DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE TENTH ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 3rd August, 2010

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

______

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER

ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE

Madam Deputy Speaker: I have received communication to the effect that, in the absence of His Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Justice, who is attending to other national duties, Hon. Dr Kalombo T. Mwansa, MP, Minister of Defence, has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House, today, Tuesday, 3rd August, 2010.

Thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

________

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

IMPLEMENTATION OF K5 BILLION GRANT FOR THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

The Minister of Gender and Women in Development (Ms Sayifwanda): Madam Speaker, I wish to thank you for availing me this opportunity to inform the nation, through this august House, on the implementation of the K5 billion which this House approved in this year’s Budget as a grant for women empowerment.

Madam Speaker, to this extent, I wish to applaud hon. Members of this august House for approving more funds in this year’s Budget.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam, out of the money which was approved, my office has set aside money for the purposes of providing grants to assist women entrepreneurs start up or improve their businesses. In order to guide the disbursements, my office has developed guidelines and application forms. I will lay the sample of the guidelines on the Table.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam, the guidelines and application forms have been distributed to the district gender focal points through the Provincial Permanent Secretaries’ offices. 

Furthermore, a public announcement in the Zambia Daily Mail of 28th and 30th June, 2010 was made to inform would-be-beneficiaries on the modalities of accessing these funds. District offices are encouraged to inform others by the use of local radio stations where they are based. For the sake of this statement, I wish to repeat that the Gender in Development Division (GIDD), through the Provincial Permanent Secretaries and district gender focal points, will receive application forms from eligible women and women organisations, select viable projects and supervise their implementation.

Madam Speaker, I want to emphasise that the selection of the projects to be funded will be conducted at district level and the successful applications will be forwarded to GIDD for funding based on the available resources. However, that only applies to grants.

Madam, in order to ensure that the grants are utilised efficiently, my office is also facilitating entrepreneurship training for women from resources which have been provided by the co-operating partners through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Madam Speaker, apart from the grants, my office is interested in economic empowerment of women in a much sustainable manner through productive assets and technology. In this regard, my office has procured 150 hammer mills for women groups in the country for all constituencies.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam, once again, my office is working with the provincial and district administrative offices to identify the beneficiaries of the hammer mills.

Hon. Opposition Members: No!

Ms Sayifwanda: Therefore, I am requesting hon. Members to get in touch with the various district commissioners to access the items …

Interruptions

Ms Sayifwanda: … because every constituency is supposed to benefit.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Sayifwanda: Therefore, hon. Members of Parliament should get in touch with district commissioners in various districts.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, allow me too, to point out that the beneficiaries will be provided with training on the operations and maintenance of this equipment by the manufacturers of the mills.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Ms Sayifwanda: The women groups will be expected to meet the cost of repairs and maintenance of the hammer mills.

It is important to point out that the hammer mills are meant to generate funds for the members of these beneficiary groups. Therefore, to avoid past experiences of Government donations being abused, the district administrative officers have been appointed as gender focal points at district level by the Secretary to the Cabinet.

Hon. Opposition Members: No.

Ms Sayifwanda: They have now been provided with a budget from GIDD to supervise the gender projects and this is one such project would want to be adequately supervised by the district officials and hon. Members.

Interruptions

Ms Sayifwanda: We believe this will ensure that the beneficiaries attach value to the hammer mills.

Madam Speaker, my office is also in the process of procuring 150 pairs of family drip irrigation systems and treadle pumps for distribution to women groups in the country.

Madam, women in rural areas have a heavy workload …

Interruptions

Ms Sayifwanda: … as they perform both household and non-household …

Interruptions

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

Let hon. Members listen to the statement. Continue, hon. Minister.

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, I thank you.

I was saying that women in rural areas have a heavy workload as they perform both household and non-household activities in ensuring household food security. Targeting women in this manner will increase productivity and enhance their welfare and empowerment. Therefore, the Government is introducing the above interventions to ensure that women have access to labour serving technology, especially the female headed households who are involved in farming. 

Madam Speaker, the treadle pump, as the hon. Members may already be aware, is a human-powered pump designed to lift water from a depth of 7 m or less. This will help free the women farmers from the limitations of the rain fed farming and raise their capacity to grow crops in both winter and summer. The technology is gender friendly as the pump can easily be operated by women, girls and boys.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the ministerial statement given by the hon. Minister of Gender and Women in Development.

Mrs Sinyangwe (Matero): Madam Speaker, if the hon. Minister is giving one hammer mill per constituency, I would like to know what has been so difficult about giving this task to hon. Members of Parliament who know their people better than the district commissioners.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, the reason behind this is very simple. As a Government, we operate with a system. We already have structures on the ground. Therefore, it is very important that we utilise the structures that we have put in place as a Government and as a Zambian community. I would also want to mention that hon. Members of Parliament who have transport are free to come and collect these hammer mills from GIDD. As long as there is that transparency, those women groups have to start being recognised by the district commissioners in various districts.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mrs Musokotwane (Katombola): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Gender and Women in Development is very much aware that from Parliament, hon. Members go to the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) and, for instance, those of us who come from Kazungula may not have the time to get to where the district commissioners are. Therefore, is it possible for the hon. Minister to bring a copy of the guidelines and the set of forms to each hon. Member of Parliament so that we familiarise ourselves with these things before we go to our various constituencies.

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, these forms are already with the district commissioners.

Interruptions

Ms Sayifwanda: I mentioned that I am going to lay a sample on the Table for the hon. Members of Parliament to see and there is no harm in them coming to GIDD to collect some copies. 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.{mospagebreak}

Ms Kapata (Mandevu): Madam Speaker, other than the 150 hammer mills and treadle pumps, how much is apportioned for clubs per constituency and how many clubs are going to be accommodated in each constituency?

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, that figure will be determined by the demand from the constituencies. Of course, hon. Members are aware that the money available is K5 billion from which the amount for the hammer mills has already been deducted. Therefore, since the recipients of this money are groups of women whose standards of living we want to uplift, the amount can only be ascertained when the districts identify the groups to be trained. This is because after training, then we give them small grants to start up or continue with their businesses. Therefore, the amount apportioned and the number of clubs to be accommodated is determined by the demand out there.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Shakafuswa (Katuba): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister rightly said that Government structures would be used. However, is the hon. Minister aware that offices of hon. Members of Parliament are actually Government structures which are even more decentralised than districts which have to go into constituencies? Is she not considering that hon. Members of Parliament have got a better way of distributing these since they are the ones who run the clubs at constituency levels and are on the ground than the district commissioners?

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, indeed, what the hon. Member of Parliament has said is true, but logistics are also being looked at. Actually, all the offices do not have transport. That is why, at the moment, we are relying on the district commissioners, who have the transport, to transport these hammer mills. 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Lumba (Solwezi Central): Madam Speaker, I am a little worried because some constituencies are very wide and big. Therefore, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister the criteria used to place a hammer mill at some point and how many women are projected to benefit from one hammer mil in a constituency?

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, the hon. Members are aware of the amount that was allocated to GIDD in this year’s Budget. Definitely, this is just the beginning.

Interruptions

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam, I hope that whatever little we have provided will go a long way as long as hon. Members are there to encourage the womenfolk in their constituencies to work hard. We are trying to discourage what has been happening in the past where grants have been poured in this nation, but only to be used from hand to mouth. We want to see women and men get involved in real issues and also develop this country.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Colonel Chanda (Kanyama): Madam Speaker, previous programmes have failed. We had a similar programme which was routed through the district administrator and failed. Why can the Government not learn from that experience and listen to the hon. Members’ of Parliament suggestion on the need for them to be the ones to take charge of the distribution. 

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! 

You are debating.

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, GIDD has put that policy in place. I have also stated that the division will make sure that supervision is available. Why can the hon. Members also not trust that this is going to be viable?

Thank you, Madam.

Mr Muyanda (Sinazongwe): Madam Speaker, may I know how these hammer mills will be distributed in areas which serve as a constituency and a district at the same time? How will this institutionalised form of corruption materialise?

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, I believe that every constituency has only one hon. Member of Parliament. Therefore, if a district houses only one constituency, it is manned by one hon. Member of Parliament who will  …

Interruption

Ms Sayifwanda: … identify the group to benefit.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister suggested that hon. Members of Parliament should go to her ministry to get the guidelines instead of her ministry bringing them to this House for distribution. Is the hon. Minister aware that it will cost much more for each hon. Member to go to her ministry rather than her bringing 150 forms in one envelope for distribution to hon. Members of Parliament? Why is she being rigid on this matter?

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, in my statement, I mentioned that the forms are already with the district commissioners (DCs) in the various districts. However, if this House wants me to make copies of this form and bring them here for distribution, there is no harm. I can always do that. 

I thank you, Madam.

Laughter

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Chimbaka (Bahati): Madam Speaker, at last, I have caught your eye.

Laughter 

Mr Chimbaka: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said training will be provided to the would-be recipients of these hammer mills. I would like know whether this training will be extended to women’s groups in Bahati Constituency where already my office, through the council, has distributed sixteen hammer mills.  

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, I would like to inform this august House …

Interruptions

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, I thank you for your protection.

Madam, the Permanent Secretary wrote to all the provinces to submit lists of women who are supposed to be trained in the districts. So far, only a few provinces have submitted these lists. I would like to take this opportunity to inform the nation, through this august House, that the provinces that have not yet submitted should do this immediately. We are still waiting; our doors are still open and we will attend to these people. I cannot, however, confirm that Bahati Constituency will be included in this training.  

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Ngoma (Sinda): Madam Speaker, let us suppose 100 women’s groups applied, what criterion has been put in place to decide on which women’s group to benefit from this distribution? 

Secondly, why are hon. Members of Parliament being involved at this late hour?

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! 

One question only. 

Mr Ngoma: Madam Speaker, why are hon. Members of Parliament being involved at this ….

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! 

You have already asked your question.

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, this is why we have asked hon. Members of Parliament to work hand-in-hand with the DCs so that they can come up with beneficiaries of this training. 

Madam Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Mukanga (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, earlier on, the hon. Minister assured this House that the hammer mills would be distributed through hon. Members of Parliament. What has prompted her to change this policy and include DCs?

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, I am wondering why we are afraid of the DCs. 

Interruptions

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, DCs are there to man district affairs. They are there on behalf of the Office of the President. I am wondering why hon. Members shun the offices of DCs. There are other assignments from other ministries that go through the same channel. What is our fear? 

Madam Speaker, I have also stated that those with transport can collect the hammer mills from the Ministry of Gender and Women in Development. There is no harm in this. 

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Sichamba (Isoka West): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why she has involved hon. Members of Parliament at this late hour instead of involving them much earlier than this. 

 Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, this question comes as a surprise because this is not the first time I am talking about hammer mills and treadle pumps in this House.  

Madam Speaker, I mentioned some two weeks ago that I had just received some funds. What did the hon. Members expect me to do? What would have happened had I engaged them earlier only to receive the money in September? I feel that this is the best time for me to inform the hon. Members of Parliament. I know that they are happy. Therefore, they should just go and get their hammer mills. 

I thank you, Madam.

Laughter 

Mr Chanda (Kankoyo): Madam Speaker, hammer mills have been distributed before and most of them are just lying obsolete. I would like to know if this is an indirect way of asking hon. Members of Parliament to support this project by using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Laughter 

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, I do not exactly follow the hon. Member’s question. I stated that the beneficiaries will be trained on how to handle these hammer mills by the supplier.
 
Madam Speaker, may I also mention that previously, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services used to distribute hammer mills. However, because there were no guidelines from the ministries, some chairpersons and leaders personalised these items. This is what we are trying to avoid. 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what prompted the change from the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, which has been dealing with women’s clubs at the district level and the councils which have been responsible for registering clubs to DCs, who have no direct link to women. 

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, the change is simply because of the Government programme and policies. This is definitely what we are going to follow. 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Simuusa (Nchanga): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minster said that only one group will benefit from the revenue realised from the hammer mill. I would like to know how much revenue will be collected and who will have access to that money so that all our people can benefit.

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, I cannot start speculating where the revenues will be realised from until when they start using those hammer mills. The beneficiaries will know how much they are supposed to realise per week or per month.

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisala (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, the distribution of hammer mills by the DCs has been widely rejected by most hon. Members of this august House. That being the case, is the hon. Minister considering redefining the guidelines pertaining to the matter?

 Interruptions

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members! You do not shout across the Floor. That is not allowed, hon. Members.

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, I cannot see any reason the former DC …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Sayifwanda: … who was running the Government policies should come to this House today and start undermining other DCs  who have remained out there.

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, the DCs are part of this Government. Therefore, we will make sure that we utilise them.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government: Hear, hear!

Mr Ntundu (Gwembe): Madam Speaker, most often, the Government Ministers give very good statements on the Floor of the House.

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! Ask your question on a point of clarification.

Mr Ntundu: Madam Speaker, as the time is only 1500 hours, can I send my driver, who is already outside with my van, to go and pick up the hammer mill? 

 Laughter

Madam Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member must ask a question that can reasonably be responded to. The hon. Member has asked his question.

_______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

NDOLA GIRLS’ TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

611. Mr Chisala (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Education how much money was spent on the construction of the Ndola Girls’ Technical High School.

The Deputy Minister of Education (Mr Sinyinda): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that a total of US $4,708,048.12, which is equivalent to K23,304,838.194, as per today’s rate, was spent on the construction of the Ndola Girls’ Technical High School.

I thank you, Madam Speaker

Mr Chisala: Madam Speaker, there is a general belief in this country that the resources of the country should be distributed equally. That being the case, is the Government considering building similar secondary schools in each of the seventy-two districts of this country?

Mr Sinyinda: Madam Speaker, we are doing almost what the hon. Member is saying in the sense that we are building similar schools in each and every province of our country. This will cost about K23 billion for girls in all our provinces. Therefore, I would like to assure the hon. Member that we are doing exactly what he is asking about.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mukanga (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out what mechanism has been put in place to ensure that planned maintenance is carried out on these buildings since the Government spends a lot money for us to maintain high standards.

Mr Sinyinda: Madam Speaker, I am sure the hon. Members knows that it is our policy and we have put everything in place at each and every school. It is this Government’s policy that there be preventive maintenance at each and every school. Therefore, we are doing exactly that.

 I thank Madam Speaker.

Mr Chazanga (Choma Central): Madam Speaker, since the Government spends a lot of money on food supplies, could this hardworking hon. Minister tell this House whether when constructing such big high schools with a lot of children, the Government considers setting aside land for teachers and pupils to grow crops to supplement it’s efforts instead of depending on the food suppliers whom the Government later on fails to pay. 

Mr Sinyinda: Madam Speaker, we want to work with the community in that respect. I am happy to report that all our communities that have given us some land on which to build schools have given us large pieces of land. The schools will be able to grow something. Therefore, I am happy to report that, in fact, that is what is actually happening on the ground. 

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

MARRIED FEMALE TEACHERS’ TRANSFERS

612. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Education how many married female teachers were transferred from their first appointment stations in Northern Province to other stations before the end of the recommended two-year period.

Mr Sinyinda: Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that there were no married female teachers who transferred from their first appointment stations in the Northern Province to other stations outside the province. However, five female married teachers were transferred within the province.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chisala: Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister explain why teachers some teachers were posted away from their husbands on first appointment in the wake of high prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS.

Laughter

Mr Sinyinda: Madam Speaker, as the House may be aware, we are attending to such matters. I also wish to inform this House that the policy of this Government is that because of the shortage of teachers, especially in remote areas, we experience a situation where some female teachers purport to be married, and yet they are not married.

Madam Speaker, as the House may be aware, rural schools are more disadvantaged in the sense that there are very few female teachers who would like to go there. Therefore, we are trying to give a mandatory two-year stay at those schools and, thereafter, the married teachers can join their husbands. Therefore, we are attending to that issue.

I thank you, Madam Speaker. 

Mr Simuusa: Madam Speaker, is the Government considering increasing the remote/rural hardship allowance which is paid to teachers in the rural areas instead of putting such a strain on families?

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! That question sounds different from the transfers.

Mr Chota: Madam Speaker, from the hon. Minsiter‘s answer, has the the female headmaster in Bahati been transferred because her husband is standing for local government elections?

 Laughter

The Minister of Education (Ms Siliya): Madam Speaker, the policy in the ministry with regard to transfers is very clear. Teachers are transferred once they have served for two years irrespective of their marital, political or other status.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ntundu (Gwembe): Madam Speaker, I would like to know what the Government’s policy is in instances where all male teachers at a school are married to their fellow female teachers, but …

Laughter

Mr Ntundu: … the services of some of the female teachers are not needed.

Madam Deputy Speaker: If the hon. Minister has understood the question, she can answer it.

Laughter

Ms Siliya: Madam Speaker, when we advertise for teaching positions, we look for teachers whether they are male, female, married or not. The Government is not in the habit of involving itself in personal matters of teachers. If we transferred teachers because of their marital status, then what would really be the limit? Then the Government will go as far as telling people how many children they should have or when they should have them. So, truly, the Government’s responsibility is to provide people with an opportunity for employment wherever that employment exists whether in the rural or urban areas.

When people come to look for employment as teachers, we ask them to tell us where they want to be deployed. They will say they want to be deployed in Shang’ombo or Chipata, for instance. After two years, they are entitled to come back and ask to be moved elsewhere not necessarily because they are married or have gotten married.

In every life setting, there are situations where you have to consider a transfer even before the two-year transfer period lapses because of medical or other problems. This has actually happened in some areas. The point is that we are not interested in one’s marital status. We are only interested in giving people an opportunity to become teachers in the Government of the Republic of Zambia.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mrs Musokotwane (Katombola): Madam Speaker, while the ministry is not interested in the marital status of teachers, is it possible to make the two-year transfer period mandatory for men as well so that they can also be transferred to join their spouses. At the moment, it is just the women who go to join their spouses. Is it possible for the men to also join their spouses? 

Ms Siliya: Madam Speaker, I think that is exactly what my answer was trying to state. The two-year transfer period applies to all teachers, whether female or male.

I have also noticed that it is usually the female teachers who request for transfers on the basis that they are married. Truly, it does not stop the male teachers from requesting for transfers to go and join their wives who probably have better jobs in other towns. Our consideration is that one is a teacher, whether male or female.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Dr Scott (Lusaka Central): Madam Speaker, can we have clarification on the earlier question and answer. The question concerns a certain Mrs Mwaba who was teaching in Mansa whose husband was nominated as a Patriotic Front (PF) candidate for the ward election upon which she was promptly transferred out of Mansa. Can we have the hon. Minister’s word that the transfer was automatic by the two year rule and was in no way influenced by what the husband was up to?

Madam Deputy Speaker: That sounds very personal. We may not discuss an individual and start revealing issues about that particular individual. She has the right to privacy in this matter.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo): Madam Speaker, what measures is the ministry taking to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS since it does not care about the marital status of people and can transfer men or women who are married from one province to another? What measures is the Government taking to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS since a married man or woman …

Madam Deputy Speaker: You have asked your question!

Laughter

Ms Siliya: Madam Speaker, firstly, I do not believe that if a husband and wife are living in the same house then they are guaranteed of not getting infected with HIV/AIDS.

Secondly, I wish to state that HIV/AIDS is a national problem. It is not only a problem of the Ministry of Education. I think the first point of call must be the household. It is not just married teachers who are separated by virtue of their jobs. Some of the hon. Members of Parliament are here in Lusaka while their spouses are out of Lusaka. So, I believe that, first of all, it is a family problem then it becomes a national problem and we have to address it from all those angles. However, families are entitled to make decisions that should enhance their livelihood and that of their children. If it means the wife finding a job in a neighbouring country or within Zambia, but in another town, that is a family decision. The responsibility of the Government is to make sure that we provide that opportunity for the teacher to get that employment to look after his or her family. Whether that job is in Shang’ombo, Kalomo or Petauke, the Government must provide it. Then the family must decide whether it wants the husband or wife to go and work in Petauke or Kalomo. Thereafter what will the implications on the family be? I think these are family issues that are best discussed at the family level.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

MWEWA POLICE STATION VEHICLE

613. Dr Chishya (Pambashe) asked the Minister of Home Affairs when the ministry would allocate a motor vehicle for operations to Mwewa Police Station in Chifunabuli Parliamentary Constituency.

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Lungu): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the ministry will allocate a motor vehicle to Mwewa Police Post for operations when resources to procure one will be made available. However, Samfya Police Station provides a motor vehicle for operations when need arises.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Laughter

Dr Chishya: Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister be specific since the provision of the motor vehicle was a promise by the former Inspector General (IG) of Police.

Mr Lungu: Madam Speaker, the answer is what I have given. I have not gone into details as to the promise that the former IG made. The answer is as I have given it.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Dr Machungwa (Luapula): Madam Speaker, in his answer, the hon. Minister has referred to Samfya Police Station which has transport that services those areas. Is he also willing to say that they have boats that can reach the Bangweulu wetlands in my constituency because I can say that they do not? What is he going to do about it?

Madam Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member is sneaking in a new question. The question refers to Mwewa.

Laughter

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, in response to the principle question, the hon. Minister said the vehicle would be made available when need arises in Mwewa. Realising that Chifunabuli Parliamentary Constituency is such a vast constituency, how does the hon. Minister intend to measure the need for the vehicle? Could I find out whether he has asked the hon. Member of Parliament for Chifunabuli …

Madam Deputy Speaker: Just ask one question, hon. Member!

Mr Lungu: Madam Speaker, I think this does not relate to the need for procurement of a motor vehicle. It relates to allocating a vehicle to Mwewa from Samfya when need arises. That is the issue.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Munaile (Malole): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Member whether, when resources are made available, the rural areas will be given priority since they face the same problem of lack of transport. 

Mr Lungu: Madam Speaker, the intention of the Government is to ensure that vehicles are provided to both rural and urban areas when they are needed. I also wish to take this opportunity to clarify that the question refers to Mwewa Police Post and not Mwewa Police Station.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mrs Musokotwane (Katombola): Madam Speaker, in his statement, the hon. Minister said a vehicle would be procured when funds are made available. As hon. Minister of the ministry, he should know when funds will be made available. So, I would like him to tell us when funds will be made available for purchasing a vehicle for Mwewa Police Post.

Mr Lungu: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs does not know when funds will be made available. The ministry requests for funds from the appropriate arm of Government and it is that arm of Government which will be able to indicate whether funds will be made available.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Ntundu: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that there are many serious cases pending at Mwewa Police Post on which the police needs to make a follow up, especially those involving murder and arson …

Laughter

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! 

Ask a question.

Mr Ntundu: I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether Mwewa Police Post should suspend investigations of the cases until the Government procures a vehicle.

Laughter

Mr Lungu: Madam Speaker that is a new question from the hon. Member. The question is on the allocation of a motor vehicle to Mwewa Police Post and not murder and arson cases.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

MPASHA WARD ASSISTANCE

614. Mr Chisala asked the Vice-President and Minister of Justice why the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) did not assist the victims of Mpasha Ward after their houses and crops were submerged in water despite receiving the report in 2008.

The Minister of Defence and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Dr Mwansa): Madam Speaker, the hon. Member may wish to know that any assistance to disaster victims is triggered by a rapid or in-depth vulnerability assessment conducted by the Zambia Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZVAC) which is chaired by the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in the office of the Vice- President.

The assessments, rapid or in-depth are a follow-up to reports received from district disaster management committees (DDMC), other structures or individuals. It is also important for hon. Members to know that primary response to cushion the impact of the hazard is also undertaken in some cases based on the report generated by the DDMC even before any rapid assessment is conducted.

The House may wish to know that, in 2008, the Zambia Vulnerability Assessment Committee carried out rapid and in-depth vulnerability and needs assessments in thirty-two and thirty-seven districts respectively and Chilubi District was not one of them, as no reports of floods or damage were received by the DMMU. Subsequently, Mpasha Ward in Chilubi District did not receive any assistance.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chisala: Madam Speaker, due to the prevalence of disasters in this country, is the Government considering decentralising the office of the DMMU?

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! 

The question was specific and, as such, the hon. Member should not open up the debate. We move to the next question. 

RURAL HEALTH CENTRE FUNDS

615. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    when monthly grants were last sent to the following rural health centres:

(i)    Santa Maria
(ii)    Chilubi
(iii)    Matipa
(iv)    Mayuka

(b)    when funds were last sent to the office of the district medical officer in Chilubi; and

(c)    how funds allocated to Santa Maria and Chilubi Health centres were utilised in November and December, 2009.

The Minister of Health (Mr Simbao): Madam Speaker, monthly grants were last sent to Santa Maria, Chilubi, Matipa and Mayuka Rural Health centres in June, 2010 as follows:

Health Centre                Grant (K)            

Santa Maria            9,969,277
Chilubi            4,695,001
Matipa            4,302,400
Mayuka            4,030,000

Madam Speaker, K159,429,000 was last sent to the district medical officer in Chilubi in June, 2010. Funds allocated to the two health centres, namely Santa Maria and Chilubi Health centres in November and December, 2009 were utilised as follows:

(i)    Santa Maria – K10,867,227
Construction of Pit latrines
Purchase of linen for the wards
Maintenance of water wells
Support to TBAs
Bought theatre materials
Painting of wards
Purchase of food for patients
Purchase of cleaning materials

(ii)    Chilubi – K14,210,990
Construction of mother’s shelters
Purchase of food for patients
Purchase of cleaning materials.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chisala: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the elaborate answer, but would like to know why patients at Santa Maria Health Centre, which is the first referral centre in the district, were fed only once per day despite the Government having released that amount of money.

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, it is difficult for me to answer that kind of question. What I know is that the ministry provided the money for enough food for patients. The only thing to do now is find out whether it is true the patients were getting a meal per day.

I thank you, Madam Speaker. 

CONSTRUCTION OF DOCTORS’ HOUSES 

616. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    why the construction of the doctors’ houses in Chilubi district has been delayed despite K300 million being allocated by the Government in 2009; and

(b)    why the house at Santa Maria Airstrip was not rehabilitated by the Zambia Flying Doctors Service.

The Government has, therefore, no plans to reinstate district messengers who were retired in national interest. However, if an officer who was retired on national interest upgrades his/her qualifications he/she can be re-engaged in the Public Service, though this is dependent on the availability of suitable vacant positions.

Madam Speaker, since 2000, a total of 2047 district messengers were affected by the restructuring exercise.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Chisala: Madam Speaker would the hon. Minister indicate why some of these retrenchees were not paid their benefits in full.

Dr Mwansa: Madam Speaker, under normal circumstances, retrenchees are paid immediately and are assisted to settle down through what is called a future search. If there are some that have not been paid, please, let us have the details and the matter can be followed up through Cabinet Office.

I thank you, Madam.

Mrs Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, I see many hon. Ministers with messengers carrying their bags and things like that, would these messengers be deployed to districts instead of carrying bags for hon. Ministers who do not need them.

Laughter

Dr Mwansa: Madam Speaker, I do not have one myself and I think many of my colleagues do not have messengers carrying their bags. However, there are certain ministries such as the Ministry of Local Government and Housing that are the portfolio owner of the messenger category of employees. Therefore, the ministry has that facility, but not that every other hon. Minister has got that facility.

I thank you, Madam.

POACHERS’ CONFISCATED FIREARMS

620. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Home Affairs how many firearms confiscated from poachers were surrendered to the Zambia Police Force by the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) from January, 2006 to April, 2010.

Mr Lungu: Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that seventy-five firearms confiscated from poachers were surrendered to the Zambia Police Force by ZAWA from January, 2006 to April, 2010 broken down as follows:

Year        No. Of Firearms Surrendered

2006    Nil

2007    Nil

2008    20

2009    Nil

2010    55

Total                75

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Chisala: Madam Speaker, would the hon. Minister state the total number of guns that have been auctioned since then.

Mr Lungu: Madam Speaker, I am not able to give an answer to that effect.

I thank you, Madam.

Dr Scott (Lusaka Central): Madam Speaker, has the hon. Minister any idea how many of the guns recently surrendered are non-functional muzzle-loaders that have been specifically manufactured so that they can be surrendered.

Mr Lungu: Madam Speaker, I am unable to give an answer to that question because I do not know the exact number.

I thank you, Madam.

THE NATIONAL REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT

621. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

(a)    when the Government would purchase motor vehicles for the National Registration Department in all districts countrywide; and

(b)    why the National Registration Department is understaffed in many districts.

Mr Lungu: Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Government will purchase motor vehicles for the National Registration Department in all districts countrywide when funds will be made available. In the meantime, all district registrar throughout the country are assisted with transport by the office of the Provincial Registrar when need arises.

The Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship is understaffed in many districts because the Ministry of Home Affairs has partially been restructured. Only sixty officers were employed in 2008 and another sixty in 2009 bringing the total to 120 officers employed as opposed to 278 officers. The issue of understaffing for the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship Office will be adequately addressed when enough funds are released to structure the Ministry of Home Affairs in totality. The approved staffing level is a minimum of five officers per district.

I thank you, Madam.

Madam Deputy Speaker: Can I request the hon. Members that are consulting so loudly that, if it is absolutely necessary, it is important that they do it outside and then come back or lower their voices because it becomes totally impossible to hear and concentrate on the hon. Member that is speaking.

Hon. Members, you can consult, but in very low tones so that you allow others to follow the work of the House. 

May the hon. Member for Chilubi, continue.

Mr Chisala: Madam Speaker, water transport is one issue that has been affecting the office in question in Chilubi District. I would like to know when the Office of the hon. Minister will dispatch a boat to Chilubi District for the same department.

Mr Lungu: Madam Speaker, I want to believe that when we make follow up questions, they must relate to the principal question because when you begin asking questions that do not do so, then you make it difficult for us to give reasoned answers.

I have not researched that new question.

I thank you, Madam.

Laughter

Madam Deputy Speaker: The Hon. Minister has given adequate guidance.

Laughter{mospagebreak}

AU ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION

622. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs how much money Zambia paid to the African Union (AU) as annual subscription fees in the following years:

(i)    2006;

(ii)    2007;

(iii)    2008

(iv)    2009; and

(v)    2010

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (Professor Phiri): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the following amounts were paid to the AU as annual subscription fees for the following years:

Years        Subscription Amount
(US$)

2006    310,186

2007    242,375

2008    468,840

2009    412,739

2010    491,760.17

Madam Speaker, in 2009 Zambia made an advance payment of US$40,860.42 towards the 2010 AU Budget, leaving a balance of US$450,699.75. This balance was expected to be paid before the July, 2010 AU Summit. However, we hope to clear the balance before the end of the year. 

The annual contributions that Zambia will have paid to the AU for the period between 2006 and 2010 will total US$1,925,901.17.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Chisala: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister, in his elaborate answer, has just indicated that the Government of the Republic of Zambia intends to settle the outstanding balance. I would like to know how soon how soon this will be done.
Professor Phiri: Madam Speaker, I stated, in the answer, that the Government hopes to clear the balance before the end of 2010.

I thank you, Madam.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Madam, could the hon. Minister indicate to this House what punitive measures are put in place against countries that fail to pay to the AU?

The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Pande): Madam Speaker, one of the punitive measures that are taken against countries that fail to pay is suspension. Secondly, a country can attend the AU Summit, but not participate in voting.

Thank you, madam.

Mr Chanda (Kankoyo): Madam, is there any interest accrued to the amount when a country defaults?

Mr Pande: Madam Speaker, yes, there is an interest that is added if a country defaults.

Thank you, Madam.

NCC EXPENDITURE

623. Mr Kambwili (Roan) asked the Vice-President and Minister of Justice how much money was spent on the activities of the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) as of 31st March, 2010.

The Deputy Minister of Justice (Mr Chilembo): Madam Speaker, as of 31st March, 2010, a total of K136, 879,094,624.83 was spent on the activities of the NCC from the time it started sitting on 19th December, 2007. The major activities have included the sittings of the conference and its committees, the broadcasting of the proceedings through radios and television and publication of various materials on the NCC in the print media. It is worth noting that money was spent on other activities, amongst which are, renting office and conference facilities, payment of allowances to members of the conference and at the Secretariat and running expenses. The details of funds released by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning expended on various activities on and taken by NCC year by year from 2007 are given as below:

Period                            Amount released
                                (K)

31st December, 2007                                12,821,811,482.00

1st January, 2008 to 31st December, 2008                              45,400,000,000.00

1st January, 2009 to 31st December, 2009                              49,890,909,091.00

1st January, 2010 to 31st March, 2010               28,766,374,051.83

Total                             136,879,094,624.83

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Kambwili: Madam, how much has been spent on sitting allowances for members out of the K176 billion?

Mr Chilembo: Madam Speaker, this is clearly a new question which needs research.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker, can the hon. Minister indicate the method of disposal of fixed and semi-fixed assets that were bought after the NCC has been dissolved? 

Mr Chilembo: Madam Speaker, this is also clearly a new question, but the Government’s general procedure on the disposal of assets will be followed.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Chimbaka (Bahati): Madam, it has been reported in one of the newspapers, today, that a leader of a certain party tore the draft constitution at a rally yesterday. Does this imply that Zambia has no Constitution to go by since it was torn?

Mr Chilembo: Madam, the legal process should always be respected. We also expect that those who hold different views should express themselves within the law and not take steps that might incite innocent citizens. Any provocative acts should at all times be avoided, especially by the leaders of various political parties.

I thank you, Madam.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Chisala: Madam, could the hon. Minister indicate how much money will be spent by the NCC in the remaining period?

Madam Deputy Speaker: That is definitely a new question.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Interruptions

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! 

 Hon. Members should ask follow up questions which seek definite answers.

_________________

BILLS

HOUSE IN COMMITTEE

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEESS in
 the Chair]

THE EXCESS EXPENDITURE APPROPRIATION (2007) BILL, 2010

Clauses1 and 2 ordered to stand part of the Bill. 

SCHEDULE

The Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Mr Daka) (on behalf of the Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Situmbeko): Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in the Schedule, on page 4 with the following:

    (a)    in column 1

        by the deletion of Head 37/08

    (b)    in column 2

by the deletion of the words ‘Ministry of Finance and National Planning’ and ‘Central Statistical Office’ appearing against Head ‘37/08,’ and
    
    (c)    in column 3
        
(i)    by the deletion of the figure ‘2,579,476,101.00’ appearing against Head “37/08: Central Statistical Office”; and

(ii)    by the deletion of the figure ‘2,771,961,984.00’ appearing against the word ‘TOTAL’ and the substitution therefor of the figure ‘192,485,883.00.’

Amendment agreed to. Schedule amended accordingly.

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

Title agreed to.

___________

HOUSE RESUMED

[MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

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

The Excess Expenditure Appropriation (2007) Bill, 2010

Third Reading tomorrow.

________

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Defence and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Dr Mwansa): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

_________

The House adjourned at 1614 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 4th August, 2010.