Wednesday, 11th November, 2015

The House met at 1430 hours 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM 

PRAYER

__________

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

MAIZE MARKETING AND PRICE OF MEALIE MEAL AND OTHER COMMODITIES

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Lubinda): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to deliver a ministerial statement on maize marketing and the price of mealie meal and other commodities. 

Sir, let me start by stating that the Government has observed with concern the increase in mealie meal prices. Members of the public have also raised concerns about the rise in the price of mealie meal and other essential commodities in the country. As the House may recall, the Millers Association of Zambia recently announced an increase in mealie meal prices. According to the millers, the increase in price was precipitated by the limited availability of maize stocks. Some millers declared enough maize stocks to last up to November or December, 2015. Several millers have already run out of stocks and are now waiting for the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to release maize.

Mr Speaker, the Government’s marketing policy on maize and other crops has been very clear. The private sector is expected to take the lead in crop marketing. To this effect, millers and grain traders are expected to actively participate in maize marketing. The FRA is not expected to purchase large volumes of maize and supply to millers and traders. The mandate of the FRA is to buy and secure strategic food reserves.

Sir, earlier this year when I announced the results for the crop forecast for the 2014/2015 farming season, I shared with all the players in the industry the location of maize stocks in the country and I encouraged the private sector to fully participate in crop marketing by ensuring that they bought sufficient maize for their operations. The grain traders responded to the Government’s encouragement by purchasing even more maize than the FRA. Many farmers sold their maize to the private sector at K65 per 50 kg bag or less in some instances. 

Mr Speaker, it is true that the country experienced significant pressure with regard to the availability of maize along the line of rail. However, there was plenty of maize in other parts of the country and the private sector was given information on the location of the surplus stocks. 

Sir, millers must take full responsibility for the management of their raw materials. Milling, like any other business, is an agro-processing business. For instance, sugar is not harvested throughout the year, yet the sugar industry is able to manage its raw materials for the entire year. This is also true for the edible oil industry and many other agro-processing industries. Even cattle farmers make hay while the sun shines and stock up for the dry season. Therefore, it is surprising that millers seem to be unable to do the same. They always wait for the FRA to supply them maize.

Mr Speaker, we are where we are today as a result of the poor management of some millers. The responsibility of procuring and storing maize lies squarely with the millers. Like I said earlier, milling is a business just like any other business. Therefore, the Government is not happy about the FRA being turned into a maize buyer for the millers. In view of this, the Government has decided to get involved in the business of milling.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: This is in no way meant to crowd out the private sector. Rather, it is meant to set standards of operation that will enable the industry to operate in a sustainable manner. 

Mr Speaker, the Zambia Co-operative Federation (ZCF) has started installing solar milling plants throughout the country and three plants are already operational. It is anticipated that another 100 plants will be operational by January, 2016. The plants are in addition to the ten full-scale milling plants that are to be installed under the Presidential Milling Plant Initiative. The mills will be operated by ZCF and the Zambia National Service (ZNS).

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Once the plants are operational, milling companies whose performance has been poor will find it difficult to survive. The FRA will cease to be warehouses for millers and the Government will not be arm-twisted into making the FRA release maize to the millers by threatening to increase mealie meal prices.

Sir, the FRA programme of purchasing crop ended on 31st October, 2015. As of this date, it had purchased 595,883 metric tonnes of maize. When carry-over stocks from the 2013/2014 farming season are added to this figure, the total available stocks are 930,000 metric tonnes. 

Mr Speaker, after extensive consultations with the Millers Association of Zambia, the Grain Traders Association of Zambia, the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) and other stakeholders under the guidance of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, your listening, caring, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: … and people-focused Government, through the FRA, has decided to:
(a)    avail maize to millers with immediate effect;

(b)    enter into legally-binding contracts with millers who are interested in participating in the programme. Let me emphasis that this programme is voluntary. Millers are free not to participate in the programme;

(c)    make available maize to millers, who adhered to the Government’s incentive to fully participate in maize marketing this season, up to 30th April, 2016;

(d)    extend the period of supply of maize to millers for a further two months, up to 30th June, 2016. This measure is intended to encourage millers to continue participating in maize marketing;

(e)    buy maize from farmers across the country at K75 per 50 kg bag or K1,500 per metric tonne. In turn, the FRA will sell the maize grain to millers at K85 per 50 kg bag or K1,700 per metric tonne. This is much lower than the K120 and K130 per 50 kg bag at which millers claim to be buying maize currently;

(f)    allow millers who participate in this programme and sign contracts with the FRA to maintain the following wholesale prices of mealie meal:

(i)    not more than K70 for a 25 kg bag of breakfast meal;

(ii)    not more than K55 for a 25 kg bag of roller meal; and

(iii)    not more than K30 for 25 kg bag of maize bran; 

Sir, it has been established that millers will continue to allow retailers to maintain a retail margin of not more than K5 per 25 kg bag. Like I said earlier, this programme is voluntary. 

(g)    disallow the export of maize or mealie meal, as this programme is meant for Zambians only. Millers who flout the above provisions will not be allowed to get further allocations from the FRA;

(h)    encourage millers to increase the number of distribution points that they operate across the country;

(i)    avail maize to the ZCF for the solar milling plants that are currently operational as well as for the 100 solar plants that are expected to be operational by January, 2016;

(j)    avail maize for sale to communities in collaboration with District Commissioners (DCs) and hon. Members of Parliament; and

(k)    distribute relief maize to vulnerable households through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) under the Office of the Vice-President. 
Mr Speaker, given the limited quantity of maize stocks held by the FRA and the demand for maize exports, traders will not be allowed to access maize from the FRA. A strict monitoring mechanism has been put in place to ensure that millers follow the agreed upon regulations. 

Mr Speaker, President Edgar Lungu is a listening President.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: By this token, he has acted to save the interests of the country. With the above-mentioned measures, the Government expects the price of mealie meal to stabilise.  

Sir, allow me now to address the issue of the other commodity prices such as edible oils and wheat. I wish to remind the House that earlier this year, the Government took measures to regulate the importation of edible oils with a view to promoting the local industry. It has been observed that some local edible oil producers have taken advantage of the increase in the exchange rate of the Kwacha by increasing prices of edible oils while others have supported the Government and reduced their prices. 

Sir, on behalf of the Government, I wish to commend the producers of edible oils who have reduced their prices. To mitigate against the rising prices for locally-produced edible oils, the Ministry of Agriculture has decided to allow the importation of a limited amount of processed edible oils. This measure is intended to meet the domestic demand and stir competition on the local market. Measures have been put in place to ensure that all importers adhere to the agreed upon procedures and pay the necessary duties in order to curb abuse. 

Mr Speaker, the preliminary estimate for wheat production for 2015 is 330,000 metric tonnes. However, the national requirement for the 2015/2016 marketing season is estimated at 390,000 metric tonnes. The final wheat production estimates will be announced in due course. 

Sir, although marketing for the 2015 wheat crop has commenced, the Government is still engaging the ZNFU, Millers Association of Zambia and Bakers Association of Zambia on the pricing of wheat and wheat products. Once these discussions have been concluded, the Government will announce its position on wheat marketing.

Mr Speaker, all players in the various commodity value chains are urged to be considerate of consumer demand in their pricing. If the prices of agricultural commodities continue to rise, the Government will also continue to negotiate with the producers so as to come up with measures to address the situation and bring stability in the market. I shall continue to provide the House with periodic updates on this very important matter.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the statement given by the hon. Minister of Agriculture.
Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, about two to three weeks ago, it was reported in one of the newspapers that the Government was going to allow milling companies with mills that are propelled by solar to sell mealie meal at K45 per 50 kg bag. Does the hon. Minister’s ministerial statement override the earlier statement which was just a mere rumour? 

Mr Lubinda: Sir, I would like to thank Hon. Muchima for that important question which allows me to clarify a very important matter. This is not a rumour, but a statement of fact. The ZCF has already started milling using the three solar plants that are allocated in Kasama, Luwingu and Solwezi. If they were to buy maize at K75 per 50 kg bag, they would sell a 25 kg bag of mealie meal at K45.

Mr Speaker, as mentioned earlier, there are only three plants that are currently operational and their production capacity is insignificant compared to the total national requirement of mealie meal. That is the reason we still fall back on the private millers. I also mentioned that the ZCF informed us that by January, 2016, the number of solar plants would increase by another 100. We hope that by using solar plants, we shall induce a further decrease in the price of mealie meal. Going forward, the ten full-scale milling plants under the Presidential Milling Initiative will also have a similar effect on the price of mealie meal. So, my dear brother, Hon. Muchima, this is not a rumour, but a fact. We shall release as much maize as will be required by the solar milling plants in order to alleviate the suffering of our people.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Musonda (Kapiri Mposhi): Mr Speaker, in today’s The Post newspaper, Mr J. Zimba, − of course not ‘our’ January Zimba  − …

Laughter

Mr Musonda: … from the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) has been quoted as having said that the hon. Minister of Agriculture has been spending most of his time responding to the concerns of the millers and mealie meal prices instead of addressing the issue of the rising cost of agricultural inputs such as fertiliser. Could the hon. Minister comment on that statement.

Mr Lubinda: Sir, it is not my nature to discuss people in Parliament. However, since my hon. Colleague has asked an important question, I would like to state, without mentioning names, that most newspapers today carried a story emanating from the ministerial statement that I presented to the House yesterday in regard to what the Government is doing to mitigate the high price of fertiliser. The Zambia Daily Mail, Times of Zambia, Daily Nation, Radio Phoenix, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Television and Radio also carried that story. Interestingly, the newspaper that carried the story, which is alleging that I am more interested in responding to issues concerning mealie meal and not fertiliser, is the only one that has not featured the statement that I made yesterday in which I spoke about the Government having taken measures to reduce the cost of fertiliser. I would not be surprised if the newspaper had already ‘gone to bed’ by 1500 hours yesterday when I finished presenting the ministerial statement …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: … or if they found that story to be more important than the accurate position that I presented to this House. I will leave that to the people of Zambia to judge. I am sure that all the people who have read the newspapers today are wondering why that statement was made only a day after I announced the Government’s position and interventions on the prices of fertiliser.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Simfukwe (Mbala): Mr Speaker, I would like to commend the hon. Minister of Agriculture for informing this nation that he will not let the price of a staple food like maize be subjected to the invisible hand of market forces. I think he has done what all other Ministers in organised countries do. We cannot let the market forces dictate the price of a commodity. The function of the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and other agencies is to buy surplus maize and release it when its price increases. Does the hon. Minister intend to instutionalise this arrangement so that we are guaranteed a stable price of our staple food?

Mr Lubinda: Sir, I appreciate those warm words from my hon. Brother. The Government’s intention is to ensure that Zambians are protected from rising prices, especially of the staple food. However, like I said earlier, it is precisely for that reason that it has been compelled to enter into the business of maize milling. Going forward, all the milling plants that will be operated by the Zambia Co-operative Federation (ZCF) and Zambia National Service (ZNS) will have their own silos. Since we want to introduce prudent management of milling plants, the plants will be encouraged to stock up enough maize to operate their industry for the whole year so that the FRA is left to maintain and manage the strategic reserves that are meant to protect the country in the event of a crop failure in the next season. 

Sir, the reason the Government came up with the figure of  500,000 metric tonnes is that this is the quantity of maize that will be required to cover the lead period that may be needed should the need arise for Zambia to import maize from outside. So, we would like the FRA to perform that function and allow private milling companies to manage the national requirement for the year.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, I thank the right hon. Minister for that statement.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Let me guide the hon. Member for Luena that the appropriate address is, “hon. Minister”.

You may continue.

Ms Imenda: Sir, I thank the hon. Minister for the statement.
Mr Speaker, what measures has the ministry put in place to ensure that the remotest parts of Zambia are not exploited? At the moment, prices of mealie meal are still higher in some places despite the Government’s regulation of prices. How will the hon. Minister ensure that there are uniform prices of mealie meal throughout the country, including Zambezi West near the Angolan Border?

 Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, millers have the capacity to mill sufficient mealie meal for the whole country. When awarding contracts to millers, we shall take into account the geographical distribution of the milling plants to ensure that every part of the country receives maize from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).

Sir, I mentioned earlier that we have constituted monitoring teams that will ensure that there is no milling company that is selling meal-meal at a higher price than agreed upon. I also mentioned that maize will be released to cater for communities where there are no milling plants, but where there are grinding mills or where people would like to grind maize into meal-meal using mortar. I also mentioned that hon. Members of Parliament and District Commissioners (DC) are encouraged to request maize from the FRA for such communities in order to ensure that the whole country is well fed.

 I thank you, Sir.

 Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister announced a whole range of measures to be taken most of which are aimed at stabilising the price of meal-meal. What has caught my attention is the Government’s involvement in the business of milling and the cap on the price of mealie meal of not more than K70.00 for those that will participate in the scheme that he has outlined. I would like to find out from him whether this is not the return of price controls or whether this is not generally inimical to investment in the country.

 Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that question.

Sir, the hon. Member for Mbala commended me for doing what he said all responsible ‘hon. Ministers of food’ across the global would do.

 Laughter

Mr Lubinda: Sir, this means that a good Government attracts investment not for the sake of investment, but because investment is not investment if it does not impact positively on the people. In this case, we have come to realise that liberalising the milling industry may not be the best way to go in order to ensure that the ‘children’ of Zambia are fed. Therefore, this Government is doing just what it is expected to do.

Mr Speaker, in responding to the question by Hon. Muchima, I mentioned that the Zambia Co-operative Federation (ZCF) will release meal meal at K45.00 per 50 kg bag. However, having recognised the fact that we do not have the capacity to feed the whole country, we have agreed to partner with the private sector so that they can also make a profit and a return on their investment. Since we are giving them maize that is meant for the FRA, which was paid for using the taxpayers money, we are only duty bound to ensure that the taxpayer, whose money we use to secure that maize, is safeguarded.

 Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

 Mr Lubinda: Sir, we are not going against our policy of having an open market at all, but are encouraging more players in the milling industry. What we have observed, so far, is that the milling sector in Zambia has been trying to use the FRA as its buyer and warehouse. In order to make progress, we want to support the ZCF and the Zambia National Service (ZNS) so that they can also go into the business of milling and encourage them to have their own capacity for storing and financing the procurement of maize in order to operate like any other business.

Mr Speaker, during the rainy season, block makers in Lukulu East know that they cannot access quarry dust. However, since there are prudent young men in that area, they procure the quarry dust during the dry season for them to continue producing blocks even when the quarry dust is not available. Therefore, we expect the same of the millers.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, my concern is on the extra 100 mills which are to be set up by the Zambia Co-operative Federation (ZCF). Each of the ten provinces will benefit from the ten mills that the hon. Minister talked about. May I know how many mills from the 100 mills will be allocated to each of the ten provinces.

 Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, at the moment, all that I can say is that Kalabo Central will benefit. However, I am not in a position to state the exact number each province will get because I do not have the figures. I shall, therefore, wait for the ZCF to map out the allocation. I am sure that either my colleague, who is responsible for Commerce, Trade and Industry, under whose ministry the ZCF falls, or myself will announce the way forward to the House. For now, I just want to assure my dear brother and relatives in Kalabo Central that they will be taken care of.

 I thank you, Sir.

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, I appreciate the efforts that are being made by the hon. Minister in ensuring that the price for the staple food is under control.

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 Mr Lufuma: However, I have some clarifications that I would like to seek from the hon. Minister. The price of mealie meal has been capped at K70.00 per 50 kg bag when we know that in certain areas, the price is already at K70.00 or even more. We also know that the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) electricity tariffs will go up by more than 50 per cent and that electricity is a crucial input in the production of mealie meal. Given those facts, I would like to know why this Government intends to cap the price of mealie meal at K70.00 per 50 kg bag.

 Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. Colleague for the commendation. A number of his colleagues in the political groupings that he belongs to came to commend me privately yesterday …

 Laughter

Mr Lubinda: ... and he has also commended me publicly. I am sure that this is not without any risk.

Laughter

Mr Lubinda: I really pray that no accusing fingers shall point at him for this commendation. I pray very hard that others in his grouping pat him on the back for his courage. I want to thank him most sincerely.

Mr Mushanga: Livune!

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, I am sure that my hon. Colleague understands that the figures that I have given out today are based on the current situation. All things being equal, this is what we would like to see. If, for instance, the cost of production increases to necessitate an increase in the price of mealie meal, surely, the millers will come to the ministry and negotiate that. The figures that I have mentioned today were arrived at through consultations with the various players, including the Millers Association of Zambia. I have to say that by agreeing to these prices, the millers also agreed to reduce the margins that they have been operating with. I hope that going forward, we shall continue with the spirit of volunteerism because, like I said, no miller is obliged to participate in this programme. It is a voluntary programme and we shall review the position as we go on. For now, these are the obtaining prices.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Masebo (Chongwe): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to ask the hon. Minister a question. I would like to join those who have appreciated this important and timely statement concerning the prices of commodities in the country.

Sir, my question is related to the last question to which the hon. Minister has responded well. The Government is trying to stabilise the price of mealie meal by offering maize from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to the millers and coming up with a fixed price for the commodity. We had a similar programme in the past. However, very few millers agreed with the suggestions by the State. Instead, a good number of them agreed to join the programme, but after milling the maize, they offloaded a certain amount of mealie meal on the Zambian market while most of it ended up in foreign countries. We also risk having foreign countries benefitting more from this mealie meal than Zambians. The hon. Minister said that the Government would put in place measures to curb maize exports. In the past, the country lost a lot of money through maize exports. In view of this, I would like the hon. Minister to help me appreciate that this time around, the staple food will not be smuggled out to neighbouring countries.

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that important question. There is no way that I can guarantee that there will be no smuggling of mealie meal because some people are smugglers by nature.

Laughter

Mr Lubinda: Sir, even when you give certain people the best deal, they will still find a way of abusing it by smuggling the mealie meal. For the time being, we have put in place measures to try to monitor the movement of mealie meal and maize in order to avoid abuse. We are not only trying to avoid smuggling, but also abuse by millers who may want to capitalise on this programme by hiking prices. 

Mr Speaker, let me also appeal to my hon. Colleagues that if they notice that there is a particular brand of mealie meal that is being sold at a higher price than the prices that I have mentioned, they should, please, bring it to the attention of the shop owner or the Government so that together, we can ensure that the staple food is affordable.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mweetwa (Choma Central): Mr Speaker, I would like the Chief Government Spokesperson to wake up and listen to my question.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister confirm the words of President Lungu, who said he had the capacity to introduce price controls on maize when he was on the Copperbelt recently. Could he also confirm if this is not the first step towards the realisation of the President’s statement and that this is likely to be the case with other essential commodities such as kapenta and others. I say so because nshima is not eaten on its own. I would like him to confirm if this statement has not been necessitated by the depreciating of the Kwacha, whose exchange rate is almost K15 to the United States Dollar, and is evidence of the failure of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, how I wish the hon. Member’s opening remarks were used on himself when I was presenting the ministerial statement. Had he not been sleeping, he would have heard that I acknowledged the fact that the exchange rate of the Kwacha to United States Dollar has had an impact on the price of mealie meal. So, there is no need for him to try to ask me to rub it in. However, I want to ask whether it is wrong for taxpayers, who financed the procurement of maize, to decide to release the maize to millers and also participate in determining the price at which they will pay for the mealie meal. The maize belongs to the taxpayer and the mealie meal is going to be procured by the same taxpayer. No amount of politicking shall change the position on this matter.

Sir, the Government is concerned about the fact that the millers did not buy sufficient maize, and thus have attributed the high prices of mealie meal to the high prices of maize available on the market. The millers have also said that a 50 kg bag of maize now costs K130. We are releasing the maize from the FRA at K85 per 50 kg. On behalf of the owners of that maize, we have a duty to ensure that the millers do not exploit the people. That is the reason we have set the price. This price has been agreed upon with the millers. For the sake of my hon. Colleague who may have missed what I said earlier, I would like to repeat that this programme is voluntary. Millers who wish to exploit the market, and have their own maize stocks can go ahead and do so. Choma Milling in Choma is amongst the first millers to volunteer to take part in this programme because it has realised that the people of Choma deserve to be fed. There is no Government other than the Patriotic Front (PF) under President Edgar Lungu that is capable of feeding the people. Our intention is to ... 

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Lubinda: ... feed the people of Choma.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ema Ministers, aya.

Mr Pande (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, let me also join my colleagues who have commended the hon. Minister for the statement. I agree with the hon. Minister’s view regarding the imprudent behaviour of the millers. However, as he responds to my question, I would like him to …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left and right!

Mr Pande: … to say something to the millers because the maize that they mill is theirs. Recently, the Government lifted the ban on the export of maize. Is the export of maize still allowed or it has been banned again as a result of the shortage of maize in the country? 

Mr Lubinda: Sir, that is a very progressive question and I would like to thank the hon. Member for it. The maize whose sale we are going to monitor has been procured by the taxpayers of Zambia through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). We shall have nothing to do with the maize that is in private hands. So, the owners can use it in way they wish. If they wish to export it, they can go ahead and do so. All that they need is an export permit issued by the Ministry of Agriculture. It is entirely up to them to decide whether to use their maize to make chibuku or gankata. We shall not stop them.

Sir, let me take advantage of this opportunity to emphasise that we are not going to stop the export of agricultural commodities. We would like farmers to grow as much as they can to sell locally and exploit the regional market. So, I urge the farmers to invest in maize production because the market next year may be as big as it was this year, if not bigger. There is a market for not only for maize, but also other crops. Farmers are at liberty to grow various crops because we shall grant them export permits if they want to export. Let me repeat that we shall not export maize that has been bought using taxpayers’ money, that is, the FRA maize.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Antonio (Kaoma Central): Mr Speaker, what is the output per day for the mill in Solwezi in terms of tonnage? I would like to know whether the mill is making any impact in the community.

Mr Lubinda: Sir, I have before me a long list of all the major millers in Zambia. As I check for Solwezi on my list, I would like to inform the House and nation at large that the total milling capacity for all the millers as at 16th October, 2015, was 162,000 metric tonnes per month. Before I give the specific figures, I would like to apologise to Solwezi Milling for disclosing one of its industrial secrets. It may not have wanted me to do this, but I am bound by the supremacy of Parliament and I hope I will be excused for this. The milling capacity per annum for Solwezi Milling is 25,200 metric tonnes. I am sure that my hon. Colleague and I can calculate the milling output per day. If I was to do that on the Floor, I would take a lot of Parliament’s time. So, I am sure my brother can do that himself and even calculate the milling output per hour.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Habeenzu (Chikankata): Mr Speaker, in the event that the millers do not comply with the measures that the hon. Minister has put in place, what he is going to do?

Mr Lubinda: Sir, I am hesitant to respond to the hon. Member’s question because I mentioned that this is a voluntary programme and all the millers such as Choma Milling who choose to participate will enter into a legally-binding agreement with the Government. The contract stipulates the measures that will be taken by the Government in the event that a participating miller decides to abrogate part of the agreement. I used the word “penalise’’ and gave an example of what kind of penalty we would mete out. I also said that the FRA would not release any further stocks to such a miller. I am sure that my colleague may have missed that when I mentioned it. We shall penalise millers who do not comply with the set measures in order to protect the consumers.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chipungu (Rufunsa): Mr Speaker, my concern is on the importation of edible oils. Last year, your Committee on Agriculture considered a topical issue on the production of non-traditional crops which include cotton sunflower and soybeans. Most of the witnesses who appeared before your Committee complained about the importation of cheap unfinished edible oils into the country. They recommended to the Committee that the Government be urged to ban the importation of such oils. In view of this, is the hon. Minister not contradicting himself?

Mr Lubinda: Sir, Hon. Chipungu is right. One of the recommendations in the report of the Committee of Parliament was that we promote the infant industry, including the oil processing sector in Zambia. Early this year, I came to this House to announce that the Government was going to limit the importation of refined oil in order to protect the local industry. However, like I said earlier, …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

There is too much loud consultation going on.

Mr Lubinda: Sir, like I said, some of the oil processing companies took heed of the Government’s intention to protect the local industry and reduced the price of their oil. There is an oil product that is currently selling at K27.90 for a 2.5 litre container while others are selling at as much as K52. 

Sir, when the Government consulted with the oil processors, the argument they presented was that soybeans was more expensive in Zambia than any other country in the region. The information they gave me – and I cannot vouch for them because I did not confirm with the Zambia National Farmers’ Union – was that in Zambia a tonne of soybeans was selling at US$590. For some reason, my predecessors allowed farmers of soybeans and wheat to price their commodities in United States Dollars. Unfortunately, this trend has continued. Yesterday, I consulted with the hon. Minister of Finance and he assured me that he was going to work on this matter. At the moment, the price of soybeans in the region is US$380 per tonne. As a result, they had to increase the prices of oil. 

Like I said earlier, Sir, investment is not investment if it is not in the interest of the citizens. Yes, I want to protect infant industry, but I must do it in such a way that it impacts positively on the citizens in the long or short term. This is the reason I have decided, with approval from the Government, to allow the importation of limited quantities of processed edible oils so that we can see if the imported commodity will be priced lower than the local commodity in the interest of the consumer. 

Sir, I am saying this bearing in mind that we ought to protect the local farmer and the infant industry but, more importantly, our consumers.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sianga (Sesheke): Mr Speaker, there has been no mealie meal in Sesheke for three days. This is despite its being sold at K100 per 25 kg.

Mr Antonio: But it is not there.
Mr Sianga: There are sales outlets for four big millers in Sesheke. These are Choma Milling Company Limited, National Milling Corporation, Superior Milling and Musanza. My question is: Besides the Kwacha to Dollar exchange rate issue and the bad road, is the Government considering giving Sesheke priority in the setting up of milling plants in the Presidential Milling Initiative in order to solve this problem?

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, that is a very important question by an hon. Member of Parliament who is concerned about the plight of the people he represents. I stated earlier that the milling capacity of Zambia is concentrated along the line of rail. In March, I mentioned that the Government was encouraging milling companies to set up milling plants in places like Sesheke that are far off the line of rail. 

Mr Sianga chatted with Mr Kasonso. 

Mr Lubinda: So, I would like to urge my hon. Colleague – I hope he is listening – to go and inform the people of Sesheke about this rather than his talking to Hon. Kasonso.

Sir, the Government’s intention is to use the ten milling plants and additional 4,000 solar milling plants to create capacity in the areas where there is a deficiency. So, if there will not be a standa-lone milling plant in Sesheke, there shall be one nearby. With regard to the solar milling plants, the initial number is 2,000 to be distributed among the 150 constituencies. So, all the constituencies will benefit from the solar milling plants, including Kabwe Central and Choma in particular.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, I am happy that the hon. Minister is aware that people in rural areas need maize. May I find out from him why the Government allowed the export of maize to neighbouring countries.

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, Zambia produced more maize than was required for national consumption. I mentioned a figure of 860,000 metric tonnes. Had we not allowed the export of the commodity, I am sure the hon. Member for Nangoma would have been asking me today what we are going to do with the excess maize which we are not going to consume. 

Sir, we allowed the export of maize like all other commodities and crops to encourage investment in agriculture so that farmers know that their market is not limited to within the boundaries of Zambia, but that they can access regional markets.

I thank you, Sir.

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, the passion with which the hon. Minister is addressing this important issue qualifies him as the ‘Food Minister’.

Laughter

Prof. Lungwangwa: I hope the title of ‘Food Minister’ will come.

Mr Speaker, the sustainability and impact of this programme lies very much in the proportion of the Government programme in the maize meal market. Can the hon. Minister assure us that in the short, medium and long term, the proportion of this Government programme ...

Mr Kambwili yawned.

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

Mr Mwiimbu: Kambwili!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, order!

Let us have some order, both on the left and right, please.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Nalikwanda, please, continue.

Prof. Lungwangwa: If the hon. Minister has made his quantitative analysis ...

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

Prof. Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out if the hon. Minister has made a quantitative analysis of the market to see how the Government programme fits in the market.

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, on a lighter note, when the hon. Member for Nalikwanda was referring to me as the ‘Food Minister’, it reminded me of the time the hon. Member for Chadiza was referred to as a food prefect.

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lubinda: I feared that the hon. Member would refer to me as a food prefect.

Laughter

Mr Lubinda: Sir, yes, the Government has made its analysis on the milling capacity of the mills that it will set up. I would like to state that the milling capacity is less than the required capacity for the country, but large enough to mitigate against any shortages should there be instability in the production of mealie meal. This is also aimed at improving capacity so that millers are encouraged to export mealie meal instead of maize and there is value addition in Zambia.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, …

Mr Mbewe: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Members: Ah!

Mr Speaker: Let me just guide. You may not raise a point of order during this segment. However, you may consider raising your point of order when we are through with the question and answer session.

The hon. Member for Liuwa may continue.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, I would like to appreciate the statement by the hon. Minister. I would also like to appreciate the efforts of the millers to feed the Zambian people even under very difficult economic conditions, whereby the Kwacha is losing value every minute. This is a very difficult business environment.

Sir, the hon. Minister talked about maize to sell to communities. However, I did not hear him talk about the modalities to be implored for one to access that maize and how to sell it. Could the hon. Minister explain this important issue because I am in total darkness. Can anyone go to the millers to ask for maize to sell to the communities.

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, I stated that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will make maize available to communities through the District Commissioners’ (DCs) Offices. I also appealed to hon. Members of Parliament to get involved in this programme. How will this be done? I will give an illustration of the constituency that I humbly represent. 

Sir, there are a number of grinding mills in Kabwata Constituency. There are also many residents of Kabwata Constituency, including the hon. Member for Choma I, who like to eat mealie meal that is produced by the grinding mills. However, there is no maize at the moment. So, if we requested for maize through the DC’s Office, the DC would go to the FRA and certify the existence of the grinding mill in Kabwata and ask for a number of bags of maize to be released to the mill for the people of Kabwata to access. 

Sir, this is exactly what the hon. Member of Parliament for Liuwa can also do. The hon. Member of Parliament for Sesheke asked me whether the maize was available for Sesheke. This is the procedure to follow.

Mr Speaker, let me add to the information that I gave to the House when the hon. Member of Parliament for Rufunsa asked about the issue of rising prices for edible oils. I have just received a note indicating that the Bloomberg reported this morning that soya is selling at US$855 per metric tonne on the international market. That is the reason for the increase in the price of cooking oil. 

Finally, Sir, Kalonga Milling Plant in Kabwe is amongst the plants that are entering into a contract with the FRA to supply mealie meal to the Kabwe region.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

MOBILE NETWORK COMMUNICATION QUALITY OF SERVICE AND COMMUNICATION TARIFFS

The Minister of Transport and Communications (Mr Simbao): Mr Speaker, I am grateful to you for affording me the opportunity to address this distinguished august House on the quality of service for mobile network communication, tariffs in the communication sector, the opening up of the mobile communications market and the fixed line service.

Sir, the Government’s intention is to continue on the path of growth in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector and attract investment which will lead to employment creation and improved livelihood for the people.

Sir, the Information and Communications Technology Act No. 15 of 2009, under Part V, provides for the regulation of tariffs charged to consumers for ICT services. This provision gives the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) powers to review all tariffs prior to their introduction on the Zambian market. Furthermore, the Act requires that ICT tariffs in Zambia be cost based, transparent and non-discriminatory with regard to geographical markets, age and sex of subscribers. 

Sir, in order to support the regulator’s mandate, a study was undertaken whose main objective was to determine the actual cost of providing ICT services on the Zambian market. The study revealed that the prices for ICT services were high. The following are the results of the interventions made by the Government through the regulator:

(a)    reducing the cost of calls across networks. Initially, it was costly to call from one mobile network to another. For instance, in 2009, it was K1.68 per minute. After the interventions, it is now K1.36, representing a reduction of 19 per cent. Calls within the same network cost K1.44 per minute. After the interventions, they are now K1.16, representing a reduction of 19 per cent;

(iii)    promoting competition through effective infrastructure sharing, access and interconnection. This has compelled operators to run various promotional incentives that offer free and discounted minutes which have further resulted in the effective average tariff coming down to as low as 45 ngwee per minute from about 79 ngwee in 2009, representing a reduction of 43 per cent; and

(iv)    reducing the cost of internet services from about K1,250 in 2009 to about K130 per gigabyte (GB).

Sir, most of the hon. Members have travelled abroad and have been victims of high mobile roaming charges. In order to reduce international roaming charges, Ministers responsible for ICT and Postal Services in the Southern African Development Community Region have directed that SADC member States facilitate a reduction in mobile roaming charges in the region. To this end, four SADC member States, namely Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, have undertaken a pilot project from 1st September, 2015, to 1st October, 2015, to actualise the Ministers’ initiative on a bilateral basis subject to the adjustment of the existing roaming agreements.

Sir, a benchmark study was conducted which showed that Zambia is competitive in terms of call charges within the network. For instance, in Zambia, the price is 9 cents while it is 15 cents in Zimbabwe, 13 cents in Namibia, 10 cents in Malawi and 10 cents in South Africa. However, in countries like Kenya and Tanzania the rates are 6 cents and 8 cents, respectively.

Mr Speaker, despite the interventions by ZICTA, the majority of Zambians still find the cost of communication services high. My Government, through ZICTA, has developed effective tariff regulations and shall liaise with the operators before determining the price caps for tariffs in ICTs.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on my far right!

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, communication services should not only be looked at from the tariff point of view, but also the quality of service. According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) standard, the quality of service is defined as a collective effect of service performances which determine the degree of satisfaction of the user of the service. Simply put, quality of service is the end to end experience that a customer encounters on a mobile network or internet service platform. It is important to note that if one of the many service performances is not satisfactory, the overall perception from the user’s point of view may be poor.

Sir, in order to protect the interest of consumers, the International Communication Technologies Act No. 15 of 2009 has given ZICTA a mandate to set standards for quality of service and monitor, and enforce the set standards across all the segments of the ICT sector. Consequently, ZICTA has come up with quality of service guidelines which contain sixty-seven standards to be met by the licence holders. To enforce the guidelines, ZICTA has acquired equipment to measure and monitor the quality of service and adherence to set standards. 

Mr Speaker, henceforth, ZICTA has been monitoring the performance of operators against the following five key quality of service standards: 

(a)    call set up time; 

(b)    call drop rate;

(c)    call success rate; 

(d)    Short Message Service (SMS) delivery time; and
 
(e)    SMS delivery success. 

Sir, it should suffice to say that ZICTA has continued to build technical capacity in order to measure voice quality and internet speed. In addition, ZICTA collects data on the performance of the non-technical aspects of the service through the Complaints Management System. This notwithstanding, the quality of service guidelines require service providers to submit quarterly quality of service reports regarding compliance to all the sixty-seven standards to ZICTA. Over time, it has become evident that the performance of the mobile network providers is below standard, especially on dropped calls, SMS delivery rate and voice quality. This is consistent with the number of complaints received by ZICTA. The public’s opinion is that on average, the performance of mobile network service providers leaves much to be desired. ZICTA may enforce administrative sanctions and, where a breach is considered serious or is persistent, it can institute criminal proceedings. In enforcing the quality of service guidelines, ZICTA put up the “Name and Shame” sanction and published the quality of service reports on the mobile network service providers in the daily newspapers for the first and second quarters of 2015. To ensure that quality of service and quality of experience standards are met, the operators have been directed to commit and adhere to the quality of service guidelines pursuant to the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority Act No. 15 of 2009. It must be noted that all the operators have started investing in upgrading their networks and call centres in order to improve the quality of service and experience. 

Mr Speaker, in summary, I wish to demonstrate the Government’s commitment to the development of the ICT sector which greatly impacts on all other sectors. The ICT sector is in the centre of all business processes and supports the socio-economic development of the country. The Government will continue to ensure that consumers get quality service at affordable and competitive tariffs. 

I thank you, Sir. 

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

Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, I am surprised to hear that mobile network services are not that expensive after all. Can the hon. Minister indicate to this House which of the mobile network service providers is the worst in terms of the quality of service standards set by the Zambia Information and Communication Authority (ZICTA).

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, of the five quality of service standards that are monitored, the call drop rate is the most common among all the service providers. The call drop rate is determined by the infrastructure in place. So far, MTN has the best infrastructure in place followed very closely by Airtel. The Zambia Telecommunications Company Ltd (Zamtel) has poor infrastructure.

I thank you, Sir. 

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, so far, what sanctions has the Government applied on the mobile network service providers, following the repeated complaints of their failure to meet the five key quality of service standards? 

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, at the moment, our attention is not focussed on punishing the service providers, but on correcting them in order to reform or perfect their services. We are not there to punish them. I have just said that there are sixty-seven standards which we want the service providers to conform to. We do not expect this to be done in a day. This is a process that will take some time. Mobile phone users will start seeing the difference in the quality of service eventually and are going to appreciate it. My statement today was meant to let the nation know that there is a process going on which we hope will improve the quality of service provided by the mobile phone service providers.  

I thank you, Sir. 

Prof. Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the prices of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) services are closely related to the infrastructure available in the country. In this case, the price of internet services is closely related to the optic fibre infrastructure in the country. Can the hon. Minister clarify where we stand currently in terms of both our internal and external connectivity and both the optic fibre under the sea and our national optic fibre system. 

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, locally, two optic fibre networks have been completed. One is owned by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) and the other is owned by the Zambia Telecommunications Company Limited (Zamtel). Three other companies, namely MTN, Airtel and C-Liquid are currently laying optic fibre systems in the country. We are also connected to the optic fibre system in the sea from Tanzania, Namibia and South Africa. Therefore, we have a very solid system of fibre optic connection in the country. 

I thank you, Sir.  

Bishop Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha (Keembe): Mr Speaker, when I buy electricity units from the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) and they finish, I go back to buy some more.  

However, the internet bundles that I buy from any of the service providers that we have in the country have an expiry date. So, I lose the bundles if I do not exhaust them by the stipulated date. This is against my right and it is unconstitutional. Hon. Minister, are you going to deal with this daylight robbery?

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, this is a concern that we shall address. This can be attributed to the fact that service providers do not have enough capacity at the moment. However, we shall look into it and ensure that bundles meant for thirty days are used for one year, for instance. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, I am glad that the hon. Minister talked about the poor service that we receive from service providers. Hon. Minister, before I ask my question, I wish to suggest that you bring it to the attention of the mobile service providers that the messages that they send at any time of the morning, be it 1 or 2 am, are disturbing. They should consider the time when to send promotional messages.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, we expected to have a fourth mobile service provider, but the Government, then, suspended this venture in order to promote the Zambia Telecommunications Company Ltd (Zamtel). Does the position still stand or is the country in the process of opening up the sector to allow other mobile service providers to come in?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, the idea of introducing a fourth mobile service provider is still being looked at. We are still trying to look at the pros and cons of such a move. 

Mr Kambwili entered the Assembly Chamber.

Mr Mbewe: Order, Kambwili!

Mr Simbao: We are certainly interested in having a fourth mobile service provider in the country. However, the hon. Member for Kasempa should know that it is not all countries that have many mobile phone service providers. South Africa, which is our biggest neighbour, only has two big mobile phone service providers. Therefore, it is not the number of mobile phone service providers that would improve the quality of service in the country, but the regulation and how people adhere to the required standards. Nonetheless, the issue of a fourth service provider is still on the table. 

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, for those of us who represent rural areas, what is of most important is the ability to communicate. 

Mr Speaker, aside from the expansion of the network towers, could the hon. Minister update us on what is being done to enhance the coverage of the existing towers, most of whose coverage is below what we expected when they were being erected.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I want to start by talking about the future. The 469 communication towers that we intend to erect should cover 92 per cent of the country. The exercise where we asked hon. Members of Parliament to meet with officials from the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) when they came to Parliament was meant to ascertain whether this percentage of coverage could be achieved. Where it is not possible to erect communication towers, we shall revisit such areas again. The Government wants to ensue that 92 per cent of the country is covered, after the installation of the 469 communication towers. 

Mr Speaker, the shortcomings in the installation of the previous 204 communication towers were due to many factors, some of which were political because people insisted on having towers installed in areas where it would be difficult for them to operate. This has happened in many places. So, the suggestion has been that we uproot the towers. However, we are wary of the reaction of the people in the affected areas. The alternative would be to extend the towers. However, this will attract a different cost altogether. We will probably go back to these areas after we have installed the 469 communication towers. Perhaps, there will be improvement in network coverage when we extend the height of the towers. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for his admission. Indeed, this nation is ‘crying’ because of the poor quality of mobile phone services. Hon. Minister, you talked about the successes in communication service delivery and internet speed. How different are we from other countries where mobile phone service providers are efficient considering optic fibre infrastructure has just been laid in this country? Is it due to the poor quality of the equipment that mobile phone service providers have installed because we are a third world country or what? 

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) depends on many factors such as the system that is being used, the connections that are there as well as the infrastructure and equipment. Some countries are modernising and upgrading their systems while we are still dependent on the Zambia Telecommunications Company Ltd (Zamtel). Zamtel is fortunate in that its client capacity is above the target figure. So, even if more people subscribed to Zamtel, it would still be able to handle most of the communication. This is how lucky we are to have Zamtel even though its system is not as modern as that of Airtel and MTN. So, the efficiency that the hon. Member is concerned about is dependent on many factors, one of which is equipment. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, I had an experience with MTN and the Zambia Telecommunications Company Ltd (Zamtel) where I incurred a cost for calling a number that was off. Why is that so?

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, as long as the signal goes out, you occupy bandwidth ...

Hon. Opposition Member: Ah!

Mr Simbao: ... and that costs money. However, it was not always like this. In the past, one would call and would not to be charged for an unanswered call. However, within that period, one would have occupied time and that was an expense for the service provider. They have now decided to charge for unanswered calls.
                            
I thank you, Sir.  

__________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER 

MASANGANO HIGH SCHOOL

164.    Mr Chitafu (Kafulafuta) asked the Minister of General Education:

(a)    when the construction of Masangano High School in Kafulafuta Parliamentary Constituency would be completed and;

(b)    what the cause of the delay in completing the project was.

The Deputy Minister of General Education (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, data on the completion of Masangano Secondary School in Kafulafuta Parliamentary Constituency will be known once a new contractor has been identified and contracts signed. The project has delayed because the contractor deserted the site and the case was referred to the Ministry of Justice for determination to terminate the contract.

Sir, the contract has since been terminated and the project will be re-advertised in the first quarter of 2016.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chitafu: Mr Speaker, is there any hope that this school will be completed?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, like I said earlier, the project is expected to be re-advertised in the first quarter of 2016 and that should be assurance enough to my colleague that the school will be completed. I have had a number of discussions with the hon. Member on this issue before. We are re-advertising this project and the school will be completed.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, why was the contract terminated?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, I have already stated that the project had been delayed because the contractor deserted the site. On that basis, we decided that the matter be referred to the Ministry of Justice for determination, thus the contract was consequently terminated.

I thank you, Sir. 
Mr Habeenzu (Chikankata): Mr Speaker, what measures has the ministry put in place to ensure that if the new contactor is found, he does not desert the project like the previous one did?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, we shall make sure that the contractor who is picked has the technical and financial ability to undertake the project.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Namulambe (Mpongwe): Mr Speaker, what penalties have been meted out to the contractor for desertion and was he Zambian or foreign?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Contractor ... 

Laughter 

Mr Mabumba: Oh, sorry, Mr Speaker, ...

Laughter 

Mr Mabumba: I know there is a lot of pressure on time.

Mr Mabumba: There are too many questions for the ministry.

Sir, the contractor was Solatech, which is a Zambian company. The penalty was the termination of the contract. 

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 until 1630 hours. 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

MILENGE/SAKANYA/NDOLA ROAD

165.    Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe) asked the Minister of Works and Supply when the Milenge/Sakanya/Ndola Road would be constructed.

The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Dr Mwali): Mr Speaker, the alignment of the proposed road passes through the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). There are no immediate plans to upgrade the Milenge/Sakanya Road. However, consideration can be made in future once the Government of the DRC has been engaged by the competent authority. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Pande (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, once this road has been constructed, it will be a shorter route to Milenge than the other one. When are you planning to engage the competent authority? 
Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, it is difficult to attach some urgency to this project because we are constructing a road near it that passes through the same country.

Mr Speaker: The question is: When are you going to engage the authority? 

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, bilateral discussions always take place between Zambia and DRC. When the need arises, the relevant authorities will table these issues.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kunda (Muchinga): Mr Speaker, every time the hon. Minister is responding to questions that relate to Milenge, he always says, “We shall get back to you” or “We shall do that when funds are made available.” When will this Government consider the people of Milenge?

Mr Speaker: Could you paraphrase your question.

Laughter

Mr Kunda: Mr Speaker, this Government has constructed many roads. Can the hon. Minister indicate to this House when roads will be constructed in Milenge. 

Interruptions

The Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, every time the people of Milenge make a request, the Government takes it into consideration. In this case, the construction of the road has not been prioritised. Therefore, it cannot be worked on because there is no request.

I thank you, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Shakafuswa (Katuba): Mr Speaker, most of the roads that link Zambia with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), specifically on the DRC side, are being worked on by private contractors who have signed Build Operate Transfer (BOT) agreements. This is where the company operates using its finances and the money is recovered through toll fees. Why can we not move in that direction?

 Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, not all the roads that link Zambia and the DRC are constructed using that mode. We are currently working on the Pedicle Road. This is not being constructed using the BOT mode or public-private partnership (PPP). When the road is prioritised, we shall look at the volumes of traffic and see whether it is economically viable to go in that direction.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, in his response, the hon. Deputy Minister said that the road cannot be worked on because there is another road that passes through the same area. What I know is that the road from Milenge to Ndola, the Milenge/Sakanya/Ndola Road that we are talking about, is 110 km while the Milenge/Mansa Road is 250 km. The Pedicle Road is a completely different road because it passes through Mansa Central and the Copperbelt. It does not pass through Milenge District. The hon. Minister also mentioned that this road will be completed in 2018. May I know which road the hon. Minister is referring to, considering that there is no road that is being worked on in Milenge currently.  

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister was referring to the Pedicle/Ndola/Mufulira Road which we shall be working on soon. This road will pass through Sakanya.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister is responding to questions in an intimidating manner, as though it is his money.

Interruptions

Mr Livune: What makes him think he can respond to questions in that manner?

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Katombola, can you withdraw that question. In fact, it is not a question but a comment.

Mr Livune: No, Sir. It is a protest.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: No, you do not protest that way. Just withdraw your comment.

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, I do. 

Mr Speaker: Thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

________

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the
Chair]

VOTE 15 – (Ministry of Home Affairs – K412,379,648).

(Consideration resumed)

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VOTE 86 – (Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock – K708,533,323).

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Monde): Mr Chairperson, allow me to present the policy statement for the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. It is my pleasure to be accorded this opportunity to deliver the policy statement on the 2016 Budget for the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

Sir, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock aims at promoting and providing an environment that is conducive to making a sustainable increase in the production and productivity of high quality marketable fisheries and livestock products.

Mr Chairperson, the Government recognises the importance that the fisheries subsector plays in food and nutritional security, economic development and employment, especially in rural communities. As such, it is committed to ensuring the revitalisation of the sub-sector. 

Sir, it is worth noting that the livestock subsector contributes over 42 per cent to the agriculture gross domestic product (GDP). In addition, the sector provides animal draught power, manure, hides and skins that are rarely quantified. Clearly, the importance of the livestock subsector to national development cannot be over emphasised. 

Mr Chairperson, allow me to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for responding to the calls of the Zambian people by creating a new ministry in charge of fisheries and livestock. This will, indeed, create efficiency and effectiveness as we provide fisheries and livestock services to the people of Zambia. The potential for aquaculture development in this country is immense, with several locations such as Rufunsa, Petauke, Kasempa, Mungwi, the Banks of Luangwa River, the Kafue Flats, Lakes Tanganyika, Mweru Wantipa and Bangweulu being suitable for the promotion of cage, pen and land-based aquaculture. It is for reason that His Excellency the President has taken a keen interest in aquaculture production and development.     

Mr Chairperson, as you may recall, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock was created on 18th September, 2015. In view of this, I can only report on the ministry’s subsectors achievements in 2015, many of which I outlined when I debated the other week.

Sir, allow me to highlight some of the key achievements of the two sectors that constitute the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock:

Fisheries Development 

Mr Chairperson, the fisheries and aquacultures subsectors successfully managed to:

(a)    commence the development of the aquaculture part in four pilot sites to create an enabling environment for aquaculture development located in Chipepo, Mungwi, Kasempa and Rufunsa;
    
(b)    establish eight community fingerling production centres in Kasempa, Mkushi, Luano, Mwandi, Mbala and Luwingu;
     
(c)    develop and approve environmental project briefs through the Zambia Environment Management Agency (ZEMA) for the production of cage culture for small-scale operators on Lake Mweru, Luapula, Nchelenge, Chienge and Nchelenge districts. Others were on Lake Bangweulu in Samfya District;

(d)    commence the process of revisiting the National Aquaculture Development Plan which is almost complete;

(f)    establish new aquaculture research stations to generate aquaculture information and development technologies in Chinsali and Siavonga districts;

(f)    commence a national programme to improve the performance of the Kafue Bream and collect parent stock from the Luangwa, Zambezi and Kafue rivers. The fish is being bred at Mwekera Research Station in Kitwe;

(g)    rehabilitate fourteen Government fish farms and establish eight indoor hatcheries aimed at promoting the provision of access to quality fingerlings to farmers;

(h)    complete the construction of laboratory at Waya in Kapiri Mposhi District.

Livestock Development and Animal Health 

Mr Chairperson, to prevent the spread of East Cost Fever, the ministry is constructing 187 and rehabilitating 320 cattle dip tanks countrywide. Eighty-six dip tanks have so far been completed and are now ready for use. The ministry also vaccinated 650,000 cattle against Foot and Mouth Disease in high risk areas in the Southern, Western, Central and Northern provinces. The ministry also vaccinated about 450 cattle against contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in the North-Western and Western provinces. In addition, 71,860 calves were vaccinated against east cost fever and in Eastern and Southern provinces. In addition, the ministry has so far vaccinated 3.5 million chickens against New Castle Disease in most parts of the country.

Mr Chairperson, the ministry has continued to produce vaccines at the Central Veterinary Research Institute, Currently, 660,000 doses of black red vaccine, 380,000 doses of haemorrhagic septicemia vaccine, 500,000 doses of rabies vaccines, 200,000 doses of anthrax vaccine and 30 million doses of New Castle Disease vaccine will be produced by the end of 2015. Further, the ministry has continued to develop infrastructure that supports the development of the livestock subsector. In this vein, the ministry has established sixteen breeding centres across the country. I am happy to report that two of the breeding centres, namely Kachindu in Sinazongwe and Mbesuma in Chinsali are now ready to supply breeding stock to farmers.

Sir, the modalities have been fanalised and 12th December, 2015, has been earmarked for the official sale of animals to farmers at affordable prices. In addition, the ministry established fifty-eight milk collection centres, 152 livestock service centres and seventeen satellite artificial insemination centres throughout the country.

Extension Services

Mr Chairperson, in order to improve service delivery in the subsector, the ministry has recruited 315 extension officers. These include veterinary assistants, livestock technicians and fisheries assistants. The officers have been deployed across the country.

Outlook for 2016

Mr Chairperson, allow me to reiterate that as the Government, we remain fully committed to the development of the fisheries and livestock subsectors. The Government has proposed programmes and activities for 2016 that will continue to address some of the well-known constraints that hinder the development and growth of the subsector. The Government has, therefore, prioritised programmes and interventions that reflect our commitment to improve the performance of the subsector. These programmes have the greatest potential for growth in the subsector.

Sir, in 2016, a total of K708.5 million has been allocated to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. The fisheries subsector has been allocated a total of K18.2 million in order to support the:

(a)    development of aquaculture packs in high potential areas in the Chipepo area of Gwembe in the Southern Province, Rufunsa in Lusaka Province, Mungwi in the Northern Province and Kasempa in the North-Western Province. 

(b)    development of fish hatching/incubation facilities at the Government Republic of Zambia (GRZ) fish farms and aquaculture research stations; and

(c)    training of 1,400 fish farmers in fish feed production from locally available materials; and

(d)    restocking of fish in Lake Mweru Wantipa, Bangweulu, Mweru-Luapula, Itezhi-tezhi and Zambezi in the Barotse Plains. The Government has also set aside K5 million for the Fisheries Development Fund.
 
Furthermore, the fisheries and aquaculture policies will continue to be revised to create an enabling environment to facilitate investment in the subsector.

Livestock Development

Mr Chairperson, in the 2016, Budget, the Government has allocated K27.9 million for livestock development, focusing on the:

(a)    construction of breeding centres;
    
(b)         construction of  livestock  service centres;
    
(b)    establishment of  artificial insemination centres; and

(c)    re-stocking of animals.

Veterinary Services

Mr Chairperson, in 2016, the Government will intensify livestock disease prevention and enhance control measures. In this regard, an allocation of K35.6 million has been made to cater for the provision of veterinary services. These funds will go towards supporting the:

(a)    vaccination of cattle against food and mouth disease and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP);
    

(b)    up-scaling of the production of vaccines against black leg, anthrax, haemorrhagic septicemia and Newcastle disease in order to make the vaccines readily available to the farmers;

(c)    construction and rehabilitation of communal dip-tanks which will increase access to dipping facilities by small-scale farmers;

(d)    supporting the on-going construction of four regional laboratories in the Northern, Southern, Western and North-Western provinces. When completed, these facilities will provide the much-need diagnostic services to the livestock farmers;

(e)    clearance of about 5,000 km² of tsetse-infested areas, especially in the eastern region, through aerial spraying;

(f)    establishment of livestock identification and trace-back system which will facilitate easy tracking of the origin of diseases of national economic importance.

Livestock, Animal Health and Fisheries Research 

Mr Chairperson, the development of technologies that are able to respond to the changing environment is key to the growth and sustainability of the livestock and fisheries subsectors. It is for this reason that the Government has made a provision of K24.3 million in the 2016 Budget for the implementation of research programmes. 

Training Institutions

Mr Chairperson, the Government is aware that appropriate skilled human capital is vital for the growth and development of the sector. The Government will endeavour to provide high quality training of personnel for the ministry and the sector at large through our training institutions. An allocation of K17.6 million has been made in the 2016 Budget to cater for the continued rehabilitation and expansion of existing infrastructure and review of curriculum at the various training institutions. 

Mr Chairperson, it is now my responsibility to appeal to the hon. Members of this august House to support the 2016 Estimates of Expenditure for the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Ema Minister, aya. Osati ba Livune.

Laughter

Hon. Government Members: Wind up debate, iwe.

Mr Livune and Ms Imenda rose.

The Deputy Chairperson: Nobody indicated.

Mr Monde: Mr Chairperson, allow me, ...

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Hon. Minister, just hold on. I asked if there was any further debate, and I started by looking on my left, ...

Hon. UPND Members: They were making noise.

The Deputy Chairperson: No. Your standing up to seek my attention has nothing to do with the noise.

Mr Mwale: Kumendo kuli matu?

The Deputy Chairperson: Anyway, I will bend backwards, but this will not be repeated next time. We must be alert.

Mr Mwale: Mu imilila na matu? You must concentrate.

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Chairperson, this is a very important Vote because it relates to the livelihood of our indigenous people as it deals with the availability of food, economic activity and empowerment, among other aspects of life.

Sir, I will start with fisheries. Where I come from, people eat a lot fish, although I do not.

Hon. Government Members: Ah!

Ms Imenda: Mr Chairperson, my not eating fish is not by design, but an act of God. I just want to mention that there has been very little fish in our rivers, lakes and other water bodies lately. Why is that so? The reason is that lately, fishermen have adopted very bad fishing methods. Fishermen and women, if there are any, use very small nets to catch fish. The nets capture everything from big fish to the smallest fish. Sometimes, they catch snakes and other insects or organisms that may play a vital part in the aqua system. There is very little fish in our rivers now because the use of such bad fishing methods has continued unabated. Our rivers and lakes used to have big breams. Today, if I bought a big bream, everyone will think that maybe, it has come from outer space. This is because we have not seen fish of that size for some time now. 

Mr Chairperson, there are some fishing nets popularly known as kombakomba because they capture everything that is found in water. So, I would like to suggest that to control and stop this scourge, headmen of villages which will be found in possession of kombakomba be arrested, as this will compel them to stop their subjects from using such fishing methods. 

Sir, when I was young, issues of fisheries were under the control of the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) that managed them very well. In fact, this was part of the Barotseland Agreement. Therefore, I would like to suggest that the BRE is given back the power to regulate all fishing activities in the Western Province. That will, in addition to the measures that the hon. Minister has mentioned, help in restocking the water bodies with fish and build the fisheries industry to its desired level.

Mr Chairperson, I would also like to talk about livestock which is also an economic empowerment tool that can contribute to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country in many ways, including beef exports.

Sir, some of our neighbours are starved of this commodity. There is a big market out there for beef. If only we can increase our cattle production, then, we will be able to export beef to countries like Angola. A few years ago, when I attended the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Plenary in Mozambique, I learnt that there was a market for beef in that country. I learnt that Mozambique was looking for beef from Zambia or any other country because it was in short supply in that country. So, that is an economic opportunity for Zambians,. However, before we can begin to export, we must, first of all, empower the local producers of beef. Livestock has been kept by ordinary people. It is not difficult to rear animals but, with the prevalence of sophisticated diseases, people need to be assisted in taking certain intervention measures in order to protect their animals from diseases and help boost the beef industry.

Mr Chairperson, we can also produce milk not only for our consumption, but also for export. You may ask how this can be done. What has stopped us from processing long life milk? I doubt if the long life milk that we see on the shelves of our shops is produced in Zambia. So, why can we not produce that milk ourselves? We have the right environment for rearing dairy cattle. That is another important commodity that can contribute to the GDP.

Sir, let me now talk about hides and skins. When we travel out of this country, we find beautiful leather handbags and shoes. Recently, I was in Sudan and one of my colleagues wanted to buy an expensive pair of Pierre Cardin leather shoes.

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: That is French.

Laughter

Ms Imenda: Il les Français, Monsieur. Sorry, Sir, it is French.

Sir, the point I am trying to make is that if we processed the hides, we could produce good quality shoes and handbags. I heard that the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development recently got footballs from China. I can see the hon. Minister is listening (looking at Hon. Mwale).

Mr Mwale indicated assent.

Mr Imenda: I understand the footballs were a gift, but their quality still cannot compare with the balls that are produced by small-scale entrepreneurs locally. The Zambian footballs are made of leather and are hand-stitched. These are good quality balls. So, would it not be prudent for the Ministry of Youth and Sport to buy footballs from local producers who use high quality raw materials? Since we do not support local producers, I think most hides are thrown away. 

Mr Chairperson, allow me to share with you a bit about my upbringing. My dad used to go round buying animal skins from people in surrounding areas, processed them to some rudimentary level and sold them to the Susman Brothers. Those who were born at my time know that the Susman Brothers owned a chain of stores countrywide. 

Interruptions

Mr Imenda: My dad used to make a lot of money from that venture and managed to take us to school, although he never saw the inside of a classroom himself. So, what I am trying to say is that there is potential in this area for local people to earn income and contribute to the GDP of the country.

Mr Chairperson, finally, I would like to comment on cattle diseases, especially the contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP). I have not seen any form of goodwill from the Government to eradicate this disease. I think we all know that this is because somebody somewhere wants to have the monopoly of producing beef in the country. In the past, the people of the Western Province used to bring their animals to Lusaka to earn a reasonable income. At the moment, there is a permanent ban on the transportation of cattle to sell along the line of rail because of CBPP. This has disadvantaged the people of the Western Province.

Mr Chairperson, I would like to urge the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to ensure that the ban on livestock movement is lifted so that the people of the Western Province are allowed to take their cattle to markets where there are many buyers. Currently, the only buyer of cattle in the province is Zambeef Products Plc which is paying them peanuts for their cattle.  When there are many buyers for a commodity, the price reduces. However, when there is only one buyer, it becomes the buyer’s market.

I support the Vote and thank you, Sir.

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Chairperson, for a long time, the hon. Minister of Finance has been ‘crying’ for a partner in diversifying the economy of this country. The hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock is supposed to be one of his best partners because fisheries and livestock are very important sectors of the economy.

Mr Chairperson, this ministry is supposed to be adequately funded so that the country can benefit from fisheries and livestock development. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock is responsible for the wellbeing of many people, especially those in rural areas. Even the people in urban areas mostly depend on the products from fisheries and livestock. Therefore, the ministry is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that there is ‘serious’ production of livestock and fish.

Sir, before I proceed with my debate, let me acknowledge the debate of Hon. Imenda and take it as my own, and continue in this regard to …

Mr Miyanda: Talk about the Susman Brothers.

Mr Livune: Yes, there are also Penman Brothers, if you like.

Sir, education in animal production is one important component that I think the hon. Minister should seriously look at. We need to produce a lot of animals. By producing animals, I do not mean fathering them ourselves, as some people may misconstrue. I am talking about empowering people to produce many animals so that we have enough for export and consumption at local level. 

Sir, in order to improve livestock production, we need to concentrate on nutrition. During this time of the year, many of us in this sector experience challenges. There is no drinking water for livestock because the rivers are dry, there are no dams and so on and so forth. Consequently, the animals become thin. Therefore, it is important that we seriously invest in livestock feed production and produce huge quantities of meat. We produce a lot of maize in this country and part of it can go towards the production of stock feed so that we help farmers feed their animals during hard times like now. When there is a high production of stock feed, even the price will reduce. This will, in turn, reduce the prices of livestock products. Therefore, many people will be able to afford meat and those who keep animals will have higher incomes.  Further, maize will not go to waste, as has been reported in certain areas where maize has rotten. I would like to emphasise that it is important that we use maize to produce more stock feed so that we can save our animals during tough times like now.

Sir, it is also important to invest in grass production. This ministry must spearhead this endeavour. Some of us in the livestock industry buy huge bales of hay. I want the hon. Minister to take a leading role in helping many people produce grass so that farmers can buy it at affordable prices.  There are big farmers who produce and sell hay. However, in most cases, it is beyond the means of small-scale farmers. If the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock is ignorant about hay production, I would be glad to show him farmers who are engaged in this business so that he can appreciate what I am talking about.

Mr Milambo: Also at my farm.

Mr Livune: Hon. Milambo produces hay at his farm.

Mr Milambo: Yes, Sir.

Mr Mufalali: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Mr Livune: I would like the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock to come up with incentives that will entice many people into producing hay and selling it to others who are unable to procure the machinery that is used to make hay. It is important that we do this in order to help reduce the death rate of livestock and develop the livestock sector. 

Sir, I would like to zero-in on my constituency which has been in dire need of dip tanks for a long time. The hon. Minister of Agriculture, who is laughing, promised to construct dip tanks in my constituency, but nothing has happened up to date. I thank God that this responsibility is no longer under his jurisdiction.

Laughter

Mr Livune: I hope the hon. Minister who is now charged with this responsibility will construct the dip tanks. We need dip tanks in Katapazi, Mukuni, Musokotwane, Kanchele, Ngweze, Simango, Kaluwe, Nguba, Choma, Nyawa, Sikaunzwe, Sikute, Mandiya and Moomba. I hope the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock is listening because dip tanks are essential in the production of livestock, especially in a place like Kazungula. Without dip tanks, we have difficulty looking after our animals. Coupled with that, I would also like the hon. Minister to attend to a very serious issue. In Kazungula, there is a cordon line which is supposed to control the spread of diseases from the other side of the country into Kazungula. However, it is not well looked after at the moment. The hon. Minister should come out clearly on the issue of the cordon line. Yesterday, Hon. Miyutu lamented the non-maintenance of the same cordon line.

Mr Mutelo: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune: It is important that the hon. Minister takes full responsibility and brings the cordon line into operation. 

Mr Chairperson, allow me to talk about veterinary officers. Chief Nyawa’s area in Kazungula is a big area, but it is serviced by one veterinary officer. I would like the hon. Minister to look at this issue seriously and help us by recruiting more officers so that the veterinary camps can be divided into smaller camps that are manageable. In addition, veterinary officers work under difficult conditions. Many times, they lack transport and fuel to offer extension services to farmers. So, hon. Minister, this is a very important sector. Only when you provide them with requisites, can they deliver some of the important services to the people of Kazungula and the country at large.

Mr Chairperson, it is a known fact that the Southern Province is a dry area because it does not have many rivers. The other day, I heard the hon. Minister talk about spending K50,000, which was meant for dams, on feasibility studies. I thought that was a misplaced priority because, by now, nearly every district knows where a dam is needed and whether it is suitable. The officers on the ground have already conducted the feasibility studies in the districts. To hear that K50,000, which was meant for the construction of dams, was spent on feasibility studies is very unfortunate. I wish the hon. Minister could take this issue seriously and construct dams in the many districts of the Southern Province.

Sir, I am happy that the ministry is deputised by Hon. Evans who knows what it means to look after cattle. He understands what I am talking about and agrees with me, (looking at Hon. Evans). You can see that he is nodding and smiling from where he is seated.

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: Is he nodding?

Mr Evans: On a point of order, Mr Chairperson.

Laughter

Mr Livune: Mr Chairperson, we need dams like yesterday. It is very important because we can harvest water for our animals.

Mr Chairperson, yesterday, you heard how your Members lamented the issue of cattle thefts, especially Hon. Miyutu. Animals are stolen in large numbers. This issue also relates to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Zambia Police Force. So, I would like to call upon the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries to liaise with his colleague in the Ministry of Home Affairs …

Mr Hamusonde: Who is not here?

Mr Livune: He is not here, but I am sure somehow – I can see the Deputy Minister is listening.

Sir, areas that are prone to animal thefts can be mapped out so that police posts are put up in order to secure livestock. I have in my mind Nyawa and Ngweze where there is a need for police posts. Animals are stolen …

Mr Sing’ombe: Mukunka!

Mr Livune: Yes! Makunka, my brother.

Laughter

Mr Livune: There are many unnecessary activities taking place at the Simonga/Sinkobo/Katapazi Junction. That is why we need a police post there to curb livestock thefts.

Mr Chairperson, it is important that officers who are charged with the responsibility of protecting the assets and wealth of the people pay attention to the crime that many of us have lamented. We need to come up with deterrent to cattle theft.

Mr Chairperson, it is important that this ministry is treated with the importance that it deserves. I call upon the hon. Minister of Finance to partner with the hon. Minister in charge of livestock in order to attend to the many issues that we have talked about. We need the things that I have talked about like yesterday. 

Like Hon. Miyutu would say, I rest my case and thank you, Sir.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mufalali (Senanga): Mr Chairperson, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to debate on this Vote. 

Mr Chairperson, the Government should get down to business. The recently-formed ministry is highly underfunded. After the split, I think there is nothing to be happy about in this ministry looking at what has been allocated to it. To ensure that we do not cry foul when we hear that fish is being imported, we need to allocate more money to this ministry. Leaders should not ‘cry’ when they hear that fish is being imported from China. We should allocate more money to this ministry in order to produce the fish that we so much need.

Mr Chairperson, I am aware that almost 41 per cent of children in this country have stunted growth because of the lack of protein and other nutrients. 

Mr Chairperson, I will be very brief in my debate, as I know that you were once a Chairperson of the National Sports Council, and my brother-in-law is rushing me so that we can go and watch the match between Zambia and Sudan.

Mr Chairperson, like I said earlier, 41 per cent of children have stunted growth because there is very little protein available for consumption. If we are not going to invest in this ministry in order to produce fish that will help feed our people, we will have stunted people. These days, Zambia plays against teams composed of people who are quite tall and we tend to lose games because of height disadvantage. 

Mr Chairperson, the issue of depletion of fish in our water bodies cannot be over emphasised. Fish has depleted in the Western Province because the Department of Fisheries has been a letdown. The department has not been adequately funded. When you go to an office in the Department of Fisheries anywhere in the country, you will be shocked to see the furniture that is there. Seriously speaking, I think this department needs attention. There are no boats for the department in Senanga and many other areas. They have to borrow boats from the police or other Government departments. We need to capacitate this department if we have to restock the rivers with fish. We rarely see fish scouts in uniform nowadays because there are no uniforms. Fish scouts do not get much support from the Government.

Mr Chairperson, in Senanga, we used to have fishing safaris, but they have since stopped. Senanga used to be referred to as Senanga koo ndembela iciwa ki lingweshi. This means a place where the Zambian flag is eaten by the tiger fish. Today, you cannot find tiger fish around Senanga. This is because the Fisheries Department is not well equipped. So, the whites who used to move along the Zambezi River catching tiger fish no longer come to Senanga. As a result, we are losing revenue. We were on the tourism map before but not any more.

Mr Chairperson, in my constituency, there is an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Shang’ombo, but there are no vaccines. 

I do not think that the diseases that are prevalent in the Western Province are permanent. If we pay attention to them, we can start exporting meat. We should not follow the thinking that one of the leaders came up with of allowing animals to get diseased with the understanding that they will never fall sick again. This was wrong thinking. We need to completely eradicate diseases in the province for us to get economic value of the animals.

Mr Chairperson, in Senanga, houses that are meant for extension and veterinary officers are empty because there are no extension officers. We cannot continue this way. We need extension officers. We also need new motorbikes because of the sandy terrain. The Kalahari sands in Western Province are challenging. You cannot expect a motorbike to have a long life span due to the Kalahari sands in the province

Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

The Deputy Chairperson: Bishop Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha.

Hon. Members: Reverend!

Laughter

 Bishop Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha (Keembe): Mr Chairperson, it is Hon. Bishop Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha.

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Bishop Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha.

Mr Kambwili: He is a former Christian.

Bishop Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha: Mr Chairperson, first and foremost, I would like to commend the President of the Republic of Zambia for bringing back this ministry which had been swallowed up in agriculture.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Lt-Gen. Rev. Shikapwasha: Sir, this is an important economic ministry. It can actually outstrip the value that we get from our copper mines. We only need to do a number of things that are important. 

Mr Speaker, worldwide, there is a demand for beef, goat meat, chickens and pork. This ministry has the power to improve the economy of the country. 

Sir, when the hon. Minister comes to wind up debate, I would like to hear him talk about the plan that he has put in place for the ministry. Since it is a new ministry, there should be a plan to show how livestock will be restocked ten or thirty years from now in order to contribute to the economy of this country.

Mr Chairperson, unless we can spend time to deal with the issues of livestock in the Western, Southern, and Northern provinces, we are wasting the resources that God has given us.

Mr Speaker, there is a wonderful formula that God gave to the children of Israel. I know that we do not quote the Bible in the House. However, the illustration is on cattle. Wherever the children of Israel went and fought wars, God allowed them to keep cattle, goats and other things. As a result, they became prosperous even before he showed them the minerals under the ground. In the same vein, before God can show us many other minerals that are under the ground, let us exploit this ministry fully. Both the hon. Minister and the hon. Deputy Minister are people who enjoy the smell of animals. They enjoy the smell of goats and fish.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Bishop Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha: I thank the President for appointing two people to this ministry who, together with their staff, can come up with a plan on livestock development. The plan should not be on what used to happen, but what must happen in order for us to capture the market in this industry.

Mr Chairperson, Botswana has done very well in this sector because it has always had a plan on cattle development. Part of the success in this sector can be attributed to the fact that it produces all the veterinary medicines that are required. Why can we not produce our own medicines in Zambia? Why are we spending huge amounts of money to import vaccines for livestock, especially cattle, when we can produce them here in Zambia? 

Mr Chairperson, I adopt the debate of Hon. Imenda. I have travelled all over this part of the world. Zambia is surrounded by eight countries and each one of them needs beef and goat meat. Goats are very costly now. Why does the ministry not have a plan to improve on the number of goats? Only women organisations are being given support to rear goats. We can do better than this by allocating more money to this ministry, thereby contributing to the economy of the country.

Mr Chairperson, I support this Vote and thank you.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sing’ombe rose.

Mr Kambwili: Iwe, inshita naipwa. Ikalafye.

Mr Monde: Mr Chairperson, allow me to thank the hon. Members who have debated, including Hon. Imenda, Hon. Livune, Hon. Mufalali and Hon. Bishop Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha.

Laughter

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, allow me to sincerely commend and thank them for supporting the Vote for my ministry. From their debate, I have seen that they are all keen to ensure that the ministry increases productivity in the livestock and fisheries subsectors, thus making Zambia a better country. I have taken their concerns, recommendations and proposals seriously. 

Sir, Hon. Imenda talked about the contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and the need to lift the ban on movement of cattle. I can assure the hon. Members that the Government is doing everything possible to ensure that the ban is lifted.

Mr Mutelo: Hear, hear!

Mr Monde: Mr Chairperson, as regards the CBPP, the Government has done a lot to reduce the prevalence rate, which is less than 1 per cent or thereabouts in the Western Province. We are hoping that we can get it to zero in no time. In the meantime, let us get as many people as possible to put up butcheries and abattoirs in the Western Province so that we create competition in this sector.

Mr Chairperson, Hon. Livune talked about a lot of things. If he followed my statement, he would have heard me mention that we are planning to train 1,400 fish farmers in the production of fish feed. We would like fish farmers to know that cassava can be a major component in making fish feed. 

He also talked about grass, which is tied with wires, and which Hon. Lubinda …

Laughter

Mr Monde: Yes, this is very important. We need to encourage farmers to grow pasture to feed animals so that they grow to a size that can make them competitive for sale. 

Sir, Hon. Imenda talked about dip tanks and cordon lines.

Sir, we have embarked on a programme to reduce the size of veterinary camps that are quite wide, making it difficult to provide extension services. So, we shall increase the number of extension officers and reduce the size of the camps. 

Mr Livune: Very good!

Mr Monde: Thank you very much.

Sir, Hon. Mufalali lamented the lack of sources of food with nutritional value. Hon. Mufalali, listen to this wherever you are. 

Laughter

Mr Monde: Mr Chairperson, this is a new ministry. So, people should appreciate that the first step has been taken to capacitate it. Going forward, we shall strive to make it a fully-fledged ministry. We have started with a few resources but, with time, we shall build more capacity. The K708 million that has been allocated to the ministry is a good way to start. In fact, I commend the President for having created this ministry.

Mr Chairperson, there is compulsory dipping and vaccination taking place countrywide. All of us must be involved in this exercise. Hon. Imenda suggested that we should engage traditional leaders to become part of the people to police the dipping and vaccination exercise. People have already been appointed to police this exercise. This is a community programme which will enhance the wellbeing of our people. I also think that we should all put our hands together to work out modalities of ensuring that good fishing methods are practiced in our communities. 

Mr Chairperson, Hon. Bishop Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha commended His Excellency the President for having created this ministry. The Government has attached importance to this ministry, and we shall ensure that the results of our work are seen. We shall put in place several measures to improve livestock production. A plan of action to restock livestock is already in place, too. Like I said earlier, on 12th December, 2015, we are going to flag off the sale of animals at our breeding centres. We shall continue to put up more livestock service centres and research stations in order to improve our livestock breeds. In addition, we are going to recruit veterinary extension officers to help livestock farmers. A vaccination centre is also being put up in the country. 

Mr Chairperson, as regards the export of beef products, we are in the process of coming up with measures to monitor and trace animals for export. There are certain standards to be met in the export of beef products. One of them is the ability for consumers to trace the origin of the beef. Consumers want to know the origin of the beef they are consuming in case of a problem with the beef. We have not set up a method for consumers to trace the beef, which is a requirement if we were to export it. This is one measure that we are trying to put up.  

Mr Chairperson, I am really grateful to the hon. Members who have supported the Vote for the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Vote 86/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 
Vote 86/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

Vote 86/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

VOTE 86/06 – (Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock – Veterinary Services Department – K40,380,564). 

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Chairperson, may I have clarification on Programme 1151, Activity 039 – Investigation of Tsetse-habitat Interactions – K47,905, Activity 088 – Tsetse Fly Surveys – K121,940, Activity 089 – Tsetse Surveillance – K52,260, and Activity 103 – Investigations on Resistance to Trypanocides – K57,486. These activities seem to be similar. May I know why they have been reflected separately?

Interruptions 

Mr Mutelo: Bo Kambwili, I am Lozi, eh! 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

The Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Evans): Mr Chairperson, the objective of this programme is to facilitate research aimed at improving tsetse fly surveys and control methods. The provisions are for purchase of materials, allowances, fuel and lubricants to carry out the activities.

I thank you, Sir. 

Vote 86/06 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

Vote 86/07 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

VOTE 86/08 – (Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock – Fisheries Department – K14,494,663).

Mr Mutelo: Mr Chairperson, may I have clarification on Programme 1012, Activity 089 – Construction and Rehabilitation of Infrastructure – K100,000, and Activity 155 – Rehabilitation of Buildings – K60,000. These activities are similar. So, why have they been allocated money separately? 

Mr Evans: Mr Chairperson, the allocation for Activity 089 – Construction and Rehabilitation of Infrastructure – K100,000, is for the construction of a security fence and rehabilitation of a senior guest house, while Activity 155 – Rehabilitation of Buildings – K60,000, is for rehabilitation of offices. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Vote 86/08 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

Vote 86/14 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

Vote 86/15 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

Vote 86/16 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

Vote 86/17 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

Vote 86/18 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/19 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/20 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/21 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/22 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/23 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/24 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/26 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/27 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/28 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/29 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/30 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/31 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/32 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/33 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/34 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/36 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 86/37 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

VOTE 26 – (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services – K90,274,036). 

The Minister of Information and Broadcasting (Mr Kambwili): Mr Chairperson, I thank you for according me the opportunity to present the policy statement in support of the 2016 Budget Estimates for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for providing a clear vision of embracing a transformational culture for a smart Zambia now, on which this country will anchor its developmental agenda. Indeed, our country deserves the best and my ministry is determined to ensure that this is achieved by embracing technology to simplify and quicken the provision of broadcasting services. 

Mr Chairperson, let me also congratulate the hon. Minister of Finance on his able leadership in guiding the financial affairs of our Government. The clear fiscal policy direction, aimed at utilising scarce resources prudently, demonstrates the Patriotic Front (PF) Government’s commitment to steer the economy of the country in a positive direction. 

Mr Chairperson, my ministry has the mandate to effectively provide news and information, interpret Government policies, and facilitate the development of the media sector for a well-informed citizenry. In this regard, my ministry made sure that resources in this Budget are allocated to the critical areas that have maximum impact on the wellbeing of our people. 

Mr Chairperson, I would now like to apprise the House of the major successes my ministry has scored during the year and the plan for next year. This august House will recall that last year, the Government approved the Digital Migration Policy, which sets the tone for migrating from analogue to digital television broadcasting. Phase I of the Digital Migration Project, which covers the line of rail, has been successfully completed. This means that there is digital terrestrial television parallel with the existing analogue services from Chililabombwe to Livingstone. I will come back to this House at an appropriate time to announce the switching off of analogue television services completely.

Sir, the ministry has made substantive progress in the implementation of Phase II and II of the Digital Migration Project. This follows the successful completion of the tender process which culminated into the signing of the contract in August, 2015. 

Mr Chairperson, the ministry has continued with the provision of radio services in rural areas with the installation of FM transmitters in Mumbwa, Chavuma and Mufumbwe. In addition, the ministry has provided seven vehicles to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) provincial offices in the Lusaka, Copperbelt, Central, Eastern Northern, Southern and North-Western provinces. 

Sir, the Government has continued to improve the operations of the public media by recapitalising them. This year, the Government has released K12.5 million for the recapitalisation of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), Zambia Daily Mail and Times Print Pack Limited. K6.5 million was given to ZNBC, K3.5 million was given to Times Print Pack and K2.5 million was given to the Zambia Daily Mail. With these funds, we expect to see an improvement in the operations of the companies. 

Mr Chairperson, my ministry is committed to contributing to the Government’s resolve to create jobs for the youth. In this regard, we have put in place measures to contribute to job creation. Some of the measures are the establishment of provincial broadcasting sessions which provide a platform for artistes to create local content for television, To ensure that the local content is promoted, all television service providers will be required to have a 35 per cent local content threshold in their broadcasting, failure to which the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) will instigate charges. 

Sir, in addition, the Digital Migration Project will create 508 direct jobs at the National Operations and Customer Care centres and close to 2,000 indirect jobs in the form of agents, dealers and installers. In addition, the provincial broadcasting station will provide a platform to artistes in Zambia to create local content for television. This is the surest way to support job creation in the creativity industry and also contribute to the preservation of our rich culture and heritage. 

Mr Chairperson, with all the updates that I have given, may I now give a brief on the proposed budget for my ministry for 2016. The ministry is proposing to spend a total of K90,274,125, out of which K44,502,709, representing 49.30 per cent, is for the Digital Migration Project. K5,349,983 is for the establishment of Provincial Broadcasting stations in Solwezi and Choma. K15,118,233 is for personal emoluments. K10,280,466 is for grants to public media institutions, leaving a balance of K15,022,690 for other programmes.

Sir, the ministry is very keen on ensuring that the citizenry is well informed by providing quality, accurate information, especially information on developmental projects that are being implemented in the country. In this regard, K1,704,000 has been set aside for the procurement of mobile video vans and K1,132,418 for news gathering and the establishment of the Zambia News and Information Services News Chanel.

Mr Chairperson, I wish to inform the House that my ministry has prioritised the implementation of Phases II and III of the Digital Migration Project in 2016. Therefore, a number of other activities have been cancelled or suspended. Phases II and III of the Digital Migration Project will cover the:

(a)    installation of transmitters in the remaining provincial centres and all the remote sites covering the rest of the country;

(b)    rehabilitation of four ZNBC and one ZANIS production studios;

(c)    provision of production equipment for ZNBC, ZANIS and all the eight new broadcasting stations to be constructed;

(d)    construction of six provincial broadcasting stations in Mongu, Mansa, Chipata, Kabwe, Kasama and Chinsali. The other two provincial broadcasting stations in Choma and Solwezi are already under construction; and

(e)    provision of 1,250,000 television receiving systems, decoders, antenna’s and satellite dishes.

Once the project is fully implemented, Zambia will be on the path to total transformation as regards television services. Every corner of this country will be covered with high quality digital television signal.

Sir, in conclusion, some of the projects, which have been scaled back in order to focus on digital migration, will be continued in 2017. For example, the Rural FM Transmitter Project has been suspended in 2016 to allow the ministry to develop a comprehensive project to migrate radio broadcasting from analogue to digital by 2020. The other details of the activities that have been affected have been given in the brief to the budget. With the support of the officers in the ministry, I will personally ensure that the key programmes in the 2016 Budget are implemented efficiently and effectively so that we deliver on our commitment. I urge hon. Members of this House to support the Budget Estimates for my ministry.

I thank you, Sir. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Chairperson, listening to the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting talk about the programmes in the budget for the ministry, one would be tempted to support it wholeheartedly. If the activities he is talking about are going to be carried out, I will support the Vote. However, I want the ministry to understand that even Opposition Members take part in the passing of the Budget. Therefore, the ministry should not use its information units to deny publicity to Opposition Members. 

Sir, the money in this Budget is for the country and does not belong to a particular party. It is wrong to bar certain information from being aired because it is from the Opposition. It is time the people who are managing the Budget realised that they are doing it on behalf of the whole country. This is a multi-party democracy and you must air opposing views even when they are painful to hear. Then, you will have an opportunity to respond to them. It does not augur well for you to blame the Opposition every time you hear something you do not like. Sometimes, your actions show that you are scared of the Opposition. How do you start accusing an Opposition party of being responsible for a private media? 

Mr Chairperson, if the Government feels that the private media is too strong and does things which they cannot control, then, it has abdicated the responsibility of governing the country. Ministries should do things that are beneficial to all Zambians. We have just debated the Vote for the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, which is carrying out activities that include all the citizens of this country. There is no segregation in that Vote. I hate to hear senior ministry officials threaten small news or community radio stations.
The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Business was suspended from 1830 until 1830.

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the
Chair]

Mr Muntanga: Mr Chairperson, before business was suspended, I was saying that it is important for the ministry to realise that it needs to encompass all the Zambians in as far as dissemination of information is concerned. The hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting should not threaten journalists. How does he find himself warning journalists all the time? Last time, he told a certain journalist to be careful. He was throwing around his weight on a mere journalist. If all the hon. Ministers went round threatening journalists, where would the country end up?

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Mr Chairperson, I do not accept this kind of behaviour. Muvi Television has been showing a certain Minister threatening a journalist from The Post newspaper. I know that the Government does not want that clip to be shown. 

Mr Chairperson, when our friends (the Government Members) were here, in the Opposition, their darling was The Post. The Post did everything possible to help them get in the Government. Now, I do not know what has gone wrong. 

Laughter

Mr Muntanga: Currently, journalists are threatened, and we can see that The Post has fallen out of favour with the Government. 

Mr Mufalali: Especially Kambwili!

Mr Muntanga: Sir, newspapers such as the Zambia Daily Mail and the Times of Zambia owe the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) huge amounts of money. Now, they have become typical Government gazettes. I used to buy the Zambia Daily Mail and the Times of Zambia, but I found that they are just Government gazettes. Sometimes, they repeat the news. So, I have stopped buying the newspapers. I now read The Post that I thought favoured the Patriotic Front (PF) before it came into power. I buy three copies …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: … and send the extra two to my constituency. I buy this newspaper because I find that it contains important information. We are allocating money to the Zambia Daily Mail and the Times of Zambia when they should be making their own money by writing proper stories that will make their papers saleable. If Hon. Muntanga and others are not buying the Zambia Daily Mail, then, they are losing income. Their paper should be good enough to attract people to buy it. At some point, The Post had difficulties selling its paper, but now its sales are picking up because people are buying its paper because it is balanced in its reporting and there is some truth in its content. The Daily Nation was on the right truck, but is now getting confused too. 

Laughter

Mr Muntanga: The hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting should give directives to the media. When the hon. Minister was on this side of the House, I thought he would never scold a journalist for doing something. 

Mr Mufalali: You did not know him!

Laughter

Mr Muntanga: Sir, I want this Government to distinguish between a party spokesperson and the Chief Government Spokesperson. The Chief Government Spokesperson should give directives to the Government. When he is on air, we should be comfortable to listen to what he is saying. When there is no distinction between the Chief Government Spokesperson and a party spokesperson, then, there is a problem. That is why we end up with situations where the Chief Government Spokesperson says things that are not palatable. Whenever he is on air, I switch off the radio so that I do not get contaminated with unnecessary news. 

The hon. Minister responsible for information, who is also the Chief Government Spokesperson, should speak on behalf of the Government. If he does his job properly, everyone will appreciate that.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Mr Chairperson, let us not turn State-owned newspapers into party tabloids. If they are used as party tabloids, they will not be saleable. 
 
Laughter

Mr Muntanga: As a result, they will not make any profit. We are not going to continue allocating money to organisations that do not operate effectively.

Sir, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) crew comes to record the proceedings of this House, but they have never been aired.

Laughter 

Mr Muntanga: Where do they take the recordings?

Interruptions

Mr Muntanga: Mr Chairperson, do they view them from their rooms because they are never shown on television. They only air Her Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time. Even then, it is only the picture of Her Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning that is shown and not the Questioner. People have to guess whether the Questioner is Hon. Brig-Gen. Chituwo, Hon. Livune or me.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Mr Chairperson, the Government should use ZNBC for the benefit of the Zambian people. People prefer watching Muvi Television …
 
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune: That is right!

Mr Muntanga: … and other television stations.

Mr Mufalali: Like Primetime.

Mr Muntanga: The Government is destroying the national broadcaster. I will stop paying the K3 television levy.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: Address the Chair.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Chairperson, you are a lawyer. So, make me understand why I should continue paying the K3 television levy.

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: I am the Chairperson and not a lawyer.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Chairperson, why should I pay K3 television levy to ZNBC when it does not want to air our programmes? It refuses to air our advertisements. Why should we pay K3 television levy to an organisation which is unfavourable to the majority of Zambians? If anything, we should start paying television levy to other organisations such as Muvi Television because ZNBC is becoming irrelevant.

Sir, Zambia is not a one-party State. At one time, we heard that some miners had been fired, but the Government considered that decision null and void. However, one employee at ZNBC had his contract terminated, but no proper reasons were given. 

Hon. UPND Members: Maduma!

Mr Muntanga: You can guess who was fired. This should not be the case. On one hand, the Government does not want people to be fired while on the other hand, they are firing some people. They are confusing us.

Mr Livune: Igwe!

Mr Muntanga: Mr Chairperson, I was almost tempted to support the Vote, but I think I will not support it. ZNBC should not be used as a party organ. Instead, it should provide broadcasting services to all the Zambians. Hon. Ministers should also serve the Zambian people so that they can be supported. Among them, it is only the hon. Minister of Finance who seems to be hard working. The hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting should not use ZNBC as a party organ because Zambia is not a one-party State.

ZNBC services must be accessible to all the Zambians. If I see someone taking pictures in this House and I do not see the clip on television, I will tell them not to get any picture of me again.

Sir, in South Africa, the debates are aired live on television, including those of the most radical Julius Malema. Here, they are so scared to lose their jobs. When someone is a coward, he/she becomes a dangerous person. They are scared of losing their positions. I wonder what else they are scared of losing. 

Laughter

Mr Muntanga: Sir, they will also leave the same way that Hon. Sampa left. 

Laughter

Mr Muntanga: Mr Chairperson, we want the public media houses, especially the ZNBC, the Zambia Daily Mail, Times of Zambia and the Zambia National Information Services (ZANIS) to operate without any interference for the benefit of all the Zambians despite being the mouthpiece of the Government. ZANIS is supposed to be for developmental news though sometimes, they report on politics. The other media houses have been singing one song of support.

Laughter

Mr Muntanga: Sir, The Post has increased the price of its newspaper. The Post used to favour the Government, but not anymore. You used to complain about the previous Government when you were on this side of the House, but you are worse than it was. 

Sir, I reluctantly support this Vote. However, I will be watching them to see whether there will be some improvement in their news coverage. If there is no change and they come back to this House with the Supplementary Estimates, I will urge my colleagues from the Opposition to reject them.

Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Bishop Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha: Mr Chairperson, firstly, I would like to take part of Hon. Muntanga’s debate as mine except where he says he reluctantly supports this Vote. I support the Vote.

 Sir, I also want to commend the hon. Minister for doing well in bringing digital migration to fruition at the time when Zambia was about to abscond. In so doing, I want to add a few issues that the hon. Minister may consider in future along with his Government colleagues.

Mr Chairperson, digital migration is a wonderful opportunity for Zambia to expand and improve information technology (IT).  In the same vein, it is necessary to understand that it was the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) that initiated this programme that the hon. Minister is working on. We thank the ministry for being of help to the country.

Sir, one of the areas that I would like the ministry to consider is that when we were in office, we considered putting up a factory that would make set top boxes in order to create employment in Zambia. We can attract the much-needed foreign exchange if we produced set top boxes in Zambia. If you looked in your office, you may find the plans that we came up with to put up a factory that is going to operate with either ZNBC or another organisation to produce the set top boxes that would be cheaper than what people are getting at the moment.     

Mr Chairperson, it would be important to consider establishing a university for information and communications technology (ICT). Zambia is switching from analogue television to digital terrestrial broadcasting. So, there is a need for one of the many universities to be turned into an ICT university. I believe that the Government can spearhead this initiative with other ministries that are concerned with this field.

Sir, there is also a need to have quality reporting. We must move away from a culture of reporting on political matters only. Instead, the media should focus on reporting on matters that will unite the country. Even as we go towards the elections, it is important that we do not divide the country. These are important issues. I thought I should say this in order to encourage the hon. Minister.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kasonso (Solwezi West): Mr Chairperson, thank you for giving me the opportunity to say a few things on the Vote for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Sir, when you are in the Opposition, it is very difficult to support the Vote for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting because it is a propaganda tool for the State.

Hon. UPND Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Kasonso: Sir, when our colleagues in the Patriotic Front (PF) were this side (pointing to the left), and some of us were in Government, we thought that they would do the right thing when they came into power. Now, the PF has proved to be worse than the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD).

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kasonso: Mr Chairperson, to justify what I am saying, let me give you an example. The Sunday Interview TV Programme which is aired on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Television only features Government officials and some of the PF supporters from quasi-Government institutions. Surely, there should be another voice on the way things are being done in this country. After all, we are all part of the Government.

Mr Belemu: Yes, we are.

Mr Kasonso: Sir, I support this Vote because it is important. I also support it because, for some reason, my younger brother, Hon. Kambwili, is very humble today. I wish this could continue.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

There are no younger brothers here. We are all hon. Members of Parliament.

Mr Kasonso: Mr Chairperson, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is a tool for advancing our democracy. During the One-Party State, Dr Vernon Mwaanga was the Editor of the Times of Zambia. There must be records somewhere. Pick the newspapers and read for yourselves. You will read about how the Government at the time was taken to task over certain issues despite it being a One-Party State. Today, the Zambia Daily Mail and Times of Zambia are both full of pictures of some ‘bad’ faces even when there is no reason for that. Let us get quality information. Where has investigative journalism gone? Once, there was a young man by the name of Zulu who would investigate a story up to its conclusion. If our journalists were well trained in investigative journalism, they would follow some of the allegations that are being made on corruption. We should have specialised training for journalists. We must have people trained to report on fuel matters. One hon. Government Member told this House that the Government was going to procure oil through a government to government deal. There is no such a thing.

Laughter

Mr Kasonso: It is like saying we are going to set the international price for copper through a government to government arrangement. The global price of oil is set by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). There should be some truth in what journalists from public media organisations write about the Government, even if it is propaganda. Exaggerations are acceptable, but not total lies.
Interruptions

Mr Kasonso: Sorry, I meant misleading. I withdraw the word “lies”.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kasonso: Mr Chairperson, now, we have what are called community radio stations. The Government wants the radio stations to cover it like the national broadcaster does, instead of concentrating on issues affecting the community. That is wrong. Let the happenings in the communities be heard through the community radio stations. After all, they are privately-owned broadcasting stations. Why does the Government want to interfere with their broadcasting? 

Like I said earlier, we are not in a one-party State, but a democracy. Therefore, divergent views should be heard. Various political players should be allowed to be heard so that the people make informed decisions when choosing the leadership of the country. 

Sir, some of the things that our Government is doing are good, but there is some exaggeration in the tabloids that write half truths. As a result, people tend to dismiss everything in the media as mere Government propaganda when it is not.

Mr Mutelo: Hear, hear!

Mr Kasonso: So, we want our colleagues to reflect on this for the benefit of our country. On several occasions, I have heard hon. Ministers stand up here and strongly defend the development that is taking place in their constituencies. In addition to being representatives of constituencies, they are hon. Ministers representing all the Zambians, including the people of Solwezi West.

Hon. Mutelo: Hear, hear!

Mr Kasonso: I have no difficulty accompanying an hon. Minister to my constituency if it is in relation to a programme for national development. Why should I keep away from a Government programme? I should be able to defend my involvement to my party. However, we often stay away from public programmes because of the way our colleagues conduct themselves.  

Mr Chairperson, the other issue that I want to comment on is that of the elections next year. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has a big responsibility of bringing the Opposition and Ruling Party together. Therefore, we should allow the best party to win the elections fairly.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kasonso: This depends on how issues are reported in the media. There should be no biased reporting. The people should be told the truth about what contestants have done and allow them to make independent judgments.

Mr Chairperson, I said I will not take long. So, I have tried very hard to make my comments brief. All I can say is that I support the Vote. In fact, the funds are not sufficient in some areas.

Thank you very much, Mr Chairperson.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Chairperson, I would like to say a few words in support of the Vote for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting for Zambia …

Mr Mutelo: For PF.

Mr Miyutu: …, it is pleasing at times to listen to general statements being made on the Floor of the House. When we are in power, we should consider those who are not in power. 

Mr Sing’ombe: Hear, hear!

Mr Miyutu: In 1991, we had the first multi-party elections after the One-party Participatory Democracy, as they used to call it.

Mr Chairperson, in brief, I would like to request the Government to make the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), like its slogan, “Your National Broadcaster,” a real national broadcaster and not a branch of the Ruling Party.

Mr Mutelo: PF!

Mr Miyutu: I watch ZNBC many times but, sometimes, it does not please me because we get to see too much of one thing. When you take sugar in excess, the sweetness turns into …

Mr Mutelo: Bitter!

Mr Miyutu: … ‘bitterness’.

Mr Livune: Poison!

Mr Sing’ombe: Mpukunyamatobo!

Mr Miyutu: So, try to mix stories in your broadcasting so that people are able to hear other voices expressing the truth.

Mr Livune: Everyday it is Chagwa. What about Hakainde?

Mr Miyutu: Immediately you tune in to ZNBC radio, you hear one name.

Mr Milambo: What is that name?
Mr Miyutu: We hear about one name every day.

Mr Milambo: The name is?

Mr Miyutu: Surely, does it mean that all the 14 million names in this country are not worth mentioning?

Laughter

Mr Miyutu: Mr Chairperson, we are all Zambians. So, hon. Minister, give the workers at …

Mr Antonio: ZNBC 

Mr Miyutu: … ZNBC the freedom to do their work.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Miyutu: Sometimes, I tend to think that they do not like what they do. They are just forced into doing it.

Mr Chairperson, I would also like to make a request relating to the issuance of radio licences the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting. I feel the procedure of getting radio licences is a bit cumbersome and long. In Kalabo, we applied for a radio licence almost a year ago, but it has not been issued to date. We would appreciate it if you could speed up the process of obtaining radio licences. As we pursue the licence, costs are rising. Eventually, the poor communities might fail to raise the K60,000 needed to register a radio station. So, I would request the hon. Minister and the Government to revise the procedure for acquiring radio station licences.

Sir, the idea of digital migration is to increase the capacity of coverage. Let the rural communities like Kalabo also enjoy the benefits of increased bandwidth. We would have wanted to have our radio station this year but, looking at the procedures involved, this is unlikely to happen. 

Mr Chairperson, I would like to urge the Government to make the opening of provincial broadcasting stations a reality. We hear about the opening of radio stations every year, but the programme does not take off. I would also request that dual languages, that is, English and the local language, be used in broadcasting so that we can enjoy the benefits of being Zambians and be part and parcel of the development which other people are enjoying in this country.

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

Mr Miyutu: Mr Chairperson, allow me to talk about Government interference in private radio stations. At one time, Radio Liseli and Radio Lyambai in the Western Province were threatened with closure for allowing Opposition hon. Members of Parliament to go on air. This, to me, is not democratic.
Even in a family, the father, mother and children can go to different churches, but feed from the same pot.

Laughter

Mr Miyutu: We have allowed multi-partism in this country. Therefore, we should be open- hearted enough to allow each Member to make his/her own choices. Why should you threaten to withdraw licences for privately-owned radio stations for accommodating Opposition hon. Members of Parliament?  You know the role of an hon. Member of Parliament. When we are on air, we do not insult. We just talk about the vices that people are experiencing. What is wrong with enlightening people on the sufferings they are experiencing? 

Mr Chairperson, I would like to request that this trend be minimised or done away with so that we have a free broadcasting system in Zambia.

Sir, I will leave the remaining five minutes of my time for other Members to contribute to the debate on the Vote. 

Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Chairperson, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to wind up debate on the Vote for my ministry.

Sir, to begin with, let me state that there has been very little substance from the debates that we have heard this afternoon ...

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

Mr Kambwili: ... other than the politicking. However, people are allowed to politic. As the Government, we have the responsibility to serve the people of Zambia.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Kambwili: It must be appreciated that the media is the Fourth Estate. Therefore, if it is not well guided, it can lead the country into turmoil. I want to remind this House that the genocide in Rwanda was ignited by one irresponsible radio station. On the issue of unreasonable reporting, I expect that if all of us in this House are leaders worth our salt, we should stand up and say, enough is enough. 

Mr Chairperson, Hon. Muntanga said that The Post newspaper was a darling to the Patriotic Front (PF) when it was in the Opposition. Maybe, The Post newspaper was a darling to some PF Members, but not to me. I stood up against The Post newspaper while I was both in the Opposition and in the Government. I have been consistent about this. When I was in the Opposition, I said that The Post was a very stupid newspaper because I do not believe in its reporting. If the United Party for National Development (UPND) really hopes to form Government, I must tell it that The Post newspaper is doing a big disservice to this country. 
Mr Chairperson, this morning, I had some investors from America in my office who want to set up a factory to make surgical gloves. They told me that a colleague asked them to come and invest in Zambia because he had seen that all the surgical gloves that are used in Zambia are from China. He told them that they could also capture the market in Central and Southern Africa. Before coming to Zambia, one of the investors read about the Zambian newspapers. He later told his colleague that he would not invest in Zambia because of what he had read about in the newspapers. The person who had given the investors the idea to invest in Zambia urged the colleague to come to Zambia to assess the situation. When he came to Zambia, he told me that what he had read about in the newspapers was trash. The newspapers do not report correctly. If you are a reasonable hon. Member of Parliament, I advise you to rethink your support for The Post newspaper.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: Mr Chairperson, the hon. Members from the UPND know that The Post newspaper does not like them.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: So, they are just shooting themselves in the foot by supporting it. The reporting of The Post newspaper has got out of hand, and it is high time all of us in this House came together and said, enough is enough.  It is our children who are going to be spoiled if we do not do anything about it. The Post newspaper is full of words like “stupid and idiot”. Surely, you do not expect adults to use such terms on others. The Post newspaper journalists should edit their work. They should not write insults exactly as they were said. Some hon. Members here even say that they buy five copies of The Post newspaper. There is something wrong with you if you do that. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: Mr Chairperson, let me come to the issue of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC). Let me say that personally, I do not interfere with the operations of ZNBC.

Hon. Opposition Member: Ah!

Mr Kambwili: The people at the ZNBC can confirm that. When I first addressed the ZNBC staff, I told them that they were free to report and cover anybody. However, I also asked them to be responsible in their reporting. You and I know that load shedding has been caused by low rainfall. However, some people keep saying that it has been caused by President Edgar Lungu. How do you expect the ZNBC staff to cover such people? Are the ZNBC staff that foolish? Generate proper news and they will cover you. If you are going to talk about issues that do not make sense, the press will not cover you. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: So, it is up to you to make proper news, instead of coming to lament the lack of coverage here. Nobody is interfering with the operations of the ZNBC. The staff at ZNBC are being reasonable by not covering some people. Some presidents blame the load shedding and depreciation of the Kwacha on President Edgar Lungu. To the contrary, you know that the depreciation of the Kwacha has been caused by the slump in the copper price. Where do you expect the Government to get foreign exchange within a short period? Be responsible and generate ‘good’ news. Otherwise, only The Post newspaper will be covering you because it reports what does not make sense.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Mr Kambwili: Mr Chairperson, on the issue of issuance of licences, let me say that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has no hand whatsoever in the issuance of licences. The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) controls the issuance of licences. You must understand that before the PF came into power, there were about eight, if not ten television stations. Today, there are over nineteen. This shows that the IBA has been issuing licences. However, even as the licences are being issued, procedure must be followed. 

Mr Chairperson, like I said earlier, the media is the Fourth State. You cannot expect to be issued with a licence as soon as you walk into the IBA. It has to carry out security checks and ensure that the content of your broadcast can build the nation. However, do not think that you can come walk into the IBA from Washishi, …

Mr Mutelo: On a point of order, Sir.

Laughter 

Mr Kambwili: … and be issued with a licence immediately. 

Mr Chairperson, I thank you. 

Laughter 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo: On a point of order, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: We move to individual items. 

Vote 26/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

VOTE 26/02 – (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services – Zambia News and Information Services – K15,186,456).

Mr Mutelo: Mr Chairperson, Washishi is a good place for some of us. 

The Deputy Chairperson: Make your point, Hon. Mutelo.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Chairperson, may I have clarification on Programme 5032, Activity 003 – Distribution of Newspapers – K1,799. In 2015, the allocation for this activity was K51,799. Does this mean that you will not distribute newspapers anymore? 

The Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting (Mr Tembo): Mr Chairperson, this provision is required for the transportation of …

Mr Mutelo interjected. 

Mr Tembo: Mr Chairperson, due to limited resources, the department will review the distribution system. In the past, officers had to travel to the provinces. This is why we have reduced the allocation.

I thank you, Sir 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Vote 26/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

Vote 26/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

VOTE 26/04 – (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services – Press and Media Development – K11,743,929). 

Mr Mutelo: Mr Chairperson, may I have clarification on Programme 5004, Activity 029 – Times of Zambia – Nil, Activity 030 – Zambia Daily Mail – Nil and Activity 031 – Zambia Printing Company – Nil. All these activities …

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Minister, why are there no allocations for these activities? Your question is clear, Hon. Mutelo. 

Mr Kambwili: Mr Chairperson, we have not given any grants because the Times of Zambia and Zambia Daily Mail have been transferred to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). 

I thank you, Sir. 

Vote 26/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

(Debated adjourned)

______ 

HOUSE RESUMED

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

(Progressed reported)

______ 

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

______

The House adjourned at 1917 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 12th November, 2015.