Debates - Friday, 4th March, 2016

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Friday, 4th March, 2016

The House met at 0900 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

__________

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

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

Sir, on Wednesday, 9th March, 2016, the Business of the House will commence with Questions for Oral Answer, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider Private Members’ Motions, if there will be any.

Mr Speaker, on Thursday, 10th March, 2016, the Business of the House will commence with Questions for Oral Answer, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider the Report of the Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to scrutinise the Presidential Appointment of Mrs Yuyo Emma Kambikambi to serve as Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission (HRC).

Sir, on Friday, 11th March, 2016, the Business of the House will commence with Her Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time. This will be followed by Questions to hon. Ministers, if there will be any. The House will, then, deal with presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider the Report of the Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to scrutinise the Presidential Appointments of Judges of the Supreme and Constitutional Courts.

Mr Speaker, the House will, then, deal with any other business that may be outstanding. On this day, all things being equal, I intend to move a Motion to suspend the relevant Standing Orders to enable the House to complete all the business on the Order Paper and, thereafter, adjourn sine die.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN ZAMBIA

The Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank you most sincerely for granting me this opportunity to make a ministerial statement on infrastructure development programmes in Zambia.

Sir, the Government has recognised that infrastructure development is key to national development by facilitating growth in productive sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing and tourism. Accordingly, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Works and Supply, has embarked on a number of infrastructure development projects around the country. Among them is the construction of various infrastructure projects in newly-created districts and provincial headquarters such as Chama, Choma and Chinsali.

Mr Speaker, as you may be aware, the Government created several new districts and the construction of new infrastructure in the newly-created districts commenced in December, 2014. Most of the projects are expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2016. The infrastructure being constructed includes civic centres, high cost houses, administration blocks, low cost houses, medium cost houses, post offices and police stations.

Sir, as of 31st January, 2016, 57 per cent of the structures under construction were above the ring beam level and better, 18 per cent were between the slab and ring beam levels and 25 per cent were below the slab level. Two new administration blocks have since been completed and are ready for handover and occupation. Some contracts for the under-performing contractors have been terminated in the Western and North-Western provinces, while those identified in other provinces are undergoing the termination process. The procurement process for the engagement of new contractors for the Western and North-Western provinces has advanced and it is expected that new contractors will be on site by mid-March, 2016.

Administration Blocks

Mr Speaker, 61 per cent of the administration blocks being constructed countrywide have reached ring beam level or better, while 30 per cent of them are below the slab level. Notable success has been recorded in Limulunga and Vubwi districts where the structures have practically been completed and will be handed over soon. On the other hand, very little success has been recorded in Ngabwe, Nyimba, Lunga, Luano, Mulobezi and Mitete districts where structures are still below slab level or their construction has not started.

Construction of Post Offices and Associated External Works

Sir, it has been noted that 58 per cent of the post offices being constructed countrywide have reached ring beam level or better, while 27 per cent of them are below slab level. Notable success has been recorded in Chikankata, Lufwanyama and Lunga districts where the post office buildings have been roofed and contractors are working on final decorations and finishings. On the contrary, very little success has been recorded in Luampa, Mitete and Mulobezi districts where structures are still below slab level.

Construction of Civic Centres, Two High Cost Houses and Associated External Works

Mr Speaker, I am pleased to inform you that 54 per cent of the civic centres and associated housing units being constructed countrywide have reached ring beam level or better, while 33 per cent of them are still below the slab level. Structures in Luampa, Chikankata, Kazungula, Zimba and Nyimba have already been roofed, while those in Mitete, Sikongo, Ngabwe and Ikeleng’i are still below slab level.

Construction of Twenty Low Cost Houses and Associated External Works.

Mr Speaker, 63 per cent of the low cost houses being constructed countrywide have reached ring beam level or better, while 12 per cent of the houses are still below slab level. Notable success has been recorded in Chikankata, Mitete, Ngabwe and Rufunsa districts, among others, while the houses have been roofed and work on the finishes and fittings have commenced. Very little success has been recorded in Ikeleng’i, Sinda and Vubwi districts where structures are at excavation level.

Construction of Ten Medium Houses and Associated External Work

Mr Speaker, physical inspections revealed that 52 per cent of the medium cost houses being constructed countywide were above the ring beam level or better, while 23 per cent of the houses were below the slab level. On one hand, notable success has been recorded in Rufunsa, Shiwang’andu, Nyimba, Chikankata and Mwansabombwe districts. In these districts, the houses have been roofed and work on the finishes and fittings had commenced. On the other hand, structures in Ikeleng’i, Sinda and Vubwi districts were still below slab level.

Construction of Ten Medium Cost Houses and Associated External Works

Sir, I wish to inform hon. Members that 52 per cent of the police stations and associated staff houses being constructed countrywide are above ring beam or better, while 24 per cent of the houses are still below the slab level. Notable success has been recorded in Kazungula, Shibuyunji, Chadiza, Cheembe, Lunga and Ngabwe districts where the houses have been roofed and police stations are above wall plate level. Very little success has been recorded in Ikeleng’i, Manyinga and Sioma districts where these structures are still below slab level.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude my address to this august House, I wish to re-affirm the Government’s determination to create world class infrastructure in Zambia that supports the socio-economic growth of our country.

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 statement given by the hon. Minister of Works and Supply.

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has mentioned a number of places where these works are being carried out, but I have not heard him talk about Limulunga. I thought that infrastructure included roads as well, yet he has only talked about houses and other buildings. In Limulunga District, there is no road. The little gravel road that was constructed some time back has been destroyed completely by the vehicles that go there to take materials needed for the construction of the Boma. That road is now an eye sore and is impassable. So, what has been done about Limulunga?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I mentioned Limulunga when I was talking about administration blocks. What I said was that notable success had been recorded in Limulunga and Vubwi districts where the structures have practically been completed and will be handed over soon. What that means is that these projects should be handed over by the end of this month. 

Sir, this ministerial statement is specifically about accommodation and office blocks. As regards roads, I will present a ministerial statement to this House and, I think, the hon. Member will be comforted by that.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mooya (Moomba): Mr Speaker, some of these projects are still at structure and ring beam levels. Looking at what has been set as the deadline for the completion of these works and the amount of work yet to be done in the next four months, I would like to find out if the Government will meet this deadline of the second quarter of 2016. To me, it looks as if these works will go as far as December, this year.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I appreciate that question from my fellow engineer. We, as the Government, gave out about 180 contracts and when we did that, our intention was to uplift the standards of the contractors such as those in Grades 3, 4 and 5. Our aim was to grow their capacities and enable them to handle bigger projects.

Sir, since we gave out these contracts, we have discovered that about thirty-three contractors have not performed very well. Therefore, we will terminate those contracts. As a result, the contractors whose contracts will be terminated will not meet the deadline we set to be the second quarter of 2016 when started the works. However, 80 per cent of the contractors will meet that deadline. We will replace the contractors whose contracts will be terminated so that works can continue.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, ...

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to raise a very serious point of order that is hinging on the rights of Zambians in this country.

Sir, the day before yesterday, 2nd March, 2016, various television networks, electronic and print media, captured heinous acts that were being committed by the police against certain individuals who were found at the Woodlands Shopping Centre.

Mr Speaker, the picture that is circulating and has been shown worldwide, depicting Zambia Police Force officers battering one young man cannot be condoned in this country. This helpless young man, who could not defend himself, was being battered by the police using short buttons, rifle butts and boots. There was no attempt by senior officers who were present to restrain those identifiable police officers from taking such action.
Sir, that particular clip has tarnished the image of this country. We just used to see similar images in dictatorial regimes worldwide, but that has now come to this country. Is the hon. Minister of Home Affairs in order to remain quiet and not quickly come to this House to inform the nation and the world at large, who have watched this particular clip, what the Government is going to do about those three identifiable police officers who were brutalising this helpless individual?

Mr Speaker: I will direct the hon. Minister of Home Affairs to respond to that particular issue raised by the hon. Member for Monze Central Parliamentary Constituency next week, obviously.

Mr Mutelo: Sir, when the hon. Minister was outlining areas where projects have been undertaken, he mentioned Mitete four times. However, only the project of low cost staff houses has recorded success in Mitete. Even the police station in the area is nowhere near completion. Therefore, is the Government considering giving the incomplete projects in Mitete to the contractor who worked on the low cost staff houses?

 Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, we have started what we are calling a vendor rating process to gauge contractors and ascertain which one is or not performing. This will enable us to give future opportunities to those that are performing well and try to assist those that are facing challenges.

Mr Speaker, for the projects in Mitete, we have had a lot of challenges. This is why we have terminated the contracts of the contractor that was carrying out some works and finding a new one. So, the hon. Member should not be anxious about this issue. It will be resolved administratively.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, at least, the hon. Minister now owns up in giving us updates. Ikeleng’i is one of the new districts which came into being in 2010. If you visit Ikeleng’i today, you will see that there is not a single house that has been built. All the projects such as boarding school, magistrates’ court and clinics construction are all at slab level or below. Out of the 650 clinics to be constructed countrywide, three are in Ikeleng’i, but even they are at slab level or below. 

Therefore, can the hon. Minister clearly state what the problem in completing these projects is. At the moment, contractors are claiming that they have not been paid while the Government is blaming some contractors for incompetence. Is it that the Government has embarked on more projects than it can match with resources for the sake of appeasement?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for reminding me about projects in Ikeleng’i. The Patriotic Front (PF) Government has been very committed and keen in trying to implement all its development plans. Some previous Governments would create districts without supporting infrastructure.

Mr Mwila: Like the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government.

Mr Mukanga: Yes. As I mentioned, there has not been much progress on the projects in Ikeleng’i because the contractors are not performing. In other places, contractors have been performing well and that is why we are seeing progress. Nonetheless, the hon. Member of Parliament for Ikeleng’i should continue helping us to supervise these people when they are given jobs. I believe that where various stakeholders have been involved, results are being seen. We will try to do all we can to ensure that we give the people of Ikeleng’i good results on various projects. The PF is not just about talking, but walking the talk. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, there is no finishing line in terms of Government programmes just like the United Party for National Development (UPND) will complete most of the current government programmes after our colleagues on your right leave office in August, 2016.

Interruptions

Mr Livune: Sir, it is true that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has neglected to complete many projects left behind by the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government. I have heard lamentations on this by the hon. Members of Parliament for Zambezi East and Liuwa. Back home in Kazungula, we have the Simango Youth Resource Centre which the PF Government has failed to complete. What will the PF Government do with those projects that were started using tax-payers’ money, but have not been completed to date, seeing as it is leaving office in August, 2016?

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Let the hon. Minister respond.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, first of all, I would like to state that those who are thinking the PF is leaving office in August, 2016 are dreaming.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: We have heard that story before, including just before the January, 2015 Presidential by-elections. Our colleagues have been claiming that they will come into power since 2001. They did the same in 2006, 2008 and 2011. Such a claim is a joke. They are perpetual losers and will continue to be where they are supposed to be.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: Sir, this Government is very committed to developing this country. 

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Mukanga: After the demise of our late President, our friends said that they would take over power in 2015. However, the Zambian people looked around at the various candidates and saw that the most capable was His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and voted for him. They knew that the PF’s agenda encompasses the entire nation.

Mr Kambwili interjected.

Mr Mukanga: Yes, it is not only for one town or province.

Mr Speaker: Order!

He is responding.

Laughter

Mr Mukanga: Sir, those who think the PF will be history after August, 2016 are joking because we have the mandate from other provinces that will vote for us. It is for this reason that our colleagues should just co-operate and work with us so that we deliver development to all our people. 

Sir, after the election on 11th August, 2016, the President of this country will be His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, because the people have seen what we are doing and have done in the past. We are not just talking. We have structures that we have built that we can point at. We have built hospitals as well as roads such as the Mongu/Kalabo, Choma/Monze and Niko/Monze. We have also worked on the Itezhi-tezhi Dam. A lot has been done.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left!

Mr Mukanga: A lot of projects that were left behind by the previous regime are being completed by the PF Government. There are, indeed, limitations with regard to the resource envelope, but we are doing all we can to ensure that we complete all the projects we found. After that, we are starting our own projects as well. The people of Zambia know exactly what is going on and will not be persuaded to think otherwise. The PF Government has come here to stay for the next fifty years.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, there are specific projects that were singled out in Kazungula. If you may respond, please.

Mr Mukanga: Sir, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government only talked about the Kazungula Border Project, but we, as the PF Government, implemented it and are doing all we can to complete it. In Kazungula, we have also worked on the resettlement of the people of Lumbo Village. Houses have been built and there are administration blocks and schools being built. Therefore, what does the hon. Member of Parliament for Katombola want? He should visit the area and see these things.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, there was reference to the Simango Youth Resource Centre.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

We want to listen to the response.

Mr Mukanga: Sir, the Ministry of Youth and Sport will look into the issue of that resource centre and ensure that completion is achieved. 

Mr Kambwili: It is awaiting commissioning.

Mr Mukanga: Thank you. It is awaiting commissioning, which will be done in due course.

I thank you, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo): Mr Speaker, the people of Sikongo have to travel 60 km to the post office in Kalabo to receive money. Sadly, the construction of the post office in Sikongo is still below slab level. What has the hon. Minister done about the contractor and what has caused the delay in the completion of the construction of the post office in Sikongo?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, for contractors like the one in Sikongo who are not able to perform, the national process has already been instituted to allow us to have a contractor who can perform better. We are doing all that we can to give the people of Sikongo infrastructure that they can rely upon.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, I am the voice of Chadiza and I want to agree with the hon. Minister that the houses are almost complete.

Mr N. Banda: Ema MPs aya!

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: The hon. Minister is my good friend and is working very well.

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, when is the hon. Minister handing over the houses to the people of Chadiza?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, we want people to see what we are doing and acknowledge that there is progress. We will do everything that we can to ensure that we hand over the houses soon, if possible, next month.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

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HER HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, not long ago, the hon. Minister of Finance issued a ministerial statement on the Floor of the House and gave us the state of our economy, which was not good at all. I would like to find out from Her Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning what economic blue print her ministry has or what she is taking to the Cabinet in order to steer our economy out of these deep waters.

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, the hon. Member may be aware that the ministry has taken time to come up with a management structure. However, it has been working with the sector ministries to address the issues of planning for the country. A ministerial statement will be given in the House to indicate the work that the new ministry has done so far. Suffice to mention that the economic future is still bright.

Mr Katambo (Masaiti): Mr Speaker, our dear President, His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, ...

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah! Question!

Mr Katambo: ... is committed to serving and caring for the people of our great nation.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Katambo: He has initiated the programme of milling plants countrywide. This will reduce the price of mealie meal.

Hon. Government Members: Bauze!

Mr Katambo: I would like to find out from our dear mother, Her Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning, what the progress is on the milling plants.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune: PF mother!

Mr Speaker: Order!

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: Mr Speaker, the solar-powered hammer mills are a new phenomenon on the Zambian economy, but are already making an impact in our communities.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: I urge the hon. Member to visit Matero and Kasama where new milling companies where installed ...

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: ... and see the impact of the milling companies in as far as the production, distribution and sale of mealie meal goes. The Zambian people are going to benefit a great deal from this investment.

Mr Livune: Question!

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: We are looking forward to a period when these solar-powered hammer mills will be distributed throughout the country because we want to have our people benefit from the low price of mealie meal throughout the country. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lingweshi (Mangango): Mr Speaker, I would like to know the situation of our students in China. There are reports that they are stranded in China due to Visa problems. Has this been sorted out and, if not, what has been done about this so far?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: Mr Speaker, this matter is very serious and, as a result, with your indulgence, I will refer to some notes that I jotted down as I respond. 

Sir, there is not a single Zambian student who is stranded ... 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: ... in China. The Zambian Students are on China/Zambia Government Scholarships. However, there are a number of Zambian students on self-sponsorship who are stranded in China.

Mr Speaker, we all know that Zambia maintains warm and cordial relations with China. In this respect, the Zambian Government has received a number of scholarships through co-operation assistance. It has also benefited from educational scholarships from the Chinese Government. There are a total of 1,800 Zambian students in China. Of these, 161 have the Government of Zambia administered scholarships. There are no Zambian students on scholarship by the Chinese Government under the administration of the Zambian Government Bursaries Committee who are stranded in China. The number of stranded students arises from a group of self-sponsored students who had been denied Visa renewals on account of non-payment of college fees and flouting of immigration rules in that country.

Mr Speaker, I would, therefore, like to appeal to parents in Zambia to ensure that their children are not duped by agents that recruit them and promise that once they complete one year of education, scholarships will continue. This is not true.

Mr Speaker, the plight of those Zambian students is now being looked into by our embassy in China together with the Chinese Government.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, in August, this year, Zambia will go to the polls and during those polls, we shall also consider a Referendum on the Bill of Rights. Considering that a referendum is not a common occurrence during our general elections, what programmes has the Government put in place to sensitise citizens on the content and administration of this referendum during the polls? 

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: Mr Speaker, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is now the Referendum Commission, which is working out the road map on how the dissemination of information to the public will be conducted. So, once arrangements have been made, the ECZ will inform the country on how the education or sensitisation on the referendum will be carried out throughout the country. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, we have been told that there is no money and, therefore, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) cannot be released. Would Her Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning agree with me that savings can be made if the planned construction of the second international airport in Ndola, costing more than US$500 million, can be cancelled and instead retain the existing airport whose runway is long enough to land any aircraft? We can build new terminal buildings only instead of everything else. Would she agree with me that if we did that, savings can be made and, then, we can all receive the CDF to repair blown up roofs of schools and carry out other works in our constituencies? 

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: Mr Speaker, it was only a few days ago that the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing made a statement in connection with the release of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). We were categorically informed that the CDF for 2016 will be released. I do not see the connection between the CDF for 2016 and the new terminals at the airport in Ndola. So, I do not agree with the hon. Member that the works should be suspended due to the CDF. The works at the airport will continue. 

Sir, there are definitely certain cost saving measures that this Government has taken on board and is addressing at the moment. However, development projects will continue because some of them were budgeted for long ago and some have benefitted from the borrowed Euro Bond. So, the Government work continues. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Mweetwa (Choma Central): Mr Speaker, not too long from now, Zambia will go to the polls. Ahead of these polls are deepening concerns on the state of governance of this country. Not too long ago, the United Party for National Development (UPND) secretariat in Kitwe was attacked and smashed beyond repair by Patriotic Front (PF) cadres. A few days later, Mr Miles Sampa was attacked at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Airport, in Ndola by PF cadres. In the Eastern Province, journalists and UPND cadres were brutalised by PF cadres. Again, not too long ago, PF cadres disrupted the operations of Johabi Bus Services because the owner of the company is an alleged UPND supporter. Just a few days ago, on the Copperbelt, during the visitation of the UPND vice-president for administration, Mr Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM), and Hon. Nkombo, a lot of people, especially marketeers who were clad in UPND regalia, were brutalised and attacked incessantly by PF cadres. To all these events, no one has been arrested.

 To the contrary, Sir, when the president of the UPND, Mr Hakainde Hichilema (HH), visited Choma, a few weeks ago, a number of youths were attacked by the police and arrested apparently for waiting to meet HH. A few days later, skirmishes in Bweengwa were reported. The police swung into action and arrested a number of people in Bweengwa. A few days later, UPND cadres in Choma were accused of assaulting a PF cadre and were apprehended, detained and denied bond and bail for more than ten days. Just a few days ago, UPND youths, who were training in a gymnasium, were rounded up by the police and accused of training as a militia. 

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, with all these ...

Mr Mwila: On a point of order, Sir. 

Mr Speaker: Order!

No point of order is allowed. 

Continue, hon. Member. 

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, with all these events, would Her Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning agree with me that the conduct of the police to fail to arrest PF cadres wherever they have been seen being disorderly and conducting acts of violence is failure on the part of the police to work professionally? Would she also say that this is failure by His Excellency the President, Mr Chagwa Lungu, to ...

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Mweetwa: ... adhere to the rule of law under his administration?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Just a point of counsel hon. Members, before Her Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning responds. Let us avoid running commentaries. I think I have repeatedly said that during this session, Her Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time, I will not entertain points of order. Take note of this now and in future. However emotive you may feel about it, there will be no points of order allowed. 

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: Mr Speaker, I have listened to the long-winded question and catalogue of events presented by the hon. Member. It would be equally the same if we also catalogued all the clashes between the police and the Patriotic Front (PF) cadres who have been arrested. I can quote a number of PF cadres who have been arrested by the police, including our District Chairperson on the Copperbelt. 

Hon. Government Members: Provincial Chairperson.

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: Recently, a group of PF cadres was arrested because it was found with something that was not acceptable by the police. I believe that they are still in police custody today. This is not the only case. There have been quite a number of incidents where PF cadres have been arrested. As leaders of political parties, we should impress upon the young people not to engage themselves in acts of violence. This has been said before. 

Secondly, Mr Speaker, let us not entice our youth to provoke the police. When they do that, this may escalate into more riotous situations. We should really try our best, as leaders, to engage each other as well as our youth on this issue to ensure that they abide by the law of the country.

Mr Speaker, simply talking about these things and blaming each other will not help us because the situation may deteriorate into something that we cannot handle as a country. So, it is very important that we adhere to the law. We should also engage the police to understand that they have a mandate to protect the people of this country.

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Namulambe (Mpongwe): Mr Speaker, yesterday, I talked about two undeveloped farms in Mpongwe of 66,000 hectares and 3,000 hectares. 

Mr Speaker, using these plots as collateral, people have acquired loans which have not been re-invested in Mpongwe. The owners of these farms are using the courts to evict people who have settled on the said pieces of land. For instance, there is a white farmer who dubiously acquired a Title Deed from the Ndola office, above the threshold of the provincial lands officer, using fake minutes. A letter was written to the hon. Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection about this matter and I was promised that the Title Deed would be revoked. However, to date, nothing has been done. Yesterday, this white man threatened to evict the twelve families who have settled on this land, telling them that he would slash their maize fields. 

What is the Government going to do to save the innocent lives of the people who have settled on that piece of land? The Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection has failed to protect those people by cancelling the Title Deed, as promised by the hon. Minister. What is being done about those people who are being threatened with eviction in this rainy season and whose fields, which they cultivated using their hard-earned money, taking into account the expensive fertiliser, may be slashed? 

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: Mr Speaker, land in this country, which was given to us by God, is a resource that has been terribly abused. This Government is aware of the many abuses of our people when it comes to land allocation. We are engaging the royal establishment, the chiefs, through the Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, to see how we can make a Zambian benefit from the land that this country has.  

In this particular case, the Government is making a follow-up and when the results are known, the hon. Member will be informed. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, the country’s inflation rate was at single digit a few months ago. Now, it is at double digit. What is the Government doing to bring it back to single digit?

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: Mr Speaker, there are figures that relate to annual inflation rates and monthly inflation rates. We believe that most of this inflation arises from the high cost of food stuffs. However, as mealie meal prices go down and the kwacha stabilises, I believe that the inflation rate will be maintained. 

I thank you, Sir. 

 Mr Mwamba (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, concerns have been raised by a number of individual Zambians and institutions such as the Non-Governmental Organisations Co-ordinating Council (NGOCC) and others that the nomination fees set by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for candidates that wish to take part in the forthcoming general elections are too high. I would like to seek the position of Her Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning on this matter.

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: Mr Speaker, it is true that the fees have been hiked and I sympathise with everyone who is aspiring to stand in the forthcoming general election. 

However, the country should be aware that running a presidential, parliamentary and local government election is a costly undertaking and the money has to come from the taxpayer. For instance, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) will need K288,000 for each of the presidential candidates. This is huge expenditure. 

In addition to this, each presidential candidate has to secure support from 100 supporters in each province, which is an additional cost. Apart from that, the printing of ballot papers has to be witnessed by all participating political parties. This is another cost. Therefore, the expenditure on elections is so high for the ECZ and it requires serious political players or candidates to also contribute to the process by paying this fee.

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, I am grateful that the Government has responded to the project on Jimbe Road. However, since there has been no disclosure of the amounts involved in this private-public partnership (PPP) and how long the project will take, the people of Mwinilunga and Ikeleng’i are wondering about this. The Government has also failed to provide diesel for electricity generation in Mwinilunga for a week now. I would like to find from Her Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning the parameters of this contract.

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: Mr Speaker, there is no secrecy surrounding the contract for the Jimbe Road. It takes a while for the Government to implement the PPP arrangements because of the time needed to interrogate the contract and understand the implications of the expenditure that the private company may seek. The hon. Member should realise that one cannot move on site within a week when building a road. This road will be constructed as soon as all arrangements have been put in place.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Musonda (Kapiri Mposhi): Mr Speaker, there is a general outcry about the few number of air transport operators on the local market. What could the reasons for this be?

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: Mr Speaker, investing in air transport is an expensive undertaking, but the Government is scouting for investors to start airline business in Zambia. Even the rate of domestic air travel in Zambia has declined owing to many factors such as having very few players on the market which causes monopoly pricing of tickets. Zambians seem to prefer to travel by bus to certain destinations.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: If there was competition in the airline business, more Zambians would fly. After all, the middle class in Zambia is growing and the category of people who can afford air travel has also risen. 

Sir, as to why we have few players, I am sure that time will come when Zambians will buy planes for use on the domestic market.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, the people of Rumungu, Ngweze Ward in Kazungula District, have been displaced as a result of flooding. When is the office of Her honour Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning moving in to help them?

Hon. Government Members: Order!

Mr Speaker: It is now time for ...

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning: Mr Speaker, this will be addressed as soon as the report has been brought to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU).

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Very well. Her Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning has been gracious.

Laughter 

__________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

PUBLIC UNIVERSITY CONSTRUCTION

344.    Mr Musonda (Kapiri Mposhi) asked the Minister of Higher Education: 

(a)    how many public universities were under construction from 2011 to 2015; 

(b)    in which provinces the universities were being constructed;

(c)    at what stage of construction each one was, as of December, 2015;

(d)    how many colleges were upgraded to universities in the same period; and 

(e)    of the institutions at (d), how many were operating effectively, as of October, 2015.

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education (Mr Mushanga): Mr Speaker, there were a total of eight public universities under construction between 2011 and 2015. The eight public universities were being constructed in the following provinces:

(a)    Muchinga Province:

(i)    Robert Kapasa Makasa University. The university received new infrastructure; and 

(ii)    Paul Mushindo University. The university received new infrastructure;

(b)    Copperbelt Province:

Mukuba University. The university was upgraded from being a college and received additional infrastructure; 
(c)    Central Province: 

Kwame Nkrumah University. The university was upgraded from a college of education and the works going on are additional infrastructure;  
(d)    Lusaka Province:

(i)    Chalimbana University. The university received additional infrastructure; and  

(ii)    Palabana University. The university received additional infrastructure;  

(e)    Luapula Province:

Luapula University. The university received new infrastructure. The site has been handed over to the contractor who is currently mobilising; and

(f)    Western Province :

King Lewanika University. The university received new infrastructure. The site has been handed over to the contactor who is mobilising.

Mr Speaker, the progress on university construction as at December, 2015, was as follows:

Name of Project    Status

Robert Kapasa 
Makasa Univerisity    All buildings have been constructed and the contractor was attending to snags identified at final inspection in readiness for site handover.

Paul Mushindo    Ten houses at upper structure level, lecture room blocks 
University    and hostel blocks are at substructure level.

Mukuba University    Phase I is almost complete with finishing installations 
        being done to 2 x 4 story hostel blocks, 1 x 2 two story
        Library block, one lecture theatre and two lecture room 
        blocks. Phase II has commenced with site clearing and 
        excavations of trenches has already commenced.

Kwame Nrumah     Phase I is almost complete with finishing installations University    being done to 2 x 4 storey hostel blocks, 1 x 2 storey library 
        block, one lecture theatre and two lecture room blocks.

Chalimbana    Phase I, slabs and columns for hostels are done and the 
University    slab for the ground floor lecture room block is also done.

Palabana University    In Phase I, ten lecture houses have been roofed. Hostels     
        Form work for the fourth floor is done and lecture
        room blocks and theatre settings are done.     

Luapula University    The site was handed over in September, 2015, and preliminary    works have commenced and are ongoing.

Sir King Lewanika    The site was handed over and substructure works have
    University     commenced and are ongoing. 

Sir, a total of three colleges were upgraded into universities and these are Copperbelt Secondary Teachers’ College, now Mukuba University, Kwame Nkhrumah Teachers’ Training College, now Nkrumah University and National In-service Teachers’ College, now Chalimbana University. All the three upgraded colleagues were operating effectively as of December, 2015. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Simuusa (Nchanga): Mr Speaker, there has been mushrooming of universities and university colleges around the country, especially those owned privately by individuals, which is not a bad idea. However, is the Government satisfied with the quality and standards of these universities? 

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, even yesterday I responded to a question of this nature. I said that through an Act of Parliament, we have a Higher Education Authority which is looking at the quality and standards of these learning institutions. This Act is charged with the responsibility of checking whether these universities adhere to the standards that are required. Once this authority is satisfied so are we, as the Ministry of Higher Education.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister is on record as having said that a university college would be built in the Eastern Province, Katete in particular. He also mentioned that the construction of this university would start by the end of 2015. This is now 2016 and nothing has been done. May I know what the progress on this university is or have the plans to construct it disappeared into thin air?

The Minister of Higher Education (Dr Kaingu): Mr Speaker, before I answer that progressive question, I seek your indulgence to put on record that on 18th October, 2015, the people of Zambia gathered to pray for the rains because it was very clear that we were going have drought. Led by their God fearing President, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu: … the people gathered in the Showgrounds and many other places all over the country to pray. It is now very clear that the Almighty God has answered our prayers.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu: We have the rains and I am sure the hon. Minister of Agriculture is very happy. I would, therefore, ask the prayerful Zambians to pray for our President to win the 2016 Elections.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister!

Dr Kaingu: Yes, Sir!

Mr Speaker: Could you, please, respond to the question. Unless I did not follow the question, I am not sure whether that is what the hon. Member for Chadiza is looking for.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I want to assure the hon. Member for Chadiza that the university college that was promised to the people of the Eastern Province will be built in Katete. The money from our sponsors is almost in our account. Before the end of May, I can assure the hon. Member that we will start constructing that university college.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sianga (Sesheke): Mr Speaker, I clearly heard the hon. Minister as he gave updates on the developments at universities in other parts of this country. However, when it came to King Lewanika University, in the Western Province, he talked about preliminary works being carried out there. Can he define what he means by the term, ‘preliminary’ works? 

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I want the hon. Member of Parliament for Sesheke to know that preliminary works are not only being carried out at King Lewanika University, but also Luapula University. It is high time we started looking at this at national level. 

Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister was very clear in his response. He mentioned that the sites where these universities will be built have just been handed over to us and the contractors are mobilising.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, …

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

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, my point of order is relating to the procedure of the House. We all believe that justice delayed is justice denied. In the last meeting, I raised a complaint arising from my debate of the budget for the provincial budget lines specifically with reference to the province that I belong to, which is the Southern Province. In my debate, I raised various issues about what I felt was lacking in the Patriotic Front (PF) development agenda to the extent that I said the following:

“Because of what I deem to have been the inadequacies of the agenda of the PF, the Southern Province would not give Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu another mandate or not vote for him, in simple terms.”

It was just a day after that that the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting, who is the Chief Government Spokesperson, using his authority of controlling the airwaves, together with a certain father called Father Frank Bwalya and the Youth Chairperson of the PF called Mr Kennedy Kamba, went on the airwaves and called me a tribalist. I wrote a letter to you, Sir, to air my displeasure. This Parliament meeting is coming to an end this Friday, but I have not received any acknowledgement of my grievance.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I have not received any response or acknowledgement of my complaint, thereby, believing that the justice I am seeking is not being provided.

Sir, I would like to know why a ruling of this magnitude to my persona of being called a tribalist by a fellow hon. Member of Parliament can be left this long without recourse. Is it because he is the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting? My follow up to this complaint was that there was a struggle in getting the clip to help you render a ruling, but I offered to provide that clip. Is this House, therefore, in order to be selective when rendering rulings for grievances? Has this ruling not been rendered because I belong to the Opposition and the person who injured my feelings is the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting? 

I seek ruling your ruling, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order! 

This is, indeed, another very sad account. You can see how we begin imagining matters that are non-existent. Hon. Member for Nkombo Central, the entire country is aware …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … that I rendered that ruling. In fact, the whole Zambia is aware. It is only you who is not aware. This ruling was rendered on Wednesday, 24th February, 2016, and it was not rendered privately because it was even on the media. It is the more reason that even when we stay away from Parliament for whatever reasons, entrust other people to follow the proceedings in order to avoid this kind of embarrassing situation where you are now insinuating that I am selective.

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: How can I be selective when I have already rendered a ruling? I ruled that the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting was out of order. The records are available and if you want a copy of the ruling, please, approach the Clerk of the National Assembly. 

By the way, the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia is generally available for engagement. Hon. Member for Mazabuka Central, if you feel I am delaying to preside on any matter, she will be able to speak for me.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I apologise.

Mr Speaker: Thank you.

Who was on the Floor?

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, we are constructing eight new universities in this country, but I get very concerned because already, we are struggling to run the two existing public universities, namely the University of Zambia and the Copperbelt University. Upon the completion of construction of the eight universities and upgrading of the three colleges into universities, how will we manage over fourteen public universities if we are struggling to manage only two?

 Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I share in that concern. As a Government, we are working on a students’ loan scheme which will be available to all students who will be pursuing tertiary education at any university or college. We are also encouraging our public universities to find equity partners so that they can engage in the public-private partnership (PPP) policy that have been initiated by this Government. Therefore, the eight universities will either be under a PPP arrangement or students will access funds or resources from the students’ loan scheme.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Sir, during the Official Opening of the Second Session of the Eleventh Parliament, the late President, His Excellency Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, announced on the Floor of this House that amongst the three University Colleges of Mathematics and Science, one would be constructed in Kabompo. After that announcement, a site was sought and handed over. To date, there is nothing that has happened on the ground. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what happened to the assurance that was given by the late President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, there is nothing happening at that site because the construction of the university college has been moved to Solwezi. The hon. Member should know that the North-Western University College that the late President mentioned, may his soul rest in internal peace, will not be built in Kabompo, but in Solwezi.

Sir, one would ask how the construction of the university moved to Solwezi after the President’s announcement that it would be in Kabompo, I am sure the leadership, both political and traditional, should have been consulted and resolved that the best place to build the university college would be Solwezi.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lufuma indicated.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Kabompo West knows that it is not possible for him to intervene.

Mr Lufuma: Interjected.

Mr Speaker: No! No! Do not even respond because I am just counseling you. It does not matter how aggrieved you feel. The rules do not permit you to intervene. Some of these things are simple and I have counselled this House before that if you want to ask a follow-up question, you are a political grouping with a common interest and so, another hon. Member can rise to ask a follow-up question.

Who is next? I will go to the other end …

Laughter

Mr P. Phiri (Mkaika): Mr Speaker,  …

Interruptions 

Mr Speaker: … to allow you an opportunity to consult.

Mr Phiri: Sir, similarly, it was mentioned that a university would be built in Katete. I want to find out the current situation because there is nothing being done.  

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, it seems the hon. Member of Parliament was not in the House. The hon. Member of Parliament for Chadiza asked that question and I said that the university college will be built. We have received the money and before the end of May, 2016, the construction of the university college in Katete will be underway.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Indeed, you had made your point. I was distracted and I should not have allowed you to repeat yourself.

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, initially, it was stated that a university college would be constructed in Kabompo because it is centrally located in the North-Western Province. However, later on, the Government decided to change its location to Solwezi. If consultations among the hon. Members of Parliament, councillors and traditional leaders were done, when and where were these consultations held?

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I am reliably informed that the Late President reversed the decision to build that university college in Kabompo after consultations.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, the question was: When and where were those consultations held and with whom?

Dr Kaingu: Sir, I thank you very much for helping me. The Late President reversed the statement of the university college being built in Kabompo and I am reliably informed by the hon. Minister of General Education that he restated that it would be built in Solwezi.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, if you do not have the information to the question that I repeated for the sake of clarification, you just need to advise the House. If possible, I can give you another opportunity, subsequently, to respond. Clearly, even after I have elucidated, the question still remains unanswered.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu: I take your guidance, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Thank you very much.

Mr Mufalali (Senanga): Mr Speaker, it seems to be a common trend for the Patriotic Front (PF) Government to move the locations of these university colleges from one point to the other. The university college that was supposed to be constructed in Senanga was moved to Nalolo just as the one that was to be constructed in Kabompo was moved to Solwezi. When will the University College of Mathematics and Science be built in Nalolo or will it also be built in another province? The hon. Minister did not say anything about it.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, indeed, I did not talk about it because it was not asked about until now. All the three university colleges to be built in Katete, Solwezi and Nalolo are at the same stage. The University College of Mathematics and Science will still be built in Nalolo and not in Mwandi. We have received the resources and construction works will soon be underway.

I thank you.

Mr Milambo (Mwembeshi): Mr Speaker, let me take advantage of this question. A lot of colleges and universities are being built in most parts of the country. When will the Government construct one in Shibuyunji District?

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I am sure that was on a lighter note. We are currently prioritising the building of universities in provincial headquarters. Until that is done will we consider other areas. However, I do not think the community in Shibuyunji is big enough to need a university.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when the Late President reversed his pronouncement that the university college would not be built in Kabompo, but in Solwezi? Does he have an answer  now?

Mr Speaker: I had given the latitude to the hon. Minister to come and give the answer at a later stage. However, just in case it has surfaced, the hon. Minister can respond.

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I was clear that I will take your guidance and that is my stance.

I thank you, Sir.

COST INCURRED ON HELICOPTER HIRE DURING PRESIDENTIAL BY-ELECTION

345. Mr Mbewe asked the Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning how much money was spent by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to hire helicopters during the 2015 Presidential By-election.

The Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Mr Sichalwe): Mr Speaker, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) spent a total of K9,745,062.40 on the hire of helicopters.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, could Her Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning clarify whether the same number of helicopters will be used in the forthcoming tripartite elections which will be held in August, 2016.

Mr Sichalwe: Mr Speaker, I cannot confirm whether we will use the same number of helicopters as we may not have the same number of stations polling stations affected by floods. Considering the season that these elections will be held, there may not be need to hire helicopters.

The hon. Member may also wish to know that the number of polling stations that were affected and serviced by air transport were 339. So, we cannot confirm whether we will have the same number of polling stations affected by floods during the forthcoming elections.

I thank you, Sir.

COUNCIL BUILDINGS RENTED BY GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES AND DEPARTMENTS

346. Mr Mbewe asked the Minister of Local Government and housing:

(a)    what the total number of council buildings rented by the Government ministries and departments in the following districts was, as of August, 2015:

(i)    Kitwe;

(ii)    Lusaka;

(iii)    Ndola; and

(iv)    Livingstone; and

(b)    how much money, in unpaid rentals, the Government owed the councils above from 2011 to 2015, year, by year.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr N. Banda): Mr Speaker, the number of council buildings rented out to the Government and its departments are as follows:

Council    No. of Buildings

Lusaka    22
Kitwe    01
Ndola    00
Livingstone    01

Total    24

Sir, the total amount of money not paid in respect of council buildings is:

Council    Amount (ZMW)

Lusaka    5,819,505
Kitwe    384,775

Total    6,204,280

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, what is the Government doing to dismantle these unpaid rentals which have been outstanding for some time?

Mr N. Banda: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government and Housing has engaged the Ministry of Finance to assist it recover the funds from various ministries and Government departments. So, the ministry is currently negotiating with the Ministry of Finance.

I thank you, Sir.

BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION AT MUKUMBO CROSSING POINT

347. Mr Namulambe (Mpongwe) asked the Minister of Works and Supply:

(a)    whether the Government had any plans to construct a bridge at the Mukumbo crossing point on the Kafue River in Mpongwe District;

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

(c)    if there were no such plans, why.

The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Dr Mwali): Mr Speaker, the Government, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), has plans to construct a bridge at Mukumbo crossing point after the feasibility study to be undertaken in 2017.

Sir, the RDA plans to undertake a feasibility study for the construction of a bridge at Mukumbo Crossing point across the Kafue River using the funds to be allocated in the 2017 Road Sector Annual Work Plan (RSAWP).

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Namulambe: Mr Speaker, the people of Mpongwe sometimes worry about the timetables which are given beyond what they expect. Assuming that the Government places this project under the 2017 Budget, will it also include the construction of the road to Chief Nkana’s area so as to make it passable?

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, the RDA will carryout the necessary, ...

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1045 hours until 1100 hours.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was saying that the follow up question was very interesting in the sense that in the main question, the hon. Member of Parliament for Cheembe Parliamentary Constituency was asking about the construction of a bridge and there was no mention of a road. I know that there are instances whereby we have constructed roads without bridges, but even in such instances, we provide pontoons. I do not see a situation where we can construct a bridge where there is no road. The feasibility study which will be conducted will take into account the road aspect.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Katambo (Masaiti): Mr Speaker, is the ministry assuring us that a pontoon will be provided at Machiya crossing point on the Kafue River which caters for the people of chiefs Lesa, Lumpuma and Machiya?

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, there is a pontoon at the crossing to Chief Machiya’s area. What I know is that there are plans to put up a bridge at that crossing point. Maybe, that pontoon may move to another crossing point thereafter.

I thank you, Sir.

HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS TABERNACLE

348. Mr Lufuma asked the Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning:

(a)    which churches were involved in the construction of the House of Prayer for All Nations Tabernacle in Woodlands, Lusaka;

(b)    whether the Government would facilitate the construction;

(c)    if so, how much money the Government would contribute towards the construction; and

(d)    what other role, if any, the Government would play in the construction of the tabernacle.

The Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Mr Bwalya): Mr Speaker, most churches under the umbrella of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and Christian Council of Zambia (CCZ) along with the Independent Churches of Zambia (ICZ) are involved in the construction of the House of Prayer for All Nations Tabernacle in Woodlands.

Further to provision of land, the Government’s facilitation in the construction of the House of Prayer for All Nations Tabernacle revolves around the co-ordination of the units charged with varied activities. The Government will not spend any money on the construction of the tabernacle. The resources for the construction will be mobilised by the Church through a fundraising committee chaired by Dr David Nama. As earlier stated, the Government’s role in the project is limited to co-ordinating the activities relating to the construction of the House of Prayer for All Nations Tabernacle.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out …

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I want to apologise to my colleague for disturbing him. It is with a heavy heart that I raise this point of order, which is a subject of what was presented before this House yesterday. The hon. Minister of Home Affairs presented a ministerial statement in accordance with your directive to update the House on the issue related to the twenty-one United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres who were arrested. These cadres were found at a gymnasium at the premises of our vice-president, Mr Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, former hon. Member of Parliament for Kasama Central Constituency. It has come to light from the ministerial statement that Hon. Mwila gave that, indeed, the vice-president of our political party was arrested the day before yesterday and later released on police bond on a charge of unauthorised drilling.

Sir, the family of the UPND vice-president is a single unit and has nothing to do with politics. Last night, the Zambia Police Command sent a battalion of police officers in riot and combat gear to House No. 10 Roan Road where our vice-president lives. They surrounded the premises and were there up to the early hours of the morning. 

Sir, this morning, the Zambia Police Force, again, appeared at House No. 10 Roan Road and forcefully and violently reaped the access to the house of Mr Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba in pursuit of him, as though they had not effected an arrest just the day before. He is supposed to appear in court on 10th …

Mr Kampyongo interjected.

Mr Nkombo: Sir, if you could assist me by asking one of them (pointing at Hon. Government Members) to allow me to do this so that I do not become rude.

Mr Speaker: Continue, please. No running commentaries.

Mr Nkombo: Sir, is the Government in order to persecute individuals simply because they belong to a different politic divide? The Government is even disregarding the fact that a family is the smallest unit of social order by traumatising the children, wife and other family members of Mr Geoffrey Mwamba. 

I seek your ruling, Sir.

Mr Speaker: My ruling is that earlier on, the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central had raised a point of order, which, of course, is not directly connected to what you have just raised now. Nonetheless, it generally emerges from events that are connected to what you have just stated, in the sense that the two issues involve the same person. So, for the sake of convenience and dispatch, I would urge the hon. Minister of Home Affairs to respond to these two points of order in the same breath.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, if, indeed, the Government is not involved in any way, especially financially, in the construction of this tabernacle, what was the rationale behind the Government, and His Excellency the President in particular, announcing that this church would be constructed? We know that all churches are constructed by church members.

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, first of all, we all know that we have different churches that are constructing churches of their own. This is a national house of prayer and its construction is also premised on the fact that we have been using the Cathedral of the Holy Cross at times, which is quite small and is not able to accommodate a large number of people. We have also been using the Cathedral of the Child Jesus belonging to the Catholic Church. It is equally not as big as we would want it to be. 

So, the rationale is that we need to make something that is big enough to accommodate a large number of people and can be used for various national functions regarding prayers. Of course, this is because the population of Lusaka and the country as a whole is growing. So, we would like to provide a place of worship which is interdenominational and can be used by any church.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, since the fundraising for this cathedral will be done collectively by the churches and the Government will not be involved financially, who will own this cathedral?

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, the cathedral will be a Government property. However, the churches will jointly run it, especially that they are the ones who are raising the funds for the construction. The Government may not wholly own the cathedral because it is only co-ordinating the functions and activities of the construction. Much of the rights will belong to the churches and the church mother bodies that where mentioned earlier.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, may I find out from the hon. Minister whether the Government will facilitate the construction of such a facility in other provinces. Considering that Zambia is a Christian nation, why is the construction of a cathedral in Lusaka alone and not other provinces?  

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, there is a starting point to everything. If it is deemed possible, in future, I am sure that the nation will be informed. However, for now, it will only be in Lusaka. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Antonio (Kaoma Central): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has mentioned the need to increase sitting capacity as opposed to the churches currently used for national gatherings involving prayer. May I know what the sitting capacity for this huge church will be.

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, firstly, the sitting capacity of the cathedral is still being worked out because its construction is still in its planning stages. There are still many other factors that will come into play.

Secondly, this is an interdenominational cathedral and the committee responsible for its construction, including some Government workers from the defence forces, are taking charge of all aspects of the construction. 

Sir, the cathedral will be open to all denominations. However, the construction of the cathedrals in all provinces has not been discussed by the Government. I do not think that the Government is in the business of building churches all over. This is why even the one in Lusaka has been given to Christian organisations to construct.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

TRADES TRAINING INSTITUTES AND INSTITUTES OF TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT

349. Mr Musonda (Kapiri Mposhi) asked the Minister of Higher Education:

(a)    whether the Government had any plans to provide modern equipment to trades training institutes and institutes of technology, countrywide;

(b)    if so, how much money had been budgeted for the procurement of the equipment; and

(c)    what measures were being taken to promote science and technology programmes in trades training institutes.

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, the Government, through the Ministry of Higher Education, has plans to provide all new and existing Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) institutions countrywide with modern equipment.

Sir, in 2014, the Government of Zambia entered into an agreement with the Government of the People’s Republic of China to provide a total of fourteen trades training institutes, which are mostly based in rural areas, with new equipment. This equipment is expected to be received in batches. The Lusaka Business and Technical College (LBTC), one of the beneficiaries under this initiative, has already received part of its equipment in the first batch. The first batch of equipment has been procured and is expected in the country in August, 2016.

Mr Speaker, further, the Government has signed a loan agreement with the African Development Bank (ADB) worth US$28 million to benefit three universities and five trades training institutes. The loan amount is targeted at improving lecturer skills, infrastructure development, curriculum development and procurement of equipment. 

Mr Speaker, approximately US$6 million of this loan amount is earmarked for equipping the eight institutions under this project with modern equipment.

Sir, in addition to the efforts highlighted above, the Government, through the Ministry of Higher Education, has set aside K4 million in 2016 to augment the equipping of trades training institutes and institutes of technology with equipment. 

Mr Speaker, the Government has put in place a number of measures to promote science and technology in trades training institutes and institutes of technology. One such measure is support to Science and Technology Education Project (STEP). This is an initiative supported by the ADB to encourage science and technology training in TEVET institutions.

Mr Speaker, the funds will be used for the following:

(i)    rehabilitate training infrastructure for science and technology as one of the measures;

(ii)    buy new equipment and books for TEVET institutions in science and technology;

(iii)    provide training for lecturing staff in science and technology; 

(iv)    provide tuition relief for vulnerable learners in science and technology related fields in TEVET institutions; and 

(v)    review curriculum in science and technology related courses.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

PENSIONS OF FORMER SERVICE CHIEFS UNDER UNIP

350. Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West) asked the Vice-President and Minister of Developing Planning:

(a)    whether the Government was aware that former Service Chiefs who served the United National Independence Party (UNIP)-led Government had very low pensions that could not sustain them;

(b)    if so, whether the Government had any plans to increase the pensions;

(c)    if so, when; and 

(d)    if there were no such plans, why.

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, the Government is aware of the low pension pensioners are accessing. The House may wish to note that the low pension which the former Service Chiefs are getting is as a result of the way the pension scheme was designed and the low levels of salaries at the time of retirement. The former Service Chiefs commuted 67 per cent of the pension benefits as lump sum, leaving a paltry 33 per cent for their lifetime pension. However, it should be recognised that the Government has, on a regular basis, from the 1980s to date, reviewed and adjusted the pension upwards depending on the available resources. 

Mr Speaker, plans have been put in place to address this issue, as demonstrated by pension reforms that the Government has embarked on in an effort to alleviate the suffering of retirees. In this regard, the first step that the Government took was to undertake comprehensive review of the social security system, which revealed a number of weaknesses, including the following:

(i)    there is no indexing of pension under the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF) hence, monthly pensions remain too low;

(ii)    the quality of life of the pensioners and beneficiaries has been deteriorating, leading many of them into destitution and old age poverty because of the provision by the PSPF of more than two thirds of the total benefits in the form of a lump sum; and 

(iii)    the quality of life of the retirees from the Public Service has continued to be a challenge owing to delayed lump sum pension payments. 

Sir, as a result of this review, the Government came up with measures as part of pension reforms which are supported by three independent actuarial valuations undertaken by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank (WB) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). These measures include the following: 

(i)    introduction of a singular national social security system with one institutional and legal framework; and 

(ii)    introduction of a three-tier system comprising a national basic pension scheme that shall be structured to administer basic pensions for the public and private sector in order to provide a minimum of 40 per cent Income Replacement Ratio (IRR) as tier one. The PSPF will be restructured to make it a mandatory supplementary pension scheme for the public sector that shall meet 20 per cent IRR as tier two. 

Mr Speaker, to implement the above measures, the Government has done the following: 

(i)    proposed to restructure the lump sum payments − restructuring of the lump sum payment has an advantage of creating a middle income class in the country;

(ii)    provide annual pension indexation which has the advantage of tying monthly pension to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) thereby making it automatically adjust as the CPI adjusts due to various factors such as inflation; and 

(iii)    review and adjust all other parameters to achieve a targeted IRR of 60 per cent, that is, 40 per cent at tier one and 20 per cent at tier two, taking into account affordability, adequacy and sustainability. Additionally, the PSPF has already made proposals for adjusting the pension upwards in tandem with inflation. Once these are approved by the PSPF Board, the increment will be effected. However, it must be emphasised that the level of increment is subject to affordability and actuarial advice. 

Sir, increments will be effected in April, 2016.

Mr Speaker, as indicated in (b) above, plans to address this issue are underway. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, as has been stated, things are not okay with our good people who served this country. The hon. Minister has said that the monthly pensions are too low. I would like to find out how much each of the Service Chiefs is getting per month as pension so that we can see the change in April, 2016? 

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, I do not have the figure of the monthly pension that the retired Service Chiefs are getting. 

I thank you, Sir. 

KARIBA NORTH BANK EXTENSION POWER CORPORATION OPERATIONS

351. Mrs Masebo (Chongwe) asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development: 

(a)    by how many hours of operation the Kariba North Bank Extension Power Corporation exceeded the permissible maximum operating hours per day as agreed to in the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) of 2011, as of 31st October, 2015;

(b)    whether the excess hours of operation contributed to the rapid fall of the water level in Kariba Dam in 2015;

(c)    what the maximum water level required for the turbines to operate was; and 

(d)    what measures the Government had taken to ensure that the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) Limited does not use more water than is permitted. 

The Deputy Minister of Energy and Development (Mr Zulu): Mr Speaker, the Kariba North Bank Extension Power Corporation plant had exceeded the operating hours stated in the PPA of 2011, by an average of 7.5 hours per day. 

Sir, exceeding of the permissible maximum operating hours contributed to the rapid fall in the water levels at Kariba Dam. However, the contribution was very minimal considering the fact that ZESCO only exceeded the amount of water allocated to it by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) by just 16 per cent, as of 31st October, 2015. 

Mr Speaker, the minimum operating level for power generation at Kariba Dam is 475.50 m. 

Sir, the Government established the ZRA as a corporate body on 1st October, 1987, through parallel legislation in the Parliaments of Zambia and Zimbabwe by Acts No. 17 and 19 of 1987 respectively. The institution is mandated to operate, monitor and maintain Kariba Dam and future dams on the Zambezi River. The institution also regulates water levels in Kariba reservoir by allocating appropriate quantities of water for hydro-power generation. Further, the authority ensures that ZESCO Limited adheres to the water allocation to avoid complete shutdown of the generators. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mrs Masebo: Mr Speaker, you will recall that I had asked this question, in a different form, much earlier in the year. I asked whether the shortage of electricity in this country was purely because of low water levels as a result of low rainfall, poor management of water levels and substandard machines. 

Today, the hon. Minister has admitted that there has been some mismanagement of water levels. My question, therefore, is: What steps has the Government taken to ensure that this does not happen again to the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO)? Has this action by the utility company actually cost the Government money?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, I want to make it clear that it is not about the machines. For the past two years or so, we have been talking about climate change which has affected rainfall patterns in the country resulting in low water levels. So, it is not really about the machines because the over usage is a very minimal aspect that cannot contribute to generation of power. 

In the case of over utilisation of water, there are penalties that are applicable. The ZRA charges power utility companies that over use water. For example, over utilisation of between 5 to 10 per cent attracts a surcharge of 25 per cent of the normal charge, as enshrined in the agreement between the ZRA, ZESCO and the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA). Over utilisation of between 10 to 20 per cent attracts a surcharge of 50 per cent. Any over utilisation of above 20 per cent attracts a surcharge of 100 per cent. In 2015, ZESCO was charged US$685,737 for over utilisation of the water allocated. 

I thank you, Sir. 

RELOCATION OF DISPLACED SETTLERS OF CHINIKA AREA

352. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked Her Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning when the people that were removed from Chinika area in Lusaka West and are now living in tents on Mumbwa Road, next to the Last Stop Shop, would be relocated to an appropriate place. 

Mr Sichalwe: Mr Speaker, before I give an answer, let me give a brief background to the Chinika issue. Chinika property comprised hostels that were used as transit homes by skills training students at Matero Home Craft Centre in the early 1970s and 1980s. The premises were later used as living quarters for forty-eight families who were paying rent to the Lusaka City Council. 

Following the pronouncement of the sale of Government and council houses by the then President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Fredrick Chiluba, the tenants made representations to the council to be considered under Presidential Home Ownership Empowerment Programme. However, the tenants could not be considered as the premises they occupied were zoned for industrial use under the Lusaka City Master Development Plan. The tenants, therefore, could not be offered the premises for sale as the area was deemed not fit for residential purposes. 

In or around May, 2015, a company called Tesno General Dealers partially demolished the hostels at Chinika, claiming to be the legitimate owners of the premises. The action rendered forty-eight families living in the quarters homeless. In view of this, the Government directed the Lusaka City Council to pursue the matter with the Office of the Commissioner of Lands to find out how the named company acquired ownership of this property. Irregularities in the manner the Title was issued to Tesno General Dealers were discovered. Consequently, the Title was cancelled and the property reverted to the Lusaka City Council.

The forty-eight families who were rendered homeless by the partial demolition of the living quarters received food supplies and were temporarily sheltered in tents provided by my office under the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). Sir, the DMMU directed that the council prepare a resettlement and compensation action plan. The council prepared a plan which also included the disposal of the property for which the council had sought authority for disposal from the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. The Government Valuation Department prepared a valuation report which valued the property and determined the compensation amount.
 
In accordance with the council resolution which directed that the council facilitates the relocation of the forty-eight families, the council compensated each family a total of K37,100. All these families or households were paid in November, 2015, and immediately relocated to their preferred places. The council did not have to find an alternative area to resettle these people as all of them were tenants. The tents where these families had temporarily been sheltered have since been handed over to the DMMU. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why those people were allowed to demolish those hostels before the tenants could be secured with houses.

Mr Sichalwe: Mr Speaker, as I mentioned in my response, no one allowed the investor to demolish the hostels. I wish to repeat that irregularities in the manner the Title was issued to Tesno General Dealers were discovered and, consequently, it was cancelled and the property reverted to the Lusaka City Council. 

I thank you, Sir. 

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN EASTERN PROVINCE

353. Mr Mbewe asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    how much money was released for infrastructure development in the Eastern Province in 2013;

(b)    how many projects were completed using the money above;

(c)    what had caused the delay in implementing the 2013 Infrastructure Development Annual Work Plan for the Eastern Province;

(d)    whether any action had been taken against officers who delayed the implementation of the work plan; and

(e)    if so, what action was taken. 

The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Mr Speaker, the amount of money released for infrastructure development in the Eastern Province, in 2013 was K5,480,660, broken down as follows:

Infrastructure    Amount (ZMW)

District hospitals     3,388,889
Rehabilitation and Extension     883,434
Staff Houses    1,208,337

Mr Speaker, the following works were undertaken as per the 2013 Infrastructure Operational Plan for the Eastern Province:

(i)    works for Lundazi District Hospital Phase II and Nyimba District Hospital;

(ii)    of the six housing projects that were planned, three of the housing projects were completed and these are Chipata General Hospital, 1x16 nurses flats, Mwasemphawange Rural Health Centre and Mwape Rural Health Centre; and

(iii)    four of the fifteen projects planned under the rehabilitation budget were completed during the period under review. These were Nsefu Maternity Annex, Mngomba Rural Health Centre Maternity Annex, Mwanya Maternity Annex and Chikoma Maternity Annex.

Mr Speaker, the delay in implementing the 2013 Infrastructure Annual Work Plan for the Eastern Province was attributed to delayed receipt of funds from the Treasury. 

Sir, no action has been taken against any officers as the officers were not responsible for the delayed implementation of projects. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, I am speaking on behalf of the people of Chadiza.

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Mr Mbewe: I would like to thank the hon. Minister, on behalf of the people of Chadiza, for building good looking health posts for us.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbewe: The people of Chadiza know how to say thank you. 

Laughter 

Mr Mbewe: I would also like to thank the hon. Minister for our beautiful hospital.

Mr Kampyongo: Ema MP aya!

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, Zemba Clinic was allocated money to construct a maternity wing in 2013, but the money did not reach the district. What is being done to ensure that the clinic has a maternity wing?

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, Zemba was under the 2013 Infrastructure Operational Plan, but we did not receive resources for rehabilitation. So, we were unable to carry out the works. The consolation is that Zemba has been allocated K100,000 for the rehabilitation of the maternity annex in this year’s Infrastructure Operational Plan. 

I thank you, Sir. 

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BILLS

REPORT STAGE 

The Civil Aviation Bill, 2015

Report adopted.

Third Readings on Wednesday, 9th March, 2016.

THIRD READING

The following Bill was read the third time and passed:

The Financial Intelligence Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2015

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MOTION

ADJOURNMENT 

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

Question put and agreed to. 
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The House adjourned at 1149 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 9th March, 2016. 
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