Debates - Tuesday, 24th March, 2015 | National Assembly of Zambia

DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 24th March, 2015

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR DEPUTY SPEAKER

ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that in the absence of Her Honour the Vice-President, who is attending to other equally important Government business, the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication, and Chief Whip, Hon. Yamfwa Mukanga, MP, has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House from today, Tuesday, 24th March, 2015, until further notice.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

The Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mrs Mwanakatwe): Mr Speaker, may I take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to deliver a ministerial statement on the implementation of the Industrial Clusters Development Programme.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Mwanakatwe: First and foremost, I wish to thank His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for bestowing upon me the honour to serve the people of Zambia as a Member of this august House as well as a Member of his Cabinet. I feel greatly privileged to serve the country at a time when it is being led by a visionary leader …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mrs Mwanakatwe: … who wants to deliver real, meaningful and lasting development to the citizenry. This is a leader who believes that we can cast aside political, tribal, regional and racial dynamics, and collectively strive to build a country that will guarantee a prosperous future for our children and generations to come.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Mwanakatwe: It is my fervent hope that I will play a role, in some small measure, in attaining this noble goal. My journey to this House would not have been possible without the unwavering and unfettered support of my immediate as well as extended family (pointing at hon. PF Members).

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Mwanakatwe: I intend to lead a ministry that will be active in engaging the House through Parliamentary debates, Committee work and its legislative agenda. As a ministry, we have set ourselves an ambitious agenda aimed at bringing our business environment and investment climate to international standards, whilst remaining cognisant of the unique attributes of our country.

Interruptions

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, it is my intention, in the remaining life of this Parliament, to table not less than ten new Bills in the House. These will cover, amongst others, Company Law, Standardisation and Quality Assurance, Intellectual Property and other interventions aimed at developing micro, small and medium enterprises.

I have found that the legal framework which governs the commerce, trade and industrial sectors was principally developed in the era of liberalisation of the economy in the early 1990s. While many of these laws are not archaic, they have become increasingly moribund and are in dire need of revamping, with the passage of time in a dynamic world of global business.

Mr Speaker, hon. Members of the House will recall that my predecessors have, on previous occasions, made statements in this House regarding the Industrial Clusters Development Programme.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Therefore, my statement will outline the current status of the Industrial Clusters Development Programme and demonstrate how the programme will contribute to poverty reduction and job creation. I will also highlight the impact that the programme has had in rural development and the measures that we have taken to improve upon this.

Mr Speaker, it is my intention to provide clarity on the focus of the Government with regard to the Industrial Clusters Development Programme. This is necessary, taking into account the considerable interest that this subject has generated among hon. Members of this Parliament, as evidenced by the numerous Parliamentary questions that my ministry has received regarding this matter hitherto.

Mr Speaker, please, allow me to take some water.

Mrs Mwanakatwe drank water.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, an industrial cluster has been defined as a physical place where enterprises dealing in similar products or lines of business are clustered to conduct their businesses or as a geographic concentration of interconnected businesses, suppliers and associated institutions in particular fields or sectors.

Mr Speaker, there are three main types of industrial clusters. The first one is the core venture type.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, order!

Please, we are consulting loudly and drowning the hon. Minister’s voice. Can we listen, please.

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, the core venture type of industrial cluster is where different activities are clustered around a particular enterprise, producing and supplying different goods and services necessary for the operation of that business. A typical example of this type of cluster is in Mazabuka where various out-grower schemes for sugar have been established to supply sugar cane to Zambia Sugar Plc.

Sir, for core venture clusters, the Government will work with the private sector, whilst continuing to provide an enabling environment in which private sector investment can flourish. Our focus, therefore, will be on working with major private investors such as Lafarge and Dangote cement companies whose investments are expected to bring about long value chains. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will be able to access opportunities to supply goods and services to the core venture companies and create jobs. A good model of this is the Chambeshi Smelter, which is located in the Chambishi Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ and has acted as a catalyst of business opportunities for enterprises supplying goods and services, such as transportation and distribution, based on business around the smelter. We expect this to become the new growth model for industry-based development.

We are undertaking various promotion efforts, through the Zambian Development Agency (ZDA), targeted at attracting investment into sectors that will operate under this model and provide core ventures that will support micro, small and medium enterprises through business opportunities across the value chain.

Mr Speaker, the second type of industrial cluster takes the form of an enclave. This may be a place like Buseko Market here in Lusaka or the Nakadoli Market in Kitwe where various micro and small-scale entrepreneurs are engaged in various, but related value-addition activities. Enterprises in such clusters tend to use common facilities in terms of supporting and ancillary equipment. This type of cluster is what some hon. Members of the House generally refer to as industrial clusters or yards.

The third type of industrial cluster is the value chain industrial cluster. An example of this is the value chain for groundnuts where a number of activities, ranging from growing groundnuts, harvesting them and removing husks in order to process them into different products, such as peanut butter, oil and pounded groundnuts, are undertaken. The focus of this type of cluster is to add value to a particular primary product or commodity and, by so doing, create jobs along the value chain from production to marketing and, finally, distribution.

Mr Speaker, having outlined the three types of industrial clusters, I wish to state that in the medium term, the Government will not prioritise the implementation of the enclave type of physical industrial cluster or industrial yards except on a needs basis. Establishing these types of industrial clusters is an extensive undertaking, and the cost of establishing such fully-fledged clusters is estimated to be around US$20 to US$30 million, depending on the sector type. The cost is driven by the need to set up significant infrastructure and other support services as well as the cost of procuring modern equipment and skills training to operate the equipment.

In order to be pragmatic and true to the Patriotic Front (PF) Manifesto and, taking into account the limited national resources, we cannot realistically implement such clusters at national level in the immediate term.

Mr Speaker, I am aware that the Government has, in the past, indicated that it is actively exploring the possibility of establishing such clusters. However, the cost has proved to be prohibitive. It should also be pointed out that the enclave-type cluster can only be established where there is already an established pool of entrepreneurs, resources and skills. This further limits the extent to which this type of cluster model can be developed. Our focus will, therefore, be on supporting already existing enclaves and cluster formations such as the ones I mentioned earlier and assist them with business development as well as financing where appropriate. We shall do this within the context of our business development initiatives for micro, small and medium enterprises. We shall, nonetheless, continue to engage potential funding partners to source external financing for, at least, one pilot enclave industrial cluster, and are optimistic that a suitable partner will soon be found. However, our priority shall remain the establishment of value chain industrial clusters.

Mr Speaker, allow me to delve a little deeper into the value chain industrial clusters.

Mr Muntanga: Have some more water.
Mrs Mwanakatwe: I will drink some when I am ready.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, the value chain industrial clusters are the primary vehicle through which my ministry will facilitate rural industrialisation. This is in line with the Industrialisation and Job Creation Strategy of the Government. I would strongly urge hon. Members of Parliament to hold us to account on the value chain clusters. The Value Chain Cluster Development Programme is an ambitious programme designed to move the country away from the production of primary products to that of value-added products. The objective is to add value to local natural resources and endowments, thereby creating wealth for enterprising Zambians as well as more jobs for our people. I am proud to inform the House that the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) has a presence in all the ten provinces of the country. The programme supports the creation of citizen-owned industries at district level. This way, the Government is addressing both the need for industrialisation and economic diversification, and increased participation of our people now and in the future.

Mr Speaker, the CEEC was reorganised in 2012 in order to facilitate the implementation of this programme and ensure that the Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund is equitably and transparently distributed amongst the ten provinces of our country. The programme targets specific value chains in order to promote industrialisation at district level based on the comparative advantage of each district. Emphasis has been placed on greater participation of women, youth and the physically challenged. The key measures taken to refocus the funds are:

(a) targeting ninety per cent of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund to rural areas aimed at ensuring accelerated rural industrialisation so that there is no pro-rural bias;

(b) allocating forty per cent of the funds to the youth and, at least, thirty per cent to women;

(c) creating two windows, one of which is targeted at people with the capacity to offer collateral while the other is for micro-loans for which collateral is not required. This has significantly improved access to the Fund and expanded the type of projects that can be financed;

(d) hiring Credit and Risk Management Officers in all the ten provinces in order to strengthen the monitoring of projects and loan repayments; and

(e) introducing mandatory pre-financing training for loan recipients with business development support in areas such as business planning, enterprise management and financial literacy.

These measures have resulted in an impressive increase in the loan recovery rates to eighty per cent in 2014 compared to only forty-four per cent in the period prior to the coming into office of the PF Government. This has led to a more sustainable revolving fund.

Mr Speaker, under the Value Chain Cluster Development Programme, the Government is currently funding more than 1,700 projects countrywide, with unprecedented outreach to rural areas, women and youths. Some of the outcomes and impacts of the Value Chain Cluster Development Programme are:

(a) value chain projects have been implemented in forty-two districts, targeting fish farming, beef, tourism facilities, poultry, dairy, rice, groundnuts, soya beans, palm oil, cassava, pineapple, honey and mango.

(b) over K53 million has been disbursed to various projects from 2013 to 2014.

(i)   Sesheke;
(ii)   Kaoma;
(iii)   Kabompo;
(iv)   Chavuma;
(v)   Mwansabombwe;
(vi)   Mungwi;
(vii)   Mpulungu;
(viii)   Chinsali;
(ix)   Nakonde;
(x)   Mambwe;
(xi)   Vubwi;
(xii)   Chongwe;
(xiii)   Mumbwa
(xiv)   Chitambo;
(xv)   Zimba; and
(xvi)   Namwala.

(d) projects implemented through the financing deployed are:

(i)   production of mango juice in Mongu;
(ii)   cage fishing in Siavonga;
(iii)   rice processing in Mambwe;
(iv)   dairy processing in Kabwe;
(v)   cotton processing in Mumbwa;
(vi)   production of high energy protein supplements in Mungwi;
(vii)   production of cooking oil in Petauke; and
(viii)   processing of honey in Kabompo.
Mr Speaker, we have worked out the resources required to reach the remaining sixty-one districts by the end of 2016. If funded according to plan, this programme should create value-addition activities in the districts which should result in not less than 45,000 direct and indirect jobs in the rural areas.

Mr Speaker, as Minister responsible for Trade and Industry, I will look to this House to work in concert with me in expanding the involvement of Zambian citizens in our economy. I am a firm believer of national development not being sustainable unless it is buttressed by the active involvement and participation of nationals.

Mr Mwila: Hear, hear!

Mrs Mwanakatwe: If our citizens are reduced to the role of mere spectators, are marginalised and sitting passively in the gallery, and unable to share in the spoils of entrepreneurship, we shall have failed them. So, our role must be to find and deploy the necessary interventions, and to create an enabling environment which fosters the creation of wealth and empower, and benefit Zambian citizens.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, as Minister, my position is that every investment in our country should come with opportunities for Zambians to own new businesses and have shares in multinational companies, and that there are increased growth prospects for small and medium-scale enterprises. I will focus on ensuring that large-scale investments are designed in such a manner that they have a greater impact than mere profit generation.

Sir, I intend to bring to the Government and the House my experience and insight from the private sector, and trust that these will be useful in my effort to deliver on the promises of the PF Government.

Sir, I remain cognisant of the fact that the cut-and-thrust of Parliamentary debate necessitates that my colleagues on the other side of the House constantly endeavour to make my life in the House as difficult as possible. However, I trust that when we get things right, they will have the magnanimity to give us the occasional pat on the back.

I, therefore, look forward to the collective support of both sides of the House as we endeavour to develop our beloved Zambia.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the ministerial statement given by the hon. Minister.

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to bolster confidence in the Zambian people and the House. Currently, the Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund is failing to meet the demands of the people. Last year, it was only funded with K5 million out of the expected K57 million. How do you intend to achieve the long list of goals that has been given when you are failing to finance your institution which is mandated to achieve them?

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, let me thank the hon. Gentleman, over there, for his …

Interruptions

Mrs Mwanakatwe: … question.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Minister, the right terminology in the House is, “hon. Member”.

Mrs Mwanakatwe: I am sorry, Sir. I have promoted you, hon. Gentleman.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, the term, “gentleman” is not accepted.

Interruptions

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, that is a good question, and it has been noted. When the Patriotic Front (PF) came into power, the funding for the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) was meagre. Today, I can say, with confidence, that the funding has increased. This is why we are able to implement the empowerment programmes right across the districts. In so doing, we are not only relying on the Government, but also the co-operating partners to ensure that we have a line of funding that can support small and medium-scale enterprises. Consequently, you will see increased funding not only from the Government but also funding partners.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mucheleka (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister talked about three clusters, and emphasised the importance of value chains, ...

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, on my left!

Mr Mucheleka: … particularly in the agriculture sector.

Is she aware that for almost four years now, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has failed to come up with a Rural Development Policy? How, then, are you going to implement the ambitious programmes you have talked about in the absence of a clear Rural Development Policy? Are you going to do it in a vacuum? How are you coordinating with the other wings of the Government to try to come up with a rural development policy that will support the ambitious value chains that you are talking about?

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, when we go to the districts and provinces, we work in unison with the structures that have been put in place to ensure that our programmes are working. So, as the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) sets up in the provinces, it works closely with the district administrations there.

Mr Speaker, yes, the programme may sound ambitious, but it is a programme that has been well-thought-out and we intend to implement it.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mwanza (Solwezi West): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is a visionary leader. However, the President himself has told the people of Zambia that he has no vision. So, which vision is the hon. Minister referring to?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, I am serving a party and President who are true visionaries.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Therefore, I am supplementing their vision.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, I remember very well that the issue of industrial clusters was well received in this House.

Sir, the borrowed time of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is about to end. They only have some months in power. How many clusters have been commissioned and are operational. Further, when do they intend to start opening the clusters?

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, I think that the hon. Member was not paying attention when I was talking because I clearly stated the number of value chains that have been created across all the districts. I can give you the information, district by district and province by province, hon. Member. If you want, please, see me before I go to China tonight.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: I have asked the hon. Member for Mumbwa to take the Floor.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, Mumbwa is one of the districts that are on the road to the realisation of this Industrial Cluster Theory. Did the hon. Minister say that in addition to the budget for the Citizens Economic Empowerment (CEEC) that is passed in the House, there are co-operating partners that are putting money in the CEEC? Is that the position?

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member is spot-on. We are talking to various funding partners, that is, funding agencies, working with the Ministry of Finance. I do not want to mention them now because we are still at the talking stage. However, the discussions for us to be able to get funding for the CEEC, especially for small and medium-scale enterprises, are well advanced.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, listening to the hon. Minister’s speech …

Mr Mbewe: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, I apologise to Hon. Muntanga who was on the Floor.

Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to publicly invite this gentleman tonight?

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

From my understanding, the hon. Minister did not invite you to see her tonight. Instead, she meant that you could see her in her office before she goes wherever she is going.

Hon. Opposition Members: Amen!

Laughter

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, the Budget that this House approves includes money expected from co-operating partners, and you know that this is a deficit Budget. There was only K5 million budgeted for the programme for developing industrial clusters. So, how possible is it that you can undertake the establishment of so many industrial clusters in Kalomo and Zimba? We were asked by your predecessor to identify areas where the industrial clusters can be established, but nothing has happened so far. You have just read the same speech that your predecessor read. Now, you are even talking about spending money outside the Budget. How possible is this?

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, I will repeat what I said, and that is that the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) is seeking support from funding agencies such as the African Development Bank (ADB), and is discussing with the Swedish Embassy to see how they can support our small and medium-scale enterprises. The discussions are progressing very well. That is why I am standing here confidently. Monies will come through the Ministry of Finance to support the programmes, especially the value chain programmes that we are talking about at the CEEC. I think that should be clear.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Phiri (Mkaika): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned some districts in which industrial clusters are being introduced. Katete produces a lot of sweet oranges. May I find out whether there are special plans for Katete. If there are, when are they coming through?

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, that is a progressive question. We do have plans for Katete, and I would like to share them with the hon. Member. If you have not made any input in the plans, hon. Member, I would like you to do so. Therefore, I am inviting you to the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) Office …

Laughter

Mrs Mwanakatwe: … to discuss with my Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Mukumbuta. I will tell him about your concern. Please, go to his office and familiarise yourself with the programmes that are there for Katete.

I thank you, Sir.

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, since the hon. Minister is going to China tonight, …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Order, on both the left and right!

You are not paying attention.

Prof. Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, since the hon. Minister is going to China tonight, I would like her to listen attentively to what I am going to point out.

Hon. Government Members: Ask your question.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Are you asking a question or making a statement?

Prof. Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, I am seeking clarification.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Okay, what is your point of clarification?

Prof. Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the world is now waiting for the rising of the African lions, like the rising of the Asian tigers. However, the African lions are at four stages. Some are trapped while others are angry. Some are coming out of their territory or cages while others are defining their territory. These are the different stages at which the African lions are.

Sir, the question is: Where are the industrial clusters taking us, as a country? Are we still trapped or are we defining our territories? Can you clarify the stage at which we are in the whole struggle for the rising of the African lions?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, I would like to believe that Zambia is also a lion in its own right. I would also like to believe that we, here, are all lions and lionesses, and that we would like to see Zambia get to a better stage of industrialisation and job creation. What the Value Chain Development Programme is doing is creating jobs and progressively developing the value chain. The Value Chain Development Programme is looking at taking a catalyst of a big company, which I said in my statement. You should visit Chambishi Copper Smelter and Dangote Cement Plant in Ndola. That investment, together with my ministry, is going to create new townships.

Hon. Opposition Members: Where are we?

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, we are on a journey …

Hon. Opposition Members: Where?

Mrs Mwanakatwe: … that is taking us to job creation and industrialisation. I have shared with you that 13,000 jobs were created by the value chain clusters in one year, from 2013 to 2014. We are heading towards job creation and industrialisation.

Mr Muntanga: Are we hungry?

Mrs Mwanakatwe: You do not look like a hungry man.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Please, let us have order. I think that is not the way we should debate.

Ms Kapata: A senior hon. Member of Parliament.
Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Minister!

Hon. Members, if you are dissatisfied with the answers, do not interject in that manner.

Continue, hon. Minister.

Ms Kapata: A senior hon. Member of Parliament. Alibe na nsoni.

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, we have already embarked on this journey. What I shared with the House today are statistics that buttress the fact that the we are moving in the right direction.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Konga (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the statement. While it is true that the Government has embarked on the creation of industrial clusters in various parts of the country, what is missing is the financing of the clusters by the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC). For instance, in Chavuma, which the hon. Minister mentioned in her speech, the people who are involved in the development of the industrial clusters are complaining that there is hardly any financing from the CEEC. When it comes, it is minimal. Can the hon. Minister assure the people who are involved in the industrial clusters in Chavuma that the financing for the industrial clusters, in this case, fishing, will improve so that they can implement this programme efficiently?

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the hon. Member’s concern about the resources that are being spread across the country being limited. The CEEC, through my ministry, is trying to source as much resources as possible. That is why the Government has increased the funding for the Value Chain Development Programmes from K5 million to K87 million. We have not stopped there. We have started talking to funding houses so that we can supplement what the Government is giving us and give more to places like Chavuma. You will see a lot more resources coming your way in the future, once we have concluded our discussions.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, I was listening to the hon. Minister’s statement from my vehicle as I was driving to this place. Hon. Minister, I felt invigorated just like I did when your predecessor first came here with this concept of industrial clusters.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned the Mazabuka Out-Growers Scheme, as it was known then, as one of the industrial clusters. She also projected how many jobs would be created by 2016. I would like to put a caveat on this statement because, maybe, in my absence, the hon. Minister answered a question that is similar to the one I am about to ask.

Hon. Minister, in absolute terms, how many jobs have you created through this industrial cluster to date?

Mrs Mwanakatwe: We have created 13,000 direct jobs, Sir. This was in my statement, …

Laughter

Mrs Mwanakatwe: … but I cannot quantify the indirect jobs.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mufalali (Senanga): Mr Speaker, in the last three years, the hon. Minister’s predecessor kept promising the people of Senanga an industrial cluster whose location was identified. When is it going to be opened?

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, I like such challenges. I do recognise that every province wants a value chain development or cluster of some definition or other. We are coming to Senanga. I do not know whether you have given us the areas you would like us to look into but, knowing the CEEC as much as I do, I can assure you that there is already a plan for Senanga. So, I would encourage you, just I like did with the other gentleman, to come …

Interruptions

Mrs Mwanakatwe: … to the CEEC and see the programmes that are available. The reason we have set up industrial clusters in every province is to industrialise the rural areas and to create jobs. Otherwise, we would not have created the offices that we have created in each province. This is how committed we are.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: I would advise the hon. Minister to get used to referring to Members of Parliament as honourable Members.

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Thank you, Sir. I shall get used to it.

Laughter

Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, in her statement, the hon. Minister mentioned Siavonga as one of the beneficiary districts …

Mr Mucheleka: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, I thank you for granting me this point of order.

Sir, is the hon. Minister in order to avoid answering certain questions? I asked her how she intends to implement her ambitious programmes through the value chain clusters, given that we do not have supportive policies that would enable her to do so. This is because, in the last four years, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has failed to come up with a Rural Development Policy which would help her to actualise what she …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

What is your point of order?

Mr Mucheleka: Is she in order not to respond to the question on how she intends to implement her programmes without supportive institutions and policies? Is she going to implement the programme in a vacuum?

Mr Deputy Speaker: That point of order is an afterthought. You have to be contemporaneous because we do not want to encourage points of order coming much later.

Can the hon. Member for Siavonga continue.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamudulu: I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, I was saying that the hon. Minister, in her statement, mentioned Siavonga as one of the beneficiary districts of this programme and, rightly so, because there is a fishing industry there.

Hon. Minister, are you happy with the programmes that are running in Siavonga so far, considering that it took many long interventions before money could be released to the people who applied for loans and whose projects were approved? Are you happy with the progress so far?

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, I am not happy. That is why I am sharing this information with you and also looking for additional money so that we can accelerate the Industrialisation and Job Creation Programme.

Sir, I do not think that anyone sitting in this House is happy with the fact that we have youths who are unemployed and rural areas that are crying out for further development. I cannot say that a club of twenty women who have built some cages and own a few boats is adequate. It is good that the women are happy, but there is a lot more that can be done in Siavonga. Therefore, I am not happy. That is why I am saying that we shall do more in all the ten districts, including Siavonga.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr L. J. Ngoma (Sinda): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out what the lead time is for a viable project to be fully funded.

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, the lead time is minimally four months. It takes longer because, sometimes, the people we are funding across the value chain clusters need to be helped with business plans, management and literacy programmes. That is why, sometimes, it takes longer. However, where somebody is ready to receive the funds, it takes a much shorter period.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, the ministry always has hon. Ministers who speak very fast.

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: Sir, coming from a rural constituency, …

Hon. Government Members: Ah!

Mr Mutelo: May I be protected, Sir.

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

The hon. Member wants to be heard, and I want to hear him too.

Mr Mutelo: When talking about the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), there are issues of guarantors and other issues, whatever they are called.

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: How are you going to help the rural people to understand all that you are saying as your focus to accelerate the development of industrial clusters in the rural areas?

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, when dealing with the rural areas, we do not use English but local languages.

Further, the staff at the CEEC are well-versed in local languages to ensure that we reach the rural areas that the hon. Member is talking about.

Laughter

Mrs Mwanakatwe: So, Mr Speaker, we are well-equipped to explain to the people in the rural areas what our programmes are all about and what is required from the applicants.
I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

HYDROPOWER STATION ON LUAPULA RIVER

460. Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe) asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development:

(a) whether the Government had awarded any contract to any investor to develop a hydropower station on the Luapula River;

(b) if so, which investor had been awarded the contract; and

The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Zulu): Mr Speaker, the Government has not awarded any contracts to any investor to develop hydropower stations on the Luapula River. No investor has been procured to develop the sites on the Luapula River.

The delay in securing a developer for the hydropower sites has been caused by a lack of framework for the joint development of the Luapula River sites. However, the two Governments, That is, the Government of the Republic of Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are addressing the issue through the signing of an Inter-Governmental Memorandum of Understanding (IGMoU), which is the first step to developing the appropriate legal framework.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I think most of the hon. Members of Parliament from Luapula will agree that during one of the Provincial Development Coordinating Committee (PDCC), meetings about a year ago, we were made to believe that the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) had done everything possible and submitted the application which, in that regard, was just awaiting final approval. Indications were that the Government was going to approve the contract within a week or two.

Sir, what has happened to the CEC’s effort to develop Luapula, especially the Mumbotuta in my constituency?

The Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Yaluma): Mr Speaker, no company has been given the rights to develop the site.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chilangwa (Kawambwa): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out …

Mr Mbulakulima: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I think my rising on a point of order is timely. Is the hon. Minister in order not to answer my question which is very specific? May I learn what has happened to the effort by the CEC? Is he in order not to give me the answer to this harmless question?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, can you address that?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, to the best of my knowledge, no contractor has been given the rights to conduct investigations or feasibility studies on Luapula River.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, is your ministry taking deliberate steps to encourage investors to invest in the hydropower sector in Luapula Province since we are hearing stories about the Lower Kariba, Lower Kafue and Batoka Gorge? What are you doing about Luapula’s power generation potential?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister was explicit when he answered the question. Luapula waters are shared waters and we cannot develop Luapula without having joint discussions on how we are going to do this with our neighbours from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). That is where we are at the moment.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chilangwa: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: No, next question.

CANAL DREDGING IN LUAPULA AND WESTERN PROVINCES

461. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a) when the next phase of dredging canals in the Western and Luapula provinces would commence; and

(b) whether Kalabo District would be included in the exercise.
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Dr Mwali): Mr Speaker, the next phase of dredging of canals will commence as soon as funds are released by the Treasury, hopefully, by mid-April, 2015. Kalabo District will be included in the work plan for the Western Province.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that he hoped the project would commence by mid-April this year. However, assuming there are no funds released, what measures is the Government going to put in place to make sure that the canals are dredged?

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, the works are in this year’s Budget. Therefore, we are confident that the money will be made available and the works will be done.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member for …

Mr Chansa (Chimbamilonga): Chimbamilonga.

Mr Deputy Speaker: ‘That’s’ right.

Laughter

Mr Livune: ‘That’s’ right.

Mr Chansa: Mr Speaker, let me capitalise on the question for Kalabo. Will Nsama and Kaputa districts benefit from this programme? We have also been asking for canals since Lake Mweru Wantipa is drying up.

Mr Deputy Speaker: The question is on Kalabo Central. You are extending it that far?

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, in Kalabo, we hardly ever benefit from the grading of rural roads. Can the hon. Minister ensure that if the Ministry of Finance does not release funding for canals, some of the money meant for rural roads is diverted to Kalabo to clear the canals since we never benefit from the grading and repair of rural roads.

Mr Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member is cleverly bringing in a new question, but I do not think I should allow that.

Laughter

Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo): Mr Speaker, in case the money will be released, how many canals are you going to dredge in Kalabo?

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication, Chief Whip, and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, we have planned to dredge a number of canals in the Western Province. Since we are expecting twenty-five dredgers this year, two of them will go to Kalabo.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, two out of the expected twenty-five dredgers are for Kalabo. The water levels this year are not high. So, this could also affect the water levels in the Zambezi River. How many of the twenty-five dredgers will be sent to Lukulu?

Laughter

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, although we are talking about Kalabo, I will give him a bonus answer. We shall take one dredger to Lukulu.

I thank you, Sir.

TANDABALE/MUNENGA/ITEBE ROAD IN MAGOYE

462. Mr Mulomba (Magoye) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a) when Tandabale/Munenga/Itebe Road in Magoye Parliamentary Constituency would be upgraded to bituminous standard; and

(b) what the cost of the project was.

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, Tandabale/Munenga/Itebe Road in Magoye Parliamentary Constituency is not one of the roads earmarked for upgrading to bituminous standard. However, the road will be considered for inclusion in future annual work plans, subject to its prioritisation by the respective local road authority. The cost of the project can only be determined once a detailed design for the road has been made and commissioned. Therefore, no such designs have been commissioned yet.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mulomba: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that this is the road which leads to Munenga Local Court? Local court sessions are not held because the road is impassable. When you say that this road will be considered in future work plans, what do you mean because that statement is too general?

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, the question was on upgrading the road to bituminous standard. We shall carry out assessments and the necessary gravelling, in consultation with the local authority.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, if you saw my national registration card (NRA), you would realise that the place which the hon. Member is referring to is my place of birth. I am also happy that you will upgrade the road to gravel standard. When will you do it so that I can go to my place of birth …

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: … without too many challenges?

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, please, you are being disorderly.

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, bearing in mind the information, which has been made available to us on the Floor of this House, we shall instruct our engineers to conduct the assessment …

Mr Mukanga: Soon.

Dr Mwali: … soon. I have been assured by my boss.

I thank you, Sir.

Interruptions

RELOCATION OF LUSAKA PROVINCIAL HEADQUARTERS

463. Mr Chipungu (Rufunsa) asked the Vice-President:

(a) whether the Government had plans to relocate the Lusaka Provincial Headquarters to another district;
(b) if so, to which district the headquarters would be relocated; and

The Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Mr Bwalya): Mr Speaker, the Government does not have any plans to relocate the Lusaka Provincial Headquarters …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Bwalya: … to another district. In fact, the Lusaka Provincial Administration is currently constructing another office block at the current location near Cabinet Office. The building under construction is big enough to accommodate all the departments in the province.

Mr Speaker, no district has been identified to host the provincial headquarters besides Lusaka. Further, no land has been identified anywhere in Zambia for this purpose.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, I want to begin by congratulating Hon. Mwaliteta on his appointment as Deputy Minister for Lusaka Province.

Mr Mwaliteta: Hear, hear!

Mr Chipungu: I wish his office was somewhere in Chongwe.

Laughter

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, Rufunsa District is not being served effectively with regard to its current status. Many people, especially those in rural areas, do not even know where the provincial headquarters are due to the traffic congestion that we are experiencing in Lusaka. Is the hon. Minister aware about this?

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, that is the reality in terms of traffic congestion. I think this is caused by the insufficient road network compared to the number of vehicles in Lusaka. With regard to the service delivery to the various districts that report to the provincial headquarters, that is a matter that requires capacity building within the provincial administration. We also need to sensitise our people in the various districts so that they know where the provincial headquarters are located. This is something that we shall discuss with the provincial administration and see how best it can engage the various district commissioners and local authorities.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, when people demand for something, they should be given. If the people of Lusaka Province and other provinces requested that this office be moved out of Lusaka, why would the Government not consider that request?

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, we have indicated that there are no plans to relocate the provincial headquarters of Lusaka. Even when people make a demand, it depends on whether what they are demanding is available or not, and we can only give that which is available. It is quite a costly venture to relocate the provincial headquarters. The status quo is that we shall maintain the provincial headquarters in Lusaka.

I thank you, Sir.

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, do you not think it is a good idea to relocate the provincial headquarters of Lusaka Province to another place, given the various factors that you have pointed out in your response, which are constraining effective service delivery to the people of Lusaka?

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, such decisions require quite a lot of in-depth consultations with various stakeholders who will have to make various presentations and come up with a clear road map of what needs to be done. At the moment, we have not yet engaged in such a process. Therefore, like I said earlier, the headquarters of Lusaka Province remain in Lusaka.

I thank you, Sir.

PARLIAMENTARY-SEAT NULLIFICATION

464. Mr Phiri (Mkaika) asked the Vice-President:

(a) how many Parliamentary seats were nullified from October, 2011, to December, 2014, due to the following:

(i) corrupt practices during elections; and
(ii) defections;

(b) what the total number of Local Government By-Elections held from October, 2011 to December, 2014 was;

(c) how much money, in total, was spent on all Parliamentary and Local Government By-Elections during the period at (b); and

(d) of the amount at (c), how much was budgeted for, year by year.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, on the right!

You see, the funny part is that the hon. Minister is answering and the people seated behind him are the ones disturbing him. How, then, can he be heard?
The Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, nine Parliamentary seats were nullified from October, 2011, to December, 2014, due to corrupt practices, while nine Parliamentary seats were declared vacant due to defections.

Mr Phiri: Ah!

Mr Kampyongo: Sir, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) conducted a total of 183 local Government By-Elections from October, 2011, to December, 2014. The ECZ spent a total of K211,549,317.71 on all the Parliamentary and Local Government By-Elections from October, 2011, to December, 2014. The money for by-elections that was approved in the Budget, from October, 2011, to December, 2014, was as follows:

Year Amount (K)

   2014   4,000,000
   2013   4,000,000
   2012   6,000,000
   2011   4,000,000

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Phiri: Mr Speaker, it is clear that the Government spends a lot of money on by-elections. I would like to find out the measures that the Government has put in place to curb corrupt practices during elections.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I wish my dear colleague could have declared interest because, at the expense of not debating ourselves, he is a product of a by-election.

Laughter

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, the Government can only follow the law. By-elections are provided for in the law. So, the only thing that the Government can do is to ensure that the law is followed to the letter.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwanza (Solwezi West): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that nine Parliamentary seats were nullified as a result of corrupt practices during elections. May he confirm the number of hon. Members of Parliament who may have resigned from one party to another, but were found corrupt, as candidates, in the elections.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, the question from the hon. Member for Mkaika was very clear. He wanted to know the number of seats that had fallen vacant as a result of nullifications on grounds of corrupt practices during elections and defections. I said that nine of the seats were declared vacant as a result of nullifications by the courts of law and nine as a result of defections. However, I do not have the figure of those who could have been corrupt, but defected.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: As Presiding Officers, …

Mr Livune rose.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Sit down.

… sometimes, we allow follow-up questions that are not relevant to the principal question. Maybe, that is our mistake. The only trouble is when we do that, we set a precedence. Further, when we advise hon. Members to ask questions that are relevant to the principal question, we are accused of treating them unfairly. So, maybe, it is our fault that we allow that to happen but, please, let us try, as much as possible, to ask follow-up questions that are relevant to the principal question.

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, the Patriotic Front (PF) …

Mr Mwaliteta: Question!

Mr Livune: … has readopted some people whose seats were nullified as a result of corruption in places such as Masaiti, …

Interruptions

Mr Livune: … Senga Hill and others. I would like to find out how corrupt free and morally upright the PF is?

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, order!

This is the type of question I referred to earlier. Sometimes, we allow such questions because we think that we have a lot of time for debate. However, next time we disallow this, as Presiding Officers, we are accused of treating hon. Members unfairly. That question is clearly out of context.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that K211 million was spent on by-elections while the budgeted for amount was K18 million, leaving a difference of about K193 million. You will agree with me that that is a big drain on the Government coffers. In June this year, the Government intends to bring to the House the non-controversial issues in the Draft Constitution. Would they not consider making clauses that bar the enforcing of the law or anything to do with by-elections to be part of the items that will be brought to the House in order to help the Government save resources?

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, as hon. Members, we need to collectively agree on the way forward with regard to by-elections. If it will mean bringing proposals to change the law to ensure that we cut down on by-elections, that will certainly be the way to go. However, with regard to the comparison that the hon. Member made on the amount that was budgeted for and that which was actually spent, it must be understood that these are budget lines that are based on assumption. Some cases concerning by-elections are taken to the courts of law. So, the Hon. Mr Speaker can only wait for the cases to be disposed of by the courts of law before he can declare a seat vacant. In view of this, we have to ensure that all the processes are followed. We cannot state the exact amount to be spent on by-elections. That is the reason we depend mostly on supplementary allocations.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, I hope this time around the hon. Minister will answer my question whilst standing.

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: Sir, the hon. Minister has informed the House that nine constituencies were nullified on account of corruption. Considering that corruption is a serious offence in Zambia, I would like to find out how many of the nine were prosecuted.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, I would like you to observe the rules of the House. Unfortunately, the rules are not set by us, Presiding Officers, but by the House. Therefore, Presiding Officers are just supposed to implement your decisions. I do not really see how that follow-up question relates to the question that was asked. I will, therefore, disallow it.

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that nine hon. Members of Parliament defected from their parties to the Ruling Party.

Hon. Government Members: Ah!

Mr Ndalamei: Sir, is it a good thing for the Patriotic Front (PF) to cause nine by-elections? Is that not a wastage of taxpayers’ money?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member for Sikongo may wish to know that the question was on defections. How do you expect me to allow his question?

Laughter

UTILITY MOTOR VEHICLES FOR MILENGE DISTRICT

465. Mr Mbulakulima asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a) when utility motor vehicles would be provided to Milenge District Council; and

(b) what plans the Government had to scale up development in the district.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Ching’imbu): Mr Speaker, the ministry is aware that Milenge has transport problems. The utility vehicle, which was given to the council in 1997, has since broken down. The ministry is, therefore, frantically addressing this need. If it means the ministry sending a secondhand vehicle to the district, it will do so until a vehicle is procured for Milenge when funds are made available.

Sir, the House may wish to know that each council has been directed to develop strategic plans which will guide the local authority on all matters relating to development. The council is encouraged to develop a development plan. The Government should not impose development on the people of Milenge.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, you see, just like the previous question, it is these types of questions that make Presiding Officers …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Can the hon. Member for Chembe, sit down.

Laughter

DEVOLUTION OF POWER TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES

466. Mr Miyutu asked the Vice-President:

(a) when the devolution of power to local authorities would commence

(b) what the rationale for devolution was;

(d) what measures had been taken to ensure that the exercise was a success.

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, the devolution of functions and resources to councils commenced in 2015 through the issuance of Circular Number 10 of 10th December, 2014. This will be done in phases, starting from 2015 where a number of functions will be devolved to councils.

Sir, according to the Revised National Decentralisation Policy, rationale of decentralisation in Zambia stems from the need for the citizenry to exercise control over its local affairs and foster meaningful development. This requires that some degree of authority is decentralised to provincial, district and sub-district levels. In order to remove absolute control by the centre, it is necessary to transfer the authority, functions and responsibilities with matching resources to lower levels.

Mr Speaker, since the Decentralisation Policy was first approved in 2003, the Government has taken several measures to prepare local authorities for devolution which include the following:

(a) the local Government Service Commission (LGSC) has, since 2010, employed qualified staff for councils to improve their performance;

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Bwalya:

(b) the ‘unquestionable’ new council organisation structures meant to accommodate the devolved functions have been developed and approved in order to effect devolution; and

(c) various training programmes in finance and audit, Integrated Financial Management Systems (IFMIS) and leadership skills have been implemented for all councils to build capacity prior to the devolution.

Sir, to ensure the success of the programme, the Government has taken the following measures, among others:

(i) issued initial guidelines in the form of Circular Number 10 for successful implementation of the devolution process. More guidelines will be issued when the need the arises;

(ii) upgraded the Chalimbana Local Government Training Institute (CLGTI) with support from the German Government to provide a conducive environment for skills development for council staff;

(iii) undertaken Human Resource Management Reforms to provide an opportunity for council staff to improve their skills in various fields;

(iv) introduced performance contracts for senior council staff to improve their performance; and

(v) approved and commenced the process of creating Ward Development Committee (WDCs) in all councils in order to empower communities to monitor council performance in service delivery and improve citizens’ participation in development programmes.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Miyutu: The devolution of powers will be in three phases. At which stage should the people expect to see results?

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, it depends on which services and functions have been devolved. If we start with administrative issues, this will take time. However, we expect the benefits to trickle down to the local people within the shortest possible time. It is difficult to state when the results will be seen because we have just started. We hope that Phase I will begin producing results towards the end of this year. We shall see a lot of activities within the course of this year.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that the whole exercise will be carried out in three phases. I would like to know when this Government hopes to fully implement the exercise.

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, in my earlier response, I stated that there are three phases which will be undertaken in 2015, 2016 and 2017. So, it is hoped that we will have fully decentralised and power will have devolved to the various levels of our communities and local authorities by the end of 2017.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mrs Masebo (Chongwe): Mr Speaker, I have several questions, but allow me to ask two.

Mr Deputy Speaker: No, you are allowed to ask one question only.

Mrs Masebo: Okay, Mr Speaker.

Is it possible for the Office of Her Honour the Vice-President to be kind enough to bring a ministerial statement on the steps that the Government has taken on decentralisation? I ask this because this is a very important topic. I think justice will be served if this matter was brought to the House in the form of a ministerial statement so that we are given more information. This will also help the Government because this House will also make an input in the form of follow-up questions on the ministerial statement.

Sir, the hon. Deputy Minister has talked about the three phases in this process, but his explanation has not been very helpful. In my understanding, the phases refer to sectors that are going to be decentralised. So, he will do justice if he brought a statement …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Your question has been understood, hon. Member for Chongwe.

Hon. Minister, her question is whether you are able to come up with a ministerial statement on this subject at a later date.

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, I think that is a matter for consultation with Her Honour the Vice-President to see how best we can deal with the request. Therefore, with your indulgence, we should be able to get clear guidelines on when the ministerial statement can be presented to the House as soon as Her Honour the Vice-President is back.

Thank you, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: I saw the Chief Whip indicating. You may go ahead.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, because of the importance of the question, we shall do everything possible to ensure that we get permission to deliver a ministerial statement on this subject.

Thank you, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Unfortunately, the House is adjourning sine die on Thursday this week. So, it means that you have agreed to make a ministerial statement when the House sits next.

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, is the Government comfortable with the pace at which this programme is being implemented? Our colleagues on your right are talking about extending this programme to 2017 when the people of Zambia would have voted them out of office.

Interruptions

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, in the entire five years that the Patriotic Front (PF) has been given the mandate to govern this country, it has failed to fully implement this programme. When our colleagues in the Ruling Party were in the Opposition, decentralisation was part of their campaign song. They have failed the people of Zambia by not implementing the Decentralisation Policy and have left it for the United Party for National Development (UPND) to implement in 2017.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, I will save you from answering that question. I think that since the Executive will come and make a ministerial statement on this matter, maybe, that is one of the issues that Her Honour the Vice-President can address.

LAND FOR CONSTRUCTION OF MILENGE POLICE STATION

467. Mr Mbulakulima asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

(a) whether the Government had secured land for the construction of Milenge Police Station;

(b) if so, when the construction would commence; and

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Mwila): Mr Speaker, the Government has secured land for the construction of Milenge Police Station. The construction of the police station will commence when funds are made available. The estimated cost of the project is K8 million.

Sir, as a bonus answer, I would like to inform the hon. Member that the Government also has plans to construct a police post and three staff houses in the same area at a cost of K4 million within ten months in 2015.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, these are the kinds of responses that make hon. Members of Parliament happy. Would the hon. Minister not share this kind of approach to questions with his counterpart in the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.

Laughter

SPLITTING OF MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND EARLY EDUCATION

468. Mr Chipungu asked the Vice-President:

(a) whether the Government had any plans to split the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education into three separate ministries responsible for primary and secondary education, tertiary education, and science and technology in order to enhance service delivery; and

(b) if so, when the plans would be implemented.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, on behalf of this hardworking Government under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, …

Mr Livune: Question!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kampyongo: … I wish to inform the House that the creation, reorganisation or splitting of a ministry is a statutory prerogative of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

Sir, if there are plans to split the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education into three separate ministries, hon. Members of this House will be informed accordingly when His Excellency decides to do so.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, …

Mr Mutelo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, I am seated here listening to the proceedings of the House, but the hon. Deputy Minister for Lusaka Province, Bo Mwaliteta, is continuously pointing at me when I have done nothing to him.

Is he in order to disturb me?

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Unfortunately, you are asking me to make a ruling on something I did not see. If he did that and you saw him do it, obviously, he should not have done that. So, I cannot make a ruling on that point of order.

Interruptions

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, I have a very noble follow-up question for the hon. Minister. We all know that education is very important, as it is the foundation for development.

Mr Deputy Speaker: What is your follow-up question?

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, is it not possible for Her Honour the Vice-President to advise the President to split this large ministry into the units that we have mentioned?

Ms Kapata interjected.

Mr Chipungu: Ukamba cani, Jean?

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: What is happening now?

Interruptions

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I appreciate that noble request from the hon. Member. This is a well-placed request coming from this important august House. I am sure His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, …

Mr Livune: Question!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Continue, hon. Minister.

Mr Kampyongo: … will consider it, and we shall come back to inform the House accordingly.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, in his First Address to the nation after winning the elections, His Excellency the President promised that he was going to separate two or three ministries. Could we know which ministries he was referring to. Does this include the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education?

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, yes, His Excellency the President could have made an announcement to that effect, but we cannot start making assumptions on which ministries he was talking about and the ministries that he is considering to reorganise. Once he decides, like I have stated, we shall come back to inform the House accordingly.

I thank you, Sir.

FUNDS FOR ROAD CLEARING IN MITETE

469. Mr Mutelo asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication how much money was disbursed for road clearing in Mitete District from January, 2014 to date.

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, no money for road clearing in Mitete District has been disbursed through our ministry or the Road Development Agency (RDA) from January, 2014, to date.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, why?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, the question is, why?

Mr Mutelo: Mitete is a new district …

Mr Deputy Speaker: No, you have asked your question.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: You want to know why. So, let the hon. Minister answer.

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: I am annoyed, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Do not get annoyed.

Mr Mutelo: Yes. The roads are overgrown with shrubs.

Mr Deputy Speaker: You have asked your question. Let the hon. Minister answer.

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, the ‘why’, is the limited resource envelope which is a well-known fact.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

KAFULAFUTA BRIDGE NEAR MUTABA ON ZAMBIA/DRC BORDER

470. Mr Chitafu (Kafulafuta) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication when the rehabilitation of the Kafulafuta Bridge near Mutaba School on the Zambia/Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Border would commence.

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, the Road Development Agency (RDA) has engaged Camen Investments to carry out routine maintenance works on the D201 (Tug Argan/Old Congo) Road from KM28 to D673/Silangwa Road at a contract sum of K1,680,000.00.

The works include vegetation control, spot improvement, de-silting and repair of culverts, including repair works on the Kafulafuta Bridge.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

_________

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication, Chief Whip, and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.
________

The House adjourned at 1615 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday 25th March, 2015.

_______________________

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Debates - Tuesday, 24th March, 2015

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