DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE TENTH ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 21st September, 2010 

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

________

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MR SPEAKER

DEATH OF HON. LAMECK KAUZI CHIBOMBAMILIMO, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MPULUNGU

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to acquaint the House with a fact already sadly known that the House lost one of its Members, Mr Lameck Kauzi Chibombamilimo, hon. Member of Parliament for Mpulungu Parliamentary Constituency, who passed away on Monday, 9th August, 2010, at Apollo Hospital in India.

The late Mr Lameck Kauzi Chibombamilimo was buried in Lusaka at Leopards Hill Memorial Park on Friday, 13th August, 2010. The House was represented at the burial by the following hon. Members of Parliament and members of staff: 

(i)    Hon. E. C. Mwansa, MP, Deputy Chairperson of Committees of the Whole House (Leader of the Delegation):
(ii)    Mr S. Chisanga, MP;
(iii)    Mr B. Hamusonde, MP;
(iv)    Ms M. Mwape, MP;
(v)    Mr A. Simama, MP;
(vi)    Mr S. Katuka, MP;
(vii)    Mr J. K. Zulu, MP;
(viii)    Mr B. Sikazwe, MP;
(ix)    Ms J. M. Limata, MP;
(x)    Mr J. C. Kasongo, MP;
(xi)    Mr S. C. Kawimbe, Committee Clerk, Secretary to the Delegation; and 
(xii)    Mr W. Mulwanda, Sergeant

I have already conveyed the sympathies and condolences of the House to the bereaved family.

May I now request the House to rise and observe a minute of silence in honour of the memory of the late Mr Lameck Kauzi Chibombamilimo.

I thank you.

SESSIONAL COMMITTEES −MEMBERSHIP

Standing Orders Committee (8) 

Hon. Members, in accordance with provisions of Standing Order No. 150, I have appointed the following Members to constitute the Standing Orders Committee for the Fifth Session of the Tenth National Assembly:

(i)    The hon. Mr Speaker, Chairperson;
(ii)    His Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Justice;
(iii)    The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning;
(iv)    The hon. Chief Whip;
(v)    Hon. H. I. Mwanza, MP;
(vi)    Mr D. Matongo, MP;
(vii)    Ms E. M. Imbwae, MP; and 
(viii)    Mrs A. C. K. Mwamba, MP

I thank you.

CONVICTED MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

Mr Speaker: I call on the hon. Members of Parliament to listen very carefully with regard to the following announcement. 

Hon. Members, in the recent past, my office has received inquiries from hon. Members and the public on what should happen to an hon. Member of Parliament who is prosecuted, convicted and sentenced for an offence by a court. I have, therefore, found it necessary to guide the House and the nation on this important matter.

Hon. Members, a Member who has been sentenced by a court to imprisonment for a period exceeding six months, detained or whose freedom of movement is restricted under the emergency laws, for a term exceeding six months under Articles 71 (2) (e) and (g) and 71(3) of the Constitution, Cap. 1 of the laws of Zambia, vacates his or her seat and ceases to be a Member of the National Assembly.

Article 71(2) (e) and (g) states that:

“71. (2) A Member of the National Assembly shall vacate his seat in the Assembly −

(e)     if he is sentenced by a court in Zambia to death or to imprisonment, by whatever name called, for a term exceeding six months;

(g)     if, under the authority of any such law as is referred to in Article 22 or 25−

(i)     his freedom of movement has been restricted or he has been detained for a continuous period exceeding six months;

(ii)     his freedom of movement has been restricted and he has immediately thereafter been detained and the total period of restriction and detention together exceeds six months; or 

(iii)    he has been detained and immediately thereafter his freedom of movement has been restricted and the total period of detention and restriction together exceeds six months.”

Therefore, an hon. Member who is sentenced to imprisonment or whose freedom of movement is restricted for a period of less than six months does not lose his or her seat in the National Assembly.

Furthermore, Article 71 (3) of the Constitution states:

“71 (3)    Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (2), where any Member of the National Assembly has been sentenced to death, imprisoned, adjudged or declared to be of unsound mind, adjudged or declared bankrupt or convicted or reported guilty of any offence prescribed under clause (4) of Article 65 appeals against the decision or applies for a free pardon in accordance with any law, the decision shall not have any effect for the purpose of this Article until the final determination of such appeal or application:

    Provided that ─ 

(i)    such Member shall not, pending such final determination, exercise his functions or receive any remuneration as a member of the National Assembly; and

(ii)    if, on the final determination of the Member’s appeal or application, his conviction is set aside, or he is granted a free pardon, or is declared not to be of unsound mind or bankrupt or guilty of an offence prescribed under clause (4) of Article 65, he shall be entitled to resume his functions as a Member of the National Assembly unless he has previously resigned, and to receive remuneration as a Member for the period during which he did not exercise his functions by reason of the provisions of paragraph (i) of this proviso.”

Hon. Members, based on the foregoing, I wish to guide the House as follows:

(i)    where a hon. Member is sentenced to imprisonment, detained or his or her freedom of movement is restricted for a period exceeding six months, such an hon. Member shall vacate his or her seat in the National Assembly. However, where the hon. Member appeals against the court’s decision or applies for a free pardon, such an hon. Member will not vacate his or her seat, but shall not exercise his functions as an hon. Member or receive remuneration until the determination of the appeal. In the event that the hon. Member succeeds in his or her appeal, then he or she shall be entitled to resume his or her functions as an hon. Member of Parliament and to receive remuneration for the period that the hon. Member did not exercise the functions pending the determination of the appeal; and

(ii)    where an hon. Member is sentenced to imprisonment, detained or his or her freedom of movement is restricted for a period of six months or less and that hon. Member appeals against the court’s decision, such an hon. Member shall not lose his or her seat in the National Assembly and shall continue to exercise his or her functions and to receive remunerations as an hon. Member of Parliament. In this regard, the House should note that such an hon. Member is not affected by the provisions of Article 71 (3) even in the event that the hon. Member does not appeal against the sentence.

Hon. Members, I hope that the guidance I have provided will assist the House to appreciate why some hon. Members who have been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment are still in the House and continue to exercise their functions as hon. Members of Parliament, while others cease to perform functions as hon. Members until the conclusion of their court cases.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

__________

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

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

Sir, as indicated on the Order Paper, the Business of the House today will be restricted to Questions and the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address delivered to the House on Friday, 17th September, 2010. Tomorrow, Wednesday, 22nd September, 2010, the Business of the House will start with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider Private Members’ Motions, if there will be any. The House will then continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address.

Mr Speaker, on Thursday, 23rd September, 2010, the Business of the House will commence with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will then continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address.

Sir, on Friday, 24th September, 2010, the Business of the House will begin with His Honour the Vice-President’s Questions Time. This will be followed by Questions, if there will be any. After that, there will be presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to his Excellency the President’s Address.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

___________ 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

ROCKFALL ACCIDENTS

1. Mr Mukanga (Kantanshi) asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development:

(a)    how many miners had died as a result of rock fall accidents whilst  on duty from 2006 to 2009;

(b)    of the cases above, how many had been due to negligence of the mining companies; and

(c)    what action had been taken against the concerned mining companies.

The Deputy Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Namulambe): Mr Speaker, a total of twenty-nine miners died as a result of rockfall accidents from 2006 to 2009, broken down as follows:

Year            No. of Miners

2006    6

2007    8

2007    7

2008    8

Total    29

During the period under review, a total of seventeen cases were due to negligence of the mining companies as follows:

Year                No. of Cases

2006    4

2007    7

2008    3
2009     3

Total          17

Mr Speaker, the erring companies were fined by my ministry, through the Mines Safety Department, or had their production/mining sections shut down until remedies were made. In addition, erring supervisors were removed from supervisory duties or suspended from such duties based on the investigations by my ministry. After the inquests, based on the verdicts, prosecutions were carried out in the courts of law.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister the procedures and techniques that have been instituted to detect underground conditions to prevent the increase of fatal accidents due to rock falls from taking place. Furthermore, what is the Government doing to ensure that these techniques and procedures are followed?

The Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr M. B. Mwale): Mr Speaker, in mining operations, there are standard procedures and one of them is that whenever an end has been blasted, a supervisor be the first one to go to the area to bar down and ensure that there are no misfires. Furthermore, wherever there is bad ground (weak areas), mining companies employ support structures in those areas to minimise rock falls.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Beene (Itezhi tezhi): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether there is any tripartite agreement between the Government and the unions over the insurance to cover deaths that may occur in those circumstances.

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, to some degree, yes, in that the labour unions have an interest in the matter. However, I would like to inform the House that in terms of compensation, there are formulae that are followed in determining the compensation in the courts of law.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC. (Chasefu): Mr Speaker, may the hon. Minister inform the House the number of cases that were prosecuted and ended up successfully.

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, virtually, all the cases that were prosecuted were successful apart from one where it was proved that the victim was negligent in the performance of his duties.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr D. Mwila (Chipili): Mr Speaker, since there is an increase in the number of accidents, would the hon. Minister inform this house the measures that the mining companies have put in place to ensure that these accidents are reduced.

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, from the outset, may I make it very clear that the mining companies do not have any pleasure in seeing that there are fatalities due to rock falls. What should be appreciated is that our mines have now gone deeper. Therefore, the stresses have increased, meaning that they have a lot of bad ground. However, as I have already said, mining companies have put in place measures to ensure that rock falls are minimised through ground support.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kambwili (Roan): Mr Speaker, under mining regulations, it is a requirement that every mining company undertakes what is known as …

Mr Speaker: Order! Ask your question.

Mr Kambwili: I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why Luanshya Copper Mine is operating without a personal accident scheme.

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, I have failed to understand the hon. Member for Roan’s question. However, I would like to make it very clear that, under our laws, whenever an accident occurs underground, our miners are compensated through the courts of law.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chongo (Mwense): Mr Speaker, seventeen accidents were due to negligence by mining companies. Of the supervisors who were dropped, would the hon. Minister indicate the mine holders who were culprits and dropped?

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, I would like to apologise because I do not have the details pertaining to the mine holders who were dropped. I will be more than willing to get more information thereon for the hon. Member.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chanda (Kankoyo): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister which mining company had the highest number of accidents and the least number of accidents.

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, as the hon. Member will appreciate, sometimes, due to the scale of operations, the number of accidents has increased. For instance, Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) is the largest mining house and, therefore, has the highest number of accidents followed by Mopani Copper Mines.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kapeya (Mpika Central): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that the erring mines were fined. I would like to know the amount of money that was paid case by case.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, that is a new question. However, compensation ranged from K200 million to K240 million.

I thank you, Sir.

ARMY OFFICERS’ RECRUITMENT

2.    Mr Kambwili asked the Minister of Defence:

(a)    what the standard procedure for recruiting army officers was;

(b)    whether the Zambia Army promoted soldiers who obtained diplomas and degrees while in service to Commissioned Officers; and

(c)    when the last recruitment of soldiers was conducted.

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Lungu) (on behalf of the Minister of Defence (Dr Mwansa)): Mr Speaker, the standard procedure for recruiting army officers is that an advertisement is done in the national electronic and print media. Eligible candidates will be subjected to an Officers Selection Board (OSB) which selects the required number, considering the provincial balance. Candidates must have the following qualifications:

(a)    Regular Officer Cadets

(i)    male/female Zambian citizen and holder of a green national registration card;

(ii)    medically, mentally and physically fit;

(iii)    aged between 18 – 25;

(iv)    minimum height – 1.60m for male candidates and 1.57m for female candidates;

(v)    full Grade Twelve Certificate with credits or better in English, Mathematics, Geography, Science and any other two or three “A” levels;

(vi)    must be single and without children; and

(vii)    must have no criminal record;

(b)    Specialist Officer Cadets    

(i)    male/female Zambian citizen and holder of green national registration card;

(ii)    medically, mentally and physically fit;

(iii)    aged between 18 – 30 years;

(iv)    minimum height – 1.60m for male candidates and 1.57m for female candidates;

(v)    holder of diploma or first degree or higher from a recognised institution of learning; and

(vi)    must have no criminal record.

Mr Speaker, on whether the Zambia Army promotes soldiers to Commissioned Officers when they obtain diplomas and degrees while in service, our answer is that this depends on an individual soldier’s decision to apply for promotion to be a Commissioned Officer. A committee of officers will look at the qualifications, personal character, period of service and age, among other requirements. There are three types of promotions in the Zambia Army and these are:

(i)    Promotion – Officers – Regular Force;

(ii)    Promotion – Officers – Specialist; and

(iii)    Promotion – Quartermaster Type Commission.

The promotion of soldiers may fall in any one of the groups depending on age, qualifications, personal character and period of service of an individual applicant. All interested soldiers below the rank of warrant officer and below the age of thirty years undergo OSB and train as officer cadets under specialists (as per qualifications) and are commissioned by the Republican President as officers in the rank of Lieutenant. For Quartermaster Type Commission, only warrant officers are considered after undergoing officer cadets training for a period of three months.

Lastly, Mr Speaker, recruitment of both officers and soldiers was last conducted in March, 2005.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, is it admissible to recruit one officer cadet without following recruitment procedure?

Mr Lungu: Mr Speaker, it is clear from the answers I have given that it is not admissible. However, if the hon. Member has any information on an incident such as the one he has referred to, he can avail it for our attention.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, recruits undergo a mandatory Human Immuno Virus (HIV) test and if the results are positive, they are not recruited. Is this not discrimination and a violation of their human rights?

Mr Lungu: Mr Speaker, I am not aware of those cases. However, we shall seek more information on that matter.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, the current recruitment procedure favours people in the urban areas. Is the Government considering the decentralisation of the recruitment?

Mr Lungu: Mr Speaker, advertisements for recruitment are open to both rural and urban people. There is no discrimination and anyone can apply regardless of their geographical location.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, it has been five years since the last recruitment. When will the next recruitment be?

Mr Lungu: Mr Speaker, the question was when the last recruitment was made and an answer was given. I, therefore, have no answer for when the next recruitment will be.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, considering that the provision requiring a person to be of a particular height is discriminatory, what measures are being taken to ensure that even very short people who can assume to be Commanders-in-Chief are not discriminated against?

Laughter

Mr Lungu: Mr Speaker, that is what I term as positive discrimination.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

CHAZANGA/KABANANA ROAD

3. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing whether the Government had any plans to tar the Chazanga/Kabanana Road in Lusaka which had remained untarred since Independence in 1964.

The Minister of Local Government and Housing (Dr Kazonga): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that it is the Government’s desire to pave roads in the country to improve mobility of the people. However, there is no budget provision in 2010 for the paving of the Chazanga/Kabanana Road. I should hasten to mention that despite budget constraints, the Government is, currently, implementing the Road Rehabilitation and Maintenance Programme with a view to reconstructing/rehabilitating some major roads.

I thank you, Sir.

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IN CHIPILI CONSTITUENCY

4. Mr D. Mwila asked the Minister of Education:

(a)    when the Government would start running the community schools in the following areas in Chipili Parliamentary Constituency:

(i)    Milonge;
(ii)    Munganga;
(iii)    Mwimbulu; and
(iv)    Kane;

(b)    how much money the Government had spent on the operations of the community schools stated above from 2006 to 2010; and

    (c)    whether the Government was satisfied with the way community schools                 were being run countrywide.

The Deputy Minister of Education (Mr Sinyinda): Mr Speaker, the Government does not have adequate resources to start running all community schools, but provides support in the form of learning and teaching materials, furniture and grants as a measure to complement community efforts. However, there are instances when community schools have been converted into Government schools. For instance, in Chipili Parliamentary Constituency, Mulunda and Mulwani Community Schools were handed over to the Government in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

The Government has spent K12,316,404 on community schools in Chipili Parliamentary Constituency from 2006 to 2010 as follows:

    School    Amount (K)
                
    Kane       655,951.00

    Mimbulu    3,821,968.00

    Milonge    7,393,466.00

    Munganga       445,017.00

The Government is not satisfied with the way community schools are running and it is for this reason that measures have been taken to develop policy guidelines to improve the running of community schools. In addition,
 to the policy guidelines, the District Education Board Secretary’s (DEBS) Office, working with partners such as Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS), has began orienting communities on how best they can run their schools. The ministry has supplemented most community schools with the Interactive Radio Instructions (IRI) teaching methodology and trained community school teachers through distance mode of education delivery.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, mathematically, 100 ...

Mr Sichilima: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Sichilima: Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for according me this chance to raise a point of order and I wish to apologise for disturbing the deliberations of the House. 

Sir, in this House, you have guided, many times, that hon. Members of Parliament should be doing things related to debate at a particular time. Is it in order for the hon. Member of Parliament for Kafulafuta (Mr Mpombo) to come to this House and start reading the dictionary from the first …

Laughter 

Mr Sichilima: … to the last page? 

Mr Speaker, I need your serious ruling. 

Laughter

Mr Speaker: The hon. Deputy Minister for Home Affairs is raising a point of order to the effect that the hon. Member for Kafulafuta is studying literature which is unrelated …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … to what is before the National Assembly. 

Normally, the rules say that no books, newspapers or magazines shall be brought into, let alone read in the Chamber. I have some difficulty making a ruling with regard to the use of a dictionary in the sense that some hon. Members, in this House, use very big words …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … and it is likely that the hon. Member for Kafulafuta is trying to consult to find out …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … the meaning of one of the words used in the House …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … this afternoon.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Therefore, for the time being, I caution him to put that document aside so that he may pay attention to what is going on in the Chamber. Otherwise, it will be forfeited to the National Assembly.

The hon. Member for Chipili was raising a supplementary question. May he continue.

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, mathematically, I have discovered that a monthly grant of K100,000 is given to each community school. May I find out from the hon. Deputy Minister whether the Government has any intentions of increasing monthly grants for community schools in Chipili Constituency.

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, with regard to the issue of whether the Government will increase funding to community schools, I would like to state that, yes, it is our intention to supplement what the communities are doing to provide education for our children.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Deputy Minister whether the Government intends to introduce or support the feeding programme to pupils for them to be encouraged to go to school.

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, our intention is that as many children as possible, especially those who are vulnerable, are fed. As you may know, currently, a good number of our schools have a feeding programme. We know that we do not have enough resources that we can use to feed every child, but I would like to assure this House that the programme has started except that we cannot feed every child.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr L. J. Mulenga (Kwacha): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Deputy Minister what the long standing position on community schools is because they have become a phenomenon …

Mr Speaker: Order, ask your question!

 Mr L. Mulenga: Mr Speaker, what is the long standing position of the Government on community schools?

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, the Government would like to take over the running of community schools except that this has to be done systematically. As you may be aware, the Government has started taking over some of the community schools because they were built where communities felt that there was a need for a school. That is the more reason we are building as many as 2,500 classrooms per year because we want to embrace community schools as well.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Machungwa (Luapula): Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister referred to instructions being given via radio as one way of assisting community schools. Is he aware that, in some parts of Zambia, radio communication is not possible because some radio Zambia transmitters broke down more than half a year ago?

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, yes, as a Ministry of Education, we are aware of that. Consequently, we have initiated some consultations. Recently, I contacted the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services and I have been informed that sooner than later that problem will be solved and I am sure we will continue with that programme.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chisala (Chilubi): Mr Speaker, running of learning institutions is the responsibility of the Government. May I know how many community schools the Government intends to take over this year.

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, like I stated earlier, we are doing that systematically and we will ensure that as many community schools as possible are taken over by the Government because we realise that universal basic education is the responsibility of the Government. Therefore, we will do just that.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Beene: Mr Speaker, may I find out from the hon. Deputy Minister of Education whether the Government will consider deploying trained teachers in these community schools because they are being run by people who are not trained.

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, actually, we have started deploying trained teachers in the community schools. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Zulu (Bwana Mkubwa): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the communities consult the ministry before establishing community schools.

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, yes, they do. In a community where it is felt that there is a need to have a school, the people come together and build a school. Thereafter, they go to the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) to consult. The DEBS then works with the community to ensure that the standards that they want are maintained. In this regard, some standards officers are sent there to inspect and see whether the school is conducive for learning.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chazangwe (Choma Central): Mr Speaker, the gap between a community school and a normal basic school is too wide. In a community school, …

Mr Speaker: Order! 

No debate. Please, ask your question.

Mr Chazangwe: Mr Speaker, when will the Government try to close in the gap, between community and normal schools?

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, as I have already stated, we are supplementing the efforts of the communities by giving them some grants, guiding them and doing the basic things that are required. We realise that there is a big gap between the Government schools and community schools. That is why I am saying that we will endeavour to take over the schools step by step because we may not have the resources to do it at once.

I thank you, Mr Speaker. 

HOUSING UNITS POLICY

6. Mr Muyanda (Sinazongwe) asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development what the Government policy was on the construction of decent housing units by mining companies.

Mr Namulambe: Mr Speaker, the Government has a policy on housing through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. However, it has no specific policy on the construction of decent housing units by the mining companies. The mining companies are being encouraged, through corporate social responsibility, to construct houses for their employees. For instance, Lumwana has built a totally new township for its employees while Kansanshi has acquired land to build houses for its employees. Other companies prefer to pay housing allowances to their employees.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Muyanda: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development aware that miners at Nkandabwe Coal Mine live in squalor due to lack of Government policy to guide the mining companies to build decent housing for their employees?

Mr B. M. Mwale: Mr Speaker, we are aware that at Nkandabwe Coal Mine, there have been no houses constructed. I would like to mention that societies have now become dynamic. What used to obtain in the 1950s when we had settlers who came to stay is no longer obtaining now.

I thank you, Sir.
BUTEKO MARKET CONSTRUCTION

7. Mr Chanda (Kankoyo) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing when Buteko Market, which was under construction in Kankoyo Parliamentary Constituency, would be competed and opened to the public.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Muteteka): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the august House that there is no provision in the 2010 Annual Budget for the completion of Buteko Market in Mufulira. However, Mufulira Municipal Council is encouraged to plan for the construction of markets and other infrastructure development and that these plans should be reflected in the Council Annual Work Plan and supported by the budget provision. Further, the constituency may use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) towards the market construction and completion which is meant to benefit the residents of Kankoyo Constituency.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chanda: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister is not aware that this is a very big market. Nevertheless, may I find out from the hon. Minister what his ministry is doing since part of the infrastructure that was erected is now being vandalised.

The Minister of Local Government and Housing (Dr Kazonga): Mr Speaker, the Government has a programme known as the Urban Markets Development Programme. It has started with the city councils of Lusaka, Kitwe and Ndola. Later on, it wants to move to the municipal councils. Therefore, as Central Government, we have a programme that is, currently, running. In the interest of the people of Mufulira, particularly in Kankoyo Constituency, we suggest that the council should plan for the completion of the market or use part of the CDF to complete it. 

Mr Speaker, it may be necessary to emphasise that there are basically two sources of financing for our local authorities. One of them is through the usual Government grants and the other is locally-generated revenue. So, using, maybe, locally generated revenue, the council can set aside some funds to use in the completion of that particular market.
 
I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, may I know when the ministry will release the CDF to enable the hon. Member of Parliament for Kankoyo complete that particular market.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, I wish to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Monze Central for sneaking in that question on the CDF. The CDF will be released to the constituencies when it is finally released to my ministry. For now, what is being emphasised is that all the local authorities give returns on how the last CDF was used.

Let me take advantage of this particular question to indicate to all the local authorities that these returns must reach our office before the end of September so that this forms the basis for the disbursement of the next CDF. Those who will not give us these returns, I want to emphasise, will not get the next CDF.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out who started the construction of the market because it is not clear. If it is the Government, why is it failing to fund and complete the market?

Dr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, as far as we are concerned, it does not matter whether it was started by the local authority or the Central Government. What is required is the need for that market to be completed. As I indicated earlier, there are several ways in which we can address this particular issue. One of them is the long-term programme that we have put in place for the development of markets. 

I know that completion is quite demanding in terms of the amount involved. However, it would be important, in the interest of progress, to have a percentage contribution from the CDF and locally-generated resources to assist with the completion of the market. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Mwenya (Nkana): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

I cannot follow what the hon. Member is saying because there is so much loud consultation.

The hon. Member may start again. 

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether there is a deliberate policy for routine maintenance of the markets that have been constructed, and if so, how much has been budgeted for this exercise?

Dr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, under the Urban Markets Development Programme, there is a component of maintenance. Once fully implemented, there will be a lot of maintenance works in the markets constructed. 

Mr Speaker, I do not have the figure for the second part of the question.

I thank you, Sir. 

MAIZE EXPORTS

8. Mr Mwango (Kanchibiya) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives:

(a)    how much money had been raised from maize exports in 2008 and 2009; 

(b)    how many tonnes of maize had been intended for export in 2010; and

(c)    how much money the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) borrowed for the purchase of maize in the 2009/2010 marketing season. 

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Mr Mbewe): Mr Speaker, the Government, through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), did not export any commodities, including maize, in 2008 and 2009. However, the FRA imported 35,000 metric tonnes of maize valued at K88,307,850,000 from the Republic of South Africa in 2008. The maize was resold locally during the maize shortage experienced by the country in that year. 

Mr Speaker, the Government, through the FRA, intends to export 160,000 metric tonnes of maize carry over stock and, at least, 400,000 metric tonnes of the new maize crop to raise revenue to repay the commercial loans. 

Finally, Mr Speaker, the agency borrowed K155 billion for the purchase of crops from farmers during the 2009/2010 crop marketing season. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Mwango: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the maize that will be exported will be subsidised or sold at the normal price of K65,000 per bag.

The Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Mr Daka): Mr Speaker, maize in this country is sold at US$265 per tonne. In neighbouring countries, it is much cheaper. This means that we are paying our farmers more compared to other countries in the region. We are working out modalities regarding the market support provision. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Beene: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned that the FRA borrowed K155 billion for crop marketing. Currently, farmers only possess vouchers because there is no money. When will this Government pay farmers for the maize purchased?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Daka: Mr Speaker, the Government and the FRA have put their efforts together. This week, we have released K86 billion. We expect to release K130 billion, every week, to ensure that all farmers who sold their maize are paid. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, we have been told in this House that …

Mr Speaker: Order! 

You are debating. What is your question?

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister how the FRA intends to liquidate the K155 billion debt since it does not make any profit. 

Mr Daka: Mr Speaker, the FRA intends to export 160,000 metric tonnes of maize. Out of this money, it will be able to liquidate the previous loan that was accumulated from the banks. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Lumba (Solwezi Central): Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister confirm that we are going to export the maize at a loss because the production costs and what is obtaining in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region is different. 

Mr Daka: Mr Speaker, as I said earlier, we are looking at the market support provision. Even European countries have market support. A farmer is paid for not doing anything. Therefore, it is true that we will export at a loss. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Shakafuswa (Katuba): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the ministry has considered turning the FRA into an entity which can stand on its own-taking into account that, every year, the Government pumps in over K300 billion into the institution. Is this not an expense that the FRA can raise and be able to stand on its own? 

Mr Daka: Mr Speaker, the FRA is expanding to rural areas. Most districts in rural areas that are not reached by millers or the private sector are covered by the FRA. Therefore, it is a fact that we have to look at the viability of the FRA so that it can stand on its own. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why the FRA failed to pay transporters for the last marketing season. 

Mr Daka: Mr Speaker, the FRA has started paying the transporters that were not paid in the previous season. 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the Government was considering subsidising the price in other countries. Why should the Government not consider reducing the price of mealie-meal and other maize products so that Zambians can afford to buy them? 

Mr Daka: Mr Speaker, we are looking at sustaining the production of maize by peasant farmers. The price of K65,000 relates to US$265 per tonne and it is the highest in the region. The Government is making sure that it encourages the farmers to continue producing maize year in and year out. We have said that we do not want to subsidise the consumption, but rather subside production so that we can ensure food security and have surplus maize which can be exported.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC.: Mr Speaker, when will the FRA stop buying maize on credit from farmers who need that money almost immediately after selling their produce?

Mr Daka: Mr Speaker, hon. Members will realise that this House only budgeted for 40,000 metric tonnes. The FRA has to survive on the good will of the banks. The private sector, which is said to be made up of briefcase companies, is, today, buying a bag of maize at a price as low as K28,000. The Government and FRA want to make sure that a peasant farmer is paid well, thus the reason it has taken long to negotiate for a loan. The Government is putting in US$100 million in the exercise while the FRA has borrowed US$140 million from the banks.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Scott (Lusaka Central): Mr Speaker, we have heard that maize production is going to increase even further giving rise to even larger problems of sustainability and financing. Given all the problems of sustainability and financing that he has been expounding on most skillfully, perhaps, the hon. Minister could tell us why we have stuck to one crop and its expansion.

Mr Daka: Mr Speaker, the Government has given impetus to rice and cassava production. Therefore, it is not only looking at maize. It is true that the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) is there to make sure that we have food security and once we have it, we will be able to sell the surplus. 

 I thank You, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister indicate the countries to which the maize was exported.

Mr Daka: Mr Speaker, if I quoted the hon. Deputy Minister correctly, he said that there was no export
 of maize during the previous season. If anything, we imported maize worth K88 million from South Africa.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Hamududu (Bweengwa): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether our failure to compete favourably in the export market is due to our local farmers over pricing their maize or the high cost of production even though this Government is said to be subsidising maize production.

Mr Daka: Mr Speaker, it is true that there is low productivity in Zambia. We are producing 1.8 metric tonnes per hectare when we are supposed to produce almost 10 metric tonnes per hectare. Therefore, we are subsidising the price as the FRA is buying from the peasant farmers in the rural areas.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

ROAD WORKS MARKET RATES

9. Colonel Chanda (Kanyama) asked the Minister of Works and Supply what the current market rates of road works per kilometre under the following categories were:

(a)    construction and tarring of a class I road;

(b)    heavy duty grading and gravelling with surface compacting; and

(c)    simple grading of country roads.

The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Dr Kalila): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the current rate of construction/upgrading on an existing gravel road to bitumen standard is K200 million per kilometre. The estimated cost for heavy grading of an unpaved road is K35 million per kilometre. The estimated cost for re-gravelling of an unpaved road is K112 million per kilometre. The estimated cost for surface grading is K4.9 million per kilometre.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.{mospagebreak}

Colonel Chanda: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister elaborate why the cost of maintaining our roads is so expensive as compared to other countries in the region.

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, I am unable to state whether our rates are higher than those of other countries. However, what we have seen is that our unit rates have come down. Therefore, as a Government, we are happy with this and wish that the rates could further come down.

Mr Sikota, SC. (Livingstone): Mr Speaker, having been given the market rates, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what the highest rate of working on a road is and in which area it is.

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that very intelligent question.

First of all, these rates are dependent on the terrain and the part of the country where the works are to be done. For example, the cost of upgrading a gravel to a tarred road in the Western Province is higher than the rest of the country which is at K4.4 billion per kilometre whereas the average elsewhere is K2 billion. When it comes to double surface dressing, you would find that it would cost K2.5 billion per kilometre in the Western Province whereas in other parts of the country, it would cost K1.5 billion. Therefore, it is the highest in the Western Province.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Mwape (Mufulira): Mr Speaker, I wish to find out from the Minister of Works and Supply the basis of the estimated costs that he has given us. I would like to know if the figures are from Government engineers or they are based on the demand and supply of the service. Are they based on the minimum prices of the cartels formed by the contractors? What is the basis of this costing?

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, it is an honour to provide a little education on how these rates were arrived at.

First and foremost, these rates were given to my ministry by the Road Development Agency (RDA) which is the custodian of all road maintenance and construction works in the country. The figures are based on the national average of all the contracts which have been given over a period of time divided by the total number of kilometres. Therefore, these national averages are based on the prices which are given by the contractors to the Government. That is how the figures were arrived at.

Mr Speaker, in the same vein, I would like to mention that, through the National Council for Construction, the Government will commission a study which will compare the country’s figures to those of neighbouring countries of the unit price per kilometre so that we can establish whether we are being efficient or not. It is for this reason that I would like to urge hon. Members to wait for the study and the results which will give an in-depth knowledge and analysis of the figures compared to the ones in neighbouring countries.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker .

Mr Mwenya (Nkana): Mr Speaker, has the ministry ever considered taking a research to come up with an alternative way of constructing roads apart from bituminous roads? What is the cost comparison between a bituminous and a concrete road like those done in South Africa and Italy?

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, that is a valid thought from the hon. Member and it is exactly what the National Council for Construction is trying to establish by undertaking a study to compare new technologies in road construction. This way, it will be able to tell whether we are constructing roads at cost effective technologies or not. Until that is done, I am unable to provide a categorical answer to the hon. Member.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mushili (Ndola Central): Mr Speaker, are the rates that have been stated by the hon. Minister also applicable to the roads that are being funded by foreign institutions vis-à-vis the local government in Zambia? Are the rates the same and do they apply?

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, as I have already indicated, this is a national average. This means that all roads were taken into consideration, over a period of time, to arrive at this unit cost that has been given today.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chanda: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether, indeed, it is the high rates he has given to this House that have led to the neglect of the Mufulira/Sabina Road.

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, firstly, I would like to say that the rates stated, in our opinion, are not very high. In the absence of comparative figures from neighbouring countries, we cannot make an assertion as that made by the hon. Member. Therefore, it cannot be the basis upon which the works on the Mufulira/Sabina Road are being delayed. However, it is as a result of budget constraints.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mrs Phiri (Munali): Mr Speaker, in his answer, the hon. Minister mentioned that the Road Development Agency (RDA) was calculating part of these monies. How are the people of Zambia going to trust these people from the RDA in view of the fact that they are facing corruption charges?

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, first of all, I wish to mention that the RDA is a creation of this House. As you know, it is led by qualified engineers. Furthermore, the methodology which was used is based on figures that are readily available that can be verified by anyone. Therefore, we think that these figures are reliable.

I thank you, Sir.

SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION UNDER BESIP

10. Mr D. Mwila asked the Minister of Education:

(a)    when the construction of the following schools started under the Basic Education Sector Investment Programme (BESIP) in Chipili Parliamentary Constituency would be completed:

(i)    Chisheta;

(ii)    Moba;

(iii)    Kaoma Makasa; and

(iv)    Chinshinki; and

(b)    when the Government would rehabilitate Luminu Basic School.

The Deputy Minister of Education (Mr Sinyinda): Mr Speaker, the construction of Chisheta, Moba, Kaoma Makasa and Chinshinki schools will be completed when funds are made available. The total cost for completing the construction is K40,000,000 per school and the total will be K160,000,000.

The Government will rehabilitate Luminu Basic School when funds are made available. The rehabilitation of the school will cost K55,000,000 broken down as follows:

    Structure                Amount (K)

1 x 3 classroom block        25,000,000

2 teachers’ houses        30,000,000

Total        55,000,000

I thank you, Sir.

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, these projects were started eight years ago and have not been completed to date. I would like to find out whether the four mentioned schools have completely been abandoned by the Government which will not do anything about them.

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, I wish to assure the hon. Member that there are quite a good number of schools that have not been completed which were started under the Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP) and BESIP programmes that we are aware of. At the moment, what we are doing, as a ministry, is to go around the country and take stock of all the schools that were started under these programmes so that they can be included as we prepare for the next infrastructure development.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mrs Sinyangwe (Matero): Mr Speaker, while we appreciate the construction and rehabilitation of schools, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the plight of a teacher not having a private room in a classroom is being taken into consideration.

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, I did not clearly get the part of the question concerning a teacher having a private room in a classroom. What I know about the classrooms being constructed, at the moment, is that they each have an office for a teacher. That is actually being done. However, if the hon. Member is talking about teachers’ houses, we are very mindful of that and have started thinking seriously about addressing the plight of teachers’ accommodation.

________

MOTIONS

MOTION OF THANKS

Mr Chisanga (Mkushi South): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the thanks of this Assembly be recorded for the exposition of public policy contained in His Excellency the President’s Address.

Mr Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Mr Chongo (Mwense): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Mr Chisanga: Mr Speaker, allow me, from the outset, to thank you most sincerely for giving me the rare privilege to move the Motion of Thanks to the Speech made by His Excellency the President, Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda, on the Official Opening of the Fifth Session of the Tenth National Assembly on Friday, 17th September, 2010.

Sir, I would like to congratulate the President on his brilliant and thought-provoking speech which, in my view, was a well-researched overview of the performance of this hardworking Government in the past twelve months.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisanga: Mr Speaker, the Republican President’s Speech covered thirty-two areas, which included, among others, the following:

(i)    economic management;

(ii)    agriculture;

(iii)    water resources;

(iv)    tourism;

(v)    social services; and

(vi)    infrastructure development.

Sir, the House will recall that the Zambian economy was not spared from the global recession which caused havoc around the world.

Zambia, like other countries in the world, is just coming out of the negative effects of the global economic crisis. This global crisis could not have come at a worse time for our country. It came just as this hard working Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) Government was turning the corner towards prosperity.

Mr Speaker, I am happy and proud to report that, through the concerted efforts of His Excellency Rupiah Bwezani Banda’s Government, the country managed to record positive economic growth despite trends globally, which pushed down copper prices, increased international portfolio investors’ risk appetite of developing countries like Zambia and a general economic slowdown especially on the mines.

Mr Speaker, the good performance of the economy is as a result of the sound economic policies adopted by this Government. It is for this reason that all hon. Members of this august House should applaud this Government for the seriousness it has attached to the development of the country.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisanga: Mr Speaker, this Government has continued to show that it cares for its people and that it is committed to reducing poverty in the country. The Government of His Excellency, Rupiah Bwezani Banda, has shown solid support to poverty reduction through supporting the vulnerable people in rural areas through input provision for agricultural production.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisanga: Mr Speaker, the bumper harvest of 2.7 million metric tonnes of maize means that our people in rural areas will have more food and money for them to live on.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisanga: Mr Speaker, I want to further commend this Government for its intention of increasing the number of beneficiaries of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) from the current 500, 000.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisanga: Mr Speaker, I also want to applaud this Government for the positive developments that it has recorded in the development of infrastructure in the country. I agree with His Excellency the President that infrastructure is critical to development. The Government should be commended and encouraged to complete the construction of the country’s physical infrastructure.

Mr Speaker, the Government is doing a good job on the following roads which are being upgraged or constructed: Serenje/Mansa; Mutanda/Zambezi/Chavuma; Choma/Namwala; Chipata/Lundazi; Chipata/Mfuwe; Kasama/Luwingu; Kabompo/Chavuma; Senanga/Sesheke and renewal of the Great East Road from Luangwa Bridge to Mwami Border. All these projects are expected to be completed in 2011.

Mr Speaker, when we say this Government means well, we mean it.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisanga: Mr Speaker, this hardworking Government is not only constructing the road infrastructure, but is also constructing and upgrading schools, clinics, border posts and prisons. The Government has upgraded five clinics in Lusaka. A total of 323 health posts and health centres will be commissioned by the end of this year, while a total of six district hospitals will be commissioned.

Mr Speaker, in the education sector, massive infrastructure has been constructed. A total of 2,543 classroom blocks were constructed in 2009 and, currently, 2,016 classroom blocks are under construction. The Government has also sunk more than 2,000 new boreholes and constructed dams countrywide. This will go a long way in ensuring that our people have access to clean drinking water. With these achievements, come 2011, I can see His Excellency the President winning by 100 per cent.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisanga: Mr Speaker, allow me to discuss tourism. I am happy to note that the Government is still committed to the development of the tourism sector as a source of job and wealth creation. The efforts being carried out by this Government include the development of the Northern Circuit and the international marketing of Zambia as a tourist destination.

Mr Speaker, I would like to end by commending this Government on its efforts to ensure that the Zambian people are healthy. It is a fact that, as a country, we cannot record meaningful development when people are not healthy. It is, therefore, commendable that the Government is doing all it can to reduce the disease burden and the number of people dying from preventable diseases.

Mr Speaker, time will not allow me to list all that this Government is doing to develop this country, but what is clear is that this MMD Government is working very hard to bring about the much desired development.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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

Mr Chongo: Now, Sir.

Mr Speaker, it is a great privilege to be asked to second the Motion of Thanks to the speech by the Republican President, His Excellency Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda, on the official opening of Parliament.

Mr Speaker, it is gratifying to note that the speech was inspirational and clearly stated how the aspirations of our people must be achieved. 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chongo: The policies outlined in the speech are aimed at reminding all stakeholders on what is expected of them and also enable them reflect on whether the country is moving in the right direction or not and further increase on the momentum or remove obstacles that are inhibiting the country from attaining the intended objectives.

Mr Speaker, the anticipated economic growth of 6.6 per cent mentioned in the speech is definitely a step in the right direction. However, a reduction in domestic revenue and increased high poverty levels are worrisome. This is so because true economic growth must address these two issues. It is, therefore, incumbent upon all of us in here and politicians out there to encourage the Government to broaden the tax base and sensitise people on the need for all to contribute to the domestic tax.

Sir, it is saddening, however, to note that whenever there is some attempt to increase the tax base, a lot of politicians, because of political selfishness, want to oppose such good initiatives. It is for these reasons that I wish to call on all our formal sector participants and workers to reject such political outbursts so that their tax burden can be lightened. The informal sector must also contribute to this tax basket. Evidence is there that most people in the informal sector are doing better economically than most of our civil servants who pay taxes.

Mr Speaker, allow me to commend the Government for introducing uniform petroleum pricing (UPP). This will boost economic growth in rural areas. Whilst it may appear that people in urban areas who enjoyed a cheaper rate are now going to pay a bit more, it should be realised that this is a move to help the already strained rural people and those who do businesses in such areas. This category comprises the majority of our fuel users. Let me take this opportunity, to ask the Government to design measures to assist productive participants such as the mines and farmers to access fuel at concessional rates so as not to negate the notable positive contributions from these sectors.

Mr Speaker, in his speech, the President referred to the progress which has been made in economic development in 2010, especially positive growth and maintaining macro-economic growth. The President mentioned that this growth was driven by the mining, agriculture, tourism and construction sectors. However, one wonders how this economic growth has come about when the President announced the declining domestic tax revenue, the continuing high poverty levels and the reduced donor support for the health and road sectors. In this vein, I agree with the President’s observation that there is a need for continued economic growth and tax review.

Mr Speaker, may I briefly talk on certain positive issues that were highlighted in the President’s speech as regards infrastructure development. He indicated that since 2008, 40,435 kilometres of roads had been refurbished. Unfortunately, in certain provinces such as the Luapula Province, nothing tangible has ever been done other than the rehabilitation of the Tuta/Samfya/Mansa Road. For instance, last year and this year, K1.2 billion and K5 billion, respectively, was released for rural roads, but no tangible work has been done. Road maintenance equipment was provided, but since last year to date, our road maintenance equipment was, unfortunately, reported to be in the Northern Province and the money was either lying in banks or loaned to other provinces. This is very sad. 

Mr Speaker, I tend to wonder whether we, in Luapula, should be comfortable with such an arrangement as though we do not need these resources and the development. This is either as a result of what I may call poor administration, lack of seriousness or simply taking people for granted by those responsible for supervising the relevant officers. Therefore, such figures, as indicated, cannot be appreciated by the people in Luapula as long as they do not see anything happening in their province.

On page 29 of the President’s speech, it has been acknowledged that youths, who are the majority, must have their growth and development guided.

Mr Speaker, last year, over K30 billion was budgeted for and disbursed for youth empowerment, but no single constituency, if any, has benefited from it. How then are we going to address this facility with such attitudes of implementers who hold on to the moneys despite its release by the Government?

Mr Speaker, it is further worth noting that the Citizenship Economic Empowerment Fund is just a preserve of a few individuals and provinces. The Luapula and Western provinces, for instance, are tail-enders in terms of the number of beneficiaries. Less than K1 billion out of a possible or over K20 billion has been disbursed to the Luapula Province whilst other provinces have received far beyond their allocations.

Mr Speaker, still on the issue of poverty reduction, three months before the close of the financial year, …

Mrs Musokotwane: Hear, hear!

Mr Chongo: …the 2010 CDF has not yet been released. How does this Government expect poverty to be reduced …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chongo: … because the CDF is a facility intended for poverty reduction?

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

Mr Chongo: Mr Speaker, these few issues I have highlighted show why despite good and well-intended policy directions, our people will always live in abject poverty. This is so because the implementation aspect is not effectively addressed. It is not enough to come up with good policy direction when no serious monitoring and evaluation for implementation of projects is made. This may create such desperation in our people that they would even give the mandate to people with no leadership credibility.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Speaker: This is a very bad start to the commencement of the last Session of the term. 

Hon. Members, I emphasise that this has been a very bad beginning for the last Session of your five-year term of office. At 1630 hours, there were only twenty-eight of you in the Chamber. There are supposed to be 158 of you in the Chamber and 159, including, I in the Chair, but there were only twenty-eight. Do your simple arithmetic. Where were the rest? Three minutes have gone by and if you multiply that by the number of hon. Members of Parliament who were late, you will see how many man or woman hours have been wasted this afternoon. 

Mr Chongo: Mr Speaker, I was saying that it is imperative that such good policies are backed by effective implementation by those charged with the mandate to do so.

Mr Speaker, let me refer to some comments from some sections of society to the President’s speech. Some have argued that President Rupiah Banda is riding on the success of the late President, Dr Mwanawasa, and yet he has rejected his predecessor’s legacy. If I may ask, is there a better way to continue a legacy than to achieve the objectives the late President aspired for? I tend to think that if Dr Mwanawasa, SC. were to look back, he would be very happy to see that what he started has been achieved. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chongo: The late President worked hard to ensure that the Lumwana Mine in the North-Western Province became operational for the benefit of the people in the area and the nation at large. It is indisputable that this project was started before he became Head of State, but he continued with it and was praised for completing it. Therefore, people should also praise the Government for continuing projects that have recently been completed.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chongo: Whenever there is a change of regime, there is no need to abandon programmes just because new leaders want to start projects of their own. There is a need to continue Government programmes that are beneficial to the people. It is, therefore, my wish that the Government should not be discouraged with negative sentiments on recent achievements, but be alive to credible criticism, even from donors. I am happy that the President commended donors for being there for Zambia, dispelling media reports that this Government does not appreciate them.

Mr Speaker, having been challenged by the President that each one of us must prepare for the coming elections, I want to assure him that the people of Mwense and I have always been ready. 

Laughter

Mr Chongo: However, the challenge for everybody, in particular the Government and Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), is to ensure that those appointed as electoral officers, who are the referees, remain non-partisan. There is overwhelming evidence that many of these officers are conniving with politicians and political parties to disadvantage some players, right from voter registration to the election time. I, therefore, urge the Government and the ECZ to be alert as they may be surprised and shocked at the turn of events. So, whilst the physical trainers are doing their job, there is a need to keep an eye on the running track as the playing field may be rough and, therefore, rendering the exercise futile.

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

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mooya (Moomba): Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to comment on the speech by the Republican President. I have only two comments to make. The first one is on the issue raised by the seconder of the Motion regarding the 40,435 kilometres of roads refurbished by the Government. Pardon me, but I fail to understand how this can be achieved in two years, from 2008 to 2010. This is not in line with the National Transport Policy which gave birth to the Road Sector Investment Programme (ROADSIP) phases I and II. ROADSIP I took five years to undertake, that is, from 1998 to 2003. 

Currently, RAODSIP II is still being undertaken. It started in 2004 and is supposed to end in 2013, but I do not see this being accomplished. Hence, there is a need for an explanation on how it is possible to refurbish a length of 40,435 kilometres in two years. ROADSIP I and II have taken fifteen years now, but are not yet complete. Maybe, I do not understand the meaning of refurbishing a road network and, therefore, I need a detailed answer as the hon. Minister comes to reply to my comments. I am simply saying that it is not possible to rehabilitate 40,435 kilometres of road in less than two years.

Mr Muntanga: It is a lie.

Mr Speaker: Order! You will stand up and withdraw that word.

Mr Muntanga hesitated.

Mr Speaker: You said, “It is a lie”. You stand up and withdraw the word ‘lie’ right now.

Mr Muntanga: I withdraw the word, Mr Speaker.

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

Mr Mooya: Sir, still on the same subject, I think on page 5 of the President’s speech, there is mention of upgrading of roads and one of them is the well-known Mutanda/Zambezi/Chavuma Road.  I was reading the Sunday Mail newspaper of the 19th September, 2010 and it was stated that already three contractors had been given contracts for this road and a fourth one was soon to be included. I was also happy to read that each contractor had been given two years to complete a stretch of about seventy-five to eighty kilometres. To me, this makes sense. This is unlike four months ago, when somebody advised our Republican President wrongly that come December, this year, the works on the Mutanda/Zambezi/Chavuma Road would have been completed. I think the advice we give to our President should make sense. If I recall clearly, some time back, I asked whether this was practical on a Radio Phoenix Programme. We should be realistic and give him accurate information, otherwise we will end up not believing what is said by the President. 

Mr Speaker, my second concern is on the same page. It is the paragraph which talks about economic growth being driven by the mining, agriculture, tourism and construction sectors. 

Mr Speaker, to zero in on the construction sector, about four months ago, we were told by the National Council for Construction that the sector was growing at 18 per cent. What I would like to emphasise here is that we should be very careful and not be wasteful when carrying out construction works. I say so because some of the projects that are funded by the Government are always behind schedule. I can give an example of the Choma/Namwala Road. A lot of money has been spent on this road. When construction started almost thirteen years ago, it was valued at about K30 billion. By the time it was commissioned, if I am not mistaken, a few weeks ago, it was at a cost of K167 billion. K130 billion, if my arithmetic is correct, is a huge loss.

Mr Speaker, we may think that the economy is growing, and yet it is not. As an engineer, I would not be proud of making a loss of K130 billion on a project that is supposed to take three years, but ends up taking thirteen or fourteen years. That K130 billion was supposed to be invested elsewhere. So, there is a need to improve in this area.

Whilst on construction, let me make an appeal, once more, that we should not leave all construction works to foreign firms. When your Committee visited Lufwanyama a few months ago, I was shocked to find a Chinese firm building a three bed-roomed low cost house when that can easily be done by an indigenous contractor …

Hon. Members: Indigenous.

Mr Mooya: Pardon me, I am Tonga.

Therefore, we may think that the construction sector is also growing the economy when it is being run by foreigners. We know that when a foreign firm carries out construction works, most of the money is externalised. It does not circulate in the country.

Therefore, I am appealing to the Government to come up with a policy on construction projects. Instead of condemning our own contractors, let us find a solution to this. We know that to every problem, there is a solution. So, let us rely on our Zambian contractors. 

These are the only comments I wanted to make.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chimbaka (Bahati): Mr Speaker, I thank you for affording me an opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address on the Opening of the Fifth Session of the Tenth National Assembly on Friday, last week.

Mr Speaker, first and foremost, I want to thank His Excellency the Republican President, Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda, for his informative and factual speech delivered to the people of Zambia through Parliament last week.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: Mr Speaker, gone are the days when the people of Zambia listened to empty speeches which did not benefit them much. This speech contains facts in terms of political development.

Interruptions

Mr Chimbaka: Facts in terms of infrastructure development. As a true representative of the people of Bahati, I am not ashamed to state that this is one of the most wonderful and best speeches of the century.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: For example, if you went to Bahati Constituency in particular, you would find the people there listening to the radio, thanks to you, Sir. As I am speaking, they are able to listen and assess whether I am representing them effectively and factually.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: Thirteen schools have been constructed since I became an hon. Member of Parliament for Bahati. I can attest that, in Bahati Constituency and Musaila in particular, there is a newly-constructed clinic and staff houses are being constructed at the moment. These are a few of the developmental programmes the Government has engaged in. There is no way I can lie and condemn the right thing.

The Government has done very well in the area of health. It has completed the construction of Mansa General Hospital which had stalled for a long time. This is an achievement to the people of Luapula Province and Bahati in particular. They are happy about this and are urging the Government to go a mile further by sending more doctors there. That is the message I am conveying to the Government of the Republic of Zambia from Bahati. The people there are saying that you have done well in constructing a hospital in Milenge and all they are asking for are doctors so that the provision of health services can be complete.

Mr Speaker, the airport in Mansa was completely dilapidated and aeroplanes had stopped landing on that airport. However, I am proud to report that the construction of a new terminus is being completed and planes fly into the Luapula Province every Friday and Tuesday.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: This is something I am very proud about because the people have seen that the Government is doing something in their province. As a result, tourists can fly into Mansa from Serenje and Tuta at a cost of K450,000 as opposed to driving a distance of about 900 km. There are many people going to Luapula to develop the mines and tourism, which has the potential to grow the economy of Luapula and Zambia at large.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: It is for this reason that I want to urge the Government to let the developments that are taking place in the Northern Province to be replicated in Luapula since Luapula is part of the Northern Circuit. 

Mr Speaker, as you are aware, Luapula has beautiful sandy beaches that compare only to those of Mauritius. Our sand beaches are far better than those of the Kariba Lake Bank, Siavonga and even Lake Tanganyika. I have been to these places and can confidently say that our beaches are far more beautiful with peaceful waters and the people are also paeceful and hospitable. 

Laughter

Mr Chimbaka: The Government should replicate the development taking place in the Northern Circuit in Luapula.

Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, is this person debating in order …

Mr Speaker: Order! 

What did you say?

Hon. Member: Hon. Member!

Mr Muntanga: Is the hon. Member in order to mislead the Zambian people by saying that the Kariba North Bank is a beach when it is a power station? 

Laughter

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Bahati has heard for himself that informative point of order. 

May he continue.

Mr Chimbaka: I thank you, Mr Speaker. I know Hon. Muntanga is one of the gallant debaters. He enjoys my debate and I beat him clean. 

Laughter

Mr Chimbaka: I meant the banks of Lake Kariba or the shore in other words. A lake has a bank or a shore. I am a teacher.

Laughter

Hon. Member: Teach us!

Mr Chimbaka: In case you did not know, a lake shore can be a lake bank or a river bank.

Laughter

Mr Chimbaka: I was saying that the people of the Luapula Province are grateful to the Government for developing the Northern Circuit as well as Livingstone into an international cultural village. They are also grateful for all the beautiful things that are in Siavonga. However, the Government should consider the shores of Lakes Bangweulu and Mweru. The potential in these areas can only be equated to that of the shores of Mauritius. 

Mr Speaker, you have been there and have seen these things. I passionately and truthfully speak for the people of Luapula. They want development to be balanced. 

Mr Speaker, let me talk about the road infrastructure in the Luapula Province. Hon. Chongo, the Member of Parliament for Mwense, who is famous in his constituency, has mentioned the cry of the people to have good road infrastructure. It is commendable that the Government has worked on the Mutanda/Chavuma Road, the Namwala/Chitondo Road and the Isoka/Lundazi Road. After all this is one Zambia, one nation. The people are very happy and that is a beautiful thing. However, let the Government know that the people of the Luapula Province are waiting to have the opportunity to commend the Government for tarring the Pedicle Road which is a short distance of 78 km. 

The Government must move in that direction because it is the Government for the people of Luapula as well. 

The people of this province are grateful that the stretch between Kasama and Luwingu has been worked on. I was in Kasama with you, hon. Member, and travelled on the road up to the point where the contractors were working and the fact is that the Luwingu/Kasama Road will be completed up to bitumen level. What is stopping the Government from extending these works into Mansa?

 Mr Speaker, for your information, that road is an ancient one that has seen the development of the Northern Circuit since time immemorial. It is on that road that the Central African Road Services (CARS) and Contract Haulage transported people and goods from East Africa on to the Copperbelt through to the midlands and southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Why procrastinate the development of that road? The road needs to be rehabilitated the same way the Kasama/Luwingu Road is. That is the uncontroversial, but passionate appeal of the people of the Luapula Province. 

Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: Mr Speaker, the people of the Luapula Province are grateful for the development in the mining sector and for the hon. Ministers who have visited the area. However, they have seen tonnes of manganese being transported from Luapula through Serenje to Dar-e-salaam. They are wondering whether the Government shall allow a situation where they are robbed of the mineral resource without considering a way of adding value to it and introducing credible and serious investors to develop huge mines.

Mr Speaker, if it is a question of power, it is easy for the Government to connect Mansa to Mufulira at a minimal cost. With adequate power, the manufacturing industry will flourish. It will be costly and time consuming to connect to Kasama. The shortest way is to connect Mansa to Mufulira. That is the message from the people of Luapula.

Mr Speaker, in terms of agriculture, Luapula is renowned for fishing and the people are very proud of that.

Mr Chongo: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: After all, Jesus also had fishermen as fishers of men.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: However, gone are the days when people believed that the people of Luapula only knew how to catch fish. We are also very good farmers. We also want to go into livestock farming, but there is a hindrance. 

We are grateful to the Government for introducing the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development. However, this ministry does not have Treasury authority at all. How then are we going to address the issues of animal stocking and fisheries development? It is time the Government considered giving Treasury authority to the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development so that it can employ its own human resource to propel development. 

Mr Speaker, when I first came to this House, I heard people proudly say how they returned K900 billion to the Treasury. I laughed at this. Was the purpose of Parliament to approve the Budget and only have the money returned to the Treasury? At the moment, I can proudly say that the current Government of Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda has changed this by ensuring that all the money trickles down to the lowest levels.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: Mr Speaker, the people who stand on weaker ground are politically shaken. They have even failed to comment that the speech is hollow. All they are saying is that this is continuity. Of course, it is continuity because that is the MMD manifesto.

Laughter

Mr Chimbaka: It is the MMD manifesto at work.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Luapula Province is faced with a serious challenge of accommodation.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: Mr Speaker, I posed a question on the Floor of the House and the then hon. Minister of Home Affairs said preparations were underway to construct 200 houses for police officers in Mansa. To date, nothing has been done.

    The chief allocated land and the police officers were ready for the works while the community was happy with the move. Whichever hon. Minister is responsible for this should take this as a good reminder and must go an extra mile to ensure that our police officers in Luapula are well accommodated. Mansa District is prone to crime because it is a hive of activities. People from Kaputa, Mporokoso, Chilubi, Mwense and Congo come to Mansa. Therefore, we must provide sufficiently for law and order. This can only be done by providing good accommodation for police officers such that they are not threatened with eviction notices when they fail to pay their rentals. This is very important especially that we are entering a very crucial year, 2011.  By the way, for some of us, this may be our last session because we may not be re-elected. I know that we are all going back for re-examination …

Laughter

Mr Chimbaka: … and we shall reap what we have sown, whether good or bad.

Laughter

Mr Chimbaka: Yes! That is the truth and I am not scared.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: Mr Speaker, finally, I would like to passionately appeal to the people of Zambia to be wary of what they read and see in the media because a good number of people are excited and want to fan violence. They want to set this country ablaze. It is very easy to fan trouble or start a war, but very difficult to end it. The question I ask is, what can stop Hon. Lubinda from fighting Hon. Chimbaka in his home if he was provoked by him? There is no guarantee that those who preach violence shall escape it. Violence can backfire on anybody. 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: As legislators, we shall be honourable if we do not fan violence. As good leaders, let us preach the message that Zambia is one and can only develop as one regardless of its people’s different political affiliations. That message is very important because it will make us have clean hands even if we are not re-elected back to this House. The people will say that we were good leaders who represented them well and will pray that God assists us other than being told that we fanned violence.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Any further debate?

Now, hear this, all of you. On Friday, the reason given for adjourning the House to today was to give the hon. Members time to study the Presidential Address so that, by today, you would be fully equipped to debate the Motion ferociously. What I see here beats expectations. It is far below expectation. Yet, I noticed, maybe, you did not, one very interesting, but common phenomenon. As soon as the House adjourned last Friday, a number of the hon. Members of the House made a beeline for any radio station they could reach very quickly …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: …. and said a lot of things about what was contained or not in the address. Some rushed for the nearest or even the farthest television station they could find …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … and I saw what they said regarding what the Presidential Address contained or did not. Look at the daily papers of Saturday, Monday and even today, Tuesday, what some of you said did contain or did not. I was hopeful because that was a sign of an exciting debate today. Alas! 

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Only two hon. Members have come equipped to debate this Motion today. 

Let me remind you. Earlier this afternoon, one of the announcements I made referred to the fact that one of the reasons an hon. Member of Parliament may vacate his or her seat was if or when he or she was adjudged or declared bankrupt. Are you following me?

Hon. Members: Yes!

Mr Speaker: Bankrupt! 

Laughter

Mr Speaker: In this House, that word would be unparliamentary if applied to any of you here, …

Laugher

Mr Speaker: … but if any one would sneak it in this House, this afternoon, then only two hon. Members would escape the boot, …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … but that word is unparliamentary. It does not apply. 

I expect all of you to be ready tomorrow and spring into action to indicate that you are ready to debate …

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: … and seriously …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … not any other way. Under the circumstances, I shall ask His Honour the Vice-President to move a Motion to adjourn the House.

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 1714 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 22nd September, 2010.