DAILY PARLIAMENTARY FOR THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Friday, 3rd October, 2014

The House met at 0900 hours

[MR DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]  

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_____   

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, I rise to give the House some idea of the business it will consider next week. 

On Tuesday, 7th October, 2014, the Business of the House will commence with Questions to hon. Ministers. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will resume the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address. 

On Wednesday, 8th October, 2014, the Business of the House will begin with Questions to hon. Ministers and this will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will any. Thereafter, the House will consider Private Members’ Motions, if there will be any. The House will, then, continue with debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address.

Sir, on Thursday, 9th October, 2014, the Business of the House will commence with Questions to hon. Ministers. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will any. Thereafter, the House will debate the Motion to suspend Standing Orders 19, 20, 21 and 31 to enable the House to sit from 1415 hours until Business is concluded on Friday, 10th October. 

The Motion will also seek to suspend the Vice-President’s Question Time. So, anyone who is desperate to know anything had better ask now.

Laughter 

The Vice-President: This is intended to enable the hon. Minister of Finance to present the 2015 National Budget. The House will, then, wind up the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address, which was moved by the hon. Member of Parliament for Chipili on 23rd September, 2014.

Mr Speaker, on Friday, 10th October, the hon. Minister of Finance, as already stated, will present the 2015 National Budget, starting at 1415 hours. 

I thank you, Sir.

______ 

HIS HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME 

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that before His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time, there are a few clarifications that His Honour the Vice-President would like to make. After these clarifications, any questions hon. Members would like to ask on these matters can be done during His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time. 

I thank you. 

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Deputy Speaker: He is explaining. 

The Vice-President: This is the system that we introduced last session. We agreed that anything that I say the previous week or previous two weeks, would be cleared up after doing some research. We can do it outside of the thirty minutes so that we get the full thirty minutes as well as the information dating back to the previous week. We were all agreed that this was a good system. If anyone wants to change it, please, let us know. 

Mr Speaker, I want to clear up the various claims made about the price of mealie meal, specifically by Hon. Prof. Lungwangwa who claimed that a bag was at K90 in Mongu, Western Province. I even heard it said it gone up as high as K100 from the Opposition last week. So, I thought I would ask the Jesuit Centre Theological Reflection (JCTR), which does the breadbasket every month, to check for me what the price of a bag of breakfast had been as far back as 2008 to date. 

I have, here, prices for various months in various years since 2008 to date, that is, or specifically about three years of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Government and three years of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, which I will lay on the Table. 

Mr Speaker, there is not a single figure that is approaching K90 or higher. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

The Vice-President: Well if there are problems with the people who collect the data, then, somebody should actually suggest it. However, if we have people whose figures we are basing arguments on, we have to put their reliance somewhere. When these things come out, they are in the papers and the politicians talk about it and so on and so forth. 

If you want me to go and check now with the Central Statistical Office (CSO), it can be done. However, we cannot just be dreaming up numbers in here and blaming everybody who does not agree with us. At least, let us give them the benefit of the doubt that they are attempting to give a picture of mealie meal prices. 

What basically is happening in this document, which hon. Members are free to study in great detail, is that up to about 2009/2010, the price went above K60. After the election in 2011, it stayed at the same level of about K50 and then dropped to K40. The price, then, rose again to K60, then, dropped to K50. It further rose again to K60 and then dropped. At the moment, it is sitting at about K70 on average in Lusaka. In Chipata and Chinsali, the price seems to be higher, but in other areas, it is lower than K80. 

These are the figures I have. What one gets in this mealie meal business is that sometimes the mealie meal produced is very high quality breakfast. It is not a fixed quality. You can get gankata, which is a luxury item, turned into mealie meal. You also get mealie meal being sold in small bags called “pamelas’, which if you multiply the price by the weight, you get over K90. 

Mr Speaker, if you get a surplus in a year like 2011, the price drops in 2012 because that surplus now comes onto the market. At the moment, for example, we are suffering the effects of last year’s shortage because a lot of mills bought mealie meal a year, six or nine months ago and this mealie meal is also attracting interest at these rather high interest rates that the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) is imposing upon us. However, we expect the prices to go down as this current surplus comes onto the market and becomes the touchstone of where the prices are. 

Mr Speaker, I also have here the prices from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) paid to the farmers from 2008 to 2014. The information is here and hon. Members are free to examine it. 

Mr Speaker, I think we have a bad habit in this House of making up figures. Hon. Members say things like farmers have not been paid for four months. If the gates were opened three months ago, how can farmers not have been paid for four months? It is just a rhetorical device in number and there is no evidence that the market or policy has stopped working or that there is a shortage. 

Mr Speaker, with this, I am ready to take blind questions. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Laughter 

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, …

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A procedural point of order is raised.

Mr Mwiimbu: 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 the amendments to the Standing Orders for His Honour the Vice-President to rise and start addressing us in this House? I need your serious ruling otherwise there will be anarchy and we will not be following procedures on the Floor of this House.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: I reserve a ruling on that point of order. Meanwhile, we shall proceed with our thirty-minutes of His Honour the Vice-President’s question time.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, looking at His Honour the Vice-President’s face as he briefed the media about the alleged plot to remove him as Vice-President, one could easily tell that he is very worried. From that time, he has been all over the place defending himself. 

Sir, are you worried and concerned that you might be removed from that position, and how sweet is that position?

Laughter 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, it strikes me as a personal question which I could duck. However, the truth of the matter is that I had forgotten all about the issue and now that you remind me, I am not at all worried about it. Even if I was to lose the position, what is there to worry about?

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Mushanga (Bwacha): Mr Speaker, I remember asking His Honour the Vice-President on how far the Government had gone regarding the preparations of celebrating the 50th Golden Jubilee and he promised to issue a ministerial statement, but has not done so to date. 

Sir, how far has the Government gone regarding the preparations of Zambia’s 50th Golden Jubilee Celebrations? How many foreign Heads of State and governments are expected to attend and will the celebrations be extended to provincial headquarters and constituencies?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, we were waiting to get confirmation from various Heads of States and other dignitaries. I think we have got, at the moment, seven or eight Heads of States who have confirmed their coming. I hope that I can give the statement by sometime next week and that number may have increased by one or two.

Sir, yes, we are going to have celebrations in each province. I am not sure about the constituencies, but I will make that much clearer next week. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mweetwa (Choma Central): Mr Speaker, when the Republican President, His Excellency Mr Michael Chilufya Sata came to open this House, all reasonable persons could tell that he is not well. Why did you, the Patriotic Front (PF), and your ancillary supporters decide not to tell the nation the truth about the state of health of His Excellency the President at the time when there was a lot of speculation about his condition? Why did you choose to accuse the Opposition of fabricating stories about the state of the health of His Excellency the President and go as far as accusing us of wishing him dead? 

Interruptions 

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! The question is expected to be answered by His Honour the Vice-President and not anyone of you.

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

Mr Mbewe: Kambwili.

Mr Kambwili: Ichongo, iwe.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! This is the time when I send people out. That is the kind of behaviour I do not like. 

Laughter 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I am not the spokesman for His Excellency the President’s health. I am not his doctor and I have about the same information as anyone else has, including the questioner. If I was to ask him how Mr Hakainde is, I would expect him to know better than me. In fact, if I ask Mr Hakainde, he might have to actually go for a checkup in order to tell me how he is.

Laughter 

The Vice-President: That is how life is. You do not wear a great label around your neck which shows your blood pressure, pulse and blood type.

Laughter 

The Vice-President: As far as I am concerned, His Excellency the President is well and I hope yours is too.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, there is a lot of hunger in Liuwa …

Dr Kaingu: And Mwandi.

Dr Musokotwane: … partly because the wildlife is in ravage. They want to eat rice, cassava, sweet potatoes and tobacco instead of grass. What are you doing to ensure that the people are protected just as the animals are protected?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the animals that I have seen in Liuwa mainly comprise cattle, wildebeests and hyenas that chase the young wildebeests and occasionally catch and eat them. 

Laughter 

The Vice-President: It is certainly not the hyenas, but possibly the wildebeests are running around eating tobacco, digging up cassava and sweet potatoes. However, I have never heard of that behaviour on the part of wildebeests. Maybe, they have become addicted to nicotine or something, but I will take the matter up with the relevant hon. Minister and bodies and try to produce some kind of reasoned response. 

Sir, I think that this question is redolent of imagination running a bit loose. 

I thank you, Sir, 

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, one of the pitfalls of the Industrial Development Commission (INDECO) during the era of the United National Independence Party (UNIP) was inefficiency caused by, among other things, appointments based on political patronage. 

Sir, facts on the ground are that the Patriotic Front (PF) has the same affinity and propensity, if not worse. Given these facts, can His Honour the Vice-President assure this nation that the Industrial Development Commission (IDC), which is being created, will not experience the same pitfalls and be irrelevant to the development agenda of Zambia.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, it is very difficult to answer a question where a matter of opinion is involved. I do not personally think that this Government has a very large affinity for political appointments in businesses like the Industrial Development Commission (IDC). The IDC currently falls under Cabinet Office. As far as I am aware, the staffing will be strictly technical because I have to keep an eye on that office. 

Sir, judge us by what you see. From the beginning, the United National Independence Party (UNIP) lost control of this country and the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) came and lost control of this country because of political appointments. We are aware of the dangers and have come with a much more technocratic orientation. 

Mr Chansa (Chimbamilonga): Mr Speaker, what is the progress report on the distribution of fertiliser and seed countrywide? 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, that needs to be done the traditional way by the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock coming with a statement and laying it on the Table with columns and rows of figures about what has arrived where. If I start commenting on that, first of all, I will be out of date by a few days and secondly, I will take up the rest of the twenty-one minutes I have on the Floor of this House.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Mazoka (Pemba): Mr Speaker, what are the line ministries doing with the funds which are appropriated to their ministries? I ask this because each time we ask for them to fund projects that fall under their portfolios, we are told that the projects will be done when funds are available and, sometimes, we are asked to utilise the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Therefore, what is the money that is appropriated to these ministries for?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I am baffled. The money appropriated to the ministry is to enable it to carry out its functions. If there is a shortage due to tax revenues having fallen down or emergency expenditures having risen, then, there will be delays. The money is for what it is said it is in the Yellow Book. The hon. Member might be encouraged to hear that the Yellow Book, now, since we are putting it on a different basis, is actually going to be a much smaller document and not something which, if it falls on your dog, it might kill it …

Mr Kambwili laughed.

The Vice-President: … like last year’s volume. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mtolo (Chipata Central): Mr Speaker, West Africa has a problem of Ebola. In the next few days, we will be sending our Zambia National Football Team and, indeed, a group of supporters to West Africa. What has the Cabinet done in connection with the line ministry to make sure that Zambians are not put at risk during this travel?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, we are sending the team to Niger. As far as I am aware, Niger does not have a single case of the Ebola fever unlike the United States of America (USA).

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Musonda (Kapiri Mposhi): Mr Speaker, with reference to the 2013/2014 Demographic and Health Survey, would His Honour the Vice-President indicate the progress or a lack thereof in the areas of maternal health, child health and the human immuno-deficiency virus/ acquired immuno deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, let me give a useful hint to some ministries. If they want to be sure that the information that they are releasing comes out in the media, it is a good idea to give it to the Vice-President and let him fix a question so that the matter can go on television. I trust the hon. Minister of Health is going to allow me to do his job just for two minutes and then he can follow it up. 

Mr Speaker, we have good results on the Zambian Demographic Health Survey, which is the first of its kind conducted since 2007. It is not so much about 2013 and 2014, but the period between 2007 and 2014. Every single indicator that has been released, so far, is positive and good for us. For example, the total fertility rate is dropping in line with the increased life expectancy, obviously as you expect. It has fallen from 6.2 per cent in 2007 to 5.3 per cent for women aged fifteen to forty-nine. They are having fewer pregnancies during their life time. The use of family planning has greatly increased. This means that …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, on my left!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, one of the indications is that more women are going to clinics and other health institutions to have their babies. When they are there, they fall inside the net of our B+ programme which treats any human immuno-deficiency virus/ acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) which is tested. The HIV/AIDS figures, if I am right, are due to be released. The other half of this document is due to come out next month and I think that the hon. Members of this House will be pleasantly shocked by the results that we are achieving in the field of HIV/AIDS. We shall see. It is coming out. 

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Listen! If professionals such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) can go out and conduct a survey according to international standards and bring to us good news, I am afraid, the House can say what it wants and I am going to stick by that news until something else, which is equally professional, is shown to me.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the child mortality rate has dropped spectacularly with the increased use of mosquito nets and the coverage in the clinics. 

Mr Kalaba: These are facts.

The Vice-President: Sir, exclusive breastfeeding has improved. These, unfortunately, are facts. Everything in the delivery in health centres and access to skilled birth attendants is positive. We are actually heading towards meeting many positive aspects of the millennium development goals (MDGs). Malnutrition and the use of insecticide treated nets are improving.

 Watch this space. Next month, we will get the complete demographic survey in health and we will find that things have improved considerably in the last few years. After all, this is what you would expect because this is a very medically strong Government. These days, we have more than one ministry involved in child mortality and women’s affairs. We have doctors even in the Cabinet Office and everywhere else. We know what we are doing and the figures show that we are achieving it.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Lubezhi (Namwala): Mr Speaker, many times, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government officials have accepted and admitted that there is corruption. In today’s, 3rd October, 2014, The Post Newspaper, the senior hon. Minister has said that Chinese contractors are masters of corruption. What is your Government’s policy on corruption instead of your just complaining in to the press?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I quickly glanced at the headline story this morning. It has nobody standing by it and saying, “I am the source of the story.” Nobody is saying that this was a Government statement, a Government policy or even the Government’s concern. My job is to talk about Government policy and not about leaked information from anonymous various sources.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Kalima (Kasenengwa): Mr Speaker, His Honour the Vice-President was quoted in the media as having stated that if the former President Mr Rupiah Banda came back into power, he would eat his heart. Would he just elaborate what exactly he meant considering that former President Banda has the right, as a citizen and a Zambian, to come back to politics if he wanted.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I want to thank the Hon. Vicky …

Laughter

The Vice-President: … for that question.

Mr Kambwili: The girlfriend to Rupiah Banda!

The Vice-President: Sir, one of the problems, of course, you have in the Eastern Province is that some English metaphors get changed sayings. The actual saying that I used is that, “If I see the former His Excellency, Mr Rupiah Banda, standing after being selected by his party as a candidate, I will eat my hat.” In fact, I said, “I will put my hat on the table, cook it with a flame and eat it in front of you, journalists,” because I will be so surprised. I am safe and not going to have to eat my heart. That is the meaning of that saying. “Eating my heart out” means that I am jealous.

Hon. Government Members: Chizungu!

The Vice-President: It is a different thing altogether. 

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, with your indulgence, the accent in the Eastern Province is not always very stable.

Laughter

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mtolo: On a point of order, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: So, the difference between a hat and a heart may not have been evident to every ear.

Laughter

The Vice-President: However, I thank the hon. Member who beat me solidly in Kasenengwa for her brilliant question.

Thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutale (Kwacha): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from His Honour the Vice- President when tollgates will be rolled out countrywide so that we can raise funds for maintenance of roads.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, rather than just saying next year, which I think is probably true, I would like to investigate this matter and bring an accurate account to the House or get somebody to pose a question and thereby get round Hon. Jack Mwiimbu’s legalistic problems with me addressing the House on a question that I was in the middle of trying to answer last week, but did not have the information which I now have, and I thought we spent the whole session doing that.

Mr Speaker, thank you.

Laughter

Mr Kunda (Muchinga): Mr Speaker, this Government has neglected the young people by not protecting even the few jobs that are there. I want to find out from His Honour the Vice- President what the Government is doing to protect the workers at Sable Zinc in Kabwe and, indeed, many other companies that would want to lay off their workers?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, if we are talking specifically about Sable Zinc, whatever that may be in Kabwe, I think I need to look into it and get some information. Otherwise, I can just give you soft soap which I do not want to do. I do not want to say something like, if anybody gets laid off at Sable Zinc I will eat my hat only to find out the next day or hear that I will be eating my heart and have Vicky attack me.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Sianga (Sesheke): Mr Speaker, now that the current President has qualified for a full President’s retirement package, is this Government considering retiring our sitting President before things get worse?

Laughter

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, that is not under consideration. If we are just in a hypothetical universe on the other side of this galaxy to consider retiring anybody, it would not be on the basis that he/she had completed so many years in service. I find it a slightly offensive suggestion.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Konga (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, it has been reported in the media that Zambia is one of the countries into which a lot of foreign direct investment (FDI) is flowing. Similarly, it has been reported that Zambia has the highest levels of malnutrition on the continent and that it is one of the poorest countries in the world. Therefore, what can you give as an explanation for the high rise in the FDI, but very low reflection on the improvement of the people’s lives?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, Zambia is the highest beneficiary of the FDI of any landlocked country in Africa and not that it is the highest in the entire Africa or the world. That is what the actual statistic is. I think we went through a similar question last week of using the food balance sheet to estimate hunger and I pointed out that, actually, Zambia is trying to export maize everywhere, including the Horn of Africa. We are trying to get rid of our settlers being referred to as malnourished by people who do not know what the figures mean. I gave the example of all the non-maize foods that are eaten, for example, in the Southern Province when there is any question of malnutrition. Maybe, the hon. Member was not here last week or he thought I had forgotten what happened last week. I think we have explained that there is no connection between grain surpluses and malnutrition.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mucheleka (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, yesterday, one of the Patriotic Front (PF) hon. Members of Parliament confirmed that there are factions in the PF Government …

Mr Mwila: Question!

Mr Mucheleka: … and some of them have accused the former hon. Minister of Justice of being responsible for the delay in the enactment of the people-driven Constitution. At this stage, can His Honour the Vice-President indicate how soon the Draft Constitution will be released to the public as well as the roadmap because people have waited for too long.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the questioner must surely be aware that our new hon. Minister of Justice made a statement on this and is continuing to dialogue with the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) grouping on the Constitution issue. I can only say that if he particularly wants to bring an emergency question or he trusts us to actually arrange for a parliamentary statement, we can do either of those things but, apart from that, I can say nothing of interest.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Mr Speaker, His Honour the Vice-President is also the hon. Member of Parliament for a constituency in Lusaka and I can imagine that he has interest in Lusaka as much as I do. Last year, the Lusaka City Council (LCC) placed an advertisement in the press asking for companies to clean up the city and turn garbage into gold. A number of companies applied and all those applications were sent to the Ministry of Finance. However, to date, there has not been any award of contract for a private company to clean up the City of Lusaka thereby creating a model that other cities can learn from. As Vice-President and also hon. Member of Parliament in Lusaka, could he indicate to this House what the delay is and when this process shall be allowed to flourish so that we can clean up the city and the country.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I am just as frustrated as the hon. Member for Kabwata is.

Hon. Government Member: Aah!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, this is because two-and-half years ago, we made an enquiry and actually toured Johannesburg to see how it was dealing with turning garbage into gold business there. We held a meeting with the Cabinet Office and all interested parties, including the Ministry of Finance, and the situation is as the hon. Member describes it. That is why I said I am as frustrated as he is and I think next week, we can do something to find out what the holdup is.

 The problem, Sir, is that there are many parts of this Government that are not used to delivering. They are used to talking and work-shopping, but not delivering. That is a very big frustration for a delivery-oriented party like ours.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, now that the Mangango Seat has been won by the PF, when is the Katunda/Lukulu/Mwembeshi Road going to be tarred?

Laughter

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, it is time that question was put to music so that instead of just reiterating it, the hon. Member can sing it. Maybe, each time he stands up, there must be a tune that suits his frustration.

Laughter

The Vice-President: As I have said many times, we are almost completely a road across the Zambezi that involves twenty-three or twenty-six bridges. That road is nearing completion and, at the moment, it is under …

Mr Yaluma: Under procurement.

The Vice-President: … procurement anyway. So, he can ask that Question, again, next week because it will not be Vice-President Question Time without that question.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Laughter

Lt-Gen. Rev. Shikapwasha (Keembe): Mr Speaker, a Zambian delegation, led by His Excellency the President, went to the United Nations General Assembly last month. What was the number of the people in the delegation and what did they go to do since His Excellency the President did not address the General Assembly?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I cannot answer some of these questions off-the-cuff. I have no idea how many people went with him. How would I happen to have the manifest for the planes or the bookings for the hotels or the allowances since I was neither the head of the delegation nor was I in the delegation? I was not even in charge of the logistics and administration. So, there are issues that we can easily look into and if Hon. Jack Mwiimbu allows, I can give you the answer next week.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, His Honour the Vice-President said that the prices of mealie meal which were stated as high were out of a dream. Could he prove that the price of mealie meal in Kalabo Central is K60.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the figures that I have are for provincial capitals and if the hon. Member wanted figures for district capitals, I could easily provide those. However, the fact is that the prices are not what you are claiming.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

_______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

DEATH OF FIRST YEAR STUDENT AT UNZA

117. Mr Mweetwa (Choma Central) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a)    what led to the death of a first year student at the University of Zambia (UNZA) on 30th September, 2014;

(b)    why the Government had only provided bursaries to 2,000 first year students out of the 6,000 who had been admitted to the institution for the 2014/2015 Academic Year; and

(c)    what sustainable measures the Government had taken to ensure that the university operates as a proper public university.

The Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Dr Phiri): Mr Speaker, first of all, let me commend, although rarely so, the hon. Member, who is also my former student, for asking this important question. I commend him because ordinarily, I would not have known about this sad development. As late as yesterday when I met the university management, it was not sure what really transpired. Understandably, it did not know about this because this student is not yet in their books. As you may be aware, the university opened its doors to first year students last week, beginning Monday to Friday for orientation and registration will only begin on Monday, next week. These first year students will be joined by the returning students. So, this explains why the ministry was silent over this.

Sir, let me take this opportunity to send our deepest condolences to the Makwamba family on this tragic loss. What led to this sad situation was that this female student had applied and got accepted to the university. However, when she inquired from the Bursaries Committee on the status regarding her bursary, she was told that her name was not on the provisional list. She did not have the patience to fight this battle. Unfortunately, she committed suicide and we lost her.

Mr Speaker, I also want to say that this sad development, as one of the papers has indicated, is a very loud wake up call both to the ministry, particularly the Bursaries Committee, and also to the Government on the predicament that we find ourselves regarding the bursaries regime in this country.

Sir, let me inform this august House that in the 2014 Budget, the ministry was allocated K8.6 billion and that was termed as the largest allocation to ministries. Out of that, K6.1 billion (76 per cent) goes to personal emoluments and only K2.5 billion (approximately 24 per cent) goes to non-personal emoluments. The non-personal emoluments component includes the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) and donor funds. On the non-personal emoluments allocation of K2.5 billion, a sum of K1.6 billion is earmarked for programmes, including infrastructure development. Infrastructure development gobbles K756.4 million, leaving a balance of K395.5 million for other programmes and activities in the ministry at all levels.

Mr Speaker, out of the K395.5 million, bursary allocation to students at the University of Zambia (UNZA) for the year stands at K91,161,907. This year, UNZA received a supplementary allocation of K57,700,000, bringing the total allocation to the two universities, if we have to add the Copperbelt University (CBU), to K191,825,179. It should be noted that the annual allocation to the ministry for the execution of this programme is insufficient, hence the supplementary funding which was requested for by the ministry.

Sir, let me quickly re-emphasise that the ministry has not departed from its obligation of sponsoring school leavers at UNZA and CBU. In fact, figures show that we have, over the years, increased allocations to these institutions, though not sufficiently in big figures. It should also be noted that the budget for sponsorship of students takes into account the returning students as well as the new ones. The 2014 Budget was approved in October, last year, in this august House, and did not envisage an increased number of first year students to be sponsored from 2,600 to 6,000, arising mainly from the introduction of new programmes in the university and the increased enrolment at UNZA.

Mr Speaker, trends show that the first year student bursary beneficiaries in the last four years have been as follows:

    Year     No. of Beneficiaries

    2011    1,984

    2012    2,258

    2013    2,298

    2014    2,600

Sir, on average, the Government spends K25,833 per year for each sponsored university student on accommodation, meals, tuition fees and book allowances. Therefore, to sponsor all the 6,000 first year students at UNZA alone, a total of K154,999,811 would be required.

Clearly, when we sum up the amount that we give to UNZA and the CBU for bursaries, it far outstrips the amount available in the 2014 Budget for the ministry, especially including returning students.

Mr Speaker, let me inform this House that, as a way forward, the decision to transform the bursary support into a loan scheme was made in 2014. In light of the aforementioned, and as a way of operationalising the loan scheme, the Government is almost in the final stages of transforming the Bursaries Committee into a Loans Board which will be overseeing a revolving fund. This, to me and the ministry, is what the nation has been waiting for. We can only say we will hasten the establishment of this loans and scholarship board.

Mr Speaker, other modalities that we hope can ensure the sustainability of public universities include the following:

(a)    expanding distance, evening and parallel classes so that additional monies go to the universities;

(b)    developing of partnerships to set up assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds;

(c)    transforming the Bursaries Committee, as I indicated, into a loans board;

(d)    increasing budgetary allocations to the education sector, which I hope all hon. Members of Parliament will support. In the meantime, we have directed the Bursaries Committee to extend bursaries to students enrolled in the new programmes at the universities. The details thereof we will be communicating to the rest of the nation shortly next week;

(e)    increasing admission for private and self-sponsored students; and 

(f)    scaling-up income generating ventures within public universities. 

Mr Speaker, to this explanation, let me add that our students, especially those in the first year, registering next week, must stay calm and wait for the final list of recipients which we hope will come out around Thursday, next week. As a ministry, we regret the delay in publishing the list of recipients, which only came out on Monday. I know that this delay has not given our first year students an opportunity to find alternative means of sponsoring themselves. However, to end my explanation, I repeat that the only hope for tomorrow in order for us to avoid such tragic deaths, as the one I mentioned, is to have a revolving loans and scholarship scheme, which we are working on.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, allow me …

Mr Mutelo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, I am totally sorry for interrupting the hon. Member who was about to ask a follow up question. We are sent here as people’s representatives and we bring their views and not our own. When I asked what the people at home sent me here to do, His Honour the Vice-President said my question should be turned into a song. I need to be guided whether starting next week, as he has put it, as a people’s representative, I should be singing here. Has the procedure of this House changed such that we are allowed to sing in here? Moreover, in songs, there are messages, but I thought I should ask a question instead of singing songs like Kuwayawaya che and Mwalibepa. I do not need to be singing like that.

Laughter 

Mr Mutelo: Therefore, was His Honour the Vice-President in order to say I should now be singing about the Katunda/Lukulu Road and not ask as a people’s representative? When we were on recess, people were still asking me about the Katunda/Lukulu Road. Even when our colleagues in the Patriotic Front (PF) were campaigning in Mangango, they told the people that if they voted for the PF, this road would be tarred. Therefore, what is wrong with my asking about it? If His Honour the Vice-President wants, we can sing Kuwayawaya che together. Therefore, I seek your serious ruling on this matter, Sir.

Laughter 

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lukulu West, I think you have adequately debated your point of order. As for His Honour the Vice-President’s statement about singing, I understand it to mean that, maybe, you should continue asking that question every time. So, in that context, it is fine. However, if he meant you should be singing in the manner you have mentioned, then, he was out of order.

Can the hon. Member for Choma Central continue.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, allow me to, rarely, but deservedly so, commend the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, who is my former lecturer, for making a firm commitment on the Floor of this House that bursaries shall be extended to the students who were left out in the initial selection.

Sir, UNZA and other public universities have turned themselves into commercial entities. That is to say, they prefer to recruit more self-sponsored than bursary-sponsored students because of the failure by the Government to adequately fund the universities. Even when pronouncements on the allocations to the institutions are made, here, on the Floor in the Budget, they are normally either late or less than what is announced. Therefore, I want to find out if the Government has any strategic plan …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

The consultations on my right are too loud.

Mr Mweetwa: … to help relieve UNZA of the huge debt mountain that it is sitting on and that is choking its operations? This has left the university management with no option other than to try to continue to admit many students on self-sponsored programmes, something which initially was not the intention of that public university.

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, first of all, let me correct the impression that Hon. Mweetwa is trying to create. I did not say that we are going to extend the bursary scheme to all the students who were not awarded. What I said is that we are going to revisit the provisional list of students who have been awarded and see whether we can add more students to it. That is not the same as saying that all the other students who were left out will be considered for bursaries. That I must make very clear because we might be building false hopes in the minds of our children and also forcing them into this path of tragedy that I talked about earlier.

Mr Speaker, the strategic plan has been and is being worked on for a long time now, but the major constraint is funding, as I tried to indicate in my explanation. Until the budget allocation to the ministry is increased, particularly for non-personal emoluments issues, we will continue seeing this story. 25 per cent of the allocated amount going to really serious activities in the ministry will not get us anywhere. In fact, we will make our universities more debt-ridden. I know coming, as it has, from Hon. Mweetwa, who is sitting on the university council; he will know the debt burden of these public universities. There is no way the ministry can help these universities to progress until the budget allocations, which we will continue crying for, are increased.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Masebo (Chongwe): Mr Speaker, I would like to join the hon. Minister in rendering my condolences to the family of the girl who committed suicide. It is very sad for our country. Yes, the hon. Minister is right that it is a wake up call for all of us, especially those in the Executive.

Sir, yesterday, I saw children who were not granted bursaries crying and demonstrating. Therefore, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what the Government is doing, as a preventive measure, to ensure that we do not have a repeat of what happened to the child who committed suicide. What are we doing while putting in place future budget plans? Is there anything that the ministry is directly doing behind the curtains to address the plight of these children? For example, talking to them and promising them that, maybe, next year, they can go back to school.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Phiri: Well spoken, hon. Member of Parliament for Chongwe. You are speaking the same language that we were speaking yesterday with UNZA. We have put in place short-term measures that can help our students understand the plight they find themselves in. We are intensifying both internal counselling services in the university and also in the ministry, but at the same time looking at the allocated sums and list of our boys and girls, young men and women who have applied for these bursaries. 

Mr Speaker, there is nothing definitive that I can give now except to state that these efforts are on-going. We are hoping that by Monday or Tuesday, we will have an indication of what the exact situation is regarding the first year students. 

Let me urge all the students to, again, remain calm and use the period from Monday to Friday, next week, when they are supposed to be registering as students to come to terms with what is before them. I also want to urge UNZA to sharpen its counselling centre activities so that we can help our students refocus on the situation befalling them. Nothing is completely lost as we await the establishment of the loan scheme.

Interruptions

Dr Phiri: We think that in the interim, there could be certain measures that can be put in place to help as many vulnerable children as possible, although the number will not be large.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Simfukwe (Mbala): Mr Speaker, …

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

Mr Simfukwe resumed his seat.

Mr Lubinda: On who?

Mr Deputy Speaker: That is right. On who?

Laughter

Mr Simfukwe: Mr Speaker, thank you for allowing me …

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

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, I have been in this House long enough. I can proudly say that I am one of the senior hon. Members of Parliament in this House …

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes.

Mr Mbewe: Yes, because others will not reach where …

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: … I am, especially those I know.

Mr Speaker, it has been a very good trend in this House to inform the public on what is going in the country and make it aware whenever an issue has passed through this House.

Sir, is the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, who went on holiday, I am sure, to the United States of America, in order to come and sit …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member raising that point of order! 

I think that we should try to be considerate in the manner we raise our questions because, obviously, when you say the hon. Minister who went to New York on holiday, you are inviting him to make a comment that may not be to your liking because you know he had gone to New York to attend the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. So, let us be civil in our debate.

Can the hon. Member, continue.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, …

Mr Lubinda: He is retarded.

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: Can I answer him, Sir?

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: No, do not answer him. 

Please, stop making running commentaries while seated.

Mr Mbewe: I withdraw that he went on holiday, …

Mr Mbulakulima: Very good.

Mr Mbewe: … but the serious issue is that he went on Government assignment and the people are eager to know what really happened and was discussed at that meeting. Therefore, all the Zambians are waiting to hear what was discussed in the United States of America. Is the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs in order to come here and keep quiet without informing this House and the public on what was discussed in the United States of America for the people to know?

Mr Deputy Speaker: I am looking to my right, trying to see whether the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs is in the House.

Ms Kalima: They are never here.

Mr Deputy Speaker: He is out. Can somebody tell him that I have directed that he comes with a ministerial statement on the matter that has been raised.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simfukwe: Mr Speaker, arising from part of the answer the hon. Minister gave that the real problem the Government cannot increase the number of students on the bursary list is a lack of funds …

Mr Miyutu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised, but before I give the hon. Member the Floor, let me address this issue. You know that we have ten questions on the Order Paper and there is another item. I wanted to give as many people as possible an opportunity to ask on this particular issue because of the importance attached to it. However, if we are going to be destructed by several points of order, we will not make headway. So, I will make that the last point of order.

You may have your point of order.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, I am rising on this serious point of order arising from the response given by the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education to the question asked by Hon. Mweetwa. In his response, the hon. Minister stated that nothing is completely lost, and yet the question is arising from the death of a student at the university. Is the hon. Minister, therefore, in order to state that nothing is completely lost when a life, which will never be restored, has been lost?

I need your serious ruling.

Mr Deputy Speaker: That is the type of point of order which I would advise should come as a Question rather than a point of order. So, it can be asked later on.

Can the hon. Member for Mbala continue.

Mr Simfukwe: Mr Speaker, the Yellow Book is prepared by civil servants. Mostly, it is because of the lack of scrutiny by hon. Ministers and, sometimes, Permanent Secretaries that funds appear to be inadequate. Can the hon. Minister reassure me and the nation that he will scrutinise the budget for his ministry before it comes to this House. We are going to look at it and the savings that he would have made will show. Last year, about K10 trillion could have been saved had there been enough scrutiny.

Mr Deputy Speaker: I think that you have asked your question.

Dr Phiri: You are assured, Sir. Take note that every year, we go through the budget for the ministry together. The figures that come here are dictated by the Ministry of Finance ceilings on each of the activities. As a former Permanent Secretary, I think that you are aware of that, hon. Member.

Mr Speaker, with that assurance, beginning this year, the ministry will be the first one to pilot the Programme-Based Budgeting System that has been proposed by the Ministry of Finance, moving away from the Activity-Based Budgeting System. I would be very grateful if hon. Members scrutinised the budget proposal from the ministry prudently so that you help us get the money which you suspect is being used on other trivialities rather than the activities which we must carry out.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, I also want to express my condolences to the family of the late would-have-been student at the University of Zambia (UNZA). I also wish to state that this sad occasion reminds me of that street vendor in Tunisia whose death led to the Arab Spring.

Mr Speaker, the House is aware that when there is an emergency such as the one at UNZA, we fall on the Contingency Fund. Even when we are proposing to host soccer matches in this country, we are told that even if there is no money under the Ministry of Youth and Sport, the Contingency Fund will be used. Why are we not asking the hon. Minister of Finance to use the Contingency Fund to assist the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education to cater for the unfortunate students who cannot access bursaries in this country?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Before the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education answers, I have seen the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and would rather tell him myself what I had asked somebody else to tell him. 

Hon. Minister, now that you are here, there was a question on why you have been quiet upon your return from attending the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. I ask that you come up with a ministerial statement on this matter by Wednesday, next week.

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I want to caution that the unfortunate death of this student should not be used in any way to explain anything. Let the Arab Spring stay away from Zambia.

Hon. Opposition Members: Why?

Interruptions

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, my assurance is that we are trying the best we can under the circumstances, even if it means relying on the Contingency Fund. We are communicating with the Ministry of Finance and, thus far, the information is that it has released money in the form of supplementary allocations. Otherwise, based on the funds that are allocated by this House, we would have been bogged down a long time ago.

Sir, this is a wake up call for all of us. We need to combine our energies in trying to find a lasting solution to the plight of our would-be students. Nobody takes pride in denying help to students, which they are entitled to. I neither find any pleasure in using this sad situation to propel the Patriotic Front (PF) Manifesto nor do I find pleasure in expecting members of the Opposition, including my brothers and sisters who are leaders of political parties, to use UNZA as a campaign strategy. No! It will not be right.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Dr Phiri: I have told you …

Interruptions

Dr Phiri: From 2011 and even before, I have narrated that the figures of students who are getting bursaries are moving upwards. The Bursaries Committee has certain procedures to follow. One of them is that no student who completed in 2013 should be availed a bursary. So, the bursaries we are talking about are for students who completed school in 2011 and 2012. However, for this year, UNZA also admitted those who are not eligible for these awards. This is why we have this big figure of 6,000 from a total of 17,000 applicants.

Mr Speaker, as you know, rightly so, there is this degree fever in this country, but looking at the resources that we have, as a Government, it is not possible to cater for everyone unless we go the loans and scholarship scheme way, as I mentioned.

Therefore, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, be assured that the Government is also trying its best to find amicable ways of helping the young people of Zambia to move forward. After all, we are also products of a bursary scheme, under the Kenneth Kaunda Regime. We can only say that the day when we go back to those good old days will soon come.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Mr Speaker, on behalf of the people of Kabwata Constituency and on my own behalf, I register our condolences on the demise of the would-have-been student at UNZA. In addition, let me also register my appreciation of the plight of the children who are struggling to access bursaries to enter UNZA. 

Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the hon. Minister to state categorically whether, indeed, the girl whose life was unfortunately lost committed suicide principally because of not being given a bursary. Is there any empirical evidence that the hon. Minister can rely on so that it is clear to us whether, indeed, there are no other extenuating circumstances surrounding her decision to take her life?

Interruptions

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, …

Ms Kalima: Stand up!

Laughter

Dr Phiri: Iwe, Dorika!

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Ulekwata umucinshi, iwe. Nibawiso aba.

Laughter

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, at the beginning of my statement, in answer to Hon. Mweetwa’s question, I indicated that I met the management of the university yesterday. When I asked about the death of a first year student, as indicated by the rumours, they categorically told me that they could not say, with certainty, that a first year student had died. 

I also explained why that situation arose. It is because this week ending today, it was orientation week for first years. The actual registration begins next week. Therefore, the university had no record at all and that explains why the ministry did not comment on this matter. However, based on our findings mainly from the press, we accepted that there was a death and it affected one of the applicants to the university. I cannot ascertain and there is no reason for me to start doubting or being pushed to ascertain, but I am hoping against hope that the Makwamba family lost their daughter because of the tragic circumstances that the non-provision of the bursary pushed this child into. Our doors are open. We can ascertain as time goes but, for now, we are too heavy ridden with grief. Even if it turns out that, that is not the case, we cannot swallow those condolences because we have still lost a human life. Whatever the circumstances, there is a child being moaned now and let us accept that there is a death of one of our young people who wanted to enter the university.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Let me say that you can see how many of us want to continue debating on this matter. It is a very important and emotive matter and I am sure that it is an issue that we cannot exhaust because already, I have more than twenty people indicating desire to speak. What that means, hon. Minister, is that there is a problem, which the Government has to look into in terms of the situation at the university. Please, whichever way the Bursaries Committee does look at these matters, let us ensure that we do as best as we can because there are a number of children that have been left out who, I believe, are from vulnerable families. They are from orphaned homes. I hope that we have not given bursaries to those children whose parents are able to pay. Therefore, these are matters that I think you should look into and as I have said, we can debate this matter up to sunset. With that summary, we move on to the next question.

ALLOWANCES OWED TO KALABO DISTRICT TEACHERS

118. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a)    how much money the Government owed teachers from Kalabo District, in the form of settling-in allowances and rural hardship allowances, as of August, 2014; and 

(b)    what plans the Government had to clear the allowances owed to the teachers.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the Government owes teachers from Kalabo District a total sum of K1,971,314 in settling-in allowances and other personal emoluments. As for the rural hardship allowance, all eligible teachers are receiving it on a monthly basis. 

Mr Speaker, the allowances will be cleared through the dismantling of arrears, in view of the limited funds available. However, the Government is committed to clearing all the arrears.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, these monies …

Mr Mweetwa On a point of order.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

 I ruled that I was not going to allow any more points of order until we finish these questions.

You may continue, hon. Member.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, the response given by the hon. Minister indicates that there is a colossal sum of money which the Government owes those teachers and I feel that the failure of the Government to pay this money has a negative effect on the teachers. Therefore, in view of the fact that the Government intends to dismantle these areas which it owes, what immediate measures has the Government put in place to ensure that the teachers are comforted and gain morale and the desire to work for the people of Kalabo? What immediate measure is going to be instituted to enable those teachers to get the money before you go into your long-lasting plans?

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, I do not want to go into what the hon. Minister was saying in terms of the inadequacy of the Budget, but in terms of the immediate measures. There is an amount that has been provided in the 2014 Budget and if Hon. Miyutu can manage to talk to the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) in Kalabo, he will be told that this amount of money was even more than this, which implies that, as the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education and the Government, we have been dismantling these personnel arrears. Like I have said, we have got an amount of money that is dedicated to the dismantling of arrears. If Hon. Miyutu chooses to check in the Yellow Book for 2013 and 2014, he will find that in terms of the allocation, it is double. In 2013, the amount that we had was smaller. However, in 2014, the amount of money that has been provided is quite substantial because we recognise the need to dismantle these areas. However, this amount is not enough to clear all the personnel arrears.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mufalali (Senanga): Mr Speaker, how long have these arrears been outstanding?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, these arrears are historical of course. Therefore, it is not that they have accumulated over the three years that the Patriotic Front (PF) has been in the Government.  We are committed to continue to dismantle them.

I thank you, Sir.

ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE REHABILITATION IN RUFUNSA DISTRICT

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

(a)    when rehabilitation of the following roads, including bridges and culverts in Rufunsa Parliamentary Constituency would commence:

(i)    Chipeketi;

(ii)    Kazemba;

(iii)    Kashimpa;

(iv)    Shimungubo;

(v)    Chandalala;

(vi)    Shikabeta;

(vii)    Kamwenshya; and

(viii)    Lubalashi.

(b)    when Chomba/Shikabeta Road would be graded; and

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

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mwimba H. Malama): Mr Speaker, works to carry out maintenance on 21 km of the Chipeketi Road have already commenced. 

Mr Speaker, there are no immediate plans under the Road Development Agency (RDA) or Rural Roads Unit (RRU) to carry out the maintenance of Kazemba agriculture,z\ Road, Kashimpa Road, Chandalala Road, Kamwenyshya Road and Shimungubo Road. However, rehabilitation of these roads may be considered for inclusion in the 2016 Road Sector Annual Work Plans, if presented as priority roads by the respective local road authorities and this will also be subject to availability of funds.

Mr Speaker, maintenance works on the Shikabeta Road have been completed. The works were commenced by the RRU in the month of July, 2014, and were completed in the same month. Maintenance grading of Lubalashi Road, including culvert installation, was carried out by the RRU in the month of July, 2014, at a cost of K159,00 0 and works were completed in the same month.

Grading works on Chomba/Shikabeta Road are anticipated to commence in October, 2014, soon after the completion of the ongoing maintenance works on Chipeketi Road. The estimated cost for carrying out maintenance works on the Chomba/Shikabeta Road is K132,176.

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for his elaborate response. This is an old question, hon. Minister, and most of the roads are being worked on, currently, thanks to you.  I rarely render my thanks, but I do so now. 

Mr Mushanga: Ema MP aya!

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, I am, however, worried about the bad workmanship and the lack of supervision. In fact, some of the workers are even selling the diesel meant for the construction machinery. What will be done to improve the workmanship and the supervision?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, when Government workers are selling public property, including diesel, they should be reported to the police when found out. You will agree with me that we need a lot of engineers countrywide to supervise these works. 

In the same vein, Sir, I am appealing to you, hon. Members, to help organise local authorities so that they can also assist with regard to supervising these works. At local councils, there are people with a good understanding of road construction. So, we should depend on you. We are everywhere and there is no way we can depart from you or avoid you. We need your help and pledge to continue working with you in all corners of the country.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mucheleka (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, the roads that Hon. Chipungu referred to are mainly in the rural part of Rufunsa District. 

Sir, in Luwingu, in Lubansenshi Constituency and other rural areas, we have a very serious challenge of feeder roads or access roads. Is it not possible, hon. Minister, for your ministry to come up with a very comprehensive plan or strategy to deal with feeder roads in rural areas so that they can feed into other trunk roads that are under the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project? By working on the road network in rural areas, our people may begin to take advantage of the economic opportunities that may exist. 

Mr Deputy Speaker: I will request the hon. Minister to take note of that request even though it is not part of the Question on the Order Paper. 

ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMME IN NORTHERN PROVINCE

120. Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi) (on behalf of Ms Kansembe) (Lukashya) asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development when the next phase of the electrification programme under the Rural Electrification Authority would commence in the Northern Province. 

The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Zulu): Mr Speaker, the electrification programme in the Northern Province commenced in September, 2014.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, in the last session, the hon. Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development indicated that the electrification of Lupososhi and part of Lukashya would commence in 2014. To date, nothing has been done. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) will move into these areas I have mentioned.  

Mr Deputy Speaker: Again, that does not relate to the Question on the Order Paper. The hon. Minister referred to the electrification of the Northern Province and added that it would commence in 2014, but you are talking about other areas which do not fall under this question.

GENDER MAINSTREAMING PROGRAMMES

121. Mr Mucheleka asked the Minister of Gender and Child Development:

(a)    how many institutions offered programmes in gender mainstreaming in development from December, 2011 to June, 2014;

(b)    what specific programmes were offered; and

(c)    what other programmes the Government had lined up for gender mainstreaming.

The Deputy Minister of Gender and Child Development (Mr Chisala): Mr Speaker, twenty-two institutions registered under the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Authority (TEVETA) offered courses related to gender and development from December, 2011 to June, 2014. 

Further, there are twenty-two institutions offering teacher education in the country even though not all of them offer gender mainstreaming in development as a specific programme. They do, however, train teachers to be gender sensitive. This is integrated in their training curricula. 

Mr Speaker, the following were the specific programmes that were offered by institutions that are registered under TEVETA:

(a)    Gender, Development and Management;

(b)    Community Development Studies;

(c)    Gender and Community Development;

(d)    Social Work; and

(e)    Women’s Leadership Training (Short course)

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Gender and Child Development conducted gender audits in the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education − Social Protection Sector, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock − Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and the Ministry of Health. The gender audits made recommendations on a number of gaps identified therein. Arising from these interventions, some policies have been revised to take into account such gaps. 

Mr Speaker, the ministry has, in some cases, put in place administrative measures which are being undertaken to restructure interventions to take into account the gender gaps. The recently launched National Budget and Planning Policy by the Ministry of Finance is one of such interventions. 

In order to assist ministries with gender mainstreaming, the Ministry of Gender and Child Development has developed the following:

(a)    a strategy for endearing the public sector; 

(b)    developed gender responsive budget guideline; and 

(c)    established a Committee of Permanent Secretaries on Gender chaired by the Secretary to the Cabinet. 

Mr Speaker, lastly, in 2015, the ministry will continue with the gender audit to ensure that gender is mainstreamed in the micro and sectoral policies of various ministries and other spending agencies. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, when will the ministry take charge of the gender mainstreaming process and ensure that all the line ministries, provinces and spending agencies are helped to come up with a Gender Policy to ensure that we include gender mainstreaming in our development process?

The Minister of Gender and Child Development (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, the training of Government officials in the issues of gender mainstreaming is ongoing. As a ministry, we consider that audits are important as they assess the levels of gender mainstreaming within a ministry or department. This means that the officers have to be trained in order to have the skill to be analytical and understand what gender mainstreaming means. The programme is ongoing. 

Sir, currently, as the hon. Deputy has indicated, there are quite a number of ministries that have been audited to find out how gender is reflected in the programmes of the Government and also whether they address gender inequalities that seem to be guiding the development process. 

I thank you, Sir. 

SALARY ARREARS OWED TO WORKERS OF TIMES OF ZAMBIA NEWSPAPER

122. Mr Mwila (Chipili) asked the Minister of Information and Broadcasting:
(a)    how much money, in salary arrears, was owed to workers of Times of Zambia Newspaper as of August, 2014; 

(b)    when outstanding salary arrears would be paid to the works; and 

(c)    whether the collective agreement had not been abrogated by the failure to pay salaries.

The Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting (Mr Njeulu): Mr Speaker, as of 31st August, 2014, the employees of Times of Zambia Limited were owed K8,945,618.71. Times of Zambia Limited Management and workers are working hard to improve the business cash flow in order to liquidate the debt. 

Mr Speaker, …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1045 hours until 1100 hours. 

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the Chair]

Mr Njeulu: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was answering part (c) of the question and the answer is, yes.

I thank you, Sir. 

POLICE POST AT EMUSA IN CHASEFU PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

123. Mr I. Banda (Lumezi) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:
(a)    when the police post at Emusa in Chasefu Parliamentary Constituency would be opened;

(b)    what had caused the delay in opening the police post; and 

(c)    when the Government would construct houses for police officers at the police post.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, the police post at Emusa in Chasefu Parliamentary Constituency will be opened once houses for the police officers have been constructed, the building rehabilitated and the borehole sunk at the site. The delay in opening the police post is due to the lack of accommodation for police officers and water at the police post. Three houses are earmarked for construction in 2015.

Sir, I would like to seize this opportunity to apologise, on behalf of the ministry, for delaying in availing the substantive hon. Member for this constituency with drawings for the housing units. I remember that we had a very progressive meeting with the hon. Member where he committed to help the ministry by committing part of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). However, there was a delay by our technical team availing the drawings because has been away in fields in the newly-created districts where we are supposed to undertake a number of projects.

Mr Speaker, on a lighter note, this is a matter I would like to dispose of quickly because if you look at the location of where I sit, and where I pass every time I come into the Chamber …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Do not bring the Chair into your debate.

Laughter 

Mr Kampyongo: Sir, I am not bringing the Chair into the debate, I am just saying that …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Do not bring the Chair into your debate. 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr I. Banda: Mr Speaker, since the hon. Minister has been to Chasefu, I am sure that he recalls that this building is at a stand-alone place, which is very far away from buildings that are occupied by people. Therefore, this building is prone to vandalism. What assurance is the hon. Minister giving to us that it will not be vandalised from now up until the time the construction of houses at the place commences?

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I agree that I have personally been to this site and have seen the level of dilapidation to the infrastructure which was constructed more than four years ago. That is why I have said that we have budged for the rehabilitation of that infrastructure so that it is brought to the required standard. I agree that this building is at an isolated place and that is why it was difficult to deploy officers there whilst coming from other communities. The Government is committed and my assurance is that, like I indicated, I have personally committed myself and the hon. Minister has instructed me to make sure that this project is operationalised next year.

I thank you, Sir.

WEIGH BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION IN NAKONDE DISTRICT

124. Mr Sichula (Nakonde) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:
(a)    whether the Government had any plans to construct a weigh bridge in Nakonde District; and

(b)    what the estimated cost of the project was.
Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), has plans to acquire land and construct a weigh bridge facility in Nakonde District of Muchinga Province. The estimated cost of the project is K30 million.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sichula: Mr Speaker, land is very scarce in Nakonde. Therefore, when did the Government, through the RDA, start the process of acquiring land? 

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, I cannot tell when the RDA started looking for land. The only information we have is that it acquired land to construct a weigh bridge facility. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, what factors or benchmarks do you look for in establishing a weigh bridge at a particular place?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, we look at the number of vehicles, especially trucks, which pass through a certain point. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that he is not aware of where the land for that weigh bridge is situated. So, who should know?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, I did not say that I do not know where the place is. The question by the hon. Member for Nakonde was about when the RDA started looking for land and my response was that I did not know at what point it started looking for this land. What is important is that the land has been acquired. Surely, if you want to know where this land is located, it is straightforward. We know where the weigh bridge is supposed to be. Therefore, this land could be besides or along the road, but it is certainly in Nakonde.

I thank you, Sir. 

Laughter

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned that one of the factors which determines whether a weigh bridge will be put up in a given area is definitely traffic density. That being the case, I have noticed in the years I have lived in Chipata, that there is quite a bit of traffic caused by heavy-laden trucks. Are there any plans to construct a way bridge on that road?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, yes, there is actually a plan and very soon, a weigh bridge will be constructed in Chongwe.

I thank you, Sir. 

TATEYOYO/KATUNDA ROAD

125. Mr Antonio (Kaoma Central) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:
(a)    what had caused the delay in completing the construction of Tateyoyo/Katunda Road in Kaoma Central Parliament Constituency; and

(b)    when the project would be completed.
Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the delay in completing the construction of the Tateyoyo/Katunda Road has been caused by the termination of the original contract. This contract was terminated because the initial period maintenance works were inadequate to repair the road. The road shall now undergo full rehabilitation. The procurement process for engagement of a contract to carry out full rehabilitation has reached an advanced stage and it is expected that the contract will be signed and works will commence within the fourth quarter of 2014. 

Mr Speaker, the planned rehabilitation works on the Tateyoyo/Katunda Road are scheduled to be completed in 2016. The actual date of completion will be determined when the contract is signed. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Antonio: Mr Speaker, we have seen two stretches whose bitumen has been removed. Will it take two years to repair these stretches?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the construction of roads, especially in the Western Province, is not an easy thing. The maintenance of this stretch has delayed because it was actually not proving to be a solution. When engineers moved to the site, they realised that they needed to change the scope of work and do the full rehabilitation. It is possible that it may take two years because I believe that there is a lot that needs to be done.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, the stretch of the road in question is known to everyone travelling between Lusaka and Mongu. It is a fairly short distance. The foundation of the road already exists. Therefore, is the hon. Minister really telling us the truth or it is simply that the Government has no money to work on that stretch?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the first point is that the scope of work could be extremely involving. The issue of the Government not having money is an incorrect assertion because if that was the case, we, as a Government, could have not commenced the procurement processes. We have actually advanced in this process. The truth of the matter is that we depend on engineers to deal with some of these works. The procurement process is still going on and, maybe, that is why the engineers have indicated that by 2016, that work will have been completed. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Sianga (Sesheke): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what the total cost of this project is.

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the total cost will be known when the procurement process is concluded. It is then that we will be able to inform whoever wants to know the cost of the project.

Thank you, Sir.

LOCAL COURT CONSTRUCTION IN KWACHA CONSTITUENCY

126. Mr Mutale (Kwacha) asked the Minister of Justice:

(a)    whether the Government had any plans to construct a local court in Bulangililo in Kwacha Parliamentary Constituency instead of using the community centre hall;

(b)    what the estimated cost of the project was; and

(c)    what the time frame for constructing a local court was.

The Deputy Minister of Justice (Mr Mukata): Mr Speaker, there are plans to construct a local court in Bulangililo in Kwacha Parliamentary Constituency. The project is expected to gobble about K1.5 million. The project is earmarked for 2016 and should take about twenty months to execute, all things being equal.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutale: Mr Speaker, could the ministry kindly speed up the procurement process because people have been deprived of using that community centre for many years. The young ones and women can use that hall for different activities.

Mr Mukata: Mr Speaker, we will do that. We are aware of the constraints as a result of the predicament.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I am getting a bit worried. Each time hon. Ministers get up to answer questions on different projects, the answer is that they will be undertaken in 2016. How come 2016 has become the magical year for finishing or starting these projects? Could I have a clarification on this one.

Mr Mukata: Mr Speaker, I think it is just in the imagination of the hon. Member that we have only aligned ourselves to 2016. I think I have stood before this House to mention other projects which are being undertaken. It is only yesterday that I talked about a project which will be undertaken in 2015. However, I cannot really protect the hon. Member from delusions.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Laughter

GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES’ DEBT OWED TO ZESCO

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

(a)    how much money was owed to the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) Ltd by various Government ministries from January, 2011 to June, 2014, year by year; and

(b)    when the debt would be liquidated.

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, from January, 2011 to June, 2014, various Government ministries owed ZESCO Ltd, year by year, as follows:

    Month    Year    Government Ministries

    January    2011    K68,129,991

    December    2011    K90,739,093

    December    2012     K128,306,624

    December    2013     K156,123,397

    January    2014     K166,894,642

Mr Speaker, ZESCO Ltd has embarked on the installing of pre-paid meters at Government ministries, as a long term measure, after which the outstanding debt is recovered through a deduction of 40 per cent of the value of every purchase of electricity units. So, what this means is that, when these meters are installed and if a Government ministry pays, for example, K20,000, out of that amount, 40 per cent will be taken by ZESCO Ltd as a recovery for its debt.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Katuka: Mr Speaker, …

Mr Ntundu: On a point of order, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: The Hon. Mr Speaker made a ruling that he was not going to allow points of order. I am bound by that ruling.

May the hon. Member for Mwinilunga continue.

Mr Katuka: Mr Speaker, arising from that answer, which clearly shows that the Government is the worst culprit of owing ZESCO, may I know when this programme to install meters will start so that we do not have any more bills going to Government ministries.

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, yes, the Government is the worst culprit. It is true I agree with you, Sir. This programme of meter installation has already started.

 Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Pande (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, how many ministries have already had meters installed and how far has this programme gone?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, I have a very long list of the ministries and it will take us the whole day to go through it.

Hon. Opposition Members: Count them.

The Deputy Chairperson: He has started counting so he will give you the number.

Mr Zulu: Thank you, Mr Speaker. 

The Deputy Chairperson: I thought you were counting the ministries.

Mr Zulu counted from his list.

Laughter

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, there are fifteen ministries.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mucheleka: Sir, the amount owed to ZESCO Ltd by Government ministries is too much. That, in itself, renders ZESCO Ltd ineffective, with regard to ensuring that it makes electricity accessible, especially in the rural parts of Zambia, including Lubansenshi. Can the hon. Minister state whether apart from the installed meters, there are other measures that could be agreed upon between the ministries of Energy, Mines and Water Development, and Finance to expedite the process of dismantling this huge debt owed to ZESCO Ltd by Government ministries.

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, yes, like I said earlier, the amount is huge. We, as a ministry, together with ZESCO Ltd, have found that the best way to recover this debt is through installing pre-paid meters. I said that 40 per cent of every payment will go towards the debt. Therefore, we felt that is a very sensible way of doing it. However, if Hon. Mucheleka has ideas on how this debt could be recovered, our offices are open.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether when paying back the money to ZESCO, the Government will pay with interest and, if not, why?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, as regards payment and interest, I must find out from ZESCO. For now, ZESCO is busy installing meters as a way of recovering money owed to it. However, whether it will be paid back with interest, I must go back to ZESCO and find out.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

_______

MOTION

MOTION OF THANKS

(Debate resumed)

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, to start with, I also want to congratulate the new hon. Members of Parliament who have come to join the House and I wish them good luck in speaking for the people who elected them. In particular, I want to congratulate the Member of Parliament for Kasenengwa Parliamentary Constituency, Hon. Kalima, who has come into the House for the second time.

Ms Kalima: Hear, hear!

Dr Musokotwane: Sir, her return to the House is an indication that she was popular in her own right. It had nothing to do with corruption. You recall that in 2011, the Patriotic Front (PF) petitioned more than fifty hon. Members of Parliament on the ground that they won through corruption. However, what is surprising is that, as we go through these by-elections, the perpetrators of the very thing that the PF went to court for, is the PF.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, the PF is conducting by-elections in the most corrupt manner ever seen in this country.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Mufalali: God will punish you.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, this is really surprising to the country. We are left to wonder what the PF really stands for and this is not the only example where the PF says its stand on a particular issue is this, but does the very opposite. For example, I have already mentioned the issue of corruption. The PF has said that it wants peaceful elections, and yet it is the worst perpetrator of violence ever seen in this country during by-elections.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, the PF has said before that it stands for the poor people. Today, poor people are in trouble. Some of them, especially those in our townships, can only afford one meal per day, and yet they were promised that the party that was coming into power was pro-poor. So, we are left wondering what the value system of the PF is. What does it stand for?

Hon. MMD Member: Kuwayawaya fye!

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, I would like to congratulate His Excellency the President on coming to officially open the House. Before that, there was a lot of speculation in the media and other circles. People were speculating on whether he would come to open Parliament. However, he came and we congratulate him ton that. He summoned all his energies to come and perform his duties. On top of congratulating him, I think, we need to commiserate with His Excellency the President. I am very happy that on that day when he came, there was a lot of reason for this side, the Opposition, to heckle. However, I am very glad that we all kept very quiet and showed a lot of decency because we commiserated with him. Clearly, as he said himself, he thanks his wife for having saved him from death so many times. How did the wife save him? It is obvious, because of being sick, is it not?

Hon. MMD Member: He is sick.

Dr Musokotwane: So, we must commiserate with him. It is important to do these things because, first of all, when the PF had the opportunity to commiserate with former leaders of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) who were sick, it missed that opportunity. So, for now, as the Opposition, I think we need to lead the Zambian public back to the values that we have known, especially in a Christian country. Those values are that if your neighbour or friend is sick, you do not mock them, instead you sympathise with them. Those are the values we know about, is it not?

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, on top of that, I think we have a responsibility to teach the young ones. For many years, the young people of this country have been getting confused. This is because they are getting in situations in which they mock someone who gets sick. If somebody is met with misfortune, they are mocked. Now, if we are not careful and do not correct these young people, they will take it for granted that it is normal to mock your friend when they are sick. So, it is the responsibility of all of us to guide the young people and put them back on the right track of normal behaviour, as is expected everywhere else in the world. This is why, as the Opposition, we need to commiserate with His Excellency the President. He is a human being like all of us and he has a wife, children and grandchildren. None of them would be happy to see their father, husband or grandfather in that state. So, we need to change. 

Mr Speaker, I think the most important lesson is to the colleagues in the PF. Please, change because the kind of value system that you are displaying, …

Mr Kapeya: Acilalandafye bwino nomba futi acinja.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Hon. Minister.

Dr Musokotwane: … is not appropriate for this country and it is unacceptable anywhere in this world. You need to change.

Mr Speaker, I now want to turn to the issue of the content of the President’s Speech. My first point on this one is that His Excellency the President is humourous and what I like about his humour is that he will say something in a very funny way without showing that he is cracking a joke, as he will look very serious. For example, when he talked about His Honour the Vice-President moving around with a zip that was open, I watched the mood of the House and noticed that most men had burst out laughing. I also watched how the women reacted and noticed that most of them were looking down. So, I wondered what was going through the minds of these women and why they were not laughing with us.

Laughter

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, on the content of the Speech of the President, while we appreciate the humour, in economics, there is what we call diminishing returns. If you consume something over and over again, it does not matter how nice it is, eventually you get tired. So, what I am trying to say here is that the jokes or humour are fine, but I think we are getting tired of this. The other year, the speech that was presented was full of humour. In the end, there were difficulties in this House. We could not agree on whether to debate the verbatim speech, which was full of humour, or the written document. 

What those of us who are on the verge of getting tired of too many jokes are missing is a serious single speech to be presented, as it used be under President Kenneth Kaunda, President Chiluba, President Mwanawasa and President Banda. We only need a single serious speech to be read here so that in the end, there is no question about whether we are going to debate the verbatim speech or volume I or II. I think that matter needs to be closed. We need to be focused in the manner His Excellency the President and the Government at large present their programmes.

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President and the Government keep talking about unprecedented development. What I say is that they should talk about unprecedented sinking into debt by the Zambian Government.

Mr Mwanza: Hear, hear!

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, we cannot be proud of spending so much money from unprecedented levels of debt and call that development. Surely, it cannot be. If the easiest way of fighting poverty in the world was simply to borrow money, I do not believe that, then, any country in this world would be poor because the solution would be so simple. So, when we sit here and say we are doing this and that, without asking ourselves where the money is coming from, we are deluding ourselves because the day of reckoning is surely coming. 

Mr Speaker, this is not the first time that we are seeing this in this country. I think there is a lot of relation between what we saw under the United National Independence Party (UNIP) and what we are seeing today. Before UNIP came into office, it promised all sorts of things such as one egg per day for every citizen, free shoes and so on and so forth. However, when it came to implementing those things, it did not know how to do it because the economy needed to grow. So, to satisfy the people, the Government started spending on public programmes through heavy borrowing. In the end, things blew up in our face. Therefore, we cannot be proud and say we are developing the country simply because we are borrowing large amounts of money and spending at a rate that has never been seen before in this country.

Mr Speaker, I listened very carefully when His Excellency the President talked about development and what I seemed to be hearing a lot is the performance of micro-economic indicators. He talked about increased percentages in economic growth and exports as well as low inflation. 

However, Sir, I would like to remind my colleagues on your right that this was not their agenda before they came into power. Even before they came into office, economic growth was taking place, exports were rising and inflation was low. The addition that the PF put on the table was that it wanted economic growth that was people-sensitive. It talked about economic growth that translates into jobs and empowers a lot of people. That was the PF’s agenda. It has deviated from that, as I said the other year, and this is what I call kuyichanganisa.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Musokotwane: This means diverting attention from the real or core problems of this country. The issues that the PF had identified in its manifesto such as youth unemployment and empowering them are real. In the absence of addressing those issues, the Spring Revolt in the Middle East that somebody talked about is similarly eminent here. I, however, do not see this Government seriously addressing these issues.

Mr Speaker, today, these colleagues, who promised the basic economic activities would be restricted to the local people upon coming into power, are now opposed to the empowerment of our citizens. Today, we have Chinese producing chickens, making blocks, trading in markets and doing all sorts of things when they said that they would stop this. What has happened to that noble goal of empowering Zambians that they spoke about? Why have they forgotten about it?

Mr Speaker, I listened very carefully to the sentiments raised on this issue of unprecedented development. Last Friday, I listened very carefully to a colleague, I think it was the hon. Member of Parliament for Mambilima, who said that there are enough teachers, classroom blocks and clinics have been built and there is solar power as well as all the health staff required in his constituency. At that point, the temptation for me was to say, Question, as some people here did, arose. However, I realised that it would be a mistake to say, Question because, maybe, that man was telling the truth. So, the way we should respond on this side of the House is not to say Question, but to say, ooh, ooh because what that hon. Member was saying just proves that the point we have been making all along that we are being discriminated against is true.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

The only way to respond is, “Hear, hear’ and not “ooh, ooh”.

Laughter 

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, before my time runs out, I would like to state that when I heard my colleague say that he has all the teachers needed in his constituency, it reminded me of schools at Skunde in Liuwa, Lunde and Mushukula where there is only one teacher at one school. Our colleague has everything. 

Sir, when I heard him talk about all the clinics with solar lights in his constituency, I was reminded of the clinics at Siakanu, Siluwe and Sikunduko where the health workers have to get grass from thatched houses to use for lighting in order to help mothers deliver in the night. He has everything, but we have to use grass for lighting at our clinics. 

Sir, when I heard him talk about all the road infrastructure development taking place in Luapula, I turned to the Road Development Agency (RDA) road programme. I looked at Phase I to check where the roads were being constructed and it was very clear that for the western part of Zambia, which is demarcated from the rest of the country by a railway line, there was almost nothing in Phase I.

Mr Speaker, when I heard him talk about communication towers, it reminded me of the towers whose foundation was dug at Siluwe, Liuwa and Luhola. After the change of Government, they have been left as holes and have not been attended to. 

So, Mr Speaker, the issue of equity and development is paramount. Indeed, it is true that when you look at the Budget that was presented by the hon. Minister of Finance, I think, the other year, there was an increase of about 20 per cent in revenue. Then, you say to yourself, if the amount of money being spent by the Zambian Government is increasing by more than 20 per cent, how come there is not even a single Government programme running in my constituency? The answer is very clear. It means that a lot of money somewhere else in the country is being received. That is the only logic, is it not?

Hon. Opposition Member: Yes!

Dr Musokotwane: In concluding, Mr Speaker, let me say that, we need to hold the country together. If we do not do that, one day, an enemy will come in and invade this country and then these colleagues in the Government will say brothers and sisters come, hold guns and let us defend ourselves. Those who have seen no development will say, “Aah! You see, there was a party, you ate, danced and now you are fat. As for us, we are thin and starving. Can those who have the fat and the energy go and fight the enemy. For us, it makes no difference.”

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya (Solwezi Central): Mr Speaker, I thank you for according me the opportunity to deliver my maiden speech on the Floor of this august House. Before I proceed, may I extend my condolences to the family which has lost a child at the University of Zambia.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, it is a sad story that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has continued to fail the people of Zambia, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: … especially that when I was a student at the Copperbelt University in 2011, one of their promises to the people was to provide free education.

Mr Livune: You see.

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, as the United Party for National Development (UPND), we assure the people of Zambia that when we form Government, …

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

Mr Kafwaya: … all the problems they are going through will be sorted out.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

Mr Kafwaya: Sir, allow me to join the many who have spoken before me in congratulating you, your Deputy and the Chairperson of Committees of the Whole House on your election to these positions in our land.

Mr Ng’onga: Where you there?

Mr Kafwaya: Sir, you are at the helm of this exalted House …

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order, order!

Mr Kafwaya: … at the time when the nation is strongly looking up to it to help the Executive discharge its mandate within the confines of the Laws of Zambia.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, allow me, now, to begin my discourse by firstly, thanking the Almighty God for making it possible, at this particular moment, that I stand here as a Member of Parliament for Solwezi Central.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Sir, allow me to quickly state that I am humbled and honoured to be elected as Member of Parliament for Solwezi Central.

Mr Mufalali: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, this would not have been possible without the favour of our wonderful citizens of Solwezi Central who turned out in numbers to vote for me and the UPND. In the process, they sent a clear signal that Solwezi, in particular, and the North-Western Province in general are for the UPND and Mr Hakainde Hichilema…

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

Mr Kafwaya: … who is soon to become the President of the Republic of Zambia.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, I would be failing in my duties if I did not say a special thanks to Mr Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND for adopting me as a candidate on the winning ticket …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: … and also for the moral, material and other support rendered to me to make possible my journey to arrive here as a humble servant of the people of Solwezi Central.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, I do not know how to say a big thank you to my wife, Butemwe, my family, my father, my mother, brothers and sisters and all the numerous people who played a role in contributing and helping me to win the Solwezi Central by-election.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: To those and many more I have not mentioned I say thank you.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: May I also take this opportunity to appreciate the hon. Members of Parliament, including my campaign manager who worked very hard, Hon. Katuka, Hon. Moono, Hon. Chitafu, Hon. Mweetwa and Hon. Lombanya for the support they rendered to me in Solwezi Central to win this by-election.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: May I also recognise the other hon. Members of Parliament who were elected during the recently held by-elections. May I congratulate Hon. Lingweshi, the voice of Mangango …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: …the military tattoo for winning the by-election in Mangango. Congratulations Sir. May I also congratulate the people of Kasenengwa on electing an hon. Member of Parliament in the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) so that we can provide checks and balances to this PF Government, which has failed the people of Zambia.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, I am humbled that the people of Solwezi Central have entrusted me with the big responsibility of being their Member of Parliament despite my age. This is time for me to show maturity and humility to the people of Solwezi Central.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: This does not mean that I know everything. Therefore, it is very important in life to be humble before the people who vote for us because they are our bosses and we are their servants.

Mr Speaker, today, I enter into the public domain as the youngest Member of Parliament in Zambia and also youngest Member of Parliament to represent the people of Solwezi Central.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: My thanks go to the Almighty God who chose me even when I was still young to represent the people of Solwezi Central one day.

Mr Mufalali: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, the Bible at 1 Samuel 16:7 says:

 “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as a man sees. For man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 

Mr Speaker, this shows that the people of Solwezi were directed by God to vote for me as their Member of Parliament.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, this is a rare privilege which I should take with care and humility …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: … because Solwezi Central is a critical constituency which is now the economic hub of our country.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, in a democratic country, we expect competition, but at the end of the day, you only have one winner. It is not time for bitterness, but time to work together since we all want to serve the people and we can do that in different capacities.

I also want to thank the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for conducting a free and fair election. To let the will of the people prevail without violence is what we expect in a democratic country.

Mr Milambo: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, may I also make it clear that the people of Solwezi Central have different options when it comes to choosing the person to represent them. We do not have one person and history proves that we have been producing powerful and educated hon. Members of Parliament. I, therefore, wish to congratulate my predecessor, Hon. Lucky Mulusa, for the time he represented our people in Solwezi Central. I wish him well in his future endeavours.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: I am an equally educated and intelligent young man. I know that with the help of the Almighty God, I will represent the people of Solwezi effectively.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, I also come with a voice from the youths that time is now for the youths to take part in active politics.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: It is a pity that the PF Government has failed to recognise the presence of the youths in the society …

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

Mr Kafwaya: … and this makes it difficult for them to take part in decision-making in this country.

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

Mr Lubinda: Where?

Mr Speaker, the absence of young people in strategic positions of governance is a source of worry for my generation. Therefore, I commend my party, the UPND for adopting me to stand as Member of Parliament for Solwezi Central.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, my party has started to respond to the needs of the youth by placing them in strategic positions of decision-making. 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, in 2011, I was a student at the Copperbelt University (CBU) and the PF Government made a lot of promises to the youth, especially about more money and employment. However, the youth who worked so hard to put the PF in Government have been neglected. Those who are fortunate, such as those who graduated from the university, are getting jobs where they are getting about K500, …

Hon. UPND Member: Or nothing.

Mr Kafwaya:  … which is unacceptable. 

Mr Speaker, winning the Solwezi Central Seat is a milestone for the UPND since Solwezi is now the heart of the North-Western Province.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: It is also an economic hub. May I state that the UPND’s victory is a clear demonstration that the people of Solwezi Central, the provincial headquarters, have rejected His Excellency Mr Michael Chilufya Sata and …

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: … the PF’s economic policies of discrimination and oppression.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, this victory also serves to indicate that the people of Solwezi cannot be bought with monetary electoral bribes that originate from their mines. 

Hon. UPND Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: To you, the PF, we say shame on you on your much-talked about development in your areas at the total exclusion of our areas which are generating the funds for the development that you are boasting about. 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, coming to the challenges affecting us in Solwezi, I would like to talk about the roads. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hammer, hammer!

Mr Kafwaya: I am personally disappointed with the attitude of the PF Government towards the people of the North-Western Province. I see no reason the Ndola/Kitwe Road has been rehabilitated on several occasions at the expense of the Solwezi/Chingola Road which leads to an area that is contributing hugely to the National Budget.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, it is totally unbelievable that the road that hails from Zambia’s copper hub is in such a deplorable state whereas the PF Government has the luxury of prioritising roads which, though necessary, are of less economic importance.

Hon. UPND Members: Right!

Mr Kafwaya: While the PF has been very loud on the Pave Zambia 2,000 km Road Project, our township roads in Solwezi are the dustiest in the whole country. Mr Speaker, are these PF colleagues not ashamed of keeping Solwezi in such a state?
    
Interruptions

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, there is no doubt that Solwezi is an economic hub for this country. It is, therefore, prudent that the PF Government considers rehabilitating the township roads in Solwezi together with the Chingola/Solwezi Road on moral grounds. We should just feel pity for the people of the North-Western Province. What have we done to you people?

Mr Mwale: Ask them?

Mr Kafwaya: What do you want us to do?

Interruptions

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, the UPND emerged winner in the just ended by-election because it did not promise the people of Solwezi Central heaven on earth, but simply asked them to move forward with the UPND to bring development and prosperity to Solwezi.

Mr Speaker, as you are aware, the majority of our voters in Solwezi are unemployed youth, yearning for employment which the PF Government has failed to give them in the last three years. We, in the UPND, therefore, urge the PF Government to quickly establish technical colleges where our young men and women shall be trained in various trades. Upon graduating, these artisans shall be quickly absolved by the mining industry unlike now when our children are being employed as casual labourers by the investors in Solwezi.

Mr Speaker, the so-called social corporate responsibility by these investors is, but a mockery to our people. It is for this reason that, as a UPND Member of Parliament for Solwezi Central, I would like to propose that communities in Solwezi Central form a trust to which 10 per cent shares from the mining houses and the dividends shall be channeled to. The formation of this trust in Solwezi Central shall enable the empowerment of people to create self-sustaining ventures like is the case in South Africa.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, the last three years that the PF has been in power, Solwezi has become the biggest shanty town in Zambia.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: There is literally nothing to boast about in Solwezi. The situation in my constituency is pathetic. The so-called new Copperbelt by the PF Government is a total disaster. It is true that the people of Solwezi continue to live in hell. Is this a fair deal by the PF Government to the people of the North-Western Province and Solwezi in particular?

Ms Kalima: No!

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, may I conclude by addressing the people of Solwezi Central and the entire province by saying that I will represent you very well and defend your interests.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: May I equally commit myself in the hands of the Almighty God to protect and guide me during my tenure of office, as I discharge my responsibilities.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya: I also want to give hope that sooner rather than later, the Almighty God will answer the prayers of the people in the North-Western Province. God has already prepared you a President to come by the name of Hakainde Hichilema, …

Hon. UPND Members: … the son of Africa, who is going to consider the people in the North-Western Province and my constituency. May God bless the people in Solwezi Central and may God bless Zambia.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Ngimbu (Zambezi West): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank you for according me this opportunity to deliver my maiden speech to this august House.

Mr Speaker, allow me to introduce myself. My full names are Christabel Martha Ngimbu Mukuyu.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Ngimbu: I come from Zambezi District in Zambezi West Constituency in Chief Ndungu’s area.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, I stand here before this august House and my fellow citizens with humility. I am deeply honoured and thankful to have been elected by the people of Zambezi West Constituency to represent them in this Parliament of the Republic of Zambia.

Mr Speaker, with the grace of God, I humble myself to the good will of the people of Zambezi West and the entire great nation of Zambia. 

Mr Speaker, I am highly indebted to the Republican President, His Excellency Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, for the support, trust and encouragement before, during and after the elections, the entire national executive of the Patriotic Front(PF), the provincial and district executive members not forgetting the constituency, ward and branch officials.

Further, Sir, I wish to thank the great party, the PF, for adopting me for the seat that has been under the UPND which held that seat as a monarch. It is a great honour to me and the PF as a party.

Mr Speaker, allow me to pay my special and thunderous Luvale clap to all the people who voted for me. I say, come and see what the Lord has done.

Hon. Member: Hanjkai, hanjika!

Mrs Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, he has liberated the people of Zambezi West from slavery under which the people were treated like personal-to-holder property under the Opposition for so many years.

Hon. Government Members: Yes!

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, the people of Zambezi West were deprived of their right to development because of being in the Opposition for too long, while others were sharing the national cake. Even during the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) Regime, the constituency was still under the Opposition. As a result, development was diverted to other parts of the country. I say job well done to the PF and to the people of Zambezi West. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, in 2011, the United Party for National Development (UPND) boasted about the North-Western Province and Zambezi West, in particular, being a no go area for the PF. Now, here I am. I have come.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, we have broken those barriers of the Opposition. They used to boast that Zambezi West was a no go area.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Mrs Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, to be elected as the first woman ever chosen by the PF to stand in a UPND-dominated area for the past thirteen years is more than a personal honour. It is a PF landmark as is the record of the number of women sitting in this august House. It is a cause for celebration and will inspire us to ensure that many more women follow us into this Parliament. To have more women in Parliament is a dream come true for the PF.  In the same vein, I wish to congratulate all my fellow women in this great House of nobles. 

Mr Speaker, allow me to thank the following people who spearheaded my campaign and were with me throughout the campaign.

Mr Mucheleka: Wynter. Start with Wynter.

Mrs Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank Hon. Simuusa, my campaign manager, who ensured that …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Ngimbu: … there was peace and gave us direction in all that we did during our campaign … 

Mr Ndalamei: Very corrupt person.

Mrs Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, I would also like to thank my campaign manager, Mr Fumbelo Patrick, who worked tirelessly to ensure that we won the elections. I also thank the Provincial Minister, Hon. Mubukwanu, who worked so hard. I thank Hon. Lazarus Chungu whose effort was undoubted. I also thank Hon. Kufuna who was with us throughout …

Mr Mucheleka: Inga Wynter? Tamulemulandapo?

Mrs Ngimbu: … and fitted in the campaign very well. Thank you for your convincing language, my brother.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mucheleka: Wynter taulemulandapo?

Mrs Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, allow me to give my loyal salute to His Royal Highness Chief Ndungu, Chinyama cha Mukwamai Kasongo Wakumanyima, Chief Chinyama and Chieftainess Kucheka, may your soul rest in peace, mum. I also salute Chief Nyapinji, Chief Muwema wa Ngambo, Chieftainess Kalungulungu and Chief Salipako who ensured that peace prevailed throughout the elections.

Mr Speaker, allow me to pay my special tributes to my family members for their exemplary and tremendous support during the just-ended by-election.

Mr Mucheleka: Eh? Family?

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Let us allow the hon. Member to speak.

Mrs Ngimbu: To them I say, God bless you so much.

Mr Mucheleka: Family. Hear, hear!

Laughter

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, I wish to give my special thanks to His Honour the Vice-President, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

Mrs Ngimbu: … Dr Guy Scott, Hon. Inonge Wina, Hon. Chenda, and Hon. Jean Kapata. Despite their busy schedules, they came on board to support me and did their campaign vigorously. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Inga Wynter Kabimba?

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, thank you so much to the Secretary-General of our party, Hon. Edgar Lungu …

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Ms Ngimbu: … who kept checking on our progress and provided the financial …

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Ms Ngimbu: … and material support that we needed …

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Just wait, hon. Member on the Floor. Please, pause.

Let us allow the hon. Member to deliver her maiden speech in peace and quiet. There is nothing wrong on earth in the hon. Member thanking the Secretary-General of her party.

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

The hon. Member may continue.

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, lastly, I wish to thank Hon. John Phiri of the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education even if he never reached Zambezi West, but he stretched his hand in helping me.

Mr Mucheleka: Corruption. Nga Wynter tamulemulandapo?

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, having reached this place, allow me to thank the outgoing Member of Parliament, Hon. Charles Kakoma, for his service in failing the people of Zambezi West …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Ngimbu: … for the past thirteen years. I wish him the best of luck in his personal endevours. 

Mr Speaker, after thirteen years of a lack of a better representation in Parliament, the people of Zambezi West Constituency became the forgotten people. Now that Zambezi West has been brought back into the liberal fold, I am determined, as Member of Parliament, to see my electorates placed back on the map for all the right reasons. I appeal to our able leadership under His Excellency Mr Michael Chilufya Sata and the line ministries to assist Zambezi West in any way they can to bring about development. 

Hon. Member: Consult the office.

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, when you see me knocking at your doors, just know that your help is much required in Zambezi West. 

Mr Speaker, allow me to advise my sister, the hon. Member of Parliament for Kasenengwa, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Eh?

Ms Ngimbu: … that using abusive language is not good and not helpful at all …

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, I say so …

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Hon. Member, we do not debate ourselves. With that advice, continue, please.

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, I thank you so much for that guidance.

Ms Kalima: Just talk about your husband.

Hon. Opposition Members: Eh?

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, I wish to mention that whether someone is elected with many votes or a few votes, we are all winners of the day as long as we are all here.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, the PF victory is genuine and it has come at the right time.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, the Luvale are very peaceful people and they exercise patience in every situation. However, when they mean to say no to someone who is not bringing development, they say no in bold letters. Zambezi West has said no to the UPND …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Ngimbu: … and to the MMD because they have not seen development for the past twenty years.

Hon. Opposition Member: Lingweshi, warm up.

Laughter

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, in fact, even the UPND President knows that his hon. Member of Parliament did nothing for the people of Zambezi West in terms of development.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Ngimbu: For instance, when Mr Hakainde Hichilema (HH), the UPND President, was going round campaigning in Zambezi West, he got stuck in water and mud …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Ngimbu: … for a whole day because of the impassable roads with no single bridge.

Mr Speaker, Mr HH was only salvaged from the mud by our PF officials ... 

Laughter 

Ms Ngimbu: So, from today onwards, the UPND, never say the PF is violent. 

Mr Mbulakulima: Why?

Ms Ngimbu: Had we been violent, we would not have taken your president out of the mud. 

Laughter 

Ms Ngimbu: We could have easily submerged him in the water …

Laughter 

Ms Ngimbu: … because he had not taken development to the area.  

Mr Speaker, I promise the people of Zambezi West that I will embrace responsibility with every small amount …

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Hon. Mucheleka, do not volunteer what the lady has not asked for.

Laughter 

Ms Ngimbu: I promise the people of Zambezi West to embrace responsibility with every little energy I can gather. I will be firm in resolve to listen to the concerns of the people. I will fight for their rights; act on their needs and deliver outcomes and results which will improve their quality of life and enrich and advance our community to greater heights.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

It appears that we are not listening. Please, allow the lady to deliver her maiden speech. 

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, allow me …

An Hon. Opposition Member interjected. 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

If you are tired, the doors are open. You can wait in the foyer. 

Hon. Member for Zambezi West, you may continue. 

Ms Ngimbu: … to talk about what the PF Government has done in the shortest possible time. The people of Zambezi West have acknowledged and recognised the efforts of the PF Government in providing communication by erecting three network towers within three years. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, the people of Zambezi West wish to convey their greatest thanks to the PF Government for such a tremendous effort, an effort that previous governments, the United Party for National Development (UNIP) and the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), completely failed to make in twenty-seven and twenty years, respectively. 

Interruptions

Ms Ngimbu: Mr Speaker, the people of Zambezi West wish to thank the Government and His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, for putting more money in the pockets of our people. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Ngimbu: Zambezi West is benefitting from the Social Cash Transfer Programme, a fund benefitting the vulnerable in the community. 

Mr Mwale: Kale mwalebepa abantu ifyo!

Ms Ngimbu: With this, we say Viva, President Sata! Viva, PF! 

Mr Mbulakulima interjected. 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Hon. Member for Chembe, may you, take leave. 

Mr Mbulakulima left the Assembly Chamber. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mushanga: Mbulamano!

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Member for Zambezi West, you may proceed. 

Ms Ngimbu: I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker, the people of Zambezi West wish to thank the PF Government for the project to construct a palace in Kucheka Chiefdom. We are aware of His Excellency the President’s personal effort to direct his ministry to construct the palace for the chieftainess, may her soul rest in peace. I wish to report to this august House that the first installment of funds to construct this palace has been released and works will soon commence.  

Mr Speaker, the people of Zambezi West acknowledge and recognise the efforts by the PF Government, through the Ministry of Health, for giving them a brand new ambulance. This effort is exceptional to the people of Zambezi West Constituency, particularly, Chinyama Litapi.    

Many of our expectant mothers and patients have died on the way to hospital because of a lack of transport. This ambulance is going to offer a big relief and will play a big role in saving the lives of people in Zambezi West.

Mr Speaker, the people of Kucheka acknowledge and recognise the effort by the PF Government and wish to say thank you for the construction of a boarding high school in chief Kucheka’s area. Land identification has been done, a contractor has been found and construction will soon begin. 

Sir, the bridges across the Zambezi, Kashishi and Mwange rivers are key to economic development in the region and the nation at large. I would like to mention that Zambezi West is extremely rich in natural resources such as oil, minerals and agriculture which have not been exploited since Independence because of the lack of good roads and bridges. 

Mr Speaker, the issue of oil exploration in Zambezi West is real. There were seven exploration licences granted to seven firms, four foreign ones and three were local. I would like to note that none of these projects have materialised, to date, due to a lack of bridges and good roads.

Sir, I would like to emphasise that when natural resources are exploited, they can add tremendous value to the economy of the nation. I, therefore, wish to plead with the Government to ensure that bridges are constructed in Zambezi West Constituency.

Mr Speaker, as you may be aware, people of Zambezi West were badly hit by the Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) disease which eradicated almost all the cattle in the area. On the other hand, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has it on record that ‘Angolian’ rebels, …

Hon. UPND Member: Angolian? 

Ms Ngimbu: … who are known as Nyamulenges, looted almost all the cattle in Zambezi west.

Interruptions 

Ms Ngimbu: As a result, it has contributed to a lack of development and high levels of poverty. I am appealing to our able Government to look into this issue seriously.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I wish to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, the PF …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Ngimbu: … Party and the people of Zambezi West for their support.

I thank you, Sir. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu (Bweengwa): Mr Speaker, I wish to join my colleagues in congratulating the new hon. Members to this House. At the same time, I would like to put it on record that it is now evident to all of us that these by-elections have been a menace to our Budget. These by-elections have been a serious drain and diversion of resources that are badly needed for our development. While I welcome the new hon. Members, I think we must have a serious reflection on whether we should continue the way we are operating with our electoral system. 

Sir, I was in Zambezi West when people got stuck in the river and we were not saved by the Patriotic Front (PF). We were saved by a United Party for National Development (UPND) councillor called Mr Fumbelo …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu: It is not the job of an hon. Member of Parliament to build bridges. 

The problem we have in this country is that even after fifty years of Independence, we do not know the roles of different duty bearers. It is not an hon. Member of Parliament who is supposed to take development to an area. The hon. Member of Parliament is supposed to talk about development and the Executive should implement it. I think we need to re-introduce civics …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu: … so that people can understand the roles of the three arms of Government. Hon. Kakoma raised all these issues. 

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order! The Chair is here.

Mr Hamududu: Mr Speaker, the money that was used for the by-elections just in Zambezi West could have put up a bridge between Kakoto and Kucheka. 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu: Sir, His Honour the Vice-President used a helicopter to get to that place, and yet these bridges are disasters. We went there and saw what is needed to be done. Had His Honour the Vice-President travelled by road, he could have raised funds, through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), to deal with those disasters. However, he flew over the people of Zambezi West and he is, thus, ignorant of the challenges that the people are facing there. 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu: Sir, it is a failure of the Executive arm of the Government and not the previous hon. Member of Parliament. If you think that you will take development to Zambezi West, you will also be voted out. It is not your job to take development. Your job is to raise the issues that concern your constituents and represent the people. We must tell our people that if there is no development, it means that the Government has failed. It is as simple as that.

Sir, does the Government give us money to build schools or bridges in our areas? If it wants us to do that, it should increase the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to US$1 million. We will definitely work like our friends in Kenya. They build bridges and teachers’ house. If the Government thinks that we have a different democracy and that hon. Members of Parliament must deliver development, it must provide the money. If the people have been oriented to believe that the hon. Members are the ones who are supposed to take development to their respective areas, the Government should give the hon. Members the money and they will work.  

Mr Speaker, I agree that by-elections are necessitated by law, but I think they have not brought any change at all. I hope these by-elections did not come at the behest of some individuals. Someone donates money to a church and you call for a by-election. I have an example of what happened in Hon. Mtolo Phiri’s constituency. Who says that when there are elections, you should stop giving offerings? Over someone giving offering, the Government called a by-election and spent over K7 million.

Hon. UPND Members: K10 million!

Mr Hamududu: Mr Speaker, in this country, we must have serious introspection. 

Ms Lubezhi: Quality!

Mr Hamududu: Mr Speaker, my debate is entitled, “Fifty Years.” on the first page of the speech by His Excellency the President, he said: 

“We are celebrating fifty years of our Independence.” 

Mr Hamududu: Sir, I think we must not celebrate, but reflect on these issues. I am not available to celebrate Independence because fifty years ago, this country was far much richer in terms of human development. The records show that during the first years of our independence, Zambia was the second best country in Africa. It was the second best to Tunisia aside South Africa. Today, we are at the bottom of the development ladder and I think that there is nothing to celebrate about. I am going to propose some solutions. These by-elections are not adding any value to this country and, therefore, we must set our priorities right. 

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu: Mr Speaker, how come money is available when it comes to funding by-elections? Today, in our constituencies, the roads are still unattended to. The Rural Roads Sector is completely dead. I raised a question to His Honour the Vice-President and he joked about it in his response.

Mr Nkombo: He is a joker!

Mr Hamududu: Mr Speaker, I do not appreciate his jokes in this House. I take great exception to the jokes of His Honour the Vice-President and I want to put it on record today. 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu: Mr Speaker, I am not a joker and I will not engage a joker. That is why during His Honour The Vice-President’s Question Time, you rarely see me indicating. During the 1980s, our roads were far much better than the way they are now. During the rainy season, ambulances cannot reach Munyenze. You will need a serious 4 x 4 to get to that place. Is that something one can actually joke about? The Budget, then, was smaller, but free education was provided for our people in this country. Today, the Budget is adequate and I think we can equally provide free education. Why is the Government failing to provide free education when it is made up of seventy hon. Ministers who drive GXs?

Hon. UPND Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu: Mr Speaker, the Government should set its priorities right. 

Mr Speaker, in this country, we have made a lot of mistakes. The responsibility to correct these mistakes lies on the Government of the day. While all of us have made mistakes, the Government has a greater responsibility.

Mr Speaker, fifty years ago, we had better planned cities. Let me give an example of Lusaka, which is enveloped by informal development fifty years later. Fifty years ago, Lusaka had a better drainage system. Today, there are floods all over.

Mr Speaker, fifty years ago, we had better water sanitation in our compounds. Today, it is worse off and there is a sewerage system near a borehole. The water is polluted. Fifty years later, we are failing to put in place a functioning sewerage system in the country and places like Chalala or other places are a testimony of this. The Government is saying that it is working, and yet it is causing confusion. We need a balanced approach to development.

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu: We need to put a premium on planning. 

Sir, fifty years ago when we were in the multi-party era, the country was visionary. Let me give an example of where we are sitting in here. Look at this structure. Do you see any crack here? 

Mr Nkombo: No!

Mr Hamududu: When I brought my Kenyan colleagues here, they were impressed and commended us for being visionary. If you went to Kenya, you would find that Parliament is enveloped in town. If you went to Zimbabwe, some hon. Members even stand at the door. We have one of the best Parliaments even beating South Africa. I have been to all these Parliaments.

Mr Speaker, fifty years later, look at the University of Zambia (UNZA) and the space that is there. Fifty years later, look at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. Fifty years ago, it was possible to form a coalition Government in this country than unlike stealing hon. Members of Parliament.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu: Mr Speaker, in 1962, the Zambian people came together and formed a coalition that led to Independence. Come 1973, there was a One-Party State and there was regression in the country because everything was nationalised. Had there not been bad governance in this country, it would have been one of the richest countries. 

Mr Speaker, Botswana was a Cinderella country.  We were a donor to Botswana. 

Mr Ntundu: Hear, hear! Tell them!

Mr Hamududu: Mr Speaker, the economy of Botswana did not just become powerful because of diamonds, it was based on agriculture. The diamonds were only mined a few years later.

Mr Nkombo: And they were thinking. Mbatu mbalikuyeya. 

Mr Hamududu: Mr Speaker, Botswana was never a one party state. It observed its multi-party constitution. I do not understand when someone says that the Zambian people do not need a Constitution. For people to have sustainable development, they need a good constitution which is a bed-rock for good governance.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: Absolutely.

Mr Hamudulu: My friend, a constitution contains what you want.

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, the bad governance today is because of a poor foundation of this Constitution.

Mr Speaker, during the Constitution Debate, which was raised by my cousin, the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central, the two people who caught my attention were Hon. Lombanya and Hon. Chikwanda. The Zambian People are also making a mistake because they are asking for a Constitution from the Government. That is wrong. You do not ask for a Constitution from the Government. It is just a facilitator. The PF, as a party, is just one of the stakeholders. That is the problem with the advocates. They are asking for a Constitution from whom?

Mr Nkombo: Bakaamba.

Laughter

Mr Hamududu: The Government must allow the people to give unto themselves a Constitution that meets their aspirations. That is why I can never stand up and ask for a Constitution from you (pointing at hon. Government Members). You must allow the process to end and if you do not do that, then, this Government will.

Mr Nkombo: And which one is that?

Mr Hamududu: The UPND.

Mr Nkombo: Camana, cadonkoka.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu: And we are coming.

Mr Nkombo: Bacibwalula.

Mr Hamududu: Mr Speaker, Hon. Lombanya said that the Government is just a facilitator and the PF Party is one of the stakeholders of the Constitution-making process. By the way, politicians have other interests, therefore, put a people’s platform for us to have a good Constitution.

Mr Speaker, Hon. Chikwanda, who is one of the oldest together with Hon. Munkombwe, and has seen it all, said that this bad governance is because of a faulty Constitution. I hope you were following those debates.

Ms Lubezhi: We did.

Mr Hamududu: Mr Speaker, how can someone, today, say that we need more roads than the Constitution?  The Constitution is the bed-rock of good governance. 

Mr Ntundu: Yes!

Ms Lubezhi: Of the road.

Mr Hamududu: If you do not put a firm foundation, there is no need to continue building because the house will crack. The foundation of prosperity is the Constitution. If a company, for example, is having problems, the Managing Director must go back to articles of association and the business plan. That is the foundation. The foundation of good governance is the Constitution.

Mr Nkombo: You do not go to the bank.

Mr Hamududu: Sir, I am happy that the hon. Minister of Justice has come back to the House. Hon. Minister, look here. This is not a joke. 

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: You are addressing the Speaker.

Mr Hamududu: Yes, Mr Speaker, but he must look here.

Laughter

Mr Hamududu: He is my friend.

The Deputy Chairperson: That is because you are looking there. You must look here.

Mr Hamududu: Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President has said we, including the PF Members, must detach politics from the Constitution. The people of Zambia want a new Constitution. Remove the PF interests from this. We had a majoritarian Constitution in this country and that is how Independence was born. The African National Congress (ANC) and United National Independence Party (UNIP) formed a coalition Government. Some of you think that majoritarian is an election. No. You got 43 per cent of the total votes and so it means that the majority rejected you. Now, to moderate that rejection, you can partner with another party. For example, if you proposed a coalition Government with any of these parties, you would not have messed up like this. You do not need a Constitution per se. If you had the interest of the country at heart, you would have done that. Everywhere where there are civilised people, they ask for a hand when they do not get a full mandate. That way, policies should have been moderated. At the moment, so many mistakes have been made. I want to tell the Government, today, that the young people are so annoyed and disenchanted.

Ms Lubezhi: I am.

Mr Hamududu: Sir, in this country, 50 per cent of our population is below nineteen years old and we are almost facing a demographic disaster because the Government has not invested in them. Very soon, they will be slapping hon. Members of the Government as they move on the streets.

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Mr Hamududu: Yes! They are not happy. The Government should invest in young people and do the right things. It needs to create jobs.

Mr Nkombo: You will be hiding flags on your vehicles.

Mr Hamududu: Yes, you will have to change your cars by leaving them at Arcades Shopping Mall and getting on taxis. So, what must we do now?

Mr Nkombo: Utabambili.

Mr Hamududu: Sir, there is one important thing we must do now, …

Mr Nkombo interjected.

Mr Hamududu: … just like any building or company, let us go to the fundamentals. We need the Constitution like yesterday. There were other people here who worked against the will of the people and misfortune befell them. I want to warn the hon. Minister of Justice that the Constitution is the people’s cry and if you play with it, you will burn.

Ms Lubezhi: You are going to burn?

Mr Hamududu: Yes. The people now understand that they are suffering because of a faulty Constitution. There are parallels here. If you want, you can carry out a case study. Botswana is the only country in Sub-Saharan Africa that was never a one-party state because it had a good Constitution. What is in Botswana? We even have a more valuable mining sector than Botswana, which only has diamonds. In Zambia, we have emeralds which are among the top ten high grade gemstones. When it comes to copper mining, Botswana’s mining value is much lower than that of Zambia. You just hear that it has diamonds, but when you add the summations of our mining value, you will see that we are much higher than Botswana. If we take agriculture, for instance, Botswana has no water, and yet it has a better livestock industry than Zambia. In this country, the possibilities are unlimited, like in the energy sector, but we are busy playing around. Let me tell you, I am not excited about being a Minister. I have better aspirations and my aspirations …

Hon. Government Member: Question!

Mr Hamududu: I am telling you. My aspiration is to see to it that when I am comfortable, my brother is also comfortable. That is why when His Excellency the President came here, although I was not around, we sympathised with him. The greatest sin against people is inhumanity. I agree with Hon. Dr Musokotwane that when a fellow human being is unwell, the best thing to do is sympathise. We, as the UPND, sympathise.

Hon. Government Members: Aah.

Hon. UPND Members: Yes!

Mr Hamududu: Sir, the only way members of the Executive could have sympathised is to outdo themselves in doing the right things.

Sir, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is such a good self help in our constituencies. People are saying that the councils are dysfunctional. Good money is being put after bad. We do not do that in economics. Find a better way to route the CDF to where it is needed. 

Sir, there was the Zambia Sector Social Investment Fund (ZAMSIF) here which was handled outside the council. So, it is simple. Just re-route the CDF and do not pass it through something that is broken. Our people now need self-help to put up teachers’ houses. However, the Government is routing the CDF through corrupt councils. The hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing is also complaining in his constituency because he has been duped. If the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing can be duped in his own constituency, what about a simple hon. Member of Parliament? I wanted to debate on the Auditor-General’s Report which revealed some irregularities regarding the CDF, but we never debated the solution to those irregularities. The solution is that we all agree that the CDF is important. 

Mr Speaker, the councils should be left out of the disbursement process of the CDF. If it is the law, we need to amend it. Not until we make them functional, should we route the CDF through councils. At the moment, in Monze, …

Ms Lubezhi: And Namwala.

Mr Hamududu: … Namwala and everywhere else, our CDF is just sitting in the bank accounts. The chaps are just running around failing to spend a simple K1.3 million. We want more CDF, but the Government is busy routing the money through councils which are dysfunctional vessels. This situation is more like giving somebody money to take home and he or she ends up spending it on beer on the way. The intention to take money home is noble, but the problem is the messenger. In the same way, the Government’s intention to take development to the grassroots, through the CDF is right, but the problem is the medium through which it is doing it, the council. At the moment, the council is the wrong messenger to take development. I hope we can amend this provision in the law before the hon. Minister of Finance presents the next Budget. 

Mr Speaker, we are the ones who make the law and, therefore, cannot have laws from which we alienate ourselves. We are more important than the law which was meant to serve a human being. While we are all below the law, it must serve us.

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu: Therefore, Mr Speaker, I want to appeal to the ladies and gentlemen in the PF Administration that we stop playing jokes on each other. I want to tell our colleagues that they are not the only ones who have failed to be focused. We have never had a focused Government in this country. President Mwanawasa, S.C., may his soul rest in peace, was almost there. However, he only failed to deliver the Constitution. In the seven years that he was in power, he should have done it. He was in this House before he became President. After becoming Head of State, he should have reflected on this matter. If we came into office now, the first thing we would do would be to fix the Constitution.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu: Mr Speaker, I want to remind this Government that God has remembered this country again. Although commodity prices have gone up, we are a mineral rich country and the weather is favourable. According to economic theory, we are actually at the take-off stage. What is lacking is good governance and not individuals. We can have a good President today, like Mr Hichilema, but after he has gone, we will regress if the Constitution is still bad.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Hamududu: So, we should not depend on human beings, but on a good Constitution. So let us resolve this issue. 

Mr Speaker, people want separation of powers. They do not want the Executive to outnumber the Back Bench and thereby dilute Parliament. Some people in here want to be hon. Ministers and hon. Members of Parliament at the same time. They must choose one option. The delivery system of service to our people is more important than our being hon. Members of Parliament and hon. Ministers. Some hon. Members are entertaining the idea of not wanting to have separation of powers, but the Zambian people want hon. Ministers to be appointed outside Parliament. All of us here must unite to make sure that these hon. Ministers are accountable and you will see how they will deliver. 

Sir, today, how can an hon. PF Member of the Back Bench criticise an hon. Minister? It is not possible. Even in the UPND, if we are in the Government and I am in the Back Bench, how can I criticise an hon. Minister? I would be expelled for doing so. So, our current set up is not working. Let us create our own democracy that works. If having a flag in front of their vehicles is an achievement for my colleagues, for me it is not. I aspire for bigger things than a flying flag. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu: Let us not be cheap. If you are not compatible with transformational leadership, please, there are many things to do such as looking after goats or selling something at the market.

Laughter 

Mr Hamududu: We now need selfless and dedicated leaders like us. Therefore, we offer ourselves to give selfless leadership.

Sir, with these few words, I thank you.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Shakafuswa (Katuba): Mr Speaker, thank you very much …

Mr Mwaliteta started leaving the Assembly Chamber.

Mr Shakafuswa: Kalapanshi, webo.

Laughter 

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata’s address to this House.

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President asked us to reflect as we celebrate fifty years of our independence. He asked us to look at where we have come from and where we are going. I think reflecting on where we have come from is the only way we can find our feet and know where we are going. Zambia …

Ms Kapata: On a point of order, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: It was ruled earlier on that no points of order would be accepted.

Mr Shakafuswa: Zambia is a multi-party democracy and as such, all of us in this House should realise that the Constitution was changed to bring into effect a multi-party democracy. We felt a strong need to move away from a One-Party State and bring in a multi-party democracy where we can be of different views, but unite in our purpose. It is very sad that the PF (Patriotic Front) wants us to go back to a one-party democracy.

Mr Mwiimbu: Hear, hear!

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, it is unfortunate that somebody as senior as His Honour the Vice-President of this country can tell a constituency that, “If you do not vote for my party, we will never bring development.”

Mr Mwiimbu: Sad.

Mr Shakafuswa: Whose development?

Mr Speaker, development does not belong to a single party. The single party in a multi-party democracy can be used as a tool to help administer, but the owners of the country are the people of Zambia. So, it is being retrogressive and small-minded to tell people that development will only be brought about if you vote for us. The mind of a new hon. Member of Parliament has also been corrupted into believing that …

Laughter

Mr Shakafuswa: … there is no development in her constituency because the previous hon. Member of Parliament was in the Opposition, no. Those are, like Hon. Keith … ndani uyu?

Mr Nkombo: Mukata.

Mr Shakafuswa: … Mukata said, delusions. For hon. Members of Parliament, hon. Ministers and even His Honour the Vice-President to express their delusions to this nation, I think, is very shameful. I am a proud Lenje. The Solis and Lenjes are Lambas. We are a proud people. We feel very proud that we have contributed a lot to this nation. We have contributed land. The land upon which Parliament here is seating is the grave yard of our ancestors. We have said let us give this land to Zambia so that we can be administered from here.

Sir, I feel very hurt when I hear that someone is saying they have everything in their constituencies. It is our wealth. We are the ones who are contributing to the nation. What have you contributed to this nation to deserve the development you claim is in your areas? What have you contributed? Where have the many leaders in the Government led us?

Mr Nkombo: Nowhere.

Mr Shakafuswa: We should sit and realise that the resources of this country belong to all the people and desist from the delusions of thinking that the money belongs to the PF. Teshi mali yenu.

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson:  What does that mean?

Mr Shakafuswa: It is not your money.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Shakafuswa: This money belongs to the people of Zambia. When the hon. Minister of Finance stands there and we appropriate on behalf of the people of Zambia how that money is to be spent, it does not mean that it belongs to the PF.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Shakafuswa: For your own information, you have not brought in anything new. An economy runs on the resources available which are brought in a budget. Our economy has been growing at 6, 7 or 8 per cent.

Mr Nkombo: No. Eight Tabanasika.

Mr Shakafuswa: If you want to say that the PF has achieved more, what new measures of creating wealth has it brought to the book?

Mr Nkombo: Nothing.

Mr Shakafuswa: Apart from the usual ways of us creating money for the budget for expenditure, what new ways has the PF brought apart from empty rhetorics? Nothing. So, at the end of it all, if you people want to lead this country, show us 10 per cent growth ...

Mr Nkombo: Hear, hear!

Mr Shakafuswa: … or 15 per cent growth. What this country needs is not a growth of 6 per cent. The PF talks about infrastructure as a component of the gross domestic product (GDP), and yet what is the percentage growth of that sector compared to other sectors? That is how you look at it from an economic point of view. The economy has to grow in all spheres for it to be felt because if it is in infrastructure, the only people who are going to benefit are those involved or employed in construction. Those are the only people who are going to be affected. If the percentage of agriculture is not growing, it means people in those sectors will still be poor.

Mr Nkombo: The economy has grown because of borrowing.

Mr Shakafuswa: So, how do we go about growing the economy? To me, firstly, before I go there, I want to talk about the intentions of the Customary Land Administration Bill. I do not know what your intention is, but let me tell you. I am a village headman and to us, Lenjes, land belongs to a clan. I do not know about you people there (pointing at the Government Bench). The chiefs are only there to administer the headmen who have got land.

Mr Speaker, we hear that the Government has intentions of introducing a system where District Commissioners will be the ones to give out and approve land matters. It will not happen in the Lenje and Soli land. It will never happen in our land. The land belongs to our clans, under our Royal Highnesses. Do not introduce short-cuts because you have failed to get a piece of land in Chongwe or Katuba and use this method to acquire land. Cishi ncesu.
    
Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: What does that mean?

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, it means that the land is ours and if you want short-cuts, amwebo mulicite kumishanu. This means that you also have land where you come from. Get land from there. Do not introduce short-cuts to take over our land. Over land, people have gone to war.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

I know that this is an emotive subject, but cool down. You can still deliver the point.

You may continue.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, I was happy that when His Excellency the President talked about agriculture, he also talked about diversification. 

Mr Speaker, I have seen good hon. Ministers being constrained. The hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry has actually noted that there is a shortage of poultry in the country. The shortage has been created artificially because of corruption in the Government circles. 

Sir, I want to commend Hon. Yamfwa Mukanga. He is a very hardworking and uncompromising Minister. I also want to commend Hon. Kalaba, who is a very hardworking and incorruptible Minister. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Shakafuswa: There are also efforts that the current hon. Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development is trying to make. 

Sir, before the PF came into power, the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) Government allowed a mining company to start mining without actually going through the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Minerals Development to get a mining permit and an Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Are you sure that is not corruption? 

Sir, the hon. Minister of Finance is quoted in today’s The Post Newspaper as having stated that there is a lot of pressure for corruption from the Chinese. These people started mining activities below a poultry farm belonging to the Hybrid Poultry Farm. The effect is that from the 1,000,000 eggs per week that this poultry farm used to produce, it now produces 400,000 eggs per week. As a result, the cost of chicken is now between K35 and K40 a bird. Who got money from the Chinese?

Mr Mwila: On a point of order, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Mwila: Shakafuswa is a shareholder of that company.

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) said that this mine was not following laid-down procedure and this prompted the hon. Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources to instruct that the mine be shut down, but someone up there overruled the hon. Minister and got money. Today, there is a shortage of poultry and the people of Zambia are the ones who are feeling the impact of a corrupt decision. 

Sir, this is wrong. The people of Zambia should not pay. Today, the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry wants to import chickens from Brazil and South Africa. This means that we are now enriching the farmers in those countries. Why can we not do the right thing?

Mr Speaker: Order!

(Debate adjourned)

__________

The House adjourned at 1255 hours until 1430 hours on Tuesday, 7th October, 2014.

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