DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE SECOND SESSION OF THE TENTH ASSEMBLY

Thursday, 17th January, 2008

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_____________

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, in the absence of the His Honour the Vice-President, who is attending to other national duties, Hon. G. W. Mpombo, MP, Minister of Defence, has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House for today, Thursday, 17th January 2008 and tomorrow, Friday, 18th January, 2008.

SESSIONAL COMMITTEES - MEMBERSHIP

Mr Speaker: In accordance with Standing Orders numbers 151 and 157, the Standing Orders Committee has appointed the following hon. Members to serve on the following Sessional Committees:

(i) HOUSE-KEEPING COMMITTEE

Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services (7)

The Hon. Madam Deputy Speaker (Chairperson);
The Honourable and learned Minister of Justice; 
The Hon. Chief Whip
Mr E. C. Mwansa, MP;
Mr S. Sikota, MP;
Mr E. Kasoko, MP; and 
Rev. G. Z. Nyirongo, MP.

There is one vacancy.

(ii) PORTFOLIO COMMITTEES
 
Committee of Communications, Transport, Works and Supply (8)

Mrs E. M. Banda, MP;
Mr C. L. Milupi, MP;
Mr E. M. Hachipuka, MP;
Mr M. Mwangala, MP;
Mr W. Nsanda, MP;
Mr D. M Syakalima, MP;
Mr J. K. Zulu, MP; and 
Mr M. Muteteka, MP.

Committee on Agriculture and Lands (8)

Mr B. M. Bwalya, MP;
Major C. K. Chibamba, MP;
Mr B. Hamusonde, MP;
Mr M. Mabenga, MP;
Mr R. Muntanga, MP;
Mrs A.C. K. Mwamba, MP;
Mr S. R. Mwapela, MP; and
Dr. C. A. Njobvu, MP.

Committee on Education, Science and Technology (8)

Mr W. C. Simuusa, MP;
Mr N. J. C. Misapa, MP;
Mr E. M. Munaile, MP;
Mr G. G. Nkombo, MP;
Mr A. Sejani, MP;
Mr B. Sikazwe, MP;
Mrs F. B. Sinyangwe, MP; and 
Mr J. Mulyata, MP.

Committee on Energy, Environment and Tourism (8)

Mr G. Chazangwe, MP;
Mr P. P. Chanda, MP;
Mr A. Simama, MP;
Mrs F. B. Sinyangwe, MP;
Mr S. Sikota, MP;
Mr G. G. Nkombo, MP;
Mr A. Mbewe, MP; and 
Mr J. Mulyata, MP.

Committee on Sport, Youth and Child Affairs (8)
 
Mr M. C. K. Mushili, MP;
Ms M. M. Masiye, MP;
Mr B. K. Mweemba, MP;
Mr L. J. Ngoma. MP;
Mr P. Sichamba, MP;
Mr R. Muyanda, MP;
Dr B. E. Chishya, MP; and
Mr E. M. Munaile, MP.

Committee on Information and Broadcasting Services (8)

Mr M. Kapeya, MP;
Rev. G. Z. Nyirongo, MP;
Mr M. Muteteka, MP;
 Dr P. D. Machungwa, MP;
Mr R. Muyanda, MP;
Mr H. Mwanza, MP;
Mr D. Mwila, MP; and
Major R. M. Chizhyuka, MP.

Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs (8)

Mr H. A. Imasiku, MP;
Ms E. K. Chitika, MP;
Mr C. W. Kakoma, MP;
Mr A. Sejani, MP;
Mr B. Sikazwe, MP;
Mr O. C. Chisala, MP;
Mr M. H. Misapa, MP; and
Mr A. M. Nyirenda, MP.

Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Welfare (7)

Mr M. Habeenzu, MP;
Mr I. Banda, MP;
Mr B. Imenda, MP;
Mrs J. Kapata, MP;
Dr J. Katema, MP;
Mr Y. D. Mukanga, MP; and
Mr E. M. C. Sing’ombe;

There is one vacancy.

Committee on Legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights and Gender Matters (8)

Mr J. J. Mwiimbu, MP;
Mr J. C. Kasongo, MP;
Mr B. M. M. Ntundu, MP;
Reverend V. M. Sampa-Bredt, MP;
Mrs J. M. N. Phiri, MP;
Mr C. Silavwe, MP;
Mr K. Kakusa, MP; and
Mr L. H. Chota, MP.

The Committees will elect their Chairpersons at their meetings to be presided over by the Hon. Madam Deputy Speaker.

If any hon. Member of the BackBench or parliamentary group has been left out of these appointments, please, contact the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly for corrective measures to be taken.

Thank you.

______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

COUNTERFEIT BANK NOTES

26. Mr Ntundu (Gwembe) asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning:

(a) when the Government will change the current kwacha bank notes in order to reduce counterfeit bank notes; and

(b) what is the value of counterfeit bank notes the Bank of Zambia has so far confiscated?

The Deputy Minister of Finance and National Planning (Mr Shakafuswa): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the Government has no plans, at present, to change the current Zambian Kwacha bank notes.

With regards to counterfeit notes, I wish to state that the number of counterfeit notes detected is rather very small in comparison to the bank notes presently in circulation. However, any production of counterfeit Zambian Kwacha is taken seriously. In order to mitigate these attacks on the national currency, the Bank of Zambia undertakes various initiatives that include educational and/or sensitisation campaigns, press releases and adverts to enlighten the public on possible counterfeit attacks and how to recognise security features on the genuine Zambian bank notes.

The Bank of Zambia is continuously advising members of the public to watch out for such illegal notes and report any such cases to either the Zambia Police or the Bank of Zambia for further action.

The Bank of Zambia also prints brochures or posters which it distributes in public places such as markets, schools, the Trade Fairs, Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Shows and financial institutions for ease of access by members of the public. These posters and brochures are designed to assist the public to easily identify the main security features found on the Zambian bank notes so as to guard against counterfeit attacks.

In addition, Sir, the Bank of Zambia’s security wing, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, works towards apprehending any unscrupulous persons engaging in the unlawful activity of counterfeiting the Zambian Kwacha or indeed any other currency.

Over the period of January 2007 to 30th September 2007, the Bank of Zambia detected and confiscated 356 pieces of counterfeits with a value of K9.2 million, during the currency verification process of Kwacha deposits made by commercial banks at the Bank of Zambia and cases were reported to the Bank of Zambia Security Department. In 2006, a total of 859 pieces of counterfeits valued at K37.5 million were discovered during currency verification and were reported to the Bank of Zambia Security Wing.

Currency circulation, by the end of September 2007, was 284.2 million pieces valued at K1447.8 billion. Therefore, when you compare the total number of counterfeit notes of 1,215 pieces detected by the Bank of Zambia in 2006 and part of 2007 to the 284.2 million pieces of banknotes in circulation at the end of September 2007, the number of counterfeits was very low (way below 0.1 per cent). However, it is possible that there are other pieces of counterfeit notes that have not been reported to the Bank of Zambia or law enforcement agencies.

The distribution of counterfeit notes in 2006 and 2007 were as follows:

                                      2006                                                   2007

Denomination    Number of pieces    Values    number of pieces           Values

K50,000                        680                34,000,000                      90                    4,500,000
K20,000                        171                  3,420,000                     213                   4,260,000
K10,000                            6                       60,000                       35                      350,000
K5,000                              1                         5,000                       18                        90,000
Total                             859                 37,485,000                     356                   9,200,000

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, at a Bank of Zambia workshop that was held some time last, year at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, where most of the hon. Members of the House were present, the Bank of Zambia stated that the issue of counterfeit notes was serious in this country. Some hon. Members who were present at that workshop can confirm that.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ntundu: However, Sir, I am wondering where those figures are coming from. If the hon. Minister is contradicting the issue with the statement that was issued by the Bank of Zambia, then who is telling the truth between the Bank of Zambia and the hon. Minister? Could the hon. Minister confirm the statement of the Bank of Zambia? I recall that he was also present at that particular workshop.

Mr Speaker: Order! You have already asked your question.

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, even one counterfeit note is a serious issue. What figures is he talking about because these ones are in concordance with those of the Bank of Zambia? These are official figures. Therefore, if he has contrary statistics, let us compare them.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Simuusa (Nchanga): Mr Speaker, can the hon. Deputy Minister, please, tell the House the source of these counterfeit notes which have been detected due to the measures taken by the security forces? How many such incidences have been reported and has anybody been apprehended for producing these notes? We expected the numbers to be reducing effectively each year.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, that is a very good question. If you have noticed, most of these counterfeit notes were detected after commercial banks took their deposits to the Bank of Zambia. This means they were in circulation. There have been cases where people have been arrested for duplicating Zambian currency and this has been reported to the Police. If the hon. Member was listening carefully, he will have noticed that from the measures taken, the figures have been reducing. From 2006, the value was K37.5 million and in 2007, the value was K9.2 million. This shows that the measures are working and gradually, the incidences reducing.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether his Ministry has any intentions of introducing counterfeit note detecting machines in all commercial banks and other institutions that handle large sums of money for the purpose of detecting counterfeit notes quickly.

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, actually most banks and institutions have counterfeit note detecting machines and it depends on the severity of the issue. It should not be the Government to issue directives. It is up to the users such as the banks and the custodians who own the shops to employ such measures. The other point is that a counterfeit note is very easy to detect because even the quality of paper and the way it looks are strikingly different. Therefore, it most depends on the institutions which handle large sums of money to actually take a decision whether to get counterfeit note detecting equipment or not.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kambwili (Roan): Mr Speaker, it is common knowledge that the K1,000 and K500 notes fade. What is the Government doing about it?

Mr Speaker: May the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning give a bonus answer.

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, all the notes fade, it is not only the K1,000 and K500 notes which fade. Actually, all the notes which fade are removed from circulation and replaced by new ones.

I thank you, Sir.

COMPLETION OF MUSAKASHI BRIDGE

27. Mr Mukanga asked the Minister of Works and Supply:

(a) what percentage of the construction of Musakashi Bridge in Mufulira is completed;

(b) how much money has, so far, been spent on the Bridge;

(c) which contractor is currently working on the Bridge; and

(d) whether the quality of work by the contractor at (c) above is acceptable.

The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Ndalamei): Mr Speaker, the current physical progress for the construction of the Musakashi Bridge is estimated at 90 per cent completed.

A total amount of K177,346,707.40 has been paid to the contractor to date. The contract sum is K202,320,943.99.

There is no contractor currently working on the Musakashi Bridge.

The Copperbelt Provincial Administration is arranging for the remaining works of 10 per cent to be carried out by Force Account, following the termination of the contract that was awarded originally to Messrs MDC Civil and Mechanical Engineering Ltd of Kitwe. The contract was terminated due to a dispute over a variation, without additional costs to the project that was issued to the contractor. However, the contractor did not want to undertake the works. The quality of the works that were carried out by Messrs MDC Civil and Mechanical Engineering Ltd was acceptable and conformed to the specifications.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the first contractor did not do an acceptable job? Even the second contractor made his own specifications away from the specifications that were given to him. What has the Government done to the Government official who gave the contract outside tender procedures and the contractor?

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, that is why I have stated in my answer that the contract was terminated and the Copperbelt Provincial Administration was arranging to complete the works.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr D. Mwila (Chipili): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said the job will be carried out using the Force Account. I would like to find out how much will be spent to complete the project.

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, after the Copperbelt Provincial Administration has assessed the 10 per cent remaining work, we will come up with a figure before we can award it to another contractor.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chanda (Kankoyo): Mr Speaker, I find the answers that have been given by the hon. Minister contradictory to what I have been discussing with the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives. I would like to find out what works are being carried out because I am promised that that Bridge has to be funded again so that it can be reconstructed. I wonder what the hon. Minister is talking about.

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, in my answer, I stated that currently, there is no contractor working on the Musakishi Bridge. I also stated that the Copperbelt Provincial Administration is still arranging for another contractor to undertake the work.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

CONSTRUCTION OF A ROAD TO LINK THE EASTERN AND NORTHERN PROVINCES

28. Mr Malama asked the Minister of Works and Supply whether the Ministry had plans to build a road to link the Eastern and the Northern Provinces between Mpika and Mambwe Districts via Chief Nabwalya’s area.

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, the Ministry has intentions to construct a road between Mpika and Mambwe District, through Chief Nabwalya, to connect the Northern Province to the Eastern Province. The implementation of the plans has been hindered by the difficult terrain of the surrounding area which makes construction of the road very expensive.

The Ministry is, however, determined to ease the road transportation in the area. To this end, the Ministry has already procured the works for the maintenance of the Mutinodo Bridge on the Mpika-Nabwalya Road. It is the intention of the Ministry to continue the improvement and repair of the bridges on the road to enhance accessibility.

The Ministry has long term plans to construct the Mpika-Nabwalya-Mambwe Road when funds are sourced to do so.

I thank you, Sir.

TITLE DEEDS FOR PROPERTIES BOUGHT THROUGH THE ZAMBIA PRIVATISATION AGENCY

29. Mr Ntundu asked the Minister of Lands when title deeds would be issued to people who bought properties through the Zambia Privatisation Agency which were not on title or surveyed.

The Deputy Minister of Lands (Mr Hamir): Mr Speaker, title deeds will be issued to the people who bought property through Zambia Privatisation Agency (ZPA) as soon as they pay lease charges to facilitate for the survey of the properties.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out for the  look here, you hon. Minister, (pointing at Hon. Hamir) …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Laughter

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member will address the Chair and the Chair will relay the messages to the hon. Minister.

Laughter

Mr Ntundu: Sir, these hon. Ministers have a tendency of talking when you are …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order! You will forfeit your opportunity to raise a supplementary question, to which you are entitled, if you do not follow the instructions. Once more, try.

Laughter

Mr Ntundu: Sir, I would like the hon. Minister to clarify the point that title deeds will be issued to these people upon payment of surveyor fees. Why should the Government compel these people to pay surveyor fees and yet they are supposed to be given title deeds because they have already paid?

The Minister of Lands (Mr Machila): Mr Speaker, the arrangement at the time of entering into these contracts was that surveys would be arranged by the would-be buyers and upon the surrender of the survey diagrams, the Ministry would then arrange to process the titles.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chisala (Chilubi): Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister state why it takes so long for his Ministry to issue title deeds?

Mr Machila: Mr Speaker, there are various reasons the process may take long, but so long as the persons transacting avail all the documentation, the process does not take more than a month.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

PATIENTS TREATED FOR CHEST COMPLICATIONS DUE TO HIGH SULPHUR DIOXIDE CONCENTRATION IN KANKOYO CONSTITUENCY

30. Mr Chanda (Kankoyo) asked the Minister of Health:

(a) how many patients were treated at Clinic 5 in Kankoyo Parliamentary Constituency due to choking and other chest-related infections as a result of high concentration of sulphur dioxide in the last twelve months;

(b) how many patients at (a) above were referred to Ronald Ross Hospital;

(c) how many patients were treated for complications indicated at (a) above at Ronald Ross Hospital between December, 2006 and December, 2007; and

(d) how many people died as a result of the complications mentioned at (a) above during the same period.

The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Puma): Mr Speaker, there is no record of any patient who was treated for choking and other chest-related infections as a result of high concentration of sulphur dioxide in the last twelve months.

Consequently, no patient was referred to Ronald Ross General Hospital due to choking or chest-related infections as a result of sulphur dioxide during the stated period.

Therefore, no patient was treated for any complications related to sulphur dioxide and there is no record to show any death related to sulphur dioxide intoxication either at Ronald Ross Hospital or Clinic 5.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chanda: Mr Speaker, let me put it on record that I am very disappointed with the answer …

Mr Speaker: Order! Are you asking a follow-up question or not?

Mr Chanda: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the answer he has given to this House is totally different from what is obtaining on the ground?

Mr Speaker: That is not a question, but a comment.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister if there was no report given to him that children in Kankoyo, and especially Clinic 5, collapsed as a result of the high concentration of sulphur dioxide. He should tell the truth.

The Minister of Health (Dr Chituwo): Mr Speaker, we are not in receipt of any report of that nature and, therefore, there is no record to that effect.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chongo (Mwense): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that Ronald Ross Hospital has given out breathing aids or respirators to some of the children in Kankoyo Constituency? If that is the case, what is the Government’s position on this matter?

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, we are aware that in heavy mining areas such as Mufulira, there are many air pollutants. However, to specifically single out the sulphur dioxide is not possible from a clinical point of view. One requires to undertake an environmental situation analysis to pinpoint how many of these air pollutants can cause what is being referred to.

Secondly, in certain instances, one can get allergic reactions from many antigens in the air and again, it would be very difficult to pinpoint the cause unless one carries out a situation analysis.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kalumba (Chienge): Mr Speaker, in the light of the statement by the hon. Minister implying that an environmental assessment on the impact of sulphur dioxide has not been made, can he tell the House if there is anything he knows about the reported accident relating to sulphur dioxide in Mufulira?

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, that is more or less a hypothetical question. We are aware of the widely publicised water pollution and as far as we are aware it is not related to sulphur dioxide in the air. Having stated that, we do not have the records for us to comment. I do not think that there is any more matter about which to inform the House. I must state that we are concerned with any public health issue.

What the hon. Member of Parliament for Kankoyo has brought to our attention is that we have to review this issue with the other agencies so as to see if there is any relation to the industrial or suspected pollution. However, to specifically ask for sulphur dioxide pollution is a totally different matter and our answer is correct as reported to us.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mushili: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister of Health confirm or deny that sulphur dioxide is one of those gases which are quite dangerous although there has never been any isolated recorded sulphur dioxide case. Wusakile, like Kankoyo, is one of those areas that are affected by sulphur dioxide. Is the Government doing something to completely clear this pollution that causes some health problems?

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, indeed, sulphur dioxide, like any other gas in the air produced from mining or industrial activity above the normal concentration will be harmful to human beings. This is why in the mines, we have in place, for instance, under my jurisdiction, the Occupational Health Board. This is an institution specifically put in place to look at the effects of the complications or related complications that ensue from working or living in the mines. This is a body that is better placed to look at the complications arising from sulphur dioxide or any other related complications as a result of the occupation in mining or living in a mining area.

I thank you, Sir.

RE-LOCATING OF THE ZAMBIA RAILWAYS COMPOUND

31. Mr Mukanga asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a) how much money was spent on re-locating the Zambia Railways compound in Kantanshi in Mufulira District;

(b) who financed the re-location exercise at (a) above; and

(c) what support programmes the Government had designed to empower the re-located residents.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Dr Kazonga): Mr Speaker, the total amount of money spent so far on re-locating the Zambia Railways Compound/Masondashi is US$735,336.

Mr Speaker, the total budget for the project is US$2,222,852. The activities covered from the funds spent so far include the following:

(i) Government valuation of assets;
(ii) part payment to contractors constructing houses;
(iii) fees for implementing agents;
(iv) steering committee meetings, expenses and training course;
(v) house rentals;
(vi) architectural design fees, surveying fees; and 
(vii) agricultural support activities in particular seed in puts for two seasons.

As for part (b) of the question, the Financing Agent for the re-location exercise is the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, through the Environmental Management Facility (EMF) and the Copperbelt Environmental Project.

Mr Speaker, the support programmes designed by the Government, through the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines- Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) and the Mufulira Municipal Council, aimed at empowering the re-located residents include the following:

(i) provision of seed in puts for agricultural purposes;
(ii) enterprise development (training of the residents in this field);
(iii) home ownership responsibilities;
(iv) waste management; and
(v) tailoring and carpentry training.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out what the Government is doing to ensure that the contractor who is building houses in Kawama West completes on time because this project has lasted too long.

Dr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, the Mufulira Municipal Council will be supervising the construction works. As indicated in the response from the Ministry, it clearly indicates that the Government is committed to ensuring that those people are catered for.

I thank you, Sir.

REDUCTION OF DEPENDENCY SYNDROME IN WOMENFOLK

32. Mr Malama (Mfuwe) asked the Minister of Gender and Women in Development what measures the Ministry had taken to reduce the dependency syndrome in the majority of womenfolk in the country.

The Minister of Gender and Women Development (Ms Mulasikwanda): Mr Speaker, the dependency syndrome starts with an individual to the family then to the household as a whole. It cannot be eliminated or reduced unless both women and men take full responsibility in reducing it. In fact, it has been documented that men perpetrate dependency syndrome as it makes them feel happy that they have women who depend on them for literary everything. This, therefore, is a challenge to all of us, as Zambians, to work hard to eliminate it at all levels.

The Government has put up a number of measures that enhance women’s assertiveness as a way of reducing the dependency syndrome among the women. The following are the examples:

(i) the Government has put in place deliberate policies and programmes aimed at enhancing gender equity and equality at all levels of education such as the re-entry policy for girls who fall pregnant. This has enabled women to become empowered and liberated;

ii creation of awareness on the rights of women so that they can claim their rights and entitlements.

iii implementation of the 50 per cent threshold in decision-making positions at all levels.

iv setting up of economic empowerment programmes and projects by various partners who have continued to support women entrepreneurs in various domains, particularly, in business skills training, information exchange and micro-financing institutions that provide women with small grants.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Malama: Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister then confirm that the abuse of women in our communities is as a result of this dependency syndrome?

Ms Mulasikwanda: Mr Speaker, that is not even an issue. That is why we are now changing things. There is a change, not only in Zambia, but throughout the world, to assist women rise up and face these new challenges. It is up to us the women and the men to recognise the potential that is in women. Therefore, the onus is on the hon. Members of Parliament who are seated here to encourage the women to develop the talents that God has endowed them with. This way, the syndrome can be eradicated.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Member: Quality!

Mrs Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, in his Address, the President said Zambians should partner with foreigners to empower themselves. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Gender and Women in Development what programmes she has to give women the opportunity to partner with foreigners, especially, the women in the rural areas, in the compounds such as Kalingalinga and those who are working under very difficult conditions in Chinese and Lebanese factories to enable them come out of that?

Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

Ms Mulasikwanda: Mr Speaker, it was only yesterday evening, when the Ministry of Gender in Development and Women in Development, in partnership with other foreign organisations, launched a website on empowering women economically and in any other domains. The Ministry has such a long list of activities outlined that it will not even be able to undertake all of them. We are just looking forward to the women in Zambia emerging, especially, after the 30th of January, 2008 as then we shall be able to stand knowing that even as we are talking, all our finances are in place to train the women of Zambia to take up these challenges, especially in food processing and in any other fields that the women would want to venture in.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Kanyanyamina (Kanchibiya): Mr Speaker, it saddens me to see our dear mothers quarrelling in the presence of men as was seen yesterday in the House.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Laughter

Mr Speaker: What is your question?

Mr Kanyanyamina: What measures has the Ministry of Gender and Women in Development put in place to prevent women, who are already empowered, from quarrelling in the presence of men?

Laughter

COST OF RELIEF FOOD FOR THE PERIOD 2002 TO 2007 AND PAYMENT TO SUPPLIERS AND TRANSPORTERS

33. Mr Ntundu asked the Vice-President:

(a) how much money the Government spent on procuring relief food from 2002 to-date;

 (b) how much money was paid to the following in the above period:

  (i) suppliers of relief food; and

  (ii) transporters of relief food; and

(c) how much was still outstanding to the suppliers and transporters at (b) above.

The Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice-President (Mr Malwa): Mr Speaker, the answer to that question is that:

(a) a total of K54, 671,583,619.00 has been spent on the procurement of relief food from 2002 to-date.

(b) the House may wish to know that:

 i. it is from the same amount of K54,671,583,619.00 that suppliers of relief food were paid.

ii. a total of K22,081,463,735.63 has been spent on paying transporters of relief food during the period in question, giving rise to a total of K76,763,047,354.63 spent on both transportation and procurement of relief food.
 
(c) Mr Speaker, the Government owed transporters who supplied relief food approximately K42,000,000.00. Nothing is owed to suppliers of relief food during the last programme. For the current relief food programme, which started from October, 2007, for the few districts where relief food is being transported, the transportation bills are yet to be submitted.

The House may further wish to note that transportations costs for the relief programme have drastically fallen, as most implementing partners are now accessing relief food from local depots in their respective districts from where the food is distributed.

The hon. Member also wanted to know how much money was spent on transporters and suppliers from 2002 to date. I, therefore, wish to inform the House as follows:

 Year          Relief Food                           Transporters                       Suppliers of 
                   Amount (K)                           of Relief Food                      Relief Food
                                                                Amount (K)                          Amount (K)

 2002         12,351,705,226.00             2,251,705,226.00                  10,100,000,000.00
 2003         21,543,713,531.00             4,306,437,184.00                  17,237,276,347.00
 2004              992,638,107.00                  11,946,920.00                       980,691,187.00
 2005         24,319,502,000.00                229,753,000.00                  24,089,749,000.00
 2006           1,774,555,312.00             1,745,808,227.00                         28,747,985.00
 2007         15,770,933,178.63           13,535,813,178.63                    2,235,120.000.00
Grand Total 76,753,047,254.63          22,081,463,753.63                  54,671,583.619.00

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Ntundu Drunk some water.

Laughter

Mr Ntundu: I am sorry, Sir.

Mr Speaker, it has taken the Head of State to visit and assess the disaster in the Southern Province for the Vice-President’s Office to respond to the people’s needs. That is very good and I commend him for that. He is a good President, in case you did not know.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ntundu: Now, why is …

Hon. Government Member: Look at the Chair.

Mr Ntundu: I am looking at you, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Ntundu: … the Office of the Vice-President failing to visit these areas? It took the Head of State, having left important work here in Lusaka, to assess the gravity of the disaster and yet there is a Vice-President’s Office. The Office of the Vice-President speaks from Lusaka and disburses the information, which is sent to it from the districts, that this issue is not so serious. Why is it so, hon. Minister?

Mr Malwa: Mr Speaker, I believe the hon. Member reads newspapers and sees the footage of the calamities on television. Other hon. Members of the august House will agree with me that I have been to most of these flooded and disaster-prone areas …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Malwa: … and taken medication there. I have been to Siavonga and Mazabuka. Our impact, as a Government, has been felt in these areas.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Malwa: It is our reports from the Office of the Vice-President, which were sent to His Excellency, Dr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, SC, that prompted his visits to Mazabuka, Monze and Namwala in the Southern Province.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Mumbi (Munali): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when he is going to find time to visit my constituency as we have also been affected by floods.

Interruptions

Ms Mumbi: Yesterday, I received a letter from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unity after I submitted a report. In their response, they said they were going to move the affected people. I am making this request so that he can help us to find land where we can relocate the people of Mtendere as there is no land in Lusaka.

Mr Malwa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Munali has to work in collaboration with the District Commissioner in Lusaka because that is what we have put in place as Office for the Vice-President. In short, the Office of the District Commissioner is the Office that chairs the District Disaster Management Committee. If the hon. Member of Parliament has identified places that are flooded, she has to report to this office as it represents the Government at the district level.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, why did the hon. Minister decide to leave out councillors from the Opposition and only took those from the MMD Govenrment?

Mr Malwa: Mr Speaker, when disaster occurs, there is no political affiliation involved because the people who are affected are Zambians. If you noticed, the Southern Province is a stronghold of Opposition Members of Parliament. We, as a Government, are mandated to look after the welfare of our people countrywide, especially in flood-prone and damp areas which are flooded with water. It is for these reasons that my office and I, personally, went to Mazabuka and issued tents and evacuated all those who were living in classrooms to pave way for pupils to use their classrooms. We did that and the pupils have started learning. We did not leave out any councillors when we went to mitigate the disasters in Mazabuka. All councillors of any political party that is in Mazabuka were represented.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Beene (Itezh-tezhi): Mr Speaker, I think the Office of the Vice-President knew that we were going to have problems because of the rains that we are experiencing now. What constraints has the Office of the Vice-President got for it not to have pre-packaged food stuffs, tents and all logistics in place? These places have become completely impassable now.

Mr Malwa: Mr Speaker, we were focused. Anything to do with mitigation of disasters requires money. As you know very well, Parliament approves budgets. The budgets that were approved were for the year 2006 to 2007 and we are yet to approve the Budget for 2008. Therefore, the money is yet to be allocated. We will be able to mitigate against the effects of the disaster and buy the requirements which are needed in the Office of the Vice-President and distribute to the affected victims.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.{mospagebreak}

ZAMBIANS SERVING PRISON SENTENCES OUTSIDE ZAMBIA

34. Mr Mukanga asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

(a) how many Zambians were serving prison sentences outside Zambia and, if so, in which countries these w ere;

(b) for what cases the Zambians at (a) above serving prison sentences were; and
 
(c) which of the cases above had the longest prison sentences and what cases these were.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Bonshe): Mr Speaker, in Namibia, there are thirty-two Zambian nationals detained and serving sentences ranging from three months to twenty-five years. There are, in addition, twenty-three Zambian nationals in cells detained at Katima Mulilo Police Station and Ngoma Police Station on the Namibian side, pending trial.

Sir, the offences are murder, house breaking, rape, stock theft, assault, possession of cannabis (dangerous drugs), false declaration of goods, violating dead body, fraud, illegal entry, possession of firearms without licence and poaching.

Mr Speaker, the case with the longest prison sentence involves Cindy Namukolo Mulope who is serving twenty-five years for murder. The second longest sentence is that of Lubinda Simasiku …

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Bonshe: … who was detained on 12th June, 2002 and is serving a fifteen-year sentence for rape.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Bonshe: Mr Speaker, another Zambian raped a minor aged sixteen and was sentenced to thirteen years on 20th June, 2006, for sexual abuse.

Mr Speaker, in Singapore, there is only one woman who is detained and she is Guinea Daka. The woman was nabbed for trafficking a 14kg of cannabis. She faces death sentence, as per Singapore laws.

Sir, in India, Mumbai, there are five women facing drug-trafficking charges, as far back as 2002. However, in New Dehli, there are three Zambian women at Tihar Maximum Prison. This makes eight Zambians in detention in India.

Mr Speaker, the three women in New Delhi facing drug-trafficking charges are still appearing in court.

Interruptions

Mr Bonshe: Mr Speaker, convictions are not yet secured by the Indian Government. The Zambian Embassy remains in constant touch with these women and will advise accordingly once sentences are passed. The embassy has been very active in availing consular services to these women.

Mr Speaker, in Brazil, the Zambian Embassy reported that the there is a Zambian woman by the name of Rosa Concetta Rignanese whose father was of Italian origin and died in Livingstone in 2003. The mother’s name is Caroline Mwiya Rignanese, a Zambian based in Livingstone. The woman was arrested at Guarulhos International Airport in Brazil. She concealed drugs (cocaine) in her bags and shoes. The woman is detained in a remand prison for women in Sao Paolo and her mother informed our embassy to withdraw contact with her daughter since the Italian Embassy have availed the consular services to her.

However, Rosa has maintained personal contact for consular services with the Zambian Embassy. The woman has been in detention since 23rd February, 2007 and is awaiting trial.

Mr Speaker, in Japan and Australia, there are no Zambians serving sentences except for the three male students based in Sydney, Australia, who are in remand prison for allegedly raping a minor, a fifteen-year-old Australian girl in August, 2007.

Mr Speaker, in Malawi, there are four Zambian prisoners in detention in Malawi at Mzuzu Prison for various offences. Two of these Zambians are in remand prison for alleged theft of a motor vehicle from Chipata, Zambia. The other one was jailed for three months for poaching and nine months for possession of a firearm in a prohibited area. The expected date of release is 18th February, 2008. The fourth prisoner was sentenced to nine months for theft of a motor vehicle.

Sir, the longest prison sentence is nine months and this is for an offence of theft of motor vehicle.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I think it is very clear that there are more women involved in drug trafficking than men. What is the Government doing to ensure that the womenfolk are educated enough to prevent a situation where they are arrested outside the country?

The Minister of Home Affairs (Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha): Mr Speaker, first and foremost, the Drug Enforcement Commission continues to educate all Zambians, including women, on the dangers involved in drug trafficking. This is continuous and we need the support of this Parliament to ensure that the Drug Enforcement Commission has sufficient funds to carry out the work that is needed.

Secondly, the Minister of Home Affairs continually, in the last year, made statements in the press and warned our womenfolk on the dangers of drug trafficking. We have made many statements outside and in Parliament on the need for the womenfolk to be aware of these dangers.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo): Mr Speaker, would it not be a good idea for the Ministry to refer these cases to the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services so that the women are helped? It appears that in Britain, India, Singapore and Brazil, these women are enticed by foreigners to commit such offences. Therefore, these women could be helped to stop associating with foreigners.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: Mr Speaker, if it were vice-versa, I would have agreed with the suggestion from the hon. Member for Kalomo. However, it is mostly the men who are using women. Therefore, there is a need for us to assist the women since these are rings of drug traffickers that trap the women they sometimes find shopping, like the issue of the girl who is in Singapore.

She went to buy goods and was trapped in church by some South Africans. They befriended her and gave her money while she was waiting for her goods to be brought by the manufacturers to Zambia. She was offered a holiday in Singapore. They packed her bags and she had no idea what was contained therein. They rushed her through the airport immigration check point and took her to Singapore where she was under surveillance. She did not know what she was carrying, and eventually, when she ended up at a hotel, she was told to ring a phone number. Soon after she phoned that number, the police arrived at the hotel. This is a sophisticated syndicate. It is not a welfare business. It requires the police and all the security agencies to work together and ensure that the Zambian women are made aware of such dangers prior to operating in their businesses abroad.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chanda: Mr Speaker, we have seen western countries negotiate in even worse cases for their citizens. In this vein, what is Zambia doing about the cases that are being handled abroad?

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Kankoyo for his concern. The Zambian Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, continues to negotiate for the release and, indeed, the pardon of the lives of all the Zambians who are incarcerated abroad. The Zambia-Namibia Joint Permanent Commission, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has continued to negotiate for them We will continue to negotiate for the life of Guinea Daka in Singapore.

Mr Speaker, recently, we negotiated for the release of one Zambian who was held in Mauritius on a life sentence. She is now serving her life sentence here in Zambia. We continue to do that.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

PERMANENT STRUCTURES AT COMESA MARKET AND REVENUE COLLECTION

35. Mr Malama asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing: 

(a) when permanent structures would be built at the COMESA Market in Lusaka; and

(b) whether the Ministry benefited from the revenue collection from the above mentioned market.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Tetamashimba): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the area where the COMESA Market is located is not designated as a market, but commercial plot. This arrangement has been brought to the attention of the administrators of COMESA. Therefore, its agents have submitted an application, in principle, to the Lusaka City Council for the construction of a modern market. The document submitted to the Council does not have papers to indicate ownership, a requirement which is cardinal for a planning permission application.

Mr Speaker, the House may also wish to know that, under the current Markets and Bus Stations Act of 2007, only local authorities have the right to construct markets in their areas of jurisdiction. The Council is, therefore, still studying the application in order to advise the applicants correctly, taking into account, the current Markets and Bus Stations Act.

The Ministry does not benefit from the revenue collected from the COMESA Market.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Malama: I would like to find out from the hon. Minster what the Ministry is doing to prevent the accidents at COMESA Market.

Mr Tetamashimba: Mr Speaker, although the question is not clear what type of accidents the hon. Member is referring to, whether road or fire, we shall take it that it is the fire accidents because recently, we had a fire disaster at the Market.

Sir, the only way for us to avoid such fires, in areas such as COMESA Market, is to have planned structures. On that plot, the people are masquerading as marketers. That place is not for marketers. It is supposed to be a commercial plot where we would have put up modern shops for people. The only way is to have these people re-located to areas where they can do their markets. For example, the new Soweto Market, which we are going to open this year, is likely to take most of the people who are on that market.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

RECEIVED DEVIDENDS

36. Mr Ntundu asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning:

(a) how much money the Government received as dividends from the Zambia National Commercial Bank Plc. from 2002 up to the time when some shares had been sold to Rabobank; and

(b) how much had been paid in dividends to the other shareholders in the above period.

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that, the Government, through the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, received the net amount of K24,820,404,517.98 in form of dividends from the Zambia National Commercial Bank Plc. from 2002 up to the time when some shares were sold to Rabobank.

Below is a table showing the breakdown of how these dividends were paid.

Year          Private Shareholders

2002          K852,012,936.00
2004          K3,999,645,499.74
2005          K9,984,373,041.12
2006          K9,984,373,041.12
Total          K24,820,404,517.98

Mr Speaker, the net amount of K35,877,842.40 was paid in form of dividends to other (private) shareholders by the Zambia National Commercial Bank Plc. from 2002 up to the time some shares were sold to Rabobank.

Below is a table showing the breakdown on how these dividends were paid.

Year            Private Shareholders

2003             K1,440,188.00
2004             K5,746,668.86
2005             K14,345,492.77
2006             K14,345,492.77
Total             K35,877,842.40

Sir, you may wish to take note, however, that during the year 2003, there were no dividends that were declared to both the Government and other shareholders ...

(Inaudible)

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1614 hours until 1644 hours.

____

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Speaker: Order! Due to power failure, there is a technical fault in the Public Address System. Therefore, I adjourn the House.

The House adjourned at 1645 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 18th January, 2008.