Tuesday, 16th September, 2025

Tuesday, 16^th September, 2025

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_______

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM SPEAKER

ACTING LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I have received communication to the effect that in the absence of the Leader of the Opposition, who is attending to other businesses, the Patriotic Front (PF) Whip, Mr Anthony Mumba, hon. Member of Parliament for Kantanshi, …

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: … has been appointed Acting Leader of the Opposition from today, Tuesday, 16^th to Wednesday, 24^th September, 2025.

I thank you.

CHANGE TO THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 176(3), I have made the following change to the composition of the Committee on Agriculture, Lands and Natural Resources:

Mr Malama Mufunelo, Member of Parliament, to replace Ms Maureen Mabonga.

I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

VISITORS FROM NANGOMA PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

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

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: I hope these are not the “Mumbwa, Mumbwa” people.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

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

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM THE UNITED CHURCH OF ZAMBIA ST. ANDREWS SCHOOL

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of pupils and teachers from the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) St. Andrews School in Lusaka District.

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

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

HANDOVER CEREMONY OF THE CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND AMBULANCES

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is inviting all hon. Members to the handover ceremony of ambulances that were procured using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to be officiated by the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema.

The handover ceremony will take place on Wednesday, 17^th September, 2025, at the Lusaka Agricultural Showgrounds, in the main arena at 1000 hours. You are kindly urged to be seated by 0930 hours.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

MIGRATION OF PARLIAMENT RADIO TO A NEW SATELLITE PROVIDER

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, as you may recall, before the House adjourned in August 2025, I informed the House that Parliament Radio would be migrating to a new satellite provider. In view of this, I informed the House that all Parliament Radio sites would be off air during the migration process.

I am delighted to inform the House that the migration successfully took place and all sites are back On Air.

Members of the public are, therefore, encouraged to follow Parliament Radio in towns with the frequency. In towns without the frequency, listeners can access Parliament Radio through the radio link on the Parliament website, www.parliament.gov.zm, My e-Parliament Application and other free online platforms such as OnlineRadioBox.com and Radio Garden.

VISITOR FROM THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to acquaint the House with the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery, of Ms Estelle Collonnier, Deputy Head of the Division for Parliamentary Co-operation, within the Department for the European Union (EU) and International Affairs, in the Parliament of the Republic of Austria.

Ms Collonnier is here on an internship programme, with both the EU delegation in Zambia –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Ms Collonnier is here on an internship programme with both the EU delegation in Zambia and the National Assembly. Among the focus areas of her internship programme are:

public participation in the work of the National Assembly;

European Union Co-operation with the National Assembly of Zambia; and

participation of the youth in Parliament’s democratic processes.

Her internship programme will run up to Tuesday, 23^rd September, 2025.

I would like, on behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, to receive our distinguished guest and wish her all the best in her programme.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that the debate on the Motion of Thanks will commence today, 16^th September, 2025, and will continue for a period of seven days, concluding on Thursday, 25^th September, 2025.

Accordingly, hon. Members from the Backbench will have the Floor during the first five days, from today until Tuesday, 23^rd September, 2025. The Frontbench will then take the final two days; Wednesday, 24^th and Thursday, 25^th September, 2025, to respond to the issues raised.

I urge hon. Members to begin contributing to the debate as early as possible rather than waiting until the last minute, as time may be limited due to other scheduled Business of the House. You are, therefore, encouraged to participate at the earliest opportunity.

I thank you.

_______

COMMUNICATION FROM MADAM SPEAKER

THE FIRST MEETING OF THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE THIRTEENTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, in line with Order No. 56 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, I wish to address the House.

Hon. Members, I warmly welcome you all to the House, as we commence the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly. I trust that you had a restful and productive break, and that you are ready to dedicate yourselves to the important legislative business that lies ahead of us.

Hon. Members, as you are aware, Order No. 56(1) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, provides for communication from the Speaker at the first Sitting of a new Meeting or the First Sitting following the Ceremonial Official Opening of the Assembly, in case of a new Session.

Hon. Members, before I proceed, allow me, on behalf of the House, to congratulate and welcome the newly-elected hon. Member for Mfuwe. Hon. Member, you are welcome, and we wish you success in representing your constituents, even as you join your fellow hon. Members in contributing to the other parliamentary work of this august House.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, on a sad note, I would like to put on record our sincere condolences to the First Deputy Speaker, Hon. Malungo A. Chisangano, on the loss of her father, Mr Edward Chisangano, who died on Wednesday, 20^th August, 2025. It is our hope and prayer that the family will continue to find comfort in the Lord, God Almighty.

Hon. Members, allow me now to highlight a few parliamentary engagements that took place while the House was on recess.

Internationally, the National Assembly participated in the 6^th World Speakers Conference in Geneva, as well as the 54^th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Africa Region Conference in Banjul, the Gambia.

Locally, Presiding Officers continued to visit parliamentary constituencies, particularly, in the Northern, Muchinga and Eastern provinces. On this note, I am pleased to inform the House that I had the privilege to commission the Lundazi and Kanchibiya Parliamentary Constituency Offices on 8^th and 28^th August, 2025, which were constructed using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). I wish to commend Ms Brenda Nyirenda, hon. Member of Parliament for Lundazi, and Mr Sunday Chanda, hon. Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya, for being shining examples of effective utilisation of the CDF in the construction of constituency offices. I am aware that there are a few other constituency offices that are under construction, such as Solwezi West, Isoka and Sesheke. I wish to urge the Members in these constituencies to expedite the works so that the offices may be commissioned. This underscores the growing importance of the CDF in our collective efforts to deliver tangible development to our people. I wish to encourage all hon. Members to make full use of the increased allocation of the CDF not only to respond to the pressing needs in their constituencies, but also to construct constituency offices, so that Parliament may be taken closer to our people.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Further, to enhance the effective operations of the constituency offices, Provincial Constituency Offices –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Further, to enhance the effective operations of the constituency offices, Provincial Constituency Offices Co-ordinators, under the Office of the Clerk, will be domiciled in provincial centres by October 2025.

Hon. Members, allow me now to briefly highlight the business expected to be transacted during this Meeting. The primary focus of this Meeting is the consideration and the approval of the 2026 National Budget. To this effect, I urge hon. Members to familiarise themselves, once again, with the provisions of the Standing Orders on sector budget analysis, which we effectively utilised last year for the approval of the 2025 National Budget. I believe hon. Members will be able to effectively and actively engage in the process. May I also inform the House that in addition to the changes implemented to the process last year, this year, the relevant Standing Orders will be suspended to allow Provincial Ministers to present policy statements on their respective Heads of Expenditure to the Sector Budget Committees and to also deal with any matters that may arise on the Floor of the House in relation to Provincial Heads of Expenditure.

Hon. Members, before the presentation and the consideration of the Budget, the House will consider the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, which was rendered on Friday, 12^th September, 2025, during the occasion of the Ceremonial Official Opening of the Fifth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly. Other important business to be transacted will include Bills, especially the ones to support the Budget, Questions for Oral Answer and Questions for Written Answer, Ministerial Statements, Private Member’s Motions, Committee Reports and Reports on International Conferences.

Hon. Members, I, however, wish to express my serious concern regarding some housekeeping issues, especially the persistent lack of quorum during sittings, which has, on several occasions, delayed or disrupted the discharge of business in the House. In this regard, I wish to implore the Whips to take greater responsibility in ensuring that hon. Members are punctual and present in the House at all times. I further urge all hon. Members to give precedence to Parliamentary business and strictly adhere to our Standing Orders, especially observing, respecting and preserving the decorum and etiquette of the House. As we begin this Meeting, let us commit ourselves to diligence, integrity and service to the people of Zambia. I have no doubt in my mind that with constructive debates, mutual respect and collaboration, our work will translate into meaningful development for our citizens.

I wish you all a fruitful Meeting, guided by the principles of unity, democracy and national development.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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

The Vice-President (Dr Nalumango): Yes, Madam Speaker.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, please, can we have order!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, may I join you in welcoming all hon. Members to the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly, and to particularly congratulate and welcome to this august House, the newly-elected hon. Member of Parliament for Mfuwe Parliamentary Constituency. I wish the hon. Member success as he represents his people through this House.

Madam Speaker, allow me, also, to join you in applauding the people of Lundazi and Kanchibiya constituencies for constructing their respective parliamentary constituency offices using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). I would like to encourage hon. Members who do not yet have parliamentary constituency offices, to emulate Lundazi and Kanchibiya.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Suffice it to say that all hon. Members must ensure that the CDF allocations are used towards projects that benefit the people in the constituencies and bring development to the country at large.

Let me now turn to the Business of the House. As you rightly indicated, Madam Speaker, this Meeting is mainly focused on the consideration and approval of the 2026 National Budget, which will be done under the sector budget analysis process. As Leader of Government Business in the House, I would like to reiterate your point, Madam, that hon. Members, hon. Ministers inclusive, are by now expected to be fully conversant with the sector budget analysis process. It is the only way we will be able to make considerable progress and ensure that we effectively and efficiently approve a National Budget that meets our people's needs and expectations.

Further, Madam Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to remind hon. Members that we are all working towards the development and betterment of the lives of the people of Zambia regardless of political affiliations. In this regard, I expect that all of us will conduct ourselves in an orderly manner for the efficient transaction of Business in the House. In addition, it is my expectation that the Opposition will offer objective and beneficial checks and balances on the Executive, which will complement the Government's efforts in devising sustainable solutions for the various national problems that affect our people.

In view of the aforesaid, Madam, I would like to urge all hon. Members to desist from the tendency of using the House as a campaign platform to gain political mileage.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

The Vice-President: Imbila yamushi.

Mr Kapyanga: Muli bakaele mayo!

Laughter

The Vice-President: Sorry, Madam Speaker. I was saying that I did not –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

I do not want to remind any hon. Member of our Standing Orders by sending anyone out on the first day. So, please, you will meet me outside.

Laughter

Ms Mulenga: Forgive us, Madam Speaker. We are your own.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: May Her Honour the Vice-President continue.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I will repeat the sentence I made, in addressing the entire House. I would like to urge all hon. Members to desist from the tendency of using the House as a campaign platform to gain political mileage.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: We are all aware that the 2026 General Elections are fast approaching, but my earnest appeal to hon. Members, Madam, is that we should prioritise people's needs before any individual political aspirations. Let us focus on finding solutions to improve the well-being of our people and the country at large.

In the same vein, Madam Speaker, let me assure the hon. Members and the nation that the Government will use the opportunity of the sitting of the House during this Meeting to inform and verify various Government policies and matters of national interest. As always, this will be done through Ministerial Statements, when necessary, and all other parliamentary mechanisms that are at our disposal including the Vice-President’s Question Time.

All in all, Madam, the Government is ready to proceed with this Meeting and looks forward to having fruitful deliberations.

May God give us wisdom and guide us throughout the Meeting.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

Does the Acting Leader of the Opposition also wish to comment on the communication?

Mr Mumba rose.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Indeed, Madam Speaker, allow me to express my sincere gratitude and that of my hon. Colleagues in the Opposition for the opportunity afforded to us to render a few remarks on your communication to the House this afternoon.

From the outset, allow me to join you, Madam, and Her Honour the Vice-President in welcoming all hon. Members to the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly. A special welcome goes to Hon. Malama Mufunelo, Member of Parliament for Mfuwe Parliamentary Constituency, who emerged victorious in the recently held by-election.

Hon. Member, congratulations!

Madam Speaker, I am glad to confirm that, indeed, we had both a restful and productive recess, which also gave us an opportunity to inspect various developmental projects in our respective constituencies, including Constituency Development Fund (CDF) supported projects.

In this vein, Madam Speaker, it is very delightful to receive good reports from Lundazi and Kanchibiya constituencies on the construction of new constituency offices that will take Parliament closer to the people in those jurisdictions. Indeed, I can only say that the CDF is a game-changer.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mumba: In view of the foregoing, Madam Speaker, I am convinced that during this Meeting, our debates will be more informed by what we have gathered on the ground during our recess from the people we represent. I, therefore, urge all hon. Members of the Opposition to use this Meeting to provide alternative perspectives on national issues, ensuring that various opinions are represented through evidence-based arguments. Ours is to hold the Executive accountable by genuinely scrutinising Government policies and actions, including the much-anticipated 2026 National Budget.

Madam Speaker, permit me to remind the House that as we begin scrutinising the 2026 Budget, we must all ensure that, where necessary, amendments to the Budget are proposed in order to improve the quality of the Budget and fiscal responsibility. This will further help us contribute to enhancing transparency, accountability and public trust in the budget approval process.

With that said, Madam Speaker, I would like to encourage the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to bring a good Budget, one that will truly reflect what is happening on the ground and will mirror the President’s Speech, and we shall support it. The hon. Members on your left are committed to ensuring that the 2026 National Budget is approved within the set timeframe. Essentially, we are resolved to contribute to the development of this country through unity in diversity.

Madam Speaker, let me concur with you on the need for orderly conduct of all hon. Members in the House. I cannot agree with you more, as this is a House of rules. We are cognisant of the fact that we may hold divergent views. However, we believe that our goal is common; the good of our people. For that reason, I call on all hon. Members, especially my colleagues in the Opposition, to ensure that we adhere to the rules of the House and conduct ourselves in a manner that upholds the values, dignity, etiquette and decorum of this House at all times. I can assure you that I will not support any hon. Member of the Opposition who fails to adhere to our guidelines, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Mr Mumba: … especially the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024.

Madam Speaker, please, allow me to conclude by applauding the National Assembly of Zambia for successfully participating in international conferences. I have no doubt in my mind that the resolutions of those conferences will continue to help us improve public policy and decision-making, both at the institutional and national levels.

With those few remarks, Madam Speaker, I thank you.

_______

BUSINESS STATEMENT

The Vice-President (Dr Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the House Business Committee met on Tuesday, 9^th September, 2025, to determine and schedule Business of the House for the period 16^th September, 2025, to 26^thSeptember, 2025.

Madam Speaker, the House Business Committee resolved to lay before the House, business for consideration in the next two weeks, as set out below:

Announcements

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

Rulings

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

Ministerial Statements

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

Reports on International Conferences

The House will consider reports on international conferences, if there will be any.

Private Members’ Motions

Two Private Members’ Motions will be presented during the period as follows:

Mr Binwell Mpundu, MP, will present a Motion entitled: Set Up a Film Fund, on 17^th September, 2025;

Mr B. Mpundu and Ms Mulenga: President Binwell Mpundu!

The Vice-President: Again, Mr Binwell Mpundu –

Interruptions

The Vice-President: What?

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Nkana and hon. Member for Kalulushi, please, do not debate while seated. You know the rules. We are just from reminding one another to behave with the dignity that is deserving of this House and respect one another. So, let us do that.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, Mr Binwell Mpundu, MP, will, again, present another Private Members’ Motion entitled: Reverse the Decision to Surrender Toll Facilities to Companies Undertaking Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Road Projects until Completion. This will be considered on 24^th September, 2025.

Questions

The hon. Ministers will respond to twenty-eight Questions for Oral Answer and Questions for Written Answer. The questions are contained in Appendix I of this statement, which will be circulated to all hon. Members. Further, the details of the questions are contained in the Notice of Questions for Friday, 12^th September, 2025, which has already been circulated to all hon. Members.

Questions on Standby

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

Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address

The debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address will commence today, Tuesday, 16^thSeptember, 2025, and will be concluded on Thursday, 25^th September, 2025.

Suspension of Standing Orders

On Thursday, 25^thSeptember, 2025, I will move a Motion to suspend some Standing Orders as follows:

Standing Order No. 24, to enable the House to sit from 1415 hours until business is concluded on Friday, 26^th September, 2025;

Standing Order No. 87, to enable the House to omit the Vice-President’s Question Time from the Order Paper for Friday, 26^th September, 2025;

Standing Order No. 168(2), to enable the hon. Provincial Ministers appear before Parliamentary Committees during the sector budget analysis and present policy statements on the Estimates of Expenditure concerning their provinces; and

Standing Order No. 171(1) to enable the hon. Provincial Ministers to present to the House for consideration the Estimates of Expenditure for their respective provinces and deal with any matters that may arise on the Floor of the House.

Presentation of the 2026 National Budget

The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning will present the National Budget on Friday, 26^th September, 2025. Immediately after the Budget presentation, Business of the House will be suspended to facilitate the consideration of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure by Committees during the sector budget analysis process.

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

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

_______

URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

MR J. CHIBUYE, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR ROAN CONSTITUENCY, ON DR MUSOKOTWANE, HON. MINISTER OF FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING, AND MR MTOLO, HON. MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, ON PAYMENT OF FARMERS AND WASTAGE OF UNCOLLECTED MAIZE AT SATELLITE DEPOTS

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

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for this opportunity you have given me to raise an Urgent Matter Without Notice.

Madam Speaker, the matter that I wish to raise is directed at my two elder brothers, the hon. Minister of Agriculture and the hon. Minister for Finance and National Planning. This country has seen blessings in terms of the harvest of maize from the 2024/2025 Farming Season. I am not discussing the President’s Speech. However, I wish to draw one or two lines from the speech, with your permission, in which His Excellency the President stated that we are expected to harvest 3.7 million metric tonnes of maize, and that will actually shift to 4 million metric tonnes of maize. I am a very worried Member of Parliament, coming from Roan Constituency, which is no longer predominantly a mining constituency. Men and women in the constituency have gone into farming. There is a lot of maize lying across the length and breadth of this country. On Friday, the President actually hinted at the fact that on Thursday last week, some showers fell in some parts of the country. I would like to be assured by the two hon. Ministers as to whether we are not going to experience wastage of the maize that we harvested in the last farming season, especially since a lot of maize is still lying uncollected at various satellite depots. Also, when will our able hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning pay off the farmers, who are already complaining, as they are planning to go back to the land so that they can prepare for the 2025/2026 Farming Season?

Madam Speaker, I want an assurance from the hon. Minister of Agriculture, Mr Mtolo Phiri, who is no longer a Minister of abene bansala, as I believe the ministry has a lot of maize to collect this time around. I want him to assure the nation and the farmers that no maize is going to go to waste this year.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Roan, I suggest that you file in a question because I believe those issues will be discussed even in the President’s Address. So, you can file in an urgent question, which the hon. Minister of Agriculture will be able to address.

MR KAPYANGA, HON. MEMBER FOR MPIKA, ON HER HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT, DR NALUMANGO, ON DRIED WATER BODIES IN MPIKA CONSTITUENCY

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

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

Madam Speaker, in Mpika Parliamentary Constituency, almost all the water bodies have dried up …

Mr Jamba: Why?

Mr Kapyanga: … and people have nowhere to draw water from. Water is life, and when such a situation occurs, there must be an urgent solution to avert disease outbreaks. Otherwise, our people may die from various waterborne diseases. People are being forced to draw water from water bodies that are also used by both domestic and wild animals, which poses a serious health hazard to our people. If the situation is left unchecked, we will have a disaster in a few days to come. I, therefore, seek your indulgence, Madam Speaker, as I direct this matter at Her Honour the Vice-President, under whose authority the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) falls.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Mpika, the question does not qualify to be raised as an Urgent Matter without Notice. So, I suggest that you file in a question, and then it will be answered.

MR SAMPA, HON. MEMBER FOR MATERO, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY, MR MWIIMBU, SC., ON THE ATTACK OF MS JEAN CHISENGA, HON. MEMBER FOR MAMBILIMA

Mr Sampa (Matero): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Sampa: Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to raise a matter, and I wish to thank God for seeing us back to this last Session of Parliament. I thank him for seeing you, Madam Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, Her Honour the Vice-President, all hon. Backbenchers and some hon. Ministers, …

Laughter

Mr Sampa: … back to this last Session.

Madam Speaker, I rise on a very serious Urgent Matter without Notice, which is directed at the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security. Seeing that he is not in the House, I direct it at the able Vice-President, Madam Nalumango.

Madam Speaker, on Friday, during the President’s Address, within ten minutes of the Speech, one of your Members of Parliament, Hon. Jean Chisenga, Member of Parliament for Mambilima ––

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Matero!

You may resume your seat as I give guidance.

Hon. Member for Matero, you know that that matter does not qualify to be raised as an Urgent Matter without Notice. In any event, I am informed and aware that the police are investigating that matter following a complaint that was made.

Mr Chisopa laughed.

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Mkushi South, please!

So, Hon. Chisenga lodged a complaint with the police, and the police have been here to investigate the matter. We cannot discuss that matter on the Floor of this House because we would be prejudicing the investigations that the police are making. In any event, it does not qualify to be raised as an Urgent Matter without Notice.

Let us make progress.

______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

CRITICAL WATER SHORTAGE IN KALABO CENTRAL CONSTITUENCY

1. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation:

whether the Government is aware of the critical water shortage in the following wards in Kalabo Central Parliamentary Constituency:

Nguma; and

Mitwi; and

what urgent measures are being taken to resolve the problem.

The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Eng. Nzovu): Madam Speaker, before I answer this question, let me acknowledge the great people of Nangoma who are present in the Public Gallery of the Assembly Chamber.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Eng. Nzovu: Nangoma is very well represented, as you can see. It has a very strong team. Very soon, this constituency will be a district.

Interruptions

Eng. Nzovu: Yes, even for endorsement.

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

Madam Speaker: Sorry, hon. Minister, there is an indication for a point of order.

Hon. Member for Mpika, what is the point of order?

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order. As per our Republican Constitution, the only person mandated to create new districts, provinces and boundaries is the Republican President. As this House might be aware, our Republican President has this far not declared Nangoma a district. Is the hon. Minister in order to usurp the powers of the President and declare Nangoma a new district?

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

Mr B. Mpundu: Send him out!

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Somebody is trying to usurp my powers there.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member from Mpika, the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation was just expressing a desire that one day, Nangoma Constituency will become a district. I did not hear him declare that Nangoma is now a district.

Mr Twasa: He said very soon.

Madam Speaker: Well, it is a desire, is it not? He was just expressing a wish. One day, maybe, who knows, it might be a district.

May the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation proceed.

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I can see there is a lot of pressure there. English may be a very difficult language.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Eng. Nzovu: I will invite the hon. Member for Mpika to come to my office so that I can explain to him what I meant.

Madam Speaker, in response to the question asked by Hon. Chinga Miyutu, I wish to inform this House that yes, the Government is aware of the critical water shortage resulting from inadequate water points in the two rural wards of Nguma and Mitwi. This critical water shortage has been exacerbated by the drying up of existing water points in the two wards.

Madam Speaker, in the Western Province, the Government has awarded a contract to China Gansu Engineering Corporation Limited to drill sixty-three boreholes. The contractor has since mobilised to site, and so far, thirty boreholes in the province have been drilled. Out of the sixty-three boreholes, Kalabo District is scheduled to receive five boreholes. Two of which will be in Nguma and Mitwi wards of Kalabo Central Constituency. The contractor is scheduled to drill these two boreholes by mid-October.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, let me appreciate the response given by the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation. However, I want to find out the specifications or size of these boreholes, which are to be provided. As the hon. Minister may be aware, there is a critical water shortage, which does not only affect human beings. These are two wards that are hosts to cattle ranching. So, I would like to know the size of the boreholes, whether they will be big enough to provide water for the livestock as well.

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, it is a 6-inch borehole with a minimum standard of 60 m. We intend to install a piped water scheme there with a 10,000 litre stand as well as a solar unit. Depending on the yield, we should be able to extend water to other areas and, obviously, for animals as well.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, this is a constituency-based question. So, before the hon. Member for Kalabo Central asks a question, I will allow the hon. Member for Chinsali to ask a question.

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Madam Speaker, when the boreholes are drilled in the province, will they sort out the water challenges that the hon. Member of Parliament talked about?

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, whenever we go to a constituency or to any particular area, we first conduct a needs assessment. In that constituency, I think, just a few months back, we repaired two pumps that are used to draw surface water. We are looking at drilling two commercial boreholes in different areas. Yes, indeed, these boreholes in the two wards will lessen the water stress in both wards. As to whether they will completely resolve all the issues of water there, I think, that is the journey we have started.

Madam Speaker, in Kalabo Central Constituency, the need for water is much more than the work we are doing, but the people of Kalabo must be assured that this Government will do everything possible to ensure that the water stress is reduced. Boreholes are being drilled in the areas most in need, as the hon. Member of Parliament, Mr Chinga Miyutu, attests.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, these two wards border Nalolo and Shangombo on the south-west and Sikongo on the western side. Ten years ago, nobody could access these two areas by vehicle from December to July. These two areas could only be reached either on foot or using oxcarts. Now, whether it is December or January, I can access these areas using a vehicle, showing that the hon. Member of Parliament had a discussion with the hon. Minister and the directors in the ministry. Now, is the hon. Minister assuring us that the depth of the boreholes will not have an effect on the water table in the next two to three years? Looking at trends, the water table is continuously going down.

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, that is quite a technical question. Indeed, most boreholes being drilled now – Maybe, I should state that historically, many boreholes were drilled to depths of 30 m to 40 m and adequate water was found. Nowadays, in some areas, we drill boreholes up to 100 m to 150 m. Climate change has affected many areas. What we normally do, obviously, depending on the area, is to monitor the boreholes. For example, in Kalabo, once we drill the boreholes, we will be monitoring them. When we drill boreholes and discover that the water yield is low, we declare them dry boreholes. We go ahead and drill boreholes with better yields. We normally call boreholes with better yields commercial boreholes. So, in areas where the demand for water is very high, and only one borehole needs to be drilled, we make sure we drill a commercial borehole. Again, it is not possible to determine the yield of a borehole before it is drilled and the pumping test is done. So, we determine the adequacy of a borehole as we drill it.

Madam Speaker, lastly, let me also encourage the hon. Member for Mpika to also bring officials from his constituency. That is the way it should be. He should bring them so that they see me. I am happy that the people of Nangoma are here, once again.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Mumbwa, Mumbwa.

ARTISANAL MINING LICENCES ISSUED TO YOUTHS IN SERENJE DISTRICT

2. Mr E. Banda (Muchinga) asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development:

how many artisanal mining licences were issued to youths in Serenje District from January 2021 to July 2025 year by year; and

if there were no licences issued, why?

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, we have a lot of business before us. So, let us just make progress.

The Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Mr Mubanga) (on behalf of the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Kabuswe)): Madam Speaker, before I answer the question, I would like to welcome and congratulate the newly-elected hon. Member of Parliament for Muchinga Constituency, Mr Malama Mufumelo. He is welcome.

Interjections

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, sorry, he is the hon. Member of Parliament for Mfuwe.

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

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Lunte, please, resume your seat.

Mr Kafwaya resumed his seat.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Minister, let me guide the House.

Hon. Members, I am sure it was a mistake. The hon. Minister was referring to Mfuwe, not Muchinga. The hon. Member for Muchinga is here; there has never been a by-election there. He is ready to ask the next question. Actually, he is the one who has asked the question. So, there could be some mistake there.

Hon. Member for Lunte, your point of order has been addressed, in anticipation.

May the hon. Minister continue.

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, yes, the one who asked the question comes from Muchinga, but I was welcoming our hon. Member of Parliament for Mfuwe Constituency.

Madam Speaker, a total of sixty-one artisanal mining rights were granted in Serenje District between 2021 and 2025, of which six were issued to individual youths and fifty-five to youth co-operatives.

Madam Speaker, part (b) of the question falls off because artisanal licences were issued in Serenje District.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Minister, the question says: “How many artisanal mining licences were issued to youths in Serenje District from January 2021 to July 2025, year by year.” I do not know if you can break down the figures by year, before I allow hon. Members to ask questions.

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, the answer I have is that they combined 2021 and 2025.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Muchinga, you will do the mathematics.

Mr E. Banda: Madam Speaker, thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, allow me to welcome my neighbour, the Member of Parliament for Mfuwe, Hon. Malama Mufunelo. He is my neighbour, so, I also want to welcome him.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister did not answer my question. Maybe, that is the reason he wanted to remove me from my constituency so that he could run away from answering the question.

Madam Speaker, I stay in Serenje and I have met the youths several times. They have been telling me that they have been applying for mining licences, but they are not getting them. So, most of the youths in Serenje who have applied for licences have not gotten them. Sixty-one, the number of licences the hon. Minister mentioned, is just too big. I do not think we can fail to trace three or five co-operatives from Serenje that were issued with licences if that is the number of licences that were issued in Serenje. Is the hon. Minister in a position to mention a few names of co-operatives other than individuals who have been issued artisanal mining licences in Serenje District?

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, these are true figures of the artisanal licences which have been given out in Serenje District. However, if the hon. Member of Parliament would like to know how many co-operatives, name by name, were given artisanal mining licenses, he is free to come to the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development. We will tell him the names of the youth co-operatives and individual youths who have been granted artisanal licences.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: That is presenting a problem. The question has not been sufficiently answered, Acting hon. Minister. When the question was sent to the ministry, it specifically said the information required to be supplied year by year. Now, if the information is not there, I do not know what we are going to do.

Interruptions

Hon. PF Members: Send him out.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Maybe, you have information. Acting hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, you have the Floor.

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, we can come with a statement so that we can clarify some of the questions the hon. Members are asking.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Okay. So now, there is an option for a Ministerial Statement. When can the hon. Minister come back to the House with a Ministerial Statement because I believe that there are many questions on this matter? Is Wednesday, next week, too far?

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, next week, on Wednesday, is okay.

Madam Speaker: So, the Acting hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development will come back to the House to render a Ministerial Statement on the number of artisanal licences that have been issued, if possible, year by year, and even give names of some of the beneficiaries, whether they were youths or co-operatives, so that the hon. Members are clear. Please, cover all the mining areas. So, we leave it at that.

Hon. Members, prepare the questions to ask the hon. Minister when he comes to present the Ministerial Statement. The hon. Member for Muchinga has started the process.

Thank you very much. Let us make progress.

PLANS TO TAR TOWNSHIP ROADS IN KANYAMA PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

3. Mr Chinkuli (Kanyama) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

whether the Government has any plans to tar township roads in Kanyama Parliamentary Constituency;

if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to tar township roads in Kanyama Parliamentary Constituency.

Madam Speaker, the plans for township roads in the Kanyama Parliamentary Constituency have already commenced.

Madam Speaker, as stated above, the Government has plans to tar township roads in Kanyama Parliamentary Constituency.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chinkuli: Thank you so much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the good response. However, previously, there was an allocation of 40 km of roads to be worked on in Lusaka District. Now, from that 40 km of roads that were earmarked to be worked on in Lusaka, how many kilometres were allocated to Kanyama?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for the follow-up question.

Madam Speaker, in terms of the split of kilometres, I would like to treat that as a new question because the hon. Member is asking for details that I may not have at the moment. However, with reference to the hon. Member’s first question, I wish to state that the Government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, is currently rehabilitating to bituminous standard, selected roads in Lusaka, which includes 1 km of Lady Diana Road and 1.8 km of Chipolopolo Road in Kanyama Parliamentary Constituency.

Madam Speaker, the contractor carrying out the rehabilitation works is Scirocco Enterprise Limited at a contract sum of K22,146,669.40 for Lady Diana Road and K27,844,204.20 for Chipolopolo Road. Works on Lady Diana Road commenced in early September 2025 and the contractor will subsequently move to Chipolopolo Road upon completion of works on both roads, expected to be completed by 31^st December, 2025. The scope of the works also includes the construction of pavement layers, installation of culverts and concrete side drains.

Madam Speaker, with respect to the allocation of the kilometres that the hon. Member mentioned, I suggest that he files in a separate question and I will bring the information.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to direct a question to the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development.

Madam Speaker, I am aware that the ministry normally works on what is called an annual work plan, which gives details on the roads that have to be worked on and whether they will be funded in a particular financial year. I am also aware that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has a road sector plan, which is supposed to cover township roads under it. The hon. Member for Kanyama has raised a question regarding township roads. Many other hon. Members also have similar questions. As the people of Kamfinsa, for instance, we have concerns about our roads. Taking advantage of this question, I would like to know if there are plans by either the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development or the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to provide details, and, maybe, we can find somewhere to discuss the matter, on when some of our roads will be worked on and under which annual work plan. Clearly, whenever there are opportunities for road infrastructure works, they seem to be undertaken in certain constituencies, while the rest of us are left out. So, I would like to know when our constituencies will be covered.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the responsibility of working on township roads lies with my able colleague, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Gift Sialubalo, who is more than capable of addressing that issue. If the hon. Member has specific questions about township roads, he should direct them to the hon. Minister. We encourage hon. Members to interact with us in our offices so that we can give them direct answers. I know that the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development is willing to entertain whoever has questions on township roads and, sometimes, answers can be provided even before questions are raised on the Floor of this House.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: I am sure the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development has taken note of that issue.

Mr Chinkuli: Madam Speaker, the stretch of roads the hon. Minister mentioned in his response, covering the Chipolopolo Road and Lady Diana Road, is about 2.9 km. Considering the vastness of Kanyama, and looking at how certain places have no roads, are we going to see any allocation of funds in future to cover works on the remaining roads?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, it is the desire of the New Dawn Government to ensure that all the roads that require attention are attended to. The constraining factor is purely a lack of resources, but as we improve the economy, which we are doing, more resources will be made available to cover as many road works as possible. The Government understands the impact of a good road network in townships or in-country areas on the performance of the economy. So, with respect to the roads in Kanyama, again, the hon. Member should engage the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to understand where more work can be done, including, of course, what the equipment purchased under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) can do.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

REHABILITATION OF MATIPA/MUBILI ROAD IN CHILUBI DISTRICT

4. Mr Fube (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

whether the Government has any plans to rehabilitate the Matipa/Mubili Road in Chilubi District;

if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

what the estimated cost of the project is.

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Sialubalo): Madam Speaker, there are plans to rehabilitate the Matipa/Mubili Road in Chilubi district.

Madam Speaker, the ministry will implement the plans as soon as funding is made available. In the interim, the council in district, through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation for road maintenance and rehabilitation, is scheduled to carry out spot improvements and grading on the 28 km stretch of the Matipa/Mubili Road up to Kasuba Kalunga, at an estimated cost of K1.5 million.

Madam Speaker, the estimated cost of the works on the road mentioned in part (a) of the question will only be known once a full condition assessment for the road is undertaken and the bill of quantities (BoQ) is prepared.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, since the hon. Minister has said that the estimated cost of repairing the road is K1.5 million, if I got him correctly, does he know that the stretch of the road up to Kasuba Kalunga has seven bridges and that five of them are badly damaged? The last time that road was given attention was during works done under the 198 road contracts that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development terminated. The cost then was about K50 million. So, I do not know how the K1.5 million fits into undertaking works on a road that is more than 28 km long.

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, I said that the local authority in the area is undertaking improvement and rehabilitation works at the cost of K1.5 million. The BoQ for works on the 28 km stretch will be ready once everything is done. Since that BoQ has not been availed, at the moment, the cost is not known. The K1.5 million is not for works on the entire 28 km stretch. It is for improvements meant to make the road a bit more motorable than its current state.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, before the hon. Minister took over the ministry, we, as hon. Members, had raised issues concerning the Road Sector Master Plan, which was supposed to guide all hon. Members on when the roads in their constituencies would be worked on. The hon. Member for Chilubi has asked the hon. Minister about when the roads in his constituency will be worked on and the hon. Minister has provided some answers. However, the question that remains is: Does the ministry have plans to provide details to all hon. Members so that we stop asking the same questions during every other Session of Parliament? The people of Kamfinsa and Chimwemwe are still waiting for their roads to be worked on. Are we going to be raising the same questions here, in this House, every time, or will the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development be proactive and provide us with the details on when our roads will be worked on? We have visited the offices of the ministry, but we still do not know when our roads will be worked on. Are there plans to give us a more detailed indication of when the roads will be worked on in all the constituencies?

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, the Government would like to undertake road works throughout the country. The Government will only come up with a master plan for road works once the resource envelope is made available. It does not want to commit to other debts. We have a lot of debt on our books to clear in order to ensure sustainability of road works. So, the Government wants to acquire enough resources so that even as we present a road master plan to Parliament, we know that the resource envelope is available.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, the road in question is a stretch on the mainland where maize is produced. If Chilubi produces maize, it is because that area is contributing to the production. That area and Chilubi itself fall under the Agro-Ecological Zone No.3 where the average rainfall is 1,000 mm per year. So, most of the time, the roads are damaged due to the rainfall. With that background, the hon. Minister mentioned that rehabilitation works have been estimated to cost K1.5 million and that that amount has been allocated for the rehabilitation of the road. I would like to believe that it is coming from the K3.2 million allocation to the road sector. Road works have to be done before the onset of the rainy season. So, when can we expect the patching of the roads, which has been estimated at K1.5 million, to start?

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, I just want to inform the hon. Members of Parliament that they have a bigger say on the use of this fund called the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). As Members of Parliament, we have a bigger say. However, it is unfortunate that resources going to Chilubi in terms of usage, should be responded to by the hon. Minister. I am not trying to demean him, but these are the questions that the hon. Member of Parliament should have taken the Council Secretary in Chilubi to task on. . Council secretaries and Town Clerks are not above the hon. Members. I urge the hon. Members to ensure that they take them to task and ensure they do the right thing.

Madam Speaker, my response to the hon. Member, from his local authority, is that the work will be done before the end of this month. We are aware of the ecological zone in Chilubi. So, it will be done within this month.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: I am sure the hon. Member for Chinsali is not complaining. I saw the road in his area being worked on. He can confirm.

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Thank you, Madam Speaker, there are still roads that need to be worked on in my area. However, we will wait for the Government to work on them.

Madam Speaker, I want to comment on what the hon. Minister said about hon. Members of Parliament having a bigger say regarding the use of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). This is not true. An hon. Member of Parliament is just a member of the CDF Committee against a total number of about nine to thirteen members, and he only has one vote in that Committee. That committee is chaired by a different person who also has a vice-chairperson.

Mr Samakayi: Question!

Mr Mukosa: That is true. So, an hon. Member of Parliament cannot bulldoze the Town Clerk to work on a particular road, he cannot do that. A Town Clerk can easily tell a Member of Parliament that other members of the committee have decided to work on a different road for various reasons. The CDF may not be enough to cover all the roads and so many responsibilities. So, there is rationing of resources. The money may only be enough to construct one road against the nine that are needed. So, I just want to understand what the hon. Minister meant when he said that a Member of Parliament has a bigger say, because he/she is not the sole person to make decision on the CDF Committee.

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, I receive phone calls every day from these hon. Members of Parliament pushing for the CDF to be released. I do not receive phone calls from any CDF Committee members but from hon. Members of Parliament. So, if they do not have a say, who do they push for so that the CDF can be released? I understand when they say that they are representatives, and that alone is having a bigger say. For them to be representatives of the people, that is having a bigger say. So, that is what I mean.

Madam Speaker, for Chilubi, this question was not generated by the hon. Minister. We are engaging the local authority in Chilubi. This means that the road work is part of the work that was approved by the CDF Committee. So, this response, basically comes from Chilubi, meaning the council is the secretariat presenting the needs of the people of Chilubi on their behalf. So, a representative has a bigger say than anybody else because they push for this money.

I thank you, Madam Speaker

Madam Speaker: I am just wondering, if the hon. Member does not have the power to bulldoze the people, who else has? As a representative of the people, please, make sure that you make an impact.

We do not want to spend too much time on this question, so we will take the last question from the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, who has indicated.

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, the Matipa/Mubili Road that the hon Member for Chilubi is asking about is not less than 50 km. As much as the hon. Minister is bringing up the aspect of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), he knows that to work on the said stretch and have a meaningful gravel road, he may not even need the entire one-year allocation of the CDF. There was a proposal by his predecessor, who had spoken about the component of fuel, which was going to be additional funding for the rehabilitation of local roads. Where are we? To be quite honest with him, I would like to see any hon. Member here stand and say that he/she can apply for the CDF to go towards even a 10 km gravel road.

Madam Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to clarify so that we are on the same page.

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon Member of Parliament for Shiwang’andu for that question.

Madam Speaker, I never said that the CDF would work for all the kilometers of the said road. All I said was, while we are waiting for the resource envelope, the council decided to allocate part of the fund to the road component, which was K1.5 million, to make the road motorable. Once the resource envelope is available – yes, it might be more than the CDF amount in total, but we just want the work to be done. There is a will from the Government to work on the said road. However, at the moment, we do not have those resources. There is money that the Government has, through the directive of the President, which is the K3.2 million, and the council sees it fit to use K1.5 and not the entire K3.2 million. So, that is the decision of the council. We are going towards the period for approving the Budget , and once resources are available, definitely, that will be considered. We understand how important that road is, but it can only be done if funds are available.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you. Let us make progress.

ELECTRIFICATION OF MUCHILA CHIEFDOM IN NAMWALA DISTRICT

5. Mr Mapani (Namwala) asked the Minister of Energy:

when the Government will electrify the Muchila Chiefdom in Namwala District;

what the estimated cost of the project is; and

what the timeframe for the completion of the project is.

The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Eng. Nzovu) (on behalf of the Minister of Energy (Mr Chikote)): Madam Speaker, according to the 2008 Rural Electrification Master Plan, Muchila Chiefdom in Namwala District was scheduled to be electrified in 2015, but was not due to unavailability of funds. In 2025, feasibility studies have been undertaken by the Rural Electrification Authority (REA), and the scope of works were established. The scope includes electrification of the following areas:

Mobola Combined School;

Mobola Rural Health Centre;

Mobola Market;

Shababwa Primary School;

Muchila Primary and Secondary School;

Muchila Rural Health Centre;

Muchila Market;

Muchila Local Court;

Chief’s Palace;

Shimashikwe Primary School;

Itapa Primary and Secondary School;

Itapa Rural Health Centre; and

Itapa Market.

Madam Speaker, the subsequent electrification of the above-mentioned areas will commence in 2026, subject to availability of funds.

Madam Speaker, the cost estimate to electrify Muchila Chiefdom and surrounding areas in Namwala Parliamentary Constituency is K43,993,741.20.

Madam Speaker, the estimated duration of the project is ten months.

Madam Speaker, the New Dawn Government is committed to ensuring that universal access to electricity is achieved by 2030.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: Thank you. We move on to supplementary questions. Hon. Member for Namwala, are you satisfied?

Mr Mapani: Yes, Madam Speaker. The answer is clear.

Madam Speaker: Okay, since the owner of the question is satisfied, let us make progress.

ZAMBIA CORRECTIONAL SERVICE MILLING PLANT CONSTRUCTION IN PETAUKE DISTRICT

6. Mr S. Banda (Petauke Central) asked the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security:

when the construction of the Zambia Correctional Service (ZNS) Milling Plant in Petauke District will be completed;

what the cause of the delay in completing the project is;

at what percentage of completion the project was, as of July 2025; and

what the total cost of the project is.

The Minister of Defence (Mr Lufuma) (on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu, SC.)): Madam Speaker, the contract for the construction of the Zambia Correctional Service (ZNS) Milling Plant in Petauke District was signed in 2017 at a total cost of US$19,598,533.78. An advance payment of K100 million was made in 2021, and construction works commenced in the same year. However, the project stalled in 2022 due to delays in the settlement of subsequent payment certificates. In December 2023 and May 2025, K46.5 million and K85 million, respectively was paid towards the outstanding payment certificates, leading to resumption of works in July 2025.

Madam Speaker, the project is expected to be completed within twelve to eighteen months from the date of resumption, and that was July 2025.

Madam Speaker, the completion of the project has been delayed owing to the delayed settlement of outstanding payment certificates, as has been mentioned.

Madam Speaker, as of July 2025, the works were at 40 per cent.

Madam Speaker, the total cost of the project is, as I said, US$19,598,533.78.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr S. Banda: Madam Speaker, since the contractor is on site, what assurance can the hon. Minister give to the people of Petauke Central that work will continue until the project is finished?

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, assurance number one is that the contractor has seriously mobilised on site. Number two, from the trend that has been shown, which is that after the project stalled, the ministry was able to pay K46.5 million and K85 million, this Government is seriously considering ensuring that the contractor completes the works because completion just depends on the cash flow, and the cash flow is there.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, the statement by the Acting hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security confirms that only 40 per cent of the work has been done. From his explanation, we have had challenges with getting funding for this project. What assurance is the hon. Minister giving the hon. Member of Parliament in relation to the availability of funds to move the project from 40 per cent to 100 per cent? Is there a budget line? Can the hon. Minister confirm whether a budget line is available in the 2025 Budget, or does he intend to include it in the 2026 National Budget? The issue I am raising is about funds to complete the project.

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, as I said, the Government's commitment has been shown in the recent disbursement of the K46.5 million and K85 million to the project for the payment certificates that were issued. With the disbursement of the K46.5 million and K85 million, our Treasury has assured the contractor that funds will be made available as and when the payment certificates are presented.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Petauke Central, this is your question. Do you have any supplementary question?

Mr S. Banda: Madam Speaker, if the contract terms had been breached by the contractor, maybe, the contractor was going to be changed. Since it is the Government that has breached the contract terms of payments, what remedial steps can the contractor take to get relief?

Laughter

Mr Lufuma: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, at times, when you do not have proper follow-up questions, please, do not stand up and ask such questions.

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, what I would like to say is that the contract is there. So, the terms are in the contract and the contractor is free to use the contractual terms vis-a-vis the Government.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Let us make progress.

COMMENCEMENT OF ROAD REHABILITATION

7. Eng. Mabenga (Mulobezi) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

when the Government will commence rehabilitation of the following roads which are in a dilapidated state:

Kazungula/Sesheke; and

Simungoma/Luampa;

whether the exercise will commence before the onset of the 2025/2026 Rainy Season; and

if the exercise will not commence before the onset of the rains, why.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the Government will commence the rehabilitation of the roads as follows:

the rehabilitation of the Kazungula/Sesheke/Katima Mulilo Road will only commence once the detailed road designs are prepared and a contractor procured;

the rehabilitation of the Simungoma/Luampa Road will only commence once the detailed road designs are prepared and a contractor procured;

the rehabilitation works are not expected to commence before the onset of the 2025/2026 Rainy Season as studies to inform the detailed road designs will only start after October 2025 and are expected to take six months; and

as stated in (a) and (b), the works will only commence once the studies are completed, detailed designs are prepared and the contractor procured.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Eng. Mabenga: Madam Speaker, these roads have been there for the past five years.

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

Eng. Mabenga: When are these designs –

Madam Speaker: Order!

Sorry, hon. Member for Mulobezi, there is an indication for a point of order.

Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, what is the point of order?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I meant to raise this point of order contemporaneously as required, but then, I think, you did not see my indication.

Madam Speaker, when we are dealing with the segment of Questions for Oral Answer, hon. Members whose questions are on the Order Paper are at liberty to ask follow-up questions. When you admit a question, it means the question from the hon. Member is valid.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Petauke Central posed a question to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security and the Acting hon. Minister responded to his question. His concern was that the contract is actually supposed to be in abeyance because the works should have been completed in 2022, but the contractor mobilised and went back on site. The hon. Member was trying to find out what the status of the contract is and what protection the contractor has. In response, the Acting hon. Minister opted to demean and discredit his question by saying that if he had no meaningful question and – Was he in order to treat a follow-up question posed by the hon. Member in such a fashion? We need to set standards on both sides of the House.

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Member for Shiwang’andu.

From what I observed, when the hon. Minister was responding, I noticed that some hon. Members, even on my left, were laughing because it was on a lighter note. It was not meant to demean the hon. Member for Petauke Central.

Hon. Member for Petauke Central, if you felt demeaned, please, sincere apologies, but it was on a lighter note. So, let us proceed.

Hon. Member for Mulobezi, you may continue.

Eng. Mabenga: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, we have been talking about this road since 2021, and promises have been given that it will be worked on. When will the works start, or what remedial measures will the Government put in place while waiting for the designs because people are suffering as the road is in a terrible situation? We cannot keep on waiting for the unknown.

Eng. Milupi: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, let me state from the outset that the Government is fully aware of the state of this road, particularly from Kazungula to Sesheke. The Government has been doing everything in its power to ensure that resources are sourced to undertake the work. Here are some of the measures that the Government has undertaken.

Madam Speaker, the Government received a grant from the World Bank under the Transport Corridors for Economic Resilience (TRACER) Project, which included a component for the studies for the detailed design of the Livingstone/Sesheke/Kazungula Road. This is the same tracer concept under the World Bank that allocated resources for roads such as the Serenje/Mpika for rehabilitation works to begin. However, with respect to roads like the Sesheke/Kazungula Road, as well as the Lusaka to Luangwa Bridge Road, they only allocated resources to undertake feasible studies. There is very little that we can do to change the direction of the World Bank.

Madam Speaker, that is why in the answer, we specified that the studies under the World Bank, which have to follow their timeframe, will commence in October 2025. Further, it is envisaged that the bankable detailed design arising from the World Bank studies would then be used to solicit funding from co-operating partners for the rehabilitation works. The contract for these studies is expected to be signed by October, as I mentioned, with a duration of six months. However, the Government has not sat idly because there are resources from the World Bank to undertake the studies. We have looked at other options, and that is why the Government received an unsolicited proposal from Buks Haulage Limited (BHL) to undertake the rehabilitation works of the Livingstone/Katima Mulilo Road, including the Katima Mulilo Border Post, under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. The negotiations on the PPP are currently ongoing and expected to be concluded within the month of October 2026. LWe have gone further because of the importance of that road. Normally, when a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement is concluded, we ask the potential concessionaires to reach financial closure, which means completing discussions with their potential funders, then, we wait. When that stage is reached, the work commences on that PPP project. However, because of how the Government feels about that road, it has gone further to call for potential funders of that particular concessionaire to meet the Government so that they can be encouraged to conclude the discussions and enable the concessionaire to reach financial closure. The discussions took place in my office, under my chairmanship, as late as yesterday afternoon with two potential funders, including insurance companies that want to insure the works. That is how seriously we take the state of the Sesheke/Kazungula Road.

Madam Speaker, the concession under the Barotse Highway Limited (BHL), for which we held discussions yesterday, is for the stretch just before Livingstone to provide a bypass road around Livingstone to Kazungula, from Kazungula to Mwandi, and Mwandi to Sesheke onwards to Katima Mulilo with the development of a one-stop border post in Katima Mulilo. We have engaged our counterparts in the Namibian Government so that we can co-operate in the development of a one-stop border post. The reason we are engaging in parallel processes is so that whichever can be completed first is what we will undertake. If the discussions with the concessionaire can be completed and financial closure is reached, then, even the studies under the World Bank will be put by the side so that move with that programme. However, we have continued the discussions with the World Bank in the event that, for some reason, we are unable to reach a conclusion with the concessionaire, which also provides an opportunity for the money from the World Bank to be used at a later stage for works on that road.

Madam Speaker, you may wish to note that the total length of the Livingstone/Sesheke Road is 195 km. If you extend it to Katima Mulilo, then, we are talking about 205 km. In terms of the Government using its own resources, we are talking about a colossal sum of of US$120 million. At the moment, the Treasury, is unable to provide that sort of money.

Madam Speaker, going back to the issue of PPP concessions, I wish to mention that we allowed an unsolicited bid because it is the quickest way to undertake complete works. A solicited bid, just for explanation, entails that the Government undertakes a full feasibility study before inviting bidders. Our experience is that when we have unsolicited bids, it is the responsibility of the concessionaire to undertake pre-feasibility studies and, without exception, works are completed faster. That is why we entertained the unsolicited bid from the BHL.

Madam Speaker, commencement of rehabilitation works on the Simungoma via Mulobezi to Luampa Road in the Western Province of Zambia is subject to the availability of funds from the Treasury, if we are to undertake it as an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract. However, we have continued to engage various possible concessionaires. In view of the fact that the Mutanda/Kaoma Road via Kasempa is undergoing serious discussions for a PPP agreement, as the Government, it is our firm belief that if all the traffic that would come from the mines in the North-Western Province, Copperbelt Province and, indeed, Kolwezi, pitched up in Kaoma, it will make the Kaoma/Luampa, Luampa/Sichili Road and Sichili/Machile/Simungoma Road more attractive for PPP agreements.

Madam Speaker, I would like to appeal to the hon. Member for Mulobezi to bear with us. As the Government, we feel the pain of the people of Sesheke. We are doing everything possible to ensure that the road is rehabilitated to ensure that it is in a good status for a long time. One of the promises we have made concerning that particular road is working on the area around Mopani. Even when the road was constructed during the United National Independence Party (UNIP) days as Nakatindi Road, it was left in a very low state, which means that when that place flooded, the road was undermined. That is why we have frequent failures on that road. When we undertake the rehabilitation works, either under a PPP agreement or otherwise, our intention is to lift that section of the road to ensure that it is to international standards and permanent.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

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

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, according to Standing Order No. 71, it is a requirement to submit consistent data on the Floor of this House. The road in question is critical for the people of Zambia. In submitting to this House, the hon. Minister has indicated that the Treasury is unable to provide US$120 million. However, when the President sat on the throne there, at the Front of the House, he told us that the economy has been growing on an average of 5.2 per cent. He also told us about the over 90 per cent restructured debt, and we have seen how the expansion of the National Budget has been. We approve the Budget in this House. The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning is in the House, yet the hon. Minister seated next to him is claiming that the Government is unable to provide a mere US$120 million, which is just about K3 billion out of a Budget of over K230 billion, and we have an economy that has been growing at an average of 5.2 per cent. Is the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development in order to demean the National Treasury in that fashion and say that the Government is unable to fund an important road requiring such a meagre amount, and we are in a good economy? Is he in order to contradict the pronouncement that the President made just last Friday?

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: What I heard the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development say is that there are two options; one option funded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the other option by a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement. The Government is exploring the two options and whichever works out is the one that will be implemented. For now, there is no money. I think, he has promised that they have not given up; they are pushing. So, I do not think he contradicted the President or anyone. He was giving a factual position from where he stands, as hon. Minister responsible for infrastructure. So, he was not out of order.

Let us make progress.

Mr Kangombe: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the responses given. However, for four years now, the responses have been consistent, but nothing is happening on the ground. The hon. Minister may wish to note that I just arrived from Sesheke today. The status of that road leaves much to be desired, yet it is of economic value. For a while, we have seen roads that are not of economic value being commissioned for construction. My question to the hon. Minister is precise and straightforward. What constitutes priority economic roads if the Sesheke/Kazungula Road, with a high volume of traffic, is not among them?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I think that it is very unfair on this Government to imply that it has not considered the Sesheke/Kazungula Road as an economic road. The Government not only considers this road to be of economic importance, but also as part of the north-to-south corridor, specifically, the Walvis Bay Corridor. That is why the Government has engaged in discussions with the Namibian Government, which also understand that the Sesheke/Kazungula Road is not only a national road, but also a regional road, in other words, it is a Southern African Development Community (SADC) road, because it services not only Zambia, or the people of Sesheke, but also the entire SADC region. Goods transported on that road are not only used in Zambia, but also in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in East Africa and others. So, the Government considers it an economic road.

Madam Speaker, somebody referred to the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning. Yes, among the measures we have looked at after sitting down with the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning is to find a way, even as we consider the other two options, to mobilise some resources. He has assured me that he is equally concerned and has referred to a trip he is about to undertake to engage further with other possible sources of funds for this rehabilitation.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Sesheke may also wish to note that due to the poor condition of the road, we have periodically undertaken some remedial works, which will be restarted. Unfortunately, the remedial works are not long-lasting. The Zambia National Service (ZNS) undertook works on the road a couple of years ago, but the resources available from the Treasury were insufficient to enable the ZNS to carry out permanent works. Our view, as the Government, is that this road must be properly rehabilitated in the manner I described earlier, including lifting up sections that require to be lifted up. Then, we will have a long-lasting solution.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Sefulo (Mwandi): Madam Speaker, we appreciate the work that the Zambia National Service (ZNS) has done on the Nakatindi/Sesheke Road. However, from a sad point, the work the ZNS did has made the road even worse. At the moment, the road is impassable. When I was in the constituency last week, I got stuck on that road for three hours. I could not pass.

Madam Speaker, we have been speaking about this road since 2021, and we understand where the Government is coming from. Is there a possibility of declaring an international road, such as the Sesheke/Kazungula Road, a disaster? That road is literally a disaster right now. When one uses it, one gets sick. That person will either get influenza (flu) or a cold. The situation is sad. It is extremely bad, even before the rainy season. Under what circumstances can that road be declared a disaster so that it can be worked on?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I can see the Opposition is happy. Sometimes, we limit the number of times we make them happy.

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

Eng. Milupi: I think that is the –

Madam Speaker: I am looking at the time, hon. Member.

Mr Kampyongo: Points of order are part of business, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Yes, but we should also ensure that we transact business. May the hon. Minister answer the question …

Eng. Milupi: Yes.

Madam Speaker: … so that we follow. After the break, you will be given an opportunity to raise your point of order.

Mr Kampyongo interjected.

Madam Speaker: I have guided, hon. Member for Shiwan’gandu.

Eng. Milupi: Nkala pansi.

Madam Speaker: May the hon. Minister continue.

Eng. Milupi: Yes, Madam Speaker, even though the Sesheke/Kazungula Road is an international road, the responsibility of working on it in our country remains with the Government. There is no international group of funds to undertake its rehabilitation. We undertake the works on the Zambian side as much as other countries undertake the works on their sides. Let me assure the hon. Member for Mwandi, the hon. Member for Sesheke and the hon. Member for Mulobezi that the Government –

Mr Kangombe: And Kazungula!

Eng. Milupi: Yes, and Kazungula, of course.

Madam Speaker, let me assure the hon. Members that the serious considerations being undertaken by the Government will result in something. However, due to limited resources, we rely on others for assistance with resources, whether through the public-private partnership (PPP) or the World Bank, except that the World Bank process takes time. Sometimes, the process takes about four years or longer. The Government cannot shorten it, but we have discussed.In fact, early this year, I was –

Madam Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I was just explaining the efforts that this Government is making to ensure that the Sesheke/Kazungula Road is attended to so that the problem is resolved permanently. I was assuring my hon. Colleagues, the Members of Parliament who raised this question that the measures we are considering at the moment are three-fold. The first one is the World Bank route, which we know will take time because the World Bank is funding base studies that will result in works being done. The second one is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. This Government has discussed with funders or potential concessionaires, because it thinks that that might be a quicker solution. The third one is that, having spoken to the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, he committed himself to finding another source of funds in his travels for this particular road. So, just to assure this House, the hon. Members who use that road and, indeed, the greater country, we are putting in place measures that we hope will result in securing funds to undertake the reconstruction of the road.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Eng. Mabenga: Madam Speaker, the people of Mulobezi have seen projects being selected and funded, here and there. Can the hon. Minister please explain to us what criteria he uses to select roads and funding?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, sometimes when one comes from a particular area which has bad roads, one thinks that that is the only area that needs roads. In this particular case, the road is in dire need of repair. I travel throughout the country and I can assure the House that literally, everywhere, I can mention province by province, roads are in bad state. Whether it is in the Northern Province, Luapula Province, Muchinga Province, the Eastern Province, the Southern Province or parts of the Western Province, roads are in bad state. That does not give comfort to people and we understand. We also see on social media the comments that are directed to us, hon. Members of Parliament. However, when the country is in the state that it is in, in terms of the economy, we are dictated to by certain circumstances before we can have resources to undertake certain projects.

Madam Speaker, the question from the hon. Member is on the criteria used to undertake works on certain roads. When you have limited resources, you look at the worst roads, and that is what is being done. The Kazungula/Sesheke Road is worse; that is why we are looking at it right now. Some roads were going to be attended to by the Millennium Challenge Corporation. We thought that particular road was so bad, and there was need to work on it because the money was not going to be a problem. Lo and behold, if that contract gets cancelled, that makes us look again where else we can get resources for that particular road. I can give many, many examples. The Kazungula/Sesheke Road will be attended to as urgently as possible, but we are limited by the available resources. We think we are near to the solution. However, when people want something to be done like yesterday, even when we say that we shall do it tomorrow, people remain impatient. However, we ask them to bear with us because that road will be attended to.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Hamwaata (Pemba): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for all his responses. We appreciate that he is doing a lot in the midst of financial challenges.

Madam Speaker, I would like to know something, especially on the issue of the detailed road design that the hon. Minister mentioned. He said that we need to have a detailed road design for us to find the resources for the rehabilitation of the road. Does the hon. Minister have a timeframe for the completion of the detailed road design?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the people who have requested for a detailed road design are from the World Bank. I stated in my answer that the contract for the creation of the detailed road design will be given sometime in October, and we expect that it will take us six months to have the design. My own view is that this is an existing road. Works on the road were done even under the previous Government as a contract for works was given. So, a really detailed road design, in my view, is not what is required. What is required are resources so that we undertake the works. However, if the World Bank is saying that we need a detailed road design within a timeframe, we cannot change that timeframe. We try. I was in Washington, at the World Bank, and I raised the question of the road design. I said, “Look, we do have some element of a road design in place, can we proceed?” However, it insisted. For example, on the Serenje/Mpika Road, we are lucky there. The World Bank said that there is no problem and it shall release the money for that road, and we are going to undertake the works. For both the Lusaka/Luangwa Bridge stretch on the Great East Road and the Sesheke Road, it has asked for the completion of the road designs. That is the timeframe, hon. Member for Pemba.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, I want to, first of all, sympathise with the hon. Members of Parliament from this particular area who have raised concerns about the state of the road. As I sympathise with them, I would like to direct the supplementary question to the hon. Minister responsible for infrastructure.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has heard the lamentations and complaints, and he has reported to this august House that he is looking at two options, either a Public Private Partnership (PPP) or being funded by partners from the World Bank. The hon. Minister knows that there are many roads in Zambia that need to be attended to, and that is one of the key roads that has to be attended to. In terms of order of priority, where is this road sitting? Is it in the top five or top two priorities of the Government so that the hon. Members of Parliament raising these concerns can have the comfort that it is in the top two, top three or top five priorities of the Government?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, it is one of the top priorities and there are many others that I have mentioned that are equally in the same state. However, the detailed work that we are undertaking on this particular road is a clear indication that it is one of the top priorities in the country on account of two facts, that is, it is on a major corridor, the Walvis Bay Corridor, which is essential for trade, and trade is essential for growing this economy. That is the first fact.

Madam Speaker, the second fact is that because of the state of that particular road, traffic has diverted from Katima Mulilo. When it comes through, it now goes to Mongu and from Mongu, it comes up to Lusaka, creating more pressure on roads that are not designed for heavy traffic. So, those are also failing very quickly. On account of those two things, the road is a major priority. It cannot be done piecemeal. We want it to be done at once. That is why we are talking about the figure of US$120 million or US$140 million. It has to be found so that we undertake and complete the works.

Madam Speaker, for the information of the hon. Member for Kamfinsa, even previously, this road was in a bad state. That is why in the previous Administration, we saw pictures of tourists in potholes on this particular road. So, it has occupied our minds. The state of the economy and the lack of resources is what will account for us to fund that road, just like other roads that I can mention, but I do not want to mention because that will expand the debate here.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Madam Speaker, I want to start by assuring the hon. Minister there, Mr president with a little ‘p’.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Kampyongo: He is a president that one.

Interruptions

Mr Kampyongo: Is he not a president?

Interruptions

Mr Kampyongo: No!

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, we are asking supplementary questions.

Mr Kampyongo: I am just saying he is a president working under another president. That is what I mean.

Laughter

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I want to assure the hon. Minister –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

We are not describing the hon. Minister. We are asking supplementary questions.

Mr Kampyongo: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I want to assure the hon. Minister that there is no way hon. Members in this august House would celebrate challenges such as that road. That road is of benefit to the entire nation. It is a gateway to Walvis Bay and it is very critical.

Madam Speaker, my question is a rider to the question asked by the hon. Member for Sesheke. Actually, the World Bank Programme started even before we left Government. That is how we would dissect. We are saying the responses have been consistent because the hon. Minister assured the hon. Members in this august House that instead of taking that route, he was going to take a much shorter route through the Public Private Partnership (PPP). So, my question is: Why does the hon. Minister not get decisive because, certainly, the World Bank route cannot be shortened and that is why it has taken long; we left it on the table. Why does the hon. Minister not get decisive with the option they can take to address the matter, especially that it is now hampering regional trade among other concerns, apart from the concerns that hon. Members have raised and the concerns of people moving from Livingstone to that part of the Western Province? Would the Government just be decisive so that hon. Members can get settled and the people there can be comforted on what it has decided, that this is what it is going to pursue in terms of having that road worked on.

Eng. Milupi: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, on the Floor of this House, time and again, keeps referring to my small ‘p’. Let me assure him that my ‘p’ is bigger than his ...

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Eng. Milupi: … because my ‘p’, that is the President, is running this country while he has various of them there.

Laughter

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, with regard to the options, the hon. Member is saying why can we not select one option. We think this road is important enough to warrant us pursuing various options so that we can account for whichever comes and apply that. Each of the options is being pursued vigorously, that I can assure the hon. Member. At any given time, whether it is in Cabinet or in private meetings, either with the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning or with the President himself, we talk about it. The inability to borrow on the world market on account of us being practically in debt is what is stopping us from going out to borrow. However, my discussions with the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning is what is leading us to the third option, which is to look elsewhere for sources of funding. Whichever comes first, will be applied to the Sesheke Road. (Pointed at the Patriotic Front hon. Members) Unlike in previous Governments, I had to qualify that so that we are not referring to yourselves alone. The construction of the road was not done properly, and that is why we want to do it properly. There are many roads that we have to do like that so that when we put a permanent solution, it will, indeed, be permanent.

Madam Speaker, it has been raised here that there is high volume of traffic on that road and, therefore, it should be easy to close out a PPP arrangement. I hope so. That is why people were in my office yesterday, and we were encouraging them to close out in terms of financial closure so that we can undertake the works through a PPP. It is very fast and we are assured of quality like we did on the Chingola/Kasumbalesa Road, and like we are doing on the Lusaka/Ndola Road and others. However, we are waiting for people to use their resources to invest. Therefore, we have to convince them that the investment can return. It is not easy, but we are doing the best we can.

I thank you Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you. We make progress.

______

MOTIONS

MOTION OF THANKS

Ms Kasanda (Chisamba): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the thanks of this Assembly be recorded for the exposition of public policy contained in the President’s Address.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Inaudible

Madam First Deputy Speaker: We did not hear.

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

Ms Kasanda: Madam Speaker, allow me at the outset to thank you for according me the rare honour and privilege of moving the Motion of Thanks on the speech by the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, on the occasion of the Official Opening of the Fifth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly on Friday, 12^th September, 2025. In this regard, I would like to commend the President for the significant progress that his Administration has made in advancing the nation’s economic and social transformation agenda over the past four years.

Madam Speaker, before I proceed further with this Motion, I wish to place on record that the address delivered by the President was both timely and highly inspiring. The President’s Address, delivered under the theme, “Consolidating Economic and Social Gains Towards a Prosperous, Resilient and Equitable Zambia”, not only outlined the nation’s socio-economic development goals for the coming year, but also reflected the progress achieved so far and the challenges that remain, particularly concerning load-shedding. The address also emphasised the resilience of our economy and the strategic measures being taken, including significant investment in solar energy, to safeguard our socio-economic gains amidst rising production costs caused by power shortages. The President’s Address was a clear demonstration of statesmanship, foresight and unwavering commitment to the transformation of our country. His steady leadership, particularly in the face of debt service pressures, electricity shortages and global economic challenges, has reassured our citizens that Zambia is in safe and capable hands.

Madam Speaker, in the interest of time, allow me to base my speech on three salient issues raised in the President’s Address, namely:

significant improvements in the agricultural sector;

investment in the energy sector; and

massive impact of the increase in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation.

Madam Speaker, under the guidance of the President, our nation has witnessed historic progress in agriculture. We commend him for the record rebound in maize production, rising from 1.5 million metric tonnes in the 2023/2024 Farming Season to 3.7 million metric tonnes in the 2024/2025 Farming Season. It is gratifying to acknowledge that the Central Province contributed approximately 680,000 metric tonnes to national maize output during the 2024/2025 Farming Season, with the Chisamba Farming Block serving as one of the notable contributors to that commendable achievement. The achievement is mainly due to the successful implementation of, among others, the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF) initiative, which benefited sixty-eight farmers in Chisamba, in addition to more than 6,000 farmers who received inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) in the last farming season. Further, I wish to commend the President for putting in place measures aimed at ensuring that Zambia becomes one of the major exporters of first-class beef in the region, with the ambitious target of achieving US$1 billion in beef export revenue.

Madam Speaker, since the implementation of strategies to modernise agriculture, which aim to mechanise half a million hectares of small-holder farmland by 2027, it is gratifying to learn that forty mechanisation centres and ten centres of excellence have been established to provide capacity building to farmers and agricultural service providers. So far, that has resulted in more than 2,500 farmers accessing modern farming services and over 210 farmers receiving specialised training. The interventions are a testament to the President’s resolve to modernise agriculture and improve farmer productivity.

Madam Speaker, the President’s strategic plan to develop solar energy fields across seven provinces has given impetus to unprecedented private sector investment, moving away from heavy dependence on hydro-power, which has been our traditional energy source. In fact, as I stand here, on the Floor, as a proud Member of Parliament, I can testify to the President’s work in the sector through the recently commissioned 100 MW solar plant in Chisamba, …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kasanda: … with another 100 MW project to be completed in seven months. That plant, together with additional projects, such as the 94 MW Itimpi Solar Power Station and the 300 MW Maamba Energy’s thermal expansion project, will add substantial capacity to the national grid. The direct impact of energy investments, particularly the Chisamba Solar Plant, will help stabilise electricity supply, reduce load-shedding and support the growth of other productive sectors, such as mining, agriculture and manufacturing. Investor confidence in Zambia is, therefore, not merely a matter of numbers, but a practical assurance that our nation is steadily moving towards energy sufficiency and long-term industrialisation.

Madam Speaker, the CDF, which has significantly increased under the visionary leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, has taken resources directly to the people, empowering communities to set their own priorities. I, therefore, urge my hon. Colleagues, especially those in the Opposition, to acknowledge the impact of the CDF, which is evident across the country. In Chisamba, for instance, mothers who once gave birth on the way to distant health facilities can now give birth closer to their homes by accessing upgraded and newly built health facilities that were constructed with the help of the CDF. That has restored the dignity of women, improved maternal health and saved lives.

Madam Speaker, the School Feeding Programme by the Government has also significantly improved school attendance and pupil concentration, thereby, contributing to better learning outcomes. Coupled with the construction of additional classrooms through the support of the CDF, that has helped to reduce overcrowding, has accommodated more learners and curbed teenage pregnancies …

Mr Kapyanga: Time up!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Ms Kasanda: … by keeping girls in school. Further, investment in school desks and teachers’ houses has enhanced the overall learning environment, making education more accessible and effective for all pupils.

Madam Speaker, in addition, I must state that the CDF is also unlocking economic potential by boosting business activities and livelihoods at the grassroots level. In that regard, I agree with the President’s observations on the rise in mobile money transactions. I can confirm that even rural areas, like Chisamba, are showing increased economic participation. That impact can grow significantly if network towers are installed in areas without reliable mobile connectivity.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, conclude your debate.

Ms Kasanda: Madam Speaker, let me reiterate that proper utilisation of the CDF can fast-track rural development, improve service delivery and ensure that no community is left behind. The CDF is not just a fund, but a catalyst for inclusive growth and national transformation.

Madam Speaker, I can continue to point to many other successes. As I conclude, allow me to appeal to all hon. Members in this august House to approach the debate with soberness, objectivity and a deep sense of responsibility. Let us always be reminded that we do not sit in this House to advance our personal interests, but to faithfully represent the aspirations of the people who sent us here.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Mr Kandafula (Serenje): Now, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kandafula: Madam Speaker, I thank you most sincerely for giving me this opportunity to second the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address to Parliament delivered on Friday, 12^th September, 2025. As I second this Motion, allow me to thank Hon. Chushi Kasanda, Member of Parliament for Chisamba Constituency, for ably moving the Motion on the Floor of the House.

Madam Speaker, allow me to touch on three critical issues, which are food security, education and health.

Food Security

Madam Speaker, with the anticipated bumper harvest, there is a need for the Government to strengthen national strategic food reserves by investing more in modern storage facilities such as silos as well as increasing maize and soya reserves. This will cushion the country during future climate shocks or global supply disruptions.

Madam Speaker, in order to stabilise maize and mealie meal prices, the Government is being called upon to use part of the maize surplus for local processing and subsidise mealie meal in vulnerable communities before exporting. Despite exports earning revenue for the country, food must remain affordable for Zambians first, as price stability protects household food security.

Education

Madam Speaker, the President commended the following Government measures:

introduction of the Free Education Policy 2022, which has made education accessible for all, and has seen over 2.3 million learners return to school regardless of their socio-economic status;

development of the revised National Education Curriculum and the revision of the National Education Policy 2025, to equip learners with the requisite skills for the job market; and

acceleration in school infrastructure development by constructing 166 new secondary schools across the country and over 2,800 classroom blocks using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Madam Speaker, in order to fully realise the aforementioned measures, it is essential for the United Party for National Development (UPND) Administration to provide quality teaching along with infrastructure development by ensuring that schools are well equipped with teaching materials, laboratories, libraries and qualified teachers. The revised curriculum is commendable. However, I urge the Ministry of Education to regularly consult with stakeholders and educators to keep the curriculum responsive to real-world demands.

Madam Speaker, in addition, the Government should ensure that the curriculum aligns with the learners needs. In that regard, I urge the Government to establish a periodic review of the curriculum. This is essential to ensure that education prepares the learners for real world demands of the job market.

Madam Speaker, to support vulnerable learners, I urge the Government to intensify support schemes for vulnerable learners in terms of transport, school meals, uniforms, and sanitary products.

Health

Madam Speaker, the President acknowledged the declining global health financing landscape and stated that the New Dawn Administration will enhance domestic investment in key health programmes such as human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), tuberculosis (TB), malaria, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), primary health care, community health, as well as medical supply chains, and digital health systems.

Madam Speaker, my appeal to the President and his Administration is to equip health centres with essential medicines, functional equipment and adequate staff facilities. In order to push for strengthened primary health care, especially in remote areas, I urge the Ministry of Health to strengthen primary healthcare by deploying more community health workers and ensuring that services reach rural populations.

Madam Speaker, I would also like to applaud the Government's efforts to end the pilferage of medicines in health facilities. However, I urge the Government to ensure that there is transparency in all investigations and prosecutions, and hold perpetrators accountable.

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, let me join the President in encouraging all Zambians to work hard for the good of every citizen without leaving anyone behind. This will help us to achieve our development aspirations.

Madam Speaker, with these words, I beg to second.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to add to the debate on the Motion of Thanks.

Madam Speaker, indeed, the President took time to give us a prescription of the state of affairs of our country. If you read the Speech by the President, you will note that he was basically summarising what he has been able to do in the last four years of being in Government. The President was able to talk about where he found the economy and its state, sector by sector. So, I will just add a few things that I believe can be done because the President emphasised that we are here to compete on ideas, not necessarily to grab headlines and those ideas should translate into development. I will just share a few thoughts on a number of issues that I believe the New Dawn Government can probably work on.

Madam Speaker, we can have the statistical data of 5.2 per cent growth rate of the gross domestic product (GDP) and the debt ratios that we are currently talking about that have provided headwind for the Government to have a bit of resources. We can also talk about the fiscal discipline and many other issues. However, when you look at the people who have brought us into this House; the marketers, maids and houseboys, you will see that these figures do not translate to the kind of lives they are living today. That is where the main conversation should start from because the big issues have been addressed. We have managed to build confidence for investors to come and invest. The mining sector is very clear in terms of the numbers that are coming in. Many other sectors are also clear. We have heard how the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is performing, but the actual Zambian person, who actually wakes up in the morning and goes to vote, feels that the cost of living is still high, the job market is still weak, and feels –

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

A point of order is raised.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to raise a serious constitutional point of order premised on Article 76 of our Republican Constitution, read together with the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act.

Madam Speaker, the freedom of hon. Members of Parliament is very cardinal insofar as the oversight role is concerned. However, we have been targeted in the recent past for the duties and the obligations we carry out in the House. I will cite an example. When the United Party for National Development (UPND) was welcoming the newly-elected Member of Parliament for Lumezi, I was almost attacked at the gate by people clad in UPND regalia. I did not report that incident, but I raised a concern with the Office of the Government Chief.

Madam Speaker, during the President’s Address, a very important address, as it were, I saw people in political regalia within the precincts of this institution. The sanctity of this institution must be respected, regardless of political affiliation. This institution knows no political party. We saw people wearing political party regalia within the precincts of this institution. As if that was not enough, one of your hon. Members, the hon. Member of Parliament for Mambilima, Hon. Jean Chisenga, was attacked at the restaurant within Parliament precincts …

Interruptions

Mr Kapyanga: … by someone who introduced herself as the chairlady of the party.

Madam Speaker, the duties that we in the Opposition carryout out here in Parliament, are on behalf of the people of Zambia. As such, the law that exists must protect all of us, as it were. I raise this important issue because tomorrow, one of your hon. Members of Parliament from this side will be killed. By the time we put politics aside, a life would have been lost.

Madam Speaker, I really beg your office to take this matter into serious consideration. We risk having this institution becoming an extension of a political party.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mpika, you are now debating. A point of order is supposed to be brief, but you are debating.

Mr Kapyanga: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You have rendered your point of order inadmissible.

Hon. Member, the matter you have raised was brought to the attention of Madam Speaker and she made a ruling. She said that the matter was reported to the police.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I have cited two different instances as a background.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Resume your seat, hon. Member.

Mr Kapyanga resumed his seat.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You cannot raise the same point of order twice on the same day. Whether the matter you have raised happened or not, the affected hon. Member reported it to the police, and Madam Speaker already ruled on it.

The other matter that you raised happened last week. According to the Standing Orders, if you cannot raise a point of order contemporaneously, you cannot raise it on another day. There is a way in which one is supposed to bring such a matter to the House. The matter can be addressed in writing to the Speaker. A point of order cannot be raised on something that happened two or three days ago. So, hon. Member, your point of order is not admissible. You can find another avenue of bringing the matter to the House by following the Standing Orders.

Hon. Member for Kantanshi and Acting Leader of the Opposition, you may continue.

Mr Mumba: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Let me quickly run through what I was talking about. I was talking about the statistical data and how it is not reflecting what is on the ground. The next task that the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government has is to know how that translates the impact of statistical data on people's lives. We have just come out of a drought period. The farmers and the policies worked very well. Clearly, again, it looks like the Government does not have a clear plan of what to do with the excess maize, which is around 4 million metric tonnes. I can qualify that statement. I have already heard people talking of people being shot due to smuggling in Chililabombwe. What is the Government's strategy and plan to address that? We are a liberalised economy. If I go and buy maize to transport from Mufulira to Lusaka, why should I be harassed? So, again, the Government should make a pronouncement on this matter quickly. Otherwise, it will not have a similar production level of maize in future, because people will find growing maize unattractive. It is not known. You sign a contract to supply 500,000 metric tonnes of maize, and at the same time, you say want to be a country that produces mealie meal. Which one is which? The increase in mealie meal production simply means that the maize value chain will create jobs, which is what the Government is talking about. However, at the same time, the Government wants to export the raw material. So, the Government should come out very clearly on that.

Madam Speaker, I also wish to comment on the mine in my area, which is Mopani Copper Mines (MCM). Yes, I am grateful to the Government that MCM is back on stream. Our people can sleep knowing that tomorrow they will have jobs. However, on the issue of contractors, I found it a bit worrying that the President said that Zambians are not able to supply quality goods. What Zambians are going through is the difficulty of getting business because all business has been taken over now that the mine has started operating. I think it is about time that the President is told the truth, which leads me to say that the conditions of service of the miners, contractors and mainline MCM miners.

Madam Speaker, you have heard hon. Members bemoan the conditions of service for miners on the Floor of this House. That is why hon. Members are even pushing for a Miners Day. Maybe, when there is such recognition for them, conditions will improve. Miners Day should not necessarily be a public holiday, but a day to reflect on the contribution miners make to our economy.

Madam Speaker, I also want to talk about the Mufulira/Mokambo Road, which the President also talked about. The hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development visited the road more than three times. I think he was there even two weeks ago, but nothing is happening there in terms of construction. The people of Kantanshi were surprised to hear that the President said that work on Mufulira/Mokambo Road is ongoing. I do not even know how we will survive the rainy season. I do not know how the teachers and children, especially those who will be writing examinations, will be moving. The area I represent is very close to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). So, the amount of rainfall we receive is quite huge.

Madam Speaker, when it comes to issues around farmers, again, we have a challenge. The challenge speaks to what I talked about earlier. We have a bumper harvest, but only two satellite depots are created. So, farmers from distant areas take their produce home or wherever, pack it, and then start looking for satellite depots that are in far-flung areas. So, they end up spending more money on transport. Again, one wonders whether the Government planned. If we have a bumper harvest, we should have as many satellite depots as possible so that farmers do not have to move long distances to take their produce to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). That is another challenge that I find strange.

Madam Speaker, as I end my debate, let me comment on solar energy. The President talked about solar energy and encouraged us to use it. I know that solar panels and batteries are stolen every day. They have become a hot cake. I have been on the Floor of this House telling the Government that solar products are now high-value items. When thieves steal from someone’s house, they will come and sell them to me. Next time, they will try to find another customer and steal from me. So, why do we not create some sanity in this area? Taxes on solar products were removed, but at the same time, Zambians have been left on their own, instead of the Government following up and ensuring that the benefit from the lifted taxes go to the people. These are some of the areas where the UPND seems to be losing it. It has a good product, but it cannot follow through.

Madam Speaker, the Cash for Work programme was introduced, but people are not being paid. In Kantanshi, the people under the programme have not been paid for three months. However, today, I was shocked to read an invitation that Town Clerks, Council Secretaries and Mayors are coming to attend a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) programme to hand over vehicles, and they have already been paid allowances. Was it necessary for them to be invited to a CDF programme? Their colleagues here in Lusaka who could have represented them are not going to be paid. These are the misplaced priorities that the New Dawn Government has. It is failing to remain in touch with the people on the ground.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr A. Banda (Chimwemwe): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Chimwemwe, I will look at mining with regards to the suppliers. I am happy that the hon. Member of Parliament for Kantanshi also spoke about the suppliers. There is an allegation that the suppliers are producing substandard products and that they are failing to meet the deadline when it comes to deliveries. The truth of the matter is that the mines are actually trying to reduce the number of Zambian contractors and suppliers. The House will agree with me that supplying substandard products at the mines, that eventually get to the end user, is equally impossible. Why am I saying so? First of all, once an inquiry is generated, it has specifications of what sort of product is required. It shows the brand name and the other brand names that are acceptable. Anything that has not been tested by the mines will not be accepted.

Madam Speaker, having said that, it is being alleged that the new suppliers, the Zambian suppliers, are supplying substandard products. When they do the deliveries after they get an order and the specifications, the goods are not just accepted. There is what they call ‘a material engineer’ who looks at the goods, compares the specifications of the goods and looks at the technical data sheet as well. Is it conforming with what Mopani Copper Mine or any other mine want? If it does not, the goods are rejected at stores. So, for the mines to claim that they are receiving substandard goods, is a far-fetched story.

Madam Speaker, let me talk about late deliveries. Yes, late deliveries could be there. What is the reason? The mines are not paying on time. The mines are delaying our suppliers. To get to know the truth, – Let me just talk about Mopani Copper Mine. When it started, it actually rolled out the registration process. The programme was being done online, and there were 1,000 plus suppliers from Chimwemwe on the Copperbelt. Six months down the line, all the suppliers were asked to provide proof of supply, which is historic proof. Some suppliers were new entrants to the field. This is a guy who has come from school, or perhaps is somebody who was working and just retired, but you are asking him/her to show you proof. Which other companies has he/she supplied such a product to? What are you trying to say? If they cannot bring that proof, then, you will not extend the business. Like the hon. Member of Kantanshi said, it is true. They are trying to kill the supplier business in Zambia and extend it to foreign suppliers. They have been doing that and they will continue doing that. This is just a way of trying to justify their plan of shrinking the number of suppliers on the data sheet.

Madam Speaker, the same suppliers are being hit by another hurdle. The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), our own agent, the Zambian agent, is also putting more pressure on the suppliers. I am sure the House is aware that withholding Value Added Tax (VAT) was suspended as of 1^st August, 2025. What that means is that the mines will never collect VAT, on behalf of the ZRA, from the suppliers. Now, the onus is on the supplier. What this means is that the suppliers will now have to pay VAT directly to the ZRA. The biggest issue is that the mines are not paying on time. If you look at the age analysis on the invoices, it takes about 120 days before they pay. However, the ZRA is saying that once the invoice for the goods supplied is received and the date of VAT return is indicated, the payment should be made. If it is not, it starts attracting interest and penalties. Mopani Copper Mine, Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) or whichever mine are trying to throw the suppliers under the bus, and even the ZRA is doing the same thing. So, there is no justification for this.

Madam Speaker, the tax clearance certificate has now been reduced to three months. A supplier who has not remitted VAT simply because the mines have not paid him cannot access the tax clearance. If he does not, then, he cannot have any business. So, how are we going to grow the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) industry if such hurdles are actually coming from our own people, like the ZRA? The ZRA is part of the Government. We do understand and agree that it needs revenue, but it should just get revenue the way it should get it, and not squeeze it out of a company that is unable to give it because it is not its fault.

Madam Speaker, let us look at energy. The energy crisis is also affecting our SMEs. I am happy that the President also pointed this out. When we look at the load-shedding schedule in some townships like where I come from, Chimwemwe, power is only restored at midnight and it goes off at 0500 hours. We have a lot of small business people such as saloon owners, barbershop owners and welders. What time are they going to carry out their business? In short, the people of Chimwemwe Township are actually being load-shed twenty-four hours a day because they are given power between midnight and 0500 hours, and cannot do anything productive. Having said that, this is twenty-four hours load-shedding.

Madam Speaker, load-shedding has also affected our water supply. There is a serious crisis of water on the Copperbelt, especially in Kitwe. We rarely have water in Kitwe. Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company is struggling to give us water simply because most of the lines are dilapidated or old, corroded or the lack of energy. We have what we call distribution centres, and these need dedicated power, twenty/seven, but they are also being load-shed. We were hoping to hear that the Executive was going to do something about these distribution centres because they are actually vital equipment, especially with regard to water.

Madam Speaker, let me also look at the mobile phone penetration. Yes, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has grown. In 2021, it was at 63.3 per cent and, now, it has gone up to 71.8 per cent. The number of people providing Internet services has also increased from 10.4 million to 13.5 million. My question is: Is this growth equating to the service provided? No. Business owners or Internet service providers are giving us substandard provision. We are not getting a service that anybody can talk about. We hope that perhaps, the Government will look at this so something should change.

Madam Speaker, we are happy that we are having more airports, but the question is how many people can jump on aeroplanes? We have heard that now we are going to have airports in different towns. However, even a person from Chimwemwe who is unable to get on an aeroplane, but wants to get quickly to, maybe, Nakonde should be considered. Let us look at having bullet trains or speed trains.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, allow me, once again, to thank your office for allowing me to make a few comments on the speech that was delivered by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia, on Friday. I want to indicate that I took note of every important aspect of his speech, and I will comment on two sectors, starting with the mining sector.

Madam Speaker, before I even tender my submissions, I want to remind all of us that hon. Members of Parliament have three functions to perform, that is, to pass laws, approve the National Budget as well as provide oversight on the Executive. My debate today, will be in the form of items, which I believe should have been captured further in the submissions that His Excellency the President presented before this august House.

Madam Speaker, under the mining sector, the President indicated that we have had investment pledges made into mining companies; the Super Pit Project at Lumwana. We were also told that there is another project that has been implemented; the Kansanshi Expansion Project. These figures, in excess of billions of dollars, will not mean anything to our people if we do not agree that Zambians must participate in the value chain. Now, what is the value chain where we need to see more Zambians participate? I will start with a section of the Mines and Minerals Development Act, which was later repealed. Now, we have a new law, which is the Geological Minerals Development Act. Under Section 10 of the new Act, there is a requirement that priority for business should be given to Zambians. So, when I hear that the President was briefed, and that finding itself in the speech, on the fact that Zambians do not have the capacity to provide goods of high quality, in my view, that is an attempt by mining companies to deny Zambians business opportunities. I say so because the law is clear under Section 10 of an Act that was recently passed by this House. Now, if the law has that provision, then, ordinarily, we expect the mining companies to take the lead in providing local content for the Zambian people. That is provided for under Section 10(4) of the law. So, on Friday, as opposed to accusing Zambian suppliers or businessmen and women of not providing goods and services, I expected His Excellency the President to emphasise the fact that the Government would proceed to issue regulations under local content. The hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development is empowered under the law to prescribe the percentage of local content that should be given to the Zambian people. If Kansanshi Mine is spending US$1 billion on operations, a certain prescribed percentage of business should be given to the local people. That is what the law stipulates. So, my expectation was that the President would place more emphasis on that, instead of stating that local people cannot provide goods of quality.

Madam Speaker, when the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development responds to the issues that will be raised in the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the speech that was delivered by the President, I expect him to indicate when the Government will issue guidelines on local content. When will the statutory instrument (SI) be issued to prescribe the business opportunities that are supposed to be given to the Zambian people?

My second submission, Madam Speaker, is also on the mining sector. You may be aware that, currently, the Government is undertaking what is called a geophysical mapping survey. Now, when a geophysical mapping survey is conducted, the next stage is exploration. My expectation was that the President would announce how much money the Zambian Government was putting into exploration. What is exploration? Exploration is the process of finding out the extent to which minerals exist after the results of a mapping exercise show that minerals are in existence. The Zambian Government needs to invest in exploration for purely one reason; we would own the information on minerals in our country. If we own the exploration data, any developer or business entity from a foreign country that wants to invest in mining would know that the data is owned by the Zambian Government. So, when it comes to negotiating the number of shares the Zambian Government would own in a particular venture, it would be possible to do that from a position of strength. Looking at the way things stand currently, it can be assumed that once the mapping exercise has been completed, exploration will not be undertaken by a Zambian entity. It will be done by foreign entities. If foreign entities are the ones conducting exploration, I cannot see any investor passing on the exploration data to the Zambian Government, and asking it to undertake mining activities. My point is that I expected the President to instruct the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to include a budget line for exploration in the Budget that will be presented soon.

Madam Speaker, if we lose the opportunity for exploration, I do not see us getting the benefits that we, as the Government, desire out of mining. Therefore, I expected the Government to provide guidance on how much money we are going to put into generating data from exploration. My expectation, therefore, from the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, because he has to respond to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Speech as well, is that he will tell us how much money we are putting into exploration. If we do not put money into exploration, I do not see us getting the required value in terms of shareholding for ZCCM Investments Holdings (ZCCM-IH) Plc or any other company that we are going to use in terms of participation in the mining sector.

Lastly, Madam Speaker, due to limited time, I would like to talk about the energy sector. The President talked about diversifying into solar power. Unfortunately, from a technical point of view, our current national grid capacity cannot take in more than 1,000 MW of solar power. So, even as we push everyone towards solar power, we must be reminded that our current national grid has limitations. How do we increase the national grid’s capacity beyond 1,000 MW from solar power? We need to emphasise on baseload power. What is baseload power? Baseload power is the hydro and thermal power that we need to feed into the national grid. So, I was expecting the President to talk about the five sites that are on the Luapula River. You may be aware that there are five sites on the Luapula River that are supposed to provide us with 1,200 MW of baseload power. That is what we should be discussing so that when the smaller solar power plants are set up, they can feed into the national grid. If we focus on solar power and lose the conversation on baseload power, we will not get the national grid capacity right.

Madam Speaker, due to the limitations of time, I would like to end by submitting that there are concerns that should have been covered in the President’s Speech.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity, on behalf of the people of Roan Constituency, to add my voice to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Speech that was delivered to this House last Friday.

Madam Speaker, the President was categorical in stating that our country is currently facing a deficit in the energy sector. He mentioned that we have been facing a deficit in the energy sector because the country had not invested in hydro-power and other means of energy. From that subject matter, I picked one important aspect. The President was bold enough to accept that he has sleepless nights to ensure that his Government solves the problems in the energy sector. However, as much as that is a thorn in people’s flesh, I would like to ask the President to, at least, get some sleep, as he is looking forward to solving the problem. We do not want the President to have sleepless nights as far as this issue is concerned because he has many other issues to look at. We appreciate the fact that he has to solve the problem. Apart from load-shedding and a few other issues, he has tackled most of the issues in the country.

Madam Speaker, having said that, I would like to look at three sectors that the President categorically talked about, which are agriculture, mining and infrastructure. The President informed this House and the nation that we are lucky because we anticipate a harvest of close to 3.7 million metric tonnes of maize from the last farming season, which can even increase to 4 million metric tonnes. However, we can only secure the harvest if we take precautionary measures to ensure that we take all the harvested maize to safe places and not let any of it go to waste. The President went further to state that the 4 million metric tonnes that we are going to harvest is a huge number, and that money is required to pay off our farmers. I agree with the President and support the fact that, as long as we keep the food basket; the reserves, at 530,000 metric tonnes as consumption for the country, we should export the surplus and realise the money to pay off the farmers who toiled for the harvest. The President was also categorical in stating that it would not be wise for the country to export the maize in its raw form. We need to add value so that we can also create jobs through mealie meal production in the country.

Madam Speaker, on mining, the President was categorical, again, when he talked about having resuscitated some mines that were closed down some time back. I would like to stick to the points he raised on the Luanshya Copper Mine, as it is in my constituency. Some politicians talked about the mine being icimugodi icaboola, and that it could not be resuscitated. Twenty-three years of the mine being closed was not a short period. However, when His Excellency the President came into power, he made sure that the mine was resuscitated. At present, millions of cubic litres of water have been pumped out of one of the mine’s shafts. Soon, the 3,000 jobs that were mentioned in the speech will become a reality.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, contractors have gone into my constituency and they are employing people. I would like to urge the Government, through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, to ensure that the local people are given the first opportunity to be employed under the mine, as contractors are being engaged. We can only benefit from our mineral resources as a constituency or country by giving the workers better conditions. The hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security should help the President ensure that there is no inhuman treatment as far as the miners’ conditions of service and salaries are concerned.

Madam Speaker, let me now talk about the infrastructure. In Bemba, there is a saying that “Uwakwensha ubushiku bamutasha elo bwaca.” The people of Roan Constituency and Luanshya Constituency want to sincerely thank the President.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What does that mean?

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, “Uwakwensha ubushiku bamutasha elo bwaca,” means that if somebody drives you through darkness or through thick and thin, and you survive the challenges and difficulties, you must thank that particular person the following morning.

Madam Speaker, today, Luanshya is a shining example of a constituency with better roads in the country. Therefore, it is only prudent and fair that we, the people of Roan Constituency and Luanshya Constituency sincerely thank this Government for providing us with those roads.

Madam Speaker, the Mpatamatu/Roan Road was last worked on over twenty years ago. When we approached the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, he was candid enough and listened to us. As I am speaking, we now have a brand new Mpatamatu/Roan Road, which goes all the way to Roan Township and up to Mpatamatu. We have brand new roads in the central business district (CBD) of Luanshya. “Ushitasha mwana wa ndoshi”. Maybe, it is not umwana wa ndoshi, but endoshi ine.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What does that mean, hon. Member?

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, it means that it is just fair to thank someone when he/she does good to you. Therefore, on behalf of the people of Roan Constituency, I want to thank Hon. Eng. Milupi for considering the Mpatamatu/Roan Road. We will never forget him.

Madam Speaker, the President went further to talk about major roads that have been worked on and rebuilt by this Government. In this regard, I want to quote one sentence from his speech. The President delivered the Luanshya/Fisenge/Masangano Road.

Mr Kapyanga: Question!

Mr J. Chibuye: I am now quoting what the President said. He said:

“The Luanshya/Fisenge/Masangano Road …” Then he looked at me and said, “Abane Chibuye, … has been completed.”

Madam Speaker, this road has taken the load off the Masangano/Ndola Road. The road now takes a big volume of all the trucks that are going to the mines such as Mopani Copper Mines Plc, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), Luanshya Copper Mine, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This road has actually reduced the weight burden on the other road. Therefore, it is just fair to say, “Thank you.”

Madam Speaker, I want to commend the President on these aspects I have mentioned, and for being so candid about them. We, the people of Roan Constituency, stand ready to support such movements.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr E. Banda (Muchinga): Madam Speaker, thank you so much.

Madam Speaker, let me start by appreciating the New Dawn Government for the bumper harvest recorded in the 2024/2025 Farming Season. These are facts.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr E. Banda: Madam Speaker, I also want to extend my gratitude to the hon. Minister of Agriculture for opening all the four depots that I was fighting for in my constituency. Indeed, this sits very well with the vision of the President. He mentioned that all the maize that was produced will be bought. This gives an assurance to the people of Muchinga and Zambia at large, that no maize will go to waste.

Madam Speaker, allow me to also talk about the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which is, indeed, a game-changer. Two weeks ago, I officiated at the openingof a clinic in my constituency, fully stocked with medicine and furniture. This is true to the President's words that the CDF is a game-changer. These are things that we really acknowledge, as people of Muchinga and Zambia. Indeed, the New Dawn Government has come to serve the people in rural areas.

Madam Speaker, I want to bring one very important point to the Government's attention, and this is regarding how the CDF is supposed to be utilised. We have a problem in the councils when it comes to road maintenance. I know the President spoke about it and allocated funds for fuel, but some councils still have a problem managing the road sector. This is because the way we pay our grader operators is different from the way they are paid in the farms. It is my suggestion and submission that to run along with the President’s vision of having better roads in rural constituencies, let there be a rural road maintenance department to work in conjunction with the Zambia National Service (ZNS) so that it can provide the operators who are well-disciplined and qualified, while the council can just provide fuel. This will accelerate the maintenance of roads. For example, in my area, not a single road has been worked on, and this is now September. This is because the grader operator ran away in April, and since then, the council has been struggling to find another grader operator, as most of them want to be paid a lot of money, which the council cannot afford. I am told that all this is managed centrally. So, something must be done.

Madam Speaker, we need not remain behind while the President is ahead of us as he is trying to make things happen for Mother Zambia.

Madam Speaker, I also want to talk about the energy sector. I am one of the Members of Parliament whose constituency has a solar energy project of over 100 MW under construction, and another project to generate a 150 MW of power is in the pipeline. This means my constituency alone will produce 250 MW of power. My neighbouring constituency of Hon. George Kandafula will probably produce 200 MW of solar power. This means that in Serenje alone, we produce about 450 MW of power. It is my appeal to the Government to let Serenje have a power pool. We are a mining town now. We have a manganese mine, but the manganese mines have been shut for the past one month because of the maintenance works that have been taking place in Maamba.

Madam Speaker, it is all about economics. People have stopped working, but Serenje being one of the districts that is also contributing to the power grid, needs to have a power pool that will ensure that our industries continue to function even when there is an energy crisis.

Madam Speaker, it is also my submission, through this debate, that the Government should come up with a better way of ensuring that those who have huge infrastructure such as farming blocks, are encouraged to put up more solar plants. Such solar plants will not affect the environment in any way because they will just be mounted on what already exists.

Madam Speaker, on the infrastructure aspect, allow me to mention that Zambia is now a construction site, as we have seen from the construction of the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway. However, this means that we in rural areas should not be left out. My concern is so much on the Serenje/Mpika Road. The hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development will do well to ensure that the people who use this road are informed of when the project will start. This is because there are a lot of cries and many accidents, especially near the place where I live.

Madam Speaker, my plea to the hon. Minister is that we run together with the President's vision to see that Zambia develops through and through. In my constituency, we have the Chibale/Ndabala Road, which I have always spoken about. I am sure that the road will be worked on come 2026. This road falls under the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. The President spoke very well, and I know the hon. Minister is capable of delivering.

Eng. Milupi: Wait for 2027.

Mr E. Banda: Not 2027, hon. Minister. No.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister is trying to make me forget the good words that I have for this hard-working Government. I need the road to be worked on in 2026 because the President made it clear. As we approve the 2026 Budget, we are doing it not just for formality, but because we know that we are also going to benefit.

Madam Speaker, with these few words, allow me to end by saying that –

Mr J. Chibuye: Continue.

Mr E. Banda: No, I am donating the two minutes to you. So, do not worry.

Madam Speaker, allow me to end by saying that this spirit that the New Dawn Government has come with, will, indeed, change Zambia, especially the rural parts of Zambia. We should let the Government and the leadership be focused. Talks will be there, but let us not mind them. Those of us who are able to see what the Government is doing will continue supporting it. However, at the end of the day, let us also get what we request for. This is a message to the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. He should give me the Chibale/Ndabala Road.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

_______

The House adjourned at 1821 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 17^th September, 2025.

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