DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE TENTH ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 12th October, 2010

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER

THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON DELEGATED LEGISLATION FROM THE PARLIAMENT OF KENYA

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to acquaint the House with the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery, of the following guests who are Members of the Select Committee on Delegated Legislation from the Parliament of Kenya:

(i)    Hon. Ababu Namwamba, MP; Chairperson and Leader of the delegation;

(ii)    Hon. Njoroge Baiya, MP;

(iii)    Hon. John Olago−Oluoch, MP; and

(iv)    Mr Jacob Ngwele−Secretary to the delegation

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: I wish, on behalf of the National Assembly, to receive our guests and warmly welcome them in our midst.

I thank you.
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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

ZAMBIA−CHINA MULUNGUSHI TEXTILES

80. Mr D. Mwila (Chipili) asked the Minister of Defence:

(a)    what the future of Zambia−China Mulungushi Textiles (ZCMT) in Kabwe was;

(b)    what the delay in re-opening the company had been; 

(c)    what the total indebtedness of the company was; and

(d)    how many employees had been retained by the ZCMT as of July, 2010.

The Deputy Minister of Defence (Mr Mulyata): Mr Speaker, the ZCMT joint venture is still earmarked to be re-opened as a joint venture between the Zambian Government and the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

The delay in re-opening the company has been due to the Chinese Government’s search for a suitable textile company to re-invest in the joint venture. After the Chinese Government sent experts to carry out an assessment of the textile company in March, 2009, it was decided that Qingdao Textiles Corporation be replaced.

Mr Speaker, the company owes the Exim Bank of China US$24 million principle plus US$5 million interest on a long-term loan. It also owes K30 million without costs in court cases so far.

After retrenching the workforce in July, 2007, the company has maintained thirty-two caretakers to date. Of the thirty-two, four are Chinese and twenty-eight are Zambians.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, since this is a joint venture, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister the shareholding structure of this company and whether the Zambian Government intends to continue with this line of business.

The Minister of Defence (Dr Mwansa): Mr Speaker, the share ownership structure is 66 per cent owned by the named Chinese company and 34 per cent held by the Zambian Government. It is our intention to continue with this shareholding structure. At the moment, we are looking at the question of re-investing so that we re-open the factory as soon as possible.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Scott (Lusaka Central): Mr Speaker, in view of the fact that textile factories, including the Zambian-owned ones, are thriving in China and the Chinese pattern factories are dying in Zambia, does this not say something about the disabling environment in which our industry tries to survive in Zambia?

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, that is not entirely correct. There were other reasons that led to the closure of the factory. Some of them relate to the lack of capitalisation of the mine and the facility and poor utilisation of the loan that we have talked about. Also, the product range was restricted because the factory was producing 100 per cent cotton fabrics. However, most of the material that is used as uniforms for officers, both men and women, including school uniforms and general wear, are made of poly-cotton. 

So, these are some of the reasons that led to the collapse of the industry and these are the things that we are looking at so that when we re-open, we can viably operate and make profit.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Simuusa (Nchanga): Mr Speaker, I wish to find out from the hon. Minister what will happen to this debt that was incurred in the short-term operation, including the debt due to employees’ which was incurred at that time.

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, the debt of US$24 million will be repaid once production resumes. The company paid all the employees their dues upon ceasure of operation and there is no amount owed to any worker at all. The only amount outstanding is that owed to the suppliers of small items, that is the K30 million which my Deputy Minister mentioned in his answer.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Kapata (Mandevu): Mr Speaker, is there a need to retain the four expatriates for care and maintenance purposes?

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, certainly, we need them. This is a joint venture as I earlier informed the House. The four Chinese nationals who are present include the General Manager who has to oversee the care and maintenance as well as the accountant and one or two others.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chisanga (Mkushi South): Mr Speaker, the company was closed in 2007. Do you not think that the machinery will cease to work?

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, certainly, some of the machinery will need replacement while some of it will need rehabilitation. Generally, the infrastructure is good except in areas of administration. The admission block and weaving sections will need rehabilitation. The spinning and weaving section is in good condition but, of course, machinery may need to be rehabilitated and we expect some mechanical failure when we start production because it will have been four or five years of no production.

On the processing section, Mr Speaker, the machinery and boilers will need an overhaul. The water reticulation, as well, will need to be examined. So, we are very conscious of what has to be done before the reopening of the factory.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Machungwa (Luapula): Mr Speaker, this partnership has been besieged by problems between the Zambia Defence Forces and the Chinese companies. Is it not time that the Ministry of Defence pulled away and let, maybe, the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry or other commercially inclined entities run this jointly with the Chinese or whoever wants to come in?

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, I thank Hon. Machungwa for that observation. Ideally, we want to keep it as a joint venture but, of course, we really need to look at the possibility of having more investors coming on board. It was an internal decision by the Chinese Government to get rid of Qingdao Textile Corporation. So, the Chinese Government is looking for another suitable partner to come and continue that partnership. On our part, as the Zambian Government, we want to keep the 34 per cent that we have.

 Mr Speaker, should need arise, other investors can be brought in through the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. However, I must also mention that we have a joint team that is looking at not only the possibility of reopening the factory, but also at what actually needs to be done to reopen it. In addition, there is a high level team that is going to China, this weekend, and one of the things they will discuss is the reopening of this facility.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ngoma (Sinda): Mr Speaker, since this industry is based in Zambia, would it not be reasonable for the Government to move swiftly as far as looking for an alternative partner to run this industry is concerned so that Zambians do not continue to suffer?

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, I sympathise with the observation raised by the hon. Member. We, as a Government, are also concerned that it has taken rather long to have this facility reopened, but I can assure you that efforts to find a solution are being intensified. I have just spoken about a team going to China over the weekend and also a joint team of Chinese and Zambians looking at all aspects of reopening the facility.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kambwili (Roan): Mr Speaker, the textile industry has failed in Zambia because even Kafue Textiles Limited, which is privately run, has failed to make it. Is the hon. Minister thinking of providing any incentives to attract investment in this sector?

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, I said earlier that the way forward is to develop new products because, at the moment, production is 100 per cent cotton. So, we want to diversify into poly-cotton products and also attract the export market. I think we can break into the export market if we can diversify and improve on the quality of products.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Beene (Itezhi-tezhi): Mr Speaker, when this company was in operation, it was biased in terms of handling printing materials for political parties. Will the hon. Minister assure this House that when this company reopens, it will be fair enough in terms of printing materials for those in the Opposition?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, I want to assure my colleague and the House as a whole that this is a business venture. It will be dealing with anyone wishing to deal with it and there is no evidence that, in fact, when this company was operational it only dealt with a group of people with a particular political inclination. On the contrary, it was open to anyone who had sufficient interest in procuring its products and that will just be the way it will be carrying on its business − without bias, in favour or against anyone. I can assure you that.

Sir, I thank you.

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Mr Speaker, in view of the fact that this company requires recapitalisation and before that, requires to clear its indebtedness, has this Government made any request to Parliament, through the Yellow Book, for funds to go towards liquidating its part of indebtedness and, secondly, putting aside money for recapitalisation at the level of 34 per cent of the shareholding that the Government has in the company?

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, the Government has not asked Parliament for money to liquidate the debt because it thinks that the debt will be liquidated through a profit when the company starts operating.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Dr Mwansa: I am giving you the answer.

Laughter

Dr Mwansa: The point is that this loan will be liquidated. As soon as production begins at the factory and there is diversification of the products, the company will be able to liquidate this without asking the Government to come in directly. Through shareholders’ loans, we can access other facilities without necessarily coming to the House.

Thank you, Sir.

Mr Milupi (Luena): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned that one of the reasons for the closure was poor utilisation of the loan. Would he explain what he means by this? Who was responsible for the poor utilisation of the loan and what action has been taken against the perpetrators?

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, this is one thing that is being followed by the joint team that I mentioned. It will have to find out exactly how the loan was utilised before we can take action against the people found wanting. Until we find out, we cannot do anything much at this moment.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kapeya (Mpika Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what type of maintenance is employed on this building because the surroundings are very unpleasant.

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, the twenty-eight Zambians and four Chinese workers who are at the company have a lot of work to do. This is a huge complex stretching thousands of square kilometres of ground surface that needs maintenance as well as security for the equipment that is there.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC. (Chasefu): Mr Speaker, may the hon. Minister tell the House whether his Government owes this company any money at all, and if so, how much.

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, I am not aware of any money that the Government owes this company.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Munaile (Malole): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the US$5 million interest is static and, if not, whether the Government will not owe even more money by the time the company re-opens.

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, the information we have is that the total indebtedness of this company to EXIM Bank of China is US$24 million in principal and US$5 million in interest. There are no other loans outstanding.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

81. Mr D. Mwila asked the Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development:

    (a)    what the unemployment levels amongst the youth, countrywide were, as         of July, 2010; and

    (b)    what measures the Government had taken to reduce youth unemployment         in the country.

The Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development (Mr Ndalamei): Mr Speaker, in Zambia, …

Mr Kambwili interrupted.

Mr Speaker: Order! 

Hon. Minister, take your seat for a minute. What you are talking about across the aisle is extremely disturbing. If you cannot control your running commentaries, please, withdraw them before I tell you to do so.

The hon. Minister may continue.

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, the youth in Zambia constitute 68 per cent of the population which is currently estimated at 12 million. This means that about 8.1 million people are the youth and children. Of this number, 28 per cent are the youth. In numerical terms, this translates into 2.28 million.

Mr Speaker, the statistics on the labour force situation in Zambia are collected through surveys by the Central Statistical Office (CSO). According to the 2010 Labour Force Survey to be released, 28 per cent of the youth were not in employment. This means that of the 2.28 million youth, 638,400 were unemployed. In other words, 1,641,600 or 62 per cent of the youth were in employment. 

Mr Kambwili: Question!

Mr Ndalamei: In spite of this situation, the Government has continued with its efforts to reduce youth unemployment.

The efforts include:

Appropriate Investment Legislation

Mr Speaker, in this area, the Government has put in place pieces of conducive legislation for investment that offers incentives such as duty exemption on imports of certain equipment, tax holidays and depreciation allowance. The Government has also established the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) as a one-stop centre for investment. The Government has reviewed the licensing procedure and harmonisation. All this has led to an improvement in the investment climate, thereby attracting more investment in many sectors of the economy, leading to the creation of new jobs for our youth.

Infrastructure Development

Mr Speaker, in the past few years, we have witnessed sustained economic growth due to the prudent macro and fiscal policies. This development has led to the Government channelling more resources into infrastructure development such as the construction of roads, schools and hospitals across the country. This situation has provided employment opportunities for the youth. For instance, the majority of the people working at the construction site of a new stadium in Ndola are the youth. 

Hon. Opposition Member: Chinese!

Mr Ndalamei: The youth are also employed in the construction of roads, hospitals and other infrastructure development related projects as well as in the new mines such as the one opened in Luanshya.

Mr Kambwili: Question!

Mr Ndalamei:

 Prioritisation of the Sectors in the Economy

The Zambian economy has heavily depended on copper. However, the Government has realised the need to expand and look beyond copper production. New growth areas have been identified and these are agriculture, tourism, construction and manufacturing. Many of the youth are involved in these sectors. With the creation of the economic zones, many jobs have been created and more are expected as these sectors continue to expand.

Skills Training

Mr Speaker, the Government has adequate legislation on human resource development. Currently, the youth are being trained in various vocational skills under the Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training. The objective is to impart the youth with skills which provide them with the opportunity to be employed or create their own employment.

Youth Empowerment Fund

Mr Speaker, the Government has created the Youth Empowerment Fund. In 2010, K5 billion was set aside and the amount is to increase in 2011. The objective is to promote youth entrepreneurship and job creation, both informally and formally.

Mr Speaker, these are the measures that this hardworking Government is taking as regards youth employment.

 I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the numbers have been increasing or declining in the past three years.

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, the last survey was done in 2008. The 2010 survey results are not yet out. We shall avail the answer upon the release of the results of the survey.

I thank you, Sir. 

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister referred to the fact that one of the measures the Government is using to reduce youth unemployment is the exemption of duty on certain imports. I would like to find out how that reduces unemployment among the youth.

Mr D. Mwila: Hear, hear!

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, I would like to educate the hon. Member …

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

 Mr Ndalamei: … that with exemption of duty on certain imports, more investors will invest in those particular areas and hence, the creation of more jobs. 

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Sichamba (Isoka West): Mr speaker, looking at the percentage of unemployed youths, does the ministry have any plans to re-introduce the Zambia National Service (ZNS) training so that graduating pupils can be empowered with skills which can help them fit into society as productive citizens?

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice (Mr Kunda, SC.): Mr Speaker, we have various programmes under which we impart skills into the youth and the ZNS Programme has always been in existence. It is one of the schemes to which we send the youth for training.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chongo (Mwense): Mr Speaker, as mentioned by the hon. Deputy Minister, the Youth Empowerment Fund is meant to help the youth engage in the informal sector. Can the hon. Deputy Minister explain why, despite hon. Members, on behalf of youths, applying for the funds for 2009, the money has not been released? When is the Government going to release these funds?

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, what I know is that these applications are still being processed and many youths have benefited from these funds. However, we are still in the fourth quarter of the year and applications are still being processed. In some cases, money has been released through the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development and Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Scott: Mr Speaker, in view of the fact that formal employment in this country does not exceed 700,000 jobs and the answer that has been given to that question claims that over 1,000,000 youths have been employed, can His Honour the Vice-President explain what constitutes employment outside the formal sector? Does a beggar constitute a self-employed person? Does a subsistence farmer also constitute an employed person?

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, I think there is a wrong notion about employment. Employment is not just in the formal sector. There are many Zambians who contribute to economic development through the informal sector and that is also employment. 

Sir, in the answer, the various activities in which the Government was creating employment were explained. For example, in the construction sector, millions of houses are being constructed. Who is constructing these houses? Who is constructing these structures? Who is constructing roads? It is the Zambians and this is coming about because of the enabling environment which the Government has provided through its very good policies.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!    

Mr Kambwili: Question!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, the schools that we are constructing are being constructed by Zambians. It is the youths who are constructing these things. The mines are running because of the youth. The tourism sector has not been left out. In the Northern Circuit, …

Mr Sikazwe: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: … a new airport is being developed. We will also be constructing a new terminal and various other projects in Livingstone.

Mr Speaker, it is the youths of this country who are driving this economy.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, if you look at the mines on the Copperbelt, they are all operating because of the youths.

Mr Kambwili: Question!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, all those jobs which were frozen because the mines were under care and maintenance have now been reclaimed.

 We are now talking about a bumper harvest.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: All this is because of the youths of this country.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

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

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Milupi: Mr Speaker, if every human activity constitutes employment, as defined by His Honour the Vice President, could he explain …

Mr Kambwili interrupted.

Mr Speaker: Order!

 I cannot follow because he is talking. When will you learn to keep quiet when other people are raising issues? Can you not be patient even for a minute-and-half? 

The hon. Member for Luena, may continue.

Mr Milupi: Mr Speaker, I was saying that since, according to the definition of His Honour the Vice-President, every human activity constitutes employment, what is happening to the 638,400 who are indicated as unemployed in the answer by the hon. Deputy Minister? What exactly are they doing?

Mr Sing’ombe: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, indeed, there are some citizens who are unemployed, but there are also citizens and youths who are in self-employment. That is employment as well and … 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: … while some of them are in self-employment, they have even employed other Zambians. While unemployment exists, we are reducing it through the measures that I have just explained which were also explained in the answer. 

Mr Speaker, it can be seen and felt by the Zambian people that the Government is creating employment.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Those who want to be self-reliant or get formal employment can do that. We are employing teachers. How many teachers are we employing every year? About 5,000 teachers are being employed every year.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: We are also training health personnel. All this is employment for the youth.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Msichili (Kabushi): Mr Speaker, in his answer, the hon. Deputy Minister indicated that about 2.8 million youths are unemployed. Is the Government intending to increase the Youth Development Fund from the K20 million, which is being given to every constituency?

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, I can confirm that the Youth Empowerment Fund will be increased. The hon. Member should be patient and go through the Yellow Book. If he does so, he will identify that, of course, at an appropriate time when we discuss the Budget, this will be cited.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Beene: Mr Speaker, may His Honour the Vice-President reconcile the statement that was made by the hon. Deputy Minister that youths are working in the construction industry when the situation obtaining on the ground is such that contractors are employing foreigners. For example, the contractors at Manda Hill have employed foreigners from South Africa.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear! 

Mr Beene: Even those constructing roads have also come from South Africa. Can  His Honour the Vice-President reconcile this information?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, of course, foreign labour, in restricted circumstances, is allowed under our laws, but the majority of the people who are working in these construction companies are Zambians. This is their country and they are helping in developing the country.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, in view of the fact that each club in the constituency receives only K2 million which is US$500, is the Government not considering giving K20 million to only one club instead of giving it to ten clubs so that the money can be meaningful?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, there are various empowerment programmes which we are carrying out under this visionary Government.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Under the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), youths can apply for funds provided they come up with a viable project, subject to the monetary limitations which we talked about. In addition, there are other funds for social welfare schemes in place and that is what we are talking about. Small grants are also being given. Therefore, the sky is the limit in terms of empowering our citizens.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, can His Honour the Vice-President of this very visionary Government, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: … assist me in explaining the quality of employment he is referring to, given the fact that 72 per cent of the Zambians, according to him, are employed, and yet the statistics availed to us by the CSO of this visionary Government, indicate that 63 per cent of our people are living in poverty? May he, kindly, reconcile those two positions from his visionary side.

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, when the hon. Deputy Minister was giving his answer, he said that the statistics for 2010 had not yet been …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: … availed by the CSO. On this side of the House, we believe that there has been a tremendous increase in terms of employment because the economy is expanding. There are many economic activities and so much is being done in terms of expanding the economy. That is the position.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

ZAMBIA NATIONAL SERVICE HOUSING

82. Mr Ntundu (Gwembe) asked the Minister of Defence:

(a)    how much money the Government had released to the ministry towards the construction of ZNS houses from its inception;

(b)    how many houses had been built; and

(c)    who the contractors were.

Mr Mulyata: Mr Speaker, the ZNS came into inception through an Act of Parliament. Available information does not indicate how much money was released to construct the houses for the ZNS since inception. The houses were constructed as an in-house project through the funding from the Ministry of Defence. The houses were built by the ZNS personnel.

Mr Speaker, so far, 322 houses have been built and forty are currently under construction. The 322 houses were built by the ZNS as an in-house project. Presently, two contractors, namely, Messrs China Geo Engineering and Zamchin Construction Limited have been contracted to construct forty houses in the ZNS Makeni Camp.

Sir, the estimated cost and houses allocated to the two contractors are as follows:

Name of Construction    Amount (ZMK)    No. of Houses
Company

Messrs China Geo            6,077,303,800.00             20

Zamchin Construction Ltd        4,396,307,036.00             20

Mr Speaker, so far, K1,451,981,081.90 has been released to Zamchin Construction Limited while no funds have been released to China Geo Engineering. It is worth noting that Zamchin Construction Limited and China Geo were both contracted in September, 2009.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, this House is aware that there is a construction scheme at the ZNS.

Mr Speaker: Order! 

That is not a question. What is your question?

Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, many times on the Floor of this House, …

Mr Speaker: Order! 

That is not a question. What is your question?

Laughter

Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, when will the exercise of constructing houses under the ZNS scheme be completed?

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, I am not very sure of what the hon. Member it trying to say. I do not know whether he is talking about the construction of houses that is on-going or houses that we are yet to start constructing. Nevertheless, we have noticed a huge housing deficit in the ZNS and, indeed, the other two services. Plans are under way to begin construction of houses in all cantonments, even those that are occupied by the ZNS personnel. Plans are, indeed, advanced and we hope that they will soon work out. We will complete the financing agreement and, hopefully, construction can begin in the very near future. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mooya (Moomba): Mr Speaker, the names of the two construction firms sound foreign. I am wondering why this Government goes for foreign firms, and yet this is simple and straight forward construction work.

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, these firms were competitively chosen. Advertisements were put up and both Zambian and foreign companies applied.  However, these were the companies that were finally picked. These are registered Zambian companies employing thousands of Zambian citizens. Therefore, they are not foreign companies.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned the forty houses which are under construction and that the construction started in September, 2009. May I know what the duration of these contracts is. 

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, the construction of the forty houses is near completion. Very soon, they will be handed over to the Government and the ZNS.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Munaile: Mr Speaker, what has happened to the Builders’Brigade of the ZNS because the hon. Minister has told this House that, previously, they built houses themselves? Why did the Government not use the personnel already in existence instead of giving the contracts to foreign companies and, thereby, externalising money?

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

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, certainly, the houses in the ZNS cantonments were built by personnel within the ZNS because we had skills to do that. What happened, subsequently, is that the Builders’ Brigade was disbanded. However, we are looking at the possibility of re-establishing this institution. There is an exercise going on, at the moment, to try and find out why, in the first place, the Builders’ Brigade was disbanded so that, upon reconstitution of this wing of the ZNS, it does not suffer the same fate. So, I have seen the need for this institution and we are looking into the possibility of re-establishing it.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwamba (Kasama Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to know why the Government cannot give preference to Zambian contractors to construct roads and houses instead of giving them to foreign companies.

Mr Speaker: That question has already been answered. For emphasis sake, in case the hon. Member was outside the Chamber, the hon. Minister will take it.

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, I would like to reiterate that all projects undertaken, whether by the ZNS or other wings of the defence force, are advertised and every prospective contractor is encouraged to participate. 

Mr Speaker, most of the time, Zambian companies do not compete favourably because their bids are not realistic. They are beyond what we can provide. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister said that there were no records of any money released by the Government to the ZNS for the construction of houses. He, however, later said that the ZNS has contracted two companies with the contract sum of K11 billion to construct houses. I would like to find out whether the ZNS is using internally generated resources to construct these houses and, if so, can the hon. Minister lay on the Table the authority that was warranted to the ZNS to go into appropriation-in-aid without seeking the approval of this Parliament?

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, first all, I think that my colleague has misunderstood the term appropriation-in-aid, which does not apply in this case. There is no appropriation because the ZNS does not make money that it can retain after surrendering what is due to the Government.  

Mr Speaker, since its establishment in 1971, 322 houses have been constructed by the ZNS personnel. The Government, through the Ministry of Defence, provided funding to the ZNS to build these houses. Unfortunately, it does not have records of how much money was spent on this project. This is the honest answer that was given.

With regard to the latter part of construction of forty houses by the two contracted companies, the sum of K1.5 billion advance payment was mentioned and the Government owes the two companies K11 billion for the forty houses they are constructing. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Beene: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Defence whether the Government has any plans to reconsider the ZNS taking on school leavers and training them in construction and other survival skills as was the case in 1971 when it was established. 

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, I am not sure what my colleague is trying to say. However, I suppose that he wants to know whether the Government will re-introduce the ZNS compulsory training programme. If that is the case, there are no immediate plans to re-introduce this programme. The Government is, however, using its facilities to train young men and women in survival skills as His Honour the Vice-President mentioned. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, all over the country, camps are open to youths, some of whom have graduated and are able to sustain themselves through self-employment.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Imenda (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, in his explanation, the hon. Minister of Defence gives the impression that there is K11 billion in one breath while telling us that there are no records available in another. What is the correct record? 

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, at the risk of repeating myself, I said K6 billion is in respect to the forty houses being constructed in the Makeni ZNS camp. Although K1.5 billion has already been paid as advance payment to one of the companies, the total indebtedness to the two companies is about K11 billion. 

Mr Speaker, I mentioned earlier that the initial 322 houses were built long before these two companies were engaged. The Government provided the money and the ZNS personnel constructed the houses. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.  

PRISON OFFICERS KILLED ON DUTY

83. Mr Chanda (Kankoyo) asked the Minister of Home Affairs how many male and female prison officers had been killed while on duty from 2008 to date.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Taima): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Zambia Prisons Service has not recorded any case of either a male or female officer being killed while on duty from 2008 to date. 

I thank you, Sir. 

NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM COACHES

84. Mr Mwango (Kanchibiya) asked the Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development why the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) preferred foreign coaches for the national soccer team.

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, FAZ is an affiliate of the National Sports Council of Zambia, operating independently according to the constitution of the association. 

During the past ten years, Zambia has had only two foreign coaches while the majority of the Zambia National Team coaches have been Zambian nationals and this includes, among them, the late Messrs George Mungwa and Ben Bamufuchile, and Messrs Patrick Phiri and Kalusha Bwalya. There have also been other notable Zambian coaches between expatriate coaches. 

The appointment of coaches is dictated by the needs in football and to what levels one wants to qualify. While countries recognise that Zambian coaches are equally good, not many have the necessary experience of coaching at higher levels of the game. 

Zambia has consistently qualified to the Africa Cup of African Nations, but is yet to win the Cup and to qualify to the World Cup. Employment of a coach may be dictated by the demands and targets to be achieved. 

Mr Speaker, I submit that, from the facts given above, Zambia has not only preferred foreign coaches, but has also given an opportunity to Zambian coaches and the choice is dictated by the levels desired to be attained. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwango: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the recent coaching job for the national team was advertised or single sourced. 

The Minister of Community Development and Social Services (Mr Kaingu) (on behalf of the Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development (Mr Chipungu)): Mr Speaker, it was advertised. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, in the past, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) paid coaches. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister where the money to pay coaches is coming from at the moment. 

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member neglected to mention whether KCM had stopped paying coaches. 

Laughter 

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, FAZ has the capacity to pay coaches. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Shakafuswa (Katuba): Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister tell us whether what this country needs is a coach or improvement of soccer standards. 

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the reason we recruit coaches is to improve the game. Therefore, we need both. 

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, of late, there have been a lot of misunderstandings amongst FAZ officials which have resulted in the resignation of some senior officials. What is the Government’s position on the latest developments regarding FAZ?

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the National Sports Council (NCZ) to which FAZ is affiliated is taking care of the problems within FAZ. I believe that the council has constituted a team to look into the problems of the association.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister clarify what he meant by saying that the decision to employ either a foreign or local coach was determined by the level that the country was targeting to arrive at. Could he clarify what that meant by that? Does it mean that when the country employs a foreign coach it is targeting a lower level?

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, obviously, when we employ, our aim is to improve the standard of the game. Therefore, before we advertise for a coach, we check the tasks at hand. If it is to qualify for a certain tournament like we are now making an effort to qualify for the Africa Cup, we look for a coach who can take us there.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether there is a standard salary for a the Zambia National Football Team coach bearing in mind the fact that when there is a local coach in the position, he is paid very little and when there is an expatriate coach, he is paid a lot of money. Why is there such a difference?

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, although those details are privileged to FAZ, I would want to give an example. When you are looking for an employee, you first look at the qualifications. When employing, we take into account the minimum qualifications as well as maximum qualifications and experience. Persons with minimum qualifications may get K5 million at the point of entry while those with maximum qualifications and experience may get K10 million.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

FIFA 2010 WORLD CUP BENEFITS TO ZAMBIA

85. Colonel Chanda (Kanyama) asked the Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development what the benefits to Zambia were from the hosting of the FIFA 2010 World Cup by the Republic of South Africa.

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the Republic of Zambia benefited from the FIFA 2010 World Cup which was held in South Africa. Firstly, the country benefited through its tourism sector because many athletes and spectators who came to the World Cup visited tourist attractions in this country, among them the Victoria Falls. One of the notable athletes was the world renowned tennis player, Rafael Nadal of Spain, who came to see the Victoria Falls.

Secondly, the country benefited economically through various competitions held by brands such as Coca Cola, Zain, MTN and many other private institutions that empowered people with various prizes. These competitions were all World Cup oriented.

Thirdly, because of the World Cup, Zambia benefited from the artificial turf which was put at the Independence Stadium at a cost of US$1 million. Under the Win in Africa with Africa Programme, Zambia benefited training and sports equipment. Thirty administrators and coachers were trained respectively. Furthermore, FIFA donated sports equipment such as footballs and boots to the Premier League teams.

Finally, Zambia was exposed on the World Map to people who had no idea about the country. This was through brochures and magazines on Zambia and the region in general. I am sure that people are now busy researching for investment opportunities and tourist attractions in Zambia.

 Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Colonel Chanda: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister share with this House and the nation at large whether it was by design or choice that none of the participating teams that took part in the FIFA 2010 World Cup did not camp in Zambia in spite of the country having very beautiful natural resources and tourist attractions like the Victoria Falls.

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, as a country, we tried by all means to profile and position ourselves so as to attract teams to come to Zambia, but the final choice was theirs.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Scott: Mr Speaker, the answer given was very qualitative in nature. Could the hon. Minister possibly make an effort to put it in more quantitative terms?  Was the benefit to Zambia US$1 million, US$50 million or US$500 million? Could we have some idea of why one tennis players was not … 

Laughter

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, at least, in our answer, we indicated that that US$1 million was used to put the artificial turf at the Independence Stadium.  That part of the answer was quantitative in nature. As for tourism, we cannot capture the income which the country earned at present, unless after we have done the empirical assessment. The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning also alluded to the fact that tourist arrivals increased during that period.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, the Government promised that it would construct stadia in Livingstone, Lusaka and Ndola so that the country could benefit from the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa. What happened to that plan? Why did the Government fail to construct the three stadia before the tournament? 

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the Government did not fail to construct a stadium in Livingstone. When it did its calculations, it realised that either the investment was not going to be beneficial or going to bring good returns bearing in mind the funds that were going to put into it.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah! Question!

Mr Kaingu: Sir, we also realised that, maybe, the stadia would not be ready for the FIFA 2010 World Cup.

 I thank You, Mr Speaker.

LUMUMBA/KAFUE ROAD JUNCTION FILLING STATION

86. Colonel Chanda asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a)    whether the procedures and requirements for the construction of a filling station were followed  in respect of the filling station at the Lumumba/Kafue Junction; and

(b)    to whom the piece of land upon which the filing station was constructed belonged.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Muteteka): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that, according to the records held by both my ministry and Lusaka City Council (LCC), procedures were followed when the filling station at the Lumumba/Kafue Road Junction was being constructed.

  Sir, the records further indicate that Kobil Services Limited submitted an application to develop a filling station on 26th September, 2005 to the LCC, which was approved by the council and recommended for final determination by the ministry. The Ministry of Local Government and Housing approved the application on the 4th of November, 2005.

The piece of land upon which the filling station was constructed belongs to Kobil Services Limited that bought it from Mwanamuto Investments.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Colonel Chanda: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the Solicitor-General of the Republic of Zambia was relieved of his duties by the then Head of State on account of his involvement in this transaction? Can he confirm to this House that what he is telling us is the truth and not what I know because the piece of land in question falls under Kanyama Constituency?

The Minister of Local Government and Housing (Dr Chituwo): Mr Speaker, according to the question asked and the information we have, certainly, we are not aware of the assertion by the hon. Member of Parliament for Kanyama who, in fact, is supposed to know if procedure was followed in approving the construction of the filing station because he is a councillor of the LCC.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Mwamba (Lukashya): Mr Speaker, from the answer given by the hon. Minister, it is clear that the Government is not aware of any underhand methods having been applied in the processing of the application. Would it not be prudent for the Government to find out what exactly happened because this situation smells of corruption? I hope that the words I have used are parliamentary.

Mr Speaker: As presiding officer, I find it easy to ask the hon. Minister to restate the answer for part (a) of the question which sought to establish whether Kobil Services Limited was authorised to go ahead with the construction of the filling station as well as part (b) of the question in which the hon. Member wanted to find out to whom the land in question belonged. Could you emphasise those answers.

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, the land upon which the filling station was constructed belongs to Kobil Services Limited that bought it from Mwanamuto Investment. This means that by the time the application was reaching the LCC, this company had ownership of this piece of land. Therefore, the company was entitled to build a filling station on that piece of land. As regards the insinuations being made that there were irregularities involved in the processing of the application, we believe that they would have come out at the time the application was being handed over to the LCC, which assessed the application before presenting it to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing for approval.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

BOREHOLE DRILLING

87. Mr D. Mwila asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a)    when the Government would drill boreholes in the following villages:

(i)    Chibwe;

(ii)    Mukunto;

(iii)    Mimbulu;

(iv)    Chitobo;

(v)    Chipowe;

(vi)    Kane; and

(vii)    Kasuti; and

(b)    how much money was required to complete the above project.

Mr Muteteka: Mr Speaker, thirty-one boreholes were drilled in Mwense District under the National Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme with support from the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA). Under phase II of the project, which begins next year, 2011, eighty boreholes will be drilled in Mwense District. I also wish to inform this august House that out of these, twenty-one boreholes will be drilled in Chipili Constituency, including in areas such as Chibwe, Chitobo and Kane drawn from the list submitted by the council.

The cost of drilling a borehole is approximately K37.5 million depending on the distance, geological formations and accessibility. The total amount required for the eighty boreholes is K3 billion.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has not mentioned when the boreholes will be sunk in Mimbulu, Chitobo, Chipowe and Kasuti. When are these areas going to be considered?

Mr Muteteka: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the concern by the hon. Member on the provision of water in his constituency. 

Sir, we have stated that we have captured these needs throughout the country and we are providing boreholes as funds are made available. Therefore, his concern will be captured in the 2011 Annual Work Plan which will be submitted by his council.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.{mospagebreak}

LINDA POLICE POST UPGRADING

88. Colonel Chanda asked the Minister of Home Affairs whether the Government had any plans to upgrade the Linda Police Post to a level of a police station in view of the increased crime rate in the area.

Mr Taima: Mr Speaker, the ministry will upgrade Linda Police Post to the level of a police station once funds are available and land which is closer to the community is secured for the construction of a police station as well as a police camp. The House may wish to know that Linda Police Post is under Chilanga Police Station were police officers are currently drawn from.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Colonel Chanda: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the house where the police post is operating from was donated by one of the residents in the 1980s? Do you not think it is high time the Government came to the rescue of the residents and helped them improve on the security in the area by building a police station as opposed to a police post?

Mr Taima: Mr Speaker, we, as a Government, are aware that the Linda Police Post is actually a community police post. I want to seize this opportunity to actually appreciate the co-operation and support we have been receiving from the community in Linda since the police post was established. It is true that they are the ones that provided the house and have continued co-operating with the police by providing many other services. Let me also state that even the vehicle that is used at the police post was a donation from one of the members of the community in Linda.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sikota, SC. (Livingstone): Mr Speaker, in view of the fact that the main thrust of the question was with regards to the increased crime rate, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what measures the ministry is putting in place to combat crime whilst still looking for resources to turn this police post into a police station.

Mr Taima: Mr Speaker, although I cannot state categorically that there has been an increase of crime in Linda, I would like to state that, comparatively, within the geographical boundary of Chilanga, statistics show that Linda has more recorded incidences of crime and, therefore, is described as one area which has a slightly higher rate of crime.

Mr Speaker, the measures that are being undertaken, through the Zambia police, are to continue to send police officers who will fall under Chilanga to mount patrols to combat crime in Linda. However, like we have said, our plans, as a ministry, given all funds, are to ensure that we have as many police stations in the country as possible because that is going to adequately address the issue of crime in the country.

I thank you, Sir.

MIMOSA CENTRE FOR THE BLIND AND HANDICAPPED

89. Colonel Chanda  asked the Minister of Community Development and Social Services:

(a)    when the Mimosa Centre for the Blind and Handicapped was last rehabilitated; and

(b)    whether the ministry legally owned the land upon which the centre was constructed and, if not, who the legal owners were.

The Deputy Minister of Community Development and Social Services (Mr Malwa): Mr Speaker, the rehabilitation of Mimosa farm is an on-going exercise, but in 2007, the farm manager’s house was rehabilitated at the cost of K10.6 million. From 2008 to date, the renovations of chicken runs, piggery houses, and other infrastructure were also rehabilitated at a cost of K25 million.

Mr Speaker, the ministry does not own the land upon which the centre was constructed. The land belonged to the Zambia Council for the Handicapped, but following the repeal of the Handicapped Act, all properties that were owned by the defunct Zambia Council for the Handicapped were transferred to the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD). The Mimosa Centre is legally owned by the agency. 

I thank you, Sir.

Colonel Chanda: Mr Speaker, by way of appreciating our less privileged colleagues, I would like to find out how often officials from the ministry visit the centre to conduct an on-the-spot inspection to encourage them in their activities and to also show concern over their livelihood.

Mr Malwa: Mr Speaker, ZAPD is a baby of the ministry and, so, we interact with it more or less on a daily basis and, so often, we visit the farms, including the Mimosa farm where I have personally been.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Scott: Mr Speaker, in the answer given, sums of money totalling to about K40 million were mentioned as having been spent over four years, and yet in the speech of His Excellency the President, he has promised to allocate K30 billion which is a thousand times more to a new school for the blind. Can the hon. Minister confirm that it is Government policy to spend money on new assets and not to maintain or improve old ones?

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, renovation to any property is demand-driven. You first do the assessment to know how much money you need to plough into the property. As for the new school that the hon. Member has referred to, he cannot appreciate because he does not have relatives who are disabled.

Dr Scott: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Kaingu: However, for us with disabled relatives and for me who is in change of these people, the gesture by His Excellency the President is a wonderful one and I would like to tell the hon. Member that the disabled persons have appreciated it. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order! 

Through the point of order which the hon. Member for Lusaka Central nearly raised, he was protesting at the hon. Minister’s indication that he was not sympathetic to the plight of the handicapped.

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that the farm manager’s house, the chicken run and other infrastructure were rehabilitated. I would like to find out from him where the money for rehabilitation came from. Was it from Mimosa Centre or it was Government funded?

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the Mimosa Farm, like others, belongs to ZAPD. The money to renovate, I strongly believe, came from ZAPD.

I thank you, Sir.

___________

MOTIONS

BUDGET 2010

(Debate resumed)

Mr Sikazwe (Chimbamilonga): Mr Speaker, thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to continue my contribution to the debate on the Motion on the Budget 2011.

Mr Speaker, this House was honoured to listen to the presentation by the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Hon. Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, MP. I would like to congratulate him and his management team and staff for the efficiency they have demonstrated in the preparation of the National Budget.

Mr Speaker, the well-delivered speech epitomises the Government’s number one priority – the people of Zambia.

The theme of the 2011 Budget is “A people’s Budget, from a people’s Government”. This theme echoes what the people on your right have always said, that the MMD Government is a listening one. The content of the 2011 Budget is a testimony of this fact. The 2011 Budget is also a testimony to the Government’s commitment to realising the Vision 2030 and ensuring that Zambia meets the millennium development Goals (MDGs) within the stipulated time. 

Allow me to now share with this august House some evidence from the 2011 Budget which shows that the Government has listened to its people.

Agriculture

Mr Speaker, when people work hard it is important to reward them and to reward their success. It is not a secret that our hardworking farmers, in particular small-scale farmers, have scored an outstanding success by delivering an unprecedented harvest this year. To this effect, the Government has found it prudent to include hammer mills on the list of agricultural input that are zero-rated for Value Added Tax (VAT) purposes. As the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning stated in his speech, hummer mills will enable small-scale farmers have enough grain to sustain their families.

Mr Speaker, as I stated earlier, this is a reward to the hardworking farmers, but in addition to that, it is also an incentive for the majority of our people to engage in farming so that more food can be produced. If this were to happen, Zambia, as a country, would become a breadbasket in the region. We should never underestimate the Government’s effort in this area.

Mr Speaker, to further sustain the success of our small-scale farmers, it is important to motivate those who provide them with support. I, therefore, congratulate the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning for allocating K13.3 billion in this year’s budget to activities related to the work carried out by agricultural extension workers, who toil day in and day out to make extension services more accessible to small-scale farmers. This amount will cater for the construction and rehabilitation of camp houses and step up efforts to increase farmer training and improve the mobility of the extension workers. Indeed, this Government has listened and because it has listened, the path to the diversification of our economy has been accelerated.

Direct Taxes

The Government has also listened to the cries of our people on the need to increase next year’s Pay as You Earn (PAYE) exempt threshold. The Government should, therefore, be congratulated for taking the people’s concerns into consideration by increasing PAYE exempt threshold by 25 per cent from the current K800, 000 to K1 million per month. Every well-meaning Zambian should applaud this decision regardless of their political affiliation or convictions, including my friends on your left, Mr Speaker. For sure, which true patriot of this nation is not happy that the Zambian worker will now have more money in his/her bag or pocket, bank account or wherever he/she keeps it to feed or clothe his/her family for the betterment of this nation?

Health

Mr Speaker, for a nation to remain well-nourished and healthy, more than investment in agriculture is required. There is a need to have a good health care system. In line with this, the Government has increased the allocation to the health sector from K1.36 billion to K1.772 billion. In short, it is K1.362 trillion to K1.77 trillion in 2011. This is a 30 per cent increase. This is a great improvement and the Government needs to be commended for taking this great move which will protect the country’s health care system so that even where our co-operating partners reduce or withdraw their funding to the health sector, the country will have something to fall back on. 

In addition, the continued recruitment of health care personnel will ensure that the hospitals and health care centres that the Government has been busy establishing throughout the country are adequately staffed to provide excellent health care to our people all over the country. Indeed, the listening Government has acted and because of this, the country can begin to have strong hope that it will attain the MGD on health.

Energy

Mr Speaker, energy has proved to be the driver of the economy.

Mr Milupi: Geothermal.

Mr Sikazwe: It is either petroleum or electric power for generation and geothermal inclusive.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: This part is very critical in moving the economy. A farmer, health worker and even an employee whose tax has been reduced needs energy. To control the climate change which is caused by deforestation, the energy sector will have a pivotal role to play. This is what I would like to say about the energy sector.

Mr Speaker, this listening Government addresses the needs of its people regardless of whichever part of the country they live in. It wants Zambians of all backgrounds to benefit from the policies of this Government so that they can develop at the same pace. This Government has been consistent in the commitment to the rural electrification programme so that rural areas can be developed and, in turn, contribute to the development of this country. This commitment has not wavered as can be seen in the 2011 Budget, which indicates that there has been an increase in the allocation from K234.7 billion in 2010 to K314.3 billion in 2011 to the rural electrification programme. It is clear from this increment that the Government wants its people in the rural areas to enjoy the benefits of having electricity so that their livelihoods can be improved.

 As an hon. Member of Parliament of a rural constituency, I understand the challenges the rural population faces in the energy sector.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, it is not only me who understands, but the hon. Members on your left who come from rural constituencies also know the problem their people face. Beyond that, even those in the peri-urban areas want to have their areas improved. I, therefore, wish to commend the Government for making a provision for this programme in this Budget.

Mr Speaker, I will take advantage of this opportunity to thank Pawing Construction, which was engaged by the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) to put up the line from Mpulungu to Nsumbu in Chimbamilonga. This is one of the outstanding companies registered in this country.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: This contractor was able to work even when the Government was not paying it anything from the Treasury. I salute Pawing Contractors as one of the best contractors, which is serious in doing its job, and even our friends on the other side will appreciate its input.

Education 

Mr Speaker, as it is always said, an educated and informed population or family will run away from diseases because they are able to understand primary health care and, therefore, can understand the importance of immunisation. Unfortunately, that was not the case in Lusaka. A learned people failed to understand the importance of immunisation and that is why we had a very bad outbreak of measles in Lusaka.

Mr Speaker, the people of this country have welcomed the Government’s programme of building more schools in urban, peri-urban and rural areas. Our friends on the other side, as they are listening quietly, have been objecting the fact that the Government is building any schools, because according to them, it is only building schools in the rural areas. However, today, I want to inform this House that schools have been built even in urban areas. For example, in Kanyama, an urban area, where a playing ground is being fought for, a school has been built.

 To complement this initiative, the Government has allocated a total of K131.6 billion for the recruitment of teachers to staff these schools. This is an indication of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) Government’s commitment to improving the education sector so that we can have a well-informed population to contribute to the development of this nation.

I, therefore, would like to commend the hon. Minister, being a woman, for taking these responsible measures in the education sector because, as a mother, she knows the impact of illiteracy on a child who does not go to school. In 2030, my daughter who is six years old will be twenty-six years old. If I do not pay attention to her education and the Government does not support the communities by building more schools and recruiting teachers, the future of children like her will be very bleak. Our children are growing up in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) era and I am sure the Ministry of Education has incorporated ICT related education in the new school curriculum.

Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the Government for building a boarding secondary school, which is near completion, in Kaputa District. We have never had a secondary school in Kaputa and have been sending our children to Mporokoso at a high cost. However, as much as it is commendable for the Government to recruit more teachers, I also wish to encourage it to look into the plight of the teachers already in employment. They need to be motivated so that they serve to the best of their abilities. We must remember that no country can thrive without a well-educated population. However, this can only happen if those instilling knowledge in young minds are well-remunerated and serve in environments which are conducive for this purpose.

Mr Speaker, participation in tourism is my birthright. Since Independence, Zambia’s main source of national revenue has been from the mining sector. This, in itself, is not bad because it showcases Zambia’s position in the world as one of the biggest producers of copper. However, as it has often been observed, copper prices fluctuate resulting in reduced earnings for the country. The Government has been championing the development of other sectors such as tourism in order to diversify the economy.

Mr Speaker, I would like to challenge the people of Lusaka regarding the development of tourism. Some people have been questioning the Government’s investment in the development of the Kasaba Bay Project which only has a bed capacity of seventeen.  However, Lusaka does not even have a rat for the Lusaka National Park, but the Government has seriously embarked on the development of this project from a scratch. There is a need for us to compare these scenarios so that we are fair.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, we must not condemn rural development being undertaken by the Government because, as I mentioned earlier, some urban projects have to start from a scratch and the Lusaka National Park is a good example. In fact, the people of Kabwata will benefit the most from this game park.

Mr Lubinda interjected and left the Government Front Bench to return to his seat.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter 

Mr Sikazwe: I, therefore, welcome the Government’s budget allocation to the tourism sector as it will see continued development of tourism infrastructure in 2011. The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning has also indicated allocation of the funds for the development of road infrastructure in the Kafue National Park and the Lusaka National Park, among others.

Mr Munaile: Finally.

Mr Sikazwe: I also wish to commend the Government for focusing its attention on the Kafue National Park because, as some hon. Members may be aware, this is the second largest national park in the world. Zambians must be proud of having the second biggest park in the world. These are facts we must appreciate.

Interruptions

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the Government for undertaking the Animal Restocking Programme. I know that when the Lusaka National Park will be stocked with animals, Nsumbu National Park will also get restocked. Nsumbu National Park is the backbone of the Northern Tourism Circuit Project …

Mr Munaile: Aah!

Mr Sikazwe: … and Kasaba Bay development Programme.

Mr Speaker, may I also commend this Government for reviewing its Wildlife Policy and Act. This will help to address the problems of animal conservation in this country. There have been problems of encroachment by farmers on game reserves as well as the human-animal conflict. Once this policy is reviewed and the Act is amended, the conservation of animals will be realised and agriculture in areas where farmers had encroached on game parks will be allowed to go on after the Government de-gazettes them. Farming will be very actively participated in and people will be allowed to get a livelihood from this.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lubinda: What is that?

Mr Ngoma (Sinda): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank you for …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, take out your cards from the card readers and then put them back. This is intended to record your presence.

Hon. Members removed and reinserted their cards.

Mr Speaker: I am sure the Whips will be interested in the statistics that have just been generated. Those who are coming in now will not know what you have done and do not tell them.

Laughter

Some hon. Members walked into the Chamber.

Mr Speaker: Those who came late do not know why I am smiling.

Laughter 

Mr Ngoma: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was commenting on the speech delivered by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning. It was a statement on how this Government intends to implement the revenue and expenditure measures in 2011. 

Sir, let me start my debate from the theme of the 2011 Budget itself; “A people’s Budget, from a people’s Government”. To me, this statement should entail a budget that is pro-poor in nature, considering that the majority of the people are poor and vulnerable. Ideally, we all know that the National Budget should be a lens through which citizens see the implementation of the Government’s constitutional obligations to the poor. It should, therefore, be used as a tool to eradicate poverty and effectively deliver the social and economic rights such as decent housing, good health care, clean water, social security as well as basic and further education. The Government has a duty to design and implement programmes to meet people’s social and economic needs by budgeting for and spending funds on such programmes.

Sir, unlike this simple fact, the 2011 National Budget presented by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning missed out some revenue and spending measures that can deliver hope and comfort to many suffering Zambians today. 

Mr Speaker, sitting in this Chamber and listening to the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, on Friday, 8th October, 2010, presenting his Budget Speech to the Zambian people, I had great difficulty seeing how the majority of the people were going to benefit from the revenue and expenditure measures read out by the hon. Minister.

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

Mr Ngoma: Mr Speaker, as far as the revenue measures for 2011 are concerned, I am in great doubt that my Government will be able to raise the projected K20.5 trillion to meet the projected expenditure. It is fine, especially that 2011 is an election year, to be ambitious, but what is important is to make realistic, reasonable and achievable estimates and not act as though one is in a show contest. In my language, elders have this to say, “Anione, anione, finye anaphoka.” 

This is to say that in trying to show off, finye ended up busting its belly.

Hon. Government Members: What is Finye?

Mr Ngoma: Mr Speaker, finye is a very beautiful colourful frog with a big tummy and only moves by way of hopping. However, one day, in a bid to show off, it ended up over hopping its reasonable height, thereby busting its belly on its way to the ground.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ngoma: That is free advice to my Government.

Mr Speaker, it is common knowledge that the revenue envelop has not been growing in tandem with economic growth. This has caused my Government to resort to more domestic and international borrowing. For instance, in 2009, the Government projected to domestically borrow 1.8 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). However, by the end of the year, the figure ended up being 3 per cent of the GDP. This year, 2010, the Government had projected to borrow 2.5 per cent of the GDP, but we have been told that this figure is expected to reach 3.3 per cent of the GDP. As though that were not enough, in 2011, the Government is to borrow K1,900 billion in foreign financing as compared to K697 billion for 2010. This shows me that if we are not careful, we will end up being a Highly Indebted Poor (HIPC) again. That is not a good scenario.

Mr Speaker, not only that, our co-operating partners have been systematically reducing their Budget support over a few years.

Mr Kapeya: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, I rise on a very important point of order. 

Mr Speaker, as you are aware, in fact, at one time, you were responsible for broadcasting in this country. Radio broadcast plays a very pivotal role, especially in developing countries such as Zambia, in disseminating information, education, entertainment and other developmental programmes.

Mr Speaker, the rural areas of Zambia have been denied the services of the only national broadcaster, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) as from 1st February, 2010 to date, when the short wave transmitter collapsed. 

On Thursday, 7th October, 2010, at 1645 hours, the hon. Minister responsible for information and broadcasting services, when debating on the Floor of this House, announced that the ZNBC Radio 1 and 2 signals would be available to rural areas by satellite system. I wish to quote what he said in part:

“Short wave is being aligned and put on satellite in order for Radio 1 and 2 to reach the people of Zambia.”

Mr Speaker, was the hon. Minister in order to mislead the nation by announcing that the signal would be provided via satellite without giving further details as follows:

(i)    how listeners in rural Zambia would capture radio signals from the satellite to their radio sites; and

(ii)    the date when the satellite would start providing the said ZNBC Radio 1 and 2 signals to the Zambian rural listeners?

Mr Speaker, I need your serious ruling.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Mpika Central debated, among other things, on the President’s Address the very issues he is raising in his point of order. What he is quoting was the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Service’s reply to his original debate. Obviously, the hon. Member for Mpika Central is still not satisfied with the explanation that was given by the hon. Minister responsible for broadcasting services, especially the technical aspects of what the hon. Minister said. 

Normally, I would have advised or guided that the point of order waits or awaits the time the House will consider the estimates of expenditure for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services, but I believe that it is a bit too far in the future. Therefore, under the circumstances, I am calling on the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services to come to the House sooner and go over what he said and amplify what he said in technological terms how, among other measures, the listeners in rural Zambia will be able to access the short wave radio signal via satellite.

If that is not what he meant, the hon. Minister will then inform the House about what kind of transmission he meant would be accessed by the people of Zambia via satellite. This kind of information does not require fourteen days notice. I believe and I am satisfied that the hon. Minister is able to advise the House on this matter not later than Friday this week.

Mr Lubinda: Long live the Chair!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Laughter

Mr Speaker: The Chair is always alive.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Sinda may continue.

Mr Ngoma: Mr Speaker, our co-operating partners have been systematically reducing their Budget support over the last few years. I, therefore, wish to call upon the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and the entire Government to seriously reflect on this and focus their efforts in broadening the domestic tax revenue. Let the Government take advantage of the ICT to come up with comprehensive revenue measures to capture every potential taxpayer into the tax net.

Let everyone give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, whether formal or informal. Currently, from the informal sector, there is nothing to show as far as revenue contributions are concerned.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude my remarks on revenue measures, let me briefly talk about the windfall tax. The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, upon seeing a windfall in the telecommunications sector, has moved swiftly to propose a higher tax rate of 40 per cent for profits above K250 million. To me, that is showing prudence. The message to the hon. Minister is that let him stop ignoring the windfall in the mining sector and move in and let Zambia get its fair share by reintroducing windfall tax in this sector.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ngoma: Mr Speaker, these two measures will go a long way in assisting the Government raise enough revenue for expenditure and save us from being given the name ‘HIPC’ again.

Mr Speaker, while I understand the hon. Minister’s statement that the 2011 expenditure on economic affairs, health and education will account for over half of the total Budget and that the expenditure on general public services will, for the first time, fall below 30 per cent of the total Budget, it is difficult to appreciate the increments referred to in the Budget, especially regarding education and health. I hope the hon. Members of this august House will be patient with me by allowing me to explain what I mean by this.

It is a fact that allocations to the education and health sectors have increased from K3,220.9 billion to K3,828.8 billion and from K1,362.5 billion to K1,772 billion respectively. With these increments, the hon. Minister is right to say that he has increased spending on these sectors by 15.3 per cent on education and 30.1 per cent on health. The budget size for 2011 has increased by 23 per cent, but this is not enough to bring about significant changes in these sectors. 

Mr Speaker, in terms of the Government’s commitment to the education and health sectors, given the increase in the Budget size of 2011, the education sector has actually had a reduction of about 1.3 per cent while the health sector has had an increment of 0.5 per cent. On the education sector, K3,320.9 billion was allocated in 2010, which is 19.9 per cent of the total budget, while the K3,828.8 billion allocated for 2011 is only 18.6 per cent of the total Budget. This shows a reduction of the Government’s commitment to the education sector, considering that the budget has significantly increased. As for the health sector, the K1,362.5 billion was 1.8 per cent of the total Budget in 2010 and the K1,772.9 billion allocated in 2011 is about 8.6 per cent of the total Budget. In terms of committing public funds, therefore, the health sector has only had an increment of 0.5 per cent.

Sir, I want to believe that even this increment in the health sector has been necessitated by the absence of commitment from our co-operating partners in the health sector. The same thing happened in this year’s Budget when the hon. Minister came to this august House, last year, and stated that there was continued uncertainty regarding co-operating partners’ commitment to supporting the health sector. While it is worrying to know that our co-operating partners are non-committal to supporting the sector, I think it is time the health sector started to depend more on local than foreign resources because health care must be guarantied for our people. This is not to say that our country does not need the support of co-operating partners, but we should use this opportunity to see to it that the sector runs sustainably. Nonetheless, the Government should ensure that the causes of lack of commitment by our co-operating partners such as poor governance are tackled decisively. The Government must honour and ensure that funds, whether locally or foreign financed, are used for the intended purpose.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ngoma:  Mr Speaker, regarding the education sector, I would have loved to see the Government increase its allocation to the sector to not less than K1.1 billion. For the hon. Members to appreciate what I have talked about, they should read what is on page 15 of the Budget Speech. The hon. Minister chose to stress nominal increments in health, education and other sectors. I wonder why he did not talk about the increment in general public services from K5, 369 billion in 2010 to K5, 855.5 billion in 2011. To the contrary, the hon. Minister, in his speech, stated that the costs of running the Government had been cut. Is the movement from K5.4 billion in 2010 to K5.9 billion in 2011 a reduction or an increase? This question begs an answer. This is simple mathematics that it is an increment.

Mr Speaker, hon. Members should note that the increment in the general public services is more than the increased allocation which the hon. Minister talked about in agriculture which, to me, is a sector with not only economic returns, but also has the potential to reduce poverty levels in our country. Simple calculation shows that the increment in agriculture is about 8.1 per cent while that for the general public services is about 9.1 per cent. In all these arguments, there are increases in spending on social sectors, but the hon. Minister could have done better, given a bigger resource envelope. The K20.5 trillion is a lot of money from our taxpayers and co-operating partners and if we prioritised properly, we could do much better in 2011.

 In my opinion, since the hon. Minister boasted about committing more resources towards programmes and projects that carry high economic and social returns, it could have been more meaningful to spend more money on agriculture for high economic returns and on education and health sectors for both economic and social returns. For instance, the budget of K150 billion to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) towards crop marketing in 2011 is inadequate considering the fact that the Government had to look for an extra K700 billion for 2010.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ngoma: Sir, all things being equal, in 2011, we are most likely to see a bigger bumper harvest compared to 2010. Does it make sense not to budget adequately for 2011? The answer is, not at all. 

Mr Speaker, it is not my intention to prematurely debate on expenditure estimates, but I thought it was important to drive my point home on some of the increments contained in the Budget Speech. Some of the increments are meaningful while others are not. To this end, and by way of congratulating the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, allow me to note and appreciate the Government’s efforts to increase allocation to the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF) by about 85 per cent from K194 billion in 2010 to K310 billion in 2011. I can only hope that this money will be used to pay retired and retiring Public Service workers so that they are not driven into destitution after years of hard work and selfless contribution to the Public Service and Republic of Zambia.

Mr Speaker, allow me, once again, to acknowledge and appreciate the Government’s increment of tax relief from the current K800, 000 to K1 million. Although this is short of the value of Zambia’s average basic needs basket, it is good to note that this time around, we have actually doubled our upward movement from the usual K100, 000 to K200,000. I hope the Government will work extra hard now for the next budget.

Mr Speaker, it is good to know that the hon. Minister has more than doubled the allocation for road infrastructure development from K1, 461 billion to K3, 098 billion. I am sure all hon. Members agree with me that a good road network is a requisite component in reducing the cost of doing business and improving access to rural areas. I hope that the allocated funds will be used efficiently and construction and rehabilitation will not be awarded to briefcase men and women contractors who do not even have any equipment to use on the roads. Let me also advise the Government to explore areas on how the road users, especially those with heavy equipment will help maintain roads. One such avenue is the introduction of tollgates which the Government must seriously consider so that some of the roads become self-sustaining. This is, in fact, not even debatable to the contrary.

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning released K2 billion and K5 billion in 2009 and 2010 respectively for the Rural Roads Unit Department in each province. However, it is sad to note that this money has not benefited the majority of people in all the provinces as far as road maintenance is concerned. The budget of K6 billion per province in 2011 will go to waste if the Ministry of Finance and National Planning does not come up with guidelines on how these funds are to be used. I, therefore, call upon the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to come up with guidelines which will see all constituencies benefiting from these resources.

Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Ngoma: Mr Speaker, allow me to end my debate on the note of our country’s lack of competitiveness which has, for some time now, hindered broad based private sector driven growth.

 The cost of doing business in Zambia is relatively high compared to its neighbours in the region. It is encouraging to note, in this regard, that the Government has managed to eliminate thirty-eight licences and simplified procedures for ten more. However, I am disappointed that the Government is non-committal on when it will eliminate the additional 132 licences. 

If the Government was committed to promoting private sector growth, one would have expected it to move swiftly and eliminate all the licences which increase the cost of regulatory compliance for business. 

Personally, I could have been more comfortable if the hon. Minister had provided a workable timeframe in which the Government is expected to eliminate the additional 132 licences.

Mr Speaker, despite the introduction of uniform fuel pricing, the cost of fuel in this country is too high.

Mr D. Mwila: Hear, hear!

Mr Ngoma: If the cost of fuel is not brought down to levels such as those in other countries in the region, our cost of production for goods and services will continue to be high. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the Government to reduce the cost of fuel without further delay for production costs in agriculture, manufacturing and other areas to come down. This will go a long way in making our country competitive thereby, allowing for our exports to be competitively priced. Sir, such a move would generate more revenue for the development of our country.

Mr Speaker, I beg to second.

Hon. Opposition Member: Continue.

Mr Shakafuswa:  Senior Parliamentarian.

Mr L. J. Mulenga (Kwacha): Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the speech by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning.

Mr Shakafuswa: You are too calm for our liking.

Mr L. J. Mulenga: Mr Speaker, I have, with me, a copy of the Budget Speech. There are very interesting pictures both on the front and back page. More eye catching is the theme of the Budget Speech which is, “A People’s Budget, from a People’s Government.” Well done. This is a very good theme and I must congratulate the Government because this is a well-thought out theme.

Mr Speaker, all of us in the House represent the people out there and I am happy that the Government acknowledges that this is people-driven. 

Mr Speaker, I represent the people of Kwacha Constituency in Kitwe who elected me. It is for this reason that I took time to consult the people of Kwacha Constituency on what they thought about the current Budget.

Mr V. Mwale: Aah, unaendako liti?

Mr L. J. Mulenga: Mr Speaker, the views I will express are those of the people of Kwacha Constituency irrespective of whether they are the MMD, Patriotic Front (PF), MPD …

Laughter

Mr L. J. Mulenga: … United Party for National Development (UPND). 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr L. J. Mulenga: I represent the people of Kwacha and, therefore, in contributing to this speech, I will merely ask questions to the Executive as they were posed and to which I had no answers. 

Mr D. Mwila: Landa mudala. Landa!

Mrs Phiri: Hammer!

Mr L. J. Mulenga: Mr Speaker, as the previous speaker indicated, K20.5 trillion is a lot of money and can adequately address the questions that I will pose before the Executive. The matter that has to be understood is how we are going to raise this money if certain areas of hope such as the windfall tax have been abandoned.

Mr Speaker, assuming that the windfall tax was re-introduced, domestic borrowing and international finance would have reduced significantly. We must understand that Zambia is one nation. When we sing the National Anthem, we say, “… proud and free…” and “one Zambia, one nation”. Therefore, I will debate like a Zambian who is proud and free.

Laughter

Mr L. J. Mulenga: Mr Speaker, the Copperbelt University asked how we will ensure that there are no strikes in respect to the allocation in the Budget. This is one of the questions I have been asked, but it is for the Executive to answer.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr L. J. Mulenga: Mr Speaker, the people of Kapoto would like to know how the 7.7 per cent growth of the GDP will translate into money in their pockets.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr L. J. Mulenga: Mr Speaker, the people of Nkana East, Parklands and Riverside are asking me why, despite contributing so much Pay as You Earn (PAYE), their roads are in bad condition. They want to know when their roads will be rehabilitated. They are asking why we even advertise tenders for roads that we never work on. I have no answer. It is the Executive that will provide the answers.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr D. Mwila: Naukula mudala!

Mr L. J. Mulenga: Mr Speaker, I love the picture of the child on the front page of the Budget Speech. It represents the hope for the future. That is the hope that each one of us is trying to achieve for this child. 

Mr Lubinda: With an MMD symbol.

Mr L. J. Mulenga: Mr Speaker, if all of us here are not resolved to finding a common value on how we can give hope to this child, we are all doomed. It will not be the MMD, PF or the UPND, but all of us. Let us gather common values and see how this child can have a better future.

Interruptions

Mr L. J. Mulenga: The Budget Speech also has on its front cover a picture of good roads. This is fantastic. This is my dream. I want to see that all the roads in this nation are in a condition as perfect as the picture shows. If the Government can demonstrate that, I shall congratulate it. 

I also see on the front cover, a picture a vehicle depicting one going to the mining sector. However, how much are the mines contributing to the national economy?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr L. J. Mulenga: We should ask ourselves and be sincere and honest. This is not political, it is a fact. 

Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

Mr L. J. Mulenga: We must ask ourselves how much the mines are contributing and whether it is sufficient for all of us to assure this child on the picture of a future with hope. The good roads depicted in the picture require money. The Government cannot pretend that it does not need the money. It needs money to execute its functions and fulfill its mandate. Thus, when we go for elections next year, I will say to the people that it is the Government that failed, and not me.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr D. Mwila: Bwekeshapo!

Mr L. J. Mulenga: Mr Speaker, whoever dreamt of this theme was thinking very well.

Laughter

Mr L. J. Mulenga: Actually, for the good of the people.

Sir, in my conclusion, I want to quote from the Budget Speech, on page 24, paragraph 186 which reads:

“Mr Speaker, this is a people’s budget that empowers our citizens in unprecedented ways by creating opportunities and widening possibilities. But real empowerment is self-empowerment. This is my open challenge to the Zambian people: …”

Mr Speaker, if that is what we are thinking of doing, then we have good plans. If we are going to implement the plans we have come up with, then Zambia shall be a better place to live in. However, there is a need for us to review the policies that govern the empowerment funds. How are they being utilised? Are they bringing benefits to the people who are utilising them?

 I think we need to understand that until we begin to wean people off, for instance, the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), we will not increase the number of beneficiaries. We will do a good job when we start weaning people off such programmes. I hope the Government will manage to do so. 

Sir, I will hold on to this Budget Speech until the end of next year so that I can come back and ask the Government about what it will have done to implement the plans contained in the speech.

With those few remarks, I thank you.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Any further debate?

You are failing again …

Mr Shakafuswa: We are still reading the Budget Speech.

Mr Speaker: … and yet, again, I watched some of you on television on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and yesterday, Monday, talking about what is contained in the Budget Speech. I heard some of you on radio over the same period. I also saw interviews in the newspapers regarding the National Budget.

Hon. Member: Mpombo!

Mr Speaker: What has happened to the raw data that you provided to the media which you are not providing in here for fear of it being destroyed by the answers from the Executive? Do you think you are safe on your own out there and not on the Floor of this House? You are not. In fact, I am directing the Executive to go to the papers and ask for clippings of your interviews …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: … and respond to them in here. I urge them to pursue those clippings of your interviews out there and to respond to them in this House …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: … because some of the information that you were giving was full of distortions because it was not researched. 

Mr Shawa: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: I want those distortions to be exposed.

Now, the Motion was moved by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning and I will ask him to be ready tomorrow to wind up his Motion.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
 
Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, be ready tomorrow, if what I see here repeats itself, to wind up the Motion. 

Mr Shakafuswa: Let us review last year’s budget.

Mr Speaker: We will find something else to do other than debating the Budget Address. So, hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, be ready to wind up your Motion tomorrow.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Meanwhile, His Honour the Vice-President, adjournment.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

________

 The House adjourned at 1711 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 13th October, 2010.