Wednesday, 2^nd July, 2025

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

_______

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM SPEAKER

 

VISITORS FROM LUMEZI PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Public Gallery of visitors from Lumezi Parliamentary Constituency.

 

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

 

I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM CHIRUNDU TRUST SCHOOL

 

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

 

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

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

I thank you.

 

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM UCHIZI CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

 

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

 

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

 

I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

CHANGE IN THE COMPOSITION OF SESSIONAL COMMITTEE

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 17 –

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

I will read it again.

 

Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 176(3), I have made the following change to the composition of the following Committee:

 

Committee on National Guidance and Gender Matters

 

Mr Lufeyo Ngoma, MP, to replace Mr Munir Zulu.

 

I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

_______

 

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

 

The following hon. Member took and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance:

 

Lufeyo Ngoma

 

_______

 

URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, you may recall that we amended our Standing Orders. The Standing Orders that are in force currently are the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, and Urgent Matters without Notice are provided for under Standing Order Nos. 142 and 143. For purposes of admissibility, just to remind ourselves, I will read Standing Order No. 143:

 

“143. Admissibility of Urgent Matters Without Notice:

 

1. A matter may be considered urgent if-

 

1. it is raised within twenty-four hours of its occurrence;

 

1. it is within the responsibility of the Government;

 

1. it requires the immediate action of the Government because life or property will be lost or a catastrophe will befall any part of the country if the Government does not act immediately;

 

1. it has not already been raised in the House during the same Session;

 

1. it deals with only one issue; and

 

1. it is not sub judice.”

 

So, hon. Members, as you raise Urgent Matters without Notice, ensure that you comply with this particular Standing Order. Hon. Members who will go outside this Standing Order will be curtailed. So, please, observe this so that you do not waste time by debating or bringing on the Floor of the House matters that do not qualify. I hope you have been duly guided.

 

MR J. CHIBUYE, HON. MEMBER FOR ROAN, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY, MR MWIIMBU, SC., AND THE HON. MINISTER OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, MR MUTATI, ON SCAMMERS USING HON. MEMBERS’ FACEBOOK PAGES

 

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

 

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for the guidance, and I rise to raise an Urgent Matter without Notice as per the Standing Orders that you have just mentioned. However, before I do that, allow me to welcome and congratulate our colleague, who has just come in, the hon. Member of Parliament for Lumezi; he is welcome to the House.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, it has become increasingly difficult for hon. Members to work because of scammers. As I am speaking, some of your hon. Members are attending court cases or police interviews, and others have been called by the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) because scammers are actually using their Facebook pages and images to scam innocent people, and these people are now calling hon. Members to find out where their money is.

 

Madam Speaker, I will cite one hon. Member who is not here because he is attending a police interview, and this is the hon. Member for Nyimba. It has become very difficult for your hon. Members to work because they are now being threatened by members of the public. Given that this is the time that small commercial farmers or peasant farmers are collecting their yields and selling to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and other milling companies, the scammers have realised that there is money out there and, as such, they want to make a quick one.

 

Madam Speaker, we are under siege as your hon. Members of Parliament and we need protection. This matter is directed at the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security and the hon. Minister of Technology and Science. What are they doing to protect hon. Members, who are being called by innocent people,  who are demanding for their money, which they have invested in the so-called whatever?

 

Madam Speaker: That is a tricky question because we are all victims. All of us have suffered, maybe, through a telephone call or something else. So, I think, this issue is becoming prevalent. It needs to be nipped in the bud. Previously, I received a message with the face of the hon. Minister of Defence calling for a meeting.  So, it is a problem that is ongoing and risky, as the hon. Member for Roan has observed. However, I think, the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) needs to do something. I do not know who will render a Ministerial Statement, whether the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security or the hon. Minister of Technology and Science. Maybe, they can liaise and see if they can come up with a statement, because here it means law enforcement. We have enacted the Cyber Security Law, but we are still victims of all this. Technology is good, but if we do not use it wisely, it can also be a danger to us.

 

So, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, in consultation with the hon. Minister of Technology and Science, can come back to the House on Wednesday next week to issue a Ministerial Statement. Monday and Tuesday are holidays.

 

Thank you very much, hon. Member for Roan, for raising that issue. I think, it is of great concern to all of us.

 

MR B. MPUNDU, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR NKANA, ON HER HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT, MRS NALUMANGO, ON CONTAMINATION OF THE MWAMBASHI AND KAFUE RIVERS

 

Mr B. Mpundu (Nkana): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, I rise on an Urgent Matter without Notice directed at Her Honour the Vice-President.

 

The matter I want to raise, Madam Speaker, –

 

Hon. UPND Members interjected.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, please, leave him alone. If he does not want to congratulate someone, you cannot force him. Leave him alone to raise his Urgent Matter without Notice.

 

You may proceed, hon. Member.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, the people of Kalusale, which is an area in Chambishi, are scared for their lives. You are aware that yesterday, the Swedish Embassy issued an alert. This followed another alert that was issued by the United States (US) Embassy over the heavy metal poisoning of Mwambashi River and Kafue River following a spillage because of the collapsing of the tailing dam, Sino Metals. From the time this incident occurred, the Government has done very little to alert the citizens on the dangers of the contamination of the two rivers. Whereas other nations, through their embassies, are warning their citizens, our Government has remained mute on that scare.

 

Madam Speaker, is Her Honour the Vice-President in order to not come to this august House to alert the citizens of the danger and, perhaps, indicate to the nation as to what intervention the Government is making, particularly to move the people who may be directly affected by this health challenge?

 

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious indulgence over this matter.

 

Madam Speaker: I recall that a few days ago, or maybe it was yesterday, the hon. Member for Lufubu asked about the people in the constituency not being allowed to fish because of the pollution of a river, I think, that is Kafue River. The hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock attempted to answer the question, but there were still hanging issues as to when the issue was going to be addressed, and when a consultant was going to be appointed to look into the matter. So, I think, the hon. Members, yesterday, were not satisfied with the answers from the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock. Maybe, they wanted the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment to tackle the issue.

 

Again, we are talking about life. The seepage of acid into the rivers has destroyed crops and life along the rivers. So, I think, it is important that the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment comes to the House with a Ministerial Statement to explain what the Government is doing in order to avert that situation and allay the fears of the people living around that area concerning whether it is safe for them to drink the water or eat the fish, and what measures are being taken to ensure that the environment is protected. So, the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment should come to the House and issue a Ministerial Statement on Thursday next week. I am sure, the hon. Minister will have sufficient time to address that issue.

 

MR MICHELO, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR BWEENGWA, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY, MR MWIIMBU SC., ON THE SAFETY OF THE PRESIDENT

 

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, allow me to congratulate the hon. Member of Parliament for Lumezi. Let me also thank the people of Lumezi for delivering this property, which we have just received today.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, my Urgent Matter without Notice is directed at the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, SC.

 

Madam Speaker, early this morning, around 0100 hours, we received very disturbing news about a lady who is facing criminal charges and who, at one point, received billions of Kwacha from the boyfriend.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, as a country, we are very disturbed.

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Bweengwa!

 

Let us be civil in the manner we raise Urgent Matters without Notice. Let us not talk about boyfriends and girlfriends because, –

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: … maybe, that takes the matter too much out of our hands. It is too extraneous.  So, just raise your Urgent Matter without Notice.

 

Mr Michelo: Thank you for your guidance, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, my Urgent Matter without Notice is directed at the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

 

Madam Speaker: You can proceed.

 

Mr Michelo: It looks like our President is now in great danger …

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

 

Mr Michelo: … because people who are facing criminal charges have now started going to his residence. Is the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security in order to sit there quietly, instead of coming to this House to furnish the entire nation with information on what has transpired so that we can be assured that we live in a safe environment, especially for His Excellency the President.

 

Madam Speaker, I do not think what transpired is chibinde. In Tonga, we say, “Chibinde”. No, it is not chibinde. I think that person went to His Excellency the President’s residence for a purpose.

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: What does chibinde mean?

 

Mr Michelo: Is our President safe?

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Bweengwa, what does chibinde mean?

 

Mr Michelo:  Madam Speaker, chibinde means a spirit.

 

Interruptions

 

Hon. Government Member: When someone loses her husband, she experiences what we call chibinde, in Tonga.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Some of these matters, anyway –

 

Hon. Member, you said that the incident that you are referring to occurred early this morning at 0100 hours. Looking at what is happening or what I have read is that the police are on top of things and they are investigating the matter. Maybe, let us allow the police to carry out their investigations, instead of asking the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security to come here and pre-empt the investigations. At an appropriate time, if the hon. Minister believes that there is need to come to this House and brief us on what actually happened, then he will be allowed to do so. So, for now, let the police do their work without any interference from us. Otherwise, we will be jumping into investigations. So, let us leave it at that. At an appropriate time, the hon. Minister will come and brief us because every Zambian is worried about the life of His Excellency the President. So, we will leave it to the hon. Minister.

 

Thank you. Let us make progress.

 

_______

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

Mr Chewe (Lubansenshi): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to also welcome our brother who has joined us, Hon. Lufeyo Banda from Lumezi. Congratulations!

 

Hon. Members: Lufeyo Ngoma!

 

 Mr Chewe: Oh! Lufeyo Ngoma. Thank you.

 

CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE IN LUBANSENSHI

 

 367. Mr Chewe asked the Minister of Education:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to construct the following additional infrastructure at schools in Lubansenshi Parliamentary Constituency:

 

1. classroom blocks; and
2. staff houses;

 

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

 

1. how many classroom blocks and staff houses are earmarked for construction; and

 

1. if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, let me also take this opportunity to congratulate our newly elected hon. Member of Parliament for Lumezi.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Syakalima: Welcome to the people’s House.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Government has plans to construct additional classroom blocks and staff houses at schools in Lubansenshi Parliamentary Constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, the implementation of the plans will commence once necessary funds have been secured.

 

Mr Speaker, the number of classroom blocks and staff houses to be constructed will be based on a needs assessment, which is yet to be concluded.

 

Madam Speaker, in view of the response provided in part (a) of the question, part (d) is not applicable.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Before allowing that point of order, I just want to make an observation. Sadly, I have noticed a tendency by hon. Members coming to just log in and then disappear. That does not reflect well on our conduct. Please, hon. Members, when you come in the House, make sure that you stay so that we transact business together. The idea of coming to log in and then disappear will not please the people who voted for you. If they knew that that is what you are doing, they cannot be pleased.

 

There is an indication for a point of order. What is the point of order, hon. Member for Chilubi? 

 

Mr Fube: Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to raise a point of order on behalf of the good people of Chilubi.

 

Madam Speaker, the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act clearly states that an hon. Member of Parliament should be allowed to participate in the transaction of business in the House without hindrance. As you may be aware, I am supposed to second a Motion that is on the Order Paper. On my way here, I was stopped by cadres of the United Party for National Development (UPND). The moment they recognised me as I was coming to Parliament, …

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Fube: … they started insulting me and officers at the gate can bear witness.

 

Madam Speaker, this is the people’s House. The National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act is clear on interference with Parliamentary Business concerning hon. Members of Parliament.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Elyo ni Levy Ngoma!

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I am not trying to be political, but that is what happened on my way here and officers at the gate can bear witness. The moment cadres recognised that it was Fube, they became agitated and started insulting me.

 

I need your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Well, that matter was not brought to my attention. Usually, the security unit is supposed to alert me on what is happening. Since I have not been alerted, I cannot address the matter now. Maybe, the security unit will brief me later on what happened. Definitely, as hon. Members come to transact –

 

Mr Kapyanga interjected.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Mpika, when the Presiding Officer is giving guidance, please, pay attention because the point of order has been raised by one of your hon. Colleagues concerning yourselves. I am giving guidance, but you do not want to listen. So, what are we trying to achieve? Maybe, we leave it at that then.

 

Let us make progress.

 

Mr Chewe: I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, we appreciate the fact that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is available to cater for many things, such as the construction of bridges and roads and procurement of desks. However, the money is not adequate to sort out the issue of accommodation for teachers and other Government staff. Does the Government have any other ways and means to build more staff houses, especially for teachers and nurses in rural areas, other than depending on the CDF?

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Lubansenshi for that follow-up question.

 

Madam Speaker, yes, indeed, as I said in my answer earlier, the Government has plans to construct teachers' houses and classroom blocks in all rural areas. However, as you may be aware, the fiscal space is actually what limits us. Again, this is a legacy problem. If we had started doing this a long time ago, if the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) had been increased in the past to the level where it is today, we probably would not have reached this stage of almost a crisis. I think that the CDF is helping, and the Central Government is also going to address the housing issue. To mitigate the lack of adequate classroom, especially in Lubansenshi, the district has recommended that we upgrade some schools in order for them to accommodate Form I to Form IV classes. So, as the money comes, we will implement that, unlike embarking on construction of classes in greenfields, which I talked about earlier.

 

Madam Speaker, as a ministry, we have been given recommendations by the district. Five houses will be constructed at Yemba Primary School, I guess the hon. Member knows where this school is. Five houses will also be built at Palangoto Primary School while ten houses will be built at Chifumo Primary and Secondary School. In terms of classrooms, a 1 x 4 classroom block will be built at Ndoki Secondary School while a 1 x 4 classroom block will be built at Chiponde Primary and Secondary School. At Chiposhi Primary and Secondary School, a 1 x 4 classroom block will be built. These buildings are meant to just mitigate the problem; they are not greenfield projects. In terms of greenfield projects, I said that when we secure some funds in the future, the future can be next year, we will build new classroom blocks.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.  

 

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, thank you very much.

 

Madam Speaker, I see that Lubansenshi has challenges in terms of staff accommodation and classroom blocks. I do not know whether this was the policy of the Patriotic Front (PF), the previous regime, but I remember that a former hon. Minister stood in this House and invited hon. Members of Parliament who had resources to build houses within school premises and then rent them out to teachers.

 

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

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Was that a Government policy? Or was it a party policy? If it was a Government policy, is it still effective?

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much. The hon. Minister can hold on before he answers.

 

There is an indication for a point of order. Hon. Member for Mitete, what is your point of order?

 

Mr Mutelo: I am grateful, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, I would love to congratulate the hon. Member of Parliament for Lumezi.

 

Madam Speaker, Standing Order No. 212(I)(2)(3) is about privileges.

 

Madam Speaker, the moment the hon. Member of Parliament for Lumezi took his seat here, comfortably so, and quietly so, the hon. Member of Parliament for Nkana walked all the way to where the hon. Member for Lumezi is sitting. You can review the footage. The hon. Member for Nkana pointed at the innocent hon. Member of Parliament for Lumezi and threatened him using these words: “Iwe, iwe, iwe. Iwe.”

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mutelo: Possibly, those words mean “you, you, you, you.” Where I come from, those words mean, “yobe, yobe, yobe, yobe.”

 

Madam Speaker, this is the very first day of Parliament for the hon. Member for Lumezi.

 

Madam Speaker, was the hon. Member of Parliament for Nkana in order –

 

Mr B. Mpundu: My mbuya.

 

 Mr Mutelo: Now, he is saying that the hon. Member for Lumezi is his cousin.

 

Mr Anakoka: He never even campaigned for him.

 

Mr Mutelo: The same cousinship was extended to another person. 

 

Madam Speaker, was the hon. Member for Nkana in order to threaten the duly-elected hon. Member of Parliament for Lumezi?

 

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

 

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

 

Hon. Members, this House can be very intimidating, especially for a new Member. So, let us welcome our new hon. Member and encourage him so that he can find his feet. Otherwise, I know that the hon. Member for Nkana is fond of carrying powder, as a weapon.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: So, I do not know whether he was trying to attack the new hon. Member with the powder since we are still mourning.

 

Anyway, I am sure that he was playing cousinship. So, please, hon. Member for Lumezi, feel at home. Do not feel intimidated. The people of Lumezi have elected you so that you can represent them effectively, and I am sure that you have come with witnesses to ensure that you are protected. So, feel at home.

 

 Thank you very much for that point of order. Let us make progress.

 

 Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, when I came into office, I did not find anything of that nature that particular issue, whether it was a policy or not,. You know, the people in the previous regime used to say whatever crossed their minds, even if it did not make sense.

 

Madam Speaker, I have traversed Lubansenshi and I know exactly what is on the ground. I went to the remotest areas in Lubansenshi some years ago, and in my head, I still have the picture of the structure that I found at a school. So, we will pay particular attention to Lubansenshi because a huge part of the area is actually very rural. I know the hon. Member’s constituents inside out.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chewe: Madam Speaker, following the answer that the hon. Minister has provided, that the Government has plans to construct classroom blocks as well as staff houses, especially for teachers, the people of Lubansenshi wish to know whether the Government is going to allocate more resources to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to build the infrastructure, or whether the Government will use the infrastructure component under the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. Additionally, when are those plans going to be implemented?

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I am not quite sure what plan the hon. Member is talking about. Is it the plan I spoke about earlier or later? The plan I spoke about later is about mitigating the situation. When funds are available, we will release the money to implement the projects for the secondary and primary schools. However, on the greenfield projects, I said that when we secure some funds, we will deal with them.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East): Madam Speaker, many other constituencies are using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to build schools, it is not only Lubansenshi. I just want to know if there is a prescribed standard of constructing schools with teachers’ houses and water reticulation systems. I ask this because maybe, we are allocating too little to cover everything that needs to come with the infrastructure. Can the Ministry of Education give us a prescribed standard so that we can build schools with the necessary facilities that are needed?

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I think the hon. Member can visit the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) offices. They will be able to give him the standard of buildings that we require be it classroom blocks or teachers’ houses.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMERCIAL BANK IN PEMBA DISTRICT

 

368. Mr Hamwaata (Pemba) asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to facilitate the establishment of a commercial bank in Pemba District;

 

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

 

1. if there are no such plans, why.

 

Mr Hamwaata: Madam Speaker, I wish to withdraw the question.

 

Madam Speaker: Leave granted. The question has been withdrawn accordingly.

 

______

 

MOTIONS

 

PROMOTE ANNUAL HEALTH CHECK-UPS AMONG CITIZENS

 

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that this House urges the Government to introduce programmes to promote annual health check-ups among citizens to diagnose and track non-communicable diseases (NCDs) before they progress to terminal stages.

 

Madam Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

 

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, health is a fundamental human right with every individual entitled to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental wellbeing, as recognised in various international declarations and national health policies. One of the key strategies to uphold this right is through regular health check-ups. Annual health check-ups are globally recognised as an essential tool in preventive healthcare to monitor overall health status, identify potential health risks, and enable timely medical interventions. This, therefore, facilitates:

 

1. early disease detection and treatment;

 

1. reduced long-term healthcare costs;

 

1. better health outcomes and increased life expectancy; and

 

1. improved public awareness and health literacy.

 

Madam Speaker, diagnosing and tracking diseases can be done through a combination of methods, including:

 

1. physical examinations to detect visible or physical signs of illness;

 

1. laboratory tests, such as blood and urine tests, to assess internal health markers;

 

1. screening for conditions like hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol;

 

1. vaccinations to ensure protection against preventable diseases; and

 

1. health counselling to offer advice on lifestyle, diet and preventive care.

 

Madam Speaker, Zambia, like many developing countries, is experiencing a rapid rise in NCDs, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer and kidney diseases, which often go undetected until they reach advanced stages, posing significant health and economic burdens on individuals, families and the healthcare system. Many NCDs are asymptomatic in the early stages, meaning that individuals often seek treatment when it is too late. Annual screening offers a critical window for early diagnosis and intervention. Early intervention reduces the need for long-term and intensive care. This would help decongest hospitals, reduce referrals and lower overall public expenditure. The Ministry of Health has made commendable efforts in expanding preventive healthcare services through public health campaigns, screening and infrastructure development, as outlined in the 2022-2026 National Health Strategic Plan. However, this plan does not yet include provisions for routine or annual health examinations for the general populous.

 

Madam Speaker, while certain pieces of legislation such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act No.36 of 2010, the Factories Act, Cap 441, Section 74, and the Employment Code Act No.3 of 2019, mandate medical examinations for specific occupational groups, there is no policy or legislation that promotes regular health check-ups for the general public. Introducing and promoting voluntary health check-ups, particularly, for adults aged thirty and above, will strengthen Zambia’s capacity to diagnose and manage NCDs in the early stages, reduce national disease burden and improve long-term productivity and national development.

 

Madam Speaker, annual health check-ups will help Zambia shift from reactive to preventive healthcare, reducing the burden of disease on individuals and the national health system. Early diagnosis and timely intervention can prevent complications and deaths associated with NCDs. Integrating annual check-ups into the existing health system will complement current health initiatives and align with the objectives of the National Health Strategic Plan.

 

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I would like to urge all hon. Members to support this Motion, as it will contribute to Zambia’s broader development agenda by promoting a healthier and more productive population.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

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

 

Mr Fube: Now, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity, on behalf of the people of Chilubi, to second this important and non-controversial Motion, which concerns all of us.

 

Madam Speaker, the Motion addresses health check-ups in tune with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). I would like to say that this Motion is linked to the pillars of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC), among them service delivery, health financing, and information systems. The first question we should ask, as we probe whether this Motion is well-suited, is whether it is possible that it can be done. The answer is that it can be done. The carrying out of this particular Motion is supported by the fact that we have infrastructure and systems in place. That is why I have called it non-controversial.

 

Madam Speaker, when one looks at some of the points that the mover of the Motion has already spoken to, which I appreciate that he has ably handled, they point to issues of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and cancer. Given that, it means that all the citizens, the 20 million plus, are prone to NCDs. What do we intend to harvest from pushing such a Motion? We intend to reduce morbidity and mortality rates, which are a result of diabetes, CVD and cancer. Currently, our people are dying more from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Within the health system, we have put in place a system that responds to communicable diseases and the response is proactive. However, when it comes to NCDs, the response is not proactive; it is reactive.

 

Madam Speaker, the purpose of the Motion is to ensure that there is early detection of diseases and reduction of health costs. How does this happen? As I have already alluded to, it is easier to take one’s vitals. When one goes to a health facility, vitals such as temperature and blood pressure (BP) are checked.  Why are those vitals checked?

 

Madam Speaker, let me give an example. Low BP or high BP is linked to cardiovascular diseases, and I talked about service delivery earlier. If we are to sharpen disease surveillance in our country, statistics can be picked from the vitals that are collected by the health facility, and that is when we will know the map of the health problems that we have. That can only be done when we make check-ups mandatory at some level. At least, we will not have situations whereby people die at home, as that will be prevented.

 

Madam Speaker, further, we can use statistics obtained from health check-ups when considering health financing, which we can mainstream in our annual Budget and other supplementary documents, including the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP). They say “A healthy nation is a wealthy nation”, meaning that along the way, we will tackle issues of human capital and many factors that may involve health, as it may be.

 

Madam Speaker, we cannot underestimate the value of health check-ups because when we look at that, information is power. I know that, currently, the Ministry of Health is doing a lot in terms of disease surveillance in the country, but that will be assisted well when we make annual check-ups mandatory. We need to encourage people to have health-seeking habits and respond to annual check-ups. This will help the Government through its information systems, know, for instance, how many people have been exposed to cardiovascular diseases and have cancer or diabetes. These three diseases I have mentioned, which are NCDs, are gobbling up so much costs, which are being incurred by the Government, because we are not in a position to treat some of them within the country. Referrals are sometimes made at a later stage, when these diseases have advanced. However, these are diseases that can be prevented, as it may be.

 

Madam Speaker, NCDs are linked to nutritional issues. It helps the nation when these diseases are detected at the right time so that those who are affected can respond to the nutrition that is suitable according to their health condition.

 

Madam Speaker, having said that, I would like to urge hon. Members of Parliament that this Motion concerns all of us, and we cannot distance ourselves by using partisan lines because health is an issue for everyone, as it may be. All of us are prone to cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. No one is immune. I, therefore, urge hon. Members of Parliament, both on the right and left, to take this Motion seriously.

 

Madam Speaker, I submit.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to add my voice to the debate on this Motion.

 

Madam Speaker, when our relatives, friends or colleagues seek medical attention at a health facility, many times, they are told by medical personnel that, “Amwisa bwangu nga twali mubombelapo. Amwisa bwangu, we would not have cut your leg. Amwisa bwangu, we would have given you medication to control your blood pressure (BP)”, meaning if they had gone early to seek medical attention, the medical personnel would not have cut their leg because of diabetes, and that their BP would have been controlled and otherwise. Therefore, regular health check-ups are essential for maintaining overall health and well-being. I will cite a few reasons it is advantageous for us to do regular health check-ups and, overall, why we should conduct early check-ups.

 

Madam Speaker, regular health check-ups help detect health problems before symptoms appear, allowing for early intervention and treatment. Like I said, if one goes to a medical personnel and it is detected that one has cancer or diabetes, the medical personnel will be able to give one the necessary medication to cure the disease before it escalates. Regular check-ups also prevent illness, help identify risk factors, and provide opportunities for preventive measures such as vaccination and screening. These are very important.

 

Madam Speaker, regular health check-ups help to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, and prevent complications. We are all aware of what can happen if hypertension and diabetes are not detected early. So, early detection and treatment reduces the risk of complications and improves health outcomes.

 

Madam Speaker, tailored advice and guidance on health check-ups provides an opportunity for personalised advice and guidance on health lifestyle choices and disease prevention. If one goes for check-ups early, doctors will detect the disease early enough and advise on what one should eat and avoid. So, regular health check-ups are very important.

 

Madam Speaker, regular check-ups help to establish a trusting relationship with the health care provider, leading to more effective care. We are aware that some of us have personalised doctors who know our health profile properly because of the early detection of illnesses.

 

Madam Speaker, early detection and treatment can reduce health care costs by preventing costly complications and hospitalisation. If a chronic disease or any disease is detected early, the costs will not be high, unlike when it is detected late. There are instances whereby people are flown out of the country, such as to India, South Africa, and other advanced nations, to seek health care and, as such, it becomes costly. Regular health check-ups help prevent illnesses and reduce the need for costly medical interventions, as I have said.

 

Madam Speaker, having a peace of mind is important in one’s life. Therefore, regular health check-ups can provide a peace of mind knowing that one is taking proactive steps to maintain one’s health. When the doctor tells me to not eat monkey and rat meat, I will take care because that is advice from the doctor, and my well-being will be promoted.

 

Madam Speaker, lastly, I wish to state that by identifying and managing health issues early, regular check-ups can actually help improve overall quality of life. So, that is something that I feel we should encourage all of us to do. As the mover has said, this is a non-controversial Motion. I believe that if we are all taking regular health check-ups, our health standards will improve. We will not be detecting health problems late and incurring huge costs to treat them. We will even be able to avoid certain deaths. Therefore, the people of Roan Constituency feel that this is a good Motion that we should support.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Katakwe: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, I just want to add a few words to the Motion. We need to understand that in Zambia, annual health check-ups are, indeed, recommended and they are offered at various levels, both in private and public health facilities.

 

Madam Speaker, as it has been said, health check-ups are very important for early detection, early diagnosis and prevention of mortality that can result from non-communicable diseases. As we all know, health matters are personal. Therefore, someone cannot wait for the Government to encourage them to go for annual check-ups. It is an individual decision.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

The hon. Member for Solwezi East may continue.

 

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, I was saying that health check-ups are crucial for early detection of diseases, monitoring of one’s health status and preventing progression of disease. However, going for a health check is a personal matter. One does not need to wait for the Government to come up with a policy on encouraging people to have annual health check-ups.

 

Madam Speaker, we need to understand that non-communicable diseases can be caused by various factors. In the health sector, diseases fall in various categories. Those that are caused by viruses fall under virology, those caused by bacteria fall under bacteriology and so on and so forth. There are also diseases caused by parasites, which fall under parasitology. I am a medical parasitologist by training and specialisation.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, wwe cannot expect the Government to bear the cost of personal health check-ups. If a person wants to do an individual health check, the cost cannot be the Government’s responsibility. Therefore, I cannot support this Motion because the Government is already doing what is being proposed. As it was already said, whenever we go to private and public hospitals, our vitals are checked. So, we do not need to wait up to the end of the year to know the state of our blood pressure (BP), for instance. It is just incumbent upon an individual to go for a health check regularly.

 

Madam Speaker, exercising is very important, before we can even talk about going for annual health check-ups. How many of us here do exercises, such as push-ups, cycling or aerobics? There are very few, if any. So, why should we wait for the Government to come and push us as if we are wheelbarrows?  We should not allow a situation whereby the Government or the Ministry of Health incurs extra costs for things that are already being done. The Ministry of Health and various line ministries are already carrying out health promotion, education, sensitisation and awareness. So, bringing this Motion on the Floor of the House is like pushing an open door. I do not support it because what it is suggesting is already being done by our able Government.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, thank you so much for allowing me to make a comment on the Motion that has been moved by the hon. Member of Parliament for Mpika and seconded by his colleague.

 

Madam Speaker, I think, this is one of those non-contentious Motions because it concerns all of us. Health is key to the well-being of all of us. So, I want to commend your efforts, Madam Speaker, in making sure that health check-ups are provided even here at Parliament. Just last week, you facilitated for some people to come and do check-ups for a few days. I had the privilege of having myself checked for a few things and a number of issues in my body were flagged.

 

Madam Speaker, I would be surprised if any hon. Colleague in here would want to turn down this Motion because even in the work we do in here, there are issues of stress management. We need health check-ups because we sometimes get overwhelmed with work. Our colleagues the hon. Ministers, who are always busy, might not find a chance to do that, but they get affected one way or another. So, this is a very interesting subject. We are already doing something, but what needs to be done is just to frame the Motion properly. In this regard, when you are checked and certain things are flagged off, what do you do next?

 

Madam Speaker, that brings me to some of the recommendations we made after a benchmarking visit with you to another jurisdiction. Our hon. Colleagues in Kenya have a full-fledged modern gym for hon. Members, where they retreat to workout. Some non-communicable diseases have more to do with lifestyles. So, it is important to invest in our lifestyle because as it is said, “Prevention is better than cure”. Most of our hon. Colleagues in Kenya are old, but they are energetic because they have invested in their lifestyles and they manage them well. I am sure you will agree with me that even before our friends opened their new gym, they were highly active in the old one. So, those are things that we should be talking about. It is important for us to take care of our health so that we are able to take care of our citizens. This Motion is one of those non-contentious ones and I am sure that the hon. Minister of Health is equally agreeable to the mover’s suggestion.

 

Madam Speaker, I want to end by saying that it is always said that prevention is better than cure because curing of some non-communicable diseases is costly. It is expensive. Like the hon. Member for Roan said in vernacular –

 

Mr Sing’ombe: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Sorry, hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, there is an indication for a point of order.

 

Hon. Member for Dundumwezi, what is the point of order? Do you need a gym?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Madam Speaker, I just want to tell the hon. Member of Parliament for Shiwang’andu that I am much fitter than him.

 

Madam Speaker, I am standing to raise a very serious point of order premised on Standing Order No. 71. Parliament had a well-organised gym at the Members Motel.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

 

Mr Sing’ombe: The hon. Member who is debating was the hon. Minister of Home Affairs in the Patriotic Front (PF) Government. Immediately his party lost elections, the gym at the Members Motel disappeared.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Is he in order to not have come to this House to tell us what happened to the gym that we had at the Members Motel?

 

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

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: I do not know whether that gym was personal or if it was for the National Assembly. If it was for the National Assembly, it would still be there. Probably, it was personal to holder, so the owner went away with it.

 

Let us make progress, hon. Members.

 

The hon. Member for Shiwang’andu may continue.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I earnestly make a request that we have a contest of 100m to be witnessed by yourself. My hon. Colleague there (pointed at Mr Sing’ombe) and I can compete so that we determine who is fitter between the two of us.

 

Madam Speaker indicated assent.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: I can see that the Hon. Speaker has accepted.We can do it after tea break.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, the gym we had was not fully-fledged. We had only two pieces of equipment, that is, a treadmill and a cycling machine. However, because of a lack of accommodation, the gym equipment was removed from the room it was placed in. You know the size of the rooms we have at the Members’ Motel, what gym equipment can you put in a room of that size? So, the gym was just a little facility. The hon. Member knows that. He must have taken the treadmill himself.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, it is important that we invest in prevention of diseases and stay healthy. I know that the hon. Minister of Health is agreeable to the fact that we need to prevent diseases, especially now that he has challenges mobilising resources. We have been dependant on donor support, which support has been withdrawn without us having prepared for the withdrawal. I can only imagine what the hon. Minister has to go through in order to meet that financial gap, but I will leave that debate for when we debate the Supplementary Budget.

 

Madam Speaker, more importantly, we need to be a healthy nation. The Motion moved by the hon. Member of Parliament for Mpika is non-contentious because health affects all of us here. I have commended the efforts of bringing health personnel here at Parliament. Last week, we had some health personnel here. We could structure that programme properly so that when one is checked by a health professional here and something is flagged, the next step is outlined.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kampyongo: Yes, I know that we have a medical scheme. However, I think that is only limited to the people in this institution. What about other people beyond this institution? So, it is very important that we are inclusive in the way we implement health measures for a healthy nation.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Munsanje (Mbabala): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member of Parliament representing the good people of Mpika for moving this Motion, which was ably seconded by the hon. Member of Parliament representing the good people of Chilubi, where we have a small island called Mbabala. I am very happy because those people are my relatives; they migrated there.

 

Madam Speaker, the Motion is demanding for mandatory health check-ups. I stand here on behalf of the people of Mbabala, first of all, to congratulate the new hon. Member of Parliament for Lumezi, Hon. Lufeyo Ngoma. Congratulations and well done. That shows that the mighty United Party for National Development (UPND) continues to hammer the Opposition everywhere.

 

Madam Speaker: I have noticed that the newly-elected hon. Member of Parliament for Lumezi is not in the House. I hope he is not acquiring bad habits. I cannot see him. Please, I think that now we will be naming and shaming those hon. Members who come to just sign in and then go away. Maybe, that way will do.

 

You may proceed, hon. Member for Mbabala.

 

Mr Munsanje: I hope he will be back in the House shortly.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Munsanje: Madam Speaker, the topic at hand regards health. Definitely, we all agree that prevention is better than cure. However, the question is on mandatory health testing for all citizens. That borders  human rights. Health  rights are part of health rights, which means that one has freedom of choice. One has freedom to make decisions whenever one’s health is going to be interfered with.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government is already providing health services through the Ministry of Health, ably run by Hon. Muchima. The ministry is already providing all levels of healthcare. For example, under primary healthcare, the ministry is building several health centres. Even the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is helping us to build health centres everywhere under primary healthcare. Building of maternity wings and other facilities is part of primary healthcare provision, and these facilities allow every citizen who needs curative services to access a health facility within a radius of 5 km or so.

 

Madam Speaker, if one wants to prevent diseases, one is free to run around, jump around, exercise, or anything else. We are not a Communist State, so people do not need to be whipped and told to line up for medical check-ups. That is not the country we want to run. We run a democratic country where the rights and freedoms of individuals and citizens are at the top. The UPND New Dawn Government has demonstrated how a country must be run. Citizens are enjoying their rights and freedoms. We cannot go backwards and start whipping people. That used to happen under the Patriotic Front (PF) regime; citizens used to be whipped to do certain activities. Currently, citizens are doing things because they love them and because they believe in what the Government is providing for them.

 

Madam Speaker, health services will be accessible to every citizen at every level, be it primary, secondary or tertiary. As long as citizens go to the right facilities, they can be referred all the way to the highest level, which is the tertiary service. Some citizens are even taken outside the county for specialist services whenever there is a need. In line with human rights principles, Zambia is a signatory to several charters around the world that guarantee the freedom of individuals and non-interference with individual rights. One has the right to body autonomy, so I cannot say that I support this Motion. Therefore, this Motion must be dismissed because it is completely out of order and not in line with the Constitution of this country. It is also not in line with our health sector strategic plan for 2021 to 2026 and our healthcare policies and strategies.

 

Madam Speaker, I do not know why the hon. Member is scared to go to a health facility (pointed at Mr Kampyongo). We have a clinic here at Parliament, and nobody is whipped to go there. We go to the clinic downstairs to do the things that we want to do. What is his problem with going to the clinic and doing one or two things (pointed at Mr Kampyongo)?

 

Madam Speaker, there are citizens who want to mislead the country –

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Mbabala!

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Mwipusheni akontame.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I am seated here with my hon. Colleague, and we are listening to our brother, who is now pointing at us.

 

Madam Speaker, see the fitness levels here; that is why I am ready for a running contest, and I want him to join.

 

Is he in order, Madam Speaker, to avoid addressing you and instead to be  addressing us? We are seated here innocently. We are very fit.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: He does not tie his shoelaces.

 

Laughter 

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling. 

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you, Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu.

 

I am sure the hon. Member for Mbabala only wanted to exhibit how fit he is. Do not underestimate people who look after cows. I have cows, and my boys are very strong. Anyway, that contest is open. We actually have aerobics sessions at Parliament every Friday. I think let us do that and see. Is there someone sponsoring a prize for that?

 

Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, how much are you putting up for that contest? You can answer later.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, we are relying on your capable office to put up a prize for us to compete. We already have the hon. Member for Dundumwezi. I will compete with the hon. Member for Nkana. We will see how much we can contribute for the prize we will put up.

 

Madam Speaker: Okay, through the Nelly Mutti Foundation, I put K5,000 on the table.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member from Mbabala, you may continue.

 

Mr Munsanje: Madam Speaker, the hon. Members on your left are trying to compete with a member of your able football team here at the National Assembly, who has a good shot whenever we are on the pitch.

 

Madam Speaker, instead of believing in witchcraft, as propagated in the Motion, let us all utilise the primary healthcare services that are available countrywide. Let citizens enjoy their freedoms and choices in making medical decisions, both preventive and curative, and all related issues.

 

Madam Speaker, I do not support this brought-in dead (BID) Motion. The Government is ably doing what has been proposed. So, we should not waste our time trying to create something that is already underway.

 

With those remarks, I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Dr Chilufya (Mansa Central): Madam Speaker, thank you, profusely, for according me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on this important Motion.

 

Madam Speaker, let me thank the mover and seconder who have ably presented the Motion.

 

Madam Speaker, in laying the preamble to my debate, I would like to remind hon. Members of this august House that the reality is that they are mandated to ensure that their cars have fitness tests done every year and pay for them. If one does not have a fitness test done, he or she is prosecuted. However, we want to frown on our fitness. We must rethink the importance of health. Zambia has an epidemiological profile that can be described as a dual burden of diseases, communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Looking at our statistics, even just for the last three years, the highest fatality can be attributable to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Case fatality number one is CVDs. How many times in our various constituencies have we heard that a teacher collapsed while teaching, an economist at his workplace fell, somebody did not wake up, had a heart attack or a cerebrovascular accident? That is what we are talking about. Let us not be misled. The Motion is not about mandatory testing. It is encouraging policy consistency in supporting health promotion.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Hon. Opposition Member: Ema doctor aba!

 

Dr Chilufya: That is extremely important. So, as we talk about service delivery in the country, Madam Speaker, we must provide services across the continuum of care. We must promote wellness and prevent diseases before talking about curing them, rehabilitating and offering palliative health services. The challenge we face is that we do not speak to our indicators, as we plan our strategic interventions. For instance, if a CVD, which is an NCD, contributed the highest case fatality in Zambia, then our Budget must focus on prevention. Health promotion means ensuring that we have a strategic document and action plan that are multi-sectoral in nature. A public health approach to health systems encourages every sector to participate in promoting health. If we talk of promotion, the Ministry of Information and Media must ensure that all our local radio stations promote health by talking about one health centred message at the beginning or end of the day. That is health promotion. What we do here at Parliament when we have booths for checking our eyes, blood pressure (BP) and so on and so forth is health promotion.

 

Madam Speaker, we undertake disease prevention for malaria, tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). So, preventing NCDs means empowering our people with knowledge on what causes them. There are four; physical inactivity, tobacco abuse – ­ we have smokers in this House; the hon. Member for Chasefu – ­

 

Laughter

 

Dr Chilufya: … alcohol abuse and bad nutrition, common risk factors for NCDs. So, let us ensure that we communicate this sufficiently to our people to avoid the four risk factors and to stop NCDs.

 

Madam Speaker, the challenges we face in the fight against NCDs are policy inconsistency, inadequate resourcing, lack of prioritisation, and weakening health systems. When we start abolishing directorates of health promotion, then we are not responding to what our statistics show. NCDs are the emergency of the moment. They are causing poverty by taking away economists, teachers and other people who contribute to economic development.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to make a clarion call for the following actions in support of the Motion. Firstly, in the past we used to have annual –

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Ema doctor aba, not ba Katakwe!

 

Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, in the past, we used to have a week that was dedicated to testing, and it would be launched at the highest level of –

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

 We were enjoying and following the debate well until that indication of a point order.

 

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

 

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for according me the opportunity to raise this point of order.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to tender my sincere apologies to Hon. Dr Chitalu Chilufya, who is on the Floor of this House, for possibly disrupting his thought process. Though knowing him, it is nearly impossible to disturb what he wants to deliver.

 

Madam Speaker, as you were enjoying Dr Chilufya’s debate, I too was enjoying. I could see serenity and focus in the House. People are trying to learn from a professional. Suddenly, this hon. Member, the hon. Member for Nkana, decided to disturb me and others by saying, “Ema doctor aya, not ba Katakwe.”

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kafwaya: Is he in order, Madam Speaker, to disturb us in that fashion when we are enjoying a professional speak on a matter that he is competent in? Of course, when you compare that with what Dr Katakwe said, you would be disturbed.

 

Is the hon. Member in order to do that?

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

 We are not here to evaluate what other hon. Members are debating. I was at a point of saying that hon. Members should not debate whilst seated. However, when the hon. Member for Nkana uttered those words, the hon. Member for Lunte laughed. He enjoyed that comment. So, maybe, you connived to enjoy the debate.

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: The hon. Member for Nkana is out of order.

 

May the hon. Member for Mansa Central continue.

 

Dr Chilufya: Thank you so much, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, my call to action is that, let us continue prioritising health. Health is apolitical, and this is not a political Motion. Let us promote health in all policy, where all sectors contribute to health promotion. The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development should ensure that there are walkways where we can walk every morning and cycle so that we can be fit and avoid non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The Ministry of Education must review the curriculum to ensure that it provides measured information on how to avoid tobacco and alcohol abuse. It must also ensure that our children are taught the dangers of NCDs from inception.

 

Madam Speaker, those in the media fraternity must disseminate information on all platforms to empower people with knowledge on how to avoid NCDs. That way, we will fight hypertension, diabetes, cancers, and even trauma, which is a problem today. So, a public health approach to strengthening health systems requires health in all policy, which summons all stakeholders to contribute what they can to promote wellness. Let us allocate sufficient resources to health promotion, and not relegate it to a small unit. Let us reintroduce the National Health Week, in which we would all run, check our fitness and ensure that there is early detection of diseases. Let us also ensure that the Non-Communicable Diseases Strategic Plan is reinvigorated.

 

Madam Speaker, the enactment of the Tobacco Control Bill needs to be accelerated so that we can focus on the abuse of tobacco. The alcohol policy has been spoken about, and we can deal with it. In a nutshell, this Motion needs to be supported. It does not talk about a mandatory policy to do a test, rather it encourages all of us to test. Early detection is better than treatment, and it is cheaper.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much. Actually, for the attention of the hon. –

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: Please, let me finish. I will follow up.

 

For the attention of the hon. Member for Lunte, when the hon. Member for Mansa Central was still a young man, he was my doctor. You know, the world is so round. We keep on meeting.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Ema doctors aya.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Lubansenshi, what is your point of order?

 

Mr Chewe: Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order pursuant to Standing Order No. 71.

 

Madam Speaker, when Dr Chitalu Chilufya was debating, I expected him to declare that he will take part in the 100 m race, together with the hon. Minister of Transport and Logistics. Therefore, is he in order to not declare that he will also run together with the hon. Minister of Transport and Logistics, as well as the hon. Member for Mbabala and the hon Member for Dundumwezi?

 

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Since the Motion was moved by the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, he will make a list of all the hon. Members who want to participate. We will then agree on a particular day, and the event will happen. The money will be there in cash.

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker:  I see that there are no more indications. The hon. Minister of Health can respond.

 

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to the Motion moved by the hon. Member for Mpika, Mr Kapyanga. I thank him for moving this Motion. I also thank the seconder of the Motion, the hon. Member of Parliament for Chilubi, Mr Mulenga Fube.

 

Madam Speaker, the intention of this Motion is well noted, given that Zambia, like other low and middle-income countries, is experiencing a rise in the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Yet, most people remain undiagnosed until complications arise, resulting in high treatment costs and avoidable deaths. Routine annual health screens are a proven cost-effective strategy that has been adopted in countries such as Rwanda and Chile to address this growing crisis.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government is already implementing measures to address NCDs through a combination of policy development, public awareness, and strengthening the health system. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2016, NCDs accounted for 29 per cent of all deaths in Zambia. Cervical cancer alone accounted for the highest burden of 23 per cent. Zambia has the third-highest global mortality rate of 43.4 per 100,000 women.

 

Further, Madam Speaker, Zambia conducted the National NCD Steps Survey in 2017, and it was found that high blood pressure affected about 19.1 per cent of the adult population aged eighteen to sixty-nine years, of whom 84.6 per cent were not on treatment. This means that less than 20 per cent of those with high blood pressure were on treatment.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to highlight the advantages of the fourteen screening programmes for the Zambian people.

 

Early Detection and Timely Management of Diseases

 

Madam Speaker, early detection and timely management of diseases such as NCDs, which include high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and cancers, such as cervical, breast and prostate, will lead to a better outcome. There will be fewer complications of stroke, heart failure and diabetic foot, which almost certainly lead to amputation. These diseases can be diagnosed before they become symptomatic, leading to better outcomes and a higher quality of life.

 

Improved Population Health Outcomes

 

Madam Speaker, currently, the 2025 combined life expectancy for Zambians is 66.7 years. For women, it is 69.1 years and for men, 64.3 years. With a screening programme in place, we will experience healthier ageing with fewer health complications and longer life expectancy, which translates into reduced cost of caring for the elderly, reduced morbidity and deaths due to NCDs and other ageing-related conditions, such as dementia.

 

Investments in Health System Strengthening

 

Madam Speaker, screening for communicable diseases and NCDs requires investment in health systems. The Government is investing in infrastructure, medical equipment, medicines, technology and medical supplies, as well as a health workforce and health information systems. In other words, these are investments in the building blocks of the health system.

 

Reduction in Health Care Costs

 

Madam Speaker, with an effective screening programme, the Government will reduce costs on emergency-related care, treatment abroad and late-stage disease complications, which are a heavy burden on the country's overstretched financial resources and which often leads to disability, loss of productivity and premature death.

 

Informs National Planning

 

Madam Speaker, quality data is key for accurate planning and budgetary forecasting. An annual screening programme will help us generate health data for disease surveillance and resource allocation towards the health sector, and will provide us with data for policymaking. The data will also help the Government identify trends and hotspots for non-communicable diseases and other identified health conditions, enabling targeted high-impact interventions.

 

Increasing Public Awareness and Health-Seeking Behaviour

 

Madam Speaker, health promotion activities will provide individuals with information on the prevention of common conditions and non-communicable diseases, leading to behavioural change. In doing so, we will begin to see a reduction in new cases of non-communicable diseases and other conditions in communities, thereby reducing health facility attendance and the cost of health care service provision.

 

Support Equity and Access to Health Care Services

 

Madam Speaker, a regular screening programme will reduce health disparities by standardising access to preventive care. It will help us reach vulnerable and underserved populations, such as those residing in hard-to-reach areas with limited or no access to health care facilities in their catchment areas. This situation is not only unfortunate, but also leads to avoidable complications for conditions that could have been detected early and managed appropriately.

 

Madam Speaker, before I conclude, I wish to respond to an issue raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for Mansa. He said that the Motion did not talk about mandatory check-ups, but when the seconder was debating the Motion, he talked about a mandatory requirement for the citizenry –

 

Mr Kampyongo: We followed what the mover said.

 

Mr Muchima: Both the mover and seconder talked about that issue on the Floor of the House.

 

Madam Speaker, as Mr Katakwe put it, health matters are personal. For example, testing for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), under five immunisation and several other services are voluntary and not mandatory. The Motion talks about promotion of health checks, but facts on the table show that the Government is already doing that by sensitising and promoting various health services. So, the mover of the Motion is pushing an open door.

 

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I wish to thank the mover and the seconder of the Motion. I wish to advise that Zambia has been implementing various programmes, as earlier stated, for the early detection and prevention of non-communicable diseases and other common conditions. My ministry is committed to developing a robust well-supported screening programme aimed at saving lives, reducing health care costs and strengthening primary health systems, thereby bringing Zambia closer towards achieving universal health coverage and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

In light of the above, Madam Speaker, I do not support the Motion. The Government is already implementing programmes promoting wellness and encouraging regular health check-ups for its citizens.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kapyanga: Thank you so much, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, first and foremost, I would like to thank you most sincerely for allowing us to move this Motion. Let me also thank the hon. Members who have debated in support of this very important Motion. The hon. Member of Parliament for Roan supported the Motion with so much emphasis on the fact that health check-ups have to be implemented in order to prevent sudden deaths, among other fatalities. I also want to thank the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu for supporting the Motion. I thank Hon. Chitalu Chilufya, who is an authority on this subject. He set the record very straight and every one of us should learn and see the need for the implementation of health check-ups. The seconder of the Motion really summed up our position.

 

Madam Speaker, I also thank those who debated against the Motion based on their wisdom or lack of it. I thank them most sincerely.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, the decision for us to come up with this Motion was due to the fact that our country records 29,000 deaths annually due to non-communicable diseases. Therefore, we saw a need to move this Motion urging the Government to ensure that there is promotion of annual health check-ups. Other countries are already doing it.

 

Madam Speaker, our friends in Rwanda have what they call the Community-Based Health Insurance Model, which promotes early visits to health centres. They do health checks in churches, schools and other public places. In Ghana, there is what is called the My Health, My Life Campaign, which promotes lifestyle change and early screening. The campaign is carried out in public places and on radio and television.

 

Madam Speaker, I also want to thank the hon. Minister of Health for agreeing with our Motion. However, in his conclusion, he decided to contradict himself. So, it is very difficult for me to appreciate what his position really is.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Mbabala tried so much to create a narrative that this Motion is about us, the mover, seconder and those who are supporting it, by saying we can go and be checked. This Motion is not about us. It is about the Zambian people, some of whom lack information about the importance of this subject. As much as I thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Mbabala for his debate, he should know that whenever we table such Motions, it is not done in our interest, but in the best interest of the Zambian people. The same people we serve.

 

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I want to urge all hon. Members, both on your right and left hand sides, to support this non-controversial Motion. It just meant to highlight what the Government could not be doing in abundance. It is non-controversial. If the Government is already doing what is being suggested, why are we still recording high numbers of deaths?

 

Madam Speaker, with those few words, I thank you most sincerely for allowing this Motion to grace the Floor of the House.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Question that in order to diagnose and track non-communicable diseases before they progress to terminal stages, this House urges the Government to introduce programmes to promote annual health check-ups among citizens put and negatived.

 

______

 

SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES NO. 1 OF 2025

 

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now resolve into Committee of Supply to consider Supplementary Estimates No. 1 of 2025.

 

Madam Speaker, I am a bearer of a message from His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, recommending favourable consideration of the Motion that I now lay on the on Table. 

 

Madam Speaker, in accordance with Article 203 of the Constitution, the Minister responsible for finance shall, where the amount appropriated in an Appropriation Act is insufficient to meet expenditure in that financial year, lay before the National Assembly for approval, a Supplementary Estimate of Expenditure.

 

Madam Speaker, by virtue of the authority conveyed in the Article of the Constitution quoted above, I now present the Supplementary Estimates No. 1 of 2025. The total Supplementary Budget stands at K33.6 billion. As I earlier alluded to in my speech, this Supplementary Budget has been necessitated by the urgent need to facilitate domestic and external debt service payments, following the successful debt restructuring agreement as well as the need to meet various Government service delivery commitments in the year. In addition, the Supplementary Budget is also expected to ensure a procedural and appropriate allocation of additional funds in 2025 from domestic revenue sources as well as from various co-operating partners.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to bring out the notable proposed expenditure allocations contained in the Supplementary Budget.

 

Madam Speaker, out of the recommended K33.6 billion, I have proposed K11 billion towards the dismantling of outstanding fuel arrears and other attendant costs under Vote 21 – Loans and Investments. A further K8 billion is earmarked for payment of additional debt obligations in 2025. Of this amount, K4 billion is due to additional interest payments that would have been paid in 2023 and 2024 on our external debt and K3.9 billion has arisen on domestic debt interest due to additional borrowing contracted in late 2024 to finance various Budget requirements in the year. Another K531.7 million has been proposed as a contingency Vote to be used for various unforeseen and unavoidable expenditure requirements in the year.

 

Madam Speaker, these supplementary estimates are also proposing an amount of K6 billion to be utilised in the agriculture sector. The bulk of this amount, approximately K5.8 billion, is for the effective implementation of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) using the Electronic Voucher (e-Voucher) system, which will be implemented at 100 per cent in 2025, whilst K156.8 million will serve as counterpart funding towards the Irrigation Development Support Project (IDSP) to facilitate the completion of works on ten strategic dams across the country.

 

Madam Speaker, under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, a total of K1.9 billion has been proposed. Of this amount, K1.6 billion is to cater for the extra cost on the Social Cash Transfer due to the decision to continue the programme beyond June 2025 with the K400 transfer value, which was approved last year as a temporary measure to respond to the devastating effects of the 2024 drought. Further, K318.5 million has been proposed to support the Girls Education and Women Empowerment and Livelihoods (GEWEL) programme being implemented across all the 116 districts using additional donor funds in the year from the World Bank. In addition, you may also note that K1.8 billion is being proposed under the Ministry of Education to support the construction of secondary school infrastructure. This includes K1.3 billion from the World Bank, which was not initially captured in the 2025 Budget. The balance of K392 million is meant to cover the deficit needed to finance the ongoing education infrastructure for primary and secondary schools as well as universities.

 

Madam Speaker, to finance the proposed Supplementary Estimates, K11 billion will be declared as savings across various Government institutions within the 2025 Budget by varying expenditure allocations. A further K2.7 billion will be actualised as additional donor funds provided by co-operating partners, which were not part of the 2025 approved estimates, with K144.3 million being unspent balances from the 2024 financial year which have been carried forward to be spent in 2025.

 

Madam Speaker, in supporting key expenditures, I am also proposing some additional financing amounting to K14.8 billion which should come from the domestic market as borrowing. I will provide more detail regarding the proposed additional financing as guided in the revised Annual Borrowing Plan. May I further indicate that K4.9 billion will be actualised as additional revenue collections which were not part of the 2025 Budget. Of this amount, K1 billion comprises levies to be raised from the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) under the fuel marking programme, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) as well as the Community Resource Boards (CRBs), among others. The balance of K3.9 billion is expected to be realised from the implementation of additional revenue measures in 2025 through the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), which I propose as follows:

 

1. increase excise duty on cigarettes from K452 to K750 per mille;

 

1. revoke the 40 per cent suspension of excise duty on clear beer and replace it with excise duty at 50 per cent;

 

1. increase excise duty on spirits and wine to 80 per cent from 60 per cent;

 

1. increase import excise duty on non-alcoholic beverages or sugary drinks to K2 per litre from K1 per litre;

 

1. introduce 10 per cent excise duty on amounts placed on betting services;

 

1. increase the current surtax to 10 per cent from 5 per cent for selected imported items, which are readily available locally, while modifying the current tax relief applied on manufacturing inputs provided under Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 110 of 2020;

 

1. standard rate the supply of information and communication technology (ICT) equipment for value added tax (VAT) purposes;

 

1. introduce a turnover-based minimum alternative tax (MAT) at a rate of 1 per cent, as a backstop to business income tax; and

 

1. increase withholding tax on Government securities interest to 20 per cent from 15 per cent.

 

Madam Speaker, please, note that these proposed measures are expected to take effect in July 2025, and would raise approximately K3.9 billion this year, which is one of the requirements needed to completely close the financing gap that has so far arisen in our 2025 Budget.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chaatila (Moomba): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Floor of this House, and to present the highlights contained in the report of the Expanded Planning and Budgeting Committee, on its consideration of Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure No. 1 of 2025.

 

Madam Speaker, the House will recall that in December 2024, Parliament enacted the Appropriation Act No. 29 of 2024, which authorised expenditure not exceeding K217.1 billion. However, along the way, due to emerging fiscal pressure and competing needs, which include debt servicing, agriculture, energy and social protection, the Government has found it necessary to request for additional funding amounting to K33.6 billion on some Heads of Expenditure through Supplementary Estimates, as submitted to this House on 27^th June, 2025.

 

Madam Speaker, the Supplementary Estimates were submitted by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning in accordance with Article 203(2) of the Constitution of Zambia and Standing Order No. 173 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024. Following the submission, your Committee invited selected stakeholders to comment on them. The stakeholders included professional bodies and Government institutions. Your Committee's deliberations were through written and oral submissions.

 

Madam Speaker, let me state from the outset that the Committee supports the Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure No. 1 of 2025. Your Committee is of the view that the estimates represent a strategic response to the critical challenges being faced by the country.

 

Madam Speaker, your Committee’s detailed observations and recommendations are contained in the report, and I trust that hon. Members have taken the time to read the report. Allow me to highlight a few key issues. Your Committee notes that K11 billion has been allocated to dismantle fuel arrears. This is a welcome development, as it will help restore confidence and liquidity in the energy sector. Further, an allocation of K8 billion has been made towards debt servicing, which covers both domestic and external interest payments.

 

Madam Speaker, in the agricultural sector, your Committee notes that K6 billion has been allocated, of which K5.8 billion is targeted at the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) for the 2025/2026 Farming Season. This intervention is timely and essential for safeguarding national food security.

 

Madam Speaker, the Committee commends the Government for continuing to prioritise social protection with K1.9 billion allocated towards the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme at an increased transfer value of K400 per beneficiary. That will go a long way in supporting the most vulnerable citizens.

 

Madam Speaker, in the education sector, K1.8 billion has been allocated towards the improvement of secondary school infrastructure, both under Government and World Bank supported projects. Your Committee applauds this measure, as a crucial investment in human capital development.

 

Madam Speaker, concerning the financing of the Supplementary Estimates, your Committee notes that K14.8 billion or 44 per cent is to be raised through domestic borrowing. While this may be necessary, under the current conditions, your Committee is concerned that such a level of domestic borrowing could crowd out private sector access to credit and put pressure on interest rates. Your Committee, therefore, urges the Government to strike a balance between meeting immediate financing needs and safeguarding long-term fiscal sustainability as well as maintaining economic stability.

 

Madam Speaker, the Committee is also concerned that the Ministry of Finance and National Planning did not provide information on the implications of the Supplementary Estimates on output targets contrary to the requirement of section 45(3) of the National Planning and Budgeting Act, 2020. Your Committee is of the view that this omission hinders effective legislative oversight and, therefore, calls on the ministry to ensure full compliance with the law in future Budget adjustments. The Committee recommends that the Government undertakes structural reforms to enhance domestic resource mobilisation. Efforts should be made to broaden the tax base, enhance compliance and reduce dependence on external financing and donor support.

 

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, your Committee re-affirms its support for Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure No. 1 of 2025. The proposed expenditures are strategic and targeted towards stabilising the economy, addressing pressing developmental needs and supporting the most vulnerable in society.

 

Allow me at this point, Madam Speaker, to take this opportunity to thank you and the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia for the guidance and support rendered to your Committee during its deliberations. Your Committee also extends its gratitude to all the stakeholders who made submissions to inform its work.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr B. Mpundu (Nkana): Madam Speaker, thank you very much.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning presented the 2025 Budget, of K217 billion. Middle way through the fiscal year, the hon. Minister is back to ask this House to vary the Budget by way of a Supplementary Budget, and is proposing K33.5 billion. K33.5 billion against K217 billion represents almost 15.5 per cent of the National Budget of 2025. It must also be noted that –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours

 

______

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I was saying that the law provides for the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to come to this august House to present a Supplementary Budget. So, the hon. Minister has come to this House asking to supplement the 2025 Budget with a further K33.6 billion. K33.6 billion represents 15.5 per cent of the 2025 Budget, which stood at K217 billion. Yes, I understand that the law provides for Supplementary Budgets.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, the time indicated is not correct.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, why are you not debating?

 

Mr Kafwaya: The time is not correct!

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I debated for some seconds of my eight minutes. What has been indicated is not the correct time.

 

Mr Kafwaya: Ah! But imwe guys, why?

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

When we are considering the estimates, the time allocation is five minutes.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Please, check your Standing Orders, we are on course.

 

 Hon. Member for Nkana, you may continue.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, this Parliament has a lot of time. There is no way you can restrict us to five minutes. Honestly speaking, what can we discuss in five minutes?

 

Madam Speaker, this Supplementary Budget raises many questions. Firstly, it raises the question of whether the hon. Minister is able to anticipate happenings and prioritise activities. It also raises the question as to whether the Government is prudent in managing our resources.

 

Madam Speaker, it will interest you to note that the hon. Minister is proposing to borrow K14.8 billion domestically to finance the Supplementary Budget. Now, when you borrow or continue to borrow domestically, it means you are going to the banks. On one hand, you want to continue promoting growth, on the other, you are stifling the little resources available for business entities to borrow.

 

Madam Speaker, at the expense of sounding monotonous, part of the proposal the hon. Minister is making is to get 33 per cent of the financing of the Supplementary Budget from savings. Eight per cent will come from donor financing, and the other portion from taxes. What I have not seen in the proposed Supplementary Budget is the hon. Minister going to draw money from the mining sector.

 

Madam Speaker, I will give an example and this is what infuriates me. I do not know if the hon. Member of Parliament for Mufumbwe is here.  There is gold on the streets of Mufumbwe as we speak. Even little children are selling gold there. In a normal country, the hon. Minister would have sat down with his counterparts to draw a plan on how we can manage gold resources in Mufumbwe. Unprecedented amounts of gold deposits have been discovered in Mufumbwe. We are a country that prides itself in having an hon. Minister parade himself before the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to borrow, when back home, his streets are littered with gold resources. This is what makes me ask this question: Bushe the hon. Minister –

 

Interruptions

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Does the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning get a cut from borrowing because we cannot continue to borrow?

 

Interruptions

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Is it deliberate? Does he get a commission, muzela balalyamo or is it –

 

Mr Chisopa: Balalyamo!

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, in any normal situation –

 

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

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, in any normal situation, one cannot continue to borrow.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, I said “Order!”

 

Mr Chisopa: Balalyamo!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: My apologies to the hon. Member for Nkana. It is supposed to be eight minutes as guided. I am sure, they have added four more minutes.

 

You may continue.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, I am asking this question genuinely. I debate about this subject every time we discuss the Budget or when the hon. Minister comes to the House with a Supplementary Budget.

 

Eng. Milupi: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, teti bandekekofye nakonkanyapo ukulanda sure.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

A point of order is raised.

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I am not in the habit of raising points of order, but I do so according to Standing Order No. 71. The hon. Member of Parliament for Nkana, in his debate, mentioned borrowing, and the question he asked is: Does the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning get a cut from the loans or the borrowings? That is an outrageous statement. It should not be allowed in this House. Has he any evidence to show that the hon. Minister gets cuts from borrowings? The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning is working hard to restructure the economy of our country. Is the hon. Member for Nkana in order to raise such assertions? That is a serious statement.

 

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Nkana, that is a very big allegation. Do you have evidence? You are now informing the whole country that the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning gets cuts somewhere. Can you provide evidence?

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, you can check the verbatim. I did not conclude that the hon. Minister gets a cut. My submission was, I wonder, does the hon. Minister – Because the hon. Minister cannot continue coming to this House asking to borrow. He cannot.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, I asked for evidence.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, which evidence?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: If you have no evidence, withdraw your statement.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: It was a question, Madam Speaker, not a statement of fact. Does the hon. Minister get a commission out of borrowing? It is not a fact. It is a question. What evidence should I provide for a question?

 

Interruptions

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Should I withdraw? I can withdraw.

 

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

 

Please, let us use words well. Already, people are reacting to what you said. Let us try to be clear and stick to the report before the House.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, we are supplementing the 2025 Budget with K33 billion.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: For the sake of the people out there and the hon. Minister you have accused, can you, please, withdraw that statement?

 

Mr B. Mpundu: For the sake of the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, I withdraw the question.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What about the people?

 

Mr B. Mpundu: For the sake of the people of Zambia, I withdraw the question as to whether the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning gets a commission.

 

Madam Speaker, let me now continue here –

 

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

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Iye mwebantu!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Please, this is a straightforward issue. Somebody is injured. Just withdraw, apologise and then, move on. That is how you should move on with your debate.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

Do not debate while seated.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Whichever statement is not sitting well with the House, I withdraw it because I do not know what it is.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: It is about the commission. Just withdraw that statement.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: I withdraw the statement about me wondering whether the Minister gets a commission.

 

Madam Speaker, I still come back to the same issue.

 

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

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Iwe, walifulungana iwe!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

Hon. PF Members: Sit down iwe!

 

Mr Amutike remained standing.  

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Walifulungana. Kwati chalipena zoona.

 

Hon. PF Members: Iwe, just sit down.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Iwe, yateke mpanshi teyambi molu. Leka tukonkanyepo naiwe. What is your problem?

 

  Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Awe naimwe.

 

 Madam First Deputy Speaker: You may continue, hon. Member for Nkana. Please, continue.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, clearly, some people want to disturb my flow of debate, but I will still belabour the same point. Madam Speaker, why should we continue to borrow amounts such as K14.8 billion with the abundance of gold resources in Mufumbwe as we speak today? What sort of Government can forego a natural resource that can be converted to funds to finance its budget and instead continue to borrow? In the process, the Government is getting the little resources that are available for companies to borrow and help grow the economy. That is what makes me wonder. The Minister of Finance and National Planning should have looked around for alternative sources of funding the Budget. Part of the proposal to finance the Supplementary Estimates are the savings from the previous Budget.

 

Madam Speaker, the same Government is today giving away money from tollgates under the pretext that the concessionaire is going to use that money to repair old roads. However, the old roads are not being repaired and the contractors have embarked on fresh works. The contractors borrowed our money from the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) to the tune of K650 million. Ba Hon. Milupi, seated there, issued a Structural Instrument (SI) to allow a concessionaire to get our money from tollgates. This is the same Government that wants to continue borrowing, but, on the other hand, it is recklessly giving away our money to the Chinese.

 

Madam Speaker, the same Government told the people of Zambia to adjust their budgets after increasing tariffs for electricity to raise money for importing power. However, the money that is being contributed by the people of Zambia has gone towards paying a middleman in the name of Kanona.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Such recklessness, Madam Speaker, cannot be condoned in this country.

 

Mr Amutike: Question!

 

Mr B. Mpundu: The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning should know that such daylight robbery cannot be entertained in this country. What we want him to do is to sit down with his colleagues and see how best they can harness the abundant resources we have around the country.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr B. Mpundu: The Supplementary Budget can be financed using public revenue. We are not against the hon. Minister producing the Supplementary Budget.

 

Interruptions

 

 Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order! Order hon. Members!

 

Mr B. Mpundu: However, we want him to do what is right. We do not want to see a daylight robbery.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Can you resume your seat, hon. Member.

 

 Hon. Members, there is no need to shout when debating. You are not supposed to shout. Hon. Member for Nkana, when you are debating –

 

Mr B. Mpundu: That is how I talk.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, please, can you stop shouting!

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, ine efyonaba, ishiwi lyaba pamuli.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Bemba is not the official language.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: This is how I am, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker:  No, hon. Member for Nkana.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Mwalampatikisha shani efyo naba ine?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: No, that is not allowed. You may resume your seat, hon. Member.

 

Hon. Member for Lunte, you may debate.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear! Another problem!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. UPND Members: He is an hon. Member of the Committee.

 

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Madam Speaker, I thank you –

 

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

 

I have been advised that you are an hon. Member of the Committee.

 

Mr Kafwaya: No. Which Committee? The one that looked at the Annual Borrowing Plan?

 

Hon. UPND Members: Iwe, sit down! You are a member.

 

Mr Kafwaya: That Committee that considered the Annual Borrowing Plan? Keep quiet, you. We are talking about the borrowing plan. So, keep quiet.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Another problem.

 

Mr Kafwaya: Just keep quiet, you.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kafwaya: Even if I was a member, I still have the right to debate. You keep quiet.

 

Even if I was a member, I have the right to debate. So, you keep quiet.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kafwaya: Read the Standing Orders. You read the Standing Orders.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Kafwaya: I want to talk about borrowing.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

I cannot take this anymore. Hon. Member for Lunte, please, leave the House for today.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You cannot debate in such a manner. Please, leave the House.

 

Hon. PF Members: Why?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

We have to keep decorum in this House. We have rules. When you are invited to debate on the Floor of the House, you do not engage other hon. Members. So, my guidance to the hon. Member for Lunte is that, please, leave the House.

 

We make progress.

 

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me an opportunity on behalf of the people of Chilubi.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Fube: Can I continue, Madam Speaker?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

Hon. Member for Chilubi, if you do not want to debate, I can move to the next person.

 

Hon. PF Members: Question!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Chilubi, you have the Floor.

 

Mr Fube: Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to debate the Supplementary Budget on behalf of the people of Chilubi.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to open my debate by saying that we really hope that this is the last Supplementary Budget that we will see this year. I say that because last year, we had three Supplementary Budgets. Therefore, the people of Chilubi feel that our fiscal arrangements are not in order.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to start with the issue of the K10.9 billion highlighted in the Supplementary Budget. That amount was captured in last Budget.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kafwaya left the Assembly Chamber.

 

Mr Fube: Finshi filecitika?

 

 Madam Speaker, can I continue?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You may continue, hon. Member for Chilubi.

 

Mr Fube: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

 Madam Speaker, I was talking about the K10.9 billion under the summary on page 13 in the Supplementary Budget. This money was appropriated in the 2025 Budget. Since the National Budget is accompanied by an Appropriation Act, it means that this figure will be appropriated twice.

 

Madam Speaker, when we look at the expenditure and revenue sides of the Budget, we will note that there is K25 billion and K13.5 billion. If you knock out this particular figure –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

I think that the consultations are too high, can you reduce them. We want to hear the debate.

 

You may continue, hon. Member for Chilubi.

 

Mr Fube: If you knock out this particular figure, Madam Speaker, you will remain with K22.6 billion. If you remain with K22.6 billion, the integrity of the information in this particular Budget is distorted.

 

Mr Nkandu: Question!

 

Mr Fube: That is the starting point. 

 

Madam Speaker, if the integrity of this particular Budget is distorted, then, I do not know what we are debating. Can one figure be appropriated twice? I am just asking a question. Is that allowed by our laws?  

 

Mr Nkandu: Question!

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, further, when you look at the proposed Budget, you will see that after the figure I have mentioned is taken out, you go to the K4.9 billion which, among other things is supposed to come out of Ways and Means., If you read Article 65 of the Constitution, you will find that the Ways and Means are supposed to be tabulated. There are many clauses so I cannot quote all of them. This particular proposal, which is supposed to be supported by Money Bills, is pre-emptive. It is saying, Parliament, at all costs, has already passed this. So, this particular cost is an academic exercise, from where we stand, according to Article 65.

 

Madam Speaker, let me look at the other issues in the Budget. Since this is the annual Budget, on the same figure of K10.8 billion, we have already made savings. We are in the first week of July, and we have already made savings which can be brought forward. That is a bit confusing to the people of Chilubi who have not studied mathematics at school. They need to be guided on this particular issue.

 

Madam Speaker, Government programmes are funded by an annual Budget. It is expected that some of the items in the annual Budget will be regrouped as we go. We are in just the second quarter of 2025, yet, according to our Government, in the presentation of the K10.9 billion, we have made savings. I hope that the hon. Minister is following me very well. I do not want to be misunderstood on this issue.

 

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Chilubi, I would also like to address the 2025 Budget performance. I have seen that –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

That Motion will come. We are supposed to look at the performance of the Budget for 2024 and the performance of the 2025 Budget in the first quarter. Another Motion will come.

 

You may continue, hon. Member for Chilubi.

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, what I was trying to underscore is that, of course, reviews are done on the performance of the Budget. We have issues with the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Some of us have not received the CDF accordingly. Other constituencies have received different figures. Since we are told the disbursement is demand-driven, that may be justified. That is what I wanted to underscore. It is not that I was tempted to go into the performance of the Budget. I still emphasise that a Supplementary Budget can be an indicator of a red light regarding finances. I have seen that certain areas have not been sufficiently funded. Bearing that in mind, I am still thinking about this question: How have we made savings before spending? That is a simple question from a Grade 2, or a simple person from Chilubi. We have counted the savings as part of the revenue before we have spent the Budget, but some programmes in the same Budget have not been funded.

 

Madam Speaker, I also want to underscore that through the Zambia Gold Company Limited, we should use gold as a reserve currency at the Bank of Zambia (BoZ). Today, gold is something that is just being kicked in the street. One boy kicks it that way, another person kicks it the other way. Gold is not taken as a resource in this county, but in other countries, it is being used as a reserve currency. We are not getting revenue from our gold or emeralds, yet, soon, the Government will present an Annual Borrowing Plan which should tally with our revenues. This Parliament, under Article 63, will approve debt in the Annual Borrowing Plan. Now, given that scenario, we, as a nation, are at a crossroad. We need to reflect on that.

 

Mr Nkandu interjected.

 

Mr Fube: The hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts likes disturbing me. I know that he does not understand some of the issues I am talking about; they are beyond his scope.

 

Mr Kasandwe: Nashalila!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, what I am trying to underscore is that we have abandoned a resource that is supposed to give us revenue. We have chosen one track to raise revenue, which is borrowing.

 

Madam Speaker, in the interest of time, looking at the many people who have shown interest to debate, let me end by saying that I would have loved to go on and on, but I rest my case here. On behalf of the people of Chilubi, I do not support the Supplementary Budget.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members who were part of the Expanded Planning and Budgeting Committee that looked at the estimates musty give chance to the hon. Members who were not part and parcel of the Committee. So, if you know very well that you were a member of that Committee, please, withdraw from the debate. If there are no hon. Members who were not part of the Committee indicating to debate, we can allow you to debate.

 

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika): Madam Speaker, I am grateful for this opportunity. In the past four years, we have seen the Government make Budgets, and a few months later, it has come back with what are known as Supplementary Budgets. Where does the money that we budget for here go to? I ask this pertinent question because when you go out there, you will see that there is no tangible infrastructure development to talk about. The same money that we are budgeting for here should build infrastructure for our people.

 

Mr Nkandu: Question!

 

Mr Kapyanga: Our people in Mpika move from Mpika to Chinsali to access secondary healthcare because the Government has not built a general hospital in Mpika. Now, we are allocating K14 billion to what the Government is calling a Supplementary Budget. The question is: Where does the money that the Government borrows –

 

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

 

There is an indication for a point of order by the hon. Minister for the Northern Province.

 

Mr Mbao: Madam Speaker, thank you very much. I beg a pardon from my brother, the hon. Member of Parliament for Mpika.

 

Madam Speaker, my point of order is pursuant to Standing Order No. 71. The information provided on the Floor by the hon. Members on the left, especially our friends from the Patriotic Front (PF), is that the Government keeps coming back to the House with Budgets; that we make a Budget today, and then we come with a Supplementary Budget tomorrow.

 

Madam Speaker, that is how things work. When we bring a Budget here, it does not mean that we have money to spend. The Budget contains estimates. When things change, or when the environment changes, you expect people to come back with different estimates.

 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mbao: Madam Speaker, this Government knows what it is doing. We are coming from ­–

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Question!

 

Mr Mbao: Can you take your time.

Madam Speaker, we are coming from a time when our friends would stand on the Floor to present a budget for twelve districts, for instance, but end up attending to thirty-three districts. They could also say that they would spend K300,000 on road works, but contract a loan of K12 billion. That is where we are coming from. It was total madness. This Government now wants to do things the way they are supposed to be.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

 Hon. Minister, can you withdraw the phrase, ‘total madness’ and replace it with a better word.

 

Mr Mbao: Madam Speaker, I withdraw the phrase, ‘total madness’ and replace it with ‘total confusion, lack of knowledge or skill'.

 

Mr Amutike: Correct!

 

Mr Mbao: Madam Speaker, this Government wants to do the right things. My question is: Are hon. Members in order to fail to understand logic and start questioning what is straightforward?

 

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!  

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister for Northern Province, unfortunately, that does not qualify to be raised as a point of order because you have debated the issue at hand. There is little for me to make a ruling on. You provided all the guidance and brought out whatever you wanted to say.

 

Hon. Member for Mpika, you may continue.

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, thank you for your protection.

 

Madam Speaker, before I was interrupted, I was asking about where the money goes. The existence of a government is to provide services and also develop the country in areas of infrastructure. I was giving a practical example that in my constituency, our people move 100 km from Mpika to Chinsali to access secondary healthcare because this Government has not completed the construction of the Michael Chilufya Sata Hospital.

 

Mr Amutike interjected.

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, it is not only that, we also have dilapidated township roads. 

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

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

 

Mr Kapyanga: Iwe freemason, naiwe, ikala panshi ah!

 

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

 

Hon. Members, let me guide the House. We are not debating a new yearly Budget. This is just a Supplementary Budget for specific areas. It is not everything that is considered in the Supplementary Budget. So, with that guidance in mind, can we, please, restrict ourselves to the Supplementary Budget?

 

The hon. Member for Mpika may continue.

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, when we see a Supplementary Budget, our desire is the completion of stalled projects in our constituencies. Why are we passing a budget whose use we are not going to see? The people of Zambia should see the use of their money.

 

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

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Members, I think, the points of order are coming up too often. The debate is being interrupted.

 

Hon. Member for Sikongo, what is your point of order?

 

Mr Simushi: Madam Speaker, my point of order is premised on Standing Order No. 71. My colleague and good friend, Hon. Kapyanga, has repeatedly mentioned that he has not seen infrastructure development in Mpika or the country, as a whole. I think that is grossly misleading himself and the country at large because, just through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), I can comfortably mention that we have undertaken many infrastructure development projects in Sikongo.

 

Mr Amutike: Even himself!

 

Mr Simushi: Even himself.

 

Madam Speaker, we have seen him commission projects in his constituency.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Simushi: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to mislead the nation and himself by saying that the New Dawn Administration has not come up with infrastructure projects in the country?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mpika, I am sure there is infrastructure in your constituency under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

 

The hon. Member for Mpika was out of order because there are many buildings that we are seeing, especially those managed under the CDF by hon. Members.

 

Hon. Member for Mpika, you may continue.

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I will use the word, ‘tangible’, and if I can remind my hon. Colleague, the CDF is just about 3 per cent of the National Budget.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

I have already given a ruling on that. Just continue with your debate.

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, my question was about where the money goes. We should be talking about a Supplementary Budget that will change the lives of the people of Zambia, and increase salaries for civil servants. We cannot be talking about a supplementary –

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, they are even planning to borrow K14 billion from the domestic market. They promised to put a moratorium on debt contraction but why are they borrowing again? The Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) reported that there was US$3.3 billion corporate tax evasion under their watch, in 2023, and yet they are asking this House to approve a debt of K14 billion. It is very shameful. What a time to live in which your Government can lose US$3.3 billion and then run to Parliament to ask for the contraction of K14 billion debt.

 

Madam Speaker, what kind of a country do we have now? The Government asked for an electricity tariff increment, and stated that the reason for increasing tariffs was to attend to the emergency we had. What did it do? It sourced a private company called Kanona Power Company Limited to import electricity on behalf of ZESCO Limited. What was wrong with ZESCO Limited importing electricity directly? Even in the importation of electricity, we now have a middleman being paid by the people of Zambia; the suffering people in Mpika, Mtendere, Nkana and Kanyama, and there is no one to apologise for that.

 

Madam Speaker, this Supplementary Budget should not be approved, and I cannot support it because our people only have power for five hours despite paying a lot of money under the emergency tariffs regime.

 

Madam Speaker, this same Government has awarded the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway project to a concessionaire who is already collecting toll fees before the construction of the road is completed. The same toll fees should support the Supplementary Budget for road maintenance. However, that money is going into private coffers. If that is not a corruption scandal, then, what does corruption look like? Has the definition of corruption changed? Is it just corruption when it is in the past? I am wondering what kind of country we have.

 

Madam Speaker, I cannot support this Supplementary Budget because we now have an inducement of by-elections. The money we are appropriating is just being used for political expedience, creation of by-elections on a daily basis. What kind of Government do we have that prioritises politics at the expense of the suffering majority? Is that the kind of country that we want?

 

Madam Speaker, I refuse to be part of this undertaking, where we are going to appropriate money for by-elections and for a private company to import power on behalf of ZESCO Limited, which it can import directly from the producer. The Zambian people are paying high electricity tariffs under this Government. As we head towards 2026, this Government must apologise to the Zambian people for subjecting them to misery.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, the Zambian people are suffering and they have suffered under this Government.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Members, please, focus on the report. You are already campaigning for 2026. Can we stick to the report.

 

I will balance the debate now. So, the next one to debate is the hon. Member for Mitete.

 

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Madam Speaker, thank you so much. How I wish you had allowed them all to finish debating so that we could now come in and tell them what they are, like I am starting to tell them. What you are seeing is what they are and what they were, more so, with the hon. Member for Lumezi coming to the House. So, we understand them.

 

Madam Speaker, a Supplementary Budget remains a Supplementary Budget. What is indicated in the report and what the mover said is procedural in order to pay for domestic and international debt. We have painfully accumulated interests because of the huge, reckless debt that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government subjected this country to. We can compare the economic status of 2011 to 2021 with that of 2021 to date. Can someone not see that? The report and the mover said that the Government wants to handle the fuel debt, or the fuel arrears from the previous Government. The fuel debt was caused by these same people (pointed at the PF hon. Members), except for a few.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Let us not debate ourselves.

 

Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, the Supplementary Budget will go towards the completion of some secondary schools. Twenty-two of them were left unfinished by the PF Government. One university was also not completed. The money that was supposed to be used for the construction was gone (Pointed at his mouth).

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mutelo: Yes, Madam Speaker, are you seeing me?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I am not seeing you.

 

Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, money for the university (Pointed at his mouth) by those (Pointed at the PF hon. Members).

 

Laughter

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mitete, please, come out clearly.

 

Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, the money being asked for as a Supplementary Budget is meant to tackle the problems they created. However, as much as that is being done, the economy is on the right path, it is positive. They left the economy at negative two, and had it been a human being, that person would have been dead, and would not be in the mortuary but in the grave. I will give an example of a simple number line. I can say we moved from negative two, one, zero, to positive one, two, three, four, five and six. So, we have taken six positive steps towards economic resuscitation. This is what this –

 

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

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Chisopa: Madam Speaker, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to raise a point of order during this Sitting.

 

Madam Speaker, when the United Party for National Development (UPND) took over power, it found a local debt of K78 billion. Today, as we speak, the UPND has borrowed K245 billion. The hon. Member for Mitete said that the UPND Government came into power to clear the debt. In his mind, or in the mind of the UPND members, borrowing is clearing a debt.

 

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to insinuate that they came to clear the debt, when they have borrowed more than or triple what they found in four years, compared to a debt of K78 billion accumulated in ten years?

 

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mkushi South, I would have loved if you had debated your own views on the same matter because those are the views of the hon. Member for Mitete. He came out clearly and said that, as they are considering the Supplementary Budget, they are also looking at clearing the debt. Those are his own views. That is what he thinks. Therefore, hon. Member for Mkushi South, please, come up with your own debate. The hon. Member for Mitete is not out of order. He is bringing out his own views.

 

May the hon. Member for Mitete continue.

 

Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, they defaulted (Pointed at Mr Chisopa).

 

Madam Speaker, part of the money in the Supplementary Budget will be used to pay for the hummer mills that are dotted around, and the contractor is one of us here.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, such people will talk the loudest. Some of us are reserved, we just bring out issues as they are.

 

Madam Speaker, a Supplementary Budget is like an advance salary that one gets in addition to the salary. Simple. How is the Dollar faring now? Good. What is the price of fuel now? This is where the previous Government failed. It subsidised everything. However, the New Dawn Government, under President Hakainde, has not subsidised anything, but things are working. Our colleagues were subsidising, and still things were not happening; they were defaulting. Despite amending the Constitution, they would borrow without approval from Parliament. Here is a Government that does everything for the people through Parliament. That is transparency. What else would you need? No wonder, you visit the Head of State’s premises at 0100 hours.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is it in the Supplementary Budget?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mutelo: I was just wondering.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, I am just wondering. We do not want to be like the hon. Members on your left. If we wanted to hit them, we would hit them hard and they would not talk.

 

Madam Speaker, the Supplementary Budget is meant to enable the Government finish projects, such as the construction of a secondary school in Mitete, where a contractor has moved on site. It will also enable the Government to provide electricity to Mitete and finance the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Currently, there is no constituency in Zambia that does not have new infrastructure.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: No!

 

Mr Mutelo: Those who are saying no are the same people who will go to the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to ask for funding. We know what they are doing. When funding is given, they let it sit idly in bank accounts. Some of the committees have now come to get some – How can a constituency development committee keep money unused when the Government has released it? There have been reports of unspent money, but people are hungry. Further, if there is no infrastructure in Mpika, for example, why is the money sitting idly in the bank? When the Government releases money, it should be used, instead of letting it sit in the bank.

 

Madam Speaker, I support this progressive Supplementary Budget.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning has come with Supplemental Estimates totalling K33,577,125,966 to seek approval from this august House. I will raise some concerns and I would like the hon. Minister to pay attention because I will just be speaking to the figures he has presented.

 

Madam Speaker, of the total sum, the hon. Minister has explained to us that K10,993,230,240 is coming from what he is calling savings. We are in the middle of the fiscal year. Money can only be said to have been saved at the end of a fiscal year. That is when we can say that we achieved the targets and know how much was saved. It is difficult at this point to conclude that the K10.9 billion is from savings and not budget cuts.

 

Madam Speaker, Section 45(3) of the Planning and Budgeting Act No. 1 of 2020 requires the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to demonstrate the implications on the output targets associated with the Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure. That information is key in order to appreciate the impact the reductions in budget lines, which were approved in this august House, is going to have.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security seated there (pointed at Mr Mwiimbu) had his budget approved in the Appropriation Act, which we passed in this House. The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning has cut some money from the budget lines we approved for this fiscal year and that is what he is calling savings. I find it a challenge to appreciate that. Therefore, I would like him to demonstrate that he is adhering to the provisions in the law because they are very clear. The nation needs to know whether the savings he is claiming are, indeed, as such.

 

Madam Speaker, I would be the first one to support the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning if he came to this august House with proposed adjustments to the budget for the Ministry of Health. That is a key sector that has been negatively affected. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) alone has been contributing about US$600 million, or K14 billion, annually to our health sector. The withdrawal of that support was not anticipated. As the hon. Minister is aware, the withdrawing of those funds is going to place a very huge challenge on our health sector.

 

Madam Speaker, I note that the hon. Minister said that we will have additional funds from donors to the tune of K2.6 billion. Now, if we look at the gap created by the withdrawal of financial support amounting to K14 billion by USAID, the K2.6 billion coming from donors is a drop in the ocean. If the health sector has to survive, the hon. Minister certainly needs to come to this august House with another Supplementary Budget. So, I would like him to explain to us what he will do because from his previous statements, we heard that he will find money to try to cushion the gap created by the withdrawal of that support. The United States Ambassador to Zambia announced another significant withdrawal of support. So, I would like the hon. Minister to speak to the issues I have raised.

 

Madam Speaker, on the issue of borrowing K14 billion from the domestic market, I wish to state that I stood here last year and talked about that when the hon. Minister came with his Annual Borrowing Plan. He was seeking approval to borrow K15 billion as the ceiling, which he adjusted upwards. I stood here and appealed to him that the effect of the proposed borrowing is that it would crowd out the private sector because our financial sector is limited. If the Government borrows K14 billion from the domestic market, in addition to the K15 billion we approved in the Annual Borrowing Plan last year, the effect on the private sector cannot be ignored.

 

Madam Speaker, we have a challenge that my hon. Colleagues have spoken about of the power deficit, which is negatively impacting the economy. We were informed that emergency tariffs would be implemented and they were approved. To date, no positive impact has been recorded. I have been told that power supply is now only lasting for five hours. What is the hon. Minister doing to address that situation? We should be seeing measures in the Budget that are meant to address issues in key sectors that can help the economy get back on its feet.

 

Madam Speaker, I find it a challenge to support the Supplementary Budget because of the absence of key information for the hon. Minister to show us the budget lines that are going to suffer from reductions. As hon. Members, we have every right to question these Supplementary Estimates because we approved the budget lines here in this august House. Therefore, we deserve to know if there is a change in plans. For instance, we should know that the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security is not going to spend what was approved because of certain justification. That is what we are here for.

 

Mr Kafwaya entered the Assembly Chamber.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, we do not come here to just say yes to whatever the hon. Minister proposes. In this case, he is asking for K33 billion additional funding. So, the hon. Minister owes us an explanation …

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Ni bakabolala aba!

 

Mr Kampyongo: … on such pertinent issues. The people we represent need to appreciate and understand what we are doing. Otherwise, what we shall see is that certain ministries will fail to meet their obligations because the cutting of expenditure has been made in the middle of the year. Certain programmes will not be undertaken by ministries as budgeted before in this –

 

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

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

A point of order is raised. That is the last point of order I will allow. We are behind time.  

 

Hon. Member for Pemba, what is your point of order?

 

Mr Hamwaata: Madam Speaker, I wish to apologise to the hon. Member debating.

 

Madam Speaker, I rarely raise points of order. However, I am wondering whether we have changed the rules. The hon. Member for Lunte was told to leave the House. I wonder why he is sitting comfortably, and he is even pointing at me.

 

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I have already ruled on that matter and my ruling stands.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Yes, I already made a ruling that the hon. Member for Lunte should excuse himself from today’s Sitting. There is nothing more for me to say.

 

Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, wind up your debate.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, the last concern is on the carryover funds from the 2024 Budget.

We are being told that there is a carryover of K144,266,512. Again, it is difficult to appreciate this. A report will come on the performance analysis of the 2024 Budget. Is it true that, indeed, this carryover is from the savings from the previous Budget, when three Supplementary Budgets were presented before this House? Where are we getting these funds from? I am speaking to the figures, and I would like the hon. Minister to speak to the figures, as I have requested, in order for us to appreciate why he is seeking approval for this Supplementary Budget.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Member’s time expired.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Otherwise, Madam Speaker, I am very reluctant to support the Supplementary Budget if the hon. Minister does not demonstrate that he is going to find resources to manage the financial gap in the –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Your time is up, hon. Member.

 

Mr Anakoka (Luena): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the debate on Supplementary Budget No. 1 of2025, on behalf of the people of Luena.

 

Madam Speaker, from the outset, I would like to state that I support the Supplementary Budget because I know that it is a reflection of the good and very progressive fiscal measures that have been put in place by the Government. The prudent management of resources is beginning to bear fruit.

 

Madam Speaker, I have been listening very attentively to the debaters before me. Just a reminder to some of my hon. Colleagues, I understand why they are so angry, because I understand the difficult position they are in. They realise that their erstwhile regime is gone and gone for good, and that is not an easy thing for them. That regime will never come back. Why? It is because in 2011, when the previous regime, the Patriotic Front (PF), came into power, the external debt of this Republic was K1.9 billion. In 2021, it was K13 billion. Now, that might not be easy for some people to process. So, let me use ratios to explain. In 2011, the debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio was 20 per cent, meaning that 20 per cent of the GDP was the amount of our debt. In 2021, it was 118 per cent of the GDP. If Zambia were an individual, we would say that in 2011, the individual had a small fever. In 2021, the individual was in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with tubes all over the place, breathing through machines and little chance of survival. I heard some hon. Members on the left today tell us that there is gold all over the streets. Where was the gold when they were borrowing those huge sums of money? I have heard some of them say that we can realise US$4 billion from just one truck of sugilite. Why did they not realise money from sugilite when they had the chance to do so? So, I do understand the challenges they found themselves in.

 

Part of this Supplementary Budget, Madam Speaker, will be used to complete the secondary schools that my hon. Colleague from Mitete mentioned. Why did the people on the left start building secondary schools and then fail to complete them? In Limulunga, construction of Limulunga Day Secondary School started in 2012. In 2021, the previous regime left without completing the school. Now, when the Government says that we should look for more money in order to complete that project so that we can give more secondary school opportunities to our children, the hon. Members get angry. Do they care about the people of Zambia? They are talking about fully utilising our minerals, our God-given resource.  However, when the Government says that we should allocate an extra K400 million to the Supplementary Budget in order to complete the geological mapping exercise, the people on the left get angry. Do they care about the people of Zambia, if they frustrate or do not support such important investments aimed at doubling the GDP of this country? 

 

Madam Speaker, as a member of one of your Committees, I have gone around some of our universities and found infrastructure that was long abandoned. Contracts were given and advance payments were made. However, there was no planning whatsoever as to where the rest of the money would come from. The contractors would mobilise but after that, no extra payments would come. So, the projects were abandoned. All our public universities are littered with such projects. Today, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning has come to say that for university infrastructure, let us put K392 million in the Supplementary Budget to complete those projects, but some of our hon. Colleagues are angry. Why would a person who has vowed and sworn to serve the people of Zambia get angry when such progressive measures are taken?

 

Madam Speaker, let me come to fuel arrears. If there are people who should be angry about this, it is actually us on the right and the people of Zambia. The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning is here to propose a refinancing arrangement so that we can re-substitute the onerous contracts that the previous regime signed with some fuel suppliers, with cheaper finance instruments. To say the least, the fuel contracts are a demonstration of a serious lack of understanding of economics by our friends in the previous regime. It is no wonder that when this Government is implementing frameworks such as the Open Access Policy, some of our hon. Colleagues feel that some opportunities have been taken away. Why do they think that everybody who is making decisions on behalf of the nation is getting a cut? Are they telling us something about how they were running the nation?

 

Mr Mubika: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Anakoka: How do they know about those cuts?

 

Mr Mubika: That is what they were doing.

 

Mr Anakoka: We, on the right, know nothing about getting cuts. What we know is mobilising resources for the people of Zambia. It is no wonder that today, the people at Sikenge in Luena Constituency have a 1 x 3 classroom block, whereas previously, their children used to learn under a tree. All the money that is mobilised today is going right to where the people are, to deliver services.

 

Madam Speaker, let me come to the Social Cash Transfer (SCT). How can an hon. Member of Parliament who will still go back to the people to request for their vote next year say that we should not mobilise money for the SCT programme? Does he understand the impact of the SCT on the lives of our vulnerable elderly men and women in our communities? Probably, there is something that the people on the left were doing when they were in the Government that we do not know about. From where we sit, the money is going to people throughout the country. People have been empowered and supported, even through difficult times as when we had a drought in the country. So, I think, on behalf of the people of Luena, these measures should be supported.

 

Madam Speaker, I almost forget the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). Everybody knows that we have a bumper harvest this year. Congratulations to His Excellency and the hon. Minister of Agriculture.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Anakoka: The Government is doing something that is working, and it wants to extend the e-Voucher system to every district in the country. However, someone is saying, ‘Oh no, we are not going to support this.’ Why is there so much self-hate? Why do the people on the left hate the country so much, yet they still want to come back and delete the same people whom they hate?

 

Mr Nkandu: Mkushi MP.

 

Mr Anakoka: More inputs under FISP will be sent to Mkushi District through the Supplementary Budget. The e-Voucher system has shown that it is efficient and the return on investment is far much better than it is under the Direct Input Supply (DIS) modality. So, with the extra extension services that will be made available, we will see more output in the agriculture sector.

 

Madam Speaker, with those few words, I would like to say that I support the Supplementary Budget.

 

Mr Anakoka: I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu, SC.): Madam Speaker, I support the Motion that has been ably moved by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning.

 

Madam Speaker, I will briefly respond to some of the issues that have been raised by my hon. Colleagues on your left. There must be honour when we debate certain issues on the Floor of this House. You may recall that on several occasions, when our hon. colleagues on your left rise to debate, they always state and urge the Government to ensure that it pays off domestic debt. Today, the hon. Minister has provided funding to service that the domestic debt, but they are now refusing.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Amutike: They are even angry!

 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, they are very angry that the hon. Minister is doing the correct thing in the interest of the nation. Is there honour in the submissions they have made? There is no honour.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Mpika has condemned us, on the right, by saying that we want to continue agitating for by-elections. However, we are on record telling the nation that we should not continue with by-elections. That is why we are proposing that we do away with by-elections. Our hon. Colleagues on your left, who have been saying that we have wasteful spenders have swung 300 degrees on wanting by-elections.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: They are encouraging us to go to Mfuwe, and campaign so that we win that seat, Madam Speaker.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: That is what they are telling us. Madam Speaker, we have been saying that we do not want by-elections.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: If an hon. Member loses a seat, they will just appoint …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: … and find a way, but they want us to continue with by-elections.

 

Mr Kampyongo interjected.

 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC: We will not be convinced by that. We have made a decision …

 

Mr Kampyongo: For whom?

 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: …on behalf of the people, to not allow by-elections because that is wasteful expenditure, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: We want that money to go towards health, education and other needs in the country.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, just a minute.

 

Madam Speaker, they have been saying that they want this Government to be servicing the debt. That is exactly what the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning is doing. He is providing for debt servicing. They defaulted and, as a result, we were blacklisted by a number of donors. We could not get money. We are currently in good standing. We are being assisted by our friends. So, those hon. Members are angry because they know that the winds of change that started in Lumezi are spreading rapidly …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Iye!

 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: … through Lumezi, Lundazi, Mkushi South, and it is going further north.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank your Committee and the various debaters who have spoken this afternoon.

 

Madam Speaker, many things have been said. Unfortunately, I do not have all the time to respond to each and every one. Let us simplify it. Let me start by saying that of the K33 billion in the Supplementary Budget, K11 billion is for fuel supply arrears left by the Patriotic Front (PF), which we are paying now. The amount has grown because, surprisingly, some of the fuel supply contracts that were left behind had ridiculously high interest rates. One of them had an interest rate of 27 per cent in United States (US) Dollar terms, which means that every three and a half years, the amount doubles. That is what we are paying for now. We are sorting out a problem that was left by the PF.

 

Mr Amutike: By those there (pointed at the hon. Opposition Members).

 

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, K4 billion of that amount is interest accumulated between 2023 and 2024. Who left this debt?

 

Mr Amutike: PF (Patriotic Front)!

 

Dr Musokotwane: It is the PF. So, you can see that roughly half of the amount of money that we are looking for is to answer problems that were left behind by the PF.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

 

Dr Musokotwane: They caused this problem, Madam Speaker. The kind of problems that were left behind by our hon. Colleagues in the PF are astronomical because, even as we address this, we are not talking about the arrears they left behind in the road sector, which is …

 

Eng. Milupi: About K9 billion!

 

Dr Musokotwane: … K9 billion. As we talk about this, Madam Speaker, roughly K15 billion is for addressing problems left behind by the PF.

 

Let us move forward, Madam Speaker. K6 billion out of the K33 billion is for implementing the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF). The PF also left huge amounts of money under fertiliser contracts. The SAFF was established to ensure that the old system of fertiliser distribution, which we inherited, was done away with. Currently, we do not owe money for fertiliser. More importantly, the facility was established to avoid the problems that were there in the past.

 

Madam Speaker, as we came into office in 2011, we were told that all the fertiliser that had been delivered into the country, had been paid for. What remained was just to be distributed but then somebody whispered to the Government to say that although everything was paid for, not all deliveries were made. When the audit was done, it was discovered that, in fact, about US$30 million was air supplied. In other words, payment was made to the suppliers, but they did not deliver.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, sorting out this issue avoids recurring of problems such as this where US$30 million plus was paid, disappeared, and fertiliser not delivered. Up to now, we are still chasing the recovery of that money. So, we are sorting out these problems that are a legacy of the PF.

 

Madam Speaker, the K2 billion is for education. I am even surprised that people were saying that they built infrastructure. High schools and hospitals were left at quarter levels all over the country.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Talk about the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)!

 

Dr Musokotwane: Even in my constituency, Liuwa, a high school was left at 30 per cent or 40 per cent completion. They did not even put an extra brick on the high school for ten years. So, this money is for ensuring that we complete the high schools that were  were started under the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) and abandoned by the PF.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

The hon. Minister’s time expired.

 

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, K2 billion of this is for Social Cash Transfer (SCT). Today, everyone who qualifies for SCT gets paid.

 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Yes!

 

Dr Musokotwane: In those days, Madam Speaker, SCT money was …

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Time up!

 

Dr Musokotwane: … stolen.

 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Hear, hear!

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Time up!

 

Dr Musokotwane: People went to prison. That is now history, Madam Speaker, …

 

Mr Amutike: Hammer, hammer!

 

Dr Musokotwane: … because this money is for ensuring that problems like that do not recur.

 

Madam Speaker, I notice that I have run out of time. I wish I had more time to explain these things, but I am very grateful.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: What about medicines?

 

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, maybe, if you can tolerate just half a minute so that I can comment on the medicines. We have enough medicines to take us into 2026. The effects of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will kick in, in 2026. As of now, we have enough medicines to take us into 2026. Therefore, that has been sorted out.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you so much for that important clarification on the drugs.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

REPORT OF THE PLANNING AND BUDGETING COMMITTEE

 

Mr Chaatila (Moomba): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that this House adopts the Report of the Planning and Budgeting Committee on the Budget Performance Review of the 2024 Financial Year and First Quarter of 2025 for the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly, laid on the Table of the House on Monday, 30^th June, 2025.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

 

Mr Mulebwa (Kafulafuta): Madam Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

 

Mr Chaatila: Madam Speaker, in line with the Committee’s terms of reference as provided for under Standing Order No. 204(4) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, the Committee reviewed the budget performance of the 2024 financial year and the performance of the budget in the first quarter of the year 2025. In the review exercise, the Committee interacted with diverse stakeholders, including the Bank of Zambia (BoZ), the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and nine selected ministries, provinces and spending agencies.

 

Madam Speaker, the 2024 National Budget was presented under the theme: “Unlocking Economic Potential”. It was formulated in the context of Zambia’s continued commitment to economic reforms and the debt restructuring process. The 2024 financial year was characterised by the devastating impact of the worst drought in recent history, leading to power shortages and exerting inflationary pressures. There was also a heightened global economic uncertainty arising from the Ukraine-Russia war, leading to an increase in the prices of fuel and other commodities.

 

Madam Speaker, despite these challenges, the results of the review of the National Budget show high fiscal discipline in the 2024 fiscal year, which is commendable. This can be explained by the favourable performance of indicators such as the –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

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The House adjourned at 1825 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 3^rd July, 2025.

 

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