Tuesday, 10^th June, 2025

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM SPEAKER

VISITORS FROM THE PARLIAMENTS OF BOTSWANA AND MALAWI

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of Hon. Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang from the Parliament of Botswana and Hon. Dr Mathews Ngwale from the Parliament of Malawi. 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: The guests are in Zambia to hold bilateral talks with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Chairperson, Hon. Dr Christopher Kalila.

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

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM ST JOSEPH SECONDARY SCHOOL

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of pupils and teachers from St Joseph Secondary School in Monze District.

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

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM LITTLE TRAILS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of pupils and teachers from Little Trails Elementary School in Lusaka District.

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

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

MIGRATION OF PARLIAMENT RADIO TO A NEW SATELLITE PROVIDER

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, as you may recall, before the House adjourned in March 2025, I informed the House that the Parliament Radio would be migrating to a new satellite provider. I, therefore, wish to inform you that the migration process has not been completed due to logistical challenges. As such, the Parliament Radio remote sites are still off-air, with the exception of 92.5 FM, which can be accessed in Lusaka, parts of Chirundu, Mazabuka, Monze, Choma and Kabwe. In this regard, members of the public are encouraged to access Parliament Radio via the National Assembly of Zambia website, www.parliament.gov.zm, My Electronic Parliament (e-Parliament) Application and other free online platforms such as OnlineRadioBox.com and Radio Garden. In addition, members of the public can also follow the proceedings on Parliament Television on DSTV channel 272, GOTV channel 28, TopStar channel 5 and the National Assembly official Facebook page.

The Parliament Radio remote sites will be back on air as soon as the migration process to the new satellite is completed. The inconvenience the process has caused to Parliament Radio listeners, especially in our remote sites, is deeply regretted.

I thank you.

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE SPEAKER

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I welcome you all to the Third Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly. I wish to address the House in line with Order No. 56(1) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, which allows me to deliver a speech on the expectations of the business to be transacted during the course of this Meeting.

Hon. Members will recall that the House adjourned sine die on Friday, 28^th March, 2025. I trust that during the recess period, you took time to interact with your constituents and inspected various developmental projects in your respective constituencies.  I, therefore, anticipate that in the quest to find solutions to the problems our people are facing throughout the country, the concerns raised by your constituents will be brought to the attention of the Government through the various platforms available to you.

Hon. Members, I am deeply saddened that the cold hand of death has yet again robbed our nation of another great son of the soil, the Former President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who served as the Sixth President of the Republic of Zambia. It is even more saddening that his demise leaves our country without any surviving Former President out of the six former Presidents who dedicated their lives to the service of this great nation. I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to his family and the whole nation at large. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Further, as the House is already aware, during the recess period, we lost the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia, Mr Roy Ngulube, who died on Monday, 7^th April, 2025, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, after a short illness. The late Mr Ngulube was put to rest on Monday, 14^th April, 2025, at Leopards Hill Memorial Park in Lusaka. We shall forever be grateful to him for the services he rendered to the National Assembly of Zambia and to the country at large.

Hon. Members, may I, at this time, propose that we all stand and observe a minute of silence in memory of our late Former President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and the Late Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia, Mr Roy Ngulube.

Hon. Members of Parliament stood in silence for one minute.

Madam Speaker: May their souls rest in eternal peace.

You may take your seats. 

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE SPEAKER

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, in this meeting, the House is expected to sit for about eight weeks, from today, 10^th June, 2025, and is scheduled to adjourn on or before, Friday 1^st August, 2025. As Hon. Members are aware, this meeting is dedicated primarily to the consideration of Committee Reports. In this regard, the House is expected to consider about thirty-three reports of various committees. In addition, the House is expected to consider reports on the ratification of international agreements, international conferences, and any Presidential appointments. Hon. Members, apart from the consideration of the Committee Reports, the House will also consider the following Bills that were presented during the Second Meeting:

1. The Closed-Circuit Television Public Protection Bill, No. 1 of 2025;

1. The National Road Fund (Amendment) Bill, No.2 of 2025;

1. The Building Societies (Amendment) Bill, No. 3 of 2025;

1. The Animal Health (Amendment) Bill, 4 of 2025;

1.  The Border Management and Trade Facilitation Bill, No. 5 of 2025; and

1. The Non-Governmental Organisations Bill, No.6 of 2025.

Hon. Members, besides the above-mentioned Bills, the hon. Minister of Justice is expected to present the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill on 24^th June, 2025, in line with the roadmap ...

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: ...  he outlined on 26^th March, 2025. Sufficient time will be accorded to stakeholders and to you, hon.  Members, to interact with the Select Committee that will be constituted to scrutinise the Bill. The Executive will also be expected to present other Bills for consideration by the House.  The other business that is expected to be transacted during the course of the meeting include Ministerial Statements, Questions for Oral and Written Answers, and Private Member’s Motions.

Hon. Members, during the recess, the National Assembly of Zambia commemorated for the first time, the Parliament Day on Friday 23^rd May, 2025, under the theme, “Taking Parliament Closer to the People, Strengthening Democratic Governance through Public Engagement.” As Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, I had the privilege of officiating at this very important event, which was preceded by a road show and a match past led by the Zambia Army Brass Band. The cerebrations were attended by some hon Members of Parliament, members of the diplomatic call, senior division and Government officials, and co-operating partners. The day was also commemorated in the ten provincial centres of our country. It was a momentous day.

Hon. Members, may I also remind you that I am scheduled to commission the construction of the following Parliamentary offices:

1. Solwezi West;

1. Lundazi;

1. Kanchibiya; and

1. Isoka.

I therefore, urge the hon.  Members from the above-mentioned constituencies, as well as those that are yet to be allocated funds for the construction of constituency offices through the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to hasten the process so that the construction of those offices is commenced as soon as possible. Let me end by wishing you all fruitful deliberations throughout this important meeting of the House.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Does Her Honour the Vice-President wish to comment on the communication I have just rendered?

The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Madam Speaker, allow me to join you, in welcoming all hon. Members to the third meeting of the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly.

Madam Speaker, as Leader of Government Business in the House, I wish to join you in expressing my deep sorrow and regret at the passing on of Zambia’s Sixth President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

The former President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, had an illustrious career in the Public Service, which included his service to the nation as Member of Parliament for Chawama Constituency, Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice-President, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Defence, before his election as the Sixth President of the Republic of Zambia, in 2015.

Hon. Members, I wish to urge of us and the nation at large, to honour the former President by morning him with dignity and decorum that his stature, as a Statesman, demands. I wish to also convey my condolences to the former First Lady, the entire family, the Patriotic Front (PF) party and the nation as a whole. May his soul rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, I further wish to join you in expressing our deepest condolences on the passing of the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Roy Ngulube. The Government will forever be grateful for the services he rendered to the country. May his soul rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, as you rightly stated, this Meeting is mainly focused on the consideration of Committee Reports, generated through the hard work of parliamentary Committees. Let me take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to various parliamentary Committees for producing the Committee Reports. I am confident that the Committees came up with practical recommendations for the Executive to act upon for the development of our country.

Madam Speaker, one very important item of business to be considered in this Meeting, as you have mentioned, is the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Following the publication of the Bill, I wish to take this opportunity to urge all hon. Members and, indeed, the general public to read the Bill thoroughly so that they familiarise themselves with its contents. This will enable hon. Members to engage and sensitise their constituents on the contents of the Bill and the benefits that this amendment of the Constitution will bring to the nation. This will also prepare hon. Members to render informed debate on the ramifications of the Bill when it is presented on the Floor of the House.

Madam Speaker, I wish to agree with you that the Government will use the opportunity of the sitting of the House during this Meeting to inform the House and the public and clarify various Government policies and topical matters of national interest through Ministerial Statements, when necessary. Further, the Executive will respond to various questions from hon. Members. All in all, the Executive is ready to proceed with the business for this Meeting and looks forward to fruitful deliberations.

May God give us wisdom and guidance throughout this Meeting.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: Does the hon. Leader of the Opposition also wish to make a comment on the communication from the Speaker?

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr B. Mpundu: Question!

Mr Chabinga (Mafinga): Yes, Madam Speaker.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chabinga: Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to render a few remarks on your speech to the House on the occasion of the First Sitting of the Third Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly.

Some PF hon. Members walked out of the Assembly Chamber.

Interruptions

Mr Chabinga: Madam Speaker, I also wish to join you and Her Honour the Vice-President and Leader of Government Business in the House in welcoming all hon. Members to this Meeting.

Madam Speaker, allow me to join you in expressing our extreme sorrow at the demise of our leader, the Former President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu. For us in the Opposition, he is a luminary whose legacy we cannot ignore or forget. We shall remember Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu as a man who served the people of Zambia with humility, kindness –

Mr Twasa walked to where Mr Chilundika sits.

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Kasenengwa!

Please, go back and exit through the other door.

Mr Twasa sat where Mr Chilundika was sitting.

Madam Speaker: You are disrupting the proceedings.

May the hon. Leader of the Opposition proceed.

Mr Chabinga: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, we shall remember Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu as a man who served the people of Zambia with humility, kindness and resourcefulness. His death leaves a huge gap at a time when we needed his wise counsel. We, therefore, offer our deepest condolences to the former First Family, his larger family, the Patriotic Front (PF) members, and the people of Zambia who dearly loved him. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Madam Speaker, allow me to join you and Her Honour the Vice-President in expressing our profound sorrow at the passing of the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Roy Ngulube. As the Opposition, we wish to place on record our gratitude for the services the late Mr Ngulube rendered to this House and the nation at large. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Madam Speaker, I wish to state that the recess gave us an opportunity to inspect various developmental projects that are being facilitated by various Government programmes, especially the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which has led to unprecedented development in all parts of the country, including those areas where those hon. Colleagues of mine who have walked out come from.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chabinga: Madam Speaker, despite the developmental projects in our constituencies, our people throughout the country continue to face numerous challenges, which they shared with hon. Members during the recess. It is for this reason that I am delighted to note that Her Honour the Vice-President has highlighted the Government’s commitment to attending to the issues that will be presented on the Floor of the House through various platforms.

Madam Speaker, the constitution-making process is a very important activity, which requires cool, calm, collected and sober minds.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chabinga: Madam Speaker, allow me to re-emphasise this point: the Constitution-making process is a very important activity, which requires cool, calm, collected and sober minds. In this regard, we, on your left, shall remain cool, calm, collected and sober …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chabinga: … throughout the process. We shall not stand in the way of progress.

Mr B. Mpundu: Question!

Mr Chabinga: Hon. Members on your left are committed to offering effective and progressive checks and balances during this process and throughout this Meeting. That is what our people expect, and that is the reason they sent us to this House, …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chabinga: … to come and argue seriously, and to be cool, calm and collected, as opposed to opposing for the sake of opposing. Where need be, we shall oppose. The idea is to bring the attention of the Government to its shortcomings in the governance process.

Therefore, Madam Speaker, as we commence this Meeting, we will remain focused on representing our people. We are cognizant of the fact that we may hold divergent views at times and believe that our views are in the best interest of our people. We look forward to a very productive Meeting.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

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BUSINESS STATEMENT

The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the House Business Committee met on 9^th June, 2025, to determine and schedule the Business of the House for the period 10^th to 20^th June, 2025.

Madam Speaker, the House Business Committee resolved to lay before the House, the following Business for consideration in the next two weeks:

Announcements

The hon. Madam Speaker may make announcements, if there will be any.

Rulings

The hon. Madam Speaker will render Rulings, if there will be any.

Ministerial Statements

The hon. Ministers will render Ministerial Statements on topical issues, if there will be any.

Bills

The Closed-Circuit Television Public Protection Bill, No. 1 of 2025 will be considered. This will be at Second Reading stage and the date for consideration is 20^th June, 2025.

Reports on International Conferences

Reports on international conferences will be considered, if there will be any.

Committee Reports

The following Committee reports will be considered:

1. Report of the Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters on the Ratification of the Agreement on the Operationalisation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Development Fund (RDF) will be presented on 12^th June, 2025;

1. Report of the Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters on the Review of Zambia’s Mining Licensing Framework will be presented on 13^th June, 2025;

1. Report of the Committee on Agriculture, Land and Natural Resources on the Agreement on Fisheries and Subsidies under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will be presented on 17^th June, 2025;

1. Report of the Committee on National Guidance and Gender Matters on the Operationalisation of the Department of National Guidance and Religious Affairs will be presented on 17^th June, 2025;

1. Report of the Committee on Government Assurances will be presented on 18^th June, 2025;

1. Report of the Committee on Energy, Water Development and Tourism on Private Sector Participation in the Energy Sector will be presented on 19^th June, 2025; and

1. Report of the Committee on Transport, Works and Supply on the Consideration of the Special Audit Report on the Road Development Agency (RDA) for the Financial Years ended between 31^st December, 2017, and 31^st December, 2022, will be presented on 20^th June, 2025.

Questions

Hon. Ministers will respond to fifty-four Questions for Oral Answer and Questions for Written Answer. The questions are contained in Appendix I of this statement, which will be circulated to all hon. Members. Further, details of the questions are contained in the Notices of Questions dated 13^th September, 2024, and 5^th March, 2025, which have already been circulated to hon. Members.

Questions on Standby

The questions on standby to replace questions that may not be placed on the Order Paper on the designated day due to unforeseen circumstances are contained in Appendix II, which will be circulated to all hon. Members.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House Business Committee, and in accordance with Order No. 44 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, I have the pleasure to present the business for the next two weeks to this august House.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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URGENT MATTER WITHOUT NOTICE

ENG. MABENGA, HON. MEMBER FOR MULOBEZI, ON PEOPLE BEING EVICTED FROM TRADITIONAL LAND IN MULOBEZI

Eng. Mabenga (Mulobezi): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Eng. Mabenga: Madam Speaker, a timber trader in Mulobezi Constituency has started evicting almost 10,000 villagers from traditional land. He claims to have obtained a title deed, but he did not get permission from the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE).

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Mulobezi, that matter does not qualify to be raised as an Urgent Matter without Notice. Please, explore other ways to bring that matter to the attention of the Executive.

I see no other indications. So, we make progress.

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

UPDATE ON THE CROP YIELD FOR THE 2024/2025 AGRICULTURAL SEASON AND THE FOOD BALANCE STATUS FOR THE 2025/2026 MARKETING SEASON

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Mtolo): Madam Speaker, allow me to start by joining you and Her Honour the Vice-President in conveying condolences to the family, friends and citizens of Zambia on the death of our beloved Sixth President, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu. I also join my hon. Colleagues and your office in conveying condolences on the loss of our beloved former Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia, Mr Roy Ngulube.

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to brief the House on the country’s estimated crop production for the 2024/2025 Agricultural Season as well as the national food balance after the current crop marketing season. Crop production estimates generated by the ministry, in collaboration with the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats), are based on a universally applied scientific survey method that is used every year  

Madam Speaker, as you may be aware, the 2023/2024 Agricultural Season was severely impacted by a prolonged dry spell resulting in significant reduction in maize production from 3.3 million metric tonnes in the 2022/2023 Agricultural Season to 1.5 million metric tonnes in the 2023/2024 Agricultural Season. That shortfall threatened national food security, which prompted the Government to import 195,000 metric tonnes of maize from Tanzania.

Madam Speaker, the 2024/2025 Agricultural Season experienced good rainfall, resulting in a crop forecasting survey projecting increased yields and production of several crops, such as maize, sorghum, rice, millet, groundnuts, soya beans, sweet potatoes, wheat and cassava. Conversely, crops such as cowpeas, mixed beans, Bambara nuts, wheat and Irish potatoes are forecasted to decline in production due to various factors, which I will highlight.

Madam Speaker, maize grain production is projected to increase to 3.7 million metric tonnes from 1.5 million metric tonnes recorded in the last agricultural season, representing a 142 per cent increase. The national average yield for maize is expected to increase to 1.68 metric tonnes per hectare, compared to the previous agricultural season yield of 0.68 metric tonnes per hectare, representing an increase of 142.02 per cent. The expected output for the current agricultural season is projected to be the highest figure ever recorded, surpassing the 3.6 million metric tonnes produced in the 2020/2021 Agricultural Season. The increase is mainly attributed to:

1. favourable rainfall in most areas;

1. favourable Government policies and programmes;

1. timely distribution of agricultural inputs;

1. provision of extension services; and

1. access to credit through the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF) as well as other support services.

Madam Speaker, production of sorghum is expected to increase to 13,800 metric tonnes in the current agricultural season from 2,900 metric tonnes recorded in the previous agricultural season, representing an increase of 381.51 per cent. The increase in sorghum production is attributed to the increase in the area planted of 54,891.18 ha from 42,374.53 ha in the previous agricultural season, representing an increase of 29.55 per cent.

Madam Speaker, the projections for millet production have risen by 56.81 per cent to 24,132.88 metric tonnes from last season’s 15,390 metric tonnes, driven by an increase in the cultivated area from 41,712 ha to 63,954.96 ha.

Similarly, the production of rice this season is expected to increase to 39,457.11 metric tonnes from 24,566 metric tonnes in the previous season, representing an increase of 60.62 per cent. This is as a result of an expected yield increase of 269.07 per cent, from 0.28 metric tonnes per hectare in the previous season, to 1.04 metric tonnes per hectare in the current season.

Madam Speaker, in the 2024/2025 Agricultural Season, groundnut production is forecast to increase to 101,884.01 metric tonnes from 87,655 metric tonnes recorded in the previous season, representing an increase of 16.23 per cent. The yield for groundnuts is expected to increase to 0.60 metric tonnes per hectare this season from 0.25 metric tonnes per hectare in the previous season, representing an increase of 140.59 per cent.

Madam Speaker, soya beans production is expected to increase to 288,793.17 metric tonnes from 169,700 metric tonnes recorded in the last season, mainly due to an increase in yields. The yield for soya beans is projected to increase to 0.98 metric tonnes per hectare this season from 0.45 metric tonnes in the previous season, representing an increase of 117.54 per cent. This significant increase in the production of soya beans is evidence that the strategy by the Government to support diversification is bearing fruit.

Madam Speaker, sunflower production is projected to increase by 160.63 per cent to 115,011 metric tonnes from 44,128 metric tonnes recorded in the last season due to an increase in yields. The average yield for sunflower is estimated to increase to 0.32 metric tonnes per hectare from 0.10 metric tonnes per hectare in the previous season, representing an increase of 235 per cent.

The production of cowpeas is projected to increase to 6,110.20 metric tonnes, up from 1,083 metric tonnes recorded in the last season, representing an increase of 646.37 per cent, mainly due to an increase in the yields. The national average yield for cowpeas is estimated at 0.19 metric tonnes per hectare in this season from 0.03 metric tonnes per hectare in the previous season, representing an increase of 638 per cent.

Madam Speaker, the production of sweet potatoes is projected to increase to 141,664 metric tonnes from 83,542 metric tonnes recorded in the previous season, representing a 69.57 per cent increase mainly due to an expansion in the area planted. The area planted with sweet potatoes is estimated to increase to 56,140.53 ha from 49,199.74 ha in the previous season, representing an increase of 14 per cent.

Madam Speaker, cassava root production is estimated to increase by 1.27 per cent to 3,167,650 metric tonnes in the current season from 3,127,778 metric tonnes in the previous season. This increase is attributed to increased market prospects that have come up in the cassava value chain such as brewing and other cassava blends.

Madam Speaker, despite the increase in some of the crops mentioned, we also had some notable decline in the production of some crops, including mixed beans, bambara nuts, irish potatoes and wheat, among others.

Mixed beans production is projected to decline to 38,381.99 metric tonnes in the current agricultural season from 38,937 metric tonnes recorded in the previous season, representing a 1.43 per cent decrease. This slight decrease is mainly attributed to a reduction in the area planted to 80,391.18 ha this season from 85,673.95 ha in the previous season, representing a 6.17 per cent.

Madam Speaker, projected estimates for this season indicate a 43.80 per cent decrease in bambara nuts production, declining from 2,154 metric tonnes last season to 1,210.72 metric tonnes this season. This is due to the reduction in the area planted to 2,156.97 ha from 7,810 ha in the previous season, representing a decrease of almost 73 per cent.

Madam Speaker, the production projections for irish potatoes indicate a reduction of 36.95 per cent from 34,153 metric tonnes in the last season to 21,532.11 metric tonnes in the current season. The reduction has been attributed to a reduction in the area planted by 14.95 per cent and a reduction in the expected yields by 25.88 per cent.

Madam Speaker, the preliminary estimates on wheat indicate that production will stand at 129,523.51 metric tonnes in the current season, representing a reduction of 34.88 per cent from 198,886 metric tonnes recorded in the previous season. This reduction is mainly due to the expected reduction in the area planted to 17,822.26 ha in this season from 28,052 ha in the previous season, representing a 36.47 per cent decrease.

Madam Speaker, in the 2024/2025 Agricultural Season, the planted area for most crops, except sorghum, millet, sweet potatoes and cassava, declined due to a combination of climatic challenges, including the late onset of effective rains, dry spells, and flooding in certain regions. Notwithstanding, the forecast indicates a notable increase in production for most crops driven by improved yield projections resulting from relatively better weather conditions compared to the previous season.

Madam Speaker, the national food balance sheet for the 2024/2025 Marketing Season, based on the crop forecasting survey, shows that the country has produced sufficient maize for both human consumption and industrial use. I repeat, the national food balance sheet for the 2024/2025 Marketing Season, based on the crop forecasting survey, shows that the country has produced sufficient maize for both human consumption and industrial use. As already stated, total maize production in the 2024/2025 season has been estimated to be 3.7 million metric tonnes.

Interruptions

Mr Mtolo: Yes, the projection is that we will have the best harvest ever since independence, of 3.7 million metric tonnes.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, another important point is that the country also had a maize carry-over stock amounting to 385,000 metric tonnes as at 1^st May, 2025. When the maize carry-over stock from last season is added to the maize production for the 2024/2025 Agricultural Season, the total supply of maize available for the 2025/2026 Marketing Season is 4,040,645 metric tonnes. This is more than enough than Hon. Kang’ombe and Hon. Binwell can ever consume.

Laughter

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, the Government through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will in the 2025 Marketing Season purchase a 50 kg bag of white maize at K340. There is an increase of K10 on the maize price for last year which was at K330.  A 40 kg bag of paddy rice is –

Mr Mumba: What?

Mr Mtolo: Paddy rice is the rice that is in husks.

Laughter

Mr Mtolo:  Hon. Member for Kantanshi, it is unprocessed rice.

Laughter

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, a 40 kg bag of paddy rice will be purchased at K300. The FRA targets to purchase approximately 543,000 metric tonnes of white maize and 10,000 metric tonnes of paddy rice.

Madam, it is important to note that to facilitate the smooth implementation of the National Crop Purchase Programme (NCPP), 1,428 of the 1,128 satellite depots have been opened, and 2,854 staff have been recruited to manage the operations of the depots across the country. We have put all the depots where the FRA will buy maize in the national newspapers.  All the depots will be published in today and tomorrow’s newspapers for stakeholders to see.

Madam Speaker, those who would like to have an increase in their depots will have a chance to look at the list and then, come forward so that we can have more depots close enough to the farmers. As indicated, 2,856 staff have been recruited by the agency to manage the operations of the depots across the country. The selection of depot sites was done in consultation with key stakeholders in the agricultural sector to ensure that the depots are as close to the farmer as possible. We therefore, urge the farmers to prioritise household food security by retaining sufficient stocks for home consumption and selling the surplus produce to the FRA.

Madam Speaker, allow me to speak to the food balance sheet for the nation. For the current population, the food balance sheet shows that the total maize required for human consumption, industrial use, and other commitments amounts to 3.5 million metric tonnes. When the total maize requirements are subtracted from the total maize available, the food balance sheet indicates that the country has recorded a maize surplus of 501,621 metric tonnes. For ease of reference, the national food balance sheet is attached to the report.

Madam Speaker, the agricultural marketing season for last year was very unique to the country and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region because Zambia was one of the countries that had less maize production. As such, the country experienced increased pressure with regard to the maize stocks.  Severe restrictions on the export of maize and maize products were put in place to safeguard the food and nutrition security of the nation. I would like to reiterate that the private sector should continue to actively participate in agricultural marketing, particularly, maize grain marketing.

Madam Speaker, let me conclude by once again, commending the hard-working farmers, out-grower operators, Agro-dealers, and many others in the agricultural sector for their hard work and effort this farming season. I encourage them to continue diversifying their crop production and take agriculture as a business. Further, our ministry will continue promoting drought-tolerant crops such as sorghum, millet, and sunflower, among others, in areas prone to droughts. I also wish to advise our farmers to use co-operatives and negotiate the best prices to avoid being taken advantage of by traders.

Madam Speaker, on this happy note, I am most grateful for the opportunity to render a Ministerial Statement.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the Ministerial Statement rendered by the hon. Minister of Agriculture.

Mr Chaatila (Moomba):  Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his statement. It is good to learn that the country is now food secure. However, I want to find out if the farmers under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) whose maize did not perform well will sell the required ten bags of maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) through what is commonly referred to as bonding. What is the Government doing about the farmers who did not manage to harvest anything so that next year, they are not affected?  Their fear is to be left out of the system in the coming season?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, it is important that Hon. Fred Chaatila has brought up this issue. We expect that all farmers across the country to at least sell ten bags of maize to the FRA. This is important because last year, the agency supplied maize to needy areas. It was difficult for the private sector to be there, but the agency was available. So, this is a plea to the farmers. They should at least sell ten bags of maize to the FRA. Since our price is currently the best, we are encouraging almost all the farmers to sell their maize to the agency. Where the private sector is available and offering a good price, farmers must sit as a co-operative, negotiate a good price as close as possible to the FRA price, and sell their maize to the private sector.

Madam Speaker, for areas which did not perform well, the control measure will be for the Office of the Vice-President to go around and confirm the position and then guide us.  Once we are guided like we did last year, everything will be fine. We are not here to harass the farmer whose crop did not do well. We are trying to be careful because people always want to make blanket statements that they did badly and that they cannot deliver the maize. We are therefore, encouraging hon. Members to encourage their farmers to sell at least ten bags of maize to the FRA. For the other part, we will discuss with the Office of the Vice-President.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Charles Mulenga (Kwacha): Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity given to me to ask a question on the point of clarification on the Ministerial Statement. I also want to thank the hon. Minister for the Ministerial Statement he has just given to the House. In his statement, the hon. Minister mentioned that the Crop Marketing Season Survey for 2024/25 Maize Production was at 3.7 million metric tonnes of maize. That was projected to be the highest in the history of the country. It is quite obvious that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) cannot absorb the huge production due to limited resources. Given that maize is one of the commodities that has faced a lot of rigidities when it comes to selling outside the country, is there any possibility that the Government will allow farmers to export the extra maize to countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Angola, and other countries without restrictions, after taking into account home consumption needs?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I want to thank Hon. Charles Mulenga for that very important question, because many people are asking whether we are immediately lifting the restrictions that we put on exports.

Madam Speaker, as a responsible Government, first, we have to buy what we need in our country. Only when that is satisfied will we consider looking at the proposal that has been put forward by Hon. Charles Mulenga. Zambia's position is to have open borders to allow exports. Our target is 10 million metric tonnes. We only consume about 3 million metric tonnes. What are we going to do with the 7 million metric tonnes? We need to start opening up markets now. So, exports are very important for Zambia, but we want to handle them in a very co-ordinated, proper manner so that no one is taken advantage of. So, for now, I think, we should concentrate on procurement. Hon. Charles Mulenga is right. The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) cannot buy all the maize on its own. So, that is why, if you heard, in my statement, I encouraged the private sector to come on board and buy maize. I encouraged the millers, the grain traders, and other people like the hon. Member who would like to export grain later to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Once we are sure that we have sufficient stock in reserve for food, then, of course, as per Zambian Government policy, we are going to encourage exports without hesitation and fear, and proudly so.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, once more, let me join other hon. Members in sending my condolences to the bereaved family of our Sixth President as well as to the family of the Clerk of the National Assembly.

Madam Speaker, I also want to congratulate the new Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Sialubalo.

Madam Speaker, first of all, I thank the hon. Minister for his very elaborate statement. I also thank our farmers and the hon. Minister and his team for the bumper harvest. Now, I heard the hon. Minister talk about the private sector. I will take the hon. Minister to our maize price or mealie meal price. We have seen a decline in the price of mealie meal, which is very encouraging. It speaks to the level of production we have had. However, we have not seen the same price decline happen to the byproducts of maize, for example, feed for poultry. The prices of the byproducts of maize should equally go down. Has the ministry started talking to the companies that are producing the byproducts of maize, which eventually end up being the main cost of producing end products like eggs or chickens? How much engagement has been done so that we can equally see the decline in the price of end products for the benefit of our people?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Hon. Anthony Mumba for those kind words. I  also thank all the hon. Members for their involvement in selecting the farmers for the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and encouraging them because we have the best production ever in this country.

Madam Speaker, yes, it is true that we are seeing a decline in the mealie meal prices, and our hope is that the decline will continue to levels where millers can make sufficient profit and manage sales for the public to benefit from the high production. We expect, also, the producers of stock feed, as the hon. Member put it, to join millers. We have a Stock Monitoring Committee, which comprises all the players in the maize value chain. The message we are taking to them is, can we see a corresponding reduction in their products because they affect the prices of protein foods like eggs, chicken, and others? We are talking to them. Maybe, we will heighten the discussions. However, the issue also belongs to us in this House. On the Copperbelt,  there are a number of producers. We can go to them and say, ‘Look, you are getting maize now cheaply from farmers because of high production. The price of mealie meal is coming down, so the price of your byproducts should also come down.’ Let us talk to these people together as a group, as Zambians, so that they feel the pressure. When they want to make money, they should make their money on exports. Most of them are still exporting most of these products.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr E. Banda (Muchinga): Madam Speaker, let me quickly extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu and Mr Roy Ngulube. May the souls of Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu and Mr Roy Ngulube rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, when will the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) mobilise in three areas of Muchinga Constituency? When will it open selling points in Masase, Nambo, and Kalumbu? The people there are being exploited by briefcase buyers who are buying maize at a very low price, knowing that they travel long distances to access the market?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member would be happy to learn that immediately the FRA announced the prices, the markets became operational. So, he should encourage the people in Masase and Kalumbu to take their maize to the FRA. The FRA has started procuring grain from farmers. The only thing is that in most areas, the moisture content of the grain is still very high. There have been trials, 14 etcetera. However, the hon. Member is aware that we bought dryers, and we have put them in strategic places to dry the maize so that the maize can be delivered.

Mr E. Banda indicated dissent.

Mr Mtolo: I see the hon. Member shaking his head, Madam Speaker. Maybe, he can get in touch with me at break time. We can call the FRA together so that it can open the market in that area.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, that is the spirit.

Hon. Member, engage the hon. Minister of Agriculture to see how you can better the lives of the people you represent.

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the Ministerial Statement and the expected bumper harvest in the history of this country.

Madam Speaker, my question has been overtaken by the hon. Member of Parliament for Muchinga, but I will ask another question.

Madam Speaker, if one went around the country this time around, one would find a bumper harvest. However, do we have enough storage capacity to store the maize which is going to be sold to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA)? I am looking at the dilapidated sheds in most areas of the country. For example, in Bweengwa Constituency, we have only a few sheds. What is the hon. Minister’s take on that one?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Hon. Kasauta Michelo for his kind words.

The hon. Member has also contributed to the production of maize. We all need to be very proud and happy about that. I used to be harassed a lot here. Now, we should, together as a group, be happy with what we have done. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I would like to allay the fears that the hon. Member might have. The FRA is ready to procure maize and store it safely. As for the quantity that the FRA is projected to procure, it has sufficient storage to keep the maize safe.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr B. Mpundu (Nkana): Madam Speaker, may the souls of our departed late President as well as the Clerk of the National Assembly rest in peace, as we remember them.

Madam Speaker, calling the hon. Minister as abene bansala for the last two years was very painful. I hope that we can change the narrative due to the reported bumper harvest.

Madam Speaker, there is a saying that, “Once beaten, twice shy”. We are on record of having advised the hon. Minister in this House to not sell the maize stock that the United Party for National Development (UPND) found in place at the time it took over the Government. We now have an opportunity to rise above the challenge that confronted us after the hon. Minister of Agriculture sold all the maize to Tanzania. We have no guarantee of sufficient rainfall in the next season. So, we must make do with what God has blessed us with now.

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Agriculture has placed a cap on how much grain it can buy per season. Since we cannot predict whether the next rainy season will be favourable or not, does the hon. Minister not think that it would be prudent for us to increase the amount of maize that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) stocks? Peradventure, we might have another disaster in the next rainy season.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I am very happy that of all people, Hon. Binwell Mpundu can stand up and face me today because he was very hard on me in the past.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I should set the record straight. When we took office, indeed, we found plenty of maize stock. As I have indicated before, and still indicating, that maize stock was not paid for, like many other things, by the previous Government. When I asked the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning for money, he said that there was no money because our coffers were empty. Thereafter, he asked the Ministry of Agriculture to sell that maize to pay off the farmers. That statement will not change because it is a fact. The hon. Member for Nkana is free to check the records of the FRA so that we can bury this matter and start celebrating the new productive position together.

Madam Speaker, what the hon. Member has said is true. Given the unpredictable nature of the weather, we need to be more careful in the way we handle our strategic reserves. We have discussed that issue with the hon. Member. Therefore, I would strongly suggest that he brings a Private Member’s Motion so that there can be variations in the Budget. We should allow the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to cut off money from certain budget lines to give to the Ministry of Agriculture to buy more maize. There is plenty of maize that we can buy. If the Yellow Book indicates that we are supposed to buy a certain amount, I can only bring that quantity to the table. For any changes, we need to ask the Ministry of Finance and National Planning for more funds from the current envelope. So, I strongly suggest that Hon. Mpundu takes up that issue and brings a Motion so that the Ministry of Finance and National Planning can do what he is asking for.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr B. Mpundu interjected.

Mr Mtolo: No, you do not talk to a Minister like that. You bring a Motion.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Maybe, the hon. Member is worried that you will treat his Motion as brought-in-dead (BID).

Laughter

Madam Speaker: I hope it will be supported when it comes.

Mr Kolala (Lufubu): Madam Speaker, it is good that the hon. Minister has indicated that officers from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) are already on the ground. However, in some districts like Ngabwe, the FRA officers are not yet on the ground. I want to know when those officers will be in Ngabwe so that people can start taking maize to the depots. Ngabwe District has produced enough maize to even feed people in Liuwa and Luena.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I appreciate the humour used. The hon. Member for Lufubu, Mr Wesley Kolala, attacked the people of Liuwa by saying that the area does not have enough maize.

Laughter

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, in today’s newspaper, and I have a copy with me (held up the newspaper), there is a list of all the areas in which the FRA has opened depots. If the hon. Member wants any other area to be included, and I indicated this earlier to all hon. Members, he should contact me. The list must be read carefully. The FRA has opened 1,228 depots out of 1,000 –What figure was that? I want to give the correct figures, in case Hon. Binwell Mpundu takes offence.

Mr Mtolo checked his documents.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I was right. The FRA has opened 1,428 depots out of the target of 1,828 depots. This means that we have deliberately left 400 depot slots open so that any hon. Member who feels that a particular area has been disadvantaged can indicate and we can add that area to the list. That is why I read my statement in a particular manner. The FRA is ready to set up a depot anywhere in the hon. Member’s area. If there is a particular area that he is interested in, he should let me know. We will add it to the list, just like we did in the case of fertiliser depots. We keep on increasing the number of depots for the sake of the people of Zambia so that depots are as close to where the maize is produced as possible.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, allow me to join a number of my hon. Colleagues in sending my deepest condolences to the family of our Sixth Republican President, the late Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu. My condolences also go to the Patriotic Front (PF) and the nation at large. I also want to say that may the soul of Mr Roy Ngulube rest in peace. As people of Chama South, we are sending our condolences to his family as well as to the National Assembly of Zambia.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for ensuring that we had a bumper harvest in the last farming season. However, I would like to bring to his attention the fact that despite the country having recorded a bumper harvest, Chama had a prolonged drought. As a result, the people of Chikwa, Chifunda, Mulilo, or should I just say the entire district, have no food. Chama is experiencing the same situation that the Southern Province, Lusaka Province and many other provinces experienced last year. In this regard, is the Government going to continue the good programmes for assisting people, which were really appreciated?

Madam Speaker, last year, when the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) bought maize, it did not move the stock to sheds in the central part of Chama. The maize remained at the satellite depots. In addition, for the first time, this Government opened up community sales in wards that never had those selling points. Is the Government going to ensure that the good programmes, such as Cash-for-Work, which is going on well, continue? Is the FRA going to continue community sales in wards like Chipala, Chimpamba in Lumezi and Tembwe and possibly add new ones? When people get Cash-for-Work payments, they are able to buy food at the nearest points, as opposed to them travelling distances of 110 km or 150 km to Chama Boma to buy maize.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Hon. Mung’andu for bringing that issue up.

Madam Speaker, it is important for this House to know the commendable work that Hon. Mung’andu has done in his area. Using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), he has fenced off most areas in his constituency, clearing the human-animal conflict to a very large extent. He has put up solar wire, not twine, but solar wire. I think that is commendable because going forward, production will be protected because animals like elephants cannot cross to go and consume the food produced. I am talking like this because I have just come back from Chitungulu, Mwanya and Kazembe, where I witnessed what the hon. Member said. Hunger is still showing its ugly face. Therefore, the obvious answer to his question is yes.

Madam Speaker, firstly, the FRA will continue having outlets for maize. Secondly, we will sit with Her Honour the Vice-President to see to it that her office looks into the most horribly affected areas with a kind eye. Some figures have been given to us, and in certain areas, I have been given a 1,000 metric tonne requirement. I would like to know the tonnages in the most vulnerable area so that we can add them up and inform Her Honour the Vice-President. However, for the FRA sales outlets, yes, we are.

Madam Speaker, three days ago, when I was in the valley area, an elephant brutally killed a colleague of ours. The elephant was looking for food in the villages. Elephants destroy barns. If the food is in the house, they try to break into the house to get the food. So, it is so real, scary and sad.

Madam Speaker, I thought it was important for people to know that Hon. Mung’andu has done a very good job in his constituency. I would like to thank him for his good work.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: I am still waiting for that report from his one-man committee he was appointed to, but he has never reported. I did not know that he was on the ground working on his own. Please, share the information so that others can also learn from what you have done.

Ms Sefulo (Mwandi): Madam Speaker, let me join my colleagues in passing my condolences to the bereaved families on the loss of our Former President and the Clerk of the National Assembly.

Madam Speaker, I will be failing in my duties if I do not recognise the contribution from the hon. Minister, particularly to my constituency, Mwandi, which was one of the eighty-seven districts that were hit with hunger. Without his intervention through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), I can guarantee him that we would have buried a person due to hunger, but that did not happen because of the interventions that were put through such as the Cash-for-Work programme, Emergency Cash Transfer fund and the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) scheme that already existed.

Madam Speaker, when I visited the constituency, one of the things that I learnt is that some of the point of sales that we had in the twelve wards had been closed, leaving only five. I wanted to find out if there was any assessment that was done to inform that decision, because in some wards, selling points have been closed and there was no harvest in those wards. We still have five, but we hope that we can keep those that are in areas where the harvest was not good. An example is Kalundu, which is still struggling because of the poor harvest.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Sibeso Sefula for her kind words.

Ms Sefulo: It is Sefulo!

Mr Mtolo: Sefulo.

Laughter

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, to give a simple answer to her question, I should give a generic position because it is possible that that situation is not only prevailing in her area, but other places also. If there is any area where we have closed the sales points, but we still need the maize, please, just write to me today or tomorrow, and I will immediately open up the depots again. However, because we have increased the maize floor price to K340, we cannot sell at K330. We will take it close to K340 so that we do not allow people to buy here and sell on the other side and recycle maize. There will be a quantum leap equivalent to the price at which we are buying. So, any area where we need maize, please, let me know. The President says no one should die of hunger, and that has not changed. We do not want anyone to die of hunger.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

Mr Chanda (Kanchibiya): Madam Speaker, allow me to also pass my condolences to the family of the late President Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu and Mr Ngulube, the former Clerk of the National Assembly.

CONSTRUCTION OF A BUS STATION AT KASANGO IN KANCHIBIYA CONSTITUENCY

277. Mr Chanda asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

1. when construction of a bus station at Kasango in Kanchibiya Parliamentary Constituency will commence;

1. what the cost of the project is;

1. when the procurement process will commence; and

1. what features will come with the bus station.

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Sialubalo): Madam Speaker, thank you so much for the opportunity. Indeed, it is my maiden statement. May I be allowed to extend my heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the Former President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and also our gallant Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Roy Ngulube. May God continue guiding the families.

Madam Speaker, the ministry will commence the construction of the bus station at Kasongo in Kanchibiya Parliamentary Constituency in April 2026, depending on the budget line for that year.

Madam Speaker, the cost of the project will be determined once the designs are completed.

Madam Speaker, the procurement of the project will commence in January 2026, depending on the budget approval.

Madam Speaker, the features of the bus station will be availed once the design is completed.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the answer. I am privileged to be the one to ask the hon. Minister the first question on the Floor of this House. I am grateful that his response is not as negative. Maybe, to probe him further, I want to find out on behalf of the people of Kanchibiya whether or not the ministry has standardised designs for bus stations?

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, right now, I cannot give a concrete response as to whether the ministry has standardised bus stations as that will need further interrogation. If permitted, I will engage my engineers to find out whether there is a standardised design or there are plenty of options depending on what the end users want.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, let me congratulate Hon. Sialubalo for his appointment as hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development. We look forward to working with him especially those of us who come from rural areas.

Madam Speaker, it is not only Kanchibiya that needs facilities such as bus stations.  Is the hon. Minister in a position to provide the such facilities to other areas? I am sure the hon. Members of Parliament who pass through Chama have probably seen a 10 m x 10 m bus stop in Chama, which is not fit to be an amenity for human habitation.   Is the hon. Minister in a position to give us a programme of work for the next five years, in terms of the construction of bus stops countrywide, so that we know that this Government will not only consider Kanchibiya but also, Chama and other areas?

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much. That is a constituency-based question. Therefore, I do not know whether the new broom has already reached all the corners.

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Colleague for that question. I will not be telling the truth if I attempt to give a critical answer to the question raised by the hon. Member.  Nevertheless, I believe that we all have received the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).  I was in Isoka Constituency to look at the projects that have been done. I therefore, feel that what has been done is the best case study that hon. Members of Parliament can emulate.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sialubalo: In Isoka, bigger projects have been done in phases for two to three years until they are completed.  So, I urge hon. Members of Parliament to take a leaf from what is happening in Isoka and Chembe constituencies. They can do that depending on what they want considering the decentralisation agenda of the New Dawn Administration. 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for advising the people of Chama South to use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). The hon. Member for Chama South is very lucky that I did not carry powder, otherwise, he would have run away.

Madam Speaker, the people of Kanchibiya know that the distance from Mpika to Kasama has no decent bus station. However, we are also mindful that the neighbouring Mpika District has a bus station that is being constructed by the Government, which is worth K20 million.  It is our prayer that as we look at the designs for Kasongo Bus Station which will sit on Kasama Road, we do not expect anything less than what we are seeing in the neighbouring Mpika.

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, this Government does consult on what exactly the end users need. Basically, the approach is bottom-up, not up-bottom.  That means that whatever the hon. Member prefers to be done, will be done.  From my ministry point of view, there is a zeal for us to give that area a bus station but that will depend on the resources that will be allocated in the 2026 Budget.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW BRIDGE ON KAMPOKO RIVER

Mr Chisopa: Madam Speaker, I also want to convey my sincere condolences to the two families of the Sixth Republican President and the Late Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia.

278.  Mr Chisopa (Mkushi South) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

1. when Kampoko Bridge, across the Kampoko River in Mkushi South Parliamentary Constituency, which was washed away during the 2023/2024 Rainy Season, will be reconstructed; and

1. what the estimated cost of the project is.

The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Eng. Nzovu) on behalf of (the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi)): Madam Speaker, let me also join the rest of the House in expressing my deepest sympathies to Hon. Tasila Lungu and family on their great loss. Let me also join His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema in calling for restraint respect as we wait for the repatriation of the remains of our leader and as we prepare for the state funeral.

Madam Speaker, the Government is indeed, aware that the Kampoko Bridge across the Kampoko River in Mkushi South y Constituency was washed away during the 2023/2024 Rainy Season. The construction of the new bridge will be undertaken once the Treasury secures the required funds for the construction works. The estimated cost the works is K51 million.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chisopa: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that the cost of the bridge is K51 million. I would like to find out why they cannot find an alternative as we are waiting for the Treasury authority of the K51 million. Is there any immediate intervention knowing that the bridge is a disaster and that the people of Chingombe, Mbonshi and Katetaula are completely cut off, including the people of Nyimba District?

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, indeed, the hon. Member of Parliament must be assured that the Government is doing everything possible to ensure that we repair the bridge. As for the avoidance of doubt, this bridge is already included in the Road Sector Annual Plan and we have already written to the Treasury to see if they can allocate funds for this very important bridge in Mkushi South.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Menyani Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, allow me to pass my deepest condolences to the two families of Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu and the late former Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia, Mr Roy Ngulube.

Madam Speaker, this bridge was washed away in the 2023/2024 Rainy Season. This means that the people of Chingombe in Mkushi South and Luangwa Ward in Nyimba Constituency are completely cut-off from civilisation.  If my memory serves me well, we pushed for the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to look into that issue.  Now, the hon. Minister is still telling us that the issue is in the national work plan for this year and yet, we are now in June.  If nothing is done, the two wards in these two constituencies will be like islands such that people will not fail to move. Worst of all, the people of Nyimba rely on a medical facility which is in Mkushi South, that is, Ching’ombe Mission Hospital. Does the Government have an alternative plan to address this issue, like the way the ministry worked in Rufunsa when a bridge collapsed? The ministry worked on the bridge in record time. In two weeks, there was a new bridge. Why can the ministry not do the same at Kampoko River?

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Nyimba for that very important question.

Madam Speaker, let me start by sympathising with the people of Mkushi South because we have delayed to repair that bridge. However, as I said, the Government is doing everything possible to address the issue, including looking at the possibility of bringing an Acrow Bridge before reconstructing the bridge on that river. All options are on the table, and I can only ask for patience from our people from Mkushi South.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chisopa: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has talked about two options; the immediate intervention and the K51 million budget for the bridge. When is the programme going to be implemented, or does the ministry have a timeframe to ensure that the bridge is worked on?

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, our target is before the rainy season. As to the specific details, I can only invite the hon. Member of Parliament to visit my office so that working with himself and the engineers, we can determine when exactly the bridge can be constructed. We are also expecting support from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to enable us to work on the bridge.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Kalabo, I would like to relay my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased Former Head of State and the former Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia.

MEASURES TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FARMERS

279. Mr Miyutu asked the Minister of Green Economy and Environment:

1. what collaborative measures the Government is implementing to mitigate the effects of climate change being experienced by farmers countrywide; and

1. what sensitisation programmes the Government is implementing to assist farmers adapt to the effects of climate change.

The Minister of Green Economy and Environment (Mr Mposha): Madam Speaker, permit me to join you and others who spoke before me, to convey my condolences to the two families of the Sixth Republican President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and the late Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Roy Ngulube. May their souls rest in eternal peace.

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment is collaborating with other line ministries and institutions in mitigating the effects of climate change experienced by farmers countrywide. Notable among the institutions is the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), which carried out assessments to determine the areas and populations affected by drought in order to determine the required level of support. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture has embarked on planting winter maize to cushion the looming food insecurity expected in the country, supported by irrigation schemes. The Ministry of Agriculture is also implementing climate-smart agriculture practices. Notable among them is the introduction of climate-resilient seed varieties, promotion of irrigation, monitoring of soil moisture, and monitoring of pest infestation.

Madam Speaker, the Government, through the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, has continued providing weather forecasts, including the daily weather bulletins as part of the early warning system to equip farmers with information regarding the drought. Further, the ministry is providing long-term climate information to farmers on likely scenarios in the coming years and how they need to respond to the changing climate, as outlined in our National Adaptation Plan being implemented from 2023 to 2030.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, on the point of sensitisation, I believe that not every farmer or citizen is able to speak or listen to English. What measures has the ministry put in place to make sure that farmers who do not understand English get the same information as those who understand English?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, among the measures we are encouraging as a ministry is scaling up awareness programmes, particularly in the rural communities which depend on community radio stations. Information is availed to districts, and then it is provided to community radio platforms which prioritise local languages. So, through community radio stations, which mostly use vernacular, communities are sensitised about the weather forecasts and weather patterns. I believe that now that platforms such as community radio stations are available, we are able to reach out to many rural communities.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, allow me to pass my sincere condolences to the Former First Family and also to the family of Mr Roy Ngulube.

Madam Speaker, the issue we are talking about regards farmers. I will ask a question similar to the one that the hon. Member of Parliament for Kalabo Central asked. I want to find out whether the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment is working hand in hand with the Ministry of Agriculture, especially on the issue of disseminating information to farmers on climate change, using the National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS) platform? Can the ministry work hand in hand with NAIS to disseminate information in our local languages?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, my ministry is doing exactly what the hon. Member for Kabwata has referred to. We are working hand-in-hand with various ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture, and providing advisories on the rainfall pattern or outlook. The National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS), which is under the Ministry of Agriculture, then provides that information to rural communities. We are using various interventions and initiatives to promote awareness. As a ministry, we realise that we operate and live in an era of uncertainty regarding the rainfall outlook. Therefore, we encourage farmers to always be on the lookout for receiving information from district offices, community radio stations, NAIS and other platforms.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, having passed through some areas in the southern part of Kalabo District, I have realised that they are becoming drier. I say so because, previously, I could not access the said areas this time of the year. Today, I can drive through that part of the district without any challenge of waterlogging. However, my concern is with the rate at which the grasslands and forests are being burnt. What is the Government doing to control that trend? There is indiscriminate burning taking place in many areas and the land is getting drier.

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Hon. Miyutu for that question, although I think that he diverted from the main question.

Madam Speaker, bushfires are becoming rampant and that is a big challenge. That is one of the problems my ministry is working hard to fight in collaboration with various private sector players involved in forest conservation. I would like to appeal to hon. Members to come on board in sensitising communities on the dangers of bushfires, such as destroying the natural environment. My ministry is scaling up sensitisation activities to address that problem. I think, rampant bushfires are an important topic. I can only appeal to all my hon. Colleagues to come on board in ensuring that we sensitise our communities against the vice.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika): Madam Speaker, allow me to commiserate with the family of the Sixth Republican President, the late Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and that of the former Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia, the late Mr Roy Ngulube. Our thoughts as the people of Mpika are with them.

CONSTRUCTION OF KAMPAMBA SECONDARY SCHOOL

280. Mr Kapyanga asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

1. when construction of Kampamba Secondary School in Mpika District will be completed;

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

1. what the cost of the outstanding works is.

Eng. Nzovu (on behalf of Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, construction of Kampamba Secondary School in Mpika District will be completed by 30^th June, 2026.

Madam Speaker, the delay in completing the project is due to funding constraints.

Madam Speaker, the cost of the outstanding works is estimated as K44.6 million.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I would like to know how long the construction period will take.

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, as I have already stated, the construction period will end by 30^th June, 2026. I think, the construction works will take a year. The good news for Hon. Kapyanga is that the site will be handed over tomorrow, and I would like to invite him to be part of the event.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: I hope the hon. Member for Mpika was listening.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, indeed, I was listening. Unfortunately, I might not be in a position to travel to be part of the site visit tomorrow, but I would like to thank the hon. Minister for that assurance.

Madam Speaker: That was just a comment.

Hon. Minister, do you have anything to say?

Eng. Nzovu: Yes, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I actually thought that the hon. Member would sincerely thank this Government for starting the construction works soon. The history of the project is that it was started in 2011, but, due to fiscal challenges, it was not completed. We engaged a new contractor after finding funds for the project. Hence, the works will commence soon. I would like to call upon the hon. Member to work closely with this Government as it means well.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Malambo (Magoye): Madam Speaker, let me also join my hon. Colleagues in passing my condolences to the families of the former President, the late Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and the former Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia, Mr Roy Ngulube.

REHABILITATION OF THE RAILWAY BRIDGE AT THE CROSSING POINT ON MAGOYE RIVER

281. Mr Malambo asked the Minister of Transport and Logistics:

1. whether the Government has any plans to rehabilitate the railway bridge at the crossing point on Magoye River in Magoye Parliamentary Constituency;

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

1. what the estimated cost of the project is; 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 Transport and Logistics (Mr Tayali)): Madam Speaker, let me also convey my heartfelt condolences to the former First Lady and family and the family of our departed former Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia. May the Lord comfort their hearts as they go through this difficult time.

Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Government has no immediate plans to rehabilitate the Magoye River Railway Bridge as it is structurally sound and does not require full rehabilitation. This august House may wish to note that the Government, between October and November 2024, strengthened the bridge by installing twenty-eight bridge timbers to reinforce the superstructure. Currently, Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) has continued to undertake regular maintenance works at the bridge to sustain it.

Madam Speaker, as stated above, Magoye Railway Bridge does not require rehabilitation. However, the Government plans to reinforce the walkways where local people pass. This is to enhance safety for our people who cross the bridge. We should be able to do that as early as possible, within 2025.

Madam Speaker, the total cost required to reinforce the walkway is K150,000.

Madam Speaker, as stated above, the bridge does not require rehabilitation because the structure is sound.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Malambo: Madam Speaker, I really appreciate the hon. Minister’s answer. However, I want to indicate to him that in as much as he said that the railway passage is excellent, there is a huge problem on the walkways. He may wish to note that the clinic is on the other side, and the people from Misechi, Dumba and Ngwezi B pass through that area. The hon. Minister indicated that the area where people pass will be rehabilitated, and I really appreciate that. We will wait to see the Government work on that bridge.

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, as the hon. Member of Parliament has noted, we, as a ministry, are busy mobilising so that we start the works.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: By prior arrangement, the next question will be asked by the hon. Member for Chama South.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Sorry, the next question will be asked by the hon. Member for Siavonga.

Mr Mulunda (Siavonga): Madam Speaker, allow me to join this House in conveying my heartfelt condolences to the families of the Sixth Republican President, His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu and the former Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Roy Ngulube.

CONSTRUCTION OF A BUS STATION AND MARKET IN SIAVONGA DISTRICT

282. Mr Mulunda asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

1. when the construction of the following infrastructure in Siavonga District will   commence:

1. a bus station; and

1. a market; and

1. what the cause of the delay in commencing the projects is.

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, the Government does not currently have plans to construct a market and a bus station in Siavonga District.

Madam Speaker, the delay in commencing the projects is due to the non-availability of resources for the construction of the same market and bus station in the 2025 Budget. However, consideration is being given in the 2026 Budget Estimates.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mulunda: Madam Speaker, I want to appreciate the hon. Minister for the comforting words that, maybe, in the 2026 Budget, there will be an allocation for the construction of the bus station and a modern market. The people in Siavonga have been yearning for these two big projects to be constructed. We want to appreciate that there is hope, which is that in 2026, we may see the construction of those two big projects.

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, Siavonga is one of the tourist towns that we have because of the lakes. Indeed, constructing a market and a bus stop there would really help. When one is in Siavonga and one wants to buy kapenta or sardines, one has to drive down to the harbour and other places. So, if a market and a bus stop are constructed, we should be able to get those commodities from a central place. Is the hon. Minister in a position to assure our people in Siavonga and state the exact month in 2026 when the construction will be done? Is it before May or before the dissolution of this Parliament that the people of Siavonga will start seeing contractors moving on site, the way it is happening in other districts? Can the hon. Minister specify the timeline?

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, the construction will definitely be done before this Parliament is dissolved because when it is dissolved, no one will make a decision.

Madam Speaker, since we are now privileged, as Members of Parliament, to have the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), I would like to urge the people of Siavonga to prioritise such projects in terms of coming up with the nitty-gritties and setting the ground work by setting aside some of their resources under CDF. This is to ensure that even when the resources are allocated to them, they would have started something to show that they really want the bus station and market to be constructed. So, I urge my dear colleague to make sure that he convinces the CDF Committee to set aside resources just as a way of starting the process while waiting for a big allocation from the ministry.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: By prior arrangement, the next question will be asked by the hon. Member for Chama South.

CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS IN CHIPANGALI CONSTITUENCY

283. Mr Mung’andu (on behalf of Mr Lubusha (Chipangali)) asked the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation:

1. whether the Government has any plans to construct dams in the following areas in           Chipangali Parliamentary Constituency:

1. Chanje Chiefdom; 

1. Mshawa Chiefdom; 

1. Chinunda Chiefdom; 

1. Mnukwa Chiefdom; 

1. Mkanda Chiefdom; 
2. Kapatamoyo Chiefdom;
3. Mafuta Chiefdom
4. Chikuwe Chiefdom;
5. MadziAtuwa Scheme; and
6. Chipangali Main Centre;

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

1. if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Eng. Nzovu): Madam Speaker –

Madam Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours. 

[MADAM FIRST SPEAKER in the Chair]

The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Eng. Nzovu): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that indeed, the Government has plans to construct dams in Chipangali Parliamentary Constituency of the Eastern Province. The House may wish to note that to date, a total of ninety-seven potential dam sites have been identified within the province, with three located in Chipangali under Chanje and Mshawa chiefdoms, and are awaiting the conducting of detailed feasibility studies as follows:

Name of Dam                    Name of Chiefdom

Mlozi                                        Mshawa

Kasonjola                                 Mshawa

Khwazi                                     Chanje

Madam Speaker, the implementation of these projects will be considered in future budgets as part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to expand water harvesting infrastructure.

Further, Madam Speaker, in the 2025 Financial Year, the ministry has allocated funds for the rehabilitation of Mpawa Dam in Chinunda Chiefdom of Chipangali Parliamentary Constituency. Additionally, the process to undertake detailed feasibility studies for the rehabilitation of a number of dam sites across the country, which include Mpawa Dam is underway. This is envisaged to facilitate the development of bankable project documents for possible funding and rehabilitation works.

Furthermore, Madam Speaker, you may wish to note that the ministry has since completed maintenance works of ten dams in Chipangali and are distributed as follows:

1. Nine dams in Sairi Chiefdom, which are Chakhadze, Mapala, Lumamba, Rukuzye, Chavulila, Dwasenga, Dwankhozi, Mwita, and Nkhali Kali; and

1. One dam namely Madzi-Atuwa in Chinunda Chiefdom.

Madam Speaker, as earlier indicated, the Government has plans and remains committed to enhancing water harvesting infrastructure to improve livelihoods and promote agricultural sustainability in Chipangali Constituency and beyond.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister of his response. We would like to indicate, on behalf of the people of Chipangali, that they are in full support of His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s Irrigation Programme. The problem is that people lack dams and animals particularly goats and cattle suffer during the dry season. The hon. Minister has just indicated that in 2025, there is a programme for the construction of dams. Can he assure the people of Chipangali Constituency that their Government will construct dams in needy areas like Chanje Chiefdom, which is just along the Chipata/Lundazi Road, Mshawa, Chinunda, Chikuwe, Madzi-Atuwa and many other areas?

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, yes, I can assure the people of Chipangali that the Government will construct dams in needy areas. However, the Government will do that in a phased manner. I wish to inform hon. Members of Parliament that Chipangali Constituency has nineteen existing dams, and some of them require maintenance, rehabilitation or construction. The distribution of these dams is as follows:

Chiefdom                    No. of Dams

Chinunda                            2

Mnukwa                             1

Chanje                               4

Mshawa                             3

Sairi                                   9

So, there are nineteen dams in all the chiefdoms.

Madam Speaker, one of the challenges we are trying to resolve with the hon. Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Mtolo, the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, and the Minister of Energy is to see how we will start utilising the water impounded behind the dams. We have many dams. What some places lack is conveyancing infrastructure. They also lack means of getting water from the dams rather than just building the dams everywhere. So, that is one of the things we are doing. We really think that this is the way to go.

Madam Speaker, indeed, I want to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for supporting President Hakainde Hichilema’s Irrigation Programme.  If we have to irrigate, we need to ensure that we harvest the water hence, our big drive on the water harvesting infrastructure.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr E. Daka (Msanzala): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the answers.

Madam Speaker, I also join my colleagues in paying my condolences to the later President, His Excellency, Mr Edgar Lungu and our former Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Roy Ngulube.

Madam Speaker, I would like to find from the hon. Minister how much one dam that is earmarked to be constructed in Chipangali is so that the people are aware. 

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I am asked this question many times, but I hope I will be able to clarify the matter. There is no dam which is similar to another one. This is the reason we have to ensure that we get the technical parameters properly by conducting feasibility studies. From the feasibility studies, we create designs, Bills of Quantity (BoQ), and estimates. So, we can only know the cost estimates once feasibility studies are done. So, I might not be able to give the hon. Member cost estimates before a feasibility study is done.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: We will move to the next question. By prior arrangement, the question will be asked by the hon. Member for Chama South again.

PROCUREMENT OF MOTORBIKES FOR VETERINARY EXTENSION OFFICERS IN CHADIZA DISTRICT

284. Mr Mung’andu (Chama South) (on behalf of Mr J. Daka (Chadiza) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

1. whether the Government has any plans to procure motorbikes for veterinary extension officers in all the twenty camps in Chadiza District;

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 ministry has assessed the transport challenges in Chadiza District. Our findings confirm that the district has only twelve veterinary camps, not twenty as stated in the question. These camps are Bwanunka, Chadiza Central, Chanida, Chamandala, Chilenga, Kalemba, Kumadzi, Mangwe 1, Musokosera, Mwangala, Mwangazi, and Nsadzu. Out of the twelve veterinary camps in Chadiza District, only five are manned while seven remain unmanned. My ministry is seeking Treasury authority to recruit seven veterinary assistants to fill these vacancies. Additionally, in 2023, the ministry procured two motorbikes, and in March 2025, the hon. Minister officially handed over one motorbike to address transport challenges in the district. At present, all five veterinary assistants in the manned camps have access to motorbikes.

Madam Speaker, may I take this opportunity to reaffirm the ministry’s commitment to the Decentralisation Policy. Under this policy, the fisheries, livestock and veterinary extension services have been devolved to local authorities. As a result, all physical assets and personnel, including extension officers, are now under local authorities. This applies to Chadiza District Council as well. Moving forward, the responsibility of providing transport for extension officers or services will rest with the local authorities.

Madam Speaker, as explained above, the local authority in Chadiza District, in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, should procure transport for extension services or officers through funding such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). This initiative aims to strengthen fisheries and livestock development within the district.

Madam Speaker, since part (c) of the question is covered by the answer to part (b) of the question, there is no need to respond to it.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that response. Let me put on record that the people of Chadiza are very grateful to the New Dawn Government and His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema. The people are grateful because for the first time, the Chadiza-Chipata Road is being worked on. The road is referred to as HH Road, and because of it, more agriculture activities will be needed. As a result, the people of Chadiza are requesting veterinary and extension services as these services will be paramount, if economic benefits are to be derived from the road that is being worked on by the New Dawn Government. According to the hon. Minister’s records, there are ten to fifteen camp extension officers, but because of the sub-camps that exist, the hon. Member of Parliament knows that there are twenty camps. Is the Government assuring the camp extension officers that they will have motorbikes, so that more benefits are derived from HH Road, Chipata-Chadiza Road, as I indicated earlier?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, I just want to reaffirm that the Government will be able to procure the remaining motorbikes for the seven unmanned camps, so that we can help our farmers in Chadiza.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

CONSTRUCTION OF HYDRO-POWER STATIONS

285. Mr Kapyanga (Mpika) asked the Minister of Energy:

1. whether there were any private companies that had applied to construct hydro-power stations at Kapamba, Mutinondo and other waterfalls in Mpika District as of December 2024;

1. if so, how many applications were successful as of January 2025;

1. whether the Government has any plans to construct solar power plants in the District;

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

1. if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Energy (Mr Chikote): Madam Speaker, a number of private companies have applied for permits to construct hydro-power stations on various water bodies in Mpika District, including on the Kapamba Falls, which has an estimated output of 12 MW, and the Mutinondo Rapids, which can produce 50 MW. The power projects on both the Kapamba Falls and Mutinondo Rapids are under development by private sector companies that have already undertaken feasibility studies. The Kapamba Falls Power Project is being developed by Atlantic Commodities Limited, while the Mutinondo Power Project is being developed by Mutinondo Luchenene Power Company. As part of the promotion and facilitation process, the ministry signed an implementation agreement with Atlantic Commodities Limited and implementation agreement negotiations are underway for the Mutinondo Power Project.

Madam Speaker, other private sector-led power initiatives within Mpika District that are being facilitated by the ministry include the 36 MW Luchenene Hydro-power Project, which will also be developed by Mutinondo Luchenene Power Company, and the 16 MW Mupamadzi Hydro-power Project to be developed by Finesse Energy Solutions. Further, there are many other rapids with the potential for small hydro-power development, such as those at Cheshwa, Kalulu, Kanyanga, Lwitikila, Mufwenze, Munensi, Munjimadzi, Chipapaso and Mupimbishi. As of December 2024, thirteen private sector companies were successful applicants. However, only two have reached the implementation agreement stage, namely Atlantic Commodities Limited and Mutinondo Luchenene Power Company. Implementation agreements grant development rights to developers and provide for risk-sharing mechanisms between the developer and the Government following the completion of feasibility studies.

Madam Speaker, the Government has created an enabling environment for the private sector to participate in the development of energy projects, including those for solar power. The ministry has so far granted four developers the authority to undertake feasibility studies for projects with a combined capacity of 375 MW, namely Smart Net Energy Limited with 50 MW, Finsworth Investment Limited with 150 MW, Atlantic Commodities Limited with 50 MW and Mudzi Umodzi Development Limited with 125 MW.

Madam Speaker, it is worth noting that the implementation of transmission infrastructure, such as the Serenje/Mpika/Kasama/Nakonde Transmission Line, which is part of the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector Project, is currently under implementation. The transmission line will also stabilise power supply to Mpika once completed by December 2027.

Madam Speaker, the ministry expects the four developers mentioned above to complete feasibility studies by 2026, after which implementation is expected to commence once financial closure is attained. Financial constraints are not only experienced by the Government when implementing power projects. The private sector also faces that challenge due to limited access to affordable finance and credit worthiness of off-takers. Further, lenders demand for sovereign guarantees from host countries, which the Government might not be able to provide.

Madam Speaker, as stated above, the Government has plans to implement solar projects in Mpika District through the private sector.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, the response is clear. I can only appeal to the hon. Minister to expedite the necessary processes so that the projects that have been earmarked can come to fruition to create jobs for the many unemployed youths in Mpika District. I will always knock on his door to ensure that that is done.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I believe that was a positive comment.

UPGRADING OF THE KALABO/SIKONGO/ANGOLA BORDER ROAD

286. Mr Miyutu asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

1. when the Government will upgrade the Kalabo/Sikongo/Angola Border Road to bituminous standard;

1. what the estimated cost of the project is; and

1. who the contractor for the project is.

Eng. Nzovu (on behalf of Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, –

Mr Mubika interjected.

Eng. Nzovu: Hon. Mubika Mubika, can you listen carefully.

Laughter

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, upgrading of the Kalabo/Sikongo Road will commence once the procurement process has been concluded, while upgrading of the Sikongo/Angola Border Road will commence once the financing arrangements and procurement processes have been concluded.

Madam Speaker, the estimated cost of the project will be known once the design consultant has been engaged and a contractor is procured for the works.

Madam Speaker, the contractor for the project will be known once the tender process for the works has been concluded and the contract has been awarded.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, I have heard the response given by the hon. Minister. However, if you asked me how many times I have heard that response before, I would say that it has been more than once. What can the ministry do to ensure that the response differs from the ones given before and we are given confidence that –

Mr Nkandu interjected.

Laughter

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister here is –

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, you may continue.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, what other information can the hon. Minister give to make the response different so that we have confidence that the mentioned roads are under serious consideration and we should, therefore, just wait for the construction to take place?

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, let me assure my hon. Colleague that the road in question is one of those that the Government will definitely work on. On 6^th October, 2024, the Government of Zambia signed a US$50 million loan agreement with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) in Saudi Arabia for the Kalabo/Sikongo Road Project. Between 4^th and 11^th February 2025, BADEA undertook a mission to Zambia to appraise a road section from Sikongo to the Zambia/Angola Border, including the proposed border post at the Zambia/Angola Border with the aim of financing the works to upgrade the road and the border post.

Madam Speaker, it is envisaged that civil works will commence as soon as the financing agreements are concluded and the contractors are procured in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Madam Speaker, clearly, this is additional information that the hon. Member of Parliament was looking for. He wanted to know what we have been doing, or if we have signed a financing agreement, and what has happened since the bank and the consultants have been on site to ensure that the feasibility studies commence and the financing agreements are completed. Indeed, the hon. Member has come on the Floor of this House many times to ask about this project because he and the people are concerned. I want to assure them that the Government is doing everything possible to ensure that the road is worked on.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker gave the Floor to the hon. Member for Sesheke.

Mr Kangombe (Sesheke): Madam Speaker, it is ‘Sisheke’, that is the correct pronunciation.

Madam Speaker, allow me to convey my heartfelt condolences to the family of the Sixth President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who is now in the realms of the departed, and to the family of our late Clerk, Mr Roy Ngulube.  

Madam Speaker, for a long time, the people of the Western Province have received similar responses as my elder brother, the hon. Member for Kalabo Central, Mr Miyutu, earlier alluded to. I want to put it categorically that what is obtaining on the ground is that people are tired of what they call mere rhetorics because they have heard them for a very long time. The Sikongo/Kalabo Road is a very important economic road that needs to connect this country to Angola. It is just like the Sesheke/Kazungula Road and the Simungoma/Luampa Road. The road that passes through Shangombo down to Nalolo and Kalabo is also economic. However, for a very long time, people have been hearing about these roads. We are happy that there is some progress on the Katunda/Lukulu Road. I want to put it plainly to the hon. Minister that in the past, people were saying the roads were not worked on because we were in the Opposition. Today, we are the ones in the driving seat. I am not a prophet, but I want to tell the hon. Minister that people on the ground want action. Could he please, add a bit of steak to the skeleton he provided? People do not want to see the skeleton.

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I can hear the sad lamentations from the hon. Member of Parliament, but let me put it straight. This Government does not engage in rhetorics. It is a serious Government. Using the hon. Member’s words, the Government is serious because some of the promises are coming to fruition. The hon. Member mentioned that he has seen some progress on the Sikongo/Kalabo Road. It means that the Government is doing something. The skeleton answer I gave was supplemented by a lot of meat. I said that the Arab Bank is finalising the financing agreements so that works can start. The people of the Western Province will not be left behind. They will receive a fair share of the national cake. We are doing everything possible to ensure that the roads are constructed.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mabeta (Kankoyo): Madam Speaker, allow me to also join many other Zambians who are mourning to wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to the family of the former departed Republican President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu. We, in the United Party for National Development (UPND), will always be grateful to him for the contribution he made as the first chairperson for the party's legal office. We will always be grateful for the contribution he made in building our party before he moved to the Patriotic Front (PF).

Madam Speaker, on the Copperbelt, despite the Government having inherited a huge debt, we have seen serious progress being made on the Lusaka/Ndola Dual-Carriageway. We have seenthe work that has been done on the beautiful Luanshya/Masangano Road, the Mufulira/Ndola Road, and today, there is a feasibility study on the Sabina/Mufulira Road. Will the hon. Minister assure the people of Sikongo and the Western Province that they should not doubt the Government? The Government is on the ground constructing roads despite the inherited financial challenges.

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, yet again, I want to assure the people of the Western Province that they will receive a fair share of the national cake. Just as we promised with the Lusaka/Ndola Road, the Katundu/Lukulu Road –

Hon. Government Member: Katunda!

Eng. Nzovu: Yes, thank you for the correction, the Katunda/Lukulu Road and Masangano Road –  

Madam Speaker, during tea break, I spoke to the hon. Minister for Western Province. Next week, we will commission one of the dams we constructed under the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation. A fair share will go to the Western Province. So, let me assure the hon. Member for Sesheke, Hon. Miyutu, the hon. Member for Mwandi, and others that they are on the radar. These projects will be done.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The last one to ask a question is the hon. Member for Mwandi.

Ms Sefulo (Mwandi): Madam Speaker, I still remember one important point I was taught when in secondary school; that when one is answering a question, it should have the five Ws, which are who, what, when, where and why. In his answer, the hon. Minister indicated that there is this intention, but he has not tied it to when it will be undertaken. The commencement of this concession –

Mr Kabuswe interjected.

Ms Sefulo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development is trying to derail me.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You can go ahead, hon. Member.

Ms Sefulo: Madam Speaker, I would like to know if the concession has a timeline or if it is open-ended. I have heard about the other four Ws, but I want to know when it will be implemented.

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, what will be constructed is the road. Why? It is because the people of the Western Province need it. When? as I stated here, it is envisaged that civil works will commence as soon as the financing agreements are concluded and that the contractor will be procured in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT THE GOLD DISCOVERED IN CHITAMBO DISTRICT BENEFITS THE LOCAL PEOPLE

287. Mr Mutale (Chitambo) asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development what measures the Government is taking to ensure that the gold discovered in Chitambo District benefits the local people.

The Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Kabuswe): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Mr B. Mpundu: Jerabo!

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I need your protection.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I am not seeing what is happening there.

Are you safe, hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development?

Laughter

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Chitambo is asking the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development what measures the Government is taking to ensure that the gold discovered in Chitambo District benefits the local people, and when the measures will be implemented.

Before I answer, Madam Speaker, may I join my hon. Colleagues in extending my condolences to the families of the late Sixth Republican President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and of the late former Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Roy Ngulube.

My condolences to the two families.

Madam Speaker, in response to the question, the Government has put in place the following measures so that the gold discovered in Chitambo District benefits the local people:

1. formalisation of artisanal and small-scale operations to promote the participation of local people in the exploitation of gold and other minerals in Chitambo District. The Government, through the ministry, is implementing a programme aimed at facilitating the formation of co-operatives and awarding of artisanal mining licences;

1. the ministry is providing technical services to artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs) in various aspects of their operations, including sensitisation on the provisions of the relevant laws, basic mining methods, occupational health and safety, environmentally sustainable mining practices, and basic business and financial management skills; and

1. the ministry, working in a multi-sectoral way, is making various efforts aimed at providing an enabling policy, legislative and institutional environment to support the growth of the ASM sector in Zambia. For instance, under the policy framework, the Government has put in place an enabling tax regime for the artisanal miners while, in terms of legislation, among other efforts, artisanal mining licences have been made exclusive to the local people. In terms of the institutional framework, the Government has established a department under the ministry dedicated to dealing with artisanal miners.

 Madam Speaker, you may wish to note that the implementation of these measures is ongoing.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mutale: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, the Minister’s answers are very satisfying, but I have one concern. The ministry is here, in Lusaka, and I am aware that there are some departments in Kabwe. However, Chitambo and Kabwe are far apart. So, our people in Chitambo cannot afford to get to Kabwe or Lusaka to get artisanal licences. Is the hon. Minister in a position to tell the people of Chitambo whether he could, at least for a month or three, send his officers on the ground so that those who are interested in acquiring artisanal licences can do so at their doorsteps? The co-operatives already there.

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I want to say that the hon. Member’s suggestion is very important.

You will remember, Madam Speaker, that this Parliament actually approved a Bill, meaning that it is now an Act of Parliament, called the Geological and Minerals Development Bill. The Act establishes a directorate for artisanal miners. Apart from that, through the Minerals Commission Act, the ministry will now spread its tentacles all over the country. I agree with the hon. Member that our country is vast, but we have very few bureaus dotted here and there, which cannot do what he is suggesting. However, now, there will be a Director for Artisanal Mining in the ministry, and it will be his job to make sure that the formalisation process is in high gear. I think, given the way the ministry was structured and the policy that we want to implement, it is a requirement that we have enough manpower to be able to interface. The person who was doing that work was overloaded. When you look at the artisanal miners countrywide, you will see that they are many and that they need a dedicated directorate looking at all the issues of artisanal mining.

By the way, Madam Speaker, in last year's production, artisanal miners contributed about 45,000 tonnes of copper to that 16 per cent increase that we announced. So, really, they are very important.

Madam Speaker, we also have to deal with the issues of discoveries of gold in Chitambo, Mufumbwe, Mumbwa, Vubwi and other places in the country. So, there will be a Director who will now be dedicated to such issues so that our artisanal miners can be taken care of.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, the answers coming from the hon. Minister are good. If I listened to his answers well, there is this contrasting in the sense that the discoverers of minerals across this country are the local people. However, when the local people discover a mineral, somebody in Lusaka sends somebody to go and get the co-ordinates and, the following day, the local people are chased out of the area for somebody from Lusaka to take over the artisanal mining rights. I am happy that the hon. Minister has proposed that the system will be decentralised to our districts, especially where there are discoveries of various minerals.

Madam Speaker, what plans does the hon. Minister have to stop this habit of the Lusaka dwellers who move in the corridors of the Mining Cadastre Department of his ministry every day to get artisanal and small-scale mining licences, and displace the locals? Those people get licences for places where people already are because they do not even know the places. They just sit on a computer, get the co-ordinates because they have been given a licence. However, later, they find that where they go, there is a church or a big village. What plans does the hon. Minister have to stop this cadre of people in Lusaka who are taking advantage of the areas where people find it very difficult to apply for and get artisanal mining licences? That has to be stopped so that the locals are protected.

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

Madam Speaker, things are happening the way they are happening because the country had no systems, plans and programmes in place. That is why people can go to a field and harvest maize or dig up sweet potatoes and, as they are doing that, they discover gold or other minerals. We were not doing anything as a country. What President HH (Mr Hakainde Hichilema) and his team have done is to start by doing the right things. The first thing was to map the country so that we know what we are sitting on.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, the second step was to realise that there are many artisanal miners and that they needed a directorate to deal with the issues the hon. Member has raised. That is why we pushed a Bill in this Parliament in which we said that we needed a directorate for artisanal and small-scale mining and a fund to support artisanal miners.

Madam Speaker, on the issues that the hon. Member is raising, what we are guiding the Director, as a regulation, is to make sure that, for example, the discoverers of gold in Mumbwa or Mufumbwe, set up artisanal mining operations. However, we also need a company that will anchor the artisanal miners so that as they mine, they feed into the anchor mine. So, they must, firstly, be taught safe mining practices; secondly, be given the right price for the gold that they will be mining; thirdly, as you have heard, we are also going to teach them the business case because those who are discovering the minerals are villagers who do not even know how to apply for a mining licence. To them, the Government is not being good to them by stopping them from mining.

Madam Speaker, the other thing is that when the artisanal miners use unconventional methods of mining, what will happen is that there will be many holes dug all over the place. So, when people want to put up a proper mine, it is going to be a very expensive undertaking because they will have to level the ground, and the exploration will be a nightmare. That is why we have to prevent that. However, we want to tell our people that this is a good problem to have, and that the Government is already moving in. In terms of our mapping, we are talking about one zone already done, and reports will soon be coming. We will be moving zone by zone and, by the end of this year, the exercise will have been done. Then, as we discuss these licensing things, we will have the understanding that in Nyimba, one part has gold, another has copper and yet another has lithium. Then, we will do proper licensing while being mindful of the fact that we need to take care of our artisanal miners.

Madam Speaker, the point that the hon. Member has raised needs to be cured by the right directorate, which this Parliament approved that we set up.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: I will get the last two questions from the hon. Member for Roan and the hon. Member for Chipili.

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, allow me to equally convey my sincere condolences to our late Republican President, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s family, and to that of the former Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Roy Ngulube.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has itemised several issues concerning the discovery of precious minerals in our country. He has also itemised several issues on how the Government intends to help small-scale and artisanal miners to maximise their profits from the minerals. Is the ministry thinking of creating a central minerals market where the minerals that are being discovered across the country will be sold? He can position officers in the respective areas so that every mineral, be it gold or diamonds, that is discovered is sent to that central point under the ministry. That way, his ministry can help the small-scale and artisanal miners to maximise their profit, in terms of getting the true value of the minerals, rather than let the small-scale business people and briefcase businessmen loose to exploit the people who live in the areas. Probably, we can even add value to the minerals.

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Roan.

Madam Speaker, we are already in high gear in that sense because as I am speaking, there is construction of what we are calling Gold Marketing Centres in Mumbwa, or let me just say Central Province. We want to spread that idea across the country. It is quite an expensive undertaking, but we are determined to roll it out. We have procured, so far, two centres. We have also appointed Zambia Gold as the aggregator. That is what the hon. Member is talking about. It is basically aggregating the gold. Of course, people are spread across the country. So, we may not have one central point. Instead, we are going to have Gold Marketing Centres in different localities where gold is being mined by artisanal miners so that immediately they mine it, they take it to the aggregator, who will buy from them at the right price so that they get value for their gold. So, that process is already in high gear, as Gold Marketing Centres are being set up and an aggregator has already been appointed.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chala (Chipili): Madam Speaker, most of the areas where gold is being discovered are already under exploration licences. The co-operatives that want to apply for licences are told that they need to get consent from the owners of exploration licences, but the licence holders are refusing to issue consent. What message does the hon. Minister have for our people in the villages who have co-operatives?

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for this question.

Madam Speaker, I think that the Government has made it very clear that artisanal mining has come to stay and that we need to support it. I understand the issue of consent from exploration licence holders. We need to be careful in dealing with the issue because we may disturb large discoveries that are in the process by giving exploration licences willy-nilly.

Madam Speaker, as the Minister, I have the power to give consent, but I need to sit with the exploration licence holder because that is the first point of contact, to ask for consent to mine within their tenement. They must give reasons why they cannot give consent. I think, it will be in the best interest of any licence holder today to work well with the communities where they are found and to see how they can consortium with the communities. In fact, our encouragement now is to model the way it is done in farming, where there are people like extension service, I do know what this man, Hon. Mtolo, calls them, whereby people farm on behalf of someone and then supply –

Hon. Members: Outgrower!

Mr Kabuswe: Yes, the outgrower scheme. Correct! That is the word.

Madam, even in mining, we want to mimic outgrower schemes for artisanal miners. Those people who have large-scale licences, it will be in their best interest to work with the communities to create something similar to outgrower schemes, where the artisanal miners mine and then supply within the tenement. The artisanal tenement holders lose a little of their profit, but they gain peace and the social licence of the people domiciled around those areas, and it will be the job of the Director for Artisanal Mining to go into full gear and negotiate on behalf of our people who are discovering the minerals. That is why I am saying that it is a good problem to have. We cannot neglect the people who are discovering the minerals. If they discovered the minerals, conventionally, they were exploring. So, if they put a stamp on that, of course, we want to formalise and regularise things in a way that will enable the people who discover minerals to also benefit from the discovery.

Madam Speaker, that is what we are doing. As we are taking our security wings to protect the areas, we do not have to take out our people who discovered the minerals. We have to take care of them as well and create a system, like I said, of outgrowers, so that they participate together with the large-scale licence holders. It is not an easy matter, but this Government is determined to do that so that we see our people benefit from the resources they are endowed with.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

CONSTRUCTION OF LOCAL COURT IN KALEMBA-MITI AREA

288. Mr Mung’andu (on behalf of Eng. Daka) asked the Minister of Justice:

1. whether the Government has any plans to construct a local court building in Kalemba-Miti area in Chadiza District; 

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

1. what the estimated cost of the project is;

1. whether there are any plans to rehabilitate the Zingalume Local Court, which is in a dilapidated state;

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

1. if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu, SC.) (on behalf of the Minister of Justice (Ms Kasune)): Madam Speaker, the Government of the Republic of Zambia is fully committed to ensuring that there is adequate court infrastructure in the country. In that regard, the Judiciary has plans to construct a local court building in Kalemba-Miti area of Chadiza District.

Madam Speaker, in the 2025-2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework Budget Policy Paper, the Judiciary has made a provision for capital projects to cater for the construction and rehabilitation of court infrastructure countrywide. The construction of a local court building in Kalemba-Miti area in Chadiza District is part of the infrastructure development plan for the period 2025 to 2027.

Madam Speaker, the estimated project cost is K3.5 million, and that includes amenities such as an ablution block and a litigants’ shelter.

Madam Speaker, the Judiciary has plans to rehabilitate the Zingalume Local Court.

Madam Speaker, the rehabilitation of the local court has been included in the Judiciary’s infrastructure development plan for the period 2025 to 2027, subject to the availability of funds from the Treasury.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, the people of Chadiza cover long distances to seek judicial services, such as those offered by the local courts. Hearing the hon. Minister say that the Government has plans to deal with the issue under the 2025 to 2027 medium-term budget is very exciting for the people of Chadiza.

Madam Speaker, I seek clarification from the hon. Minister so that the people of Chadiza can get an assurance from him. Is he giving an assurance that a local court building will be constructed in Kalemba-Miti area during the period he has mentioned?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, I would like to assure the good people of Chadiza District that the caring Government of His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, will ensure that their cries are attended to. They have cried for a long time. From the time we attained Independence to-date, no courtroom has ever been built in Kalemba-Miti area. Since the President has heard the cries of the people, he will ensure that court infrastructure is put in place. So, the hon. Member should assure the good people in that area that we will do the needful.

I thank you, Madam Speaker. 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

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MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

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The House adjourned at 1806 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 11^th June, 2025.

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