Thursday, 20th November, 2025

Thursday, 20^th November, 2025

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM MOPANI COPPER MINES SCHOOL

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of pupils and teachers from Mopani Copper Mines School in Kantanshi Constituency, Mufulira District.

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

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

MR SIMUMBA, HON. MEMBER FOR NAKONDE, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MR MTOLO, ON MAIZE PAYMENTS

Mr Simumba (Nakonde): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, the matter I wish to raise is directed at the hon. Minister of Agriculture.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You can proceed, hon. Member.

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, I know that this matter was briefly debated on Tuesday, but the people of Nakonde are still worried due to the fact that rainfall has started. The farmers in Nakonde supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) amounting to K275 million. However, the Government has just paid K22 million, which is equivalent to 8 per cent.

Madam Speaker, the farmers in Nakonde are worried because they depend on that money. Therefore, this time around, they have come up with a proposal to the hon. Minister of Agriculture. They are asking why the hon. Minister cannot sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with reputable suppliers of fertiliser and seed to facilitate the provision of farming inputs to the affected farmers as an advance payment to enable them get ready to cultivate for the next planting season. If we neglect the primary farmers, who produce food, come next year, Zambia will experience food insecurity.

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious guidance so that the hon. Minister can, at least, give guidance on that proposal.

Mr Kapyanga: Hear, hear! Ema proposal aya!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you, hon. Member for Nakonde.

When you started raising your matter, you clearly indicated that the matter was discussed in the House earlier. According to the Standing Orders under the admissibility of Urgent Matters without Notice, you are supposed to raise a matter that has not been raised in the House during the same Session. So, you can ask a question to Her Honour the Vice-President so that you can be attended to. Otherwise, there was a debate over the same issue of selling maize and payments. So, find a different platform to raise that issue because it is not admissible.

MR CHEWE, HON. MEMBER FOR LUBANSENSHI, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF GREEN ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT, MR MPOSHA, ON WEATHER PATTERN UPDATES

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Chewe: Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity given to me, on behalf of the people of Lubansenshi Constituency, to raise an Urgent Matter without Notice and I wish to direct it at the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You can proceed, hon. Member.

Mr Chewe: Madam Speaker, it is important to provide feedback. The Government assured farmers that they would be paid and the steps were well articulated. I wish to confirm that there is receipt of K45 million for the farmers in Luwingu District. Last week, K20 million was disbursed for the farmers and –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, sorry, did you say that the matter is for the attention of the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment?

Mr Chewe: Yes, the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Okay.

Mr Chewe: Madam Speaker, following the developments that have happened, in terms of paying the farmers, the farmers are now asking me, as their Member of Parliament for Lubansenshi, when the ministry that is responsible for giving updates on weather patterns will give an update, because they need to know what kind of weather pattern to expect as today is 20^th November, 2025. They have received the money, and the rainfall patterns look promising, though, unfortunately, it has not been raining in some parts of the country. Therefore, they tasked me to ask the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment for an update on rainfall forecast for the remaining period of the rainy season so that they know what they will plant. This is centred on the policy that when they invest in farming, they should expect to get something out of it.

Madam Speaker, my task this afternoon is to find out from the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment if he can update the nation on the weather patterns so that the farmers can be guided on what they should plant, whether it is groundnuts or maize, and if it is too late or not, and how the rainfall forecast is for all ten provinces.

I seek your guidance, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, as far as I am concerned, an update was given last month. Further, the rainy season has just started. We are still waiting to see how that will progress. However, since there is a demand from people in your constituency to know the forecast for the next few months or so, I would advise you to file in a question so that the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment can attend to you.

MR KAPYANGA, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MPIKA, ON MR KAPALA, HON. MINISTER OF FISHERIES AND LIVESTOCK, ON THE SHORTAGE OF DAY-OLD CHICKS

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I am grateful for this opportunity you have given me to raise a matter directed at the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock.

Madam Speaker, certain parts of Central Province, Muchinga Province and the Northern Province have a shortage of day-old chicks.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: A shortage of what?

Mr Kapyanga: Chicks.

Interruptions

Mr Kapyanga: Day-old chicks. That is what I said, hon. Minister.

Laughter

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, Mpika has been hard hit by this shortage, and farmers who rear chickens are finding it difficult to continue their businesses because suppliers are not supplying anymore, and they do not know what is happening. I expect this important matter to be treated with the urgency it deserves because most of our people have ventured into the chicken-rearing business, which gives them disposable income for their households. However, they can no longer do that because of the shortage.

Madam Speaker, I seek your indulgence.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, I am sure that this matter did not happen in the last twenty-four hours. You have observed it for some time. I would advise you to file in an urgent question so that the needs of the people of Mpika can be attended to.

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BILL

FIRST READING

THE NATIONAL PAYMENT SYSTEM BILL, 2025

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane): Madam Speaker, I present a Bill entitled the National Payment System Bill, No. 32 of 2025.

The objects of this Bill are to:

provide for licensing, designation and authorisation of payment service providers;
provide for the incorporation of standards, principles and concepts of corporate governance in institutional systems and the structure of payment service providers;
provide for sound business practices, consumer protection mechanisms and market conduct in the provision of payment services;
provide for the regulation and operation of the payment system, clearing systems and settlement systems for purposes of promoting efficiency, stability and safety of the national payment system;
provide for corporate restructuring transactions involving payment service providers for purposes of ensuring the operational continuity of the payment system;
provide for rules, procedures and supervisory action for payment service providers on winding up, insolvency or receivership;
repeal and replace the National Payment Systems Act, Cap. 359; and
provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House in due course.

Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF WATER AND HUNGER SITUATION CHAMA NORTH CONSTITUENCY

81. Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North) asked the Vice-President:

whether the Government is aware of the critical shortage of water and the hunger situation in some areas of Chama North Parliamentary Constituency, following the drought experienced during the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 Rainy Seasons; and
if so, what urgent measures are being taken to avert an outbreak of waterborne diseases and loss of life due to hunger.

The Vice-President (Dr Nalumango): Madam Speaker, yes, the Government is aware of the hunger situation and water challenges in some areas of Chama North, following the drought experienced during the 2023/2024 Rainy Season, and prolonged dry spells experienced in the 2024/2025 Rainy Season.

Madam Speaker, you may wish to note that His Excellency the President declared the 2023/2024 Rainy Season, which was characterised by drought as a national disaster and emergency on 29^th February, 2024. To adequately respond to the challenges caused by the drought, the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), in collaboration with other stakeholders, developed the Drought Response Plan, which focused on the provision of life-saving and life-sustaining humanitarian support. In this plan, food security and provision of water were among the top priorities identified.

Madam Speaker, in order to adequately cushion or address the hunger situation, the Government provided maize as an in-kind relief food to food-insecure or affected households. Further, the Government implemented the following three programmes:

Social Cash Transfer (SCT) which covered 7,674 households;
Emergency Cash Transfer which covered a total of 5,318 households; and
Cash-for-Work.

Madam Speaker, additionally, in order to address the challenges caused by the dry spells experienced during the 2024/2025 Rainy Season, the Government, through the DMMU, working with the Zambia Vulnerability and Needs Assessment, conducted the in-depth vulnerability and needs assessment in June this year, to ascertain the impact of the prolonged dry spells, and Chama was covered. The assessment results indicated that a total of 31,966 people needed urgent humanitarian relief food assistance for the period October 2025 to March 2026. A total of 1,282.83 metric tonnes of maize is required to assist the affected households in Chama. In view of this, the DMMU has commenced the distribution of relief food in Chama District and other areas.

Madam Speaker, in order to address the water challenges experienced during the two previous rainy seasons, the Government and other stakeholders have prioritised the provision of clean drinking water through interventions such as drilling of boreholes in drought-affected districts. For instance, under the DMMU, five boreholes have been allocated to Chama District.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Thank you so much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, Her Honour the Vice-President has indicated three interventions that the Government undertook in Chama, which included the provision of relief maize, and the inclusion of over 7,000 people on the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) and Cash-for-Work programmes. Could she kindly confirm that the SCT programme is a response to the drought and not a policy to cover the vulnerable, regardless of whether it is during a drought, or the beneficiaries are old, or have any other economic disadvantage?

The Vice-President: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I would like to thank the hon. Member for Lunte for that question because it provides me an opportunity to explain.

Madam Speaker, yes, the SCT is under an ongoing programme called “Social Protection”. It has been running for a long time. If we had to remind ourselves, it started a long time ago. It may not have been called the same name. The hon. Member may recall that the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government used to give people relief food. It started with a programme to help the children and it progressed to what it is today. So, it is not a one-off intervention. However, when we experienced a drought, I think, other hon. Ministers and I mentioned on the Floor that, due to the drought, the SCT would be enhanced. I think the House remembers that pronouncement. So, numbers were added due to the drought, which numbers have not been reversed.

Madam Speaker, when I announced the enhancement on the Floor of this House, I said that the intervention would not be permanent. However, the Government has observed that the situation has not fully changed, the country has not yet fully recovered, the number of beneficiaries has been maintained. So, it was not introduced then. It was a continuous programme which we enhanced by increasing the number of beneficiaries and figures.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mtayachalo: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I would like to thank Her Honour the Vice-President, for that response.

Madam Speaker, Her Honour the Vice-President has mentioned that the Government has put interventions such as the Cash-for-Work and Emergency Cash Transfer programmes. However, it must be realised that not everyone is a beneficiary of those interventions. The situation currently is not good. The people are surviving on mangoes and wild fruits.

Mr Nkandu: Question!

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, there was–

Interruptions

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, may I be protected? Chama experienced a drought.

Madam Speaker: Order!

You may continue, hon. Member for Chama North.

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, Her Honour the Vice-President said that the relief food distribution has commenced in Chama, which is not true. Yesterday, I spoke to Mr Nyirenda from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in Chama. He said they have prepared all the paperwork, but they are waiting for a response for the relief food to be given to the affected families. However, Her Honour the Vice-President has said that the distribution of relief food has commenced. I was in the constituency just a few days ago. Nothing has commenced.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What is your question?

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, the fact of the matter is that the distribution of relief food has not commenced. When will the Government commence the distribution of relief food to avert starvation?

The Vice-President: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I would like to thank the hon. Member for that question.

Madam Speaker, this is the report that I have. If the hon. Member says the distribution of relief food has not started, that is very sad. I am speaking to the House because the relief food is ready and prepared for Chama. Therefore, I can only promise that we have to work as fast as we can to ensure that our people receive the relief food within the shortest period, if it has not been distributed yet. However, the hon. Member heard me read, according to the information I have. I thought the distribution had begun. If it has not begun, it must be done. Food must be distributed to areas where the Government has undertaken an assessment. We know that our people genuinely need relief food. It must be distributed. All I can say to the hon. Member is that we are sorry for the delay, but it will be worked on to ensure that the people of Chama receive the relief. They were assessed, and we know that some cannot afford to buy food. So, the Government is working on it. We cannot give an excuse if we know. We should work on it. So, it is a promise, we will ensure that this is done.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Madam Speaker, Chama North and Chama South seem to have many problems, ranging from human-animal conflicts, hunger, drought, and now people are surviving on mangoes. Through the Office of the Vice-President and the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), the Government has programmes for resettlement. As a permanent solution, can we not resettle the people of Chama North and Chama South? We have plenty of land in the North-Western Province. We can resettle them even between Kabompo and Zambezi.

Laughter

Mr Katakwe: We can give them a village, and then all these problems will be a thing of the past. Can we not think of that?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, truly, this is a very important question. It may sound funny, but there are places like Chama, where people are embattled. They face many things, year in, year out. What I will say is that, it is just like here in town. People get used to living in a place that floods year in, year out.

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

The Vice-President: Yes, that is true.

Madam Speaker, even here in Lusaka for example, some people have built houses in the wrong places, like on waterways. Year in, year in, they live there. For example, we have told people in Lusaka that there is land where they can go and settle, but they said no. It is not easy to move people. The people of Chama go through all that. We can find a place to resettle them. It should not necessarily be so far away from where they are now. We have to look at the land where people will be resettled.

Madam Speaker, on a lighter note, I think that I have told Hon. Mung’andu or even the hon. Member who asked the question that we have land for resettlement in Kaputa. We can carry all of them.

Laughter

The Vice-President: However, they cannot accept because they are used to living in the place where they live, yet the issue of animal-human conflict is in Chama. They are special people.

Madam Speaker, if you have followed proceedings here, you know that every year this question comes up. We feed the people of Chama. Surely, if the place is not habitable, we should be looking for alternatives, but we have to agree together on the alternative places. We should offer them land near where they are living. I believe that there are very habitable places in Chama, where people grow a lot of rice. However, they say that rice is not food; they want nshima. We are ready to move the people of Chama when they decide to move because we cannot forcibly move them. Truly, all of us here know that every time these issues come up Chama will be there. We have to provide alternatives. Let us think of alternative foods like rice. People must start eating rice and regarding it as real food, not waiting for nshima every day. We have heard the issue, and we will respond to their hunger situation. We must do it like yesterday. So, I will speak to my officers to expedite the delivery of relief food, if it will not be delivered today

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, I thank Her Honour the Vice-President for that response.

Madam Speaker, I think that it is not right to trivialise the hunger situation in Chama. The people of Chama are very hard-working. They have stayed in Chama for more than 200 years, and I think that the suggestion that they be relocated does not sit well with them.

Madam Speaker, we appreciate that the Government is going to immediately commence the distribution of relief food to the affected people in Chama. This is the rainy season, and I know that people are travelling long distances to go and look for food at the Boma. Is the Government going to give enough relief food to our people, which will last up to the next harvest?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I think that I presented the figures here. I will respond according to the assessment that has been done. We will not leave the people there to die. When hunger appears, it does not mean that everybody needs to be supported, because there are coping mechanisms. Some people do certain things to survive. Those who do not are the ones we look after. We will look after all the affected people, as our assessment report has indicated.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, firstly, allow me to congratulate the newly-elected Vice-President for Anti-Doping, and I expect that he will portray the behaviour of the Anti-Doping Parliament. I am talking about the hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts.

Laughter

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, my question is on water. Maybe, I missed what Her Honour the Vice-President said. Water tables in Chilubi and countrywide have gone down. I do not know what was wrong with rainfall this time around. The question that the hon. Member for Chama North asked had to do with water and waterborne diseases. I guess that it will take time for us to find sources of water so that people can get relief. What immediate measures has the Government put in place to prevent waterborne diseases? The population has not yet moved; it is still there.

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

Madam Speaker, firstly, according to your guidance yesterday, a general statement will be made on the measures to tackle the issues that may come due to the rainy season and climate change. This is particularly for Chama.

Madam Speaker, on the issue of water, I said that there has been an allocation of five boreholes, and they must be drilled. We are looking for resources. There are different sources of income, when it comes to the intervention on water. The project in Chama is under the Government, and we are going to work on that as quickly as we can source the money. So, that is what we are doing.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, Her Honour the Vice-President has provided responses to some of the concerns that were raised by Hon. Mtayachalo, Member of Parliament for Chama North. Having defined the problem and the solution that she thinks will provide relief to our people in Chama, has the Office of the Vice-President assessed the situation to see if any other areas require similar interventions, so that we do not have to wait for other hon. Member of Parliament to raise the same very valid concerns regarding relief food for the residents of their constituencies?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Kamfinsa for that very important question.

Madam Speaker, I would also not like hon. Members to be asking the same question. It is not a good thing. Therefore, we are working to see – Truly speaking, we have an assessment report and it is not just for Chama. There are other places as well. It is our intention not to hear that matter raised over and over again because the assessment has been done and we have a report. So, places that are in need of relief should receive the food. That is the way we are going about addressing the situation. So, I agree with the hon. Member that we should not wait until hon. Members ask for assistance because we already have an assessment report. I am sure that relief food has already been delivered to certain places. As the hon. Member said, the food may not have reached certain places, but we are working very quickly to give food to affected people so that we lessen opportunities for these kinds of questions.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The last hon. Member to ask a supplementary question will be the hon. Member for Mkushi South.

Mr Chisopa (Mkushi South): Madam Speaker, I am aware that in Mkushi South –

Interruptions

Mr Chisopa: The United Party for National Development (UPND) Government has only taken relief maize four times …

Hon. UPND Members: How many times do you want to be fed?

Mr Chisopa: … to the valley.

Interruptions

Mr Munsanje: Do not be lazy

Mr Chisopa: That means that the Government has only been taking maize there once per year.

Hon. UPND Member: Mkushi is a farming block. Why do you need relief maize?

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What do you mean by once per year?

Mr Chisopa: Relief maize.

Mr Munsanje: Question!

Mr Chisopa: Relief food or maize. Maybe, I should just say relief maize.

Madam Speaker, is it the policy of the office of Her Honour the Vice-President to be taking relief maize to Luano every year, as opposed to responding to the crisis that is in the valley in terms of hunger?

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The main question was for Chama South.

Hon. Members, when you have an issue in the constituency which seems to be a big challenge or problem, please, come up with a question, instead of riding on someone else’s question.

The Vice-President: Well, like you have guided, Madam Speaker, there was a specific question on Chama. Others have ridden on the question on Chama in different manners. So, if I give an answer to that specific question, I will end up raising other issues. Moreover, the hon. Member is asking why we take relief maize to Luano once a year. Does he want us to go there five times a year?

Madam Speaker, when we take relief maize to Chama, it is after an assessment is done. It is not the number of trips or times relief food is distributed. It is whether the relief food is sufficient for the period when people do not have food. It is not about the number of times. Getting to Luano is a challenge and, therefore, we would rather take relief there once. Furthermore, we should find a long-term solution for Luano, just like the proposal that was made.

Mr Chisopa interjected.

The Vice-President: Luano, eh.

You are producing other things. I think, let us look at how you can use that to bring sustainability of livelihoods in Luano, but that is a discussion for another day.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mpika, do you have a Point of Order?

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I thank you for this opportunity given to me to reluctantly rise on a very serious Point of Order pursuant to Standing Order No. 71.

Madam Speaker, I have been here digesting –

Mr Munsanje: Digesting what?

Mr Mulunda: Maize.

Laughter

Mr Kapyanga: Can you have a moment of reflection.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Mpika, you are addressing me, not the hon. Members there.

Mr Kapyanga: They should know that I am addressing you, Madam Speaker, not them.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Just continue.

Interruptions

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I am raising a very serious Point of Order.

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

To cut the story short, you are supposed to address the Chair. Just address me. You continue with your Point of Order, rather than engaging other people on the sides. The Point of Order should be addressed to me. So, continue with your Point of Order.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I thank you for your guidance.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Chama North asked a very important question. In Mpika, we have a chiefdom called Nabwalya. Year in and year out, the people there are given relief food by the Office of the Vice-President. They are even given water. At no point have we ever thought that a leader in the people’s House would suggest that the only solution is to remove those people from where they have lived for years and take them where he imagines.

Hon. UPND Members: They are lazy!

Mr Munsanje: Who told you that that is the only place they can live?

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, it is very painful that he even had an opportunity to ask such a question. Was he in order to introduce – Maybe, it is the United Party for National Development’s (UPND’s) policy that people who have challenges …

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Mr Kapyanga: … should be moved from where they have lived and taken to – I mean, was he in order to introduce a new policy that wherever people are facing challenges, the UPND has to remove them, instead of taking necessary action?

Mr Nkandu: Question!

Mr Kapyanga: Hon. Minister, this is a very serious matter. I am very hurt.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You may resume your seat.

Mr Kapyanga: I come from the village.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You may resume your seat.

Interruptions

Mr Kapyanga: You want my relatives to be removed? Is that the –

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You may resume your seat!

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, our hon. Colleagues should stop mocking us. They are here to provide services to our people.

Interruptions

Mr Kapyanga: Why are they mocking us?

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mpika, order!

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, these people are mocking us.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mpika –

Interruptions

Mr Kapyanga: They should stop mocking and provide services.

Interruptions

Mr Munsanje: Send him out!

Mr Kapyanga resumed his seat.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mpika, there are rules in this House. I had given you an opportunity to raise a Point of Order, but you went on preaching and becoming annoyed and emotional over a simple Point of Order, which I have not even ruled on. So, hon. Member of Mpika, please, leave the House. Go and cool down.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You may go and cool down. When you have cooled down, please, come back.

Mr Kapyanga left the Assembly Chamber.

Mr Munsanje: Let him go for good.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: We make progress.

GRADUATES FROM VARIOUS PUBLIC TRAINING INSTITUTIONS OF AGRICULTURE

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

how many students graduated from various public training institutions of agriculture, countrywide, from 2021 to 2024, year by year; and
how many graduates at (a) were employed by the Government during the same period, year by year.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Before the hon. Minister comes in to respond, there is an indication for a Point of Order.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker, having been here long enough, I understand that we are all on both sides compelled to maintain decorum in this august House by giving each other mutual rest.

Madam Speaker, you might not have been seeing, but there is a tendency growing amongst our hon. Colleagues just on your far right of wanting to engage fellow hon. Members when they are on the Floor. The hon. Member for Mpika got emotional because of the running commentaries that were coming from the other side.

Madam Speaker, are the hon. Members on my immediate left in order to continue bringing anarchy in the House by not observing decorum through making running commentaries –

Hon. UPND Members interjected.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, you can even hear the unruly behaviour.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You may continue, hon. Member for Shiwang’andu.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I seek your serious guidance because the rules must be applied fairly and equitably to both sides of the House for us to maintain decorum. It is unbecoming that our hon. Colleagues on my immediate left have continued to disturb their hon. Colleagues when they take the Floor.

I seek your serious guidance, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: As I have mentioned before, there are rules in this House. They are your rules that you came up with, and they are supposed to be applied to all hon. Members of Parliament. As you all know, we are not permitted to debate while seated. So, if any hon. Members of Parliament debated while seated, they were out of order. Similarly, if any hon. Member of Parliament feels aggrieved, there are procedures we are supposed to follow instead of shouting in the House. So, as the hon. Member for Mpika was given an opportunity to raise a point of order, that was the chance he was supposed to use to bring out his issue, but he became emotional. We have rules in the House. So, both sides were out of order. The hon. Members on the right were out of order because they were debating while seated. Similarly, the hon. Member for Mpika also became too emotional and disregarded the rules of the House.

Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, all I can say is that we should observe the rules of the House whether on the right or the left. We are in one House, observing the same rules.

With that guidance, please, hon. Members on my right, avoid debating while seated and making offensive running commentaries. Let us also know how to react to situations. There are procedures we can follow. So, with that guidance, please, let us observe the rules of this important House.

The hon. Minister of Agriculture will respond to the question.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Mtolo): Madam Speaker, before I respond to the question, allow me to say a strong word of thanks to our President, as today, ten Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Zambia and the People’s Republic of China.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, all the MoUs are meant to better the lives of Zambians. The most critical MoU is the one that will see the rehabilitation of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA). This is worth noting, as a country, because it is very good for everyone.

Madam Speaker, moving on to the question, the number of students who graduated from the Zambia College of Agriculture (ZCA) in Mpika, Mpongwe, Mongu, Katete, Chapula, Popota, and the Natural Resources Development College (NRDC) were as follows:

Year Number

2024 1589

2023 1296

2022 1357

2021 956

Madam Speaker, in terms of the number of graduates who were employed by the Government, the information is as follows:

Year Number

2024 348

2023 197

2022 110

2021 34

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, looking at the statistics that the hon. Minister has shared, the numbers are still low in terms of the students who are supposed to be absorbed. So, I want to know the emergency measures that the Government has put in place to ensure that the remaining backlog of students who graduated are also employed. I think, the numbers are not good at all.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, the role of the institutions that I have mentioned is to educate. Just like the University of Zambia (UNZA) educates and releases to the market. The thinking that all who graduate should be employed by the Government is not the way we should look at it. Maybe, we should look at it in terms of agricultural colleges producing graduates who are useful in society.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, quite all right, there are graduates from various institutions, but there are those who do not have the capacity to support themselves. How satisfied is the Government with the curriculum that is offered at the institutions? Can that curriculum enable the graduates to eventually become creators of employment, owing to the fact that they have the skill to produce?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, that is a very important question. I would like to assure the hon. Member that the graduates of the ZCA in Mpika, Mpongwe, Mongu, Katete, Chapula, Popota and the NRDC have hands-on skills. If you want support from agricultural officers, employ those graduates. They are well-trained. The question of whether they can stand on their own, I think, is beyond the ministry. Maybe, it depends on the historical position of where they come from; if they have land, if their families have a bit of resources, and so on and so forth. Otherwise, I can only talk about the quality of education that is offered. You will agree with me that they are well-trained students.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, agriculture is a hands-on subject. So, when I ask about how capacitated the graduates are, it is because a graduate from an agricultural institution can be qualified, but the question is on the amount of practical activities that the students are engaged in before graduation; how productive or active are the institutions, arising from the type of curriculum the institutions engage students with? That one will also contribute to the nature of the students. I need a comment on that from the hon. Minister.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I think I have answered that question. However, if the hon. Member for Kalabo Central or any other hon. Member is doubting the quality of students from these institutions, I would love to know those specific colleges so that we can review them. Otherwise, the closest we have from here is the NRDC. I would encourage the hon. Member to go to NRDC, even tomorrow morning, before Parliament resumes, to see what students go through. They practically keep animals and do other farm activities. They even know how to lay a tunnel for in-house farming. There is a lot of practical knowledge that the students are given, which is good.

Madam Speaker, I am ready to take the hon. Member to NRDC tomorrow morning, if he has time to see what the students go through.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, tomorrow is Friday. So, you can go there in the afternoon.

Laughter

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the Government cannot absorb all the students, and I agree with him. However, it is the Government that has given the notion that it can employ, especially through the Ministry of Education, as well as the Ministry of Health. So, the young people who are graduating from those agricultural colleges expect to be absorbed.

Madam Speaker, having said that, I would like to know, since the Government is a dream facilitator and it has put agriculture as one of the sectors good for economic growth in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), does it have plans to give incentives to the private sector to absorb the students who are graduating from agriculture colleges so that they may not put pressure on the Government to employ them?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, the role of the Government is to prepare its citizens for life, in early, primary, secondary and tertiary education. I think that the Government looks at that as very important. The question that was asked was to find out how many graduates we have had, and how many of those have been employed by the Government. I gave the figures.

Madam Speaker, if the hon. Member has attended any of the graduation ceremonies, like I have attended all of them at NRDC, he would notice that the level of absorption by the private sector for our young graduates is quite encouraging. Just on the day of graduation, at least not less than fifty graduates are taken instantly by the private sector. I have seen it with my own eyes.

Mr Chibombwe: Question!

Laughter

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I like my colleagues. They make me happy. What is he questioning from what I am saying?

Madam Speaker, honestly speaking, the private sector is encouraged to absorb those well-qualified students. My duty is to give the hon. Member comfort that when he picks a chap from Mpika College of Agriculture, he is picking someone– Sorry to say, “a Chap.” That is wrong. If he picks a graduate from Mpika College of Agriculture, he picks quality that will enhance his enterprise.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr C. Mpundu (Chembe): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving the people of Chembe the opportunity to ask a very important question.

Madam Speaker, many youths have done agriculture related studies countrywide, in places like Kalabo Central and Chembe. However, the recruitment, especially, for those to be absorbed by the Government, is done centrally. Does the ministry have any plans to conduct the recruitment at district level so that even those in Chembe or Kalabo, who have completed those programmes are also absorbed by the ministry?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Cliff Mpundu for that question. The question is a little bit off what I prepared to answer, but I will try all the same.

Madam Speaker, the manifesto of the United Party for National Development (UPND) clearly stated that for this particular season, recruitments will be emphasised in educational and medical fields. That is why the largest number of job opportunities has been deliberately directed to the medical and educational fields, because the situation is quite dismal.

Madam Speaker, I have come here to indicate that, globally, the farmer/extension worker ratio is supposed to be at least 1 to 400. However, in Zambia, it is way above that. It not good. However, the time has not come for us to get the Treasury authority to employ. So, when the hon. Member talks of employment being done centrally, I do not know for whom, because in Zambia, we have employed mainly in the education sector at district level. Therefore, I would like my hon. Colleague to maybe, carefully reconsider his question because the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health have employed at district level. So, what are we talking about here? I would ask that maybe, I have a chat with the hon. Member.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mapani (Namwala): Madam Speaker, taking that agriculture is currently at the core of our economic development, may I know through the hon. Minister, how many graduates the ministry would like to employ to ensure that the agriculture sector is revalitalised?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, in terms of extension workers and camp officers, I can easily indicate that we need close to 1,000. I would be so happy if the hon. Member moved a Private Member’s Motion to compel the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to allow me to employ even 500 extension officers. I would be very happy. However, it requires Parliament to approved that. We can get a bit from the education and health sectors and pass them on to the agriculture sector. So, I thank the hon. Member. I expect him to move that kind of a Motion.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I will get the last two questions from the hon. Member for Lukashya and the hon. Member for Solwezi East.

Mr Chisanga (Lukashya): Madam Speaker, at the risk of sounding like I am repeating the question by the hon. Member for Chilubi, I want to ask this question on the background of the fact that the African Development Bank (AfDB) has bid agriculture as a future for Africa, especially amongst the youth farmers. The hon. Minister rightly pointed out that the Government cannot absorb all the graduates. Therefore, I just want to find out if the Government has not taken the incentive of leveraging on the pointers by the AfDB to incentivise these youths who cannot be absorbed, either by the Government or by the private sector and allow them to run small-scale farms so they can build their capacity over time.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I am very happy with the suggestions that my colleagues are presenting. I think it would be nice to debate them here so that we can consolidate the idea and look at it further. So, I am not dismissing it, rather it would be very helpful, not only for the Ministry of Agriculture, but also for the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development. We would all benefit.

Madam Speaker, just like I asked my hon. Colleague from Namwala, maybe Hon. Chisanga, the lawyer, can also move a Motion to compel us to do that.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The last person to ask a question is the hon. Member for Solwezi East.

Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East): Madam Speaker, my question has been asked by Hon. Chisanga. I was thinking along the same lines. Why can the ministry not provide incentives for students, like the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF), so that they can acquire loans to procure tractors, land and other inputs when they graduate, to enable them to farm in resettlement areas or farming blocks, instead of them getting employed? After a certain period, they can repay the loans. So, my question is actually along the same lines. Maybe, the hon. Minister can comment on that, if it is possible.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, that is possible. At the last youth indaba that I attended with the hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, I requested to be given a few names –

Mr Nkandu: Ten!

Interruptions

Mr Mtolo: Yes, ten names.

Madam Speaker, I actually asked for a few names so that we could start supporting the youth in that manner. However, that suggestion requires a more formidable approach. The Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF) is a privately funded programme. It is the banks that fund the SAFF. So, the Government can only support so many people.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

CONSTRUCTION OF MODERN MARKETS IN MBABALA CONSTITUENCY

84. Mr Munsanje (Mbabala) asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

whether the Government has any plans to construct modern markets in the following areas in Mbabala Parliamentary Constituency:
Mbabala Township;
Muyobe Turn-Off;
Macha;
Simaubi;
Mang’unza; and
Silukwiya; and
if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts (Mr Nkandu) (on behalf of the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Sialubalo)): Madam Speaker, the Government has no immediate plans to construct modern markets in Mbabala Constituency in the mentioned areas.

Madam Speaker, the reason is very simple. Markets are too small to be planned by the Central Government. At that level, we may not be able to do that. We expect markets to be planned at the local authority level. Further, the Central Government has a very limited budget to plan for all markets across the country.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Madam Speaker, what is the criteria for classifying a market as modern, according to the Government?

Mr Nkandu: Madam Speaker, I think that the Central Government considers markets at the district level. If resources are available, the Government can consider constructing a modern market at the district level, as we are doing in Nakonde and other areas. So, I think that the criteria used is looking at how busy the area is and the population of marketeers in a particular district. I think that we consider districts, not wards or constituencies.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Munsanje: Madam Speaker, this very important day, 20^th November, is World Children's Day. So, firstly, I wish the children of Zambia the best. May they enjoy their rights in this country. I am thankful to you for allowing the Children’s Parliament to continue here at Parliament to guarantee the rights of children.

Madam Speaker, does the ministry have market models, which can be implemented under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), since the hon. Minister said that the Central Government has no money? The ministry can share market models for different populations. Mbabala Township is a huge place and the Government has been collecting revenue from there for many years. We also have a mini council chamber there. Very soon, Mbabala will become a new district under the New Dawn United Party for National Development (UPND) Government.

Mr Nkandu: Madam Speaker, when the Government declares Mbabala a district, that may be considered. As I said, the Government considers district markets as opposed to ward and constituency markets.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has asked a very important question. I am happy that the hon. Member for Mbabala is also considering using part of the CDF to construct small markets. That is very encouraging. I should take advantage of this opportunity …

Mr Kabuswe: As a ZANAMA.

Mr Nkandu: … to appreciate what the hon. Member has said. I also appeal to other hon. Members of Parliament to consider putting up markets for our people in their respective areas.

Madam Speaker, to answer his question, yes, there is a prototype at the ministry, and hon. Members of Parliament who want to construct markets can see it.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Munsanje: Madam Speaker, I wanted to follow up on the issue of market designs or models. The hon. Minister answered the question when he said that a prototype is available. So, I think, we are good to go.

Happy Children's Day to you too!

STAFF ESTABLISHMENT FOR TEACHERS COUNTRYWIDE

85. Mr Simunji (Nalikwanda) asked the Minister of Education:

what the staff establishment for teachers countrywide was in the following years:
2011;
2015;
2021; and
2025;
what the number of teachers available in each year was;
what the deficit in each year was;
what the major cause of the deficit was; and
to what extent the deficit has affected the quality of education in the country.

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the approved establishment for teachers countrywide in the stated years was as follows:

2011 130,348

2015 157,689

2021 182,019

2025 264,725

Madam Speaker, the number of teachers available on the payroll in the respective years was as follows:

Year Number of Teachers

2011 78,109

2015 86,565

2021 103,448

2025 146,366

Madam Speaker, based on the ideal school structure and payroll records, the ministry recorded teacher deficits as follows:

Year Teacher Deficits

2011 52,241

2015 71,124

2021 78,571

2025 118,359

Madam Speaker, the major cause of the deficit was the absence of a deliberate and sustained policy to recruit teachers, particularly between 2011 and 2021, owing to competing priorities in national resource allocation.

Madam Speaker, the teacher deficit compounded by rapid population growth significantly worsened the teacher to pupil ratio in many public schools. In some rural schools, the ratio rose to as high as one teacher to seventy pupils against the recommended one teacher to forty pupils for primary schools and one to five pupils for secondary schools. While the deficit has to some extent affected the quality of education, it is important to recognise that quality is influenced by a range of interconnected factors. These include the availability of adequate teaching and learning materials, appropriate school furniture and learner support mechanisms, such as the provision of sanitary towels for the girl child and school feeding. Therefore, the Government has continued to address these areas as part of its broader strategy to enhance education outcomes. The on-going interventions demonstrate the Government’s commitment to ensuring the continued provision of quality education and the realisation of every learner’s fundamental right to education.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

PLANS TO MAXIMISE LOCAL FINANCIAL RESOURCE MOBILISATION

87. Mr Miyutu asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning:

whether the Government has any plans to maximise local financial resource mobilisation;
if so, what the plans are;
when the plans will be implemented; and
if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Chipoka Mulenga) (on behalf of the Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane)): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Government has plans to maximise local financial resource mobilisation.

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that the Government has already put in place a domestic revenue mobilisation strategy that was developed in 2024 and will continue to be implemented up to 2027. The 2025 to 2027 revenue goal was developed to sustain domestic resource generation and increase domestic revenue to, at least, 21.6 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2027. This target was set with the aim of addressing the persistent fiscal deficits that have characterised Zambia’s economy in the past and ensuring long-term financial stability.

Madam Speaker, the House may further wish to note that domestic revenue mobilisation is vital for Zambia’s fiscal stability as it aims to significantly reduce the fiscal deficit, enhance overall fiscal health and sustain investments in key sectors like education and health. Overall, this strategy has strengthened tax policies, improved taxpayer compliance and has fostered a stable tax environment contributing to an improved investment climate and private sector growth.

Madam Speaker, currently, the domestic revenue to GDP ratio stands at 22.3 per cent, which means that we have surpassed the revenue target that was stipulated in the plan.

Madam Speaker, as stated above, the implementation of the domestic revenue mobilisation strategy started in 2025 and will continue until 2027, when a review is going to be carried out.

Madam Speaker, with the above responses, part (d) of the question does not take hold and falls off.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr A. Banda (Chimwemwe): Madam Speaker, I thank you very much for this opportunity.

Madam Speaker, I hope I will not be squeezing the Acting hon. Minister against the wall because the question I am going to ask should have been answered properly by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning.

Madam Speaker, I am looking at the same domestic resource mobilisation with regards to the minimum alternative tax (MAT), a new tax that we are going to introduce next year. This will be charged on turnover. Further, there are complaints from the suppliers to the mines because they do not make any profits, but with the new tax, they will be charged 1 per cent of the overall turnover. The hon. Minister needs to understand that the turnover for mine suppliers is about K5 million. So, they not fall in the category of paying smaller taxes.

Madam Speaker, will the Government re-look at the situation and, perhaps, reconsider that tax for the mine suppliers because most of them are not making profits? What they are doing is that the owners of the companies have started paying themselves a salary as opposed to making a profit because the Government is not protecting them from the competition they have with foreign companies.

Madam Speaker, I am sorry. I am not debating, but just asking the Acting hon. Minister. I do not want to lose him, but just for him to be on the same level.

Madam Speaker, the suppliers from South Africa are the ones that actually supply the Zambian suppliers, but at the same time, they are also supplying the mines. That means that the suppliers in Zambia cannot make any profit. They only charge 5 per cent more, which can only help them with their operational purposes.

Madam Speaker, will the Government re-look at the situation of suppliers and see to it that, maybe, the MAT does not discourage them from doing business? As the Minister of Mines and Mineral Development said yesterday, the 20 per cent reserved for local suppliers in the mines will not achieve anything if they cannot pay tax. I hope my question is clear.

Mr Chipoka Mulenga: Madam Speaker, to some extent, the question was lost in the commentary. So, I could not pick it correctly but, I think, I can take the question in this regard

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Mr Chipoka Mulenga: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is talking about the minimum alternative tax on turnover. Is that what you are talking about and the concern?

Mr A. Banda indicated assent.

Mr Chipoka Mulenga: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has raised a very important concern that I have personally heard from the contractors and suppliers. There is a proposal in the 2026 National Budget. I must make it clear. I would also like to address the issue that he raised about contractors not making profits. It is that kind of concern that compelled the Government to come up with the minimum alternative tax. We, as Zambians, need to grow our economy. The more reason Hon. Miyutu asked what we would do to enhance local resource mobilisation. We, for example, contractors and suppliers, to a certain extent, always say that we do not make profits, but losses, yet our companies have been in existence for twenty or thirty years. If we have not made profits for twenty, fifteen or ten years, why are we existing? We have not been making declarations and not complying with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) requirements, as we should. You will find that year in and year out, for ten years, the ZRA receives compliance certificates and turnover submissions, using stationery and other facilities at the expense of company reports. We have deliberately set a threshold for those who claim that they do not do this. That is why we have set up a general taxation system under which 1 per cent will be contributed. However, if you are above the threshold, like the 5 per cent that the hon. Member talked about, you will be exempted, you will fall in the bracket of the normal taxing system. This bracket is for you and I, who always say that we do not make profits, but have been in business for ten years.

Madam Speaker, to cushion those who say that they do not have access to business opportunities, as a Government, we have deliberately set up the local content provision under the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development. Many contractors and suppliers from Chimwemwe, where the hon. Member hails, do business with Mopani Copper Mines. It is now deliberate. Contractors and suppliers in Zambia are being issued contracts that we will not allow foreigners to bid on. They should only be bid on by local contractors and suppliers. So, going forward, no Zambian contractor or supplier will say that they are making a loss because there is now a preserved tendering process that discriminates positively to Zambians only. So, embrace this so that your Government can get taxes, even from you, to support free education, buy medicines for the Ministry of Health and continue recruiting civil servants and paying off our pensioners.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Nkandu: Quality!

Mr Simushi (Sikongo): Madam Speaker, one of the measures that the Government implemented to enhance domestic resource mobilisation was the introduction of smart invoicing. I would like to know how effective smart invoicing has been in enhancing domestic resource mobilisation.

Mr Chipoka Mulenga: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that question. The question is very important to everyone.

Madam Speaker, how effective is smart invoicing? That is a collective responsibility for everyone. We go into shops. There is a case that I am taking to the ZRA, just this morning. I visited one of the mobile phone vendors, very reputable, which is not using the smart invoicing facility when selling products. The sales persons just write in a notebook. They give you a receipt that does not even have a tax invoice. I would like to urge us, as hon. Members, to notify our constituents that whoever purchases anything should ensure that there is a tax invoice affiliated with that purchase. When we buy with a tax invoice, it is recorded, and the ZRA automatically picks that one has sold something, and that one will pay tax.

Dear brothers and sisters, hon. Members of Parliament, whenever we buy something without a tax invoice receipt, just know that your Government is losing out.

Madam Speaker, the requirement is that we all pay particular attention when we are buying things. So, for that to be effective, it is not only the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, but everyone’s to take ownership and to report when we see that this is not happening. It is good for us. It is good for the country.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Nkandu: Quality!

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

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

Madam Speaker, I think, one measure that the Government has put in place to increase domestic resource mobilisation is the local content regulation under the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Mr Mabeta: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development for elaborating on the local content regulation during the Sunday Interview programme. I learnt a lot. The hon. Minister should keep it up. Efibomba abaume ifi.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What does that mean?

Mr Mabeta: Madam Speaker, it means that this is how real men work. They are able to explain things they do clearly without leaving any doubts.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mabeta: Madam Speaker, my appeal to the Acting hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, …

Mr Nkandu: Come and get your token!

Mr Mabeta: –Thank you –

Laughter

Mr Mabeta: … is to extend the local content regulation –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is it an appeal to the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, or a question to the Acting hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning?

Mr Mabeta: Madam Speaker, it is a question to the Acting hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning on extending the local content regulation to other sectors beyond the mining sector. That way, we will ensure that a certain percentage of allocated business is given to more Zambian suppliers of services. Is the ministry considering extending that local content regulation to all the sectors so that Zambians can participate more and increase domestic revenue?

Mr Chipoka Mulenga: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Kankoyo for asking a very good question.

Madam Speaker, indeed, the local content provision is very attractive, and it will, seemingly, empower our local contractors and suppliers, and provide our citizens with resources. The Cabinet has deliberated over this issue the past two and a half years. We deliberately started with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development because that is the biggest contributor to our gross domestic product (GDP). We want to pilot it with one sector. Its success and challenges will give us lessons on how we can roll it across all sectors in the country. We have taken note of what the hon. Member has said. However, its success will give us the ability to see how we roll it out.

Madam Speaker, to also strengthen and protect Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), contractors and suppliers – this is to make a sound response to the earlier question asked by the hon. Member for Chimwemwe – the ministry is aware of the complaints that have continued to come from the SMEs on tax invoice holding when they are not paying other taxes. The ministry is reviewing the system, and we will see how best we can allow businesses to continue even when they are not yet in compliance. We take note of that.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker gave the floor to Rev. Katuta.

Rev. Katuta: I am sorry, Madam Speaker. I did not realise that I had pressed the indication button.

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I keep on appealing to the vice-chairperson, whom I congratulated without noticing, …

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Mr Fube: … to behave like an anti-doping vice-chairperson who was elected at an international level; the hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Art.

Madam Speaker, my question is No. 88.

RECONSTRUCTION OF THE KANSHISHE/MOFU ROAD IN CHILUBI DISTRICT

88. Mr Fube asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

whether the Government has any plans to reconstruct the Kanshishe/Mofu Road in Chilubi District;
if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
what the estimated cost of the project is.

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Kapala) (on behalf of the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi)): Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to reconstruct the Kanshishe/Mofu Road in Chilubi District.

Madam Speaker, the Government, through the Chilubi District Council, commenced rehabilitation of the first 10 km from Kanshishe to Matipa. It is envisaged that the rehabilitation of the remaining portion from Matipa to Mofu will be implemented once the Treasury secures the required funds.

Madam Speaker, the rehabilitation works on the section from Kanshishe to Matipa are being undertaken at a cost of K1 million using funds from the road sector grant. The estimated cost for the rehabilitation of the remaining section from Matipa to Mofu will be determined after detailed feasibility studies and engineering assessments are carried out.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Acting hon. Minister for the response. Maybe, to set the facts straight, the hon. Minister said that the Kanshishe/Mofu Road is 10 km long, when actually, it is 7 km. The quality of work that was done on that road was somewhat poor because it has already started trapping water. The work that was attempted on the stretch from Mpamba to Mofu was poorly done. After just the first rainfall, it developed serious potholes, and vehicles cannot even pass.

Madam Speaker, having said that, will the work be left to the council, especially after witnessing the bad work that has been done so far, or the Road Development Agency (RDA) engineers will be brought on board to supervise the works for the road to be properly done.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, the information I have is that, yes, the Road Development Agency (RDA) and the council will conduct a scheduled joint assessment of the road so that they can do some additional maintenance works. As stated by the hon. Member of Parliament, yes, the works that were carried out were of lower standard.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the rehabilitation of the remaining section of the road will be implemented once resources are available. The road in question services about eight wards out of the twenty-four wards of Chilubi. To be specific, nine wards. It is the main road, which is also key in terms of economic activities, such as farming, and leads to where the Government maize shed is located. We are now in the rainy season, which will cause problems in terms of transportation of maize from the shed to other parts of the country. We have a lot of maize there. So, I do not know when the funds will be available, even the emergency funds, to work on that road so that it can be motorable during the rainy season.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, I mentioned that RDA and the council will undertake a joint assessment of the mentioned road with a view to undertaking some maintenance work using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

OCCURRENCE OF RAILWAY-RELATED ACCIDENTS

89. Ms Mwamba (Kasama Central) asked the Minister of Transport and Logistics:

how many railway-related accidents occurred in Zambia from January 2021 to August 2025, year by year;
what the primary cause of the accidents was;
what measures the Government is taking to avoid the occurrence of railway accidents;
whether the Government has any plans to initiate a system of monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of railway safety measures; and
if so, when the plans will be implemented.

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima) (on behalf of the Minister of Transport and Logistics (Mr Tayali)): Madam Speaker, a total of 1,960 railway-related accidents and incidents were recorded from January 2021 to August 2025. Of these, 202 were classified as serious accidents, 1,318 as minor accidents, while 440 were serious incidents such as rail derailments that pose significant risks to railway operations, infrastructure, and passenger safety. The recorded number of accidents and incidents on a yearly basis are as follows:

Category of Accident 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Total

Serious Accidents 47 39 36 30 50 202

Minor Accidents 356 269 298 253 142 1,318

Serious incidents 95 89 126 72 58 440

Total 498 397 460 355 350 1,960

Madam Speaker, investigations into the accidents identified the following as the primary causes:

poor state of rail infrastructure and equipment;
human error due to operational lapses, particularly by train operators and station staff; and
failure by motorists to observe traffic rules, particularly, the requirement to stop at rail level crossings.

Madam Speaker, the Government has adopted a multi-faceted approach combining regulatory oversight, infrastructure modernisation, and safety awareness in order to avoid the occurrence of railway accidents. The measures being implemented include the following:

enforcement of the Railway Safety Management Regulation No. 404 of 2018, which requires rail operators to implement safety management systems that include the development of safety policies, undertaking of risk assessments, incident reporting, and appointment of safety officers to enhance compliance with the regulations;
infrastructure modernisation and rehabilitation to address critical sections of the rail line to reduce railway accidents and improve speed limits; and
conducting public safety awareness campaigns through targeted activities along the railway line.

Madam Speaker, the Government has put in place a comprehensive system to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of railway safety measures. The system provides for the systematic collection, maintenance, and analysis of accident and incident data with a view to assessing safety performance and formulating effective mitigating strategies.

Madam Speaker, as stated in part (d) above, the system to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of railway safety measures is already in place and being implemented.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Mwamba: Madam Speaker, thank you.

I would also like to thank the hon. Minister for the statistics that he has given in his response. His answer turns out as perfect as it should be. However, from Kafue, right up to Kamwala, Garden, Emmasdale, Chipata Compound, all the way up to Mpika, there are no safety nets right at the crossing points. The points around the country have neither safety infrastructure nor signalling systems.

Madam Speaker, in his response, since it has been made perfect, can he confirm whether the ministry has secured dedicated funding for railway safety improvements in the upcoming Budget cycle so that we can reduce the railway-related accidents?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, the Government has secured a €50 million grant from the European Union (EU) to finance the repair and rehabilitation of critical sections of the Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) line between Livingstone and Ndola, including upgrades to signalling and telecommunication systems. The EU has further committed to mobilising additional private sector resources to support the ZRL revitalisation project.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Ms S. Mwamba: Madam Speaker, I am pleased to note that a €50 million grant plus other resources will be available for safety infrastructure and signalling systems. However, when railway operators fail to comply with safety standards, what actions will be taken to address that? What short-term measures have been put in place to address safety concerns?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, as I said, the regulations of 2018 require railway operators to implement safety measures. If you break any regulations, there are consequences. There are also consequences for not adhering to regulations.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, we have two main railway lines. There is one from Zambia to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and then there is another one from Livingstone to the Copperbelt. If you look at the state of the two railway lines, you will see that the one run by the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) is in a better state. The one from Livingstone to Lusaka and the Copperbelt is very dilapidated. You will find that railway sleepers are buried at certain points, so the wheels of trains touch the ground. I think, in his response, the hon. Minister did not indicate the specific causes of accidents and what the ministry is trying to do about them. From where I stand, on behalf of the people of Chilubi, I think that there is a need for rehabilitation of the entire railway so that accidents can be avoided. I do not know what the take of the hon. Minister is concerning overhauling the railway line. He mentioned that €50 million has been secured to work on the railway line, but I feel that it may not be sufficient to overhaul the railway line, as it is really dilapidated. Even the signs are dilapidated.

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I think that the €50 million will help.

Interruptions

Mr Syakalima: I am not quite sure. I have not seen the bill of quantity (BoQ), but I am very sure that certain things are going to be done.

Madam Speaker, in fact, approximately 70 per cent of railway accidents are as a result of poor infrastructure. This is why we are happy to have this allocation. Definitely, many of the things we have talked about, like signalling systems, will be done. If we become as strict as possible, we will do those things, unlike the Euro bond which was abused.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Laughter

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, a number of railway accidents that we have witnessed usually happen at the junction of roads and railway lines. A number of them have actually occurred there. What measures is the Government putting in place to ensure that accidents at railway crossings are avoided or minimised?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, this is why I was saying that there are investigations to identify the primary causes. I stated that the second point is human error due to operational lapses, particularly by train operators and station staff, but we still refer them to the regulations. It is also about individual motorists. When they see a passenger train or a goods train, they think that it is from away and cross without stopping. Also, signs on railway crossings do not give signals. This is why we are saying that we shall rehabilitate all those things using the €50 million. That will be taken care of.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The last three questions will be from the hon. Members for Bwana Mkubwa, Mulobezi and Shiwang’andu.

Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, I thank the Acting hon. Minister of Transport and Logistics for the answers he is providing.

Madam Speaker, I just want to know the strategies which the ministry has employed to address accidents. I ask this question because from the statistics that the hon. Minister has given, he fully understands the causes of some of the accidents. Now, what are some of the strategic measures that the hon. Minister has put in place to mitigate accidents? He mentioned many stakeholders, like the Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) and the people who use roads. What strategic measures has the ministry put in place to sensitise all the stakeholders? Also, what measures are going to be put in place through the €50 million, to ensure that railway line crossing points are safe from accidents?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, at the expense of repeating myself, I will restate my answers. I said that the Government has put in place a comprehensive system of monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of railway safety measures. The system provides for the systematic correction, maintenance and analysis of accident and incident data, with a view to assessing safety performance and formulating effective mitigation strategies. I think, I said this.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Eng. Mabenga (Mulobezi): Madam Speaker, looking at the accidents that have taken place, why can railway line owners not buy insurance, so that they can compensate the people involved in accidents? For instance, in Mulobezi, a train overturned and animals died, but people were not compensated. Why can the railway line owners not buy insurance, so that people can be compensated in case of an accident?

Mr Syakalima indicated dissent.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, did you not get the question?

Hon. Member for Mulobezi, repeat your question.

Eng. Mabenga: Madam Speaker, what I am talking about is insurance of passengers and their properties in case of an accident. Why can railway line owners not buy insurance, so that people are compensated when they are involved in an accident? At the moment, nothing is paid to people involved in railway accidents. For instance, a wagon overturned in Mulobezi and animals died, but the owners of the animals were not compensated. Why can the railway line owners not have insurance to safeguard the people?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I think, that question has caught me off guard because I did not really look at that aspect. I need to go and find out if goods in transit are insured.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, obviously, one of the causes is the dilapidation of the railway tracks and, generally, the infrastructure.

Madam Speaker, the substantive hon. Minister was here last week and he shared with House the rehabilitation programme for the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), which is jointly owned by Tanzania and Zambia. Does the Government have comprehensive plans to rehabilitate the inland railway line of the Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL), which my hon. Colleague was asking about, while the TAZARA railway line is being worked on?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I think that the hon. Member of Parliament for Shiwang’andu was listening to the hon. Member for Chilubi. He has just asked the same question which the other hon. Member asked. So, he is re-asking the earlier question. The emphasis is yes.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Laughter

PLANS TO CONSTRUCT LOCAL COURTS IN ISOKA DISTRICT

90. Ms Nakaponda (Isoka) asked the Minister of Justice:

whether the Government has any plans to construct local courts in the following areas in Isoka District:
Kafwimbi;
Sansamwenje;
Kalungu;
Lualizi;
Chaswata; and
Kanyala;
if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu, SC.) (on behalf of the Minister of Justice (Ms Kasune)): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that plans are there to put up infrastructure in the above mentioned areas. Budget provisions were made for 2025 and the bills of quantities (BOQs) and drawings were prepared together with tender documents. However, following the Budget Call Circular of the 2025-2027 Medium-Term Budget Plan and the 2025 Annual Budget, guidance was given to prioritise and expend the resources towards the completion of on-going capital projects and routine maintenance. So, we decided to reschedule the works.

Madam Speaker, the construction works for local court buildings in Kafwimbi, Sansamwenje, Kalungu, Lualizi, Chaswata and Kayala areas of Isoka District in Muchinga Province have, therefore, been rescheduled for commencement in 2026.

Madam Speaker, like I indicated in the response to part (b) of the question, plans are there.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Nakaponda: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, what assurance can the hon. Minister give to the people of Isoka Constituency, especially on the timeframe because he has said that the construction works will commence next year. However, I would like to know the exact time.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, I would like to assure my hon. Colleague that the project will be implemented before the end of 2026.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

PLANS TO RE-OPEN THE ZAMBIA NATIONAL SERVICE CAMP IN MULOBEZI DISTRICT

91. Eng. Mabenga asked the Minister of Defence:

whether the Government has any plans to re-open the Zambia National Service (ZNS) Camp in Mulobezi District to enhance food production;
if so, when the plans will be implemented;
if there are no such plans, why; and
when the Government will commence the supply of ZNS mealie meal to Mulobezi District in order to alleviate hunger in the area.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC. (on behalf of the Minster of Defence (Mr Lufuma)): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the camp referred to by the hon. Member of Parliament belonged to the Rural Reconstruction Unit Centre in the 1980s and was responsible for road construction projects in the district. However, with the Government implementing the Decentralisation Policy, utilisation of the piece of land referred to can be captured in the integrated development plans in the district and other planning frameworks.

Madam Speaker, the facility is not under the Ministry of Defence. However, if the land in question is found suitable for agriculture, the Zambian National Service (ZNS) can explore and venture into agricultural activities.

Madam Speaker, there are no such plans because the land in question is not under the Ministry of Defence.

Madam Speaker, further, I wish to inform the hon. Member of Parliament that ZNS supplies mealie meal through agents. At the moment, ZNS has no agents in Mulobezi District. Therefore, we are encouraging business entities from Mulobezi to take up this business opportunity.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Eng. Mabenga: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the answer.

Madam Speaker, when does the hon. Minister think the exploration will take place to determine whether that area is suitable for agriculture by ZNS?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, I would like to urge my hon. Colleague to consult with the Ministry of Agriculture. Once the Ministry of Agriculture confirms that the area is suitable for agriculture, we can then make a recommendation through your office to the Ministry of Defence for ZNS to take up the project, as I indicated earlier.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you.

_______

BILLS

REPORT STAGE

THE ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY BILL, 2025

CLAUSE 2 – (Interpretation)

The Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Chipoka Mulenga) (on behalf of the Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane)): Madam Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 2:

on page 7, in lines 12 to 14 by the deletion of the definition of “certified procurement practitioner” and the substitution therefor of the following:

“certified procurement and supply practitioner” means a professional designation awarded by the Institute that indicates that a procurement and supply professional has met the prescribed standards in procurement and supply;; and

on page 9, in lines 7 to 9 by the deletion of the definition of “procurement and supply firm” and the substitution therefor of the following:

“procurement and supply firm” means an entity that specialises in providing procurement and supply services, training and consultancy;.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 2, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 52 – (Prohibition of heading procurement Unit without certification as certified procurement and supply practitioner)

Mr Chipoka Mulenga: Madam Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 52, on page 31, in lines 3 and 9 by the deletion of Clause 52 and the substitution therefor of the following:

52.

A person shall not head a procurement Unit unless that person is a certified procurement and supply practitioner.
A person shall not offer employment to a person as head of a Procurement Unit who is not a certified procurement and supply practitioner.
A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) is liable to an administrative penalty.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 52, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Report, as amended, adopted.

Third Reading on Friday, 21^st November, 2025.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

THIRD READING

The following Bill was read the third time and passed:

The Cotton Bill, 2025

______

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Mwiimbu, SC.): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

_______

The House adjourned at 1705 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 21^st November, 2025.

____________

WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTIONS

PLANS TO UPGRADE THE GREAT EAST ROAD BETWEEN LUSAKA AND CHIPATA DISTRICT TO A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY

83. Mr E. Tembo (Feira) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

whether the Government has any plans to upgrade the Great East Road between Lusaka and Chipata Districts, to a dual carriageway;
if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to upgrade to dual carriageway a 45 km portion of the Great East Road from the Airport Roundabout to Chongwe.

Madam Speaker, the implementation of the project to upgrade to dual carriageway the section between Lusaka and Chongwe is expected to commence once the feasibility and viability studies are concluded.

Madam, as stated in the response to part (a) of the question, the Government currently has plans to upgrade to dual carriageway the 45 km section of the Great East Road from Airport Roundabout in Lusaka to Chongwe.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

NUMBER OF FISP BENEFICIARIES IN LUANGWA DISTRICT

86. Mr E. Tembo (Feira) asked the Minister of Agriculture:

whether the Government has any plans to increase the number of beneficiaries under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) in Luangwa District, from the 500 in the 2024/2025 Farming Season;
if so, to what extent the number will be increased;
when the plans will be implemented; and
if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Mtolo): Madam Speaker, the Government does not have any plans to increase the number of beneficiaries under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) for Luangwa District from the 500 in the 2024/2025 Farming Season.

Madam Speaker, as stated above, the Government has no plans to increase the number of beneficiaries under FISP in Luangwa District. There are no such plans. However, farmers are encouraged to access other agriculture support programmes, including loans under the Sustainable Agricultural Finance Facility (SAFF) provided by banks for the following:

crop production;
irrigation;
mechanisation;
aquaculture; and
livestock.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

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