DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Thursday, 9th October, 2014

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER
_________

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR DEPUTY SPEAKER

EXPANDED COMMITTEE ON ESTIMATES

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, you may wish to note that, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia, the Minister of Finance, Hon. Alexander Chikwanda, MP, will tomorrow, Friday, 10th October, 2014, present the Budget Speech to Parliament on the estimates of revenue and expenditure for 2015. In this regard, the Budget will be referred to the Expanded Committee on Estimates which shall consist of the following:

(a)    Committee on Estimates;

(b)    Chairpersons of the General Purposes and Portfolio Committees; and

(c)    The Chairperson of the Committee on Reforms and Modernisation.

The Chairperson of the Committee on Estimates will preside over the proceeds of the Expanded Committee on Estimates.

Thank you.

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RULING BY MR DEPUTY SPEAKER

POINT OF ORDER RAISED BY MR J.J. MWIIMBU, MP, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MONZE CENTRAL PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY REGARDING STATEMENTS OF CLARIFICATION MADE BY THE VICE-PRESIDENT ON MATTERS THAT AROSE DURING THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members will recall that on Friday, 3rd October, 2014, when the House was considering the His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time and the Member of Parliament for Chembe Parliamentary Constituency, Hon. M. Mbulakulima, MP, was asking a question, the Member of Parliament for Monze Central Parliamentary Constituency, Hon. J.J. Mwiimbu, MP, raised the following point of order:

“Mr Speaker, this is a House that is dignified and follows regulations and rules. I have looked at the Standing Orders and the orders of the day and there is nowhere where it is provided that His Honour the Vice-President will address this House on issues that arise. All we have on the Order Paper is His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time. When did we make amendments to the Standing Orders for His Honour the Vice-President to rise and address us in this House? I need a serious ruling otherwise there will be anarchy, as we will not follow procedures on the Floor of this House.”

In my immediate remarks, I reserved the ruling on the point of order.  Hon. Members, I have since studied the point of order and now wish to render the following ruling:

Hon. Members, the point of order by the hon. Member for Monze Central Parliamentary Constituency raises the issue of whether His Honour the Vice-President was in order to make statements of clarification on matters that arose during the previous Friday’s Vice-President’s Question Time, when the procedures of the House under the Standing Orders do not permit this.

Hon. Members, let me remind the House that prior to Friday, 3rd October, 2014, His Honour the Vice-President had, on several occasions, come back to the House to give detailed responses to questions asked in the previous session of the Vice-President’s Question Time.   

Hon. Members, for example, on Friday, 27th June, 2014, His Honour the Vice-President made clarifications on issues raised during the Vice-President’s Question Time on Friday, 20th June, 2014. In permitting His Honour the Vice-President to make the clarifications, the Hon. Mr Deputy Speaker stated as follows:

“Before His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time, there are issues of clarification outstanding from last week’s session. His Honour the Vice-President will clarify those issues and, thereafter, questions will be asked during the thirty-minute question time.”

On that date, His Honour the Vice-President made clarifications on three issues, namely:

(a)    monthly expenditure on rentals for two properties rented by the Zambian High Commission in Ghana, which was alleged to be US$24,000;

(b)    an explanation on the quality and completion date of the road from Landless Corner to Mumbwa Road; and 

(c)    the re-awarding of the contract relating to the supply of digital migration equipment to Star Times of China, which was initially cancelled due to irregularities.

Similarly, on 18th July, 2014, the Hon. Mr Speaker, again, permitted His Honour the Vice-President to provide additional information on outstanding issues arising from the previous Friday’s His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time. These issues related to:

(a)    protection of patients from persons masquandering as medical doctors at the Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital;

(b)    lifting of the ban on the exporting of mineral concentrates;

(c)    payment for fuel supplied to the Government of Malawi;

(d)    donation of K100,000 towards the construction of a bus station in Kasama;

(e)    morality of spending K6.5 million on the rehabilitation of the Presidential Lodge in Kitwe; and

(f)    criteria used to allocate two universities to a single province which was hived from the Northern Province.

Hon. Members, on Friday, 26th September, 2014, His Honour the Vice-President undertook to come back to the House with detailed information on a question from Hon. Prof. Lungwangwa, Member of Parliament for Nalikwanda, relating to measures the Government was taking to ensure that the price of maize, which was selling at between K85 and K90 in Mongu and other parts of the Western Province, was affordable to the majority of the people.

In his response, His Honour the Vice-President stated, inter alia, as follows:

“I will make an inquiry and give some additional information next week.”

Hon. Members, it was on this basis that on Friday, 3rd October, 2014, His Honour the Vice-President provided further information on the prices of mealie meal.

Hon. Members, His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time is provided for under Standing Order 31 of the National Assembly Standing Orders, 2005 Edition which provides:

"31(1)    The Vice-President shall be allowed up to thirty minutes Question Time every Friday. In the absence of the Vice-President, there shall be no Question Time allocated for the Vice-President.

(2)    Questions to the Vice-President shall not prevent other questions scheduled for that day on the order paper from being asked."

During the Vice-President’s Question Time, hon. Members ask His Honour the Vice-President questions on any subject without notice. 

Hon. Members, as presiding officers, one of our core duties is to ensure orderly conduct of Business in the House. In order to do this, we are vested with certain powers under our Standing Orders and, to some extent, the Constitution. However, under parliamentary practice, some of our powers arise from usage while in some matters, as was in the current case, the presiding officer has to exercise discretion. This position has been attested to by well-known Parliamentary writer, Erskine May, in his book, Parliamentary Practice, Twenty Fourth Edition, at page 61, where he states:

"The Speaker has many powers to assist him in his duty to ensure the orderly conduct of the Business of the House; some arise from usage while others have been conferred by Standing Orders or Resolution of the House."

Similarly, M. N. Kaul and S. L. Shakdher, in their book entitled Practice and Procedure of Parliament, Sixth Edition, at page 119, state as follows in reference to the powers of the Speaker: 

"Though his powers and duties have been laid down in the rules and, to some extent, in the Constitution, the rules which he has to administer are of an elastic character and, in some matters, he has to exercise discretion."

Hon. Members, as presiding officers, we have a duty to ensure that questions asked by hon. Members are adequately answered. This House will agree with me that since the questions asked during His Honour the Vice-President's Question Time are spontaneous, His Honour the Vice-President may not provide detailed or researched information or responses to some of the questions. As such, and in the spirit of according the House an opportunity to get adequate information on matters raised during His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time, presiding officers, at their discretion, have allowed His Honour the Vice-President to provide detailed statements of clarification with follow-up questions, if any, during the thirty-minute Vice-President's Question Time.

Further, the House will appreciate that the statement of clarification made by His Honour the Vice-President was beneficial not only to all hon. Members of Parliament, but also the country at large, as it clarified the issues surrounding prices of mealie meal not only in the Western Province, but also other parts of the country.

Hon Members, His Honour the Vice-President's statements of clarification are, in a sense, ministerial statements which do not appear on the Order Paper. According to Erskine May, under normal parliamentary practice, ministerial statements are volunteered spontaneously by ministers. The author states, at page 370, of the same book I referred to earlier, that:

"Ministers make ministerial statements in the House on government policy. Though these explanations are sometimes elicited by arrangement in reply to a question, the more usual and older practice is that they are volunteered spontaneously. Prior notice to the Speaker is necessary, but neither his permission nor leave of the House is required. The Speaker has, however, expressed support for the principle that statements on important matters should be made in the House first."

Therefore, Hon Members, there was no breach of our Standing Orders because, based on the authorities, as I have mentioned, His Honour the Vice-President is entitled to make ministerial statements on the Floor of the House and such statements do not appear on the Order Paper as the hon. Member attempted to suggest.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOOD SUPPLIES AT KALABO DISTRICT HOSPITAL

142. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health:

(a)    whether the Government was aware that Kalabo District Hospital had run out of food supplies for in-patients due to non availability of foods; and

(b)    what immediate measures had been taken to avert deaths of patients due to starvation.

The Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health (Ms Kabanshi): Mr Speaker, the Ministry is aware that Kalabo District Hospital has run out of food supplies for in-patients. I would like to point out that the Government releases operational grants to all districts and hospitals, including Kalabo District Hospital, on a monthly basis. However, there has been some delays in the release of funds from the Central Treasury.

Sir, presently, Kalabo, like all other districts, has received its grant. Going forward, the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health is one of the ministries that shall be rolled on to the Integrated Financial Management System that will enhance efficiency on account that districts and hospitals will be funded directly from the Treasury without passing through the parent ministry.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, …

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I would like to solicit a very clear and categorical directive pertaining to the procedures of this House. I am aware that whenever an hon. Minister wants to issue a ministerial statement on the Floor of this House, he or she seeks the authority of the Hon. Mr Speaker, and specific authority is given. When we come to the House, Mr Speaker announces that he has given permission to a specific hon. Minister to issue a ministerial statement. Arising from the ruling that you have made, I would like to find out …

Interruptions

Hon. Government Members: Order!

Mr Mwiimbu: … whether, from now onwards, we will have a ministerial clarification from His Honour the Vice-President prior to His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time so that this issue is rested. Must we take it that it is now part of our procedures in this House for you not to specifically request His Honour the Vice-President to come to this House and make a ministerial statement?

I need your serious ruling, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: From the ruling I made, and the references made from various authorities, I think it is accepted that where His Honour the Vice-President is faced with a question during His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time, and he is unable to give an answer to such a question, but promises to come back to the House with an answer later, I take it that is what the ruling says it shall be.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has admitted that the Government is aware that the hospital has run out of foodstuffs and that there has been some lapses in the release of funds to the hospital. However, what does not give me comfort is that fact that she has stated that money has been released. The shortest question I can ask is that today is Thursday …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Ask your question.

Mr Miyutu: This is a question.

Mr Deputy Speaker: No, ask your question.

Mr Miyutu: I am asking the question.

Mr Deputy Speaker: No, please, come to your question. That is a statement you are making.

Mr Miyutu: I want to ask the question.

Mr Deputy Speaker: As a former teacher, I know how a question is structured.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: It cannot be a statement. Can you ask your question, after your preface.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, between Monday and today, when was that money released? I want to know if it has reached the hospital for it to buy the foodstuffs for patients.

Ms Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, this money was released last week and it has already been disbursed to all the districts. We have been communicating with all the districts and they have confirmed that they have received the money.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, I am back without a point of order.

Interruptions

Mr Mbewe: Sir, what went wrong with the suppliers because suppliers can bring the food and payment can be done later? Does the hospital not have suppliers who can be paid at a later date after a delivery has been made?

Ms Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, I think the districts themselves make arrangements with suppliers of the foodstuffs. The ministry does not get involved in such things.

Thank you, Sir.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the release of funds depends on receipt from the Treasury. I would, therefore, like to find out how many months were skipped before the ministry received funds for onward transmission to the hospitals.

Ms Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, it was three months.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sianga (Sesheke): Mr Speaker, what really led to the delay in the releasing of funds?

Ms Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, that question can only be answered by the Ministry of Finance that releases the money.

Thank you, Sir.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Mr Simbao (Senga Hill): Mr Speaker, first of all, I would like to commend the hon. Member of Parliament for Kalabo Central for sustaining the hospital. He has actually bought food to last a month for that hospital. That is what an hon. Member of Parliament ought to do.

Hon. PF Members: No!

Mr Simbao: The Government is not carrying out its responsibility so the hon. Member of Parliament has done it. With that said, is this the only district hospital in the country that has run out of food?

Ms Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, it is all the hospitals because they did not receive the grant in time. However, what I have said is that money was sent out last week and I think we will be sending some more grants to these hospitals next week so that they can make sure that they provide the foodstuffs to patients. 

Mr Speaker, I also want to say that the people who run the hospitals are supposed to take it upon themselves to create networks in the communities in which they operate so that when they run out of food, they can still get foodstuffs from the suppliers and pay at a later stage.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Interruptions 

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, …

Mr Mtolo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, it has now become a norm in this House for hon. Ministers, when giving their responses, to always indicate that they do not have funds. Is it in order …

Mr Deputy Speaker: That they do not have what?

Mr Mtolo: They keep saying that they do not have funds to carry out their ministerial duties. I can give examples of the hon. Minister who has been on the Floor, so far, today. A few weeks ago, it was the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock and the other time, I think, it was the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education.

Sir, we are here to get proper responses from the hon. Ministers. Is it in order for the hon. Minister of Finance to sit in this House and allow us to bandy words with hon. Ministers, who are as hopeless as we are, instead of coming to give a ministerial statement to this House on why ministries are not being funded? Is the hon. Minister of Finance in order to keep quiet when we have such a situation in the country? I ask that you seriously consider that the hon. Minister is questioned on this.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: The point of order is understood. The only difficulty I have with it is that when hon. Ministers say that a certain programme will be undertaken when funds are made available, they are merely stating the truth at that particular point. Therefore, when you say that we should ask the hon. Minister of Finance, in a situation like that, to indicate when he will be able to release funds, I think that will be a very difficult thing to do. This is because even the hon. Minister of Finance himself may not be in a position to tell us when he will release money to those ministries. 

So, really, I do not think that we should go to an extent of asking him to indicate things that he may not be able to do at a particular point. My understanding is that when an hon. Minister says something will be done when funds are made available by the Ministry of Finance, the hon. Minister of Finance goes back to his ministry and sits down with his officials to find out when he will make funds available for a certain project.

The hon. Member for Mapatizya may continue.

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, in answering part (b) of the question, the hon. Minister said that less than a week ago, funds were disbursed to Kalabo District Hospital to avert this sad situation.  How much money was disbursed to Kalabo District Hospital?

Ms Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, what I can say is that the grants were disbursed to all districts. I did not get specific information on how much money went to Kalabo District.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, …

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I was also going to make a follow-up point of order, but I have difficulties …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

You see, because of the many points of order and questions arising, sometimes, I forget to stick to our rules. The difficulty I have with that, hon. Member for Monze Central, is that I think this is the second point of order you are raising on the same question.

Mr Mwiimbu: No, no.

Mr Deputy Speaker: The other one was on what?

Interruptions 

Mr Deputy Speaker: It was on the same question.

Hon. Opposition Members: No, no!

Interruption 

Mr Deputy Speaker: Okay, I will use my discretionary powers. You raise your point of order.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, thank you for that concise ruling. 

I was going to make a follow-up question on the hon. Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health. The difficulty I have relates to the portfolio functions of the hon. Minister of Health and the hon. Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health. Today, we are being told that it is the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health that provides …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Ask your question.

Mr Mwiimbu: I am coming to the point of order.

Mr Deputy Speaker: My problem with that is the preface is a bit long. I know you are capable of making it short. Can you make your preface short.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, is the Government in order to cause confusion pertaining to the management of our health institutions in the country vis-a-vis the provision of requisites in hospitals between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health when, in fact, and at other times, it is the hon. Minister of Health who has been answering questions pertaining to the management of hospitals and financial affairs of hospitals, but today, it is the hon. Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health?

I would like to find out from you, Mr Speaker, whether the Government is in order to continue causing confusions in the management of health institutions in this country.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Can the hon. Ministers referred to sit down, consult and see how best they can handle that problem.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Can the hon. Member for Mafinga continue.

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, I sympathise with my sister, the hon. Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health. However, since the situation in Kalabo is similar to most districts, I want to find out from …

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

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised. This is what prompts us, presiding officers, to curtail points of orders. You have to bear with us because when the debates of the House are being disturbed by points of order, we curtail them because the smooth flow of the debate is disturbed by them. Therefore, that will be the last point of order.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: You may have your point of order.

Mr Livune: The last point of order on this question?

Mr Deputy Speaker: No. Not on this question. It is the last point of order.

Laughter

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, I am raising this point of order on the answer the hon. Minister has given, relating to the question raised by the hon. Member for Mapatizya. The question was specifically for Kalabo. So, when the hon. Minister came to this House, she knew that she was coming with the answer specifically for Kalabo. Therefore, is the hon. Minister in order not to categorically answer how much money was released for Kalabo District Hospital in the Western Province of Zambia?

Is she in order, Mr Speaker?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Well, she decided to open up and I have said that if the hon. Ministers open up, then, they are opening up even on questions. So, to that extent, she is in order.

Mr Sing’ombe: Aah!

Mr Deputy Speaker: May the hon. Member for Mafinga continue.

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health how the Government expects patients, who are already vulnerable and in hospital, to survive without food if these institutions have not bought food for a long time. When I look at the hon. Ministers, they all look well-fed …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala: … at the expense of the Zambians.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, I think the situations differ from one hospital to the other. In some situations, there some hospitals that have farms and they are able to provide food for their patients without using the grants that they are given. They use the grants for other things that they see fit.

 Mr Speaker, as the Minister responsible for district hospitals, I would like to urge the management of these hospitals to be innovative in these issues …

Interruptions

Mrs Kabanshi: … because we are not there on the ground. They should make their own arrangements to make sure that the patients are fed.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

POLICE POST CONSTRUCTION IN BULANGILILO CONSTITUENCY

144. Mr Mutale (Kwacha) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

(a)    when the Zambia Police Force would construct a police post in Bulangililo in Kwacha Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b)    what the estimated cost of the project was.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, before I give a response to the hon. Member, I would like, with your indulgency, to thank the hon. Minister of Finance on behalf of our able hon. Minister of Home Affairs and my dear colleague behind, for the support they rendered to the Ministry of Home Affairs, through the Zambia Police Force, for the successful training of our police officers who passed out today.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Kampyongo: We are calling them the Golden Jubilee pass out parade.

Mr Speaker, we are indebted to the Ministry of Finance …

Mr Chipungu: What is the answer?

Mr Kampyongo: … and equally the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Come to the answer. Answer the question.

Mr Kampyongo: Our response, Mr Speaker, is that the Zambia Police Force will construct a police post in Bulangililo in Kwacha Parliamentary Constituency when funds are made available.

Hon. Opposition Members: Oh!

Mr Kampyongo: There are a number of projects that are ongoing and the construction of this police post will be considered once these projects are completed and some funds are made available.

Mr Speaker, the estimated cost of construction of a police post is K2,000,000.00. It is also worth noting that the construction of a police post should be accompanied by the construction of, at least, five houses for the officers at the estimated cost of K2, 350,000.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mutale: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minster for that elaborate answer …

Interruptions

Mr Mutale: I need your protection, Mr Speaker.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Yes. Please, give him chance to ask.

Mr Mutale: Mr Speaker, Bulangililo Township is heavily populated and the levels of crime are quite high. Currently, the police are using a community centre as a …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Your question, hon. Member.

Mr Mutale: Could the hon. Minister indicate how soon or state the month in which the construction of a permanent police post will start because of the crime prevalence in the area.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, as a ministry, we equally share the concern of the hon. Member. However, like I indicated, it is the first time in the history of this country that we are constructing more than thirty police stations at the same time in the newly-created districts. These police stations are going with a minimum of ten housing units. At the same time, we are constructing housing units for our officers who have not been accommodated for so many years. 

Sir, this is where we have focused our resources and once that is done, probably, after 2015, we shall, then, start considering areas such as the one that has been suggested by the hon. Member. At the same time, we are working well with some hon. Members of Parliament who have come on board to partner with us in putting up these police posts. The hon. Member is free to come and consult us so that, together, we can see how we can find a solution.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mweetwa (Choma Central): Mr Speaker, I am very disappointed with the answer by the hon. Deputy Minister. The question was clear, succinct and straight forward. When are you going to construct? Your answer is when funds are available. Funds from where, which Budget and when? Is it twenty years from now? You should be giving us serious answers. When are you going to construct a police post in that area and, in the immediate term, given that you have no plans to attend to the problems that the people are facing, what measures are you putting in place to curb crime in that area because it will not wait for your Government, which has no proper solutions?

Hon. Government Member: Question!

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I am sincerely shocked by the question coming from the hon. Minister …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kampyongo: … sorry, the hon. Member of Parliament. For your own information, this hon. Member comes from a constituency where this ministry is constructing a new modern police headquarters and the source of the funds that we are spending on this project in his constituency is the same one which will make money available for the construction of the police post. 

However, in the meantime, we have measures already in place. The area is being patrolled and under the able leadership of the Copperbelt Police Command. The situation is under control. Therefore, the hon. Member should understand that the Government has a system through which it operates.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon.  Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila (Chipili): Hon. Minister, you have not provided the work plan so that we know exactly what you are doing. Considering that we are now in the fourth quarter of 2014, when are you going to provide the work plan so that we tell our people what the Government is doing?

Hon. Opposition Members: Boko Haram!

The Minister of Home Affairs (Dr Simbyakula): Mr Speaker, construction of a police post in Bulangililo will be considered in the 2016 Budget.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether an assessment was made before the hon. Member of Parliament brought this issue to the attention of the House for them not to have planned for Bulangililo.  

Mr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, assessments are made countrywide, depending on the statistics of crime. It is a constant exercise. It is just that, as we all know in this House, the resource envelope is very limited. We would love to build police stations across the country, but just cannot because of the challenges of the resource envelope.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, the question by the hon. Member for Chipili was on the lack of availability of the work plan. The answer given was about when the police post would be considered for construction. However, since the hon. Minister has talked about the construction of a police headquarters in Choma, can he tell us about the work plan for Bulangililo, in particular, and the whole nation at large. Where is the work plan for Bulangilo?

Dr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, I said that Bulangililo Police Post will be considered in the 2016 Budget.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, instead of rising on a point of order, I just want to repeat the question asked by Hon. Mwila. When will the ministry avail its infrastructure development work plan?

Dr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, I thought that we were talking about Bulangililo ...

Interruptions

Dr Simbyakula: … and I have restricted myself to that. I am saying that it will be considered in the 2016 Budget.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, I am at a loss. The question that was asked by Hon. Davies Mwila was straight forward. I would like to find out from you whether hon. Ministers are permitted to refuse to answer questions such as what the hon. Minister of Home Affairs has demonstrated this afternoon where three hon. Members, including me, are asking whether there is a work plan or not. Are they permitted to go round questions as important as this one? We want to know whether there is a work plan or not.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, do you have a work plan?

Dr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, I could come back with a work plan at a later stage.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

MWINILUNGA DISTRICT ELECTRIFICATION

145. Mr Katuka (Mwinilunga) asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development: 

(a)    when Mwinilunga District would be connected to the national electricity grid;

(b)    which contractor was working on the project;

(c)    what the contract sum for the project was;

(d)    when the project would be completed.

The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Zulu): Mr Speaker, Mwinilunga District will be connected to the national grid by August, 2015.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, in the House!

Mr Zulu: The contractor working on the project is Eltel Networks Transmission International of Sweden. The contract sum for the project is US$163 million or K1,010,600,000. The project will be completed by August, 2015.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, please, do not chase me from the House.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: Precedents have been set and we are clearly dealing with another question. Sir, I want to be guided, as the hon. Minister is answering. Last week, you asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Harry Kalaba, to come with a statement of how their trip to the United States of America was, by Wednesday this week.

Sir, I would like to seek your kindness and humble guidance to this House on whether the hon. Minister of Home Affairs has a time limit within which he will come with the work plan, as raised in the previous question or should we just wait like we are waiting for Jesus Christ to return?

Mr Deputy Speaker: I thought that the hon. Minister had said that he would come with a work plan next week.

Hon. Opposition Members: No!

Dr Simbyakula: Later.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Later? Okay, he will bring it later.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: I cannot explain what that means. However, I believe it will be as soon as he is ready with the plan.

Laughter

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, US$163 million is a lot of money to be paid to an outside company. I would like to know whether there are any Zambian contractors involved in this contract and how much they are gaining from it.

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, yes, there will be Zambian contractors involved. The main contractor is Eltel Networks from Sweden, which will sub-contract the Zambian contractors. At the moment, the contractor has already setup camp in Lumwana, Mwinilunga and in Mufumbwe. The Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) has already given the contractor US$18 million.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Katambo (Masaiti): Mr Speaker, is the US$163 million only for Mwinilunga District or is it for the entire North-Western Province?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, US$163 million is for all the districts that are not connected to the grid. It is for the entire North-Western Province and part of the Western Province. Lukulu District in the Western Province will also benefit from this.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mtolo (Chipata Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to be educated. When it comes to installation of power generation facilities, one would understand why an outside company would be contracted to do the work. However, why are we contracting a company from outside the country to connect a district to our internal lines?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, this money is coming from a bank in South Africa and another from Sweden. Therefore, these banks entered into an agreement with ZESCO. I think that what is important is that the North-Western Province is going to be connected to the national grid. For fifty years, the North-Western Province was in darkness.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Milambo (Mwembeshi): Mr Speaker, US$163 million is a lot of money. Is there a guaranteed bond on this contract?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, yes, there is a guaranteed bond.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that Lukulu District would benefit from this project because of its proximity. Since Mitete …

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: … is part of Lukulu District, will it also benefit from this project?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, it is Lukulu that is going to be connected.

I thank you, Sir.

SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER SCHEME IN SESHEKE

146. Mr Sianga asked the Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health:

(a)    when the Social Cash Transfer Scheme would be implemented in Sesheke Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b)    if it had already been implemented, how many people had benefited from the Programme.

Ms Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, according to the scale-up plan, Sesheke is earmarked to be enrolled onto the Social Cash Transfer Scheme in 2016. There are no Social Cash Transfer Scheme beneficiaries in Sesheke District since the programme is not being implemented there.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamududu (Bweengwa): Mr Speaker, now that the hon. Minister has mentioned that there exists a scale-up plan for the Social Cash Transfer Scheme, will she be kind enough to avail it so that we do not continue coming to the House to ask the same question?

Ms Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, yes, we will make it available.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Lufuma: … funding of the Social Cash Transfer Scheme for Sesheke will be done in 2016. I remember standing up and talking about 2016 here previously. It seems that most projects are going to be funded in 2016. What is in 2016 that I do not see?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

I think that answers are given to questions, and if we allow going into too many details, we may slow down our work. The answer to the question is that it will be done in 2016 and that is it. 

The hon. Member for Senga Hill may ask his question.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, this programme is a very good one. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether there are any districts enlisted to join the 2016 list from the Northern Province, and which districts, in particular, will be added to the list?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

That is a new question. This question relates to Sesheke. Sometimes, when we allow ourselves to go outside the main question, we open up a Pandora’s box. Therefore, I think that, in some instances, let us stick to the questions on the Order Paper.

SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION COMPLETION IN CHIPILI CONSTITUENCY

147. Mr Mwila asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education when construction of the following schools in Chipili Parliamentary Constituency would be completed:

(a)    Chishinka;

(b)    Chisheta;

(c)    Kaoma Makasa; and

(d)    Luongo.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education 
 (Mr P. Ngoma): Mr Speaker, the ministry has budgeted for the completion of construction of a 1 x 3 classroom block in Chishinka in the 2014 Budget. The work will start as soon as the ministry mobilises funds.

Mr Speaker, the completion of the remaining works at Chisheta Primary School will be included in the 2015 Budget, while the completion of the remaining works at Kaoma Makasa Primary School will also be included in the 2015 Budget. The completion of the remaining works at Luongo Primary School will be included in the 2015 Budget. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the money for projects which were supposed to be undertaken in 2014 has not been released. Can the hon. Minister give me an assurance that these projects budgeted for in 2015 will be worked on in 2015.

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

You may proceed, hon. Minster.

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, the assurance is given to the hon. Member.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mushanga (Bwacha): Mr Speaker, in answering part (a) of the question on Chishinka Primary School, the hon. Deputy Minister said that monies were budgeted for in the 2014 Budget and that as soon as funds were mobilised, the work would start. However, my worry is that this month is October and 2014 is almost coming to an end. We are only remaining with two months before the end of the year. How possible will it be for the funds to be mobilised?

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, in some instances, the Ministry of Finance releases money to ministries in December. 

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr P. Ngoma: When this is done, the ministry will go ahead and do what the hon. Member is requesting it to do. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that, in some instances, the Ministry of Finance releases funds in December. Therefore, hon. Minister, has your ministry received part of this money to complete the construction of Chishinka School or is this one of the instances where the ministry is waiting for December? 

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member, probably, did not get what I said correctly. I said that as soon as money is mobilised by the ministry, this year, the school will be worked on. 

I thank you, Sir. 

ZAMTEL PRIVATISATION

148. Mr Chipungu (Rufunsa) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)    whether the Government had any plans to privatise the Zambia Telecommunications (Zamtel) Company Limited; and

(b)    when the company would improve its services. 

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Col. Kaunda): Mr Speaker, the Government has no immediate plans to privatise Zamtel. 

Sir, Zamtel is continuously improving services on its network. To this effect, it has developed plans which, among other things, prioritise investment in network infrastructure and quality of service.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, Zamtel connectivity, at the moment, has a lot of challenges. One can hardly call out. The network, most times, is congested and the internet connectivity is just as bad. Is the hon. Minister not aware of these difficulties that subscribers are going through, hence the need to improve service provision?

Col. Kaunda: Mr Speaker, these challenges are experienced by all mobile service providers. It is not only Zamtel. The Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication is worried and is, through the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), continuously prodding the service providers to improve their services. We are, therefore, working on this challenge and Zamtel is definitely on course. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Matafwali (Bangweulu): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister the current state of the law suit against the Government of Zambia by LAP Green Network of Libya. 

Mr Deputy Speaker: That, honestly, is outside the main question. 

Hon. Member for Bwacha, you may ask your follow-up question

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the hon. Minister is satisfied with the current performance of Zamtel. 

Mr Mwila: Yes.

Col. Kaunda: Mr Speaker, we are not satisfied about the performance of the company. This is why we are working very hard to see to it that it improves. Just this morning, I was commissioning a training school for Zamtel on behalf of the hon. Minister. All these are efforts which the company is making to improve its services. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, a few months ago, we were told that Zamtel had not made any profit in the last three or four years. It is also a known fact that the services, as mentioned, are extremely poor. Further, the number of employees is quite negligible. Hon. Minister, how long must the Zambian people continue subsidising this company? 

Col. Kaunda: Mr Speaker, Zamtel has never been subsidised by the people of Zambia. Like I said earlier, the company opened a training school, this morning, which was built using its own funds. The company injected, using its own funds, K100 million. Simply because a company is not giving dividends does not mean that it is making losses. It is investing back into the company for future progress. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mrs Masebo (Chongwe): Mr Speaker, I have a question that relates to the optic fiber. I recall that there was a matter that needed to be sorted out between the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) and Zamtel. This was, probably, an issue that could have assisted Zamtel to perform even better. 

Hon. Minister, has that issue been sorted out and, if so, has it had any positive impact? If not, could it be one of the reasons Zamtel service provision is not to your expected performance, as you have indicated? 

Col. Kaunda: Mr Speaker, the matter between the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) and Zamtel is being sorted out. As I speak, there is a memo to the Cabinet to sort out this matter and so it will be done. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Milambo: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether, according to his own assessment, Zamtel is viable. 

Col. Kaunda: Yes, Sir. It is extremely viable. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Laughter 

______

MOTIONS

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS 19, 20, 21 AND 31 

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that Standing Orders 19, 20, 21 and 31 be suspended to enable the House to sit from 1415 hours until Business has been concluded on Friday, 10th October, 2014, and also to omit the Vice-President’s Question Time from the agenda. 

Mr Speaker, the House is aware that, in accordance with its tradition, the hon. Minister of Finance presents the National Budget on a Friday afternoon. However, Standing Orders 19, 20 and 21 provide to the effect that the House shall sit from 0900 hours to 1300 hours on Fridays while Standing Order 31 provides for the Vice-President’s Question Time.

Mr Speaker, it is in this regard that I move this Motion to suspend Standing Orders 19, 20, 21 and 31 so that the House sits in the afternoon tomorrow, Friday, 10th October, 2014, and also to omit the Vice-President’s Question Time from the agenda so as to provide the hon. Minister of Finance ample time to present the 2015 National Budget. 

Mr Speaker, this is a straight forward House-keeping and non-controversial Motion and I, therefore, urge all hon. Members of this august House to support me. 

I thank you, Sir. {mospagebreak}

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, I wish to quickly indicate that this is a Motion that we have no option, but to support because it is provided for in our Republican Constitution under article 117 (1) which reads:

“The Minister responsible for finance shall cause to be prepared and shall lay before the National Assembly within three months after the commencement of each financial year estimates of the revenues and expenditures of the Republic for that financial year.”

Mr Speaker, at (2) the Constitution further states:

“When the estimates of expenditure have been approved by the National Assembly, the heads of the estimates together with the amount approved in respect of each shall be included in a Bill to be known as an Appropriation Bill which shall be introduced in the National Assembly to provide for the payment of those amounts for the purposes specified out of the general revenues of the Republic.”

Mr Speaker, we have no option, but to allow this process to go on tomorrow because we swore to protect and defend the Constitution I referred to. I have a circular in front of me which was written by the Chief Whip and circulated not long ago, asking hon. Members of Parliament to be punctual tomorrow and be seated by 1400hours in order to listen to the hon. Minister of Finance deliver his Budget Speech. 

Sir, this is the time that I agree when many say that our Parliament is a rubber stamp Parliament. We are beginning the process of rubber stamping the wishes of the …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

I do not think we should go to that extent. I think you know, hon. Member of Mazabuka Central, maybe, better than I do, that some terms like ‘rubber stamping’ are really not acceptable here. 

You can continue with that advice in mind.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, my English is a bit limited. We are beginning the process of performing the toothless ventures of looking at the revenues and expenditures of this country. I will demonstrate to you what I mean in a minute.

Sir, a budget is drawn from a medium-term expenditure framework. The other year, there was information circulated in pigeon holes about the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework which we needed to discuss and agree on with the Executive, to a certain extent. This is because should the content of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework from which the Budget feeds be wrong, then, it goes without saying that even the Budget would be wrong. 

Mr Speaker, it is my wish that as the hon. Minister comes tomorrow, he could just get the highlights of the achievements from the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework when it comes to a close in order for us to analyse the success …

Mr Kambwili: On a point of order, Sir. 

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

I think we are getting into the details of what we perceive will be discussed by the hon. Minister. I think the Motion, which is the suspension of the Standing Orders, is clear so that the hon. Minister can present his Budget. The issues you are delving into are not following the proper procedure. The provision of Article 117 that you quoted was amended in 2009. That notwithstanding, let us debate the Motion.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I hear you clearly. 

Sir, according to the Constitution, we have to do this exercise tomorrow and I plead that as I agree to go along with the Motion, as moved by His Honour the Vice-President, I must reflect on the things that happened in the past because we have done this many times before. We have been working under activity-based budgets …

Mr Kambwili: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, the Motion on the Floor is very clear. Do you agree to suspend these Standing Orders or not? It is not the time do discuss the framework or what has been done in the past. It is a straight forward Motion. 

Sir, His Honour the Vice-President had one sentence to move this Motion. Is the hon. Member in order to continue brining in issues that do not concern this Motion? I need your serious ruling.

Mr Deputy Speaker: I advised earlier on and I agree that we should debate the Motion.

Continue, hon. Member for Mazabuka Central.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I think that levels are also important. 

Laughter 

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, we are going to drop these Standing Orders in order to deal with the substantive issue of the Budget. I will not defy your ruling, but allow me to voice out for the people of Mazabuka Central that I, Gary Nkombo, shall remain a Member of this House for as long as they wish. In the Budget last year, as we start debating …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

No, we cannot go that route. As much as the people of Mazabuka Central want you to talk on their behalf, we have to follow the rules. It appears to me that you have already supported the Motion and I do not think we should go further than that. I am afraid we cannot allow that. If there is anyone else who wants to oppose the Motion, then, we will let them speak. 

Mr Nkombo interjected.

Mr Deputy Speaker: That is what it amounts to. 

Mr Nkombo: No, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: That is what I have decided.

Mr Nkombo: It is not correct, Sir.

Laughter 

Mr Deputy Speaker: It is correct. I have decided.

Mr Nkombo: Must I, then, stop work?

Mr Deputy Speaker: No, you are not stopping work. I am stopping you from going outside the Motion. 

Question put and agreed to. 

MOTION OF THANKS 

(Debate resumed)

The Deputy Minister for the Eastern Province (Mr Sichone): Mr Speaker, I was saying that the United Party for National Development (UPND) Members who said they would boycott the jubilee celebrations this month, should know that the jubilee celebration is not about the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, but about the Zambians who have been free and have lived peacefully for fifty years. 

Mr Speaker, the PF Government is just three years old in office and, surely, no one, including the UPND, can attribute their sorrow for losing the just ended by-elections to the Independence of this country because they risk being irrelevant and going into obscurity. 

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichone: Sir, this country knows that the President, His Excellency Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, means well such that he has already invited everyone to join in the jubilee celebrations.

A lot of people anticipated and were all over the media claiming that His Excellency the President was not going to open Parliament, but the man of action demonstrated that he is a true suave, stout and feisty leader who puts this nation and its citizens first above everything, including himself. Are the armchair critics not ashamed that the people of Zambia saw the contrary of what they were saying?

Mr Speaker, let me join all those who have congratulated the new hon. Members of Parliament elected during the six by-elections. Let me also thank the people of Vubwi for denouncing the orotundity and also propaganda-based elections. I also take an exceptional gratitude to the people of Kasenengwa, who believe in the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, for narrowing the gap between the outcome of the 2011 General Elections and today’s. This is a strong entry in what the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) called their bedroom.
 
Mr Speaker, the 4/2 win should not go without analysis. In simple terms, the Opposition is finished in this country because it cannot see the wonders of the PF Government. 
 
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichone: Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President talked about the positive indicators of the progress in the political, economic and social spheres of the country. Economically, no one can dispute that in the Eastern Province, the people have actually exhibited some form of status. The current economic status of the people has strongly improved, based on the good policies of our Government. You may wish to know that every ten houses that you find in a village, at least, four to five are roofed with iron sheets. That, alone, tells you the economic welfare of those people. In my province, bicycles are almost cultural. The great achievement of the good people of the Eastern Province is the use of motor bikes. The Government waived off customs and excise duty on the importation of motor bikes. I must report that this has made the motor bikes cheaper and affordable to our agrarian citizens of the Eastern Province.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichone: Sir, I salute His Excellency the President for taking a very serious slash in denouncing violence in the country. Had he not been a true democrat, the just passed by-elections should have been flawed with violence. 

Mr Speaker, for the first time in this country, we have seen basal dressing fertiliser being manufactured locally by the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) and distributed before time. In areas such as Nyimba and Vubwi, D-Compound and Urea fertiliser have already been delivered. It is also the first time that the farmers have sold their maize at K70 per 50 kg bag, even when the fertiliser is still subsidised. 

Mr Speaker, you may also wish to know that over US$24 million was actually realised from this year’s tobacco sales by the people of Chipata, Lundazi and Vubwi districts. All this is surely attributed to the prompt and pro-poor policies of the Government of His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata.

Sir, on page 19 of Volume 2 of the President’s Speech, His Excellency the President pointed out that the fish farm in Nyanje area of Petauke has been renovated, just as well it was recapitalised. This is aimed at promoting diversification from growing maize to non-traditional farming enterprises among our farmers. 

Mr Speaker, on page 18 of Volume 2 of the President’s Speech, he said: 

“To combat livestock diseases, the Government has embarked on constructing 175 dip-tanks and rehabilitating 324 throughout the country. Through Statutory Instrument, Number 24 of 2014, vaccination of animals against diseases is now compulsory. The Government is also promoting increased production of some vaccines locally to meet the demand from farmers.”

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President reiterated the commitment to combat diseases. I would also wish to state that from all these figures that I have put across, 60 per cent of them are in the Southern Province and about 30 per cent in the Eastern Province. This is giving us 90 per cent of these projects in both the Southern and Eastern provinces. What else can someone do than this for us to appreciate? 

Sir, let me talk about water and sanitation under local government. His Excellency the President categorically talked about the boreholes that the Government has drilled and those that it is still drilling. In the Eastern Province, the boreholes are being drilled in all the districts.  Districts such as Chadiza, Mambwe and Lundazi, which actually got 1.5 million euros for borehole construction, have got better chunks. Dams are also under construction in Lundazi, Petauke and Chipata. There is a major water project in Katete which is funded at a cost of 7.5 million Euros under a loan from Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KFW). Nyimba and Chadiza have similar water projects which are valued at 7 million euros. These projects will turn around the suffering that the people of Katete, Nyimba and Chadiza have been facing in the last fifty years of independence. As a result of this, the people are saying that they are going to celebrate the Golden Jubilee as opposed to the United National Party for Development (UNPD) who will be busy mourning the loss of the Zambezi West Seat.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichone: Mr Speaker, for the first time in the last twenty-three years, the people of Nyimba, Mambwe, Vubwi and Sinda have seen the construction of houses under the district councils. The people of Mambwe, Lundazi, Chipata, Vubwi, Nyimba, Chadiza and Katete have seen the construction of township roads since Independence, in some cases.

Sir, for the first time in the history of this country, ambulances have been procured and distributed to all the hospitals.

Interruptions

Mr Sichone: Mr Speaker, in some cases, rural health centres have received ambulances as opposed to the days where some hon. Members of Parliament were procuring ambulances using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). For the first time, we have a medical hub in Chipata where drugs are distributed by the Medical Stores Limited. For the first time, the people of Nyimba, Lundazi, Chadiza and Chipata districts have seen district hospitals being constructed and some of them even completed. What else can people ask for in the three years of governance? 

Mr Speaker, with regards to the Social Cash Transfer Scheme, the people of the Eastern Province and, particularly, in my constituency, Isoka, have been asking where the MMD was taking money. This is because, currently, they understand why it was necessary to remove the fuel subsidies. The people out there have actually appreciated and they have seen the benefits of removing fuel subsidies. This benefit is directly passed on from the transporters to the people. The direct cash injection that is being experienced in these districts and constituencies has greatly been appreciated by the people. All this is attributed to the good governance of His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichone: Mr Speaker, in the Eastern Province, it is difficult to find anyone to work as a garden boy because all the employable youths in the province are now working as employees on the Luangwa/Petauke, Petauke/Mutenguleni and Mutenguleni/Mwami roads. Since Independence, the Vubwi/Chipata Road has never been rehabilitated, but it is being upgraded to a bituminous road as well as the Chadiza/ Chipata Road, notwithstanding the fact that the Chama/Lundazi Road via Egi ChickenI in Chasefu Constituency …

Laughter

Mr Sichone: … has reached advanced levels of procurement.

Hon. Government Members: Egi Chickeni.

Mr Sichone: Mr Speaker, other employable youths are working on all other construction sites in the province. What else can someone offer to people to see and appreciate than this in three years? Where I come from we say, ‘Uwushitasha mwana wandoshi’ implying that whoever does not appreciate, is a son or daughter of a witch or wizard.

Mr Speaker, the issue of the Value Added Tax (VAT) Refunds cannot go without comment. It has sparked unnecessary debates everywhere in the country and these discussions were sparked by the patriotism and transparency that the current hon. Finance Minister exhibited by telling the nation the truth.

Mr Mwila: Yes!

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichone: It is unfortunate that people that thrive on malice and treachery chose to mare a statutory obligation with all available falsehoods. VAT has to be refunded. The past hon. Finance Ministers were …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order on my right!

Mr Sichone: … paying back the VAT refunds nickodemously without the nation knowing. Is transparency a sin? Let us support each other for the interest of those children out there who will never be UPND, United National Independence Party (UNIP), MMD or PF. 

Mr Speaker, the mining firms have their own obligations and let us work together to ensure that they all meet their obligations than relating the VAT refund to issues that require investigations like the mining cartels we are reading about in the newspapers.

Mr Speaker, it is worrying how much people in this country love talking, especially this talking that we are experiencing now. Talking too much is regressive. Also, when opposing, state what the counter policy on such matters should be, as you imagine, than just opposing for the sake of it. People are saying that what can the Opposition now offer young Zambians, worse off, those who even served in the Government, but failed? Let us be patriotic to Mother Zambia and minimise talking. Let us emulate His Excellency the President, Mr Micheal Chilufya Sata, who talks less, but does more.

Mr Mwila: Hear, hear!
 
Mr Sichone: Mr Speaker, I am sure the chatterers are surprised that with no press conference in three years, things are happening logically. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichone: We must be productive and let us inspire the born-free young people in this country by being productive than just talking. Talking is not going to take us anywhere. We have never seen a single structure or building built using verbal blocks. We have to be practical. 

Mr Speaker, I end by saying that the Eastern Province, regardless of external shocks, has remained united …

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichone: … and united it shall remain, as one people. I beg to move.

I thank you, Sir.
    
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister for the Southern Province (Mr Mukombwe): Mr Speaker, may I thank you most heartily for affording me an opportunity to support the President’s Speeches of volumes one and two. However, I firstly want to congratulate the newly-elected hon. Members of Parliament for Zambezi West, Solwezi Central, Kasenengwa, Vubwi, Mkushi South and Mangango. They have come to join us to speak on behalf of their people.

Mr Speaker, it is natural for an hon. Member of Parliament whether in the Front, Middle or Back Bench to make demands on development projects on behalf of the people. I represent the Southern Province and I am the Minister there. When certain developments become evident in a particular area, for instance, the Bottom Road, it is sinful for another hon. Member of Parliament to say that he/she is tired of the song of the Bottom Road. Are they also going to begin saying that they are tired of hearing about the Monze/Niko Road, which is being worked on? Are they going to say that? Let each hon. Member of Parliament speak for his or her constituency.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, it is also known that the plateau area of the Southern Province is much more developed than the Gwembe Valley of the Southern Province. It is also a fact that if you went to Dundumwezi Constituency, over almost a hundred villages have, at least, a minimum of five vehicles in each village. That is what I called ‘cantermania’ or ‘fusomania’ the last time. 

Laughter

Mr Munkombwe: Some people thought I was dreaming, but I got so popular in that particular area. 

Mr Speaker, let me now talk about the legacy of His Excellency the President, Mr Micheal Sata, for the Gwembe Valley people. They had not seen a bus in the last forty-seven years, but they can now move from Sikongo/Simamba Junction right up to Sunro by bus. The tarmac road now stretches 55 km …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: … and the grading of the road breaking off has left Siavonga District and is heading into Munyumbwe. By the way, we recently signed another contract …

Mr Kampyongo: Yes!

Mr Munkombwe: … to get results of the Bottom Road which we, in the previous Governments of UNIP and the MMD under Dr Chiluba, Dr Mwanawasa, SC., and Mr Rupiah Banda, under which I served, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: … failed to work on for forty-seven years.

Hon. UPND Members:  Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: People are now riding on buses up to Sianyolo.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: The hon. Member of Siavonga, I think, can confirm that development.

Mr Hamudulu: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Therefore, Sir, His Excellency the President, Mr Micheal Sata, will leave that legacy for the people of the Gwembe Valley. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President, Mr Sata, will also leave a legacy of the Bottom Road for the people of Monze, ChoOngo, Siamusonde and Nalubamba which has been their cry.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: That legacy will not be taken away by anybody. 

You see your value in politics when you subject yourself to an election. However, if you are always a bad number four or five, then, you should ask yourself what your worth in politics is.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Sir, politics is a game in which I have personally been involved for the last sixty-one years, since 1953, and so, I know how to gauge political popularity. When you go to an election, the people in that particular area will grade you and put you where you belong. Although it is not one-man-one vote, it is one-person-one vote.

Mr Speaker, in the Southern Province, last year, we got the largest share of the 2014 budgetary allocation.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Whether you like it or not, that is the truth. You know, in Tonga we have a saying which says, “Cishyu cibi cimanwa nsima,” which means you will continue eating a bad relish for as long as there is nshima to go with it until you finish it.

Laughter

Mr Munkombwe: It is only after you are satisfied that you will kick the plate and say, “Kamutola uko chitiba chanu,” which means move away your plate from here.

Laughter

Mr Munkombwe: Sir, it is also wrong to think that anybody who is in the Government becomes an automatic sell-out. That is wrong. I am more solicitous for the people of the Southern Province than some of the people in the Opposition. Sometimes, remarks are made emotionally and not intentionally and so, when my good friend, His Honour the Vice-President, made a remark about the Tongas being a minority group, I was annoyed.

Mr Mutelo: Oho?

Mr Munkombwe: Yes, I was because I am part and more representative of the people of the Southern Province than most of you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: So, when the Tongas are pricked, I get annoyed.

Mr Lufuma rose.

Interruptions

Hon. Government Members: Ikala panshi, iwe.

Mr Lufuma resumed his seat.

Hon. Government Member: Are you Tonga yourself?

Mr Munkombwe: Sir, when you are an hon. Member of Parliament, you are like a co-operative. So, my appeal to all of us here is that let us not denounce each other in a manner that demeans, …

Mr Lufuma: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised, although we try to really discourage points of order when individuals are making their speeches. However, hon. Member, you may have your point of order.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament and hon. Deputy Minister for the Southern Province rightly says that he continues to eat meat that is rotten. Basically, the PF is rotten, but he continues to eat from there. Is he in order to say that he is more representative of the people of the Southern Province than the elected hon. Members when he was only nominated by one person?

Sir, I need your serious ruling.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Well, when you have the opportunity, at some point, you can rebut what he is saying. I do not think I should be brought into these arguments.

You may continue, hon. Deputy Minister.

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, you get nominated in order to patch up a gap. Professor Goma was nominated more than five times to stabilise the Government.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: General Chinkuli was nominated more than four times to stabilise the Government. So, I think I am worth it.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Munkombwe remained standing.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Sit down. Why do you want to leave when I am saying order?

Laughter

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the Chair]

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, this question of being nominated is brought up almost all the time. You know, presidents are not foolish. In order to stabilise the Government, they nominate some people. Dr Joseph Kasonde is nominated, Mr Alexander Chikwanda is nominated and so is Daniel Munkombwe. You need to be somebody to continue being nominated.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Sir, let me tell you the result of a docile hon. Member of Parliament. I withdraw the word ‘docile’ and replace it with ‘inactive’. I want to talk about an hon. Member of Parliament who does not bargain. The power to bargain lies here in this House and so, you have to ably represent your people here. When you come to this House, you must debate strongly and make demands on behalf of your people. I know that many people have learnt the art of bargaining and, so development is taking place. If you go into Monze, now, you will see that the urban roads are being worked on.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: When these roads are worked on, the people there will not say that the works happened in the absence of an hon. Member. Hon. Jack Mwiimbu will claim that these roads were worked on when he was Member of Parliament for that area. When the Monze/Niko Road is worked on, Hon. Hamududu and Hon. Mwiimbu will take the glory but, of course, with me as Minister in charge of that province.

Laughter

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, Hon. Siamunene and Hon. Hamudulu are the people who are qualified to speak for the Gwembe Valley. Hon. Siamunene will speak for Sinazongwe while Hon. Hamudulu will speak for Siavonga. They must make demands on behalf of the people of the Gwembe Valley. 

Mr Speaker, let me tell you about an experience of a former hon. Member of Parliament for Namwala Parliamentary Constituency, who was highly respected. However, in another area, we had the opposite of him. This hon. Member for Namwala made demands on behalf of his people such that a tarmac was put right up to the boundary of Choma, and yet with his counterpart, there was no tarmac for over three years, except for where the late Baldwin Nkumbula left it. May his soul rest in peace. 

Hon. Members, you were elected to bargain, and I am an artist in bargaining. When I was Member of Parliament, I convinced Dr Kaunda that we were 100 miles from Mazabuka, 117 miles from Livingstone and 110 miles from Namwala, and we wanted, ….

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Let us desist from debating ourselves.

You may continue.

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, some hon. Members on your left debated issues which were, sometimes, surprising. We do not want to be stagnant. We want to leave a legacy that in the five years that we have been in a certain position, there was tangible development for all to see. So, please, learn to bargain. Speak strongly, but learn to bargain. If you do not, you will be singing empty songs that are of no value to your people.

Mr Speaker, when you go to Livingstone now, you will see that the urban roads such as Matobolo and Maramba roads have been worked on. This was done with the help of the United Nations World Trade Organisation (UNWTO). However, at the end of the day, the man who will take the credit for this is Hon. Lawrence Evans.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: No one can say that he was not there when this was being done. 

Laughter 

Mr Munkombwe: Sir, recently, some people have been expressing worry about certain things to do with our party. Why should they worry about problems in the Patriotic Front (PF)? Problems are there in every party and when there are some skirmishes anywhere, including Livingstone, that is healthy.

Laughter 

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, we should, however, desist from encouraging violence in whatever form. Let us argue peacefully and learn to live together. Those hon. Members of Parliament (referring to hon. UPND Members) there respect me and I respect them, despite having left their party. I do not even talk about them in villages. For hon. Members’ information, I am the one who founded the United Party for National Development (UPND).

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. UPND Members laughed.

Mr Munkombwe: That is true. The late former president of the UPND joined the party nine months after it was formed. So, I take glory for that. This man (referring to Hon. Mwenya) was the first provincial chairperson of the UPND on the Copperbelt. So, we are interrelated.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Therefore, we should not denounce people to a point whereby they do not even greet us anymore. Let us learn to live together because we are all human beings. A few years back, some people were on this side of the House, but they are now on the other side. It is up to them to work out the mechanism of how they can come back here.

Laughter 

Mr Munkombwe: However, the history of African political parties shows that when a party is finished, it is finished for good. The African National Congress (ANC) in Zambia is a good example. When the party of my mentor, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, finished, we were wondering why this person (pointing at Col. Kaunda) left.

Laughter 

Mr Munkombwe: He knew why. So, when a party finishes, it is a miracle to bring it back.

Laughter 

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, I heard some people talking about the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in Livingstone …

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order! Order!

Let us allow the hon. Member to continue reading his speech.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!   

Mr Munkombwe: If the FRA fails to pay farmers, I am also greatly affected because I am a crop producer. However, the agency has worked out a scheme of payment. It was picking about fifty people to pay at a time. It has now increased to 100 people, a time and I am sure that by the end of this month, everybody will be paid.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, as regards the livestock industry in the Southern Province, I think that the incidence of animal of diseases has stabilised, except …

Dr Kaingu: What? Diseases stabilising?

Mr Munkombwe: Yes, diseases have stabilised and animals are not dying any more, except in the Kazungula area where restrictions continue to be imposed. The Government is working hard to change that situation.

Mr Speaker, what is it that an individual can do in order to influence the society in which he or she lives? You need to be exemplary, avoid sarcasm and hatred. You have to lead a clean lifestyle. I have tried, as far as is humanly possible, to be clean. I am not perfect and have weaknesses, but those weaknesses should be minimised. That goes for all of us. So, we should not denounce one another, but talk to each other in a civilized manner. 

Mr Speaker, those who inflate their stature in politics easily fail to make it. Politics is a chain. If you want to get to the top, you need to be patient. You need to first pass through the mill of political experience and that is what will make you a leader. It is not right to think that, today, you can be the President of this country when you have no political experience. Let us be products of political systems. A political system will either make or unmake us, as leaders. That is my advice to all hon. Members of this House. We all belong to this House.

Mr Speaker, when you go to Namwala, you will find that the people in her constituency (pointing at Hon. Lubezhi), have built very nice houses. There are very few people who have such houses in the whole country, hon. Members of Parliament included. So, Namwala is developing while Hon. Lubezhi is the hon. Member of Parliament for that constituency and credit will go to her for that. So, why should she fight us? If you continue doing that, you will be the loser at the end of the day.

Laughter 

Mr Munkombwe: I have already achieved enough in life and have sufficient people who support me. Whether someone does not like me and may get up against me, they are in the minority.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister of Gender and Child Development (Mrs Banda): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank you for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to the contributions that have been made, so far, by many other hon. Members of this august House on the Address of our President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata. 

Mr Speaker, in acknowledging the progress made in various sectors, I wish to thank His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, President of the Republic of Zambia, and the Patriotic Front (PF) Government for improving people’s lives through various developmental projects taking place countrywide. This demonstrates progressive political will and commitment to the prosperity of this country, including attaining of gender equality and empowerment of women as well as the survival, development and protection of children.

Mr Speaker, to underscore the importance of the agriculture sector, sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction, the Government, through the Ministry of Gender and Child Development, commissioned an assessment of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). This assessment revealed that a total of 241,700 females compared to 437,600 male beneficiaries were recorded between 2005 and 2009, representing a 35.58 per cent difference. In the same case study, for every bag of fertiliser given to a woman, a man received two bags, showing serious shortcomings in the beneficiary identification process.

Mr Speaker, this contrasts with the overwhelming evidence showing that about 70 per cent of the production of food crops in Zambia is done by women. The skewedness is not so much about the flaws in the objectives of the FISP, but rather a programme management issue, which I am confident that the competent authorities are addressing as this information has been shared.            

Mr Speaker, as custodian of the National Child Policy, my ministry is tasked with the overall responsibility of child survival, development and protection.

In addition, the ministry has the mandate to address issues of children on the street. This august House may wish to know that studies and inspection reports show that one of the root causes that encourage children to earn a living on streets is vulnerability due to high poverty levels and break down of family values in our communities.

It is a fact, Mr Speaker, that almost all the children living on the streets can be traced back to particular families or homes. Therefore, my ministry is paying particular attention to addressing the root causes as a sustainable way of reducing the number of children on the streets. However, this measure requires huge resources for effective and equal participation of all arms of the Government and other stakeholders.

Mr Speaker, in the past two years, my ministry has engaged all stakeholders on the need to institute policy, programme and administrative measures aimed at equal participation of males and females in national development. One such critical area is access to and control of productive resources such as land. I wish to commend the efforts by the Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection for responding to the Presidential directive made on 8th March, 2014, during the commemoration of the International Women’s Day to empower more women with land.

Mr Kapeya: Hear, hear!

Mrs Banda: I am glad to note that the hon. Minister responsible has since directed local authorities’ countrywide to allocate 10 per cent of the available land to women in addition to the 30 per cent allocation policy.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Banda: Mr Speaker, this measure progressively brings Zambia closer to attaining the 50:50 requirement to gender equality as enshrined in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development which the PF Government ratified in September, 2012.

In this regard, Mr Speaker, my ministry has already established the Planning and Information Department which will work closely with ministries, provinces and spending agencies to monitor the implementation of such and other measures.

I urge other sectors to continue improving current measures and even institute new ones so that men and women countrywide are given space to harness opportunities to improve their livelihoods and reduce poverty, especially in rural areas.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude my contribution to the debate on the Address by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, allow me to congratulate the victors in the recently-held by-elections in the six Parliamentary Constituencies.

Particularly, Mr Speaker, we are proud of the victories of the PF’s Hon. Christabel Ngimbu, Member of Parliament for Zambezi West, Hon. Margaret Miti, Member of Parliament for Vubwi and the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD’s) Hon. Victoria Kalima, Member of Parliament for Kasenengwa, as female Members of Parliament in that they bring inspiration to women and girls across the country.

Prof. Luo: Hear, hear!

Mrs Banda: These victories clearly demonstrate that when political parties are willing to give men and women equal opportunities to contest for electoral positions from ward to Parliamentary levels and are given the necessary support, women can perform as well as men or even better.

In acknowledging this great victory by the female candidates, Mr Speaker, I wish to pay special tribute to all the political parties who gave women an opportunity to offer themselves to the public as leaders alongside men. This is a key step in increasing the level of women leaders as decision-makers in society, starting at lower political party structures to the topmost levels.

As we look to the future, we need to continue improving our governance record by creating an inclusive environment. Drawing lessons from past achievements, our desire is to attain gender equity and equality in all spheres of socio-economic development and to fulfill the requirements of all regional and international instruments which Zambia is party to.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Mr Speaker, allow me to begin by congratulating the newly-elected hon. Members of Parliament and welcoming them to the House.

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, President of the Republic of Zambia, sounded the biblical Ram’s Horn trumpet on the Floor of this House to signal the year of our Golden Jubilee. He summoned us to live by true virtues and values, which are the meaning of the golden year, and to build a healthy nation with productive people.

The Ministry of Health has the National Health Policy which was launched in 2014 in line with the PF Manifesto. This policy elaborates the direction that the Ministry of Health shall follow for the next foreseeable future in line with Vision 2030 to make Zambia a prosperous middle income country. 

In his opening address, His Excellency the President gave the Government Policy direction that we focus on four key areas, namely reducing maternal mortality, eliminating malaria, eliminating mother-to-child transmission of the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) and elimination of drug stock-outs and supplies.

Mr Speaker, in line with the PF Manifesto and the re-aligned National Health Strategic Plan 2011 to 2016, we are approaching the targets set for us using a health system strengthening approach. We are judiciously investing in the building blocks of a robust health system, namely the human resources, financing of the health sector, the supply chain of medicines, health information systems and infrastructure.

Mr Speaker, allow me to thank His Excellency the President for reiterating the Government’s commitment to providing high quality and cost-effective health care as close to the family as possible. This, for us, means that we must ensure primary health care is working while at the same time investing in modernising our specialised hospitals to capacitate them to perform advanced medical services.

Sir, His Excellency the President informed the House that thirty new district hospitals were under construction and a further eight are coming on board. We are glad to report that the eight additional hospitals are at contract award stage.

Mr Speaker, the PF Government does not believe in perpetuating shortages of medicines. In order to alleviate stock-out of essential medicines and drugs, and to facilitate last mile delivery of essential medicines to the end user, His Excellency reported to this august House that we have established two regional hubs for Medical Stores Limited. We have since opened a third one in Mongu and have identified other regional centres which will bring the total number of hubs to six.

We have decentralised Medical Stores Limited in order to improve availability and accessibility to medicines to the Zambian citizens. Currently, health centres in three provinces are being supplied directly by Medical Stores Limited unlike previously where the Medical Stores Limited had to off load through the district health office. This has shortened the time it takes for medicines to reach our people. We intend to extend this model further throughout the country.

His Excellency the President mentioned the strides that we are making in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of the HIV and further directed that our goal should be the elimination of this transmission. In order to achieve this ambitious, but extremely necessary goal, we are implementing the test and treat model. Further, we have increased the local treasury contribution to the HIV drug budget from less than 5 per cent, in 2008, to 30 per cent of the total Zambian requirement for anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs in 2014.

Mr Speaker, the PF Government’s commitment to the improvement of availability of the ARVs is evidenced by the procurement of K225 million worth of ARVs in 2014 to support the HIV treatment. We intend to keep on raising the bar until we eliminate the HIV in Zambia. 

Mr Speaker, with all the resources we are putting in place, we are prudently investing in new supply systems that are aimed at improving efficiencies in the supply chain of medicines. As a result of our concerted efforts, we have reduced the rate of mother-to-child transmission from more than 35 per cent of fifteen years ago, to less than 10 per cent in 2014. We are focused on achieving the directive, as given by His Excellency the President to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of the HIV. 

Mr Speaker, His Excellency directed that we must reduce maternal mortality. I am glad to announce that, according to the latest Zambia Demographic Health Survey results which we began receiving this month, the maternal mortality ratio has reduced from 591 per 100,000 live births in 2007 to 398 per 100,000 live births currently. This means that the number of women dying from complications relating to pregnancy is reducing. 

In addition, Sir, the infant mortality ratio has reduced from 70 per 1,000 to 45 per 1,000 live births from 2007 to date. This means that fewer children are dying before they reach the age of one year. We intend to continue building upon this success by delivering on our promise to prioritise health as the fulcrum for national development. 

Mr Speaker, we have prioritised primary health care to ensure that no woman, child or, indeed, any citizen is left behind in accessing health care. Under the PF Government, the actual construction of the 650 health posts has commenced alongside the new hospitals being built countrywide.

Mr Speaker, I am cognisant of the Presidential directive that we must eliminate malaria in Zambia. It remains the major cause of ill health in Zambia, particularly among children below the age of five years. To this end, we intend to invest over K130 million per year during our current National Health Strategic Plan, 2011 to 2016.

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President made mention of the major developmental projects that are underway, ranging from district hospitals, nursing schools, universities and the modernisation of the major hospitals. Allow me to inform the House that the PF Government intends to do business differently. The construction of roads, housing and infrastructure for safe water and investment in agriculture are all going to impact on our primary health care.

Investment in infrastructure means that Zambians will have improved access to services in food security to better livelihoods. These are the social determinants of health and we are, indeed, approaching health holistically as we couple this with new health facilities. This is as espoused in the AMA ALTER Declaration of 1978 where eminent scholars sat to chart the way forward on how to develop young countries. Allow me, Mr Speaker, to inform the House that our own Dr Joseph Kasonde, MP, was in that meeting and contributed significantly to that declaration.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, we will work hard to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent disease before resorting to the costly and painful curative and rehabilitative avenues in our health care continuum. The new developments will enhance service delivery and improve referrals to higher levels, which we are also modernising.

Mr Speaker, allow me to mention that as we talk about healthy lifestyles, hon. Members of Parliament need to lead the way in fighting non-communicable diseases by discouraging smoking, excessive use of alcohol, …

Hon Member: Katema!

Dr Chilufya: … physical inactivity and bad diets that result in obesity. 

Mr Speaker, this means that for the PF Government, our approach to the health of Zambians is through the continuum of care, right from the community up to the highest referral hospitals. This is the reason we are continuously investing in high level hospitals, training schools, human resource development and innovative use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in order to modernise a world class service, save Zambian lives and reduce on the need for treatment abroad. These high quality services are intended to be rolled out to all the provinces.

Mr Speaker, let me turn to some of our compatriots on your left who have given in to the toxic and contagious temptation of political blindness. The blurring of vision is worrisome. As I said earlier on, thirty hospitals are under construction and these include Milenge District Hospital.  

Mr Speaker, the other hospitals that have just been completed include Choma General Hospital. 

Hon. Government Member: Imagine!

Dr Chilufya: Livingstone General Hospital has now been up-scaled to a third level hospital and is a tertiary institution. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, Kazungula District, which has never had a first level hospital since time immemorial, has the first ever district hospital under construction this year. Lukulu District Hospital is nearly complete. Mulobezi District Hospital is under construction. Contractors will be mobilising in Mafinga District in a few weeks time.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Chilufya: Sir, Namwala District Hospital is almost ready for commissioning. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Lubezhi pointed at the MMD. 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, amongst the many training institutions we are building in this country, the first one which is complete and will be enrolling by January is in Senanga. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Government Members: Sure?

Dr Chilufya: The actual construction of 650 health posts has taken off. Mr Speaker, ambulances have been equitably distributed, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Chilufya: … including two for Rufunsa District.

Mr Chipungu: After fighting so hard.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Chilufya: I was wondering which ambulances the hon. Member wanted from the Ministry of Home Affairs when he got two ambulances from the Ministry of Health.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, our pursuit of equity is on the wall for all to see, but the political blindness is inhibiting our compatriots on your left from seeing the steady progress that His Excellency President Michael Sata, and the PF have posted in the health sector.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, our best years lie ahead. We have only done three years. Let us, therefore, raise our collective brow, commit our honour, our resources and our fortunes to the realisation of the Zambian dream premised on a healthy and productive citizenry, as articulated eloquently by His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister of Tourism and Art (Mr Evans): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to add the voice of Livingstone to this debate.

Mr Mushanga: Chililalila.

Mr Evans: Mr Speaker, allow me to contribute to the debate on the Motion of Thanks in support of His Excellency the President’s Address to the House. 

Mr Chishimba: Not ukulila, iwe.

Mr Evans: I wish to start by commending His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, for delivering a well-articulated speech with specific reference to the gains recorded in the tourism sector in the past three years of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government’s rule.

Mr Speaker, let me also congratulate the six hon. Members of Parliament who have come to the House. I wish them good luck as they dispense their duties in their constituencies.

Mr Speaker, we should not live in denial. For a long time, the PF Government has spoken about the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project and the Bottom Road. How can we improve our tourism sector if our colleagues are living in denial? They are denying the fact that these roads are being worked on, and yet the PF Government is trying to take development to these areas in support of the tourism sector. 

Sir, I think that what you actually need to do is support the Government so that it brings these developments to your areas and employ the people that elected you into power.

Mr Speaker, as the House is aware, the focus of the Government is to create jobs for its people, especially amongst the youths. In this regard, tourism alongside other sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining and construction have been prioritised as key for job creation. Therefore, I am pleased to state that the tourism sector recorded an increase in employment by 82.1 per cent on account of enhanced investment in the hospitality industry, driven by the conducive business environment.

Mr Speaker, the merging of the portfolios of tourism, art and culture by the PF Government was a move in the right direction, yielding positive results. The creative economy expressed through music, food, fashion, cultural expressions such as dances, film, and visual art, provided other opportunities for self-employment to many of our talented people. The Ministry of Tourism and Art is implementing programmes aimed at harnessing and developing the potential of this ministry. As an avenue of job creation, 3,815 artists and culture practitioners were supported through the provision of grants to enable them to increase their output. In addition, the ministry completed the construction of various facilities, that is, Masala Cultural Village in Ndola, Maramba Cultural Village in the great Livingstone and an art gallery in Livingstone to provide the much-needed multi-purpose facilities as well as performing and trading spaces.

Mr Speaker, in our quest to increase employment opportunities for our people, the ministry is promoting the fashion industry by introducing the fashion week. The fashion industry is a huge global industry with strong forward and backward linkages into the domestic economy. The fashion week is now a fixed event on our national calendar and with the right policies in place, the event has the potential to create permanent and decent jobs for seamstresses whose manufactured creative garments spur the textile industry back to life and support cotton growers. This is innovative and I would like to urge all of us here to support the growing industry.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Kufuna): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the speech delivered by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, during the official opening of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly. 

Mr Speaker, before I contribute to the debate on the President’s Speech, allow me to join my colleagues in conveying my heartfelt condolences over the death of Hon. Dr Patrick Chikusu to his family and this August House. He was the hon. Member of Parliament for Katuba Constituency. Many of us will remember him for his passion for improved health care delivery in this country and as the hon. Deputy Minister of Health, he effectively played his role. May his soul rest in peace.

Mr Speaker, I also wish to warmly welcome the newly-elected hon. Members of Parliament to this House. Congratulations on their well-deserved victories.

Mr Speaker, I stand here to support the speech delivered by His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, particularly on his continued prioritisation of infrastructure development projects. It is a well-known fact that no country can effectively reduce poverty and promote socio-economic development without developing its infrastructure for improved social services delivery. The massive infrastructure development taking place in this country is evidence of real development taking place that will contribute to the improvement of the welfare of the majority of people. As His Excellency the President indicated, the construction and rehabilitation of the road network, under the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project, Pave Zambia 2,000 km Road Project and the L400 km Road Project are progressing well and benefits have already started accruing to users and the country at large. The good roads which have not been seen before in this country are being constructed and Zambia is truly being transformed into a modern country. The Lusaka Inner Ring Road Project is nearing completion and with various road works going on under the L400 km Road Project. The road network in Lusaka will greatly contribute to transport efficiency and safety. This is good for economic development. 

Mr Speaker, this development is not only in Lusaka, but also various parts of the country. For instance, the Government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, is currently facilitating the construction of over 2,178 km of township and feeder roads at an estimated cost of K1.1 billion in various districts. Of the 2,178 km roads, a total km of 1,400 km are feeder roads, while urban roads are 778 km. Construction of feeder roads includes the construction of river crossings and foot bridges to improve mobility and accessibility of rural communities to social amenities such as health centres, schools and agriculture depots. There is no doubt that the PF Government is delivering the much-needed development to all parts of the country.

Mr Speaker, it is not only in the road sector that the PF Government has delivered unprecedented development. For the past three years, the PF Government has been facilitating the construction of, at least, 2,500 boreholes equipped with hand pumps in rural communities countrywide every year. The rehabilitation and construction of water supply and sewerage infrastructure for all  the eleven water utility companies is also taking place to serve urban communities better. As a result of these measures, almost all water utility companies, with the exception of Chambeshi, Luapula and Western water and sewerage companies, are providing water to their customers on an average of eighteen hours per day. 

Mr Speaker, our target, according to the Revised Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) 2013/2016, is that by 2016, 85 per cent of the urban and peri-urban population should have access to safe water supply, while 70 per cent should have access to adequate sanitation. It is also our desire that 75 per cent of rural communities should have access to safe water supply, while 60 per cent should have access to adequate sanitation. I am confident that with the planning and budgeting priority accorded to the water and sanitation sector, we will achieve the targeted universal access to these life enhancing services by 2030. This will enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life for our people.

Mr Speaker, the creation of new districts by His Excellency is one landmark decision that will facilitate improved service delivery to all parts of the country. As a result of this decision, many infrastructure development programmes are taking place in the newly-created districts while in others, such developments are being planned for. For instance, the Government is constructing 180 housing units in seventeen newly-created districts at a total cost of K73 million. 

The construction of houses will be supported by other facilities such as water supply and sanitation facilities, markets and bus stations. Currently, a total of nineteen markets and bus stations have either been constructed or are in the process of being constructed at a total cost of about K140 million. 

Mr Speaker, the accelerated infrastructure development taking place in this country is not by accident. It is as a result of a deliberate policy direction by His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, as demonstrated by his consistent prioritisation of the infrastructure development agenda in his addresses to this House for the past three years. Infrastructure development is the legacy that His Excellency the President, Mr Sata, and the PF Government will leave for both current and future generations.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufuna: Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I wish to urge all hon. Members of this House to continue supporting the various development measures which were ably set out by His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya  Sata, during his address to this House because they are aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable development. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Mr Mwango): Mr Speaker, I thank you for affording me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address to this House. 

Mr Speaker, allow me to join my colleagues in congratulating the new hon. Members of Parliament on their victory. The people of Zambia have, in a way, given feedback to the Government by giving us four of the six seats in the recent by-elections. 

Sir, I wish to thank the people of Mangango, Zambezi West, Vubwi, Mkushi South, Kasenengwa and Solwezi Central. We are in a democracy and the people are free to vote for the parties of their choice. 

Mr Mwila: They like PF more. 

Mr Mwango:  In this case, they have demonstrated that they like Patriotic Front (PF). 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: Mufalali, uleumfwa?{mospagebreak}

Mr Mwango: Mr Speaker, the President’s Speech, an address to the nation on the state of this country, was very inspiring. His Excellency the President has reported back to the nation on the achievements of the PF from 2011 to date. 

On page 1 of Volume I of the speech, and in paragraph 3, His Excellency the President said: 

“This Session of Parliament comes at time when our country will be celebrating fifty years of independence on 24th October, this year. I am glad that such a momentous and historic occasion is coming when the Patriotic Front has the privilege of governing this great nation. It is my hope that the Golden Jubilee Celebrations will provide an opportunity for the people of Zambia to reflect on where we are coming from and plan where we want Zambia to be in the next fifty years.”

Mr Speaker, the PF has ruled for only three years and some people might confuse these three years for the fifty years of independence. This Government has only managed this nation for three years and the people are happy such that wherever we go, we are commended. I have travelled around this country and have heard people congratulate the PF by saying, “You have done it,” as opposed to the twenty and twenty-seven years of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) and the United National Independence Party (UNIP), respectively. If the people of Zambia give us the next two years, we will be able to fulfill our promises to them.  

Mr Speaker, only those who opt to close their eyes and pretend not to see what this Government has done, thus far, will condemn this speech in which His Excellency the President highlights his Government’s achievements in the last three years. 

Mr Speaker, development has no finish line. We, of course, appreciate what UNIP and the MMD did during their tenures, but this Government’s development agenda has just begun. The PF has brought development closer to the people of Zambia, as opposed to UNIP and the MMD. They are able to see, feel and experience what this Government is doing, as opposed to the previous Governments.  

Sir, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia reported to this House and the nation at large the mid-term achievements of the PG rule. In doing so, he has dared us, all of us in this House, to judge him if what is contained in his speech are not tangible results or the truth. 

Mr Speaker, in Volume I of the speech, and on page 10, His Excellency the President said: 

“Government continues to give priority to national food security by increasing and upgrading storage capacity throughout the country. In this regard, Government has invested a total of K108.5 million to upgrade twenty-seven storage sheds with a total storage capacity of 117,000 metric tonnes. Eight of these sheds have been completed whilst nineteen will be completed by the end of this year.

Last year, I informed this august House that the Government planned to bring 17,500 hectares under irrigation for small and medium-scale farmers by 2016. Further, I stated that out of this target, 4,500 hectares had been brought under irrigation.”

Mr Speaker, these are facts. These are things that we are able to see and feel. It is something that Zambians have not experienced in the last forty-seven years. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwango: I know that some of the hon. Members have missed an opportunity to debate the President’s Speech and instead elected to discuss other issues not contained therein. 

However, Sir, allow me to respond to some of the concerns raised by some of the hon. Members on your left. First and foremost, I wish to agree with Hon. Hamudulu when he said that people are not going to cook politics in their pots. I want to add that they will not cook a new constitution either. 

Laughter 

Mr Mwango: Mr Speaker, what the Zambian people are looking for is good food on their tables, good health facilities, good roads and good schools.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwango: Sir, these are facilities that can reduce poverty. It is not a good constitution that will reduce poverty, for now. A lot of damage has been done to this country in the past forty-seven years. People will not cook politics or a good Constitution, but food. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwango: Mr Speaker, I heard Hon. Mwiimbu from Monze Central bragging about his fourteen years in Parliament and he also lamented His Excellency the President not nominating a female parliamentarian to Cabinet. It is true, but I wish to bring to your attention the fact that, recently, two female hon. Members of Parliament were adopted by the PF and they won. In addition to that, His Excellency the President has appointed women to influential positions, for example, the Inspector-General of Police and many more provincial Commissioners of Police, …

Mr Kambwili: The Clerk of the National Assembly.

Mr Mwango: … the Clerk of the National Assembly, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwango: … the Director-General of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Director-General of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and many more are women. The list is endless. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwango: Mr Speaker, if you look at this House, we have more female hon. Members of Parliament on this side than the Opposition. The UPND only have two female hon. Members of Parliament.

Hon. Government Member: One and a half.

Mr Kambwili: One and a half? 

Interruptions 

Mr Kambwili: oho yamo ma men?

Mr Mwango: Mr Speaker, Hon. Mwiimbu says he has been in the House for fourteen years and since he has passion for women representation, he should relinquish his seat in the next elections and give a chance to a female candidate.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwango: Mr Speaker, let me conclude by wishing …

The Deputy Chairperson: Perhaps, as you continue you should bear in mind that the Constitution has placed no bar on how many times a Zambian can contest a parliamentary seat.

Mr Mwango: I am just responding, Mr Speaker.

The Deputy Chairperson: I am just correcting you.

You may continue.

Laughter 

Mr Mwango: Mr Speaker, I wish to conclude by wishing the Zambian people a happy fiftieth birthday.

I thank you, Sir. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Musukwa): Mr Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to contribute to the debate on the President’s Speech on the opening of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly. Let me join all the hon. Members of the House who have debated the Motion before me in congratulating His Excellency the President for delivering such a momentous speech.

Sir, I will be failing in my duties if I do not welcome all our new hon. Members of Parliament who have been elected to this House. I must mention, as I congratulate my colleagues, that the Patriotic Front (PF) triumphantly and convincingly won in the past by-elections.

Mr Speaker, my debate will concentrate on the achievements of the PF Government in the mining sector over the past three years on critical areas of focus in the industry just as my colleague, Hon. Charles Zulu, ably represented the ministry as regards the issues of energy and water development.

Sir, since the PF Government came to power, its focus has been to enhance monitoring and regulation in order to ensure benefits for our people, improve transparency in the industry, develop confidence among sector players and generate maximum revenue from the sector.

Mr Speaker, in this regard, the hon. Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development has already reviewed the policy and regulatory framework which commenced sometime ago and is now in operation. We now have a new policy in place, the Mineral Resource Development Policy, which was launched in September, 2013 by Hon. Christopher Yaluma, the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development. 

Sir, the review of the Mines and Minerals Development Act of 2008 and regulations has reached an advanced stage. In addition, regulations to improve reporting by mining rights holders were issued in relation to Statutory Instrument No. 34 of 2013 and Statutory Instrument No. 17 of 2014 with the purpose of ensuring that the PF Government has oversight on the industry. 

Mr Speaker, in a quest to ensure that the mining industry is supervised and that it improves its operations, the PF Government is taking due care to ensure that the investment environment remains conducive so that it can continue attracting investments. As we all know, the mining sector continues to play a critical role in the economy of our country. Therefore, any negative policies or laws, which simply play to the gallery, have adverse effects on the economy and the industry as a whole. 

Sir, as a Government mandated by the people of Zambia to preside over the Republic through an overwhelming landslide victory in 2011, we have a duty to critically examine all the inputs coming from stakeholders and ensure that in our quest to supervise in the industry, we do not kill the hen that lays the golden egg.

Mr Speaker, the policy that the PF Government has put in place and the legal framework underway is meant to ensure a vibrant and profitable mining industry which is rewarding to the investor and at the same time generates benefits for the people in line with the Presidential directive of ensuring a win-win scenario for the nation and the mining houses. 

Sir, the ministry is in the process of ensuring that it reduces the number of licences to be granted by the ministry. This measure is in line with business reforms aimed at attracting and promoting investment in the country. 

Mr Speaker, secondly, we, as a ministry, are in the process of changing the licence granting authority. This measure is intended to separate licensing from regulation. In the area of increasing prospecting licences and duration of licences from seven to ten years, this measure will address the problems faced by several mining houses that struggle to finish their exploration in time.

Sir, we are also in the process of introducing appeal procedures. With this provision, mining companies will have an opportunity to seek redress without always going to the courts of law, which has been detrimental, to ensure that these laborious issues are solved. To that effect, the appeals procedure will enhance this provision.

Mr Speaker, for a long time, we have noted that the mining industry has been bogged down by issues of non-compliance by some mining housing. Therefore, the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development has introduced penalties for non-compliance with regard to licensing in order to encourage mining houses to work on their tenements. 

Sir, on enhancing the provision for the promotion of local content, the Government is in the process of ensuring that it provides a legal framework of participation for its local contractors and suppliers. This provision will allow most of our local contractors and suppliers to play a significant role in terms of participation in the industry through contracts. 

Mr Speaker, my Government is also encouraging value-addition and local beneficiation in order to ensure that it uplifts the living standards of its people, especially host communities where mining takes place.

Mr Speaker, it is regrettable that as we are working to improve monitoring and regulation of the industry for the benefit of our people, issues of suspected under declaration by mining houses have arisen. To that effect, being a Government which is committed to ensuring maximum benefit from the nation’s mineral resources, we are taking these incidences as pointers to areas of focus and thereby strengthen our capacity in ensuring that we deliver to the expectations of the people.

Mr Speaker, as a Government, we will continue to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in the mining sector, but this will not be done at the expense of our people. The ministry is implementing the Mordernisation Programme which is focused on developing, monitoring and regulation tools and mechanisms to ensure development in the mining sector that will translate to the benefit of our people. Our objective is to ensure that the presence of the Government is feasible in every mining house to ensure that we avoid getting there only when we have a crisis, as the case has been in the past. 

Sir, Zambia is endowed with a variety of mineral resources. Apart from base metals, we have a wide range of gemstones, which are being exploited in many parts of our country. For a long time, there has been no orderly exploitation of these mineral resources. My ministry has devised mechanisms to ensure that an orderly and organised way of exploiting these resources will be undertaken and we envisage that this will bring marked results in terms of contribution to our economy and our National Treasury. 

Mr Speaker, my ministry is already working on a mechanism to increase the gemstone production and improve the marketing system. Some of these efforts are already bearing fruits. For the first time in the Republic of Zambia, we successfully held an auction in 2013 for Kagem Mining Limited, in which the Government is a shareholder. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, in line with the Presidential directive, the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development will ensure that all players in the gemstone industry openly and transparently auction emeralds as and when issues will be stipulated. To that effect, the ministry is working on ensuring that it puts up an auction tradition centre for these players in this industry to openly transact. The ministry is also undertaking measures that will attract investment in several other minerals which, for a long time now, have been underplayed. We envisage that this development will ensure that several areas, such as Lufwanyama, will open up and attract investment. 

Mr Speaker, improving the investment climate and regulatory framework requires adequate geological information. Therefore, the ministry has embarked on improving the provision of geological information in order to attract investment, on one hand, and to monitor and regulate the industry on the other hand. In light of this serious undertaking, the Geological Survey Department is currently marking a six quarter degree sheet area in Luapula Province, Copperbelt Province, the Northern Province and Central Province. In addition, the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH), an incorporated company of the Republic of Zambia, is already carrying out exploration works and providing technical expertise to small-scale miners across the Republic of Zambia.

Mr Speaker, as directed by His Excellency the President in his address to this august House, the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development will continue to work towards ensuring a favourable climate by coming up with consistent policies in order to ensure that the country benefits from the exploration of the mineral resources. In a bid to improve and modernise our operations, we have established an efficient and transparent licensing system which will promote an effective monitoring and regulatory mechanism for effective data capturing and sharing among Government departments. 

Mr Speaker, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development, has already put up a flexi cadastre system which is undertaking this operation. 

Sir, as I conclude, let me now quickly get to the issues that were raised on the Floor of this House by our colleagues. Let me state that due to the favourable investment climate, the mining sector has continued to expand in terms of numbers and, also, in the mineral production that is being generated by mining houses. 

Mr Speaker, for the sake of statistics, I would state that we had an increase in production from 697,000 metric tonnes, in 2012, to 759,000 metric tonnes in 2013. It is projected that we will hit 830,000 metric tonnes at the end of this year. My Government has indicated that at the end of 2015, we will reach a million tonnes. The task of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is to ensure that growth in the mining sector is translated in terms of benefit for ordinary Zambians.

Mr Speaker, let me also state the Government position as regards several issues that have rocked the industry in the past few months. My Government is committed to ensuring that it resolves all outstanding issues in the mining industry, including issues to do with the Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds and the viability of the industry by propelling new resource definitions to guarantee job creation and security for our people

Mr Speaker, several of our colleagues in this House rose on the Floor of this House and indicated that there are areas, especially the host communities such as the North-Western Province, from which huge sums of money or resources are being generated, and yet the place remains underdeveloped. Let me state that the PF Government is determined to ensure that it develops the entire Republic of Zambia with all the resources that it generates from the mining industry.

Mr Speaker, for avoidance of doubt, I have records from our ministry which state that we have three levels of taxes that are currently being generated from the mining industry. We have corporate tax and Pay as You Earn (PAYE). The revenues that we are generating are at different levels. I want to agree, in toto, with hon. Members of Parliament from the North-Western Province who debated that, indeed, from 2006, we have been getting huge taxes in terms of royalties from the North-Western Province. Hear, hear!

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Mr Musukwa: However, the highest returns of PAYE in the entire Republic of Zambia are from the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) followed by Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) and then Kansanshi Mine. So, as we speak on the Floor of this House, we must do so within context. 

Sir, what is good is that Kansanshi Mine has been one of the highest tax payers in this country since 2006. The PF Government only came into power in 2011. Simple mathematics reveals that that period from 2006 to 2011 is five years, and yet there is no tangible development which the former Government that ruled this country during this period can show for. The Solwezi/Chingola Road was not worked on. However, the PF Government, through His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, has already started working on the Solwezi/Chingola Road.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! 

Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, to that effect, clearly, we are demonstrating that the resources we are getting from the North-Western Province are being invested back in terms of beneficiations.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Musukwa: Just as we are committed to work on the roads in Wusakile in Luangwa, we are committed to work on the Solwezi township roads and we intend to improve the livelihoods of people in that province. We have seen and agree with hon. Members of Parliament, such as Hon. Mwanza, that the roads are really in a pathetic state in that area and this is a legacy of the Government that was ushered into power during the 2006 Elections which did nothing.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. MMD Members: Question!

Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, wonders will never stop happening. I listened, with a lot of sadness, about our colleagues from some political parties intending to declare the fiftieth anniversary on 24th October, 2014, a day of mourning. I looked for a dictionary so that I could bring a measured statement because I was disappointed by that statement, especially that it came from some legal brains. That statement was frivolous and it cannot come from people who have been vested with the responsibility of representing others. In fact, my friends in the other camp were actually taken aback because they did not believe in that statement. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Musukwa: We want to invite our colleagues from the United Party for National Development (UPND), the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) and everybody else to celebrate our Golden Jubilee with dignity …

Dr Kaingu: Muzatichaya.

Laughter

Mr Musukwa: … because the PF Government can only account for three years of the jubilee. The other years can be accounted for by our colleagues.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, this is a national event and the good former Vice-President of the MMD has nothing to worry about because there will be no fights. You are all welcome because our police will ensure that there will be peace.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Musukwa: We are a peace-loving party, as you can see from how united we are. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Musukwa: We want to extend our unity to our friends in the Opposition so that we can all govern this country.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: With the assurance that there will be no violence, I hope we will celebrate en masse.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister for Copperbelt Province (Mr Mwenya): Mr Speaker, I thank you for according me an opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Motion on the Floor of the House, namely the Official Opening Speech for the Fourth Session of the Eleventh Assembly by His Excellency, Mr Micheal Chilufya Sata, the President of the Republic of Zambia.

Mr Speaker, from the outset, allow me to congratulate His Excellency the President for a well- articulated speech which has given all the Zambian citizens a chance to appreciate the massive strides the Patriotic Front (PF) party has achieved, over the past three years, in the Government under the able leadership of our great leader, His Excellency, Mr Micheal Chilufya Sata.

Mr Speaker, it is not debatable and there is no need for emphasis because every work speaks for itself. You may travel north, east, south or west, the country is beaming with massive infrastructure development. Our roads, schools, clinics and hospitals are being attended to and new roads, including bridges, are being built. 

Mr Speaker, it is a fact that the poverty levels in this country had reached alarming levels in the previous administration. However, today, under this able leadership of the PF, this has been brought under control.

Hon. Opposition Member: Question!

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, poverty cannot be eradicated completely overnight or, indeed, within three years, but efforts are there for everyone to see. The number of street kids is steadily diminishing.  The number of meals our people are able to have per day have increased due to the good policies of this Government.

Indeed, Mr Speaker, leaders are born, not created. His Excellency, Mr Micheal Chilufya Sata, is a natural-born leader to serve the people …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwenya: … and that, we are able to see.

Mr Speaker, allow me to briefly congratulate the new hon. Members of this House. It was a battle well fought, friends. Welcome to the life of being a servant of the people who elected you and may God bless you in the public life you have chosen to embark on. A word of caution, this is no simple life. It demands total sacrifice to service your electorate.

Mr Speaker, turning to page 2 of Volume II of the President’s Speech, His Excellency the President reminds the House on the untimely loss of one of our fellow hon. Members of Parliament, Dr Patrick Mwewa Anthony Chikusu, may his soul rest in eternal peace.

Mr Speaker, I want you and the House at large to take serious reflection over the number of hon. Members of Parliament lost over the past three years of this Eleventh National Assembly. In 2012, at the opening of our Second Session, we observed a minute of silence in memory of Hon. George Kunda, SC. In 2013, again, at the Official Opening, we had to do the same in memory of Hon. Sakeni. This time around, it is Hon. Dr Chikusu.

Mr Speaker, the rate of demise of your hon. Members ought to bring serious concern to this House. It is my prayer that the loss of Hon. Dr Chikusu will be the last until the end of this assembly.

Mr Speaker, …

Mr Kampyongo: Kwashala Mwanza.

Laughter

Mr Mwenya: … this is a Christian nation and that has been declared openly and constitutionally. As Christians, it is our belief that it is only through Jesus Christ that a prayer can be answered. Our prayer in this House leaves much to be desired. As a Christian, this prayer is incomplete. Serious consideration ought to be given. You may not know this could be what is causing a bad omen on the hon. Members of the House.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, this year is a special one in that it is our year of reckoning in all our years of exodus from our first day of independence in 1964 to today and our vision and focus fifty years ahead of us and beyond. The Copperbelt, as a province, joins His Excellency the President, Mr Micheal Chilufya Sata, in working extra hard to make this Golden Jubilee a memorable one.

Mr Speaker, allow me to commend the churches in the province for heeding the call of His Excellency during the launch of the Golden Jubilee preparations last year. Ever since, the Church has been on its toes supporting the Government and committing the country into prayers. Only last weekend, we had a prayer conference in Kitwe and on 18th October, 2014, we are expecting a mammoth one at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola for the whole province and we shall take time to commit the entire country into prayer. I would want to also take this opportunity to thank the Church for the support that we have been receiving since our party came into the Government.

Mr Speaker, the Copperbelt Province is extremely grateful for the unprecedented developments taking place therein. Our people are saying, “A luta continua,” to His Excellency, Mr Micheal Chilufya Sata.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, allow me to highlight a few developments on the Copperbelt. On road infrastructure, all our districts have benefitted and most of the township roads have been worked on. Currently, the Provincial Road Development Agency Engineer is busy doing final works on our 400 km township roads which shall definitely cover a number of districts on the Copperbelt.

The major road works have advanced. For example, works on the Kitwe/Chingola Dual Carriageway and the Ndola/Kitwe Dual Carriageway are progressing well. Our only roads of concern are the Luanshya/Masangano and Ndola/Mufulira roads. However, I am happy to mention that the contractor will soon be mobilising on site on the Ndola/Mufulira Road.

Sir, the Copperbelt is also a major player in the agriculture and livestock sector. Over the three-year period, we have shown progress with significant growth, especially in maize and groundnut production. Cattle and goat population have also increased. I would love to mention that agriculture trade on the Copperbelt, this year alone, recorded over 80,000 metric tonnes of export. Under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), the number of small-scale farmers being supported has increased from 90,300 to 111,414. I am happy to mention that 100 per cent of D-Compound  fertiliser and fifty per cent urea meant for the province have since been received.

Mr Speaker, it is worth noting that the first-ever artificial insemination centre in Ndola is complete and is due to start servicing the farming community very soon. This is an indicator that, indeed, on the Copperbelt, animal husbandry is going to improve.

On education, Sir, in order to meet the ever-rising demand in the secondary education sector, the province has upgraded twenty-two primary schools to secondary school status. We also have a number of secondary schools being constructed. For example, in Mirundu, there is a secondary school whose construction is already at an advanced stage. We also have others being constructed at Fisenge in Luanshya and Chati in Kalulushi.  So, there is a lot of activity taking place on the Copperbelt and this is all being undertaken by the PF Government.

Hon. Government Member: This Government!

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, apart from privately-owned universities, the Copperbelt Province has Mukuba and Copperbelt universities, supported by the Government. We are happy that the Copperbelt University (CBU) will soon be constructing 3,200 bed spaces for students, as announced by His Excellency the President in his speech to Parliament this year. This will go a long way in mitigating students’ accommodation challenges. A number of structures at Mukuba University are almost complete and we expect the university to be fully-fledged by the end of next year. 

Mr Speaker, on health, the province is excited by the commencement of the construction of eighty-eight health posts and five district hospitals. For example, we have a district hospital being constructed in Chililabombwe, another one in Masaiti and my constituency, Chimwemwe, has not been left out as there is a district hospital already being constructed there.

Sir, Kitwe and Ndola Central hospitals are beneficiaries of the Computerised Tomography (CT) scanners which have already been installed and ready for use. All we are waiting for is for the hon. Minister of Health, who has really supported us, to officially open them. We have, for the first time, …

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

On my left, let us consult less loudly, especially the Back Bench.

You may continue, hon. Deputy Minister.

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, for the first time, we have state-of-the-art equipment in our hospitals. Apart from that, a few years before the PF came into the Government, our people with kidney complications had to travel to Lusaka or abroad to seek treatment. Some had to pay through the nose at the mine hospital in Chililabombwe. However, that is a thing of the past. Due to the love for its people, the PF Government has made it a reality that a renal centre has been opened at Kitwe Central Hospital and it is fully equipped.

Hon. PF Member: Well done, hon. Minister.

Mr Lubinda: Bauze futi.

Mr Mwenya: Sir, we, as a province, are very grateful to this Government for the various modern equipment distributed across all health institutions in the province and, indeed, the PF has walked the talk and has not only improved health care, but also brought it closer to the people and made it affordable.

Mr Lubinda: Iwe, uziba, iwe. Kamba futi.

Mr Kampyongo: Ema Ministers aba.

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, allow me to mention that quite a good number of feeder roads were worked on by the Rural Roads Unit (RRU) in 2013 and 2014. This is a great achievement, …

Mr Kampyongo: We are giving you Solwezi also.

Mr Mwenya: … as most of the times, the release of funds was done late, coinciding with the onset of the rainy season, hence works were not being done. However, there has been a significant improvement. This time around, the hon. Minister of Finance has really assisted us by releasing funds on time and a number of roads have actually been worked on. 

Mr Speaker, with so many projects taking place on the Copperbelt, there has been a steady rise in job creation. When you visit Ndola or any other town, you will discover that the shops and workshops that were once white elephants have actually come back to life. Through this, we have seen a multiplier effect in job creation.

Mr Speaker, indeed, not only the people, but also the Church on the Copperbelt have re-affirmed their support to our Republican President and the PF Government. All the churches are saying they have never seen what they are seeing today.

Sir, I want to take this opportunity to thank the Church for the support it is giving to us. We shall always listen to its guidance and advice at all times even as we carry out our function.

 Sir, with those few words, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear. Hear!

The Deputy Minister for the Northern Province (Mr Sikazwe): Mr Speaker, thank you for affording me this opportunity to debate the President’s Speech, on behalf of the people of the Northern Province and Mpulungu Constituency.

Sir, from the outset, I want to join my friends, who have debated before me, in congratulating His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, for the wonderful, elaborate and vision-full speech that he delivered to this august House. I also want to join His Excellency the President in congratulating the Zambian people on the forthcoming fiftieth Independence anniversary.

Mr Speaker, let me also congratulate the new hon. Members of Parliament who have joined this august House after the just-ended Parliamentary elections in which the PF scooped four out of the six seats. I want to congratulate the PF party for this achievement. This was not a mean achievement and it did not come by accident. This achievement is because the people of Zambia are seeing what is being done throughout the country. The good works of the PF Government are now bearing fruit.

Mr Speaker, I want to give credit to the PF Government for having continued with some of the progressive projects which were started by the previous Government. This shows the maturity and commitment to developing this country. Unlike our friends who abandoned all the projects left behind by their predecessors, regardless of the significance that the projects had on the lives of the people of Zambia, the PF carried on with these projects.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, I also want to concur with His Excellency the President when he says that our young democracy has been politically consolidated during the three years that the PF has been in power. Economically, Zambia is among the fastest growing economies in the world and socially, the standard of living of our people is progressively improving. 

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President further attributed all these achievements to our enduring unity, peace and stability for which we must be thankful to our God. Let me also join  His Excellency, on behalf of the people of the Northern Province, in expressing our many thanks to the freedom fighters for everything they did to enable all of us to enjoy the freedom of our independence, which some of us here are taking for granted.

Mr Speaker, in his address, His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, highlighted the performance and achievements of the PF Government since 2011 in the areas of economic affairs, education, health, agriculture and livestock, local government and housing, rural development, social protection, labour and social security and employment creation, industry and trade, infrastructure development, energy and mining, tourism, land, environment and natural resources.

Mr Speaker, as a province, we would like to congratulate the PF Government for developing the first ever National Planning and Budgeting Policy, as this will create a co-ordinated and integrated national development planning and budgeting system that is responsive, transparent, accountable and result-based.

Mr Speaker, in education, the Northern Province has welcomed the introduction of formal learning at pre-school level and has benefitted from the 1,000 early childhood education teachers who have been deployed countrywide. The construction of three out of seven secondary schools has been completed and opened. The rest are still under construction and are due to be opened in January, 2015.

Mr Speaker, let me take this opportunity to congratulate the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education for the support he has us, as a province, by maintaining the old schools like Mbala, Mungwi, Malole, Mporokoso and Luwingu secondary schools. These are schools which were built in the early 1970s and we left unattended to. The hon. Minister has been releasing minimal funds, on our request, in an effort to improve on the infrastructure.

Mr Speaker, under the health sector, the province has benefited from the National Health Strategic Plan which has continued to increase the availability of health frontline staff, infrastructure, drugs and other medical supplies and equipment. The ministry has converted the former Lukupa Leprosy Centre into a school of midwifery in order to increase the number of midwife nurses to look after our women in the province. 

Sir, the ministry has also constructed flats for nurses at Kasama General Hospital and intends to construct more next year. Sixty-nine health posts have been allocated to the province and construction is due to start early next year. The people of the province have the confidence in the PF Government and have now come to believe that whatever is promised to them will be fulfilled.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Mpulungu District Hospital is due to be opened before the end of the year, while the new district hospital is due to be constructed in Chilubi next year. Like any other province in the country, the Northern Province has received ten ambulances which have been distributed to all districts, including two advanced life support ambulances which are based at Kasama General Hospital. The province also expects to receive the modern and specialised medical equipment to be installed in all the general hospitals.

Mr Speaker, due to the enabling policies of the PF Government, under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, the hard work of our farmers and favourable weather conditions, the province contributed to the record maize harvest of 3.4 million metric tonnes this year. I want to commend the hardworking friends at the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) for ensuring that all the maize that was bought in the province was taken to safety before the rainy season. I also want to commend the FRA for having paid our farmers, especially those who sold their maize at the beginning of the marketing season. 

Mr Speaker, the province has also received the farming inputs and just awaits urea. A livestock breeding centre has been established at Musa Institute in Kasama. The province welcomes the Government’s initiative of working closely with neighbouring countries to implement the Southern African Development Community (SADC) protocols on fisheries and shared water boundaries to promote sustainable management of fisheries.

Mr Speaker, under rural development, Nsama District, which is the only new district in the province, has been operationalised and the construction of infrastructure has started. The province has benefited from the connection of electricity to low income households at subsidised connection charges.

The province has also benefited immensely from the construction of the 199 towers countrywide in order to improve on the mobile communication coverage. Being a rural province, the people of the Northern Province welcome the Customary Land Administration Bill. Once enacted, it will ensure that the interests of the local people in rural farming communities are protected and promoted.

Sir, the province has also welcomed the implementation of the Social Cash Transfer Scheme and the Food Security Pack Programme in various districts in the province, as this will ensure that all citizens have access to basic social services. The province has also benefited from the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission that has funded different categories of people based on the recommendation of different districts of the projects that are required to be done.

Mr Speaker, under the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project, the Kasama/Mbesuma Road has been completed while the Kasama/Mporokoso Road is due for completion by the end of 2014 or early 2015. The Mbala/ Nakonde Road works are going on well while the feasibility studies on the Kaputa/Nsama/Mporokoso and Mporokoso/Kawambwa roads are due for completion by December, 2014. Works on the urban roads in Mpulungu and Kasama are progressing well and are due for completion by December, this year.

Mr Speaker, the province also received two marine boats for the police to help in patrolling the borders along Lake Tanganyika …

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Business was suspended from 1815 hours until 1830 hours. 

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the Chair]

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was saying that the province has also received two marine boats for the police to help in patrolling the borders along Lake Tanganyika. These are highly equipped modern surveillance boats …

Mr Kampyongo: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: … and we are very grateful, as a province, to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Mr Kampyongo: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: This will reduce crime on our water bodies. Hon. Minister of Home Affairs, as a province, we request that you send us some of the newly-graduated officers to help in this work.

Mr Kampyongo: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, under the energy sector, the Government is constructing a 33KV line from Pensulo to Kasama …

Mr Kapeya: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: … and also constructing a new hydro power station at Lunzua in Mpulungu in order to improve on the low voltages that the area has been experiencing.

Mr Kapeya: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Lunzua Hydro Power Station is due for commissioning in early November, 2014, while the Pensulo line will be completed in 2015. The commissioning of the fuel storage depot is another score by the Government, as this will lessen the period and distances for the transportation of fuels from Ndola to the province. 

Mr Speaker, the province also supports the Government’s resolve to fight corruption in all its forms by implementing various programmes to streamline corruption prevention measures in both public and private institutions.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, let me get back to His Excellency the President’s conclusion where he says:

 “This Government is proud of its record. We are delivering on the solemn promises we made to the Zambian people in the PF Manifesto. Across the width and breadth of our country, the evidence is there for all to see that Zambia is going through an unprecedented record of infrastructure development in health, education, roads, communication, energy, agriculture, among others.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe:

 “Through our social protection and other poverty reduction programmes, we are also building an inclusive society that broadly distributes the results of growth and development to all members of society in line with our resolve to build a better Zambia for all.”

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, this is how His Excellency the President ended his speech. This is a commitment that he has made to the people of Zambia that we are not segregating, but taking development to the whole country.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: When we say the whole country, it is not only the Northern Province.

Mr Kampyongo: No!

Mr Sikazwe: This includes Solwezi.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Ba Mwanza, including Solwezi.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Sir, we are taking development to the Western Province. We are taking development to the Southern Province. Colleagues, I want to tell you the truth. Sometimes, I get upset when I hear people who have been to the Northern Province or Muchinga say that all the development in the country is going there when there is almost nothing. We are all on a par.

Mr Kampyongo: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: So, nobody should lie. If anything, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Sikazwe: … places like the Southern Province …

The Deputy Chairperson: Order! ‘Lie’ is unparliamentary.

Mr Sikazwe: Nobody should mislead Zambians. The fortunate part is that Zambians are watching.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Zambians are seeing what is happening.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

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

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order! A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Sir, it is tradition that the Executive should, as much as possible, read through their texts. The hon. Minister, through his speech, was giving praises with regard to development, as he sees it in his province. 

Mr Sikazwe: Yes!

Mr Nkombo: However, Sir, a minute ago, he went off his text when he said there was nothing in the Northern Province.

Mr Mufalali: Eh!

Mr Nkombo: To me, Sir, it seems like a huge contradiction when an hon. Minister is giving a policy statement. Is he in order, therefore, to confuse himself, after starting so well, and we have given him all the attention, to end his speech three minutes before his time lapses, by stating that there is actually nothing in the Northern Province? Is he in order, Sir?

The Deputy Chairperson: It is difficult for the Chair to make a ruling because that is the style of debate he chose.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Long live, Chair.

Mr Sikazwe: Thank you, Mr Speaker. 

Colleagues, what I was saying is that the issue of people pretending that development is being taken to some parts of the country while others are being deprived should be corrected.

Mr Kampyongo: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: The fortunate part is that some of us travel. Colleagues, it is almost 900 km from here to Kasama. So, we know what is happening. I am a resident of Kitwe. From here ,I go to Kitwe and I can see what is happening in terms of development. For those of you who do not travel, unfortunately, we cannot blame you, but Zambians are going to judge us in 2016. At the rate we are going, I can assure you that there will be trouble for the Opposition in 2016.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister for the Western Province (Mr Siamunene): Mr Speaker, allow me to thank our almighty God, who has given us a dedicated and committed President by the name of Mr Michael Chilufya Sata.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, allow me to add my voice by contributing to the debate on the Speech …

Mr Livune: Question!

Laughter

Mr Siamunene: … for the Official Opening of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly by His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata.

Mr Speaker, in his speech, His Excellency the President outlined a detailed account of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government’s development programme to date.

Interruptions

Mr Siamunene: The country has scored a number of successes.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Siamunene: As regards those relating to the Western Province, may I take this singular honour and privilege to highlight the milestones.

Interruptions

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, the Western Province, under the PF Government, has targeted to construct eleven secondary schools.

Mr Sikazwe: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: Under the current status, the completed schools include, Mwandi High School, Nangweshi Boarding High School in Sinjembela Constituency; …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: … Mayukwayukwa Boarding High School in Mangango constituency; …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: It is no wonder they voted for us.

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, the schools that are still under construction include, Nakanya Boarding High School in Nalikwanda Constituency; Lukulu Boarding High School in Lukulu East, Mulobezi Day Secondary School in Mulobezi Constituency, Shang’ombo Secondary School in Sinjembela Constituency, Libonda Secondary School in Liuwa Constituency, Sikongo Secondary School in Sikongo Constituency, Nalolo Secondary School in Nalolo Constituency, Mitete Secondary School in Lukulu West Constituency, Natukoma Day School in Sinjembela Constituency and Mutomena Day School in Sinjembela Constituency.

Mr Sikazwe: Yonse ayo? Aba bantu.

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, the construction of the trade training institute in Kalabo Constituency is still underway and is 85 per cent complete. This is a beautiful structure. How I wish it was in my constituency. The hon. Member should be happy.

Dr Kaingu: On a point of order, Sir.

Laughter

Hon. Government Members: Ikaleni ba mudala imwe!

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, the processes towards the planned construction of King Lewanika University are underway.

Interruptions

Mr Siamunene: Currently, the tendering process is complete and the contractor has already been identified. The approval has already been given and we just await funding from the Ministry of Finance.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Members: Luitumezi, mudala.

Hon. Member: PF material.

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, under health in the Western Province, three district hospitals are currently under construction.

Mr Kambwili: Luitumezi.

Mr Siamunene: Phase I for Mongu District Hospital was completed and Phase II is underway.

Hon. Member: Ema Ministers aya!

Mr Siamunene: Phase I of Lukulu District Hospital is 85 per cent in progress. Phase I of Mulobezi District Hospital is underway. The construction of Litunga and Nalolo District hospitals will commence next year.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: What else do they want?

Mr Siamunene: The Nkeyema Rural Health Centre in Sinjembela Constituency has already been completed and is awaiting commissioning.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, Phase I …

The Deputy Chairperson: Order! Pause for just a minute.

Hon. Members: Order!

The Deputy Chairperson: I think it is important that we remind each other of the rules of debate. When one hon. Member is debating, please, allow him or her an opportunity to debate in a conducive environment. This idea of being generous with comments while seated is frowned upon. If we continue at this rate, I will not hesitate to do the needful.

The hon. Minister may continue.

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, I thank you for counselling our colleagues.

Laughter

Mr Siamunene: Phase I of the construction of Senanga Nursery School has already been completed and Phase II is in progress in Senanga Constituency. The construction is expected to end in November, 2014.

Mr Speaker, the Government has procured sixteen basic life supporting ambulances and two advanced life support ambulances all in the quest to strengthen the referral system in the province. 

Mr Speaker, as a province, we are pleased to hear the pronouncement by His Excellency the President that the Government will extend the procurement and installation of the modern and specialised medical equipment at Lewanika General Hospital so as to improve the quality of health care and reduce referrals abroad.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, it is heartening to hear that Mongu will become the third regional hub in the country to be fully operational by the end of 2014. This is aimed at decentralising the operation of the Medical Stores Limited in order to ensure timely and efficient delivery of medicine and medical supplies in the province. This will help to eliminate drug stock- outs.

Mr Speaker, under agriculture development, last year, we reported that land for farm blocks had already been identified in the Western Province. At this time, negotiations with the traditional leadership have already been concluded.

Mr Speaker, since September, 2011, nine new districts have been created in the Western Province.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: It brings the total number of districts to sixteen, making it the region with the highest number of created districts in the country … 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: … and also covering the largest geographical area.

Hon. Government Member: Antonio, mwebo tabatemwa.

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, this has helped to bring services closer to the citizens than ever before.

Mr Speaker, moreover, over 600 formal jobs have already been created, thereby, greatly contributing to job creation in the province. May I inform this august House that 208 classified daily employees that were over employed have already been paid their salary arrears amounting to K8,640,050.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon Government Member: Luitumezi.

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, there was a question on the Floor of the House over this matter and I am happy that His Excellency the President has intervened and these officers have been paid their salary arrears. This deserves commendation.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kalaba: Siamunene mwaume.

Mr Siamunene: The Patriotic Front (PF) Government is committed to improving the standard of living of our people in rural areas by accelerating service delivery in the nine newly-created districts. The construction of the new infrastructure in seven of the nine newly-created districts will commence before the end of 2014.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, under rural electrification, plans are underway to connect Shang’ombo and Lukulu to the national grid. Further, under the new districts in the Western Province, Luampa, Nkeyema, Mangango and Sioma will soon be electrified and the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has already done the works awaiting commissioning. This will help reduce deforestation and increase economic activities as more people will have access to this renewable resource.

Mr Speaker, over 90 per cent of land in the Western Province is under traditional ownership. Therefore, the enactment of the Customary Land Administration Bill will ensure that the interests of the local people in the rural farming communities are protected and promoted in order to improve the possibility for better economic utilisation of their land. This will enhance access to credit to embark on economic activities as well as generate the much-needed foreign direct investment (FDI) through improvement of investor confidence, especially under the public-private partnership (PPP).

Hon. Government Member: Quality!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) aims at overseeing and managing State-owned enterprises as well as complementing private sector investment in strategic areas such as supporting cashew nut, mangoes and timber production in Mongu, as the Western Province has comparative and competitive advantage in these areas.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, my province has not been left behind in the unprecedented road infrastructure development. Mongu District township roads are under construction …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: … and the face of Mongu has completely changed.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune: Question!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, Mongu township roads are under construction, and major roads such as the Mongu/Kalabo Road and the bridge at Sioma to link Sesheke to Senanga are also being constructed. This has helped the people of Senanga and Sesheke to do their economic activities. This infrastructure will enhance economic activities in the province.

Mr Speaker, when you use the Livingstone/Sesheke Road, you will see the works going on there now.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune: Question!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, the rehabilitation of the Katunda/Kateyoyo Road between Mongu and the Kafue National Park has already commenced. The country is aware that the Mulobezi Railway Line and its related infrastructure has already undergone tremendous reconstruction and rehabilitation under the current leadership.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, the rehabilitation of this railway line has helped the travelling public. It used to take seventy-two hours to reach Livingstone, but now it takes only twelve hours. Within a day, you are able to reach Livingstone and plans are underway to further improve on that.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, this railway line will not only end in Zambia, but will also connect the neigbouring countries such as Botswana at the bridge to be constructed at Kazungula Border. Finally, it will reach Walvis Bay in Namibia. This will facilitate trade in the sub region.

Mr Speaker, under Phase I, construction of the Shang’ombo/Livungo Canal has already been completed …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: … and Phase II will involve construction of the terminal facilities at both border points. This is a commendable job by the PF Government.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, this phase will also include construction of ten houses and our youth in Mongu have already been given contracts to construct these houses …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: … and this is commendable because it will help our unemployed youth to be employed.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, I want to state here that I have a message from the people of the Western Province. They have clearly told me that what they need in the Western Province is zwelopili. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, they have told me that “lubata fela zwelopili” meaning that they only want development.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo: On a point of order, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

A point of order is raised.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for affording me this time to raise a serious point of order.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Deputy Minister for the Western Province …

Hon. Government Members: Provincial Minister!

Mr Mutelo: … Provincial Minister, thank you very much … who is talking so well on behalf of the Western Province, in order to forget that Hon. Lingweshi mentioned that the Katunda/Lukulu/Mumbezhi Road has not yet been worked on? The hon. Minister has mentioned everything on roads. However, for three years, this road has not been worked on. Is he in order to mislead the nation that people in the Western Province are saying that they want zwelopili, when the people in Lukulu are saying that there is no zwelopili?

Hon. Opposition Members: They are saying chabwino ayende.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, is he in order to continue debating like that and forget to talk about the Katunda/Lukulu Road?

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

The ruling is that since the hon. Deputy Minister is still on his feet, it will be premature for us to pre-empt what he is yet to tell us.

You may continue, hon. Minister.

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, as I have already said, I think that those who are saying that there is no zwelopili in the Western Province risk suffering the fate of the dinosaur, …

Laughter

Mr Siamunene: … which was wiped off the face of this earth. The people there are saying that they are happy with this Government. They are saying “muso uinzi hande,” meaning that the Government is just okay.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, they have demonstrated that they are okay with this Government and that is why we have a new hon. Member of Parliament from the Western Province by the name of Hon. Lingweshi.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene:  I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister of Defence (Col. Lungu): Mr Speaker, I wish to express my gratitude for this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the speech delivered by the Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, on the official opening of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly on Friday, 19th September, 2014.

Mr Speaker, first and foremost, I would like to congratulate the six new hon. Members of Parliament and welcome them to this august House. I want to go on record as having said that, in the Eastern Province there are now two hon. Members of Parliament for the PF, since Vubwi has a PF hon. Member of Parliament. I want to report to the nation that come 2016, if not all the seats in the Eastern Province will go to the PF, then, three quarters of them will.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Col. Lungu: Mr Speaker, I am telling you that this report is very true because I know what is going on there …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Government Member: Even Lundazi.

Col. Lungu: Mr Speaker, even Lundazi.

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Let the hon. Deputy Minister of Defence be allowed to read in peace and quiet.

Continue reading, hon. Deputy Minister.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Col. Lungu: Mr Speaker, allow me, now, to take this opportunity to comment on the following issues, as highlighted by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia.

Mr Speaker, on agriculture, His Excellency the President, on page 12 of Volume 1 of the speech pointed out that agriculture remains the key driver of economic growth and poverty reduction. Furthermore, the Government’s strategic focus in this is to achieve food security and promote crop diversification. I would like to bring to the attention of this House that the Government, through the Zambia National Service (ZNS), continues to boost its effort in agriculture and livestock production and mechanisation of production systems. 

Sir, I would like to also bring to the attention of this House that the ministry, through the Zambia National Service (ZNS) Production Farms, has embraced the directive to diversify agricultural production by cultivating other high value crop, such as soya beans.

Mr Speaker, on page 28 of Volume II of the speech, His Excellency has directed all ministries, provinces and spending agencies to ensure commitment in improving the standard of living of people in rural areas by accelerating service delivery. 

Mr Livune: By What?

Mr Mushanga: Livune!

Col. Lungu: Mr Speaker, you may wish to note that the Government, through the ZNS Lands Development Branch, has made headway in complementing the Government’s effort on road infrastructure development by partnering with the Road Development Agency (RDA), …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Col. Lungu: … in carrying out rural and land development projects. 

Mr Speaker, on page 53 of Volume II of the President’s Speech, His Excellency mentioned that the Government attaches great importance to the welfare and development of the youth. In this regard, the Government has embarked on construction of youth resource centres. The Ministry of Defence, through the ZNS and in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sport, Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child, Ministry of Gender and Child Development and other stakeholders, stands ready to implement this directive by ensuring that all the ten provinces have youth skills training centres and that the youth are empowered with the requisite skills for their survival. 

In conclusion, I wish to state that the Government, through the Ministry of Defence and ultimately the ZNS, has plans to increase the country’s food security by engaging value-addition projects such as mealie meal production. As a ministry, we are ready to undertake these and many more projects with determination in order to realise the developmental aspirations of our country.

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Minister of Youth and Sport (Mr Kambwili): Mr Speaker, first and foremost, I would like to thank you most sincerely for according me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the President’s Speech on the Official Opening of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly. 

Mr Speaker, I would like to join others who have congratulated the newly-elected hon. Members of Parliament. I wish to say congratulations for winning in your respective areas, particularly, the PF hon. Members who won four of the six seats. 

Mr Livune: Question!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! 

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President gave a very good speech. According to my analysis, this can only be narrowed down to four Bemba proverbs. The first proverb is, “Uwakupata tatila busuma bobe,” meaning whoever hates you will never appreciate whatever you do. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: This proverb applies to the United Party for National development (UPND).

Hon. UPND Members: Aah!

Mr Kambwili: It hates the Patriotic Front (PF) so much so that it will never appreciate anything that the PF does. 

Mr Speaker, the second proverb applies to the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) and it says, “Amaka yalubuli yesa ngamwalwa.” The MMD was in the Government for twenty years and failed to do what we are doing now, but are now wishing they had.   

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Kambwili: As a result, they can also never appreciate our effort.  

The third proverb is, “Nga waupa umwanakashi uwaupwapo, alikwatapo nabana, wilaumfwa ubufuba pali balya abana wasangamo, fyalamo abobe.”

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: This proverb applies to the PF. 

Mr Speaker, there have been Governments before the PF. However, it has not demeaned what they did, but instead initiated its own projects. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mufalali:  Where?

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, because of the projects we, as the PF, have done, our colleagues on your left are in trouble and do not sleep. 

Mr Livune: Question!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: They may pretend when they are here that all is well, but when they go to sleep at night, they cry. 

Laughter 

Mr Kambwili: When they look at our projects, they ask themselves whether they will ever come into power. When they come here to say that we have not done anything, deep down their hearts they know we have done something. 

Interruptions

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I feel so sorry for them because as far as the PF is concerned, it means well and it has come on the political scene to provide that which the United National Independence Party (UNIP) and MMD failed to provide in forty-seven years. 

Mr Livune: Question! 

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I tend to wonder when I hear some hon. Members say that the PF Government has neglected the North-Western Province. Hon. Mwanza, the MMD was in the Government for twenty-years. 

Laughter 

Mr Kambwili: The dust on the roads you are talking about was left by the MMD. Today, the PF has committed itself to tarring 67.6 km of township roads in Solwezi. Ala, ba Mwanza, tabalala.

Laughter 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Mr Kambwili: That literally means that Hon. Mwanza has sleepless nights. 

Laughter 

Mr Kambwili: You see, …

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Let us desist from debating individual hon. Members. You are an hon. Minister and we expect policy statements from you. 

You may continue. 

Mr Kambwili: I tend to wonder when people say that the PF has not created white collar jobs or jobs that will stand the test of time. I can challenge anyone of these people to stand up and tell us how they could have created decent jobs in three years. Decent jobs are anchored on certain fundamentals. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: The fundamental on which the PF is anchoring the creation of decent jobs is on infrastructure development. How shall we create these decent jobs by creating infrastructure? First and foremost, we are building schools. Once these schools are completed in two to three years time, we will need teachers whom we will employ, thereby, creating decent jobs. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: Once we finish building hospitals, we will need nurses and doctors. This will entail creating decent jobs. Once we open up the rural areas by electrification and development of road network, investors will come to these areas and create jobs.

Mr Speaker, even the most developed countries like Japan, South Korea and China started with infrastructure development. The development of these countries did not take three years. It took Japan and China thirty and twenty-seven years, respectively, to develop. I, therefore, wonder what goes through these people’s minds when they stand up to say that the PF has failed to create jobs in the past three years. I wonder what kind of thinking that is.  

Hon. Opposition Members: Ninety days!

Mr Kambwili: I wonder what kind of thinking they employ when they say that we have failed to create jobs.

Interruptions 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Let the hon. Minister debate. When it was your turn to debate, you debated about ‘ninety days’ and they listened, and so, let them respond.

You may continue, hon. Minister

Laughter 

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, our colleagues are full of rhetoric and contradictions.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Kambwili: One of the party presidents was on the University of Zambia (UNZA) Radio two are three days ago …

Mr Livune: His Excellency.

Mr Kambwili: … and he was saying that it took Japan thirty years to develop to where it is, and yet the same president goes out to say that the PF has failed to develop Zambia within three years. What a contradiction. 

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Hamudulu interjected. 

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, the PF Government means well. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: Today, they are saying that they will win in 2016. Three years ago, it was impossible for a teacher to buy a vehicle.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Kambwili: It was impossible for teacher to buy a vehicle. Today, there are cars at almost all the houses of teachers because their salaries were increased when the PF came into office. The PF enabled them to get loans and still remain with enough to feed their families even if the bank is deducting the loans. Do you think those teachers will vote for you?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, office orderlies in the Government are driving vehicles. During the tenure of the MMD Government, it was impossible for an office orderly to own a vehicle. 

Sir, like they say in Bemba, “Akanani kantu kali pa bwali,” which means that a bird in hand is worth more than two in the bush. Colleagues, the one who knows the lifespan of a person is God. It is important for you to support the developmental programme of His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, because he is the President at the moment.

Mr Speaker, if you are looking for a situation when certain individuals will come to power, then, you will be disappointed because that person you are thinking of may stop politics, lose again or die. You are better off supporting the development agenda of this country while you live because you never know whether you will be there tomorrow. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: For you to leave a legacy, like Hon. Munkombwe said, it is better to take advantage of this time and become part of the development projects because after all, it will be you who will leave a legacy.

Sir, once my colleagues support this development, they will have their sleep. I feel sorry for them because they are not sleeping because of all the projects that the PF has undertaken. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions 

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President, during the opening of Parliament, mentioned the issue of unemployment remaining a challenge for this country. In this regard, the Government has adopted the Industrialisation and Job Creation Strategy, focusing on specific growth sectors. 

Therefore, Sir, my ministry, in a bid to promote youth development, has developed the Youth Empowerment and Employment Strategy. This strategy was developed in collaboration with stakeholders, among them the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the African Development Bank (ADB) and the German Government. In addition, other key stakeholders such as the youth were consulted.

Sir, in the next one week, I will be launching this Youth Empowerment and Employment Strategy and once it is launched and implemented, your hours of sleep will further reduce.

Laughter

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: The ministry has also reviewed the National Youth Policy and the Ministerial Strategic Plan in order to provide policy direction in youth and sports development. The multi-sectoral approach of these documents will enable all stakeholders to participate in the process of employment creation for the youth. 

Sir, as highlighted in the President’s Speech, education and skills development are key to our overall goals of achieving accelerated national development. The PF Government has scored a lot of successes in the education and skills development sector. Apart from strides made, under the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, my ministry is also contributing positively to this agenda. We believe that a well-educated and skilled workforce is a necessary condition for wealth creation.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Kambwili: Over 80 per cent of the Zambian citizens are young people and the majority of them are found in rural areas where they have limited access to education and skills development. Therefore, in order to enhance youth access to skills training for improved employability, my ministry has embarked on a robust infrastructure development plan in the area of youth skills training. 

Sir, currently, my ministry has embarked on the construction of seven youth resource centres with modern facilities in various provinces. These are in Chililabomwe, Mpongwe, Kafue, Rufunsa, Chama, Mporokoso and Kalabo districts. Among the practical subjects to be offered will be carpentry, joinery, bricklaying, mechanical engineering, automotive engineering and welding, to mention, but a few. 

Mr Speaker, the Government will continue with this initiative as it is our wish to establish, at least, one youth training centre in each district as envisaged in our 2011 PF Manifesto.

Sir, in order to promote self-reliance and entrepreneurship among the youth, my ministry has enhanced the Youth Development Fund which provides funds and capacity building to youth-led enterprises. Unlike in the past when this fund was centralised and given on political patronage, my ministry has decentralised the fund to all the ten provinces. Each province has setup provincial technical committees which undertake the selection, appraisal and resource allocation process in a prudent and transparent manner. 

Mr Speaker, apart from the institutional framework, the Government has developed clear guidelines that are simple, with focus on the youth as a target group. From 2011 to date, the fund has been accessed by 759 youth-led enterprises countrywide, amounting to K32,597,005.83. These youth-led enterprises have contributed to the creation of over 2,300 job opportunities for fellow youth. 

Sir, all these investments are to ensure that the youth are equipped with the necessary skills, finances, abilities and attitudes to enable them to effectively contribute to the socio-economic development of this country and be self-reliant. This will help the youth to earn a decent wage unlike engaging them in illicit behaviour and violence.

Mr Speaker, agriculture still remains the most important sector for economic growth. In this regard, food security should be emphasised by promoting small-scale enterprises, among others. Therefore, my ministry is developing the former Mwange Refugee Centre into a youth resource model for skills development where the youth will be given land to engage in agriculture activities and be trained in various skills. This centre will provide economic empowerment and self-reliance skills to more than 500 youth. As soon as works at Mwange Youth Development Centre are completed, the ministry will embark on the establishment of similar youth development centres in all the provinces of the country.

Sir, let me take this opportunity to announce to the country that we have since told all hon. Provincial Ministers to identify thirty youths who should be resettled at the Mwange Youth Resources and Agriculture Centre. I want to challenge all the hon. Members of Parliament to get involved and identify the vulnerable youths in the constituencies who want to be resettled. They will be given some startup capital and start-up inputs in order for them to get involved in agriculture.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, in addition, my ministry has partnered with the ILO on a programme we are calling ‘Decent Jobs for the Rural Youth through an Integrated Approach’. 

This programme is aimed at promoting industrialisation in rural areas through the development of clear value-chain additional system. We believe that when there is food security in the country, there can never be hunger. As soon as we complete this process, we will also come to hon. Members of Parliament to identify some youths who should be given necessary startup capital to start this programme. This is specifically for rural constituencies. 

Sir, further, health is another critical sector that His Excellency the President talked about in his speech. A healthy nation is a prerequisite for economic prosperity. In this regard, I would like to commend His Excellency the President for all the effort being made by the Government in order to improve health service delivery to the people. The PF Government is committed and working hard in mitigating shortages of skilled health personnel by rehabilitating and constructing new training institutions. I am reliably informed that the Government will soon start constructing nursing schools at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital and Senanga District Hospital in the Western Province. 

Mr Speaker, issues of health are not exceptional in youth and sports development. My ministry has prioritised infrastructure development in sport in order to increase access to sport and recreational facilities for all. This will encourage more citizens to participate in sport and physical activities, thereby, contributing to a healthy citizenry. Participation of citizens in sport or physical activities is a way to contribute to the reduction of high mortality rate from non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

Laughter

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, in this regard, my ministry will continue to promote sport and physical education through community participation in sport and by conducting sensitisation campaigns to encourage more people to engage in sport of their choice for health and wealth creation. My ministry has embarked on a programme to open up communities to participate in sport through a programme we are calling, Komboni Sport, which literally means community sport. We shall provide basic sports infrastructure and sports equipment in all the constituencies so that our people in the communities can participate in sport. For those who are not having enough sleep, this is your opportunity to get involved in these programmes so that you can have enough sleep.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila (Chipili): Mr Speaker, my task today is very simple. It is to thank all hon. Members of Parliament who participated in the debates on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Speech which was delivered on 19th September, 2014. I am also grateful to His Honour the Vice-President, hon. Cabinet Ministers and hon. Deputy Ministers for the answers they provided to some of the questions that were raised during the interesting debate on the Floor of the House.

Mr Speaker, we are a democracy and Zambians demand that we exchange views and engage in constructive criticism with a view to develop our country. I thank everybody who participated in the debate and it is an indication that all hon. Members on both sides of this august House want development. The Patriotic Front (PF) Government has made a commitment to deliver development and will need support from all hon. Members. It is important to support the PF Government because it is the one which is in the driving seat up to 2016 and beyond.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Question put and agreed to.

ADJOURMENT

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication and Chief Whip(Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

__________

The House adjourned at 1925 hours until 1415 hours on Friday, 10th October, 2014.

WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTION

NANGULA ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT

149. Ms Imenda (Luena) asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development:

(a)    why the electrification project of Nangula in Luena Parliamentary Constituency had stalled;

(b)    when the project would resume; and

(c)    when the project was expected to be completed. 

The Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Yaluma): Mr Speaker, the electrification of Nangula in Luena Parliamentary Constituency stalled because of the challenges that were faced by the contractor in the procurement of construction materials. The project resumed in September, 2014, and the contractor is on site. The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year. 

I thank you, Sir.