DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FIRST SESSION OF THE TENTH ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 30th October, 2007

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER

NEW PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM IN THE CHAMBER

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to draw your attention to the new public address system that has been installed in the Chamber. However, before I do so, let me mention that it has been noticed that there is an hon. Member who has his mobile phone on and it is already affecting the new system. May that hon. Member surrender the phone to one of the messengers for custody at the entrance outside.

The new public address system is part of the Parliamentary Reforms and Modernisation Programme which our Parliament is pursuing. This digital equipment enables the House to perform the following functions:

(a) register hon. Members’ attendance during each sitting;

(b) enable hon. Members vote in the House; and

(c) record the debates and proceedings of the House.

Hon. Members may wish to note that the system is user-friendly. Each hon. Member has been issued with a card which he or she will insert in the appropriate slot in the microphone panel placed in front of his or her seat. The card enables the hon. Member to register his or her attendance at each sitting of the House, to vote on matters that come before the House and have his or her debate recorded.

 I am confident that this system will enable the House conduct its business more efficiently and effectively. Please, take proper care of the system as will be advised shortly. Before the House is given the details on how the system works, I suspend business.

I now call on the Clerk of the National Assembly to provide the detailed information on the new equipment. She will be assisted by the Head of the Information Communication Technology Department.

Thank you.

Business was suspended from 1437 until 1520 hours.

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[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

The Vice-President (Mr R. Banda): Mr Speaker, in the first instance, allow me to welcome all hon. Members of Parliament to the third meeting of the First Session of the Tenth National Assembly. I trust that all hon. Members are fit and ready to continue with the work of this august House. I now wish to give the House some idea of the business it will consider this week.

On Tuesday, 30th October, 2007, the business of the House will begin with Questions as indicated on the Order Paper.

On Wednesday, 31st October, 2007, the business of the House will commence with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by the presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider Private Member’s Motions, if there will be any. Then, the House will consider the two Motions to adopt the Reports of the Committee on Education, Science and Technology and the Committee on Economic Affairs and Labour.

On Thursday, 1st November, 2007, the business of the House will begin with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider the Second Reading Stage of the Tourism and Hospitality Bill and the Zambia Tourist Board Bill, which they referred to the Committee on Energy, Environment and Tourism on Wednesday, 22nd August, 2007. After that, the House will consider the Motion to adopt the Report of the Committee on Energy, Environment and Tourism.

On Friday, 2nd November, 2007, the business of the House will commence with the Vice-President’s Question Time. Thereafter, the House will consider Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will then consider the Motion to adopt the Report of the Committee on Information and Broadcasting Services. Thereafter, the House will deal with any outstanding business which it may not have completed the previous day.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

RESURFACING OF THE LUSAKA/ITEZHI-ITEZHI/MONGU ROAD

864. Mr Beene (Itezhi-Itezhi) asked the Minister of Works and Supply:

 (a) when the Lusaka/ Itezhi-Itezhi/ Mongu Road would be resurfaced; and

(b) when the Baanga Pontoon would be replaced by a bridge on the Kafue River between Namwala and Itezhi-Itezhi.

The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Ndalamei): Mr Speaker, the Ministry has no immediate plans to re-surface the existing Mumbwa- Itezhi-Itezhi Road due to insufficient funds. Further, the Ministry has, at the moment, a number of upgrading road projects which have been on going for several years. It is the intention of the Ministry to complete the ongoing upgrading road projects before embarking on new ones.

The Ministry, however, has included the maintenance of the Mumbwa-Itezhi-Itezhi Road in the 2008 Annual Work Plan.

Mr Speaker, there are no immediate plans to construct a bridge across the Kafue River at Baanga on the road. The existing pontoon is in fair condition.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Beene: Mr Speaker, from the answer given by the hon. Minister of Works and Supply, the road was constructed thirty years ago in 1978 and there is no maintenance plan. Are there any plans by the Government to compensate the families of the people who died on that road which has turned into a pass?

The Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Simbao): Mr Speaker, Hon. Beene probably missed the last part of the reply. It says, “however, the Ministry has included the maintenance of the Mumbwa-Itezhi-Itezhi Road in the 2008 Annual Work Plan”. I think the hon. Member missed that part.

I thank you, Sir.

COMPESNATION FOR PEOPLE KILLED BY FALLING ZESCO ELECTIRCITY POLES

865. Mr Chazangwe (Choma Central) asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development:

(a) how many people were killed by falling ZESCO electricity poles from 2004 to 2006, province by province;

(b) how many of the deceased at (a) above were compensated by ZESCO, province by province; and

(c) what remedial measures ZESCO had taken in order to prevent further loss of human lives.

The Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development (Mr Sichilima): Mr Speaker, there was no incident between 2004 and 2006 where a person was killed by falling ZESCO electricity poles.

Further, no compensation was made between 2004 and 2006 by ZESCO because no person was killed by falling ZESCO electricity poles.

Mr Speaker, in order to prevent any accident which may result in loss of human life, ZESCO has increased inspections on the condition of the power lines and replaced them where necessary as an on going exercise.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chazangwe: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that there are a few people who have been bruised?

The Minister of Energy and Water Development (Mr Konga): Mr Speaker, the original question that

CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHOMA/CHITONGO ROAD

866. Mr Hachipuka (Mbabala) asked the Minister of Works and Supply:

(a) whether the Ministry received the K18 billion allocated in the 2007 Budget for the Choma/Chitongo Road;

(b) if so, when the funds were received;

(c) how much had so far been paid to the contractor;

(d) when the contractor would move on site; and

(e) whether work on the project would commence soon and if not, what the reasons for the delay were.

The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Ndalamei): Mr Speaker, I would like to inform the House that in October, 2007, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning released an amount of K11 billion which has been used partly to settle the outstanding payment and arrears to the contractor for the work carried out during the construction of the Namwala /Chitongo Road. To date, the contractor has been paid an amount of K57,375,987,665 for the construction of the Chitongo/Namwala Road which was completed in December, 1999.

The contractor received the last payment of K4,939,283 in October, 2007 which cleared all the outstanding debts. The contractor only worked on 30 kilometres of the Choma/Chitongo Road between July and September, 2007 before suspending the work due to non-payment for the works carried out the on road. Further, there was a previous contract.

Sir, the contractor will only go on site when he is paid the advance payment.

The works are expected to commence in January, 2008 with the initial amount of K13 billion which will be spent on the construction of the Choma/Chitondo Road. The remaining amount will only be made available in April when the contractor moves to the site.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hachipuka: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister confirm whether the contractor is mobilising to go to the Choma side of the road or the Chotongo side of the road.

The Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Simbao): Mr Speaker, as per initial plan, the contractor was supposed to start the construction from the Choma side of the road.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Major Chizhyuka (Namwala): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Works and Supply has said that as per initial plan, the works are meant to start from the Choma side of the road. Is the hon. Minister suggesting that there is a rethink on the initial plan, given that it does not make sense to start constructing the road from the Choma side that has 25 km which are well serviced, given the rough side where the indigenous people …

Laughter

Major Chizhyuka: … use the road?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, our assignment is to complete constructing the whole road. I said that because after we have fully paid for the initial works, we have to discuss the new rates, either with the same contractor or with another contractor, but we have to discuss this other section of this road again. I said that as per the original plan, the construction was to start from Choma coming up and that might still be the situation, but we have to discuss the new rates again because everything has changed. It is a long time since we did that work, and a number of parameters have since changed. Therefore, a number of new things have to be looked at. Hence, the reason I said as per the original plan.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mooya (Moomba): Mr Speaker, I heard from the hon. Minister that K57 billion has been spent, and yet, the original figure that started more than ten years ago was only K25 billion. Could I find out if this is not being wasteful?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that question.

Sir, I do not have the breakdown at the moment for me to answer that question. I just would like to say that when these works take long to be paid, you end up paying for a number of other things, such as interest, that could have been catered for had the payment not delayed. Nonetheless, I do not have the break down of this figure.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Kambwili (Roan): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why generally, contractors have not moved on site on almost all the roads that were allocated funds in the 2007 Budget, for instance, the Roan/Mpatamato Road.

Mr Speaker: The hon. Minister is free to answer that question if he has the answer. It is irrelevant.

Laughter

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, no.

Mr Speaker: The hon. Minister has said no.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo): The hon. Minister has indicated that he will discuss this particular road with this particular contractor or any other contractor again. Is he implying that he has to tender for the construction of this particular road? The Government had assured us it was one of the key roads we needed to tar this year. What is the hon. Minister talking about?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, these are new works. We paid the contractor for the works he had done. He is going to start the new works because he cannot work on the old contract. It is too old and materials were affordable that time, but their prices have now escalated. He has to rewrite the contract or else he is not going to construct the road. He may only manage one pocket of cement. Therefore, we have to review everything once again. That is what this whole exercise is about.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.{mospagebreak}

LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL RADAR

867. Ms Mumbi (Munali) asked the Minister of Communications and Transport:

(a) why the air traffic control radar which was installed by an Italian company at the Lusaka International Airport in 1995 had not been functioning since then; and

(b) what happened to the twelve technicians who were trained to operate the equipment at (a) above.

The Deputy Minister of Communications and Transport (Mr Mubika): Mr Speaker, a total of eighteen technicians were trained on how to use the radar equipment as follows:

(i) nine were trained on the radar head;
(ii)  nine were trained on the radar display and processor system.

At present, the breakdown of the radar trained manpower is as follows:

(i) three are at the Lusaka International Airport;
(ii)  two have retired; 
(iii) four are deceased; 
(iv) seven have been redeployed at Livingstone, Ndola, Kasama and Mfuwe airports and into management positions; and
(v) two are at the Department of Civil Aviation Headquarters.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Mumbi: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether this Government knows the importance of this radar. The radar is used to actually show the correct position of an aircraft unlike the situation is now where the air traffic controllers rely on the information from the pilots which is not accurate. Is it this Government’s deliberate policy not to have the radar working, since this radar stopped four years after the MMD Government came into power?  I do not care if it is called the “New Deal or New Dead Government” …

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Mumbi: … but it is still the same with the same manifesto. Are they waiting for a disaster to happen in the air in order for them to create jobs for those who sit on commissions which never yield any profits?

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the concern by the hon. Member of Parliament for Munali on the radar.

Sir, we are equally concerned about the radar. If the hon. Member followed the answer, we mentioned that this was donated equipment and it is very expensive equipment. It is not as cheap as people think.

Hon. Members: No!

Mr Simbao: We have not been able to raise the 2 million Euros as yet. That does not mean we are not go to repair it.

Interruptions

Mr Simbao: That is why we had it investigated and we found that even though it was struck by lightening, it was still repairable. We are trying to source funds to repair this radar.

 At the moment, she is right to say that this is being done by the pilots. Sir, pilots use their radar to know where they are and that is what they are doing at the moment to land in Zambia at the Lusaka International Airport.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sikota (Livingstone): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether or not this installation was insured? If it was not insured, why did the Government not put in an insurance cover? The Minister should also tell us whether this is the state with other installations and pieces of equipment we have. Are they without insurance cover?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I would not be very sure on that. I need to check the facts if this equipment was insured. It is very simple, if the equipment was insured surely we could have followed it up to be replaced. However, I need to check it out because I do not have a straight answer.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nsanda (Chimwemwe): Mr Speaker, since we are operating without a radar, what would happen if a stray military aircraft flew into our territory, how would they know?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, to my knowledge, we only have a civilian radar at the International Airport. The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) has got its own radar system.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kanyanyamina (Kanchibiya): Mr Speaker, we must consider the concerns of the Zambians that Zambia has been used as a damping a ground. How long and safe are we to receive these donations which only operate for a few hours and thereafter are discarded?

Laughter

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, if the hon. Member was following, I said that this equipment was struck by lightening. I would not know the intensity of lightening that struck this equipment. There might have been protection which was burnt and ended up affecting the system. This equipment was damaged by lightening.

I thank you, Sir.

LUAMPA/MULOBEZI ROAD

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

(a) who the contractor for the Luampa/Mulobezi road was;

(b) how much the contractor had been paid and how the contract had been awarded; and

(c) whether the Ministry had plans to visit the project and, if so, when.

The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Ndalamei): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Danish Government through Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) funded the spot improvement of the Luampa/Kataba/Machile/Mulobezi (D309) Road between February 2005 to December, 2006.

The scope of works included spot improvement/gravelling and some drainage works. Works were carried out by labour based methods.

The contractors were Mpasim Building and Civil Engineering Contractors, Time Construction Limited and VK Enterprise on Lots 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

The contractor was awarded, through National Competitive Bidding, under the Ministry of Works and Supply Tender Committee, as per the normal Zambia National Tender Board (ZNTB) procurement Rules and Regulations Cap 394 of the Laws of Zambia.

Since these contracts were BOQ type, contractors were paid monthly according to the works executed by them during each month after inspection and certification by both the client Road Development Agency (RDA) and the consultant (KMA + East Consult).

Payments

(i) Lot 1: contract sum K304,394,265, amount paid K260,273,507.05;

(ii) Lot 2: contract sum K850,921,018.50, amount paid K611,921,911.25; and

(iii) Lot 3: contract sum K896,475,090.00, amount paid K672,096,562.

The road has been included in the 2008 Annual Work Plan.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Limata: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister, whether he visited the works? How can you pay money to someone who has not done good works? Is it not a form of stealing Government’s money?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I did visit the works and saw the three contractors. I can agree that one contractor was not doing a good job. I did instruct our Road Engineer to visit him and ensure that he does a proper job. These contractors working on this road are actually being supervised by DANIDA. They have been trained and are being used to ensure that they are able to do what they have been taught to do.

At the moment, DANIDA has appointed the consultants who supervise their jobs. Yes, two of them were doing a very good job, but one of them was not doing a good job and we asked our Resident Engineer (RE) that he needs to be properly supervised. I went there once, but I have not gone there again. Therefore, if the bad works have continued then, Mr Speaker, I do not know, I need to go back.

I thank you, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS IN NKONKOLA AND KALAMA WARDS

869. Mr Mweemba asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development whether there were any plans to construct dams in the following wards in Magoye Parliamentary Constituency:

(i) Nkonkola Ward in Chief Hanjalika’s area; and

(ii) Kalama Ward in Chief Mwanachingwala’s area.

The Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development (Ms Lundwe): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to construct two dams one each in Nkonkola and Kalama Wards within the timeframe of the current National Development Plan.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mweemba: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the timeframe which is given to us is not enough? Lives have been lost because of the delay in constructing these dams, especially in Kalama. Last month, we lost one life and 300 animals because there are no dams. Are there any immediate plans to construct these dams?

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, the response is that there are plans to construct dams within the current national development plan framework. It is of course regrettable if any life at all has been lost because it is the intention of this Government to ensure that it provides water to all its citizens and the citizens’ animals so that they can contribute towards wealth recreation.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamududu (Bweengwa): Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Minster of Energy and Water Development to be very specific about work plans. We would like to find out how many dams they are going to construct in this Five-Year Development Plan. When will he give me a dam and if dams will constructed in every constituency, we need to know exactly the names of the dams and when they will be constructed. Saying the dams are catered for in the Fifth National Development Plan is very vague; we are running away from being specific. Can you be specific, hon. Minister?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member might want to ask a new question about dams for each Member from each of the constituencies in this House. Specifically, the question that was asked was for Konkola Ward in Chief Hanjalika and Kalama Ward in Chief Mwanachingwala and the response is that there are plans to construct two dams.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka): Mr Speaker, I wish to say thank you for the vague response from the hon. Minister of Energy and Water Development. Realising that the Southern Province is categorically hit by drought, I expected the hon. Minister to be more explicit by, at least, telling us one example of a dam this Government has built, just one, as per their Fifth National Development Plan.

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, I regret if the response is still going to be vague, but here we are responding to a specific question that has been asked by a specific Member of Parliament. It is not about the whole Southern Province, neither is it about the whole Zambia.

Hon. Government Members: Hammer! Minister!

Mr Konga: This is about a specific area and what the Government is doing to address the issues of dam construction specifically for that area.

Hon. Government Members: Teach them.

Mr Konga: If Members of Parliament have specific questions they would like to raise with the Ministry, please, we are welcome to listen to them.

I thank you, Sir.

PROVISION OF SAFE WATER TO KALABO, SENANGA AND SESHEKE DISTRICTS

870. Mr Imasiku (Liuwa) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing what measures the Government has taken to provide safe drinking water to the residents of the townships in the following districts who currently drink unsafe surface water:

(i) Kalabo District;
(ii) Senanga District; and 
(iii) Sesheke District

The Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mrs Masebo): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the Government has signed a Water Sector Support Programme Agreement with the Royal Danish Government which runs from 2006 to 2010. Under this Programme, water and sanitation infrastructure in the districts of the Western Province, including Kalabo, Senanga and Sesheke, will be assessed and rehabilitated. The Programme will include the rehabilitation of the existing structures and construction of new infrastructure such as treatment and chlorination of plants where necessary. The Programme once fully implemented at the end of 2010 will guarantee the provision of safe and clean drinking water in all the townships in the Western Province.

I thank you, Sir.

EMPLOYEES UNDER DEPARTMENT OF MARITIME AND INLAND WATERWAYS

871. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Communications and Transport:

(a) how many employees were under the Department of Maritime and Inland Waterways at the Ministry Headquarters;

(b) how many employees the Department had province by province; and

(c) why the Department received more funds in terms of RDCs when it had few workers compared to the water transport companies which were inadequately funded.

The Deputy Minister of Communications and Transport (Mr Mubika): Mr Speaker, they are twelve employees at the Department of Maritime and Inland Waterways Headquarters.

Mr Speaker, the Department has the following number of employees in the provinces:
 
 Province            No. of Employees

(i) Lusaka                      12
(ii) Western                     8
(iii) Luapula                     4
(iv) Copperbelt                2
(v) Eastern                    Nil
(vi) Northern                 Nil
(vii) North-Western       Nil
(viii) Southern               Nil
(ix) Central                    Nil

Mr Speaker, the Department in spite of having fewer staff receives more funds than the grants given to the water transport companies because these RDCs are not only meant for the Headquarters, but other outside stations where there are running projects.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chisala (Chilubi): Mr Speaker, following the inadequate funding that companies such as the Bangweulu Water Transport and Mweru Water Transport receives from the Ministry of Communications and Transport, are there any plans by the Ministry of Communications and Transport to increase the funding in next year’s Budget?

Mr Mubika: Mr Speaker, we will increase the budget if the money will be made available by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kanyanyamina (Kanchibiya): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the hon. Minister is aware that materials for water transport works have been purchased and damped into districts, later on to the grassroots, but no money has been given for clearing canals. This is money from the Government. When are you going to make a fellow up and send inspectors to see that justice is done to the Government hard earned money because these materials are just wasting? Materials were bought, but no works had been done. We would rather divert money to hospitals.

Mr Mubika: Mr Speaker, I do not have a report on what the hon. Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya is saying. However, he is always welcome to come to my office and explain why materials are wasting. As far as I am concerned, last week, the Director of Maritime travelled to Northern and Luapula provinces to check on the money, which we sent there. Next week, he will be going to the Western Province to check on the money that we sent for clearing of canals.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned that they would increase the amount of money allocated for this function. I would like to find out how much that percentage will be.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mubika: Mr Speaker, the Budget. Therefore, we are asking him to support the Budget for next year.

I thank you, Sir.

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

A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN CHILILABOMBWE

872. Mrs E. M. Banda (Chililabombwe) asked the Minister of Education when another secondary school would be built in Chililabombwe.

Mr Speaker: The hon. Minister of Education.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter

The Deputy Minister of Education (Mr Sinyinda): Mr Speaker, I would like to inform the House that another high school will be built in Chililabombwe after the first phase of a high school construction in the following districts in the Copperbelt Province:

(i) Masaiti;

(ii) Mpongwe;

(iii) Lufwanyama; and

(iv) Kitwe.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs E. Banda: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the improvised secondary or high schools in Chililabombwe are over-populated and have no facilities for secondary education, for example, laboratory facilities?

The Minister of Education (Professor Lungwangwa): Mr Speaker, the secondary school sector has been identified as a priority sector for development and expansion countrywide. The issue of over-population at the secondary school level is being addressed.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out what criteria was used to pick schools from the Lamba land only, and in arrears where the MMD Members of Parliament are in the Copperbelt.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, we are not developing schools along tribal lines …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Professor Lungwangwa: … as is being insinuated by the hon. Member. We are constructing schools on the basis of need …

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Professor Lungwangwa: … and in accordance with what the national school mapping exercise that we conduct reveals.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out when the first phase of the high schools that are being constructed will be completed because currently, the girl child in the peri-urban of Chililabombwe is failing to access high education.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, construction is an annual continuous process and as resources become available.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sichimba (Isoka West): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out why the Ministry of Education has taken a deliberate policy of creating new schools when we have old schools which are in a deplorable state such as Isoka Secondary School in my area.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, that question can be asked on the Order Paper and we shall provide the answer.

Hon. Members: Aah!

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, the answer to the question was that Chililabombwe will get a school in the second phase. The Ministry had announced that they would build six schools, including schools in the new districts. How many schools will be built in the second phase?

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the number of schools are determined by the Budget. Depending on the Budget for next year, the number of schools to be constructed will be determined accordingly.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Mwansa (Mpika): Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister inform this House the number of schools, which will be built in Northern Province, in each district, particularly Mpika District.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, we are awaiting the information from the districts for us to be specific in our response.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Mumbi: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out what guarantee the Ministry of Education is giving to the people of Masaiti and other districts which have been given schools. We have seen a scenario where one constituency gets seven schools at one time. What guarantee is there that the people of Masaiti will get this school?

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, I am not sure what is more of a guarantee than the information which has already been given, which is public information. That is a guarantee enough.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Sinyangwe (Matero): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the hon. Minister of Education has looked at his distribution of schools in the provinces. The Northern Province is very big, but has fewer schools than the Eastern and Southern Province, which are very small.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, we shall provide a precise answer to the hon. Member when she asks a clear and precise question.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mrs Kapata (Mandevu): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the Government is considering building teachers’ accommodation as they build new schools because most of the schools are built without teachers houses.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, we are considering building teachers’ houses as funds become available.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

873. Dr Njobvu (Milanzi) asked the Minister of Health when construction of a Government hospital in Katete District would begin.

The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Puma): Mr Speaker, the vision of the MMD Government in general and that of the Ministry of Health in particular is to have one first-level hospital in every district and one second level hospital in every province. The latter has already been fulfilled as we have second-level hospitals in every province. For instance, the Southern and Copperbelt Provinces each has more than four second-level hospitals.

Currently, there are eighteen districts without a first-level hospital while nine districts, including Katete, have no district hospital, but have a general hospital.

The priority of the Ministry of Health is to first build district hospitals in the eighteen districts that currently do not have a hospital. The target is to build ten hospitals between 2006 and 2010. In pursuant of this target, the Ministry is currently building five district hospitals in Chadiza, Mumbwa, Samfya, Kapiri Mposhi and Shang’ombo. These hospitals are due for completion in 2008.

Thereafter, the Ministry of Health will embark on constructing the remaining five district hospitals which will be completed during the remaining two years of implementing the Fifth National Development Plan.

As an interim measure, in order to cater for the first-level needs of the districts that do not have first-level hospitals, but have second-level hospitals, the Ministry has made arrangements for the District Health Office to purchase first-level services at the second-level hospital. For instance, every month, Katete District Health Office allocates 20 to 40 per cent of their monthly grant to St. Francis General Hospital to cater for clients in Katete District who will require first-level services from this hospital.

Furthermore, within St. Francis Hospital, there is a unit called the Hospital Affiliated Health Centre (HAHC) which provides primary health care services commensurate with an urban health centre. The unit is run by the Katete District Health Office. The HAHC was mainly established to provide primary health care to the people within Katete District.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Njobvu: Mr Speaker, is the Ministry aware that the population of Katete is increasing and requires another hospital?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, in my response I indicated that it is the Ministry’s priority to have a hospital in every district. However, at the moment, we will start with those districts that have no hospital. Currently, Katete has St. Francis Hospital that is offering first and second-level facilities. Therefore, as we finish the districts that do not have hospitals, Katete will be considered in future.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from him whether it is prudent on the part of the Government to put up structures without quality services in terms of medical provision in these hospitals.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is aware that in most of the districts, we have a number of health centres that are providing primarily health care to the people.  Most of these health centres do not have referral facilities nearby and they are the ones that we are actually targeting. The absence of referral facilities means that the people are in urgent need of these services, hence, they die when they have a problem that needs urgent attention. It is, therefore, important that we continue to construct hospitals, particularly in the districts that do not have hospital facilities, so that the health services are taken as close to the people as possible.

With regard to quality service, there is need for a holistic approach whereby health infrastructure is taken closer to the people simultaneously with improving human resource. As a Ministry, we have looked at the issue of human resources and increased the intake of nurses in most of our training institutions throughout the country. We have also funded most of the training institutions to expand their capacity to accommodate our nurses so as to ensure that the intake that we are increasing is well covered by having adequate accommodation for these students.

 In addition, we have ensured that drugs are available in most of the health facilities. Currently, almost all health centres in the country have adequate supply of the drugs for common diseases such as malaria, HIV and Tuberculosis. We have also embarked on a programme to equip our hospitals with good facilities in order to improve the quality of service that is provided. In most of the districts, we have installed new theatre equipment, ultra sound machines and other modern equipment to ensure that quality service is provided closer to our people.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Sikazwe (Chimbamilonga): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out the rationale behind the Ministry of Health’s construction of these so-called district hospitals when Kaputa was given district status in 1977, but up to date, we do not know what we can call the structure that is there. Maybe there is a mortuary. If anything, the cost of fuel and other referral logistics to take people either to Mporokoso, which is 170 kilometres from Kaputa, or to Kashikishi which is nearest, is exorbitant. Above all, when is Kaputa District going to be considered for a permanent medical officer who can attend to some cases on-spot, as opposed to the many deaths we are experiencing which are preventable?

Hon. Opposition PF Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has indicated that Kaputa became a district in 1977. You will note that the New Deal Government came into office last year …

Interruptions

Dr Puma: … and we have a deliberate programme …

Ms Mumbi: In 1991!

Dr Puma: … to start the reconstruction of hospitals. In fact, for the first time, we are even seeing a provincial hospital being constructed in Lusaka Province. At the same time, all these district hospitals that I mentioned in my earlier answer were started by the MMD Government, and this is a continuous process. We have committed ourselves and I have mentioned that after completing the ones that are being constructed, another five will be constructed.

Therefore, I will not mention the five because we want to complete and ensure that adequate resources are available before starting the other five. We also want to assure the hon. Member of Parliament that the MMD Government is very committed to the programme of ensuring that in every district, there be a district hospital and Kaputa will be considered favourably in the near future.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Imbwae (Lukulu East): Madam Speaker, from the good responses that the hon. Minister is giving us, could he assure us that Lukulu District is going to be considered because the hospital which is there is a Catholic Hospital.

Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, I had indicated in my earlier response that out of the eighteen districts that do not have hospitals, as a priority, we are giving consideration to those that do not have any hospitals in the district. In districts where there are hospitals, whether Catholics, Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) or any other, we are working in close collaboration with them. I would like to take this opportunity to inform the hon. Member that, as a Government, we are funding all the hospitals, whether they are being run by the Church or anyone else. We fund all of them, including remunerating the staff who are working in these institutions. In these institutions, all the doctors and nurses are paid by the Government.

In addition to that, every month, we give a grant because we know that they are serving the people that we target as a Government.

I thank you, Madam.

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

PUBLIC WELFARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME

874. Mr Mwapela (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Community Development and Social Services:

(a) whether the Ministry was aware that officers in Kalabo District were facing difficulties in implementing the re-designed Public Welfare Assistance Programme and other community inadequate personnel; and

(b) if so, when would the Ministry would provide transport and adequate staff to the district.

The Deputy Minister of Community Development and Social Services (Mr Muchima): Mr Speaker, generally, the Ministry is aware of the difficulties the districts are facing in implementing the Public Welfare Assistance Scheme and other community development activities due to lack of transport and inadequate personnel. However, the Ministry has made efforts to deploy staff, but some employees desert rural districts such as Kalabo. The Ministry has intentions of advertising soon to employ local people, those who qualify to fill the vacant positions so as to reduce the number of people abandoning outlying areas.

With regard to the problem of inadequate transport, the Ministry has been procuring vehicles in phases starting with the provincial offices. In this regard, the Western Province has received motor vehicles under the Department of Community Development and Social Services. The exercise of procuring motor vehicles will continue.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

KANYALA BORDER POST

875. Mr Sichamba (Isoka West) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

(a) whether the Ministry had any plans to rehabilitate the abandoned Kanyala Border Post in Isoka West Parliamentary Constituency;

(b) how many people annually entered the country illegally using the abandoned border post at (a) above; and

(c) how much revenue had been lost since the border was closed.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Bonshe): Madam Speaker, Kanyala Border Post is currently undergoing rehabilitation and funds were recently disbursed for the same.

Madam Speaker, it is not possible to know the exact figure of people who use this route for now as there is no officer to give the statistics. It is also not possible to ascertain the figure of revenue being lost as it is not known for now how many people use this route.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Sichamba: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the same border post was used by Somalian refugees who entered this country illegally and is it not raising danger to our security of this nation and that of the people of Isoka District? When are we going to have this border post re-opened?

The Minister of Home Affairs (Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha): Madam Speaker, our answer is that renovations are going on and as soon as the renovations are completed, we are going to re-open the border post.

Madam, it is true that we are aware because we have many security organs there that monitor those who pass through illegally in areas such as Kanyala and many other borders of Zambia.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Milupi (Luena): Madam Speaker, in his answer, the hon. Minister stated that rehabilitations are currently on-going at the Kanyala Border Post. We recently visited Kanyala Border Post and there was absolutely nothing happening at that Post. Would the hon. Minister state when the rehabilitations started?

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: Madam Speaker, the subject of renovations is fluid. As soon as they left the scene, we would have gone and started the work.

I thank you, Madam.

Laughter

Mr Mukanga: Madam Speaker, I am getting confused because when the hon. Deputy Minister was answering, he said that we cannot tell exactly how many people enter the country illegally through Kanyala Border Post and he could not even tell us how much revenue has been lost because there was no monitoring mechanism. Now the hon. Cabinet Minister is saying that there is a monitoring mechanism; may I find out which is which because if there is, then they were supposed to have given us the answers that have been requested for?

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: Madam Speaker, this Government has no printing machinery that can indicate the number of illegal immigrants that cross all the borders in Zambia. The question that was raised was about the Somalians. We are aware of this case because we arrested them and we are able to remove them out of the country.

I thank you, Madam.

CONVERSION OF HUGE PENSIONERS AND SUPPLIERS DEBTS INTO TREASURY BILLS AND GOVERNMENT BONDS

876. Mr Milupi (Luena) asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning whether the Government had any plans to convert the huge debt it owed pensioners and local suppliers into Treasury bills or Government bonds in order to enhance the current Government initiatives of empowering Zambians.

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Mr Magande): Madam Speaker, the Government is aware of its indebtedness to pensioners through the Public Service Pensions Fund and to local suppliers and other creditors such as road contractors. I am pleased to inform this august House that the Government is committed to dismantling the debt it owes to Public Service Pensions Fund and other creditors. In this regard, the Government has been making substantial Budget allocations since the year 2004 to liquidate outstanding arrears to the Fund and other creditors. It is our intention to liquidate the outstanding arrears over the coming medium term expenditure framework period from next year to 2010.

Currently, the Government has no intention of settling these debts through the issuance of Government securities comprised of bonds and Treasury bills. Such an action could contribute to macro-economic instability such as rising inflation rates which would go against the Government policy to reduce the cost of conducting business in the country.

Therefore, in this light, the Government will continue to dismantle these debts through the allocations in the annual budgets.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Milupi: Madam Speaker, recently in this House, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning was very quick to urge Zambians to get involved in investing in Treasury bills and Government bonds. Would the hon. Minister confirm that the pensioners who are owed vast sums of money are most vulnerable and it would actually help them earn something from their money if, at least, they were able to convert that into Treasury bills or Government bonds so that they can earn something from their money whereas at the moment, this money for these vulnerable group is currently dormant.

Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, unfortunately, there is no dormant money for the pensioners either in Government or with the pension boards. Therefore, there is very little that one can do when there is no money. As I said recently, we have done extremely well to make sure that the terminal benefits for most of the pensioners are paid and that is why currently, you do not see long queues at the Pensions offices.

I thank you, Madam

Mr Sikota (Livingstone Central): Madam Speaker, whilst I am aware that the Government is conscious of its indebtedness and has stated that it is committed to dismantling the arrears by 2010, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what measures are being taken to ensure that the real value of the money owed to pensioners and local suppliers is maintained since the Government does not want to turn them into Treasury bills or Government bonds. What is it doing to ensure a pensioner who is owed money from 1995 and receives it in 2010 will get what the real value would have been in 1995 or whatever year?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, we are putting measures to ensure that the currency continues to have value and that is why inflation is coming down. Those are some of the measures that we are taking.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Kambwili (Roan): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning why it is taking so long to pay pensioners even in an instance where we have provided money in the Budget, for example, for the ex-RAMCOZ pension scheme. Recently, when the hon. Minister was in Luanshya he stated and I quote:

“Due to reaching the HIPC Initiative Completion Point, the Government has too much money they do not even have what to spend it on.”

If this Government has so much money that they do not even know how to spend it, why is it taking so long to pay the pensioners?

Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, I do not remember dealing with the pensioners from RAMCOZ. The people owed money at RAMCOZ might be retrenchees and not pensioners. They are not under the programme that the Government pays, but we had budgeted for the money, but because of the legalities of liquidating RAMCOZ, the money has not been paid and is still in the Budget. We hope by the end of the year, we will have overcome these legalities to pay this money.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, Treasury bills and Government bonds are a form of borrowing by the Government to finance its activities in the same way as the debt it has to pensioners. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether he is not aware of the fact that his refusal to turn these debts into Treasury bills are going contrary to the thinking of the President that the micro-economic indicators must now reach the pockets of the people? Would he, therefore, confirm that at the expense of the people whose money they have been holding for a long time, he would like to continue to pursue the micro-economic indicators which do not have an impact on the lives of the people?

Mr Magande: If we are to dismantle this debt by releasing all the money that is required into the economy, clearly as Hon. Lubinda says, this is going to increase inflation. That means prices are going to go up. It includes prices for ordinary people and that is not what the President meant. He meant that inflation must still be under control by basically managing liquidity into the economy so that whatever little money we release to the pensioners has value and can buy goods cheaply.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Kambwili: Ah! Elo mwalandapo fye ifibi lelo. Abantu balechulila inflation?

Mr Chongo (Mwense) Madam Speaker, pensioners today are living on borrowed money. At the end of the day, they will have to pay back that money with interest to shylocks. Can the hon. Minister assure this House and the nation that when the pensioners pay back the money, they will remain with something for investing?

Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, it is very difficult for me to reassure the House that a pensioner who borrows money against his K20 million terminal benefits will remain with something after liquidating his debt. I cannot give that assurance.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Muntanga: Madam Speaker, may I get a proper clarification from the hon. Minister. Why should he not pay the people whom he owes money just because he thinks that when he pays them, inflation levels will increase? He is saying that even if he had money today, he cannot pay pensioners because there will be too much money in circulation. Is he trying to keep people poor so that he can have good results at the microeconomics level? What is he talking about?

Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, let me remind the hon. Member for Kalomo that pension arrears accumulated before the New Deal Government come into power.

Hon. Opposition Members: We do not care!

Mr Magande: Now, if you do not care, then you will not understand the reasons.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Magande: These are old arrears which accumulated during that time. If they were paid at once, t the inflation rate of the money in circulation would be affected.

Hon. Government Members: Hears, hear!
Mr Magande: That is the reason.

Interruptions

Mr Magande: Therefore, we cannot dismantle these debts because they were left behind by the previous governments.

Hon. Opposition Members: MMD

Mr Magande: Whether it is the MMD or not, it had a different captain.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Magande: Now, we have a different captain who has said that he will not accumulate arrears. We are up to date with the pension funds in both contributions and the people who are retiring now.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Magande: Therefore, we cannot suddenly release this huge chunk of money whether by printing money or pouring the HIPC Initiative savings into the economy because it will affect the current state of stability which is making you buy clothes cheaper.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

NDOLA REHABILITATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE

877. Mr Msichili (Kabushi) asked the Minister of Community Development and Social Services:

(a) how the Ndola Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Centre was funded; and

(b) what measures the Ministry had taken to ensure that the centre raised its own revenue considering that there is modern equipment on site which had been left idle.

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, at the outset, let me make a clarification on this question. In Ndola, there are two institutions called the National Vocational Rehabilitation Centres, one is run by the Ministry and the other one is run by the Catholic Church. The later is not funded by my Ministry and I would like to believe that Hon. Msichili meant the National Vocational Rehabilitation Centre which is run by my Ministry.

If that is the case, then I would like to inform the hon. Member that the National Vocational Rehabilitation Centre is a grant-aided institution which receives funds from the Government.

With regard to part (b) of the question, I would like to assure this august House that there are no idle machines at the National Vocational Rehabilitation Centre. All machines which are listed in the appendix are fully operational and are used for training of students in metal fabrication, machining and carpentry in conformity with the centre’s core business of vocational rehabilitation. The machines are not modern as alleged, but reconditioned and were received as a donation.

With respect to income-generation, the centre raised funds through the following activities:

(a) hiring of centre facilities (Halls, Kitchen, etc);
(b) furniture production on demand;
(c) agricultural products; and

(d) metal fabrication and machining products, or order.

It is important to note that these income-generation activities are too inadequate for the Centre to solely depend on without the Government’s support.

Madam Speaker, the appendix is as follows:

LIST OF MACHINES AT THE NATIONAL VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION CENTRE

      Machine                                                Quantity

1. Dust Extractor                                            1
2. Electric Drilling Machine                              2
3. Electric Blower                                           2
4. Electric Planner                                           2
5. Electric Jigsaw                                           4
6. Electric Circular Saw                                  2
7. Electric Router                                            2
8. Band Saw                                                   1
9. Hallow Chisel Mortiser                                1
10. Turning Lathe                                            1
11. Circular Saw                                             1
12. Industrial Lathe                                         1
13. Surface Planner and Thicknesser           2
14. Pillar Drill                                                   3

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Msichili: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that the equipment is in use. Is he aware that most of this equipment or some of it is still in boxes at the rehabilitation Centre? Has the Government got any plans of employing a business manager who will run this institution alongside the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services to make desks that could be supplied to the Copperbelt?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, at the moment, the Government’s intention is to equip the differently abled people with skills in order to remove them from the streets. Therefore, if there is still some equipment in the boxes, then it means that the current equipment they are using at the station is adequate.

Mr Kambwili: Ha, mulebako serious!

Mr Muchima: It will be kept in stock in case a machine brakes down …

Interruptions

Mr Muchima: … then there will be a replacement.

Madam Speaker, majority of the people at the Centre have not been paid their dues for a long time. Therefore, employing some more people would mean increasing the liability of the Government. First and foremost, the Government wants to deal with the retrenchments just like it has done with Kawambwa. The Government had employed a lot of differently abled people on the Copperbelt. Therefore, at the moment, it is not suitable to enhance private partnership.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Zulu (Bwana Mukubwa): Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that there is very little activity taking place at the Centre and most of the houses at the centres have been sublet to other companies?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, we are aware that there is minimal activity. The reason has been inadequate funding. As you are aware, much of the funding which was in the Budget, went to offload the outstanding arrears for the blind, those who had worked for a long time. This activity will be regenerated when the money is available.

I thank you, Madam Speaker. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister confirm that this institution, which was created initially for the disabled has not been considered to be important to the Ministry and no wonder the standards have fallen. What they have actually done now is include people who are able-bodied to be training at this institution. Could he confirm that the Ministry does not attach any great importance to this institution.

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, the Government attaches great importance to the institution and that is why it was established. In so doing, the Government does not segregate when offering services. For example, it is like the blind people demanding a blind person to lead them. If that is accepted, how does a blind person drive a bus that has been donated to the institution?

Interruptions

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, the blind people need able-bodied people in order to compare and plan. I understand that people have various deformities.

Hon. Opposition Members: Like your voice!

Laughter

Mr Muchima: Do not worry about my voice. I am sure you are able to get what I am saying.

Laughter

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, all efforts are being made to ensure that the institution is run appropriately. The Ministry is facing a lot of challenges at the moment such as street kids and we are prioritising in offloading these problems.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Bwalya (Chifubu): Madam Speaker, since this institution is not being used for an intended purpose, has the Government any plans to turn this institution into a higher learning institution?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, there are no such intentions. The Government can only improve the conditions of service at the institution.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Dr Kalumba (Chienge): Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister confirm that it is Government’s policy not to discriminate against any member, whether blind or not for a position of leadership in this institution?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, I think the hon. Member of Parliament has already provided an answer for that. The Government does not discriminate against any member in this institution.

I thank you, Madam.

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

TEACHER/PUPIL RATIO IN KALULUSH PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

878. Mr Simama (Kalulushi) asked the Minister of Education what the teacher/pupil ratio in Government schools in Kalulushi Parliamentary Constituency was.

The Deputy Minister of Education (Mr Sinyinda): Madam Speaker, the teacher/pupil ratio in Government schools in Kalulushi Parliamentary Constituency is 1:45.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

WORKS ON THE KALOMO/KABANGA ROAD

879. Mr Sejani (Mapatizya) asked the Minister of Works and Supply when work on the Kalomo/Kabanga Road would commence.

Mr Ndalamei: Madam Speaker, I wish to state that the rehabilitation and maintenance of the Kalomo-Kabanga Road is included in the 2008 Work Plan under the European Union Financial Periodic Maintenance Programme. The works will commence soon after the rainy season in 2008.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Sejani: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out what the purpose of the K7 billion allocation was in this year’s Budget for the purposes of working on the Kalomo/Kabanga Road if they are now talking about 2008?

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, the European Union Funds have not been released. They were held back because of certain issues they wanted to clarify. Those issues have been clarified and the money will be released. That is why most of the projects that were to be financed by this funding could not be started.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Beene (Itezhi-tezhi): Madam Speaker, arising from the answer given by the hon. Minister of Works and Supply, it is like we do not know what to believe. Does it mean that we should not rely on him even after having meetings with him, the hon. Members from Southern Province and other hon. Ministers over these works, including Itezhi-Tezhi, because when it comes to questions in the House, he is giving completely negative responses?

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, I think the hon. Member of Parliament forgets easily. He has never been told a lie of any kind. Where we cannot manage, we have always been very open and told everybody that we are unable to. Where we have had delays, we have always given the correct reason. It is up to him to trust me or not. I am not going to force him.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister and his deputy liaise. I am saying so because the hon. Deputy Minister of Works and Supply has said that this road will be rehabilitated is 2008 and the hon. Minister is saying that the money was delayed and now it is released. If this money is released and it is in this year’s Budget, why can this road not be repaired this year? Why is the hon. Deputy Minister referring to the 2008 Budget?

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, I did say that there was a problem. The European Union Funds were not released. They were queries. These queries have been answered and they are satisfied. This time, they are going to release the money. They had held back the money because they had audit queries, but they have been clarified. The money has been released, but they have indicated that they are satisfied with the answers and they are now going to release the money. Once they have done that, the works will start.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker, this is the eleventh month of the year in which a Budget was prepared based partly on European Union funding. I would like to find out from hon. Minister whether he is kind enough to come to this House and give us the queries that led the European Union to withhold their money which they pledged before the start of this year and have not released until now. Can he inform us what those issues are and what kind of answers the Government gave so that this House is adequately informed on the transactions between the Government, the European Union and other donors?

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, I have no problem with that. At the end of the year, we shall come up with all the answers to the questions that have been asked. Therefore, the hon. Member can just be patient. We are still going through the queries, and will come back to this House and explain.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

PROCUREMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES FOR DISTRICT CO-ORDINATORS COUNTRYWIDE

880. Mr Silavwe (Nakonde) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives when the Government would procure motor vehicles for District Co-ordinators’outreach programmes countrywide.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Mr Mulonga): Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives has intensified its efforts this year to recapitalise the Ministry, especially in terms of transport.

Considering that most of the vehicles in the Ministry are now old, the Ministry has drawn up a procurement programme for vehicles and has already started implementing it. The programme will cater for most of the officers in the Ministry, especially those in the field.

The Ministry is already processing the procurement of the vehicles for all the Provincial Agriculture Officers. The procurement of the vehicles for the District Agriculture Co-ordinators will follow thereafter. This will, however, be included in the Budget for 2008 because of the huge capital requirement involved.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Silavwe: Madam Speaker, it is sad to read in the newspapers that the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives is complaining of malpractices in the buying of maize. Early this year, a week before approving the Budget, the hon. Minister assured this House that enough money had been budgeted for to buy vehicles for seventy-two districts. He urged the hon. Members to support him and we did just that. Where is the money?

Laughter

The Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Mr Kapita): Madam Speaker, I do remember very well what I said in this House. I did not promise anybody that I would have a vehicle for every district. I did not say that. However, as my Deputy Minister said, we have already begun the procurement of vehicles. Now, each province is being supervised by the Provincial Agriculture Co-ordinator and the nine Co-ordinators last had vehicles in 1998 and are now about ten years old.

The Eastern Province is the only lucky province because each district has at least three vehicles. This was through a facility that we got from the African Development Bank. However, from the Government resources, we have already started buying the vehicles, and before long, every District Agriculture Co-ordinator is going to a vehicle. Every camp officer is going to have a motor bike. This, of course, is because people now do not want bicycles so they shall end up with motorbikes.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why all the districts in the Eastern Province, according to him, have three vehicles each when other districts do not have a vehicle at all ...

Hon. Member: Not even a bicycle.

Mr Lubinda:….not even a bicycle. Why is it that these Eastern Province districts were given those vehicles or, what kind of special programme was launched for the Eastern Province and how did that programme go to the province? We need the information so that other provinces can also access that programme.

Mr Kapita: Madam Speaker, when we were doing the Agriculture Sector Investment Programme ASIP, we bought vehicles for all the provinces except the Eastern Province. Therefore, time had come for us to equip the Eastern Province because when we were running ASIP, we did not equip them. However, in the future, it is the eight provinces that are going to benefit because we have looked after the Eastern Province and I am very happy that we have, bearing in mind it is as productive as the Southern Province.

I thank you, Madam.

RADIO AND TELEVISION SIGNALS RECEPTION IMPROVEMENT In CHIEF MSHWA’S AREA

881. Mr Mwale (Chipangali) asked the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services:

(a) whether the Ministry had plans to extend radio and television signals to Chief Mshwa’s area in Chipangali Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b) when radio and television reception in the above constituency would be improved.

Mrs Sinyangwe: Could the hon. Minister tell this House why we can still have problems with transmitting and reception when we are the first in the region to acquire TV. Why should others who come after us be better than we are?

Mr Mpombo: Madam Speaker, we are the oldest, we are likely to have older equipment than the ones that are on the market.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order! Order!

Mr Muntanga: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has cited old equipment. Only last year, we talked about certain plans in Kalomo. The hon. Minister still went ahead to installed the small equipment which cannot exceed 10 kilometres. Why did the Government not act positively other than continuing with this problem?

Mr Mpombo: Madam Speaker, in order to address the poor TV reception, the Government has placed an order for modern and powerful antennas for ZNBC at cost of K2.4 billion. We are expecting these items to be in the country soon.

Regarding the radio reception, the solution is to have more FM signals and the Government is proceeding very vigorously along those lines.

I thank you, Madam Speaker

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Madam Speaker, I stand to speak as a rural hon. Member of Parliament where we are not reachable in any way.

The hon. Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting promised and mentioned that the Government was in a hurry to get these from the American Government. I do not know how far that project has reached.

Mr Mpombo: Madam Speaker, I have just confirmed that the Government has ordered modern and powerful antennas from the United States of America and their arrival is being awaited.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

THE COTONOU AGREEMENT

882. Mr Katuka (Mwinilunga East) ((on behalf of Mrs Musokotwane) (Katombola)) asked the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry:

(a) how much Zambia had benefited from the Cotonou Agreement;

(b) which organisation and individuals had so far benefited from the Agreement;

(c) what goods were exported to European countries by Zambia under the Cotonou Agreement from 2003 to 2005; and

(d) how much money was raised from the exports in the period at (a) above.

The Deputy Minister of commerce, Trade and Industry (Ms Siliya): Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the House that Zambia has greatly benefited from the three pillars that make up the Cotonou Agreement, namely; the political Dimension Pillar, the Trade and Economic Co-operation Pillar and the Development Finance Co-operation Pillar.

The most significant benefits to Zambia have been drawn from the Trade Co-operation Pillar and the Finance Development Co-operation Pillars in terms of preferential market access and financial support.

Madam Speaker, under the Trade and Economic Co-operation Pillar, Zambia benefits from preferential market access into the European Union under the following frameworks:

(i) Under the Lome Convention, Zambia has benefited from the exports of floriculture and horticultural products; and

(ii) As for commodity protocols, Zambia is a signatory to the Sugar Protocol which provides preferential market access for sugar originating from signatory states under a quota system. Zambia has a quota allocation of 7,215 tonnes.

Additionally, Zambia benefits from the Special Preferential Sugar (SPS) arrangements offering Zambia a preferential market access allowance of about 12,000 tonnes of sugar into the European Union.

Madam Speaker, the Development Finance Co-operation, the Cotonou Agreement provides for development finance Cooperation to facilitate ACP signatory states access to EU finances to facilitate the implementation of regional and national programmes and projects facilitated by the Regional Authorising Office (RAO) or the National Authorising Office (NAO), respectively.

Finances are disbursed under two instruments, the European Development Fund (EDF), which covers grant, finances and the Investment Facility (IF), which are loans administered through the European Investment Bank.

Madam Speaker, Zambia has been a recipient of the EU resources under these instruments directed at the following areas.

(i) Sectoral programmes;
(ii) Budget support;
(iii) Investments;
(iv) Rehabilitation;
(v) Training;
(vi) Technical assistance; and
(vii) Institutional support.

Madam Speaker, a total of development grants to Zambia stands at approximately Euros1.1 billion which has gone towards the following:

(i) Road rehabilitation;
(ii) Refurbishing of airports;
(iii) Health and education services; and
(iv) Improvement and the development of the mining sector.

Madam Speaker, on average, the EU disburses more than Euros180 million per year to Zambia in budgetary assistance.

In the current 2001-2007, priority areas of the EU support in Zambia are:

(i) Macroeconomic support;
(ii) Transport and Infrastructure development;
(iii) Productive sectors of the economy; and 
(iv) Capacity Building and Institutional Development.

Madam Speaker, with regard to trade-related support, Zambia has benefited from the EU resources under the Export Development programme (EDP). EDP I, provided assistance directly to producers and associations in selection sectors. It also provided technical assistance on the following:

(i) Improving production and marketing cycles;
(ii) Market research;
(iii) Market development;
(iv) Extension services to growers; and
(v) Training to exporters through the Export Board of Zambia and the producer associations.

Madam Speaker, during the EDP I, employment rose from 19,000 to over 27,000 in the sub-sectors targeted by EDP. At the same time, exports brought in US$111 millions in earnings, representing 34 per cent of all non-traditional exports.

Madam Speaker, a total of Euro 4.7 million was allocated under Phase II for direct support to export to exporters through producer associations and private companies based in Zambia.

Madam, of a total project funds, Euros 2 million is allocated as loans and grants to local producers’ associations and their members while Euros 2.45 million has been used to finance technical assistance with the objective of eliminating barriers to export opportunities.

Madam Speaker, a further Euros 250,000 is allocated to marketing Zambia’s non-traditional exports in the region and elsewhere.

Madam Speaker, institutions that have benefited from preferential market access and financial assistance provided under this agreement include the following:

(i) the Tobacco Association of Zambia (TAZ);
(ii) the Zambia Coffee Growers’ Association (ZCCA);
(iii) the Zambia Export Growers’ Association (ZEGA); 
(iv) the Zambia Association for High Value Crops (ZAHVAC);Textile producers; and
(v) Honey producers.

Other beneficiaries include:

(i) the Mining sector, through the Mining Sector Diversification Programme;
(ii) the general public through rehabilitation or roads and the two airports (Lusaka and Livingstone); and

(iii) the Government and quasi-Government institutions through capacity building programmes

Madam as to part (c) of the answer, I would like to inform the House that the main products exported to the EU between 2003 and 2005 include:

(i) fresh vegetables;
(ii) cut flowers;
(iii) cotton yarn
(iv) sugar;
(v) coffee;
(vi) natural honey; and
(vii) tobacco.

Madam Speaker, cumulatively, Zambia raised approximately US$190,333,297 under the Cotonou’s Preferential Market Access in the said period.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

NABULANGU MIDDLE BASIC SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION IN DUNDUMWEZI PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

883. Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwenzi) asked the Minister of Education:

(a) when construction of Nabulangu Middle Basic school in Dundumwezi Parliamentary Constituency would begin;

(b) whether the Government had any immediate plans to build a high school in the area to cater for the increasing population; and

(c) when more teachers would be posted to schools in the constituency.

The Deputy Minister of Education (Mr Sinyinda): Thank you, Madam Speaker, …

Hon. PF Members: George Weir!

Laughter

Mr Sinyinda: … I would like to inform the House that in the District Strategic Plan for 2008/2010, an allocation has been made to construct the following in 2009:

(i) one by three classroom block;
(ii) three staff houses; and
(iii) two VIP houses.

The Government does not have any plans to build a high school in Dundumwenzi Parliamentary Constituency. However, the District Education Board is working with the World Vision International, Zambia which has started constructing two boarding high schools at Kalemu and Mubanga.

Currently, there are 208 teachers in forty-six schools in Dundumwenzi Parliamentary Constituency. In addition, forty-one teachers have been posted to the schools in the constituency. Another twenty-six have been targeted to be recruited in the next recruitment exercise.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Sing’ombe: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that Nabulangu Middle Basic School is six kilometres away from the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) camp, hence making the place life threatening to both teachers and pupils.

Secondly, the World Vision International has just handed over a high school called, Jonathan Simms Chikanka High School and there are no indications from the Government that desks and other materials for the 2008 Grade 10 intake will be supplied.

Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, if there is any life-threatening situation, we shall investigate it and take the necessary measures.

However, as far as the high school that has been handed over by the World Vision International is concerned, we can only say that is good news and the hon. Member should celebrate.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Professor Lungwangwa: This is in line with this Government’s policy of partnership between the Government and other well wishers in providing education.

Madam Speaker, the issue of desks will be attended to.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Madam Speaker, why is it that most of the teachers who were recruited to go to rural districts have found their way back into towns, particularly Lusaka and the Copperbelt?

Professor Lungwangwa: That is a new question. We are still awaiting feedback on the deployment exercise from the various districts.

Nevertheless, I would encourage the hon. Member to ask that question at a later date and we shall provide the answers more concretely.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Kanyanyamina: Madam Speaker, Hon. Minister, please, do not be emotional when answering my question.

Laughter

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Kanyanyamina: The question is …

Laughter

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! Hon. Members, when you are asking questions could you be specific and not make additions or descriptions to the hon. Ministers. Ask your question and withdrawal that part of the Minister being emotional.

Mr Kanyanyamina: Statement withdrawn.

Could you kindly tell me when you will send the desks to Kanchibiya Constituency that we were promised? I am worried that there are only two months remaining before the end of the year and the roads could be impassable.

Madam Deputy Speaker: The Hon. Minister of Education may want to answer that question.

Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, it is a new question.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

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

NURSES STAFF ESTABLISHMENT IN ROAN PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

884. Mr Kambwili (Roan) asked the Minister of Health:

(a) what the staff establishment for nurses at the following health institutions in Roan Parliamentary Constituency was:

(i) Roan Hospital;
(ii) Chaisa Clinic;
(iii) Kawama Clinic; and
(iv) Section 26 Clinic;

(b) what the current staffing levels were for the nurses at the health institutions at (a) above; and

(c) how many nurses would be posted to each health institution at (a) above from the 2007 recruitment.

The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Puma): Madam Speaker, the staff establishment for nurses is as follows:

 Institution Establishment

 Roan Antelope Hospital 58
 Chaisa 05
 Kawama 03
 Mpatamato 07

The current staffing levels are:

Institution No. of Staff

 Roan Antelope Hospital 57
 Chaisa 05
 Kawama 04
 Mpatamato 06

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Health establishment for 2007 was based on the staffing posts at the time. This was due to the change from the Central Board of Health to the Ministry of Health. However, the structure has been revised and approved. The establishment for the health facilities will be as follows:

Institution Establishment

Roan Antelope Hospital 128
Chaisa 19
Kawama 19
Mpatamato 19

This, therefore, implies that the nursing levels will increase from seventy-three to 185. It should be noted that the Ministry posts staff based on a phased approach. In the first phase, which is in progress, ten nurses will be posted to the institutions under discussion. The number of nurses will increase from seventy-two to eighty-two.

It is the aim of the Ministry of Health to have at least 50 per cent of the approved structure filled, given that there are nurses currently being deployed to all the health institutions in the country.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Kambwili: Madam Speaker, I have been crying for the opening of Section 26 Clinic B for twenty-four hours and the reason it is not being opened twenty-fours is the issue of nurses. I would want, therefore, to find out from the hon. Minister when exactly we are going to have those nineteen nurses so the clinic can start operating for twenty-four hours?

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, currently, we are posting ten nurses to the three institutions and the recruitment process is on. The recruitment process has been finalised, authority has been given, and we are just processing the papers.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze): Madam Speaker, whereas it is appreciated that the Government is making every effort to post nurses to various institutions, I would like to find out what measures the Government is putting in place to ensure that the nurses who are sent to these clinics are not molested, harassed or beaten by frustrated people surrounding the clinics.

Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Health is working in collaboration with the relevant law enforcement agencies so that, if any such case occurs, the culprits will be brought to book. I would appeal to hon. Members of Parliament to report any such cases so that our law enforcement agencies can actually take action.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

NUMBER OF DISABLED HIV POSITIVE PEOPLE AND THOSE ON ARVs

885. Mr Mukanga asked the Minister of Health:

(a) how many HIV positive people were in the following categories as of 31st December, 2006:

(i) the able bodied;
(ii) the blind; and 
(iii) those with other disabilities; and

(b) how many of those at (a) above were currently on ARVs, category by category.

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, the information asked for is not routinely collected and sent to the national central point. This information is only recorded in the patient’s file. Only a specialised designed survey would provide the requested information. However, disability and blindness do not solely disqualify patients from accessing ARVs.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mukanga: Madam Speaker, arising from the answer he has given that the information I requested for is not routinely collected, I would like to find out how this Government is planning for such in the absence of statistics. I would like him to tell us how they are planning for them.

Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, the situation is that we have the statistics indicating how many clients have been counselled and how many patients have been put on ARVs in all the districts in the country. We did not have specific information collected on persons with disabilities to indicate that this one has no leg and is on ARVs. We have not collected that kind of information. We collect information related to specific patients so that all patients are treated equally and that is the information we have and are using for statistics.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Deputy Minister why, even here in Lusaka, in the peri-urban clinics, it takes more than a month to put somebody on the ARVs? What is the Ministry doing about it? Have you ever visited these clinics to find out why people are not put on ARVs immediately?

Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, the situation with the ARVs programme is that it is not everybody who is HIV positive who should start taking them. There are two options that we use. There is a World Health Organisation (WHO) criterion that we use in places where we do not have the CD4 count machines, but where we have the CD4 count machines, a person with a CD4 count of less than 200 is commenced on ARVs.

Therefore, the fact that some of the patients or clients are asked by the doctors to go back at another time does not mean that there is a delay in starting ART. It is just that the doctors have to ensure that the patient has reached a point when it is necessary to start taking ARVs.

The second aspect also is that the numbers of patients on ARVs has actually gone up, especially so that we have made ARVs free in the whole country. The numbers have actually swelled up. We are talking about over 120,000 patients on ARVs throughout the country.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

ALLOWANCE FOR TEACHERS

886. Mr Mwila asked the hon. Minister of Education:

(a) whether there were any plans to review allowances for teachers in rural areas; and
 
(b) whether the Ministry would consider consolidating the housing allowance for teachers into their salaries in order to reduce industrial unrest.

The Deputy Minister of Education (Mr Sinyinda): Madam Speaker, I would like to inform this august House that the Government and Public Service unions are currently carrying out a clean-up exercise on allowances. After the exercise is completed, it is hoped that an improved way on how allowances are going to be administered will be found.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr D. Mwila: Madam Speaker, he has not answered question (b) on the consolidation of allowances into a salary.

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! Next question.

ELECTRIFICATION OF NYIMBA, MFUMBIZI BASIC SCHOOLS AND KALAMBAKUWA, HOFMYRE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NYIMBA

887. Mr Tembo asked the Minister of Education when the following schools, which are near or along the national grid, would be electrified;

(i) Nyimba Basic School;
(ii) Kalambakuwa Secondary School;
(iii) Hofmyre Secondary School; and 
(iv) Mfumbizi Basic School.

Mr Sinyinda: Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to electrify schools in rural areas through the Rural Electrification exercise. As for the schools listed, the Government will electrify the schools when the Districts Education Boards put the activity in their district work plans and budgets.

Mr Tembo: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the lack of electricity at Kalambakuwa and Hofmyre Secondary Schools has contributed to the poor performance of pupils who have been deprived of chances to go to higher learning institutions as a result thereof.

Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, the link between availability of electricity and the performance of the pupils requires verification. We would be glad if the hon. Member gave us concrete information on what is happening to the performance of the children as a result of that factor.

I thank you, Sir.

Interruptions

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

INSPECTION OF MUNUNSHI BANANA PLANTATION IN MWENSE DISTRICT

888. Mr Chongo asked the Minister of Labour and Social Security:

(a) how many times the labour and industrial inspectors inspected the Mununshi Banana Plantation in Mwense District from 2003 to-date.

(b) what anomalies were observed by the inspectors in the period above; and

(c) what corrective measures the Ministry had taken to address the anomalies at (b) above.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Mr Liato): Mr Speaker, from 2003 to-date, labour inspectors have inspected the Mununshi Banana Plantation in Mwense District three times. The first inspection was on 16th December, 2006.

Madam Speaker, the following anomalies were observed during the inspection:

(i) irregular payment of wages;
(ii) wages were below the minimum wage;
(iii) no allowances were paid;
(iv) lack of protective clothing for employees;
(v) non-payment of overtime;
(vi) non-payment of leave days;
(vii) non-observance and non-payment of public holidays and Sundays;
(viii) non-observance of paid sick leave; 
(ix) no record of contracts of service; and 
(x) non-remittance of NAPSA contributions.

Sir, the following collective measures were taken to address the anomalies observed above:

(i) a letter outlining corrective issues was written to Mr Patrick Goddard, the Farm Manager;

(ii) a meeting was held with management in order to find solutions to the above problems;

(iii) Labour Inspectors spoke to the National Union of Plantations and Allied Workers with a view to amicably resolving the issues raised above; and

(iv) on the irregular payment of wages, the employer had not been paying wages at the end of the month in accordance with the Employment Act Cap. 268 …

Mr Liato handed the paper to Mr Mukuma to continue reading on his behalf.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Mr Mukuma):  Madam Speaker, may I be allowed to continue with the answers. My Deputy has just been responding to Question (c), in connection with the measures that the Ministry has taken on the above mentioned irregularities. He went as far as number (iv). The answer reads as follows:

…. The Act under Section 48(2) states that the “wages of an employee shall be paid at regular intervals, not being later than the, fifth day following the day upon which they fall due. The employer was given a month to pay all the salary arrears to the employees in line with the provisions of the Act.

With regard to the minimum wages, the employer has since been written to, advising on what is contained in the Statutory Instrument No. 57 of 2006 on the wages provided therein.

The labour officer in Mansa was instructed to help the employer with the records of contract of service to enable the employees to be aware of the entitlements in the employment relationship. This has since been done.

On all these anomalies outlined above, the employer has since been written to, advising on the provisions of both the Employment Act Cap. 268 and the Statutory Instrument No. 57 of 2006. A follow-up inspection in February, 2007 was conducted to ensure that all the recommendations made by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security were adhered to. The latest inspection that was conducted on 13th September, 2007 reveals that most of the recommendations made by the Ministry have not been complied with by the company. The Ministry has since instructed the prosecutors to take up the matter, and if possible, take it to court for litigation.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Chongo: Madam Speaker, with such alarming information that we have been given by the Ministry, when is the Ministry going to act so that Zambian workers work with dignity? For how long are we going to tolerate these kinds of investors?

Mr Mukuma: Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is working. I am aware that there are quite a number of institutions and organisations that we have not inspected yet. However, there is also quite a big number of institutions that we have already visited and against whose malpractices action has been taken. Therefore, this is one of those that we just started visiting. Action is being taken and prosecution will soon be carried out if management will not take action as demanded by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Katema (Chingola): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out how possible it is for the employers to comply with this law when they see the Government employees going without pay after the fifth day of the following month? Is it not possible that they are being led by this bad example, and the Ministry is compromised by its failure to pay Government employees in time?

Mr Kambwili: China!

Mr Mukuma: Madam Speaker, I am not sure whether the Government has delayed in making payments.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Mukuma: I know that the Ministry of Finance and National Planning releases the money in good time except that the payment process and the areas where the money is distributed is far and wide. Therefore, there is a possibility for the people in far-flung areas to get their money late. In various ministries because of the untimely payment systems, they may get their salaries late. However, as far as I know, the payment master, which is the Ministry of Finance and National Planning releases the payments in good time.

I thank you, Madam.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Chitika (Kawambwa): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister informed this House that he intends to use prosecutors to take up the matter. I would like to find out why it has taken the Ministry of Labour and Social Security so many years to do that for Kawambwa Tea Company where the workers are subjected to deplorable conditions.

Mr Mukuma: Madam Speaker, I know that we are there to close institutions, but at the same time, we are also there to protect them. When an institution is closed, it means that workers will have no jobs. If, for instance, an organisation owes workers a lot of money and it is closed down, the chances are that the workers may not get the money that they are supposed to get. In some cases, we prefer to enter into dialogue with the hope that at the end of it, the workers will finally be paid. Therefore, in certain cases we act immediately while in other cases, we drag just for the sake of the workers.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Chimbaka (Bahati): Madam Speaker, may I find out from the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security how much was lost, in terms of production, when Kwambwa Tea Company was closed.

Madam Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security may wish to give an answer although the question should have been related to the Mununshi Banana Plantation.

Mr Mukuma: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament who has just asked a question would like me to answer with correct figures, but since this is a new question, I am unable to do that. All I can say is that I agree with him that there were some production loses incurred due to labour problems. However, if he wants to know the exact amount of the loss that was incurred, he is free to come to my office where he will be given the answer.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Chanda (Kankoyo): Madam Speaker, the issues that have arisen from part (b) of the main question is what brings about slave conditions in industries. I wonder why such matters should be taking long to detect when we have labour officers positioned in almost every district.

Mr Mukuma: Madam Speaker …

Interruptions

Mr Mukuma: … I think I mentioned sometime early last year that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is constrained as far as capacity is concerned. Sometimes there could be some labour officers in a certain province and not in most of the districts and mobility is mostly a problem. Now that the Ministry has embarked on strengthening its capacity, I am sure that our response to the labour problems will be much faster than in the past.

I thank you, Madam.

889. Mr Imenda (Lukulu East) asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning:

(a)  whether there was a substantial correlation in budgetary estimates, releases and expenditure with regard to the following programmes:
 
(i) Annual Budget and the Fifth National Development Plan; and

(ii) Fifth National development Plan and Vision 2030; and

(b) what significant achievements the Government had made in relation to set goals and objectives of the above programmes.

Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, firstly I wish to inform the House that both the 2006 and 2007 National Budgets have been drawn from the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) and Vision 2030. The Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) budgeting, which was used in 2004, defines the available resources to the Government in a space of three years. That is the current and the next two years and aims at linking the annual programmes and budgets to the programmes set out in the Fifth National Development Plan.

The MTEF resources tend to be more current than the resources which were projected in the FNDP as the former is based on latest data while the latter uses projections which are perhaps no longer valid. In other words, the figures in the FNDP were projections made two years ago at the time of planning. The figures in the current Budget were for the current budgets.

On an annual basis, therefore, the MTEF is reviewed so that current estimates can be made. In addition, the FNDP has a financing gap which needs to be filled. Therefore, this means that on an annual basis, we come up with new measures to raise revenue so that by the end of the FNDP that gap would be filled.

 As the MTEF is reviewed on an annual basis, FNDP programmes which form part of the annual budget are, therefore, adjusted to a level consistent with available resources. Upon approval of the budget, the release of resources is based on the budget approved in that particular fiscal year. For example, if we take the FNDP estimates for irrigation on page 53, the figure in the plan is K22.6 billion. In the 2007 Budget, on page 907, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, the figure is K26.5 billion. So it has gone up by K3.9 billion. If you take the figure for essential drugs, which is on page 173 of the FNDP, it is K125 billion, but in the 2007 Budget activity on Essential Drugs, on page 387, the figure has gone up to K140 billion. If you take Infrastructure, under the Ministry of Health, on page 173 of the FNDP, the figure is K96 billion and in the 2007 Budget, on page 387, it is K96 billion. If you take the figure for Youth Empowerment, under the FNDP, on page 224, it is K6.7 billion and in the 2007 Budget, on page 581, it is K30 billion. This figure has increased because of the problems that we are trying to resolve for the youths. In other words, the figures in the FNDP are most likely to be less than those in annual budgets because we now have the capacity to raise a little bit more money.

Madam Speaker, with regard to part (b) of the question, I wish to report that the Government has made tremendous progress on the economic front as evidenced by the good economic performance in the last six years or so. These positive results have been underpinned by good and appropriate Government fiscal and monetary policies. In the FNDP, there are issues and activities of the Government which have no figures. These are statements like “We will continue with our good fiscal and monetary discipline”. That has also been repeated in the annual plans and budget speeches. This has seen real growth in Gross Domestic Product being positive and strong at 6.2 per cent last year from minus 2 per cent in 2000. Inflation has been controlled and brought down to single digit from 26.5 per cent in 2002 to 9 per cent last month. Interest rates have come down …

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1815 hours until 1830 hours.

[MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Madam Deputy Speaker: When business was suspended, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning was on the Floor. May the hon. Minister continue.

Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I was reporting that due to the good performance in terms of policies, the economy is also doing very well.

In the Fifth National Development Plan at page 26 of the Plan, we had targeted to keep single digit inflation during the Plan period. We had also targeted to have stock exchange rates and a positive current account. At the time of planning, we indicated that we would aim to raise a sustainable national debt, and these parameters have been achieved.

It is within these parameters that the private sector has risen and; indeed, contribute to the development of the country. At the moment, our revenue source is also growing, and that is how we are collecting much more revenue from debts. We are putting this money in projects that were clearly identified by the stakeholders as we were mooting the Fifth National Development Plan. We have a scheme of recruiting teachers and in the last three or so years. Presently, we have recruited over 20,000 teachers. We are in the process of recruiting medical staff as well as working on infrastructure.

Therefore, I would like to say that although we have not reached our mark, the work which is going on in terms of road infrastructure, particularly on the Copperbelt is quite impressive.

However, we have challenges and the major challenge now is not Budget execution, but project execution as has been recently heard. We, on this side of your Chair are concerned that a lot of money is going out and this money is not producing the results.

Unfortunately for most of the infrastructure, we have to use the private sector to execute these projects. As regards roads, we will not have the Roads Department anymore because we are using private sector participants. Therefore, most of the questions raised here about roads is as a result of the poor workmanship. We want therefore, to plead with the Zambians who are in the road construction industry to improve their workmanship. If they do not, then we will go to anybody on earth who can do a good job for us.

Madam Speaker, at this juncture, let me take this time to invite all hon. Members of Parliament over the weekend to drive to Chirundu to see the standard of work that others can deliver.

Mr Munaile: Are you going to give us fuel?

Mr Magande: That job is well done and is being admired by everybody. Those are the kinds of people that we want to help us to deliver.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Magande: You can go anywhere in the world to get people who can do that kind of work. It is because of this that I thought I would plead that we improve on our delivery in workmanship. However, we feel that we are on the right track and we will be able to deliver because that will put us in the Fifth National Development Plan.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Imenda: Madam Speaker, does the hon. Minister realise that the huge variances between the National Budget and the Fifth National Development Plan within the year of launching signify the failure on the part of the Fifth National Development Plan and that the reported achievements are just a mere coincidence?

Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, this time around, we are able to recruit 10,000 teachers in a year. Only three years ago, we were told that there were thousands of teachers without employment, and that becomes a coincidence a positive coincidence. When we were planning the Fifth National Development Plan, one of our problems was on how to raise revenues. At that time, this country was really in a debt of US$7.2 billion of which every year, on the interest only, we were paying K4 billion to K500 billion. As a result, we were unable to save the principal. That money is available now and we are putting it into constructing health centres. Unfortunately, the hon. Member is saying that it is a coincidence. So, be it, but it is a positive coincidence.

We are not ashamed of positive coincidences that we are now delivering to the people. We are able to export maize out of this country now after seven years of importing and queuing for yellow maize. It was not until the President of this country under the New Deal Government refused the Genetically Modified Organisms that he had more time to consider GMO. We are now exporting good maize to the extent of offering it freely to our relatives and friends in Africa who need help.

Therefore, if this is a coincidence, so, be it, we are going to deliver under a coincidental arrangement. However, as far as we are concerned, we are planners and had planned for all this. The money that is flowing into your constituencies was planned for that after we go through the HIPC Initiative, we are going to get more money and give it back to the people so that they see development.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Mooya (Moomba): Thank you, Madam Speaker. I got worried when the hon. Minister said that the Government is planning to give all the work to foreigners instead of indigenous contractors. These foreigners take away money from the country.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Mooya: Is the Government addressing this issue? The problem, as I see it, has to do with registration and supervision and yet these statutory bodies were formed in 2003. May I know if the hon. Minister is aware that this problem has to do with supervision and registration by the statutory bodies?

Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, I am not aware that it is the lack of supervision because some of the foreign companies are being supervised by local people and are producing results. Therefore, as far as we are concerned, it is not the lack of supervision. In some cases, it is obviously some kind of corrupt practice and it is our own people who connive in those corrupt practices.

The hon. Member is a well known engineer and he knows what goes on in his own trade. We will not accept that our people are not delivering just because nobody is supervising them. If anything, since they are here, they should even be able to supervise themselves because they know where to find Hon. Mooya who can oversee what they are doing for a small amount of money. Therefore, it is not correct that it is the lack of licensing. Sometimes, they use the same kind of grader, but do a poor job. We are not saying it is only the local people who do poor jobs. Some foreigners are also doing poor jobs and that is why I said we will look for the good people wherever we can find them, whether in Zambia or overseas.

I thank you, Madam.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu (Bweengwa): Madam Speaker, the biggest factor in the transformation of the National Development Plan and the Vision 2030 from mere slogans is the Civil Service. The Civil Service in this country is dysfunctional and this Government has failed to make the Civil Service tick. How do they expect to achieve these dreams with such a Civil Service?

Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, the people who work in the Civil Service happen to be our relatives, Zambians. Many of us have our children working in the Civil Service and demand that when there is a funeral, our children are away from the office for one week. How do they deliver?

When you hear that your child has received a disciplinary letter, you go and see your Permanent Secretary friend who wrote the letter to withdraw it. How do you expect that form of punishment to be implemented?

In the Budget Speech this year, we said there must be change of our mindsets. We are all to blame if that is happening. Yes, including we, ourselves, here.

Hon. Opposition Member: That side! Pointing to the Government side.

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Magande: The laws are there, but we will not help make those laws apply. Therefore, unless the Zambians wake up and realise that if only we could change our behaviour towards delivering our development, we are going to continue to pour money into programmes, but the Civil Service will not work.

However, let me say that we are working on the Civil Service. We are introducing firstly, systems for financial management that are going to assist to track and make sure that money does not disappear between the Ministry of Finance and national Planning and where it is supposed to be used. However, at the end of that pipeline, it is up to us who are in the communities to make sure that this money produces the results.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Mukanga (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, the Fifth National Development Plan in the year of its launch had some few important activities that where not implemented in that particular year. May I find out from the hon. Minister what plans the Government has to ensure that those important activities, core and non-core are implemented within the duration of the Fifth National Development Plan.

Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, like I said, we now have the Medium Term Expenditure Framework which is a rolling plan of three years within the Fifth National Development Plan. Therefore, if a very important project was not implemented in 2006, it must have been rolled over to 2007. If it has not been done this year, it will roll over into the next Medium Term Framework which will be the next year, 2009 and 2010 and which is the end of the Plan. It is only in 2010 that we will reflect on the total implementation of the Fifth National Development Plan because in the interim we are rolling budgets that we are implementing.

I thank you, Madam.{mospagebreak}

TERMINAL BENEFITS FOR RETRENCHED WORKERS IN THE FORMER ROADS DEPARTMENT AND RETENTION OF OTHERS

890. Dr Katema (Chingola) asked the Minister of Works and Supply:

(a) when the retrenched workers in the former Roads Department would be paid their terminal benefits; and

(b) whether some workers in the former Department had been retained and, if so, which departments would absorb them?

Mr Ndalamei: Madam Speaker, the Ministry has received funds in the amount of K1,432,775,409.00 to pay some of the retrenched classified daily employees of the former Roads Department their terminal benefits.

The Ministry has retained some employees of the former Roads Department, especially the drivers who have been deployed to the Anti-Corruption Commission, Ministry of Finance and National Planning and within the departments of the Ministry.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Dr Katema: I would like to find out if the hon. Minister is aware that those workers who were re-deployed from the Roads Department to the Road Development Agency (RDA) are getting salaries, both from the Ministry and from the Agency. If he is aware, what is the Government doing about it?

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, yes, I am aware and this arose from the fact that, initially, these people were just supposed to be attached to the RDA, but there was a problem of how to move them. Therefore, it was agreed that they be attached to the RDA, but they still belong to the Government of the Republic of Zambia. However, this has now been clarified and their services will be terminated. They will now solely belong to the RDA.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kambwili: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what criterion was used to choose those to be attached to RDA. Most of the people who were working for the Roads Department are qualified and have dedicated their services to the Republic of Zambia, through working for the Civil Service, but have just been thrown onto the streets in preference to new people from colleges who have no experience. What criterion was used?

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, all the people that have been taken on by the RDA underwent interviews. Unfortunately, the Roads Department had a much blotted labour force compared to the one at the RDA. Therefore, all the jobs were advertised and I believe that only the best were chosen.

Madam Speaker, people have not yet been thrown onto the streets as the hon. Member has said because no one has been retrenched. Everyone is still in employment. Therefore, no one is on the streets at the moment. However, that is how people were recruited. Everyone underwent interviews.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS IN SHIWANG’ANDU PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

891. Major Chibamba (Shiwang’andu) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives:

(a) whether the Ministry had plans to construct dams in Shiwang’andu Parliamentary Constituency in specifically designated areas in order to assist small-scale farmers access water for irrigation and livestock farming; and

(b) if so, when the programme would commence.

Mr Kalenga: Madam Speaker, every year my Ministry, in its annual work plans and budgets, provides matching grant funds for dam construction and rehabilitation, especially for the drought-prone areas. The provision of these funds for dam projects is demand-driven. The communities or farmers requiring dams, including those in Shiwang’andu Parliamentary Constituency, are required to contribute at least 25 per cent of the total cost of the project, in kind (mainly by providing locally available materials such as sand, stones etc.), before the matching grant is provided.

With regard to part (b) of the question, small-scale farmers in Shiwang’andu Constituency are, therefore, free to demand for the above facilities and get more information and assistance through the District Agricultural Co-ordinator’s Office (DACO) in Chinsali

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Major Chibamba: Madam Speaker, I know that the Government intends to revive the Mbesuma Ranch in Chinsali for animal breeding for the Northern Province. How does the Government expect to run this programme when there is no single dam constructed in the area?

Mr Kapita: Madam Speaker, it is true that we are going to revive the Mbesuma Ranch. Just a week ago, I was discussed with Dr Imakando from the National Development Trust that is going to run that ranch that it had to supply animals to the Northern, Luapula and North Western provinces.

Now, if there will be need at that time to construct a dam in the Mbesuma area, that will be done.

Major Chibamba: Dams!

Mr Kapita: However, I think the key word is, “demand-driven”. If you put up dams everywhere without people demanding for them, the people will not look after them properly. Let me give you one good example.

On 26 October, 2007, I was in Lundazi Central Parliamentary Constituency. I was impressed with what is happening at PACO Dam and Irrigation Scheme in the constituency. There is a committee that is running that dam. It has also opened an account with a bank and has got three signatories. There is money in the account which is used to pay for minor repairs at the dam. This means that the local people have taken that dam as their own and they will look after it properly.

Thereafter, I looked at the possibility of replicating this when we reconstruct the Tigone and Chaboli dams. I would like to have such committees formed because I was impressed with their work.

I thank you, Madam Speaker

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze): Madam Speaker, I appreciate that the issue of dams must be demand-driven. However, I would like to state that the people of the Southern Province have been demanding for dams due to the drought situation in the province.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: This Government has been promising …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: … that they are going to construct dams so that the people of the Southern Province can undertake irrigation farming. Is the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives telling the people of the Southern Province that they will be irrigating using sand if they do not provide the water?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapita: Madam Speaker, all hon. Member of Parliament from the Southern Province have been sending me some notices. I have not turned down their requests. I have instructed my Permanent Secretary to consider all the requests. However, I would like the all hon. Members of Parliament to go back home and liaise with the DACOs in their own areas …

Interruptions

Mr Kapita: … because I would like the DACOs to win the support of the people because it must be a bottom up and not top bottom approach. Therefore, if we liaise with them, definitely, they will give us a hearing. In any case, we might have already been visited by the DACOs. I have asked them to give me an inventory of every single dam in this country, together with the carrying capacity of water and I am expecting the information to come. I hope you can make an input to that.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

IMMIGRATION STATIONS AND POSTS IN MWENSE DISTRICT

892. Mr Chongo asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

(a) how many immigration stations and posts were in Mwense District and where they were situated; and

(b) how many officers were at these stations and posts.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Ms Njapau): Madam Speaker, Mwense District has two Immigration controls namely; Kashiba Control and Lukwesa Border Control and both are fully operational.

With regard to part (b) of the question, Kashiba is manned by two officers while Lukwesa has one officer.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chongo: Madam Speaker, it is worth noting that Mwense shares a long stretch and porous border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). How is the Ministry going to discourage illegal immigrants into the country and how is the hon. Minister planning to expedite the issuance of travel documents for Zambians wishing to cross into the DRC when there is inadequate manpower in the district?

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: Madam Speaker, on our part as the Ministry, we will continue to increase man power as resources are made available, we will open more immigration centres and posts. Similarly, the Zambia/Democratic Republic of Congo Joint Permanent Commission assists our people that are across the borders by having a passing system that will enable them cross the borders and do business.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

STRATEGIC FUND FOR FUEL

893. Mr Katuka (Mwinilunga East) asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development:

(a) when the Strategic Reserve Fund for fuel would be operational; and

(b) who the contributors to this fund would be.

Mr Sichilima: Madam Speaker, the Strategic Reserve Fund became operational in 2005. Currently, the contributors to the Strategic Reserve Fund are fuel consumers through a fuel cost line in the price of petrol and diesel. On average, this amounts to K153 per litre of petrol and diesel purchased by each consumer. This money is collected by all Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and passed on to the Energy Regulation Board which manages the funds.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Katuka: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that elaborate answer, but from what he is saying, it clearly shows that the Fuel Reserve Fund was established to cushion the impact in the event of the crisis. If I remember very well, a few weeks ago, we had a crisis in the country and we learnt through the press that the money was used to cushion the impact of the fuel prices. How did that fund shift from cushioning the impact of the crisis to the fuel prices when, in fact, that money was from the consumer? Does the Government not realise that there was a double tragedy for the consumer who was first made to pay a little more than he would have paid and when there was a crisis, he did not have the fuel, therefore, he was also inconvenienced?

Mr Konga: Madam Speaker, I think the hon. Member has twisted himself up.

Interruptions

Mr Konga: Madam Speaker, the answer is quite elaborate in that the purpose of the Strategic Reserve Fund was to cushion subsequent price increments, that is precisely what this fund has been used for. It will be difficult to cushion a fuel absence by this Fund as has been said by the hon. Member. If there is no fuel, there will be no fuel. The objective of the Fund was to cushion or filter our price increases so that customers can pay an affordable price of fuel.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kapeya (Mpika Central): Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister tell us where we are today in establishing a standard fuel price as was earlier announced by the former Minister of Energy and Water Development, Hon. Mpombo?

Mr Konga: Madam Speaker, the Government, through the Ministry of Energy and Water Development, is working out measures which will address the value prices of petroleum products throughout the country. It is the intention of the Government to have uniform prices throughout the country. Once these measures have been put in place, the House will be adequately informed.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Nsanda: Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister tell this House and the nation how much the fuel price will be if we eliminated the middlemen who are buying and selling our fuel and how much percentage the middlemen put on our actual fuel price if we bought it from them.

Mr Konga: Madam Speaker, I hope I have understood the question correctly. By “middlemen”, I hope the hon. Member does not mean the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) or any other agents thereto attached. Those hon. Members who have read about this matter in the press will realise that the function of procurement of petroleum feed stock has been performed by the shareholders of Indeni, who, in this case, have been Total Autré Meer and the Government of the Republic of Zambia. One of the shareholders gave notice that they would stop procuring feedstock and requested the other shareholder in this case to procure feedstock. Therefore, since the Government is procuring feedstock, there are no middlemen in this process. The Government is procuring feedstock using the suppliers of the feedstock. The prices that are reflected are the correct prices because the Government is the one procuring this feedstock.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Major Chibamba (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, may the hon. Minister inform this House and the nation at large what difficulties the Government is encountering in putting the procurement process before the Zambia National Tender Board.

Mr Konga: Madam Speaker, I would like to advise the hon. Members to read the press, especially the Zambian Press…

Interruptions

Mr Konga: …where the Government, through the Zambia National Tender Board, advertises the procurement of petroleum feedstock. This procurement is publicly done through the Zambia National Tender Board. If they are not able to access the print media, I am inviting them to come to my office so that I show them the public media in which this tender has been advertised.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chazangwe (Choma Central): Madam Speaker, when will this Ministry consider reducing the price of fuel for small-scale farmers in rural areas where the diseases have swept the animals, in order for them to grow enough maize and reduce poverty in this country?

Mr Konga: Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the House that those who are interested in fuel trade on the international market will actually know that the cost of fuel on the international market has hit as much as US$92 dollars a barrel from US$80 dollars a barrel a few weeks ago. However, despite the cost of fuel going up by so much on the international market, this Government, with its intention of making life achievable for its citizens, has maintained the cost of fuel at affordable levels.

Therefore, it is not correct that the Government is increasing the price as alleged by the hon. Member, but instead it has kept it stable, despite the price having escalated on the international market.

I thank you, Madam.

STATUS OF CONTRACT HAULAGE COMPANY LIMITED ON MALAMBO ROAD IN LUSAKA

894. Mr Hamusonda (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry:

(a) what the status of the Contract Haulage Ltd premises on Malambo road in Lusaka was;

(b) whether the premises had been rented out and, if so, who was renting the premises;

(c) how much rent was being collected monthly and who accounted for the rentals; and

(d) what had happened to the machinery which was on the premises.

The Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Ms Siliya): Madam Speaker, Contract Haulage Zambia Limited is a limited company situated on plot No. 1635/36 Malambo Road. The above premises is the Head Office and center of operations. The Head Office was previously located in Buyantashi Road before it moved to Malambo Road, Plot No. 1635/36.

Contract Haulage Zambia Limited was once under receivership that was lifted in 2001. To date, the Zambia Development Agency ZDA is handling the Government’s recommendation on the company’s mode of privatisation.

Madam Speaker, Contract Haulage Zambia Limited is using the offices as a headquarters office and workshop, and the filling station is being used for storage of fuel only by SGC Investments and the eastern space is rented out to the National Milling Company for parking of trucks.

Contract Haulage Zambia Limited earns a figure of K23 million and this amount is accounted for by the Accounts Department of Contract Haulage Zambia Limited. The rentals raised keep operations running by buying spares and fuel in order to keep workers surviving and sustain the operations of the company.

Finally, the machinery is still being used in the engine workshop by Contract Haulage Zambia Limited to overhaul and repair general machinery and vehicle engines for the few running trucks.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Mwansa (Chifunabuli): Madam Speaker, knowing the fact that Contract Haulage Zambia Limited though private and an Indian Liability Company still has a lot of investment in terms of money pitching by the Government, I would like to know what the Government’s position is because with each day that passes, that company is going under. Has the Government got any intention of privatising it while it still has some assets unlike privatising it when there will be nothing to sell?

Further, what is happening to the employees who are going without salaries for months on end?

Ms Siliya: Madam Speaker, as stated in the answer, the Government is waiting for recommendations from the Zambia Development Agency on what mode of privatisation to adopt for Contract Haulage Zambia Limited. We appreciate the concerns raised by the hon. Member of Parliament that every day, the company is losing a substantial amount of money from its investment and whether the Government should privatise it after getting rid of the assets. These are the questions whose answers we, as Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, are awaiting from ZDA. Obviously, the whole privatisation mode should take into consideration the plight of the workers whom we understand are in a very difficult position as they go without salaries sometimes.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, one of the challenges with the Economic Partnership Agreements EPAs supply side constraints is transportation of goods and so on. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether it is not a contradiction of purpose to, on one hand complain that the haulage capacity is weak and therefore we can not participate in EPAs effectively and on the other hand, say that we are going to shelve off Zambia’s only Contract Haulage Company Zambia Limited at the time that they are supposed to be thinking of investing in such infrastructure. If the hon. Minister will be kind enough, can he also explain the impact of EPAs on industrialisation for businesses such as Contract Haulage Company Zambia Limited?

Madam Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry may choose to connect this question to the next one.

The Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Mutati): Madam Speaker, the key focus of the question is whether or not within the context of concluding the EPAs, we are going to de-industrialise companies such as Contract Haulage Zambia Limited. There are four key principal negotiation strategies as follows:

(a) the focus of the EPAs is that we must remove the trade barriers between two partners that are unequal. This means, for example, that Europe will export duty-free agriculture products into Africa/Zambia. That is an issue;

(b) the ECE says, come January 1st, 2008, if you do not sign the EPAs, we are going to impose tariffs on all the imports from Zambia and Africa. This will make our exports into the EU totally uncompetitive and perhaps particularly in the floriculture industry. Therefore, there will be nothing for Contract Haulage Zambia Limited to transport.

(c) Zambia, together with other countries, is saying we need to address the cost of adjustment which is referred to as the supply side constraint in order to uplift the state of our industrial base to enable competitiveness. This will also require time and we have said the minimum adjustment period should be twenty-five years. We have a problem because the EU is saying we do this now.

(d) we are saying as ACP, Zambia included, that there has got to be a sense of being reasonable and flexible in concluding the EPAs and that time pressure should not be the deciding factor because whatever we do in a hurry, will have long-term damaging effects on the whole economic fabric of the EPAs, including the Contract Haulage Zambia Limited.

Madam Speaker, from those four pillars, we are reluctant to sign the EPAs in their current form because it will have a negative impact not only on Contract Haulage Zambia Limited but on the entire fabric of our economy by loss of jobs and flight of Gross Domestic Product  from the pocket.

I thank you, Madam.

Hon. Members: Hear, Hear!

AFFILIATION OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING AUTHORITY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA

895. Mr Munaile (Malole) asked the Minister of Science, Technology and Vocational Training when the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority would be affiliated to the University of Zambia.

The Minister of Science, Technology and Vocational Training (Mr Daka): Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the House that the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TAVETA) was established to regulate, support and promote technical education, vocational and entrepreneurship training in Zambia. The qualifications are of Trades Tests Certificates, Class Certificates, Technicians and Diploma Technologists.

Madam Speaker, the University of Zambia provides higher learning facilities leading to degree qualifications of bachelor, Master’s and doctorates.

As a regulatory authority, TAVETA does not provide tuition and therefore, is not affiliated to the University of Zambia. However, individual TEVET providers can be affiliated to the University of Zambia. The employing institution is the Technical Vocational Teachers’ College (TVTC) in Luanshya which is affiliated to the University of Zambia.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Munaile: Madam Speaker, for many years now, graduates with Diplomas from TAVETA colleges are not given exemptions when they go to the University of Zambia. What is this Ministry doing to ensure that time is reduced for the graduates with Diplomas when they go to the University?

Mr Daka: Madam Speaker, there are colleges such as the Northern Technical College (NORTECH) which gives exemptions. The interface between TEVETA, TAVET and UNZA occurs at the following levels:

(i) Graduates of TAVET exist at diploma and certificate levels which can be upgraded through higher education at the university. However, this progression is facilitated by the curricula at the exit point in the TAVET system and the entry point into the University.

In this regard, the University of Zambia participates in the curriculum development and review processes conducted by TAVETA. The development of the national qualification framework is intended to formalise the probation path.

I thank you, Madam Speaker,

GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO BUY VEHICLES FOR LOCAL COUNCILS

896. Mr Misapa (Mporokoso) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing whether the Government had plans to buy vehicles for local councils such as Mporokoso District Council which has no vehicles of its own.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Kazonga): Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the House that there is no Budget provision this year for the purchase of vehicles for all councils, including Mporokoso.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, arising from that brief answer from the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing, I would like to find out whether the Government is re-considering the policy of creating councils, considering that councils such as Mporokoso, which cannot manage to offer services to the residents due to lack of funding must be affiliated to other bigger councils and made subservient thereto so that services are provided. Otherwise, there is no need to create councils that cannot stand on their own.

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, firstly, I am surprised at that question raised by the hon. Member for Monze. At the moment, Mporokoso Council is much better than the hon. Member’s council, Monze.

Laughter

Mrs Masebo: Currently, Mporokoso Council even has a working grader and qualified staff, unlike Monze Council currently and yet he can ask such a question on the Floor of this House.

Madam Speaker, let me say that the Government policy is not to create new councils for the obvious reasons that some of the councils may not be able to provide basic social services to their communities because their revenues base is too small. As a Government, we have a programme to put up infrastructure for the councils that are already created so that they are able to compete favourably and also to be able to provide effective social services to their people. Therefore, the answer is no.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chisala: Madam Speaker, the issue of lack of both land and road transport is very critical for rural districts. Is the hon. Minister not considering giving such councils loans for motor vehicles?

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, this Government has made a provision of K50 billion in the 2008 Budget in the Current Expenditure Grants to be given to councils such as Monze and indeed, other small councils that are struggling to assist them with the current costs. To that effect, by the end of this year, we will be releasing further grants to small council that are struggling like Monze.

Laughter

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, in addition, as a Ministry, we have continued to assist councils even where we have not budgeted for vehicles. For example, recently, the Zambia Social Investment Fund’s (ZAMSIF) assets were handed over to the Ministry and we had extra vehicles in the Ministry. Therefore, as a Ministry, we took some of the vehicles to assist councils that are struggling and are without vehicles.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Masebo:  In doing that, we are not looking at which council. Like we have always said, all these councils belong to the Central Government, the MMD Government. Therefore, we treat them as such.

Madam Speaker, in the last four months, we have assisted councils such as Chinsali, Mpika, including the small Council of Monze.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Laughter

Mr Beene: Madam Speaker, transport is a very crucial issue to all councils. I do appreciate that the Ministry has tried to help these councils. Is the hon. Minister telling the House that she has no plans specifically for transport for all councils in the country?

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, it is not for the Ministry to have plans for transport for councils. It is the councils to prioritise when they plan. Councils which have effective hon. Members of Parliament have indicated vehicles in their plans.

Mr Mwiimbu: Like Monze.

Mrs Masebo: Like Monze, yes.

Laughter

Mrs Masebo: Therefore, if a council has no basic equipment such as transport, then there is a problem. It is surprising that a whole council that has Members of Parliament cannot, in a year, put aside resources to buy even a second hand van costing K5 million or K10 million to help the council collect revenue from traders within their districts or even use it to collect garbage.

We have released the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to councils that are up-to-date with their CDF. Some of the councils have applied for special requests to buy utility vehicles. We have cleared that and they have bought them. If a vehicle is a priority in your councils go ahead and buy it. You do not need the Ministry to tell you whether you need a vehicle or not.

This is why it is important that Members of Parliament should attend council meetings. We make laws here, but their implementation is in the districts. If you are not participating, you must know this is your last term in this House.

I thank you, Madam.

REHABILITATION OF ROADS AND BRIDGES IN NALOLO CONSTITUENCY

898 Mr Mwangala asked the Minister of Works and Supply when the following roads and bridges would be rehabilitated:

(i) Namushekende/Kataba/Nalikwanda road;
(ii) Siyanda/Itufa old road;
(iii) Kaunga Lueti bridge;
(iv) Lipaa bridge; and
(v) Matebele bridge.

The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Ndalamei): Madam Speaker, the Ministry has plans to carry out the maintenance of Namushakende/Kataba/Nalikwanda Road and to this end the road will be included in the 2008 Annual Work Plan.

The Ministry has appointed the Mongu District Council as Road Authority. The maintenance of Siyanda/Ituta Road can only be considered for inclusion in the Annual Work Plan if Mongu District Council identifies it as a priority.

The Ministry appointed in 2000 Messrs. E. G. Pettit and Partners to prepare the detailed design and tender documentation for the construction of the bridge across the Matebele plains. The Ministry is sourcing funds for the construction of the Matebele Bridge. The Ministry, however, has no immediate plans to construct either the Kaunga/Lueti Bridge or the Lipaa Bridge.

The Mongu District Council may, however, include the construction of the two bridges if they are considered as very high priorities.

I thank you, Madam.

________

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

The Vice-President (Mr R. Banda): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

_______

The House adjourned at 1935 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 31st October, 2007.