Tuesday, 3^rd March, 2026

 

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

 

_______

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM SPEAKER

DELEGATION FROM THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to acquaint the House with the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery, of the following staff from the Parliament of Uganda:

 

Ms Namata Sylvia                     –          Liaison Officer

Mr Mutumba Abbas                  –          Policy Analyst

Ms Nakasumba Fatinah             –          Liaison Officer

Ms Kyalisiima Catherine          –          Officer Assistant.

 

On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I wish to receive our guests and warmly welcome them into our midst.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

COUNCILLORS FROM LUNDAZI TOWN COUNCIL

Madam Speaker: Hon Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of Councillors from Lundazi Town Council in Lundazi 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 MONIQUE’S PRE AND PRIMARY SCHOOL

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of pupils and teachers from Monique’s Pre and Primary School 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 RHODES PARK SCHOOL

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of pupils and teachers from Rhodes Park School 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!

STUDENTS FROM SUPERSHINE UNIVERSITY

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of students from Supershine University 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!

COUNCILLORS FROM LUKULU TOWN COUNCIL

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of Councillors from Lukulu Town Council in Lukulu District.

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

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

COUNCILLORS FROM NKEYEMA TOWN COUNCIL.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of Councillors from Nkeyema Town Council in Nkeyema District.

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

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

GENERAL PUBLIC VISITS TO THE INSTITUTION

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform you that the National Assembly has recorded a high number of members of the general public visiting the institution to observe the Sittings of the House. This is a positive development, especially that it is in line with the National Assembly of Zambia Strategic Plan, 2022-2026, Pillar 2 on public participation.

In view of this, please, be informed that for the institution to smoothly co-ordinate these visits, hon. Members of Parliament who wish to bring visitors to the National Assembly to observe a Sitting must notify the Public and International Relations Department, at least, two weeks before the visit. This will ensure that the visits are well-organised and beneficial to the visitors. This also enables my office to welcome and correctly recognise the visitors.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

COUNCILLORS FROM KAPIRI MPOSHI TOWN COUNCIL

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of Councillors from Kapiri Mposhi Town Council in Kapiri Mposhi 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 B. MPUNDU, HON. MEMBER FOR NKANA, ON MR MWIIMBU, SC. HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY, AND ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE, ON THE DISASTER THAT HAPPENED ON THE CHINGOLA/KASUMBALESA ROAD

Mr B. Mpundu (Nkana): Madam Speaker, on an Urgent Matter without Notice.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, the Urgent Matter without Notice I wish to raise is directed at the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member had indicated to debate. Maybe, that is why he mentioned your name.

Mr Kapyanga indicated.

Hon. Members, we all know that under each Motion or a question, we are given one opportunity. Hon. Member for Mpika, you are not new in this House, and since you have already debated, you are not going to debate again.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

I am advised that the records do not show that the hon. Member for Mpika debated. So, he may continue.

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

Hon. Member for Lunte, what is your problem?

Mr Kafwaya:  Madam Speaker, the problem is that I am not given a chance to raise my point of order.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Lunte, unfortunately, I cannot tell if you are indicating to raise a point of order. When there is a Motion or Questions for Oral Answer and hon. Members indicate, I can tell because the names appear on the screen. In your case, I cannot tell unless you stand and indicate. When you are seated like that, I will take it you want to debate. So, maybe, that is why the hon. Member thought you wanted to debate. So, now that it is clear that you want to raise a point of order. Please, indicate that it is a point of order.

Mr Kafwaya interjected.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Lunte, we are behind time. If it is not a point of order, we can throw that away. You can just remove your indication from the gadget so that we make progress.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member for Mpika may continue.

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika): Madam Speaker, I was referring to the national unity that the President talked about during his Address.  I said that it is welcome but it must be put into practice. You cannot unite the nation by mere rhetoric. It is not possible. Actions must speak to what is provided for under Article 259 of the Constitution of Zambia, even in the appointments of persons to various positions in the Republic of Zambia.

Madam Speaker, the President also talked about the rule of law. The rule of law means that no one is above the law. Right here in our country today, when one is a member of the Ruling Party, one is above the law.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Mpika, can you produce evidence.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for asking for evidence.

Madam Speaker, in Kasama, during the recent by-election, the United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres went to the totaling center and fired guns but the innocent members of the Opposition were arrested instead.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mpika, I told you to produce evidence and lay it on the Table for saying that the UPND members are above the law.

Mr Kapyanga: They are by action. I can bring all of them in here so that I can demonstrate to the effect that –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mpika, you have failed to produce evidence. Can you please withdraw that statement and proceed with other issues.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I withdraw and replace it with selective application of justice. This is what is happening today.  In the best interest of this debate, the President should have demonstrated that indeed, he is the Republican President for all of us, and that he is there to protect us regardless of our political affiliations.

Madam Speaker, today, we have two contentious laws that allow a section of our society to be arrested every day. These are the Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Mpika, who is arrested every day?

Mr Kapyanga: A section of our society.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Please, let us try to be factual. Who is arrested every day? Be specific and bring out the information that is factual.

You may continue, hon. Member.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, today’s democracy cannot thrive because of such draconian laws. The President should have demonstrated –

Interruptions

Mr Kapyanga: Nalelo line kuti mwalanda!

Madam Speaker, let me now talk about development. Development is only discussed by politicians who belong to the Ruling Party, those who are aligned to it. Madam Speaker, on the ground, there are no tangible capital projects, such as the construction of airports, roads, secondary schools and hospitals. In Muchinga Province, the Northern Province, Luapula Province, the Eastern Province, Central Province and the North Western Province –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Mpika Central, you are going off the report, and you are not factual in your debate at all. Development is not only talked by the members of the Ruling Party. We are seeing many projects. If, in your constituency, there are no projects, come out clearly.  Do not generalise that in the country, there are no projects that are seen. Hon. Member, can you be factual for the last time.

You may proceed, hon. Member.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I am analysing the President’s Speech in which he touched on national development.  In doing so, I have to also bring out facts. These are facts, Madam Speaker. On the Great North Road, the stretch from Serenje, Mpika, Kasama up to Chinsali is in a dilapidated state. So, what development do they talk about in this House?  The people of Zambia have been suffering for the past five years.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Which people of Zambia are suffering?  Again, you are not focused, hon. Member for Mpika.  If you go and ask all the people of Zambia, are they going to tell you that they are suffering? You are not factual. Hon. Member for Mpika, you are not focused. You are misleading the people of Zambia out there.  Why did you not prepare yourself and take facts from the report? If you have examples from your constituency, bring them out instead of generalising issues. You are now talking about the whole country. That, I cannot allow you, hon. Member. I will give a chance to the hon. Member for Bweengwa. Next time, you should be are factual because that is a requirement in this House.

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Madam Speaker, thank you for allowing me to debate the President’s Speech.

Madam Speaker, this evening, I just want to look at patriotism and national unity, which the President talked about. All the information which the President shared with the people of Zambia is factual.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, can we listen to the hon. Minister who is answering the question on the Floor of the House, asked by the hon. Member for Bangweulu, please, tone down on what you are discussing because I can hear whatever you are saying from here. If, for any reason, any hon. Member cannot control their voice, they must step outside quietly and go and –

Mr Kafwaya rose.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Lunte, I am giving guidance and you are standing up. What has happened?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, I rise to raise a point of order.

Laughter

 Madam Speaker: Just wait for me to give guidance. When I finish, then, you can rise.

If there is any hon. Member who cannot whisper, please, step outside, go and talk, and then come back and join us, so that we concentrate and listen to what the hon. Minister is stating.

Before the hon. Minister comes on the Floor to continue, the hon. Member for Lunte has indicated to raise a point of order. What is the point of order, hon. Member?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, Hon. Binwell Mpundu has shocked me.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Kafwaya: He has shocked me.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Who?

Mr Kafwaya: Binwell Mpundu. This one (pointing at Mr B. Mpundu).

 Madam Speaker, I know that it is human to forget, but not just when guidance has just been given. Just in this same meeting, you told him to hold his fire because there was going to be a Ministerial Statement. However, there is no Ministerial Statement. The hon. Minister is now responding to a question. The hon. Member is seated calmly. You guided him earlier. Is he in order to be this calm? Is he in order to be seated without indicating that you actually ordered him to sit down because there was going to be a Ministerial Statement?

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Lunte!

That is the problem of not listening or paying attention to the guidance that is given. I did not say that a Ministerial Statement would be issued on the Floor today. I did not say that. I advised that a Ministerial Statement was going to be issued, but I did not say it would be today. So, you missed out. You did not hear me properly. Or maybe, you came in late.

Mr Syakalima: He came in late.

Hon. Government Members: He has just come.

Madam Speaker: Let us continue with the business. The Ministerial Statement is not going to be issued today, but it is definitely coming.

Mr Kafwaya: When?

Madam Speaker: I know that because I have been informed. That is why I am informing you, to keep you informed.

The Acting hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development may proceed.

Mr Kapala: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think, I just have to start all over again.

Madam Speaker, the Government is aware that the Chisanka/Miloke and Bulongwa/Chisanka sections of the Katansha/Twingi Road in Bangweulu Parliamentary Constituency have been affected by heavy rains, disrupting access to public services.

Madam Speaker, the Government, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), will undertake repair works once funds are made available and the rains subside.

Madam Speaker, the Government, through the RDA, will undertake remedial works, including a possible detour in order to maintain connectivity and improve passability.

 Madam Speaker, please, allow me to give additional information so that the hon. Member of Parliament can be clear about what the Government is planning to do. The Government is fully aware that sections of the Katansha/Twingi Road in Bangweulu Parliamentary Constituency flood in the rainy season, leading to poor road conditions in sections that traverse low-lying areas. The RDA has been undertaking repair works on the road under the Force Account since 2020. Implementation progressed intermittently due to timing and availability of funds up to September 2024 when the allocated budget of K13,816,000 was exhausted. During this period, a cumulative total of 35 km was re-gravelled, while heavy grading was carried out over 66 km. In addition, eight concrete pipe culverts were installed to improve drainage and road resilience. The RDA regional office has undertaken technical assessments of affected sections. Additional road sections requiring urgent interventions have also been identified. A budget for the works has been finalised and awaits funding.

Madam Speaker, the Chisanka-Miloke and Chisanka-Bulongwa sections have been incorporated in the planned works to ensure a comprehensive intervention to the challenge posed by the poor state of the road. The scope of work includes spot improvements and re-gravelling, installation of drainage structures as well as clearing and grubbing to restore and maintain access.

Madam Speaker, the estimated cost for the proposed works is K23 million, to be funded under the approved 2026 Road Sector Annual Work Plan. The project has an estimated duration of six months, once it commences.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kasandwe: Madam Speaker, these are the same stories that the people of Bangweulu have been receiving from the ministry. As you may be aware, the same hon. Minister, in November 2024, came to this House and made a commitment that the road was going to be completed by 31^st December, 2024. However, from that time, nothing has been done. That is why we see that the road has been affected in that manner.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has informed the House that the Government has been repairing the road. Truth be told, the stretch I am talking about, from Bulongwa, Chisanka, Miloke to Twingi has never been maintained since 2021. Following the answer that he has given, it appears there is no immediate solution to deal with this matter. The same Road Development Agency (RDA) he has referred to has no capacity to repair the road. It has failed to help us in the past. So, what assurance is he giving the people of Bangweulu that this time around, the commitment he has made will come to fruition? In the past, he told us that the road would be repaired by 31^st December, 2024, but that was never done. Is there any assurance for the people of Bangweulu, now that connectivity has been affected? In the meantime, what   immediate action is the Government going to take?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, the information on hand is that the RDA has already carried out a technical assessment on the affected sections, works have already been costed and the money already included in this year’s Budget. It is a question of making the money available, and then work will commence.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Simumba (Nakonde): Madam Speaker, I know that this Government is fond of making promises without fulfilling them. In Solwezi, the Government broke ground for a hospital. It told the people of Solwezi that there would be a hospital –

 Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Nakonde!

 Hon. Members, please, as you ask questions, stick to the question that is on the Floor of the House. Let us not bring in other issues. We have a lot of work on the Order Paper, and I would want us to conclude it within the time that is allocated.

May the hon. Member for Nakonde ask a question relating to Question No. 233.

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, we are talking about real issues.  In Muchinga, we were told that they were going to work on the township roads but nothing has happened.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Nakonde, you have been guided. Please, follow the guidance.

Mr Simumba: I wanted –

 Madam Speaker: Order!

Let us follow the guidance. Please, ask a supplementary question arising from what the hon. Minister stated.

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, we need to give references. Sometimes it is not just about asking a question.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Nakonde, I have guided. Please, do not start varying the guidance that I have given. I have guided you. If you have no question, we can give an opportunity to the owner of the question to ask a follow-up question.

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, the question is there. I want to find out if there is any urgent measure the Government is going to take to repair the road for the people of Bangweulu. 

Mr Kapala:  Madam Speaker, I already stated that work on the sections of that road will be started as soon as the rainfall subsides. So, immediately the rainfall is over, we should be able to instruct the Road Development Agency (RDA) to go and reassess so that we can have the actual and accurate costing on the project. That is when the works will commence.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kasandwe: Madam Speaker, I thank you again.

Madam Speaker, is there a way of making the people who provide wrong information to the hon. Minister accountable? The hon. Minister is informing this House that something that has been done from the time I raised the matter. The truth of the matter is that the information the hon. Minister is giving is not factual. It is erroneous. He is also telling us that the roads will be attended to when the rainfall finishes, but people are not accessing essential services. Since I have no confidence anymore in the answers that the hon. Minister is giving me, let me just try to give him a benefit of doubt.

Madam Speaker, in the meantime, what is the hon. Minister going to do for the people to access the critical services?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, this is not a question of not trying to be reasonable or reasonable. Everybody is aware that we have received unprecedented rainfall this year and most of the construction projects are on hold. So, until such time as the weather is favourable, the works will commence.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

THE NUMBER OF TOLL GATES

234.  Mr Fube (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning:

1. what the number of toll gates was, countrywide, as of August, 2025;

1. how much revenue, on average, is collected from each toll gate per month; and

1. what the revenue collected is used for.

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the number of operational toll points country-wide as of August 2025, is fifty, comprising the following:

1. twenty-six are inland toll stations operated by the National Road Fund Agency.

1. five are also inland toll stations operated by the concessionaires; and

1. nineteen are ports of entry stations operated by the Zambia Revenue Authority.

Madam Speaker: Sorry, hon. Minister, if you can raise your voice a bit.  Please, hon. Members, tone down your voices. I am struggling to hear what the hon. Minister is saying.

Mr Musokotwane: Okay, I will repeat.

Madam Speaker, the number of operational toll points countrywide as of August 2025 is fifty, and it is broken down as follows:

1. twenty-six inland toll stations operated by the National Road Fund Agency.

1. five are inland toll stations operated by concessionaires; and

1. nineteen are ports of entry operated by the Zambia Revenue Authority.

Madam Speaker, as of November 2025, on average, K337 million is collected monthly from the twenty-six inland toll stations and nineteen ports of entry broken down as follows:

1. K150 million from the twenty-six inland toll stations; and

1. K187 million from the nineteen ports of entry.

 Madam Speaker, the average monthly revenue collected from the inland toll gates ranges from K178,737. I repeat: K178,737 at the Tapo Toll Gate, which is the lowest to K27.3 million at the Michael Chilufya Sata Toll Gate. For the ports of entry, the average monthly revenue collections range from K42.00 at Luangwa to K121.6 million at Nakonde.

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that revenue collected from road tolls forms part of the basket of funds for the road sector. The funds are used for the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of roads in line with the Tolls Act No. 13 of 2011.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Fube: I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, although I struggled to get the total number, the hon. Minister will forgive me for that. At first, I could not get him clearly. I do not know whether he said 50 toll gates, and then, he had to break it down.  However, if I got him right, the hon. Minister was giving the November data –

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

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Chilubi!

I am sorry. Just a moment. I thought you would ask quickly, then, I would move on to the point of order.

A point of order is raised by the hon. Member for Kapiri Mposhi.

What is the point of order, hon. Member?

Mr Kakubo: Madam Speaker, my point of order is on the hon. Minister for Lusaka Province. In the past few minutes, I have consulted the hon. Members on the right, and we have all come to the same conclusion. Is the hon. Member for Rufunsa in order to impersonate you? If you take –

Laughter

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kakubo: Madam Speaker, if you look at her jacket from where you are seated, you will see that it is exactly like yours. From where I am standing, I can see that even her shirt is exactly like yours.

Hon. Members: And the wig!

Mr Kakubo: Madam Speaker, from where I am standing, it also appears she is wearing the same wig as you. Is she in order?

Madam Speaker, my point of order is premised on three Standing Orders, that is why it is serious. It is premised on Standing Orders No. 216, 217 and 218. All three refer to the dress code of hon. Members of Parliament, Presiding Officers and all your assistants.

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

Laughter

Mr B. Mpundu: Send her out!

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

The hon. Minister for Lusaka Province is my sister, that is why you see the resemblance.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: It is nice to have a twin sister in the House so that when an enemy comes, he or she would not know who the Presiding Officer or the hon. Minister for Lusaka Province is. She is in order.

Hon. Member for Chilubi, you may continue.

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I was saying that the hon. Minister will forgive me if I did not pick the figures correctly at first when he talked about the total number of inland toll stations. He can guide me on that.  My interest is in the fact that he talked about the information being based on November statistics. There was an increment for a particular category of trucks, which would be effective after 30^th December but, of course, there was circulation about the withdrawal of that statement. I would like to attest, since this is a House of evidence, to the fact that I used a truck on 30^th December, and I paid K50, then, I paid K200 for the same truck on 1^st January. The question is: Do the averages that were calculated include the 300 per cent plus increment of toll fees for trucks in a particular category?

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chilubi, get to the specific question, because you are losing us in the process.

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I have asked the question.

Madam Speaker: Yes. Ask the question so that we get it. I am also following.

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I have asked the question. Having given that background, I have asked whether the averages the hon. Minister has talked about include the increment that came into effect on 1^st January, because he talked about figures. The increment that was effected in January for some category of trucks was 300 per cent plus. I think, he can agree with me. Later, that was said to be fake, and the statement was withdrawn. However, people are paying that amount. So, I want to learn from him on whether the averages, since he mentioned November, capture information from January to date.

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, the figures I have provided were as of November 2025. If I understand the hon. Member correctly, he has talked about the fees that came into effect in January 2026. It follows, therefore, that what he is talking about is not included in the numbers that I have presented.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr B. Mpundu (Nkana): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has clearly indicated which toll facilities are managed by the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) and those managed by the concessionaire. I have taken an interest in the number of toll facilities managed by the concessionaire. I am aware of four that, justifiably so, are managed by the concessionaire on the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway, even though we have argued that they were erroneously given because the contractor has not completed the project yet. I have taken a particular interest in the Michael Chilufya Sata Toll Plaza. I am aware that, as of last year, the Government included that toll facility on the list of those handled by Macro Ocean Investment Consortium (MOIC-LN). Is there any justification as to why a toll facility that is far from a private public partnership (PPP) project has been given to the concessionaire, when that concessionaire has nothing to do with the toll plaza?

I seek the hon. Minister’s indulgence on that matter, Madam Speaker.

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, there is justification, certainly. The Government needed to harmonise the tariff rates between the Luanshya to Masangano and Luanshya to Ndola stretches. The issue is that if the tariffs at the Michael Chilufya Sata Toll Plaza were not adjusted, then, obviously, the toll plaza on the Luanshya to Masangano Road would be a white elephant because people would be bypassing it. So, the adjustment was made to ensure that traffic is not diverted. In any case, the toll plaza is not managed by the concessionaire.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, you should pay attention. We have a lot of business on the Order Paper. When a question is asked, you are supposed to pay attention so that we do not keep repeating ourselves.

Hon. Member for Nkana, if you were listening, you would note what was said. What I have understood from what the hon. Minister has said is that the Michael Chilufya Sata Toll Plaza is not being managed by the concessionaire. That was the answer.

Mr B. Mpundu:  That is why I want to raise a point of order.

Madam Speaker: Why?

Let us make progress.

Hon. Member for Chilubi, you may proceed.

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has stated that the money that is being recouped from the toll gates is ploughed back into maintaining the roads. What is the arrangement on the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway if the structure of expenditure for toll gates is that the money should be ploughed back? We have been told about the cost of constructing the dual carriageway.  If the structure stipulates that the money should be ploughed back into the road, and that the concessionaire will collect the money for a certain time period, has the structure been re-arranged, or are the same conditions being considered with regard to the toll gates that the concessionaire is managing, or the period that was given to the concessionaire and how are the increments of up to 300 per cent being grouped?

Madam Speaker: I hope the question is clear. I can see that the hon. Minister did not get the question.

Please, simplify the question.

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that –

Mr Sikumba interjected.

Mr Fube: No. Are you the one asking the question? Let us respect each other.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the money collected at tollgates is generally used to maintain roads. Some roads, such as the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway, are being managed by concessionaires. Given that status, what are the arrangements regarding such roads? I ask because there are increments to be made on toll fees and then, there is the issue of the concession agreement for twenty-three years. So, how are the tollgates on roads such as the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway being managed with regard to operations and maintenance?

Madam Speaker: I hope the question is clear, hon. Minister.

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, let me try to clarify matters, without necessarily answering verbatim to what the hon. Member asked. I will do so by giving the principles being applied.

Madam Speaker, one of the principles being applied is that when a road is concessioned, it is necessary to lengthen the period of payments. We have to remember that the expense for constructing such roads is quite large and it payable over a longer period of time. So, if the period is shortened too much, it means that motorists will be paying higher amounts of money as toll fees. Therefore, if motorists are asked to pay for a road over a longer period of time, it means that the payment they will make each time they drive on that road is lower. That is the first principle.

Madam Speaker, the second principle is that when a road is concessioned and toll fees are collected, they are part of the financing for the road sector. Firstly, the fees collected are used to repay the loans obtained to construct the roads. It is not different from what happens when the Government borrows money to construct a road. The National Budget provides money to pay back the loans, but in this particular case, the one who pays back the loan for a road concession is not the Government. Therefore, the Government is free of that debt, but it must be provided in the concession agreement that the concessionaire should put aside some money to pay back the loan. So, it is legitimate to say that the repayment of the loans is part of the financing for the road sector.

Madam Speaker, secondly, roads must be maintained because, every now and then, they are damaged. Therefore, pre-emptive work has to be done to prevent serious damage. So, that pot of money is also designated towards road maintenance. So, the two components that I have mentioned are obviously the money that is collected from the tolls and goes directly into the road sector, as well as the portion that goes to rewards. In other words, part of the money the concessionaire collects in form of profits is what is used to pay the Government its share of the revenue. For all the roads, the Government also collects a share of the revenue.

Madam Speaker, the second thing in terms of distribution is that the concessionaires pay taxes. Therefore, from the money that is collected, part of it is what is paid to the Government in form of various taxes.

Madam Speaker, I hope I have clarified in terms of how the money is used because the question from the hon. Member was not clear. So, I thought I should explain how the money from the road concessions under the PPP model is utilised.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker gave the Floor to Mr Anakoka.

Mr Anakoka (Luena): Madam Speaker, in responding to the hon. Member for Chilubi, the hon. Minister responded to my question as well, which was going to be on the revenue sharing pattern.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: We need to make progress. Therefore, the last question will be from the hon. Member for Nyimba.

Mr Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, thank you. I am very lucky.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister already responded to the other question I had. However, allow me to relay this information to him.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister understands how much money the ministry spends on road maintenance, which is quite expensive. From his explanation, he indicated that a certain amount of money is allocated to road maintenance, and part of it comes from the concessionaire arrangement under public-private partnerships (PPP’s). To say the truth, the level of investment in road maintenance is pathetic. A practical example is the Great East Road. There will be a disaster on that road, worse than the one that happened on the Chingola/Kasumbalesa Road. I have already reported this matter to the necessary authorities. I informed the Road Development Agency (RDA) in the Eastern Province. A dam is being built at the Renamo Hills, where it was not supposed to be due to a blocked drainage system. People are so scared to go and unblock the drainage system because they feel the place is a den of lions, but it is not. Hon. Sikumba has trained personnel who can help take out the lions if they are there.

Madam Speaker, the disaster that will happen at the Renamo Hills will be too much for this country to handle. I pray that we avoid wasting more money and send a team tomorrow to unblock that drainage system.

Madam Speaker: I do not know if the hon. Minister understood the question, because I did not.

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, I think that was a suggestion or an appeal, rather than a question, which, of course, I have taken note of. However, I can also take advantage of this opportunity to explain the issue of maintenance.

Madam Speaker, the advantage of the PPP model with regard to road concessions is that for the entire period that the road is under concession, the Government will not put aside money to maintain the road. The responsibility lies squarely on the concessionaire. So, on one hand, we collect a share of the revenues and taxes, but when it comes to road maintenance and repair, the Government has no role to play. That is why it is an attractive mode of financing road construction. Otherwise, I have taken note of the appeal by the hon. Member.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

        CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMMES FOR HEALTH WORKERS IN CHINSALI

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

(a)     whether the Government has any capacity building programmes for health workers in Chinsali District;

(b)     if so, what the programmes are; and

(c)      if there are no such programmes, why.

The Minister of Information and Media and Acting Minister of Health (Mr Mweetwa): Madam Speaker, yes, the Government has capacity building programmes for health workers in Chinsali District. Capacity building and mentorship for health workers are essential strategies to strengthen healthcare systems, especially in resource-limited settings. Regular capacity building programmes ensure health workers stay updated on evolving medical guidelines. These programmes are for all health workers across the country, especially in resource-constrained settings. These include short-term and long-term programmes.

Madam Speaker, the capacity building programmes include the following:

1. emergency obstetric and new-born care training on the management of obstetric emergency, such as postpartum haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia and other maternal complications;

1. referral system strengthening mentorship on the use of the national referral guidelines to ensure timely and appropriate referral of patients;

1. new-born resuscitation training to prevent neonatal deaths due to births asphyxia through effective new-born resuscitation;

 

1. ambulance and emergency equipment use mentorship on the use of advanced lifesaving equipment installed in ambulances;

 

1. triage and emergency case management mentorship on triaging of cases to avoid delays in attending to emergencies;

1. growth monitoring and nutrition surveillance of children in the community to identify and prevent malnutrition;

1. help mother survive programme mentorship in reproductive, maternal and new-born healthcare interventions;

1. early infant diagnosis mentorship on early diagnosis of HIV/AIDS in infants and appropriate follow-ups;

1. health management information system training in data collection, management analysis and use of decision-making;

1. infants and young child feeding mentorship on optimal feeding practices for infants and young children;

1. kangaroo mother care mentorship on the use of kangaroo mother care for pre-term and low birth-weight babies;

• emergency preparedness and response training, which equips health workers and communities with the knowledge, skills and systems needed to effectively manage crises, such as disease outbreak, natural disasters and mass casualty events; and

1. community gatekeeper mentorship and safe motherhood action groups on identification of high-risk pregnancies and timely referral to health facilities.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister how often capacity building programmes are provided to our health workers in Chinsali District.

 

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, just like I indicated in my response, these programmes are routine in Chinsali and across the country. So, as and when there is a requirement to capacitate or recapacitate health workers, such programmes are undertaken.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has listed a number of programmes being undertaken to raise the capacity of our health workers in Chinsali. Some of them are very complicated medical programmes. Is the hon. Minister able to tell the nation the last time one of the ten or fifteen programmes he listed was actually conducted? Is he able to confirm that three weeks or two months ago, a group of health workers was trained? That is what the hon. Member for Chinsali is interested in. He wants to know if the capacity of the workers is improving, and whether they are able to handle cases far much better. Is the hon. Minister able to confirm when one of those programmes was undertaken?

 

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, I have answered that question already in part; I indicated that these are routine programmes. That question is issue-specific, and would have required me to pinpoint a specific answer.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister stated that the capacity building programmes are implemented routinely as and when training is required. Now, when you look at the phraseology of that response, you will see that there is a contradiction. If someone says “as and when training is required,” that is not routine. Routine basically means something that is done every six or eighteen months. So, I would like the hon. Minister to reconcile that position. Is it as and when training is required, or it is routine? It can only be either one of the two; it cannot be both.

 

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, if the hon. Member was listening carefully, he would have heard that, I said these are routine programmes that take place as and when capacity building is required, or when re-capacitation is required. That deals with his concern.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

GROUPED QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSISTANTS IN CHINSALI DISTRICT

 

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

 

1. how many Community Health Assistants there were in Chinsali District, as of August 2025;

 

1. of these, how many were on the Government payroll;

 

1. what support the Government renders to the Health Assistants who are not on the payroll;

 

1. whether the Health Assistants who are not on the payroll are given preference during recruitment; and

 

1. if preference is not given to the Health Assistants at (d), why.

 

STAFF AND INFRASTRUCTURE AT CHINSALI GENERAL HOSPITAL

 

237. Mr Mukosa asked the Minister of Health:

 

1. how many of the following there were at Chinsali General Hospital as of September, 2025:

 

1. health workers; and

 

1. staff houses;

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to build additional staff houses for the health workers;

 

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

 

1. if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Acting Minister of Health (Mr Mweetwa): Madam Speaker, as of August 2025, there were twenty-three Community Health Assistants in Chinsali District.

 

Madam Speaker, of the twenty-three Community Health Assistants, twelve were on the Government payroll as at August 2025. Allow me to mention that the positions of Community Health Assistants are held at health posts, of which Chinsali District has nine, making eighteen positions.

 

Madam Speaker, Community Health Assistants who are not on the Government payroll are regarded as volunteers who do not get a stipend or salary. However, they participate in capacity building programmes and mentorship sessions and use aid to facilitate their work in the community.

 

Madam Speaker, Community Health Assistants who are not on the payroll are encouraged to apply and are considered during recruitment exercises, in accordance with the applicable recruitment guidelines. In many cases, they are given preference.

 

Madam Speaker, recruitment of Health Assistants is subject to prevailing recruitment guidelines.

 

Madam Speaker, in view of Question 237, I wish to state that as of September 2025, Chinsali General Hospital had a total of 196 health workers.

 

Madam Speaker, as of September 2025, Chinsali General Hospital had fifteen staff houses available for institutional accommodation.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government has plans for additional housing at Chinsali General Hospital. Therefore, I wish to inform this House that the Government is fully aware of the accommodation challenges faced by staff at Chinsali General Hospital, which is situated approximately 25 km from the Central Business District (CBD).

 

Madam Speaker, in line with the conditions of service, employees are entitled to both transport and housing allowances, which are duly reflected on their payslips. Furthermore, the Government, through the Ministry of Health is actively engaging the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. The Government urges the hard-working hon. Member of Parliament for Chinsali ...

 

Mr Mukosa: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mweetwa: … to consider using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to supplement the efforts of the Government just like it is done elsewhere.  So, it is the Government's sincere belief that the hardworking hon. Member for Chinsali will be part of the solution to the challenges obtaining at this institution. It is hoped that the plans will be implemented in the year of the Lord, 2027.

 

 Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to build additional housing at Chinsali General Hospital. Therefore, part (d) of the question falls out.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mukosa: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the responses he has provided to the questions. I just want to state that twelve volunteers in Chinsali are not on payroll and they are not given any stipend or any form of reward, remuneration or consideration. The hon. Minister has stated that sometimes, volunteers are given preference when the Government is recruiting. However, during this time the volunteers have been providing health support to our health system in Chinsali and Zambia at large, some of them have done that for over five years, but they have not been recruited. Basically, this means that they have to leave everything else to go and help the patients.

 

 Madam Speaker, is there any possibility that those hard-working volunteers can be considered in terms of maybe, a stipend or some form of allowance just to give them a consideration for the good work that they have been doing?

 

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Chinsali for the follow-up question.

 

Madam Speaker, just to put the statistics correct, it is actually twelve volunteers who are not on payroll. So, I cannot commit that the Government will put them on a particular allowance. It is also safe for me to indicate here that, as the practice is, those who have been volunteering are actually given preference when it is time for recruitment. This is also not just based on what I am stating.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member will recall that the His Excellency the President gave a Presidential directive in and out of this House to give preference to volunteers, particularly, as the case in issue during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). So, going forward, we need this interaction so that if hon. Members have volunteers who have worked for five years, they do not wait to bring a question on the Floor of this House. They can go to the Ministry. We can give them some kind of preference so that the Government is seen to appreciate the good work that those volunteers have put in.

 

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mweetwa: That is why he is an hon. Member of Parliament. He is there to represent such people. I know he is a very hard-working hon. Member.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kang’ombe (Kanfinsa): Madam Speaker, the issue that has been raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for the people of Chinsali is not just peculiar to Chinsali. I suppose most constituencies have health facilities that have volunteers.

 

 Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has said a lot of things, but people out there want to pick what he is saying. Is it Government policy that if one volunteers at a health facility, then one will be given first priority when there is an opportunity for employment by the Government?

 

 Madam Speaker, this policy pronouncement has to be made very clear because we all have volunteer health workers at Zamutani Clinic, Ndeke Village Clinic and Mulenga Clinic. So, I want the hon. Minister to be very clear so that correct information is delivered to the people who are listening. Are volunteers given the first priority during recruitment so that they can prepare their papers for the forthcoming recruitment.

 

Madam Speaker: Before the Acting hon. Minister of Health answers that question, I wish to inform the House that the quorum has dropped. Please, can you ring the bell? I am sure some people are enjoying some tea out there. Can you check on them? Others are in Committees, but we cannot transact business if we do not have the quorum.

 

Quorum formed  

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much. We can resume business. Hon. Minister, you can now answer the question. I am sure you still remember.

 

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, I thank you very much,

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Kamfinsa, Mr Kang’ombe has extended the application of this question beyond its initial precincts, …

 

Hon. Government Members: Question. Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mweetwa: … but I shall proceed to answer it because what we are talking about is a Presidential directive that was given even on the Floor of the House. So, there is no secret about it. It is safe to indicate that the policy on employment by the New Dawn Administration of President Hakainde Hichilema, and ably led by President Hakainde Hichilema is meritocracy-based.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mweetwa:  This means that qualification and connections speak for you.

 

That is why new mechanisms of employment were brought in, such as using a database when employing health workers. In just four and a half years of President Hakainde Hichilema’s reign, the New Dawn Administration has employed 18,305 health workers using this meritocracy-based employment approach. It is unprecedented. The core policy of employment is to use merit and qualifications. Further to that, the President has given guidance to the effect that volunteers must be given preference so that the two aspects inform the employment criteria. So, while the policy is to employ based on qualifications, the President has added a directive, which translates, in effect, into a policy. That is why I have said that those who have been volunteering, as is the practice now, get recommendations from their supervisors, provincial health directors (PHDs) or district health directors (DHDs), to be considered. I think that it is work in progress. It is already underway in terms of application.

 

Madam Speaker, perhaps, what we should be saying is that as the economy grows, more people will be employed, because the problem is not volunteering for many years, but that we had an Administration that was not employing people. That is where the problem was. Imagine if employment was undertaken every five years in the ten years prior to 2021, like what is being done now, we would not have people volunteering for five years. By the end of the first five years of President Hakainde Hichilema’s term, the Government would have employed not less than 20,000 people because the number is already above 18,000. So, every five years, 20,000 people are employed. However, we had a terrible Government. That is why the people of Zambia made a change for good, and they will repeat that in the next few months on 13^th August, 2026.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Hon. Member for Lunte, what is the point of order?

 

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, I rise on what I consider a serious point of order, as it relates to an hon. Government Minister speaking on the Floor of the House.

 

Madam Speaker, between 2016 and 2021, the previous Government employed 24,000 health workers.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Interruptions

 

 Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, I am aware that –

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Let us listen, hon. Members.

 

Mr Kafwaya: Thank you very much for your protection, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, I am aware that the hon. Minister who is speaking on the health matters is acting on administrative convenience. So, he may not have the facts. The hon. Member who was the Minister of Health then still maintains his membership in this House today. I was privileged to be in the Cabinet that employed 11,000 workers and another 8,000.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr Kafwaya: A total of 24,000. Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to claim that the previous Government did not employ as many health workers as his Government has done? He can consult Hon. Mutati, who is in the House. Hon. Mutati is aware. He was a Minister in the previous Government.

 

 Madam Speaker, is the Acting hon. Minister in order to mislead the nation by saying that health workers were not employed, and that is why they are having difficulties?

 

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Lunte, you have raised many points and even alleged that one of the hon. Ministers was a Minister in the previous Government.

 

Rev. Katuta: He was!

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Lunte, you have sufficiently debated your point of order. I am sure they have heard, and you also have heard. So, we make progress.

 

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that the Government plans to build houses for health workers in Chinsali. I would like to know how many houses the Government plans to build. He has challenged me to collaborate with the Government to also build some houses using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation, which I am not averse to. I think that is something that I am willing to do, but I would not want to duplicate the Government’s efforts. So, how many houses is the ministry planning to build for our health workers in Chinsali?

 

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, I am the Acting Minister, but competently so.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Rev. Katuta: Question!

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Nakuwama ku health!

 

Interruptions

 

Rev. Katuta: Kwaliba indalama. Kusuma!

 

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, I am using –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Chienge, please. There was no debating whilst seated, but when you came in, you started. Please, restrain yourself.

 

Hon. Minister, you may continue.

 

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, the word I am using, competent, is not ability, because I know that is what a person like Hon. Binwell Mpundu is thinking, I am talking about legally working at the ministry. He was talking about something else.

 

Rev. Katuta: Question!

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, on a point of order. Why am I being mentioned?

 

Mr Mweetwa: Because you are heckling.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, let me respond.

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Minister!

 

Hon. Member for Chienge, please, that kind of conduct is not acceptable in the House. When you moved from your seat, you bowed, and shouted while you were bowing.

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: That is not acceptable.

 

Hon. Minister, you may continue.

 

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Chinsali has asked a question on the number of houses to build since the Government has intimated that it intends to build houses.

 

Madam Speaker, building staff houses is on the basis of need. That is the answer. The need is ever-growing, just as you see that the Government continues recruiting more health workers. That means the number of houses will be a moving target at every stage, but we are working towards responding to that particular challenge because we continue employing staff.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me also to say that I have been in this House for fifteen years. The previous Government sustained an employment freeze not less than three to four years ahead of the 2021 General Elections. Where did it find the time to employ that many people? It is not right to stand on the Floor of this House to say something that is not true just for people to hear. The day I will be in the Opposition, knowing that I was part and parcel of the people who damaged the country, you will not see me stand to show that I am clever when I did not show my cleverness when I was in the Government.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: What is the point of order now, hon. Member for Lunte?

 

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, my point of order is on the fact that if the hon. Minister has the courage to counter the data provided on the Floor of this House, he must bring statistics. It is irrelevant for the hon. Minister to talk about the sustenance of the employment freeze and fail to indicate the number of health workers that the previous Government employed. I challenge him. It was 24,000 because I was a Minister during that period.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to fail to provide data as it exists in his ministry, but instead politick over factual data?

 

 I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, what I see here is that you are merely arguing and subtly attacking each other. However, our work here is to transact the business on the Order Paper.  You can continue your arguments when you go outside to see who did what and who is not doing what. In the meantime, business continues.

 

Hon. Member for Chawama, you may proceed.

 

Mr Nundwe (Chawama): Madam Speaker, to me, Muchinga Province is a special case, knowing fully well that it is the newest province in the country and that I happened to have served in that province for over three years.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Nundwe: Madam Speaker, I know pretty well the deficiencies of that particular province. I want to ask the Acting hon. Minister of Health, what sort of premium and, of course, significance, coupled with importance, is attached to that very important province in terms of development, knowing fully well that he is also in charge of speaking on everything that is across the board in terms of ministries. I have been watching the hon. Member of Parliament for Chinsali Constituency lamenting nearly every single day. Firstly, he spoke about the security wings in terms of infrastructure. He then spoke about the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) vehicles and, of course, employment. Now the lamentation is about the hon. Minister of Health.

 

Madam Speaker, the Chinsali General Hospital is a masterpiece for the nation. It is a marvel, a spectacular piece of infrastructure. However, the absence of sufficient members of staff to operate in that hospital gives a very sad reading. I want to ask the Acting hon. Minister of Health, if there are any deliberate programmes for Muchinga, being the newest province, and Chinsali, being the provincial headquarters.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Chawama for that question. He is the newest in the House.

 

Mr Mutelo: The lastborn.

 

Mr Mweetwa: Someone said he is the lastborn.

 

Madam Speaker, to that effect, I will indicate to him that the question he has asked has already been answered competently by me. I urge him to pay attention when an hon. Minister is giving answers.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the responses.

 

Madam Speaker, I just want to make an appeal to the hon. Minister. He talked about the recruitment of more health workers as the economy grows. I am of the view that when medical professionals, who are trained at a high cost, stay for two to three years without practising, they tend to lose their skills. We have noticed that some nurses in some hospitals fail to simply insert a cannula. They will prick the body everywhere. Why? It is because they are losing the skill over time.

 

Madam Speaker, I want to find out whether there are any plans to ensure that medical professionals, who are trained at high cost, do not stay for too long without getting employed so that they can enhance their skills.

 

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Katakwe for that question.

 

Madam Speaker, in my earlier response, we encouraged health workers, particularly doctors and nurses, to remain abreast and afloat with their skills; they are encouraged to volunteer, but, of course, the endgame is employment. As the President indicated here, as the economy grows, we shall employ more and more doctors and nurses. I know that this challenge is not limited to the health sector. It is across the board. However, the health sector is a specialised cadre of citizens who need to have cutting-edge expertise and remain functional at all times. So, we hear Hon. Katakwe, and that is why President Hakainde Hichilema is working around the clock to resuscitate and stabilise the economy of this country so that more health workers can be employed.

 

Madam Speaker, with your greatest indulgence, allow me now to give statistics to the nation on employment.

 

Madam Speaker, up to 2021, the records held at the Ministry of Health, …

 

Mr Nkandu: Not in Lunte.

 

Mr Mweetwa: … stood at 14,389. This cuts across doctors, nurses and all other support staff. So, it is erroneous to come and abuse the Floor of this House to brandish with carte blanche audacity numbers that do not exist in a quest to mislead people.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

_______

 

MOTION

 

REVIEW AND STRENGTHEN LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORKS GOVERNING THE ACQUISITION OF LAND BY FOREIGN NATIONALS IN ZAMBIA

 

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that this House urges the Government to review and strengthen legal and administrative frameworks governing the acquisition of land by foreign nationals in Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

 

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): I beg to second the Motion.

 

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, I want to begin by thanking the people of Kamfinsa Constituency for the opportunity accorded to me to be their Member of Parliament because, through this privilege, I have, today, presented a very important Motion that affects many people out there. This issue has been exercising the minds of many members of the public, including people with whom I have interacted and whom I have heard discussing the matter. The views that I have heard from people are that we urgently need to address this problem. Now, what problem am I raising today that requires us to have this conversation?  It is the issue of access to land by foreign nationals in Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, there is a public outcry on the need to review the current legal and administrative frameworks that govern how land administration is done for people who are called foreign nationals.

 

Madam Speaker, currently, the Laws of Zambia allow foreigners to own land.  There are various ways through which foreign nationals can acquire land. For instance, we are aware that, under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry is an institution called the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), which normally issues what is called an investment licence. As a foreigner, one can obtain an investment licence, approach any Government entity that allocates land, and the land may be granted, provided they hold an investment licence. Unfortunately, some of the foreign investors who have been using that avenue to acquire land are not honouring the investment pledge, which is that US$250,000 ought to be invested through that investment licence.

 

What has been happening, Madam Speaker, and which is now the subject of public outcry, is that foreign nationals come under the pretext of being investors, acquire large tracts of land, and then fail to honour their promises. In the end, we have had foreign nationals subdividing land, which is then sold to the very Zambians to whom it should have been sold in the first place. So, in terms of the first criterion, if an investor comes into Zambia on the pretext that they will invest money, my submission is that if they fail to honour that investment pledge, that piece of land should be surrendered back to the State and offered to the people of Zambia. Why should an investor pledge to set up a mining company or a highly mechanised farm block, yet in the end not follow through with the investment?

 

 So, my first submission is that we need to review the law and administrative framework to ensure that the land of those who do not honour their investment pledges is surrendered back to the people of Zambia.

 

The second avenue through which foreigners acquire land, Madam Speaker, is by incorporating a company at the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA). When a foreigner comes into Zambia and incorporates a company, the law says that 75 per cent of the shares in that company should be owned by a Zambian while a foreigner is going to own 25 per cent if they are to eventually own that piece of land. Currently, foreigners will incorporate a company without even following what the law says. Rather than complying with the requirement that a Zambian citizen holds 75 per cent shareholding in a partnership with a foreigner, we have had some foreign-owned companies registered in Zambia proceed to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to acquire land, contrary to the legal provision. As a result, our institutions have ended up allocating that land to foreign entities.

 

My submission, Madam Speaker, is that we need to conduct an audit of all the foreign-owned entities that have acquired land without following the laid-down procedure, which is very clear. It prescribes that a Zambian owns 75 per cent of the land while a foreigner should own 25 per cent, and only then can the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources issue a title for that piece of land. 

 

My submission today is that we need to revise the regulation. When a foreign-owned entity registered in Zambia applies for a piece of land, we need to ensure that the regulations are very clear. The outcry of the people is the need to understand why foreigners should have access to land, which can directly be given to Zambian citizens. Why should the law be ignored? The law says that 75 per cent of the shares should be retained by a Zambian citizen.

 

Madam Speaker, the third avenue through which a foreign entity can own land in Zambia is by having a co-operative whose membership is 75 per cent Zambian. We have co-operatives in Zambia under which foreigners’ names are appearing and they have even been able to engage traditional leaders to acquire land. They have been given huge chunks of land.

 

As I speak, I am not expressing my views, but those of the people I represent. The outcry of the people is the need for us to ask ourselves two or three basic questions regarding foreign-owned co-operatives that approach our traditional leadership for huge pieces of land.

 

Madam Speaker, the first question is: Why should we offload these huge pieces of land when we know some of these so-called investors will not be able to honour their investment pledges? We know that they will not set up the farm blocks that they promise. The second submission coming from the citizens is the need to ask ourselves whether the problem is that of the law. If so, let us review the law. If we think that the law is not sufficient to ensure that our institutions, that is, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and local authorities, do not check to whom they offload land, it means we need to change the law. Further, if the problem is that of administrative frameworks being very weak, and, as a result, the foreigners have found a loophole through which they are acquiring land, this is what today's conversation is about.

 

Madam Speaker, let us review the regulations and the legal framework. If it is the Lands Act that we need to amend, it is this Parliament, now, that needs to entrust that responsibility with various stakeholders. Traditional leaders, their royal highnesses, the local authority and officers in the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources must be called so that a conversation can now take place.

 

So, Madam Speaker, when we have this opportunity, as Parliament, our mandate is very simple. Let us review the regulations, laws and administrative frameworks so that these complaints, which speak to our sovereignty, can be looked into.  Land is the identity that we have of our sovereignty, as a country.

 

Madam Speaker, as I wind up, the request coming from the people is that, yes, while the laws currently empower foreigners to own land, they call for the review of the law and administrative frameworks to ensure that we do not lose any more land that we already have, as Zambian citizens, at the expense of foreigners who are not honouring their pledges when they acquire that land.

 

Madam Speaker, due to limited time, I urge the august House to support the Motion to Review the Legal and Administrative Frameworks Governing the Acquisition of Land by Foreign Nationals in Zambia.

 

I thank you.

 

Madam Speaker: Does the seconder wish to speak now or later?

 

Mr Mtayachalo: Now, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mtayachalo: Thank you, Madam Speaker, for according me, on behalf of the people of Chama North, an opportunity to second this Motion that has been brought to this august House by Hon. Christopher Kang’ombe, Member of Parliament for Kamfinsa Constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, I want to commend the hon. Member of Parliament for coming up with this Motion, which is non-controversial.

 

Madam Speaker, the issue of land has been contentious from generation to generation.  In some instances, people have gone to war because of fighting over land. So, looking at the current situation in our country, the Zambian population has been experiencing tremendous increase since 1969. By 2022, our country recorded a population of 20 million citizens. In the next few years, the population will grow even more.

 

 Madam Speaker, in light of the anticipated increase in population, the Government must put in place certain safeguards to ensure the restriction of acquisition of land by foreigners. Zambia has land that is classified into two categories, which are customary land and also State land. The State land is vested in the President.  However, there have been many concerns in respect of customary land, whereby some investors are acquiring large tracts of land, resulting in the displacement of local people. With that situation, there is a need to review the legal frameworks to ensure that land acquisition by foreigners is restricted.

 

Madam Speaker, currently, legal provisions do exist, but are they sufficient enough to ensure that the interests of the people of Zambia are safeguarded? I do not think so. I, therefore, wish to appeal to all hon. Members of this august House to ensure that this Motion is supported in order to safeguard the interests of our people. Many of our people have become squatters in their own country while many foreigners are acquiring land to their disadvantage. Indeed, the Motion has come at the right time when demand for land by both local and foreign investors is on the increase.

 

Madam Speaker, currently, the institutional co-ordination between land administration authorities and investment facilitating bodies is fragmented. In some cases, leased land is not properly utilised. It is held for speculative purposes as opposed to productive development.

 

Madam Speaker, with these remarks, I feel that this House should support this Motion and ensure that the legal framework is reviewed. In other countries, a foreigner cannot own land, but here, we have allowed a situation whereby our people are being displaced.

 

With these few remarks, Madam Speaker, I support the Motion.

 

Madam Speaker, I beg to move.

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

 

We have listened to the mover and the supporter of the Motion. Is there anyone opposing the Motion or are we all in support?

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Okay, in that case, then, let me pick at random, but the debate will not be balanced.

 

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the good people of Kabwata, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to add my voice to the debate on the Motion that is before this House.

 

Madam Speaker, firstly, I support the Motion. The House understands that God has stopped the business of creating more land. The land we have, as a country, is our national heritage, which our forefathers fought for. However, many foreigners come to our country on the pretext of being investors and acquire the necessary documents but, at the end of the day, what they are interested in is securing land. Like the hon. Member for Kamfinsa ably mentioned, these are issues we need to review and see how best we can push for co-ordination between different ministries, such as the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Natural Resources, and the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, because the Zambia Development Agency (IDC) falls under it.

 

Madam Speaker, some co-operatives that have been registered are huge and they are run by foreigners who have the power and audacity to apply for land. There is a need to put measures in place to ensure that co-operatives or companies formed with 25 per cent of non-Zambians do not take advantage of the loopholes in the law.

 

Madam Speaker, let me talk about the issue of traditional leaders. I think, everyone needs to understand that traditional leaders should be involved whenever there is a need to convert traditionally acquired land into State ownership. There is a need for every Zambian to understand that traditional leaders play a critical role under such circumstances and, therefore, must ensure that a consent is signed by them. Most issues arise when the proper procedure is not followed.

 

Madam Speaker, for instance, in Mulobezi, a company acquired almost 40,000 hectares of land. Issues arose over whether the chief had signed a consent to allocate the land to that company. That was just an investor who had come in. That is why the Government needs to ensure co-ordination to know what is happening in different chiefdoms, because land is our national heritage. Chiefs fight over boundaries because they understand the importance of land.

 

Madam Speaker, let me debate the challenges affecting the land acquisition process. The inadequacies of the land monitoring policy in land administration is an issue around which we should have conversations.

 

Madam Speaker, let me also look at speculators. Most people who come in as investors acquire farming blocks for land speculation. They want to hold on to the land so that, at a given time, when it appreciates, they can dispose of it. The Government should ensure that it puts measures in place to deter land speculators from holding onto land.

 

Madam Speaker, the other issue I would also like to debate is encroachments. People have encroached on forests and national parks. I think, these issues should be brought to the attention of the Government to see how best they can be dealt with.

 

Madam Speaker, the legal framework is the most critical issue that needs to be addressed. The Lands Act, Cap 184 of the Laws of Zambia, needs to be reviewed. To ensure that the legal framework is in place and strengthened, the Lands Act, Cap 184 of the Laws of Zambia, should be reviewed. I strongly believe that it is old and that it needs to respond to the modern changes happening now.

 

Madam Speaker, I also want to add my voice to the call for the need to strengthen due diligence in the approval processes. Certain processes are not followed. So, they should be strengthened.

 

Madam Speaker, there is also a need for the digitalisation and computerisation of the Lands Registry. There is absolutely no way we can have a manual registry. We need to start improving and digitising the Lands Registry. After that is done, it will be easy to know the use of the parcels of land available in the country, for example, for agricultural or residential use. It will be far easier to manage the land.

 

Madam Speaker, the other issue I wish to raise is that of modernising the land management system. I think, there is a need to ensure that the land management system is also modernised.

 

Madam Speaker, due to a lack of time, I would also like to debate the establishment of the integration of the land information system. Every time one visits the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Natural Resources, the system is either not working or it would have shut down. I think, there is an absolute need for the integration to be handled with care to avoid challenges with land information. People should easily have access to whatever information they want through the computer system. They should even have access to information on their phones. I trust and believe that this is what is happening, but some issues that have been raised need to be strengthened. When that is done, we will ensure that transparency in land allocation is improved, and the issuance of fraudulent titles flying around in the country will be dealt with.

 

Madam Speaker, I recall hearing many submissions from different stakeholders when we, as the Committee on Agriculture, dealt with the Act that came before us. We were concerned with the issues of titles that were being fraudulently obtained from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. I strongly feel that once stringent measures are put in place, it will prevent fraudulent activities from happening. Once the ministry follows-up some of the issues that have been raised, it will ensure that it strengthens the existing legal and administrative frameworks and that most of the things being done illegally are brought to an end.

 

Madam Speaker, with those few words, I support the Motion.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Madam Speaker: The hon. Member made sure to use every second of his time. Is there a need for us to continue debating, hon. Members, when we are saying the same thing?

 

Hon. Members: No!

 

Madam Speaker: The hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources may take the Floor and respond.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Most of the time, you are not in the House. If you will be here tomorrow, you will be given the Floor.

 

Laughter

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, I rise to respond to the Private Member’s Motion, regarding the Review and Strengthen Legal and Administrative Framework Governing the Acquisition of Land by Foreign Nationals in Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, let me begin by stating that land is a strategic national asset. It is central to our sovereignty, food security, economic development and social stability. The Government of the Republic of Zambia, under the able leadership of the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, remains committed to ensuring that land administration in Zambia is transparent, equitable and aligned with our national development priorities.

 

Madam Speaker, the acquisition of land in Zambia is primarily governed by the Lands Act, Cap 184 of the Laws of Zambia. Under this Act, all land in Zambia is vested in the President and held in perpetuity on behalf of the people of Zambia. Land may only be allocated to non-Zambians under specific conditions, which include the following:

 

1. where the non-Zambian is a permanent resident in the Republic of Zambia holding a residence permit;

 

1. where the non-Zambian is an investor within the meaning of the investment Act or any other law relating to the promotion of the investment in Zambia;

 

1. where the non-Zambian has obtained the President’s consent in writing under his hand;

 

1. where the non-Zambian is a company registered under the companies Act and less than twenty-five per cent of the issued shares are owned by non-Zambians;

 

1. where the non-Zambian is a statutory corporation created by an act of Parliament;

 

1. where the non-Zambian is a co-operative society registered under the Co-operatives Societies Act and less than twenty-five per cent of the members are non-Zambians;

 

1. where the non-Zambian is a body registered under the Land Perpetual Succession Act and is a non-profit making, charitable, religious, education organisation or institution, which is registered and is approved by the Minister for the purposes of this section;

 

1. where the interest or right in question arises out of the lease, sub-lease or under-lease for a period not exceeding five years, or a Tenancy Agreement;

 

1. where the interest or right in land is being inherited upon death or is being transferred under a right of survivorship or by operation of law;

 

1. where the non-Zambian is a commercial bank registered under the Companies Act and the Banking and Financial Services Act; or

 

1. where the non-Zambian is granted a concession or rights under the National Parks and Wildlife Act.

 

Madam Speaker, with regard to customary land, which constitutes a significant portion of our territory, its administration is under the traditional authorities, and any conversion to State land requires the consent of the Chief through the local authority.

 

Emerging Issues

 

Madam Speaker, while the legal framework provides safeguards, the Government has observed some challenges, and these include inadequate monitoring mechanisms, speculative land holding, encroachment and illegal occupation, customary land pressures and beneficial ownership transparency.

 

Key Reform Measures

 

Madam Speaker, in order to strengthen the legal and administrative frameworks, the Government has, through my ministry, embarked on a comprehensive legal review. The key reform measures include the review of the Lands Act. I am sure that hon. Members are aware that, currently, the Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Natural Resources, has been going around the country meeting the public, traditional authorities and all other parties, including the private sector, in this regard.

 

Madam Speaker, this is meant to, among other things, clarify and tighten provisions relating to non-Zambian land ownership, introduce stronger development conditions with clear time lines and provide for enhanced sanctions in cases of non-compliance.

 

Madam Speaker, another key reform measure is the strengthening of due diligence and approval processes. The Government is enhancing inter-agency collaborations between the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Commerce and the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to ensure that investment approvals are aligned with land availability and national priorities. Digitisation of land administration is also being done in trying to accelerate the digitisation of the land records and the establishment of an integrated Land Information Management System with an enhanced partial data component. This will improve transparency, reduce fraud and double allocations. It will also enable better tracking of land ownership, including by foreign nationals.

 

Beneficial Ownership Disclosure

 

Madam Speaker, the Government is working to ensure that companies acquiring land disclose their ultimate beneficial owners, thereby preventing abuse of corporate structures to circumvent restrictions.

 

Madam Speaker, the ministry is also strengthening guidelines governing the conversion of customary land to State land to ensure informed community consent, environmental safeguards, fair compensation and better benefit-sharing mechanisms.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I was responding to the Motion on the Floor and speaking to what the Government is currently doing to ensure that we strengthen the legal and administrative frameworks governing the acquisition of land by foreign nationals. Some of the key reform measures that I articulated included reviewing the Lands Act, which is currently ongoing, strengthening due diligence and approval processes, digitisation of land administration to improve efficiency and ensuring that there are no double allocations and that beneficial ownership disclosures are made. This relates to the Government working to ensure that companies acquiring land disclose their ultimate beneficial owners, thereby preventing abuse of corporate structures to circumvent restrictions.

 

Madam Speaker, I also addressed the issue of how we are protecting customary land by strengthening the guidelines governing the conversion of customary land to State land.

 

Madam Speaker, let me now emphasise that Zambia remains open for investment. Foreign direct investment (FDI) plays a critical role in job creation, infrastructure development and economic growth. However, investment must not undermine the land rights of our citizens or compromise national interests.

 

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Masebo: The objective of these reforms is not to discourage genuine investors, but to ensure that land allocation is orderly, transparent and beneficial to the Zambian people.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, on the way forward, the review process includes stakeholder consultation currently going on with traditional leaders, civil society, investors, hon. Members of Parliament and relevant Government institutions. Once concluded, the proposed amendments to the Lands Act will be brought before this House for consideration. This is just to underscore the fact that whilst this Motion is well-intended, the Government is already 70 per cent way ahead in this process. Therefore, hon. Members of Parliament must submit to the committee that is going around the country on this important topic.

 

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, let me hasten to mention that land is not merely a commodity; it is an heritage entrusted to us for present and future generations. The Government of the Republic of Zambia is resolute in ensuring that the acquisition of land by foreign nationals is governed by a robust legal and administrative framework that safeguards national sovereignty, promotes equitable development and upholds the rule of law. I, therefore, wish to assure the House and the Zambian people that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is taking decisive steps to review and strengthen the current framework in the best interest of our country by amending the current Lands Act. In that regard, I want to conclude by appealing to members of the public, traditional leaders, hon. Members of Parliament and all Zambians to take a keen interest in this important process.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, allow me to begin by thanking Hon. Mtayachalo for ably seconding this very important Motion. The reason we bring issues to Parliament through this provision of our Standing Orders is to ensure that the decision of the House is put on record. When the decision of the House is put on record, it becomes a Government assurance. When it becomes a Government assurance, there is a Committee of Parliament that will now hold the Executive to account. That is why today, my submission is very simple and straightforward. We need to review the law and the administrative frameworks to ensure that what is put on record is what eventually happens. I am a proud Member of Parliament today because we have unanimously agreed that this is something that has to be done.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to present this Motion. I hope that we will see this particular amendment on the Floor of the House.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

_______

 

BILLS

 

HOUSE IN COMMITTEE

 

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the

Chair]

 

THE AGRICULTURE CREDITS AND WAREHOUSE RECEIPTS 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, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, –

 

Interruptions

 

The Deputy Chairperson: There is a lot of consultation going on. Hon. Member for Mpulungu and hon. Minister for the Northern Province, you are consulting too much. You are even turning, with the hon. Minister for Eastern Province.

 

Hon. Government Members: Send them out!

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Yes, if they continue, they will go out. If they continue, I will send them out.

 

We make progress.

 

Clauses 54 and 55 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Mr Mbao continued talking.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Minister for the Northern Province, may you leave the House. Drink water outside and then come back. You are disturbing business.

 

Mr Mbao left the Assembly Chamber.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Clauses 56, 57, 58 and 59 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 60 – (Effect of fixed agricultural charge)

 

Mr Mtolo: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 60, on page 37, in line 43 by the insertion of the word “and” immediately after the semi- colon.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 60, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81 and 82 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 83 – (Guidelines)

 

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Mtolo): Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 83, on page 50, in lines 8 to 17 by the deletion of Clause 83 and the substitution therefor of the following:

 

 Guidelines                             83. (1) The Authority may, in the exercise of the functions of the    Authority under this Act, issue guidelines that are necessary for the     better carrying out of the provisions of this Act.

 

         (2) The Authority shall publish the guidelines issued under this Act in the Gazette.

 

           (3) The publication of the guidelines under this section shall, in addition to the Gazette, be made in a daily newspaper of general

                                               circulation in the Republic or any electronic media that the

                                               authority may determine.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 83, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 84 and 85 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

First and Second Schedules ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Title agreed to.

 

THE ZAMBIA DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION BILL, 2025

 

Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 13 – (Initial one-off premium)

 

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane):  Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 13, on page 13, in line 4 by the insertion of the words "based on the total assets of the member institution" immediately after the word "premium".

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

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

 

CLAUSE 14 – (Annual premium)

 

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane):  Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 14, on page 13, in line 13 by the insertion of the words "based on the twelve-month average of "premium". monthly deposits of the member institution” immediately after the word.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

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

 

CLAUSE 15 – (Special premium)

 

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane):  Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 15, on page 13, in line 29, by the insertion of the words "based on the twelve-month average of monthly deposits of the member institution” immediately after the word "premium".

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 15, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 24 – (Coverage for village banking accounts)

 

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane):  Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 24, on page 16, in line 11, by the insertion of the words ", with the consent of the beneficiaries," immediately after the word "paid".

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 24, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 35 – (Accounts and Audit)

 

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 35, on page 22, in lines 25 to 26 by the deletion of the words “from the Fund” and the substitution therefor of the words ‘by the Corporation’.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 35, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 and 51 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Schedule ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Title agreed to.

_______

 

HOUSE RESUMED

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

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

 

The Agriculture Credits and Warehouse Receipts Bill, 2025

 

The Zambia Deposit Insurance Corporation Bill, 2025

 

Report Stages on Wednesday, 4^th March, 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 Chanda (Kanchibiya): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on this very important Motion reflecting on the President’s Address to this House and, via this House, the people of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, values and morals are what define any society. When the President addressed this honourable House, he referred, first and foremost, to the importance of our unity, and said that we are One Zambia, One Nation, and one people. The moment our country loses its consciousness, with regard to our unity and our co-existence, then, we have lost our nation. So, it must be that this address serves as a constant reminder of who we are as a people; seventy-three tribes drawn from the different provinces of this country under one flag of One Zambia, One Nation and, in emphasising the fact that as a nation, we are also one people. That although we are many, we are one people, and diversity must be used to enhance who we are, to strengthen the fabric of this Republic, which stands on the foundations laid by our forefathers.

 

Madam Speaker, more often than not, diversity has been used to divide, as opposed to uniting us around the different tribes and cultures, and celebrating who we are in terms of heritage. In calling for national unity, the President was spot-on, and this must be a constant reminder that on this journey of nationhood, the moment we lose sight of our unity of purpose, we lose our meaning and our contribution, even as a body politic.

               

Secondly, Madam Speaker, a society is defined by its value system. Since society is a going concern, we are on a continuous journey. As we continue on this journey, we will sometimes disagree and will not see things with the same lenses or be on the same page. However, what must be a constant reminder is that we are one Zambia, one people.

 

Madam Speaker, in addressing this honourable House, the President addressed himself to the scores that have been made on fronts such as the education sector. I represent a rural constituency. In speaking about the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) and benchmarking how the School Feeding Programme is working, I can report to this House that the pupils in Kanchibiya are benefiting from the programme.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chanda: That has resulted in improved attendance, and this is what the community expects us to do as the leadership.

 

Madam Speaker, from the inception of this Assembly, I have been speaking on the Floor of this Parliament, and elsewhere. I know that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is a necessary tool for developing our constituencies and ensuring that we take development closer to the people. The fund gives us an opportunity to rise above partisan politics, and sometimes petty politics, to address what is good for the Zambian people. As people of Kanchibiya, the CDF has allowed us to construct a central business district (CBD). As I speak, we have a fully-fledged civic centre, courtesy of the CDF. Our people do not need to cover a distance of 130 km to go to Mpika to find the next civic centre.

 

Mr Nkandu: I have been there.

 

Mr Chanda: Thank you, hon. Minister.

 

Madam Speaker, from the time Kanchibiya became a constituency, our constituency office was stationed in Mpika. However, using the CDF, we have moved the constituency office right into Kanchibiya, with full parliamentary staff attending to the needs of our people and communicating with the Member of Parliament when he is in the House.

 

Madam Speaker, when I became a Member of Parliament, I found the police officers in Kanchibiya operating in a tent. Two months down the line, the officers were withdrawn from Kanchibiya, and we had zero police presence. As we speak, we have a good presence of police officers in Kanchibiya, and we have finished constructing their houses. At the beginning, Kanchibiya Constituency had no mortuary. It was an area of 8,800 km² with no mortuary. As we speak, we have one fully operational mortuary in Chief Kopa’s area, and we are completing another one in Mpepo Chiefdom.

 

 Madam Speaker, Kanchibiya a rural district and constituency covering 8,800 km². When we talk about the need to work on our feeder roads, –

 

Mr Kapyanga: Question!

 

Mr Chanda: We cannot squander our time in this House focusing on politics. What we can do, Madam Speaker –

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

You may continue, hon. Member for Kanchibiya.

 

Mr Chanda: Thank you, Madam Speaker. 

 

Madam Speaker, as the people of Kanchibiya, our time in this House is very precious because every minute counts in as far as the development scorecard is concerned. We want to ensure that we construct our bridges, rehabilitate our roads and supply water to various facilities. A lot has been done using the CDF. This particular fund is apolitical, meant for development and requires all of us to come together. We should sometimes put politics aside and look at what is good for the Zambian people.

 

Madam Speaker, Hon. Mtolo is smiling because he knows that using the CDF, we have empowered the farmers in the constituency. Kanchibiya has a population of 25,000 farmers who must ordinarily be on the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). However, we know that with the limited resources, only about 5,000 are currently on FISP. The entire grant facility under the CDF is used to purchase agricultural inputs for our people. However, the loan facility has been used to support our farmers. When we check their fields, we can see that they have performed very well.

 

So, for us, Madam Speaker, the President’s Speech was very important, and we must continue to remind ourselves of who we are over and beyond our political differences.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Simushi (Sikongo): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to add my voice to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address on the Progress Made in the Application of National Values and Principles.

 

To start with, Madam Speaker, allow me to quote from page 3 of the President’s Speech, when he said:

 

 “Madam Speaker, these national values and principles are not just a constitutional requirement for us, but a moral compass that shapes our character and defines our identity. They provide guidance in our policy formulation and form a bedrock for the implementation of our policies.”

 

Madam Speaker, year in and year out, the President comes to Parliament to address the nation on the progress made in that regard. So, values and principles are very important to the extent that they shape national development. As such, we need to take them very seriously. The President coming to this House is not just about talking to the nation for the sake of doing so. I want to emphasise here that we would like to see the practical application of the national values and principles in how we implement our policies so as to achieve national development. This afternoon, I want to demonstrate how the Republican President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, has ably achieved this objective. For example, when it comes to equity, where we want to ensure that national resources are distributed equitably across the nation, we have seen him introduce the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). We have seen that every constituency now receives this fund. Not only has the budget allocation to the CDF been increased from K1.6 million to K40 million per constituency, but it is also allocated to every constituency at the same time. This is a change from how things used to be.

 

Madam Speaker, regarding social justice, the President assured us that when calamity befalls our country, every person, regardless of gender, location or political affiliation, will be adequately attended to. What do I mean? When a drought befell this country, we saw how the President and his Administration responded. They ensured that food was taken to all, everywhere, including the so-called strongholds of –. So, everyone ate, and no one starved. That is how it should be.

 

Madam Speaker, when we talk about social protection, we have seen how the President has not only stuck to a number that was there before, but he came in, and saw that there is a need to ensure that those who are vulnerable in our society are adequately –

 

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

 

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

 

Mr Simushi: Who is that? Is it the bitter man?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lunte, what is your point of order?

 

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order on the hon. Member of Parliament for Sikongo, who is on the Floor of the House.

 

Madam Speaker, this being a House of records, it is important that the records that we submit are true. My brother referred to equity and justified the United Party for National Development’s (UPND) policy for adhering to equity by the application of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

 

Madam Speaker, my honourable brother knows very well that all elected hon. Members of Parliament here have constituencies that differ in terms of population, wards, geographical features and so on and so forth.

 

Mr Nkandu: Is that a debate or a point of order?

 

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, for example, in this year’s Budget, if K40 million Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is applied per constituency, how can my hon. Brother say that the equal distribution of resources in extremely diverse constituencies translates to equity?

 

Mr Nkandu: Question!

 

Mr Kafwaya: Is he in order to mislead you, Madam Speaker, the House and the people out there who are listening, that there is equity in the CDF, when in fact what exists is equality?

 

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What Standing Order has been breached?

 

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, it is a very well-known fact that the data that we submit must be verifiable. So, Standing Order No. 71 is applicable.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lunte, when the hon. Member for Sikongo was debating, he was expressing his own views. He talked about equal distribution of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). I am sure that we know what he meant. He meant that each constituency is given the same amount of money. It ended there. Those are his views. If it is not equal and does not represent whatever you said, what we know is that even the President mentioned that all constituencies are getting the same amount of money. So, the hon. Member for Sikongo was actually not out of order.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You may continue.

 

Mr Simushi: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, before my brother, who still seems bitter after losing an election, interrupted me, I was trying to say that the President we have has the interest of the entire nation at heart, and I can demonstrate that. On social justice, I was saying every sector needs to be considered, including gender. For example, the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, No.7 of 2025 was introduced on the Floor of this House. We saw that the President wanted to make sure that women, the disabled and the youth are heard. That way, issues to do with social justice are taken care of. Allow me to thank my hon. Colleagues on the left who joined us to make sure that the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, No.7 of 2025 went through. That is how it should be.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Simushi: Our brothers and sisters demonstrated that they believe in the principle of social justice and in our President, who is able to take care of us all, even as hon. Members of Parliament. We receive part of the national cake. Even though some try to pull in the opposite directions, they are aware that the President means well for this country.

 

Madam Speaker, the other aspect that demonstrates that the President we have is a President for everyone, is the Free Education Policy. He wants to make sure that all our children, including the children of the likes of Hon. Kafwaya, grow up educated and contribute to the development of the country. So, I want to thank him for being a doer. I want to thank him for being a president who is practical. I think, I want to emphasise the aspect of practicability. The application of values and national principles should not be rhetorical. We should be able to link them to our policies that, of course, enhance national development.

 

Madam Speaker, let me go on and talk about the Cash-for-Work Programme. We saw that the President initially targeted the Cash-for-Work Programme at the constituencies or districts that were hard-hit by drought. However, after some time, he realised that the programme needed to be expanded. Today, as I speak, the Cash-for-Work Programme has been expanded to all the 116 districts of this country.

 

Hon. Government Member: Including Lunte!

 

Mr Simushi: Including Lunte, yes. We have seen practical progress, not mere rhetoric, in as far as the application of our values and principles is concerned.

 

Madam Speaker, I want to speak to something that really touches my heart, which the President has emphasised from day one. He also spoke about it in his Address. It is the aspect of national unity. He keeps talking about national unity, as a song, because of its importance to national development. I want to speak to my hon. Colleagues on the left about it. We should take the aspect of national unity very seriously because it shapes and builds our nation now and even moving forward. The President has also demonstrated how national unity is supposed to be taken or considered. Today, we see our traditional leaders traversing the country and exchanging views and ideas. They visit one another to make sure that we, as a country, are one. So, the “One Zambia, One Nation” motto is being demonstrated from a practical point of view, and that is how it should be. We should love one another regardless of our tribes. We should love one another regardless of our political affiliation. The politics that we practise should be aimed at developing our country, not dividing it. So, I want to appeal to the Patriotic Front (PF) hon. Members on the left. As they go out there, as we approach the elections on 13^th August, let them preach the message of the President. Let them preach the message of love and non-violence, because where we are coming from, they almost destroyed this country.

 

Madam Speaker, finally, I want to say that as a country, let us pray for the President we have. We should give him the opportunity to continue even beyond 2031 because he has demonstrated that we, as a country, are one, and he wants us to be one in every aspect that one can think about. President Hakainde Hichilema wants to make sure that Zambia is a country of love and unity, a country that should be admired not only by ourselves but even by those who are outside the country.

 

Madam Speaker, I am very happy that the President came here to talk to us and to the nation about the application of our national values and principles. As a country, as families, those who are elected, and all leaders, let us embrace these values so that we move as one.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

_______

 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

 

ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I have received communication to the effect that in the absence of Her Honour the Vice-President, who is attending to other Government business, the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Hon. Jack J. Mwiimbu, MP, SC., has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House from today, Tuesday, 3^rd March, until further notice.

 

I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

_______

 

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika): Thank you so much, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity to add my voice on this very important subject, on behalf of the people of Mpika.

 

Madam Speaker, this was a national address. I will, therefore, not restrict my debate to what is happening in Mpika Parliamentary Constituency.

 

Dr Andeleki: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Nkandu: Ali debater uyu!

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, the President, in his speech, talked about national unity.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

There is an indication for a point of order.

 

Dr Andeleki: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for according me an opportunity to raise a point of order. I rarely raise points of order.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Lunte and the hon. Member for Mpika have already debated the Motion of Thanks to the President on the Progress Made in the Application of National Values and Principles. A Member can debate the President’s Speech only once.

 

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Member for Mpika in order to debate the same President’s Speech a second time?

 

I seek your ruling, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kafwaya interjected.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Member has indicated to debate. Maybe, that is why he has mentioned your name.

 

Mr Kafwaya: I would like to raise a point of order.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, we all know that under each Motion or question, you are given one opportunity. The hon. Member for Mpika, you are not new in this House. You debated. Therefore, you shall not debate again.

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I did not debate.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

I shall consult.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Member had indicated to debate. Maybe, that is why he mentioned your name.

 

Mr Kapyanga indicated.

 

Hon. Members, we all know that under each Motion or a question, we are given one opportunity. Hon. Member for Mpika, you are not new in this House, and since you have already debated, you are not going to debate again.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

I am advised that the records do not show that the hon. Member for Mpika debated. So, he may continue.

 

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

 

Hon. Member for Lunte, what is your problem?

 

Mr Kafwaya:  Madam Speaker, the problem is that I am not given a chance to raise my point of order.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Lunte, unfortunately, I cannot tell if you are indicating to raise a point of order. When there is a Motion or Questions for Oral Answer and hon. Members indicate, I can tell because the names appear on the screen. In your case, I cannot tell unless you stand and indicate. When you are seated like that, I will take it you want to debate. So, maybe, that is why the hon. Member thought you wanted to debate. So, now that it is clear that you want to raise a point of order. Please, indicate that it is a point of order.

 

Mr Kafwaya interjected.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Lunte, we are behind time. If it is not a point of order, we can throw that away. You can just remove your indication from the gadget so that we make progress.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member for Mpika may continue.

 

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika): Madam Speaker, I was referring to the national unity that the President talked about during his Address.  I said that it is welcome but it must be put into practice. You cannot unite the nation by mere rhetoric. It is not possible. Actions must speak to what is provided for under Article 259 of the Constitution of Zambia, even in the appointments of persons to various positions in the Republic of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, the President also talked about the rule of law. The rule of law means that no one is above the law. Right here in our country today, when one is a member of the Ruling Party, one is above the law.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Mpika, can you produce evidence.

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for asking for evidence.

 

Madam Speaker, in Kasama, during the recent by-election, the United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres went to the totaling centre and fired guns but the innocent members of the Opposition were arrested instead.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mpika, I told you to produce evidence and lay it on the Table for saying that the UPND members are above the law.

 

Mr Kapyanga: They are by action. I can bring all of them in here so that I can demonstrate to the effect that –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mpika, you have failed to produce evidence. Can you please withdraw that statement and proceed with other issues.

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I withdraw and replace it with selective application of justice. This is what is happening today.  In the best interest of this debate, the President should have demonstrated that indeed, he is the Republican President for all of us, and that he is there to protect us regardless of our political affiliations.

 

Madam Speaker, today, we have two contentious laws that allow a section of our society to be arrested every day. These are the Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Mpika, who is arrested every day?

 

Mr Kapyanga: A section of our society.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Please, let us try to be factual. Who is arrested every day? Be specific and bring out the information that is factual.

 

You may continue, hon. Member.

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, today’s democracy cannot thrive because of such draconian laws. The President should have demonstrated –

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kapyanga: Nalelo line kuti mwalanda!

 

Madam Speaker, let me now talk about development. Development is only discussed by politicians who belong to the Ruling Party, those who are aligned to it. Madam Speaker, on the ground, there are no tangible capital projects, such as the construction of airports, roads, secondary schools and hospitals. In Muchinga Province, the Northern Province, Luapula Province, the Eastern Province, Central Province and the North Western Province –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Mpika Central, you are going off the report, and you are not factual in your debate at all. Development is not only talked by the members of the Ruling Party. We are seeing many projects. If, in your constituency, there are no projects, come out clearly.  Do not generalise that in the country, there are no projects that are seen. Hon. Member, can you be factual for the last time.

 

You may proceed, hon. Member.

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I am analysing the President’s Speech in which he touched on national development.  In doing so, I have to also bring out facts. These are facts, Madam Speaker. On the Great North Road, the stretch from Serenje, Mpika, Kasama up to Chinsali is in a dilapidated state. So, what development do they talk about in this House?  The people of Zambia have been suffering for the past five years.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Which people of Zambia are suffering?  Again, you are not focused, hon. Member for Mpika.  If you go and ask all the people of Zambia, are they going to tell you that they are suffering? You are not factual. Hon. Member for Mpika, you are not focused. You are misleading the people of Zambia out there.  Why did you not prepare yourself and take facts from the report? If you have examples from your constituency, bring them out instead of generalising issues. You are now talking about the whole country. That, I cannot allow you, hon. Member. I will give a chance to the hon. Member for Bweengwa. Next time, you should be are factual because that is a requirement in this House.

 

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Madam Speaker, thank you for allowing me to debate the President’s Speech.

 

Madam Speaker, this evening, I just want to look at patriotism and national unity, which the President talked about. All the information which the President shared with the people of Zambia is factual.

 

Madam Speaker, if you look at the Cabinet of the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government, which His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, has appointed, you will see that it is well balanced. It is not like the way it was in the previous regime, under which other provinces were neglected.

 

Mr Kapyanga interjected.

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, that is enough indication that this President is trying by all means to unite the country. You can look at the entire Cabinet, and you will see that all ten provinces of this country are well represented.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

 

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

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, coming to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which the President talked about, when you look at the previous regime –

 

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

 

 I will allow the last point of order.

 

Mr Kafwaya: I was the first one to indicate. I have been indicating to raise a point of order for a long time now.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

 Hon. Member for Lunte, that is the last point of order. What is your point of order?

 

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to raise the last point of order.

 

Madam Speaker, my brother, the hon. Member of Parliament for Bweengwa, …

 

Hon. UPND Members: He is not your brother!

 

Mr Kafwaya: … knows well that the Patriotic Front (PF) got zero number of hon. Members of Parliament during the previous Government in the Southern Province, the Western Province and the North-Western Province, and to become a Minister, you must be a Member of Parliament.

 

Hon. UPND Members: No!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker –

 

Mr Nkandu: You can get nominated!

 

Mr Kafwaya: There were nominations, and all the Provincial Ministers who were nominated were from those provinces.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Bweengwa knows that the United Party for National Development (UPND) has hon. Members of Parliament in the Northern Province, Central Province and the Eastern Province. The people in those provinces voted in a balanced manner. Is he in order to praise a Cabinet that is the crafting of hon. Members of Parliament who were brought to this House courtesy of the Zambian people, and to compare it to a Parliament where no hon. Member came from those areas? Is he in order to make such utterances?

 

 I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lunte, I did not know that the issue had come from the hon. Member for Bweengwa’s debate since you indicated to raise a point of order way back. Anyway, the thing is that for one to be a Minister, one has to be a Member of Parliament, …

 

Mr Kafwaya: Yes!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: … whether nominated or elected by the people of Zambia.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Yes!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: So, I see no reason there were –

 

Well, I do not want to go into the semantics of why there were no Members of Parliament from the Southern Province, because the President had the power to choose anybody from all parts of the country, like the eight nominated Members of Parliament. So, if he wanted, he could have chosen one or two from the Southern Province, and appointed them Ministers. However, like I have said, I do not want to go into that.

 

Hon. Member for Lunte, that point of order is not admissible.

 

Mr Amutike: He is a bitter man!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: We make progress.

 

Hon. Member for Bweengwa, you may continue with your debate.

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for helping me in this debate. I think, my brother, the hon. Member for Lunte’s bitterness may kill him. I am very worried about him.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: No, hon. Member. Just continue with your debate.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kafwaya rose.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, are you going to let that language pass?

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, what I was trying to put across on the Floor is –

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Lunte, resume your seat.

 

Mr Kafwaya resumed his seat.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Bweengwa, withdraw the word “bitterness” and continue with your debate.

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, as you know, I am a very kind man. I will do what you have requested me to do. I withdraw the statement I made about the hon. Member for Lunte, being a bitter man, and that bitterness will kill him.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Michelo: Let me proceed with my debate, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, the unity that His Excellency Mr Hakainde Hichilema has brought to this country is visible for every Zambian to see. If you look at our Cabinet this time around, you will see that it is a full Cabinet with Ministers from all ten provinces of this country.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Michelo: That is what I meant, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, in the previous regime, there were Provincial Ministers from other provinces who were not full-time Cabinet Ministers. It is different this time around. I would like to thank His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema for uniting the country and for coming up with a rainbow Cabinet. That is very good.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, coming to the issue of the CDF, all the 156 constituencies receive the CDF at once this time around, unlike what used to happen during the last regime, whereby, only a few selected constituencies would receive the allocation. I have been a Member of Parliament from 2016 to date. From 2016 to 2021, I only received one full CDF allocation of K1.4 million and a half payment. Only one CDF allocation was paid in the five years it was allocated. Sometimes, the Zambian people wonder about where the money that was allocated went. We used to allocate the CDF in this House, but the money never went to our constituencies.

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Not even a K100!

 

Mr Michelo: So, it is very difficult to understand people who say that they want the Patriotic Front (PF) to rule the country again. We were in such a situation that we were ruled in a devilish manner. We will not tolerate that.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Hon. PF Members: Question!

 

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

 

He is not speaking to the President’s Speech.

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Bweengwa, the word “devilish” is unparliamentary. Withdraw it, and also, please, be focused.

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, I withdraw the word “devilish” and replace it with the phrase “in a satanic manner”.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: That too is not accepted.

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, I withdraw the word “satanic” and replace it with “in an evil manner”.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: That too is not acceptable, hon. Member for Bweengwa.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, can I be allowed to proceed with my debate?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, that phrase too is not acceptable.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, I think, all the words that I had in my head are – I do not know what to say. Maybe, I can be helped by one of these people or I can use my local language so that these people can understand. I do not know what I can say.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Bweengwa, if you cannot find a better word, just withdraw the statement.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Just use unholy!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Can you focus on the Motion.

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, I have got one phrase; “in an unholy manner”.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, what our Republican President did yesterday is something that has not happened in the history of this country. His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, invited the Councillors from all ten provinces of this country. He had a discussion with them and they aired their grievances.

 

Mr Nkandu: For the first time!

 

Mr Michelo: For the first time.

 

Madam Speaker, the President was very kind to the Councillors who attended the meeting. Out of 1,800 plus Councillors in this country, I think, about twenty-six did not attend the meeting. I was impressed when the Councillors from all ten beautiful provinces of this country endorsed our Republic President, and everybody will support him because of the way he has managed to drive the economy of this country.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, coming to some of the capital projects that this Government has done, the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway is a marvellous thing to look at. That is very good, and it is something that the previous regime did not do.

 

Madam Speaker, 42,000 teachers have been recruited in a period of four years to five years. That is something that has not happened in the history of this country.

 

Madam Speaker, when it comes to the issue of justice, this Government only arrests criminals. It does not arrest saints or people who follow the law of this land. There is no way one would connive with the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to siphon money, take it to Türkiye to buy helicopters and then be allowed to move freely. We are not going to tolerate people who support criminals. The people of Zambia out there should watch out for those who are always in the habit of supporting criminals. The Zambian people do not support criminals, and we must not bring back the criminals who plundered the economy of this country.

 

Madam Speaker, let me address the issue of our economy. Looking at the way the Kwacha is performing against the United States (US) Dollar, it is something that has never happened in the history of this country. The Kwacha was trading at K29 for US$1, but this time around, it is at K18, and is still going down. This is a very good thing for which we must also thank the President.

 

Madam Speaker, let us also mention the violence-free by-elections we recently had and the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025 –

 

The hon. Member’s time expired.

 

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

 

Mr Michelo: Finally, Madam Speaker, I just want to let this House know that I was chatting with my brother from Lunte, and he said, “When you hear us castigating this Government, we do not mean it. This Government is doing quite well, and the President is doing quite well. Please, do not hate us. We are together in this fight”.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Wamunyima (Nalolo): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you most sincerely for allowing the voice of Nalolo to contribute to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Speech for the exposition of public policy.

 

Madam Speaker, the President, in accordance with Article 9(2), addressed this House on national values and principles, as espoused in Article 8 of our Constitution.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to put it on record that the President’s Speech confirmed that the bedrock of our development is not devoid of recognition of national values and principles. In my debate, I will stick to three values found in Article 8 of the Constitution, namely morality and ethics, democracy and constitutionalism and human dignity and social justice.

 

Madam Speaker, the President did mention that strong families are the foundation of strong nations, and this is not arguable. He made a clarion call on the end to child marriage. This august House passed the Child Code Act in 2022, which criminalises marriage of children. It is important to recognise this significant piece of legislation and to urge the Executive to recruit child protection officers, as required by the Child Code Act.

 

Madam Speaker, I would also like to address my mind to democracy and constitutionalism. The President did mention that in the advancement of democracy in this country, this august House did pass the historic Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025. I would like to emphasise that this Bill was not about the President, nor was it about us, but about the country. With this consequential amendment, we will have the inclusion of minority groups in this august House in the next session, who are women, youths and persons with disabilities.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to place it on record, as one of those hon. Members who chaired the Select Committee or who participated in consideration of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025, that there was serious consideration of what the people submitted through the Mushabati Technical Committee.

 

 Madam Speaker, I would also like to touch briefly on the fight against corruption. Corruption has been endemic in this country, and the President underscored the importance of establishing the Economic Crimes Court that would ensure corruption cases are resolved within six months. This is commendable. We cannot have a country where corruption takes away the very fabric of our society. I would like to agree with many sentiments from other hon. Colleagues that we do not have any political prisoners. We have elements who have abrogated the law and have been locked up. So, if the court addresses its mind to convicting people who have committed offenses, irrespective of those people having held public office, they cannot be referred to as political prisoners because they abrogated the law. So, we cannot call for the release of criminals or people who have abrogated the law. The law is blind; no one is above it. If I abrogate the law, I must be subject to the law. Therefore, we commend the President for taking a firm stance against those who abrogate the law when holding public offices. They are, indeed, on their own.

 

Madam Speaker, lastly, I would like to address my mind to issues related to human dignity and social justice. The introduction of free education is one of the most important milestones that the President and his Government have achieved. A return of over 2.5 million learners to school shows us the gap that was there. If the 2.5 million people were out there, not in school, what were they doing? They were being deprived of education. Dignity has come to our people because they can now pursue excellence and pursue their lives through free education. The success of free education is a story that is under-told. It is not properly narrated. It is a success story, and I can speak for myself and my constituents that it is something that has changed the narrative.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to conclude by thanking the President for assuring and guaranteeing peaceful general elections on 13^th August, 2026. The President assured the country that the ongoing trajectory of no violence shall continue, and this is what we need. This is the kind of inspiring leadership we need.

 

Madam Speaker, there are many very important issues that the President raised in his speech, and I would like to state that the speech was encouraging, inspiring and set the tone for a Head of State who is in control of the country. It is not for a Head of State who wonders what happened, but the Head of State who knows and is providing leadership to this country.

 

Madam Speaker, with those few remarks, on behalf of the people of Nalolo, I thank you.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to debate. I just want to centre my debate on two or three key issues, which I feel the people of Zambia out there should understand properly.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to quote from page 15 of the President’s Address. The Head of State said:

“We are delivering for the people of Zambia from a place of love and deep care.”

 

Madam Speaker, just reading this very short statement gives me an idea of the type of President we have in this country. We have a President who is delivering for the people of Zambia from a place of love and deep care. Let me put this in very simple terms for many people out there to understand. I want, first of all, to say that the people of Zambia did not make a mistake by voting for this President, and the President did not make a mistake in forming the Government. When I say “forming Government,” I am simply saying appointing the hon. Ministers who are helping him from a place of love.

 

Madam Speaker, for so many years, this country has been grappling with many challenges. Let me just talk about agriculture. I think that we stood up here in this House for so many years advising our hon. Colleagues on agriculture. We advised them on the things or the ingredients required for them to ensure that the Zambian people took agriculture as a business. However, they never adhered to the advice. Now, here comes a Government that looks at what ingredients it needs to bring to the agriculture sector to ensure that the country thrives. Things are very clear. Just the other year, they called the hon. Minister of Agriculture so many filthy names because of things that he had no control over. They called this Government many filthy names because of the deficiencies in the energy sector, which it had no control over. However, look at this Government today. Despite all those challenges, it sat down and asked a question from a point of love: How do we come out of this quagmire of shortages of energy? It brought up the issue of solar energy. Do we still have blackouts? The answer is no. Why? It is because we have an intelligent Government. We have a Government that understands all the corners of this country. We have a Government that listens to people with bright ideas, and then comes up with solutions that help us.

 

Madam Speaker, I am one of those who do not even know when I have power from ZESCO Limited in my house. This is because I heeded the President's advice to use solar energy. If you went around Lusaka, you would see that many people adhered to that advice. We have installed solar equipment to generate solar energy. Hence, energy from the national grid has been reserved for industries.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development is no longer complaining about blackouts in the mining industry. The mining sector is now thriving because it has enough energy for its operations.

 

Madam Speaker, we had the largest harvest in the 2024/2025 Farming Season. Yes, we had a few challenges, but because the Government does things from a point of love, today, no one speaks about not being paid. Money is never enough, but at least, people did their best.

 

Madam Speaker, let me talk about livestock.  The man who held this ministry before the current hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, his predecessor, used the following terminology: “Livestock is gonna be sexy in a few years.”

 

Madam Speaker, I think that with this Government, we are able to see. In fact, in case people may not know, the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock is coming up with an embryo transfer programme. This programme is very technical. Probably, a few of us including the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock himself can understand it. This is where they collect semen from certain animals. For example, if one wants 100 heifers, all the animals will be heifers. If one wants steers, all the animals will be steers. This is where the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock is driving this nation through his ministry. What kind of leadership are people looking for apart from the current leadership? I just want to urge the people of Zambia to give space to this Government to work.

 

Madam Speaker, after all, we were the first ones to show the country love by unanimously voting for the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025. So, I want to urge the people of Zambia to vote for the United Party for National Development (UPND) if they want quality in terms of agriculture, livestock in particular, and health.  The people they see in the frontbench are capable.

 

Mr Nkandu: Quality.

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Madam Speaker, all they need is our support. So, come 13^th August, 2026, they should vote for the UPND for a better Zambia.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

(Debate adjourned)

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

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The House adjourned at 1838 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 4^th March, 2026.

 

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