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Debates- Tuesday, 24th July, 2007
DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FIRST SESSION OF THE TENTH ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, 24th July, 2007
The House met at 1430 hours
[MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]
NATIONAL ANTHEM
PRAYER
________
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
SCHOOLS AFFECTED BY FLOODS IN 2006/2007 RAINY SEASON
The Minister of Education (Professor Lungwangwa): Madam Speaker, I wish to present a ministerial statement on the schools affected by floods during the 2006/2007 rain season. The ministry is aware that many of our schools were affected by floods and heavy rainfall resulting into disrupting of learning for pupils. These disruptions in many cases took a long time and meant that pupils’ learning time was affected.
In view of the above, my ministry would like to announce that all the schools that were affected by floods and heavy rainfall would not close during the August School holiday.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Professor Lungwangwa: All Provincial Educational Officers, District Education Board Secretaries, School Parent Teachers Associations and the Community at large, should ensure that learning continues during the school break. This is in order to catch up on the time lost which was experienced during the mentioned period.
This measure will also be observed by Standard Officers in the affected districts who will monitor that this instruction is adhered to by all the affected schools.
Madam Speaker, a total of 305 schools are affected by this measures as follows, province by province:
Province No. of Affected
Schools
Northern 62
Western 33
North Western 26
Southern 23
Central 16
Copperbelt 15
Luapula 12
Lusaka 12
Eastern 06
Total 305
Madam Speaker, I, therefore, lay the list of the affected schools on the Table.
Professor Lungwangwa laid the paper on the Table.
Madam Speaker, I beg to move.
Madam Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the ministerial statement by the hon. Minister of Education.
Mr Mooya (Moomba): Madam Speaker, may I know if there was any damage to the infrastructure.
Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, the answer is yes, assessments that were carried out point to some damage to various school buildings in various parts of the country.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Milupi (Luena): Madam Speaker, I am sure, two of those schools mentioned in the ministerial statement are in my constituency and I am referring to Makuku and Salondo Middle Basic Schools. These are the schools that were affected by the floods, but up and above that, the two schools that I have mentioned each have one teacher and one of them is made of mad and pole.
In view of this extra issue that have come, what is the hon. Minister doing to ensure that, like all other children in the rest of the country, the children at these schools are also provided with facilities and teachers so that they too, can have access to quality education?
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, permission granted, I should be making a ministerial statement, hopefully, tomorrow, on the recruitment of teachers.
Madam Speaker, my ministry has done a comprehensive assessment of the needs of teachers in the various schools indicating the vacancies that are available in various schools. The recruitment exercise will be tied to the vacancies that are available as well as other aspects that I will highlight in my next ministerial statement. Therefore, the hon. Member for Luena will be able to see from the coming document the vacancies that are available at the school level.
I would also like to assure him that my ministry is undertaking that recruitment exercise very soon.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Bonshe (Mufumbwe): Madam Speaker, may I find out from the hon. Minister of Education if there is any remedial action being undertaken to resuscitate the situation to some of the schools that were extensively damaged during the heavy rainfall, which forced children to start learning under trees or are they going to follow the normal procedure that takes long to reconstruct the schools?
Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, the information His Honour the Vice-President presented includes the affected infrastructure in our schools. The damaged or affected infrastructure is part of the Disaster Management Unit Rehabilitation Programme. Therefore, efforts are being made by the Government to address the damaged infrastructure in the education sector.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Sinyinda (Senanga): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether this will include the pupils in Senanga that have not been learning since January because of the teachers’ strike there.
Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, the subject of teachers in Senanga is a matter that has been around for some time. This is simply because the indiscipline which occurred there had to be critically looked at by various authorities at different levels starting from the district, province and now the Teaching Service Commission.
To the best of our knowledge, teaching and learning has been going on in the affected schools through the measures that the ministry took.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Beene (Itezhi tezhi): Madam Speaker, first of all, I think what the Government has done to that effect, is a good idea. However, some of the schools that were affected are boarding schools. Can the hon. Minister assure us that he has made arrangements for enough food stuff to be provided in those schools in order to cater for the extension which has been made?
Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, the logistics will be worked out by my ministry. However, the schools that have been affected are basic schools and most of them are day schools.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Mwenya (Nkana): Madam Speaker, I am aware that out of all the schools that were affected, some of them were community schools. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether there has been any consideration for community schools as well.
Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, the schools that I have just outlined or laid on the Table are Government schools and if the communities would like to make their own arrangements for this, they are free to do so.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Chongo (Mwense): Madam Speaker, many of the children that are going to be affected use the holiday as a period through which they mobilise funds to pay for the next term. Is the ministry taking that into consideration? If so, what arrangements are they going to make so that the pupils are not affected because they will not have the funds to pay for the next term?
Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, most of the schools that are affected are basic schools as I pointed out earlier on and education at this level is free. Therefore, I do not see this as a constraining factor.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka): Madam Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to inform the House what monetary emoluments the teachers who are going to be stretched to continue teaching during the holiday time are going to get as a result of this disaster?
Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, again the logistics of this will be worked out by the ministry. If need be, we do not see any problem in that area because teachers were still getting their salaries during the period when the schools where affected by the floods.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr L. J. Mulenga (Kwacha): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister who is very well or extremely educated, but has denies my students, at the Copperbelt University, the opportunity to learn and sends them away. Why?
Laughter
Madam Deputy Speaker: That question is not related to the ministerial statement made.
Interruptions
Mr Chimbaka (Bahati): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for catching your eye. I just want to find out from the hon. Minister of Education whether the report on which basis he has allowed continuation of learning during the holidays has an input from the Ministry of Works and Supply in terms of quantification of destruction of infrastructure, and if he has, what is the total cost involved?
Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, my ministry has an infrastructure unit in different parts of the country. The infrastructure staff and the building staff are competent to undertake quantity assessment of the damaged or affected infrastructure. This has been going on, but I do not have the exact data here to provide the House with the estimated cost of the infrastructure rehabilitation programme that will be undertaken.
Mr Mukanga (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what arrangements have been put in place considering that the teachers rest when pupils are on recess. Are they going to be given some other time to go on recess?
Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, the affected teachers and pupils had a long period of rest during the rainy season and, clearly, this will not affect them since we are almost coming to the end of the year.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Ms Mumbi (Munali): Madam Speaker, can the hon. Minister confirm that the community schools which are operating in our country operate outside the Government programme? If so, is the Government thinking of a way of incorporating these schools into the Government programme because these schools are catering for the people, especially in the rural areas?
Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, I have pointed out, time and again in this House, that the policy is based on partnership between the Government and other agencies including the communities. The guidelines of operations are provided by the Government. Therefore, with respect to the community schools, they are indeed operating under the guidelines of the Ministry of Education. They are also following the curriculum as laid down by the ministry. Therefore, I do not see any basis or problem that the hon. Member for Munali is raising regarding community schools given the information that has, time and again, been placed or laid before the Table of the House.
Thank you, Madam.
_______{mospagebreak}
QUESTIONS
REHABILITATION OF ROADS IN NATIONAL PARKS
560. Mr Malama (Mfuwe) asked the Minister of Works and Supply whether there were any plans to rehabilitate all roads which lead to national parks in order to attract tourists.
The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Tetamashimba): Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Works and Supply, through the Road Development Agency (RDA) has provided K2.5 billion in the 2007 Budget for the improvement of roads in the national parks. These roads include:
(i) Mosi-o-Tunya;
(ii) Chichele Mfuwe;
(iii) Hook Bridge to Lufuta;
(iv) D37 - Nkosha Road;
(v) RD 37 Mumbwa to Blue Lagoon Road;
(vi) D183/534; and
(vii) Chama/Kazembe/Mwanya Road, which is RD105.
Madam Speaker, the programme for the improvement of roads in the national parks will be implemented in a phased manner. The improvement of the roads in the national parks will be carried out by the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) that has been appointed as road the authority for tourist roads by the Government.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Malama: Madam Speaker, can the hon. Minister of Works and Supply confirm that this country has lost billions of kwacha because of not taking care of roads that lead to national parks? I am saying so because tourists have been going to neighbouring countries instead of coming to Zambia.
Mr Tetamashimba: Madam Speaker, first and foremost, I would like to inform the hon. Member of Parliament that Zambia has been receiving more tourists under this current Government …
Hon. Opposition Members interrupted.
Mr Tetamashimba: … as compared to the first ten years of the MMD Government.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Tetamashimba: You can go to the International Airport and see how many tourists land in this country. As hon. Members of Parliament, we have travelled out of this country and have even heard on the International Fora how some people have claimed that the Victoria Falls is in their countries. Others would even urge others to go to South Africa or Zimbabwe to see the Victoria Falls. Some of you do not challenge such people that actually, the Victoria Falls is in Zambia. Therefore, I can assure the hon. Members of Parliament that there have been a good number of tourists coming into the country during this MMD leadership.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that tourism in Kafue …
Dr Machungwa: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.
Madam Deputy Speaker: Is the point order procedural or not?
Dr Machungwa: Madam Speaker, yes because it borders on the sovereignty of the Parliament of Zambia. I rise on what I consider to be an extremely serious point of order. On the website of this Parliament, for sometime now, there has been displayed the London Court Judgement of Judge Smith involving the Second Republican President Dr Chiluba. This has been there for sometime. Has this Parliament become an appendix, or forum or dominion of the British Judiciary to display that judgement on our website, especially considering that the component courts in Zambia are still trying these cases? Is it in order for this Parliament to continue to carry this message on its website? I need you very serious ruling, Madam.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!
Hon. Members, this is why we want to stick to issues that are points of procedure in the House. I think all of us have read our Standing Orders and know exactly the issues that we ought to raise points of order on. There are issues that you may have to discuss even before you raise a point of order.
However, on this particular point of order, the very serious ruling or guidance to the hon. Member from the Chair is that this document has been in the public domain. It is not news on the Parliament Website. It has been published and is in the public domain. There is nothing that Parliament is giving out which is not known. Therefore, it does not border on the sovereignty of this Parliament which is part of society.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Madam Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member for Dundumwezi can continue.
Mr Sing’ombe: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that tourism activities have drastically gone down in the Kafue National Park due to the bad road infrastructure on the Kalomo/Dundumwezi Road, especially from Bilili to the entrance of the Kafue National Park?
Mr Tetamashimba: Madam Speaker, I agree that there is a need for us to do something about the roads leading to tourist attractions. Of course, the Government has tried to allocate money to this venture before. In the past, the Germany-Zambia Technical Co-operation (GTZ) and others have also provided money to this venture. Therefore, on the roads which lead to tourist attractions, it is important to distinguish those that fall under the Ministry of Works and Supply from those that fall under ZAWA as a national parks roads authority falling under the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources.
Madam Speaker, let me say that, as hon. Members of Parliament, we should not just ask questions in this House. All the offices that the Government has are your offices. I know some hon. Members of Parliament on your left, Madam Speaker, who have come to the Ministry of Works and Supply offices to raise issues to do with roads. Each time an hon. Member of Parliament comes to say there is a problem on a particular road, irrespective of the constituency, the following day, we provide a vehicle to that hon. Member of Parliament to go and see the road and come back to inform us about they have agreed with RDA. Therefore, you should not consider Government offices as your enemy number one. These are your offices as well. If you cannot come to our offices for us to do something in your constituency, in the next elections, we shall be the ones to say this hon. Member of Parliament failed. Please, make yourselves available to our offices so that we can help you quickly. Do not just come and ask questions in this House.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
DIPLOMATIC PASSPORTS
561. Dr Chishimba (Kasama Central) asked the Minister of Home Affairs how many diplomatic passports were issued and withdrawn from 2001 to 2005.
The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Ms Njapau): Madam Speaker, there were 860 Diplomatic Passports issued from the year 2001 to 2005 in accordance with Article 11, Item 1 and 2 of the Passport Act No. 22 of 2003 and also conformity with Cabinet Office Circular No. CO/4/1/1 of 2000.
The breakdown of issued diplomatic passports year by year is as follows:
Year No. of Passports
2001 200
2002 150
2003 150
2004 200
2005 160
Total 860
Madam Speaker, the number of Diplomatic Passports which were withdrawn or surrendered in the same period is 163 in accordance with Article 10 of the Passport Act of 2003. The breakdown is as follows:
Year No. of Passports Withdrawn
2001 13
2002 70
2003 23
2004 19
2005 38
Total 163
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Dr Chishimba: Madam Speaker, taking cognizance of that astronomical figure of passports that were issued in that period, can the Government seriously consider issuing passports to this nation’s freedom fighters, who fought colonialists, unlike issuing passports to someone who fights in a boxing ring?
Dr Chituwo: Madam Speaker, for the information of the hon. Member of Parliament for Kasama Central, there is a provision for individuals who have distinguished themselves, in one way or another, to be issued with diplomatic passports.
I thank you, Sir.
PREVENTION OF MOTHER-TO-CHILD-TRANSMISSION OF HIV/AIDS PROGRAMME
562. Mr Mwansa (Chifunabuli) asked the hon. Minister of Health:
(a) how successful the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of the HIV/AIDS programme had been;
(b) what measures the ministry had taken to ensure that mothers on the programme at (a) above continued to receive anti-retroviral drugs to protect them from the virus after giving birth; and
(c) what measures the ministry had taken to protect children born HIV/AIDS negative due to the programme above from getting infected during breast feeding.
The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Puma): Madam Speaker, the response is as follows:
(a) the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS services are now offered in all the seventy-two districts in Zambia. From the pilot phase, five years ago, we entered a phase of expansion from 2003 to 2006. The programme is currently meeting 25 per cent of the need, with support from our co-operating partners, the Global Fund, United Nations Agencies and PEPFAR.
So far, more than 2,000 health workers have been trained in PMTCT. The number of sites offering PMTCT has increased in the last five years, from six to 300. At the same time, the number of women accessing counselling and testing, has risen exponentially from less than 200 in 2000, to 168,276 in 2006. However, we were unable to test the babies immediately after birth, but with the installation of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine, it is now possible to test the babies immediately and determine the number of infections averted.
With regard to the services offered under the PMTCT of HIV/AIDS, using the opt out model, all expectant mothers in Zambia are meant to be offered the minimum package of care in Antenatal clinics.
This includes medical and reproductive history, obstetric examination and relevant laboratory investigations. The routine investigations include checking haemoglobin (HB), which estimates the level of anaemia, if present, a screening test for syphilis (RPR) and a rapid test for HIV.
In addition, they are provided with folic acid and ferrous sulphate to build up blood stores, fansidar for malaria treatment, insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITNS) and Mebendazole, which is prescribed for de-worming.
The client is at liberty to decline any of these services, and they are counselled accordingly about their choice;
(b) not all women enrolled on the PMTCT Programme require ARVs after giving birth. Women are assessed for eligibility for ART using clinical criteria or using the CD4 count. Those not yet eligible to start ART for their health, are registered for follow up.
If women require treatment during pregnancy because the CD4 count was below 200, they are initiated on complementary therapy of three drugs. They receive this treatment within the antenatal clinics throughout the pregnancy, until six weeks post natal. These mothers are then referred to the general ART centre for continuation.
If women need ARVs as a treatment for themselves after giving birth, it is available from the established general ART sites. They are registered and linked to these services for initiation and continuation of treatment. In other words, PMTCT of HIV/AIDS, serves as an entry point to ART.
Partner notification about the status, couple counselling and partner testing is encouraged. Furthermore, we use a family centered approach, where the index woman, her partner and her other children are followed up with care. This counselling includes safer sex practices to avoid re-infection with other strains of HIV;
(c) when a woman has been followed up through PMTCT programme and delivers, she is counselled and supported with optimal baby feeding practices, to reduce the chance of infection to the baby during breast feeding options, which include:
(i) breast feeding substitutes;
(ii) if they cannot afford breast milk substitutes, women are encouraged to exclusively breast feed for six months;
(iii) they are trained to breast feed properly to reduce the development of nipple sores and breast engorgement and abscesses. This reduces the chances of HIV transmission to the baby. Infections in the mother are treated promptly to reduce transmission to the baby.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Mwansa (Chifunabuli): Madam Speaker, I am grateful to the hon. Minister for the answer he has given even though it has raised more serious concerns for me. Could the hon. Minister tell the court …
Laughter
Hon. Members: Lawyer!
Mr Mwansa: Old habits die hard.
Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister tell this House, how it is possible to leave the choice of going on ART to positive mothers, even when this treatment is Government motivated? We all know that once on ARVs, a person has to be on this treatment for a long time to avoid the mutation of the virus, and hence aggravating the condition. Furthermore …
Madam Deputy Speaker: Ask the supplementary question, do not debate.
Mr Mwansa: …I thought that I asked the question, Madam Speaker. I would like the hon. Minister to explain to the House, how these patients can be given the choice of commencing ART, when, in fact, once on ARVs, they are not allowed to stop the treatment because other types of HIV could develop or there may be a risk of the virus mutating?
And finally, Madam Speaker, 39 per cent of babies that are breastfeeding are known to be at risk of becoming HIV positive. Why should the Government not ensure that those who are born HIV negative are put on supplements, other than allowing their mothers to breastfeed them, risking infection?
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, as it has been mentioned in the answer, the situation on ARVs is that not all women who have gone through the PMTCT Programme need to be on ARVs. First of all, when the CD4 count machine is available, the CD4 count is checked. If we find that the CD4 count is high enough and the woman does not need to be on ARVs, we give them ARVs just during that period so that the baby is born without HIV. Therefore, it does not necessarily mean that once the women start taking ARVs during the period of delivery, they have to continue thereafter. If the immunity is still good enough, they discontinue until such a time that the immunity becomes low, the CD4 Count is less than 200 or when they start developing other optimistic infections.
Hon. PF Members: Chapwa!
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, that is our response.
Mrs Musokotwane (Katombola): Madam Speaker, how has the ministry solved the problem of pregnant women who refuse to have blood drawn at the hospitals or clinics because they think that the blood is used in satanic activities?
Laughter
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, the only way to avoid such situations is by ensuring that mothers are given the correct information. Once we give the correct information through counselling and guidance, we do not usually have a problem collecting blood unless there are other fears related to testing for HIV. Otherwise, once they are counselled, we do not have any problem.
I thank you, Madam
Ms Kapata (Mandevu): Madam Speaker, despite the presence of the programme of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission in all the districts, children are not properly followed up. Hospitals lose track of children who are born from HIV positive mothers. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what the ministry has put in place in order to locate children who are born from HIV positive mothers.
Madam, talking of the PCR machines, we only have two. How do you then expect these machines to service all the districts in Zambia?
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear! Quality!
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, once a mother goes through the PMTCT Programme, as a ministry, we try and ensure that there is some follow up. Unfortunately, in the past, we were not able to know the HIV status of a newly born until after eighteen months. In a phased approach, we have introduced laboratories at UTH, Ndola Central Hospital and Arthur Davison Hospital where we are able to tell whether a baby is truly positive or negative immediately it is born. Therefore, we are doing this in a phased manner like we started with the ARVs Programme. With time, I am sure we should be able to expand these services to all other districts.
Madam Speaker, the PCR machine so expensive that we cannot afford one in all the institutions. With the commitment that this Government has, and having gone so far in the fight against HIV, I am sure we should be able to roll out to the other provinces.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr I. Banda (Lumezi): Madam Speaker, in rural areas, most of the mothers delivery under the services of Traditional Birth attendants (TBAs). How equipped are TBAs in PMTCT?
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, with regard to TBAs being provided with PMTCT information, this is an on going exercise. As we are aware, HIV is a new phenomenon. The Traditional Birth Attendants who were trained a long time ago may not have had this package, but in the current package, when we are training Traditional Birth Attendants, we ensure that they are given information on PMTCT so that they are able to counsel mothers.
Madam, actually TBAs assist in giving ARVs because before delivery, and depending on the system that we are using, we give the medicine to the mother so that they take it before they go into labour. In some cases, Traditional Birth Attendants have been very helpful in this situation.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Dr Njovu (Milanzi): Madam Speaker, I would like to know how many children in this country, who are on ARVs, are born from HIV Positive mothers.
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! Hon. Minister of Health, the hon. Member for Milanzi wants to know how many children are born from HIV Positive mothers in the entire country.
Laughter
The Minister of Health (Dr Chituwo): Madam Speaker, that question requires extensive research. I would like to invite the hon. Member for Milanzi to pose a question and then, we will adequately respond.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
EXTENSION OF THE BENEFITS OF RURAL ELECTRIFICATION TO CHIPILI PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY
563. Mr D. Mwila (Chipili) asked the Minster of Energy and Water development when the Government would extend the benefits of rural electrification to the following areas in Chipili Parliamentary constituency:
(a) Mwenda to Mukonshi;
(b) Mwenda to Kalundu; and
(c) Chipili to Kanshimba/Mutipula.
The Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development (Mr Sichilima): Madam Speaker, I am happy to mention that Chipili has been electrified in the last three years and it is connected to the national electricity grid. The programme of extending power supply to the surrounding areas that are not electrified will be considered as the Rural Electrification Authority acquires funds to implement the projects.
Madam, as hon. Members are aware, my ministry is preparing the Rural Electrification Master Plan (REMP) that will include all rural electrification requirements in each province and rank them in order of priority. It is expected that the master plan will be completed by December, 2007. At that time, it will be possible to know when all projects in rural areas will be electrified.
I thank you, Speaker.{mospagebreak}
MODERNISATION OF THE LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
564. Mr D. Mwila asked the Minister of communications and Transport whether the Government had plans to modernise the Lusaka International Airport in line with what other countries in the SADC region had done.
The Deputy Minister of Communications and Transport (Mr Mubika): Madam Speaker, the Government has no immediate plans to modernise the Lusaka International Airport. However, through the Presidential Initiative known as the Triangle of Hope, my ministry has advertised for potential investors to invest in the establishment of air cargo hubs which include Lusaka International Airport.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Mwiimbu (Monze): Through you, Madam Speaker, is the Hon. Deputy Minister of Communications and Transport aware that the state of the Lusaka International Airport is scandalous and should not be allowed to be used as an international airport?
Hon. Government Members: Aah!
Mr Mubika: Madam Speaker, I am surprised by the Learned Colleague of mine …
Laughter
Mr Mubika: … who is referring to Lusaka International Airport as scandalous, I do not know when it became scandalous because it has all the facilities that are required to be an international airport.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
NSADZU MENTAL REHABILITATION CENTRE
565. Mr Mbewe (Chadiza) asked the Minister of Health when the following would be accomplished at the Nsadzu Mental Rehabilitation Centre:
(a) provision of a qualified psychiatric staff;
(b) construction of a new kitchen block;
(c) construction of an electric fence;
(d) provision of transport; and
(e) rehabilitation of the water reticulation system.
The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Puma): Madam Speaker, currently, the facility is run by two Zambia Enrolled Psychiatric Nurses with the help of seven supportive staff.
The ideal staff level is one Senior Clinical Officer Psychiatry, one Clinical Officer Psychiatry, three Enrolled Psychiatric Nurses, one Registered Nurse Psychiatry and six supportive staff.
The Ministry of Health will support the facility through the forthcoming recruitment of health professionals.
On the construction of a kitchen, there are no immediate plans to rehabilitate this structure.
On the provision of an electric fence, the institution is not yet connected to the National Electricity Grid. Therefore, there are no immediate plans to provide an electric fence.
On provision of transport, there are no immediate plans to provide a vehicle. The facility has two working bicycles. However, the District Health Team is providing referral services to the facility.
On the rehabilitation of water system, at the moment we have one borehole that is fully operational.
Nsadzu Mental Rehabilitation and Resettlement Centre was established as a leprosarium by the Reformed Church in Zambia in the early in 1960s. It was in 1972 that the centre became a mental health institution for rehabilitation and resettlement on mental patients who came from all over the country. At present, there are only twenty-five patients.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Mbewe: Madam Speaker, why is Nsadzu Mental Rehabilitation Centre not considered as a hospital since its catchments is the whole country?
The Minister of Health (Dr Chituwo): Madam Speaker, the reason why this centre is not referred to as a hospital is basically the services that are offered and that of rehabilitation. When these patients have had various treatment moulds from all over the country, therefore, what is required at this centre is to continue to build them, to maintain the gains that have been made during the treatment elsewhere.
I thank you, Madam.
MWEKERA FOREST COLLEGE
566. Mr Nyirenda (Kamfinsa) asked the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources why the Ministry had neglected Mwekera Forest College.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources (Mr Kaingu): Madam Speaker, my ministry has not neglected Mwekera Forest College. Like any other sub-head in my ministry, this august House does approve Estimates of Expenditure for the college each year. The funds once released to the ministry are passed to the college who in turn apply the funds to various programmes and activities as approves in the budget.
For example this year, K2,351,879,751.00 was approved for Mwekera Forest College.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, arising from the answer given by the hon. Deputy Minister, I find it bare to justify that for the last twenty years, there has been nothing happening at the college and the infrastructure is run down. That is why I posed that question.
Mr Kaingu: Madam Speaker, actually the college has got sustainable programmes. For example, the college has got a ripper which is supposed to be used in a project to realise some money. The college has got a honey producing project. The college has got infrastructure like buildings …
Laughter
Mr Kaingu: As an entrepreneur, in my opinion, the college must engage itself into business …
Mr Kambwili: Quality!
Laughter
Mr Kaingu: … so that they can …
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! Order! Go on.
Mr Kaingu: … so that they can supplement what the Government is giving them. However, the college is not neglected but it is just a question of management. Actually, that is a problem we have in this country. We have a casual approach towards management. If we cannot take seriously what is given to us, then we will not be able to sustain ourselves.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Quality!
Mr Simama (Kalulushi): Madam Speaker, what plans has the hon. Minister put in place to ensure that graduating students get jobs?
Hon. Government Members: Aah!
Madam Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister may answer that one if he wants.
Mr Kaingu: Madam Speaker, I did not get the question.
Thank you, Madam.
Laughter
Mr Chimbaka: Madam Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order.
Madam Deputy Speaker: No, you cannot raise a point of order!
Laughter
Madam Deputy Speaker: You are supposed to ask a supplementary question. On whom are you raising a point of order? Is it on the Chair?
Interruptions
Mr Chimbaka: Alright, Madam Speaker. Is the hon. Minister in order to express his personal opinion instead of Government policy?
Laughter
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! Order! I have given you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question. You cannot raise a point of order on the Chair because I am the one talking.
Laughter
Mr Chimbaka: Thank you, Madam.
Dr Machungwa: Madam Speaker, arising from what the hon. Deputy Minister has said that the problem at the college is management, what is his ministry doing about that problem so that the college can be properly, efficiently and viably managed so that it becomes sustainable?
Mr Kaingu: Madam Speaker, the question of employment is done by the Public Service Commission.
Thank you, Madam.
Laughter
Mr Mukanga (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, from the answer given, it looks like the problem is with management. I would like to find out what the ministry is doing to ensure that the people who are employed to run Mwekera are qualified and able to deliver.
Mr Kaingu: Madam Speaker, in fact, it is not only Mwekera College, it is a general problem in the Forestry Department and we are actually working to try and re-arrange the department and the college will be included. Madam Speaker, we will be advising the Public Service Commission that we do not have the right management to run the college. I am sure the Permanent Secretary will be able to employ the right people.
I thank you, Madam.
LOST HOURS IN THE MINES DUE TO STRIKES, ACCIDENTS AND ILLNESS
567. Mr Chanda (Kankoyo) asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development how many working hours were lost on the mines in 2006 due to the following:
(i) strikes;
(ii) accidents; and
(iii) illness.
The Deputy Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr B. Mwale): Madam Speaker, a total of 428,990 working hours were lost on the mines in 2006 compared with 472,994 working hours in 2005 due to strikes, accidents and illnesses, broken down as follows:
Year Strikes Accidents Illnesses Total
2005 86,472 80,382 306,140 472,994
2006 60,456 44,951 323,583 428,990
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, by all standards, these hours are very high and I do not know what the Government is doing to reduce this loss further.
Mr B. Mwale: Madam Speaker, we have informed this House that we have intensified the inspections through the Mines Safety Department, which is our department on the Copperbelt and this department is working very hard and hon. Members have been informed on what the ministry has done in terms of the recruitment of inspectors, including the purchase of new vehicles.
Madam Speaker, I can go further by saying that this loss of man hours due to strikes can go down if our colleagues stop inciting strikes.
I thank you, Madam.
Interruptions
Mr D. Mwila: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out what measures the Government has put in place to reduce on strikes that have been happening every year in the mining industry.
Interruptions
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! The hon. Deputy Minister will have to re-emphasise.
Mr B. Mwale: Madam Speaker, as a Government, we will encourage dialogue between the employees, through their unions, and management of the mining companies. However, I would like to take this opportunity to urge our colleagues who are so good at inciting strikes in these industries to stop, and I am sure the loss of man hours will reduce.
Thank you, Madam.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Nsanda (Chimwemwe): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what incentives they have given the miners on their pay roll so that they can stop the mine strikes since the strikes are not caused by Patriotic Front but by bad conditions of service.
Interruptions
Mr B. Mwale: Madam Speaker, although the question is under the domain of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, I would like to inform the House that salary negotiations are done by management and the unions concerned. However, I would like to inform the House that in 2006, we only had two strikes, one at AFC Africa Mining due to salaries which were delayed and at Maamba Collieries over a problem which this House is fully aware of.
Madam Speaker, this Government encourages dialogue between the employees and the unions.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Mukanga: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has stated that the strikes are due to discrepancies between the salaries of the indigenous Zambians and the expatriates. What is this Government doing to ensure that the gap is bridged and narrowed? Are they thinking of introducing equal work for equal pay.
Mr B. Mwale: Madam Speaker, as I alluded to, one element about my colleagues is that they are good at putting words in another’s mouth. I never talked about differences in salary between expatriate and local employees.
I thank you, Madam.
ARRESTED FOREIGN CRIMINALS
568. Mr Singombe (Dundumwezi) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:
(a) how many foreign criminals were arrested from 2000 to 2006; and
(b) when the Immigration Department would be provided with firearms.
The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Ms Njapau): Madam Speaker, in answer to part (a) of the question, there were 3,957,000 criminal inquiries conducted on foreigners between 2000 to 2006. The breakdown is as follows:
(i) Europeans 957
(ii) Asians 171
(iii) Euro-Africans 49
(iv) African Foreigners 2,780,000
Madam Speaker, in answer to (b), despite immigration officers having undergone self defence and weapon handling training, there are no plans at the moment to arm the officers because of the nature of their work, of dealing directly with the travelling public.
Arming the officers during the ordinary course of duty at border stations and airports would send a wrong impression to the travelling public and the international community. However, this is not to say that they have been left vulnerable as they have the full protection of the police at borders and whenever they are conducting patrols and operations.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Sing’ombe: Madam Speaker, firstly, I wanted to confirm from the hon. Minister, looking at the number that she has mentioned (3million). This is a very alarming figure. She is saying that there are no plans by the Government to provide firearms to Immigration Officers or rather the Immigration Department. Is she aware that officers have been butchered during their operations because of not having protection or rather they have been beaten up because they have never been protected or issued with firearms despite having gone through very difficult weapon training programme at Lilayi? Secondly, the hon. Minister is also saying that it would send a very bad signal at the borders. Would she then confirm what bad signals the foreigners are getting from police officers all over the borders in this country?
Madam Deputy Speaker: Before I ask the hon. Minister, let me guide the House that it is our tradition that when we are asking supplementary questions, we ask only one question.
The hon. Minister of Home Affairs.
The Minister of Health (Dr Chituwo): Madam Speaker, the Government is definitely concerned at all times with not only our security officers, but also the ordinary citizens. It is by the nature of work of our Immigration Officers that, at the moment, it is not deemed appropriate that they be armed. This is why as it has been stated in the answer, there is a provision for protection from those whose job description is to carry firearms.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
SCHOOLS IN LUMEZI
569. Mr I. Banda asked the Minister of Education:
(a) how many basic and middle basic schools were built in Lumezi Parliamentary Constituency from 2001 to 2006;
(b) when the following grass-thatched middle basic schools made out of pole and mud would be upgraded to modern structures:
(i) Mpheluke;
(ii) Kachunga;
(iii) Viyombo;
(iv) Chanyalubwe;
(v) Chatemwa;
(vi) Kapaipi; and
(vii) Mtimbasonjo; and
(c) why the Government stopped the construction of classroom blocks at Mpingozi Middle Basic School and when the project would be completed.
The Deputy Minister of Education (Ms Changwe): Madam Speaker, educational infrastructure development is a major programme in the sector to enhance access and provide conducive learning environment across the country.
Madam Speaker, in Lumezi Parliamentary Constituency, three basic and eleven middle basic schools benefited from the school construction and rehabilitation that was undertaken in the constituency between 2001 and 2006. I will not go through all these issues raised here, I will just mention the schools and with your permission, maybe, the funding agency.
Target Funding Agency
Chikonkomene Basic School ZAMSIF
Mpingozi Basic School African Development Bank
Sikatengwa Basic School BESSIP/SECTOR
Chasera Middle Basic School BESSIP/SECTOR
Diwa Middle Basic School BESSIP/SECTOR
Kampondo Middle School BESSIP/SECTOR
Kapangala Middle Basic BESSIP/SECTOR
Katunula Basic School ZAMSIF
Kazonde Basic School SECTOR
Lumphamba Middle Basic School ZAMSIF
Mkasanga Middle Basic School ZAMSIF
Mkhanyu Basic School BESSIP
Ntumbe Middle Basic School ZAWA (CRB)
Yakhobe Middle Basic School SECTOR
Lumezi Day Secondary School SECTOR
Lumezi High School World Bank
Lumwimba Day School Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP)
Madam Speaker, I think with regard to the information on what type of programmes were done there in terms of construction and rehabilitation, year by year, and when they were completed and the funding, I will lay it on the Table.
Madam Speaker, for the second question, the ministry has allocated funds to replace twenty-five grass-thatched basic schools made out of pole and mud from a total of ninety-one grass-thatched basic schools, which were built before 1964 covering the whole country. From the above number, some of the listed schools may be considered for replacement as this is an on going exercise in the Fifth National Development Plan.
For part (c) of the question, as to why the Government stopped the construction of classroom blocks at Mpingozi Middle Basic School and when the project would complete, the response is that the ministry stopped the construction of the Mpingozi Middle Basic School, consisting of 1 x 3 classroom block, 1 x 2 classroom block and four staff houses because of poor performance of the contractor and non-compliance to the contract provision. The contractor failed to adhere to or achieve the project targets. He only did the foundation excavation, despite the completion period being extended from 2004 to 2005. This forced the ministry to terminate the contract of Nashinga Construction Company …
Interruptions
Ms Changwe: … to under take the foresaid project. The matter is in the courts of law, as the contractor sued the ministry for wrongful termination of the contract.
Hon. Government Member: Kokolapo apo.
Ms Changwe: As a result the project is still at stand still until the matter is resolved.
Madam Speaker, my ministry is concerned because this is unfortunate. It is very unfortunate that some of the indigenous construction companies have not performed to expectations and this has contributed to many education projects being unnecessarily delayed in many sites of the country at the expense of the education of the children of Zambia.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Government Member: Who is the owner of Nashinga?
Mr Sikazwe (Chimbamilonga): Madam Speaker, I want to find out the interventions the ministry has put in place for these pole and mud structures which are posing a very unsafe environment for the learning pupils, mostly in the rural areas.
The Minister of Education (Professor Lungwangwa): Madam Speaker, the answer the Deputy Minister has just read, indicates very clearly the interventions that the Government is taking or making to address such structures in our education sector. In the response the question raised, the answer was that the ministry is undertaking an on-going programme of rebuilding or reconstructing such structures starting with those schools which we inherited in 1964, which are of pole and mud, and twenty-five such schools are being earmarked for reconstructing this year. Madam Speaker, the response was very clear and the intervention was clearly stated.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
TARRING OF FEEDER ROADS IN CHIBULUMA AND KALULUSHI
570. Mr Simama (Kalulushi) asked the hon. Minister of Works and Supply when feeder roads in Chibuluma and Chambeshi Townships would be tarred.
Mr Tetamashimba: Madam Speaker, the ministry wishes to report that the tarring of the roads in Chambeshi and Chibuluma Townships falling under Kitwe and Kalulushi Districts, respectively, will be carried out under the Accelerated Urban Road Rehabilitation Programme. The programme is aimed at rehabilitating to bitumen standards of most of the urban roads in all the districts countrywide. The roads in Chambeshi and Chibuluma Townships are classified as urban roads.
Madam, the ministry, however, wishes to report that the maintenance of the township roads in Chibuluma and Kalulushi are not included in the current Phase IV of the programme, although some roads in Kitwe and Kalulushi districts are included in the Phase III of the programme. The programme is an on-going one and the roads in the two townships will be included and considered later.
Madam Speaker, I appeal to the hon. Members of Parliament, as they meet in their councils, to discuss and agree priority urban roads to work on, rather than leaving the decision to the Ministry of Works and Supply through the Road Development Agency alone.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr D. Mwila: Madam Speaker, when was the last time the Government worked on the feeder roads in Chibuluma and Chambeshi?
Mr Tetamashimba: Madam Speaker, the roads in these two areas have not been tarred for the past three to four years. However, they are included in the programme which we have made for the tarring of roads.
I thank you, Madam.
MINERAL EXPLORATIONS IN KATETE DISTRICT
571. Dr Njobvu (Milanzi) asked the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development whether there were any plans to undertake mineral explorations in Katete District in the Eastern Province.
The Deputy Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Nkhata): Madam Speaker, the plan to geologically map Katete District has already been implemented by the Geological Survey Department in the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development and was completed in 1987.
Madam, geological maps and reports indicating the types of minerals in Katete District are available at the Geological Survey Department. Based on the reports, the mineral occurrences that were identified in Katete District are Phosphates and Gemstones.
However, detailed exploration is being undertaken by the following companies in Katete District:
(i) African Rainbow Minerals (Zambia) Limited – Gold and Copper (recently relinquished); and
(ii) Albidon Zambia Limited – Nickel, Copper and Precious Metals.
I thank you, Madam.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR EMPLOYEES
572. Mr Malama asked the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security what measures the ministry had taken to ensure that companies, trading centres and shop owners provided a good working environment for their employees.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Mr Liato): Madam Speaker, under the Factories Act Cap. 441 of the Laws of Zambia, the ministry is mandated to inspect factories to ensure that the owners provide a good working environment for their employees.
Madam, the overall long-term objective of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health in the ministry is to promote and enforce the occupational healthy and safety standards at places of work.
According to the Act, a factory is any location from which persons are employed in manual labour in any process or purpose of making or assembling any article, altering, repairing, ornamenting, finishing, cleaning or washing or demolishing of any article or the adapting for sale of any article. This, therefore, means that the trading centres and certain shops are not included.
Madam Speaker, to this end, and in order to prevent fatal accidents in the manufacturing industry, the ministry ensures that:
(i) factories, buildings and civil engineering works are inspected to ensure that safety standards at places of work are maintained;
(ii) pressure vessels and lifting equipment are examined and tested to ensure the safety of plant workers and the general public;
(iii) occupational safety and healthy principals and standards are protected and adhered to by employers and employees at work places in accordance with the requirements of the Factories Act, Cap. 441 of the Laws of Zambia;
(iv) the department is improving its capacity in terms of staffing levels, financial resources and transport to ensure that regular inspections are conducted throughout the country.
Madam, the ministry provides pre-emptive culture in all aspects of our labour administration. Any employer who does not comply with the health and safety regulations at work places is, first of all, advised and warned. However, if they continue not to comply, the ministry takes further steps, and we can go as far as closing down the establishment if the safety and health of our employees are at risk.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Zulu (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that Ndola had no factory inspector for a long time? Is he also aware that the inspector, who is there now, is conducting his business on foot?
Mr Liato: Madam Speaker, the ministry is aware of the long problem of a shortfall in our staffing levels and lack of transport. I think we are taking adequate measures. Just at the end of last year and beginning of this year, we managed to acquire six motor vehicles which have since been distributed to the Copperbelt, Southern and Lusaka regions. We are addressing the issues of shortfall in the staff levels and in transport.
I thank you, Madam.
Dr Machungwa: Madam Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister is aware of some businessmen in some industries who lock up their employees in the factories when they are working and only open when they are about to knock off and some workers, including women, are subjected to strip off for searches. The argument by such employers is that they want to ensure that thefts of goods or items or materials are minimised. What has his ministry done about that because this is a continuing problem?
Mr Liato: Madam Speaker, there is Statutory Instruments Nos. 56 and 57 which deal with conditions of employment. Under the shop owners, for example, there is Statutory Instrument No. 56. Statutory Instrument No. 57 deals with general application. Now, under these statutory instruments, conditions are stipulated under which people are expected to work and that is why, as the hon. Member may know because he once superintended over that ministry, we have two categories of inspectors at the ministry. There are labour inspectors whose job is specifically to address issues of conditions of work at places of work and factory inspectors who must ensure the safety and health of employees at places of work.
Now, with regard to the question asked, if there are those employers who have the habit of locking up their employees at places of work to ensure perhaps that nobody steals from their premises of work, they breach the law in terms of the safety of employees or workers at that place of work. If a fire broke out, for example, there would be a disaster if premises were locked and that is not encouraged. We have inspectors, therefore, who carry out the day-to-day activities of inspecting these premises. However, as I have said, our staffing levels are low. That is why, as a ministry, we are appealling to those people who maybe working under those poor conditions in places where we have not reached to bring the complaints to the ministry so that they can immediately be addressed. Otherwise, our routine checks to ensure that we are able to relieve our workers from this kind of mistreatment at places of work take place everyday.
I thank you, Madam.
Mrs Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, I am somehow not happy with the answer given to Hon. Dr Machungwa’s question. The hon. Deputy Minister has heard that there are still workers, including women, who are being locked up and searched at places of work despite the fact that there are inspectors What is the ministry doing to stop this malpractice?
Mr Liato: Madam Speaker, the ministry has addressed those cases that it is aware of. The issues regarding premises or places of work where workers are still being locked up or searched by stripping them naked, which have come to our knowledge, have all been addressed. We are only appealling that those that are not yet known to the ministry can be so reported. Owing to the vastness of our country, we may not have reached all the places of work with such malpractices. Therefore, in case there is a place that we are not aware of yet and where our labour or factory inspectors have not yet reached, people must bring this information quickly to the ministry so that the problem can be addressed. Otherwise, there is no case known to us currently that has not been dealt with.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Nsanda: Madam Speaker, through you, I need a very serious answer from the hon. Deputy Minister. After over forty years of independence, why do Zambian governments, including the previous and present, still believe that a Zambian should get less money as wages compared to an expatriate when there is the policy of equal-pay-for-equal work now all over the world?
Mr Liato: Madam Speaker, this Government does not believe that there should be disparities in incomes. That is why we have ratified Convention 100 of the Internal Labour Organisation which deals with equality in incomes or remunerations. We have ratified this Article because we believe that there must be equal-pay-for-equal work and, therefore, if there are any disparities, they must be addressed.
Madam Speaker, we must know that there are categories of employees in the country. Some fall under the unionised category. In this case, their incomes or salaries must be subject to negotiation between the employer and employee. In other words, if there are disparities in a certain industry relating or concerning to employees who are represented, the trade union in that particular industry must address those issues immediately. However, for those employees who fall under the non-unionised category, the Government has formulated a law in which the minimum wage category should range between K268,000 for now, for example, and over K800,000.
Now, these categories again if there are disparities, especially those relating to Zambians and non-Zambians, people can register their grievances, including expressing them to the ministry. The ministry takes cognizance of every condition in the country being executed in a particular industry by giving consent to every condition. If there is anything that we must know, inform us so that we can address those disparities.
I thank you, Madam.{mospagebreak}
CONTRACTOR WORKING ON MONGU/KALBO ROAD
573. Mr Mwapela (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Works and Supply:
(a) what measures the Government had taken to ensure that the contractor working on the Mongu/Kalabo Road did not run away since he had attempted to do so in the past; and
(b) whether the Government had any plans to replace the contractor at (a) above with a Chinese contractor.
The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Tetamashimba): Madam Speaker, in answering the hon. Member of Parliament for Kalabo Central, I wish to inform the House as follows:
(a) The ministry is still in possession of the performance bonds worth US$6 million provided by the contractor for the construction of the Mongu/Kalabo road which can even be cashed in the event of the contractor running away without fulfilling the contraction obligations. In this case, failure to repair the damaged 34 kilometre section along the Zambezi flood plains will not obviously lead to Government making a loss.
(b) The Government has no plans to intentionally replace the current contractor with a Chinese or any other contractor. Instead, the Government will re-advertise the open tender for the construction of the remaining part of the road. Normal tender regulation will be followed. Any contractor- Chinese, Zambian or even the current contractor- may bid for the work that will be tendered. I, however, want to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for recognising that Chinese contractors can do a good job, especially on roads.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Imenda (Lukulu West): Madame Speaker, I would like to find out what measures Government will put in place in relation to the environmental degradation on the road and about the money that has already been paid to the contractor for a road that has been poorly done.
Mr Tetamashimba: Madam Speaker, I am thankful for the question by the hon. Member of Parliament for Lukulu West who will never ask a question about his road because it is very good. Coming to the question on this road …
Mr Mtonga: Was it done by the Chinese?
Mr Tetamashimba: Yes, it was done by the Chinese. What I can assure the hon. Member of Parliament is that in case of failure by the contractor to attend to the potion that is in question, the money that has already been spent on him is not more than the value of the bond. A performance bond is a document which we can cash at the bank. So, the money that we are folding, from the contractor, is more than what has been paid on this contractor who has done a shoddy job on the Mongu/Kalabo road.
I thank you, Madam.
LITERACY CLASSES IN MANSA DISTRICT
574. Mr Chimbaka (Bahati) asked the Minister of Community Development and Social Services:
(a) how many functioning literacy classes were in Bahati Parliamentary Constituency, in particular, and Mansa District, in general; and
(b) how many people were enrolled in literacy classes in Mansa District from 2002 to-date, year by year and by gender.
The Deputy Minster of Community Development and Social Services (Mr Chinyanta): Madame Speaker, my ministry has a total of 175 functional literacy classes in Bahati Parliamentary Constituency with a total membership of 1,428, of which 969 are female and 459 are male. Below is the breakdown of the statistics, year by year and by gender:
Bahati Constituency: Number of Classes from 2002-2007
Year Number of Classes Female Male
2002 27 181 85
2003 28 163 83
2004
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!
Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.
Mr Chinyanta: Madame Speaker, when business was suspended, I was giving out the number of class for Bahati Constituency from 2002-2007.
Year Number of Classes Female Male
2004 31 207 101
2005 31 197 69
2006 31 114 64
2007 27 107 57
Total 175 969 459
Madame Speaker, we note that the number of students dropped drastically between 2006 and 2007 due to the delayed payment of allowances for literacy instructors. The number of active and inactive classes in the same constituency is as follows:
Sub-Centre Number of Classes
Total Inactive Active
Bahati 6 0 0
Kabunda 0 0 0
Kabuta 20 0 20
Chibalashi 5 0 5
Kalaba 1 1 0
Mano 5 5 0
Chisunka 0 0 0
Choposhi 0 0 0
Total 37 6 31
With regard to the number of classes from 2003 to 2007, my ministry opened 488 classes in Mansa District, enrolling a total of 3,658 students, of which 2,684 were female and 974 male.
The table below summarises the number of classes and students for Mansa District, year by year and by gender.
Year No. of Classes Gender/Female/Male
2002 69 380 169
2003 70 317 117
2004 71 511 163
2005 71 428 109
2006 71 318 112
2007 71 329 93
Total 423 2,683 763
Mansa Central, which is another constituency in Mansa District, has the following distribution:
Sub-Centre No. of Classes
Mabumba 19
Mantumbu 01
Mfunda mfumu 04
Chende 08
Matanda 04
Mwang’uni -
Mansa Central 06
Total 42
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Chimbaka: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that those statistics, these literacy clubs are defunct? If he is, what strategies has the ministry put in place to ensure a continuous provision of literacy education to old men and women? If so, what targets and timeframe have they set to reinforce their strategies?
Mr Chinyanta: Madam Speaker, the facts that I have given are from the centres in Mansa Constituency, which indicate that our classes are functional. Looking at the strategy that we have put in place to ensure that these classes continue, we have, in this budget, set aside some money earmarked for buying materials for the sub-centres. We are also able to provide them with materials, boats and chalk. At the same time, we are providing capacity in terms of training the instructors.
Madam Speaker, a training programme for the Northern and Luapula provinces has just been completed. We are also ensuring that instructors working in the sub-centres are working on a voluntary basis.
Further, as a ministry, we are trying to supplement their salaries by paying them some kind of allowance on top of whatever contribution comes from the community to ensure that work continues.
From 2006 to date, the ministry has embarked on a restructuring programme which has allowed us to employ a good number of officers who we have sent to the districts. We have received very good reports from these centres relating to the activities going on at the centres.
I thank you, Madam
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, could I find out from the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services whether there are any plans to re-introduce literacy radio programmes because they benefited a wider part of our electorates, especially women.
Mr Chinyanta: Madam Speaker, the kind of literacy in the Government Gazette of 2004, which gives the structural function of our ministry, is such that we are giving functional literacy which will provide skills to our people within our communities so that as we roll out programmes, people are able to interpret whatever we are enlightening them on.
The main ministry responsible for adult education is that of Education, which has the Taonga Market and other programmes.
I thank you, Madam.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear
Mr Mtonga (Kanyama): Would the hon. Minister be kind enough to explain what would be the reason for Bahati to you have over 4000 women attending literacy classes, and yet less than a third of that are men. Is it that – well, maybe you know the answer, tell us.
Mr Chinyanta: Madam Speaker, these are voluntary classes. In this regard, we want to appeal to all hon. Members of Parliament to sensitise men in their constituencies so that they take advantage of these literacy classes that are offered at no cost.
However, due to the stigma prevailing in the communities, it requires a lot of effort for one person to join such kind of class. This is the reason we are appealing to the hon. Members of Parliament to go out there and find out what our people want to get out of these classes.
I thank you, Madam
MEASURES TAKEN TO ENSURE MAIZE PRODUCED IN CHILILABOMBWE WAS BOUGHT BY THE FOOD RESERVE AGENCY
575. Mrs Banda (Chililabombwe) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives what measures the Government had taken to ensure that the maize being produced in Chililabombwe was bought by the Food Reserve Agency during the 2007 marketing season.
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Mr Kalenga): Madam Speaker, I wish to state that in order to ensure that the maize produced in Chililabombwe is bought, the Food Reserve Agency, during the 2007 Marketing Season, will open more satellite depots in the district. The use of mobile depots will also be encouraged in the district when necessary.
I thank you, Madam.
Mrs E. M. Banda: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that Chililabombwe residents have been exploited year in and year out by the Congolese due to the lack of proper markets?
Mr Kalenga: Madam Speaker, the Government is aware. That is why I said that in the 2007 Marketing Season, we would provide more satellite depots. In order to protect farmers from exploitation, where necessary, mobile depots will be provided.
I thank you, Madam.
CONSTRUCTION OF KAKOSO AND LUBENGELE HEALTH CENTRES IN CHILILABOMBWE
576. Mrs Banda (Chililabombwe) asked the Minister of Health when the Government would complete the construction of Kakoso and Lubengele Health Centres in Chililabombwe District.
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, Kakoso Clinic is planned to be turned into a district hospital. Work on the expansion of the facility has progressed and the district has planned for completion of this project in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework period (MTEF), 2008-2010.
The maternity expansion at Lubengele Clinic is completed and already in use. The Out-Patients superstructure is complete with a roof in place. Works are continuing to complete internal fixtures of electrical fittings, plumbing, ceiling and carpentry. Funding was done through the Poverty Reduction Programme.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
UPGRADING OF ROAD FROM CEDRIC BASIC SCHOOL TO MFUBA RANCH
577. Mr Chella (Wusakile) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing when the Government would upgrade the road from Cedric Basic School to Mfuba Ranch in Wusakile Parliamentary Constituency.
The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Kazonga): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this House that all councils have been appointed road authorities by the Government. This appointment gives the councils the authority to plan and prepare road rehabilitation programmes within their area of jurisdiction and submit them to the Road Development Agency (RDA).
This, therefore, means that the roads in Wusakile Constituency will have to be included in the programme by Kitwe City Council and submitted, for funding, to the RDA.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Chella: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the road has not been rehabilitated for the last fifteen years and is now impassable? It takes three hours to drive on a stretch of five kilometers and farmers can never take their goods to the market. Is he aware?
Mr Kazonga: Madam Speaker, I wish to reinforce that if that is the issue, it is supposed to come from the Kitwe City Council Plan. As you are aware, we are using a model which is bottom-up. Let these plans be included and then, in turn, be submitted to the RDA which will then consider and ask for financing.
Therefore, if this is the case, I would advise the hon. Member of Parliament to ensure that this is actually indicated in the Kitwe City Council Plan for the Road Rehabilitation Programme.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
FINANCIAL LENDING INSTITUTIONS
578. Mr Chazangwe (Choma Central) asked the Vice-President whether the Government had any plans to establish new financial lending institutions with favourable interest rates to enable small-scale and other farmers obtain loans to buy cattle.
The Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice-President (Ms Lundwe): Madam Speaker, the Government has no immediate plans to establish new financial lending institutions with favourable interest rates to enable small-scale and other farmers to buy cattle.
However, financial institutions and the private sector are being encouraged to provide short to medium term loans for agricultural production to all categories of farmers, including cattle farmers throughout the country.
The Government has also put in place a cattle restocking fund in Southern Province with which farmers can restock cattle. The cattle restocking fund is managed by district committees supervised by the Provincial Permanent Secretary.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Chazangwe: Madam Speaker, with due respect, can His Honour the Vice-President tell this august House when and how this Government is going to provide an enabling environment to the indigenous and suffering people of this country, especially in rural areas?
The Vice-President (Mr R. Banda): Madam Speaker, in answer to the question by the indigenous questioner, I would like to assure him that the Government is very concerned about this particular problem and he is aware of the fact that we intend to restock the animals that have been lost in various provinces, including the Southern Province. His main question being whether we are planning any further financial institutions, I would like to assure him that discussions are going on between the various ministries for the Zambia Co-operative Federation to re-start its activities in the financial sector.
I hope I have satisfied my brother.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
DECENTRALISATION POLICY
580. Mr Sichamba (Isoka West) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:
(a) what the Government’s position on the assertion that the way forward in local government development lay in the implementation of the Decentralisation Policy was; and
(b) what the justification for the Decentralisation Policy to take a decade before it was fully implemented was.
Mr Kazonga: Madam Speaker, I wish to respond that for part (a) of the question, it is true that the Government’s position is that the development of local government lies in the implementation of the Decentralisation Policy. This is so because from the time the Decentralisation Policy was adopted in 2002, the Government has been using this document to chart the way forward for the development of the Local Government System in Zambia.
This means, therefore, that Local Government development and management will be largely influenced by the Decentralisation Policy. The policy will be implemented through the Decentralisation Implementation Plan (DIP), which is the roadmap on the implementation of this policy.
The DIP has the following components:
Sensitisation and Civic Education
This component involves sensitising all ministries that are likely to devolve some of their functions to local authorities. At the moment, only six ministries are yet to be sensitised out of the total. Civic education has also been going on and several civic organisations and trade unions have been sensitised.
Legal and Regulatory Framework
The Government has in the recent past appointed a Technical Legal Reform and Working Group which will advise the Decentralisation Secretariat on the identification and review of all policies and pieces of legislation that are in conflict with the National Decentralisation Policy.
Institutional and Human Resource Capacity Development
This component aims at enhancing local, political and administrative authority in order to effectively and efficiently deliver the services. However, this goal can not be achieved at the moment unless adequate capacity and institutional development is done in Government ministries, departments, provincial administrations, councils and area/ward/village development committees.
Local Development, Planning and Budgeting
This component aims at designing and implementing a mechanism that will ensure a bottom-up flow of integrated development planning and budgeting from the district to the Central Government. The local development, planning and budgeting also aims at developing the capacity of local authorities and communities in development planning, financing, coordinating and managing the delivery of services in their areas.
Financial Management and Accounting
This component is intended to provide accountability and transparency in the management and utilisation of public resources using various strategies, activities such as strengthening District Tender Committees, financial regulations and management manuals for councils.
Fiscal Decentralisation and Revenue Mobilisation
The major fiscal decentralisation challenges currently faced is the limited financial resources at the disposal of the Government. This is coupled with significant imbalances in tax arrangements between Central and Local Government. This component, therefore, seeks to develop the mechanism for transferring resources from Central Government and co-operating partners to councils and to strengthen the ability of councils to mobilise the local revenues.
Sector Devolution
This component aims to empower a lot of communities by devolving decision authority, making functions and resources from the centre to the lowest levels with marching resources in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of the services.
Infrastructure Development and Service Provision
The main objective of this component is to improve infrastructure as service delivery through the development of a supporting policy and institutional framework.
Monitoring and Evaluation
This component will deal with the aspect of monitoring and evaluation to develop and institutionalise an appropriate mechanism from monitoring and evaluation that will facilitate effective surveillance over the implementation of various developmental plans in line with the national decentralisation policy.
Programme Management and Co-ordination
This component aims at enhancing implementation capacity of our Ministry of Local Government and Housing in general and Decentralisation Secretariat in particular, through the development of a supportive work and operational environment.
Madam Speaker, the Decentralisation Policy was adopted in 2002 and launched in 2004. According to the policy, the timeframe for implementation is ten years. The Government has divided and justified the ten-year period into three phases as follows:
Phase One: November 2002 to December 2005.
This phase was largely preparatory and activities included approval of the National Decentralisation Policy in November 2002 and its official launch on 20 August 2004 and the approval of the Interim Decentralisation Policy Implementation Plan on 11 November 2004. The decentralisation secretariat was also established during this period. The preparation of the comprehensive Decentralisation Policy Implementation Plan was also initiated during this phase.
Phase Two: January 2006 to December 2010
This period focuses on the finalisation of the Decentralisation Policy Implementation Plan and the beginning of the implementation phase of the policy. A mid-term review of the performance of the Decentralisation Policy Implementation shall be undertaken during this particular phase.
Phase Three: 2011 to 2012
This shall be the consolidation phase during which the gains made during the previous years shall be enhanced through our strengthening of institutions of decentralisation at all the levels. The Decentralisation Secretariat has been phased out at the end of this phase.
These phases also justify the time frame set for the implementation of the policy. The implementation process is a complex exercise that should not be rushed. Decentralisation, when fully implemented will radically change the governance system in Zambia and it will only be successful if the mindsets of all the citizens are also attuned to the new governance system. Government intends to allow adequate time for this process to take route.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Msichili: Madam Speaker, it is quite disappointing that this programme will take ten years to be implemented and yet it only took three years for the Government to centralise the Local Government. Therefore, you may wonder why it is taking so long.
Madam Speaker, secondly, …
Hon. Government Members: One question!
Mr Msichili: My question is, …
Interruptions
Mr Msichili:…we are finding a problem with the implementation policy because the implementation agency falls under the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. This policy would have worked better if it was under the Office of the President.
Interruptions
Mr Msichili: The Office of the President would have directed other ministries, as alluded to by the hon. Deputy Minister in his reply that six ministries are in this ….
Hon. Government Members: Ask your question!
Mr Msichili: Madam Speaker, why is this policy not under the Office of the President?
Laughter
Madam Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member has already debated his question.
Laughter
PRECIOUS AND SEMI PRECIOUS STONES
581. Mr Kapeya (Mpika) asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development:
(a) how many types of precious stones and semi-precious stones were found in Mpika District, name by name; and
(b) when the minerals at (a) above would be exploited.
The Deputy Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Nkhata): Madam Speaker, the Geological Survey Department in the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development is still carrying out geological exploration in Mpika District. However, the records are showing the following occurrences:
(i) Beryl at 90 km east of Mpika;
(ii) Beryl at 153 km east-south-east of Mpika; and
(iii) Diamonds at Luwawala in Mpika.
Madam Speaker, in part (b), the response is as follows:
The Government policy is to encourage the private sector to exploit these minerals, provided a commercial deposit is proven. In addition to that, when the hon. Member leaves this House, he can go into this very viable business and be an example.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Kapeya: Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister inform this House on the Government’s policy in encouraging Zambians to venture into mining of these minerals? In the same vein, I would like to find out what led to the suspension of granting of licences to intended developers of these mineral.
The Deputy Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr M. Mwale): Madam Speaker, this Government encourages small entrepreneurs to go into mining, as can be demonstrated through the loan facility available at the ministry. The ministry has even gone to the extent of granting the Artisanal Mining License, which is only reserved for the local people.
As regards to the suspension of issuance of mining licences, the House may wish to know that the ministry has developed a computerised mining cadastral system. This manes that it will be easy for the ministry to process licences on a first come, first serve basis. It is also intended to show which operators are compliant to mining regulations, i.e. meeting the mining area charges and submission of statutory reports.
Madam Speaker, this moratorium will only go up to the end of this year. Thereafter, we hope a new number of areas will be opened up for new developers because presently, most of the areas have been taken up.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Mushili (Ndola Central): Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, who is asking the hon. Members of Parliament to venture into mining when they leave this House, aware that most of the areas have already been given out to other people?
Mr Nkhata: Madam Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister informed this House that this moratorium will help us to identify the areas that will remain vacant and operators that are not compliant to regulations. The areas will be repossessed by the Government and given to operators who will be willing to get into the mining business.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Chisala (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the Geological Survey Department has any plans to decentralise the system for the purpose of effective performance.
Mr Nkhata: Madam Speaker, everything has a start. We have started at the headquarters, but as time goes on, we will go to various places where we have opened offices in provincial headquarters.
I thank you, Madam.
SCREENING OF RETURNING ZAMBIANS ABDUCTED INTO ANGOLA
582. Mr Mwangala (Nalolo) asked the hon. Minister of Health:
(a) whether the Zambians who were abducted into Angola from Lilondo and Sipuma areas of the Shang’ombo District in February, 2001 were screened by health officials upon entry into Zambia; and
(b) whether the women who had since returned to Zambia with babies were tested to determine their HIV/AIDS status.
The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Puma): Madam Speaker, the response to the question by the hon. Member for Nalolo is as follows:
(a) the Zambians were abducted by the Angolans on 7th November, 2001 in Sipuma. Among the people abducted were a female Classified Daily Employee (CDE) from the health centre. On return, the people who were abducted camped at Siwelewele for safety where a team of health personnel screened them for possible infections. A Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) was conducted on two females who were sexually abused while in Angola;
(b) during the time of this incidence, there were no HIV testing kits in Shang’ombo and the approach by then to the test was voluntary.
So far, there has been no mechanism to follow up the victims. However, the female CDE was transferred to Silowana Health Centre within Shang’ombo District. She is working and in good health.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Mwangala: Madam Speaker, I am aware that by 2001, there were no facilities for counselling and testing for HIV/AIDS. Now that they are there, are there any plans by the Government to trace and give these vulnerable women an opportunity to determine their HIV status?
The Ministry of Health (Dr Chituwo): Madam Speaker, the facilities for voluntary counselling and testing are available in each district in the country, and information has been disseminated. The point at hand is the voluntary nature of the testing and counselling. However, because one of the people abducted was a health worker, I am sure that they are aware of this facility and will have gone for counselling and testing.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.{mospagebreak}
REHABILITATION OF THE DAM
583. Mr Ntundu (Gwembe) asked the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing when the dam at the Gwembe Township Water Affairs area would be rehabilitated.
Mr Kazonga: Madam, I would like to inform the House that there is no budgeted provision in this year’s Budget for the rehabilitation of the Gwembe Township Dam.
Madam Speaker, according to the information from Southern Water and Sewerage Company (SWSCO), the dam requires distilling. This programme would cost about K150 million. When funds are available, the dam will be distilled.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Ntundu: Madam Speaker, in view of the answer that has been given by the hon. Minister, I would like to find out how the water problem in Gwembe will be solved.
Mr Kazonga: Madam Speaker, there are several ways in which the problem of water supply in Gwembe will be tackled.
The first one in our plan is to develop an urban and peri-urban water supply and sanitation programme, which will take care of all the towns and peri-urban areas. Therefore, this programme is being addressed.
Madam, the second one is that for the rural areas, we have the National Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme that we are implementing to address the issue of water supply. This is in conformity with our Fifth Nation Development Plan. Once we have adequate resources and with all these efforts, combined with whatever will be arising, some of these will definitely be improved upon, especially the water supply in the Gwembe area as indicated.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
DUN-BOBIN MINE
584. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development what plans the Government had for the Dun-Robin Mine in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency which the owner closed and abandoned in 2000.
The Deputy Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr M. Mwale): Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the House that the Government has facilitated the development of prospecting and mining activities in the Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency in Mumbwa District by granting three mining rights for gold to Luiri Gold Mines Limited. One of the licence areas for Luiri Gold Mines Limited hosts Dun-Robin Mine, which is a gold-copper prospect.
Madam Speaker, Luiri Gold Mines Limited has been carrying out extensive exploration work in order to come up with a bankable feasibility study to pave way for a large-scale mine of gold in Mumbwa District. This is in line with Government policy to open up a new mine in each province.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Ntundu: Madam Speaker, the question that has been asked by the hon. Member for Nangoma has not been answered. I would like the hon. Minister to inform this House what the Government is going to do with this mine. Are you saying that you are doing away with it or you are giving it to another prospector? Could you, please, answer the question.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr M. Mwale: Madam Speaker, if the hon. Member had listened to my response carefully, he would have heard that I clearly stated that the Government has granted three rights for gold mining to Luiri Gold Mines Limited. It is the one which is undertaking some prospecting works on the Dun-Robin Mine. We are praying that they will move on to produce a bankable feasibility study which will lead to the establishment of a large-scale mine.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
FUNCTIONING OF THE TWO BOREHOLES DRILLED IN 1985 AT MWENSE BOMA IN CHIEF LUBUNDA’S AREA
585. Mr Chongo (Mwense) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing when the two boreholes which were drilled in 1985 with the support of the World Bank at Mwense Boma and in Chief Lubunda’s Area would be functional.
Mr Kazonga: Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that there is no budget provision in the Mwense Annual Budget for the rehabilitation of the boreholes that were drilled in 1985 with the help of the World Bank at Mwense Boma and in Chief Lubunda’s Area.
Madam Speaker, my ministry has now instructed the Mwense District Council to make a feasibility study on the two boreholes and profile the project into the 2008 Council Annual Work Plans and Budgets for the district so that these boreholes can be rehabilitated.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Chongo: Madam Speaker, Japanese Agency for International Co-operation (JICA) in conjunction with the Ministry of Energy and Water Development started a projected. This responsibility has now been taken over by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. Taking into account that these two areas are critically affected as far as water supply is concerned, what is the interim measure that this ministry is going to undertake?
Mr Kazonga: Madam Speaker, I thank you very for the Supplementary Question.
Madam Speaker, I wish to respond that in terms of the way forward and how we are going to tackle that problem, I will still re-emphasise that as far as our planning system is concerned, we are using the bottom-up model. Therefore, we would want the community to identify that area and make it a priority in that particular area in Mwense.
Madam, once this is done, it will be submitted to us as Ministry of Local Government and Housing. Therefore, when approving the budgets for 2008, we will countercheck and appropriately advise, depending on what submissions will be given to us.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
586. Ms Kapata (Mandevu) asked the Minister of Defence:
(a) when the last time the ministry recruited officers for the following military establishments was:
(i) Zambia Army;
(ii) Zambia Air Force; and
(iii) Zambia national Service; and
(b) when the next recruitment for the officers at (a) above would be undertaken.
The Deputy Minister of Defence (Mr Akakandelwa): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the last time the ministry recruited officers for the services is as follows:
Force Year
Zambia Army April 2005
Zambia Air Force December 2005
Zambia National Service 2004
Madam Speaker, the next recruitment for officers will be undertaken next year.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS AT MULILANSOLO AND MUNDU IN CHINSALI
587. Mr C. Mulenga (Chinsali) asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development when the Rural Electrification Projects at Mulilansolo and Mundu in Chinsali Parliamentary Constituency would be completed
The Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development (Mr Sichilima): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that Mulilansolo Project in Chinsali Parliamentary Constituency will be completed by the end of 2008. The project, which is estimated to cost about K2.5 billion commenced in 2006. The Mundu Electrification Project is part of the Mulilansolo Project and as such, will benefit from the main line supply to Mulilansolo.
Madam Speaker, I wish to add that for the benefit all hon. Members of Parliament, when power goes to the centre, the places in which the line passes will benefit, but in certain cases, to the cost of the consumer.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr C. Mulenga: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that connecting power from Kafwimbi in Isoka to Mulilansolo Mission will not benefit as many people in the area as it would if power was connected from Chinsali Boma along D56 Road to Mulilansolo where many schools are located. Besides farmers are along this road and there are two palaces for Chiefs Nkweto and Mubanga.
If the hon. Minister is aware, what is the Government doing to assist the people along this road benefit from this project?
Mr Sichilima: Madam Speaker, I am aware that the connection from Chief Kafwimbi to Mulilansolo will benefit many people contrary to what the hon. Member of Parliament is saying. Research has been conducted to ascertain this.
In addition, the transformer that has been proposed to drop power from the national grid to Chief Kafwimbi is very expensive, and the research entailed going to outlying areas, including the proposed farming blocks. This is meant for the Government to encourage people to go to areas where they would use power on a commercial basis than the other side.
Madam Speaker, the voltage is already on the lower side. Therefore, connecting power from Chinsali would entail catering for many people. This would, in turn, overload the line. However, I am not saying that the other area will not be connected.
If the hon. Member of Parliament was listening a few days ago when I laid a paper on the Table, and if he so feels that this area is not included as a priority of the district, he is free to call on us so that other areas are included. Mulilansolo is going to be connected in the area as proposed.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
INTRODUCTION OF A LOAN FACILITY FOR FISHERMEN
588. Mr Sikazwe (Chimbamilonga) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives whether the ministry was considering introducing a loan facility for fishermen to enable them purchase fishing equipment as a control measure against depleting endangered fish species.
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Mr Mulonga): Madam Speaker, the Government has no immediate plans to introduce a loan facility for fishermen. However, the private financial sector is being encouraged to provide short and medium-term loans for agricultural production to all categories of farmers, including fishermen throughout the country. Programmes to stop or stem fishing methods that are detrimental to the fisheries are being implemented. Fisher folks are sensitised on the implications of bad fishing methods and the need to adopt good management and fishing practices.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Sikazwe: Madam Speaker, much has been spoken about partnership, but the Government has not put in place modalities on how a poor fisherman can access this facility. The fishing methods have drastically changed in Lake Tanganyika from subsistence to emergency type of fishing. This is based on nets driven by motor boat engines and one needs a substantial amount of money for this. That is why people are still going back to the old methods. As a result, they are catching the small fish. The fisheries committees are not operational as you mentioned, hon. Minister.
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mulonga: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Chimbamilonga has debated what he has observed wherever he is coming from and he has advised the Government what to do. Maybe I can just add to his debate by saying that there is a reconstitution and strengthening of our fisheries department.
If he was very careful today, and if he reads the papers at all, he would have noticed that for the Northern Province, there is this money from the Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP) where each province plans what is more effective for their province.
In the Northern Province where the hon. Member comes from, the PRP plan for the last expenditure was to grow fingerlings. Last week, the first restocking exercise in Chonya Foot Dam in Mungwi District was carried out. Actually, the restocking exercise is taking care of this. Therefore, those who want loans can benefit from the PRP Programme.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR A POLICE RESERVE OFFICER
589. Mr Chisala (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:
(a) what the qualifications for a police reserve officer were; and
(b) what procedures were followed for one to apply for the above post.
The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Ms Njapau): Madam Speaker, to enlist as police reserve officer, a candidate should have the following:
(i) Zambian citizen;
(ii) resident in Zambia;
(iii) not less than eighteen years of age;
(iv) physically fit for service;
(v) sufficiently literate;
(vi) in possession of documentary proof of identity; and
(vii) a good character.
Madam, the following procedures must be undertaken by applicants for the post of police reserve officer:
(i) application must be made to Officer-in-Charge of a police station nearest to applicant’s place of residence.
(ii) a candidate must undergo tests as regards height, physique, literacy and intelligence.
(iii) candidate must complete part “A” of ZPR Form 1 and later undergo medical examinations.
(iv) applicant’s fingerprints impression must be lifted and sent for clearance.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Chisala: Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister state how long it takes for the procedure to be exhausted?
The Minister of Health (Dr Chituwo): Madam Speaker, the length it takes for the application to be processed depends upon the locality. The plan, really, is to expedite after these assessments have been made at various levels.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr D. Mwila (Chipili): Madam Speaker, of late we have seen that they have been recruiting foreigners such as Indians. I want to find out from the Hon. Minister whether it is right to recruit foreigners as police reserve officers?
Dr Chituwo: Madam Speaker, in fact, the former Inspector-General of Police has agreed with me, although whilst seated. We have stated in our reply that any Zambian citizen of good character, after assessment, is eligible for police reservist. I am surprised that we are equating a Zambian to the colour of my skin. In this country, there are Zambians by birth, but of different skin pigmentation, but they are Zambians. Therefore, in all honesty, they do qualify in all aspects.
Madam Speaker, the answer is that the pigmentation of the skin is not a criterion to ascertain whether one is a Zambian or not.
I thank you, Madam.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Dr Machungwa: Madam Speaker, the Deputy Minister has stated that one of the criteria is to assess intelligence. The hon. Minister knows that in this area, and I am speaking as an expert, there are problems in assessing intelligence such that intelligence tests are not even used now. What type of measures does the Ministry have to assess intelligence of applicants, if any?
Dr Chituwo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Luapula is grateful enough to tell us that he was using the same tests that he was using when he was in that Ministry. I would like to say that, really, not much has changed, but of course, there are limitations to any intelligence test and with time, these are adaptable according to the environment and culture. Currently, this are semantics, he is saying aptitude tests to determine the various inclinations of the applicants.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Chongo (Mwense): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why there is discrimination. I have not heard the education background of these police reserves, because when they are employing police officers, there is a limit in academic qualifications that goes with this, why should this not apply to police reserves?
Dr Chituwo: Madam Speaker, the question of comparing police reserve with the mainstream constabulary is misplaced. In the regular Police Service, these have to be promoted through the ranks. The academic qualification assists them to get to higher positions of responsibility, whereas the police reservist is part-time and is part of the community who contribute to the security of the localities. Therefore, the comparison should not be taken strictly.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mtonga (Kanyama): Madam Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to assure Zambians concerning people who may be friendly to the likes of Hon. Magande, but who are foreigners such as Boers, Indians and Lebanese who come forward to become reservists only because they want to access police power, and yet they have secret agendas to terrorise and use the high visibility position of a police officer to intimidate and carryout personal vendetta. Will the hon. Minister assure us that the systems are in place to make sure that non Zambians do not join the reservist or nobody joins the reservist on account of financial power or connection to politicians?
Dr Chituwo: Madam Speaker, in our substantive reply, we tabulated the criteria for one to be admissible to the Police Reserve. What the hon. Member for Kanyama is implying is a perception. As far as we are concerned, the guidelines in accepting or not accepting an applicant for the position of a police reservist. In this case, money is not an issue because we did not mention it and there is no criterion for possession of wealth at all.
I thank you, Sir.
Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out whether police reservists are sent for in-service training to equip them for a better service.
Dr Chituwo: Madam Speaker, the answer is yes, so that they are equipped for the rights of those citizens and to help them handle their work adequately.
I thank you, Sir.
MAZABUKA NICKEL MINE PROJECT
590. Mr Sejani (Mapatizya) asked the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources whether an Environmental Impact Assessment was undertaken for all the 2,100 hectares of land needed by the Albidon Mining Company in the Mazabuka Nickel Mine Project.
Mr Kaingu: Madam Speaker, I wish to confirm that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the 2,100 hectares of land needed by the Albidon Mining Company in the Mazabuka Nickel Mine Project was done. The environmental impact assessment considered the project specific activities and related impacts that may arise from the project implementation.
This House may wish to know that this project is fully compliant with ECZ requirements under the law.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Sejani: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the Ministry what they think is the purpose of an environmental impact assessment preceding any development and whether this Government actually respects the reports of the environmental impact assessments.
Mr Kaingu: Madam Speaker, it is exactly that…
Laughter
Mr Kaingu: …when a project applies to ECZ for Environmental Assessment Impact (EIA), what our people from the ECZ go to check is what the project will do to the environment, to the flora and fauna, and the people who live around that environment. That is the meaning of the EAI.
Thank you, Madam.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mwiimbu: Through you, Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister as to why the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources has continued to use a law that was declared null and void in this House, the law that gives power to the hon. Minister to overrule the powers of the ECZ.
Mr Kaingu: Madam Speaker, this country and the people of Zambia will always observe the law. So, there is no way the people of Zambia could practice a law that was rejected from this House. I am not aware of what the hon. Member of Parliament is saying.
Thank you, Madam.
Laughter
Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka): Madam Speaker, I am very thankful. This subject is very close to my heart. Does the hon. Minister understand the definition of the word compliance and, if he does, why has he gone ahead to tell us something that is not consistent with the truth because what is going on at the mine is extremely sad? Can the hon. Minister explain if he understands the word compliance, and then I urge him to double check his facts.
Mr Kaingu: Madam Speaker, I am qualified enough to understand and know the word compliance. In fact, for the sake of the Member of Parliament, I am doing my MBA now.
Laughter
Mr Kaingu: So, for a person who is doing an MBA, there is no way he can fail to know the meaning of compliance and I am saying that the project is compliant to the law. That is the reason why the project, right now, is in progress. So, it is in progress and they have been allowed because they have complied.
Laughter
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
RE-INTRODUCTION OF NATIONAL SERVICE RURAL RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME
591. Mr Imenda (Lukulu East) asked the hon. Minister of Defence whether the Government had any plans to re-introduce the National Service Rural Reconstruction Programme aimed at reducing youth unemployment in the country.
The Deputy Minister of Defence (Mr Akakandelwa): Madam Speaker, there are no immediate plans to re-introduce the Zambia National Service Rural Reconstruction Programme. The rural reconstruction centres were handed over to the Department of Resettlement in the Office of the Vice-President in 1992.
I thank you, Madam.{mospagebreak}
TRAINING OF NURSES AND MEDICAL DOCTORS UNDER THE TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION PROGRAMME
592. Mr Imenda asked the Minister of Health when the Government would, under the Technical Co-operation Programme with the British Government, seek a more comprehensive support programme in the training of nurses and medical doctors in view of Zambia’s current brain drain to the United Kingdom in the medical field.
Dr Puma: Madam Speaker, Zambia has been losing core health workers through migration to developed countries which offer better conditions of service. The majority of the core health workers have migrated to the United Kingdom (UK). In 2005 alone, an estimated 9 per cent of all attrition was due to migration to developed countries in search of better conditions of service. The bulk of these workers migrated to the UK.
In 2001, Zambia and the British Government represented by the Department for International Development (DFID) signed a bilateral agreement to provide US$20million to the health sector through basket funding arrangements. This was the first support by the British Government through our Sector-wide Approach to Programming (SWAP) and was for the period 2001-5.
With this funding modality, the Ministry of Health was able to allocate a reasonable proportion of the basket funds from the DFID and other basket donors such as SIDA, Royal Netherlands Embassy and DANIDA to our training institutions from 2004. This was done primarily to provide more resources to our training schools to enable them increase their intakes and production of new graduates in response to the human resources crisis facing the health sector. A monthly disbursement of US$270,000 has been made to all training institutions from the donor basket account with effect from 2004.
In 2006, DFID changed its aid funding modality from Sector Budget Support to General Budget Support. Through this funding modality, DFID contributed to the general GRZ budget without earmarking its support to a particular sector such as health.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Imenda: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out to what extent the training which is currently done is contributing towards the training of nurses that will be in a position which is like what is happening currently in Ghana where a quarter of their budget is funded from the money being paid, through remissions, by Ghanaians back to their home country.
Dr Chituwo: Madam Speaker, whereas we do realise that there is quite a bit of money that comes into the country from remittances from individual Zambians working abroad, but overall, this kind of funding goes directly to the individual families, thereby increasing or assisting in up raising their standard of living. With regard to training, in terms of losses, it is extremely difficult to equate the money that is remitted with the relocation of a Zambian national. There is more to it than just the money. The cultural up-lifting of these people and the loss of family love we cannot be equated with money. So, well as, indeed, in Ghana, there is an acknowledgement of quite a substantial amount of money going back into the country, this, really, in our set up cannot be equated to the amount of training that we undertake and the amount of money we spend on the training of our nationals.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Health if at all, it is not the responsibility of the ministry to ensure that all professionals, mostly doctors and nurses, who are out of the country do remit a portion of their money to the Ministry of Health at home.
Dr Chituwo: Madam Speaker, it is not the policy of the Government or Ministry of Health to demand that our nationals who are working in various national or international institutions abroad do remit their money to the Ministry of Health. There is no provision for that, but generally, we are grateful that they are able to support their families in one way or another.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Chilembo (Chama North): Madam Speaker, may I know if the Government has considered negotiating with the British Government to stop recruiting our medical personnel. I see no point in them funding the training and then getting them away from us by recruiting them.
Dr Chituwo: Madam Speaker, facts as they stand are that the British Government does not recruit health workers from developing countries. Through our association, the Commonwealth Ministers Conference, we actually came up with a Recruitment Code of Conduct which guides the recruiting countries where they should get their health workers.
Madam, what has been going on, at the moment, is that the private sector in the United Kingdom, recruits our workers. So, we have a difficulty. Whereas we are dealing with the United kingdom on a Government to Government basis, the private sector is free to go anywhere in the world and entice various citizens to join their recruitment schemes. Therefore, I would like to inform this House that the British Government does not directly recruit health workers from Zambia or this part of the world.
TIMBER CONCESSION LICENCES IN DISTRICTS
593. Mr Simama (Kalulushi) asked the hon. Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources how many timber concession licences were in the following districts:
(i) Livingstone;
(ii) Sesheke;
(iii) Mongu; and
(iv) Kaoma.
Mr Kaingu: Madam Speaker, there are ten Concession Licences in Livingstone District, nine in Sesheke District, seven in Mongu District and five in Kaoma District. The details of the Concession Licences in the mentioned districts are as follows:
Province District Name of the Company Type of Licence
Southern Livingstone ZAMVEST Pitsaw
Masele Co-operative Pitsaw
MGM Boat Hire and Fisheries Pitsaw
Maramba Development Company Pitsaw
Mongwe Timber Co-operative Pitsaw
Mutika Wood Limited Pitsaw
Falls Ways Timbers Commercial
RhoRay Commercial
Supersonic International Commercial
Kema Properties Commercial
Total 10
Western Sesheke Stakeholder Development Project Pitsaw
Katima Timber Supply Pitsaw
Laim Timbera Pitsaw
Simasi Timber Supply Pitsaw
Likanda Timber Supply Pitsaw
Mangamu Timber Limited Commercial
Baobab Timber Limited Commercial
L. M. Timbers Commercial
Masibi Timber Supply Commercial
Total 9
Mongu Nakalenge Timber Product Pitsaw
Ndondo Multi-purporse Pitsaw
Suuwe Pitsaw Group Pitsaw
Nalikena Pitsaw Group Pitsaw
Lyondo Timber Supply Pitsaw
Mongu Joinery Pitsaw
Sasha Timber Limited Commercial
Total 7
Kaoma Mangende Pitsaw Group Pitsaw
Mulwa Pitsaw Group Pitsaw
Mwangalesha Pitsaw Group Pitsaw
Try-Try Pitsaw Group Pitsaw
UKHA Sawmill Commercial
Total 5
Madam, it should be noted that a Pitsaw Licence refers to a licence allowed to operate at a small-scale using manual equipment under an area of 5,000ha. Whereas Commercial Licence refers to a large scale concession using mechanised equipment under the area of 10,000ha.
I thank you, Madam.
Mr Simama: Madam Speaker, on the mentioned numbers of Concession Licences, I would like to find out how many Concession Licences are dealing with the following species:
(i) Plerocarpus Angolensis (Klaat)
(ii) Barkia Plurijuga (Teak)
Laughter
Mr Kaingu: Madam, the question is laughable, but …
Laughter
Mr Kaingu: … I find it to be a new question.
I thank you, Madam.
Laughter
Dr Machungwa: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out whether it is not part of the problem in all these licences that, sometimes, you get foreigners who just come to cut these trees and export them. Whereas we would expect that the Zambians would do that, process and get some money before they export, we allow foreigners to come and go into our forests to cut the trees for practically nothing and then export them. What is your ministry’s strategy to deal with that situation because our trees are being cut at a very high rate?
Mr Kaingu: Madam Speaker, it is actually our concern as a ministry. However, we have a Timber Merchants Association which is supposed to help control the cutting of trees.
I thank you, Sir.
WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT DECISION-MAKING POSITIONS
594. Ms Kapata asked the Minister of Gender and Women in Development how many women were currently in Government decision-making position.
The Minister of Gender and Women in Development (Ms Mulasikwanda): Madam Speaker, before I answer the question, I would like to thank His Excellency, the President …
Laughter
Ms Mulasikwanda: … of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, SC, for nominating two women out of the eight nominated positions in Parliament, which were dominated by men, for the first time in the history of Zambia, …
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Interruptions
Ms Mulasikwanda: … making a percentage of 25, which is almost 30 per cent of the SADC Agreement.
Madam Speaker, the answer to this question is in three categories. We have the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary.
In the Executive wing of Government, there are four female Cabinet Ministers out of twenty-two positions and six female Deputy Ministers out of forty-four positions. Of the forty-three Permanent Secretaries, eight are female. At the level of Director and equivalent, there are 100 in total out of which twenty-three are female while at the level of Deputy Director, there are thirteen women out of seventy-one positions. At Assistant Director and equivalent level, there are thirty-seven women out of 177.
In the Legislature, which comprises 158 Members of Parliament, only twenty-four are female.
Hon. Opposition Members: Ah.
Ms Mulasikwanda: I am coming.
Laughter
Ms Mulasikwanda: We are making an inventory for the whole Government. The single position of Deputy Speaker is being held by a woman for the first time
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Ms Mulasikwanda: The total …
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!
Ms Mulasikwanda: The position of Clerk of National Assembly held by a female. The positions of Investigator-General and Auditor-General are both occupied by women.
At the Judiciary, there are seven Supreme Court Judges, out of which three are women. We have attained more than 30 per cent of women representation in decision-making positions declaration by SADC. Out of a total of forty-three High Court Judges, there are thirteen female. There is a table that illustrates the composition of women in decision-making positions vis-à-vis that of men, but I am not going to read it. I would rather table it.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Ms Mulasikwanda: Madam Speaker, my office is still compiling statistics on the number of women representation in the parastatal and public sectors.
I thank you, Madam.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!
Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, much as we appreciate the Ministry of Gender and Women Development and gender equality, women in Zambia constitute 51 per cent of Zambia’s population, and yet women are still very marginalised. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister how she is going to tackle this problem for us to achieve the 30 per cent women representation in decision-making positions declaration by SADC because Zambia has not yet achieved the 30 per cent.
Ms Mulasikwanda: Madam Speaker, I am aware about the 51 per cent of our number in this country. However, when you look at the whole situation, you find that for us to reach that 30 per cent women representation in decision-making positions declaration, we need the process to start. In fact, this is what the Government has already done. We know that the reason women have been so marginalised is because we had lagged behind in education from the beginning. It was our culture to support the boy-child and not the girl-child to school.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Ms Mulasikwanda: A girl-child was taken out of school at a certain level and allowed to get married. This is the reason the women of Zambia had lagged behind. What the Government has done now is encourage the girl-child to go to school and that is why certain things have been put in place. Even when a girl-child has become pregnant, she will be allowed to go back home and deliver and be brought back to school.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Ms Mulasikwanda: This is bridging the gap that has been there between the girl-child and the boy-child.
Now, to answer the question that Hon. Kapata has asked, this is far reaching. It does not only apply to the Government achieving the 30 per cent women representation in decision-making positions, but also to sensitise our political parties throughout this country. There is a need because time has come for the women to also be pushed in decision-making positions so that we can become equal. I am sure you know women are mothers. We are for peace, innovators, creative and influential …
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Ms Mulasikwanda: … and not only that, we are also partners of God in mankind’s creation.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Ms Mulasikwanda: … and because of that, we have to be on level ground to calm down the men when we know that things are not going well. We are the only ones who can advise them.
I thank you, Madam.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!
Mrs Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, can I find out from the hon. Minister of Gender-in-Development how many girls have graduated and how many of those girls are in decision-making positions since 2002 when the re-entry policy was pronounced by the then hon. Minister of Education, Dr. Syamujaye, May His Soul Rest in Peace?
Ms Mulasikwanda: Madam Speaker, 2002 to 2007 is only 5 years. I would like to believe that the children who were then put into this new process of governance to empower young girls in education have not even finished school. Some of them are in Grades 5 and 7 and above all, this is a new question.
I thank you, Madam.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mukanga: Madam Speaker, where the hon. Minister said that the women are supposed to be pushed, is she stating that the women are going to be pushed at whatever expense without considering quality and qualification?
Ms Mulasikwanda: Madam Speaker, in fact, I have not even spoken about pushing a woman. What I am talking about is the policy that has been formulated by the Government. The policy is that the young girls have an opportunity to go to school and finish their education up to university level. This is a good effort that the Government has made.
As for elderly women like me, we need to lobby from our political parties and our Government to have women raised to the level of their men folk.
I thank you, Madam.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Chanda: I thank you, Madam.
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!
Business was suspended from 1815 hours until 1830 hours.
Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, it has been widely observed that women bring each other down because of petty jealousy and bickering. As the hon. Minister responsible, what are you doing about this problem?
Ms Mulasikwanda: Madam Speaker, I should have actually brought the poem that I have created for the women of Zambia. I am just hoping that next time I will be given an opportunity to cite the poem in this House so that the women of Zambia can listen to it and know how special they are. Women of this country and the world at large are quite special because of the way God created them. It is for this reason that we have began sensitising ourselves not to fight one another because this has hindered us from progressing. However, our men should not worry because I know that it is them who have been engaging in petty issues of encouraging women to fight each other. This time, you are not going to manage as we are united and working towards the retention of the few female hon. Members of Parliament. By 2011, we shall have about seventy-five women in this House.
I thank you, Madam.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Malama (Mfuwe): Madam Speaker, what is the ministry doing to ensure that girl children are not withdrawn from schools by parents for the purposes of going into marriage, especially in rural areas?
Ms Mulasikwanda: Madam Speaker, I do not know whether the hon. Member of Parliament is aware of the Forum for African Women Educationists in Zambia (FAWEZA). This is another wing that has been created by the Government. It almost operates like a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in trying to promote the education of the girl child. We know that our girl children will not be left out in terms of education as they were in the past because the journey has begun and we will see to it that they acquire the education that they need.
I thank you, Madam.
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BILL
FIRST READING
PARLIAMENTARY AND MINISTERIAL CODE OF CONDUCT (Amendment) BILL, 2007
Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Madame Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct (Amendment) Bill, 2007.
Madam 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 Friday, 3rd 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.
I thank you.
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MOTION
ADJOURNMENT
The Vice-President (Mr R. Banda): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.
Question put and agreed to.
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The House adjourned at 1837 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 25th July, 2007.
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