Friday, 7^th November, 2025

 

The House met at 0900 hours

 

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

_______

 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM SPEAKER

 

Madam Speaker: A reminder to the hon. Members joining us virtually, please log in.

 

VISITORS FROM WALELEKA SCHOOL IN LUSAKA DISTRICT

 

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

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

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

 

I thank you.

_______

 

BUSINESS STATEMENT

 

 The Vice-President (Dr Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the House Business Committee met on Thursday, 6^th November, 2025, to determine and schedule Business of the House for the period 11^th to 21^st November, 2025.

 

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

 

Announcements

 

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

 

Rulings

 

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

 

Ministerial Statements

 

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

 

Reports on International Conferences

 

The following reports on international conferences will be considered:

                                     

1. The Report of the Zambian Delegation to the 68^th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPA), held in Bridgetown, Barbados, from 5^th to 12^th October, 2025. This will be considered on 14^th November, 2025; and

 

1. The Report of the Zambian Delegation to the 151^st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly and related meetings held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 19^th to 23^rd October, 2025. This will be considered on 18^th November, 2025.

 

Bills

 

The following Bills will be considered:

 

1. The Closed-Circuit Television Public Protection Bill No. 1 of 2025, Second Reading, on 12^th November, 2025;

 

1. The Teaching Profession Bill No. 14 of 2025, Second Reading on 21^st November, 2025;

 

1. The Small Claims Court (Amendment) Bill No. 16 of 2025, Committee Stage on 11^th November, 2025; and

 

1. The Cotton Bill No. 12 of 2025, Committee Stageon 12^th November, 2025.

 

Parliamentary Committees Reports

 

The Report of the Committee on Youth, Sport and Child Matters on the Ratification of the Optional Protocols on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts to be considered on 13^th November, 2025.

 

Private Members' Motions

 

The following Private Members’ Motions will be presented during the period:

 

1. Mr A. Katakwe, MP, will move a Motion entitled, “Introduce a Legal and Policy Framework to Regulate the Provision of In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Fertility Services”. This will be considered on 12^th November, 2025;

 

1. Mr S. Chanda, MP, will move a Motion entitled, “Introduce Optional Access to Lump Sum Retirement Benefits Under NAPSA”. This will be considered on 12^th November, 2025;

 

1. Mr M. Chinkuli, MP, will move a Motion entitled, “Regulate the Conduct of Funerals for Heads of the three Arms of Government”. This will be considered on 19^th November, 2025; and

 

1. Mr C. Kang’ombe, MP, will move a Motion entitled, “Set-up Livestock Farming Blocks in Provinces with Low Cattle Stock”. This will be considered on 19^th November, 2025.

 

Questions

 

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

 

Hon. Ministers will also respond to Urgent Questions, under Order No. 82 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, if there will be any.

 

Questions on Standby

 

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

 

Motion of Supply

 

The House began the debate on the Motion of Supply moved by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning on Tuesday, 4^th November, 2025, and will conclude the debate on Wednesday, 19^th November, 2025. Thereafter, the House will resolve into  Committee of Supply to consider individual Heads of Expenditure. Details of the Heads of Expenditure are contained in this statement and will be circulated to all hon. Members.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

 

_______

 

URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

 

Madam Speaker: I see that there is so much interest today. Are we skipping Urgent Matters without Notice?

 

Hon. Members: No!

 

Madam Speaker: Okay, may the hon. Members who have Urgent Matters without Notice indicate.

 

  MR SING’OMBE, HON. MEMBER FOR DUNDUMWEZI, ON MR MTOLO, HON. MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, ON THE FARMER INPUT SUPPORT PROGRAMME

 

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me an opportunity to raise an Urgent Matter without Notice to Her Honour the Vice-President. Farmers are almost panicking because our Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has not yet allowed them to start contributing towards the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). A number of them are holding on to the K400 they are supposed to contribute. When will the Government allow farmers to start depositing the K400 so that they can quickly access their inputs for the 2025/2026 Farming Season?

 

Madam Speaker: That is a question, hon. Member, you should have reserved it as a specific question. Actually, before we start the next item, I will remind hon. Members the nature of the questions that will be asked.

 

Anyway, the hon. Member for Dundumwezi has raised an important issue. Farmers need to be kept abreast of what is happening. I am sure that the hon. Minister of Agriculture is listening. Farmers should be given a schedule on what needs to be done and when, so that they are not left behind. That is a question, but I am sure that the hon. Minister of Agriculture has taken note so that he can give a specific schedule to the farmers on what needs to be done and when, so that people do not start panicking. We have started receiving some rainfall. When rainfall starts, a farmer starts panicking and wanting to plant. So, let us settle their fears.

 

The matter is not admitted, but thank you for raising it. It is an important issue, and I am sure that the hon. Minister of Agriculture has taken note.

 

MR CHISOPA, HON. MEMBER FOR MKUSHI SOUTH, ON MR MTOLO,  HON. MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, ON THE K2 BILLION RELEASED TO PAY FARMERS

 

Mr Chisopa (Mkushi South): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

 

Mr Chisopa: Madam Speaker, my Urgent Matter without Notice is directed at the hon. Minister of Agriculture. I can see that he is not in the Chamber. Therefore, I will direct it at Her Honour the Vice-President.

 

Madam Speaker, yesterday, I was in my constituency. The hon. Minister of Agriculture was here saying that he had released K2 billion to pay the farmers who supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). However, farmers in my constituency have not received anything. Only 2 per cent of the farmers in my constituency have received payments for the maize.

 

Madam Speaker, is Her Honour the Vice-President in order to not indicate how much money has been allocated for the farmers in Mkushi South Constituency? As you are aware, the rainfall has just started and farmers are panicking because they have to buy inputs and start cultivating the land.

 

Madam Speaker, I seek your indulgence.

 

Madam Speaker: That Urgent Matter without Notice has come in so many forms. It has come as a point of order and as a question. Nevertheless, thank you very much, hon. Member for Mkushi South for raising that issue. If you were in the House when the hon. Minister of Agriculture was delivering a Ministerial Statement, you could have heard him indicate that there was some arrangement that was being made to raise K5 billion. It is not that the money had already been raised; it was in process. So, please, if you engage him and present the requirements for your constituency to him, just like the other hon. Members of Parliament do, I am sure you will be able to get clarity on that issue. The payment process is ongoing. I am sure that the Executive has taken note, and measures are being taken to ensure that farmers are paid. You are just echoing what I was saying earlier on when the hon. Member for Dundumwezi asked his question, stating that farmers are in a panic mode now. So, we need to allay their fears. The matter is not admitted, but what you have raised has been taken note of.  

 

MR NGOMA, HON. MEMBER FOR LUMEZI, ON MR MUTATI, HON. MINISTER OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, ON LACK OF NETWORK IN LUMEZI CONSTITUENCY

 

Mr Ngoma (Lumezi): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

 

Mr Ngoma: Madam Speaker, my Urgent Matter without Notice is directed at the hon. Minister of Technology and Science, who seems not to be here. So, I will direct the matter to Her Honour the Vice-President.

 

Madam Speaker, you are aware that in the modern world, communication is very important. Without communication, many things are derailed. I have a situation in my constituency. As you are aware, the New Dawn Government is in a hurry to develop this country, and a lot of progress is going on in my constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, I am getting worried. The network has collapsed in half of my constituency. It has now been a couple of days that the people in Shibande under Mwanya Chiefdom and the people of Kazembe and Chitungulu cannot communicate with anyone. There is no network. The network provider is the Zambia Telecommunications Company Limited (Zamtel). The people in that area are wondering as to when they will have network. There is a need to restore the network in those chiefdoms. It has been three weeks since the network disappeared; they cannot access it. 

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to submit this concern on behalf of the good people of Lumezi.

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Members, let us encourage the hon. Members who are trying to contribute to what we are doing.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

 

On the issue of communication towers, the hon. Minister of Technology and Science was in this House and assured hon. Members that communication towers would be installed. He even asked them to identify sites where the communication towers would be placed. He has not come back to brief us on how far he has gone with that project. Also, regarding the issue of communication especially in rural areas, the Government is paying people money under the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme, the Food for Work programme and other programmes. The people need mobile phone services. I think, it is only fair that the hon. Minister of Technology and Science comes with an update on how far he has gone with the installation of the communication towers. There was also the aspect that if there is only Zamtel in one area, the prospect of roaming between the service providers will be made available. We also need to be updated on that.

 

So, thank you very much, hon. Member for Lumezi, for raising that issue. I will give the hon. Minister of Technology and Science a chance to come back to the House and update the House and the people of Zambia on how far we have gone with the installation of communication towers and roaming between networks. Thank you very much.

 

The hon. Minister should come back on Thursday next week with a Ministerial Statement. I do not know what date Thursday next week will be. On 13^th September, Thursday next week, the hon. Minister of Technology and Science should come back to the House with that Ministerial Statement. Thank you very much.

 

Hon. Member: Madam Speaker, we are in November.

 

Madam Speaker: Oh, November. Sorry. I apologise, I am going backwards. It is the hon. Member for Mkushi South who wants me to go backwards.

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much. That was on a lighter note, hon. Member.

 

 Hon. Members, before we move to the next item, just a reminder to hon. Members regarding questions that are directed to Her Honour the Vice-President, in accordance with Standing Order No. 78, which reads as follows:

 

“A question shall be directed to the Vice-President and shall only relate to the ministerial or public affairs with which the Vice-President is responsible officially.”

 

So, let us not ask specific questions. Let us ask questions that touch on policy.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Yes!

 

Madam Speaker: I am sure we have gotten that.

 

______

 

THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME

 

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika): Madam Speaker, this is what is called real kwenyu.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kapyanga: Your Honour the Vice-President, good morning.

 

Your Government has now become a ‘quadro f’ Government.

 

Mr Simumba: Yes!

 

Mr Kapyanga: Failed promises, fake narrative, fear of politics…

 

Hon. PF Members: Yes!

 

Mr Kapyanga: …and foreign dependency. Economic decisions are increasingly shaped by external influence from institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr Kapyanga: On failed promises, you promised the Zambian people that you would fix the economy and change their lives. My question to Her Honour the Vice-President, therefore, is: Four years of being in power, what infrastructure development can you point at to show that that is where the money that the Government has borrowed so far, was spent? I mean real infrastructure development, such as airports bridges, universities, schools, hospitals, skills training centres, trades schools and other infrastructure that support the lives of our people.

 

The Vice-President (Dr Nalumango): Madam Speaker, thank you, and good morning to the hon. Member for Mpika.

 

Madam Speaker, the first part of the question was a little bit difficult for me because he was reading, and a little too fast.  I cannot tell exactly what the hon. Member referred to, except the question itself. So, it will be difficult for me to base my response on the introduction that he gave.

 

Madam Speaker, the question is: After having being in power for four years, what real infrastructure have we put up? I think, the hon. Member saw my facial expression because when he asked that question, he was not reading. I think, I am surprised that the hon. Member is in Zambia, yet he is asking such a question. Honestly, when he says real infrastructure, what does he mean? Is there unreal infrastructure? Cyber? What is unreal infrastructure?

 

Madam Speaker, every infrastructure is real and tangible. You can feel it. That is a fact.

 

Mr Samakayi: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: You can see it. You can touch it. So, it becomes real.

 

Mr Simumba: Utuma toilet!

 

The Vice-President: To start with, if there is no infrastructure in your constituency, hon. Member, you have done something very wrong …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: … because the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has done so much.

 

Madam Speaker, unless I do not understand the word infrastructure, there is so much going on. Yesterday, we listened to debate from the hon. Member for Mwandi and how she came out on what the CDF has done in infrastructure development in the constituency.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: So, hon. Member, you are on your own if the people of Mpika reject you because they have been given the power to decide on the infrastructure priority within the constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, there are many other things that have been done beyond the CDF. What about – I think, the closest airport is Kasama.

Hon. UPND Members: Yes!

 

Mr Mubika: Mfuwe!

 

The Vice-President: Is that not something? An international airport, with a bituminous standard runway, which was just gravel.

 

Mr Kafwaya: Which one?

 

The Vice-President: Kasama Airport.

 

Mr Kafwaya: Awe!

 

Interruptions

 

The Vice-President: Mansa is another airport we are upgrading to that standard.

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

Let us not debate while seated, please.

 

May Her Honour the Vice-President continue.

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, basically, the hon. Member is trying to say to the Zambian people that nothing is happening. However, Zambians can see where their resources have gone when it comes to infrastructure. The road network is being worked on. Let us admit.

 

Mr Lumayi: Mutanda to Kasempa to –

 

The Vice-President: That is part of the infrastructure development I am talking about. Whether you have classrooms, that is infrastructure, the hospitals, that is infrastructure, as far as my understanding is concerned. So, if the hon. Member has seen nothing, it is wilful blindness.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Muchima entered the Assembly Chamber.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Now that the hon. Minister of Health is here, we might need some spectacles for a number of people.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Jamba (Mwembezhi): Madam Speaker, I would like to say good morning to Her Honour the Vice-President.

 

Madam Speaker, the elephant in the room, which I know many people would like to ask about, is the issue of electricity.  I want to ask on this issue so that you, being the Vice-President, can give hope to many Zambians who are watching us. I know that the Government is trying to put up a lot of interventions. We are also affected. It is not only the Opposition. Therefore, we need to give hope to our people. I know a lot of things are happening. Could Her Honour the Vice-President just use a few seconds to highlight the intervention measures the Government is putting in place in tackling this issue throughout the country …

 

Mr Simumba: Takuli!

 

Mr Jamba: … so that you give hope to the many people of Zambia. 

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Mwembezhi for that question, and good morning to him. I think, last Friday, we spent quite a bit of time on the issue of power. As long as there is a deficit, people will continue to ask. However, what is dangerous is to twist the truth to try and give a narrative which is not true. We should continue to look at that.

 

Madam Speaker, I think that it is like the hon. Member has put it; everybody is feeling the impact of the power deficit. That is not something to argue about. I like the way the hon Member has put it. We are all feeling the impact. That is a fact. However, last week, I spent some time talking about this issue, although we already know the genesis of the problem. This is because if you cannot identify a problem, you will continuously blame the wrong thing and therefore, look for the wrong remedy. That is why, last week, I spent time explaining that we have not invested. I said that all previous Governments did not invest in electricity, and therefore, today, we find ourselves in this space. So, allow me to repeat what I said because it is very important.

 

Madam Speaker, we have been hydro-dependent. That is the shortest way I can say it. Whether we like it or not, climate change has hit us, and we are not producing power from the hydropower sources as we should. So, that is something we have to understand. Whether it was under the Government of the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) or the Patriotic Front (PF), we did not invest enough in power. However, this Government is looking at finding a solution to a problem that has existed for some time. Also, we did not plan properly for the expanding population that needs power.

 

Mr Muchima: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: That also affects the power deficit.

 

Madam Speaker, we also thought that we would remain with Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) as the only mine. I am just giving an example. I am basically saying that the mining industry has grown. Therefore, demand has outstripped supply. Today, even if all our hydropower stations were working at full capacity, we probably would not have enough power. We are aware and acknowledge this. When we all take our little share of the problem, then, together, we can look for the way forward.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member’s question on the interventions we are putting in place is very important. I think that is the real question today. Last week, I think, we spent a bit of time explaining. I particularly spent time addressing the import and export of power. We were exporting power to different countries, which we have clawed back. That is what I said last week. We were exporting about 180 MW to Namibia. We have clawed back 130 MW. We are only supplying that country with 50 MW. Since people will say that we are exporting to Zimbabwe and Botswana, I would like to say that there are no exports to Botswana as a commercial issue –

 

Interruptions

 

The Vice-President: I am speaking to the people.

 

Madam Speaker, there is no commercial export of power to Zimbabwe. What is there is the paying back of nkongole owed by ZESCO Limited. It is not exporting for sale, but an agreement that was made through the banks. It is called a loan facility. Maybe, I can give figures, because I looked at this, and I am interested. I have said that we export 50 MW to Namibia. We are also exporting 33 MW to Botswana, which is part of the loan facility, and we are exporting 23 MW to Zimbabwe. However, we are importing a difference of 47 MW from Botswana. We are also importing 50 MW from Zimbabwe, to whom we are exporting 23 MW. So, we are given a 27 MW difference. We are gaining 47 MW from Botswana. As we pay back nkongole to Botswana, we get more power. We are getting 27 MW, and I hope I am saying something, above what we are giving the country as nkongole. For us, power is coming to Zambia.

 

Hon. Government Members: Quality!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, we are importing 150 MW from South Africa. We are also importing 230 MW from Mozambique.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

 

The Vice-President: These are figures given to me by professionals.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, the question is: What are we doing to resolve the situation other than importing power? We are working on solar systems as an alternative for hydropower generation. We are going all out to find solutions and hon. Member should, please, participate. We have even given free access to the electricity sub-sector. So, we are working on various fronts. Further, there is the biggest solar project in Chisamba, which everybody knows about, but there are many others. I can take time to read out various interventions because I am also interested.

 

Madam Speaker, we are also using thermal power. That is why we are expanding, …

 

Dr Musokotwane: Maamba Energy!

 

The Vice-President: … thank you, hon. Minister, Maamba Energy. We are also working on a power interconnector with Tanzania so that we can tap into the power grids in East Africa. Those are the things we are doing. Those things were not impossible five years ago. They could have been done, but they were not. Can we truly, sometimes, get some accolades for the right things that we are doing.

 

Madam Speaker, I started by admitting that we are all affected and that we are trying to do everything possible for the economy to continue running and so that the vulnerable little markets can continue to run. However, those who are in Kabulonga and Sunningdale, or whatever place, should also help by supporting themselves. So, even with two or three hours of power supply, they can still supplement the supply with their own efforts. That is the thinking of this Government. The very vulnerable will be given power for longer times. I hope I have responded to the question.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: The hon. Member for Katombola is next, followed by the hon. Member for Bangweulu, who is joining us virtually.

 

Please, hon. Member for Bangweulu, get ready.

 

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

 

Good morning to Her Honour the Vice-President from the good people of Katombola Constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, in the last farming season, Katombola Constituency produced more maize, at 220,000 metric tonnes, than any other district in the Republic of Zambia. I think, my constituency deserves a “Hear, hear!” from the hon. Members of Parliament here.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Andeleki: Madam Speaker, it appears that the rainy season has started. The farmers are asking if the season has, indeed, started and if they can start planting. We are predominantly farmers in Katombola. The people want to start planting. So, is it the right time, or do we need to wait another week before people start planting? Some of them are already planting, while others are still thinking that the rainfall we are experiencing is an artificial rainy season.

 

Madam Speaker, I do not know whether that question was supposed to be posed to the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment, but since Her Honour the Vice-President is the mother of food in the country, the question is whether people can go ahead and start planting.

 

The Vice-President: Good morning to the hon. Member for Katombola.

 

Madam Speaker, apart from relying on the hon. Member’s word, as he said that his constituency produced the highest yield, we need a bit of evidence. However, based on his word, I would like to congratulate him. The call was that we should all produce as much as possible, and also that we should participate in food production because food insecurity is national insecurity. So, we are tackling food insecurity.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is asking if now is the right time to plant during this rainy season. To start with, I would not go as far as saying that you can plant this week or next week. I do not have that kind of information. The information available to me is the information that was given by the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment. Sometimes, we need to go back to the journals that can give us that information, if we do not remember it. I think, the hon. Minister issued a statement that indicated when the real rainy season would start in the different parts of the country. So, we need to depend on that. It would be wrong to say it off the top of my head. Remember, the onset of the rainy season in the country will not be uniform. So, some may plant this week, while others may plant another week. Let us go back to that information. We will also encourage the Meteorological Department to publish the information in the media to communicate which areas should plant early and those that may have to plant later.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Control Desk, stop the clock.

 

Hon. Members, there is just too much movement. Hon. Members are moving from one seat to another, and in the process, greeting one another.  Are you seeing one another for the first time?

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: This habit is distracting. It is actually distracting me from listening to the questions and the answers. Hon. Members are just moving about, and others are being tutored. I mean, we cannot have that kind of conduct. There is no order. We are talking about serious issues here.

 

Hon. Members, please, let us restrain ourselves. That is why there is the provision  of writing a note to one another. The rules require that when you come into the House late, do so quietly without disrupting the proceedings. So, let us desist from being distractive.

 

Mr Kasandwe joined via Zoom.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Bangweulu, I can see the situation in which you are in, that you are not in the house. You are moving, and I can also see that you are on a bumpy road. So, we will give an opportunity to the hon. Member for Feira.

 

Laughter

 

Mr E. Tembo (Feira): Madam Speaker, I equally have a concern, like the one that was raised by the hon. Member for Mpika.  It has been four years of the United Party for National Development being in power. My question is: What tangible development would we look –

 

Mr Mwambazi was walking out of the Assembly Chamber, but stopped to talk to Ms Sabao.

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

 I thought I just gave guidance on movements. Let us reduce on the movements and greeting each other. I know that you love each other, but please, let us concentrate on work.

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: May the hon. Member for Feira continue.

 

Mr E. Tembo: Madam Speaker, if we look at previous Governments, for instance, in the last ten years before the UPND Government, we see that there are almost eight fuel storage depots that were constructed. There are about ten huge milling companies run by the Zambia National Service (ZNS), and I think that Her Honour the Vice-President has been talking about them. There are three international airports; in Lusaka, Livingston and Ndola respectively. Those are the projects we are looking at, which were constructed when the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was at K1.4 million. Further, there are almost 3,600 km of bituminous roads and a number of hospitals. For example, Levy –

 

Hon. Chaatila: What is your question?

 

 Mr E. Tembo: No, I am coming to the question.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr E. Tembo: There is the Levy Mwanawasa Teaching Hospital and Levy Mwanawasa Medical University. Those are huge projects. So, the question is –

 

Mr Amutike: Question!

 

Mr E. Tembo: Yes, there has been the construction of 1 x 3 and 1 x 1 classroom blocks, pit latrines and boreholes using the CDF. At least, if we look at small-town water reticulation, we can say that it is something.

 

Madam Speaker, would Her Honour the Vice-President tell this House and the nation, in the manner that I have raised those issues, under previous Governments, what really is there to speak about, by this Government other than these supplementary – In fact, those are supposed to be supplementary developmental projects. There are no major projects. For instance, a country like Ethiopia has just pumped in US$5 billion sourced locally to build a 5,000 MW power station. Those are the issues we are looking at.

 

Mr Kapyanga: Hear, hear!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kapyanga: Uncle Charles!

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Mpika, is it a disease or what?

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: In Lozi, we say, wakula yo, mwendi niyena, ndate, ah! I am just saying, maybe, this gentleman is not okay, he is sick.

 

Laughter

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for repeating the question, or rather providing a little more clarity in the manner he has presented it.It also gives me the opportunity to somehow, clarify what he is talking about.

 

Madam Speaker, yes, this Government has been in power for four years. If it is four years, let us go to the base because everything has a base. One should have a baseline from where to start because that is very important. The hon. Member may boast of what the Patriotic Front (PF) Government did. However, he should also remember that he is comparing ten years of being in power to four years. Let us not compare apples to guavas in the manner that the hon. Member has done. The hon. Member must look at where they started from. Where did the previous Government start from? Hon. Members bring up issues that make me feel bad to talk about, but those are realities. The previous Government started from a very strong economy, a booming and growing economy. That is the reality. They say, “figures do not lie. He can go back and see what the growth rate was. When you draw the graph, it will show that the economy was growing, and that there was development.

 

Madam Speaker, I appreciate that every Government has its own priority. The previous Government came in and it had its own priorities. Money in the pockets was one of them.  Money in whose pockets? That is a question we can discuss. Maybe, that was a success, because we cannot see what is in the pockets.

 

Madam Speaker, there are issues we may talk about, for example, the infrastructure and the road network. I cannot start arguing, the hon. Minister is here, but where are those, particularly real roads, that are still in good condition? We need to understand that quality matters too. Hon. Colleagues, we are all Zambians. Let us acknowledge where we made mistakes and move on. Some roads may have been constructed, but the quality was poor. It is also good to look at  the expense of the infrastructure he referred to. We do not just look at the quality and the expense.The fact is that some of the things were done, but  not paid for. Do we know the payments that have been made for several projects that were not paid for? If they think paying back debt is not important and it is not part of that infrastructure development, then we can claim that infrastructure that we are paying for. It is within this plan. It is within the Budget of this Government.

 

Mr Samakayi: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, it is important for us to be Zambians and give praise where it is due. He cannot say that this Government has not done anything. If the previous Government did not finish paying for something, can we say it has not done anything? Is it the planning he is talking about and not the actual expenditure?

 

Madam Speaker, remember, the hon. Member who earlier asked a similar question asked where this Government is taking the money it is borrowing. Part of it is being used to pay back the debt contracted by the previous Government. In fact, if we carefully look at the Budget that this House is approving today, we will see that much of it is going towards the payment of the things that the previous Government claims to have done. So, who has actually completed paying the debts? Is it not us?

 

Madam Speaker, the Government is working holistically and systematically. What is the other word?

 

Hon. Government Members: Methodically!

 

The Vice-President: Methodically.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I am sure that even the hon. Member for Nakonde agrees with me today.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mubika: Nakonde Rice!

 

The Vice-President: We do not have to continuously have this conversation. Let us have progressive conversations. Let us see what we are doing.

 

Madam Speaker, there is one hospital near here.

 

Eng. Milupi: Levy Mwanawasa. 

 

The Vice-President: Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital (LMUTC). Is that not a beautiful thing?

 

Madam Speaker, what I said when I responded to the question from the hon. Member for Mpika still stands. The Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriage Way is under construction. We are talking of four years against ten years. The hon. Member should come and ask that question after ten years of President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: The hon. Member should ask that question and look at the country then. He will be proud to be Zambian. He should also be proud to be Zambian under the current leadership.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

 

Mr Mubika (Shangombo): Madam Speaker, had the United Party for National Development (UPND) taken over power from the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) in 2011, the people of Shangombo would have a tarmac road by now.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Shangombo are complaining. They are asking: When is the Government going to consider extending the road from Sioma to Shangombo? They have seen that the Government keeps working on the same roads here in Lusaka, but Lusaka is not Zambia. Year in, year out, the Government is working on the same roads because the Government, through the Road Development Agency (RDA) and the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, is failing to regulate or monitor the heavy Chinese-made tipper trucks which are destroying roads in Lusaka. Lusaka is a construction site, just like many other parts of Zambia. The people are asking why the RDA is failing to monitor the abuse of our roads which are built at a great cost. The people of Kasempa and Chienge also want to benefit from good roads, like those in other parts of the country. What is the Government doing to ensure that Chinese-made tipper trucks which are destroying roads in Lusaka are monitored, so that money can be saved to build a tarmac road from Sioma to Shangombo?

 

Interruptions

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Shangombo for that question.

 

To start with, I agree with the hon. Member for Shangombo. In his preamble, he said that had the United Party for National Development (UPND) taken over the Government from the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), there would be a tarmac road in Shangombo.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: I am repeating what the hon. Member said, and I agree with him.

 

Madam Speaker, I was trying to learn. There are things I may not know that I ought to. I was trying to learn from the hon. Minister. I also listen when I am in the House. A question was directed at the hon. Minister of Transport and Logistics not too long ago, and I think, the hon. Members who sit here remember it.  The question was about the damage being caused to roads by overladen trucks and it was asked by the hon. Member for Muchinga. That is where I got a bit of information. That is where I got a bit of what I have learned on this matter. It is not within my domain; I have to learn.

 

Madam Speaker, basically, heavy Chinese-made overloaded trucks are destroying roads. That statement implies illegality. We should start by educating the people who are using that kind of transport on our roads that what they are doing is wrong. Also, there should be a punishment for that.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member asked the question about monitoring. Are we monitoring enough? From what the hon. Minister said when the question was considered, from the conversation between engineers and those who know about the roads, what is needed are weighbridges. Officers should not be forgiving and corrupt at the weighbridges. I think, if an officer impounds an overloaded vehicle which passed through another weighbridge, the officer at the earlier weighbridge must be sanctioned.  Why was the truck allowed to pass through a weighbridge and only to be impounded in another place? Our own people must be monitored seriously. We can find a mechanism to deal with the issue. Like I said, I am just thinking of solutions while standing here. If an overloaded truck passes where I am standing and goes to where the hon. Minister is sitting, and he finds that it is overloaded, I should be sanctioned. The sanction should not only on the vehicle, but also on the person who allowed it to pass.  Let us enforce our laws. We need to enforce our laws.

 

Madam Speaker, during that day, I also learned that there are mobile –

 

Eng. Milupi: Weighbridges.

 

The Vice-President: Are they also called weighbridges?

 

Mr J. Chibuye: Yeah!

 

The Vice-President: I learned that there are mobile weighbridges. We should enhance the use of those weighbridges. Let the public know that mobile weighbridges will be put up so that when something wrong happens there, we will start with the officers. The country will never develop if roads are built today and then tomorrow they have to be repaired. That is not correct. It is not right. I believe weight may also be a part of the cause of accidents on the roads.

 

Madam Speaker, I hear the hon. Member. The Government will continue to improve in the area of monitoring and ensuring that illegality is not allowed on the roads. So, truck owners should do their business the right way. They should not do wrong things. I do not know what the sanctions are, but we need to ensure that they are heavy enough to deter would-be offenders.

 

I thank you. Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwan’gandu): Madam Speaker, listening to Her Honour the Vice-President explain the issue of power, it sounded like the country exported power in order to import it.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, the truth of the matter is that our citizens are stressed. The reduced power supply to three hours of supply entails that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are dealing with unbearable costs of doing business. If they have to revert to a generator, buying diesel for generators is not cheap at all. It is costly. The price of fuel has also been going up. At household level, freezing what are called “freezits” to mitigate the cost of living has been a challenge. The cost of the food basket has also escalated.

 

Madam Speaker, my hon. Colleague from Mwembezhi posed a question. He was just short of saying that our people are struggling to put food on the table. How can Her Honour the Vice-President rate her Nalumangonomics, which she shared in this august House? She assured the people of Zambia that the increase in prices would lead to a decrease in prices. It is now going to five years. How can she rate Nalumangonomics? How has it impacted the lives of our citizens, who are struggling day in and day out?

 

The Vice-President: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I thank the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu for that question.

 

Firstly, I would like to state that the first statement by the hon. Member is a total mix-up. He said that we are exporting power in order to import it. Where are we getting that information? Surely, that is not from the explanation I gave earlier. There is nothing like that. We are literally importing power. That is the point I was trying to make. In order to mitigate the issue of power shortage, we are importing power. Even where we are seemingly exporting, it is an obligation on the nkongole, the debt that was incurred. That is basically the point I made. I hope I made that understandable. When you use the language that you learned, you may mislead people. In such circumstances, I try to speak an ordinary language. I said that we have to balance. Are we really exporting power? Is what has brought the power deficit a big issue?  No! That is what I said.

 

Madam Speaker, believe you me, the hon. Member asked a two-in-one question in a very subtle way. We admit that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are suffering but we also need to look at what the Government is doing. That is why we are giving power to areas where households may not afford alternatives like solar. That is why Kanyama gets more hours of power than Kabulonga.

 

Mr Mubika: Hear, hear!

 

Kanyama!

 

The Vice-President: Yes, that is why Kanyama gets more hours of power. I am using Kanyama as an example; it is not Kanyama national. Places with high population density, where people have to do a lot of activities for their livelihood, are getting more hours of power. For you, hon. Member, where you live, two hours of power is enough because–

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

 

Laughter

 

The Vice-President: Madam, these hon. Members can honestly afford solar. They can even help us get small loans so that we put up solar on our rooftops.  This is the way they should love others. As a leader, you need to release the smallest unit of power to somebody who cannot afford solar. That is the implication of–

 

Eng. Milupi:  A kilowatt.

 

The Vice-President: It is a kilowatt? Anyway, I will not use that term because I do not even understand the unit.

 

Laughter

 

The Vice-President: Madam, this is love. I should be able to find an alternative to help someone.  If that can be done, then as a leader, I would have helped somebody who cannot manage it.  That is what it is.  We are looking at those who need to make ice for sale. We need to give them more hours of power than we give the hon. Member.  It is not that we do not love the hon. Member. It is because God has provided a better status for him.  When I say you, hon. Member, it does not mean you alone, but all of us.  This includes those who are privileged; those who have better jobs, and those who own bigger businesses. Those who still want to use power from ZESCO Limited should pay a little more. I think this is the way it has been. They should pay a little more because they can actually find alternatives. So, we are a caring Government. We look at the environment and as the needs are.  

 

Madam Speaker, the last question I expected in this House is the one the hon. Member has asked on Nalumangonomics.  Where is Nalumangonomics?

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I am proud to be associated with this Government and the adoption of the Nalumangonomics team, because it is working. That is the truth. Can we talk about prices going up and falling down today? No. This is because we believe in market forces which have worked. They have been properly followed and managed. He is there (pointed at Dr Musokotwane). He is the owner of fiscal and monetary policies. This is what has happened. That is why last week I said that they should think about something else because they used the mealie meal strategy but it passed.  What came next?

 

Hon. Government Members: Fuel!

 

The Vice-President: The fuel, yes. That is no longer a big issue. That is why we have to continuously ensure that the source is protected.

 

Mr Kampyongo interjected.

 

The Vice-President:  I will not go.

 

That is that. This is Nalumangonomics, my son. Can you talk about fuel? Yes, we still have room, and there is improvement. They were saying it will be K50,000 per litre. We told them to hold one because we had a vision, picture and strategy. The price has gone down. They used to talk about the Dollar every day, but some people have started crying that it is depreciating too quickly. No, it is Nalumangonomics mwana.

 

Laughter

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, we are almost crying for the Dollar to be stronger than it is. This is because the Kwacha is getting stronger. We are working.  This is not abracadabra. This is because even under a very strenuous and difficult environment, we still keep the economy running. We are still helping the industry to export and thereafter, bring the Dollar rate down. That is Nalumangonomics. Now, we have too much mealie meal.  Somebody said– Sorry, I cannot bring in the name of someone who has– We do not talk about or name people who cannot defend themselves.  However, that person has a milling company, but people are not buying from him because they have food. This is reality and I am just giving it as an example.

 

Mr Kampyongo: What reality?

 

The Vice President: Nalumangonomics is working.

 

The inflation rate of 12.3 per cent in September is now at 11.9 per cent. We are heading for a single digit, God being with us.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thought they would be too embarrassed to ask me about Nalumangonomics. Their question gave me an opportunity to explain that we are working on the important – What do you call them? We are working on the parameters that help the economy to stabilise. We understand.

 

Eng. Milupi: Fundamentals.

 

The Vice-President: Oh, thank you. The fundamentals. That is what they are called. Thank you for the enlightenment.

 

Madam Speaker, we are working on that so that the economy can stabilise. When the economy stabilises, then it can start growing.  Economic growth is coming. The development in Feira, over ten years against five years, is visible. It is also visible in Luangwa, Shiwang’andu, Kanchibiya, Monze and Mwembezhi.

 

Madam, this Government is working. We have challenges, but they are not insurmountable. Let us give time to Hakainde Hichilema. He is a visionary leader. When it comes to the economy, they cannot fault him.   

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

_______

 

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nakonde, what is the Point of Order? The hon. Minister has already taken the stand.

 

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, it is the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu who has an issue.

 

Madam Speaker: Okay. Unfortunately, I cannot allow him now. He has come a bit late.

 

PROGRESS MADE ON THE LUSAKA/NDOLA DUAL CARRIAGEWAY AND CONGESTION AROUND THE 10 MILES AREA

 

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, I would like to express my gratitude for this opportunity you have given me to present this statement in response to a question that was raised by the Member of Parliament for Kwacha Constituency, Hon. Charles Mulenga, to Her Honour the Vice-President, Dr W. K. Nalumango, during the Vice-President’s Question Time on 31^st October, 2025, regarding the progress made on the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway and the congestion around the 10 Miles area.

 

Madam Speaker, for clarity, I will quote the question that was posed by Hon. Charles Mulenga on that particular day. It read as follows:

 

“Madam Speaker, Zambians appreciate the works being done on the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway. However, there are complaints from many motorists who are entering and leaving Lusaka, especially around the area called 10 Miles. There is a lot of chaos, and people are spending two hours or more on a short stretch. As we move towards the rainy season, I would like to find out whether the stretch around 10 Miles will be worked on. If at all, we go into the rainy season without that stretch of the road being worked on, it will be a disaster. Further, I would like to find out the percentage of work that has been done so far on the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway.”

 

Madam Speaker, as the whole House may be aware, the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway Project is being implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement through the concessionaire Messrs. MOIC–LN Consortium Limited. The project covers approximately 327 km from Lusaka to Ndola, including by-passes in Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi, and is a flagship infrastructure undertaking under the New Dawn Government aimed at enhancing road safety, reducing travel time and facilitating trade and economic growth along the Great North Road corridor.

 

Madam Speaker, the congestion currently being experienced in the area between 6 Miles and 10 Miles, particularly at Mungule Junction, has been attributed to a combination of factors. Prior to the commencement of works, the concessionaire submitted a traffic management plan, which provided for the use of gravel detours on the sides of the main carriageway during construction. However, because the initial arrangement did not include physical barriers between the detours and the main road, motorists frequently re-join the carriageway at multiple points, causing gridlocks. This challenge is compounded by frequent breakdowns of heavy goods vehicles, further constraining the flow of traffic.

 

Madam Speaker, in response to these challenges, the Government, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), working in collaboration with the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), the Zambia Police Service, an independent expert and the concessionaire, has since enhanced the implementation of the traffic management plan. The following measures have been undertaken:

 

1. installation of gravel barriers between the side detours and the main carriageway to ensure vehicles remain on designated detour routes;

 

1. improved road signage and deployment of additional flagmen to guide motorists;

 

1. dedicated joint enforcement teams from the RTSA, the Zambia Police Service, the RDA and the concessionaire stationed along the section to manage traffic flow;

 

1. provision of three heavy-duty tow trucks by both the concessionaire and the RTSA to promptly remove broken-down vehicles from the roadway; and

 

1. grading alternative routes to allow local traffic to divert from the traffic section, and these include:

 

1. the Zanga-Zanga Road Route – For northbound traffic heading to Shifwankula School and beyond via Zanga-Zanga Road, turning left at the 6 Mile Roundabout, and proceeding to join the Zanga-Zanga Road at the Chibombo Council sub-office;

 

1. the Minestone/Mungule Route – For travellers to Mungule and surrounding areas joining the north bound service lane from the 70/70 Roundabout, then turning left at Oryx Filling Station onto Minestone Road, continuing to join Mungule Road and then joining the Great North Road at the 10 Miles mark to proceed north, if need be; and

 

1.  Kakungu/Chikumbi Route – For southbound traffic; that is Lusaka, turning left at the 15 Miles mark just after U-Fuel Filling Station, traversing the road via Kakungu Market, then turning right onto Chikumbi Road and rejoining the Great North Road at DMI-St. Eugene University.

 

Madam Speaker, maps of these alternative routes have been made available on the RDA website and social media platforms to guide the motoring public, as necessary. With the enhanced traffic management measures in place, the concessionaire has accelerated the pace of works, and it is projected that the section between 6 Miles and 10 Miles will be completed by 30^th November, 2025. I repeat: The section between 6 Miles and 10 Miles will be completed, and will be a full dual carriageway by the end of November, 2025.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, once that section is completed, traffic flow will substantially improve, even as construction progresses along other stretches of the project.

 

Madam Speaker, regarding the progress of the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway Project, as a whole, as of October, 2025, works had reached approximately 61 per cent completion. The Government remains confident that the concessionaire will maintain this momentum and deliver the project within the agreed timelines.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government is fully aware of the inconvenience being experienced by motorists and the travelling public due to the on-going works. We sincerely thank the people of Zambia for their patience and continued understanding. The New Dawn Administration remains steadfast in its commitment to improving the road network across the country. Once completed, the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway will significantly reduce travel time, improve safety and enhance connectivity between Lusaka and the Copperbelt Province.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to assure the House and the nation at large that the Government continues to closely monitor the situation around the 10 Miles area and other construction zones to ensure minimal disruption during the rainy season and the timely completion of works.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the Ministerial Statement presented by the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development.

 

Mr Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, I would like to appreciate the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government for that road project. I remember very well that before President Michael Sata died, the construction cost of the project was about US$670 million. However, after his demise, it increased to US$1.2 billion. I am happy that it has been brought back to the normal price.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Zulu: Madam Speaker, the problem on the Great North Road is the same as what we are experiencing on the Great East Road, between Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital (LMUTH) and Chongwe.  You may also wish to note that if one is travelling to the Eastern Province, the distance from the LMUTH to Chongwe is more tedious and takes about three hours, compared to when one is traveling from Chongwe Weighbridge to Luangwa Bridge, which only takes less than two hours of driving.

 

Madam Speaker, my question to the hon. Minister is: Will he continue with a double lane as a dual carriageway from 6 miles to Katuba Toll Gate or up to 16 Miles? Or, considering the heavy traffic at the 16 Miles area due to the new industry coming up, will the road be expanded to six lanes to ease the flow of traffic on that stretch?

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Nyimba for the question, but also for stating what is a fact and indicating that things did go wrong. When he said that during the late Michael Chilufya Sata’s Government, the construction of that road was pegged at US$670 million, but mysteriously, it increased to US$1.2 billion. This is what we have been talking about. That is why we have brought it down to US$649 million, which is the construction cost now.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government is fully aware of the congestion on the road from the Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital (LMUTH) to Chongwe. Some measures are being looked at actively to address this issue, especially through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. One challenge is that these congestions are time-bound. They happen early in the morning when people are coming into town, and also when they are knocking off.  So, when we conduct traffic counts to see if we can justify PPPs, we have a few problems. We have considered what is called an expressway from the airport roundabout into town, similar to the one in Kenya, for those of you who have been to Kenya. However, we will continue to engage. In our plans, we are also considering having a dual carriageway from Lusaka to Chongwe, at a later stage.

 

Madam Speaker, the question relating to the subject matter of today’s Ministerial Statement is asking whether we will continue with a two-lane dual carriageway between 6 Miles to somewhere around 16 mMiles. What I can state here is that, with respect to the section from 6 Miles to 10 Miles, an extra lane, which is called a service lane, will be constructed next year. So, at the end of that period, we shall effectively have three lanes in one direction and three lanes in the other between the points of 6 Miles and 10 Miles. This has already been discussed with the concessionaire, and we are just carrying out further discussions to finalise it.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Madam Speaker, the interventions that have been made to control congestion at 10 Miles are appreciated. However, I would like to find out why we deliberately waited until congestion became really bad for us to react. The congestion at 10 Miles is something that has been known for a very long time. When our engineers at the Road Development Agency (RDA) were planning how the  road works there were going to be executed, they should have foreseen that congestion would be bad at 10 Miles. So, why did we deliberately decide to be reactive in this particular issue of the congestion at 10 Miles? 

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, firstly, I think we must appreciate that the reason the Patriotic Front (PF) Government and the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government decided to upgrade this road to a dual carriageway was because there was already congestion, especially on that particular stretch.

 

Mr Tayali: Correct.

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, secondly, there is an increase in activities around the Mungule area; the settlements, farming, and so on and so forth. So, there is a lot of traffic going on, not just to Kabwe or the Copperbelt, but also within that particular area.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member raises a point about why we are being reactive. The measures were already planned, including the diversions that we are talking about. Specifically, those diversions, which we are calling detours, were already in the plans, but require that people follow the regulations and procedures.

 

Madam Speaker, I explained in my statement that sometimes, we have people who are not disciplined. Instead of confining themselves to the detour, they would go back on the road that is being constructed, which causes problems. We cannot really start planning for lawbreakers or regulation breakers. When it happens, we then take further measures. It is now costing us more to implement, enforce and ensure that people do not go on a road that is being constructed before it is opened up. The other reason that we have talked about is the breakdown of heavily loaded vehicles, because of that, we have put three tow trucks that I have talked about. I think, in Zambia, we must encourage the culture of following rules and regulations. I think that throughout our nation, we have issues with people following the directions that are given.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East): Madam Speaker, we have learned lessons about the congestion in that particular area. Next, congestion will be on the Lusaka/Chongwe Road. Does the hon. Minister not think that it is important that when road works begin, the contractor concentrates on the key areas, like what is being done in Ndola, as opposed to working immediately on the mid-section? If you look at the road in Chibombo and other sections, you will see that they have been completed. So, going forward, does he not think it is important that contractors concentrate on working on the areas that may be congested?

 

 Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, yes, it does make sense. The responsibility given to the concessionaire, especially on the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway, is not just to reconstruct or rehabilitate the road. We also gave him the responsibility to make the road motorable. However, emphasis was on the bad sections, such as where there was what we call rutting of the road, which is the creation of canal-like features on the main road, as that increases the risk of accidents. That is why the contractor concentrated on the area between Kapiri Mposhi and Ndola. Those who travel on this road now know that it is a lot more motorable than it was before work started.

 

Madam Speaker, yes, we learn from experience. The planning for the road did take into account the rerouting of traffic around that area, as I have explained. That should have worked. However, people did not obey. In addition, there is another phenomenon of people trading around that area. The market around that area is close to the road. This is obviously against traffic rules and so on. Going forward, obviously, there has to be a lot more attention to constriction areas when we work on roads. So, I thank the hon. Member for that suggestion.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, I think, the challenge I have seen on that road is that there is an unprecedented number of accidents. Yesterday, I saw two nasty accidents that had happened on the stretch between Chibombo and the area after the toll gate. People were stuck in traffic for about four to five hours on both ends.

 

Madam Speaker, what word of advice does the hon. Minister have for road users, especially the public service vehicle (PSV) drivers or bus drivers, who overspeed on that road when they know that it is under construction?

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Kabwata for the question.

 

Madam Speaker, indeed, I just talked about that in my answer to the last question.  On that road, there are speed limits to cater for the fact that it is under construction. So, we advise motorists using that road to be mindful that the road is under construction. Therefore, they should regulate their speed within the limits allowed by the law. Usually, accidents are caused because of human factors. We ask drivers on our public roads to be mindful of the need to preserve life, assets and vehicles by being careful as they drive on the roads. You cannot blame that particular section for accidents because its state between Chibombo and the tollgate, is in fairly good condition. Therefore, it is human error by the public service vehicle (PSV) drivers that causes accidents. Those drivers whom the hon. Member is talking about carry human beings. We expect that they will be a lot more careful to preserve the lives of the passengers.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chanda (Kanchibiya): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the this very important Ministerial Statement. Allow me to also thank him for the works being done on the Chambeshi/Chinkobo Road. I remain ever grateful for his listening ear.

 

Madam Speaker, are there any plans to open up roads like Chikumbi Road off the Great North Road? Sometimes, congestion is caused by people going in the eastern direction, not to the Central Business District (CBD), Kafue Roundabout or Kabwe Roundabout. If roads such as Chikumbi and others are worked on, people would easily go in the eastern direction, and that would help to decongest the road beyond the construction period. I know that even after the road has been completed, there will still be a need to decongest it, looking at the growing population of motor vehicles on the road. Some people do not have to pass through Kabwe Roundabout if they are going in the direction of Chongwe. So, the roads in that direction should be worked on, even if they are gravel roads, as they would be helpful to the people.

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Kanchibiya for his kind comments on the Chambeshi/Chinkobo Road plus the two bridges that him and I commissioned in his constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, traffic management continues to be the responsibility of the Government. So, any suggestions that can ease traffic movement are always welcome. The area that the hon. Member is talking about, the east of the Great North Road, is one such possibility. In fact, there is a road along the railway line all the way to Kabwe. I have used it several times, especially when I was younger. All those roads will be looked at; it is a question of resources. I think, that road is maintained by the local government at the moment. However, when resources are available, we need to upgrade it to a proper high-quality gravel road or to a bituminous road.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, I am a frequent user of the Great North Road. Just on Tuesday, I came back from my constituency using the same road. I want to begin by appreciating the hon. Minister because there has been an improvement in traffic flow. The major cause of traffic jams is actually public service vehicle (PSV) drivers, as my hon. Colleague from Kabwata mentioned. Those drivers always want to use a detour at any given opportunity and they like to join in front. That is where the problem is.

 

Madam Speaker, –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1040 hours until 1100 hours.

 

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mr J. Chibuye: Mr Speaker, thank you very much and greetings from the people of Roan.

 

Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was asking the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development a supplementary question. I stated that, indeed, there has been some improvement in traffic flow in the areas in question.

 

Mr Speaker, in his statement, the hon. Minister mentioned that the contractor Macro Oceans Investment Consortium (MOIC-LN) is trying his best to install signage to guide motorists. However, I wish to bring it to the attention of the hon. Minister that we worried. As stated earlier, I just came back from the Copperbelt on Tuesday. It is pleasing that some stretches have been opened, but the confusion seems to still be there, in the sense that the road signs or guides are inadequate on some stretches. For instance, on the old road, vehicles move to criss-cross. On the new road, the same is happening. On both sides of the road, it is a challenge to join a single lane.

 

Mr Speaker, how much advice is the Government giving the contractor and the Road Development Agency (RDA) to ensure that there is proper signage to guide motorists on stretches where the road has been re-opened? Unfortunately, one vehicle even flipped. It crossed the barrier because there is not enough signage to guide motorists when joining the old lane. What is the ministry doing to ensure that there is enough guidance in terms of signage to avoid fatalities?

 

Eng. Milupi: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank Hon. Joe Chibuye.

 

Mr Speaker, I think, I can just say that I take note of the concern that the hon. Member has raised. I will proceed to ask the concessionaire, the Road Development Agency (RDA) and the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to take measures to ensure that the situation at crossover points is addressed in terms of signage to direct motorists on what to do. So, instructions will be given immediately. Most of the concerned stakeholders are listening to this statement. So, I am sure action will already be taken by the time I engage them,.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mubika (Shangombo): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development if the same number of tollgates on the stretch from Lusaka to Ndola will be maintained. Are there intentions to increase the number of tollgates?  

 

Eng. Milupi: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that question. He gives many other hon. Members nicknames, but no one has given him one.

 

Mr Mubika: I equally want one!

 

Eng. Milupi: You must have.

 

Laughter

 

Eng. Milupi: Mr Speaker, I think, I will use this question to clarify something. The number of tollgates, which are to be placed on stretches from Lusaka to Ndola, Masangano to Fisenge and Fisenge to Luanshya, as that is the full stretch of this particular PPP project, is prescribed in the concession agreement and, therefore, cannot change. They will be maintained like that. If there is a need to change them, we have to re-open the negotiations for the concession agreement. Furthermore, we have maintained the toll fees at a minimum, especially for cars, small buses and so on and so forth. So, the answer is that the number of toll gates will remain as prescribed in the concession agreement.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Eng. Daka (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, let me take this opportunity, first of all, to thank the Government, on behalf of the people of Chadiza, for considering the people of Chadiza with regards to what they have wanted for a long time; the Chipata/Chadiza Road works.

 

Mr Speaker, I would like to ask a question about the issues related to the traffic management plan. I am sure the hon. Minister is aware that we consider many aspects when coming up with a traffic management plan, like the traffic count, origin and destination studies and social surveys. What is interesting about the section between the 6 Miles and 10 Miles markers is that it looks like it is the only problematic area that we have along that stretch at the moment. The people of Chadiza would like to know whether the causes of the shockwaves, which happen along the 6 Miles to 10 Miles stretch, are mainly attributed to the inadequacy of the traffic management plan or the enforcement of the provisions of the aforementioned plan.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: The questions being asked are very loaded, as if we are at school again.

 

Eng. Milupi: Mr Speaker, Eng. Daka brings out his experiences, training and so on, when matters of this nature arise. It is always a pleasure to listen to him.

 

Mr Speaker, the hon. Member has raised some questions about the traffic management plan. The local situation is a combination of factors, and that is why we are taking measures to address each factor, including traffic management vis-à-vis the detours. The detours were already in place, but now we are putting in place measures to ensure that those detours are followed. In other words, we are putting up barriers and extra people to direct traffic and so on. Ordinarily, drivers should understand where the arrows are directing them. However, the situation we have in Zambia is that people break the rules at any given opportunity. Last week, while I was inspecting one of the roads that is currently being constructed, I could see that even as one drives along the detour, whenever there is an opportunity, a few vehicles would drive on the road that is being constructed because they move faster. I think that is a cultural issue that we, as a nation, should deal with. In other countries, people follow regulations. Those who have been to Rwanda can attest to that. When you travel to Kigali as a visitor, your body cannot allow you to drop even a sweet wrapper because of the cultural effect. We will get to that point one day.

 

Mr Speaker, I would like to comment on the hon. Member thanking us for what we are doing on the Chadiza Road. That, indeed, is President Hakainde Hichilema’s overall plan. Infrastructure should be used to support the main thrust of the Government, which is the growth of the economy. By the end of the second term, which we are going into, we expect our economy to be worth US$70 billion or US$80 billion. In order to do that, infrastructure development, like what we are doing, has to be countrywide. We cannot afford to develop one area and then hope that the national economy will grow. For the economy to grow, there have to be contributions from all over the country. That is why we are targeting all the corners of the country. That is why hon. Members from all over are saying that they recognise that effort. We appreciate the comments.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Ms Kasanda (Chisamba): Mr Speaker, we appreciate the efforts that the Government is putting into the construction of the Great North Road, especially since it is cheaper than the earlier costing.

 

Mr Speaker, looking at the congestion that is at the 10 Miles marker and a little bit further, especially since I use that road almost daily, I just want to know if it is possible to decongest the traffic by using the Chaminuka Road. Many people have already started using that road. The problem is that the road is not in a good state. We have tried to work on it using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), and the farmers within Chisamba also tried to put up fuel costs so that the road could be worked on. We are requesting that the ministry comes in to assist so that it is easier for motorists to use that road. We know that the road is supposed to be tarred but, maybe, even before that, the best that can be done is to properly grade it, and it can assist in decongesting the Great North Road.

 

Eng. Milupi: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank Hon. Kasanda for that contribution.

 

Mr Speaker, the Airport/Chaminuka Road is, indeed, part of our plans, and it would actually help. However, the hon. Member should note that matters related to that particular road are still under litigation. We have tried to propose an out-of-court settlement on the matter with the contractor who was working on that road. As soon as we make progress on those matters, we shall ensure that the road is worked on.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa): Mr Speaker, let me take this opportunity to thank the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, who is also a former Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson, for the work his ministry is doing. We, as the people of Bwana Mkubwa, are waiting for the Road Development Agency (RDA) to mobilise after the ground-breaking for our district roads, especially the Ndeke Minimart Road, at whose ground-breaking the hon. Minister was the guest of honour. We are very grateful to the Government.

 

Mr Speaker, I know the hon. Minister has tackled most of the questions. However, building on what Hon. Daka asked, I would like to point out that when the contract for the public-private partnership (PPP) project was awarded, initially, the contractor should have conducted a feasibility study on how the detour roads, as well as signage, would be worked out.

 

Maybe, emanating from there, hon. Minister, my question is: Where are we? We have seen some traffic officers from the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) helping out as it were. However, there is still less signage and detours, especially on the 6 Mile area. Has there been an improvement with the intervention of the ministry?

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, maybe, you were not in the House, but the hon. Minister already answered that question.

 

He answered it very successfully. Two people had asked.

 

Ms Halwiindi (Kabwe Central): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the statement. Looking at the situation at 6 Miles up to Mungule, five years from now, I think that we will still have a challenge of traffic congestion. Does the ministry have plans to put that section of the road under public-private partnership (PPP) projects so that people can construct flyover roads from Mungule to Makeni or from Kabwe Roundabout to the Great East Road to provide lasting solutions to these problems that we have?

 

Eng. Milupi: Mr Speaker, I mentioned earlier in one of the responses I gave that by next year, that section between 6 Miles and 10 Miles will have three lanes in one direction and three in the other because we are going to add what is called a service lane. Obviously, a bit of work needs to be carried out, including compensating those who will be affected and so on and so forth. Regarding what to do with Lusaka, we are actively considering several options. Among them is an option of what we call an expressway. The expressway is one that runs from the East, from somewhere around the airport roundabout, to the 70/70 junction on  Mumbwa Road, so that we have a flyover bridge. Additionally, it extends from Chilanga or thereabout to 6 miles or 10 miles. So, those are being considered, except we are considering them under the PPP model. We expect to receive an offer within this week on what people are going to do. The problem we have, as I said earlier, is that the traffic congestion depends on time. In the mornings, we do have congestion. In the evenings, as people knock off again, we have those congestions. However, during the day, there will be very little traffic. We have done traffic counts. At the moment, it indicates that getting the required payback will be a challenge. However, we are looking at all options.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Thank you.

 

We make progress.

 

______

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

REHABILITATION OF THE ISANINGA DAM IN MUCHINGA CONSTITUENCY

 

58 Mr E. Banda (Muchinga) asked the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to rehabilitate the Isaninga Dam in Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency;

 

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

 

1. if there are no such plans, why.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: The Acting hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation to respond.

 

The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Eng. Nzovu): I am not Acting, Mr Speaker. I am the one seated in the seat.

 

Madam Speaker –

 

Laughter

 

Eng. Nzovu: Oh, sorry, Mr Speaker, ninjikala kale pa chipuna. Nshilefumapo, not even in 2026. I think, I am here up to 2031.

 

Hon. UPND Members: hear, hear!

 

Eng. Nzovu: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this House that yes, the Government has plans to rehabilitate Isaninga Dam in Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency. In an effort to implement this plan, the ministry conducted feasibility studies and has developed designs and bills of quantities (BoQs) for the rehabilitation of the dam. The estimated cost of rehabilitating the dam is K29 million.

 

Mr Speaker, the implementation of the plan will commence in 2027.

 

Mr E. Banda laughed.

 

Eng. Nzovu: Mr Speaker, as was mentioned above, yes, the Government has plans to rehabilitate Isaninga Dam.

 

Mr Spaker, I thank you.

 

Mr E. Banda: Mr Speaker, may I know from the hon. Minister why the implementation will be in 2027 and not 2026 or the end of this year? We still have a month.

 

Mr Speaker, we submitted the names of the dams that require rehabilitation. To mention something to the hon. Minister, right in Muchinga, the ministry drilled some boreholes a year ago, but to date, they have not yet been equipped. So, even when he says they will be done by 2027, is it not just a word of comfort that he is giving to the people of Muchinga, but something that will never happen? Can he confirm if he really means it? It seems like the hon. Minister will say something, but nothing will happen. I gave an example of the boreholes that were drilled last year in schools that were almost closing, but the boreholes have not been equipped to date.

 

Eng. Nzovu: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that very important question. However, the hon. Member, by his own admission, stated that we promised to drill boreholes, and he can confirm that, indeed, we drilled these boreholes. What we have not done is equip them.

 

Mr Speaker, let me confirm to the people of Muchinga that the contract for equipping these boreholes across the length and breadth of this country has been signed. So, by the end of this month, the people of Muchinga will be receiving good-quality water. Further, let me confirm to the hon. Member that we are budgeting for these works at Isaninga Dam in the next budget year. I can confirm that works will start in the year 2027. The hon. Member is aware that in 2026, we are being given a fresh mandate. In 2027, the economy will have grown so much that more funds will be available to undertakethese works.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr E. Banda: Mr Speaker, I just want to thank the hon. Minister for that very strong assurance that the dam will be rehabilitated because this dam benefits the people of Chibale Ward, Masaninga Ward and Kaufipela Ward. These are very populated areas. Many people get water from the same dam. It is also a source of water for animals and for irrigation farming. So, once the dam is rehabilitated, the people of these three wards and Muchinga at large will be very happy.

 

Mr Speaker, just to say that, indeed, we need that fresh mandate so that we can continue working together. That is very practical, hon. Minister.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: That is just a compliment, I guess.

 

Eng. Nzovu: Mr Speaker, I receive that compliment with both hands. Yes, indeed, this Government will continue working with him closely. Just to assure the people of Muchinga, I want to say that this Government will continue with its works from 2026 to 2031 and beyond.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

CONNECTION OF MOOMBA CHIEFDOM TO THE NATIONAL ELECTRICITY GRID

 

59. Dr Andeleki (Katombola) asked the Minister of Energy:

 

1. when the Government will connect Moomba Chiefdom in Kazungula District to the national electricity grid; and

 

1. what the estimated cost of the project is.

 

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi) (on behalf of the Minister of Energy (Mr Chikote)): Mr Speaker, the Government of Zambia, through the Rural Electrification Authority (REA), has plans to connect Moomba Chiefdom to the national grid. According to the Rural Electrification Master Plan (REMP), Moomba Chiefdom, located in Mulobezi Rural Growth Centre of Katombola Parliamentary Constituency, is scheduled for electrification in 2027.

 

Mr Speaker, feasibility studies conducted by REA in October 2025, established that the total cost for electrifying Moomba Chiefdom and surrounding areas is K18.6 million.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Andeleki: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the response he has given. What are the temporary measures that the hon. Minister wishes to avail to the people of Moomba Chiefdom, considering that the children, teachers and members of staff now require computers to research? What temporary measures is the Government putting in place while awaiting the project to commence in 2027?

 

Eng. Milupi: Mr Speaker, we recognise that connecting the area to the national grid, which this project is all about, costs K18.6 million. The only other way to provide electricity to classrooms and so on is through solar power. What the Government has done is increase the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to K40 million within next year’s Budget. So, where possible, small solar systems to connect individual schoolscan be procured.  Otherwise, 2027 is not a long way. I know that in 2026, electronic learning (e-learning) will be affected. Throughout the country, there are people in many, many areas who desire to benefit from electricity. What we have planned for Chief Moomba’s area is electrification in 2027.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

CONSTRUCTION OF A MODERN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN PETAUKE DISTRICT

 

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

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to construct a modern correctional facility in Petauke District;

 

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

 

1. if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu, SC.): Mr Speaker, Petauke District has an existing correctional facility with a holding capacity of eighty inmates, which was commissioned in 1966. The Government has plans to modernise this facility by renovating and equipping it with modern amenities, as well as expanding its capacity to accommodate 320 male inmates and thirty female inmates. The estimated cost of the modernisation and expansion project is K9.1 million.

 

Mr Speaker, the plans to modernise the facility will be implemented when funds are made available.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to modernise and expand the existing correctional facility in Petauke District.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr S. Banda: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his response.

 

Mr Speaker, overcrowding is not speculative; it is present and urgent. With due respect to the hon. Minister, may the hon. Minister clarify whether this project will be prioritised once funds are available?

 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Mr Speaker, I wish to assure the hon. Member that once funds are made available, the facility will be modernised. As you may be aware, currently, the number of inmates in the facility in Petauke, as at six hours this morning, is 236. That number exceeds the holding capacity. We are aware of the urgent need to modernise this facility, and we will do that, especially that the hon. Member is no longer part of Tonse Alliance.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

GOVERNMENT-OWNED ABATTOIRS IN CHADIZA DISTRICT

 

61. Eng. Daka (Chadiza) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

 

1. how many Government-owned abattoirs there were in Chadiza District as of August 2025; and

 

1. what measures the Government is taking to ensure that slaughter facilities in the district are conducive for the activity.

 

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Kapala): Mr Speaker, as of August 2025, Chadiza District had one Government-owned abattoir, which is under the local authority. However, the facility is currently non-operational due to lack of reliable water supply, which is essential for maintaining hygiene and operational standards in line with public health regulations. The ministry is actively engaging relevant stakeholders to explore sustainable solutions to restore water access and ensure that the facility becomes fully functional to support livestock farmers and enhance meat processing in the district.

 

Mr Speaker, in the interim, slaughter activities in Chadiza District are being conducted at two operational slaughter slabs, one managed by the local authority and the other by Chadiza Boarding School.

 

Mr Speaker, while these facilities are currently serving the community, the Government recognises the need for more robust and hygienic infrastructure to support safe and efficient meat processing. To this end, the local authority in collaboration with the Central Government, is actively exploring the utilisation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to drill a borehole at the existing Government-owned abattoir. This intervention aims to restore reliable water supply, which is a critical requirement for the resumption of operations at the facility.

 

Mr Speaker, once operational, the abattoir will significantly enhance the district’s capacity to conduct slaughter activities in a more sanitary and regulated environment, thereby improving public health and supporting the local livestock value chain.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Eng. Daka: Mr Speaker, the situation at the abattoir currently in use is quite pathetic. In case the hon. Minister is not aware, the abattoir has no running water and no proper sanitation facilities. There is also no proper security or fencing, such that dogs and other animals can easily have access to the facility.

 

In fact, that is what actually motivated me to ask this question. Taking into consideration the hon. Minister's response, what temporal measures has the Government put in place to ensure that the abattoir operates in a more hygienic manner than what is currently prevailing because as far as I am concerned, it is a ground for breeding diseases.

 

Mr Speaker, right now, if you look at the way business is being conducted at this particular abattoir, you will see that it is basically a potential ground for disease outbreak. Has the Government put in place temporary measures are put in place to ensure that there is enough hygiene for the continuation of business at this particular abattoir?

 

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, I am a bit worried that my fellow engineer would be asking this question because the council collects money from people to use the facility. So, it should be able to drill a borehole. Further, I indicated in my response that once a borehole is drilled, the abattoir will be able to operate in a sanitary condition.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, you can even use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Hon. Member for Chadiza, do you want to ask another question?

 

Eng. Daka: Yes, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: You may proceed.

 

Eng. Daka: Mr Speaker, in as much as the hon. Minister would suggest that we use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Chadiza Constituency has many competing needssuch that even the new allocation of K40 million CDF is not adequate for the twenty wards in constituency.

 

Mr Speaker, the construction of the abattoir was completed in 2020. However, it has taken more than four years to have a borehole drilled, and also provide the other missing facilities that I alluded to earlier. As we speak right now, the situation at the site is quite pathetic. That is why I was compelled to ask this question.

 

Mr Speaker, since the hon. Minister has responded in that manner, I want to bring to his attention that we have visited many jurisdictions and we have seen how our colleagues have moved in the manner they do business in as far as slaughtering of animals is concerned. Is the ministry considering modernising the abattoirs by providing refrigeration facilities at some of the facilities so as to enhance our meat business in our country?

 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Kapala: Mr Speaker, my advice to my hon. Colleague is that the abattoir in question belongs to the council, and as such, the ministry responsible for local government is in a position to indicate the way forward as regards the investment that is required to make it safer.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

CONSTRUCTION OF THE ABANDONED HYDROPOWER STATIONS IN THE NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE

 

62 Mr Samakayi (Mwinilunga) asked the Minister of Energy:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to complete the construction of the following hydropower stations, which have been abandoned in the North Western Province:

 

1. Muzhila; and 

 

1. Kabompo;

 

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

 

1. whether the plans will include engaging the private sector; and

 

1. if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Mr Milupi) on behalf of (the Minister of Energy (Mr Chikote)): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to construct Muzhila and Kabompo Hydropower Stations.

 

ZESCO Limited initiated development of the Muzhila Hydropower Project with funding from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). However, the developmental model that JICA intended to implement under the increased access project involved construction of a 1MW plant at a rather high cost, rather than the 7MW potential. Therefore, ZESCO Limited completed the pre-feasibility studies for the implementation of the 7MW project. The estimated cost of the project is US$40 million.

 

 Mr Speaker, the Kabompo Hydropower project was awarded to Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) in 2008 following a competitive bidding process. In 2018, CEC undertook an optimisation study aimed at lowering the tariffs to make the project viable. Further, the project participated in the pre-qualification round of the Global Energy Transfer Feed-in Tariff (GETFiT) programme being implemented by the Ministry of Energy with the support of the Germany Government.

 

Sir, the project's feasibility studies have been completed and estimated to have a 40MW output. The estimated cost of developing the project is US$220 million. The Government, through ZESCO Limited, is actively mobilising financing for the implementation of the Muzhila Power Project. However, the Kabompo Hydro project is currently positioned to advance to the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage under the GETFiT programme. The Government has not engaged any private sector for the implementation of the Muzhila Power project. It will be developed by ZESCO Limited. However, the Kabompo Hydro Power Station will be developed by CEC, a private sector company.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa):  Mr Speaker, the response from the aActing hon. Minister of Energy is that we need US$40 million for the 7MW hydro-power station at the first site and that the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) requires US$200 million for a 40 MW hydro-power station in Kabompo.

 

I am familiar with the second project. I think, I toured that site in my previous engineering work. I am a bit saddened to learn that from the time most of the preliminary work was done, up to now, we still do not have finality to the project. When will the US$40 million be ready for the site that ZESCO Limited is supposed to implement, and when will CEC implement the project? Clearly, we have the potential to get 47MW out of these two projects.

 

Mr Speaker, it might be necessary for the people who are following this conversation to be given some indication as to when the financial aspects of these projects will be attended to.

 

Eng. Milupi: Mr Speaker, as the hon. Member has quite rightly pointed out, the figures are substantial for the proposed capacity. Developing a US$40 million 7 MW capacity station depends on ZESCO Limited’s ability to raise that amount of money. The initial capital requirements for hydro-electric schemes are expensive because a dam has to be developed and, of course, the power station. However, operating one is cheap owing to the sunken cost.

 

Madam Speaker, with respect to the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) and the mentioned US$220 million, the corporation has been tinkering with the project’s feasibility studies to make it more profitable. However, the hon. Member is right that the country is in a situation in which it has a shortage of power, and we need every potential site to come on stream. Therefore, the ministry will engage the CEC, and I am sure the officers from the ministry are listening to me.

 

Mr Speaker, as stated earlier, the project was given to the CEC in 2008. The Government wants to see its finality. We also want to know whether the CEC would like to continue with it or surrender the sites so that the Government can consider other options.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Samakayi: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker, under the prevailing circumstances, I am unable to continue with the questions. I will follow up with the office of the hon. Minister of Energy.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker gave the Floor to Mr Mukumbi.

 

Mr Mukumbi (Solwezi West): Is it too late? Can I ask?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mukumbi: Mr Speaker, many mining activities are going on in the North-Western Province. Therefore, there is a need for more power. The market is there, and water bodies are readily available. What problem does the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) have in carrying out the said projects? Is it possible for it to hand over the sites to somebody who can be serious?

 

Eng. Milupi: Mr Speaker, the first thing that I should mention is that there is a power deficit in the country. Secondly, the hon. Member is quite right that there are mining operations within the province. So, extra power is needed. Further, the deficit also affects our neighbouring countries because places such as Kolwezi need power from Zambia.

 

Mr Speaker, the other thing I can talk about is the fact that the Government is developing solar power stations throughout the country. However, solar energy is only available for a limited number of hours in a day. A combination of hydro-power stations to provide the base load and solar energy might be a worthwhile proposition to investigate. That is why I have said that the ministry will engage the CEC to see what can be done to ensure that the project is actualised. If the CEC has no appetite to develop the project, then, the sites must be surrendered so that others can undertake the project. I know that there are other people who would be more than willing to do it.

 

Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the hon. Member for Mwinilunga to continue engaging the ministry so that we see finality with respect to the two potential power stations.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

_______

 

MOTIONS

 

MOTION OF SUPPLY

 

(Debate resumed)

 

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Mr Speaker, I am grateful for this opportunity you have given me to make a few comments on the work that we have been assigned. As I wish to make comments on Head – 03, and with your permission, I wish to tender my comments in camera.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Your request is granted.

 

Clerks-at-the-Table, ensure that our business is off camera. Head – 03 is the National Assembly. So, we are now debating ourselves. The cameras should be switched off from the public, including the radio and any other public platform, like social media.

 

Clerks-at-the-Table, confirm that we are off air.

 

Clerks-at-the-Table indicated assent.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: We can proceed.

 

Mr Kang’ombe: Mr Speaker, thank you, once again, for giving me this opportunity to make a few comments on Head – 03, which is obviously our institution, the National Assembly. I would like to state from the outset that with the passage of time, the work that we are supposed to do, and the work that should be supported by your members of staff at this institution, requires acknowledging that modernisation is taking place. Since our institution has to modernise in terms of how it performs its duties, we have a responsibility to look at how much funding should be provided to it.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kang’ombe: Mr Speaker, there are conversations happening on my left and I am being disturbed partly, as I debate this important topic. I hope you can allow me to proceed.

 

Mr Speaker, under Head – 03 –

 

Mr Mwiimbu, SC. conversed with Mr Michelo.

 

Mr Kang’ombe: Mr Speaker, with your permission, I wish to point out that the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security is disturbing the flow of my debate.

 

Mr Kang’ombe resumed his seat.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Bweengwa, minimise on the consultations.

 

You may proceed, hon. Member for Kamfinsa.

 

Mr Kang’ombe: Mr Speaker –

 

Mr Samakayi: Question!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kang’ombe: Mr Speaker, Head – 03 has been allocated about K1.5 billion and it has about five programmes. When I look at those programmes, I realise that there are hon. Members who have been assigned duties to represent the country on various important platforms outside Zambia.

 

You are aware, Mr Speaker, and that is why I requested your permission to start with this very important topic. We have fallen short of the required logistical support for some of the hon. Members of Parliament who have had to travel to represent this country. When I look at the allocation to our institution, I am mindful that sometimes, work has to be performed in national interest. However, at the same time, these hon. Members of Parliament, who are very dedicated to the duty that you have assigned them, would also want to be supported logistically. I believe that some of the issues that we will need to consider on the first topic includes how to request for extra funding, particularly for Vote 03. This is my first submission.

 

Mr Speaker, you are aware that we have 156 constituencies in Zambia. During our tours of some of the constituency offices as part of our work as parliamentarians, we observed that the required stationery, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) support, and the appropriate work environment for these hon. Members of Parliament sometimes have fallen short of the required standard. So, my second submission is that this allocation that we have been given, as National Assembly, may look like it is sufficient, but when we analyse the work that we have been able to do in our respective constituencies, both in the constituency, as well as to perform our duties here, we realise that we need extra funding to be made available to the National Assembly, Vote 03.

 

Mr Speaker, let me now come to my third submission on Vote 03.You are aware that we are now considering the Budget through what is called Sector Budget Analysis. This analysis demands that we have people who can help us to analyse the bBudget item by item. Here is my submission on sector budget analysis and why we need more money: Is it possible that, as opposed to bringing in consultants for these Committees you have given work to, the National Assembly should employ its own? For instance, I am in the Committee on Local Governance, Housing and Chiefs' Affairs, and we had to bring in consultants from the University of Zambia (UNZA) to come and perform work that could have been performed by someone that the National Assembly should have employed. Why should we spend money on two or three consultants just to come and give us support on sector budget analysis? For us to interrogate the budget for the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, a Committee where Hon. Sialubalo appeared, we also had to bring in external people who are qualified in sector budget analysis.

 

So, when I look at the budget that we have been allocated, under Vote 03, I am asking myself why we cannot employ people who are qualified.? Why can we not employ an additional four to five experts in sector budget analysis so that when the time comes to approve the budget, we are not spending money on consultancy? I mean, this is an institution. This is the National Assembly. Why should the National Assembly be bringing in consultants when we can actually employ people? We can employ people, build their capacity, take them for training and then we will have the right technical support that  hon. Members of Parliament need to perform their duties of sector budget analysis. My third submission, therefore, is that we need extra money as the National Assembly to be able to have our own technical support.

 

My fourth submission, Mr Speaker, is that you may be aware that in the last couple of months, we have had a few disasters. I will start with the disaster that we had in Kalulushi as a result of the pollution caused by the incident that we had. Remember, when we had a shortage of drugs, Madam Speaker assigned a Committee, by selecting some hon. Members of Parliament and assigned them to go and verify if, indeed, we had a shortage of drugs. That was a special assignment given to the hon. Members of Parliament. Regarding the disaster we had in Kalulushi as a result of the pollution, if we had enough money, I am assuming that Madam Speaker would have assigned a Committee. I am assuming that if we had the resources, Madam Speaker would have selected about seven hon. Members of Parliament to travel to Kalulushi to verify the extent of the problem and bring us a report. However, because we do not have money in the National Budget allocated to this institution, we are unable to perform that duty.

 

Mr Speaker, yesterday, or is it the other day, I raised an issue on this Floor regarding the Chiwempala Market, specifically, the recent disaster, in which a fire swept through the market.  If we had money, I believe that you could have sought permission from Madam Speaker to assign four to five hon. Members of Parliament to go to Chingola, work with the local leadership there and come back with a report that would support the work that Parliament has to do. My submission, therefore, is that we examine the five programmes that have been listed under Vote 003. This Vote 003, colleagues, hon. Members of Parliament, is your institution. This institution has to modernise the work that it is performing. This institution has to undertake  benchmarking visits. I know that we have failed to conduct as many benchmarking programmes as possible for 2025 because we do not have the money. Since we do not have money, my submission is that when we reconvene on 20^th November, is it possible to request for extra money?

 

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I know that we can only move money within the Vote. So, we can only move from Programme 3400 to Programme 3499 within the National Assembly Vote. However, my submission is that even if we try to move the money within our own Vote, the money is not enough. Through this mandate that we have been given, can we, therefore, request the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to give us extra money? How much extra money do we need? According to the estimates, and the information I have been able to gather, we needed K461 million to be able to perform all these extra duties. We may not be given K461 million, but at least, if we make a request, I know that we will be given extra funding.

 

I am very grateful, once again, Mr Speaker. Save for the limitation of time, I would have continued to catalogue the financial gaps that are under our programme, but I thought that I could begin this very important conversation.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I must commend you, hon. Member. That is a very good submission, and you should continue debating in that manner. Your objectivity is quite commendable. You still have the mandate. When the House resolves into Committees, you can still move monies from any Head. That does not limit or stop you from doing that. An amendment can be moved when we go into Committee of Supply. It has been done before. The other year, it was done when we piloted the Sector Budget Analysis. So, it can still be done, and personally, as a Presiding Officer, I support this approach because inadequate funding has been an impediment to the proper functioning of this institution.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

Question put and agreed to.

_______

 

The House adjourned at 1208 hours until 1430 hours on Tuesday, 12^th November, 2025.

 

____________