commit to serving our nation and the entirety of humanity. We must continue to commit to, and be passionate about building a peaceful, united and prosperous Zambia. With determination, resilience and hard work, let us build a Zambia that stands tall as a beacon of hope for generations to come. Even when we are long gone, our great-grandchildren should say there was a team that turned the corner.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The President: If you go to countries like China, they will tell you that they turned the corner in a particular year and they have never looked back. We must be proud and look forward to this opportunity that God has given us. These things are only given to us by God. It is only God who designs them because it is beyond us, but let us maximise by working together. Let us build a Zambia that others who will come after us can build on. Let us be the building blocks they can stand on. Let us be the shoulders.  We need to accept that we can only achieve this through smart work, hard work, work and more work after work. It is the only way. There is no other way. I argue that there is no other way. There are no shortcuts. We have to do what is right and, if we do that, we will succeed. As we said in the Theme for our 60^th Independence Anniversary, let us honour our heritage and embrace our future.

Madam Speaker, it is now my honour and privilege to declare the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly officially opened.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Madam Speaker, God bless our country, Zambia.

God bless our people.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The President: May God’s grace be upon us all.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The President left the Assembly Chamber.

Madam Speaker took the Chair.

_______

MOTIONS

ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE

The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that at its rising today, the House do adjourn until Tuesday, 17^th September, 2024.

Madam Speaker, may I start by expressing on behalf of the House and, indeed, on my own behalf, how greatly honoured the House is to have had yet another opportunity of being addressed by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr Hakainde Hichilema, …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: … through an inspiring and well-thought-out speech that has just been delivered to this august House.

Madam Speaker, I have no doubt in my mind that all hon. Members will join me in congratulating His Excellency the President for delivering an inspiring Address. In his Address, His Excellency the President has raised important issues that need careful analysis and serious introspection. In this regard, I am of the view that the House should rise now so that hon. Members are allowed adequate time to read the speech and reflect on the important issues that His Excellency the President has raised. In this way, hon. Members will be able to make intelligent and constructive contributions during the debate on the Motion of Thanks starting on Tuesday, 17^th September, 2024.

Madam Speaker, this is a procedural Motion and I, therefore, request all hon. Members of this august House to support it.

Madam Speaker, I beg to move.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mabeta (Kankoyo): Madam Speaker, I thank you for according me the rare honour and privilege to support the Motion that has been ably moved by Her Honour the Vice-President on the occasion of the Ceremonial Official Opening of the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly.

Madam Speaker, I totally agree with Her Honour the Vice-President and Leader of Government Business in the House that hon. Members need ample time to carefully analyse the speech delivered by Mr Hakainde Hichilema, our beloved President of the Republic of Zambia. Most of the issues that were raised by the President are related to the welfare and livelihood of the people that we are privileged to serve. It is, therefore, important that hon. Members are given ample time to critically analyse the speech and be able to debate from an informed point of view.

Madam Speaker, adjourning now will enable us to come back fully prepared next week and be able to contribute to the debate meaningfully. I, therefore, fully support the Motion and urge all hon. Member and colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. UPND Members: Correct!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I am very grateful to the House for its unanimous support for this Motion.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Question put and agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

________

The House adjourned at 1303 hours until 1430 hours on Tuesday, 17^th September, 2024.

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