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Debates- Tuesday, 31st July, 2007
DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FIRST SESSION OF THE TENTH ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 31st July, 2007
The House met at 1430 hours
[MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]
NATIONAL ANTHEM
PRAYER
_____
ANNOUNCEMENT
APPOINTMENT OF HON. NG’ANDU P. MAGANDE, MP, AS ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE
Madam Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that in the absence of His Honour the Vice-President, who is attending to other equally important Government Business, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, Hon. Ng’andu P. Magande, MP, has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House from today, Tuesday, 31st July, 2007 to Friday, 3rd August, 2007.
I thank you.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!
_______
QUESTIONS
The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Mr Magande): Madam Speaker, when the House adjourned yesterday, I was responding to Hon. Sikota’s question on pensions and how to improve them. The hon. Member said this question had been in this House ever since he has been here from 2002. He went on to say that the answer had always been that we were considering various measures and so forth as had been stated on Friday, 27th July. He wanted to find out whether the hon. Minister could tell this House when the Government would finish this process of consideration pension schemes and tell the House what specific measures would be taken to resolve this perennial problem.
Madam Speaker, I had started explaining that one of the formulas for calculating the Pensions Scheme is in the Constitution. This matter had been presented to the Constitution Review Commission, both by the Government as well as by the retirees who are the stakeholders. Unfortunately, we had thought that it would come before this House, but because of the process of the Constitution-making process, it has been caught up in the current process. Therefore, that matter will have to wait until we resume the process of Constitution making vis-à-vis the Mung’omba Constitution Review Report.
Madam Speaker, I explained this to Hon. Sikota as we left the House. Although he is not in the House, he was satisfied with my answer.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
TRANSFORMATION OF NAYUMA HARBOUR INTO A STADIUM
669. Mr Imenda (Lukulu East) asked the Minister of Communications and Transport whether there were any plans to transform the Nayuma Harbour at Limulunga, in the Western Province into a stadium for the benefit of tourists during the Kuomboka Ceremony.
The Deputy Minister of Communications and Transport (Mr Mubika): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that my ministry has got no immediate plans to transform the Nayuma Harbour into a stadium. However, it is our intention to consult other stakeholders on the matter.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Imenda: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out whether the hon. Minister recognises the fact that lack of serious investment and aggressive marketing in strategic activities such as the Kuomboka Ceremony, which attracts foreign exchange, denies the country an increased number of tourists and is deducing nothing for this country.
Mr Mubika: Madam Speaker, that is a good plan, but it falls under the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Ministry of Works and Supply and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning for funding.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Milupi (Luena): Madam Speaker, would the hon. Minister assure the House that he will hold consultations with the two ministries that he has named to ensure that in order for this country to get maximum benefits from the Kuomboka Ceremony, with regard to comfort of the people, he would quickly carry out these consultations so that we end up with a stadium at the place around Nayuma Harbour.
Mr Mubika: Madam Speaker, as I stated in my response, it is the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources which is responsible for tourist attractions.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
TARRING OF ALL ROADS IN URBAN AREAS LEADING TO HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
670. Mr Malama (Mfuwe) asked the Minister of Works and Supply whether the Government had any plans to tar all roads in urban areas leading to hospitals and clinics in order to cater for emergency cases.
The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Tetamashimba): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that my ministry is implementing the Urban Accelerated Rehabilitation Programme in several districts and towns which is aimed at improving and tarring the existing urban roads. This includes roads leading to hospitals. Clinics have not been specifically targeted because of their large numbers since we are not covering the entire road network in the urban areas.
Madam Speaker, in the 2005/06 Work Plan, rehabilitation of roads in urban areas is going on in the following districts:
(i) Mongu;
(ii) Kasama;
(iii) Mbala;
(iv) Mansa;
(v) Chipata;
(vi) Luanshya;
(vii) Chingola;
(viii) Chililabombwe;
(ix) Mufulira;
(x) Solwezi;
(xi) Kalulushi;
(xii) Ndola;
(xiii) Kitwe;
(xiv) Kafue; and
(xv) Lusaka.
The other districts in the country will be considered in the subsequent annual work plans.
I thank you, Madam.
51 PER CENT MAJORITY REQUIREMENT
671. Dr Chishimba (Kasama Central) asked the Minister of Justice whether there were any plans to urgently amend the Constitution of Zambia to accommodate the 51 per cent requirement for a Presidential candidate to win an election.
The Minister of Justice (Mr Kunda, SC.): Madam Speaker, the introduction if 50 plus 1 per cent majority system of electing a president is one of the many issues that will be considered during the deliberations of the proposed Constitutional Conference. Participants in the Constitutional Conference will be expected to examine this proposal, debate it and agree on whether it should be included in the Constitution.
The timeframe for debate and adoption of any recommendation on the Constitution will be prescribed in the Constitutional Conference Bill to be tabled before this august House. Should there be a consensus on this clause, through the Constitutional Conference and among interested stakeholders, it will be introduced in the Constitution by way of enactment by this august House.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Dr Chishimba: Madam Speaker, according to the Government, what is the difference between a Constituent Assembly and a Constitutional Conference?
Mr Kunda, SC.: Madam Speaker, a Constituent Assembly, Constitution Conference, National Convention or Indaba have been used in the context of broadly representative bodies to debate, examine and adopt or make recommendations to Parliament for enactment or reference to a referendum. So, in essence, they are all broadly representative bodies.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Kambwili (Roan): Madam Speaker, arising from that answer given by the hon. Learned Minister of Justice, as Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government, what is your position on the 50 plus 1 per cent majority requirement for a presidential candidate to win an election?
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kunda, SC.: Madam Speaker, our Government is not a dictatorial government. Therefore, we will let the people debate this matter at the Constitutional Conference. At that stage, our position will be known.
I thank you, Madam.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mukanga (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out when the Constitutional Conference Bill will be brought to this House.
Mr Kunda, SC.: Madam Speaker, as soon as possible, but it should be within this session.
I thank you, Madam.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
GRANTS RELEASED TO MWENSE DISTRICT COUNCIL
672. Mr D. Mwila (Chipili) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing how much money had been released as grants to Mwense District Council in 2005 and 2006.
The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Kazonga): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the Government released K266,160,000 and K245,000,000 as grants for the years 2005 and 2006 respectively. Madam, the breakdown of these grants is as follows:
Grants released in 2005
Retrenchment Grant K166,160,000
General Grant K100,000,000
Total K266,160,000
Grants released in 2006
Retrenchment Grant K125,000,000
General Grant K120,000,000
Total K245,000,000
I thank you, Madam.
Mr D. Mwila: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what criteria they use in awarding grants. Madam, you will find that Kitwe District Council is given K400 million, but Mwense District Council is given K200 million, and yet Kitwe District Council gets more revenue than Mwense.
The Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mrs Masebo): Madam Speaker, at the moment, we do not have a scientific formula for allocating grants to local authorities. The Ministry of Finance and National Planning, in conjunction with the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, is working out a scientific formula for releasing grants to local authorities under the Decentralisation Implementation Plan.
However, in the past, the Government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, had used the following factors. Firstly, population and secondly, infrastructure in the district and also the various functions that a particular council performs in accordance with Section 31 of the Local Government Act.
Madam, some of the local authorities do not perform all the functions as articulated in the Local Government Act. And also, some of these councils they may not even have the capacity to perform the functions they are obligated to perform.
The reason Kitwe District Council may have more money than Mwense District Council is that Kitwe is a city with a lot of infrastructure and performs several functions. Therefore, the resources we give to them in terms of grants is not sufficient to help them deliver quality services.
In as far as Mwense District Council is concerned, it is a small district council with very limited capacity performing very few functions at the moment. And so, this is why we give district councils, which are about fifty-four in number, almost the same amounts. We have categorised the fifty-four districts. We have rural districts such as Chongwe that are doing better than Mwense …
Laughter
Mrs Masebo: … in terms of functions, capacity etc. Therefore, the rural district councils have been placed in three categories.
Then we have the municipalities which have been placed in two categories. Of course, we have the cities which are only four. Again, we have categorised them according to hierarchy in terms of their functions, population and infrastructure and so, you cannot compare Livingstone to Lusaka.
Madam Speaker, this is how, in the past, we have allocated these resources, but the ministry has gone further in trying to be as transparent as possible to, in the last four years, convene one consultative meeting between the local authorities, the Local Government Association and Zambia Union of Local Authority Workers (ZULAW) to inform them about the Budget allocation and how the ministry intends to allocate the resources. Sometimes, a decision has been taken at those consultative meetings, and the ministry has allocated the resources based on that decision.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Chongo (Mwense): Madam Speaker, taking into account the fact that the revenue base for Mwense is about K8 million and the budget stands at K26 million, how does the ministry expect to liquidate such a council?
Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, some of the councils in rural districts that have minimal revenue are assisted according to the functions as I have indicated. You will note in the answer that has been given that there are various forms of grants. There is the Retrenchment Grant and the General Grant. The Retrenchment Grant is based on the number of workers who have been retrenched or retired. The General Grants are for recurrent expenditure for councils to use. When the revenue base is small, we take that into account in our allocation of resources.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Kanyanyamina (Kanchibiya): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when the ministry is going to send the Constituency Development Fund that people are already desperate for.
Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning is going to release the Constituency Development Fund very soon.
You will recall that it was on the Floor of this House that I gave a period of almost a week. I would like to report that the Ministry of Finance and National Planning is ready to release the funds, but I have asked the hon. Minister not to release them because I am waiting to ensure that the Members of this House get back to the councils.
Madam Speaker, a number of hon. Members have approached me and complained that if the money is sent whilst they are here, they might not be part and parcel of the decisions and so they would like me to send the money after the 10th August, 2007 when Parliament rises.
I thank you, Madam.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}
BUILDING OF A REHABILITATION CENTRE IN KAMFINSA
673. Mr Nyirenda (Kamfinsa) asked the Minister of Home Affairs whether the Government had any plans to build a rehabilitation centre for inmates in Kamfinsa Parliamentary Constituency.
The Minister of Home Affairs (Lieutenant General-Shikapwasha): Madam Speaker, there are no plans to build a rehabilitation centre for inmates. However, the Government is currently rehabilitating the existing facilities at Kamfinsa which, when completed, would be more than adequate for the rehabilitation of inmates at Kamfinsa.
I thank you, Madam.
ISSUANCE OF WORK PERMITS
674. Mr Chanda (Kankoyo) asked the Minister of Home Affairs what the requirements for the issuance of work permits were.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: Madam Speaker, first and foremost, the law requires that applicants secure their employment permits whilst outside the country. However, would-be Government employees, volunteers, missionaries and investors may apply for their permits whilst in the country.
Madam Speaker, the following procedures shall be followed by all applicants:
(a) completion of application forms i.e. Form 10;
(b) production of:
(i) certified photocopies of professional certificates;
(ii) letter of offer of employment or contract;
(iii) certified photocopies of valid passport;
(iv) two recent taken certified passport size photographs;
(v) covering letter; and
(vi) practicing certificates from professional bodies such as Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants, Engineering Institute of Zambia, Medical Council of Zambia, Law Association of Zambia; and
(c) applicants should be above twenty-one years old.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, it is interesting to note that amongst the answers the hon. Minister has given, there is nothing on the availability of jobs. I do not think the Government is aware that right now in Mufulira under Mopani Copper Mines Plc., there is an Indian Manager who is busy recruiting fellow Indians at the expense of Zambians.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member will realise that Form 10 requires more details than what I have given here. Before one fills in Form 10, the position for which one is seeking a work permit will have been offered and indeed, who the applicant will work for will also have been known, and hence the covering letter that is required.
Now if there is anybody who has vacancies and is recruiting others, that person should be reported to us and the Immigration Department and we shall deal with him or her accordingly.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Kapeya (Mpika Central): Madam Speaker, I would like to learn from the hon. Minister how the work permits are granted to foreigners. For example, in the mining industry, are they given individually or they are applied for by the mining companies.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: Madam Speaker, the formula that I have read out is applied to each person who makes an application.
Further, there are organisations, for example, that have had a development agreement with the Government to have a certain number of foreigners coming to work. This situation will entail that the company that has made an agreement with the Government applies for work permits for the foreigners.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Mukanga: Madam Speaker, arising from …
Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! Is it procedural?
Mr Muntanga: Yes, Madam Speaker.
Madam Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Muntanga: Madam Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order. Is Hon. Mulyata in order to remain quiet in this House rather than stand up to demonstrate to the other Provincial Ministers how to respect the President the Lozi way?
Laughter
Madam Deputy Speaker: That can be sorted out outside the House.
Laughter
Madam Deputy Speaker: Will the hon. Member for Kantanshi continue, please.
Mr Mukanga: Madam Speaker, I would like to know whether there is a limit to the number of times a work permit can be renewed. I say so because there are some managers at Mopani Copper Mines Plc. who have been working for the past fourteen years and their permits have been renewed. Are there no other people who are capable of taking over from them?
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: Madam Speaker, there is a limit to all work permits except in cases where the owner of the investment requires to have a permit to stay in the country. However, for the time one is supposed to stay in employment, a Zambian should understudy the expatriate with the view to taking over. This should be in the agreement and the stipulated period is followed accordingly.
Madam Speaker, where a company fails to fulfil this, the work permit of that expatriate employee is terminated and a Zambian takes over in the position. In most cases, we have allowed the Zambians to be trained whilst the foreigner is here and when the Zambian is ready, he or she takes over.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Kambwili: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out how Chinese labourers manage to get their work permits at the expense of Zambians at Chambishi NFC Mining. The employees who are driving front end loaders and tractors are Chinese. I would like to find out how labourers were given work permits.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: Madam Speaker, to answer the hon. Member of Parliament for Roan, I cannot say exactly whether the Chinese workers who are at Chambishi are part and parcel of the development agreement that has been signed between the Government and the Chinese Company. In most cases, where a Chinese company has come in, there is a given period when they ask for a number of workers to be there. After that, they are taken back to China.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC. (Chasefu): Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that work permits have been given to people who cannot even speak English, in a country where the official language is English?
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: Madam Speaker, we are aware, but as you and the Member of Parliament for Chasefu may have noticed, one of the qualifications for issuing a work permit is not necessarily the ability to speak English. They can even speak Bemba.
I thank you, Madam.
ENFORCEMENT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACT
675. Dr Chishimba asked the hon. Minister of Health what measures the Government had taken to enforce the Public Health Act in order to protect the public from the following:
(a) buying expired drugs and other pharmaceutical products; and
(b) contagious diseases due to poor hygiene in restaurants, markets and drinking places.
The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Puma): Madam Speaker, the measures put in place to protect the public from buying expired drugs and other pharmaceutical products include:
(i) the establishing of the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Act No.14 of 2004 that led to the formation of the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority that regulates and controls the sale, supply and distribution of medicines and allied substances;
(ii) introducing of a licensing system for pharmaceutical outlets such as importers, exporters, wholesalers, manufacturers and retail pharmacists and chemists.
Section 34 of the same Act prohibits the sale and supply of expired medicines;
(iii) imprisoning of not less than five years as one of the penalties for such an offence;
(iv) putting in place inspection teams in all the provincial centres comprising environmental and pharmaceutical staff from the Provincial Health Offices, District Health Offices, local authorities and the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority.
The teams inspect the premises whose owners have applied to deal in pharmaceutical products and those who are illegally dealing in pharmaceutical products;
(v) conducting routine inspections to ascertain the levels of compliance both in terms of the Pharmaceutical and Public Health Acts. Trading licenses are not issued to traders who do not comply with the relevant Acts;
(vi) during the last quarter of 2006, a sensitisation programme was conducted in the country to alert both traders and citizens of the dangers associated with self medication and sale and consumption of expired drugs. This exercise will continue in all the provincial centres later this year;
(vii) inspecting, routinely, medicines coming into the country through physical checks and use of mini-lab kits for certain priority medicines;
(viii) developing and disseminating guidelines for drug donations and requirements for the donated medicines. A minimum shelf life of, at least, twelve months is recommended. The donated medicines are subjected to inspections by the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority prior to clearance by the Zambia Revenue Authority; and
(ix) making clear provisions on the disposal of expired medicines where Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority and the Environmental Council of Zambia witness such disposals. It is a requirement for the licencees to have in place systems and procedures for handling expired medicines in terms of segregation, security and documentation.
Madam, the Ministry of Health and the local authorities, through the Public Health Department in all the provinces, conduct specific and routine inspections on restaurants, markets and drinking places, not to mention the other numerous trading premises for the purpose of licensing or monitoring their compliance with the pertinent sections of the law.
The Ministry of Health has put in place Multi-Sectoral Epidemic Preparedness Committees which are responsible for handling public health issues at central, provincial and district levels.
Madam Speaker, under the Public Health Act, the local authorities carry out various duties all aimed at prevention and suppression of disease through inspections. The restaurant and other food manufacturers are also sensitised on the food safety applications.
Madam, alcohol drinking places are inspected regularly in close collaboration with the Liquor Licensing Board that does not issue a license to premises not in compliance with the Liquor Licensing Act. The focus is on the sanitary conditions, state of infrastructure, legality of operations, observance of opening and closing hours and under-age patronage.
The Ministry of Health is constantly encouraging full participation from the communities through various committees such as that on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Education, as it is felt that their ownership to this process will yield sustainability of the programmes.
The Ministry of Health continues to provide technical support through the health staff that are on the ground.
I thank you, Madam.
Dr Chishimba: Madam Speaker, what practical pharmacovigilant systems has the Government put in place in Anti-Retroviral Therapy, especially recognising the fact that there are a number of counterfeit drugs on the market?
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority ensures that whatever drugs come into the country are good and fit to use for a particular type of disease. This is the authority that has been empowered. It is looking at all the drugs, including Anti-Retroviral drugs, and currently, all the drugs that we give to patients in the country have not yet expired and are good for patients.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Mwiimbu (Monze): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out what measures the hon. Minister has put in place to ensure that the lives of Zambians are protected, concerning new drinks that are on sale in Zambia and other foodstuffs that have not undergone any tests? What measures is the Government putting in place to protect the lives of Zambians?
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, have inspectors called Environmental Health Technicians, who, from time to time, visit shops, restaurants and markets, and take samples of medicines or foodstuffs that are available on the market and send them to the Drug Laboratory at the University Teaching Hospital. From time to time, we have advised accordingly where we find that there is a problem.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Kambwili: Madam Speaker, one of the Anti-retroviral Therapy combinations has been reported as having a side effect of causing cancer. Has the Government taken any test to ascertain this and if so what are the results?
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, the drug in question was found to be contaminated with a substance that could cause cancer. The information we have, currently, is that there was a specific period during the manufacturing process that this drug was contaminated. According to the manufacturer, there are very slim chances that the batch could have come to Zambia. As a result, we have taken measures to ensure that this drug is withdrawn from the market although the probability that the drug that we have in the country is contaminated is very low.
I thank you, Madam.
KALULUSHI-SABINA ROAD
676. Mr Simama (Kalulushi) asked the Minister of Works and Works when resurfacing of the Kalulushi-Sabina Road would commence.
Mr Tetamashimba: Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the ministry intends to maintain the road between Kalulushi and Sabina. To this end, a contract to carry out the maintenance of the Kalulushi-Sabina Road was awarded to Messrs Turner Construction in 2005. However, the works were not completed because the funds allocated in the 2005 Budget were insufficient. There was only K250 million provided for in the 2005 Budget.
The ministry, again, provided an amount of K530 million in the 2006 Budget for the maintenance of the Kalulushi-Sabina Road. The works could not resume in the year 2006 because the Ministry of Finance and National Planning did not release the funds at all. There is no provision for this road in this year’s Budget. The ministry, through the Road Development Agency, intends to tender the works in 2008 and the project road will be included in the 2008 Annual Work Plan for road maintenance.
I thank you, Madam.
NEW PLOT FOR CHELSTONE POLICE STATION
677. Mr Malama asked the Minister of Home Affairs when the Government would acquire a plot for a new police station in Chelstone.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: Madam Speaker, he is a Member of Parliament elsewhere and we were wondering whether this Chelstone is in his constituency …
Hon. Opposition Members: Ah, no!
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: … or it is the Chelstone in Lusaka …
Interruptions
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: … and, therefore, our answer is on the Chelstone in Lusaka. The Chelstone Police Camp in Lusaka East already has adequate land for the construction of a new police station.
I thank you, Madam.
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT INFLOWS
678. Mr Chimbaka (Bahati) asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning what the value of foreign direct investment inflows to Zambia was, in Zambian kwacha, from 2001 to 2006, year by year.
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, the following is the reply:
Year Inflow
2001 K259,987,680,000
2002 K1,305,021,000,000
2003 K1,645,821,000,000
2004 K1,739,556,000,000
2005 K1,696,320,000,000
2006 K1,260,350,000,000
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Chimbaka: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister’s answer shows that there has been an increase year after year in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). What could be the factors that led to this success? What would be the arrangement under EPAS when and if Zambia adopts this EPAS system?
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, the foreigners are attracted to a country by a number of things, among others, peace. If there is peace in a country, foreigners come and invest by either bringing equipment or constructing buildings in terms of houses. They are also attracted by the monitory and fiscal arrangements in the country. Zambia has no foreign exchange controls and when somebody comes and makes money in Zambia, he is allowed to take out the net profit and dividends. As a result, people with money outside the country are attracted to come and invest so that they can make surplus money in terms of profit.
With regard to the issue of EPAS, Madam Speaker, while I admit that Hon. Chimbaka would expect me to know it since I am the former Secretary-General of the ACP Group which actually started negotiating these arrangements, I would rather have that question is directed to the hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry to come with a ministerial statement on what the EPAS is because I am sure a number Members of Parliament do not know it.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Kanyanyamina: Madam, I observed that the Kwacha depreciated last week. Could the hon. Minister to tell us what factors led to the depreciation? Have the foreign investors stopped bringing foreign exchange?
Hon. PF Member: Hear, hear!
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, the question is a bit complicated for me because the kwacha had appreciated the previous week and the hon. Member did not ask. What is his interest in the Kwacha’s depreciating last week? However, I would like to assure him that the fluctuations in the currency are because of what is happening in the economy.
There might have been somebody who wanted to take out money to pay for supply of equipment last week. For example, if one of the miners had ordered equipment and the payment for K20 million was due last week, the demand for the dollar went up and caused it to appreciate against the Kwacha. So, if next week somebody pays you in dollars, as a contractor of a mine on the Copperbelt, there will be a difference in the amount if you change it to Kwacha because of the appreciation of the local currency. However, I am happy that the hon. Member is very keen on noticing these fluctuations in the currencies because then he can see that our currency is doing very well.
I thank you, Madam.
Dr Machungwa (Luapula): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister in his answer, unless I did not hear him correctly, indicated that the investment in 2005 was K1,696 billion down from K1,729 billion in 2004, and that in 2006, it was K1,260 billion. This shows that the FDI is declining as evidenced in the last two years. Can you explain why this is so?
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, the question by Hon. Chimbaka was to give inflows in Kwacha just like Hon. Kanyanyamina asked earlier and I responded that the Kwacha fluctuates. According to Hon. Dr Machungwa, his analysis is wrong because if the Kwacha went down last week and was 3,700 to a dollar and somebody brought $US1, that is what I could have quoted. However, if the previous week the Kwacha was at 3,200 to a dollar, it would have shown that we only had inflows of 3,200, but it is the same dollar which came the previous week. Unfortunately, his understanding of monetary and fiscal issues is erroneous compared to the other hon. Member who was asked about fluctuations.
I thank you, Madam.
Laughter
EMPLOYEES AT MANSA GENERAL HOSPITAL
679. Mr D. Mwila asked the Minister of Health how many people at the Mansa General Hospital serve as:
(i) full-time employees; and
(ii) part-time employees.
The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Puma): Madam Speaker, there are 274 full-time employees at Mansa General Hospital and there are no part-time employees.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr D. Mwila: Madam Speaker, I need protection from you because I am not satisfied with the answer that the hon. Minister has given. He said there are no part-time employees at Mansa General Hospital. Is there anything that he is hiding?
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, according to our records, there are no part-time employees at Mansa General Hospital. Perhaps the hon. Member may mistake employees who have not yet been put on the payroll with part-time employees, but they are full-time employees except that they are waiting to be put on the payroll. Part-time employees are those whose employment can be terminated anytime.
I thank you, Madam.
Dr Kalumba (Chienge): Madam Speaker, can the hon. Minister state that, if that account he has just given is not correct, he is willing to correct it next time?
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, the statement I gave earlier is what is actually obtaining on the ground. What we usually do is that classified daily employees are employed either by the board or the hospital and then assisted with advances until such a time they are put on the payroll, but that does not make them part-time workers.
I thank you, Madam.{mospagebreak}
MODERN BUS STATION IN MPIKA
680. Mr Kapeya asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing when a modern bus station would be constructed in Mpika.
Mr Kazonga: Madam Speaker, the Government has no immediate plans to build a modern bus station in any district in Zambia, including Mpika. Hon. Members might be aware that in the recent past, almost all the bus stations in the country were run by unauthorised institutions whose interest was mainly to make money without considering the safety of the travelling passengers. Therefore, the Government had problems rehabilitating or building modern bus stations which were manned by unauthorised institutions.
Madam Speaker, this House has now passed a law to regulate and manage all bus stations in the country. This means that all bus stations will be run by boards whose mandate will not only be to manage and run the stations, but also rehabilitate and construct new and better bus stations using funds raised from the existing stations and from the Government. The Government and local authorities will also develop a programme to build bus stations in areas suitable for these facilities since institutions will now be run by responsible boards.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Kapeya: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that Mpika caters for two very busy routes; one to the western part of the Northern Province and the other to the eastern part of the same province and east Africa, hence the need for a modern bus station?
Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, we are aware that Mpika is centrally located and is a passage for many bus travellers going east and west, and indeed, into the neighbouring countries. The hon. Deputy Minister has ably answered the question in that we now have an Act that helps to manage and raise resources for bus stations in the country. The Act provides that we come up with a Market and Bus Stations Fund, taking into account areas of priority and we think that Mpika is one of them.
Madam Speaker, if Mpika District Council regards the issue of a bus station as its first priority because of its location, then it is expected that they will plan for it. Our role, as a Government, will be to assist them to mobilise resources, but they must start on their own. I am aware that Nakonde District Council, which is at the border, has realised the importance of having a modern market and a bus station. The council has taken into account the imports and exports of the district and made its own internal preparations for such amenities to be constructed. As a Government, we have assisted them by putting them in touch with the National Housing Authority which is now helping them. Therefore, I would like to urge the hon. Member of Parliament for Mpika Central to be innovative.
I thank you, Madam.
HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL
681. Mr Mwangala (Nalolo) asked the Minister of Education whether there were any plans to turn Holy Cross High School in the Western Province into a boarding school for girls.
The Deputy Minister of Education (Ms Changwe): Madam Speaker, currently, we do not have any plans to turn this school into a boarding high school because it is run by the Catholics. Our role, as a Government, is to give them grants.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Sinyinda (Senanga): Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the examination results for girls in the Western Province are very poor due to the lack of boarding schools for girls? What plans does the Government have to improve the examination results of girls in the province?
Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, a few weeks ago, we outlined the measures the ministry is taking to address the quality of education, particularly in the rural education set up. It has been pointed out that we are giving attention to such factors as teacher deployment in the rural areas. In fact, last week, we pointed out that, in the interest of improving quality in the rural schools, the next recruitment of teachers, numbering about 4,000, will specifically target schools that are performing poorly.
We have also pointed, out time and again, that we are giving attention to education materials procurement for in-service training of teachers and a number of other factors that are important in the improvement of teaching and learning in schools. When all these factors are effected, they will go a long way in addressing the academic performance of the girls in rural areas.
I thank you, Madam
Mr Munaile (Malole): Madam Speaker …
Mr Tetamashimba: On a point of order, Madam!
Madam Deputy Speaker: Is it on procedure?
Interruptions
Mr Munaile: … according to …
Mr Tetamashimba: On a point of order, Madam!
Madam Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Tetamashimba: Madam Speaker, I stand on a very serious constitutional point of order on the decisions of this House depending on its numbers …
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!
I think in trying to guide the House, not long ago, I did mention that, according to our own practice, the Standing Orders and Parliamentary Hand Books, we are free to raise points of order, but they ought to be points of order that border on procedure in the House.
On issues to do with the Constitution or constitutional matters, I remember very well that I said you should first come and discuss them and this guidance is provided for. There is room for you to come and discuss such matters because they are not ably handled when they are brought out through points of order.
If you really want a proper guidance by the House, I think it is better that such issues are discussed unless you are very sure that you will get a satisfactory ruling through the House. You are free to come and discuss that.
I think that was the guidance, hon. Minister.
Mr Tetamashimba stood up.
Madam Deputy Speaker: Let the hon. Member for Malole continue.
Interruptions
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!
Hon. Members, let us listen.
Mr Munaile: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Education said that they have no plans to turn Holy Cross High School into a Girls’ Boarding School. I would like to find out from him what is going to happen in the Western Province, given that there are schools that are going to be built. Is there any plan, among those schools to be built, of boarding schools for girls?
Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, the answer is yes. The policy of the Government, through the Ministry of Education, is to build girls technical high schools. We have plans to construct girls’ technical high schools in all the provinces of this country, inclusive of the Western Province.
I thank you, Madam.
MOTOR VEHICLE AUCTION SALE BY THE GOVERNMENT
682. Mr Ntundu (Gwembe) asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning:
(a) how many Government vehicles were auctioned from 2002 to date;
(b) how much money was raised from the auction sale; and
(c) how the money was utilised.
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker:
(a) the total number of serviceable Government motor vehicles that were sold from 2002 to date was 4,634;
(b) the sum of K6,994,582,274.47 was raised from the sale during the period; and
(c) the Government revenue is deposited in the General Revenue Account (Control 99) of the Republic of Zambia, in accordance with the requirements of the Public Finance Act, No. 15 of 2004, Section 29 (3) of the Laws of Zambia. It is from that account that the services of the country are funded, including payments for Recurrent Departmental Charges and Capital Wage.
I thank you Madam.
Mr Ntundu: Madam Speaker, the Government would have realised more money than that had they not been selling these vehicles to their friends and relatives. When is this Government going to revert to public auction sale in order to make this exercise transparent other than offering such to civil servants, some of whom are their relatives, who pay very small amounts?
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, I do not think the Government has friends. The Government is an institution. There are individuals in the institution. If a civil servant, who is in Gwembe, has a friend there, that friend is not a friend of the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning. What Hon. Ntundu would have done to help us, was to identify the civil servants or public officers in the Government who sold these vehicles to their friends illegally.
However, in a case where these vehicles in Gwembe are sold by the Director of Works, it is obvious that most of the people in Gwembe will be his friends. If they are not, then he is a bad civil servant. At that point, it is not in our interest to define whether the buyer is a friend of somebody or not. Once we peg the reserved prices, anything that is above will be sold. Therefore, the issue of friendship is not a matter we look at when there is bidding for the vehicles.
I thank you, Madam.
Ms Sampa-Bredt (Chawama): Madam Speaker, among the auctioned vehicles in 2002, were there any previously used ones by Ministers and Deputy Ministers?
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!
Ministers are Members of Parliament and therefore, you may not draw them, as Members of Parliament, in to this question.
Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when the next sale will take place.
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, the answer could be availed, but that is a new question. I would have to check with the Internal Auditor of the department whether they have done boards of surveys and on which vehicles.
I thank you, Madam.
Dr Njobvu (Milanzi): Madam Speaker, could this august House be informed whether the Government has plans to revert to public auction.
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, I appreciate Hon. Ntundu’s cleverness in asking his neighbour to ask the same question. We do sell vehicles under various methods, but sometimes, it is through direct offers. For example, public vehicles would be sold if there is an arrangement that they should be sold to those who have been using them. Sometimes, we put tenders and other times, we give an auctioneer who determines the final price. These are the different methods we use. The fact that, perhaps, in one station, we did not use an auction method, does not mean that it was the method we opted to use for the whole country.
It would be extravagant sometimes to use a public auction method because the auctioneers are very expensive. If we are selling one vehicle in Samfya or in Gwembe, using the auction method will cost us more than the value of the vehicle, hence we might not take it as the best option.
I thank you, Madam.
LAND EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN
683. Ms Kapata (Mandevu) asked the Minister of Lands how many women had been allocated land under the Women Empowerment Policy, province by province.
The Minister of Lands (Mr Machila): Madam Speaker, I wish to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Mandevu for her question. In response, I wish to advise that currently, our Land Information Management System (LIMS) is unable to segregate data in terms of gender. It is, therefore, difficult to provide the statistics of how many women have been allocated land under the Women Empowerment Programme.
My ministry is, however, committed to the policy of allocating 30 per cent of the land available to women and the remaining 70 per cent to be competed for by both men and women.
In order to resolve the problem of data segregation, my ministry is working to overhaul the Information Management System with the assistance of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, could I find out from the hon. Minister what mechanisms they have put in place to ensure that women are not simply used as fronts by men when they apply for land so that indeed, 30 per cent of the available land goes directly to women and not to men through women.
Mr Machila: Madam Speaker, if women choose to be used as fronts by men, that is something that we would not have the capacity to follow through and investigate. However, we would assume that, in view of the fact that the Government is committed to ensuring that women are participating in the process of allocation of land, it would be imprudent for them to circumvent its efforts by allowing men to use them as fronts.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Ms Mumbi (Munali): Madam Speaker, I am glad that the Government recognises the importance of empowering women going by the answer given by the hon. Minister of Lands. I would like to find out from this Government if what we saw in today’s paper where women were bought underwear to parade for people is part of women empowerment in this country.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! Hon. Member, the question is on land and not on dressing. It is about women and land.
Major Chizhyuka (Namwala): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the Hon. Minister whether he is aware that it will be very difficult to implement the Women Land Empowerment Programme on account that some of the foreigners who got land in 1902, on realising that the ninety-nine-year lease has matured, are now reselling the pieces of land in US dollars in Zambia at values far in excess of what an indigenous Zambian is able to buy. In the process, they are creating a ‘whitestan’ in our country. Is the hon. Minister able to confirm that it will be possible to empower women on the basis of the question asked?
Mr Machila: Madam Speaker, the sale of land that was obtained in 1902, as alluded to by the hon. Member of Parliament, tends to be done on a commercial basis by title holders. We are aware that there has been a process of attempting to circumvent the possible cancellation of leases on title that are coming to an end. However, under the law, there are limitations on how much we can intervene to stop that from being done. That said, my ministry is working towards seeing how best we can open up new areas and make them available for allocation, so that we can meet the high demand we are facing.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Dr Kalumba: Madam Speaker, I was a little behind when the hon. Minister was answering the question from the hon. Member for Kabwata. I am not sure whether the hon. Minister preferred the front or the back for women.
Laughter
Dr Kalumba: What exactly is the hon. Minister doing to improve the legislative framework that would allow women to own land?
Mr Machila: Madam Speaker, the law already provides for women to own land. There is no need for us to specifically legislate in order to enable women own land. What we are dealing with more is the process of allocation of land and administration of that process. Even though we talk about 30 per cent women land ownership, we are striving to increase that to 50 per cent, appreciating that women do, after all, form half of the population.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}
REPAIR OF HABOURS IN CHILUBI AND SAMFYA DISTRICTS
684. Mr Chisala (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Communications and Transport when the two habours in Chilubi and Samfya Districts, which had been out of order for more than fifteen years would be repaired.
Mr Mubika: Madam Speaker, I would like to inform this august House that in the 2007 Budget Estimates, my ministry was allocated K300 million for the rehabilitation of habours countrywide. In this year’s work programme, an amount of K30 million has been estimated for the works at Chilubi Habour. My ministry has since released this amount to the Provincial Administration in the Northern Province to enable them carry out the works at the habour.
Madam Speaker, the ministry has since released another K30 million to the Provincial Administration in the Luapula Province for the works at Samfya Habour. The cheque was handed over to the Permanent Secretary for the Luapula Province to carry out the works.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Chisala: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why this money should be channelled to the Northern Province when, in actual fact, the Permanent Secretary for the Northern Province does not even know what the harbours look like in Chilubi and Samfya districts.
The Minister of Communications and Transport (Ms Sayifwanda): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for his question and for the concern he has for his constituency. The Deputy Minister has adequately answered this question when he said the money had been channelled through the two Permanent Secretaries for Northern and Luapula Provinces for the two habours. Let me take this opportunity, since we are adjourning on the 10th…
Madam Speaker: Order! You should not announce which date we are adjourning.
Laughter
Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, I am sorry for that. It was a slip of the tongue.
Laughter
Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, immediately we adjourn, I would like to request the hon. Member to pass through the Provincial Administration because that is the procedure we are supposed to follow. I cannot send the money directly to the habour. It has to be given through the right channel. The hon. Member has to work closely with the district and the Provincial Administration.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kasongo (Bangweulu): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister is aware that those who are managing the habours for the two areas fall under her ministry. Why can they not channel that amount of money through the managers under her ministry so that there can be closer supervision.
Can she take advantage of this advice so that, in future, the same funds, which are supposed to go to the rehabilitation of the two habours, could be sent directly to the managers so that she would be able to supervise them?
Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, I have taken note of that point, but we are trying to promote transparency. We could send that money directly to the people at the habour and you would not know what goes on. In any case, we have taken note of what the hon. Member has said.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Chota (Lubansenshi): Madam Speaker, I am not aware that this money has been allocated. According to Circular No. CO/101/20/1 from the President, all allocations are supposed to be made known to the hon. Members for the particular area so that they take part in monitoring all the amounts which are being allocated to their constituencies. What has the hon. Minister done on that issue?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Ms Sayifwanda: Madam Speaker, I am aware of that instruction and my office has followed it. The hon. Members will be receiving some letters soon. We have taken advantage of that and the Provincial Permanent Secretaries were here and were given some cheques. My ministry has already written to the hon. Members and they will be receiving their letters soon.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
CONSTRUCTION OF STAFF HOUSES AT MUSALANGO HEALTH CENTRE
685. Mr D. Mwila asked the Minister of Health when houses for health workers at Musalango Health Centre in Chipili Parliamentary Constituency would be constructed.
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, the construction of a staff house at Musalango Health Centre is mainly a Community-Based Project. The house was completed and is ready for occupation. The District Health Management Team contributed K500,000 to the community for the project.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr D. Mwila: Madam Speaker, the house the hon. Minister is talking about is sub-standard. Can the hon. Minister inform this House when proper houses for the health workers will be constructed?
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, the construction of Musalango Health Centre is a community project that was initiated by the community with the hope of sourcing funding locally to complete the whole project. All the district is doing is support their efforts. The hon. Member of Parliament has a good opportunity, especially that he is a member of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Committee to assist the health centre have proper houses.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
INSURANCE OF THE KAZUNGULA PONTOONS
686. Mr Ntundu asked the Minister of Works and Supply whether the Kazungula Pontoons were insured and, if so, with which insurance company and at what cost.
The Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Simbao): Madam Speaker, in response to Hon. Ntundu’s question,…
Interruptions
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!
Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Kazungula Pontoons, like other motorised pontoons countrywide, have been insured with the Zambia State Insurance Corporation Limited, at a premium of K 2,925,000,000.00.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Ntundu: Madam Speaker, I would like to commend the hon. Minister of Works and Supply and the Government for procuring two new pontoons at Kazungula.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Ntundu: Madam Speaker, in Gwembe, we call a spade, a spade. The hon. Minister has stated that the pontoons at Kazungula have been insured. I would like to find out when the Government will pay the families of the victims of the Kazungula Pontoon accident.
When is the Government going to pay the families of the victims? When are you going to pay them?
Laughter
Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, that is a very difficult question. I would like to ask for some time.
Hon Members: Aah!
Mr Simbao: What else to do you want me to say?
Laughter
Mr Simbao: You want me to say that we will pay next week? Ok, next week.
Interruptions
Madam Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, address the Chair.
Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, I would like to ask for some time because this is a question that I did not expect. I did not know that these people have not yet been paid.
I thank you, Madam.
BENEFITS FOR EX-RAMCOZ EMPLOYEES
688. Mr Kambwili asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning whether the 1997 and 2000 ex-Ramcoz employees were owed any money by the receivers, and if so, how much.
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the 1997 and 2000 ex-RAMCOZ employees are not owed any money by the receiver.
When the Government undertook to pay the workers, all the former employees were paid. For those who might not have been, it is because they did not collect their payments or, they raised disputes on the payments.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Kambwili: I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning why his ministry has not been telling the ex-miners the truth. There is a Committee of Ex-miners of 1997 and 2000 that has been going to his office and has been told repeatedly that payments will be made the following week. That week is not forthcoming, why is your ministry cheating and not telling the truth like you said.
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! Withdraw …
Mr Kambwili: I withdraw the word “cheating”.
Why is your ministry misleading these people by not telling them the truth?
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, as I said in my reply, as far as we are concerned, those who might not have been paid, are the ones whose cases are in dispute. This only arose during the time of auditing the payments which were made. However, I would like to assure the hon. Member that none of the ex-RAMCOZ employees have been to my office, and if any have been to the ministry, I would like to advise them to come to my office so that I know what the problem is. I am not aware of these employees.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Munaile: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning why his ministry opts to appoint receivers outside the Government institutions, hence spending a lot of money on them.
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, when the Government wants to appoint receivers, normally, we appoint the Office of the Administrator-General as receiver. We do not appoint anybody else in the Government. The Administrator-General’s Office is the office delegated with the authority to deal with such matters.
However, when a case is urgent, and we check with the Administrator-General and find that she has a lot of other work pending, we look for someone who can do the work as competently as the Administrator-General.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.{mospagebreak}
RE-EVALUATION OF THE KWACHA BY THE BANK OF ZAMBIA
689. Mr Imenda asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning when the Bank of Zambia would introduce the following measures:
(a) reduce the kwacha from the four-digit level of ‘thousands’ to two digits of ‘tens’; and
(b) facilitate the re-introduction of the ‘ngwee’ units for easy trading, convenience and quick transaction.
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, the reduction in the number of zeros on the kwacha from ‘thousands’ to two digits, that is, ‘tens’ or, in other words, rebasing the currency, would be appropriate when the percentage of inflation is maintained at low levels on a sustained basis. This is on the basis that high and unstable inflation percentages reduce the purchasing power of a currency, thus prompting the need to introduce higher denominations like in the case of the kwacha. In so doing, the amount of the currency people have to carry to make purchases is reduced.
Further, in a situation of high percentage of inflation, the benefits of rebasing would be eroded within a relatively short period of time, thus prompting a further round of currency rebasing and so on. Accordingly, currency rebasing is an option that countries take in an environment where instability has given way to stability. In the case of Zambia, inflation is over 10 per cent. We believe that we have not really reached the level where we should be talking about rebasing.
Madam Speaker, it should be pointed out that the ‘ngwee’ units have not been discarded and are still legal tender in Zambia. However, following the many years of high percentage of inflation, in particular, where inflation went over 100 per cent, transacting in ngwee would entail carrying inconveniently large quantities of them. Clearly, this has resulted in the unit not being used because of the physical limitations. Rebasing the currency, which I have already replied to is one way of facilitating the use of the ngwee, but that can only be done when we feel that we have a level of inflation which is comfortable.
However, when inflation is maintained at the lower levels, the ngwee becomes an attractive amount to use. Right now, we are able see that even the currencies or notes such as K20, which had become unusable, are also becoming acceptable. At the moment, we are not thinking of re-introducing the ngwee because it is already there and it will come. We know that millions of kwacha are still being kept in people’s houses and elsewhere. Like you heard from the other hon. Member, they will start looking for them when the kwacha stabilises and becomes strong.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Imenda: Madam Speaker, during the Budget presentation, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning mentioned the fact that the inflation rate would be reduced to 5 per cent. The trend has been like that and that there has been continuous reduction. We have, again, seen the stability of the kwacha for a long time and it continues to gain. Why can we not reduce inflation rate to the level suggested?
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, I would like to appreciate what Hon. Imenda has reminded this House about that our micro-economic situation is improving. We are monitoring the situation. On the basis of sustainability of stability and the inflation rate, we will definitely be able to tell the citizens of what measures we are putting in place in order to do precisely what he is saying.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Dr Kalumba: Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister just restate, for the record, that his response to this question does not suggest any doubt whatsoever about his faith in the economic capacity of Zambia to grow and the strength of his fiscal and monetary policy and that he is very confident in the measures that he has put in place.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, the word I used was “on a sustainable basis”. Therefore, as far as we are concerned, we have had the inflation rate coming down for some time. We have also had a stable exchange rate for some time. We think that we will continue to grow with continuous stability, but we would like to see a longer period of this sustainable stability for us to start thinking of rebasing the currency. We have all the confidence in what we are doing and it is happening the way we project on a yearly basis.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Major Chizhyuka (Namwala): Madam Speaker, I would like to ask the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning as to who is growing. Is it the multi-national or the small-scale person who is only receiving trickle-down benefits? In asking this question, the hon. Minister stated that …
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!
Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.
Major Chizhyuka: Madam Speaker, actually, I was concluding my question by asking the hon. Minister as to whose growth that was. Was that growth for the multi-national, the foreigner, or the ordinary Zambian, given that in one of the tabloids last week, the hon. Minister indicated that even if a country appeared to be registering growth, it was not trickling down to the ordinary Zambian.
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, the article which the hon. Member is referring to was very clear. We meant that poverty had not significantly gone down, but it is going down. Like I confirmed with the question from Hon. Dr Kalumba, it will take time because you need a sustained period of growth in order for the poverty levels to go down significantly. Otherwise, poverty is being reduced. It had gone very high, but the measures that we are taking now are to reduce it and it is reducing. If the hon. Member went to his constituency five or six years ago, he will notice that now some of his people have reduced their poverty. It has not been removed or completely eradicated.
Madam Speaker, there is no country, not even one country, in the world which has reduced poverty to a level where all the citizens are rich. Therefore, when the question asks about whose growth it is, it is the hon. Member’s growth, which has a trickle-down effect. If the hon. Member has not even got any growth, there will be no trickle-down effect. Therefore, what we need is to build on those who are already growing. Grow them quicker and bigger. Then, the trickle-down effect is also going to be bigger. If we say that there should be no growth, then, there should be no trickle-down effect. Development depends on what one is doing and we know that the investors who are coming here have more surplus investable funds. If they grow their investment, the trickle-down effect is going to be bigger and that is what we are encouraging.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
MANAGEMENT OF CHAINAMA DEPARTMENTS
690. Mr Malama asked the Minister of Health:
(a) whether the following departments were under one management:
(i) Chainama College;
(ii) Chainama Hospital;
(iii) Chainama Malaria Research Centre;
(iv) Chainama Prison;
(v) Chainama School of Disability; and
(vi) Chainama Clinic; and
(b) if not, how much grant each department received per month?
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, I assume that the hon. Member is talking about the Chainama in Lusaka and not in Mfuwe.
Mr D. Mwila: Aah! Yes!
Dr Puma: The following departments are under one management headed by the Executive Director of Chainama Hills College Hospital:
(i) Chainama College;
(ii) Chainama Hospital;
(iii) Chainama Prison; and
(iv) Chainama Clinic.
The Malaria Control Centre is a unit under the Directorate of Public Health (Ministry of Health Headquarters).
The Chainama School of Disability is under the Ministry of Education.
The annual funding for Chainama College, Chainama Hospital and Chainama Clinic is K3,082,624,404 which translates into about K256,885,367 per month, whereas the annual funding for the Malaria Control Centre is K2,724,663,120 which translates into K227,055,260 per month. Chainama Prison is under the Hospital.
The Malaria Control Centre also receives project funds estimated at K77.5 billion in 2007 from various global funding initiatives, including the Global Fund, Malaria Booster Fund, Bill Gates Fund etc.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Malama: Madam Speaker, since the hon. Minister has stated that Chainama Prison is under the Chainama Hospital Management, I would like to know whether he is aware that due to insufficient funds to this institution, Chainama Prison is dilapidated. Is he aware that this institution is dilapidated?
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, I will give the hon. Member an appropriate response when I get a feedback from the Chainama Hospital Management.
I thank you, Madam.
PLANS TO EMPLOY AN EXPATRIATE COACH
691. Mr D. Mwila asked the Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development whether the Government had plans to employ an expatriate coach through the Football Association of Zambia.
The Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development (Ms Cifire): Madam Speaker, we have stated in this House before that an expatriate coach will be employed through the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ). At the moment, FAZ has made a headway and arrangements for interviews are in place.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr D. Mwila: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the expatriate coach who will be employed will be getting a salary from FAZ or the Government.
Ms Cifire: Madam Speaker, as the earlier question indicated, the response we gave was that FAZ is doing it and it is in a position to negotiate for conditions of service for a coach and pay him accordingly.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Mooya (Moomba): Madam Speaker, I am wondering why it has taken too long to call for interviews, and yet the first advertisement was put up more than a year ago.
The Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development (Mr Namulambe): Madam Speaker, it has taken long because the first candidates who were short listed had been employed by other countries. Therefore, we had to start the process again.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Mwenya (Nkana): Madam Speaker, Mr Patrick Phiri who has been looking after the National Team has been doing a commendable job. However, in terms of remuneration, I am aware that when we employ an expatriate coach, he will be paid handsomely as compared to what has been given to Mr Patrick Phiri. What are we going to do to encourage Zambian coaches by paying them well since they do the same kind of job as well?
Mr Namulambe: Madam Speaker, in the first place, we are trying to motivate our coaches by trying to send them for further training.
As regards the remuneration, at the moment, I am not able to discuss the contract because it is an agreement between Coach Patrick Phiri and FAZ. My office has not received a complaint to that effect.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, we have heard from the hon. Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development that FAZ will be responsible for paying the expatriate coach. Will FAZ which has been failing to pay meagre allowances to footballers will now be in a position to pay a hefty salary to the expatriate coach?
Mr Namulambe: Madam Speaker, the contract is between the coach and FAZ. As such, the responsible organisation to pay the coach is FAZ.
As regards the capability of FAZ paying a hefty salary, the issue is that FAZ is in partnership with the corporate world and so far, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has offered to meet the costs for the coach and the Government will pay the difference.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Chongo: Madam Speaker, there has been a lot of talk about employing an expatriate coach by FAZ, but what has the Government done to train the local coaches to the same level as expatriates so that we can forget about this talk and concentrate on our own people?
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Mr D. Mwila: Hear, hear!
Mr Namulambe: Madam Speaker, if the hon. Member was following carefully, I had stated that the Government is planning to send our coaches for further training. In the past, I have stated in this House that it is our desire that Zambia should train its own coaches and not depend on expatriate coaches. Therefore, our long-term goal is to invest in our own Zambian human resource.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Kambwili: Madam Speaker, Zambia has been employing expatriate coaches and at the same time using local coaches. In comparison, in which period has the national team performed better, during the time that it was being coached by an expatriate or during the time that it was being coached by a Zambian?
Mr Namulambe: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Roan is a Zambian and has been following the trend. In 1994, we had an expatriate coach and Zambia went to the finals in the Africa Cup. Then we have had our local coaches, and during their time, we have won the Confederation of Southern and Eastern Africa Football Association (SECAFA) Cup and the Confederation of Southern Africa Football Association (COSAFA) Cup. The hon. Member has also been reading the papers and has, himself, called for employment of an expatriate coach.
Interruptions
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!
Mr Namulambe: Madam Speaker, the point is that Zambians are able to tell because they have been living in the country except those who stay outside the country.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Kanyanyamina: Madam Speaker, in talking about coaches, I would like to say that we appreciate the efforts of the ministry, but can the hon. Minister promise this august House when they are going to motivate sportsmen and women in the already existing sports, for example, in Kanchibiya, where there is a sports tournament going on right now?
Ms Cifire: Na bola tamwakwata.
Laughter
Mr Namulambe: Madam Speaker, I do not know what type of motivation he wants me to give the sportsmen. However, as a ministry, we have a programme under which we give sports equipment to sportsmen countrywide and the hon. Member has already approached me for some balls. That is motivation.
I thank you, Madam.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE NDEKE VILLAGE MINI-HOSPITAL
692. Mr Nyirenda asked the Minister of Health whether the Government would supplement the community efforts in Kitwe to construct the Ndeke Village Mini-Hospital.
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, K295,000,000 has already been put to use on this project. Additional funds are required to complete the structure. The provincial office has already applied for funds from the Poverty Reduction Programme for the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) 2008 to 2010 to complete the project.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister confirm when and commit to the date that this will be done because we do not have any facilities in Ndeke Village.
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, in the past, we have stated on the Floor of this House that the way a project starts determines how long it will take. The project-in-question was started by the former MMD Member of Parliament for the area. He personally took it upon himself to source the funding and organise all the materials until, as a ministry, we moved in to give the project K295 million. This is a community-driven project where the response to when it will be completed should come from both the community and the ministry.
I thank you, Madam.
WATER SUPPLY TO CHIBULUMA AND ZAMBIA COMPOUND IN CHAMBESHI
693. Mr Simama asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing when water for sanitation and general use would be supplied to Chibuluma and Zambia Compounds at Chambishi.
Mr Kazonga: Madam Speaker, the Government has developed a plan for the improvement of water supply for both Chibuluma and Zambia Compounds.
Madam Speaker, Chibuluma Township previously used to be supplied water by Kitwe District via Kalulushi. However, with the growth of Kitwe and Kalulushi townships, it was no longer tenable to supply water to Chibuluma from Kitwe and supply was eventually discontinued in 1980. The township was instead supplied from Mwambashi River. This supply was also discontinued after the infrastructure was vandalised. Currently, both communities, that is, Chibuluma and Zambia Compounds get their water from shallow wells.
Madam Speaker, as a medium-term venture, the Government, through Nkana Water and Sewerage Company, obtained some funding from the Devolution Trust Fund in 2005 and installed five stand pipes to supply safe drinking water. However, these have since been vandalised again.
Madam Speaker, the Devolution Trust Fund has, again, given Nkana Water and Sewerage Company a sum of K645 million which will be used to build water kiosks to improve water supply in the two areas.
Madam Speaker, in the long term, through Nkana Water and Sewerage Company, the Government will provide a new water and sewerage scheme for the area, complete with pipes, water abstraction plant, water treatment plant and sewerage treatment works. The cost of this project is about K50 billion and is expected to start in 2008.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Nsanda (Chimwemwe): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out what the Ministry is doing about the water pumps marooned at the late Bennie Mwiinga’s warehouse in town. Why are you not taking those pumps to towns where there are water blues?
Mr Kazonga: Madam Speaker, I am not aware about those pumps or pipes. We are committed to ensuring that we improve the water supply and sanitation in the country and anything that can assist us to do so, we will not delay to effect. If the hon. Member for Chimwemwe has further details, he is free to come to our ministry and if there is any hitch, I am sure we can discuss and sort it out in order to access those pipes if they are there. We are all committed to providing better service whether there are pumps or whatever. Therefore, the hon. Member for Chimwemwe is free to come to our office to discuss with us how we can make progress.
We are ready to make sure that the people have access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities. Madam Speaker, water is life and sanitation is dignity.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Beene (Itezhi-Tezhi): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister will agree with me that in places such as the Southern Province, there is Southern Water and Sewerage which is supposed to handle water supply, but in certain districts, some companies are holding on to the supply of water. In Itezhi-Tezhi, people have been denied water, what is the Minister’s comment on this?
Mr Kazonga: Madam Speaker, indeed, some water utilities have not performed to the expectations of the communities. However, some have genuine problems such as financing and, in some cases, it is the human resource part of it.
Now, for the problem that is in Itezhi-tezhi, if, as a councillor in that area, you have identified that problem, it can be made as one of your priority activities so that you plan for it, together with the Southern Water and Sewerage Company. The ministry will see how we can mobilise funds for improving the water supply in the area.
I thank you, Madam.{mospagebreak}
FOREIGN COUNTRIES THAT IMPORTED COPPER FROM ZAMBIA FROM 2002 TO 2006
694. Mr Chimbaka asked the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development which foreign countries imported copper from Zambia and how many tonnes each country imported from 2002 to 2006.
The Deputy Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr M. Mwale): Madam Speaker, a total of fourteen foreign countries imported 981,173 tonnes of copper valued at US$3,484,602,294 from Zambia from 2002 to 2006. The importation was as follows:
Country Tonnage
United Kingdom 34, 895
Switzerland 450, 983
South Africa 155, 473
Tanzania 147, 073
Netherlands 15, 235
Republic of Korea 12, 252
China 9, 244
Thailand 26, 744
Germany 8, 856
Hong Kong 1, 399
Zimbabwe 3, 881
India 1, 556
Singapore 504
Belgium 78
Total 981,173
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Chimbaka: Madam Speaker, it seems most of these countries are European and only two are African. Why are there only two African countries?
The Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Dr Mwansa): Madam Speaker, it is difficult to answer that question because we do not determine who should buy copper from us. This is a market-driven transaction, and if African countries do not want to buy copper, that is their decision. Maybe they buy from other countries other than us. We cannot also speak for them.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Mwansa (Chifunabuli): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out whether the copper prices are still being controlled at the London Copper Metal Exchange. If so, what are the Government’s plans on adding value to our copper so that we can begin to control our prices?
Dr Mwansa: Madam Speaker, I can confirm that the London Metal Exchange is still the marketing centre for copper. Prices have ranged from as low as 72 cents per pound to US$3 and 15c per pound in 2002 to 2006. With regard to what we are doing about processing or turning copper into finished products, we are marketing that very vigorously, through the Multi-facility Economic Zones. We are encouraging companies to establish processing plants to manufacture copper-based products so that we can have more Zambia Metal Fabricators (ZAMEFA) instead of just one because it only uses about 10 per cent of what we produce. If we can get another company to produce copper wire, that would be very good for the country.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out whether the Zambia Metal Fabricators buy directly from the mining companies here in Zambia or through the London Metal Exchange.
Dr Mwansa: Madam Speaker, they buy directly, but pay at the price determined by the London Metal Exchange.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Mwenya: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out the procedure for indigenous Zambians to purchase copper locally, and what the pricing could be.
Dr Mwansa: Madam Speaker, let me state that it is not the policy of the Government to determine or ask mining companies to whom they should sell copper what the price is. Our role is to ensure that there is production, high empowerment levels, taxes are paid, and obligations under the development agreements are honoured. To whom they sell copper is their problem. If a Zambian wants to buy copper, please, get in touch with the companies. Konkola Copper Mines Plc. can give you any quantities that you want. Mopani Copper Mines Plc. also produces copper. Those are individual transactions which you should enter into if you so wish.
I thank you, Madam.
UPGRADING OF LILIACHI RURAL HEALTH CENTRE AND TRANSFORMATION OF BOMA CLINIC INTO A HEALTH POST
695. Mr Mwangala asked the hon. Minister of Health:
(a) whether the Government had plans to upgrade Liliachi Rural Health centre to a district Hospital; and
(b) whether there were plans to turn the former Boma Clinic in Senanga District to a health post in order to decongest the district hospital.
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, Liliachi Rural Health Centre in Senanga District is about 115 kilometers from Senanga Hospital across the Zambezi River and serves a population of 5,987 people. The rural health centre is central to three other rural health centres, namely, Nasilimwe, Sinungu and Nalolo. The grand total population served by the four health facilities is approximately 30,000.
Madam, the district investment plan has proposed to upgrade the centre to Zonal Health Centre to serve as a referral facility for the three other rural health centres across the Zambezi River. The policy of the Government is to have one first level hospital per district. Therefore, there are no immediate plans to upgrade Liliachi Rural Health Centre to a district hospital.
Madam Speaker, the former Boma Clinic was closed in 1984 when the new district hospital was opened on the consideration that the Outpatient Department Services will be provided at the hospital and be able to cater for the then small population. During the same period, the old Litambwa Hospital that is 6 kilometres from Senanga Hospital was right-sized to serve as a health centre.
In 1997, when Shangombo District was created out of Senanga District, the former Boma Clinic was given to the then new Shangombo District Health Board as temporary office accommodation until the district offices and staff houses were to be made available in Shangombo. The Senanga District Health Management Team has plans to revert the old Boma Clinic into a Senanga Health Centre as soon as the Shangombo District Health Office is relocated to Shangombo.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Mwangala: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that it is almost five years now since the Boma Clinic was turned into a district health office for Shangombo? At the same time, Shangombo District Hospital has been abandoned by Tomorrow Investment Limited for three years. Is the hon. Minister aware about that? That is the only reason the clinic has not been turned into a district urban clinic in the Boma.
Dr Puma: Madam, most of the new districts that were created have similar situations. Either some of the district health offices are in nearby towns or districts where accommodation is available. As for Shangombo Hospital, we are aware about the problem and the hon. Minister is, actually, following this up. In fact, he was there about two months ago to observe the situation. He has called the contractor and they have had discussions so that the project can continue.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Sinyinda: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that Liliachi Rural Health Centre and the entire west bank of the Barotse Plains was completely cut off from hospital facilities during the flood season?
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, the ministry is aware. That is why we would like to turn Liliachi Rural Health Centre into a zone health centre so that the health facilities in the surrounding area can refer patients to the centre for medical services at a higher level.
I thank you, Madam.
MONEY SPENT TO TAR KASAMA/LUWINGU ROAD
696. Mr D. Mwila asked the Minister of Works and Supply how much money the Government had so far spent to tar the Kasama-Luwingu Road.
Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the construction, to bitumen standard, of the existing 154 kilometres of the Luwingu/Kasama Road was awarded to Messrs Sable Transport Limited in 2001 at a contract sum of US$28.5 million. The contract was revised to US$33.2 million in December, 2003 to take into account the extension of time for the contract by a year and the increased earth works for the inclusion of the Kasama Township roads. The contract was originally intended to be completed in November, 2003. The contract was, again, extended by three years from November, 2004 to November, 2007. The contractor has claimed US$10 million as a cost associated for the second extension of time, but this is still subject to verification by the consultant.
The contractor has been paid a total of K143,895 billion as at 6th June, 2007. The amount paid is inclusive of interest due to late payments. The contractor has so far completed fifty-six kilometres of the road to bitumen standard.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr D. Mwila: Madam Speaker, the Government has released K17.8 billion this year for the Kasama/Luwingu Road. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the amount which has been released is meant to cater for the outstanding debt on the job the contractor has already done or is part of the amount which has been budgeted for in this year’s budget which is about K20.8 billion.
Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, it is true we owe Messrs Sable Transport Limited some money. However, Sable Transport Limited was spoken to and told that the amount that has been released is for the actual works for this year and not as payment for arrears which he has accepted. Sable Transport Limited is going to put all the money in the actual works for this year.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Sikota (Livingstone): Madam Speaker, if I got the hon. Minister correctly, there have been extensions of this contract from 2002 to 2007, representing five years which, from his answer, is a period longer than the origin contract period. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what necessitated such long extensions in view of the original time that it should have taken to complete the projects. What measures is the Government taking to ensure that we do not have such inordinate extensions as seen throughout the country, leading to delays in completion of road works?
Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, the biggest problem that has led to this extension is the inability to raise enough funds to pay for the completion of the project.
The hon. Member who has asked knows that we have only set aside K20 billion for this road this year. This road has about twenty kilometres to be done. The amount of K20 billion will only be used to work on the twenty kilometres and so we still have 100 kilometres to work on. If we do not budget for K100 billion next year, this road will not be completed by 2010. That is what has led to all these extensions.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka): Madam Speaker, according to the hon. Minister Messrs Sable Transport Limited was called to a meeting where the contractor made an undertaking that the current payment that they just received would go towards continuation of building the road. I would like the hon. Minister to confirm to this House whether there is anyway they signed to ensure that Messrs Sable Transport Limited will not treat this payment as part of the arrears the Government owes. What warranty is there between the ministry and the contractor that this money will go towards the continuation of the project rather than paying his obligations because there are arrears, as he just confirmed that?
Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, to be fair to the contractor, the safeguard is to pay him his money. That is the most important thing anyone can think of. In the absence of that, you have to negotiate with the contractor because of the importance of something. He must understand. Otherwise, there is no other real safeguard. We are in the weakest position as a Government. We owe the contractor money. The only thing we can do is negotiate with the contractor. If he agrees with us, then we are fortunate. In this case, he has agreed. There is no way we can start forcing him to sign something when we owe him money.
I thank you, Madam.
Major Chizhyuka: Madam Speaker, since this Government believes in trickle-down economies, and a trickle is a trickle, …
Laughter
Major Chizhyuka: I would like to ask the hon. Minister of Works and Supply when the Government is going to have the magnanimity to understand that we cannot develop Zambian roads using the trickle-down formula. When are you, hon. Minister, together with the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, going to opt for foreign funding to get the Zambian roads done, when you do actually know that this an option that is popular in this entire House?
Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, the issue of roads is very big and all kinds of ideas are welcome. I must say that the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning has not just been sitting idly, because he has hinted to me about two ways in which he would like to see that the roads are funded, but these are ideas he is still trying to develop.
For example, he has asked me whether I would be able to use K1 trillion in one year if it was possible for him to raise this much. I have said yes. He has asked me to find out the capacity of the contractors, which is what I will be doing tomorrow.
What I am trying to say is that, yes, ideas are welcome and the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning is working on similar ideas of finding substantial amounts of money and seeing if we can work on most of our roads. So, the hon. Member’s idea is welcome and I am sure it might be the third one that the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning will consider, but he is already looking in that direction.
I thank you, Madam.
GROUND RENT ARREARS
697. Mr Ntundu asked the Minister of Lands:
(a) how much ground rates arrears district councils, countrywide, owed the Government; and
(b) whether the Government had any plans to cancel the debt and, if not, why.
Mr Machila: Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Ntundu for his question. I wish to advise that district councils owed the Government K13,500,095,057 as ground rent arrears.
The Government has no plans to cancel the debt because the ground rates is a statutory fee which is supposed to be paid by all property holders, be it individuals, parastatals, private companies or councils. The revenue raised from rentals on Government premises form part of the non-tax revenue that is supposed to be ploughed into various sectors of the country’s economy. The ministry has since issued bills to all the district councils requesting them to pay what is due to the Government.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Ntundu: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister. In fact, in this House, he is the only one who speaks like an American Negro.
Laughter
Mr Ntundu also laughed.
Mr Ntundu: The question is that when Gwembe District was divided into three districts, that is Sinazongwe, Siavonga and Gwembe itself, the Gwembe District Council was not left with much sources of revenue and that is the more reason the Ministry of Local Government and Housing is giving the district a fund called the Gwembe Special Fund which the hon. Minister is aware of. I can see she is looking at me.
Madam Deputy Speaker: Ask your question.
Laughter
Mr Ntundu: The question is, if the Government is not ready to cancel some of the debt, in terms of ground rates owed by councils such as the Gwembe District Council that do not have much sources of revenue, how is the Government going to ensure that Gwembe District Council meets some of its obligations such as slashing grass and collecting garbage.
Mr Machila: Madam Speaker, writing off debt owed by the Gwembe District Council is not an option right now. For the information of the hon. Member of Parliament, the Gwembe District Council owes the Government K2.2 billion. We intend to collect this money.
I thank you, Madam.
Laughter
Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker, going by the response given by the hon. Minister that this is a very important non-tax revenue for the Government, I would like to find out from him if this is the same money that is meant to be redistributed to the local authorities in the form of Land Development Fund.
I would also like to find out from him when he intends to release the Land Development Fund to the Lusaka City Council which is up to date with its ground rates?
Mr Machila: Madam Speaker, there is still some money due from the Lusaka City Council from the ground rates, but that aside, the issuance of the Land Development Fund is an ongoing process. If the application has been received from the council in question to access the funds, then, upon scrutiny of the application, the funds will be availed to the council if available.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Muyanda (Sinazongwe): Madam Speaker, two weeks ago, the Ministry of Lands issued an ultimatum to the defaulters of ground rates. What is the Government’s position on defaulters if some councils are not compelled to pay ground rates? There must be fair play.
Mr Machila: Madam Speaker, with regard to the public notice for ground rate defaulters, the total sum that was due was about K3 billion. Over half of that amount has been collected so far. At the end of the notice period, we are going to conduct a review of the amounts that have been collected and those that are still outstanding. We intend to cancel title and re-enter properties where there are still amounts outstanding.
With regard to collections from the councils, I am sure the hon. Member of Parliament will appreciate that the Government would not necessarily execute against itself.
I thank you, Madam.
PRACTISING LICENCES FOR MEDICAL PERSONNEL
698. Mr Mbewe (Chadiza) asked the Minister of Health when the ministry would decentralise the renewal of practicing licences for doctors, nurses, pharmacy technologists and others.
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Health is currently holding discussions with the regulatory body, the General Nursing Council of Zambia for the nursing profession on the proposal of decentralising licensing. Once an agreement is reached, the nation will be informed accordingly.
However, there are no immediate plans to decentralise licensing for other health practitioners because of their numbers.
I thank you, Madam.
CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES FOR CHIEFS MATIPA AMD CHIWANANGALA
699. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing when the Government would construct reasonable and habitable houses for Chiefs Matipa and Chiwanangala in Chilubi District.
Mr Kazonga: Madam Speaker, the Government has not provided plans in this year’s Budget to construct reasonable and habitable houses for Chiefs in Matipa and Chiwanangala’s area of Chilubi District.
Madam Speaker, as we have responded to similar questions raised before in this House concerning the construction of chiefs’ palaces, the Government has no policy, at the moment, to construct palaces for chiefs.
It is hoped that these are some of the issues that will be considered in the Chiefs’ Policy, once it is considered.
I thank you, Madam.
CHAMBISHI SMELTER COMPANY
700. Mr D. Mwila asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development what the share holding structure of Chambishi Smelter Company was.
Mr M. Mwale: Madam Speaker, the House may wish to know that there is no company known as Chambishi Smelter Company. However, the hon. Member may be referring to a company known as Chambishi Copper Smelter Limited which is wholly owned by the Chinese. The shareholding structure of the company is as follows:
(i) China Non-ferrous Metal Mining Company holds 60 per cent; and
(ii) Yunnan Copper Industry Company Limited holds 40 per cent.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr D. Mwila: Madam Speaker, may I find out from the hon. Minister whether there are any plans by the Government to increase the shareholding, taking into account the copper price that has gone up; and that once shares are increased, we will be able to get a lot of money from there?
Dr Mwansa: Madam Speaker, we are at pains to understand the meaning of increasing the shareholding because this company is wholly owned by the two Chinese companies. Maybe, what he means is whether the Zambian Government can have some ownership of the company. Further, the hon. Member may wish to know that this is a green field, which is constructing a copper smelter in Chambishi. It is not like those that were formerly held by the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) as has been the case with many companies that we have privatised.
Madam Speaker, we are still working out a development agreement with them; and under that development agreement, we hope that, as a Government, we will get some shareholding that will be held by ZCCM Investment Holdings. There is a possibility of the Government getting a share in the facility. I think that is what the hon. Member would like to find out.
I thank you, Madam.
Dr Machungwa (Luapula): Madam Speaker, considering the problems we have had with development agreements, which were negotiated more or less at gunpoint, is the hon. Minister considering that the fact that the circumstances are very different from the previous ones? Now that copper is fetching a lot of money on the world market, making it a very profitable venture, is he taking care to ensure that these new development agreements do not contain clauses that were imposed on Zambia in the previous development agreements?
Dr Mwansa: Madam Speaker, we have made this point very clear in the past. However, I would like to say it again. At the time that we entered into the existing development agreements, we were at our weakest point because copper prices were very low and nobody was interested in investing in the mining industry. Therefore, we had to provide a very attractive regime to those who wanted to come and invest in our mining industry. Now that things have changed, there is no longer any need for us to offer generous incentives. As you know, the law has been amended to take care of that concern. Therefore, this will be a totally different agreement.
I thank you, Madam.
Major Chizhyuka (Namwala): Madam Speaker, between April, 2007 and July, 2007, there were three months in between the sitting of this House. At that point, we indicated, as a House, that we had to move towards renegotiating these development agreements. At which stage is this Government in renegotiating these development agreements? It is clear that there are huge windfall profits, which should have been accruing to this country for the benefit of the Zambian people.
Dr Mwansa: Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, Mwana wacisi (son of the soil, the indigenous Zambian), for that question.
Since we made an announcement that we were going to renegotiate the agreements, we have done some groundwork. We have been able to get an understanding from the owners of these assets on the need to renegotiate. The principle of renegotiation has been agreed upon. We had to call each and every one of them to discuss this particular matter with them. Having cleared that, we are now trying to sharpen our skills, as this is a very protracted and difficult process because the mining companies are lining up very eminent individuals to confront us on the table. Therefore, we have to ensure that we have the right skills to start this exercise. We believe that by November, or earlier, we would have concluded the exercise and hopefully, whatever will be agreed on will be factored into the revenue measures for 2008.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker, the Citizens Economic Empowerment Act, 2006 and the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) Act, both provide very lucrative incentives for investors if they allow the participation of the Zambians in their shareholding. Could I find out from the hon. Minister why this particular company is not taking any strides at encouraging participation of Zambians in the shareholding so that they become either citizen-influenced or citizen-controlled companies for them to access the incentives offered in the ZDA and the Citizen Economic Empowerment Act? Is it because they are attracting other incentives that are not provided for by any law?
Dr Mwansa: Madam Speaker, this company was formed long before the Citizens Economic Empowerment Act was enacted. As I said, when it comes to agreeing on obligations from them to the Government, this will be structured in such a way that ZCCM-IH will have a share on behalf of the people of Zambia. Therefore, not all is lost. We still have to negotiate an appropriate agreement that will take care of Zambia’s interests.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.{mospagebreak}
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN LUANSHYA
701. Mr Kambwili asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning how much of the US$33.5 million to be realised from the sale of Mulyashi Mine would be used for infrastructure development in Luanshya such as the resurfacing of the 12 kilometre Roan/ Mpatamatu Road.
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, as was said before, RAMCOZ is under receivership and the Administrator-General who is also the official receiver receives the money and decides on who on the list of creditors is supposed to be paid. In preference, the Government is not one of the creditors, hence out of this, we do not know how much will be residual after paying the creditors the amounts which are owed. Whatever will be left over will be the Government’s revenue and depending on what the budget will look like in that year, if the Roan/Mpatamatu Road will be on the schedule of expenditures for that year, it will get an allocation. If not, then no amount is going to be spent on this road.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Kambwili: I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why it is taking so long for the Receiver of RAMCOZ to complete the process of receivership.
Mr Magande: Madam Speaker, only an hour ago, Hon. Kambwili asked a question on why payment of ex-RAMCOZ employees had not been completed and I said that some of the cases are in dispute. That is why even the Receiver cannot complete the payments. If somebody has gone to court claiming that they are owed K2 million instead of K500,000, you just cannot force them to accept the money and close the case.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
SILVICULTURE OPERATIONS
702. Mr Simama asked the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources how many compartments of the Forest Department and ZAFFICO had done the following silviculture operations:
(i) Pruning;
(ii) singling; and
(iii) weeding.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources (Mr Kaingu): Madam Speaker, the Forestry Department has local supply forest plantations in the Central, Eastern, Northern, Luapula and Southern Provinces. The Zambia Afforestation Forestry Industrial Corporation (ZAFFICO) has industrial plantations in the Copperbelt Province. ZAFFICO manages about 50,000 hectares of plantations, while the Forestry Department manages 5,000 hectares.
The number of compartments that were weeded in the Forestry Department Local Supply Plantations for the period 2001 to 2006 were fifteen, with the total hectarage of 111.9, while those that were pruned during the same period were seven, representing a total of 12.5 hectares. Singling was done in seven compartments with a total hectarage of 45.5. The details are as follows:
Forestry Department
Activity 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Total
Weeding Area in
Hectares nil nil 56 18 nil 117.5 119.9
Number of
Compartments nil nil 6 7 nil nil 15
Pruning Area in
Hectares nil nil 2.6 10 nil nil 12.6
Number of
Compartments nil nil 1 2 nil nil 3
Singling Area in
Hectares nil 3.2 42.3 nil nil nil 45.5
Number of
Compartment nil 2 5 nil nil nil 7
As for the ZAFFICO plantations, a total number of 119 compartments were weeded in the period 2001 to 2006, covering a total of 1,806.62. The number of compartments which were pruned during the same period was 25 representing a total hectarage of 400.8. Singling was only done in one compartment with a total of 18 hectares. The detailed breakdown is as follows:
ZAFFICO
Activity 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Total
Weeding Area in
Hectares 116.12 116.12 339.4 345.3 404.7 487.42 1,806.62
Number of
Compartments 8 8 23 22 30 28 119
Pruning Area in
Hectares nil nil 231.5 179.3 nil nil 400.8
Number of
Compartments nil nil 15 10 nil nil 25
Singling Area in
Hectares nil nil nil nil nil 18.40 18.4
Number of
Compartment nil nil nil nil nil 01 01
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Simama: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that due to these silvicultural operations not taking place in most of the compartments, our timber cannot compete on the international market and we cannot use it in the joinery departments?
Mr Kaingu: Madam Speaker, that is a sweeping statement. However, our ministry is trying its level best to encourage the department as well as ZAFFICO to carry out the pruning and weeding exercises.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
_________
BILLS
FIRST READING
ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2007
Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Bill, (N.A.B. 14/2007) to amend the Anti-Corruption Commission Act.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Madam Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on delegated Legislation. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House on Thursday, 9th August, 2007. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions or amendments to the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.
Thank you.
JUDICIAL (CODE OF CONDUCT) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2007
Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Judicial (Code of Conduct) (Amendment) Bill, (N.A.B. 25/2007) to amend the Judicial (Code of Conduct) Act.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Delegated Legislation. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Thursday, 9th August, 2007. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions or amendments to the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the committee.
Thank you.
______
MOTION
ADJOURNMENT
The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Mr Magande): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.
Question put and agreed.
_____
The House adjourned at 1748 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 1st August, 2007.
WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTION
RENOVATION OF CHIEFS’ PALACES IN THE COUNTRY
687. Dr Njobvu (Milanzi) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:
(a) how many chiefs’ palaces were renovated in the country from 2001 to 2006; and
(b) what the names of the palaces at (a) above were and how much was spent on each of them.
The Minister of Local Government and Housing (Ms Masebo): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this House that the Government has no policy to guide it, among other issues, on the rehabilitation of chiefs’ palaces.
However, in 2001, my ministry released money to all the 286 chiefs in the country for the rehabilitation of their palaces as follows:
Province Title of Chief Amount (ZMK)/ Total Amount
Number of Chiefs (ZMK)
Central Senior Chiefs 8,000,000 x 4 32,000,000.00
Chiefs 5,000,000 x 28 140,000,000.00
Sub total 172,000,000.00
Province Title of Chief Amount (ZMK)/ Total Amount
Number of Chiefs (ZMK)
Copperbelt Senior Chiefs 8,000,000 x 2 16,000,000.00
Chiefs 5,000,000 x 10 50,000,000.00
Sub total 66,000,000.00
Province Title of Chief Amount (ZMK)/ Total Amount
Number of Chiefs (ZMK)
Eastern Paramount Chiefs 15,000,000 x 2 30,000,000.00
Senior Chiefs 8,000,000 x 6 48,000,000.00
Chiefs 5,000,000 x 34 170,000,000.00
Sub total 248,000,000.00
Province Title of Chief Amount (ZMK)/ Total Amount
Number of Chiefs (ZMK)
Luapula Senior Chiefs 8,000,000 x 8 64,000,000.00
Chiefs 5,000,000 x 29 145,000,000.00
Sub total 209,000,000.00
Province Title of Chief Amount (ZMK)/ Total Amount
Number of Chiefs (ZMK)
Lusaka Senior Chiefs 8,000,000 x 2 16,000,000.00
Chiefs 5,000,000 x 5 25,000,000.00
Sub total 41,000,000.00
Province Title of Chief Amount (ZMK)/ Total Amount
Number of Chiefs (ZMK)
Northern Paramount Chiefs 15,000,000 x 1 15,000,000.00
Senior Chiefs 8,000,000 x 6 48,000,000.00
Chiefs 5,000,000 x 34 170,000,000.00
Sub total 233,000,000.00
Province Title of Chief Amount (ZMK)/ Total Amount
Number of Chiefs (ZMK)
N/Western Senior Chiefs 8,000,000 x 9 72,000,000.00
Chiefs 5,000,000 x 22 110,000,000.00
Sub total 182,000,000.00
Province Title of Chief Amount (ZMK)/ Total Amount
Number of Chiefs (ZMK)
Southern Senior Chiefs 8,000,000 x 1 8,000,000.00
Chiefs 5,000,000 x 35 175,000,000.00
Sub total 183,000,000.00
Province Title of Chief Amount (ZMK)/ Total Amount
Number of Chiefs (ZMK)
Western Paramount Chiefs 15,000,000 x 1 15,000,000.00
Senior Chiefs 8,000,000 x 2 16,000,000.00
Chiefs 5,000,000 x 6 30,000,000.00
Sub-Total 61,000,000.00
Summary
Title of Chief Amount (ZMK)/ Total Amount
Number of Chiefs (ZMK)
Paramount Chiefs 15,000,000 x 4 60,000,000.00
Senior Chiefs 8,000,000 x 40 320,000,000.00
Chiefs 5,000,000 x 203 1,015,000,000.00
Grand-Total 1,395,000,000.00
I thank you, Madam Speaker.