Debates - Friday, 31st July, 2015 | National Assembly of Zambia

Friday, 31st July, 2015

The House met at 0900 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER

DELEGATION FROM THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SERVICE COMMISSION

Mr Speaker: Hon Members, I wish to inform you of the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of the following members of a delegation from the Nigeria National Assembly Service Commission:

Dr Paul Oredena Oweh, Delegation Leader

Alhaji Idi Adamu Ningi, Member

Alhaji Abubakar Garba Tuta Rufai, Member

Mrs Risikat Oyebimpe Alabi, Member

Alhaji Abubakar Maaji Ahmed, Director, Planning and Research

Hon. Members: Hear, hear! Igwee!

Mr Speaker: I, on behalf of the National Assembly, receive our distinguished guests and welcome them in our midst.

I thank you.

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RULINGS BY MR SPEAKER

POINT OF ORDER RAISED BY MR REQUEST MUNTANGA, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR KALOMO CENTRAL AGAINST RADIO PHOENIX

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, you will recall that, on Thursday, 23rd July, 2015, when the House was considering the Second Reading stage of the Mines and Minerals Development Bill, 2015, and the hon. Member of Parliament for Bweengwa Constituency, Hon. H. H. Hamududu, MP, was on the Floor, the hon. Member of Parliament for Kalomo Central Constituency, Hon. Request Muntanga, MP, raised a point of order against Radio Phoenix. In his point of order, Hon. Muntanga, MP, stated that, at about 0645 hours that morning, Radio Phoenix had broadcast a phone-in programme in which one of the callers alleged that the House had unanimously passed a Motion to increase salaries for hon. Members of Parliament moved by Hon. Patrick Mucheleka, Member of Parliament for Lubansenshi Constituency and Chairperson of the Reforms and Modernisation Committee. The hon. Member for Kalomo Central, therefore, sought a ruling on whether Radio Phoenix was in order to mislead the public by giving them the incorrect information that hon. Members’ salaries had been increased. In my immediate response, I reserved my ruling to enable me study the matter, which I have since done. I also had the opportunity to listen to an audio record of part of the phone-in programme obtained from Radio Phoenix by my office. I now wish to render the ruling.

Hon. Members, the point of order raises the issue of publication of information that misrepresents the proceedings of the House. As I determine whether Radio Phoenix, indeed, misrepresented the proceedings of this House during the phone-in programme, I would like to remind hon. Members and the general public about the Business of the House that became the subject of discussion during the phone-in programme.

The House will recall that, on Tuesday, 14th July, 2015, the Member for Lubansenshi Parliamentary Constituency and Chairperson of the Reforms and Modernisation Committee, Hon. Patrick Mucheleka, MP, moved a Motion urging the House to adopt the Report of the Reforms and Modernisation Committee for the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly, which was laid on the Table of the House on 10th July, 2015. The report raised several issues, one of which was the welfare of hon. Members of Parliament and the institution, as a whole. Following the debate on the Motion, the House unanimously adopted the report.

Hon. Members, the report did not contain any specific recommendation for the salaries of hon. Members of Parliament to be raised, ...

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: ... but had general recommendations on the need to improve their welfare.

Hon. Members, it should be understood that the Motion urged the House to adopt the Report of the Reforms and Modernisation Committee, which contained mere recommendations for the House to improve the conditions of service for Hon. Members in terms of providing health insurance and motor vehicles for constituency work, to mention but two. These and other recommendations would, then, be considered by the Standing Orders Committee would consider at an appropriate time. The House adopted the report and its contents.

Hon. Members, let me hasten to add that any change to emoluments for hon. Members of Parliament is regulated by the Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices (Emoluments) Act, Chapter 262 of the Laws of Zambia. Section 2 of the Act empowers the hon. Minister of Finance to, in consultation with the Standing Orders Committee of the National Assembly, issue a Statutory Instrument (SI) prescribing the emoluments of hon. Members. Therefore, for any change in emoluments for hon. Members of Parliament to be effected, the hon. Minister has to issue an SI. I, at this point, inform the public that the hon. Minister of Finance has not issued such an SI. Having explained the significance of the report and how emoluments of hon. Members of Parliament are adjusted, I will now address the point of order raised by Hon. R. Muntanga, MP.

Hon. Members, having listened to the recording of the phone-in programme, I can confirm that the radio station broadcast the allegation that the House had unanimously increased salaries for hon. Members of Parliament following the adoption of the Motion by Hon. Mucheleka, MP. However, the truth, as I have stated, is that the mere adoption of the Report of the Reforms and Modernisation Committee did not mean an automatic increment in the emoluments of hon. Members. Therefore, by broadcasting a programme that told the public that hon. Members of Parliament had unanimously increased their salaries following the adoption of the Motion moved by Hon. Mucheleka, MP, when that was not the case, Radio Phoenix misrepresented the proceedings of the Assembly.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: That amounts to a breach of Parliamentary Privilege and contempt of the House ...

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: ... under section 25 (b), of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, Cap. 12 of the Laws of Zambia, which states:

“Any person who publishes any false or scandalous libel on the Assembly or any report which wilfully misrepresents in any way any proceedings of the Assembly, or Committee, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand penalty units or to imprisonment with or without hard labour for a term not exceeding twelve months, or to both.”

Hon. Members, I do realise that the procedures of the House may not be well-known by the public, in particular the press, hence the likelihood of their being misunderstood. Also, I am aware that a number of other radio stations aired the same erroneous view expressed by Radio Phoenix. Therefore, in recognition of that, I have reluctantly decided to exercise leniency and grant Radio Phoenix the benefit of having broadcast the programme under an honest, but mistaken belief that the adoption of the report meant that the emoluments of hon. Members had been increased, instead of holding the Radio Phoenix to the wilful misrepresentation of the proceedings of the House, which would make the station to be in breach of Parliamentary Privilege, and contempt of the Assembly. For that reason, I will repeat the guidance that my predecessors and I have given to the press on what is expected of them in reporting on Parliament.

I wish to remind the press that the exercise of the freedom of the press guaranteed under Article 20 of the Constitution of Zambia, Chapter 1 of the Laws of Zambia, is not absolute, but subject to some limitations, such as respect of the rights and liberties of other persons. It also places a duty on the media to take necessary measures to report responsibly and accurately. Therefore, misrepresentation of the proceedings of the Assembly offends the very essence of press freedom, as it misinforms the public and, unfortunately, lowers the dignity of the House and brings the House and its entire Membership into unnecessary ridicule and disrepute.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Once again, I earnestly urge the media to make deliberate efforts to seriously invest in the training of its reporters in parliamentary reporting. That will go a long way in making them aware of the practices and procedures of the House, and the rights, privileges and immunities enjoyed by hon. Members of Parliament, which will keep them from being in contempt of the House. Finally, as I have on several occasions guided, the press should, at all times, endeavour to verify matters of the House with our Media Liaison Officer before publishing or broadcasting them.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

POINT OF ORDER RAISED BY HON. G. NKOMBO, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MAZABUKA CENTRAL CONSTITUENCY, AGAINST THE HON. DEPUTY MINISTER FOR MUCHINGA PROVINCE, MR M. H. MALAMA, MP, AND MR G. B. MWAMBA, FORMER HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR KASAMA CENTRAL CONSTITUENCY

Hon. Members, my second ruling is on the point of order raised by Mr G. Nkombo, hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central on the hon. Deputy Minister for Muchinga Province, Mr M. H. Malama, MP, and Mr G. B. Mwamba, former hon. Member of Parliament for Kasama Central Constituency.

Hon. Members, you will recall that, on Friday, 24th July, 2015, when the House was considering the Motion to adopt the Report of the Select Committee on Presidential Appointments, the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central Constituency, Mr G. Nkombo, MP, raised a point of order against Mr G. B. Mwamba, then hon. Member of Parliament for Kasama Central Constituency, and the hon. Deputy Minister for Muchinga Province, Mr M. H. Malama, MP, for engaging in an exchange of insults that almost culminated into a physical confrontation between them. According to Mr Nkombo, the hon. Deputy Minister had provoked Mr Mwamba. Mr Nkombo, MP, therefore, sought a ruling on whether the hon. Deputy Minister was in order to attempt to attack Mr G. B. Mwamba. The House might wish to know that on the same day that Hon. Nkombo raised his point of order, my office received a letter of complaint from Mr G. B. Mwamba against the hon. Deputy Minister. In his letter, Mr Mwamba alleged that, on the material day, during the tea break, as he was having coffee with the hon. Member for Lubansenshi Parliamentary Constituency, Mr P. Mucheleka, MP, in the restaurant, Hon. Malama, MP, verbally abused him and hailed insults at him. Mr Mwamba further stated that the verbal abuse was precipitated by his acceptance of the position of Vice-President in the United Party for National Development (UPND).

Hon. Members, in my immediate reaction to the point of order, I reserved my ruling so as to allow the Security Department of the National Assembly to apprise me on the circumstances that lead to the subject of the point of order. I have since been apprised of the details of the incident by the National Assembly Security Department and the restaurant and housekeeping staff. I, therefore, will now render the ruling.

Hon Members, from the reports, I have established that there was, indeed, an exchange of abusive language and insults between the hon. Deputy Minister and Mr G. B. Mwamba, and that the altercation would have degenerated into a physical fight had it not been for the swift intervention of the security officers and fellow hon. Members who separated the duo.

Hon. Members, as you are aware, this House has rules on etiquette that call upon hon. Members to conduct themselves in a manner that enhances the dignity and decorum of the House and of the hon. Members in general, whether inside the House and its precincts or outside. Those rules prohibit the use of abusive language on fellow hon. Members and encourage hon. Members to be courteous to one another. Where hon. Members have differences of opinion on matters, the differences are to be handled with tolerance because the battle of ideas, not physical confrontation, is one of the cornerstones of our democratic dispensation.

Hon. Members, you will recall that I have guided the House extensively on this issue on several occasions in the past and reminded hon. Members of the provisions of, in particular, Rules No. 5 and No. 7 of Chapter 5 of the Members’ Handbook, which guide on parliamentary etiquette that hon. Members are expected to observe at all times in the House in the precincts of the National Assembly. I have further guided the House that there is a long-standing tradition of mutual respect for the integrity of all hon. Members. Thus, the use of offensive, provocative and threatening language in the House or within its precincts is strictly forbidden while personal attacks, insults and obscenities in general are equally prohibited. In view of that, I rule that the hon. Deputy Minister and Mr G. B. Mwamba were out of order to have behaved in the manner that they did. Their behaviour fell below the standard of conduct expected of hon. Members of the House and the public at large.

Hon. Members, I wish to remind you all that the rules and procedures of the House are designed to ensure that the exercise of the privilege of free speech is conducted with good sense of judgment and taste, and courtesy towards each other. I, therefore, wish to conclude by urging hon. Members in the habit of engaging in undignified behaviour to immediately desist from doing so because, in the future, stern punishment will be meted out to any hon. Member who will behave in a disgraceful or dishonourable manner. Such conduct demeans the dignity and decorum of the House.

I thank you.

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HER HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka): Mr Speaker, about a month ago, while in Livingstone, when responding to a question on the derogatory remarks that the Patriotic Front (PF) General-Secretary (SG), Mr Chama, made towards the Tonga-speaking people, Her Honour the Vice-President indicated that the Government would issue a comprehensive statement on the matter. Just to remind the House, Mr Chama had derogatorily stated that, we, Tongas, needed to marry more wives and sire many children so that we may increase the possibility of producing a President in 100 years or more.

Sir, Her Honour the Vice-President’s promise has since been overtaken by events, as the statement by Mr Chama provoked anger that resulted in the convening of a meeting in Monze dubbed ‘Cuundu Caitwa’ at which the Tonga people expressed their feelings anger over the statement. The meeting had, however, also been overtaken by events, as His Excellency the President, Mr Lungu, had held a meeting with Tonga chiefs in Livingstone about two weeks ago. My interest is to know the result of that meeting. Hopefully, Her Honour the Vice-President’s response will calm down nerves among the Tonga people.

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, it is unfortunate that the remarks made by the Secretary-General (SG) of the Patriotic Front (PF), although directed at a political leader, permeated the whole of the Tonga land and fomented a lot of disquiet and concern.

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, met with the Tonga chiefs and agreed to resolve the matter amicably. Mr Lungu assured the chiefs that he would engage his SG and apprise him of the issues that had been discussed in the meeting. The matter, however, does not seem to have been resolved, as far as the people, especially the politicians, from the Southern Province are concerned. As a party, we believe in the unity of this country and the people of Zambia. As such, I want to use this opportunity to apologise, on behalf of PF, if those words that were uttered by our SG caused some embarrassment or anger in some people in that part of Zambia. It is a great pity that, as politicians, we sometimes exaggerate issues or publicise them out of context. Nevertheless, I apologise to the people of the Southern Province and to the politicians who were involved in this misunderstanding. The party unreservedly apologises for what transpired and ask that we start a new chapter of working together in unity.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Musonda (Kapiri Mposhi): Mr Speaker, what measures has the Government put in place to ensure that mine safety regulations are adhered to by all the mine owners? I ask this question because mine accidents have become a source of worry to many Zambians.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, it is of great concern to us that we continue to have occasional accidents and lose lives in the mines. That goes to show that we need to enhance safety in the mining industry to safeguard the lives of our people. I know that the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development is looking into this matter, perhaps, more seriously than before. I, therefore, look forward to a situation in which accidents will be a rare occurrence in our mining sector.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Namulambe (Mpongwe): Mr Speaker, the Government, has restored the same concession for the running of Kasumbalesa Border Post, which it had cancelled. Why was the concession cancelled just for it to be restored?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the Kasumbalesa Border Post concession has not been restored by the Government, contrary to the press reports to that effect. The Government is discussing the matter with the concessionaire, but has not concluded the discussions. As you know, the Government owes the concessionaire a lot of money from the previous contract. We are, therefore, investigating how the contract was awarded, why it was terminated and what should be done about it. So, the issue has not been resolved yet.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kapyanga (Kabwe Central): Mr Speaker, there has been in an increase in the number of road traffic accidents between Lusaka and Kabwe. When will the construction of the dual-carriage way start?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the construction of a dual-carriage way may not be the answer to road accidents on the Kabwe Road. Zambian drivers should learn to be polite on our roads ...

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: ... and to observe traffic rules and regulations. That said, the expansion of the Lusaka/Kabwe Road is being studied by the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication, as there are already plans to make that road a dual-carriage way. I hope that the ministry will work speedily to avoid more accidents on that road by expanding it to allow more traffic on the road.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, now and then, we get assurances of relief food being taken to Liuwa Constituency, which experienced a very bad drought. However, almost daily, we get reports of that food not reaching the people or being distributed on partisan lines. My question is: What is being done to provide relief food to the people in Liuwa irrespective of their political affiliation, sex or ethnicity so that the complaints can end?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, hunger does not choose ethnicity or political affiliation. When people are hungry, the Government responds to their situation so that none of them die from hunger. That has been the case in Liuwa Constituency, where relief food was sent earlier this year even before the findings of an in-depth vulnerability assessment of areas in Zambia that would suffer food shortages were reported. Now that the report is out, I believe that the people of Liuwa Parliamentary Constituency will receive adequate relief food from the Government, as will all the other affected areas. So, let me just urge the hon. Member of Parliament for Liuwa Constituency to visit the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to get more information on the relief food and other forms of support extended to his constituency.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, the lecturers at University of Zambia (UNZA), Ridgeway Campus, have threatened to withhold results and prevent a scheduled graduation ceremony because they are owed more than K320 million in arrears. What is the Government doing about the payment of the lecturers?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the issue of the Copperbelt University (CBU) lecturers is, of course, in the news and ...

Hon. Opposition Members: UNZA!

The Vice-President: I am sorry. It is University of Zambia (UNZA) lecturers. We know that they are owed money by the Government for services rendered in the past and the Ministry of Finance is looking at the matter while the university council is discussing with the lecturers. When the discussions come to an end, the Government will be informed on what needs to be done in the immediate future to adequately address the lecturers’ concerns.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, Copperbelt University (CBU) lecturers and Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) staff have been threatened that they will be fired and were given a two-day ultimatum by the Government Spokesperson and hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Hon. Kambwili. Will they be fired today?

Laughter

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the lecturers will definitely not be fired today. In any case, the issues at hand fall under the country’s labour laws. So, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the lecturers and the CBU Council are currently in discussions to address those concerns. So, we cannot pre-empt the results of the discussions. The Government will be informed on what necessary action to take when the discussions have been concluded.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa (Choma Central): Mr Speaker, sometime last month, at the resumption of the current sitting, which I think is ending today, the hon. Minister of Finance presented to this House what appeared to be a mid-term Budget review in which he painted a very gloomy picture of the state of the Zambian economy. He also promised to present to this House more information later. However, typical of Patriotic Front (PF) hon. Minister, he has not honoured that promise despite our economy being in dire straits, as can be seen from the depreciation of the Kwacha, the rise in the cost of fuel and the cost of living of the people of Zambia, load shedding and heavy borrowing by his administration. This being the case, the people of Zambia are wondering why His Excellency President Lungu has not found it necessary to address the nation or this House on how he hopes to get Zambia out of this economic malaise.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I agree entirely that our country is facing some economic challenges that need to be addressed very urgently. However, this Government should be congratulated, I believe, for ...

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: ... informing the public and hon. Members on Government operations through ministerial statements.

Mr Speaker, let me assure all hon. Members that His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, is working tirelessly to address the challenges that face this country and that the hon. Minister of Finance will still come back to the House or issue a statement on the question that the hon. Member for Choma Central has asked. He will inform the nation about the financial situation of the country and other related economic issues.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Pande (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, I am a proud Zambia who believes in the ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ slogan and the unity of Zambia. Recently, this country has seen many leaders point at tribalism as the main problem in this country. Seeing as the tribalism is being perpetrated by leaders, particularly those in the Ruling Party, what is the Government doing to end the problem?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, since the current President was sworn-in in January, this year, his agenda has been to preach unity and peace in our country.

Mr Livune: Question!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the ordinary people are very happy to coexist across tribal lines. It is politicians who find it very exciting to use tribe as a sjambok with which to whip their opponents. They also use the leverage of tribe to win votes. So, I really urge you politicians in this House and the people in general to help us to preserve peace in our country in what we say and do. If we continue throwing tribal slurs at one another, we are likely to divide our people. However, I believe that no one would like to preside over a country that is divided. We have seen how tribal divisions have caused wars in countries and arrested the development of certain communities and countries. I think that hon. Members of Parliament are in a privileged situation to preach peace in our constituencies. We should not use tribalism to woo support from our people.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, I am aware that Her Honour the Vice-President is an ardent supporter of freedom of expression and freedom of access to information. As such, your Public Accounts Committee is a transparency and accountability Committee of Parliament that ensures that the illicit use of public funds is curbed as much as possible. To that effect, the Committee lobbied the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) to broadcast live its proceedings, as an anti-corruption strategy in the Public Service. Why did the Government abruptly discontinue those broadcasts?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, our people would like to know what goes on in Parliament. As a matter of fact, many are very interested in listening to Parliament Radio. However, I do not think that information from the Committees of Parliament and the debates of the House reaches our people. Of course, it is in the interest of the National Assembly that information is disseminated to as wide a public as possible. Hon. Members may know that the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) terminated its coverage of the proceedings of the Public Accounts Committee because of a lack of resources, not to conceal information.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr L. J. Ngoma (Sinda): Mr Speaker, the apology that Her Honour the Vice-President has issued concerning the remarks Mr Chama made is very welcome. However, Mr Chama is on record refusing to apologise. What disciplinary measures will you take against him, as a party? Why is it so difficult for the Patriotic Front (PF) take disciplinary action against him now?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the President has taken the disciplinary action against Mr Chama.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: However, that is an internal matter of the PF.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Can we give Her Honour the Vice-President a chance to complete her response.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the issue is not about forcing Mr Chama to apologise publicly. The party has taken disciplinary action against him and for what he said. So, …

Mr Muntanga: Donchi kubeba!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Kalomo Central, please, desist from engaging in such conduct.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Continue, Your Honour the Vice-President.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I hope that our colleagues will take my apology as coming from the party and from the bottom of my heart.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, now that the Government has borrowed another Eurobond for infrastructure development, will Jimbe Road be worked on? That is what we have been waiting for.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, we have borrowed for infrastructure development and my belief is that the money will be targeted at areas in which it is most needed, that is, non-consumption areas.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order on the left!

The Vice-President: I advise the hon. Member to find out from the Ministry of Finance whether the Jimbe Road has already been earmarked to be worked on.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, Chizuni Bridge was washed away in 2003 and ten people have since lost their lives trying to cross the bridge. We have written letters to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in Kalomo and Choma, and Her Honour the Vice-President’s Office, but got no response. When will the DMMU respond to our request for the reconstruction of Chizuni Bridge?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, for a bridge that was washed away in 2003 to remain unreconstructed is definitely an inconvenience on our people. However, I assure the hon. Member that the DMMU is already working on plans to repair the bridge and they assured me that the works will soon commence.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, what is the Government doing to maintain security for the people on the streets, especially those around Kamwala, who are being terrorised by Patriotic Front (PF) cadres, who drink a lot of beer?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: I will allow her to respond.
The Vice-President: Sir, I did not get the question very well. However, I assure the hon. Member that police officers are there to ensure that no one harasses anyone on the street.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

WATER CRISIS IN SINDA DISTRICT

711. Mr L. P. Ngoma (Sinda) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a) whether the Government was aware of a looming water crisis in Sinda Township in Sinda District, since the boreholes, which are the main source of water supply are drying up;

(b) what measures the Government had taken to prevent the crisis; and

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Ching’imbu): Mr Speaker, the Government is aware of the looming water crisis in Sinda Township. The prevailing low water table in the boreholes has emanated from the low rainfall experienced during the last rainy season.

Sir, in 2015, the Government has allocated ten boreholes to Sinda District to provide water to the most affected areas. Of the ten boreholes, three have been earmarked for Sinda Township, where hand-dug wells are drying up, to prevent the crisis from escalating. The contractor, China Jiangxi, has already mobilised and commenced the work in Sinda. In addition, the Government is making frantic efforts to acquire facilitate the sinking of more boreholes across the country, including in Sinda District. In Phase II, the Government will procure 1,000 boreholes to be sunk across the whole country, including ten in Sinda.

Mr Speaker, Sinda District will be provided with piped water once the negotiations to purchase the dam, as a source of water, and land to construct a water treatment plant on are concluded with a local business man, Sable Transport. The designs for the rehabilitation of the dam, construction of the water treatment plant and installation of a distribution network were already done with support from the German Government. Currently, the Government Valuation Department of the Ministry of Local Government and Housing is assessing the cost of the dam and land to be purchased. It is, therefore, expected that the piped water supply system will be completed by 2017.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Shakafuswa (Katuba): Mr Speaker, ...

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I thank you for according me the opportunity to raise this serious procedural point of order.

Sir, last week, I raised a point of order pertaining to the supply of electricity to the mining companies on the Copperbelt and North-Western provinces. In your ruing, you directed the hon. Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development to make a statement before the House rises. I am aware that the House is rising today, but the hon. Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development has not issued that statement. You may not be aware that mining houses in Zambia have started closing operations as a result of the failure by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) to supply them with electricity. As a result of the closures, the Government of the Republic of Zambia will lose tax revenue, a situation that will worsen the country’s financial standing. Is the hon. Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development in order to disobey your directive for him to address this House on this issue that affects the nation?

Mr Speaker: The hon. Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development did not disobey my directive to issue a statement, but elected to respond immediately because he was scheduled to attend to some national commitment before the House rose. Unfortunately, you may have left the Chamber when he did so. He explained, in my opinion, in sufficient detail, what was happening. If you want to follow up on the hon. Minister’s answer, I will ask the Clerk to give you a copy of the proceedings of the House.

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, we face a water crisis across the country, not only in Sinda District, because, year in and year out, we get less rainfall. Would it not be better for the ministry to consider investing money, such as the Eurobond, in harvesting water by making dams? That way, we can keep the water levels high or raise them where they are low.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr N. Banda): Mr Speaker, indeed, the hon. Member’s concern about the country’s water table going down is legitimate. In fact, the House might wish to know that I attended a meeting called by Her Honour the Vice-President, through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to prioritise the issue of water in the country. The Government is alert to that situation and has taken some measures that will definitely address the challenge of water supply to our people.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that the Government plans to drill about 1,000 boreholes countrywide and that 10 will be drilled in Sinda, where the existing boreholes have dried up. How will the new boreholes help when the current ones are drying up? The bigger problem seems to be that of the falling water table. Is there any way in which this Government will help the nation to get water in spite of the low water level?

Mr N. Banda: Mr Speaker, in the contracts that we sign, we take into consideration the fact that the water tables in the country have gone down. Therefore, the contracts specify that the technology of the contractors employ in drilling the boreholes must be ones that will allow the end users of the boreholes to harvest water from them. I assure the House that Government will be flexible, as it enters into contracts so that the contractors are also aware that, in case the boreholes get dry, they must ensure that the number of the boreholes is not reduced.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr L. J. Ngoma (Sinda): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that elaborate answer.

Sir the solution to the problem lies in part (c) of the question, namely, the provision of piped water from a dam. My concern is that the negotiations that the Government has been having with Sable Transport and Construction Limited did not start yesterday, but have been going on for a number of years now. It is for this reason that the people of Sinda want to know when the negotiations will be concluded so that we can have piped water. What have been the major reasons for the Government’s delay in concluding the negotiations to buy the dam from Sable Transport and Construction Limited?

Mr N. Banda: Mr Speaker, Sinda District was created only two to three years ago and the projects that Government is implementing in there mainly emanated from the creation of the district. We realised that the Government had to think of how to provide piped water to the people in the new district.

Sir, the negotiations are still going on while the designs have already been done. We have also indicated that the project will be completed by 2017.

I thank you, Mr Speaker

Mr Mufalali (Senanga): Mr Speaker, Sinda had people even before it became a district.

Laughter

Mr Mufalali: That said, the hon. Minister has just indicated that his Government will drill some boreholes in that district. Why can this Government not build windmills that can pump water from the shallow boreholes in Sinda?

Mr N. Banda: Mr Speaker, enough research has been conducted in Sinda.

Sir, one of the solutions to the growing population in Sinda after its declaration as a district is the provision of piped water to its residents. The House might be interested to know that Sinda used to fall under Katete and Petauke. So, it used to benefit from the programmes implemented in the two districts in many ways. So, the Government did not start planning for the entire district after its creation. However, we are planning seriously for the central business district (CBD) of that district because we expect the population to grow.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, I understand that this Government wants to buy a dam in Sinda. Would it not been cheaper to construct a new one instead of buying an existing one from a company that developed the area?

Mr N. Banda: Mr Speaker, dam construction is a technical matter. That being the case, the Government sent a team of researchers to Sinda to explore the options for coming up with a cheaper way of acquiring such a facility. The recommendation was that we should the existing dam, which is also very close to the community that we want to serve. I suppose, the Government’s view is that, that is the cheaper option.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Masebo (Chongwe): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that one of the challenges that the Government faces is that of low water levels, which I do appreciated because I know that even in Chongwe, Chongwe River gets dry every August and September. As a result, the people of Chongwe have no piped water. My question is: What is the Government’s long-term plan for to deal with inadequate water supply as a result of low water levels in most of our areas, which is a result of deforestation in most districts, including Sinda and Chongwe districts?

Mr N. Banda: Mr Speaker, the Government has several plans for tackling this pain-staking issue. One of the solutions is the construction of dams.

Sir, the ministries of Agriculture and Livestock, Local Government and Housing, and Mines, Energy and Water Development are working together in an effort to find a lasting solution to low water levels. For example, we are working on methods for harvesting enough water to ensure that our people have good sanitation.

I thank you, Sir.

STATUTORY INSTRUMENT NO. 29 OF 2015

712. Mr Antonio (Kaoma Central) asked the Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs:

(a) why the Government issued Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 29 of 2015, which withdrew the recognition of Josiah L. M. Nyumbu as Chief Chiyengele of the Mbunda people in Mongu District when the matter of his dethronement by the Litunga was pending determination in the High Court;

(b) whether the issuance of the SI was not subjudice; and

The Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Mr Bwalya) (on behalf of the Deputy Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs (Mr Kufuna): Mr Speaker, the matter is still under consideration and subject to legal consultations. Once the appropriate legal guidance has been provided to my ministry, a comprehensive response to the questions will be presented to this House.

I thank you, Sir.

RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NJANJI COMMUTER TRAIN

713. Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West) (on behalf of Mr Katuka) (Mwinilunga) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication when the Njanji Commuter Train would be re-established to ease transport challenges for the public in Lusaka City.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Siamunene): Mr Speaker, the Government has no intention of re-establishing the Njanji Commuter Train. However, on 23rd May, 2015, Zambia Railways Limited commissioned a commuter train on two routes, namely, central business district (CBD) to Ngwerere and CBD to Lilayi. The Government plans to extend this service from the current 14 km to 45 km to service other areas within Lusaka City to help in decongesting the toads in the CBD by offloading almost 1,000 people per day from road transport.

I thank you, Sir.

CONSTRUCTION OF TRAUMA CENTRE IN KABWE

714. Mr Lufuma asked the Minister of Health:

(a) why the construction of the Trauma Centre in Kabwe had stalled;

(b) when the construction of the Centre would be completed; and

Ms Masebo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Ms Masebo: Mr Speaker, during the last sitting, I had raised a point of order on the implementation of the Decentralisation Policy, of which Chongwe Parliamentary Constituency was one of the pilot districts. In your ruling, you urged the Government to issue a ministerial statement during this sitting. Today, the House is rising, but I have not seen any sign of that statement being issued. Is the Government in order not to give us the details of the implementation plan, considering that the plan is already being implemented and we have a number of challenges in the districts resulting from the implementation of the policy?

Sir, I need your serious ruling.

Mr Speaker: The timing of point of order is quite awkward, as you can imagine. Today is our last day. Additionally, a few days ago, I indicated to the House that those of you with urgent questions should file them in so that we could get the responses before or by today. Unfortunately, this matter is being raised today. We, obviously, do not expect that we can properly dispose of it today. We receive questions all the time, even during our recess. So, in short, file in a question. Unfortunately, it will not be responded to today, for obvious reasons. However, when we begin the Fifth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly, we will attend to your question.

Where were we? This is the problem with points of order. I had called upon the hon. Member for Kabompo West Parliamentary Constituency.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I had just asked Question No. 714.

Mr Speaker: Yes, in fact you had. I should have simply called on the hon. Minister of Health to respond.

The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Mr Speaker, the construction of the Kabwe Trauma Centre has not stalled, as the contractor is currently on site and the works are 95 per cent complete. The delay in completing the facility has been due to variation orders issued during construction, which arose from the need to accommodate new technologies in the equipment that will be installed in the facility. The facility is now expected to be completed by the end of August, 2015.

Sir, the construction of Liteta Trauma Centre is currently at the procurement stage. Bids have been received and the works are expected to commence as soon as the procurement process has been completed.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I was privileged to visit Kabwe General Hospital during a tour of a Committee of which I am a member. The engineers on the site informed the Committee that the trauma centre was not designed to standard, hence the delay, and that it would not be able to work according to the requirement. What is the hon. Minister’s comment on that?

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, the design for the trauma centre was adequate when made. However, a new model was developed that required some changes in the infrastructure. That is what necessitated the variation in the infrastructure and delay in construction. However, I assure the hon. Member and the House that the construction is on course and that we expect to complete the trauma centre as stipulated.

I thank you, Sir.

OPERATION OF THE UNIVISA SYSTEM BETWEEN ZAMBIA AND ZIMBABWE

715. Mr Lufuma asked the Minister of Finance what mechanisms the Government had put in place to ensure the smooth operation of the Univisa System between Zambia and Zimbabwe at the Victoria Falls Border Post and guarantee equitable revenue-sharing between the two countries.

The Deputy Minister of Finance (Mr Mvunga): Mr Speaker, the Univisa System or KAZA Visa was launched on 28th November, 2014, at the Victoria Falls Bridge between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Nationals of forty countries can obtain the visa at the Victoria Falls and Kazungula border posts on both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides, and Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula and Kenneth Kaunda international airports in Zambia.

Sir, according to the agreed mechanism, travellers are required to pay at any of the collecting ports, which handle the revenue the same way they have done previously. There have not been any changes and there is no revenue-sharing. The two countries agreed that the system was the most convenient because it did not require changes in legislation.

Thank you Mr Speaker.

LOW-SULPHUR DIESEL

716. Mr Hamusonde asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development when low sulphur diesel would be available at every fuel filling station countrywide.

The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Zulu): Mr Speaker, the ministry is working on a policy framework to make low-sulphur diesel available at all filling stations in the country. Designated low-sulphur diesel tanks and pumps will have to be installed at filling stations by each oil marketing company (OMC).

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, how special is the low-sulphur diesel?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, low-sulphur diesel has a sulphur content ten times less than that of high-high sulphur diesel, which the new vehicles have a problem using. That is what makes the low-sulphur diesel special.

Thank you, Sir.

Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister, if I may be allowed to say so, is misleading the House by stating that oil marketing companies (OMCs) have to install special pumps and tanks in order for service stations to be able to sell low-sulphur diesel. That is not correct because, currently, there are a number of service stations that sell low-sulphur diesel. The problem is that the price is too high compared to that of high-sulphur diesel. However, we are all aware that low sulphur diesel is more environment-friendly compared with high-sulphur diesel. So, why is the Government not working at progressively reducing the price of low-sulphur diesel and phasing out high-sulphur diesel?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, our intention, as a Government, is to phase out high-sulphur diesel. The main reason for the process taking long is that we currently do not have appropriate facilities in filling stations. As regards the pricing, I think that is an issue that has to be dealt with by other ministries, such as the Ministry of Finance.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

NEW INVESTOR FOR ZAMBIA-CHINA MULUNGUSHI TEXTILES

717. Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya) asked the Vice-President:

(a) who the new investor for the Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles Joint Venture Limited in Kabwe was;

(b) whether the company premises had been turned into a fertiliser depot;

(d) what the way forward for the factory was.

The Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, the new investor for the Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles Joint Venture Limited (ZCMT) in Kabwe is Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania Limited, a limited liability company incorporated in the Republic of Tanzania. Its registered offices are in the Golden Jubilee Towers, Ohio Street, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Sir, the company premises have not been turned into a fertiliser depot. The investor has explained that the fertiliser was brought in for purposes of establishing cotton outgrower schemes to feed the textiles plant in accordance with the provisions of the lease agreement. That is the correct position.

Mr Speaker, following protracted discussion between the concerned parties over contractual issues, amongst them the timely operationalisation of the textile factory and the demand by the investor for tax concessions, the ZCMT, after consultations with the Office of the Attorney-General, has issued a final demand notice to the investor to cures the default relating to timely operationalisation of the plant in accordance with the contract provisions. The notice period runs to the end of the second week of August, 2015.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, how many tonnes of fertiliser were stored in the plant?

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, unfortunately, I am unable to tell the hon. Member the quantities of the fertiliser that was stored there. However, the purpose of the fertiliser has been explained in accordance with the contract.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister confirm whether the contractor has been stripping off the machinery from the plant and taking it to other countries.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I cannot confirm those allegations. Like I have said, a demand notice has been issued. After that period expires, the Government will take appropriate action in the best interest of the people of Kabwe, who have been waiting for the opening of the textile plant.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kapyanga (Kabwe Central): Mr Speaker, the issue of the Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles Joint Venture Limited (ZCMT) is very important to the people of Kabwe. What immediate measures is the Government putting in place to ensure that it is resolved?

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I totally agree with the hon. Member for Kabwe Central that the issue of the textile industry in Kabwe is very important and has generated a lot of interest from members of the public. So, I commend the two hon. Members of Parliament from Kabwe, Hon. Kapyanga and Hon. Mushanga, for actively pursuing its positive conclusion. However, as I have already stated, there is a lease agreement that the Government must obey in everything it does concerning this matter. So, the Government will only take appropriate action in the best interest of the people of Kabwe so that they can see that important industry operationalised when the notice period runs out the.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, I feel for the people of Kabwe because this is a broken promise from the Patriotic Front (PF). Those people were suffering before the PF assumed power. That is one of the reasons they voted for the PF, which had promised to re-open Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles Joint Venture Limited (ZCMT) and give some dignity to the people, who were living in squalour. With the answers that my young brother, Hon. Kampyongo, has given, can we have some assurance from, at least, the highest level, that is, the Presidency, to the people of Kabwe that action will be taken to re-open the company.

Her Honour the Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, the Government feels for the people of Kabwe and the hon. Member for Mafinga is very correct in saying that people of Kabwe have suffered a lot in the past few years. However, because of the concern that the Government has for them, the Government has resuscitated Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) whose workshops are in Kabwe. Therefore, job creation is being facilitated there.

Mr Speaker, as for the Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles Joint Venture Limited (ZCMT), the Government has given a mid-August, 2015, ultimatum to the investor to find a solution to the problems facing the company. So, by mid-August, the investor has to tell the Government whether he can start work immediately or risk losing the contract to another investor who will be able to operationalise the factory immediately.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: We seem to have exhausted this matter.

________

MOTION

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that Standing Orders No. 20 and 21 (1), if necessary, and be suspended to enable the House to complete all Business on the Order Paper and all matters arising therefrom, and that, on such completion, the House do adjourn sine die

Mr Speaker, this meeting of the House started on Tuesday, 16th June, 2015. As of today, the House has been sitting for twenty-seven days, during which 313 questions for oral and written answers were considered. In addition, …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1045 hours until 1100 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mrs Wina: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I had just indicated that 313 questions for oral and written answer had been considered by the House in the twenty-seven days of the sitting. In addition, thirteen Government Bills were passed. The House also considered twenty-two Motions to adopt Reports of Sessional and Select Committees. Further, two Private Member’s Motions were considered while twenty-nine annual reports from Government and quasi-Government departments were tabled. Additionally, fifteen ministerial statements explaining Government policies and programmes on various issues were presented to the House.

Mr Speaker, in the course of the meeting, the House welcomed the following six new hon. Members of Parliament, following the by-elections held in various constituencies:

Hon. K. Simbao, Senga Hill

Hon. M. Katambo, Masaiti

Hon. L. Sichalwe, Chawama

Hon. D. Siliya, Petauke Central

Hon. P. Mulasikwanda, Mulobezi

Hon. J. Shuma, Malambo.

Mr Speaker, I congratulate them all and welcome them to the House, especially those who have come for the first time.

Mr Speaker, on a sad note, just before the commencement of this meeting, the House lost Hon. Chifita Matafwali, Member of Parliament for Bangweulu Parliamentary Constituency and, soon after the commencement of the meeting, we lost another hon. Member through death, namely, Mr Humphrey Iddoh Mwanza, hon. Member for Solwezi West Constituency. May the souls of the two hon. Members rest in eternal peace.

Mr Speaker, as I have already indicated, a lot of business has been transacted, as can be seen from the number of questions asked, reports considered and Bills passed. So, let me congratulate all hon. Members for a job well done and urge them to keep up this spirit of hard work, for it is only through hard work that we can bring about prosperity for our country. In this regard, I wish to pay special tribute to hon. Members of the Back Bench for carrying out their oversight function effectively and keeping the Executive on its feet. This was evident in the many probing questions asked. I further commend the Parliamentary Committees and the Back Bench in general for effectively scrutinising all the Bills presented by the Executive and making invaluable suggestions on the objectives of the Bills. I must also commend the Executive for being broad-minded and accommodating some of the proposals of the Back Bench for the betterment of the legislation. This ensured that the Bills passed by the House represented the views and aspirations of all stakeholders. In addition, I commend the House for ratifying the Presidential appointments of persons appointed to serve in different eminent positions. In this regard, I call upon the appointees to live up to the expectations of the nation and contribute to the strengthening of the governance structures they have been appointed to serve.

Mr Speaker, now that the House has completed the business for which it was convened around mid-June, 2015, it is time for us to go on recess so that we can attend to our other equally-important duties outside the House, especially in constituencies.

Mr Speaker, as we break off, I wish to remind the House that some parts of the country may already be experiencing the effects of inadequate rainfall during the last rainy season, which might have led to poor crop yields. It is necessary, therefore, that the Government assists the people living in such areas. So, hon. Members are urged to use the recess to assess the situation on the ground and, where necessary, advise the Government, through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), on the areas in dire need of food and water. In the same vein, I urge hon. Members from areas where the harvest has been good to encourage the people to stock their crop properly so that nothing goes to waste.

Sir, still on the subject of the partial drought, I wish to remind the House that the country is currently facing a huge power deficit, which has been caused by the low water levels at the Kariba Hydro Power Station. As such, the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) is rationing electricity in order for the country to have continued supply until the next rain season. Meanwhile, I assure the nation that the Government is doing everything possible to address the problem. I appeal to the people to bear with us and remain calm in the face of this challenge so that, together, we can pull through as we have always done in the past.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, allow me to express my gratitude to you, the hon. Mr Deputy Speaker, and the hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees of the Whole House, for the efficient and impartial manner in which you presided over the business of the House. I also commend the Clerk of the National Assembly and her staff for the exemplary services they have continued to render to the House. In the same vein, let me acknowledge, with gratitude, the important work done by the officers in the Office of the Vice-President and the entire Public Service in facilitating the work of the House. I thank them and ask them to keep up the good work.

I beg to move, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Let me point out something before the general debate commences. As we all know, this is a very time-sensitive Motion that needs to be concluded before a particular time. Otherwise, it will lapse and we will run into a crisis. We have consulted with the political groupings and have been supplied the names of those who will debate from each side of the House in order to ensure that the Motion does not lapse.

The hon. Member for Mazabuka Central may take the Floor.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to debate the Motion. I will be very brief.

Mr Speaker, I support the Motion moved by Her Honour the Vice-President that this House suspends Standing Orders No. 20 and 21 (i), if necessary, and No. 101 in order to enable the House to complete all outstanding Business and, thereafter, adjourn sine die.

Mr Speaker, it is necessary that we adjourn so that we can refocus and go to comfort the Zambian people in our constituencies who have been subjected to extreme pain by both natural and man-made calamities.

Sir, the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), as Her Honour the Vice-President mentioned, is under her office. So, as we adjourn, it would be prudent for her office to look closely at the areas that have been hit by disaster, starting from around 2011, when Hon. Dr Guy Scott was Vice-President. For example, in my constituency, Mazabuka Central, we suffered a calamity when two dams collapsed. We were on the verge of getting funding to repair the Mugoto and Chakola Dams but, unfortunately, some things happened. Every Friday, during the Vice-President’s Question Time, Hon. Dr Guy Scott would always bring a team from the DMMU to apprise hon. Members on what the Government was doing regarding such calamities.

Sir, changing the subject, this is a very good day to adjourn because, as I speak, the coronation of Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people taking place. So, allow me to congratulate the hon. Members on your left for the good fight they fought for the recognition of a great man, Kanyanta Sosala-Manga II, as Chitimukulu. It is ironic, though, that the very people who, not so long ago, sent battalions of police officers to block the coronation of the Chitimukulu, my king, are happy to preside over it today.

Mr Livune: Shame!

Mr Nkombo: This shows that God is great.

Mrs Masebo: Amen!

Mr Nkombo: Sir, the people of Zambia have suffered a great deal. So, as we go on recess, I implore the Government to find innovative ways of reducing the pain that has been occasioned on Zambians by the massive load-shedding and power outages in our country. Quite alright, the right has said, and clearly so, that we have been hit by the natural calamity of low water levels. However, in the workshop that was facilitated by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) two weeks ago, we suggested some ideas to the hon. Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development and ZESCO, including a declaration of force majeure on the supply contracts that ZECSO had signed with Namibia and Botswana because we need the power that we export. Our people, especially the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) like hair salons and barbershops, which depend on electricity for their operations are having serious problems in feeding their families because of the over 100 MW that we export in fulfilment of our contractual obligations. It is time for the countries to which we supply power to find alternative sources of energy and save our people from the pain to which they are being exposed by the power outages.

Sir, let me commend Her Honour the Vice-President for making the bold decision, this morning, to publicly apologise for the stereotyped, reckless, insulting and derogatory remarks that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of her party made against to the Tonga people. I salute her. I think that, by apologising, she has done what Napoleon the Great failed to do. However, we, as a people, are very critical. Much as we accept her apology, I can assure you, here and now, that many of the Tonga people are asking themselves questions like: “Who is Chama to be represented by another person?” At the risk of being blasphemous, I would like to say that Her Honour the Vice-President is not Jesus Christ to die for another man’s sins. She is far from that icon of humanity to stand up and say that she is sorry on behalf of someone else. I appreciate and I even had to hold back tears because I know that she has been tormented, personally, by the recklessness of the people with whom she thinks she is like-minded. I think that the time of reckoning has come for her. She must know that she is different from those with whom she associates. The authority that she holds should not be used to force a man to apologise but, instead, to quickly cage his tongue so that such divisive sentiments are not heard of in our unitary State. People have been divided to the extent of war by the tongue. It might be soft tissue, but it can be as strong as steel and as sharp as a razor.

Mr Speaker, we are going to our constituencies to explain to our constituents the issues that we discussed in this meeting, including what we on your left consider a reckless attitude, namely, the borrowing for consumption that we have seen under the Patriotic Front (PF). The US$1.2 billion Sovereign Bond that our colleagues signed for in the United States of America (USA) not so long ago is just an addition to the pain that the people who will come after us will suffer as a result of aimless ambition. We are going to tell our people how the PF has been advocating that we should not fear to borrow, as a country, and that those who preside over the affairs of the State have not paid back the money they borrowed from the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC).

Interruptions

Mr Nkombo: We are going to tell the constituents that those who are not scared to borrow money in their individual capacities have a preponderance to borrow with no intention of paying back, and that those who are coming after us must brace themselves for hard times because of what we are doing today.

Mr Speaker, we have been told that our debt has escalated to the point of being more than 40 per cent of our gross domestic product (GDP), yet we are still being told by those presiding over the affairs of the State that we are within sustainable debt levels. This is a wakeup call for all Zambians, especially those who have the privilege of listening to us as we deliberate on State affairs in this Chamber. I encourage my colleagues to go and clearly share the message of how unsafe this country has become under the PF Government. Soon enough, we will debate a Bill on the delimitation of constituencies. However, we saw what happened yesterday. I am not a very proud person because I saw a semblance of double standards in the manner the business of the House was conducted. On one hand, hon. Members on this side of the House were told to be brief while, on another, another hon. Member was allowed his full time of twenty minutes on the Floor. I want that to be put on record.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, thank you for affording me the opportunity to contribute to this Motion to suspend Standing Orders 20, 21 (i), if necessary, and 101, and, thereafter, adjourn sine die.

Sir, having been here for over a month, we are now going away to our constituencies. So, I would like to bring a couple of points to the fore.

Sir, I appeal to hon. Ministers and Deputy Ministers to find time to visit our constituencies with us. I have been in this House for four years, but have never been accompanied by any of the members of the Executive to my constituency so that they can have a first-hand appreciation of what is going on there. They always sneak in alone and pick a District Commissioner (DC) and a few party cadres to accompany them, totally ignoring the hon. Member of Parliament for the area. I think that the people of Luena would be very happy to see their area Member of Parliament in the company of any hon. Minister or hon. Deputy Minister because, then, they would know that the idea that all that goes on between the left and the right is squabbling is a misconception. Some time back, I was interviewed by a local radio station and asked, among many other questions, what my relationship with hon. Members on the other side of the House was, and my interviewers were surprised when I told them that we relate well. I told them that, when we debate, during which we perform our oversight duty, we sometimes engage in exchanges that give the listeners the impression that we are fighting. However, immediately after the debate, we even visit them at their ministries and ask for information on projects. I was, then, asked if the fighting that they see between the Patriotic Front (PF) and members of the Opposition did not extend to the House and I told them ...

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order on the right!

Ms Imenda: ... that it is cadres who fight, not hon. Members of Parliament. Therefore, if they saw me with my younger brother, Hon. Mvunga, the Deputy Minister of Finance, for example, they would be very happy.

Sir, the other issue I would like to mention is that of the mobile issuance of national registration cards (NRCs). The people need to be registered. So, the Executive must take the issuance of the NRCs very seriously. Some rural constituencies are very vast. Luena, for example, is about 135 km long, which means it is almost the same distance as that between Lusaka and Kabwe or somewhere beyond Chibombo. However, between the central business district of Lusaka and Kabwe, there are five constituencies, namely, Matero, Mandevu, Katuba, Chembe, and Chisamba, while the whole of Luena is one constituency. So, it is cumbersome for people in very remote areas to go to Mongu to get and the NRCs, especially when they have to spend nights on the road because they do not have money for transport and there is no road network in the area. So, there is no public transport system, meaning that they either have to hire an oxcart or walk those hundreds of kilometres to Mongu just for them to find queues there. So, they do not get the NRCs there and then, but are told to go back another time. That very expensive process discourages many people from getting the NRCs. Therefore, I appeal to the hon. Minster of Home Affairs ― I can see Hon. Col. Kaunda there ― to take these services to the people and give them enough time to access them. It is not helpful to go there for two or three days because the programme needs to be publicised so that people can go to the issuing centres and queue.

Mr Speaker, the mobile issuance of NRCs is very important because I have learnt that, apart from the general elections that will be held in 2016, there will be the referendum, too, and you know the demands of a referendum in terms of the number of voters reaching a certain threshold. Therefore, it is very important that people get NRCS. Additionally, as much time as possible should be dedicated to voter registration, especially in rural areas like Luena, because of the reasons I have already given.

Sir, I would also like to talk about the distribution of relief food on which Hon. Gary Nkombo has touched. It should be fair and done in consultation with the area hon. Member of Parliament. What happened in Luena a couple of months ago is very shameful. Some relief food was sent there, but it was only given to members of the Patriotic Front (PF). Whenever other people went there, they were chased for not being in the PF. Even the councillors complained because they were completely removed from the process. Some of the relief food was distributed at night under the cashew nut forest in Makapaila area. The people of Luena we left with raised eyebrows by what was happening. There was also a truck that was seen, according to an unverified report that I received, carrying some of the relief food to the house of one known PF official. So, my appeal is that, as we look at the relief food, we should realise that hunger affects everybody, like Her Honour the Vice-President has said. If the Government gives food, it should be to all the people. This Government is not for the PF, but for everybody. Yes, the PF is in the driving seat because every motor vehicle has to have a driver, but the passengers also have a right to whatever is offered. I will go as far as suggesting that we do away with saying “The PF Government” or the “the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government” because it sends the wrong signals, especially to the cadres who cannot differentiate between the party and the Government. The Government is everyone. The PF or whichever party is in power is just in the driver’s seat. We once were a One-party State in which the party was the same as the Government, but we are now in a multi-party dispensation. So, we should do away with the One-party mentality.

Sir, Her Honour the Vice-President should also look at other disasters that affect our people. Poor areas like Luena still have many grass-thatched houses, which are very vulnerable to catching fire, especially when there is such a severe drought. Therefore, the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) should be on hand to help the people. However, often, when you approach the DMMU, either at the provincial or district level, you are told that it does not have tents because the tents would have been sent to other disaster-hit areas. Does that help the people in dire need of help at that point in time? No, it does not. So, the DDMU should enhance it logistical capacity to respond rapidly to disasters.

Mr Speaker, let me come to the issue of poverty. In this day and age, fifty-one years after Independence, should we still have grass-thatched houses? That just shows how we have degenerated, as a country. Instead of developing, we are really going backwards. Therefore, I appeal that some of the Eurobond money should be used to assist in providing housing for the people in rural areas. At least, even just the roofs should be made of some good material, not grass.

Mr Speaker, finally, I want to talk about the failure by the Government to reduce expenditure. As we go back to our constituencies, the Government should engage in introspection over this issue. With regards to the issue of borrowing, we know that we are doing that for consumption, but the Government has refused blatantly to look at areas where it can save money. This Government has been very extravagant. For example, immediately it came into power, there have been many changes. We have seen too many hon. Deputy Ministers and DCs appointed while many diplomats have been recalled and many by-elections held. That is unacceptable. While we will be in our constituencies, the Executive should reflect on this and come back with cost-saving measures in the areas I have mentioned.

With those few words, I support the Motion.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Rev. Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha: Hear, hear!

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, this is a very important time for us to reflect on His Honour’s Motion, ...

Hon. Opposition Members: Her Honour.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: ... sorry, Her Honour’s Motion, asking this House to complete all the Business on the Order Paper and go to our constituencies to explain to the people the major economic and social issues that are affecting our country.

Mr Speaker, it will be very difficult for some of us because we will have very little to explain in terms of what has been discussed in this House and what is actually on the ground concerning the thrust in infrastructure development. For instance, on rural roads, four and half years later, there is hardly anything that has happened. Commending the Government for making television available to more people is wrong because it will only enable the people to see the type of development projects being implemented in other areas. There is also the issue of sharing information to the point of even boasting about things that have not yet been done. Some people even boast that certain schools and hospitals have been completed when, in fact, nothing has been done. I, then, wonder what is wrong with such hon. Members. So, I concur with my colleague, the hon. Member of Parliament for Luena, that, maybe, once in a while, some hon. Deputy Ministers should go with us, Opposition hon. Members of Parliament, to public hearings in our constituencies and explain to the people why there is this discrepancy because when the message should be “One Zambia, One Nation.” Why is there little development in our areas?

Mr Speaker, my next point is on water supply. I have two schools whose boreholes have dried up, and I wish there was a way in which the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) could expeditiously respond to requests at the district level. For instance, when a school with 700 pupils has no water, surely, that is a disaster. However, when we engage the District Commissioners (DCs), who are the chairpersons of the disaster management enterprise at the district level, they tell us about waiting for a response to a request they would have made to the DMMU province or DMMU Secretariat. Could we, please, shorten the time it takes to respond to the requests. Otherwise, these are issues that make people think they being segregated. If there is a limitation in resources, there should be a timely explanation so that, perhaps, together, we can find some alternative form of relief for affected communities.

Mr Speaker, let me also talk about our interaction with our electorates. There has been a difference. Recently, when I go in my constituency, I have had the feeling that I am a criminal. The preservation of the security of this nation, in my view, starts with me, as an individual, especially given my background. Unfortunately, we see our friends following us everywhere and asking who we talk to and what we talk about, yet we all swore to uphold the Constitutional provision on freedom of speech, association and assembly. How else can we explain these things to our constituents if we are not able to assemble? We are allies in development and the preservation of the security of this nation. Everybody must feel protected.

Mr Speaker, I am passionate about wildlife conservation and the Her Honour the Vice-President promised me that the Government was looking into that issue in respect of my constituency. So, let me also talk about forests. I pray that what is going on in one part of my constituency is resolved quickly because I value life. My electorates have the right to live anywhere, but there has to be some guidance and planned settlement so that the areas designated for wildlife conservation are left alone. That is a plea I make to Her Honour the Vice-President. It is not good enough just to have hon. Ministers visit an area, but do nothing about the problems they find there. So, I will wait for the hon. Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection to send someone to my constituency so that, collectively, we look at the people who have settled in the game management area (GMA).

Mr Speaker, I will tell my people that the National Assembly Constituency Office is for everybody. That office must be where the constituents discuss the development of the districts in their constituencies. Can you imagine an official of the Ruling Party saying that his people are in the opposition in Mumbwa. What does that mean? We know that the council is dominated by Opposition councillors. However, once people have been elected as civic leaders, their responsibility is to attend to the needs of the electorates in their area.

Sir, there must be explanations from the Executive as its members visit the constituencies instead of saying things like, “I am here as the guest of honour, but where is the Opposition hon. Member of Parliament?” or “This is the problem of having Opposition hon. Members of Parliament in your areas.” How are hon. Members of Parliament supposed to know about such events when they are not been notified or invited?

Mr Muntanga: Hear, hear!

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: That does not build a nation. Again, let me make a plea to the Executive to avoid such comments because we are all leaders at different levels.

Mr Speaker, the PF Government made promises to Zambians and we conveyed those promises to our people. For instance, the party promised to work on the Mumbwa/Kasempa Road ...

Mr Mbulakulima: Hear, hear!

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: ... and the hon. Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication and Chief Whip has been very forthright on that promise. So, the people are anxiously waiting to see when the works on the road will commence. We are aware that there are budgetary constraints but, again, it is a question of balancing. We need to invest in projects that will quickly earn us returns.

Sir, lastly, let me talk about the men and women who retired in 2010, 2011 and 2013 from all sectors of the Public Service, including the Judiciary and the Teaching Service. I strongly believe that there are certain infrastructure developments that can be put on hold so that we can channel the funds to the amelioration of the standard of living of the people who rendered their services to this country, but have been made destitute. So, I appeal to Her Honour the Vice-President, as a mother, to look into this matter. When one sees these people, one sympathises with them, which should not be the case in a democratic country like ours. Governments are there ...

Rev. Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha: Christian nation.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: ... to look after those who are marginalised, but we make those who are already strong stronger and there is nothing that the people can do. They cannot riot like the youth, who have the energy for it. So, all they do is mourn. In fact, most of them have died. Surely, that is not something that we must allow.

Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to say a few words on how we will utilise our time in our constituencies.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mpundu (Nchelenge): Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to debate the adjournment Motion of the Third and final Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly. Let me hasten to mention that I support the Motion.

Sir, Parliament debated reports of your Committees, which were presented to this House on this Floor and many key issues on completed or ongoing developmental processes were reported, most of them in the affirmative.

Mr Speaker, in the agricultural sector, we heard from the Committee on Agriculture that the fisheries policy framework was already in place and covered the 2014 to 2018 period. To that effect, His Excellency the President has committed $50 million to the development of the aquacultural sub-sector of the fisheries sector in this country. So, those who are seized with this opportunity should just go to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to find out how they can access the $50 million so that they can help this country to reduce on the importation of fish from the orient, particularly China. The hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development, in support of the report, and in response to the questions that have been asked on the Floor of the House, indicated that this Government was expanding the scope of financing agricultural activities in the country and, particularly, the pursuit of the diversification strategy. To that effect, he indicated that a lot of money was available in his ministry.

Sir, for purposes of diversifying agriculture, we were reliably informed that many opportunities will arise from the voucher system that the Government would implement this year. The voucher system would not only fund the growing of traditional crops, but also all sorts of activities in the sector.

Sir, the Report of the Committee on Education and Science addressed the establishment of the Higher Education Authority (HEA), and we were reliably informed by the hon. Minister that the establishment of the HEA had already commenced and staff positions in the authority had been advertised so that the authority could become operational. So, we are assured that the Government is geared to provide quality tertiary education in our country.

Mr Speaker, the Report of the Committee on Youth and Sport was very clear on the Government’s disbursement of the money allocated to the ministry. For example, from 2011 to 2013, it disbursed all the money allocated to the relevant ministry in the Yellow Book, totalling more than K60 million. That was a very good achievement by this Government.

Sir, many Bills were presented to this House by the Executive to address many issues on moving this country forward. Currently, many are at various stages of the legislative process. For example, the Mines and Minerals Bill, Zambia Wildlife Bill, the National Pension Scheme Authority (Amendment) Bill and the Local Authorities Superannuation Fund (Amendment) Bill. So, this administration is bringing more clarity to the implementation of programmes and fulfilment of the promises it made to the people on taking over Government in 2011.

Mr Speaker, as I go to my constituency, just like everybody else, I will tell the people about the developmental projects that have been implemented there and elsewhere. For example, on 26th July, 2015, the President launched the 48th Marine Unit of the Zambia Army in Nchelenge. This means that this country’s maritime security capabilities have been enhanced. Also, a dredger has been bought and delivered to Nchelenge, although it is not yet operational. I will tell the people of Nchelenge about what the Government has done. We are now assured that the dredgers will clear our water ways. Elsewhere, for example, in Gwembe, Mulobezi and Chama, the Government is building modern district hospitals. The people of Nchelenge ought to know about these developments, too.

Sir, this Government remains committed to the assurances that it has given and the many programmes that it has started. I am very hopeful it will achieve so much more by the time we get to 2016.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to debate the Motion. I also promise that I will try to be brief.

Sir, I support Her Honour the Vice-President’s adjournment Motion because it will enable us to leave for our respective constituencies. Being my traditional cousin, I want to tell her that she is dressed in a Valentine’s Day style. So, …

Laughter

Mr Muntanga: … it is a very good surprise. I did not know that Westerners can change because, on the other side, she looks like she is from Swaziland.

Laughter

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, as we adjourn, I want to remind our friends, the hon. Ministers and Deputy Ministers to use the recess to serve the people of Zambia. We, Opposition hon. Members, will try as much as possible to inform you on what needs to be done by the Government in our constituencies and the country, as a whole. We should avoid raising controversies just because we think that we can do anything we please when on recess. Let us use this period to do things that will lay the foundation for a fruitful sitting when we come back. There should be serious business on the part of Government when we return.

Sir, I want to remind the hon. Minister of Health that the second phase of the hospital under construction in Kalomo should be completed. I, therefore, suggest that the contractor currently working on this hospital be not re-engaged for the Phase II because he is giving me problems. We started constructing the hospital at the same time as the construction of the one in Chinsali, Muchinga Province. As I speak, the one in Chinsali has been completed while ours is still pending completion. So, in order for us to make progress, it will be wise for the Government not to continue with the current contractor. Additionally, the Government should not delay in releasing funds for the project. It is surprising that this Government has only paid 20 per cent of the job done, yet the money is there.

Sir, the other issue is on the inspection of projects. It is not good to inspect projects from Lusaka because that might not give you the true picture of what is on the ground. I, therefore, appeal to Her Honour the Vice-President to spend time with her hon. Ministers so that she knows who is working and who is not. It is also important to monitor them when they claim to go on inspection tours of some projects so that she knows whether they are really going to inspect the projects or not. It is for this reason that I appeal to my brother-in-law to include Kalomo on his tours, unlike the current situation whereby he is always in Mansa monitoring projects. We need him to ensure that the hospital under construction in Kalomo gets completed. If that project is not completed in time, I will not spare him in the next sitting.

Mr Speaker, I also appeal to the hon. Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication, who is my good friend, to stop giving false promises on the rehabilitation of roads and bridges. We want to see actual works being done. We do not want to come back in October and start talking about the same things. We want to use this time to serve the people of Zambia. I also hope that Her Honour the Vice-President will use her influence to minimise the holding of by-elections because we are getting tired of them. I have just been informed that another seat has been nullified, which simply means that we will go for another by-election. How many has the Patriotic Front (PF) caused since it was voted into office? This is one Parliament in which we have had a mini general election. If we count the number of by-elections we have had since the PF came into power, they amount to a mini general election. How is it possible for a Ruling Party to contest the results of seventy constituencies? The resulting by-elections have cost the country a lot of money and lead to the suffering of almost the whole country because we are failing to concentrate on anything else.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs is not in the House. I would have loved him to hear me say that police officers should be professional in the way they carry out their duties. We want the people who shot at our party members in Mulobezi to be arrested and prosecuted so that the improper use of guns is stopped once and for all. We will not let that vice go on like and we will not care whoever is involved. If it was the Secretary-General (SG) of the Ruling Party who was behind the shooting in Mulobezi, he should be arrested. Otherwise, we will not stop talking about it. If you fail to take action here, we go and seek justice from somewhere else, including from the International Criminal Court (ICC), because we cannot allow such a thing to continue. In one of the incidents, three people were shot at, yet the police is failing to act because a District Commissioner (DC) was involved. We will soon have another by-election. If no action is taken on those cases, what do you think will happen to the future by-elections? Obviously, the situation might get out of hand.

Mr Speaker, when the PF was in the Opposition, its members did not like the use of helicopters and wondered why the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) officials were fond of using them. Surprisingly, they are now the ones in the habit of using the planes too much during by-elections. If anything, they are worse because they abuse Zambia Air Force (ZAF) planes.

Hon. Government Members: You are jealous.

Mr Muntanga: We are not jealous. We are simply telling you that the money you are using is not yours. It is public money. I would like to emphasise on the need to be prudent in the way we use the resources of this country. The PF members use choppers for simple things like filing-in of nominations. We asked how much it costs to fly by a chopper from Lusaka to Kasama and we were told that it is K139,000. How many times do PF members fly to Kasama and whose money are they using? Where has the party got the money that it did not have when it was in the Opposition? Does the sudden extravagant use of money indicate that the party has now embraced corruption? Let us be prudent in what we do. It is also important for all of us to go and serve our constituencies so that, when we come back, we will be able to say that things in our constituencies are okay.

Mr Speaker, as I support this Motion, I appeal to the hon. Minister of Finance to sign the contract for the tarring of Kalomo Road. I know that he has just borrowed money on behalf of the Government. Therefore, I need some of the money for projects in Kalomo. It is important that the Government works on the 11 km stretch, as promised. So, before I leave for Kalomo, I will make sure that he signs the contract.

Laughter

Mr Muntanga: Why should he not sign when he has been signing for others elsewhere?

Mr Speaker, finally, I thank you again for allowing me to remind my friends on your right that we have a job to do and must deliver to the people of Zambia because they have many problems and expect solutions from us.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Scott (Lusaka Central): Mr Speaker, although this has largely been a listening session for me, there are one or two things that I have grasped that have, maybe, not been very firmly grasped in some people’s minds.

Sir, the first issue is the devaluation of our currency against the major international currencies, particularly the United States (US) Dollar, which has come up repeatedly in questions to Her Honour the Vice-President and the hon. Minister of Finance.

Mr Speaker, if I were a peasant farmer or a farmer of any sort, today, I would be dancing in the fields. The hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Mr Given Lubinda, told us yesterday that the free market price for maize was as higher as K65 per bag in certain places. The reason he was able to say that is because the dollar price of maize in the region is currently between US$180 and US$200 a tonne, which is about US$9 a bag. So, if you multiply that by the exchange rate of about K7.70 per US Dollar, you end up with the K65 that the hon. Minister talked about. If we had succeeded in stabilising the Kwacha at, let us say, K5 to a Dollar, the price would have been only K45 for a bag. If we went back to the days of the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and the fiscal regime of the Dr Mwanawasa Presidency, a farmer would have got K27 for a bag of maize. So, the depreciation of the Kwacha has been a windfall for producers and a blessing from heaven.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Scott: Sir, we who run on fixed salaries and worry about the cost of living are the ones who are worried about the depreciation of the Kwacha while the people who vote for us in the rural areas are benefiting. Depreciation does not destroy money, but merely transposes it around the place.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Scott: It takes money from towns and puts it in the bush. In other words, it takes money away from the centres of consumption and gives it to the people who produce for a profit. All hon. Members need to understand this so that, when they go back to their constituencies, they can explain things to the farmers. We have had occasions when the exchange rate has changed, but the traders, smallholder operators and out-grower operators have not been fair to explain to the people the significance of the changes in the exchange rates or devaluation to their earnings.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mushanga: Ema economists aya!

Dr Scott: Mr Speaker, it is important for farmers to understand exactly what this is about. They do not understand and they just say that the Kwacha is weak. Would they prefer ten weak Kwachas or five strong ones? They all look the same and do the same job. That is something I worry about every time we get to the question of what we are doing about production. The market is trying to sort the problem of production now and we are trying to find the cure for over-valuation and bring about under-valuation using interest rates and similar things. I know that the hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry is wondering who is afraid of borrowing money. I am terrified of borrowing money, madam, because I have many friends whose farms now belong to Barclays Bank because they borrowed at 12 per cent interest and ended up paying 30 per cent and handing over the farm.

Mr Speaker, I think that we need to get the economic policies of this Government right so that the producers get their hands on the best financing facilities most money because they are the ones who have a job to do. We, in town, should, as the Chinese say, learn to eat bitterness before we taste sweetness, which sounds like the United National Independence Party (UNIP) slogan, ‘Sweat before sweet’, but we have to learn that if we are to produce our way out of this problem of only producing copper. If our agenda is to grow, we have to do it by foregoing what we are eating now. It means that a person who used to go shopping in Johannesburg six times a year would have to reduce that to three times a year. That is the scale of sacrifice for some people. It is a very small matter. So, people who think there is some evil force, some inkalamu yakutuma, out there, ...

Laughter

Dr Scott: ... that is coming to fix us, the people, ...

Mr Muntanga: What is it?

Mr Speaker: I did not get you, hon. Member for Lusaka Central Parliamentary Constituency.

Dr Scott: Mr Speaker, in my funny Bemba, I said inkalamu yakutuma, which means a lion with an agenda or lion with orders.

Laughter

Dr Scott: Sir, it usually has orders to do harm. In fact, its orders are invariably to do harm. I am sorry if have contravened the Witchcraft Act to talk about such things, but I do not believe I did.

Sir, talking of lions, it is a pity that the hon. Minister of Tourism and Art has just walked out. There has been a huge scandal this week about the killing of a lion in Zimbabwe named Cecil, presumably after Cecil Rhodes, by an American dentist. The dentist cannot get into his clinic anymore because children have put cuddly toys of lions, leopards and rabbits around his place with captions like, “Do not come here or you will be shot by the dentist.” There is also a serious international campaign against countries that allow the killing of lions.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Dr Scott: The airlines are starting to get dragged into it, and we should take care that we do not associate ourselves with the people who are being identified as friends of killers or anti-conservationists. We should be aware of the way people see us as well as be careful for our money. By the way, there is a very good book, which I can e-mail to anybody who wants it, titled, Eastern Tigers and African Lions, about the economic differences between the Asian Tigers, that is, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan, which have achieved tremendous economic growth and taken themselves from the stone age to the space age in one big leap, and the African Lions, which can peak. A few African countries like Zambia have enjoyed a bit of growth, but the growth has largely been driven by external factors like the copper and natural resources markets. We want to see something in Africa, and there is a difference in our approach to foreign exchange and country management, generally. Interest rates management is neither a psychological nor cultural thing, but a question of understanding the dynamics of the economy, which is quite a complex matter. So, I urge us to become producers. Who knows, we may even have a runaway victory in the next election, instead of making excuses every two minutes and lamenting that the Kwacha has depreciated by 1 Ngwee.

Laughter

Dr Scott: Mr Speaker, with those few words, I rest my case and I support the good lady’s Motion.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, I will try to be very brief as I, too, rise to support the Motion on the Floor of the House moved by Her Honour the Vice-President.

Sir, to start with, let me commend His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for taking the very big step of entrusting a woman with the second highest position in the land.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, for a long time, women have shown leadership skills and capacity. However, President Lungu’s predecessors before, did not believe that women could live up to expectations in the position in which Hon. Inonge Wina now serves. So, for this trust that President Lungu has shown in us, women, we are very grateful to him. I have no doubt that the first female Vice-President of this country will have the support of all women and that she will not betray our confidence in her, as is already evident.

Mr Speaker, we are adjourning today to go back to our constituencies and talk to our people about what we have done in the last thirty days or so. We are happy to be adjourning today, but there are many disappointments that I have noted about which I may not proudly tell the people of Mafinga. One of the issues that have worried me is that of the Government rushing Bills to this House without first consulting stakeholders adequately, and the House has not taken enough interest in scrutinising the provisions of the Bills.

Sir, some of the Bills that this House has passed or are at the Committee stage, have very far-reaching consequences on economic development, yet the House or its Committees have not taken time to consult the stakeholders for their perspective. I have in mind the two Bills presented by the hon. Minister of Tourism and Art and one by the hon. Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. In the Zambia Wildlife (Amendment) Bill of 2015, the hon. Minister proposed the disbandment of the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) and the transfer of its functions to the Ministry of Tourism and Art. However, we have ceded power from the same ministry to a board that we have now created with more power. To me, it appears that the Government has no clear policy on what it wants to do. In one vein, we are disbanding statutory institutions because we feel that they are not serving the purpose for which they were created, in another, we are creating other statutory institutions and giving them even more power.

Mr Speaker, this House has a duty to guide the Government when a Bill is presented. We have to listen to the stakeholders and ensure that the records of Parliament show when a particular Bill is objected to in the House. On the Tourism and Hospitality Bill, 2015, very few stakeholders made submissions to the Committee, yet the Committee still brought a report to the House, albeit with lamentations that the key stakeholders had not attended its meetings.

Mr Speaker, my concern is that, when we enact a law in this House, it will be used in the wider society to guide citizens. To some extent, the Bill even disempowered citizens. So, I would like to see this august House, in future, to take the legislative mandate it has been given seriously. We should not just gloss over Bills, especially since they now go through the Committees of Parliament. The fact that the Opposition does not have a numerical advantage in the House should not make us feel that we cannot argue with the Government when it proposes bad laws, especially when we do it in the public interest. Even if it a debate has to be put to the vote and we know that we would lose, let us lose on principle. Although we do not have the numbers, the message will go out there that we have done our duty as hon. Members of Parliament.

Mr Speaker, yesterday, when the hon. Minister of Justice was answering a question on the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, 2015, which is supposed to be presented to this House, I lamented that this House is politically biased and my fears stand even today. After we adjourn, I hope that we will take time to reflect on why we are here. We are here to represent the people of Zambia who elected us to this House, not our political parties. Those people need a new Constitution. Therefore, let us give it to them when the time comes.

Mr Speaker, I know that we do not have much time, but let me discuss the issue of unfinished projects. When you go out to the rural areas, you find one unfinished projects scattered all over the place, with new ones coming up all the time. We have lamented this situation and asked the Government to finish pending projects before embarking on new ones. An example is the Isoka/Muyombe Road, which was started in 2011. To this day, we are still talking about the need to complete its construction. However, the Government just keeps changing contractors for the project. What is the point of starting new projects before finishing the old ones when the people expect some of the projects to be completed before we go back to campaign for the 2016 General Elections. The Patriotic Front (PF) should be able to point to some finished projects when that time comes to ask the people to vote for it. Finishing the Isoka/Muyombe Road would be a good example. If our colleagues on your right do that, the people will vote for them. If, however, they tell the people that they will only finish the projects after the 2016 General Elections, people will not trust them enough to vote for them. The PF Government actually inherited some of the projects. So, it needs to finish them as soon as possible.

Mr Speaker, we are now dangerously nearing the pre-Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) completion point debt levels. The hon. Minister of Finance, Mr Eurobond, is not here now.

Laughter

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, I do not think it is fair to christen the hon. Minister of Finance with that name and I will not sanction it by keeping silent. He is the hon. Minister of Finance, period. So, withdraw that phrase.

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, I withdraw the phrase ‘Mr Eurobond’.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, some of us are very worried that the hon. Minister of Finance continually tries to justify borrowing to finance Government projects at very high interest rates. The reason we are worried is that the Government does not tell us how it intends to prudently utilise the resources it borrows. We are not even told that the Government will seal the Budget leaks we have been experiencing through corruption and abuse of resources by Public Service workers or that it will cut unnecessary expenditure, as a way to free resources for the projects that it has embarked on. We see a situation in which excesses are allowed, unnecessary expenditure incurred and Public Service workers allowed to get away with abuse of the meagre resources, yet the hon. Minister of Finance runs to borrow money. This is our worry for us. Even at the domestic level, one cannot go to a neighbour to borrow before looking at what is available in the home and trying to ration it. Instead of prudently utilising what we have, the Government is very happy with the country’s external debt reaching US$6 billion, just ten years after we reached the HIPC completion point.

Mr Speaker, I have heard the argument that we need the resources to complete projects like the roads and clinics that I want completed in Mafinga. However, even using the resources we have, we can complete the projects if we cut on wastage, which we are not doing currently. Do we really need to spend the way we are spending? Whenever the Budget is passed in this House, money is allocated for awards and compensation, which is money paid to people who win claims against the Government. Why does the Ministry of Justice fail to defend the Government and judgments entered against the State in default? Can we not recruit enough legal officers to defend the Government? Millions of Kwacha are paid out in compensations. If you look in the Yellow Book, sometimes, as much as K200 million is allocated for this purpose, which is why, at the end of the year, our revenues are not sufficient to finance the National Budget. Colossal sums of money are paid simply because the Government is not organised enough to defend itself.

Mr Speaker, as I wind up, I want to ask a few questions. Next year, we will hold General Elections in which the PF needs to defend its position as the Ruling Party. I hope my colleagues on your right will be able to do that. However, what will their legacy be?

Mr Livune: Yes.

Ms Namugala: What will they say to the people in Kabwe who have been waiting for the opening of the Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles Joint Venture (ZCMT) to be opened? What will their legacy be on this matter? What will they stand on as they campaign next year? What will they tell the people who continually ask why the price of fuel is higher than in any other country in our region? They should tell us how they procure fuel. We hear that there are many kick-backs along the way. Yes, we want to support the Government of the day, but the people want answers. Who procures fuel for the country?

Mr Muntanga: Ehe!

Ms Namugala: Why are they insisting on using the same contractors that they accused of being corrupt when the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) was in power?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: If they were corrupt then, are they not corrupt now?

Mr Muntanga: They are corrupt.

Ms Namugala: I argue that they are corrupt even now. Those are the questions the people will ask and, if you do not give them satisfactory answers, they will conclude that it is just your time to eat.

Mr Muntanga: Ah!

Hon. Opposition Members: Sure!

Ms Namugala: Yes. That is the point because there is no difference, hon. Minister of Tourism and Art. The promise …

Ms Kapata: No, no. On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Let us proceed in this fashion, hon. Member for Mafinga.

Ms Kapata: Do not provoke me.

Mr Speaker: You were winding up quite well. Please, do not draw anybody into the debate. We avoid debating ourselves always for the same reasons.

Please, wind up your debate.

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, the proximity between the hon. Minister of Tourism and Art and myself …

Hon. Members: Which one?

Ms Namugala: ... makes me hear the running commentaries.

Ms Kapata: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: No, no, ...

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, she has no right to speak like that about me.

Mr Speaker: I am still on the Floor.

Hon. Member for Mafinga, I do not even understand what you mean by proximity. Are you referring to physical proximity or some other form of proximity? Anyway, whatever it is you are referring to, please, keep your fellow hon. Members out of your debate. Just discuss issues. I think you have done quite well so far.

You may continue.

Mr Muntanga: Faka pressure.

Mr Speaker: Let us not have a dialogue on this issue.

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, I have said it in the past, and I will say it now, …

Mr Nkombo: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune: Yes!

Ms Namugala: … that I am I am a sympathiser of the PF. I am on record.

Mr Muntanga: Yes.

Ms Namugala: However, I have a duty, as a Zambian citizen, …

Mr Muntanga: Ehe!

Ms Namugala: … to point out where I feel the party is not doing well.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, I have a duty to say that, four years after getting into power, the PF shows no sense of urgency in the way it does things. It works at the same pace, if not slower, as the MMD during its last year in the Government.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: That is the point I am making, Mr Speaker.

Mr Muntanga: Yes.

Ms Namugala: The speed and energy with which it campaigned before 2011 is no longer there.

Mr Muntanga: Ehe!

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: Where is the fire?

Mr Ndalamei: It was washed out.

Ms Namugala: Where is the determination to change our lives? What has happened to the energy levels? What has happened?

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left.

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, this is the issue that I am bringing out. I mean well for the PF because, when it performs well, the people of Mafinga will be better off.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: I want to jostle the PF to action …

Mr Muntanga: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: … because, so far, I have very little to tell the people of Mafinga.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: The construction of buildings in my constituency has been completed in most cases. The Civic Centre has been ready for more than a year, but we have no access to it and the structure is now deteriorating because the contractor has not been paid and has refused to hand over the building.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: PF.

Ms Namugala: So, surely, if I do not mention things like these, then, what I am doing?

Mr Muntanga: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: There is no point in my coming here and, then, fearing to mention these things to the PF because these issues on the ground that will make it win or lose next year.

Mr Muntanga: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, we know what the issue of borrowing means to our people. Servicing the debts will prevent us from providing the social services that we ordinarily should to the people of Muchinga Province because it will consume most of our money. Yes, there is debt-sustainability, but the World Bank has told us that we have reached dangerous levels.

Mr Muntanga: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, we cannot continue to justify this reckless borrowing.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, before I yield the Floor, let me ask the PF what it will be remembered for …

Mr Muntanga: Ehe!

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: … in 2016. That is the question I want to leave with Her Honour the Vice-President who, I am very sure, is listening and, as we adjourn, will reflect on the issues that I have raised.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: What will the legacy of the PF be in 2016?

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, it has been refreshing to listen to the hon. Members of Parliament because their contributions have been very constructive. However, I do not think that I am able to enumerate them. So, I just comment on a few.

Sir, seven hon. Members have contributed to the Motion, namely, Hon. Nkombo, Mazabuka Central; Hon. Imenda, Luena; Hon. Brig-Gen. Dr. Chituwo, Mumbwa; Hon. Mpundu, Nchelenge; Hon. Muntanga, Kalomo Central; Hon. Dr. Guy Scott, Lusaka Central; and Hon. Namugala, Mafinga.

Mr Speaker, one of the hon. Members referred to man-made and natural calamities. That was a wake-up call for the whole country to realise that climate change is on us and that its effects should be tackled by the whole country.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Continue, your Honour the Vice-President.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the Government, through the DMMU, emphasises disaster risk reduction and preparedness so that our people are resilient to natural and, sometimes, man-made calamities.

Mr Speaker, let me correct some sentiments that Hon. Imenda expressed regarding the issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs). The issuance of the NRCs will now take place at polling centres instead of the district or provincial centres. That is meant to give a chance to our people to obtain the NRCs at a point nearest from their dwelling places. The duration of the exercise is one month per province and polling station. So, the majority of Zambians who do not have the NRCs will have an opportunity to obtain them.

Mr Speaker, the encroachment of people on game management areas (GMAs) is a matter of national concern because all of us want to see or conserve wild animals. So, I urge the hon. Members of Parliament to help the Government to sensitise their people on the dangers of encroaching on GMAs. It will make things easier if we find resettlement centres for communities that have decided to settle in GMAs so that we avoid human-animal conflict and prevent the depletion of our natural resources. Killing lions is a big issue with repercussions on the conservation of nature, which we all subscribe to. Definitely, the issues of wildlife in Zambia will be tackled in the new Bill that has just been passed.

Mr Speaker, the holding of regular by-elections is not a creation of the Patriotic Front (PF). So long as the Constitution does not change the provision on holding by-elections, the situation will continue to be with us and cost us money. No one likes it, but it is up to us, as a people, to decide on the way forward. We should educate ourselves on how to minimise malpractices during elections.

Mr Speaker, we have taken note of the concern over the rushing of Bills to Parliament without exhaustive consultations.

Mr Speaker, I urge the hon. Members of Parliament, as they move around their constituencies, to identify young people who can be mentored into future leaders. We need to pass the baton to some of the young people who aspire to be politicians. Perhaps, this message is for hon. Members who have been in this House for the last twenty or twenty-five years.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), I urge hon. Members to support rural women, the youth and persons with disabilities in their economic activities.

Mr Speaker, finally, I look forward to hon. Members coming back to the House with refreshed minds and vigour ...

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: ... to debate in a manner that will help the Executive to address matters of national interest with diligence.

Mr Speaker, with those few words, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Question put and agreed to.

__________

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER

LUNCH ARRANGEMENTS

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, the following arrangements have been made regarding lunch today. We will break for lunch from 1300 hours to 1415 hours. The House will resume business at exactly 1430 hours. Hon. Members will have their lunch in the restaurant, here at Parliament Buildings, while members of staff and ministry officials will have their lunch at the Members’ Motel. The lunch will be provided courtesy of the Office of Mr Speaker. The transport to and from the Members’ Motel will be provided from the main entrance to the main building.

Hon. Members are advised to be punctual in coming back from the lunch break. To that effect, I request all the party Whips to ensure that we have a quorum at 1430 hours.

I thank you.

__________

BILLS

HOUSE IN COMMITTEE

[THE CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the
Chair]

THE MINES AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT BILL, 2015

Clause 1, 2, 3 and 4 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 5 – (Directors and other officers)

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mukanga) (on behalf of the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Yaluma)): Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 5, on page 18, in line 5 by the deletion of the of the words “licensing and”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 5, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 6 – (Mining Licensing Committee)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 6 as follows:

(a) on Page 18, in lines 34 and 35 by the deletion of paragraph (d); and

(b) on Page 19:

(i) in line 1 by the renumbering of paragraph (e) as paragraph (d) and the deletion of the words “and the Directors”;

(ii) in line 8 by the insertion of the words “who shall be secretary” after the word “Cadastre”;

(iii) in line 15 by the deletion of the word “and”;

(iv) in line 16 by the deletion of the full stop and the substitution therefor of a semi-colon and the word “and”; and

(v) after line 16 by the insertion of the following new subparagraph:
“(iii) the Engineering Institution of Zambia.”

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 6, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 15 – (Priority of applications for mining rights)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 15, on page 24, in lines 18 and 19, by the deletion of the words “Director of Mining Cadastre” and the substitution therefor of the word “Committee”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 15, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 16 and 17 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 18 – (Survey of land)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 18, on Page 25:

(a) in lines 10 to 17, by the deletion of subsection (1) and the substitution therefor of the following:

“(1) An applicant for a mining licence shall submit to the Mining Cadastre Office, at the time of application, the proposed positions of all beacons defining the location and extent of the land under application”;

(b) in line 18 by the deletion of the words “an exploration licence” and the substitution therefor of the words “a mining right”; and

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 18, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 19 – (Bids)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 19, on page 26:

(a) in line 17, by the deletion of the words “Minister and the Director of Mining Cadastre” and the substitution therefor of the word “Committee”; and

(b) in line 20, by the deletion of the words “Director of Mining Cadastre” and the substitution therefor of the word “Committee”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 19, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 20 – (Preference for Zambian products, contractors and services and employment of citizens)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 20:

(a) on page 26,

(i) in line 26 by the deletion of the words “and installation” and the substitution therefor of a comma and the words “installation and decommissioning”; and

(ii) in line 29 by the insertion after the word “contractors” of a comma and the word “suppliers”; and

(b) on page 27, in line 2, by the deletion of the words “to the Committee”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.
Clause 20, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 21 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 22 – (Consideration of application for exploration licence)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 22, on page 28, in line 10, by the deletion of the words “Director of Mining Cadastre” and the substitution therefor of the word “to the Committee”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 22, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 28 – (Closure of area to priority licensing)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 28, on page 32, in line 34 by the deletion of the word “exploration” and the substitution therefor of the words “priority licensing”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 28, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 29 and 30 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 31 – (Consideration of application for mining licence)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 31, on Page 34:
(a) in line 22 by the deletion of the word “and”;

(b) in line 24, by the:

(i) insertion after the word “citizens” of the words “and promotion of local business development”; and

(ii) deletion, after the semi-colon, of the word “and”; and

“(iii) whether the applicant’s feasibility study report is bankable”; and

“(iv) the applicant’s capital investments forecast and”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 31, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 32 – (Mining licence)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 32, on page 36, by the deletion of the words “one hundred and eighty” and the substitution therefor of the word “ninety”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 32, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 42 – (Application for and grant of gold panning certificate)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 42, on page 43:

(a) after line 3 by the insertion of the following new sub-section:

“(5) A gold planning certificate shall not be issued in respect of an area over which there is a subsisting mining right or mineral processing licence.”; and

(b) in Line 4, by the renumbering of subsection (5) as subsection (6).

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 42, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 and 51 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 52 – (Restrictions of rights of entry by holder of licence or permit)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 52, on page 47, in line 24, by the insertion after the word “village” of the words “or other land under customary tenure”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 52, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 and 66 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 67 – (Transfer of control of company)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 67, on page 55, in lines 1 and 5, by the deletion of the words “Director of Mining Cadastre” and the substitution therefor of the word “Minister”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 67, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 68 – (Alteration of exploration or mining)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 68:

(a) on page 55, in line 22, by the deletion of the words “Director of Mining Cadastre” and the substitution therefor of the word “Committee”; and

(b) on page 56, in lines 1 and 4, by the deletion of the words “Director of Mining Cadastre” and the substitution therefor of the word “Committee”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 68, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 69 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 70 – (Abandonment of land subject to mining or non-mining right)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 70, on page 57, in line 6, by the deletion of the words “either unconditionally or”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 70, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 71 – (Surrender of mining or non-mining rights)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 71, on page 57:

(a) in the marginal note by the deletion of the words “or non-mining right” and the substitution therefor of the words “right or mineral processing licence”;

(b) in line 29 by the insertion after the word “right” of the words “or licence”; and

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 71, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Business was suspended from 1255 hours until 1430 hours.

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON in the Chair]

CLAUSE 71 – (Surrender of mining or non-mining right)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 71, on page 57:

(a) in the marginal note by the deletion of the words “or non-mining right” and the substitution therefor of the words “right or mineral processing licence”;

(b) in line 29 by the insertion after the word “right” of the words “or licence”; and

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 71, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 72 – (Suspension or revocation of mining or non-mining right)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 72, on page 59, in line 9, by the deletion of the word “Committee” and the substitution therefor of the words “Director of Mining Cadastre”

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 72, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 73 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 74 – (Management of assets on suspension, abandonment or revocation of mining right or mineral processing licence)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 74:

(a) on page 60:

(i) in lines 3 and 4 by the deletion of the words “Mining Cadastre” and the substitution therefor of the word “Mines”; and

(ii) in line 21 by the insertion after the digit “(2)” of the words “and after consultation with the Director of Mines Safety”; and

(b) on page 61, in line 2, by the deletion of the words “or non-mining right” and the substitution therefor of the words “right or mineral processing licence”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 74, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 75, 76, 77, 78 and 79 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 80 – (Consideration of environment and human health when granting mining rights or mineral processing licences)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 80, on page 64, in line 14, by the deletion of the words “Director of Mining and Cadastre” and the substitution therefor of the word “Committee”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 80, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 86 – (Environmental Protection Fund)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 86, on page 67, in line 30, by the deletion of the words “this section” and the substitution therefor of the words “Paragraph (b) of the subsection (2) of the section eighty-one”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 86, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 and 96 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 97 – (Appeals against decision of Directors)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 97, on page 74

(a) in line 2 by the insertion of a comma after the words “Director of Mines”;

(b) in line 3 by:

(i) the deletion of the word “or”; and

(ii) the insertion after the word “Survey” of the words “or the Committee”;

(d) in lines 8 and 9 by the deletion of subsection (3);

(e) in line 10 by:

(i) the renumbering of subsection (4) as subsection (3); and

(ii) the deletion of the word “Committee” and the substitution therefor of the word “Minister”;

(f) in line 12:

(i) by the insertion of a comma after the words “Director of Mines”; and

(ii) by the deletion of the word “or” after the words “Director of Mines”

(g) in line 13:

(i) by the deletion of the word “Committee” and the substitution therefor of the word “Minister”; and

(ii) by the insertion before the words “as the” of the words “or the Committee”;

(h) in line 14 by the insertion after the word “concerned” of the words “or the Committee”;

(i) in line 15 by the renumbering of subsection (5) as subsection (4);

(j) in line 16 by the deletion of the word “Committee” and the substitution therefor of the word “Minister”; and

(k) in line 17 by the deletion of the word “Committee” and the substitution therefor of the word “Minister”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 97, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 and 118 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 119 – (Regulations)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 119, on page 82:

(a) in line 7 by the insertion, after the word “decommissioning”, of the word “and”; and

(b) by the deletion of the word “exploration” and the substitution therefor of the word “exportation”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 119, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 120 and 121 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Schedule ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Title agreed to.

THE GOLD TRADE (REPEAL) BILL, 2015

Clauses 1, 2 and 3 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Title agreed to.

THE TOURISM AND HOSPITAL BILL, 2015

Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 2 – (Interpretation)

The Minister of Tourism and Art (Ms Kapata): Mr Chairperson, I beg to move amendments in Clause 2

(a) on page 11, in line 6, by the deletion of the word “Board” and the substitution therefor of the word “Minister”; and

(b) on page 16,

(i) in line 25 by the deletion of the word “person” and the substitution therefor of the word “visitor”; and

(ii) in line 26 by the deletion of the word “person’s” and the substitution therefor of the word “visitor’s”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 2, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 3 – (General power of Minister for Tourism development)

Ms Kapata: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 3

(a) on page 19, in line 23, by the insertion of the words “the development of” immediately after the word “promote”; and

(b) on page 20,

(i) in line 70, by the insertion of the words “related to tourism, arts and culture” immediately after the word “rights”; and

(ii) after line 18, by the insertion of the following new sub-section:

“(5) The Ministry responsible for tourism shall ensure that a strategic environmental assessment is conducted for tourism development activities in line with the Environmental Management Act, 2011.”

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 3, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 13 – (Relations and cooperation with regulatory agencies and other authorities)

Ms Kapata: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 13, page 28, in line 12, by the deletion of the word “for” and the substitution therefor of the word “of”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 13, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 14 – (Board of Agency)

Ms Kapata: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 14, on page 29, in line 21, by the deletion of the word “three” and the substitution therefor of the word “two”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 14, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 15 – (Function of Board)

Ms Kapata: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 15, on page 31,

(a) in line 5 and 25, by the deletion of subsection (1) and the substitution therefor of the following subsection;

“(1) Subject to other provisions of this Act, the Board shall provide strategic policy direction to the Agency”;

(b) after line 30, by the insertion of the following new paragraphs:

“(d) administer the licensing of tourism enterprises”;

“(e) classify and grade accommodation establishments”; and

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 15, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 25 – (Conditions for grant of licence or certificate for accommodation establishment)

Ms Kapata: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in clause 25, on page 35, in line 9,

(a) by the deletion of the words “Town and Country Planning Act” and the substitution therefor of the words “Urban and Regional Planning Act, 2015”; and

(b) by the deletion of “Cap 283” in the marginal note and the substitution therefor of “Act No: …. of 2015”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 25, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 26, 27 and 28 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 29 – (Conditions of licence and obligation of licensee)

Ms Kapata: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in clause 29, on page 37, in line 1 and 2, by the deletion of the words “a project brief or environmental impact assessment” and the substitution therefor of the words “an environmental assessment report”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 29, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52 and 53 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 54 – (Service charge and tips)

Ms Kapata: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 54, on page 47, in line 2, by the insertion of the word “food” and a comma immediately before the word “beverages”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 54, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 55 and 56 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 57 – (Proceeding of council)

Ms Kapata: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 57, on page 49, in line 21, by the deletion of the word “Board” and the substitution therefor of the word “Council”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 57, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80 and 81 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Schedules ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Title agreed to.

THE ZAMBIA WILDLIFE BILL, 2015

Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62 and 63 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 64 − (Hunting in fenced and unfenced private wildlife estate)

Ms Kapata: Mr Chair person, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 64, on page 56:

(a) in line 28 by the deletion of the word “three” and the substitution therefor of the word “four”; and

(b) in line 29 by the deletion of the word “three” and the substitution therefor if the word “five”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 64, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 and 74 ordered to stand part for the Bill.

CLAUSE 75 – (Self-defence)

Ms Kapata: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 75, on page 61, in line 17, by the deletion of the word “forty-eight” and the substitution therefor of the word “twenty-four”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 75, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 76 – (Defence of Property)

Ms Kapata: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 76, on page 62, in line 17, by the deletion of the word “forty-eight” and the substitution therefor of the word “twenty-four”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 76, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 77 – (Game or protected animal killed through accident or error)

Ms Kapata: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 76, on page 62, in line 34, by the deletion of the word “forty-eight” and the substitution therefor of the word “twenty-four”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 77, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 78 – (Wounding of game animal or protected animal)

Ms Kapata: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 78, on page 63, in line 24 and 31, by the deletion of the word “forty-eight” and the substitution therefor of the word “twenty-four”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 78, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

That laughter on my right is infectious.

Clauses 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

First and Second Schedules ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Title agreed to.

______

HOUSE RESUMED

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

The following Bills were reported to the House as having passed through Committee with amendments:

The Mines and Minerals Development Bill, 2015
The Tourism and Hospitality Bill, 2015

The Zambia Wildlife Bill, 2015

Report Stages today.

The following Bill was reported to the House as having passed through Committee without amendments:

The Gold Trade (Repeal) Bill, 2015

Third Reading today.

REPORT STAGE

The Mines and Minerals Development Bill, 2015
The Tourism and Hospitality Bill, 2015

The Zambia Wildlife Bill, 2015

Reports adopted.

Third Readings today.

THIRD READING

The following Bills were read the third time and passed:

The Mines and Minerals Development Bill, 2015

The Gold Trade (Repeal) Bill, 2015

The Tourism and Hospitality Bill, 2015

The Zambia Wildlife Bill, 2015

The National Pension Scheme (Amendment) Bill, 2015

SECOND READING

THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (Amendment) BILL, 2015

(Debate resumed)

The Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, before I conclude, I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to alert the hon. Minister of Tourism and Art that, whilst we were considering the Zambia Wildlife Bill, 2015, there is some colleague from the east who complained that, “Manje aba bantu bafuna kugwira ise bamene tinkala pafupi na nyama,” ...

Laughter

Mr Kampyongo: ..., meaning that the ministry is just out to arrest those who live near wildlife.

Mr Speaker, yesterday, I almost finished putting across a point that had been echoed by Hon. Namugala, the Member for Mafinga. Let me re-emphasise that, after we adjourn, we really need to reflect on the responsibilities that have been placed on our shoulders by the people we represent. Our job description is very clear in the Republican Constitution. I also want to recognise and appreciate the unanimous support that was given to the hon. Minister of Justice over this Bill. It is my sincere hope that we will exhibit the same spirit in considering the national document, which is the new Constitution.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, let me wish all the citizens who will join us in celebrating the Ukusefya Pang’wena ceremony currently on-going in Kasama all the best. It is a very colourful ceremony that we have not had in a long time. His Excellency the President already attended the installation of Paramount Chief Chitimukulu and Her Honour the Vice-President will be there tomorrow. So, all are invited to Kasama to celebrate with the Bemba people of the North.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, I thank the Committee for scrutinising the Bill. I also thank all the hon. Members of this august House who contributed to the Bill. This is as it should be. We should all rise above partisan interests and put Zambia first. As I said earlier, this is neither a PF Constitution nor anybody else’s. It is for the Zambian people. I am happy with how everyone debated and the unanimous support that both sides of the House gave to the Bill. However, we would like to consult a little further. Therefore, I beg to defer the Bill to the next sitting.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Simbyakula: I thank you, Sir.

Question put and agreed to. Leave granted.

The debate on the Bill, by leave, accordingly deferred.

__________

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE

Her Honour the Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Sir, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn sine die.

Question put and agreed to

___________

The House accordingly adjourned sine die at 1533 hours on Friday, 31st July, 2015.

____________

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Debates - Friday, 31st July, 2015

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