DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FIRST SESSION OF THE TENTH ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 10th July, 2007

The House met at 14:30 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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OATH AND AFFIRMATION OF ALLEGIANCE

Mr Speaker: May the hon. Member desiring to take his seat, please, come to the Table. While he is coming, I would like to remind the House that taking the Oath of Allegiance is a solemn occasion and all must listen.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

The following Member took and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance:

Mr Fashion Phiri

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

The Vice-President (Mr Rupiah Banda): Mr Speaker, in the first place, allow me to welcome all hon. Members to this session of Parliament. I hope they are all fit and ready to continue with the work of this August House. Mr Speaker, I wish to give the House some idea of the Business it will consider this week.

Mr Speaker, today, Tuesday, 10th July, 2007, the Business of the House will begin with Questions as indicated on the Order Paper.

On Wednesday, 11th July, 2007, the Business of the House will commence with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider private Members Motions, if there will be any.

Mr Speaker, on Thursday, 12th July, 2007, the Business of the House will begin with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any.

Sir, on Friday, 13th July, 2007, the Business of the House will commence with the Vice- President’s Question Time. Thereafter, the House will consider Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by the presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will, thereafter, consider any other outstanding Business, if there will be any.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
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QUESTIONS

ELECTRIFICATION OF SENIOR CHIEF ISITEKETO AMUKENA’S PALACE AND SCHOOLS ALONG THE KAOMA-MONGU ROAD

391. Ms Limata (Luampa) asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development:
(a) when Senior Chief Isiteketo Amukena’s Palace would be electrified; and

(b) when the following schools on the Kaoma-Mongu Road would be electrified under the Rural Electrification Programme:

(i) Kashokoto Basic School;
(ii) Lui Basic School;
(iii) Namasheshe Basic School;
(iv) Kaoma Basic School;
(v) Lububa basic School;
(vi) Mahilo Basic School; and 
(vii) Mbanyutu Basic School.

The Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development (Mr Sichilima): Mr Speaker, in answering the questions raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for Luampa …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Sichilima: Mr Speaker, the specific order in which these particular places would be electrified under the Rural Electrification Programme will only be known to the Ministry when the Rural Electrification Master Plan currently being developed is finalised. As I mentioned previously, the master plan will highlight the priority projects throughout Zambia and give an indication on how these areas are to be electrified.

Therefore, the Ministry, at this stage, is not able to advise when Senior Chief Isiteketo Amukena’s Palace and the schools will be electrified.

I thank you, Sir.

RESURFACING OF THE 12KM ROAN/MPATAMATU ROAD

394. Mr Kambwili (Roan) asked the Minister of Works and Supply when the 12km Roan/Mpatamatu Road would be resurfaced.

The Deputy Minster of Works and Supply (Mr Tetamashimba): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that there is a provision of K400 million in this year’s Budget. This provision will only be applied to carryout pothole patching, resealing of some selected sections and drainage improvement of the 12km stretch of the road.

However, the resurfacing of the whole stretch, the 12km, with slurry seal is being considered for inclusion in the 2008 Budget. The resurfacing of the whole stretch is estimated to cost about K2 billion and its works will start in September this year.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

PURPOSE OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY

395. Mr Kapeya (Mpika Central) asked the Minister of Education:

(a) what the purpose for introducing community schools in the country was; and

(b) whether the idea had worked in accordance with expectations.

The Deputy Minister of Education (Ms Changwe): Mr Speaker, I would like to inform the House that according to the education policy of 1996 ‘Educating Our Future’, the Government has advocated for increased community participation in the provision of education. This has given an opportunity to the community to help provide education services or to improve on what is being offered by the Government.

Mr Speaker, education provision by the community entails increasing school places through community owned resources both materially and in kind. Therefore, communities have been participating in education provision through construction of buildings, management of schools, maintenance of classrooms and provision of furniture.

Mr Speaker, Zambia has a long record of this form of community participation, manifested most remarkably in recent years in the upgrading of basic schools to include provisions of Grade 8 and 9. A more recent development has been the establishment of more fully fledged community schools. These are schools established to meet the community’s own needs. The Government’s support of this kind of partnership with the community is done through the following:

(i) providing educational resources in the form of teaching and learning materials;

(ii) training ; and

(iii) financial assistance in the form of grants from both the Government and donors.

Sir, with regard to whether the idea of community schools has worked in accordance with expectations, I would like to inform the House that the objective of establishing community schools is to complement Government efforts in the provision of more access to education. Secondly, the community is made to cultivate the sense of ownership of these schools. Thirdly, it enhances community involvement in community demand-driven activities for their own development. Lastly, it affords an opportunity to the community to get involved in planning and prioritisation of school activities which subsequently leads to positive management of these schools.

Mr Speaker, the objectives of establishing community schools has been met. However, there is a need to ensure that standards are adhered to in many of the community schools. Currently, the ministry is in the process of producing guidelines in the management of community schools. In addition, in-house training for community teachers has also always been arranged during holidays to improve on the pedagogy in such schools. To some extent, the ministry has provided qualified teachers in an attempt to maintain standards in all schools including community schools.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, since the idea of the community participation in the running of the community schools has failed, what is the ministry planning to do?

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, if the hon. Member was listening attentively, he would have concluded that the underlying principles upon which the policy of community schools were established are increasingly being realised namely:

(a) community participation;

(b) sense of ownership; and

(c) participation in planning.

Sir, all these are complementing the Government’s efforts and are all important policy principles of partnership upon which ‘Educating our Future’, which is the Government education policy is based. Therefore, it is not right to say that these important policy principles have failed.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sejani (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister of Education concede that the establishment of community schools is nothing deliberate on the part of Government, but that it is an inevitable consequence of the failure of this Government to provide schools where they are needed.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, if the hon. Member for Mapatizya has been following closely the development of education in this country as highlighted in the response, he should have realised that community participation has been part and parcel of the development of education in this country. The current developments involving the participation of communities are part and parcel of the Government’s efforts to encourage communities to participate in order to realise increased access to education as part of the ‘Education for All’ development in this country. The documentation of that as regards  Government policy is very clear. Therefore, it is not a failure, but part of very important policy principles of education provision in our country.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kanyanyamina: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that in Mpika, Government schools need about 300 more teachers? When the hon. Minister talks about improving the situation, what measures has he put in place to improve the standards because education cannot be compromised?  Could the hon. Minister comment on that?

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the response has indicated very clearly what the Government is doing to improve the standards in community schools. If that is the concern, the assistance is at the level of assisting the teachers’ training, education and material provision and guiding communities. All these are efforts directed at ensuring that standards are enhanced in our community schools.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

INADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY IN MPIKA TOWN SINCE INDEPENDENCE

396. Mr Kapeya asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a) why Mpika Town has experienced inadequate water supply since independence; and

(b) what measures the Government intends to take in order to address the problem.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Kazonga): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that, the inadequate water supply being experienced in Mpika is not unique to that district because generally the population has dramatically increased since independence. The following constraints have led to this state of affairs:

(i) with the establishment of Tanzania Zambia Railways (TAZARA) in the 1970s, Mpika became a magnet for both the local and national population seeking employment and thereby increasing the township population. Unfortunately, the basic infrastructure was not expanded due to inadequate resources, hence the shortage of water and sanitation services; and

(ii) due to the low tariffs charged for water supply and sanitation services, Mpika District Council was not able to maintain the infrastructure leading to its dilapidation and loss of serviceability. The infrastructure is now due for rehabilitation and expansion. The council also lacked skilled personnel to operate and maintain the facilities effectively.

Mr Speaker, in view of the problems that I have outlined, the Government has instituted the following measures to address this situation:

(i) under the Water Sector Reforms, the Water Supply and Sanitation Service Delivery System has been decentralised and local authorities have come together to establish a joint commercial water utility. The Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company is providing the much needed skilled manpower. The water utility is better suited to carryout the rehabilitations once the resources are mobilised;

(ii) the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing is developing a National Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Programme that is aimed at addressing the various water requirements in urban and peri-urban areas.

Sir, this is a comprehensive programme which will take a holistic approach in developing a roadmap that will achieve the Millennium Development Goals as well as the Vision 2030 so that all Zambians have access to adequate water supply and sanitation services. Water is life and only proper services will eliminate cholera and other water borne diseases; and

(iii) the Government has also approached donors to solicit for funds to improve the existing facilities for water supply in Mpika and other towns in the Northern and Luapula Provinces. To this effect, the Arab Bank for Economic Development (BADEA) and the Government have signed an agreement to finance water programmes in Mpika, Mbala, Kasama, Chililabombwe, Kawambwa and Mansa.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister tell us the actual date when this rehabilitation exercise will commence in Mpika?

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

The Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mrs Masebo): Mr Speaker, in his reply, the hon. Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing has mentioned that the ministry has signed an agreement which stipulates how much money will be given to the project for the various towns. Hopefully, before the end of this year, the actual works should begin. There are other steps that have to be taken into account before these resources can be released such as ensuring that the resources go towards the action plan that the Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company has put in place.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kazonga: Hear, hear!

Ms Masiye (Mufulira): Mr Speaker, almost all fixed assets have a limited useful economic lifespan. A concerned government is, therefore, supposed to plan accordingly. Is the hon. Minister saying that the Government does not put such plans into place to the extent that funds should be sought forty-three years after independence?

Hon. PF. Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, I am surprised to hear such a question. I believe that every year the Government has to plan for resource mobilisation and also look at what plans various districts and other Government agencies have in order to mobilise finances. This House is aware that under the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, the Government has come up with a five-year plan which articulates the various programmes and revenue mobilisation, both internally and externally, in financing these projects. Therefore, it is not correct to say that we do not plan. We have been planning.

Sir, you will recall that in the previous administrations, planning was done annually, but this time around, we have changed that. The Vision 2030 has articulated and all the needs of our people are included. This is a plan that started from the grassroots, the communities up to the national level. To that effect, resources have been allocated for the next three years and every year, we will look at how much money can be mobilised to finance some of these projects.

However, as the hon. Deputy Minister stated in his reply, the infrastructure of water supply and sanitation in the whole country is dilapidated because the previous Governments did not investment in the water sector. It is only this administration that has come up with programmes to invest in water infrastructure. This is what we are doing. It is not just for Mpika, but for the whole country. Therefore, a colossal sum of money is required.

This administration has plans and we are mobilising resources annually as well as looking at the Vision 2030.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo): Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister mentioned the fact that there was a population increase in Mpika. Could the hon. Minister give us a guarantee that as they develop water reticulation, consideration of population increase will be taken into account so that we do not experience a shortage of water supply in Mpika in future?

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, I cannot make that guarantee here that the entire population of Mpika will have water supply and sanitation service by the end of this programme. Hon. Members must appreciate the fact that some of our communities are living in unplanned settlements. Therefore, these settlements need to be considered differently. When we talk about Mpika as a town or as an urban centre, we are looking at the houses that are legally built, but this will be considered under a different programme of upgrading of squatter settlements.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nsanda (Chimwemwe): Mr Speaker, I would like to know from the hon. Minister how often they service the pumps or change them. I am talking about those pumps that pump 500 cubic litres per minute. How many hours, months or years do you change the pumps?

Laughter

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, that question is technical as such, I will have to consult the officers because I cannot speak off-the-cuff.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chimbaka (Bahati): Mr Speaker, with regard to the answers given by both the hon. Minister and her Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing, are they confirming that according to their plans, water provision in Mpika is not a priority?

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, to the contrary, this Government has gone beyond its budget. When the Ministry has had a constraint in the internal budget, we have gone out to source funds from donors because we recognise that the issue of water supply and sanitation is a priority. We are prepared, as a Government, to source for money when it is not available from donors and this can be a soft loan or a grant.

Mr Speaker, water is a priority and Mpika District Council has put water as one of its major priorities.

I thank you, Sir.

Major Chizhyuka (Namwala): Mr Speaker, part of the answer stated that the ministry wishes to ensure that there is efficient water supply in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). What is this Government doing and how does it hope to achieve those goals in view of their infinite passion for white farmers who have dammed all the streams in the Southern Province? Here, I am talking about Chifumbwe, Bweengwa, Mbeza, Chitongo, and Nakansangwe streams which are all dry now because the Zimbabwean White Farmers have dammed all these streams and have, therefore, cut the flow of water which was serving the 300,000 people in the area. How does it hope to achieve those MDGs in fifteen years when there is a negative development on the other side?

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, I am not aware that in the Southern Province, water has been dammed to the extent that streams have dried. However, I am aware that under the Ministry of Energy and Water Development, through the Water Boards, there are people at the grassroots who are supposed to monitor such activities. I am also aware that under the law, anybody can apply for water rights, but it is how those rights are managed that matters. It is incumbent upon our citizens, including Members of Parliament, to report to the appropriate authorities if they see that something is wrong so that they can check the outflow of water from the streams which are being dammed and make sure that they are well managed.

Mr Speaker, damming is also allowed, but what is important is how one dams the water. As I have indicated, the Government does give water rights to various farmers.

I thank you, Sir. {mospagebreak}

CHASEFU PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

397. Mr C. K. B. Banda SC. (Chasefu) asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development when electricity supply would be extended to the following areas:

(a) Chasefu Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b) Mwase-Mphangwe Farming Block in Lundazi.

Mr Sichilima: Mr Speaker, the programme of extending power supply to rural communities is one of the priorities of the ministry. In order to end the ad hoc approach to this important programme, the ministry is currently preparing the Rural Electrification Master Plan that is expected to be completed by December, 2007.

The Rural Electrification Master Plan will set the stage for a systematic approach to electrification that has hitherto been lacking. Areas of socio-economic potential will be identified and ranked in order of priority and a programme of electrification elaborated. It is this plan that will guide the ministry in the allocation of resources and the other in which projects will be implemented. The ministry would like to ask the indulgence of the hon. Member for Chasefu as at this stage, the ministry is not in a position to state when the two areas referred to will be electrified.

In the meantime, the ministry has decided that in 2007, all efforts will be channelled towards completing the projects that have been on-going for a long time.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, we have been hearing of this Master Plan for four years now and various Ministers of Energy and Water Development have talked about this Master Plan. When are we going to be given this much-talked about Master Plan?

The Minister of Energy and Water Development (Mr Konga): Mr Speaker, I recall that during the last sitting of the House, my predecessor at the ministry distributed copies of the Master Plan to all hon. Members of this House so that they could study the plan, make corrections and submit it to the Ministry of Energy and Water Development.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, for those hon. Members who were not in the House at that particular time, all I can say is that they should come to the ministry and get copies because this Master Plan is very essential and important for the Government to plan for rural electrification. All the constituencies and rural growth centres must be indicated in this Master Plan. Therefore, I would like to urge all hon. Members who did not get a copy or who did not submit it to, please, come to the Ministry for a copy.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order! I would like to guide the House that, indeed, a document of that nature was circulated. Let all hon. Members, please, study it and react to it as suggested by the hon. Minister of Energy and Water Development.

ANTI RETROVIRAL TREATMENT IN CHASEFU PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

398. Mr C. K. B. Banda SC. asked the Minister of Health how many HIV/AIDS patients were receiving anti-retroviral treatment at the following health centres in Chasefu Parliamentary Constituency:

(i) Luzi;
(ii) Munyukwa;
(iii) Kanyanga;
(iv) Chasefu;
(v) Mtwalo;
(vi) Malandula; and
(vii) Lusuntha

The Deputy Minster of Health (Dr Puma): Mr Speaker, out of these centres only Kanyanga Mission Zonal Health Centre is an anti-retroviral treatment centre. Therefore, the total number of patients on ART in the whole constituency is fifty-nine. It must be noted that these are referred from various rural health centre catchments areas in the constituency.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr C. K. B. Banda SC.: Mr Speaker, should I take it that the people in Chasefu Constituency have a low level of HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, if these figures are anything to go by?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, well, there are many factors which could lead to low figures of people on ART. There are issues of dissemination of information and stigma. Therefore, there is a need to conduct a research, if we are to confirm whether the low figure is due to the fact that there are few cases of HIV/AIDS cases or it is the other factors at play.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Machungwa (Luapula): Mr Speaker, out of seven rural health centres, only one is able to provide ART. Could the hon. Minister explain why this is so? Probably, the main reason for this is that there are no facilities at these other health centres as this is the situation in most rural areas in the country. There are no facilities and this is the reason people are not able to access this type of treatment.

The Minister of Health (Dr Chituwo): Mr Speaker, just in addition to what the hon. Deputy Minster had stated, in the Zambia Demographic Health Survey of 2002, which mapped out the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in our country, statistics show that the HIV/AIDS prevalence rates are much lower in rural settings.

With regard to the specific question asked, I think one has to take into account what the hon. Deputy Minister has said on those factors which inhibit patients from accessing Anti-retroviral treatment.

Admittedly, it is not possible, at the moment, to provide all the services in all the health centres because, as we have said, we are lucky that, at least, the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is much lower in the rural areas than it is in the urban areas.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Mr Speaker, amongst the inhibiting factors to ART access by people is the fact that when some of our people go to these rural health centres or clinics, they do not find medical personnel and after covering long distances they feel discouraged to go back. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when this Government will come up with a programme that will ensure that health personnel are regularly paid their salaries and housing allowances to mitigate against strikes which cause a reduction in access to ART.

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, the known factors of accessing ART are those that we have stated. These are issues of stigma, discrimination and, in some cases, confidentiality and so on. As I stated earlier on, this Government, like any other, is faced with the migration of health workers, not only regionally, but globally. What this Government is doing in mitigating this problem, is institute measures that will retain our health workers. The fact that we have these illegal strikes does not help issues because if one studies clearly what has happened in the recent past, even where payments are being made, people are saying, no, we cannot go back to work. Therefore, there must be something else other than just the money.

Admittedly, perhaps there is some delay, but really, according to our oath one should never ever abandon a patient who comes in emergency. Therefore, emergency services should be provided.

Sir, with regard to the issue of distance, all I can say is that it is in our plan to provide easy access to these health facilities at various levels. So, all in all, the Government is doing the best it can. The first one being retention of health personnel. Secondly, infrastructure development, and thirdly, the Rural Retention Scheme that the hon. Member for Kabwata is well aware of.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

STATUS OF PEOPLE LIVING IN GAME MANAGEMENT AREAS

399. Mrs Musokotwane (Katombola) asked the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources what the status of the people who live in Game Management Areas is in general, and those living in the Sichifulo Game Management area, in particular.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources (Mr Kaingu): Mr Speaker, the status of the people living in the Game Management Areas (GMAs) is such that, traditional chiefs who are custodians of the land allocate land to the individuals. These settlements are, therefore, controlled to a certain extent by the traditional leaders. However, where we have General Management Plans, settlement is restricted to designated areas in order to allow for wildlife movements. In Sichifulo Game Management area, Chief Nyawa allocates land to the settlers.

Sir, this House may wish to know that the socio-economic status of people living in GMAs in general and Sichifulo GMA, in particular, is generally good. The Zambia Wild Life Act No. 12 of 1998 provides for creation of Community Resource Boards (CRBs) along geographical boundaries adjacent to chiefdoms in GMAs or open areas. These CRBs are then used as vehicles through which local communities co-manage the wildlife resources with the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) and, in turn, are permitted to retain a percentage of the proceeds generated. Out of all the revenue generated, 45 per cent goes to the local communities, 40 per cent to ZAWA, 10 per cent to the Government and 5 per cent to the chiefs who are the patrons.

The funds are then utilised by local communities on agreed socio-economic development projects and wildlife protection.

Sichifulo GMA is one of the heavily settled Game Management Areas in Zambia. The GMA has currently no general management plan in place. Once this is in place, the issues of settlement will be addressed through zoning. The local communities of Sichifulo GMA, through their Community Resources Boards, have been receiving funds from hunting which they have mainly used on wildlife protection.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, (inaudible).

 

The Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources (Mr Pande): Mr Speaker, it is sad that the hon. Member could come and reveal the raping here when this should have been reported to the police. However, there is nothing to that effect which has been brought to our attention. I am sure if there were such occurrences, the police would have been informed.

Nevertheless, Chief Nyaiwa has been to the ministry to ask for assistance because of some people who are illegally settling in the Game Management Area (GMA). Some modalities are being worked out with the Chief and the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) so that these people, who are alleged to be in the Game Management Area illegally by the chief, should be removed or resettled to other areas.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether it is Government policy for this Government …

Mrs Kapata: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mrs Kapata: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Health in order to keep quiet when the health personnel in Lusaka Peri-urban areas are on strike and some of them are standing outside Parliament Buildings with placards, picketing hon. Members of Parliament? Is he in order to be silent on this matter?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order! The hon. Member for Mandevu, through that singled point of order, is informing this House that there are people, I believe, outside the precincts of Parliament whose purpose is not known to the Chair, but sounds as if this matter is administrative. If that is the case, then the hon. Minister of Health may consider having a discussion with them outside the precincts of the National Assembly …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … so that this House may continue with its business peacefully.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Roan was raising a supplementary question. May he continue, please.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out why this Government has accepted to legalise an illegality in the Musi-o-Tunya National Park. The Government has accepted to alter boundaries to accommodate people who had encroached on the Musi-o-Tunya National Park. Is it right for them to play double standards by demolishing illegal structures in Lusaka while at the same time giving title deeds and altering boundaries simply because it is people with money who have encroached on the designated piece of land?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, I am not aware of any people who have encroached on the Musi-o-Tunya National Park whose boundaries have been demarcated. We should go back to the history of the park. What I know is that before it became a park, there were people living there. After it was declared a park, some of the villages were right inside the park and Zambia Wildlife Authority, through the Government, advised these people to move to the end of the park. As for those who have encroached, it means that they came after the establishment of the park. About that, I do not have any information.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamududu (Bweengwa): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources aware that the people in the Game Management Areas think that he has more regard for animals than people.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, I am not aware of that because the people in the Game Management Areas are working together with the Zambia Wildlife Authority to form Community Resource Boards (CRBs). They assist in looking after these animals through village scouts.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hachipuka (Mbabala): Mr Speaker, I wonder, as has been cited, if the hon. Minister is aware that the Act relating to Game Management Areas is so strong that it discriminates against human beings. Where there is a conflict between animals and human beings, the Zambia Wildlife Authority will protect the animals. Even when an animal kills a human being, the Zambia Wildlife Authority will protect an animal and nothing will be done for human beings. Is there anything he is doing to change the law such that human beings continue to be supreme over animals?

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, the current law is actually the other way round.

Mr Mwiimbu: No!

Mr Pande: If there is a conflict between animals and human beings, the Zambia Wildlife Authority goes to sort out the animal. That is the position. Even if an animal has not even killed a human being, as long as it is harassing human beings, it will be killed.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, I would like to know how often the hon. Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources contacts the Zambia Wildlife Authority for him to be apprised of any event. With regard to the Sichifulo case, the police in Kalomo went to see the burnt houses, but he is telling us that he was not informed, and yet the Chief informed him that the people were living there illegally. How often does he take time to listen to the problems of people who live in Game Management Areas?

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, I am constantly in touch with the Zambia Wildlife Authority. If there are problems in Game Management Areas, which are all over the country, I will only become aware of them if they are brought to my attention. They are brought to my attention through the Zambia Wildlife Authority or sometimes, through the Community Resource Boards. However, if there is something I am not aware of, it means it has not been brought to my attention.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

CONSTRUCTION OF A DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN KATOMBOLA AND POSTING OF MEDICAL DOCTOR TO KAZUNGULA DISTRICT

400. Mrs Musokotwane asked the Minister of Health:

(a) whether there were any plans to build a district hospital in the Katombola Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b) when a medical doctor would be posted to Kazungula District.

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, a modern urban clinic is to be constructed at Kazungula and a site has been cleared. However, plans have been drawn up and land has been made available for construction of a district hospital in future.

Sir, with regard to the issue of a doctor, I wish to inform the House that we already have two doctors in the district. One doctor services Mukuni and the other services Kazungula, Makunka and Mambova. However, it should be noted that Kazungula District has only rural health centres which are ably serviced by clinical officers and nurses.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, is it possible for the Ministry of Health to increase the allocation for Kazungula District Board before the hospital is built because we now have to pay Livingstone and Zimba hospitals since they deal with our referral cases?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, for the information of the hon. Member, all districts in the country have received an increment in grants this year. I think the hon. Member for Katombola should get in touch with the district to know how high the increment is.

I thank you, Sir.

EXTERNAL AND LOCAL BORROWING AND REPAYMENTS MADE BY ZAMBIA SINCE ATTAINMENT OF HIPC COMPLETION POINT

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

(a) how much external and local borrowing Zambia had made since the attainment of the HIPC Initiative Completion Point; and

(b) how much repayments have been made from local borrowing and what is the current level of indebtedness since the attainment of the HIPC Initiative Completion Point.

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Mr Magande): Mr Speaker, the answer is as follows:

1. External Borrowing

In order to ensure that Zambia’s external debt continues to be sustainable after the HIPC Initiative Completion Point and MDRI debt relief, the Government’s new borrowing strategy will be to contract loans of a concessional nature. The Ministry of Finance and National Planning has since the HIPC Initiative Completion Point in April, 2005 contracted eight loans to a total sum of US$110.21 million. Of these loans, three were contracted in 2005 and five in 2006. Negotiations for these projects had started before the attainment of the HIPC Initiative Completion Point. The following is the breakdown of the loans, the creditor and the amounts.

(i) IFAD – the purpose is for rural finance and the amount is US$13.8 million;

(ii) The Government of Belgium ─ we got a loan to upgrade the Mapepe/ZESCO Sub-station of US$985,802 million;

(iii) The World Bank – we got a loan for malaria booster which is under the health sector for US$19.732 million;

(iv) World Bank again – we got some money for Public Service Management Support which is part of the Public Service Reform Programme under governance to a total tune of US$29,754,760 million;

(v) IFAD again – we got some money for small holder livestock development in the agricultural sector to the amount of US$10.3 million;

(vi) Chinese Government – we got money for capitalisation of TAZARA in terms of acquiring some spare parts to the tune of US$2.5 million;

(vii) World Bank – we also got some money for the water sector and the major beneficiary is the Lusaka Sewerage and Water Company to a tune of US$22.567 million; and

(viii) As has been indicated by the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing, we got some money from the Arab Bank for the Development in Africa BADEA for water systems in the Northern Province to the tune of US$6.8 million.

2. Local Borrowing

Mr Speaker, the local borrowing contracted by the Government has been through the issuance of Government treasury bills and bonds. Since the attainment of the HIPC Initiative Completion Point in April, 2005 to December, 2006, the Government securities to the value of K1,701.65 billion have been issued or in common language, have been sold to the public.

With regard to local borrowing, Mr Speaker, as already explained, the component of Local Government borrowing is made up of treasury bills and bonds sold to the public to raise the Kwacha funding. The Government’s strategy of repaying the local debt is by rolling over all maturing Government securities and only paying interest from allocations in the national Budget. From the time of attaining the HIPC Initiative Completion Point in April, 2005 to December, 2006, a total of K7,359.87 billion worth of Government securities matured and were rolled over. In other words, we did not pay these amounts. This was broken down in treasury bills of K6,012.64 and Government bonds of K1,347.23 billion. Furthermore, a total of K1,445.40 billion was paid as interest cost on the matured Government securities from the time Zambia attained the HIPC Initiative Completion Point in April 2005 to December, 2006.

Mr Speaker, although the question was on local borrowing, I wish to take this opportunity to give information on external borrowing as well. Following the debt relief that was provided to Zambia through the HIPC and MDR Initiatives, Zambia’s external debt stock by end December, 2006 stood at US$643.42 million. This total includes debts contracted earlier, but which were not part of the debt relief as they were outside the cut-off dates of December, 2004 and December, 2003. The breakdown is as follows:

CREDITOR TYPE/CATEGORY AMOUNT
(USD) MILLION

MULTILATERAL 357.93

ADB/ADF 88.08
 World Bank 114.09
 Others 155.75

BILATERAL 285.49

 Paris Club 6.71
 Non- Paris Club 278.78

TOTAL EXTERNAL GOVERNMENT DEBT 643.42

Sir, these are some of the projects which have already been put in this year’s Budget. In future, we intend to bring more projects to this House.

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Ngoma (Sinda): Mr Speaker, the amount that the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning was talking about comes to about K101 million. Now, with this kind of borrowing, does he not envisage Zambia becoming a HIPC country again?

Mr Magande: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member would greatly assist me if he could tell me where he has found K101 million.

Laughter

Mr Magande: I said that Zambia’s current debt is US$643 million. So, I do not know what he is talking about. I beg that he helps me.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Mukanga (Kantanshi): Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister confirm that the local borrowing of K1.7 trillion was one way of covering up the K1.9 trillion which this Government cannot account for?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Magande: Mr Speaker, I am not quite sure of the figures that the hon. Member is mentioning. However, I know that he has been reading the newspapers and different terms are used. What I can say is that, there is no borrowing between the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and the Bank of Zambia, Account 99. We borrow money from the Bank of Zambia under a separate arrangement. Therefore, the amount allegedly being lost between Account 99 and my ministry has nothing to do with the borrowing that we are discussing here.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kakoma (Zambezi-West): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning has told us that the Government has been rolling over some of the local debt because they have no capacity to pay. May I find out why the Government continues to borrow through treasury bills or Government bonds when they know that they have no capacity to pay?

Mr Magande: Mr Speaker, clearly, Hon. Kakoma would help me to indicate when the oil in his area is going to be mined …

Laughter

Mr Magande: … as that is when I will have a balanced budget and will not resort to borrowing money from the public. Therefore, I have to borrow now in order to cover the deficit between the expenditure on the M8 Road and the income revenue that I receive.

Sir, let me say, as a way of clarification, that most of the people who buy treasury bills are people who are making an investment. If somebody has money and would like it to earn interest, he or she would deposit it. Instead of taking it to a commercial bank, they buy treasury bills. At the end of that month, they tell the bank which helped them to buy that treasury bill that they do not want the principal, they only want to be paid interest. That is the surest way of investing your money. If you have money and invest it in Government bonds. It simply means that for the next twenty years, your principal can be there and because there will be no time when Zambia will have no Government, that is a sure investment in addition to the interest you can get every month.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Lusaka Central, are you interested?

Laughter

Dr Scott (Lusaka Central): Yes!

Mr Speaker: No, he is not interested.

Laughter

Dr Scott: Sir, It must be these new tables.

Laughter

Dr Scott: I was hiding behind them …

Laughter

Dr Scott: Sir, can the hon. Minister, please, stop ducking and diving and tell us the local indebtedness (Kwacha indebtedness) through bonds, bills and unpaid contractors? Is it growing or shrinking? It was in a critical state a few years ago and if it is growing, it must still be critical. Is that not so, Sir?

Mr Magande: Sir, let me say that these desks are also preventing those of us in front from hearing what is being said on the Floor. Likewise, Hon. Dr Guy Scott did not hear when I was reading the figures.

Laughter

Mr Magande: The total local debt of the Government was K7,359.87 billion which matured and was rolled over. In other words, these debts were contracted even when he was in Government. These debts, like I said, are deposits of people who went to put money in Government treasury bills at that time. They are not in hurry to be paid this money. So, they roll over their investments every month.

Mr Speaker, I mentioned that out of this, K6, 012.64 billion is in treasury bills and K1,347.23 billion is in Government bonds. Those are the three figures.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order! May I guide the hon. Minister.

I think, maybe, the nice desks are preventing him from raising another question. The hon. Member wanted to know whether this kind of investment is shrinking or growing. Could you help?

Mr Magande: Mr Speaker, this debt has been rising because between 1991 and 2005, there was a lot of local borrowing and that money was spent on different Government programmes. Most of the borrowing was used to repay the foreign debt because under the HIPC Initiative, we were supposed to be up to date on foreign debt in order for the country to qualify to reach the HIPC Initiative Completion Point. Therefore, one can say that part of this money was borrowed and in the end, we got debt relief of US$6.6 billion. The debt has been increasing and we intend to go towards balancing the Government budget. That is why the Government deficit financing has been coming down from 5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, some six years ago, to 1.2 per cent last year.

I thank you, Sir. {mospagebreak}

BENEFITS FOR RETIRED LECTURERS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA AND COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY BETWEEN 2001 AND 2006

402. Mr Chisala (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Education:

(a) how many lecturers and support staff retired from the following universities from January, 2001 to December, 2006:

(i) the University of Zambia; and

(ii) the Copperbelt University;

(b) of those at (a) above, how many had been paid their retirement benefits; and

(c) how many were waiting to be paid their retirement benefits as of 31st December, 2006.

The Deputy Minister of Education (Ms Changwe): Mr Speaker, my ministry responds as follows:

There were 508 lecturers and support staff that retired from the two universities in the period under review, broken down as follows:

With regard to the University of Zambia, in 2001, twelve academic and forty-two professional and support staff retired, giving a total of fifty-four.

In 2002, thirty-eight academic and forty-two support staff retired, giving a total of eighty. In 2003, ten academic and fifty-three professional staff retired, giving a total of sixty-three. In 2004, twenty-two academic, forty-five professional and support staff retired, giving a total of sixty-seven. In 2005, fourteen academic staff and seventy-two professional and support staff retired, giving a total of eight-six. In 2006, the total of those that retired was fifty-three.

Therefore, in total, 416 academic and professional and support staff retired from the University of Zambia.

 As for the Copperbelt University, the figures are as follows:

 Year Number of Staff
  Who Retired
 
 2001 16
 2003 10
 2003 23
 2004 13
 2005 15
 2006 15
 Total 92
 
This gives us a grand total of 508 officers who retired from the two universities in this period under review.

Out of the 508 academic and professional and support staff at the two universities, only sixty-six employees received their retirement packages as follows:

In 2001 only 25 received their packages. Between 2002 and 2005, none of them received any benefit. Therefore, for the University of Zambia only twenty-five received their packages broken down as six academic and nineteen professional and support staff.

For the Copperbelt University, the breakdown is as follows:
 
 Year No. of Retired Staff
  Who Received their Packages

2001 16
2002 10
2003 10
2004 02
2005 05
2006 01
Total 41

Therefore, the total number of academic staff from the Copperbelt University that received their packages was eight and for professional and support staff, thirty-three, giving a total of forty-one.

The total number of employees who received their retirement packages therefore, from the two universities is sixty-six.

As for those who are waiting to be paid their retirement benefits, according to the records available, they were 442 by 31st December, 2006.

From the University of Zambia, there is a total of 391 and from the Copperbelt University, fifty-one.

In case the hon. Members would want to access the other data, I can lay this paper on the Table.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Changwe laid the paper on the Table.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Is the hon. Member for Chilubi satisfied with that answer?

Mr Chisala: I am satisfied, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out what mechanism …. inaudible

Hon. Government Members: Kambwili!

Mr Kambwili: All of them are faulty. I am not to blame.

Mr Speaker: Order!

I think we have a problem with the system. Can you try the next microphone?

Mr Mukanga: …I would like to find out what mechanism …

Mr Kambwili: On a point of order, Sir!

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order. Is the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing in order to introduce legislation that is going to disadvantage and harass the poor people who are trying to earn a living in society? She is trying to introduce legislation to harass those who are running saloons in their homes, those who are washing cars and those who are mending tyres. Is she also, according to the Nuisance Regulation, 2007, in order to introduce legislation that is going to charge people who urinate behind trees without creating facilities for them?

Mr Speaker, if you move around Lusaka, you will see that there is not even one decent public toilet, and yet the hon. Minister is rushing to introduce legislation without providing the facilities. I need your serious ruling, Sir.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: My serious ruling on the point of order that has been raised by the hon. Member for Roan is that he is jumping very far ahead. This House is unaware officially; anyway, that we are discussing any Bill or Bills related to what he is referring to. If there will be such a Bill or Bills, they will formally be debated on the Floor of this House and he will be free then to express the views he is expressing pre-emptively.

Therefore, hon. Member for Roan, wait.

The hon. Member for Kantanshi was raising a supplementary question.

Mr Mukanga: The hon. Minister stated that 442 people have not been paid their terminal benefits and the …

Major Chizhyuka: On a point of order, Sir!

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Major Chizhyuka: Mr Speaker, the Nuisance Law is important in that Zambians will continue urinating all over …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: That point of order assists the House to unwind and laugh on these matters. However, I have since been informed that, in fact, the hon. Member for Roan may have been referring to a Statutory Instrument rather than a Bill awaiting to be debated in the House.

If that is correct, and I believe it is, then it will be up to the Committee of this House dealing with Delegated Legislation to look at it to ascertain whether those regulations comply with the principal Act that was passed in this House sometime ago.

My advice is that when this particular Statutory Instrument is moved before the Committee, the hon. Member for Roan should be invited to tender evidence for or against the contents of the Statutory Instrument.

Mr Speaker: May the hon. Member for Kantanshi continue, please.

Mukanga: Mr Speaker, the answer I was given by the hon. Minister was that 442 employees who retired between 2001 and 2006 had not been paid their terminal benefits by December 2006. I would like to find out what mechanism was put in place to ensure that these people lead decent lives, send their children to school and are not destitute in their own country?

Professor Lungwangwa:  Mr Speaker, the issue of destitution is of course addressed by the University Council. The members of staff at the University of Zambia in particular who have retired are still on the pay roll of the university as a way of cushioning them until their terminal benefits are paid. In addition, in this year’s Budget, this House approved a sum of K38 billion for paying terminal benefits of staff at the two universities. Further, a number of proposals have been made to address the problem of retirement benefits payment at the two universities and are currently being studied.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chilembo (Chama North): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out if there is a policy to continue utilising the services of lecturers who retire, especially those who have attained the status of professor just before retirement age.

Hon. Members: Fashion!

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the university has a policy of contractual engagement of staff that are still academically active in teaching, research, expert service and general scholarship and a number of academic staff who have retired have been engaged on contractual basis.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chimbaka: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister for Education when he intends to extend the policy of maintaining people on pay roll before they receive their retirement packages to other institutions. There are so many who have retired, some of whom have been waiting for their retirement packages for over fifteen years. What are you doing about them in the light of what you are doing for the University of Zambia workers because they are also workers under the same ministry?

Professor Lungwangwa:  I am not quite sure what the hon. Member is referring to by other workers.

Mr Chimbaka: Other teachers.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, that was not made explicit and I should point out that if he is referring to teachers and other staff such as those at the university, the two are on two separate conditions of service. Upon retirement, teachers are generally taken care of by the Pensions Board and the universities are under the conditions of service of the University Councils.

I thank you, Sir.

RETIRED TEACHERS IN THE NORTHERN PROVINCE BETWEEN 2000 AND 2006

403. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Education:

(a) how many primary and secondary school teachers retired in the Northern Province from December, 200 to December, 2006; and

(b) why the retired teachers at (a) above have not received their monthly dues for over fifteen months as of January, 2007.

Ms Changwe: Mr Speaker, the total number of primary or basic school teachers and secondary school teachers who have retired in the Northern Province from December 2000 to December 2006 is 420. 

With regard to why the retired teachers have not received their monthly dues for over fifteen months, it is difficult for the ministry to give the reasons for this because it is the responsibility of the Pensions Board to pay monthly dues to retired officers. Once an officer reaches retirement age he or she is removed from the pay roll and is paid his or her terminal benefits. Monthly dues and retirement packages given to retired officers is a mandate of the Pensions Board while the ministry pays repatriation and leave benefits.

 I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, is the hon Minister of Education aware that the situation of non-payment of monthly dues to the retired teachers has worsened in Chilubi?

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the answer is very clear that it is the responsibility of the Pensions Board to look after retired teachers.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr D. Mwila (Chipili): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that teachers whose employment is terminated are supposed to be paid and if they are not paid their terminal benefits, they are supposed to be paid their monthly dues as stipulated by the Employment Act? Is he aware that they are supposed to remain on the pay roll whilst waiting for their terminal benefits?

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, once again, the hon. Member should have paid attention to the answer given. There is a big distinction between terminal benefits and monthly dues and the answer has clarified the question asked.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

CONSTRUCTION OF A BIGGER DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN MPIKA

404. Mr Kapeya asked the Minister of Health when a bigger district hospital would be constructed in Mpika as promised by the MMD Government in 2003.

Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Puma):  Mr Speaker, Mpika District Hospital was expanded in 2004 using the Zambia Social Investment Fund (ZAMSIF) funds where the Maternity and Children’s wards were constructed. The wards were commissioned in 2005 and are fully operational.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

OWNERSHIP OF FILLING STATIONS

405. Mr Chitonge (Mwansabombwe) asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development:

(a) how many foreigners qualified, under the Investment Act, to own filling stations in Zambia from 1995 to 2006; and

 (b) how many Zambians owned filling stations in the same period above.

Mr Sichilima: Mr Speaker, I would like to start by saying that filling stations and refineries are two different forms of investments. Within the period 1995 to 2006, the Zambia Investment Centre had the following registered foreign Oil Marketing Companies. In 1998, two promoters, East African Energy Holdings from Tanzania and Engen International from South Africa teamed up to register under British Virgin Islands which is known as Engen in order to start up the company. The two invested US$5 million.

Sir, in 2002, Petroda, a Tanzanian oil company was registered with the Zambia Investment Centre. The company invested US$20 million in the petroleum industry including filling stations. In the same year, Zambia Oil Transport (ZOT) was also registered with the Zambia Investment Centre. Two Tanzanian nationals joined together as promoters and invested US$1.1 million to start the oil company.

An Indian oil company known as Auto Bahn was formed during 2002 and came up with a filling station in Kabwe, which later became bankrupt. The filling station has since been rented out to Total Autre Meer Zambia Limited.

In late 2006, a new oil marketing company known as SGC applied for registration. The promoters include three Tanzanians and one Zambia. Most filling stations in Zambia are owned by oil marketing companies who then engage dealers to operate them. Between the period 1995 and 2006, only five filling stations owned and operated by Zambians existed. However, out of the 192 licensed filling stations, sixty are operated by Zambians as dealers.

In order to promote the empowerment of Zambians, the Government is working towards restricting the ownership of new filling stations to Zambia only. Modalities for doing this are still being worked out. This august House will be informed of the further developments on this issue.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mushili (Ndola Central): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that in order to help the Zambians to own the filling stations, they are coming up with some attractions. Therefore, I would like the hon. Minister to tell us which attractions when as a matter of fact, the conditions that are set are so prohibitive that one is required to acquire 250,000 litres storage facilities to run an oil marketing company.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development elaborately said that when the process is concluded, this august House will be accordingly informed about the measures that will empower Zambians. I will reiterate this at an appropriate time. The Government will inform this august House about the measures to be taken when the process is concluded.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

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

NON-FUNDING FOR CHILUBI SECONDARY SCHOOL

406. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Education why Chilubi Secondary School, which was built in the 1980s, had not received any funding for its completion.

Ms Changwe: Mr Speaker, the ministry released the sum of K480 million in December, 2006 for the construction of 2 No. x 1 x 3 classroom blocks and 4 No. x teachers’ houses at the school site.

Mr Speaker, it is important to note that this is an old project that was started some years back with the support of the World Bank, but was abandoned when the World Bank continued its support to Zambia in the 1980s. Depending on the availability of funds, the ministry intends to complete the project phases. What has been given above, as targets of works will be completed during the course of the year, while other targets will be undertaken in the subsequent budget years. 

UPGRADING OF CHILUBI UPPER BASIC SCHOOL

407. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Education whether the Government had any plans to upgrade Chilubi Upper Basic School to a high school in order to increase the number of Grade 10 places in Chilubi District.

Ms Changwe: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Education has no plans to upgrade the basic school into a high school. Additional space for Grade 10s will be created after the completion of Chilubi High School.

Sir, the construction of the high school is due to start during the course of this year. K480 million was earmarked for the project and this money was released in December, 2006. Under this project, 2 No. x 1 x 3 classroom blocks and teachers’ houses are going to be built.

I thank you, Sir.
CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES AND A ROAD IN MFUWE

408. Mr Malama (Mfuwe) asked the Minister of Works and Supply when construction of the bridges at Mtinondo and Kapamba Rivers and the road to Chiefs Nabwalya and Mukungule, in the Mfuwe Parliamentary Constituency, would be completed.

Mr Tetamashimba: Mr Speaker, my ministry has provided an amount of K500 Million in the 2007 Budget for the construction of a bridge across the Mtinondo River. The procurement process to engage a contractor is currently under way and it is expected that works will commence in August, 2007 with the intended completion period of five months. The procurement plan is dependent upon the release of funds by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

Mr Speaker, my ministry has immediate plans to carry out maintenance of the road leading to Chief Nabwalya and Chief Mukungule. The ministry procured the works for the maintenance of the road leading to Chief Nabwalya in October, 2006 and in the same month, the tendering process had been completed. However, the contract agreement could not be signed because the Ministry of Finance and National Planning did not release the K1 billion provided in the 2006 Budget and could cost interest to the Government if the contract is signed, but the funds have not been released. The maintenance works for this have not been included in the 2007 Budget because the Budget ceiling was reduced, resulting in the removal of most Poverty Reduction Programme Projects.

The construction of the bridge at Kapamba is being considered by the ministry and may be included in the 2008 Work Plan for the Road Development Agency (RDA) depending on the resources that will be available for use by the RDA for the year 2008.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Malama: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that one contractor by the name of J.B Lowe has failed to put the deadline on when it will finish the construction of the Mpika-Mukungule Road?

The Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Simbao): Mr Speaker, I would like to say that I am not aware of this problem, but I hope to find out so that I can give the hon. Member of Parliament the correct position on this contractor.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kanyanyamina: Mr Speaker is the hon. Minister aware that he is demoralising the people in the Northern Province, when he talks of not ‘being aware’, especially that some of the contractors such as J.B. M. are from Lusaka, but when questioned by the Local Authorities, they refer them to Lusaka. What wrong have rural people done to the urban people?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I would rather tell the truth than go into circles and cheat. You see if I wanted, I could easily go round this matter, but when I am not aware, I would rather say that I am not aware and later come back with a proper answer for the hon. Member of Parliament.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Machungwa: Mr Speaker, arising from the Minister’s answer, I believe he is aware of what is happening on the Chembe Bridge. Is he in a position to say something about it since he must be aware of that issue?

Mr Speaker: That supplementary question is not relevant and the hon. Member for Luapula agrees.

KAZUNGULA PONTOON

409. Mrs Musokotwane (Katombola) asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning:

(a) how many vehicles passed through the Kazungula Ferry to and from Zambia from January, 2002 to December, 2006;

(b)   how much revenue was collected from the vehicles that used the
            Kazungule Ferry in the same period; and

(c)      how many times the books of account for the Kazungula Ferry 
                         were audited in the period at (a) above.   

Mr Magande: Mr Speaker, vehicles that pass through the ferry or commonly known as the pontoon are weighed. We divide them into light and heavy vehicles and are recorded on a daily basis, as they use the pontoon going either direction. I wish to report to the House that the following are the numbers of vehicles that pass through both to and from Zambia.

 Year Heavy Vehicles Light Vehicles  Total

2002  18,471   20,083   38,554
2003  17,293   24,570   41,863
2004  13,951   19,739   33,690
2005  18,786   23,244   42,030
2006  20,424   31,363   51,787
Total  88,925   118,999  51,924  

Sir, from 2002 the total of both light and heavy vehicles that passed through Kazungula Ferry from 2002 to 2006 is 207,924.

The part of the question asking how much revenue was collected from the vehicles that used the Kazungula Ferry in the same period, I presume should have read how much revenue was collected from the owners of the vehicles, not from the vehicles.

Mr Speaker, the following are the revenues collected from the owners of the vehicles who used the Kazungula Ferry from 2002 to 2006:

Year Amount (k billion)

2002 K2,252,296,996.87
2003 K2,821,144,200.39
2004 K2,918,261,619.39
2005 K5,217,919,870.31
2006 K5,818,478,381.81
Total K19, 028,101,381.81   
 
Mr Speaker, these revenues are collected both in foreign currency and also local currency. Foreign registered vehicle owners are required to pay in either South African Rands or US Dollars while locally registered owners are required to pay in Zambian Kwacha. For reporting purposes, the foreign currency is converted into Kwacha at the prevailing exchange rate.

Sir, the books of accounts at Kazungula Ferry were audited seven times in the period 2002 to 2006. Theo and Company audited the books five times. The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, in conjunction with the Zambia Privatisation Agency (ZPA) audited the books once and the Auditor-General’s Office also audited the books once in the period under review.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kasongo (Bangweulu): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning how much of the money that we generated would be ploughed back into the communities in line with corporate social responsibility.

Mr Magande: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member who has been a very active participant in the governance of this country is talking about corporate social responsibility. The Government is not referred to as corporate. Corporate social responsibility, refers to private organisations. Government revenue goes through the budgeting system. Under the various social programmes of the Government and the Budget approved by this Parliament, we allocated these revenues. Therefore, there was no issue of corporate responsibility when the funds at issue were Government revenue.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hachipuka: Mr Speaker, I note that in 2002, the revenue was just over K2 billion. Progressively, in 2005, it was K5.2 billion, and in 2006, K5.8 billion and the total is reported as K19 billion. Has the Government and, indeed, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning ever looked at the possibility of using these revenues to build a bridge and turning the bridge into a toll bridge so that we do away with ferrying?

Mr Magande: Mr Speaker, no. We have not considered that because the money is not enough for the estimated cost of the bridge. What we have done is look for adequate funding to construct the bridge. Right now, we are in the process of conducting a feasibility study. We got US$3 million between Zambia and Botswana from the African Development Bank (ADB) as a grant in order to make this feasibility study. Once the feasibility is completed, the ADB has indicated willingness to partner with other financiers in order to construct the bridge. We hope that the feasibility study will be completed by mid next year. Hopefully, by the end of next year, we will start constructing a permanent bridge at Kazungula.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nsanda: Mr Speaker, I happen to cross this bridge ten times a week with my company.

Mr Magande: There is no bridge.

Mr Nsanda: I mean the pontoon.

Laughter

Mr Nsanda: You are collecting our money in billions. Why do you buy 180 horse power engines which are easily carried away by the current every time we are crossing instead of the 320 horse power engine? Why do you buy those small engines when you are collecting all this money?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear! Quality!

Mr Magande: Mr Speaker, the pontoon which is there now was a donation from the European Union. In fact, there was an accident in 2005 when one of the trucks which was overloaded with copper ore from the Luapula Province. As you may recall, especially those who were old enough at the time, there was an accident when the pontoon sunk and we lost twenty-six lives. Now, since we did not have money and that was an emergency, the European Union gave us two small pontoons. They gave us two pontoons so that one of them acts as a reserve in case one of them develops a fault. Prior to the accident, we had been looking for money to construct the bridge. There was a problem on the ownership of the piece of land which makes the border between Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Sir, as you will recall, last year, the Head of State had to travel to Harare, Zimbabwe.  That was when he convinced his colleagues to sign a memorandum of understanding that we must construct the bridge which was going to be a useful asset for the three countries. Therefore, we have not thought of buying a bigger pontoon because we are thinking of constructing a permanent bridge.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chimbaka: Mr Speaker, Kazungula can be rated as one of the very important areas of revenue collection by the Government of Zambia. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why or what problem he has that has led the Ministry of Finance and National planning to take long to improve the infrastructure and clearance process of trucks which are marooned at Kazungula as well as Kasumbalesa. What are the problems that he faces?

Mr Magande: Mr Speaker, as Hon. Hachipuka observed, the revenue went from K2.9 billion in 2004 to K5.2 billion in 2005. The hon. Member for Bahati would have assisted me if he was able to give me statistics of how many vehicles were passing through Kasumbalesa four years ago as compared to last week.

Sir, because of the policies of this Government, there has been a spate in developing this country. There are many transporters moving cargo to the Copperbelt across this country because of the peace that has prevailed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Magande: Five years ago, we did not know that the DRC was going to be as peaceful as it is. Sir, that is why I said that we have been thinking of putting up a bridge at Kazungula and improving the infrastructure at Kasumbalesa, Nakonde, but we have not had the means in terms of revenue. The money we collect at those borders has to be shared with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. Even with other bridges like Hon. Minister of Works and Supply was explaining before me, so it is our limitation in our revenues that our capacity to put up all these structures are constrained. However, I would like to say that because of what is happening in our economy, our revenues are improving. Therefore, we hope that we are going to improve the infrastructure for sustained growth and development.

I thank you, Sir.

30 PER CENT WOMEN REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENT AND OTHER POSITIONS COUNTRYWIDE

410. Mrs Musokotwane asked the Minister of Gender and Women in Development:

(a) what measures the Ministry had taken to achieve the 30 per cent women representation in Parliament and in other decision-making positions countrywide; and

(b) whether the Ministry had plans to reduce illiteracy among.

The Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Ms Lundwe): Mr Speaker, the mandate of the Gender in Development Division (GIDD) is to co-ordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the National Gender Policy (NGP). The NGP is the framework which prescribes policy measures for gender mainstreaming in all sectors of development. In line with this mandate, GIDD conducts the mainstreaming of gender into macro and sectoral policies and programmes in order to attain a gender responsive policy environment. In addition, GIDD facilitates institutional capacity building in order to effectively deal with gender issues and concerns.

In order to attain the 30 per cent women representation in Parliament, GIDD has, for a long time, been engaged in awareness creation programmes among the public on the importance of women participating in various key decision-making positions and in ensuring removal of any discriminatory practices that hinder the effective participation of women in key sectors of development. A number of women in the public sector have been trained in leadership and management skills in conjunction with the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA).

Economic empowerment is one area the Government is paying its attention to. In terms of land ownership, the Government has directed the Ministry of Lands, through its Land Policy to provide 30 per cent of titled land to women while the remaining 70 per cent is to be competed for by both men and women.

In addition, GIDD has been involved in capacity building programmes to enhance the technical and analytical skills among planners, Gender Focal Points Persons and other key policy makers on the importance of mainstreaming gender in their programmes. Specifically, GIDD has been training female parliamentary candidates and those vying for decision-making positions in various leadership skills. These capacity building programmes have been mostly conducted in partnership with non-governmental organisations. In this respect, in 2006, during the previous general elections, about 103 women were trained.

Furthermore, the Public Service Training Programme has been engendered to facilitate increased training of women managers. In addition, the Public Service Training Policy which advocates for affirmative action in favour of women in terms of skills training, employment and promotion in the Public Service is being implemented.

Gender being a crosscutting issue, GIDD collaborates with all Government institutions to ensure that gender inequality is fully addressed. In order to attain the 30 per cent women representation in Parliament and in other key decision-making positions and ensure equity and equality between sexes, the Government has taken a number of measures some of which include the following:

In the area of education, the ministry has for a long time been implementing a number of affirmative action to advance the girl child’s education and enable them to later participate in decisions that affect them. Some of these programmes include equal opportunities for enrolment; lower cut-off point at grade nine; establishment of a bursary scheme at 25 per cent for excelling females who are accepted to pursue careers at the tertiary level and many other programmes. There is also a pilot project for girl/boy classes at every primary school.

Despite these initiatives the 30 per cent women representation in decision-making positions commitment by the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), let alone the 50 per cent by the African Union (AU), has not yet been met. This is partly because affirmative action has not been implemented by most public institutions in Zambia.

It is, therefore, incumbent upon this august House to urge all political parties to adopt a mechanism to promote equal participation of women by adopting female candidates in parliamentary elections. In addition, political parties should ensure that they deliberately include women in all their decision-making organs as a measure of positive discrimination or affirmative action. Such measures would open up to women leadership in the country. The promotion of gender will further be enhanced in the SADC region by adopting a protocol that will compel member States to implement gender equality and equity clauses.

Since my office is largely responsible for coordination, this programme is housed in the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, one of the key Government institutions involved in the promotion of gender equality, especially among the poor and vulnerable groups. However, the Ministry of Community Development Social Services reported that the Department of Community Development has continued to facilitate the training of Literacy Instructors and the formation of Literacy classes in all the provinces. By March, 2007, there was a total of 1,548 Literacy classes with a total membership of 31,169 out of which 24,935 (80 per cent) were female. The ministry has the intention of increasing the number of Literacy classes by 450, bringing the total number of classes to 1,998 and the number of students to 44,669.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, what programmes do they have for economically empowering the women in this country?

The Vice-President (Mr R. B. Banda): Mr Speaker, the programme that we have just numerated are being undertaken by the Government to empower women with regard to provision of land and loans and other projects.

Also, the leaders of various political parties are currently discussing a way forward for our country. In that way forward, they are considering the measures to be undertaken to ensure the 30 per cent women representation in Parliament.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chilembo: Mr Speaker, why are they looking for 30 per cent women representation and not 50 per cent because what they are looking for is equality to their counterparts, the men. Why 30 per cent?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the 30 per cent women representation is a starting point. Obviously, we will work on the 50 per cent afterwards. We have to achieve the 30 per cent first before the 50 per cent.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from His Honour the Vice-President whether the proposed SADC protocol has a provision for 50 per cent women representation in decision-making positions. If this protocol has reached an advanced stage and is about to be signed has the Government made any consultation with various stakeholders over the intended SADC protocol?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the Government is aware of the proposed SADC Protocol and consultations are currently taking place.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Scott: Mr Speaker, I wonder if His Honour the Vice-President recalls the statistics that I gave in the Vote of Thanks to the President’s Address where I pointed out that the number of elected female Members of Parliament of MMD was only 12 per cent and that roughly, Patriotic Front was double that. Is he undertaking to start his campaign with his newly acquired party and lead by example and not by workshop language?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I am glad that Hon. Dr Scott is referring to elective positions. I am sure that being progressive himself, he would have liked the number of elected women in the Patriotic Front in Parliament to be more than the 12 per cent, but this is elective.

Mr Speaker, with regard to the newly acquired party, you can come back too and become a new member. You were a member before and if you are unhappy about your party, join us.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN CHILUBI

412. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Education:

(a) what measures the Government had taken to reduce the critical shortage of secondary school teachers in Chilubi District; and

(b) what corrective measures the Government intended to take in order to deal with the problem of female teachers who are posted to Chilubi District, but serve for only a period of about a year and thereafter, leave the schools on production of marriage certificates.

Ms Changwe: Mr Speaker, the Government is aware that there is a shortage of teachers across the country and therefore, shall continue to strive to recruit as many teachers as it can to alleviate the shortage. However, the ability of the Government to employ and deploy new teachers is determined by its capacity to pay them.

Mr Speaker, once recruited, teachers are posted to areas where their services are required. It is the official policy of the ministry that once posted to these areas, the newly recruited teachers should serve in the schools where they were initially deployed for a period of not less than two years before they can be considered for transfers.

This policy applies to both male and female teachers without discrimination, and does not consider marriage to be sufficient ground for any teacher to transfer to another school or area before the two-year period is over. The ministry will, therefore, continue to uphold this policy and seal any administrative lapses in order to ensure that this policy is adhered to by all concerned administrators and teachers affected.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the Office of the Provincial Evaluation Officer for the Northern Province has, also, contributed to this problem by way of approving transfers for female teachers without collaborating with the Office of the District Board Secretary in Chilubi?

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, that is a statement of fact. We can investigate that and ascertain the truth of such a statement.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chimbaka: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that the Government is aware that there is a shortage of teachers throughout the country. What is the Government doing to improve the situation, especially that Parliament approved the budget for the Ministry of Education and sometime in the last session, the hon. Minister told the House that they will employ 600,000 teachers this year and we are now in the seventh month. When will the hon. Minister consider employing teachers on the waiting list, especially that we only have four months before the year lapses?

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the process of recruiting new teachers in the system is in place and very soon, the recruitment process will be undertaken.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that they will now enforce a law for teachers to stay at schools at which they are posted for two years and in turn deny the women their right to marry. I would like to know what other measures they have put in place to ensure that they do not infringe the rights of the women whom the new hon. Minister is refusing to marry.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order! Although the question is ambiguous, I shall ask the hon. Minister of Education to answer it.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member did not make his question very clear, but as a point of correction, the policy is not a new one, it has been in place and all we are doing now is re-enforce it much more strictly so that the deployments we make of teachers in different areas of need is adhered to strictly.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, what plans is the ministry putting in place to improve the living conditions of especially female teachers in Chilubi Island so that they can stay longer and if possible, marry within Chilubi instead of them marrying elsewhere and leaving Chilubi?

Laughter

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the improvement of conditions of service for teachers is a national programme and we are, as a Ministry, addressing the plight of teachers, especially those in the rural areas in such matters as special allowances such as the rural hardship allowance; attention is given to the teachers’ housing situation; and generally, the improvement of facilities in the schools in which they teach, including opportunities for training are measures the Government has put in place to make the areas where our teachers are posted, especially the rural areas, attractive.

I thank you, Sir.

SOLAR PANELS AT MWIMA SCHOOL IN CHILUBI

413. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Education why solar panels have not been supplied to Mwima Middle Basic School in Chilubi District despite an allocation of US$13,225 in 2004 under ZAMSIF.

Ms Changwe: Mr Speaker, the Zambia Social Investment Fund (ZAMSIF) rehabilitated two schools in Chilubi District namely; Chilamba and Mwima Basic schools. At both schools, the projects included the supply and installation of solar power to the classrooms and teachers’ houses.

At the time the ZAMSIF project was coming to an end, all the rehabilitation works were completed, except for the provision of solar panels in 82 schools, including Mwima Basic School across the country. Therefore, Mwima Basic School is among those schools that are waiting for solar power to be installed. Funds for this project were held by the World Bank, but administered by the Ministry of Education. In order to complete the project and install solar power to the schools, the ministry has identified a contractor who has since imported all the solar fittings for the eighty-two basic schools and has fitted solar power at three schools in Chongwe District. The ministry has inspected these works and the contractor has been advised to make a few corrections before he can move to scale to all the remaining schools.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, how soon should we expect the contractor to be in Chilubi?

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the pilot project has been completed, it has been inspected and we are now going to scale, to address the rest of the schools under this project.

I thank you, Sir.

ISSUANCE OF TITLE DEEDS TO THE SETTLERS AT LIMAPOSA

414. Mr Chella (Wusakile) asked the Minister of Lands whether the Ministry had any plans to issue title deeds to the settlers at Limaposa in the Wusakile Parliamentary Constituency.

The Minister of Lands (Mr Machila): Mr Speaker, I wish to confirm that there are, indeed, plans to issue title deeds to settlers following the degazetting of the Limaposa Forest Area. What is awaited is the relevant planning authority to prepare the site plans and other relevant documentation for submission to my ministry. Upon completion, title deeds shall be issued.

I thank you, Sir.

ALLOCATION FOR VOTER EDUCATION AND VOTER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES IN KATOMBOLA IN 2006

415. Mrs Musokotwane asked the Vice-President:

(a)  how much money was allocated for voter education in 2006 by the Electoral Commission of Zambia; and

(b)  what voter education programmes were carried out in the Katombola Parliamentary Constituency.

Ms Lundwe: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that in 2006, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) spent the sum of K15,223,417.010.26 on voter education.

Of this amount, ECZ provided K9,367,675,000.00 whilst K5,855,801,010.26 was funded from the donors trust fund coordinated by the United Nations Development Programme.

With regard to voter education programmes carried out in Katombola Constituency, I wish to inform the House the following activities were carried out in Katombola Constituency:

(i) Each district in the country had voter education facilitators whose role was to conduct voter education in communities. The facilitators were supervised by the respective District Voter Education Committees (DVECs). Katombola Constituency had seven facilitators.  The following activities were undertaken in Katombola Constituency:

(i) drama performance;
(ii) community meetings;
(iii) church meetings with village headmen;
(iv) distribution of voter education brouchures; and
(v) radio programmes on Mosi-o-Tunya and Zambezi Community Radio Stations.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, is it possible for the ECZ to give money to Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that are in the rural areas to conduct the voter education because we have more NGOs in the rural areas than the ECZ.

The Vice-President (Mr R. B. Banda): Mr Speaker, yes, it is possible.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

MAKUNKA MISSION HOSPITAL IN KATOMBOLA

416. Mrs Musokotwane asked the Minister of Health when a medical doctor would be posted to Makunka Mission Hospital in the Katombola Parliamentary Constituency.

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, Makunka is a rural health centre and therefore, does not qualify for services of a resident medical doctor. However, the district purchases referral services from the Livingstone General Hospital. In addition, as mentioned earlier, Kazungula District already has two medical doctors and one of them services Makunka Rural Health Centre.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, are there any plans by the Ministry of Health to expand Makunka Hospital so that it qualifies to have a doctor?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, in the earlier response, we had indicated that plans were under way to construct a hospital in Kazungula. The site has already been identified and once funds are available in future, it will be constructed.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, through you, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Health, what criterion is used for a community to qualify for the services of a doctor?

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, one of the criterion for the community to qualify for the services of a doctor is the population in the area. The other is the need for a doctor. In this case, either it is resident or outreach. At the moment, what are being provided for are outreach services, meaning that a district purchases service from the nearby district.

In terms of population, we have guidelines that up to a population of perhaps 200,000 people would be able to access doctors for a hospital in that area. The reason is that, if you have limited clientele, you will have a doctor who will not be engaged to practice there to their full capacity. Hence, it has to be a hospital that would serve that kind of population in addition to the services that are provided.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, the earlier answer from the hon. Deputy Minister was that Makunka does not qualify to have a resident doctor. Now, we are told that there is a population that qualifies it to have a hospital. What is the exact population that would qualify Makunka to have a resident doctor?

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, let me go over this very slowly. Makunka, like any other population, deserves the services of a doctor, but not a resident doctor. The hospital services are available for a particular population in order to engage the doctors to practice to capacity and serve that population.

For Makunka, if the question is about the criteria used for it to qualify for a doctor, the answer stated is that a resident doctor would not be appropriate. However, they will provide the services because they will find a number of patients who have been screened and are not able to be catered for by a clinical officer or nurse, but require further expert advice and treatment , hence the guideline that we institute this at the moment.

Mr Kanyanyamina: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister being fair by telling this House a lie that to qualify for a doctor, you need to have a certain number of people, and yet the truth is that he does not have doctors to send there because he cannot pay them?

Mr Daka: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Daka: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to use unparliamentary language by using the word ‘lie’ in this House? I seek your serious ruling.

Mr Speaker: Order!

The Chair is indebted to the hon. Minister of Science, Technology and Vocational Training for raising that point of order, which serves to remind the hon. Member for Kanchibiya that the words “lie”, or “lies”, “cheat”, “deceive” or synonyms thereunder is unparliamentary. You will withdraw the word “lie” and then proceed.

Mr Kanyanyamina: I am sorry, Mr Speaker. I meant to say “to mislead the House.” I withdraw the word “lie” and replace it with “mislead”.

He does not have doctors to send there. Why can he not tell this House the truth that that there are no doctors to send to that place because he cannot pay them?

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order! The Chair believes the hon. Minister of Health has understood that question.

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, it is hon. Members such as the Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya who make this House interesting.

Sir, we have stated in our answer that because of the various factors I have mentioned, there is the purchase of services from the neighbouring hospital. We have further stated that we have plans to build a district hospital in Kazungula. Now, on the issue that I do not have medical doctors, my response is that the services of a doctor are being administered. If the hon. Member is talking about the overall nationwide picture, it is the truth that we are operating at around 50 per cent, but because of the very good policies of this Government, where …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga interrupted.

Dr Chituwo: Hon. Member of Parliament, listen!

Mr Speaker, we embarked on a retention scheme. Prior to 2002, we had less than ten doctors serving the Zambian nationals in rural areas, but two years later, we had eighty-eight serving the Zambian nationals in various localities in rural areas. Surely, from less than ten to eighty-eight, something is being done. Clearly, we cannot meet all the needs. That is the fact, but what is important is the commitment within the available resources to improve access to health services.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hachipuka: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Health has given very elaborate answers. Could he, please, assist this House understand when the Government revisits a policy such as the one he has described that when a population is 200,000, only then can they be entitled to a doctor. When is the policy required to be revisited, particularly in the light of the increased disease and poverty in this country? When would his ministry revisit a policy to provide more doctors than there are at present?

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, again, my elder brother, it is perhaps the slip of the tongue …

Mr Hachipuka: No, we are age mates!

Laughter

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, I withdraw that remark.

Mr Sichilima: He is mwana!

Laughter

Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, there is such a thing as a change of policy. I think we are mixing up two issues here and perhaps, I was not that clear. It is the issue of a hospital facility serving a certain population, but I did not state or if I did, then that is not correct that it is 200,000 per doctor. It is the district hospital that that requires such a population With regard to the newly created districts, by virtue of the overall policy of a school, high school entitlement, there will be that facility, but it is not that the 200,000 is the policy for one doctor. 200,000 is too big a number to be served by one doctor.

Sir, the guidelines by World Health Organisation (WHO), ranges from 5,000 people per doctor. In fact, in other countries, it differs. However, in our country, this varies. In some provinces, it is as much as 20,000 or 40,000. That certainly is not satisfactory. May I emphasise that the 200,000 that I talked about is with regard to a district hospital that offers various services including more than one doctor.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

GOVERNMENT’S POSITION ON FOREIGN HEALTH PERSONNEL

417. Mr Ngoma asked the hon. Minister of Health:
(a) what was the Government’s position on foreigners who wished to establish health facilities in Zambia; and
(b) whether foreigners operating health institutions in Zambia were allowed to do the following:
(i) maintain documents on patient information in a foreign language;
(ii) prescribe medicines in a foreign language; and
(iii) administer medicines whose instructions for taking the medicine is in a foreign language.
Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, all persons who wish to establish health facilities in Zambia are regulated by the Medical Council of Zambia.
Sir, part (b) of the question on whether foreigners operating health institutions in Zambia were allowed to maintain documents on patient information and prescribe medicines in a foreign language and administer medicines whose instructions for taking the medicine is in a foreign language is not applicable.
Mr Speaker, the official language of communication in Zambia is English. Therefore, any written communication pertaining to administration of medicine should be in English.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Ngoma: Mr Speaker, why is it that a number of health facilities, especially those run by the Chinese use Chinese language as a form of documentation. Even the medicines that they prescribe have no English labels on them. This is not a secret. It is happening, especially here in Lusaka. Why has the Government left that situation unchecked?
Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, as we have stated, the Medical Council of Zambia regulates and inspects all private health facilities, including public health facilities. Now, it is not possible for the Medical Council of Zambia, Inspectorate Wing, to be aware of everything that goes on. Our plea is that every patient has got a right to information as to what their diagnosis is, what medicine they are taking, how frequent they should take it, and if there are any side effects. Therefore, we seek the assistance of every Zambian who consults medical facilities whose language is, but English. This should be brought to our attention because then the Medical Council of Zambia will inspect that facility and insist that they communicate effectively with the patient or the guardians.
Sir, we have taken note of this, but we can be assisted if we had particular surgeries that do not communicate effectively with their patients or clients.
I thank you, Sir.
CONTINUOUS VOTERS REGISTRATION
418. Mrs Musokotwane asked the Vice-President when continuous registration of voters in the Katombola Parliamentary constituency would commence.
Ms Lundwe: Mr Speaker, the Government, through the seventy-two  districts in readiness for commencement of continuous voter registration. The Budget requirement for the implementation of the continuous voter registration is K52 billion. In this year’s Budget, some funds have been approved for implementation of the same.
I thank you, Sir.
Mrs Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, the Vice-President said that the funds have been allocated, but they have not told me when they are starting continuous registration in Katombola Parliamentary Constituency.
The Vice President: Mr Speaker, this year.
Laughter
Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out why the Government has been violating the law from the time it was passed that there should be a continuous voter registration exercise and that they now intend to start this year contrary to the law.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, we actually have not been violating the law because we did not have the money for it. We will, this year, find the money and start the programme.

I thank you, Sir.

CONSTRUCTION OF CHIFUNABULI AND MASANTA BASIC SCHOOLS IN CHIFUNABULI PARLIAMENTARY CONSTIUENCY

420. Mr E. C. Mwansa (Chifunabuli) asked the Minister of Education:

(a) when construction of Chifunabuli and Masanta Basic Schools in the Chifunabuli Parliamentary Constituency would be completed; and

(b) what action had been taken against those who misused public funds, including the project managers at the two schools.

Ms Changwe: Mr Speaker, the construction of Chifunabuli, Masanta, Kanyembo, Musangu and Mununga Basic schools were awarded to Tomorrow Investment. This company was given the contract with funding from the African Development Bank, (ADB) to construct additional classrooms and teacher’s houses at each school. The type of contract entered into was one that is categorised as fixed sum meaning that the contractor was supposed to do the works within the agreed amounts and time frame.

Mr Speaker, ADB, however, delayed in approving the draft contract for nine months before signing it. After signing the contract, Tomorrow Investment moved on site, but after two months, the contractor requested for a revision of the contract sum contrary to the contract agreement. This scenario led to works stalling at the sites and eventually when the ADB mission came to Zambia and visited the school sites, it recommended the termination of the contract.

As per the laid down procedures, the Ministry of Education wrote to the Ministry of Justice for guidance. To this end, the Ministry of Justice advised the Ministry of Education to appoint an adjudication to resolve the problem, whether to cancel the contract or negotiate to vary the contract sum. Subsequently, the adjudicator was appointed and the process of negotiation has commenced between Tomorrow Investment and the Ministry of Education. It is expected that the outcome of these negotiations will be made known soon and the African Development Bank, who are the financiers of the projects, will be notified accordingly.

As regards part (b) of the question, a decision will be made on the continuation of the projects and agree on the time expected to be completed. The delay in completing the projects at the mentioned sites had nothing to do with misuse of public funds, but some technicalities in the contract and some observed inadequacies on the part of the contractor’s performance.

I thank you, Sir.

ELECTRIFICATION OF CHIEFS’ PALACES IN MWENSE DISTRICT

421. Mr D. Mwila asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development when the chiefs’ palaces in Mwense District would be electrified.

Mr Sichilima: Mr Speaker, in 2006, the ministry electrified 186 chiefs’ palaces countrywide using solar energy. The process of selecting the beneficiary chiefs was done in collaboration with the provincial permanent secretaries’ offices that provided the ministry with lists of chiefs in the respective provinces.

In the Luapula Province, twenty-five chiefs’ palaces were electrified which included chiefs Mulundu, Lukwesa, Matipa and Katuta in Mwense District. My ministry is currently working out strategies to electrify the remaining chiefs’ palaces in 2007 as the programme still continues.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr D. Mwila: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that there are six chiefs in Mwense District and out of six chiefs, only one palace has been electrified? If he is aware, what is he doing about it?

Mr Sichilima: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Chipili should come with facts. Yes, there are chiefs in many other areas, but there are those who are recognised through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing by the President. The provincial permanent secretaries in their respective areas selected chiefs’ palaces to be electrified.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Machungwa: Sir, this was being done in my constituency two days before the presidential and general elections. In Senior Chief Kalimankonde’ area, they were not able to install power because they had problems accessing the area due to the drought in the area at that time. Since the election exercise was completed, they have not gone there. The senior chief says that they have not done this because there are no elections. Can the hon. Minister deny that it was being done to influence elections since they have not gone back after the elections were conducted?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Konga: Thank you, Mr Speaker. As the hon. Minister has explained, the process of electrifying chiefs’ palaces is a Government program. It is an ongoing Government program. I would appreciate it if the Members here, while not sentimental, all supported this program because chiefs are our traditional leaders. We need to give them respect and the Government has recognised the need for chiefs’ palaces to be electrified. So, it is the responsibility of the Government, specifically my ministry, to ensure that those chiefs whose palaces have not been electrified, are electrified before the end of this year.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, the question is on the chiefs in Mwense. The hon. Minister had indicated that there were three chiefs whose palaces were being electrified. The Member of Parliament has said only one has been connected to electricity. What is the correct number of chiefs in Mwense and how many have actually been provided this facility?

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order! There is only one presiding officer here. If you say “answer”, I shall disallow him and then he will be no answer.

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, you will recall from the response by the hon. Deputy Minister, to specifically answer Hon. Muntanga’s question, that in the Luapula Province, twenty-five chiefs’ palaces were electrified. So, it is not only three …

Mr Muntanga: In Mwense?

Mr Konga: In Mwense, yes. But, as the hon. Deputy Minister said, the chiefs are identified in collaboration with the Ministry local Government and Housing. Once we gave that number - because some might be recognised as chiefs when in essence, they could be sub-chiefs. Yes. Those who are identified by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing are the ones whose palaces are electrified by the Government.

I thank you, Sir.

422. Mr C. Mulenga (Chinsali) asked the Minister of Health:

(a) when construction of the mortuary at Chinsali District Hospital would be  completed; and

(b) how many doctors were currently at the above hospital.

Dr Puma: The mortuary in question was initiated by the then Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) and was constructed up to the wall-plate level. The Ministry of Health is currently reviewing the plans of the mortuary with a view to finding a way forward. However, Chinsali District Hospital is currently utilising the old mortuary which is functioning perfectly well.

Further, the hon. Member wanted to know how many doctors were currently at the above mentioned hospital. Currently, there are two doctors stationed at Chinsali District Hospital, though one is on training in Tanzania. In an effort to reduce the work load on doctors, a medical licentiate with surgical skills and experience has been attached to the district hospital.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr C. Mulenga: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether he is aware that Chinsali has had no doctor for the past five years. We only depend on a doctor from Isoka and if the Government is aware, what is the hon. Minister doing about it?

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, the information we have, according to our records, is that there are two doctors, with one on training. For the information of the hon. Member of Parliament, I was actually in Chinsali, sometime in December, and there was a doctor there. So, I am actually surprised that he says that there is no doctor.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chongo (Mwense): Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister clarify to this House in that in his statement he said “from the reports we are getting”, but at the same time, he is saying he was in Chinsali? Can he clarify whether he saw those doctors or depends on the report?

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, I mentioned that according to the current information, and also made reference to the point in time in December, 2006 when I was in Chinsali. At that point, I was told that the doctor had just left to transfer a patient and as a result, I had to see his deputy. He was actually the Acting Director of Health at the time.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Katema (Chingola): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the doctor he saw came from Isoka for relief? When is Chinsali going to have its own doctor? Pronto!

Dr Puma: Mr Speaker, I mentioned that the doctor I found in Chinsali was actually the one acting Director of Health. He was actually in-charge of the district. He could have been from elsewhere, but he was actually in-charge of Chinsali District healthwise.

I thank you, Sir.

ELECTRIFICATION OF KATOMBOLA CONSTITUENCY

423. Mrs Musokotwane asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development when Katombola Parliamentary Constituency would be electrified under the Rural Electrification Programme.

Mr Sichilima: Mr Speaker, as stated in my response to similar questions on this subject, the order of electrifying various places in each district will become clear when the Rural Electrification Master Plan is completed in December this year. Let me inform the House that this Government went further to include the hon. Members of Parliament to have their input in this document, which they must be so thankful for because their concerns will definitely be looked at.

As regards the Katombola Constituency, it will definitely be covered in the master plan, in which the hon. Member herself had an in put. However, at the moment, we cannot state the order of priority that the various growth centres of Katombola will occupy in the master plan.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, this question has come again and listening from the answer, this said master plan does not include all places. He has said that the master plan will include Katombola. Therefore, the reasons we are asking is that, as tabulated, certain places were not shown and this clearly shows that it is not a master plan for the whole country. When will this master plan include all places and not a list of where you are going to undertake a job?

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, I stated earlier on to avoid exposing ignorance to the House. Maybe the hon. Member should come to the office so that we can explain. If you recall, hon. Members who were here, the document was presented for all the constituencies in this country reflecting all the growth centres in those constituencies. Therefore, I am surprised that the hon. Member is showing ignorance here.

Mr Speaker, I would request the hon. Member to come to the office and request for information to avoid exposing his ignorance.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

NUMBER OF TEACHERS ON ARVs COUNTRYWIDE

424. Mrs Musokotwane asked the Minister of Education:

(a) how many teachers were currently on ARVs countrywide; and

(b) how the status of teachers on ARVs had affected education standards in the country.

Ms Changwe: Mr Speaker, according to the ministry’s records, there were 2,000 teachers on ARVs by December, 2005. This was when the Ministries of Education and Health entered into a collaboration where the ministry provided funding to pay for the treatment of teachers who were on ARVs.

Mr Speaker, the current arrangement where ARVs are accessed freely, has to some extent caused problem in maintaining up to date data on teachers who are on ARVs. Teachers no longer need to register with the ministry in order to access this service. However, indications are that many teachers are now accessing this facility resulting from a continuous sensitisation under the workplace HIV/AIDS programme found at all levels.

With regard to part (b) of the question, the health of teachers on ARVs has recorded a remarkable improvement and subsequently, this has seen a reduction in absenteeism and loss of teaching contact hours. This is in comparison with the time when they were not accessing the facility and were unable to report for work regularly due to ill health.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

__________

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 1800 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 11th July, 2007.

 

WRITTEN REPLIES TO QUESTIONS

ELECTRIFICTION OF CHIEF MUSHIMA’S PALACE

411. Mr Bonshe (Mufumbwe) asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development when Chief Mushima’s Place in Mufumbwe District will be electrified.

The Minister of Energy and Water Development (Mr Konga): Mr Speaker, in June 2005, the Ministry of Energy and Water Development through the Department of Energy embarked on the project of electrifying Chief’s Palaces and schools using solar energy. The project came about as a result of Government’s initiative to provide Chief’s Palaces and schools with electricity. But for those who cannot immediately be connected to the grid, solar home systems were found to be a suitable alternative. So far, 186 chiefs’ Palaces have been electrified with solar countrywide.

His Highness Chief Mushima’s Palace was one of the 28 Chiefs’ Places earmarked to be electrified with solar in North-Western Province in 2006 but could not be done as scheduled due to difficulties the installation team encountered in reaching the palace. However, Chief Mushima’s Palace will before the end of 2007 be provided with solar energy.

I thank you, Sir.