Tuesday, 1st July, 2025

Tuesday,1^st July, 2025

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM SPEAKER

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM YUSUF EDUCATION CENTRE NURSERY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Public Gallery of pupils and teachers from Yusuf Education Centre Nursery and Primary School of Lusaka District.

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

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

MR KAFWAYA, HON. MEMBER FOR LUNTE, ON MS KASUNE, HON. MINISTER OF JUSTICE, ON DEFERMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (AMENDMENT) BILL NO. 7

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

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

Mr Kafwaya: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I direct my matter at the hon. Minister of Justice. The unconstitutional Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 ...

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Kafwaya: ... stands deferred in the National Assembly of Zambia for consideration at another stage. The Bill has been declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court. Why should the hon. Minister sustain the deferment of an illegal and unconstitutional Bill?

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, should the hon. Minister not withdraw the Bill, because at no point is that Bill ever going to be constitutional. It is illegal, unconstitutional and, therefore, should be expunged from the parliamentary system.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister sustaining that Bill in this Assembly is making us appear complicit in illegal transactions. Is she in order to maintain it even when it is both illegal and unconstitutional?

I seek your ruling, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Lunte, that matter does not qualify to be raised as an Urgent Matter without Notice. I am sure there are various ways under which you can bring that issue before this honourable House. Explore other means you can use to bring that matter before the House. The matter is not admitted.

MR ZULU, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR NYIMBA, ON THE LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS, ON WHY FALLING FUEL PRICES HAVE NOT TRANSLATED INTO LOWER FEES FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT PASSENGERS

Mr Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, my Urgent Matter without Notice goes to the Acting Leader of Government Business, since the hon. Minister of Transport and Logistics is not in the House.

Madam Speaker, when fuel is increased, the passenger vehicles fleet operators, within a week or a day, always cry for an increase in the fees their passengers pay. I have been observing, for the last four months, the decrease in the price of fuel. From k32, it has come down to k23, as of today.

Hon. Ministers: Hear, hear!

Mr Zulu: Madam Speaker, anything good the Government does, the benefits have to be passed on to the people of this country. If we do not tackle this issue today, meaning – next month, fuel prices may go up. Now, the Kwacha has appreciated and the price of diesel has gone down. What is Government doing, without talking to the passenger transporters, to reduce the transport fees our people are paying in this country? My question is: Is the hon. Minister or the Leader of Government Business in order to be seated comfortably there, in the Frontbench, as that is where the Executive, is without talking to the passenger transporters to reduce the fees?

I seek your guidance, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Member for Nyimba.

I am also a Zambian and I have been observing the prices of fuel going down, but the prices of goods and services have not corresponded in going down also. Since, this has been the case over a period, I believe, it is important that the hon. Minister of Transport and Logistics comes to the House to advise us on what is happening; on why the prices are not going down.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kasune: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: So, the matter is admitted.

The hon. Minister of Transport and Logistics is ordered to come before this honourable House on Thursday, this week, and issue a Ministerial Statement.

Before we proceed, a point of order is raised by the hon. Minister of Justice.

Ms Kasune: Madam Speaker, I stand on Order No. 71 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, which requires that when a Member rises, they have to be factual, as failure to do so, they are bound to mislead not only the House, but the nation as well.

The hon. Member of Parliament for Lunte, Madam Speaker, insinuated that this House is not complying with its rules by having the Bill deferred when, actually, Standing Order No. 121 provides that one can defer a Bill for six months.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya rose.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Lunte, please, resume your seat.

Hon. Member: What is wrong with him?

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Lunte, please, resume you seat.

Hon. Members: Aah, wait!

Ms Kasune: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to have made the allegation that the Bill cannot be deferred according to Standing Order No. 21 for six months? The Bill is differed according to the rules of this House. So, the Member of Parliament was misleading.

I need your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Order!

Thank you very much, hon. Minister of Justice for this point of order.

Hon. Members, the Bill was appropriate before this House. It was being considered and, in accordance with our Standing Orders, the promoter of a Bill can defer or withdraw it. That is what the hon. Minister did. I do not know why you are finding issue with the hon. Minister of Justice’s deferment of the Bill. So, the hon. Member for Lunte was completely out of order in saying that we were engaging in an illegality.

Hon. Members: Question!

Madam Speaker: You can question as much as you want.

MR SIMUMBA, HON. MEMBER FOR NAKONDE, ON HER HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT, MRS NALUMANGO, ON THE NON-ANNOUNCING OF THE NEW LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE HOUSE

Mr Simumba (Nakonde): Madam Speaker, on an Urgent Matter without Notice.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, thank you very much.

The matter I wish to raise is directed at Her Honour the Vice-President, who is the Leader of Government Business in the House.

Madam Speaker, I am compelled to raise this matter because the Government and Parliament have connived to make sure that –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Simumba: What are you talking about? What are you saying?

Madam Speaker: Order!

Mr Simumba: What is your problem?

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nakonde, I am sure you know what our rules say. When I say, “Order”, you are supposed to resume your seat.

Mr Simumba resumed his seat.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nakonde, please, be careful with the words you are using. To say that the Government and Parliament have connived is unparliamentary. So, please, withdraw the statement that the Government and Parliament have connived.

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, I withdraw and I replace it with “it appears that the Government and National Assembly have connived”.

Hon. Government Members: Question! It appears?

Madam Speaker: Still, hon. Member –

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, it appears –

Madam Speaker: No, no! Please, use an appropriate word.

Interruptions

Mr Kapyanga: Lekeni umwaice alande!

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Nakonde, you know that our Standing Orders guide that a Member of Parliament who stands on the Floor of the House must be factual and the facts referred to must be verifiable. Do you have any evidence to show that the Government, which includes Parliament, anyway, has connived with Parliament?

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, I have not finished.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nakonde, you have no evidence. So, desist. I have guided. So, please, raise your Urgent Matter without Notice.

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, the Patriotic Front (PF) changed the Leader of the Opposition, but you have not announced the new leader. The people out there have been wondering why you have not announced the new Leader of the Opposition. That is why we are asking. What is the problem? We have chosen the Leader of the Opposition, but you are refusing to announce. That is the question I am asking here.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, why have you not announced the new Leader of the Opposition we have chosen? That is why I started by asking why it is that –

Interruptions

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, this is a serious matter. There is no coordination on the Opposition side because the Government and Parliament have imposed a Leader of the Opposition on us.

Madam Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, your time is up.

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, I seek your serious guidance.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: First of all, hon. Member for Nakonde –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Nakonde, we have been in this House for four years. We are now going into the fifth year and I expect you to be familiar with the Standing Orders.

Mr Simumba interjected.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nakonde, I am sure, you do not want sanctions to be imposed on you.

Mr E. Tembo: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A point of order on whom?

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: I am guiding the House and you are raising a point of order. You are a lawyer and you are supposed to know the Standing Orders.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Please, resume your seat, hon. Member for Feira, and let me give guidance. You need a workshop.

Let us go back to the hon. Member for Nakonde.

Hon. Member for Nakonde, you are not a stranger in this House. You have been here for four years and you know that your party is in court at the moment.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: You are in court over the same issues that you want us to make a ruling or an announcement on. So, please, can you resolve those issues at court.

Hon. PF Members: Question!

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Okay, let us make progress. We go to the next item.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Let us make progress. I am sure the way you are exhibiting disorderly conduct is the same way you exhibit disorderly conduct in your party. Put your house in order.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. PF Members left the Assembly Chamber.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Please, can you exit quickly. We want to get back to business. Can we exit quickly and maintain order. I think it was very clear that people did not want to transact any Business today. However, we continue.

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

Madam Speaker: There is an indication for a point of order from the hon. Member for Luena.

A point of order is raised.

Mr Anakoka: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity.

Madam Speaker, the people of Luena, as you know, do not rise on points of order unless they are compelled to do so. In this case, the point of order is also contemporaneous.

Madam Speaker, the point of order I am rising on is anchored on the entire Chapter 14 of the Standing Orders, but with specific reference to Standing Order No. 108. However, as a way of anchoring what I want to raise as a point of order, allow me just to highlight that Article 62 of the Constitution establishes Parliament and Article 62(2) expressly vests legislative powers into this Parliament. Article 77 further empowers this House to regulate its own procedures and processes. As part of that self-regulation, this House has Standing Orders. It is in this respect that I refer to the entire Chapter 14 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024. Standing Order No. 108 specifically makes reference to Article 79, which is specifically about the procedures and processes to be followed when this House seeks to amend the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia.

Madam Speaker, while this House was engaged in a process, as prescribed in, and empowered by, the Constitution in Article 79, we closed the week with some breaking news coming from another arm of the Government in the form of the Constitutional Court (ConCourt), which pronounced that the processes that were under way in this House were unconstitutional.

Madam Speaker, is this House, therefore, in order to remain quiet when there is such a pronouncement that has far-reaching consequences in terms of its ability to execute its constitutional mandate?

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling on this matter.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Member of Parliament for Luena, for that point of order. In view of the serious issues that have been raised, I reserve my ruling and will render it at a later date.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

LIFTING OF THE FISHING SUSPENSION FOLLOWING THE POLLUTION OF THE KAFUE RIVER

361. Mr Kolala (Lufubu) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

why the Government has not lifted the fishing ban that was imposed in Lufubu Parliamentary Constituency, following the pollution of the Kafue River with acidic effluent from Sino-Metals Leach Zambia early this year;

whether the Government is aware that the source of livelihood of the people of Lufubu Constituency is dependent on fishing and that without access to fishing rights, their source of livelihood has been taken away, leading to destitution;

if so, when the Government will lift the fishing ban to enable the people in the constituency to earn their living; and

whether the Government has plans to provide support to cushion the loss of the source of livelihood for the people in the constituency.

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Kapala): Madam Speaker, from the outset, allow me to clarify that the Government has not imposed a fishing ban on the Kafue Fishery as indicated by the hon. Member of Parliament for Lufubu. What the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock invoked was a fishing suspension following the pollution of the Kafue River with acidic effluent from Sino-Metal Leach in March this year. The fishing suspension was necessary because as a concerned Government, we are cautious about the short-term and long-term negative impacts of the pollution, and will not endanger the lives of our people, but will ensure that the fishery and its fish are safe for consumption before lifting the suspension.

Madam Speaker, as you are aware, my ministry, through the Central Veterinary Research Institute (CVRI) and in collaboration with the University of Zambia (UNZA), School of Veterinary Medicine, conducted water quality assessments immediately after the pollution incident. These assessments revealed elevated levels of heavy metals, far exceeding the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) safe limits for water quality. The results confirmed that the acid spill created an ecological crisis leading to extensive fish mortality and severe water pollution, endangering both aquatic life and human populations that rely on the Kafue River. As a result of the evidence, my ministry decided, in public interest, to suspend all forms of fishing activities in the fishery in order to safeguard people's lives and the aquatic ecosystem.

Madam Speaker, my ministry, working with other line ministries and Government agencies such as the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) has continued to monitor the situation in order to ensure that the environmental ecosystem and fishery recovers to a safe stage for human utilisation and consumption before the suspension on fishing activities can be lifted.

Madam Speaker, in this regard, a team of experts has been constituted to develop terms of reference for the consultancy to conduct an Environmental Incident Impact Assessment and provide recommendations for remediation and restoration measures before the fishing suspension can be lifted. As a responsible Government, we need to ensure that the fishery is safe before we can allow fishing activities to take place.

Madam Speaker, the Government is aware that the Kafue River fishery is a vital fishery that supports households in Lufubu Constituency as well as those along its shores that rely on fisheries-based livelihoods. The Government is also aware that the fishery is critical for household food security, nutrition and income generation. In this regard, the ministry awaits recommendations from the consultant whose commissioning is underway, before lifting the fishing suspension and coming up with sustainable restoration measures and response activities for the affected fishery and the people who benefit from it.

Madam Speaker, as indicated above, the Government will lift the fishing suspension after receiving and analysing the recommendations of the consultancy. A comprehensive assessment report on the state of the fishery and the safety of fish for human consumption is paramount before a decision to lift the fishing suspension can be made.

Madam Speaker, the Government has plans –

Mr Mtayachalo entered the Assembly Chamber.

Madam Speaker: Sorry, hon. Minister.

Hon. Member for Chama North, you walked out when I was giving guidance. So, together with your team that walked out, you will be excused from the Sitting for today. You can go and consult further. You will come back tomorrow.

Hon. UPND Member: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: We must have order in the House.

May the hon. Minister, continue.

Hon. Member for Chama North, please, inform your colleagues accordingly, if they are not listening.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to provide support to cushion the loss of livelihood for the people. These plans, however, need to be based on informed decision-making. In this regard, the Government has directed Sino Metals to engage a consultant who will undertake comprehensive tests and evaluations. The consultant's report will be the basis for the final compensation and restoration of affected socio-economic activities. However, the report developed from preliminary tests and evaluations that were conducted on the Copperbelt by the ministry staff, working in conjunction with other stakeholders, will be used for the purpose of paying out partial compensation to affected individuals and communities. The Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, being the lead ministry on this particular subject will at an opportune time, issue a comprehensive statement to this House.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kolala: Madam Speaker, what is the current state of the water in Kafue River and Lufubu Constituency specifically?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, I cannot state the exact condition of the water in the Kafue River right now. We are waiting for the consultant to give us a comprehensive report on the matter.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Lubozha (Chifubu): Madam Speaker, pollution from mining waste has devastating effects on aquatic life. Whenever water pollution happens, fish and other aquatic animals start to exhibit strange behaviour, such as reduced feeding and reduced reproduction. Has the ministry made the necessary safety assessments for the production of fish in the polluted river before the ban or suspension we are talking about is lifted?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, if the hon. Member for Chifubu had paid attention, he would have heard me say that we are waiting for the consultants or experts to give us a report on the short-term, medium-term and long-term effects of the said pollution on the environment.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kolala (Lufubu): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that a consultant has already been engaged and the ministry is waiting for a report. Who is the consultant?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, the consultant to carry out the said mammoth task has not yet been appointed. As soon as a consultant is appointed, I am sure that the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment will come to the House to give a comprehensive statement and mention the consultant who will be appointed.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, –

Mr Mutale walked into the Assembly Chamber.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chitambo –

Hon. Government Members: He was not around!

Madam Speaker: He was not around?

Hon. Government Members: No!

Madam Speaker: Okay, then he can sit in.

The hon. Member for Roan may continue.

Hon. PF Members entered the Assembly Chamber.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members who are coming into the House, you have been excused for today for walking out when I was giving guidance. Please, you can go and continue consulting outside. You can come back tomorrow. Please, leave the House.

Interruptions

Hon. PF Members: Why?

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, please, leave the House.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, please, leave the House. Those hon. Members who walked out when I was giving guidance, please, leave the House for the day.

Hon. PF Members left the Assembly Chamber.

Madam Speaker: Okay, let us make progress. Where were we?

Hon. Member for Roan, you may continue.

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the statement.

Madam Speaker, pollution is something serious, not only for the people of Lufubu, but also for the people at the source of the pollution. The pollution in question has affected both aquatic life and human activities.

Madam Speaker, part (b) of the question asked whether the Government is aware that the source of livelihood for the people of Lufubu Constituency is fishing. Without access to fishing, the source of livelihood for people in that area has been taken away, leading to destitution. I am alive to the fact that the hon. Minister has outlined quite a number of measures that the ministry is taking, including the issue of compensation. As we speak, the people of Lufubu do not have any economic activity to generate income. Could the hon. Minister be specific as to when the team that will work together with the consultant will conclude the matter so that the people of Lufubu are compensated. The people of Lufubu have been hit below the belt twice; they are not fishing and they cannot engage in any other economic activity. Does the ministry have a timeframe for considering the issue of compensation so that those who deserve to be compensated can know when they will be compensated?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, there was a preliminary assessment of the compensation claims lodged by people on the Copperbelt. We are yet to receive claims from Lufubu. Once that is done, the Government will look at implementing stopgap measures to take care of the needs of communities that have been affected. Once that is done, we will look at a comprehensive report that will identify the people affected and how we are going to restore the ecosystem of the Kafue River.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mutinta (Itezhi-Tezhi): Madam Speaker, the question from the hon. Member of Parliament for Lufubu is touching. I feel for him because I also come from a fishing community. The hon. Minister said that the ministry is compiling a comprehensive report. When does the hon. Minister think the report will be concluded? Every report for an incident of such nature should have a timeframe. Is it one or two months? The people of Lufubu need to know when the report will be completed and when factors such as compensation and restoration plans for their livelihoods will be addressed.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, as I indicated earlier, the leading line ministry in dealing with that issue is the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, and it is in the process of procuring a consultant for the survey. When that is done, the hon. Minister will be in a position to come to the House and give firm dates for the start and completion of the survey.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you.

Hon. Members, the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment is supposed to do the work. I do not know whether hon. Members are getting the specific answers that they want. However, just bear in mind that another ministry is also involved in the matter.

Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the answers he has provided.

Madam Speaker, I am a bit lost. Is there a multi-sectoral committee looking at the issue in question? The hon. Minister has mentioned that his ministry and the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment are looking into the matter. It is a notorious fact that pollution has occurred in the Kafue River and the contamination will spread to other rivers that are connected to the Kafue River. It is not only livestock that has been affected. Has the Government carried out a comprehensive assessment to ascertain the extent of pollution and to eventually charge the company? I think that it is not only one ministry involved in the matter, as you have guided, Madam Speaker. So, has the Government set up a multi-sectoral committee to ascertain how much pollution is in the river and the effect of that pollution on ecosystems along the river?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, it is a multi-sectoral task force, which includes the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, the Ministry of Mines, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture. The task force is being co-ordinated by the Vice-President's Office.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon Member for Lufubu, you have asked twice already. So, you have exhausted your chances. The next and last question will come from the hon. Member for Kantanshi.

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, ideally, I would not want to ask about fish because I come from a mining constituency. I just got concerned considering the gravity of the problem. With all those ministries the hon. Minister highlighted, very powerful ones, and the Office of the Vice-President, being the second highest office in the land of Zambia, I am wondering why it has taken long to procure a consultant. Is the hon. Minister in a position to tell us the stage at which the process is? Obviously, the answers he has given us are incomplete until the consultant does his job.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, I have indicated time and again in my responses that the leading ministry, which is the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, is the one that is supposed to procure the consultant. The ministry has indicated that the process is ongoing and should inform this House when that consultant is engaged and how long it will take to come up with the recommendations.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Madam Speaker: There is an indication for a point of order from the owner of the question.

What is the point of order, hon. Member for Lufubu?

Mr Kolala: Madam Speaker, my point of order is on the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock. From the time this happened, these people have been suffering. Now, after realising that the people of Lufubu have been deprived of their livelihood, the hon. Minister has given a Ministerial Statement, yet he cannot tell us the timeframe or give us the reason the ministry has delayed so much to engage a consultant so that the report can be released and the people can be helped in the way they deserve. Is the hon. Minister in order?

I submit, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Lufubu, the only problem is that you are asking a question and couching it as a point of order. My advice to you is: engage the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, not only him, but also the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment, including the Office of the Vice-President, to urge them to do something. As you have said, the people of Lufubu want to continue with their fishing. Again, it would not be prudent for the Government to allow people to fish in a river that has been polluted. The results have not yet been determined. So, please, as you balance the interests of your people and the interests of the Government, liaise and consult. I am sure, you can find a workable solution and even facilitate the expedient appointment of a consultant.

Let us make progress.

Mr Mutelo indicated to ask a question.

Madam Speaker: I said that the hon. Member for Kantanshi was the last one. Hon. Member for Mitete, that was an afterthought.

DELAYED DELIVERY OF INPUTS IN KANCHIBIYA DISTRICT

362. Mr Chanda (Kanchibiya) asked the Minister of Agriculture what measures the Government is taking to resolve the issue of delayed delivery of farming inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) in Kanchibiya District.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Mtolo): Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that there were no delays in the delivery of farming inputs in Kanchibiya District in the 2024/2025 Farming Season. Further, all outstanding arrears for agro-dealers have been paid. The measures that the Government has put in place to ensure timely delivery of inputs include a 100 per cent rollout of the electronic voucher (e-Voucher) modality in the 2025/2026 Farming Season, which will ensure that inputs are positioned early in all 116 districts. The ministry commenced the registration of agro-dealers in March 2025, and the registration period closed in June 2025. Agro-dealers are being encouraged to open more outlets in districts where they want to operate, including Kanchibiya. I wish to appeal to agro-dealers to be more transparent and honest in their dealings with national suppliers to ensure that they have a cordial relationship with the big suppliers who will, in turn, give them their inputs on time. Thereby, reducing any potential delays.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the feedback.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister may recall that during the 2024/2025 Farming Season, I got in touch with him because there were delays in the distribution of inputs, and we sought the intervention of his office directly and that of the Chief Whip. My question is very simple. For a district like Kanchibiya, a new district, 8,800 km, when people travel from far-flung areas and are stuck in Mpika, they have to wait for two weeks or three weeks to one month for inputs, which is a delay. The concern from the people of Kanchibiya is how the ministry intends to align the distribution of the inputs with the agricultural calendar of a district like Kanchibiya, bearing in mind that people travel long distances and camp in a district like Mpika. Clearly, there were delays in the last farming season.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, the e-Voucher system encourages private sector involvement in the distribution of inputs. Specifically, for Kanchibiya, last year, we had forty-eight registered agro-dealers. However, sadly so, only about six were active. So, if you hear the lamentation from the hon. Member, it is the distance and waiting time to get inputs from those particular agro-dealers. That is what we should cure. That is why I have said that we have already set out an advertisement for people to apply. You may recall that each time I stand, I do not shy away from encouraging hon. Members to become agro-dealers so that they can also support farming activities in their different areas. The answer is for us to have credible agro-dealers. We have already registered them. We will have a meeting with them so that we can distribute them fairly to all the districts. The Government will not buy and heap fertiliser the way it used to. The Direct Input Support (DIS) system is no longer in operation. Now we rely on the private sector. So, it is up to us to encourage the private sector to open up agro-shops in our various constituencies. This is a very important point that the hon. Member is raising because it affects a number of us.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Lubozha (Chifubu): Madam Speaker, accountability, transparency, integrity and efficiency are cardinal in administration. Already, the ministry is dealing with over a million farmers. We want to know what programmes the ministry has put in place to sensitise the officers involved in the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) to ensure efficient and transparent distribution of inputs to our farmers.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is right that efficiency, transparency and integrity are cardinal in this system. The Electronic Voucher (e-Voucher) System we are using entails that we have efficient agro-dealers spread across the country who will have fertiliser ready on time and well-distributed across the country. In this case, the hon. Member may recall that I said there were forty-eight registered agro-dealers in Kanchibiya, but only six were effectively distributing inputs. That could have affected the whole system. It is for that reason that we have registered agro-dealers on time. We want to sit with them and encourage them to be positioned in time so that we do not delay the distribution of seed, fertilisers and other requirements.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, I want to believe that part of the policy of the Government is to ensure that in as far as it does interface with rural areas, there is promotion of the agriculture sector and that rural areas come to the fore and participate with very few hindrances. Six out of forty-eight registered agro-dealers is 12.5 per cent. This means that 87.5 per cent of the registered agro-dealers could not come to the fore. So, what is the Government’s policy with regard to addressing these particular challenges, away from just leaving it to the private sector, being mindful that the private sector is, by and large, motivated by profit? The Government has an obligation to offer a service beyond profit in order to unlock the potential residing in our areas.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that indication.

Madam Speaker, we are in the process of market development. We all need to get involved and encourage agro-dealers to be in our respective areas.

Madam Speaker, regarding goods for consumption such as sugar, you will find that it is the private sector which has brought efficiency in our areas. This is a slow process. People will identify that being an agro-dealer is as good as selling consumables. So, it is our responsibility to push for that. I have the list of the forty-eight agro-dealers. I can share it with the hon. Member so that together, we can tap into the list and see how many can come on board. There was a lot of hesitation. That is why the hon. Member may have been surprised that in the first line of my answer, I said that we have paid all the agro-dealers in this country, a 100 per cent payment. We do not owe anybody any money.

Madam Speaker, I brought up the issue of agro-dealers because people were afraid to get involved because they had the legacy of traditional thought that the Government would not pay them. So, we had people hesitating to open shops, but as of now, I am extremely happy and proud to indicate that all the seed, fertiliser, lime and any agro-input that the agro-dealers delivered was paid for by the Government. I am truly thankful to the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning for facilitating that. That is the message we should be taking out there so that no one should be afraid to get involved in agro-dealership because money is there for all of them. This year, we are very certain that there will be more agro-dealers who will come on board as long as we spread this good news that all the agro-dealers have been paid. So, it is a policy position, which we need to develop. Market development in the agriculture sector is an imperative as it stands.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mabeta (Kankoyo): Madam Speaker, among the many reasons inputs in the past were delayed was the time it took from importation up to the time it was distributed in the country. With the recapitalisation of the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) and the capital injection into United Capital Fertiliser (UCF), which will make Zambia a net producer or exporter of fertiliser, are we seeing fertiliser from this year going forward being distributed or given to farmers before September or October, since we are now producing fertiliser on our soil?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Kankoyo for the question. He brings out very important issues where he is alerting and informing the country that Zambia is now a net exporter of fertilisers. We have turned things around. Last time, I spoke about this, but I was misquoted. What came out was that Mtolo says, “No more imports of fertilisers”. I never said that. What I said was that, as the Government, we were going to concentrate on procuring locally and distributing what has been procured. That does not exclude anyone from importing and selling the fertiliser if the price is competitive, especially given that we are using the e-Voucher.

So, yes, Madam Speaker, I wish to agree with the hon. Member for Kankoyo, that capital fertilisers, the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) and other importers of fertiliser like Omnia Fertiliser (Z) Limited should be ready to position this fertiliser in time and on time in different places. I just came from Lundazi, I took time to go around, and I can happily state that I found that agro-dealers have huge quantities of fertiliser already positioned. We would like to see that in most parts of the country.

Madam Speaker, we have started talking to fertiliser distributors, major fertiliser importers and producers that they should position this product in different areas. I encourage hon. Members here, including the hon. Member for Kanchibiya and the hon. Member for Kankoyo, to also talk to those people that they can position their fertilisers in different localities. This is not a one man’s show. It is for all of us. Let us start now so that we can have fertiliser and other inputs in our localities on time.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chanda indicated.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Kanchibiya, you have asked twice already.

We make progress.

INSTALLATION OF VISIBLE BORDER MARKINGS AT KASUMBALESA

363. Mr Mapani (Namwala) asked the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources:

whether the Government has any plans to install visible border markings at Kasumbalesa in Chililabombwe District in order to clearly show the boundary between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo;

if so, when the plans will be implemented;

what the estimated cost of the project is; and

if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources (Mrs Masebo): Madam Speaker, yes, the Republic of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been undertaking boundary demarcations on the stretch between Lake Tanganyika and Lake Mweru. During the Joint Technical Committee Meeting which was held in Kweto, in December 2023, the committee formulated a work plan and budgets for all areas where reaffirmation is required along the entire common boundary, with Kasumbalesa Border being one of the areas.

Madam Speaker, the planned activity was scheduled to be undertaken in the third quarter of 2024. However, the exercise has since been rescheduled to the second quarter of 2026, and discussions are underway with the DRC. The estimated cost of the project is K2 million as budgeted for during the joint formulation of the work plan for Kasumbalesa Border. Zambia will consider budgeting for this activity in the 2026 National Budget.

Madam Speaker, given the answers in parts a, b and c of the question, part d of the question falls off.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mapani: Madam Speaker, going by the submission made by the hon. Minister, I do not have further questions.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Since the owner of the question is satisfied, the hon. Member for Kabwata will be the last one. We need to make progress. I do not know how the border has extended to Kabwata.

Laughter

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, the situation in Kasumbalesa is actually the same as the situations at Malawi Border as well as the Tanzania Border. I just want to find out whether the exercise that will be done in Kasumbalesa and other parts will be extended to other border towns, especially Nakonde, and Mwami Border.

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwata for the follow-up question.

Madam Speaker, in my response, I indicated that work plans were done for areas where reaffirmations were required, and I believe that even other areas could be included. I indicated that during that meeting, there were areas where reaffirmations were required along the entire common boundary, with Kasumbalesa Border being one of the areas. This means that other areas like the Malawian Border or the Tanzanian Border, and any other borders that Zambia has issues with, were considered and budgeted for except that they were not captured in the 2025 Budget. However, I have indicated that specifically for Kasumbalesa Border, the budget will be included in the 2026 Budget.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Let us make progress.

Question No. 364 was supposed to be asked by the hon. Member for Chama North. However, on account of his misconduct, he was excused from today’s Sitting. So, in accordance with Standing Order No. 851, the question lapses.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

SUPPLY OF CLEAN AND SAFE DRINKING WATER IN CHIKANKATA

365. Ms Sabao (Chikankata) asked the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation what measures the Government is taking to ensure the supply of clean and safe drinking water to the following wards in Chikankata Parliamentary Constituency:

(a) Kasengo;

(b) Namalundu; and

(c) Turnpike

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Kapala) (on behalf of the Minister of Water Development and Development (Eng. Nzovu): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that for Kasengo, the Government has taken the following measures:

through support from Sinohydro China, drilled and equipped two boreholes in Kasengo for two villages. The project has been completed and handed over to the villages;

with support from the Zambia Devolution Support Programme, drilled one borehole in Namalundu and put a hand pump at a school in Manyonyo Zone B; and

additionally, with support from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the local authority constructed one solar-power borehole and installed the piped network with a storage tank at Nkupisha School under the 2024 National Budget. The project has since been completed and handed over to the school.

Madam Speaker, the Government has taken the following measures for Namalundu:

in 2022, drilled and equipped one borehole with a hand pump in Chikankata District in Namalundu area;

with support from the Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS), successfully rehabilitated one borehole at Cheeba Clinic, which has since been handed over to the health facility; and

additionally, with support from the Zambian Devolution Support Programme, drilled one borehole and put a hand pump in Muzabwela area. The project has since been completed and handed over to the school.

Madam Speaker, the Government has taken the following measures for Turnpike:

under the Drought Response Plan, allocated one commercial borehole at Chikankata Growth Centre under the twenty commercial boreholes allocated to the Southern Province. Following the contractor’s mobilisation to site, the borehole was drilled, but yielded no water. So, in other words, it was a dry borehole. Currently, plans of drilling another borehole are under way.;

in October 2023, signed a contract for the drilling of one commercial borehole and the installation of a storage tank at the new district administrative centre in Shingoma B. The project has been completed and a commercial borehole has been handed over to the local authority;

with support from the Zambia Devolution Support Programme, drilled one borehole in Shingoma area and equipped it with a hand pump and the borehole was handed over to the community; and

with support from the Salvation Army, drilled and mechanised two boreholes at Nanduba School and Nanduba Clinic. The project has since been completed and the boreholes were handed over to the school and health facility.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mrs Sabao: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his statement. We appreciate the help that the Government is giving to the people of Chikankata.

Madam Speaker, the three wards in question are along the Kafue River, but there is a challenge of dry boreholes in those wards. All the boreholes that the hon. Minister has mentioned are dry now. Kasengo Ward also has a problem of salty water. So, the only solution for the people in those wards is to be supplied water directly from the river using a commercial utility. In that regard, what immediate measures will the Government put in place to help the people in those three wards in Chikankata Constituency?

The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Eng. Nzovu): Madam Speaker, the people of Chikankata have been well-catered for. We have allocated a commercial borehole for them in the Turnpike area. Another commercial borehole will cater for the area around the Chikankata Growth Centre.

Madam Speaker, we appreciate the fact that many areas in Chikankata have been experiencing dry boreholes. That is the reason that the ministry started constructing the Chisuta Dam. The water that will be harvested will be directed to that dam so it can be distributed to surrounding areas.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament is right in saying that we need to start looking at means of getting water from the Kafue River to the main distribution points in Chikankata.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, I realise that this is a constituency-based question. However, I want to take advantage of it and ask a general question because water is life. We are all highly affected by the unavailability of water in the various areas we come from.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has just shared with us some of the mitigation measures that his ministry is taking. I am fully aware that the ministry has countless reports on the unavailability of water in constituencies. When is the hon. Minister going to come and share with us some of the immediate solutions that the ministry is going to provide to address the water situation?

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the fact that boreholes are being drilled in various places, as provided for in our Budget. However, due to the diversity of the localities, boreholes cannot be drilled in some areas while in others the boreholes have already been sunk. So, the natural environment and landscape of certain areas cannot allow us to just wake up and drill a borehole. When is the ministry going to attend to some of those outstanding issues? In Mufulira and Kantanshi, we are tired of waiting. Can the hon. Minister give us an assurance on the matter?

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I think, the hon. Member of Kantanshi has brought up a very important question. About two weeks ago, I came to this House to share with hon. Members the complete plans for Lusaka Province. We are going province by province and I think the next one will be the Copperbelt Province.

Madam Speaker, I agree with the hon. Member that each region requires a unique design. If you look at Mufulira, or the Copperbelt in general, you will see that most of it is urban. In that area, we are looking at abstracting water from the Kafue River and then treating and distributing it. I think, it must please the hon. Member to know that many of the projects that started and then stalled due to unavailability of funds will now be completed. The Government has found funding and it is going to complete many projects in that area. We have to remember that we have already completed the Kafulafuta Dam and the pumping stations, treatment plants and distribution network. Further, the hon. Member will be pleased to know that in December, we will complete the expansion of the Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Project to extend water provision to four towns. That is another project that will benefit Mufulira, not only through water supply, but sanitation because the population is growing too fast. I will bring more information about the Copperbelt Province very soon, but for specific information relating to Mufulira, I am sure we can discuss that in my office.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mrs Sabao: Madam Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister mentioned the Chisuta Dam. That dam is 80 km from where the mentioned wards are. It is located beyond Chikankata Mission Hospital from those wards. The three wards are across the Kafue River, near the checkpoint. So, they will not benefit from water supply from the Chisuta Dam. The Government should come up with another solution for the wards that are along the Kafue River.

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I think that question is similar to the one that the hon. Member for Kantanshi asked.

Madam Speaker, we have a specific solution for each area. For example, the Chisuta Dam will cater for surrounding areas. For Turnpike and other areas close to the Kafue River, we will extract water from the river. There are areas where there is no groundwater and the rivers are very far away. Those are the areas that need specific designs. We have come up with piped water schemes for such areas. So, inevitably, those are areas where we will drill boreholes.

Madam Speaker, I agree with the hon. Member that the Chisuta Dam will cater for the people around it. So, the drilling of boreholes and extraction of water from the river will continue. For growth centres where surface water is not available, we are coming up with commercial boreholes. Once we drill a commercial borehole, we power it with solar and lay a distribution network for the area. I think that is the solution which will work very well.

Madam Speaker, that was the last question. So, in conclusion, I also want to congratulate the Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia, Madam Mutale Nalumango, and the President of the Republic of Zambia, for winning the by-election in Lumezi Constituency.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, the win in Lumezi was a sweet one, and it may have annoyed a few people. Further, to show how mighty our party is, elections in Milenge Ward and Sikongo Ward were also won.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I can only encourage our friends to do a little more work. Or else, they will become completely irrelevant.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, 2026 is coming and we may win big.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Order!

Let us make progress. That issue is a raw nerve.

INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE ZAMBIA AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

366. Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata) asked the Minister of Community Development and Social Services:

whether the Government has any plans to increase funding to the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) to enhance its operations;

if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Community Development and Social Services (Ms D. Mwamba): Madam Speaker, the Government recognises the critical role that the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) plays in promoting the rights, welfare and inclusion of persons living with various disabilities across the country. The agency serves as a key institution in the implementation of programmes that support accessibility, empowerment and social protection for persons with disabilities. In view of this, the Government has increased funding to the institution over the past four years to strengthen its quality and effectiveness as follows:

Year Grant Received (K)

2022 16,089,345

2023 18,935,810

2024 19,407,639

2025 22,500,000

Madam Speaker, further, the Government has made efforts to make the institution independent by commercialising its farms and renovating properties so that it can fetch rentals at market value. The ZAPD farms are also under consideration for use under the Presidential Irrigation Programme. The Government has also supported the institution in mobilising additional resources through partnerships with both local and international stakeholders. Efforts are being made to build its institutional capacity and financial sustainability through donor engagement, technical co-operation and collaborative initiatives. The Government is firmly committed to ensuring that the institution is adequately resourced to effectively carry out its responsibilities and better serve the interests of persons with disabilities.

Madam Speaker, being a grant-aided institution, the allocation of funds to ZAPD is done annually. As earlier alluded to, the annual budget has increased since 2022.

Madam Speaker, in view of the answers given to parts (a) and (b) of the question, part (c) falls off.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Tayengwa: Madam Speaker, it has been observed that the population of persons with disabilities keeps rising. In 2015, the number of persons living with disabilities was 1.5 million. Today, the number may have increased to more than 2 million. The challenge is on the presence of offices. We have 116 districts, yet only nine have offices for the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD). Therefore, does the ministry intend to help ZAPD open up offices in other districts? For instance, Shangombo is very far and so, people have to travel to Mongu.

Ms D. Mwamba: Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the hon. Member for Kabwata that disability welfare falls under the Department of Social Welfare in the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, and has offices in all 116 districts.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chinkuli (Kanyama): Madam Speaker, there are exceptional people or children living among us in our communities. I will give an example of Kanyama where –

Mr Mubika interjected.

Laughter

Mr Chinkuli: Madam Speaker, I need your protection.

Laughter

Mr Chinkuli: Madam Speaker, when we talk about exceptional, we are talking about children who have deviated from an average child, it could be emotionally, character or social characteristics. Such children need educational services to be provided to them. If an entity or an organ, which is not well funded, is unable to provide such a service, how can the Government achieve the inclusiveness that it talks about?

Ms D. Mwamba: Madam Speaker, as I earlier said, even if we have an institution that is mandated to deal with disability issues in the country, the ministry has a department under social welfare that deals with and identifies persons living with various disabilities.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Lubozha (Chifubu): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) is a grant-aided institution, meaning that it relies on grants from the Government to undertake its operations, which we appreciate very much. The hon. Minister has also alluded to the fact that the ministry intends to commercialise ZAPD. What technical support, in terms of creating a business model for the institution to make it viable, is the ministry creating for this institution?

Ms D. Mwamba: Madam Speaker, this year, the ministry has identified four commercial farms that fall under ZAPD, one in Lusaka; Makeni area, in Luapula Province, the North-Western Province and Copperbelt Province. The ministry has found co-operating partners who are willing to invest and establish them as commercial farms. Priority will be given to persons with disabilities. The ministry is also linking them to markets. So, there are market linkages as well. The ministry is in talks with Shoprite, Choppies and Pick n Pay, which have been very supportive. Apart from just linking our institution, ZAPD, to the chain stores, they also employ a number of persons with disabilities.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Tayengwa: Madam Speaker, the other challenges that ZAPD faces is transportation. The institution only relies on about three motor vehicles in all ten provinces. So, is there any opportunity or measures that the ministry intends to put in place so that it can consider getting motor vehicles for this institution?

Ms D. Mwamba: Madam Speaker, yes, there are plans to acquire transport or transportation for persons with disabilities. Since October 2021, the ministry has purchased over fifty vehicles for social welfare. Priority is given to persons with disabilities.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, in her response, the hon. Minister mentioned the revamping of the farms that belong to the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD), such as Kang'onga Production Centre in Bwana Mkubwa. The most important ones are the farms in Luapula Province, which belong to ZAPD. At one point, the past Government had allowed an individual to benefit from the whole ZAPD plantation or forest through Mukula harvest. The current Government assured us that it would make a decision over the harvesting of Mukula , especially on the land that belongs to ZAPD.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in a position to tell ZAPD and the country at large whether, through the Government or the Zambia National Service (ZNS), ZAPD can harvest some Mukula , export it and raise capital to revamp the farms? This will, in turn, put money in the coffers, unlike the way it was illegally done previously.

Ms D. Mwamba: Madam Speaker, we have no plans to continue harvesting the Mukula. However, we have found credible and serious partners who would like to invest in the farms under the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD).

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms S. Mwamba (Kasama Central): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the elaborate answers. It is well noted that from 2022, K16.8 million was allocated for persons living with disabilities. In 2025, the allocation increased to K22.5 million. If we have to equally share the K22.5 million among the ten provinces, it would translate to K2,250,000 each. The population of people living with disabilities stands at 7.7 per cent according to the 2022 Census of Population and Housing, which translates to about 1.5 million persons.

Madam Speaker, we appreciate that the resource envelope is limited, and that is as far as the ministry can go. However, in the rural areas, people living with disabilities have big challenges accessing support services as well as equipment. Apart from the funding, would the hon. Minister be in a position to support the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) with wheelchairs, hearing aids, crutches, sunscreen, and any other equipment or support services it would so need?

Ms D. Mwamba: Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Sibong’ile Mwamba for that supplementary question.

Madam Speaker, two years ago, when we went for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in the United States of America (USA), we lobbied for wheelchairs for persons with disabilities. We realised that our budget would never buy sufficient assistive devices. Indeed, last year, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came on board and delivered a container load of various assistive devices for over 1,600 persons with disabilities. This is against the backdrop of the institution buying about 300 various assistive devices. We also received another donation of over 400 assistive devices. This year, we expect 4×40-foot containers loaded with various assistive devices. We are still networking with other international organisations to assist us with assistive devices, especially for our children, to enable them to access education.

Madam Speaker, I want to make it clear that the funds given to ZAPD are not solely for purchasing assistive devices. Earlier, I said that for our administration to raise awareness about accessibility, as new buildings are built, ZAPD has to inspect them to ensure they are accessible to persons with various disabilities. I have also asked ZAPD to engage the National Assembly of Zambia to make this institution accessible to persons with disabilities.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Madam Speaker, it is known that the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) only exists in nine districts. Looking at the importance of ZAPD and that we still have a number of our colleagues with disabilities in the remaining districts, the hon. Minister said that each district in Zambia has a Department of Social Welfare. The operational cost of ZAPD is about 10 per cent of what it receives as a grant. Can the hon. Minister help us know how often the section which caters for the people with disabilities under the ministry is funded in a year for them to work around the clock? Is it quarterly or monthly?

Ms D. Mwamba: Madam Speaker, I said earlier that this year, ZAPD has been funded with K22 million. Last year, it received funding of K19 million. The other year, 2023, it received K18 million and K16 million in 2022. Under the Department of Social Welfare and the flagship of the social protection programme, and the Social Cash Transfer (SCT), there is a category in which social welfare officers in all the 116 districts and wards in Zambia identify the categories of beneficiaries of persons with various disabilities. In all the districts, the department helps us to know where persons with disabilities live, as they are the first contact with the population. Information is then shared with ZAPD.

I thank you, Madam Speaker:

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

We make progress.

_______

MOTIONS

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT, WORKS AND SUPPLY

Mr Mubika (Shangombo): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that this House adopts the report of the Committee on Transport, Works and Supply on the Special Audit Report of the Audit- General on the Road Development Agency (RDA) for the Financial Years ended 31^st December, 2017 to 2022, laid on the Table of the House on 15^th June, 2025.

Madam Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Mr Mubika: Madam Speaker, in accordance with its terms of reference, as set out under Standing Orders 206 (n) and 207(g) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders 2024, the Committee considered the Special Audit Report of the Audit-General on the Road Development Agency (RDA) for the Financial Years ended 31^st December, 2017 to 2022.

Madam Speaker, to address the queries in the Special Audit Report of the Audit-General, the Committee engaged with controlling officers and other stakeholders from the institutions cited in the report, who provided both written and oral submissions.

Madam Speaker, the Committee observed with great concern that between 1^st January, 2017, and 31^st December, 2022, the RDA awarded twenty-four road construction projects valued at a total contract sum of K9,798,846,394. However, the contracts were not fully supported by committed funds and exceeded the budgeted provisions by K7,507,918,029. This was in violation of the Public Procurement Regulations. As a result, the Government incurred additional charges in the form of interest, totaling to K1,382,693,996, and idle time for suspension costs amounting to K68,128,204 due to delays in the setting of interim payment certificates (IPCs).

Madam Speaker, your Committee is deeply concerned that such overcommitments expose public finances to unsustainable risks. It, therefore, recommends that the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development should ensure that contracts are only awarded when full-year funding is secured.

Madam Speaker, the Committee also notes that the RDA often engages contractors before securing supervising consultants. The delays ranged between three to eight months, which led to significant setbacks in project delivery, scope changes and most overruns. To advert such inefficiencies, the Committee recommends that supervising consultants should be engaged before awarding work contracts. Additionally, no contractor should be allowed to commence works on a project without consultant oversight to ensure adherence to design specifications and quality assurance throughout the project lifespan.

Madam Speaker, the Committee observes with great concern that several projects were marred by substandard workmanship and failure to meet design specifications. It was observed that base course thickness on selected roads did not meet the minimum of 150 ml specifications, with only 100 mm constructed in some cases. This was as a result of using inadequate cement, poor material selection and weak compacting. Additionally, surface filling, incomplete drainage and defective road signs were observed. Particularly here in Lusaka, it was rampant. Despite these failures, full payments were made leading to overpayments and wasteful expenditure. The Committee, therefore, strongly recommends that the Government should conduct a forensic audit into these projects and refer any suspected fraudulent activities to law enforcement agencies. It also recommends that there be strengthened supervision, strict enforcement of the Vendor Rating Policy and enhanced accountability mechanisms to deter future malpractices.

Madam Speaker, finally, the Committee commends the Office of the Auditor-General for undertaking this special audit. The Committee further calls for the contents of this special audit report to be thoroughly examined and forwarded to law enforcement agencies to prosecute those found wanting.

Madam Speaker, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to you and the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly for the guidance and support rendered to the Committee during these deliberations. The Committee is also indebted to all the stakeholders who appeared before it for their co-operation in providing the necessary information that informed the Committee's report.

Madam Speaker, I beg to move.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Mr J. Chibuye: Now, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity you have given me, on behalf of the people of Roan Constituency, to second the Motion on the Special Audit Report of the Audit-General for the years, 2017 to 2025, on the Road Development Agency (RDA), that was ably moved by the chairperson of the Committee.

Allow me also, Madam Speaker, to sincerely thank the chairperson for picking out salient matters that came out of the report of the Committee’s interactions with the stakeholders. However, allow me just to pick on three items that the chairperson has not attended to.

Madam Speaker, your Committee also observed that there was a failure to secure title deeds and insure public assets. Your Committee learnt, with great concern, that 228 properties under the RDA are neither secured nor insured, and they were broken down as follows:

forty-four of the properties are on state land and they have been surveyed with sitemaps, but they were awaiting endorsement by local authorities; and

out of the 228 properties, 184 are on customary land where no documentation was obtained after negotiations with traditional leaders.

Madam Speaker, while efforts are ongoing, progress has been very slow in ensuring that the properties are secured and title deeds are issued. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the RDA and the Government expedites their engagement with local authorities and traditional leaders to secure title deeds for these properties. Only then, can the properties be insured and effectively managed.

Madam Speaker, the second item that I want to point out is the inadequate investment in research and innovation.

Madam Speaker, today, the world is evolving, and there is so much shift in terms of research and innovation. The Committee observed that low levels of Government investment in research and innovation are rampant in the road sector. Although we have universities, institutions such as the Road Development Agency (RDA), National Council for Construction (NCC) and Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ) lack modern tools, information and communications technology (ICT), funding, skilled personnel and international collaborations to enable them to be on the same page as other countries. That has hindered the development of cost-effective locally-appropriate road construction solutions, especially for handling complex materials like asphalt. Thus, you will realise that in some cases, roads are worked on today, tomorrow the asphalt starts peeling off. Only when the above-mentioned issues are attended to can we see improvements in such areas. The Committee, therefore, recommends increased Government support through funding, equipment provision and specialised training to promote innovation and sustainable infrastructure development.

Madam Speaker, the third issue I want to point out is delayed timing of technical audits. The audit that was presented by the Auditor-General was for 2017 to 2022. The issues that arose during those years are being brought to the attention of the Executive and attended to now after a long time. The Committee noted that technical audits are mostly conducted after road projects have been completed. In this case, the road projects were completed a long time ago, but the audit reports were only conducted in 2017 and 2022. This practice makes it difficult to test construction materials in their original state. Your Committee learnt that testing construction materials in their original state is effective. It would be better if audits were conducted when roads were being constructed, as this would help to detect defects early and enforce accountability. It is sad that the audit report has revealed many anomalies. In one instance, a contractor was supposed to lay 150 mm thickness of concrete or asphalt on a road. Instead, what was laid was 100 mm, but the contractor claimed payment for 150 mm thickness. This was very unfortunate. So, enforcement and accountability will be possible if audits are done while roads are being constructed. Early audits will help the country to conduct affordable remedial works, because it is easy to ask a contractor to go back on site to carry out remedial works. The Committee, therefore, recommends that audits be conducted during the construction phase, not afterwards. I repeat: your Committee recommends that audits be conducted at the construction stage, not afterwards. This approach will ensure quality assurance, lower repair costs in future and allow real-time collaboration between stakeholders.

Madam Speaker, I sincerely thank you for giving me the opportunity to second the Motion.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, the seconder of the Motion has taken a lot of time to talk about a very important issue. So, I will add just a few words on the same.

Madam Speaker, if you looked at the works that the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development has been doing through the Road Development Agency (RDA), you would see that there has been a lot of cheating, especially from contractors and technical personnel. If you looked at the quality of gravel roads, you would start wondering if a consultant or engineer supervised the works. That is painful for us who live in rural areas. People take advantage of us because no one supervises the works in rural areas. As a result, the jobs done in rural areas are not pleasing.

Madam Speaker, the Auditor-General’s Report talks about the Pave Zambia 2,000 km Road Project, which died a natural death. Good and very expensive equipment was purchased so that our districts would have paved roads. Moreover, our engineers tell us that asphalt roads are more expensive than paved roads. In this regard, I have a request to the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. His ministry gave road construction equipment to the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts. You will agree with me that the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts has very little technical know-how of engineering and construction of roads. Therefore, my request to the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development is that the equipment in the Eastern Province should be given to us in Nyimba so that we take care of it. As it is now, the equipment is going to waste in Chipata; no one is using it. So, instead of leaving the equipment to be destroyed, let us use it in Nyimba. We should remember that the Government spent taxpayers’ money to buy that equipment. We, in Nyimba, can use it. We are ready to use it because the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has given us some money under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). We can allocate some of that money towards paving roads in our district.

Madam Speaker, it is saddening and heartbreaking that a good number of good projects were terminated because the Government procured works beyond its resource envelope, as my colleague, Hon. Chibuye, said. The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development has been procuring road works beyond its resource envelope.

Madam Speaker, I just want to echo the statement of the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development that the Isoka/Muyombe Road and Chama/Lundazi Road are very important roads in our country. Those roads lead to a maize belt. The level of maize production in those areas is high. However, the contracts for the construction of those roads were terminated.

Mr Mtolo was discussing with Mr Nkandu.

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Minister of so-called hunger!

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Hon. Minister of Agriculture, please, can we have order.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Hunger has turned into a bumper harvest.

May the hon. Member for Nyimba continue.

Mr Zulu: Madam Speaker, a good amount of our corn or maize produce goes to waste. Those who come from Isoka, or Muyombe area, will agree with me that the road to that area is in a very bad state and needs to be worked on. My challenge to the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development is that, instead of wasting money, as it has been reveled in the report, can we work on that very important road.

Madam Speaker, a contract for the construction of a very important bridge connecting Nyimba to Msanzala and Petauke Central was terminated. That is very sad. We thank the hon. Minister for reinstating the contractor to work on the Mvuvye Bridge, and that is what we want to see on other projects. Important roads in various areas should be worked on.

Madam Speaker, the poor workmanship that we see on our roads is due to a technical gap between engineers and builders. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Technology and Science should close that gap. For example, in the medical fraternity, there are doctors, licentiates, clinical officers and nurses. So, we cannot have a situation whereby everyone is an engineer. The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Rural Development is not employing or training artisans in between engineers and builders. It is not educating technicians and other professionals to fill that gap. Many parents nowadays want their children to be engineers. So, we need to fill that skills gap that is affecting us technically. For instance, you would find that somebody who has never been to a college accredited to the National Council for Construction (NCC) is a local builder and an engineer has to supervise that person. The understanding gap between the two is too wide for them to carry out good quality work at the end of the day. I know, the hon. Minister of Education is good at dealing with these issues. I am not praising him, but I acknowledge that he is good. My prayer is that he assists the hon. Minister of Technology and Science in closing the gap. The poor products we have at the end of the day and all the things indicated in this report are because of the technical gap between engineers and the bricklayers. It cannot just be open.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nyimba, there is nothing wrong with praising someone who is doing a good job. So, please, feel free.

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, I will also borrow a term from the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, as he keeps saying that not all problems require money to be solved. This report is a good example. There is no reason for technocrats who know that they have a budget allocation of K2.7 million to procure road works worth K9 billion. What is happening? Where is the problem? The rainfall cycle in this country is clear. In the next four months, the rainy season will start. The procurement system, which is also poor, has a good Act in place that guides technocrats properly, but just following the Act is a problem. It is not a money problem; it is a problem of technocrats. If one starts the procurement process for a road, the guidance is clear. We have now moved to an Output-Based Budget (OBB). So, all the resources that are allocated must correspond to an output. There are about six to seven months in a year during which a contractor can work on a site. There is nothing wrong with planning in such a way that the resources pay for that contractor in that period, and in the period that the contractor demobilises, which is almost another six months, money is raised. However, we are labelled as not supporting the New Dawn Government because we speak against certain activities that happen in these Government institutions. There cannot be a situation in which, up to now, a component of interest is just seen. The Government has been taken to court by many construction companies because the component of interest is not being adhered to. These are matters that parties can discuss.

Madam Speaker, if one went to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development or the Road Development Agency (RDA) and took time to understand whether contractors have been segmented as large, medium contractors and so on, one can assess which of them can be negotiated with and probably get rid of the idle time, which is the time when you are awarded the contract. Again, the Government does not move in to give a contractor the site possession, yet it undertook the feasibility study, which is a cost to the Zambian Government and the people. Before a road is constructed, a feasibility is conducted by a consultant. Therefore, that consultant becomes the supervisor of the project. So, how can a contractor be on site working on a road that was not properly costed? As a result, you have this. We are to blame because we are not doing the right thing. These institutions are not run properly. That is the only reason because the issue is straightforward.

Madam Speaker, I can add further to another part of the report on title deeds that was talked about. When a contractor moves to a site, mobilisation funds are paid. So, when the contractor moves to the site, he sets up camp, which is not his; that is taxpayers’ money. In the past, those sites became schools, accommodation, pre-schools or clinics. That is not happening. There is no record whatsoever.

Madam Speaker, again, if you check, just the other day, when the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development was responding to a question on a road in Chama, I talked about the fact that there is nothing wrong with contracting. However, if one discovers that one does not have money, one can terminate the contract. However, one finds that the Government or the RDA sticks with a contract knowing well that it is not doing anything about it, and then later terminates it. When the Government terminates a contract, the contractor demands his 10 per cent performance bond for the money spent, the idle time used to set up equipment in readiness and mobilisation of the site. Now, surely, do we need money to respond to this? The answer is certainly no. We need discipline, transparency and accountability. When I look at the contents of this report, I ask myself what is happening to our country and the technocrats. This is straightforward. One cannot procure when one does not have money. Even if we talk about political interference, and an hon. Minister insists that a road should be worked on, yet there are no resources, I do not think that even the Ministry of Finance and National Planning would commit.

Madam Speaker, I am urging the Government to revisit some of the issues that the ministry was responding to. I know institutions like the RDA, for example, had the Pave Zambia 2000 project. We have been talking about a small road; 5 km to 10 km, in a district. That is the same equipment that is supposed to be provided for those districts. One does not need to have a bituminous standard road, which costs a million Dollars per kilometre. That was the purpose of the investment, yet it is given to the youths. What are they trying to do? Youths to do what? They have funds that we give them for empowerment and all sorts of

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, just by way of correcting. This is the audit report for the year ended 31^st December, 2017 to 2022. It is that period. I do not know if you are mixing up the period now, and what happened. I just want to be sure that we are on the same page.

Mr Mumba: Madam Speaker, I am not a lawyer, but I am on “terra firma”. I am on firm ground. I know exactly what I am talking about, and it is coming from this report. There is nothing new that has happened at the RDA that is going to be different in this report. This report is up to 31^st December, 2022, but there is nothing that has happened that is new and different in terms of the operations at the RDA and so on and so forth.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, we are discussing this report. So, let us not bring in things that are not in the report. That way, it will be easier for us to be on the same page.

You may proceed, hon. Member.

Mr Mumba: Madam Speaker, may be just to wind up, I have not understood your main concern, on these issues that I am raising. I still stand by the fact that the issues do not require money. They just require people to do the right thing and, in doing so, institutions that are managed by these ministries should be enhanced in terms of supervision. That would be my concluding point. Otherwise, this report leaves much to be desired in the sense that we can do better with the minimal resources that we have. That is my point.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Madam Speaker

Madam Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was about to start debating. However, before I get into the in depth of the report, allow me to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of my predecessor, Hon. Imbwae, who passed away.

Mr Speaker, you may wish to note that now, there is no former hon. Member of Parliament in Lukulu West, which is currently known asMitete Constituency, just like Zambia has no former President. That is on a sad note.

Mr Speaker, allow me to indicate that the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government has gained the Parliamentary seats in Kabushi, Kwacha, Pambashe, Kawambwa, Petauke Central and Lumezi. It has also retained the Kabwata Parliamentary seat.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, this does not happen out of nothing but the good policies of the New Dawn Government under the Leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema. For example, we have good policies such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and free education, that the New Dawn Government has put in place. Currently, fuel prices are dropping, and so is the Dollar rate. I am sure Zambians are able to read about all these developments.

Mr Speaker, the report talks about the PAVE Zambia 2000 Project, which was launched in September 2013. The project was supposed to run for five years, from 2015 to 2019. According to the report, this project was not well-managed.

Mr Speaker, allow me to quickly go to pages 3, 4 and 6 of the report. On pages 3 and 4, there the issue of consultancy. What used to happen then was that the Road Development Agency (RDA) would firstly go into contracting construction companies without engaging consultants. Things were bad. I take the debate by the hon. Member of Kantanshi as my own, by saying that the erring technocrats, as it has been stated in the report, should be charged. According to the report, those technocrats who were there between 1^st January, 2017 to 31^st December, 2022, did not do things in the right order.

Mr Speaker, page 6 of the report specifically talks about the poor workmanship to manage and coordinate the construction of roads by the RDA. I must say that, maybe, it was a blessing in disguise that the Katunda/Lukulu/ Watopa /Mumbezhi Road was never done then. This is because, according to this report, we were going to end up with a road that would have been peeling off by now. The report states that instead of using 150 mm of bituminous, they would use only 100 mm and leave the 50 mm. That is how things used to be. For example, if they were supposed to use 100 pockets of cement on the road, they would only use 50 pockets. It is good that the Katunda Road was not done then. Now, the consultant and the contractor who will be engaged will work under the supervision of the consultant. The contractor will be able to use the right millimetres of bituminous as advised.

Mr Speaker, I am pretty sure that soon and very soon, the Katunda/ Lukulu/ Watopa / Mumbezhi Road will be completed by the right consultant and contractor. We know that in the past, when some contractors were given work, for two days, they would not be on site even after being paid. They would break the contract and then the Government –

Mr B. Mpundu: What are you saying?

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, what I am saying is that the contractors deliberately broke the contracts so that the cost could be on the Government. We should not rule Zambia like that. It should not be like that. Things must be done in an orderly and rightful manner.

Mr Speaker, let me also state that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the RDA has just been acting in that position. I think he cannot continue acting in that capacity. We need to have a substantive CEO, who is the bearer of the RDA. The National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) should do its job by mobilising resources to feed into the RDA so that it does the right work. Through the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, we expect that the Katunda/Lukulu/Watopa/Mumbezhi Road will be given the right consultant and contractor, so that they draw their scope of work rightly.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, I support your report.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr J. Chibuye: Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity, once more, to say one or two things about the audit report. To me, this audit report raises many concerns and is actually hair-raising.

Mr Speaker, I will begin with the initial stages. From 2017 to 2022, the Road Development Agency (RDA) over-procured the construction of roads by K7 billion. As we speak, the Government owes contractors K9.8 billion. As if that is not enough, this amount of money attracts interest to a tune of K1.4 billion. We have laws in this country, which guide every technocrat on the way we should handle issues. Why were the officers allowed to over-procure when they knew that their resource envelope was only K2 billion? However, they decided to commit the Government to a colossal sum of money. Answers must be given.

Mr Speaker, I also want to talk about variations. In as much as we know that every contract attracts variations, both negative or positive, what I know from my little understanding of project management is that a contract cannot exceed 50 per cent or 100 per cent –

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Roan!

You are the one who seconded the Motion.

Mr J. Chibuye: Yes, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Why did you indicate to speak when you already spoke?

Mr J. Chibuye: Mr Speaker, I am now debating as the Member for Roan.

Interruptions

An hon. Member: Awe, takwaba!

Mr J. Chibuye: Am I not free to contribute?

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: May you resume your seat.

Mr J. Chibuye: Mr Speaker, am I not free to contribute?

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: May you resume your seat.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: You seconded the Motion. You know that the rules do not allow you to speak again.

Mr J. Chibuye interjected.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I will discipline you if you are trying to mislead the Speaker.

Laughter

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I will name you.

Laughter

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Maybe, I proceed in naming you so that you know –You should apologise. Apologise!

Laughter

Mr B. Mpundu: Mweleleniko!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I am not joking. I will give you one month.

Mr J. Chibuye: Mr Speaker, I retract the statement I made in the second paragraph, and I apologise.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Mr Speaker, before I respond, I wish to congratulate this side of the House for the massive victory achieved in the Lumezi by-election.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Eng. Milupi: The hon. Member for Shiwang’andu may wish to note that the United Party for National Development (UPND) won in all the eighty-eight polling stations with a massive margin in each and every polling station. Congratulations to the wonderful team that achieved this result.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Mr B. Mpundu interjected.

Eng. Milupi: They were there. Just go there and check.

Mr Speaker, I thank you most sincerely for granting me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the report of the Committee on Transport, Works and Supply on the Special Audit of the Road Development Agency (RDA) for the Financial Year 2017 to 2022.

Mr Speaker, let me make it very clear because I heard some of the debates. They lose track for the fact that the period we are talking about is from 2017 to 2022. Most of the issues that have been raised happened before 2021. The House may wish to note that from 2021 to 2022, there were virtually no new contracts signed on account of the lack of resources for the fact that the Government was dealing with the issue of debt rescheduling. So, the matters raised are legacy issues from the previous Administration. However, I wish to commend the Committee for its diligent work and the Office of the Auditor-General for its thorough audit, which brought to light critical issues that require to be attended to urgently. The hon. Minister has taken note of the findings, observations and recommendations, and acknowledges the issues raised including the steps outlined to address the concerns.

Mr Speaker, maybe, let me take this opportunity to respond to specific issues raised by those who have debated.

Sir, the issue of quality has been raised. One debater talked about the quality and thickness of construction. It is absolutely true. On the road works we checked, we found that they specified different thicknesses and densities and, in fact, even the type of materials used were not the correct ones. I will give an example of the Mbala/Nakonde Road where each step taken fell short of the specifications in terms of thicknesses, densities and materials used, to the extent that where granite was required, a different type of stone was used. As a result, that road has failed prematurely even though it was commissioned in 2017.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Nyimba talked about the Isoka/Muyombe Road, which is important, yet he mentioned that it is in a poor condition. Again, this road was also partially worked on, and upgraded to bituminous standard. We took time to go and measure what exactly was done. The hon. Member talked about using the standards of the National Council for Construction (NCC) and the University of Zambia (UNZA), but we are already doing that. We are able to drill cores so that we can see exactly what happened. What was the bottom layer, densities and the materials used? The roads have failed miserably. By just rubbing his shoe on the Isoka/Muyombe Road, our Engineer, the NCC Chief Executive was able to remove all the tar and exposed the road right down to gravel. That is how bad it was. This was highlighted on national television.

Mr Speaker, there has been talk about contractors, and that they must not work on the roads until they use consultants. What was happening in the past was connivance between those who were contracting, in other words, the RDA, the contractors and the consultants. When these three combine, a very bad job is done. Work would be certified as having been done when it has not been done. Quality would be certified when it has not been done. That is why very bad road works were done in the past. However, let me assure the House that, first of all, where we were able to certify that funny things were going on, action has been taken and is being taken. The Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) has taken action against the consultant of the Mbala/Nakonde and Isoka/Muyombe roads. Quite clearly, people were conniving in delivering poor work. The contractor for one of those jobs has been told to go and redo the work. That is how serious this Government is. The directives of His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, are very clear. Any procurement in the construction sector must satisfy the three conditions: right price, right quality and delivery on time. In order to achieve delivery on time, the contracting authority, which is the Government, through the RDA, must ensure that resources are available so that as payments become due, they are made. That is what we are doing.

Mr Speaker, we have talked about over-procurement of K9 billion. That happened in the last Administration, let me stress that. People who represented the Ruling Party were appointed in the RDA and given directives on where contracts went. That is no longer the case. So, I take issue with the comments of the hon. Member for Kantanshi, who said that those things are still happening. No, they are not. Firstly, there is no procurement of new road works that is not backed by a budget. We try to ensure that contractors are paid for whatever work is done.

Mr Speaker, what we are dealing with is a legacy issue. What we found was that K10 billion was owed to contractors, and most of them did very poor works. I can assure the House that going forward, those issues will be addressed. We are strictly adhering to the principles of the right price, right quality and delivery on time. That is why we have been able to drop the price for road works from US$1.2 million per kilometre to US$600,000 maximum. Sometimes, the price is US$550,000 or US$650,000 per kilometre on bituminous road works. If you looked at the roads, whether they were constructed through public-private partnerships (PPPs) or not, you would see that the quality is as good as any road anywhere in the world. This is what Mr Hakainde Hichilema has brought to the construction sector.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning has been very specific. He has reformed the planning framework for road sector investments. Projects are now strictly aligned with the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), and no contracts are being signed without secured and committed multi-year funding. So, we are following that. The hon. Minister has also put in place mechanisms to ensure that final accounts are completed within contract closeout periods. Further, measures are being put in place through the introduction of contract management manuals and strengthened penalties for non-compliance. My ministry has also commenced the process of securing title deeds, as has been mentioned in the report.

Mr Speaker, we thank your Committee, and we have taken note of the issues raised in the report. Let me assure the House that the report is a reflection of what happened in the previous Administration. If you looked at what is happening now, you would find that many positive steps have been taken to look after the resources of the country in terms of the prices for construction works and the quality of infrastructure being delivered because that is what our Zambian citizens utilise.

With that said, Mr Speaker, I would like to thank your Committee for the diligent work it has done. I also want to assure you that under the New Dawn Administration, those issues on road works will be a thing of the past.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Minister. However, in future, one of the measures that you can introduce is finding a separate supplier for bitumen, especially for asphalt roads. Also, let the monitoring and evaluation team from the Road Development Agency (RDA) supervise the works. This is because most of the roads that failed were constructed with poor quality bitumen. I am a contractor, so I have been at forums where people have spoken about how a road can easily fail without good management. It is about quality. In Zambia, a survey was done by a Danish group in 2007, and it was discovered that the bitumen we use varies. So, to control the quality of bitumen that comes into the country, the RDA should monitor the situation. That can help.

The hon. Member for Shangombo may wind up the debate.

Eng. Milupi: Sorry, Mr Speaker. Can I just thank you for those comments and assure you that measures are being taken. Firstly, in terms of the quality of bitumen, the standards are very specific. Secondly, one of the issues with bitumen is the temperature control. If you heat up the bitumen very far away and move it over long distances, then, you affect its quality. So, all those measures are being taken.

I thank you for your comments, Mr Speaker.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

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

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: On whom now?

Mr Samakayi: On the entire House.

Laughter

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Shangombo, wind up debate.

Mr Mubika: Mr Speaker, before I wind up, please, allow me to also join my hon. Colleague from Mitete in passing my condolences to the family of the late former Member of Parliament for Lukulu West. From 2006 to 2011, I served with the late Hon. Eileen Imbwae.

Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the seconder of the Motion, Hon. Joel Chibuye, Member of Parliament for Roan, Hon. Menyani Zulu, Member of Parliament for Nyimba, Hon. Anthony Mumba, my young brother and Member of Parliament for Kantanshi, Hon. Misheck Mutelo, who is my nephew and Member of Parliament for Mitete, and not forgetting the able hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, who is my uncle.

Laughter

Mr Mubika: We served together from 2006 to 2011 when he was an Independent hon. Member of Parliament and later when he was Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) president.

Mr Speaker, finally, let me thank you as well for the knowledge that you have just exhibited. We did not know that you have knowledge on how roads are supposed to be made.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Question put and agreed to.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, SPORTS AND CHILD MATTERS ON THE REVIEW OF GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS ON STREETISM IN ZAMBIA

Mr Mabeta (Kankoyo): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that this House adopts the Report of the Committee on Youth, Sports and Child Matters on the Review of Government Interventions on Streetism in Zambia for the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 26^th June, 2025.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Mr Mabeta: Mr Speaker, in line with its terms of reference, the Committee considered a topical issue on the review of the Government’s interventions on streetism in Zambia. In carrying out this important task, the Committee sought both written and oral submissions from various stakeholders. The Committee also undertook a local tour of Lusaka Province, Central Province, Copperbelt Province and the North-Western Province, and a benchmarking tour to the Kingdom of Morocco.

Mr Speaker, let me state from the outset that streetism is an everyday social reality and an eyesore that cannot be ignored. It is a complex and persistent issue, which is visible in Zambia, especially in the towns and cities. The prevalence of street children and youths on the streets has substantially increased over the last decade.

Mr Speaker, allow me to highlight some of the salient issues observed by the Committee during its deliberations. The Committee observed that despite the existence of laws and policies for the protection of children, those laws have proved ineffective in comprehensively addressing the unique and complex issue of streetism. A lack of specific stand-alone laws has left significant gaps in the enforcement of child protection and rehabilitation measures for vulnerable children on the streets. In this regard, the Committee recommends that legislation, policies and plans be put in place to provide for child care and protection that specifically recognises street children as a special group in need.

Mr Speaker, the Committee also observed that family dysfunction and urbanisation were major pushers of children and youths to the streets. Therefore, the Committee recommends that family ties be enhanced by focusing on family empowerment and community support. Further, a multi-faceted approach focusing on economic diversification, improved infrastructure and community empowerment in rural areas should be enhanced to curb rural-urban migration.

Mr Speaker, during its local tour, the Committee learnt that some youths who had undergone rehabilitation had returned to the streets due to stigmatisation and a lack of mechanisms to link them to employment or income-generating activities. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Government devises mechanisms in line with what the Committee observed in the Kingdom of Morocco, where rehabilitated youths are given start-up packs and linked to existing income-generating projects and employment opportunities.

Mr Speaker, the Committee also observed with concern that all the facilities visited during the local ours had inadequate social workers and psychologists to help in the process of re-integration. The Committee, hence, recommends that specialised personnel, such as psychologists and social workers, be deployed to all transit homes to ensure effective Government intervention in addressing the mental health needs of the children.

Mr Speaker, the Committee also observed with concern that the Lukanga Resettlement Scheme, which was specifically established for the rehabilitation of youths interested in farming, lacked basic facilities for agricultural undertakings. The facility only has six houses, of which two are incomplete, a few goats and nine cows. In addition, the two Government-run facilities that were visited by the Committee had little in place to facilitate effective skills training. In this regard, the Committee recommends that the Government endeavours to rehabilitate and equip the existing centres and construct fully equipped ones.

Lastly, Mr Speaker, let me reiterate that streetism remains a significant problem in Zambia which, if left unchecked, can lead to a rise in juvenile delinquency, increased crime rates and a strain on the provision of social services. In this regard, there is a need to put in place policies and facilities that will specifically address this phenomenon. There is also a need for further legal reforms to provide comprehensive protection and support to vulnerable people on the streets.

As I conclude, Mr Speaker, allow me to render my sincere gratitude to you and the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia for the services rendered to the Committee throughout its deliberations. Gratitude is also extended to all stakeholders who provided the Committee with invaluable information, which formed the basis of the report before this House today.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Does the seconder wish to speak now or later?

Mr Katakwe: Now, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, allow me to thank the chairperson, Hon. Mabeta, for ably moving the Motion. Indeed, the Committee on Youth, Sport and Child Matters undertook a study tour, as highlighted by the chairperson. Allow me to just highlight a few things and emphasise on what has been said.

Mr Speaker, it needs to be understood that streetism is simply a phenomenon where children live and work on the street, oftentimes, due to poverty, family issues, abuse, and so on and so forth. Streetism is a global problem. Normally, it is prevalent in developing countries, especially in Africa. Children face numerous challenges that lead them to resort to street life. These problems include, among others, a lack of access to basic necessities such as education, health care, food security, water and sanitation, often leading children to exploitation, violence and drug or substance abuse.

Mr Speaker, during our tours, we noted that we have enough legal frameworks and policies that the Government has put in place to address various challenges regarding streetism. some of the policies include the National Children's Policy (NCP), the National Social Protection Policy (NSPP), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the National Youth Policy. The legal framework may include the Constitution, the Children's Code Act, which we enacted in 2022, and the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia. All these address issues concerning safety, the rights of children and issues that have been criminalised relating to behaviour associated with streetism.

Mr Speaker, the Government has put in place various interventions through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, the Ministry of Justice and many other line ministries. There has been collaboration among these ministries relating to streetism. However, the problem seems to persist, as it has been noted in various towns of Zambia where street children have resorted to living in gangs and committing various atrocities.

Mr Speaker, from the areas or sites that we toured, submissions from stakeholders were to the effect that we seem to not have a specific law that deals with streetism in Zambia. Therefore, there is a call to the Executive to come up with a law that specifically looks at streetism rather than just having pieces of legislation here and there. Also, there is no policy that deals directly or empowers the police to deal with streetism, especially when it comes to gang issues, and substance and drug abuse. For instance, when street kids take a substance that is called jenkem, which is quite toxic, they begin to have illusions and commit a number of things. Sometimes, it even leads to death, but the police find it difficult to deal with such cases because there is no specific Act that can help them.

Mr Speaker, the Lukanga Youth Resettlement Scheme is good, but one cannot tell whether it belongs to the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services or the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts. It is important for the Zambia National Service (ZNS) to come in, because the centre has vast land, and some effort is being made to resettle the children. If the ZNS and the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services can come up with skills training, and the Ministry of Technology and Science can come in to provide tools for skills development. That can help. Mr Speaker, the faith-based centres seem to be doing well, although they have challenges. For example, in Ndola, there is the Cicetekelo Youth Project (CYP), where various skills are taught. That centre has a milling plant, goats and fish ponds but lacks certain incentives. For example, there is a factory which makes the Gigibontà ice cream there but it does not have duty free incentives on ingredients whenever it orders stuff in order to raise funds or to provide the children with the needed skills. So, there is a need to provide such incentives to faith-based centres that are helping in curbing streetism. This is an appeal to the Executive.

Mr Speaker, the Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Zambia is involved in keeping children off the streets and giving them skills. It also appealed to the line ministries to help in terms of skills and development tools so that when those children are skilled, they can also be given some starter packs for them to earn an independent life.

Mr Speaker, in our foreign tours, we also observed that there are strong social recreational facilities for educational and sporting activities. Almost every village in Morocco has sporting activities that keep children off the streets. That move has received a lot of support. For example, if a family keeps two or three children off the streets, it is given an incentive. The Government also provides an extra incentive for school and upkeep for the children. As Zambia, we can emulate those plans if we are to effectively deal with this matter.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, allow me once again, thank you and your team for enabling us to have this first-hand experience and also, to make the recommendation to the Executive. It is my sincere hope that the line ministries will be able to implement the recommendations and also, what is still outstanding in the Action Taken Report.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Mr Speaker, I am grateful to you.

Yesterday, the Government, through the Ministry of Defence, announced that the Zambia National Service (ZNS) would train seven youths per district in all the 156 constituencies. That is one way of responding to the topic under discussion.

Mr Speaker, let me take the issue of street children closer to home. In 1984, a certain child lost his father when he was in Grade 4. That child grew up in an extended family and later on became a Member of Parliament. So, before we look to the Government, let us maintain our family ties and how we lived in the past. In the past, one would call his/her father’s brothers and sisters uncles and aunties, respectively. In the villages, a brother to your father is your father and not an uncle, whether he is young or elderly. Unfortunately, that kind of family tie is lost. What am I saying? Through extended families, we may address the problems of street children, which is problematic worldwide.

Mr Speaker, according to the United Nations (UN) statistics, there are 150 million street children in the world. Having extended families is part of what the Government is already implementing to fight streetism, especially the introduction of the free education policy. I will continue mentioning the things that the Government is doing. The introduction of School Feeding Programmes is helping many children in schools. The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is taking care of a good number of youths. The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts is distributing motorcycles, sports attire, and a sum of K1,000 given to children under the age of eighteen.

Mr Speaker, to answer to this problem, faith-based organisations are also complementing the Government's efforts. The young man I mentioned earlier, through faith-based organisations, grew up into a responsible and disciplined person because he was well-brought-up in that environment. So, the task should not be left to the Government alone. Therefore, the family, faith-based organisations, and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) must complement the Government for its effort.

Mr Speaker, we are happy with the New Dawn Government for introducing the Early Childhood Education policy, under the Ministry of Education. That answers to the problem of streetism. The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services is also helping in that regard.

Mr Speaker, as I mentioned, the Ministry of Defence will introduce the Voluntary Skills Training Programme this July. That is how some of these problems will be sorted out.

Mr Speaker, I thought I should also add my little voice from Mitete to the debate on the Motion, and I had to bring up an example from Mitete, of a young man whom I have seen grow up as an orphan in an extended family, with the support of the faith-based organisations and the Government. Most of what the Government of the day is doing today is good. Yes, the laws may not be adequate, but so far, all is good with the United Party for National Development (UPND) New Dawn Government.

Mr B. Mpundu: Question!

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, even in Nkana Constituency, the CDF is working.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: We will have two hon. Ministers to respond. We will start with the hon. Minister of Community Development and Social Services, followed by the hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts.

The Minister of Community Development and Social Services (Ms D. Mwamba): Mr Speaker, from the outset, I want to make mention here that Zambia has a young population. 53.4 per cent are children between zero years and eighteen years.

Mr Speaker, on behalf of the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, I wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Committee on Youth, Sport and Child Matters for its thorough and insightful report addressing the issue of our children who are living on the streets in Zambia. The ministry highly values the Committee's dedication in highlighting this pressing social challenge and the comprehensive recommendations provided to guide sustainable interventions.

Mr Speaker, as a ministry, we acknowledge and commend the critical role played by non-state actors in supporting Government efforts. Their involvement in prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes remains a vital complement to the Government’s national child protection agenda.

Mr Speaker, the Government is deeply committed to addressing the root causes of our children living on the streets and implementing sustainable solutions that ensure no child is left behind. In this regard, as a ministry, we reaffirm our dedication to strengthening reintegration efforts, promoting family-based care and enhancing psychosocial support. We are also focused on improving Government infrastructure and services for vulnerable children, while creating real opportunities for education, vocational training, employment and entrepreneurship to prevent recurrence of street life.

Mr Speaker, to enhance a multi-sectoral co-ordination, the ministry is prioritising the full use of the National Co-ordinating Committee for Children, which was approved by Cabinet. The National Co-ordinating Committee will establish co-ordination structures at national, provincial and district levels. This framework will foster stronger collaboration among stakeholders, improve service delivery and enhance accountability in child protection programmes.

Mr Speaker, in consultation with key partners, the ministry is also in the process of developing a Child Policy, which will provide a platform for the development of a National Comprehensive Strategic Plan on combating streetism in Zambia. This strategy will serve as a unified evidence-based framework guiding interventions across prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration, informed by stakeholder input and international best practices.

Mr Speaker, recognising the importance of public attitudes in addressing streetism, the ministry is intensifying awareness campaigns to address behaviours that inadvertently sustain the problem, such as giving alms directly to our children living on streets including; risks of abuse, substance dependence and, now, the new abuse, cell phone addiction, while promoting more constructive and sustainable ways to support our vulnerable children.

Mr Speaker, recognising the critical need for reliable data, the ministry is committed to developing a comprehensive database on street children and child protection programmes nationwide. The database will underpin evidence-based planning, co-ordination and monitoring of interventions. Efforts are currently underway to strengthen data collection systems in partnership with local authorities, non-state actors and other stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate information supports effective service delivery.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, my ministry remains resolute in its commitment to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to protect the rights of every child in Zambia and build a Zambia free from streetism. We extend our sincere thanks, once again, to the Committee on Youth, Sport and Child Matters for its continued leadership on this critical issue.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Art (Mr Nkandu): Mr Speaker, first of all, I want to thank you most sincerely for giving me this opportunity to make a statement to this august House and the nation on the debate to adopt the report of the Committee on Youth, Sport and Child Matters.

Mr Speaker, allow me to join those who have congratulated the United Party for National Development (UPND) for winning all the three by-elections that were held. That was not by accident but a clear demonstration that the people of Zambia have confidence and trust in the UPND.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkandu: Mr Speaker, it is also important to note that in 2021, in areas like Lumezi, the party did not manage to campaign. So, we now had the opportunity to sell our manifesto to the electorates there. That is why I said that it was not by accident that we won the by-elections because people were able to understand our manifesto and the people who were campaigning were able to sell the party’s ideas. In view of the interventions that we have made in this country, the people of Zambia have trust and confidence that this is the party that they should support.

Mr Speaker, having said that, I would like, first and foremost, to commend your Committee for its detailed and insightful report on issues pertaining to children and youths. I have no doubt in my mind that the report reflects issues that, once acted upon, will, indeed, contribute immensely to the betterment of the lives of children and youths.

Mr Speaker, I want to respond to those who have commented on the report. Again, it is not by accident that we have seen a reduction in the number of young people in the streets. It is because of the interventions of the New Dawn Administration. For instance, as a ministry, we have targeted vulnerable young people and taken them to school under what we are calling the Community Scholarship Programme. I think, you saw the more than 2,500 young people who graduated at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC). We have other empowerment programmes, such as the National Youth Scheme, which gives grants to vulnerable young people in society so that they can start doing something. Under general empowerment, we get ideas from young people for them to start whatever business they want and we help them.

Mr Speaker, we also have the resettlement scheme programme. The hon. Member of Parliament for Solwezi East talked about the Lukanga Resettlement Scheme, which is under the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts. We want young people to get involved in agricultural activities. After all, we have a large percentage of young people who can contribute to food security in the country. We have a resettlement scheme in the North-Western Province called the Mufumbwe Resettlement and another one in Mporokoso called the Mwange Resettlement Scheme. Those resettlements are meant to entice young people to get involved in agricultural activities.

Mr Speaker, hon. Members have said there should be an exit plan for youths after they get skills. The Government has come up with a very important programme called the Graduate Empowerment Programme. When the youths studying in our resource centres graduate, they are given start-up kits and equipment that is relevant to the courses they have studied so that they can go and establish businesses for themselves. That is a very important programme that we have implemented as the Government.

Mr Speaker, I should also talk about the Zambia National Service (ZNS) voluntary skills training programme, which was mentioned. It is a very good initiative. Intentionally, we need to take young people to the ZNS voluntary skills training programme.

Mr Speaker, one hon. Member of Parliament talked about installation of sports facilities. Indeed, that is a very good intervention. That is the reason I came to this House to plead with hon. Members of Parliament to come up with multi-sports facilities in every constituency to keep boys busy. Mr Speaker, you always say that an idle mind is a devil’s workshop. We want to see active young people so that they do not think about illicit activities. So, setting up multi-sports facilities in constituencies would be an important and good intervention.

Mr Speaker, I also want to indicate that we should not forget that we inherited a situation in which there is a huge mountain of unemployed youths. Now, the unprecedented employment opportunities we have created have enabled young people to get out of the streets. So, it is not by accident.

Mr Speaker, those are some of the interventions that we have put in place.

Hon. Government Member: A few!

Mr Nkandu: They are a few, but benefitting many.

Mr Speaker, there is also the issue of alcohol and substance abuse. The question is: What are we doing about it? We have started having townhall meetings. We started with meetings in Matero, Kabwata and at Cavendish University. We have started educating young people on the dangers of getting involved in illicit activities, like substance and alcohol abuse, under the National Youth Development Council (NYDC).

Mr Speaker, we need to celebrate an important report by your Committee. It is a good report, and all of us should take a keen interest to see how best we can help our young people.

Mr Speaker, allow me, once again, to speak to some key issues that have been raised. As you may be aware, the Government attaches great importance to issues of youth development. In this regard, I wish to convey the strides that we have made. Allow me to mention that my ministry, in collaboration with other line ministries and stakeholders, conducted youth consultative meetings on the National Youth Development Council Act, Chapter 144 of the Laws of Zambia. Very soon, we will bring a Bill to Parliament to amend that Act.

Mr Speaker, the Government has also put in place measures to curb moral decay, including drug abuse, among young people. In order to comprehensively address alcohol, drug and substance abuse, the Government has also provided a legal and policy framework to support prevention programmes on drug abuse among the youth through the following:

the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act No. 35 of 2021;

the National Policy on Drug and Substance Control;

the National Health Policy; and

the National Alcohol Policy of 2018.

Mr Speaker, furthermore, through the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), the Government undertakes various programmes to address the issues of drug abuse, which include awareness activities including radio programmes, community outreach, counselling and training workshops, as I said earlier. In addition, the African Union (AU), Ministry of Health, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and other stakeholders had a high-level awareness forum on drug and alcohol abuse. This was meant to raise awareness on the dangers and map out strategies on how to address the problem. The forum was held at the MICC in October, 2023. Further, my ministry is actively supporting efforts to address drug abuse among youths. The ministry, through the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ), the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ), the DEC and other institutions, has established an interim national anti-doping organisation, which spearheads programmes and activities aimed at eliminating doping in sport, including education and socialisation programmes. Additionally, the Government undertakes in-competition and out-of-competition testing among athletes to ensure that athletes ‘play true’.

As I conclude, Mr Speaker, I would like to urge this august House to adopt the Report of the Committee on Youth, Sport and Child Matters on the Review of Government Interventions on Streetism in Zambia.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mabeta: Mr Speaker, allow me to thank the hon. Minister of Community Development and Social Services as well as our able hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts. I also thank Hon. Katakwe for supporting this important Motion and Hon. Mutelo for sharing his experience.

Mr Speaker, I want to make two appeals to the hon. Minister in charge of water and sanitation and the hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts. The Lukanga Resettlement site urgently needs a borehole. The youths living on the site have to travel over 10 km just to access water, and that has made their lives very difficult.

Mr Speaker, I also want to appeal to the hon. Members of Parliament here and Zambians listening out there. I know, it is good to help people in need, but giving alms to children on the streets encourages them to go back to the streets to get more free things. Hence, they do not appreciate the efforts that this able Government is making to rehabilitate them. It is good to give, but giving to promote an illegality is bad.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Question put and agreed to.

_______

REPORT STAGE

The Closed-Circuit Television Public Protection Bill, 2025.

Report adopted.

Third Reading on Wednesday, 2^nd July, 2025.

______

MOTIONS

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT, WORKS AND SUPPLY ON THE REVIEW OF THE RAILWAY TRANSPORT IN ZAMBIA

(Debate resumed)

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Sialubalo) (on behalf of the Minister of Transport and Logistics (Mr Tayali)): Mr Speaker, thank you, sincerely, for giving me this opportunity to respond to the debate on the Motion.

Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the Committee on Transport, Works and Supply for the Report on the Review of the Railway System in Zambia it has rendered before this House and the good work done. I would also like to thank hon. Members for debating the Motion on this Bill in silence.

Mr Speaker, let me now turn to the key recommendations made by the Committee. The Government agrees with the Committee on repealing and replacing the Railways Act. The review of this legal framework has reached an advanced stage, and I wish to inform this august House that we expect to present the new Railways Bill within this year. The Bill will provide for a modern, liberalised and investment-friendly regulatory regime that aligns with our national aspirations and international best practice.

On the protection of railway and other transport infrastructure, Mr Speaker, I wish to re-affirm that those issues are being addressed through new legislative provisions that are also due to come before this House soon. These measures are timely and necessary given the rising incidents of vandalism, theft and encroachment that continue to threaten our transport systems.

Mr Speaker, on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), the Government is already leveraging on the model to revamp our railway sector. I cite, as a matter of progress, the Lobito Corridor Railway Project, the ongoing process concerning the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) concession and the direction we are taking with Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL). These initiatives will inject private capital, technology and efficiency into the railway system and are consistent with our national development strategy.

Mr Speaker, on the establishment of a railway development fund, the ministry fully supports this recommendation, and I am pleased to inform the House that the provision has been included in the draft of the new Railways Bill. This fund will provide a sustainable financing mechanism to support railway infrastructure development and maintenance.

Mr Speaker, strengthening and maintenance, and modernisation of railway infrastructure are also being taken into account under the proposed PPP arrangements. Our focus is not only on track rehabilitation, but also on upgrading our signalling systems, bridges and maintenance yards to modern standards.

Mr Speaker, the matter of encroachment on railway lines is a serious concern, and the Government is responding decisively. A new Bill that addresses land encroachment will soon be brought before this House. It will include steeper penalties, like custodial sentences, to deter illegal occupation and protect our critical transport infrastructure and land.

Mr Speaker, in order for the railway sector to fully benefit from the Statutory Instrument (SI) reserving 30 per cent of bulk and heavy cargo for railway transport, there is an urgent need to increase the number of operational locomotives and wagons. The Government is also actively working on improving these capabilities through PPPs so that the ZRL and other operators can effectively meet demand and service delivery expectations.

As I conclude, Mr Speaker, I wish to re-affirm the Government's commitment to revitalising the railway transport sector in Zambia. The recommendations of the Committee resonate deeply with the steps we, as the Government, are already undertaking. We look forward to the support of this House, as we table the relevant legislative reforms in the coming months. Working together, we will deliver a railway system that is efficient, competitive, safe and fully integrated into our regional and continental transport corridors.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mubika: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the whole House for overwhelmingly supporting the Motion. I would also like to say that as a Committee, we have taken note of the response from the Government and we will keep an eye and monitor how it is going to react.

Mr Speaker, I would be failing in my duties if I did not, again, on behalf of the people of Mulobezi, ask the Government to look for funds, as a matter of urgency, to work on the Mulobezi/Livingstone Road.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mubika: Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr B. Mpundu: Question!

Ms Sefulo: Iwe, sit down.

Mr B. Mpundu: Iris, icongo!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, you are busy debating whilst seated. You are busy calling the hon. Member Iris. If you like her, go and see her.

Laughter

Question put and agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

_______

The House adjourned at 1821 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 2^nd July, 2025.

____________

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