Tuesday, 11th November, 2025

Tuesday, 11^th November, 2025

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM SPEAKER in the chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_______

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM SPEAKER

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM MUNENGA SECONDARY SCHOOL IN MAZABUKA DISTRICT

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

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

I thank you.

DIRECTIVE GIVEN TO HON. D. CHISOPA, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MKUSHI SOUTH, AND HON. F. KAPYANGA, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MPIKA, TO PRODUCE EVIDENCE AND LAY IT ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE, THAT POWER WAS BEING IMPORTED ON BEHALF OF ZESCO LIMITED

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, the House will recall that on Friday, 31^st October, 2025, during the Vice-President’s Question Time, Her Honour the Vice-President was responding to a question asked by Hon. D. Chisopa, Member of Parliament for Mkushi South, as follows:

“Madam Speaker, when the United Party for National Development (UPND) took over power from the Patriotic Front (PF), it was left with 3,600 plus MW of power generation capacity. The total consumption capacity of power is about 2,400 MW.

Madam Speaker, the people of Zambia have been subjected to load-shedding. Saloons, barbershops and welding machines have stopped working. So, the Zambian people have been sent to abject poverty.

Madam Speaker, what has gone wrong with the Government’s way of load-shedding, thereby, causing so much pain to the Zambian people, and preferring export of power?”

As Her Honour the Vice-President was responding to the question, Hon. F. Kapyanga, Member of Parliament for Mpika, interjected through running commentaries alleging that power was being imported on behalf of ZESCO Limited. In that regard, I ordered Hon. D. Chisopa, MP, and Hon. F. Kapyanga, MP, to produce evidence that power was being imported on behalf of ZESCO Limited and also that ZESCO Limited was exporting power, and lay it on the Table of the House by Friday, 7^th November, 2025.

Accordingly, Hon. D. Chisopa, MP, and Hon. F. Kapyanga, MP, on Friday, 7^th November, 2025, submitted to the Office of the Clerk, a copy of the verbatim record of the Daily Parliamentary Debates for Friday, 31^st October, 2025, photocopies of the Mid-Year Statistical Bulletin of the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) for 2025 and a Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) print out showing the shareholding of Kanona Power Company Limited and a transcript purported to be an excerpt from the Daily Nation newspaper.

Hon. Members, I wish, once more, to take this opportunity to address the issue relating to tabling of documents.

Order No. 144 and 146 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, are instructive on the issue of tabling documents. Standing Order No. 144 provides as follows:

“144. Tabling Documents

A document is tabled in order to supply authoritative facts and information to the House to enable Members to effectively participate in debate.

A document may be tabled at any time whether the House is in session or on recess.

Once a document is tabled, it becomes a permanent record of the House and accessible to both Members and the public.”

Further, Standing Order No. 146 provides for tabling of a public document by Backbenchers as follows:

“146. Tabling of Public Document by Backbencher,

A Backbencher may Table a public document provided it is an original document.

A Backbencher shall not table a copy of a public document unless the copy has been certified as a true copy of the original document by the relevant head of Government ministry, department or agency that has custody of the original document.”

Hon. Members, in view of Standing Order No. 146, the documents submitted by Hon. D. Chisopa, MP and Hon. F. Kapyanga, MP do not meet the criteria set out in the Standing Orders for tabling a public document. Accordingly, the documents are inadmissible.

Let me take this opportunity to, once more, caution the House that any hon. Member who will submit information which is not factual and verifiable regarding this matter or indeed any other matter, will be sanctioned in accordance with our Standing Orders or the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, Chapter 12 of the Laws of Zambia.

In the meantime, Hon. D. Chisopa and Hon. F. Kapyanga are put on notice. We will give them the benefit of the doubt but, please, as I said, let us make sure that we submit documents in accordance with our Standing Orders.

I thank you.

_______

URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

MR KANGOMBE, HON. MEMBER FOR KAMFINSA, ON MR CHIKOTE, HON. MINISTER OF ENERGY, ON THE FUEL SHORTAGE

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

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, allow me, once again, to convey my gratitude to you for the opportunity to direct an Urgent Matter without Notice at the hon. Minister of Energy. I note that the hon. Minister is not the House. So, I will direct the matter at the Leader of Government Business in the House, who is equally not available in the House.

Madam Speaker, with your permission, I will still proceed with the Urgent Matter without Notice, as it concerns an important issue affecting the wheels of commerce, which is the persistent shortage of fuel. Your hon. Members of Parliament as well as citizens of our country have continued to struggle to find service stations that have both petrol and diesel. The fact that fuel is not being made available, obviously, it affects the ability to transport goods and services. It also affects many aspects of our economy.

That, obviously, affects people’s ability to transport goods and services. It also affects many aspects of our economy. Given the fact that this has now become a persistent problem, it would be in order for the hon. Minister responsible to give an assurance to the people regarding the availability of this commodity. This is why I wish to direct my matter to the hon. Minister responsible for energy.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to not assure not only the hon. Members of Parliament but the citizens of the availability of this commodity called fuel? We are failing to go to our constituencies because we cannot find fuel during the weekend. Many other people are complaining. I thought I could seek your indulgence on this important matter.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Kamfinsa, I suggest that you file in an urgent question. The matter is not admitted as an Urgent Matter without Notice. I end there. I will not make any further comment.

MR MIYUTU, HON. MEMBER FOR KALABO CENTRAL, ON MR MWIIMBU, SC., HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY, ON THE CHINGOLA INCIDENT

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, my matter is directed at the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, but he is not available. I will proceed regardless.

Madam Speaker, this year, Zambia attained sixty-one years of Independence, which we have had since 1964. 1964 was the end of Zambians being colonised. In that period, there were many activities that Zambians; our parents, were engaged in for us to achieve this Independence we enjoy today. There were many activities, like the Chachacha campaign where youths of those days would block the roads with logs. That was before 1964. In 2021 –

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, your time is running out. Can you quickly wrap up. You have thirty-one seconds more.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, the issue in Chingola, where the Head of State –

Madam Speaker, I wanted to define what a State is that day. The Head of State of the Republic of Zambia –

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Kalabo Central!

Let me give you guidance on that, because we do not want to start speculating.

The reason hon. Members raise Urgent Matters without Notice is so that the Government is made aware and can do something about the matters that are raised. As we have seen from the press, like television broadcasts, the Government is aware. This matter relates to the safety and security of the Head State. So, my guidance to you, hon. Members, and everyone, is that since the Government is aware and is taking steps in relation to the same matter, and some people have been arrested, and there are investigations being carried out, let us leave it at that. It would be improper for us to start opening up matters that touch on state security. So, it is advisable to veer from that discussion. That is my general guidance.

Hon. Member, sorry, I had to curtail that matter because we do not want to open a Pandora's box.

Hon. Member for Lubansenshi, you may proceed.

Mr Chewe (Lubansenshi): Madam Speaker –

Mr Kafwaya: On a Point of Order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Lubansenshi, just a moment.

Hon. Member for Lunte, whom is the Point of Order on?

Mr Kafwaya: On the House.

Madam Speaker: What is the Point of Order?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, our Standing Orders provide for positions of officers of the Assembly. Normally, when the Leader of Government Business in the House is unavailable, you make an announcement. Observing that there was no announcement, and I see no Government Chief –

Interruptions

Mr Kafwaya: Oh! He has just come. He was late.

Interruptions

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, also, I see no United Party for National Development (UPND)-endorsed Leader of the Opposition.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, I would like to know whether this House is in order –

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Lunte!

Let me give guidance before you proceed.

These are the same issues that we were talking about. When you make an allegation on the Floor of the House, it must be factual and verifiable. Do you have evidence to show that the Leader of the Opposition or, indeed, the Whip are endorsed by the United Party for National Development (UPND)?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, I –

Madam Speaker: Let us leave it at that. I do not want to go that route. Please, be guided accordingly.

Mr Munsanje: Send him out!

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, –

Madam Speaker: Just raise your Point of Order.

Whoever is saying send him out, please, let us have order. It is not a time for sending people out. It is better that we do our work. There is serious work here, in the House, to be done.

Hon. Member for Lunte, continue as guided.

Mr Kafwaya: Thank you for your compassion. After serving thirty days, it would be bad for me to go again.

Madam Speaker, I was saying: Is it in order for this House to continue transacting business in the absence of the Leader of Government Business in the House, the Chief Whip, who has just walked in, he was late, …

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Kafwaya: … and the Leader of the Opposition, when these are the leaders in the House, …

Mr Simumba: Ku Opposition, we do not have a leader!

Mr Kafwaya: …who should provide accurate answers in the event of failure by these ever-failing UPND hon. Ministers.

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

Hon. Opposition Members: Quality!

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

I did not hear the last part of your Point of Order. Let me talk about the issue that you have raised, which is important. I have no information as to where the Leader of Government Business in the House is or, indeed, in her absence, who the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House is. In the same vein, I know that the Leader of the Opposition is unwell. He took some days off. With regards to the Whip, I have no idea. I have not been notified. However, the Government Whip was in the House. Even when I was walking in, I saw him.

Mr Simumba: We do not have a Leader of the Opposition.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Parliamentary business takes precedence over anything else. I know we use our discretion to allow hon. Members to do one or two things, but it appears that it is a tendency for them to abandon parliamentary work to do other things. The fact that there is no Leader of Government Business in the House, and no information has been sent as to why, and we do not even have an Acting Leader of Government Business in the House, I am also taken aback, because we cannot continue working like this. We cannot function like this as an arm of the Government that represents the people. We have to earn the trust of the people.

So, Government Chief Whip, please, advise us as to who the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House is.

Mr Kampyongo: Long live!

Mr Mulusa: Madam Speaker, Her Honour the Vice-President is on her way. For now, we can have Hon. Eng. Milupi as the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House.

Hon. PF Members: Question!

Mr Kampyongo: Who has appointed him?

Mr Kampyongo: On a Point of Order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hau! What is happening?

Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, we are still in the middle of something else.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker –

Madam Speaker: I have not given you the Floor. I was just saying that in view of the absence of Her Honour the Vice-President, the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development is the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, this is a procedural matter. We acknowledge the challenge that you have shared with the House and there is a procedure that is followed when the Executive communicates with your office. You have guided and, unfortunately, the Government Chief Whip, the office in which I once served, has no mandate to appoint someone to act on behalf of the Leader of Government Business in the House. Was the Chief Whip in order to give himself or apportion himself portfolio functions that he does not have?

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling. As you have said, we need to be serious with the way we conduct business in this august House.

Madam Speaker, I seek your fair guidance on this matter.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, we are just getting entangled up in our deliberations. We have a lot of work before us. The hon. Government Chief Whip did not appoint anyone. I was asking him to inform us who the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House is. So, what the Government Chief Whip was doing was merely informing me of who the Acting Leader of Government –

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I think, let us make progress.

MR CHEWE, HON. MEMBER FOR LUBANSENSHI, ON THE ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE, MR MULUSA, ON THE MONEY RELEASED AS PAYMENT FOR FARMERS

Mr Chewe (Lubansenshi): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Chewe: Madam Speaker, thank you so much for permitting the people of Lubansenshi Constituency to raise an Urgent Matter without Notice.

Madam Speaker, this matter is directed at the hon. Minister of Agriculture. In his absence, I will direct it at the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House.

Madam Speaker, information is really critical and vital. Regarding the issue of farmers, in our Bemba language we say, “Apakomaila nondo, ninshi pali ubulema.” Further, we say, “Insala nindiminwa tempulilwa iyo”. The rainy season has started, and farmers are waiting to be paid. Therefore –

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, you used some language that you need to translate into English so that we can all be on the same page.

Mr Chewe: Madam Speaker, the saying apakomaila nondo, ninshi pali ubulema means that people can always talk about where there is a problem so that a solution can be found. Then, insala nindiminwa tempulilwa means that it is more important to have food rather than not having it.

Madam Speaker, people of Lubansenshi from Shimumbi, Luena, Kaseya, Luwingu, Maiteneke and other surrounding areas are camped at the National Savings and Credit Bank (NATSAVE) offices waiting to be paid as we speak. This is because of the announcement that was made last week by the Government through the hon. Minister of Agriculture that K2 billion was released to be paid to farmers. When the announcement was made, people were so happy because they had faith in the Government. However, they are now calling me to ask about the same issue. They believe that the money was released according to the information that the hon. Minister of Agriculture shared with the nation. They are waiting at the bank, but there is no money. Therefore, who is holding the money? Is it the bank? This is the question I am failing to answer when asked by people. Therefore, it is important that the powers that be give information to farmers so that they know who is holding the money and when they will be paid.

Mr Kampyongo: Naikaba.

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

It is not hot, but cold, hon. Member for Shiwang’andu.

Mr Kampyongo: I said, “Naikaba”.

Madam Speaker: It is not hot, but cool. You said, “Naikaba”. Then I said, “It is not hot. It is very cool.”

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, the farmers want money.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, was it not on Friday here in this House when the hon. Minister of Agriculture announced that arrangements were being made to release about K5 billion? It was last Friday. There was a weekend in between, and then we had yesterday, Monday, and today is Tuesday. However, I heard some people say that they have been paid. I believe that it is a process. So, the people you represent will also be paid because I also heard the announcement. It was also announced on television (TV) that the money was released. So, let us give it some time and see what will happen. If by the end of next week farmers are not paid, then we can raise further concerns.

Thank you.

______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

OPERATIONALISATION OF THE CORDON LINE IN THE WESTERN PROVINCE

63. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

whether the Government has any plans to operationalise the cordon line in the Western Province;

if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Kapala): Madam Speaker, I wish to assure this august House that the Government has plans to operationalise the cordon line in the Western Province as part of a broader national effort to control and ultimately eradicate contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), which is endemic in the Western Province.

Madam Speaker, to this end, my ministry engaged a consultancy firm to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study on the re-establishment and operationalisation of the cordon line. I am pleased to inform the House that the study has been successfully completed and its findings have been submitted to my ministry.

Madam Speaker, the study involved extensive stakeholder consultations, which included traditional leaders, former public employees, current civil servants, commercial and traditional farmers, traders and professional bodies across five provinces. These provinces are the Western Province, the Northern Province, the North-Western Province, the Southern Province, the Central Province and Copperbelt Province. The consultancy firm assessed multiple options for the cordon line route using key determinants, such as disease containment, cost effectiveness, social and economic impact, community acceptability and environmental sustainability.

Madam Speaker, based on the recommendations of the study, the cordon line will not be reinstated in its previous location. Instead, it will be established along a more strategic and environmentally sustainable route, that is the Zambezi/Lungwebungu/Duntemwe Border Corridor with sentinel surveillance along the Angolan border. This will encompass a buffer zone of 69,691 km² with a perimeter of 1,307 km. This will be able to hold a capacity of 800,000 cattle. This option was found to be the most suitable, balancing disease control efficacy with minimal socio-economic disruption and strong community support. This initiative is aligned with the Government's commitment to improving livestock health, enhancing food security and promoting sustainable livestock development. It is also in line with Zambia's contagious bovine Pleuralpneumonia (CBPP) national control and eradication strategy, which has been endorsed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

Madam Speaker, the Government is already operationalising the establishment of the cordon line. The Government remains committed to ensuring that this initiative is implemented in a manner that is inclusive, transparent and responsive to the needs of the people. It is being implemented in a phased approach, which will allow for adjustments based on stakeholder feedback and evolving field realities, thereby enhancing the resilience and sustainability of the cordon line.

Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the operationalisation of the cordon line has commenced. The Government has already recruited 250 cordon guards in 2024, and these will be deployed along the designated cordon line and border areas. The cordon guards have been orientated and are attached to the district veterinary offices undertaking other animal health-related duties. Further, my ministry has developed a roadmap on the establishment of the cordon line and a robust, cost-effective maintenance plan for the operations of the cordon line. The next phase of implementation will be undertaken after comprehensive consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including hon. Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, local authorities, veterinary professionals and affected communities. Once this phase is complete, the physical establishment of the cordon line and deployment of the cordon guards will be finalised.

Madam Speaker, the last question is rendered inadmissible in light of the Government's clear and active commitment to operationalising the cordon line in the Western Province.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, the response by the hon. Minister shows that the cordon line will be rerouted. What, then, is the idea behind the cordon line? I ask this question because I have heard of the Zambezi River and the Lungwebungu River. Now that the boundary or the cordon line has changed from where it was previously, what is the stance of the Government on the change of the cordon line? This question is in relation to the population on the western side of the Zambezi River.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, I think that the simple answer to that question is that the cattle population has grown since the last cordon line was established. Also, the Government wanted to ensure that the cordon line passes through a natural boundary, that is, the Zambezi River, so that we could contain at least 800,000 cattle in the areas that will be cordoned off.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Munsanje (Mbabala): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the information. Could he state some of the stakeholders he will consult in order to come up with the revised cordon line in the Western Province, as the cordon line will affect our cattle population.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, I mentioned that as the Government, we are going to do this in a phased approach. So, all stakeholders are going to be engaged. Even if the consultant for the project has already recommended where the line should pass, we are going to engage the people who will be affected again.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, I will read something for reference sake.

“The cordon line in western Zambia was a 400-kilometre-bumped wire fence constructed along the Angolan border, specifically within the Shangombo District during the 1970s. The primary purpose of this cordon line was to control the cross-border movement of cattle to prevent the spread of animal diseases like the contagious bovine pleuralpneumonia (CBPP).”

Madam Speaker, this is the purpose of the cordon line. It passes along the boundary between Zambia and Angola. So, the interest of the cordon line was the cattle on the Zambian side. The interest was on the cattle on the Zambian side.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

We need to follow the questions. If there are any consultations that need to be done, please, you can quietly step outside and do your consultations. When you are done, then, you can come back. I want to listen to the question and the answer because that is the only way that I can give proper guidance. Now, when there is a lot of talking, I am distracted. I also want to hear what the hon. Member is saying.

Hon. Member for Kalabo Central, you may continue.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, I want to clearly understand the position. The response of the hon. Minister contained the words “buffer zone.” That is what is making me feel very uncomfortable, especially that the cordon line will be on the western side of the Zambezi River. Is the hon. Minister telling us that the Government's interest is on the eastern side of the Zambezi River or the western side of the Zambezi River, which is on the border of Zambia and Angola? Which side is the Government interested in?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, the Government's interest is on both sides. I mentioned that there will be sentinel surveillance along the Angolan border. That is why we have established the buffer zone. The hon. Member of Parliament for Kalabo Central is aware that there is no movement of cattle from the Western Province to Lusaka at present. It is banned. We are trying to use a natural boundary, which is the Zambezi River, so that we contain the disease on the western side of the Zambezi River as well as watch the Angolan border. Those are the things I said.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: I can see that the hon. Member for Kalabo Central is even more confused than before.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, I do not want to raise a point of order. I do not know how you can help me, because the hon. Minister–

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Kalabo, just repeat the question. Take a deep breath and ask the question again.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, we are human beings, eh! We, the people on the western side of the Zambezi River, are human beings. We are human beings like those on the eastern side. We need to live! (he pointed at Madam Speaker)! We need to live!

Mr Miyutu became emotional.

Interruptions

Mr Miyutu: No. I am sorry. We need to live, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Take a moment.

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

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I know that some issues can be painful, but what is important is to bear in mind that we are leaders. We need to take control of our emotions. So, let us ask the questions calmly and get the answers. If, for any reason, we are not satisfied, we have processes in place.

Hon. Member for Kalabo Central, please, ask your question. I am now speaking as your lawyer, remember.

Laughter

Mr Miyutu: Thank you, Madam Speaker. For sure, you were my counsel. So, I take your counsel seriously.

Madam Speaker: Before you proceed, my son has indicated to raise a point of order. I have too many relatives. The hon. Member for Mandevu wants to raise a point of order.

What is the point of order, hon. Member?

Mr Shakafuswa: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to raise a point of order on the hon. Member for Kalabo Central.

Madam Speaker, before you asked the hon. Member to resume his seat, he pointed at you while making his submission.

Interruptions

Mr Shakafuswa: He was pointing at you like this (He pointed at Madam Speaker) before he sat down to cry. Was he in order to point at you?

I need your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Order!

I believe the hon. Member for Kalabo Central was just appealing to me to indicate that he has an issue that needs to be clarified. I know the hon. Member’s finger-pointing would not do me any harm. I trust him. He has been my client. So, I know him better.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Kalabo Central, you may continue.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, let me explain the reason we want the cordon line. The primary purpose for which the United National Independence Party (UNIP) Government set up the cordon line was in the interest of the Zambian population and its livelihood. Changing the route, which the hon. Minister has said, that the ministry will place surveillance on, places part of Zambia on the western side, and that is my concern. Our interest was in containing and separating Zambia from Angola. Is the Government allocating the western side of Zambia to Angola? In his own words, the hon. Minister said that the animals from that region cannot be moved to Lusaka, and that means that we are losing out economically. So, what is the interest in changing the route of the cordon line from the former to where the Government wants it to pass?

Mr Kapala: This is becoming emotive. Madam Speaker, I wish I had a PowerPoint presentation so that the hon. Member can understand where the previous cordon line was and what the Government is proposing. I suggest that the hon. Member, my new cousin, visits my office so that we can resolve this issue.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: New cousin, indeed. We have newly acquired cousins. So, when we say something, we say it because we are cousins.

Hon. Member: Yes!

Madam Speaker: Just for purposes of clarity, is the cordon line moving inland or outland? Maybe, that is what the hon. Member for Kalabo Central wants to know. Is the Government extending the cordon line inland, which would mean taking more land from the Zambian side, instead of moving towards the Angolan side? I think that is what he wants to know.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, I think that is coming from you. The cordon line will move inland. That is why the Government wants to create a buffer zone that will contain almost 800,000 cattle. The Government also intends to establish a proper abattoir so that beef exports can come from that area as well. Surveillance will be implemented along the Angolan border, where we want to prevent the crossing of cattle between Angola and Zambia. If anything, people try to cross the animals over from Angola into Zambia, because there would be business in Zambia. So, we can foresee the movement of cattle from Angola into Zambia, unlike from Zambia to Angola.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Kalabo Central, you, probably, need to engage so that you understand each other better, and we do not get emotional on the Floor. You will scare the young people.

Laughter

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, the appeal for a consultation between the hon. Members and the hon. Minister should be considered so that we understand what the Government is doing, that is, the good intentions, of course. It is true that cattle from the Western Province cannot be moved to Lusaka Province or the Copperbelt Province. It should not be like that economically. It has been like that for too long. The hon. Minister is saying that the boundary will be the Zambezi River. Half of Nalolo District is on the western side, while the other half is on the eastern side. How will cattle on the western and eastern parts of Nalolo District live? Meanwhile, Mitete is entirely on the western side. Far north-west, there is Zambezi West on the western side, and Zambezi East on the eastern side, but it is all Zambezi District. So, we just want to understand how the animals will live in that scenario vis-à-vis the Angolan border.

Madam Speaker, for the information of the hon. Minister, more animals are moved into Angola for business than from Angola into Zambia. I think, consultation would be good. Such a thing would help the country and the Western Province, in particular.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, that is not really a question but a suggestion, and I have indicated that this is a phased project because further consultation will take place. This will allow us to reach an amicable solution and an accepted route so that everyone can appreciate what we are planning to do.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Lunte.

Mr Mubika: A Point of Order!

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Madam Speaker, it is not a Point of Order. It is a supplementary question, just so my honourable brother is clear.

Madam Speaker, a cordon line is a Government investment for the benefit of the people of Zambia, in this case, those who reside in the Western Province, where this line has been provided for many years. In 2022, the first Budget that the current hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning presented to this House, provided for US$50 million for that cordon line. In 2025, the year we are in, there is no provision for a cordon line in the Budget, which is being discussed on the Floor of the House for next year.

Madam Speaker, you can now see why an hon. Member of Parliament can cry on the Floor of the House. This is because, even though the hon. Minister answered in respect of the desires of the Government, this particular asset was provided for in 2022, and that budget has been buried. Where is the hon. Minister going to find the money to construct the cordon line, for which he is assuring my crying honourable brother?

Laughter

Madam Speaker: I do not know whether that question is directed at the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, or the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning. However, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning is not on the Floor. I do not know if the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock can answer that question.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, how I wish the United Party for National Development (UPND) were in the Government in 20 – When was this –

Hon. Opposition Members: Mwali ku energy that time.

Interruptions

Mr Kapala: I seek your protection, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

I cannot hear anything. The hon. Minister said something.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, I was saying that I wish our Government were in power fifty to sixty years ago. These issues were not going to be here.

Madam Speaker, part of the money that was approved was used for the recruitment of the 250 cordon guards, as well as to pay for their consultations. The money is there, will there be need for further consultation. That is what I said. I did not specify any timeline for when this cordon line would be done. No, I did not say that because we are still conducting further consultation so that we can come up with an amicable solution to this problem.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

Hon. Member for Nalolo, you indicated late. However, I will give you the Floor. What is your question?

Mr Wamunyima (Nalolo): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, two or three years ago, I asked a question similar to the one that the hon. Member for Kalabo Centre has asked, and it is a source of concern. I just want to understand what the timeframe for the proposed consultation is? Disease control in the Western Province is a problem because of the absence of this cordon line, and Kalabo, Sikongo, Mitete, Nalolo, Shangombo, Sioma, and Senanga districts are deeply affected by this. Could the hon. Minister assist us with the timeline of the consultation, considering that this matter has been before this House for over two years now?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, I expect that we should be able to finish all the consultations next year and implement this cordon line.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: We need to move. Let me have the last question.

Hon. Member for Lukulu East.

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, when I arrived at the National Assembly in 2008, as a matter of fact, I found this very question on the Floor of the House. Hon. Eng. Milupi was seated somewhere there (Pointed at the left side of the Hon. Madam Speaker). That is more than twelve to fifteen years ago, and the discussion was on the cordon line.

Madam Speaker, now that I have provided additional information that this has been outstanding for so many years, would the hon. Minister like to fast-track these consultations to earlier than next year?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, only two months is remaining for this year to end. I do not think we will be able to conclude the consultations within these two months. Give us the benefit of the doubt that we are quite serious and we want to implement this so that the people of the Western Province can also benefit fully, and the economy can grow as it did before.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you. With that, we make progress.

The next question by the hon. Member for Kabwe Central, will be asked by the hon. Member for Mangango by prior arrangement.

UPGRADE OF KABWE CENTRAL HOSPITAL TO A TEACHING HOSPITAL

64. Mr Mwene (Mangango) (on behalf of Ms Halwiindi (Kabwe Central)) asked the Minister of Health:

whether the Government has any plans to upgrade Kabwe Central Hospital in Kabwe District to a teaching hospital;

if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Health (Mr Muchima): Madam Speaker, Kabwe Central Hospital already has teaching functions, providing teaching services to nurses, clinical officers, environmental health officers, and, in turn, doctors. It is also offering specialised training programmes in the field, such as internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics, and gynaecology.

Madam Speaker, the facility is already offering teaching services. It must be noted that mere teaching is different from the establishment of a university teaching hospital. Therefore, parts (b) and (c) of the question fall off.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mwene: Thank you so much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, yes, the hospital has teaching functions, but it is not yet a teaching hospital. When does the hon. Minister intend to turn it into a university teaching hospital, especially that it is in the provincial headquarters of Central Province?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, for a hospital to be established as a university teaching hospital, it must be affiliated with a university and gazetted as such. Kabwe General Hospital is near Mulungushi University. Unfortunately, Mulungushi University is affiliated with Livingstone General Hospital. Let me just explain one thing. Kabwe General Hospital, at the moment, is classified as a practicum site.

Hon. Member: Ati!

Mr Muchima: Practicum. Practical.

Hon. PF Member: Ah!

Interruptions

Mr Muchima: For a hospital to be established as a university teaching hospital, it must be affiliated with a university and gazetted. It also must have several professors, a pathology laboratory, radiology capacity and experts. Also, the volume of patients should be around 800,000. The hospital must also have surgeons specialised in different areas. Those are the key areas that a hospital needs in order to be given the status of a university teaching hospital.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mubika (Shangombo): Madam Speaker, we have to bear in mind that free education was introduced by the New Dawn Government. This entails that many people have gone back to school. Also, it means that the university teaching hospitals we have cannot accommodate all the pupils graduating from Grade 12 intending to study nursing. Does the Government, through the Ministry of Health, have plans to ensure that whatever is missing at Kabwe General Hospital for it to qualify to be a university teaching hospital is provided so that it can be upgraded to a university teaching hospital?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, I do not think that there are such plans. At the moment, the facilities we have for training doctors are sufficient. We have the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), the Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital (LMUTH), the Copperbelt University (CBU) and the Livingstone General Hospital. We still have enough space. There has not been any deficiency. At the moment, we have doctors who have not even been employed. Maybe, the capacity at the moment should be limited so that we do not train too many doctors and keep them out of employment for a long time.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES IN KANCHIBIYA CONSTITUENCY

65. Mr Chanda (Kanchibiya) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

whether the Government has any plans to construct the following bridges in Kanchibiya Parliamentary Constituency:

across Munikashi River to connect Lokomwila and Mpolonge;
across Lwitikila River to connect Chibwa and Cheweshimfwamba Wards; and
across Munikashi River in Macheleta area;

if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

what the estimated population of the catchment area of each location at (a) expected to benefit from this project is; and

when the project will commence.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to construct a bridge across Munikashi River to connect Lokowila and Mpolonge; Lwitikila River to connect Chibwa and Cheweshimfwamba Wards, and Munikashi River in Macheleta area. All these areas are in Kanchibiya Constituency.

Madam Speaker, construction of the bridges across the mentioned crossing points will be implemented in 2026, subject to the availability of funds.

Madam Speaker, the estimated population by the Road Development Agency (RDA) of the catchment area at (a) expected to benefit from the project at each location is 93,000 people.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, allow me to thank the hon. Minister for his response on behalf of the Government and, indeed, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. Allow me also to thank him for being there for the people of Kanchibiya. He has been on the ground, and he understands our challenges. He has seen them. Kanchibiya is 8,800 km² in size and is home to many rivers.

Madam Speaker, in 2021, when I got elected to the position of Member of Parliament, one of the things I said to the hon. Minister, when we spoke about the Kaunda Bridge and Aluni Bridge, was that the people of Kanchibiya had confidence that the New Dawn Administration could make a difference. Therefore, I will be failing in my duties if I do not commend the hon. Minister and the Government for making a huge difference so far in the infrastructure profile of Kanchibiya District and the constituency at large.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister said that the infrastructure for the crossing points we are talking about will be attended to in 2026, subject to availability of funds. Is there a guarantee that the people of Kanchibiya watching this telecast right now can get from the hon. Minister? Is there a probability of some of the projects mentioned to be worked on in 2026?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Kanchibiya for, first of all, appreciating what the New Dawn Government is endeavouring to do in Kanchibiya Constituency. This is not mere rhetoric. I heard him express the same words in Kanchibiya itself when I was there, with that nice song Chikunyonge.

Laughter

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I think that the Government appreciates his appreciation because sometimes things are done and the people for whom those things have been done do not express appreciation. In his case, on behalf of his constituency, he does that.

Madam Speaker, the Government, through the RDA, is scheduled to undertake conditional surveys of the three sites and prepare cost estimates for the required bridge structures. This exercise is expected to be undertaken by the end of the fourth quarter of 2025. The construction works are expected to be undertaken in 2026, of course, subject to the availability of funds. A question might arise that the fourth quarter is now. I can assure the hon. Member that we are fully aware of that. In fact, assessment of crossing points is best undertaken during the rainy season. That is why there is a commitment that within December, those assessments which have been mentioned for the various crossing points will be undertaken. Thereafter, it is a question of ensuring that funds are available. So, some work will be undertaken.

Madam Speaker, I think, the hon. Member knows that I have made these commitments in the past. There is always a follow-up towards such commitments. So, he can assure his constituents in Kanchibiya that it is the intention of the Government to carry through these commitments.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, mine is just to thank the hon. Minister and say that, indeed, he is a man of his word. We will always rely on him on. I say this on behalf of the four royal highnesses in my constituency.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

VANDALISM AND THEFT OF ZESCO INFRASTRUCTURE

66. Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North) asked the Minister of Energy:

how many cases of vandalism and theft of ZESCO Limited electricity infrastructure were recorded from January 2021 to July 2025, year by year;

what the cost implication of vandalism and theft was, year by year; and

what short-term and long-term measures are being taken to protect ZESCO Limited infrastructure from vandalism and theft.

The Minister of Energy (Mr Chikote): Madam Speaker, the following cases of vandalism and theft of ZESCO Limited electricity infrastructure were recorded from January 2021 to July 2025:

Year Number of Cases

2021 923

2022 1,141

2023 1,456

2024 2,478

2025 1,363

Madam Speaker, the cost implications of vandalism and theft from 2021 to 2025 are as follows:

Year Amount (Kwacha)

2021 9 million

2022 15.5 million

2023 24.1 million

2024 50.1 million

2025 39.6 million

Madam Speaker, the following short-term and long-term measures have been put in place to protect ZESCO Limited infrastructure from vandalism and theft:

Short-term Measures

welding transformers on the channels and covers; and

community sensitisation through partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, through the National Arts Council of Zambia (NAC), on a programme called youth action against vandalism.

Long-term Measures

24 hours a day, seven days a week guard services of power stations, substations and other critical facilities;

procurement of electronic surveillance systems for most ZESCO Limited installations;

procurement of motor vehicles for quick armed response;

replacement of copper service cables with aluminium cables;

amendment of laws to provide for stiffer punishment, including making offences non-bailable; and

stabilisation of the supply of power through various projects that are in the pipeline.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, I think, the figures that the hon. Minister has outlined are worrying because ZESCO Limited has lost more than K137 million to vandalism from 2021 to 2025. The hon. Minister has mentioned that the ministry has put certain measures in place, but looking at the sequence of vandalism cases, the number has been increasing despite the measures he has mentioned. I know that it is not possible for someone to steal 11 kV cables when they are energised, yet vandals are stealing those cables. So, I would like to know the measures that the ministry is putting in place to ensure that even when there is load-shedding, the cables are safe. I know that thieves are probably taking advantage of load-shedding to steal those cables. Losing 11 kV cables is a huge cost to ZESCO Limited.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, as I have stated, firstly, the power utility has to ensure that all the installed transformer covers are welded where they are stationed. So far, the power utility has managed to protect 18,000 out of 25,000 transformers across the country. Secondly, I have stated that in the long term, among others, the ministry is putting in place projects to ensure that we stabilise the power situation, because that is one of the reasons for vandalism.

Madam Speaker, arising from the question that the hon. Member has asked, the power utility is installing electronic surveillance gadgets on all the transformers that are being replaced to ensure that even when there is no power supply, they can be monitored.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, I would like to sincerely thank you for giving me this opportunity to ask a supplementary question.

Madam Speaker, the amount of money that ZESCO Limited has lost in the preceding years is alarming. It is not only the loss on ZESCO Limited, but a big inconvenience to the public who are affected when such instances of vandalism occur. Among the measures that the hon. Minister has outlined is the consideration to make the cases non-bailable. This issue, especially theft of the cables, is serious. In Luanshya, where I stay, thieves cut the service cables around 2200 hours or 2300 hours. You will just hear, “Pum, pum!” and the cables are gone. The measures that the power utility is implementing, which the hon. Minister has outlined, are quite attractive. However, if the ministry looked into suffocating the market where the items that are vandalised from ZESCO Limited infrastructure are taken, maybe, it would help the power utility drastically reduce the incidents. Has the ministry looked into where the vandals sell the items? Maybe, once the markets are cut off, then, the measures that the ministry has put in place would be better aided.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, other than the measures that I have just mentioned, one of the issues we are analysing and reviewing is the mechanism of how the scrap materials are sold, that is, the markets. Experts are reviewing how that can be managed and creating a transparent mechanism that would help deter vandalism in this country.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chibombwe (Bahati): Madam Speaker, the theft of ZESCO Limited equipment amounting to K137 million in four years is quite alarming. On the ground, things are very bad because vandals are stealing ZESCO Limited equipment on a daily basis. What has made the vandalism worse is, of course, load shedding, and I agree with Hon. Mtayachalo. Some of these high-voltage cables, even in their live state, get vandalised. The 11 kV and 33 kV cables, get vandalised, even in their live state,

Hon. Member: He is talking from experience.

Laughter

Mr Chibombwe: Madam Speaker, the welding of transformers is also not helping because those criminals are advanced. They go with battery-powered grinders to cut off the top part of the transformer and steal the windings. What the vandals are stealing from transformers are copper windings and transformer oil. Transformer oil is sold in our markets and the copper windings, which are predominantly copper, are sold to scrap metal dealers.

Madam Speaker, my question is: Is the hon. Minister able to temporarily put a ban on the sale of scrap copper and scrap iron? These vandals are even dismembering the ZESCO Limited towers. Those are high transmission towers, and this can lead to a nationwide blackout. So, is the ministry able to suspend the business of scrap copper and scrap iron as a short-term measure?

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, indeed, this situation is not healthy for the country. However, I stated that these are the few issues that we are trying to address as we analyse and review the mechanism of the market and the sale of those scrap metals so that we find better interventions that will help us to deter the vandalism that is affecting the supply of our power, thereby, causing costs for ZESCO Limited. These are issues that we will address in the shortest possible time.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Madam Speaker, I am alive to the fact that most of those vandals are people who understand the ZESCO Limited system very well, so they know how to strike. I know that most of these parastatal companies have been employing workers on a casual or temporary basis. For example, someone might work for ZESCO Limited for seven years as a casual employee, only to be laid off. Someone can be laid off even after working for ten years. Some of these people, because they understand the system, may be involved in the same vice due to the frustration of being laid off after serving the company for many years. So, what measures is the ministry putting in place to ensure that ZESCO Limited relies on permanent pensionable employment to avoid employing workers on a casual basis for a long time, who then get involved in vandalism? So, has the ministry put in place measures to ensure that we do away with casualisation to safeguard the infrastructure that belongs to ZESCO Limited?

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, indeed, most of the people who were once employed on contract by ZESCO Limited, and those who were employed by contractors, just for a short period and not permanently, are the ones who understand how the system works. However, a thief is a thief. So, this Government is putting measures to deter theft. That is what we need to do. Issues of saying that we need to maintain or employ those people permanently will not really answer the issues of vandalism that we are talking about. Rather, we need to ensure that these measures that we have mentioned, both in the short and long-term, are implemented, and we will be able to curb this vandalism that is affecting us as a country.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chisanga (Lukashya): Madam Speaker, I know that ZESCO Limited has its own police. I noticed that in the measures that the hon. Minister stated that are being undertaken, he has not included the role of the ZESCO Limited police wing. Therefore, does this police wing still exist in ZESCO Limited? If it does, why has it not been extended to our community policing to ensure that we stem this kind of theft?

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, in my submission, I stated that we have deployed security personnel to guard our substations and other facilities, which make up what we are calling ZESCO Limited. So, the issue of having ZESCO Limited police is still on, and these are the people who are helping us to guard some of the facilities that we have within ZESCO Limited. Additionally, we have put in place other measures, such as electronic surveillance facilities, to help safeguard our facilities.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: The hon. Member for Pemba is not in the House, and no prior arrangements have been made. Therefore, Question No. 67 lapses in accordance with our Standing Orders.

VERIFICATION FEES FOR EXAMINATION RESULTS AND CERTIFICATES BY THE EXAMINATION COUNCIL OF ZAMBIA

68. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Education:

why the Examinations Council of Zambia charges for verifying examination results and certificates;

whether the Government has any plans to abolish the fees;

if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima): Madam Speaker, I wish to clarify and inform the House that the Examination Council of Zambia (ECZ) charges fees for verifying examination results and certificates in accordance with the Examination Council of Zambia Act No. 3 of 2023, which empowers the council to collaborate with the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) in the verification of qualifications it awards. The Act further provides that the council may raise funds through fees, grants or donations.

Madam Speaker, the verification fee is, therefore, lawful and necessary to cover administrative costs associated with validating records, retrieving archived data and confirming the authenticity of certificates, particularly, for institutions both locally and abroad. This measure allows the council to sustain an efficient and credible examination record system without placing an additional burden on the National Treasury.

Madam Speaker, the Government currently has no plans to abolish the verification fees charged by the ECZ. Consequently, part (c) of the question does not arise.

Madam Speaker, the verification fees are maintained to ensure the sustainability and integrity of the service. The ECZ has developed an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) based verification platform that provides quick, reliable, and secure access to its examination database. To maintain the functionality and security of this system, the council must continually invest in upgrades, maintenance and administrative support. Therefore, abolishing the verification fees would compromise the council's ability to preserve the integrity and credibility of the national examination system.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the response. I would like to seek clarification on the relationship between the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) and the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ). Are the clients or holders of qualifications from the ECZ also not supposed to pay ZAQA for verification of qualifications?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, that is a totally new question from Hon. Miyutu. I think, I said that the Act empowers the Council to collaborate with the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) in the verification of qualifications. So, the two collaborate.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: It seems there are no other supplementary questions. So, we make progress.

_______

SECOND READING

THE ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY BILL, 2025

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the Bill now be read a second time.

Madam Speaker, the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS) was established as a corporate body under Act No.15 of 2003 to promote and regulate the purchasing and supply profession in Zambia. The Act mandated member registration and classification, established professional standards, and ensured that only qualified and registered individuals could practice in the field. It also established a council to oversee the institute’s operations, set examinations and determine membership requirements. Furthermore, the Act authorised ZIPS to conduct purchasing and supply management training and research and professional development, as well as to enforce member discipline and ethical behaviour. The Act's provisions aim to raise professional standards, promote procurement efficiency and cost-effectiveness and strengthen purchasing and supply management roles in both the public and the private sectors.

Madam Speaker, the Act is now archaic because it does not fully align with modern procurement practices and governance standards. A new legal framework needs to be introduced to strengthen regulation, increase accountability and align the profession with modern public procurement systems.

Madam Speaker, some of the weaknesses and shortcomings of the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply Act No. 15 of 2003 include:

inability to hold employers accountable for recruiting professionals in procurement and supply;

lack of clarity on the membership classes; and

a lack of provision of inspectors to ensure compliance with the Act.

Madam Speaker, in view of the above, we propose the repeal and replacement of the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply Act No.15 of 2003.

Madam Speaker, the objects of the Zambia Institute of Procurement and Supply (Repeal) Bill, 2025 are to:

continue the existence of the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply and rename it as the Zambia Institute of Procurement and Supply and redefine its functions;

promote and enhance the procurement and supply profession;

provide for the registration of procurement and supply professionals and procurement and supply firms and regulate their practice and professional conduct;

repeal and replace the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply Act, 2003; and

provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I am confident that the enactment of the Zambia Institute of Procurement and Supply Bill of 2025 will assist the Government in ensuring that procurement and supply processes are conducted in a timely manner and integrity is upheld in the profession.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Sefulo (Mwandi): Madam Speaker, the Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters was tasked to scrutinise the Zambia Institute of Procurement and Supply Bill No. 11 of 2025, pursuant to its mandate as set out in Order No. 207(j) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024.

Madam Speaker, I wish to state from the outset that the Committee is in support of the Bill, and this position is consistent with all the stakeholders who appeared before it. However, the witnesses raised a few concerns, on which your Committee makes the following observations and recommendations.

Madam Speaker, the Committee observed with concern that Clause No. 4(1)(c) of the Bill introduces a requirement that the Zambia Institute of Procurement and Supply (ZIPS) should register local and foreign procurement and supply firms. In this regard, the Committee is of the view that this creates an additional layer of registration for suppliers as they are already required to register with the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) under the Public Procurement Act No. 8 of 2020. The Committee, therefore, recommends that this clause be deleted to avoid duplication of mandates.

Madam Speaker, similarly, the Committee observed that Clause No. 8(3)(g) of the Bill restricts employees of the ZPPA from being elected to serve as council members of the Institute. The Committee finds this provision discriminatory against the ZPPA employees who are also members of ZIPS. In view of this, the Committee recommends that this provision also be deleted.

Madam Speaker, with regard to regulation of business activities by the institute, the Committee observed that Clause No. 31 of the Bill requires a person who registers a procurement and supply firm under the Companies Act No. 10 of 2017 and the Registration of Business Names Act No. 16 of 2011 to register again with ZIPS creates an unnecessary second layer of regulation. The Committee, therefore, observed that this provision brings ZIPS into the spectrum of regulating business activities, as it will acquire the mandates of regulating business entities registered, pursuant to Clause No. 31 of the Bill. In view of this, the Committee recommends that ZIPS focuses on regulating professionals, not the registration and regulation of firms. Therefore, the Committee recommends that Clause No. 31 of the Bill be deleted. K Therefore, the Committee recommends that Clause 31 of the Bill be deleted.

Madam Speaker, the Committee further observes that the Bill has not provided for the management of conflicts of interest under the code of ethics. The Committee is of the view that the code should expressly provide for the management of conflicts of interest requiring procurement practitioners to declare and avoid both direct and indirect personal interest in procurement contracts. The Committee, therefore, recommends that a sub-clause be introduced under Clause 35 to mandate that the code of ethics include provisions to govern core ethical standards for procurement professionals.

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, on behalf of the Committee, I wish to express our deepest gratitude to you and the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia for the guidance and support rendered to the Committee throughout its deliberations. The Committee is further indebted to all the witnesses who appeared before it for their co-operation in providing the necessary briefs.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to offer a one-line support to the Bill under consideration.

Madam Speaker, allow me to appreciate the hon. Minister who has presented the Bill and my honourable sister for her Committee’s report, which is in my hands.

Madam Speaker, I have read the Committee’s report, including its conclusion, which I would like to quote, as it states:

“The Bill reflects progressive alignment with international standards, enhances accountability and strengthens institutional autonomy, enforcement and capacity for professional oversight.”

Madam Speaker, if we can mention an area that has caused chaos in terms of governance, especially in recent times, it would be procurement. The hon. Minister should be commended for introducing an enhancement to the procurement law. We have all heard the chairperson of the Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters present her report. She has clearly stated that the witnesses who made submissions before the Committee indicated that certain clauses are counterproductive in terms of the goals that the Government is trying to achieve. Therefore, I would like to hear the hon. Minister say that amendments will be moved to ensure that the recommendations made by the Committee are effected so that alignment is achieved, unless the hon. Minister thinks that the Committee’s recommendations were made for nothing, or do not make sense as far as the Ministry of Finance and National Planning is concerned. That should be made clear when he briefly comments on what the Bill aims to achieve.

Madam Speaker, the Committee’s report states that the Bill reflects progressive alignment with international standards. Of course, the Government also wants the electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system to work better, but as the hon. Minister hopes for an improvement, I am sure that he is also concerned about the lack of electricity across the country. Those two issues must be considered at the same time. The e-GP system problem can be solved, but it will not work as long as there is load-shedding and power is only supplied for three hours. It will only work if offices are provided with electricity.

Madam Speaker, the enhancement of accountability is very important. If accountability is enhanced within the procurement function of the Government of the Republic of Zambia, then, the country will save a lot of money. Have we not heard about the significant wastage resulting from inappropriate procurement processes, like single-sourcing? Instances in which procurement is in process, but contracts are cancelled, and the process is started again just to provide a window for single-sourcing have happened multiple times in the Ministry of Agriculture. That can be avoided by creating a system that works. That is in the Ministry of Agriculture, not the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, although there is a problem there too.

Madam Speaker, our words should mean something. We should not utter meaningless words. My point today is on enforcement and capacity for professional oversight. We are the body that is well-known for oversight. My honourable sister there (pointed at Ms Sefulo) said that this and that clause should be deleted, while this and that clause should be amended, and yet the Bill will pass in the same form it has been presented. That should pain everybody. It will pain me more because I have raised an issue. I would like to see the hon. Minister amend the Bill in view of the recommendations that were made by the Committee, which you duly empowered to scrutinise the Bill.

Madam Speaker, with those few words, I support the Bill on the Floor of the House.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Committee for the report. We have taken note of the recommendations. However, I cannot commit to anything on the Floor right now. Those recommendations have been presented for me to discuss with the Zambia Institute of Procurement and Supply to see whether there is justification or need to make the amendments, and then, we will get back to the House. If necessary, we will make the amendments. So, we thank the Committee for the recommendations.

Madam Speaker, I also need to clarify that the Bill aims to regulate the behaviour of procurement professionals. It is not a Bill to regulate public procurement. Those two things are separate. If we were to talk about public procurement, we would be talking about the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) and everything that it does. This Bill is being presented to govern the behaviour of professionals in the field. Of course, as the Government, we have done many things to rationalise public procurement. We believe that the regulation of professionals in the procurement field will help to avoid some issues. The procurement officers will be properly trained and we will avoid some of the excesses that we saw previously, especially during the Patriotic Front (PF) Government’s reign.

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, that is what we are doing.

Madam Speaker, I would like to, once again, thank the Committee for its report. The recommendations will be seriously studied.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Question put and agreed to and the Bill read a second time.

Committed to a committee of the Whole House.

Committee on Wednesday, 12^th November, 2025.

THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY BILL, 2025

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Ms Tambatamba): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members! Those consulting, can you lower your voices. I know it is a time for consultations, but please, can you do so quietly.

Mr Mubika: Presidential candidate.

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security derives its mandate from the Government Gazette Notice No. 1123 of 2021. The mandate of the ministry includes providing oversight to the following statutory bodies:

National Pension Scheme Authority;

Workers' Compensation Fund Control Board;

Kaizen Zambia Institute; and

Occupational Health and Safety Institute.

Madam Speaker, in 2023, the New Dawn Government of the United Party for National Development (UPND) launched the country’s first-ever National Occupational Safety and Health Policy. One of the policy measures under objective No. 1 of the policy is to review the legal framework on the occupational safety and health management.

Madam Speaker, the objects of the Bill have been aligned to the core mandate of the institute as follows:

continue the existence of the Occupational Health and Safety Institute and redefine its functions;

constitute the board of the Occupational Health and Safety Institute and redefine its functions;

regulate occupational health and safety at workplaces;

repeal and replace the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 2010; and

provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

Madam Speaker, the Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 36 of 2010 has been in operation for over a decade, and despite its good intentions, it has been found to have limited coverage as the services and protection of workers’ health were only provided to the mining sector since 1945, when the institute was established. Further, the Act has several inadequacies, such as the lack of enforcement powers, resulting in increased occupational accidents and diseases.

Madam Speaker, it is against this background that the Occupational Health and Safety Bill No. 17 of 2025 has been proposed. This Bill aims to establish a robust framework for occupational health and safety management, repealing and replacing the outdated Act. The Bill’s provisions will align it firmly with the global best practices and the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) declaration of occupational health and safety (OHS) services being a fundamental right for workers. It will enhance workplace safety, health and productivity, reduce occupational accidents and diseases, and improve occupational health services.

Madam Speaker, the Bill provides for the continuation of the Occupational Health and Safety Institute and redefines its functions to make it more robust and responsive to modern-day challenges in industry. It also establishes health and safety committees in workplaces, comprising equal representation for employers and employees, to look into matters of health and safety. Furthermore, the Bill assigns responsibilities to employers and workers to ensure health and safety at workplaces, including providing safe working conditions, training and equipment.

Madam Speaker, additionally, the Bill empowers authorised officers to enforce the Act, including suspending or closing workplaces that pose imminent harm to employees or the public. Once enacted, this Bill will extend coverage to workers in non-mining sectors, contributing to a reduction in occupational accidents and diseases. The Bill will also enable the institute to continue charging for services, which are currently provided through the Workers' Compensation Act, ensuring sustainability and high-quality services.

Madam Speaker, in light of the above, I wish to remind all legislators that investing in occupational health and safety is investing in our people, our economy, and our future. Occupational health and safety regulations are not just a legal requirement but a moral imperative. Passing this Bill will align it with international standards and best practices. Moreover, extending the services to the other sectors of the economy will ensure that no one is left behind.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Sefulo (Mwandi): Madam Speaker, the Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters was tasked to scrutinise the Occupational Health and Safety Bill No. 17 of 2025, pursuant to its mandate as set out in Order No. 207 (j) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024.

Madam Speaker, let me state from the outset that the Committee is in support of the Bill. Notwithstanding, stakeholders raised a few concerns, on which the Committee made some observations and recommendations.

Madam Speaker, the Committee notes with concern that the function of the Occupational Health and Safety Institute, as provided under Clause 5(c), overlaps with those of the National Bureau of Standards, pertaining to standards and enforcement. In this regard, the Committee recommends that the standards be defined in consultation with the agencies with similar mandates to mitigate potential conflicts.

Madam Speaker, the Committee also expresses concern that while the functions of the Health and Safety committee have been outlined in Clause 11(1), the Bill also provides for the hon. Minister to pass regulations through Statutory Instruments (SIs) to provide for the same functions and powers of the health and safety committee. In this regard, the Committee recommends that Clause 11(2) empowering the hon. Minister to perform the already provided functions be deleted.

Madam Speaker, another matter of concern to the Committee is a requirement under Clause 15 (1) for the employer to inform the institute in the event of ill health of an employee. In this regard, the Committee observes that the requirement to inform the institute of the occurrence of ill health as provided under this clause may pose an administrative challenge for both the employer and the employee. In view of this, the Committee recommends that ill health occurrences should form part of the quarterly submissions to the institute.

Madam Speaker, with regard to Clause 15(3) of the Bill, the Committee noted with concern the provision that an employer who contravenes sub-clause (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 200,000 penalty units or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or both. The Committee does not support this as such offences should attract only administrative penalties. Therefore, the Committee recommends that the provision be deleted, given that this is an administrative law, and it should provide only for administrative penalties imposed under Clause 48 of the Bill, not imprisonment.

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, and on behalf of the Committee members, I wish to express our deepest gratitude to you, and to the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia for the guidance and support rendered to the Committee throughout its deliberations. The Committee is further indebted to all the witnesses and all the stakeholders who appeared before it for their co-operation in providing the necessary briefs.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, thank you so much for allowing me to make a few comments in support of the amendment to the Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 36 of 2010.

Madam Speaker, in concurring with the chairperson of the Committee, who is just from making observations, let me say that one of the duties that this august House has is to pass laws that are not in conflict with one another. Therefore, the pertinent observations that have been raised have to be addressed by the hon. Minister before the Bill can progress to the Committee Stage.

Madam Speaker, with regard to Clause 5(c), stakeholders expressed some serious concerns that Clause 5 provides mandates of the institutes that were similar to those of the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) with regard to standards and enforcement. It was therefore, suggested that the overlaps be clarified or the standards be defined in consultation with the agencies that have similar mandates to mitigate any potential conflict. It is our role to ensure that we pass laws that are not in conflict with one another. That is our primary duty as a legislature. So, the hon. Minister must take this concern seriously before the Bill can go to the Third Reading stage.

Madam Speaker, the other concern that your Committee has raised is with regard to Clause 9, which talks about the establishment of health and safety committees. Stakeholders submitted that it would be challenging for small companies with, for example, ten employees, to have those employees belong to a trade union, given that the Industrial and Labour Relations Act Chapter 269 of the Laws of Zambia provides that an employer with up to twenty-five eligible employees should enter into a recognition agreement with a trade union for the purpose of having eligible employees become unionised. The stakeholders therefore, recommended that the proposal of ten employees recommended under this new amendment be revised to twenty-five, as this is the level at which the company can enter into a recognition agreement. This is straightforward. I think that the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security should not have a challenge with it. The proposal of ten employees will pose a very big challenge to small companies. There are Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with ten employees and requesting such SMEs to get into a recognition agreement is a tall order. We should not pass laws which will become very difficult to enforce. Our role is to make sure that the laws we pass are not a challenge to our citizens and are not challenging to enforce. This issue must be reconsidered in order for the Bill to progress smoothly to the Committee Stage.

Madam Speaker, there is another concern raised by your Committee regarding Clause 10(2), which is potential conflict on the chairperson of a health and safety committee. Again, stakeholders expressed concern that the wording in Clause 10(2) with regard to selecting a committee chairperson was ambiguous. Stakeholders were of the view that it was difficult to determine from the text whether employees will elect their own chairperson or management will appoint the chairperson. Further, the basis for alternating leadership on an annual basis was a recipe for confusion and disputes. Again, these are critical matters on which we need clarity. We should not pass laws here with ambiguities as that will make interpretation a challenge. Those who have the responsibility to interpret the laws that we pass in this august House must not have challenges interpreting the law as a result of the ambiguities that we willingly ignore to address as we are legislating.

Madam Speaker, lastly, there is a concern raised with regard to Clause 11(1), which talks about the limited functions of a health and safety committee. Again, some stakeholders submitted that in the current form, Clause 11(1) limits the role of the health and safety committee to making recommendations with no requirement for an employer to respond, and that that there was no clear authority to conduct inspections or address imminent dangers. They expressed concern that the Bill was also silent on a critical success factor, which is providing employee representatives with paid time for their duties and training. They were of the view that without the basic resources and real authority, these committees risk becoming ineffective and creating bureaucracy without improving safety. Again, this is just trying to sort out a problem by creating another problem. What will be the essence of these committees if they cannot recommend actions to be taken by management and time limits within which responses should be made? We are not here to legislate and ignore serious matters like this. It is our duty to legislate laws that will be effective and appreciated by society.

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

Madam Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I had concluded making my submissions. I would just like to urge the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security to take the recommendations that were made by your Committee seriously because the whole essence of legislating is to ensure that we do not pass laws that conflict with one another.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Committee and the hon. Member who has debated.

Madam Speaker, in responding to some of the comments and important points that have been made, I would like to make a clarification on the standards. A concern was raised about an overlap between the Occupational Health and Safety Institute and the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS). There is a working relationship between ZABS and the institute, and that relationship is formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU). So, the hon. Member does not have to be concerned; the two entities work together.

Madam Speaker, regarding health, as alluded to in Clause 11, I think, guidelines will be formulated to guide employers on reportable ill-health cases.

Madam Speaker, on the committees, over and above, the committees are not any different from what already exists in the industry. The institute has worked with the mining sector, and supports the sector with the services it offers, as there are health committees. The institute forms that health committee, which is supervised within the law, whether an organisation is big or small. The committees supervise themselves in choosing areas that are identified as hazardous and work on them. They do not have to report to management. They are delegated within the law to identify issues within the training that has been provided for them. So, practice exists within the country. It is not something new. Small organisations of concern do not have to have a union, whether workers are five, ten, eleven or fifteen, they can select a committee to undertake the function of a health committee. That, in itself, provides for the service at their organisation, small as it may be. So, generally, the country has experience with how the committees operate, and it is just being replicated in all the other sectors that were omitted previously. So, the hon. Member does not have to worry about that.

Madam Speaker, on the payment of committees, the work they undertake happens within their regular routine work. So, they do not attract extra emoluments. This is something that many hon. Members in this House have experienced. They do not get paid for the work. So, there is no need for employers to worry about more emoluments.

Madam Speaker, over and above, we have heard the issues of concern. They are not issues that we have not attended to. These matters have been discussed with key stakeholders. So, there is no replication and, in addition to the MoU with ZABS, we are safe in the practice of committees that exist. The committees in the other sectors will be covered. I am sure, many workers already have committees in their workplaces. It is not that they are not running those committees. Some workplaces in sectors beyond mining have those committees.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Committee, once again, and appreciate the comments that have been made. We will refine where there is a need for deletion, especially the imprisonment element, that is, using charges that do not attract imprisonment. So, the imprisonment element will be removed, to consider charges within what is provided for in the Bill.

Madam Speaker, with those few words, I thank you.

Question put and agreed to and the Bill read a second time.

Committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

Committee on Thursday, 20^th November, 2025.

_______

MOTIONS

MOTION OF SUPPLY

(Debate resumed)

Mr Amutike (Mongu Central): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the people of Mongu, I would like to comment on the 2026 Budget Estimates.

Madam Speaker, I wish to commend the Government and the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning for the efforts being made to revive Zambia’s economy. Zambia’s economic outlook is broadly positive, underpinned by a strong gross domestic product (GDP), growth, declining inflation and a Budget focused on revitalising the private sector. Just the other week, the President commissioned a plant belonging to Trade Kings Group worth US$110 million. So, jobs are being created in the private sector. The mining sector is opening up, more mining companies are investing in Zambia and jobs are being created in the sector. So, the economic outlook is positive.

Madam Speaker, I will limit my comments to the exchange rate, inflation and debt restructuring. Inflation, which was hovering around 22 per cent when the New Dawn Government took over power, is now just around 10 to 12 per cent. That is a very strong indicator that the country is headed in the right direction. The decline in inflation is attributed to the strong fiscal management that the hon. Minister has employed.

Madam Speaker, I also wish to commend the Government for restructuring the national debt. The country now has breathing space. The debt the country had when the New Dawn Government took over was more than the Budget the House is debating currently. There was no room to do anything. No teachers or doctors could be hired. The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was only K1.6 million per constituency, but it has now increased to K40 million under the 2026 Budget. That would not have been possible if the people seated on the left had continued in power. If the Patriotic Front (PF) had remained in power, the employment of teachers would not have been possible. In the past, no roads were being constructed, but now, the Mongu/Lusaka Road is being constructed. As I drove to Mongu last weekend, I saw the benefits of the New Dawn Government. The Kafue Hook Bridge, which the PF failed to complete, is now completed. The previous Government had put a trap hole for the people of the Western Province to die, but the New Dawn Government fixed it.

Madam Speaker, sections of the TBZ/Katunda/Lukulu Road have been tarred.

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

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

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I rise on a very serious Point of Order on the hon. Member who is struggling to put head and tail to his debate. Standing Order No. 71 requires that whatever is debated here is factual and verifiable. Is the hon. Member in order to insinuate that the previous Government set traps for the people of Mongu, yet he was living in South Africa comfortably before the people of Mongu gave him the privilege to sit where he is seated? He has insinuated that the previous Government had set up traps for people to die, yet he cannot prove his allegations about how many people could have died from the trap he has talked about. That is alarming. Is he in order to continue on that trajectory, instead of focusing on debating the Budget?

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mongu Central, do you have evidence on the former Government setting traps on a certain site for people to die?

Mr Amutike: Yes, Madam Speaker, I have evidence because engineers from the Road Development Agency (RDA) condemned the bridge in question. That is why the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development prioritised its construction.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Can you simply lay the evidence on the Table?

Mr Kambita: How can one lift a bridge?

Mr Amutike: Madam Speaker, I cannot lift a bridge to present as evidence, but the project was condemned.

Laughter

Mr Amutike: It is common knowledge that the bridge was condemned.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mongu Central, setting traps and condemning a bridge are two different things. I urge you to use the right phrase. If the bridge was condemned, put it in a manner that will make people understand that the bridge was condemned, and not that somebody set traps on it. I advise you to use the right phrase.

You may continue.

Mr Amutike: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Let me put it differently. The people of the Western Province continued to use a bridge that was very unsafe, despite engineers condemning it.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you.

Mr Amutike: Madam Speaker, I also want to draw your attention to the exchange rate. When the New Dawn Government came into power, inflation and the value of the Kwacha were unstable. If the country had continued under the leadership of the PF, we would have reached the level where Zimbabwe’s or the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC’s) economy is at the moment, with no currency to speak about. However, we now have the best performing currency. The Kwacha is now trading at around K22 to the United States (US) Dollar …

Mr Samakayi: Hear, hear!

Mr Amutike: … and showing buoyance. What the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning is currently doing is commendable.

Madam Speaker, when it comes to debt management, the Government had completely failed to restructure the national debt in the past. When the New Dawn Government came into power, there was no hope of the country getting better fiscal space. There was no hope of the Government acquiring money from anywhere in the world because once a country is blacklisted, no lender can give it money. If money is given, it is at high interest rates.

Madam Speaker, under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema and the stewardship of the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, the country has managed to restructure 94 per cent of its debt. Only 6 per cent of the national debt remains un-restructured, which I am sure, in due course, will be sorted out. What that means is that the Government now has fiscal space to do many things that are happening. That is why the Government is able to employ teachers and put desks in classrooms. That is why medicine in the hospitals is now available, instead of the family planning pills that were found in hospitals when the PF was in power. Family planning pills were the only thing available in hospitals at that time. I am reliably informed that the medicine stock levels are now around 80 to 90 per cent most of the time. That is what a Government that prioritises its people does. It takes care of the people’s health.

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

Mr Amutike: Last time, I was reading information that the party which the hon. Member standing now represents wants to scrap the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and meal allowances for students. That is the face of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government (Pointing at Hon. Kafwaya). The man who is standing there …

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Mr Amutike: … wants to scrap meal allowances for students.

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

We do not debate ourselves.

Hon. Member for Lunte, just indicate that you want to speak, instead of standing continuously. Then I will give you the Floor.

Do you have a point of order?

Mr Kafwaya: Yes, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What is your point of order?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, a few minutes ago, the hon. Member of Parliament for Shiwang’andu, the former hon. Minister of Home Affairs, raised a decent point of order on the hon. Member on the Floor of the House, in which he said that when a Member makes assertions that require verification, that Member should tender documents to demonstrate that his submissions are credible.

Madam Speaker, the country is listening to us. In view of Standing Order No. 71, is the Hon. Member of Parliament for Mongu Central, whom Hon. Kampyongo said was a resident of South Africa until he was graciously elected by the people of Mongu, in order to come on the Floor of the House and claim that there were no drugs in hospitals except family planning pills during the previous Government? He knows that the hon. Member of Parliament for Chongwe, who is also the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, tendered several documents on the Floor of the House demonstrating the progression of drug availability percentages when she was the Minister of Health. At no point did she say that she found only family planning pills.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to make such an allegation or statement without tendering documents to support it?

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mongu Central, please, try to be factual as you debate the Motion moved by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning. Like I mentioned much earlier, the people are listening. A shortage is a shortage. It can be a shortage of panadol or another drug. For sure, there were shortages, but not to the extent of facilities having just family planning drugs. So, hon. Member for Mongu, please, try to be factual so that the people of Mongu Central can listen to facts.

You may continue, hon. Member.

Mr Amutike: Thank you very much for the guidance, Madam Speaker. I will try to be as factual as I can.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member correctly pointed out that I was in South Africa. I stood as a Member of Parliament in Mongu Central. I went to Lewanika General Hospital with the Provincial Minister who is sitting here (Pointing at Mr Mbangweta), and we found only family planning pills, expired drugs, and condoms. Nothing else was there. That is a fact. We did not find any drugs there. That is what we found.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank President Hakainde Hichilema for steering this country out of debt. Now we are headed for growth, as a country. We are headed for economic boom under the 2026 Budget. Jobs will be created in the private sector because more investors are coming to this country now. The mining sector is booming. The private sector is investing. Companies like Trade Kings are booming and investing in this country. We are creating home-grown solutions to solve the problems in this country.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, last week, we had one Member who debated on the Vote for the National Assembly. He was allowed to do so in camera. Today, we have two hon. Members who would like to debate the Vote for the National Assembly, and we will use the same procedure. The hon. Member for Dundumwezi will be followed by the hon. Member for Mufulira, in that order. So, if there are members of media houses, please, kindly leave us. That includes members of staff from Parliament Television (TV) and radio.

The hon. Member for Dundumwezi may proceed.

Hon. Members: They are still around.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to debate Vote 03. Specifically, I want to debate the Vote for the National Assembly.

Madam Speaker, for the first time, I want to agree with my young brother, the hon. Member for Kamfinsa. I want to connect a few things that he debated. You will recall that the hon. Member of Parliament for Kamfinsa indicated that this House requires to source money from somewhere and ensure that the National Assembly is given enough resources. One of the areas that the hon. Member of Parliament for Kamfinsa touched on was the National Assembly being restricted regarding Committee work. When there is a calamity, for example, there is a need for hon. Members of Parliament to go and verify details and bring authenticated information to this House and to the entire nation. In most cases, however, you will discover that Parliament is unable to send hon. Members to go and investigate calamities or bring proof. For instance, let us look at an incident that happened on the Copperbelt. Let us also look at the issues of energy. There are many stories regarding this issue. Some hon. Members have indicated that this country is selling power, something which is not true. Some people in this country think that the water that they see from the floods around Lusaka is the same water that goes to Kariba. Actually, that water flows into the Zambezi River from Kariba; it does not add any value to electricity generation. So, these are some of the things that this Parliament is supposed to address by instructing hon. Members to go and look at.

Madam Speaker, we need to ensure that the National Assembly is given more resources to carry out such assignments when requests for such assignments come through. We have received, in our various Committees, a number of petitions. Each time we bring these issues before you, we are always told that there are no resources. You know that one of the duties of this House is to ensure that checks and balances are carried out. So, when you tell us that there are no resources, which other institution is going to ensure that checks and balances are carried out? It is only this House that is mandated to carry out checks and balances. So, the National Assembly needs to be given enough resources so that when there is a petition, a relevant Committee can be assigned to sit down and come up with a report to be brought to this House and to the entire nation. The issue of limited resources should not arise because this is where policies are made. This House must be funded adequately to ensure that everything that concerns Zambian citizens is discussed and discussed fully.

I have also travelled with the principal officers of this Parliament and one issue that is embarrassing is that by virtue of their positions, they sit in business class and their security personnel sit elsewhere. Where do their security personnel sit?

Mr Mubika: In the tail!

Mr Sing’ombe: They sit in the ordinary section. I do not know what you call it, because I, normally, do not fly. I hear there is business class and– What do they call the other section?

Hon. Members: Economy!

Mr Sing’ombe: The so-called economy.

Mr Smakayi: Question!

Mr Sing’ombe: What is embarrassing, Madam Speaker, is the fact that when you disembark from the aircraft as an hon. Speaker, you cannot proceed because you have to wait for your security personnel. We see other hon. Speakers and their security personnel seated next to each other so that, in case of anything, they can move out together. Such things do not look good.

Mr Mubika: Yes!

Mr Sing’ombe: Madam Speaker, if they are your security personnel, they must be with you. If you travel business class, we must ensure that Parliament is funded so that you and your security personnel sit in the same section so that in the event of you disembarking from the aircraft, you are not kept waiting. We see you standing and waiting for your personnel outside the aircraft when your fellow Speakers move with their security personnel.

Mr Mubika: Why?

Mr Sing’ombe: Why should it be like that, Madam Speaker? The security personnel carry your details, and they must ensure that they are with you.

Lastly, Madam Speaker, I do not see any reason certain members of your staff should not be given diplomatic passports. What do we lose by giving them diplomatic passports? Those members of staff move with you all the time. Let us not look at what is happening elsewhere. We can also start something good, like we did when we started the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Several countries learnt from us. We can, again, do something. We should not ask about parts of the region where members of staff travel with diplomatic passports. Where do you think they can go with those diplomatic passports?

Mr Mubika: Will they sell them?

Mr Sing’ombe: Madam Speaker, if there is any category of well-disciplined members of staff or citizens in this country, staff from Parliament are among them.

Mr Mubika: It is the best, actually!

Mr Sing’ombe: Madam Speaker, the only way we can motivate them is by giving them such a document. What do we lose as a country? How much is a diplomatic passport, K300 or so? Do you think it is a loss if you give it to your members of staff? I am not talking about the entire Parliament workforce, but those who are in a certain category. I do not want to mention them. Maybe, those who always travel with you. Accord them diplomatic passports so that you can be well catered to.

Madam Speaker, I thought I should bring out those issues.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mwila (Mufulira): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Motion of Supply on the 2026 National Budget, as presented by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning.

Madam Speaker, let me start my discourse by looking at the allocation that has been given to Vote 03, which is the National Assembly. I would like to quote a submission made in the Expanded Budgeting and Planning Committee Report, on page 11. It states:

“The 2026 budgetary allocation of K1,581,275,093 was judged to be insufficient for the expanding oversight and legislative workload.”

Madam Speaker, in fact, if you look at the Yellow Book, the K1.5 billion that was allocated is an increase, quite all right, from K1.1 billion, which was allocated this year. The only reason there is this increment is the end-of-term gratuity that will be paid to hon. Members. Without that, there would, most likely, not be an increased allocation to the national Assembly to enable it to function and perform its oversight roles, among others. I will just share the practical examples of what this House is facing, which, almost likely, point to a lack of adequate funding. This is the second year that, as Parliament, we are approving the National Budget using the sector budget analysis approach. Imagine what happens when we reach that stage. In the first place, we started using the approach in the budget approval process without adequate capacity building, even as Members of Parliament. This year, and even last year, we are still learning how to undertake the approach. Of course, this approach was adopted from benchmarking in other countries. Before rolling it out in this Parliament, hon. Members and parliamentary staff needed capacity building so that we could have a practical understanding of how this approach works in the countries where we benchmarked. I doubt if any hon. Member was sent to Kenya or any other country where this happens, and came back equipped with the practical experience on how sector budget analysis works. If there were enough resources allocated, that would have been possible.

Madam Speaker, even our parliamentary committee clerks need capacity building so that they can effectively handle the sector budget analysis that has been introduced in our country. You even see that we do not have adequate infrastructure here at the Parliament premises when it is that time. We have to invade the different meeting rooms at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC). Some hon. Members who sit on more than one Committee have to trek between Parliament and the MICC if their different committees are sitting within Parliament and the MICC. That inconvenience has to end. The best way out of that is to provide adequate allocation to the National Assembly so that we can provide effective oversight, approval of the Budget and other functions.

Madam Speaker, I am also aware that this Parliament has approved the expansion of staff at the National Assembly constituency offices. Currently, constituency offices have four staff; two security guards, the professional assistant and another staff member. The plan is to expand the staffing but, because of inadequate funding, that plan cannot be implemented. So, there is a need, as we are approving this Budget, to consider an increment in that allocation so that the presence of the National Assembly in constituencies can be increased, as the plan has already been approved.

Madam Speaker, some of these hon. Members have attended to parliamentary assignments, especially outside this country, without receiving their daily subsistence allowances (DSAs). Even when they are supposed to get 40 per cent of the DSA, they have travelled, attended and represented this country, and this Parliament without being paid anything. They will still be owed when they return. In fact, I doubt that they will even be paid. If it is an entitlement, people should not suffer or be affected just because the National Assembly does not have funding, due to inadequate funds allocated by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. We need to consider this allocation in order to motivate the hon. Members to represent the National Assembly. This will also enable them to exchange ideas and attend symposiums so that they come back with enhanced knowledge to improve the operations of this National Assembly. That way, they will be effective in the representation of the people who send them to this House, and that way, the National Assembly will not struggle.

Further, Madam Speaker, there is a proposal in the report to move some funds. On page 58 of the report, there is a proposal to increase the allocation to the National Assembly by adding K74,201,320. The justification, which I agree with and support, is:

“To support the National Assembly in the effective execution of its mandate.”

Madam Speaker, this is a submission that was made in this report, and I support it. In fact, we should look into other Votes, where there is no proper justification for the funding that has been allocated, because even the K74 million that is being proposed to be added to the allocation for the National Assembly may not be adequate. These are serious considerations. If we are to capacitate the National Assembly in its oversight and representative role, the amount that has been allocated of K1.5 million is clearly inadequate. I support the proposal to add another K74 million, or even more, if we can find funding in other Votes, so that we are not incapacitated, as the National Assembly, but are able to perform our functions as established in the Constitution of this country.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Before I call back Parliament Television (TV) and radio, is there anybody who has not yet debated?

Mr Kampyongo rose.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, you already had your chance to debate the Motion. You are only allowed to debate the Motion once.

I see none. So, I will call back the media to continue the proceedings with us.

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika): Madam Speaker, are we live?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Yes, we are back on air.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, thank you so much for this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the 2026 National Budget.

Madam Speaker, let me state from the outset that the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government is a quadri-I Government in the sense that –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What is it?

Mr Kapyanga: Quadri-I Government. It is incompetent, inconsistent, insensitive, and irresponsible.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Kapyanga: Tufwane abene. May I have your attention.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Can you translate what you said.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, it means that may I have your attention, please.

Madam Speaker, the UPND Government has presented a proposal to this House outlining how it intends to mobilise and spend resources in 2026. This is the same Government that has been borrowing, and when we ask it about where it has spent the money that it has been borrowing, it will not show you. There is no tangible infrastructural development for it to point at.

Madam Speaker, last month, Ghana launched a standard-gauge railway train. Here, when one talks about those things, one is referred to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Last month, the President of Kenya was in Ethiopia when the Ethiopian Government was launching the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which is now producing 6,450 MW of power. That is what is called visionary leadership. Here, when one asks and talk about these things, one is referred to the CDF. Those things cannot be done using the CDF. This is a Government that has been borrowing from 2021 to date. It even got a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Ask it where it spent that money, it will not show you. However, the Government still talks about how it has improved the economy, built infrastructure and roads. In provinces like Muchinga, particularly in Mpika Parliamentary Constituency, which is in the Republic of Zambia, township roads are dilapidated.

Madam Speaker, this Government cancelled the construction contract for the road from Mpika to Nabwalya. As a result, people walk on foot, and it takes them about four to five days to cover that distance. Today, our colleagues have come here with a proposal to borrow more. Whilst in the Opposition, they promised the Zambian people that they would set a moratorium on debt contraction; they have U-turned. They are borrowing heavily, and they have failed to mobilise resources locally using our minerals, timber, wildlife and other resources. I heard one debater commend borrowing. What is that? Today, sixty-one years after independence, we cannot mobilise resources from our cobalt, emeralds, diamonds, gold and everything that we have. It is very painful that when I travel from here to Mpika, I do so on a dilapidated road.

Madam Speaker, our people in Mpika and everywhere across the country do not have access to safe and clean water. Even in areas where we have water utility companies, utility companies are unable to pump water because there is no power. There has been load-shedding in this country for almost three years. What has the incompetent Government done? The hon. Minister went on radio and said, “In compounds, we are having thirteen hours of power”. The following day, he changed the story and said that people have power from thirteen hours to fifteen hours. That is incompetence, and this generation will not sit idly and allow that incompetence to continue.

Madam Speaker, it is very insensitive that at a time when our people are wallowing in abject poverty and going to bed on empty stomachs, the President asked if those people complaining live in Zambia. Our people need answers and practical solutions to their suffering. You cannot go and mock a person who has not eaten and ask them whether they live in Zambia or not.

Madam Speaker, I reluctantly support this Budget because it does not answer to the challenges that we are facing as a country. We need a Budget that will resuscitate, rehabilitate and modernise Zambia Railways. The people of Mulobezi take about a week to cover a stretch of about 100 km using the Zambia Railways train.

Mr Tayali: Question!

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, and you hear the hon. Minister say “Question”, mocking the very people who are suffering. Like I said, our people in Mpika have literally no water. We have gone to the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, and the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), and there is no solution whatsoever to what is happening in Mpika.

Madam Speaker, my people, the President’s people, the Zambian people, go to draw water from streams where even animals drink from. There is cholera right now in Mpika, and it is very painful to me that our people can be subjected to that kind of misery. Our colleagues are proposing to have this Budget approved so that they can borrow more money and tax our people on mobile money transactions, yet mines are being taxed very little, and they are the ones who must be taxed.

Madam Speaker, –

Ms Halwiindi: On a Point of Order, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

A Point of Order is raised.

Ms Halwiindi: Madam Speaker, I rarely raise Points of Order. I think, this is the second time I am raising another one since I came to this House.

Madam Speaker, the Member of Parliament for Mpika, Hon. Kapyanga, has really made my heart to start boiling because he is talking about the Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) when my people in Kabwe are suffering. Kabwe is a dead town. When the Patriotic Front (PF) was in power, it borrowed US$120 million through Eurobonds that was meant to rehabilitate the ZRL. The contractors were paid, yet they did not do anything. The PF hon. Member is castigating the United Party for National Development (UPND) and saying that it has not done anything about the company. The PF borrowed money and now the Zambian people, through the UPND Government, are paying the debt, even when the money did not work for the intended purpose.

Madam Speaker, I am raising this Point of Order pursuant to Standing Order No. 71. The hon. Member should be factual. In fact, he should even think back or rewind. What is he saying? Is he hearing himself?

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to start castigating the UPND Government when it is the PF that borrowed money? If we are talking about borrowing money, the PF chewed all the money and paid contractors who never did anything. If you check the records, you will find that contractors got the money, which was from the Eurobonds, but they never did anything.

Madam Speaker, I need your serious ruling.

Laughter

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mpika, now you have angered the hon. Member for Kabwe Central. As you debated, hon. Member for Mpika, you clearly brought out issues concerning the Ruling Party when it was in the Opposition. So, similarly, look at other incidents or examples that you can think of. What the hon. Member for Kabwe Central has brought out regarding the Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) is a big point. You talked about people taking five days to reach where they are going using trains. The point that was brought out by the hon. Member for Kabwe Central is an important one. The beauty of this issue is that the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning has also jotted down that point. So, as he responds, he is going to give us more information and the truth about what is being discussed.

Hon. Members, let us be mindful of the examples that we give.

Hon. Member for Mpika, please, be focused.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, thank you so much for that guidance.

Madam Speaker, K12 million of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for Mpika for 2024 has not been released to date. Therefore, implementation of projects has been affected. As if that is not enough –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Released from where?

Mr Kapyanga: Released by the Government.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF)? Which money are you talking about?

Mr Kapyanga: The CDF, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Okay.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, youths across the country have no jobs. There are literally no jobs that have been created. There are no industries for youths to work in. Youths in rural areas are wallowing in abject poverty. There are no fertilisers and other farming inputs for them to venture into farming. The Government found 1 million farmers on the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). It has even failed to give the same 1 million farmers fertiliser.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Try to be factual, hon. Member for Mpika. Be factual. You have mentioned that no jobs have been created. Are you being factual? Many teachers have been employed. The Government has also employed many people in different ministries. So, please, be factual.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, teachers and nurses were employed because there was infrastructure for them to work it.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Kapyanga: So, the jobs were created by those who created the infrastructure.

Madam Speaker, my point is that youths in Zambia today have no jobs, and many of them have become what people are calling junkies. We must be a responsible nation that creates employment for its youths. However, the UPND is a very irresponsible Government. The 2026 Budget is one that does not support the Zambian people.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mwene: On a Point of Order, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: A Point of Order is raised.

Mr Mwene: Madam Speaker, as you know, I rarely rise on Points of Order on the Floor of this House. However, the hon. Member for Mpika has just provoked me. So, I cannot resist rising on this very important Point of Order.

Mr Amutike: Yes. He has provoked you.

M Kampyongo: There is no provoking in here. This is Parliament.

Mr Mwene: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Mpika is saying that there are no jobs for youths when over 35,000 teachers have been employed under the New Dawn Government. That is a fact. When we talk about nurses, thousands have been employed. People have also been employed in the Zambia Army, the Zambia National Service (ZNS) and the Zambia Police Service. Thousands of people have been employed. Apart from that, people are being trained. People are acquiring skills right now so that they can be self-employed. Such things never happened under the Patriotic Front (PF) regime. That is why the hon. Members of the PF are on your left. Under the previous regime, that hon. Member (pointed at Mr Kapyanga) was a District Commissioner (DC). So, he knows very well that the PF failed to provide jobs for youths.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is that a Point of Order, hon. Member?

Mr Mwene: Yes, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Can you summarise your Point of Order.

Mr Mwene: Madam Speaker, I have risen on a Point of Order pursuant to Standing Order No. 71.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Member who was on the Floor in order to mislead the nation? Is he in order to not be factual and mislead himself and the people he is leading in Mpika that there are no jobs now as compared to the past?

Madam Speaker, I seek your very serious ruling because when people listen to the hon. Member for Mpika, they would think that he is saying the truth, when he is not. Many youths are very happy as we speak. They are now civil servants or self-employed because of the New Dawn Government.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Mwene: I need your very serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, do not debate your Point of Order. The hon. Member for Mpika was guided. He was actually out of order. He was guided when I told him that he should be factual about youths lacking employment. I mentioned those examples that you have mentioned as well. So, the hon. Member was out of order, but he was guided.

Mr Simushi (Sikongo): Madam Speaker, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to add my voice to the debate on the Motion of Supply, on behalf of the people of Sikongo.

Madam Speaker, the report of the Expanded Planning and Budgeting Committee is on the 2026 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure. To start with, allow me to say that we, the people of Sikongo, are very grateful to the New Dawn Administration for working on the Kalabo/Sikongo Road; a road that has not been attended to since the creation of this world. It is actually sad to hear the hon. Members on your left saying that they used the resources of this country properly. Unfortunately for us in Sikongo, I think, we will forever remember them as bad people.

Madam Speaker, for economic development to be achieved, there must be people who are competent and knowledgeable about it. If you have a bunch of thieves managing the affairs of a country, then, what you end up seeing is economic growth in the negative, like what we saw under the previous Administration.

Madam Speaker, a budget is an instrument that helps the Government in office to look at the resources it has and plan for national development. It also helps the Government look at where it is going to apply the resources in order for it to achieve economic development. To do that, the Government must have people who know fiscal management and the Budget must be credible in order for it to produce results. The Government also needs people who know prudent financial management and people who know that there must be tax reforms in order for it to collect the necessary resources it needs to manage the Budget.

Further, you need to have people who know when to borrow and when not to in place, unlike what we saw in the past. In the past, the Patriotic Front (PF) Administration put the country in a mess because it borrowed at breakfast, lunchtime and supper. One cannot have such an arrangement. As they sat at round tables, they shared the resources and put them in their pockets, instead of applying the resources they borrowed to economic situations that would make this country grow. We have seen the consequences of such actions. Many of them are in prison because of the misapplication of Government resources.

Madam Speaker, I would like to speak on one aspect of the New Dawn Administration, which is very important. Domestic resource mobilisation is critical. As long as the country wants to depend on borrowing and cannot mobilise tax resources domestically, we will end up with what we saw under the PF Administration. This Government, through the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema and Hon. Dr. Musokotwane, has ensured that the attributes that I have mentioned are achieved, such as fiscal discipline, Budget credibility, the enactment of the Public Debt Management Act, of 2022; to ensure that borrowing is regulated and managed, and the people have a voice in the resources that the Government borrows. All that did not exist previously. That is why the PF borrowed at lunchtime, breakfast and dinner. Today, that does not happen.

Madam Speaker, looking at what we found in 2021, insofar as the Budget and domestic resource mobilisation, the country had a Budget of K119.6 billion and domestic resource mobilisation was at 52 per cent. Under the United Party for National Development (UPND), in 2022, the Budget was K172.9 billion, with domestic resource mobilisation at 57 per cent. In 2023, the Budget was K167 billion, and 66 per cent of that was domestic resource mobilisation. In 2024, the Budget was K177.9 billion, with a correspondence of 79 per cent domestic resource mobilisation. In 2025, the Budget was at K217 billion, with 80 per cent domestic resource mobilisation. In 2026, the Budget is K253 billion, projected, with 82 per cent domestic resource mobilisation. What you are seeing is a Government that is shifting the narrative from using grants and borrowing to using domestic resource mobilisation to finance the Budget. That is what is needed from a Government that puts its people first. To ensure that what is being done is not storytelling, rating agencies, like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, have shown that, indeed, Zambia is on the right track. That is not debatable.

Madam Speaker, looking at the tax-to-budget ratio, which indicates how much of a country’s resources are domestically generated to fund the Budget, you will see that we have done very well in that area. In 2021, the ratio stood at 52 per cent. In 2024, it increased to 60 per cent. When the figure is higher, it shows that more domestic resources are being used than borrowed. A lower figure shows more dependency on grants and borrowing. For 2026, domestic resource mobilisation is projected at 66 per cent. That is a clear indication that the Government is in the right hands. This Government will change the narrative as far as development is concerned for Zambia. That is what I would like to support, because this Government has shown that the country’s resources are being put to good use.

Madam Speaker, allow me to speak on the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) vis-à-vis research. I know that the Government has put more resources into FISP under the Ministry of Agriculture. As the Government continues to mobilise resources to enhance domestic resource mobilisation, I would like to urge it to not forget research. Research is important. In this case, I am referring to the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI). The ZARI is a critical institution insofar as resource mobilisation is concerned. If ZARI is well funded, it can have proper laboratories to undertake research on crop varieties and so on and so forth. Further, it will not only be able to stand on its own, but will also generate resources for the country. What do I mean? When ZARI comes up with crop varieties, it can commercialise them through private institutions, which would then pay royalties to the Government through the institute. That way, the Government would be able to generate more of the much-needed local resources.

Madam Speaker, with those few words, I thank you.

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity, on behalf of the people of Chama North, to make a submission with regards to the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2026, through which the Ministry of Finance and National Planning intends to spend K253 billion.

Madam Speaker, one of the macro-economic objectives in the 2026 National Budget is to achieve a 6.4 per cent gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate. That is an ambitious target, which most likely, may not be achieved. This is because for the country to achieve that growth rate, we have to address the elephant in the room. A 6.4 per cent GDP growth rate cannot be achieved in a country that has a severe shortage of electricity. We all know that electricity drives the wheels of production. Indeed, as the Expanded Budgeting and Planning Committee observed, achieving a 6.4 per cent GDP growth rate is a tall order. The Committee highlighted the fact when it comes to economic performance, the manufacturing industry and the wholesalers have recorded negative growth. How will the country achieve a 6.4 per cent GDP growth rate? The poor performance of the manufacturing sector and other productive sectorswill undermine job creation and poverty eradication.

Madam Speaker, to support what my hon. Colleague said, I have not seen any serious investment in the energy sector to address the current and future electricity challenges. As the Committee rightly observed, the State must continue to play a leading role in investing in power generation. I have always said that relying on the private sector is a disaster in waiting. The increase in power generation that the country has achieved is minimal. From 2021 to 2025, the country has only increased its power generation capacity by about 500 MW. That is both on-grid and off-grid. Most of the investment being talked about is solar power. Solar power is good for home use, but industries and mines cannot be run using solar power. I believe that the country needs to invest more in power generation. The Government must play a leading role in that. Hon. Kapyanga mentioned that Ethiopia is one of the leading examples in Africa. That country has built a power station called the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile River, which produces 6,450 MW, and is the biggest project on the whole African continent. Most of the resources used to invest in that project were locally generated and from the country’s diaspora. Why can we, as a country, not do the same? With the reliance on the private sector, I do not see us achieving meaningful development.

Madam Speaker, it is very sad that the major investment, the Kafue Gorge Lower, after being in existence for more than forty-five years, which, of course, was started by the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government, but accelerated by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government with 750 MW of power, has no major investment in power generation.

Mr Sing’ombe: Question!

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Energy is listening. As a country, I think relying on the private sector is creating a big problem for the future. So, if we look at power utilities, most of them in Africa are state-controlled. Yes, the private sector is welcome, but I still believe that the it wants to invest in projects, which have a short return on investment. It does not want to invest billions and recoup its money after five or seven years. So, that is why the state must continue to play a leading role.

Madam Speaker, on Vote 21 – Loans and Investment, I see that there is an allocation of K13 billion for infrastructure development on the roads. I believe that we are not doing much to invest in the road sector. We cannot promote private and foreign investment if we do not have more resources for infrastructure development.

Madam Speaker, I also noticed that in the Budget, there is K800 million meant for the capitalisation of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) like the Zambia Railways and the National Savings and Credit Bank (NATSAVE). Why are we spending all this money to recapitalise some of these industries, when some of it could be allocated to road infrastructure? The road infrastructure throughout the country is in a very bad state. The people of Chama want to see to it that the Chama/Matumbo Road and the Chama/Lundazi Road are completed. The PF Government did a lot by tarring part of the Chama/Matumbo Road and Chama/Lundazi Road. However, under the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government, not even 1 km of the road has been done to a bituminous standard. So, I believe that we need to invest more.

Madam Speaker, why are we making losses? Why are Zambia Railways and these other SEOs making losses? It is because of the way we appoint the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). These CEOs are not appointed on merit, and that is why these companies are unable to run as business entities.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I will consider Head 29 – Local Government and Rural Development. We do appreciate the increase in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to K40 million, because the CDF is a vehicle that we can use to timely deliver development to our respective constituencies. However, it has huge challenges, such as late disbursement of funds, which is affecting the speedy implementation of the CDF projects. There is a long-standing misconception that the K40 million goes to community projects, and the hon. Members of Parliament are being blamed when only K18 million is allocated to community projects. I believe that if 80 per cent could go towards the community projects, we would see meaningful development in our constituencies. Today, everything seems to rely on the CDF. The Government employs teachers and health workers every year. Where are we going to get money to build houses for teachers and health workers? Our friends in urban areas do not need to build houses for teachers and health workers. So, we need an equitable distribution of the CDF because rural areas have so many challenges. Within the K18 million allocation, we have to buy desks, build chiefs' palaces and construct roads. If we aggregate all these needs, you will find that the K18 million for community projects is a drop in the ocean. So, there is a need –

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, your time is up.

Mr Mtayachalo: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The people of Chama North would like to submit.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Anakoka (Luena): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, it is good to note that our colleagues on your left have slowly but surely begun to appreciate the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). When the CDF was increased from the paltry K1.6 million to K25.7 million in 2022, they all asked, “Where will the money come from?” They also said, “This is not going to happen; this is impossible”. It is good to hear that today, they are asking whether the percentage available for community projects can be increased from 60 per cent to 80 per cent. Why? This is because, from Lundazi to Mwinilunga and from Livingstone to Chingola, one can see the impact of the CDF throughout the country. Speaking of the Western Province, you cannot turn twice without seeing how the CDF is impacting the lives of our people on the ground.

Madam Speaker, the Budget for 2026, which is at K253 billion, is both expansionary and brave. Why am I saying it is a very brief Budget? It is because it has continued to demonstrate the determination of this Government to work within a disciplined framework. Why? The target for inflation is still being set to be between 6 to 8 per cent. The gross domestic product (GDP) growth is targeted at 6.4 per cent. This is remarkable, especially considering the negative GDP growth that we experienced as a nation; a very disastrous situation that befell the country. Over the last three years, we have had an average GDP growth of about 5.2 per cent.

Madam Speaker, in order to appreciate the Budget, one must understand what it is set out to do. In other words, its objectives. These macroeconomic objectives, some of which I have highlighted already, are the basis on which the 2026 Budget has been proposed to the nation. So, when we hear some of our colleagues talking about how this Budget is not balanced, we understand. They are probably mistaking the Budget for a trial balance, where you have a list of debits and a list of credits on one side, and therefore, they want the debits and the credits to be equal to each other. No, this is a Budget that has its own specific objectives, and one must critique it or understand it in the context of the macroeconomic objectives it is set to achieve.

Madam Speaker, the people of Luena would like to make a few observations on the Budget. We note that the highest percentage of the 2026 Budget is allocated to general public services. The second-highest percentage is allocated to economic affairs, followed by education and health, respectively. We are more delighted to see the increase in the allocation to economic affairs, because the objectives, which I earlier mentioned and these allocations are perfectly aligned with the deliverables in our Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP). So, the focus and the emphasis that the President made when he opened this Parliament, as well as the speech by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning is to ensure that the key economic sectors are supported in order to achieve the targets we have set for ourselves.

Madam Speaker, we are happy to note that the mining, agricultural, manufacturing, and tourism sectors are rs to benefit from the increase in the allocation to the economic sector.

Madam Speaker, another submission regarding the economic sector that we would want to put on record is a recognition of the role that the parastatal sector, or State-owned entities, can play in ensuring that we achieve an even higher GDP growth. As the people of Luena have observed beforehand, we want to reiterate that there is a need to revisit the legislative framework that the parastatal sector operates within. For as long as we tighten the noose around the necks of the parastatal sector, they will be stifled and will not be able to take advantage of the opportunities that exist out there. To this effect, I would like to appeal to the Government to hasten to bring the State-Owned Enterprises Bill to this House, so that space can be opened for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to be more efficient and innovative.

Madam Speaker, I would also like to acknowledge the role that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development plays in improving the lives of our people. In this regard, I would like to appeal for the review of the legislative framework to extend the Local Government Act. I feel that the application of the principle of one-size-fits-all that we have thus far adopted is not giving us the best results. Lusaka, Ndola and other cities cannot be regulated by the same law that regulates Sikongo District and, maybe, I should add the famous Shangombo District as well.

Mr Mubika: Hear, hear!

Mr Anakoka: So, we need a different legislative framework that will enable rural district councils to operate a bit more efficiently. Maybe, a separate financial regulatory framework for them should be considered.

Madam Speaker, in so far as general public services are concerned, maybe, time has come for us to reconsider the performance of the public sector in terms of efficiency and productivity. One of the things creating havoc is the transfer of personnel in the public sector. From time to time, you will see a Controlling Officer at a lower level, such as a Council Secretary, transferred from Chadiza to Kalumbila or from Lundazi to Sesheke. While I understand that public servants signed up to be deployed anywhere in the country, there is a need to apply a more useful performance management system. The transfer regime that we currently practice is, to a very large extent, negating the benefits that we should be getting from a good performance management system. So, I would like to propose devolution of deployment of public servants to the provincial level to be considered.

Madam Speaker, with those few words, on behalf of the people of Luena, I support the Budget, and I thank you for the opportunity to debate.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munsanje (Mbabala): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me an opportunity to support the National Budget for the 2026 financial year, which was ably presented by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, on behalf of the good people of Mbabala.

Madam Speaker, from the start, may I say that, on behalf of the people of Mbabala, I support this Budget. It is a very progressive and adequate Budget, given the circumstances we are coming from. This country was affected by a drought. I would also like to state that I adopt the words of my hon. Colleague from Luena as my own.

Madam Speaker, last week, I was very disturbed when I heard a former Cabinet hon. Minister debate here that the Budget is a trial balance. That worried me. I was worried about the accounting that the hon. Member underwent in training.

Madam Speaker, this National Budget is a clear demonstration of the vision in the President’s Speech, which this House received and adopted. That speech has now been transformed into clear targets by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. The ministry has demonstrated that the activities in the Budget will be funded by the Zambian people, and the Budget is now being approved by this august House. I would like to indicate to the citizens of Zambia that the people of Mbabala see this as a National Budget that is clearly linked to what the President said in this House, and what the United Party for National Development (UPND) New Dawn Government believes in. Therefore, I support the Budget of 2026, which is K253.1 billion, representing 27.4 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP), up from last year’s Budget of K217.1 billion. The good thing is that this Budget shows that there is an increase in domestic financing. We are growing our own resources, and now we have reached a point where 81.6 per cent of the Budget is funded by our own resources. When we look at where we have come from, we see that there was a time when only 30 per cent of the Budget was funded using domestic funding. Now, the UPND New Dawn Government has stabilised all the microeconomic factors. Import cover is now four months and inflation has been managed and reduced by 2.1 per cent. We have also improved the fiscal framework by consolidating Budget activities and other economic activities in the country, including managing the debt which has been choking this country. It has been constricting our work. When I speak to our people in my constituency, I demonstrate how the debt has been choking the country. The small fiscal space available is what we have used to take development to the people of Zambia through various programmes, including the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). The CDF has been increased to K40 million per constituency. For us in Mbabala, this money will continue to go towards improving services for our people. We are constructing several health facilities, and we have requested the Government to help us by recruiting health personnel, so that we can open health centres in Kachenje, Halumba, Namiyanda, Katumbi and Mayobo. All these facilities can be opened when we have adequate human resources. Human resources come from the Ministry of Health when it is given space to recruit personnel. It is for that reason that I urge the Government to give the Ministry of Health a bit more resources, so that it can recruit staff and give us personnel so we open the health facilities we are building with the enhanced CDF. We are also allocating equipment for these facilities in order to reduce the distance that our people cover to get healthcare. We can also improve various health indicators, such as delivery of babies in health centres and nutrition of our children.

Madam Speaker, of course, we also have issues of infrastructure. The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development needs to work with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to deal with the various infrastructure needs such as bridges in our communities. For example, Pemba Road has so many collapsed bridges. Between Musalaba in Mapanza and Pemba, there are so many bridges that have collapsed, and we need colossal sums of money to repair them. We also have many other bridges that may not be on the Road Development Agency (RDA) list. We are working on these bridges using the CDF, but we need the Government to come on board through rural development funds and the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. We also want to taste bituminous roads. The road to Namwala should not be the only bituminous road. The bituminous road should go to Mang’unza, Macha and Dundumwezi, where all the food and the votes produced contribute to this Government.

Mr Sing’ombe: Hear, hear!

Mr Munsanje: So, we want that road to be tarred. We want the tarmac to reach Simaubi and Muchila in Namwala. That is very important.

Madam Speaker, as we continue on this path of economic growth for our country and consolidation of development, I want to see bituminous roads come up in our constituencies so that we can do business efficiently.

Madam Speaker, more importantly, we need phone network towers. I know that Hon. Mutati’s ministry has been on the journey of ensuring that we improve our communication systems. We have key areas that need new network towers, such as Chazangwe in Chembe Ward and Shimunzele in Konga Ward. The areas have already been mapped and submitted to the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) and the ministry. That issue needs to be followed up. We are thankful for what was given to the constituency office and the markets. Our children do not sleep because they want to surf the web throughout the night. Indeed, the ‘wow’ is happening at the constituency office. We now want that to be extended to our communities so that people can also enjoy good phone network. That is crucial.

Madam Speaker, I would also like to support the movement of funds to Vote 12, as there is a proposal to move K22.8 million from Vote 31 – Ministry of Justice.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Munsanje: Madam Speaker, I just have two more points –

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, just finish your sentence.

Mr Munsanje resumed his seat.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You could have finished your sentence, but you have already resumed your seat.

Mr E. Banda (Muchinga): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity, on behalf of the good people of Muchinga, to add my voice to the debate on the Motion of Supply on the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2026.

Madam Speaker, I do not want to debate as if Zambia started existing in 2021 because most of the problems that we are talking about are a result of poor planning by those who held Government before the United Party for National Development’s (UPND’s) New Dawn Government came into power. Challenges such as the bad roads are not new. They have been there before. Further, load-shedding is a problem that is, indeed, causing many problems for our people. However, let us consider the fact that the population has been growing and there has been no investment in the energy sector. Zambian people need employment and the New Dawn Government has prioritised employment for youths and entrepreneurship. That means the demand for energy has increased. If there had been investments in the energy sector in the past, I do not think we would be crying the way we are crying now. I urge the Government to continue working on the energy sector to ensure that we improve. Otherwise, most of the problems we have are not a result of today’s leadership.

Madam Speaker, I represent a rural constituency. I cannot keep quiet when I have seen a lot of infrastructure development in my constituency through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Many things have happened. We now have desks in schools and health facilities, classroom blocks and bridges are being constructed. Roads are also being graded. It is because of such things that I can say that the people of Muchinga, at least, have seen something come to their doorstep since they started participating in supporting the Budget from 2022 under the New Dawn Government.

Madam Speaker, allow me to mention something else that the UPND’s New Dawn Government has done. In the past, pensioners used to camp at Cabinet Office crying for their money, but today, I do not see anyone doing that. That means that the Government has worked on the issue and pensioners are being paid. It is worth mentioning that the Budgets we have been approving under this Government are benefitting the Zambian people.

Madam Speaker, let me also mention that the recruitment of people in the education, health, defence, security and many other sectors is a plus. It is something that we can only say that the Government has worked on and is still working on.

Madam Speaker, there is an area where I think that the Government needs to do more. Those of us who come from rural constituencies like Muchinga are denied road network development. We cannot use the CDF to work on some roads, such as the Lusiwasi Road. Now that it has rained twice, you cannot travel to Lusiwasi Hydro Power Station, Chisomo or Nambu because the road is bad. I am even afraid because I do not know how the maize that was purchased in Nambu will be transported to Serenje. That issue is related to the issue of the roads that are being damaged here, in Lusaka. Just two weeks ago, we talked about heavy tipper trucks that are damaging our roads, and, again, Hon. Mubika brought up the topic, and we debated it. Today, as I was exiting the Members Motel, I saw two heavily loaded trucks damaging our roads. The tipper trucks are moving as if no law in Zambia governs how we use the roads. Those are the things that are denying us development. What is supposed to be done? This Government should work extra hard to ensure that tipper trucks do not damage our roads so that the Ndabala/Chibale Road can be tarred. Further, the roads in Chisomo, Nambu and Lusiwasi can be worked on for the people of Muchinga Province.

Madam Speaker, we have been approving the National Budget and we will continue supporting it because we have seen a lot of development. However, as the people of Muchinga, we are also crying because of phone network issues. The hon. Minister of Technology and Science should note that the people of Masaninga need a network tower. Network connectivity can be available in the morning, but not in the afternoon, then, it is restored in the evening. We need a network tower in Katota and Kalumbu as well. Of course, people were on the ground in that regard in Mailo, but they left, and we do not know when they will return. We need network connectivity in that area.

Madam Speaker, many things are needed, but that is not to say that the Government is not working. We would be lying if we said that. This Government is doing many things.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr E. Banda: Madam Speaker, therefore, it is worth it for the people of Muchinga to support the Budget.

Madam Speaker, currently, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development is constructing the Lukusashi Acrow Bridge. The ministry has also constructed the Fukwe Acrow Bridge. We are also expecting construction of the Lusiwasi Acrow Bridge. All those are developments. Therefore, what would make the representative of the people of Muchinga stand on the Floor of this House to oppose the Budget? So, of course, I support it. I also want to mention that we should work on the areas that people are complaining about like load-shedding, which is not a result of this Government. It is because those who were there before it did not plan.

Madam Speaker, even as people complain, they should also take into consideration the fact that our population has grown. There is a lot of demand for electricity. This Government has prioritised entrepreneurship. We have many metal fabricators coming up. The people who underwent skills training under CDF sponsorship are buying machines and engaging in metal fabrication, which uses power. Furthermore, many mines are opening up. That means that there is an increase in electricity demand. So, this Government should invest more in the generation of electricity. However, that does not mean a failure on its part. I would like to emphasise that point. It is not failure, but the Government must prioritise the energy sector because that is where many people have an interest and are earning a living from, through things like saloons and barbershops.

Madam Speaker, I think, I have said a lot. So, I will not end by saying that with these few remarks. I will say, with these many remarks, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

_______

The House adjourned at 1839 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 12^th November, 2025.

____________

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