DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 1st October, 2014

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER
_________

    

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL EXPORTS

92. Mr Mucheleka (Lubansenshi) asked the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry:

(a)    what percentage of traditional exports compared to non-traditional exports were made in 2010 and 2013; and

(b)    what the monetary value of the exports was.

The Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Sichinga): Mr Speaker, in 2010, the percentage share of traditional exports, primarily referring to metal exports to total exports was 81.5 per cent and, in 2013, the percentage share of traditional exports to total exports was 66.6 per cent. 

Mr Speaker, in 2010, the percentage share of non-traditional exports to total exports was 18.5 per cent. This increased to 33.4 per cent in 2013. This increase in percentage share represented increased diversification of exports in line with the Government Trade Policy which promotes the growth of non-traditional exports.

Mr Speaker, in 2010, the total value of traditional exports amounted to an estimated US$6.1 billion and grew to US$7.1 billion in 2013. In 2010, the total value of the non-traditional exports amounted to US$1.4 billion and increased to US$3.6 billion in 2013. This shows an increase in traditional export earnings of US$1 billion between 2010 and 2013 and an increase in non-traditional export earnings of US$2.2 billion over the same period. 

Mr Speaker, in anticipation of follow-up questions, I have provided a breakdown of the non-traditional exports for the whole period, 2010 to 2013, which I will lay on the Floor of the House.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: On the Table.

Mr Sichinga laid the paper on the Table.

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, while I appreciate the hon. Minister’s answer and specifically note that there was an increase in the monetary value of the non-traditional exports, I would have expected him to go further and indicate what those non-traditional exports were. 

Nonetheless, may I find out from the hon. Minister what specific and practical steps are being taken to ensure that the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the agriculture sector are given meaningful attention in his programmes as a way of creating employment and wealth for the people, given that we do not seem to be getting any positive results as regards the linkage between economic growth and poverty reduction from traditional exports, particularly metals. 

Can you specifically state what programmes and strategies have been put in place to ensure that people who are participating in the SMEs and the agriculture sector are used as a conduit for poverty reduction, economic growth and employment creation. 

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, the question is very clear. However, it did not talk about non-traditional exports relating to small or large-scale enterprises. In fact, the information that I have laid on the Table of the House gives an indication of the kinds of commodities that are in the category of non-traditional. They include animal products, building materials, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, engineering products, floriculture, garments, gemstones, handicrafts, horticulture, leather and leather products and non-metallic minerals.

 There is also a whole range of commodities which include petroleum oils, primary agriculture commodities, processed refined foods, textiles, wood products and re-exports such as scrap metal and electricity. This is why I decided to put them in a table which I have laid on the Table of the House and will be made available to the hon. Members. 

However, let me give a bonus answer as regards the participation of the citizens, especially the micro and small enterprises in this drive. Specifically, this is being undertaken through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC). Some hon. Members may be aware that some districts and constituencies have already seen us rolling out this programme which is targeted at what is defined in the Act as targeted citizens. It includes women and youths. 

Mr Speaker, we have taken deliberate steps to increase the percentage of the allocations for loans to women and youths, specifically in the rural areas. We have also marked out the whole country and identified the different endowments that are in each location and, through these micro and small enterprises which we are empowering, we expect that quality products will be made available which we can then put on the market, including exports to various locations and countries, particularly in the region.

Mr Speaker, these are the main issues that we are dealing with at the moment. We are rolling this out and, referring to his constituency in particular. We have done that partly in Kasama, Mungwi and Mpulungu. We will be doing the same in all the districts throughout the country as we roll out the programme between now and December, 2015.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Simbao (Senga Hill): Mr Speaker, …

Mr Mweetwa: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, I thank you for affording me the opportunity to raise this point of order which, I fervently believe, is in national interest. I would like to apologise to the hon. Member who was on the Floor for interrupting his thought process.

Mr Speaker, I would like to declare interest because the point of order relates to an institution where I am currently privileged to serve as a member of the board.

Mr Speaker, the University of Zambia (UNZA) has admitted about 6,000 first year students this academic year. Out of these, the Government has only admitted 2,000 onto the Bursary Scheme which, traditionally, is the mainstay for students to access university education. The 4,000 students who have not been admitted onto the Bursary Scheme include those who should have come in the next academic year, but the university management allowed them to apply and they were admitted to the university. As a result of the huge number of students that has been left out of the Bursary Scheme, there is despondency amongst the students to an extent that, yesterday, a first year student by the name of Munsaka Makwamba of Siameja Village of Chief Mweemba of Sinazongwe Constituency in the Southern Province committed suicide …

Hon. Opposition Members: Eeh!

Mr Mweetwa: … upon discovering that she could not get a bursary despite her outstanding results. This has happened against the backdrop of the statement that was made yesterday by my elder brother, the hon. Minister of Youth and Sport, that the Government is not going to do anything to redeem the situation. This has brought about despair among all the students who are not on the Bursary Scheme. Today, when I was listening to the Lusaka Star, the hon. Minister of Youth and Sport, and not the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, appeared to have changed his position and stated that the issue of students who have not been considered under the Bursary Scheme is under active consideration by the Government. These statements are coming from the hon. Minister of Youth and Sport and not the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education amidst a looming crisis. As a member of the University Council and as former President of the University of Zambia Student Union (UNZASU), I am privy to the anxieties and apprehensions that have engulfed the institution. One would only hope that this issue will have been addressed by the time the returning students report back. 

Mr Speaker, is the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education in order not to inform this House the circumstances that have led to a student terminating her life, when there is a looming crisis at the institution because many students have been denied bursaries for them to access university education? Is the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education in order to remain conspicuously mute when the nation expects to hear the way forward?

Mr Speaker, I need your ruling.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

My ruling is that you should file in a question of an urgent nature and I will process it accordingly, and get the hon. Minister to respond.

The hon. Member for Senga Hill may proceed.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, …

Mr Kambwili: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order!

A point of order is raised.

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order which borders on an hon. Member of Parliament misleading the House with impunity. Is Hon. Mweetwa in order to mislead the House that I said on the University of Zambia (UNZA) Radio that the Government is not going to do anything about the bursaries and that I have changed my position today? His president phoned UNZA Radio today, telling the students that the Government has spent money on by-elections and could not pay …

Hon. Opposition Members: It is true!

Mr Kambwili: … for all the students as a result. When I called back the radio station, I indicated that it is not sustainable for the Government to pay for all the students that apply for a bursary.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to say that? Even the former Member of Parliament, Hon. Siakalima, today, when asked to comment on what I said, confirmed that I was right to say that it is not possible for the Government to pay for all the students. 

Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member in order, therefore, to insinuate that I was making statements when I am not the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education? He must realise that the university deals with the youths whom I represent. Is he in order to mislead the House with impunity?

Mr Speaker, I need your serious ruling.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

The point of order raises a contest on facts, and I am not privy to all the material that has been allegedly referred to by both the hon. Member of Parliament for Choma Central as well as the hon. Minister of Youth and Sport. In the absence of that material of contested facts, I will reserve my ruling.

The hon. Member for Senga Hill may proceed.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the increase in revenue on non-traditional commodities is as a result of the introduction of new commodities or it is just an improvement in the export of old commodities?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, traditional and non-traditional exports have already been categorised. This is the context in which I provided the additional information, and the information that we have is that new companies have come on the market and so new products have become available for export. Therefore, there has been an increase in both. In some instances, there has been a reduction in the value of the commodities that were exported as compared to what we had in 2010. In other instances, there has been a substantial increase in the commodities that were already being exported. Therefore, the increase in revenue is as a result of the export of both the existing commodities as well as the new ones. 

Sir, may I just emphasise that the market around us is growing. The market within the region, in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is growing, particularly in the Great Lakes Region. In addition, there are raw materials that are going to South Africa for further processing. I can give the details of the comparison, but it will take us a long time. That is why I have provided the details to the House so that a comparison can be made.

I thank you, Sir.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned that there is a provision for empowering targeted citizens, specifically women and youths. Taking into account the poverty levels, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether this includes persons with disabilities.

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, quite frankly, this question is very different from the question under consideration. I will, however, give the hon. Member a bonus answer. The Citizens Economic Empowerment Act of 2006 specifically targets …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on my right!

Mr Sichinga: … women and youths. These groups are included in the empowerment programme, especially in the area of micro, small and medium-size enterprises. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Mpundu (Nchelenge): Mr Speaker, I would like to know whether the Government is impressed with the rate of growth in non-traditional export earnings. 

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, it is clear that an increase from US$1.4 billion to US$3.6 in three years is substantial. However, we can do a lot more. The challenge is that we need to create industrial-built production and productivity capacities, particularly in the area of demand in the SADC and COMESA regions. This is exactly what we are doing with industrial clusters. 

Laughter 

Mr Sichinga: You cannot produce unless there are factories where the production can take place. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichinga: This is why the Government is rolling out industrial clusters as quickly as possible, depending on the availability of resources. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, it is a well-known fact that processed materials fetch more value on the export market than primary products. This means that if we had been processing our commodities before export, the value of non-traditional commodities would have been higher than reported by the hon. Minister. 

Mr Speaker, when the hon. Minister first went to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, he told this House that the export of raw materials would be banned and that the Government would ensure that value was added to all primary products or raw materials before export. Can he state which commodities have been banned and whether this has led to increased exports in processed commodities. 

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, firstly, I would like to correct the statement about banning the export of primary products. No hon. Minister, certainly not this one, has ever talked about banning the export of raw materials. What this hon. Minister said was that it was more desirable to process the raw materials into finished goods. 

Secondly, Mr Speaker, I agree with the hon. Member of Parliament for Liuwa that it is always more valuable to export finished products than raw ones. However, to do this, we need to create factories. This is a process that does not happen overnight because it entails capacity building which is exactly what the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is doing and which the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) did not. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Pande (Kasempa): Fyabatwala kumbi.

Laughter 

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, in 2010, the percentage of traditional exports was at 81.5 per cent. In 2013, it was 66.6 per cent. Going by the amounts realised from these exports, in 2010, it was US$6.1 billion and, in 2013, it was US$7.7 billion, and yet the exports were lower than they were in 2010. What could have caused this high figure in 2013?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, it is the way the question was put. 

Hon. Opposition Member: Aah!

Mr Sichinga: The question asked for the percentage, then the values. I started by giving the percentages which have changed. The non-traditional commodities have not only increased in percentage, but also in the values attached to them. We have had a reduction in the traditional exports in comparison to 2010. 

Sir, this can be explained through the pricing mechanism and individual commodities in quantum terms. It might be helpful if the hon. Member has a specific commodity he would like to know about so that I can zero in on that rather than reading two pages of every detailed classification which, I think, might take up a lot of time. I will, however, lay the document on the Table so that it is available to everybody. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Habeenzu (Chikankata): Mr Speaker, how is the money earned from these exports ploughed back into the communities?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, the exporters, whoever they may be, receive the proceeds. In most cases, it is companies that export the commodities. So, I cannot see the proceeds being ploughed back into communities. Clearly, they use this as their working capital, that is, as a base for remanufacturing and exporting again to increase their production capital and capacity. 

Sir, the side benefit for this is that if we increase the processing of commodities at local level, like we are doing at the moment, there will be a market for the raw commodities that are available in those localities. This means that the people that have these commodities will receive payment for the commodities that they are selling. For example, if a farmer grows soya beans and sells it to a manufacturer of stock feed who then exports it to Botswana, the benefit is not direct. The benefit for the community where the product is produced will be the price of the soya beans. In terms of the export itself, the proceeds come to the company that exports the product. If an individual is exporting, he/she will receive the benefits. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Speaker: We will have the last question from the hon. Member for Chadiza. 

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has elaborated the traditional and non-traditional exports. However, I would like to know about imports and whether the balance of payment is negative or positive. 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Chadiza, that is a new question. 

We move onto the next question. 

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IN LUKASHYA

93. Ms Kansembe (Lukashya) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education when community schools in Lukashya Parliamentary Constituency would be taken over by the Government. 

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr P. Ngoma): Mr Speaker, the Government can only take over community schools, including the ones in Lukashya Parliamentary Constituency, upon an expression of interest by the community. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr P. Ngoma: This is considered on a case by case basis once an assessment is carried out by the Office of the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS). 

Further, Mr Speaker, community schools are encouraged to register with the Government through the Office of the DEBS in order to receive support in the form of teaching and learning materials, infrastructure development, deployment of qualified teachers on the Government payroll and the provision of furniture.

Sir, through this system, community schools like Mwansha in Lukashya Parliamentary Constituency have benefited through the construction of 1x2 classroom blocks, two teachers’ houses and two ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines. 

Mr Speaker, the Government is committed to ensuring that learning conditions in community schools are upgraded. In instances where members of the community wish to continue running the community schools, the ministry shall not forcibly take over the running of such community schools.

I thank you, Sir. 

Ms Kansembe: Mr Speaker, most of the community schools that have been constructed in my constituency have registered with the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, and I am yet to hear about any community school that wants to continue to run the schools. The problem is that most of the community schools have no trained teachers. As a result, the pupils are losing out. Can the ministry consider carrying out a physical assessment of the schools to see which ones can be taken on and where trained teachers can be deployed?

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, for a community school to become a Government school, it has to go through a process within the district. The school can make a request in writing to the DEBS, indicating that it wishes the Government to take over the running of the school.

Sir, I have visited a number of community schools where there are qualified teachers employed by the Government. If the schools do not indicate that they want to hand over the schools to the Government, then, it becomes very difficult for the Government to take over the running of the schools. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Speaker: What about the issue of assessment?

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, the DEBS Office assesses schools and reports are sent to the ministry headquarters through the Provincial Education Officer (PEO).

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister confirm whether or not the DEBS from that area has ever written to his ministry as regards the upgrading of some community schools in Lukashya Constituency?

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, it is not up to the DEBS to write to the ministry headquarters, but it is the community which is supposed to make a request to the DEBS that it wants the school to be run by the Government. It is after this that the DEBS, through the PEO, will inform the ministry headquarters and then the school can be taken over. 

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, the existence of all the community schools in my constituency is justified because the distance to the next school is normally too long for small children to walk. I know that all the community schools have written, without exception, to the DEBS, but there has been no positive response. Would the hon. Minister agree that the reason that the ministry is not taking over the running of the community schools is that the system is lagging behind and not appreciating the need for community schools.

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, fortunately, I have been to his constituency and have seen the schools that he is talking about. At all these schools, I noticed that there were teachers who are employed by the Government.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Dr Musokotwane indicated dissent.

Mr P. Ngoma: Sir, if the schools have indicated, through the community, that they want the Government to take over the running of the schools, the ministry has not yet responded to the request, then, they should give the ministry time because it is still considering the request. 

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Member:  Hear, hear!

Mr Shakafuswa (Katuba): Mr Speaker, does the ministry appreciate the efforts of community schools in complementing the Government’s effort to provide education to all children of school- going age? 

Sir, in Katuba, for example, there are zonal headteachers who have been asking us to open community schools. Your system is asking us to bridge the gap so that, as the hon. Member for Liuwa said, the distance between schools is reduced. Can you introduce a system that will enable you to know where a community school is coming up and see which teachers you can send there so as to improve the education standards? 

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, the Government appreciates what the community is doing and will continue to support such communities. When a community school is created, the Government posts a qualified teacher to that school. 

Sir, my plea is that we must continue to promote the creation of community schools so that we can reduce distances between schools, especially for the girl child.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear!

Mr Belemu (Mbabala): Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education has told us that the policy of the Patriotic Front Government was to do away with community schools and that the Government was going to take over the running of all community schools.

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

Mr Belemu: When did the policy change and what necessitated the change?

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, the Government has not changed any policy. It has always been talking about the upgrading of community schools. Upgrading of a school means, for example, that the Government would upgrade a mud and pole school structure to a permanent structure. That is what the Government means by upgrading schools and that is what it is doing.

Sir, for instance, in our budget, there are funds for each province for the upgrading of fifteen schools which means that the pole and mud structures will be replaced with permanent structures.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, since the ministry is aware of the existence of community schools, is the Government considering sinking boreholes at community schools countrywide?

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, that is what the Government is doing through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. Each time the Ministry of Local Government and Housing gives local authorities boreholes, priority is given to schools.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Mutati (Lunte): Mr Speaker, Lukashya Constituency borders Lunte Constituency. When I was in Lukashya recently, I was told that a number of community schools had been converted into Government schools. Given that we want to ride on the good will of Lukashya, when are you going to convert some community schools into Government schools in Lukashya so that Lunte can benefit through the principle of equity? 

Mr Lubinda: Aah!

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, the answer has already been given. I wish the hon. Member was listening attentively when I gave my response. The intention of the Government is to see to it that schools, including community schools, are upgraded to a high standard.

I thank you, Sir.

PONTOON AT LUNSEMFWA RIVER CROSSING POINT

94. Mr Chipungu (Rufunsa) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication when the Government would procure a pontoon for use at the Lunsemfwa River crossing point in Chief Shikabeta’s area in Rufunsa District to connect to Chief Mbosha’s area in Mkushi District.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mwimba H. Malama): Mr Speaker, the ministry, through the Engineering Services Corporation (ESCO), has already considered to move the pontoon from Lunga River between Mumbwa and Kasempa to Lunsemfwa to service the people in Chief Shikabeta’s area in Rufunsa and Chief Mbosha’s area in Mkushi in the second quarter of 2015.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister clarify or confirm that the removal of the pontoon at Lunga River is due to the fact that the road is being tarred. 

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, I cannot confirm that because the pontoon that was there has just been replaced with another one that is already in operation. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwanza (Solwezi West): Mr Speaker, that bridge is very close to my heart. May I know what will happen to the people crossing the river from Mumbwa to Kasempa?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the question on the Order Paper is about Chief Shikabeta’s area in Rufunsa District and Chief Mbosha’s area in Mkushi District. That is a new question and I will not attempt to answer it.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, I see that there is a policy of …

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

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication in order not to answer the question raised by Hon. Mwanza when, in his supplementary response, he indicated that the pontoon at Lunga River has been replaced? Why is he saying that he will not comment on the issue of the bridge? Is he in order not to answer a question relating to what he has referred to in his earlier response?

I need your serious ruling, Mr Speaker. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Liuwa may continue and may the hon. Minister, please, put that point of order into consideration when responding.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, before I was interrupted, I was saying that listening to the answer regarding the pontoon at Lunga, one gets the impression that the policy of the Government is to remove one pontoon and substitute it with another. 

Hon. Government Member: Now, what do you want?

Laughter

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, a pontoon was removed from the Zambezi River at Libonda Royal Village. When is this pontoon going to be replaced?

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, as you respond to the question, please, clarify the earlier matter.

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, ESCO is working on a plan to replace the pontoon at Libonda in Liuwa Constituency. The reason ESCO removed the pontoon that was there is that it was too big for the crossing point. The traffic volume where it has been moved to is quite high. The pontoon was actually underutilised at Libonda. This is the reason it was moved. ESCO is working hard to find a sizable pontoon to be taken to Libonda. 

Sir, coming to the point of order by Hon. Konga, I would like to say that I was very careful when responding to Hon. Mwanza’s question. He brought in the issue of bridges when the question at hand is about pontoons. In fact, I had even said that as a solution to the removal of the pontoon which was there, the Government, through ESCO, provided a new one. When the engineers were briefing me, they did not talk about the bridge. In view of this, how can I respond to the hon. Member’s question? That is why I said that the question at hand is talking about the pontoon between Mkushi and Rufunsa districts. I hope I am now clear.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, the issue of the pontoon at the Libonda crossing point is also close to my heart because it is the one that connects the people of Liuwa and those of Luena. The boundary is the Zambezi River. When is that pontoon going to be replaced?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, I am sorry I am unable to provide the time frame because I do not want to mislead this House and the nation at large. The Government, through ESCO, is working hard to ensure that the pontoon at Libonda is replaced.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, is the pontoon being removed from Kasempa to Lunsemfwa functioning?

Mr Speaker: His questions are always clear.

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the pontoon is not functioning. That is the reason we are delaying to remove it from there because we have to budget for that. I had indicated that by the second quarter of 2016, the pontoon will be moved to the new site.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

COUNCILLORS’ MONTHLY ALLOWANCES

95. Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a)    when the Government would commence paying councillors, especially those from rural councils, their monthly allowances;

(b)    whether the payment of the monthly allowances was the responsibility of each local authority; and

(c)    if so, what would happen to councils without money to pay the allowances.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Tembo): Mr Speaker, the responsibility to pay councillors their monthly allowances rests with each council and not the Government. Every year, each council prepares its budget which includes payment of expenses such as councillors’ allowances.

Sir, the payment of monthly allowances is the responsibility of each local authority. It is expected that the councils would meet the obligation on the payment of councillors’ allowances from locally-generated revenue as part of their responsibility.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, I know that the hon. Minister also comes from a rural constituency.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, from the time this policy was introduced, councillors in Kaputa have not been paid their allowances because the council cannot afford to pay. What is going to happen? Should the councils continue accumulating arrears or what should they do for them to be able to pay the allowances?

The Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Chenda): Mr Speaker, it is the debt that is due to the councillors and, therefore, it is expected to be cleared by the council or Government.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Sir, the issue of councillors’ allowances …

Mr Mutelo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to raise this very important point of order when …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo: … the issue of councillors’ allowances is being discussed by hon. Members of Parliament.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, page 13 of The Post Newspaper of 1st October, 2014, carries a heading that reads: “Councillors more Important than MPs - Munkombwe.”

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, surprisingly, hon. Members who are being cited as not being important are currently speaking on behalf of the councillors. 

Interruptions

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, the article states that Hon. Daniel Munkombwe, ...

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: … who is one of us here, said that councillors are more important than Members of Parliament, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Mutelo: … and yet he is seated here in this House.

Mr Speaker: Is that still part of the quote?

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: However, His Honour the Vice-President, Dr Guy Scott, says it is easy, and I agree with him, for a nominated Member of Parliament like Munkombwe …

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: … to say councillors are more important.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, His Honour the Vice-President, like most of us here, is an elected Member while my son, Munkombwe, is not.

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: Is he, therefore, in order to claim that, we, the elected Members and him, a nominated Member, are less important than councillors? Is he in order to state that we are not important? I seek your serious ruling, Mr Speaker.

Interruptions

Hon. Opposition Members: Lay the paper on the Table.

Mr Mutelo: Sir, I will lay the paper on the Table.

Laughter

Mr Mutelo laid the paper on the Table.

Mr Speaker: The difficulty with that point of order is that you actually debated it yourself and, quite frankly, I will be very slow to make a ruling on a subject of this nature. I have not fully appreciated the context in which these statements were made by the hon. Minister for Southern Province and, indeed, His Honour the Vice-President. The word “importance” could be a relative term to a particular subject. I am not sure what the subject of discussion was, not to mention that this was outside the Business of the House. Opinions that are expressed outside are our personal business. I really do not know what was in the mind of …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … the  speaker. That is my position. However, I think the substantive point is that the hon. Member for Lukulu West debated the point of order.

May the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central continue.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I was saying that the PF Government has, on several occasions, made policy statements that have been positive such as the inclusion of councillors on the council payroll without giving corresponding thought to the sources of funds to meet such policy pronouncements, and that we have legislation that forbids any execution of judgment against councils to the effect that even if councils do not pay the councillors their dues, they cannot have recourse. 

Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what the real problem is with allowing councils to use initiatives such as the crop levy that was banned by the former Government there (pointing at hon. MMD Members), and which that Government there (pointing at hon. Government Members) has maintained, in order to relieve this broke Government that can make policy pronouncements that do not correspond with actual resources. Could there be a policy reversal where initiatives like fish, pole and crop levies can be reintroduced so that councils can begin to function in the realm of personnel emoluments? 

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, last week, there was a question on why councils did not have adequate transport to enable them to carry out their operations effectively. My answer to that question was that this was a result of the poor and weakened revenue bases for most, if not all, councils. I went further to state that the Government is creating the Local Government Equalisation Fund which is expected to be an additional source of revenue to be passed on to the local authorities.

Sir, a policy to give a token or monthly allowance to councillors is a common and general trend in the region now. If you go to countries like Botswana, Namibia or South Africa, you will find that councils are not just paying the monthly allowance, but also paying gratuity to councillors. I am told that is also obtaining in Tanzania. So, let us not look at it from the point of view of the councils failing to pay. The policy is good, as it is well grounded, but it is the means of ensuring that the local authorities actually meet their obligations which is the issue. However, we are not sitting idly. We appreciate that there is a financial deficit in the local authorities and we are creating the Local Authority Equalisation Fund so that we can meet this deficit.

Mr Speaker, the crop levy was a good source of revenue for local authorities. However, it was just one of the sources of revenue. If the measures that are being taken to try to beef up further subventions from the Government to local authorities are able to fill the gap that was created by the withdrawal of the crop levy, we still would have fulfilled the obligation. Let me also say that in the long run, the solution is to have fiscal decentralisation so that local authorities are empowered to determine the source of revenue within their jurisdiction.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, this question is very important for the people of Milenge. About six months ago, councillors from Milenge visited the hon. Minister’s Office to bring this same problem to his attention. You know that for councils like Milenge, paying allowances is as impossible as squeezing water from a rock. It is also true that it has been three years since Milenge received any grant from the Government. So, in the absence of the grant, how do you expect small councils like Milenge to survive? Councillors in such councils are now taking out their frustrations on the council officers. Is there nothing you can do about this before we descend on you?

Laughter

Mr Speaker: I note that there is a propensity by the hon. Member for Chembe Parliamentary Constituency to issue this threat.

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, it is most regrettable that the smaller councils have not been able to discharge this function. However, all the councils did not create themselves, but were created by the Government. So, it is obviously the Government’s responsibility to ensure that they function effectively. It means, therefore, that where there are some gaps, it is the responsibility of the Government to ensure that those gaps are filled. Let us also appreciate the various interventions that the Government has put in place to help councils. It is common knowledge that all of us, including the nominated hon. Members of Parliament, are councillors. In fact, you are senior councillors in these councils.

Sir, not too long ago, before this Government came into power, councils had salary arrears. The Government has since taken over the responsibility of clearing the arrears. Is that not a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to resolve issues that councils are facing? We have not just done that, but are also proposing to include the Local Authority Equalisation Fund to ensure that councils are adequately supported. Surely, we are looking at this problem with the commitment and seriousness that it deserves.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Habeenzu: Mr Speaker, the question that Hon. Nkombo asked about the re-introduction of the crop levy has not been answered. Is there a problem with the re-introduction of the crop levy so that while you are still sorting out these issues, the crop levy can be used to sort out the problem of councillors’ allowances?

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, I thought that I attempted to answer the question. I said that the crop levy is only one of the means that the councils used to generate income. However, we are looking at the larger picture than just one source of revenue. This is why we have come up with the Local Authority Equalisation Fund. It is our considered view that there will be more money in this fund which will be passed on to local authorities. This money will be more than what was generated through the crop levy.

I thank you, Sir.

ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY CLINIC AT NAMILANGI

96. Mr Antonio (Kaoma Central) asked the Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health when an Anti-retroviral Therapy Clinic would be opened at Namilangi Rural Health Centre in Kaoma Central Parliamentary Constituency.

The Deputy Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health (Ms Kazunga): Mr Speaker, Namilangi Rural Health Centre does not offer Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) as it has a very low number of staff available to run the service. Therefore, there are no plans of introducing ART services at Namilangi Rural Health Centre. The health centre offers Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services and gives information on the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, the ART services are currently provided at Kahare Rural Health Centre which is 13 km away.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Antonio: Mr Speaker, are you aware that Namilangi has a huge population and is a lot more central than the Kahare Rural Health Centre that the hon. Minister is talking about?

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, yes, we are aware. That is why, in the action plan for 2015 and 2017, there are plans to rehabilitate the existing staff houses and to build two more.

I thank you, Sir.

SENIOR CLASSES AT NANGULA SECONDARY SCHOOL

97. Ms Imenda asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a)    when senior classes would be introduced at Nangula Secondary School in Luena Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b)    what had caused the delay in introducing the classes in spite of the school having been upgraded.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, Nangula Primary School is one of the primary schools in the Western Province that have been earmarked for upgrading to secondary school. Senior classes at this school will be introduced once the school has adequate classrooms and staff accommodation. At the moment, there are only six classrooms catering for Grades 1 to 9 and only nine staff houses. Consequently, senior classes could not be introduced.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, as the hon. Minister rightly pointed out, Nangula Primary School is one of the few schools that were earmarked for upgrading in the area, including Kanyonyo in Mongu District. Nangula is the only one in Limulunga District. Was there any reason to excite the people of Luena by informing them that they are going to have a secondary school when it is not going to be there in the next few years? Why did the Government not just keep quiet until it was ready?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, yes, there was a reason to excite the people of Luena. In fact, the hon. Member talked about it when she was debating yesterday and mentioned the Jubilee Celebrations which we are going to have. In order to make the people of Luena celebrate the Golden Jubilee, we are going to upgrade that school and it is going to receive K1.4 million, for Hon. Imenda’s information.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the people of Luena are going to further celebrate because we are building Limulunga Secondary School, in case the hon.  Member is not aware.

Thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo): Mr Speaker, when is the upgrading programme at Nangula Primary School starting?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, like I said last time, we are just waiting for a few discussions in the ministry before we start disbursing the money that the Ministry of Finance has given us for the upgrading process. So, we are probably going to start releasing some of the funds next month.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, when will the ministry have these few discussions that it is waiting for?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, I have just said going into October, 2014, we will start releasing the money.

I thank you, Sir.

WESTERN WATER AND SEWERAGE COMPANY

98. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a)    what measures the Government was taking to purify drinking water supplied by Western Water and Sewerage Company to residents of Kalabo District; and

(b)    whether the Government had any plans to extend the water distribution network to the new compounds on the eastern and western parts of Kalabo Township. 

Mr Speaker: You seem to have been mesmerised for a moment.

Laughter 

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Kufuna): Mr Speaker, the Government is soliciting funds from co-operating partners to finance the improvement and expansion of water supply and sanitation infrastructure in the Western Province. Negotiations with various co-operating partners are in progress. The estimated cost for improving water supply in the whole province is US$40 million, which includes Kalabo. The planning for infrastructure improvement is for a period of twenty years. The designs take into account the expansion and growth of the district which will include the new areas.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, the response by the hon. Minister does not give hope to the people of Kalabo. So, they will continue drinking that water which is stained. In view of the fact that the Government is soliciting for funds to improve water supply in the Western Province, what came first between the need to improve the water system in Kalabo or to solicit that US$40 million?

Mr Kufuna: Mr Speaker, obviously, the need comes first. The need was there, and that is why we started soliciting funds so that we can improve the treatment of water in Kalabo.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mulomba (Magoye): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister, in his response, stated that the Government is still soliciting funds from co-operating partners. What will happen if the co-operating partners will not come to its aid?

Mr Kufuna: Mr Speaker, we are committed to ensuring that the residents of Kalabo receive treated water. Therefore, the Government has plans to ensure that this project takes off.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Habeenzu: Mr Speaker, the question is very specific. It is talking about Kalabo but, in his response, the hon. Minister has stated that the budget for the whole province is about US$40 million. How much of this money is for Kalabo?

Mr Kufuna: Mr Speaker, we will tell the House the specific amount for Kalabo when the designs have been completed.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, the water in Kalabo is not safe for human consumption if taken continuously. What short-term measure has been put in place for Kalabo while the Government is sourcing the US$40 million for the whole province?

Mr Kufuna: Mr Speaker, the water situation in Kalabo is not that bad. Usually, the water becomes turbid during the rainy season. During the times when there is no rain, the water is clear and safe to drink. We have got water testing equipment in Kalabo and we have continued to supply water because we have seen that the water that we are supplying to the residents is safe for consumption.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, …

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

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, is the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing, Hon. Kufuna, …

Laughter

Mr Miyutu: … in order to state that the water which is being supplied to Kalabo is safe for human consumption when the residents of Kalabo do not drink the water from taps? 

I need your serious ruling, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: Like I have counselled before, use your colleagues to ask follow-up questions.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, the water in Kalabo has been characterised as coloured. What that means is that when you put this water in a glass, it looks like tea …

Laughter

Dr Musokotwane: … because of the leaves that fall into the water.

Mr Speaker, two years ago, there was an outbreak of typhoid in Kalabo and lives were lost. My question to the hon. Minister is, if there is another outbreak of typhoid and lives are lost once more, what should the people of Kalabo do to him?

Laughter

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, God forbid another typhoid break out in Kalabo. Let us not underplay the importance of water in our lives. It is common knowledge that over the years, there has been very little investment in the water sector and this is the case right across the country. So, we need huge resources of money to bring water reticulation to satisfactory standards. 

I must say that towards the latter part of the tenure of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), we began to see some investment which we have continued to build on. It is an important part of our Administration. We are committed to ensuring that we put more money in this sector and, obviously, it all starts with analysing the situation, then looking for funding to resolve the issues and this we are doing. So, hon. Members of Parliament, when we say US$40 million is being sourced for the Western Province, we mean that there is a serious problem that needs to be addressed there. We have not been sitting idly. We know that issues need to be resolved and we are working towards resolving them.

The situation does not entail just dealing with the current situations, but we must begin to think about the future. We are in this situation now because of the investment that went into water reticulation in the last twenty years until the latter part of the reign of the MMD. So, we want to plan for many more years ahead so that this important element of our lives is actually provided for in all the communities. As the saying goes, “water is life.”

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Milambo (Mwembeshi): Mr Speaker, according to the hon. Minister, the designs are not yet complete. How did the ministry come up with a quantum of US$40 million if the designs are not yet complete?

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, these are working figures. Detailed figures will be known when the actual designs have been drawn. We are on track.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Sianga (Sesheke): Mr Speaker, can I find out from the hon. Minister how many districts in the Western Province will be covered from that US$40 million he mentioned.

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, we intend to cover all the districts in the Western Province.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Mwembeshi has taken care of my question.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I am discouraged. 

Dr Kaingu: Even me.

Mr Nkombo: The question that came from the hon. Member for Mwembeshi was a very prudent one and he was asking how the figure of US$40 million was arrived at without even the draft design. The hon. Minister indicated that the allocation for Kalabo will only be known once the designs have been completed. Where is the logic of attaching a figure when you do not have the workings that determine what your requirement is? Further, who is this co-operating partner who is entertaining you without the much-needed figures when a project proposal is being appraised?

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, I said that the US$40 million was an estimated figure from the working details. This means our experts have come up with some initial designs, but these are yet to be confirmed after the whole project has been properly appraised and assessed. So, we are not shooting in the dark. We have got experts who are looking at these figures and the projects. We arrived at these figures based on the advice from the technocrats.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

KAWAMBWA TEA COMPANY

99. Mr Mwila (Chipili) asked the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry:

(a)    what plans the Government had for Kawambwa Tea Company;

(b)    how many people were employed by the Company as of August, 2014; and

(c)    why it had taken long for the Government to resolve the problems at the Company.

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, Kawambwa Tea Company is a privately-owned company owned by Kumul Holdings (Gombe Holdings) of Zimbabwe.

Sir, the company was privatised in 1996 and has been in private ownership since. It has, however, struggled to operate largely due to inadequate capitalisation by the current owners. This has been a source of concern to the Government, hence a number of options for revamping the company being considered.

Mr Speaker, in resolving the problems at Kawambwa Tea Company, one option the Government has sought has been the co-operation of the current owners so that a mutually agreeable way forward is determined. The Government has met and continues to meet with the owners on many occasions with a view to determining the best way forward. The Government is, however, conscious that the problems at the company have continued to escalate and our desire is to take remedial action expeditiously, as the actions taken by the owners have, so far, continued to fall far short of expectation.

Sir, the Government is exploring the legal options available to it and believes that sooner than later, a firm decision will be arrived at once consultations with various authorities and other key stakeholders have been concluded. 

Mr Speaker, the Government’s position is that Kawambwa Tea Company can be made viable and that it is an important and strategic company not only for Kawambwa District, but also Luapula Province and the country at large.

Mr Speaker, as at August, 2014, Kawambwa Tea Company had employed a total of 530 employees of which six were on contract in management, thirty-two were permanent workers in management and 147 were general workers, while 345 were seasonal workers.

Mr Speaker, having explained that Kawambwa Tea Company is a privately-owned company and that resolving the problems that have beset it requires the co-operation of the owners, the Government has sought to ensure that it can persuade the owners either to sell or inject additional capital if they are not going to sell or meet the outstanding obligations at the moment.

Mr Speaker, the challenge that the Government has is that it has an obligation to protect private property rights of investors and owners, hence the need to balance these rights with broader socio-economic considerations. 

Further, Sir, the challenges at Kawambwa Tea Company have been compounded by cases which are currently before the courts of law. Therefore, the Government cannot act outside the provisions of legislation until these matters have been disposed of. Suffice it to say that the Government is committed to resolving the challenges at Kawambwa Tea Company for the reasons I have already stated.

Mr Speaker, once the consultations have been concluded, the Government will take all the necessary measures within the law to secure the future of the company. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the 530 workers that he is talking about …

Mr Mushanga: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mpundu: Uchite na apologise kuli ba Member of the Central Committee (MCC).

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, I thank you for according me the opportunity to rise on a very serious point of order. I also apologise to Hon. Mwila who was on the Floor of the House.

Mr Mwila: MCC.

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, this point of order borders on the integrity of this important House as regards the answers that are given by hon. Ministers on the Floor of this House.

Mr Speaker, in the last sitting of the House, on Friday, 27th June, 2014, the hon. Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication told this House as follows:

“Mr Speaker, the approval of the evaluation for additional roads in Kabwe, and Bwacha Constituency, to be specific, are awaiting detailed designs currently being undertaken by the supervising consultant and are to be completed by the end of August, 2014. The variation will be approved thereafter.”

Mr Speaker, today, the Road Development Agency (RDA) Executive Director, Mr Chiwala, has categorically stated that he harbours no intentions of approving this variation in Kabwe. 

Hon. Members: Aah!

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, I do not know where this Mr Chiwala draws his authority from when the hon. Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication had advised this House and the nation at large that the variation would be effected. 

Is the hon. Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication in order to keep quiet over this very important matter that affects the people of Kabwe and the good people of Bwacha in particular? 

I need a very serious ruling, Sir.

Hon. Government Backbenchers: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: My ruling is that you file in a question for oral answer.

The hon. Member for Chipili may continue.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned that there are 530 workers at Kawambwa Tea Company. I would like to find out from him whether their jobs are secure. 

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, in view of the fact that the company is having financial difficulties and that many of them have not been paid for long periods, it is very difficult for me to give any assurance that the jobs are secure. In fact, it is the reason we want to resolve the issues. We want to ensure that the jobs are secure. However, at the moment, it is not possible for me to say whether the jobs are secure or not in the absence of the company having been revamped.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, Kawambwa Tea Company is very close to the hearts of the people of Luapula Province. The answer that has been given today is completely different from what we have been told before. I think that this question has come not less than four times on the Floor of this House. This shows the importance that the people of Luapula Province attach to this company. 

Hon. Minister, you have mentioned that there are options and that one of them is to look for a strategic partner while this case is before the courts of law. Have you made any progress in sourcing a strategic partner so that the people of Luapula can have some hope or should they just give up because the Government does not bother about them?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I have laboured to explain this but, maybe, for the comfort of the hon. Member who has just asked the question, let me mention that this is a matter that is close to me personally. This is my birth place we are talking about. There are people that are related to me that live in that area as well. So, it is important that we get this right. 

Mr Speaker, the point is that the company is in private hands. You cannot just walk there and say that, “Today, we are taking over the company.” You cannot do that because there is no law that provides for that. This is why I gave the details that after three years, …

Hon. UPND Members: Zambia Railways!

Mr Sichinga: … the Government can no longer exercise any authority. Therefore, our approach has been to persuade the current owners and introduce to them the equity strategic partner who can then inject additional capital into the company. That is what we are engaged in. 

Mr Mbulakulima interjected.

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member has asked a question, but is now engaging me.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Chembe.

Continue, hon. Minister

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, if he listens, he will understand why we are approaching it this way. If it was a Government-owned company, it would be a completely different matter because we could have gone in and found a strategic partner. In fact, there are many individuals we are discussing with, but the owners must be able to agree with the arrangement.

Mr Speaker, the other challenge is that they felt that they could raise money from various sources. In fact, I have visited Kawambwa Tea Company to try to address this matter. So, it is not something that I am talking about from without. I have been there personally in order to ensure that this is the case. In fact, the employees have taken it upon themselves to protect the tea plantation. They have gone round and demarcated the place and protected the property from fires and other things which, quite frankly, is a commendable effort. 

Mr Speaker, it is a matter that is very close to our hearts, but we cannot just impose a solution on a property that is not ours. Otherwise, the reputation that the Government creates is that it can just walk in and take over privately-owned property. This is why we are using this approach to try to ensure that owners of this property are agreeable to the arrangement. So, we are playing a facilitating role rather than one where we find a partner and impose him on the company.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, the core message of the PF-led Government when they were lobbying Zambians to give them the leadership of this country was not only job creation, but also protection of the existing jobs. Indeed, the question by the hon. Member of Parliament for Chipili raises serious concern.

Sir, the hon. Minister has been very magnanimous in his answer that this is a privately-owned company and, therefore, there are limitations to what the Government can do to secure jobs, to put it in my words.

Mr Speaker, what is good for the goose is good for the gander. In his hay days, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Sata, once said that if the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) dared touch one individual in relation to loss of employment, heads would roll. We saw Mr Kishore Kumar being thrown out of this country for not following the Presidential decree.

Mr Mwila: That is Michael!

Mr Nkombo: Why have you now adopted a multi-faceted approach because the Zambians in Kawambwa also risk losing their jobs, which is contrary to the bedrock of your message of job creation and protection?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I am grateful that our message also reached our colleagues across in the United Party for National Development (UPND). In fact, job creation, securing those jobs and creating wealth and value continues to be the core message. That is why the Government is concerned and is intervening in this matter. Having said that, behooves the Government to honour and respect the decisions of the systems that are in place. If these matters are in court, as they are at the moment, we cannot overlook that and simply impose decisions. It would be incorrect to do that. That is why regular meetings are being held to find an amicable solution and this is exactly what the response to the question said. Let me assure the House that we are not relenting on this effort. As I have said, this is a matter that is very close to my heart because of the reasons I have already stated.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has talked about issues being in court and so on and so forth. Can the hon. Minister care to educate me and the House as to how different the issue at Kawambwa Tea Company is from that of Zambia Telecommunications Company Limited (ZAMTEL) and Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL)?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, the question is beyond what has been raised here.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I do not have a response to the comparison between what happened with a concession under the ZRL and a privately-owned company such as this one. Concessions and agreements are completely different. Therefore, I am not in a position to give that answer without having to undertake an analysis and comparison between a concession and a privately-owned asset.

I thank you, Sir.

DEVIL’S CLAW EXPORT

100. Mr Sianga asked the Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection:

(a)    when the ban on the export of the devil’s claw would be lifted;

(b)    what measures the Government had taken to alleviate the poverty of the people of Sesheke District whose livelihood depended on the trade in the plant.

The Deputy Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (Dr Mwali): Mr Speaker, the ban was lifted on 18th June, 2013.

Mr Speaker, the production and trade of the devil’s claw has been commercialised. We have trained the harvesters and have also distributed processing tools and drying facilities to facilitate the extraction and processing of the plant. However, arising from the complaints from the communities involved concerning the prohibitive fees charged for the issuance of the licence, which is currently at K263 per kg, the Government intends to revise downwards the fees chargeable. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sianga: Mr Speaker, if I recall very well, the response from a former hon. Minister two years ago was that the Government wanted to provide a buyer for this plant …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 until 1630 hours.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Sianga: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, …

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order!

A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I am very frustrated now. 

Mr Speaker, last week, you indicated that you would have a word with His Honour the Vice- President on the continuous absence of hon. Ministers from the House.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, last week, we appreciated their absence because most of them went on holiday to the United Nations General Assembly, but now that all of them are in the jurisdiction, is it in order that they continue with this pattern of behaviour of not keeping time, and making their Whip have a very difficult time because they are much more senior to him? They are not listening to his counsel.

Mr Speaker: Order!

 Well, for the record, I would like to confirm that I, in fact, had a meeting last Friday with His Honour the Vice-President. Of course, I brought my concerns to his attention. If you have noticed, since yesterday, I must state that there has been a remarkable change for the better. Even as I speak now, you can also clearly see that most of the hon. Ministers are present. However, that is not to take away the point you made and that is that by the time I walk in, everybody must be seated. Yes, they must be seated. This is why Whips on both sides must ensure that before I walk in, the bell is rung for the second time. That, in itself, is attestation of what you are complaining about. Therefore, hon. Members both on the left and right, let us observe time. We are known to be punctual and disciplined. That is our hallmark. I came from another branch of the Government, and I think that we are doing much better here. 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Sesheke may continue.

Mr Sianga: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was about to ask a question …

Mr Kapeya: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order!

A point of order is raised.

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to raise this point of order. I would like to apologise to my colleague from Sesheke for disturbing his line of thought. 

Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central in order to claim that some of the hon. Ministers went to the United States of America (USA) on holiday when we were representing the State on official duties? 

I need your serious ruling, Sir. 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, I must confess that I concentrated more on the issue of late coming. However, the record will speak for itself. I will proceed on the basis that if that was said, it is most unfortunate because, as expected and as is common knowledge, when hon. Ministers go out, especially in this particular instance, they are on official duty. At least, this is also the communication I received in my Office. So, the suggestion or assertion that they were holidaying is misplaced. In short, and to that extent, the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central was not in order. 

Hon. Member for Sesheke, you may continue. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sianga: Mr Speaker, the sale of the devil’s claw was banned because the Government wanted the buyers and sellers of this very important plant in my constituency to have proper documentation for its export.

Sir, having learnt that the ban was lifted in June, last year I would like to find out from the hon. Minister how much has been realised from the licensing fees. 

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, just before break, the question touched on the fact that the Government had promised to find a buyer.  

Laughter 

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, I stated that after coming up with a regulatory framework where we came up with fees to be paid by the producer, trader and exporter, the producers complained that the fee being charged was prohibitive, hence the stall in the process. 

I thank you, Sir.  

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, I am a layman and would like to be educated. What is this devil’s claw and how does it assist the human being?

The Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (Mr Kapeya): Mr Speaker, the devil’s claw is called seto in Lozi. It is a natural plant which is very important in healing certain ailments like gout and arthritis in elderly people like ourselves. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Shakafuswa: Mwansa Kapeya, the herbalist.

Laughter 

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, indeed, the hon. Minister is right. The devil’s claw is called seto in Lozi. 

Dr Kaingu: Well done, hon. Member!

Dr Musokotwane: This plant produces a seed …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on my left!

Dr Musokotwane: … which has got thorns and, if a person steps on it barefoot, it is extremely painful. The plant is common in most districts of the Western Province. 

Hon. Minister, if the plant is running out in Sesheke and you have to resort to issuing licences to prevent people from trading in it when it is plentiful and somewhat a nuisance, why do you not remove the licence and encourage the Namibians to go as far as Lukulu or Kalabo to buy it? What is the licence for?

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, the seto is as important as the mukula tree. As a Government, we need to realise some revenue from this natural resource, hence the need for a licence to trade in the plant. The plant is very important because we can make medicine out of it. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Konga (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, in response to the question, the hon. Deputy Minister said that the producers complained about the high fees. I would like to ask the hon. Minister whether the Government is charging a production fee for the devil’s claw.   

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, there is a fee charged upon harvesting. However, as clearly indicated by the hon. Deputy Minister, most of our people in rural areas could not afford the fee. The ministry has, therefore, set up a committee which is revising the amount in order to allow people to meet the required fee in as far as the purchase of the plant is concerned. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, we have heard that this plant is very popular. Apart from arthritis and gout, what other ailments does it cure? 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, you may respond. 

Laughter 

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, currently, we only know of gout and arthritis. 

Laughter 

Mr Kapeya: If Hon. Shakafuswa has some information on what else this plant can cure, he is most welcome to tell us.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, from what the hon. Minister has been explaining, I think that the Government is more interested in getting revenue through the issuance of licences. What is the ministry doing to have other Zambians, aside from those in Sesheke, also benefit from the medicinal part of the devil’s claw?

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, to every situation, there is a new development. What the country has discovered in the seto could be spread to other parts of the country. Thank you for the concern, hon. Member. We will put it on the market so that all Zambians can access it. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Antonio: Mr Speaker, this is a very important plant. Why has it taken the Government over a year to come up with new fees for the licence?

Dr Kasonde: On a point of order, Sir. 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised. 

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I am getting concerned about the exchange of views on medications. 

Laughter 

Dr Kasonde: I appreciate that there are a number of people here who have appropriate qualifications in the subject, ... 

Laughter 

Dr Kasonde: … but might it not be better, Sir, if the subject was left to those who can discuss it in a better context? 

Hon. Opposition Members: What is your point of order?

Dr Kasonde: Is the hon. Member in order to pursue the subject …

Hon. Opposition Members: Which Member? 

Laughter 

Mr Speaker: Order!

Dr Kasonde: … of substances which have not been approved as medication by the Government? Is the hon. Member …

Hon. Opposition Members: Which one?

Dr Kasonde: … in order?

Laughter 

Mr Speaker: I think the hon. Minister of Health has made his point and it is well taken. Those who require more consultation should approach those who are qualified enough to render appropriate counsel.

Mr Antonio: Mr Speaker, why has it taken more than a year for the Government to come up with the new rates for licences?

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, I thought that the hon. Member would have commended the PF for having discovered the importance of the seto. The plant will be added to the medicinal group …

Laughter 

Mr Kapeya: … along with those which are already on the market. It has taken us long because we need to be very careful, especially when it comes to medicines. We had to carry out research and ensure that we are advised properly by those concerned. However, be assured, hon. Member, that we are making headway in ensuring that this plant is well utilised. 

I thank you, Sir. 

ILOLA HEALTH POST IN NAKONDE

101. Mr Sichula (Nakonde) asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    who funded the construction of Ilola Health Post in Nakonde Parliamentary Constituency; 

(b)    how much money was provided for the project; and

(c)    what the time frame for the completion of the project was. 

The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Mr Speaker, the construction of Ilola Health Post in Nakonde Parliamentary Constituency was funded by the Government and was to be implemented through the community mode, where the community provided the upfront materials in the form of stones sand, blocks and the Government had to pay for labour and other materials.

Sir, the Government, through the Ministry of Health, has, so far, released a total of K70,000 towards the procurement of all the materials for the completion of the health post. The health post is expected to be completed by the end of 2014. 

I thank you, Sir. 
__________

MOTIONS

MOTION OF THANKS

(Debate resumed)

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to say a few words on the Speech for the Official Opening of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly of Zambia by His Excellency President Michael Chilufya Sata.

Sir, the Speech was not inspiring to the people of Dundumwezi. Page 2 of Volume 1 reads:

“Zambia has posted strong indicators of progress in the political, economic and social spheres under the leadership of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government. These achievements have been made possible because of our enduring unity, peace and stability.” 

Mr Speaker, the people of Dundumwezi have not enjoyed the peace referred to in this statement. In Dundumwezi, we have lost a number of senior citizens. People in Dundumwezi have continued being shot at by unknown people and this Government has not come to the rescue of the ordinary people in the constituency.

Hon. Government Member: Question!

Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, over the last eight years, more than ten people have been butchered by unknown persons. The last incident was the killing of a village headman in Bbilili called Siabasimbi and his wife three months ago. 

Sir, the only time we saw the arm of the Government coming to Dundumwezi was when three police officers were killed. The people of Dundumwezi are asking whether they are not important because when there are murders in the area, they do not see the presence of the police in the constituency. We are yet to experience this peace.

Mr Speaker, elderly people in my constituency do not have time to share old stories with their grandchildren any more, as they normally enter their rooms around 1800 hours for fear of being killed by unknown people.

Sir, secondly, on page 3of Volume 1, the President said:

“This august House will recall that in my Address during the First Session of the Eleventh National Assembly, I committed our Government to move this country forward decisively towards the eradication of poverty and under development.”

Mr Speaker, when hon. Ministers come to respond to these issues, they should tell me how this Government is eradicating poverty, especially in Dundumwezi Constituency, where a number of farmers have not been paid for the 2013/2014 produce. For example, at a satellite depot called Bulyambeba, only about forty-five farmers out of 300 have been paid. At Bbilili and Boongo satellite depots, about thirty-five farmers out of 600 have been paid. At Kasukwe Satellite Depot, about twenty-one farmers out of over 400 farmers have been paid. This is the same scenario in the whole constituency. I do not see poverty being eradicated in this manner.

Mr Speaker, the only thing I can see is the PF injecting a virus of poverty in the farmers. Why should it take you so long to pay the farmers when this was budgeted for? At the moment, the farmers who have not been paid are requested to deposit a certain percentage of money into their banks for them to qualify for the 2014/2015 farming inputs. Since this Government has not paid most of the farmers, they have resorted to selling their belongings in order to raise money.  

Mr Speaker, instead of the President asking the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock to ensure that farmers are paid on time, I was shocked to hear him congratulate the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) on buying the 500,000 metric tonnes of maize. The President should have taken this opportunity to ask the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock to pay the farmers. I also thought this was the time the President should have divided the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock because it is too big. The Ministry of Livestock should be a stand-alone …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sing’ombe: … ministry so that it can get enough resources for livestock. There is very little money that is allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. That is why it is failing to pay the farmers on time. The money is there. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has one Cabinet Minister and two Deputy Ministers. Surely, you can just promote one Deputy Minister or transfer Hon. Kambwili …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sing’ombe: … to the Ministry of Livestock since he is now a small rancher and is doing fine.  

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Sing’ombe: So, there is a need for the President to appoint someone to man the livestock part of the ministry as a stand-alone ministry.

Mr Kambwili smiled.

Hon. UPND Members: Aumfwa bwino!

Laughter

Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, I am surprised to note that the PF Government has …

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

Mr Sing’ombe: … started fighting the farmers in Sichifulo Game Management Area (GMA). When the PF Members were with us on this side (left) of the House, we signed a document, asking the MMD to allow the farmers to continue staying in the GMA. At the moment, the famers have been given very few days to vacate the GMA. I do not think they will even have time to prepare for the next farming season. Surely, how do you expect them to celebrate the so-called Golden Jubilee when they are being chased by the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) officers? 

Mr Nkombo: Shame!

Mr Sing’ombe: Can we give the people of Sichifulo a break. They have suffered enough.

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Sing’ombe: They suffered during the time of the MMD and they have continued to suffer even this time. 

Interruptions

Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, at the time when the President’s Speech was being delivered, some of the people managed to listen to the whole Speech while others did not. I was told that the television signal was so bad that they could hardly hear what the President was saying. I was also told that the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) switched off power in certain areas and people were unable to listen to the speech. Some people were asking me why the President was opening Parliament when what they were promised in 2014 Budget had not materialised. I just told them that Parliament was very busy and one of the things we were going to do was approve the Budget. They wanted to know what Budget we were going to approve when they had not seen the Mutwe-wa-Muntu Dam which was allocated resources in the 2014 Budget, but has not been constructed. 

Laughter

Mr Sing’ombe: Sir, the dam at Nkandanzovu has not been constructed, and yet resources were allocated for this. The farmers have not yet been paid their money. Now, they wonder what Budget we are going to approve when all these things have not yet been done. The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for 2014 has not been released. With all these issues, I realised that if I had the power, I was going to stop the opening of this Parliament. 

Interruptions

Mr Sing’ombe: This Parliament was only going to open when all the resources had been released. 

Mr Speaker, finally, let me state that the President’s Speech for 2014 was delivered like a referee who blows his whistle to start a game before the players know which positions they are going to play. When you look at the hon. Ministers, you can see that they are not very sure of their projects.

Mr Speaker: Order! 

Now you are debating your colleagues. 

Laughter

Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, the Government, especially the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, does not know which position to take. I have requested them to come to Dundumwezi for a serious orientation. In Zambia, the seasons have never changed. We needed to have the farming inputs by now. By the end of this month, the rains will have started. 

Mr Speaker, with these few words, I thank you. 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa (Mkushi South): Mr Speaker, I wish to start by thanking you most sincerely for giving me an opportunity to contribute to debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address to this august House and also present my maiden speech.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: Secondly, Mr Speaker, I would also like to thank His Excellency the President of this Great Republic, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, for the inspiring Speech …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Chisopa: … delivered to this august House and for identifying me out of the many people of Luano District and giving me this rare opportunity to be a Member of Parliament for Mkushi South.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: Mr President, I thank you very much and can only wish God’s abundant blessings upon on your life and that of your entire family.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: To the newly-appointed Secretary-General of the PF, Hon. Edgar Lungu, I say thank you very much for the fatherly advice and financial support rendered to my campaign trail …

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: … and making me come first in the Mkushi South By-Elections. May the Almighty God continue giving you the wisdom to take the PF to even greater heights.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: To all the PF Members of Parliament, especially those that came through to support me either materially, financially or morally, I say thank you so much to you all and may the Good Lord continue blessing you with more of whatever you gave out during my campaign which earned us this well-deserved victory.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: I wish to thank all the PF party leaders from the province right through to the districts, constituency, wards and branches for without their effort, my victory would not have been guaranteed in Mkushi South.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: To you all, I say thank you very much and let us keep the fire burning in Luano.

Mr Livune: Question!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, I also want to extend my profound thanks to the entire populace of Mkushi South for the loud voice they produced on the 11th September, 2014, without which all my dreams, aspirations and the desire to foster development in Luano District could not have been realised. You are such a wonderful and magnificent people. I promise never to forget you or let you down.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, I would be failing in my duties if I did not mention the huge amounts of financial and moral support I got from my very good friend, Mr Chanda Mutale, who, at the same time, was the campaign manager in the Local Government Elections in which the PF scooped all the five ward seats.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, it was Mr Chanda Mutale’s resounding victory at local Government level that laid a strong foundation for the victory in the parliamentary elections.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 Mr Chisopa: The victory was assured at parliamentary level because of the ‘killer punch’ that was made at local Government level.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: To Mr Chanda Mutale, I say thank you so much and may God keep blessing you with more riches and wisdom.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, I also wish to thank Hon. Kampyongo …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: … who worked hard to support me. Together, we went round the rough terrains of my constituency to campaign. He organised and managed the party election agents, monitors and transport arrangements in an excellent manner. 

Mr Speaker, allow me to also thank and recognise Hon. Philip Kosamu, the Deputy Minister for Lusaka Province, …

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Chisopa: … Member of the Central Committee and Member of Parliament for Serenje Central, who was also my campaign manager, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: … for the tireless effort and guidance he rendered during my campaign. Hon. Minister, I thank you very much.

Interruptions 

Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, I would not be doing myself justice if I forgot to recognise and thank my beloved wife and the entire family for the support they have rendered to me …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: … from the time I started campaigning in 2011 to date. It was not an easy task, but through your endless prayers and encouragement, I have finally emerged victorious.

Interruptions

Mr Chisopa: Finally, Mr Speaker, allow me to thank their Royal Highnesses, Senior Chief Mboroma, Chief Kanyeshi, Chief Chembe, Chief Chikupili, Chief Mboshya and Chief Kaundula for looking after their subjects well during the time Mkushi South Constituency had no political representation …

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: … and for hearing my plea for calmness in their various chiefdoms because, to them, it was like I was up against the injustices that I challenged in the courts of law that caused the by-election.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: Thank you very much Your Royal Highnesses.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Development agenda

Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, my development agenda in Mkushi South will not be divorced from the Patriotic Front Manifesto of decentralisation and bringing meaningful development closer to the people, …

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Chisopa: … thereby achieving the plan of turning Luano into a fully-fledged district by the end of 2016.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, while the Central Government will be busy with major infrastructure development in the district, my immediate task will be to bring clean drinking water closer to the people.

Mr Mwale: How?

Mr Chisopa: As you may be aware, Sir, part of Mkushi, which is Luano District, is on the plateau and the valley with a lot of streams that, unfortunately, dry up during the dry season, forcing people to share water from shallow wells with animals.

Mr Mwila: Aleisa Sydney.

Interruptions

 Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, with the CDF that has been lying idly for the past two years now, we intend to procure a drilling rig to help us sink a lot of boreholes across Luano District so that people can have access to clean water.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, I am sure Mkushi South Constituency should be the only constituency that is only 2 per cent or less connected to the national grid, while 98 per cent or more is still not connected in the is fiftieth year of Independence. With Luano being pronounced a district, people of Mkushi South will soon start enjoying the amenities they have missed for so long. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, there are lot of farming activities in Mkushi South, especially on the plateau. I intend to work closely with the six councillors to ensure that we improve the state of the feeder roads so that the transportation of farm produce as well as the distribution of farming implements is made easier. To achieve this, the Rural Roads Unit (RRU) will be engaged to improve the feeder roads across the district. Many local people, especially the youths, will be engaged in the road projects as a way of creating employment in the constituency.

Mr Speaker, I am happy to announce that Luano District is also a beneficiary of the 8,000 km Link Zambia Road Network Project. Under this programme, there is the Mboshya/Ching’ombe Road to Old Mkushi and the Mpula/Masansa Road through Old Mkushi to Kabwe. The Government should be given credit for its plan to bring the roads to bituminous standard.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, to this effect, my responsibility will be to ensure that the implementation of the road projects is speeded up so as to create employment for the youth and accelerate the decentralisation process so that social services are brought closer to the people.

Sir, in this regard, the task ahead of me and the PF Government is to quickly connect the valley to the plateau because, during the rainy season, this area is cut off from the rest of Luano District. The construction of the Mboshya/Ching’ombe Tarmac Road to Old Mkushi will certainly solve this problem and attract investors to the valley, thereby creating more employment opportunities for our people.

Mr Speaker, it is not a secret that the PF Government has approved the construction of a modern bridge on the Lunsemfwa River where, currently, people use a pontoon to cross from Luano to Kabwe. Due to the poor state of the equipment, many people have lost their lives while the previous regimes turned a blind eye to this.

Mr Speaker, my office will work closely with the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education in ensuring that …

Mr Mucheleka: On a point of order, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Chisopa: … accessibility to education and the provision of quality education is a priority in my constituency. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, education is the vanguard of national development, especially for a developing country like ours.

Mr Speaker, it is very sad that fifty years after Independence, th children in Luano District still walk long distances to access education. In an effort to address this situation, parents have come up with community schools to cater for younger children who cannot walk long distances to get to the Government schools. Unfortunately, the schools are managed by unqualified staff. It is in this vein that I want to ensure that these facilities are quickly upgraded to full Government-run schools with adequate classrooms and staff houses.

Sir, I will quickly ensure that all primary schools, especially those that are currently struggling to complete the construction of additional classrooms, are assisted financially or materially to complete the projects so that more and more of our children are absorbed into the schools.

Mr Speaker, I am also aware that the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, with funding from the Central Government, has started the construction of three modern boarding secondary schools with enough staff houses in Luano District. These are: Luano Boarding School, Chikupili and Ching’ombe secondary schools. My role will, therefore, be to simply push for the speedy completion of these projects within the remaining two years of the PF’s tenure in Government.

Sir, may I also take this opportunity to appeal to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to quickly come to the aid of Ching’ombe School and repair the roof of a classroom block that was blown off in the last rainy season before the onset of the rains.

Mr Speaker, may I take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President Mr Michael Chilufya Sata and the security wings for gunning down the infamous and notorious Mailoni Brothers who terrorised Mkushi South with impunity for over seven years.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, the MMD Government failed to apprehend the men and a lot of families were left to suffer at the hands of these merciless criminals. Today, Luano is a free and safe place to live in.

Sir, with the creation of Luano District, the Ministry of Home Affairs has also announced that the construction of a modern district police station with about ten staff houses is about to take off. My task, with the councillors, will be to closely monitor the contractor to ensure that quality work is done without any delay. Further, I am reliably informed that police posts shall be erected in selected parts of my constituency to guarantee security in Mkushi South.

Mr Speaker, Mkushi South is a major contributor to the country’s food security. As such, my office …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

You may continue, hon. Member.

Mr Chisopa: … appealing to the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health to consider increasing the quantities of fertiliser and seed under the Food and Input Support Programme (FISP) so that the country can continue recording even higher bumper harvests for years to come. In this regard, I am going to work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to ensure that more dip tanks are constructed in my constituency to guarantee the health of livestock. My office will also ensure that immediately the farming inputs are brought into the districts, they are quickly and fairly distributed before the rains get heavy. I am sure the ministry is already on course with the input distribution exercise. My appeal goes to the people in charge of input distribution to avoid embarrassing the Government.

Sir, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock should also increase the amount of fertiliser that it is supplying to the area, …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, just wait a moment. There is far too much noise on the left. I want to listen to the speech. If you have conversations to conduct, we have got some space outside with very decent facilities. You can sit down there and converse. The architects were very ingenious when they designed this building. 

Hon. Member, you may continue.

Mr Chisopa: Mr Speaker, my office will endeavour to promote all facets of gender and child development in Luano District. Gender based violence (GBV), child pregnancies and early marriages will not be tolerated in my constituency. I shall work with their Royal Highnesses in Mkushi in making sure that stringent measures are put in place to protect women and children from all forms of abuse. In this regard, my office has identified a number of activities to go side by side with education that will keep women and children busy and generate some income for a decent life.

Sir, I am also appealing to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like the Forum for African Women Educationalists of Zambia (FAWEZA), Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) and other organisations that promote women and children’s rights, more especially the girl child, to come on board. I am also appealing to the Ministry of Health to consider increasing the supply of Anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) to the area. The issue of the Human Immuno deficiency Virus / Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome HIV/AIDS cannot be ignored even in my constituency. My office will, therefore, work closely with other major stakeholders in addressing the pandemic.

Mr Speaker, Zambia is the largest copper producer in Africa as well as a major source of other minerals like Cobalt, Zink, Lead, Uranium, Manganese and other precious metals and stones. I feel very proud to stand here and inform the House and the world at large that in case some of you would like to invest in the mining sector, Mkushi South has a lot of mineral deposits. I will encourage a lot of mining companies to come through and create employment for youths in the area. I will also encourage the formation of mining co-operatives amongst the youths.

Mr Speaker, as area Member of Parliament for Mkushi South, I will not encourage the reckless cutting down of indigenous trees by irresponsible timber merchants. Mkushi South is highly blessed with mukwa, mukula and many other types of indigenous timber which the previous Government did not protect for the purpose of making sure that our local people enjoy the benefits that are realised therefrom. The area councillor and I will ensure that the illegal and reckless cutting down of timber is controlled. I am appealing to the Forestry Department to improve on its capacity so that local communities can be assisted in the sustainable management of natural resources. I am also requesting the Ministry of Tourism and Art to quickly put in place measures that will control the exploitation of forests and start processing licences or permits for harvesting prescribed timber so as to allow the sector to contribute sufficiently to the development agenda of the PF Government by way of increasing revenue collection.

Mr Speaker, lastly, I would like to thank this august House for the warm welcome that I have been accorded.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to support the President’s Speech on the Official Opening of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly.

Before I go any further, I would like to add my voice in congratulating the newly-elected Members of Parliament. This is a noble job that requires a lot of sacrifice.

Mr Speaker, I will start my debate by looking at this year’s fifty years Independence Anniversary Celebrations. As the President put it, 2014 is a very important year when Zambia is celebrating fifty years of Independence. Some people have, in their own right, indicated that they see no reason to celebrate. However, the people of Kaputa and I have our reasons to celebrate this momentous occasion. I say so because other than the fact that Zambia is an independent Unitary State, there are people who sacrificed to bring about this Independence. The most important thing is that we are able to determine our own destiny. It is in this House that we determine where we will put our resources, what our priorities are and which areas to focus on as leaders of this nation. So, that is a great achievement for this nation.

Mr Speaker, I appreciate that there has been a lot of sacrifice for us to get to this time when we are celebrating fifty years of Independence. There are many people who sacrificed to get the Independence that we are enjoying today. Therefore, it is important that we, as leaders, also leave a mark by doing our best for this country. 

Mr Speaker, allow me to also comment on the President’s Speech in regard to the need to work for and foster peace, especially in relation to by-elections. The violence that prevails during by-elections is sometimes uncalled for. It does not pay to go that path. When we create violence, there is no winner. We are all losers. 

So, whether from the Ruling Party or Opposition, the best thing is for all of us to work in unity and peace. In fact, most of those who cause violence can be called cowards because they are never there when the violence breaks out. They create violence and run away either to their hotels or pajeros while our brothers and sisters remain hacking each other. This is not necessary.

Mr Speaker, the platform of politics must change. Politics are not about those who throw stones, talk too much or report issues to the press. Politics are about convincing people on what you are about to do and what you will bring to the table.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: This is the parameter that we must use. It will be exciting to take our politics that way. We must all appreciate that the country is now fifty years old. Therefore, we should raise the platform of politics in this country. We should practise politics where everybody is part of the developmental process of the nation. I, therefore, emphasise that politics are not about throwing stones, insulting or speaking the loudest, but about the legacy we shall leave.

Mr Speaker, that there are a lot of important issues that the President raised in his Speech. The President said that in the last three years, the Government has made tremendous achievements that those of us with eyes can see. I will highlight a number of these achievements, but will restrict myself to some departments of the Government because there are many successes that the President talked about.

Mr Speaker, we all know that education is an equaliser. It brings kings and servants; the poor and rich to the same level where they can meet and eat from the same table. Therefore, I thank this Government, through President Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, for making education one of the pillars of economic development. A nation that has educated or skilled people, is a nation that will develop. 

Mr Speaker, the introduction of pre-school education in public schools is very important, especially for the rural areas. Those of us who went to school in the sixties, seventies or eighties will probably recall that pre-school education was a preserve of those who lived along the line of rail. It was unheard of for those that grew up in the rural areas or villages to attend pre-school. However, pre-school education has now been introduced in rural areas, including Kaputa. There is an area called Mukapa Katandula where toddlers attend pre-school now. This is important because it is going to equalise children from rural areas with those in urban areas. Therefore, I thank the Government for introducing this programme.

Mr Speaker, another success in the education sector that the President talked about, which we have all seen, including those that may pretend not to, is the fact that about forty-one secondary schools will be constructed out of the eighty-four that were left by the previous Government.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: This shows that there will be an increase in the number of children who will be able to access secondary school education. The Government is still committed to completing the construction of the remaining forty-three schools. Resources permitting, the construction of these schools will be completed soon.

Mr Speaker, the introduction of a tier education system is also a very important policy direction. In the past, if one dropped out of school at Grade 9 and he/she did not have any skills, he/she was not very useful to society. However, at the moment, there are schools where people can learn skills. 

Mr Speaker, the President also mentioned that in future, every province will have a university. We look forward to the time when the Northern Province will have a university because it is very expensive for us to send our children from Kaputa to the universities in Lusaka. We are assured that once we have our own university, children in the northern part of the country will also be able to access education at that level.

Mr Speaker, in Luapula, a site has already been identified for the construction of a university. So, when we talk about the opening of, at least, one university per province, we are very sure that by 2015, some more universities will be added to the many that are being constructed.

Mr Speaker, the President also talked about the allocation of funds to increase bed spaces at universities and other tertiary education institutions. Bed space has been a bottleneck because students have had to cram into small rooms. If the Government puts up 4,160 bed spaces at the University of Zambia (UNZA), 3,200 at the Copperbelt University (CBU), 1,280 at Mulungushi University and 960 at Evelyn Hone College, definitely, it must be commended. The Government must also be commended for apportioning money for the construction of hostels, thereby increasing bed spaces. We know that the living conditions for students are not good, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel. These are the things that a government that is focused on leaving a mark does.

Mr Speaker, we know that healthy people build a nation. Without good health, we cannot produce quality work.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: The President came out strongly on health being one of the important sectors of our nation that has been apportioned a lot of resources, and the results are there to see. There has been an increase in the number of frontline staff or trained personnel in the area of health. 

Sir, in some areas like where I come from in Kaputa, there was an outbreak of malaria in September, 2011, when I first came to Parliament and children died like mosquitoes. In one village, we lost as many as six babies per night. Records are there to show. However, I thank this Government for the work it has done to reduce the incidences of malaria in my constituency. The death rate from malaria has reduced. There are still people dying from malaria, but they are not as many as they were in 2011. 

Mr Speaker, this is what a Government that is focused on improving the welfare of the people and leaving a legacy does. So, there have been a number of developments in the Ministry of Health that we should commend the President for.

Sir, once the construction of the proposed 650 health posts has been completed, the distances that people travel to access health services will be reduced. There are plans to increase the intakes in the colleges of health that are being rehabilitated and funds are already there for this. This goes to show that this is a working Government.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Ng’onga: There are results to attest to this.

Mr Speaker, all this information on projects that are being implemented is there in the President’s Speech. If someone chooses to hide behind dark glasses so that he/she does not see this. Let him/her hide, but time will come when he/she will be able to see …

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: … what I am talking about. Some of us are able to see what the Government is doing and compare with what the other governments did because we have lived through all the four governments.

Mr Mwila: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, unfortunately, there are people who want to compare the achievements made in three years with those made in twenty-seven years and those made in twenty years. Just wait and see ...

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: … the developments that are coming.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, allow me to touch on the subject of interest which is agriculture. Agriculture is the key driver of economic growth and poverty reduction. The Government has shown the amount of importance it attaches to this sector by trying to revamp it. 

Mr Speaker, a lot of times, successes are never mentioned. If at all they are mentioned, this is done in passing. However, failures are always highlighted. I can give a few examples of this. For the first time since the PF came into power, fertiliser has been delivered to the districts on time. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: However, nobody wants to talk about this.

Interruptions

Mr Ng’onga: This has never happened.

Interruptions

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Ng’onga: Fertiliser has already been delivered to far-flung places like Kaputa.

Interruptions

Mr Ng’onga: When has this ever happened? Farmers are being paid as soon as they deliver maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). This, too, has never happened. It is only this year that this has happened. 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: Yes, there are drawbacks and failures, but let us learn to give credit when there has been a positive development. This year, the number of beneficiaries of the Fertiliser Input Support Programme (FISP) has increased …

Mr Mwila: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: ... from 900,000 to one million.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: These are things that people choose not to see. The Government has committed itself to delivering inputs on time. So, allow the Government to do that instead of focusing on the failures. 

Some people have chosen not to see the bumper harvest of 3.4 million metric tonnes of maize.

Interruptions

Mr Ng’onga: However, those who travel are able to see it. Colleagues, if you think that the Southern Province is still the maize belt, then, you are mistaken.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Ng’onga: The maize belt has shifted.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: Get into Muchinga, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: … Lundazi …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: … and Petauke, and you will see the amount of maize that is produced there.

Mr Speaker, the bumper harvest is a blessing but, if the maize goes to waste, the same colleagues who are saying the FRA should only buy 500,000 metric tonnes of maize will turn around and blame the Government for letting the maize go to waste.

Mr Speaker, we know that securing all the maize is a challenge. We do not have any one from the private sector to give this responsibility to collect the maize. So, it will still not have been collected when the rains start. This Government should ensure that the crop does not go to waste because it will be blamed for this.

Mr Mwila: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: We are being asked where we shall get the money to pay for this crop. Any responsible Government will ensure that there are food reserves.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: The President talked about weaning farmers who have been on the FISP for some time, but this may not be possible in the near future, considering the size of the fertiliser support pack. On a lima, a farmer can only produce enough maize to be food secure. We have also ensured that everybody who grows maize is food secure. If farmers have to graduate from the FISP, crops should be categorised to see which ones can be supported on a larger scale so that farmers can earn more. 

Mr Speaker, let me conclude by …

Hon. Government Members: Hammer, hammer!

Mr Ng’onga: … thanking the President and the people of Zambia for giving us the opportunity to be part of the leadership when the country is celebrating fifty years of Independence.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: As leaders, we should all do our best in the constituencies to participate in the celebrations.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: The debate will proceed as follows: We shall have the hon. Member for Lupososhi, followed by the hon. Member for Kabompo West. Thereafter, we shall have the hon. Member for Muchinga and then, the hon. Member for Sesheke will take the Floor.
  
Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Motion on the Floor of the House. 

Mr Speaker, allow me to also join the many colleagues who have congratulated the colleagues who won the elections on 11th September, 2014. Welcome colleagues. You have joined a very honourable House of credible people.

Mr Speaker, the President’s Speech contains quite a lot of salient issues which require a lot of consideration and reflection. On Page 2 of the Speech, the President made reference to the fact that the country will be celebrating the Golden Jubilee this year; that we should know where we are coming from; and that, most importantly; it is time to plan where we want Zambia to be in the next fifty years.

Mr Speaker, this policy direction is critical because it calls for the need for cohesion and unity of purpose which will do wonders for our country. It also calls on us and those charged with the responsibility of coming up with strategies drawn from this policy direction to close the existing gap between leaders and the citizens. More often than not, leaders are given a policy direction while the citizens are pulling in a different direction. So, there is a need for us to be in tandem and move this country forward in the next fifty years.

Mr Speaker, we have lessons to learn from China and Japan. Japan was not as industrilised as it is today, but because the country remained focused and united, and planned where it wanted to take the country, it has managed to get there. This is also true for China. We are not living in a vacuum, but in a world where we can learn best practices from these two countries and others.

Mr Speaker, on page 4 of the President’s Speech, he made reference to parliamentary affairs. He also mentioned that there are matters of national importance that have been dealt with in a way that upheld transparency, accountability and good governance. This should continue so that there is continued improvement in the development of the country that we so much need. Most importantly, my appeal is that we should avoid anarchy and unnecessary innuendoes that retard progress because, if we embark on the road to anarchy, we shall not achieve anything as a country. 

Mr Speaker, there is a need for value addition not only to the copper or crops that we produce, but the delivery of services in this country. If we do not do this, we may fail to account for the taxpayers’ time, money and trust. The onus is on us, as leaders, to continue doing what we did in the last sitting.

Mr Speaker, on Page 8 of the Speech, the President said:

“To enhance transparency, accountability and citizens’ participation in the planning and budgeting process, the Government has developed the first ever National Planning and Budgeting Policy.”

Mr Speaker, this policy direction is good. The intention is to bring everyone on board and broaden participation in the planning and budgeting process. It must be noted that while you may be invited to air your views and give advice, you should also appreciate that on 20th September, 2011, the people of Zambia gave the mandate to make decisions and preside over the affairs of this country to a certain political grouping. So, when you offer advice, please, do so with an open mind because it is not always that your advice will be taken on board. However, we must accept that we are but one big political family and the buck stops on all of us. The people of Zambia will be saying that the PF has failed when you were asked to give your opinion which was taken on board, but you leave us to hang when things turn sour.

Mr Speaker, in the same vein, while we want to encourage the participation of citizens in planning and the budgeting, there is apathy and a laissez-faire attitude among those who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that they sensitise and bring on board citizens so that they can contribute to this.

Mr Speaker, on Page 9 of the President’s Speech, he raised a cardinal statistical issue. He said that 1,000 Early Childhood Education teachers have been deployed. This is very easy to measure. It also enhances the oversight role of Parliament because we are able to question whether or not the 1,000 teachers are there. 

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education needs to do a cost benefit analysis of the delivery of service. It is one thing to have 1,000 teachers, and yet another to get quality service delivered. We also need to be very sure that the 1,000 teachers have the right skills and experience to enable them to teach effectively.

Mr Speaker, the people of Lupososhi are delighted that the President, on Page 10 of his  Speech, has stated that the Government has embarked on the construction of student hostels. Again, the statistics provided make it easy for us, parliamentarians, to provide effective oversight because we will be able to question whether the 4,160 bed spaces at UNZA, for instance, will be constructed.

Mr Speaker, we inherited a culture of nchekelako and tulyemo, meaning give me a cut or share of what you have been given. There is a lot of corruption …

Hon. UPND Member: In PF!

Mr Bwalya: … in the construction industry which can ultimately slow down a well-intended policy and affect the quality of the construction. Therefore, my appeal to the people of Zambia is that we should remain steadfast and work together in following the presidential directive both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Mr Speaker, the other problem is the management of the available bed spaces at the universities. More often than not, even the allocation of bed space itself is equally a problem. We have many bed spaces, but for students to access them is another issue. The Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education should ensure that this is properly managed so that only deserving students access the bed spaces. We have heard of bed spaces being rented out to people who are not students. This is something that must be investigated. 

Mr Speaker, vandalism and the lack of maintenance of hostels have become a cancer and should be addressed as we draw strategies from this public policy so that the hostels can last for some time. 

Mr Speaker, on Page 11 of the President’s Speech, talks about the establishment of the Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ). We hope and trust that this will add value to the teaching profession. There are quite a lot of issues happening that relate to teachers and, at the same time, some teachers are not able to deliver. 

Mr Speaker, I attended a Parent’s and Teachers Association (PTA) meeting at St Josephs Secondary School and was amazed that the parents were not happy that degree holder teachers are not able to teach. Another headteacher of a reputable high school also stated that this was the same case at his school. Let us expose degree holder teachers to teaching methodology so that they are able to deliver. It is my hope and prayer that this policy direction regarding the TCZ will bring about quality service.

Mr Speaker, we must learn lessons from the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC). If we are not careful, we shall end up with the same problems that we have been experiencing with the LGSC. We need to take into account the skills mix of the councillors and have proper induction programmes to enable the LGSC to function as required by the Act. Otherwise, we risk ending up with serious problems that we shall grapple with for a long time to come.

Mr Speaker, page 15 of the President’s Speech talks about agriculture and livestock. I would like to take Hon. Ng’onga’s debate in relation to this as my own.
    
Hon. Government Backbenchers: Hear, hear!

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, if we have to facilitate the modernisation and mechanisation of the agriculture sector, we need to look at the tax incentives for credible investment in this sector. Agriculture will never flourish for as long as the feeder roads, especially in rural areas, are not attended to. There cannot be any proper farming where there are no roads because the people of Lupososhi, for instance, will not be able to take their produce to the market. Therefore, we need to allocate a lot of resources to this sector and come up with tax incentives that will enhance development and investment in the agriculture sector.

Mr Speaker, on page 17 of the President’s Speech, the President talked about the FISP. This is an important strategy in poverty reduction. All that we need to do in order for the programme to succeed is address the issues of the malpractices such as corruption. There are many people who are getting this fertiliser who are not the intended beneficiaries. 

Mr Speaker, this country requires all of us to work together in order to take the country forward. I like the conclusion of His Excellency the President’s Speech about the importance of unity, peace and stability.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, the people of Lupososhi support the President in this regard. We should desist from encouraging violence, using the youth for personal gain at the expense of the nation, stop preaching messages of hate and avoid using vulgar language. Instead, let us love and respect one another, and move forward as one Zambia, one nation.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, mudslinging, peddling incorrect information and dividing the country based on one’s opinion contrary to the majority view and our democratic values, should not be condoned by all well-meaning Zambians. It is true that it takes two to tango. Therefore, it might take the entire nation to rebuild what the two have destroyed. Like Hon. Ng’onga put it, all of us, politicians, are culprits. Let us keep our monies. Let us not make the youth drink so that they can cause violence. What you say to a drunken youth can ignite violence if you do not put it correctly.

Hon. Opposition Members: Tell them!

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, self introspection wherever we are and asking ourselves: “What is it that I am doing in order for me to stop violence; am I the one that is encouraging violence?” is important. We are one big family. As a political family, it is expected that we shall have divergent views, but we should be able to move forward as a country. I, Chungu Bwalya, hon. Member of Parliament for Lupososhi, only have one country.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, I cannot go and live in any other country. Therefore, when I put across my point of view, it should not be considered as discrediting others, but as a contribution to the wellbeing of the Zambian people. At the same time, I should reflect on where I went wrong and not begin to insult others.

Mr Livune: Sit down.

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, on behalf of the people of Lupososhi Constituency who sent me here, I wish to say I will only sit down when I have delivered their message.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, I have a message for the PF Government from the people of Fikonkonta. They are happy with the development that is taking place in their area. They have asked me to tell His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia that they appreciate the road that is being constructed. Although it is a gravel road, they are happy to have it because there has never been a road since Independence in 1964.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Bwalya: We have to plan where Zambia shall be fifty years from now.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, I thank you very much …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma: … for giving me the opportunity to contribute to debate on the Speech for the Official Opening of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly by His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata. Please, allow me to join the many hon. Members of Parliament who have congratulated and welcomed the six hon. Members of Parliament who have recently joined us though at a great cost, I must say, because they have come in through by-elections that are a diversion of resources meant for areas of need which the PF must concentrate on in order to reduce poverty, unemployment and all the other vices. Nevertheless, that is democracy, and the new Members are welcome.

Mr Speaker, allow me to start my debate by referring to page 21 of Volume 1 of the President’s Speech, which states:

“The Government remains committed to promoting democracy and good governance. These are fundamental to creating, securing and maintaining a just Zambia. The Government embarked on a review of our legal and justice system, beginning with the Constitution.”

Mr Speaker, there are three things that I can extract from this quote. One is the promotion of democracy, the other one is good governance, justice and the National Constitution.

Mr Speaker, what promotion of democracy is this Government committed to when it has failed to deliver the Constitution?

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, the Constitution should be the bedrock of democracy.

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, to date, we are relying on a Constitution that was handed over to us by the colonial masters. It is completely out of context, archaic and not responding to modern times. Therefore, it needs to change. The people of Zambia want change and you, by mandate, must amend the Constitution. Whether you like it or not, it has to be amended. PF Government, I hope we are together.

Mr Speaker, what democracy are we promoting when, on the occasion of the Official Opening of Parliament, for instance, certain media houses are barred …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma: … from covering this important event? 

Mr Speaker, what good governance is there when opposition political parties do not have the freedom of association and expression? My party, the United Party for National Development (UPND), …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma: … has been barred from holding meetings, and yet it is an essential part of democracy …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma: … and good governance. 

Our president, Mr Hakainde Hichilema (HH), is in and out of prison and court. 

Hon. UPND Members: Shame!

Mr Lufuma: What democracy or good governance is that? Tell me, please, PF, because, perhaps, I have missed a point. 

Mr Speaker, what good governance are we talking about when the Public Order Act is selectively applied and/or misapplied? What good governance is there when a brutal police force ensures that opposition parties do not have a chance to campaign and mobilise their members to elect people to represent them in Government?What good governance is there? What democracy are we talking about?  

Mr Speaker, what is just about the PF deliberately causing by-elections that cost this Government colossal sums of money?

Mr Pande: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma: What good governance is there in such an action? None at all. 

Mr Speaker, just to bring this into context, we have had about eighteen by-elections, give or take two, since the PF came into power. Each by-election costs about K10 million or K10 billion in the old currency. Given this amount, we are talking about K180 million spent on by-elections alone. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Haa!

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, a 1 x 3 classroom block, according to the Ministry of Education Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, costs about K200,000. Simple arithmetic will show that a total of sixty 1 x 3 classroom blocks per constituency would have been constructed. Meanwhile, when we ask why a mud and pole or daka and pole school in Chifuwe South has not been completed or why it has been given funds to construct a toilet only, we are told that there is no money. When we ask why a school such as Kafungo was only given a toilet or why Chifume-Mununga was given a permanent toilet when there is no permanent structure, the answer is always that there are no funds or it will be done when funds are made available. Meanwhile, we are wasting a lot of funds on unnecessary by-elections. Is this morally right? Can you search yourselves as the PF because this is not correct. Is this what the people elected you for? It is not just a matter of using flowery language and saying you are doing this and that when nothing is being done on the ground.

Mr Kambwili: Echo wafwalila nama glass.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, what is just about unnecessarily coercing members from the Opposition into joining the PF as hon. Deputy Ministers ... 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma: … at a great cost? What is just about this? Simply because you want to advance a political agenda that is only known by yourselves should not mean that you should expend money unnecessarily at the expense of the development of this country.  

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, ‘let me, allow me’ on page 21 …

Hon. Government Member: Let me, allow me?

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Speaker: Allow me, Sir, …

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Kabompo West, pause for a moment. Let us avoid those commentaries. I can hear and see you. You are going to have an opportunity to respond not too long from now. There is no point in saying, “democracy, democracy”, … 

Laughter 

Mr Speaker: … explain the democratic dispensation, but not while seated. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I am very grateful for that observation. 

Sir, allow me yet again to quote page 21 of the Speech that reads:

“Let me report that the Government has received the Draft Constitution and is in the process of guiding the nation on the next course of action.” 

Mr Speaker, this is far from the proclamation that was made before and after the elections. I am talking about the famous ninety days within which the Constitution should have been delivered. Three years down the line, nothing at all has been done. We still have the colonial Constitution. Are you proud to be a Government that is using a colonial Constitution? When the UPND comes into power …

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma: … that is the first thing we shall handle, and this, dear colleagues, shall be very soon. 

Sir, will this Constitution ever see the light of day? It seems that you are so protective. Before you were in Government, you were champions of the same. Now that you are in Government, something seems to have gone wrong. What is wrong with us, politicians? Why do we go against the will of the people? The civil society wants the Constitution. The Members of Parliament want the Constitution. The churches want the Constitution. It is only the hon. PF Ministers that do not want the Constitution.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Lufuma: You stand up and explain why. Do not ask me a question. Stand up and explain. 

Laughter 

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, just pause for a moment. That is not a decent way of debating. That is not decent. Continue. 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I thank you for your guidance. Our expectation and those of the people, the civil society and the Church was that the President would come here and put the debate on the Constitution to rest ... 

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma: … by giving what we call a road map. He should have told the nation what we are supposed to do, now that the Constitution has been handed over to the Government; when the people are going to have it; what the processes …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1815 hours until 1830 hours. 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, as I was saying before business was suspended, the Constitution, which is the most important issue that the Zambian people were expecting from the Speech, was completely ignored by the President, much to the disappointment of all the citizens.

Sir, on Page 22 of the Speech, the President said:

“My advice to the Zambian people is that let us divorce our partisan and personal interests from this process which we should all ensure is a credible legacy for many generations to come.”

Mr Speaker, this could not have been put better, and I think this is the expectation of all the Zambians. However, it is surprising that he is giving us this advice when we are the ones who are supposed to be giving him advice because we are the ones who are waiting for the Constitution.

Hon. Opposition Members: We are.

Mr Lufuma: This is what the UPND, the Civil Society and the Church are saying. It is the advice that we are giving you. Please, heed our advice. Once you do this, we will have a Constitution that will stand the test of time. 

Mr Speaker, there are a lot of inconsistencies. Sometimes, you say that we have a Constitution and ask us how we are being sworn in if we do not have a Constitution. Other times, you say, “People-driven Constitution, but have you ever seen an animal-driven constitution?”

Laughter 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma: Honestly, this is not fair to the Zambian people. We expect seriousness from a Government that has been elected by the people. We want this Constitution and we want it now. You have no option, hon. Members, so start working on it.

Sir, let me move on to education. On page 5 of the same volume, the President said:

“In my address to this House last year, I re-affirmed the Government’s commitment to establishing, at least, one university in each of the ten provinces. Let me state that construction works are ongoing at Robert Makasa, Paul Mushindo and Palabana universities.” 

Mr Speaker, I think we have misplaced priorities in this sector. What we need in order to develop this country are artisans and technologists, but nothing has been mentioned in this regard. That is where the emphasis should be. Although I appreciate university education, it should not be at the top of the pyramid. We need to refocus our priorities if we want development to take place and ensure that we have technologists and craftsmen, as they are the ones who drive development.

Mr Sing’ombe: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, there is the One University per Province Policy. However, the Northern Province has been cut into two. What this means is that the Northern Province, in its old form, will get three universities. 

Mr Nkombo: Why?

Mr Lufuma: The new Northern Province will get one while Muchinga already has two. In meantime, the North-Western Province has nothing. What justice or equity is there in this system?

Mr Speaker, North-Western (Kabompo), Eastern (Katete), Western (Senanga) were each allocated a university college. This directive, which was given by the President on the Floor of this House, has been ignored totally. If you can ignore assurances that are given by the President on the Floor of the House, then, what guarantee is there that what was said on education will be implemented by the hon. Ministers? There is no guarantee whatsoever. We want the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education to explain, as he responds, why he abrogated the directive given by the President concerning the opening of university colleges, especially the one allocated to Kabompo.

Sir, I am running out of time. So, I would like to talk about the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project. The North-Western Province, as usual, has been given the least consideration in this project. All the five roads are being considered for 2016, but we know what will happen in 2016. There will be will no money to implement these projects. 

Mr Speaker, the Kaoma/Lukulu/Watopa/Mumbeji Road has not been worked on. When you ask, all they say is that a design and techno-feasibility study is being conducted. Why is it that there are design and techno-feasibility studies for five roads in the North-Western Province which is ‘feeding’ this country at the moment? Kansanshi and Lumwana mines contribute a lot to the Treasury. The North-Western Province is the new Copperbelt. Had it not been for President Mwanawasa, SC., I do not think the North-Western Province would have been what it is today.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Lufuma: It would still be the ‘Cinderella’ of the country. Let us be equitable in the distribution of resources. The people of the North-Western Province are saying that the PF has done nothing to alleviate poverty, unemployment and to increase the education standards of its people.

I thank you, Sir. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kunda (Muchinga): Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to debate this very important Speech delivered by the President, and that we expected to show some light at the end of the tunnel. However, it fell short of that.
.
Sir, allow me to congratulate the hon. Members who have just joined us in this august House. You are welcome, hon. Members.

Hon. MMD Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Kunda: Mr Speaker, under the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government, Zambia received new tyres for its vehicle to drive the country forward, but the PF Government has removed the tyres and left Zambia on the rocks to support it.

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kunda: Mr Speaker, let me go straight to the issues that the President raised in his Speech. 

The management of the agriculture sector, to say the least, has been disastrous under the PF Government. When the MMD was in Government, it used to buy maize from the farmers and pay them on time.

Interruptions

Mr Kunda: Sir, fertiliser and seed used to be delivered on time and farmers were able to cultivate their fields on time. Nowadays, in some areas of Muchinga Constituency, for instance, fertiliser is delivered in March. How do you expect fertiliser to be applied in March when the rainy season is coming to an end? 

Mr Speaker, we need to understand that agriculture is very important to this nation because it gives an opportunity to people to produce their staple food. I note that agriculture has not been given the attention that it deserves. Farmers are supposed to receive seed, D Compound fertiliser and urea in time for the farming season. Surprisingly, urea is distributed in March and before the seed is distributed. Are farmers going to plant fertiliser? Currently, farmers get fertiliser before the seed. 

Laughter

Mr Kunda: Mr Speaker, the Government should explain why fertiliser is distributed before the seed so that the people know what is happening. 

Sir, the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ), …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, let the hon. Member complete his debate and you will get the opportunity to respond shortly. 

Continue, hon. Member.

Mr Kunda: Mr Speaker, I thank you for your protection. The NCZ was built for the sole purpose of producing urea. That is how the name came about. Surprisingly, the Government is concentrating on the production of D Compound which smaller companies have been making in this country. The Government should look at this issue seriously because it affects the people. Since it keeps saying that it is a pro-poor Government, we expect the Government to address the issue of food security. With those few words on agriculture, …

Hon. Government Members: I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kunda: … I beg to move onto the issue of health … 

Laughter

Mr Kunda: … which the President talked about. In Muchinga Constituency, clinics are being built. One of them, Musamani Rural Health Centre, has been completed. However, the Ministry of Health has not equipped it or posted staff there. People walk long distances to the clinic only to get panadol. Why, then, is it calling itself a pro-poor Government? That is why I am saying that Zambia is on the rocks. 

Interruptions

Mr Kunda: Mr Speaker, let me move onto the issue of education. It was encouraging to hear that education is a priority for this Government. There are youths that need to get university education just like everyone of us did. This Government promised to give free education from Grade 1 up to university level. Now, it is saying that the Government cannot afford to give bursaries to the 6,000 students that have been admitted to the University of Zambia (UNZA). What has happened to that promise? We want people to have access to education because it is the key to a successful nation. We are appealing to the Government to reconsider providing free education so that more people can access education.  

Mr Speaker, we have heard many promises from this Government. The President mentioned that he had imported a white man to go and help develop Mpika. What about the rest of the country? I am having difficulties discussing some of these issues. The President should have instructed his Government to start addressing issues that affect the entire country and not just a part of the country. That is why I am saying that Zambia is on the rocks. This Government is pre-occupied with developing one area.

Sir, my colleague, the hon. Member of Parliament from the North-Western, said that most of the revenue for this country is generated from the North-Western Province. However, this Government has not opened a university there. Let us give equal opportunities to all the parts of Zambia, and not just one area. 

Sir, I am glad that the President acknowledged that his Government only has two years in which to correct the wrongs it has committed against the people of Zambia. I think this is an opportunity for it to be responsible enough to deliver the development that it promised the people of Zambia. 

Mr Speaker, let me talk about the Jubilee Celebrations. This is an opportunity, like the President rightly put it, for us to reflect on where we are; where we are coming from; and where we want to be in the next fifty years. The people of Zambia expect a lot from this Government. The people have given the PF Government two more years in which to deliver. They expect the Government to deliver the Constitution which they have been ‘crying’ for, for a long time. The people also expect the Government to address the many issues that affect this country.

Mr Speaker, let me conclude by saying that we want to see this Government fulfil the promises that it made because Zambia is on the rocks.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela (Pambashe): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to also debate the speech that was laid on the Table by His Excellency the President Mr Michael Chilufya Sata.

Mr Speaker, from the outset, I would like to welcome the newly-elected Members of Parliament. Four are from the Patriotic Front (PF), one is from the United Party for National Development (UPND) and the other is from the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD). 

Mr Mwale: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, page 2, Volume 1 of the President’s Speech says:

“Zambia has posted strong indicators of progress in the political, economic and social spheres under the leadership of the Patriotic Front Government. These achievements have been made possible because of our enduring unity, peace and stability. For this, we must be thankful to the Almighty God.”

Mr Speaker, page 3 of the same volume of the speech says:

“Our Government is firmly of the view that meaningful economic transformation is fundamental to our collective prosperity as a nation. Indeed, the country has continued to post robust economic growth in excess of 6 per cent since the Patriotic Front assumed power.”

Mr Speaker, I have listened to many speakers. Some of them have quoted sources that are not authentic. Those that have been to school understand …

Hon. Backbenchers: Hammer, hammer!

Mr Chitotela: … which authors can be quoted. You do not just pick a book from the street and quote it because the author of that book may not be authentic. 

Hon. Opposition Members: We have not been to school.

Mr Chitotela: If you have not been to school, ask those that have been to school. 

Mr Speaker, some hon. Members have mentioned people who have launched books and I doubt whether they are authentic enough to be referred to in the debates of this House.

Mr Mucheleka: Which ones?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, let me talk about economic growth. There was a man who lived with hope against hopelessness. When one is living with hope against hopelessness, it is difficult for him/her to know whether or not he/she is lost. For instance, when one is going to Livingstone, but he/she gets on a bus to the Copperbelt, no matter how fast the bus moves, he/she will not get to Livingstone.

Mr Ng’onga: Tell them!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, when one is lost, he/she does not know that he/she is lost until he/she is told.

Mr Speaker, when I was in Form V, I studied commerce. My teacher taught me that commerce is one of the aids to trade. He abbreviated the aids to trade as TWIBCA, which stands for transport, warehousing, insurance, banking, communication and advertising. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, some hon. Members have stood on the Floor of this House and criticised the PF Government. They said that the PF Government is just concentrating on road construction and asked whether the people of Zambia eat roads, and yet these are the same roads that they use to get here.

Interruptions

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, I remember Hon. Namulambe’s maiden speech in which he stated that if President Sata’s Government builds roads, the Opposition should also think of ways of improving the aviation sector.

Mr Ng’onga: Yes!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, the Opposition should provide the alternative. That is why the Zambian people have difficulties identifying with the Opposition because it does not have any alternative plans for the country.

Mr Livune: Question!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, the PF’s campaign message was low taxes, job creation and more money in people’s pockets. 

Mr Ng’onga: Yes!

Mr Chitotela: When the PF assumed office, the minimum wage was at K1,000 but, today, it has tripled to K3,000. Any worker in Zambia who is getting K3,000 and below is tax exempt. Is that not a relief to the employees of Zambia?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, this simply means there is more money in the pockets. It also gives people more buying capacity. We used the basic language that people would have more money in their pockets. We promised to create employment, but I was shocked to see that some hon. Members look down on the workers in the construction industry …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: … by saying that they do not have proper jobs. Those that are in the lowest tax brackets are the majority voters. Therefore, it is unfortunate that some hon. Members look down on them. How do you think the workers feel about such comments?

Interruptions

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, Kawambwa, where I come from, is one of the richest districts in Luapula Province.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Kawambwa was built because of the Kawambwa Tea Estate. People who worked for the tea company saved money to set up businesses. Today, Kawambwa is one of the biggest districts in Luapula Province in terms of economic activities. Roads are being constructed and the people are employed by the construction companies. When the roads have been completed, some of them will have become bigger businessmen.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, the people you think are nobodies today will be running bigger shops after ten years. You can stand on the Floor of the House and say that you have been to Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to check on the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) records and that there has been no change with regard to the payment of PAYE. Are you telling us that workers who get less than K3,000 are not real workers because they do not pay tax? 

Sir, I am glad that page 17 of the Speech mentions the 152 km Kawambwa/Mushota/Luwingu Road which passes through Pambashe Constituency …

Mr Mucheleka: And? 

Mr Chitotela: … where someone who is married to one of you is from.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mucheleka rose.

Mr Chitotela: I have not mentioned anybody’s name.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Backbenchers: Hammer, hammer!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, I am surprised that some hon. Members can say that they have not seen any development. I was in Mongu and can attest to the development that is going on there. Children used to learn about traffic lights in school, but had never seen them but, today, there are traffic lights in Mongu.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: If you go to Mongu today, you will see how the town has been transformed. Mansa and all the provincial centres of Zambia have traffic lights now, and yet some people are saying there is nothing happening. That is the reason the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock advised us to be careful or we will render ourselves irrelevant to the voters out there.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, our debate here must be backed by figures and statistics. We should not come to this House and begin hallucinating and dreaming. We should not come here and talk about things that do not exist. That will not take us anywhere.

Mr Nkombo rose.

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, if the word hallucinating is unparliamentary, then, I withdraw it.

Mr Nkombo resumed his seat.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, let me now talk about the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education. People are saying that the PF has concentrated on developing the Northern part of Zambia. When I was a Minister, in 2012, the PF signed a contract to build thirty-five secondary schools in all the ten provinces. I have that list here. Every province in this country has, at least, a minimum of three new secondary schools. So, what equity are you talking about? How do you want the resources to be distributed? This is happening for the first time in the history of Zambia.

Sir, under the previous Government, we had Ministers of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education who only concentrated on developing a particular constituency where five secondary schools were built.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Sir, Luapula Province did not benefit in anyway. However, today, people are being employed at the Luena Farming Block which was forgotten in the past. There are a number of economic activities that are taking place across Zambia. The Chishinga Cattle Breeding Centre in Pambashe Parliamentary Constituency was closed for a long time but, if you go there today, you will find bigger animals than there were before. The centre, which was closed during the MMD rule, a party which was voted for and entrusted with the resources of Zambia, is now keeping animals. The MMD forgot about the people who voted them into office.

Mr Speaker, I would also like to talk about the Constitution. The people have said they want a Constitution. Who tells you that it is your Constitution alone? Do I not have the right to talk about it just because I belong to the PF? If I talk, you tell me not to say anything. 

Interruption

Mr Chitotela: Sir, we visited one of the countries in East Africa and I am grateful to some hon. Members of Parliament who were with me in that delegation. Through interactions with Members of Parliament from that country, we learnt that, that country had rushed into introducing a new Constitution one year after forming Government and that it was thinking of going back to the people so that it could start the process of amending the Constitution. That Government thought it meant well and so, it rushed into enacting a Constitution that has made it almost impossible for it to govern the country.

Sir, Zambia is for all of us. It is not for the Opposition or the NGOs. It is for the PF, the Opposition, the Church and everyone else. So, let us respect one another. Constitution-making must be a give and take process. We must be able to sit down, reason and dialogue. We should put our ideas together. From there, we can agree on the way to proceed. Nobody is bigger or more important than Zambia. We must not think that we are more important than Chitotela or that we are more important than others. We should not always be the ones to speak because we think what Chitotela says is not important. That is not the way we are supposed to live, more so that we declared Zambia a Christian nation. We must respect one another and respect the views of the minority Zambians. We should respect the villagers in Pambashe, Kaputa, Shang’ombo and other areas. Have you consulted or asked the minority Zambians about what they want to put in that Constitution?

Mr Mucheleka: They were promised ninety days.

Mr Chitotela: So, we need to sit down and talk to them. Do not think that you are more intelligent than others. Someone said, “If you want to know people that are below a par, look at the way they talk because they want to speak the loudest.” So, you begin to question their morality, integrity and intelligence.

Laughter

Mr Chitotela: I have been sitting here, listening to people debate every subject, …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Let us have order.

Mr Chitotela: Some people want to contribute on every subject, even by means of points of order. They want to drive every process. I have actually started questioning the motive of such people. I think there is a need for self restraint and to give others a chance to speak on certain subjects. 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: Why should one person champion everything and speak on every subject? Such people are not genuine and have private agendas. We must respect one another. Let us not live with hope against hopelessness.

Laughter

Mr Chitotela: Let us not drive to the Copperbelt when our intention is to go to Livingstone. We must know our destination. We must also unite.

Mr Speaker, lastly, I sat here on Friday when the President was delivering his Speech, and I was touched. I asked myself whether we have ten people in Zambia that are as determined to develop the country as President Sata. I am surprised that instead of appreciating the President’s effort to come and open Parliament, some people are talking about his physical weakness. They are not looking at the strength exhibited by the President by virtue of delivering that speech. That is not the way things should be.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela: We must appreciate such efforts. We must be our brother’s keeper and appreciate the President’s determination to see things move. I was moved and I said that if Zambia can have ten people that are so dedicated to the development of this country, in the next ten years, it will never be the same. We must give credit where it is due and not just think of ourselves. We should rally behind our leadership and move together as Zambians. 

The development of Zambia is no one’s personal agenda. Zambia does not belong to one person but all of us. There have been many players in this House, but they have left. One day, we will also leave this Parliament. During our time here, we must build and unite Zambia. Violence does not pay. Wanting to look more intelligent than others, will not take us anywhere. We must all appreciate that we are equal and that we all want to build the country so that after we have left, our children will appreciate what their forefathers did. We must leave behind good names. A good name is better than riches. You can have everything but, once you destroy your name, nobody will want to associate with you.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions 

Mr Speaker: Order!

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Home Affairs (Dr Simbyakula): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

___________

The House adjourned at 1908 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 2nd October, 2014.