DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE TENTH ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 13th July, 2010

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I have received communication to the effect that in the absence of His Honour the Vice-President and learned 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 from Tuesday, 13th to Friday, 16th July 2010.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWERS

LUSAKA GENERAL HOSPITAL

504. Mr Malama (Mfuwe) asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    when the construction of the Lusaka General Hospital at Chainama would be completed;

    (b)    which contractor was engaged to construct the hospital;

(c)    how much money would be spent on completion of the project;

(d)    what was the planned patient accommodation capacity of the hospital; and

(e)    whether there were any plans to construct another hospital on the western part of the City of Lusaka.

The Minister of Health (Mr Simbao): Mr Speaker, the construction of the Lusaka General Hospital at Chainama commenced in November, 2009 and is expected to be completed over a period of sixteen months. Thus, completion of the construction works is likely to be in February, 2011. However, I must hasten to say that the construction of the hospital has been moving very fast and could be completed earlier than February.

Sir, the contractor engaged to construct the hospital is China Jiangsu International Economic Co-operation Limited.

The construction of the hospital is expected to cost approximately K40 billion. The planned patient accommodation capacity of the hospital is 150 beds.

Sir, there are no immediate plans to construct another hospital on the western side of the City of Lusaka. However, the ministry is upgrading some urban health centres into first level hospitals. These are Kanyama, Matero, Chawama, Chilenje and Chipata clinics which will provide first level services.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Malama: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the Lusaka General Hospital will be under the management of the Chainama Hospital since it is being constructed within its grounds.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, the Lusaka General Hospital will have its own independent administration.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Kapata (Mandevu): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether accommodation for health personnel has been considered.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, accommodation for medical personnel will have to be constructed by the Government of the Republic of Zambia. The hon. Members may note that the hospital is being constructed as a grant. Currently, we are not paying anything towards the construction of the hospital. However, we are required to provide the access road, water and electricity.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mukanga (Kantanshi): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out the referral level of the Lusaka General Hospital.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, this is a general hospital which is a second level hospital. It will be receiving referrals from the five first level hospitals that we are constructing. 

I would also like to mention that we will further construct about twenty-five clinics in Lusaka next year. This will be the target for this Government so that once more, we can provide the first entrance for the patients to the first level hospitals which we have created. The first level hospitals will feed into the Lusaka General Hospital which will in turn feed into the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Katema (Chingola): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the Government has considered the shortage of doctors as the hospital is being constructed.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, we are aware of the shortage of health personnel in Zambia and are putting up a team right now to appoint a director for that hospital who will put together the kind of personnel we need so that when the hospital opens, personnel will be in place.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Machungwa (Luapula): Mr Speaker, since the hon. Minister mentioned that the hospital is a grant, I would like to know who the donor is.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, this hospital is a grant from the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simbao: We must understand that, in Lusaka, we only have two tertiary hospitals and one of them, as you may know, caters for mentally disturbed patients. The only other hospital is the UTH. As you have seen, there is a lot of congestion at that hospital because that is where most specialists are found. 

Sir, the coming of the Lusaka General Hospital means that we shall have specialists at another hospital in Lusaka. Therefore, this gesture, by the People’s Republic of China, has been welcome and I hope that all of us will support this venture.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

LEWANIKA GENERAL HOSPITAL

505. Mr Imenda (Lukulu East) asked the Minister of Health when Lewanika General Hospital, in the Western Province, would start training State registered nurses as is obtaining in other provinces.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the ministry is committed to commencing a Registered Nurse Training Programme at the Lewanika General Hospital. However, at the moment, priority in the training of nurses has been put on producing more midwives in order to handle the maternal and child health problem.

Sir, according to the 2007 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey Report, Mongu has the highest maternal and mortality rates. Thus, the Government deemed it a priority to address the high mortality rates in the Western Province. To this effect, the Government opted to commence a direct entry enrolled midwifery course as opposed to training State registered nurses in order to avert the situation. 

In January 2010, thirty-three midwifery students were enrolled and are due to complete their training in December, 2010 at the Lewanika General Hospital. These graduates will continue to contribute to improving staffing levels in the province. The State registered nurses training will be considered after the successful implementation of the Enrolled Midwifery Programme.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Imenda: Mr Speaker, since 1993, all nursing training schools in other provinces were allowed to train State registered nurses, I would like to find out why the Lewanika General Hospital, which is found at the provincial headquarters for the whole Western Province, was left out. Is the hon. Minister aware that the perpetual outsourcing of nursing staff is putting the Western Province at a disadvantage?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I would like to assure the hon. Member for Lukulu West that Western Province was not left out. The Western Province has one of the three hospitals which have been identified to train direct entry enrolled midwives. These general hospitals are: Lewanika, Roan and Chipata. They are the only three hospitals that have been privileged in this case.

Sir, I would like to inform the hon. Member of Parliament that when these nurses are trained, they do not remain in the same province where they have been trained. Their names are sent to the ministry’s headquarters where they are distributed according to the need that is in the country. We would be in very big problems if nurses trained at the Roan General Hospital remained there. Where else can we get other nurses to go and work elsewhere?  Similarly, since we only have one medical school for doctors, we try as much as possible to send them everywhere in the country. The fact that there is a school at a particular place and there is no school at another place does not mean that the place where there is a school has an advantage. 

If you go to the UTH where we are training registered nurses as well as midwives, you will find that there is a big shortage of nurses even though it produces graduates every year. This is because very few of the nurses remain there. Some of the nurses are sent elsewhere. I would like to assure the hon. Member of Parliament that it is not because there is no training school for State registered nurses at the Lewanika General Hospital that there is a problem of health personnel in Western Province. This is a countrywide problem. In fact, it is not just a countrywide problem, but it affects the whole of Africa and ultimately, the whole world.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, through you, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the midwives that are being trained at the Lewanika General Hospital are those who are going in at direct entry level or they have a basic nursing background.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, we are experimenting with direct entry midwifery. These experiments are being conducted at the Lewanika, Roan and Chipata general hospitals. We have had the first graduates from two of the schools whose performance is being gauged because we want to compare them with the midwives who went through the general nursing training before they did midwifery. We are monitoring the performance of this programme. If we are satisfied with the results, then we shall spread the training to other schools.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kambwili (Roan): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why we have continued training enrolled nurses when the world over is doing away with them. When are we going to stop training enrolled nurses?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, we need the enrolled nurses training course because its training differs from the other type of nursing. However, we are also encouraging those who want to upgrade from enrolled nursing to State registered nursing to do so. I want to inform the hon. Member of Parliament that enrolled nurses are considered bedside nurses while State registered nurses do some managerial duties. The registered nurses are supposed to manage the wards. Now, we cannot break away from that and make everyone a manager. Like I already said, we are encouraging them to upgrade themselves, but we will still continue to train enrolled nurses for the time being.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imbwae (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister talked about the concentration on midwifery training. I would like to find out what numbers he is expecting to come up with so that once that target is reached, we can begin to train State registered nurses.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I really do not have the numbers at hand. However, they can be given to her later. 

I thank you, Sir.

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER

DELEGATION FROM THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF KENYA

Mr Speaker: I wish to acquaint the House with the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery, of the following guests from the Parliament of Kenya.

Hon. Ekwee Ethuro, MP, Chairman and Leader of the Delegation;

Hon. Moses Lessonet, MP;

Hon. Charles Nyamai, MP;

Hon. Francis Nyommo, MP;

Mr James Ogundo, Constituencies Development Fund Board Member;

Mr Simon Chelugui, Constituencies Development Fund Board Member;

Ms Susan Maritim, Clerk Assistant; and

Mrs Brenda Onyino, Constituencies Development Fund Secretariat.

The delegation is composed of hon. Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constituencies Development Fund. They are here to share experiences with us. 

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

Thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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HIV/AIDS CURE

506. Mrs Musokotwane (Katombola) asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    whether there was evidence in Zambia that human immuno-deficiency virus/ acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) could be cured by traditional medicines and, if so, how many people had been cured; and

(b)    what the professional relationship, in terms of HIV/AIDS, was between the Ministry of Health and traditional healers. 

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, there is no scientific evidence in Zambia that indicates that HIV/AIDS can be cured by traditional medicines. However, currently, there are some studies on selected herbal medicines underway and the results shall be made public when concluded. 

Sir, there is a mutual professional relationship between the Ministry of Health and traditional healers in terms of the fight against HIV/AIDS. The medical profession has respect for what the traditional healers are able to contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS. There is also the sharing of information and results of key research findings. The Government has recognised the Traditional Health Practitioners Association of Zambia (THPAZ) as a key institution in facilitating the working relationship between the medical professionals and traditional healers.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mrs Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, as regards the relationship between modern medical practitioners and traditional healers, what is the Government doing to educate traditional healers about their medicines not healing HIV/AIDS, at least, at the moment, so that they stop cheating people who think they are healed by taking medicines prescribed for them when, in actual fact, they are not?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, THPAZ is very well represented on the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council (NAC) Board. The NAC Board looks at all progressive medicines, especially those related to HIV/AIDS. The representative, who happens to be Dr Vongo, is always tasked to go back to his members and educate them on what is happening the world over and, particularly, in this country. So, almost all the traditional healers who are members of this board are aware of what is happening in the country.

Mr Nsanda (Chimwemwe): Mr Speaker, does that mean that the medicine which was invented by the former hon. Minister of Works and Supply, Dr Sondashi, was not a real cure for HIV/AIDS?

Laughter

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, in my last statement, I said that the Government was still looking at some of the traditional medicines that were being researched on. If the hon. Member remembers very well, research on the Sondashi Formular and the other medicines, about eight of them, were actually sponsored by this Government. I think about US$56,000 was pumped into this research. I must say that some of these researchers have progressed even to produce capsules, but the Government is still looking at the efficacy of such medicines. The Government has not dispelled anyone who has attempted to discover a cure for HIV/AIDS in his country. Some of the formulae have qualities which, with time, can prove very effective.  Conclusions have not yet been drawn for most of these medicines.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker,  considering that we have a lot of traditional healers spread out in the country, other than THPAZ which belongs to one of the committees at NAC, what other programmes do you have for traditional healers in terms of HIV/AIDS?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I really do not know whether the hon. Member wants me to confirm that we have got specific programmes targeting traditional healers. We do not have such programmes. This body is invited to the programmes we have to do with HIV/AIDS. They send whoever they feel is capable of listening to what is being discussed at a given seminar. So, they are never left out from any seminar or conference that is on HIV/AIDS, be it local or international.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, obtaining money by false pretences is a criminal offence. I would like to find out if they have been any traditional healers who have been prosecuted for extorting money from unsuspecting HIV/AIDS patients.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, so far, there has been no such case reported to the Government. In fact, if the hon. Member of Parliament wants to know, it is a fact that between 60 to 70 per cent of Zambians first consult traditional healers before they decide to come to our health facilities. This is a choice of the Zambians themselves and we would like to discourage them from doing this. They pay whatever amount of money to the traditional healers and when they prove that they are not getting well, at times even getting worse, they come to our health facilities.

Mr Speaker, I would like to advise Zambians that drugs are very dangerous, especially when the kidney is involved in the process. Kidneys try to purify blood and if you take very strong drugs, you are likely to kill them. 

Of late, we have seen a lot of problems to do with kidneys. Zambians should know that it is safer to access our facilities first. This is because the drugs offered there, if not abused, are very safe for the body. 

Thank you, Sir.

Mr Magande (Chilanga): Mr Speaker, quinine is a plant from South America. Coartem is a plant grown by Chinese peasants. We heard that, in Zambia, Dr Sondashi discovered a plant which could cure HIV/AIDS. Is there a timeframe within which this plant will be investigated so that we know whether Africa might be the source of a cure for HIV/AIDS?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, basically there are two formulas that are of interest to this country. One of them is the Sondashi Formular and the other one is called Mailacyn. However, they both have not been proven to cure HIV/AIDS. 

Mr Speaker, working in collaboration with the Southern African Network for Bio sciences (SANBIO) Research Institute of South Africa, I can attest that the two formulas have undergone further tests elsewhere to ascertain whether they have the component that can cure HIV/AIDS and they have shown that they have some ability to boost the immune system. For this reason, they can be taken even though they have not yet shown that they can cure HIV/AIDS.

Thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}  

COPPERBELT ROAD WORKS

507. Mrs Banda (Chililabombwe) asked the Minister of Works and Supply:

(a)    when work on the Copperbelt roads, as advertised by the Road Development Agency (RDA), would commence; and

(b)    what had caused the delay.

The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Dr Kalila): Mr Speaker, a number of roads in various districts of the Copperbelt were advertised by the RDA between 2008 and 2009. I have in my possession a work schedule of these roads. However, because it is too lengthy, I will lay it on the Table for the hon. Members who wish to go through it.

 Mr Speaker, out of all the roads that were advertised on the Copperbelt between 2008 and 2009, only a contract to rehabilitate roads in Chingola has been awarded to a private contractor. The contract was signed on 10th May, 2010 at a sum of K33 billion by Messrs  Red Lion Construction Limited.

The delay in commencing works on the other advertised roads on the Copperbelt is as a result of high bid prices which were received at the time of the tender. The bids received were far higher than the amount that was budgeted for. 

Mr Speaker, currently, the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA) is working with the local road authorities on the Copperbelt under the Road Rehabilitation Programme. The following roads have been earmarked for rehabilitation: 

District            Name of Road                  Length (km)

Kitwe                           Dr Aggrey Avenue                 0.99
                Zomba                         0.37
                Blantyre                         0.45
                Kantanta Street                     2.37
                Euclide                         0.59
                Eshowe                         0.49
                Matuka                         0.36
                Natwange                     0.90
                Mutemuko                     1.08
                Misheshi                     0.91
                Kanongesha                     0.72
                Mulilakwenda                     0.71
                Lilongwe                     0.62
                Independence                     1.07

Total                                11.70

Ndola            

                                                      Chambishi            4.674
                Vitanda                          0.859
                Kaunda Drive            0.295
                Makoli Avenue                      0.881
                Independence Way        1.726
                Zambia                          2.537
                Matelo                0.383
                Lukasu                1.000
                Livingstone            0.375

Total                                12.80

Mr Speaker, the grand total which is currently being worked on in the two districts is 24.50 kilometres. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Dr Kalila laid the paper on Table.

Mrs Banda: Mr Speaker, out of so many districts on the Copperbelt, the hon. Minister has only mentioned three. I would like to find out from him why it has been so difficult to find money for the other districts. Is it because the Copperbelt is dominated by the Opposition? 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Mulongoti): Mr Speaker, the fact that the Government advertised and Parliament approved some funding, which proved inadequate, is an indication that there is no discrimination at all. The Government can only contract when funds are available and adequate contrary to which, it might contract and fail to pay the contractor in the end. This, in turn, will mean an accumulation of interest because of idle time. 

Thank you, Sir. 

Mr L. J. Mulenga (Kwacha): Mr Speaker, considering the fact that the bids received were far higher than the amount budgeted for, how is the ministry re-looking at the whole idea in order to mitigate the suffering of the pedestrians and motorists on the Copperbelt, especially in Kitwe?

Mr Mulongoti: Mr Speaker, we gave details of roads that will be attended to through JICA. This does not mean that other towns have been ignored. The suffering of the people will be lessened by the fact that JICA will work on some of the roads in Kitwe.

Thank you, Sir.

Mr Simuusa (Nchanga): Mr Speaker, Chingola residents are delighted by the signing of the contract for rehabilitation of roads in Chingola. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what is causing further delay for the contractor, Red Lion Construction Limited, to begin the road works as we are eager to see it begin its work. 

Mr Mulongoti: Mr Speaker, after signing the contract, the company brought in its equipment. By now, I am aware that they are on site and have started working on some drainages. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, Ndola and Kitwe are being covered by JICA. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister if there are any indications from JICA to move to other towns on the Copperbelt. 

Mr Mulongoti: Mr Speaker, JICA also works according to what is budgeted for and, so far, there has been no indication that it will work on roads in other towns. As you are aware, it worked on roads in Livingstone. Now it has moved to the Copperbelt and will start with Kitwe and Ndola. We hope that, in due course, it will also go to Luanshya. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Katema: Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister confirm whether it is true that equipment for Red Lion Construction Limited has been marooned at the border due to non-clearance by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), and if so, what is the Government doing to facilitate the clearance of this equipment?

Mr Mulongoti: Mr Speaker, to the best of my knowledge, the Treasury at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning gave authority to the ZRA to give exemptions for the equipment. I do not know of the marooned equipment that the hon. Member is talking about. I think that the equipment in question was on its way into Zambia. 

Thank you, Sir.

EXPIRED MAIZE SEED

509. Mr Chisala (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives:

(a)    why expired maize seed was sold to a co-operative union at Katanta in Chifwenge Ward in Chilubi District during the 2009/2010 Farming Season; and 

(b)    how the Government intended to redress the situation.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Mr Mbewe): Mr Speaker, it is not true that the ministry sold expired maize seed in Chilubi District. The report which was received from Chilubi District highlighted poor germination of some seed which could be attributed to several other factors such as inappropriate crop husbandry practices, poor management and planting in areas prone to water logging other than the expiry of seed.

Sir, the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives procures fresh maize seed every farming season in order to ensure the good germination and performance of the crop.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Deputy Minister implying that the Government of the Republic of Zambia is going to refund Chifwenge Co-operative Union which is based at Katanta in Chifwenge Ward?

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, as I indicated in my earlier answer, we procure seed that is 100 per cent certain to germinate. If there is poor germination at a certain farm or if a certain farmer has not taken care of his crop, it is not the intention of our ministry to refund such farmers. We just need to educate them and make sure that, next time, they exercise proper managerial practices of agriculture.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kakoma (Zambezi West): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the samples of the maize seed sent to Chilubi District have been tested to ascertain that the seed had not expired.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, the answer is yes.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 Laughter

Mrs Phiri (Munali): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister confirmed that the ministry had received a report that the farmers in that ward had a low percentage germination seed.  Could the hon. Minister, therefore, assure the House that the Government is going to do something for those people since the hon. Minister is aware that these people do not have maize, they will definitely be affected by hunger. Are they going to be considered for some relief?

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, it is not obvious that the ministry will send some relief to the affected farmers, but if they apply through the relevant authorities such as the Office of His Honour the Vice-President, definitely, the Government will look into their problem and they will be assisted.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

KONKOLA DEEP MINING PROJECT

510. Mr D. Mwila (Chipili) asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development:

(a)    when the Konkola Deep Mining Project would be operational;

(b)    how much money Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) plc. had spent on the project so far; and

(c)    whether KCM was within the timeframe set for completing the project.

The Deputy Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Namulambe): Mr Speaker, the Konkola Deep Mining Project (KDMP) is partially operational. The mid-shaft loading was commissioned by His Excellency the President, Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda, on 20th April, 2010. However, operations to make the project fully operational are continuing. The project comprises the following:

(i)    shaft sinking of the main access shaft, pipe shaft and ventilation shafts;

(ii)    underground access ramps and tunnels to the ore body;

(iii)    ore passes and loading boxes;

(iv)    underground water storage facilities; and

(v)    a state-of-the-art new concentrator.

Mr Speaker, the main access, pipe and ventilation shafts will be sunk to a depth of 1,500 metres. The concentrator has been completed and is fully operational.

Sir, the current production level at the KDMP is about 50,000 tonnes of finished copper per annum and is expected to increase to approximately 180,000 tonnes of finished copper per annum at the completion of the project in 2012.

Mr Speaker, a total of US$628 million has, so far, been spent on the KDMP up to 31st March, 2010. This amount includes the money spent on the concentrator, shaft sinking, ore passes and other ancillary infrastructure as stated earlier on.

Sir, the company is within the timeframe set for completing the project at the end of 2012.

 I thank you, Sir.

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, when the project was commissioned by the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda, our understanding was that the project’s difficulties had been completed. Now that the project has not been completed, may I find out from the hon. Minister whether at the time of commissioning the project, the KCM had started mining ore where there are?

The Minister of Mines and Mineral Development (Mr M. B. Mwale): Mr Speaker, as indicated in the response by the hon. Deputy Minister, His Excellency the President, Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda, with his hardworking Government …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: Question!

Mr M. Mwale:…only commissioned the mid-shaft loading.

Mr Speaker, mid-shaft loading means that ore will be mined at that level.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Phiri: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister mentioned that the project will be completed in 2012, but I would like to find out what the ministry has done in relation to HIV/AIDS because we know that labour is going to move from all the towns to Chililabombwe. What measures has the hon. Minister put in place to help immigrant miners? 

Mr Nalumambe: Mr Speaker, currently, the KCM has a very good policy on HIV/AIDS and the communities around that area are being sensitised actively.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, the Konkola Deep is a very rich ore body which was initiated even before the KCM took over. With the commissioning of the deep shaft, the cost of mining will be more than halved. This means that there will be a lot of benefits to the KCM as a company. I wish to find out from the hon. Minister how we are going to benefit, as Zambians, from this very rich ore body that has been in our country and was developed even before the KCM came. 

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, the KDMP was conceived over thirty years ago. However, I am a bit at a loss with regard to the hon. Member’s assertion that the costs will be halved. As the mine is getting deeper, it means the ventilation and drainage costs are getting higher. So, I am failing to understand what he means. 

Interruptions

Mr M. B. Mwale: However, I would agree with him that with the economies of scale, we expect an improvement in the costs.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Magande (Chilanga): Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister help me understand that, at its peak in 2012, this new mine will produce 150,000 tonnes at US$5,000 per tonne, therefore, earning US$750 million per year? Is he confirming that this expenditure is going to be recovered in one year and the rest of the life of the project, the company will be making profit?

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, what should be understood is that KCM has a number of business units. In Konkola, there is shaft number three and there is also a business unit in Nchanga. When we put the production of these units together, we will get a figure of about 500,000 tonnes. Therefore, it is not only the KDMP that will be producing the 500,000 tonnes. From the KDMP, we expect to get about 200,000 tonnes per annum. This means it will only be contributing 200,000 to a figure of 500,000 tonnes per annum. 

However, Sir, the hon. Member has forgotten to take into account the operational costs. He is only looking at the turnover with no due regard to the operational costs.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lumba (Solwezi Central): Mr Speaker, what are the immediate benefits of having the KDMP for the people of Chililabombwe?

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, those who know the history of the Copperbelt recall that, at privatisation, a number of our people lost their jobs. However, with the KDMP’s coming on the scene, our people in Konkola will be assured of jobs on a long-term basis. Apart from that, spin-off industries will arise out of the operations of the KDMP and as regards the Government, it is assured of increased revenues.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muyanda (Sinazongwe): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development mentioned that there will be spin-off industries after the mine produces 500,000 metric tonnes of copper ore. Does this Government ever think of processing this ore instead of sending raw materials to Europe at the expense of the copper which is about to be depleted underground?

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, I would like to confirm to the hon. Member that this Government is looking ahead and that is why it has come up with multi-purpose economic zones where a number of industries such as metal fabrication ones are expected to be set up, in order to add value to our copper. 

Sir, may I correct the hon. Member that the 500,000 tonnes does not refer to the copper ore, but to the finished copper.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

MACHILE/SIMUNGOMA ROAD

511. Ms Limata (Luampa) asked the Minister of Works and Supply when the Machile/Simungoma Road in Sesheke District would be tarred.

The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Dr Kalila): Mr Speaker, the ministry, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), has no immediate plans to upgrade the Machile/Simungoma Road to bitumen standards because of the Government’s commitment to ensuring that all ongoing upgrading works are carried out and completed on time.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Limata: Mr Speaker, it is on record that the money for the Machile/Simungoma Road was available. I want to find out from the hon. Minister where the money for tarring this road is.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulongoti: Mr Speaker, I do not know what record she is referring to. However, I wish to inform the House that we are working on big projects in that area. There is a big bridge to be built from Senanga to Sesheke. Unless we complete that and the Mongu/Kalabo Road, it will be difficult for us to undertake any other works. Since there is equipment in the province, we can just grade the road and bring it to motorable levels.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

CHINESE ROAD MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT

512. Mr Malama (Mfuwe) asked the Minister of Works and Supply:

(a)    what the expected life span of the road maintenance equipment imported from China was; and

(b)    what the source of funding for the equipment was.

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, the expected life span of the road maintenance equipment from China is ten years.

Sir, the road maintenance equipment was purchased through a concessional loan from the People’s Republic of China.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Malama: Mr Speaker, most of these machines are not working. What is the Government doing about this situation?

Mr Mulongoti: Mr Speaker, I am impressed with his ability to collect information on equipment elsewhere. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are breakdowns, here and there, because, sometimes, the operators of the equipment are not very familiar with the terrain. Therefore, the breakdowns are there. Like I said, there is a Chinese team, which is based in Lusaka, which goes, at short notice, to attend to these breakdowns. If there is a delay in reporting, you expect these breakdowns to last for long, but, to the best of my knowledge, as soon as a report is given, they rush to those areas. If we have no spare parts, they are quick at calling their country to bring them.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, if the life span of this equipment is ten years, will the hon. Minister indicate to this House whether this equipment will reach ten years at the pace we are going?

Mr Mulongoti: Mr Speaker, depending on the usage of the equipment, it can last up to ten years. If it is abused, it is not expected to last. Again, if maintenance is poor, you expect problems. However, we are ensuring that everything is done to service and repair the equipment as and when it becomes necessary.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mrs Mwamba (Lukashya): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether this equipment has a warranty. As the equipment continues to breakdown, will it be replaced by the supplier?

Mr Mulongoti: Mr Speaker, of course, the warranty was for the first two years. Thereafter, we should begin to look after the equipment ourselves. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, last week, we learnt that part of the equipment that was sent to the Northern Province had brokendown for over three months. I would like to know the department responsible for maintenance of this equipment.

Mr Mulongoti: Mr Speaker, earlier, I said that as soon as the equipment breaks down and notification is given, there will be on-the-spot repair. We learnt about the breakdown from the hon. Member, but I have doubts whether a grader or caterpillar can lie idly for three months without being repaired. That equipment is not supposed to be kept idle, and so, when such a thing happens, the provincial engineer is supposed to attend to it as soon as he is notified.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwenya (Nkana): Mr Speaker, the concession loan used to purchase the equipment was big. Going by the rate the equipment has been breaking down, could the hon. Minister indicate to the House whether the Government is satisfied with the initiative and if the country has benefited by achieving the goal this equipment was intended for.

Mr Mulongoti: Mr Speaker, the equipment came into the country in 2008 and had a warranty of two years. So far, indications are that the equipment is performing well. We will observe it as we proceed and if we have any difficulties within the two years, we will go back to the manufacturers and inform them. We should not be pessimistic even when some hon. Members have not seen the equipment.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mukanga (Kantanshi): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the equipment, which broke down before the expiry of the warranty, will be replaced.

Mr Mulongoti: Mr Speaker, the breaking down of equipment due to one or two defective parts is not equivalent to a complete breakdown.

Interruptions

Mr Mulongoti: The manufacturers made a commitment to replace equipment that was involved in accidents as it was being brought in. If the hon. Member is talking about breaking down, I am sure even cars bought by some hon. Members have broken down by now.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister be kind enough to inform this House what the pay-back period for this concession loan is.

Mr Mulongoti: Mr Speaker, I am an end user of this equipment and the details of the concession loans are the responsibility of the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning. Therefore, we can request him to provide that information to the House.

I thank you, Sir.

LOANS TO WOMEN’S CLUBS

513. Mr Chazangwe (Choma Central) asked the Minister of Community Development and Social Services when the Government would provide loans to women’s clubs countrywide and, in particular, women’s clubs in Choma Parliamentary Constituency to purchase hammer-mills. 

The Deputy Minister of Community Development and Social Services (Mr Mufalali): Mr Speaker, currently, the ministry does not have any programme to provide loans to women’s groups per se. What the ministry is providing are grants to women’s groups and associations. 

Further, the ministry does not have a programme for Choma Parliamentary Constituency for the purchase of hammer mills, in particular. In fact, the hammer-mill programme was discontinued by the ministry because we did not have the capacity to effectively manage it.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chazangwe: Mr Speaker, many women in the rural areas are dying during childbirth. What immediate programmes is this Government going to come up with in order to alleviate the problems of poverty in rural areas, especially for vulnerable women?

The Minister of Community Development and Social Services (Mr Kaingu): Mr Speaker, this is a very hardworking Government …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kaingu: … with many programmes to help alleviate poverty in our communities. We are doing the best we can to provide resources through the Women Empowerment Programme, Food Security Pack Programme, Social Cash Transfer Programme and many other programmes like the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out when the hon. Minister will extend the programmes he has been announcing to areas where there are no by-elections. I have in mind the programmes he mentioned in Luena, Chifubu and Mufumbwe. Can the hon. Minister extend the programmes to other constituencies in Zambia where there are no by-elections?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the sensitisation programme for women started with the Southern Province and it moved to Lusaka, …

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kaingu: … the Central, Eastern and Western provinces. For the information of the hon. Member, tomorrow, I will be going to the Copperbelt Province.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, my job is to sensitise the women. As far as the Government is concerned, we are not looking for votes, but ways of alleviating poverty among our people.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I am sure the major concern of the hon. Member is votes, whereas ours is to reduce poverty.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Sinyangwe (Matero): Mr Speaker, as an hon. Member who is a woman, I would like to commend the hon. Minister for this programme.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mrs Sinyangwe: I would also like to say …

Mr Speaker: Order! 

Ask a question.

Mrs Sinyangwe: … that while we appreciate …

Mr Speaker: Order! 

Ask a question.

Mrs Sinyangwe: Mr Speaker, I would like to know when the ministry will come up with a programme to build capacity in the women it is giving the money to so that the  programme for empowering women can be seen to be working properly.

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the ministry started to build capacity in women a long time ago. We have been empowering them through the Non-Formal Education and Skills Training Programme. So, we are already helping the women to learn how to manage their businesses. I must also say that we are coming up with a programme that will involve stakeholders, meaning their royal highnesses. We have about 286 chiefs who will engage this Government in building capacity in the leaders of their communities. So, hon. Member, you have asked a very good question and we will work on it.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Phiri: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when he is going to stop moving with cadres who threaten to gang rape women. Is he aware that women fear to go to his meetings because of that?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, that is what Hon. V. J. Mwaanga calls pedestrian assumptions.

Laughter

Mr Kaingu: However, I should also tell the hon. Member that I am also a cadre of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD).

Interruptions 

Mr Kaingu: So, I do not see how you can divorce me from the people I am supposed to look after and, in fact, all Zambians. I do not know what you mean when you say cadre. Cadre means belonging to. In view of this, all hon. Members are cadres. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Kaingu: Yes, including those from the Opposition. I am telling the truth. 

Interruptions 

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I will continue moving with cadres because my programme is for Zambians who are actually cadres.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lumba: Mr Speaker, I want to find out if it is the job of the hon. Minister to dish out cash or there are other professionals in the ministry who can do that?

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, thank you very much, hon. Member for Solwezi. Your question provides me an opportunity to explain how the programme on empowerment works. 

Mr Speaker, hon. Members must engage the women in their constituencies to form social clubs. Those social clubs will come up with project proposals which will be brought to the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services. After evaluating the project proposals, the ministry will fund them. Of course, each project has its own merits. After looking at your project proposal, we then empower you. Some hon. Members of Parliament here invite me to their constituencies as guest of honour.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kaingu: It is through this that I am asked to give out the cheques …

Interruptions

Mr Kaingu: So, already, I can confirm here that Hon. Hachipuka, for example, has invited me to go to his constituency.

Interruptions 

Mr Kaingu: So, if I have cheques for his constituency, he might as well ask me to give out the cheques as guest of honour.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC. (Chasefu): Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister tell the House the success rate of the women’s clubs that have so far benefited from the cash handouts since they started.

Mr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the programme is doing very well. The only setback is that we do not have enough resources to cover the whole country. That is why, last week, I made an appeal to the co-operating partners to engage this Government instead of the mushrooming non-government organisations. So, the success rate is very high.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Well, everybody in the House can see that this subject is extremely popular.

Laughter 

Mr Speaker: Unless, the presiding officer is careful with time, we could go on until midnight. I am just wondering whether the hon. Minister has considered mounting some kind of workshop for the hon. Members so that they can really exhaust this and many other pertinent issues related to women’s empowerment in their respective constituencies.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: If he may think so, I would provide some meeting place here at Parliament or any other place that the hon. Minister may choose.

Hon. Member interjected.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Voluntarily.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Member: Question! 

Mr Speaker: It is unprecedented for any hon. Member here to question the guidance of the Chair.

Laughter 

Mr Speaker: If I question you back, you will be in big trouble.

Laughter 

ELECTRIFICATION OF LUKULU

514. Mr Imenda asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development when Lukulu District, in the Western Province would be connected to the national grid in line with the Rural Electrification Strategic Plan.

The Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development (Mr Imasiku): Mr Speaker, the Government has prepared a Power Systems Master Plan which plans to optimise generation, transmission, distribution as well as inter-connectors. In addition, the connection of Lukulu to the national grid is one of the main priorities of the Rural Electrification Master Plan (REMP). The plan is to construct a transmission line called the Western Loop by 2015. The loop will have the capacity of 133KV and will link Itezhi-tezhi, Kaoma, Mongu, Lukulu, Mufumbwe and Kabompo.

In this regard, the scope of works and design of the line has been completed and the cost is estimated at K121 billion.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Imenda: Mr Speaker, according to the hon. Minister, the transmission line will be constructed by 2015. Indications by the Geological Survey Department of the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development have shown huge potential for oil and gas deposits in Lukulu. Realising the importance of the contribution of power towards development, why are we not creating an enabling environment for would-be investors at the right time?

Mr Imasiku: Mr Speaker, when we say up to 2015, we are not saying 2015 is when we are going to do everything. Instead, we are saying that by 2015 the work would have been done. So, maybe, the fear of the hon. Member could have been addressed within the period before 2015.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, whenever a question is asked on rural electrification, the hon. Minister refers to REMP. When is this plan going to be made available to hon. Members of Parliament and all stakeholders so that we would be in a position to follow whatever is happening?

Mr Imasiku: Mr Speaker, the plan was launched in April and we are just printing more copies. Some hon. Members in here have received copies of this plan. So, the hon. Member should just wait because he will get a copy very soon.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lumba: Sir, grid extension does mean the generation of more power. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister how many mega watts of power generated will be added to the current capacity by 2015.

Mr Imasiku: Mr Speaker, the Western Loop will have a capacity of 133 kilowatts after completion.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Lukashya?

Mrs Mwamba shook her head.

Mr Speaker: She is not interested any more.

RADIO ONE OPERATIONS

515. Mr Malama (Mfuwe) asked the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services:

(a)    when the ministry would compel Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) to increase broadcast time for all vernacular programmes on Radio One; and

(b)    which of the local languages on Radio One contributes the most in terms of revenue collections through advertisements.

The Deputy Minister of Information and broadcasting Services (Ms Cifire): Mr Speaker, the issue of increasing broadcast time for vernacular programmes on Radio One is receiving active consideration by the corporation within the context of institutional restructuring. As the institution embarks on strategic development for the future, this matter will be seriously looked into in line with the strategic goal of programme improvement.

Mr Speaker, most of the advertising bookings on Radio One are in Bemba and Nyanja, due to obvious reasons. Below is Radio One advertising revenue for 2009: 

Language    Percentage    Revenue   (K)
    Contribution    Contribution

Bemba    30    654,334,221.57
Nyanja    30    654,334,221.57
Lozi    11    239,922,547.91
Tonga    11    239,922,547.91
Lunda    6    130,866,844.31
Luvale    6    130,866,844.31
Kaonde    6    130,866,844.31

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Malama: Mr Speaker, can the hon. Deputy Minister state whether the ZNBC will consider increasing the advertising time in the Bemba and Nyanja sections since it is not enough.

Ms Cifire: Mr Speaker, the natural goal for any institution is to maximise profits. Advertising is one way of making money for an institution and, therefore, the ZNBC will not put any limit on the number of advertisements coming through. What is obtaining now is what the corporation is able to get from the market.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, arising from the answer which has been given by the hon. Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, I would like to take advantage of this moment to find out from her when the ZNBC will stop operating like a bar by opening in the morning and closing at midnight.

Laughter 

Mr D. Mwila: Hear, hear!

Ms Cifire: Mr Speaker, if the hon. Member for Monze Central has been following the programming trend on the ZNBC, he would have noticed that we now have TV2 which is going beyond the hours that other stations go up to. As I have just stated in my earlier answer, there is programming restructuring which the institution is undergoing and part of what he is wishing to see happening at the ZNBC is already taking place.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Machungwa: Mr Speaker, is the ministry not considering giving specific and solid instructions to the ZNBC to increase the time spent on broadcasting in vernacular languages by extending the hours of programming?

Ms Cifire: Mr Speaker, we have stated in the earlier statement that there are institutional structural changes that the ZNBC is undergoing and, therefore, his concern will be taken care of in that restructuring.

I thank you, Sir.

SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS TEACHERS 

516. Mrs Banda asked the Minister of Education:

(a)    what the total number of science and mathematics teachers was countrywide; and

(b)    what the teacher-pupil ratio at (a) above was.

The Deputy Minister of Education (Mr Sinyinda): Mr Speaker, the total number of mathematics teachers in the country is 1,312 while that of science teachers is 1,570. The teacher-pupil ratio currently for mathematics is at 1:202 and science at 1:169.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Banda: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister if, with such ratios, our children are getting the best education in mathematics and science and what plans the ministry has to overcome this situation.

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, we, as a ministry and Government, recognise the problem we are facing in the Ministry of Education when it comes to the teachers of science and mathematics. We know that the ideal situation should be one teacher to thirty-five pupils in a high school while in at a junior secondary school, the ideal situation should be one teacher to forty pupils.

In order to address the shortage of science and mathematics teachers, the ministry is constructing the Mulakupikwa College of Science and Mathematics. I also want to inform the House that we are upgrading Nkrumah Teachers’ Training College and the Copperbelt Secondary Teacher’s Training College (COSETCO) so that we can train more science teachers. At the same time, the Copperbelt University (CBU) has started a programme of training teachers of science and mathematics. 

Mr Speaker, the ministry has plans to upgrade 6,500 teachers teaching at high schools who have diplomas to degree level. This number includes the science teachers. I also want to assure the House that we will continue training as many teachers as possible.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Mwamba: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether in the ministry’s plan to train more teachers it has taken into account the expanded infrastructure for schools and the increased student population.

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, like I have stated, we are taking into consideration all the factors that have been mentioned by the hon. Member. That is why we are embarking on infrastructure development in high schools. At the same time, we have asked the CBU management to admit more students to be trained as teachers. We are also expanding COSETCO, Nkrumah and Mulakupikwa teacher’s training colleges so that we can meet the expectations of the Zambian people in as far as trained teachers are concerned.

Mr Speaker, I want to assure the House that we will do everything possible to meet people’s expectations.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Sinyangwe: Mr Speaker, we train many teachers, but most of them leave even before they take up their positions. Are we considering recruiting part-time teachers to teach the science subjects as we wait to address the situation?

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, I am happy that my colleague who is also a teacher has that in mind. I think that is a very good idea. It is worth noting so that we see how it can supplement what we already have in place.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chota (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, my question has been taken care of.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chimbaka (Bahati): Mr Speaker, teachers are ready to promote themselves through enhanced education. Is the ministry contemplating coming up with a scheme to allow teachers to access funds similar to the one that the Ministry of Health has so that they could pay for their tuition fees?

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, we are already doing that. As I indicated in the answer, we have earmarked on upgrading 6,500 teachers from diploma to degree level as a way of motivating them. In fact, our intention is to have diploma level as the minimum educational qualification for our teachers. This is the reason we have upgraded some of the colleges so that instead of offering certificates, they should offer diplomas.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lumba: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out when the last review of the syllabi of the two subjects was done to align them with the current trends in both mathematics and science.

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, in our curriculum development efforts, we are not just looking at science and mathematics, we are trying to overhaul the whole of it so as to meet the current trends in as far as education is concerned.

Mr Speaker, I know that it has been the concern of not only the hon. Members of Parliament, but also parents in Zambia to see to it that the curriculum we offer to our children is relevant to the current situation. Therefore, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that concern.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Phiri: Mr Speaker, it is a well-known fact that many teachers train in mathematics and sciences, but choose to go and work in other disciplines, I would like to find out through you, Sir, what the ministry is doing to attract these teachers to work in schools. Are they thinking of giving them extra incentives for them to remain in our schools?

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, we are very much aware that we need to put certain measures as incentives for our teachers, especially those that graduate from the universities. As a way of motivating them, we are giving them what we call retention allowance. Of course, we are aware that, maybe, what we give them might not be enough, and as such, from time to time, we will be reviewing this allowance.

I thank you, Sir.

NAMABANGA RURAL HEALTH CENTRE

517. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Health when the Namabanga Rural Health Centre in Sichazu Ward would be operational.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, the Namabanga Rural Health Centre in Sichazu Ward in Nangoma is likely to become operational in the first quarter of 2011. This project was started as a self-help community project in 2006 and K110 million from the CDF was disbursed to the project for the construction of an out-patient department (OPD). However, due to poor management, the OPD could not be completed and the funds ran out. Last year, in 2009 the Ministry of Health disbursed K97 million to complete the structure and put up two VIP toilets. The work is ongoing.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the ministry has plans to help the community build houses for the staff at the health centre.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, that is a difficult question owing to the fact that the hon. Member has some CDF that he can use to build staff houses. I am also an hon. Member of Parliament and I use some of my CDF money on some of these projects, hence my suggestion. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ntundu (Gwembe): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has informed the House that the health centre will be opened in the next quarter. However, how will that be possible without staff houses?

   Laughter

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member must know that the construction of this health post was not started by the Government and so it can stay without being opened for another five years.

Hon. PF Member: Aah!

Mr Simbao: That is just the truth. Be in league with the Government upon starting such projects, please. This is because when the construction of a health post is completed, it requires equipment and personnel. The undertaking of such projects is not easy hence the need for them to be part of the programmes of the Ministry of Health. 

Mr Speaker, the issue of opening up health posts goes beyond the building of houses. This is because even when houses are constructed, they need to be occupied by medical personnel and we all know very well that the ministry is short of staff. So, it is important that the Ministry of Health is involved in such projects from their inception.

Thank you, Sir.

ZAMBIA POLICE FORCE TRAFFIC SECTION INCOME 

518. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Home Affairs what the total amount of money the Zambia Police Force Traffic Section raised in fines from January, 2008 to January, 2010 countrywide.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Taima): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the total amount of money the Zambia Police Force Traffic Section raised in fines from January, 2008 to 31st March, 2010, in this case, as we are referring to a quarter, was K22,787,352,688.00 broken down as follows:

Period                        Amount 
                            (K)
1/01/2003 to 31/12/2008        9,393,605,554.00

1/01/2009 to 31/12/2009                              10,734,031,134.00

1/01/2010 to 31/03/2010    2,659,716,000.00

Total          22,787, 352,688.00

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Deputy Minister for giving the House an elaborate answer. Are all funds collected by the section of the Zambia Police Force in question channelled to the National Treasury?

Mr Taima: Mr Speaker, all public funds receipted by whoever might be given the responsibility to do so are ultimately channelled to the National Treasury and this is the case even with the Zambia Police Force Traffic Section.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, it is general knowledge that most Government vehicles are defective. Is the reason the figure is not high because defective Government vehicles are not being levied as those concentrated on are private vehicles?

Mr Taima: Mr Speaker, it is not true to assume that all charges levied on motorists by police are as a result of vehicles being defective. There are various charges for which fines are paid by different motorists. So, I cannot categorically say that the reason most motorists are fined is that most of their vehicles are defective.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

CONSTRUCTION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA

519. Mr Malama asked the Minister of Education:

(a)    which contractor originally undertook the construction of building structures at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road Campus between 1965 and 1969;

(b)    whether the structures had been completed in accordance with the plan;

(c)    if not, when the building structures would be completed; and

(d)    how much money would be required to complete the structures according to the plan.

The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Vocational Training (Mr Musosha)(on behalf of The Minister of Education (Siliya)): Mr Speaker, it will be best to first state here that the construction of UNZA was initially begun by the Israelis who were the hired contractors. However, due to some political changes in the relationship with the then Government, they abandoned the construction of the university.

Mr Speaker, the main architects were Messrs A. M. Chitly. The resident architect was Mr I. O. Horvitch. The Project Manager was Mr Douglas Yetton, who was seconded to the project by the Anglo-American Corporation. The design leader was Mr Julian Elliott. The structural engineers were Messrs Brimer, Martin, Maggs, Keeble and Partners. Mr S. B. Zukas was the Chairperson of the Buildings Committee in 1967.
 
The executive architects for the medical schools were Messrs Montgomery, Oldfield and Kirby. The first set of the students hostels were designed by Mr Jullian Elliot. Messrs Lorenz and Pearce designed the second and third set of the students hostels in 1967. The first set of staff houses were designed by Mr Jullian Elliot. The architects of the Vice-Chancellor’s house were Messrs Lorenz and Pearce.

Mr Speaker, following the Government’s public announcement that all Government work under K100 million would be given to Zambian builders, a number of contracts were given to Zambian contractors and these were the following:

Construction Company        Projects

    Messrs Mulabaka         three houses

    Matoka                 four houses

    Chisokone              twelve houses

From the above information, it is worth noting that the university was constructed in various phases and various contractors and architects were engaged to undertake the construction works.

Mr Speaker, it is not possible to ascertain whether the structures were completed according to plan in the absence of the plan. However, by visual observations, it is clear that the structures were not completed as staircases can be seen hanging while certain door frames have been blocked. 

Mr Speaker, it is not possible to determine how long it will take to complete the structures without the original drawings which give specifications.

Sir, similarly, it is not possible to determine the money required to complete the structure as there are no drawings showing the original bill of quantities, unless a consultant is commissioned to evaluate the designs and come up with a bill of quantities. Then the consultant can make recommendations which we may go by.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Malama: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the institution has a plan that will aid the completion of the seemingly incomplete structures. Secondly, why are the outer walls of the institution never painted?

Mr Musosha: Mr Speaker, I stated that the plans are nowhere to be found at the moment. The institution shall be painted as and when it is required. Usually, it is the users of the institution who request that the institution be painted and once that is done, the money shall be provided.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Let me guide the hon. Minister of Education. Who has the plans and where did they go?

Hon. Members: They are not there.

Mr Musosha: Mr Speaker, the ministry and the institution have tried to look for the plans, but to no avail.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Member: Ask the colonial masters.

CONSTRUCTION OF A HIGH SCHOOL IN CHIEF KOPA’S AREA

520. Mr Mwango (Kanchibiya) asked the Minister of Education:

(a)    when the Government would construct a high school in Chief Kopa’s area in Kanchibiya Parliamentary Constituency;

(b)    what criteria were used by the ministry to allocate and construct a high school in an area.

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to construct a school in Chief Kopa’s area once funds are available. The construction of the school was included in the 2009 Annual Work Plan and budget, but due to inadequate resources, this project could not take off. However, there are plans to include it in the budget for 2011.

Mr Speaker, there are a number of factors considered when allocating the construction of a high school in an area. Among such factors are:

(i)    the number of basic schools and pupil population in the catchment area;

    (ii)    the availability of at least a minimum of 25 acres of land; and 

    (iii)    priority is given to newly-created districts.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Malama: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Mwango: Mr Speaker, there is an already existing structure being used as a high school.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Malama: Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to raise a point of order. Is the Government in order to allow the Ministry of Education to let a university exist without a plan? I need your serious ruling.

Mr Speaker: I believe that is the hon. Member for Mfuwe. You asked a question and did not follow it up. Why do you now raise a point of order? You also heard the presiding officer guide the hon. Minister of Education to tell the House who had the plans or where they had gone. You heard, also, the hon. Minister of Education say that the plans were nowhere to be found. So, even if you raise a point of order on the hon. Minister of Education seeking an explanation, he has already said he does not know where the plans are or where they have gone.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: The concern of the Chair is that that kind of answer does not apply to all Government buildings in the Republic, including Parliament Buildings.

The hon. Member for Kanchibiya may continue with his follow-up question.

Mr Mwango: Mr Speaker, I was saying that we do not have a high school in Kanchibiya Constituency and the Government is trying to upgrade Kopa High School. Why can the Government not put this school on a full contract so that it can be upgraded as soon as possible? It will help us to avoid children going to write their examinations from Lwitikila and Mpika high schools.

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, as was stated in an earlier answer, the Government has plans to build a school in Chief Kopa’s area. It should have started, this year, save for the budgetary limitations. If all goes well, the school will be built next year.

I thank you, Sir.

CONSTRUCTION OF KAUNGA LUETI BRIDGE

522. Ms Limata (Luampa) asked the Minister of Works and Supply: 

(a)    how much money the Government spent on the construction of Kaunga Lueti Bridge; and

    (b)    when the bridge had last been rehabilitated.

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, the contract amount for the rehabilitation of the embankment to the Kaunga Lueti Bridge and installation of culverts was K756 million. 

Sir, the works were substantially completed in March, 2010. To date, a total amount of K323,500,000 has been certified for payment and paid to the contractor. The remaining amount of money will be paid when certificates are prepared for the works that have been carried out and completed.

Mr Speaker, the Kaunga Lueti Bridge had been receiving routine maintenance in the past years, but was only fully rehabilitated in March, 2010.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Limata: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the Kaunga Lueti Bridge was swept away by the recent floods? When will the construction of the permanent bridge begin?

Mr Mulongoti: Mr Speaker, over the years, efforts have been made to try and keep the bridge operational. The Government will look into whether the solution is to build a stronger and permanent bridge. We shall make an effort to check on what the hon. Member has mentioned.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Mwamba (Lukashya): Mr Speaker, from time to time, hon. Members of Parliament ask when bridges in their areas will be repaired. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether there are plans to inspect bridges to ensure that they are in a repairable condition.

Mr Mulongoti: Mr Speaker, we have an endless list of bridges that have been washed away, some wholly and others partially. The hon. Member is welcome to look at the list from which she will see that we have the details which enhance our preparedness. The only problem we have is the question of resources to rehabilitate them. Therefore, we, as a ministry, shall attend to them as soon as the Treasury avails the money. 

I thank you, Sir.

___________
 

BILLS

FIRST READING

THE EXCESS EXPENDITURE APPROPRIATION (2007) BILL, 2010

The Minister of Defence (Dr Mwansa) (on behalf of The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane)): Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Excess Expenditure Appropriation Bill (2007) Act, 2010. The object of the Bill is to approve the excess expenditure of moneys aggregating K2,771,961,984 required for the services of the Republic during the financial year ended on 31st December, 2007.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Estimates. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by 28th July, 2010. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions or amendments to the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

I thank you.

THE COPYRIGHT AND PERFORMANCE RIGHTS (Amendment) BILL, 2010

Dr Mwansa (on behalf of The Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services (Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha)): Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Copyright and Performance Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2010. The object of the Bill is:

(a)    revise the jurisdiction of the court;
(b)    provide for disposal of copyright infringement material; and 
(c)    provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Information and Broadcasting Services. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by 29th July, 2010. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions or amendments to the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

I thank you.

THE INDEPENDENT BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (Amendment) BILL, 2010

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Independent Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2010. The object of the Bill is to amend the Independent Broadcasting Authority so as:

(a)    to revise the provisions dealing with licensing; and
(b)    provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Information and Broadcasting Services. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by 29th July, 2010. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions or amendments to the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

I thank you.

THE PROFESSIONAL BOXING AND WRESTLING CONTROL (Amendment) BILL, 2010

The Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development (Mr Chipungu): Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control (Amendment) Bill, 2010. The reason for review is because the Act was outdated …

Mr Speaker: The hon. Minister is debating. Please, state the objects of the Bill …

Mr Chipungu started looking around for the Bill.

Mr Speaker: … when you find it.

Mr Chipungu: I am sorry, Mr Speaker.

The object of the Bill is to amend the Professional Boxing and Wresting Control Act so as to:
(a)    establish the Zambia professional Boxing Control Board;
(b)    revise the provisions relating to the powers of the Board; and 
(c)    provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Sport, Youth and Child Affairs. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by 29th July, 2010. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions or amendments to the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

I thank you.

_______

MOTIONS

SECOND REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND TROURISM

Mr Chanda (Kankoyo): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do adopt the Second Report of the Committee on Energy, Environment and Tourism for the Fourth Session of the Tenth National Assembly laid on the Table of the House on Wednesday, 7th July, 2010.

Mr Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Mr Sichamba (Isoka West): Mr Speaker, I second the Motion.

Mr Chanda: Sir!

Laughter

Mr Chanda: In keeping with its terms of reference as set out in the Standing Orders, your Committee handled the following business:

(a)    consideration of the report of the Auditor-General on the provision of water in Zambia;

(b)    consideration of the report of the Auditor-General on solid waste management in Zambia;

(c)    consideration of the submissions on climate change adaptation and mitigation in Zambia; and

(d)    consideration of the action-taken report on the Committee’s First Report for the Fourth Session of the Tenth National Assembly.

Sir, arising from its deliberations, your Committee undertook local tours to the Central, Copperbelt, North-Western and Lusaka provinces.

Mr Speaker, as hon. Members are privy to the contents of your Committee’s report, I will only highlight a few pertinent issues.

Sir, the Office of the Auditor-General, through its Specialised Audit Section, conducted a performance audit on the provision of water in Zambia and an environmental audit on solid waste management in Zambia. Allow me, on behalf of your Committee, to commend the Office of the Auditor-General for undertaking these crucial audits. Your Committee is cognisant of the fact that such audits will go a long way in achieving value for money in the utilisation of public resources and urges the Auditor-General to continue carrying out these audits.

Sir, regarding the Report of the Auditor-General on the Provision of Water, your Committee learnt that when water utility companies were formed, they took over deteriorated infrastructure, which was in dire need of rehabilitation and that the companies were created without any capital for rehabilitation. Since their formation, not a single commercial water utility has registered profits and, as a result, they have not been able to provide the satisfactory service delivery for which they were created.

Mr Speaker, following the consideration of matters raised in this report and arising from submissions received from the audited water utility companies, your Committee wishes to express concern at the huge debt that is owed to water utility companies. This situation is aggravated by the fact that the largest part of this debt is owed by the Government entities. 

Mr Lubinda: Shame!

Mr Chanda: Sir, this is a highly unacceptable situation which, in your Committee’s opinion, cannot be allowed to continue. Your Committee, therefore, strongly urges all concerned Government ministries, agencies and departments to quickly dismantle their debts. 

Sir, let me hasten to point out that settling of the Government debt alone will not solve the problems these companies are facing. The commercial water utility companies need to put more concerted effort into rehabilitating and expanding their infrastructure and networks so that they achieve levels of efficient service delivery for which they were created.

Mr Speaker, allow me to comment on the challenges brought out by the Report of the Auditor-General on Solid Waste Management in Zambia. According to the Auditor-General’s Report, solid waste management has been recognised as an important undertaking by the Government, including other stakeholders who have admitted that there is room for improvement in waste management practices. 

Sir, your Committee learnt that despite the efforts that had been put in place in the country to deal with solid waste management, the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ), which is charged with the responsibility of implementing policy as well as enforcing legislation, is facing a number of challenges and has, as a result, not been effective in discharging its functions. Your Committee further learnt that local authorities also lack the capacity to effectively manage waste in terms of collection, transportation and the management of waste disposal facilities. 

Sir, your Committee, therefore, urges the Government to build the capacity of the ECZ and local authorities in both human and financial terms so as to enable them enforce stricter adherence to waste management regulations. This will help to reduce the incidences of annual outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, dysentery, contamination of air, soil and water resources; the proliferation of pests and vermin; and bring back the natural beauty that most cities of the country have lost.

Mr Speaker, at this point, let me address the subject of climate change.  It is your Committee’s hope that all hon. Members have taken a keen interest in your Committee’s observations and recommendations because adaptation to and mitigation against the effects of climate change affect each one of us very seriously.

Sir, climate change can be defined as the change in climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activities and natural climate variability that alters the composition of the global atmosphere. This change in climate is posing huge challenges to nations, communities and individuals as a result of its impact on the environment.

Your Committee learnt that although industrialised nations are the main contributors to the causes of climate change, Zambia, like other countries, has also contributed to its causes and needs to minimise the effects of climate change on the vital sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, tourism, energy and water by developing climate resilience strategies in these sectors. 
In conclusion, your Committee wishes to pay tribute to all the stakeholders from both the Government and private sectors for the efforts that are being made in tackling the issues of climate change. Your Committee urges the media to take up the challenge and be in the forefront in sensitising the public on matters connected to climate change. 

Your Committee further urges this august House to take a proactive stance in sensitising constituents on the effects of this global phenomenon that has the potential to have catastrophic effects on both present and future generations.

Sir, your Committee is indebted to all the witnesses who appeared before it for their co-operation in providing the necessary memoranda and briefs. Allow me to register my appreciation to all members of your Committee for their co-operation and dedication during the session.

Mr Speaker, your Committee wishes to express its gratitude to the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly for the services rendered. 

Finally, I wish, on behalf of your Committee, to express my gratitude to you for rendering guidance to this Committee throughout its deliberations.

Mr Speaker, I beg to move.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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

Mr Sichamba (Isoka West): Now, Mr Speaker.

Sir, in seconding the Motion to adopt the Second Report of the Committee on Energy, Environment and Tourism for the Fourth Session of the Tenth National Assembly laid on the Table of the House on 7th July, 2010, allow me to first thank the Chairperson for having ably moved the Motion.

Mr Speaker, the Chairperson has already pointed out the salient issues that caught the attention of your Committee during its deliberations. Therefore, I will just briefly touch on some of them.

Sir, as part of its tours, your Committee had an opportunity to tour Lumwana Copper Mine in the North-Western Province to gain more insight in the way the mine is managing its uranium mining activities. 

Mr Speaker, your Committee learnt that after a feasibility study, it was discovered that uranium and copper could be mined simultaneously from some uranium rich zones in the Lumwana Copper pits. These zones are being separately excavated as the uranium is being stockpiled at Lumwana. So far, the mine has a stockpile of three metric tonnes of uranium. 

Mr Speaker, although your Committee was reassured that there is a stringent monitoring programme in place to ensure the safety of human beings who come in contact with the uranium and to monitor the exposure of employees to radiation. Your Committee wishes to strongly urge the Government, through all relevant ministries and departments, to ensure that necessary caution is taken in handling the mining and exploration of uranium in the country. Your Committee is of the view that this extra caution needs to be taken until Zambia, as a country, puts in place the appropriate legal policy and institutional framework to handle uranium. 

Mr Speaker, your Committee is cognisant of the fact that the effects that radiation leaks can have on the environment and health have not yet been properly understood in the country. 

Mr Speaker, as you are aware, your Committee has been keenly following the developments in the energy sector, particularly the efforts that are being made to increase the country’s generation capacity. In this regard, your Committee toured Itezhi-tezhi Dam to get an update on the progress being made towards the development of Itezhi-tezhi Power Station. 

It is a fact that the need for developing new hydro-electricity was identified as far back as 1997 when the then Minister of Energy announced on the Floor of the House that feasibility studies for Kafue Gorge Lower and Itezhi-tezhi had been completed. 

Mr Speaker, your Committee was informed that the development of the Itezhi-tezhi Power Station would commence in July, 2010 and will be completed by February, 2014. Your Committee wishes to point out that although the project is scheduled to start this month, there have been many Government pronouncements in the past to the effect that the project is nearing commencement. Your Committee, therefore, is hopeful that the project will commence and end as scheduled. 

Finally, Sir, I wish to pay tribute to all the members of your Committee for the manner in which they conducted their deliberations. Your Committee observed the views of all the witnesses who appeared before it in a spirit and manner of unity which helped them to come up with recommendations which, in its view, are in the best interest of the people of Zambia. 

Mr Speaker, I beg to move.  
    
Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to debate the Motion on the Floor.  I would like to start by commending your Committee, the mover and seconder of this Motion. Their report is as informative as it is worrisome, particularly on matters to do with water and sanitation. 

Mr Speaker, allow me to make a few contributions to this section of the report. In doing so, let me also join the Chairperson of the Committee in commending the Office of the Auditor- General for taking interest in matters concerning the performance of our water sector. 

Mr Speaker, all the six water utilities that were audited complained about the obsolete infrastructure they have inherited. They also complained about the lack of maintenance of their water reticulation infrastructure. This, to a large extent, is what has led to a very high level of unaccounted for water. The figures that are presented in your report are very saddening. 

Mr Speaker, Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company in Chingola is reported to have 61 per cent unaccounted for water, followed by Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company of Ndola with 57 per cent. Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company, my own council, is reporting 51 per cent unaccounted for water. The only one that seems to be doing well is the Eastern Water and Sewerage Company which is reporting 29 per cent unaccounted for water. 

Mr Speaker, in context, this means that out of every 100 cubic litres of water pumped by Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company to households, only 39 cubic litres ends up being consumed. This means that 61 cubic litres is unaccounted for. The major question is who pays for it? 

When these commercial utilities apply to the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) for tariff increases, they obviously want to cover their costs. If they are going to cover their costs when they are having 61 per cent unaccounted for water, it can only mean two things. It could mean that either the consumers are paying much more than they should or the water utility companies are subsidising the consumers. Your Committee was informed that none of these commercial utilities was making a profit due to the obsolete infrastructure they inherited. 

Mr Speaker, the other issue of concern is that of coverage. Your report states that Lusaka accesses only 48 per cent of water. At the time of audit, the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company was only able to provide water to 48 per cent of the population. The pipeline from Iyondela in Kafue to Lusaka was laid in 1958. At the time, there were hardly 45,000 people in Lusaka. When that water plant was designed, it was targeting a projected population of 1985 of 250,000. 

Mr Speaker, over this period, the population grew at a faster rate than the projections such that, today, the pipeline that was meant to supply to 250,000 residents has to supply to 2 million people. How do you expect this pipeline to provide sufficient water to all the citizens of Lusaka? The expansion of the city has not been matched by the growth of the network of the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company. 

Sir, according to the United Nations minimum standards, every person requires 15 litres of water per day just for survival. On top of this, one requires 3 to 5 litres per day if he or she is using pole flushing toilets. If one is using flashing toilets connected to sewer lines, he or she needs between 20 and 30 litres extra. This brings the figure to 55 litres per day per person. If you multiply this by the population of Lusaka, bearing in mind what the report says that between 60 and 70 per cent of the people in Lusaka live in peri-urban areas, and if these are the ones who use 20 litres of water per day, we would be talking of about 1.2 million people. Therefore, they would need 24 million cubic litres of water per day. 

Mr Speaker, the other 800,000 who live in conventional areas and require 50 litres of water would need 40 million cubic litres of water per day, bringing it to a total of 68 million cubic litres of water per day when the infrastructure to provide water to the people of Lusaka was designed to deliver only 110,000 cubic litres of water. This is what the Iyondela Supply Station can provide. On top of this, the constituency that I am honoured to represent is the one that houses a number of boreholes which provide an additional 100,000 cubic litres per day, and yet we require a colossal 68 million cubic litres. What we are providing, therefore, is only a paltry 2 per cent. 

Mr Speaker, the United Nations minimum standard also states very clearly that access to water must be within 500 metres from the household. Beyond that, they say that the total queuing time at a water point must be no more than fifteen minutes. How I wish your Committee took the trouble to go to areas such as Matero and George compounds to go and see the number of hours that people spend queuing up to receive small quantities of water. If you take that into account, you would not say that we are providing 48 per cent in access of water in Lusaka. What we are providing is much less.

Sir, millennium development goals (MDGs) number seven and its target number ten is to halve the proportion without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2010. We are only five years away from 2015. Are we going to meet that target?

Mr Speaker, I also looked at the 2007 Annual Report on the Fifth National Development Plan. It says that whereas in 2000, water supply in Zambia was reaching 49 per cent, it therefore, meant that we are supposed to reach an additional 26 per cent by 2015. By 2007, we had only gone up to 51 per cent. Therefore, we are far much short of the target of 75 per cent by 2015. This is according to a report produced by our colleagues in Government. Five years before 2015, we have only achieved 51 per cent, and yet our target is 75 per cent. 

Mr Speaker, if you look at the sanitation sector, the story is even more frustrating. According to the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP), by 2008, the Government had committed itself to providing an additional 52,551 latrines. By the end of 2008, the hardworking Government performed very well. It worked very well in the sense that for the target of 52,551, the hardworking Government had provided 1,000 toilets which is extremely good performance by the hardworking Government.

Laughter{mospagebreak}

Mr Lubinda: They only achieved 2 per cent in the sanitation sector. That is a very hard working Government. Therefore, we salute your being hard working. For the target of 52,000 latrines, the performance rate was only 2 per cent with 1,000 toilets made. Well done!

Mr Speaker, I have said on the Floor of this House that the issue of toilets with the emergency of septic tanks and pit latrines in urban areas is very dangerous, particularly in areas such as the one I represent. I said that 50 per cent of the water consumed in Lusaka is from the shafts in Libala, and yet the residents of Libala do not have any sewerage network. Therefore, we are being forced to depend on pit latrines and septic tanks. 

Sir, with the climate change and the perennial events of floods that my colleagues spoke about, what do you think is happening to the underground water? Our underground water is constantly being polluted which is also leading to huge cost being incurred by Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company in treating that water. Unless, we work hard, very soon, we shall come to a point where the underground water in Libala will no longer good for human consumption. To rectify that, it will cost us a lot more than this hardworking Government can afford. I would, therefore, like to appeal to this hardworking Government to reflect upon its responsibility in the provision of water. I get annoyed when people are dying because of you.

Mr Speaker: Order! 

The hon. Member for Kabwata will withdraw that statement.

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, I withdraw the statement.

 This Government ought to take responsibility. Being in Government is not just to come and be rhetorical and simply that you are a hardworking Government when your performance does not match with your words. It is their duty to ensure that the commercial utilities that were created by them are sufficiently financed.

Sir, it will be remembered that in 2003, standing right here with the support of all my colleagues on this side of the House moved a Motion which was entitled “To urge the Government to liquidate all its indebtedness to water utilities countrywide and remain current there after as a way of ensuring that the commercially water utilities provided better quality service to the people”. That Motion was passed on the Floor of this House. 

Mr Speaker, at that time, the Government owed the five water utilities a total of K25 billion. Two months after that Motion, K12 billion was released to the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company with a promise that it would remain current, and yet as we speak today, the Government owes water utilities across the country more than K30 billion. As for Lusaka, they owe the Lusaka Water and Sewerage K21.5 billion. 

Sir, like the Chairperson of your Committee said, it is not acceptable that a responsible hardworking Government should cripple the operations of the water utilities and still expect them to meet the MDGs. It is not possible. May I, therefore, appeal to the hardworking Government to ensure that they liquidate their indebtedness to these water companies.

Sir, in addition, I would like to agree with the Managing Director of NWASCO’s who submitted and, I quote:

“We recommend that all resources meant to improve the water and sewerage service provision in the urban areas should be channeled to utilities that are mandated to provide these services.” 

Mr Speaker, entirely I agree with this. This is also what this Government recommended when it was reviewing the FNDP for 2007. It stated that time had come to ensure that the Government’s interventions in the water sector should be harmonised with local authorities and commercial water utilities. What we see now is that we have budgets scattering money for the water service provision all across ministries without the involvement of the commercial water utilities, and yet they are the ones that have the mandate to provide these services for the citizens.

Sir, I would also like to state that much as it is individuals who also owe these water companies, the challenge of collecting from them is not as onerous as the challenge of collecting from the Government. I therefore, want to commend the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company for initiating a pilot metering project in Libala where everybody now is paying for their water though it is very clear for the people in Libala that when they pay, it shows.  It makes sense that way. 
  
There is no need, whatsoever, for anyone from Lusaka Water and Sewerage to disconnect people from water supply. This Government must encourage and support this kind of metering system for all water utility companies. However, for this to be done, Sir, the people in Government ought to put the money where their mouths are. It is frustrating that five years before 2015, we have not even gone half way in meeting the water and sanitation MDG. 

Sir, I, therefore, would like to end by commending the Committee for bringing out these issues and hope that this hardworking Government will take time and reflect upon the recommendations made in the report.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Machungwa (Luapula): Mr Speaker, in making my very brief intervention on this report, I wish to begin by commending the Committee for the work well done and a well presented report.

Sir, I intend to confine my debate to what is contained in the report on pages 63, 64 and 65. This concerns the Committee’s visit to Lumwana Mines. One of the things it found there was a stockpile of 3 metric tonnes of uranium. This mineral is being mined in the mining process. It appears that some of the copper mined there contains some uranium. In fact the 3 metric tonnes of uranium has got 950 ppm (parts per million) of uranium and copper content of 0.8 per cent.

Mr Speaker, uranium is a very dangerous mineral to human life. If one gets exposed to it there are chances that the individual will get contaminated or suffer from radiation poisoning. The Committee has also stated in the report that the ECZ which is supposed to be monitoring this issue does not have the capacity or means to monitor whether safety procedures are really being observed. What we are getting is just an assurance from the mining company that it is following safety procedures.

Sir, in most enterprises of this nature, it is true that the developer or operator will minimise the safety aspect because they want to mine and go ahead with production. We do not know what this mineral is doing to the miners who are mining it when they come in contact with it, as well as the people who are living in the surrounding environment. The contact and exposure to this mineral will mean a few years from now or ten years from now, there will be problems.

For this reason, I wish to urge the Government through the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development to engage experts through the United Nations Atomic Energy Agency (UNAEA) to come and give us some expertise so that we can set up an institution or unit which will monitor the mining of this mineral. It is also true that currently, there are a number of companies which are prospecting for uranium in our country. I think it is dangerous as country for us to be mining this mineral without taking adequate protective measures for our people.

  This mineral is also very valuable because it is used in nuclear materials and other items, thus I think the profit aspect is also important. However, my concern right now is what it means for our people when they get exposed to it. For example, in the photograph shown by the Committee’s report, I can see a picture of members of your Committee inspecting the uranium stockpile at Lumwana Mines. 

Mr Lubinda: Without any protective clothing!

Dr Machungwa: It is difficult to tell whether they are standing on the uranium or it is somewhere else. It is not clear from the picture.

From my little understanding, because I am no expert in the area of radiology and atomic energy, you need to be protected from this mineral. Obviously, we do not have the expertise.

Therefore, I would like to strongly urge Government to begin exploring ways with experts who can give us information on how we can go about managing and making sure that the developers, in this case, Lumwana Mines and other mining company houses that may come to Zambia, can manage this mineral safely on behalf of our people. These investors will make money and after some time disappear and then we will remain with problems. People would have already been affected by radiation which would lead to birth defects and all kinds of things that may come in the future.

With these few words, I would like thank the Committee for a report well done and urge the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development to take this issue very seriously.

I thank you, Sir.

Major Chizhyuka (Namwala): Mr Speaker, the humble people of Namwala!

Laughter

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Major Chizhyuka: I have taken cognisance of the 3 metric tonnes of uranium stockpiled at Lumwana in the report. Sir, it is common knowledge that one of the reasons Lumwana Mines was unshaken at the time of the worldwide economic crunch, which started in the United States of America, was because of the by-products which were able to enhance its profitability as a mine and as a company. It is quite clear now that they have a lot of uranium and other by-products of copper in Lumwana.

However, my concern is not so much to do with safety because the hon. Member of Parliament for Luapula has already dealt with such matters associated with the mining of uranium. My concern is, Mr Speaker, the extent to which the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development realises that there is a lot more value in our minerals. There is a lot more minerals being mined from the bowels of the earth of this country. To which extent are we as indigenous Zambians benefiting? This is because the issue of benefit is central to my mind.

Sir, you may recall that two years before the World Cup, I mentioned in this House that a tribe in South Africa called the Bafokene had 22.6 per cent shares of the world’s second largest platinum mine in the world. The Bafokene tribe has actually built a stadium fit for the 2010 World Cup through the mineral royalty tax. This tribe benefited from the platinum sales and realised sufficient money to build a world class stadium approved by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA).

Mr Ntundu: Which one?

Major Chizhyuka: You must have read! Do you not read?

Mr Ntundu: Which town?

Mr Speaker: Order! 

The hon. Member should be cautious, he is not protected by privilege.  

Will the hon. Member continue, please?

Major Chizhyuka: Mr Speaker, I am talking about the indigenous Zambians benefiting from the mineral resources of the country. During the first week of the World Cup, one of the senior employees at Parliament came to me and said, “I told my wife that this is the stadium he was talking about, but we did not believe him”. He said that he told his wife that he did not know that a tribe can build a stadium which befits the World Cup standards. What this means is that those people have utilised their natural resources to benefit the people. 

In this country, we are mining uranium and other products. When the Committee toured the mines, it found stockpiles of uranium. Like Hon. Dr Machungwa asked, have we been in touch with international bodies that deal with the safety of uranium? The Committee members felt that they were exposed to radiation. I know that the time there was a radiation disaster in Ukraine, everything died and it is only now that animals have started coming back on the scene. We do not just want to protect ourselves, but we would like the money raised from the sell of uranium to develop our country.

Mr Speaker, I urge the men and women charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the mineral resources of our country are put to good use to take cognisance of the fact that there is a lot of uranium being mined. There are three districts in the Southern Province which have a lot of uranium as indicated on the mineral map of this country. I can foresee that the problem of uranium being stockpiled spreading to some parts of Southern Province where uranium will be mined. It is important as we mine these minerals which God has placed in the bowels of the earth of Zambia for Zambians to benefit from the resources realised.

I thank you, Sir.

The Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr M. B. Mwale): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to respond to some of the issues raised and, in particular, the observations raised in your Committee’s report.

Mr Speaker, I will begin by commending your Committee for a very good report although, sometimes, I get the impression that, allow me to call them alarmists of some degree.

Mr Speaker, I will restrict myself to the observations raised by your Committee on uranium mining at Lumwana. First of all, I would like to inform the House that even the granite we use in block making for blocks we use to build our houses has some radioactivity. The only thing we can talk about is the level of radioactivity. 

Mr Speaker, uranium mining has been going on for over sixty years. We, as a young nation, do not have to reinvent the wheel because this activity has been going on longer than my lifespan and as such we can only learn from the experiences of our colleagues. There are early entrants in this activity and we just have to learn from them.

Mr Speaker, I would like to bring comfort to the House by informing it that uranium mining has to be done in conformity with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regulations. If you, as a nation, would like to embark on uranium mining, you have to engage the IAEA which has to approve even your own regulations. I would like to say that your very responsible Government already has in place regulations which cover the exploration, mining, processing, transportation of uranium products and the disposal of the tailings of uranium.

Mr Speaker, what has to be understood by this House is that the uranium mining taking place in this country is only up to the production of the yellow cake. In any case, we have not yet set up a plant for processing the yellow cake. For uranium to be of economic value, it has to be enriched. It has to be of a nuclear grade which is the one used in the nuclear power plants, and in the atomic nuclear heads. In this country we have not set up a processing plant to process the yellow cake which has to be further enriched to produce the nuclear grade uranium which can be used in power plants. As it is, as a country, we are not treading on dangerous grounds. The fears which I have heard people express are the ones which are retrogressive. I say so because I relate them to those who wanted to stay in the comfort zone of a steam engine and did not want to adopt an electric motor.

Mr Speaker, I would like to say that if you are not innovative, you will remain behind in this market place. As it is, the fears being raised here are unfounded because the uranium which is stockpiled at Lumwana is as a consequence of mining copper. As the report has ably put it, there are some uranium rich zones. However, as you design your mining operation, you cannot just hand pick where to get your copper and not expose even areas in which uranium occurrences are. 

Mr Speaker, I would like to assure this House that the uranium stockpiled at Lumwana is not as dangerous as some people would like us to believe. Issues have been raised that our earth has a lot of minerals and I agree that God has endowed us with a lot of mineral resources. However, I would like to say that Lumwana primarily is only producing copper and not any by-products. 

   Mr Speaker, at present, the only company in North-Western Province which has by- products is Kansanshi. Kansanshi has gold as a by-product. Lumwana will only enjoy the benefits of producing uranium once it puts up a uranium processing plant. I would like to inform this House that the Government has in place a system to monitor whatever by-products are being produced from the mining operations for the benefit of our people. I would like to tell the House that even during the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) days, we used to produce gold, silver and selenium from the slimes produced from our refineries. Since we have a long history of mining, we have the capacity to monitor whatever by-products these mining companies produce. In any case, it is a serious offence for any mining company not to declare any by-product that is as a consequence of its primary production.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

The Minister of Local Government and Housing (Dr Kazonga): Mr Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to make a contribution to the debate on the report of your Committee. I will concentrate on two areas and these are water supply and waste management, which are captured by parts i and ii of your Committee’s report.

Mr Speaker, the Government, being aware of the challenges being faced in the water supply and sanitation sub-sector, has created commercial water utilities with one in each province apart from the Copperbelt which has three. Now, the creation of commercial water utilities combined with appropriate sanitation systems in order to supply clean water to people in the urban and peri-urban areas has been completed. The Government, therefore, has a total of eleven commercial water utilities and, fortunately, I have already visited five of them − three on the Copperbelt, one in Lusaka and one in the Western Province. So, indeed, I already have a general picture of the challenges that the commercial water utilities are facing.

Mr Speaker, it is also important that I emphasise one point. Since the creation of these commercial water utilities, the Government has seen a number of successes. Here in Lusaka, we have seen important projects aimed at improving water supply in areas such as Matero and Chongwe, in particular, where the water treatment plant is going to be replaced, as a whole, by the end of this year as the current one is in a dilapidated state. 

That is not all, in the Central Province, we have seen the upgrading of infrastructure to supply clean water and sanitation services to people in urban areas. This project was undertaken in all the eight centres in the Central Province. These developments can be owed to the efforts of the Government. However, this is not to say that the Government has solved all the problems because it is aware of the challenges that are still being faced. 

Now, as a Government, we have thoroughly analysed these problems of water supply and sanitation. Basically, we are looking at the problem of demand and supply. As regards demand, we have seen an increase in the population over time, as indicated by the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwata, whereas as the water supply has remained constant. However, as a Government that is very orderly and systematic in solving problems, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kazonga: … we have now embarked on what we are calling the Urban and Peri-Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Programme.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Dr Kazonga:  This way, our people in the urban and peri-urban areas will have access to clean water supply and sanitation facilities. This programme was created after an analysis of the problems being faced by the commercial water utilities.

Mr Speaker, the problems noted have been categorised into two. These are software and hardware problems. The software problems comprise investment, financial resources and debt management, which your Committee also identified in its report.

Mr Lubinda: K31 billion.

Dr Kazonga: The hardware problems are about infrastructure with regard to the water which is unaccounted for. To curb this, there is an ongoing comprehensive programme in place that is addressing the issue of metres so that people pay for what they consume. The Western Province where the Western Water and Sewerage Company, by the end of this year, in Mongu alone, would have installed 2,000 metres.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Dr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, in Kaoma, there are plans to have 1,000 metres installed by the end of this year. 

Mr Speaker, another success story that can be cited as an example is the Eastern Water and Sewerage Company in the Eastern Province. In the past, before the creation of this company, people used to have running water for about thirty minutes. Now, the duration of having running water has increased to about four to six hours. We want to do even more than this.

 Mr Speaker, in response to the problems being faced by the supply and sanitation sub-sector, the Government has come up with a very systematic programme. 

Hon. Government Members: Yes.

Dr Kazonga: We do not just beat about the bush. No. We are very systematic.

Laughter 

Dr Kazonga: We have identified the problems.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kazonga: So, we have put in place a programme that has captured all of them.

Mr Lubinda: K31 billion.

Dr Kazonga: When problems are unidentified and there is a failure to differentiate those which are very limiting from others, they will remain unsolved. Hence, this Government has identified the problems and has established that the limiting issue is infrastructure, which is linked to investment. That is why it has designed these solutions.

Mr Speaker, I am confident that we are moving in the right direction. The creation of commercial water utilities is a right step in the right direction. We are going to see more positive results as far as water supply and sanitation is concerned.

Mr Speaker, the second part of your Committee’s report looks at waste management. Indeed, I do acknowledge that there is a need to construct appropriate land fields for disposal of waste as indicated in the report. The Government will consider this and do what it can within its limited resources to address this issue. 

Mr Speaker, more resources will be sought in order to answer the challenge of waste management which is linked to the issue of capacity building in the commercial utilities and also our local authorities. The Government shall continue embarking on the issue of capacity building within its limited resources. 

Mr Speaker, with all this in place, I am confident that we are going to make in-roads in as far as water supply and sanitation are concerned.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources (Ms Namugala): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, I also wish to commend your Committee for the articulate report that we are debating today. 

Mr Speaker, allow me to comment very briefly on the issues raised in the report by stating right from the onset that, indeed, the environment is the basis for all human endeavours. We, therefore, all of us, must ensure that the integrity of the environment is protected at all times, even in our quest, as a country, for economic development through the exploitation of our natural resources because the environment is a source of raw materials as well as a sink of waste matter.

Mr Speaker, I note that your Committee is recommending certain measures to be taken on solid and liquid waste management and I wish to inform the House that the Government is in the process of strengthening legislation in order to provide for better enforcement and linkages between the ECZ and local authorities. It is the wish of this very hard working and responsible Government …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: … to ensure that the public is sensitised on the issue of waste management, with a view of converting most waste material into useful secondary inputs of production. In fact, this very hardworking and responsible Government intends to make the producers more accountable for the disposal of the waste arising from their economic activities.

Mr Speaker, the Committee is correct in its observation that the forestry sector is in need of attention. The Government is working very hard, as it always does, to ensure that it has a strengthened institutional and human capacity in this sector in order to preserve its more than 50 million hectares of forests.

Mr Speaker, I have taken note of the concerns raised and the recommendations by your Committee. Climate change is, indeed, an economic and social challenge that requires both domestic and international efforts in addressing it. For countries like Zambia, the challenge is bigger because it is a developing country. Climate change has the potential to reverse all its economic gains. To a large extent, developing countries like Zambia are suffering from the impact of the historical emissions by societies that are more developed economically than them.

Mr Speaker, pollution, at the current rate, has affected the assimilative capacity of the environment. Both domestic and international efforts, therefore, are focused on applying the principle of polluter pays. On the other hand, I would like to commend the Committee for having identified the fact that industrialised countries are responsible, to a very great extent, for the damage that climate change is causing on economies such as ours. So, the polluter pays principle is a way to compensate the global community for the damage caused by climate change.

Mr Speaker, as a very hardworking Government, we are, in this regard, working on a strategy to combat climate change. We have developed, in the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, a climate change facilitation unit which is going to guide the country on how to deal with the challenge of climate change. I would like, therefore, to urge hon. Members of this House to take time and visit the climate change facilitation unit at the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources. Through this climate change facilitation unit, we are, as a country, going to ensure that we minimise the social and economic impact of climate change.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

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

Mr Chanda: Mr Speaker, I would like to start by thanking all of those who have debated this Motion. However, I want to respond to the fears raised by Hon. Machungwa that the Committee could, probably, have been exposed to radiation during  its tours. I think we were standing very far from the uranium stockpile. That is why the dump site cannot be seen in the picture on page 65 of the report.

Laughter

Mr Chanda: Further examination of the photograph will show one hon. Member trying to protect himself adequately.

Laughter

Mr Chanda: Sir, allow me to, maybe, make one or two comments on the concerns raised by the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development. It was unfortunate that the Committee did not have the time to go to the KCM, where the copper containing uranium is treated because its programme did not include that. However, your Committee has very serious concerns because the ladles or collector plates used for treating copper containing uranium are not supposed to be repaired, according to international standards. Besides that, the Committee was reliably informed that a mining company on the Copperbelt had to terminate a contract to treat the copper concentrates from Lumwana Mine because there was not enough information on the content of uranium in these concentrates. 

Sir, the point I am trying to make is that the Committee was accompanied by officials from the ECZ on these trips. These officials are the experts who advise the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development on the environmental impact of mining activities. They admitted that they did not have the capacity to monitor these things.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chanda: Therefore, this is a challenge to the nation because the people who are working in these areas risk being exposed to radiation and, therefore, something needs to be done about it urgently.

Sir, I wish to thank all the hon. Members who have debated for doing so quietly and agreeing with the Committee on its report.

I thank you, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Question put and agreed to.

ADJOURNEMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

__________ 

The House adjourned at 1803 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 14th July, 2010.

APPENDIX TO QUESTION 507

COPPERBELT ROAD WORKS

Kitwe District 

Name of Road                    Length
                        (Km)
Ipusukilo                    0.52
Poisentia                    0.85
Druly-Lumumba                1.85
Mporokoso Chilonga Mukwae        3.20
27th Avenue                    0.24
Matuka Avenue                1.60
Central Street                    2.70
Mindolo Road                    2.70
Chibuluma Road                2.40
Chiwala Road                    2.60
Congo Way                    11.10
Chinyembe Way                1.30
Almalik/Kopa Road                2.40
Nile Raod                    0.70
Ngozi    Road                    0.80
Mkuba Road                    0.90

Sub-total                    23.74

Chingola District 

Name of Road                    Length 
                                                                    (Km)

Kabompo                    2.0
Central                        1.00
Kasompe                    3.70
Butungwa                    1.80
Kafue-Luapula                1.30
Lumumba                    0.90
Mukuba                    1.50
Maina Soko                    1.10
Riverside Drive                1.70
Chilubi                    1.10
Nile                        1.70
President                    1.20
Mkushi                    0.70
Kanjala                    0.90
Kafulafuta                    0.25
Mupaka                    2.50

Sub-total                    23.35

Kalulushi District 
    
Name of Road                    Length 

                        (Km)

Butungwa/Lukoshi Road            3.90
Kibwe Road                    0.45
Luangwa Road                2.05
Lalomo Road                    1.00
Gwembe Road                    0.85
Zambezi Road                    1.70
Chilengwa Lesa Road                0.75
Hindu Hall Road                       0.85
Kafue/Buteko Road                1.70

Sub-total                    13.20

Ndola District 

Name of Road                    Length 

                        (Km)

James Phiri                    0.45
Peter Chibesakunda                1.10
Nyati                        0.85
Kabelenga                    1.90
Boundary                    0.25
Kalewa                    1.80
Chiwangal                    0.40
Lowenthai                    1.60
Mushili Mosi-O-Tunya            1.95
Pamodzi                    3.10
Nyerere                    1.50
Chinika Shinde                1.70
Fitente Kampala                2.05
Macha                        1.70

Sub-total                    20.35

Luanshya District 
Name of Road                    Length 
                        (Km)

East Drive                    1.70
8th Street-Lantana                1.70
Hibiscus                    1.60
6th Street                    1.30
Industrial                    0.70
Kopa                        0.80
Chipembele-TVTC Loop            2.40
Chitwi                        1.20

Sub-total                    11.40

Total for earmarked project            362.49

Kitwe District 

Name of Road                    Length 
(Km)

Dr Aggrey Avenue                0.99
Zambia                    0.37
Blantyre                    0.45
Kantanta Street                2.37
Euclide                    0.59
Eshowe                    0.49
Matuka                    0.36
Natwange                    0.90
Mutemuko                    1.08
Misheshi                    0.91
Kanongesha                    0.72
Mulilkwenda                    0.71
Lilongwe                    0.62
Independence SL                1.07

Sub-total                    11.63

Ndola Town

Name of Road                    Length 
(Km)

Chambeshi                    4,674
Vitanda                    0.859
Kaunda Drive                    0.295
Makoli Avenue                0.881
Independence Way                1.726
Zambia                    2.537
Matelo                        0.383
Lukasu                        1.000
Livingstone                    0.375

Sub-total                    12.73

Total for Running Contractors        47.71

Mr Speaker, I thank you.