DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE THIRD SESSION OF THE TENTH ASSEMBLY

Thursday, 30th July, 2009

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

___________

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

THE 13TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE AFRICAN UNION (AU) SUMMIT AND THE 15TH SUMMIT OF THE HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT (NAM) HELD IN SIRTE, LIBYA AND SHARM EL-SHEIKH, EGYPT RESPECTIVELY IN JULY, 2009

The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Pande): Mr Speaker, as the House may be aware, Zambia participated in the 13th Ordinary Session of African Union (AU) Summit held in Sirte, Libya from 1st to 3rdJuly, 2009 and the 15th Heads of State and Government Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in Sharma-el-Sheikh, Egypt from 15th to 16th July, 2009.

His Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Justice, Mr George Kunda, SC, led the Zambian delegation to the above summits.

The 13th Ordinary Session of the African Union

The 13thOrdinary Session of the AU was attended by seventeen Heads of State and Government while other member states were represented at various levels. The summit was chaired by the Libyan Leader, Muammar Al-Gaddafi.

The theme of the summit was ‘Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security’

Theme of the Summit

In discussing the theme of the summit, member States committed themselves to addressing the root causes of poverty and hunger through accelerating progress made towards achieving the growth and the budgetary targets set out in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) agenda and framework.

Mr Speaker, you may wish to note that CAADP is an initiative within the framework of the African Union that is aimed at bringing about required institutional and policy reforms, capacity development and increased investment. For example, the continent should have by 2015 improved the productivity of agriculture to attain an average annual production growth rate of 6 per cent with particular attention to small-scale farmers, especially women. This initiative would no doubt enhance agricultural performance and also directly to impact on food security and social-economic growth on the African continent.

Furthermore, member states undertook to develop and implement continental and regional strategies that would embrace climate change and mitigation in the agriculture development agenda.

In addition, the summit requested the commission, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Secretariat as well as the Regional Economic Communities to, among other things, mobilised the necessary technical expertise to support CAADP implementation in all member states as well as undertake major initiatives within the context of CAADP in order to modernise regional trading systems and promote regional integration.

Mr Speaker, in this respect, the summit urged member States to recommit themselves to the AU Maputo Declaration which stipulates that member states should allocate at least, 10 per cent of their annual budgets to the agriculture sector by 2015 and at the same time, urged them to scale-up their efforts in accelerating the implementation of the CAADP agenda, as follows:

(i)  undertake major initiatives within the context of CAADP to modernise regional and trading systems and promote regional integration;

(ii)  facilitate the creation of agriculture investments and enterprise development platforms in member states and organisation of agribusiness joint venture affairs;

(iii)  facilitate increased investment in agriculture research and development and support to strengthen Africa’s scientific and technical information and knowledge base;

(iv)  establish a ‘South to South Forum for Agricultural Development in Africa’ and expand engagement with the Diaspora through Africa’s CIDO to unlock additional sources of technical and investment financing African agriculture; and

(v)  establish an inter-ministerial mechanism bring together ministries of Agriculture, Environment and Water to advance inter-sectoral approach in addressing the climatic change.

In reinforcing the Maputo Declaration, the summit noted that to date, Malawi is the only country that allocates 14.8 per cent of its National Budget to agriculture. It is no wonder that Malawi has advanced in the field of agriculture today.

Mr Speaker, in concluding this debate on the theme, the House may wish to note that the summit called upon international development partners as well as regional and non-regional stakeholders to harmonise and align their investment support to African agriculture through CAADP priorities and to ensure that agriculture financing initiatives are enhanced through African institutions and therefore made accessible at country level.

Report of the Peace and Security Council

The summit also looked at the report of the Peace and Security Council. In considering this report of the peace and security council, as regards the security situation in the following countries, Somalia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Madagascar, Mauritania, Ivory Coast and Djibouti/Eritrea border dispute.

With regard to peace and security on the continent, the summit noted the significant progress that has been made in restoring peace in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Darfur Region of Sudan. In the case of Mauritania, the Assembly noted that the AU peace and Security Council had lifted the suspension of that country following its return to constitutional governance. As the House maybe aware, Mauritania held the elections on the 18th July, 2009 and has elected a new President.

Mr Speaker, you may however, wish to note that the summit expressed great concern at the escalating of conflicts and the resurgence of military coups on the continent. The summit, therefore, resolved to hold an extraordinary summit in Libya in September, 2009 which would address the conflict situations on the continent.

Transformation of the African Union Commission into an Authority

Regarding this agenda, the summit adopted the modalities for the implementation of the transformation of the African Union Commission into the African Union Authority.

In this regard, the summit directed the African Union Commission to among other things, prepare the legal instruments for amendments to the Constitutive Act, the rules of procedure of the Assembly, the Executive Council, the Permanent Representatives Committee and the statutes of the commission related to the creation of the African Union Authority.

In addition, the summit directed that the commission in collaboration with the PRC prepared a structure of a mere authority by taking into account the mandate given to authority as well as the financial implications of a transformation as a commission into an authority.

Decision on the Abuse of the Principle of Universal Jurisdiction

Mr Speaker, on this item, the summit reiterated its previous decisions as adopted in June, 2008 and February, 2009 respectively and expressed concern at the continued indictment of African leaders and personalities. The summit, therefore, called for the immediate termination of all pending indictments.

With the foregoing, the summit directed the African Union Commission to conduct extensive discussions with the United Nations Security Council as well as the General Assembly and the European Union.

Meeting of the States Parties to the Rome Statute 

Mr Speaker, with regard to this, the summit noted, with concern, the indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued against President Omer Hassan Ahmed Al Bashir of the Republic of Sudan. In this regard, the summit reiterated its unwavering commitment to combating impunity and in promoting democracy, the rule of law and good governance in conformity with the Constitutive Act of the African Union. The summit directed the African Union Commission to convene, this year, a preparatory meeting at expert and ministerial levels for the Review Conference of African State parties to and Non-parties to the Rome Statute to take place in Kampala, Uganda, in May 2010.

The Summit further adopted a resolution that African States would no longer co-operate with the ICC following the failure of the UN Security Council to respond the suspension of the indictment of President Al Bashir of Sudan for one year as provided for in the Rome Statute. This notwithstanding, Zambia remains committed to observing the provisions of the ICC and has no intention of withdrawing from it.

United Nations Reforms

On this item, Mr Speaker, the summit took note of the on-going inter-governmental negotiations at the United Nations whose aim is to reconcile the various positions from the five continents. As the House is aware, Africa’s position remains the same as espoused in the Ezulwini Consensus where Africa reiterates its need to have two permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council with veto powers.

The other positions are that of the Uniting for Consensus Movement which advocates for the expansion of the Security Council membership to twenty-five. The group of four includes Germany, Brazil, Japan and India whose position is to retain permanent Security Council membership for all four nations. The small group of five (G5) position, on the other hand, includes Switzerland, Singapore, Costa Rica, Jordan and Lichtenstein, whilst other positions include that of the United States of America and China.

15th Summit of the Heads of States and Governments of the Non-Aligned Movement

 Mr Speaker, with regard to this summit, the theme was “International Solidarity for Peace and Development” as well as the current “Global Economic and Financial Crisis”. It was well attended and successful.

Mr Speaker, Zambia is an active member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Allow me, therefore, to mention that the NAM is a forum at which global issues of mutual concern and interest to member countries are discussed. In this respect, the NAM addresses various challenges relating to international politics and security, economics, trade, development, human rights, environment international terrorism as well as social and cultural issues. It, therefore, remains as valid today as it was at inception.

Mr Speaker, during the summit, the Heads of States and Governments discussed a number of issues on the international agenda and resolved to work together to uphold the principles of the NAM in order to achieve peace and development for its peoples. I am happy to report, therefore, that during the summit, Zambia called for the stepping up of international efforts to support developing countries through the implementation of major debt initiatives and reiterated the need for bilateral donors and the multilateral financial institutions to provide more resources to mitigate against the impact of the current global financial and economic crisis. This will understandably require a lot of goodwill, increased innovation to find new sources of funding, reform procedures to promote rapid aid delivery and relaxing of conditionalities to help developing countries like Zambia. Zambia will, therefore, continue to make this call at all major international for whilst continuing with measures to diversify its economy in order to achieve the desired goals.

Mr Speaker, in addition to this, Zambia joined other members of the movement in calling for the early conclusion of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Doha Round of Trade Negotiations in particular with regard to issues of interest for Zambia such as trade facilitation, aid for trade, agriculture and non-agricultural market access and trade in services. Zambia also called for the need to accelerating negotiations in order to shape an ambitious and effective international response to climate change and ensuring food security.

In this regard, the summit called upon member states to further strengthen the political momentum in preparing for the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change that would be held in December, 2009. It is hoped that this conference would be more successful in addressing the climate change than the Kyoto Protocol.

Mr Speaker, at this point, allow me to report that the summit, among other things, committed itself to stand together in co-ordination with the Group of 77 and China (G77 and China) through the Joint Co-ordinating Committee, to achieve the fundamental reform of the international economic and financial systems and architecture aimed at addressing its flaws and to ensure the implementation of the outcomes of major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic and social fields.

Mr Speaker, the House may wish to note that the summit adopted a plan of action which outlines the activities and programmes to be implemented during the 2010-2012 period including the following:

(i) On the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its causes and implications, NAM agreed to utilise fully the follow up actions decided on in the outcome of the United Nations High Level Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development and ensure that measures taken to respond to the effects of the crisis do not worsen the situation of the developing countries. Full support will also be given to the initiatives taken at the regional level to respond to the crisis;

(ii) on the Internationally Agreed Development Goals including the millennium development goals (MDGs), NAM has undertaken to ensure the implementation of the outcomes of major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic and social fields, including the Monetary Consensus, the Doha Declaration on Financing for Development and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation as well as utilising the high level meeting organised by the United Nations Secretary-General in 2010;

(iii) on food security, to ensure food security for all peoples of the member States of the movement and other developing countries NAM leaders pledged to enhance co-operation and co-ordination with the United Nations, Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World Food Programme WFP and other multilateral for a in order to decisively deal with the short, medium and long term actions needed to address trade and agriculture related aspects within the current negotiations in the Doha round;

(iv) on Special Needs for Africa, NAM called on members to continue to promote the full implementation of all commitments by the international community to address the special needs of Africa as contained in the United Nations Declaration on Africa’s Development Needs adopted during the 63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, especially in conflict resolution, peace and security, development and poverty eradication, achievement of the millennium development goals, strengthening of co-operation of regional organisations and programmes including New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD); and

v) Mr Speaker, on climate change, NAM countries are concerned with issues such as mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology transfer, capacity building and a shared vision in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and will fully utilise the high level meeting to be convened by the Secretary General of the United Nations General Assembly at the beginning of its 64th Session.

vi) Mr Speaker, on energy, NAM will participate in the shaping of comprehensive United Nations energy agenda, including the creation of an effective mechanism to transfer advanced energy technologies to developing countries and countries with economies in transition, with the aim of achieving the millennium development goals (MDGs) and deal, effectively, with the challenge of climate change. 

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to urge this august House to take note of the decisions that were made by both the African Union (AU) and the Non-Aligned Movement to which Zambia is not only an active member, but also continues to play an important role through its contributions.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Well, from where I am sitting, I could tell that the House was not interested in that ministerial statement. There was so much discussion and I do not think that any of you has any point to raise on that statement.

Laughter

Hon. Opposition Members indicated.

Mr Speaker: If I give any of you a chance to ask questions, and without prejudice, your questions will be full of guess work.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: You may resume your seats. Some hon. Members are now free to raise points of clarification on the statement which was made by the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Dr Scott (Lusaka Central): Mr Speaker, I took careful note of the hon. Minister’s report on the AU resolutions concerning agriculture, poverty, women farmers, in particular, the target of 6 per cent growth and commitment of an increased amount of the Budget. Can he tell us what is new in these targets and ambitions that has not been expressed and failed for the last forty years? Where is the innovation or we may be repeating ourselves every time we fly first class to Sharm el-sheikh.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, the economic crunch is a new thing. It was not there forty years ago and, therefore, the issue is to re-look at how we should improve on agriculture while taking the economic crunch into consideration. On the issue of flying first class, nobody does that. The hon. Member should not mislead the House and the nation.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Matongo (Pemba): Mr Speaker, by 2015, we shall be targeting the resolutions in Egypt at 6 per cent. Looking at our own situation, with reference to our Budget in agriculture, this year, we are at 7 per cent. The Maputo declaration which is referred to and is, perhaps, more progressive has been at 10 per cent since a few years back. New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), equally, have had those similar resolutions. At what level will this Government bring the reality of economic growth to mere 10 per cent in order for this country to develop and for food security at investment as determined by the Maputo declaration? I want the hon. Minister to clarify that. If he is not ready, I am prepared to wait for a ministerial statement on that issue.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, maybe, it was a slip of the tongue. The 6 per cent growth is on agriculture and the 10 per cent is the budget inclusion. Therefore, this Government, as you have rightly put it, currently, is it 7 per cent and we are looking at 2015. All things being equal, we are determined that, by 2015, we should also reach the 10 per cent.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Milupi (Luena): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs for this extensive statement. Going by the amount of time that was spent discussing agriculture, was the Zambian delegation able to share with other African countries how those countries are able to land fertiliser in their countries at an average of about US $10 per 50 kilogram bag when Zambia lands at about US$55 per 50 kg bag? We also recognise that the high price of fertiliser is what is constraining the growth of agriculture, especially in rural areas among the poor.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, Zambia was well represented by the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives. I am positively sure that during their deliberations, definitely, the hon. Minister must have shared what is happening in Zambia with his colleagues as they, as well, shared what is happening in their countries with him. He will be able to share what they discussed with the nation.

I thank you, Sir.
 
Mr Nsanda (Chimwemwe): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister talked about technology transfer, which is part of the discussions they had. What measures has Zambia, which has a lot of unskilled people in the manufacturing industry, taken to have technology transferred to it? My question is based on the fact that a long time ago, we had Zambianisation which worked very well. Therefore, what measures have you taken towards it?

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, technology transfer comes in many ways. When investors come with new technology, they will come with experts that will pass on that knowledge to the Zambians. SADC is looking at how member states can transfer technology within the region, particularly, on the issue of climate change. At the moment, we have these emissions from car fumes. Zambia has no capacity to measure how much polluting substances are being emitted into the atmosphere. It is those areas where Zambia, in consultation with other members will still have knowledge to come into Zambia and pass on the knowledge to the Zambians.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.{mospagebreak}

Mr Sejani (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, on the reform of the UN, the hon. Minister referred to what they call the Ezulwini Consensus where, among other things, they agreed that Africa needs to be represented by, at least, two countries that are permanently on the UN Security Council. Hon. Minister, was there any consensus on which these two countries would be, and if so, what criterion was used to choose them?

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, at this stage, no country has been agreed upon. As I mentioned earlier, negotiations are still taking place. There are different groups presenting different positions on how they would want the UN Security Council reformed. This is the position for Africa. When the time comes, and if at all those two countries are picked on, the House and the nation at large will be informed.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kakoma (Zambezi West): Mr Speaker, the black Zambian Government has decided to support Omar Al Bashir, the President of Sudan, who is a dictator and brutalising blacks in the Darfur Region. I would like to find out if this Government is convinced that the right stand to take is to support an Arab dictator, who is abusing the human rights of fellow Africans.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, in my statement I said that it is not about the issue of supporting President Al Bashir, but the principle of the implementation of the indictment, which is targeting African leaders, particularly those that are sitting.

Secondly, the AU has asked for the suspension, which is different from totally refusing, of the indictment. They are doing so in accordance with the statute. There is a provision for this.

Therefore, Mr Speaker, the question has no basis.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Machungwa (Luapula): Mr Speaker, the Zambian Government, like many other governments on the continent of Africa, has supported a unity government for the continent. In view of certain developments in West and North Africa, where some countries like Nigeria are trying to impose religious fanaticism, which is causing havoc resulting into a lot of deaths, is the Government willing to re-look at this position?

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, Zambia is still committed to a unity government in Africa. For the reasons that the hon. Member mentioned, Zambia says this process must be gradual. We must, first of all, consolidate and strengthen the regional organisations like SADC, the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS). After these bodies have been consolidated, they will be used at building bridges to the United States of Africa.

Mr Speaker, as the hon. Member rightly indicated, there are different states of government currently in Africa. We cannot, merely, say that we are now the United States of Africa. We have to look at all these issues and harmonise them. Zambia is still committed to the United States of Africa, but we have to consult other people.

I thank you, Sir.

________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

TRANSPORT FOR KALOMO AND CHOMA IMMIGRATION OFFICES

381. Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi) asked the Minister of Home Affairs when a suitable mode of transport would be provided for Kalomo and Choma immigration offices.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr D. Phiri): Mr Speaker,  the Ministry of Home Affairs recognises the fact that the Department of Immigration faces a lot of challenges of inadequate and, in may cases, complete lack of transport at most of the internal and border controls. The Ministry of Home Affairs has embarked on a programme to purchase motor vehicles for all internal and border controls in a phased approach owing to limited financial resources.

Funds permitting, motor vehicles and motor bikes will be purchased for immigration controls, including Kalomo and Choma offices.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, the establishment of these offices in Kalomo and Choma is a clear indication that foreigners do exist. What measures are being put in place by the Government to ensure that officers in these two places prudently regulate the movement of foreigners, especially in areas like Mapatizya?

Mr Sejani: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Mr D. Phiri: Mr Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member for his usual concern on immigration issues. As we have indicated in our response, we have embarked on a phased approach in terms of procuring motor vehicles. Last year, we procured a few motor bikes and vehicles and we distributed them country-wide. I know that Kalomo and Choma were not included.

Mr Speaker, I want to say that in terms of monitoring activities around the Mapatizya area, from time to time, the Department of Immigration mounts a check in conjunction with the Zambia Police Force and other security agencies.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo): Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to clarify which check point he is talking about when he refers to a checkpoint in town because the entry point of foreigners is in Mapatizya, which is 180 kilometres away from town.

Mr D. Phiri: Mr Speaker, this is not a permanent check point. From time to time, we mount one, as I said earlier, on the way to Mapatizya. You may not have witnessed it, but we have evidence.

MANUFACTURING COMPANIES

382. Mr Mukanga (Kantanshi) asked the Minister of Labour and Social Security:

(a) how many manufacturing companies were operational as of December, 2004 country-wide;

(b) of the number at (a) above, how many were still operational as of 31st December, 2008; and

(c) what the total formal labour force in the manufacturing industry was as of December, 2004 and December, 2008.

The Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Security (Mr Kachimba): Mr Speaker, I would  like to inform this House that according to the Patents and Companies Registration Office (PACRO), there were 1,358 registered manufacturing companies operational countrywide as of December, 2004.

Mr Speaker, according to PACRO, as of December, 2008, there were 2,161 registered manufacturing companies operational country-wide. However, it is not possible to state how many of the companies operating in 2004 were still operating in 2008. This is because when companies stop operating, PACRO is not informed.

Mr Speaker, according to the Central Statistical Office (CSO), the total formal labour force in the manufacturing industry as of December, 2004, stood at 145,785. The total labour force in the manufacturing industry as of December, 2008, is not yet available as the 2008 labour force survey results are currently being analysed by my ministry in collaboration with the CSO.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I am aware that despite the increase in the number of companies as at December, 2008, there were some companies that closed. What measures are being put in place by this Government to ensure that the manufacturing companies that closed would not have closed? What is the Government doing?

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Mr Liato): Mr Speaker, in an economy such as ours and many other economies of the world, obviously, some companies will survive and others going through difficult circumstances may not survive. It is not really for my ministry to put measures in place to ensure these companies survive.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Hachipuka (Mbabala): Mr Speaker, manufacturing requires a very strong inspectorate set up under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. I wonder how many inspectors the hon. Minister has to ensure that manufacturing processes and, indeed, labour laws are properly followed in the manufacturing entities. How many inspectors have you got under your ministry?

Mr Liato: Mr Speaker, I would like to inform the hon. Member of Parliament for Mbabala that the staffing in town is sufficient, but in the outlying areas they are not. What we do not have is sufficient transport to cover various areas that are a challenge to us as a ministry. Obviously, this is due to constraints in resources. We are doing our best to meet these challenges by seeing how much we can acquire in terms of transport.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr D. Mwila (Chipili): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether his ministry is happy with the level of employment in the manufacturing industry compared to the investment which has been coming to Zambia in the same industry from 2004 to 2008.

Mr Liato: Mr Speaker, I am not very clear about that question, but I will attempt to answer what I have understood.

Mr Speaker, employment levels will fluctuate from time to time. Our ministry’s challenge is to ensure that we conduct the necessary inspections to ensure that issues of occupational safety and health in the work place are adhered to and there are good industrial relations and conditions of services. That is the job that we continue to do.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 Mrs Mwamba (Lukashya): Mr Speaker, one of the drivers of economic growth in every nation is manufacturing. I would like to find out why the hon. Minister does not seem to pay much attention to the closures of the manufacturing industry when they should be encouraging manufacturers and even investing in manufacturing as a Government.

Mr Liato: Mr Speaker, according to the answer read by the hon. Deputy Minister in this House, the statistics indicate that the number of manufacturing companies has grown. Therefore, there has been growth in the manufacturing industry. However, I want to emphasise that it is not the responsibility of my ministry to ensure the growth of the manufacturing industry.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Imenda (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, I am grateful that I have been able to catch your eye.

Laughter

Mr Imenda: Mr Speaker, recognising the importance of manufacturing in nation building, what has this Government done to resuscitate the Kafue Textiles of  Zambia (KTZ) and revamp Mulungushi Textiles which have long gone under.

 Mr Liato: Mr Speaker, though that question is not relevant to my ministry, I will attempt to answer it.

Sir, you will notice that in this year’s budget, some incentives were given by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning that have enhanced production at KTZ. For example, the incentives regarding the importation of raw materials have helped the company become more productive. In fact, a number of employees who had been put on hold when the company was doing badly have since been recalled. The Government is doing its work in this year’s Budget in as far as KTZ is concerned and a good number of employees have got back their jobs due the good policies of this very working Government.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

WINTER FARMING IN ZAMBEZI DISTRICT

383. Mr Katuka (Mwinilunga East) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives whether there were any plans to encourage farmers in Zambezi District to utilise the abundant natural rivers, streams and dambos for winter farming.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Mr Kalenga): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives encourages farmers to utilise the abundant natural rivers, streams and dambos for winter farming through the extension service. Farmers are encouraged to produce, mainly vegetables in winter as these are better suited for that time of the year.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Scott (Lusaka Central): Mr Speaker, in view of the difficulties that the people of Mwinilunga have marketing even the pineapples which grow virtually like weeds because of long distances and lack of processing capacity, which vegetables does the hon. Minister suggest they attempt to grow in the dambos and with their streams?

 Laughter

The Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Dr Chituwo): Mr Speaker, regarding the marketing of pineapples, an arrangement has been made for Fresh Mark to purchase the produce from some of the irrigation schemes in Mwinilunga.

Sir, with regard to the type of vegetables to be grown, I am surprised at that question because the hon. Member of Parliament for Lusaka Central was in my position many years ago. The vegetables that grow easily in that area are rape and cabbages. With the private sector, such as Fresh Mark, taking the lead, I am sure the marketing in this area can be improved.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Kakoma (Zambezi West): Mr Speaker, for the past few years, this Government has been going to Zambezi to tell the people that it will support them in winter farming. May I find out from Hon. Brigadier-General Chituwo …

Laughter

Mr Kakoma: … when he is going to start …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order! Use his official title.

Laughter

Mr Kakoma: May I find out from the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives when the Government will start giving inputs for purposes of winter farming to the people they promised in Zambezi.

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, I am not very sure about that promise. However, plans start with the review of the Fertiliser Support Programme (FSP). I see a situation where we will encourage our farmers not only in Zambezi West, but elsewhere in the country. Zambezi West is suited for other things …

Mr Muntanga: Vandalism!

Dr Chituwo: … and the hon. Member of Parliament can easily come to us so that we can educate him on what types of agriculture the soils in that area can support.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, how many extension officers are available to execute this job?

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, I am not sure whether he means the extension officers in the district or province.

Mr Mukanga: Mwinilunga!

Dr Chituwo: That question needs research so that I can give specific information to the House.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Hachipuka (Mbabala): Mr Speaker, is there any written literature or brochures that his ministry has prepared to show what can be grown in Mwinilunga, with a view that farmers from other parts of the country can move into that area since the future of this country lies in agriculture? This is good land with plenty of water. Has the ministry done anything to advertise such areas?

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, as a matter of fact, I can confirm that my ministry has mapped out this country with regard to the soils that are available. However, the question here is specifically about Zambezi West. Generally, as a country, this information is available.

With regard to advertising, knowing that agriculture is a new thing to Hon. Kakoma, Member of Parliament Zambezi West, I think this question was asked deliberately because the hon. Member for Mbabala wishes migrate to Zambezi West.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

BILATERAL DISCUSSIONS WITH THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBIC OF CONGO

384. Dr Kalumba (Chienge) asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs when the Zambian Government would initiate bilateral discussions with the Democratic Republic of Congo on the question of sovereign jurisdiction over the Pweto-Lunchinda Enclave that would consider the rights and views of indigenous Bwile citizens who were ceded to the Democratic Republic of Congo under the Delimitation Treaty of 1989 without their consent.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (Professor Phiri): Mr Speaker, the Government of the Republic of Zambia will initiate dialogue with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after the two countries have mobilised financial resources for the physical demarcation of their common boundary lying between lakes Mweru and Tanganyika as outlined in the Delimitation Treaty of 1989. Within the framework of this treaty, the two governments have committed themselves to conducting a joint campaign with a view to sensitising the Zambian and Congolese people living along this border area, including those in the Lunchinda Enclave, prior to the erection of the beacons marking the international border separating the two countries.

The sensitisation campaign will focus on advising the Zambian and Congolese people living in the border areas to respect the border line described in the 1989 Delimitation Treaty to preserve and protect the beacons which will be erected along the border line.

Mr Speaker, I wish to seize this opportunity to remind hon. Members of the House that, in the course of the negotiations for the common border stretching between Lake Tanganyika and Beacon XXVIII in the Serenje area, Zambia and the DRC had to trade off some territories for the security of our country. In doing so, Zambia and the DRC did not displace any Zambian or Congolese people from their dwelling places. Further, the two countries did not cede any people to each other neither did they alienate their rights as Hon. Dr Katele Kalumba is suggesting in his question.

Sir, the dialogue with the DRC that I referred to earlier will not seek to reopen any negotiations for the border because the treaty delimiting it was as a result of a hard-bargained compromise. Although the 1989 Delimitation Treaty may not be perfect, it is not negotiable. The treaty is an instrument that has helped consolidate peace between the two countries.

With the passage of time and changing circumstances in Zambia and the DRC, one would perfectly understand that some people living along the border areas might have had a change of heart. That is what human nature is all about. However, the Zambian Government will not contemplate the option of reopening any negotiations, but bring the physical demarcation of the border to its logical conclusion. It is hoped, in this respect, that the ministries responsible for the demarcation exercise will make the necessary financial resources available in the near future so that the border is clearly demarcated once and for all.

Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the Zambian Government has not received, from its Congolese counterpart, any query about the 1989 Delimitation Treaty or any correspondence questioning the validity of the border delimited in this treaty.

This House may also wish to know that, the hon. Member of Parliament for Chienge raised a question relating to the common border between Zambia and the DRC for the first time in September, 2003. He subsequently raised a point of order pertaining to the border between lakes Tanganyika and Mweru in February, 2004. In responding to the point of order, the then Minister of Lands issued a ministerial statement providing details about the Zambia/DRC common border as described in the 1989 Delimitation Treaty.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to reiterate that the Zambian Government has no intention, I repeat, no intention of reopening bilateral discussions with the DRC on the purported question of sovereign jurisdiction over the Pweto-Lunchinda Enclave or any other enclave located along the common border lying between lakes Tanganyika and Mweru. The Government believes that no rights were alienated and no Zambian people were ceded to the DRC.

Should Zambia consider doing that for the Pweto-Lunchinda Enclave, it would run the risk of opening a Pandora’s box not only with regard to the other enclaves between lakes Tanganyika and Mweru, but also the people of the same ethnic groups living along Zambia’s international borders with all its other neighbouring countries.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Kalumba: Mr Speaker, I must express my shock, at the response of the hon. Minister, especially that the Vice-President, then, Dr Nevers Mumba, did concede the human rights question and the fact that the current proposed border means a movement almost 45 kilometres from the original colonial border inside Zambia or formerly Northern Rhodesian territory. It goes without saying that there must have been indigenous people living in between that radius of Lunchinda and Pweto. Can the hon. Minister clarify whether his response is a statement of law or weakness on behalf of the Zambian State? Is it a statement of failure by the State to protect the sovereign rights of the people who were living in the enclave prior to the change of the border?

The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Pande): Mr Speaker, in these border areas, not only the area which the hon. Member is talking about, but many other areas, you can have people from another country speaking the same language as Zambians. Here in Zambia, we can have people speaking a language from another country, but not necessarily belonging to that country. This also goes for tribes.

Mr Speaker, there is no issue of weakness. There are negotiations as indicated by the hon. Deputy Minister that once we reopen discussions on that part of the country, it will trigger discussions in other areas. The two countries agreed on a treaty which is non-negotiable because it is law as it is. May I also mention that this treaty is being given as an example at the African Union on how two countries can amicably resolve an issue regarding the border without going to war?

Mr Speaker, we should stand by that treaty in the form it is. May I also mention that the hon. Member who is my national secretary has been asking this question to nearly every hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs except when he was hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs himself.

Laughter

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, since I become hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, this is the second time I am addressing this issue and I only hope that this is the last time I will address it.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, in his response, the hon. Deputy Minister made an indication that the resource envelope is part of the reason …

Mr D. Mwila: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised. Is it on a matter of procedure?

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, I stand on a very serious point of order. You will recall that the Government through the hon. Minister of Communications and Transport came to this House to inform the nation that the Government was looking for an equity partner for Zamtel. At that time, our understanding was that the Government would remain a majority shareholder.

Mr Speaker, on Saturday, the President of this country His Excellency, Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda announced that the Government will sell 75 per cent shares of Zamtel. Our understanding is that after those shares have been sold, the Government will be a minority shareholder. Meanwhile, debates are going on outside this House without us as hon. Members being informed on this important issue.

Mr Speaker, you will agree with me that Zamtel is a very important institution because it belongs to all Zambians, including hon. Members of Parliament and we have to know how these shares will be sold and the criteria which will be used. Is the hon. Minister of Communications and Transport in order to remain quiet and not inform this House on this important matter?

Allow me to quote from the Post newspaper dated 25th July, 2009.I quote:

“Government is to sell 75 per cent stake in Zamtel. President Rupiah Banda has announced the Government’s intention to sell 75 per cent stake of Zamtel to a strategic equity partner.”

Is the hon. Minister in order to remain quiet on this issue? I need a serious ruling on this matter.

Mr D. Mwila laid the paper on the Table.

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Chipili has raised a point of order on a matter that is alive in this House, not once, not twice, but more times than that.    What is important is for the hon. Minister of Communications and Transport, and that is his official title, to update or appraise the House on what is going on with regard to the status and future of Zamtel. The newspaper that the hon. Member of Parliament has quoted from refers to an intention to privatise the company by so many percentages. If that is an intention, this House ought to be updated and later on …

Mr D. Mwila: Hear, hear! Long live Chair.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Laughter

Mr Speaker: You are praying for my long life. I am grateful for that.

Laughter {mospagebreak}

Mr Speaker: If what is being discussed now is an intention then the implication at some point is that there will be a further step, may be when the prosperous partner is being located. The House still needs to be updated on that matter continuously. The hon. Minister does not require several days to deal with this matter. It looks as if there is basic information available. Now, today is Thursday and I think tomorrow may be too soon, but as early as possible next will be in order.

Hon. Opposition Members: Tuesday.

Mr Speaker: I say as early as possible ...

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … would be in order.

Hon. Opposition Members:  Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Now, let me say one thing. There is a lot of debate going on outside and I encourage Members of this House not to participate in those debates when they have a forum like this one to raise those matters. Do not join in those debates outside this House. This is the place, let visitors or strangers deal with debates outside the House.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Debate those matters here.

Mr D. Mwila: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Mazabuka was asking follow up question.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the wise ruling. The hon. Minister indicated that lack of finances is one of the reasons why the delimitation of border lines has taken long between Zambia and its neighbours. It is also true that at independence we were only less than 4 million people living in this country and now we are above 12 million. When will this Government find it prudent, because the country is getting filled up with human beings, to find money, deliberately, in order to definitively put these delimitation lines firmly between us and our neighbours because if we continue like this it may then be a potential source of conflict with our neighbours.

Mr Speaker, thank you very much for allowing me to ask that question.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, the placing of beacons involves two countries. We were ready to start putting beacons, but our colleagues were not ready because of what has been going on in their country. We should appreciate that we have been enjoying peace in our country unlike our friends. Since now peace is in sight, there is hope that the two countries will meet and agree on the placing of beacons. Otherwise, both countries are aware of those beacons, what is remaining is just to put them in concrete.

I thank you, Sir.

EDUCATION STANDARDS BOARD

385. Mr Mwenya asked the Minister of Education whether the Government would set up an education standards board to ensure that all teaching staff in tertiary educational institutions are properly qualified.

The Deputy Minister of Education (Mr Sinyinda): Mr Speaker, the Government is going to establish a teaching council and not an education standards board. The purpose of the teaching council will be to register and regulate the conduct of all qualified teaching personnel in both private and government institutions. Only duly qualified teachers will be accredited to the teaching council.

Mr Speaker, it is hoped that the quality aspect will be complimented by the National Qualification Authority, whose purpose will be to harmonise and standardise the qualifications within the country as well as at regional level.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, sometime back when we had Hon. Lungwangwa as Minister of Education, the ministry had indicated that it had an intention of setting up such a board, but up to now this has not been done and there is no specific timeframe. Could the hon. Minister indicate to us when this board is going to be instituted because it is long overdue?

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, I want to assure this House and the nation as a whole that we are working on the issue. As you may know, we want to consult all the stakeholders so that when we form it, it will be a viable and credible board.

I thank you, Sir.

MULOBEZI RAILWAYLINE EARNINGS

386. Mrs Musokotwane asked the Minister of Communications and Transport how much money the Government has made from inception to-date from the lease of the Mulobezi Railway Line to Sun International Hotel for the 1800 hours train ride for tourists.

The Deputy Minister of Communication and Transport (Mr Mubika): Mr Speaker, the Mulobezi Railway Line has not been leased to Sun International Hotel, but to Victoria Falls Steam Railway Limited of Livingstone. Victoria Falls Steam Railway Limited is running a steam locomotive on a distance of 14.75 km of the Mulobezi Railway Line leased to them by the National Heritage Commission. The money that has been paid to Government for using the Mulobezi Railway Line from inception to-date amounts to K56,860,000 in addition to the maintenance done on the railway line.

On the other hand, Victoria Falls Steam Railway Limited has an agreement to pay Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) whenever they use the main line.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, is the Government intending to lease a bit more of that rail line so that they can help us to repair it?

The Minister of Communications and Transport (Professor Lungwangwa): Mr Speaker, these are demand driven services, if there is demand to utilise the facility, we shall consider it. If the hon. Member for Katombola is willing to lease part of the rail line that can be considered.

Laughter

Professor Lungwangwa: I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister indicate whether the revenue the Government is collecting through this arrangement is either Value Added Tax (VAT) or a lease fee and for how long this arrangement has been in place in order for the Government to have earned a K56 million?

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Kabwata has answered himself. This is a lease arrangement and the revenue drawn from there is from the lease fees.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS

387. Mr Chisala (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing when the Lusaka City Council would install traffic lights to reduce the incidence of accidents at the following road junctions:

(a) Thabo Mbeki/Nangwenya near the National Assembly Motel;

(b) University of Zambia main entrance on Great East Road;

(c) Kasangula/Great North Road;

(d) Alick Nkhata/Thabo Mbeki near Mass Media Complex; and

(e) Mulungushi Village turn-off on Great East Road.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Dr Puma): Mr Speaker, the Lusaka City Council, in conjunction with my ministry and the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), has already signed a contract for the installation of traffic signs at the Thabo Mbeki/Alick Nkhata junction near Mass Media. The procurement process for the works is in progress. It is anticipated that the installation of these traffic lights will improve the situation at the Thabo Mbeki/Alick Nkhata junction. However, we shall be monitoring the situation at Thabo Mbeki and Nangwenya junction to see whether it is necessary to have traffic lights at that point as well.

Mr Speaker, the Lusaka City Council has not made any budget provision for the installation of traffic signals at the University of Zambia main entrance on Great East Road, but the project will be budgeted for next year.

Mr Speaker, after consultation with RTSA and other stakeholders, the council resolved that the Kasangula/Great North Road junction would be managed better if speed control strips (small humps) are installed instead of traffic signals since this is highway.

Mr Speaker, the contract for the installation of traffic signals at the Alick Nkhata/Thabo Mbeki junction near Mass Media has already been completed, as I mentioned already.

Mr Speaker, the Mulungushi Village turn-off on Great East Road is a T-junction with traffic joining from Great East road restricted to one direction, towards the east. There is no right turn for the traffic from either direction thereby creating no traffic conflict and according to RTSA and other road engineers, there is no need to install traffic signals on this junction.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for that answer. Accidents on the above-stated roads have been happening nearly every week. Would it not be necessary for the Government of the Republic of Zambia to start stationing traffic officers at such points, especially around 17:00 and 12:00 hours when there is heavy traffic on the roads, as a way of reducing accidents?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member must have noted as he drives on the roads that at specific times of the day, according to the congestion existing, traffic officers are stationed on roads to control traffic every now and then depending on the situation. That is the information that we have.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Muyanda (Sinazongwe): Mr Speaker, does the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing not realise that wheelbarrows laden with vegetables and excess baggage such as salaula have also contributed to road accidents of late?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, the ministry is seriously looking at the issue of street vending and it will come to an end very soon.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Kapata (Mandevu): Mr Speaker, arising from the answer given by the hon. Minister, I am very grateful that humps will be put on the Great North Road near Kasangula Road. However, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister exactly when this will be done because a lot of pedestrians have been killed along that road.

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, plans are at an advanced stage and, as soon as possible, we shall do that.

I thank you, Mr Speaker

Mr Ntundu (Gwembe): Mr Speaker, while the move to put traffic lights on most of these roads is acceptable, I would like to find out if the hon. Minister is aware that in places where traffic lights have been installed, more congestion has been created. For instance, despite traffic lights being put at the Mass Media junction, there is no filter lane for motorist turning right …

Hon. UPND Members: Even left.

Mr Ntundu: … turning left or right. Why are there no filter lanes on these roads so that motorists turning right or left should not wait for those going straight?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, I think the hon. Member is aware that when these roads were being constructed, the number of vehicles in Lusaka was few and at that time the roads were quite adequate. With the improvement in the economy, because of the hard work of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) Government, …

Interruptions

Dr Puma: … we have seen a lot of vehicles on the roads. The Government is looking at these issues very seriously to ensure that these roads have filter lanes and expanded where possible to ensure that congestion on the roads is reduced.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the answer and, obviously, the Lusaka City Council, under the Patriotic Front (PF) councillors, has installed lots of traffic lights around the city.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Sir, in answer to the second part of the question with regard to the University of Zambia main entrance on Great East Road, the hon. Deputy Minister said that the Lusaka City Council had not budgeted for traffic lights at that junction and the project would be budgeted for next year. Being a councillor for Lusaka City Council, I would like to find out from the hon. Deputy Minister why he would say that Lusaka City Council will budget for traffic lights when he is not a member of this council. In short, is he saying that he is going to impose that project on the Lusaka City Council?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, the Lusaka City Council is directly under my ministry …

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Puma:  … and, therefore, we liaise very closely with this council and are aware of some of the plans that the council intends to put in the budget for next year.

Laughter

Dr Puma: As a result, that is why I have been able say that the project will be included in the council’s budget next year.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Shakafuswa (Katuba): Mr Speaker, the Kasangula/Great North Road junction is an eyesore in the morning and evening. Would the hon. Minister consider putting filter lanes instead of speed limiters so that the traffic that is on the Great North Road could have a leeway instead of waiting for those that turn into Kasangula Road? We have also traffic lights on the highway at Mandevu junction. So, why not at Kasangula junction?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, as I have alluded to earlier on, the increase in the number of vehicles on our roads, not only in Lusaka, but also in other towns like on the Copperbelt is making us rethink the way we are doing things. We are seriously considering putting up filter lanes on a number of roads, not only the ones that I have mentioned, but also the ones which he has mentioned.

I thank you, Sir.

NEW POLICE OFFICES IN MANSA

388. Mr D. Mwila (Chipili) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

(a) when the Government would construct new offices for the Zambia Police Provincial Headquarters in Mansa;

(b) what the monthly grant allocation to the above office was; and

(a) when the overall budgetary allocation above would be increased.

Mr Bonshe: Mr Speaker, the Government is not planning to construct new offices for the Zambia Police Provincial Headquarters in Mansa as there is nothing wrong with the existing infrastructure. However, if need be, the existing infrastructure can only be extended as there is enough expansion room at the premises.

As regards part (b) of the question, the monthly grant for allocation to the Zambia Police Provincial Headquarters in Mansa is released at one twelfth of the provincial annual budget figure of K546,256,782. This translates into a monthly allocation of K45,521,398.50. However, the monthly release fluctuates from month to month dependent on the availability of resources.

The overall budgetary allocation to divisions can only be increased when there is a corresponding increase in the budget ceiling for Zambia Police. Increasing overall budgetary allocation to divisions without considering the budget ceiling would mean that other competing priorities like procurement of riot kits, uniforms and transport would be adversely affected.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister is admitting that there is need for them to make an extension to those offices. When are they going to do that?

Mr Bonshe: Mr Speaker, we have got a master plan on which we are trying to do the infrastructure for the police infrastructure in Zambia. We are not looking at expansion first. We are looking at rehabilitation of the old ones. Mansa Police Headquarters has not suffered enough because it is like any other provincial headquarters. When funds are available and according to the master plan, it will be attended to.

I thank you, Sir.

EXTENSION OF CARBON TAX

389. Mr Mukanga asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning when carbon tax would be extended to include vehicles already imported in the country prior to its introduction.

The Deputy Minister of Finance and National Planning (Ms C. M. Kapwepwe): Mr Speaker, the law providing for the collection of carbon tax was introduced in 2006 and was intended to be an annual tax collectable on all motor vehicles that emit carbon pollutant substances to the period corresponding with:

(i) first time imported vehicles;

(ii) the renewal of the Road Tax Licence following the initial payment at importation; and

(iii) removal from bonded warehouse or purchase from open stocks.

Mr Speaker, since the implementation of the measure, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) which is responsible for the collection of carbon tax has encountered implementation challenges that have arisen from the need to collect tax in the most effective way, but also at the least inconvenience to the public. The non-implementation is largely attributed to the following challenges:

(i) collection of the surtax on already registered vehicles by the ZRA has proved difficult given that these records are not in the control of customs;

(ii) the plan collection modality would imply that all motorists would have to make at least two stops; that is one at ZRA for purposes of paying the carbon tax and the second at the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) for purpose of paying the road tax. This will make the system cumbersome and inefficient for motorists; and

(iii) further, the proposal to replace customs officials at RTSA offices was found to be ineffective as this would result in under utilisation of the ZRA officers who are currently operating within a limited resource envelope.

Mr Speaker, the ministry is seeking to redress this challenge by considering delegating the collection of carbon tax to RTSA, which is responsible for renewal and registration of all motor vehicles in the country.

It is hoped that once the modalities are put in place, payment of the carbon tax will, from 2010 be done simultaneously with the quarterly or annual payment of road taxes.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, the carbon tax was meant to be paid by vehicle owners on all the vehicles based on the engine size of the vehicles. This is not the case in that smaller vehicles might emit more carbon than bigger vehicles despite the size and design of the vehicle. I would like to find out what the ministry is doing to ensure that the carbon tax is based on the actual carbon that is emitted by the vehicles and not only on the engine size. It should be on the basis of curtain trade methods.

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane): Mr Speaker, tax is based on the size of the engine. This criterion was submitted to us by the expert in the field who determined that on average, rather than on isolated cases, the bigger engine tends to emit more smoke than the smaller ones. If the hon. Member has information or knowledge about how we can work on this, he is welcome to come and share that information with us.

I thank you, Sir.

 Mr Nsanda (Chimwemwe): Mr Speaker, would it be very unfair to charge the same tax for vehicles that have been fitted with converters which produce less carbon with vehicles that has got no carbon converters?

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, the knowledge that was there at the time was such that the bigger the engine, the more the emission. Obviously, we do recognise that there are special circumstances which may lead to deviation from that rule such as what the hon. Member indicated and, of course, in cases where the small engine is faulty and, therefore, emitting much more. I will repeat what I had said. Those with suggestions on how to rebase this on latest information are most welcome to come and share that with us.

Thank you, Sir.

GOVERNMENT REHABILITATION PROGRAMME IN 2008 FOR SCHOOLS

390. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Education:

(a) which schools in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency benefited from the Government rehabilitation programme in 2008; and

(b) how much money was spent on each school at (a) above.

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, the schools which benefited from the Government rehabilitation programme in Nangoma Constituency in 2008 were as follows:

(i) Nalubanda Basic School;

(ii) Muchabi Basic School;

(iii) Munkolo Basic School;

(iv) Kasalu Basic School; and

(v) Chiwena Basic School.

On part (b) of the question, the money spent at each school is as indicated below:

School   Amount

Nalubanda  K152,450,000.00
Muchabi  K  84,000,000.00
Munkolo  K  57,735,240.00
Kasalu   K135,960,000.00
Chiwena  K  82,890,000.00

Total   K513,035,240.00

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, is the Government ready to rehabilitate the teachers’ houses in all constituencies?

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, I am sure the hon. Member has our operational plan 2009 where we have tabulated all the classrooms and teachers’ houses that are either going to be constructed or rehabilitated. This is an on going project which we are serious about it.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

MUTENDA RURAL HEALTH CENTRE AND CHAWAMA HEALTH CENTRE IN CHINGOLA CONSTITUENCY

391. Dr Katema (Chingola) asked the Minister of Health:

(a) when the Government would construct staff houses at Mutenda Rural Health Centre in Chingola Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b) when Chawama Health Centre in Chingola Parliamentary Constituency would be upgraded to a first referral centre.

The Minister of Health (Mr Simbao): Mr Speaker,…

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

Mr Simbao: When business was suspended, I had just started answering Question Number 391.

Mr Speaker, the Government has partnered with the local community to construct three staff houses at Mutenda Rural Health Centre in Chingola. The project started, last year, with the community which has produced twenty-one thousand bricks ready for use. A provision of K150 million has been made in the 2009 Infrastructure Operational Plan for rural housing for completion of the three houses.

With regard to part (b) of the question, Mr Speaker, the ministry has no immediate plans to upgrade Chawama Health Centre in Chingola to a first level referral centre. These services are being accessed at Nchanga North General Hospital.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Katema: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that Chawama Health Centre caters for two hundred deliveries in a month while Nchanga North General Hospital caters for about twenty to thirty deliveries in a month? Has the ministry any intention of, at least, building a modern maternity wing for Chawama Health Centre?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, these figures will, definitely, be investigated or verified and if they will be found to be the, actual, numbers, the ministry will have to take a look at this requirement.

Thank you, Sir.

FATAL MINE ACCIDENTS

392. Mr Kambwili (Roan) asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development how many fatal accidents were recorded by the following mining companies from January, 2007 to December, 2008:

(a) Konkola Copper Mines Plc;

(b) Luanshya Copper Mines Plc;

(c) Mopani Copper Mines Plc;

(d) Kansanshi Copper Mines Plc;

(e) Lumwana Copper Mines Plc; and

(f) First Quantum Mining and Operations Limited.

The Deputy Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Nkhata): Mr Speaker, a total of twenty-nine fatal accidents were recorded from the mines listed in the Question from January, 2007 to December, 2008 as follows:

Mine      2007  2008  Total

Konkola Copper Mines Plc      5     6      11

Luanshya Copper Mines Plc      0      3          3

Mopani Copper Mines Plc      7        6       13

Kansanshi Mines Plc       2       0         2

Lumwana Mining Company      0        0         0

First Quantum Mining and       0         0         0
Operations Ltd (Bwana Mkubwa) 

Total         14       15         29

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) recorded five fatalities in 2007 and six fatalities in 2006. This is, indeed, an alarming figure. What is the hon. Minister, through the Mine Safety Department, doing to reduce accidents at Konkola and Mopani Copper mines?

The Minister of Mines and Mineral Development (Mr M. B. Mwale): Mr Speaker, before I answer that question, I would like to underscore the point that safety is a responsibility of an individual.

Interruptions

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, I would like to repeat that point.

Mr Kambwili: Question!

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, safety is a responsibility of an individual because it is the individual who operates in those areas. However, the mining companies, themselves, put in place regulations and procedures which the employees are supposed to follow. From the Government’s point of view, we are increasing inspections of mining operations to maintain compliance in the mining industry.

Secondly, there has been an increase in funding to the Mine Safety Department for logistical support of mine inspections.

Sir, thirdly, there is the improvement of staffing levels every time there is need to do so at Mine Safety Department.

Fourthly, we have opened the Regional Bureau of Mine Safety Departments. For instance, if it is in Solwezi, it will take care of North-Western Province.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Nsanda: Mr Speaker, how many Government inspectors are employed by the Government and how often do they inspect mining equipment and certify them as it is normally done?

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, I, sincerely, apologise to the hon. Member that I cannot give him the exact number of inspectors. However, our officers who are based in Kitwe frequently visit all the mining operations. This is why I have alluded to the fact that, through increased funding and purchase of motor vehicles, it is now possible to visit these mining operations.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, when there was an accident in Chambeshi, where we lost about forty-nine workers in an explosive factory, US$10,000 was given to each worker’s family as compensation. What form of compensation is given to these hard working miners who die on duty in these mining companies?

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, I have a bit of difficulty in responding to this question because the hon. Member, who before coming to this House was a miner, knows well that compensation is stated by the laws of the country.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mrs Banda (Chililabombwe): Mr Speaker, looking at the eleven fatalities which occurred at KCM  and thirteen fatalities at Mopani Copper Mines, has the hon. Minister bothered to find out the causes of these deaths so that he rules out the point that the mines are not the causes of the fatalities, but the individuals.

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, I would like to appeal to the hon. Members of the House not to deliberately distort the responses I give to the House. Basically, what I meant was, for example, the one who drives cannot blame the road for an accident. The individual who drives is responsible for safety on the road. In the same vein, the miner is the one who sees the working conditions underground. He is supposed to make his working place safe.  That is one of the basic rules in mining.

Mr Speaker, in terms of the number of accidents at KCM, the hon. Member should know that these mines have the largest operation in this country. This means that the scale of operations is larger than Mopani Copper Mines. In any case, they have the largest scale of operations compared to Mopani Copper Mines or any other mine in the land.

Mr Speaker, the other fact is that operations of KCM cover Nkana, Chingola and Konkola where she is an hon. Member of Parliament.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, how often does the Mine Safety Department inspect the mines to make sure that the environment is safe?

Mr Speaker: That question has already been answered.

Mr Simmusa (Nchanga): Mr Speaker, looking at the list of mines in the question, this represents the total mining industry in Zambia. Worldwide, there are statistics that relate to mine accidents and there is what is known as zero-tolerance to mine accidents world over. There are world benchmarks for allowable mine accidents. In Zambia, our accidents, as has been quoted by the hon. Minster, which is twenty-seven, are much higher than the mines in other parts of the world are experiencing.

Therefore, according to the international benchmark, we are much higher. Can the hon. Minister state the reason for this and what the Government’s response to this is or is he, again, blaming the miners for these very high numbers of accidents which are higher than the international benchmark.

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, I would like to appeal to the House that whenever a response is given, it should not be twisted and politicised. People should look at the facts as they are presented.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, the figures that I cited were for two years, 2007 and 2008, which gave a total of twenty-nine and they were not for one single year. The common causes of accidents in our mines are rock falls, moving machinery, underground locomotives, diesel loaders, falling from heights and handling of materials.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

CHOLERA IN MANDEVU CONSTITUENCY

393. Ms Kapata asked the Minister of Health:

(a) how many people were treated for cholera in Mandevu Parliamentary Constituency in 2007 and 2008;

(b) what the sources of drinking water in Mandevu Parliamentary Constituency were;

(c) when the Government would provide adequate safe drinking water to the constituency; and

(d) whether there were plans to improve the current poor state of sanitation in the constituency.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, the year 2007 recorded no confirmed cases of cholera. A few suspected cases were recorded, but not in Mandevu Constituency.

Mr Speaker, in 2008, the index case was recorded on 27th January, from Chipata Compound Health Centre and the Lusaka outbreak saw Mandevu Constituency record cases as follows:

 Residential Area   Number of Cholera Cases

 Chaisa      95

Garden      88

Ng’ombe     13

Mandevu     21

Chipata     88

 Total      305

Mr Speaker, the epidemic lasted from 27th January, 2008 to 14th July, 2008, when the last case was recorded. During this first epidemic in 2008, two deaths were recorded at Chipata Compound Health Centre.

Mr Speaker, the second epidemic during 2008 started on 3rd October, 2008. Between 3rd October, 2008 and 31st December, 2008, the following number of patients was seen in Mandevu Constituency:

 Residential Area    Number of Cholera cases

Chaisa      5

Garden      5

Ng’ombe     2

Mandevu     5

Chipata      16

Total      34

Mr Speaker, Mandevu Parliamentary Constituency has various sources of drinking water, most of which is piped provided by the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company (LWSC) and the water trusts. The water trusts were set up by Care International in conjunction with the Lusaka City Council (LCC) and LWSC. Since Mandevu Constituency includes some effluent areas, there are some boreholes that are used as sources of drinking water. Unfortunately, some people still use shallow wells. However, these are not as common in Mandevu Constituency as in other peri-urban areas in Lusaka.

Mr Speaker, the Government, through the LWSC, has put in place measures to provide adequate clean and safe drinking water through the setting up of water trusts and water kiosks.

Mr Speaker, in line with the seventh millennium development goal (MDG), which focuses on reducing the population without access to sanitation by half, the LWSC has developed a sanitation strategy to deal with the provision of sanitation in the peri-urban areas of Lusaka. This strategy aims at promoting the demand for sanitation services using the marketing concept.

Further, the LWSC, in partnership with the LCC and Care International, has launched the European Union funded Promoting Peri-urban and Rural Sanitation Service (PPURSS) Project, which aims at sanitation in broad terms in peri-urban areas. The project covers the improvement of drainages, public toilets and household latrines in Chipata, Chaisa, Kanyama and Chibolya compounds.  These measures are aimed at improving the current poor status of sanitation in Mandevu Constituency and other areas in the city.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, it is said that prevention is better than cure. From the hon. Minister’s response, it looks like the Government spent a lot of money treating these cholera cases.  I would like to find out how much was spent on the treatment of the patients admitted in Mandevu Constituency.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I am sorry, but I did not prepare for that question.

I thank you, Sir.

DISSOLUTION OF THE ZAMBIA FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE BOARD

394. Mr Mwango (Kanchibiya) asked the Minister of Health:

(a) why the Government dissolved the Zambia Flying Doctor Service
 (ZFDS) Board;

(b) when the Government last signed a collective agreement with the 
Zambia Flying Doctor Service Union;

(c) why the Government awarded a 10 per cent salary increment to workers
of the ZFDS in 2008 as opposed to the 15 per cent which was awarded to all Public Service employees; and

(d) when conditions of service at the ZFDS would be improved.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, the ZFDS board was not dissolved by the Government. What transpired was that the tenure of office of the board members expired. After the expiry of the tenure of office of the board members, a board has not been appointed as the ZFDS is undergoing restructuring. Only after the restructuring process has been completed will the new board be appointed. The restructuring process has already commenced and, so far, the Management Development Division (MDD) has completed the institution’s performance audit and ZFDS is now working on its strategic plan in order to reposition the institution in line with the developments in the society.

Mr Speaker, the last collective agreement between the Government and the statutory bodies, ZFDS inclusive, was signed in 2008.

Mr Speaker, the reason the Government awarded a 10 per cent salary increment to statutory bodies in 2008 was that although the salaries of grant-aided institutions were aligned to those prevailing in the Civil Service, statutory bodies generally enjoy other fringe benefits which are higher than those obtaining in mainstream Government. Thus a 10 per cent increment for grant-aided institutions was in effect more than the 15 per cent awarded to civil servants. The other reason was that awarding a salary increment beyond 10 per cent would have meant the entire grant from the Government being used on salaries at the expense of operations.

Mr Speaker, the process of restructuring the ZFDS is aimed at improving not only the conditions of service, but also the performance of the institution. Thus, the restructured ZFDS is likely to have new conditions of service depending on what the recommendations of the experts will be and the Government’s capacity to meet those expenses.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mwango: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the hon. Minister harmonised the situation by awarding a 15 per cent salary increment as it has been awarded to other Public Service workers this year.

Mr Speaker: I want to make an appeal to the hon. Members that you are under no obligation to raise a supplementary question if the principal question has been adequately answered. I heard the hon. Minister explain exactly why 10 and not 15 per cent was awarded.

However, for emphasis, the hon. Minister of Health.

Laughter

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I said that in the prevailing circumstances, it is not fair to give an increment of the same percentage to the workers in ZFDS because members in statutory bodies enjoy many other fringe benefits which are not enjoyed by civil servants.

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 
 
Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has informed this House that a restructuring exercise is going on at ZFDS. Could the hon. Minister inform this House when this restructuring exercise is going to be completed so that we have a new board in place?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, if the hon. Member is asking for the day, I do not have a date. What I said was that, right now, the MDD is working on this issue so that the restructuring can be completed as quickly as possible. Therefore, we hope it can be completed this year.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Katema: Mr Speaker, we have heard that a 10 per cent pay rise was given. Why has the ministry reduced the percentage to grant-aided workers? Instead, they have only increased it by 5 per cent this year. Why is it so?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, if that is the case, I am not aware of it. Maybe, that is a question that should have been directed to the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

BOUNDARY DISPUTES BETWEEN ZAWA AND CHIEFS NABWALYA AND MUKUNGULE’S

395. Mr Malama (Mfuwe) asked the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources when the boundary dispute between the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), on the one hand, and Chiefs Nabwalya and Mukungule, on the other hand, would be resolved.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: The House will pay attention.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources (Mr Mwangala): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this House that there is no boundary dispute between ZAWA and the two Chiefs, Nabwalya and Mukungule. However, there is a misunderstanding regarding the boundary of South Luangwa National Park and Munyamadzi Game Management Area and that of North Luangwa National Park and Mukungule Game Management Area. The chiefdoms of Nabwalya and Mukungule are located in Munyamadzi and Mukungule game management areas (GMAs) respectively.

The misunderstandings on the boundaries are being resolved by involving the Surveyor-General’s Office and by holding consultative meetings involving all the stakeholders. Accordingly, these misunderstanding are expected to be resolved before the end of the year.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister …

Mr Lubinda indicated.

Mr Speaker: Order! Did I give the Floor to two people?

Mr Lubinda: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, I am humbled.

Sir, my point of order is inspired by your guidance earlier this afternoon that we should not join the debate out there, but bring it here in the House. Therefore, I seize the opportunity to raise a very serious point of order which hinges on the peace and tranquility of our country.

Sir, as all of us are aware, every citizen in this country looks upon this House as the only oasis of peace, democracy and justice when all other avenues fail.

 Sir, human experience has taught us how violence normally spreads from what starts off as a single incidence to cover regions if not nations.

Sir, as the one who presides over the business of this people’s Parliament, the epitome of Zambia’s democracy, the provider of the Constitution and defender of the human rights of the people of Zambia and the liberties that are provided therein such as the freedom of association, speech, movement and expression, there can be no other better placed than you to make a ruling on this very important point of order.

Sir, is His Honour the Vice-President in order to remain so silent in view of the equally deafening silence from the hon. Ministers of Home Affairs and Information and Broadcasting Services in the wake of the repeated cases of peace threatening, life in dignifying and human rights violating violence inflicted by MMD Cadres …

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Mr Lubinda: … on defenceless scribes of, particularly, The Post Newspapers, sometimes, in the full view of Zambia Police officers and senior Government and Ruling Party officials?

 Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Is he in order not to make a public condemnation of such acts or even to inform this august House on the action that his Government is undertaking to curb this very ugly practice in order to ensure that violence does not spread for violence will cause violence?

Sir, in the interest of the peace, integrity and tranquility in this country, I seek your serious ruling on this very serious matter.

I thank you, Sir.

 Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order! My serious ruling on the point of order which has been raised by the hon. Member for Kabwata is as follows:

There is a perception that only one side in the Republic is talking and talking and talking. There is also a perception that the other side, which is the Government, is silent and silent and silent. They are not responding to the things which are being said by the other side either by admission or correction of the perception.

This matter of the cadres …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … of a named political party harassing the media is being referred to in many forums and there are complaints that one side is not doing anything about it. I, personally, as the Chair will not rule on this matter. However, I task the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services to come to this House, with regard to the harassment of the media, and tell us the cause of the conflict between the cadres of the political party and the media personalities.

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Given this directive, I would like to call on the Executive to be proactive. I want to inform you that even though I am the most isolated person in the Republic, I hear a lot of things from abroad in general and overseas in particular. The impression is that the Republic is under threat.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: This is because certain people have the monopoly to speak …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: … and the Government is quiet.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: The Government must explain things …

Mr Mbewe: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: … whether it is true that the peace in the Republic is being threatened or there are individuals who want to give the perception to the world that there is instability in the Republic.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: The direct foreign investment you have been talking about is slowing down.

The hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services and other Cabinet Ministers must come out and speak out on matters that will clarify this perception of confusion.

With regard to this specific point of order, again, as I said in the previous point of order, let the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services come to this House as early as possible next week.

Mr Lubinda: Monday!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member over there is prepared to come to the House on Monday.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: I do not think that will be the right day.

May the hon. Member for Mpika Central continue?

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order! The Chair is alive! Order!

Laughter

Mr Kapeya: It is the beautiful Mpika.

Laughter

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, arising from the hon. Minister’s answer that there is no dispute, but a misunderstanding, may I know the difference between a dispute and a misunderstanding?

The Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources (Ms Namugala): Mr Speaker, sorry there is a bit of noise in the House, but I hope I understood the question. What is the difference between a dispute and a misunderstanding?

In the Deputy Minister’s response, he said that there is a perception that what the Surveyor-General thought were the correct boundaries are not seen as correct boundaries by the local community, including His Royal Highness the Chief. This matter has been dealt with and so, there is no real dispute to an extent that we go to court or differ. It is something that can be corrected, administratively, between the Ministry of Lands and the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mubika: Quality!{mospagebreak}

SPECIALISED LANGUAGES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA

396. Mr Mwenya asked the Minister of Education:

(a) how many languages the Department of Literature and Languages at the University of Zambia specialises in; and

(b) how many indigenous languages the department taught.

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, the Department of Literature and Languages at the University of Zambia is specialised in nine languages and these are:

(a) Tonga;
(b) Bemba;
(c) Nyanja;
(d) Luvale;
(e) Kaonde;
(f) Lunda;
(g) Lozi;
(h) French; and
(i) English.

The department trains teachers to teach seven indigenous languages and these are:

(i) Tonga;
(ii) Bemba;
(iii) Luvale;
(iv) Nyanja;
(v) Kaonde;
(vi) Lozi; and
(vii) Lunda.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Member: What about Lamba?

Dr Kalumba: Mr Speaker, acknowledging the need to focus on recognised official indigenous languages, is there any attempt by the Ministry of Education to encourage the University of Zambia to also teach those languages that may not be official languages such as Namwanga, Lamba, Lungu, Mambwe and Subiya which may require preservation in the long-term?

The Minister of Education (Ms Siliya): Mr Speaker, currently, we do not have such plans. As the hon. Deputy Minister reported, the policy is that we teach the seven official languages.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, I know that it is the Government’s policy to teach indigenous languages from Grade 1 to 4 in basic schools. Are there plans to introduce these languages as teaching subjects in our universities and colleges?

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, the question was about the indigenous languages that the University of Zambia specialises in, in terms of training our teachers so that they go and teach in primary schools. You will appreciate that the practicality of teaching, for example, a science course in Luvale or Bemba might be quite difficult at an advanced stage such as a university. Obviously, the language used in science is English and that is a generally accepted norm. At the moment, we want to teach as many indigenous languages as possible, coupled with the official language, English, so that we prepare our citizens to be competitive on the global level by teaching them relevant courses in the relevant language which is English.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Masebo: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out why the University of Zambia does not teach sign language as an indigenous language especially that it is cross-cutting.

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, we do offer sign language. Otherwise, our teachers would not be trained to meet the capacity of the disabled children that we are teaching in the various schools. It might not be part of the languages department at the university, but that does not mean we do not attach importance to it.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Malama: Mr Speaker, may I find out whether the Government may consider the seven indigenous languages to become official languages in future so that those who do not do well in English at Grade 12 may continue with higher education?

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, I am not so sure I understood that question because we are teaching and training in our schools, through our teachers, in the seven languages. We do all appreciate that the official language is English and so we do not just offer the indigenous languages, but English as well. Now for practical purposes, if we are going to teach a science course at a higher level, like I said, the accepted language or, at least, the language used in sciences is English and so we have to make sure that we prepare the students from an early age so that in future, they are able to assimilate these courses and are able to become not just national, but globally competitive citizens.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

CHIENGE POLICE STATION

397. Dr Kalumba asked the Minister of Home Affairs when Chienge District would have a police station independent of the Nchelenge Police Command.

Mr Bonshe: Mr Speaker, it is the Government’s policy that all districts should have police stations. The Government has put in place a programme of rehabilitating and building police stations countrywide in phases. Chienge will be given a station status in ensuing phases. Meanwhile, Chienge will continue being serviced by the Chienge Police Post which is under Nchelenge Police Station.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Kalumba: Mr Speaker, from the answer by the hon. Deputy Minister, is this the revision of the assurance that was given by the former hon. Minister of Home Affairs (Hon. Shikapwasha) to have a police station in Chienge this year?

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Mangani): Mr Speaker, the need of putting up a police station in Chienge is very important. The problem that we have is that of infrastructure. There has been a demand in almost all the districts that we put up police stations, but the difficulty we have is that there is no corresponding infrastructure in those districts. Nevertheless, Chienge is developing very fast and there is definitely need for us, funds permitting, to put up a police station there.

Mr Speaker, more importantly now is that we have a lot of challenges, particularly with the development or advent of democracy. There are new situations that we have to deal with especially with people who are trying to create problems in the country.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chanda (Kankoyo): Mr Speaker, talking about infrastructure, is this the reason we have seen more police stations being put up in container type structures? I would like to know when we are going to do away with putting up of police stations in container type structures.

Mr Mangani: Mr Speaker, those are police posts and not stations. Their history is that they are put up anywhere where we could be able to operate, even under a tree. We have to encourage the formation of police posts under that arrangement. We want as much as possible for the police to be accessible to the community, irrespective of the structures used.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Machungwa (Luapula): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister not considering ensuring that each constituency in the country has a police station or, at least, a police post because there are some constituencies which do not have such?

Mr Mangani: Mr Speaker that is definitely my dream and, funds permitting, I would like all constituencies to have a police station.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: I call upon the hon. Member for Kasama Central.

Laughter

Hon. Member: He is gone!

Mr Speaker: Oh! I beg your pardon, the hon. Member for Chilubi.

Laughter

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, of late the Government has embarked on a programme of constructing houses in some provincial centres. Would it not be wise for the Government to allocate these funds for the construction of police stations in places like Chienge where we do not have enough police officers?

Mr Mangani: Mr Speaker, much as I appreciate the importance of police posts or stations, the welfare of the police officers is equally very important. In Chienge, we have five officers who do not have houses. Most of the officers are renting houses in villages. We cannot continue allowing our officers to live in grass thatched houses. We need to improve the houses in which the police officers stay.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

RETIRED OR RETRENCHED WORKERS

398. Mr Kasongo (Bangweulu) asked the Minister of Labour and Social Security:

(a) how many workers were retired or retrenched, year by year, during the implementation of:

(i) the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP; and
(ii) the Public Sector Reform Programme (PSRP); and

(b) what deliberate measures were taken to absorb the retirees and retrenchees into the national economy.

Mr Kachimba: Mr Speaker, the number of workers retrenched during the implementation of SAP was 61,000. Unfortunately, the Zambia Privatisation Agency status reports do not give the number of retrenchments, year by year.

Mr Speaker, on the PSRP, the number of public workers who were retired or retrenched year by year during the implementation is 22,008 broken down as follows:

  Year    Number

1995-1999 13,000
2000   6,195
2003      376
2004        49
2005        86
2006      942
2007        74
2008   1,204
2009        82
 
 Total     22,008

Mr Speaker, as a way of ensuring that the effected workers were redirected into a productive future in the private or formal sector, the Government developed the Future Search Programme. The aim of this programme is to provide high quality social and business counselling as well as entrepreneurship training to Zambians to enhance their productivity through self employment and job creation, thereby alleviating poverty.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Kasongo: Mr Speaker, the informal sector, especially street vending, has the potential of integrating retirees and retrenchees within the shortest possible time. Is the hon. Minister considering liaising with the Minister of Local Government and Housing to legalise street vending for the same purpose?

Mr Liato: Mr Speaker, the question that Hon. Kasongo has asked is very important and I just want to mention that the informal sector is not the only problem for the Zambian economy, but it is a problem which is synonymous with all economies of the world and, obviously, they are more prevalent in the developing world. So, it is a problem that remains a challenge to the Government but, obviously, the Government cannot legalise street vending. I think that the challenge before us is to see how we could regulate the informal sector so that we are able to provide both formal and informal jobs in a much more regulated manner.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I want to find out when the employees who went on voluntary separation are going to be paid their full terminal benefits because we see them marching to State House.

Mr Liato: Mr Speaker, my beloved brother has not explained which employees have gone on this voluntary separation. So, it is very difficult for me to give an answer because I do not know which sector he is talking about.

I thank you, Sir.

CLINICAL OFFICERS AND NURSES IN ZAMBEZI WEST CONSITUENCY

399. Mr Kakoma asked the Minister of Health:

(a) what the total establishment of clinical officers and nurses at the following health facilities in Zambezi West Parliamentary Constituency was:

(i) Mize Rural Health Centre;
(ii) Chinyama Litapi Health Centre;
(iii) Kucheka Health Centre; and 
(iv) Chinyingi Mission Hospital; and

(b) what the actual numbers of clinical officers and nurses at the health facilities above were.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, staff position for Mize Rural health Centre is as follows:

Rural Health Centre Cadre   Structure Funded Posts Staff in post

Mize   Health centre   1  1  0
   in charge
   Clinical Officer  0  0  0
   Nurses    1  1  2

Chinyama Litapi Health centre 
in charge   1  1  0
Clinical Officer  0  0  1
Nurses    1  1  0

Kucheka  Health Centre
   in charge   1  1  0
   Clinical Officer  0  0  0
   Nurses    1  1  1
Chinyingi  Health Centre
   in charge   1  1  0
   Clinical Officer  0  0  0
   Nurses    1  1  4

Mr Speaker, there are two nurses at Mize, one at Kucheka and four at Chinyingi rural health centres. As for clinical officers there is only one at Chinyama Litapi.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kakoma: Mr Speaker, from that sad revelation by the hon. Minister of Health that most of the rural health centres are recording zero it means ordinary office orderlies and cleaners are administering medicine to the people. May I find out what programme and measures the ministry has put in place to address that critical shortage of medical staff in Zambezi West Constituency and those mentioned centres?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, as a Government, we are aware about our staff situation in the health sector and we know that we are short staffed by almost half the number in terms of what we have. However, we are trying to improve by increasing the number of training institutions and we are also trying to improve the incentives given to rural health workers so that more people can be attracted to rural health facilities. In addition, we have resurrected from rural posting the allowance for doctors starting this year. So, we hope that most of the rural areas will also be manned by doctors.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, arising from the numbers given by the hon. Minister, if you calculate the establishment, you will find that it is not 50 per cent, but in the range of 30 or less per cent as per the numbers he has presented. Now, that paints a very serious …

Mr Speaker: Order! You are debating. What is the question?

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, why is the Government not telling us the emergency measures it is going to take to quickly resolve this problem because this is an emergency? Therefore, I wish to know what short-term emergency measures they are going to take to address this emergency situation, as opposed to the measures he has just given us because these are long-term measures.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Nchanga must know that it takes at least two years to train a nurse and seven years to train a doctor. We have improved on the number of training institutions so that we can bring out more nurses than we have been bringing out. Now, if that is not an emergency measure, then I do not know which one the hon. Member is looking for. Right now, we want to turn Ndola Central Hospital into another university teaching hospital and we are hoping to start this by 2011 so that we can increase the number of doctors that we are producing. Now, that cannot happen in one year because doctors need seven years to be trained. I think that is all that the Government can do. If the hon. Member wants us to start importing health workers as the most immediate measure, well we can do that, but we do not want to go that route right now.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Sinyangwe (Matero): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Health if there are any intentions of bringing back retired nurses who are still strong to come and help the situation.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, despite not wanting to talk about it then, I made a call in this House to retired health workers who were willing to work to come back.  That call still stands and I would like to repeat that retired nurses, doctors and clinical officers who want to work are welcome to do so.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

KACHOLOLA POLICE POST

400. Mr Tembo (Nyimba) asked the Minister of Home Affairs when the construction of the Kacholola Police Post building in Nyimba Parliamentary Constituency would be undertaken.

Mr Bonshe: Mr Speaker, a lot of police posts in the country are housed in either substandard or dilapidated structures. Kacholola Police Post is one such example. Due to budgetary limitations, construction of police posts country-wide cannot be done at the same time. Only a few identified projects are pictured in each year’s budget. Thus in order to capture all infrastructure that needs to be constructed or refurbished, the ministry has embarked on developing a master infrastructure plan dubbed Infrastructure Development Action Plan whose objective is to identify all places in the police service and other departments that require construction of new office and residential infrastructure and also existing infrastructure that needs to be rehabilitated. The plan will constitute costing, resources required and time frame.

The developed plan will aid the ministry to marshal resources and act as a road map for construction of new infrastructure and rehabilitation of existing ones. I am optimistic that Kacholola Police Post will also benefit from this well-meaning exercise at some stage.

That notwithstanding, I wish to encourage fellow hon. Members of Parliament to work with the Government by organising their communities where construction of police posts is regarded as a priority and apportion part of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to such projects.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

___________

BILLS

FIRST READING

THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES (EMOLUMENTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2009

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice (Mr Kunda, SC): Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled The Constitutional Offices (Emoluments) (Amendment) Bill, 2009. The object of this Bill is to amend the Constitutional Offices (Emoluments) Act so as to -

(a) Empower the Minister responsible for finance to prescribe, by statutory instrument, the salaries and allowances for holders of offices to which Article 119 of the Constitution of Zambia applies; and

(b) Provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

I thank you, Sir.

Second reading on Friday, 31st July, 2009.

THE PRESIDENTIAL EMOLUMENTS (AMENDMENT) BIIL, 2009

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled The Presidential Emoluments (Amendment) Bill, 2009. The object of this Bill is to amend the Presidential Emoluments Act so as to –

(a) Empower the Minister responsible for finance to prescribe, by statutory instrument, the salary and allowances to be paid to the President; and

(b) Provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

I thank you, Sir.

Second reading on Friday, 31st July, 2009.

THE MINISTERIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY OFFICES (EMOLUMENTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2009

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled The Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices (Emoluments) (Amendment) Bill, 2009. The object of this Bill is to amend the Ministerial and Parliamentary (Emoluments) Act so as to –

(a) Empower the Minister responsible for finance top prescribe, by statutory instrument, the emoluments payable to the holders of the office of Vice-President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Cabinet Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Chief Whip, Deputy Chief, Deputy Minister, Deputy Chairperson of Committees and Private Member of the National Assembly; and

(b) Provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

I thank you.

Second reading on Friday, 31st July, 2009.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: The Chair appreciates the House’s desire to work hard.

Laughter

HOUSE IN COMMITTEE

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON 
in the Chair]

THE ZAMBIA LAW DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (Amendment) BILL, 2009

Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 2 – (Amendment of Section 5)

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice (Mr Kunda): Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 2:

(a) on page3

(i) in line 6 by the deletion of the dash after the word “amend” and the substitution therefor of the words “by the deletion of the subsection (1) and the substitution therefor of the following:”

(ii) in lines 7 and 8 by the deletion of paragraph (a)

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

The Vice-President and Minister of Justice: Mr Speaker, I beg to move a further amendment to Clause 2

(b) on page 4

(i) in line 9 by the deletion of the semi-colon after the word “Minister” and the substitution therefor of a full stop;

(ii) in line 10 by the deletion of the word “and”;

(iii) in lines 11 to 12 by the deletion of paragraph (b); and

(iv) in line 13 by the deletion of subclause (5)

Amendment agreed to. Clause further amended accordingly.

Clause 2, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 3 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Title agreed to.

THE ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED LEGAL EDUCATION (Amendment) BILL, 2009

Clauses 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Schedule ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Title agreed to.

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HOUSE RESUMED

[MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

The following Bills were reported to the House as having passed through Committee with amendment:

The Zambia Law Development Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2009

The Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (Amendment) Bill, 2009

Report stages on Friday, 31st July, 2009.

REPORT STAGE

The Legal Practitioners (Amendment) Bill, 2009

Report adopted.

Third Reading on 31st July, 2009.

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MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

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The House adjourned at 1757 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 31st July, 2009.
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