Friday, 19th September, 2025

Friday, 19^th September, 2025

The House met at 0900 hours

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM ELIANA TRUST SCHOOL

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

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

I thank you.

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URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

MR MTAYACHALO, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR CHAMA NORTH, ON DR MUSOKOTWANE, HON. MINISTER OF FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING, ON THE CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for according me this opportunity to raise an Urgent Matter without Notice. This Urgent Matter without Notice is directed to the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning. Unfortunately, I cannot see him, so I will direct it to the Leader of Government Business in this House.

Madam Speaker, today is 19^th September, 2025. We are almost at the close of this year. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning has not yet released money to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). I am aware that for Chama North, we have not received more than K10 million or K12 million for the CDF. I have been consulting my hon. Colleagues in the Eastern Province and I have learnt that some constituencies in the province have only received K8 million since January this year. I do not know whether other constituencies have received the CDF in full because I do not see our hon. Colleagues complaining.

Madam Speaker, projects in constituencies have stalled. As you are aware, we will be entering the rainy season very soon. In the rural constituencies, you can only wait until October to carry out projects. In November, when the rains start, many areas are not accessible. That means that even when the money comes in December or January, contractors will not be able to stay on site until April next year. So, when will contractors carry out the works if, up to this time, not even half of the K36 million for each constituency has been released?

Madam Speaker, local authorities are struggling to pay loans and grants and people are troubling the hon. Members of Parliament that they are not working or that we are not pushing the Government to release the CDF. So, I seek your serious indulgence on whether the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning is in order to keep quiet without coming to this august House to tell us what the challenge is because –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You have made your point.

Mr Mtayachalo: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Chama North, the matter that you have brought up is not new. Urgent Matters without Notice are supposed to be raised within twenty-four hours of their occurrence, but you have brought up a matter about money not being released from January to date. So, that is an odd matter. However, looking at how serious the issue is, you can file in an urgent question.

MR ZULU, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR NYIMBA, ON MR MTOLO, HON. MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, ON WHY HE DEPRIVED NYIMBA DISTRICT OF STORAGE FACILITIES FOR MAIZE

Mr Zulu (Nyimba): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, my Urgent Matter without Notice is directed to the hon. Minister of Agriculture.

Madam Speaker, we heard that in some parts of our country, there are rain showers. In the last farming season, God blessed constituencies like mine, Nyimba, with rains. As a result, we had a bumper harvest. I can say that at the moment, Nsenga land, as we call the Eastern Province, has enough corn, which is supposed to be stored in secure places. Some sheds in Nyimba District have been grabbed and given to our sister constituency, Petauke Central, where my brother comes from. Today, we do not have a place to put our corn, while our colleagues in Petauke have access to good storage places for their corn. The danger is that Nyimba is so vast such that some of the maize is 80 km away from the Boma, where we should store the maize. We foresee a situation whereby we will lose a large tonnage of maize out there because one shed, which is domiciled in Nyimba District, is being managed by Petauke District.

Madam Speaker, I need your intervention. Why has the hon. Minister of Agriculture decided to deprive the people of Nyimba a maize storage facility and give it to Petauke District?

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Nyimba, that is also an old case. I advise you to discuss it with the hon. Minister of Agriculture. Just go to his office and have a discussion with him. Furthermore, you can bring it back to the House using other means. If you do not go to discuss with the hon. Minister privately, it can be attended to using another avenue.

We make progress.

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THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME

Mr Mushanga (Bwacha): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, and good morning to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, you may recall that when the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development stood on the Floor of this House, he assured this House, the people of Kabwe District and the nation at large that the people of Kabwe would rejoice. He said that they would be very happy when the Government moved to Kabwe District to work on township roads. However, to my dismay, a contract was awarded to only construct 10 km of roads in Kabwe District, and we have shared –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Bwacha, please, take into consideration the time. You have already spent two minutes.

Hon. Members, please, summarise your question so that we can allow as many hon. Members as possible to ask questions.

Mr Mushanga: Thank you very much for your guidance, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker a contract was awarded for the construction of only 10 km of roads in Kabwe District. The road works for 5.5 km will be done in Kabwe Central and 4.5 km of roads will be worked on in Bwacha Parliamentary Constituency.

Madam Speaker, would Her Honour the Vice-President inform the people of Kabwe District, in particular Bwacha Parliamentary Constituency, what could have necessitated the reduction of the road works from the 60 km that was supposed to be worked on to 10 km, and Bwacha will only receive 4.5 km of road works.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, good morning to the hon. Member for Bwacha, and I thank him for that question.

Madam Speaker, I think that the hon. Member is referring to the assurance that was given by the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, that when the main road; the Lusaka/Ndola Road is constructed, township roads in Kabwe will also be constructed. Now, he is saying that just 10 km of township will be worked on. It is very difficult for me, standing here, to speak about that without a briefing from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development because so many projects are going on. I do not even know exactly whether the 10 km he is talking about is part of the Lusaka/Ndola Road project or if it is under another programme, because there are township roads being worked on under different programmes. I need to understand his situation. The question is too specific for me to know exactly what is happening in those places. Please, stick to policy matters. I am sorry to fail him, but he has to ask that question in a different way for me or the hon. Minister to respond.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Dr Andeleki (Katombola): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to ask Her Honour the Vice-President a question.

Madam Vice-President, good morning to you, our mother. Mum, allow me to begin by congratulating the mighty United Party for National Development (UPND) for the victory in the by-elections yesterday. The message is very clear in Chimbamilonga Constituency that the UPND has gone everywhere and is everywhere.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kampyongo: What about Mpulungu?

Dr Andeleki: Yesterday, we scoped Chishi Ward. We won by a landslide.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Andeleki: We won very clearly.

Madam Speaker, I wish to toast the UPND for communicating throughout the country.

Hon. PF Members: What about Mpulungu?

Interruptions

Dr Andeleki: Madam Vice-President, my question is –

Hon. PF Members: What about Mpulungu and Lupososhi?

Dr Andeleki: Order!

My question, Madam Vice-President, –

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Please, continue with your question.

Dr Andeleki: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, the people in Katombola Constituency, particularly in Nyawa, recorded a bumper harvest. Now, there is panic that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) may stop buying maize once it reaches the threshold. There is panic that if the FRA reaches the threshold of the maize it wants to buy this year, farmers will not be able to sell their maize. There are queues at the FRA depots as farmers are competing to sell their maize, to the extent that there is commotion on the queues. Could she assure the nation that the Government will continue to buy maize through the FRA for all those people who have queued up in the centres?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Katombola for that question, and good morning to him. He even “ordered” the House today.

Laughter

The Vice-President: Indeed, I will echo his words. Congratulations to the mighty United Party for National Development (UPND) …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: … for winning the elections in Chimbamilonga and other places.

Hon. PF Members: What about Mpulungu?

The Vice-President: Yes, Mpulungu is part of the game. We congratulate them on Mpulungu.

Eng. Nzovu: With a small margin.

The Vice-President: They won with a very tiny margin. Whether that is sustainable – anyway, that is not the issue.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: The real issue –

Mr Kampyongo: Winning with no violence.

The Vice-President: Thank you.

Congratulations for keeping these elections peaceful. We must all work towards keeping elections peaceful. That is what is important because we are a democracy. Elections will be there, but democrats behave in a certain manner; they respect one another. When others win, it is okay. When we win, that is okay.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member’s concern is, first, the bumper harvest in Katombola. We acknowledge that, because some will say that there is no bumper harvest. What do they mean? I thank the hon. Member for acknowledging the bumper harvest which came from the guidance from the leadership of this country. The President encouraged people to produce. That is why the hon. Member can go and assure the people of Nyawa that the Government, through Hakainde Hichilema, that called on the people to cultivate, to farm, to grow maize, and is still hoping for the 10 million metric tonnes, cannot abandon them. This message is to all. The FRA is not about to stop buying maize. There should be no panic. I think that there was already a pronouncement on that, but we can just reassure the hon. Member. He should tell the people that this Government will not abandon the people who produced maize. We will purchase the maize, and we know what to do with it.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The Acting Leader of the Opposition may ask his question.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. PF Members: Question!

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, recently, Her Honour the Vice-President visited the Copperbelt. When she was on the Copperbelt, she had an opportunity to meet residents from Kalulushi, who complained about the contaminated water in the Kafue River. She was also told about the various lawsuits that have been filed. Residents have sued the company that contaminated the river for about US$420 million. Another company has sued Sino-Metals Leach Zambia for about US$80 billion.

Madam Speaker, there are revelations that the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has gone absent without official leave (AWOL) and the company that was contracted to help in solving the contamination is arguing with Sino-Metals Leach Zambia. Sino-Metals Leach Zambia feels that the South African company that was contracted is trying to bribe them, push them out of business, or something like that.

Madam Speaker, what message does Her Honour the Vice-President have for the residents of the Copperbelt? Can she assure them that the issue of the contaminated water will be resolved? The current situation does not look attractive at all. That is why the residents have even sued the company.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, maybe, the hon. Member should repeat the question so that I can pick the concern, because it is a long story.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The Acting Leader of the Opposition, summarise your question.

Mr Mumba: Madam Speaker, I started by reminding Her Honour the Vice-President of her visit to the Copperbelt.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You can stop the watch.

Mr Mumba: Madam Speaker, I started by reminding Her Honour of her visit to the Copperbelt. Amongst the engagements she had, was the opportunity to meet residents from Kalulushi who sued the company called Sino-Metals Leach Zambia over US$420 million, because they fear for their health, as their water was contaminated. This issue has come out because ZEMA, which is supposed to supervise and ensure that the water in the Kafue River is safe for the people –

Mr Kampyongo: Ema Leader of the Opposition aya.

Laughter

Mr Mumba: Madam Speaker, unfortunately, there was a disagreement, which led to the CEO of ZEMA running away from Zambia to somewhere in South Africa, according to the reports that have come out. It was discovered that the company from South Africa, which was responsible for helping to resolve this contamination, differed with Sino-Metals Leach Zambia over the emissions that were discharged into the river.

Madam Speaker, what I am trying to find out from the Government is, based on Her Honour the Vice-President’s visit to the Copperbelt, what practical steps has the Government taken to encourage our people? They decided to sue the company because they noticed that what the Government is trying to do to make sure that their water becomes safe is not clear. This issue is affecting not just the residents of Kalulushi. Even us in Mufulira are affected because Mulonga Water and Sanitation Company (MWSC) pumps water from the Kafue River. That is why I have raised this concern. What are the practical steps that the Government is taking to make sure that our people have confidence that, indeed, this contamination is being resolved?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Kantanshi, the Acting Leader of Government Business.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Leader of the Opposition.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, that is a big promotion. Anyway, I am still here. I meant the Acting Leader of the Opposition. That is a very serious concern, but maybe, I can use a bit of this time, Madam, to explain a bit on what has happened.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member for Kantanshi for noting that I went to Kalulushi, and even visited the mining place for Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited. I visited two places other than the offices. I think there is a little bit of disinformation over this matter. The Government has done everything possible to resolve the issue. There is no eating here. It is straightforward. According to our laws, the Environmental Management Act, when a pollution of that nature happens, indeed, the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) comes in. However, one thing we need to understand as a country is whenever there is pollution or any danger, it is the polluter who takes the responsibility, which includes the cost.

Mr B. Mpundu: What about the costs?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, it was made very clearly in the law that Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited was to pay for everything. That was done. However, the issue of ZEMA, being awol, I do not think that an institution can stayaway. Individuals have a right to move on. That is a very different matter.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, ZEMA is still there and it has been there. Yes, preliminaries, there are things a polluter does. In the beginning, you will remember that we had to ensure that the water was not dangerous for consumption anymore. The danger –

Mr B. Mpundu: Question!

Laughter

The Vice-President: These sons!

Laughter

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, it is such a long story that I would like to bring out I do not know whether I will have enough time. However, Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited was made to do what it needed to do. The cost the hon. Member saw ˗- The hon. Member saw the hon Minister of Green Economy and Environment, the Provincial Minister, the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, and the hon. Minister of Agriculture. Everybody was on board to ensure that nobody died.

Madam Speaker, hon. Colleagues, nobody died. The first thing we did was to inform people not to drink that water.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

The Vice-President: Yes, even water plants such as Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company, and Nkana Water and Sewerage Company that source water from Kafue River were stopped from distributing water to the people.

Ms Mulenga: Question!

The Vice-President: This is a fact. They heard and saw what happened. Therefore, the cost went towards providing water to the people for close to seven or ten days. There was a proper public announcement that people should not eat the fish that was dying in the river. That was to protect the lives of our people. Those pronouncements were made all the time. These hon. Ministers were sleeping all over even in Mumbwa.

Ms Mulenga: Question!

The Vice-President: That is a fact. They were there.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Members should be able to help their own country by telling people what happened.

Ms Mulenga: You did not invite me!

Laughter

The Vice-President: We will invite you now.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Kalulushi, you have not been given the Floor.

Ms Mulenga: I am just telling her that she did not invite me.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: No, you have not been given the Floor. Find another way of communicating with Her Honour the Vice-President.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, thank you very much. I know that the hon. Minister saw some political leaders there.

Madam Speaker, what happened is that water was being provided to the communities, and that included Kitwe. Therefore, water was tested. I am not a scientist but I can use the word, “potential of hydrogen (PH)”. They used the Potential of Hydrogen (PH), they call it, to test the water. They call it. There are acceptable standards for Zambia and the World Health Organisation (WHO) that are followed to measure the acidity of water. Nobody was allowed to drink or draw that water until it reached acceptable standards. So, the PH of water in the Kafue River is normal.

Madam Speaker, hon. Colleagues should know that acid is not good for a human being. It kills. Even if I am not a scientist, I know. People have been to school and all of them, especially, hon. Members here, know that one cannot consume acid and even live for a few days. Is that possible? No! We would have had so many deaths. So, we had to do that. Now, following the Environmental Management Act, Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited paid for everything. It paid for the alkaline that was used to neutralise the acid in the water. So, I do not know why people want to use other beings to make money. They should not do that. I do not know!

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member wanted to know what the process was. I may not go through the whole process but it is the polluter who must clean the water. That is what the polluter is mandated to do through the Zambia Environmental Management Act, which is to clean the water. However, even if that is the case, the kind of pollution we had could not be left to be dealt with by the polluter alone.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I am addressing the hon. Member for Kantanshi and everybody. Therefore, there was a need to find a company to assess the extent of damage. After that was done, there was need to find a company to ensure that the cleaning of the water was done properly. That company was going to be paid by the polluter. That was done. That is why the hon. Member talked about a company that was contracted through ZEMA. I think that is the company he was talking about, which had a contract. The contract was not between ZEMA and that company. The contract stated that ZEMA was to facilitate. and it was between the polluter and that company. They agreed on the terms and conditions. That was done with the company the hon. Member talked about. However, along the way, there were contract breaches and they failed to work together. That is very important to note. They refused to work together. I do not want to go into the nitty-gritties that could bring just more confusion, but they failed to work together. This did not mean that as a Government, we failed and that we did not know what to do. We took over. The Government took over the process of ensuring that the work was done. Let me state that I chair that committee now.

Mr Mtolo: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, that is why I went to Kalulushi. As I am talking –

Mr B. Mpundu: Where were the Ministers?

The Vice-President: Yes, under the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). These hon. Ministers were there.

Madam Speaker, what happened is that when that failed, we had to start the process.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Who is talking, kanshi? Iwe Mpundu!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, you see, the truth will always prevail. It does not matter where you belong. This is about the lives of the people of Zambia.

Mr Mposhi: Umfweni!

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Ikalafye! Balaleka icongo! They will stop.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Your Honour the Vice-President, can you summarise the remaining bit.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I will summarise at the expense of being misunderstood, because it is a long story. What I am saying is that we took over. As we are here, in this House, we have signed. We have ensured that Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited, in the presence of the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), has signed for another one. The payment is for Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited to make. There is a company that has already signed. That is why I wanted the name. Applied Science and Technology Associates, or something like that, is the company that is going to undertake the assessment. In the meantime, like where you may have seen me go, Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited has been cleaning up.

However, we cannot rely a 100 per cent on the company because it is the polluter. That is why the assessor will still go through with the assessment. If the assessor accepts that where Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited has cleaned is okay, then that is okay. However, if the assessor says that there is still room to clean up, we will definitely have another one. The issue we have now – Sorry, Madam Speaker, this is a big story – is about the heavy metals. The heavy metals are what people are talking about. We conduct the tests, and we have the samples. They are higher in certain places. However, we will wait until the people who know give us the report. The assessor has signed. The contract that the hon. Member has talked about is gone. That is between them. How they will pay each other is up to them. Honestly, if you sign a contract, or you are contracted, whose report is that?

Lawyers in this House, when you sign a contract with somebody, and you are supposed to produce a report, whose report is that? Is it yours or the person paying? So, I will leave it to you.

Madam Speaker, Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited management is paying for that report, and it is their report until they agree on whether to throw it out. However, we are aware that an amount was paid towards that, but not in full. That is theirs to deal with. We have the process going on, and the assessor is on site. Those people who are going there, I was also there. The people were saying that they were affected. These are the people of Lusale. They did not even know the vernacular words.

Mr Kasandwe Cacilamo!

The Vice-President: Eheh, Nacicilemo!

Laughter

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, that is the scenario. I can give more information, but as you can see, there are other questions that people want to ask.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Ipusha nalumbi nde landa.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Your Honour the Vice-President, if you still have some more important information, you can come back with that information in the form of a Ministerial Statement.

Mr B. Mpundu Bakayele Bamayo!

Ms Mulenga: Abalya impiya twalibeshiba!

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Madam Speaker, the Government has many interventions to alleviate the suffering of the people of Zambia, especially the vulnerable, such as the introduction of the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme and the recently introduced Cash-for-Work programme, of which the President, in his speech, said that must continue. The beneficiaries of the two schemes in Kalabo District, where Kalabo Central belongs, have a concern. I assume the concern is nationwide. The concern is the flow of money. The beneficiaries, especially those under Cash-for-Work, are currently owed not less than three months of unpaid dues. I would like Her Honour the Vice-President to comment on the collaboration between the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, under which the local councils fall, and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, so that the beneficiaries can get it from her on whether the arrears will be paid or not.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for taking note of the many interventions that the Government is undertaking in the form of social protection. He has mentioned, too, that his concern is that beneficiaries have not been given the funds for the past three months. I cannot go into detail because all of us understand this. The response I will give is that the three months arrears will surely be paid. I am next to the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, and that is noted. The three-month backlog will be given to the beneficiaries anytime soon.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Wamunyima (Nalolo): Madam Speaker, I would like to commend the Government for moving on the Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited issue. I think, we need a Ministerial Statement on the issue because it is serious.

Madam Speaker, as a member of the Zambian Parliamentary Caucus on Environment and Climate Change , my concern is not the acid spill, but the toxic metals whose effects on health will not be seen today. Is there any preliminary report on how long it will take to clean up the Kafue River? In the State of Louisiana in the United States of America (USA), it took ten years to clean up such a similar pollution incident. Is there a preliminary report on how long it will take, particularly to clean up the heavy metals that build up in the body? I know people have been stopped from using the water, but you know behaviour cannot be completely regulated.

Mr B. Mpundu Mulebafyenga fye ba mayo!

The Vice-President: Hon. B. Mpundu, I am the Vice-President.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Nalolo.

I think that is the guidance from the hon. Madam Speaker, and we also thought that, indeed, a Ministerial Statement would be better. It will have more time for people to ask.

Madam Speaker, what the hon. Member has said is very important. I think, if he listened to the bit that I talked about, I said that, the issue is not acidic presence, but the toxins, you call heavy metals. We have preliminary results that are very assuring, but even that is not enough. That is why we have the assessor, whose contract we signed this week though I cannot tell you the actual date because when I talked to them, they had not signed. However, I have been assured that it has been signed. The assessor is the one who will give us the actual scientific position of the heavy metals and will determine how long it will take to clean up. The preliminary report we have, which we do not want to rely on a 100 per cent, is very assuring in that the situation is not as horrible, but that is preliminary. Let us wait. Let us wait for the assessor's report. Then, we will know how bad it is. The people have been encouraged, and to date, water is being given where there was direct pollution.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East): Madam Speaker, thank you very much,

Greetings to Her Honour the Vice-President from the people of Solwezi East Constituency and the people of the North-Western, in general, who are eagerly waiting for the university and the teaching hospital, especially since the economy is growing.

Madam Speaker, the nation has a well-organised leader; a leader who is leading an organised political party and a team to grow the economy. What message does the Vice-President have for the people of Zambia on disorganised political parties led by disorganised leaders?

Interruptions

Mr Katakwe: As we head towards 2026, what call does she have for the people of Zambia on a well-organised President with an organised political party against disorganised parties led by disorganised leaders?

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member and assure him that the Government walks the talk. Any promise to that effect will be followed through.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has talked about disorganised political parties led by disorganised leaders. Let me go back to what I understand about a political party. If there are disorganised political parties led by disorganised leaders, it means that the parties do not exist because a ‘party’ is an organisation. That means a party has to be organised.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: I hope, I am giving the hon. Member the correct answer.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Let us give Her Honour the Vice-President a chance to respond?

Her Honour the Vice-President, you may continue.

Mr B. Mpundu: Jesus!

The Vice-President: Iwe, do not abuse the name of Jesus.

Madam Speaker, I was saying that the hon. Member talked about disorganised political parties and disorganised leaders. I do not know how many disorganised parties he referred to. What I can interpret or understand from what he said is that – in any case, such political parties do not exist because a political party is an organisation. The word ‘party’ means an organised group. So, if there is disorganisation, it means no political party exists. I can then say that people should then form political parties. By the description of the hon. Member, such political parties do not exist.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Nakaponda (Isoka): Madam Speaker, good morning to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, I am forced to ask the question I am about to ask because I have received messages from Isoka asking me to do so.

Madam Speaker, some farmers in about fourteen satellite depots have not been paid in Isoka Constituency.

Mr C. Mpundu interjected.

Ms Nakaponda: The hon. Member has just informed me that a similar situation is prevailing in Chembe. When will the farmers in Isoka Constituency, especially in those fourteen satellite depots, be paid?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, good morning to the hon. Member for Isoka. I thank her for the greetings. Her concern for farmers is that they have not been paid. I hope that some have been paid. She did not clarify.

Ms Nakaponda rose.

The Vice-President: You may resume your seat. I am just clarifying.

Ms Nakaponda: The majority of farmers in my constituency have not been paid, Madam Speaker.

The Vice-President: Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, if some farmers have been paid, it is an indication that everybody else will be paid. The hon. Member should believe that the Government will do that. There is no way farmers cannot be paid. It would be theft if the Government received maize without paying. The Government will pay all the farmers. Therefore, farmers must hold their peace. When they deliver maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), it is secured and so is the money. The money will be given at the right time. The payments have been continuous. Farmers are slowly being paid. So, the hon. Member can assure the people of Isoka and her neighbour, the hon. Member for Chembe, that farmers will get their money. They grew the maize, so they will get their money.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member for Mwandi.

Mr B. Mpundu: Iris!

Ms Sefulo (Mwandi): Madam Speaker, good morning to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, I have noted with concern the dwindling numbers of female representatives in Parliament, at the local government level and other public platforms. In 2021, only twenty female hon. Members were elected to Parliament. At the local government level, we had 7.6 per cent female representation. One of the reasons women did not want to join the political scene is the political violence that existed in the past. With the New Dawn Government in power, unprecedented peace has been seen during by-elections. There is free participation and increased interaction of different political parties without violence. Before the general elections come forth, what message does Her Honour the Vice-President have for women who have shunned joining politics because of the violence that existed in the past? What message and assurance does she have for them as we go towards elections?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, good morning to the hon. Member for Mwandi.

Madam Speaker, I guess women’s participation in politics is her concern. One of the reasons for women staying away from politics is violence. I am saying one of them because there are several other reasons women stay away from participating in politics.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member asked what message I have for women. My message, as noted by the hon. Member, is that the Government is working towards ensuring that the political environment is peaceful and acceptable. That is what the Government has done. Today, we can sit here without being aware that by-elections are going on. A few years ago, by-elections were bloody. That is not the case anymore and mothers can now join politics.

Madam Speaker, we should also ensure that insults are not tolerated. It is demeaning for a mother to be insulted and called names. That deters women’s participation. Let us also end the trend of bad language about women. Political players should stop name calling women. It is bad and deterring.

Madam Speaker, I say that women should rise! Space for political participation is never given. They should get it themselves. I repeat: Space for political participation is hardly given. We need the law, yes, but before the law is amended, women should rise and get the political space themselves. When women rise and get involved, the environment changes. They carry life with them because they are a source of life. Where women lead, peace prevails.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: So, we need women in various fields. We need them everywhere. They should not look down on themselves. Others may have a lot of money, but women have what it takes to be leaders. So, they should stand up and be counted. We, as women, will be strong against those who stand in our way. So, I, again, say: Women rise! We will not be given political space freely. We have to take it.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Mulenga (Kalulushi): Madam Speaker, good morning to Her Honour the Vice President.

Madam Speaker, to echo my fellow woman, the hon. Member of Parliament from Mwandi, indeed, we should support more representation of women. Unfortunately, Madam Vice-President is leaving us behind. I am the only female hon. Member of Parliament on the Copperbelt. However, when the Vice-President came to my district, she did not call me. I only watched her on television. I hope moving forward, we can change the narrative.

Madam Speaker, my question is on Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, the controversial mining entity in my constituency. If I had been invited, I would have made a proper presentation to the Vice-President because Sino-Metals Leach Zambia is not the only pollutant in that constituency. I wish to bring to her attention that there are many mining companies involved in smelting that have been set up without the approval of the council. The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has not done any Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), but we have smelters in our communities.

Madam Speaker, is Her Honour the Vice-President also aware that just near Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, there is an investor putting up an open pit mine? I do not know where he came from. For the sake of my people in Chambishi and the women whom Madam Vice-President is representing, can we, please, get on the ground and find out what is happening? Today, Kalulushi is a health hazard. Look at the Kitwe/Kalulushi Road –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Kalulushi, do you have a question?

Ms Mulenga: I have a question, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Can you go straight to the question, especially that a Ministerial Statement will be issued.

Ms Mulenga: Madam Speaker, my question to Her Honour the Vice-President is whether she is aware that there are other problems with regard to pollution, as she is tackling the Sino-Metals Leach Zambia issue. As I am speaking, as the Government is dealing with the Sino-Metals Leach Zambia issue, in our communities, there are about four mining entities and smelters being erected. Is Her Honour the Vice-President aware that there is an open-pit mine being put up in my constituency?

The Vice-President: Thank you, Madam Speaker, for your guidance.

Good morning to the hon. Member for Kalulushi. Leaving women behind is not the intention of this Government or the Vice-President. The hon. Member’s absence was unfortunate because when we visit, we want to meet everyone. The President has said that when we go to places, we should have hon. Members of Parliament around. It feels good to have Members of Parliament around. So, the hon. Member was not there, but it was not out of negative intention.

Madam Speaker, the hon Member has asked whether I am aware of other polluters. I think that this thing is being monitored. It is big, I understand. I may not know how many mines are opening and so on, but pollution, illegal and legal, as you have seen, is being taken very seriously. Right now, the issue is not only being looked at through the Zambia Environmental Management Agency Act, but also through the Mines Safety Department. People have been told to be on their toes because we want a full report on what is happening in Kalulushi and in other places, but particularly in that area.

Madam Speaker, there may be many other polluters, but for now, we are dealing with Sino- Metals Leach Zambia. Others will also be brought on board. Actually, I was given a deadline. By December, we should see a lot of compliance. So, there is monitoring of what is going on in the mining industry on the Copperbelt and in other places.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Charles Mulenga (Kwacha). Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to ask a question.

Good morning to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, succession wrangles in many chiefdoms across the country are so rampant. As we speak, there is a chiefdom which does not have a chief to spearhead the affairs of its subjects. This situation is worrying. If these wrangles are left unchecked, they may dilute the status of our country, which has been known to be a beacon of peace and tranquillity for many years. What is the Government doing to minimise succession wrangles in many chiefdoms across the country?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, good morning to the hon. Member for Kwacha.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has talked about succession wrangles in chiefdoms. Maybe, it is because being a chief has become very attractive. Basically, people have to use the law now. Before the law, the Government would select chiefs by trying to follow the lineage. Now, it is really up to the chiefdoms, the royal families and their lineage to identify who should become chief. That is the law now. Therefore, the Government finds it difficult to get involved and to tell people who should be chief because we do not possess the information to help us. This is what it is.

Madam Speaker, it is unfortunate that people are quarrelling among themselves, although chiefdoms have been like that from time immemorial. Families will fight, but at the end of the day, they should be able to resolve issues. The President encourages them to settle their wrangles. It is not correct to have wrangles because they stall development. The Government is encouraging chiefdoms to have a presiding chief in every chiefdom. It is not the responsibility of the Government to interfere because the law does not give us the right to do that. The Government cannot intervene. All we do under the local government is follow the chiefdoms’ processes. If they follow them properly, then we accept the result. That is where we stand now, unless the law changes, and it can change drastically.

I thank you, Madam Speaker

_______

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

DISTRIBUTION OF AGRICULTURAL FARMING INPUTS FOR THE 2025/2026 FARMING SEASON

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Mtolo): Madam Speaker, I rise today, to present to this august House, the status of the distribution of the agricultural farming inputs for the 2025/2026 Farming Season under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

Madam Speaker, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Agriculture, remains committed to supporting our farmers with subsidised inputs to enhance food security at both household and national levels. This commitment is fundamental to our agriculture transformation agenda and our vision of making Zambia a food-secure nation and middle-income nation by 2030.

Madam Speaker, the FISP continues to be a flagship initiative of this Government designed to provide subsidised agricultural inputs to smallholder farmers across the country. For the 2025/2026 Farming Season, the Government has undertaken comprehensive reforms to enhance efficiency, transparency and the impact of the FISP. The overall objective of the FISP is to improve the supply and delivery of agricultural inputs to small-scale farmers through sustainable private sector participation at affordable costs in order to increase household food and income security.

Madam Speaker, the specific objectives of the programme are as follows:

expand markets for private sector input suppliers and increase their involvement in the distribution of agricultural inputs in rural areas;

as of today, Madam Speaker, 808 agro-dealers have so far been engaged, therefore, creating employment. I e will remember that each time we come here as the Ministry of Agriculture, we encourage hon. Members to become agro-dealers. 808 have so far been registered, and I am happy that some of the hon. Members are among those agro-dealers;

ensure timely, effective and adequate supply of agricultural inputs to targeted small-scale farmers. This is for fertilisers, seed chemicals and implements;

improve access of the small-scale farmers to various agricultural inputs. For example, as of yesterday, 2,205 farmers had already redeemed their inputs. This is a good report. Today is 19^th September, 2025, and we have already started giving out inputs; and

serve as a risk-sharing mechanism for small-scale farmers to cover part of the cost of improving agricultural productivity. The farmer only contributes K400 and the Government gives such a farmer inputs worth K8,400.

Madam Speaker, over the years, the Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has continuously refined and improved the programme based on lessons learnt, stakeholder feedback, and best practices from other successful agricultural economies. Last year, we captured 210,000 non-eligible persons. To date, and as we speak, this year, we have already isolated 153,000, who have been identified as not eligible.

Madam Speaker, the transition from the direct input supply (DIS) to the e-Voucher modality represents a significant milestone in our efforts to modernise agricultural support systems and enhance transparency in programme implementation. To date, it is important to note that FISP is still limited to crop production. The e-Voucher system has proven to be more efficient, transparent and farmer-friendly, allowing beneficiaries greater flexibility in choosing their preferred suppliers while maintaining programme integrity through robust monitoring mechanisms. What a lovely system, Madam Speaker. Farmers are given a chance to go and pick the seed, fertiliser and chemicals they want. That is what the e-Voucher does.

Madam Speaker, before I report on the significant progress made in the implementation of our FISP, allow me to remind the House of the journey that has finally brought us to the 100 per cent implementation of the e-Voucher in the 2025/26 Farming Season. Hon. Members will recall that during the 2022/2023 Farming Season, FISP was initially implemented using DIS in all the 116 districts. Through this system, the Government would buy a lot of fertiliser and heap it for the farmers to collect.

Madam Speaker, in the 2024/2025 Farming Season, the e-Voucher modality commenced in seventeen districts, while the ninety-nine districts remained on DIS. In the 2024/2025 Farming Season, a total of seventy-four districts were migrated to the e-Voucher system, leaving only forty-two districts on DIS.

Madam Speaker, finally, in the 2025/2026 Farming Season, all the 116 districts across the country will be on the e-Voucher system. This is a progressive and accelerated system that reminds us of our previous mistakes.

Madam Speaker, I am happy to report that the Government has made the landmark decision to expand the e-Voucher modality to all the 116 districts across the country as the nationwide roll-out of the system will give the following benefits:

enhance transparency in input distribution;

reduce leakages and further, isolate non-existing beneficiaries;

improve efficiency in programme implementation;

provide farmers with greater choice in selecting their preferred suppliers;

enable real-time monitoring of programme activities;

facilitate better coordination between various stakeholders; and

remove the corruption perception that is often associated with bulk buying.

Madam Speaker, this august House may also recall that the Government issued Cabinet Circular CM 11 of 2024, to strengthen implementation and accountability measures of FISP.

Madam Speaker, I am talking about bonding of farmers to sell their maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). Therefore, with strict adherence to Cabinet Circular (CM) 11 of 2024, we have implemented comprehensive accountability measures to ensure that FISP beneficiaries fulfil their obligations to the programme. This means that all bonded farmers who received support in the 2024/2025 Farming Season will be required to sell a minimum of the following:

10 x 50 kg bags of maize to the FRA and not to hand over free of charge, but to go and sell ten bags to the agency, not their entire produce, but ten bags; and

For those who produced rice, they will be expected to sell 7 x 40 kg bags of rice to the FRA.

Madam Speaker, these requirements ensure that farmers contribute to the national food security while benefiting from the Government support programmes.

Madam Speaker, let me hasten to mention that all farmers on FISP have signed a bonding agreement. According to the agreement, those farmers must sell a minimum of the above-mentioned without fail unless, they are exempted from doing so under the Vulnerability Assessment Report issued under the Office of the Vice-President. In the absence of this report, the Ministry of Agriculture will remain compelled to actualise this intent.

Madam Speaker, may it be known to this esteemed House that it is not the wish of the Ministry of Agriculture to unduly punish farmers. In the absence of necessary information, we are compelled to follow the laid-out guidelines. Therefore, to strengthen monitoring and compliance, the Ministry of Agriculture has successfully integrated the Zambia Integrated Agriculture Management Information System (ZIAMIS) with the FRA systems. This integration enhances our ability to track maize sales by FISP beneficiaries, and ensures accountability in the programme. Furthermore, to maintain the integrity of FISP, we are implementing a comprehensive replacement system for ineligible farmers. New beneficiaries will replace those farmers who have been identified and removed from the programme due to non-compliance of programme requirements. FISP, Madam Speaker, does not absorb civils servant. So, if someone is a civil servant, he or she will be taken out. He or she will be captured because the system is so comprehensive. We will capture, take them out and replace them.

Madam Speaker, in response to the call by Parliamentarians, let it be on record that our farmers use the receipt from the FRA to qualify to redeem their inputs, as that will mean that farmers have sold their maize as per the agreement. For those in the queue, who have not yet delivered, they can pay the K400 and attach the receipt so that they redeem their inputs without delay.

Madam Speaker, it was in this House that the hon. Minister of Agriculture was guided that if farmers sell maize and are not yet paid, they must be able to use the receipt as payment for the K400. This is what we are talking about here. We have implemented it this season following your guidance to us as a ministry, and we are happy to report back positively.

Allow me now to report the implementation status as at 17^th September, 2025.

Farmer, Compliance and Sales

Madam Speaker, as at that date, 300,000 bonded farmers, representing 29.28 per cent of the 2024/2025 Farming Season beneficiaries have successfully sold maize to the FRA.
So, what this means is that within the 300,000, if there are farmers who are bonded, they have automatically paid the K400 and they are eligible to redeem their inputs.

Input Collection

Madam Speaker, the Government has already started the distribution of inputs for the 2025/2026 Farming Season, and collection is progressing satisfactorily for farmers who have received redeeming codes. It is a very good report. We have started giving out inputs.

Strengthening Private Sector Networks

Madam Speaker, over the years, we have learned that the success of FISP significantly depends on a robust network of agro-dealers. In terms of progress in this area of market development, I am, therefore, pleased to report that 808 agro-dealers have been approved out of the 1,362 applications that the Government received, representing 53 per cent. The Government is still accepting and considering applications from potential agro-dealers. So, hon. Members should apply. They are not late at all. We will consider their applications.

Product Cataloguing

Madam Speaker, product cataloguing is what we put in terms of what a farmer can redeem, such as fertiliser, seed, lime, chemicals and implements on the Zambia Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (ZIAMIS) platform by suppliers, which is also progressing well.

Madam Speaker, allow me to emphasise non-personal engagements. Agro-dealers who will be found discounting vouchers for money will no longer be eligible for the programme. We will eliminate and report them for economic sabotage. That also goes to the beneficiaries. Our farmers are cautioned against selling their inputs and discounting their vouchers for cash. If we catch them, we will disqualify them. The disadvantage of giving inputs early is that farmers get tempted to sell some of those inputs, especially farmers who are not genuine. Additionally, agro-dealers are cautioned against supplying non-certified seed, fertiliser and chemicals, as that is tantamount to sabotage of the economy. They will commit a criminal offence, which is non-bailable, when they do such a thing. The jail term is severe and long. This is a serious warning to all agro-dealers and our people who sell fertiliser. Further, agro-dealers are encouraged to open their outlets closer to the farmers to reduce the transport costs associated with long distances.

Madam Speaker, allow me to thank the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, for the continued support to FISP. Huge resource outlays are made available on an annual basis to make the programme successful. Therefore, my hon. Colleagues are, hereby, reminded that the Government allocated, through what we did here at Parliament, a significant investment of K9.2 billion to our agricultural sector to ensure the successful implementation of the programme during the 2025/2026 Farming Season. The Government's commitment to maintaining adequate funding for agricultural inputs demonstrates its recognition of the importance of the sector as a key driver of economic development and poverty reduction, which eventually results in rural development, employment creation and bumper harvests, which we are very proud of.

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I wish to inform the House and the nation at large that the Government has the interest of the farmers at heart and will continue to improve the delivery of sustainable agricultural programmes in an efficient and effective manner to enable farmers redeem farming inputs of their choice in good time. We are proud to start the distribution of inputs in September. In light of the irrigation and mechanisation facilities that the Government is promoting through the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF) and other related programmes, the long-term plan is for the process to be non-seasonal. So, going forward, every year, fertiliser and seeds, etcetera, will be available every month. That is where we want to put Zambia.

Madam Speaker, allow me to take this opportunity to thank all the hardworking farmers of Zambia for the bumper harvest, which has not been recorded before in the history of Zambia.

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I thank you, and my very happy colleague, Hon. Kampyongo, who is saying “Question!” on the bumper harvest, yet his province did well.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, before I invite you to ask questions on points of clarification, I would like to make it clear that the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation will deliver the Ministerial Statement on the status of the water pollution and what the Government has done so far in the affected areas on Thursday next week, as there will be a twenty-day long break after that. So, before we forget about that topic, maybe, the hon. Minister can come and issue the Ministerial Statement to the House on Thursday next week.

Thank you.

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

Mr Kapema (Pambashe): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the well-articulated Ministerial Statement.

Madam Speaker, on the complaints that are coming from our farmers concerning the ten bags of maize that they are supposed to sell to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), did the ministry sensitise them on the importance of that requirement? Some are saying that if they do not sell the ten bags of maize, then, they will no longer be eligible for the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I would like to assure the hon. Member, Mr Justin Kapema, that, indeed, all the farmers were well informed. They actually signed a bonding form, and agreed that, as a way of helping the country build its reserves, they should sell ten bags of what they get. Why would anyone not want to sell to the FRA, which has the highest price in the country? We are only asking for ten bags of the harvest that they have. The complaint is in areas where there was bad rainfall and floods. As a listening Government, we have said that the people in those areas should report to the Office of the Vice-President, and then that office will inform us to not take up the issue of the ten bags so that we can release the farmers.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Charles Mulenga (Kwacha): Madam Speaker, thank you, and I thank the hon. Minister for the comprehensive Ministerial Statement.

Madam Speaker, my question is on increasing the number of packs as well as beneficiaries. Does the Government have intentions of increasing the number of packs as well as beneficiaries for the current season?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, as a ministry, we work with what the Budget provides and, as at now, the Budget does not have a provision for an increase. We are encouraging all those who would like to benefit from SAFF to apply, so that they can get a bigger part of the resource, which is more than they can get with FISP, where one only gets six bags. So, unless the Parliament decides otherwise, for now, there is no increase to FISP.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Hamwaata (Pemba): Madam Speaker, thank you so much for this opportunity. I would like to congratulate the hon. Minister for leading this nation to the highest bumper harvest ever recorded.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has clearly indicated that those who were bonded and did not perform or did not harvest much should engage the Office of the Vice-President or the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). Therefore, would the hon. Minister consider using the ministry officers in that process? I believe the ministry has camp officers who are actually in contact with the farmers. They have data on which farmers did not produce crops in the last farming season. That information can easily be available to the hon. Minister’s office.

Madam Speaker, the situation on the ground is really challenging. The hon. Minister may have the information that some bonded farmers have been selling cows or getting the maize from commercial farmers to sell to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). In addition, people are being told that when they get the fertiliser for the next farming season, they will have to give it to the owners of the maize they supplied to the FRA. As such, it is difficult for the Ministry of Agriculture to know which areas did not produce crops in the last farming season. You would find that people have supplied maize, yet they did not produce any. Therefore, would the hon. Minister, please, consider using his officers to assess the situation on the ground?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, let me take advantage of this question to inform the House and the nation that there was another difficult condition which hon. Members and farmers complained about, which we have relaxed and taken out. That was the sieving of names of beneficiaries through the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) database. So, I would like to inform all the hon. Members of constituencies where farmers had difficulties because of being on the NAPSA database that the ministry has relaxed that condition. In this regard, we are not going to recklessly eliminate people found on the NAPSA database because some were put on that platform after working for one month, two months, three months and others were just general workers, but they were all swept out of the system for beneficiaries. So, being a listening Government, we have given a directive and a memorandum has already been written by the Permanent Secretary (PS) to all provincial administrations to the effect that all those who were eliminated using the NAPSA arrangement will now be eligible for the programme.

Madam Speaker, as regards the suggestion of us getting in touch with the Office of the Vice-President, I have heard that. It should be noted that the earlier guidance was for us to use our system. Nonetheless, I will contact the Office of the Vice-President, but I am encouraging all those who are affected to come forward so that we can work together. We do not want to disadvantage any farmer who fails to sell ten bags of maize because of genuine reasons. It is not in our interest to see people suffer. So, the farmers in Chama, Gwembe, Chirundu, Moomba and in other areas who have that difficulty should feel free to come to us so that we work together and enable them to continue being on the programme. So, they will not be harassed.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr B. Mpundu (Nkana): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the hon. Minister of Agriculture, abene bansala, …

Interruptions

Laughter

Mr B. Mpundu: … that the number of citizens across the country who need the support of the Government in terms of farming inputs has increased. In the spirit of solidarity, the few who are getting Government support are forced to share the little that they are given. I think the hon. Minister is aware of that. Three weeks ago, I was in his constituency, where I found such complaints.

Madam Speaker, it would interest you to know that despite being forced to share the little farming inputs being given, there is still a requirement by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) for farmers who want to be given support in the next farming season to sell, at least, ten bags of maize to the agency. How does the hon. Minister expect the farmers who are getting fertiliser in ama meda, because of the sharing concept, to produce enough maize to be able to sell ten bags to the FRA for them to qualify for input support in the next farming season?

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Andeleki: Madam Speaker, you are aware that I rarely rise on points of order.

Laughter

Mr Andeleki: Therefore, this point of order is very compelling, Madam Speaker. Is the hon. Member of Parliament for Nkana, who is not behaving well, in order to tell the hon. Minister of Agriculture that “abene bansala” when there is a bumper harvest in this country?

Madam Speaker, I do not even know how we are going to collect all the maize around the country. Is he in order to place –

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Andeleki: It is based on Standard Order No. 71. Is it in order for the hon. Member of Parliament for Nkana to call the hon. Minister as “abene bansala” when there was a bumper harvest in the country. Is it in order for him to place it on record that there is a ‘Minister of Hunger’ when he is supposed to congratulate the hon. Minister of Agriculture?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, what does “abene bansala” mean?

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member who has risen on a point of order should not come into our relationship with my traditional cousin. Abene bansala means the ‘patron of hunger’.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Do we have a ministry for such? What we know is that Hon. Mtolo is the Minister of Agriculture. So, that new title is misleading the citizens of Zambia. There is no such ministry. So, the hon. Member for Nkana was out of order. There is no ninistry called ‘the owners of hunger’. It does not exist. So, the hon. Member was totally out of order.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I think it is only fitting that I remind Hon. Binwell Mpundu that he should always be part and parcel of good things. We have never had such a huge produce of maize in this country as the one we had in the last farming season.

Interruptions

Ms Mulenga interjected.

Mr Mtolo: Yes, we have never had such a produce, Bana Mulenga.

Laughter

Mr Mtolo: So, we are very happy. Since Zambia was created, we have never produced maize as much as we have produced this year. Therefore, I would like to urge Hon. Mpundu, who hardly ever reads, to understand the situation.

Mr B. Mpundu: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: He is responding to your question. Let him finish, then, you can raise your point of order. So, let him respond to your question.

Laughter

Mr Mtolo: He who never reads, should read. Hon. Mpundu, you should read.

Interruptions

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Laughter

Mr Mtolo: I have a Grade 1 book with lessons on ABC. I will give it to you so that you can start reading.

Mr B. Mpundu: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Laughter

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, on a serious note now, I would like to state that the point raised by Hon. Mpundu should be taken very seriously. We never ever encourage the sharing of fertiliser. It is important that all hon. Members should encourage the beneficiaries in their constituencies to not share farming inputs.

Madam Speaker, secondly, the Government has ably corrected the perception that the hon. Member created, that farmers are sharing fertiliser due to inadequacies in the system. The Government has now introduced the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF). Farmers can apply for loans under this facility and they will be given much more than they can get under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). So, the problem of sharing fertiliser should not arise. I think that it should be the collective responsibility of the esteemed hon. Members of this House to inform their constituents of the right thing, other than propagating information meant to bring unrest and disharmony, that the Government is deliberately giving fewer bags of fertiliser. No, I think, that should not be allowed.

Madam Speaker, I would like to educate my good Hon. Mpundu. He should tell his constituents that SAFF is available. We can support farmers so that they get sufficient fertiliser through SAFF, if they missed out on the Electronic Voucher (e-Voucher) System.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr B. Mpundu: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I do not know whether that is on a serious note or on cousinship.

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, it is a serious point of order.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: It is cousinship.

Mr E. Banda: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister of Agriculture for the Ministerial Statement.

Madam Speaker, some farmers were beneficiaries of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) until last year. This year, they are no longer beneficiaries, but they supplied maize and paid K400 to the Government for the FISP. The list of beneficiaries at the District Agriculture Co-ordinator's Office (DACO) does not show their names. Who is going to refund them? That is the question they are asking. They are not on the beneficiaries list for this year, but after they supplied the maize to the Government, the K400 contribution was deducted from their accounts. This means that they are not going to get fertiliser. So, can the hon. Minister tell the people of Muchinga as to who is going to refund the farmers the K400 they paid. This will be problematic for the DACO office. The affected farmers might end up redeeming fertiliser from agro-dealers, and then the farmers who are supposed to benefit will end up not benefiting because other farmers would have taken up their space.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, in the event that that very unusual situation occurs, I would like to assure the hon. Member that the Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, will refund the farmers the K400.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, in his Ministerial Statement, the hon. Minister confirmed that so far, 0.01 per cent of the 1,024,000 farmers on the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) have paid for the farming inputs. He further confirmed that Zambia is back to using what used to be called promissory notes during the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) era. That is where my question arises. Farming requires fertiliser, labour and many other factors. How do farmers intend to pay for labour costs, since the Electronic Voucher (e-Voucher) system will take care of the farming inputs when a promissory note is presented. How are farmers going to pay for labour costs at the rate we are moving?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Chilubi for the question.

Madam Speaker, from the outset, I want to set the record straight. The whole morning, I have not used the term “promissory note.” The term has been coined by the hon. Member. I would like it to remain with him, not me. I never said that.

Madam Speaker, having cleared that, it is this House that guided us that when farmers deliver maize but do not get paid, a receipt should be used to acquit them so that they can redeem inputs. I am bemused because instead of getting kudos from my good hon. Member for Chilubi, he has u-turned and added labour costs. I think that is a different issue. That is about payments to farmers. I think that I will come with a Ministerial Statement on payments to farmers. Today, I concentrated on fertiliser and how farmers who delivered maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) should not be inconvenienced but use receipts in order for them to pay the K400. I think that is what I concentrated on. So, once more, I do not want to be associated with the term “promissory note.” I did not say it. I never mentioned it.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Madam Speaker, first and foremost, at least, the people of Chama can now breathe a sigh of relief, following the assurances by the hon. Minister that they will be exempted from paying the ten bags of maize each to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) because of the drought. The Camp Agriculture Committees (CACs) pestered our people.

Madam Speaker, I am alive to the fact that the Government is spending colossal sums of money subsidising fertiliser, and that the K400 contribution by farmers was introduced in the 2015/2016 Farming Season. Does the Government have plans to adjust upwards the K400 farmer contribution to K600, considering inflation and the depreciation of the Kwacha so that many farmers can be incorporated under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), instead of farmers sharing inputs? Not many farmers are able to get loans through the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF).

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, may I start by correcting the hon. Member that when a farmer sells the ten bags of maize to the FRA, that is not a payment. I would like to be very careful with my language, as Minister of Agriculture. We say, “sell ten bags,” not “pay,” because that has a different connotation. We say, “sell ten bags.”

Madam Speaker, secondly, the hon. Member started with very powerful economic statements relating to inflation, etcetera. How can the hon. Minister ask to increase the amount that farmers should pay, when they are already harassed by inflation, according to the hon. Member? So, for now, no, we do not have the intent to increase the amount. It will remain at K400. Currently, we are satisfied with the K400 contribution as it is not a huge labour for the farmer.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mrs Sabao (Chikankata): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his comprehensive Ministerial Statement.

Madam Speaker, the challenge we have in Chikankata is the issue of general workers under the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA). Some of them work for farmers for only two months. In his response, I heard the hon. Minister say that they will be separated. How is the separation going to be done, considering that we already have the inputs in our districts, and also considering that we do not have time?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I hope that by the term “separation,” the hon. Member is saying that they will be included, because what I said this morning is that all those who were isolated by the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) will now be included in the programme. We have the technical competence to do that. We will include them. Immediately, she will receive a note which shows the names of all those who were isolated because of the NAPSA crowding out.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1030 hours until 1100 hours.

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: When Business was suspended, the House was considering the Ministerial Statement given by the hon. Minister of Agriculture, and he had concluded his response to a supplementary question by the hon. Member for Chikankata.

Mr E. Daka (Msanzala): Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Minister for his explanation. The Government is implementing the 100 per cent electronic voucher (e-Voucher). This means that our co-operatives will benefit from the e-Voucher 100 per cent. If a member of the co-operative does not pay or contribute the 10 bags, are the packs which are supposed to be given to that particular individual going to be allocated to another person in the same co-operative? I am asking this question because there is fear that if such a scenario happened, those bags would be given to a different co-operative. Given that situation, how will the Government treat it?

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, thank you for that very important question.

Mr Speaker, the House will agree with me that the Ministry of Agriculture does not choose beneficiaries for the inputs. That is done by the co-operatives. So, the allocation will remain with the co-operatives or society. We have no right to decide who should be given. So, it is up to the co-operative to give us the names.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I think you did not answer the question, hon. Minister. The member has asked whether the pack will be withdrawn. So, that is what people would like to clarify. Could you shed some light on that?

Mr Mtolo: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

The pack will not be withdrawn from the co-operative. A pack can be withdrawn from the individual and remain with the co-operative. So, the co-operative submits the names of beneficiaries to the ministry.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Mwanza (Kaumbwe): Thank you so much, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, from the hon. Minister’s presentation, 30 per cent of the beneficiaries have bonded or rather acquitted themselves in order for them to redeem their inputs. Will there be an announcement on the closure of the registration of beneficiaries for the 2025/2026 Farming Season? As per the statistics, only 30 per cent of farmers have bonded and the Government has already started giving out inputs. Is there an indication that beyond a certain period, no one will be accepted to be on the electronic voucher (e-Voucher), especially for those who still want to be part of the remaining 70 per cent?

Mr Mtolo: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

First of all, Sir, I think we should all be comfortable that by 19^th September, 2025, we are at 30 per cent. Surely, we know that before the rainfall starts, we would have reached 100 per cent in terms of the allocation of inputs. Also, if hon. Members got my statement, I said that going forward, we are trying to do away with seasonality. We want to start giving inputs continuously. So, we will be very hesitant to give a deadline. We would like to continue giving these inputs every month, the whole year.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Mr Speaker, thank you very much.

I want to thank the hon. Minister for Agriculture for his Ministerial Statement, where he outlined quite a number of issues and the measures the Government is putting.

Mr Speaker, I appreciate the hon. Minister's pronouncements that all farmers who have delivered maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) can use their receipts to redeem their inputs for the 2025/2026 Farming Season.

Mr Speaker, I am worried that whilst the hon. Minister is celebrating the bumper harvest, it is like he has not paid particular attention to how we are going to secure the already harvested bumper harvest. He is concentrating too much on the 2025/2026 Farming Season. To ensure that his efforts for the 2024/2025 Farming Season do not go to waste, what measures has he put in place to ensure that all the maize that FRA is going to procure is stored so that it does not go to waste in terms of being soaked in the rain?

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, today, I came to talk about fertiliser; FISP. I will come with a statement on what we are doing to secure the current bumper harvest. Suffice to say, the ministry is well aware and alert to the fact that a lot of the maize is still not in covered sheds. I have statistics on that. We are seriously working on that and looking into it, especially in the North-Western Province, Luapula Province, the Northern Province and Muchinga Province where rainfall starts early. So, we are alert to that and working on it.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East): Mr Speaker, I appreciate the good policies that the hon. Minister has stated in the Ministerial Statement, which are leading to bumper harvests. I want to know whether enough money will be allocated for the ministry in the 2026 Budget to enable the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to procure more maize, provide more satellite depot sheds, bags and officers, and the possibility of exporting mealie meal to other countries. I just want to know if we have a budget line so that we can support the ministry.

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, the first part of my answer will be like what I said in response to Hon. J. Chibuye’s question. I am here to discuss FISP. However, I can see that there is interest in the maize harvest. I ask for your attention and that of hon. Members.

Mr Speaker, the Government wants to produce 10 million metric tonnes of maize. The country’s current population consumes 3 million metric tonnes. So, that will mean that 7 million metric tonnes needs to be bought and exported. It should not only be the responsibility of the Government to look at that 7 million metric tonnes. We have all been to many countries across the world; it is not the responsibility of the Government to get absolutely involved in buying the 7 million metric tonnes. May it be our collective responsibility, as individuals or companies, to buy so that we can export the maize. On our own, as the Government, it will be difficult to find the resources to buy that maize. However, if the honourable Dr and the hon. Member for Mwinilunga can get export permits for Angola and if the hon. Member for Msanzala can get an export permit for China, etcetera, it will reduce the burden on the Government to look for resources to buy the maize. We are having trouble with the 4 million metric tonnes. What will happen when we have 7 million metric tonnes? It should be the responsibility of hon. Members, like those in this House, to participate; buy and export. We should not leave it to the Government. It will be a difficult feat.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

_______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

SHORTAGE OF FUEL IN CHINSALI DISTRICT

16. Mr Mukosa (Chinsali) asked the Minister of Energy:

whether the Government is aware that for the past one month, Chinsali District has been experiencing a critical shortage of fuel, thereby, affecting service delivery in essential sectors such as health; and

if so, what urgent measures are being taken to resolve the problem.

The Minister of Energy (Mr Chikote): Mr Speaker, the Government is aware of the fuel supply challenges experienced in Chinsali, as the situation during the period cited was a nationwide problem. In August 2025, the country experienced fuel stockouts on the retail market due to logistical and supply challenges. The national fuel stock as of 18^th September, 2025, stood as follows:

45 million litres of diesel, which is sufficient and translates to ten days of consumption; and

12 million litres of petrol, which translates to seven days of consumption.

Mr Speaker, Chinsali District has three operational and one non-operational filling stations. The three operational filling stations are operated by Total Energies, Mount Meru Petroleum and Fastrack Petroleum. As of 18^thSeptember, 2025, the fuel supply situation in the district was as follows:

one filling station was selling both petrol and diesel; and

two filling stations were only selling diesel.

Mr Speaker, no filling station was completely dry.

Mr Speaker, the Government has put in place the following immediate measures to address the fuel supply shortage in Chinsali and the country as a whole:

fuel stocks at each filling station are being monitored daily, and where stockouts are identified, the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) operating such filling stations are engaged to urgently restock the sites;

the Government, through the Ministry of Energy, has continued to actively collaborate with the OMCs to ensure stability in supply;

the ministry has put in place a deliberate policy, through the Energy Regulation Board (ERB), to prioritise the retail market before commercial and possible exports; and

the ministry continues to urge members of the public to avoid panic buying, as such practices create artificial shortages and disadvantage other customers.

Mr Speaker, for the long term, to increase the security of supply of fuel in Chinsali District, the Government is making progress with other OMCs to set up filling stations, as stated below:

Lake Petroleum Limited has been issued with a construction permit, and works are underway for the construction of a new filling station; and

Karan Petroleum Limited was issued a construction permit previously, which expired, but is currently being processed for renewal.

Lastly, Mr Speaker, I wish to reiterate that the Government remains firmly committed to ensuring a steady and reliable supply of petroleum products to support economic growth and safeguard the welfare of all our citizens. Members of the public are, therefore, encouraged to remain calm, as the New Dawn Government has the situation under control.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mukosa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that the problem of not having fuel in Chinsali was caused by logistical challenges. Can he elaborate on what those logistical challenges are so that we understand the real challenge?

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, there are many logistical challenges that we experience. First of all, petrol is transported by road. When there are delays in terms of basing, it results in delays in offloading the product on the market. That is one of the most challenging logistical problem we have. The other issue is the delays in uplifting of diesel by the Tanzania Zambia Mafuta (TAZAMA) Pipeline Limited. Those are the issues that we are trying to address so that there is always fast uplifting of the product when it comes to diesel at TAZAMA. We are also trying to engage our counterparts who have facilities for offloading to ensure that when it comes to basing, Zambia is given priority whenever our vessels are at the ports.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mukosa: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the explanation he has given. The explanation is that the challenges that have led to the fuel crisis in Chinsali still persist. However, I would like the hon. Minister to give an assurance to the people of Chinsali that going forward, they will not be facing the same fuel problems.

Mr Speaker, what is happening is that when there is no fuel at the filling station, the people of Chinsali who have motorcycles and vehicles are subjected to going to the black market, where they are charged double the price of fuel they pay at the filling station. So, we want to hear the hon. Minister to give an assurance to the people of Chinsali on that issue.

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, as I have stated, there are a number of measures that the ministry or the Government is putting in place to make sure that the fuel challenges the people of this country are facing will be a thing of the past. I want to assure our dear colleagues in Chinsali District that the Government is doing its best to make sure that fuel shortages will no longer be an issue in Chinsali as well as in the country at large. So, measures are in the process of being implemented.

I thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I will only allow two more questions because the question is constituency-specific.

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Mr Speaker, thank you for your consideration and I just want to place it on record that fuel shortages are actually prevailing in most towns in Zambia. I also want to thank the hon. Minister for his responses.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has talked about logistical challenges, which are not new. He has also talked about the measures that are now going to be implemented so that certain things do not happen again.

Mr Speaker, players on the market attributed the shortage of fuel to a tender that was cancelled upon being awarded. Apparently, various players are saying that a particular company was not found desirable and, in the process, the tender was cancelled. So, the whole country was affected because a certain company was not desirable. Can the hon. Minister confirm if that is true or not?

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, those are just allegations. That is not true because we do not bring petrol into the country via a pipeline, but by road, as I stated earlier. So, there was no tender that was cancelled for people who transport petrol by road. There is no tender. That means that is a false allegation.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Member may wish to note that the responsibility or mandate of the Government is to make sure that we create an environment that is safe for the people of this nation. So, anything to do with a tender that is cancelled is done in good favour to make sure that our people receive the desirable quality of services that they are supposed to receive.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to direct a supplementary question to the hon. Minister of Energy. The subject matter is the shortage of fuel in Chinsali, but he is aware that challenges with getting fuel to consumers are not only being experienced in Chinsali. The Copperbelt Province and part of the North-Western Province have equally been affected.

Mr Speaker, can the hon. Member explain, for the benefit of the people who are following this conversation, why we are having such challenges beyond just the issue we have discussed, which is the fuel shortage in Chinsali. Could the Chinsali problem be the same as the one we had on the Copperbelt?

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, indeed, the shortage of fuel products we are talking about is real. As I have already alluded to, a number of measures are being put in place to make sure that the issues that are being raised by concerned citizens are addressed.

Mr Speaker, you may wish to note that the demand for fuel has risen, including in places like Chinsali. Fuel consumption in Chinsali used to be 13,000 litres, but it has now gone up to 25,000 litres. So, the increase in demand for fuel has contributed to the shortages. As I stated earlier, the delays in delivery have contributed to the availability of fuel products. That is why the Government has even gone as far as halting exports. All those are measures to ensure that our local market has sufficient fuel products.

Mr Speaker, I have also stated that this Government has given a directive that the first priority must be the retailer. That is part of the measures to ensure that the situation the country is facing is sorted out. I have given assurance that going forward, the situation will not be the same. We are doing our best, …

Mr Mumba: What about the Copperbelt?

Mr Chikote: … including on the Copperbelt. In the long term, this Government will make sure that we construct another multi-purpose pipeline to make sure that we have fuel in the country at all time.

Mr Speaker, hon. Members may wish to note that this Government is equal to the task of making sure that all fuel reservoirs in the country become operational. In the event that we have problems at the ports, we should be able to utilise or cushion the situation from what we have in our reservoirs across the country.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

_______

MOTIONS

MOTION OF THANKS

(Debate resumed)

Mr Mukumbi (Solwezi West): Mr Speaker, I want to commend the President for a well-delivered speech on the Floor of this House.

Mr Speaker, let me dissect some points in the President’s Speech. Firstly, on page 4, the President has made some commitments. He wants to build a prosperous Zambia. We must underline that. He wants to build a Zambia where all of us will live in peace. The President said that he wants a Zambia where businesses and job opportunities are valuable to every Zambian. That is happening. We are able to see what is happening in all our constituencies. Surely, we have nurses. For the first time in Kalumbila, we have a military officer with the rank of a lieutenant. That has not happened in many years. It has not happened in fourteen years. Today, we have officers in the military, the Zambia Air Force (ZAF), the Zambia National Service (ZNS), the Zambia Police Service and the Zambia Correctional Services (ZCS). That is what the President committed to do for all of us.

Mr Speaker, the President also discussed the issue of quality education for all of us. We are able to see that because quality education is being actualised in our constituencies. Surely, we are building 1 x 3 classroom blocks. Why? It is because we need pupils to learn in conducive environments. Over 2 million children have gone back to school. Where will they learn from if we do not build infrastructure? That is a commitment.

Mr Speaker, healthcare is assured for everyone. The Government has employed nurses. All our rural health centres are well-manned by doctors and licentiate medical officers. That is a commitment from the President. He wants a Zambia where every citizen lives in a dignified manner. That is being actualised. Surely, even my hon. Colleague Mumbuna, here, cannot be seen …

Laughter

Mr Mukumbi: … at a kamugodi. There is no kamugodi in Kanyama anymore.

Mr Speaker, we have to live a dignified life. Look at what used to happen at the Inter-City Bus Terminus. Anybody seen wearing red clothing, whether it was a trousers or a shirt, would be beaten. We do not want that to continue.

Mr Speaker, I can safely say that the people of Kalumbila support the presentation by the President and all the commitments he has made to the people of Zambia.

Mr Speaker, let me go to page 9. On agriculture, the President encouraged all of us to use irrigation systems or irrigation schemes. I support that drive. We, who come from the North-Western Province know that we have plenty of perennial rivers. All the districts in our province have big rivers. There is the Zambezi River, Kabompo River, Lunga River in Mwinilunga, Solwezi River in Solwezi and Kifubwa River. We have fresh water everywhere. We do not have to dam those areas. Hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, we do not need to dam those rivers. We just need the Government to provide pumps, and we will begin to pump water to farmers. What do we need? We just need mechanisation. Buy tractors, disc ploughs, boom sprayers and trailers for us and we shall provide food for this country called Zambia. We are ready for that. Please, mechanise farming in this province.

Mr Speaker, on page 15, the President discussed mining. I come from a province that is hosting three of the five big mines in Zambia. We have seen the advantages of re-opening old mines and opening new mines. What the Government is doing is unveiling the hidden treasures in the ground, by flying those aircrafts we are seeing in our province. That activity will definitely culminate into a report, so that we are able to know that which is beneath the ground. That is what we are looking forward to. Kalengwa Mine was opened. Before Kalumbila Mine opened, there was no town called Kalumbila in our district. There was no such a town. It was also all Solwezi West, Solwezi East and Solwezi Central. Before Kansanshi Mine opened, our town was called Six O’clock. Now, we have people who used to call us “Six O’clock” traversing the North-Western Province for business. Why? It is because mines are open and townships have been built. Golf courses have been established that side. We have business opportunities not only for the locals but also for every Zambian. I can confirm that many Zambians are in Solwezi looking for business. Why? It is because of the mines that have opened there.

Mr Speaker, we are looking for Dollars all the time. How can we get foreign exchange if we are not exporting? We need to do more; that is why the President said that we should increase copper production from the current 800,000 metric tonnes to about 3 million metric tonnes by 2031. What that means is that when production increases, the other parameters that support production will increase. For instance, those who move copper ore from the North-Western Province, if they used to use fifty trucks to transport copper, they will need to buy 200 or 500 trucks to move 3 million tonnes of copper. That entails more jobs for the people. The suppliers of acid will also have to increase the amount to supply. If the uptake is about 100,000 litres, to produce 3 million tonnes of copper, you need to produce not less than 3 million litres of acid. Therefore, there will be more jobs for people like drivers. So, many things will change. Many towns, like Mufulira where my hon. Colleague comes from, were built by the mines. Kitwe and Chingola were built by the mines. All those are mining towns. So, we know what the mines can do.

Mr Speaker, if you went to Mufumwe, where the old Kalengwa Mine was re-opened, you would find many people. A lot of infrastructure is being built there. Why? It is because of this drive. So, we, in Kalumbila support the drive by the President to up production from the current 800,000 plus metric tonnes to about 3 million metric tonnes of copper.

Mr Speaker, I can continue discussing the good things in the President’s Speech, but I will leave it at that for now.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Nakaponda (Isoka): Mr Speaker, thank you for allowing me to debate some of the issues highlighted in the speech by the Republican President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema.

Mr Speaker, let me talk about the impact of the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) and the Cash for Work programmes. The objective of the SCT is to reduce extreme poverty and inter-generational poverty. Vulnerable people who never used to have two or three meals per day now get some money from the SCT programme with less difficulty. Those beneficiaries who have school-going children are now able to buy shoes, uniforms and other school requirements for their children. Some beneficiaries have even invested in livestock such as chickens, pigs and goats. This progressive initiative has not just improved nutrition at household level, but has also improved the economic positions of the people, thereby contributing to the economic development of the country.

For instance, people who used to live in grass-thatched houses are now living in iron sheet roof houses.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Nakaponda: It is believed that they buy those iron sheets using the Social Cash Transfer (SCT). These are not mere talks, but living testimonies that we witnessed when we toured Chibombo District. Some beneficiaries of the SCT save their money in village banking called Ichilimba, which is a revolving fund at community level. When they save enough money, they buy fertiliser, thereby, supplementing the inputs they receive from the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). That is another way of securing food security at the household level.

Mr Speaker, the people who are on the Cash for Work programme clean the township by unblocking drainages and perform other small maintenance works at low cost compared to what the Government would have spent on contractors. The people of Isoka are therefore, happy with the SCT and the Cash for Work programmes.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Quality!

Mr Speaker, let me comment on education.

Sir, on page 41, paragraph 167, His Excellency the President said and I quote:

“To address the teacher deficit, we have continued to increase the number of teachers in our schools. Since 2022, we have recruited 42,000 teachers. This year, we are recruiting 2,000 more teachers.”

Mr Speaker, on the recruitment of teachers, the people of Isoka would like to urge the Government to recruit people who live in Isoka Constituency. Initially, teachers were recruited, but from outside Isoka. This time, we want teachers from within Isoka Constituency. In Isoka, there are trained teachers who are not employed. So, I urge the Government to recruit local teachers from my constituency. The same should apply to health workers. The Government said it would recruit 2,000 health workers.

Mr Speaker, when His Excellency the President addressed the House, he mentioned the recruitment of teachers and health workers. However, it is my wish that when the Government recruits health workers and teachers, it should consider people who live in Isoka. If it recruits people from other places, those people will only stay there for a few months and then, go back to where they came from. That way, Isoka will remain without teachers and health workers. This time, I want local teachers. I want my local people in Isoka to benefit from the recruitment exercise of teachers and health workers. I do not want the Government to recruit teachers from outside but within Isoka.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mulebwa (Kafulafuta): Mr Speaker, I sincerely thank you for giving me an opportunity to add a voice to the President's speech.

Mr Speaker, let me start by sincerely thanking the New Dawn Government for enhancing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) because it has performed wonders in Kafulafuta Constituency. We have experienced things that have never ever been seen since the birth of Kafulafuta. We are extremely grateful.

Mr Speaker, I followed the President's Speech carefully, and I wish to start with the following sub-headings: “Good Governance, Environment, and the Rule of Law.”

Mr Speaker, as the people of Kafulafuta, we have a serious problem that has persisted for years with an investor called Dangote Cement. Going by the President's Speech, I think we should not be where we are right now. In his speech, he said that the locals must participate in decision-making as a way of strengthening democracy. Obviously, this should be done under the rule of law.

Mr Speaker, I wish to say that had this been applied in our situation, we would not be where we are because there was never any participation by the locals in the way the said investor was handled. The Zambia Environment Management Agency (ZEMA) skipped many procedures that should not have been skipped. For example, the project was approved without the resettlement action being established. As a result, the company took advantage of the lapse in the procedural way to deprive people of what is due to them.

Mr Speaker, to make matters worse, there have been some misdeeds by ZEMA, which have really affected the way the matter was supposed to be handled. Worse still, the person who has been shielding Dangote Cement is now the acting director of the company which has compounded the problem.

Mr Speaker, I followed the spirit of the speech. What is obvious is that the His Excellency the President means well for all Zambians, and he wants every Zambian to have a better life. However, the way some institutions have operated, particularly ZEMA –

I am happy to see how the Government reacted to the Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited issue. How I wish the same has was done to us as well in Kafulafuta. The Government was supposed to take an interest to know exactly what is happening and see how the company has harassed and persecuted the people of Kafulafuta. I have been incarcerated on three different occasions because I stood up to say, “We must follow procedure,” but we have not been accorded help from the Government.

I once spoke to the hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry about this matter, and he told me that they could not support me because they had to let the investor benefit from whatever. I was deeply hurt after realising that an investor in Zambia means more than us, Zambians. This is not the kind of Zambia we want to live in. The matter is not rested. We, as the people of Kafulafuta, will continue fighting to ensure that what is due to us is paid.

Mr Speaker, I just wish to catch up on time here. His Excellency the President also talked about the rule of law. I have had a few questions from the public on this matter. The people have come to me, but I do not know how they know me.

I am normally on the quiet side in the House. So, when I meet people in town, I do not understand why they ask me questions like “What is happening in your Parliament?” or “How is it that you are ignoring what the courts are saying, and going the other way?” and so on, and so forth. So, I would have liked to hear what will protect us, as Parliamentarians, in terms of how work is going to move between the Government, and the courts. The major question that people are asking is: “Why does it seem like there is a conflict between the Executive and the Judiciary?” So, that is the question that I would have liked to hear a clear pathway on so that we are not found in a predicament. The situation is now putting us in a place where we do not seem to know exactly where we are as a people. I think that is something that I would have liked to get clarification on.

With those few words, Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Mulenga (Kalulushi): Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving the good people of Kalulushi this opportunity to also add a few – I do not know what better term to use. I will add my voice on behalf of the people of Kalulushi.

I will be brief, Mr Speaker. On page No. 4, item 16 states:

“We remain firmly committed to our national mission of building a prosperous Zambia. A Zambia where business and job opportunities are available for all.”

Mr Speaker, the President talked about job opportunities that are available for all Zambians. We have heard from certain sectors, and the Government has been very quiet about it, that a certain region is supposed to take up the topmost positions. I expected Her Honour the Vice-President and the Government to comment on that. Our brother, Chishimba Kambwili, is in prison. He was jailed because he uttered tribal remarks. We heard, and we know for sure. If we do not address these matters, we are going to run into havoc. I am a Bemba, and I have four sisters who are married to Tonga men. My children are Tonga by tribe. If we do not address this matter, as it should be, then, we are headed for doomsday. So, I am beginning to wonder. When we say that opportunities are available for all Zambians, why are those who have been given the opportunity to govern clearly discriminating and speaking openly about it, yet the Government has not condemned it? We are all silent. Silence means a lot. That is something that I hoped that Her Honour the Vice-President would condemn this morning and say, as Dr Kaunda stated, that this is one Zambia, one nation. Before we are a tribe, we are Zambians, even on our passports. Countries like the United States of America (USA) are where they are today because tribe has never been an issue. They say, “We are Americans”. If we do not address these issues, we are going to be in problems.

Mr Speaker, item 16 further states:

“… A Zambia where quality education and accessible health care are assured for all.”

Mr Speaker, I want to talk about the famous free education. It is a pity that most of us who are seated in here, in this House, our children are in private schools or abroad. I am wondering if the President is given the correct information. The President, himself, –

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

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised by the hon. Member for Kalabo Central.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, Standing Order No. 71. You know, I pity people like that.

Laughter

Mr Miyutu: You know, Mr Speaker, when you stand on this Floor to speak, you should speak facts.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: What did you say, hon. Member?

Mr Miyutu: I said that I pity people like the hon. Member for Kalulushi.

Ms Mulenga: Do not feel pity for me.

Mr Miyutu: Yes.

If it were not for her, I would not have stood on a point of order. We have to be genuine, and let us realise that we are unique. All human beings are unique, Mr Speaker. You cannot transfer your personality to another human being. You cannot. We cannot share personalities. I do not like people who just talk to please others. The hon. Member for Kalulushi said, ‘Hon. Members who are in this Chamber’ and it includes me. Then she said, “Our children”, meaning my children, are in private schools. Has she got the evidence to show that I have a child, my own biological child, in a private school?

Mr Speaker, I usually speak from the bottom of my heart. Let her withdraw that statement and rephrase it so that it includes herself minus me.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Mulenga: I will answer that.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Kalulushi, I think, your statement was general, inclusive of everyone. Some hon. Members feel agitated because it is not representative of the cross-section of hon. Members in the House. As such, you are out of order. Let us ensure that whatever we say on the Floor of this House is factual. Let us avoid making presumptions.

You can proceed.

Ms Mulenga: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, I think, our emotional hon. Member of Parliament should pay attention. I said ‘most’, and the word ‘most’ does not, at any point, insinuate everybody.

If you are not part of it, my dear hon. Member, you should have kept quiet.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, I have guided you.

Ms Mulenga: Most obliged, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, I want to speak on the point that states:

“… education and accessible health care are assured for all.”

Mr Speaker, it makes for very sad reading. The President might be a very good man who wants to work for the people of Zambia. However, the people who are giving – If he gets the correct information, only then can he work for the people of Zambia. I have taken it upon myself to give him the correct information. When you talk about education, like I said, most of us, including myself, our children are in private schools. That is the truth.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, I have guided you.

Ms Mulenga: Most of us.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Ms Mulenga: I am including myself. So why are you arguing if you are not there?

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member –

Interruptions

Ms Mulenga: Can I be protected, Mr Speaker?

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Ms Mulenga: Do not reduce my time.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Kalulushi, I have guided you. When you use the word ‘most’, it means that you have used a scale. So, it means most of the hon. Members’ children are in private schools. I have guided you. Some hon. Members are agitated by your statement. So, refrain from using it.

Ms Mulenga: Most obliged, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, I want to speak about the most talked about free education. The truth on the ground is that today –

Mr Munsanje: Chairlady!

Ms Mulenga: Mr Speaker, can I be protected? I can also react.

Interruptions

Ms Mulenga: Mr Speaker, when you visit primary schools, you will find that the teacher/pupil ratio is unthinkable. If you go into the compound and say, “Good morning” to a child, the child will say, “Good afternoon”.

Interruptions

Ms Mulenga: We are compromising quality for quantity.

Interruptions

Ms Mulenga: That is just the reality on the ground. Those are issues I was hoping the President would address. There has been so much talk about the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which has been called a game changer.

Hon. UPND Members: Yes!

Ms Mulenga: In this regard, I will speak about my constituency. I will not refer to another hon. Member’s constituency. We were given K10 million for disbursing as loans, but that money has not been recovered. When you go to the Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH) at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), you will find that there is no radiotherapy equipment, no drugs and many other things.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Ms Mulenga: Let me debate based on the truth. I should be allowed to debate because I was voted for by the people of Kalulushi.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Mulenga: Mr Speaker, when you go to the CDH today, you will find women, men and children dying because there is no help.

Hon. UPND Members: Ah!

Ms Mulenga: We are looking at –

Interruptions

Ms Mulenga: Mr Speaker, whether those on your right argue or not, the truth is that there are patients out there who are listening to what I am saying and they know that what I am saying is the truth. Lack of access to health care is worrisome. When I was at the Kalulushi General Hospital, what I saw was a sorry sight. People who are sick even have to buy their own drips.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Ms Mulenga: If you do not have money, you will die.

Mr Speaker, we have been talking about the skills component of the CDF. Indeed, people have acquired skills using that fund. However, where is the Government taking the people who are acquiring those skills? They are not taken anywhere. Where are they found? At the gold mines, but what did the Government do? People were shot at.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Ms Mulenga: That is the reality in Zambia today.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, as much as you have the Floor to debate, making assertions that you cannot substantiate, especially going to the extent of saying that the Government is shooting people –

Ms Mulenga: The hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security came and said it here.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

You are being guided. I do not want to curtail your debate. If you keep misleading people and yourself, …

Ms Phiri: They already know.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: … definitely, I will curtail your debate. I have guided you. So, avoid making such assertions.

Ms Mulenga: Most obliged, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, I will move to the issue of the mines. I hope the Republican President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, is hearing because I am telling him the truth.

Mr Speaker, on page 16 of the speech, the President talked about the mining sector. We have been talking about the Mopani Copper Mine being a game changer for the Copperbelt. Kalulushi harbours more mining companies than any other province in this country.

Interruptions

Ms Mulenga: More than any other district.

You know what I am talking about.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: No, hon. Member.

Ms Mulenga: I withdraw that, Mr Speaker., It is a district.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Okay, a district.

Ms Mulenga: Mr Speaker, my hon. Colleagues should pick the sense of what I am saying, rather than the vocabulary.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: No, avoid misleading people. Kalulushi is a district.

Ms Mulenga: I have said district. I withdrew the earlier statement.

Mr Speaker, most of the mining companies, even the so-called Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited, are in my constituency. We have been talking about revamping the Mopani Copper Mine. I was a contractor for the Mopani Copper Mine.

Interruptions

Ms Mulenga: Yes, I am a business person.

Interruptions

Ms Mulenga: Go and check the records of the Mopani Copper Mine. My family has dealt with the mines even before some of you were born. That is a reality. I am coming from a business background.

Interruptions

Ms Mulenga: Before it became Mopani Copper Mine, it was under Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) –

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Ms Mulenga: They kept interrupting me.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, your time is up.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Mr Speaker, I thank you most sincerely for this opportunity to debate the Motion of thanks to the President’s Address to this august House.

Mr Speaker, since this is a debate, let me begin by responding to some of the assertions that have been made by the hon. Member for Kalulushi, especially regarding the quality of education.

Mr Speaker, it is this Government that has rolled out a new curriculum, which has been on the shelves for a long time. During their time in power, our hon. Colleagues in the Patriotic Front (PF) never had time to roll out such a curriculum. Instead, they introduced teaching children in local languages.

Laughter

Mr Kambita: Is it not in their term of office that they introduced teaching children in local languages? Today, can the hon. Member for Kalulushi have the audacity to preach on how children should speak better English? We know what we are doing.

Mr Speaker, it is this Government that has introduced strategies for better education by massively recruiting staff responsible for improving the quality of education, even in far-flung areas like Kateji, where I come from, and places like Kakolokovu. All those places now have teachers. Is it not this Government that has introduced the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which gives local authorities the capacity to procure infrastructure, including improving the learning environment in far-flung areas? Rural communities in constituencies like mine are able to construct classroom blocks in Katonto and in Nyakuleng’a. In Nyakuleng’a, we are building a whole new day secondary school. Six teachers’ houses, as we speak, are being constructed.

Mr Speaker, I just thought that I should make that clear so that the nation knows how much the United Party for National Development (UPND) is putting into and what the President talked about in terms of improving the quality of education.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambita: Mr Speaker, coming from the education sector, allow me to refer to the theme of the President’s Address, which is: Consolidating Economic and Social Gains Towards a Prosperous, Resilient and Equitable Zambia. Each one of those words is applicable to our situation now. When we talk about a prosperous Zambia, it is about economic growth. Look at the economic growth that we have recorded steadily, which is hovering above 5 per cent, as opposed to the 1.1 per cent and even negative growth that was recorded during the time of the reign of our friends.

Mr Speaker, when it comes to resilience, look at how we came out of the drought situation. That is being resilient. It calls for the prudent management of a country so that it can be resilient and come out of such a situation. As for an equitable Zambia, look at the rollout of the CDF to each and every constituency. It is not too long ago, I think just two days ago, when we were handing over 156 Land Cruisers, powerful machines, as ambulances for each of the constituencies.

Mr Samakayi: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambita: Mr Speaker, all that is in tandem with the theme of the President’s Address to this House and hon. Colleagues need to take note of that.

Mr Speaker, with regard to agriculture, the President came here to announce the bumper harvest that we are expecting this year, which is about 3.7 million metric tonnes.

Mr Kasandwe: Question!

Mr Kambita: He even announced the plans that we are rolling out and said that by 2030, we are targeting 10 million metric tonnes of maize production. That is how organised Governments operate. You must have such targets in order for you to achieve more. We are not just setting out targets. Look at the farming mechanisation initiatives that have been put in place. There are various centres that are dotted around the country. We want to put up more centres, including those for training farmers. As if that is not enough, there are mechanisms for accessing funding if one is serious about farming. Small-scale farmers can access funding through the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF). The President reported here that 9,000 small-scale farmers so far have accessed funds through SAFF.

Mr Speaker, look at how beautifully things are being correlated. You cannot just have targets without having systems of how you will achieve those targets.

Mr Speaker, I will talk about infrastructure. Indeed, we have had a challenge with infrastructure. We had to fall back on the public-private partnership (PPP) model, and it has done well so far. I am aware that there are pieces of infrastructure that are going to be developed using the PPP model. A good example is the Ndola/Lusaka Dual Carriageway, which the President alluded to. In my province, we are talking about the Mutanda/Kasempa/Kaoma Road, which is already completed and will soon be commissioned by the President.

Mr Speaker, now, I want to speak to the people of the North-Western Province. They should be a little patient. Sometimes, I hear people bickering about infrastructure. We need to slow down and trust the process. There is a process. We are using the PPP model. Ask me why we are using the PPP model. It is because the fiscal space had shrunk. Do they know why the fiscal space had shrunk? In simple language, we had too much debt and we needed to restructure it. We have now restructured it and we know how much to pay. We are responsible people so we need to pay the debt. What remains in the coffers after we appropriate the Budget here is not enough for us to go on a rampage developing a lot of infrastructure at the same time to be supported by the Budget. That is what we mean by the fiscal space being shrunk. So, people need to trust us because we are managing things prudently. We expect utmost patience from our people.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambita: Mr Speaker, when we are doing what we are doing, we expect the people’s support, because we cannot achieve things just today. What they need to trust for now is the process towards prosperity, which the President alluded to in his speech. Now, if they do not trust the process, but disturb what has already been arranged and they make the negative pronouncements that they make, they will end up losing a very responsible Government and bringing back the people who looted their resources.

Laughter

Mr Kambita: They need to be very careful in the way they talk and in what they say.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Mr Kambita: I am speaking to the people from my province because I represent them. Please, let us avoid unnecessary negative talk. Development is not an event; it is a process, and we have to trust the process.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Andeleki (Katombola): Mr Speaker, on behalf of the people of Katombola, thank you very much for according me the opportunity the debate the speech which was delivered by His Excellency the President on Friday, 12^th September, 2025.

Mr Speaker, in the interest of time, allow me to concentrate on good governance, which is on page 51 of the President’s Speech. The President was very categorical that his Government is working very hard to promote human rights and freedoms. I want to thank His Excellency the President for restoring order in the country. There is peace, development and tranquillity. Before this Government came into office, we lost a number of our people through police brutality and extrajudicial killings. We have not forgotten the killing which took place on 22^nd December, 2020. We have not forgotten the killing of Nsama Nsama, a public prosecutor and the killing of Chibulo Mapenzi, Joseph Kaunda and Vespers Shimuzila.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Andeleki: Mr Speaker, we need to thank His Excellency the President and the current Government for the milestones that have been scored in ensuring that this country has peace. Peace is a very, very expensive commodity. When it is lost, it is very difficult to develop the country. For that, we toast His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, the Cabinet and all the stakeholders spearheading the democratisation process in the Republic of Zambia.

Mr Speaker, allow me to address the issue of the rule of law. Currently, we are back in the ‘Champions League’ when it comes to the rule of law, good governance and constitutionalism. For this reason, we thank the Government.

Mr Speaker, let me address the issue of press freedom. We are now back to being a leading democracy not only in Africa but world over. I want to announce that next week, for the very first time, we expect the Speaker of the Parliament of Australia and his delegation to come for benchmarking here. That is because of the good policies of the Government in terms of press freedom and freedom of expression. I want to thank the Government based on the Speech delivered by His Excellency the President.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Andeleki: Mr Speaker, we cannot talk of good governance without democracy. Today, people are campaigning freely. Yesterday, there were elections. People did not know that there were elections because there was tranquillity, order, discipline and peace during the elections. Those things have been restored in this country. Therefore, we must toast this Government, and the people of Zambia must acknowledge the fact that Zambia has changed.

Mr Speaker, Lusaka Inter-City Bus Terminus is no longer kamugodi; people are free to go there in any attire. We cannot talk of democracy without an independent electoral commission. As I speak, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is public. In a transparent manner, it is informing all the people of Zambia to register as voters so that they can vote next year. What more do people expect?

Mr Speaker, let me talk about access to justice, particularly the decentralisation of the Legal Aid Board. I am a former Legal Aid Board counsel. I come from the Legal Aid Board; I was a lawyer there.

Mr Amutike: Hear, hear! Senior lawyer.

Dr Andeleki: Mr Speaker, I came from the Legal Aid Board. I represented indigent persons. As Katombola Constituency, we are happy to indicate that the decentralisation of the Legal Aid Board is gaining momentum; out of 116 districts, the institution is in 102. We are looking forward to the Legal Aid Board having representation in all the districts so that access to justice is delivered in the whole country.

Mr Speaker, let me also talk about the independence of the Judiciary. We cannot talk of democracy without an independent Judiciary. Today, our Judiciary is one of the best in the world, because its independence is entrenched in the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016. The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 established the fiscal independence of the Judiciary and gave it autonomy. In the last Meeting, before we adjourned, we passed a Bill entitled the Superior Courts (Number of Judges) Act, 2025, meant to increase the number of Judges in the High Court and the Court of Appeal. That is how it should be. Instead of taking money and hiring twenty jets to go to America and wasting public resources, this is how it should be.

Mr Speaker, allow me to also address the issue of the fight against corruption. This Government has fought corruption, and offenders have started crying foul that they are being targeted. I want to echo the statement by His Excellency the President that the fight against corruption is not intended to target anybody. The fight against corruption is for yesterday, today and forever. So, those who stole should not cry foul. I want to place on record that the lenient sentences that have been dispensed for persons who stole public resources are a source of great concern to the people of Katombola Constituency. A four-year sentence is not commensurate with theft of US$11 million. We are dealing with public resources, so we would like to see strengthened legislation through the amendment of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act No. 3 of 2012, to ensure that not less than twenty-five years is meted out to personalities who steal public resources, be it cash, like in the case of Malanji, or otherwise. In Katombola Constituency, we are not happy with the sentences that we have seen. We have looked at all the sentences, including the sentence in the case of Stella Chibanda Mumba, Katele Kalumba, Faustin Mwenya Kabwe and Aaron Chungu vs The People. The sentences were very lenient; US$10 million was involved and the sentences were three years in prison.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, avoid mentioning personalities who are not here and cannot defend themselves. So, withdraw that statement.

Dr Andeleki: Mr Speaker, I am –

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Withdraw that statement.

Dr Andeleki: I withdraw, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: What are you withdrawing?

Dr Andeleki: Mr Speaker, I withdraw the quotation of the judgment in the case of the People versus Katele Kalumba, Supreme Court Judgment No. 7.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Okay, thank you.

You may proceed.

Dr Andeleki: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, the position is that the fight against corruption must be strengthened. We commend the Government for introducing the Economic and Financial Crimes Court. We are expecting more serious sentences from that court and not massaging corruption.

Mr Speaker, we want to ensure that all persons entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of people's funds, whether it is in the form of drugs should not try it. Quoting the cases of the People versus Dr Kashiba Bulaya, Henry Kapoko, and all the Supreme Court judgments ...

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member!

Mr Andeleki: I withdraw that judgment again, Mr Speaker.

Interruptions

Mr Andeleki: Mr Speaker, I am well guided, and I withdraw. I will not quote the judgments of people who were convicted of corruption.

Mr Speaker, the people of Katombola are thankful for the opportunity. I am also thankful for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), and we wish His Excellency the President well. We therefore, commend him for his speech.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Quality!

Mr Jamba (Mwembezhi): I thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving the people of Mwembezhi a bit of time to raise one or two issues concerning the speech by our President.

Mr Speaker, the President highlighted many issues, and he was on point. The people of Mwembezhi are therefore, delighted that he was able to do that.

Mr Speaker, on page 34, the President talked about infrastructure. He mentioned many roads, including the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway. He mentioned many roads that he thinks are going to be tarred and completed on time.

Mr Speaker, the people of Mwembezhi are actually very happy because as their representative, I have stood on the Floor of this House many times to talk about the Nampundwe Road, which starts from Farmers via Nampundwe up to Blue Lagoon. Currently, that road is being tarred …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Njamba: … and as I am talking, works are actually progressing very well. By December 2025, the tarred stretch will reach Nampundwe. The House may wish to note that the distance from Lusaka Town Center to Nampundwe is like the distance from the Lusaka Town Center to Chongwe or Kafue.

Mr Speaker, I wish to remind the people in here that if they are looking for better places to reside, they can go to Mwembezhi or Nampunde Mine. Therefore, I want to thank the President for making sure that that road is constructed in order to improve the road network in Mwembezhi. That way, everyone is going to enjoy.

Mr Speaker, in 2018/2019, some people constructed a road somewhere for political gain. I will not mention the place but I will only say that on that road, only two vehicles pass, one in the morning and one in the evening. In the past, when we asked for a road in Nampundwe, we were told, “Mule voter bwino”.

So, on behalf of the people of Nampundwe, I want to say that the President is a good man because he does not tell the Zambians that for them to have good roads, they need to vote properly. Previously, we were told, “Ka votedwe. Imwe simuma voter bwino”. Meaning, we did not vote properly because we belonged tov the United Party for National Development (UPND) in Mwembezhi, and that is why our road was not constructed.

Mr Speaker, the President said that all the roads in Zambia are being taken care of without looking at who voted for the UPND or not. The people of Mwembezhi are very happy with what he is doing.

Mr Speaker, apart from the construction of the road, I would like to thank the President for giving us the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). By using the CDF, we have organised many machines to work on the feeder roads in the constituency. This will connect all the areas in Mwembezhi to the main grid. In that regard, business will be made easier to do and people's lives will improve.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Njamba: Mr Speaker, let me clear one issue.

Let me also talk about the open access in the power sector. Regarding the energy that everyone is crying for, the President categorically said that the whole Zambia is affected. The President did not mention that only some sectors are affected. The power shortage is affecting everybody, whether one belongs to the UPND, Patriotic Front (PF) or the National Restoration Party (NAREP). The power deficit is affecting every one of us. The President said the Government is working tirelessly in making sure that the issue of power deficit comes to an end.

Mr Speaker, let me also talk about one issue that was raised two days ago about the independent power suppliers such as Kanona Power Company Limited, the Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) and other power suppliers.

I can tell that some people had little knowledge about Kanona Power Company Limited. Kanono Power Company Limited buys power from South Africa and Mozambique and supplies it to ZESCO Limited in Zambia. Kanona Power Company Limited enables ZESCO Limited to supply power to the community. It is therefore, surprising to hear people questioning how Kanona Power Company Limited came about? Kanona Power Company Limited is a private company which supplies power just like the CEC on the Copperbelt.

Therefore, demonising a private company that is actually assisting the country is wrong. I know that people do not tell the truth. The truth of the matter is what the President said. The President acknowledged that we have a problem with power in this country. He further stated that the Government is fighting to reduce the power deficit. We should all be on board to try and see how we can work together to reduce the power deficit instead of involving Kanona Power Company Limited.

Mr Speaker, the President stated that if we, as the people of Zambia, work together without side lining any region, our country can prosper. So, let us see how far we will go. I think by 2031, this country will have turned into a better nation.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to make a few comments on the speech which was delivered by the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, last Friday, 12^th September, 2025.

Eng. Nzovu interjected.

Laughter

Mr Mukosa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister keeps on disturbing me.

Laughter

Mr Mukosa: Mr Speaker, the President touched on the issue regarding the construction of the Great North Road, the stretch from Chinsali to Nakonde. The President said that that road has reached about 98 per cent completion stage. This is by and large, true. However, I want to state that there is a variation that was made on that contract which pertains to a 16 km stretch from Chinsali Post Office to Nambuluma, which has not been worked on.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development reported to this House that works on that stretch were going to commerce by May this year, but that has not happened. At least, I can confirm that the contractor has been found but he has not yet started working on the road. So, I would like the President and the House to know that work on that very important 16 km road, from Nambuluma to Chinsali Post Office has not yet started.

Mr Speaker, the other issue I want to talk about is the airport. On page No. 35, the President stated that the Government has identified land for the construction of airports in Nakonde and Chinsali. He further said that the Government was working on Nakonde and Chinsali Airports at the same time. I appreciate the Government’s intention to provide an airport for us. However, the truth is that while land has been identified, construction works, specifically in Chinsali, have not commenced. Nothing is happening. I would like the President to know that the works have not commenced on the airport he talked about in Chinsali.

Mr Speaker, the next issue I would like to discuss is the recorded rebound in production levels of major crops, among them maize, which the President mentioned. I would like to urge the Government to maintain maize production at that level and, if possible, do more. However, there is one thing. Farmers in Chinsali supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), some as far back as two months ago, but they have not been paid. Every day, farmers tell me that they wish they had not taken their maize to the FRA. If they had anywhere else to sell, they would not have taken their maize to the FRA.

Mr Speaker, if we are to encourage farmers to continue performing better in producing maize, which is our staple food, it is important for the Government to ensure that it pays them promptly when they supply the maize. The FRA should pay in good time. Schools have opened, but farmers who have school-going children do not have the money to pay for them to be in school. Some farmers are on the Electronic Voucher (e-Voucher) System, while others are on the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). A good number of farmers, I stand to be corrected, about one million, are on FISP. The total number of farmers in the country is about 4 million, which is about 25 per cent of farmers on FISP. So, the 75 per cent use their own resources, and supply maize to the FRA, and they need to receive the money so that they can start preparing, buy fertiliser and other materials needed to support their farming activities.

Mr Speaker, the President also talked about supporting irrigation to scale up maize production and to ensure resilience against droughts. Irrigation can only succeed if we have sufficient electricity to support the scheme. If we do not have electricity in our homes to power bulbs and charge cellular phones, how will we support irrigation? It is important for the Ministry of Energy to work hard to produce enough energy for the irrigation inspiration that the President has in mind. On page No. 27, the President said:

“Clearly, tackling the challenge of load-shedding is currently the top priority of this Government. We have a plan and are working hard, day and night, to improve the situation.”

Mr Speaker, one thing that the Government needs to do is stop exporting electricity. If we stop exporting the electricity we have, we will immediately reduce the load-shedding hours. There is no need to work hard when we cannot take advantage of the low-hanging fruit. We already have the electricity that we produce, but we are exporting it to other countries. So, the first thing we, as a country, need to do is to stop the exportation of electricity. That will reduce the number of load- shedding hours. Then, we can continue working hard, day and night, to produce more to end the energy deficit, and we can look at producing for export.

Mr Speaker, what the President said regarding what we are doing in the science and technology sector lacked depth. The President just said that we are investing in science and technology. He did not give any targets regarding where he sees the country in the next few years.

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

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

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ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

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The House adjourned at 1237 hours until 1430 hours on Tuesday, 23^rd September, 2025.

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Friday, 19th September, 2025

Order Paper

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