Wednesday, 17th December, 2014

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER
________

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

STATUS OF PAYMENTS TO FARMERS WHO SOLD THEIR CROPS TO THE FOOD RESERVE AGENCY (FRA) DURING THE 2014/2015 MARKETING SEASON

The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mr Simuusa): Mr Speaker, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Pay the farmer!

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear! Ema Ministers aya!

Mr Simuusa: … allow me to start by thanking you for giving me this opportunity …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left!

Mr Simuusa:… to update the House on the status of payments to farmers who sold their crops to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) during the 2014/2015 marketing season.

Mr Speaker, allow me to report to the House and, indeed, the nation, that out of the total amount of money owed to farmers for the rice and maize supplied to the FRA for the 2014/2015 marketing season, a total of K758,287,687 has been paid to farmers as at now. In short, close to K760 million has been paid out to farmers. This money has been distributed to all the districts and provinces in the country. Some farmers have been cleared 100 per cent while some still have some balances owed to them. Among the districts and provinces that have been cleared 100 per cent are the Western, North-Western, Copperbelt, Luapula and Lusaka provinces. All provincial capitals have been cleared and districts that have been cleared include Chama, Vubwi, Mambwe, Sinazongwe and Gwembe districts. Further, I wish to inform the House that all the farmers countrywide who supplied rice to the FRA have been cleared 100 per cent, to the tune of K1,673,220.

Mr Speaker, allow me to state, once again, that as the Government, we deeply regret the delay to pay some of our farmers and sincerely tender our apology and seek their indulgence.

Mr Bwalya: Hear, hear!

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, a good number of our farmers were paid their money on time. I want to assure those who have not been paid yet on behalf of this listening and hardworking Government, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simuusa: … that all the money owed will shortly be cleared.

Mr Speaker, the delay has been caused by the over-purchase of maize through the FRA. The Government budgeted to purchase 500,000 metric tonnes of maize. However, because we are a listening and caring Government, we listened to the appeals of the farmers countrywide and indeed, to the appeals of your very own hon. Members of Parliament seated here to open up more satellite depots and to purchase more maize beyond the 500,000 metric tonnes, a move which today, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the Government at large, have been criticised for.

Mr Speaker, let me put it on record that what has been paid out already covers about 541,000 metric tonnes. This is more than what was budgeted for. The remaining bill which the Government is working hard to pay is as a result of the extra quantities of maize which were purchased in response to the requests made by farmers, hon. Members of Parliament and other stakeholders for the FRA to buy more maize after it had bought the planned for 500,000 metric tonnes as there was still a large number of farmers waiting at depots to sell their maize to the FRA.

Mr Speaker, the FRA was this season offering farmers the best price on the market for their maize in line with the Patriotic Front (PF) Manifesto of putting more money in the pockets of the Zambians. At the start of the maize marketing season in July, 2014, over K200 million was already in the bank waiting for farmers to deliver their maize and rice. Those who delivered early were paid within one to two weeks. Further, Zambia recorded a maize bumper harvest of 3.3 million metric tonnes. These factors put together led to the overwhelming response from our farmers to sell maize to the FRA.

Mr Speaker, this over purchasing of maize was a good gesture. We meant well as the Government and I trust that this gesture is being appreciated by farmers and Zambians all over this great nation.

Mr Speaker, let me now address myself to the balance of money still owed to our farmers. The PF Government is a listening Government which works very hard to serve the people. As I mentioned earlier, to date, close to K760 million has already been paid out to our farmers. This leaves a balance of slightly over K680 million. I am happy to inform you and the nation that out of this K680 million, K400 million has been secured and released, as I speak, to pay our farmer countrywide with immediate effect.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, you will appreciate that this is a significant amount of money and that the farmers in Muchinga Province will be paid 100 per cent their dues. This will leave us with the four big provinces and these are the Southern, Central, Eastern and Northern provinces. These are big provinces that have big figures. We shall clear these provinces district by district starting with Kapiri Mposhi, Mkushi, Kalomo, Mazabuka, Lundazi, Petauke, Luwingu and Mbala. The mentioned districts will be the first ones we will be clearing as the banks get over their operational challenges. I, therefore, wish to appeal to the paying banks to please work extra hours to ensure that our farmers are paid as quickly as possible.

Mr Speaker, as I speak, K400 million has been released, and there is a remaining balance of just over K280 million. The Treasury is making every effort to fund this remaining balance so that all farmers are paid and cleared 100 per cent.

Mr Speaker, let me take this opportunity to inform the House that the FRA has been authorised to offload 650,000 metric tonnes of maize on the domestic and export markets between November, 2014, and April, 2015. To date, the FRA has signed contracts with both local and export market players to sell a total of 192,150 metric tonnes. This quantity is expected to raise a total of K48.1 million and US$38.6 million respectively. The sales of maize by the FRA are expected to increase in the coming months.

Mr Speaker, this Government has worked very hard to put more money into the people’s pockets.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, the achievement is clear when we compare what this Government has done in the past three years it has been in office, to what the previous Government did during its last four years in office. Between 2011 and 2014, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock through, the FRA, has paid a total of K4.9 billion to farmers, which is K4.9 trillion in the old currency, compared to K1.8 billion that was paid out to farmers by the previous Government between 2007 and 2010. When we finish paying our farmers, the total amount paid out to the farmers over the four years will have increased and come to a total of K5.6 billion, which will be close to three times more than what the previous Government paid farmers over the same period.

Mr Speaker, the benefit to the Zambian economy by the Government, through the FRA’s involvement, in the purchase of crops extends beyond money in the pockets of farmers. The pockets of seasonal workers are also affected. In the 2014 marketing season, 1,223satellite depots were operated in seventy-one districts, and this created employment for 5,551 seasonal employees. Further, the FRA engages and pays service providers, including transporters, fumigators, suppliers of various requisites and warehouse managers. All this is money in the pockets of the Zambians, and should be acknowledged and appreciated.

Mr Speaker, let me inform this House that as purchased crop quantities are increasing, the Government is also working to ensure that there is increased secure storage in order to prevent the wastage of the purchased commodities. To this end, twenty-seven slabs were this year upgraded to storage sheds in Chingola, Masaiti and Mpongwe on the Copperbelt Province, Petauke, Sinda, Katete, Chipata, Ngumbundu and Lumezi in the Eastern Province, Kawambwa and Nchelenge in Luapula Province, Luwingu and Mbala in Northern Province, Mpika, Kasiwa and Mulakatembo  in Muchinga Province, and Mwinilunga and Zambezi in the North-Western Province. These achievements should be acknowledged by all well-meaning and progressive Zambians. The PF Government has scored in this first phase of developing new and secure storage facilities and we will move to the second phase which involves the construction of ten provincial grain silos with a capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes each, which brings the total storage capacity to 500,000 metric tonnes.

Mr Speaker, going forward, my Government would like to see a situation where the private sector takes a leading role in the purchase of crops from our farmers. To this effect, I have recently signed a Statutory Instrument No. 59 on operationalising the Warehouse Receipt System under the 2010 Agriculture Credit Act. The Warehouse Receipt System is expected to improve agriculture marketing and finance by creating opportunities for small-scale farmers to put togetherthe crops which can then be sold to private buyers later in the year.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

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

Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, this is very disappointing. We have another ministerial statement again. When are the farmers going to be paid 100 per cent?

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, I think that the hon. Member for Mafinga was not following what I was saying.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, let me repeat what I said earlier. If my watch is correct, today is 17th December, and K400 million has been released. Shortly, K285 million will be released.

Hon. Opposition Members: When!

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Minister, before we proceed, are you able to give any indication when the whole exercise will be completed? I am saying this in order to pre-empt obvious questions.

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, I mentioned in my statement that the money we are dealing with is a significant amount, and that the banks are having challenges handling this amount. Therefore, the completion of this exercise will depend on how the banks will proceed in paying the farmers. We are doing all we can to ensure that all the farmers are paid their dues before the end of the year.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, I heard the hon. Minister sounding very pleased with himself, that more than 500,000 metric tonnes of maize had been paid for by the Government. However, would the hon. Minister agree with me that, in fact, he was praising himself for having paid for 500,000 metric tonnes of maize, when the amount that is supposed to be paid for is about 750,000 metric tonnes, and that he deliberately lowered the amount of money to be paid out so that he can congratulate himself, when the bulk of the farmers remain unpaid?

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, I was not praising myself. I was praising this very hard-working PF Government …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simuusa: … for the very good effort it is making in putting more money in the pockets of farmers.

Mr Speaker, the tonnes of maize that were budgeted for were paid for on time. The challenge we have now is to clear the extra quantity of maize, which was purchased later as requested by hon. Members of the House here. They urged the Government to purchase more maize. Therefore, the point is clear that we paid the farmers on time as per the budget and per the commitment, but we are having challenges to clear this extra amount, which we will clear in a very reasonable time as I have already said.

I thank you, Sir.

Rev. Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha (Keembe): Mr Speaker, farmers in Central Province will be among the last ones to be paid. Those in Chibombo District, which is the breadbasket of Zambia, are suffering because this Government has not paid them. The hon. Minister did not even indicate when they are likely to be paid.  The farmers need their money to send their children to school when the holidays are over. The farmers need the money so that they can eat good food during their Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Laughter

Rev. Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha: Hon. Minister, are you comfortable that the farmers from our breadbasket have not been paid?

Mr Lubinda: People in Chibombo do not eat Christmas.

Laughter
Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, allow me to start by congratulating Central Province.

Sir, I mentioned earlier that Central, the Southern, Northern and Eastern provinces are our biggest producers in terms of maize quantities.  

Mr Speaker, not so long ago, there was a question about the criterion used to pay farmers in provinces. One of the criteria used is the clearance of smaller figures by 100 per cent, which has been done. The only remaining province among the ones with smaller figures is Muchinga. We are in the process of clearing Muchinga Province, meaning that we will remain with the big four only.  For the four, Central Province included, we are going to spread the money around. Each district from the four provinces will receive something.

Sir, the hon. Member for Keembe should not despair because Chibombo will receive some money for the famers soon. By the time the K200 million balance will come, we will have cleared all the provinces. Farmers will start receiving this money by next week.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.  

Dr Kaingu (Mwandi): Mr Speaker, this Government distributed farming inputs and projected a bumper harvest. In your own words, hon. Minister, there was a bumper harvest going beyond 500,000 metric tonnes and yet you only budgeted for 500,000 metric tonnes. Who did the Government expect to buy the rest of the maize?  

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, the 500,000 metric tonnes is our strategic stock, meaning that it is the quantity we need to be food secure as a country.

Sir, we expected the private sector, other players and farmers’ associations to get involved in finding a market for the farmers for the extra tonnes. There is a yawning export market out there. Our neighbouring countries need this grain.

Mr Speaker, the private sector did not get as much involved this season, hence the pressure for the Government, through the FRA, to go beyond the 500,000 metric tonnes.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank the hon. Minister for a not-so-inspiring statement that was hollow.

Interruptions

Mr Nkombo: Sir, this statement has been occasioned by the concerns raised by hon. Members of Parliament who are representatives of the people. I also raised a question not so long ago regarding when farmers would be paid, seeing that there was a lot of despondency amongst farmers in Chipata and  Mazabuka who were owed K19 million.

Sir, in the hon. Minister’s statement, I did not hear him mention the status of the constituency or district I come from and represent. Mr Speaker has directed the hon. Minister to give a definite indication when money would be released by his Government and not talk about the bureaucracy related to the transfer of the money from banks.

Mr Simuusa: Clearly, the hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central was either not in the House or paying attention when I delivered the statement.

Mr Speaker, I was very categorical and the paperwork is there to prove what I said. I said that K400 million has been released. I also said that amongst the big four, the districts that will be paid first include Kalomo and Mazabuka in the Southern Province. So, the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central should go to his constituency by next week and supervise the payment of monies to the farmers …

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Nkombo: How?

Mr Simuusa: … because it will be in the banks next week.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo: How?

Mr Speaker: I am sure that was said in jest because you cannot.

Hon. Member for Senga Hill, you may pose your question.

Dr Kaingu: This is a serious matter. There should be no jesting here.

Laughter

Mr Simbao (Simbao): Mr Speaker, the farmers in Mbala have heard for themselves that they will be among the ten districts who will receive part of the K400 million which has just been released by the Government.

Mr Mwila: On a point of observation, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Let me make this point. I am not allowing points of order during this session.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: But we are also supposed to ask questions.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Senga Hill, you may continue.

Mr Simbao: Sir, many promises and deadlines have been given by the hon. Minister. The farmers of Mbala would like to know when their dues will be paid to them and whether payments are as a result of the upcoming January 20, 2015 by-election …

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Mr Simbao: …and that after the election, it will become …

Mr Speaker: Is it a question you want to put or do you want to make a statement?

Mr Simbao: I am asking a question, Sir.

Sir, are the farmers going to be paid because of the upcoming by-election?

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, I remember talking about the issues which have been raised by Hon. Simbao two days ago. We have hon. Members of the Opposition who want to gain cheap political mileage out of the good gesture …

Prof. Luointerjected.

Mr Simuusa: … of this good hardworking Government.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Mr Ng’onga: Cheapest!

Mr Simuusa: The issue of paying Speakers, …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

The Speaker is not a farmer.

Laughter

Mr Simuusa: Oh, my apologies, Sir.

Mr Speaker, I remember that as early as before July, this year, the commitment to pay the farmers was there and money to pay farmers had already started being released. This was way before we knew that there would be a by-election due to the loss of our great President. May his soul rest in peace.
Sir, for the Opposition to now turn-around and say that we are paying farmers because of the by-election is trying to gain cheap political mileage.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, we are not paying farmers because of the upcoming by-election, but because, as the PF Government, we have made the commitment to pay them for their hard work.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: We will proceed as follows: hon. Member for Kaoma Central; hon. Member for Chipili; hon. Member for Pemba; hon. Member for Lupososhi; and hon. Member for Lubansenshi.

Mr Antonio (Kaoma Central): Mr Speaker, I have just received a short message service (SMS) from Kaoma indicating that some farmers’ names are not appearing on the bank sheet, meaning that money has not been paid to them and yet the hon. Minister said, not so long ago, that the farmers in the Western Province have been paid 100 per cent. Why are we being misled?

Interruptions

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, I wonder how the hon. Member can know that some names are missing on the payment schedule if farmers are not being paid their dues.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, 100 per cent of the money owed to the farmers in the Western Province has been released. If there are names missing from the bank sheet, it means that those farmers did not supply maize to the FRA.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Lubinda: Antonio!

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, the procedure is that when a farmer supplies maize to the FRA, depot receipts and schedules are taken to the bank. In other words, all the paperwork goes to the bank. So, if the farmer is not on that list, then he or she should go back to the depot where the maize was supplied. It is quite an elaborate procedure.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwila (Chipili): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank the Government for releasing the K400 million to pay the farmers.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the Government has admitted it over purchased maize this season. Can the hon. Minister indicate to the House whether there are any intentions to reduce the number of bags which will be purchased next year?

Interruptions

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, the Government is learning its lessons. That is the reason fertiliser is in the districts on time this year. I have already indicated that a different system of marketing is being introduced next year and that I signed, on behalf of the Government, Statutory Instrument (SI) 59 to operationalise the Agriculture Credit Act of 2010 and the Warehouse Receipting System. These changes will bring into the picture a fundamental difference in the way we are going to handle agriculture commodity marketing next year. At an appropriate time, I will bring a detailed statement to the House so that hon. Members of Parliament appreciate the system. However, at the end of the day, attending to the needs of our farmers is the priority. The Warehouse Receipting System will enhance efficiency.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Mazoka (Pemba): Mr Speaker, so much has been said about the farmers’ plight. I received a call yesterday from one of the transporters of the maize in Pemba asking when they will be paid. When will the transporters be paid their dues?

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, we have made a decision to clear all the farmers before we turn to the transporters. In terms of estimates, I will start paying the transporters in January because I am sure we would have finished paying the farmers by then.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, I would like to commend the hon. Minister for making sure that Luwingu benefits from the K400 million that has been released. In the past, we have had situations whereby maize has gone to waste after the Government has paid for it. Is the maize which has been bought secure?

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, the FRA has performed very well in securing the maize which it buys from farmers in recent times. In the last two years, wastage has been reduced to less than 1 per cent.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simuusa: Sir, that performance is still being improved upon. I can confidently state that very soon, we shall not be losing any grain.
I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mucheleka (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, the farmers in Luwingu have suffered. The United Party for National Development (UPND) President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, …

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mucheleka: … and I were in Luwingu on Sunday where we held a mammoth rally.

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Mucheleka: Sir, MrHichilema’s visit to Luwingu …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Mucheleka: … has prompted the hon. Minister to release funds to the FRA so that it can pay the farmers in the area.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, what criteria is being used to pay the farmers?

Mr Ndalamei: Correct.

Mr Mucheleka: Sir, it appears that only the farmers in areas where Mr Hakainde has visited are being paid.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Mr Lubinda: Ask Hakainde.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, the Government is releasing money for the FRA to pay the farmers because it is duty bound to do so. It is not doing so because of the alleged pressure that has been created by the visits of Opposition leaders to certain constituencies. In fact, I am glad that the hon. Member has confirmed that the farmers in Luwingu are being paid their dues. We shall continue to release the money which is owed to the farmers.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, today is a very important day …

Mr Mwale: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbewe: … because it shall create history for this Parliament.

Hon. MMD Members: Why?

Mr Mbewe: Sir, it is the last day for certain hon. Members to sit on your right hand side.

Mr Mwale: Last day.

Ms Kalima: Hear, hear! Last day.

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, today, we are adjourning sine die. I will be in Chadiza tomorrow. The first thing that the people of Chadiza will ask when I arrive is: When will the farmers be paid their dues? Is the hon. Minister able to confirm that all the farmers will be paid by the end of this month which is 14 days from today?

Mr Speaker: There is no need to answer that question.

Laughter

Mr Lubinda: Tom and Jerry. Namvamsoni.

Mr P. Phiri (Mkaika): Mr Speaker, I have been listening tentatively.

Mr Mushanga: Tentatively?

Laughter

Mr P. Phiri: Sir, two statements have been given on the Floor of this House …

Mr Speaker: I am concerned if you have been hearing tentatively.

Laughter

Mr P. Phiri: Attentively, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: I see.

Laughter

Mr P. Phiri: Mr Speaker, I am concerned that …

Mr Lubinda: Tentatively.

Mr P. Phiri: … in the statement which the hon. Minister has delivered to the House, there has been no mention of Katete District. This morning, I received a message that five farmers have taken their receipts to my house.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr P. Phiri: Sir, the farmers want assistance because they do not have money to buy food and medication. Will the farmers in Katete District be paid from the K400 million which has been realesed?

Ms Kalima: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, I would like to assure the hon. Member that the farmers in Katete will also be paid their money from the K400 million which has been released.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, this House approved an allocation for the purchase of 500,000 metric tonnes of maize. The hon. Minister has informed us that the allocation has since been exhausted. What is the source of this extra money which is being paid to the farmers and who approved it?

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, what the hon. Member should understand is that we are not misusing funds. This money we are paying out will come back to the FRA once the maize has been sold. Even in the first instance, by buying the 500,000 metric tonnes of maize, the Government indirectly committed itself to finding a market for our farmers. We have authorised the offloading of some of the maize on the export and domestic markets. The money we have used to buy the maize has not been thrown into an ocean. We shall recoup the money once the maize has been sold.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, as the hon. Minister tells the farmers of Kazungula when they will be paid their dues, I want him to explain where the money he is paying the farmers is coming from. Is it a loan from a bank?

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, the money is coming from three sources, namely the Treasury, maize sales and financial institutions, which we have certain arrangements with.

I thank you, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, last week, one of the hon. Ministers who is also a commercial farmer said that he is waiting to be paid his dues by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). When is the Government going to strictly guide the FRA to only buy maize from small-scale farmers so that it can have a smaller number of farmers to deal with?

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, I must appreciate that very important question by the hon. Member of Parliament. I think one of the reasons we are in this mess is that we are not very ...

Mr Speaker: Please, do not use that word.

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, I replace the word, ‘mess’ with ‘situation.’

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: It is not alright with me.

Laughter

Mr Simuusa: Sir, the reason we are in the current situation is that we did not deal strictly with small-scale farmers. I must admit that some of the commercial farmers, in fact, used small-scale farmers to supply maize to the FRA. Next year, we will be very strict so that we make sure that the small-scale farmers are given priority. However, we must also bear in mind the fact that many of the commercial farmers are Zambians who need to benefit from Government interventions in the agriculture sector.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left.

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, in a nutshell, what we are trying to do is to put more money in the pockets of as many Zambians as possible.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr W. Banda (Milanzi): Mr Speaker, the purchasing of surplus maize has always been handled very poorly by the Government. What measures has the Government put in place to ensure that the current problems do not recur in future?

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Finance has already indicated that next year, a provision for the purchasing of 500,000 metric tonnes of maize has been budgeted for. In order to better cater for the additional purchases, we shall operationalise the Agriculture Credit Act of 2010 and the Warehouse Receipting System.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, I have heard the hon. Minister repeatedly state that the Government has authorised the exporting of maize. I am apprehensive with us deciding to export maize when the current weather patterns do not seem to be giving us signs of a good rainy season ahead of us. What wisdom is in exporting maize when you can see all the signs of a looming drought?

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, indeed, the current weather patterns are of great concern to us. There are indications that we are not receiving enough rain. As a ministry, we are looking at this issue very closely with the relevant competent authorities to see whether the current rainfall pattern can affect our maize crop. When we get adequate information from competent persons that we shall not receive adequate rainfall this season for our maize crop, we will have to review the manner in which we are offloading maize on the export market. We do not want to have a food deficit. The additional maize which we purchased may actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwale (Chipangali): Sir, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock promised this House that it was going to circulate amongst hon. Members a schedule showing the transactions in maize, district by district. Why has the hon. Minister failed to do that, especially that we are rising today? Is he still going to do it before we rise later today? How is he going to communicate that information to us?

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, I remember what I promised clearly. I did not say that I would give a detailed schedule of all the transactions involving maize, which have taken place this marketing season, district by district. I promised only to give a schedule of our current transactions. All that information is in the statement which I have delivered to the House.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that the money being paid to the farmers is being sourced from financial institutions, the Treasury and exports. At what interest rates is the Government borrowing from the financial institutions? Is it going to repay those funds back to the financial institutions after selling the maize?

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, I do not have those details. I think the Ministry of Finance may have them. Therefore, the hon. Member can direct the question to that ministry.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Sir, can the hon. Minister indicate, whether or not, the market price of maize could have been affected drastically if the Government had not bought maize for the strategic food reserves in excess. Can he also indicate whether or not he is capable of giving this House and the nation a guarantee that the excess maize will not be offloaded on the market at a lower price than that at which it was bought thereby creating an unnecessary subsidy.

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, the price at which the Government, through the FRA, purchased the maize was the best on the market at K70 per 90 kg bag while the private sector offered to buy it at a price between K40 to K55.

Mr Lubinda: From 30.

Mr Simuusa: Sir, in fact, some businessmen offered to buy the maize at K30 per 90 kg bag. At the time that we wanted to stop buying maize from the farmers at the end of July after meeting our target, our records show that the private sector offered to buy the maize at between K30 to K40 per 90 kg bag. Therefore, if we had not bought the maize in excess, the price would have been drastically affected. However, we do not intend to sell this maize at a cheap price because we can distort the prices on the market. Thus, we will offload the maize on the market at US$230 per tonne.

Mr Speaker, at the beginning of the year, the price of maize usually increases. We will keep adjusting our price according to the existing variables so that we can get the best price for our maize.

I thank you, Mr Speaker

Mr Simbaorose.

Mr Speaker: We are through. It is time for questions for oral answer.

Mr Lubinda: Simbao wamvela.

___________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

CONSTRUCTION OF COMMUNICATION TOWERS IN CHITAMBO

299. Mr Mushili Malama (Chitambo) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication when the Government would facilitate the construction of communication towers in the following wards in Chitambo Parliamentary Constituency:

(a)    Luombwa;

(b)    Lulimala;

(c)    Mpelembe;

(d)    Chalilo; and

(e)    Chipunda.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mwimba H. Malama): Mr Speaker, the areas under Chitambo Parliamentary Constituency which include Luombwa, Lulimala, Mpelembe, Chalilo and Chipunda will be looked at during the survey for the construction of communication towers in Phase II which is scheduled to commence in 2015.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mushili Malama: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister …

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Sir, thank you for according me this opportunity to raise a point of order that, in my view, is very serious in nature and somewhat relates to the functions of your office.

Sir, at the requiem massheld at the Heroes Stadium during the funeral of the late President Sata, there were several speeches that were delivered by many dignitaries including President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and the Acting President of Zambia Dr Guy Lindsay Scott. At that funeral, Dr Scott gave a very brief submission in which he stated that:

“My job is to ensure that within the constitutional period of ninety days, Zambians choose themselves a new President in a peaceful manner. Kwamana.”

Mr Speaker: Are you quoting him?

Mr Nkombo: Yes Sir, I am quoting him. The word ‘kwamana’ means finished, period or chapwa.

Mr Lubinda: What is chapwa?

Mr Nkombo: Sir, I am glad that the Acting President has tried, under extremely difficult conditions, to live up to his words. The point of order which I am raising has a bearing on the breach of the Constitution under Article 37 which outlines the procedure which should be followed when removing a sitting President from power.

Sir, this morning, there were a series of meetings that were convened by the Patriotic Front (PF) hon. Members of Parliament at the National Assembly Motel, as well as, Cabinet Ministers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Government ministry. The Cabinet Ministers later issued a statement which, with your permission, I shall quote. The statement read as follows:

“Statement issued by Cabinet Ministers at the press conference held in the Foreign Affairs Boardroom

17th December, 2014.

Subject: An expression of vote of no confidence in Dr Guy Scott and his proposed removal from the Office of Acting President

We have called this media briefing to make profound pronouncements to the nation.

Following the death of our beloved President, His Excellency Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, the subsequent transition has been led by Dr Guy Scott, in a dangerous and haphazard manner without due regard to the peace, security, unity and stability that this country is renowned for.

We have noted with deep concern that since Dr Guy Scott assumed the Office of Acting President, he has carried out duties without regard to the law, to the principles of collective responsibility, and without consultation with his Cabinet Colleagues as is expected in such a transition.

He has taken numerous actions that endanger the peace, unity and security of our country. Dr Scott has persistently taken advice from private individuals disregarding established institutions and bodies such as Cabinet.

With hindsight, it has become apparently clear that it is for a good reason that President Michael Sata never gave Dr Scott an opportunity to act as President. Because of the above mentioned matters, the hon. Ministers unreservedly take responsibility and tender their strong apologies to the nation for selecting and affirming that Dr Guy Scott should act as President in its Cabinet meeting held on 29th October, 2014.

Clearly, the confidence and trust we reposed in Dr Scott was totally misplaced. He has since abused our trust and confidence repeatedly. We have noted that Dr Scott has persistently worked against the interests of the party that sponsored him as Member of Parliament and allows him to be Vice-President of the country and subsequently Acting President.

Dr Scott’s actions have clearly been inimical to the interest of the nation. His actions have the potential to stoke instability in the nation that has been anchored on peace and profound human fellowship. We urge Dr Scott to immediately resign from his position as Acting Republic President on moral grounds.

As Cabinet Ministers, we have decided to express a clear vote of no confidence in his leadership and in his ability to carry out the remaining duration of the transition. By virtue of this statement, the Ministers are informing the Central Committee of the Patriotic Front of the vote of no confidence against Dr Scott and are …

Mr Speaker: What is your point of order?

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: I am not through yet. I am just midway through my point of order.

Hon. Government Members:Aah!

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

Mr Nkombo: I am within my bounds. What do you mean “aah”?

Mr Speaker: Get to the point of order, anyway.

Mr Nkombo: Sir, I am yet to quote from the Constitution.

Hon. Government Members:Aah!

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Go ahead.

Mr Nkombo: I am yet to quote from the Constitution.

Mr Speaker: Go ahead.

Mr Nkombo: Why are you trying to stop me then?

Hon. Government Members:Iwe! Order!

Mr Speaker: Who?

Mr Nkombo: Thank you, Sir. The statement further reads:
By virtue of this statement the Ministers are informing the Central Committee of the Patriotic Front of the vote of no confidence against Dr Scott and are advised to take notice of our decision.

Further, we direct the Secretary to Cabinet working together with the Attorney-General to ensure that an urgent Cabinet Meeting is immediately convened with an agenda to discuss the possibilities of replacing Dr Guy Scott as Acting President.”

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Nkombo: Sir, in the Constitution, Article 37, talks about the procedures which should be followed when impeaching a President. It states that:

“
(1)    If notice in writing is given to the Speaker of the National Assembly signed by not less than one-third of all the Members of the National Assembly of a Motion alleging that the President has committed any violation of the Constitution or any gross misconduct and specifying the particulars of the allegations and proposing that a tribunal be established under the Article to investigate those allegations, the Speaker shall:-

(a)    if Parliament is then sitting or has been summoned to meet within five days, cause the Motion to be considered by the National Assembly within seven days of that notice;

(b)    if Parliament is not sitting (and notwithstanding that it may be prorogued) summon the National Assembly to meet within twenty-one days of the notice and cause the Motion to be considered at the meeting.

(2)    Where a Motion under this Article is proposed for consideration by the National Assembly, the National Assembly shall debate the Motion and if the Motion is supported by the votes not less than two-thirds of the Members of the National Assembly, the Motion shall be passed.

(3)    If the Motion is declared to be passed under (2):-

(a)    the Chief Justice hall appoint a tribunal which shall consist of a Chairman and not less than two other members selected by the Chief Justice from among persons who hold or have held high judicial office;

(b)    the tribunal shall investigate the matter and shall report to the National Assembly whether it finds the particulars of the allegation specified in the Motion have been substantiated; and

(c)    the President then, shall have the right to be represented before a tribunal during the investigations of allegations against him.

(4)    If the tribunal reports to the National Assembly that the tribunal finds the particulars of any allegation against the President specified in the motion have not been substantiated further proceedings shall not be taken under this Article in respect of the allegation.

(5)    If the tribunal reports to the National Assembly that the tribunal finds the particulars of any allegation specified in a motion have been substantiated, the National Assembly may, on a motion supported by the votes not less than three quarters of all members of the National Assembly, resolve that the President shall be guilty of such violation or Constitution or, as the case may be such gross misconduct as is incompatible with his continuance in office as President and, if the National Assembly so resolves, the President shall cease to hold office on the third day following the passage of that resolution.”

Is the PF Cabinet, therefore, in order to call a Cabinet meeting on their own and not to follow these particular procedures as I have read in the Constitution in the attempt to remove the …

Mr Sikazwe:Iwe ikala fye!

Mr Speaker: Continue.

Mr Nkombo:Chikala!

Hon. Government Members:Aah!

Mr Speaker: What does the record say? We may have to adjourn to get what the records say. What did you say, please?

Mr Nkombo: I beg your pardon.

Mr Speaker: What did you say just a moment ago?

Mr Nkombo: I said that should I sit down. He said ikala panshi.

Hon. Government Members: Aah! No!

Interruptions

Mr Nkombo: Should I sit down?

Hon. Government Member: Do not abuse your immunity.

Mr Nkombo: Are you the Speaker? You said ikala panshi and I said njikale.

Hon. Government Members:Aah!

Mr Speaker: Order!Anyway, I will review the record.

Hon. Government Members: Yes!

Mr Nkombo: Anyway, my point is that I refuse to sit down.

Mr Speaker: I am going to review the record and will revert to this issue. The record cannot lie.

You may continue, please.

Mr Nkombo:  Sir, are the Cabinet Ministers in order, as they insist that njikalepanshi, …

Hon. Government Members: No!

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: … to ignore the provisions of the Constitution in their quest to remove an Acting President from office? Are they in order, Sir. Naikala!

Laughter

Mr Lubinda: He wants to launder the report.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: In my ruling, arising from a point of order raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for Choma Central, Mr C. Mweetwa on Thursday, 31st October, 2013, when the House was considering the Motion of Supply and the hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, I said the following on page 14:

“I also wish to state, categorically, that it is my duty to interpret the Constitution only in so far as it relates to the functions and operations of the House. It is certainly not my duty to interpret and adjudicate upon general points of law or, indeed, our technical legalities of interpretation. It is also not my duty to proffer general legal counsel to hon. Members.”

Although the Office of the Speaker is referred to in those provisions that you have referred to, this matter, perse, does not relate to the operations of the House. This is a general point. If you want to ascertain whether the proposed course of action conforms to the Constitution, you should go to the courts of law. This matter is not within the purview of the Speaker. I also wish to state that all those matters that you are referring to, I am not privy to, factually. They could be contestable facts. I end my ruling.

Mr Mushili Malama: Mr Speaker, I would like to know what the total area which will be covered by the towers that have been earmarked to be put up in 2015 will be, going by the fact that the one that was commissioned at Chief Chitambo’s Palace six months ago only has a radius of 4km.

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication, Chief Whip, and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, I want to take advantage of that question to provide some information to the House with regard to the progress we have made in putting up communication towers to cover chiefdoms and other unserved areas. In Phase II of the project, we are going to try to cover all the remaining spaces so as to improve the network quality. The coverage radius will be determined by the spaces to be covered.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kaingu (Mwandi): Mr Speaker, Airtel has sold its towers because maintaining them had been uneconomical. Does the Government have the capacity to maintain its towers?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I am not aware of the information that Airtel has sold its towers because they are difficult to maintain. The maintenance of the towers is done by the service providers and not the Government.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, the issue which has been raised by Hon. Mushili Malama is similar to the one I want to raise. In the past, the towers which used to be put up used to cover 30 km. The ones which are put up these days cover only about 6 km. That is inadequate. Is there anything that can be done to improve the radius which is being covered by the new towers which are being put up?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, we will take the issue which has been raised by the hon. Member into consideration when installing new towers in the spaces that are remaining. That way, we will not spend money unnecessarily.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chipungu (Rufunsa): Mr Speaker, it is like Zamtel is the only service provider in Rufunsa. I would like to know when the other service providers will move on site. I want to thank my, mulamu, for ensuring that, at least, in Shikabeta, we now have a tower.

Mr Speaker: Please, address him appropriately as an hon. Member and not as mulamu.

Laughter

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, firstly, when we came up with the idea of installing the towers, we requested the service providers to handle different projects in different areas. For example, Airtel handles the Copperbelt Province and the Eastern Province is being handled by ZAMTEL. At the end of the day, the service providers will co-locate the towers.

I thank you, Sir.

ELECTRIFICATION OF MUNCHABI

300. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development when Munchabi area in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency would be electrified under the Rural Electrification Programme.

The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Zulu): Mr Speaker, based on the Rural Electrification Master Plan (REMP), the electrification of Munchabi area in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency is included in the 2008-2030 Rural Electrification Master Plan. The following rural growth centres will benefit from the REMP in 2019: Matala, Naluvwi, Chibuluma, Luili, Naknjoli, Chikanda and Nalusanga.

Mr Speaker, during the project planning of the mentioned areas marked for electrification in 2019, Munchabi area in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency will also be considered.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, since the hon. Minister is aware that there is a power line along that same road, why can the relevant authority not tap electricity from the main road which has a power line? The main road is only 20km away from Munchabi?

The Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development(Mr Yaluma): Mr Speaker, what the master plan does is evaluate and see the capacity availability on the line. So, if a line is passing in the vicinity, it does not necessarily mean that that, particular line has the capacity to cater for the areas around. So, what is considered in the master plan is to revamp or upgrade the existing line so that it can cater for other areas.

I thank you, Sir.

______

MOTIONS

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS 20 AND 21

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication, Chief Whip, and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that Standing Orders 20 and 21 (1), if necessary, and Standing Order 101 be suspended to enable the House to complete all Business on the Order Paper and all matters arising therefrom and that, on such completion, the House do adjourn sine die.

Mr Speaker, in debating the Motion, allow me to pay tribute to His Excellency, the late President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata for the invaluable contribution he made to this House and the nation as a whole during his life time.

Sir, the House will recall that in spite of his ill health, the late President managed to address this House on the occasion of the ceremonial opening of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly. His Address provided policy direction with regard to the economic and social development of this nation. Sadly, thereafter, our beloved President passed on, on 28th October, 2014, which fact was sorrowfully acknowledged by this House.

Sir, the House will further recall that during the funeral and subsequent burial of our dear departed President, Zambians from various walks of life joined the First Family in mourning his demise. The Government, church, business community and general citizenry joined hands in mourning and putting to rest of His Excellency the President Mr Michael Chilufya Sata.

Mr Speaker, the demise of His Excellency the President showed that in times of sorrow, the nation is able to unite. The Government is, therefore, grateful for the unity and peace that prevailed during the mourning period. Allow me at this juncture to also commend all the hon. Members of Parliament for joining the nation in mourning and putting to rest a gallant son of Africa.

Mr Speaker, this Motion is designed to enable the House, conclude all business today and thereafter take a break. The current meeting of the House commenced on Friday, 19th September, 2014, and as of today, the House has been sitting for a total of forty-three days. During this meeting, a total of 336 questions for both oral and written answer were placed on the Order Paper and answered by the Executive. The House also debated four Private Members’ Motions and seven Motions to adopt parliamentary Committee reports.

Sir, in addition, nine ministerial statements were presented to the House while fifteen annual reports from Government and quasi-Government institutions were laid on the Table of the House. The House also considered and passed seven Government Bills. The House also welcomed six new hon. Members of Parliament following the by-elections in Vubwi, Mkushi South, Solwezi Central, Zambezi West, Kasenengwa and Mangango parliamentary constituencies.

Mr Speaker, the House has accomplished its programme of work and fulfilled the purpose for which it convened, that is, to consider and approve the 2015 National Budget. In this regard, allow me to thank all hon. Members for their dedication to duty and the constructive and invaluable contributions made during the meeting. Having accomplished the business set before it, it is now appropriate for the House to go on recess so that hon. Members may attend to other equally important national assignments in their constituencies.

Mr Speaker, during the meeting, the country celebrated its Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Independence. As hon. Members will recall, various activities of both entertainment and religious nature were lined up and held in all parts of the country. The commemoration of fifty years of Zambia’s Independence brought Zambians together regardless of their political, religious and social standing. Therefore, I wish to commend all Zambians for celebrating this important milestone in a united manner.

Mr Speaker, as a consequence of the death of His Excellency the President Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, earlier mentioned, a presidential by-election will take place on 20th January, 2014, in line with our Constitution. In this regard, I wish to urge hon. Members of Parliament to take advantage of the recess to urge the electorates in their constituencies to turn up in large numbers and vote.

Mr Mucheleka: Vote you out.

Mr Mukanga: They have to vote intelligently.

Hon. PF Members: For the Patriotic Front!

Mr Mukanga: Of course, they have to vote for the Patriotic Front (PF).

Mr Speaker: Order!

No dialogue, please.

Mr Mukanga: Sir, I therefore, wish all the candidates good health. I also look forward to issue-based campaigns so that the country can have free, fair and peaceful elections.

Sir, the planting season has already commenced in some areas of the country and our farmers are busy cultivating their fields. The Government is aware, however, that the 2014/15 farming season may pose some challenges such as the delayed onset of rains that has been experienced in the central and southern parts of the country. It is important, therefore, that hon. Members use the recess to assess the levels of rainfall and advise the farmers on the type of seed to be planted in light of delayed rains.

Mr Speaker, in a bid to increase household food security, the Government has already distributed farming inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). Most of the inputs have already been distributed. It is our hope that the remaining inputs, if any, will be distributed before the end of 2014. I, therefore, encourage all hon. Members to ensure that farming inputs are available and distributed to all intended beneficiaries.

Sir, as I conclude, let me commend you, Mr Speaker, Hon. Deputy Speaker and Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees of the Whole House most sincerely for the efficient and impartial manner in which you guided the Business of the House. Let me also express my profound gratitude to the Clerk of the National Assembly and her staff for the excellent services they continue to render to this House. Let me also express my gratitude to all hon. Ministers, hon. Deputy Ministers and staff from the Office of the Vice-President, ministries and departments for the support and assistance they provided to the House which contributed to the success of this Meeting.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, I thank you most sincerely for this opportunity to debate. I wish to state from the outset that I support this Motion and agree with the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House that everything that goes up must come down. The time has come for us to go back on a full-time basis to our constituencies and try to understand what challenges our constituencies have been facing while we have been here.

Sir, as we suspend Standing Orders 20 and 21(1), I would like to urge hon. Members to make deep reflections, especially after alighting from the tragic loss of our Head of State. We need to give late President Sataa gift, posthumously. In my view, this gift should be that as we go into the campaigns to find a new leader, we try as much as possible, like Dr Guy Scott has done, to diminish the space for violent behaviour in our nation.

Sir, my reflection tells me that the pronouncement by His Honour the Vice-President, who is Acting President now, has been humongous in the sense that ever since the Patriotic Front (PF) came into power three years ago, we have not heard any of the other top leaders in the PF openly condemn violence. We saw Dr Guy Scott tell the police that whoever is going to be involved in perpetrating violence, regardless of their affiliation politically, must be brought to book.

Sir, therefore, I would like to salute the man, Dr Guy Scott, because soon after his pronouncement, the police, indeed, moved into action at the Lusaka Inter-City Bus Terminus, one of the biggest travelling nerve centres in our country, where a lone member of the United Party for National Development (UPND) who was travelling to Mongu was brutalised by known PF members. Had it not been for Dr Guy Scott, us, sitting on this side,are quite sure that those culprits would have been walking the streets freely and the vice of violence would have continued to be perpetrated as we go to the by-election.

Sir, it was forty-seven days before the election, designated for 20th January, 2015, that this unfortunate incident happened. We saw on both national television and Muvi TV how bloody the attack was on an innocent travelling individual, who was simply wearing a T-shirt with a portrait of Hakainde Hichilema, one of the people the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House has wished good health as we enter this marathon.

Mr Habeenzu: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: Sir, what gives me solace as we get into this period is what happened in Babylon. I am sure those of you who have read the Bible will understand what I am about to say. When the people in the City of Babylon were trying to build a tower to go to heaven, one day God just woke up and confused their language. They could not understand one another as they were building this tower.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: Sir, a person would bring a wheelbarrow after being asked to bring a shovel by the foreman.

Mr Habeenzu: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: Sir, that is how that tower of Babel collapsed. This is exactly what is happening to the PF. As we have been praying for them to co-operate among themselves, my feeling is that God’s hand, as it happened in Babylon, has taken over. Who are we to fail to simply accept the fact that God is coming up with something.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: Sir, we are going to switch our prayers now. In the remaining few days, it will be, let there be no violence, but the misunderstandings within the PF should continue …

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: … as we get towards …

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

Prof. Luo: That is why you poached Guy Scott.

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Member.

Mr Nkombo: … the selection of a new leader. Soon, the PF will probably be clearly out of contention because blind men cannot lead blind men.

Mr Mwiimbu: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: Sir, it has become abundantly clear, as I said before on the Floor of this House that, the great leader must have claimed his PF as he went to his grave.

Sir, the violence that we are seeing as we get into these elections has some spill-over effects. After the incident at the bus station, I would like the House to know that in the constituency that I represent, a similar incident happened, where the PF, who are just a handful by the way, in Mazabuka, decided to brutalise a young boy who was simply wearing a t-shirt which is a campaign material for one Mr Hakainde Hichilema.

Sir, I would like to use this opportunity to appeal to the police, that as we go into the election, I want them to know that gone are those days when we agreed to be intimidated. If they do not act as they are supposed to, as one former Minister of Justice, under the PF Government once said, if the police cannot protect us, we shall endeavour to protect ourselves. That has a spicing of anarchy. We do not want that. I am simply appealing to the law enforcement organ, the police, to make sure it acts above board as His Honour the Acting President Dr Guy Scott has indicated.

Sir, I wish to urge the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) not to succumb to the heavy hand of those who have the instruments of power today. The way I see things, what we have is a contest between one front runner, who responds to the name Mr Hakainde Hichilema and …

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: … another person who is among us. After 21st January, 2015, we shall resolve to be one people again. Since the election is going to take place while we are on sabbatical, I want to urge everyone to accept the results. Unfortunately, acceptance of the results means that some people will never come here because Mr Hichilema will have his own Cabinet. Mr Hakainde will nominate his own people. We will carry them along because we want to tap from their little experience.

Dr Kaingu: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: Sir, we shall definitely seek their wisdom. We shall decipher the advice which they will be giving us. I am quite sure that the Zambians are going to do the right thing as the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House has said.

Sir, what normally breaks into post-election violence is the fact that many people do not want to go and vote so that the winner wins convincingly. We shall ensure that for every Patriotic Front (PF) member who goes to vote at a polling station, there are also a number of United Party National Development (UPND) members who will be going there to do the same thing. Thus, the closeness of the election results will be eliminated and a winner will clearly shine like a diamond.  

Sir, we are quite sure that the peaceful nature of our people will continue after the elections. We think that the people of this country are going to do the right thing by voting for us in UPND. The guarantee that we give is that, once we win, we will not forsake anyone. We will not victimise anyone. We will recognise some traditional institutions and the bearers of those offices. We will not interfere with the traditional leadership. I am stating, standing as the Whip for UPND, that should we have the privilege to govern this country, the first item on the agenda will be to recognise one, Mr Sosala as the Paramount Chief of the Bemba speaking people.

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

Mr Nkombo: You will debate when your time comes.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Are we campaigning here?

Mr Nkombo: Sir, we will recognise Mr Henry Kanyanta Sosala, Paramount Chief of the Bemba speaking people. As a matter of fact, Mr Hichilema will sign the document ...

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: … indicating the recognition of  Mr Henry Kanyanta Sosala …

Prof. Luo: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Nkombo: … as a leader of the Bemba Royal Establishment …

Prof. Luo: On a point of order!

Dr Kaingu: You will debate.

Mr Nkombo: … who has been suffering at the hands of the PF Government. When people are seeking votes in a desperate manner, they say lofty things, as it was in 2011. They make lofty statements. I heard not long ago, to my surprise, that the PF has now agreed to recognise this person whose …

Prof. Luo: Ah!

Dr Kaingu: Yes!

Mr Nkombo: ... who has been suffering at its hands. Tonight, I will tell Mr Hichilema to sign a document and then, we will just photocopy it and give it to the Bemba Royal Establishment …

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: … as a recognition that they are our partners.

Mr Lubinda: That is how you recognise a chief?

Mr Nkombo: Sir, from time to time, I meet Hon. Mwansa Kapeya at Livestock Services where I get farming implements. I would like to urge hon. Members not to wear suits all the time. They need to have small gardens where they can grow maize. If you want to live long, after you leave Parliament, engage in economic activities like farming instead of just coming here to heckle other people who are making points because you are not endowed with the ability to debate and express yourself.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: Sir, I would like to thank you also, at this juncture before I sit, for having presided over this House in the period under consideration. I know that it has not been very easy for you considering that we come from a cocktail of backgrounds as hon. Members of Parliament. I can see that even your wig has been sweating. You keep pushing it back and forth.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: Sir, I am sure you cannot wait for the moment to come for you to also take sabbatical leave. I want to thank the hon. Members on your right hand side for providing questionable leadership during this period.

Sir, as I terminate my short discourse, I would like to say that we are all one people. When we come and convene in the next sitting, we shall definitely have a new President. It is my rare honour and privilege to, in advance, congratulate those who are going to win. We will accept the results of the election as long as …

Mr Lubinda: Aah! You are giving conditions?

Mr Nkombo: … the playing field is as levelled as Dr Guy Scott wants it to be.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: We are going to proceed as follows: we will have the hon. Member for Monze Central closing debate for the United Party for National Development (UPND). From the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), we will have the hon. Members for Senga Hill and Kasenengwa respectively. Lastly but not least, will be the hon. Members for Chipili and Chama South, respectively.

Mr Mwila: A point of observation, Sir.

Mr Speaker: You cannot raise it at this juncture, obviously. The nature of the subject at hand will be such that certain matters may be stated which we may not be pleased with individually. Let us give each other space to express our views. As long as you express yourself within the parameters of the decorum of the House, I will give you an opportunity to be heard.

Mr Muntangaentered the Assembly Chamber.

Mr Lubinda: Welcome, Muntanga!

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to debate and support the Motion that has been moved by Hon. Mukanga, Acting Leader of Government Business in the House. As I debate this Motion, I would like to state that I would like to give a political valediction to the Patriotic Front (PF).

Mr Speaker, as hon. Members of this House, we have a responsibility not only to this House, but the nation as a whole. I am aware that hon. Members of Parliament and those who are serving in the Government swear an Oath of Allegiance and also to protect the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia. This is our prime responsibility of hon. Members of Parliament and Cabinet.

Mr Speaker, as I debate this Motion this afternoon, …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was making the point that as hon. Members of Parliament, we swear to uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia.

Mr Speaker, I am raising these issues in light of the happenings of yesterday and today. As a result of the happenings of the last two days, members of the public, in particular, members of my constituency in Monze, have expressed grave concern with regard to what has been happening in this country.

Mr Speaker, we are all aware as leaders of this House, that the removal of the President is regulated by the Constitution of Zambia under Articles 37, 38 and 39.

Mr Livune: That is right.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, under all these various Articles I have referred to, there is no provision whatsoever …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Can you stop murmuring in the background before I ask you to leave.

You may continue, hon. Member for Monze Central.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, there is no provision in the Constitution for Cabinet to remove a President of the Republic of Zambia from office. I am also aware that any act of intending to remove a sitting President outside the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia is treasonable.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I was alarmed yesterday, when I saw hon. Cabinet Ministers making pronouncements pertaining to the status of the Acting President on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Television and Muvi Television. They were issuing threats …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Monze Central, just pause for a moment. Please, help me to demonstrate the relevance of your debate to the Motion at hand. I am failing to see the connection.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I will do that. After the Adjournment Motion, hon. Members of Parliament should go to their various constituencies to explain the various Government development programmes.

Mr Muntanga: And political developments.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Kalomo Central, please, you should not debate while seated. You know that very well.

Mr Lubinda: I will take him back to Tanzania.

Mr Speaker: Order!

We are wasting time. Two hon. Members will debate from your party. Your Whip has debated, and the hon. Member for Monze Central is debating. Period.

Mr Lubinda: Muntanga must just keep quiet.

Mr Muntanga:Iwe, shut up.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, the connection is that our people are alarmed by what is happening. As a responsible Member of Parliament, I have the responsibility to ease the tension by stating that all is well in the country. The members of the public are worried that the peace we have been enjoying since Independence will be lost as a result of the behavior of our colleagues. That is the gist of the reasoning behind my submission over this issue.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I am aware of the fact that Cabinet Ministers and the hon. Deputy Ministers are collectively accountable to this House. However, of late, us who are being led by our colleagues on your right, have noticed with concern the strange happenings in the country. Some Cabinet Ministers left the country using a chartered plane …

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Mr Mwiimbu: ... to visit another country without the authority of a sitting President.

Hon. Opposition Members: Shame!

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, that has never happened in the history of this country. Such occurrences are sources of concern to many people. The people are wondering whether we are being led prudently.  

Mr Speaker, as we have gone to explain issues to do with agriculture, our people have raised issues of their security as being paramount. They are saying that it appears that the governance system in this country has collapsed. When the Government system collapses, all the issues that affect the lives of our citizens are affected. I am appealing to my colleagues not to set this country on fire within this short period that is remaining before elections. They should not do that. They have the responsibility to defend the rights of everyone in this country.

Mr Speaker, despite the statement that has been made by the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock relating to the payments for farmers, our people are still concerned because what is obtaining on the ground is the opposite of what was said in the statement. For the first time in the history of this country, we have witnessed farmers being arrested by the Government for its failure to pay the farmers for the produce they supplied to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). We had a number of farmers arrested in Kasama and Chipata. Fortunately, all this is happening at the time when we are remaining with less than fifty days before the elections. It is unfortunate. I appeal to the Government to protect the farmers instead of harassing them. The farmers are suffering as a result of the failures of the Government. Why should farmers be arrested for having supplied the maize, and then not getting paid for it? It is unfortunate.

Mr Speaker, as we go to our constituencies, members of the public and would-be voters who have lost their national registration cards (NRCs) and voters’ card will ask us whether the Government has made adequate arrangements pertaining to the replacement of voters’ cards and the NRCs. Many of our people have lost their NRCs and their voters’ card.  I would like to appeal to the Government to ensure that adequate arrangements are made for our electorates to get a voters card. I would like to appeal to the hon. Minister of Finance to provide contingency funding to theDepartment of National Registration and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). If we do not do that, a number of our people will be disfranchised.

Mr Speaker, when we go to our constituencies, our electorates will ask us what has happened to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). There are a number of constituencies which have not received the CDF for 2014.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, we are remaining with two weeks before the end of the year, and a number of our constituencies have not received the CDF. For some of us, it is only the CDF that we use to develop our constituencies …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: … because there is no other funding that reaches our constituencies. I appeal to the hon. Minister of Finance to release the CDF.

Mr Speaker, I am also aware that the people of Chilanga where we will have a rally at 1100 hours tomorrow morning will ask us about the CDF. Since no one is speaking on their behalf, I will speak for them and assure them that they will get the CDF very soon.

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, as we are debating right now I am aware that workers at Lusaka City Council, the biggest council in this country, are on strike because of the failure by this Government to pay their salaries.

Hon. UPND Members: Shame!

Mr Mwiimbu: This is unfortunate because a number of Cabinet Ministers sit as councillors at the Lusaka City Council, but cannot speak on behalf of the workers.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Now you are debating your colleagues. Continue, but do not debate your colleagues.

Mr Mwiimbu: They are not my colleagues.

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: I am talking about their positions.

Mr Speaker: No. Hon. Members who sit as councillors are your colleagues.

Mr Mwiimbu:Yes, MrSpeaker. It is the individuals who are my colleagues and not their positions.

Mr Speaker, I am appealing to those colleagues of mine who sit at the council to speak on behalf of the Lusaka City Council employees, who are the voters here in Lusaka, to ensure that their salaries are paid before January 20, 2015, which is a very important day.

Mr Livuneinterjected.

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: It will be a determining moment for this country.

Mr Speaker, I am happy that you have allowed me this opportunity to make this statement for the last time while seated on this side of the House.

Mr Lubinda: Ah, ah, where are you going?

Laughter
Mr Mwiimbu: Next year in January, …

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Mr Mwiimbu: … I will be on that side (pointing to the Government side).

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: As my colleague, Hon. Nkombo, indicated earlier, we are not going to be vindictive. We will ensure that we look after the able Members of the Opposition and listen to them.

Mr Nkombo: That is right.

Mr Mwiimbu: We will provide the necessary leadership to ensure that this country moves forward.

Mr Speaker, I have also noticed that there is another institution that has come on board which uses the symbol of a rainbow.

Interruptions

Mr Mwiimbu: In my culture and tradition, a rainbow signifies the drying up and failure of rains in a particular area. I have noticed that this rainbow is emanating from one institution entailing that this particular institution is winding up its business.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: He is your mulamu, you!

Mr Mwiimbu: As I indicated, this is a valediction service for our colleagues. I am being told that he is my mulamu. It is true …

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: … and he has dealt with you.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Now you are debating in a cross-country manner. Address the Speaker and, please, wind up.

Mr Mwiimbu: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, this rainbow is affecting the boat.

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: As a result of this rainbow, there will be no water.

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: As a result of this rainbow, the boat will not be able to sail on 20th January, 2015.

Hon. Government Member: He is your mulamu. Tell us.

Mr Mwiimbu: We are praying very hard for this rainbow to keep on shining …

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: … so that the occupants of the boat can run away.

I would like to bid farewell to the Cabinet and say, please, as you come to this side, just know that we will be there for you, but as better leaders than yourselves. We will not suspend the “suspendee” and the suspender.

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: We will not do that.  

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simbao (Senga Hill): Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion.

Sir, it always comes as a relief to go on break. As reviving as all vacations may be, we are breaking at a very sad time. The loss of a President is not something that anyone can take pride in, especially that death, which comes for both the young and the old, does not choose.

Mr Speaker, I want to start by saying that I have missed His Honour the Vice-President, who is now Acting President, in this House.

Mr Mtolo interjected.

Mr Simbao: Someone has just reminded me that we still have a lot of questions. Maybe, there should have been a provision for him to still come in and answer some of them. It would have been better now that he is Acting President because he would not have had to say that he is a cholaboy.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simbao: He would have had to answer questions properly. I really miss him.

Mr Mtolo: We miss him.

Mr Simbao: Someone says ‘we’. Yes, we miss him.

I must add that he is the only one who has been able to condemn violence to date.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simbao: I hope that more people will talk about this issue. It is not good that as we go towards elections, people live in fear. I would like to urge all the other presidential aspirants to equally clearly condemn violence even if it is not taking place in their political parties. We should try to have a violence-free election.

I must hasten to add that I have seen some civility in Lusaka. I see posters of presidential candidates side by side, which is very good because no one is trying to remove one poster before putting another. I hope that this can continue. We should tell our people that if they find someone else’s poster, they should not remove it because it does not help at all. I hope that this kind of approach will help us to have a violence-free election this time around. I also hope that after 20th January, 2015, no group of people will live in fear like Members of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) did after losing the 2011 General Elections.

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simbao: Our people ran away from their villages. We complained on this platform, but people challenged us that we were the only ones seeing the violence. I hope that this will not be repeated by whosoever wins these elections.

Mr L. J. Ngoma: It is us!

Mr Simbao: Yes, I know.

Laughter

Mr Simbao: There are three parties that can win this election by the way. Somewhere in the Bible, people were warned that they would be lucky if desolation did not occur during their time.  I warned those in Government about the way that we have been treated. One day, another Government will come and lock all of them up.

Laughter
Mr Simbao: Sir, that is why the next Government that will take over should make sure that we do not run into the bush. There is a chance that one of the three parties is going into power on 20th January, 2015.

Sir, this upcoming by-election is a very sad one just as all by-elections that we have been held for Members of Parliament. We have lost a number of hon. Members that did not manage to make it back to the House. When you meet these people, you can tell that they feel bad that someone engineered a by-election that caused them to lose a seat that they had already won. Some hon. Members made it back. You can see the relief of those who made it back to the House. If the result of the election will be bad for the PF, it will make their hon. Members feel the way former hon. Members felt after losing by-elections.

Mr Mucheleka: Hear, hear!

Mr Simbao: Sir, it is not good to do things to your friends that you would not want them to do to you.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Rev. Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha: CDF.

Mr Simbao: This by-election will be …

Mr Mucheleka: Uyu ali apo (pointing at Hon. Lungu)

Mr Simbao: … and bad for them. Most of the hon. Members of Parliament, especially those from the Opposition, will be going back to their constituencies. A lot of projects in our areas have been at a standstill. The schools in my constituency …

Mr Pande: In ours.

Mr Simbao: I am being corrected. The schools in areas belonging to Opposition Members of Parliament …

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Mr Simbao: I was talking about mine, but I was corrected …

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, just direct your address to me.

Mr Simbao: I apologise, Sir.

Mr Speaker, the school projects in my constituency are still at a standstill. When the PF came into power, the buildings that were at roof level are still at the same stage. It will be difficult for me to go and explain to the people why things have not moved. I hate to tell people that only projects belonging to those hon. Members in the Government are worked on. What makes things worse is the stopping of running projects. That makes the people wonder what exactly the Government is doing. Now that we are going back to our constituencies, it will be very easy for us to explain why they should have a different Government in place that might attend, maybe, in my constituency, to the school projects …

Rev. Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha: Even in mine.

Mr Simbao: … that have not progressed.

Mr Speaker, there are clinic projects in my constituency that are still stuck at the level that the new Government found them in. It is difficult to explain why these things happen to people who have to travel long distances to get medical services. This will make it easy for us to explain to the people why they need a new Government which will do things for them.

Sir, Mbala has two constituencies. There is an urban constituency which receives the Parliament Radio signal and the other one which does not. The only way people in my constituency can catch Parliament Radio is if they travel to Mbala. Only 10 per cent of the poor farmers in my constituency have been paid their dues and all that they have to survive is subsistence farming.

Mr Speaker, I was glad to hear that the hon. Minster counted Mbala as one of the districts that would benefit from the K400 million which has been released. I do not know what the farmers in my area are going to do if they do not receive their money soon. Everything that the farmers own including bicycles, are going to break down.

Sir, worse still, when I go to my constituency, I see school-going children wearing clothes that are in tatters. Can the Government not pay farmers the little money that they deserve so that they can buy their children clothes for school?

Mr Speaker, I heard the hon. Minister talk about how he plans to pay the farmers. I hope he is going to do so soon. If he does not do it, then I do not know what my people will do. I am sure they are going to miss out on farming this season because they do not have the inputs.

Rev. Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha: Even money.

Mr Simbao: If they farmers manage to plant crops, then I am sure that their produce will be very poor. These are issues that the Government that is in power must quickly reflect upon.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kalima (Kasenengwa): Mr Speaker, I thank you for this opportunity you have given to me to add my voice to this Motion. In supporting the Motion, I would like to emphasise that there is a lot expected of us by our electorate as we go back to our constituencies as we are the link between the Government and the people. We learn so much here. The adjournment provides an opportunity for us to take whatever we have learnt back to our constituencies.

Sir, it was exciting for me to come back on 11th September, 2014 after I won the by-election. I was the only hon. Member who came back for the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD). I had forgotten what it was like to be in Parliament the nine months that I had been away.

Mr Speaker, I think this has been the worst session of Parliament. It has been very disappointing to see the infighting that occurred, after the death of President Sata, on the Patriotic Front side of the House.

Sir, I know that the MMD has had its share of court cases. I have been disappointed to see the infighting in the party in power because what we are going through is nothing new. We went through this at the time when we lost President Mwanawasa, SC. May his soul rest in peace. We expected the Patriotic Front (PF) to consult the MMD, especially Mr Rupiah Banda, on what exactly to do. Due to their arrogance, they never took time to consult. I would like to appeal to them, through the Acting President, that within the last month that is left, regardless of the confusion that their party has, they should consult Mr Banda. They should also consult the able hon. Ministers that were there at the time like Hon. Professor Lungwangwa, Hon. Namugala, Hon. Brig-Gen. Chituwo and many others who can advise on how to move this country forward.

Mr Speaker, as we go back to the constituencies, there is a lot that the people expect from us. I just want to appeal to the Acting President to continue ensuring that there is peace in the country. He should ensure that incidents like the ones Hon. Nkombo talked about do not continue happening.  Even in town, when you speak about any other party apart from the PF, you will find that there are cadres who would want to manhandle you. In the process, people will just decide to keep quiet. This should not be the case. There should be freedom of expression in Zambia because there are many other parties whose candidates are contesting the election.

Sir, as we go back to our constituencies, we are not expected to involve the traditional leaders in politics. I have seen a lot of endorsements already. Instead of talking about what they are going to do when they are in power, I have heard the United Party for National Development (UPND) and the PF members talk about the endorsement of the Chief Chitimukulu. Political parties should leave the traditional leaders out of politics. We should set a good example instead of drawing these chiefs into our politics. I think there is a law that does not allow us to draw the traditional leaders into politics. These chiefs are supposed to be neutral. They are not supposed to support any political party even if they have the right to vote. I just want to appeal to my fellow politicians to ensure that we do not draw our traditional leaders into our politics. I think we are not being fair to our traditional leaders.

Mr Speaker, we also expect this Government to continue working efficiently. I am very worried to note that those in Government have gone to sleep. I have a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Committee that has to be approved. If the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing is busy politicking and campaigning, then I am assured that my CDF C0ommittee will not be approved until after January, 2015. I therefore, want to appeal to the Acting President to ensure that the hon. Ministers are working because the country has to move forward. Work should not be on a standstill.

Mr Speaker, as we go back to our constituencies, it is our expectation that the protests that we have seen from the farmers will come to an end. We have seen the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock come to this House to talk about the same things a number of times. As far as I am concerned, this is very disappointing because it has been a sheer waste of time. I take the question that Hon. W. Banda raised as mine. Why do we always budget for 500,000 metric tonnes and yet year in, year out, we always purchase about 900,000 metric tonnes? In this Budget, we have again noticed that we have budgeted just for 500,000 metric tonnes and next year again, we are going to fall into the same situation. It is my expectation that as we go back to the constituencies, we should ensure that all the farmers are paid. Right now, a lot of farmers have not been paid and the rains will not wait for them. This is the reason we are going to see the former President, Mr Rupiah Banda come back …

Interruptions

Ms Kalima: …into power on 20th January, 2015. This is because the farmers have been able to see what is happening. That is why they are protesting. The farmers do not want to bring into power another President who will be an experiment.

Mr Kambwili: Question!

Ms Kalima: Sir, they do not want to bring into power another President who will just come with a lot of promises. I want to assure the people that indeed, Mr Rupiah Banda will be able to do what he did when he was President. He did it before and he will do it again.

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, those of us who are in the alliances should go and tell the people that these personal alliances are not party alliances. There is no alliance between the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) and the UPND.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, I want the people to listen to what I am saying. These personal alliances should be made very clearly. The MMD is not in an alliance with anybody. It is doing it alone under the able leadership of Mr Rupiah Banda. The people should not be told about what is not there. We should tell them the truth. We are expected to be truthful when we stand and talk to the people.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order! She still has a Floor. Continue.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, the President for the MMD is Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda. When we go back to the constituencies, we also need to explain to the people the escalating exchange rate. What effect has it got on the country? We should explain to the people the effect of fuel having moved from K6 per litre in the time of the MMD to K10 per litre now. Let us explain the effect that is there on the fertiliser which was at K50 per 90 kg bag and now at K100.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left. Please, let the hon. Member debate. Continue, hon. Member.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, there is a lot that the people expect from us. Let us go and explain the effect of the borrowing that the PF has continued to engage in. Let us go and explain the wage freeze to the people in the constituencies.

Sir, we should also be able to talk about the increased retirement age which has brought about confusion in the PF. We are not very sure whether it is the Cabinet that sat and approved the new retirement age that the Secretary to the Cabinet announced. Why is the PF candidate against the new retirement age? Let us explain all these issues to the people.

Mr Speaker, the issue of the retirement age is shocking. I expect the hon. Members of Parliament to explain it this way. If a person retired at fifty-five, there are a lot of tu ntembas that can come out of the …

Mr Speaker: What do you mean by tu ntembas?

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, there are a lot of small businesses that we can start out of the packages that we get. For example, I run a company called Plant Agrichem. From the little package that I got from Zambia Co-operative Federation (ZCF), I was able to start this small business which now employs 200 people. Somebody who retires at fifty-five can grow this economy by employing people out of the retirement packages that he or she gets. Those are the things that we should be able to explain to our people so that they can challenge the PF for increasing the retirement age to sixty-five. These are things that we should be able to explain even as we endeavour to ensure that the PF is kicked out of power and the MMD takes …

Interruptions

Ms Kalima: … over. Let us make the people understand the importance of having a good Constitution. They should know what the Constitution is.

Sir, in conclusion, let me say that as we go back to our constituencies, we should ensure that we campaign in a proper manner and bring in a leader that is mature. This country needs a leader that will give hope to the Zambians and will be transitional. We know that every leader wants to rule for five years. We should bring in a leader that will only rule for one year six months and not a leader who will be selfish and will not give us a Constitution because he is scared of a 50 per cent plus one clause. This is an opportunity that we have as Zambians to bring in a leader that will unite this country. Whether we like it or not, this country is divided because some people want to vote on tribal lines. However, if we bring in a leader who has been there before and a President for all Zambians, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Ms Kalima: … he will unite the country. The only leader who can do that is Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, this leader accepted defeat for a reason. God is faithful and he lets some things happen for a reason. Mr Banda accepted defeat so that leaders after him would also emulate him. In conclusion, I appeal to all hon. Members of Parliament, including those who are not happy, to support Rupiah Bwezani Banda of the MMD.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lubinda: Bwezani Mabvuto Banda.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr E. Lungu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me this chance to support the topic …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left!

Dr E. Lungu: … on the Floor. I am equally happy that for the first time, my lecturer Professor Lungwangwa is here to listen to his own input in terms of linguistic achievement.

Laughter

Dr E. Lungu: Sir, what is at stake here is that we have all agreed to support this Motion. I like to speak last because that is when I make serious points which others can use in future. Hon. Kalima has actually cemented my debate because two camps have now merged to bombard another camp.

Laughter

Dr E. Lungu:Mr Speaker, I will key in very specific areas of concern. I will talk very briefly about the alliance which has been formed …
Mr Lubinda:Chilingalinga.

Dr E. Lungu: … and the retirement age because my incoming President, Edgar Lungu, is also part of it.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga:Bauze.

Dr E. Lungu: Sir, Hon. Kalima stated that we are not here only to drink water, but to be a link between the people we represent and the Government. The simple definition of the word ‘link’ is to join. I do not want to describe it further because I have a PhD in applied linguistics and I can finish the whole time describing it.

Laughter

Dr E. Lungu: However, in simple terms it means that we are the people that people speak through.

Mr Speaker, let me now talk about chilingalingaor thealliance. I am told chilingalinga in Tonga means a snake. In my language, Tumbuka, it is called mutu kubili, meaning two heads.

Laughter

Dr E. Lungu: It is now dawning on me that I have met that snake in my life.

Laughter

Dr E. Lungu: Sir, it was at the time when I was in Grade 4. I was rushing for a parade when I came across it. Of course at that time, I only had a black pair of pants. I had no shoes or vest. I only had two books in quest to access education. The characteristic of the snake with two heads which makes it very interesting is that it actually kills itself and swallows itself.

Laughter

Dr E. Lungu: So, how is that relevant to the alliance which has been formed?

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Muntanga: He is misleading the nation, Sir.

Mr Speaker: No point of order!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Continue, hon. Member.

Dr E. Lungu: Maybe, the relevance is that a day or two before elections, it will kill itself.

Laughter

Dr E. Lungu: Sir, let me echo Hon. Kalima’s statement that we must go back into our constituencies with different messages because we made personal decisions. I thank her for making it very easy for me to debate.

Mr Lubindainterjected.

Dr E. Lungu: Mr Speaker, with regard to the retirement age, I am very happy that the incoming President Edgar Lungu …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr E. Lungu: … has already indicated that he will revisit that topic.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr E. Lungu: So, the people of Zambia should not be worried about the retirement age because we plan ahead of time. We have already taken note of that …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Dr E. Lungu: … of the people’s concerns. Hon. President Edgar Lungu, the retired President, Rupiah Banda, and Hon. Hichilema …

Interruptions

Mr Kalaba: He has never been an honourable.

Dr E. Lungu: … Mr Hichilema have all promised that they will revisit that topic. Thus, the people of Zambia should not worry.

Interruptions

Dr E. Lungu: Sir, let me talk about the issue of borrowing.

Mr Speaker: Honorable, just give me a minute.

Dr E. Lunguresumed his seat.

Mr Speaker: Let us complete this business in silence. We are almost there. Those on my left debated,and I was very liberal and did not allow points of order. Thus, they should also let their colleagues debate as well. I talked about space. You should all give each other space.

Hon. Opposition Member:Kalingalinga.

Mr Speaker: We know what is at play.

Mr Ng’onga: Livune!

Mr Speaker: Give your colleagues space because they gave you space. May the hon. Member continue.

Dr E. Lungu: Sir, I was saying that, in terms of borrowing,the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is on course. The hon. Minister of Finance stated that we are not incapable of paying back the money which we have borrowed as a nation. Thus, we should not panic in that direction.

Mr Speaker, I want to react to what Hon. Simbao of Senga Hill said. Although he hacked some stakes here and there, he came back to reality and I liked what he said concerning the need for the co-existence of campaign posters. For us we only put one poster of our incoming President, Edgar Lungu, in a particular place. We do not need to put up ten posters because he has already campaigned while …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr E. Lungu: … others fill the whole billboard …

Laughter

Dr E. Lungu: … and probably even when one is flying in a helicopter, he/she is able to see the posters. We do not need that publicity. We only put one poster to remind you that we are coming back in power.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune: Question!

Dr E. Lungu: So I think the people of Lusaka have acted very maturely, that is the beginning of civilisation. If they are able to tolerate each other and sit side by side, that is co-existence. That is very good. I actually commend them for doing that.

Mr Speaker, let me talk about the issue of farming implements. I know Hon. Simbao is very concerned with the plight of the people who sent him here correctly so. The hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock has issued many ministerial statements. Today, he stated that most of the farmers countrywide will be paid.

Mr Mucheleka: When?

Dr E. Lungu: You cannot ask when because today is 17th December, 2014 and the year goes go up to 31st December, 2014. The hon. Minister was very categorical. He stated that the farmers will be paid within this month. It is common knowledge that the year ends on 31st December, 2014. The payment of farmers will be taken care of before the end of the year.Thanks to the PF Government …

Mr Livune: Question!

Dr E. Lungu: … and the hardworking hon. Minister of Finance who has released money at the correct time.

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear!

Dr E. Lungu: Sir, I am very happy that Hon. Mwiimbu has actually told us to go to our constituencies and explain the developmental projects that are taking place there. What are the developmental projects? Link roads are some of the developmental projects that we are talking about.

Sir, I was in Monze last week. If you have not been there, I wish to inform you that there are link roads in Monze. So, these are some of the projects that you should explain to your electorates. You should tell them that the PF has done these link roads. We are a Government …

Mr Livune: Question!

Dr E. Lungu: … which shall continue to work hard. The link roads have also been worked on in Mazabuka.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Dr E. Lungu: So, these are projects. Actually, you will not explain to the people, but just remind them to see what they are already seeing. Remind them to see how the PF has worked.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, just make your contribution. You do not need to reply as such. Just make your contribution.

Dr E. Lungu: Thank you, Mr Speaker, I take that guidance.

Sir, in my last segment, I want to commend the manner and spirit in which violence has been preached against. Hon. Gary Nkombo …

Hon. Opposition Members:Aah!

Dr E. Lungu: … preached that we do not want violence in this country. I agree with him. Nobody sitting here on the PF Bench is sponsoring violence. This is because we do not allow it as the PF Government. All we want is for the elections to take place in a peaceful manner. Let me tell the hon. Members of the House about what God does.

Hon. UPND Members: Aah!

Dr E. Lungu: Sir, it looks like the United Party for National Development (UPND) people are carrying too much luggage.

Laughter

Dr E. Lungu: They are imagining being in State House and throwing us out of power.

Laughter

Dr E. Lungu: Sir, in this House, hon. Members have quoted  Mark Chapter 11 verse 28 which talks about Jesus asking those with heavy loads to go to him so that he could give them rest.

Laughter

Mr Muntanga: What do you mean?

Mr Speaker: Order!

Dr E. Lungu: Come 20th January, 2015, we are ushering in our new President.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Are you through?

Dr E. Lungu: Mr Speaker, all I am saying is that those with heavy loads should offload their loads.

Laughter

Dr E. Lungu: Jesus has told us to come to Him.

Laughter

Dr E. Lungu: Now, let me explain where we shall have a challenge. A miracle is something which is not ordinary. It is only God who has permitted our candidate to go through what he has experienced. God permits things that the naked eye cannot see.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Dr E. Lungu: It does not matter what you do on earth …

Mr Muntangainterjected.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Government Members: Muntanga out!

Mr Speaker: You may continue, please.

Dr E. Lungu: It does not matter what you do on earth. Any human tricks on earth do not matter to God. Hon. Edgar Lungu has been ordained not only on earth, but also in heaven.

Hon. Government Members: Yes!

Dr E. Lungu: Sir, quality gold can only be processed …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order! Order!

Dr E. Lungu: … through extreme heat. Hon. Edgar Lungu is being processed through extreme heat. Therefore, it is God that has put this pressure on him. You might think that you are fighting him when you are instead building him up.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr E. Lungu: Sir, on 21st January, 2015, Hon. Edgar Lungu will be President of Zambia.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr E. Lungu: For this reason, I would like to appeal to the business community to have his portrait ready. The portraits are likely to run out. This is because people will be scrambling to get the portraits and put them in their houses.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Do not stop!

Dr E. Lungu: With these few words, …

Hon. Government Members: Continue!

Dr E. Lungu: Mr Speaker, the point I am making is that as far we are concerned, we already have a sitting President in our midst. That is Hon. Edgar Lungu.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: What about Dr Scott?

Dr E. Lungu: Sir, the power of God begins where the one for man ends. They have tried all sorts of tricks, but failed to succeed. The reason is simple. God wants them to know that he is supreme.

Let me just drink some water.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Dr E. Lungudrank a bottle of water.

Hon. Government Members:Bauze!

Laughter

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

Dr E. Lungu: Sir, I have put in more fuel.

Laughter

Dr E. Lungu: Sir, for a car to keep moving, it needs fuel.

Mr Ng’onga: Yes!

Dr E. Lungu:Sir, I do not want to spoil a very good speech. I would like to appeal to those in the Opposition not to be shy to greet us after the election.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Opposition Member:Muyenda!

Dr E. Lungu: It is your dream to cross over here. These are our seats until 2050.

Laughter

Dr E. Lungu: 2050 and beyond.

Laughter

Dr E. Lungu: That is if some of you will live to that age.

Mr Speaker, with those passionate remarks, I wish to thank you for guiding me very well throughout my debate. I think it is the first time Mr Speaker is listening to my debate while in his Chair.

Laughter

Dr E. Lungu: Thank you very much, Sir.

Mr Speaker: The general debate will be concluded by the hon. Member of Parliament for Chipili.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Abaume!

Mr Mbewe: Boko Haram!

Mr Mwila (Chipili): Thank you, Mr Speaker, for allowing me to contribute to the Motion which was laid on the Table by …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Let us have some silence, please.

Mr Mwila: ... the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House, Hon. Yamfwa Mukanga.

Mr Speaker, I would like to support the Motion on the Floor. My colleagues from the Opposition have exhibited a lot of excitement. I want to inform them that slowly, that excitement will go down because President Edgar Lungu is gaining ground every day.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Sir, we are going back to constituencies to go and face our people including those Members of Parliament who have not been going to their constituencies. This time they will be forced to go and face the people.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the first issue that we have to tackle when we go back to our constituencies is to talk about the delivery of agricultural inputs. This Government has worked very hard to ensure that all farming inputs get to the constituencies. This morning, I got reports that our farmers in Luapula Province are doing extremely well.

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Sir, this is because the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is a practical Government.

Sir, on the payment of money to the farmers, we have observed that our colleagues on your left have been using this issue to de-campaign the PF Government. However, I want to tell them that days are numbered. The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, together with the Minister of Finance, have released K400 million to pay the farmers. So, we will see what they will now talk about. In the last two weeks, they have just been talking about payments to the farmers.

Sir, our colleagues on your left do not have issues to talk about. As the PF Government, we have a five-year programme, which we have to complete. So far, we have done three years. I want to remind them that the Budget we are going to approve today is a PF Budget.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, we are going to tell the Zambian people that this is our Budget and that is the more reason we have to continue in Government. Our colleagues cannot just come and jump on our Budget. We will not allow that.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Sir, we are going to our constituencies at the right time because we are going for an election. Those who are excited and saying that the PF is unpopular will see when we go on the ground. Today, we are adjourning, and all of us are going to our constituencies. There, we are going to explain what the Government has done.

Mr Speaker, the people of Zambia do not want experiments. People who have never run Government, like the United Party for National Development (UPND), are just excited for nothing.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, you will recall that when the issue of street vending came up in this House, our colleagues on your left condemned us and said street vendors should not be allowed to conduct their businesses on the street as the city was already dirty. However, last week, their party president, …

Mr Mushanga: Who is this one?

Mr Mwila: … was telling the street vendors of Lusaka that he would not chase them from the streets.

Hon. Back Benchers: What has changed?

Mr Mwila: Sir, what has changed?

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Sir, the people of Zambia cannot vote for them because they are not telling the truth.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Sir, we have come out openly and said we will, for now, let the vendors continue trading from the streets until we find an alternative trading place for them. The UPND condemned us, but now, because the election has come and they want votes, they are telling the vendors that they will not chase them from the streets.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, let me now talk about issues concerning the minimum wage, which Hon. Shamenda brought to this House.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Mwila:Sir, that issue was hot. Our colleagues on your left said that allowing such a law would lead to companies closing. However, we said the PF Government was for the poor and that we had promised the people of Zambia that we would reduce taxes and put more money in their pockets. The minimum wage is aimed at protecting workers who are not represented by unions. I do not want to mention names in my debate. However, I wish to state that the hon. Member of Parliament for Mafinga Parliamentary Constituency, …

Laughter

Hon. Government Member: No names mentioned.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, you just rightly said that you would not mention names. So, keep it that way.

Mr Mwila: …, Yes, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, do not bring the hon. Member for Mafinga in your debate. Please, just debate. You may continue.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Sir, the people of Zambia know who is telling the truth. We have always tried to protect our workers. On the retirement age, I, as chairman of labour, and President Edgar Lungu, who is coming into State House, have stated that we are going to review this Statutory Instrument (SI). That is the position of the party. President Sata was making consultations on that issue. He died before completing them. May his soul rest in peace.

Mr Mbewe: Leave my friend alone.

Mr Mwila: I want to tell you, who are praising the Acting President because you are working with him, that we will review the issue.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, just debate issues. Let us not personalise these issues. You may continue.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, three years ago, we promised the people of Zambia, especially the workers, that we would reduce the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) threshold. As we are talking now, what we will explain to our people is that whoever gets K3,000 and below, is not paying tax. That is a very big achievement. If you look at salaries for the civil servants, you will see that a cleaner gets K2,500. However, when the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) was in power, the cleaners were getting K700. So, that is a very big achievement.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Sir, if you go into primary schools, you will notice that most teachers have bought cars because they are now getting reasonable enough money. That is a very big achievement.

Hon. Opposition Memberinterjected.

Mr Mwila: You will go and explain that.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, I am talking about what we are going to tell the Zambian people. In 2006, those hon. Members on your left were telling us that they would form Government and sit on the right side. Some of them would even say they would be sitting where Hon. Kalaba is sitting. They did not achieve that. In 2008, they said they would Hon. Chikwanda is, but that did not happen. In 2011, the hon. Member of Parliament for Monze Central said he was going to move to the right, but he did not.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Sir, when are they crossing over? Tell us when you are coming.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Opposition Members: Come!

Mr Mwila: They will not come until 2050.

Laughter

Mr Mushanga: At that time, Hon. Muntanga will be President.

Mr Mwila: That is when Hon. Muntanga will be President.

Laughter

Mr Muntanga:Iwe, you resigned.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, that is the excitement I am talking about.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Sir, after the Mandevu rally, they have seen that Hon. Edgar Lungu is coming into power. They have been coming to us asking to be given positions of hon. Deputy Ministers.

Laughter

Mr Lubinda:Ulula, iwe.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, unlike us, our colleagues on your left do not have an agenda for this country. If you go to the Copperbelt Province, the people there will tell you that they are PF because our Government has worked on the roads in Kitwe, Ndola and everywhere. We have put up universities in Kitwe. There is also Luapula University as well as one in Chinsali. So, what else do they want?

Ms Kapata: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: He is just about to wind up.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, I am not winding up now.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, we are the ones with the right agenda for the country and the Zambian people have seen what we have been able to do in power. After 20th January, 2015, Hon. Edgar Lungu will be in State House.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: I am sorry to those who are imagining that they will be driving Toyota GXs as hon. Ministers.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Our colleagues such as Hon. Kalaba, Hon. Mukanga and Hon. Kapata have to continue as hon. Cabinet Ministers after the by-election.

Interruptions

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, it is the Zambian people who will make a decision on who should lead this country.

Mr Muntanga: Secretary-General of the PF.

Mr Mwila: You will never be a secretary-general yourself.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, do not debate the hon. Member for Kalomo Central.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the Opposition has been talking about taking the headquarters for Zambia Railways back to Kabwe when the PF Government has already decided to do that.  

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Sir, we have also found a new investor to take over the operations of Mulungushi Textiles. Therefore, many jobs will be created in Kabwe. Our colleagues on your left have no issues to talk about.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: So, Mr Speaker, …

Mr Katambo: The farmers have not been paid.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, our candidate is humble and listens to the people. That is why he is a good lawyer.

Mr Livune: Question.

Interruptions

Mr Mwila: Sir, the candidates of our colleagues do not have curriculum vitas (CVs). So on 20th January, 2015, I appeal to the Zambian people to vote for the PF.

Mr Mwale: It is too late.

Mr Mwila: We are retaining power on that day.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I want to appreciate the comments of all the hon. Members who have debated and supported the Motion.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the right!

Mr Mukanga: I think it is important for all of us to support this Motion because we need to go back to our various constituencies and ensure that we talk to our people. I would like to provide some counsel. We should not forget where we are coming from. When I came to Parliament sometime back, the United Party for National Development (UPND), United National Independence Party (UNIP) and Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) had formed an alliance called the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). The three parties thought they would form the next Government under that alliance. However, I told some parties in the UDA that the people they were entering into an alliance with were a liability.

Mr Kalaba: Who are those?

Mr Mukanga: The UPND.

Laughter

Mr Mukanga: They did not agree with me. What happened is that they went ahead with that alliance, but failed to win the elections.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Mukanga: Sir, after some time, in 2006, they came to us and said that they wanted to enter into an alliance. We tried to sit down with them. I warned our members …

Mr Livune: Question.

Mr Mukanga: … that these people were a liability.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: Sir, we made sure that we stopped the talks about the alliance and won the elections on our own. Therefore, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) should learn from us and not enter into an alliance with these people (pointing athon. UPND Members) who are a liability.

Laughter

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I want to tell our colleagues that the chilingalinga they are trying to form will not go anywhere.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, strictly speaking, I have analysed the situation on the ground and seen what is happening. The battle is between the sister of UNIP, MMD, and the first born son of UNIP, the PF. So the battle is between the two of us.The UPND is not even a factor.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: We need to ensure that our party president, Hon. Edgar Lungu, goes to State House.

Mr Muntanga:Muza lila.

Mr Mukanga: Sir, I do not even talk about the UPND because, as I said, it is not a factor in the coming election. At least, the MMD has party structures on the ground and can be credited for undertaking the Formula One Road Project. The people are seeing what the PF is doing through the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project. So, they will look at experience instead of taking the job on training approach to choosing a President.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: That is why …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Minister, please, wind up.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, that is why I am saying that when we go to our constituencies, we need to tell our people that the credible leader for the presidency is Hon. Edgar Lungu. He should be in State House to ensure continuity. Maybe, Mr Rupiah Banda will come out second in the race. Mr Hakainde Hichilema will never be President.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Question put and agreed to.

SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES NO. 1 OF 2014

The Minister of Finance (Mr Chikwanda): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now resolve into Committee of Supply to consider Supplementary Estimates No. 1 of 2014. I am a bearer of a message from His Excellency the Acting President commending favourable considerable of the Motion which I now lay on the Table.

Mr Chikwandalaid the paper on the Table.

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, the Supplementary Estimates I am presenting have been prepared in accordance with Article 115(2(d)) of the Zambian Constitution which reads:

“No warrant shall be issued by the President authorising expenditure from the general revenues of the Republic unless no provision exists for the expenditure and the President considers that there is such an urgent need to incur the expenditure that it would not be in public interest to delay the authorisation of the expenditure until such time a supplementary estimate can be laid before and approved by the National Assembly.”

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left!

Mr Chikwanda: Sir, by virtue of the authority conveyed in the Article of the Constitution quoted above, I wish to present the supplementary estimates covering the financial year 2014. The total supplementary estimates submitted for approval stands at K6.9 billion. Of this amount, a sum of K665.3 million represents funds released to institutions towards the end of the financial year 2013 and spent in 2014, while K519.6 million are savings declared within the 2014 approved Budget. A further sum of K175.4 million represents funds that were …

Interruptions

Mr Chikwanda: … released directly for institutions during the year by the co-operating partners, but were not part of the 2014 estimates, thereby leaving a balance of K5.6 billion. This has been financed by realigning other areas of expenditure.

   Sir, allow me to highlight some of the key programmes that were financed using these resources. Under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, a supplementary provision of K1.5 billion is required. Of this amount, K908 million is proposed for the procurement and distribution of fertiliser to the targeted 1 million beneficiaries under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). An additional K400 million is proposed for the purchase of more than 600, 000 metric tonnes of extra maize by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) …

Mr Speaker: Order, on the right!

Mr Chikwanda: … in view of the bumper harvest recorded during the 2013-2014 Farming Season.

Mr Speaker, under loans and investment where most capital and investment projects are catered for, a total sum of K1.2 billion is proposed. A total of K498 million is required for the financing of petroleum feedstock supply arrears which were incurred during the year. The balance of these funds is proposed as follows:

(a)     K200 million is required for the completion of some of the road works under the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project;

(b)    K140 million is for works on the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport;

(c)    K112.3 million is a shortfall for the procurement of urea; and

(d)    K67.8 million is required to cater for the minimum capital requirements under the re-capitalisation of the Development Bank of Zambia.

Sir, under the constitutional and statutory expenditure, a supplementary provision of K1.2 billion is proposed in order to dismantle domestic debt obligation amounting to K969.1 million and external debt obligations amounting to K79.9 million.

Mr Speaker, under the Ministry of Finance, a total of K968.2 million is proposed to cover the shortfall of K622.7 million on personal emoluments following the improvement of conditions of service for the civil servants. A total of K116.5 million is needed to dismantle the statutory obligation in terms of employers’ contribution to the Public Service Pension Fund and K94.4 million is for payment on outstanding bills to various utility companies owed by Government institutions.

Sir, under the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, a provision of K336.9 million is proposed for the payment of K220 million towards students tuition fees, loan and bursary scheme.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left!

Mr Chikwanda: Sir, a balance of K216 million is required primarily, to normalise expenditure arising from donor inflows that were not captured in the estimates of expenditure for the year 2014.

Mr Speaker, under the Electoral Commission of Zambia, a supplementary provision of K344 million is proposed for the presidential by-election to be held next year.

Mr Speaker, I beg to move.

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, as indicated in my earlier remarks, this Motion has been moved in order to comply with the provisions of the Constitution. I am sincerely indebted to my distinguished colleagues for supporting the Motion.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Question put and agreed to.

_________

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY

[THE CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the
Chair]

SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES NO. 1 OF 2014

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

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

Vote 03/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 04/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 04/02ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 05/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 05/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 07/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 08/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 08/07 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 11/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates

Vote 13/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 13/05 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 14/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 14/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 14/05 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 14/06 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 14/07 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/01ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/05 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 15/08 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 16/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 16/10 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/01ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/05 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/06 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

 Vote 17/07 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/08 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/10 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/11 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/12 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/13 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/15 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/18 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

The Chairperson: Order!

Business was suspended from 1815 hours until 1830 hours.

[THE CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the
Chair]

Vote 17/20 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/23 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/24 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/26 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/27 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/28 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/30 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/31 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/32 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/33 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/35 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/36 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/37 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/43 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/45 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/47 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/48 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/49 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/50 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/52 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 17/54 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 18/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 18/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 19/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 21/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 25/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

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

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

Vote 31/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 31/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 33/06 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/06 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/07 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/11 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/12 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 37/13 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/05 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/06 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/07 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/10 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/11 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/12 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/13 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/14 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/15 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/16 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/17 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/18 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 45/19 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/05 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/07 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/11 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/14 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 46/18 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 51/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 51/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 68/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 68/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 76/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 76/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote77 /01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 77/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 77/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 77/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 77/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 78/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 80/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 80/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 80/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 80/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 80/05 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 80/06 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 80/45 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Interruptions

The Chairperson: Order!

What is happening? Somebody is getting haywire. I get confused and frightened when such things happen.

Laughter

Vote 85/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 85/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote85/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 85/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 85/07 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 85/08 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 85/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 87/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 88/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/11 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/13 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/14 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/15 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/16 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/17 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/19 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/20 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/21 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/22 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/23 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/24 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/27 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/28 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/29 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/30 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/31 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/32 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/33 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/34 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 89/37 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 90/19 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/40 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/42 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/49 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/51 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 91/52 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/42 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 92/52 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/01ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/03ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/09ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/16ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/25ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/49 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 93/52 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 14/16 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/19 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/24 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/35 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/40 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/46 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/48 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/49 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 94/52 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Interruptions

The Chairperson:You are talking too loudly. You are distracting my attention.

Hon. Government Members: Mucheleka.

The Chairperson: Please, you can consult quietly while you allow me to read the Estimates. I will end up telling you lies. Sorry, the word ‘lies’ is out of order.

Laughter

Vote 95/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 95/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 95/09 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 95/16 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 95/19 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 95/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 95/35 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 95/42 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 95/51 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 95/52 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 96/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 97/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/16 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/17 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/18 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/19 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/23 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/24 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/25 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/36 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/40 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/41 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/42 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/43 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/44 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/45 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/46 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/48 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 98/55 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 99/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 99/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 99/05 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear! Well done!

__________

HOUSE RESUMED

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Supplementary Estimates No. 1 of 2014 reported approved.

Report adopted.

Question put and agreed to and Mr Speaker appointed the Minister of Finance to be a committee of one to bring in the necessary Bill to give effect hereto at a later date.

_________

BILLS

HOUSE IN COMMITTEE

[THE CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the
Chair]

THE INCOME TAX (Amendment) BILL, 2014.

Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11 and 12 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Title agreed to.

THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE (Amendment) BILL, 2014.

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

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

Schedule ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Title agreed to.

THE MINES AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT (Amendment) BILL, 2014.

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

Schedules 1 and 2 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Title agreed to.

THE VALUE ADDED TAX (Amendment) BILL, 2014.

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

CLAUSE 3 (Amendment of Section 16)

The Minister of Finance (Mr Chikwanda): Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 3, on page 3, in line 21 by the deletion of the words “with more than ten” and the substitution therefor of the words “with ten or more.”

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

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

CLAUSE 4 (Amendment of Section 17)

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 4, on page 4, in line 1:
(a)    in the margin note
by the deletion of the letter “A” after the figure 17; and

(b)    in line 1
by the deletion of the letter “A” after the word “seventeen”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 4, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 5, 6 and 7 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Title agreed to.

_______

HOUSE RESUMED

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

The following Bills were reported to the House as having passed through Committee without amendments:

The Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2014

The Customs and Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2014

The Mines and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill, 2014

Third Readings, today.

The following Bill was reported to the House as having passed through Committee with amendments:

The Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2014

Report Stage, today.

REPORT STAGE

The Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2014

Report adopted.

Third Reading, today.

THIRD READING

The following Bills were read the third time and passed:

The Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2014

The Customs and Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2014

The Mines and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill, 2014

The Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2014

The Property Transfer Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2014                                                                      
The Zambia Revenue Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2014

The Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2014

_______________

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER

DINNER ARRANGEMENTS

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that certain arrangements have been made regarding dinner this evening. Hon. Members will have their dinner at Parliament Buildings in the restaurant immediately after the House adjourns sine die. Members of staff and Government officials will have their dinner at the National Assembly Motel and, as usual, this will be provided as a courtesy of Mr Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker:As regards, transport to and from the National Assembly Motel, the vehicles will be available at the foyer by the main entrance to Parliament Building.

I thank you.

______________  

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY

[THE CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the
Chair]

Vote 99/01 – (Constitutional and Statutory Expenditure – K5, 389,817,296).

The Minister of Finance (Mr Chikwanda): Mr Chairperson, the Ministry of Finance remains committed to the effective and efficient co-ordination of national planning, economic management, financial resource mobilisation and management in a transparent and accountable manner in order to foster national development and enhance the quality of life for the people of Zambia.

Further, Mr Chairperson, the Ministry of Finance sees the need for new financing under the Revised Sixth National Development Plan to cater for the much-needed infrastructure development notably in the transport, energy and physical communications sector. In support of this resolve and financing needs, the ministry continually implements strong debt management measures aimed at optimising expenditures under Vote 99 in order to maintain debt sustainability.

Sir, it is under this Vote that constitutional and statutory expenditures are provided for in the Budget. The expenditures include the estimated external and domestic debt service for the year, payments in respect of the medium term pay reforms and contingencies such as disasters and other unforeseen calamities.

Mr Chairperson, domestic borrowing by the Government is conducted through the local financial markets in which Government securities in the form of Treasury bills and bonds are issued to the general public. Conversely, external borrowing is contracted from multilateral, bilateral and private financial institutions domiciled outside Zambia in order to augument domestic resources.

Mr Chairperson, the Government’s debt management objectives in 2015 will focus on financing the budget gap at a least cost in order to maintain debt sustainability and promote debt market development. In this regard, the Government will continue to revise debt management strategies in line with changing economic conditions so as to continually improve public debt management. In order to finance growth critical infrastructure that is needed to foster economic development, a focus will be on concessional external borrowing. Most notably non-concessional borrowing will only be utilised on projects with high economic and social returns across the country. Capacity in this regard will be built to enable us to evaluate cost against benefit of the particular project.

Mr Chairperson, as regards domestic borrowing, the Government will continue to use the domestic market to raise funds at a competitive rate and in line with our macroeconomic objective regarding domestic borrowing. To this effect, the Government will take the necessary steps to induce a downward trend in the interest rates regime through the calculated loosening of monetary parameters. Therefore, further strengthening of debt management practices and project appraisals will be key ingredients in our approach to the new debt policy.

Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Chairperson, I am eternally indebted to my colleagues for their unanimous support.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Vote 99/01 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 99/02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 99/03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 99/04 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

Vote 99/05 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

___________

HOUSE RESUMED

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

The Estimates of Expenditure (Including Capital and Constitutional and Statutory Expenditure) for the year 1st January, 2015 to December, 2015 were reported to the House as having passed through Committee with amendments.

Report adopted and Mr Speaker appointed the Minister of Finance to be a committee of one to bring in the necessary Bill to give effect to the resolution of the Committee of Supply.

__________

BILL

FIRST READING

The following Bill was read the first time:

The Appropriation Bill, 2014

Second Reading,today.

SECOND READING

THE APPROPRIATION BILL, 2014

The Minister of Finance (Mr Chikwanda): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time.

Mr Speaker, the Bill before this House is a culmination of the assignment that we started in the Committee of Supply following my presentation of the 2015 Budget on Friday, 10th October, 2014.

Sir, I wish to take this opportunity to express my profound appreciation to you for your able guidance in the conduct of business in the House. Commendations are equally due to the Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Chairperson of Committees of the Whole House for their meticulous and smooth conduct of Business of the House.

Mr Speaker, let me also recognise the contribution made by the Leader of Government Business in the House for ensuring that the House was always adequately organised for business. I am also thankful to the diligent Clerk of the National Assembly and her equally conscientious staff for the valuable support rendered throughout the debate on the Motion.

Mr Speaker, I would also like to thank the hon. Members for their valuable contributions, suggestions and useful guidance. They all have been noted. Where possible, we will consider them in future Budgets. In particular, I look forward to receiving further reactions from the hon. Members of Parliament on the output-based budget (OBB) that is being piloted in the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education for the 2015 Budget.

Sir, the Ministry of Finance intends to rollout the OBB to more ministries in 2016 after further consultations with hon. Members and other stakeholders so that the results of annual appropriations become more transparent and the Executive becomes more accountable for service delivery and development.

Mr Speaker, I also wish to take this opportunity to thank our co-operating partners that have continued to support the Government in its efforts to implement the national development plans. The resources channelled through the Budget from our co-operating partners are a clear indication of the faith that our cooperating partners have in our Government’s development objectives.

Sir, as this House concludes business today in approving the 2015 Budget, let me point out that the more important assignment ahead of us is the execution of the Budget so that the theme of my Budget address can be realised.

Mr Speaker, I am aware that the success of the Budget is the realisation of the estimates of revenue and expenditure. My ministry will ensure that revenue collection is enhanced in order for programmes and activities approved by this august House to be financed adequately. This, however, is not the end of the Budget Cycle. One of the most significant areas in Budget implementation is the utilisation of funds by ministries, provinces and other spending agencies. It is in this area that hon. Members of Parliament and all Zambians can play a critical role by monitoring programmes in their own constituencies. This will, indeed, improve service delivery to the people and provide the necessary checks and balances required for Budget execution.

Mr Speaker, the Government will enhance revenue mobilisation by modernising tax administration with e-based inland revenue and customs administration systems that will enable the online payment of taxes thereby reducing the cost of tax compliance. Further, we will continue with our efforts to simplify and harmonise the tax regime which will entrench equity and simplicity in the tax system while retaining robust revenue collection. With regard to non-tax revenues, the Government will continue to revamp the current payment systems and update various laws to enhance domestic revenue mobilisation.

Mr Speaker, the diversification of the economy is not just a dream, but an economic imperative that must be attained. In this regard, I wish to acknowledge and support the many calls that our people have advanced, imploring the Government to begin tackling the bottlenecks that have beset our diversification agenda. Other growth areas that the Government will continue to incentivise are the tourism and the telecommunication sectors.

Mr Speaker, our economy has undergone transformation and is increasingly becoming competitive while sustaining positive economic growth. While the various interventions we are committed to put in place are important and faster, and sustainable economic growth is the single most important strategy that will undoubtedly spur the expansion of our fiscal space.

Sir, I, therefore, wish to implore investors to access the various tax incentives that are available in the priority sectors so that they expand their investments and contribute to economic growth.

Sir, it is paramount that our development agenda be increasingly financed by domestically generated revenue to minimise the risk of dependence on donor assistance and externally induced shocks. We should, therefore, consolidate our efforts to work together so that we enhance domestic revenue mobilisation.

Mr Speaker, lastly, I wish to thank, once more, my distinguished honourable Colleagues for their contributions in debating the Budget I laid before this House on Friday, 10th October, 2014. I am also grateful to your Committee for its thorough report and for bringing out a number of issues which we have taken note of. This Government will consider a number of these issues in subsequent budgets.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, in support of the Appropriation Bill, I want to urge the hon. Minister of Finance to ensure that the Budget is not ignored as we implement various development activities in the country. I am aware that we have given them what they have asked to be used for development programmes. The development programmes should not be selectively implemented. Every constituency in the country should benefit from this Budget. We have had incidences where money that has been allocated for electrification of towns such as Kalomo has never been released. We only hear that money was supposed to be sent to Kalomo. The money is diverted to other projects. Every part of Zambia should be respected. We were told that the Government wanted to tar roads in towns such as Choma, Kalomo and Monze. They should not just tar roads in Lusaka or Kalomo as though these are the only parts of Zambia. What we do in one part of Zambia should be done everywhere.  We are waiting for them to tar 15 km of roads in Kalomo. They stated that they were going to do that. When are you going to do it? Tarring roads in other towns has remained a promise.  

Mr Speaker, various Government institutions such as the Zambia Police Force should benefit from the Budget. I am aware that some police officers are grumbling because they have not been getting their allowances.

Mr Mbulakulimatried to raise a point of order.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Continue, hon. Member for Kalomo Central.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, the police officers are not getting allowances. This makes them think that they can only get allowances by doing favours to those who are in Government. That should not be the case.  

Mr Speaker, I am aware that there are serious problems in other places such the Luapula Province. There are no roads.

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Mr Muntanga: Luapula needs to be developed. The hon. Member of Parliament for …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

You may continue, please.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament who wanted to raise a point of order is right because he wants to complain about issues in his area. If the Government is selectively giving funds to some areas, we need to speak out about that. This is why I am standing ...

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: … and talking about the whole Zambia.  The whole Zambia should remain one.

Mr Speaker, I also want to emphasise that we should be accountable for the use of this money. At one time, we had the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) covering the proceedings of the Public Accounts Committee. That coverage was stopped. The Zambians were enjoying the sessions and listening to how their money was being accounted for. Those who are scared of people finding out about what they are doing, do not stay long in the Government. The Zambian people want to know how their money is being spent. I accept that the Appropriation Bill be approved. I will ensure that it is followed. Approving the Appropriation Bill is done for the whole country. It is approved by the hon. Members of Parliament from both sides of the House. Therefore, the Patriotic Front (PF) might have brought this Budget to the House, but it has been approved by all of us. It is our Budget, and not their Budget. As a result, we will ask those responsible to be accountable in effecting this Budget. I am aware that when our friends, from the PF came into the Government, they took over a Budget from the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD).

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, it is in the same vein, that in January, we shall take over implementation of this Budget.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, we will not alter the Budget. We will wait until next September or October, to present our own Budget to this House. That is nothing new which will happen. That is why there is continuity in the work which the Government does. I support this Appropriation Bill, and I want it to be approved.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, I will be very brief in supporting the appropriation of the Budget.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

May I have order on the right.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, budgeting is a process. We have gone through all the processes and have come to the approval stage. I think that the approval stage and the processes that follow, are the least important.  The next stage, which is the implementation, is what is very important. I am saying that because from experience, since the Patriotic Front (PF) Government came into being the major problem we have faced with the Budget is the implementation itself. What has happened is that we appropriate and say that we have K46.6 billion, and we outline exactly what is supposed to be done with the money, but in the middle of implementing the Budget, somehow somewhere, there are ad hoc projects that are introduced. For example, the introduction of thirty-two different districts that were not planned for distorted the whole Budget because they then had to get some money from appropriated headings or lines in order to satisfy their populist announcements. We must guard against this attitude because taking away money from appropriated headings will be at the expense of my school in Kabompo. Right now, I have schools in Kabompo that have remained undone for six years or so. This must be guarded against. This Budget, as far as we are concerned, is one that has been agreed upon by all hon. Members of Parliament. They should not distort it by introducing projects which are not in it.

Mr Speaker, the other factor which distorts the Budget is corruption. We have seen many projects, particularly in the road sector that for instance may cost K10, 000 or so.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on my far right!

Mr Lufuma: In the Budget, the project may be budgeted for at K10,000 but when it comes to implementation, the cost of working on the road goes up threefold to about K30,000. This is a distortion since the contractor has to be paid as per agreement and because he has executed the job that you employed him for. He is, however, paid three times the amount agreed upon which automatically sends the Budget into disarray. These are the issues that the Government should avoid by being steadfast and honest in the execution of their responsibilities. The other way to avoid this is by ensuring that there is the proper monitoring and evaluation of projects. This is where civil servants come in. As much as possible, they must ensure that we stick to the Budget that we have agreed upon today.

Mr Speaker, I think that it is a shame that most projects in the 2014 Budget have not been done. I do not know about the other provinces, but projects in my province have not been implemented at all because money has not been released. Each time we stand up to ask why there has been no progress on a particular project, the response is always that there is no money. Where does the money go because we appropriate it here in Parliament? We have borrowed quite a substantial amount of money both externally and internally which should see projects finishing. On the contrary, we are not seeing this being done.

Mr Speaker, the other area which the Government must control is the consumption side as opposed to the capital side. As it is, the hon. Minister of Finance already indicated that about 74 to 76 per cent of the total Budget will go to recurrent departmental charges (RDCs) and only about 24 per cent will go to capital projects. Unless we are careful as the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, this 74 per cent may turn out to be 90 per cent and eat into capital projects. Doing this is a recipe for failure. There will be no expansion of this economy. The pronouncement that was made of putting more money in people’s pockets will not come to pass. So, it is essential that this Government follows this Budget to the letter.

Mr Speaker, I do not want to take up a lot of time. We want to see projects that we have approved done this time. They should not bring in unnecessary projects or by-elections which will eat away the money meant for poverty reduction.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Speaker: We will follow this order: Hon. Member for Mumbwa; hon. Member for Senga Hill; hon. Member for Lubansenshi; and hon. Member for Lupososhi.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, in supporting the Appropriation Bill, I have only three points to add because most of them have already been mentioned by my colleagues. I will be very brief.

Mr Speaker, I would like to urge the hon. Minister of Finance to timely release funds to various ministries, provinces and spending agencies. The releasing of funds should take into account the fact that the tendering process takes time. If the officials have to do a good job in the tendering process and avoid the temptations of single sourcing, then it is imperative that the timely release of funds is undertaken.

Mr Speaker, official civil servants only wait to receive their salaries for doing nothing and yet this nation has invested heavily in their education and skills training. They are ready to use these skills in various programmes and projects in order to bring about the desired socio-economic development, but all they do is wait for their salaries at the month end. It is no fault of theirs since they have not been given the tools with which to implement the programmes that have been funded by this House. This …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

The consultations on my far right are rather loud. You have the liberty to go outside and continue with your conversations.

Hon. Member for Mumbwa, you may continue.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: Sir, it means, therefore, that we are demoralising these highly trained men and women. They will have the Activity-Based Budget and yet have no tools with which to implement it.  

Mr Speaker, one other aspect I want to look at is the output-based budget (OBB). Without funds being available, we will not see the output. You need to invest in these programmes in order to have the outputs.

Mr Speaker, we should not just focus on talking about our expenditure. We should also discuss how the Ministry of Finance can source funds. It is important that concerted efforts are made in order to ensure that the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) meets its target for revenue collection. In order to have more revenue collected, there is more that needs to be done. We could even introduce on-line tax administration. The Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development can ensure that it speedily provides the required power for computers in different areas so that people are able to submit tax returns on-line. If we continue with manual administration, the collection of revenue will continue to delay.  

Sir, we, as hon. Members of Parliament, are more than ready to see to it that projects are implemented as per the approval of the Budget. It is wrong to consider Opposition hon. Members of Parliament as enemies. Our job is to hold the Government accountable and get reasons why projects have not been implemented on time. We are in a position to inquire from the hon. Minister of Finance or line ministries why funding has not been released. All I am saying is that the doors of civil servants and Permanent Secretaries should remain open so that we can engage them and find out why these projects are not being implemented on time.

Mr Speaker, if we go along that line, then we shall develop this country as it should be. Everyone will be involved and will do their part including the Opposition and those in Executive.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Simbao (Senga Hill): Mr Speaker, I will be very brief since the speakers before me have said most of the things that I wanted to say. I will talk about two things, one of which is the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Sir, the CDF helps hon. Members of Parliament show that they are performing in the constituency. However, when hon. Members of Parliament like me, and forty-three others, come to the end of the year without the CDF, it shows that most projects are not progressing.

Mr Speaker, when we approve an Appropriation Bill of this nature, which has the CDF in it, I wonder how I can come to the end of the year without receiving my allocation. The CDF comes in handy for Opposition Members because the constituents will see that they are working. It is almost a mockery for me to participate in the approval of the Appropriation Bill when I might not receive my CDF in 2014. I urge the hon. Minister to be considerate enough to release the CDF early in the year so that we are seen to be active in our constituencies.

Sir, I will have to go to my constituents and explain why the 2014 CDF has not been given to Senga Hill Constituency. If the year comes to an end before I get the 2014 CDF, I hope that both the 2014 CDF and the 2015 CDF allocation will be released early next year so that we can speed up the implementation of certain projects.

Mr Speaker, I support the Motion, but I beg that the CDF be released to all of us on time, especially the Opposition Members of Parliament because sometimes very few projects are implemented in their areas. The CDF helps us to show the people that we are working.

Sir, I have heard that some ministries have not received all their allocations for 2014. I hear that for some of them only 10 per cent funding has been released for their recurrent expenditure. I would like the hon. Minister of Finance to tell us what the percentage of the 2014 Budget has been released. Will 100 per cent be released by 31st December, 2014? If a ministry is not given its allocation in full, then we should not expect it to perform to its fullest potential.

Mr Speaker, I know that raising money is not easy. However, I wish to state that we approve funding because we are sure that the hon. Minister will raise it. We cannot come to the end of the year and hear that only 10 per cent has been released to some ministries.

Sir, in supporting this Motion and while sympathising with the hon. Minister, I recommend that once money has been approved, it must be provided on time and not at the end of the year as it may not be of much use.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mucheleka (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, in supporting the Appropriation Bill, there are quite a number of issues that have to be raised.

Sir, I think it is time we admitted that the Budget has failed as a tool to reduce poverty and enhance service delivery. If we are not careful, people, including hon. Ministers, will end up misleading the Zambian people. The budgeting process is not supposed to be politicised. I do not understand what a certain hon. Member meant when he said that this is a Patriotic Front (PF) Budget when this is a National Budget that has received input from all of us.

Sir, in 2011, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) was in office and was voted out before it finished implementing the Budget. The governance of the country did not grind to a holt. This implies that even on 20th January, 2015, should the Zambians decide to vote for any other political party, the country will continue running and the Budget will be implemented. It is a National Budget and not a political party Budget.

Mr Speaker, the Budget has failed as a tool to help us reduce poverty. As a result of the failure to use the Budget as a tool, we are almost in 2015 and most of the millennium development goals (MDGs) will not be achieved. We are supposed to have annual plans picked from the MDGs. Afterwards, we are supposed to take stock of our achievements. However, we have not been able to do that because of our failure to use the Budget. When you go to Lubansenshi Parliamentary Constituency in Luwingu District, which is where I come from, you will see that we do not have a development budget of any sort. If you look at the Budget that we have been discussing, you will notice that the bulk of the funds are basically under recurrent expenditure. There is very little that has been left for development projects. Even where funds have been appropriated through this Budget to the education, health and transport sectors, the challenge has been the failure to disburse these funds on time.

Sir, Hon. Simbao belabored the issues to do with the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). The CDF is such an important tool for our development, especially in the rural areas, but you will find that most of the constituencies do not receive this fund on time. In most cases, the CDF is disbursed in the last quarter of each year. How then, are we going to implement our development projects given that some of us are coming from areas which are under Ecological Zone 3? These places have very high rainfall. Thus, when they disburse funds in the last quarter of each year, we often face challenges when implementing projects.

Mr Speaker, through the reports by the Auditor-General, it is clear that most of the funds released by the Government are subject to a lot of abuse, misapplication, and in some cases, blatant theft. What is so painful is that the culprits are left to go scot-free. Even where the Public Accounts Committee has been able to make recommendations in terms of what action the Secretary to the Cabinet or the Government should take, there has been no action taken. In some cases, we have even seen those controlling officers being promoted to other senior positions.

Sir, in terms of ensuring that there is transparency and accountability in the utilisation of public resources, there was action that had begun through the live broadcast of the Public Accounts Committee sessions. What did we see? In no time, without any serious explanation, that live broadcast was halted. One would have thought that in an environment where you want to enhance transparency and accountability, you must be able to ensure that people have access to such live broadcasts. The live broadcasts were stopped because somebody somewhere perhaps feared to be exposed. Last time, we were told that there were no sufficient funds in the Budget for the live broadcasts. We needed to see a situation where sufficient funds were allocated through Parliament in the 2015 Budget so that the live coverage of the proceedings of the Public Accounts Committee sittings could be made possible.

Mr Speaker, in the last three years, we have seen a serious politicisation of the Budget making process. The Budget making process should not be politicised. The Budget making process has been politicised to a point where almost everything which happens around it is becoming meaningless. Most of us are from rural areas where the majority of our people use agriculture as a means of enhancing their livelihoods. Our farmers have worked very hard under difficult conditions to produce their crops. As we speak, most of our farmers, including those in Lubansenshi, Senga Hill and Kasama Central Parliamentary constituencies have not been paid their dues, and yet this is a Government that prides itself in being pro-poor. If, indeed, it is a pro-poor Government, why has it taken long to pay farmers for the crop that they have produced? They talk about putting more money in the farmers’ pockets and yet, they are denying them the money which they have worked for.

Sir, I would like to suggest that they also restructure the funding to the agriculture sector. They should avoid being bad planners.  

Mr Simuusatalked toMr Mulenga.

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, I am speaking and the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock is not even following what I am saying.

Laughter

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, the agriculture sector requires to be restructured by way of increasing the amount of resources invested in it. We need to ensure that we fund the agriculture sector properly so that our farmers are also encouraged to grow other high value crops? This will enable them to get money through selling these high value crops.

Mr Lubinda: This is the Appropriation Bill!

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, let me also talk about the funding to the provinces and the districts. Through this Budget we are passing, we need to know that, as we move forward, we must ensure that the funds that are appropriated through the Budget are, indeed, used for the intended purpose. They should be disbursed on time so that the funds are, indeed, used to try enhance the livelihoods of our people.

Sir, the other important issue is the funding to the feeder roads under the Rural Roads Unit (RRU). When we allocate funds to the RRU, they must be disbursed on time so that we are able to work on the …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Mucheleka: … feeder roads because we want to create forward and backward linkages in the economy. The only way to ensure that our farmers have access to good markets is by working on the feeders roads.

Sir, in conclusion, I want to appeal to the Government to make sure that the controlling officers or anyone who is found wanting with regard to misuse of public funds is brought to book.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, we cannot afford to continue subjecting our people to high levels of poverty in the midst of plenty. We have resources which, if properly utilised, can go a long way in addressing some of the challenges that we are faced with as a nation, including the aspect of addressing high levels of rural poverty.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Speaker: We have come a long way and let us bear in mind that what is being debated now is the Appropriation Bill and we are just on the verge of considering this Bill. I have taken two hon. Members from the United Party for National Development (UPND), two from the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) and one independent. Thus, the last two will be from the Patriotic Front (PF).

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, I thank you for allowing me an opportunity to speak  and support this Appropriation Bill for and on behalf of the people of Lupososhi Constituency and, indeed, the Republic of Zambia as a whole.
Sir, this is indeed a nice way to end the year because we have passed the 2015 National Budget.  I have a few issues that I want to quickly raise in support of this particular Bill.

Mr Speaker, yes, we have heard that a series of concerns are raised through the Auditor-General every year. Therefore, using this Appropriation Bill, I want to urge the hon. Minister of Finance who has been very consistent in his attendance in Parliament to try and attend to the concerns which have been raised. The internal controls need to be addressed in order to ensure that the proper utilisation of the funds in the Budget is enhanced. The Public Finance Management Act requires a review. The review must be looked at seriously so that we can enhance the internal controls that are required to ensure that the controlling officers and all the spending agencies are able to use the funds as budgeted for.

Sir, we have been talking about the Budgeting Bill that will be able to create the Budget Office at the National Assembly in order to enhance the participation of the hon. Members of Parliament in the budgeting process. We have talked about this suggestion for quite some time. It is important that in 2015, …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left!

Mr Bwalya: … we take issues to do with this particular Bill seriously so that we can have the Budget Office established at National Assembly.

Mr Speaker, the other aspect I want to bring to your attention as regards the Appropriation Bill is that the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) assets have now been protected based on a National Assembly Amendment Bill. I want to believe that this will give the ZRA the energy it requires to ensure that the revenue side of this Appropriation Bill is enhanced.

Sir, finally, let me talk about the disbursement of funds which was also talked about by some of my colleagues. It is one thing to have the funds provided for and another to have funds disbursed as provided for. It is important that the provincial administration and all spending agencies receive that which they need in order for them to provide quality services.

Mr Speaker, with these few words, I want to thank the hon. Minister for having diligently been able to present the Budget.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: The general debate will be concluded by the hon. Member for Kabwata.

Mr Mpundu: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda(Kabwata): Sir, it is a great honour to be allowed to conclude the debate on this very important Motion, the Appropriation Bill for 2015. I promise to be very brief. One of the most important functions …
Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Lubinda: … of this institution of Parliament is to pass the Appropriation Bill. When we go out in our constituencies, we tell the people that we represent that, as hon. Members of Parliament, we go to the National Assembly to pass laws and to take part in the distribution of the national cake. The distribution of the national cake is what is being done this evening through the Appropriation Bill.

Mr Speaker, after today, we shall again tell the people we represent that, as hon. Members of Parliament, we were involved in sharing the national cake.

Sir, in saying this, I want to commend the hon. Minister responsible for finance for a job well done.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: I take my hat off …

Mr Mucheleka:Ninchito ulefwaya,iwe.

Mr Lubinda: … to the hon. Minister of Finance …

Mr Mpundu: Iwe, ikalafye tondolo.

Mr Lubinda: … and would like to respond to the heckler …

Mr Speaker: No, you should not. I will not permit you to do so. Ignore them.

Laughter

Mr Lubinda: Sir, let me put it on record that I am not a job seeker …

Mr Mucheleka: You are.

Mr Ng’onga: Like him who wants to be Vice-President.

Mr Lubinda: … like those who go and follow chilingalinga for the sake of jobs.

Laughter

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Sir, I have been in this House as a Back Bencher for many years. I have provided a distinguished service to this House as a Back Bencher.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Sir, the people of Zambia, through the people of Kabwata Constituency, bestowed upon me the responsibility to come and take part in sharing the resources of the country through the Budget making process.

Sir, the reason I am commending the hon. Minister of Finance is that …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, of the left!

Mr Lubinda: Sir, this is the very first time in the last two decades that a Budget has been presented so eloquently …

Mr Mwila: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: … by such an eloquent hon. Minister of Finance …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: … backed by such a hardworking and well-meaning Government such ...

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: … that from start to finish there has been not a single amendment …

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: … except by the hon. Minister himself.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Sir, this shows that Hon. Alexander Chikwanda and the people in the Ministry of Finance were able to read the minds of everybody in this House.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Sir, those from the Opposition spoke about issues to do with agriculture, Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and everything else, but not a single one was able to move an amendment.

Interruptions

Mr Lubinda: Sir, the only one who moved amendments was the author and presenter of the Budget. This afternoon, the hon. Minister of Finance presented the Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure No. 1 of 2014. As I sat here as a Back Bencher belonging to the Ruling Party, I pulled my short hair …

Mr Mushanga: Grey.

Mr Lubinda: … and wondered what sort of bashing we would receive from the Opposition. We did not receive any bashing with regards to the supplementary estimates. Our colleagues from the Opposition seemed to have acknowledged the fact that the hon. Minister of Finance and this Government are doing a good job.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: How can you remove such a Government? How?

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, I want to acknowledge the sentiments from those who said that the implementation of the Budget is crucial to good budgeting process. However, I also wish to state that the implementation is only the tail end of the whole process. It all starts by putting the numbers together. The numbers have been put together in such a fashion …

Mr Muntanga: You will have a big bash in the economy.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Government Members: Muntanga!

Mr Lubinda: … that all of us, including the representative of the noble people of Kalomo, Central have agreed that this is a very well-thought-through Budget.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Sir, this is a very well-thought-through Appropriation Bill.

As such, Mr Speaker, the question which I would like to ask the people is: Why should they disturb a programme that is running well? I want to assure the people that under the supervision of this Government, next year, the Budget approval session of Parliament may not have to sit so long. It will be brief because everybody on your left side will agree with what Hon. Chikwanda will present.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Sir, next year, we will spend less time and less money going through the Budget.

Hon. Government Member: Continue!

Mr Lubinda: Sir, I want to conclude …
Hon. Government Members: Continue! Yowoya!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Lubinda: … by saying to the hon. Minister of Finance that we, on this side, every day, came here prepared to come and defend this Budget because we were hoping that the Opposition would come up with different programmes from what we had presented in the Budget. I am sure that Hon. Simbao remembers that when he was sitting on this side, one Member of Parliament …

Mr Simbao: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Do not bring the hon. Member of Parliament for Senga Hill into your debate.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Please, leave him out of it.

Mr Lubinda: I will leave him out of it, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Yes.

Mr Lubinda: Sir, I apologise to the elder for making his a part of my debate. However, it should be remembered that when the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) were in Government, there was not a single time when they could pass a budget without the Opposition proposing any amendments. This is because the Opposition had its own programmes.

Hon. Government Member: The PF.

Mr Lubinda: However, now, it is clear that the Opposition, United Party for National Development (UPND), MMD, ndebomba neka and …

Laughter

Mr Lubinda: … cenda neka …

Laughter

Mr Lubinda: … , from the beginningright up to the end of the debates regarding the 2015 Budget, have been in total agreement with what is contained in it.

Mr Speaker, the Appropriation Bill that we are passing today is what is going to determine the programmes for 2015. Everybody in the House has unanimously supported the contents of the 2015 Budget. Yes, we are all in agreement.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Sir, why disturb the implementation of something which you have agreed upon?

Mr Mushanga: Presidential material!

Mr Lubinda: Sir, there is no reason whatsoever for us to create any unnecessary consternation. Instead, let us go out there and tell the people that all of us in Parliament, the 158 of us, are unanimous on the programmes initiated by the PF.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Why waste time? There is no need to waste time.

Sir, I would also agree with some hon. Members who said that people should not politicise the Budget-making process because it is not theirs. After today, the Budget will be owned by all of us. The Ruling Party, the Opposition, chilingalinga, njenda neka …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: … and everybody ...

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: … will become part and parcel of the programme for 2015, a programme that is going to be managed by the initiator. It is, therefore, important, Sir …

Mr Mucheleka: On a point of order, Sir.

Hon. Government Members:kala hansi!

Mr Lubinda: … that as we conclude today, the people are told that we, gathered in the National Assembly of Zambia, this evening at 2105 hours, have agreed that the programme that has been put in place by the PF Government will benefit them.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: How else can you succeed? You cannot initiate a programme only to have somebody take over and hope that the person will achieve the same results.

Hon. Government Members: No!

Mr Lubinda: Sir, the Zambians cannot afford to lose sight of a programme which we have all agreed to support unanimously.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Sir, as we go out there, let us tell the people …

Mr Mwila: By, PF.

Mr Lubinda: … all of us were not able to even see one ngwee misplaced in the Budget which was presented to this House by Hon. Chikwanda. Let us tell them that every kwacha has been put where it needs to be. In October, 2015, we shall come to the House to tell it how the 2015 Budget was being implemented. That is the only logical conclusion.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: How do you oppose a programme in future that here today you are supporting? There is no reason for that. I would, therefore, like to conclude, Sir, by extending my commendations, beyond the hon. Minister, to all hon. Members of Parliament. It has never been this easy. This has been the easiest Budget approval process I have ever seen.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Sir, I once upon a time sat where Hon. Simbao is sitting and was very critical …

Mr Speaker: Please, leave the hon. Member out of your debate.

Laughter

Mr Lubinda: Sorry, Sir. When I was sitting where my colleague is, …

Laughter

Mr Lubinda: … I used to pay attention to every detail and managed to convince my colleagues in the Opposition that we needed to change certain figures to suit our programme. That was my job then. This time around, everybody sat in their seats, in their smart ties and jackets and simply agreed that the Budget needed to be approved as it was.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: How much more professional could my colleagues have been? They did extremely well. They deserve to be commended.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Sir, the Appropriation Bill is a product of unanimity. I want to thank everyone for supporting it. Let us make sure that even the people of Kalomo …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: … know that …

Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Mushanga: It is not you, but the people of Kalomo.

Laughter

Mr Lubinda: … the Budget was unanimously passed by this House, which also represents them. This House also represents the people of Kalomo and, therefore, it is their Budget. I urge the hon. Members to support the Budget even as they campaign.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, to avoid overstretching already overly extended attention spans, I will try to be as brief as possible. This has certainly been a very interesting session, and today was particularly interesting. I was very fascinated by listening to hon. Members on your left. I can certainly say that I think some of our colleagues have very admirable fantasy infrastructures. They have fantasy-induced dreams and expectations which have propelled some of them to think that in thirty-four days, they will occupy this side of the House (Government Side).

Laughter

Mr Chikwanda: Sir, this is largely based,…

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, left and right!

Mr Chikwanda: … on the assumption that some of our members in the Ruling Party, who are very few and have lost their way, and behaving like the Trojan horses of our colleagues on the left, will help them win the elections.

Laughter

Mr Chikwanda:Sir, the PF is here to stay. Come Saturday,…

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikwanda: … our candidate, who was chosen by the congress of the party in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the Patriotic Front (PF), will be dully nominated. Then, we shall get into full campaign mode at full throttle.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikwanda: Now, let me come to the Budget.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, as Members of Parliament and representatives of our people, I think we need to be a little bit more serious and drift away from dreaming. How can a country with so many resources and endowments grow its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from US $3.5 billion in 1964 to only US $30 billion in 2014? What has happened? Hon. Muntanga, you should be annoyed with the people who have been in previous administrations. The Southern Province was the richest part of our country.

Mr Muntanga: Yes!

Mr Chikwanda:Sir, now, we have even induced poverty there. Due to the irresponsible actions of the previous administrations, the decimation of cattle in the province was allowed. This province has one of the country’s largest growth potential because of both arable agriculture and livestock. However, things have run down so much that the cattle population has considerably reduced. The PF has come up with a transformative agenda of putting dip tanks in every village. The Southern Province will continue to be a granary, not only of Zambia, but also of the entire Southern African region.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!Hammer, Hammer!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, inclusive growth is the core of the PF’s transformative development agenda. It is unacceptable that we should share the resources of this country unevenly. The PF’s major thrust is to ensure that development is unquestionably and indisputably all inclusive. That is our programme.

Sir, we are an honest Government. On the Floor of this House, through me, the Government has admitted that our National Budgets have serious flaws by way of structural imbalances or deformities. You cannot have a situation where your National Budgets are in excess of 70 per cent recurrent expenditure. We have made some improvement in the three years that we have been in Government. One hon. Member said the Budget is recurrent expenditure, essentially and basically emolument-related expenditure.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Chikwanda: Sir, that is not a formula for development. It is a recipe for stagnation. The growth rates that we have been talking about of 6 per cent are not the growth rates that will abolish poverty in Zambia. We need double digit growth rates. That means we must improve the way we do things. We must improve on implementation. We shall not develop through the waving of a magic wand or by some kind of fiat.  We need to change our mindsets. Our Government structures are not conducive to high performance. So, we will not restructure the mindset overnight. It is a process. When we came to power, we found that the civil servants, especially in the rural areas, were more interested in engaging in activities through which they could earn allowances. So, a lot of projects where there are no personal benefits were left unimplemented. Sometimes, we have problems spending money, even where it is available. So, we have a long way to transform the mindsets of our people.

Sir, Zambians, generally, have a very poor culture. All political parties have been miserable failures because we have never induced our people to think in terms of being responsible in terms of having a sense of duty. Our people in Zambia have no duty or responsibility. They only have a galore of rights. As political parties, we must change the culture of this country. We must induce people to be responsible and have a civic sense of duty. However, these are not overnight wonders. We need to work together. Instead of tearing each other to pieces, we need to work together as a nation.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Chikwanda: Sir, to get our country going, we need to work together as a nation.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, let me wind up by thanking, very profusely, hon. Members of Parliament for the unqualified support they have rendered to the Budget. This will not make the Government sit on its laurels. It is a sign that we must work hard. We should make sure that people do not reach a point where they will think that they misplaced their confidence and trust. The trust which has been given to us is a debt. I hope that our hard-working men and women in the Civil Service will improve their performance so that our country can go forward. We must know where the slogans stop. We can come to this House or outside and say this year, we had a bumper harvest. We have bumper harvests and yet our people’s standards of living are not improving. So, where is the fault? Let us address ourselves to where the problem is. Why are people producing bumper harvests and not getting rich? We have to think, and to do that means we have to transcend slogans and fantasies. We have to do things collectively. Instead of being partisan, we should put our intellectual resources together to solve the intractable, but not insurmountable problems of our country.

Sir, I promised to be brief. So, at the risk of doing it ad nauseam, again, I render my unfettered thanks to the hon. Members of this House. I think this unanimity and spirit of working together can propel us forward and make Zambia a better place to live in.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!Very good!

Question put and agreed to and the Bill read a second time.

Committed to a committee of the Whole House.

Committee, today.

______

HOUSE IN COMMITTEE

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the
Chair]

THE APPROPRIATION BILL, 2014

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

FIRST SCHEDULE

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Chairperson, all other provinces have a civil aviation budget under this schedule except the Southern Province. I wonder why this is the case when we also need civil aviation services in the province.

The Minister of Finance (Mr Chikwanda): Mr Chairperson, the programmes are not uniform in all the provinces. I do not think that the omission of that item under a province is intended to be discriminatory. There are many things under the Southern Province which are not found under other provinces.

I thank you, Sir.

First Schedule ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Second Schedule ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Title agreed to.

____________

HOUSE RESUMED

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

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

The Appropriation Bill, 2014

Third Reading, today.

THIRD READING

The following Bill was read the third time and passed.

The Appropriation Bill, 2014

_____________

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE

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

Question put and agreed to.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

______________  

The House adjourned accordingly at 2127 hours on Wednesday, 17th December, 2014, sine die.