Tuesday, 25^th February, 2025

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM SPEAKER

ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I have received communication to the effect that in the absence of Her Honour the Vice-President who is attending to other Government Business, the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Hon. Jacob Jack Mwiimbu, SC., MP, has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House from today, Tuesday, 25^th February, 2025, until further notice.

Thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

VISITORS FROM STANDING UP FOR THE BOY-CHILD INITIATIVE ZAMBIA

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Public Gallery of visitors from Standing Up for the Boy-Child Initiative Zambia of Lusaka Province.

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

Thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

URGENT MATTER WITHOUT NOTICE RAISED BY MR CHINKULI, HON. MEMBER FOR KANYAMA, ON MR MWIIMBU, SC., HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY, AND ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE, ON THE FLOODS IN KANYAMA

Mr Chinkuli (Kanyama): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised by the hon. Member for Kanyama.

Mr Chinkuli: Thank you, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity that you have given me to raise an Urgent Matter without Notice. The matter is directed to the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House.

Madam Speaker, there is imminent death in Kanyama, where people are living in water mixed with faecal matter as a result of pit latrines that are submerged in flood water. Not only that, we do not have power in Kanyama, as power supply has been cut off as a result of the floods, making it difficult for people to drink clean water. My question is: What is the Government doing to quickly arrest the situation before deaths are recorded as a result of the floods and just to safeguard the general welfare of the people?

Madam Speaker, I seek your guidance.

Madam Speaker: If I followed the news correctly, I saw the hon. Member for Kanyama with other Government officials and hon. Ministers on television (TV), trying to sort out the same situation that he is trying to raise on the Floor of this House. What is important is that the Government is aware and something is being done.

I can assure you, hon. Member for Kanyama, that it is not only Kanyama that is facing floods; it is actually the whole country. Maybe, what we can do is ask the hon. Minister, Her Honour the Vice-President or the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House to come and brief the House on the flood situation in the whole country. I also saw a video clip of a hospital that I cannot name, but there were flood waters in that hospital, and people where sweeping the water.

Mr Kafwaya: Even our Motel.

Madam Speaker: Even our Motel and here, at Parliament Buildings, the other day, the lift was flooded. So, it is just the nurture of things. It is the rainy season. Further, in terms of planning permissions, do our people comply with the law? I do not know. When the statement is made, maybe, those are the issues that can be brought out. What is causing the flooding? Is it poor planning? Are people not complying with the law? Is it just the rainy season? We wanted the rainfall and it has come, and I think, we should thank God for it.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: So, hon. Leader of Government Business in the House, is it you? Maybe, we will find out who else. When can you come to the House? Maybe, you can indicate when.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Wednesday, next week, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: So, Wednesday, next week, there will be a Ministerial Statement. I am sure, by that time, there will be no floods. However, maybe, just for purposes of planning.

Mr Simumba: Kwalepa!

Madam Speaker: That said, hon. Members, let us not wait until we come to the House to sort out these issues, because the people whom we represent are being affected on a daily basis by the floods, the water situations and all the other issues. Let us take the initiative, together with the community, to see how we can avert these situations.

URGENT MATTER WITHOUT NOTICE RAISED BY MR CHANDA, HON. MEMBER FOR KANCHIBIYA, ON MR SIKUMBA, HON. MINISTER OF TOURISM, ON BUFFALO ATTACKS IN KAMPUMFI

Mr Chanda (Kanchibiya): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter Without Notice is raised by the hon. Member for Kanchibiya.

Mr Chanda: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I rarely raise Urgent Matters without Notice. With your discretion, I will raise this matter directed to the hon. Minister of Tourism. This matter has been deliberated on repeatedly on the Floor of this House in previous Sessions, but not in this Session.

Madam Speaker, the people of Kanchibiya Constituency, in particular, those in an area called Kampumfi in Munikashi Ward, are under the siege of buffaloes, which are attacking their fields, and this has been brought to the attention of African Parks in the area, but nothing has been done. Our fear is that we may end up losing lives, because not only are the buffaloes destroying fields, but also putting lives in imminent threat.

Madam Speaker, I seek your indulgence.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Member for Kanchibiya. Animal-human conflict is, indeed, a matter that has been raised on several occasions on the Floor of this House. I recall that the last time the matter was raised, we constituted a Committee of one in the hon. Member for Chama South, and I have since seen his report. He has made some recommendations and, I think, the report is being attended to. In the meantime, hon. Member, you can engage the hon. Minister of Tourism to see what can be done to avert the situation. That said, the issue is being attended to. I just cannot remember what the recommendation is but, once a decision is made, it will be communicated.

URGENT MATTER WITHOUT NOTICE RAISED BY MR MWAMBAZI, HON. MEMBER FOR BWANA MKUBWA, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY, AND ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE, MR MWIIMBU, SC., ON THE RECALL OF LUMEFANTRINE ORAL POWDER

Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Mwambazi: Thank you, Madam Speaker. This Bench rarely rises on Urgent Matters without Notice. My matter is directed to the hon. Minister of Health but, since I have not seen him in the House, I will direct it to the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House.

Madam Speaker, this morning, there was a very urgent recall of a drug that is manufactured by Shalina Pharmaceuticals in conjunction with the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA). The drug is called Lumefantrine Oral Powder, and is used for infants aged two months or weighing 5 kgs to treat malaria. It is used in certain areas or regions where certain medicines, such as chloroquine, do not work.

Madam Speaker, this issue affects our communities, especially the infants. So, is the hon. Minister of Health not supposed to give us the status of the medicine that has been recalled? He should also tell us what has necessitated the recall of the particular batch to ensure that lives are safeguarded, and if there are any other batches that should not be consumed by children, as it were.

Madam Speaker, I seek your guidance.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Member for Bwana Mkubwa. To my knowledge, the hon. Minister of Health has been assigned to some Government assignments. I am sure, he will be in the House tomorrow or the day after. So, since the matter that you have raised is about a drug that has been recalled, which is supposed to be administered to children or infants, we can allow the hon. Minister to come with a Ministerial Statement on Tuesday, next week. He will brief the House and, through this House, the general public on the effects of the drug and why it has been withdrawn so that the people are aware and do not give it to children because if it is given to children, it could have some adverse effects. So, the hon. Minister will come back to the House on Tuesday, next week, to deliver a Ministerial Statement.

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

REHABILITATION OF DIP TANKS IN KATOMBOLA PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

216. Dr Andeleki (Katombola) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

(a)        when the Government will rehabilitate dip tanks that were not operational in Katombola Parliamentary Constituency, as of August, 2024;

(b)        how many dip tanks were earmarked for rehabilitation in 2024; and

(c)        what the estimated cost of the project was.

The Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Mr Mubanga) (on behalf of the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Kapala)): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the United Party for National Development (UPND) Administration has remodelled the approach in the provision of community livestock infrastructure such as dip tanks, by making them community-driven, based on the needs of each community. The issue at hand and the remodelled approach of the Government were clearly addressed on the Floor of the House through a detailed Ministerial Statement that was presented on 30^th October, 2024. In keeping with the new Standing Orders of the House as provided for under Order No. 77(4) which states that:

“A question shall not be admissible if its subject matter was rendered in a Ministerial Statement during the same Session or is likely to be addressed in a Ministerial Statement already approved by the Speaker for issuance by a Minister or the Vice-President.”

Madam Speaker, it is with this expectation that the Ministerial Statement addressed all questions relating to dip tanks and that we can, therefore, put the matter in Katombola and all other parliamentary constituencies to rest.

The issues relating to parts (a), (b) and (c) of the question will be determined by the respective communities.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much. In view of what the hon. Minister has said, I wish to say that that issue is supposed to be administrative, but the question was admitted and it is now on the Floor of the House so we cannot avoid it. I am using my discretion now so that we deal with this issue. I know the hon. Minister says that it was addressed in a Ministerial Statement of 30^th October, 2024, but the question has been admitted. The problem of having questions whose subject matter was rendered in a Ministerial Statement is that sometimes, it is difficult to know which matter has been addressed. However, let us just deal with it since it is on the Order Paper.

Dr Andeleki: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for using your discretion in this matter. Is the hon. Minister aware that no Government dip tank is operational in Katombola Constituency?

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, I will check with my staff to find out if there is no dip tank in Katombola Constituency. Maybe, just to try and address some of the concerns the services, especially within our sector –

Ms Mulenga rose.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Kalulushi, why can you not whisper? You are speaking so loudly that I can hear you from here. What is the problem? If you are walking out, please, do so quietly. It is not nice that we, women should be addressing one other in this manner.

Ms Mulenga: My apologies.

Ms Mulenga left the Assembly Chamber.

Mr Mapani (Namwala): Madam Speaker, thank you very much. May I know whether going forward, all the dip tanks shall be rehabilitated using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the Central Government will have nothing to do with those projects anymore?

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, let me give some additional information. The communities that need to undertake the construction or rehabilitation of such facilities can now utilise funding from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and funds from Government donor-supported programmes. The ministry will work with the local communities to provide technical support. Veterinary services functions including budgetary allocation and other services within the ministry have been moved to the local authority.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Dr Andeleki: Madam Speaker, I withdraw my question. I will not ask the question.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that it is also advisable to use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in situations like the one in Katombola, where the Government has not constructed any dip tanks. Is the hon. Minister in a position to inform the people of Katombola and I how much it costs to construct a dip tank, so that people can plan appropriately?

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, we have technical specifications within the ministry. Any hon. Member of Parliament who would like to construct such facilities should come to the ministry and we will avail them with the information.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Malambo (Magoye): Madam Speaker, now that the budget line for dip tanks has been moved from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, could the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock ensure that dip tanks are placed at the right place? I have seen that some dip tanks have been placed in compounds, in places like Magoye. Is the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock going to ensure that dip tanks are placed at the right place, after it has done investigations to know how many animals are in a particular compound?

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, I said that the functions of veterinary services have been moved to local authorities. However, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock will give technical support to the people. The ministry will work with the people. I said that the functions of veterinary services and the personnel have been moved to local authorities. It means we still have Government staff under local authorities giving technical support to the people. If a community wants a dip tank to be constructed, the staff will be able to give advice to that community.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Madam Speaker, some of us are breathing at zero.

Madam Speaker, the devolution of very important roles to the local government has put some of our lives at stake. The hon. Minister is expecting the local government that we have right now to be in the forefront of caring for our animals. This issue must be re-looked at. Let us take Kalabo District, for example. The personnel under the veterinary services department will be supervised by the local government. Is that what the hon. Minister means, and we expect things to flow? What magic will happen today for the local government to perform very well? Is the hon. Minister not seeing any danger to the lives of the livestock in this country? I just want the hon. Minister’s comment on that.

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, this will be community-driven. I said that the functions and the personnel under veterinary services have been moved to the local authorities. We used to have, and we still have, staff called District Co-ordinators under the local authorities. Under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, we used to have livestock development, veterinary services, and marketing. However, these will now be under councils. This is why I am saying that the replacement will be community-driven.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members who are not clear should engage the hon. Minister to seek clarity and present their concerns over the issue because it looks like it is not very clear.

CREATING A COMMUNITY GAME RANCH IN MPIKA PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

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

1. whether the Government has any plans to create a community game ranch in Mpika Parliamentary Constituency; and

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

The Minister of Tourism (Mr Sikumba): Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to facilitate the creation of community game ranches in various Game Management Areas (GMA), including in Mpika Parliamentary Constituency. However, I would like to bring to the attention of the House the fact that the creation of community game ranches is demand-driven by various communities. In this regard, the Government simply facilitates the process of creating a community game ranch by interested communities as soon as they submit applications and pay the requisite statutory fees.

Madam Speaker, as alluded to in response to part (a) of the question, the creation of community game ranches is dependent on the relevant communities in Mpika Parliamentary Constituency submitting applications and paying statutory fees to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), which resides within the Ministry of Tourism.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, Mpika is home to the North Luangwa National Park. In order to foster tourism in the area, his Royal Highness Chief Nabwalya and I took it upon ourselves to find investors to invest in game ranches. As the hon. Minister stated, the establishment of game ranches is demand-driven. However, to date, the hon. Minister of Tourism has not issued the required licences to the investors. In his submission, the process to acquire the licence sounds so easy, but in practice, it is difficult. I want to understand why the application process sounds easy, but when it comes to actualisation, it takes very long for the ministry to give licences to people who want to set up game ranches.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: First of all, there are too many consultations going on and they are so loud. We will not be able to follow the questions and answers. Please, can we tone down.

The hon. Minister of Tourism may respond.

Mr Sikumba: Madam Speaker, I sympathise with my hon. Colleague, the hon. Member of Parliament for Mpika, for most applications taking long. I attribute that to some administrative challenges, which the ministry is, obviously, trying to address. However, I would like to call upon the hon. Member of Parliament to, please, take time to come and enjoy a cup of coffee, cappuccino to be specific, with me in my office.

Laughter

 Mr Sikumba: Then, we will be able to discuss the matter. We want to have as many community game ranches as we possibly can in various areas. When that is done, it will relieve the strain we have. Whenever there are traditional ceremonies, their royal highnesses always come to the ministry to request for animals. It may also help with the protein deficiency that is obtaining in particular areas. So, I would like to encourage the hon. Member of Parliament to come and see me so that we fast-track the process of application.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that particular invitation to have a cup of cappuccino. However, I would rather go back with a licence that creates jobs for people in Mpika than enjoy a cup of cappuccino. If the hon. Minister will give me the licence, I will be there as soon as yesterday.

Madam Speaker: That was a comment. So, I do not know if the hon. Minister wants to respond. The hon. Minister has invited the hon. Member for a cup of cappuccino, but he says that he would rather go back to Mpika with a licence. I thought he was going to say, “I will bring my own water, sugar and milk so that I make myself a cup of cappuccino”. That is on a lighter note. I thought, maybe, he does not trust the hon. Minister’s cappuccino.

 Laughter

Mr Sikumba: Madam Speaker, I agree with the hon. Member for Mpika that, indeed, the creation of community game ranches will not only give the people of Nabwalya the much needed protein, but also create employment opportunities, considering that community game ranches, and even private game parks, can be quite labour-intensive. If well managed, they can be a good source of employment for youths and an opportunity to create or generate wealth for the community.

Madam Speaker, for the information of the House, Nabwalya Chiefdom is one area that houses a very rich wildlife habitat in areas such as Wawata and Nyampala, if I am not mistaken. So, without saying much, we will ensure the hon. Member that, indeed, he will go back with a licence. However, what is more important is for the hon. Member of Parliament to go back with what is referred to as a site-suitability assessment, which states the kind of animals that can be kept in a specific area. We do not want to create a situation that would lead to human/wildlife conflict.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, I am tempted to pause the Business of the House and give you five minutes to just chat and do whatever you want because we cannot continue like this. There is a lot of chatting going on.

PLANS FOR CATTLE RESTOCKING IN KANCHIBIYA

218. Mr Chanda (Kanchibiya) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

1. whether the Government has any plans to conduct a cattle restocking exercise in Kanchibiya Parliamentary Constituency;

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

1. if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Mr Mubanga) (on behalf of the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Kapala)): Madam Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya may wish to note that the Government has stocked Kanchibiya Parliamentary Constituency with eleven dairy cattle and 104 goats.

Madam Speaker, the activity was actually implemented in the last quarter of 2024.

Madam Speaker, as indicated above, we have already implemented the stocking activity, and, therefore, the last part of the question fall off.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, Kanchibiya Constituency is 8,800 sq. km in size. So, the constituency is twenty-four times the size of Lusaka District. The hon. Minister has said that eleven dairy cattle and 104 goats have been restocked in an area that is 8,800 sq. km. The constituency has immense agricultural potential. In terms of Government policy, what numbers are we looking at to create some sort of impact on the ground because eleven dairy cattle can just be given to one start-up farmer?

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, the initial question was on whether the Government has done any cattle and goat restocking in Kanchibiya. I responded that we have already started the exercise and have given out eleven cattle and 104 goats. So, the process has started already and we will do more this year.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Lubozha (Chifubu): Madam Speaker, cattle restocking is a process of giving animals to farmers after their herds have been wiped out by a disaster. I want to know if the Government has taken time to assess what has been the cause of the depletion of animals to require restocking in Kanchibiya. We also need to deal with what is wiping out the animals.

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, the Government is concerned with the situation. I may not respond in a way that the hon. Member expects me to, but the restocking exercise is a programme the Government has started in various constituencies and it will continue.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Maybe, it is because of the use of the word ‘restocking’. When you are restocking, you are bringing back something. So, the hon. Member for Chifubu was wondering whether there was a problem in Kanchibiya to require a restocking exercise. Maybe, we are not clear whether there was a problem that resulted in the depletion of livestock in Kanchibiya, prompting the Government to restock.

May you clarify that point, hon. Minister.

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, in terms of livestock in Kanchibiya Constituency, I would say that there was no stock to start with. As for restocking, maybe, I can talk about Chinsali, which houses the Mbesuma Ranch in particular. That is where there are animals. As for Kanchibiya, there were no animals in the past. However, our restocking exercise also takes into consideration new areas like Kanchibiya.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chanda (Kanchibiya): Madam Speaker, our concern is the response to the effect that the question falls off. I think that is a response given by the technocrats at the ministry and I do not blame the hon. Minister for saying that. I will take issue with the technocrats at the ministry because they know well that the programme is ongoing and that Kanchibiya has not been immune to diseases in the recent past. So, to say that the question falls off because the ministry took eleven dairy cows to the constituency is a mockery. The officers better get serious with their work.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Minister, I do not know if you want to comment. The hon. Member is concerned that eleven dairy animals are not sufficient for the area because it is big. Maybe, you can clarify why the area was given eleven animals.

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, this country is big and we are taking care of all the constituencies. We started this exercise by giving the hon. Member’s constituency at least eleven dairy cows and then 104 animals later on. It is an ongoing process and we will consider doing that this year.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Kanchibiya, maybe, this is an assurance that the ministry is just starting to rollout that exercise. More will come through. Just keep knocking at the door of the hon. Minister’s office.

Hon. Member for Kasenengwa, you may proceed.

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

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has just submitted that the ministry took about eleven dairy cows to –

Interruptions

Mr Twasa: Do not look at me like that!

Madam Speaker, the ministry took eleven dairy cows to Kanchibiya., which are difficult to keep. They are exotic and not indigenous. Has the ministry provided enough training to the beneficiaries of the dairy animals and has it considered the market in Kanchibiya as well?

Madam Speaker, the delivery of eleven cows raises many questions. Maybe, the hon. Minister should come with a statement to the House so that we can ask questions. I have many questions considering that I come from a dairy industry background.  Restocking a vast area like Kanchibiya with eleven cows, to some extent, is an experiment because people in that area are not farmers.  Was enough training given to those people on how to keep those animals to avoid what happened to those who were empowered with chickens but lost them within a week? In my constituency, sorry to say, chickens were donated, but before the hon. Minister arrived in Lusaka, they were already eaten. I experienced that and I was even invited to eat some.

Laughter

Mr Twasa: Yes, it happened.

Madam Speaker, I just want to know if enough training was conducted so that the animals that were delivered do not go to waste.

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has asked whether there was capacity building in terms of training of the co-operatives. The procedure is that the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock works with the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development to form the co-operatives which are later on trained on how to keep the livestock and after that, they are given the livestock.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: On a light note, the eleven dairy animals were given to just test the waters to see if they would not be eaten before they multiplied.

Laughter

Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, since the hon. Minister has said that the restocking programme has started, especially in Kanchibiya, when does the ministry intend to complete the exercise? How many animals does the ministry intend to take to Kanchibiya?

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, when a process starts, it starts. We should be able to consider Kanchibiya in the next phase. The constituency will probably have doubled the number as we continue to restock. Mind you, we have other constituencies. So, maybe, some constituencies will have twenty-two and others ten or fifteen animals. It is an ongoing process.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Katambo (Masaiti): Madam Speaker, for dairy animals to produce more milk, they need sufficient feed. During the long period of the dry season, which is between March and November, there is low production and reproduction, especially among ruminants like the goats that the ministry empowered Kanchibiya with. Is the ministry giving any supplementary feed, especially the veld grass seed, to the farmers it is empowering with livestock so that during the dry season, they can feed their animals?

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, if one has been to Kanchibiya, I think, one sees that the area is suitable for animal rearing because it has many rivers like Kabinga area, which is near the Chambeshi River. So, the animals will survive even during the dry season.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, considering the numbers that he has provided, and I believe, all hon. Members may have similar questions, going forward. With your indulgence, is the hon. Minister able to come back with a more comprehensive statement that will capture information on literally all the other constituencies to avoid our asking so many repetitive questions?

Mr Nkandu: Question!

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

I believe that when one is restocking, there must be a plan, and the hon. Members from all the constituencies would want to know what plans the ministry has for the programme. So, I think, the suggestion is reasonable.

The hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock can come next week on Tuesday with a detailed Ministerial Statement on the planned restocking for all the constituencies that are being restocked.

Hon. Member for Magoye, you may proceed.

Mr Malambo (Magoye): Madam Speaker, one of the main ingredients in looking after dairy animals is to ensure that there are enough veterinary officers because the animals, as my hon. Colleague already said, are exotic and they need feed and proper vaccinations. As the ministry is considering giving other constituencies dairy animals, has it considered setting up veterinary clinics to ensure that the animals are taken care of?

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, in my earlier response, I mentioned that we do have our district co-ordinators who have now moved to the local authority. The veterinary services, livestock development department and marketing have also moved to the local authority. So, the hon. Member for Magoye should be assured that these services will be provided to our farmers.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

CONSTRUCTION OF MUNUNGA POLICE STATION

219. Rev. Katuta (Chienge) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

1. when the construction of Mununga Police Station in Chienge District will be completed;

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

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

The Minister of Transport and Logistics (Mr Tayali) (on behalf of the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi)): Madam Speaker, the construction of Mununga Police Station in Chienge District will be completed by the second quarter of 2025.

Madam Speaker, the cause of the delay in completing the project on time was due to the termination of the previous contract.

Madam Speaker, the timeframe for the completion of the outstanding works is five months.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, I am very happy to hear the Government’s plans regarding the completion of the police station. The hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security will bear me witness when I say that as we speak, we do not have a police station or police post in Chienge. Hence, there is a high level of security risk.  We have been talking about this issue since we came back for the Fourth Session of The Thirteenth National Assembly. The hon. Minister said that the construction would be completed in the second quarter. However, I would like him to give the exact month when the project is likely to be completed because the people of Chienge will not understand what second quarter means.

Mr Tayali: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that follow-up question. I would like to commiserate with the hon. Member for Chienge. I do concur with her about the importance of having a police station in Chienge. Yes, this is something that should have happened a while ago. However, to insinuate that the good people of Chienge would not comprehend what a second quarter is, I think, is an insult to the collective intelligence of our good people of Chienge. I think that the Government's position is that by the second quarter, Chienge must have a complete police station.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chala (Chipili): Madam Speaker, I just want to find out from the hon. Minister whether the ministry has already started the procurement process because the second quarter is just around the corner.

Mr Tayali: Madam Speaker, affirmative. The process of procurement is completed.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, the people of Mununga have been waiting for this project to be completed. I do agree with the Government that the delays were due to the cancellation of the initial contract. A contractor had been sent onsite, but the works leave much to be desired. That is the reason I asked what he meant by saying quarter. What is the hon. Minister referring to? We are now getting anxious. I want to repeat and emphasise that we do not have a police station, and that is where the crossing point into the Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo DR) is. We know the situation in Congo DR. We do not have police presence at the moment, which is why this question has come. I want the Acting hon. Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Urban Development to state the month when the police station is mostly to be completed. At the moment, there is nothing that looks like a police station which will be completed in the second quarter.

Mr Tayali: Madam Speaker, once again, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Chienge for the passionate appeal for my ministry to complete this very important exercise.

Madam Speaker, it suffices to mention that the contract sum was a mere K5.5 million and that about K1.3 million has already been disbursed. This means that some levels of work have already been achieved. Going by that position, the hon. Member may be guided that for such important projects, there could also be some proactive approach whereby, if she does not want such further delays, there is also the availability of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) which can be employed to complete stalled projects such as the Mununga Police Station.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

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

Madam Speaker: A point of order, is raised.

Mr Twasa: Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity. I think, this will also benefit the people of Kasenengwa. My point of order is pursuant to Standing Order No. 71.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to refuse to make the simple clarification asked for by the hon. Member for Chienge? The hon. Member for Chienge is the representative of the people of Chienge, and she knows her people. So, when she makes an appeal for the hon. Minister to make it easier for her people to understand what a quarter is, she is speaking for the people of Chienge. Now, that hon. Minister remains adamant in thinking that everyone understands what a quarter is. Is that hon. Minister in order to refuse to make the clarification so that my grandmother in Kasenengwa, who fails to say ‘honourable’, instead, saying ‘osorable’, can understand what a quarter is?

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Twasa: Madam Speaker, I seek your indulgence.

Madam Speaker: Thank you, ‘osorable’.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Hon. Acting Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, please, explain what the second quarter is all about so that the people of Chienge can appreciate the answer that you are providing.

Mr Tayali: Madam Speaker, I think that as lawmakers, representatives of the people, it is very important that we continue to interact with our electorates. We are an august House that an entire nation is watching even beyond our borders. There is an international community watching these live proceedings. To imagine that surely the Zambian people would not understand what a quarter is, would leave a lot to be desired.

Madam Speaker, this means that by the end of June, Mununga will have a police post.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: I am sure that now the people of Mununga know what a second quarter is. By the end of June, they should have a police post.

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Madam Speaker, the people of Mununga will have a police station by the end of June, which is great. The hon. Member said that the new contract came as a result of the cancellation of the old one. I would like to know what process the ministry followed in awarding the contract to the new contractor. Was it direct or competitive bidding? 

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

Madam Speaker: Before the hon. Minister comes in, hon. Member for Luena, what is the point of order?

Mr Anakoka: Madam Speaker, –

Mr Andeleki: I rarely.

Laughter

Mr Anakoka: Indeed, I rarely rise on points of order. However, this one is very compelling.

Madam Speaker, I had been paying attention to the question-and-answer session then the hon. Member for Lunte stood up to ask a question. I looked at him very closely and quickly went to the Standing Order on the dress code, which is 216. I must mention that I had an opportunity to look at the shoes he is wearing to go with his green outfit.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to dress in a manner that violates anything someone would call an acceptable outfit for this august House? From his shoes to the jacket – he does not even have a belt. When I walked close to him, I saw that he is not even wearing a belt.

Laughter

Mr Anakoka: He is also wearing a blouse-like shirt.

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

Laughter

Mr Andeleki: Is he not wearing a belt?

Mr Anakoka: No, there is no belt. 

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, from where I am seated, I cannot see the type of shoes the hon. Member is wearing. Also, I cannot see whether he has a belt on or not. What I can only see is that he is promoting the environment by wearing green. So, from that position, he is in order. That said, I think, it is the job of the Whips and our Sergeant-at-Arms to advise hon. Members who are not properly dressed. As for me, from here, I cannot see anything. So, I find nothing wrong with the hon. Member for Lunte.

May the hon. Minister answer the question that was asked by the hon. Member for Lunte.

Mr Tayali: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member may wish to note that I am aware that the initial contract was terminated due to non-performance. As to how the second contract was procured, I wish to state that the laid down procedure was followed. If the hon. Member so wishes, I think, the answer can come subsequently or perhaps from further questions.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

MINING LICENCES ISSUED COUNTRYWIDE IN 2022 AND 2023

220. Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa) asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development:

1. how many mining licences were issued, countrywide in 2022 and 2023;

1. of the licences at (a), how many were in the following categories:

1. small scale mining; and

1. large scale mining; and

(c)       what measures the Government has put in place to support the growth of small-scale miners who received their licenses during the period at (a).

The Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Kabuswe): Madam Speaker, thirty-two mining licences were issued in 2022, and 1,185 mining licences were issued in 2023.

Madam Speaker, the categories of licences that were issued are as follows:

1. in 2022, twenty-four small-scale mining licences were issued and 701 small-scale mining licences were issued in 2023; and

1. in 2022, eight large-scale mining licences were issued and 484 large-scale mining licences were issued in 2023.

Madam Speaker, the Government has put in place measures to support small-scale miners through the following:

Formalisation of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Operations

This has been done to promote participation of local people in the exploitation of mineral resources in their respective areas. The Government, through the ministry, is undertaking a formalisation programme aimed at formation of co-operatives and awarding of artisanal mining licences.

Facilitating Access to Capital, Equipment and Markets

The Government is providing support to artisanal miners by ensuring linkages to various partners for them to access capital to increase their productivity as well as providing basic mining equipment, ensuring access to markets for their minerals to avoid being exploited.

Provision of Extension Services

The ministry is providing extension services to artisanal and small-scale miners to provide support in various aspects of their operations, including but not limited to sensitisation on the provisions of the law, basic mining methods, occupational health and safety, environmentally sustainable mining practices and basic business and financial management skills.

Conducive Policy Legislative and Institutional Framework

The ministry is using a multi-sectoral approach by undertaking various efforts aimed at providing a conducive policy, legislative and institutional environment to support the growth of the artisanal mining sub-sector in Zambia. For instance, under the policy framework, the Government has put in place an enabling tax regime for artisanal miners, while in terms of legislation, among others, artisanal licences have been left exclusively for the local people. In terms of institutional frameworks, the Government is in the process of establishing a department under the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, which will be dedicated to dealing with artisanal miners.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has confirmed that 701 small-scale mining licences were issued in 2023 and eight were issued in 2023. One of my questions was related to what the ministry has done so far, not what will happen in future. What was done between 2022 and 2023?

Madam Speaker, when a licence is issued, the assumption is that a person is going to do actual mining. So, my first follow-up question to the hon. Minister is: Out of the twenty-four plus 701 people issued with small-scale mining licences, how many been assisted with finances to start mining? Finances are key. So, we should not just issue licences but also help our people to start mining.

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I wish the hon. Member had specified in the initial question that he wanted us to give a breakdown of how many small-scale miners have been helped so far because records are at the ministry. As a matter of fact, on 28^th February, 2025, we are launching a new cadastre system. One can just log on online to access all the information at the ministry. So, people can interact with the ministry online. If one wants information on specific mines that we have helped so far, it is available at the ministry. So, the hon. Member can come and interact with us at the office and we will give him that information.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, I am grateful for this opportunity.

Madam Speaker, in the past, we saw that one company would get as many as fifty mining licences. Ever individuals would get twenty-five licences. I want the hon. Minister to just make a comparison between what is transpiring now in terms of transparency and how mining licences were issued between 2022 and 2024.

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that question. Indeed, in the past, there were individuals who had as many as twenty-five or fifty mining licences. They were not using the licences for any particular mining, but just held onto them for speculation. However, we have since addressed the situation. We closed down the cadastre department and called everyone who was not undertaking any mining to surrender their licence to the Government.  We have set the limit at five licences per mining entity. The Minerals Regulation Commission Act stipulates that an individual must have a maximum of five licences and that there has to be justification to hold those five licences. Secondly, if one wants to go beyond the limit, there has to be proof that the five licences have been used for the intended purpose. In other words, people should not just be holding licences for speculation.

 

Madam Speaker, there are many individuals with licences that they are not using. Some people just keep on renewing licences without engaging in actual mining. So, the Government is saying that it will cancel all licences that are not being used. As I said, the new Act has set the limit at only five licences per individual. When we look at the numbers, we can see that many licences have been given to Zambian artisanal miners. The Government has emphasised that non-Zambians will not be given artisanal mining licences.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister’s response to my first follow-up question was that I should go to the ministry to get information, which is at variance with the purpose for which my question was brought to Parliament. The reason the question was brought on the Floor of the House is for business people out there to be assured that there is some support from the ministry. I hope the hon. Minister can perform his duty on the Floor, instead of inviting me to his office. However, I accept the invitation.

Madam Speaker, people out there want to know how many small-scale miners have been assisted with funds among the twenty-four who were given licences in 2022 and the 701 issued licences in 2023. Helping small-scale miners with funds will address the problem of people holding onto licences that they are not using. That is happening because people do not have money. We need to create millionaires.

Madam Speaker, let me now come to my second follow-up question. According to the statistics the hon. Minister has given, there are officers who recently joined the ministry. Why can those officers not provide the information I am seeking so that we know if at all there is money for small-scale miners?

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, with your indulgence, I urge the hon. Member to file in an urgent question so that we can provide an answer to the House even tomorrow.

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Minister, the hon. Member has already asked the question. If you do not have the information right now, you can request that you come back with the information later. Maybe, that will be the best way to deal with the matter because, as the hon. Member has rightly said, people out there want to be informed. He is not asking for his own benefit, but for the benefit of people listening and following the proceedings. So, at an appropriate time, the hon. Minister can come back with more details on what he has done in relation to the question.

Mr Lubozha (Chifubu): Madam Speaker, previously, the issuance of mining licences was characterised by a number of challenges, such as a lack of involvement of traditional leaders in giving consent to mining activities, delays in issuance of licences and people holding licences for speculation. What has the ministry done to simplify and expedite the process of issuing licenses to address challenges of the past?

 Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that important question.

Madam Speaker, I mentioned that to make it easier for people to get mining licences, on Thursday, 27^th February, 2025, which is just a few days from now, we will be launching an online cadastre portal. That will enable people to access all sorts of information from the ministry as well as apply for licences online. What we have done is to reduce human interfacing in the issuance of mining licences because it made the process susceptible to corruption. We want to limit human interaction in the application process. That is the first aspect of dealing with that problem.

Madam Speaker, as regards the involvement of chiefs, the law does not require chiefs to give consent when one is applying for an exploration licence.  However, when the exploration is done, one cannot get a mining licence without the necessary documents, which include a consent letter from a chief within a given jurisdiction. So, that matter has already been dealt with. As I mentioned, the Minerals Regulation Commission Act has addressed many of the challenges of the past. As we continue implementing the Act, many other issues will be addressed.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Sialubalo (Sinazongwe): Madam Speaker, before 2022, there was 2021 and before 2021, there was 2020. I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the efforts being made to try and help artisanal and small-scale miners. We are coming from an era where there was literally nothing for small-scale and medium-scale miners. We have seen that the hon. Minister is, at least, putting a lot of incentives in place. However, I would like to find out from him why the artisanal miners keep on losing out from the so-called buyers, who determine the price of minerals. What specific measures are being put in place to ensure that small-scale miners do not keep on losing out when selling mineral resources to buyers?

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Sinazongwe for that important question.

Madam Speaker, one of the issues that are being addressed is the formalisation of the gold trade in the mining sector. We have appointed an aggregator called Zambia Gold Company Limited. Some private companies are also going to come on board. We are going to set up marketing centres. As we are talking right now, those centres are being constructed in places such as Mumbwa and Rufunsa. They will be spread across the country. So, when we put those measures in place, it means that we will create a situation where the artisanal miners can have a buyer-of-choice. We realise that our artisanal miners have just been digging from ‘pit to pot’, a hand-to-mouth situation, and it ends there and their lives do not change. By setting up that system, we are going to cut out briefcase buyers who exploit our miners by purchasing the gold at low prices. The gold marketing centres will have gold prices that are competitive, not the ones determined by the briefcase buyers, because our artisanal miners do not have a choice.

Madam Speaker, the Government will be present in all the centres where mining activities are taking place. In terms of other minerals, we have been engaging the big mining players to create extension services for the artisanal miners. This means that the mining companies will be their off-takers, so they will offtake at the right price.   Previously, artisanal miners would be mining without knowing the proper processes of selling their minerals. There used to be a situation in which somebody could offer to buy a truckload of copper or whatever mineral from the artisanal miners. The truck of copper could even pass through the weighbridge without being calibrated properly. In the end, those buyers would steal from the artisanal miners. What we are doing now –

Madam Speaker, two days ago, I sent my Permanent Secretary (PS) to meet the big mining companies so that they can be off-takers for the artisanal miners and can come up with agreements.  artisanal miners. 

Madam Speaker, relating to the question that was asked by the hon. Member for Kamfinsa, the big mining companies will, as a matter of fact, be providing artisanal miners with mining clothing, mining safety skills, and be their off-takers and will offer them proper prices, and teach them about the business side of mining.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mabeta (Kankoyo): Madam Speaker, I think, the biggest challenge that Zambians who want to go into mining face is the exploration costs. If one starts mining without understanding the mineral content of what one wants to mine, one’s efforts will be as good as hunting blindly. To drill one hole, one needs to spend a minimum of US$200 per metre, and one needs to drill a minimum of 80 m. Those with small-scale mining licences need to drill a minimum of 7,500 holes, which cost US$150 million, and that is the amount of money that the Government would have to spend if it supported all the artisanal miners with licences. Does the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government have the capacity to spend US$150 million per year on supporting artisanal miners even if it is not even sure of the results of their explorations?

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, the fortunate part is that artisanal mining is a pick-and-shovel kind of mining. That is why it is called artisanal mining. It does not involve drilling holes to explore. The companies that undertake drilling explorations are big mining conglomerates that can afford to undertake exploration.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chala (Chipili): Madam Speaker, most of the people who have exploration licences do not go on-site to undertake exploration. So, nothing happens in those areas for five years. How does the ministry treat such explorers? If I want to get an artisanal mining licence for an area that has been dormant, how do the owners of the land hand over part of their land?  I want a brief explanation.

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, although the question is on artisanal miners, I will labour to answer it for the sake of the House and, of course, the people who are watching us.

Madam Speaker, the law provides that for one to renew one’s exploration licence, first and foremost, one has to prove that one was undertaking exploration activities. There is a law that requires one to be accountable when renewing a licence. One of the provisions is that one has to give up 50 per cent of one’s initial size of the exploration site. Further, one has to provide the programme of works of what one has been doing. If that is not done, one’s licence cannot be renewed. So, the law actually prevents cantankerous people from undertaking exploration.

Mrs Sabao (Chikankata): Madam Speaker, small-scale mines play a pivotal role in alleviating poverty in least-developed countries. How many jobs have been created after giving many licences to small-scale miners in our country?

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, small-scale and artisanal mining create jobs and wealth. Actually, of the 824,000 metric tonnes of copper that we, as a country, produced in 2024, that sub-sector produced 45,000 metric tonnes. Our target is for the sub-sector to begin to produce 100,000 metric tonnes. The consequence of that would be job creation in our mines. So, on the question of how many jobs have been created, again, I would like to be given an opportunity to break it down and look at how the mining companies are working those numbers out. I know that the jobs are many, but I do not want to give a figure that is not correct on the Floor of the House. I can give a breakdown of the impact of artisanal and small-scale miners in terms of wealth and job creation some other time.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: So, the hon. Minister will come again with further details as he clarifies the information that he was asked on earlier.

Mr Mwambazi: Madam Speaker, I cannot over-emphasise the fact that some of us, as hon. Members, come from mining towns.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the statement and the answers that he is providing, especially regarding artisanal miners, what the ministry is projecting and the things that the Government has put in place to ensure that big mines become the offtakers of the products that artisanal miners produce as they undertake their mining activities.

Madam Speaker, to ensure that small-scale miners drive a maximum benefit from whatever they put into their businesses, what provisions has the ministry put in place to ensure that those miners are protected as and when they go into arrangements with the multinational mining companies?

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, in my earlier statement, I said that we are teaching artisanal miners the business side of mining.  Also, when we talk to the big mines, we tell them to present papers to the ministry on how we can model that provision. As they build relationships with artisanal miners, they must build up junior miners until they become millionaires or billionaires as they undertake their mining activities.

So, really, it will be a supervised arrangement by the ministry. We cannot leave our artisanal miners impoverished, yet they are supplying copper and other minerals to the big conglomerates. That is why we must teach our artisanal miners the business side of things. I thank His Excellency, for signing the Minerals Commission Bill because it also touches on artisanal miners. I hope that this House will also pass the Bill on Geological Survey because it talks about the creation of a directorate for artisanal miners. There will be a director for artisanal miners and also for investments. So, that director will actually be guiding the artisanal miners on how to go about their mining activities because he will be dedicated to dealing with the mining sector. In that Bill, there is also a provision for what we call artisanal miners fund. If it is passed to become law, it will deal with issues such as what the hon. Member had talked about. We now want to be practical. We want to have a ‘bank’ for them, where the Government will be drawing resources to support their activities. That is why we have dedicated a director for artisanal and small-scale miners and that will help to cure the challenge that the hon. Member talked about.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 Mr Nkandu interjected.

Ms Nyirenda (Lundazi): Madam Speaker, Thank you. Yes, there are mines in Lundazi, Vubwi and Lumezi.  The hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts should take a keen interest in those mines. He can even ask the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development and he will confirm that we have mines in the Eastern Province.

Madam Speaker, the question I have for the hon. Minister is that: Out of the 725 mines, how many have been given to people with disabilities, women, and youths? Are we, as women, catered for in all those mines? I am interested to know so that, maybe, I can get on the ground.

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I want to assure the hon. Member for Lundazi, the hon. Minister of Youth, Sport, and Arts and the nation at large that through the mapping that we are conducting, we have discovered that even the Western Province, surprisingly, has indications of very good minerals. What a good decision President Hakainde Hichilema made to map the country. It was really unheard of that the Western Province could have minerals. So, I can assure my hon. Colleagues that the mapping that is being done will bring out very good results, and I will come to the House to give a real indication of how that is happening. Lundazi has minerals. Let me just say that the Eastern Province has minerals such as gold and lithium. So, there are indicators of minerals in many areas, which indications are as a result of the mapping being conducted. That is why we decided to carry out the mapping exercise. Please, support it. It will tell us what we are sitting on.

Rev. Katuta interjected.

Mr Kabuswe: Yes, even in Kaputa. I hope there are minerals in Kaputa so that –

Interruptions

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, in relation to the hon. Member’s question on whether women are also catered for in mining, I would say yes. We have a very vibrant group called Women in Mining led by Madam Kaingu. Please, feel free to join them. They have been very forceful. We have given them some artisanal licenses. Of course, they have had challenges in the past, as the support was not very good, but right now, they are a very vibrant team. So, we have given some artisanal licenses to them, including persons with disabilities. In fact, a month ago, some people visited my office, and among them were old people and persons with disabilities. So, these can own mines and use their licenses to partner. They do not have to physically go on the ground. So, that cadre of our people has been taken care of.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

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

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Rev. Katuta: Thank you so much, Madam Speaker, for allowing me to rise on this important point of order, pursuant to Standing Order 71, on the hon. Minister who has just finished speaking.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that there are minerals which have been discovered in the Western Province when we know very well that the Western Province is very rich, and we all know that it has always had minerals. Is he in order to mislead the nation by stating that the Western Province has not had minerals and that this is the time minerals are being discovered? We know that in the time of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), diamonds and other minerals were discovered in that area. Therefore, was the hon. Minister in order to mislead the nation and this House?

Madam Speaker: Our Standing Orders provide that the information that we present to the House must be factual and verifiable. So, now that there has been the mapping, the hon. Minister can come to this House confidently and tell us that there are minerals in different areas. What we used to hear before the mapping was done was information that could not be verified. However, now, the hon. Minister can come to the House with verifiable information. Therefore, I believe that he is in order.

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity that you have given me to ask a supplementary question. I also thank the hon. Minister for his responses.

Madam Speaker, indeed, small-scale and artisanal mining will play a very important role in achieving our target of producing 3 million metric tonnes of copper per year by 2030, as envisaged by the Government.

Madam Speaker, many times, the artisanal and small-scale miners are cheated. I am glad that in one of the hon. Minister’s responses, he talked about the weigh bridges, which in some cases are not even calibrated. Today, small-scale miners are subjected to taking their minerals to the buyers, who then put the minerals on their weighbridges. They determine the content of the minerals and, at the end of the day, determine the price to pay the small-scale miners, which is actually very sad.

Madam Speaker, as the hon. Minister is taking this path, is the Government not thinking of putting up focal points, in terms of weighbridges, regulated by the Government, where anyone who wants to buy minerals can take their volumes to be weighed? The Government can also put up laboratories across the country, which will determine the content of either mineral contained in that particular mineral. Is the Government not thinking of doing that so that the small-scale and artisanal miners can achieve the maximum benefits of their mining activities?

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, the reforms that we are putting in place, one of which is the Bill that will be presented to this House, is exactly to cure that problem. Our focus was firstly, to put legislation in place as we were dealing with the problems with the brownfield mines because it was growing in negative numbers. So, as we were simultaneously dealing with the brownfield mines, we had to put legal reforms in place. One of which is the Minerals Commission Bill, and the other is the Geological Survey Bill. So, that one is gone, it is now an Act and we will begin the implementation. The next one will now have a directorate because they will be looking at that. I want to assure the artisanal miners that the Government takes them very seriously. That is why it has directed a directorate of artisanal and small-scale miners because we believe that for an economy to grow, small businesses are very important.

You can see that of the number we are talking about, 45,000 metric tonnes came from them. That is a lot of money. With the current price of copper, 45,000 metric tonnes is worth over US$300 million. The small-scale mining industry is huge, but we want it to grow further to US$1 billion, by making it a 100,000-metric-tonne-industry. Our focus is what the hon. Member is talking about. We do not want artisanal miners to be impoverished. It is sad to see how impoverished our artisanal and small-scale miners are when we go around the country. That is why we want to create the directorate for artisanal miners and small-scale miners. The directorate will ensure that when artisanal and small-scale miners undertake their mining activities, they do not sell from pit to pot, as I said earlier, but become junior miners, senior miners and conglomerates. We want to teach them business sense. So, the hon. Member’s concern is our concern. His Excellency the President has given us marching orders. He has said that the mining sector must give us millions of jobs, and it will as the reforms are implemented.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

Hon. Member for Mbabala, you were called upon but you were not available, so you missed that opportunity. Since you were not in the House, you might ask a question that has already been asked. Please, next time when you indicate to speak, remain in your seat until your time comes.

We make progress.

PLANS TO REHABILITATE KALULUSHI SOUTHDOWNS AIRPORT

221. Mr Charles Mulenga (Kwacha) asked the Minister of Transport and Logistics: 

1. whether the Government has any plans to rehabilitate Southdowns Airport in Kalulushi District;

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

1. if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Transport and Logistics (Mr Tayali): Madam Speaker, in April 2024, the Government made a decision to transfer the operations and management of Southdowns Airport in Kalulushi to the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) because it was assessed that it is not commercially viable due to its close proximity to Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport.  A committee of survey has since been established in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act to evaluate and transfer the assets to ZAF.

Madam Speaker, as stated above, the airport has been transferred to ZAF.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Charles Mulenga: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the honest response he has given.

Madam Speaker, for any country to develop, it needs adequate infrastructure. Infrastructure is very cardinal. Apart from roads, we also need aviation, marine and rail infrastructure. Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola is distant from Kitwe, Chingola and Mufulira. Southdowns Airport in Kalulushi used to provide aviation services for residents of the towns I have mentioned. What solution does the Government have to provide aviation services immediately for the people in the towns I mentioned?

Mr Tayali: Madam Speaker, here is the deal. As far as the Government is concerned, and when you look at the operation of civil aviation, the distances between the towns on the Copperbelt are too short. A commercial flight from Ndola to Kalulushi would not take more than ten minutes, so it would be costly to operate such a flight. An aeroplane consumes quite a lot of Jet A1 fuel when taking off. Southdowns Airport has no commercial viability. However, the Government is handing over airports that might not be commercially viable to ZAF. So, those airports are not being shut down; they will continue to be operational under ZAF. We encourage ZAF to allow civilian aircrafts to land in such airports, despite the airports becoming military installations, so that those who charter aeroplanes can decide where to land. We have done this even at the airport in Mbala. There is absolutely nothing new. The transfer of the airport is a good and worthwhile cause; we want to enhance internal connectivity.

Madam Speaker, this Administration is working hard to open up the country. The hon. Member will be glad to know that yesterday, I signed two contracts for construction of a greenfield airport in Nakonde. That is unprecedented. We are trying to achieve the vision of His Excellency, and we are looking at the commercial aspect of infrastructure. What would an airport in Nakonde do for our citizens? When you send somebody to pick up your car at the border, he or she will take twelve hours to get there by road. However, it will take only an hour and twenty minutes at the most travelling by air. These are some of the intelligent decisions we are making, methodical approaches we are using, to open up Zambia and allow the wheels of the economy to start firing all cylinders.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: Thank you.

I do not know if the hon. Member for Nakonde has joined us virtually, but I know that he sought permission; that is why he is not in the House. It would have been nice to hear from him.

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, I understand that airstrips and airports are positioned to ensure the safety of aeroplanes in case of any problem. Given that background, I would like to believe that the question the hon. Member of Parliament for Kwacha asked is about the rehabilitation of Southdowns Airport. In his answer, the hon. Minister said that the decision was made to transfer the operations and management of the airport to the Zambia Air Force (ZAF), which is a Government institution. I think, it would have been ideal for the hon. Minister to inform the House whether the transfer of the airport also includes rehabilitation of the airport? Southdowns Airport is supposed to be used by anyone, even for emergencies. So, the question about rehabilitation remains. The question is not about the transfer of the airport. The hon. Minister needs to clarify whether the handover or transfer of the airport to ZAF is equivalent to rehabilitating it.

Mr Tayali: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Chilubi for that question. He has asked a fairly good question.

Madam Speaker, when you give up an asset, you also transfer control of the asset. So, we have moved control of that asset from the Ministry of Transport and Logistics to the Ministry of Defence. The idea is to not shut down the airport.

Madam Speaker, it goes without saying that the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) has very important use for that particular asset. It is, therefore, obvious that there shall be improvements to the facility. The Government will not allow any part of such a strategic installation to go to waste. That is the answer I gave to my colleague, the hon. Member of Parliament for Kwacha. So, that is a strategic asset.

Madam Speaker, when we look at how we are developing as a country in the aviation sector, for both civilian and military use, we can see that Zambia is poised to have functional institutions again. We cannot have ZAF simply relying on civilian infrastructure. The air force must have its own strategic places to be able to defend our airspace from a vantage point.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member will actually agree with me that his question has an obvious answer. Yes, the infrastructure will be kept in pristine conditions.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Munsanje (Mbabala): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the wonderful responses.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has continued to deliver unprecedented development in the transport sector, especially after signing contracts for the construction of a new airport in Nakonde and so on. Can he update the House the status of the airport in Choma, which is supposed to give us good value for money by enabling people to fly between Choma, Livingstone and Lusaka for business?

Mr Simumba: Nakonde!

Mr Munsanje: Iwe, Nakonde rice will now be coming by air.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: That is completely a new question. We have a lot of time and, therefore, I will ask the hon. Minister to answer since he also brought in the issue of Nakonde.

Mr Tayali: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for the supplementary question.

Madam Speaker, the august House will be delighted to learn that the development of airport infrastructure across all ten provinces is actually following a Presidential directive. What the hon. Member saw yesterday culminating in the signing of two contracts is a process that started a while back. I am pleased to inform the House and the rest of the country that yes, indeed, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics is trying to acquire appropriate land and that designs are already in place. We shall construct an airport in Choma because of its very strategic position, both in terms of civilian passenger movement and evacuation of agricultural produce. There are good avocado plantations coming up in the area. The growers of the avocado have international markets. So, it will help us if we can actually operate cargo planes to evacuate the produce for onward passage to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and America. So, an airport is coming up in Choma.

Madam Speaker, the Litunga has been magnanimous enough to give us land in the Western Province for the construction of an airport. The existing airport in Mongu will be handed over to ZAF. That is the strategic direction we are taking. As such, ZAF will be able to assure every citizen in our country that we have an air force that can keep us safe.

 That is some of the progress the Ministry of Transport and Logistics is making in implementing robust airport infrastructure development across the country.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Charles Mulenga: For interest’s sake, Madam Speaker, I just want to find out when exactly the ministry will transfer ownership of the airstrip in question to ZAF.

Mr Tayali: Madam Speaker, there is a process that has to be followed. We have already commenced the revocation and replacement of Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 13 of 2018, which are the Civil Aviation (Designated Provincial and Strategic Airports) Regulations, in order to remove Southdown Airport and Mbala Airport from those classified under civil aviation facilities. So, work is in progress, but in principle, that is something that has already been done.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

CONSTRUCTION OF COMMUNICATION TOWERS IN MPIKA

222. Mr Kapyanga asked the Minister of Technology and Science when construction of communication towers in the following areas in Mpika Parliamentary Constituency will commence:

1. Nabwalya Chiefdom; and

1. Mukungule Chiefdom.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, with leave of the House, I wish to withdraw the question.

Question, by leave, accordingly withdrawn.

MEASURES TO ENHANCE AVAILABILITY OF FARMING INPUTS IN LUFUBU

223. Mr Kolala (Lufubu) asked the Minister of Agriculture what measures the Government is taking to enhance the availability of farming inputs in Lufubu Parliamentary Constituency.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Mtolo): Madam Speaker, the Government has put  various measures in place to enhance availability of farming inputs in Lufubu Constituency. Firstly, there is the early procurement of inputs, which includes Electronic-Voucher (e-Voucher) services in places such as Ngabwe District. This will give enough time to suppliers to mobilise resources for the supply and delivery of inputs. Secondly, the ministry will encourage the establishment of more outlets for agro-dealers in Lufubu Parliamentary Constituency. Thirdly, the Ministry of Agriculture has commenced the updating and registration of farmers to facilitate selection of eligible farmers for the 2024/2025 Farming Season under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). Lastly, the ministry has commenced preparations for opening up of the Zambia Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (ZIAMIS) for the 2024/2025 Farming Season.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kolala: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the good response.

Madam Speaker, I just want an assurance from the hon. Minister that we going to see an increase of beneficiaries under the Farmer Input Support Programme in the 2025/2026 Farming Season.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, as we have stated in the past, the number of FISP beneficiaries is 1,024,454 farmers. However, we are improving the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF), which we would encourage people, including constituents of Lufubu Parliamentary Constituency, to apply and access loans. So, with that facility, we will increase the number of beneficiaries.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Madam Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to ask a supplementary question.

Madam Speaker, taking advantage of the question on the Floor, with your indulgence, allow me to give a slightly long prelude to my question since I would like to put it into context.

Madam Speaker, I have noticed that we, as Parliament, receive updates annually from Government institutions in form of annual reports. They can be financial or operational reports that give details of the challenges that are faced by those institutions, for instance, the Ministry of Agriculture. Alas, the reports are submitted late, thereby, giving Parliament problems in providing valuable oversight. Is the hon. Minister seeing a situation where we will be able to evaluate the performance of his ministry as far as timely distribution of farming inputs is concerned arising from what has been narrated in the report, which is of the consumption of Parliament so that we provide that oversight function? Every constituency has a challenge of this kind or the other in receiving farming inputs in good time.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Zambezi East, Mr Brian Kambita for that very important question. Indeed, most of the reports that we go through, as a country, are normally submitted after a while. However, that does not always mean that what is reported is negative. Let me give a practical example of last year. The ministry delivered inputs on time. Even if the report is submitted a few months or five years later, the fact that the Ministry of Agriculture performed well in a very long time in terms of input delivery will probably not change. I wish to take advantage of that position to indicate that we all had anxieties over the electronic voucher (e-Voucher) programme, but it was a great success with a 100 per cent delivery rate. The ministry had fears that the small agro-dealers would have issues, but there was nothing. As we stand, the performance has been exceptionally good. Other than the success story of the e-Voucher programme and delivery of inputs, I would still like to encourage hon. Members of this House to become agro-dealers in their constituencies ...

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mtolo: … so that they can deliver inputs on time. This year, we are going to use a 100 per cent e-Voucher system. Some hon. Members have become agro-dealers and they have done exceptionally well. The Government is encouraging hon. Members. One just needs a shop in that business venture. Imagine if the hon. Member for Lundazi, my dear sister, opened up an agro-shop, and delivered fertiliser and seed on time, it would be positive. The same in Chama, Zambezi, Chipata and everywhere else. It is at a profit. It is not free. It adds good income for hon. Members.

Finally, Madam Speaker, I would like to take advantage of the question by the hon. Member for Lufubu, Mr Kolala, to say that we, as hon. Members, should get involved in identifying genuine farmers. Hon. Members should take advantage of the information that the ministry has to check on their farmers so that we can only give fertiliser to the right farmers. That is very important.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that the distribution of farming inputs in Lufubu would be supported. If I got the hon. Minister right, apart from the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), there is also the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF). However, in the two years that SAFF has been piloted, it has had serious challenges. SAFF is not user-friendly, especially for peasant farmers. The programme is mostly controlled by Government officials and the banks, which makes it difficult for peasant farmers to access farming inputs. I do not know about other areas, but I am sure that the hon. Minister can agree with me on the fact that inputs under SAFF are usually delivered after the rainy season has started in my area. The farmers would have already planted the maize and applied D-Compound in those instances. Since the number of beneficiaries under FISP has been stagnant for some time at 1.4 million, and the number of possible small-scale farmers to benefit from FISP that has been captured is above 3 million, is the ministry considering FISP, not SAFF, in the creation of more space for small-scale farmers to benefit from using what has proved to be a user-friendly method, as opposed to one that is not user-friendly?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I wish the hon. Member brought that question independently because it requires a long debate.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is right and the reason is simple. Under FISP, we offer farming inputs to a known number of beneficiaries. There is no specific number of beneficiaries under SAFF. The ministry is looking at the programme to consider if it is viable to continue like that. We want to see if the ministry can change the system so that, for example, the ministry can support 20,000 farmers in irrigation, 20,000 farmers in mechanisation, and 20,000 farmers on other different portfolios so that we have a known figure. Once the ministry does that, we hope to bring the programmes to the House to be cleaned up. We need to clean up the SAFF programme so that we can become more focused on it. At the moment, it is open and it brings problems. Let me give a practical example. SAFF is managed by the banks, which have money in the programme. So, there is private sector money in the programme. It is not a 100 per cent Government programme like FISP. The Government is trying to move away from FISP because K400 million to K500 million just goes to that programme. It is not sustainable. We go for SAFF because people will be paying back. It is more sustainable. We should accept the teething problems and see if we can polish up the programme. I am not standing on the Floor to say that SAFF is in a perfect position. It has to be improved on.

Madam Speaker, I hear what the hon. Member is saying. Is it going to be the case this year that the ministry will increase the number of beneficiaries on FISP? I want to make it clear. The answer is no, because the Budget is done. As it is, the number of beneficiaries on FISP is still going to be 1,024,000 farmers. It is SAFF that has breathing room to increase the numbers.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kolala: Madam Speaker, maybe, to make it clear to the hon. Minister, implementing SAFF in Ngabwe District is not possible because we do not have a bank. That is one thing the hon. Minister should know. Secondly, many people migrate from Keembe, Mumbwa and the Southern Province into Ngabwe. Those people were on FISP where they came from. Now, we have bigger numbers in the district. Ngabwe has the potential to even feed the whole of Zambia. Does the hon. Minister not think that it is just prudent for the ministry to increase the number of FISP beneficiaries in that district?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker –

Madam Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

The hon. Minister had a challenge with the House system.

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, sorry about that technical delay.

Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was about to respond to the question raised by Hon. Kolala. In his question, he indicated that there are no banks in Ngabwe District. As a result, accessing the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF) has become a challenge. He also indicated that many farmers are migrating from other areas to Ngabwe District, and therefore, there is a need to increase the number of beneficiaries of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) in the district.

Mr Speaker, I remember indicating to another hon. Member of Parliament that one of our responsibilities, as Members of Parliament, is to take development to our areas, and development includes banking services.

Madam Speaker, I think it is important that the hon. Member speaks –

Mr B. Mpundu: It is Mr Speaker.

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, I am sorry. I thank Hon. Binwell Mpundu for the correction.

Mr Speaker, I was indicating that it is our responsibility, as hon. Members of Parliament, to take development to our areas. I will be very happy to work with the hon. Member to see if we can take a bank to Ngabwe, not necessarily a bank that can have offices there, but a bank that can even use technology to operate in that area. This is because, without a bank, it will be difficult for us to take many things to to Ngabwe. So, I am happy that he has brought this issue up. There can be a mobile bank arrangement. There can be some banks that are very tech-savvy and operate in Ngabwe without having physical offices there.

Mr Speaker, regarding the other issue of people migrating, yes, if there is a void in the number of farmers, it will be filled by people who know how to cultivate. All I can say is that I have heard that because of the influx of farmers, the current figure on FISP is insufficient, and his appeal is that we look at it. I have heard, and I am not promising to increase the number, but I will take it to the technocrats so that we can look at it.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Rev. Katuta (Chienge): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister talked about the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) being expensive. So, the introduction of the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF) is a way of trying to phase out FISP.

Mr Speaker, I want to know what measures the ministry has put in place to help farmers in rural areas like Chienge to access farming inputs. This is because at the moment, it is very difficult for them to access SAFF. They applied and I think, some of them have even forgotten about it. So, I would like to find out how the Government will ensure that as it phases out FISP, it also makes it possible for people in rural areas like Ngabwe to access SAFF.

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member, Mrs Given Katuta for the question. Let me make it very clear. I did not say that we are phasing out FISP. The FISP which we know will run side by side with SAFF. I think, this has been an issue for a very long time. I repeat: we are not phasing out FISP. What I have consistently said is that we are not going to grow the numbers. We will leave it at 1,024,434 farmers. We can have figures changing by locality, for example, two or three farmers can be added to the beneficiaries for Ngabwe, but it will be within the 1,024,434. So, we are not phasing out FISP. I need to be very clear on this issue. We are not phasing out FISP. Rather, it will run side by side with new support programmes, in this case, SAFF. However, let us not mistake SAFF to be only for fertiliser and seed. It has mechanisation and irrigation, and it will have aquaculture and livestock. These are not time-bound or time-based. People can apply for irrigation equipment, tractors or aquaculture now. So, it will not be based on the rainfall pattern. That is what we, as the ministry, are trying to beat. We want farmers to have control over water and not rely on rainfall only for their cultivation.

Mr Speaker, I urge the hon. Member to encourage her constituents to apply for mechanisation and irrigation with the banks, especially right now when the banks such as the Zambia National Commercial Bank (Zanaco) and the Indo Zambia bank (IZB) are receiving the applications. Yesterday, the manager from Access Bank told me that his bank is also coming on board. So, farmers can apply for these facilities at Access Bank, IZB and Zanaco. For now, they should not apply with the National Savings and Credit Bank (NATSAVE) because we overran them with applications as they were the first ones involved.  I hope, I have made it clear.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chala (Chipili): Thank you, Madam Speaker – Mr Speaker, sorry to call you Madam. To me, you are looking like Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Ah!

Laughter

Mr Chala: He is my cousin. I am just joking.

Mr Speaker, is the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF) a Government programme, or is it for commercial banks? In his earlier statement, the hon. Minister stated that the money used is not the Government’s money but for the commercial banks. I want him to state whether the Government has not given money to the commercial banks.          

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, I wish to thank the hon. Member for that question because it is of absolute importance.

Mr Speaker, as we know, the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) is funded 100 per cent by the Government; there is no private sector support. The Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF) is different because there is some money from the private sector in it, and that is why banks are involved. There is a percentage of SAFF funded by the Government and another percentage funded by banks. That is why it is important that people pay back the money to the banks. It is important that people pay back the money they get from SAFF. It is an affordable loan with low interest rates, so the people who get it have to pay it back. So, SAFF is not funded by the Government alone; there is a percentage of private sector money involved. That is why the recipients of SAFF loans have to pay back the money. The only ones who were excused from paying were the people in areas that were devastated by drought. People everywhere else, like the hon. Member’s constituency, (pointed at Hon. Chala), have to pay back the loans.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

CONSTRUCTION OF KABINGA HEALTH CENTRE

224. Mr Chanda (Kanchibiya) asked the Minister of Health:

1. when construction of Kabinga Health Centre in Kabinga Chiefdom in Kanchibiya Parliamentary Constituency will commence;

1. how many staff houses are earmarked for construction at the facility; and

1. whether a mortuary unit and solar power facilities will form part of the project.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Ms Tambatamba) (on behalf of the Minister of Health (Mr Muchima)): Mr Speaker, the Government has included the construction of Kabinga Health Centre in Kabinga Chiefdom in the 2025 Ministry of Health Infrastructure Operational Plan. Additional staff houses will be considered in the 2026 Ministry of Health Infrastructure Plan subject to availability of funds. The design for a health centre does not accommodate mortuary facilities, therefore, will not form part of the project. However, solar power will form part of the project in line with the presidential directive.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chanda: Mr Speaker, with your indulgence, allow me to firstly pay homage and welcome the new Minister for Muchinga Province, Hon. Simutowe. I look forward to working closely with him, and he has the support of the people of Kanchibiya.

Mr Speaker, I am grateful for the assurance from the Government that Kabinga Health Centre will be constructed in 2025. It is the only chiefdom out of the four in Kanchibiya Constituency without the facility we are asking for. At the time I filed in my question, a mini-hospital was defined as a health centre. So, it was with that understanding that I brought the question. I look forward to what the ministry is going to bring. I wish to get a guarantee that the health centre will be constructed in 2025.

Ms Tambatamba: Mr Speaker, indeed, I realise that part of the question has appeared on the Floor of the House before, which is the issue of reclassification of health facilities. Reclassification led to the move away from mini-hospitals to health centres. The facilities that were called mini-hospitals are now called health centres. So, reclassification has taken place. That is why we have health centres, not mini-hospitals.

Mr Speaker, as to the question on when the health centre will be constructed, it will be constructed in 2025. The Ministry of Health has provided for the project in its operational plan that is in place. I believe the Government is continuously seeking resources for building infrastructure that has been planned for. So, the Government is in the process of making resources available for this piece of infrastructure, like it is doing for infrastructure in other constituencies.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, I will ask a -supplementary question in the context of Chama South. We have a health centre in Mabinga or Chief Tembwe’s area. Unfortunately, it lacks water. The health centre is almost complete, but there is no water and mortuary facility. Is the ministry going to provide those facilities not only at Tembwe Health Centre, but also in Kanchibiya Constituency? The people there have requested for this important facility.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I think, you can engage the hon. Minister for that. She may not have an answer because it is a different question. You should engage her later. You can go to her office tomorrow and engage her.

Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the ministry has an infrastructure plan for health institutions. Is the hon. Minister able to share it? How long will it take to implement the infrastructure plan? Our colleagues are only remaining with very few months before the Zambian people kick them out of the Government.

Mr Nkandu: Question!

Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, when does the hon. Minister intend to distribute the infrastructure plan?

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: That is a different question, like the one from the hon. Member for Chama South. If you need more clarity, hon. Member, engage the hon. Minister.

Mr Chanda: Mr Speaker, for the purpose of clarity, does reclassification entail reclassifying the size of the facility? I want to know because in my mind, I have been imagining that we would get what looks like a mini-hospital, but it will be called a health centre. Can the hon. Minister clarify whether reclassification is going to affect the size of the facility.

Ms Tambatamba: Mr Speaker, I will provide a description so that the rest of the hon. Members and the nation can benefit from the good question by the hon. Member for Kanchibiya.

Mr Speaker, the reclassification of health facilities, which harmonised the classification of public and private facilities, conducted by the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) was premised on a need to ensure that facilities at the same level of care offer the same level of services, regardless of the location of the facility. This led to specialised services being offered at lower levels of care, which were previously only provided at second and third levels of health services. As a result, there was a need to align the classifications of the Ministry of Health’s facilities, especially at the primary health care level.

Madam Speaker, on the details of the designs, I would request the hon. Member to come to the office so that he is clear about what is coming up.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Fube: Mr Speaker, thank you ˗

Interruptions

Mr Fube: Mr Speaker, people are talking about knocking off.

Mr Speaker, in December 2023, the hon. Minister of Health then said that a health centre is equivalent to a mini-hospital. Today, we are talking about the health centre in Kabinga. I know that those who do not know how close my constituency is to the Kabinga Chiefdom would say that I am just trying to ask a question about a facility that only concerns Hon. Chanda. However, Kabinga extends into Chilubi and many people from my constituency drown in Kabinga.

Mr Speaker, an issue that was mentioned in part (c) of the question is a mortuary. It is important to note that the Chambeshi River, which passes through Kabinga Chiefdom, also passes through my constituency. So, I share some commonalities with the hon. Member for Kanchibiya. The health centre in question needs to be equipped with a mortuary and other facilities so that the issue of inadequate health services in the area is properly dealt with.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Maybe, the hon. Minister can comment on that.

Ms Tambatamba: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member’s comment is noted, but I would like to give a little bit more information on what is pertaining across the constituency so that we have a bigger picture, instead of debating the issue in silos.

Mr Speaker, Kanchibiya Constituency has an array of health facilities. Our caring Government understands very well that the good people of Kabinga in Kanchibiya have access to other facilities while the facility in question is being constructed.

Mr Speaker, Kanchibiya is a new district located in Muchinga Province of Zambia. Due to decentralisation, most of the administrative functions in the district have been devolved. The district is rural and it has a diverse population engaged in various sectors, particularly agriculture.

Mr Speaker, according to the 2025 Infrastructure Plan, a maternity annex and an in-patient department will be provided in Kanchibiya. So, those are some of the things that have been planned for the area. In this regard, the hon. Member for Kanchibiya can appreciate that the Government is working together the people of his constituency.

Mr Speaker, Muchinga Province has eight districts. Three districts, namely Kanchibiya, Lavushimanda and Shiwang’andu do not have first-level health care facilities. However, the districts are earmarked to have first-level hospitals, although not in 2025. The completion of important projects in Muchinga Province has been prioritised. Some of the projects are the Michael Chilufya Sata General Hospital, Mafinga District Hospital, Thendele District Hospital and Muyombe District Hospital. These projects have been prioritised over and above all else. However, the people of Kanchibiya need to understand that beyond those projects, the Government is also pursuing the completion of other facilities that they will benefit from. For instance, four mini-hospitals, which have been reclassified as rural health centres, and seven health posts are being constructed. In total, sixteen health facilities are being constructed in the area. The total budget is broken down as follows:

 

Facility                                                Allocated funds

 

heath centre                                              K950,000

 

maternity                                                  K500,000

 

in-patient service block                          K500,000

 

Total                                                      K1,950,000

 

Mr Speaker, I thought I should provide that information so that the House understands that we are working with the people in Kanchibiya.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

_______

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

_______

The House adjourned at 1727 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 26^th February, 2025.

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