Friday, 1^st November, 2024

The House met at 0900 hours

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM LUMUMBA PRE, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL

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

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

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika): Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity you have given me to ask Her Honour the Vice-President a question. In the recent past, we have witnessed some ugly incidences of members of the clergy being harassed by the State. Incidences like the ones involving the pastor on the Copperbelt, Pastor Simuchimba, Dr Alick Banda, Bishop Mulenga –

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, may you ask your question rather than debate.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, my question to Her Honour the Vice-President is: Why is the Government targeting its critics within the Church?

The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Mpika for that question, except that the question is a little difficult. Is he talking about the clergy or the critics? I think that there are two different issues here. I would not know how to put them together. If he says critics, then critics are critics. If they are critics, then they require a response. That is the way life works.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: When you criticise, then the person being criticised has the right to respond and set the record straight, according to them. Regarding the clergy, I would want a more specific question on which clergy, the hon. Member is referring to. He talked about a reverend or pastor and the bishop being targeted, but I think that clear examples of actual incidences can be given to show this kind of targeting. How have they been targeted? I cannot answer this.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chala (Chipili): Mr Speaker, I want to find out from Her Honour the Vice-President the relationship between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Of late, we were told that Zimbabwe has increased the fees for the fuel tankers. As a result, we had a disruption of fuel supply in Zambia. This is happening for the first time. What is the relationship between Zambia and Zimbabwe?

The Vice-President consulted Mr Chipoka Mulenga.

Hon. Opposition Members interjected.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, that is what hon. Ministers do. They give me answers so that I am not completely off.

Mr Speaker, I may not have gotten the last bit of the hon. Member’s question. However, the beginning of the question was: What is the relationship between Zambia and Zimbabwe? Is it what is affecting the levies or payments of fuel tankers? I hope that is the jest of the matter.

Mr Speaker, it may be important to state that the relationship between Zambia and Zimbabwe is as we know it. If there is anything happening, we would not discuss that in public, it would be like discussing a marriage in public. You do not do that. The Government would have to follow the diplomatic channels if anything was happening between the two countries. However, standing here, Zimbabwe is our neighbour, and we know our history. On the issue of fuel tankers, yes, we know that we can probably complain, but this is not about Zambia, rather it is about every tanker. Whether a tanker is going to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or Zambia, it is made to pay. So, I believe that a ministry like his (pointing at Mr Chipoka Mulenga), the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, and other nations that are affected are finding solutions by coming together to discuss this matter. So, it is not a targeted issue on Zambia, but this is the way they have decided to proceed to probably raise a little Dollar.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

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

Mr Speaker, there is a wind blowing in the region, of Governments serving one term. Of late we have witnessed a systematic pattern of people being arrested and not being granted bonds or bail. Is it the Government’s wish that even as you exit the Government, this system should continue of not granting people police bonds and bail?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, thank you and good morning to the hon. Member for Lumezi.

Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that question, although I am not clear because he has highlighted two issues. He talked about some winds blowing in some neighbouring countries. Those are neighbouring countries and Zambia is not on that trajectory. This Government is working as hard as possible to meet its obligations to the people of Zambia and they do appreciate it. So, we are very comfortable sitting here, on the Government Bench and come next term, we will still be sitting here.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: I hope the hon. Member for Lumezi will not be thrown out there. We hope that he will remain sitting in that seat, come next term.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: The people of Zambia can see. For example, that is why we are seeing such results coming out of the by-elections.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: There are always indicators. Whatever you are doing, look at the indicators of what you think may be the final result.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Member then moved on to talk about the issue of the police not granting bonds or bail to people. I may not be a practicing lawyer, but I know that bonds are granted by the police. Is it not so? While bails are from the courts of law. It is important for us to understand this principle.

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President while seated in that Chair, in the House, directed the police to not arrest people and keep them in the police cells beyond the stipulated time by law. So, if that is happening, that is an anomaly. The hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security is here. Therefore, we can only answer for the police and give instructions. We will continue to train and retrain those who were wrongly trained. When a person has been arrested for a bailable or bondable offence, he/she should not be kept in the cells beyond the stipulated time. His Excellency the President has made that clear. If we are at fault on that, we will continue to work so that it is corrected. 

Mr Speaker, granting of bail is not an Executive issue, rather it is a Judicial matter. The hon. Member is aware that we have separation of powers. The Executive cannot order the Judiciary to grant bail. In fact, we are the ones who take matters to court through the police for prosecution.  So, our intention is to win cases. A person who is taken to court may have a lawyer to represent him/her or he/she may indicate before the courts of law that his/her matter is bailable and convince the court so it can grant him/her bail. That is out of our jurisdiction. As for the bond, it is within our jurisdiction and we will continue to tell the police to not keep people in custody without taking them to court, if not, then they should be released, within forty-eight hours. That is what I know, unless I am missing something.

So, hon. Member, we will be here next term and we will not allow misbehaving in terms of the application of the law on our side.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: The police will not keep people in custody beyond the stipulated time because that is wrong by law.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Mr Speaker, Her Honour the Vice-President and the 19 million Zambians are aware that the Patriotic Front (PF) gang were more powerful than Boko Haram.

Laughter

 Mr Michelo: This time around, it has started exhibiting the same behaviour, which it exhibited during the time it was in power.

 Mr Speaker, on Monday, there was a memorial service for the late Republican President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata. His family and the Government gathered for the memorial service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross. However, a community of criminals decided to assemble in a different area –

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, may you ask the question.

Mr Michelo: Mr Speaker, what word of advice does Her Honour the Vice-President have especially for the PF members who decided to have a different memorial service, away from the family members who lost their loved one. What advice does Her Honour the Vice-President have for those people so that they can sober up and start behaving in a normal way like normal human beings?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Bweengwa for the question except on the issues of relating some people to Boko Haram. This House should not be entertaining anybody who is said to be Boko Haram because that would be criminality. In addition, this House has no capacity, to decide who is a criminal or not.

Mr Speaker, the issue of the memorial service for the late Former Republican President is a family matter.The Government decided to honour the late President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata.  One would expect that we would all come together as we are One Zambia, One Nation. However, from my heart, some people were just engaging in politicking. Inwardly, they appreciated that we were honouring Mr Michael Chilufya Sata.  I think that they thought it was time for them to engage in politics. We pray that next year, or after ten years or so, whichever Government will be in power, we will come together, rather than remembering our beloved, particularly, even more so beloved on their side, with acrimony because it does not augur well. Let us honour our late President together and show unity. I do not think that Mr Michael Chilufya Sata was just Patriotic Front (PF), but he was the Head of State for all the people of Zambia.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 Mr Simumba (Nakonde): Thank you, Mr Speaker and good morning to Her Honour the Vice-President. The good people of Nakonde have sent some Nakonde Rice for Her Honour the Vice-President.

Laughter

Mr Simumba: Mr Speaker, the New Dawn Administration has been talking big about its achievements. However, the citizens are wondering whether they live in Zambia because the inflation rate has gone high,  the poverty levels …

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

May you ask your question.

Mr Simumba: … have gone high and people are going to bed without food.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: May you ask your question, hon. Member.

Mr Simumba: Mr Speaker, is this what Her Honour the Vice-President calls achievement, when her people are going to bed without food?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Nakonde and good morning to him.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Nakonde also said that he has brought some Nakonde Rice for me. Can he lay it on the Table.

Laughter

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, evidence must be given so that we can carry it from the Table. 

Mr Speaker, I will start with the last question where he said that people are going to bed hungry. I will start with the Zambian scenario of what the country is going through. We have had an unprecedented drought. The hon. Member may not feel the impact of the drought because God being gracious, Nakonde did not experience what half of the country experienced.  Honestly, right now people would have probably died had it not been for this prudent and serious Government.

Mr Nkandu: Correct!

 The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, it does not matter whether deaths could have occurred in Shangombo or Nkeyema, it would still have been painful to him as a leader of this country. However, this Government has put so many interventions in place. Therefore, today, for somebody to say that people are going to bed hungry may not be fair enough. People may not have the amount of food that they would want, but we have put interventions, which I can repeat here, on the Floor of this House. In all those areas, we know that the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme is being implemented, which we are all aware of. It has been increased to cater for the drought period, a very lean period, and normal. This is the time when food is scarce in the country. We have even enhanced the SCT, and people who do not normally benefit from the SCT programme are benefitting, but this may not continue depending on the circumstances. However, because of where we are, some people are benefitting from that. We also have the Cash-for-Work programme. You have to create a way so that people do not just get money for free. People should work so that the Government can pay them and every month, a family will be able to have at least have something to eat. The challenge is there and we agree. However, this Government has worked so hard to look after its people.

Mr Speaker, if people in Nakonde are sleeping hungry, what is the problem? I have said it here before, and I will say it again.  My office is given the task to look after the vulnerable who may not have enough food and we provide relief.  However, in a situation like the one in Nakonde or Kaputa, the constituency for my hon. Minister, it is important that we educate our people that when they harvest, the first thing they should do is to secure food for the household.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, all of us must ensure that when our people harvest, we tell them to leave at least fifteen bags for the family, that is if they eat more, but ten bags would be more than enough for a normal household because we are talking about a 50 kg bag.

Mr Speaker, people in Nakonde harvested, but the hon. Member comes here, on the Floor of the House, and says people are going to bed hungry. Is he claiming that the people of Nakonde were extremely irresponsible when they harvested? Is that the place where we were mopping up maize? That is not good. However, when we talk about the cost of living, let us not act like we are an island. Honestly?

Mr Speaker, today, elections are going on not only in one country. As politicians, we should have some interest in what is happening elsewhere. Today, even in donor countries, they are talking about the cost of living. It is a global issue because of many things that are going on, including climate change, which is one of the factors that has affected us. When we look at all the campaigns that are going on all over, we see that they are all talking about the cost of living.

Mr Speaker, we have worked, but I will continue to say all things being equal, if we did not experience the drought, we would have been exporting food, particularly maize to other countries. However, Zambians have not given up. We have been given the weather forecast for this rainy season, that we will have good rainfall this year. Of course, we may have floods. Zambians have not given up. We are going to cultivate again. We will continue to give support like the support we give through the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF) also known as the credit window so that many people can participate and have enough food in our country. Let us work together; that is why we were elected to be leaders and help to do the right thing.

Mr Speaker, the things we say here, in the House, can be discouraging to the rest of the nation and make people give up. To whose disadvantage? Not to the Government's advantage, but to the people’s disadvantage. Let us work together and send the right message. The situation is not as good as anybody would want it to be. I would be lying to say, it is all roses, but this is the best we have and because we have a very good economist in the driving seat, we shall go through it. We will not only survive, but soon we will thrive.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, let us avoid debating whilst seated, especially at the back there. 

Mr Simushi (Sikongo): Mr Speaker, thank you so much on behalf of the people of Sikongo for this opportunity to ask a question.

Mr Speaker, right from the time he was in the opposition, the Republican President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, was very categorical with the agenda of uniting this country. True to his words, once the United Party for National Development (UPND) formed Government in 2021, the agenda was kicked into action. This has been seen in the manner in which national resources are being shared. They are shared equally throughout the provinces of this country. Further –

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, may you ask the question.

Mr Simushi: Mr Speaker, we have seen how traditional leaders are now uniting this country. We have seen our Bemba Chiefs going to the Western Province, to the extent that today, the Lozi and the Bemba people are now cousins.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simushi: Mr Speaker, what message does Her Honour the Vice-President have for those who are still criticising this noble crusade by the Republican President of uniting this country? A crusade which is so important to the development of this country.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the one talking is my cousin.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, we have to also call him by the right name because he is not my mbuya. My mbuya is …

Mr B. Mpundu: Munir Zulu!

The Vice-President: … Munir.

Laughter

Mr Munir Zulu: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

The Vice-President: Sorry, Hon. Munir Zulu.

Laughter

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member who asked the question is my cousin so let us find the right word. We cannot borrow the one with –

Laughter

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I think that this is a very important question from the hon. Member for Sikongo, that the United Party for National Development (UPND) as its name states, came into power with a goal to unite the country. It is within our deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, it is within the DNA of the UPND to unite the country. So, that is very important and we will continue on the crusade of uniting Zambia. I also want to acknowledge that the traditional leaders are making all the efforts to ensure that they follow the President's declaration and intention of seeing unity. Indeed, new cousinships are being forged, in the quest for all of us to truly stand and say, One Zambia, One Nation. Truly, we must reach that level where you say it from your heart. It is very important. So, our DNA is showing through the President.

Mr Speaker, the other point that the hon. Member has given other than traditional leaders and coming together, is resource sharing. I agree with the hon. Member. Many times, we hear of conflicts, which God has protected us from, since Zambia was born, sixty years ago. One of the causes of conflict is resource sharing within a country or a nation.  However, this Government is making sure that that which comes to the Government is shared equitably. I am using the word, ‘equitably’ very deliberately. It cannot be equal, but equitably and this is what is happening. One way to do that is to look at the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which is the surest way of ensuring that even the remotest part of the country, like Shangombo, Sikongo, Kaputa and, indeed, Chilubi, get something.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

The Vice-President: This is very important hon. Colleagues because if you look back, you will see that the Central Government does not have enough of the eagle’s eye to see the actual need in Kaputa. So, decentralisation and equitable sharing of resources makes the people of Mukupa Katundula in Kaputa say, “We need a school here.” That is the way to go. So, equitable sharing is very important. Let us continue doing that because if we do not share equitably, that is bad. I know in the past there were all sorts of complaints, but this is what we are working on and we will ensure that under the Leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, Zambia looks almost similar.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, we will continue to work to ensure that we share resources so that every Zambian can truly feel Zambian. That is what the Government is supposed to be doing and we are doing just that.

Hon. Minister, (addressing Dr Musokotwane) continue to distribute the resources equitably.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr P. Phiri (Mkaika): Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to ask a question. Her Honour the Vice-President is on record saying that the Government has fulfilled 80 per cent of the promises it made to the Zambian people. However, when I look at the major promises, like the exchange rate, it is at K27 to a Dollar, which is too high. They promised the Zambian people that immediately they were sworn into Government, by 1400 hours the exchange rate would be at K10. Further, the cost of mealie meal –­

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, may you ask your question.

Interruptions

Hon. Opposition Members: Hon. Minister!

Laughter

Mr P. Phiri: Mr Speaker, what is it that the Government has delivered to achieve the 80 per cent, when most of the promises have not yet been achieved and the Zambian people are still waiting? 2026 is just around the corner.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member says I am on record. I can refuse that if I want, but regarding the 80 per cent of the achievements, I think it is important that you go back to our manifesto. The hon. Member also said that we promised that immediately we were sworn into Government, by 1400 hours the exchange rate would be at K10. No, you have never read anywhere saying the exchange rate will be at K10. Let us face these issues. The hon. Member should get these facts right. Maybe I should bring my manifesto one day and then we start ticking.

Hon. Opposition Members interjected.

The Vice-President: Then why are you referring to not reaching 80 per cent? This is because it is 80 per cent of our promises. The example that the hon. Member has given, firstly, could be one of the 20 per cent. However, the example he has given was never in our manifesto. It does not matter how upset you get, but you can never stand here or anywhere and say that the exchange rate will be K2 or K100. The exchange rate is always fluctuating; you can ask the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning. I would also ask you the same question. So, who can make such a promise and say that they will put the exchange rate at K8? I say the truth all the time.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 When Her Honour the Vice-President is responding, you should be attentive because even Zambians out there are listening to her responses.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I always endeavour to say the truth. Hon. Colleagues may not agree with me, but this is the truth; we cannot fix an exchange rate. It is an impossibility. Yes, we said it would go down. Maybe our colleagues fixed the rate. They came into power when the exchange rate was at K5. After ten years, they left it at K22 or K23. Hon. Colleagues, at what rate is it today? Please, let us do the mathematics. I want people to listen carefully.

Mr Speaker, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government found the exchange rate at K5. By the time it was leaving Government, it was at K23. The UPND Government has been in power for four years now and the exchange rate has gone up by how many digits?

Hon. Government Members: Three.

The Vice-President:  Yes, it is about K26 or K27. If you want, we can say it has gone up by four digits. So, let us not confuse people out there like something strange has happened, yet we have battled the environment. We have also battled the global economy, which has experienced many difficulties. However, we have held on.

Interruptions

Hon. Government Member: Including the debt.

The Vice-President: Yes, I agree with that one, including the debt they left. We have held the exchange rate. This is an achievement, hon. Colleague. I think you will agree with me, that this is an achievement. In the fourth year of being in power, we are still holding on at four digits. With how many digits did the exchange rate go down under the PF Government?  Then you want to use it as a failure on our part? Hon. Member for Mkaika, this is a success. Yes, we have done the best we can.

Mr Speaker, I was looking at the progression of the mealie meal pricing. I think, I will bring it here, in the House so that they can see their graph. However, for now, I still stand by that, that we, as the UPND Government, according to our manifesto, which people voted us on, have done so much. The first one was on the economy. Colleagues, in a stressed global economy, we are here. Where would you have been if we continued on that trajectory?

Interruptions

The Vice-President:  Hon. Member for Mkushi, where would you have been? Hon. Zulu, Member of Parliament for Lumezi, where would you have been?

Mr Munir Zulu rose

The Vice-President: You are my mbuya, sit down.

Where would we be? Colleagues, I know that certain things are political. I know you are sitting there to try to unseat us. That is what you are doing. That is a fact. Are we aware that they want to remove us from power?

Hon. Government Members: Yes.

The Vice-President:  We are aware. However, they should use the right methods and not mislead the people of Zambia because they are able, and we are strong here. We are holding hands. You try and come 2026, we will give your record, and you will give our record, tizachiona.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Interruptions

Mr Simuzingili (Gwembe): Mr Speaker, as hon. Members of Parliament, we are having challenges with the councils. Things such as procurements are delayed. Is there a way we can amend the law so that hon. Members of Parliament can sit in the councils to drive the agenda of the United Party for National Development (UPND)?

Mr B. Mpundu: Iyo waletapo ni lacuna.

The Vice-President: (Laughs), who is lacuna there? (pointed to the left side of the House).

Laughter

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Gwembe for that question. The answer has already been given, that it is a lacuna, which each hon. Member of Parliament should look forward to correcting.

Mr Speaker, some people are asking why we want to review the Constitution. Is that not an important point for us to look at? How can we leave out an hon. Member of Parliament from such processes? What happened?  In the small Constituency Development Fund (CDF) of those days when some of us were hon. Members, we sat in the councils. We gave guidance on how we wanted the CDF to be used. So, I agree with the hon. Member, but it is a constitutional matter. Let us agree that when such an amendment comes to the House, there should be no debate. We will all agree that every hon. Member of Parliament should go back to sitting in the councils so that we can give leadership. I agree with the hon. Member. However, let us all agree on one thing because the constitutional amendments will come. Let us see how we will move.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa):  Mr Speaker, I thank Her Honour the Vice-President for the answers she is providing to this honourable House.

Mr Speaker, according to the weather forecast, there may be floods this coming rainy season. Already the people of Twashuka, in my constituency, have experienced flash floods and I was there last week. What measures is the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) putting in place to ensure that it is ready for what is coming before us in various constituencies?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Bwana Mkubwa for that question. I appreciate that at least he appreciates a little of my answers. Everybody needs encouragement.

Mr Speaker, regarding the floods, I think we heard what the President said in his speech during the Official Opening of Parliament. He referred to this issue because of the weather forecast that was given. He said we should not wait until people find themselves in problems. He said something as he was talking, remember, he particularly addressed me on this issue so I paid attention. He said, “I know there will be resistance.”

Mr Mwambazi indicated assent.

The Vice-President: Yes, you remember that. This is the situation. Maybe the hon. Member and I can talk a little more. I think, in 2022/2023 we experienced some floods, but we tried to come through. This is why I have been calling upon all hon. Members to work together to find some humanly permanent solutions, rather than each year when there is a flood, people leave those flooded areas, then they are given some tents to settle elsewhere and after some time they go back. Let us start looking for humanly semi-permanent solutions. We cannot say that we find permanent solutions because God has a say in what happens.

Mr Speaker, we need to look at how we can mitigate this matter. However, beyond mitigation, if you look at the policy being put in place today, it is risk reduction rather than mitigation only. We should find a way of building resilience so that when such floods come, people are not found in the line of floods. We need to talk. This is a call upon all hon. Members who are found in such situations. We can talk and see how we can slowly reduce the risk.

Mr Speaker, the Government, through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), is basically preparing for mitigation, which is not good. So, we pray that you can dig out drainages to allow the water to flow, but that is not enough. If it is not a perennial issue, we will respond as it happens. However, for perennial issues, we are already trying to preposition certain things so that we are not caught unaware.

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Mr Speaker, today is 1^st November, 2024, and the rainy season has begun. The Government has failed to pay farmers who supplied food to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: May you ask your question, hon. Member.

Mr Mtayachalo: When is the Government going to pay farmers in Chama, Kaputa, and several other parts of the country who supplied food to the FRA so that our hardworking farmers are able to plan adequately for the 2024/2025 Farming Season?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the hon. Member for Chama for that question. I know that issue is on the minds of quite a number of people. However, in appreciating this concern, there could be some hon. Members here, in the House, who can also testify that their farmers are being paid. I cannot tell exactly where. The Ministry of Finance and National Planning released some money about two or three weeks ago. So, because of the amount that we need, which is close to K2 billion, is it not so, hon. Minister? (addressing the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning), we cannot pay at the same time. So, we got a bit of that amount and some farmers are being paid. We will continue with the payments. We do understand that we must pay.

Mr Nkandu: They are being paid.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, some are being paid. Maybe Chama was not on the list.  However, we are also pushing our colleagues so that we can quickly get the money because time is running out. We will continue to see to it that our people get their money. The envelope is challenging, but we also do understand this challenge. We are working on that and I am aware of it.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Mr Speaker, I think being the last Member to ask a question, I want to start by commending and praising the Government for the two events that took place last month.

Mr Speaker, I commend the Government, through Her Honour the Vice-President, for finally acknowledging and commemorating our founding leader, His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata. Despite the communication breakdown, I think everybody who took part in the commemoration must be respected for honouring him in the manner they did.

Mr Speaker, secondly, I also want to commend the Government –

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, may you ask your question.

Mr Kampyongo: This is Parliament, Mr Speaker. These things are permissible and I asked for your indulgence.

Mr Speaker, I also want to commend the Government for demystifying the 18^th day of October, which has been celebrated as a National Day of Prayers. Unfortunately, it was referred to as a day of wishful sinners by your hon. Members here.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, may you ask your question.

Mr Kampyongo: My question to Her Honour the Vice-President is that; apa komaila nondo ninshi pali ubulema. This means that when people are lamenting about something, then there must be a cause. Citizens are stressed, the cost of living is high and a bag of mealie meal is now selling at about K400.

Rev. Katuta: K410!

Mr Kampyongo: The basic commodities and the cost of the food basket is now at about K10,000.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, you are now debating. May you just ask the question and be precise. This is question time and not debate time. So, just ask the question.

Rev. Katuta: There is no power, muchalo muli fititi.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, hon. Members here are equally as stressed because they are coming from places where there is no power.

Mr Chisopa: Nshisambile nokusamba.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, may I know from Her Honour the Vice-President when the nalumangonomics, which she assured the citizens on the Floor of this House, will be utilised to cushion the suffering of the people.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu for that question. I can even declare that it is time up.The light is indicating red. I also want to thank the hon. Member for acknowledging that the Government, by commemorating our late Republican President Mr Michael Sata, is a way of honouring him. He was the President of the Republic of Zambia, like I said before. Whether you liked him or not, he was the President.  To me, this is a way of getting to the core of our unity. There are many things, indeed, that unite us, yet a few that divide us, we continue to magnify them, and then they look bigger than our unity. That should not be the way.

Mr Speaker, we have never rejected 18^th October as a National Day of Prayers. From the day we came into Government, we have been part of the commemoration. If the foundation be broken – Rev. Katuta you can finish that statement. I do not want to go to the beginning, but I am saying that, when something is being done by the Government, and you take over Government, it becomes what they call, pyanango apyana namabala. If you take over, you inherit everything. This is how we have taken over the dates, did we say we cannot? We have taken over the 18^th of October, which is the National Day of Prayers. We never rejected it when we came into power. When we were in opposition, we were questioning if those in power were working on unity and reconciliation. We had the right to do so. However, coming into Government, we went right through with it. We are a unifying factor. We want Zambia to be one.

Mr Speaker, if we are going to revoke certain things that were done by the previous Governments, we will point out what we think is not working and then remove it. If it was put in place by law, we will come here, in the House and say “Let us repeal this law so that we can put in a new one”. We will not be acting against the people. 

Mr Speaker, regarding the citizens being stressed, I think that I have spoken to that. Nobody can say all things are rosy and I said this. This is speaking to the situation. However, we should not start blaming or finger-pointing one another. I would like the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, to come and give me a solution.  This is what I would want him to bring to the Floor of this House. We are doing the best we can under very difficult circumstances. Listen to me again; we are doing very well under very difficult circumstances. So, you have to get the whole picture. The circumstances dictate what happens. In difficult circumstances, where others could have had people die, we are surviving and I have told you that we will thrive. Just wait. We appreciate.

Mr Speaker, none of us here can say people are very happy like some people used to say. I remember one headline, but I cannot lay it on the Table because so much time has passed. When you say people are hungry, I laugh. Does the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu remember this statement? It was made some time back that, “When people say that they are hungry, I cannot argue because I live in a Government house.” So, when you are talking, we listen and we also see people and we know there is stress, but we are doing our best to alleviate the suffering of our people by the interventions we are putting in place. I cannot stand on an ant hill and say, “You Zambians, we are doing very well so stop crying.” Do not do kabangula munga katuninkishya.

Rev. Katuta: Meaning?

The VIce-President: Rev. Katuta, you can interpret there. This means that one should not make people feel like nobody cares that is why there is stress. No, we care and we are doing everything possible to help our people. Let us hold hands and ensure that our people go through these difficult global national economic issues. I think, I have responded. So, Hon. Kampyongo should bring the solutions.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

_______

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

NON-PAYMENT OF BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE CASH-FOR-WORK PROGRAMME IN SHANGOMBO DISTRICT

Interruptions

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Nkombo): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker –

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Chisenga, I do not want to send anyone out of the House today. It is  Friday.

Laughter

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Let us avoid debating while seated.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I am greatly honoured for according me this opportunity to present the Ministerial Statement on the concern raised by Hon. Mubika Mubika, Member of Parliament for Shangombo Constituency, regarding the non-payments of beneficiaries under the Cash-for-Work programme.

Mr Speaker, let me begin by giving a very short background around the Cash-for-Work programme. The Cash-for-Work programme is a temporary Government initiative that is responding to the effects of the drought and is providing short-term employment and cash wages to support communities that are affected by the drought. The purpose of the Cash-for-Work programme is to provide financial relief and support to vulnerable households during the difficult times of the drought. The programme also seeks to stimulate economic activity and contribute to the community infrastructure maintenance.

Mr Speaker, how does this programme work? The participants of the Cash-for-Work programme are confined to public work projects such as drainage cleaning, pothole patching and community bridge rehabilitation in exchange for a daily wage. Participants are expected to work a maximum of ten days in a month. The eligibility criteria of the participants for the Cash-for-Work programme is designed to reach out to vulnerable households who are in the areas not already covered by the existing social programmes for the Government such as the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) or Drought Emergency Cash Transfer. The beneficiaries of these are ineligible. The implementation –

Interruptions

Mr Nkombo: Listen to me and listen to me good so that we can have a good conversation, please.

Mr Speaker, the implementation of the programme is done at the local structure and it is spearheaded by the Ward Development Committees (WDCs). The Community Welfare Assistance Committees (CWACs) play a role in the identification of the beneficiaries and ensure that the projects are working very well. I would like to state that this programme is a novel idea that has been given by our leadership in order to cover the challenges that are associated with the drought.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, in my Ministerial Statement, which I issued last month, I updated this august House on the implementation of the Cash-for-Work programme. I highlighted, among other things, the fact that the Ministry of Finance and National Planning had disbursed to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the ministry I am privileged to run, an initial amount of K68.5 million. This amount was consequently disbursed to all the affected 123 constituencies.

Mr Speaker, to this day, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has disbursed a total amount of K419 million to all the constituencies under the Cash-for-Work programme. I wish to indicate further, that the various works are currently being undertaken in all the affected constituencies and payments are being made by local authorities or councils as and when the beneficiaries complete various tasks assigned to them.

Mr Speaker, as I deliver this particular statement, allow me to focus on Shangombo Township, where the representative raised this concern.

Mr Speaker, Shangombo has received a total of K2.1 million for the beneficiaries under Sinjembela Constituency, who have worked under this programme. Allow me to also indicate that the mode of payment for the beneficiaries of the Cash-for-Work programme is through banks via mobile money transfers using available mobile network providers. I, further wish to indicate that most local authorities have begun making payments through the banks using the available mobile networks.

Mr Speaker, in those concerned areas, I am aware, however, that there are locations where it has been very difficult to pay through the mobile platforms due to the non-availability of mobile network signals. For such areas, my ministry has engaged various financial institutions available in those locations to provide Cash-In-Transit (CIT) services to ensure that the beneficiaries receive the money that they have worked for and on time.

Mr Speaker, the other challenge that has delayed payments for the beneficiaries is the mismatch between the names the beneficiaries provide when being recruited, against the registered mobile service providers on their Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards. I am sure that is clear.

Mr Speaker, I wish to also indicate that the ministry has put the following measures to mitigate the challenges that we have faced associated with paying the beneficiaries:

1. the ministry concluded consultations with financial institutions to make payments in a seamless manner; and
2. the local authorities have been guided to recruit data entry clerks, to facilitate for the entering and cleaning of the data and verification of it, in each ward. Further, local authorities have also been instructed to recruit beneficiaries for three months in advance as against the way it was before. This is to allow for the cleaning of data and identification of any challenges associated with data mismatch.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I wish to indicate that from the Treasury side of things, the Ministry of Finance and National Development is up to date with the disbursement of funds on this programme. I wish to state also that anything novel does come with teething problems. I, therefore, would like to urge our citizens who the Government rose to the occasion for, as a response to the drought that has struck our region and country, to kindly be patient with the Government. It is getting over the small challenges that it has been facing regarding the transmission of money.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I would like to confirm to this House that I spoke to the hon. Member of Parliament for Shangombo and he confirmed to me that payments began yesterday and are ongoing today.  Shangombo is one of the remotest constituencies that Zambia has, so it is not surprising that we will be confronted with such problems. However, the Government is determined to get over them and make sure that the idea, which is the reason the novel idea came is brought to fruition. This is because the intention could not be matched with any other way we could mitigate the drought conditions and the effects that come with it.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the Ministerial Statement presented by the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.

Mr B. Mpundu (Nkana): Mr Speaker, Cash-for-Work is a very good programme as it gives people an opportunity to earn something through work. Is the hon. Minister aware that this programme has become a conduit for embezzlement of funds through double payments?

Mr Speaker, some roads are under periodic maintenance for which contractors are paid. On the same roads, the Cash-for-Work programme is also applied. That means payments are being made to both the people carrying out the work under the Cash-for-Work programme and to the contractors who are supposed to carry out periodic maintenance. That is double payment. Is the hon. Minister aware of this?

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, thank you very much and I also thank the hon. Member for Nkana for that observation.

Mr Speaker, I am not aware of the double payment. The hon. Member who is aware is encouraged to give us details of the particular road that he is referring to. In that way, the Government will be able to take appropriate action so that such payments do not continue to be exacerbated.

Mr Speaker, making a double payment is a criminal offence, especially if it is done willfully and knowingly that a particular assignment has already been given to another person. The councils are normally the centre point. They should know who is assigned to do what assignment because everything is decentralised to the council.

Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Member of Parliament for Nkana, at the end of this discussion, to give me more details on the issue. This will help the Government to deal with the council that has ignored the fact that, the particular road the hon. Member referred to has already been assigned to a contractor.

Mr Speaker, allow me to be clear again, on this particular subject that the hon. Member raised. The spirit of the Cash-for-Work programme is a departure from the way things were before –

Hon. Member interjected.

Mr Nkombo: Thank you.

Mr Speaker, it is a departure from the way things were before, in the way the former leaders dealt with issues.  Biblically they say “He who shall not work, will not eat.” This is the reason, the Government deliberately decided to choose public areas such as cleaning drainages, roadways, marketplaces and any public installations in order for the programme to be worthwhile. So, the hon. member should give me more data so that together, him and I can pursue this matter to the conclusive end.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister may be aware that Chitambo is a remote constituency and the Cash-for-Work programme is also being implemented there. The challenge that we have is the fluctuating connectivity of mobile network signals. I am aware that the payments for the Cash-for-Work programme are made on specific dates.

Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to explain the procedure or the process of payment, if at all it is there, to the people. For example, when it is the day of payment, but the payment does not go through due to a failure in the network connectivity, what is it that is supposed to happen? Our people are complaining that the council or whoever is supposed to pay them would tell them that their payment on a particular day did not go through because their phones were off so they could not get paid. So, what should be the procedure for such payments?

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Chitambo for that question.

Mr Speaker, there is no such a thing that because one’s phone was off, therefore, the payment could not go through. There is no such a thing anywhere so I beg to be educated about where that is happening because even if the phone is off, the moment it comes on, the message will appear showing that the account has been credited.

Mr Speaker, I will give the hon. Member for Chitambo an example to show the challenges that we have been facing. This is an example that I gave while I was standing at the podium there.  If I were to send some money to the hon. Member via phone service providers like Mobile Telephone Network (MTN) and Airtel Network Zambia (Airtel), sometimes I would have to call him to ask what name comes under the number. This is very common. This is the lesson that we must learn; there should be no pseudonyms or using other people’s names to register a SIM card.  These are the challenges that we are having. So, in cases where the name on the database is different from the name that the person has registered on the SIM card, our experience has been that on the entire sheet if there are fifty people and there is one such anomaly the whole transaction fails because it is bulky carrying. We have told our people to go back and re-register correctly using the actual names of the people who have registered. That has been a very constant issue of the system bouncing all payments on account of one mismatch, of the name of the beneficiary that is tied to the name of the SIM card.

Mr Speaker, as I said earlier on, this is a novel idea and I can only equate it to how many of you behaved or maybe misbehaved when this Government increased the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from K1.6 million to what it is today. Some of you here said this increment can never work and that the Government has no capacity. You know how challenging it was to get to where we are and many of you are now appreciating that this was done. As I said, anything novel comes with teething problems. This is one such problem that we are facing and I want to guarantee the hon. Member that we are working day and night to identify those flaws and make sure that we correct them so that we can move according to the desired plan.

 Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mubika (Shangombo): Thank you, Mr Speaker and I would like to thank the hard-working hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development for the Ministerial Statement.

Mr Speaker, the Government bought Land Cruisers for the supervision of the  Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects for all the constituencies in the country. In areas like Shangombo, Ikeleng’i, Jimbe and Kaputa, there is no mobile network. Why not use the same Land Cruisers and the police; the hard-working men and women in uniform, to be escorting council officers so that they pay in cash instead of them waiting for the banks to pay because they do not even have a bank in Shangombo. So, why not use the Land Cruisers to pay the people?

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, thank you.  Let me thank my colleague, the hon. Member for Shangombo, for his kind words and I do not take those words for granted. That is a very good option in exceptional circumstances, but the hon. Member would agree with me that this Government has been trying and striving to move away from cash payments to electronic payments as a way to circumvent theft of money. We know that cash payments are problematic. That is where we find double counting and people conniving, but in those exceptional circumstances where the network is failing, cash payment can be applied. I like the choice of the Land Cruisers to be used for cash payments. So, maybe we can change the writing on the vehicle to read; Monitoring, Evaluation and Delivery of the Cash-for-Work to our citizens. It is a good idea and something we can explore to make sure that there is as less inconvenience as possible to the participants.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr C. Mpundu (Chembe): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me an opportunity on behalf of the people of Chembe to also ask a question to the hon. Minister.

Mr Speaker, weaning off people from such programmes at times becomes a problem. When is this programme ending according to the Government’s plan?

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, let me thank Hon. Mpundu for that question. I wish the hon. Member to appreciate the reasons this programme was actually initiated in the districts where there were debilitating effects of the drought. There has been so much revelation, hon. colleague and friend, since we initiated this that speaks to how many of our Zambian citizens sit at home with nothing to do and no option, but to just wait for another day to break and another sun to set. If I had my way, I would make Cash-for-Work a nonstop social programme, the way the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme is dealing with the vulnerable people. This is the catchment that we are trying to cover. The vulnerability levels in our country are so high even in the hon. Member’s constituency, as small as it is. If we had –

Interruptions

Mr Nkombo: Yes, they are so high and I want you to know that the revelation that I was talking about, the deep appreciation of this programme, the catchment, the people who have been helped not to starve, is too wide and so it is a conversation that we will continue to have. The initial period for the programme was supposed to be sixteen months up to the time we normalise our harvest, but again like I said, this Cabinet that I belong to, may contemplate making this a feature that will continue to address the plight of the most vulnerable of our social strata.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Munir Zulu (Lumezi): Mr Speaker, the positive work that the hon. Minister calls social for cash payments is more or less institutionalised tantameni. Who evaluates the work being done by these people who get paid? 

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, thank you very much.

Iwe naiwe Munir Zulu, I am surprised that you do not even know the nomenclature of this programme, you are calling social for cash. At tea break, join me in the industrial area and I will give you insights that, firstly, the nomenclature is Cash-for-Work. Let me also take advantage of this chance, seeing that the institution had indicated this programme on the Order Paper as Food-for-Work to clarify something. For the purposes of correction, it is not Food-for-Work, but Cash-for-Work programme.

Mr Speaker, the people who are responsible for verification of works done are drawn from the local authorities. In my statement, I indicated to the House that the Community Welfare Assistance Committees (CWACs), I am sure you know what CWACs is about, and the Ward WDCs are all involved. This programme involves the people at the smallest social and political order. This means that it is being run by citizens themselves and there is nothing that can come better than what we have done this far than the citizens themselves giving each other tasks. For instance, in the Kamwala area, there is the Bombay Drainage which is full of plastics. People are given tasks; today, muzasebenza kuchoka apa kufikila apa, meaning –

Rev. Katuta: Meaning?

Mr Nkombo: Calm down lady. Listen to me and listen to me good. I know the rules.

Mr Speaker, meaning that today, your task is to work from here and it will end there. There will be supervisors who will tally, that this person has worked from here to there. It works like mukwazo, a task. It is smooth sailing for now and that is a silver lining on the dark cloud to Hon. Zulu that we, who are living in big cities, have achieved in terms of the perpetual complex of having the filth in the city generated by the overpopulated citizens of our country. Today, if you go on Cairo Road at 07 o’clock, the time I report to work, you will see women and men in personal protective equipment (PPEs) or overalls, collecting plastics and other things that are being generated on a daily basis. That is a silver lining on the dark cloud of the filth that we have been suffering from in this country.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Munsanje (Mbabala): Mr Speaker, I want to thank the hardworking hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, for this wonderful Cash-for-Work programme. It has revived our assets in rural areas. People are working and restoring sanity to our roads and on a lot of infrastructure.

Mr Speaker, the problem we have in Mbabala, is that statistics from the 2016 Census are being used for the Cash-for-Work programme. As a result, the number of people on the programme now are not in tandem with the number of people in the villages. There are villages in the border areas, for example, in Hakaloba, where during the census, the villagers were counted as being under Namwala, but for everything else, they are counted as being part of Mbabala. The time has now come to take for people to take part in the Cash-for-work programme. This has caused the numbers we get under this programme as Mbabala to be depressed because some of the people according to the census statistics are in other constituencies. Apart from Namwala, we also have Bweengwa on one side and on the other side, we have Dundumwezi. All these people are benefiting from the Cash-for-Work programme in Mbabala, although during the census they were captured from different places. Is it possible to increase the figures considering the situation affecting such constituencies in terms of the statistics?

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, this is a Zambian programme, and it is meant to benefit the Zambian people who are in the region of catchment, where the drought was pronounced. Initially, it was eighty-three districts. It came to eighty-four and now we are servicing 123 districts. The boundaries and distances should not be an issue. This is a social programme. I will tell you this because I am also a Member of Parliament. The border between Mugoto Ward in my constituency and Nega Nega is a railway line and there are people who belong to Mugoto Ward, but they practically live in Nega Nega. So, I have also faced that challenge, and we have admitted them because it is a Zambian programme and meant for the vulnerable people. There should be no fences and boundaries around vulnerability. The WDCs and the CWACs, including the community leaders, the chiefs, the councillors and the hon. Members of Parliament like yourself, are the ones who know the vulnerable in any given jurisdiction. So, we cannot say that during the census, you were captured in Mugoto Ward, therefore, you cannot be registered in Nega Nega Ward, which is just across the railway line, as doing so, will disfavour our people.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Rev. Katuta (Chienge): Mr Speaker, Cash-for-Work is a very good programme, and I believe that it is also there in Chienge. Why can the ministry not involve the hon. Members of Parliament because this particular programme is being used as a campaign tool against some of us who, when we are in our constituencies working, others are busy campaigning. We just heard of the programme. In fact, I was just told by my Personal Assistant (PA) that there is such a programme. People are lamenting that cadres or those people who are aligned with a particular political party, are the ones benefitting from such programmes. I would like to find out if it will be possible for the hon. Minister to involve hon. Members just like we are all involved in equalisation funds.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: It is surprising that the hon. Member would make such a statement because from the inception of this programme, the institution was involved, and we were with Her Honour the Vice-President in the Amphitheatre and all the hon. Members were carried along.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, let me thank the hon. Member for Chienge for that question.

Mr Speaker, your surprise and mine are on all fours. I am also surprised. Let me just go a little further. One of our campaign promises and one of the pronouncements that the President made when he declared the drought a national disaster was that we are not going to allow any of our citizens to die from hunger. The office of the Member of Parliament is fully integrated in this programme. If I were allowed, I would have said - but I know it is not permitted.

Hon. Members who are not connected to the Cash-for-Work programme, please, raise your hands.

Interruptions

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I have noticed about three hon. Members indicating that they are not connected to the Cash-for-Work programme and I am very shocked by those three hands. Hon. Members should come on board and should not just sit here in Parliament doing the talking. They should go to their constituencies. Otherwise, they will vote them out.

Mr Speaker, one of the things we said was that our people will not go hungry and now when we are giving them an incentive for them not to go hungry, we are being told that it is political. Let us not be apologetic about who we are. We are politicians and it is surprising that the hon. Member for Chienge is saying that the programme is political. Politics are driving things here, that is why the President is a product of the political process, and we shall push the agenda very hard to reduce the space of those who are just arguing without providing alternatives.

Mr Speaker, I am encouraging my sister, whom I am fond of, to go to the constituency and get involved. Do not stand outside and say bananifaka ku wire or they have put me at the tail end, just go and get involved. Get your District Commissioner (DC) and ask them how you can get involved in the Cash-for-Work programme. Show them that in this particular area, there are these vulnerable families can you please, consider them. Give them a list and if they seclude or exclude any of those citizens that you will recommend, come to me.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: There should be no discrimination whatsoever, regardless of any political affiliation because we chose by ourselves to be a democratic country where people believe in other different things. We have demonstrated beyond any doubt of reason, that we are an all-inclusive Government, starting from the CDF.

Mr Speaker, we know better what discrimination looks like. We are the ones who even understand the umbilical cord name for discrimination. We know and we are different, categorically different from those who may be complaining today. We are a product of a political process and we shall use politics to get our way to serve our people. We will not shy away from the fact that we are products of a political process. From this moment, maybe, let me use the pseudo-power that I have to ban anyone who will use the word “political”. We are politicians. Let us not be shy about it. Everything we have come around here for is political. So, come on board Hon. Katuta, and work with me while I am here. Make hay while the sun shines lady.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mabeta (Kankoyo): Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker, from the information that we were given when this programme was just being designed, we were told that people would work for ten days in each month. However, from the time the programme started, people only worked for ten days was in September. In October, they did not do anything.

Mr Speaker, I want to find out from the hardworking hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development if we are going to roll over the ten days for October into November so that we have people working for twenty days. Are we going to have a situation in which the money for October, is rolled over into November so that there are two programmes running in one month?

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, thank you very much and I thank the hon. Member for Kankoyo for that question.

Mr Speaker, in my statement, I did mention the challenges that came with that ten-day rollout plan, that every ten days we had to go to the database and I said that as a way to amend this, we have started registering people on a much lengthier period of three months. That is what I said. So, the database is collected for three months and we know who is going to work.

Mr Speaker, the idea is to spread things around because as you know, human nature is that, in Tonga, we say lubehachi lube mwango only my cup must be filled. Lubehachi lube mwango, chizule mwanga, chizule! Mukamba bwanji muchinyanja? To get my cup filled. So, if we do not cut it in the ten-day period for people to get at least K600, you will find that only one group of people may be scheming to be on the programme and exclude others. So, it was deliberate to make sure that it is as all involving and all-encompassing to capture more beneficiaries because even as the programme stands today, I can confirm that we needed to double it because there are more vulnerable people in this country. The silent majority who wake up not knowing where the next meal will come from are many. Again, like I said, when our economy starts to tick, when we resuscitate it now from where we found it, it is a programme that we in the Cabinet are contemplating to make a permanent feature.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, it happens everywhere in the world. Go to the United Kingdom (UK). You will find the people they call the Unemployed Before 40 (UB40). These get a social benefit from the Government. That is also our idea and for anyone now to say that this is institutionalised tantameni, call it whatever you like, but we are doing this in the absence of activities such as an election. So, this is again the mismatch of thinking. When someone says this is institutionalised tantameni, what they used to do – Tantameni means to make a queue. They used to do that only in places where there were elections. The moment the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) said pye, bells rang, they would carry utusaka twa ndalama.

Mr Speaker, this is the money we are giving to the people to work for in the absence of an election. There lies the difference. We had an election in Kawambwa. However, our coleages would have sacks and bundles of cash and they would just give people without any gift of social shame. Ndime mutola libona, meaning I am the eye witness. I first saw this happening in Lubansenshi Constituency, where one former Secretary General of the Patriotic Front (PF) proudly just told the people – We were addressing a meeting and when he appeared, the people at the meeting all ran to go and make a queue. They did not even need to be told.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: When they  would just see a car, they would make a queue.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, now people are making queues in order to work and then be paid.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: Is there no dignity in that?

Mr Nkandu: You can imagine!

Mr Nkombo: Definitely there is dignity.

Mr Nkandu: Tell them!

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, what used to happen then is that the moment the elections go pye, it is over. They would run away with bags of money back to their homes.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: We do not do those things no more.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr E. Banda (Muchinga): Mr Speaker, thank you so much. I thought I would be left out on the list to ask a question. First and foremost, I want to appreciate the Government for this very good initiative. However, due to the geographical position of Zambia, something needs to be done. The hon. Minister said that the banks have been engaged so that they can take Cash-In-Transit (CIT) to some places where the network is not good.

Mr Speaker, in my constituency, we have areas like Kabansa, Chisomo, Petauke and Chimbaya. These areas completely have no network connectivity and it is a problem even for the zone leader to move to go and submit the names of beneficiaries.

Mr Speaker, why can the ministry not engage the same local authority that we have entrusted with a lot of money under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to be going and be escorted, just like my honourable brother said, by the police and pay the people? Currently, we have situations in which most people have not been paid from the inception of a very good initiative that the New Dawn Administration has put in place. So, if we are not careful, the programme will just benefit our colleagues who are in Lusaka and other urban areas. Otherwise, in rural areas where most people are vulnerable, the benefit will not be appreciated.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, thank you very much. I think, the hon. Colleague has just summersaulted on the same question that his friend asked earlier on and I thought I had answered it to the best of my ability. The hon. Member of Parliament for Shangombo asked about the same vehicle, which he is talking about and the same officers to be escorted by the police. If you check the Hansard record, I did answer that question. I want my hon. Colleague and friend to know that a programme like the one we are discussing requires diligence and because there is a lot of money that is involved; K2 billion. You hon. Members of Parliament permitted the variation to the National Budget and the President came here, in the House to thank you. Can you still say you are not involved when you are the ones who approved this? So, get connected and in remote areas such as the ones the hon. Member for Muchinga mentioned, use local solutions. There is nothing that is cast in stone or cement. I can imagine that the same area whose name I have forgotten is similar to some areas that I represent like Shakapinga in the fishing camps, where there is no network. I urge the hon. Member to use local solutions to achieve the intention.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

_______

BILL

FIRST READING

THE ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF QUANTITY SURVEYORS BILL, 2024

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Kapala) (on behalf of the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi)): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Zambia Institute of Quantity Surveyors Bill No. 19 of 2024. The objects of the Bill are to:

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1041 hours until 1100 hours.

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was about to give the objects of the Bill. The objects of the Bill are to:

1. provide for the registration of quantity surveying professionals, quantity surveying organisations and quantity surveying units and regulate their practice and professional conduct;
2. continue the existence of the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board and re-name it as the Zambia Institute of Quantity Surveyors and re-define its functions;
3. repeal and replace the Quantity Surveyors Act of 1995; and
4. provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the joint Committee on Transport, Works and Supply. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House on Wednesday, 27^th November, 2024. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so, within the programme of work of the Committee.

Thank you.

_______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

THE R21 MATRIX MALARIA VACCINE

85. Mr Chibombwe (Bahati) asked the Minister of Health:

1. whether the Government has any plans to administer R21 Matrix Malaria Vaccine to children under five years old in Luapula Province;
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
3. whether the Government has conducted any research to prove its efficacy.

The Minister of Health (Mr Muchima): Mr Speaker, allow me to highlight that malaria remains among the top causes of death, particularly in the sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for 95 per cent of the nearly 250 million cases recorded globally every year. In Zambia, three out of every ten, contract malaria every year, according to the latest Malaria Indicator Survey. A total of eighty-eight districts have been noted to record moderate to high malaria transmission with incidences well above 250 per cent in a 1000 population.

Mr Speaker, the districts are mainly located in the North-Western Province, Luapula Province, the Northern Province, Muchinga Province, the Western Province, the Eastern Province and Central Province. With that said, the Government has plans to administer the R21 Matrix Malaria vaccine to children under two years old not only in Luapula Province but countrywide. This is to complement other malaria prevention and control strategies in contributing to the reduction in morbidity and mortality due to malaria.

Mr Speaker, the Government, through the Ministry of Health, has envisioned implementing vaccination plans in the third quarter of 2025.

Mr Speaker, Zambia has not conducted any research to prove its efficacy. However, the country relies on evidence gathered from global research conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) including research conducted in Malawi and Ghana. By October 2023, the WHO had approved two malaria vaccines, R21 Matrix, and the other earlier approved RTS, S/AO1.

Mr Speaker, both of these vaccines have shown to be safe and comparably efficacious for use in children under the age of five years. The malaria vaccines showed 13 per cent attributable drop in mortality among children as well as a substantial reduction in hospitalisation for severe malaria when used together with other interventions such as insecticide-treated bed nets with high vaccination coverage rates among illegible children. These results were reported through an independent evaluations of the pilot introductions conducted at a global level in countries that have rolled out malaria vaccinations.

Mr Speaker, in Phase III, clinical trials of both vaccines reduced malaria causes –

Interruptions

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, there is too much noise coming from my neighbour here.

Hon. Mubika: Hear, hear!

Mr Muchima: Black and white.

Laughter

Mr Muchima: In Phase III, clinical trials of both vaccines reduced malaria cases by more than half during the first year after vaccination, the period when children are most vulnerable to illness and death due to malaria.

Mr Speaker, the Zambia Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (ZITAG), which is a committee of experts that advises the Ministry of Health on new vaccine introductions, reviewed the available evidence at global and regional levels on the efficacy of the malaria vaccine. Following this review, the ZITAG recommended that the Ministry of Health considers the R21 Matrix Malaria Vaccine for possible introduction. The Ministry of Health working through the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and research institutions in Zambia including the Tropical Disease Research Centre will facilitate malaria vaccine research by working with other countries such as Mozambique, Benin and Ethiopia once the vaccine is successfully introduced in Zambia. This will provide local evidence and evaluate the efficacy and impact post-introduction on the malaria burden in Zambia.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

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

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Kasandwe: Mr Speaker, I am raising a point of order pursuant to Standing Order No. 212, on the Privileges of Members, which privilege is also established in the new Constituency Development Fund Act, No. 1 of 2024.

Mr Speaker, according to the Constituency Development Fund Act, No. 1 of 2024, the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, delegates his function of approving the names of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Committee members to the Provincial Minister. It has now come to our attention that these powers that have been delegated being abused. I will give an example of Bangweulu Constituency. Firstly, the approval of the names has been delayed. We submitted our list of the CDF Committee members on 18^th September, 2024. It took the Provincial Minister forty days to approve the names, which the substantive hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development did not take in the past. Not only did it take long, but the Minister for the province elected to alter the names that were submitted to his office.

Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development in order to remain quiet and allow his delegated powers to be abused by his counterpart?

Mr Speaker, I seek your ruling.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, the matter that you have raised is important, but I urge you to file in a question so that the hon. Minister can come to the House to answer the question.

Mr Chibombwe: Mr Speaker, it is good to note that the Government has plans to procure this new R21 Matrix Malaria Vaccine. Malaria is one of the lethal diseases killing many people in my constituency, Luapula Province and other parts of the country. Some people die simply because they cannot afford to buy the malaria drug, Coartem. Malaria remains a major cause of child deaths in the country.

Mr Speaker, this vaccine is being distributed by GAVI, which is a Global Vaccine Alliance. The vaccine is being produced by a company called GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) PLC. Zambia is not among the list of countries preparing to receive shipments of R21 Matrix Vaccines.

Mr Speaker, with your indulgence, I will name the countries that are going to receive the vaccine next year and these are are; Senegal, Ivory Coast, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, Nigeria, South Sudan, Uganda and the Central African Republic (CAR). What assurance is the hon. Minister giving to the Zambians, that come 2025, this country is going to receive the vaccine especially that it is not appearing on the list of countries that will receive the vaccine next year?

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for the follow-up question. The vaccine is not yet available in Zambia, and  is only distributed on application. When you apply, it will be done. However, the procedure of processing the same vaccine takes a bit longer. In Zambia, we are expecting the vaccine around September next year because of the procedures that are required. We already applied and we are just waiting for the response. The moment the application is approved, Zambia’s name will be included on that list.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has stated that the vaccine has not been tested to check its efficacy or safety. My question is: How does the ministry intend to administer the drug to the Zambian children when trials on the Zambian children have not yet been done? Why does the ministry intend to administer the drug when the tests have not been done to prove the efficacy or safety of the vaccines, rather we want to rely on the tests done by another country that has a different terrain and geographical environment?

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Kabwata for that supplementary question.

Mr Speaker, it does not really matter whether the test is done in Zambia, Malawi or Ghana. It is done on a human being who has the same deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as you and I. The samples are used by international organisations and practices. We can depend on that data coming from the proven research tests, which have been done. Yes, the process has not been applicable in Zambia including the process they are undertaking now because when the vaccine comes here, we also have our own institution called the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZMRA), which will also subject the same vaccines to another test to see how safe it is before it is applicable, but it would have already passed an international standard.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Rev. Katuta (Chienge): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the answers he is giving to this House.

Mr Speaker, in areas like Chienge, malaria has not yet been eradicated like in Lusaka. How does the ministry intend to administer the vaccine in areas that are malaria-prone, unlike in Lusaka?

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Chienge for the supplementary question.

Mr Speaker, in my response, I said the vaccines will be administered to children under two years. So, it will not only be in Luapula, but the whole country. However, the hon. Member may have noticed that we have prioritised malaria-prone areas and Luapula Province, the North-Western Province, the Western Province and Central Provinces are among them. So, we are actually carrying out mapping issues and our officers are everywhere. We are concerned because malaria has been with us for a long time. I think that the vaccine will help us going forward.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chibombwe: Mr Speaker, currently, there are two vaccines that have been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The old one is RTS,S, which is being administered in some parts of Africa. Malawi is one example I can give and it has been administering the vaccine for the last three years. The new one is R21 Matrix.

Mr Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister alluded to the fact that he is also considering the RTS,S vaccines. I just want him to clarify which one the ministry is going to bring into the country. Is the hon. Minister going to bring in both vaccines or will he just bring in the new R21 Matrix?

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Bahati for that question.

Mr Speaker, I said both the RTS,S/A01 and R21 Matrix are good enough. One of the two will be administered depending on which will be available.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

RESERVATION OF SELECTED CATEGORIES OF INVESTMENTS FOR ZAMBIANS

86. Eng. Mabenga (Mulobezi) asked the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development:

(a)       whether the Government has any plans to reserve the following categories of investments for Zambians:

(i)        block making;

(ii)        chicken rearing; and 

(iii)       egg production; and

(b)       whether the Government has a deliberate policy that supports Zambians to venture into the investments above.

 The Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Mr Mubanga): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that yes, the Government has plans to reserve the block making, chicken rearing, and egg production categories of investments for Zambians. Pursuant to Section 21 of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Act No. 9 of 2006, the Government, through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), is mandated to reserve specific areas of commerce trade and industry for targeted citizens, citizen-empowered companies, citizen-influenced companies and citizen-owned companies.

Block-Making

Mr Speaker, the Government, through the commission, in 2015 had made a submission to reserve poultry while focusing on broiler production, quarry/block making and domestic haulage. Only Statutory Instrument No. 1 of 2017 on poultry and domestic haulage was effected by the Government. This notwithstanding, targeted citizens and companies, but there were limitations in skills and appropriate technology to meet the market demand.

Mr Speaker, to enhance the production capacity of targeted citizens and citizen-owned companies in block/quarry making and broiler production, the Government, through the CEEC, has empowered small and medium enterprises (SMSs) and co-operatives in the quarry/block making sub-sectors. Firstly, quarry and twenty-six block-making projects with an estimated total investment of K9.6 million across the country. In addition, the Government through the CEEC in 2024 is proposing the following in the area of quarry/block making industry:

Recommendations                                                                                        Lead Time

Restrict new ventures in quarry and block/bricks/pavers production         Immediate

to targeted companies only.

To restrict transportation, supply of sand, gravel and crushed stones         12 months

for public works to targeted companies only.                                              

Restrict manufacturing and vending of pavers, blocks and bricks              12 months

to target companies only.

Self-supply by its foreign contractors of sand, pavers, blocks and             immediate

 bricks for public works be prohibited.

Restrict investments that are below US$5 million in cement and               12 months

tile fixing production, mining design, environmental impact

assessment, engineering services, insurance, transportation and

accounting services, be restricted to targeted citizens and

companies only.

Renewable work permit exceeding two years be granted to                       immediate

foreign investors only with accompanying Local Capacity

Development Plan.

Chicken Rearing and Egg Production               

Mr Speaker, increasing the production of poultry is being actualised through the implementation of agricultural mechanisation and agro processing empowerment products under the CEEC across the country as follows:

(a) a total of 101 SMEs and co-operatives with an estimated investment of K19.7 million in chicken rearing and egg production have already been supported countrywide; and

(b) working with local authorities and the Poultry Association of Zambia (PAZ), public markets are being monitored to enforce the restriction on trading of live birds to targeted citizens and companies. However, more measures could be taken to ensure compliance with the statutory provisions.

Mr Speaker, secondly the Government has deliberate policies in place meant to support Zambians to venture into investments as highlighted above. The Government has made policy provisions through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Act with the following specific measures:

1. provision of access to affordable finance by targeted citizens and enterprises willing to venture into the reserved schemes;
2. promotion of joint venture initiatives between foreign and targeted citizens and enterprises;
3. promotion of Greenfield investments through the implementation of the district value chain programmes using the SMEs and co-operatives;
4. ensuring that targeted citizens and enterprises are given preferential treatment in accessing and being awarded tenders for procurement of services and goods for any state institution. The commission facilitates targeted citizens and enterprises to register for preferential procurement certificates that give them added advantage to participate in public tenders; and
5. provision of entrepreneurship and business skills training.

Revised Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Policy and Co-operative Policy

The implementation of the revised micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) policy and co-operative policy provides clear investment opportunities for MSMEs and co-operative enterprises.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Eng. Mabenga: Mr Speaker, the block-making industry is still under the hands of foreigners. Is there a law that can deliberately bar them from engaging in this activity? At the moment, it is under the foreigners.

Mr Speaker, if you go around Lusaka, you will find that all block-making companies are under foreigners. Is there any law to support Zambians and ensure that foreigners are not allowed to produce blocks? We have the youths who are supposed to survive on block-making.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mubanga: Mr Speaker, I said that, in 2015, the CEEC made some submissions to reserve block-making for our citizens. We need to understand that at one point, it was difficult to build capacity. Through the CEEC and my ministry, we encourage Zambians who are running small businesses to venture into block-making. If today, my ministry says, no more making blocks by foreign investors, we shall have a problem. So, we are now building capacity and encouraging our SMEs to venture into block-making. That is what we are doing.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Mr Speaker, bearing in mind that we are in a liberalised economy, but where the Government should play a regulatory role, the hon. Minister read about the intentions and the commitments that the Government has made concerning the sparing of certain businesses for Zambians. However, I have not heard of a predictable framework in which the Government intends to implement such reservations so that Zambians can predict through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) framework or any other framework, which activities have been reserved for them.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that the Government cannot just purge foreigners from business because they have monopolised most of them, especially the block-making business. However, do we have any framework, not a guideline, under which we are implementing the Government’s intentions to reserve certain investments for Zambians? For example, having a phased approach. We can say that since Zambians are not empowered in this manner, therefore, in Phase I, we will first empower them and they will be guided by certain legislation. I think that is what Zambians want to hear. 

Mr Mubanga: Mr Speaker, I think, I have heard what the hon. Member said. I said that in 2015, there was a submission through the CEEC to reserve block-making and chicken rearing for Zambians only. I talked about limitations because of skills to be developed. I also said that the Government through the new policy is reinforcing the restriction on trading for those businesses by foreigners and that we are monitoring that. We are also encouraging the Zambian SMEs to venture into block-making business.

Mr Speaker, even the hon. Member of Chilubi should encourage our SMEs in Chilubi so that they can also build capacity.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Sialubalo (Sinazongwe): Mr Speaker, let me thank the hon. Member for Mulobezi for coming up with this very important question.

Mr Speaker, Zambians have been spectators for a long time. These are the areas that Zambians should take up, but because of a lack of capital, foreigners have taken advantage. This has to end.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts has traversed this country informing youths what to do, in short, capacitating them with knowledge and resources. In that line, I want to find out from the hon. Minister, just like his counterpart, whether he will also move around the country to tell Zambians to take advantage and control those industries? Sometimes, our people lack such information and may not know where to get the resources.

Mr Mubanga: Mr Speaker, I am also moving around the country sensitising people. I encourage them to participate in what the Government is giving through my ministry. We have a college that has what we call a mobile clinic. It goes around giving capacity to our co-operatives throughout the country.  

Mr Speaker, I was in the Southern Province, but of course, I did not go to all the districts. However, I went to selected districts to try and give information to our SMEs and co-operatives to participate in the initiatives the Government has provided, making sure that they also take this opportunity to invest in chicken rearing or block-making business.

Mr Speaker, the other issue is that it has to take a bit of time for our youths to take advantage of the initiatives that the Government has put in place. I do not know why they do not seize those opportunities. Some of our youths are working with our foreign investors in this subsector. However, they are not coming forth to form joint ventures or companies that they would venture into, for example, block-making. So, I am encouraging them even now, through this platform that they should come out. The Government is here to support and help them so that we can start making blocks through our youth enterprises.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Eng. Mabenga: Mr Speaker, I think, we are just playing lip service to this capacity building. Why can the Government not come up with a marshal plan whereby, it forces the existing companies to partner with the Zambians? That is the only way we can move forward because just talking and saying there is no capacity will not help us. We have to build capacity ourselves. We can only build capacity if we force those organisations to partner with Zambians. There should not be any investor that sets up a company without a Zambian in that particular company. Why not do that through a law? There must be a law to backup such plans.

Mr Mubanga: Mr Speaker, the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government deliberately came up with public-private partnerships (PPPs), where it encourages the private sector to partner first with the Government so that we can direct them to go into partnership with our local entrepreneurs and to get into such ventures like block- making.

Mr Speaker, we also have skills training centres in our constituencies, districts and provinces. This is where our entrepreneurs or those who intend to venture into such businesses should be able to get capacity using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). The CDF is doing a lot. It is providing the capacity.

Mr Speaker, it is high time that we, as Zambians changed. We need to check ourselves. I agree with the hon. Member that it is like we are just talking about these issues without taking any action. The Government has given clear policies and reserved what our people are supposed to participate in. However, I cannot go and start pulling people or forcing them to start making blocks. Therefore, the entrepreneurs, and our youths out there should  seize those opportunities. The Government has laid down its policies for the people. The Government has reserved certain investments for its people. This is why we say the foreign investors are taking advantage because there is a vacuum there. So, I encourage the hon. Member for Mulobezi to engage the youths there in wood processing. There is a lot of wood in Mulobezi and wood processing would be a good business to venture into.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN CERTAIN AREAS OF ZAMBIA

87. Mr Kapyanga (Mpika) asked the Minister of Tourism:

1. what measures are being taken to promote tourism in the following areas:
2. North Luangwa National Park;
3. Nachikufu Cave; and
4. Nabwalya and Mukungule Chiefdoms; and
5. when the Government will award hunting concessions in North Luangwa National Park.

The Minister of Health (Mr Muchima) (on behalf of the Minister of Tourism (Mr Sikumba)): Mr Speaker, in order to promote tourism in the North Luangwa National Park, the Government has collaborated with Frankfurt Zoological Society in a programme called the North Luangwa Conservation Programme (NLCP) since 1986. The activities being rolled out on this landscape include park management, community-based natural resources management to mention a few. Further, the Government is working at improving accessibility to all tourism sites and the North Luangwa National Park is one of the sites earmarked for tourism infrastructure development.

Mr Speaker, the measures that the Government has taken to promote tourism at Nachikufu Cave, include opening up the cave to the public, meaning that those who are interested in visiting the site can do so within a stipulated time. The Government has also ensured that the fees to heritage sites such as Nachikufu Cave are very affordable. However, the Government would like to facilitate the provision of more visitors and tourism facilities at the site. In this regard, the Government is calling upon the private sector to partner with it and invest in the heritage sites in the country as a whole by building lodges and other tourism facilities in order to grow the sector.

Mr Speaker, regarding Nabwalya and Mukungule Chiefdoms, the measures taken in the chiefdoms by the Government include, the support rendered in the form of a grant during the Mailaila traditional ceremony, which takes place every October. Further, the Government promotes the ceremony through different media and gives concessions for a wild animal to be slaughtered during the ceremony.

Mr Speaker, according to the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015, no hunting activities are allowed to take place in any national park.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, hunting concessions in Luwawata and Nyampala in Nabwalya Chiefdom as well Mukungule hunting blocks were cancelled in 2021. Since then, there has never been any hunting safaris in these hunting blocks. Hence, the question of when the Government will award hunting concessions in these hunting blocks.

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, the Government actually encourages hunting. However, before hunting is encouraged, the Government will first consider the stock to make sure that there is sustainable hunting and that animals are not depleted. There could be reasons the Government took such a step of cancelling the hunting concessions. However, when the time is right, I think that it will be open for the hunting concessions to be awarded.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Mr Speaker, the North Luangwa National Park, indeed, has a lot of wildlife. What measures is the Government putting in place to attract domestic tourists? Currently, we have focused very much on foreign tourists and I know that most lodges are expensive for domestic tourists to visit.

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, the Government has been encouraging Zambians to put up lodges. However, looking at the trend that we have, if I were to ask, even among the hon. Members of Parliament here, in the House, how many people have been to the source of the Zambezi in Ikeleng’i, there could only be a few.

 Hon. Member interjected.

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, most of the hon. Members went there through the Committee. Had it not been for the Committee –

Laughter

Mr Muchima: We are poor at tourism. Our friends are better. They save money for tourism, but anyway, it is our nature because of the cost of living. For others, it is due to other reasons. For example, there is one tribe in the North-West Province, which the moment it sees a wild animal, it wants to kill it. We need to develop a culture, especially for school-going children to know the types of animals, et cetera, as it is in Livingstone. That is actually encouraged.

Mr Speaker, anyway, the access roads are being done. We also need to grow the tourism sector so that we can attract more tourists. It should be encouraging even to hon. Members of Parliament. It should also be a deliberate move to take hon. Members of Parliament around so that they can see the source of the Zambezi, and also visit the North Luangwa National Park and the South Luangwa National Park, but that culture is not there. We need to build it up so that we can balance the equation with our colleagues who are coming from abroad.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

PROGRESS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE KASAMA STADIUM

88. Ms S. Mwamba (Kasama Central) asked the Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts:

1. what the progress, in percentage terms, on the construction of the Kasama Stadium was, as of March, 2024;
2. who the contractor for the project is;
3. what the cause of the delay in completing the project is; and
4. what the timeframe for the completion of the project is.

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts (Mr Nkandu): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Kasama Central for that question, and I know she is asking on behalf of the people of Kasama, obviously.

Mr Speaker, allow me to take advantage of this opportunity, because I did not have the opportunity to do so, to thank Her Honour the Vice-President for the manner in which she has been answering questions to the public through this House. I want to appreciate her for the good answers she has been providing.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkandu: It is important for us to motivate leaders by giving credit where it is due. So, Her Honour the Vice-President should continue with her good works. I would also like to encourage her to be motivated by the fact that we do not expect praises from our colleagues on the left, more like Satan will never praise God. I thought of mentioning that.

Laughter

Mr Nkandu: Having said that, Mr Speaker, I want to indicate from the outset that Zambians should understand that it is the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ)’s responsibility to renovate the stadia that we have been talking about. Our role as the ministry was to provide the four stadia. We just made the four stadia available and they are earmarked for rehabilitation. So, the contracts and everything else was done by FAZ. Now, taking into account that that is a federation that is under the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, I am compelled to answer these questions.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Kasama Central may wish to note that the progress on the construction of Kasama Stadium is as follows:

1. installation of the football pitch is at 95 per cent; and
2. the general civil works are at 69 per cent.

Mr Speaker, we had two contractors who were engaged by FAZ to undertake the construction works at Kasama Stadium. Artificial Grass Africa (AGA), which is a foreign based company from South Africa, was given a contract to construct the football pitch. For the information of the hon. Members, we do not just give contracts anyhow when it comes to putting up a pitch. These are specialised contractors. The second contractor is Nambwa Construction Company Limited, which is a Zambian company, and is carrying out general civil works that includes the construction of the wall fence around the stadium, the rehabilitation of dressing rooms and ablution blocks, the construction of the ticketing rooms, and the rehabilitation of the grandstand, other two terraces and the perimeter wire fencing for the football pitch.

Mr Speaker, the client, which is FAZ, hired MP Consultancy Limited to supervise the project. However, the consultant did not undertake his responsibility as agreed upon with FAZ, as he failed to supervise the works to the detail causing the delay in completing the project. To this effect, the hon. Member of Parliament for Kasama Central may wish to note that FAZ terminated the contract for MP Consultancy Limited, which has since been replaced by Civiltech Consultancy Zambia Limited, which has currently taken over the supervision of the site.

Mr Speaker, the initial timeframe for the completion of the project was just six months. However, the project has now taken more than one year due to poor supervision by MP Consultancy Limited, which led to poor workmanship and collapsing of the perimeter wall fence of the stadium. I also want to add that apart from these factors, there was also erratic funding from FAZ, which the contractors complained about. So, that is one of the issues that has led to the stalling of that project.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Nakaponda (Isoka): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his response, but I am just worried about the slow pace of this project. Does the ministry not have plans of escalating the construction of stadia in other districts like in Isoka Constituency, where there are no such facilities for our youths? I say so because this will prevent our youths from involving themselves in illicit activities.

Mr Nkandu: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that important supplementary question. I am very excited that Hon. Nakaponda has talked about young people indulging themselves in illicit activities because of a lack of playing fields or infrastructure.

Mr Speaker, in this House, I have said it before, that sometimes when we are looking at a challenge, we also need to look at what really transpired, and escalated that particular challenge. So, I said on this Floor of the House that previously, we saw a situation in which some sports infrastructure were encroached upon, shared and turned into residential plots, and sold to churches. This is what comes after you have miscalculated. So, I believe that, indeed, today we talk about junkies and fluffies because of where we are coming from. What you do today will reflect tomorrow. Hon. Nakaponda needs to be comforted by the fact that some of these things are being reversed and we now have a strategic plan. Every year, we want to be constructing at least one or two multi-sports facilities in this country, through the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts.

Mr Speaker, I want to go further. Remember, at one point, I said that this ministry has not tapped into the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). I was trying to encourage hon. Members of Parliament to help this ministry and themselves because talent is in every corner of this country, but what we are lacking is sports infrastructure. I am not demeaning anybody. I want us to understand that talent is the most well-paid job on earth. We have people with master’s degrees, professors and degree holders, but look at how much those who are involved in sports are paid per week. Christiano Ronaldo was getting paid US$500,000 a week. Can one tell me which degree holder can get such an amount of money per week? So, talent is the most well-paid job on earth. If harnessed well, poverty would have been somewhere else, not in families.

Mr Speaker, I want to encourage hon. Members of Parliament that the prototype has been done. It has about five pitches with different sports disciplines costing K7 million. So, we can now tap into the CDF. For instance, we can say that this year or 2025, we will put up pitches because every pitch has been costed. If you only want to put up a football pitch, a futsal pitch or dressing rooms, each has its own cost. Everything has been costed. So, hon. Members should not burn their neurons on where to get money from. They can stagger amounts. For instance, in 2025, they can put up football pitches only and next year, volleyball pitches. The other year, they can put up netball courts so that by the time they are done with all the five, it will come to K7 million. I will come to this House to present a statement on these issues so that every hon. Member of Parliament can tap into the CDF.

Mr Speaker, answering Hon. Nakaponda’s question, we may not have the capacity as the Government to give every hon. Member of Parliament the desired sports infrastructure, but I believe that we can tap into the CDF so that we can have sports infrastructure in every constituency.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms S. Mwamba: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his elaborate answer.

Mr Speaker, if my memory serves me right, the funds for the stadium were actually from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and were channelled to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ). It has been quite some years. So, I want to find out if there is an anticipated need for additional budget allocation to cover any overruns or increased costs due to delays. Yet again, the hon. Minister has told us about the contractors who have also been part of the delays. Has there been any assessment of the contractors’ performance and have any penalties been charged for the delays?

Mr Nkandu: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that important follow-up question and I totally agree with her that that is what is obtaining when it comes to increased costs.

Mr Speaker, if you remember very well, each stadium was given I think a total amount of US$300,000. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) gave FAZ US$1.5 million to rehabilitate Kasama Sports Complex, Kaole Stadium, Independence Stadium in Solwezi, North-Western Province, and David Kaunda Stadium in Chipata. We also wanted to work on Maramba Stadium, but we could not finalise the lease of that particular stadium. So, we could not go to Livingstone.

Mr Speaker, in fact, this morning, I was actually talking to FAZ to ascertain the progress of the Kasama project and how it could be expedited. They told us, as the Government, that come November monthend, they want to make sure that the works at Kasama Sports Complex are completed. I think, they will sort out all those other issues themselves. As I said, it is not just about the contractor, but also the erratic funding caused the delay of that project. The contractors have assured me that they will mobilise more resources so that they can finish the stadium. By the end of November, we may hand over that stadium to the community.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Thank you.

We move on to the next question. The previous question was quite specific.

NUMBER OF SELECTED CATEGORIES OF LIVESTOCK IN CHINSALI DISTRICT

89. Mr Mukosa (Chinsali) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

1. what the number of the following categories of livestock in Chinsali District was, as of March, 2023:
2. cattle;
3. sheep;
4. goats; and
5. what measures are being taken to promote livestock farming in the district.

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Kapala): Mr Speaker, the number of the following categories of livestock in Chinsali District as at March, 2023 was as follows:

Livestock                   Number

Cattle                        9,439

Sheep                          162 (administrative figure)

Goats                       32,607

Mr Speaker, the hon. Member may wish to note that these figures represent the livestock numbers kept by the smallholder farming sector.

Mr Speaker, further, the measures that the Government is putting in place to cultivate a culture of livestock keeping in the district include the following:

 Stocking and Restocking

Mr Speaker, the hon. Member may wish to recall that he once participated in this activity, where a number of beneficiaries from across the district received different livestock packages such as cattle, village chickens and goats.

Formation of School Livestock Clubs

Mr Speaker, as the hon. Member may be aware, culturally, livestock keeping, especially, is not a common practice among households in the area. The Government believes that this can be changed for future generations through the introduction of school livestock clubs. This aims to inculcate livestock keeping and mindset change at an early age in our children.

Provision of Affordable Quality Breeding Stock

Mr Speaker, again, the hon. Member will agree with me that in Chinsali District, lies Mbesuma Livestock Breeding Centre, whose primary purpose is to produce affordable breeding stock for farmers within the district and beyond.

Provision of Extension and Advisory Services

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has presence in the district to ensure that farmers have access to adequate extension services.

Establishment of a Farmer Training Centre

Mr Speaker, the ministry has constructed a modern farmer training institution, the Livestock Service Centre Tier Three at Mbesuma Ranch, where farmers are being taught different subjects in animal husbandry.

Scaling Up of Nutrition

Mr Speaker, the ministry is also supporting collaboration with other programmes such as the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) and the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development (TRALARD) in promoting the stocking and restocking programme.

Promotion of On-Farm Pasture Production and Rehabilitation

Mr Speaker, the ministry is promoting on-farm pasture production and rehabilitation for improved ruminant livestock nutrition.

Livestock Infrastructure Improvement

Mr Speaker, the ministry is improving livestock infrastructure through the construction of livestock services centres, livestock feed milling plant and district veterinary laboratory.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mukosa: Mr Speaker, thank you and I thank the hon. Minister for the answer that he has provided.

Mr Speaker, I would like to take the hon. Minister back to the response he provided regarding the measures that are being put in place to improve and support livestock farming in Chinsali District. I heard the good plans that the Government has, but I did not hear the hon. Minister talk about dip tanks, with regard to infrastructure. Does the Government have plans to construct dip tanks in Chinsali? One of the reasons the livestock population is low, especially cattle, is because of diseases. Therefore, does the Government have plans to construct dip tanks in strategic areas, in Chinsali District?

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, I do not know whether the hon. Member of Parliament for Chinsali Constituency was in the House the other day when I issued a comprehensive statement on dip tanks. The hon. Member is free to come and look at the statement I had issued. Allow me to also take this opportunity to inform the hon. Member that there is devolution in terms of veterinary services in all districts. So, some functions will fall under the local district administration.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chinkuli stood to ask Question No. 90 on behalf of Dr Andeleki.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member for Katombola is not in the House.

Mr Chinkuli: Mr Speaker, I actually made a prior arrangement.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: There was no prior arrangement.

Mr Chinkuli: Mr Speaker, yes there was. The Government Chief Whip has the –

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I am not aware of that arrangement. May you resume your seat.

That question lapses. We can proceed to the next question.

DROUGHT AND FLOOD SENSITISATION PROGRAMMES

91. Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa) asked the Minister of Green Economy and Environment:

1. whether the Government has any plans to conduct drought and floods preparedness sensitisation programmes, countrywide;
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented;
3. what measures the Government is implementing to preserve water bodies; and
4. what the water deficit in various sectors was, as of March, 2024.

The Minister of Green Economy and Environment (Mr Mposha): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to conduct drought and flood preparedness sensitisation programmes countrywide. The drought and flood preparedness programmes are under the mandate of the Disaster Management Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to which my ministry provides data that informs decision-making.

Mr Speaker, in addition, the Government is sensitising the nation on the expected outcome of the 2024/2025 Rainy Season through dissemination of the 2024/2025 season rainfall forecast. The forecast highlights the implications of the season. The 2024/2025 season indicates normal to above average rainfall in most parts of the country. Therefore, there is a high likelihood of flash floods and flooding in flood-prone areas.

Mr Speaker, the dissemination of the seasonal rainfall forecast is an on-going process and commenced on 6^th September, 2024, when the seasonal forecast was launched. Other than the Ministerial Statement on the seasonal forecast presented to this august House on Tuesday, 17^th September, 2024, information is also disseminated through various media platforms including short message services (SMSs), WhatsApp, Internet, and Agriculture Camp Extension Officers to reach the rural population that may not access information through the above-mentioned platforms.

Mr Speaker, the Government is implementing the following measures to preserve water bodies:

(a)     protection of catchment areas for these water bodies by promoting tree planting and natural regeneration to prevent land degradation, which affects water bodies;

(b)     promotion of alternative livelihoods to communities living around the water bodies in order to reduce the depletion of resources such as fish. Notable among the alternative livelihood initiatives are projects such as the sustainable Luangwa Projects, Lake Tanganyika Development Project and other Government support through programmes such as the Social Cash Transfer (SCT), Food Security Pack and the Farmers Input Support Programme (FISP). This is on the premise that livelihood options are inherent in the listed programmes; and

(c)       the Government has continued creating awareness and sensitising communities living around these water bodies on the importance of protecting these critical ecosystems.

  Mr Speaker, the question on the water deficit in various sectors is beyond the portfolio of the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment as the mandate lies with the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation. I, therefore, wish to request the hon. Member to consider re-directing the said question to the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation.

 Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Mr Speaker, early warning measures and other initiatives are meant to prepare the citizens to react to disasters and to be resilient. Having said that, there was a projection that we were likely to have rainfall around the last week of September and the first week of October, but that did not happen. When we talk about the weather, we know it is controlled by God. What we anticipated would happen according to the weather forecast has not happened. We have been talking about water harvesting, energy, agriculture and all other factors in this House. So, when all these factors are explained to our citizens, they will be ready for what is coming and will say that the Government did explain. This question is particularly addressing the issue of early warning, yet we have also seen that what we had projected has not worked.

Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the Government has put in place the measures at district level to raise awareness either through the District Commissioner’s (DC) office or any other office so that citizens can start adjusting especially since what we projected by our own expectations has not happened. In case we experience flash floods and in certain areas drought, how have we prepared the citizens? Are we preparing especially at the district level not just at the national level so that we narrow down? This is a robust campaign plan so are we preparing in that way?

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, you have asked four questions.

Mr Mposha: Mr Speaker, I totally agree with you that it was a series of questions. However, allow me to say this. Indeed, early warning systems are meant to protect our people in case of a disaster as projected or in case there are floods as we are projecting. This ministry has already provided information to different Government wings including the Disaster Management Mitigation Unit (DMMU), which is already using this information to speak to people in flood-prone areas. The hon. Member might have heard what Her Honour the Vice-President said this morning concerning disasters.  She said we ought to prepare our people for any disaster and that our people must be ready to move out in case of floods, and they must not resist. This information has been provided and various wings of Government are using this information to prepare our people. Not too long ago, the hon. Minister of Agriculture came to this august House to issue a Ministerial Statement on what is expected concerning what the farmers should do. This, again, was based on the information, which came from the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment on the projected rainfall forecast for 2024 /2025. So, the information has been given and it is being utilised to prepare our people.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mwambazi: Mr Speaker, my question was slightly hijacked, but I thank the hon. Member for Chilubi for his contribution. I would also like to thank the hon. Minister for the answers he has provided. I think that I did ask Her Honour the Vice-President a similar question earlier, not noticing that this question would be considered under this segment. However, the hon. Minister has intimated that he is collaborating with the Disaster Management Mitigation Unit (DMMU) and other sectors that are conversant with the issue of early warning and preparedness in terms of such calamities. I would like to know if he has carried out any sensitisation programme with the aforesaid collaborating sectors such as the DMMU to ensure that our people are warned early for them to prepare as it were.

Mr Mposha: Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I want to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Bwana Mkubwa for that follow-up question. 

Mr Speaker, my answer is yes, we have, after we launched the 2024/2025 rainfall forecast. Our officers from the various ministries have been meeting to discuss this projection and  prepare for this information to be sent down to our people through the district.

Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to convert some of this information into local languages so that even those people who may not be able to read English should be able to read in their local languages in terms of what we are projecting and also for them to prepare. So that has been done and our technocrats are meeting continuously discussing these issues.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

ESTABLISHMENT OF INDUSTRIAL YARDS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL

92 Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning:

1. whether the Government has any plans to establish industrial yards at the district level in order to enhance implementation of economic activities; and
2. whether there are economic planners at the district level to enhance economic activities.

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to establish industrial yards at the district level.  The Government first commenced the construction of industrial yards at the provincial level and has so far completed eight in seven provinces. Currently, the construction of industrial yards is earmarked for Choma, Kabwe and Chinsali, which were not covered in the project’s initial phase. Once the construction of industrial yards at the provincial level is concluded, additional industrial yards will be constructed in the districts across all provinces depending on the availability of funds.

Mr Speaker, the Government has economic planners who are also called socio-economic planners. These planners are found at the district level in all the local authorities countrywide under the Ministry of Local and Rural Development.

Mr Speaker, at the provincial level, the Government has socio-economic planners working in all the ten Provincial Planning Units (PPUs), which fall under the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. The socio-economic planners are responsible for co-ordinating the socio- economic planning in the districts as well as enhancing the collaboration with stakeholders to spare economic activities at the sub-national level.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, there is hope that the industrial yards will be localised in the districts. Regarding the socio-economic planners, to what standard are they expected to work? How accessible are they to the local people in the districts? I am asking this because the socio-economic planners in Kalabo are only visible when the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) activities are being held. They do not interact with the community. So, what is it that can make them easily accessed by the local people?

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, the socio-economic planners ought to be accessible to all the people who are within the district council because they have been employed to serve the councils and the people in the councils. If there are problems, then that needs to be brought to the attention of the employing agency, which is the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. Otherwise, in terms of why they are employed, it is to serve the local people.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Mr Speaker, I just want to seek clarification on the industrial yards that are supposed to be constructed in Chinsali and Choma. Has the construction process commenced in these two provincial centres?

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, I am sorry, I am not able to answer that question because the work is being supervised by the sister ministry, which is the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. I do not have the exact answer that the hon. Member seeks, but I can find out and will be able to pass the information over to him later.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Fube: Mr Speaker, thank you. Since the Government is developing integrated district plans at the district level, I would like to know if the projection of the industrial yards has already been mainstreamed in those district plans.

Interruptions

Mr Fube: Mr Speaker, should I repeat the question?

Mr Speaker, I was saying that since the Government has embarked on developing the integrated district plans at the district level, I would like to know whether it has mainstreamed the industrial yards already, in the integrated plans at the district level.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, thank you. I am not sure whether I understand the question, but let me try and respond according to how I have understood it.

Mr Speaker, I think, he was saying that since councils ought to have district plans, what we call integrated plans, are the industrial parks part of those plans? In which case, I would say that these plans, obviously are interactive in the sense that they are activities and plans that are initiated from the local level. There are also situations in which the Central Government may not have planned for something, but it plans and then it integrates. So, in that respect, my answer would be that it is, indeed, the wish and plan of the Central Government to ensure that these industrial sites are available in all the districts so that they complement what the districts have already planned.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

________

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

________

The House adjourned at 1237 hours until 1430 hours on Tuesday, 5^th November, 2024.

___________________

WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTION

CONSTRUCTION OF A SUBORDINATE COURT IN KAZUNGULA DISTRICT

90. Dr Andeleki (Katombola) asked the Minister of Justice:

1. whether the Government has any plans to construct a Subordinate Court building in Kazungula District;
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented;
3. what the estimated cost of the project is; and
4. if there are no such plans, why?

The Minister of Justice (Ms Kasune): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Government of the Republic of Zambia is committed to ensuring that citizens have easy access to justice by constructing adequate court infrastructure in the Republic. In that regard, the Judiciary has completed the assessment relating to the construction of the Kazungula Subordinate Court building, in Kazungula District. In addition, the drawings and bills of quantities (BoQs) have been prepared in readiness for the tendering process.

Mr Speaker, currently, the Judiciary has in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework Budget Policy Paper 2025-2027 made a provision for capital projects to cater for the construction and rehabilitation of court infrastructure countrywide. The plan to construct the Kazungula Subordinate Court, in Kazungula District, is part of the aforementioned Medium-Term Expenditure Framework Budget Policy Paper 2025-2027.

Mr Speaker, the construction of the court will commence once all the outstanding stalled capital projects awarded in the year, 2010/2011, and retendered in the year, 2022 are completed, with subject to availability of funds from the Treasury.

Mr Speaker, finally, the approximate preliminary cost for the construction and equipping of the Kazungula Subordinate Court is in the range of K8 million to K10 million.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.