DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE TENTH ASSEMBLY

Friday, 25th February, 2011

The House met at 0900 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER

THE PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM UNDERGOING REPAIRS

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, a part of the public address system, it appears, is undergoing repairs. That is why it sounds like it has lost voice.

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BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice (Mr Kunda, SC.): Mr Speaker, I rise to give the House some idea of the business it will consider next week.

Sir, on Tuesday, 1st March, 2011, the Business of the House will begin with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will then deliberate on the Second Reading stage of the Water Resources Management Bill, 2010.

Sir, on Wednesday, 2nd March, 2011, the Business of the House will begin with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will then consider Private Members’ Motions, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider the Second Reading stage of the Urban and Regional Planners Bill, 2010. The House will then consider the Committee stage of the Anti-Gender Based Violence Bill, 2010 and the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2010.

Sir, on Thursday, 3rd March, 2011, the Business of the House will begin with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider the Second Reading stage of the Environmental Management Bill, 2010.

On Friday, 4th March, 2011, the Business of the House will begin with His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time. This will be followed by Questions, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will deal with presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will then consider any other issues that may be outstanding.

I thank you, Sir.

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER

POINT OF ORDER RAISED BY THE HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR LUENA PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY, MR MILUPI, ON TUESDAY, 22ND FEBRUARY, 2011, REGARDING RIOTS IN MONGU

Mr Speaker: The House will recall that, on Tuesday, 22nd February, 2011, I said that His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time would be preceded by his answering the point of order that was raised by the hon. Member for Luena Constituency. I said his answer would be outside the scheduled thirty minutes period to allow hon. Members the usual thirty minutes to ask their questions. The clock is not on, but it will be stopped any way.

I will allow the Vice-President and Minister of Justice to make his remarks with regard to the point of order that was raised, in the House, by the hon. Member for Luena Parliamentary Constituency.

RESPONSE TO THE PARLIAMENTARY QUERY RAISED IN THE HOUSE ON 22ND FEBRUARY, 2011 BY THE HONOURABLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR LUENA, MR MILUPI, REGARDING THE RIOTS OF 14TH JANUARY, 2011 IN MONGU

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice (Mr Kunda, SC.): Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Luena, Mr Milupi, raised the following questions in the House pertaining to riots that occurred on 14th January, 2011, in Mongu:

(i) what caused the police not to issue the permit for those wanting to exercise the freedom of assembly on 14th January, 2011 in Mongu;

(ii) what led the police to shoot and kill unarmed civilians and citizens;

(iii) why the police did not see it fit to use other means of crowd control such as batons, tear gas, high pressure water horses, rubber bullets, shot guns and, indeed, firing in the air;

(iv) why the police found it necessary to follow people in their homes in Mongu and Limulunga and arrest them away from where the so-called disturbances were taking place;

(v) why, for the first time in the history of this country, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government deemed it necessary to move detainees charged with relatively minor offences ─ firstly, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and secondly, riotous behaviour ─ for which bail is normally granted away from Mongu to 100 km away from their relatives;

(vi) whether the Government is liable to pay compensation to those who got injured and to families of those who died; and

(vii) whether the hon. Minister of Home Affairs; the Inspector-General of Police, the Commanding Officer of the Western Province and any other senior police officers are liable to dismissal from Government service.

Mr Speaker, it is true that four groups, namely, Linyungandambo Black Bulls, the BFM, the BPF and Movement for the Restoration of Barotseland gave notice to the police to hold an assembly at Limulunga grounds near the Limulunga Palace. The purpose of that meeting was not clearly stated but, upon inquiry, the police realised that the meeting was going to generate into violence or loss of lives ...

Mr Kambwili: Question!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: ... as indicated on the three flyers dated 31st December, 2010, posted on conspicuous places in Mongu. One of the flyers reads as follows, and I quote:

“Come one come all to Limulunga Royal Village on 14th January, 2011 where everything shall take place in style. Come and witness great miracles happening. The hour has come when there will be bloodshed and streams of blood flowing in the plain on this day.

 “The palace shall be on fire if His Majesty the King will not allow us to secede on this day. Non-Lozis, pack and go.

 “Linyungandambo Black Bulls.”

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: The second flyer states as follows:

“Bembas and Nyanjas in all Government departments, you are all informed that we do not want to see you on 31st January, 2011. Go to your native homeland. This is Barotseland. Failure to follow these instructions, you will be killed like chickens.

 “Linyungandambo Black Bulls.”

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: The third flyer reads as follows:

 “Attention!

“LINEKI LIYWA"{mospagebreak}

“RE: STOP PLAYING MUSIC DONE IN NYANJA AND BEMBA THROUGHOUT BAROTSELAND SOIL.

“Linyungandambo and BFM, Independent organisations formed to spearhead total independence of Barotseland from Northern Rhodesia, are hereby, on behalf the people of the Barotseland, asking you to, with immediate effect from 1st January, 2011, stop playing music, jingles etc., done in Bemba, Nyanja or any other language spoken in Northern Rhodesia.

“You are also advised to, as long as you operate on the Barotseland soil, never bring musicians …

Laughter

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice:

“… or masters of ceremonies (MCs) from Northern Rhodesia to come and do any business with you as doing so will be regarded as declaring war against Linyungandambo, BFM and the people of Barotseland. It is high time our Barotse music, culture, artists and language got promoted. This applies to all radio stations, hospitals, schools, colleges, hotels, motels, guest houses, households, buses, taxis, night clubs, bars, taverns, etc.

“Please, do not say you were not told! Komu kutuswa ye itusa. Lizoho lelilobeha ki lelitundana.

“Barotseland ki nako, tukongote wa mwana’nongolo.

“Looking forward to your co-operation.

“Complements of Linyungandambo and BFM”.

Laughter

Mr Shakafuswa: Mulyata!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Other flyers circulated threatened Mbunda and Luvale tribes to leave the Barotseland and go back to Angola where they allegedly …

Laughter

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: … came from.

Laughter

Mr Mulyata walked out of the Chamber shaking his head.

Interruptions

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, there was a clear indication that there was going to be bloodshed and loss of life not necessarily in Limulunga and Mongu, but in other parts of Mongu where other tribes mentioned are working or staying.

Secondly, the Limulunga Palace was to be overrun and the Litunga deposed, the Barotse flag hoisted and the Barotseland declared independent from Zambia contrary to the Constitution of Zambia.

As regards question two, the Zambia Police Service is mandated by Articles 103 and 104 of the Constitution of Zambia Cap. 1, among other things:

(i) to protect life and property;

(ii) preserve law and order; and

(iii) detect and prevent crime.

Under the Zambia Police Act, Cap. 107, Section 24, Zambia Police Officers are allowed to use a fire arm in exceptional circumstances. This is true also of section 17 of Cap. 87 of the Laws of Zambia as amended by Act No. 3 of 1990.

The incident of 14th January, 2011, warranted the police to use minimum force to prevent the loss of life and property on a large-scale for the following reasons:

(i) huge crowds of people seemingly militant and determined to carry out the purpose of executing their desires gathered and matched towards Mongu Town Centre and Limulunga chanting slogans of secession from the Republic of Zambia by force;

(ii) some of the people in the mob were armed with machettes, catapults, spears and sjamboks to use against the police who were stopping them from going ahead with their intentions.

 The police used teargas in trying to disperse them, but they kept on charging towards them. The long batons in possession of the police could not be matched with the machettes and spears.

Laughter

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice:

The mob could not be moved. Even when the police opened fire in the air, they continued charging at them. The police officer’ lives were in danger. As a result, the police had no choice, but to use reasonable force to protect life and property and arrest the people in the riots.

Mr Imenda: William Banda!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice:

The police confiscated seventeen machettes, six spears and twelve catapults from the mob after confrontation; and

 (iii) at Mongu Town Centre, the mob ran towards the filling station where one picked a piece of burning tire from the road which had been lit earlier by the rioters. The intention of this man was to set the petrol tanks of the feeling station ablaze. Officers who were at a distance shouted to him to stop and warned him that they were about to use a fire arm as he was surrounded by other rioters armed with all sorts of weapons, but the man could not stop. The police decided to stop him by disabling him with a bullet. Unfortunately, the bullet caught him at a wrong part of the body and he later died at the hospital.

Interruptions

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice:

If this man had not been stopped, the explosion which he could have caused through the setting ablaze of the filling station could have resulted not only in the loss of property, but also in deaths of many people, including the rioters as well as the police who were within the town centre.

You may wish to know that earlier on, a group of rioters had approached petrol attendants at the same filling station requesting for petrol to make petrol bombs to be used against the police. The attendants reported to their manager who refused to honour the rioter’s request. This angered the rioters who were heard saying that they would set the filling station ablaze because it was not supporting the cause for the liberation of Barotseland. This prompted the manager to close the filling station.

All in all, two lives were lost, one at the hands of the police and the other by the suspected rioters as his body was found with spear wounds. It is believed that the deceased was suspected to be a police informer.

 Hon. Members may also wish to know that before the incident of 14th January, 2011, Mongu experienced sporadic acts of violence and damage to property. In fact, the Member of Parliament, Hon. Milupi, who  raised the point of order, was himself a victim of such violence.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: Shame!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: He was seriously beaten up by a mob in Mongu.

Laughter

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Of course, I sympathise with the hon. Member of Parliament.

Laughter

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: On the fourth question, it is a normal police procedure for the police to follow up all perpetrators of crime to wherever investigations lead them if not found on the scene of crime.

 The accused persons who were detained for engaging in the riots and destruction of property were detained away from Mongu because, on previous occasions, whenever accused persons appeared in court on related charges in Mongu, the people there engaged in riotous behaviour.

Sir, to prevent the occurrence of such conduct, it was found necessary to detain them away from Mongu. Such detention has been effected in accordance with the laws of this country. Of course, the police and other law enforcement agencies are bound to respect all the suspects.

Mr Speaker, as regards the claims of compensation for injuries and death arising from these riots, all those affected are at liberty to pursue their claims, through the courts of law, if they can prove such claims. The State shall also be at liberty to explain its side of the story in such court proceedings and to raise any available defence.

Sir, from the foregoing, we take the view that the security agencies acted with restraint and performed their duties professionally and forestalled further loss of life and property.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, there is no justifiable basis to call for the dismissal of the hon. Minister of Home Affairs, the Inspector General of Police, the Commanding Officer, Western Province, and other police officers.

Sir, the Government deeply regrets what happened in Mongu on 14th January, 2011. Zambia is a peaceful country and acts of violence and lawlessness should be condemned by all peace-loving Zambians.

Mr Speaker, I also challenge the hon. Member who raised this point of order, to condemn the kind of violence that took place in Mongu.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Comment, Kambwili.

Mr Speaker: Order!

The thirty minutes of His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time will start shortly. However, if there are any hon. Members who wish to follow up on the points made by His Honour the Vice-President, it will be done within the next thirty minutes.

HIS HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC. (Chasefu): Mr Speaker, while commending the Government for commissioning the construction of the remaining portion of the road between Chipata and Lundazi, may I find out whether the construction of this portion of the road will extend to Lusunta, which is a border on the Zambia and Malawi border.

I thank you, Sir.

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice (Mr Kunda, SC.): Mr Speaker, our intention, as a Government, is to work on all roads, particularly to connect to other countries to promote trade and the movement of people.

Mr Speaker, I expected the hon. Member to shower us with accolades.  He has been asking about the Chipata/Lundazi roads during almost each session of the Vice-President’s Question Time, but he has been lukewarm in congratulating us.

Laughter

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Please, give praise where it is due.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Milupi (Luena): Mr Speaker, I am used to the abuse from His Honour the Vice-President from time to time.

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

Mr Milupi: However, in spite of his trivialising the very serious matter that was brought before the House, I would like to ask a related question. For over forty-two days (almost one and half months), from 14th January, 2011 to date, the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) Government has camped armed paramilitary police officers at Kambule Technical High and Limulunga High schools. Both these institutions are co-education. This means that there are both girls and boys schooling there. Limulunga High School has very limited space because it was a rural council.

Could His Honour the Vice-President indicate to this House and to the people of the Western Province that he is going to issue orders to have these police officers moved out of the schools so that our children continue to learn in peace? Both schools are in session, but they are being disturbed by the presence of the police officers.

The parents of the pupils at both schools are complaining. We would like to know what the Government is going to do about this.

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, the issue of providing education to our children is very important for this serious Government. Of course, we will look into the issues he has raised.

However, the issue of maintaining law and order is equally important. The police are there to maintain law and order and I can assure him that many of our citizens in Mongu are pleased with the measures that we have taken to maintain law and order there.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: We shall balance the two, but it is important that the police officers look after the lives and property of our citizens in Mongu.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikota, SC. (Livingstone): Mr Speaker, I would like to make a follow up on this issue because it is a very serious matter. I would like to find out whether the Government is going to ensure that inquests into each and every one of the deaths that occurred during the disturbance on 14th January, in Mongu and Limulunga, are held. Could His Honour the Vice-President give assurance that this will be done publicly as is required by the law.

In addition, may I know whether this Government intends to have an independent commission of inquiry on the incidents that occurred during this period in order to bring out the truth. This will help end all kinds of speculations coming from both parties so that the levels of anxiety are brought down.

 I would also like to know whether there will be a general commission of inquiry into the whole issue of the Barotse Agreement and its effects on the nation, what the way forward is and how best to finally lay the issue of the Barotseland Agreement to rest.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order!

 His Honour the Vice-President will observe the one-question rule.

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, it is common knowledge that there was a delegation from the Western Province with whom we had discussions. They presented a petition which is under consideration. Various options will be considered.

Sir, this is not the only Government which has looked at this particular issue. We shall look at what has happened in the past, present and future and see how we can proceed.

Mr Speaker, a commission of inquiry, inquest and the multiple suggestions are not under consideration at the moment. However, we will consider all options available so that we can resolve this particular issue.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, could His Honour the Vice-President categorically state what constitutes Barotseland. From his statement, he has been stating that some individuals in the Western Province have been trying to secede from Zambia. Therefore, is Barotseland synonymous with the Western Province?

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, that is a very difficult question. I have looked at some maps, but there are various versions of what people say constitutes Barotseland. What I can say is that there is no definitive map which I have looked at. I know that the Western Province is clearly defined according to our laws, but as for Barotseland, I cannot commit myself to that.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kambwili (Roan): Mr Speaker, can the His Honour the Vice-President clear the air on the allegations that the Office of the President was used by the MMD Government to circulate those treasoners’ flyers so that they could lay ground for police to use force and kill people?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Sir, we are a reasonable and law abiding Government and our security agencies do not engage in such activities. Therefore, that is totally false because we do not use such methods in dealing with issues in Zambia.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, I would like His Honour the Vice-President to make a comment on the food insecurity in the region as has been reported and especially that we have had erratic rainfall this particular year. Many co-operatives have paid money to the Government to procure fertiliser and many of them have not managed to get their entire allocation. Can he also state whether the Government will refund those who have not got their fertiliser, considering that they are living in poverty?

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, of course, if the hon. Member of Parliament can be specific, he can let us know at which points farmers have paid for fertiliser which they have not received. What I know is that we have tried our best to give fertiliser to our farmers as we have done previously and that is why we achieved a bumper harvest in the last season. So, if there are issues of that nature that are of concern to us, you should let us know about them. We should know who these farmers are and which depots they fall under so that we can attend to them. Of course, the issue of erratic rainfall is also of concern to us. We are assured that there will be some rains, but that is an act of God and we can only hope and continue to pray for rains.

I thank you, Sir

Mr Kapeya (Mpika Central): Mr Speaker, it is clocking almost two years since His Excellency the President directed the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to mobilise funds to construct the Mongu/Kalabo Road. May we know the progress on the same.

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, the contractors are on site and that project is on course. We know that the plains along the Zambezi River are flooded and we are looking forward to a successful Kuomboka Ceremony. Regarding the construction of the road, I think this will be intensified after the rainy season.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Simuusa (Nchanga): Mr Speaker, I wish to know why the Audit Report on the Pilot Audit on the Mines has been kept a secret for the last two years and why it took some unauthorised people, if I may use that phrase, to ensure that that report was made public.

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, the way tax matters are handled, I think, has been explained by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA). There is some confidentiality between the tax payer and the ZRA. There has been an on-going process of verification and auditing as regards reference to the said leaked document. The ZRA has come up with an authoritative position on that matter. The ZRA and the company you are referring to have been holding discussions and are still trying to find out what the correct position regarding the taxes is. Therefore, do not give credence to leaked reports.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Matongo (Pemba): Mr Speaker, the issue of problems in Mongu could be related to pathetic poverty and underdevelopment on account of the failure of this Government to collect enough revenues for purposes of development from the mines, banks and other sources of income. Would the Vice-President confirm that this act of ineptitude to collect more money for investment in the Western Province is the cause of the riots that happened?

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, I have explained the riots that happened in Mongu. Of course, it is our concern, as a Government, to develop all the parts of this country equitably and Mongu is no exception. We have put in place a reasonable and equitable tax regime which promotes the mining sector, investment and …

Mr Kambwili: Question!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: ...creates employment in the mining sector but, at the same time, we need  to get benefits from the mining sector. Over the years, our revenue collections from the mining sector, the taxes, have been improving tremendously. We have introduced the variable taxes. In addition to the company taxes, we have improved the mineral royalty by increasing it from 0.6 per cent to 3 per cent. So, we do not want to impose punitive taxes which will destroy the mining sector or which will make mining companies not invest in Zambia. Other countries have tried. For example, you know what happened in Australia. The Prime Minister lost his job because of the punitive taxes which created disincentives for investment in the mining sector. So, we do not want to make the same mistake. Of course, every year, we bring these issues regarding tax to Parliament.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Kapata (Mandevu): Mr Speaker, the word ‘secession’ among the people of Barotseland did not come from the people in that area, but the MMD Government. All that the people of Barotseland are crying for is development like there is in other provinces. Does His Honour Vice-President agree with that?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, that is a fabrication. We believe in Zambia being a unitary State and this is the official position. Those who have been agitating for secession are law breakers and are not from this Government.

Mr Speaker, we must develop the Western Province like any other part of Zambia. For instance, at the moment, we are working on the Mongu/Kalabo Road which is costing us trillions of Kwacha. It is one of the most expensive roads to construct, but it will open up the Western Province to neighbouring countries.

We are also working on the Sesheke/Senanga Road at a great cost. These are the efforts we are making to develop the Western Province. We are also building schools and hospitals. Currently, we are building a hospital in Shang’ombo …

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: …and there are several other projects we have embarked on in the province.

Mr Speaker, it is important that we reduce unemployment levels in the province and other parts of the country by providing employment opportunities through development.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Masebo (Chongwe): Mr Speaker, the issue of the Barotse Agreement will continue to challenge successive governments. To find a long-term solution, does this Government have any plans of a referendum for the people of Barotseland?

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice:  Mr Speaker, the question is extremely vague. What is the referendum for? The hon. Member did not complete her question. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, a referendum on the agreement …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mrs Mwamba (Lukashya): Mr Speaker, it is very clear that the flagrant abuse of the Public Order Act by this Government led to the senseless loss of lives in the Western Province. I would like to find out when this Government will start treating the Zambian people as equals before the Constitution and the Public Order Act.

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, the Public Order Act is there to ensure that there is law and order in the country. This is why the law is there. If the hon. Member, therefore, has information that particular groups of people are pursuing irresponsible missions which may lead to bloodshed or breakdown of law and order and destruction of property, she should come forward. As a reasonable Government with security agencies, we will not let these people come together and pursue unlawful causes. This Act is there to protect you and I from lawlessness.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chisala (Chilubi): Mr Speaker, in 2009, the Luena Bridge, which connects Chilubi and Luwingu, was washed away. Late last year, in November, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), started the construction of the bridge. I would like to know why the project has stalled.

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, the new hon. Minister of Works and Supply has heard the information that the hon. Member has given us.

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: He will follow it up.

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: We want to develop this country and the new hon. Minister of Works and Supply, Hon. Namulambe, will follow up issues of such nature.
 
Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chanda (Kankoyo): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from His Honour the Vice-President which areas have, so far, been hit by floods and how much his office has spent on relief food and other logistics.

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, there are areas along the Zambezi River which have perennial floods. We will, however, enjoy the Kuomboka Ceremony, this year, because of the same floods. Hon. Nkombo talked about drought in some areas in the Southern Province. The information is available but, unfortunately, I do not have it with me here.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Scott (Lusaka Central): Mr Speaker, as we speak, 3,000 bags of relief maize are being transported across Lake Bangweulu to an island where there will be a local government by-election next week. I also read in this morning’s paper that the Hon. Chief Whip has denied that the MMD indulges in rigging.

Now, in most of the dialects of English that I am acquainted with, this would be described as rigging. Perhaps, it would be described more accurately as vote buying. What would the Vice-President call it? Is it being nice or gentle governance? Perhaps, he can instruct us on the electoral lexicon to use in this House.

Laughter 

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, such issues have been raised before in election petitions. The Government’s work does not stop just because there are by-elections.

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: We must continue to feed our people in places where there is hunger whether there are by-elections or not.

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: This is the responsibility of the Government. We, as a Government, started distributing relief food long before these by-elections came up. You are the people who budget for the distribution of relief food under the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). We cannot stop just because there are by-elections. We must continue to feed our people. 

Of course, you can go and campaign, but I know that you are losing popularity …

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: … and that is why you are raising such points.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mrs Phiri (Munali): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from His Honour the Vice-President why works on the road which passes through Ibex Hill into Chainda have stalled. What has happened to the money which was given to the contractor?

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice:  Mr Speaker, I do not have the details. However, the hon. Member can give us the details so that we look into this matter. It is important that we do so that all the projects are executed, especially here in Lusaka where we want to get more votes than other political parties.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Laughter

Mr Zulu (Bwana Mkubwa): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from His Honour the Vice-President what the Government is doing to compel the owners of Kabwata Flats in Lusaka and Itawa in Ndola to paint them because they are an eyesore. When can they be painted so that they add what we call an architectural impact to the eye?

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, I am surprised that this question has come from a Patriotic Front (PF) councillor in Ndola.

Hon. Opposition Members: He is a rebel!

Laughter

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: He may be a rebel …
 
Laughter 
 
The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: … but, in this House, we do not have such terminologies. He is a PF councillor. In PF-controlled councils, there is a lot of ineptitude.

Mr Kambwili: Question!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: They are misusing funds instead of painting houses. There is a lot of corruption in PF-controlled councils …

Interruptions

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: …and illegal allocation of land.

Laughter

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: These are some of the projects which you, as councillors, should look into when you go back to your councils.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to know the position of the Government as regards the threats of eviction of people in Bbilili Game Management Area (GMA) where the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has said all the thirty-nine schools, with 17,000 pupils, are equivalent to the value of only two elephants.

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, recently, I toured the Southern Province and I know that place in Kalomo. When I visited the place, the hon. Member received me very well and I engaged their Royal Highnesses regarding that particular GMA. His Royal Highness, Chief Chikanta, has written to me on the same issue and I am consulting with the Ministry of Tourism Environment and Natural Resources so that we see how we can address this particular problem. We have clinics, schools and people who have settled there who are our voters and so it is important that we resolve this particular issue.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imbwae (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, I just want to know if the Government is going to establish an information centre where all those missing their relatives can report so that we verify how many people died in the Western Province during the January massacre.

Interruptions

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, we should not give alarming statements in this House. I urge hon. Members to desist from such by giving responsible statements. The information which I have given about some of our citizens who were caught up in that particular unfortunate incident is the correct one. We have security agencies and other Government departments there where recourse can be sought. However, if you have any other useful information to give, let us have it.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Beene (Itezhi-tezhi): Mr Speaker, I would like to know the position of Zambia on the issue of Libya.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

____________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

NKULUMASHIBA HIGH SCHOOL REHABILITATION

224. Mr Kambwili (Roan) asked the Minister of Education:

(a) when the roof for the school hall at Nkulumashiba High School in Roan Constituency  had been blown off;

(b) what the estimated cost of replacing the roof and rehabilitating the building  was; and

(c) what the cause of the delay in undertaking the works had been.

The Deputy Minister of Education (Dr Kawimbe): Mr Speaker, the roof for the school hall at Nkulumashiba High School, in Roan Constituency, was blown off in 2008 and the estimated cost of replacing and rehabilitating it is K124, 000,000. The cause of the delay was due to budgetary constraints. However, I am happy to announce that His Honour the Vice-President, about a month ago, released not an amount of K124,000,000, but K140,000,000, which has been received and works are in progress.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether it is not embarrassing for His Honour the Vice-President that it has taken three years to work on the blown roof in view of the fact that that is the primary school where he went.

Dr Kawimbe: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member together with all the hon. Members of this House should be thanked for allocating K5 billion, in this year’s Budget, to take care of such contingencies.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Phiri (Munali): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister if there is any quality control when the schools are being constructed. I ask because of what happened in Luangwa where a school which cost K10 billion to be put up has already started disintegrating.

Mr V. Mwale: It was due to heavy rains, iwe!

Dr Kawimbe: Mr Speaker, quality is the highest priority to this Government. We would like the taxpayers to get value for their money and this is why we appeal to our contractors, both domestic and foreign, to ensure that they give us value for money. Beyond that, there are mechanisms that, before payments are made and a certificate of completion is signed, there are technical people to certify that work has been properly carried out.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Simuusa (Nchanga): Mr Speaker, it has now become what I would call common practice for local school managements to levy or charge pupils even as much as K150,000, in actual cases which I can report, for repair of infrastructure at given schools. I would like to find out what the policy of the Government is regarding school managements levying pupils or parents to pay for the repair of infrastructure in schools.

Dr Kawimbe: Mr Speaker, the policy of this Government is reflected in the provision of K5 billion, in this particular Budget, to ensure that those repairs that are not ordinarily planned for in the Budget are taken care of.

I thank you, Sir.

INFLATION AND INTEREST RATES’ CONTROL

225. Mr Imenda (Lukulu East) asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning how the Government intended to control the current rate of inflation and interest rates for the country to attain middle-income status by 2030.

The Deputy Minister of Finance and National Planning (Ms C. M. Kapwepwe): Mr Speaker, Zambia is a liberalised economy and, as such, most controls have been eliminated. In this dispensation, the Government can only influence inflation and interest rates. The macroeconomic objectives of the Government are to keep inflation within single digit levels and reduce interest rates.

 Mr Speaker, the Bank of Zambia has reduced the lending base rates and commercial banks weighed lending base rates have since reduced from 22.7 per cent, in December, 2009, to 19.8 per cent, in September, 2010. Furthermore, the Financial Sector Development Programme (FSDP) has been extended in order to continue to push for a more efficient financial sector. The issues being addressed in the FSDP include the need to improve information and credit worthiness of borrowers by enhancing the use of the Credit Reference Bureau. Additionally, the FSDP will address the high loaned default rates, high operating cost of commercial banks, high cost of legal processes and making the competition in the financial sector more effective in delivering better and cheaper services to the public.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Lukulu East. Are you satisfied?

Mr Imenda: Yes, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Monze.

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, in her answer, the hon. Deputy Minister of Finance and National Planning indicated that Zambia is a liberalised economy and, as such, its Government cannot control the interest rates. Is she confirming to this House that most of the countries, in the western world, that are controlling their interest rates are not liberalised?

Ms C. M. Kapwepwe: Mr Speaker, I think we are all aware that, in liberalised economies ─ amongst which Zambia is, we can only influence interest rates. The question was on what measures we, as a Government, are going to use to control them? In most liberalised countries, the Government, through its Central Bank and monetary policies, can influence the inflation, but not control them. The question was how do we control those interest rates? So, I can confirm that we can influence, but we are not going to dictate or control the interest rates.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, it is quite clear that the influence by the Bank of Zambia has failed to reduce the interest rates. Even that reduction from 22 per cent to 19 per cent is not at the level it should be. I wish to find out from the hon. Minister, with this indication that influence has failed, what measures the Bank of Zambia is now embarking on to ensure that the interest rates come down to the levels they are supposed to be. I will not suggest these levels, but only stress that they should be much lower than 19 per cent.

Ms C. M. Kapwepwe: Mr Speaker, while acknowledging that interest rates could be lower, it is important to note that their trend is that of coming down. In my response, I indicated that they have moved from 22.7 per cent, in December, 2009, to 19.8 per cent in 2010. There are several factors which influence this position. I have also stated that with the extension of the FSDP, which addresses a whole range of issues which impact on interest rates; including the cost of borrowing, reducing the risk of default by introducing the Credit Reference Bureau, looking at the processes and making sure that the financial sector becomes more competitive with the entrance of more banks on the market, we should see a gradual reduction of interest rates.

Mr Speaker, I think that the Government is committed to going forward in making sure that it looks at a further reduction of these interest rates. So, we, as a Government, are very much aware of this critical element and will continue addressing it and this is why the FSDP has gone into Phase II. As a Government, we will do our utmost to ensure that we have the positive impact on reduction of this cost of borrowing.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Matongo (Pemba): Hon. Minister, the issue of inflation at 9 per cent …

Mr Speaker: Order! Address the Chair.

Mr Matongo: Sorry, Sir.

Mr Speaker, the issue of interest rates at 19 per cent and …

Dr Machungwa (Luapula): On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Dr Machungwa: Mr Speaker, I apologise to my colleague for interrupting his question, but is the hon. Member of Parliament for Lusaka Central, Dr Guy Scott, in order to come to this House and allege that the Government is distributing relief maize in the Bangweulu Wetlands because there is a by-election when, in fact, the hon. Members of Parliament from the area had requested the Government to assist because of the on-going food deficit? Just because when he tried to go to the area to campaign, he was received with hostility and he had to seek …

Hon. PF Members: Aah!

Mr D. Mwila: Ask a question!

Interruptions

Dr Machungwa: … protection from Chief Kasomalunga, is he in order to now come to this House and say that the Government must not distribute relief food?

Interruptions

Dr Machungwa: Is he in order, Sir?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Well, as the Chair has, many times, ruled on points of order like this one, you are too late in raising your point of order.

Mr D. Mwila: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: You should have raised it at the time the statement was being made. However, what you have achieved to do is provide the necessary information for all to hear.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: May the hon. Member for Pemba continue.

Mr Matongo: Mr Speaker, when the bank governors of the capitalist capitals ─ the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK) and South Africa ─ actually sit, quarterly, to fix interest rates because it is one of the cornerstones of their monetary policies, why is that, we, the newly liberalised country, cannot do that? Liberalisation should not be blamed on interest rates …

Mr Speaker: Order! You are arguing now.

Mr Matongo: Mr Speaker, interest and inflation rates are coterminous, they work together. When one is low, it pulls down the other as well. However, that is not the case in Zambia.

Mr Speaker: Order!

This is not a classroom, hon. Member for Pemba.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: That is economics 101 …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … at the University of Zambia (UNZA) or Copperbelt University (CBU).

Laughter

Mr Speaker: The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning.

Ms C. M. Kapwepwe: Mr Speaker, I am not sure how I am supposed to respond to such a lecture as you rightly pointed out. I do not know if it is a question or statement. However, to go back to the question, it was related to our ability to achieve the Vision 2030. I think it is important to note that it is not only the two, inflation and interest rates, that impact on whether we will achieve this vision or not. There are a whole range of factors which we need to put into account to make sure that we do that.

Mr Speaker, as you know, His Excellency the President just recently launched the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) which articulates our vision and how we will attain and actualise it. It is a five- year cycle. We have the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which is a three-year cycle and the annual Budget.

Mr Speaker, as we continue in the Government, beyond 2011, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms C. M. Kapwepwe: … we shall continue to follow our development plans. From the scenario, indicated, if we continue to grow at 6.6 per cent, we are going to achieve that vision and we are actually closer to achieving it than most of us know. Therefore, I would like to just re-emphasise that we have development plans in place which will enable us to achieve the Vision 2030.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mushili (Ndola Central): Mr Speaker, Zambia is still known to be a high risk country as far as lending money is concerned. Hence, this is the main attribute to the high interest rates. What, therefore, makes Zambia to be referred to as such?

Ms C. M. Kapwepwe: Mr Speaker, I am trying to clearly follow what the hon. Member was trying to ask, but if he is talking about the risk as far as the banks and borrowers’ risk of defaulting, which we call delinquent borrowers in this country, that still remains and that is people not being able to service their loans as per agreement. This pushes up the risk and, therefore, pushes up the cost. So, it is important that as borrowers, we, ourselves, make sure that we adhere to our commitment to service the loans.

Secondly, Mr Speaker, as already mentioned, we have introduced a credit reference bureau. These are all efforts to bring down the risk of lending and, therefore, bring down the cost of borrowing.

Thank you, Sir.
RAILWAY SYSTEMS OF ZAMBIA

226. Mr Kambwili (Roan) asked the Minister of Communications and Transport:

(a) how many locomotive engines the Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) had retained from Zambia Railways at the time of the concession;

(b) how many locomotive engines RSZ had bought; and

(c) how much had been paid by the company to the Treasury in the form of taxes in 2009.

The Deputy Minister of Communications and Transport (Mubika): Mr Speaker, at the time of the concession in December, 2003, the RSZ retained a total of fifty-seven locomotives from Zambia Railways. The House may wish to know that, out of the fifty-seven locomotives the RSZ retained, thirty-three of them were overdue for major overhauls. The RSZ has already overhauled sixteen locomotives at an average cost of US$450,000 per locomotive translating into a total expenditure on overhauls to US$7,200,000. In 2011, the RSZ plans to overhaul another four locomotives from the twenty-two overdue. Consequently, upon the above overhaul works done, no locomotives have been bought. The RSZ paid to the Treasury a total sum of K10,344,724,745.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mt Kambwili: Mr Speaker, it is clear that the RSZ has failed to run the railway business in Zambia and this is adversely affecting our roads. What is the Government doing to improve the status quo in the railway system?

The Minister of Communications and Transport (Professor Lungwangwa): Mr Speaker, the concession that the RSZ is managing has been in place for seven years now and quite a lot of recapitalisation and reinvestment has taken place as evidenced by the figures that we have provided. Clearly, as a Government, we are engaging the RSZ to do more in terms of recapitalisation of the railway line, in particular, as well as the necessary equipment that is vital to the operations of our railway system.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, according to the information we have on the concession, the RSZ was not only supposed to rehabilitate, but also bring in new locomotive wagons from out of the country and even work on the rail track. Now, already it has been stated that this has not happened. Apart from just urging the RSZ to fulfill its part, what enforcement measures is the Government employing to ensure that it does what it is supposed to do before we go into another ten years with the same scenario that is currently prevailing?

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, procurement of new locomotives is a matter of necessity and is dictated by what is currently available and in place. The RSZ has embarked on the rehabilitation of existing locomotives and that makes good business sense. The process is proceeding well as evidenced by the number of locomotives that have been overhauled. Clearly, this is what we are monitoring to ensure that the equipment and locomotives are operational.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.{mospagebreak}

LIMULUNGA ROYAL VILLAGE LAVATORY

227. Mr Milupi (Luena) asked the Minister of Community Development and Social Services when construction of toilets at Limulunga Royal Village would commence to ensure that tourists were not inconvenienced during the Kuomboka Ceremony.

The Deputy Minister of Community Development and Social Services (Mr Malwa): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the Government, through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, has an on-going programme of facilitating the construction of permanent structures at traditional ceremony venues, including toilets at Limulunga Royal Village in Mongu, Western Province. Support for the construction of toilets will be undertaken through the self-help initiative programme. However, support by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services awaits a formal request from the organisers of the ceremony (the Barotse Royal Establishment).

Mr Speaker, allow me to thank Hon. Milupi for the concern shown, but also state here that this is a similar question to that which was asked yesterday on providing a sitting pavilion. The construction of a sitting pavilion also includes the provision of toilets.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Milupi: Mr Speaker, to the contrary this is not a similar question to the one asked yesterday as this one relates to …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Do you have a question?

Mr Milupi: Yes, Mr Speaker.

Since toilets relate to health hazards for hundreds of thousands of people who gather during this ceremony, does this Government not recognise the need to alleviate the dangers to which people are subjected as long as there are no toilet facilities in a place? Will the Government not move quickly to ensure that this situation is corrected?

The Minister of Community Development and Social Services (Mr Kaingu): Mr Speaker, Limulunga is in the constituency of the hon. Member of Parliament who has asked this question and this House has appropriated a lot of money under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to help us take care of urgent matters like the one he has raised. So, I would ask the hon. Member to use the CDF to mitigate this problem.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

MINING IN WESTERN PROVINCE

228. Mr Milupi asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development:

(a) what the total area covered by mining licence No. ML56 was;

(b) what minerals had been produced under the licence and what the amount of the minerals was as of 31st December, 2009;

(c) what the value of the minerals mined at (b) was and how much revenue the Government had raised in the form of taxes; and

(d) whether the Spirit of the River Company was still mining alluvial diamonds in the Western Province under the ML56 licence.

The Deputy Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Nkhata): Mr Speaker, the total area covered by Mining Licence Number ML56 is 25,000 square kilometres.

Mr Speaker, according to the records available in my ministry, the Spirit of the River Company never declared any production returns as of 31st December, 2009.

Mr Speaker, the Government did not raise any revenue in form of taxes from the company because there was no production as stated earlier.

Mr Speaker, the Spirit of the River Company is not mining alluvial diamonds in the Western Province because the company gave notice to my ministry on 28th September, 2006 to suspend operations. The company has not operated the mine since then. The House may wish to know that, on 1st June, 2010, a default notice was issued in respect of the mining licence held by the company and on 23rd August, 2010, the mining licence was cancelled because the company did not continue to operate within the provisions of the Mines and Minerals Development Act of 2008.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Milupi: Mr Speaker, the 25,000 square kilometres covered under Mining Licence Number ML56 equates to an area of 50km by 500km. Is it normal for this Government to give a mining licence, not for exploration, over such a vast area? Where is this Government leading this country?

The Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr M. B. Mwale): Mr Speaker, it is understandable to relate exploration to mining when you are particularly used to looking at traditional mining as opposed to alluvial mining. What is meant by alluvial mining is that there is basically no exploration undertaken. This is because the mining is the exploration itself in that it looks at minerals dispersed over a wide area. These are diamonds whose source may not be known, particularly material that has moved far away from the source. In this case, we are looking at diamonds which come to Zambia from Angola. This mining is being undertaken along the Zambezi River course and not that there is a known deposit. Therefore, this is why the Government had to give this company such a large area to dredge and ring the diamonds.

I thank you, Sir.
 
Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, for a mining licence to be issued over such a large area, 25,000 square kilometres, and, indeed, for any mining licence to be issued, there must be proof that there are minerals in the given area as a result of either exploration or something of that sort. So, obviously ...

Mr Speaker: Order!

Can you ask your question?

You may continue.

Mr Simuusa: Yes, Mr Speaker. I would like to find out why a mining licence of such magnitude was issued, and yet, not so long afterwards, there was no declaration of any minerals mined and no value declared to the Government.

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, I am surprised that such a question can come from the chairperson of the Mines Committee of the Patriotic Front (PF) who is supposed to be very conversant with what is meant by alluvial mining.

Laughter

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, I have stated that we are talking about alluvial diamonds which, by implication, have no known deposits within the country. We are basically looking at the material which may be coming into Zambia through the river courses of the Zambezi River from Angola. This is why we had to give such a large area to Spirit of the River.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Imenda: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the company left this country without paying workers’ terminal benefits and the contractors for the hired equipment? Also, did the Government find out whether this company was genuine or not before issuing the licence? What is the Government planning to do about those people who lost their money and equipment?

Mr Speaker: As usual, the hon. Minister will follow the one question rule.

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, I thank you for your guidance. The Government is aware of the unpaid dues.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC. (Chasefu): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether this company was partly owned by Zambians residing in Zambia.

Mr M. B. Mwale: In fact, Mr Speaker, the hon. Member is supposed to be fully aware of which Zambians are involved.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Members: Aah!

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwenzi): Mr Speaker, now that the Government is aware that workers were not paid their dues, what is its position?

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, there are well-known procedures and systems that anybody who is aggrieved can follow in order to recover their dues.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chongo (Mwense): Mr Speaker, the extent of an area that must be issued for mining purposes is clearly stated in the Mines and Minerals Act. Does the area that was allocated to the Spirit of the River fall within the limits that have been indicated in the Act or does this not apply to alluvial mining?

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, what should be understood is that the Spirit of the River was issued with the mining licence prior to the revision of the Mines and Minerals Act of 2008.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

MALARIA CASES ON THE COPPERBELT

229. Mr Kambwili asked the Minister of Health:

(a) how many malaria cases had been reported in the Copperbelt Province from July, 2009 to July, 2010; and

(b) which town in the province had recorded the highest number of cases.

The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Kalila): Mr Speaker, 933,411 cases were reported in the Copperbelt Province from July, 2009 to July, 2010 and Ndola recorded the highest cases at 399,477.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out the attributes to Ndola having the highest number of malaria cases. Do we have any hope that malaria will be eradicated in Zambia?

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, first of all, the other towns had lower cases of malaria because of the involvement of the private sector in the interventions that we have been pursuing in terms of spraying and distribution of insecticide treated mosquito nets. The mines were very much supportive in the other towns compared to Ndola. So, that explains why Ndola had a higher number of cases.

In terms of our programme, as a Government, we are very much on course. The House may also wish to know that we are past the Abuja target of controlling malaria cases beyond 50 per cent. So, we feel that we are very much on course.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mukanga (Kantanshi): Mr Speaker, some time back, we had some towns on the Copperbelt which where malaria free. I would like to find out when we are going to have the Copperbelt as a malaria free zone.

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, I am not able to state, with certainty, when this will happen except that the Copperbelt is in the low transmission areas with less than 1 per cent transmission of malaria cases. We, therefore, feel that, as a public health programme, we are doing very well in that area.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC.: Mr Speaker, may we know whether the Ndola City Council, through its public health department, is carrying out a programme aimed at eradicating malaria in Ndola.

The Minister of Health (Mr Simbao): Mr Speaker, as the hon. Minister has just explained, we have a lot of co-operation in other towns. For example, for the sake of the hon. Member of Parliament for Kantanshi, Mufulira happens to be the least affected with 8,000 cases reported in the last two years. We have seen that the trend has been very good where the mines have helped and if all the other towns received similar help on the Copperbelt, malaria cases can be reduced very quickly.

Nevertheless, I would like to assure the hon. Member for Chasefu that we have another programme running on trying to eliminate mosquitoes and this is by larviciding the breeding areas. As you know, Ndola has a big river right in town and it has been targeted for this programme. If we can eliminate the larvae from that river, we can stop the spreading of mosquitoes. We are very hopeful that, with the team of Cubans who are working here, we can achieve that.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Kapata (Mandevu): Mr Speaker, the millennium development goal (MDG) number six talks about malaria. Other than the intervention that the hon. Minister has made mention of in his answer, I would like to find out what the ministry is putting in place to see to it that we attain this goal by 2015.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, first of all, like the hon. Deputy Minister said, we have already achieved the Abuja target for 2010. We are certain that we shall meet the Abuja target on malaria for 2015. However, it must be understood that this is not to do with elimination, but eradication. These two words mean different things as regards their use in the language of malaria.

As regards elimination, at the moment, the whole world is arguing that it is not foreseeable, in Africa, to eliminate malaria. We have some countries that are in elimination stage, but these are still questionable.

 With regard to Zambia, it is driving towards elimination by providing all the interventions known and, as a country, we are very sure that we can attain eradication as required by 2015.

I thank you, Sir.

Colonel Chanda (Kanyama): Mr Speaker, in our quest to fight the malaria epidemic in the country, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister which is the most effective first line treatment between coartem and fansidar.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I am grateful for that question because it gives me the opportunity to explain that, in Zambia, the first line treatment is coartem. Anyone using any other drug which is not an Arteminsinin Combination Therapy (ACT) is completely going against the policy of the country. The reason is that the sensitivity tests have shown that the other drugs are not effective and only coartem is effective by about 98 per cent.

Fansidar is still available in this country to deal with pregnant women. We give preventive intermittent preventive treatment to pregnant women. Women should get fansidar, at least, three times in the term of their pregnancy. It has been reserved for them because, to date, the safety of coartem on the baby has not been determined. However, fansidar has been found to be safe. Therefore, as a preventive measure, fansidar is recommended, but not for someone who is suffering from malaria. Anyone who resorts to using fansidar is just creating resistance which will be very difficult for us to deal with in the future.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kapeya (Mpika Central): Mr Speaker, the distribution of treated mosquito nets is one way of combating the spread of malaria in Ndola. I would like to learn from the hon. Minister how this programme is being conducted.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, we have now got 2.2 million nets in the country. We have just received these nets, this month, from the World Bank and Global Fund. I have stressed the sources of the nets to show the support that the partners are giving this Government. These nets will be distributed to the Copperbelt, Northern, Luapula and Eastern provinces. The reason these provinces have been selected is that there has been some form of resumption of the disease to unexpected levels. So, we want to see how we can quickly trample this problem.

The nets will be distributed in the normal way and that is to all pregnant women and children under five. They will be received either through the hospitals or churches.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chanda (Kankoyo): Mr Speaker, the use of Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (DDT) is banned by the United Nations (UN). I would like the hon. Minister to shed more light on why it is being used to spray mosquito larvae.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, the DDT is not banned and, at the moment, we are fighting that it should not be banned. Member States of the UN used to have malaria and they used DDT to eliminate it. We have rejected the imposition of that rule on us. We have told them that they used DDT to eliminate malaria, which is also what we want to do. As African countries, we have totally opposed that ban.

As of now, we are allowed to use the DDT because this is an issue we have discussed and we have completely refused to accept that recommendation.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Machungwa: Mr Speaker, as regards the attainment of the MDG on malaria, what programmes does the ministry have for areas like the Bangweulu Wetlands where there are a lot of mosquitoes?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I have just explained that we have a team of Cubans who are larviciding all breeding areas in this country, including Bangweulu. We are expecting results to come out after they have done their job a few months from now. We shall see how much mosquitoes will remain in the country.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to know what measures the hon. Minister has taken to ensure that the mosquito nets which are being distributed are not used as fishing nets in areas that have been misusing them.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, hon. Members have the knowledge of what is happening in our constituencies, especially those who come from areas where people are engaged in fishing activities. It is important that we ensure that people in such areas use the nets for the intended purpose. It is only us, hon. Members, who can ensure that that is done.

Sir, we, as the Ministry of Health, are there to ensure that we give people the nets and show them how to use them. However, we cannot be there to see how they are being used. Hon. Members of Parliament normally get information on what is happening on the ground. They should be able to pin-point the people who are doing this and strictly deal with them.

Mr Speaker, I would like to urge the hon. Member for Kalomo Central to ensure that everyone who receives the mosquito nets uses them correctly.

I thank you, Sir.

CD4 COUNT MACHINES IN CHIFUBU

230. Mrs Kawandami  (Chifubu) asked the hon. Minister of Health:

(a) how many clinics had CD4 count machines in Chifubu Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b) when the Government would provide the clinics with all the necessary equipment to conduct all human immuno-deficiency virus/acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) tests in the district.

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, Chifubu Constituency has five clinics of which Chipokota Mayamba is the only one equipped with a CD4 count machine. The other clinics refer their blood samples to the Ndola Central and Arthur Davison Children’s hospitals.

Sir, the procurement of medical equipment, including laboratory equipment, is done by the Government, through the Ministry of Health, in a phased approach.

Mr Speaker, in 2011, the Government intends to procure medical equipment worth K24,530,032,360. Once the equipment is procured, it will be distributed to newly health centres and upgraded ones.

However, with the expansion of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) services, the Ministry of Health and the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) carry out regular assessments of suitability of health facilities to be accredited to start offering ART services.

Sir, the health facilities that get accredited to start ART services are considered for the necessary equipment for HIV tests, if they do not have them.

Further, it is also important to note that not all health facilities, countrywide, qualify to receive all the necessary laboratory equipment to conduct HIV/AIDS tests. A referral system is in place for facilities without laboratory equipment to send specimen to facilities with laboratory equipment within the district as per Ministry of Health Laboratory Guidelines. This ensures equity of access to quality laboratory services to all the patients in the district.

Mr Speaker, the Government will always ensure that the necessary health services needed by the Zambian people …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1045 hours until 1100 hours.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was just about to give my last paragraph of the answer.

Sir, the Government will always ensure that the necessary health services needed by the Zambian people are accessible, either on site or under referral to a nearby facility.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Kawandami: Mr Speaker, HIV/AIDS has been with us since 1980 and the population of Chifubu Constituency has since increased. Definitely, one clinic is not enough to cater for that population. How quickly can we have two or three clinics in the constituency to deal with the epidemic?

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, the Government is fully aware of all these issues surrounding population increase and the need to provide a corresponding service to its citizens.

Sir, our health care delivery system operates on a basis of referrals. For Chifubu Constituency, we have already provided a CD4 count machine at one centre. The people there also have access to the Ndola Central and Arthur Davison Children’s hospitals in as far as HIV/AIDS services are concerned.

Mr Speaker, we have stated very clearly that we are going ahead to procure various equipment, including laboratory equipment. This will be distributed according to the competences that are available at these centres. It is not possible to provide all the facilities with similar equipment in the medical sector because it is dependent on competences that are available.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Milupi: Mr Speaker, the referral centres referred to by the hon. Minister are hundreds of kilometres away from the people, especially in rural areas, like Luena and Lukulu East. What is the ministry doing to ensure that people living in these far-flung areas also have access to proper diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and follow-up treatments, such as the service of CD4 count machines?

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, as days go by, the hon. Members are beginning to appreciate the importance of mobile health services.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kalila: The centres that are hard-to-reach are far-flung areas, but they will be served through the facility itself and through outreach services to these places. This is why we brought the mobile services. I am sure that we will be able to reach these places, including Limulunga, the area he has talked about.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

BOREHOLES IN CHIFUBU

231. Mrs Kawandami asked the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing how many boreholes had been sunk and fully equipped with hand pumps in the following areas in Chifubu Parliamentary Constituency:
 
(i) Kaniki;

(ii) Misundu; and

(iii) Kanyanje

The Minister of Local Government and Housing (Dr Chituwo): Mr Speaker, in the Kaniki area, one borehole was sunk by Seed of Hope and is fully equipped with a hand pump.

Sir, there is no borehole which was sunk in Misundu area. However, Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company has, instead, provided three stand taps for residents to access water.

Six boreholes have been sunk by Seed of Hope and fully equipped with hand pumps in Kanyanje area.

I thank you, Sir.

MONGU CASHEW NUT COMPANY

 232. Mr Imenda asked the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry what the current status of the Cashew Nut Company in Mongu District was.

The Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Dr Puma): Mr Speaker, operations at the Cashew Nut Company in Mongu District have been revamped, following the Government’s intervention through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) which has funded the company an amount of K550 million.

The Zambia Cashew Nut Company has been dormant since 1992, when it was liquidated. In 2006, the cashew nut growers in the Western Province mobilised themselves and developed a strategy called the Cashew Nut Development Initiative. This was in an effort to revamp the industry in Zambia. Implementation of this initiative has already commenced and the cashew nut growers are operating under a company called Western Cashew Industries Limited located in Mongu.

Sir, to date, as a result of this initiative, the company, with support from the Government, has recruited and trained a total of 245 farmers in cashew nut production and processing. Furthermore, with the funds received from the CEEC, the company set up new management and purchased processing equipment with the capacity of three tonnes per day.

Current Production Levels

The Cashew Nut Company produced 45 tonnes of cashew nuts during the 2009/2010 growing season. In terms of processing, less than one tonne of cashew nuts are processed, per week, for the local market. This implies that the processing equipment is under utilised owing to low production levels among farmers. In this regard, the company has requested for an additional K1.7 billion to increase production and improve the quality of the raw cashew nuts.
 
Future Plans

Sir, the Cashew Nut Company has plans to increase production levels from 45 tonnes to 12,500 tonnes per annum, creating employment for 1,500 citizens. The expected turnover of the company, with this level of production, is approximately US$14.7 million.

Mr Speaker, currently, the company is working in collaboration with the CEEC to finalise the development of contracts for the out–grower schemes with fifteen co-operatives. Additionally, in order to access the export market, Western Cashew Industries Limited has long-term plans to align its processing facilities to international standards.

Mr Speaker, further, so far, Simbangala Co-operative is the main co-operative that has been funded by the CEEC to the tune of K1.5 billion.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Imenda: Mr Speaker, much as I appreciate the little funds used in the capitalisation of the Cashew Nut Company, does the Government appreciate that the Cashew Nut Company is a foreign exchange earner and, in countries such as Mozambique, Egypt and Senegal, it is one of the biggest foreign exchange earners? What plans does the Government have to make cashew nut one of the biggest foreign exchange earners in Zambia?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, we are aware that cashew nuts have big potential in terms of bringing foreign currency to this country. So far, the demand for cashew nuts is estimated at about 3,000 tonnes per annum and we cannot meet this demand. However, as a Government, we have already started working in collaboration with the community to try and revamp this industry which had remained dormant for some time. I would urge the hon. Member of Parliament to try to assist the Government by mobilising the community so that it can fully utilise the equipment which we have procured. This equipment is grossly under-utilised because of low production by farmers.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Milupi: Mr Speaker, the underutilisation of equipment is as a result of the gross neglect of the plantations that were set up by the United National Independence Party (UNIP) Government when it introduced cashew nut growing. Would the hon. Minister, therefore, indicate to us in this House whether the Government has any plans to revive these plantations, if it all they can be revived, or to ensure that these plantations are productive in order to maximally use these factories which he has talked about?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, the funding which is currently being given to these co-operatives is to try and revamp part of the trees that were planted so that we improve on the production capacity of the trees that are available. We are also exploring the possibility of trying to bring in seedlings that are early maturing so that our farmers can have plants that are able to produce higher yields than the current situation.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Mr Speaker, in response to the question, the hon. Deputy Minister informed this House that the demand for cashew nuts is 3,000 metric tonnes, production is 35,000 metric tonnes and that the projected increase is approximately 12,000 metric tonnes. He also said that the demand is not being met. Can he kindly reconcile those figures because they do not seem to make sense?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, what I mentioned is that the cashew nut company produced 45 tonnes of cashew nuts during the 2009/2010 growing season. The current demand for cashew nuts is approximately 3,000 metric tonnes per annum.

I thank you, Sir.

BEEF EXPLORATION

233. Mr Milupi asked the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Development:

(a) when the Government intended to control cattle diseases in the following areas to enhance beef exports:

(i) Luena Parliamentary Constituency;

(ii) Western Province;

(iii) Zambia; and

(b) what the potential revenue the country was losing annually due to its inability to export beef was.

The Deputy Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Development (Mr Mulonga): Mr Speaker, eradication of all cattle diseases in Luena Parliamentary Constituency is not possible. However, it is possible to control diseases through regular vaccinations, good extension services and good livestock management practices. The Government has put in place measures to address disease outbreaks by creating Livestock Service Centres and increasing the number of field staff.

Mr Speaker, as stated above, the Government is also stepping up disease control activities such as extension and awareness campaigns, vaccinations, renovations of the Regional Diagnostic Laboratories, creation of Livestock Check Points and increased production of locally produced vaccines for rabies, blackleg, hemorrhagic septicemia and anthrax.

Sir, the same measures are being applied countrywide. The country is not losing any revenue at the moment because there is no surplus beef to export since the production levels are still low.

The Government is, therefore, setting up activities to improve livestock production through setting up breeding centres countrywide and controlling livestock diseases in order to increase the numbers of livestock.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Milupi: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the production level of beef is still low and, therefore, cannot be exported. Does this country have anything to learn from Botswana, which is a very dry place, and yet is a major beef exporter to Europe? Why is Zambia, with its many rivers, forests and grasslands, lagging far behind a country which is mostly a desert?

Mr Mulonga: Mr Speaker, indeed, as a young ministry, we are learning from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

Mr Speaker, these countries first invested in livestock infrastructure. This is exactly what we are doing. This is why we have allocated over K1.9 billion, in this year’s Budget, for livestock infrastructure development in the Western Province.

In the Southern Province, we allocated K2.4 billion for the same exercise. In the Northern Province, we have already rehabilitated the Mbesuma Ranch. In the Luapula Province, we have allocated K200 million for infrastructure development in Chishinga. This is the starting point and we hope to carry on as other countries.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, when will the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development move into Mtuntha area of Mpika to control the tsetse flies which were reported by the department in Kasama?

Mr Mulonga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Mpika Central came to our offices and we discussed the issue which is now being handled at the provincial level. We will tell him the outcome as the matter is concluded.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Imenda: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the hon. Minister appreciates the fact that the delay in taking measures to eradicate diseases in the Western and Southern provinces denies the two regions the disease-free zone facilities pledged by this Government to restock the provinces.  

The Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Development (Mr Machila): Mr Speaker, the Government is aware of the impact of the delay. However, it must be appreciated that the national cake is quite small and the resources, as and when they are made available, are applied for the purposes for which they are intended.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mrs Sinyangwe (Matero): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Development if he is aware that people in areas where there is not much cattle like Chongwe, for instance, keep animals. Is he thinking of putting up dip tanks?

Mr Machila: Mr Speaker, all areas that have a concentration of livestock are covered in our programmes.

The hon. Member of Parliament made reference to dip tanks in Chongwe. Late last year, we undertook a visit to Chongwe District and found that there were a number of public facilities available, but the issue on the ground was that livestock holders in the area were not utilising these facilities on account of the nominal charge that was levied for using these facilities. The District Veterinary Officer and his staff are addressing this issue.

I thank you, Sir. {mospagebreak}

NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION

234. Mr D. Mwila (Chipili) asked the Minister of Communications and Transport:

(a) whether the Government had any plans to construct a new international airport;

(b) if so, how much money would be spent on the project;  and

(c) what the source of funding would be.

Mr Mubika: Mr Speaker, I would like to inform this august House that the Government of the Republic of Zambia has no plans to construct a new international airport other than rehabilitating and improving the existing ones.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, when does the Government intend to rehabilitate the Lusaka International Airport?

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, those who read newspapers are well-informed about the process that the Government has taken.

A number of advertisements were put in the papers locally and internationally to solicit for contractors on the public-private partnership (PPP) framework for the Lusaka International Airport. This is public information and those that are well-informed, through the media, are aware of the process.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that there are no plans to construct a new international airport. I would like to find out why this Government displaced the people who were living near the airport if there are no intentions of constructing a new one.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Mandevu should pay attention to the question raised and the answer provided. The answer provided was that we have no plans to construct a new international airport, but rehabilitate and improve existing airports.

Clearly, the Lusaka International Airport is earmarked for improvement and rehabilitation. To do this, we had to resettle the squatters so that expansion and improvement could take place so that the airport can compete effectively with other air hubs like Johannesburg, Nairobi, Addis Ababa and many others in the region. 

Interruptions

Professor Lungwangwa: There is no reason people cannot fly from Lusaka to the United States of America, Europe or Asia. This is what we are trying to work on as a Government. We want to transform the Lusaka International Airport through rehabilitation and improvement and not necessarily construct a new airport.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Sikota, SC. (Livingstone): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has told the House that the Government intends to expand the Lusaka International Airport. I would like to find out why it is not foreseeing that this will lead to increased traffic, and hence the roads leading to the airport, especially the turnoff from the Great East Road to the airport, will need great expansion, in future and, therefore, they should stop the current allocation of plots for residential houses.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker that is part of the plan which the Council of Ministers managing the PPP are looking into. It is a major facelift of our international airport and other accompanying facilities.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out when the Government intends to rehabilitate or expand the Ndola International Airport.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, we have four international airports, namely, Lusaka, Ndola, Livingstone and Mfuwe. We have already completed the feasibility study with funding from one of our co-operating partners worth US$750,000 and documentation is currently available.

Mr Speaker, the plan we have is to integrate the four international airports and what is strategically being considered is that when we look at the Lusaka International Airport, we should not look at it in isolation, but link it to the other three international airports and this is what we are doing.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, following the reply by the hon. Minister that his ministry has no intention of constructing new international airports, but would like to rehabilitate the existing ones, I would like to know how far his ministry has gone in upgrading the runway at Kasama Airport.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, we have provided information at different points in this House on the Kasama Airport. We have already completed the construction of the terminal and have made a provision for funding in the current budget for our airstrips and the process is on-going.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, I would like to know from the hon. Minister the status of the hydrants at international airports.

Mr Speaker: Order!

It is obvious that this question is exhausted and so we shall move to the next order.

___________

BILLS

FIRST READING

THE MANAGEMENT SERVICES BOARD (REPEAL) BILL, 2011

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice (Mr Kunda, SC.): Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Management Services Board (Repeal) Bill, 2011. The object of this Bill is to repeal the Management Services Board Act 1981 and provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

I thank you, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

This is exactly why some hon. Members do not follow what is going on in the House because they are busy talking amongst themselves.

The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Delegated Legislation. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Thursday, 10th March, 2011. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions or amendments to the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

THE ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED LEGAL EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2011

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (Amendment) Bill, 2011. The object of the Bill is to empower the council of the institute to appoint members of the accreditation committee, revise the quorum of the council and provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

Mr Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Delegated Legislation. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Thursday, 10th March, 2011. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions or amendments to the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

__________

HOUSE IN COMMITTEE

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in  
the Chair]

THE JUVENILES (Amendment) BILL, 2011

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

Title – (An Act to amend the Local Government Act)

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment on page 3, in the long title by the deletion, immediately after the word “the” of the words “Local Government”, and the substitution therefor of the word “Juveniles”.

Amendment agreed to. Title amended accordingly.

Title, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

__________

 

HOUSE RESUMED

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

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

The Juveniles (Amendment) Bill, 2010

Report Stage on Wednesday, 2nd March, 2011.

_______

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice (Mr Kunda, SC.): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

_________

The House adjourned at 11:36 hours until 1430 hours on Tuesday, 1st March, 2011.