Tuesday, 22nd September, 2015

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER
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ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MR SPEAKER

COMPOSITION OF STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE

Mr Speaker: In accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 150 (1), I have appointed the following hon. Members to constitute the Standing Orders Committee for the Fifth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly:

The Hon. Mr Speaker (Chairperson)
Her Honour the Vice-President, Mrs I. M. Wina, MP
The hon. Minister of Finance, Mr A. B.  Chikwanda, MP
The hon. Chief Whip and Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication, Mr Y. D. Mukanga, MP
Ms C. Namugala, MP
Mr W. Simuusa, MP
Mrs M. G. M. Imenda, MP
Mr H. H. Hamududu, MP

APPOINTMENT OF AN HON. MEMBER TO THE PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT

I wish to inform the House that following the nullification of the election of Mr Patrick Mucheleka as hon. Member of Parliament for Lubansenshi Parliamentary Constituency, Ms Dora Siliya, hon. Member of Parliament for Petauke Central, has been appointed to serve as a member of the Pan-African Parliament to replace Mr Mucheleka.

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BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, I rise to give the House some idea of the business it will consider this week.

Sir, as indicated on the Order Paper for today, 22nd September, 2015, the Business of the House will begin with Questions for Oral Answer. Thereafter, the House will commence the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency, the President’s Address, which was delivered last Friday.

Sir, tomorrow, Wednesday, 23rd September, 2015, the Business of the House will start with Questions for Oral Answer, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will deal with Private Members’ Motions, if there will be any. The House will, then, continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address.

Sir, on Thursday, 24th September, 2015, the Business of the House will commence with Questions for Oral Answer, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will, then, continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address.

Sir, on Friday, 25th September, 2015, the Business of the House will begin with Her Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time. This will be followed by questions to hon. Ministers, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider the Motion on the Composition of the Public Accounts Committee. Then, the House will continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address.

I thank you, Sir.

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

UPDATE ON THE POWER DEFICIT AND LOAD SHEDDING

The Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Yaluma): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me an opportunity to update the nation, through this august House, on the power deficit and load shedding situation in the country.

Mr Speaker, the generation of electricity in Zambia is predominantly from three main hydropower stations, namely Kafue Gorge, Kariba North Bank and Victoria Falls. These currently account for 95 per cent of the total supply of electricity. The Victoria Falls is a run-off river facility with no water storage infrastructure. The catchment areas for the Kafue Gorge and Kariba North Bank reservoirs are located in the Kafue and Zambezi river basins. Due to the below-average rainfall during the 2014/2015 Rainy Season, water inflow into the reservoirs has not been adequate to meet the national power requirements till the end of 2015. In response to this, after carrying out hydrological modelling, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) reviewed the water allocation to the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) for hydropower generation from 45 billion cm3 to 33 billion cm3 of water for the period March to December, 2015. This is in order to allow generation to last till the next rainy season. This led to the shortfall in power generation of about 560 MW.

Mr Speaker, in order to mitigate the reduced power generation caused by the reduced water levels at the three major stations, ZESCO embarked on a load shedding programme, countrywide.

Mr Speaker, when the load shedding programme began, ZESCO used to load shed an average of eight hours. However, due to an outcry, the load shedding schedules were revised and it, then, began implementing revised load shedding schedules of between five to six hours of domestic, industrial and commercial customers, on a rolling basis, through a twenty-four period.

Sir, based on the hydrological forecasts, ZESCO was further advised to reduce power generation, beginning July, 2015, from the earlier recommended 700 MW to 540 MW and from 600 MW to 305 MW for Kafue Gorge and Kariba North Bank, respectively. This has led to a further reduction of 455 MW. Consequently, ZESCO proposed to revert to the eight-hour daily load shedding schedule, which was being carried out at the beginning of the programme.

Mr Speaker, this august House may wish to note that the mines whose electricity is supplied by ZESCO Limited and the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) Plc still receive their full complement of the contracted power. The mines are not load shed.

Mr Speaker, the projected demand for the month of September stands at an average of 1,014 MW, broken down as follows:

Hydro- Power Station    Electricity Supply (MW)

 Kafue Gorge    540

 Kariba North Bank     305

 Other Stations     260

Mr Speaker, other stations that do not form part of the ZESCO generation units stand at 140 MW, translating into a deficit of 985 MW for the month of September.

Mr Speaker, in order to alleviate the power deficit and load shedding situation in the country, the Government has been implementing short and long-terms measures. As short-term measures, the Government commenced the importation of 148 MW, on a continuous basis, from Aggreko, an independent power producer (IPP), situated in Angola; 150 MW from Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), and 100 MW from Electricidade de Mocambique (EDM). The power indicated from SAPP and the EDM, in Mozambique, is only available at off-peak hours.
 
Mr Speaker, ZESCO has continued to implement the load shedding programme to mitigate the reduced power generation. However, this has proven ineffective as customers seem to shift their loads and simply postpone their consumption to the point when power is restored. This has led to an increase in the deficit on an average of 260 MW.

Mr Speaker, some of the medium-term measures include the following:

(a)    the commissioning of Maamba Collieries, a coal-fired power station, where we will yield 150 MW by the end of November, 2015, and an additional 150 MW in the first quarter of next year, 2016;

(b)    promoting of renewable energy technologies with a minimum of 100 MW; and

(c)    contracting 160 MW emergency power from Karpowership, starting on 1st January to March, 2016, to couple on another 200 MW.

Mr Speaker, managing the power deficit requires concerted effort, as the situation is affecting every citizen of this country. I would, therefore, urge the general citizenry to implement energy conservation measures such as the following:

(a)    employing the switch-and-save measure by switching off all electrical appliances and lights that are not in use at any time of the day;

(b)    moving from using ordinary incandescent bulbs to the compact fluorescent lights and Light-emitting Diode (LED) lamps;

(c)    using of solar water heaters instead of electric water heaters; and

(d)    using of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for cooking and heating purposes.

Mr Speaker, we expect the situation to improve when we start receiving power from Maamba Power Station and, later, from Itezhi-tezhi Power Station where we anticipate, at least, 120 MW in the next three months.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the ministerial statement given by the hon. Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development.

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Minister, …

Mr Mbewe: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima: … from the President’s Speech, …

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mbulakulima: By my cousin. Welcome, cousin.

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, I would like to apologise to the hon. Member who was just about to ask a question.

Mr Speaker, I am a very strong member of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD).

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbewe: Five years ago, we were on your right side, Mr Speaker.  

Sir, we always endeavour to assist our friends, who are now on your right, so that they do not come to your left. Therefore, when there are shortcomings, we will come in to correct them.  

Mr Speaker, this is the first day of business in this Fifth and final Session of the Eleventh Assembly. Last Friday, His Excellency the President gave his speech at the ceremonial State opening of Parliament. Unfortunately, it had been leaked earlier in a named newspaper. I have this newspaper and I will lay it on the Table.

Mr Speaker, the President’s and Budget addresses are two of the most important speeches given in this House. I want to add that these two speeches are confidential. Therefore, is Her Honour the Vice-President in order not to apologise to this House, particularly today, seeing as it is the first day of this final session, for having leaked this very important information to the media?

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: Further, what assurance is she giving us that the speech by the hon. Minister of Finance will not leak? Is she in order to bring to this House, through His Excellency the President, a second-hand speech? Sir, I need your serious ruling.

Mr Mbewe laid the paper on the Table.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: First of all, I must state that I am surprised that the hon. Member for Chadiza can state, so categorically, that this leakage or alleged leakage was, in fact, authored by none other than her Honour the Vice-President. However, I can only assume that that is said in a jest.

On a serious note, in the course of the week, I will allow her Honour the Vice-President to address this particular allegation so that this matter can be clarified in the public domain, in so far as the Government is concerned. For the time being, we can only treat it as an allegation and also acknowledge that, up to this moment, if this allegation is true, we do not know yet how this leakage came about. In short, Her Honour the Vice-President will, in the course of this week, direct her mind to this matter.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, before I was disrupted by the hon. Member for Chadiza, I was about to ask a question.

Sir, the hon. Minister’s statement, today, and the Speech by His Excellency the President point to the fact that by the close of January, 2015, there is hope for the Zambian people, as far as load shedding is concerned ...

Ms Imenda: 2016!

Mr Mbulakulima: ... 2016, rather. Is the hon. Minister in a position to categorically state by how many hours the reduction in load shedding will be by the end of January, 2016?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, as the hon. Member has pointed out, there will be a reduction due to the amount of power that will added onto the grid. However, I cannot give the exact figures right now. We can only estimate once we create a scenario of the increment of power added onto the grid from now up to January, 2016, but I cannot guarantee that.

Sir, there are so many other factors which are influencing the power system, at the moment. These include the changing pattern in consumption by customers, which is out of our hands. We are, however, sensitising the public to move to solar water heaters and using gas for cooking, among others. Despite talking about conserving electricity, the amount of electricity being used up keeps on increasing, hence, raising the demand.

Mr Speaker, one classic example is that of people who have portable welding machines. When they are in an area affected by load shedding, they move their equipment to areas where there is electricity and continue welding. Such behaviour is what is disrupting our pattern of demand across the country.

Sir, we can make a model, but we will base it on figures of the amount of power that we think we can bring onto the grid by January, 2016. However, this may not realistically be the right amount of demand at that time as there will be some other influencing utilisation patterns.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chishimba (Kamfinsa): Mr Speaker, in the hon. Minister’s submission, he mentioned that there is no load shedding at the mines. However, recently, the Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) indicated that the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) wrote to it informing it about a shortfall of power to be supplied to the mine. This shortfall would hinder operations at Baluba Mine.

Sir, what is the Government doing about this or, rather, has the LCM received the 55 MW of power it needs to operate Baluba Mine? Further, what is the ministry doing to ensure that operations are restored at Baluba Mine?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, I must be open here. We have never shed, rationed or interrupted power to the Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) or any other mine. All the mines that I mentioned in my statement are on full complement of power. The fact that the LCM was written to does not mean it has been load shed. The fact that it assumes that it will be load shed, in future, is not part of this discussion. We have never load shed any mines.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Konga (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, in the hon. Minister’s address to the House and the nation, he has given us hope that power will be produced from Itezhi-tezhi and Batoka by January, 2016. These two power stations were initiated in the early 2000s. Another project that was commissioned was the construction of the Kafue Gorge Lower which should have added another 800 MW to the grid by 2016.

Sir, when the current Government came into office, it discontinued this project. Can the hon. Minister explain to the House why this project was discontinued, thereby, denying the country this energy which it needs it now.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, I would like to settle the minds of the august House. Firstly, the Kafue Gorge Lower Project has never been discontinued. It has been ongoing.

Sir, the Maamba Colliery Project was never started. It was on the drawing board when we came into power. We took over while it was on the drawing board, evaluated the pros and cons of its conception and proceeded from there. Today, Maamba Colliery is completed and there are just some final touches to be done but, by November, it will be supplying us with 150 MW and will further supply an additional150 MW by February or March, 2016.

Mr Speaker, in summary, we did not discontinue the Kafue Gorge Lower Project and we did not find Mamba Colliery under construction. It was a project that was under consideration and we felt that it was a viable project which we could invest in and we went ahead and did that.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutati (Lunte): Mr Speaker, this morning, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) made a presentation to stakeholders regarding its efforts in diversifying sources of energy and also what it is doing to attract investment in renewable energy, particularly solar energy. The ERB also indicated that it will limit the cap for investment in solar power for the next three years to 50 MW in Phase I. However, given our scenario, that is inadequate. Secondly, it also indicated that the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) would not be finalised until early next year.

Sir, in view of the crisis we are faced with, could we not lift the cap under solar power and also accelerate the conclusion of REFIT so that investment can begin to take place in this critical sector?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, I presume that there could have been misinterpretation of the information disseminated. As the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development, I would like to say that 50 MW is a modular increase on the network. We are carrying out studies to ensure that we get grid connectivity so that we do not disturb the performance of the network. We can only ascertain what we can get at a certain point, which we have already studied, after ensuring that the network does not lose its normal swings. We are in a hurry. So, no one will install less that 50 MW at the inception of this programme. Therefore, that cap is for the first installation. One can install 300 MW, but it has to be in modules of 50MW. It does not mean that the cap is restricted to only 50 MW.

Mr Speaker, as for the renewable energy tariffs, I presented to the Cabinet the migration of tariffs to cost-reflective tariffs. The main purpose of doing that was to ensure that we get the right tariffs to enable us to bring IPPs into the country and also help ZESCO sustain its operations. Further, this will not only help it keep a good balance sheet for the future, but also enable it to carry out its maintenance. At present, the Cabinet has already approved the new tariffs. We will be sharing this information with you in the near future.

Mr Speaker, with regard to the information disseminated on the 50 MW cap, I think, there was something that was not in line with what we, as the core ministry, know.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: As is our convention, let us have one question from each hon. Member of Parliament.

Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, in his statement, the hon. Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development indicated that there is no load shedding for the mining sector. Why is there no equity in so far as load shedding is concerned? Other sectors are suffering from load shedding and, thereby, losing income, in fact, creating vulnerability for their workers. Why is there no load shedding for the mining sector?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, indeed, as it is, at the moment, there is no load shedding for the mines. We are seriously discussing with the mines to agree on which critical load component that can be interrupted. We have reached a very advanced stage in our engagement. It is not that the Government has turned a blind eye to that issue. We, as the Government, have written to the mines, just like the hon. Member of Parliament for Kamfinsa said. We are just waiting to get the right proportion of power of that critical load that can be shed.

Mr Speaker, we have premium power coming into the country. Therefore, we have requested the mines to utilise it and pay a premium because the Government cannot subsidise this power. We are cognisant of the fact that, at the moment, the burden of load shedding is borne by other industries, but the burden that the mines will bear will be larger.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kalila indicated.

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, I thought it was supposed to be the hon. Member for Lukulu East to speak. Anyhow, I will take advantage of this opportunity.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: You had no question?

Mr Mutelo: No. I have, Sir.

Laughter

Hon. UPND Member: Go ahead and ask your question!  

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, we are importing electricity from three countries, and yet we have been exporting. Why are we not importing sufficient electricity to cushion the deficit of power in this country? By the way, are we still exporting electricity to other countries?

Laughter

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, I wish we could have more power to import so that we could cushion this deficit at once. However, the point is that the power that is imported is what can be afforded by the exporters. We have a serious problem in Africa. Countries in which we have connectivity and can use the existing transmission lines to import power, that is, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) do not have extra power. They are all begging for power. The DRC and Zambia are in the same position. The DRC wants about 200 MW from us simply for off-peak periods, but we equally do not have power. The DRC is also looking for power from the IPPs that are situated elsewhere.

Mr Speaker, ships from the same company have docked in Ghana and another will dock in Mozambique from which we will get our power supply. The problem lies in the fact that we are all getting power from ships from the same company.  

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: In fact, I should have invited the hon. Member for Lukulu East instead of the hon. Member for Lukulu West.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: There was a note which I overlooked from the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia. I want to maintain equity.

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): If it were not for him being my brother, I would have cried foul, but it is okay. I thank you for this opportunity, Sir. Hon. Minister, there is no doubt that this energy crisis is causing a severe strain on this economy and one of the costs is, obviously, the cost of importing this power. May I know how much it is costing this country to import this power from these three sources, including Aggreko, an independent power producer (IPP)?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, the power from Aggreko is ranging from about 15₡ to 18₡ per kilowatt per hour. We also have the Karpowership which will take effect in January, 2106. At the moment, it is negotiating for the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Therefore, for now, I cannot give you much information on that. We will know the outcome of the negotiation in the next three, four to five days.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Pande (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, I feel for the hon. Minister …

Mrs Masebo: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order on the Government concerning the issuance of national registration cards (NRCs) in the country. You will recall that the hon. Minister of Home Affairs gave us a very good speech, on the Floor of this House, on the programme on which the Government would implement the issuance of NRCs throughout the country. He also gave us a programme that would be rolled out in three phases. One of the issues he raised in his statement was that the issuance of NRCs was in preparation for the registration of voters, taking into account the 2016 General Elections.

Mr Speaker, it has come to our attention, as hon. Members of Parliament, particularly, myself, as the hon. Member of Parliament for Chongwe, that after Phase I, which seemed to have been done quite well by the State in specific provinces, we, now, seem to be faced with a serious challenge. This challenge threatens to disfranchise most of the voters from next year’s elections.

Mr Speaker, I will cite one example. At a polling station called Lwimba, in Chongwe, we have over 800 youths lining up for NRCs, but there is no NRC issuance. Instead, there is voter registration taking place. In the last nine to ten days, only about three to five people have been registered as voters, on a daily basis, whilst those that need to be issued with NRCs and thereafter get voters’ cards have had nobody attending to them.

Sir, in another situation, the NRC officers in other districts and in particular − I got this information from the hon. Member of Parliament for Kasama Central, Mr Geoffrey Mwamba, who is also the Vice-President for the United Party for National Development (UPND) …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Chongwe, maybe, you have not been following events in the House because the seat for Kasama Central is vacant. I declared it vacant.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Masebo: Sorry, Mr Speaker. Maybe, because I was briefly in jail, I may …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: That is why I am updating you since I do not know how long you were in jail.

Laughter

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, the other challenge is that the Ministry of Home Affairs has reshuffled the NRC officers throughout the country. For example, those from the Northern Province have been taken to the Southern Province and there seems to be a challenge of language barrier. Since the officers who have been sent to the Southern Province cannot speak Tonga, it is difficult for the officers to interpret issues, hence, a lot of people are not getting the NRCs.

Sir, furthermore, a number of our people will not be able to register as voters because the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson, Mr Chulu, announced that registration of voters will be done from now until 11th November, 2015. Thereafter, there will be no going back. At Lwimba Polling Station, registration has been conducted for the past nine days and the officer has told me that there are four days left before they move to another polling station. This, therefore, means that over 800 youths that are eligible to be registered as voters will not be registered.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Continue, hon. Member.

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, is the Government in order not to ensure that the programme of issuance of NRCs and voters’ cards is synchronised so that our people are not disenfranchised? Is this Government in order to keep quiet and do nothing about it when it claims to want a free and fair election? Currently, many people are crying because they do not know where to go and it seems there are no answers to these problems. I seek your serious intervention to serve your people so that they can become eligible to vote next year.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Chongwe, in your point of order, you have raised so many sub and main issues. In order to ensure that all the issues that you have raised are adequately addressed, I direct that you file a question …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: … so that the hon. Minister can respond to all those specific issues that you have raised. That is my ruling.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, I was saying that I feel for the hon. Minister because the problem of load shedding was caused by the low rainfall and it is the responsibility of the entire Government, but it seems people want to apportion the blame to him alone.

Sir, in his ministerial statement, the hon. Minister mentioned that the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) had reduced the hours of load shedding from eight to five, although I do not know which areas benefitted from this because the area in which I reside did not. When we get home, load shedding is frustrating, especially when power goes off at 1400 hours and is restored at 2200 hours. Is it possible for ZESCO to retime the period of load shedding?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, I agree with the hon. Member for Kasempa that, indeed, the way in which these power interruptions have been occurring around the country has been very frustrating. It is highly inconveniencing and, again, I would like to put it on record that the Government has always been apologetic to that effect because it knows the suffering of the people. We, the people in the Government, are also going through the same situation. At least, I now know the load shedding schedule in my area and every evening power goes off at 2200 hours only to be restored at 0800 hours in the morning. So, it is highly frustrating.

Sir, be as it may, the allocated amount of water by the ZRA to ZESCO or Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) in Zimbabwe is fixed. I said that the reduction is from 45 billion cm3 of water to 33 billion cm3 and that reduction is quite huge. When there seemed to be an improvement in the load shedding schedules, it was because ZESCO and ZESA violated the allocation by the ZRA. However, whenever they exceeded the cap, they were penalised. In reality, exceeding whatever is allocated means that we are depleting the available water at a faster rate which can lead us into more problems before we can even put plans in place to provide other contingencies for power supply.

So, Sir, sometimes, it is due to unforeseen circumstances that the network responds to what is happening to the utilisation of power. In these instances when people use up a lot of power, ZESCO has to bring it to the required deficit while at the same time being observant not to exceed the target given by the ZRA. That is why there are more hours of load shedding.

Sir, as regards the reduced hours of load shedding from eight to five, although some people acknowledged this, it was not sufficient to spread across the country so that everybody could benefit from it. However, we hope that as we progress, we can have sufficient power so that we can reduce the load shedding periods.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, I want to get back to the question that was asked by the hon. Member of Parliament for Chavuma regarding the Kafue Gorge Lower Project. This project should have come on stream in 2016 with an 750 MW and, therefore, would have helped to calm the situation. The hon. Member stated that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is responsible for the delay in the implementation of this project, but the hon. Minister denied that. Earlier in the year, he was asked a more or less similar question and he admitted that the reason the implementation of the project had delayed was because he was not happy about the tendering process. Could the hon. Minister clarify if it is the PF Government that has delayed the implementation of this project, as already admitted, or not, as he is denying it today.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, again, I would like to put it on record that what was indicated by the hon. Member of Parliament for Chavuma was that the PF Government discontinued the project. In my response, I stated that it did not discontinue the project.

Sir, we need to ensure that everything is done above board and cleanly, hence, the delay in the implementation of the project. It was for a purpose. This way, people can appreciate the way things ought to be done.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, if I heard the hon. Minister correctly, in his response to the question whether the mines are being load shed or not, he said that they are not. What came to my mind is that the mines seem to be treated as sacred cows, and yet when we consider contributions to the gross domestic product (GDP), all the industries, including construction and others, contribute. However, the mines are treated with kid gloves.

Sir, on the issue of tax, the mines have created a hole in our budget. Earlier on, we learnt that the amount that the mines pay per kilowatt is about 6₡. Yet, the hon. Minister is telling us that the country is importing electricity at 18₡ per kilowatt per hour, but the mines are not contributing anything to that. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why the mines are being treated with kid gloves compared to other industries.

Mr Speaker: Order!

If my memory serves me right, earlier on, there was a question asked by the hon. Member for Mafinga, Ms Namugala, on equity and that question was responded to by the hon. Minister. I, therefore, do not think that I will request him to repeat himself.

 Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, the current power supply is only catering for 25 per cent of the Zambian population with 5 per cent of that being for the rural population. Since the hon. Minister has given us the short-term and the medium-term interventions, what are the long-term plans to ensure that our power supply in the country goes beyond 25 per cent of the population countrywide and beyond 5 per cent for the rural population?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, in my ministerial statement, I identified the immediate action which the Government is undertaking before I went on to talk about the medium-term. It is true that I did not touch on the long-term plans because I just wanted to address the current situation in order to make you comfortably understand what is going on. However, be as it may, I would like to expand on that.

Mr Speaker, we are trying to exploit Batoka in as far as hydropower is concerned. This quest is at a very advanced stage and this will be an additional 800 MW on the Zambian side and another 800 MW on the Zimbabwean side. Maamba is being considered as a long-term solution with 300 MW as well as Itezhi-tezhi with 120 MW. We are also considering exploiting Kalungwishi with 247 MW. Kabompo is also on the list for exploitation and this will give us 40 MW. With Luapula, we intend to exploit 1,200 MW. Using bio-technologies, we will go beyond that and reach 2,000 MW. This information is just on hydropower.

Sir, at the moment, we have shortlisted the IPPs for renewable energy technologies. We will sign these contracts by 30th October, 2015. Therefore, we are looking forward to getting the IPP’s renewable solar energy, to be specific, to getting in line by March, 2016. We should get about 50 MW which will be increasing. We have about seven reputable contractors, who have done similar works elsewhere, who will help us.

Mr Speaker, the House may wish to know that about this time, next year, we will have totally outrun the power deficit, where supply will override demand extensively upwards. Yes, we have prominent long-term contingencies which should settle the plight of the people of Zambia as regards power generation next year. Whether rainfall will be normal or not, we are looking at the worst case.

 I thank you, Sir.

 Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, I heard something to do with the allocation of water by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) in the hon. Minister’s statement. Since the people of Kalabo also contribute to the water flow into Lake Kariba and Victoria Falls through the Luanginga and the Zambezi rivers, may I have some clarification from the hon. Minister on what he meant when he said that the allocation of water will be reduced from 45 billion cm3 to 33 billion cm3. Does it mean that the ZRA has the capacity to control the water level at its will without any influence by natural factors so that the allocations will be consistent in making sure that we have a consistent generation of power in the dams?

 Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, I am just winding up because this is not a bonus answer. The ZRA is a regulator.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

RSZ’S FINANCIAL STATUS IN 2012

1.    Mr Ntundu (Gwembe) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)    what the financial status of the Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) Limited, at the time the Government took over the company in 2012, was; and

(b)    how much money the company owed its supplier at the time.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications (Mr Kapyanga): Mr Speaker, …

 Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapyanga: … before I respond, I would like to thank His Excellency the President for this appointment.

 Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, the financial status of the Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) Limited, which was its net worth (the assets less amounts owing), at 31st December, 2011,was at K18,951,348 (K200,878,571 less K181,925,223) rebased.

Mr Speaker, the amounts owed to traders and other payables, as at 31st December, 2011, were K109,370,509 rebased.

 Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, I do not even know where to start from.

Mr Speaker: If you do not know where to start from, then, why do you not just take your seat?

Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister is quite aware that the Government pumped about US$120 million into the RSZ Limited. I do not know if he will be able to answer this question seeing that he was recently appointed to that position. However, I would like to find out how that money has been utilised. If you go to the RSZ Limited, you will see that from the time that money was allocated to the railway company, nothing has changed. I want the hon. Deputy Minister to answer the question, not you, Hon. Mukanga.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Gwembe Parliamentary Constituency, you are tempting me to allow this question to pass.

Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, I am sorry.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, I would like to reaffirm this Government’s commitment to ensuring that the railway infrastructure is rehabilitated. Looking at the US$120 million that was pumped into the RSZ Limited, a lot has been done on the track in terms of rolling stock and locomotives. At the moment, a rehabilitation programme is being undertaken from Livingstone to the Copperbelt. This is aimed at rehabilitating the railway line to make it worthwhile. Hon. Ntundu is aware of that fact and, so, I do not know why he has asked this question.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, in view of the fact that US$120 million was invested into the project, I want to find out from the hon. Deputy Minister, without necessarily stating the figures, whether the parametres of commercial operations have improved with that injection of capital or whether, very soon, we will see this company coming back to the Treasury asking for money to pay workers’ salaries.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, the current asset value of the company is K1,047 million, with the last investment being K618,053 million as at 30th June, 2015. The current financial status net worth is K63.34 million.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, the question has not been answered.

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, I appreciate the answer given by the hon. Deputy Minister. When you look at the operations of the Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) Limited from the time that the Government injected US$120 million into its operations, you will see that there has been a great improvement. We have achieved a lot and that is why we have K63.3 million as the net asset value.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mutati (Lunte): Mr Speaker, ...

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to raise this very serious point of order. At the time the former President, Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda, attempted to contest the Presidency of this country, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, through one of its hon. Members of Parliament, raised a point of order asking whether it was in order for the Government to allow the former President, who was participating in active politics, to continue being paid by the Government of the Republic of Zambia.

Sir, you made a ruling through which you indicated that the law pertaining to a former leader who indulges himself in active politics is very specific and unambiguous. This law entails that if a former leader engages in active politics, he loses his benefits.

Mr Speaker, is the Government, through Her Honour the Vice-President, in order to remain quiet and enjoy the friendship of the former President, Mr Rupiah Banda, by allowing him to campaign with the PF in Solwezi, knowing very well that the law does not allow him to do that while continuing enjoying those benefits? Is Her Honour the Vice-President in order to be so happy in abrogating the laws of this country by allowing such impunity to prevail in this county when the law is very clear?

Sir, I need your serious ruling.

Mr Speaker: As you rightly pointed out, a similar point of order was raised earlier on and in my ruling, then, I did outline what the relevant legislation stipulates. It is very clear. I went further and concluded that the onus to implement that Act is on the Government. That was my ruling and my position has not changed.

Mr Mutati: Mr Speaker, I would like to know the indication of commercial parameters such as the traffic in terms of load on the railway line and resident time of loads. This will enable us to know whether the injection of US$120 million is having an impact on the operations of the RSZ Limited.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the question by the hon. Member of Parliament for Lunte Parliamentary Constituency. When it comes to the operations of the RSZ Limited, we have had an improvement in terms of the resident time of the goods on the railway line and the speed at which the trains are moving. Previously, the trains used to move at a speed of about 18 km per hour but, now, the trains are moving at about 50 km per hour. That is an indication that there has been a great improvement. Further, whenever people travelled from the Copperbelt by railway, they used to take close to three days to reach Lusaka but, now, a train ride covering the same distance only takes about eight to nine hours. So, there is a great improvement. We have also introduced the Michael Chilufya Sata Express Train and the local commuter trains from Ngwerere to town and from town to Lilayi. I think everybody appreciates what the Government is trying to do.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Milambo (Mwembeshi): Mr Speaker, could I have clarification on whether the entire US$120 million has been used up or has some of it been kept in the bank?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the question from the hon. Member. I may not be in a position to state whether the whole US$120 million has been spent or not. However, I know that the bulk of that US$120 million has been utilised. I need to find out from the banks if all of that money has been utilised.

I thank you, Sir.

CHIEFS MAGODI, CHIKWA AND CHIFUNDA CHIEFDOM BOUNDARY DISPUTE

2. Dr Lungu (Chama South) asked the Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs:

(a)    whether the Government was aware of the chiefdom boundary dispute among Chief Magodi of the Tumbuka people in Lundazi District in the Eastern Province and chiefs Chikwa and Chifunda of the Senga people in Chama District in Muchinga Province; and

(b)    if so, what measures had been taken to resolve the dispute in order to prevent loss of life.

The Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs (Dr Katema): Mr Speaker, the Government is aware of the chiefdom boundary dispute among the above mentioned chiefs. The Government has tried to bring the conflicting parties together in an effort to harmonise this conflict, but the outcome has not been very successful. As a result, the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs has liaised with the office of the Surveyor-General to undertake a more comprehensive identification and beaconing of boundaries among these chiefdoms.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

CLINIC CONSTRUCTION IN HEADMAN MULUNGUSHI’S VILLAGE

3. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    when the construction of the clinic in Headman Mulungushi’s Village in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency would be completed; and

(b)    what had caused the delay in completing the project.

The Minister of Health (Dr Kasonde): Mr Speaker, construction of the clinic at Headman Mulungushi’s village is being done with the support of the Copperbelt Development Foundation. The facility which comprises an Out-patient Department block and four semi-detached houses is almost complete with the exception of power supply.

Mr Speaker, the delay in opening the facility has been caused by the lack of electrical power. The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has been approached and will facilitate the electrification of this facility.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, has the equipment required for this clinic already been ordered?

Dr Kasonde: Yes, Mr Speaker.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Konga (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister, in his response, has indicated that the delay in opening this health facility has been caused by the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) not supplying power. With the on-going load-shedding by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO), does the hon. Minister expect this challenge to be overcome or to worsen?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the question by the hon. Member very much in that he raises a different question. The two issues of installing electricity and having support to maintain that service are different. It is important, regardless of load-shedding, that electricity to this facility is installed. At the same time, the ministry always provides for eventualities and will always provide in this case.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, I heard the hon. Minister say that equipment for the clinic has been procured. I, however, need a bonus answer from him. Does the ministry also procure equipment for health posts which are constructed using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF)?

Dr Kasonde: Sir, the arrangement with health posts is quite different in that the contract with the contractors for health posts includes the procurement of equipment. Therefore, we have two different mechanisms. The Ministry of Health only purchases equipment in the case of clinics or health centres. In the case of health posts, the purchasing of equipment is part of the contract, as I said. This is an assurance I give to the hon. Member and any other hon. Member interested in this issue.

Thank you, Sir.

LUSAKA MAIN POST OFFICE DRIVEWAY AND PARKING LOTS’ REHABILITATION

4. Mr Pande (Kasempa) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications:

(a)    when the driveway and parking lots around the Lusaka Main Post Office would be rehabilitated;

(b)    who the contractor for the project was;

(c)    what the cost of the project was; and

(d)    what the time frame for the project was.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, the driveway and parking lots at the Lusaka Main Post Office are currently being rehabilitated and works have been underway from August, 2015. The rehabilitation works on the driveway are being undertaken by the Zambia Postal Services (ZAMPOST) Estates and Properties Department. The cost of materials spent on the rehabilitation works on the driveway is K167, 671.06. These works are expected to be completed by October, 2015.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, it is good news that this driveway is being rehabilitated. However, why was this driveway left in such a deplorable state for a long time without being attended to?

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, I think it was due to unavailability of funds. However, it is now being worked on.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

REHABILITATION OF TOWNSHIP ROADS IN KITWE

5. Mr Kazabu (Nkana) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing when rehabilitation of township roads in the following areas would commence:

(a)    Nkana Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b)    the rest of Kitwe.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr N. Banda): Mr Speaker, the process of rehabilitating township roads in Nkana Constituency is ongoing and the following roads are being worked on:

Name of Road     No. Of Km

Duly – Lumumba    1.6

Chandamali    1.0

Poinsentia    0.85

Chipimpi Kalela    0.94

Kalemba Drive    0.69

Lukasu Drive    1.06

Nationalist Road     0.98

Tabora Road    0.32

Total    7.44

Mr Speaker, the rehabilitation of the rest of Kitwe urban roads are covered under two on-going road projects, namely upgrading of 20 km of Kitwe urban roads and upgrading of 38.1 km of Kitwe urban roads to bituminous standard.

Mr Speaker, township roads in Kitwe will be worked on under the Road Development Agency (RDA) Copperbelt 400 km Road Project and Pave Zambia 2,000 km Road Project.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Kazabu: Mr Speaker, most of the roads that the hon. Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing has mentioned as being rehabilitated in Kitwe fall in the Central Business District and, indeed, the industrial area. My question is specifically anchored on the roads in the townships in Nkana Constituency. Out of the roads that have been mentioned, there is no single road under rehabilitation in the townships that fall under Nkana Constituency. So, the question remains partially unanswered. When will the township roads in Nkana Constituency be rehabilitated? That is the question.

Mr N. Banda: Mr Speaker, the roads begin from the Central Business District but, ultimately, some of them pass through Nkana Constituency. They will be worked on.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Namulambe (Mpongwe): Mr Speaker, I bemoan the fact that the roads in Nkana Constituency are yet to be worked on.

May I find out why the famous Pave Zambia 2,000 km Road Project and the other road projects are only restricted to the urban towns in Zambia excluding Mpongwe, Lufwanyama and Masaiti districts.

Mr N. Banda: Mr Speaker, this was the design of the programme, Pave Zambia 2,000 km Road Project. The Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project will cater for other areas that this programme will not reach. The Ministry of Local Government and Housing, through the councils, plans for urban roads every year. I believe that those feeder roads in that constituency will be worked on.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, following the hon. Deputy Minister’s cross country answer, can he now specify what programme he has for the three areas, Masaiti, Mpongwe and Lufwanyama, which are part of the Copperbelt Province.

Mr Speaker: The problem with that question is that it is a new one.

We are dealing with Nkana Constituency.

Mr Mbulakulima: But, he did not answer.

Mr Speaker: These responses need to be informed. We want informed responses.

OPERATIONALISATION OF HEALTH CENTRES AT MIMPONGO AND KATOYA

6. Mr Antonio (Kaoma Central) asked the Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health when the health centres at Mimpongo and Katoya in Kaoma District would become operational, following the completion of construction works.

The Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health (Ms Kabanshi): Mr Speaker, Mimpongo is now in Nkeyema District and it is not yet operational as construction works such as works on the staff houses, fitting of window panes at the health facility and sinking of a borehole have not been completed.

Mr Speaker, the construction of Katoya Health Centre started in 2010 via community mode. So far, only the Out-patient Department is operational. The facility has two Community Health Assistants currently working there. However, works such as the construction of staff houses are yet to be completed, fittings have not yet been done, there is no borehole at the health facility and the In-patient Department has not yet been operationalised.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Antonio: Mr Speaker, the Government is aware that the people of Mimpongo area need the services of that clinic. Therefore, why is it so slow in completing the remaining works at that clinic?

Ms Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, in 2014, there was an allocation under the infrastructure development plan to complete the works at Mimpongo and Katoya. However, they were not funded.

Sir, the district has budgeted to complete the works under the 2016 Infrastructure Development Plan. The works will cost approximately K200,000. So, we are hoping that this money will be released for works to be completed.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

MMBANDE BOARDING SECONDARY SCHOOL

8. Ms Miti (Vubwi) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a)    when the construction of the Mmbande Boarding Secondary School in Vubwi Parliamentary Constituency would be completed;

(b)    who the contractor for the project was; and

(c)    what the total cost of the project was.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr Mushanga): Mr Speaker, as a matter of fact, the school being built in Vubwi Parliamentary Constituency is called Vubwi Secondary School, as per the construction documents, and not Mmbande Boarding Secondary School.

Mr Speaker, the construction of the project started in 2013 and will be completed in 2016. The current level of the project is at plastering stage where 40 per cent of the works have been done.

Mr Speaker, the project is being undertaken by China Jiangsu. The total cost of the project is K43,418,302.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Miti: Mr Speaker, in Vubwi, we call that school Mmbande Boarding Secondary School. It is one of its kind and we, the people of Vubwi, thank the Government for that gift.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Miti: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether there are any measures that the Government could put in place to help the children who travel long distances to attend school at Vubwi Secondary School, which is a day school, and the two upgraded schools in Vubwi. Currently, children rent accommodation in ramshackles in order to access education. As we await the completion of Vubwi Secondary School, as the hon. Minister has put it, is there anything that can be done to help these children?

Mr Speaker, at the moment, the statistics of the occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) of these children are very high. Therefore, I just wanted to find out if there is anything that the Government can do to help these children so that they can be given decent accommodation at these schools while we await the completion of Vubwi Secondary School.
 
Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, the Government, through the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, has taken note of this submission and will look into it.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, the school that the hon. Member for Vubwi referred to is called Mmbande Boarding Secondary School. We have learnt that the ministry has changed the name of the school to Vubwi Secondary School. Therefore, can we be told the exact name of this school. Is it Vubwi Secondary School or Mmbande Boarding Secondary School?

Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister also said that the construction of this school will be completed in 2016, but when will it be opened? Completion of the construction of a school is different from opening it. Therefore, when will the school be opened?

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, I was very clear when I answered the question. I said that the school may be called Mmbande Boarding Secondary School, but the name on the construction documents is Vubwi Secondary School. This is the name that was submitted. So, the name of the school is Vubwi Secondary School and not what the hon. Member has called it.

Mr Speaker, when the construction of any school is completed, what follows is its opening. Therefore, once we complete the construction of this school, next year, we will open it.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Kalima (Kasenengwa): Mr Speaker, I would like to concur with the hon. Member for Vubwi. In rural areas, we have a common problem of boarding facilities. While we appreciate the Government’s effort to build these secondary schools, we have a challenge to have children move to these schools. In future, as secondary schools are being constructed, regardless of them being boarding schools, can the hon. Minister consider building a block of boarding facilities for the girl child, especially?

Sir, in Kasenengwa, the issue of boarding facilities is a big challenge where I have had to personally go in to contribute cement and roofing sheets at every school that I can. This is a project that I have embarked on to promote the girl child.

Sir, would the hon. Minister consider putting up not a boarding school per se, but just one block of boarding facilities so that the girl child can access them, at least, weekly and not per term.

Mr Musukwa: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker indicated dissent.

 Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, as already mentioned in my response to the question by the hon. Member for Vubwi, the Government is working on scaling up on weekly boarding facilities for schools countrywide, especially in rural areas. Therefore, the Government is responding to this concern raised by the hon. Member.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

LIANGATI/LUI ROAD

9. Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West) (on behalf of Mr Mufalali) (Senanga), asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)    when construction of the road from Liangati to Lui River in Lipuwe area of Senanga District would commence;

(b)    what had caused the delay in commencing the project;

(c)    what the total cost of the project was; and

(d)    what the time frame for the completion of the project was.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, the procurement process for a contractor to gravel 22.3 km of the road from Liangati to Lipuwe Health Centre is still ongoing. It is envisaged that the works will commence in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Sir, the delay to commence the works has been due to protracted procurement procedures. The cost of the project will be known once the contractor has been appointed. The proposed time frame for works is eight months from the date of commencement.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

CHIEF NGABWE’S RECOGNITION

10. Mr Musonda (Kapiri Mposhi) asked the Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs:

(a)    when Chief Ngabwe in Kapiri Mposhi Parliamentary Constituency would be recognised; and

(b)    what had caused the delay in recognising the chief.

Dr Katema: Mr Speaker, Chief Ngabwe of Kapiri Mposhi Parliamentary Constituency was recognised by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia on 29th June, 2015, under Statutory Instrument No. 44 of 2015.

Mr Speaker, the delay in recognising him was caused by court procedures because the families involved in this matter had dragged each other to court. In the spirit of the separation of powers, we had to wait until the other arm of the Government had done due diligence.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Musonda: Mr Speaker, ...

Ms Imenda: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order!

A point of order is raised.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, a question was asked, on the Floor of this House, on the construction of a road from Limulunga to Mushituwambumu and an assurance concerning this road was made.

Mr Speaker, to date, nothing has happened on that road. Not even a stone has been laid nor has there been information about it. Is the hon. Minister of Transport, Works Supply and Communications in order to just keep quiet and not give an update on what has happened to the assurance made on this road?  

Mr Speaker, may I know what I am supposed to do after this.

Mr Speaker: Order!

What you are supposed to do after this is follow it up with a question and, then, the hon. Minister will respond and advise the status quo.

Mr Musonda: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for that answer and also ...

Mr Chisopa: On a point of order, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

A point of order is raised.

Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to raise this point of order.

Mr Speaker, the people in our constituencies send us to this House to represent them.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Chisopa: Therefore, Mr Speaker, I would like to find out why we only have two hon. Members of Parliament from the United Party for National Development (UPND) on your left.

Mr Speaker, I need your serious ruling.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Well, unfortunately, I am not able to supply an explanation on why all these seats are unoccupied. No notification has been made to me about their absence. So, I am just as at a loss as you are. However, as I have stated before, it is very important that we all attend to the Business of the House whenever the House is sitting. It is absolutely important that we do that.

Hon. Member for Kapiri Mposhi may continue.

Mr Musonda: Mr Speaker, I was thanking the hon. Minister for that answer. I also want to thank His Excellency the President for finally recognising Chief Ngabwe in my constituency.  However, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the Government has any plans to enact a law that will ensure that the succession of chiefs is done within a specified period of time.

Dr Katema: Mr Speaker, the Government has no such intentions.

I thank you, Sir.

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

_______________

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

MOTIONS

MOTION OF THANKS

Mr Chungu (Luanshya): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the thanks of this Assembly be recorded for the exposition of public policy contained in the President’s Address.

Mr Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Mr Chungu: Mr Speaker, from the outset, allow me to thank you most sincerely for giving me the rare privilege to move the Motion of Thanks to the Speech made by His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on the Official Opening of the Fifth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly on Friday, 18th September, 2015.

Sir, I would like to congratulate His Excellency the President on his brilliant and thought-provoking speech which, in my view, was well-researched and outlined various areas that need urgent attention as well as areas of future concern upon which the House should deliberate. The speech was all-encompassing and inspiring.   

Mr Speaker, in his speech, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia raised a number of important issues. I will not follow the sub headings which are outlined in the speech, but only highlight a few issues on which I feel the Government deserves commendation.

Sir, the Republican President’s Speech was themed “Embracing a Transformational Culture for a Smart Zambia Now.” His Excellency the President went further to explain that this transformation could be attained by the way we think, behave and do things. He urged the nation to leave the past and embrace positive attitudes in all endeavours.

Mr Speaker, His Excellency acknowledged, before this House, that he is cognisant of the critical issues affecting the nation at the moment. He did not just end there, but further tabulated the various measures that the Government is putting in place to address these issues. For instance, measures to address the electricity deficit are both short and long-term. His Excellency the President informed the House that, in the short-term, the Government was importing power from neighbouring countries, adjusting the tariffs of electricity for commercial entities to attract increased investments in electricity generation and developing alternative sources of energy.

Mr Speaker, in terms of long-term solutions, this Government is pursuing measures aimed at increasing the availability of electricity of domestic and industrial use in the country by working with the private sector to expand power generation at the Kafue Gorge Lower Hydro Power Plant to generate an additional 750 MW of electricity. Further, His Excellency the President added that the Government would look into the upgrading of power generation at Chishimba and Musonda waterfalls.

Sir, I am sure that these pronouncements, once realised, will, as was stated, reduce the power shortage being experienced by the nation. Hon. Members of this august House should join me in commending His Excellency the President for all these developments being undertaken in the energy sector.

Mr Speaker, on the issue of co-operatives, His Excellency the President, in his address to this august House, explained that the notion of co-operatives, as related to agriculture, is not properly placed. This is because co-operatives can go a long way in helping job creation such as engaging in trading through multi-purpose shops, opening hotel businesses and other services. His Excellency the President added that co-operatives can play a major role in national development, both economically and socially. I am particularly pleased that this working Government is exploring ways to revive the co-operatives, which I believe are vital to developing the economy.

Sir, His Excellency the President informed the House that the Government is engaging the Zambia Co-operatives Federation (ZCF) to put in place measures that will ensure that co-operatives are revamped. In this regard, I welcome His Excellency the President’s directive to remove co-operatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. This is in order to enhance performance and viability. His Excellency the President informed this House that the Government will endeavour to reinstate the co-operatives’ capacities of its structures so that they stand on their feet again and provide employment to women and the youth. This falls in line with our party’s manifesto to create jobs, especially for the youth.

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President went further to state that to address unemployment for the youth and women, the Government was actively pursuing the implementation of the Industrialisation and Job Creation Strategy. Further, the Government is implementing various empowerment schemes under the Ministry of Gender and Child Development, the Ministry of Youth and Sport, the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Tourism and Arts and the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications. To this effect, I welcome the directive by His Excellency the President to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to bring to the House the Employment Amendment Bill. This is aimed at regulating casualisation of labour, short-term contracts of employment and undue termination of employment. It has been the cry of this House to end casualisation and ensure job security for our people.

Mr Speaker, let me join other progressive Zambians in applauding His Excellency the President for separating the different ministries which had become inefficient due to their size. In his address, His Excellency the President split the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development, the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. In so doing, he said that the re-alignment of these ministries had been necessitated by the Government’s transformation agenda and a clear master plan for sustainable development, backed by a merit-based Public Service. This action is essential to allow for economic diversification and sustainable development. In my view, this will also lessen the bureaucracy that is characterised by bloated ministries.

Mr Speaker, with regard to the agriculture sector, allow me to congratulate the Government for undertaking to diversify the range of crops in the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). I am pleased to note that the range of crops has expanded to include rice, sorghum, cotton and groundnuts. This will encourage our farmers to diversify further. It is gratifying to note that the Government is in the process of implementing the electronic voucher system in the distribution of subsidised seed. In addition, the voucher will give farmers a wider choice of inputs, including those for livestock and fisheries.

Mr Speaker, it is clear from His Excellency the President’s Speech that the Government places its citizens at the centre of the transformation agenda. The Government wants citizens to control economic activities in the agriculture, tourism and manufacturing sectors. To this effect, His Excellency the President, in his address to the nation, directed the hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry to reform the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission to assist Zambians to establish small and medium enterprises by building their own capacities to become more competitive as they access money for their businesses.

Sir, I am glad to note that the Government is still committed to infrastructure development and that it cuts across all sectors. However, although the Government acknowledges that infrastructure development is priority, it recognises that financing is still a key challenge and as such, the Government is exploring innovative means of financing these capital projects through the public-private partnerships (PPPs).

Sir, His Excellency the President addressed specific infrastructure issues that the Government had prioritised, including railway, inland water ways and aviation.

Mr Speaker, I commend His Excellency the President for sharing, with this House, the Government’s plans to construct Greenfield Railway Lines. He informed the House that the Government plans to construct railway lines that will link Zambia to the eastern and western parts of Africa. These include the Nseluka/Mpulungu Spur, linking Zambia to the Great Lakes Region, the Livingstone/Katimamulilo Spur, the Serenje via Petauke Spur and the Chingola/ Jimbe Rail Network. The plan to construct the new railway lines was in line with the objective to transform Zambia into a regional economic hub. This is a progressive move and all well-meaning Zambians should support it. This is because the measure will alleviate the pressure on the roads that are used to transport various goods and services.

Mr Speaker, I congratulate the Government for attaching great importance to the construction and rehabilitation of feeder roads. The importance of feeder roads cannot be over-emphasised. As His Excellency the President mentioned, feeder roads are the pillars of development in rural areas. Therefore, the appointment of the Zambia National Service (ZNS) as a local road authority to rehabilitate approximately 10,000 km of primary feeder roads is a welcome move. Indeed, to this, I give a thunderous applause to this hardworking Government.

Mr Speaker, I am delighted to note that the Government is committed to revamping and expanding the aviation sector. In his address to the House, His Excellency the President stated that significant progress in establishing a national airline has been made. This is in addition to the various modernisation and upgrading works being undertaken on all airport infrastructure. I, therefore, welcome His Excellency the President’s directive to the hon. Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications to revitalise the Zambia Air Services Training Institute (ZASTI) so that it can supply human capital to the aviation industry. His Excellency the President also informed the House that implementation and completion of these projects will not only contribute to increased revenue generation for Zambia, but will also contribute to job creation.

Sir, His Excellency the President further informed this House that construction is being extended to the housing sector with the Government committing to construct, at least 10,000 low cost housing units, countrywide. This will help address the chronic housing shortage being experienced by our people. I, therefore, welcome His Excellency the President’s directive to the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing to restructure and realign the National Housing Authority to its original mandate.

Mr Speaker, in the education sector, His Excellency the President assured the nation that the Government continues to invest in universal and quality education infrastructure. He reiterated that the Government will continue with its programme to ensure that each province has one university. In addition, His Excellency the President informed the House that the Government was committed to empowering youth with survival skills by constructing, at least, one trades training institute in each district. His Excellency the President noted that most trades training institutes had changed focus to business courses. To this effect, he directed the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education to ensure that trades training institutes revert to their original mandate of skills training.

Sir, it is clear from His Excellency the President’s Speech that the Government places great emphasis on democracy and good governance. I would like to commend the Government for its commitment to delivering a people-driven Constitution. This is shown by His Excellency the President’s pronouncement that the Referendum Act has been amended in anticipation to hold the referendum in 2016, alongside the general elections.

Mr Speaker, allow me to congratulate the Patriotic Front (PF) Government for undertaking to amend the Public Order Act. To this effect, I commend His Excellency the President for directing the hon. Minister of Justice to consult with political parties, through the Zambia Centre for Inter-party Dialogue, to prepare a Bill to regulate and protect the rights of political parties to freely associate. This is what true democracy entails.

Sir, His Excellency the President acknowledged that the media plays an important role in a democracy, hence, his directive to amend and remove archaic provisions that impede media freedom.

Mr Speaker, allow me to thank His Excellency the President for bringing the issue of a clean environment forward. Not long ago, Lusaka and Chingola were known as garden and cleanest cities, respectively. The resuscitation of the ‘Keep Zambia Clean Campaign’, therefore, will improve our cities, towns and districts, thereby, allowing them to be counted amongst the cleanest cities in the world. In this regard, I would like to end by commending this Government on its efforts to ensure that Zambian cities are clean.

Sir, allow me to conclude by stating that never before has this House been addressed in such an inspiring and thought-provoking manner as His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, did on the 18th of September, 2015. I, therefore, urge fellow hon. Members to apply their minds to the details of the speech for implementation.

I beg to move.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Does the seconder wish to speak now or later?

Ms Namugala: Now, Sir.

Mr Speaker, allow me to thank you most sincerely for giving me this privilege to second the Motion of Thanks on the Speech by His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia, during the Official Opening of the Fifth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly of Zambia on Friday 18th September, 2015.

Sir, let me take this opportunity to congratulate his Excellency the President for successfully delivering his first speech to this House since he assumed office as President in January, 2015. It is my hope and prayer that God will grant His Excellency the President and his Cabinet the wisdom necessary to effectively supervise the implementation of the policy pronouncements he made to this House last Friday.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, having celebrated fifty years of independence, last year, and given the challenges our nation is currently facing, I wish to commend his Excellency the President for choosing a suitable theme, “Embracing a Transformational Culture for a Smart Zambia now.” However, let me put it on record and agree with His Excellency the President that in order to attain this transformation, there is a need for a paradigm shift in the way we think, behave and do things as Zambians, beginning with everyone who holds public office, including His Excellency the President himself.

Mr Mutelo: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: Sir, let me also take this opportunity to commend the mover of the Motion, Hon. Steven Chungu, for ably moving this Motion of Thanks. In seconding the Motion, I will restrict my discussion to those issues which, in my view, were not adequately dealt with in the President’s Speech. These are issues to do with load shedding, economic diversification, the Constitution-making process and the creation of new ministries.

Mr Speaker, with regards to load shedding, it was gratifying to note that His Excellency the President acknowledged the devastating effects that it has on people’s lives and businesses, whether big or small. He went on to outline the Government’s immediate measures which are meant to cushion the negative impact of load shedding. However, I do not believe that these measures are working.

Mr Mutelo: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, this is because the situation on the ground has not changed. We are still experiencing load shedding for over eight hours a day. Besides, the immediate measures that His Excellency the President announced are not new as they have been part of our people’s strategy to reduce the cost of electricity in light of the bad economic times that the nation has been going through. The hon. Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development has also pronounced these measures in the past.

Sir, the Government must treat load shedding emanating from the power shortage as a disaster, because it is. The Government must find practical ways and means of cushioning its impact on the economy and people’s lives. It is disheartening to note that the power shortage situation has already started reversing the country’s economic gains made in the past years by reducing economic activities in sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, just to mention a few.

Mr Speaker, if tangible solutions are not put in place now, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government risks failing to meet its target of creating over 500,000 jobs by 2016, as some companies have already started laying off workers due to reduced economic activities. For micro, small and medium enterprises, it is even worse.

Mr Speaker, the power situation in the country has been compounded by the depreciation of the kwacha. The kwacha has, within a short space of time, depreciated from K7 to K10, against the United States (US) Dollar. Experts say that this has been partly caused by trade imbalances that the country is experiencing due to excess imports and less exports. This has resulted in the deteriorating balance of payment positions, reflecting a widening current account deficit. As a result, the kwacha has been on a depreciating trend, leading to many corporations and individuals failing to meet their dollar-based obligations. The Government too has had to service its international obligations at a higher kwacha rate.

Mr Speaker, a depreciating currency to unreasonable levels has severe cost implications for a country like Zambia which imports a lot of its requirements. The low kwacha rate has also compounded the external debt servicing. I have heard the Government urging all entrepreneurs, small, medium and large, to increase production of various goods that can be exported to reduce the trade deficit. This is a mockery. How can they do so in the wake of more than eight hours of load shedding? How, truly, can the micro, small and medium enterprises be more productive?

Mr Speaker, as I stated earlier, the Government must treat the load shedding resulting from the power shortage situation as a disaster and find practical ways and means of cushioning its impact on the economy. If this is not done, I fear that our country’s economy is doomed and the poverty levels will increase.

Mr Speaker, with hindsight, I regret that His Excellency the President did not mention the reasons for the policy shift on the mining tax regime. Had his Government implemented this tax regime, our country could have benefited from the high copper prices which prevailed during most parts of this financial year.

Sir, all of us should be ashamed that after fifty years of independence, we have failed to diversify our economy to the extent that we can no longer depend on copper. We have failed, over the last fifty years, and yet we have continued to speak about economic diversification. This has led to our economy being vulnerable to external shocks and made us appear going around in circles and ending where we started. The need for diversification of our economy is long overdue and the Government should take practical measures to ensure that we realise this transformational agenda that His Excellency the President talked about last Friday.

Mr Speaker, allow me to discuss the issue of democracy and good governance. It is interesting to note that His Excellency the President stated that his Government was committed to promoting good governance and democracy. The problem I have is that this seemingly good statement has not been translated into reality. We are still witnessing an unfair implementation of the Public Order Act by the police. As Opposition leaders and members of Opposition political parties, we continue being attacked by suspected Ruling Party members in the course of doing our work without the police taking any action to protect us.

Further, Mr Speaker, our capital city has been taken over by suspected Ruling Party members who are trading in undesignated places and involving themselves in vices that render the public insecure. If this continues, it will not be possible to promote democracy and good governance in Zambia.

Mr Speaker, on the Constitution-making process, His Excellency the President stated that his Government’s commitment to this cause is unwavering. Given the fact that the Government did not respond positively to the release of the full Draft Constitution, as demanded by the general public and the hon. Members of this House, there is a need for it to be clear about the mode of adoption of the Constitution. I am saying so because we have heard some sections of our society calling for the adoption of the Constitution through a referendum. The Government must listen to those sections of our society. In his speech, His Excellency the President indicated that the non-contentious issues will be adopted and enacted by this House. The question I have is: Who has decided and determined which issues in the Draft Constitution are non-contentious?

Mr Speaker, the issue of holding a referendum alongside the general elections must be revisited. Yes, a referendum is an expensive venture, but why should we allow this very important exercise of the Constitution-making process be over shadowed by the general election that comes once every five years? This opportunity to enact a new Constitution for Zambia is something that will rarely come to this country. Why should we, therefore, allow it to be over shadowed by the general election? The Government should ensure that resources are found to fully sensitise the nation on the referendum, independent of the general election, because the Constitution-making process is too important an exercise to be held alongside the general election.

Sir, on the issue of creating new ministries, while this is a very welcome move in order for the Government to be more effective and efficient, this could have waited until our country had stabilised economically. The alignments and re-alignments are costly. This gives me an opportunity to state that, as politicians, we must learn to continue with programmes and policies which are of national interest even if they were introduced or initiated by other political parties while they were in power.

Mr Speaker, not long ago, on this side of the House, we criticised the merging of ministries and misplacement of functions, but the Government justified its decision on this matter without much justification to the House. However, within four years of the PF being in power, the Government has reversed its decision to merge these critical ministries.

Mr Speaker, I hope that when Her Honour the Vice-President comes to speak, she will, at least, acknowledge that what we advised was the correct thing to do and that the Government should not have merged the ministries as it did.

Sir, it is a shame and, in fact, retrogressive for a party that has been in power for about five years to still exhibit tendencies indicating a lack of focus and clear understanding of the functions …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: Question!

Ms Namugala: … and objectives of Government ministries.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, clearly, …

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, let us proceed in the usual fashion.

Mr Mbulakulima: Ba Kambwili.

Mr Speaker: There are ways of impeaching what is being said. Let us follow the usual tradition as opposed to running commentaries.

Continue, hon. Member.

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, I was saying that it is a shame for a Government that has been in power for nearly five years now to continue exhibiting tendencies of a lack of focus and vision in the management of public affairs. The realignment and alignment of ministries shows this lack of vision and focus. Again, we advise the Government that it is expensive to create a ministry and four years later recreate it at a great cost to a nation that is already struggling to meet the needs of the people.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, let me conclude by urging this Government to ensure that, in the remaining few months of its term of office, at least, it should implement the pronouncements that were made by His Excellency the President last week, on Friday. This is because doing so will be in the interest of not only the PF, but also all of us as citizens of this country. With these words, I wish to second the Motion.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

__________

The House adjourned at 1709 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 23rd September, 2015.

 

WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTION

EXTENSION OF ROAD WORKS ON MOKAMBO/CHEMBE ROAD TO MUFULIRA/MOKAMBO ROAD

7. Mr Mpundu (Nchelenge) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications:

(a)    whether the Government had any plans of extending the on-going road works on the Mokambo/Chembe Road to the Mufulira/Mokambo Road;

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

(c)    if there were no such plans, when the Mufulira/Mokambo Road would be rehabilitated.

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, the Government has no plans to extend the on-going road works on the Mokambo/Chembe Road to include the Mufulira/ Mokambo Road.

Mr Speaker, the Mufulira/Mokambo Road is part of the Ndola/Mufulira/ Mokambo Road. It is envisaged that the rehabilitation works on this road will commence in the first quarter of 2016. These works have been procured in a separate contract.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.