Friday, 1^st August, 2025

 

The House met at 0900 hours

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

 

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM CHILENJE ADVENTIST SCHOOL

 

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

 

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

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

AXON GLOBAL TRADING LIMITED UNDERTAKING BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION ENROLMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE REGISTRATION OF VOTERS AHEAD OF 2026 GENERAL ELECTIONS

 

397. Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu) asked the Vice-President:

 

1. why the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has contracted Axon Global Trading Limited, a foreign-based company, to undertake the biometric identification enrolment programme for the registration of voters ahead of the 2026 General Elections;

 

1. what the specific objective of the project is;

 

1. how the proposed system differs from the existing digital voter registration system previously used by the ECZ;

 

1. whether the ECZ engaged in consultations with relevant stakeholders prior to contracting the new service provider; and

 

1. what the estimated timeframe of the project is.

 

The Minister of Defence, and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Lufuma) (on behalf of the Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango)): Madam Speaker, it is important to note from the outset that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has not entered into a contract with Axon Global Trading Limited for the supply and delivery of an automated biometric identification system (ABIS). The ECZ issued a notice of the best evaluated bidder on 10^th July, 2025. However, the commission could not proceed to execute the contract and has, therefore, not awarded the contract to the said company. That is in line with Section 69 of the Public Procurement Act No. 8 of 2020. It should also be noted that a notice of the best evaluated bidder does not constitute or translate into an award of a contract.

 

Madam Speaker, the ECZ’s main objective is to conduct a mass mobile registration of voters exercise in 2025 in preparation for the 2026 General Elections. The exercise is targeting to capture an estimated 3.5 million Zambians who will be eligible to register as voters. The new registrations will be added to the current register that stands at 7.073 million voters.

 

Madam Speaker, the ABIS technology is part of the digital voter registration system that the ECZ has used in the past electoral cycles. In this system, biometric registration kits are used to capture voters during the voter registration exercises, while the ABIS is used to facilitate the deduplication of all voter registration application records. The deduplication process helps to ensure that the final register of voters does not contain duplicate entries. Records identified as potential duplicates are subjected to human adjudication before they are confirmed as such. The ABIS technology uses human biometric features such as fingerprints and portraits for identification. It is important to note that similar systems, that is, technologies, are used by other electoral management bodies and even immigration authorities worldwide. So, basically, it is not something out of the blue or out of this world. It is something that is being used by other electoral bodies.

 

Madam Speaker, the ECZ wishes to reaffirm that, as a public body, all its procurement processes are strictly guided by the provisions of the Public Procurement Act No. 8 of 2020 and associated regulations. These laws provide a clear framework for how public procurement should be conducted, including transparency, competition and stakeholder accountability. In line with these legal requirements, the commission publicly advertised the tender for the ABIS on the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) platform and in national newspapers. The open invitation to bid served as formal notification to all interested and eligible suppliers and stakeholders, thereby constituting stakeholder awareness and inclusion as envisioned under the law.

 

Madam Speaker, it is important to note that the Public Procurement Act does not prescribe consultation with external stakeholders prior to selecting a service provider. Instead, it mandates an open, fair and competitive bidding process, which the commission duly followed. The outcome of the process is based on a rigorous technical and financial evaluation conducted in accordance with the law.

 

Madam Speaker, the ABIS is expected to be implemented by October, 2025 and will be utilised to prepare the 2026 Register of Voters. The 2026 Register of Voters is scheduled to be certified on 30^th April, 2026.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I acknowledge and appreciate the responses from the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House.

 

 Madam Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister informed us that the ECZ has given notification to the best evaluated bidder, meaning the commission is almost there. It has identified a bidder. My first follow-up question to the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House is: Who is the bidder that has been notified as the best evaluated bidder for the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS)?

 

Mr Lufuma: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.  I also thank Hon. Kampyongo for that follow-up question.

 

Madam Speaker, the company that was identified in the preliminary evaluation was Axon Global Trading Limited of Mauritius.  Even international entities were allowed to bid.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Madam Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister referred to compliance with procurement laws regarding stakeholder engagement. It is important for the Government to comply with procurement laws, and if it did, that is good enough. However, a policy shift at the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) cannot go without stakeholder consultations. Prior to the commission’s commencement of the procurement process, did the ECZ conduct stakeholder consultations for it to determine that the policy it was going to introduce was acceptable to all players?

 

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, I must state here that there was no policy shift at all. It is a normal procurement process that is supposed to take place before the General Elections. We need that software or system in order to ensure the integrity of the elections in 2026. So, there was no policy shift, which would then have required consultations with stakeholders.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I also thank the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House for his responses.

 

Madam Speaker, the system that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is about to implement has been used before. Therefore, can I learn from the hon. Minister whether stakeholders were engaged or not in the past in the same processes that are about to take place this time around.

 

Mr Lufuma: Thank you, very much, Madam Speaker, and I thank the hon. Member who has just asked the question.

 

Madam Speaker, it is very important to note that it is a system that is already being used by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). It is true that it is not a new system per se. As far as I am aware, there were no such consultations when the system was being brought onboard. So, it was purely a procurement process that was undertaken, resulting into the system being installed and used by the ECZ.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

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

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, it has been sixty years since we became a sovereign State. Based on the responses coming from the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House, Action Global is a company from Mauritius.

 

Madam Speaker, elections determine the sovereignty of a State. If the ECZ has had this system before, it had a provider of the system. I would like to know from the hon. Minister the rationale behind the ECZ going out of this country to contract a foreign company to come and work on the system which is already in place. Why did the ECZ not use the old provider to upgrade its system or, indeed, the capacity it has within the commission because the credibility of elections depends on how the processes undertaken by the ECZ are localised? I would like to know the rationale behind getting another provider to come and work on the system already in place and provided by another provider?

 

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Kampyongo for the follow-up question.

 

Madam Speaker, in the first place, when Action Global put in a bid, it was on the basis of the fact that it was an international competitive bid. So, it was an open bid put on the system, and anybody who had the capacity and ability to compete was welcome. Given the fact that it was an open international bid, a company from Mauritius was able to get it. However, although it was an international company, it worked in collaboration with a local company that is based in Zambia. I will not mention it, but there is a local company. If you wish to know, it is Nectar Zambia and Spark Systems, which are locally based. So, we try to marry both international expertise and local expertise in order to have the best system possible.

 

Madam Speaker, this was merely an upgrade of the old system. In terms of competitiveness to get the best evaluated price possible, it was open and it happened that this company, Action Global, is the one which nailed the deal.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

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

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member for Lunte had a point of order.

 

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, Thank you.

 

Madam Speaker, my point of order has been overtaken by the question asked by my elder brother, Hon. Kampyongo.

 

Madam, I thank you.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mkushi North, you have your point of order.

 

Mr Chisopa: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to indicate to the country that we are elevate to meet international standards when he knows that this company has never conducted any general election in the world and has no experience? How then, did the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) arrive at giving this company a contract? Is he in order to insinuate that by using this company, we are trying to meet international standards when it has no experience?

 

I seek your serious ruling.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: So, what is the standing Order that has been breached?

 

Mr Chisopa: Standing Order No. 71, Madam Speaker.

 

Laughter

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister was trying to explain the actual situation. Based on his response, the hon. Acting Leader of Government Business in the House was in order to respond in such a manner.

 

We make progress.

 

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

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to appreciate the responses from the hon. Minister who is providing answers on this interesting question.

 

Madam Speaker, there are many youngsters, starting from the University of Zambia (UNZA), the Copperbelt University (CBU) and other geniuses who are capable of conducting the biometric registration of voters Did the Government do due diligence at any given time to see if this can be handled by our local experts, just as Hon. Kampyongo mentioned earlier? If yes, are there any future plans of ensuring that we rely on our resource persons to avoid spending a lot of money to hire international companies?

Mr Lufuma: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, and I thank the hon. Member of Parliament for the question.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government is of the view that definitely, we would like to utilise the capacity that is available in the country. It is importance that if there are whiz kids in computers and programming who are available in our country, definitely, we will welcome their participation. In terms of the procurement process, we are saying that it is an open procurement process. This includes the locals and the whiz kids from the University of Zambia (UNZA) that we are talk about. So, it includes anybody who has the capacity to provide this particular software. So, they are most welcome to participate in future advertisements concerning the upgrade of the ECZ System. So, I would like to encourage the whiz kids out there from UNZA and other universities in Zambia to participate, if they have the capacity.

 

I thank you Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chisanga (Lukashya): Madam Speaker, I was comforted by the explanation that Axon Global Trading Limited was identified as the preferred bidder after the preliminary bidding process. My worry is that this company describes itself as a trading company. In business terms, the company sells and buys products; it does not do anything regarding Information Technology (IT). I want to know if the country can expect other bidding processes. The preliminary bidding process was completed, but are there other companies that are going to participate in the bidding process?

 

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, the long and short of it is that yes, other companies are welcome to participate.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kasandwe (Bangweulu): Madam Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister said that the Government is contracting a contractor to upgrade the existing voters’ register system, specifically to identify duplicate names of registered voters. I know that if you look at the current voters’ register today, on the addendum, you will discover that some names of voters have been duplicated. These are usually at the back of the register, which means that even in the past, before the current system, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) had a system in place to dictate the names that were duplicated. I just want to know, where else has the trading company that has been selected to provide the upgraded electoral system provided a similar system? I just want to know if it has ever provided a system for managing electoral processes to another country.

 

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, I am afraid I do not have that information at hand.

 

Mr Chisopa: Question!

 

Mr Lufuma: Yes, you can question, but I would like to be as honest as I can. I do not have that information at the moment. However, should the hon. Member insist on the issue, he can pass by the office and we will give him the information.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, I am a bit confused because earlier, I think that there was an open bid, and the company which was awarded the tender was Laxton. Then, I think, there was a notification that the tender was cancelled. Then, the commission proceeded to carry out selective bidding. I think, from four companies, Axon Global Services was subsequently awarded the tender on 10^th July. I think that we were notified that the tender was worth US$2.4 million. What I want to know is why the bidding process has taken long. There was a tender which was cancelled and now we have been notified that another company has been awarded the tender. If you look at the variation, you will see that the reasons for the cancellation of the previous tender are not valid. What is happening?

 

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, the Open International Bidding did not comprise four companies; it comprised twelve. Of the twelve, Axon Global Trading Limited was the best evaluated bidder. Although it was the best evaluated bidder, we did not award it the contract. That is what I said. The contract was not awarded at all. So, the process will restart. We still have a little time to do it. At an appropriate time, a company that will win the tender competitively will be awarded the contract.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Ms Nyirenda (Lundazi): Madam Speaker, an election or the process which culminates in the election of leaders who represent different constituencies and the country at large is supposed to be as transparent as possible. When the United Party for National Development (UPND) was in the Opposition, some of its members used to go to Dubai, where ballot papers used to be printed, to witness the process up to the time votes were cast.

 

Madam Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister indicated that he cannot share the details of the Zambian company which has been contracted to do the work together with a foreign company. Now, rigging starts by hiding information from the public because people cannot make follow-ups on what is obtaining. Articles 8 and 9 of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia requires the Government to reveal information to the people following us out there. Which company in Zambia is part of the deal that the Government has given to a Mauritian company? Would the hon. Minister, in a few minutes, explain which company in Zambia has been contracted? If the Government cannot reveal the information in the House, where else is it going to reveal it?

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question.

 

Madam Speaker, in the first instance, transparency and accountability of the electoral system are not tampered with in this process. This process is part and parcel of the same transparency and accountability that she is talking about. The procurement process begins with inviting bidders on the international open market so that companies that can provide the service can bid. That is transparency.

 

Madam Speaker, when I talked about the second company that will work with Axon Global Trading Limited, I mentioned that it is a Zambian company. In the first instance, I did not want to mention the company, but I mentioned it. For the hon. Member’s ears, the Zambian companies that bid together with the international company in question are NECOR Zambia Limited and Sparc Systems Limited. So, we are transparent.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member talked about going to Dubai to witness the printing of ballot papers. That is a different issue altogether, but she should be assured that this Government will ensure transparency. So, she is most welcome to Dubai to witness the printing of ballot papers.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mushanga (Bwacha): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to pose a supplementary question to the hon. Minister of Defence, and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House.

 

Madam Speaker, in responding to one of the earlier questions, the hon. Minister indicated that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) intends to install a new system for the 2026 General Elections, for the elections to be credible. I am using the words that he used, that is, for the elections to be credible. Therefore, is the hon. Minister telling this House and the nation that the 2021 General Elections that were conducted by the same ECZ, which saw the United Party for National Development (UPND) Party win, were not credible?

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr Mushanga: Madam Speaker, is he saying that the current system at the ECZ cannot be used in the 2026 General Elections?

 

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, I am sure that the hon. Member owns a cellular phone, laptop or desktop computer. If he bought a device this year, in the next two or three years, it will need a software upgrade. That is what we are simply doing. Simple and straightforward. As to whether the 2021 General Elections were credible or not, I did not say.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Lufuma: No. I did not say. You are the one who is saying that. I did not mention anything to do with the credibility of the 2021 General Elections.

 

Madam Speaker, all I am saying is that we will upgrade the system so that we can attain another level of integrity of the system.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON CHINGOLA/SOLWEZI ROAD IN MUSHINDAMO

 

398. Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East) asked the Minister of Transport and Logistics:

 

1. whether the Government is aware of the road traffic accidents that have been occurring on the Chingola/Solwezi Road in Mushindamo area, with the most recent one involving a Likili Motorways bus and an abnormal load vehicle on 24^th July, 2025; and

 

1. what urgent measures the Government is taking to prevent further road traffic accidents.

 

The Minister of Transport and Logistics (Mr Tayali): Madam Speaker, the Government is fully aware and saddened by the increasing number of road traffic accidents on the Chingola/Solwezi Road, particularly in Mushindamo area, which has become a high-risk stretch due to increased traffic volumes, road design limitations and mixed-use transport, including heavy mining haulage and public transport.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government is also aware of the tragic road traffic accident involving a Likili Motorways bus and an abnormal load vehicle that occurred on 24^th July, 2025, at Lunga Bridge along that road, which resulted in the loss of eight lives and twelve injured people. That tragedy is deeply regrettable. I am sure, I speak on behalf of hon. Members on both sides of the divide when I say that our thoughts and prayers go out to the families affected by that and other similar incidents. Investigations into the Likili accident are still ongoing and, once concluded, a detailed report of the findings will be compiled and made available in the shortest possible time.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government remains committed to ensuring the safety of all road users across Zambia to prevent further loss of lives. In this regard, my ministry, collaborating with various Government agencies, has initiated several urgent and medium-term measures to mitigate the increasing number of road accidents along the Chingola/Solwezi Road and other high-risk corridors. These include, but may not be limited to, the following:

 

Increased Enforcement and Patrols

 

Madam Speaker, the Government, through the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) in collaboration with the Zambia Police Service, deployed more traffic officers to conduct patrols, speed checks and random inspections along the Chingola/Solwezi route, especially in high-risk areas such as Mushindamo.

 

Leveraging Technology

 

Madam Speaker, the Government has commenced the process of amending the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicle) (Global Positioning System) Regulation of 2016 to enhance road safety through mandatory installation of functional global positioning systems (GPSs) in public service vehicles. The amendment proposes enhanced enforcement, increased penalty units for public service vehicle licence (PSV) operators and drivers whose GPS devices are non-functional or have been tampered with. If GPS tampering by PSV drivers persists, the Government will consider suspending the vehicle licences of said operators for at least one year. Further, the Government, through the RTSA, aims to enhance enforcement through the procurement of more enforcement vehicles, appointment of honorary traffic inspectors and procurement of more artificial intelligence (AI)-powered smart dashboard cameras (dashcams) to improve road safety.

 

Route Risk Mapping and Signage

 

Madam Speaker, the RTSA, in collaboration with the Road Development Agency (RDA), continues to undertake route assessment exercises to identify high-risk areas. The aim is to enhance road safety by implementing improved road furniture, such as signage and installation of rumble strips as well as reflecting warning signs in vulnerable locations.

 

Engagement with Transport and Bus Operators

 

Madam Speaker, the Government, through the RTSA, has intensified stakeholder engagement, including holding road safety and compliance meetings with PSV and goods vehicle operators, including transporters of abnormal loads. Further, the Government has implemented several measures to enhance compliance through the fleet safety management policy, which is aimed at promoting a safety culture, reducing road traffic accidents and ensuring that public service and goods vehicle operators adhere to established safety standards.

 

Public Awareness Campaigns

 

Madam Speaker, lastly, the RTSA has continued to undertake public awareness and road safety campaigns targeting public bus drivers, pedestrians, commuters and other road users along the Chingola/Solwezi Road on safe overtaking, safe road use, defensive driving, fatigue management and speed discipline.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Katakwe: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I also thank the hon. Minister for his response and for giving us hope. However, most of the measures he has outlined seem to be long-term plans.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister talked about collaborating with the Zambia Police. I would like to appeal to him to consider immediate action by providing a speed gun or speed trap for Mushindamo police officers, not for those in Chingola or Solwezi. This is because the stretch of concern is within Mushindamo, which stretches over 90 km. My appeal is for him to urgently consider working with the police and provide a speed gun.

 

Madam Speaker, since I have an opportunity to ask two questions, my second appeal to the hon. Minister is for him to ensure that there is an increase in manpower because currently, there are no Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) officers in Mushindamo. We have about thirty police officers to police over 100,000 people in the district. It would be better to work together with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security to provide more police officers and establish a speed trap. Would the hon. Minister consider my appeals?

 

Mr Tayali: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also thank the hon. Member for that follow-up question.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member makes very plausible appeals. Yes, indeed, it is imperative, and I mentioned this in my response that, as a ministry, we are trying everything possible. We are deploying technology and more manpower to help curb the increasing occurrence of road traffic accidents. However, allow me to state that no adequate number of enforcement personnel can help us get rid of accidents that happen on our roads, most of which are avoidable. I am sure hon. Members may have had sight of an amateur video taken before an accident involving a Likili Motorways’ bus. We could all see how reckless the driver was as he was driving on a public road. The first issue that we must emphasise is self-policing. A driver with a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence, carrying passengers, should be responsible and realise that any mishap may lead to the loss of lives of innocent citizens, who paid to be ferried to a particular destination.

 

Madam Speaker, we must also promote having a driver's bureau, where we can check the behaviour and conduct of some of the people we empower with driver’s licences. Therefore, we, at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, need to go back to the basics, which would involve dealing with training schools. We need to regulate training schools more so that they inculcate a sense of good driver behaviour. Quite clearly, whenever some drivers see that there is no police or RTSA presence, they begin to misbehave. Videos of dangerous behaviour are being captured, and we thank those who are taking the amateur videos and sharing them with citizens so that they can see how some drivers behave on the road.

 

Madam Speaker, the passengers who move on public vehicles must also develop a sense of having a say. When they see that somebody is driving recklessly, they ought to demand that he behaves himself. If possible, at the nearest stop, passengers must take responsibility and say, “This driver will not take us to our destination.” They should not be in a hurry. They are better off late, than being the late.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I also thank the hon. Minister for the statement he has issued.

 

Madam Speaker, an accident is not intentional; it just happens, but some accidents are avoidable. Not long ago, the subject operator, Likili Motorways, was at crossroads with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics. An accident in Mkushi occurred where one of its buses rammed into the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) train. We were told that TAZARA has sued Likili Motorways for that accident. In another accident, which claimed many lives, the same company was involved, and the ministry decisively took action by suspending its operating licence. Yet, another accident occurred in Mushindamo, where lives were lost.

 

Madam Speaker, when the operating licence for Likili Motorways was suspended, there could have been something that the ministry wanted to investigate and find out relating to what the hon. Minister mentioned in his statement, such as defensive driving and other issues. What justification did Likili Motorways give the ministry for its suspension to be lifted? Were there any set targets that they were given, which justified the lifting of the suspension?

 

Mr Tayali: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also thank the hon. Member for that concise question.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is spot on when he refers to the unfortunate incidents that involved Likili Motorways back in 2023. Yes, the RTSA took action to suspend the operating licence to have a much more detailed understanding of how the company has been operating, particularly in terms of compliance with our fleet safety management policy. We worked with Likili Motorways to ensure that the five pillars contained in that policy, which are driver management, vehicle management, journey management, health and safety management and organisational management, were adhered to. The set guidelines help determine how a company offering public vehicle services ought to conduct itself. I must confess that Likili Motorways complied, and we were duty-bound to lift the suspension, and since that time, we have had no complaints about the company. As a matter of fact, due to its compliance levels, Likili Motorways has become one of the best companies in following the guidelines in terms of fleet safety management.

 

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, as I said, we all saw the video. Now, when you an operator of a company, you invest in getting new buses. Perhaps, operators are not doing the required due diligence in terms of the people being employed. That is where the Government, perhaps, must work with the private sector to come on board and see how it can regulate driving schools more. I think that when a proprietor of a business hires a driver, who will be alone on the road, it is imperative for the promoter to monitor the driver’s movements. We all saw how the driver behaved. No sooner had the video been taken, then the accident occurred. That is, indeed, regrettable. We would, therefore, like to urge the operators to take keen interest in the people they employ as drivers, and ensure they do due diligence because the accidents that are occurring are causing economic losses, not just to the operators, but to the nation as a whole. We are losing productive lives that this country so desperately needs in order to move forward.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mabeta (Kankoyo): Madam Speaker, I thank you very much.

 

Madam Speaker, it is always sad to see life being lost in such a manner because the families that lose people in that manner remain in abject poverty. The hon. Minister has stated that one of the measures the Government is considering putting in place is having signage on the roads. Roads in countries like Tanzania or Botswana have proper signs to show the driver the kilometres, the speed limit and everything else.

 

Madam Speaker, in Zambia, we rarely see road signage when we are travelling from Lusaka to the Copperbelt. People do not even know how many kilometres they have covered, what they are remaining with or the speed they ought to drive at. In the end, drivers panic, and in trying to cover up on lost time, they cause accidents. What has been the challenge about putting proper signage on the roads to guide the drivers?

 

Mr Tayali: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I thank the hon. Member for Kankoyo for that question.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is, indeed, right, and this is why in my response earlier, I referred to the efforts that we are making, in collaboration with the Road Development Agency (RDA), which is under the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. Road furniture installation is the responsibility of the RDA. So, the question by the hon. Member is outside the ambit of my responsibilities.

 

Madam Speaker, thank you.

 

Mr E. Banda (Muchinga): Thank you so much, Madam Speaker, and I thank the hon. Minister of Transport and Logistics.

 

Madam Speaker, I am a bus driver. So, I have a very good question for the hon. Minister. I have heard a lot from the debates in this House on accidents, the transport sector and the like. However, I have not heard anything to do with how bus drivers operate.

 

Madam Speaker, what usually happens is that a driver travels from Nakonde to Lusaka, and the following day, at 0400 hours, he will be driving his bus to Livingstone. The day after, the same driver will be on his way to Chipata probably, without a co-driver. Is the ministry considering enforcing a law that will ensure that each passenger vehicle or bus is managed by two drivers who should be known by the company unlike where a driver just picks a friend? That way, traffic officers on the road will be able to stop the bus, check the driver’s Identity Cards (ID) to make sure that he is employed by a particular company to prevent them from being fatigued. Most of the accidents are not caused by the reasons we usually advance in our debates. There is too much fatigue on the part of the drivers because they travel the whole week without resting from 0400 hours to 2200 hours.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Just summarise, hon. Member.

 

Mr E Banda: That is my question, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Tayali: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. Colleague, who has obviously, offered invaluable insights into the conditions under which some of our drivers are operating.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member will agree with me that I made reference to what we are calling, “A Fleet Safety Management Policy.” It has three pillars. I talked about driver management, which is precisely what the hon. Member referred to. Now, when it comes to the driver, the ministry cannot go into the company and ask the operators to ensure that a driver who has just arrived perhaps from Johannesburg, Nakonde or, indeed, any other long distance, rests before embarking on another journey. We cannot tell an operator, obviously, that somebody is tired and so, they must rest. We have that policy, and we have shared it with the operators, that this is the best practise in terms of managing the drivers. Therefore, we ought to receive reciprocal co-operation from the operators.

 

Madam Speaker, it is in their interest to do that because they are going to lose an expensive piece of machinery in that particular bus in which they have invested colossal sums of money. More than the loss, it is also affecting the nation because accidents are killing innocent citizens. They are paying a service for a service; that you take them to their destinations safely, not that they are going to be killed because of accidents. So, can we change our mindsets. Can we begin to act responsibly.

 

Madam Speaker, we can only police so far. Beyond that, let the citizens take responsibility. This is why I have made reference to the fact that something ought to be done about our training schools. It is not just the ability to move a vehicle from one gear into another and learn how to keep to your lane. No! It goes beyond that. Let us bring in behavioural change. Perhaps, we need a minimum qualification for these drivers. We cannot just go and pick anybody who was a conductor yesterday, and today, he is a driver. What have you done to change their mindset? I used to be an operator myself, and this is what I used to experience, but very little has changed.

 

So, the hon. Member will do well, with such kind of a background; having been a driver, to come forward and then we can help one another. We will work with the associations representing drivers so that they can also take the responsibility of inculcating this sense of good and safe road use.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you. It is a very emotive subject, by the way.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I will get the last two questions from hon. Members for Chipili and Shang’ombo.

 

Mr Chala rose.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Franco!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chala (Chipili): Madam Speaker, I want to find out from the hon. Minister what will be done to the driver in question.  If the driver in that accident survived, is the ministry going to cancel or suspend his driving licence? I am asking this question because any abnormal load being transported by road has an advance vehicle indicating an oncoming abnormal load, usually bearing red flags warning motorists and other road users. Why should we suspend his driving license as opposed to cancelling it when he just ignored the signage? He was supposed to reduce the speed he was driving at after having been warned.

 

Interruptions

 

Laughter

 

Mr Tayali: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has asked a very pertinent question, and I concur with him.  The Ministry of Transport and Logistics is doing everything possible to ensure that drivers who recklessly conduct themselves on public roads are actually dealt with. Among the many other issues we are doing, one is that we have actually been prosecuting the offenders. Drivers who have been found to have caused accidents through negligence or violation of road traffic rules have been subjected to prosecution, not just as punishment, but as a deterrent so that other drivers can learn from the actions that we take on those who are found erring.

 

Madam Speaker, there are also what I referred to as administrative sanctions, such as revocation of licences from transport operators. We are also re-testing and disqualifying drivers. Offending drivers are being subjected to mandatory re-testing, which covers defensive driving courses before their drivers’ licences are actually reinstated. Unfortunately, if these measures are not sufficient, what, then, can we do? So, there are existing laws, measures and policies, which, in a normal situation, should really help us improve Zambia’s road safety profile, but, alas, we have to deal with changing the mindset of people. Like the hon. Member clearly stated, an abnormal load was being escorted. Now, a fellow driving a bus cannot understand what that means. You and I know that if there is a wide truck on the road, you do not have to merely stick to your lane, but pull aside, because the truck can ram into you. So, we literally pull aside to allow a truck with an abnormal load to pass. Now, when a bus driver is excited and wants to maintain his speed, probably 120 km per hour, and a truck with a heavy load is coming, and the escort vehicle has already passed and is way in front to give sufficient warning to other drivers, the bus driver will not be able to act; that sort of accident will be inevitable and lives will be lost.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mubika (Shangombo): Madam Speaker, we all know that in Lusaka and the Copperbelt, there are about two or three constituencies where there is drug and alcohol abuse. Is the hon. Minister not thinking of incorporating the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) so that it can assist the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) in checking drivers for drugs and alcohol as they leave intercity bus stations? Is he not thinking of stationing DEC officers permanently at some tollgates so that all Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) can be stopped and drivers can be checked for drugs and alcohol?

 

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

 

Madam Speaker, for the information of the hon. Member, the RTSA employs breathalysers to detect if drivers have taken alcoholic substances, and there is a minimum amount that is perhaps tolerable. The hon. Member has made a suggestion about substance abuse. Well, like I said, we really need a mindset change. I think that we will not always be there to check all situations. So, the onus is on us, as citizens in different categories of employment, to take responsibility and be mindful of the consequences of reckless behaviour such as drinking and driving. We are always educating people on the dangers of drunk-driving. We shall not relent, but continue to educate our drivers to avoid drunk-driving because it definitely leads to accidents.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

______

 

GROUPED QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

KALABO FARMER INPUT SUPPORT PROGRAMME BENEFICIARIES IN 2024/2025 SEASON

 

399. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Agriculture:

 

1. how many farmers were beneficiaries of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) in Kalabo District as of September 2024;

 

1. how long the beneficiaries above had been on FISP; 

 

1. when the farmers at (a) will be removed from the Programme to pave way for new beneficiaries;

 

1. whether FISP has succeeded in enhancing food production countrywide; and 

 

1. what other measures are being taken to enhance food production.

 

FARMER INPUT SUPPORT PROGRAMME BENEFICIARIES IN THE 2024/2025 SEASON

 

400.  Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata) asked the Minister of Agriculture:

 

1. how many farmers benefitted from the Farmer Input Support Programme during the 2024/2025 Farming Season;

 

1. whether the number of beneficiaries at (a), will be increased in the 2025/2026 Farming Season;

 

1. if so, to what level; and

 

1. if the number will not be increased, why.

 

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE FINANCING FACILITY APPLICANTS

 

401. Mr Munsanje (Mbabala) asked the Minister of Agriculture:

 

1. how many farmers applied for the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF) loans in Mbabala Parliamentary Constituency as of January 2025;

 

1. how many applicants were successful; 

 

1. what categories of loans were applied for; and 

 

1. what measures are being taken to enable more farmers access the SAFF loans.

 

MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE CITIZENS TO UTILISE THE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE FINANCING FACILITY

 

402. Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata) asked the Minister of Agriculture what measures the Government is taking to ensure that citizens countrywide fully utilise the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility loan.

 

DECENTRALISATION OF DISTRIBUTION OF FARMING INPUTS IN NAMWALA

 

403. Mr Mapani (Namwala) asked the Minister of Agriculture:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to decentralise the collection of farming inputs in Namwala from the district headquarters to the wards;

 

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

 

1. if there are no such plans, why.   

 

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Mtolo):  Madam Speaker, thank you most sincerely for according me this opportunity to respond to concerns on the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF) for the 2024/2025 Farming Season that were raised by hon. Members of Parliament.

 

Madam Speaker, in response to the questions raised by the hon. Members for Kalabo Central, Kabwata, Kanchibiya and Mbabala Parliamentary Constituencies, I wish to state that the Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has been implementing FISP since 2002 with the aim of providing subsidised inputs to small-scale farmers. This is in order to ensure food and income security at household level and ultimately national level.

 

Madam Speaker, in the 2024/2025 Farming Season, the programme supported 1,024,434 farmers in the 116 districts countrywide, including Kalabo, which had an allocation of 607 beneficiaries supported under the programme during the season under review. The Ministry of Agriculture implemented the e-Voucher System in seventy-four districts while the remaining forty-two districts operated under the Direct Input Supply (DIS) system. I am pleased to report that our Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has taken proactive steps to migrate the 116 districts to the e-voucher modality. The benefits envisioned under the system include:

 

1. increase in choice of inputs and crops;

 

1. increased private sector participation, thereby, creating more and better jobs;

 

1. market actors unlocking access to finance across the agricultural input supply chain; and

 

1. facilitating increased private sector investment in input, output, storage, transportation and logistics.

 

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that the target for the 2025/2026 Farming Season will remain at 1,024,434 beneficiaries, as the ministry makes reforms on how to improve the effectiveness of FISP and promote SAFF loans. The ministry is actively reviewing the FISP handbook as well as integrating the Zambia Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (ZIAMIS) into the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) database to ease implementation. The number of beneficiaries in a given farming season is guided by a policy directive. Therefore, for the 2024/2025 Farming Season, Cabinet Circular No. CM 11 of 2024 guided that farmers who benefited from the programme during the aforementioned farming season should be bonded to supply a minimum of ten 50 kg bags of white maize grain to the FRA. That is one way of farmers contributing to national food and nutritional security. However, farmers who will fail to supply the required ten bags to the FRA will be removed and replaced with new farmers, while those who comply will continue to benefit from the programme.

 

Madam Speaker, there were no delays in the delivery of farming inputs during the 2024/2025 Farming Season. As we speak, all outstanding arrears for agro dealers have been paid. The Government has put in place the following measures to ensure the timely delivery of inputs:

 

1. 100 per cent rollout of the e-voucher modality in the 2025/2026 Farming Season to ensure that inputs are positioned early in all 116 districts; and

 

1. the ministry commenced the registration of agro dealers in March 2025, and the registration period closed in June 2025. Agro dealers are encouraged to open more outlets in districts and camps that are under the wards where they want to operate. I also appeal to them to be more transparent and honest in their dealings with national suppliers to ensure that they have a cordial relationship.

 

Madam Speaker, FISP has succeeded in enhancing food production countrywide. The programme recorded a 100 per cent delivery of inputs to farmers during the 2024/2025 Farming Season.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mtolo: Thank you.

 

Madam Speaker, the number of beneficiaries increased from 120,000 in 2002 to the current 1,024,434 as of 2024. I am pleased to report that our Government, through the ministry, has taken proactive steps to ensure food production through:

 

Extension Services and Mechanisation

 

Madam Speaker, extension services are provided to ensure enhanced services to the farmer. Further, the ministry launched the mechanisation strategy in 2024, and has since established forty mechanisation centres at farmer training centres and ten centres of excellence at farm institutes across the country. That is in a bid to promote agricultural production and efficiency. In the last farming season, more than 2,500 farmers accessed mechanisation centres from the mechanisation units, including Hon. Tayali, the Minister of Transport and Logistics.

 

Irrigation Development

 

Madam Speaker, the Government aims to increase maize production and productivity through expanded winter maize production in irrigation scheme areas during the dry season. Presently, 200,000 ha of land are being utilised under irrigation, with small-scale farmers accounting for 11.6 per cent and commercial farmers accounting for 88.4 per cent. In this regard, the ministry has set a target to expand irrigation land with an additional 500,000 ha by 2027, as per the Presidential Irrigation Programme.

 

Access to Financing

 

Madam Speaker, to drive agricultural transformation, and increase productivity and efficiency, the ministry has partnered with financial institutions to provide affordable financing options to farmers through the Sustainable Agriculture Finance Facility (SAFF). Farmers can access affordable financing for irrigation systems, mechanisation implements, seasonal crop inputs, livestock and aquaculture equipment through this initiative. The facility does not segregate. Hon. Members in this House and employed people in Zambia are included. It is open to everybody.

 

Madam Speaker, in the 2024/2025 Farming Season, 8,858 farmers received support through SAFF loans, of which 8,778 received K758,931,891 in funding, with K643,794,718 directly utilised for crop production. Additionally, as the chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Lands and Natural Resources will agree with me, eighty farmers accessed K23,505,282 for irrigation and mechanisation. For instance, 361 farmers in Mbabala applied for SAFF loans and, at least, twenty-seven applicants successfully obtained their loans at a value of K6,375,000.

 

Madam Speaker, SAFF is a private-led programme facilitated by the Government. The banks and the Zambia Credit Guarantee Scheme (ZCGS), which is the fund manager, are redesigning SAFF and have created a monitoring and evaluation tool to track loan utilisation and implementation progress. Hence, improving targeting to ensure that only credible and committed farmers, especially in Dundumwezi, access the loans.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, the key metrics are areas cultivated by tractors, land under irrigation and the tonnage of maize harvested by SAFF beneficiaries. Financial literacy programmes have also been intensified to educate farmers on using loans effectively. That is being done in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and the participating commercial banks.

 

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to update the nation that the delivery of farming inputs under FISP has reached 100 per cent e-voucher implementation. We merely talked about it, but here it is now, a 100 per cent e-voucher implementation in the Republic of Zambia. Furthermore, SAFF loans are being redesigned to enhance benefits for farmers and ensure sustainability. These initiatives aim to improve agricultural productivity and support the nation’s food security goals, including the new Lumezi area.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, before I resume my seat, I would like to encourage hon. Members to get involved when they get back home, especially the hon. Member for Dundumwezi, so that we can help get benefits for our citizens.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, we will give priority to the owners of the questions: the hon. Members for Kalabo Central, Kabwata, Mbabala and Namwala. Thereafter, we will attend to the other hon. Members.

 

Mr Tayengwa: Madam Speaker, SAFF is one of the tools that the Government can use to improve the rural set-up regarding agricultural activities. I believe the hon. Minister is aware of the challenge that rural areas face regarding banking services. There are no banks in the remotest places of our country. So, what is the ministry doing with some of the financial institutions that have been offered to administer that facility to farmers, especially the banks that are only localised along the line of rail and in urban areas? What is the ministry doing to ensure that some commercial banks establish branches in the remotest areas, where farmers can easily access that facility?

 

 Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, that is a very important question. How do we expect farmers to access SAFF in areas where there are no banks? To answer that question, let me use a practical example of Chadiza. In areas where there are no banks, we use agents who manage mobile banking facilities. I know that Hon. Tayengwa is asking that question on behalf of the other hon. Members because he is the Member of Parliament for Kabwata, where there are all sorts of banks. However, for areas with no banks, it presents an opportunity for banks to open up branches there.

 

Madam Speaker, during my career in the agricultural sector, we have had banks open in certain areas because of agricultural programmes. For example, in Chongwe, there were no banks available, but because it was very productive, we helped some banks to open branches in the area. We were involved in opening those banks in Chongwe. So, it can happen. If the farmers under certain programmes are in an area where there are no banks, it is an opportunity to open a facility for banking services because banks look for business. So, if the area hon. Members can come to the Ministry of Agriculture and together we join forces, we can open branches in such areas.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has asked a very nice question and I am grateful to him for that.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mapani: Madam Speaker, I want to know whether it is acceptable for the Government to engage with some agro-dealers to expand their operations into the rural set-up so that farmers can be helped locally, rather than them travelling more than 200 km to access farming inputs, as is currently happening in Namwala.

 

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, the answer is yes and we do talk to the agro-dealers. If hon. Members have areas of concern in their constituencies, they should utilise this time to write to my office so that as we talk to the agro-dealers, we can mention the particular areas of concern.

 

Madam Speaker, the question that the hon. Member for Namwala has asked is very important in our current arrangement of fertiliser distribution. This is because we are not going to take fertiliser to those areas. It is the responsibility of the private sector to do so. So, the hon. Member should tell us the areas of concern so that as we discuss with the agro-dealers we can provide guidance.

 

Madam Speaker, let me also take this opportunity to encourage hon. Members to become agro-dealers. I can assure them that there is no offence in hon. Members of Parliament becoming agro-dealers. They should come to my office, I will register them and open a dealership in their area.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

 Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, even if the registration period is closed, I am the Minister of Agriculture and I can vary that position and register them.

 

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, there are areas with few or no agro-dealers, like Kalabo. In the last season, we had four agro-dealers on paper, but practically, they could not provide the needed farming inputs to the farmers. Many of farmers were disadvantaged because they could not get the farming inputs on time. So, farmers wanted to get the inputs from Mongu because there were sufficient supplies there. Now, looking at the current provision, the payment of agro-dealers is done by the Ministry of Agriculture. So, why were those farmers not allowed to get inputs from Mongu, as the agro-dealers in Kalabo could not provide the inputs?

 

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, that is a very unique situation because once a farmer has been identified as a bona-fide beneficiary, we give him a number. Basically, beneficiaries are given credit cards, which they can use to get inputs anywhere. They are not restricted. So, I am very surprised to hear that farmers in Kalabo could not get inputs from Mongu. I will find out why that happened. Otherwise, it should not be like that.

 

Madam Speaker, yet again, I want to mention that the hon. Member should register as an agro-dealer and support the farmers in Kalabo. I mean, why would he be complaining? This is an opportunity for him to become one. Imagine that all the 156 hon. Members here had an outlet, every constituency would be covered and we would not have such problems. So, the hon. Member should come to the ministry and next week, I will register him as an agro-dealer.

 

Mr Tayengwa: We will come.

 

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, yes, the two of them should come. I am very happy that they are willing to come, but I am quite suspicious of Hon. Tayengwa.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mtolo: I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Munsanje: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the response. Specifically, for the farmers in Mbabala, I would like to ask a related question about the criteria being used for the insurance refunds for farmers who are receiving insurance.

 

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, when a farmer has a problem with the crop due to weather, there is a weather index insurance scheme, which we have used to support such farmers. Any farmer whose crop fails from germination to about 30 cm, we can even say about knee high, will be squared off 100 per cent. However, as the crop grows, if failure is due to negligence and other reasons, the insurance company will meet with the farmer and determine how much should be paid as insurance. So, the point is that the insurance companies are there and if farmers have a problem, they go to them. If affected farmers have a complaint, then they can come to the ministry and we can engage the insurance companies.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1040 hours until 1100 hours.

 

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me an opportunity to ask a follow-up question.

 

Mr Speaker, I am a farmer, and I want to tell the hon. Minister that for many years, we, in the agricultural sector, have been struggling to thrive. I want to confirm to him that the ministry is on a good trajectory. Actually, farmers, and not those who read books, but us, who are practically farming, want to say that the ministry is doing a very good job. It is clear that for the first time since Independence, this is the first time we are recording the highest yield. What else would Zambians require? This is a result of leadership that he is providing in that sector. However, I wish the Ministry of Agriculture could take a leaf from the Ministry of Energy. The Ministry of Energy used to have different pump prices depending on the distance where one was, but the time came when we got a uniform price despite the differences in distance.

 

Mr Speaker, how does the ministry intend to protect its farmers given the transition to the Electronic Voucher (e-Voucher) system where the agro-dealers are at liberty to set the price of fertiliser hence, reducing the potential of production by the farmers? How does the ministry intend to assist the farmers?

 

Mr Mtolo: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker, Hon. Sing’ombe of Dundumwezi raises a fundamental economic question. I would encourage him to come to the office so that we can sit and talk about this. Let me give a practical example. Let us take Chama because Dundumwezi is very near. The fertiliser in Chama will cost slightly more than the fertiliser in Lusaka, but marginally within the acceptable band. If we had to go by what Hon. Sing’ombe is saying, it would mean that effectively, the price of maize in Chama should be higher so that it compensates for the reasonably high price of fertiliser in Chama. However, we have standardised the price of maize, at least with the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), but not so with the private sector. Now, it might look like a contradiction, but the difference in pricing is exceptionally marginal. If we allowed it to be economically different, certain areas would not be growing maize. Certain areas, would literally not be growing crops. They would just have to stop and do other things.

 

Mr Speaker, whilst the question might appear like the Government is not paying attention, we talk so much to the agro-dealers to give us reasonable prices, which will allow production in those areas. So, I would like to tell Hon. Sing’ombe that we talk to the agro-dealers. We have an acceptable price band so that farming can be in all areas.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Thank you, so much, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker, I know that the hon. Minister is throwing a challenge to us, your hon. Colleagues, to be involved in this issue of agro-dealing and whatnot. However, I would rather he asks us to help him in monitoring and ensuring that those who are given the task are doing the correct thing because if we get involved, it becomes difficult to offer oversight and then, the programme will become politicised whether, we like it or not. The moment we step in, as hon. Members, the programme will become politicised.

 

Sir, the hon. Minister has given us statistics of those who managed to benefit from the Sustainable Agricultural Financing Facility (SAFF). He said that 8,000 farmers benefited from the programme. The hon. Minister and I know that the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), which will remain with only 1 million farmers, as he stated, has been quite helpful in keeping the country food-secure. All reports, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports, point to this fact. Would it not be ideal to increase the number of FISP beneficiaries marginally? The Government has to assess the impact that SAFF is going to have on our farmers. Since it is driven by the private sector, SAFF might not achieve the results that the Government aspires to achieve. Looking at the number of farmers, would it not be ideal to consider increasing the number of beneficiaries on the FISP marginally, because the Government has the responsibility to intervene in agriculture, which is a very important sector? So, the Government can consider increasing the number of FISP beneficiaries marginally as it addresses the issue that Hon. Sing’ombe raised. Commercial entities look at profit and mark-ups when selling inputs. Would it not be ideal to implement all the programmes and increase the number of beneficiaries on FISP to cater for a larger number of vulnerable but viable farmers in our communities? Further, can the Government consolidate the programme under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services so that we concentrate on one area to achieve the impact that we desire? I am sure that so many people in Luangeni were left out of the farmer input distribution exercise.

 

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, on a couple of times, I have listened attentively to the debate on agriculture from Hon. Kampyongo. I always differ with him on hon. Members of Parliament being agro dealers. The agro dealership work is like selling sugar. It is the same as saying that hon. Members should not have shops to sell sugar or mealie meal. No, on the contrary, hon. Members of Parliament are eminent people in society and have high integrity. They would not cheat farmers. Members of Parliament would not ask people to get discounts in their shops. This means that, if I have money on my card, I can go to Hon. Kampyongo's shop and he can say “Mtolo, can you please just give me 20 per cent and then I will give you the other 80 per cent in cash?” I do not think that Members of Parliament would do that. That is why we are encouraging hon. Members of Parliament to become agro dealers. We are encouraging hon. Members of Parliament to do that. There are agro dealers out there encouraging that kind of transaction. So, we want people of eminence and people with integrity to be agro dealers.

 

Mr Speaker, I will continue asking hon. Members of Parliament to become agro dealers because that way, we will cover the country very effectively. Hon Kampyongo, my dear brother-in-law, we will continue differing and debating that issue. I will continue telling him that he is wrong on this issue.

 

Mr Speaker, on the issue of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), let us look at it this way. We have 3 million small-scale farmers and 1 million of them are covered by FISP. We remain with 2 million farmers. Out of the 2 million farmers, let us assume that 1 million farmers can provide for themselves. So, we remain with 1 million farmers. How do we support the remaining 1 million farmers? We do not support them by increasing the number of beneficiaries under FISP; it is by introducing a more workable and sustainable agricultural modality. That modality should be a loan which people can pay back. The beneficiaries on FISP do not pay back. Every year, between K400 million and K500 million is spent on FISP. We want people to get loans from the Sustainable Agricultural Financing Facility (SAFF), which they can pay back to sustain agricultural subsidies. As it is, FISP is an extremely difficult and unsustainable programme. Banks run the SAFF. Some money from the private sector has been invested in the programme. For once, we are attracting money from the private sector in the agricultural sector. We want banks to specialise in giving farmers affordable loans. That is the way to go.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Mr Speaker, recently, some hon. Members used to call the hon. Minister of Agriculture “abene ba nsala” or the Minister of Poverty. However, I am glad to call him the hon. Minister of Agriculture and ‘Bumper Harvest’.

 

Thank you very much, hon. Minister.

 

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Michelo: Mr Speaker, we have seen a number of farmers get multiple loans from the Sustainable Agricultural Financing Facility (SAFF), the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC). Is there a mechanism which the ministry is going to put in place to enable the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) to monitor loan acquisitions and stop people from acquiring multiple loans and denying other people the opportunity to get loans?

 

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question. I wish to acknowledge the kind words from the Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Kasauta Michelo of Bweengwa. From a serious deficit of 1.5 million tonnes of maize, despite the hardships that farmers had, we have moved to 4 million tonnes of maize, and now everybody is happy. The small names I was called have disappeared quietly, and I am grateful that the left is quiet on that issue. That is the way it goes. We share the success because it was a combined effort.

 

Mr Speaker, Hon. Michelo asked what the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) is doing because he has noticed that some farmers are acquiring loans from the Sustainable Agricultural Financing Facility (SAFF), the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) and other institutions. I will definitely sit with the CRB and bring the matter to its attention. We cannot stop a person from acquiring a loan to buy a vehicle from a company, but we will stop those who would like to benefit from the Government's resources from different angles. I think that clarity is important. As a business person, Hon. Kasauta might owe different banks, but the Government will not allow one person to get a loan from the SAFF, the FISP, the CEEC, the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, and then go to Madam Doreen for other benefits, no. I have heard the hon. Member’s concern, and I will ask the CRB to be firm on this matter.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Twasa (Kasenengwa): Mr Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to ask a question on behalf of the people of Kasenengwa. Allow me to thank the hon. Member for Bweengwa. I am sorry to my elder brother, I do not mean to offend him, but for the first time, he has asked a very good question, which is non-political and progressive.

 

Mr Speaker, as always, whenever I deal with the hon. Minister of Agriculture, I abandon my original questions because of his responses. I have abandoned my original question because of Hon. Michelo’s good question and the hon. Minister’s good answer. The hon. Minister has always made very good pronouncements on the Floor of this House. I can mimic all the good pronouncements that he has made from the time I came to this House. However, the implementation of the pronouncements is not as eloquent as his presentation.

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Question!

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, you are not here to evaluate your hon. Colleagues. You can comment, but do not evaluate your friends. We do not debate ourselves. Avoid the path you are trying to take because people may react. Just ask your question, and the hon. Minister will respond.

 

Mr Twasa: I withdraw that statement, Mr Speaker. Maybe, the problem is that I am too free with my uncle.

 

Mr Speaker, I want to know how the ministry will effectively implement the responses that the hon. Minister has given, considering that there has been no movement from his ministry regarding the question he was asked last week about the problems that the small-scale farmers are having. Even as late as yesterday, farmers in Kasenengwa were still having the same problems that he assured the House the ministry would look into. The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) chief operations officer was also in the House. How comfortable should we be telling the people that the hon. Minister made a pronouncement, and that they should wait, as things will change soon?

 

Mr Mtolo: Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your protection.

 

Mr Speaker, the point that Hon. Philemon Twasa has raised is that the sieves, the scales and, probably in some cases, the grain bags may still not be available. Therefore, a huge number of farmers are suffering in the queues at the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) depots. I would like to make it clear that as a ministry, through the FRA, on behalf of the Government, we will do things properly. I have indicated that FRA depots have mountains of bags of maize that are being brought in by farmers. It is not possible for the FRA to accept maize the way it is brought in. Each bag is opened and sieved. We have enough empty grain bags, but we did not have as many scales. The opening of 1,600 FRA satellite depots has not happened before, and we are opening another 900 depots. Not even during the time of the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBOARD) have there been 2,000 plus buying depots. That means more scales, sieves and personnel. So, let us appreciate what the small institution is doing and give it time. People delivered maize before the markets were opened, and we are in the process of absorbing it. It is helpful that hon. Members are travelling to their constituencies. They should go to the depots to see what is happening. The uptake is high. I would say that we are almost reaching 500,000 metric tonnes. How can 500,000 metric tonnes be bought in less than three weeks? A lot of work has gone into it.

 

Mr Speaker, as Hon. Twasa said, we are free around each other and I take no offence from him. He should talk to me. Sometimes, hon. Members should talk to me instead of asking questions on the Floor of the House. I am available in the office and here, at Parliament. They can call me outside so that I can answer their questions rather than asking straightforward questions, which I can answer on a one-on-one basis, on the Floor.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Tayengwa: Mr Speaker, I will take the hon. Minister back to the aspect of the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF). I will ask a question similar to what Hon. Michelo asked. I would like to know the modalities that the ministry will put in place to ensure that the facility is not abused like the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) loans. Already, the Government has come up with a policy to discontinue the loans under the CDF. What modalities is the ministry putting in place to ensure that the SAFF is not flooded with people who obtained CDF loans but failed to pay back?

 

 Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, I will be brief in answering that question.

 

Mr Speaker, SAFF is not implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture. It is implemented by the banks, the private sector, in collaboration with the ministry so that the ministry can verify that, for example, Hon. Tayengwa is a farmer. If Hon. Tayengwa does not pay back the loan, the bank will deal with him.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Due to time, I am giving chances to the people who asked the substantive question.

 

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that the private sector is implementing SAFF through the banks in collaboration with the Government, which is ascertaining the beneficiaries. Is the hon. Minister sure that the beneficiaries are agricultural-oriented people? Are the 8,000 plus beneficiaries full-time agriculturalists, either in crop farming or livestock? Out of that number, are there beneficiaries who are not agriculture-oriented?

 

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, my answer would be yes. However, crooks permeate any system.  If that were the case, when we get them, we will ensure that the right people deal with them. That is why we have, at least, a few –

 

Mr Speaker, emphasis has been on checking who the beneficiaries are. If the hon. Member knows that we gave someone in his area who is not a farmer, he should let me know so that we can deal with such people.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mbabala, you may proceed.

 

The last hon. Member to ask a question will be the hon. Member for Chipili.

 

Mr Munsanje: Mr Speaker, the villagers in the Mbabala, Mapanza area, had challenges accessing SAFF, and the agricultural extension officers seemed to favour civil servants because, I think, it is easier to manage records for civil servants than for ordinary farmers in the villages. As we continue on this good trajectory, I would like to know what measures the ministry is putting in place to ensure that ordinary people, who are not salaried like teachers and nurses who have benefited most from the programme, in Mapanza and Macha chiefdoms can access the facility.

 

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, thank you. I also thank Dr Joseph Munsanje for that question. Dr Munsanje –

 

Mr Munsanje: Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, yes, there are certain banks that are more inclined to deal with civil servants than with ordinary farmers. I cannot dispute that. As the hon. Member stated, it is easier to manage civil servants than ordinary farmers. If that approach persists and we notice that it is affecting the entire operation, we will call particular banks and tell them that they need to change their modality. However, we are monitoring the situation and not all the banks do that. There is only one bank that is very specific about that requirement. It prefers someone with a pay slip because of the ease of dealing with such Zambians.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Chala (Chipili): Mr Speaker, –

 

Mr Mposha: Bozi Boziana!

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chala: Mr Speaker, allow me to ride on the question asked by the hon. Member for Dundumwezi regarding fertiliser pricing. Although the hon. Minister responded, I thought about the example he gave regarding the energy sector, whereby fuel prices are the same nationwide. Why can the ministry not apply a similar model in the agricultural sector to ensure that the price of fertiliser is the same across the country?

 

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, we have taken note of that guidance. We will see if that method can be applied in the agricultural sector. As for now, fertiliser pricing is determined by agro- agents and as the ministry, we do not interfere. Therefore, setting prices in Chama, Chipembi and Ndola is not our responsibility. Nonetheless, we will monitor the situation to see if what the hon. Member is suggesting can be done.

 

Mr Speaker, regarding fuel, I think that there is a fund that was created to stabilise prices. We might look at the matter and see if it is possible to do the same with fertiliser pricing.

 

Mr Speaker, may I also say that I admire the jacket of my dear brother (pointed at Mr Chala). If only you can ask him to turn around so that people can see how exquisite his dressing is.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Maybe the hon. Member for Chipili can turn around so that we see the jacket.

 

Mr Chala rose.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mtolo: Turn around!

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chala turned around.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, Hear!

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Members: Bozi Boziana!

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Thank you.

 

I think, the hon. Member should arrange a suit for the hon. Minister of Agriculture.

 

Laughter

 

_______

 

MOTIONS

 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL ECONOMY, TRADE AND LABOUR MATTERS ON THE RATIFICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS CONVENTION ON TEMPORARY ADMISSION

 

Ms Sefulo (Mwandi): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that this House adopts the Report of the Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters on the Ratification of the International Customs Convention on Temporary Admission for the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 31^st July, 2025.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

 

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

 

Ms Sefulo: Mr Speaker, the Committee, in accordance with its terms of reference, as set out in the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, considered the International Customs Convention on Temporary Admission. I wish to state from the outset that the Committee is in full support of the proposal to ratify the convention. This is because ratifying the convention will offer Zambian businesses an opportunity to export goods temporarily out of the country without being subject to customs duties and taxes by the importing country, provided they are re-exported within a specified period. Zambian businesses stand to benefit as they will not be subjected to payment of huge charges in the form of taxes or deposits for goods that are meant for exhibitions, fairs, meetings or similar events, particularly in markets with strong economies, such as Japan, Hong Kong and the United States of America (USA).

 

Mr Speaker, the convention provides for simplified and harmonised procedures and standardised model customs documents for the temporary importation of goods specified in the annexes to the convention. The Committee was also informed by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning that these are already provided for in the Customs and Excise Act No. 322 of the Laws of Zambia. Hence, implementation will be smooth and efficient for the benefit of the Zambian private sector businesses.

 

Mr Speaker, allow me, at this point, to highlight a few of the Committee’s observations and recommendations as contained in its report based on various concerns raised by stakeholders.

 

Mr Speaker, the Committee observes that although Article 15 of the convention safeguards Zambia’s right to recover duties and address customs fraud, effective enforcement depends on the Zambia Revenue Authority’s (ZRA) post-clearance audit framework, which currently targets a limited range of temporary admissions. The Committee is of the view that this limitation may result in delayed guarantee claims being submitted to the National Guaranteeing Association, thereby affecting its liquidity and increasing its vulnerability to abuse by foreign companies. In this regard, the Committee recommends that the customs audit regulation of 2022 be amended to categorise carnet-related entries as mandatory for post-clearance audit review within sixty days of their entry. Further, 10 per cent of all safeguard fees collected should be earmarked for strengthening post-clearance audit capacity.

 

Mr Speaker, the Committee observes that Section 89 of the Customs and Excise Act, Chapter 322 of the Laws of Zambia, and accompanying Temporary Import Permit (TIP 0001) Rules, require a cash deposit or bond equal to the potential duty, whereas Articles 3 and 6 of the convention oblige customs to accept the carnet, both as a document and financial security. The Committee is of the strong view that maintaining this arrangement without harmonisation has the potential to confuse traders and invite forum-shopping. It, therefore, recommends that the Customs Excise Act, Chapter 322 of the Laws of Zambia, be amended by inserting a new part, recognising the ATA carnet as an alternative to TIP for goods covered by the convention and empower the ZRA Commissioner-General to publish a notice in the Gazette listing ineligible goods and transitional agreements for existing temporary import permit bonds.

 

Mr Speaker, allow me to conclude by urging the House to support the ratification of the International Customs Convention on Temporary Admission.

 

Finally, Mr Speaker, I wish to pay tribute to stakeholders who interacted with the Committee for the valuable insights they provided. Gratitude also goes to you, Mr Speaker, and the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia for the guidance and support rendered to the Committee throughout its deliberations.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

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

 

Mr J. Chibuye: Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.

 

Mr Speaker, in seconding the Motion, allow me to sincerely thank the chairperson of the Committee for the manner in which she has outlined the Committee’s observations and recommendations. I also commend her for the manner she has picked out the salient issues that came out of the interactions with various stakeholders.

 

Mr Speaker, as I second the Motion, allow me to comment on a few issues that have not been touched on by the mover of the Motion.

 

Mr Speaker, the Committee observed that the duties recovered through the National Guaranteeing Association qualify as public revenue under the Public Finance Management Act No. 1 of 2018.

 

Mr Speaker, the Committee also observed that Article 6 of the Convention permits a time lag of up to nine months between the occurrence of a breach and the final settlement of the guarantee. The Committee is of the view that this delay may pose challenges to physical planning and cashflow management for the Treasury.

 

Mr Speaker, I also want to look at another observation of the Committee. According to the report, the Committee is urging the Executive to issue regulations requiring the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to account for guarantee claims as accrued revenue in the fiscal year in which the breach occurs.

 

Mr Speaker, in addition, the Committee recommends that the ZRA should submit quarterly reports on outstanding carnet claims to the Secretary to the Treasury. The Committee also observed that Article 14 of the Convention allows customs union to be treated as a single carnet, temporarily, while the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) have not yet attained full customs union status.

 

Mr Speaker, stakeholders anticipate that deeper regional integration could lead to an expanded circulation of the carnets, potentially expressing or bypassing the need for further Parliamentary approval. In view of this, the Committee recommends that a safeguard clause be included in the Ratification of International Agreements Bill to ensure that any regional notification under Article 14 is subject to prior approval by the National Assembly. This measure will reserve and preserve the oversight functions mandated by Article 63 of the Constitution.

 

Mr Speaker, with these few remarks, I beg to second the Motion.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Chinkuli (Kanyama): Mr Speaker, thank you so much for the opportunity to contribute to debate on this report.

 

Mr Speaker, I will not waste much of our time. I just want to talk about one important issue that has arisen from this report.

 

There are concerns that the ratification of this convention will be in conflict with the existing regulations that we have in the country. If we look at the Transportation Improvement Programme (TIP), we see that it facilitates the movement of goods from one country to another, where some officers feel that if we just let the goods come into the country, some revenue will be lost, somehow. So, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) officers are well trained, they understand and they investigate to which items should come in without duties being paid. The carnet has been in use from time immemorial. I remember the time I was with the ZRA, we used to use low carnets together with the customer identification programme (CIPs) and all those documents.

 

However, the challenge that has been there is that the rules have been abused, where people would want to come in and thereafter, they just come and sell off those goods and then, from there, they claim that goods have been exported. So, an employee of the ZRA will assess whether to accept a TIP or to advise someone to go on a carnet depending on the circumstances under which the goods are coming into the country. Otherwise, the conflict per se will not arise. The carnet will be administered in the manner that it is supposed to be administered. We know that when the carnet is brought, it will look at issues like we are having a show or a fair. People will come in and at some point, they will go back with their goods, but those for who intend to sell, the ZRA will be able to assess their goods and they will sell the goods because ZRA officers will be present. Thereafter, they will be asked to pay duties or any other taxes and then, be allowed to sell. Otherwise, I just wanted to clarify that there will be no conflict. Otherwise, I wish to support this ratification.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of Tourism (Mr Sikumba) on behalf of the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Chipoka Mulenga)): Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.

 

Mr Speaker, on behalf of my ministry, I wish to express my gratitude to the chairperson of the Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters, who also happens to be the mover of the Motion currently under consideration.

 

Mr Speaker, we commend the chairperson of the Committee for this report, which is on the Floor of the House, which seems to have comprehensively outlined the background, objectives and key provisions of this particular agreement.

 

Mr Speaker, in the interest of time, allow me to respond to a few matters raised in the report of the Committee, and we will focus on observations and recommendations presented in the report under consideration.

 

Ratification of the Agreement

 

Mr Speaker, in my view and that of my ministry, the agreement is crucial to facilitating the temporary duty-free and tax-free movement of goods across borders. This convention will enable traders, exhibitors and professionals to move goods such as commercial samples, professional equipment and goods for exhibition temporarily without the burden of customs duties, import taxes and the complex administrative procedures.

 

Alignment with Post-clearance, Audit and Enforcement Powers

 

Mr Speaker, my ministry acknowledges the Committee’s observation that although Article 15 of the Convention safeguards Zambia’s rights to recover duties and address customs fraud, effective enforcement depends on the Zambia Revenue Authority’s (ZRA) post-clearance audit framework, which currently targets a limited range of temporary admissions.

 

Mr Speaker, we take note of the recommendations to amend the Customs Regulation 2020 to categorise carnet-related entries as mandatory for post-clearance audit reviews within sixty days of their entry. We also note the recommendations to issue a Statutory Instrument to reduce Article 7 claim window to two months.

 

Interference with Public Finance and Accounting Statutes

 

Mr Speaker, my ministry recognises the Committee’s observation that duties recovered through the National Guaranteeing Association (NGA) qualify as public revenue under the Public Finance Act No. 1 of 2018. The ministry also recognises the Committee’s observation that Article 6 of the Convention permits a time lag of up to nine months between the occurrence of the breach and the final settlement of the guarantee.

 

Mr Speaker, in pursuant of this agreement, my ministry working with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning will work to issue regulations providing for the ZRA to account for guarantee claims as accrued revenue in the fiscal year in which the breach occurs.

 

Territorial and Regional Considerations

 

Mr Speaker, my ministry acknowledges the Committee’s concern that Article 14 of the Convention allows customs unions to be treated as a single carnet territory. You may wish to note that whilst the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which Zambia is a party to, have not yet attained full customs union status, stakeholders may anticipate some deeper regional integration which could lead to an expanded circulation of the carnet, potentially bypassing the need for further Parliamentary approval.

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to indicate to the House that a safeguard clause will be included in the Ratification of International Agreements Bill to ensure that any regional notification under Article 14 is subject to prior approval by the National Assembly. This measure will be in consonance with the Constitutional mandate as espoused under Article 63 of the Constitution.

 

Conflict with Section 89 Temporary Importation Permits

 

Mr Speaker, lastly, my ministry acknowledges your Committee's concern that Section 89 of the Customs and Excise Act Chapter 322 and the accompanying Temporary Import Permit rules require a cash deposit or bond equal to the potential duty, whereas Articles 3 and 6 of the convention oblige customs to accept any carnet itself as both documents and financial security. We take note of this recommendation to amend the Customs and Excise Act Chapter 322 to recognise the ATA Carnet as an alternative to the Temporary Importation Permit for customs goods by the convention.

 

Mr Speaker, my ministry considers this agreement as essential in facilitating international trade by making it easier for efficiency and more businesses to participate in global markets. We, therefore, welcome the agreement and commend the Committee and the chairperson for a well-articulated and detailed report. I also thank Hon. Chinkuli, the Member of Parliament for Kanyama, for his insights on this particular matter.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Ms Sefulo: Mr Speaker, allow me to kindly thank the vice-chairperson of the Committee, who was the seconder of the Motion. Allow me to also thank Hon. Chinkuli, the Member of Parliament for Kanyama, for the insight he provided. I also thank the hon. Minister for the assurances with regard to the concerns that were raised by the Committee.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS ON THE REPORT OF THE AUDITOR-GENERAL ON THE CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31^ST DECEMBER, 2023

 

Mr Nyambose (Chasefu): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that this House adopts the Report of the Committee on Local Government Accounts on the Report of the Auditor-General on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for the Financial Year Ended 31^st December, 2023, for the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 31^st July, 2025.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

 

Mr Shakafuswa (Mandevu): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

 

Mr Nyambose: Mr Speaker, in line with its terms of reference, your Committee considered the Report of the Auditor-General on the utilisation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and had occasion to interact with the accounting authorities and other relevant stakeholders on the subject matter. The interactions revealed various weaknesses in utilisation of the CDF.

 

Mr Speaker, let me hasten to remind this august House that while the Committee observed various weaknesses in utilisation of the CDF, the enhanced CDF, which was exponentially increased from K1.6 million to K25.7 million, K28.3 million, K30.6 million, then to K36.1 million in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively, has indeed positively impacted the lives of the common Zambian across the 156 constituencies. This notwithstanding, it is sad to note that some of those entrusted with managing the CDF and those involved in the value chain of implementation have turned the fund into a cash cow, resulting in misappropriation for personal benefit. In this regard, there is a need for enhanced and pragmatic oversight on implementation and utilisation of the fund.

 

Mr Speaker, I am confident that hon. Members have taken time to peruse the report. In this regard, allow me to highlight a few overarching issues that the Committee observed during its interactions with various local authorities.

 

Delayed Completion of Approved and Fully Funded Projects

 

Mr Speaker, the Committee observed with concern that while the Government has improved disbursement of funds to local authorities, a number of them failed to implement capital projects within the stipulated timeframes. This was exacerbated by the abandonment of projects by contractors and termination of contracts. This resulted in rampant variations and escalation in project costs, hence denying beneficiaries the much-needed development. The Committee, therefore, urges the Executive to ensure that local authorities enhance project planning and implementation. Local authorities should desist from engaging briefcase contractors who, after receiving an advance payment or mobilisation fee, abandon projects.

 

Mr Speaker, another issue of major concern is that the withholding of funding at source for the construction of chiefs’ palaces is hampering the implementation of the projects. In this regard, the Committee recommends that funding for the construction of chiefs’ palaces be fully decentralised.

 

Poor Workmanship

 

Mr Speaker, while some councils may be commended for implementing projects on time, the Committee learnt that some of the projects were poorly executed, rendering the investment wasteful. As a result, the buildings are not strong and durable. The Committee recommends that local authorities improve project monitoring and supervision to ensure that all construction works are implemented as per the standard bill of quantities (BoQ) and designs.

 

Poor Management of Secondary and Skills Development Bursaries

 

Mr Speaker, the impact of secondary school bursaries that have enabled every child to have an opportunity to go to school elated the Committee and affirmed the saying that education is an equaliser. However, of great concern is the poor management of both secondary and skills development bursaries. The Committee was saddened to learn that some institutions were promptly formed to offer skills training, but lacked the requisite standards as per the Technical Education, Vocation and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) guidelines. Consequently, the institutions were closed down and the beneficiaries lost out, resulting in wasteful expenditure and, in some cases, local councils filing court cases to recover the bursaries that were paid. The Committee, therefore, urges the Executive to strengthen and enhance the supervision of mushrooming institutions, which are merely established to take advantage of bursaries without meeting the requisite standards.

 

Administrative Funds

 

Mr Speaker, the Committee also expresses concern at the rate at which local councils exhaust the administrative component of the CDF, which does not correspond to the number of monitoring activities they conduct or the quality of the projects implemented. In view of that, the Committee urges the accounting authorities to be prudent in the use of the administrative component so that monitoring of projects is not affected. The Committee remains confident that with the measures being put in place by the Government for the administration of the fund, irregularities will drastically reduce.

 

Mr Speaker, let me conclude by thanking you and the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia for the guidance and support rendered to the Committee during its deliberations. I would further like to thank all the stakeholders who appeared before the Committee and the technical support rendered by the permanent witnesses. I would also like to appreciate the members of the Committee …

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Member’s time expired.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Wind up hon. Member.

 

Mr Nyambose: … for their co-operation and dedication to committee work, which made my role, as the chairperson, easy.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

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

 

Mr Shakafuswa: Now, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity, on behalf of the people of Mandevu, to second this important Motion.

 

Mr Speaker, I would like to start by thanking our chairperson, Hon. Misheck Nyambose, for the able manner in which he has highlighted the critical issues in the Committee’s report.

 

Mr Speaker, I rise to support the adoption of the report, which highlights both the progress and critical challenges in the administration of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) across the 116 local authorities in the country. The CDF remains an instrument for grassroots development under the decentralisation agenda. Allow me to comment on a few of the Committee's observations and recommendations, which the chairperson has not touched on.

 

Unspent Funds

 

Mr Speaker, during the year under review, over K3.4 billion remained unutilised by the end of 2023 across all the local authorities. The major components affected included community projects, empowerment grants and bursaries. The Committee recommends that local authorities ensure annual allocations are fully utilised within the financial year to prevent disruption of service delivery. The Office of the Auditor-General must conduct mid-term audits to track progress and avoid an accumulation of unspent funds.

 

Poor Project Implementation

 

Mr Speaker, the Committee observed rampant delays in the completion of construction of classroom blocks, health posts, boreholes and roadworks. Some completed projects were not commissioned, thereby, denying communities immediate benefits. The Committee, therefore, recommends that local authorities enhance planning, budgeting and monitoring frameworks. Project timelines should be strictly adhered to, and officers failing to supervise projects must face disciplinary action. The Committee also recommends that those discharged with the responsibility of commissioning projects do so once projects have been completed.

 

Grant Mismanagement

 

Mr Speaker, the Committee observed numerous cases of empowerment grants being diverted to unsupported projects and projects without proper approvals. Some co-operatives lacked the capacity for business planning, resulting in dormant or failed ventures. The Committee, therefore, recommends that beneficiaries not alter projects without written approval from the Constituency Development Fund Committees (CDFCs). Financial literacy training and effective monitoring mechanisms must also be put in place before funds are disbursed.

 

Procurement and Contracting Irregularities

 

Mr Speaker, delayed procurement, abandoned projects and poor workmanship were observed due to weak contractor vetting. Some local authorities failed to charge liquidated damages for contractor delays. The Committee recommends that local authorities establish robust contractor selection and vetting processes. Liquidated damages must be enforced and repeat defaulters blacklisted. Project management must shift from reactive to proactive supervision.

 

Engineering Capacity and Staff Retention

 

Mr Speaker, during its engagement with various local authorities, the Committee further observed that engineers serving in local authorities are remunerated significantly less than their counterparts in other Government departments while performing the same functions. That has led to a high turnover of engineers within the local authorities. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Emoluments Commission addresses this matter with the urgency it deserves, and ensure equitable compensation to improve staff retention and technical oversight in local authorities.

 

Work Culture and Accountability

 

Mr Speaker, the Committee also found that poor work culture persists within local authorities. Some only began addressing long-standing issues upon hearing of the Committee’s impending visit, which is an indication of being reactive rather than proactive. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development institutionalises performance-based assessments for local authorities and strengthen internal audit systems to enforce accountability throughout the year.

 

In conclusion, Mr Speaker, while the CDF has transformed lives, it is also evident from this report that accountability and capacity at the Local Government level must be urgently addressed. I, therefore, call upon this honourable House to adopt the report, and I urge the Executive to implement the Committee’s recommendations in full. Let us protect the integrity of the CDF and deliver development that our people can trust, benefit from and see.

 

Mr Speaker, with those few remarks, I thank you.

 

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity, on behalf of the people of Chama North, to add my voice to the debate on this important report.

 

Mr Speaker, before making my submission, I would like to commend the mover of the Motion, Hon. Nyambose, and the seconder, Hon. Shakafuswa, Member of Parliament for Mandevu.

 

Indeed, Mr Speaker, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is an important vehicle we use to deliver services to our people in the constituencies. In Chama North, we appreciate the Government for increasing the CDF every year. I think that will help develop the rural areas, especially those that have received lopsided development since Independence.

 

Mr Speaker, the Committee made observations and recommendations. We hope that the Executive will act on them to improve service delivery through the CDF.

 

Mr Speaker, the Committee also highlighted challenges, such as insufficient allocations. What has been happening is that CDF Committees and the technocrats would come up with different amounts. So, there is a tug of war between CDF Committees and the technocrats. As a result, projects are underfunded.

 

Mr Speaker, the Committee has also highlighted the issue of delayed project completion. According to the report, most constituencies in the country face the same challenge. I wish to call upon the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) to provide enough qualified manpower in the local authorities.  You will note that the utilisation of the CDF in districts that only have one constituency is much better than in a district that has several constituencies. For example, the Lusaka City Council (LCC) manages about seven constituencies. It is difficult for one local authority to undertake projects in all seven constituencies. So, there is a need to increase manpower in such districts. Constituencies such as Lumezi, Chembe and Nakonde are one district and one constituency, while Chama District and Chipata District have two and three constituencies, respectively. So, those are the challenges. We need adequate manpower to deal with such issues.

 

Mr Speaker, on the issue of the CDF, we wish to call for an increase of the fund in rural areas for infrastructure development. I think that those of us from rural areas need more money for infrastructure development than our colleagues in urban areas. People in urban areas may need more money for skills development and loans, considering their population size. For example, Mandevu is one of the biggest constituencies in this country. I think, it is unfair to give the same amount of money to a constituency in a rural area, which has very few people. We, from rural constituencies, need more money for infrastructure development.

 

Mr Speaker, the Committee also raised the issue of skills development. I think that some institutions of learning want to reap where they did not sow. For us in Chama North, we have put our foot down and ensured that we only sponsor students to credible institutions. At one time, one institution in Ndola issued 300 acceptance letters to people in Chama North alone. Surely, if one constituency can send 300 students, what about the whole country? One institution would enrol 2,000 students, yet it does not have the space and facilities to accommodate that many. I think, the ministry must ensure that learning institutions meet the necessary requirements.

 

Mr Speaker, allow me to also talk about loans. We need financial literacy because most people who acquire loans do not put them to good use.

 

Mr Speaker, let me also comment on the issue of the disaster component. The disaster component under the CDF is small. It is meagre. Considering the magnitude of disasters, there is a need to increase the disaster component so that constituencies can deal with disasters without challenges.

 

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, let me talk about the issue of commissioning CDF projects. I think, hon. Members of Parliament must be trusted to commission such projects. At the moment, we only talk about hon. Ministers commissioning projects. For example, the Eastern Province has twenty-two constituencies. Surely, would the hon. Minister manage to go to every constituency to commission projects? It is very expensive. I feel that the hon. Members of Parliament must be given the mandate to commission projects so that, as quickly as possible, they are handed over to communities.

 

Mr Speaker, with those few remarks, I support the adoption of the report.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker, to start with, we are trying to fix a leaking tap using the recommendations that have been given. I would like to appreciate your office for distributing a 795-paged document on which the report is based. The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is a constitutional creation under Article 162. Since it is a constitutional creation, we have a problem with the approach to the CDF. Why do I say so? I am not pointing at anyone, but as a nation, we do not appreciate that this is a creation of the law. Firstly, we have agreed as a nation in Article 147 of the Constitution that we will have a municipality approach towards development.

 

Mr Amutike interjected.

 

Mr Fube: Yes, we will have a municipality approach.

 

Mr Speaker, in Article 152 of the Constitution, we have positioned councils to be in charge of the districts and all other related issues.

 

Mr Tayali interjected.

 

Mr Fube: You would have debated then.

 

Mr Speaker, councils are positioned to be in charge of the districts under Article 152 of the Constitution. Now, here is where we have a problem. I agree with the seconder who said that we are reactive to the CDF. I further agree with many recommendations the Committee came up with. I adopt them as mine. Why do I say so? According to Section 5 of the repealed Constituency Development Fund Act, Ward Development Committees (WDCs) are positioned to generate project lists, but we do not pay attention to them. How do we not pay attention to the WDCs?  The Local Government Act No. 2 of 2019, Section 36, has given a composition.  

 

Mr Speaker, as you will be visiting different constituencies, ask how WDCs are selected. The WDCs are politically driven. They do not include Government workers. As a result, they do not fit into Section 36 of the Local Government Act. That is where the issue starts. Further failure comes at the implementation stage. Directives come from the Central Government, and some are Presidential directives. The Constitution forbids that in Article 152(2). It states that provincial structures should not interfere with or compromise the ability of the council to implement projects. What happens? Councils would receive Presidential directives on items such as desks, ambulances and other things. So, when it comes to implementation, that defeats the creature of the law, which are the WDCs. When the WDCs submit what is supposed to be done in the community, which is need-driven, it is not upheld. When the CDF committee is sitting, it is supposed to consider a project list according to Section 5 of our laws. However, we do not follow that.

 

Mr Speaker, further, Section 3 of the Constituency Development Fund repealed Act, states that the management of CDF, disbursement and utilisation of the CDF shall be made in accordance with transparency, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness. When we look at such cases, from the disbursement of these funds, sometimes they are released very late. When the money comes, we also have a procurement system we are subjected to. What do you call it, Mr Nyambose? It is called EPG.

 

Hon. Members: EGP!

 

Mr Fube: EGP or whatever you call it.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Fube: Yes, I knew that you would be looking for small things. I deal with big things, myself.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hammer!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Fube: So, when we look at the EGP, we see that it is subjected to these people. So, when it is scrutinising, it leaves out local contractors. Many local contractors can build schools and many things. Why are we seeing fly-by-night contractors? Most of the contractors who have failed in my district are from outside the district. Most contractors that have performed well are within the district because they feel shy to put up a building that is not of standard, which they will also have to benefit from. However, the EGP or whatever it is called, has destroyed the approach to procurement, and that is frustrating the CDF.

 

UPND hon. Members interjected.

 

Mr Fube: If you do not want to listen, that is your problem. I am giving consultancy for free.

 

Mr Speaker, I also want to dance around the micromanaging.

 

Sir, as you have said, the chairperson has ruled before on how hon. Members of Parliament are supposed to get involved. I have faced situations in the constituency whereby, I would be there for fifteen days waiting for the commissioning of projects. The day I leave, that is when the Permanent Secretary (PS) from Kasama and a District Commissioner (DC) will organise the commissioning of a project. That is misnomer. It should be discouraged.

 

We cannot have a situation where people fear their own hon. Members of Parliament. When the CDF was created in 1995, it was so that hon. Members could directly monitor projects. If this continues, people will start asking about the whereabout of Opposition hon. Members. Projects are being frustrated. The PS connives with the DC to eliminate the Member of Parliament in an area. So, when we look at some of these factors, we see that they are micromanaged because even when we look at the repealed Constituency Development Fund Act No. 1 of 2024, we see that it has eliminated the Provincial Committee from the process, but it has left the responsibility with the local government officer at the provincial level. So, the PS has a heavy hand on the CDF while the deputy PS also still has a heavy hand on the CDF. That is micromanaging. Then, there are also certain factors that are a result of Presidential directives. That is micromanaging, and this is killing your flag carrier, in case we do not realise.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Fube: It is killing our flag carrier because instructions are coming from the top. So, the trickle-down effect is killing everything. The people at the root are powerless. They cannot implement anything because it is not need-driven. If we allow communities to choose their projects, we would have been smiling from that side by now, but because …

 

The hon. Member’s time expired.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Fube: … there is a lot of mistrust involved, ...

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: It is good to hear the hon. Member for Chilubi debate.

 

I always say that I also have a constituency. In my constituency, the projects we implement are community-driven. For example, the Ward Development Committee (WDCs) through the people, choose projects and submit them to the council. Then, the council convenes a meeting, which I attend. Projects are selected bearing in mind the availability of the money. So, his case is different.

 

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Sialubalo): Mr Speaker, thank you so much.

 

Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the Committee for coming up with a very good report. I also want to thank the debaters for the insights they have brought out.

 

Mr Speaker, if the case in Chilubi is different, and the projects are not being implemented using the bottom-up approach, please, I am available. Let us talk. Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects should be identified by the locals and not any other person.

 

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development would like to thank the Office of the Auditor-General for the work it did in auditing the 116 local authorities on the utilisation of the CDF for the Financial Year Ending 31^st December, 2023. I also want to thank the Committee on Local Government Accounts, which interfaced with all the local authorities to try and appreciate the issues raised in the Auditor-General’s Report on the implementation of the CDF programmes.

 

Mr Speaker, the Committee raised a number of issues in its final report, which are key to the overall management of the CDF programmes and has appropriate recommendations to improve the management of this programme. In order to ensure that local authorities are held accountable, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has put in place the following measures, among others:

 

Poor Management of Projects

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to indicate to this august House that the ministry is promoting professional development through the Local Government Service Commission to improve the skills of the local authority staff ensuring that they meet the demands not only for the management of CDF programmes but also ensure service delivery.

 

Poor Work Culture

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to indicate that the Local Government Service Commission, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has put all principal officers in local authorities on performance contracts which are reviewed on an annual basis. This measure led to some poorly performing principal officers being demoted. In addition, measures are being put in place to ensure that performance contracts are further cascaded down to the entire management in local authorities.

 

Low Up-Take on Community and Empowerment Grants

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has since developed a communication strategy with local authorities that are implementing to engage communities on implementing the CDF programme. The communication strategy provides for enhanced communication around the CDF programmes using several communication channels, among them community radio stations, to reach out to communities. The implementation of the strategy by individual local authorities is being monitored by the ministry, and so far, the indication is that we are heading in the right direction in making communities become more knowledgeable about the CDF programmes.

 

Poor Loan Management

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to indicate that the ministry is considering engaging the financial lending institutions such as banks and the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) to leverage on their expertise and enhance not only loan disbursement efficiency but also improve oversight and potentially increase repayment rates.

 

Mr Speaker, in addition to the measures highlighted above, I also wish to indicate to this august House that the ministry, working with the Local Government Service Commission has enhanced oversight mechanisms by strengthening the internal audit function within local authorities to ensure regular checks not only on the CDF, but generally, on the projects and budgets executed and prevent misallocation of funds.

 

Mr Speaker, I take cognisance of the fact that in debating this report, hon. Members of Parliament have also made very good recommendations on how we can enhance and improve the management of the CDF programmes. The ministry will pick these good recommendations and continue to improve the management of the CDF.

 

Mr Speaker, let me, once again, indicate that the ministry will continue to strengthen oversight mechanisms on local authorities to ensure that the expanded CDF programmes are implemented to the benefit of the people of Zambia. I want to thank the Committee for the valuable guidance it provided to local authorities as well as the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development during interaction on the Report of the Committee on Local Government Accounts on the Report of the Auditor-General on the Constituency Development Fund for the Year Ended, 31^st December, 2023.

 

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, working with the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) and other key stakeholders, will ensure that all the Committee’s recommendations are fully implemented.

 

Mr Speaker, you may be aware that your hon. Members are the ones who push for disbursement of the CDF. My request to hon. Members is that whenever they see a challenge, they should not wait for the Auditor-General to go and audit a council. Let them immediately raise a red flag so that my ministry can move in and correct an error. The resources under the CDF can change rural constituencies for the better. So, we should not leave issues of the CDF to just the Auditor-General. We are the ones mandated to make sure that those resources are utilised to the fullest and for public good.

 

Mr Speaker, with those few remarks, I thank the hon. Members who debated and the Committee.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Nyambose: Mr Speaker, thank you very much, once again.

 

Mr Speaker, in winding up, I want to thank the vice-chairperson of the Committee for seconding the Motion. I also want to thank the hon. Member for Chama North, Mr Mtayachalo, and the hon. Member for Chilubi, Mr Fube, for their debates.

 

Mr Speaker, you and I have to take time to educate Hon. Fube that the electronic Government procurement system is called the Electronic-Government Platform (e-GP), not the Electronic Procurement Government (e-PG). I have tried to correct him, but he is a problem.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Fube: Wind up!

 

Mr Nyambose: It is the e-GP. If you have time to spend with me, I will help you.

 

I do not know who bewitched my cousin.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Nyambose: Mr Speaker, that was on a lighter note.

 

Mr Speaker, I also want to appreciate the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, particularly for visiting constituencies. Since he took office, he has visited not just urban areas, but rural areas as well. If you follow him, you will see that he goes to mostly rural constituencies to check projects. That has helped councils to pull up their socks. That is what he is doing. He is doing very well.

 

Mr Speaker, I also want to thank him for addressing the issue of delayed projects. The circular that he issued requiring projects to be commissioned within sixty days is unprecedented, and I want to thank him for that. We will see an improvement in the implementation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects. Indeed, the CDF is a game changer.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

_______

 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER

 

LUNCH FOR HON. MEMBERS

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that lunch has been graciously provided courtesy of the Rt. Hon. Madam Speaker.

 

I further wish to inform the House that lunch will be served immediately after adjournment at 1300 hours. Hon. Members of Parliament will be served in the restaurant, here at Parliament Buildings, while lunch for ministry officials and staff will be served at the Members’ Motel.

 

In this regard, transport for ministry officials and staff to the Members’ Motel has been provided and will be available at the entrance to the Library Buildings at 1300 hours.

 

I thank you.

 

_______

 

MOTION

 

ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE

 

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

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

_______

 

The House adjourned accordingly at 1236 hours on Friday, 1^st August, 2025, sine die.

 

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