DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE TENTH ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 13th October, 2010

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

____________________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

ZAMBIA’S NEW INDUSTRIES

90. Mr Mukanga (Kantanshi) asked the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry:

(a) how many industries manufacturing new products on the Zambian market were introduced from 2006 to 2009, year by year; and

(b) how many jobs were created as a result of the introduction of new industries.

The Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Dr Puma): Mr Speaker, in 2006, the Government recorded a total of sixty-six pledged manufacturing companies. In 2007, thirty-one pledged companies were recorded whilst a total of thirty-nine and forty-four new companies were recorded in 2008 and 2009 respectively. In this regard, the Government, through the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), is currently undertaking a review to determine the actually established companies. However, the monitoring exercise conducted, so far, indicates that there are a total of thirty-one manufacturing companies established between 2006 and 2009. These include Acacia Food and Beverages, African Explosives Zambia Limited and Chingases Company Limited.

Mr Speaker, in 2006, the Government recorded a total of 3,750 pledged jobs. In 2007, a total of 6,963 were recorded as pledged employment while a total of 4,893 and 5,592 pledged jobs were recorded in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The Government, through the ZDA, is, again, currently undertaking a review to determine the actual employment levels. However, the monitoring exercise so far conducted indicates that there are a total of 1,831 jobs created as a result of the manufacturing companies producing new products between 2006 and 2009.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, how many jobs were actually created in 2006 because this is about five years ago? Why is the hon. Deputy Minister giving the House the number of pledged jobs instead of the numbers the actual jobs created?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, the ZDA is still reviewing the situation, but from 2006 to 2009 1,831 jobs were created.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chazangwe (Choma Central): Mr Speaker, is there a way in which the Government is protecting the newly-introduced companies from multi-national companies?

Dr Puma: Sir, the Government has liberalised the economy so that people are able to form companies and trade accordingly. However, there is a provision for protection. The Government signs an agreement to protect companies in specific areas and this is only applicable to individual companies.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Kapata (Mandevu): Sir, how many of the products mentioned above found their way onto the international market?

Dr Puma: Sir, a number of the companies I have mentioned such as M. Mobile, Chingases Company Limited and African Explosives Zambia Limited are actually exporting some of their products.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kambwili (Roan): Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister stated that most of the industries were mere pledges. May we know whether the loudly-spoken-about job creation and attraction of investors are mere pledges or physical development?

Dr Puma: Sir, in my response, I stated that the pledged jobs were thirty-one in 2007, thirty-nine and forty-four in 2008 and 2009 respectively. I further stated the number of actual jobs according to the monitoring exercise so far conducted. I stated that there were a total of thirty-one manufacturing companies that had been established and not pledged. Similarly, I stated that 1,831 actual jobs had been created.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chanda (Kankoyo): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Deputy Minister aware that some sections in the African Explosives Zambia Limited are closed, hence affecting the number of employees at this factory?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, in a free market economy, some companies do well and others do not. If there are some sections in this company that are closed and others are operating, it is normal in a situation where companies are allowed by the Government to trade freely.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Milupi (Luena): Mr Speaker, the question was how many industries manufacturing new products on the Zambian market were introduced. In his answer, the hon. Deputy Minister mentioned African Explosives Zambia Limited. Is the hon. Deputy Minister aware that this company was in existence much earlier than 2006? It was called Kafironda Zambia Limited and has continued to manufacture explosives.

Hon. Opposition Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order! That was not a question, but comment.

We go to the next question, please.

RAILWAY TRANSPORT IMPROVEMENT

91. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Communications and Transport what plans the Government had regarding the improvement of rail transport in the country.

The Deputy Minister of Communications and Transport (Mr Mubika): Mr Speaker, to facilitate sustainable growth and development of the transport sector in the country, the Government has focused on improving the operations of the Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ). It has embarked on the rehabilitation of the rail track, installation of new signals and communications equipment and improvement of the rolling stock.

Furthermore, the Government recently refunded K2 billion in fuel levy to the RSZ which has been used to procure concrete slippers for the rehabilitation of the rail track.

To ensure effective management and decision making, the Government has put in place a board of directors for the RSZ.

Mr Speaker, the RSZ has also agreed to inject an additional US$30 million above the US$15 million agreed upon in the concession agreement. The company has already started investing part of this money.

Mr Speaker, as regards the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), the Government has embarked on programmes to improve the operations of TAZARA.

The Governments of Zambia and Tanzania have agreed to continue with China’s support to TAZARA through protocol loans and the 14th Protocol Loan amounting to approximately US$40 million has been signed by the three State parties.

 Further, a team of Chinese experts comprising Government officials and engineers visited Zambia and Tanzania to carry out a technical valuation of TAZARA in order to understand its current status. The team conducted a needs survey of TAZARA. 

The two Governments of Zambia and Tanzania have further agreed to continue to provide funds for regular rehabilitation and maintenance of the TAZARA Railway Line.

Mr Speaker, as for the development of new railway lines, the Government is marketing the Greenfield lines on a public-private-partnership (PPP) basis. Already, a number of investors have expressed interest in developing some of these railway lines.

 The hindrance, however, has been the lack of baseline information on feasibility studies to attract investors. The Government is currently looking for funds to carry out the feasibility studies for the proposed railway links.

Mr Speaker, lastly, to ensure that the railway sector is as competitive as the other sectors, the Government has begun the revision of the Railway Act, owing to the fact that the current Act is inadequate to meet the demands of the industry.

 In this revision, the Government intends to transform the Zambia Railways Limited into a rail asset holding company, managing all Government assets and investments.

The proposed Act further seeks to strengthen the Office of the Inspector of Government Railways in conducting railway safety audits and compliance. The hon. Minister has also started the process of creating a Railway Development Fund which will be used for the rehabilitation, maintenance and construction of the existing and future railway lines.

Mr Speaker, this fund is aimed at:

 (i) increasing railway development funds to assist railway companies finance     long-term railway infrastructure development;

(ii) reducing the burden on the Government to finance new railway development; and

 (iii) providing subsidies, grants, loans and other support for the development of     railways.

This fund will complement the private and public’s financing of railway infrastructure and possible sources of funds will come from the following:

 (i) concession fees;

 (ii) fuel levy;

 (iii) Government subsidies;

 (iv) sale of scrap metal (obsolete rail materials);

 (v) loans from the Government and other financial institutions; and

 (vi) co-operating partners.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Mr Speaker: The Executive should pay attention to the guidelines that issue from here from time to time. Those guidelines are based on experience and procedure. I have said before that it is not procedural for hon. Members of the Executive to refer to future Bills and then summarise their future contents as though those Bills were before the House.

It is not procedural and is actually dangerous. For instance, the House will be interested in knowing when that Bill, which has been pledged before it, will be tabled. No timeline has been given, and yet the objects of the Bill have been summarised this afternoon.

Study your guidelines and you will find that what I have said is correct.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that most wagons are sold as scrap metal?

The Minister of Communications and Transport (Professor Lungwangwa): Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Nangoma would help us if he provided information thereon so that we know exactly where the wagons are from and who is involved in their sale. At the moment, that is only hearsay. We would like to know the facts.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Musokotwane (Katombola): Mr Speaker, I would like to know why the RSZ was given the K2 billion fuel levy, and yet it should be the one to give that money to the people of Zambia.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, fuel levy is supposed to be for the use of the road. Therefore, if one does not use the road, but the railway line, then one should not pay fuel levy. This is why it has been deemed fit to refund the RSZ what it has been paying.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC. (Chasefu): Mr Speaker, the RSZ is obliged, by law, to pay fuel levy. May I know if the law has been amended to warrant a refund of what was paid as fuel levy?

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the RSZ does not use the road. It is, therefore, only fair that a refund be made to the RSZ so that the money goes to improving the railway line.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Zulu (Bwana Mkubwa): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister …

Mrs Kapata: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mrs Kapata: Mr Speaker, I rarely rise on points of order. This particular one borders on human rights. Is the hon. Minister of Home Affairs in order to keep quiet following a clip that was shown on Muvi Television, where people, who were displaced, were battered by the police somewhere in Chalimbana among whom were old people, women and children? They were brutally beaten by the police, and yet the Minister of Home Affairs has kept quiet about it. I seek your serious ruling, Sir.

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Mandevu has raised a point of order which, as she says, borders on the violation of human rights by officers of the Zambia Police Force. She says she saw this on a television transmission, but did not say when.

The hon. Minister of Home Affairs is claimed to have remained quiet after this took place. Well, to satisfy, I believe, not only the hon. Member for Mandevu, but also the House as a whole, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs may, as soon as he is ready, but not later than ten days from now, brief the House on what happened on that particular day. I have to say that the hon. Member for Mandevu is not the only one who saw that clip. Therefore, within ten days, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs should be able to conduct his investigations, write his speech and deliver it to this House. That should be within ten days.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Long live the Chair!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Laughter

Mr Speaker: This Chair is very alive!

Laughter

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Bwana Mkubwa can ask his question, now.

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, what is the Government doing to amend the concession agreement with the RSZ which has completely failed?

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, time and again, we have said that we are engaging the RSZ to address the issues that need to be addressed. Currently, that is the approach we have taken to seriously engage the RSZ so that we see observable improvement in their operations.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chanda: Mr Speaker, when will the RSZ ensure that appropriate traffic lights are used as opposed to using ‘human lights’, …

Laughter

Mr Chanda: … as human beings are used as signals at the moment?

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the process has just started. That is why we have indicated in our response that measures are being taken to address communication systems along the line of rail.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, what measures has the Government put in place to ensure that the loans that TAZARA is acquiring are put to good use and the money is not misappropriated by its management?

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, clearly, from the various protocol agreements that we have signed, I can say that those loans are being put to good use. That is why in July this year, a team of technical experts from China came to work with us to evaluate the problems along TAZARA and ensure that the problems are addressed. At the same time, from the 14th Protocol, we are going to rehabilitate 1,200 wagons in addition to the procurement of locomotive engines as well as improvements on the railway line. Therefore, a lot of effort is being made to ensure that the loans we get, through various protocols, are put to good use, including improvements at management level.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Kabwata.

Mr Lubinda: I have no question, Sir.

Dr Machungwa (Luapula): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has just stated that the RSZ was refunded K2 billion because it does not use roads, but the railway line. Could the hon. Minister consider refunding the women’s clubs in Luapula Constituency who pay fuel levy, but use petrol and diesel to run their hammer mills because they just use canoes and not roads? Will he consider refunding them too?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, I sympathise with the hon. Member for Luapula Constituency. Clearly, if that matter is of passionate concern to him, he should make a case with the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Mwense!

 Mr Chongo (Mwense): Mr Speaker, my question has already been asked.

Mr Chazangwe: Mr Speaker, the answer that has been given by the hon. Minister, who is my father, …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

Here, you are all hon. Members of Parliament and there are no sons and fathers.

Laughter

Mr Muntanga: You can ask your father now.

Mr Chazangwe: Mr Speaker, in my constituency, all the railway wagons at the Choma/Batoka/Masuku Terminal have been vandalised by a group of people. What is the hon. Minister going to do about this?

Mrs Musokotwane: Cutting them up!

Mr Chazangwe: Cut up and taken to South Africa. What is he going to do about it?

Mr Muntanga: As scrap metal!

Mr Chazangwe: It was cut into pieces as scrap metal.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, we shall ensure that the concerns of the hon. Member of Parliament for Choma Central, who is my son, …

Laughter

Professor Lungwangwa: … are presented to the relevant institution and investigations will be carried out.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Once the Chair makes a ruling, …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … there should be no further reference to that ruling.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the Zambia Railways (ZR) is the one selling the wagons to people who cut up the wagons to sell them as scrap metal? Is he not aware that the ZR is the one selling these wagons?

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Kalomo Central should tell us exactly who Zambia Railways is. Who is Zambia Railways because, at the moment, we have the RSZ and we have a holding company on behalf of the Government called Zambia Railways Limited. So, who is the Zambia Railways he is referring to? We need that information so that we can carry out the investigations.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

BORDER POSTS REVENUE COLLECTION

92. Mr Chanda asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning which border post was the highest revenue collector.

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane): Mr Speaker, the post with the highest revenue collection is Chirundu. Revenue collected at Chirundu Border Post for the period January to December, 2009 was K1.2 trillion while for the period January to August, 2010, it was K758.9 billion.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chanda: Mr Speaker, what measures is the Government putting in place concerning borders that are porous for them to adequately contribute to the revenue of the country?

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, the Government is enhancing the infrastructure at these border areas to minimise the chances of people taking advantage of the situation that the hon. Member has referred to.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr L. J. Mulenga (Kwacha): Mr Speaker, why is Kasumbalesa Border Post not collecting sufficient revenue as compared to the Chirundu Border Post and yet a number of vehicles pass through this border thereby damaging our roads? 

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, many of those motor vehicles that the hon. Member is talking about are in transit. They carry goods to countries outside Zambia and revenue cannot be collected from this.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that from 2007, there was a proportionate increase in revenue collection at Chirundu Border Post while there was a reduction at Nakonde Border Post? If he is aware of that phenomenon, what is the Government doing to correct it?

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, I am not aware.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Imenda (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, going by the figures availed to the House, is there an improvement compared to the time the one-stop border post was not operational?

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, it is not easy to make a conclusion out of the situation because the normal trend in Chirundu, like any other border post, was disturbed by the global economic crisis that led to reductions in importation of goods. Therefore, at this stage, we are not able to make that conclusion.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, has the Government put in place banks at the border posts that had no banks so that the revenue is properly banked rather than being transported via long distances.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, indeed, where it is viable to have a bank to collect the revenues, that has been done but, at border areas, where the traffic is too light to support viability of a bank, that has not been done. It is not the Government that establishes banks. The Government merely encourages the banks to take advantage of the profit possibilities in areas where the revenue collected supports the establishment of a bank.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chisala (Chilubi): Mr Speaker, understaffing is a serious constraint to revenue collection. When is the hon. Minister planning to beef-up the manpower at Chinji and Kipushi Border posts?

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, among the proposals that this House is going to consider for 2011 is enhanced financial support to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to enable it to collect more revenue. It will be up to the management of the ZRA to determine whether, with the increased financial resources, the best effort is to hire more staff, enhance their technological base, increase or enhance the infrastructure. What the Treasury is proposing to do is enhance the financial support and the management will determine the best course of action to utilise those resources for more revenue collection.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Kapeya (Mpika Central): Mr Speaker, why has the Great North Road, from Nakonde to Mpika, been neglected despite Nakonde being one of the highest revenue collection points in Zambia? 

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, the road has not been neglected. The road is under focus for improvement. In any case, it should not be expected in this Republic that the highest revenue collection point must necessarily be given the highest revenue to spend. It has never happened that way and I do not believe it will happen in future. Otherwise, the importance of that road is fully recognised and efforts are underway to improve it.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, may I know the border post that has the lowest revenue collection and what the Government is doing to improve revenue collection? 

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the border post that collects the lowest revenue. In that case, out of all the posts with active customs management, the least revenue is currently collected at Mpulungu Boarder Post.

I thank you, Sir.

KAPIRI GLASS FACTORY

93. Mr Kambwili asked the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry what measures had been taken to encourage the expeditious resumption of operations at Kapiri Glass Factory.

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, Kapiri Glass Products Limited was privatised in 1995. The company went into liquidation and was bought by another private company called Chimsoro Limited. The company is making every effort to ensure that the factory becomes operational within the shortest possible time.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, every year, for the past four years, I have been asking about this factory. I have been told, time and again, that the company would re-open as soon as possible. How soon is as soon as possible because it is now five years, but nothing has happened? Has someone’s hands been oiled to prevent the pushing for the reopening of this company?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, as stated earlier, Kapiri Glass Products Limited was privatised in 1995. It went into liquidation and was bought by Chimsoro Limited which is a private company. The role of the Government is to encourage the new owners to find the fastest way to reopen this company or find co-operating partners who are able to make this factory operational.

Mr Speaker, the fact that at one time Kapiri Glass Products Limited existed should not be an end in itself. As a Government, our offices are open to all business houses. The Patents and Companies Registration Office (PACRO) is open to anyone willing to open up glass companies so that we may have a glass factory. Our duty is to encourage the new owner to open the factory as soon as possible.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, many people lost their jobs and are now languishing after the machinery was dug up and sent to Italy. I would like to find out what the Government has done to ensure that Kapiri Glass Products Limited reopens its factory in good time.

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, Kapiri Glass Products Limited is now a private company. If the new owner, therefore, decides to sell part of the equipment, the Government cannot stop such a move …

Mr Kambwili: Question!

Dr Puma: …because the new owner has a right to do so.

 Our duty, as a Government, is to encourage the new owners to open the factory as soon as possible. In some cases, we may also assist them to find partners they can work with.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, former workers of Kapiri Glass Products Limited have not yet been paid their terminal benefits. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when they will be paid and by whom?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the hon. Member to come to the office so that we look at this issue because he has added a new dimension to the question.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Machungwa: Mr Speaker, in the event that the new owner is not able to reopen this factory, is the Government willing to consider buying it back or finding somebody who can run it?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, as the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, we always try to assist companies that are failing where possible. In some cases, we have put efforts to assist some companies to find equity partners on our agenda.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

MANUFACTURING SECTOR GROWTH RATE

94. Mr Mukanga asked the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry what the growth rate in the manufacturing sector in the following industries was from 2006 to 2009, year by year:

(a) textile;

(b) paper; and

(c) steel.

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, according to the records that we have, in 2006, the growth rate of the textile sub-sector was negative 1.3 per cent while in 2007, it recorded negative 19.5 per cent. In 2008 and 2009, the textile sub-sector recorded negative 23.65 per cent and 20 per cent growth rates, respectively. This is attributed to competition from cheap imported textile products.

Mr Speaker, in 2006, the paper and paper products sub-sector recorded a growth rate of 0.3 per cent, while in 2007, it grew by 0.7 per cent. The sub-sector grew by 29.3 per cent and 6.2 per cent in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The contraction in the 2009 growth rate was due to reduced demand in paper products as a result of the global economic crisis.

Mr Speaker, the steel industry recorded a 5 per cent growth rate in 2006. The sub-sector continued to post positive growth rates of 7.8 per cent in 2007. However, the sub-sector’s growth rate declined to negative 2.5 per cent and 3.4 per cent in 2008 and 2009 respectively due to reduced investment in the industry attributed to the global economic and financial crisis.

It must be noted that the period referred to is the phase during which our economy was impacted upon negatively by the global economic crisis.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, in 2008, the negative trend went as far as 23.65 per cent in the textile industry. I would like to find out what the Government is doing to ensure that we reverse such trends and concentrate on manufacturing our own textiles rather than importing stuff from China.

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, the Government is trying to address the challenges in the textile industry by undertaking a comprehensive review of the whole value chain in the cotton industry. Realising that part of the problems in the industry are due to the high cost of raw materials, the Government has introduced a corporate tax of 35 per cent for cotton exporters. If you listened very closely to the Budget Speech, you should know by now that this type of tax will be effective in 2011. This tax will encourage producers to sell raw materials locally, hence increase local production that will subsequently make the prices of our finished products more favourable and competitive.

Mr Speaker, additionally, the Government has put in place tax incentives for those who would like to go into agriculture. Currently, there is a duty free mechanism in place for the importation of capital equipment for the agriculture sector, corporate tax at 15 per cent of income from farming, fertiliser production and non-traditional exports. Further, any dividends paid on farming profits are exempt for the first five years of operations.

Mr Speaker, these are some of the measures we have put in place to encourage those who would like to go into agriculture.

I thank you, Sir. 

Dr Scott (Lusaka Central): Mr Speaker, the United States of America Administration has just introduced an Act which empowers its officials to place duty on Chinese imports that are under priced because of the deliberately undervalued currency of China. Has this Government got any similar ideas?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, as a Government of the Republic of Zambia, we implement policies according to the prevailing situation. Therefore, we are not just going to copy a particular policy as soon as we hear that the United States of America Administration has put it in place.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker. 

_______{mospagebreak}

BILLS

SECOND READINGS

THE LANDS TRIBUNAL BILL, 2010

The Minister of Lands (Ms Lundwe): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time.

Mr Speaker, this Bill is meant to continue the existing of the Lands Tribunal and to provide for the powers and functions of the Lands Tribunal.

Sir, as hon. Members will recall, the Lands Tribunal was established by the 1995 Lands Act for two main reasons. Firstly, the tribunal was established to act as a fast track court that would speedily resolve land disputes by ensuring that unnecessary delays were removed from the process. Secondly, the tribunal was established to perform as a cost-effective land dispute resolution mechanism that would operate under simple rules and procedures.

Mr Speaker, this was as a result of the realisation that taking cases before the High Court can be a protracted and expensive exercise which most of our people cannot afford. It was, therefore, felt that a Lands Tribunal which is friendly (as parties do not require a lawyer) should be put in place. A tribunal where rules are simple and every citizen would feel comfortable to go to.

Mr Speaker, as hon. Members will appreciate, like any other new innovation, the Lands Tribunal has, over time, been exposed to a number of challenges that this Bill seeks to address.

The existing challenges can be summarised as follows:

(i) limited mandate;

(ii) multiple land dispute resolution channels; and

(iii) difficulties associated with constituting a quorum.

Mr Speaker, as regards the limited mandate, hon. Members may wish to know that the tribunal has no power to hear and determine disputes regarding customary land. It also has no power to hear and determine disputes on land held on titles as well as disputes relating to land in statutory housing and improvement areas.

Mr Speaker, admittedly, most of our people reside on customary land which forms over 90 per cent of our country’s land. Equally, a large population of our people live in statutory housing and improvement areas such as site and service schemes.

Mr Speaker, as hon. Members may know, land disputes may currently be determined through various channels such as the local courts, subordinate courts, Lands Tribunal and High Court. Local courts can hear disputes regarding customary land. Subordinates courts also have the mandate to hear land disputes on customary land, provided parties to the dispute give their consent under Section 23 of the Subordinate Courts Act and the value of the disputed property falls within the subordinate court’s mandate. Subordinate courts equally have the mandate to hear disputes on statutory housing and improvement areas. On the other hand, the Lands Tribunal is mandated to hear disputes arising from the Lands Act while the High Court has the original and unlimited mandate to hear and determine any matter, land disputes inclusive.

Mr Speaker, as one would expect, these multiple options for land dispute resolution pose further challenges of overlapping statutory provisions relating to the affected statutes such as the Lands Act, the Lands and Deeds Registry Act, the Subordinate Courts Act and the Local Courts Act.

Mr Speaker, in order to address the challenges enumerated above, the Lands Tribunal Bill will seek to firstly extend the mandate of the Lands Tribunal to now hear disputes regarding customary land, statutory housing and improvement areas as well as land on title.

Mr Speaker, secondly, the Lands Tribunal Bill will harmonise the various statutes regarding land dispute resolution in Zambia. These statutes include the Lands Act, the Lands and Deeds Registry Act, the Housing (Statutory and Improvement Areas) Act  and, indeed, any other laws bordering on land as stipulated under Section 4 (1) subsections (c) and (e) of the Lands Tribunal Bill.

Mr Speaker, the Lands Tribunal Bill also aims to resolve the constraints of forming a quorum by reducing the number of members required to form a quorum from five to three.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I wish to request the hon. Members of this House to support this Bill.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC. (Chasefu): Mr Speaker, the Lands Tribunal Bill, 2010 was referred to your Committee by the House on 24th September, 2010.

Sir, the main objectives of the Bill are to continue the existence of the Lands Tribunal and provide for its powers and functions.

Mr Speaker, as highlighted in your report, the Lands Tribunal was established in 1995, pursuant to the Lands Act Chapter 184 of the Laws of Zambia with the view to providing a forum where land disputes could be adjudicated upon in an efficient and flexible manner as well as at a reasonable cost to the litigants. Therefore, the tribunal was meant to perform as a fast track court in terms of land dispute resolution with simple rules and procedures.

Mr Speaker, in almost all new innovations, there are challenges. In the case of the Lands Tribunal, its operations have exposed a number of challenges which this Bill seeks to address.

Sir, may I inform the House that the tribunal has been in existence for a long time. However, in practice, its jurisdiction or mandate has been drastically reduced following several decisions by the Supreme Court that the Lands Tribunal had no jurisdiction to hear and determine disputes relating to land held under customary tenure, Housing (Statutory and Improvements Areas) Act and land held on title.

Sir, the Supreme Court decisions were made rightly so in the course of interpreting some sections of the Lands Act under which the tribunal was constituted.

Mr Speaker, therefore, the proposed Lands Tribunal Bill, 2010 has made provisions to extend the jurisdiction of the tribunal in order for it to hear and determine land disputes relating to the following areas:

(i) customary tenure;

(ii) housing and statutory improvement areas; and

(iii) state land or properties held on title.

In addition, the Bill seeks to harmonise the existing statutes regarding the land dispute resolution mechanism thereby necessitating consequential amendments to other statutes, that is, the Lands (Amendment) Bill, 2010, the Lands and Deeds Registry (Amendment) Bill, 2010 and the Housing (Statutory and Improvement Areas) Bill, 2010, all of which have been presented to this House and subsequently to various Committees of Parliament for consideration.

Sir, the stakeholders who appeared before your Committee are in support of the Bill. Let me hasten to add that your Committee also supports the Bill. That notwithstanding, there are several issues that require to be refined in the Bill so as to make it more effective.

Mr Speaker, the areas of the Bill that require attention have been highlighted adequately in your report. Therefore, I will simply point out a few aspects of the Bill that significantly caught the attention of your Committee.

Sir, the Committee notes that Section 4(1) of the Bill, which proposes to extend the jurisdiction of the tribunal, appears to be at variance with Article 94(1) of the Constitution, which gives unlimited and original jurisdiction to the High Court to hear and determine inter alia, all civil matters. The Committee proposes that the provision be harmonised so that the High Court will have concurrent jurisdiction with the Lands Tribunal in land matters.

Mr Speaker, it is further worth noting that, with the extension of the jurisdiction of the Lands Tribunal, undoubtedly, its workload will also increase. In the light of this anticipated increase in workload, the Committee is of the view that the chairperson and deputy chairperson of the tribunal be appointed on a permanent basis, as is the case with the Industrial Relations Court. This is because when officers are on a part-time basis, as the case is now, the attention is divided and, inevitably, there are inordinate delays in disposing of cases.

Further, Mr Speaker, the Committee urges the Government to increase funding to the tribunal so that the essence for which the Bill is being introduced is fully realised. Otherwise, if the tribunal will not be well-funded, the proposed amendments will prove difficult to implement.

Sir, since all your Committee’s concerns have been articulated in your report, allow me to end by urging all hon. Members to support the Lands Tribunal Bill, 2010. They should do so because it is non-contentious and is significant in so far as harmonising the existing statutes regarding the land dispute resolution mechanism and expansion of the tribunal’s jurisdiction to hear land disputes is concerned.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to thank you for your guidance during the Committee’s deliberations. May I also register my gratitude to the various stakeholders who tendered both written and oral submissions to the Committee without which the Committee’s work would have been difficult.

Finally, Sir, the Committee would like to thank the Clerk of the National Assembly and her staff for the services provided to it during the course of its meetings.

Mr Speaker, with these few words, I thank you.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Lands Tribunal Bill. It is gratifying to note that your Committee has also supported it.

Sir, contrary to your Committees suggestion to do away with the contradiction at Section 4(2), I am of the view that it is left as it is. This is because it is extending the jurisdiction of the Lands Tribunal to look at cases concerning customary land. At the moment, no title deeds are issued for land. Therefore, if there is a dispute, there is no application of the rules of evidence. The court will depend on the oral evidence of a person having been given land by his forefathers several decades back. If the rules of evidence are to be applied, the oral submission will not be accepted because it becomes hearsay, and yet it is not. This is so most of the information that is available in the villages is based on oral evidence given by people that have stayed there for many years.

 In this case, Section 4(2), in my view, fits very well because the evidence must be verified and checked. However, the only evidence in the villages is that a relative was buried in the villages. However, once a person presents that as evidence to the courts, it is argued that the bones of a deceased person are not evidence enough to show any form of relation. Hence, this complicates matters. Therefore, the court will have to depend on the oral evidence given by the people.

Now that the courts look for evidence, there are a lot of disputes among chiefs which have been outstanding for a long time. Chiefs depend on the boundaries that were worked out on the valleys, mountains and trees that were shown to them. If the rules of evidence are to be followed, how are you going to settle the disputes? This, therefore, means that the Lands Tribunal will have to listen to history as it is known by the people.

Mr Speaker, I wish to agree with your Committee on the need to employ the chairperson and the deputy chairperson on a permanent basis. If they are not, they will not be able to solve the existing problems because their workload has increased as they have now been tasked not only to look at customary land, but also private property.

Sir, there have been instances where people have built houses on plots that do not belong to them and later sold the houses. Therefore, these officers working for the tribunal will have to look at such disputes and many more. As such, they have to be employed on a permanent basis in order to look at such cases adequately.

With these proposed issues I have outlined above, Sir, I support this Bill.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Lundwe: Mr Speaker, let me begin by thanking your Committee for its comprehensive report. Indeed, the report contains pertinent issues that are worth considering. I have taken note of what has been said and, as such, my ministry will look into that.

Sir, from the report and the debate, it is gratifying to note that this initiative has been supported by this House.

With these few words, Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Question put and agreed to and the Bill read a second time.

Committed to a committee of the Whole House.

Committee on Tuesday, 19th October, 2010.

THE LANDS AND DEEDS REGISTRY (Amendment) BILL, 2010

Ms Lundwe: Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time.

Sir, this Bill aims to amend the Lands and Deeds Registry Act, Cap. 185. The amendment is necessary in view of the new Lands Tribunal Bill. This will harmonise the two Bills by subjecting the decisions the Registrar of Lands and Deeds to the Tribunal. Prior to the Lands Tribunal, decisions of the Registrar of Lands and Deeds were appealed against in the High Court as provided for under the Lands and Deeds Registry Act. It is with this background that the Supreme Court ruled, on numerous occasions, that the Lands Tribunal has no mandate to preside over disputes involving properties on title, thus compelling complainants to take their cases to the High Court.

Mr Speaker, what this amendment, therefore, means is that the Registrar’s decisions will now have to be appealed against in the Lands Tribunal instead of the High Court as is the case currently. This will afford people an opportunity to have land disputes resolved speedily and cheaply and without having to go to the High Court where representation by lawyers is a must and, therefore, rendering the whole exercise expensive.

I urge all Members of Parliament to support this Bill.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC.: Mr Speaker, the Lands and Deeds Registry (Amendment) Bill, 2010, which was referred to your Committee on 24th September, 2010, intends to amend the Lands and Deeds Registry Act, Cap. 185 of the Laws of Zambia to extend the jurisdiction of the Lands Tribunal to hear and determine all land disputes, in line with the proposed Lands Tribunal Act, 2010.

Mr Speaker, your Committee supports the Bill, but observes that clauses 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Bill, should be harmonised with Article 94(1) of the Constitution of Zambia, which gives unlimited and original jurisdiction to the High Court to hear and determine all civil matters arising under any law.

Mr Speaker, your Committee, therefore, proposes that the said clauses be amended so that the Lands Tribunal has concurrent jurisdiction with the High Court.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to thank you for your guidance during your Committee’s deliberations. May I also register my gratitude to the various stakeholders who tendered both written and oral submissions to your Committee without which its work would have been difficult.

Finally, Sir, your Committee would like to thank the Clerk of the National Assembly and her staff for the services provided to it during the course of its meetings.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, I stand to support the Bill with an appeal that the Lands Tribunal be properly funded.

Mr Speaker, the Lands Tribunal is a body that will make it easier for the Zambian people to give evidence or complain on various problems arising from the wrong decisions by the Registrar of Lands or when something happens to one’s title deeds. This is a good thing. I wish to point out the fact that this tribunal is only in Lusaka. We should ensure that it is properly funded to enable it go to all provinces to get information on disputes and other land issues. This is because the jurisdiction to preside over such disputes has been taken away from the High Courts which exist in all provinces. Therefore, to make it easier for people from all provinces to give the tribunal the necessary information on their disputes, it must be properly funded.

With that submission, Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Lundwe: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that contribution to the debate on the Motion. I wish to state that this is an administrative issue and we will look into it.

I thank you, Sir.

Question put and agreed to and the Bill read a second time.

Committed to a committee of the Whole House.

Committee on Tuesday, 19th October, 2010.

THE LANDS (Amendment) BILL, 2010

Ms Lundwe: Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time.

Mr Speaker, this Bill aims to amend the Lands Act Cap. 184 of the Laws of Zambia under which the Lands Tribunal was established.

Mr Speaker, since there will now be a stand-alone Act to govern the operations of the tribunal, it becomes necessary that the 1995 Lands Act be amended in order to harmonise the two Acts. This harmonisation entails repealing Part IV of the Lands Act under which the Lands Tribunal was established.  I urge all hon. Members to support this Bill.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC.: Mr Speaker, the Lands (Amendment) Bill, 2010, is intended to bring the Lands Act in conformity with the proposed Lands Tribunal Act, 2010. The objective of the Bill, therefore, is to amend the Lands Act, Cap. 184 of the Laws of Zambia so as to repeal the provisions relating to the Lands Tribunal.

Mr Speaker, the proposed amendments to the Lands Act are non-contentious and consequential to re-aligning the said Act with the proposed Lands Tribunal legislation. On this account, I wish to urge all hon. Members to support the Bill.

In conclusion, your Committee wishes to thank you for your guidance during its sittings. Your Committee is also thankful to the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly for the support rendered and to all the stakeholders who appeared before it and tendered both written and oral submissions.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Lundwe: Mr Speaker, I wish to thank all hon. Members for the overwhelming support.

I thank you, Sir.

Question put and agreed to and the Bill read a second time.

Committed to a committee of the Whole House.

Committee on Tuesday, 19th October, 2010

THE HOUSING (STATUTORY AND IMPROVEMENT AREAS) (Amendment) BILL, 2010

Ms Lundwe (on behalf of the Minister of Local Government and Housing (Dr Chituwo)): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time.

Mr Speaker, this Bill is meant to amend the Housing (Statutory and Improvement Areas) Act so as to empower a person aggrieved with a decision or the Minister or a registrar to apply to the Lands Tribunal for a determination.

Mr Speaker, the amendment is necessary in view of the newly introduced Lands Tribunal Bill. This is because, under the new Lands Tribunal Bill, the Lands Tribunal will now have the mandate over properties that are in the Statutory and Improvement Areas. Prior to the Lands Tribunal Bill, land disputes arising from Statutory and Improvement Areas were presided upon in the Subordinate Court as provided for under the Housing (Statutory and Improvement Areas) Act. I urge all hon. Members to support this Bill.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mrs Musokotwane (Katombola): Mr Speaker, your Committee scrutinised the Housing (Statutory and Improvement Areas) (Amendment) Bill, 2010 referred to it by the House on Friday, 24th September, 2010.

Your Committee is aware of the fact that the amendment to the Act is to empower a person aggrieved with the decision of the hon. Minister or Registrar on land matters to apply to the Lands Tribunal for determination. This will make the Act be in line with the Lands Tribunal Act, 2010.

From the outset, I would like to state that your Committee welcomes the amendment to the Housing (Statutory and Improvement Areas) Act, Cap. 194 of the Laws of Zambia. In doing so, it notes that this will lead to the decongestion and speedy dispensation of justice on matters of land. Further, this will clear the jurisdiction of the Lands Tribunal to hear matters relating to properties already on title.

However, Mr Speaker, your Committee wish to make a few observations and recommendations on the Bill. The Committee observes that the definition of the word ‘court’ in Section 3 of the Principal Act has been maintained. Your Committee, therefore, recommends that there is a need to delete the word ‘court’ in the Principal Act under Section 3 so as to harmonise it with the Lands Tribunal Act of 2010.

Mr Speaker, your Committee also observed that Clause 4 of the Bill provides for an aggrieved person to appeal to the Lands Tribunal within thirty days, while on the other hand, Section 87 of the Lands and Deeds Registry Act, Cap No. 185 of the Laws of Zambia does not give a timeframe within which one is supposed to appeal. It is your Committee’s considered view that the Bill is not in conformity with the prevailing status, as provided for under Section 87 of the Lands and Deeds Registry Act, Cap No. 185 of the Laws of Zambia. Therefore, it recommends that Clause 4 of the Bill should not provide for the timeframe so as to be in conformity with the Lands and Deeds Registry Act, Cap No. 185 of the Laws of Zambia.

Mr Speaker, I wish to state that your Committee support this progressive Bill and urges the House to pass it. 

Mr Speaker, finally, your Committee wishes to express its gratitude to you for appointing it to scrutinise the Bill. It also wishes to thank the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly for the support rendered to it throughout its deliberations. It is also indebted to all stakeholders who appeared before it for their co-operation in providing the necessary briefs despite the short notice.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, I stand here to support this Bill. On the other hand, I think it now calls for the Ministry of Lands to realise that there is a need to place value on land. Most disputes of land have been without involvement of housing and improvement of areas. It is known that land only has value when it has been developed. However, now, we have allowed quarrels and disputes on land which is either undeveloped or without any structure on it. Therefore, the Government and Ministry of Lands need to work very quickly and come up with estimated value of undeveloped land.

Mr Speaker, if we do not come up with these values, the disputes will increase because there are people who are able to sell undeveloped land at a very high price and others who sell developed land. Thus, there is a need for the ministry, as we pass these various laws on land, to quickly peg value on land.

Mr Speaker, with this submission, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Lundwe: Mr Speaker, I wish to thank your Committee for its informative report and I also would like to thank the hon. Member for his contribution. Let me say that these issues raised in your report are worth considering.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Question put and agreed to and the Bill read a second time.

Committed to a committee of the Whole House.

Committee on Tuesday, 19th October, 2010.

The public Address system stopped working.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1552 hours until 1617 hours.

_______

[MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

MOTION

BUDGET 2011

(Debate resumed)

Mr Kasongo (Bangweulu): Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to highly commend the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning for having presented to this House a very progressive economic and social model Budget which, in my view, has the potential of raising the standard of living of our people. The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning has been so focused and consistent to the extent that when you sit down to analyse the manner in which he presented his model of the Budget, you are left with no choice except to conclude that the position that he holds befits him 100 per cent.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kasongo: Therefore, we would like him to continue doing this. Even last year, this is what he did. The only point of departure, this year, has been that he has kindly included, in his social and economic model of development, statements of facts that ably tabulate the achievements that have been recorded by the Government. Indeed, one can safely say that the model that he presented to this House is a people’s model.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kasongo: However, I would like to invite the hon. Minister to address a number of challenges which, if not addressed effectively and aggressively, may work against the attainments of his goals. The first challenge relates to the under collection of revenue and I will discuss this matter in detail later. The second challenge relates to misapplication or misappropriation of funds. In other words, lack of accountability on the part of the spending ministries and departments. I will also expand on this matter as I debate. The third challenge is failure by the spending ministries and departments to release the funds to the beneficiaries. In my view, these are the three major challenges that the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning should address as expeditiously as possible.

Madam Speaker, the question of under collection of revenue is very critical. In fact, we do not even expect the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to talk about the reintroduction of windfall tax because we can easily collect huge amounts of money through other means, especially non-tax revenue.

A number of ministries have the potential of generating revenue. The Ministry of Communications and Transport is second to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) in as far as collection of non-tax revenue is concerned. However, the opposite is what is obtaining. Revenue is under collected in this ministry. On the other hand, I am happy to acknowledge the fact that we have a very progressive hon. Minister of Communications and Transport who will be able to assist his counterpart, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, to collect a lot of revenue from that institution.

For example, the Road Traffic and Safety Agency (RTSA) can generate a lot of revenue for this country. This can empower the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to allocate sufficient revenue to spending ministries and, therefore, enable us to attain our goals within a short time. However, a visit to this institution, today, can reveal that what is happening there is sad. There are long queues of people trying to make payments on a daily basis. RTSA officers, who are supposed to assist people as quickly as possible, are always busy chatting. They move from one counter to another for unexplained reasons while the managers of this institution are being paid for doing literally nothing.

Madam Speaker, if you compare the revenue being generated by RTSA with the long queues of people who line up everyday and the number of vehicles in this country, you will see that there is under collection of revenue in that institution. I would, therefore, like to challenge the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to work more closely with his counterpart so that they promote efficiency and effectiveness in this organisation.

Mr D. Mwila: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}

Mr Kasongo: Apart from that, there is a funny arrangement in this ministry of using part-time employees to collect revenue for the ministry. Why should the ministry depend on part-time employees instead of full-times employees? Full-time employees can easily be disciplined if they commit crimes. The hon. Minister must make sure that these part-time employees are replaced immediately. Otherwise, the hon. Minister will have no powers to discipline these people. They can commit a crime today, but once they are dismissed, the institutions where they are employed permanently will keep them in employment. Therefore, they will not even feel the impact of the dismissal. Therefore, it is better to have full-time employees running that organisation.

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Lands is another source of income.

Ms Lundwe: Yes!

Mr Kasongo: If you went there today, you would find long queues that begin as early as six o’clock. These are queues of clients striving to pay their ground rates. If you compare the title deeds that a lot of people have and the amount of money being generated by this ministry, you will see the gap. Something has gone wrong and my progressive hon. Minister of Lands and the former hon. Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, who was my hon. Minister when I was Permanent Secretary, should work as a team to ensure that they generate a lot of revenue from the Ministry of Lands. We do not expect the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to go to Washington, District of Columbia (DC) to sign loans for this country. We can generate a lot of money from within and this is another challenge that I am giving him.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services can generate a lot of money for the Treasury. One only needs to look at all the adverts on television and newspapers and other media and quantify this into monetary terms to realise that this is a lot of money. However, what is sent to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning by this ministry is nothing to talk about. The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning should, therefore, take an interest in what is going on in all these ministries that have the potential of generating a lot of revenue. Zambians should not bear the burden of so many loans when the Government has the ability to collect money from within.

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Home Affairs is another source of income for our country. The Passport Office is always flooded with clients. However, the money generated by this office is far more than what is sent to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. When the Ministry of Finance and National Planning receives one per cent of what is collected, the Government even starts celebrating that the Passport Office has done wonders. There is a need for change of attitude so that we collect all the revenue from within the country.

Madam, in my view, there are also a number of institutions that can stand on their own without asking the Treasury for funding. The Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), under the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, is another major source of revenue. There are so many commercial activities in wildlife that can assist this country to collect a lot of revenue. However, there is mismanagement of resources in ZAWA and I am speaking with authority. I can demonstrate to whoever doubts my contribution that all these institutions have the potential to collect a lot of revenue, especially non-tax revenue. We can move on to other ministries and the list is endless. Therefore, I would like to appeal to the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to institute a small committee to find out why this ministry, which has the potential of collecting a lot of revenue, especially non-tax revenue is failing to do that. We do not want to see all these gaps in our Budget because donors are going to meet us half way. We can stand on our own. Donors can only complement our efforts in a small way. This dependency syndrome must come to an end. Let us be seen to be forward looking.

Madam Speaker, I have no doubt that the hon. Minister is capable of changing this culture of depending so much on donors, and yet we have a lot of revenue that we can collect from within.

The second challenge, as I said, relates to misapplication and misappropriation of funds. How many reports do we debate in this House on these issues? Every year, we talk about these issues, and yet some of the people who are found wanting are not even punished. They laugh at hon. Members of Parliament saying that Parliament is just a talk shop because Members of Parliament can talk and talk, but no action is taken. It is so painful to see a person misappropriate funds, but no action is taken against him/her.

Mr D. Mwila: He is promoted.

Mr Kasongo: Hon. Members of Parliament are not respected, so to speak. They simply say, “You talk, but there is nothing that is going to take place and no action will be taken against me.” This is shameful because the people who are supposed to be punished are now laughing at hon. Members of Parliament. Where do we belong if we cannot be respected?

Mr D. Mwila: Nowhere!

Mr Kasongo: You respect officers who misappropriate funds and you even assure them by saying, “Look, we are just talking, but no action will be taken against you.” The following day, they are promoted.

Mr D. Mwila: Very bad!

Mr Kasongo: What culture are you promoting?

Hon. Opposition Members: Corruption.

Mr Kasongo: In my constituency, for example, I made reference to the K5 billion that was released a long time ago. There was a work plan that was prepared to spend this amount of money, but what did I see? The Provincial Administration in conjunction with the District Administration altered the original work plan and replaced it with a document they called revised work plan. When you look at their revised work plan, they have included a road which is the same stretch as the one between this House and the new Parliamentary Committee Office. They are saying they are going to spend K200 million on that short stretch and we are just watching them. Why? Sometimes, you even stop talking because you are talking to people who cannot even take action.

Mr D. Mwila: Bafwile fye baya.

Mr Kasongo: The problem is that you end up making the work of hon. Members of Parliament extremely difficult. I have stated this before and I have to say it again that the projects that are undertaken during the elections do not make an impact on the electorate.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kasongo: You have to digest this message. Projects that are undertaken during the election year do not make any impact on the electorate. People will be talking about other issues and when you begin grading the road, they will say it is too late. They will even tell you that you are doing this because of the forthcoming election. How do you feel when you get this reaction from the electorate? We give this information for you to take action, but you just remain spectators. It is so painful. Therefore, how do you influence the electorate to shift their support to you if they know that there is a project that they have been craving for, for a number of years and are aware that the funds thereto have been released, and yet no action has been taken? They will be very hostile to you and you cannot blame them for that.

I am speaking with authority. The other hon. Members who have been in this House for a long time will bear me witness that that is the problem we encounter. You grade the road today and the electorate will tell you that it is because of an election. We are not going to vote for you, they say openly. What do you say in defence when you know that what they are saying is a reality? Please, can you take action even on the issue of failure to release funds as expeditiously as possible? We have discussed this matter several times, but I do not know whether you have put in place a monitoring system to find out how much money is disbursed to province A, B, spending ministry 1, 2 and 3 and find out whether it has been spent or not. During Cabinet meetings, the top management meetings, you should discuss these issues to see how much money was allocated to the ministry. Look at how much money was spent and what the balance is. During these meetings, you should be able to discuss these issues, but you do not.

If, for example, Luapula can keep so much money, …

Mr D. Mwila: K5 billion

Mr Kasongo: … without spending it, what explanation can you give? What promises can you make and how do I convince the electorate that the money has been kept by the provincial leadership? The electorate does not even point accusing fingers at their administration, but always accuse the hon. Members of Parliament and the Government and ultimately the Head of State. We are there to protect the Head of State, if we cannot do that, who will protect him? People will be saying it is Mr Rupiah Banda (RB), and yet RB is an innocent person. He has allowed the minister to release the money, but someone at the tail end whom you are paying on a daily basis is doing literally nothing. Why are you fond of keeping liabilities in your system?

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes, Ba Mulongoti.

Mr Kasongo: The system must consist of result-oriented managers and not liabilities. Why do we not make them account for their failures?

Mr D. Mwila: Landa, mudala!

Mr Kasongo: This is very painful. Zambia can be a bread basket within a short time, but there is no supervision. You look at all those who are constructing roads, including feeder roads, they can even spend about K1 billion in allowances by just working on 10 km after, maybe, one month and they will continue making claims because there is nobody to supervise them. This is what is happening in my constituency. A grader is there and officers have been there for twenty days, but have only managed to grade 10 km and yet the local administration is there. It is unbelievable. Please, can you have result-oriented managers and not passengers in the system? It is very painful to continue keeping a passenger whom you know is a non-performer.

Mr Shakafuswa: Passengers like Liato!

Mr Kasongo: Why do you not keep them at Cabinet Office for rehabilitation purposes if you like them?

Laughter

Mr Kasongo: Madam Speaker, let me end my debate by appealing to the very hardworking hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to look at the Pedicle Road. There is no provision for that road, and yet we have been asking to have that road tarred. That is the best present that you can give us. Otherwise, you will face a lot of problems to convince our people that you mean well.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Muyanda (Sinazongwe): Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me an opportunity to make brief comments on the 2010 Budget Address by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning.

Madam Speaker, my passionate appeal goes to His Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Justice, the learned mind for whom I have a lot of respect ...

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muyanda: … because to me he is a guru of jurisprudence. He is a guru of the rule of law.

Madam, former Vice-Presidents have appreciated our contribution. We are not here to merely criticise, but comment on the Budget with facts. Therefore, I appeal to the Vice-President and Minister of Justice not to rubbish what we say about the Government because we make constructive contributions.

Madam Speaker, I remember that the former Vice-President, Mr Enock Kavindele, would take note of the issues raised and publicly appreciate if an hon. Member contributed constructively and it would not take long before action was taken. For example, Zambia, today, has a winter maize system because of the policy brought about by hon. Members of this House. However, I have not heard the present Vice-President and Minister of Justice acknowledge any of the contributions made by hon. Members from the Opposition.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr V. Mwale: Question!

Hon. Opposition Member: Bwekeshapo.

Mr Muyanda: Madam Speaker, the proliferation of many political parties is an indication that there is something seriously wrong with the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Administration.

Hon. Government Member: Question!

Mr Muyanda: Very good question. Madam Speaker, Zambia may have two or three Presidents, but why do we have a proliferation of political parties? Many people criticise the MMD Government. Is it because there is serious mischief in the MMD Administration over public funds? We are not here just to criticise the Executive, but analyse issues.

Madam Speaker, on page 13 of the Budget Speech, paragraph 91 is about public financial mismanagement. It states:

“Mr Speaker, revelations of financial mismanagement at the Ministry of Health and Road Development Agency (RDA) have led to the suspicion that the Government is not committed to the prudent use of public resources. This is far from the truth. This Government places paramount priority in ensuring that public financial resources are used for the intended purposes.”

 Madam, this is what the people of Zambia may call using parliamentary language or hidden falsehood because it is not true. The late President Mwanawasa set up the Task Force against Corruption to look at issues related to plundered resources and nothing, to our surprise, thereon has been mentioned in the 2011 Budget Speech. Why has the hon. Minister not mentioned anything about the Task Force against Corruption? This is why I made reference to the guru of law. We are lucky to have a learned Vice-President of a high calibre. Why can the rule of law not be applied to the people who stole the money so that that they are prosecuted if found guilty? If this is done, then the financial mismanagement mentioned by the hon. Minister in paragraph 91 becomes void. A lot of money has disappeared at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. What mechanism has the Government put in place to protect public funds for 2011? This is not an insult, but a polite appeal with due respect.

Madam Speaker, Mr Montesquieu, the French Philosopher has, in one of his books, propounded on separation of powers. He wished this type of arrangement to prevail. It is now our duty, as the Opposition, to question how the Government is being accountable for the use of public funds. We are not dreaming. These are facts.

Madam, the hon. Minister has not given clear guidelines on how the State will protect the money from termites. There are termites in the Government that are eating public funds. I do not want to call them thieves because that is unparliamentary.

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

You may continue.

Mr Muyanda: It these termites that are destroying ...

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member has a lot of words available to him. He may just choose one of the right parliamentary words.

You may continue.

Mr Muyanda: I thank you, Madam. Defrauding the State is one of the worst things that a person can ever do. It is not good to pilfer from your own Government after others have paid huge taxes. The Executive does not even thank the Opposition for raising this issue. The Task Force against Corruption, up to now, has not informed the nation how much was gobbled in order to arrive at the K3.5 billion which was recovered, but has again disappeared. I did not generate the story. Hon. Lubinda is my good witness. It is a pity he is not in the House, but I want to thank him for having raised this issue. There is also the issue of disposal of assets from the plunderers, but the money has disappeared into thin air and has not been reported in the 2011 Budget Speech. Where is it? It is supposed to come in incidentally as an income. Where is the K3.5 billion realised from the disposal of assets of the plunderers? The hon. Minister must inform us where it is. How has it been expended? I have always praised His Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Justice because he is a firm believer in the rule of law, but he must inform us about how the money has been used. Those who have stolen money should be brought to book because the hon. Minister is being very frank.  On page 13, paragraph 92, the hon. Minister stated:

“Sir, this has been demonstrated by the decisive action taken in dealing with the irregularities identified in the health and roads sector.”

 Madam, this means that firm action has been taken against the perpetrators of these irregularities at the RDA. This is wonderful. When a job is well done, we ought to praise it. The Government has done well to restrain the thieves at the RDA, if there are any. However, what about the money that has also disappeared at the National Housing Authority (NHA)? Where has the money disappeared to? Show us the money that was recovered from the plunderers. The money has disappeared. That is the question that the people of Zambia are asking. They want to know where the money is.

You have to tell us where the money is and take to book those who have committed offences with regard to the money recovered from the plunderers. We must thank the print media institutions such as The Post Newspaper for how well they covered the stories regarding the plunderers. It is The Post that made the revelation that resources were being plundered. The newspaper dug deeper into allegations of plunder. Once in a while, even an enemy must be recognised for being a good enemy, though not always.

Laughter

Hon. Member: Go on.

Mr Muyanda: Thank you, I will continue. 

Madam Speaker, whether you like it or not, public accountability is our duty. We are waiting to hear from His Honour the Vice-President on why action cannot be taken at the NHA where K3.5 billion has disappeared.

Interruptions

Mr Muyanda: You are retorting because you know where the money went.

Madam Speaker, since I am an ardent supporter of sport, I shall now talk about it.  Zambian sport has, yet again, gobbled billions of Kwacha at the Commonwealth Games in India without a single medal from any Zambian athlete. Zambia has, again, been disgraced by a dismal performance. How much have you gobbled? We are talking about billions of Kwacha that have not yielded even a single silver medal. When will you ever thank the Opposition for raising these issues?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muyanda: The Zambian athletes at the Commonwealth Games have brought shame to this country because public funds are not being properly utilised.

Madam Speaker, on account of utilisation, …

Mr Mulongoti: On a point of order, Madam.

Madam Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mulongoti: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Member debating, with emphasis on the NHA and on sport, in order not to declare interest?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Deputy Speaker: The point of order asks the hon. Member who is debating to declare interest in the issues of …

Laughter

Madam Deputy Speaker: … the NHA and sport resources.

Interruptions

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member on the Floor may have to consider that point of order if he knows what the hon. Minister has talked about. He may decide whether there is an issue to be declared …

Mr Muyanda: I thank you very …

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

I have not finished.

Laughter

Hon. Member: Ikala!

Madam Deputy Speaker: If there are issues that need declaration, he may need to declare them according to the rules of the House.

 The hon. Member may continue.

Mr Muyanda: Madam Speaker, I thank you most sincerely. May I declare interest that I was a Captain of Chilanga Golf Club and, as such, I have always cherished the desire to see the country succeed in sport.

Interruptions

Mr Muyanda: I will not sit idle, but continue to talk about sport because I would like Zambia to get back to the levels where it was before.

Interruptions

Mr Muyanda: I will continue talking because I believe that the Zambian sports sector can succeed.

Hon. Government Members: National Housing Authority!

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

It seems there is something that some people in this House know. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

When we speak in the House, we have to be very clear. The hon. Minister who raised the point of order just wanted to find out whether the hon. Member was in order not to declare interest in the issues that he was talking about. If hon. Members know something which the Chair may not know, the Chair may not compel the hon. Member to make a declaration of interest on it. The hon. Member who raises the point of order must be clear so as to make the Chair know why the other hon. Member should declare interest. Otherwise, the hon. Member declared that he was a captain and …

Laughter

Madam Deputy Speaker: … a Zambian with a lot of interest in sport.

The hon. Member may continue.

Mr Muyanda: Madam Speaker, I thank you for your protection.

Let me now talk about what the guru of law does when I complain about issues regarding the rule of law.

Interruptions

Mr Muyanda: Madam Speaker, I regard my Vice-President as a guru of law.

Interruptions

Mr Muyanda: Indeed, he is because he is one of the best lawyers this country has ever produced. You may giggle or laugh, but you will never take way that attribute from His Honour the Vice-President. He is one of the best lawyers in this country.

Madam Speaker, His Honour the Vice-President has been an ardent supporter of the rule of law taking its course whenever I have complained about the theft of public resources.
 
I thank you very much.

Laughter

Mr Chongo (Mwense): Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to debate on the Floor of the House and hope I will not be asked to declare interest. Where I come from, there is a saying which goes, “Do not kill a person and hack the dead body.”

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chongo: Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning for the presentation of a good Budget which lives up to its theme of “A People’s Budget from a People’s Government”. The Budget has, indeed, shown that the Government is trying to care for its people.

Madam Speaker, the 50 per cent allocation towards the social and infrastructure development and the tax exemption threshold of K1 million, indeed, justifies that theme.

Madam Speaker, I would like to look at a number of development issues that were highlighted in the Budget Speech, particularly with regard to the Luapula Province. It was welcome news to hear that K27 billion has been allocated towards the development of fisheries in the province.

Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Chongo: The Luapula Province has a strong fishing background and we are grateful to the Government for the allocation to the development of fisheries. However, I appeal to the implementers of this programme not to let it fail like the Plan for Luapula Agriculture and Rural Development (PLARD). PLARD failed despite the project having received K52 billion. It made no impact on the lives of the people. The implementers took whatever occurred as business as usual.

Madam Speaker, I ask the hon. Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Development to, at least, engage stakeholders on how best this money which has been allocated to the fishing industry can be expended so that it can impact positively on the lives of our people. We agree that we have technocrats in place who can implement the various programmes on which the money should be spent. However, the technocrats do not know everything that the locals know. It is important to engage the locals regarding the utilisation of these funds.

Madam Speaker, as I proceed in my debate, I would like to pay tribute to the Government of Chile for the care that it has shown to its workers, in particular, the miners.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chongo: I have keen interest in mining because I come from that background.

Madam Speaker, it is said that there is no future without mining and that there is no mining if there is no heart for the future. This is so because if anyone cared to look around, he or she would find that everything that he or she would see and touch is coming from the contributions of the miners. Therefore, it is, indeed, pleasing to see a Government caring for its miners like we have seen in Chile. That is something good that I would like to ask the Zambian Government to emulate. How can we show care for mine workers? It is by intervening in areas of concern for the miners and contractors that are engaged by the mines. The Government must show that it cares for its people. We agree that we should not blame the Government for the problems in the mining industry because we are in an era of liberalisation where there is a lot of competition among contractors and suppliers in the mines. How can the Government show that it cares for the people working in the mines? The Government must be sensitive enough to, at least, identify the problems that those who work in the mines face so as to establish what can be done to sort them out. Suppliers are competing to the extent that they are even compromising the safety of their workers because they want to win contracts in the mines. A job that may cost a lot of millions of Kwacha is under quoted because contractors are desperate to win the contract. As a result, they forget about the safety aspect of their employees. This is why we are calling upon the Government to pay particular attention to this aspect of the mining industry so that the lives of the miners are secured.

Let me now also pose a challenge to the contractors. Why should the contractors under quote and get something not worth talking about when the Government has provided good incentives for them to properly conduct businesses with the mines? I would also like to challenge the contractors to engage people who are competent enough to handle the operations that they are undertaking. This is the only way we can give respect to the workers in the mines.

Madam Speaker, let me also thank the Government for the allocation of K25 billion to women empowerment. Indeed, the Government has realised that many women are disadvantaged, therefore, they need to be helped. I have no doubt that the relevant ministry will expeditiously disburse the funds that have been allocated to our women.

The K5 billion which was released to the ministry, this year, was disbursed to deserving clubs in various constituencies. This money has benefited about 600 women in my constituency. These women have been empowered with a bit of this money to start selling at various markets.

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

Mr Chongo: Usually, these women do not need a lot of cash. Probably, one may just need K20,000 to buy two bunches of bananas that she will resell at markets and bus stations. This is the empowerment that we are talking about. I just would like to commend and encourage the hon. Minister of Community Development and Social Services to disburse the K25 billion properly because it is a lot of money that can empower women. I stand here not because I want to make a lot of suggestions, but thank the Government for this gesture. I am also requesting the Government to let this money be seen to help the women so that in future, probably, we can shift our attention to the many youths who, for lack of employment, are loitering the streets.

Madam Speaker, I note from the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning’s Budget Address that about K40 billion has been allocated to the Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund (CEEF). This amount of money looks good, but my only worry is the ceiling of K50 million per project or applicant.

Madam, I know that the idea is to increase the number of beneficiaries, but the hon. Minister should realise that the money should be spent on bigger projects that will benefit a lot of people. A few weeks ago, a lot of hon. Members of Parliament, including me, bemoaned the fact that not all the funds that are allocated to a particular province are released. The Luapula Province had a budget allocation of about K30 billion, but only K1 billion was released. At the rate at which things are going, I think the Luapula Province will not benefit from funding which will allow it to engage in big projects that require amounts such as K500 million. 

Madam Speaker, the current funding levels may go a long way at individual level. However, we also want to put up infrastructure and community projects that will not only benefit the people undertaking those projects, but the public at large. Therefore, I am requesting the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning and the hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry to also think about the Luapula, North-Western and Western provinces that did not benefit much from the CEEF the last time. Maybe, deliberately, they can set aside money that would go towards the big projects that the people in the areas I have mentioned would like to put up.

Madam Speaker, before I sit down, I would like to echo the sentiments expressed by Hon. Kasongo on the utilisation of the funds that are being released to the provinces. In the 2011 Budget, each Provincial Rural Roads Unit has had its allocation increased from K5 billion to K6 billion. Unfortunately, even as we speak, the allocation for this year has not yet been used in Luapula Province. When will we use this money? Last week, if not early this week, it was disheartening to see an officer, whom we think is responsible for the delay in releasing this year’s allocation, on television talking about the K6 billion that has been allocated to the Provincial Rural Roads Unit in the 2011 Budget. This is the person who has failed to have the K5 billion disbursed. He said that everything was going on well in Luapula Province, and yet he has failed to have the K5 billion released.  He even said that there were a lot of natural resources in Luapula Province such as water, land and grass. However, he has failed to harness these natural resources for the benefit of the local people.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chongo: Madam Speaker, we want to humbly ask this Government to look at the plight of the people of Luapula Province because we know what it is capable of doing. We know what the Government is doing elsewhere because it has very effective managers. We are asking it to also look at the cries of the people of Luapula Province. We are not here to only sing songs about our problems. We are appealing to His Honour the Vice-President to ensure that the issues that we have brought out are addressed.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka (Bahati): Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to encourage and make a few comments on the Budget Speech by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning. I thoroughly read through the Budget Address and found that despite it being so artistically cultured, it has certain points that are quite very valid and important. I am not drawing you, Madam Speaker, into my debate, but I am aware that once upon a time, you marked essays and that, as a marker, what matters most is …

Ms Cifire: Bale chonga ama essays?

Laughter

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

The Chair did not mark essays. Just debate.

Laughter

Mr Chimbaka: Madam Speaker, I mean, as markers, when we mark scripts, especially essays in English, History or Geography, we are not only interested in the artistry displayed in the language. What matters are the points that the person raises on a given topic. Therefore, in this speech, I am convinced that it is really one of the best Budget speeches ever presented. It has pointed to the future and definitely qualifies to be called “A People’s Budget from a People’s Government”.

Madam Speaker, the people of Luapula Province have, for a long time, been supportive of the Government because they understand that they require the Government to provide some programmes in order for them to benefit in terms of development.

Madam Speaker, I have passionately spoken on the need for our able Government to address issues of tourism development in the Luapula Province, which is part of the Northern Circuit. In this Budget, it is quite good that K63.3 billion has been appropriated for tourism development in the Northern Circuit and I thank you for that. However, I do not see anything that is specifically meant for districts such as Kaputa and Luapula, which are also part of the Northern Circuit.

Madam, my appeal is that the hon. Minister of the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources should expedite action on the plan for Luapula Province as well. Very often, on the Floor of this House, I have insisted that there is no way tourism in the Luapula Province can develop without commissioning an office of the Tourism Co-ordinator. Last time, I mentioned that accommodation was not a problem. We have adequate accommodation which is spacious enough to accommodate the officer. For other parts of the Northern Circuit such as Mporokoso, Kaputa and Luapula to benefit in terms of tourism, similar commitments should be made towards the programme for tourism promotion.

Madam Speaker, we had a young man by the name of Siame who brought a programme called “Luapula Destination”, but we do not see that programme at all. Luapula Destination has been buried. I recall in last year’s Yellow Book, there was a provision of K300 million for the creation of a cultural village in the Luapula Province, but that has not been realised at all and nobody cares about it.

Madam Speaker, these are some of the reasons we are saying it is very important that tourism in the Luapula Province be addressed as it has been in other parts of the Northern Province. We know that it is very difficult to create road infrastructure, but it is important that the road that goes to Kaputa, through Chienge, is upgraded. That will then allow many tourists to travel from the Northern Province to the Luapula Province. After all, our areas are open and people are very friendly. Is it because this road is called the Congo Pedicle that we have a problem? May I then call it the Mansa/Mufulira Road. This road is a stretch of about 78 km.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: Mr Speaker, when this road is tarred, it could connect to the Northern Province. Those tourists we are attracting to Mbala could drive through Kasama and Luwingu on their way to the Luapula Province.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: Madam Speaker, there is no problem at all. In this regard, the Mwanawasa Bridge will then have meaning. My appeal to the hon. Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources is that it is very important that equitable distribution of wealth be seen to be practised in this country for our Government, which is striving to develop the people’s livelihoods and the economy, to be appreciated.

Madam Speaker, I would like to talk about the rural water supply. Under the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, there was a programme under the Bank for the Arab Development in Africa (BADEA) and billions of Kwacha were pumped into that programme. At the moment, if anybody drove into Mansa, he or she would hardly get water even from any guesthouse because the Mansa River and boreholes are dry. As a result, people queue for water.

May I passionately appeal to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing that the provision of water to Mansa, under the rural development sector, be considered. It will be very difficult, Hon. Dr Kazonga, through the Chairperson, for the people of Mansa to appreciate your Government if you do not provide water now. It will be very difficult and I am telling you this honestly. (Hon. Chimbaka faced Hon. Dr Kazonga).

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member will not address hon. Ministers. Address the Chair.

Mr Chimbaka: Madam Chairperson, I meant through you. There is another acute programme that requires attention in Mansa Township in particular and this is the issue of markets. People have heard about and seen markets being constructed all over Zambia but, in Mansa, there is nothing. Therefore, the construction of the United Bus Company of Zambia (UBZ) Market is another test for the Government to get re-elected next year. I raised a question on the Floor of this House concerning this market and the response was that the Government was trying to build a market …

Interruptions

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, I think the consultations are too loud and, therefore, drowning the person debating. Can we lower our voices so that the hon. Member debating can clearly be heard by those who are interested and the Chair in particular.

May the hon. Member continue.

Mr Chimbaka: Madam Speaker, I thank you for your protection. I am talking about the UBZ Market. The council, to which I am a member, had raised small resources to make shelter for thousands of marketers who come to trade in that town. The saddest part is that, to date, the pillars are not even 5 m tall. I wish this would be treated as a matter of urgency and importance so that the roof is erected on that market. Definitely, we will need that next year. Therefore, I passionately appeal to the ministry responsible to consider this as another issue that must be addressed effectively and timely.

Madam Speaker, the Luapula Water and Sewerage Company (LUWASCO) has come to Luapula Province but, alas, nothing much has been done. I would like to appeal to the ministry responsible and institutions such as NWASCO to look into this matter seriously. When I suggested to be allowed to use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to sink boreholes if it had no capacity and ability to provide water to the people of Mansa, it said it would get back to me. It is now October and nothing has been done. My people do not have safe drinking water. There are a lot of matters that scientists and hydrologists have raised. May I, therefore, passionately urge the authorities that be that it is not too late for them to work with LUWASCO or Mansa Municipal Council and let water be provided to the people of Mansa because water is life.

Madam Speaker, I am very happy that the Ministry of Education has, yet again, got a very big share of the cake. I am very proud of it. I know that it will use it for the betterment of our society. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Government for constructing four high schools in the Luapula Province. The people of Luapula and I are very grateful.

Madam Speaker, how I wish that the two high schools could be in Mansa District because that is where there is a problem. There are only two high schools there, namely Mansa and Saint Clements’ Secondary schools whose enrollment is restricted by the Church. I would like to appeal to the hon. Minister to construct, at least, two day high schools in the district. If this can be done, the Government will go a long way in addressing the issues that concern realising the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) No. 2 of Education for All by 2015.

Kawambwa District has Mabel Shaw, Kawambwa Technical and N’gona Secondary Schools, and yet it is a small town. Chienge District has Ponde, which is being constructed, at the moment, and Nchelenge Secondary schools. Samfya District has Lubwe, Twingi and Samfya Secondary schools.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I hope that this Budget, which is so pleasing, well-crafted and meaningful, will be pursued vigorously. I would like to inform this Government that it has a very good Budget pipeline and policies.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: However, Madam Speaker, what lacks in most Zambians, especially in the Civil Service, is the essence of patriotism. I was once in the Civil Service, specifically the Ministry of Education. Everybody had daily and weekly plans. These plans were evaluated and monitored to ensure that ailments were corrected and the institution strengthened.

Madam Speaker, besides the Budget, how I wish the Government with such beautiful and well-intended programmes, would strengthen the daily planning of officers. When I walk into some of these offices, I do not see officers with programmes to guide them in their daily duties, hence, the delay in the implementation of Government programmes. I think that the answer lies in the change of attitude by hon. Members of Parliament, ordinary Zambians and people who are supposed to implement Government policies.

Madam Speaker, with such a beautiful speech and a resolved and visionary leadership, I see Zambia attaining yet other higher heights democratically and economically.

I thank you, Madam.

The Deputy Minister of Community Development and Social Services (Mr Malwa): Madam Speaker, I thank you for according me the opportunity to add my voice to the debate on the Motion on the Floor on the Budget Speech presented by Hon. Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, MP, Minister of Finance and National Panning.

Madam Speaker, this is a people’s Budget from a people’s Government and will bring integrity and a lot of hope of more money in the pockets of the lowly-paid workers, hon. Members of this august House and the nation at large.

Madam Speaker, on page 20 of the Budget Speech under item 146, there is an allocation of K42.7 billion for the 2011 Social Cash Transfer Scheme. Hon. Members of this august House may wish to know that the scheme started in 2003 as a pilot scheme in Kalomo District. It started with the support of co-operating partners and the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services as a social safety net project. The scheme has since been extended to Kazungula, Chipata, Monze and Katete Districts. This has been enabled with the support of the Department for International Development (DFID), United Nations Children’s’ Fund (UNICEF) and Irish Aid. It is administered by the Department of Welfare through the community structures of social cash transfers, which are regular non-contributory payments of money provided, to individuals or households.

Madam Speaker, the Cash Transfer Scheme is an alternative to the in-kind assistance offered, through community structures, to respond to the growing number of households who have limited or no self-help potential due to the human immuno deficiency (HIV) pandemic. These are extremely poor and incapacitated households which cannot be reached by labour-based programmes such as the Fertiliser Input Support Programme (FISP) or the Micro Credit Schemes and, therefore, need regular and continuous social assistance to survive and invest in the education and health assistance of their children.

Madam Speaker, there are two main objectives of the scheme:

(i) to assist the most destitute and incapacitated households in society, meet their basic needs, particularly health, education, food and shelter; and

(ii) to generate information on the feasibility, costs and benefits of a cash scheme as a component of a social protection strategy.

  Madam Speaker, the Kalomo Social Cash Transfer Scheme was the first pilot scheme in Zambia and was started in November and was officially launched in April, 2004. The Kalomo Social Cash Tranter Scheme delivers cash to 3,573 households in every two months. The Kazungula Social Cash Transfer Scheme started in August, 2005 and reaches 735 households. The Monze District Social Cash Transfer Scheme was launched in January, 2007 and targets 1,973 rural households.

Madam Speaker, hon. Members of Parliament on your left should be grateful to this hardworking MMD Government for taking this scheme to their respective constituencies.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Malwa: Madam Speaker, the Chipata Social Cash Transfer Scheme started in July, 2006 and has a target group of 1,990 households. The Katete Social Cash Transfer Scheme started in August, 2007 and targets 4,706 individuals. Katete District is also piloting a social pension scheme. The monthly transfer for individuals amounts to K60,000.

Madam Speaker, following the success of the scheme in the five districts, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services made a policy decision to scale up the scheme to ten additional districts. Thus, in April, 2010, the MMD Government, through the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its co-operating partners, DFID, UNICEF and Irish Aid, involving US$63 million over a period of ten years.

The new ten districts to be covered according to the MoU are Senanga, Kalabo, Shangombo, Kaputa, Luwingu, Serenje, Zambezi, Chilubi, Milenge and Chienge districts. These districts were selected based on the statistics regarding the prevalence of poverty levels. Once the schemes are running at full-scale in all these districts, the beneficiary households will have a total of 250,000 members.

Madam Speaker, the people of Kapiri Mposhi are grateful to the MMD Government for constructing a district hospital. It is a full-fledged hospital awaiting beddings, medical equipment and its official opening. 

Madam Speaker, on Page 18 of the Budget Speech, item 130 to 135, an amount of K3,828.8 billion has been allocated to the education sector. The people of Kapiri Mposhi District are very grateful for the on-going construction of boys and girls’ high schools, the boarding facilities, construction of basic schools and a transformation of the President’s Citizenship College (PCC) into a Mulungushi University which is based along Mulungushi River in Kapiri Mposhi.

Madam Speaker, on Page 7 of the Budget Speech, item 51 is talking about the construction of storage sheds in Kapiri Mposhi. The farmers in Kapiri Mposhi Constituency will benefit, especially on the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) which is subsidised by the MMD Government in order to maximise food security and fight poverty and hunger. The farmers of Kapiri Mposhi Constituency produced more maize, leading to a bumper harvest of 150,000 metric tonnes. This kind of high production of maize in Kapiri Mposhi surpasses the country’s consumption of 60,000 metric tonnes of maize per year. Hence, Kapiri Mposhi District can handle the country’s consumption for two years because of the good Government agriculture policies. By transforming agriculture into business in 2010/11 farming season, Kapiri Mposhi will receive about 32,680 packs of fertiliser which will maximise maize production and improve on food security. This will also help to conquer hunger and poverty among the Zambian people, especially those in the rural areas.

 Madam Speaker, on page 20, item 145 of the Budget Speech, out of K547.5 billion allocated to social protection for 2011, K188.9 billion will go towards the Public Welfare Assistance Scheme (PWAS) that is administered by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services. This Government is one of the Government’s major social assistance programme aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of the socio-economic shocks such as poverty and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services is implementing the decentralised approach to PWAS which is administered through the district offices and has structures up to community level where identification, prioritisation and assistance are handled.

Overall, PWAS aims at offering social protection to the needy and incapacitated people. The twin objectives of PWAS are to:

(a) assist the most vulnerable in society to fulfill their basic needs, particularly health, education, food and shelter; and

(b) promote community capacity to develop locally and externally supported initiatives to overcome the problems of extreme poverty and vulnerability.

Madam Speaker, the target groups fall in the categories of:

(i) aged persons;

(ii) disabled;

(iii) chronically ill;

(iv) single-headed households;

(v) orphans and neglected children; and

(vi) minor disaster victims.

Madam Speaker, the majority of these clients categorically lack self-help capacity and cannot be reached by labour-based programmes such as micro-credit schemes, Fertiliser Support and Food for Work programmes because they may be too old, too young, too sick, disabled or have no source of external support. Assistance is given in the form of education support, health care support, social support and repatriation of stranded persons.

Madam Speaker, on care for the aged, on Page 20 of the Budget Speech, under social protection, item 145, there is support for the vulnerable persons aged 60 years and above through community or institutional care. The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services runs Maramba Home for the Aged in Livingstone and Chibolya Old People’s Home in Mufulira and provides support to Divine Providence Home in Lusaka. Maramba is found in Livingstone, Mitanda in Ndola, Chibote in Luanshya, Mwandi in Sesheke and Chbolya in Mufulira. The ministry also provides financial support to community-based and faith-based organisations looking after old persons.

Madam Speaker, places of safety provide temporary shelter and food to stranded persons awaiting repatriation. This is under the Social Protection Fund. There are two places of safety, one in Livingstone and the other in Kabwe. However, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services conveniently use Matero After Care Centre in Lusaka, Insakwe Probation Hostels in Ndola and Chibolya Old Peoples’ Home in Mufulira as places of safety.

Madam Speaker, I would like to join many of those who have thanked the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government for the allocation of K26 billion for the 2011 Women Empowerment Fund. This has been increased from K5 billion. There is a saying which goes:

“When you empower women, then you have empowered the mothers and spouses of Zambia and many children and husbands will equally enjoy this benefit from the women.”

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Malwa: It is my sincere appeal that husbands or men folk do not disturb the women who have been so empowered, but instead give them the support that they deserve in order for them to generate more profits.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Malwa: Let me also join other hon. Members in acknowledging the allocation of K108 billion CDF.

Madam Speaker, the people of Kapiri-Mposhi Constituency are very grateful to the MMD Government for grading the Mpunde/Ngabwe Road which is about 150 kilometres. The road caters for three chiefdoms; namely, Senior Chief Mukuni Ng’ombe, Chief Mukubwe and Chief Ngabwe. The road is currently being graded by the equipment procured from China under the Rural Roads Unit (RRU).

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, let me take this opportunity to inform hon. Members of this august House that we should give praise to the hardworking MMD Government where it is due. Let us not oppose for the sake of opposing simply because we are in the Opposition. Remember that the people of Zambia appreciate what the hardworking and listening MMD Government is doing.

Madam Speaker, the MMD Government is delivering the real infrastructure development projects to the vulnerable and all the people of Zambia.

Madam Speaker, the majority of the people of Zambia and the MMD Government do not believe in some Opposition political parties that promise people with empty promises and dreams of one time coming into power. The people of Zambia will not allow them to come into power. Who will allow them to come into power and for what reasons when the MMD Government has delivered all the basic needs to the people of Zambia?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Malwa: As the MMD Government, we will continue to deliver even beyond 2011. These are not empty promises because the MMD Government has delivered projects that those with eyes can see and appreciate. Those who cannot see have touched and felt what the MMD Government has done under the able leadership of His Excellency the Republican President of Zambia, Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda, and of course His Honour the Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia and Leader of Government Business in the House.

Madam Speaker, may I take this opportunity to inform those on your left that the President of the Republic of Zambia will be voted back into office during the 2011 Tripartite Elections.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Malwa: Come 2011, the MMD will bounce back into power.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Malwa: Madam Speaker, I thank you and beg to support the 2011 Budget Motion.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Deputy Speaker: Yesterday, the Chair guided that he may request the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to wind up debate if hon. Members did not debate. I know that hon. Members have never failed to ….

Laughter

Madam Deputy Speaker: … debate. There are many things that one can say. If the speech is good, at least, stand up and say it is good so that you show that you have read and gone through the Budget Speech.

Hon. Members: Tomorrow! Tomorrow, Madam Speaker!

Laughter

Madam Deputy Speaker: Tomorrow, I will ask the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to wind up his debate if the hon. Members are not ready to debate. Hon. Members, being ready means ready. Do not come here and speak just what you want and what is unrelated to the speech.

May I, once again, encourage hon. Members to take time to go through the Budget Speech and make comparisons with their constituencies and come and debate.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

ADJOURNMENT

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

Interruptions

Hon. Members: Hear, hear! Long live the Chair!

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, debating in your seats is very lively, but we need the one on the Floor to debate.

Question put and agreed to.

______

The House adjourned at 1741 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 14th October, 2010.