DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FIRST SESSION OF THE TENTH ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 17th July, 2007

The House met at 1430 hours

[THE SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_______

QUESTIONS

ERADICATION AND CONTAIN OF CATTLE DISEASE IN THE SOUTHERN PROVINCE AND CBPP IN KAZUNGULA DISTRICT

485. Mr Chazangwe asked the Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives what measures the ministry has taken to eradicate and contain cattle diseases in the Southern Province, in general, and the Contagious Bovine Pleural Pneumonia (CBPP) in Kazungula District, in particular.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Mr Mulonga): Mr Speaker, in order to eradicate and contain cattle diseases in the Southern Province, the ministry has intensified the provision of extension services by educating farmers on the importance of regular dipping, vaccinations and good animal husbandry practices. Veterinary assistants are also being retrained for effective service delivery. Further, the Government has made arrangement to procure vaccines and other requisites to combat livestock diseases.

With regard to the control of CBPP in Kazungula District, the Government has taken the following measures:

(a) banned the movement of livestock to prevent the spread of the disease to other districts;

(b) branding cattle for identification;

(c) using stock registers to ensure the recording of each farmer’s livestock. This will help identify cattle not belonging to that area;

(d) testing and identifying positive and in- contact herds and slaughtering them to reduce infections and eliminate the source of infections; and

(e) enhancing extension service delivery in order to make farmers appreciate the economic importance of the disease, how to recognise it,  and what to do.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chazangwe: Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister tell this august House why the Government has not taken serious measures to curb the diseases in the Southern Province. Further, when will the ban be lifted because people are suffering?

The Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives (Mr Kapita): Mr Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member for Choma Central for that important follow-up question.

I would like to take this opportunity to inform this august House that the Government is taking very serious steps to control and contain this disease. We have done all we can to combat CBPP and I am looking forward to the time when it will be a thing of the past.

On 25th April 2007, I called a meeting for all the veterinary officers in this country to brainstorm how we can put this disease behind us. They have done that and have come up with a report which I have read. They have made some far-reaching proposals on how to contain this disease. However, I have raised some questions on these proposals because some of them are politically sensitive. That is why it will take a little longer to implement some of them.

Now, I will prepare a covering memo to inform Cabinet about the serious measures to be taken to contain CBPP in this country. For now, fortunately, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning has given us K2.5 billion to use in combating the disease.

 You might have heard about what is happening in Choma. We are handling four provinces, namely Southern, Western, North/Western and Northern provinces. When everything is in place, this august House will appreciate that for once we can, actually, combat this disease.

Mr Speaker, as for when the ban will be lifted, I cannot give you a categorical answer at all, because all depends on the reappearance of the disease. So far, we are conducting some tests to and ensure that the disease does not spread to Choma and Namwala. It could reach the two places because of the people who are carrying cattle at night, but we are doing everything possible to stop that.

We shall lift the ban as soon as we are satisfied that the disease has been contained and is restricted to Kazungula, possibly, one or two other places in Kalomo, including two commercial farms in Livingstone. Otherwise, steps are taken to control and contain cattle diseases and this country will be free, for once, from CBPP.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sinyinda (Senanga): Mr Speaker, I am not sure whether the hon. Minister is aware that this disease is spreading at a rapid rate. I am saying so because the economy in the Western Province especially is dependent on cattle. If this disease is not contained, it will be disastrous for the people of the province.

I would like to know why the Government is not declaring this disease a national disaster so that it can be contained.

Mr Kapita: Mr Speaker, I made it clear, earlier, that we are taking some very far- reaching measures. Definitely, this august House will be informed when these measures, which I am taking to Cabinet, are approved. It might include what the hon. Member is asking on.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kasongo (Bangweulu): Mr Speaker, the Government has been in the habit of taking adhoc measures to try and contain livestock diseases, and yet our neighbouring countries have been able to sustain their economy through livestock farming. Can this Government guarantee that those measures that will be put in place will contain the spread of livestock diseases once and for all?

Mr Kapita: Mr Speaker, I would like to confirm that the measures that we are taking are not adhoc. That is why we are taking some time because adhoc measures have not worked in the past. We must also not forget the fact that when the economy was liberalised in 1991, everything else was liberalised, including the spread of diseases from point A to B.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapita: Yes. That is the truth.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapita: That is why we are putting in place measures that are far reaching to contain the diseases. Definitely, the measures that we are taking are going to see this country free from Contagious Bovine Pleural Pneumonia, foot and mouth disease and so on. We want to start exporting beef. We cannot export unless we are free from livestock diseases.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hachipuka (Mbabala): Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister indicated that cattle that was infected with Contagious Bovine Pleural Pneumonia disease was slaughtered. At what rate are the farmers compensated? I think this House should know how much per kilogramme of a slaughtered animal, the farmer is being compensated at.

Mr Kapita: Mr Speaker, with regard to compensation, I must admit that I have to find out from the office, if I can be given that latitude. I do not want to lie to the House. I want to come here with a specific answer to that question.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwenzi): Mr Speaker, the maize marketing season has started and the hon. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives is on record of having informed this House that people should not use sick animals to transport maize to satellite depots. I would like to know what the Government is doing to alleviate the problem of the vulnerable people who cannot transport their produce to the marketing depots which are far from their homes.

Mr Kapita: Mr Speaker, definitely, the Government has not put in place motor vehicles to transport bags of maize. I was in Choma two weekends ago to look at the number of depots. I remember, for Choma, we had ten, initially. The number increased to sixteen. We are bringing the depots as close to the farming areas as possible. For this, I am always ready to listen to hon. Members of Parliament. Some have written to me, asking for more depots. For example, the hon. Member of Parliament for Petauke, Ms Siliya asked for six depots, but we gave her four more. We have done the same for Choma. So, we are reviewing the number of depots and bringing them as close as possible to the farming areas.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister knows very well that there is a disease in the Southern Province, why are we restocking in the Southern Province?

Laughter

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapita: Mr Speaker, I am sorry. I was also forced to laugh a little.

Sir, the question from the hon. Member for Chadiza is a very important one. I want to link it to another asked by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning who wanted to transport his cattle from Lusaka to Choma, but the answer was no, because we do not move cattle in and out of the Southern Province.

Sir, there is money for restocking cattle in the Southern Province, but we will not take it there when there are diseases. The programme for animal restocking in the Southern Province is on, but the physical movement of animals will have to wait until lift the ban on stock movement. The money is there, but we are not allowing the movement of animals.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Milupi (Luena): Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives admit that any plan must have an end date?

Mr Kanyanyamina: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Milupi: Therefore, when does he envisage the Southern, Western provinces, and indeed the whole country, to be free of Contagious Bovine Pleural Pneumonia? What date does his plan have?

Mr Kapita: Mr Speaker, I would be lying if I put a date to this because it is not possible to do so. As I have said, I am taking the far-reaching measures to Cabinet. For the benefit of this august House, the Cabinet Memorandum is being finalised because it is a very expensive programme. Once the Cabinet has gone through it, we could be forced to come to this august House to approve a very big amount of money to eradicate Contagious Bovine Pleural Pneumonia, firstly, in Southern Province, secondly, in the Western Province, thirdly, in the North- Western Province and lastly, in the Northern Province. There are four provinces that are involved.

We have to put a programme in place for the eradication of CBPP from Zambia which includes the four named that will be submitted to Cabinet.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze): Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives to confirm that the Livestock Restocking Programme is for those who lost their animals through cattle diseases and that it is not intended for people who have never had cattle before.

Hon. Government Members: No!

Mr Kapita: Mr, Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Monze for raising the question. Through that question, I wish to confirm here, this afternoon, that the programme of cattle restocking is intended to replace animals, in a small way, that were lost as a result of diseases, but only diseases of economic importance such as CBPP and foot and mouth. This is also not meant for cattle owners who have lost their animals due to farm management problems. Diseases such as lump skin are supposed to be a baby of the farmer. We are not going to replace livestock that has died of such diseases. However, there might be other programmes in future for cattle introduction.

Mr Mwiimbu: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapita: There is cattle restocking for areas that lost their cattle through CBPP and foot and mouth disease. There might be a programme in future for cattle introduction in areas where there is no cattle.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka): Mr Speaker, in his earlier response, the hon. Minister indicated that he called a meeting for the finest veterinary brains in the country in order to address the matter of cattle disease. One of the resolutions that were made at that meeting was that animals would be branded district by district. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why four months after that meeting, the brands, which I am told were supposed to be centrally procured, are not ready.

Secondly, I would also like him to confirm that these brands, since we are told they will be imported, will cost the same amount of K20,000.

Mr Kapita: Mr Speaker, I want to confirm that we are manufacturing all the brands here in Lusaka. At a meeting we held two weeks ago, between ourselves and the Farmers Union led by the President, Mr Garry Robinson, we agreed that the Farmers’ Union will do us a favour of checking for the brand everyday because they represent farmers and that makes me very happy. The brands are from Zambia.

I will not confirm the price because I do not know it, but the brands are on the way and every district will be catered for. I expect my staff to have begun transporting the brands to the various districts by now. We are beginning with the Southern Province because that is where the disease is prevalent.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kakoma (Zambezi West): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister told us that he was unable to implement some of the measures because they are political. What are those political reasons that are preventing him from finding a solution to CBPP?

Mr Kapita: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Zambezi West for raising that question although I would like to differ with him. I did not say we are failing to find a solution, but that we are putting measures in place to put an end to CBPP although some of those measures are politically sensitive. Obviously, I have a duty to take them first to Cabinet. That is what I said. They must be approved by Cabinet because, in my own right, as minister, I cannot announce to the country what I want to do that involves billions of kwacha and, sometimes, very politically sensitive. I have to go to Cabinet for them to give me support and direction. There is nothing that we are unable to do, but we need to consult Cabinet on behalf of the nation.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

CONNECTION OF SINAFALA SCHOOL AND HEALTH CENTRE TO THE NATIONAL POWER GRID

486. Mr Ntundu (Gwembe) asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development when Sinafala School and Health Centre in Gwembe District would be connected to the national power grid.

The Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development (Mr Sichilima): Mr Speaker, there are no immediate plans to connect Sinafala School and Heath Centre to the national electricity grid. However, I wish to inform the House that Sinafala School and Health Centre in Gwembe District have already been electrified using solar energy.

I, further wish to inform hon. Members of the House that the Government will not electrify all rural areas by connecting to the national grid in places where the cost of grid extension is prohibitive. It is in this regard that my ministry is providing alternative sources of energy such as solar.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, arising from the disappointing answer that has been given by the hon. Deputy Minister, I would like to find out where the money has gone that was provided for the Gwembe-Tonga Development Project for the electrification of Sinafala Rural Health Centre. Who is sitting on the money?

Mr Sichilima: Mr Speaker, in my answer, I said not all rural areas will be electrified using the national grid. Right now, Gwembe is connected to solar.

Mr Speaker, I would like to take advantage of this question, if you allow me, to provide an answer for the Rural Electrification Programme. Under the Rural Electrification Master Plan, 1,216 Rural Growth Centres have so far been identified through a consultative process in liaison with the provincial and district planners. All the hon. Members were requested to review the identified Rural Growth Centres with a view to checking whether there are any areas which have been left out.

Recently, a workshop was held at the Mulungushi Conference Centre on 27th June, 2007, on the development of the Rural Electrification Master Plan. Stakeholders were requested to comment on the National Priority List of unelectrified Rural Growth Centres developed by the Rural Electrification Master Plan Study Team. The list was compiled using data that was obtained from the nine Provincial Consultative Workshops and consultations with hon. Members. The Rural Electrification Programme Study Team sponsored by the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA) has been preparing the plan since May, 2006, and is expected to complete the work by December, 2007.

Mr Speaker, there was a document that was circulated to all hon. Members which compeled us to submit identified places, which include Gwembe Health Centre. I will lay the list of all these programmes that have been identified on the Table for the hon. Member for Gwembe to look at. This is not final. If he feels the health centre is not electrified as provided by the Master Plan, and has a suggestion to make, he can come to our offices so that we include it.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sichilima laid the paper on the Table.

REHABILITATION OF NSASA MWENJE/MUSINDANO NAKONDE AND KANYALA MWANIMPANGALA ROADS

487. Mr Sichamba (Isoka West) asked the Minister of Works and Supply when the Nsasa Mwenje/Musindano Nakonde and Kanyala Mwanimpangala roads would be rehabilitated.

The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Tetamashimba): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House as follows:

(a) Nsasa Mwenje/Musindano Nakonde Road

The above road was identified by Isoka District as a priority road for rehabilitation in the 2007 Annual Work Plan. The feasibility study for rehabilitation of the project road has now been completed by the Road Development Agency. It is estimated that the rehabilitation of the road will cost K543 million according to the preliminary design carried out in the study. Tender documents have been prepared and my ministry will advertise and go to tender this July, 2007. It is, therefore, expected that works will start in September, 2007.

(b) Kanyala Mwanimpangala Road

This road was another priority road submitted last year for consideration of rehabilitation in the 2007 Annual Work Plan. Limitation of funds in this year’s Budget could not allow my ministry to work on this road this year. However, the road will be included in the Annual Work Plan for 2008 as long as it remains a priority for the district.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sichamba: Mr Speaker, what mechanism is the ministry and the Office of the Vice-President putting in place to ensure that the bridges on the said roads are maintained so that farmers can transport their produce to the intended markets?

The Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Simbao): Mr Speaker, I have been taken aback to hear the hon. Member of Parliament talk about bridges. We’ve just been answering a question on roads and if this includes bridges, we will see how they can be attended to.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mooya (Moomba): Mr Speaker, I heard the hon. Minister say that the rehabilitation works will start in September, and yet there is a ban in effect. No road rehabilitation works will be done during the rainy season. However, September is only about two months before the start of the rains. My question is, has this ban been lifted?
Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, the ban was put on the people with no technology to work on roads during the rainy season. The people that have the technology are free to work on the roads during this time of the year. The hon. Member of Parliament who has asked this question is very knowledgeable about this kind of road we are talking about which will cost about K543 million just for grading. It is not any further than that and grading the entire road could be a ten day’s job.

I thank you, Sir.

SADC PROTOCAL ON SHARED WATERCOURSE SYSTEMS

488. Mr Mwansa (Chifunabuli) asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development whether the Government had ratified and domesticated the SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourse Systems and, if so, how Zambia would benefit from the Protocol.

The Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development (Mr Malwa): Mr Speaker, Zambia signed the Protocol on Shared Watercourse Systems on 28th August, 1995 and ratified it on 18th May, 1998. The Protocol was revised in 2000 and its name changed to Revised SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourses.

Mr Speaker, Zambia, again, signed the Revised SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourses (Revised Protocol) together with other SADC States on 7th August, 2000. The Revised Protocol provides a framework for the management of the fifteen shared watercourses in the SADC region. The Revised Protocol also provides for rights, obligations and privileges for member States. It also recognises the sovereignty of each member State in the management of shared watercourses within the broader framework of the SADC Treaty. The Government ratified the Revised Protocol on the Shared Watercourses on 31st May, 2004.

The Water Act, Cap. 198 of the Laws of Zambia does not provide for the domestication of international instruments into national law. Therefore, the Government will, in the near future, present the Water Resources Management Bill (2007) to the National Assembly for enactment. The Water Bill has provided for management of shared watercourses in harmony with the Revised SADC Protocol. Therefore, the Revised Protocol will be domesticated by the enactment of the Water Resources Management Bill.

Benefits for Zambia

Zambia’s active participation in the implementation of the Revised SADC Protocol accrues many benefits such as the following:

(a) participation in Regional Water Infrastructural Development Programmes.  This includes the Zambezi River Action Plan Project to develop integrated water resources, management and development strategies in the Zambezi Basin, SADC irrigation initiative with assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)/World Bank─ rehabilitation and construction of irrigation schemes in Zambia, SADC Groundwater Development Programme and Sponsored Regional Flood and Drought Management Programmes;

(b) achievement of regional consensus building in integrated water resources management through stakeholder participation facilitated by the SADC Forum (development of treaties and agreement on the use of shared watercourses, development of the regional water policy and regional water strategy; Zambia participated in all these processes);

(c) institutional strengthening through participation in training programmes and use of normative integrated water resources management tools. Zambia enhanced her capacities in the management of shared watercourses; and

(d) implementation of joint ventures in Water Resources Management and Development where Zambia and other SADC countries have achieved the following:

(i) Water resource data capturing and information sharing for drought and flood management (Pre-Rainy Season, Regional Climate Outlook and Weather Forecast, Five-Year Publication on the State of the Zambezi Basin and SADC Hydrological Cycle Observation Project). These projects were done at a total cost of K270 million.

(ii) Other developments achieved were bilateral water resources data sharing for bridge constructions at (Katimamulilo Bridge between Zambia, Namibia and Chirundu Bridge and the Feira Pontoon under construction between Zambia and Zimbabwe).

(iii) Water resources development for productive use by Zambezi, Namibia and Irrigated Agriculture Joint Venture in Sesheke and the Zambia-Zambezi co-operation in the management of the Kariba Dam to produce electricity for ZESA at Kariba Dam in Zimbabwe and ZESCO in Zambia, both in power utility for both two countries; and

(iv) Mr Speaker, the other last benefits are harmonisation of the National Water Policy, national legislation, through domestication of regional protocols and adoption of best practices, integrated water resources management (the Zambia Water Policy and Water Bill were developed in harmony with the SADC Water Resources Management Instruments).

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, bearing in mind the fact that Zambia utilises less than 3 per cent of her water resource, which means the rest of the water goes into the shared water. Is that protocol not going to undermine the development and utilisation of our water resource and cede it, as it were, to foreigners at the expense of Zambia?

Mr D. Mwila: Ba Malwa teti mwasuke iyo.

Laughter

The Minister of Energy and Water Development (Mr Konga): Mr Speaker, that is a very good observation by the hon. Member of Parliament for Chifunabuli. This is the more reason the Government has been cautious and has decided to consult all stakeholders so that before a firm decision is made, all these issues are taken into account.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Scott (Lusaka Central): Mr Speaker, I am afraid, I did not catch much of the original answer and I doubt whether many people did. However, to follow on to the last question, protocols and treaties are about resolving potential conflicts over resources, territories and so forth. Could the hon. Minister outline what the key potential conflicts pertaining to the Zambezi River are because we had stories of Bulawayo needing water from the Zambezi.

The other river that we have as a border is the Luapula that we share with Katanga in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I would like him to comment on how the joint management of the Luapula River improved since our relationship with Moses Katumbi, the Governor of Katanga, seems to have improved to the point where his katundu is now being returned to him.

Hon. PF. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, while we agree that these protocols are supposed to address issues of potential conflicts, you recall the response given by the hon. Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development that within the SADC Region, all the representative states agreed to sign this protocol for the management of the Zambezi River water basin.

So, where there is no conflict, other members have signed and Zambia being a member state was, also, obliged to sign except that we had said that we needed to consult our local stakeholders as was mentioned by the hon. Member for Chifunabuli. The consultations have been made. Therefore, Zambia has ratified its protocol and there is potential conflict at all.

Sir, I am aware that some members within the region would like to draw water from the Zambezi River, but being members of the management of the same water basin and having ratified the protocol, we all can sit together and find a way of how we can address that issue.

As regards the second question by the hon. Member for Lusaka Central relating to the Luapula or what I would term the Congo DRC Water Basin. Maybe he can ask that question at an appropriate time because that was not the original question.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mukanga (Kantanshi): Mr Speaker, from the answers that the hon. Minister has given and realising that we have always had the Luapula River, Kariba Dam and the Zambezi Rivers to ourselves, what tangible benefits will my grandfather on the ground in Luapula and the Western Province see apart from the theories that the hon. Minister has given?

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, maybe his concern should not be about the benefits that will accrue to the hon. Member’s grandfather, but what benefits will accrue to the hon. Member’s grandchildren because we should be forward looking, I think.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Vision!

Mr Konga: What was very clearly elaborated by the hon. Deputy Minister has so many benefits. We are talking about drought and flood control and climate change; and these are the factors that will affect, of course, not us now, but our children and grandchildren. How we manage these water basins, together with our neighbours, is very cardinal.

We have talked about constituency buildings and joint resource water management within the region. All these are benefits that accrue, maybe not to us directly, but definitely, to our children. How we are going to monitor cycles of the weather. Today, when watching the Television this evening, they will show the weather pattern. You do not know where that information is coming from, but because of that information, you can plan your holiday, children’s holiday, or your planting or other activities.

All these activities, which, I think, will come and we should know how to manage water and energy. As you all know water flows from up in the north but is this water going to be enough to power the generation in the south? All those are benefits that will drive the economy, which both our children and grandchildren are going to benefit from. So, the benefits are many.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

VITALISING AND STRENGTHENING OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES

489. Mr Msichili (Kabushi) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing what the Government policy was to vitalise and strengthen local authorities in all spheres.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Kazonga): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the implementation of the Decentralisation Implementation Policy in Zambia will help in vitalising and strengthening the operations of the local authorities. The policy has outlined a number of areas that, once implemented, will strengthen local authorities. These include the following:

(a) the Government will establish a new decentralised structure of governance through which services will be delivered. The district will, thus, be the focus of development and service delivery;

(b) the Government will address the challenges relating to development planning by providing a legal backing to the development planning process and output and devise mechanisms for strengthening the linkage between planning and the national budgeting process;

(c) Human Resource Management and Development will be reviewed and performance management and appraisal systems for effective and improved service delivery will be introduced; and

(d) challenges on infrastructure development and maintenance, financial mobilisation and management will also be addressed. These will be addressed through the implementation of the ten components in the National Decentralisation Implementation Policy.

In addition, Mr Speaker, the Government, in implementing the National Decentralisation Implementation Policy, has put in place programmes to enable local authorities have sustainable sources of revenue and the following measures are being implemented in order to enhance the revenue base of councils:

(i) Revenue Sharing on Resource Extraction

Mr Speaker, local authorities ought to benefit from the economic activities being undertaken in their areas. To this effect, the ministry is working on programmes that will enable councils benefit from activities such as mining, wildlife and tourism revenue, dry ports, waterfalls, fisheries, power installations, civil aviation and professional services not covered under trade licenses, etc.

(ii) Taxes Proposed to be Shared

The ministry recognises that the Government is devolving some of the functions on service delivery to local authorities and that the latter would need resources to deliver these services. It is for this reason that my ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to devise mechanisms that will ensure equitable sharing of centrally collected revenues for sustainable financing of local councils for service delivery. The targeted taxes are Fuel Levy, Motor Vehicle Licence fees, Presumption Tax, Game Licences and many more.

(iii) Reconfiguration of the Grant System

The Government has devised a formula based Grant System that has transformed the previous ad-hoc based grants into three grants, that is: Restructuring Grant, Recurrent Grant and Capital Grant. The key principal of these grants is that they should be equitable, transparent and also predictable. It is worth noting here that this august House has already approved these proposals in this year’s budget for implementation.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mschili (Kabushi): Mr Speaker, the answer given by the Minister seems to be a very good answer except that with this Government, you find that whatever they have on paper …

Mr Speaker: Order! What is your supplementary question?

Mr Mschili: Mr Speaker, I wanted to find out when this Decentralisation Implementation Policy will be implemented because as for now, we see people come from workshops …

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

The hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing may take the Floor.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, in the first place, I wish to state that decentralisation is a complex issue. Let me start by indicating the phases that are in the Decentralisation Implementation Policy. Phase I, which was from 2002 running up to 2006 was to do with preparation. It was a preparatory stage.

 The next phase going up to 2010 is the implementation stage. This is where the technical details will have to be tested by being implemented.

The last phase, which is phase III, is the review which will consolidate the lessons learnt from the first phase, the preparatory stage, and the second phase, the implementation stage, to chart a way forward. Therefore, this Government is on course as far as these phases are concerned and through the implementation of the ten components that I talked about in my response, there has been reasonable progress. For instance, one of the components that is in the plan is sensitisation, awareness and civic education that is being done.

Then, there is a component on the legal framework. Right now, there is a technical committee that is looking at all pieces of legislation that have an impact on the Decentralisation Implementation Policy. We are convinced that we are ready. Being a complex issue, we are satisfied that we are moving in the right direction.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kalumba (Chienge): Mr Speaker, based on the response by the very able hon. Minister relating to the need for councils to benefit from economic activities in their areas, what is the Government doing to ensure that councils benefit from wildlife conservation activities in their area, particularly vis-à-vis revenue that accrues to the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA)?

Mr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Chienge for that particular question which borders on resource mobilisation. Actually, we, as a Government, are already in the process of considering areas that he has mentioned as part of mobilising resources for the local authorities. In this regard, the Government is already working on the modalities in which these can be done in addition to other taxes and revenues which are collected.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

RENAMING PROVINCES THAT HAVE ENGLISH NAMES WITH LOCAL NAMES

490. Mr Kapeya (Mpika Central) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing when provinces bearing English names, such as Eastern, Central, Northern and Western Provinces, would be renamed preferably with local names.

Mr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that at the moment, the Government has no intentions of renaming the provinces with English names.

Mr Speaker, Members may wish to note that there are two or more tribes in each of these nine provinces and naming these provinces in a particular tribe or local name may not be easy.

Provinces with English names are gazetted, neutral and describe direction of the provinces and do not in any way compromise Zambia’s sovereignty. Changing names into local languages would imply different ethnic groups coming to a consensus on a common name which, in some cases, may not be easy.

Furthermore, changing names would lead to incurring substantial costs which would take away resources meant for development and poverty eradication.

However, Mr Speaker, if the people in a particular area wish to rename a province or a district for that matter, that decision can be made by the district council or councils and submitted to the Government for the decision of Cabinet.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Deputy Minister tell this House why we had to rename towns such as Fort Jameson, Fort Rosebury, Abercorn, Broken Hill, Bancroft and so on?

Mr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, at the time, there was a need to rename towns such as Fort Jameson, now Chipata, and many others because we were coming from the colonial era. As a result of independence, we wanted some of these changes to take place. The cardinal point that I want to emphasise is that there was consensus. The people agreed on the names.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kazonga: The people presented the names and the rationale behind changing them. If there is a need for names of some provinces to be changed, we have given an avenue for that.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kasongo (Bangweulu): Mr Speaker, there are gallant men and women who fought for the independence of the country who should be honoured by naming some of the towns after them. Does the hon. Minister not feel that it is an obligation on our part to do that?

Mr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, definitely, we are ready to honour people who brought us where we are at the moment. Coming to the issue of names, if there is consensus on a particular change of name, you can bring that proposal to the Government for its consideration. That is if there is something that is really compelling. We have said that it is also important to realise that this goes with some costs. That is a process of consultation which may actually affect some of the developmental programmes and projects that we have put in place.

I thank you, Sir. 

THE MATEBELE/SHANGOMBO ROAD, NANGWESHI/SINJEMBELA ROAD AND NANGWESHI/MUTOME VIA MULELE ROAD

491. Mr Mwangala (Nalolo) asked the Minister of Works and Supply whether the Government had plans to tar or gravel the following roads in the Western Province:

(a) Matebele/Shangombo;

(b) Nangweshi/Sinjembela; and

(c) Nangweshi/Mutome via Mulele.

The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Tetamashimba): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Government has plans to gravel the Matebele/Shangombo Road. However, no funds have been provided for this road in the 2007 Annual Work Plan. My ministry will, nevertheless, include this road in the 2008 Annual Work Plan.

Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to gravel the Nangweshi/Sinjembela Road which is RD 323. No funds have been provided for this road in the 2007 Annual Work Plan. However, this road will be considered under the second phase of the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA)-Funded Road Sector Programme Support for feeder road components which will start in 2008.

Sir, the Government has plans to gravel the Nangweshi/Mutome via Mulele Road. No funds have been provided for this road in the 2007 Annual Work Plan. This road will be considered under the second phases of the DANIDA-Funded Road Sector Programme Support for feeder road components which will start next year.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Imenda (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Deputy Minister whether he is aware that Shangombo is one of the two districts which have not benefited from tarmac. Therefore, why do we still talk about gravel roads?

Mr Tetamashimba: Mr Speaker, at the moment, we do not see the need to tar the road. I can assure the hon. Member of Parliament that there is a programme to connect Solwezi, Kasempa, Kaoma to Lukulu because of the economic activities that are in the North-Western Province. There will be consideration of that issue so that our products from the North- Western Province can be transported to the neighbouring countries.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sinyinda (Senanga): Mr Speaker, does the hon. Deputy Minister realise that Shangombo is one of the main outlets to Angola and that it is one of the most dependable, economically, in the Western Province where minerals and agricultural products are found?

Mr Tetamashimba: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the hon. Member of Parliament that this Government is going to put up a bridge between Senanga and Sesheke. I am sure he is aware that the being referred to is under rehabilitation by the European Union. This Government has done so much in terms of funding in the Western Province. At the moment, in Kalabo, the tarmac is only from the township to the airport.

I do agree that it is an economic area. This is why we have an eagle’s eye into the future with regard to what will be happening in Senanga District. This is why we are putting all these programmes in place.

 I thank you, Sir.

CONSTRUCTION OF A HIGH SCHOOL IN NANGOMA CONSTUTUENCY

492. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Education when the Government would construct a high school in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency.

The Deputy Minister of Education (Ms Changwe): Mr Speaker, I would like to respond that, the high school will only be constructed when funds are made available.

I thank you, Sir.

 MEDICAL PERSONNEL IN MWENSE CONSTITUENCY

493. Mr Chongo (Mwense) asked the Minister of Health:

(a) how many medical personnel were at all the health centers in Mwense Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b) how many of those at (a) above were qualified to administer maternal health care.

 The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Puma): Mr Speaker, the response is as follows:

(a)  The number of medical personnel at all health centres in Mwense District is forty-six, broken down as follows:

Clinical Officers    6
Environmental Health Technicians  6
Enrolled Nurses    17
Mid-wives     4
Laboratory Technicians   1
Registered Nurses    11
Medical licentiate    1

Total      46

All of the medical personnel listed above qualify to administer maternal health services at varying levels, depending on their training. This is supplemented by the integrated management of childhood illnesses training that is provided to all health workers in all health centres.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chongo: Mr Speaker, given the vastness of the area and the inadequacy in the number of personnel to administer health care services, it is obvious that many are deprived of this care. As a result, they look to traditional ways of addressing maternal problems. How is the Government assisting to supplement the traditional efforts so that adverse maternal consequences are addressed?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Health has recognised the problem of human resource and we have put measures in place to ensure that the number of health professionals in the field is increased. To this effect, we have recognised that currently, we are operating at 50% capacity. We have put in this year’s budget K 22 Billion for the recruitment of health personnel to ensure that health services are delivered. In addition to that, realising the problem of lack of trained human resource at the health centre level, we are working in partnership with the community by training traditional birth attendants who have been very helpful in the communities in improving health service delivery at that level.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kambwili (Roan): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the Government has any plans to re-engage retired nurses, especially midwives on contract as this will alleviate the shortage of medical staff.

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, the ministry has these intentions. In fact, in a number of districts, they have already started re-engaging some of the professionals that have retired, but are not tired. In the same way, if there are members of staff that are retired, but not tired in that constituency, the district will be able to make use of them.

DECENTRALISING THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION

494. Mr Mbewe (Chadiza) asked the Minister of Home Affairs when the Ministry will decentralise the issuance of certificates of registration to clubs.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Ms Njapau): Sir, currently an assessment on the impact of the decentralising registration process is in progress. As soon as this is over, the issuance of certificates of registration to clubs will be decentralised, depending on the recommendation based on the assessment.

The House may wish to know that applications for registration of societies that are issued by the Registrar of Societies in Lusaka are now processed in all the districts of Zambia.
 
I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

COMPLETION OF HEALTH POSTS IN CHINSALI CONSTITUENCY

495. Mr C. Mulenga (Chinsali) asked the Minister of Health when the following abandoned health posts in Chinsali Parliamentary Constituency will be completed:

(a) Kalela Health Post;

(b) Cheswa Health Post;

(c) Mushinda Health Post;

(d) Chimbele Health Post; and

(e) Nashinga Health Post.

The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Puma): Mr Speaker, the response is as follows:

(a) The Kalela health post project was presented to Zambia Social Investment Fund (ZAMSIF) for consideration for funding. However, it could not take off  as ZAMSIF projects came to an end about two years ago before the local communities finished providing bricks and sand as their upfront contribution.

Nevertheless, Kalela and Chimbele have been included in the 2007 Capital Investment Plans. These plans are intended to be sold to the co-operating partners for support and possible funding.

In addition, the health posts have been included in the 2007-2009 District and Provincial Strategic Infrastructure Development Plans.

(b) Cheswa, Mushinda and Nashinga are among the projects that were initiated by the communities using Constituency Development Funds (CDF), but were not approved by the District Development Co-ordinating Committee (DDCC), had no standard plans and did not involve architects from the Ministry of Health and Buildings Department. These are due for evaluation by the Ministry of Health, Buildings Department and the Council for consideration on the way forward.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr C. Mulenga: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what makes them take so long to attend to such small projects. I know that, for example, Kalela Health Post has been on foundation level for a long time. I believe that even the late Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe left this …

Mr Speaker: Order!  What is your question?

Mr C. Mulenga: … the question is, what takes them so long to complete such projects.

Hon. Members of Parliament: Hear, hear!

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, the reason some projects take long to complete is the way they are started. For instance, Kalela and Chimbele are projects that the community expected would be funded through the ZAMSIF project. We know that in various parts of the country, there are communities that hoped that these projects would be funded. Unfortunately, the project came to an end before these people could mobilise the bricks and the sand.  This means that the district has to change the plans to incorporate such a project, whereby the funding was expected from another source.

Projects such as Cheswa, Mushinda and Nashinga were started by Members of Parliament.

Previously, the Constituency Development Fund was not channelled the way it is now. Now, it is being done in a very consistent and accountable manner because of the good governance.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Puma: Sir, before, it was a situation where an hon. Member of Parliament would just go to the community and promise them that the money would come. There was no proper channel of that money going to the community because the District Development Co-ordinating Committee was not involved. That is how projects were started the past. As a result, most of these projects that were started without proper procedure stalled. Therefore, there was no continuity. Once a Member of Parliament left, they new one would not continue with such a project.

Mr Speaker, with the present system in place, where all the funds are being channelled through the normal procedure and are well accounted for, most of the projects that are being started will be completed.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili (Roan): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out why the District Development Co-ordinating Committees (DDCCs) have been given so much power over the Constituency Development Fund. In return, projects are delayed because of these DDCC meetings. Further, why do the DDCCs comprise civil servants and not technocrats as provided for by the guidelines?

Interruptions

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, the best ministry to answer that question is the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. In essence, the District Development Co-ordinating Committee comprises all Heads of Government Departments, Non-Governmental Organisations and all the stakeholders in the district.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Puma: Therefore, that is the correct body to co-ordinate programmes at that level.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Kambwili: And the MP!

BULAYA PONTOON ON MWERU-WANTIPA

496. Mr Sikazwe (Chimbamilonga) asked the Minister of Works and Supply:

(a) when the Bulaya Pontoon on Lake Mweru-Wantipa would be operational; and

(b) whether there were any plans to replace the pontoon by constructing a bridge across the lake and, if so, when feasibility studies for such a project would commence.

The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Tetamashimba): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Bulaya Pontoon on Lake Mweru-Wantipa is not expected to be operational this year because there is no budget provision for repairs and other incidental costs in the 2007 Annual Work Plan. However, the ministry will ensure that adequate provision is made in the 2008 Annual Work Plan to ensure that this pontoon is operational.

Sir, the Ministry of Works and Supply intends to replace key economic and strategic pontoons with permanent crossings such as bridges. However, in order to ascertain the economic importance of the route where the pontoon operates, a feasibility study needs to be undertaken. Based on the outcome of the study, either the existing pontoon is replaced with a higher capacity pontoon or a bridge is constructed. Since this study has not been undertaken at the present pontoon location, a bridge is not envisaged this year. However, should the local appointed road authority consider this a priority route accessing social amenities such as schools, health centres and market centres, a feasibility study could be undertaken in the 2008 Annual Work Plan to ascertain its viability to replace it with a permanent bridge.

Mr Speaker, additionally, the repair of the existing pontoon at Bulaya on Lake Mweru-Wantipa has been met with difficulties because of the salty water in the lake that easily corrodes the pontoon resulting in many leakages. There are immediate plans to investigate the use of other construction materials for the pontoon. The ministry intends to carry out an investigation in the matter in 2008. The estimates will be included in the 2008 Annual Work Plan.

However, the ministry has no immediate plans to construct the bridge across the lake, but, instead, will replace the existing pontoon with a salty water resistant pontoon in 2008.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

LOSS INCURRED BY THE CHAMBISHI METALLS PLC DURING THE CLOSURE OF THE SMELTER

497. Mr D. Mwila (Chipili) asked the Minister of Mines and Mineral Development:

(a) how much loss was incurred by the Chambishi Metals Plc during the closure of the smelter by the Mines Safety Department in April, 2007; and

(b) what led to the closure of the smelter.

The Minister of Mines and Mineral Development (Dr Mwansa): Mr Speaker, a total of 4,128 man hours and production of sixteen tonnes of cobalt valued at U S $350,000 were lost by Chambishi Metals Plc during the separate closures of the smelter by the Mines Safety Department on 2nd and 24th April, 2007 respectively.

Mr Speaker, the House may recall that on 1st February, 2007, I gave a comprehensive and thorough ministerial statement to the House on the causes of the recurring furnace explosions at Chambishi Metals Plc. This statement was given after I had visited the scene of the accident on 24th January, 2007 in order to appreciate the circumstances that lead to the dangerous occurrences.

The House may wish to know that an explosion occurred on the 2nd April, 2007 in which the torch operator was seriously injured while five others sustained minor injuries. Similarly, on 23rd April, 2007 there was an explosion in the ladle at Torch No. 2 of the Atomiser Plant allegedly caused by cooling water leakage from the torch into the molten metal. One person sustained severe burns while the other three suffered minor injuries. As a result of these explosions, the Mines Safety Department suspended the operations to allow management institute measures that would curtail the high accident rate to prevent possible loss of life. Subsequently, on 24th April, 2007, Chambishi Metals Plc submitted to the Mines Safety Department the measures to be put in place to avoid further accidents. These involved:

(a) monitoring the operations of the torch plasma from the control room when it is in operation. This means that the nitrogen purge will be controlled remotely;

(b) installing additional steel shields to separate torching and atomising stations;

(c) setting the trip out voltage at a maximum of 850 volts so that the high voltage which could be as a result of water leakage from the torch would be detected before an occurrence of an eruption;

(d) replacing the torch after every 100 hours of operation by a standby torch reassembled and pressure tested at thirty bars. A history of every assembly will be maintained; and

(e) monitoring the temperature as well as the nitrogen purge through the use of a camera mounted on the hood.

The suspension of operations was lifted after a meeting between the Mines Safety Department and Chambishi Metals Plc management which meeting satisfied the Mines Safety Department in terms of safety of the plant and compliance by Chambishi Metals Plc to prevent recurrence of explosions.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chimumbwa (Nchanga): Mr Speaker, when are these important Government wings going to become proactive instead of being reactive?

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, I do not understand what he means by these departments, but the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has a very active Mines and Safety Department.

I mentioned in this House that we have just beefed up the department by recruiting more staff and giving them more facilities so that they can be mobile and conduct inspections. So, we are very active indeed.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Simama: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out why Chambishi Smelter was allowed to operate before it met all the safety requirements which were asked for by the Mines Safety Department. For example, they were asked to distance the smelting pots from the operator and put some protection between the operator and the smelting pots. However, that was not done, and yet the mine was allowed to start operating.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Mwansa: Mr Speaker, that is a very important observation, but the truth of the matter is that there was substantial compliance of more than half or three quarters of the conditions they were asked to meet. That this why the mine was asked to reopen. There was substantial compliance.

I thank you, Sir.

REVENUE COLLECTED FROM THE ZAMBIA POLICE FORCE, PRISON SERVICE, AND ZAMBIA NATIONAL SERVICE IN 2004 AND 2005

498. Mr Imenda asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning what the total revenues collected in 2004 and 2005 from the activities of the following were:

(a) the Zambia Police Force;

(b) the Prison Service; and

(c) the Zambia National Service.

The Deputy Minister of Finance and National Planning (Mr Shakafuswa): Mr Speaker, the revenue collected by the Zambia Police Service in 2004 and 2005 were as follows:

Year  Amount (Kb)

2004  2,678,810,604

2005 3,040,810,763

The above revenues come from services provided by the Police Service to the general public in the form of admission of guilt, finger printing (non-criminal), police reports, forensic reports, Interpol clearance, traffic offences, firearm licensing etc.

Sir, with regard to the Prisons Service and the Zambia National Service, these two institutions have been allowed to operate revolving funds under which revenues collected are used within each institution to enhance and sustain its operations.

For the Prisons Service, revenues collected are utilised for general cleaning of the prisons and the provision of other services.

In the case of the Zambia National Service, the revenues collected are used to sustain general operations and servicing of equipment, including procurement of spare parts. Thus, revenues collected by the two institutions do not come to the Treasury.

However, the detailed information on revenues collected by the two institutions is being compiled and will be presented later by the two ministries under which the two institutions fall.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Imenda: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister in a position to justify the continued existence of the Zambia National Service when it is underperforming in perpetuity both economically and militarily?

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member has not justified his question. As a Government, we think that the Zambia National Service’s existence is cardinal, especially in areas where it is helping small-scale farmers access equipment for use on their farms. People must realise that they only need to buy diesel for the Zambia National Service for them to work on roads in their area. So, as an institution it is very important and the Government will continue supporting it.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, we have a critical shortage of stationery and fuel at police stations, and yet they collect a lot of money. I would like to find out if the hon. Minister is thinking of apportioning a certain percentage of moneys collected from each police station for operations at those respective police stations.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, actually all ministries’ budgets are over and above what my ministry gives them because of resource restriction. Suffice to say that of the moneys collected by the police, part of that money, especially the admission of guilt fee, is actually left with the police station for their use. With police operations, you cannot predict what could happen tomorrow to the moneys sent. Due to some other activities, it could be channelled to other areas for operational use. Maybe, that is what led to you not finding stationery when you went there. However, I can assure you that we are doing our best to ensure enough resources are put to good use and people can see the use of these resources.

Thank you, Sir.

SALE OF ZAFFICO PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT

499. Mr Simama asked the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry how much the following former Zambia Afforestry and Forestry Industrial Corporation (ZAFFICO) plants and equipment had been sold for:

(a) Treatment Plant;

(b) Kafubu Depot Sawmills;

(c) Kafubu Depot Joinery;

(d) Kalibu Sawmills;

(e) workshops and fleet of vehicles; and

(f) Dola Hill Sawmill.

The Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Mutati): Mr Speaker, the treatment plant, together with Kafubu Depot Sawmills and Kafubu Depot Joinery were sold for US$1,150,000 to the Copperbelt Forestry Company.

With regard to Kalibu Sawmills, it was sold to the Copperbelt Forestry Company for K600,000,000.

The workshops and fleet of vehicles attached to specific sawmills were sold with the respective sawmills as a package.

Dola Hill Sawmill was sold for US$500,000 to Ndola Pine Plantations which is a subsidiary of Wood Processing Industries.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Simama: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out how much was ploughed back into the amount which was sought and I would also like to find out how much was paid to offset the ZAFFICO loan which they acquired to buy this plant.

Mr Mutati: Mr Speaker, in terms of sales proceeds, the bulk of the sales proceeds were used to pay the liabilities that existed at the time of sale as redundancy and retrenchment costs. After these were settled, there still remained a loan of US$8 million which was passed on to the Government. Therefore, there was nothing left to plough back into the community.

I thank you, Sir.

EMPLOYMENT OF SENIOR MANAGEMENT STAFF IN THE MFNP

500. Mr Malama (Mfuwe) asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning whether there were any plans to employ senior management staff in the Ministry on a permanent basis rather than on contract.

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the august House that the position of Permanent Secretary was not previously contractual until December, 2002, when Cabinet made a decision that it becomes contractual and performance based.

Mr Speaker, currently, the ministry has no plans to recruit or employ senior management staff on contract as the Secretary to the Treasury and the three permanent secretaries are already on contract, while other senior management staff are all on a permanent and pensionable establishment basis.

The ministry may, however, recommend any officer in senior management who is about to retire for appointment on contract if the services of that particular officer are required and time is needed for an officer to understudy the incumbent. This however should not be construed as automatic as authority is needed to be granted by the Public Service Commission upon submission of meaningful justification for such a recommendation.

I thank you, Sir.

EXPATRIATE EMPLOYEES

502. Mr D. Mwila (Chipili) asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning whether the Government had any plans to stop paying expatriate employees in foreign currencies.

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the august House that currently, the Government is not paying expatriate employees salaries in foreign currencies. However, some expatriates working in the Ministry of Health receive gratuities and their passage packages to enable them to travel to their homes during vacation, in local currency. These payments are effected after thirty-six months of continuous service.

The House may wish to note that employees on local conditions receive pension on retirement and leave travel benefits when they go on vacation leave. Mr Speaker, the expatriates working in Zambia, like the other employees authorised to travel abroad, arrange to convert their money in any acceptable international currencies through either their bankers or a bureau de change.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order!
Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

The Deputy Chairperson (Mr Lungu): When Business was suspended, the House had just finished considering Question 502 and as such, we shall move to the next Question.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order! I said when business was suspended, the House had just finished considering Question 502, but it appears we still have hon. Members who still want to make follow up questions.

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, is the Government aware that KCM and Mopani Copper Mines Plc. pay expatriates in foreign currencies. If they are aware, do they have any plans to stop that?

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, even the Kwacha is easily converted into foreign currency and so, if one wants dollars, they can convert the Kwacha into dollars. It is one and the same thing.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, the cry of Zambians is equal-pay-for-equal-work. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the Government is still paying more to expatriates than to locals and what, for instance, is the salary difference between a local teacher and an expatriate teacher.

Mr Magande: Mr Speaker, the issue of labour falls under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. But it is obvious that if somebody gets their money in dollars and that dollar is equivalent to the Kwacha, you can decide what currency to get. The issue of equal-pay-for-equal-work has been known to be the Government policy. If there is somewhere where it is not implemented, please, bring it to the attention of the Government to look into the matter.

I thank you, Sir.

ANIMAL RESTOCKING PROGRAMME AT MBESUMA RANCH

503. Mr C. Mulenga (Chinsali) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives whether the Government had plans to extend the animal restocking programme to Mbesuma Ranch in Chinsali Parliamentary Constituency and, if so, when.

Mr Kalenga: Mr Speaker, the cattle restocking programme is meant to cover all provinces of Zambia which suffered livestock losses because of diseases. Due to limited resources, the programme is being implemented in phases and the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives has included this facility in the Fifth National Development Plan. Therefore, the Northern Province, where Mbesuma Ranch is located may benefit from the restocking programme. However, the choice of an area to benefit from the restocking programme depends on assessment reports from the field staff in the districts.

The recurrent restocking programme aims at areas or provinces which lost animals due to disasters, particularly, livestock diseases. Mbesuma Ranch does not fall into this category, but is a potential area for restocking. Currently, the Government does not have adequate funds for restocking. In future, provinces and districts are encouraged to budget for their needs. These needs will be reflected in the annual budget. The Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives will continue to give appropriate technical advice to provinces and districts.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr C. Mulenga: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that Mbesuma Ranch is now being invaded by squatters? If the Government is aware, what is it doing to save the situation?

Mr Kapita: Mr Speaker, before privatisation, Mbesuma was one of the State Ranches that was run under the Agricultural Development Limited. We are aware that there two people staying there, that is, the former manager and one worker. When I was touring the Northern Province in January, this question was raised. Recently, when I was in Kasama, again, this question was posed to me. The ministry is looking at the possibility of restarting Mbesuma Ranch not under the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, but either under the Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust, which has similar facilities as that of Batoka in the Southern Province, or the Livestock Development Trust. In fact, I would like both of them to view the Mbesuma Ranch. One of them will invest there because we want to supply breeding stock or beef to the Northern, Luapula, Copperbelt and North/Western provinces in the same manner Batoka is supplying the Central, Southern, Lusaka and part of Eastern provinces.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sinyinda (Senanga): Mr Speaker, both the hon. Minister and his Deputy Minister have stated that cattle restocking in the Western and North/Western provinces would start this year. May I know the exact month when this will happen in the two provinces?

Mr Kapita: Mr Speaker, yes, I remember making that statement and I am not retracting it. When I mentioned the North/Western and Western provinces, I was talking about the programme under the European Union (EU) arrangement. That programme will continue. They have a Country Manager who is supervising the project from my ministry. They have, also, taken on two people who are co-ordinators for each province. That programme is on and we shall get to a stage when we will restock the North/Western and Western provinces. Presently, the programme only caters for those two provinces.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Scott: Mr Speaker, I would like to my confusion cleared, which I do not believe is entirely due to old age, …

Laughter

Dr Scott: … but may partly be due to it because the hon. Minister, standing in for the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing during the last sitting, told us that the only province in which there was cattle restocking was the Southern. Today, the hon. Minister, himself, told us in response to the first question that actually there was has not been any restocking exercise in the Southern Province. It is all on paper and it is all plans. Can he, please, clarify, Sir?

Mr Kapita: Mr Speaker, I think it is true that my good friend and colleague, Hon. Dr Guy Scott, is getting too old to remember what has been happening.

Laughter

Mr Kapita: I did not say only the Southern Province was going to benefit from the Livestock Restocking Programme. I have never said that. I said that, at the moment, he Southern Province was the province where we were restocking. We have not stopped restocking in the Southern Province, but we are only holding on because there is a disease which has broken out right now. There is no point in taking animals there only to have them die tomorrow and again, start asking us to replace those animals.

Hon. Opposition Member: Yes.

Mr Kapita: The money for restocking animals in that province is there, but we shall only take animals there when the disease has been contained or controlled.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kapeya (Mpika): Mr Speaker, when will the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives start encouraging people to venture into cattle rearing in disease-free districts of the Northern Province?

Mr Kapita: Mr Speaker, this ministry has never ever stopped encouraging people to rare cattle. In all my speeches or speeches for the ministry, we have said we want diversified farming. We want the type of farming where we can grow various types of crops. We want a type of farming which combines crops and livestock. We are encouraging all the farmers in the country, especially where there is no disease to go into livestock farming. It is for this reason that we want to restart the Mbesuma Ranch and turn it into a breeding point for us to get oxen for the Northern, Luapula, North/Western and Copperbelt provinces. Therefore, we encourage the farmers to keep livestock all the time.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Imenda: Mr Speaker, I would like to state that the hon. Minister was not very clear when he was talking about the EU funding of the cattle restocking programme. I would like to find out when this programme will start, considering that we are halfway through the year and, as Members of Parliament, we are not aware of the existence of that programme.

Mr Kapita: Mr Speaker, it is not true that the hon. Members of Parliament were not informed because when I was debating the budget allocation for the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives in this House, I outlined a number of programmes for each province. At one stage, I mentioned three provinces. In fact, for the Luapula Province, I said there was another programme which I needed to discuss with those who wanted to discuss with me. I also mentioned the Western and North-Western provinces for the EU programme and this is an on going programme. If my memory serves me right, it must be about 30 million Euros to be renewed, dependant on our performance.

Hon. Opposition Member: When?

Mr Kapita: The programme is already in existence.

With regard to when we are going to restock, we will do well to find out from the co-ordinators because each province has got a co-ordinator. One is based in Solwezi and another in Mongu. Those are the ones who can tell us exactly when they plan to begin restocking. The ministry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the programme is supposed to be going on. The exact date it will be done depends on the operatives in the two provinces. I cannot confirm the dates. That would be impossible.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Habeenzu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that there is money for cattle restocking in the Southern Province. How much money is still there because it is believed that some money was misused?

Mr Kapita: Mr Speaker, for the cattle restocking in the Southern Province, there is an allocation of K1 billion through the Provincial Administration at the moment. Through the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, there is K30,500,000. I have a breakdown here of the districts …

Mr Mtonga: Lay it on the Table!

Mr Kapita: I am going to lay it on the Table.

It has all the figures for the Southern Province which I will lay on the Table now.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kapita laid the paper on the Table.{mospagebreak}

EXPANSION OF MONGU AIRPORT

504. Mr Milupi (Luena) asked the hon. Minister of Communications and Transport:

(a) when Mongu Airport would be expanded to cater for the increased volume of international flights; and

(b) when routine and regular flights to Mongu from Lusaka and Livingstone would commence.

The Deputy Minister of Communications and Transport (Mr Mubika): Mr Speaker, there are no immediate plans to expand Mongu Airport in the Fifth National Development Plan. Recently, the Mongu Airport Runway was strengthened with the assistance of a co-operating partner at a cost of approximately K5 billion and all necessary air navigation and communication equipment have been installed. 
Further, the existing airport facilities are adequate for any air operator to commence scheduled and non-scheduled domestic flights to Mongu Airport.

Sir, the airport experienced an upsurge in the passenger volumes during the Angolan Refugee Repatriation Exercise only.

With regard to part (b) of the question, it is difficult to state when the regular flights to Mongu from Lusaka and Livingstone will commence, as this is determined by air operators.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Milupi: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister confirm that the on-going works at Mongu Airport will enable the airport take regional flights to Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa so that local products such as beef and rice can be exported directly to these countries I have just mentioned.

Mr Mubika: Mr Speaker, as I stated in my response, the rehabilitation of the runway will enable the airport cater for domestic and regional flights.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Mumbi (Munali): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out about the civil radar which is at the Lusaka International Airport and has not been operational for the past ten years. Ten Zambian personnel were trained to handle this radar at the Lusaka International Airport. Air traffic controllers in this country are using archaic methods to control air traffic. What is the Government’s position on this and what are the ten people who were trained by the Italians who installed that civil radar doing now?

Hon. PF. Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: Order! Under normal circumstances, the Chair would have said that the question had no relevance to Question 504, but all the same, I will ask the hon. Minister of Communications and Transport whether he has something to say.

Mr Mubika: Mr Speaker, I concur with you and wish to advise the hon. Member of Parliament for Munali to submit that question for inclusion on the Order Paper so that we give her a comprehensive answer.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwangala (Nalolo): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether there are deliberate plans by the Government to extend the flights to Kalabo because of its geographical position.

Interruptions

Mr Mubika: Mr Speaker, at the moment, there are no immediate plans by the Government to extend the flights to Kalabo.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Imenda: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that, currently, the airport has been encroached by squatters to the extent that in an event of an accident, those people are bound to be killed.

Mr Mubika: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Lukulu West was not clear about the airport he is referring to. Is it the International Airport or Mongu Airport? However, if he is referring to Mongu Airport, I would like to inform him that I am not aware.

I thank you, Sir.
______

BILLS

FIRST READING

THE EXCESS EXPENDITURE APPROPRIATION (2004) BILL, 2007

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Mr Magande): Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Excess Expenditure Appropriation (2004) Bill, whose objects are to approve the excess expenditure of monies aggregating K136,185,524,018 required for the services of the Republic during the Financial Year which ended on 31st December, 2004

I thank you, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Estimates. The committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by 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.

Thank you.

THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS BILL, 2007

The Minister of Justice (Mr Kunda, SC): Mr Speaker, I am the bearer of a message from His Excellency the President, recommending favourable consideration of the motion, which I now lay on the Table.

Sir, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Non-Governmental Organisations Bill, 2007. The objects of this bill are to:

(a) provide for the registration and co-ordination of Non-Governmental Organisations;

(b) establish the Non-Governmental Organisations Board and the Zambia Congress of Non-Governmental Organisations;

(c) constitute the council for Non-Governmental Organisations;

(d) enhance the transparency accountability and performance of Non-Governmental Organisations; and

(e) provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

I thank you, Sir.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights and Gender Matters. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by 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.

Thank you.

______

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

_______

The House adjourned at 1655 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 18th July, 2007.

 

WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTION

DEPORTATION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN 2005

501. Dr Chishimba (Kasama Central) asked the Minister of Home Affairs how many illegal immigrants were deported in 2005 and what their nationalities were.

The Minister of Home Affairs (Lieutenant General Shikapwasha): Mr Speaker, twenty-three illegal immigrants were deported in 2005 and the category of their nationalities is as follows:-

 Nationality No. of People Deported 

 American 1
 Australian 1
 Congolese DR 8
 Egyptian 1
 Ethiopian 1
 Indians 2
 Malian 1
 Nigerian 1
 South Africans 2
 Senegalese 1
 Tanzanians 2
 Total 23

I thank you, Sir.