Wednesday, 18th February, 2026

Wednesday, 18^th February, 2026

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM SPEAKER

MAPS OF CONSTITUENCIES

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that following the announcement by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) that it will conduct countrywide delimitation consultative meetings involving various stakeholders at the district level, a considerable number of hon. Members approached the Office of the Clerk, seeking maps of their respective constituencies. In order to facilitate hon. Members’ effective participation in this important exercise, the Office of the Clerk, through the Research Department, has sourced hardcopies of maps for all the 156 constituencies, which have since been deposited in the respective pigeon holes of hon. Members. Hon. Members who may wish to obtain soft copies of the said constituency maps are advised to visit the Research Department for assistance.

Further, hon. Members will recall that when the ECZ engaged the National Assembly on the delimitation exercise, emphasis was placed on the critical importance of the process in ensuring equitable representation and clarity in the demarcation of constituency boundaries. In this regard, the consultative meetings are aimed at enabling stakeholders to better understand the current boundaries of constituencies and wards and to provide the necessary input where required. I, therefore, urge all hon. Members to familiarise themselves with the maps and to take keen interest in the ongoing consultative meetings, as the outcomes of this process are of great significance to our constituents and the nation at large.

I thank you.

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URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

MR J. CHIBUYE, HON. MEMBER FOR ROAN, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING, DR MUSOKOTWANE, ON PHASING OUT OLD CURRENCY NOTES FROM CIRCULATION

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

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to raise this Urgent Matter without Notice, which I wish to direct at the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning.

Madam Speaker, last year, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning introduced new banks notes on the market, and he categorically stated that the new currency would run parallel to the old currency. He gave a grace period of one year, starting from last year in March and ending on 31^st March, 2026. After that, the old currency would cease to be legal tender in Zambia.

Madam Speaker, I am worried that the ministry is too quiet and there is no sensitisation taking place. Knowing that by nature, Zambians always rush to do the inevitable at the eleventh hour, I want to find out whether the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning is in order to keep quiet and not show the roadmap on how sensitisation will be done, especially for people in remote areas like Shangombo, Lundazi, Luena, Chadiza and Ikeleng’i, who might not have this information and might be forced to rush at the eleventh hour. The hon. Minister will still have to consider extending the period for exchanging the banks notes. Is the hon. Minister in order to not share the roadmap? He can also engage hon. Members of Parliament to share information and sensitise the people. There could be people holding large amounts of the old currency, and they might be stuck with the money when the grace period ends.

Madam Speaker, I need your guidance.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Member for Roan. The process of exchanging notes is ongoing, but if the hon. Member wants to hear from the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, he can file in a question, and then the hon. Minister will answer it.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: I am just worried about whether the hon. Member has a lot of old currency with him. That is on a lighter note because he looks like he is thinking, “What shall I do with my old currency.”

Mr J. Chibuye: I am asking on behalf of the people out there.

Madam Speaker: You can ask a question. File in an urgent question and the hon. Minister will come and explain.

MR MTAYACHALO, HON. MEMBER FOR CHAMA NORTH, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, MR MUTATI, AND THE HON. MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY, MS TAMBATAMBA, ON RETIREMENT DUES FOR FORMER ZAMPOST WORKERS

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, my matter is directed at the hon. Minister of Technology and Science and the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security.

Madam Speaker, I want to bring to the attention of the Government the plight of former Zambia Postal Services Corporation (ZAMPOST) workers. They are facing serious financial distress due to the prolonged delay by the Government to pay their terminal benefits. Most of the former ZAMPOST workers are now failing to meet basic necessities, such as putting food on the table for their families, housing and medical care. A number of those former workers have died because of destitution. The Government made several assurances that it was going to pay them, but to date, nothing has happened.

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious indulgence on this matter to avert those workers going to their gravels early.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chama North, if I recall correctly, this is, maybe, the third time you are raising this issue. It appears it is not resolved; it keeps coming up. However, it does not qualify to be raised today as an Urgent Matter without Notice. Therefore, you are advised to explore other ways to bring this matter to the attention of the hon. Minister of Technology and Science and have the issue addressed. So, the matter is not admitted.

MR MULEBWA, HON. MEMBER FOR KAFULAFUTA, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY, MR MWIIMBU, SC., ON ACTIVITIES AT MEMBERS MOTEL

Mr Mulebwa (Kafulafuta): Madam Speaker, on an Urgent Matter without Notice.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter Without Notice is raised.

Mr Mulebwa: Madam Speaker, I wish to thank you for giving me this opportunity to raise an Urgent Matter without Notice, and my Urgent Matter Without Notice is directed at the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

Madam Speaker: You can proceed, hon. Member.

Mr Mulebwa: Madam Speaker, somehow, I suspect that it might not meet the criterion, but it is a matter that I feel is quite important to be raised.

Madam Speaker, the past few days, I have noticed some activities going on at the National Assembly Motel. I have seen the installation of cameras that I recognised from somewhere where I was exposed to those types of cameras. I am wondering what the Government is trying to achieve by installing cameras at the National Assembly Motel, where hon. Members –

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: There is an indication for a point of order from the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

What is the point of order, hon. Minister?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, I raise on a very serious procedural point of order.

Madam speaker, you may be aware that Parliament Motel is part of Parliament, and we cannot discuss matters that involve our affairs in this House. If the hon. Member has an issue, he can go to the Speaker’s Office and raise that issue. The rules are very clear. I take it that you have taken judicial notice pertaining to our rules and procedures.

I need your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Minister for that point of order.

Actually, I was going to guide the hon. Member. I just wanted to hear exactly where he was going. Hon. Member for Kafulafuta, issues relating to installations or dealings with Parliament are not supposed to be discussed in this Parliament. Those are administrative matters. If you have any concerns that you want to raise, the Clerk’s Office is open and my office is open too. So, you can come, and we can discuss, but definitely, that issue is not for public consumption. Unless, if you want us to switch off the cameras.

Mr Mulebwa indicated dissent.

Madam Speaker: Yes, please, you can come to my office for a cup of tea.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Madam Speaker: We have exhausted the three Urgent Matters without Notice. So, the matter by the hon. Member for Zambezi East falls off. Therefore, you can think of another one tomorrow. Let us make progress.

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BILL

FIRST READING

THE WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION SERVICES, BILL, 2026

The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Eng. Nzovu): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Water Supply and Sanitation Services Bill, No. 2 of 2026. The objects of this Bill are to:

continue the existence of the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council and redefine its functions;

constitute the Board of the Council and provide for its functions;

provide for the regulation of water supply and sanitation services;

provide for the licensing of utilities;

promote access to sustainable water supply and sanitation services;

repeal and replace the Water Supply and Sanitation Act of 1997; and

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

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Energy, Water Development and Tourism. 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

CONSTRUCTION OF MODERN HOUSES FOR WILDLIFE OFFICERS IN CHAMA

200. Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North) asked the Minister of Tourism:

whether the Government has any plans to construct modern houses for wildlife officers at the following camps in Chama District:

Katangalika;
Mpyanakunda; and
Lundu;

if so, when the plans will be implemented;

what the estimated cost of the project, is;

what the time frame for the project, is; and

if there are no such plans, why?

The Minister of Transport and Logistics (Mr Tayali) (on behalf of the Minister of Tourism (Mr Sikumba)): Madam Speaker, the Government prioritises the construction of modern houses for wildlife police officers across the country to better their welfare. This includes Katangalika, Mpyanakunda and all the other camps in Chama District. However, this is subject to the availability of funds and support from co-operating partners.

Madam Speaker, in response to part (b) of the question, I wish to state that the implementation plans are subject to the availability of funds. In response to part (c) of the question part, I wish to inform the House that the estimated cost of the construction of the staff houses in the three camps is K32,100,000.

Madam Speaker, the project will be implemented within a ten-month period. Part (e) of the question falls off, in view of the response above.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, I wish to thank the Acting hon. Minister of Tourism for the responses.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that those plans are there, but that the implementation will depend on the availability of funds. If the hon. Minister took a trip and visited the area where the wildlife officers are staying, he would realise that the situation is quite bad. Some of them are staying in grass thatched houses. That is the situation. Meanwhile, the officers are providing very serious service to this nation because the tourism sector contributes a lot to the gross domestic product (GDP) of this country. Now, if we are not going to prioritise the welfare of wildlife officers, then, it becomes a challenge. So, with the K32,100,000 earmarked for the construction of the wildlife officers’ houses, it will, at least, bring some relief to our people. Maybe, if the timeframe is given, that the construction will be done in 2027 or 2028, at least, that way, we will have something to tell our people. Can the hon. Minister, please, give an assurance to our people so that they are motivated.

Mr Tayali: Madam Speaker, before I respond to that question, allow me to address a matter that was raised by the hon. Member for Nkana in my absence yesterday. I have just heard him make further reference. Yesterday, he insinuated that I am a Minister who wears a US$120,000 watch. I shall write to your office to seek serious guidance on an hon. Member who is abusing his privileges in this particular House.

Madam Speaker, to address the hon. Member who has asked the question, I totally agree with him over his concerns. The Government truly places a high premium on improving the welfare of our officers. For the many challenging issues regarding the various aspects of budgeting, we, as a Government, are making earnest efforts to ensure that resources are found and that, because of the nature of the tourism sector, truly hope that our co-operating partners come on board so that housing for the officers can be taken care of.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Lunte and hon. Member for Nkana, please, listen to the responses and the questions. Let us have one Sitting.

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to direct a supplementary question to the hon. Minister.

Madam Speaker, I am on record on this Floor of Parliament discussing the welfare of our wildlife officers at the time they went on a go-slow. That should have been a couple of months ago. Paying attention to what Hon. Mtayachalo has raised, in my view, the issue is supposed to be about a package of their conditions of service; their salary as well as proper accommodation, which was one of the issues they raised when they went on a go-slow. Apart from not having good conditions of service, I think, the quality of their accommodation is quite unacceptable. Based on that background, an assurance was given by the substantive office bearer that all the conditions would be comprehensively looked as a whole. What assurance is the hon. Minister giving to the hon. Member for Chama North, as he goes back to the constituency, on this issue? When will that component of accommodation be attended to? Does the ministry intend to give them proper housing allowance so that they find ideal accommodation, or will a timeframe be given to construct proper accommodation?

Madam Speaker, that is the submission in support of the question asked by the hon. Member of Parliament.

Madam Speaker: That is not supposed to be a submission. That is supposed to be a point of clarification or a supplementary question.

Laughter

Mr Tayali: Madam Speaker, I shall not belabour the fact that the condition of housing for our wildlife officers is common knowledge and, indeed, something has to be done about that. There is no further assurance that can be given other than to, once again, restate that the Government is working in earnest to ensure that necessary funding is found so that this problem can be nipped in the bud.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chinkuli (Kanyama): Madam Speaker, thank you very much –

Eng. Nzovu: Bamu Kanyama!

Mr Chinkuli: I am a Member.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, please, let us quickly go through the questions so that we can make progress.

Mr Chinkuli: Madam Speaker, it is important to encourage our officers, as they perform their important duties; looking after our wildlife. When we hear about human-animal conflict, they are the people we normally rush to. Sometime last year, the Government came up with an initiative, and inaugurated some housing units for the officers in Luambe National Park, where I believe officers are now settled. That has brought anxiety in other national parks, as the other officers are still waiting. So, as comfort to the other officers, does the ministry have a timeframe for when construction of housing units will be extended to the other national parks?

Mr Tayali: Madam Speaker, it appears we are going around and around, basically, the same type of question. In my earlier response, I spoke about the unique nature of this particular sector and the sacrifices that our people make to protect wildlife. It is only common knowledge that some of our co-operating partners, such as the Frankfurt Zoological Society and the African Parks network, are committed to joining the Government in addressing the housing plight of our wildlife officers. When we are ready, announcements will be made of the commencement of such construction.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, the co-operating partners that the hon. Minister has mentioned, like the Frankfurt Zoological Society and the African Parks, make huge sums of money from our wildlife. That situation has been allowed to go on in this country, meanwhile, they do not pay back to the communities. The conditions of service for wildlife officers leave much to be desired. I know that previously, there was the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), which was an institution that stood on its own, and it used to make a lot of money. Some of the challenges the officers are facing were not there. Since there is a challenge in getting funding from the Central Government, does the ministry have intentions of reverting the department into ZAWA, instead of making it a department in the Ministry of Tourism? Whatever money the department gets goes to Control 99, and it is very difficult for the department to get funding from the Government. Does the hon. Minister not think that reverting to ZAWA will sort out this problem? ZAWA was able to address some of these challenges that the officers are facing.

Mr Tayali: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member makes an assertion as though this critical accommodation shortage and quality of accommodation started yesterday. In fact, that has been a long-standing problem that this Administration inherited. The solution is not to revert to what the hon. Member suggests. We are confident that under the current arrangement, a good situation will be made out of what is obviously not something that is desired.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

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

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, I sat for a few minutes pondering over this matter, and I thought of raising a point of order to seek your guidance.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister who is responding to the questions has taken advantage of the privilege he has, to address matters that are not connected to the conversation we are having. He has brought in an item of the reported watch he was wearing, worth US$120,000, which is not part of the conversation and he drew me into the subject. Had he sought to write to you, he could have done so in secret.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to use the privilege he has to score or settle matters that are not related to parliamentary precedents or procedures? I know I may be suspended, because every time anyone complains, I get suspended. Is the hon. Minister in order to use that privilege to bring matters that are not connected to what we are discussing? We are not the ones who bought the watch for him. It was just reported on social platforms.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

The hon. Minister is in order because as he was rising to answer the questions, there was a comment, which I also heard, referring to the watch. I was actually going to comment on it, but I restrained myself and told myself to not comment on it. It was like God telling me to not comment. The hon. Minister heard about the comment and, yesterday, it was also reported. It was mentioned by you, hon. Member for Nkana. You talked about the US$120,000 watch. So, this is the first opportunity the hon. Minister had to talk about it. He had to bring it to your attention because you keep talking about the issue. He has said that he will write to my office. So, let us leave it at that.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Lunte, I do not know how much your watch is worth. Is it worth K2,000?

Laughter

Madam Speaker: In comparison. So, let us leave it at that. The hon. Minister is in order.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, let me just give guidance. When we are in the House –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, let us not attack one another personally about what we have or what we are wearing. Most of the information that you get from social media is not even correct, and then you use it to attack another hon. Member. It is not good. Please, verify the information before attacking anyone. So, let us leave it at that. The hon. Minister is obliged to do whatever he wants. He can complain. The complaint will be attended to, and those who have a complaint against him will also complain if they have cause to do so.

Let us make progress. We have a lot of work, and we want to go through it very quickly. The next question is from the hon. Member for Kabwe Central.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

If you want to talk about the nkoloko, you can go outside and talk about it.

Laughter

PLANS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF RADIOLOGISTS IN THE COUNTRY

201. Ms Halwiindi (Kabwe Central) asked the Minister of Health:

whether the Government has any plan to increase the number of radiologists in order to improve access to radiology services in the country;

if so, when the plan will be implemented; and

if there is no such plan, why.

The Minister of Health (Mr Muchima): Madam Speaker, the Government has clear plans to increase the number of radiologists in the country with the objective of expanding access to radiology and diagnostic imaging services.

Madam Speaker, as the Government continues to invest significantly in specialised diagnosis equipment, it is both logical and necessary that it also trains radiologists to ensure that citizens derive maximum benefits from these investments. Allow me to emphasise that deliberate measures are being implemented to scale up the training and capacity development of specialised health professionals and not only radiologists, but also as part of strengthening tertiary and referral health services.

Madam Speaker, plans to increase the number of radiologists are ongoing and being pursued on a rolling basis. This is being achieved through structured training and capacity-building programmes for existing medical personnel. It is important to note that radiology is a highly specialised discipline and for one to train as a radiologist, it requires approximately four to five years of dedicated study and practise.

Madam Speaker, I wish to assure this House that the Government does not only have plans of increasing the number of radiologists in the country but they are actively being implemented. We will continue to prioritise the training and deployment of specialists as part of the broader agenda to enhance healthcare delivery.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Halwiindi: Madam Speaker, I commend the New Dawn Government, through the Ministry of Health, for procuring a number of geological equipment, especially Computerised Tomography (CT) scanners, of which Kabwe Central Hospital is also a beneficiary. However, we have a challenge in terms of medical radiologists. It takes thirteen years of training for one to become a qualified medical radiologist. One has to study medicine for seven years and then study for four years to become a specialist. Does the Government have any plans of introducing straightforward entry training or sponsoring people outside the country to undertake straightforward training, perhaps for four or seven years, rather than a person first studying for seven years, then after that for four years?

Madam Speaker, the machines were procured for emergency treatment, like cerebrovascular accident (CVA) diseases, where the brain or blood vessel ruptures, and a quick diagnosis is needed. However, we face a challenge, because after carrying out the tests, the results have to be sent to a specialist in Lusaka to interpret them. So, does the Government have any plans of introducing a straightforward entry, or sponsoring some students to train outside the country, where there is a straightforward entry training, rather than a person who wants to become a medical radiologist first becoming a medical doctor?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, there are currently five specialists in the country, and they are all doctors. Twelve are undergoing training, meaning the Government is actively involved. There are also thirteen applications pending training. Indeed, we have realised that it is a specialty that requires many staff. As we recruit, we shall continue adding to the numbers.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Health has touched on some of the efforts that the Government is putting in place. However, the reality is that there are very few people who are specialised because we are looking at a medical doctor. I do not think we are looking at someone with two years of training, but a specialist.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister knows by now the number of health facilities across Zambia. We have first level, second level, and primary health care. What is the Government’s policy direction on placing those highly qualified experts in specific health facilities so that we do not lose them to other countries as a result of not having good conditions of service? What is the strategy so that we do not lose those members of staff to other countries, where I know that there is a huge demand for this speciality?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, the country, indeed, requires many specialised doctors in this field. The total number of radiographers, who are technologists, in the country is 957.

Mr B. Mpundu: Radiographers?

Mr Muchima: Yes.

Madam Speaker, I said that we have five doctors and we will increase the number. Twelve are already training. Currently, we are processing about thirteen applications. Now that there will be recruitment of 2,000 or 2,500 health workers, radiographers will be included among those who will be recruited. Had the recruitment of these workers been prioritised before, today we would have been somewhere. This Government, with its visionary thinking, will prioritise and increase the number of people to be recruited so that our people do not suffer.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

RE-LOCATION OF PEOPLE WHO BUILT HOUSES ON TOP OF A SEWER LINE IN KABUSHI

202. Mr Kanengo (Kabushi) asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

whether the Government has any plans to allocate alternative land to people who purchased plots and built houses on top of the sewer line between Kabushi Local Court and Kantolomba Sewerage Treatment Plant in Kabushi Parliamentary Constituency;

if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Eng. Nzovu) (on behalf of the Minister Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Sialubalo)): Madam Speaker, the portion of land in question was administered by unscrupulous people, allegedly believed to be political cadres in 2006. So, people proceeded to illegally allocate plots and erect structures along a stretch measuring approximately 2.2 ha. The erected illegal structures encroached on the sewer line that leads to the Kantolomba Sewerage Treatment Plant.

Madam Speaker, whilst there are no relocation plans that have been arrived at yet, discussions between the council and the affected households are currently ongoing. The House will be duly informed once these discussions are concluded. In the meantime, the House may wish to note that the sewer line is still in use, and whenever it is blocked, the Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company uses a vacuum tanker as a temporary measure to suck out the waste and unblock the sewer line.

Madam Speaker, part (c) of the question does not arise on account of the report submitted as the answers to part (a) and (b) of the question above.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kanengo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the response.

Madam Speaker, does the ministry have plans to bring a Bill to this House that will require local authorities to consult water and sanitation companies and ZESCO Limited before approving building plans?

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament has asked a very important question, and I want to take advantage of it to inform members of the public and, obviously, warn them as well.

Madam Speaker, we have many problems, first of all, in carrying out maintenance works and more so in expanding our water and sanitation infrastructure because encroachment of land owned by water utilities or even other service providers is rampant. There have been many times when we have not completed projects because the land has been encroached upon.

Madam Speaker, as the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, since I am wearing the other jacket now, we are actively declaring such areas as protected areas. The situation is so sad that even in remote areas, there has been encroachment. In the old days, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, through local councils, used to be the one demarcating portions of land. Now, we have remained with a huge legacy problem of many areas having been encroached upon.

Madam Speaker, due to climate change, we are receiving a lot of rainfall in certain areas. As a result, there are many blockages not only of water courses, but of sewer lines. So, yes, indeed, to answer the question directly, in fact, the law exists. What we have started doing now is prosecuting offenders. We are also engaging the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development very actively to ensure that it relocates many people who have encroached on land. This is a big problem, and we call upon all members of the public and hon. Members of this House to help us. This is because it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide adequate water and sanitation services to our people because of encroachment.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon Minister for that response. I can see that my question actually borders on the two jackets he is wearing; one, as the Acting hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, and the other one, as the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation.

Madam Speaker, the problem of encroachment is not only prevalent in Kabushi, but in many constituencies. You will find people building on sewer networks or water pipes and sometimes even under dangerous 11 KV cables. They also build on railway lines.

Madam Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister indicated that the plots in question were given by unscrupulous people. I want to find out if we are going to bring this issue to an end. What is the ministry doing about it? Has it allowed or let the unscrupulous people who gave out those plots illegally go scot-free? Is the ministry trying to trace the people who did that so that they can be subjected to punishment?

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member for that question.

Madam Speaker, we are working very closely with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development on this matter. I can confirm that, in fact, we have also taken several people who encroached on land in certain areas to court. For this particular issue, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is doing everything possible to ensure that the affected people are relocated.

Madam Speaker, let me make it very clear to members of the public that encroachment of land in very important areas will not be tolerated. We would rather have those people evicted from the areas they have encroached on as the areas serve the general public. We cannot fail to serve the general public because of a few individuals who have encroached on public land. So, members of the public should be informed that the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation will demand that the pieces of land that have been encroached upon be given back to water utilities to ensure that they serve our people.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Charles Mulenga (Kwacha): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the responses he is providing on this very important issue, which not only affects Kabushi or Kwacha, but the country as a whole. Encroachment is quite prevalent. It is unfortunate that service delivery by water utility companies is being hampered because of the same problem. The hon. Minister has sent a strong warning to people who may want to build on top of sewer lines or pipes. When the Government brings down the houses built on water pipes or sewer lines, will compensation be made? What will happen to those who will be affected?

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, let me make it clear that the portions of land have obviously been illegally encroached upon. Let me also make it very clear to the people encroaching on the land under discussion, which the Government is demanding back.

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has made it very clear to the people encroaching on such pieces of land that it will get it back. Most of the encroachments happened many years ago. However, the Government cannot relocate the expensive infrastructure. It cannot. The solution now is to move the people away from these important areas.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mapani delayed in indicating.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

Hon. Member for Namwala, that is a late indication. I have already moved on to the next question. You can ask the Acting hon. Minister outside.

STAFF ESTABLISHMENT FOR NURSES AT CHINSALI GENERAL HOSPITAL

203. Mr Mukosa (Chinsali) asked the Minister of Health:

what the staff establishment for nurses at Chinsali General Hospital was, as of September 2025;

how many nurses there were at the hospital, as of the date above; and

when additional nurses will be provided to the hospital.

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that as of as of September 2025, the approved staff establishment for nurses at Chinsali General Hospital stood at 204. During the same period, Chinsali General Hospital had eighty-seven nurses in-post.

Madam Speaker, the Government is addressing this gap and will deploy additional nurses to Chinsali General Hospital as recruitment under the on-going 2025 Mass Recruitment and Deployment exercise continues.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the answer that he has provided.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that the approved number of nurses who are supposed to be at Chinsali General Hospital is 204. However, as of August 2025, the the number of nurses at the hospital was eighty-seven. I believe that the position has not changed much since there has been no recruitment since that period. So, what this means is that Chinsali General Hospital has a shortfall of 117 nurses. How the, would you rate the quality of the service provided by the nurses, considering that there is a huge shortfall?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for the follow-up question.

Madam Speaker, the shortfall of nurses is not only experienced in Chinsali, but countrywide. The shortage of medical staff has only been addressed during the tenure of this Government. Had the process continued with the previous Government, we would have sorted out this issue. The medical staff establishment in the whole country is 151,000, and the shortfall is 94,000. I would like to thank the Government of President Hakainde Hichilema, who has managed to employ 20,000 health workers within four years. Further, efforts are being made to increase the numbers.

Madam Speaker, it has not been easy because the Government, through the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, uses the same basket to look at other issues such as energy, which people have been talking about. The same basket that has been looking at paying the farmers. The same basket should pay for school-going children through the Free Education Policy, and it is the same basket which is used to increase the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). All that is loaded into one basket. Therefore, it cannot channel all the resources to one area; health. However, the Ministry of Health has an increased budget for medicines and staff. As we go on, the situation will improve. In the area of recruitment, no place will be left out. The House may wish to know that the Government is not only considering the recruitment of nurses, but also that of doctors, radiographers, clinicians and others. Given room and fiscal space, the Government is eager to employ many more medical staff in Chinsali, especially, to help you, my former classmate.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Quality!

Mr Mukosa delayed indicating.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chinsali, I was going to move to the next item.

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I appreciate the answer provided by my learned doctor, Hon. Muchima, the Minister of Health.

Madam Speaker, I wish to state that it is good that the Government has employed 20,000 health workers against the shortfall of 94,000. However, I feel that the ministry can still do more. For example, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, from 2016 to 2021, employed 24,000 nurses in total. The records are there. The hon. Minister can verify that with the Ministry of Health.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that the Government is looking into the issue, which is a good thing, but I would like to have a clearer position. When will the new nurses be employed? Of course, it is not specifically for Chinsali, but for the entire country. So, when are we likely to have the next recruitment?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. Colleague, the Member of Parliament for Chinsali.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is comparing the Patriotic Front (PF) with the United Party for National Development (UPND). The PF took ten years to employ 24,000, …

Mr Nkandu: Tell him!

Mr Muchima: … whereas the UPND has done it in four years. Had it not been for the ever-burdening debt, which has been restructured, the Government would have recruited hundreds of workers in the health sector. However, the exercise is ongoing. In 2025, 2,000 health workers were recruited. In 2026, 2,500 will be recruited. In total, 4,500 will be recruited. The exercise will be spread throughout the country, at the district level. Depending on the vacancies, positions and priorities, we shall see, but of course, Chinsali will also gain either one or two nurses, one doctor or two radiographers. That will depend on the people of Muchinga Province.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Kankoyo, your indication is late. I have already moved on.

_______

MOTION

ESTABLISH AN ENVIRONMENTAL COURT WITHIN THE HIGH COURT

Mr Chanda (Kanchibiya): Madam Speaker, I seek the permission of the House to defer the Motion to allow for wider consultations, including consultations with the Judiciary, which is a key stakeholder in this matter.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Question put and agreed to. Leave granted.

Motion, by leave, accordingly deferred.

_______

BILLS

HOUSE IN COMMITTEES

[THE CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the

Chair]

THE NATIONAL PAYMENT SYSTEM BILL, 2025

Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 25 – (Commencement of Business to Provide Payment Service)

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane): Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 25, on page 32, in line 2 by the deletion of the word “twelve” and the substitution therefor of the word ‘eighteen’.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 25, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152 and 153 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Title agreed to.

_______

HOUSE RESUMED

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

The following Bill was reported to the House as having passed through Committee with amendments:

The National Payment System Bill, 2025

Report Stage on Thursday, 19^th February, 2026.

REPORT STAGE

The Immigration Control Bill, 2025

Report adopted.

Third Reading on Thursday, 19^th February, 2026.

_______

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT: ENFORCE SECTION 10(2) OF THE GEOLOGICAL AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT ACT NO. 2 OF 2025, WHICH REQUIRES MINING COMPANIES TO PRIORITISE ZAMBIAN CITIZENS DURING RECRUITMENTS

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

Madam Speaker: Notice of an item for debate on the Motion of Adjournment of the House has been received.

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, once again, the people of Kamfinsa Constituency have the honour to make a few comments on a very important topic.

Madam Speaker, as you might be aware, Zambia has been mining for the last 90 years. In the 90 years that we have been mining, one of the things that has been adopted from the time the mines were owned by investors to the time when the mines were owned by the Government, and to the time when the mines were owned by the private sector –

Interruptions

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, the hon. Ministers are walking out to collapse the quorum.

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

No, I do not think so.

Mr Kang’ombe: It is a strategy, Madam Speaker. They are walking out.

Madam Speaker: No, they just have something to do out there. There is an urgent meeting.

Mr Kang’ombe: Deliberately, they are walking out.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, it is I who is informing you.

Order!

There is an urgent –

Interruptions

Mr Kang’ombe: I have alerted Madam Speaker. No one should walk out.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Ministers have been summoned for an urgent meeting. So, just debate. We still have a quorum. We still have hon. Members who have joined us virtually. So, feel free. Proceed with your debate, hon. Member.

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, I thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, this Parliament enacted a law called the Employment Code in 2019. This piece of legislation is very clear.

Madam Speaker, Section 14 of the Employment Code of the Laws of Zambia is very clear. It demands that when there is an opportunity to employ an individual, any institution in Zambia should give first priority to a Zambian. The Employment Code was enacted here in 2019. So, it is an existing law.

Madam Speaker, the second law which Parliament enacted in 2025 is the Geological and Minerals Development Act. This law demands that when there is an opportunity for a mining company to employ an engineer, an accountant or any professional in any field of skill that is needed in a mining company, the laws of Zambia demand that first priority should be given to a Zambian. This Parliament is the custodian of these laws.

Madam Speaker, today, I stand here to demand that we need begin enforcing the law that is provided for under these two provisions. The reason is very simple; we already have the law in place. We already have two wonderful pieces of legislation. When I stood here in 2025, I supported the enactment of the law because this is a wonderful piece of legislation.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, the reports that are still coming from various mining companies, the communication that is coming from fellow engineers and the communication that is coming from people in procurement is that when these opportunities for employment arise, unfortunately, Zambians are not being given first priority. We have a group of Zambians who are well qualified. Some of them have been employed at senior assistant engineer level and others are employed at the section engineer level. However, when an expatriate is brought in, he comes in to supervise Zambians who are well qualified. I want to be put on record that I am happy that the substantive hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development is present.

Madam Speaker, the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM), which was the holding institution for mining companies in Zambia had adopted a very comprehensive training programme. If one comes out of university, the first thing that the mining companies used to do was to put one on a very comprehensive training programme. This is because when one comes out of university –

Madam Speaker: Sorry, hon. Member for Kamfinsa. Just a moment.

Hon. Members logged in virtually, please, can you have your cameras on. We want to see the numbers because right now, the quorum has collapsed. We want to see if you are logged in so that you can assist us with the quorum. We have fourteen hon. Members who have logged in. Please, can you turn on your cameras.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: We need five more hon. Members. This was supposed to take thirty minutes, but at the rate we are going, we will delay ourselves.

Mr B. Mpundu: Ababene aba!

Mr Chisopa: This was a strategy!

Mr B. Mpundu: Abene Iris!

Laughter

Madam Speaker: We have the quorum.

Hon. Member for Kamfinsa, you may continue.

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, I was trying to build a simple case. This Parliament enacted good pieces of legislation. We have done well in terms of whether Zambians should be given first priority or not. The laws are clear, and I cited the two pieces of legislation; the Employment Code Act, 2019, under Section 14, and the Geological and Minerals Development Act, under Section 10. However, despite having these wonderful pieces of legislation, there is something that we have not been able to do. We have not ensured that we comprehensively enforce what is written in the law. The law basically states that if a mining company, like Mopani Copper Mines Plc, is looking for an engineer to work in the concentrator, the advertisement should be exclusive so that only a Zambian engineer can work in that concentrator.

Madam Speaker, we are custodians of the law. The law that we passed is very categorical and states clearly that if First Quantum Minerals (FQM) is looking for an accountant to undertake cost accounting in Kalumbila and Kansanshi, that job opportunity should be given to a Zambian. I emphasised a valid point on the fact that the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH), under which all the mining companies come, had a wonderful training programme. When you leave the Copperbelt University (CBU) and the University of Zambia (UNZA), you are taken around all the available shafts, for instance, at Mopani Copper Mines Plc, for a period of over eighteen months. I had the privilege of working at Mopani Copper Mines Plc. I went through all the mining shafts. That programme has been there for the last thirty or forty years. So, in terms of preparing Zambians for these job opportunities, that means systems are in place. Zambians are now well-equipped in terms of skills. Zambians now understand modern mining. If we need a geologist in Zambia, we have well-qualified Zambian geologists.

Today, Madam Speaker, the conversation is on enforcing what is written in the law. The Motion of Adjournment has a word that I want to underline, which is enforcement. Enforcement simply means putting the instruments in place. I am asking the Government to ensure that when a job opportunity for an engineer arises in Solwezi, systems prove that a Zambian was given the opportunity, and that there was no one who had the skills. Currently, expatriates are doing jobs that Zambians can do. I am asking myself the purpose of enacting good pieces of legislation when we will not ensure that Zambians are given priority.

Madam Speaker, I want to simplify today’s debate because I want the people to understand what we are discussing. We are not asking to come up with another law. We are not asking to go around consulting on whether this should be enacted. That job was already performed by this Parliament. We supported the law when it was brought for debate. I stood proudly defending Zambians who have the skills. The law is categorical. An advertisement should be run for Zambians, if they do not have the skills, extend that opportunity to expatriates. That is what the law states. So, I am asking that as we comment on this particular topic, the energy is directed towards the instruments that are in place. What have we done to ensure that if an audit was done today, because we need to do an audit –

Madam Speaker, we need to go to every mining company. Let us start with the Chinese-owned Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) Plc in Luanshya, department by department. I have worked at the Baluba Shaft in Luanshya. We need to go to Baluba, though you may know that the mine has been closed. Let us also count the number of expatriates at Muliashi Mine. Did we comply with the law before the expatriates were given work permits and all the documents they needed to work? Did we give that job opportunity to a Zambian before we extended the opportunity to a foreigner? That is the conversation today. Let us undertake an audit at Munali Nickel Mine in Mazabuka. How many expatriates are there? Let us go to First Quantum Minerals (FQM); Kalumbila and Trident, to undertake an audit. Let us find out the number of expatriates who are taking jobs from our Zambian people.

Madam Speaker, we have a beautiful law in place, and today the demand is very simple. Whatever justification is there to have an overloaded number of expatriates, we want to hear what the Government is doing to ensure that the anomaly is addressed. There is a serious problem. The law is in place. Unfortunately, we still have expatriates. An expatriate is someone who has extraordinary skills; skills you cannot find anywhere. This is someone who is specialised in the geology that our engineers cannot do. We have the School of Mines at UNZA. The school prepares some of the best geologists in Zambia. Why do we have foreigners undertaking geology when we can do that?

Madam Speaker, that is my submission on behalf of the people of Kamfinsa, speaking on behalf of Zambians, who are asking when the law ensuring that Zambians are given first consideration when rendering employment opportunities will be implemented. I hope that everyone who comments will be mindful of the fact that we have two laws in place that need to be enforced.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Nundwe (Chawama): Madam Speaker, I am ready to deliver my Maiden Speech. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nundwe: Madam Speaker, I rise with profound gratitude, humility and, of course, honour to deliver my Maiden Speech in this august House. I am sincerely thankful to you for giving me this opportunity to address this distinguished House. This means a lot to me.

Madam Speaker, first and foremost, I give thanks to the Almighty God for his grace, guidance, protection and wisdom through the by-election period. That was a marathon. The journey was demanding, but through faith and perseverance, I stand here, in this House, today.

Madam Speaker, I am deeply indebted to the resilient and hard-working people of the Chawama Constituency for the confidence and trust they have placed in me, electing me as a Member of Parliament for that important constituency on 15^th January, 2026.

Hon PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nundwe: Madam Speaker, I do not take this mandate lightly. I, therefore, pledge to serve them with diligence, absolute faithfulness and accountability, and to ensure that their voices are effectively represented in this august House.

Madam Speaker, allow me to extend my sincere appreciation to the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), Patriotic Front (PF) and, of course, the entire Tonse Alliance for its support and confidence in my candidature. Their collective encouragement and solidarity contributed significantly to this sweet victory.

Allow me, Madam Speaker, to single out a few people who worked tirelessly with passion, confidence, order and sanity. Firstly, Hon. Given Lubinda, whom I appreciate. Secondly, Hon. Chifumu Banda, President of the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD). Thirdly, Hon. Chishimba Kambwili. Fourthly, my director, Hon. Miles Sampa and, of course, my campaign manager, Mr Lawrence Sichalwe.

Madam Speaker, I also wish to thank and commend my predecessor, Ms Tasila Lungu, for the commendable and dedicated services rendered in Chawama Constituency. She undertook very significant developmental initiatives, and I appreciate the foundation that she has firmly laid in that important constituency, which is in Lusaka Province. I commit myself to continuing with the legacy that Hon. Tasila Lungu left for the people of Chawama Constituency, and I do not take this lightly.

Hon PF. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nundwe: Madam Speaker, in a very special, magnificent and splendid way, I wish to thank my beautiful, beloved wife …

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nundwe: … and, of course, the entire family for their unwavering support, sacrifice and encouragement from the day of my adoption up to the time I was declared winner for Chawama Constituency. There was maximum support from my wife and the entire family, and I commend them.

Madam Speaker, I also wish to express my gratitude to all the candidates who took part in the Chawama by-election, their supporters, the people of Chawama and all the stakeholders for maintaining peace and harmony throughout the campaign period and after. This was a true reflection of who we are as Zambians. In this regard, I thank all of them. Let us keep the spirit of love, peace and unity as Zambians. For those who read the scriptures, the Bible says, “Where there is unity, God commands a blessing.”

Hon. Members: Amen.

Mr Nundwe: Madam Speaker, as a Member of Parliament, I pledge to work tirelessly to bring meaningful and sustainable development to Chawama Constituency and the nation at large. I assure the people who elected me that I will not, at any given time, betray them. I will display complete and absolute level-headedness.

Madam Speaker, let me now turn to the development agenda for Chawama Constituency. My development priorities are as follows.

Madam Speaker, I will first foster unity and inclusiveness among our people. I want to blend the entire constituency. As I mentioned previously, I do not want to see a pedigree of people who will segregate us. It is, One Zambia, One Nation, one Chawama, one people. Chawama is home to citizens from diverse backgrounds and, therefore, it is imperative that every resident feels a sense of belonging and ownership in that constituency. I repeat: In the spirit of our national motto, One Zambia, One Nation, we must equally embrace, one Chawama, one people.

Madam Speaker, I will place strong emphasis on the human element of development by empowering women, the youths and persons with disabilities who remain central to my agenda. I will further encourage economic empowerment through skilled development and offer support to co-operatives and small-scale businesses, as these are critical to building an inclusive and self-reliant community.

Madam Speaker, I will facilitate the coming up of urgent, lasting solutions to the persistent problem of flooding in areas such as Kuku and Misisi compounds and, of course, the surrounding communities. This issue is so prone, and people are still wading in waters. I will, therefore, work closely with relevant authorities to strengthen drainage systems and implement sustainable flood mitigation measures.

Madam Speaker, I will ensure that key infrastructure projects currently underway, including the maternity annexe at Chawama Level 1 Hospital, the drainage system, school infrastructure and road paving projects are completed. I am aware that I only have 100 days plus, but I will make certain that these projects are completed. Access to quality health care, education and proper infrastructure is essential to the welfare of our people. I will prioritise the installation of security lights in various parts of the constituency to enhance safety and reduce crime. This is very critical to me.

Madam Speaker, I will explore sustainable development opportunities around the Blue Water Dam or what we call Nangwenya Dam. A number of people in the constituency have died because of the presence of this dam, and no one finds pleasure in people losing their lives. Every single life is precious before the Lord. I will attract investment for structured development, such as hospitality facilities and regulate recreation activities. Through this initiative, we can enhance safety, create employment and unlock economic potential for our people.

Madam Speaker, with determination, commitment and passion, I am confident and vigilant that Chawama Constituency will reach greater heights of development. The by-election was not merely a political event, but a renewed call to service and responsibility. This is very critical to mention. It is now time to work, and together with the people of Chawama, we will work.

With these few remarks, Madam Speaker, I humbly thank you.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

We continue with the Adjournment Motion. We are still within that segment.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Ms Tambatamba): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Motion under discussion.

Madam Speaker, I would like to assure the hon. Member that the requirement to prioritise Zambian citizens in employment within the mining sector is consistent with the broader legal framework governing employment in the country. In particular, Section 14 of the Employment Code Act No. 3 of 2019 clearly provides that:

“Subject to other provisions of this Act relating to the employment of an expatriate, an employer shall, in filling an employment vacancy, employ a citizen except where a citizen does not possess the skills required for that job or a citizen does not apply for that job.”

Madam Speaker, this provision places a statutory obligation on employers, including mining companies, to give first consideration to Zambian citizens when filling positions or vacancies, and only resort to expatriate recruitment where there is a demonstrable skill gap or absence of suitable citizen applicants, while at the same time facilitating skills transfer to Zambians. Of course, that is succession planning to ensure that our people are moving in tandem with expatriates, where such are in place. As the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, we are enforcing this requirement through labour inspections, compliance monitoring and review of recruitment practices within mining companies and other sectors.

Madam Speaker, further, in line with Section 62 of the same Act, the enforcement of citizen prioritisation is strengthened through collaboration with the Department of Immigration, under the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010. The Department of Immigration plays a crucial regulatory role in issuing employment permits to non-citizens. Before an employment permit is granted, employers are required to demonstrate that efforts were made to recruit suitably qualified Zambians and that the skills required are not readily available locally.

Madam Speaker, the ministerial co-ordination between the Department of Immigration at the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security ensures that employment of expatriates is properly controlled and aligned with national labour laws and policies. In short, the Government is already enforcing the provisions of the law that require mining companies to prioritise the employment of Zambian citizens during recruitment.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

The Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Kabuswe): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security and the mover of the Motion.

Madam Speaker, what I would like to say is that the Government realised the importance of making Zambians a priority for employment in the mining sector. That is why we looked at giving Zambians priority in terms of jobs, when we finished resuscitating the mining industry. I will give a snapshot of the statistics on where the country stands on local employees in the mining sector. I will give a general percentage. As of today, 97 per cent of all employees, both contractors and direct employees in the mining sector, are Zambians. Only 3 per cent are expatriates. That indicates that the Government is very serious about enforcing what is provided in the Geological Minerals Development Act. Anywhere in the world, 97 per cent employment is a very high percentage.

Madam Speaker, I, therefore, just want to assure the hon. Member that there is no dragging of feet on this issue. We have not grown cold feet in terms of implementing the laws that we ourselves thought were prudent to put in place. The laws were not in place; it is this Government that has put a legal framework because we did not want to be shouting from the rooftops that employers should employ Zambians. Right now, it is very difficult for any foreigner to get an employment permit if the job that the foreigner is coming to do in Zambia can be done by a Zambian. It is almost impossible under the current Government. Figures do not lie. We are at 97 per cent employment of locals in the mining industry.

Madam Speaker, through this Motion, I want to assure Zambians that their President has instructed us to put this issue into law and compel mining companies to employ locals. To make sure that there is enforcement, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security are working together to make sure that the law is followed to the letter. As a ministry, we have gone ahead to put a regulator in place, that is the Minerals Regulation Commission (MRC). One of the things it will be doing is checking compliance on local content. Local content includes jobs for our local people. So, with 97 per cent locals employed in the mining sector, no one can fault the Government or say that we are not implementing the regulations.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: Order!

As the thirty minutes allocated for debate on the subject for debate on the Motion of Adjournment have been exhausted, debate on the subject lapses.

_______

The House adjourned at 1836 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 19^th February, 2026.

____________

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