Thursday, 7^th November, 2024

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

PRESENCE IN THE PUBLIC GALLERY OF STUDENTS AND LECTURERS FROM DAVID LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, LIVINGSTONE DISTRICT

Ms Chisenga entered the Assembly Chamber.

Hon. Members: Order!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Mambilima, please, leave the House.

Ms Chisenga left the Assembly Chamber.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Public Gallery of students and lecturers from David Livingstone College of Education in Livingstone District.

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

I thank you.

PRESENCE IN THE PUBLIC GALLERY OF PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM PHIRIKA ACADEMY, CHINSALI DISTRICT

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Public Gallery of pupils and teachers from Phirika Academy, Chinsali District.

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

I thank you.

PRESENCE IN THE PUBLIC GALLERY OF PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM FOUNTAIN GATE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, LUSAKA DISTRICT

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Public Gallery of pupils and teachers from Fountain Gate Christian Academy, Lusaka District.

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

I thank you.

PRESENCE IN THE PUBLIC GALLERY OF COUNCILLORS FROM SIX WARDS OF MBABALA CONSTITUENCY, CHOMA DISTRICT

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Public Gallery of Councillors of six wards of Mbabala Constituency, Choma District.

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

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

MID-TERM EVALUATION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF ZAMBIA STRATEGIC PLAN, 2022-2026

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members may recall that in March 2023, the National Assembly of Zambia launched the National Assembly of Zambia Strategic Plan, 2022-2026. Thus, the end of June 2024 marked the mid-point of the implementation programme. In this regard, the National Assembly of Zambia, through the Monitoring and Evaluation Department, has commissioned a mid-term evaluation of the strategic plan, which is being undertaken with the support from Inter Pares, a European Union (EU) global project, to strengthen the capacity of parliaments as well as the Zambia Monitoring and Evaluation Association (ZAMEA).

Hon. Members, the mid-term evaluation presents an ideal opportunity for the National Assembly of Zambia to gain valuable insights into the progress made thus far, identify challenges and offer recommendations and key priorities for the remaining period of the strategic plan.

Hon. Members have been identified as key players in the data collection process. The process will be administered to all hon. Members through an online survey questionnaire. Key informant interviews for selected hon. Members of Parliament began on Monday, 4^th November and will run until Thursday, 21^st November, 2024. I, therefore, wish to encourage all hon. Members to actively participate in the mid-term evaluation of the National Assembly of Zambia Strategic Plan, 2022-2026 as your insights will enrich the findings of the evaluation, which is aimed at enhancing parliamentary work.

I thank you.

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URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

MR MUTALE, HON. MEMBER FOR CHITAMBO, ON HER HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT, MRS NALUMANGO, ON SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER AND CASH FOR WORK PROGRAMMES IN CHITAMBO

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Madam Speaker, my Urgent Matter Without Notice is directed at Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, we have the Social Cash Transfer programme and the Cash for Work programme in Chitambo. As you may be aware, beneficiaries of these programmes are supposed to be paid their money through mobile phones. However, we have a very serious challenge of network and Internet connection. There are two islands in Chitambo called Reuben Island and Bwalya Mponda Island. The money from the programmes is supposed to help people during this time of hunger. The people of Chitambo have welcomed these programmes. Now, I want Her Honour the Vice-President to help the people of Chitambo to access their money from the Social Cash Transfer programme and the Cash for Work programme. They have worked, but they are failing to access their money because the mobile phone network connection is very bad. Sometimes, it is not there.

Madam Speaker, I need your indulgence on this very serious matter.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you. Indeed, that is a serious matter, but be informed that there is already an urgent question of the same nature being processed. So, I advise you to ride on that question when it is brought on the Floor of the House.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

MS MULENGA, HON. MEMBER FOR KALULUSHI, ON MR KABUSWE, THE HON. MINISTER OF MINES AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT, ON SULPHUR DIOXIDE FUMES IN KALULUSHI

Ms Mulenga (Kalulushi): Madam Speaker, let me thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart for recognising that women have a voice. We salute you.

Madam Speaker, I rise on an Urgent Matter Without Notice on behalf of the people of Kalulushi. The matter is directed at three hon. Ministers, that is, the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, and the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment.

Madam Speaker, we have a matter of life and death in my constituency –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Kalulushi, you have to identify one hon. Minister because if your matter is admissible, I do not think that three hon. Ministers will come to issue Ministerial Statements. So, try to be specific.

Ms Mulenga: Madam Speaker, I direct the matter at the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development.

Madam Speaker, we have a situation of life and death in my constituency. The mines have issued permits for Chinese companies to process copper on the Sabina/Kalulushi Road. As we speak, sulphur dioxide fog is being emitted from the mines that are processing copper. On the Copperbelt, we call the fumes ‘senta.’ The number of cases of people affected by the fumes reported at Kalulushi General Hospital is high. The relevant authorities have been informed, but nothing has been done about it. When sulphur dioxide mixes with rain, it forms sulphuric acid, meaning that even water bodies are polluted. This has been ongoing for the last one month. I informed the council and the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) about this, but nothing has happened.

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious intervention before we have a calamity in terms of death.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you. Hon. Member for Kalulushi, your matter is very important. I will admit it because it is affecting the lives of people although it did not happen in the past two days.

Mr Amutike: It has been there for a month.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

I did not give you the Floor.

Since the matter is affecting the lives of the people, I will ask the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development to come to the House on Tuesday to issue a Ministerial Statement on what measures the Government intends to put in place to help the people of Kalulushi with the fumes of sulphuric acid being emitted from the mines. The hon. Minister will come to the House with a Ministerial Statement on Tuesday next week.

Interruptions

Ms Mulenga: Ah. Tapalinefyakun’gwita. Ema Speaker!

Rev. Katuta: Question!

MR MUTELO, THE HON. MEMBER FOR MITETE, ON MR MWIIMBU, SC, THE HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY, ON MEASURES TO PROTECT PEOPLE’S LIVES AS THE COLD BOX UNIT TRAVELS TO KANSANSHI COPPER MINE, SOLWEZI

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Madam Speaker, I am totally grateful that you are able to balance gender and political parties.

Madam Speaker, the truck carrying the cold box unit, which will contribute to development, has just entered Zambia. It will pass through Livingstone, Mazabuka, Lusaka and Ndola. The urgent matter I am raising is directed at the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

Madam Speaker, we are seeing the joy of the people watching the cold box unit as it passes. Is the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security going to protect our children when the 154 m truck headed for Kansanshi Mine is passing?

Rev. Katuta: Bututu naimwe.

Mr Mutelo: Is the hon. Minister going to protect our citizens? We may lose lives. Is this the first time this is happening in Zambia? 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, it is for the benefit …

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Order, hon. Members!

Mr Mutelo: … of those who are talking now.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you so much, hon. Member for Mitete. Indeed, something is moving. I think, it started moving last week, and it is attracting the attention of the residents wherever it is passing. I do not think that the hon. Minister should come to the House to issue a Ministerial Statement on that. I do not know whether the hon. Minister can simply put some measures to protect people’s lives. This is just advice for the hon. Minister.

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu, SC): Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the nation that we are aware of the issues that have been raised by my hon. Colleague, the Member of Parliament for Mitete.

Madam Speaker, you may not be aware that two days ago in Livingstone, we lost a life as a result of the excitement that has been generated by the long truck carrying the cool box unit for Kansanshi Mine.

Rev. Katuta: Bututu not excitement.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Madam Speaker, we have put the appropriate measures in place to ensure that members of the public do not get near to or climb the truck. Policemen and women have been mobilised to guard the truck from Livingstone to Solwezi. So, adequate measures have been put in place. It is sad that we lost a life as a result of the excitement that has been generated by this particular vehicle.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you very much for that advice. I think, it is very important to advise the public. We lost a life – was it in Livingstone? So, that message will be very helpful to our people.

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

MITIGATION MEASURES FOR CLOSURE OF YUKA ADVENTIST MISSION HOSPITAL IN KALABO DISTRICT

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

1. why Yuka Adventist Mission Hospital in Kalabo District was closed;
2. what urgent measures are being taken to mitigate the impact of the closure of the health facility on the local community; and
3. when the health facility will be re-opened.

The Minister of Health (Mr Muchima): Madam Speaker, allow me to say congratulations to the people of the United States of America (USA). The American people are very important to us as the Ministry of Health depends on their donations. As Zambians, we say ‘cheers’ to them for running their democratic elections smoothly. Well done.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, on my left!

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, may I begin by stating that Yuka Adventist Mission Hospital is a First Level 120 bed capacity hospital owned and operated by the Southern Zambia Union Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in partnership with the Government, through the Ministry of Health. The institution was established in 1953 by missionary volunteers.

Madam Speaker, this health facility has not been closed. It has, however, suspended the Inpatient Department, that is, admission of patients, following a legal order by a combined team of health inspectors led by the local authority, Kalabo Town Council. The facility is generally in a deplorable condition, with the main problem cited being the water reticulation and sanitation system, which is currently faulty. The suspension of the Inpatient Services, that is, admissions, is meant to pave way for repairs and renovations as well as to protect health workers and patients from preventable diseases such as cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases.

Madam Speaker, to mitigate the impact of the temporal suspension of the Inpatient Department of the facility, the Government, through the Ministry of Health and the SDA church, is implementing the following:

1. all Outpatient Department (OPD) services have remained fully operational;
2. all patients requiring Inpatient Department services including labour and delivery are transferred to Kalabo District Hospital, which is 6 km away. Transport is available;
3. the outreach services have remained fully active;
4. the Bill of Quantity (BoQ) for the works required, totalling K205,150.25, has been prepared and funds have been secured to renovate the affected area; and
5. engagement with the community and the SDA church leadership regarding the general administration of the facility is going on.

Madam Speaker, Inpatient Service admissions at Yuka Adventist Mission Hospital shall resume as soon as the immediate remedial interventions highlighted above have been implemented and the follow-up inspection has been conducted by authorised officers. As we speak, works to install water supply at the health institution are underway.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, let me thank the hon. Minister for his positive response upon visiting his office to deliver the news. That is how things should be.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that patients are being referred to Kalabo District Hospital. Which hospital is famous between Kalabo District Hospital and Yuka Mission Hospital? I shall tell you, it is Yuka Mission Hospital. That is the number one hospital that we rely on. It is more famous and more commonly spoken about by the public in Kalabo than the district hospital. Admission of patients at Yuka Adventist Mission Hospital has been halted. The hon. Minister said that transport is readily available for patients to be taken to Kalabo District Hospital. That is easier said than done. I live there. Which transport is available? The people who give the responses to the questions for the hon. Minister have said transport is available. Which transport is readily available? When you tell people that transport is readily available, there must be a vehicle in good condition that is on standby. However, there is none. This question is from a practical situation.

Madam Speaker, is there a good, orderly vehicle other than what I know? Let us remove those ones that I know. Has there been an initiative made to transport patients from Yuka to Kalabo? I am speaking from reality. Even the road from the Boma to Yuka is not a road that you can rely on to rush a patient to the hospital.

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, I must be open here. I had a very cordial discussion in my office with Hon. Miyutu regarding this matter, and prompt action was taken. The issue of alternatives to help the hospital be renovated is an issue we should take into consideration. On the issue of transport in districts in case of emergencies, we bought vehicles for the police using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). The District Commissioner (DC) also has a vehicle. If he does not have a vehicle, any other Government vehicle can be used. That is why the Government has decided to buy ambulances. By the end of December, there will be ambulances in all constituencies. When there is an emergency, the District Health Director should release his or her vehicle to transport patients. If there is an emergency, we have to use any means possible to transport patients. I have heard about the state of the road and what have you. Money comes from the same basket. Whatever is available to help with an emergency should be used. Patients are being transported just 6 km away to pave way for renovations at Yuka Mission Hospital. I understand that Yuka Adventist Mission Hospital is a better, reputable hospital. It is that way because of discipline, and that is how we expect all hospitals to be. People are saying there is completely no transport but, I am sure, within Government circles, transport is available for emergencies.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, here is a technical question for the hon. Minister. There has been devolution of power from the Central Government to the local government. From the hon. Minister’s response, firstly, Kalabo Town Council is mandated to oversee hospitals and other health facilities. Secondly, it is the one that closes hospitals.

Laughter

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, how could the council not realise that Yuka Adventist Mission Hospital needed attention, such that we reached a point where there was a crisis?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, if you check the functions of local government, you will find that one of them is dealing with public health and prevention of diseases. At the moment, the whole country is preparing to handle cholera. We have to ensure that there is cleanliness or hygiene in most institutions. Against that background, councils and the Ministry of Health will not entertain dirt in any area. Let me even mention that in Lusaka, women have come together in markets to clean. So, we will be closing markets two days a week or a month to clean. The issue of hygiene or cleanliness is very important to us so we are encouraging the women. Councils have the mandate to close any public institution that is not adhering to health requirements. They have the right to do that. They are protecting our own citizens. Let us do the right thing. On the issue of transport that the hon. Member has talked about, we can discuss that and save the lives of our people.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kafwaya rose.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Do you want to raise a point of order?

Mr Kafwaya: Yes, Madam Speaker. Thank you so much.

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order on the hon. Member of Parliament for Kalabo Central.

Interruptions

Mr Kafwaya: I have been requested to shout into the microphone, like one hon. Minister does. However, when he is asked a question, he lowers his voice.

Madam Speaker, my point of order is on the hon. Member for Kalabo Central, who claimed that there is devolution of power. He went on to quote the district office in Kalabo. The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning read the Budget here on the Floor of the House just about two months ago. The hon. Minister said that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) had been increased, and that K5 million from the CDF should go towards feeder roads. Who made that decision? Police vehicles have been procured using the CDF –

Hon. Opposition Members: It is K3.5 million.

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, sorry. I have been corrected that the amount is K3.5 million.

Madam Speaker, who made the decision to buy the vehicle for the police in Kalabo using the CDF? Palaces in Kalabo and elsewhere are being constructed, but whose decision was that? Yet the hon. Member has misled us and the public that there is devolution of power.

Madam Speaker, is he in order to debate like that when he knows that there is no devolution of power?

I seek your ruling, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lunte, what Standing Order has been breached?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, Standing Order No. 71.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lunte, when you stand to raise a point of order, you are supposed to be very precise and brief. However, you debated different sections of your point of order. You have a tendency to do that; I have been observing you. When you have an issue, you raise a point of order and then debate it.

Mr Kafwaya: I have to debate.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: No. You are supposed to be precise and to the point. You debated your point of order. Please, in future, try to be very precise and to the point. Do not go around and debate your point of order. You have even given an answer.

Mr Kafwaya rose.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Do you have another point of order to raise?

Mr Kafwaya: No, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What is it?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, my voice was low and my mood was somber, until the hon. Minister told me to shout into the microphone. Then, I repeated myself because of a directive from the hon. Minister. That has caused you to say that I debated my point of order. Those were examples, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lunte, when you are given the Floor, you are supposed to address the Speaker. You are not even supposed to take running commentaries from other hon. Members. You are not supposed to start communicating with an hon. Minister or taking whatever an hon. Minister is saying while seated. I gave you the Floor and, therefore, it was your chance to raise your point of order.

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Madam Speaker, I just want clarity from the hon. Minister. He said that the Government will procure ambulances for all districts by December 2024. I want to know whether the ambulances will be procured through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), or will other ambulances be procured using different funds?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, let me even clarify another point for Hon. Miyutu. We have two Land Cruisers on standby plus one Nissan. Coming to the question by the hon. Member of Parliament for Chitambo on whether the ambulances will be bought using funds from the Ministry of Health or the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), all the money will come from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. The Government will buy ambulances for every constituency as we agreed here. In addition, the ministry will buy some vehicles to sort out certain issues.

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Let the hon. Minister finish.

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, the ambulances I am talking about are the ones that will be brought using the CDF. I am not saying that they will be bought in December. I am saying, the ambulances should have all arrived by the end of December. By the end of December, all the ambulances bought through the CDF will be in the country.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, I think, the hon. Member wants to know whether those ambulances are being bought using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) or another type of fund from the Government.

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, I have explained that they are being bought using the CDF. The ones I referred to are under the CDF, but there will be some ambulances that will be bought through the ministry, and those will not come in December. They will come at any time when the ministry will procure them.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chala (Chipili): Madam Speaker, my question is in line with what the hon. Member for Chitambo asked. The hon. Member for Kalabo Central is still disputing that transport is available in the district. The hon. Minister has talked about the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). I am wondering why the vehicles that were procured for each constituency are parked at councils, not hospitals. I want him to clarify that. Those vehicles should probably be parking at hospitals to assist patients instead of parking at councils.

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, that is a new question, but let me respond. I said, if there is an emergency, we look at options. Even in a house, when you have no meat, you look at other alternatives such as beans. I am saying, in Kalabo District, there are CDF vehicles; one for the police and another one for the council. If there is a need, we can use those vehicles. I also said that there are three vehicles on standby, that is, two Land Cruisers and one Nissan to attend to emergencies and help our people in Kalabo to receive healthcare. I hope I am very clear.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

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

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, my point of order was contemporaneous. I asked the hon. Minister a question. It is the custom of this House that when an hon. Minister responds to a question, he must speak through you and face you.

Madam Speaker, was the hon. Minister in order to threaten me with his hand in his pocket and with his grey beard like that?

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Please, do not describe the hon. Minister.

Laughter

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, I will leave it there.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Since that point of order is incomplete, we shall make progress.

Mr Shakafuswa(Mandevu): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that there are three vehicles on standby. The hon. Member for Kalabo Central and his people would like to know where those vehicles will come from. Where will the Nissan come from?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, we have structures in the Government. In Kalabo, we have the District Health Director who oversees everything concerning health. In case of an emergency, one goes to the people dealing with health. The hospital administration is available. The vehicles are readily available. They could be parked at the District Health Director’s office or they could even be at the hospital. This is just an administrative arrangement within Kalabo.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chisopa (Mkushi South): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that there are two vehicles in Kalabo, that is, one for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and another one for the police. Is the hon. Minister aware of the fuel allocation for these vehicles, for him to say that the people in Kalabo can use the same vehicles? I have had a situation in which people requested for a vehicle from the police. They were asked to buy fuel in order to use it. Is fuel available for those vehicles in Kalabo?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, when there is an emergency, you look around. Money for fuel can be sourced even from the pockets of the patient’s dear ones. At times, it can be sourced from the grants given to hospitals by the Government every month. Ever since this Government was voted into office, grants are continuously given to hospitals and can be used for such issues. If there is a problem, people can ring the province or the ministry.

Interruptions

Mr Muchima: My eyes are cutting across.

Madam Speaker, I do not think that is a major issue. Even the CDF is available. The hon. Member of Parliament was very candid and kind the other day. He said that if there is no money for an emergency, there is money for emergencies under the CDF. We spoke very well and attended to the problem. If I were the hon. Member, I would have even withdrawn this case.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kasandwe (Bangweulu): Madam Speaker, we are losing many lives in transit. It has become fashionable for health institutions to use any vehicle available to transport patients. Ambulances are made in such a manner that when a patient is being transported, there is support within the ambulance. So, this business of saying, any vehicle available can be used to transport patients has resulted in the loss of many lives. Let us be serious for once. When is the ministry going to provide an interim ambulance for Kalabo Central Constituency?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, I have put it clearly that we are a very responsible Government. Despite budgetary constraints, the CDF has been increasing, and we are buying ambulances for every constituency in this country.

Rev. Katuta: Two years!

Mr Muchima: Yes, two years. There is a procurement process. You do not just walk into a place and get specific vehicles. The hon. Members on the left were in office for ten years and we never saw them procure vehicles. Some graders were never even delivered.

Hon. Govenrment Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muchima: Let us not be political.

Madam Speaker, the Government is very serious. We found empty coffers, but the CDF has been enhanced. See what is happening. We have a President who cares for everyone. The Budget is attending to all 156 constituencies.

Hon. Member: Njala!

Mr Muchima: Which njala? You have to cultivate; the rains have come.

Madam Speaker, this is a very responsible Government and it is attending to every constituency. The ministry will also buy vehicles to attend to certain critical areas. We are very serious, even if my hon. Colleague said we are not. We are extremely serious.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

BLOCKAGE OF ROAD BY ARMED FOREIGNERS IN CHAMA DISTRICT

107. Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North) asked the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security:

1. whether the Government is aware that the Chama/Muyombe Road between Kanyelele/Chama junction and Kamfutu area has been blocked by armed foreigners, who are demanding the release from police custody of their counterparts in Chama District, thereby threatening peace and security in the area; and
2. if so, what urgent measures are being taken to resolve the problem and safeguard the lives of the people and property in the area.

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu, SC): Madam Speaker, the Government is aware that some unarmed foreign nationals from a neighbouring country protested by blocking the Chama/Muyombe Road between Kanyelele/Chama junction and Kamfutu area after their compatriots were arrested by Zambian law enforcement agencies for illegal entry into Zambia.

Madam Speaker, the brief facts of the matter are that, on 29^th October, 2024, a combined team of officers from the Zambia Police Service, the Department of Immigration, and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) operating in Chama District conducted a joint operation at Mwendakuzulu Village to apprehend suspected illegal immigrants. The operation was initiated following a report that some foreign nationals had illegally settled in Mwendakuzulu Village. Mwendakuzulu Village borders the Republic of Malawi under Chief Kambombo of Chama District.

Madam Speaker, during the operation, twenty foreign nationals were apprehended for unlawful entry into Zambia and were detained in police custody. Following the detention of the twenty, some unarmed foreign nationals from the nearby community protested by blocking the road in question, demanding the release of their detained compatriots. On 31^st October, 2024, the twenty foreign nationals were released from custody and repatriated to their country. They were handed over to the immigration authority of the named neighbouring country at the border. Calm was quickly restored in the area after the apprehended foreign nationals were handed over to their country’s immigration authority.

Madam Speaker, to resolve the issue and safeguard lives and property in the area, the following measures were implemented. Firstly, the matter was escalated to the Provincial Joint Operations Committee to engage its counterpart in the neighbouring country, with the aim of achieving sustainable peace in the area. Secondly, our officers collaborated with that country’s immigration authority to repatriate the Malawian nationals apprehended for illegal entry into Zambia. Thirdly, security personnel have remained on high alert to ensure that lives and property are safeguarded.

Madam Speaker, we shall continue engaging our neighbouring countries through joint permanent commissions on defence and security and other avenues to ensure that our citizens enjoy peace and their property is safeguarded.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security has just confirmed that foreigners entered our territory and protested. According to the question from the hon. Member for Chama, those foreigners should not have conducted themselves the way they did. Given the background that the hon. Minister had given, is he confirming that we are not adequately equipped as a country to prevent the scenario that happened? People crossed the border and misbehaved on our soil. Does that action confirm that we have not equipped our police and Zambia Army units to deal with such problems before they escalate?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Madam Speaker, I just want to confirm that our men and women in uniform are adequately equipped to ensure that our territorial space is protected. However, take note that border areas, especially the border between Zambia and Malawi, are not clearly demarcated. I can also tell you that in the village involved, it is not strange to find a house with a kitchen on the Malawi side and a bedroom on the side in Zambia. That is how it is and vice versa.

Hon. Members: Question!

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: The bedroom of a house in Malawi will be on the Malawi side while the sitting room will be on the side in Zambia. That is why in the last election in 2021, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government registered Malawians to vote in Zambia because of undefined voters. We are endeavouring to ensure that the borders are clearly demarcated.

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

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

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, this is a critical point of order pursuant to Standing Order No. 71.

Madam Speaker, our bilateral relationships with neighbouring countries are critical. The hon. Minister is responsible for internal security. Is he in order to drag another nation into this matter and make such serious allegations, and insinuate that the Government of Zambia has foreign nationals from Malawi on the voters’ register, and that those nationals participated in the general election of 2021? This is a matter that is bound to bring conflicts between the Republic of Zambia and Malawi. I am speaking like that as a former –

Interruptions

Mr Kampyongo: You might not know because of ignorance. What is your problem?

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Kampyongo: I am talking from experience. Listen.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, please, do not involve other hon. Members in –

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I need to be protected. You have heard how they are making noise.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Please, just finish your point of order.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister is aware that we have a permanent joint commission, where we discuss bilateral and security matters with our neighbouring countries including Malawi. If he is insinuating that foreign nationals participated in the last general election, it means that the matter has been tabled and is on record.

Madam Speaker, was the hon. Minister in order to blatantly make such an allegation against another country?

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious guidance.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you, hon. Member for Shiwang’andu. The reason why the hon. Minister went that far is because of the question on the Order Paper. The question talks about an issue that happened between Malawi and Zambia. The hon. Minister indicated that the matter was a problem during voter registration because there is no proper boundary. One can say that one is from Malawi when one is from Zambia. That is what I got from the hon. Minister. The matter is being discussed on the Floor of the House. That is why the hon. Minister gave that example. So, the hon. Minster was not out of order.

Rev. Katuta (Chienge): Madam Speaker, the duty of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security is to protect indigenous people. Some years back, when I was bit younger, we used to have such problems in Ndola regarding people from a neighbouring country. Then, His Excellency Dr Kenneth Kaunda, may his soul rest in peace, acted. Is the ministry going to just be letting foreigners harassing people without reacting and giving them what they deserve so that they learn a lesson?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Madam Speaker, with your permission, let me supplement the answer I have given pertaining the issue of aliens having been registered as voters. There is evidence. You recall that one hon. Member of this House assaulted a journalist from the Post Newspaper in Vubwi when the journalist was doing investigative journalism. That journalist was investigating the registration of foreigners as voters in the country. An hon. Member, who is not in the House, got hold of the journalist, urinated in his mouth and assaulted him seriously. The matter went to court. We have evidence of aliens who were registered as voters. As we share a common border with Malawi, when Zambians want to access certain facilities, they cross into Malawi and vice versa because of the unverified border. We are embarking on marking the borders of this country. It is not just Malawi; there are still some disputes on the border between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We are demarcating the borders to ensure that they are clear. The evidence of foreigners voting in this country is there. Some matters were taken to court and certain individuals were arrested. I did not mention that it was the Malawian Government that was registering voters. I said, the PF registered foreign nationals as voters. The PF is not Malawian Government.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Madam Speaker, I have taken note of the question raised by my sister, the hon. Member of Parliament for Chienge. The Government is taking into account the issues that she has raised. I am aware that even in Chienge Constituency, there are challenges between the DRC and ourselves. We are trying to have a bilateral discussion with our Congolese brothers to ensure that we have clearly defined borders. We are working very well with our neighbours.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you. Just a guide, hon. Members, please, raise questions based on the question that is on the Floor of the House.

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister is alive to the fact that the standoff was there for more than two days. The Malawians blocked the road. So, no truck was allowed to go to Kanyelele. The trucks that carried maize for the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) were not allowed to pass. The Malawians even damaged the house of a Jesuit Father on the Zambian side. They accused him of having been the one who reported the matter to the police. Why did it take too long for the police to come to the rescue of the people of Chama? Why did it take more than two days for the Zambia Police Service to ensure that there was order in that area?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Madam Speaker, it did not take more than two days. The incident happened on 29^th October. By 30^th October, we had restored law and order in that area. I agree that there was inconvenience on the part of Zambians. We are not going to allow that scenario to be repeated. That is why we have engaged our counterparts in Malawi to ensure that the rule of law obtains in the area. We are also interacting with the communities on both sides of the border to ensure that they work together so that there is harmony in the area.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, part of my concern has been raised by the hon. Member who asked the question. I would like to know whether our men and women in uniform are proactive when it comes to such operations. Do they conduct evaluation after such events so that they can be prepared rather than let situations escalate? Do they prepare themselves for any eventualities that might occur after such operations?

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lunte, is your point of order on the hon. Minister’s response.

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, yes.

Madam Speaker, I am deeply troubled by the hon. Minister’s statement that the Patriotic Front (PF) registered Malawians to vote in Zambian elections. For any person to register as a voter, one needs a green National Registration Card (NRC). One should also be above eighteen years of age. For anyone to vote in elections, that person needs to have a birth certificate to obtain a green NRC.

Interruptions

Mr Kafwaya: In other words, a person has to be Zambian.

Madam Speaker, by implication, is the hon. Minister saying that workers at the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security are so bad that they gave NRCs to foreigners? Is he saying that workers at civic centres and hospitals in Zambia are so bad that they issue birth certificates to Malawians?

Mr Amutike: You do not know what was happening in your Government?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, public workers have done so much for the country so we need to appreciate. Is the hon. Minister in order to accuse the entire Government machinery of being so reckless as to give rights that Zambians ought to enjoy to foreigners?

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Can you state the Standing Order that has been breached?

Interruptions

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

I did not give you the Floor to speak.

Hon. PF Members: Send him out.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Can you state the Standing Order that has been breached?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, Standing Order No. 71.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: When the hon. Minister mentioned the issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs) to citizens of Malawi, I think, he gave an example of exactly where that happened. He said it happened because we have no proper boundaries. Anyway, the hon. Minister will say something, but from what I heard, the Government that was in charge at that time was the Patriotic Front (PF). Maybe, that is the reason the hon. Minister mentioned the PF. Of course, it is not the PF, it is the Government under the PF. It happened specifically at the border with Malawi. The hon. Minister did not give examples of NRCs being issued from civic centers or any other places within the country. He gave an example of an incident that happened on the border between Zambia and Malawi.

Hon. Minister, when referring to the PF, maybe, just say ‘the PF Government’ or ‘the Government under the PF.’

We make progress.

Mr Kasandwe: It was not the PF.

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

The hon. Minister cannot accuse everybody and say ‘the PF.’ It was the Government under the PF at that time. It is not the party. It is not the PF.  So, there is nothing surprising. Even now, it is the Government under the United Party for National Development (UPND). Whatever the Government is doing, people will say that it is the Government under the UPND.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: That time, it was the Government under the PF headed by former President Edgar Lungu, who belonged to the PF. I wonder why we are surprised.

We make progress.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Madam Speaker, I have lost the question because of the point of order and other issues that arose. Maybe, the hon. Member should repeat the question.

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

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the people who protested were not armed as alleged in the question. However, they blocked the road. Are our men and women in uniform proactive in terms of evaluating operations after events have occurred, so that they can know the negative or positive impact of the operations and prepare themselves adequately to counter such happenings well in time, rather than face situations like the one the hon. Member has complained about. Do they do that?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Madam Speaker, I indicated that the matter was escalated to the provincial joint operations committee to ensure that it was evaluated, and to ensure that such a situation does not occur in future. They have been doing that. The police are not only working as Zambians among themselves but with their counterparts in Malawi.

Madam Speaker, you indicated that I may comment on the issue raised from the point of order. The matter of foreigners being registered as voters is public knowledge. One of our hon. Members –

Interruptions 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: He is not an outsider. I will mention his name. The hon. Member for Petauke Central, J. E. Banda, was the one who was involved in the scheme when he was the Provincial Youth Chairman for the Eastern Province.

Hon. PF Member: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Minister!

Interruptions

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: You go ahead and raise a point of order.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Minister!

Let us not mention names because we are not supposed to debate ourselves. Let us avoid mentioning names. I think, your explanation is strong enough. Let us not mention people’s names, especially that they are not here to defend themselves.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Madam Speaker, I thought he was here.

Madam Speaker, the fact is, the Patriotic Front (PF) was involved through its provincial officials in the Eastern Province. The one who was involved, without mentioning his name, was the Provincial Youth Chairman of the Eastern Province. You have advised me not to mention his name, but he is a Member of this House. He sits across from where I am standing, but I cannot see him in the House today. That is the explanation.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, earlier, I mentioned that the Malawian nationals attacked people and destroyed the house of a Jesuit Father on the Zambian side. I am also aware that one police officer was injured in the same fracas. The hon. Minister said that twenty Malawian nationals were handed over to Malawian authorities. Will the culprits go scot-free, or will the Malawian Government punish them so that such a thing does not reoccur?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Madam Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, the Malawians were arrested and detained by Zambian authorities. Pursuant to that detention, there was an interaction with our Malawian counterparts pertaining to this sad incident. Arising from that interaction, we made a decision to release the culprits for the sake of good neighbourliness. We are going to ensure that such an occurrence does not happen again in Zambia. We are escalating the matter; it has not been closed. We will take into account the issues that have been raised by the hon. Member for Chama North.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chala: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that there is no defined boundary at the border with Malawi. Has the hon. Minister given himself a timeframe to ensure that the boundary is defined to sort out this issue once and for all?

 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Madam Speaker, I cannot give a timeframe because the matter is outside my jurisdiction.The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is responsible for it.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang'andu): Madam Speaker, it is good that the hon. Minister has clarified the issue of boundaries because it is a complex one. It is not as easy as it was portrayed. 

Madam Speaker, we have joint permanent commissions at national and provincial levels, which cascade down to the district in order for security agencies to conduct joint operations when dealing with the common conflicts that occur around border areas. How would the hon. Minister describe our current arrangement now? There could have been a breakdown in communication, considering the way the situation was handled between the Zambian and Malawian authorities. What is the hon. Minister doing to ensure that bilateral joint permanent commissions for security purposes are enhanced?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Madam Speaker, I would like to state that our relationships pertaining to security arrangements with Malawi are strong and working very well. Unfortunately, this was an instantaneous or sporadic occurrence that the security wings on both sides were caught off guard. I agree with the hon. Member that this was just one of those unfortunate incidents. We are co-operating with our colleagues in Malawi.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, I appreciate the responses that the hon. Minister has offered so far to hon. Members. When I raised a point of order to clarify a matter that the hon. Minister alluded to, Madam Speaker ruled. In her ruling, she indicated that it was the Government under the PF that was involved in the matter. However, when an opportunity came for the hon. Minister to make a comment, he overruled the Speaker and said that it was, in fact, the PF that was involved in the matter, and named one of our hon. Colleagues. What position must I go home with? The Speaker’s ruling, or the hon. Minister’s answer?

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lunte, please, do not drag the Speaker into the question on the Floor. The hon. Minister is responding with the information that he came with to the House. So, he stands by that. Do not drag what the Speaker said into the response by the hon. Minister. The hon. Minister will answer any question that he is asked. Do not drag the Speaker into the matter.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Madam Speaker, I would like to state that it is the criminal minded PF Members who orchestrated the registration of aliens to vote in the country.

Interruptions

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: That is a criminal offense. That is why we are still pursuing some PF Members who registered aliens illegally from Malawi. They also did the same in Luapula.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

REHABILITATION OF SIKUKA ROADS CAMP HOUSES

108. Mr Mandandi (Sioma) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

1. whether the staff houses at Sikuka Roads Camp in Sioma District, which are in a deplorable state, are owned by the Government;
2. if so, whether there are any plans to rehabilitate the houses;
3. if there are no such plans, why; and
4. if the houses do not belong to the Government, when they were sold.

The Minister of Information and Media (Mr Mweetwa) on behalf of (the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi)): Madam Speaker, the staff houses at Sikuka Roads Camp in Sioma District, which are in a deplorable state, are institutional houses belonging to the Government of the Republic of Zambia.

Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to rehabilitate the houses once funds are secured from the Treasury.

Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to rehabilitate the houses as indicated in part (b) of the question above.

Madam Speaker, the houses belong to the Government as indicated at (a) above. May I add that Sikuka Roads Camp in Sioma District is a roads camp that was used by the former Roads Department to house its staff who were operating at the pontoon before Sioma Bridge was constructed. The camp consists of three small houses and one medium-sized house. The staff houses are unoccupied as they are in a deplorable state because they have neither been occupied nor maintained for over ten years now.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Hamwaata (Pemba): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out whether measures have been put in place to protect the land from being sold by the village headmen.

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, clearly that is a new question. It falls within the domain of another activity unrelated to the question as was initially framed.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mapani (Namwala): Madam Speaker, I would like to know whether the Government has already done a feasibility study to ascertain how much will be required to renovate the houses.

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, no feasibility study has been conducted yet.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mandandi: Madam Speaker, the gist of the question was to help the good people of Sioma clear the air around ownership of the houses because there were speculations that the houses were sold. Now that it has been established that the Government owns the houses, when will the Government rehabilitate the houses? 

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, I already responded to that question. I said that renovations shall be done when funds are made available in accordance with the Government’s plan to rehabilitate them. As you have heard, they have not been attended to for more than ten years primarily because the use for which they were built has expired. They were used as staff houses for operators of the pontoon. That situation has since been overtaken by events; a bridge was constructed.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mandandi:  Madam Speaker, that is a good response. However, the hon. Minister may wish to know that the land on which the houses are is under threat because it is slowly being encroached on. What measures is the Government putting in place to ensure that the land remains secure and is not encroached on or taken away from the Government by villagers? As my brother here asked earlier, what measures are being put in place to ensure that the land is secured and protected?

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, I already indicated that these houses have not been inhabited for so many years. Clearly, from a bystander point of view, there is no encroachment in so far as the properties are concerned. From the response by the hon. Member, the land in question is under traditional or customary tenure, but let me hasten to indicate that in accordance with our laws, wherever the Government puts up installations, if due process is followed, that piece of land becomes Government property. The hon. Member indicated that there is encroachment on that property. That is good information that the ministry will now act upon going forward.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, have you seen my colleague there, the hon. Member of Parliament for Mongu Central seated with my sister from Chikankata? My hon. Colleague is from Mongu, but his posture is as though he is from Equatorial Guinea –

Laughter

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, is the Government going to mobilise resources before the houses are rehabilitated? Has the Government begun resource mobilisation? If so, what steps have been achieved so far in the mobilisation of resources?

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, with your indulgence, I request the hon. Member to repeat his question because he went into a preamble, which took away my attention as I was waiting for him to ask a substantive question.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Laughter 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lunte, repeat your question.

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that the houses that are dilapidated will be rehabilitated once resources have been mobilised. Has the Government begun the process of mobilising resources? If so, what steps have been achieved so far in the journey of mobilisation of resources?

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, I think that if the hon. Member had paid attention when I was giving the answer initially, he would have known that I have already addressed that question.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the houses have not been inhabited for more than ten years. The United Party for National Development (UPND) has not been in Government for ten years yet. So, were the houses neglected during the bad regime of the Patriotic Front (PF), or were they neglected during another regime?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Acting Hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, for the sake of the people out there, maybe, you can respond to the question that was asked by the hon. Member for Lunte. We know that you already answered it, but just summarise the answer. Then, you can respond to the question by the hon. Member for Mitete.

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for your guidance. To my good friend, the hon. Member for Lunte, the Government has not yet mobilised resources for this particular undertaking. That is why I said, the Government has plans to renovate the houses, but the plans will be implemented when the ministry is able to access funding from the Treasury. The hon. Member likes to concoct issues; that is why he misses some important issues here.

Madam Speaker, as to the question by the hon. Member of Parliament for Mitete, according to the answer within my possession, those houses have not undergone rehabilitation for more than ten years, meaning that the previous administrations are in the loop. Perhaps, the period extends beyond the previous Administration. You will not be surprised that that is the state of affairs –

Mr Kafwaya rose.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, you may continue. The Floor is yours.

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, you will not be surprised that that is the state of affairs around the country. In the last ten years or more, a lot of infrastructure belonging to the Government was unattended and is in a deplorable state. A number of structures were left uncompleted or un-commissioned by the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government. When the Patriotic Front (PF) Government came into power, it neglected quite a number of those structures. I am not surprised that this is the situation we have got ourselves into in relation to these houses.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kafwaya rose.

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

I think, we have rules regarding raising points of order.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

If you are aggrieved, there are rules that you are supposed to follow. Imagine that the whole House is not happy, then somebody stands here and another one stands there. That is not allowed. I think, we have rules that we follow. I respect your views. So, if you have a problem or an issue, just indicate to raise a point of order and I will see you and give you the Floor, instead of you standing up. That is not in our Standing Orders. Hon. Member for Lunte, if you have an issue, please, find another way of raising that issue so that it reaches my attention. Thank you.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that there are plans to rehabilitate those houses. When the United Party for National Development (UPND) assumed office, did it find the plans? Were the plans inherited, or did the UPND plan to rehabilitate those houses in Sioma?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: We are making this question more political. Can we please just stick to the question on the Floor. I am sure, the people of Sioma are anxiously waiting to hear the response without a political eye. I am going to allow the Acting hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development to respond to the hon. Member for Dundumwezi.

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, the information within my possession is, there are no plans related to the rehabilitation of those houses traceable to the time that the PF was in office. That is why the houses were left in such a deplorable situation. 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

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

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

Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, Standing Order No. 71. It is normal to move around to ask questions if you are whispering. Was the hon. Member of Parliament for Lunte in order to refer to the hon. Member of Parliament for Mongu Central and equate him to a man on social media tied to some very bad happenings? Was he in order to compare such an honest man to someone on social media? The hon. Member for Lunte himself complained on the Floor of the House that the Acting hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development abused him. Was the hon. Member for Lunte in order to equate such an honest, holy and humble man with what is happening on social media?

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What is the Standing Order that has been breached?

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Okay, we make progress.

Let us try to be sensitive. I do not even know the matter on social media. So, it is very difficult for me to comment. Let us try to be sensitive to issues that we know are not in good faith. I do not know the matter myself. Anyway, the point of order is not admissible because a Standing Order has not been cited.

Ms Nakaponda (Isoka): Madam Speaker, in his statement, the hon. Minister mentioned that those houses will be renovated when funds will be available. When are the funds going to be available? Kindly tell the people of Sioma so that they can know exactly when funds will be available.

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Isoka for such a good question, which gives me the opportunity to answer in the following manner. I have already indicated that renovations will be done when funds are sourced from the Treasury. As you know, the Treasury gets its funding from various revenue streams within the activities of the economy. One good consolation for the people of Sioma that the money will be available is the fact that, under the able leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, Zambia has attained debt restructuring, which has created fiscal headroom for the Government to re-direct expenditure from debt repayment to service delivery. The debt was accrued by the reckless Government of the PF. Rehabilitation of Government installations such as the ones we are talking about, and various other projects from the past which remained unattended to will now be worked on, but this will be a gradual process. The hon. Member for Isoka knows that the economy that was destroyed by the previous Administration is under recovery. Sooner rather than later, the Treasury will have funding to direct towards such kinds of important projects in the country.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, I sympathise with the hon. Minister. He is really struggling to give answers to the people of Sioma. The question is very simple. The people of Sioma are not interested in the coming soon of Jesus, they are interested in hearing when they will be assisted. Could the hon. Minister be specific on the timeframe? The people of Sioma are looking for a solution. They do not want to listen to any preaching.

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to respond to my hon. Colleague, who is sympathising with my situation. I wish to bring to her attention that the Government decides the application of state resources through Cabinet approval. When the Government has a plan to do something, it can approve the plan even before the Budget is approved. I sympathise with the hon. Member as well. She should come to terms with these kinds of processes so that in future, she may not sympathise with me.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kasandwe: Madam Speaker, I have been to Sikuka Roads Camp. The housing units being discussed here are, indeed, in a deplorable state. The hon. Minister is talking about rehabilitating them, but I think that they are beyond rehabilitation. What people need there are completely new housing units. Is it possible for the Government to dissect the idea of using a public-private partnership (PPP) to construct housing units? Does the Government have a plan to engage a private investor?

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has indicated that he has been to Sikuka Roads Camp. I want to thank him for the proposal he is advancing, of the Government thinking of public private-partnerships (PPPs) for housing development. The hon. Member has been to Sikuka Road Camp, as he has told the House. The location where those houses are situated is nowhere near any public utility. So, we may have to bring them down and begin constructing new houses. By virtue of where they are, perhaps, rehabilitating them will be cheaper than bringing them down and beginning a whole new housing complex, given that they are in a standalone kind of situation.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

CONSTRUCTION OF POLICE STATION IN KANCHIBIYA DISTRICT

110. Mr Chanda asked the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security:

1. whether the Government has any plans to construct a police station in Kanchibiya District; and
2. when the police will occupy the newly constructed police post in Chalabesa area, funded by the Constituency Development Fund.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to construct a police station in Kanchibiya District, and land has been secured in Chalabesa area for this purpose. The construction of the police station will commence when funds are made available.

Madam Speaker, the newly constructed police post in Chalabesa funded by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) will be occupied by the Zambia Police Service once the following are completed by the constituency:

1. connection of electricity and water;
2. procurement of furniture; and
3. construction of at least three staff houses at the police post.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, it is true that land has been secured in Chalabesa for the construction of the police station for Kanchibiya Constituency. As I make a plea to the hon. Minister, allow me to indicate that Kanchibiya Constituency is 8,800 km². With decentralisation, lots of resources are coming into the constituency, and the need for police presence has become very critical. We have water and a generator set at the newly constructed police station. We are looking forward to using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for 2025 to probably connect electricity. Is there a way that the ministry can help us to connect electricity to the police station? We have competing needs that have to be addressed using the CDF, such as construction of accommodation for police officers and staff in the health sector. Can the ministry supplement what we have already done using the CDF?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Madam Speaker, I will be failing in my duty if I do not appreciate and congratulate my hon. Colleague for the prudent manner in which his constituency has been utilising the CDF. Congratulations, hon. Member of Parliament. I wish other hon. Members of Parliament could emulate him. I just want to assure him that –

Interruptions

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Definitely, better than Nyimba.

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Madam Speaker, I just want to assure my hon. Colleague that Kanchibiya is one of the priority areas where we are considering constructing a police station next year. I am giving the hon. Member and the people of Kanchibiya Constituency this assurance. I have also taken note of his request. When I go back to the office, I will make the necessary consultations.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister. On behalf of the people of Kanchibiya, I take him as a man of his word. I will take his word as something we can rely on. I look forward to seeing how 2025 is going to look like.

Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, Kanchibiya and Mpika are about 110 km apart. The people of Kanchibiya are dependent on Mpika Police Station. Why can the ministry not consider giving Kanchibiya a mobile police station? I used to hear that Kamfinsa used to be a mobile police station. Why can the ministry not create something like that, for the sake of security for the people of Kanchibiya?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: Madam Speaker, I have never heard of a mobile police station. What we do is, if there is a situation of a security nature in a particular area, we dispatch mobile police officers, not a police station. The situation does not warrant us to send paramilitary officers to Kanchibiya. I have made a commitment that Kanchibiya is one of the areas where we are going to construct a police station.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Rev. Katuta rose.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is that a point of order on the hon. Minister?

Rev. Katuta: I think, he did not get my question.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC indicated dissent.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister is refuting or saying that there is no mobile police station. From what I heard, your question stated the need for a mobile police station. The hon. Minister answered correctly that there is no mobile police station.

Hon. Minister, for the sake of clarity, please, comment because the hon. Member is saying that you have not answered her question.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.:  I have, Madam Speaker. I stated that we do not provide mobile police stations, but we provide what we call mobile policing. When a situation requires the dispatching of paramilitary officers, we dispatch officers such as those in Kamfinsa to conduct operations in a particular area. However, that is not called a mobile police station. We just dispatch security officers for a specific assignment.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you so much, hon. Minister. We make progress.

_______

MOTION

MOTION OF SUPPLY

(Debate resumed)

Mr Menyani Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, due to time, I will only look at Vote 52 and Vote 89 because that is what I am interested in. I will also look at the issue of election management in our country.

Madam Speaker, I am looking at Vote 52 – Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation. The budget for this ministry is not impressive. Water resource management falls under the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods, which stipulates that a minimum of 5 per cent of a country’s budget should be allocated to water.

Madam Speaker, you will agree with me that a good number of us who come from rural areas, especially the valleys, and those living in cities, are experiencing water crises in our country. However, the Government has allocated only 1.13 per cent of next year’s Budget to the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation. This is not impressive. As a country, we should look at water as a business. We should look at water as something that will help us to produce proper food. Water is going to give us healthy animals. We are not doing ourselves a favour by failing to invest in water. In my constituency, we do not have running water. It is sad that people are drinking water from wells. We cannot drill boreholes everywhere. Thanks to World Vision and the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), we have done what we can in the area of water, but there has not been much investment in water utility companies. That is killing us.

Madam Speaker, ZESCO Limited went to the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to seek a tariff adjustment upward. I have never heard any hon. Minister seated on the right support water utility companies to adjust tariffs upwards. I am just trying to be realistic. ZESCO Limited has adjusted its tariffs. This means that water utility companies have to pay more money to ZESCO Limited, but water utility companies have not adjusted water tariffs upwards. As a result, water companies are being killed. It would be good for us as a country to have expensive water than not have any water. That is what we need as a country. We should not try to impress people when we cannot manage certain things. Let us price water properly and then provide it to every household and village. There is a quarrel in my constituency because of water. People are talking about water because our animals are struggling as there is no water. I am not going to blame the Government because it has tried to do what it can. However, investing a 1.13 per cent of the Budget in water is not encouraging. We need to up our game and start building dams.

Madam Speaker, let me connect that issue to Vote 89 – Ministry of Agriculture. The allocation to the Ministry of Agriculture is below 10 per cent that is required under the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods. What are we doing as a country? Is it that we do not know where we need to invest? Is it that we do not know how much we need to allocate to these issues? The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) knew that in order for us to stop begging for grain from Ukraine, which is at war, we need to invest in agriculture. We need to allocate proper resources to this sector, yet we have decided to allocate 6 per cent instead of 10 per cent of our Budget to the Ministry of Agriculture. We need to up our game on this. Why am I saying that we need to up our game? You will agree with me that for us to stabilise the Kwacha, we need foreign exchange. So, we need to export more food to get foreign exchange. Maize is white gold so we need to grow and export it. If we continue being stingy with investment, especially in agriculture, there is nothing we are going to do.  

Madam Speaker, these two ministries have been preaching about construction of irrigation facilities. Where are we on that matter? What have we done for the past three years in terms of irrigation? Those are the things we should be looking at. The United Party for National Development (UPND) Government has brilliant and excellent plans.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Menyani Zulu: However, the only issue is implementation. The Government needs to up its game on that.

Madam Speaker, if we invested money in irrigation, how many people would be employed? I always give a practical example of Mpongwe Farm.  €11 million was invested in Mpongwe Farm. Today, production at Mpongwe Farm is far better than production at some mines in the country. Why can we not replicate the farm in each and every province so that we increase maize production?

Madam Speaker, let me end with a very important point. It has been five years since the issue of delimitation came up, but nothing has been pronounced and nothing has happened. Under the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), the Government has allocated K365,841,373 to Elections Management in 2025 from K96,867,900 in 2024. I do not know what we anticipate because this is too much money to allocate in a year in which we do not have elections. My challenge to the Executive is, I know that democracy is expensive, but we need to invest in it in order to succeed as a country. It pains me that small districts with smaller populations and geographical areas receive three times better CDF than Nyimba, which is a big constituency. When the Executive comes to answer, I just want to understand this: why is it that a big constituency in terms of population and geographically can get K30 million, and small constituencies like Kaputa or Lupososhi also get the same amount? Even if you combined these two constituencies, they would still be small population wise and geographically, but they get bigger amounts of money. The hon. Minister of Justice and the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning are here. Why are we not conducting delimitation in constituencies like the one where one doctor there comes from (pointed at the right). His constituency is –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Nyimba, wind up your debate. Your time is up.

Mr Menyani Zulu: Madam Speaker, my plea to the Executive is, we need to work on delimitation. We should not come to Parliament next year without starting that process. Can we start the process this year so that Nyimba can also benefit like other constituencies.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr A. Banda (Chimwemwe): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Budget on behalf of the people of Chimwemwe. This is a new system of debate; I am used to the old one.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning brought the Budget this year, but very soon, we will see him come back to ask for a Supplementary Budget. The people of Chimwemwe believe that once ministries assess what they need for a coming year, there is no need for the Government to come back and ask for a Supplementary Budget. Why do we come up with a Supplementary Budget? It actually puts pressure on our revenue. The Government should be looking at expanding the Budget, not working on what has already been done. As the people of Chimwemwe, we want to know the causes of supplementary budgets. The biggest challenge is that the Ministry of Finance and National Planning delays to disburse funds. Once funds are delayed, economic dynamics kick in. We all know that inflation plays a very big part in this matter. Most ministries procure goods and services that are imported. We know that the inflation rate keeps rising. As a result, ministries are failing to procure what they need. So, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning needs to find a way of releasing funds timely.

Madam Speaker, I know that part of our Budget is mobilised using local revenue. I have been complaining about that part to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. The ministry puts too much pressure on the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA). The ZRA is after the suppliers of Mopani Copper Mines and Konkola Copper Mines (KCM). Those suppliers need the hon. Minister’s help. I have been singing about this day in day out. The ZRA is in a hurry to make money and give it to the hon. Minister so that he can fund the Budget. However, the suppliers of mining companies waited for so long without being paid. After they were paid, their money was garnished. So, they still owe the ZRA. We already have the Government guarantee scheme, but how is it going to work if we are still killing the people who are supposed to mobilise funds?

Madam Speaker, it looks like we are favouring foreigners as opposed to our own people. Here is a good example. Look at the hotels, casinos and shops owned by people from out of the country. When you go to a hotel owned by foreigners, you will be asked to pay cash when booking a room, buying a meal or even just playing Blackjack. Point of sale machines are not utilised simply because once you use a point of sale machine, the ZRA is able to pick that transaction as that money goes to a bank. If you do not have cash, they will allow you to use mobile money, but the number you will send the money to belongs to the person serving you, for example, the receptionist, whose mobile number is not related to the company. The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning and the ZRA should look at that. That is where we should mobilise funds from rather than squeezing contractors for KCM and Mopani Copper Mines.

Madam Speaker, let me look at solar equipment. The Government did well to remove excise duty on solar equipment. However, has anybody done an assessment to check the price of solar equipment on the market right now? The answer is no. I imported solar equipment from China and it was very expensive, but it was 300 per cent cheaper than it is on the local market. So, you can see that the people in the solar business are not paying the excise duty that we need to give to the Treasury so that funds can be disbursed quickly. The local solar companies are enriching themselves by selling solar equipment at a high price. It is high time the Ministry of Finance and National Planning relooked that and perhaps reintroduced excise duty. We need cash so that the ministry can disburse funds quickly.

Madam Speaker, let me look at non-tax revenue. I think, there was a question on Monday about it. We forgot to look at the traffic unit. It is unfortunate that the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security is not here. I believe that mounting of road blocks has been suspended. The hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security does not know that road blocks are still being mounted, especially in Kitwe, by a group called Riverside Police Station. Police officers in Kitwe mount road blocks as early as 0600 hours in the morning. They go to residential areas, make people park their cars, and receive huge sums of money from them. Police officers are now the owners of bus stations because they are running their own fleet of cars called Toyota Noah buses. They have flats and houses. All that money should be channelled to the Government. This is one area where there are leakages. This is where the Ministry of Finance and National Planning should look at, not squeezing contractors and suppliers to mining companies.

Madam Speaker, let me also look at the Ministry of Health. I think, that is my last issue. When the Ministry of Health recruits health workers, it tries to normalise the ratio of health workers to patients. If the ministry hires 2,000 workers in a year, how many workers are retired by the system not because they want to retire but because they have reached the limit or ceiling in the same year? These are some of the issues that we need to know. I have seen that the amount allocated to emoluments is large in all the ministries.

Madam Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Sialubalo (Sinazongwe) Madam Speaker, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to debate on behalf of the people of Sinazongwe. I will look at Vote 44 and Vote 89. Should time permit, I will also look at Vote 35.

Madam Speaker, Vote 44 – Ministry Labour and Social Security has been allocated K104,204, 458. This ministry is very important, looking at the zeal that the New Dawn Administration has to increase investment. I have seen a lot of investment in the mining sector and many other industries. However, looking at the money that has been allocated to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, I feel that it is not enough. Believe me, as a result of investments in the mining sector, many jobs will be created in the next ten years, and there will be many more economic activities. Therefore, this ministry needs a lot of resources in order to open offices in almost all constituencies. In Sinazongwe, not less than five companies mining coal have opened, but the Ministry of Labour and Social Security does not have an office there. There is no office to report labour matters to. So, workers from those mines end up reporting matters to me, the Member of Parliament, because they think I can solve labour matters. Looking at the investment going in the mining sector, it is high time we invested more resources in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security so that it can handle labour issues. This ministry needs a lot of resources. When I look at the allocation under occupational health –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Sialubalo: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was looking at Vote 44 – Ministry of Labour and Social Security. I emphasised the importance of this ministry. We are seeing investment in the mining sector under the New Dawn Administration. So, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security needs to up its game, but it can only do that if we allocate enough resources to it. I gave an example of what is obtaining in Sinazongwe. Many mines have come up there, which means that many people have also been employed. Labour Officers need to be dotted around the districts where mining activities and other investments are taking place. It is important that Labour Officers enjoy their work. They need to be given many incentives like accommodation and motorbikes to enable them to travel. The resources that have been allocated to the ministry are not enough for it to attend to issues.

Mr Speaker, let me come to Vote 89 – Ministry of Agriculture. We are experiencing a sad situation in the country because during the 2023/2024 Farming Season, we never harvested anything, so to speak, due to drought. This is a wake-up call that we need to invest a lot in this ministry. We should not treat the rainy season as the only farming period. As the President stated, every month should be a month for planting or harvesting because that is the only way we can promote food sustainability in our country.

Mr Speaker, the allocation to the Ministry of Agriculture for 2025 is K13,561,831,810. The amount has gone up compared to this year’s allocation. This year, we are talking about having enough rain in the next farming season. Believe me, in some areas like the valleys in the southern part of the Southern Province and the southern parts of the Eastern Province, we are likely to have floods. So, we need to know what the ministry is thinking in terms of preparedness. Once the rains are over, we need to utilise the areas that were flooded because they will be termed as ‘wetlands.’ We need to have enough resources to put aside for use during winter farming and farming in all our wetlands to reduce poverty levels and promote food sustainability in our country. It is very important that we have invested in the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, but we also need to invest in the Ministry of Agriculture so that each and every household can have food.

Mr Speaker, with those few words, I support the Budget.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munsanje (Mbabala): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to support the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2025, ably presented by the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Hon. Dr Musokotwane, the bearer of a wonderful message from His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema.

Mr Speaker, first of all, I want to reflect with our people in Mbabala. They have been hit by disaster through rainfall. We welcome rainfall because it has provided water for animals and human beings, but we had a disaster in Chilalantambo, where we lost seventy houses, two classrooms and a library.

Mr Speaker, let me move on to the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure. I wish to comment on the macro-economic indicators. I commend the hon. Minister for the good targets he has set. We are coming from an environment where this country was growing negatively. Our colleagues in the Patriotic Front (PF) left us with a negative gross domestic product (GDP) rate. The New Dawn Government, through the able leadership of His Excellency the President, has overseen positive growth from the time we came into power. The forecast on various macro-economic indicators is correct and should be supported based on the excellent work done by His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema and his Cabinet. They have done a good job.  

Mr Speaker, I want to debate a little on Vote 45 – Ministry of Community Development and Social Services and Vote 46 – Ministry of Health. I want to amplify one or two messages, especially on Vote 45 – Ministry of Community Development and Social Services. My message is on the allocation to the human resource and administration sub-programme. My interest here, on behalf of the people of Mbabala, is to ensure that more social workers are recruited by the ministry. Most of the issues faced by citizens in our communities can be resolved by social workers and community development officers. I support the movement of funds from administrative areas to recruitment of human resource such as social workers, as well as allocation of resources to child development. Following the enactment of the Children’s Code Act, we need to allocate more resources to ensure that the Act is fully implemented in the country for the good of our children and our communities.

Mr Speaker, under Vote 46 – Ministry of Health, I wish to simply amplify the need to bring back the allocation for medical equipment. Medical equipment plays a key role in our health facilities. So, the allocation needed to be maintained, not reduced. On recruitment of health staff, I want to advocate for an increase in the recruitment of various types of health workers, such as ophthalmologists, optometrists, public health nurses, and other professionals who are not regularly recruited. We need diversity in the recruitment of health workers so that we have many types of professionals in our communities.

Mr Speaker, I also wish to amplify the need to increase the budget for sexual reproductive health services, because this is an area that faces a big challenge such as teenage pregnancy. The rate of teenage pregnancy went up to 29 per cent and now we have to reduce it. Our friends were not putting money in the area of sexual reproductive health. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection rate started increasing and now we have to control it. Therefore, we need an increase in funding to those areas so that we contain the challenges we are facing. The Government inherited these challenges because for many years, those areas were neglected and not given funding.

Mr Speaker, my last area of interest is the recruitment of extension officers under agriculture, livestock and fisheries in our farming blocks and agricultural camps. Most of our agricultural camps do not have extension officers. We need to have extension officers in the area of livestock and fisheries. Every camp should have an extension officer so that he or she can be reachable or accessible to our farmers when they need help with their cattle, goats and other livestock. That way, we are going to increase livestock production in our country. We can grow our economy through farming. If we all become productive, we will be able to grow our economy, but if we are not going to be productive, we are going to have challenges. Production depends a lot on agriculture extension officers both in the area of livestock and fisheries.

 Mr Speaker, on the revenue side of livestock farming, I want to speak on the need to continuously look at various ways of waiving duties on medicines for cattle and other livestock. Common livestock diseases need to be managed by farmers. We need to look at the excise duty on those medicines to make it a bit more affordable for livestock farmers to treat their animals and ensure that we have quality meat for exports. It is from exports that we can make a bit more revenue.

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Munsanje: I also want to appeal to the hon. Minister of Agriculture –

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Munsanje: Mr Speaker, with those words of support, I wish to support this Vote. I also commend the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning for a good job. I also commend the Committee chaired by Hon. Chaatila and his team.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mapani (Namwala): Mr Speaker, thank you so very much for allowing me to add two or three sentences to the debate on the Floor of the House.

Mr Speaker, allow me to look at Vote 44 – Ministry of Labour and Social Security. We are all aware that the core function of the ministry is to formulate and administer regulations that relate to labour and social security. We all agree that the allocation for 2025 is not enough. However, going by the allocations that have been given to the ministry before, I can say that the Government has done wonders. Despite the amount that has been allocated, there are still many things that need to be done under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. The ministry is supposed to be in all the 116 districts, but to the contrary, it is in less than fifty-eight districts. That is a minus in the sense that Labour Inspectors are unable to perform their duties because they do not have transport. This has affected the performance of the ministry. I am aware that K104,204,458 has been allocated to the ministry, but we need more resources. An amount has also been allocated specifically for buying motor vehicles. The Committee that was assigned to look at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security recommended that the ministry should buy motorcycles rather than four motor vehicles. That will help the ministry to touch all corners of the country. If the amount allocated to buying motor vehicles is spent on motorbikes, the ministry staff will be able to go everywhere, and that is what we are looking for. We need to ensure that Labour Inspectors perform their duties and report to the relevant authorities about the happenings in our country.

Mr Speaker, it is also important to indicate that, there are many disputes that have been witnessed in the labour industry. However, labour matters are not reported or resolved within a short time because of a lack of transport. If the budget will be implemented, I will say, half of the work that needs to be done under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security will be performed.   

 Mr Speaker, allow me to look at the education sector. The education sector is the largest in the country and needs attention. I am happy that the New Dawn Government has allocated a reasonable amount to the sector, and I hope that the money will be put to good use, as it has been since we took over. From the amount allocated, certain issues are supposed to be addressed within 2025. Some of them include the recruitment of teachers, construction of schools, funding of the School Feeding Programme and supply of desks to provide free education. Children have enjoyed free education from the time the New Dawn Government came into power. The number of pupils in school in the country has also increased by two million, which is not a small number. The children who were home before free education are now able to access education. Things do not just happen, they come through planning. I thank the New Dawn Government because the things we advocated for when we were in the opposition are now being implemented. Everyone can see that, indeed, we have achieved what we used to advocate for.

Mr Speaker, I am happy that the President and the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning repeatedly spoke about the School Feeding Programme. That gives impetus to our school-going children to keep going to school because they know very well that they will have something to eat at lunch time. They may either proceed with lessons or go back home after lunch because they feel strong. This has encouraged children not to miss classes. That is the way it is supposed to be, and we have always wanted it to be that way. It is important to indicate that, this country had many children or youths who were growing without knowing the importance of going to school because parents were unable to pay for their education. Some children never saw the importance of going to school. However, when the New Dawn Government came into power, parents in all corners of the country were able to send their children to school. The President has always emphasised that anyone who keeps children who are supposed to be in class at home should be called an enemy of education, and should not have space in the country.

Mr Amutike: Hear, hear!

Mr Mapani: Mr Speaker, our children ought to go to school. We need to have an enlightened community that will be able to develop our country. We have been talking about developing our country, but without the element of education, we cannot develop. So, education ought to be placed at the core of development.

Mr Speaker, it is also important to indicate that through funds from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the Central Government, we are now able to provide proper sitting arrangements for our children. I mean, we have desks in schools. That has enabled our children to learn in an environment that we have always looked for.

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

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

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The House adjourned at 1726 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 8^th November, 2024.

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WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTION

 

PROCUREMENT OF X-RAY MACHINE FOR MICHEAL CHILUFYA SATA GENERAL HOSPITAL

 

109. Mr Kapyanga (Mpika) asked the Minister of Health:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to procure an X-ray machine for Michael Chilufya Sata General Hospital in Mpika District;

 

1. if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

 

1. what the estimated cost of procuring the machine is.

 

The Minister of Health (Mr Muchima): Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to procure an X-ray machine for Michael Chilufya Sata General Hospital in Mpika District.

 

Madam Speaker, procurement of medical equipment including digital X-ray machines is being done in a phased manner and is an ongoing process. In 2024, procurement of medical equipment and digital X-ray machines is ongoing, and Michael Chilufya Sata General Hospital is expected to be a beneficiary. A digital X-ray machine will be delivered and installed within 2025.

 

Madam Speaker, the estimated cost of the X-ray machine is K5,600,000 including procurement, delivery, installation and commissioning.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.