Debates - Tuesday, 26th April, 2016 | National Assembly of Zambia

Tuesday, 26th April, 2016

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

COLLEGE OF MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE LOCATION

407. Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West) asked the Minister of Higher Education:

(a) why construction of a college of mathematics and science had been moved from Kabompo District, contrary to the pronouncement made by the late President, Mr Michael Sata, in 2012;

(b) where the college would be situated;

(d) if so, which stakeholders were consulted; and

(e) if no stakeholders were consulted, why.

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education (Mr Mushanga): Mr Speaker, the construction of a university college of science and mathematics in the North-Western Province was moved from Kabompo because of the need to develop synergies between the training institute and industries. Many of the industries are located in the area where the university college is moving to. Secondly, based on experience, it was noted that a minimum set up of support structures in the locality was necessary if the establishment of this college is to be successful.

Sir, the university college for science and mathematics is being relocated from Kabompo to Solwezi. A number of stakeholders were consulted regarding this relocation. The stakeholders consulted were the provincial administration, selected traditional leaders, local residents and financiers of the loan for the project.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, we are all aware that the Government knows that the late President, Mr Sata, may his soul rest in peace, had wanted the relocation of the provincial headquarters from Solwezi to Kabompo, which is a more centrally located district. We are also aware that the late President, during the Official Opening of the Second Session of the Eleventh National Assembly, announced unequivocally on the Floor of this House that this college of mathematics and science would be located in Kabompo. I assume that decision was arrived at after consultations.

Mr Speaker, in light of this unfortunate and unilateral decision that has been taken by the ministry, does the Government have any plans or intentions to locate this university college for the North-Western Province in Kabompo so as to compensate for this decision to relocate the university college of science and mathematics, bearing in mind that the institution has not yet been located. Is the Government shy to make a decision and, therefore, deny the people of Kabompo the much-needed development in the rural area?

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabompo West and others from the North-Western Province to engage the Government, through the Ministry of Higher Education, to see if something can be done in line with the question that the hon. Member has posed.

I thank you so much, Mr Speaker.

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister has indicated that a number of stakeholders were consulted over the relocation of this university college from Kabompo to Solwezi. However, the sentiments expressed by the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabompo West indicate that he and other stakeholders are not aware that such consultations took place. Therefore, why did the ministry decide not to consult major stakeholders like the hon. Member of Parliament for that area and other hon. Members of Parliament in the North-Western Province regarding the relocation of this project?

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, I think I have indicated who was consulted. If there are any stakeholders who were not consulted, including the hon. Member for Kabompo West and all hon. Members from the North-Western Province, they are free to engage the Government, through the Ministry of Higher Education. The doors to the ministry are very open. If there are other stakeholders apart from hon. Members of Parliament from the North-Western Province who were not consulted, the ministry can still be engaged and consulted.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members intending to raise follow-up questions, please, take into account the response by the hon. Deputy Minister so that he does not have to repeat himself.

Bishop Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha (Keembe): Mr Speaker, I am very saddened that the late President of the Republic of Zambia came here to make a public declaration and insist that this college was going to be built in Kabompo. My question to the hon. Minister is: Did you find the decision by the then Head of State of Zambia to build a college in Kabompo an irresponsible decision, hence you making change?

Mr Mbewe: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Before I give the hon. Deputy Minister an opportunity to respond, let me stress this point, what the hon. Minister has said repeatedly is that this matter is open, firstly, to discussion and secondly, to further engagement. Let us bear that in mind. Otherwise, we will be flogging a dead horse.

Hon. Minister, you may respond to the question.

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, the pronouncement made by the late President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, was a very responsible one. Like I have stated, the doors to the ministry are not closed over this matter. The Government and the Ministry of Higher Education are open to further consultations with those stakeholders who were not consulted.

Mr Speaker, I think the hon. Member for Kabompo West and others from the North-Western Province were going to be aggrieved had the university college been relocated to another province, but Solwezi is part of the North-Western Province. The relocation is just from Kabompo to Solwezi within the same province. Once this university college is constructed, it will benefit the interest of the people of the North-Western Province.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that towns that eventually have been called university towns or cities have arisen around the establishment of universities and university colleges? Therefore, should the hon. Minister not take this global fact that once you establish such an institution, there will be facilities that naturally follow to service that institution. Would the hon. Minister not consider taking that fact into consideration as the consultations are carried out.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, we have taken Mumbwa Trades Training Institution to the hon. Member’s area and we are doing fine.

Sir, we have noted the hon. Member’s submission.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, one of our respected cultural norms within our tradition is respect for the departed. Hon. Minister, are you not aware that what you have done by relocating the institution from Kabompo, as pronounced, to Solwezi is actually being disrespectful to the departed?

Hon. Government Members: Hmmmm.

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes.

Mr Sikazwe: It is not.

Interruptions

Prof. Lungwangwa: Yes, it is.

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, I think that hon. Members are aware that this is not the first time this question has come on the Floor of the House. If the hon. Member can recall, this is the third time this question is coming on the Floor of the House. This decision of relocating the university college from Kabompo to Solwezi was actually arrived at before the late President, Mr Sata, died.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, in the Eastern Province, we are patiently waiting for our university and a university college in Katete whose construction is likely to start by the end of this year, as was stated by the hon. Minister.

Sir, may I find out from the hon. Minister what considerations are taken into account when carrying out feasibility studies to ascertain which province or district gets a university college.

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, one of the considerations taken into account is consulting the locals. The people are the ones who determine where the university or university college can be constructed. Another consideration is that of demand for such a facility in an area. You can construct a university in a given place which, by the end of the day, can only be accessed by one or two people. So, there should be demand in an area for a college or a university to be constructed there.

Mr Speaker, even on the question under consideration, those are some of the considerations that we had to take into account, as a Government, in order to relocate from Kabompo to Solwezi. There are a number of considerations taken, but I have just mentioned a few.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Sayifwanda (Zambezi East): Mr Speaker, the principle of spreading development to the poor is welcome. Kabompo District is one of the poor districts in our country. This university college was supposed to be the first of its kind in that poor location.

Mr Speaker, I would also like to correct the statement that the late President rescinded his decision to build that university college in Kabompo District. That is not true. We would have already risen on the issue if it was so.

Mr Lufuma: Hear, hear!

Ms Sayifwanda: The issue came up after the late President had passed on.

Mr Speaker, I want to find out from the hon. Minister what plans the ministry has put in place for Kabompo District. Where are these children who get Grade 12 Certificates supposed to access higher education? Are there any plans for Kabompo District?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, this Government has plans for all the people of Zambia, including those in Kabompo District. In fact, the policy of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, also pronounced by the late President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, may his soul rest in peace, is that universities are constructed in each and every provincial headquarter and, if need arises and resources allow, in other districts as well, including Kabompo.

Mr Speaker, the issue raised by the hon. Member for Kabompo West will be reconsidered and addressed and the decision will be made known to the House and the people of Zambia.

Mr Speaker: The last question will be from the hon. Member for Ikeleng’i.

Interruption

Mr Speaker: I said the last question.

Hon. Members: Ikeleng’i.

Mr Muchima rose.

Mr Speaker: I did not say you rise. Do not listen to other people who want to assist me without being commissioned. Take a seat.

The hon. Member for Choma Central may rise.

Mr Mweetwa (Choma Central): Mr Speaker, if I got the hon. Deputy Minister correctly, he indicated that it does not matter where this university college will be constructed, provided that it is within the precincts of the North-Western Province. Given that the Patriotic Front (PF) administration has been creating districts even where some would question the rationale and has said that it wants to spur development in rural areas, does the hon. Minister still argue that it is reasonable to withdraw the construction of this university college from Kabompo District which would have helped spur development in that area?

Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister stated that the construction of these institutions is demand-driven. As a comparison, is he saying, and this is without any malice, that there is demand in Chinsali, where two universities have been constructed, which is absent in Kabompo?

Mr Lufuma: Hear, hear!

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, I stated that construction of the university college of science and mathematics is being relocated from Kabompo to Solwezi for two reasons. The first one is that the university college will need to develop synergies with industry, much of which is located in Solwezi. The second one is that based on experience, it was noted that a minimum set of support structures in the locality of the university college were necessary if the establishment of the college was going to be a success.

Sir, I have responded to Hon. Mweetwa’s question that the issue on the Floor of the House this afternoon will be reconsidered. As a Government, we have taken note and will get back to the House, especially to those who will be here after 11th August, 2016.

Mr Speaker: You will just get back to the House or whoever will. We do not know who will report to whom.

Mr Mtolo (Chipata Central): Mr Speaker, about two or three years ago, I was a Member of the Committee on Education and we toured the North-Western Province. Due to different regional grouping interests, we actually failed to conduct our business in full. We were threatened with possible violence because of the different tribal groupings in that province. This is an obvious recipe for problems. It is gratifying to note that the hon. Minister, even from his body language, has indicated that the Government will seriously reconsider this position as it will merely bring untold problems for the ministry, which should be avoided. The late President, Mr Sata, made a pronouncement. Follow what he said.

Mr Lufuma: Hear, hear!

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, related to that, Zambia should be opening up ...

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Chipata Central, you should seek clarification and not debate.

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, in conclusion, as I seek clarification, it would be nice if the hon. Minister can also relate to the issue of opening up far-flung areas of Zambia. Such would be a good example for Kabompo District.

Mr Speaker: There is no question.

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, I stand to ask a non-controversial question. The hon. Minister mentioned that he shall reconsider the position he has given on the Floor of the House today. He probably could have given us hope by saying that he shall reverse it. However, taking into account that this question is coming up for the third time on the Floor of the House and the number of questions on the Floor of the House this afternoon, would he be able to consider the mood of the House on this matter as he meets the stakeholders?

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, we will certainly do.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Konga (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, when the President gives an Executive pronouncement to the nation, through his address on the state of the nation, can the Executive reverse that presidential pronouncement? Was the late President consulted on the decision to reverse a pronouncement that was made in the House?

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, I indicated that the decision to relocate was actually considered even before the late President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, died. This means that there was consultation.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, indeed, the North-Western Province deserves a university or university college. The money for constructing this college is not from our Budget. If I remember very well, Hon. Dr John Phiri was the Minister of Education when the money to build a college in the North-Western Province, initially in Kabompo and then later Solwezi, landed in Zambia. The hon. Minister of Justice announced in Swanakuda, my village, that this college was being constructed. However, five years has gone past. So, when is this college being constructed where it is supposed to be?

Mr Mushanga: I did not get the question. Is it about a college in Kabompo or Ikeleng’i? I need that clarification, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: From whom?

Mr Mushanga: From the hon. Member.

Mr Speaker: He cannot clarify. It is not possible procedurally.

Mushanga: I did not hear the question clearly. Is it the college in Ikeleng’i or Kabompo?

Mr Speaker: If you did not get the question, you simply say so. Hon. Muchima, can you repeat the question.

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, why has it taken so long to build this university college, whether in Kabompo or Solwezi? It has been five years already since the money was allocated and, not out of our Budget, but as a donation given when Hon. Dr John Phiri was hon. Minister. Why has the college not been constructed?

Mr Speaker: Order!

If I may help you, hon. Minister, so that we do not go over this time and again. The question is: Why has activity not commenced on the ground wherever?

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, the college will be constructed. The procurement process has started. The hon. Member is aware that before a contractor goes on site, there are certain things which are supposed to be done. The procurement process has already started. So, this college will be constructed. It may not be constructed today or tomorrow, but I want to tell the people of the North-Western Province that this college will be constructed by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN RUFUNSA DISTRICT

408. Mr Chipungu (Rufunsa) asked the Minister of Higher Education:

(a) whether the Government had any plans to construct a college of education in Rufunsa District;

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

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, colleges of education are under the function of the Ministry of General Education. As the Ministry of Higher Education, we have written to the Office of the Vice-President, which has acknowledged that this question was supposed to go to the Ministry of General Education. As a ministry, we went further to consult our colleagues from the Ministry of General Education. They indicated that they will respond to this question and get in touch with the hon. Member through the agreed channel.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order!

We will leave it at that for the time being.

LUMWANA DISTRICT HOSPITAL

409. Mr Kasonso (Solwezi West) asked the Minister of Health:

(a) when the full complement of staff would be deployed to Lumwana District Hospital in the North-Western Province;

(b) whether the equipment required to run the hospital at optimum level had been procured and delivered; and

The Minister of Health (Dr Kasonde): Mr Speaker, the Government is committed to deploying a full complement of staff to all health facilities in the country, including Lumwana District Hospital, in the North-Western Province. You may wish to note that Lumwana District Hospital has an approved establishment of 193 positions, as a first level hospital. Currently, the hospital is operational and has a total number of fifty-four staff deployed to provide the basic first level hospital services. Among these are three senior resident medical officers, eighteen nurses, three midwives, two theatre nurses, two clinical officers, seventeen administrative staff and nine paramedical staff.

Mr Speaker, filling of vacancies in the Ministry of Health is an on-going activity and the Government will continue funding additional positions at Lumwana District Hospital until the full complement of staff is attained.

Mr Speaker, the Government procured and delivered adequate equipment required for the hospital to operate as a first level hospital in all departments such as Maternity, Radiology, Theatre, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Dental, Kitchen and Laundry.

Mr Speaker, as stated in answer to part (b) of the question, adequate equipment was procured and delivered to the institution.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kasonso: Mr Speaker, as the hon. Minister may be aware, this hospital only has eleven houses to accommodate all various categories of staff. When will the ministry consider building some more houses for the staff?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, it was, indeed, my privilege to have been at the opening of Lumwana District Hospital and to look around the premises, including inspecting the houses. So, I am fully aware that on the date that we commissioned it, there were still a number of houses to be constructed. Therefore, if the question is: Have we considered building more houses, The answer is yes, we have considered that. I do not know whether the hon. Member wishes to go beyond that.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, that is the hon. Minister whom I gave my days to.

Interruptions

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, may I find out from the hon. Minister, whom I gave my days to, how often he checks to make sure that the equipment which was not there during the opening of hospitals is taken to these hospitals in places such as Chadiza so that they are fully operational?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for the gesture that he gave of donating his days to me and I hope he continues in the interest of the nation and the House. As for how often we check the state of affairs at district and other hospitals, let me assure the hon. Member that we shall call that our regular inspection. In other words, we do not talk in terms of days, weeks, months or years, but we inspect these places regularly. We are satisfied that we are keeping abreast of developments in all our institutions.

I thank you, Sir.

TRANSFER OF GOVERNMENT MEMBERS OF STAFF

410. Mr Chipungu asked the Minister of Agriculture:

(a) whether the Government had any plans to transfer members of staff, especially District Agriculture Co-ordinating Officers, who had over-stayed at one station;

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

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Mr Ng’onga): Mr Speaker, the Government makes transfers of members of staff, especially District Agriculture Co-ordinating Officers (DACOs), when need arises and as guided by the No. 29 Terms and Conditions of Service for the Public Service.

Mr Speaker, in December, 2015, the Ministry of Agriculture received a recommendation from the Public Service Commission via the Public Service Management Division (PSMD) to transfer nine DACOs. The ministry has since conveyed the Public Service Commission’s directive to all the respective DACOs and six out of nine have since reported to their new stations. The remaining three DACOs are contesting their transfers.

Mr Speaker, the plans to transfer DACOs are being implemented.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, what can an hon. Member of Parliament do when he finds that there is a District Agriculture Co-ordinating Officer (DACO) in the district or constituency, who is really unco-operative and does not attend council meetings whatsoever?

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, time and again, the hon. Minister has indicated, on the Floor of this House, how important hon. Members of Parliament are in co-ordinating programmes in districts. Therefore, if there are such unco-operative officers, our offices are open. These issues should be brought to the ministry and the hon. Minister, within the powers conferred on him, will see how such an officer can either be recalled or transferred according to the need.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, during the good old days when President Dr Kaunda ruled this country, the Government had a policy that an officer stayed at a station for a maximum of five years. After five years, that officer needed to be transferred. As they say, “familiarity breeds contempt,” and this is what he was trying to avoid. Also, in the spirit of “One Zambia, One Nation,” he wanted to move the officers around so that they could experience other cultures.

Mr Speaker, I would like to find out what is contained in the No. 29Terms and Conditions for the Public Service? The hon. Minister only mentioned the number.

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, the conditions of service for transfer, as indicated in the information, reads as follows:

“(a) an officer may be transferred to any duty station where his or her services are required;

(b) where an officer is transferred on a temporary basis, for instance, to act while another officer is away on leave or on a training course, the officer will be permitted to retain accommodation at his or her permanent duty station and shall continue to pay rent; and

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME INTRODUCTION

411. Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe) asked the Minister of Labour and Social Security:

(a) whether the Government had any plans to introduce a social security scheme for:

(i)   people in the informal sector;
(ii)   artistes; and
(iii)   sportspersons;

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

The Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Security (Ms Kansembe): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to ensure that people in the informal sector, including artistes and sportspersons, are covered by social security schemes. The Government is aware that the current social protection system in Zambia has many challenges and has not adequately addressed the social security needs of the Zambian people.

In order to address these challenges, the Government resolved to embark on the Social Protection Reform Process aimed at creating a comprehensive, responsive and modernised social protection system. Similarly, the answer provided to part (a) (i) of the question applies to artistes and sportspersons.

Mr Speaker, the implementation of the social protection reforms will take place after the enactment of the National Social Protection Bill, which will soon be introduced in this august House once the drafting process is finalised by the Government.

Sir, as per response provided to parts (a) and (b) of the question, the Government has plans to ensure that people in the informal sector, including artistes and sportspersons, are adequately covered by social security schemes.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I would like to clarify that following Hon. Mbewe’s offer of days to Hon. Dr Kasonde, Hon. Dr Kasonde decided to constitute a team comprising Hon. Chikwanda, Hon. Yaluma, Hon. Christopher Mulenga and I. We considered this offer and I regret to mention that this offer was rejected because Hon. Mbewe’s days are contaminated.

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima: They are contaminated days. Kuti mudala afwa bwangu.

Laughter

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister has admitted that the scheme is not adequate. Further, we know that the informal sector is not on any scheme even though things may be different on paper. When our sportsmen and women fall from grace, through retirement or loss of talent, it is a source of worry for the Government.

Sir, taking into consideration the introduction of club licensing by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), where clubs will run as business enterprises, would you take advantage of this and introduce a real pension scheme for our sportsmen, especially those in football?

Ms Kansembe: Mr Speaker, indeed, we will take advantage of this. It will be part of the reform process that we have embarked on.

I thank you, Sir.

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BILLS

FIRST READING

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2016

The Minister of Local Government Housing (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The object of the Bill is to amend the Local Government Act.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Local Governance, Housing and Chiefs’ Affairs. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Tuesday, 3rd May, 2016. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so, within the programme of work of the Committee.

Thank you.

THE POLICE-PUBLIC COMPLAINTS COMMISSION BILL, 2016

The Minister of Justice (Dr Simbyakula) (on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Mwila): Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Police-Public Complaints Commission Bill, 2016. The object of the Bill is to provide membership, functions, operations and financial management of the Police-Public Complaints Commission; provide a procedure for the initiation and investigation of complaints against police actions; and provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Friday, 6th May, 2016. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so, within the programme of work of the Committee.

Thank you.

THE INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS BILL, 2016

The Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mrs Mwanakatwe): Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Industrial Designs Bill, 2016. The object of the Bill is to encourage the creation of designs and development of creative industries through enhanced protection and utilisation of designs; to provide for the registration and protection of designs; to provide for the rights of proprietors of the registered designs; to provide for the restriction, publication and communication of registered designs; to provide for contractual and compulsory licences; to provide for the use and acquisition of registered designs by the Government; to give effect to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property 1883, the Harare Protocol on Patents and Industrial Designs adopted on December 10, 1982, the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights 1994 and any other relevant international treaty or Convention of which Zambia is a State party; to repeal and replace the Registered Designs Act, 1958; and to provide for matters connected with, or incidental to the foregoing.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Economic Affairs, Energy and Labour. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Friday, 6th May, 2016. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so, within the programme of work of the Committee.

Thank you.

THE JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATION BILL, 2016

Dr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Judiciary Administration Bill, 2016, to revise the law relating to the administration of the Judiciary; make provision for the appointment of judicial officers and staff of the Judiciary; repeal and replace the Judiciary Administration Act, 1994; and provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the forgoing.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Delegated Legislation. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Tuesday, 10th May, 2016. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

Thank you.

THE SUPREME COURT OF ZAMBIA (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2016

Dr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Supreme Court of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, 2016, to amend the Supreme Court of Zambia Act.

I thank you, Sir

Mr Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights, Gender Matters and Child Affairs. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Wednesday, 4th May, 2016. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

Thank you.

THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA, 2016

Dr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Electoral Commission of Zambia, 2016, to provide for the membership, functions, operations and financial management of the Electoral Commission of Zambia; repeal and replace the Electoral Commission Act, 1996; and provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the forgoing.

I thank you, Sir.

Thank you.

THE MINISTERS (PRESCRIBED NUMBER AND RESPONSIBILITIES) BILL, 2016

Dr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Ministers (Prescribed Number and Responsibilities) Bill, 2016, to prescribe the number of Ministers in accordance with Article 116 of the Constitution; and provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

I thank you, Sir.

Thank you.

THE STATE AUDIT COMMISSION BILL, 2016

The Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning (Mrs Wina) (on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Mr Chikwanda): I beg to present a Bill entitled the State Audit Commission Bill, 2016, to provide for the membership, functions, operations and financial management of the State Audit Commission; and provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Estimates. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Thursday, 5th May, 2016. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

Thank you.

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MOTIONS

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON DELEGATED LEGISLATION

Mr Konga (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that this House do adopt the Report of the Committee on Delegated Legislation for the Fifth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly, laid on the Table of the House on 20th April, 2016.

Mr Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Mr Katambo (Masaiti): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, in moving this Motion, let me, from the outset, pay tribute to all the Members of your Committee for the spirit of unity and diligence that they exhibited throughout the period under review.

Sir, because of the positive contributions made by each Member of your Committee, my work, as Chairperson, was made easy and your Committee was able to carry out its duties smoothly throughout the session. As regards the work of your Committee, allow me to brief the House that your Committee considered a total of seventy-five statutory instruments (SIs) during the year under review. These were issued during the period January, 2015 to January, 2016. Your Committee also considered the Action-taken Report on the Report of your Committee for the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly.

Mr Speaker, let me highlight some of the pertinent issues that your Committee encountered in its work during the session.

Sir, your Committee has noted, with satisfaction, that the regulations relating to accreditation of the legal education institutions have finally been issued through SI No. 86 of 2015, the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (Accreditation of Legal Education Institutions) Regulations, 2015.

Mr Speaker, the SI provides for the accreditation of legal education institutions in the country and includes matters such as:
(a) application for accreditation;

(b) evaluation of programmes;

(d) inspection;

(e) publication of accredited legal education institutions;

(f) eligibility for admissions to legal education programmes; and

(g) recognition of academic awards.

Mr Speaker, it is gratifying to note that after a lengthy wait, these regulations are in place. Your Committee calls for their full implementation without undue delay in order to preserve the integrity of the legal profession.

Sir, your Committee also notes that SI, No. 39 of 2015, has been issued to actualise Section 15 of the National Council for Construction (NCC) Act, No. 13 of 2003, which mandates the NCC to establish a register of projects, to gather information on the nature, value and distribution of projects and to provide a best practice project assessment scheme.

Mr Speaker, the register is expected to contain information only on projects of a tender value exceeding a specified threshold as determined by the Minister and it will enable the NCC to:
(a) ascertain the distribution for construction projects throughout the country;

(b) understand the amount of money being directed towards infrastructure development;

(d) establish which construction firms or companies are actively participating in the construction industry; and

(e) establish a best practice project assessment scheme to be used to assess the performance of the projects.
Sir, as a consequence of the establishment of this register, the following benefits are expected to accrue:
(a) a data base of projects taking place in Zambia will be created;

(b) the NCC will have complete information regarding the nature, value and distribution of construction projects;

(d) the funds raised through project registration will be channelled towards programmes meant for the enhancement of the capacity of local contractors;

(e) the information obtained will act as a tool to be used to inform the Government on the performance of the industry and for policy guidance and formulation;

(f) the monitoring of construction projects in Zambia will be enhanced; and

(g) success stories and challenges of the construction sector will be recorded.
Mr Speaker, in noting the issuance of the SI, your Committee commends the Government for issuing it and calls for the full implementation of its provisions.

Sir, another significant development during the period under review was the issuance of the SI No. 93 of 2015. This is the Food Reserve (designated commodities) Regulations, 2015. This SI designates white maize, orange maize, rice, sorghum, sunflower, groundnuts, soya beans and beans as essential commodities for food security and crop diversification. While appreciating the motivation for the issuance of the SI, your Committee is concerned that there appears to be no commitment on the part of the Government to secure markets for the commodities listed in the schedule to the SI. This is bound to discourage farmers of these crops from improving their production levels, hence the goals envisaged by the Government in coming up with this SI may not be achieved.

Mr Speaker, it is gratifying to note that the anti-gender based violence court rules have finally been issued through SI, No. 8 of 2016. These rules provide for the commencement of an action under civil litigation such as psychological, mental and economic abuse. The development of these rules have been made with the view that an applicant in a case involving gender-based violence should be availed easy and flexible methods of commencing an action in the Subordinate and the Fast Track Courts. Specifically, the rules provide for the procedure with respect to applications to any court as to:
(a) the manner and form for the commencement of an action under this Act;

(b) the giving of notice to persons affected by an application under this Act;

(d) the discharge of an order issued pursuant to this Act; and

(e) the forms necessary for the purposes of the Act.
Sir, in other words, these rules will enable various complainants and victims in gender-based violence cases to make necessary applications before the courts and, therefore, prosecute their cases. This way, victims will enjoy the full benefits envisaged under the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act, which was not the case hitherto. Your Committee is, therefore, of the view that the promulgation of these rules is long overdue and is most welcome.

Mr Speaker, these are, but a few of the highlights contained in your Committee’s report. I urge all Members and stakeholders to take keen interest in the contents of your Committee’s report. In particular, your Committee is confident that its recommendations will be favourably considered for implementation by the Government.

Sir, in conclusion, I would like to thank you for the guidance and support rendered to your Committee during its deliberations in this session. I also wish to thank the Members of your Committee for their co-operation and dedication to duty without which nothing much could have been achieved. Lastly, but by no means the least, I would like to extend my many thanks to the Clerk of the National Assembly and her staff for the services rendered to your Committee during its business in this session.

Mr Speaker, I beg to move.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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

Mr Katambo: Now, Sir.

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to second this Motion so ably moved by our Acting Chairperson.

Sir, from the outset, let me state that your Committee on Delegated Legislation deliberated on many important issues during the session under review. Many of the critical ones have been mentioned by the mover of the Motion, but a lot more pertinent issues are contained in your Committee’s report and I implore all hon. Members of Parliament and the public at large to find time to read through the report in order to have a full appreciation of these issues.

Mr Speaker, during the session under review, your Committee also considered some outstanding issues arising from previous reports. Let me now highlight some of these outstanding issues.

Sir, as regards SI No. 63 of 2014, the pension reforms embarked on by the Government, …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left and right!

Mr Katambo: … your Committee was informed that the intention is to restructure the manner in which pension benefits are paid. The Government’s argument is that the payment of a lump sum reduces the value of future monthly payments or annuity. The low value of monthly incomes exposes retirees to the risk of poverty in old age. While in theory, the lump sum could be invested to secure adequate returns during retirement, in practice, bearing in mind inflation and survival risks, it is often used for consumption purposes, including purchasing of land or a house. As a result, most pensioners rely on the monthly pension in retirement which, in many cases, is not sufficient to prevent poverty.

Mr Speaker, in light of the foregoing, the proposed pension reforms will seek to provide, among other things, that an officer retiring at fifty-five years be paid about 66 per cent of his/her pension and be entitled to a small monthly annuity until death while an officer who will opt to retire at sixty years will be entitled to about 10 per cent of their pension and will be paid a handsome annuity until death. This will be done in order to ensure social security so that people can live a decent life in retirement or old age when they are not able to fend for themselves or engage in economic activities. If this is not done, the country may experience high levels of poverty in old age which would require the Government’s intervention.

Sir, for members of the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF) and Local Authority Superannuation Fund (LASF), a new dual benefit pension formula is proposed. It will take into account the possibility to opt for a lump sum based on the current rules. However, this will only apply to the share of benefits calculated under the old system which will gradually be phased out over time.

Mr Speaker, your previous Committee was also concerned about the fact that it was apparent that many Public Service workers did not fully understand the implications of the proposed pension reforms.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Consultations on the left are rather loud. You have an option to retreat.

Mr Mutelo: Hear, hear!

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, to this effect, the Committee had recommended that prior to the implementation of the pension reforms, the Government carries out countrywide sensitisation campaigns among all Public Service workers, not just the union leaders as regards the proposed provisions so that they can have a full understanding and acceptance of the implications of the pension reforms. In this vein, your Committee is pleased to note the Government has developed a communication strategy part of whose activities have since been funded. Therefore, it is expected that information dissemination will begin soon.

Sir, with regard to SI No. 108 of 2013, the Mukuba University (Declaration) order, 2013, your Committee is still concerned that the use of the name ‘Mukuba University’ by two institutions in the same line of business may cause confusion. Your Committee is not satisfied with the response in the Action-Taken Report that this has, so far, not created any conflict. Your Committee reiterates the need for the Government to be proactive in pursuing an amicable resolution of the matter before any conflict arises.

Mr Speaker, on SI No. 73 of 2013 (The Tolls Regulations), your Committee fully supports the National Road Tolling Programme (NRTP) as the toll fees form part of the road fund meant for financing the maintenance and rehabilitation of public roads. This is a welcome initiative which will go a long way in helping Zambia maintain her road infrastructure to the benefit of the country.

Mr Speaker, your Committee, therefore, calls upon the ministry responsible to quickly roll out the programme and ensure that it introduces various innovations to enhance the administration of the programme and also minimise the inconvenience to the motoring public. In this regard, your Committee has in mind those motorists who commute from one town to another through the designated toll points. Your Committee is of the view that special arrangements such as the special frequent user fee, urgently be put in place so that they are not made to pay again …

Mr Ntundu interjected.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Gwembe.

Mr Katambo: … at the toll gates. Further, your Committee urges the Government to ensure that the revenue derived from the toll fees is used for the intended purpose. Otherwise, the objectives of the programme will not be realised.

Let me end by thanking you, Mr Speaker, for allowing us to serve on this important Committee.

Sir, I beg to second.

The Minister of Justice (Dr Simbyakula, SC.): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the members of your Committee for their scrutiny of these Statutory Instruments (SIs) and also to thank the House for the support rendered. We have, indeed, taken note of the recommendations made by the Committee and shall take the necessary steps as recommended.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister of Justice for his views, and the whole House for unanimously supporting the Motion.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Question put and agreed to.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

Mr Chipungu (Rufunsa): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do adopt the Report of the Committee on Agriculture for the Fifth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly laid on the Table of the House on 7th April, 2016.

Mr Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Mr Sichula (Nakonde): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, based on its terms of reference, your Committee undertook a study on the review of the implementation of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

Sir, I presume that the hon. Members have had an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the contents of your Committee’s report. I will, therefore, only highlight a few issues from it.

Mr Speaker, your Committee resolved to carry out a review of FISP with the view to understanding the policy impact on agriculture growth in the country. In order to fully appreciate the subject under consideration, your Committee invited various stakeholders to provide both oral and written submissions.

Sir, during its interactions with the stakeholders, your Committee was informed that the overall objective of FISP is to improve the supply and delivery of agricultural inputs to small-scale farmers through sustainable private sector participation at an affordable cost in order to increase household food security and incomes. One of the specific objectives is to expand markets for private sector input supplies or dealers and increase their involvement in the distribution of agricultural inputs in rural areas, which would reduce the direct involvement of the Government. However, despite the good intentions of the programme, a number of challenges have beset its implementation.

Mr Speaker, arising from the deliberations and consultations with various stakeholders, your Committee observed and recommends as set out hereunder.

Sir, your Committee observed that despite having set criteria for eligibility to the programme, targeting of the beneficiaries has been a challenge. Your Committee also noted that most recipients of FISP are not necessarily the poorer households in the 0.5 to 0.99 ha category, as FISP fertiliser is targeted disproportionately to households that cultivate 2 ha and above of land, many of whom are above the poverty line.

Sir, your Committee, therefore, urges the Government to ensure that the eligibility criteria are followed so that only the targeted beneficiaries are included on the programme.

Mr Speaker, your Committee sadly notes that despite one of the objectives of FISP being to expand markets for private sector input suppliers or dealers and increase their involvement in the distribution of agriculture inputs in rural areas, the programme has had significant crowding out effects on small-holders’ purchases of fertiliser and hybrid maize seed from private commercial retailers.

Sir, your Committee, therefore, strongly recommends that the Government ensures that more private sector participation is encouraged by opening up the tendering process.

Mr Speaker, your Committee further notes that although the intention of the Executive has been to ensure that inputs are delivered to the beneficiaries before the onset of the rains, this has not been the case because, in most instances, inputs are delivered late and are normally accessed by farmers when the critical stages of planting have passed. This late delivery of inputs has led to reduced productivity through the low maize-fertiliser response rates, thereby defeating the purpose of the input subsidy.

In light of this, your Committee strongly recommends that the Government ensures timely delivery of inputs to improve yields.

Mr Speaker, your Committee observed that in a bid to appease small-holder farmers in the whole country, FISP distribution has failed to appreciate the efficacy of fertiliser application in the target areas. Your Committee notes that not all soil types in all areas require the same type of fertiliser and also that some soil types may not even require fertiliser at all.

Sir, in this respect, your Committee is of the opinion that the Government encourages crop diversification, based on soil type, by carrying out soil sampling to avoid blanket fertiliser recommendation to all areas. The Government should also ensure that extension officers educate the farmers on the application of lime to ascertain soil types which may not require fertiliser.

Mr Speaker, your Committee further notes the actual expenditure on the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and FISP, whose major focus, in recent years, has been maize has far exceeded the budgetary allocations, hence further reducing the share of agricultural resources available for other activities and investment in the agriculture sector.

Sir, your Committee is of the view that this kind of expenditure on one crop is unsustainable in the long run and the Government cannot afford to continue to support such expenditures on one commodity.

Sir, your Committee, therefore, urges the Executive to restructure FISP and the FRA and increase the ministry’s budgetary allocation for research and extension services. Your Committee further recommends that if FISP is not restructured, then, it must be moved to another separate agency or, indeed, another ministry to free the agriculture budget for other more important agriculture sector development activities.

Finally, Mr Speaker, your Committee notes that running the conventional FISP and the Electronic (e)-voucher systems parallel to each other will compromise the implementation of the programme. In light of this, your Committee strongly implores the Government to intensify its sensitisation programme on the implementation of the e-voucher system and thereafter, have a complete roll out of the e-voucher to all the districts. This will help weed out ghost beneficiaries and eventually allow for proper targeting and graduation of beneficiaries to allow more eligible farmers to be included in the programme.

Sir, in conclusion, allow me to thank the various chief executives and controlling officers of the institutions that made submissions before your Committee. Further, I also wish to thank members of your Committee for their co-operation and dedication to duty during the deliberations.

Lastly, but not the least, your Committee wishes to record its indebtedness to you, Mr Speaker, and the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly and her staff for the guidance given to it during the session.

Mr Speaker, I beg to move.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear! Chairperson!

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

Mr Sichula (Nakonde): Now, Mr Speaker.

Sir, in seconding the Motion to adopt the Report of the Committee on Agriculture for the Fifth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly, laid on the Table of the House on 7th April, 2016, allow me to first thank the Chairperson for having ably moved the Motion and for the manner in which he executed his duties during the Committee’s sittings.

Mr Speaker, during its interaction with stakeholders, your Committee was informed that since FISP was directly tied to hybrid maize, there has been a tendency of promoting maize production at the expense of other crops even in areas where there is comparative disadvantage in maize production. FISP has taken the country back to the agricultural policy of concentrating on maize while neglecting other sub-sectors with more potential to improve incomes of small-holder farmers and the country as a whole.

Mr Speaker, your Committee was also informed that investments in other agriculture related activities has received very little attention as Government resources are stretched due to the huge budgetary allocation to FISP. Your Committee notes that farmers who could profitably grow other crops are forced to stick to maize production due to the subsidy. This is detrimental to the growth of the agriculture sector.

Sir, your Committee, therefore, recommends that the Government encourages crop diversification to ensure that the agriculture sector grows and becomes the country’s economic backbone, seeing that the mines have become less reliable.

Mr Speaker, your Committee was also informed that corruption has been at the root of the problems identified in the administration of FISP. Reports of corruption and serious malpractices have been made at all levels of FISP. Some examples include the formation of fake co-operatives to conveniently access the inputs; fertiliser meant for FISP has sometimes found its way on the open market and some extension officers and their relatives have sometimes been the only beneficiaries in some camps, leaving out other farmers who may have qualified to access the inputs.

Even though some of these ills have been overcome through the e-voucher system, your Committee implores the Government to ensure that this corruption is completely weeded out to ensure that the programme runs efficiently and effectively.

Finally, Sir, I wish to pay tribute to your Committee for the manner in which it conducted its deliberations and observed the views of all the witnesses who appeared before it. I also wish to pay tribute to you, Mr Speaker, and the Office of the Clerk and her staff for the guidance given to your Committee throughout its deliberations.

Mr Speaker, I beg to second.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Lubinda): Mr Speaker, from the outset, let me put on record my appreciation of the report of your Committee. It is very clear that your Committee put in a lot of good work in coming up with this report. The ministry has looked at your Committee’s observations and recommendations and will take them very seriously.

Sir, I just want to indicate that the targeting of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) is carefully arrived at for those farmers that the Chairperson of the Committee referred to. However, we accept that the delivery by the various agents may be missing the target group. Secondly, the issue of overcrowding or out crowding of the private sector in the supply chain of inputs is also a matter that we recognise as the Government. These are the reasons, among others, that gave us the impetus to pilot the Electronic(e)-Voucher system.

Mr Speaker, I am delighted, on behalf of the Government to hear the support of the Committee on Agriculture in so far as it is encouraging us to roll out the e-Voucher System. With your permission, before Parliament is dissolved, I will present to this House, the plan for FISP for 2016/2017 where I will announce the Government’s intentions on rolling out the e-Voucher System.

Sir, a matter concerning the maize-centric agriculture system that we have in this country is also very well taken note of. I would like to just correct one impression which was created by both your Committee on Agriculture and your Committee on Delegated Legislation. Your Committee made reference to the fact that the Government issued a statutory instrument (SI) in which a number of crops beyond maize were designated commodities. In saying that, your Committee lamented the Government’s failure to create a market for those alternative crops. As a matter of fact, that cannot be farther from the truth. The essence of designating those crops means creating a market for them. The Food Reserve Act states that designated crops are those that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) shall buy in the event that the private sector does not buy them. So, that in itself is creating security for the small-scale producers of those crops. We did that because we wanted to ensure that we move away from being a maize-centric agriculture sector to encourage diversification.

Mr Speaker, the proposal by your Committee, as echoed by the Chairperson, that we should move FISP from the Ministry of Agriculture to another ministry raises a question. If it moves away from the ministry responsible for funding, what will it be? What shall we call it and what ministry will handle a matter that has to do with farming, if not the Ministry of Agriculture?

Sir, I did recognise reference to the fact that there is a greater need for co-ordination between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. I acknowledge that fact. The co-operatives are now under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. They still continue to play a very significant role in so far as FISP is concerned. However, to suggest that FISP must be divorced from the Ministry of Agriculture and be posted elsewhere, I wonder what new ministry we want to create. I also wonder what mandate the Ministry of Agriculture will have if this important role is hived off. The ...

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Hon. Government Members: You wind up.

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, I can hear a popular cry that I should wind up.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubinda: Sir, I will wind up. However, something would be amiss if I let some wrong impressions remain uncorrected. I am duty-bound to ensure that the Zambians are informed correctly. Therefore, I will seek the indulgence of my colleagues to give me just a few minutes so that I can correct some impressions.

Sir, the first impression I would like to correct is that FISP is crowding out the private sector input suppliers. Over the last one year that we have implemented the e-Voucher System, we have seen an emergence of numerous agro-dealers in the thirty districts in which we piloted this programme. In addition to that, the agro-dealers have even gone out to farming areas to deliver inputs right at the farmers’ doorsteps. This is unlike what used to happen in the past where farmers, through their co-operatives, had to go to the district centres to access inputs. So, we are being progressive with this programme and are determined to make sure that there are even more agro-dealers that are established. We shall support them by allowing them to participate in the input supply programme funded by the Government.

Sir, I was hoping that your Committee would have appreciated the fact that there was a big departure from the norm in the past over the last one year when all fertilisers were delivered on time. Hon. Members of your Committee lamented the late delivery of inputs. I think it was only fair for them to also acknowledge that, in the 2015/2016 Farming Season, all inputs were delivered to the districts before the onset of rains. On behalf of the Government, I want to state that for the 2016/2017 Farming Season, we will endeavour to deliver all inputs before the end of July, 2016.

Sir, as a matter of fact, there are reports by different media houses that urea fertiliser, which normally comes late, has already started arriving in various districts. Therefore, I would like the honourable Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture to rest assured that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, will walk the talk in so far as agricultural development is concerned.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear! Bauze!

Mr Nkombo: Question.

Mr Lubinda: Sir, I cannot agree more with Hon. Chipungu and his colleagues in the Committee on the blanket utilisation of fertiliser in Zambia. I would like to inform him that the PF Government is working extremely hard in acquiring the necessary equipment for soil testing at farm level so that we can start to apply appropriate fertilisers. This is a programme that we have started to work on and the Executive will inform Parliament on progress with regard to the acquisition of such equipment.

Sir, I, again, acknowledge your Committee’s work in coming up with this report, but I was hoping the Chairperson in moving this Motion or the seconder would have also reflected on an important matter.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Lubinda: I suppose it was because of brevity of time that they did not do so and, therefore, I seek your indulgence in addressing the matter. As recorded on page 23 of your Committee’s report, the Government’s intention is to open up 17,500 ha of land to irrigation by 2018 countrywide. The report has accurately recorded that just by the end of 2015, work had commenced on more than 10,000 ha of land. Working on 10,000 ha out of 17,500 ha in one year for a programme that is supposed to run for three years up to 2018 indicates the seriousness with which this Government is addressing the issue of irrigation agriculture in Zambia.

Mr Speaker, I would, therefore, like to encourage all farmers that they have good friends in the Ministry of Agriculture in the PF Government under His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s, leadership and testimony is to be found in the Report of your Committee on Agriculture. This is a Government worth supporting because it is progressive and shall get the people where it wants to get them by ensuring that agriculture becomes the mainstay of Zambia’s economy.

Sir, I thank you.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, I want to put it on record that your Committee is aware of the good works the hon. Minister and the Government are doing. I want to thank him for that good response. I also want to thank all hon. Members that have supported the report.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Question put and agreed to.

_____________

BILLS

THIRD READING

The following Bills were read the third time and passed:

The Parliamentary Service Bill, 2016

The National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) (Amendment) Bill, 2016

_____________

MOTION

ADJOUNRMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

____________

The House adjourned at 1643 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 27th April, 2016.

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