Wednesday, 25^th June, 2025

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

_______

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM SPEAKER

 

ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I have received communication to the effect that in the absence of Her Honour the Vice-President, who is attending to other Government Business, the Minister of Defence, Hon. Ambrose Lufuma has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House from today, Wednesday, 25^th June, 2025, until further notice.

 

I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

DELEGATION FROM PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to acquaint the House with the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery, of the Leader of the House and Government Business, Members of Parliament, and Staff from the Parliament of Malawi. They are as follows:

 

 

 

Hon. Richard Chimwendo, MP                   -             Minister of Local Government, Unity and

Culture, Leader of the House and Government Business, and Leader of the Delegation

 

Hon. Emmanuel Chambulanyina, MP         -             Member

 

Hon. Bertha Ndebele, MP                           -             Member

 

Hon. Mike Mwawa, MP                              -              Member

 

Hon. Mike Bango, MP                                -             Member

 

Hon. Agnes Nkusa Nkhoma, MP                -             Member

 

Hon. Bizwick Million, MP                          -             Member

 

Hon. Ismail Rizzq Mkumba, MP                 -              Member

 

Ms Deborah Mangulama                             -             Research Officer       

 

Mr Charles Makalani                                   -             Committee Clerk

 

Mr Gift Chimodzi                                        -             Protocol Officer

 

Mr Charles Chapinga                                  -             Personal Assistant to Leader of the House

 

Ms Sheila Mpando                                      -             Secretary to Leader of the House

 

Andrew Nyondo                                          -             Public Relations Officer

 

Mr Kosmas Namacha                                  -             Security Officer

 

I wish, on behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, to receive our distinguished guests and warmly welcome them into our midst.

 

I thank you.

 

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM WISDOM WOOD SCHOOL LUSAKA DISTRICT

 

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

 

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

 

I thank you.    

 

_______

 

URGENT MATTER WITHOUT NOTICE

 

MR KATAKWE, HON. MEMBER FOR SOLWEZI EAST, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION, MR HAIMBE, SC., ON DEATH OF A ZAMBIAN SOLDIER IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

 

Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

 

 

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, Prime Television reported that a Zambian soldier died and one was left injured in an attack in the Central African Republic (CAR).  This statement is taken as one having been issued by the Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Defence.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Zambia would like to know more about this issue from the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and or the hon. Minister of Defence. Are our Zambian soldiers safe in CAR?  Are they there to fight wars, or are they there for peace keeping? Are there any lives that may be jeopardised, going forward? So, really, if one soldier died and one was injured, are the soldiers safe? The nation would like to know the position of the Government so that we do not lose more lives of our gallant soldiers.

 

Madam Speaker, I direct this Urgent Matter without Notice to the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and or the hon. Minister of Defence so that more lives may be prevented from getting lost.

 

Madam Speaker, I seek your indulgence on this matter.

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Member for Solwezi East. Of course, the issues of peace-keeping are important for the nation. Here we are, talking about a life of some member having been lost.  There are families involved, and some of them have not even learnt about the passing of the soldier.

 

So, we cannot come to this House and start talking about the death of one’s relative, because maybe, one has not even learnt about it. I think, let us leave that to the judgement of the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation or the hon. Minister of Defence to make the necessary enquiries. If the hon. Minister feels it is necessary to brief the House on what actually happened, we can leave that to him.  I think, it would be premature for us to start debating the soldier who has died, who belongs to a family, which may not have heard about his death. It is good that the matter of the soldier who died was reported, and we pass our sincere condolences to the family.  One of them is still in hospital.  So, we leave it like that. To enquire whether or not our soldiers generally, are safe or not, would be over-stretching the matter. So, under the circumstances, hon. Member for Solwezi East, the matter that you have raised as an Urgent Matter without Notice is not admitted.

 

We make progress.

 

_______

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

TARRING OF SELECTED ROADS IN CHAMA DISTRICT

 

351. Mr Mumba (Kantanshi) (on behalf of Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North)) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

 

1. when the tarring of the following roads in Chama District will be completed:

 

1. Lundu/Luangwa; and

 

1. Lundazi/Muyombe Turnoff;

 

1. at what percentage of completion the projects were, as of April 2025;

 

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

 

1. what the cost of the outstanding works is.

 

Mr Lufuma and Mr Sialubalo rose.

 

Madam Speaker: The question is addressed to the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. In his absence, the Acting hon. Minister is supposed to answer the question, but if, by prior arrangement again, it is the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House who is supposed to answer, then, he can answer. May I be advised as to who is supposed to answer this question.

 

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, the Acting hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development is the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development. I thought he was not in the House, which is why I took it up.

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you, Acting Leader of Government Business in the House. Now that the Acting hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development is around, he can answer the question.

 

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Sialubalo) (on behalf of the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi)): Madam Speaker, the tarring works, which is upgrading to bituminous standard of the Lundu/Luangwa River Road, are scheduled to resume in the fourth quarter of 2025 after procurement of a contractor is concluded.

 

Madam Speaker, tarring of the section from Muyombe to Lundazi turnoff will be implemented when funds are secured by the Treasury.

 

Madam Speaker, as at April 2025, the works were at 43 per cent and 3.4 per cent for the Lundu/Luangwa River Road and Muyombe/Lundazi Turnoff, respectively.

 

Madam Speaker, the cause of the delay in completing the works and subsequent termination of the contract was due to fiscal challenges. The cost of the outstanding works can only be determined once a full re-assessment is undertaken by a consultant.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mumba: Madam Speaker, I want to understand something. The hon. Minister has mentioned that the ministry might consider the contract in the fourth quarter, as the evaluation might be completed by then. He also mentioned that the cost of the contract will only be known after the full evaluation is done. The two items do not seem to be reconciling. Which one is supposed to come first, is it the evaluation or the value of the contract? If the value of the contract is not known, what evaluation is taking place at present? I need clarification.

 

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, the additional information I have may be useful to the hon. Member. If permitted, I would like to read through it.

 

Madam Speaker, the Lundu/Luangwa River section was initially part of a project for upgrading approximately 115 km of the Chama/Matumbo Road, which is R231. The scope of works under the contract included upgrading to bituminous standard using a double-surface dressing wearing course. The contract was initially awarded to China–Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Co-operation on 30^th November, 2012, at K466,731,195.76, with a sixty-month completion period. However, the contract was terminated on 1^st November, 2022, due to fiscal challenges. At the time of termination, approximately 50 km had been upgraded to bituminous standard and opened to traffic. Following the adoption of a phased approach to the upgrading of key roads, the Government, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), has since secured funding for the remaining works on the Lundu/Luangwa River Road stretching approximately 65 km. Procurement of civil works is expected to be concluded in the fourth quarter of 2025.

 

Madam Speaker, the Lundazi/Muyombe Road was initially part of a project for the upgrading of the Isoka/Muyombe/Chama/Lundazi Road, which is under Lot 4 of the project, covering a section of about 40 km from Chama, that is, Muyombe Road Junction, to Lundazi. The contract was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction on 28^th December, 2015, at K585,556,977.51, Value Added Tax (VAT) inclusive. Lot 5 of the project covering the section from Lundazi Junction up to 40 km, and 16 km of the Lusuntha Border Road was awarded to Messrs Sable Transport Limited on 28^th December, 2015, at K417,108,471.29, VAT inclusive. Both contracts were terminated on 3^rd January, 2023, and on 10^th August, 2022, due to fiscal challenges.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government had earlier secured funds for the upgrading of 40 km, which is the Lundazi/Chasefu stretch, of the Lundazi/Muyombe Road through the Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) II programme. However, following a change in policy direction on the part of the Government of the United States of America (USA), the programme was suspended indefinitely.

 

Madam Speaker, I believe that answers part of the hon. Member’s concerns.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chewe (Lubansenshi): Madam Speaker, the people of Chama North are probably worried, especially concerning the suspension. The hon. Minister needs to comfort the good people of Chama North because they are part of Zambia, and they need the said roads like yesterday. To ensure that the people of Chama feel that they are part of Zambia, what quick intervention is being put in place to consider sorting out that issue, which has now become a challenge?

 

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that the contract was initially awarded in 2012 for a sixty-month period. You know that from 2012, before 2021, the sixty months had already lapsed. That shows that even when the contract was being awarded, resources were not available. The New Dawn Administration first looks at where the money will come from. That is when we are sure. Now that we know where the resources will come from, I assure the people of Muyombe that the road network will be worked on. They will not wait the way they have been waiting since 2012. So, that is the assurance for the people of Chama North.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, the response from the hon. Minister is very clear, but I picked out a few issues that should concern the New Dawn Government and the people of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, contracts with the Road Development Agency (RDA) are structured in a certain way. When a contract is awarded, immediately the contractor is supposed to meet the Government obligations, that is if they want an advance, an advance bond, a performance bond, and also the take side possession. Those cost a lot of money. If one exceeds the agreed completion period of a project, just as the hon. Minister explained that from 2012 to 2022, the agreed completion period had elapsed, and that is when the contract was cancelled, the contractor will walk away with millions of Kwachas. So, I want to understand, with these challenges the hon. Minister inherited, what are some of the practical steps that he has taken to ensure that he safeguards the resources that he said they will look for? Or else the Government will end up paying for work that has not actually been done, but has been clearly cited as obligations in the contract. What has he been able to do all this time?  I can assure him that this value of K400 million will probably be the value that he will owe the contractor.

 

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, I am very much aware that the hon. Member is involved in a number of businesses and he knows that it is not the intention of the Government to lose money. When a contract is awarded to the hon. Member, for example, he will receive an advance payment. That payment is secured by either a bank that comes in as a guarantor or an insurance company. So, what the New Dawn Administration is doing is to make sure that advance payments are made available to the contractor to kick-start a project.  In the event that the contractor fails to kick-start a project, we know where to go. So, there are safeguards to ensure that the Government’s resources are not lost at any point.

 

Madam Speaker, we are concerned with the situation in Chama, where it has taken a long time for the road network to be worked on. The contracts for the roads in question were awarded without the previous Government knowing where the resources to support that infrastructure development would come from.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned that the contract for the roads in Chama was awarded in 2012 and the completion period for the project was supposed to be sixty months. The road network between the Eastern Province and Muchinga Province is very important, especially for the transportation of various products by farmers. I think that the outcry is because of the state of that road network. Since the project stalled from 2012 to 2025, has the hon. Minister considered re-scoping the works so that the important roads are prioritised? Looking at the percentage of completion, the Government can quickly ensure that the advanced works are completed to avert losses or deterioration of those works? 

 

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, looking at the period, it takes a prudent Government to ensure that, at least, re-scoping is done, because even the basement is affected. The erosion has also affected the same graded roads. So, we need to re-scope so that we understand the existing nature of the works that need to be done. If re-scoping is the way to go, that will definitely be done.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.  

 

ANIMAL VACCINATION IN MBABALA CONSTITUENCY

 

  352. Mr Munsanje (Mbabala) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

 

1. how many animals were vaccinated in Mbabala Parliamentary Constituency in 2024;

           

1. what diseases the animals were vaccinated against; 

 

1. whether there are any plans to vaccinate the animals in 2025; and

 

1. if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Ms Tambatamba) (on behalf of the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Kapala)): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that a total of 75,546 animals were vaccinated in 2024 in Mbabala Parliamentary Constituency. 

 

Madam Speaker, the animals were vaccinated against the following diseases:

 

1. 43,306 cattle for foot and mouth disease (FMD); and

 

1. 32,240 cattle for blackleg.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government plans to continue vaccinating animals as part of the intensified livestock disease control strategy. The targeted diseases and the projected number of cattle to be vaccinated are as follows:

 

1. 55,000 cattle for FMD;

 

1. 45,000 cattle for blackleg; and

 

1. 1,800 calves for east coast fever (ECF).

 

Madam Speaker, the vaccination is part of our planned activities for 2025.

 

Madam Speaker, part (d) of the question falls off as it has been adequately addressed under part (c) of the response.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Munsanje: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that adequate answer to the people of Mbabala.

 

Madam Speaker, the cattle keepers in the constituency, especially in the Mang’unza and Chembe areas, where there are many animals, are wondering what follow-up services the ministry is providing after the vaccination of their animals.  

 

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, the management regimes that have been put in place are part of the management series of activities that the ministry has planned, which are routinely carried out through its field staff. So, the follow-up services are in the plans of scheduled activities for the field staff, which are implemented locally. Unless there are other major issues, those are routine matters of management.

 

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, I thank the Acting hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock for the answer.

 

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock spends colossal sums every year to buy vaccines to ensure that it provides extensive services to the Zambian people. I would like to find out if the ministry has any plans of carrying out a public-private partnership (PPP) project to enable it to establish a national vaccine centre so that some of the vaccines can be produced locally? Doing that would enable the Government to avert spending a lot of money to buy vaccines, especially from Botswana and South Africa.

 

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question.

 

Madam Speaker, as we all may be aware, the New Dawn Administration is a governor of the nation by means of prudence. So, every ministry has been given the responsibility to ensure that it plans and spends accordingly by understanding the situation on the ground and ensuring that there is no wastage of resources. So, I want to assure the hon. Member that the ministry is in full control and it is ensuring that financial matters are well taken care of.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Munsanje: Madam Speaker, I thank the Acting hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock.

 

Madam Speaker, the issue of follow-up services, which she has assured the House of are supposed to be delivered by Agriculture Extension Officers or Veterinary Assistants in our communities. Unfortunately, in the entire constituency with over 100,000 cattle, we only have two Agriculture Extension Officers. Is the ministry planning to send more extension officers to all agriculture blocks in Mbabala Constituency to ensure that the follow-up services, which she has ably defined, can be ably delivered to all farmers in Mbabala Constituency?

 

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, I take note of the question by the hon. Member and we will ensure the ministry puts a plan in place to address his concerns. We will take note of the numbers and ensure that the Agriculture Extension Officers are provided with adequate time and schedules that will enable them to manage the number of animals in the area. We have learnt the art of managing with very little. So, it is a matter of planning adequately and properly beforehand.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

MOTIONS

 

REGULATE THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

 

Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that this House urges the Government to develop a policy and legal framework to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence.

 

Madam Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

 

Mr Chinkuli (Kanyama): Madam Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

 

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the development of machines and systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. According to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), AI is a discipline of computer science aimed at developing machines and systems that can carry out tasks considered to require human intelligence. Its rapid growth has led to widespread application across sectors such as education, finance, security and health care. However, despite its main benefits, AI also presents significant legal challenges. In many cases, legal systems have struggled to assign accountability or provide remedies for harm caused by AI. As a result, countries and international bodies are working to develop legal frameworks that regulate AI use, define responsibilities and address liability for potential risks.

 

Madam Speaker, AI is increasingly becoming a household terminology, as evidenced by the dependency on and usage of AI-powered devices in our lives. There is no better time than now to have a legal framework to regulate its use and understand its legal peculiarities.

 

Artificial Intelligence Technologies and Historical Perspective

 

Madam Speaker, throughout history, humanity has been obsessed with developing devices that can mimic the cognitive processes of the human mind. The ultimate objectives have always been to improve human life, increase production in various industries and reduce mistakes. To this effect, AI-powered machines are essential to human progress and global advancement of prosperity.

 

Madam Speaker, it is worth noting that the concept of AI dates back to the 1950s, with the term first coined in 1956. In April 2021, the European Commission (EC) proposed the first comprehensive regulatory framework for AI within the European Union (EU), making a significant step towards horizontal regulation. The framework focuses on the specific application of AI and associated risks. The commission defines AI as “software developed with one or more techniques and approaches to achieve human-defined objectives and generate output, such as content, prediction, recommendations or decisions that influence the environments they interact with.”

 

Artificial Intelligence and its Application in Everyday Human Life

 

Madam Speaker, AI has become deeply embedded in everyday human life, enhancing convenience, efficiency and personalisation across sectors, from virtual assistants managing daily tasks to AI-driven recommendation systems shaping how people consume content and interact online. Further, it has improved health care through diagnostic tools and robotic surgery tailored treatment. In finance, AI has enhanced fraud detection and investment decision making while, in education, it enhances learning through personalised content, learning platforms and automation of administrative tasks. Beyond daily life, AI plays a transformative role in scientific discovery, manufacturing, agriculture and environmental sustainability. It also accelerates research, improves industrial productivity, enhances food security, and contributes to disaster prediction and energy efficiency. The benefits of AI are far-reaching, and include increased productivity through automation, improved decision making via data analysis, reduced human error and enhanced safety in high-risk sectors like transportation and health care.

 

Negative Effects of Artificial Intelligence

 

Madam Speaker, notwithstanding its many benefits to human life, the full impact of AI on society, particularly on the future of work, remains uncertain. As AI continues to expand into various sectors, there is a growing concern that some industries may face labour disruptions, including potential strikes, due to fears of job displacement. Moreover, AI poses a serious risk in the realm of information integrity, as it can be exploited to spread disinformation, especially during political campaigns and elections. For example, the emergence of AI-generated high-quality and photo-realistic images, which are entirely fake, has already demonstrated that false but convincing content can be created and widely disseminated across the Internet and social media platforms, potentially misleading the public and undermining democratic processes. It is, therefore, clear that the widespread implementation of AI across society requires clear guardrails to ensure its responsible and ethical use. These may include formal regulations, industry-specific standards, codes of conduct and best practice guidelines.

 

Madam Speaker, as AI continues to evolve rapidly, the need to balance innovation with accountability becomes increasingly urgent. While the future of AI is both promising and dynamic, its long-term societal impact over the next five to fifty years remains unpredictable. Proactive regulation is essential to harnessing its benefits while mitigating risks related to safety, privacy, fairness and misuse.

 

Legal Nature and Liability of Artificial Intelligence

 

Madam Speaker, determining the legal nature of AI requires a definition of its legal personhood, which comes in various forms, such as machines and software operated by humans or independent robots that can make autonomous decisions. This variation makes it difficult to determine which law should be adopted and applied to cases where risk results from machines operated by AI.

 

Madam Speaker, it is worth noting that AIs are divided into three main categories, depending on the abilities they have, namely:

 

1. Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), the simplest type of AI used to perform specific tasks. Its narrow capabilities, such as fingerprint or facial recognition technology and drones, are operated by humans;

 

1. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which is used in advanced technologies and has human-level cognitive functions, such as planning and thinking. Examples are robots used in surgical medicine, and military and security operations; and

 

1. Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI), which surpasses all human capabilities and adapts to external situations and circumstances of its surroundings without human interference; has the ability to manufacture machines and equipment; and has large and infinite memory, enabling it to process and analyse data immediately.

 

Madam Speaker, since AI performs physical tasks, the likelihood of making errors is anticipated. Therefore, whoever is responsible for the error must bear all liabilities for any resulting damages, including the civil administrative liability, resulting from AI use.

 

Country Examples with Artificial Intelligence Frameworks

 

Madam Speaker, one may ask whether there are countries that have implemented AI regulatory frameworks, and the answer is that there are many countries that have done so. For example, the EU introduced the AI Act, a high-risk-based framework with strict requirements for high-risk AI systems. Another country is China, which enforces a strict regulatory framework focused on national security and social stability.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, your time is up. Could you can wind up, please.

 

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, these are just a few examples. As I wind up, allow me to reiterate the integral role of AI in society and life in general and, most importantly, the arising need for regulation of its application. As you may know, Zambia lacks a comprehensive legal framework for regulating AI, which leaves the country vulnerable to risks, such as misuse, data privacy violations and unregulated development of AI systems.

 

Madam Speaker, while there is the Data Protection Act of 2021, the Cyber Security Act of 2025 and Cyber Crime Act of 2025, these do not have any legal framework application.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Member’s time expired.

 

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Madam Speaker: Does the seconder wish to speak now or later?

 

Mr Chinkuli: Now, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, in the interest of time –

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Chinkuli: I need your protection, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, Artificial Intelligence, which I will refer to as AI as I progress, has been there, is here and will still be there. So, there is nothing much we can do to stop it. The only thing we can do is what we are proposing; that the Government regulates it.

 

Madam Speaker, looking at the way AI operates, one sees that it is limitless, and that is the danger because, at some point, it will perform some act that human beings will not be able to control. For example, there is the proposal that we need to go paperless. Now, if we take that route, in Kanyama and a few other places, some people are in the informal sector, where they depend on businesses in which paper is used, such as photocopying documents. Going paperless would mean killing those people’s businesses and creating a huge gap between the elite and those who are not well to do. So, the rise of AI has profound implications for the daily lives of people and how businesses are conducted.

 

Madam Speaker, from the business point of view, we are all aware that all businesses want is profit maximisation and, for them, adopting AI would be a good move. However, at the end of the day, if jobs are replaced by this technology, then, people will be affected. Who will bear the burden? We are grappling with social cash transfers because the number is huge. Now, we want to allow AI to increase the burden on the Government, which will not be good. We are talking about job losses. We have heard a number of companies talk about huge investments, even quoting figures in billions. However, when you go on the ground to investigate, you realise that the investment is in technology, not in human beings. This means that if things are allowed to go on at the rate they are going, a number of our people will lose their jobs, and that will not sit well with our Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), which emphasises economic transformation and job creation.

 

Madam Speaker, looking at the theme of the 8NDP, which is “Socio-Economic Transformation for Improved Livelihoods”, if we do not regulate AIs, how do we realise this important and beautiful plan the Zambian Government has put in place as its channel for development of our country? These are some of the issues that we are trying to address here. We are not saying that adopting AI is a bad move; it is very good. As we are talking here, we are using AI, as the system we are using is AI-based. However, AI needs to be regulated, failure to which a number of jobs will be lost.

 

Madam Speaker, another example I would like to give is that when we heard of the coming of automated teller machines (ATMs), I was the happiest person, but little did I realise that was going to cause havoc in people’s lives. A number of staff was laid off from the banks and compelled to earn a living through business, which they had never done before, after being given whatever amounts of money they were given. Now, all those who left at that time are a sorry sight, with some of them being beneficiaries of social cash transfers. So, to avoid all such things, I think, it is right that we regulate the use of AI.

 

Madam Speaker, the final issue that I want to raise is whether you have ever wondered why despite there being very good strategies and plans, on the ground, the situation remains the opposite of what the strategies and plans envision. It is because of some of the issues we try and ignore and say fyala isova, meaning that issues will sort themselves out. So, for us to be in tandem with our plans, we should make sure that even on the ground, we speak to some of the issues so that we can seal the loopholes through which certain issues that will disturb our plans come.  

 

Madam Speaker, with those remarks, I want to support the Motion and urge other hon. Members to do the same.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu, SC.) (on behalf of the Minister of Technology and Science (Mr Mutati)): Madam Speaker, as I conclude this important debate, allow me to extend my sincere appreciation to the hon. Member of Parliament for Solwezi East, Mr Alex Katakwe, for ably moving the Motion on the need to regulate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Zambia. I also wish to commend all hon. Members who have contributed to the debate silently with thoughtful, insightful and passionate interventions.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government recognises the need to create an enabling environment for the uptake and use of AI and has already established a strong foundation for AI governance. Our approach is anchored on key instruments, including the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, 2025; the National Information and Communication Technology Policy, 2023, which positions AI as a critical driver of economic growth and efficient service delivery; and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, 2024, which positions AI as a catalyst for economic and social progress, and prioritises skills development, sectoral integration and robust digital infrastructure to unlock the benefits of AI for Zambia’s development.

 

Madam Speaker, supporting frameworks like the Digital Transformation Strategy; Data Protection Act, 2021; Cyber Security Act, 2025; Cyber Crimes Act, 2025; and the Information and Communication Technologies Act, 2009; provide the legal and policy environment. These instruments ensure data privacy, address cyber security risks, and foster innovation and investment in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, including in AI. While embracing AI's benefits, the Government is fully aware of the associated risks, including enhanced cyber crimes, digital threats, misinformation, data breaches and potential job displacements. So, we are proactively addressing these challenges through continuous stakeholder engagement, policy refinement, and investment in secure data management and digital connectivity infrastructure.

 

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, the Government agrees, in principle, with the Motion’s call for the development of a policy and legal framework to regulate the use of AI in Zambia. To this end, it has already laid a progressive foundation through the policy and legal frameworks I mentioned earlier. We also recognise that the disruptive pace of technological advancement necessitates continuous study, stakeholder engagement and thoughtful consideration to ensure that our regulatory approach remains adaptive, effective and aligned with global good practices.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government supports the Motion moved by the hon. Member of Parliament.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, indeed, setting up a detailed regulatory framework for AI in Zambia is urgent and cannot be delayed any more. AI has special characteristics, application advantages and drawbacks. Therefore, it is imperative that this House urges the Government to draft a law regulating all issues associated with AI, such as its control and legal liability.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister and Hon. Chinkuli for supporting this Motion, and I urge this august House to support this non-controversial Motion without any ill feelings or emotions.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

_______

 

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

 

DEPLOYMENT OF TEACHERS TO NEWLY BUILT AND UPGRADED SCHOOLS COUNTRYWIDE

 

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima): Madam Speaker, thank you for granting me the opportunity to deliver this Ministerial Statement on the deployment of teachers to newly constructed and upgraded schools across the country. This statement seeks to clarify the principles, processes and criteria guiding the Ministry of Education in ensuring sufficient and timely deployment of teachers. Teacher deployment remains central to the Government's commitment to equitable access to quality education for all.

 

Madam Speaker, education is a constitutional right, as enshrined in Article 52(1)(g) of the Bill of Rights, which states the following:

 

“(1) A person has the right, as prescribed, to –

 

(g) education.”

 

Madam Speaker, similarly, Section 4(a) of the Education Act No. 23 of 2011, affirms that education is a human right and shall be accessible and provided equitably. This legal framework imposes a binding obligation on the State to facilitate access to education without delay or discrimination. The provision of education cannot be deferred due to fiscal or logistical constraints. Any such delay would amount to a violation of constitutional guarantees and a contradiction of Zambia's obligations under international frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4.

 

Madam Speaker, as of December 2024, the education system comprised 7,119 Government primary schools, which have been expanding at an annual growth rate of 3 per cent, and 1,735 Government secondary schools, reflecting a higher annual growth rate of 11 per cent. Collectively, these institutions serve an estimated 6,527,980 learners across the country, and are supported by a teaching and non-teaching workforce of approximately 153,000. The rapid pace of infrastructure expansion, backed by an investment of over K6 billion over the past three years, is commendable. However, it also underscores the urgent need for the timely and adequate deployment of teachers to ensure that the facilities are functional and capable of delivering quality education. Without corresponding investment in human resources, the gains made through infrastructure development risk being underutilised or delayed in their impact on learning outcomes. It is on that basis that the ministry continues to implement proactive measures, including permanent and temporary deployment of teachers, the use of provisional learning spaces, and facilitation of public-private collaboration to ensure that no learner is denied their right to education.

 

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that between 2017 and 2021, the education sector experienced a significant shortfall in teacher recruitment. During this five-year period, only 6,589 teachers were recruited, averaging just over 1,300 per year. Notably, no recruitment was undertaken in 2019 and 2020, further compounding staffing deficits, particularly in rural and underserved communities. That prolonged period of underinvestment led to a considerable backlog of qualified yet unemployed teachers, while schools across the country, especially those in high-demand regions, remained critically understaffed. The implications were profound, contributing to a decline in learner performance in national assessments. Specifically, national average scores for literacy and numeracy stood at 55 per cent for Grade 1 and 50 per cent for Grade 4, reflecting the impact of inadequate teacher availability on foundational learning outcomes.

 

Madam Speaker, to reverse that trend, the New Dawn Administration took decisive action by launching the largest teacher recruitment exercise in Zambia’s history. Over the past three years, more than 41,917 teachers have been recruited into the public education system. That is an unprecedented demonstration of the Government’s commitment to restoring teacher capacity, improving learner outcomes and meeting the staffing needs of the growing education sector in a sustainable manner.

 

Madam Speaker, to ensure continued teaching and learning in newly-constructed and upgraded schools, which are yet to receive Treasury authority, the ministry has adopted pragmatic interim measures. This involves the temporary redeployment of teachers from schools with Treasury authority to those that do not have. This approach helps address immediate staffing gaps and safeguards learners’ rights to education, especially in schools that are complete and ready for operation, but are pending formal establishment processes. While this is not a permanent solution, it reflects the ministry’s commitment to equity and responsiveness. Moreover, it underscores the urgent need to expedite the granting of Treasury authority so that staffing can be formalised and learning services sustained, without negatively affecting the schools that have temporarily released staff. The ministry continues to collaborate closely with Cabinet Office and the Public Service Management Division (PSMD) to fast-track Treasury authority approvals.

 

Madam Speaker, despite significant recruitment progress, the effects of previous recruitment gaps are still being felt. Therefore, sustained and predictable investment in teacher recruitment is critical to consolidate the gains and ensure that every learner in Zambia is taught by a qualified and well-supported teacher.

 

Madam Speaker, the ministry undertakes a systematic and multi-step process to assess staffing needs and facilitate the deployment of teachers. This process begins with a site and infrastructure assessment to determine the readiness and suitability of a facility for operation. It is followed by the classification of a school, whether at primary or secondary level, and if it is a community or grant-aided facility. Once that is done, the Ministry of Justice provides legal clearance for the institution. Thereafter, a Gazette Notice is issued to confirm the school’s operation status, which is an important legal step. Notably, a total of 3,279 schools have been gazetted over the past two years.

 

Madam Speaker, after a school is gazetted, the ministry creates an establishment register, which captures all the approved positions for the school. The final step involves the submission of a request for Treasury authority to the PSMD under Cabinet Office, in order to secure funding and activate the positions. It is worth highlighting that 4,497 schools have been granted partial establishment, with many operating with fewer than ten teachers, which underscores the need for further support to ensure adequate staffing.

 

Madam Speaker, that rigorous process ensures that schools are not only physically complete, but also fully staffed. However, the large number of partially staffed schools highlights the need for continued support to teacher recruitment and Treasury authority approvals to match infrastructure growth.

 

Madam Speaker, teacher deployment is guided by the principles of equity, efficiency and inclusiveness, with particular priority accorded to rural, remote and disadvantaged areas, where teacher shortages are most severe. The deployment process takes into account several critical factors, including learner enrolment levels, the demographics of the school catchment area, the organisational structure of the school, subject specialisation needs in line with the national curriculum, teacher-pupil ratios and the geographical location of the school.

 

Madam Speaker, currently, the ministry has identified 916 schools that lack Treasury authority, for which an estimated K1.81 billion is required to provide a minimum of seven teachers per school. In addition, there are 396 secondary schools without Treasury authority needing approximately K2.46 billion to deploy at least thirty-nine teachers to each of the schools. Furthermore, 4,497 schools are operating under partial establishment, for which K4.93 billion is required to regularise staffing levels. In total, the estimated cost to fully operationalise staffing across all those schools stands at K9.21 billion.

 

Madam Speaker, to address those challenges, the ministry is strengthening co-ordination with Cabinet Office, PSMD and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning in order to streamline the process of granting Treasury authority and improve planning and budgetary allocations to the education sector. Those interventions are designed to ensure that no school remains without adequate teaching staffing and that every learner, regardless of their location, has access to quality education.

 

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the challenges in keeping pace with recruitment and infrastructure expansion in the education sector are not due to lack of commitment, but rather to competing fiscal priorities, inherited systemic backlogs and the scale of on-going developments. For that reason, the ministry urgently calls for a larger and sustained National Budget allocation towards education to meet growing service demands and ensure that every newly-built school is matched with qualified and supported teaching staff.

 

Madam Speaker, the ministry remains steadfast in its resolve to ensure that every Zambian child is taught by a qualified teacher and will continue to refine deployment mechanisms to support quality nationwide education.

 

Madam Speaker, it is only through shared responsibility and collective action that we can ensure no school is left without a qualified teacher and no child is denied the right to quality education.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

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

 

Mr Charles Mulenga (Kwacha): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to ask a question. I would also like to thank the hon. Minister for presenting the Ministerial Statement.

 

Madam Speaker, in view of the Government’s policy on free education, a number of schools have been built and more learners are flocking to those schools. The teacher-student ratio is now higher than the recommended one. That, of course, requires more teachers to be employed in the schools. When are we embarking on another recruitment exercise to beef up the number of teachers in the schools that have been built countrywide?

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I explained in my statement that the backlog was too much. So, I think that the statement is clear on that point and does not need further explanation. However, the recruitment processes are on-going. In my statement, I said that our colleagues were not recruiting for five years. So, we can imagine the backlog. In the five years, they recruited only 6,000 teachers. This means that they were only recruiting somewhere around 1,300 every year. However, we came with a bang because we knew that the Free Education Policy would bring many children back into school. That is to say that at one time, we had to recruit more than 30,000 teachers. We have now recruited close to 42,000 teachers within three and a half years. I hope I have answered the hon. Member’s question.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much. I am sure the Ministerial Statement will be made available to the hon. Members for clarity.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the Ministerial Statement. Indeed, I appreciate the Government’s efforts to bridge the pupil/teacher ratio.

 

Madam Speaker, my concern is on the recruited teachers who leave their stations. I will give Chama as an example. I am sure the ministry has statistics of the teachers who were sent to Chama. Within a month, more than forty teachers are transferred back into towns leaving our schools in Mapamba, Chikwa and Tembwe without teachers, yet, their pay points indicate that they work in rural areas. Is the hon. Minister in a position to work with us, as Members of Parliament, to bring names of the teachers who are sent to our rural communities, but come back to Lusaka and other towns leaving our schools without teachers? Is he able to do that so that they can be replaced with teachers who are willing to stay and teach in rural schools?

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, yes, I am in that position.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: In other words, hon. Members, you are free to submit names and work closely with the hon. Minister to ensure that rural schools are well-manned by teachers who are willing to work in rural areas.

 

Mr Mutinta (Itezhi-Tezhi): Madam Speaker, I join my hon. Colleague in appreciating what the Ministry of Education has done in the last three years. Despite the situation we are in, it is slowly normalising and the people of Itezhi˗Tezhi appreciate it.

 

Madam Speaker, my question is related to the previous speaker’s question. Is the hon. Minister in a position to confirm that there are certain districts and provinces which are overstaffed than others? If so, what immediate steps is the ministry taking to normalise the situation?

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, some districts are overstaffed, and we are a trying to transfer some teachers. Maybe, I did not explain in detail to my hon. Colleague, the hon. Member for Chama South. Let me explain further.

 

Madam Speaker, when teachers are recruited, they are bound, with their signatures, to stay where they are posted for four years without being transferred. Obviously, there could be some cases which may be health-related. Teachers with health issues are transferred. However, this time around, we have realised that some of them were not telling the truth. So, we check with the medical doctor who could have signed that a person requires a transfer. Otherwise, teachers are bound to work for four years without going to work anywhere else. In any case, they are even told.

 

I am sounding a warning today, that when someone gets a position and then decides to run away, he/she will face the consequences. His Excellency the President has indicated that whoever does that would have fired himself/herself. We will now go to that extent. When we take someone to a rural school, and then, he or she runs away, leaving the children starved, in terms of knowledge, that person will be fired. Many of us went to rural schools, and we had to walk there every day, but we found a teacher there. Where are we today? I am even exuding good English, but I am from a rural area. Teachers should stay in the rural areas and teach the people who will become better citizens in future.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Munsanje (Mbabala): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the accurate Ministerial Statement.

 

Madam Speaker, as the people of Mbabala, we have queries to do with the recruitment order, which the ministry follows. An excellent job has been done, but then, some people were neglected from 2015 and some of them have not been recruited from as far back as 2014, as the hon. Minister mentioned. They were not recruited in 2015 and 2016, and now, we are in 2025. The complaint is that some of them are now ageing, having been waiting to be recruited. Is the ministry considering supporting such citizens to be recruited first so that they become useful to the national economy before they forget the skills and knowledge they have acquired? So, those who will complete in 2025 should be the ones to be recruited last.

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question, although really, that issue is not in my ministerial statement, but I will answer it. Yes, I agree with the first in and first out approach.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mrs Sabao (Chikankata): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the good statement.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Chikankata are very grateful to the New Dawn Government for recruiting more teachers. What mechanisms are being put in place to monitor the progress of teachers and pupils in the new schools?

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, again, the question was not in my ministerial statement, but I will answer. We have standard officers who monitor the progress of teachers and learners.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Okay, he is a Mr Kupe.

 

 Mr Chewe (Lubansenshi): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister of Education for updating the nation on the measures being put in place to encourage our young ones to be in school.

 

Madam Speaker, does the Ministry of Education take an interest to know the number of classroom blocks and staff houses that are being constructed under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) per year so that when the ministry is recruiting teachers, the way it has been doing which is good for the nation, our teachers find accommodation, especially in rural areas? Is the ministry doing that and if that is the case, how is the shortage of accommodation being addressed?

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, my response will not be lengthy. Yes, we do.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: The hon. Minister is a man of few words.

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: Maybe, just to satisfy the hon. Members, it is better to amplify the answer so that they are satisfied.

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, they ask questions which have short answers.

 

Madam Speaker, we have people on the ground. They are the ones who feed us with the information on whether the classrooms are complete. Actually, I talked about the process in my statement. So, we go on the ground and check the classroom blocks that are there. This is why I said that we are not like the Ministry of Health. Even if there is a structure, the Ministry of Health is not going to open that structure if the requisite equipment is not there. As the Ministry of Education, we check an area and if there is a school with schools, we transfer some teachers who are already teaching at another school to go and begin teaching at the new school. When recruitment is done, we request for teachers for the new school and the other teachers are taken back to their schools. That is what we do.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Madam Speaker, some schools seem to not have enough actual teachers. However, records show that the schools are well-staffed. This means that some teachers have been transferred. I do not know whether there are numbers or codes given to teachers. While the teachers are attached to schools elsewhere, the records at their former schools still show that the they are there. What is the ministry doing to normalise the situation, or to correct the information in the schools?

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, in my statement, I indicated that we are trying to work with the Public Service Management Division (PSMD) and Cabinet Office to do that. For example, if there is a school which has been completed, but has no teachers, we get seven or eight teachers to go and start teaching at that school. When those teachers go to that school, they still use the same Payroll Management and Establishment Control (PMEC) number. So, it is just a complicated thing because it started a long time ago.

 

Madam Speaker, let me just tell my hon. Colleagues this. The Patriotic Front (PF) Government was not recruiting teachers, whilst teachers were being churned out from colleges. So, we found a backlog of more than 120,000 unemployed teachers.

 

Mr Mubika: Really?

 

Mr Syakalima: Yes! Whatever magic one can use, it is not possible to employ all of them, all right.

 

 Madam Speaker, let me say that in the next twenty years, if we did not employ teachers, this country was going to have a dangerous shortage of teachers. People had stopped taking their children to study education in colleges or even universities. This is because they realised that they were wasting money because their children were not being employed. At colleges or universities such as Kwame Nkuruma University, the number of students had gone down, dangerously.  Today, if I had money, and recruited all the remaining 70,000 unemployed teachers, I would still have had a shortfall. This is progression. We have to curb the problem. I told the President one time that, even if he were to leave office after one term, he would have saved two presidents from the calamity in the education sector because of the many teachers he has employed today. So, I think, the hon. Member knows where the crisis came from. However, it has to be dismantled, if it is a crisis, indeed.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, let me join my hon. Colleagues who have thanked the Government for the recruitments that have happened. Of course, I appreciate the responses from the hon. Minister. We all know that at the rate we are moving, as a country, in terms of economic growth and all the challenges that we have, we might not have enough resources to recruit more teachers. The Treasury authority might not be granted.  

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has heard the Government's response on the Cash for Work (CfW) programme. Funds were allocated to this programme to help people feed themselves while the Government tried to sort out the food situation. Has the ministry ever thought about apprenticeship programmes for teachers where it could employ teachers not on a full-time basis, but give them a living wage? That way, the pressure in schools would be reduced. Unemployed teachers are just sitting at home after having invested in their education. They are not able to work because the Government does not have enough resources to employ them. However, if the ministry came up with a programme to help it have many more teachers in schools through an apprenticeship programme, teachers would earn a living wage. Is this something that the ministry can consider discussing with the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning while it waits for Treasury authority?

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I will try and discuss the issue with the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning. However, I am not quite sure whether anybody can say that they want to work for free. We have them, but they are very few. However, it is worth trying, probably. The fiscal space is the one which constricts us such that we cannot employ more teachers. Like I said earlier, even if I employed everybody, there would still be a few unemployed teachers. We have to reach a good teacher to pupil ratio. So, the problem is complex, but, I think, we are dismantling it; just like we are now dismantling the debt which was created in the previous Administration.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member needs to be mindful of the fact that we are also feeding the children who are in school. So, they are encouraged to go to school because they know that they will eat a meal there. So, the meal that a child eats at school, another child its it at home. It is a cycle. So, we are serving both parents and their children because children eat at school. If they eat lunch at school, it means that they will not eat the lunch at home, hence saving food at home. Also, children do not pay to write examinations. In the past, they used to pay for examinations in Grade 12, but the President said that if children do not pay school fees and they but do not write examinations, why did the schools teach them from Grade 1 to Grade 12? So, as the Government, we pay for examination fees on behalf of the parents. Again, we serve the parents.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Chala (Chipili): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his statement. However, before I ask him a question, I want to say that I will go to his office to ask for two slots.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chala: I am just joking.

 

Mr Syakalima: What did he say?

 

Mr Chala: I was saying that I will go to his office for two slots.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chala: Madam Speaker, the statement that the hon. Minister has made here is very encouraging. Regarding those people who are being recruited and sent to rural areas, the hon. Minister said that they are supposed to stay there for at least four years. Now, I want to know from him whether what he has stated is a policy or a law, so that we help him. What is happening in our rural areas is very discouraging.

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, it is actually a policy, not a law. However, even policies must be respected. So, the hon. Member must come to my office.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chipili, go to the hon. Minister’s office. I do not know if the two slots will also be availed.

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chilubi, you may proceed.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Fube (Chilubi): When will you learn to behave?

 

Madam Speaker, my question is distantly related to what the hon. Member for Kalabo Central asked, but in a different way. We know that issues concerning Payroll Management and Establishment Control (PMEC) are a reality. This has largely affected rural areas. Most of the people who are recruited use rural areas as springboards to get into the system. Two days after being posted, they leave the rural areas. I think, my district is one of those that has suffered largely. When the Government sends, maybe, sixty new teachers, before one realises it, in the third month of them being recruited, the district is left with fourteen, and by the fourth month, only two remain. All of them would have left, not on medical grounds, but by just using connections, and so on and so forth. Meanwhile, their PMEC details are under Chilubi, and they are getting paid and eating ice cream in urban areas. That is the reality. This means that the establishment is not responding well to what is being projected to the nation. Having said that, I would like to know how the ministry intends to navigate in future. I know that there was an outcry countrywide about trained local teachers who were not absorbed. I think that was nationwide. How does the ministry intend to absorb that personnel? The local people who are trained as teachers are used to the mosquitoes in Chilubi. They would not give being beaten by mosquitoes as a reason because they are born in that environment. I am not being xenophobic. However, we have seen that some people pretend to love Chilubi because they want to get employed. The moment they are employed, the next day, they leave. That is the situation in many rural areas. How does the ministry intend to navigate that problem, especially since in the areas I am talking about, which could be the Northern Province, the Eastern Province, the North-Western Province or the Southern Province, there are trained young people who live there, yet have been left out in the recruitments? It does not look right when they are left out, as those who are recruited leave such places after being recruited. How does the ministry intend to navigate that problem?

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, please, can we restrain ourselves with the comments we are making?

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I think, in future, the ministry will be punishing those who transfer them because the teachers do not just run away on their own. So, we will start punishing them instead of those whom they give transfers. The hon. Member stays in Chilubi, has he not been bitten by mosquitoes? Why do teachers run away instead of buying mosquito nets, and teaching the children, who will be like him (pointed at Mr Fube), English, Mathematics and Geography? That is a serious issue. One is given a job and, thereafter, that person runs away. So, who do they think is going to go there?

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Eng. Daka (Chadiza): Madam Speaker, most of the teachers who are recruited and run away from their point of deployment, normally, carry along the rural hardship allowance provision. The people of Chadiza would like to know what mechanisms the ministry has put in place to track and ensure that the allowance provision is removed at the point at which the teachers are transferred from rural areas. If it is not done, it amounts to wasteful expenditure on the part of the Government.

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, some questions are not related to the scope of my statement. I do not want to start saying things that I am not prepared for. That was not in my statement. Maybe, the hon. Member can come to my office so that I can ask the technocrats to sit with him, and he can ask them that question. I think, they would be able to explain properly.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, the statement was in relation to the guidelines used in the deployment of teachers to newly built and upgraded schools countrywide. So, stick to that subject. If you want to ask more questions on that, file in other questions.

 

Mr E. Banda (Muchinga): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the New Dawn Government for the massive recruitment of teachers, which has reduced the pupil-teacher ratio.

 

Madam Speaker, in my constituency, there are newly constructed schools and newly recruited teachers, plus those who are already serving. I must mention that in my constituency, there are teachers, whom I know personally, who have been there for many years and are still working, who have endured, that is the right term, working in areas that have been rejected by most teachers. I hope the hon. Minister will not say that my question is outside the scope of the statement. Those teachers complain that they work in rural areas where people are not ready to work. Most of the people whose pay points are in the schools have run away to work in towns, but those who have been working in those areas and have upgraded their qualifications are still in salary scales that are lower than the work they do. Yet they do not intend to run away. How soon is the Government going to upgrade such teachers?

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, indeed, that issue was not in my statement, but I answered a similar question on upgrades. The ministry has a backlog and needs K4 billion to complete all the upgrades. One can imagine. There is a process, and we are progressing. Every month, we upgrade some teachers when money is available. They need to be upgraded.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mabeta (Kankoyo): Madam Speaker, first of all, allow me to thank the hon. Minister of Education for not only recruiting more than 40,000 new teachers, but also taking care of the teachers, who were recruited in 2018 and 2019, who were not put on the payroll. 3,500 teachers were recruited, but were not given salaries. Today, 80 per cent to 90 per cent of the people who had the right qualifications are on the payroll. Well done to the hon. Minister.

 

Madam Speaker, as the ministry continues to recruit new teachers, there is a request from secondary teachers who studied science and mathematics. I think, recruitment focuses more on primary school teachers and those who studied arts subjects. Hence, those who studied mathematics and science are left out most of the time when the ministry recruits. My appeal, on behalf of them, is that the next time the ministry recruits, such teachers should be considered, as they are the majority who are left out during recruitment.

 

Madam Speaker: That was a comment. I do not know if you would like to respond, hon. Minister. I know the comment is not related to the issues in your Ministerial Statement.

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, when we recruited 30,000 teachers, 25,000 of them were primary school teachers. Consequently, we are reducing on the recruitment of primary school teachers because we think that we have recruited enough for now. We want to increase the recruitment of secondary school teachers. Furthermore, we have started recruiting more science teachers. The only challenge is that the schools are too many. We have so many science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) schools that require science teachers.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, let me make a comment by way of guidance. I know that there is a problem of staffing, and that it also stretches to the Ministry of Health. Using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), we are building a lot of schools and clinics. The reason we are building that infrastructure is for the people we represent to benefit. There is a constituency office in each constituency, including the rural areas. So, why not use the staff in those constituency offices to get in touch with the schools and find out which teachers were recruited, but they are no longer at those schools? That way, you will have information that you can submit to the ministry and it will be able to address the issue.  

 

At the moment, we are just speculating about the staffing levels. We do not have the numbers or names. So, you can start by way of providing oversight, because that is what Parliament is about. As I said, through your constituency offices, please, go to schools. You can start with one or two of them and get the number of teachers who were recruited, but they are no longer there. You can then submit the names so that they are replaced.  

 

We should not talk about money all the time. The money is there, but it is going to the wrong people. I think that is how we can sort out that problem. The hon. Minister of Education will not be able to address all the issues on his own. Let us use the constituency offices, which are in each constituency. Otherwise, the offices will turn into white elephants that are not providing the necessary oversight that you want to provide.

 

Hon. Members, that is my suggestion as a person who is looking from the outside. I do not know if that can help us solve the problem.

 

We make progress.

 

_______

 

BILL

 

FIRST READING

 

THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (Amendment) BILL, 2025

 

The Minister of Justice (Ms Kasune): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill titled the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025. The objects of the Bill are to:

 

1. revise the composition of the National Assembly to provide for the increase in the number of constituency-based seats from one hundred and fifty-six to two hundred and eleven to actualise the delimitation report by the Electoral Commission;

 

1. revise the electoral system for election to the National Assembly to provide for a mixed-member proportional representation electoral system to guarantee the representation of women, youths and persons with disabilities;

 

1. revise the provision relating to filing of fresh nominations on the resignation of a candidate;

 

1. revise the provisions relating to by-elections;

 

1. revise the number of nominated Members of Parliament;

 

1. harmonise the term of Parliament and council to achieve a five-year term;

 

1. provide for a vacancy in the office of Minister and Provincial Minister ninety days before a general election;

 

1. remove the two-term limit for office of mayor and council chairperson;

 

1. revise the composition of the council to include Members of Parliament holding constituency-based seats;

 

1. revise the qualifications for appointment to the office of Secretary to the Cabinet;

 

1. provide for the Attorney-General and Solicitor-General to continue in office after a general election, until new office bearers are appointed;

 

• revise the definition of the words “child” and “adult”;

 

1. provide for clarity on the period within election petition shall be concluded; and

 

• provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to scrutinise the Bill. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House on 29^th July, 2025. Hon Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

 

Hon. Members, this is not only for members of the public. Even you are free to go and appear before the Select Committee to make your comments.

 

I thank you.

 

_______

 

MOTIONS

 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNANCE, HOUSING AND CHIEFS’ AFFAIRS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTOR DEVOLUTION PLANS

 

  Mr Mutinta (Itezhi-Tezhi): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that this House adopts the Report of the Committee on Local Governance, Housing and Chiefs’ Affairs on the Implementation of Sector Devolution Plans for the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly, laid on the Table of the House on Monday, 23^rd June, 2025.

 

Madam Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

 

Mr Kandafula (Serenje): Madam Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

 

Mr Mutinta: Madam Speaker, from 2002, the Government of Zambia has made strides in implementing decentralisation through devolution of certain functions. This has involved the transferring of certain designated functions, together with power, authority and matching resources, including staff, from the Central Government to the local authorities.

 

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Article 147 (2) and Annex (c) of the Constitution, Chapter 1 of the Laws of Zambia, the revised National Decentralisation Policy of 2023 and Circular No. 2 of 2023, the Government has undertaken the devolution of functions from respective ministries to local authorities.

 

Madam Speaker, it is against this background that your Committee undertook a study on the implementation of sector devolution plans. This was in order to appreciate the status of the process, challenges and opportunities available, and measures that can be put in place to effectively implement the Decentralisation Policy.

 

Madam Speaker, the study reveals that the Civil Service Commission (CSC), in collaboration with the Public Service Management Division (PSMD) and sector devolving ministries has attached over 35,000 employees to local authorities. Notwithstanding this progress, some officers attached to local authorities are yet to receive their attachment letters. This situation has created a vacuum in that while functions have been devolved, the officers attached to perform those functions have not reported to their respective local authorities.

 

Madam Speaker, in respect of financial support to local authorities, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning has been providing guidance on grants for devolved functions and issued several guidelines, including the Cabinet Office Circular No. 2 of 2023.  In the same vein, devolution sector accounts have been opened and are fully operational.

 

Madam Speaker, the Committee notes with concern that despite these guidelines having been issued, most local authorities indicated that they are not aware of how to utilise the funds disbursed to the sector accounts. This has, in some instances, resulted in delays in deciding how funds can be utilised, subsequently delaying service provision to the people. In this regard, your Committee urges the Executive to immediately provide clear guidelines and ensure local authorities comply with the guidelines.

 

Madam Speaker, your Committee further observes with concern the need for legal reforms in order to effectively implement the 2023 National Decentralisation Policy. In this vein, your Committee urges the Government to harmonise the various pieces of legislation impeding the smooth implementation of the policy.

 

Madam Speaker, your Committee also went further and undertake a tour to Tanzania to appreciate the implementation of decentralisation by devolution in that country. The Committee learnt that most sectors, such as health, education, agriculture and water had devolved some of their functions to local authorities with the exception of national defence and security, which remain under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Central Government. However, within the devolved sectors, certain functions continue to be managed at the central level. This retention was due to factors such as limited capacity at the local authority, the need for uniform regulatory oversight and strategic considerations that required centralised co-ordination.

 

Madam Speaker, the Committee further learnt that the Central Government pays salaries for employees in the local government. The Committee also learnt that salaries are processed through a Centralised Government Payroll System to ensure consistency and accountability. Additionally, local government authorities with financial capacity recruited and paid salaries for staff on temporary contracts to meet specific service needs.

 

The Committee learnt that, notwithstanding the above sectors being devolved, the Central Government continued to play an oversight role of ensuring that local authorities functioned in line with the national policies. In the same vein, the paying of emoluments for all employees in the local authorities by the Central Government has reduced inertia of staff moving from the Central Government to the local authorities.

 

In drawing lessons from the Tanzanian experience, the Committee urges the Government to undertake legal reforms that will address issues of staff recruitment, salary structures and the role of the Central Government in the devolution process.

 

In conclusion, Madm Speaker, I would like to thank your Office and that of the Clerk of the National Assembly for the support rendered to your Committee throughout this session. I would also like to thank all the stakeholders who provided written memoranda, which your Committee relied on, and the Government institutions that availed themselves during your Committee’s local tours of Central Province, Lusaka Province and the Southern Province.

 

 With these remarks, I urge all hon. Members to support the report of the Committee.

 

Madam Speaker, I beg to move.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

 

Madam Speaker: Does the Seconder wish to speak now or later?

 

Mr Kandafula: Now, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to thank you for according me the opportunity to second this progressive Motion before this august House.

 

Madam, allow me to also thank the mover of the Motion, Hon Twaambo Mutinta, for the able manner in which he presided over your Committee's deliberations.

 

Madam Speaker, I will restrict my comments to three issues. The first issue I want to talk about is the effectiveness of the strategies put in place for effective implementation of devolution and the pro-activeness of local authorities.

 

Madam Speaker, your Committee observed that the Government has put in place, and drafted various policy documents to effectively implement the Decentralisation Policy. However, all these measures will require close collaboration. Let me repeat Madam Speaker: there is a need for close collaboration between the devolving ministries, the Decentralisation Secretariat and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and local authorities, if we have to achieve the goal.

 

Madam Speaker, as the Government implements decentralisation by devolution, the Committee recognises the need for infrastructure development to cater for both office and staff housing. This is to address the current situation in which officers are staying in towns that are different from where their operating stations are.

 

Madam Speaker, on the pro-activeness of the local authorities, it was very saddening to learn that almost all the local authorities visited had issues of how to append the large sums of money they were receiving from the Government. This is because the Ministry of Finance and National Planning was disbursing funds without proper narration of which devolved sector was supposed to receive and the actual amounts of money which they were supposed to receive. On this one, I can say, it is inertia on the part of the local authorities because they were not supposed to wait for us to go there. They were supposed to actually go to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and ask about the money. So, right now, they are holding on to a lot of money without using it.

 

Madam Speaker, lastly, in order to effectively implement sector devolution, there is a need for enhanced sensitisation of the general public and capacity building for all staff attached to local authorities.

 

Madam Speaker, with these few remarks, I urge fellow hon. Members to support this non-controversial Motion.

 

Madam Speaker, I beg to second.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much. He must be the brother to the hon. Minister of Education.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to add a word to the debate on the Motion of the Floor, on behalf of the people of Chilubi.

 

Madam Speaker, devolution requires a sector-specific approach. For example, following a circular of 2015, civic roles were separated between the District Commissioner (DC) and the Council Chairperson. This means that primary healthcare professionals, for instance, those under the Ministry of Health, are supposed to report to the Council Chairperson, not to the DC. This issue should have been taken on board, but that has not happened. As we talk about decentralisation, we also need to talk about the timelines and the roles that different officers are supposed to play. If we want to attach a human face to decentralisation and issues of positions, we need to investigate assets and fiscal support for decentralisation. We need to start taking practical steps. We need to know if we transferred the assets that belong to decentralised entities. We will be fishing in the dark if we continue talking about legislation without attending to those issues.

 

Madam Speaker, let me also attend to the issue of human capital versus service delivery. We know that even if the report has confined decentralisation to the period 2023, 2024 and so on, the discussion on decentralisation started a long time ago. At first, when it started, it was supported by a German institution.  I remember that the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) supported decentralisation by pumping in resources into the programme. The intention of decentralisation was to have a trickle-down effect to ensure that Government services reached the lowest person in a community. Local authorities, which were identified as the structures that were nearest to the people, were incapacitated in terms in personnel. With time, we have seen that the number of personnel in authorities has been beefed up through recruitment. However, we still have a problem –

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I think, the noise that is coming from there (pointed to the right) is not very respectful to the debate I am contributing to on behalf of the people of Chilubi.

 

Hon. Government Members: Ah!

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Chilubi, just concentrate on your debate.

 

Mr Fube: The noise is disturbing me.

 

Madam Speaker: I will be able to –

 

Mr Fube: Yeah!

 

Madam Speaker –

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Chilubi!

 

Just concentrate on your debate. Leave other issues to me; I will handle them.

 

Please, hon. Members, can we tone down so that we allow the hon. Member for Chilubi to debate.

 

Mr Fube: I will do as guided, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: However, please, do not shout so loudly.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, that is my voice. It is a lion’s voice.

 

Madam Speaker: Okay!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, what I was trying to underscore is the creation of a balance between human capital and service delivery for the people to feel the trickle-down effect. There is still a gap in local authorities, but it is not fiscal; funding is available. The gap is in skills. Many young people have been trained and sent to different local authorities, but that move has not helped programmes such as the Social Cash Transfer (SCT), Food for Work, and many others. There is no positive correlation between the human capital that has been deployed and the service delivery by local authorities.  

 

Madam Speaker, allow me, also, to address the constitutional question. I agree with the mover of the Motion, who limited himself to Article 147 as the main article for decentralisation. However, I think, there are thirteen articles that were envisaged to support the devolution process, and they start from Article 147 to Article 164. All those articles are supposed to support the devolution process.

 

Further, with the change in ministries, chiefs fall under local authorities. This means that Article 165 to Article 172, which tackle the question of chieftaincy, are accommodated. This means that twenty articles in the Constitution support devolution, and that is not a small issue. When we are talking about devolution, especially when we want it to have a trickle-down effect, traditional leaders and other stakeholders like churches, who are players in local authorities, come in. I think, what was put in the Constitution was well-positioned. When it comes to the constitutional question, the core of the matter is in Article 152(2), to be specific. Allow me to quote the article because it is very categorical. It says:

 

“The national Government and the provincial administration shall not interfere with or compromise a local authority's ability or right to perform its functions.”

 

 Madam Speaker, in practice, that is not happening. When a law is not followed, there is a spill over effect on how structures perform. We have not respected this particular provision of the Constitution in practice. You will find that District Commissioners want to perform certain roles that are supposed to be performed by Council Secretaries or Town Clerks who are the chief executives of local authorities, and that creates problems. So, Article 152 has to be central in accommodating devolution, and the circulars that are produced every now and then have to take that into consideration.

 

Madam Speaker, if you look at the status of the legislation that your Committee looked at, you will see that it is a sorry sight. Out of twenty-three pieces of legislation, twenty are pending, one has been reviewed, another one has been repealed, and one has been amended. However, the critical aspects that contribute to helping the process of decentralisation are in legislation. The spinal cord for decentralisation is legislation. When legislation is prepared, the fiscal aspect will also fall into place. However, legislation has underperformed. Where has the House been? We have rushed to attend to laws that are not critical to the delivery of Government services. We have left twenty Acts of Parliament unattended to. We have reviewed one, repealed one, and amended one. This is where the problem is. When devolution is not supported by legislation, implementation is prohibited or barred by statutes. So, officers who want to make a move have to first see whether that move is backed by the law.

 

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Chilubi, I would like to submit that, let us follow what is stated in Article 7 of the Constitution about all those laws as they resonate with devolution. Then, devolution of Government tasks to where they are supposed to belong will happen.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Munsanje (Mbabala): Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Twaambo Mutinta from Itezhi-Tezhi for his report, which was ably seconded by Hon. Kandafula.

 

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Mbabala, I wish to support the report –

 

Mr Mubika: And Mang’unza!  

 

Mr Munsanje: Yes, on behalf of the people of Mbabala, Mang’unza, Chembe, Manda and all the beautiful places, I support the report. That is where God started making the earth.

 

Madam Speaker, the issue of devolution of various services or functions to the council –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

 

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mr Munsanje (Mbabala): Madam Speaker, when business was suspended, I was raising a point on devolution.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to add a few points on the harmonisation of legislation related to the devolution. As the people of Mbabala, we are excited and thankful to His Excellency, President Hakainde Hichilema, for launching the Devolution Policy in Chongwe in 2023, if I am not mistaken. This has resulted in a number of functions and services being taken to the councils. As a member of the Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Services, we also looked at this topic and submitted a number of recommendations and findings. I am happy to support the Motion on the report of the Committee on Local Governance, Housing and Chiefs’ Affairs, which outlined some of the issues. as I have mentioned, we need to harmonise legislation and policy issues in this area. For example, in terms of the structure of the councils, there is a director of public health, and there is the district director of health in the health sector. In some instances, there are other positions related to health. What I have noted, even in the report, is that the structures are not yet finalised. So, the ministries need to ensure that the structures are finalised and harmonised to ensure that regardless of position, the Government functionality is undertaken, and that can be done by ensuring that we have a clear structure as to who is who in reporting to the Council Secretary and downward to public health, clinical care and so on and so forth. This also involves other departments, which we are calling for, which have been devolved.

 

Another issue, Madam Speaker, is finances. Financing from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning is sent to the councils, but many of the funds, as read in the report, are not spent because there are no spending or guiding notes for the councils. The people whose positions have been devolved hold on to the funds based on their old ministry portfolio kind of environment. So, if people from the Ministry of Transport and Logistics receive funding, they spend it on programmes under the Ministry of Transport and Logistics programmes instead of bringing it to the council so that it forms part and parcel of the council fund portfolio. So, we need to ensure that all the funds that are sent to the councils for the devolved functions become part and parcel of the council fund portfolio, not only the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which is almost housing everything in the councils.

 

Madam Speaker, let me talk about the issue of governance. The devolved functions need to be as many as possible, leaving only the strategic ones, like military and finance, in the Central Government. For example, yesterday we were talking about mining issues. Our communities must be able to go to council offices to get data on mining in terms of minerals, licencing and the like in their area. So, we are calling for the devolution of all functionalities because Mayors and Councillors should have all the information and facilities. So, for these people to be elected in their wards and districts, and be accountable for the services, we need to devolve every service offered so that districts can be fully functional and accountable for those services. That way, we will hold our elected officers, who are the Councillors and Mayors or Chairpersons, at the council level accountable and be able to say what we are doing for the people through the given services.

 

Madam Speaker, with those matters highlighted, I wish to support this report.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chewe (Lubansenshi): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving an opportunity to the people of Lubansenshi Constituency to support the Motion to adopt the Committee’s report.

 

Madam Speaker, I will not dwell much on the report because most of the critical issues have already been talked about. I will try to only emphasise on the need for collaboration at the district level. As you may be aware, services are closer to the people when they are provided at the district level, as compared to when they are provided by the Central Government. The Sector Devolution Plans are the way to go, as we are taking services and goods closer to the people.

 

Madam Speaker, the point I am trying to bring to the attention of the Executive is that it has been observed, especially where health care is concerned, that sensitisation about the structure at the provincial level is needed so as to understand when those plans came into effect. We have to make sure that we support that agenda because, at the end of the day, it is about improving the welfare of our citizens. Therefore, I would like to encourage the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development in particular to see to it that the provincial leadership, starting with the Provincial Health Director, understands its role when it comes to issues related to recruitment at the district level.

 

Madam Speaker, there are some activities that are supposed to be done by the district health office, and then passed on to the Council Secretary. However, at the moment, what is happening is that the Council Secretary or council is overlooked. The information goes directly to the province. That sends a bad message to other departments or Government institutions. My point is that the Executive should see to it that the devolution exercise unites Government institutions at the district level. It must ensure that district level institutions work together to foster development plans to ensure that services are closer to the people.

 

Madam Speaker, as I wind up, I would like to state that we, the people of Lubansenshi, are in support of the Motion and are eager to ensure that everything is harmonised in terms of district structures so that people can receive services from the Government provided for by taxpayers. 

 

With those few remarks, Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the mover of the Motion.

 

I think you, Madam Speaker.

 

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Sialubalo): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the Motion moved by the chairperson of your Committee, the hon. Member of Parliament for Itezhi-Tezhi. We had insight into all the findings and concerns that the Committee had raised. I also want to thank the hon. Members who have contributed to the Motion. That is the hon. Members for Chipili, Lubansenshi and Mbabala.

 

Madam Speaker, many issues have been raised regarding the agenda for decentralisation through devolution being undertaken by the New Dawn Administration. What caught the interest of the ministry is that there is some money for grants sitting idly in the bank waiting for guidelines. That is not acceptable because the ministry is in day-to-day contact with local authorities that are mandated to carry out various functions. So, if they have any concerns, and they decide to not use the resources without engaging the supervising ministry, it is of great worry to the ministry. Therefore, the matter will be taken up very seriously. We have embarked on decentralisation, which means resources should go to the intended purposes.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Mbabala raised the issue of mixing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) with grants. I do not think that is the way to go because CDF is a multi-sector fund, while grants are specifically for local authorities. The ministry thought of opening a separate account for grants so that the devolved functions can be attended to smoothly. Many issues have been raised pertaining to …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mubika: Pertaining!

 

Mr Sialubalo: … the acceptance to carry out devolved functions. It has been revealed that many officers are not willing to work in local authorities because they feel that they are being demoted. Some feel that they cannot report to the Council Secretary because they have a doctorate or high qualification. It should be noted that decentralisation is an agenda of the New Dawn Administration. We have seen fruits whereby resources have reached even the remotest part of the country. That is the way to go. So, as a ministry, we shall make sure that we supervise local authorities so that they adhere to what the Government wants. It is the wish of the people.

 

Madam Speaker, as it was highlighted by the hon. Member for Chipili, decentralisation began a long time ago. However, the actualisation of the agenda was a challenge because past successive Governments never wanted to release adequate resources to local authorities. The agenda of His Excellency the President is that resources should go to the people so that they decide what they want. We should let services go to the remotest districts, such as Sinazongwe, so that, at least, people can enjoy benefits from the Government. As a ministry, we shall ensure that all the genuine concerns that have been raised by hon.  Members and those of your Committee are attended to.

 

Mr Mwene stood up to leave the Assembly Chamber.

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

Hon. Members are frequently going outside. Hon. Member for Mangango, please, just wait a bit.

 

I will now be the gatekeeper.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Please, we are almost done. So, bear with me for a while.

 

May the hon. Minister continue.

 

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has provided support for devolved functions in the areas of planning and budgeting. To this effect, the ministry has facilitated the opening of what are known as sector accounts in all the 116 local authorities for the sole purpose of operationalisation of sector grants meant for devolved functions. The Government has also continued the monitoring and evaluation of all the local authorities on the financial and technical aspects of the devolution process. The monitoring and evaluation activities are in the form of performance assessments, which are conducted in intervals to ensure that operational standards are adhered to at all times.

 

Madam Speaker, the opening of a separate account in the 116 local authorities to operationalise the funds for devolved functions has improved transparency and accountability. The measure has also prevented the commingling of funds from the regular council activities and devolved functions, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the devolution process.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mutinta: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the seconder of the Motion, Hon. Kandafula, and other hon. Members of Parliament who have ably added their voices to this important Motion. I also thank Hon. Fube, the Member of Parliament for Chilubi Constituency, Hon. Munsanje, the Member of Parliament for Mbabala Constituency, and Hon. Chewe, the Member of Parliament for Lubansenshi Constituency. Most importantly, I would like to thank the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development for the assurance he has given that most of the issues that have been raised by the Committee are already being addressed. He has also assured us that the ministry will take the report seriously and ensure that the agenda of decentralisation is actualised and that the intention of the President to see full decentralisation is achieved so that services get to people.

 

Having said that, Madam Speaker, I beg to move.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Minister of Defence and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Lufuma): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

_______

 

The House adjourned at 1722 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 26^th June, 2025.

 

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