Wednesday, 25^th February, 2026

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

_______

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM SPEAKER

 

STUDENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA DEVELOPMENT STUDIES ASSOCIATION

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Public Gallery of students from the University of Zambia Development Studies Association in Lusaka District.

 

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

 

I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM QUEEN TABITHA MUNTU QTM VALIENTE LEGACY ACADEMY

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Public Gallery of pupils and teachers from Queen Tabitha Muntu QTM Valiente Legacy Academy in Chongwe District.

 

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

 

I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

_______

 

URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

 

MR NUNDWE, HON. MEMBER FOR CHAWAMA, ON HER HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT, DR NALUMANGO, ON THE TIME IT TAKES FOR PATIENTS TO BE ATTENDED TO AT HEALTH FACILITIES

 

Mr Nundwe (Chawama): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

 

 Mr Nundwe: Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity.

 

Madam Speaker, my Urgent Matter without Notice is supposed to be directed at the Acting hon. Minister of Health, but since he is not around, Her Honour the Vice-President may answer.

 

Madam Speaker: You may proceed, hon. Member.

 

Mr Nundwe: Madam Speaker, there is a system that has been adopted by the Government called smart health. However, when one gets to a health facility, it is taking twenty to thirty solid minutes for the patient’s details to be captured and then, get treated. The long time that takes sometimes leads to certain people even collapsing. I am aware that the smart health system is alright, but it has a lot of deficiencies. When I visited Chawama Level I Hospital yesterday, I found a huge number of people waiting. You can imagine that after two hours is when those patients were treated.

 

Madam Speaker, what sort of mechanisms have been put in place by the Ministry of Health to make sure that the new system works to the benefit of people? That scenario is what is obtaining across the whole City of Lusaka. I am not certain about what is obtaining in other provinces. There are many complaints from people whenever we visit health facilities.

 

I seek your indulgence, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Member for Chawama, for raising that issue. However, it does not qualify to be raised as an Urgent Matter without Notice. Since it relates to health, I would suggest that you file in an urgent question. If people are made to stay in a queue for twenty to thirty minutes before they are registered, and then two hours before they are attended to, it is cause for concern. So, I suggest that you file in an urgent question, which can be addressed by the Acting hon. Minister of Health, or in his absence, Her Honour the Vice-President.

 

MR NGOMA, HON. MEMBER FOR LUMEZI, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF TOURISM, MR SIKUMBA, ON ELEPHANTS TERRORISING PEOPLE IN LUMEZI

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

 

Mr Ngoma: Madam Speaker, my Urgent Matter without Notice is directed at the hon. Minister of Tourism.

 

Madam Speaker: You may proceed, hon. Member.

 

Mr Ngoma: Madam Speaker, I have received reports in the last twenty-four hours that elephants in Lumezi, in an area called Mukasanga, are encroaching on people’s land. People in Mukasanga are living in fear because elephants have invaded their villages. Efforts to chase them away have been futile. Reports have been made to the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), but nothing has been done. The worry is that the little crops that people have are being eaten day and night. So, it is in the interest of the people that interventions are taken to control the elephants. Otherwise, as the situation is now, our people risk losing all the crops they have.

 

 Madam Speaker, I seek your indulgence.

 

 Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Member for Lumezi. However, the issue of animal/human conflict has been on the Floor of this House several times. You can file in a question addressed to the hon.  Minister of Tourism. You can also engage him. I do not know if you have brought this issue to the attention of the hon. Minister so that he addresses it.  Raising an Urgent Matter without Notice will not be very helpful because it would require the hon. Minister to come and render a Ministerial Statement within twenty-four hours, but that would still not chase away the elephants. I think, you need immediate measures to be taken so that the problem can be addressed. So, please, engage the hon. Minister of Tourism.

 

_______

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

CHINSALI CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

 

217. Mr Mukosa (Chinsali) asked the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security:

 

1. how many of the following there were at Chinsali Correctional Centre in Chinsali District, as of August, 2025:

 

1. correctional service officers; and
2. staff houses;

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to build additional staff houses for the Chinsali Correctional Centre;

 

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

 

1. if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Ms Tambatamba) (on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu, SC.)): Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the House that as of August 2025, the Chinsali Correctional Centre, in Chinsali District, had the following:

 

1. forty correctional officers, against an establishment that provides for forty-five correctional officers. So, out of forty-five, forty correctional officers were stationed at the centre as of the date the hon. Member asked about. Of these correctional officers, twenty-six were male uniformed officers, thirteen female uniformed officers and one female non-uniformed staff member; and

 

1. ten staff housing units to accommodate some of the correctional officers.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to construct additional staff housing units at the facility to adequately accommodate the correctional officers within the premises. This initiative is aimed at improving staff welfare, enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening security through increased officer presence within proximity to the facility. The facility has sufficient land to support the proposed housing development to be undertaken by this New Dawn Administration. The hon. Member may wish to note that the facility is situated on approximately 372 ha of land, , which provides ample space for the construction of additional staff houses as well as related support infrastructure. The availability of land within the facility presents an opportunity, therefore, for a phased development of staff accommodation, in line with the Government’s priorities and available resources. Once implemented, the project is expected to significantly reduce accommodation challenges faced by our correctional officers, improve morale and contribute to the effective management and security of the facility and inmates.

 

Madam Speaker, the plans to construct additional housing units will be implemented when funds are made available.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to construct additional staff housing, as earlier indicated, at Chinsali Correctional Centre.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

As you consult, do it quietly because I can hear each and every word you are saying. For some reason, one hears everything from here, in this Chair. So, be careful about what you are saying.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

 

Madam Speaker: If you want to discuss something, you can go outside, have a chat, and come back. I can even hear somebody saying “Question!”.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has stated that Chinsali Correctional Centre has ten houses against forty correctional officers. She has further indicated that the Government plans to build houses when funds are available. Considering that the establishment has only had the ten houses since time immemorial, or that is the only number that has been there since they were built, and the fact that correctional service officers build houses themselves, like the Zambia National Service (ZNS), why can there not be an approach, whereby, money for infrastructure development is included in the Budget so that houses can be built, even if it is one or two houses built every year. That would significantly reduce the shortage of houses for correctional service officers. Why can that not be done so that it can help the situation, rather than waiting for a time when there will be money to build the thirty houses to fill the shortfall?

 

Mr B. Mpundu: They wait for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF)!

 

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for making a submission that is most welcome, as that is how President Hakainde Hichilema governs. He has invited, time and again, ideas that enhance what the Government does.

 

Madam Speaker, in view of the question on the Floor, I have heard someone mention the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). The CDF is also very important. It is money for development and to serve our people for better service delivery. If the CDF is used to construct housing units for teachers, the Zambia Police officers and other sectors, why would we not also utilise it in this case through the Ward Development Committees (WDC) application channels? When there is an urgent need, such as the one expressed by the hon. Member for Chinsali, it is important to check out all the options that are available and to take a bite by building one or two houses at a time, as is being done in all sectors. So, I encourage that idea as well, and welcome the submission made by the hon. Member. After all, President Hakainde Hichilema has embarked on improving the lives of all the inmates, as has been seen by the provision of furniture, like beds, which was not done before. Why would we not also plan for our correctional officers? So, to assure the hon. Member, indeed, in our rolling plans, which interpret the strategic plan for the Zambia Correctional Services, we have committed to planning for housing as we go beyond 2026.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwan’gandu): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

On a lighter note, I hope the Rt. Hon. Madam Speaker is not spying on her Members, because hearing small voices like mine when the microphone is off is quite something.

 

Laughter

 

Mr B. Mpundu: It has been inyanced!

 

Madam Speaker: Just be careful with what you say.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: I said it on a lighter note, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: No, I understand. I am also saying it on a lighter note.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, there was a robust project under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security to construct modern housing units for our men and women in uniform; the Zambia Correctional Services, the Zambia Police, the Zambia Department of Immigration and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) officers, through which we saw the construction of some beautiful houses in Lilayi, Monze, Mazabuka, on the Copperbelt Province, and many other areas. The project was being implemented in a phased approach. The substantive hon. Minister assured this august House that the project would continue in a phased manner, as it was structured. Does the hon. Minister care to share with this august House what has happened to that project through which houses could have been constructed in Chinsali for the Zambia Correctional Services, just as it was done in Kabwe and other areas?

 

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member and former Minister of Home Affairs for that question.

 

Madam Speaker, indeed, the substantive hon. Minister indicated what he may have had at that time.  I think we need to put it in context that this Government took office at a time when the allocation of development was fragmented, with some sectors, regions and constituencies receiving more attention than others, as many people would put it.

 

Madam Speaker, one critical job this Government undertook was to recalibrate every sector and community in Zambia. Today, I will still refer to the new injection of life that has been given to every part of Zambia, in terms of resources that had to be redistributed to all the 156 constituencies across the nation.  That meant that the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) and provisions of vehicles for the police and health sectors came from the resources that were skewed towards that direction at that time. In that view, it does not mean that there is no attention, as has been demonstrated.  Many good things have happened, such as the construction of an accommodation block for male inmates at Mwembeshi Correctional Facility.  Another accommodation block for female inmates will be built. The journey of the New Dawn Administration should assure the good people of Chinsali that the goal of the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) will be reached, as we have managed to employ forty officers out of forty-five. So, the issue of accommodation will be attended to, as has been indicated, when resources are available. However, with the available resources under the CDF, the hon. Member is encouraged to also come alone so that we can hold hands and use the decentralised resources as well as other infrastructural resources that may be available.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mukosa: I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Minister, I have heard – 

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, the point of order is pursuant to Standing Order No. 71. My question was very specific but the hon. Minister gave a loaded response which did not even touch my question.  My question was: What happened to the national contract to construct more than 4,000 housing units, which was in progress?  It was a national contract, not a regional one. That is why I cited areas such as Mazabuka, Monze, Kabwe, and Lusaka. When I posed the question to the substantive hon. Minister, he assured the House that the project would continue. That is the project I asked the Acting hon. Minister about. What happened to the project? I did not want to be lectured on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects. My question was specific.

 

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Member for Shiwang’andu.

 

The question is about the construction of houses in Chinsali District. The contract you are referring to is more of a general issue, which is not mentioned in the question. So, I believe the hon. Minister, given that she is in her acting capacity, would not have that information on her fingertips because there was no prior request of that information in the question. Therefore, if the hon. Member would like to have clarity on the issue, I suggest that he files in a question to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

 

May the hon. Member for Chinsali Continue.

 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I listened to the answer that the hon. Minister provided and upon going through my records, I found that, from the time that the United Party for National Development (UPND) formed Government to date, it acquired about US$8 billion in terms of debt. How is it that, with all that money, it has failed to build even just one house for the correctional service officers in Chinsali?

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Abanabo bakongwele nine!

 

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

 

Madam Speaker:  A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Haimbe, SC: Madam Speaker, I rise in my capacity as Acting hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning. In regard to the startling statement that was made by the hon. Member, in asserting that this Government has acquired US$8 billion in debt, it is purely speculative. It is nowhere near that amount and the hon. Member has not laid any evidence on the Table, as it were, to support the assertion.

 

Mr Kapyanga interjected.

 

Mr Haimbe, SC.: Relax, take a deep breath.

 

Madam Speaker, my point of order is pursuant to Standing Order No. 71, which provides for relevance.

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

 

 Hon. Member for Mpika, you know that you are breaching our Standing Orders by debating while seated.

 

Regarding the point of order, hon Members, when you make an assertion on the Floor of the House, it should be factual, and should be supported and verifiable. So, hon. Member for Nkana, the allegation that you have made about the US$8 billion –

 

Hon. Members: It was Chinsali, not Nkana!

 

Madam Speaker: Was it Chinsali? Nonetheless, the hon. Member for Nkana also mentioned the same figure. So, it was both the hon. Member for Chinsali and the hon. Member for Nkana, but I will address the hon. Member for Chinsali, since he was on the Floor.

 

Hon. Member for Chinsali, whatever allegation you state on the Floor of the House must firstly be factual and secondly, it should be verifiable. Do you have any information to support the allegation that you made about the amount of debt that the Government has incurred?

 

Mr Mukosa interjected.

 

Madam Speaker: We are not engaging in a discussion; I am guiding you not to make allegations if you cannot support them. They should be factual and verifiable. So, hon. Member for Chinsali, please, withdraw your statement regarding the level of debt that the Government has incurred, since you do not have any supporting evidence for your allegation.

 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, we have the borrowing plans. I can lay them on the Table of the House.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, we are not talking about the borrowing plan. You said the Government has incurred a debt of so much.

 

Mr Mukosa: Yes, that is what I said, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: A plan and the actual incurring is not one and the same thing. Please, withdraw your statement so that we can make progress.

 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, it is very easy; we can just do a calculation between what we currently have as debt and what the debt was when –

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Chinsali!

 

You have been guided. Can you withdraw your statement so that we make progress.

 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I withdraw on your instruction that the Government borrowed US$8 billion –

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chinsali, please, resume your seat.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mukosa resumed his seat.

 

Mr Kampyongo: The Borrowing Plan is what is showing the figures kaili.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chinsali, you have been guided. Please, do not vary the guidance that you have been given. Withdraw that unconditionally.

 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I withdraw that the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government has borrowed unconditionally.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: They have never borrowed.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: But they have!

 

Madam Speaker: You mentioned an amount. You mentioned a figure.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: It is that figure that you have to withdraw.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: They are angels!

 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I withdraw that the UPND Government acquired a debt of US$8 billion.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: But they did!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I am apologising here, but these people are mocking me. It is like they are forcing me to go and bring the document that shows the actual amount that has been borrowed.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Eh!

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

This question has been asked by you, hon. Member. When you come to the House to debate, you must, first of all, do the necessary research. Secondly, you should have all the supporting documents that you want to rely on, so that in the event that you need to lay them on the Table, you can do that with ease. There is no provision in the Standing Orders stating that if an hon. Member makes an allegation which cannot be substantiated, the hon. Member should be given time to go and hunt for documents, and then come back and lay them on the Floor of the House. So, please, be guided accordingly. Any document that you want to rely on should always be with you, so that as and when you are required to lay it on the Table, you will be able to do that with ease.

 

Now, you can ask your follow-up question.

 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I already asked the question.

 

Madam Speaker: Okay, because of the activities that happened in between the time you asked the question and now, I suggest that you repeat the question, so that we are on the same page.

 

Mr Mukosa: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, the UPND Government has engaged in extensive borrowing. It has borrowed billions of dollars, …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr Mukosa: … but it had said that it would not engage in borrowing. It has borrowed locally, resulting in –

 

Mr Chipoka Mulenga: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

There is an indication for a point of order by the hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry.

 

Mr Chipoka Mulenga: Madam Speaker, since the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government ascended to office, it has brought the Annual Borrowing Plan to Parliament for approval. Is the hon. Member on the Floor in order to assert that the UPND Government has borrowed billions of dollars when he cannot prove that?

 

Hon. PF Members: Ah!

 

Mr Chipoka Mulenga: Madam Speaker, our Government is very clear and on firm ground that we do not borrow billions; we get grants to create national development. Where were the Opposition hon. Members when we were borrowing those billions which we the Executive do not know about? Can he lay the evidence of that which we have borrowed on the Table?

 

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to mislead himself, his constituents and the country that the UPND Government has been borrowing billions?

 

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: What have they been borrowing?

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Nkana, please, control yourself. Do not debate while you are seated, please.

 

Hon. Member for Chinsali, I had guided. Instead of following the guidance, you started varying the guidance that was given to you. When you are guided, just ask your question, and then we make progress. You cannot prove that the Government has borrowed billions. You have –

 

Mr Mukosa: But they have borrowed!

 

Madam Speaker: The hon. Member for Chinsali was out of order.

 

Hon. Member for Chinsali, may you ask your follow-up question, which should be factual and verifiable.

 

You may proceed.

 

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

 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I will ask a question. Unfortunately, it is a bit difficult for me because I cannot be penalised for my friends’ failure to understand what I am talking about. The UPND cannot refuse that it has borrowed billions of dollars.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. PF Members: Ah!

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chinsali, if you do not have a question, let us give chance to another hon. Member to ask a question.

 

Mr Mukosa: Let me ask a different question, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

When you are guided, follow the guidance that you are given, so that we make progress. Let us not introduce controversy or be political in our questions because that will attract a reaction, and that will not be good. We want to make progress.

 

I am giving you the last chance to ask your follow-up question.

 

Mr Mukosa: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

On this last chance that I have been given, hon. Minister, –

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Chinsali!

 

Resume your seat.

 

Mr Mukosa resumed his seat.

 

Madam Speaker: The hon. Member for Roan may ask his question.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to ask a supplementary question.

 

Madam Speaker, in her statement, the Acting hon. Minister indicated that the establishment for Chinsali District is forty-five Correctional Service Officers, but there are forty serving there. When is the ministry going to employ the remaining five officers, so that the establishment is complete?

 

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Roan for that question.

 

Madam Speaker, within the planned resources for each year, we intend to continue prospecting for more staff, as was the case in August 2025, when the ministry was able to recruit forty Correctional Service Officers. We at the ministry are intent on ensuring that the following year’s budget includes the recruitment of the remaining staff in batches, as resources are availed by the Treasury and approved by this Parliament. The Treasury will be able to allocate resources when they become available.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: We have taken a lot of time on this issue. I want us to make progress. So, hon. Member for Mitete, I am going to skip you.

 

However, before I go to the next question, hon. Member for Nkana, what is the point of order?

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, the point of order I raise is on the hon. Member for Chinsali.

 

Madam Speaker, is this hon. Member in order to fail to state precisely that in 2026 –

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

Which Standing Order has been breached?

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, Standing Order No. 71, which states that the information we tender before Parliament must be accurate, has been breached.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, resume your seat.

 

Mr B. Mpundu resumed his seat.

 

Madam Speaker: We have already dealt with Question No. 217. We are making progress; we are going to the next item. So, that point of order is not admissible.

 

PLANS TO CONSTRUCT A WATER TREATMENT PLANT IN MILENGE DISTRICT

 

218. Mr Chonde (Milenge) asked the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to construct a water treatment plant in Milenge District;

 

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

 

1. if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Sialubalo) (on behalf of the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Eng. Nzovu)): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the Government has plans to construct a water treatment plant in Milenge District as part of its broader programme to expand access to safe and reliable water supply services in rural and peri-urban districts.

 

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that the Government has already undertaken feasibility studies for the construction of the water treatment plant for Milenge District. The water treatment plant in Milenge will be constructed once funds are secured.

 

Madam Speaker, Government is exploring various financing options, including budgetary allocations and co-operating partner support to ensure the project is implemented in a sustainable manner.

 

Madam Speaker, as alluded to in response to part (a) of the question above, the Government has plans to construct a water treatment plant in Milenge. Since this question is constituency-specific, I thought it would be wise for me to share some additional notes with the hon. Member of Parliament for Milenge.

 

Madam Speaker, under the National Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Programme in June, 2017, a techno-economic study detailed engineering designs and tender documents were prepared for water supply and sanitation problems in Mwansabombwe, Chembe, Chipili and Milenge Districts, which includes construction of water treatment plants.

 

Madam Speaker, for Milenge District, the study established that approximately US$3,615,347 would be required for the development of initial water supply and sanitation infrastructure, including the construction of a water treatment plant. This is earmarked to be implemented in the second phase. The first phase involved the implementation of water treatment plant in Mansa, Samfya, Mwense and Kawambwa under the integrated small towns water supply and sanitation project, which commenced on 22^nd May, 2020. The project was financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) at a total sum of US$150 million covering the Northern Province, Muchinga Province, the Western Province and Luapula Province. The production capacity for the water treatment plant and the beneficiaries in districts of Luapula Province, where the project was implemented, is as follows:

 

1. Mansa – 18,240 m³ of water per day covering a population of 144,996 people; 

     

1. Samfya – 8,658 m³ of water per day covering a population of 80,129 people;   

 

1. Mwense – 1,200 m³ of water per day covering a population of 39,868 people; and

 

1. Kawambwa – 2,500 m³ of water per day covering a population of 39,878 people.

 

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, in collaboration with the local authority, has implemented and continues to implement several water supply interventions in Milenge District as outlined below:

 

1. between 2024 and 2025, the ministry rehabilitated thirty boreholes in Milenge   District under the contract for the rehabilitation of 125 non-functional boreholes in selected districts of Luapula Province; and

 

1. between 2022 and 2023, the ministry drilled ten new boreholes and constructed two solar-powered small-piped water schemes.

 

Madam Speaker, the ministry signed a new contract to upgrade four boreholes into solar-powered mechanised small-piped water schemes in Kampembya. In addition, ten boles are scheduled to be equipped under the same contract, which is expected to commence in early 2026.

 

Madam Speaker, under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the following water supply projects were implemented in 2024:

 

1. Mulumbi Community – drilling of a borehole fitted with an Afridev hand pump;

 

1. Fishikwa Rural Health Centre – construction of a solar-powered piped water scheme with a 5,000 litre storage capacity;

 

1. Chipundu Rural Health Centre – construction of a solar-powered piped water scheme with a 5,000 litre storage capacity; and

 

1. Kafwanka Rural Health Post – construction of a solar-powered piped water scheme with a 5,000 litre storage capacity.

 

Madam Speaker, under the 2025 CDF, the construction of two 20,000 litre solar-powered water schemes at Mumbotuta Rural Growth Centre as well as drilling and equipping of five boreholes fitted with Afridev hand pumps was undertaken.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you so much.

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

 

Hon. Member for Milenge, do you have any follow-up question with that bonus answer? I know the question was on a water treatment plant, but now, additional information has been given.

 

Mr Chonde: Madam Speaker, we thank the hon. Minister for the supplementary information, which obviously, my office possesses as a pioneer in terms of implementing Government projects. However, I seek further clarification in terms of the development of a water treatment plant. Are there any timelines on when the Government will respond to the water needs of the people of Milenge?

 

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. Colleague for the follow-up question.

 

Madam Speaker, we are still looking for resources. So, I would not be honest to my dear hon. Colleague if I gave a timeline. However, efforts are being made by the ministry to look for resources to undertake various water projects since we have already done the first phase in the province.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

PROCUREMENT OF UTILITY VEHICLES FOR THE ZAMBIA NEWS AND INFORMATION SERVICES OFFICE IN MUCHINGA PROVINCE

 

219. Mr Mukosa asked the Minister of Information and Media when the Government would procure utility vehicles for the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) office in Muchinga Province to enhance operations.

 

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts (Mr Nkandu) (on behalf of the Minister of Information and Media (Mr Mweetwa)): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Chinsali because he has really been active for the past one week. He has pushed in many questions. I thank him for the effective representation that he has provided.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that for the first time, the Ministry of Information and Media bought motor vehicles for all provincial offices, including Muchinga Province, in September, 2025. That was last year. Accordingly, the motor vehicle for the Muchinga provincial office is a Mitsubishi Triton, which is currently in use in the province.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I accept the compliment that has been given by my elder brother, Hon. Nkandu, whom I also want to commend for improving the way he has been articulating issues in the past year. His performance has improved greatly, compared to the time he first came to where he is now.

 

Please, keep it up, Acting hon. Minister.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank him, the ministry and the Government for providing us with that vehicle.

 

Madam Speaker, my question is: Do we have–

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mukosa: I am sorry, Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Tourism keeps disturbing me.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, how adequate is one vehicle in covering a province when it comes to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) work?

 

Mr Nkandu: Madam Speaker, I am humbled by the hon. Member’s compliment.

 

Madam Speaker, we are coming from a time during which no vehicle was allocated to any provincial capital. We are coming from a time when all the districts could not even see a vehicle or other equipment that is used by ZANIS. We, as the Government, have started from somewhere. I have said that ten provincial vehicles have been allocated. So, that means something is being done, unlike before, as if it was not known that officers needed to move around. Sometimes, I think about how officers were moving during my hon. Colleague's defunct political party’s reign. I am happy because the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. I believe that this is a good step in the right direction.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I hear those small, subtle jabs that you are throwing at each other, saying, “I am humbled, and I am also humbled”.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to ask a supplementary question.

 

Madam Speaker, I am alive to the fact that most Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) offices countrywide have challenges with transport, including the one in Chama. Now, we are holding general elections this year, and ZANIS plays an important role in information dissemination. Is the hon. Minister in a position to indicate whether funding in the 2026 National Budget or, maybe, from co-operating partners will be sourced to buy more vehicles for, at least, each district so that our officers can disseminate information effectively, and Zambians can make informed decisions come 13^th August, 2026?

 

Mr Nkandu: Madam Speaker, this Government does not always connect everything it does to elections. I think, that is where the difference can be seen. If our hon. Colleagues were the Members of Parliament who were there before, then, ZANIS would have got all the vehicles that are needed in all the districts. Maybe, there were different hon. Members in the Patriotic Front (PF) reign.

 

Madam Speaker, let me also thank the hon. Member for being brilliant in asking the Government these questions, because they were not asked before.

 

Madam Speaker, in answering the question, before we can even go to the co-operating partners to beg for more vehicles or donations, this ministry has already written to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. Since the Government wants to do this in a phased approach, the ministry has requested forty more vehicles so that they can be given to the districts. That will only come under the Supplementary Budget that the ministry has asked for from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. Obviously, in our quest to improve ZANIS operations, the Government is desirous to procure more vehicles so that our officers can have ease of movement. I believe that the officers will be able to do what the hon. Member is asking for in terms of bringing more information from the ground.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, as I ask my question, I would like to, firstly, talk about what the hon. Minister has said about how the defunct Government then failed to buy vehicles. I commend the hon. Minister, as his Government has bought ten vehicles for all ten provinces. He also wonders why the previous Government never managed to buy vehicles. If you travel to most provincial centres, you will find Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) studios where some ZANIS officers operate. The value of those studios is five times more than the value of one vehicle. I will talk about, for example, Muchinga Province, which has a ZNBC provincial studio valued at more than five times the value of one vehicle. However, I appreciate the effort that the Government has made in procuring the vehicles, one of which was given to us in Muchinga.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to seek clarification on the issue that the hon. Minister has talked about, having requested funding from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. Is he talking about this year or, maybe, the years to come?

 

Mr Nkandu: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has talked about studios, yet the question is about vehicles. The studios that he has talked about, so that I am on record, were not even operational. We, as the current Government, had to find resources to complete them. So, the hon. Member should not talk about something that he does not know and does not have information on. The studios were just buildings. There was nothing in them. We need to thank this Government for completing all those structures. You may be aware of what we are doing in Kasama and other provincial capitals. So, I urge my hon. Colleague to talk about something that he understands.

 

Madam Speaker, regarding his question of when, the answer is this year.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

_______

 

BILLS

 

HOUSE IN COMMITTEE

 

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the

Chair]

 

THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE (Amendment) BILL, 2025

 

Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Title agreed to.

 

CLAUSE 2 – (Amendment of section 2)

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation (Mr Haimbe, SC.) (on behalf of the Minister of Justice (Ms Kasune)): Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 2, on page 3, after line 14, by the insertion of the following new definition:

 

“allied substances” has the meaning assigned

to the words in the Medicines and Allied

Substances Act;.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

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

 

CLAUSE 3 – (Amendment of section 123)

 

Mr Haimbe, SC.: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 3, on page 4, in line 15, by the insertion of the words “, allied substances” immediately after the word “medicine”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 3, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clause 4 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 5 – (Evidence of fingerprint or blood test of accused)

 

Mr Haimbe, SC.: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 5, on page 7:

 

1. in line 26 by the insertion of the marginal note “Insertion of section 192A”; and

 

1. in line 27 by the deletion of the words “section 192A” and the substitution therefor of the words “new section immediately after section 192”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 5, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Mr Haimbe, SC.: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move a further amendment after Clause 5, on page 8, after line 6, by the insertion of the following new clause immediately after Clause 5:

 

Insertion of                     6. The principal Act is amended by the insertion of

Section                  following new section immediately after section 358A:

358B

 

            Sentencing                                 35B.  The Chief Justice may issue

            guidelines for                  sentencing guidelines for any offence under this

            offence under                 Act.

            Act

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause further amended accordingly.

 

Clause 5, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. 

 

Title agreed to.                    

 

THE FOOD RESERVE BILL, 2025 

 

Clauses 1, 2 and 3 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Title agreed to.

 

CLAUSE 4 – (Seal of Authority)

 

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Mtolo): Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 4, on page 10, in lines 23 to 24 by the deletion of the marginal note and the substitution therefor of the following:

 

                                 Seal of Agency

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 4, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 13 – (Prohibition of disclosure of information)

 

Mr Mtolo: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 13, on page 16, in line 15 by the insertion of the word “thousand” immediately after the word hundred.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 13, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 14 – (Executive Director, Secretary and other staff)

 

Mr Mtolo: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 14:

 

1. on page 16, in line 32, by the deletion of the word “cooperate” and the substitution therefor of the word “corporate”; and

 

1. on page 17, in line 4, by the deletion of the words “Director-General” and the substitution therefor of the words “Executive Director”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 14, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 15, 16, 17 and 18 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 19 – (Purchase of designated agricultural commodities)

 

Mr Mtolo: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 19, on page 19, in lines 8 to 9 by the deletion of the words “Sale of designated agricultural commodity”.
 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 19, as amended, is ordered to stand part of the Bill

 

Clauses 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

 

CLAUSE 30 – (Restricted area)

 

Mr Mtolo: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 30, on page 22, in line 18 by the insertion of the word “commodity” immediately after the word “agricultural”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 30, as amended, is ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 31, 32 and 33 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Schedules ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Title agreed to.

 

THE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING 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, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Schedules ordered to stand part of the Bill

 

Title agreed to.

 

_______

 

HOUSE RESUMED

 

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

The following Bills were reported to the House as having passed through Committee with amendments:

 

The Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025

 

The Food Reserve Bill, 2025

 

The Agricultural Marketing Bill, 2025

 

Report Stages on Thursday, 26^th February, 2026.

 

REPORT STAGE

 

The State-Owned Enterprises Bill, 2025

 

Report adopted.

 

Third Reading on Thursday, 26^th February, 2026.

 

THIRD READING

 

The following Bill was read the third time and passed:

 

The National Payment System Bill, 2025

 

_______

 

MOTION

 

MOTION OF THANKS TO THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS ON THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE APPLICATION OF NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

 

(Debate resumed)

 

Mr A. Banda (Chimwemwe): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. May I also thank the mover of the Motion and take this opportunity to debate the progress made in the application of national values and principles, as presented by the President in his speech last Friday.

 

Madam Speaker, I will start with the issue of morality and ethics. In this regard, I will look at alcohol, drug and substance abuse. I have noticed that several interventions are being undertaken by the Government, which include offering free education, skills training, empowerment and sensitisation. However, the people of Chimwemwe are concerned because the growing prevalence of various vices has hit our schools. Those vices have not only hit secondary schools, but also primary schools. You may agree with me that primary school children are very young for any person in his/her right mind to sell any sort of drug to them. What is happening is that young pupils in primary schools are being used by pharmacy owners, or perhaps pharmacy workers, to trade or sell drugs to fellow pupils. That crisis needs serious attention.

 

Madam Speaker, I agree and appreciate that the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has a procedure for handling such matters, such as presenting perpetrators before the courts and putting them in prison. However, jailing the young ones who are taking drugs is not good enough because when they come out of prison, they go back to the same system. It is just as good as admitting somebody to a rehabilitation centre. There is no guarantee that when such a person comes out of rehabilitation, he/she will stop abusing drugs. Most of them go back to taking drugs. What needs to be done is to deal with the grown-up people who call themselves businessmen or businesswomen, who are making money from selling such substances to the young ones. How I wish the death penalty were reserved specifically for drug-dealing-related offences. In fact, it is inhumane or insane for anyone to sell drugs to young ones. The young people are the ones who will steer this country in future. If these vices are not clipped, society and our country will be lost.

 

Madam Speaker, that is why in the Western world or Asia, most perpetrators of drug offences are hanged by the noose or put in an electric chair. I know that is heartbreaking, and sorry to support it, but we need to do something.

 

Madam Speaker, let me look at the issue of humanity, dignity, equity, social justice, equality and non-discrimination. In this regard, I will debate on access to clean and safe drinking water. I have noticed that the Government has implemented interventions to expand access to safe water. I appreciate the fact that 4.9 million citizens have been provided with clean water. However, the people of Chimwemwe are complaining. The old Chimwemwe and Garneton townships have corroded galvanised pipes. As a result, there are so many leakages. The leakages allow foreign materials to get into the water pipes. As a constituency, we are asking the Government to sort out that problem so that we can also have access to clean water. All the pipes need to be changed. I understand that not only do the people of Chimwemwe need clean water, but the Nkana Water and Sanitation Company (NWSC) also needs to save money. I know that millions of litres of treated water are being lost. I believe that the Government can look at that problem and help us.

 

Madam Speaker, let me discuss social protection programmes. I appreciate that, yes, the allocation for the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) Programme for vulnerable people has been doubled. That is a good sign. However, on behalf of the people of Chimwemwe, I am asking the Government to relook at one of the programmes that were neglected. It needs to look into funeral services for the vulnerable. Vulnerable people deserve dignity in death. Truthfully speaking, when most of those people die, it is a sorry sight. Members of Parliament and area councillors usually come to their families’ aid, but that is not enough. It is unfortunate that we, as Members of Parliament, cannot debate ourselves. The truth is that we hear about funerals on a daily basis. The small wages or salaries that we get all go to helping the vulnerable during funerals. That is why it would be great for the Government to capture funeral services under social protection.

 

Madam Speaker, looking at patriotism and national unity, I appreciate the fact that the Government has strengthened local content under Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 68 of 2025, which promotes local content in the mining sector. However, the people of the Copperbelt are complaining because some mines – let me be specific. A certain mine forces suppliers to sell their products at a certain amount instead of negotiating with them, as the case has always been.

 

Madam Speaker, we all know that there is what is called the Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT), whose provisions do not look at how much profit has been generated. The interests in the provisions are more on the revenue that is earned throughout the year. The 1 per cent, coupled with other expenses, may put our people out of business. I was against the introduction of the tax. Businesses in Kamwala and some of the malls are run by foreign nationals. You would agree with me that most of them do not issue receipts once goods or services are purchased. They would rather you pay cash. That is another issue. They do not use point-of-sale machines because they do not want their funds to be traced. The MAT regime should be targeted at those people. It is unfortunate that the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) inspectors spend too much time in their offices having coffee and waiting for known suppliers of the Government and the mines. They are supposed to be on the ground at the malls and Kamwala mopping up that revenue, if truly that tax will make any meaningful change. When I come to the House, and ask the hon. Minister for a tarred road in Chimwemwe, I do not want to be told, “When funds are available”. We can make those funds available if we capture the foreign nationals who take advantage of our tax laws, which have holes in them.

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: The hon. Member for Ngabwe was about to rise on a point of order on the fact that he could not hear what the hon. Member for Chimwemwe was saying, and why can the hon. Member for Chimwemwe not use the “normal” English that is used in Zambia.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, I am grateful for this opportunity you have given me to add my voice to the debate.

 

Madam Speaker, I was also wondering about the English that is spoken by my elder Brother, as it was hard for me to understand what he was talking about. That is on a light note.

 

Madam Speaker, when the President came to the House last week on Friday, he reported on the progress that has been made in the application of national values and principles. He highlighted some of the issues that are being faced by our communities within the country. One of the things that the President mentioned was the fact that empowerment initiatives, which were introduced by the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government, have changed and transformed our communities, for example, women's empowerment. There are empowerment programmes under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC). Through these empowerment initiatives, people living with disabilities have also been given opportunities to access some of the funds, and most of their lives have been changed.

 

Madam Speaker, skills training programmes are almost everywhere. Kabwata Constituency has trained over 2000 youths in different skills, which means our nation’s environment is being changed. Countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Zimbabwe and Botswana were built by skilled people. So, we cannot run away from training our youths and giving them survival skills that they can use to help develop the nation.

 

Madam Speaker, the President also talked about gender-based violence (GBV). The rate at which divorce cases are being recorded in the nation of Zambia is one of the things we should be worried about because most families are dealing with children who are leaving their homes to go to the streets. If we examine the foundations of those families, we will find that the two parents divorced many months or years ago. So, the rate at which some divorce cases are happening in the country is worrying, as the foundations of each nation are strong family values.

 

Madam Speaker, the President also talked about the abuse of social media. Instead of people using social media to build and transform their lives, they are abusing it. In countries like America, rich men, like Jeff Bezos, who owns Amazon, use social media to transform and create wealth. In our circles, especially in the African setup, people post content that does not add any value to the lives of other people who use social media. Look at what we saw a few days ago, somebody posted an image of the Head of State in a casket. How does one do such a thing? That is what we call abuse of cyberspace, and that is why I am calling upon the Ministry of Technology and Science to equip the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) with the necessary tools that can counter some of the attacks that happen on social media.

 

Madam Speaker, further, looking at how misinformation is spread, we need to enhance regulations. There is also no legal framework supporting the use of artificial intelligence (AI). So, misinformation, disinformation and hate speech will continue. Look at how the platform used to perpetrate hate speech has now reached the churches. People use the pulpit to transmit hate speech. They lambast and bamboozle just to hurt somebody. I think that the abuse of social media and the propagation of hate speech should be controlled because if we fail to do that, even the boy child will end up feeling vulnerable. I strongly support what the Government is doing about online child protection. We need to start protecting the young ones because social media, if not used in a proper way, may end up killing or damaging them.

 

Madam Speaker, on patriotism and national unity, I support His Excellency the President’s call to enhance local content policies. We need to see this happen, especially in the mining sector and construction industry. There is a need to ensure that our citizens benefit from that provision. We cannot be preaching about local content, yet our people do not see the results. This law has to be applied, whether in the mining sector or construction industry.

 

Madam Speaker, the President did talk about political violence. We have seen how political violence has reduced in four years. In the past, one would not wear a red t-shirt, even on Valentine’s Day. Wearing something red caused trouble. That is what happened in the past. With this New Dawn Government, we have seen how pollical violence has reduced. We give credit to the New Dawn Government because this is what we yearned for as Zambians.

 

Madam Speaker, look at how cadres have been tamed. Today, one cannot find cadres fighting each other on the streets of Lusaka or Kitwe. It is not happening. We are now seeing the real Zambia that we have been yearning for for many years. We give credit to the New Dawn Government.

 

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, let me also talk about democracy and constitutionalism. We all know what we did a few months ago, when we passed the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025. This was a great move. We have seen how we have now given opportunities to people with disabilities to participate in national affairs of this country. We have seen how we have given an opportunity to the youths to see how best they can participate in the governance of this country. We have also seen how we have created opportunities for our mothers. This is a good thing. Without us having passed that Bill, we would have disadvantaged people who cannot manage to compete with those who have already been set up in the political circles; those with resources.

 

For this, Madam Speaker, even as I support this Motion, I want to urge the New Dawn Government to ensure that we continue implementing what we have promised the people of Zambia.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I referred to the hon. Member for Lufubu as hon. Member for Ngabwe. There is no constituency known as Ngabwe. I therefore, correct myself. It is the hon. Member for Lufubu.

 

Ms Halwiindi (Kabwe Central): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to debate the Speech of the President on the Progress made in the Application of National Values and Principles, which was delivered on 20^th February, 2026.

 

At the onset, Madam Speaker, I want to say that I support the speech. The speech was timely. Indeed, we have seen that our President has been consistent in addressing this House on this matter.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to talk about national unity. I want to thank the Government under the leadership of President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, for prioritising national unity. Indeed, one could see that the spirit of patriotism was with him and indeed, the whole Government. The Government got involved in debt restructuring efforts. This is very important when it comes to patriotism. I say so because it was easy for our President and his Cabinet to look at issues of contracting debt or embarking on new projects. The President and his Cabinet looked at how they could build the economy of the country, and remove the python around the debt that the country has had. It is very important for patriotic people to make sure that they protect our country. People saw how hard our President worked with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and the whole team to restructure the debt so that our country could be served.

 

Madam Speaker, from that hard work, money that could have been channelled to paying off the debt was saved. We saved that money for free education. This is very important for our country because in the past, our education system was bad.  Many of our children were out of school. That is even where the word, ‘junkies’ came about. It is because our children were dropping out of school. Our parents were not managing to pay for school fees. Sometimes, our parents gave male children a priority. That is how the problem of early marriages and teenage pregnancies began. All this happened because of the education system that was corroded. I thank the New Dawn Government for undertaking all those interventions.  We now have the Free Education Policy which has prompted a number of our children and elderly people to go back to school. 

 

Madam Speaker, the number of teenage pregnancies and early marriages has reduced because of many children who have gone back to school.  There are policies that the Government prioritised, for example, the amendment of the Children’s Code Act of 2022, which defines a girl child in order to protect her.  So, the New Dawn Government has made sure that we protect our children. We have to make sure that we do more so that we make sure that no child is married off early; no child should fall pregnant whilst in school, because there is free education. No parent should give an excuse of having no resources to take his children to school because now, there is free education. In the past, parents used to construct classroom blocks. They used to take the responsibility of infrastructure development in schools. Currently, the New Dawn Government has taken it all.  It is feeding children, paying for school fees, and constructing classroom blocks. The Government has taken care of everything. We thank God for this Government that is caring for our people.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to put it on record that I appreciate what the Government is doing.  In 2025, we saw the results of girl children at Grade 9 level. Their pass rate was higher than that of boys.  I am saying that the policies that the Government is implementing are working. As mothers, we are so happy that our girl children are now doing fine. However, we do not want the boy child to be left behind. We need to also jack them up so that they are at fifty-fifty with the girls in terms of performance in school.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to talk about human dignity, equity and social justice. Indeed, the Government is doing everything possible to make sure that there is equity in our country. We have seen the way development has gone to all corners of this country through the provision of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). No constituency is given less amount of money. It is all equal. This is what a prudent Government is supposed to do to make sure that there is distribution of equal resources to all parts of the country. This distribution of resources has brought about massive development in our country. There is no constituency that can say that it has not done anything. That can only happen if the hon. Member does not want to see development in his constituency or he is anti-Government for some reason and wants to punish his own people.  Otherwise, the Government is doing everything possible.

 

Madam Speaker, with the passing of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2026, we have seen the inclusion of men, youths, women and people with disabilities in decision making. All these are signs that the Government is doing well in applying national values and national unity in the country.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to talk about morality and ethics. The President talked about the issue of drug and alcohol abuse. These vices are not good for our country. We need to make sure that the laws that protect our young children from indulging in alcohol consumption are strengthened.  In Kabwe, we see many children patronising drinking places and consuming alcohol, which is not good. The laws are sufficient. We, therefore, need to do more to make sure we protect our children from such vices. I also suggest that we need to make sure that we do routine check-ups especially in schools. We need to strengthen the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) by stiffening the laws to make sure that once in a while, our children are tested for drug abuse.  Once we do that, we will be able to protect our children. It is not that we want to detect drug abusers and take them to prison. We want to make sure that those children are protected and counselled early so that they do not fall off school because of bad vices.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to talk about garbage. I think our President stressed the issue of garbage in our country. Indeed, if you look around, no one can dispute the fact that this country is sinking in garbage. We need to make sure that all of us find ways and means of changing our mindsets so that we do not see our country becoming dirty and sinking in garbage. This one is a bad vice because it is clogging our drainages. When our drainages clog, our roads get destroyed. When that happens, we experience diseases like cholera not only in Lusaka but everywhere in country. The towns, roads and drainages are dirty. I do not know how, but I think the laws that regulate the local authority should be strengthened to make sure that our towns in Zambia are clean.  We heard from our hon. Minister of Tourism that we receive many tourists. Those tourists should find our place clean. The area should be conducive for their stay. We need to make sure that our country is clean and beautiful So, this one is my earnest appeal to the Government because my heart bleeds.   Each time I move around, I ask myself what is happening. This is the reason I brought a Motion to allow the Government to support companies that are into recycling so that maybe, they could be collecting garbage around the country.

 

Madam Speaker, to finalise my speech, I want to say that please, let us make sure that we strengthen the laws and enforce garbage collection in our country.

 

Madam Speaker, thank you so much.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, I rise to associate myself with the speech as well as support it. I would like to make a few comments and suggestions on the debate on the President’s Speech.

 

Madam Speaker, I will start with mining, which is basically an issue in my constituency. We are a mining constituency. I want to thank the Government for the foreign direct investment (FDI) and pledges that have come into the mining sector, which is close to $12 billion dollars. I believe that the expansion in the mining sector, particularly in Kantanshi, should provide jobs. My main concern about jobs in Kantanshi is that workers are not properly rewarded in terms of salaries. Some of them have not even benefited from the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) savings or the 10 per cent partial withdrawal of their pension. That, in itself, should be a concern to the Government, because when we provide leadership, as we do, we have to make sure that prosperity is properly shared. So, I think that the Government should quickly look into that

 

Madam Speaker, the President talked about giving Zambians preference when it comes to business opportunities. That is a very welcome move. However, when it comes to mining companies paying Zambian businesses, there is a challenge. It is becoming extremely challenging for Zambian businesses to get payments from mining companies. In fact, now a payment for a contract is a mere promise. That is not going to motivate our people. Our economy is growing now. What is the point of one investing in a business when one will not be paid on time? I would like the Government to seriously introspect about this. Even the private sector has got that habit. That is not how it is supposed to be. So, there is a need for the Government to engage the private sector. After all, it is the private sector that is supposed to be providing opportunities for our people.

 

Madam Speaker, I also thought about the issue of underage marriages as well as teenage pregnancies, which the President spoke about. These issues are especially prevalent in Mulundu, Inambe and Mukambo. The President talked about communities and churches working together. I think, using a component of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), we must provide a small amount of money that can be used for outreach programmes on these issues. This thought came to my mind as I was reading a letter from a Catholic Church in my constituency, which will be carrying out outreach programmes on teenage pregnancies, early marriages as well as divorce and general relationships, at the end of this month. So, yes, the Church can come up with ideas to address these issues. That church will continue to look for resources, and it asked me to contribute. I just thought that we could create a permanent component in the CDF to address these issues month in, month out, through outreach programmes.

 

Madam Speaker, another point which I think the Government should take on is water. I am speaking for my constituency which does not have water. Even our sewer system has challenges. I had an opportunity, not too long ago, to take the Managing Director of Mulonga Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited (MWSC) to some communities in the constituency, and I thank the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation for facilitating that. In general, we do not have water. So, we expect the Government to come up with strategies and ideas to address this issue as it has addressed the electricity issue.

 

Madam Speaker, I just want to emphasise the need for the Government to look at certain areas. Yes, free education is being provided and children are going back to school. The President also talked about hurdles that stop children from going to school. We need to look at that. The other day, I spoke about the fees that have been lumped in with the General Certificate of Education (GCE) fees. That, I think, has become a hindrance.

 

Madam Speaker, our economy is growing. The Government has the largest number of colleges in the country, and these colleges keep raising fees every year. Talking of a growing economy, the President announced that the inflation rate is 7.5 per cent, single digit. This means one has more cash to spend on fewer goods. If we have a weak Kwacha, it means we are spending more on fewer goods. In this case, the Kwacha has strengthened. How do we get that to reflect in people’s pockets or lives? We look at some of the expenses of families in a month, and one of them is college fees. The Government could study college fees in order to maybe cap or slightly reduce them. That, in itself, will speak to the strengthening of our economy. That, in itself, will complement the free education being provided from Grade 1 to Grade 12. What is the point of finishing Grade 12 if one cannot afford to go to college? Nobody is suggesting that college fees should be abolished, no. I am simply saying that the Government has the largest number of colleges in the country. So, it is important that it relooks at college fees and reduces some of them, as a way to respond to the strength of our economy. That should be taken into serious consideration.

 

Madam Speaker, that said, I would like to thank the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government for the work it has done. I think, we are able to see some results, but it is important to keep working hard. The opportunity for our economy to grow and create the jobs and the wealth we are all looking for is there. What is important is to build on these fundamentals.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Chama North Constituency, allow me to add my voice to the debate on the speech delivered by the President in this august House on 20^th February, 2026, with regard to the Progress Made in the Application of National Values and Principles.

 

Madam Speaker, I will go directly to the issue of morality and ethics. The President highlighted a number of social vices that are confronting this country. Specifically, he highlighted the issues of alcohol abuse, drug abuse, substance abuse, gender-based violence (GBV), teenage pregnancies and child marriages. I think, my hon. Colleague from Kabwata, Mr Tayengwa, spoke about the alarming divorce cases in this country. Statistics show that by 2023, more than 36,000 divorce cases were recorded in this country. Lusaka alone recorded 9,000. I think, that is a source of grave concern. As a country, if we do not take holistic measures to deal with these vices, we are going to create a broken country.

 

Madam Speaker, yes, the Government has made progress in advancing interventions such as free education and skills development programmes, just to mention a few. However, if we are not careful as a country, we will find that some of the interventions will not achieve their intended targets. For example, despite the Government introducing free education, we have a challenge at the moment because basic schools, which used to provide Grades 8 to 9, are being downgraded. It means that learners in those grades now have to cover distances of 70 km to 100 km to get to school. Therefore, we are going to reverse the gains we have made thus far under the Free Education Policy, especially for the girl child. It is not safe for a girl child to engage in self-boarding. That is why I am saying that the downgrading of basic schools has created a lot of challenges for learners.

 

Madam Speaker, today, children start Grade 1 at the age of five years. By the time they are in Grade 8, they are eleven years old. Do we expect that child to go into self-boarding? The answer is no. Do you expect that child to go and be kept by a relative somewhere away from the parents? Again, the answer is no. So, those are some of the challenges that, if we are not careful, may derail the Free Education Policy.

 

Madam Speaker, skills development is a good programme. A country cannot develop if it focuses only on white collar jobs. We need to ensure that we also focus on blue collar jobs to promote skills acquisition. Under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), a lot has been done and many people have been trained in many constituencies. However, we would have done more if the Ministry of Education, at least, had been able to regulate some of the institutions involved. Some institutions want to reap where they did not sow. There are so many learning institutions that have recently come up in this country and they are charging exorbitant tuition fees. Surely, how can you charge K30,000 for just a one month driving course? Some short courses are even more expensive than degree programmes at the University of Zambia (UNZA) or Copperbelt University (CBU). To just undertake a skills development programme, one is required to pay K40,000 or K50,000 for three months. I feel that the Government must regulate some institutions because they want to reap where they did not sow. Definitely, one cannot equate a degree with a certificate. However, some certificate programmes are costing more than degree programmes. Therefore, I feel that we will be able to increase people’s access to skills development if tuition fees are reasonable. We will be able to send as many people as possible to acquire training.

 

Madam Speaker, on page 12 of his speech, the President talked about democracy and constitutionalism. He mentioned that the Government is committed to preserving freedom of assembly and association. The President also indicated that the New Dawn Government is committed to ensuring that we hold free, fair, credible and peaceful elections. However, the tenets of democracy and constitutionalism are anchored or centred on creating strong institutions of good governance. I think that is an area in which we have not done well as a country. More than sixty years after Independence, we have not transformed our institutions of governance. Public institutions are not able to operate independently. The heads of public institutions like the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), law enforcement agencies or the even Judiciary sometimes lose their jobs for merely discharging their duties professionally because they do not have security of tenure.

 

Madam Speaker, I think, this country needs to resonate with the speech by President Mahama when he addressed this august House. He clearly stated that for democracy to thrive, we need to develop strong and autonomous state institutions of governance. He further referred to President Obama’s remarks when he visited Ghana and addressed the Ghanaian Parliament on 11^th July, 2009 in Accra. So, we have not done well as a country in the area of good governance.

 

 Madam Speaker, let me talk about the Public Order Act. The Public Order Act was a colonial piece of legislation, which was used by the colonial Government to suppress liberties and freedoms of Africans so that they could not fight for political freedom. However, we have still maintained such an archaic and draconian piece of legislation.

 

Madam Speaker, today, even for indoor meetings, people are being arrested. We changed from the colonial Government to the United National Independence Party (UNIP) Government, but the same Public Order Act was used by the UNIP Government to suppress opposition voices. When the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) came into power, the same pattern continued. Under the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, the same pattern continued. Under the United Party for National Development (UPND), the same pattern has continued.

 

Hon. UPND Member: Question!  

 

Mr Mtayachalo: It is very, very sad that after more than sixty years of Independence, we still keep draconian and archaic laws on our statute books.

 

Madam Speaker, there was a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court in the case of Christine Mulundika and seven others versus the people. The Supreme Court, under the respectable and distinguished Chief Justice, Mr Matthew Ngulube, delivered a judgment stating that the Public Order Act was unconstitutional because it infringed on the freedom of speech.

 

The hon. Member’s time expired.

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

Can you wind up.

 

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, those were my few submissions. I think, there is a need to transform our public institutions so that they can stand the test of time for future generation.

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Anakoka: Madam Speaker, I raise a point of order pursuant to Standing Order No. 71.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member who was just on the Floor has made a misleading statement. Is he in order to say that there is a court judgement which declared that the Public Order Act unconstitutional in this country when there is no such thing? Is he in order to mislead himself, the people of Chama South and the country at large by making a declaration about something that does not exist anywhere in this country?

 

Madam Speaker: The hon. Member for Chama North was referring to the matter of Christine Mulundika against the Attorney General. That is the case he was referring to. So, that is his understanding of the judgment in that case.

 

Hon. Member for Luena, if you have any contrary views, you can debate on that issue and bring out your own issues.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: We have to work. We cannot waste time. Hon. Members, you need to prepare to come and debate.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

(Debate adjourned)

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Haimbe, SC.): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

_______

 

The House adjourned at 1639 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 26^th February, 2026.

 

____________