Debates - Tuesday, 30th September, 2014

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DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Tuesday 30th September, 2014

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

CONSTRUCTION OF LIMULUNGA/MUSHITWAMBUMU ROAD

77. Ms Imenda (Luena) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)    when construction of the Limulunga/Mushitwambumu Road to link Mongu to Lukulu via Mbanga would commence;

(b)    whether a contractor for the project had already been identified; and

(c)    what the cost of the project was.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mwimba H. Malama): Mr Speaker, the construction of the Limulunga to Lukulu Road is part of Phase III of the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project. It is anticipated to be upgraded to bituminous standard in 2016 subject to the availability of funds. The Road Development Agency (RDA) has engaged a company called SMEC Consulting Engineers at a contract sum of K9,396,491.34 to carry out feasibility studies and detailed designs as well as the preparation of tender documents for the upgrading of the Limulunga to Lukulu Road under the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project. The designing process will be completed on 10th November 2014.

  Sir, no contractor for the project has been identified as the works contract has not yet been procured. The estimated cost of upgrading works for the road will be determined following the completion of the detailed engineering designs for the road.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, I would like to update the hon. Deputy Minister that sometime last year, after making an inquiry, I was told that the feasibility studying and detailed designing stages had already been passed and all that was remaining was for a decision to be made with regard to which point exactly the construction works would begin on the road. We then agreed that the works would begin from Limulunga to Mushitwambumu. Why is the hon. Deputy Minister saying something which is contrary to the plans which were agreed upon earlier?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, I am not saying anything which is contrary to our plans. The work which is being done currently is quite confusing if you do not understand the engineering part of the project. Not seeing any machinery on site is not a sign that no feasibility studies are currently being undertaken. The truth of the matter is that the job being undertaken is not one which can only last a month. It could take a period ranging from six months to one year. 

Mr Speaker, the contract for the feasibility study will come to an end on 10th November, 2014. Thereafter, the procurement process will commence. This is another process which could take us from six months to one year.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Kaingu (Mwandi): Mr Speaker, construction means starting the works from scratch. This means there is no road in place. What is the contractor going to upgrade when there is no road in place?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, I do not understand the question which is being asked by my good doctor because I have informed this House that we are upgrading from a gravel road to a bituminous one. This means that what is not there is actually a bituminous road. Currently, I cannot give the full details of the state of the road. All that I have said is that there is no tarmac in place. 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, let me correct the hon. Deputy Minister. There is not even a gravel road in between the two places at the moment. The hon. Deputy Minister said that the Limulunga to Lukulu Road will be worked on in 2016, subject to the availability of funds. Are those of us with projects which are in Phase II and III, who I believe are the majority on this side, not being disadvantaged since the Government has borrowed a lot of money for works under Phase I? I suspect that by the time we shall reach Phase III, the country’s borrowing capacity will have evaporated. 

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the good answer for my hon. Colleague is that they are not being disadvantaged. 

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, does the hon. Minister know that this is the shortest route if worked on which can link Lukulu and Mongu to Zambezi? Does he not think they can take advantage of the benefits which can result in their working on the road now and not in 2016? Is there any hope for the people of Mongu and Lukulu that the road will be worked on soon since there is no gravel road in place?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, if there is no gravel road in place, this Government will create a road like it has done in other areas. I can comfort the people of Mongu by saying that we have started the works and that the most important thing for us to do is to send a company there to go and undertake feasibility studies. This means work has started.

Mr Speaker, people have been complaining that some of our works have been delaying. The reason for the delays is that the feasibility studies was not done in advance. As for the road in question, when the contractor moves on sight, the hon. Member will be happy because the design will have already been done after the feasibility studies and the only work that will remain is the construction of the road. The people of Mongu should not get worried because this Government is in charge.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

S S LIEMBA WATER VESSEL

78. Mr Chansa (Chimbamilonga) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)    who owned the S S Liemba Water Vessel which operated on Lake Tanganyika;

(b)    whether the Government had any shares in the company that owned the vessel; and

(c)    when the Government would procure a bigger and modern vessel to provide water transport to the people of Nsumbu and Mpulungu.

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the Government of the Republic of Tanzania owns the S S Liemba Water Vessel. The Government of the Republic of Zambia has no shares in the water vessel. The Government is in the process of procuring a modern vessel which is a one hundred and fifty seater passenger vessel by the third quarter of 2015, which will be on Lake Tanganyika.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Milambo (Mwembeshi): Mr Speaker, in case this vessel encounters an engine failure, is there any vessel which can rescue the passengers?

Hon. Government Member: Which one?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the question is quite tricky for me to answer, but if the hon. Member is concerned with the safety of the people, I can assure him that the vessels float.

Laughter

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Sir, in the case of an engine failure, it is not like a plane where everyone will start to panic. The people in charge know how to rescue the people on the vessel.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, has the hon. Deputy Minister never heard of a ship or boat sink? Yes, they float, but the hon. Member for Mwembeshi was talking about accidents. In the event that the boat sinks, what measures has the Government put in place to rescue the people?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, we will be able to answer those questions when we have our own vessels.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Sir, for now, the boat that is operating on Lake Tanganyika is from a neighbouring country. However, going by what Hon. Sing’ombe has said, I think that I got the hon. Member for Mwembeshi correctly. He was talking about a case involving an engine failure. Even though I am not an engineer, I assume that in case the engine of a water vessel develops a problem, it will not sink, but float. That is how I got the question.
    
Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Simfukwe (Mbala): Mr Speaker, arising from the assurance from the hon. Deputy Minister that we will have a new vessel on the Lake Tanganyika by the third quarter of 2015, I would like to find out at what stage we are with this very important procurement process. Do we have the funds allocated in the Yellow Book and has the procurement process started?

Mr Mwale: Yes!

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, we have already ordered the water vessel. Like I stated, it will be in by next year. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muchima crossed the Floor.

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Ikeleng’i.

Mr Mwila: Ask on my microphone.

Laughter

Mr Muchima: Ah, is it allowed?

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Ask from here.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Next question.

Laughter

GREAT EAST ROAD WORKS

79. Mr Katuka (Mwinilunga) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)    which contractor was working on the road from the Great East Road in Chelstone area via Kamanga Compound to Kabangwe on the Great North Road;

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

(c)    what the completion period was; and

(d)    what the scope of the works that were being done was.

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the contractor working on the Great East Road in Chelstone area via Kamanga Compound to Kabangwe on the Great North Road is SAFRICAS Zambia Ltd.

Sir, the contract sum for the project is K223,852,935.92. The completion period is twenty-two months. The project commenced on 28th March 2014 and is expected to be completed by 28th May, 2015.

Mr Speaker, the scope of the works consists of clearing and grubbing, earthworks, drainage works, construction of pavements, layers up to a bituminous asphalt wearing course and ancillary works which include the installation of road signs and guide posts and road marking.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Katuka: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out why the works on that project have stalled.

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, this project is a big one, going by the question the hon. Member had asked. It starts from Caltex Filling Station on the Great East Road going to Kamanga. The contractor is doing some works near Kasisi. There was a stoppage on account of the rainy season. I want to believe that the contractor has moved on site. He is doing quite a number of stretches around that place.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chipungu (Rufunsa) Mr Speaker, this particular road passes in front of my House. I would like to know whether the contractor is a Zambian or foreign one. Your answer will determine why the job has stalled.

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, I am sorry that I cannot state whether the contractor is foreign or Zambian. It would be wrong to assume that the works have stalled because the contractor is Zambian. As leaders, let us begin to support local contractors. Sometimes, the way we treat local contractors is not good.  Some of the foreign companies give us conditions when they come into the country to the extent that we even end up giving them advance payments. However, we do not do the same for our Zambian contractors. We want them to go and borrow money in order for them to carry out the works. How do we expect the local companies to move forward? The point here is that I cannot tell whether this company is owned by foreigners or Zambians. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, the young hon. Deputy Minister is answering questions very well. He should keep it up.

Mr Speaker, in the last sitting, the hon. Minister informed this House that the Great East Road was going to have six lanes. However, when I passed through this road this afternoon, I noted that the contractor is constructing four lanes. What guarantee is the hon. Minster supposed to give this House that the road we are talking about is going to be done within schedule and according to what he had said?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, I thank Hon. Mbewe for his good words. However, that is a new question. Therefore, I will not be able to answer it. We are looking at the road starting from Caltex to the Kabangwe area. 

I thank you, Sir.

KONKOLA COPPER MINES

80. Mr I. Banda (Lumezi) asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development:

(a)    what the total number of workers employed directly by Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) was;

(b)    whether KCM Plc sold copper to Vendata Resources Plc;

(c)    if so, how much copper was sold in 2012; and

(d)    how much money was paid by KCM Plc, in form of taxes, to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) in 2012.

The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Musukwa): Mr Speaker, the total number of workers employed directly by the KCM is 7,553 as of 29th August, 2014.

Mr Speaker, the KCM Plc does not sell copper to Vedanta Resources Plc. Thus, no copper was sold to Vedanta Resources Plc in 2012. The amount of money paid to the ZRA in 2012 in terms of taxes stood at K782,269,672.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr I. Banda: Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister confirm that the KCM is involved in cheque book mining, that is, the mining is actually done by a Brazilian company that provides the machinery and the underground workers?

Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, I cannot confirm that. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, taking into account that the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) does not sell copper to Vedanta Resources Plc, who are the main buyers of copper that the KCM Plc produces?

Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, indeed, the KCM Plc does not sell copper to Vedanta Resources Plc because it is its own parent company. The company sells its copper to the international market as you are aware, on the London Metal Exchange, where there are several players.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, generally, the Zambian citizens have been very suspicious that Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Plc is under-declaring its earnings and consequently, paying less taxes than it should. I am aware that the Zambian Government owns 20 per cent shares in the KCM Plc. That being the case, why is it that the Auditor-General of the Zambian Government is unable to audit the operations of the KCM Plc? In short, what stops the Government from sending the Auditor-General to go and audit the operations of the KCM Plc?

Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, I like what she said in the preamble of her question. She said that Zambian citizens have suspicions. As a Government, we are working to ensure that we eradicate those suspicions. We also want to make sure that the people of Zambia and the Government get the best value from their mines in terms of taxes in an open and transparent manner. Since as a Government, we own the KCM Plc in terms of 20 per cent shares, I would like to assure the hon. Member of Parliament for Mafinga that we are determined to ensure that our stake in that mine realises what we deserve.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwale (Chipangali): Mr Speaker, the question raised by Hon. Namugala has not been fully addressed. Will the hon. Minister allow the Auditor-General to go and audit the operations of the mines? Does a legal framework provide for that to happen? If it does, will the Government encourage the Auditor-General to always audit the operations of all the mining companies in Zambia?

The Minister of Youth and Sport (Mr Kambwili) (on behalf of the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Yaluma): Mr Speaker, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) is a private limited company. The company’s board of directors appoints auditors to audit its operations. We are not the majority shareholders since we only have 20 per cent shares in the company. Thus, the KCM is not Government property. Does it mean that all those who have shares in the Zambia Telecommunications Company Limited (ZAMTEL) or any other company that is listed can go and appoint auditors to audit the company? That is not the way things work.

I thank you, Sir.

Lt-Gen. Rev. Shikapwasha (Keembe): Mr Speaker, how will the Zambian Government ensure that our 20 per cent shares in the company are taken care of in view of the fact that the hon. Minister is saying that it is not necessary for the Auditor-General to audit the company? Who is going to ensure that our interests are protected?

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, those shares are held through the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines - Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) which is audited by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, since Konkola Copper Mines sells its copper on the London Metal Exchange, I want to find out where the Value Added Tax (VAT) refund problem comes in?

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, the Value Added Tax (VAT) refund problem has been explained by the hon. Minister of Finance. The VAT General Administration Rule No. 18 states that for any company to get a tax refund, it must provide documentation to show that it exported its products and got its earnings. I do not see any problem in that. The onus is on the mining companies to provide that documentation as the law stands now. When the law is changed, we are going to follow what it will entail at that particular time.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Konga (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has just said that the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) audits the operations of the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines-Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH). Since when did the ZRA become an auditor? 

Laughter 

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, the ZRA does carry out audits for tax purposes. 

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr L. J. Ngoma (Sinda): Mr Speaker, I would like to remind the hon. Minister that the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) does not carry out audits. Does a shareholder who has a 20 per cent stake in a company not qualify to appoint an auditor when need arises so that the interests of such a shareholder are protected?

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I am not privy to the full information concerning the shareholding structure of the KCM. At the risk of misleading the House, I will ask for more time to research then come back to the hon. Member. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Speaker: I think that is a very good response. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwale: Ema Ministers aya!

CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES IN LUKASHYA CONSTITUENCY

81. Ms Kansembe (Lukashya) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication when the Government would build bridges in Lukashya Parliamentary Constituency across the following rivers:

(a)    Lukulu, to connect Lualuo to Mukanga Wards;

(b)    Lualuo, to connect Lualuo to Chumba Wards; and

(c)    Lualuo, to connect Lualuo to Chibundu Wards.

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the Road Development Agency (RDA) has received requests for the construction of bridges in Lukashya Parliamentary Constituency at Lukulu, to connect Lualuo to Mukanga Wards; Lualuo, to connect Lualuo to Chumba Wards; and Lualuo, to connect Lualuo to Chibundu Wards. Funds are, however, not available for their construction of the bridges. The construction of the bridges will be considered for inclusion in the 2016 Road Sector Annual Work Plan, subject to the availability of funds. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that most rural areas in the country need bridges?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, yes, the Government is aware. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Speaker: The answer was as clear as the question. 

Laughter 

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, since the hon. Deputy Minister is aware of the situation, what is he doing about it? 

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, this country is quite big. If we had the money to cater for all the crossing points in this nation, we would have gladly done so, even by next year. 

Sir, we have programmed the construction of bridges throughout the country. We are not just seated as a Government. We are doing something. One of the things we are looking at is the American-sponsored bridges by Acrow Corporation of America that we have already talked about on the Floor of this House. A total of 144 crossing points will benefit from this initiative. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Deputy Minister if they have collected data pertaining to the bridges which are required throughout the country. If that has been done, how has the data been collected? 

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the Government has an agent which collects such data which is known as the RDA, which has offices in all the provinces. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, would the hon. Minister be kind enough, since he is a good hon. Minister, to compile all the required bridges in our constituencies so that we know which ones are going to be tackled and in what year? 

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the suggestion which has been made by the hon. Member for Chadiza is a good one. However, it will be very expensive for the Government to embark on it because it will involve moving from one constituency to another.  

Interruptions

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Sir, I am not refusing that we may need to carry out the exercise. I appeal to the hon. Members to help us gather information because they know their constituencies better than we do. They must help us with information regarding the most critical crossing points. They should submit such information to the ministry so that before it is too late, the most critical crossing points are considered in our planning. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister talked about American-sponsored bridges. Out of those, can he not consider Lukashya, which has a predicament which has just come to light instead of waiting for the works in 2016 which he already seems to doubt will take place? What is the difficulty?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, it is important for the Government to work on all the critical crossing points in the country. At the moment, I cannot say if the bridges which need to be built in Lukashya will be part of the works which will be carried out by Acrow Corporation of America. I can do some research and then get back to the hon. Member. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. {mospagebreak}

ELECTRIFICATION OF BASIC SCHOOLS IN MWANDI CONSTITUENCY

82. Dr Kaingu asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development when the following basic schools in Mwandi Parliamentary Constituency would benefit from the Rural Electrification Programme: 

    (a)    Mabumbu;

    (b)    Loanja; and

    (c)    Sankolonga.

The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Zulu): Mr Speaker based on the Rural Electrification Master Plan (REMP), Mabumbu, Loanja and Sankolonga Basic schools in Mwandi Parliamentary Constituency will benefit from the Rural Electrification Programme (REP) in 2020. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I can see that you also joined us in laughing at the answer. 

Laughter 

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the national grid flies over the schools in question to light up schools in Namibia. Is it rational or logical that the national grid can fly over these schools only to go and light up the Namibian schools? 

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, much as we would love these places to be connected even tomorrow, we need to follow the master plan which goes up to 2030. Therefore, the mentioned schools will be electrified in 2020. Some schools will be connected in 2025 and others in 2030 itself. This is the plan. 

I thank you, Sir. 

UPGRADING OF NKEYAMA HEALTH CENTRE

83. Mr Antonio (Kaoma Central) asked the Minister of Health: 

(a)    when Nkeyema Health Centre in Nkeyema District would be upgraded to a district hospital; and 

(b)    when an ambulance would be provided to the health centre.

The Minister of Health (Dr Kasonde): Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Health has plans to ensure that all new districts are provided with new first level (district) hospitals in line with the planning guidelines for the establishment of this service. In view of this, there are no plans to turn the Nkeyema Health Centre into a district hospital as the aim is to construct a new structure as a first level hospital for the new district. 

Mr Speaker, an ambulance has been allocated to the Nkeyema District Medical Office for use by the whole district. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Antonio: Mr Speaker, when is the Government planning to construct first level hospitals, especially in the new district of Nkeyema? 

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, the ministry does not have a fixed date for the commencement of construction of the Nkeyema District Hospital. The date will be determined by the flow of resources over the next one or two years.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that the Government has provided Nkeyema with an ambulance. When did the ministry allocate that ambulance to Nkeyema and where is it right now?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I said that an ambulance was allocated to Nkeyema District Medical Office. The District Medical Officer for Nkeyema operates from Kaoma.

I thank you, Sir. 

ZANIS OFFICE IN KAPUTA 

84. Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa) asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting:

(a)    when the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) office in Kaputa District would be provided with the following:

(i)    video cameras and other related equipment; and 

(ii)    motor vehicle; and 

(b)    why a driver was deployed to the district without a motor vehicle. 

The Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting (Mr Njeulu): Mr Speaker, the ministry is currently in the process of procuring more than seventy cameras which will be distributed to all the districts. To this end, Kaputa District is earmarked to receive one camera before the end of this year.

Sir, the need to provide motor vehicles to ZANIS offices countrywide is receiving active attention. However, this is subject to the availability of resources. Kaputa District will, therefore, only be allocated a vehicle when resources are made available.

Mr Speaker, a driver was deployed to the district in anticipation of the acquisition of a motor vehicle which has not yet been bought, as explained earlier.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, Kaputa has a rough terrain and its communities are scattered far apart. Is it possible for the ministry to find a second or third hand vehicle so that the ZANIS office in Kaputa can help to put the area on the map as it contributes to the development of this country? 

Mr Njeulu: Mr Speaker, that is a good suggestion which we will look into.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister has said that a driver was sent to Kaputa in anticipation that a vehicle would be sent there. Now that the hon. Deputy Minister has made it clear that a vehicle will only be sent to the district’s ZANIS Office when funds are available, what are the ministry’s plans for that driver who is on payroll for doing nothing in Kaputa?

Mr Njeulu: Mr Speaker, we believe that Kaputa, as a district, has other Government vehicles which the driver can be using for his work.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Mr Speaker, has the ministry asked the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) Office in Kaputa whether that driver is performing his functions or just sitting idly and earning salaries without performing any duty? I have been prompted to ask my question based on the concerns which have been raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for the constituency? 

The Minister of Information and Broadcasting (Dr Katema): Mr Speaker, our inquiries have revealed that the driver has been carrying out his duties.  

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, which ministry is using the driver?

Dr Katema: Mr Speaker, those are specifics which cannot be handled here. In every district, there is a district administration under the leadership of the District Commissioner.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kunda (Muchinga): Mr Speaker, is it now Government policy to employ people in areas where there is no work for them to do?

Dr Katema: Mr Speaker, that is not Government policy.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo): Mr Speaker, is it prudent for the Government to employ people without any work for them? Is that planning?

Mr Speaker: Is there any other question?

Laughter 

Hon. Government Member: Long live Mr Speaker!

CONSTRUCTION OF RESOURCE CENTRE IN KALABO

85. Mr Miyutu asked the Minister of Youth and Sport:

(a)    why construction of the resource centre in Kalabo District had stalled;

(b)    what the total cost of the project was;

(c)    how much money had, so far, been disbursed;

(d)    when the project was expected to be completed; and 

(e)    what the name of the contractor working on the project was. 

The Deputy Ministry of Youth and Sport (Mr Mulenga): Mr Speaker, my ministry recognises the importance and urgency of completing the construction of a skills training centre in Kalabo District. The construction of Kalabo Youth Resource Centre had stalled due to the non-availability of funds. 

Sir, the total cost of constructing the Kalabo Youth Resource Centre is K23,958,343.53. The Ministry of Finance has, so far, released K2,226,836.36 towards the construction of the Kalabo Youth Resource Centre. It is important to note that the funds are released according to the certificate issued by the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication. 

Sir, according to the contract, the construction of the Kalabo Youth Resource Centre is expected to be completed by 8th December, 2014. The name of the contractor working on the construction of the Kalabo Youth Resource Centre is Almut Zambia Limited.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, what measures will the ministry put in place to avoid the recurrence of the contractor not being paid on time leading to the workers starving? 

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, the concern of the hon. Member is ours as well. In fact, I have agreed with the hon. Minister that we need to keep monitoring the situation so that what happened does not recur.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Antonio: Mr Speaker, the total cost for this project is K23,958,343.53, but only K2,226,836.36 was released. The hon. Deputy Minister has told us that the project will be completed by 8th December, 2014. Is that realistic?

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, I am being very realistic. What I gave in my answer is the expected completion period which is stated in the contract. If there will be any need for an extension, we shall arrange for it.

I thank you, Sir.

ZAFFICO’S PLANTING PROJECT IN KAWAMBWA

86. Mr Mwila (Chipili) asked the Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection:

(a)    when the tree planting project by the Zambia Forests and Forestry Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) in Kawambwa District would commence;

(b)    what the cost of the project was;

(c)    how many hectares of land had been allocated to ZAFFICO for the project; and

(d)    how many jobs would be created by the project.

The Deputy Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (Dr Mwali): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Finance, Mr Alexander Chikwanda, launched the Tree Planting Project on 14th January, 2014, and at that time, twenty-five hectares was planted. So far, 400 hectares of land has been cleared and the Zambia Forests and Forestry Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) has acquired 550,000 seedlings in readiness for the next planting season. 

Mr Speaker, the total cost for the project is currently being worked out between the Government and ZAFFICO. However, ZAFFCO has planned to spend a minimum of K5 million annually on the project.

Sir, a total of 20,000 hectares of land has been allocated to the project in Kawambwa District. The project is designed to create, at least, 4,000 jobs once it is completed. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, do we expect another project of the same kind in Luapula Province?

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that before this project in Kawambwa, all the projects by ZAFFICO were concentrated on the Copperbelt Province. The new strategic plan dictates that ZAFFICO’s work is going to be extended to all the provinces. Depending on the availability of land, funds and suitability of climate, there is no doubt that more projects by ZAFFICO will come up.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister has indicated that the operations of the Zambia Forests and Forestry Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) are going to be extended to other provinces in the country.  In that vein, I would like to know when ZAFFICO is going to start a project in the Western Province.

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, the Kawambwa District project is just the beginning and not the end. We are also concerned with regard to the degradation that is taking place in the Western Province. We have been encouraging ZAFFICO to go to places such as the Western Province where there is serious degradation.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, tree planning is a very important activity because the country keeps on losing a lot of trees every day. Does the ministry have plans to make it mandatory for all the farmers in the country to participate in tree planting?

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, we agree with what the hon. Member of Parliament is saying. We are also very concerned with the state of our forests. That is why we are revising the Forestry Policy and the Forestry Act. We are still consulting the stakeholders. The participation of all the key stakeholders in tree planting is a key point which will feature in the new policy.

I thank you, Mr Speaker. 

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, when the Government was designing its tree planting project, did it factor in the needs of areas such as Chikankata which has a serious deforestation problem? Why did it start the tree planting process in places where there are trees such as Luapula Province? I know what I am talking about because I have worked in Luapula Province.  

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, the problem of deforestation in Chikankata is not peculiar. There are several spots in Zambia that have a similar problem. What we are doing in Kawambwa is just a start. We cannot be everywhere at the same time. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, I am so impressed with the works being carried out by the Zambia Forests and Forestry Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO). The corporation has traditional trees which it plants. I would like to find out from the hon. Deputy Minister if there are any plans for it to divert from the traditional species of trees it plants to the new Mukula Tree which is found all over the country …

Mr Mbulakulima: In Rufunsa.

Mr Chipungu: … especially in Rufunsa.

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, whenever putting up new plantations, ZAFFICO ensures that it protects and conserves indigenous trees which have high economic value. It has also been conducting research to see how best it can regenerate the high value indigenous trees.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Antonio: Mr Speaker, which other districts in the country are running these projects?

Hon. Back-Benchers: It is only one.

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, so far, it is only Kawambwa District in Luapula Province.

I thank you, Sir.

CONSTRUCTION OF CLASSROOM BLOCK AT KAALE PRIMARY SCHOOL

87. Mr Sianga (Sesheke) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a)    when the construction of a classroom block at Kaale Primary School in Sesheke Parliamentary Constituency would be completed; and

(b)    what had delayed the completion of the project.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr P. Ngoma): Mr Speaker, the construction of the 1x3 classroom block at Kaale Primary School in Sesheke Constituency will be completed when funds for completing the remaining works are made available. The list of all incomplete infrastructure projects in the district has been compiled for possible additional funding. The community where the school is located has also applied for consideration in the 2014 Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Sir, funding for the projects was released in phases, with the first release being 50 per cent of the total amount for the project. The remaining 50 per cent was released in two parts of 25 per cent each. This led to the procurement of building materials in phases as well, leading to the price of transporting the materials increasing hence reducing the amount for the procurement of building materials and labour. Since not all the required building materials could be procured at once and the amount available to pay for labour was reduced, the project could not be completed. The building requires more money to procure cement for plastering and flooring. It also requires money for painting. The District Education Office is lobbying for funding from other sources such as the CDF to complete the remaining works of plastering, flooring and painting.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sianga: Mr Speaker, I have been wondering why the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education has kept on lobbying for funding from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in order to complete some school projects. Can the ministry not consider putting aside funds in order to complete some of the stalled projects such as the construction of classrooms?

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, as you may have heard, this project was budgeted for, but because of the delay in the release of the money, the budget has overshot. We must also know that it is not just the CDF which can be used for such developments. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) …

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr P. Ngoma: … can also source for funds to complete such projects.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mweetwa (Choma Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Deputy Minister whether the ministry has an inventory of the projects which have stalled for a very long period of time, many of which were left behind by the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD). Such an inventory can help the ministry to budget for those projects before works can commence on new projects. There are currently many projects that have stalled countrywide, including in Choma Central Constituency.

Mr P. Ngoma: Yes, Mr Speaker, we compile such information. We are aware of all the projects which have stalled. However, since there are so many of them countrywide, it is not possible for the ministry to complete them at once. Since communities would like to see the completion of these projects, I would like to suggest that they too source for funds for the works. One of the ways could be by working with the hon. Members of Parliament so that they can use the CDF for the works. Another option could be the PTAs requesting the members of the communities to donate some money in order to complete the projects.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Mr Habeenzu (Chikankata): Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister has stated that he is aware of the projects that have stalled. Why does it take long for the ministry to allocate money to these projects because some of these projects have been there for a long time?

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Finance does not only fund projects in the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education. It is because of this reason that, at times, money is not released to the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education on time.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as well is not meant to fund only one project …

Laughter

Mr Lufuma: … or ministry, but to cater for projects in different ministries, hence each ministry demanding for a share of the CDF. That being the case, is the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education who has a bulk of projects which are incomplete liaising with the Ministry of Finance to ensure that CDF is increased to K5 million or K5 billion per year?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, it is not the Ministry of Finance which decides to increase the CDF. It is the hon. Members of Parliament who are supposed to propose to the Ministry of Finance to do so. The other option would be to depend on the Ministry of Finance to increase the fund as it has always done in the past.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, sometime back, the ministry said it was not interested in projects that were done by parents because they were not up to standard. I would like the hon. Deputy Minister to state whether his asking the Parent Teacher Association to complete a classroom block is a turn around from the Government’s policy of providing free education to indirectly levying parents to building classrooms?

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, there is a difference between building a classroom block from slab to roofing level and then painting it, and working on a structure that is almost complete and only remained to be painted. Here we are talking about a block which has already been constructed and the only thing remaining is a bit of cement to go towards plastering it. We are looking at our pupils learning in a very bad environment and so, we would like to see this structure completed. So, what we are saying is that we can use some of the CDF to complete the structure in question.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, when I went to Luangwa, which is in the constituency which the hon. Deputy Minister represents, about 20 km east of the Boma, I found two incomplete structures. Hon. Deputy Minister, do you intend to use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) or Parent Teacher Association (PTA) to complete those two structures?

Laughter

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, I am fully aware that the hon. Member has never been to my constituency.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr P. Ngoma: Sir, I must indicate that in my constituency, we do not have any infrastructure that is not painted. All the schools in my constituency are complete and painted. I also want to indicate that we have used the CDF and PTAs to complete some of the structures.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, since the Government cannot release 25 per cent of the money for the project, the hon. Deputy Minister has proposed that the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) funds the rest of it. The members of that PTA live under US$1 a day, so, how do you expect them to complete a project which the Government failed to complete?

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, maybe, the hon. Member did not get me correctly. What I said was that 50 per cent of the funds had been released and that the remaining 50 per cent was also released although it was done in two phases of 25 per cent per phase.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister has indicated that the community in his constituency has used funds from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in the past to complete projects. When will his Government release the 2014 CDF for Sesheke so that the said infrastructure can be completed?

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, there are two ministries involved in disbursing the CDF. These are Ministry of Finance and Ministry and Local Government and Housing. The Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education is not part of the process.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

EXTENSION OF SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER PROGRAMME TO BWACHA

88. Mr Mushanga (Bwacha) asked the Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health when the Social Cash Transfer Programme would be extended to the following parts of Bwacha Parliamentary Constituency:

(a)    Makululu;

(b)    Makupu;

(c)    Munga;

(d)    Munyama;

(e)    Kang’ombe;

(f)    Kalwelwe; and

(g)    Kalonga farming area (near Mukobeko Maximum Prison).

The Deputy Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health (Ms Kazunga): Mr Speaker, the Social Cash Transfer Programme is expected to be extended to Bwacha Parliamentary Constituency in Kabwe District in 2016. However, this will only happen if the Treasury allocates funds for the expansion of the scheme to additional districts.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, why will this be done in 2016? Does hon. Deputy Minister not think that the people of Bwacha Parliamentary Constituency will view that as a campaign strategy since 2016 is an election year?

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, since 2014, about thirty-five districts have benefitted from this programme and the full scale of this programme will only be seen in 2015. So, that means if funds will be made available, we will only be able to continue scaling it up in 2016. The Government does not stop working regardless of whether it is an election year or not, and so, this will not be regarded as a campaign strategy.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, I would like to know, roughly, how much the ministry allocates to each district.

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, the amount of money allocated to the different districts differs because it is based on the percentage of the incapacitated or vulnerable people in a particular district. It also depends on the population of a particular district.

Mr Chipungu: Roughly?

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, I cannot give a rough estimate, because amounts differ per district. If you need the figures, I can give them to you since I have them.

I thank you, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Sianga: Mr Speaker, how many districts, throughout the country, are benefitting from the Social Cash Transfer Programme?

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, previously, it was nineteen. This year, the programme was scaled up to fifty districts. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, is it possible for the ministry to avail us a schedule indicating how the programme will be rolled out so that we can know when each district will be covered?

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, we will do that.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

CONSTRUCTION OF UNIVERSITY IN KATETE

89. Mr Phiri (Mkaika) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a)    when the construction of a university in Katete District would commence;

(b)    whether a contractor had already been identified and, if so, what the name of the contractor was;

(c)    what the time frame for undertaking the project was; and

(d)    where the site of the university was.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Prof. Willombe): Mr Speaker, the construction of a university college in Katete District will commence in 2015. The contractor has not been identified yet.

Sir, tender procedures are underway to engage a consultant to design a university college of applied arts and commerce in Katete. The construction of a university usually takes three years. The site for the university college of applied arts and commerce is yet to be identified as the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education and the local authorities in Katete District will undertake a visit to the proposed sites on 4th October, 2014, in Chief Gawa Undi’s area.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Phiri: Mr Speaker, in which quarter of 2015 is the ministry likely to start this project?

Prof. Willombe: Mr Speaker, I cannot state the exact quarter at the moment. All I know is that the implementation of the project will begin in 2015.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, …

Mr Mbewe: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, I rarely rise on points of order.

Laughter 

Mr Mbewe: Sir, the hon. Deputy Minister is a professor. That is the highest level of academic qualification that any person in Zambia and the world over can attain. He is telling us that the university college is going to be constructed in Chief Gawa Undi’s area. As the Chewa people, we do not know a chiefdom called Chief Gawa Undi’s area. Is he in order to mislead the House?

Mr Speaker: I will ask the hon. Deputy Minister to clarify that matter as he continues with the question and answer session. Please, take note of that, hon. Deputy Minister.

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, is it logical to start tendering for the project when the site where the university college is going to be built has not yet been identified?

Prof. Willombe: Mr Speaker, the site is not a problem.

Interruptions 

Prof. Willombe: Sir, all we have to do is consult the local authorities as to where we should site the university.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: There was a point of order earlier on, hon. Deputy Minister.

Interruptions 

Mr Speaker: Order!

Prof. Willombe: Mr Speaker, I think I missed the point of order. Can it be repeated.

Laughter 

Mr Mbewe: Sir, I do not know whether I should pose a question or ...

Mr Speaker: Just restate the point about the area.

Mr Mbewe: Sir, my point of order was on Chief Gawa Undi’s area, which he says is where the university college is going to be constructed. I was wondering how this can be because we do not have Chief Gawa Undi’s area in the Eastern Province. So, I do not know where the university college will be constructed since that area does not exist.

Prof. Willombe: Mr Speaker, Gawa Undi’s Chiefdom is very wide and so consultations will be made to see where the university can be sited.

Thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kunda: Mr Speaker, I think the question from the hon. Member of Parliament for Mkaika was: In which quarter in 2015 is this Government going to start building the university college?

Prof. Willombe: Mr Speaker, it could be any of the quarters in 2015.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, considering that for the university in Senanga, there is already a chancellor in the name of Mrs Inonge Wina, but its construction has not started, is the Government also going to appoint a chancellor for this particular university college before its construction is undertaken?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Minister of Gender and Child Development (Mrs Wina) (on behalf of the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Dr Phiri): Sir, the issue of land for the new university college in Katete is still being looked into and consultations are underway with the chiefs in the area. 

Sir, I had the privilege of being appointed in advance as the chancellor of the nursing college in Senanga. Let me assure the House that the college is almost complete and the President did not refer to that college of nursing in Senanga as a university college. The college of nursing will be opened very soon because its construction is almost complete.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: There is a question pending. I do not know whether you want the hon. Deputy Minister to answer it or you are going to do so?

Mrs Wina: Which one?

Mr Speaker: About Katete.

Interruptions 

Mr Speaker: Okay, it has been answered.

Mr Mooya (Moomba): Sir, as per practice in the construction industry, a visit has to be made by all the contractors to the site for them to make realistic bidding. How come here that very important step was missed before a contractor was chosen? As far as I am concerned, the process was flawed and incomplete. Therefore, I want a clarification on that matter.

Mrs Wina: Mr Speaker, no contractor has been appointed for the project in Katete. We are still looking for a site for the project. The ministry is still undertaking processes that will determine when to call for tenders for the project.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, it is clear that this university college will actually not be constructed next year. I say so because there is no feasibility study which has been undertaken before the project can be embarked on. How many times are we going to listen to these un-researched answers because the hon. Minister is just, for lack of a better word, ‘fidgeting’?

Mrs Wina: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member is known in this House to refer to empirical evidence. I have come here to empirically show the House that …

Laughter

Mrs Wina: … the Government has plans to construct institutions of higher learning in the North-Western, Western and Eastern provinces. Funds have been sourced to build the institutions. Money is already in the country. The issue of researching does not arise.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

REHABILITATION OF NCHELENGE SECONDARY SCHOOL

90. Mr Mpundu (Nchelenge) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a)    when the rehabilitation of Nchelenge Secondary School would be undertaken;

(b)    whether an audit of the K1,000,000 that was spent on the partial rehabilitation of the School had already been undertaken; and

(c)    if so, what the findings were.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, before I answer Hon. Mpundu’s Question, let me take advantage of this opportunity to clarify a certain issue. Last week, I indicated, with your permission, that I would come back with a measured response to a question which was raised by Hon. Prof. Lungwangwa.

Mr Speaker, last week, I answered a Question by Hon. Prof. Lungwangwa which was in Order Book No. 46 regarding the construction of Nakanyaa and Nalwei schools. Our response was that the construction of Nakanyaa School was scheduled for completion in 2015 and that it was earmarked for opening in the second term of 2015 while Nalwei was operational with grade eight and nine classes. However, Hon. Prof. Lungwangwa disputed the point that Nalwei was operational.

Mr Speaker, let me make a clarification on the status of Nalwei School. Following our earlier response, we tasked the Provincial Team in the Western Province to go to Nalwei to verify what we said. It was found that Nalwei, like I stated in my answer last week, was operational and had fifty-three Grade 8 pupils and thirty-four Grade 9 pupils. It was further found out that there were a few minor works, just like I stated which were remaining to complete the construction of that school.

Mr Speaker, in view of the above background, our earlier response was, therefore, factual and remains a valid and true record.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, in answering Question 90, I wish to inform the House that the rehabilitation of the entire Nchelenge Secondary School infrastructure will only be undertaken when the Government mobilises the required funds for the project. The estimated cost for the rehabilitation of the entire school is between K15 - 20 million. The partial rehabilitation works which were undertaken at Nchelenge Secondary School from the K1 million funding from the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education was audited in 2012. The finding of the audit which was conducted by the Auditor-General’s Office was that the money was used as planned.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mpundu: Mr Speaker, the people of Nchelenge have not received the full value for the K1 million that was spent on the partial rehabilitation of the secondary school. Is the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education satisfied with the shoddy rehabilitation works which took place?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, after the Auditor-Generals Report, the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education undertook an audit to ascertain whether the rehabilitation works which took place were the exact value of the money which was released to the school. The audit report has just been released. We will share it with Hon. Mpundu so that we can address his concerns.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education has just given a clarification as regards an answer he provided last week which was disputed by the area Member of Parliament. I want to find out from the hon. Deputy Minster if he is aware that those who give incorrect information on the Floor of this House are supposed to be punished. If he does, what does he intend to do to the hon. Member of Parliament for Nalikwanda?

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: Can he punish him?

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: I think that question has been misdirected.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: I do not think it is fair to lumber the hon. Minister with such an onerous question.

Hon. Member for Bwacha, you can ask your question.

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister has indicated the remaining rehabilitation works will start when the Government mobilises funds. When will the Government mobilise the remaining funds? Will it be this year, next year or the year after?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, it is very difficult to state the exact time when the funds will be mobilised because an amount between K15 - 20 million is quite a colossal sum of money. What we do for schools which are in distress is provide funding for rehabilitation works to the water and sanitation systems. In 2013, there were about ten secondary schools which were provided with financing to rehabilitate their water and sanitation systems.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I assume …

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, on a point of order.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, I am sorry for disturbing the hon. Member who is on the Floor. The hon. Deputy Minister mentioned that the Question he was referring to on the Order Paper was No. 46, if I got him correctly, but going by your Order Paper, it is No. 9. Was he in order?

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: I will reserve my ruling on that point of order, briefly. May Hon. Mwiimbu continue.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I assume that a contract was legally awarded for the rehabilitation works at Nchelenge Secondary School and the cost that was incurred was K1 million. If the workmanship was found to be unsatisfactory, I also assume there must be a clause in the contract through which the Government can demand for the work to be redone at the cost of the contractor. Why was the contractor not penalised for the shoddy works?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, I have stated that the value audit was just completed recently and we are yet to discuss the results as a ministry. Maybe, the measures Hon. Jack Mwiimbu is suggesting have actually been proposed in the report. I am sure some the staff who signed the contract for the works have given their observations with regard to the quality of the works. I think, for now, I would not want to comment further on this issue.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Before we proceed, I just want to respond to the point of order raised by the hon. Member for Lukulu West. The hon. Minister was actually in order because he was using the numbering of the questions as per Order Book, as given to the ministry.

  Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, as the hon. Deputy Minister has said, the people of Nchelenge are actually in distress. Unlike in Mansa where there is St Clements, Bahati and Mansa High schools, there is only Nchelenge Secondary School in that corner of Luapula Province. Is there anything which can be done in 2015 to expedite the process of rehabilitating this important school?

  Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, before we gave the school the money for the partial rehabilitation works, it was in distress. However, the K1 million we gave to the school went a long way in supporting it notwithstanding the observations that have been brought up in our audit report. The ministry is yet to sit to consider the contents of the audit report. If found that the school needs some additional funding, the ministry will determine the extent of the financial support.

  Mr Speaker, I thank you.

  Mr Sianga: Mr Speaker, can the ministry tell this House what criteria it uses to come up with how much funding a school gets for rehabilitation works.

  Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the funding depends on the extent of the dilapidation of a particular school. For example, let me refer to a school in Sesheke where the hon. Member comes from. We gave it K340,000. At that time, our assessment was that it was enough for it to work on its water and sanitation systems.

  Mr Speaker, I thank you.

  Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister has talked about an audit report which I assume is in the hands of the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education. The people of Nchelenge would like to know when this report will be made available to the public so that they can have an indication of what will happen next.

  Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the report of the audit that was made by the Auditor-General in 2012 is a public document which I should think is already in circulation. The audit which was undertaken three weeks ago was just to supplement the Auditor-General’s effort. This document is an internal one for the ministry.

  I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PAVE ZAMBIA PROJECT IN KWACHA CONSTITUENCY

91. Mr Mutale (Kwacha) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)    when the implementation of the Pave Zambia Road Project would commence in Kwacha Parliamentary Constituency;

(b)    how many kilometres of township roads would be paved;

(c)    what the total cost of the project was; and

(d)    how many jobs would be created as a result of the project.

  Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the implementation of the programme is scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2015.

  Sir, 15.3 km of road is targeted for Kwacha Parliamentary Constituency. The estimated cost for the works in Kwacha Parliamentary Constituency is approximately K40 million. It is anticipated that 160 jobs will be created in Kwacha Parliamentary Constituency.

  Mr Speaker, I thank you.

  Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether he is in a position to inform us when this particular programme will be rolled out to all the townships in Zambia, taking into account the pronouncements which were made by the President.

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, I do not have the answer as to when this programme will commence countrywide. The only answer I had was for the question which was posed by the hon. Member for Kwacha Parliamentary Constituency.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[Mr SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, I need to be educated on how a district can access this programme.

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, a district can access this information through the Road Development Agency (RDA) regional offices.

I thank you, Sir.

__________

MOTIONS

MOTION OF THANKS

(Debate resumed)

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, I would like to start by welcoming the new hon. Members of Parliament in the House and commend the President for having come all the way to address the House.

Mr Speaker, I am looking at part two of the Speech. I would not call it Volume II because there is nothing voluminous about it. I will call it Part II.

Mr Speaker, the President mentioned that this year’s opening of Parliament came at the backdrop of our fiftieth Independence Anniversary known as the Golden Jubilee. I have titled my debate as:  Fiftieth Independence Anniversary: Celebrating What?

Mr Speaker, the President said that we will be celebrating fifty years of peace, prosperity and democracy. Out of those, I have picked out a few issues which I will talk about. I would like to start with peace. The President said that we are celebrating peace, among others things. What is peace? Is peace only the absence of war and civil strife? Does it go beyond that? Let us look at some of the definitions of peace. One definition says you are at peace if you have a feeling of contentment and calm, and not at all worried. The other definition says that if there is peace in a group of people, they live in a friendly way and do not quarrel. 

Mr Miyutu tried to raise a point of order.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, I am speaking on behalf of the people of the Western Province, and in particular, the people of Luena. 

For the People of Barotseland, nicknamed the Western Province, is there peace?

Mr Livune: Hear, Hear! Amubulele!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Just a moment, hon. Member. Take a seat. Just to apprise those who were not here last week so that we are all singing from the same hymn book. I indicated last week that I will be very slow to allow points of order. One simple reason for that is that I want debates to be uninterrupted from both sides. There will come an opportunity when I will move to the right. If you have reservations about what is being said, please take notes. When your time comes, you will respond to those issues. This is not time for making running commentaries, disagreements, murmurs and so on and so forth. That is not orderly. It is not acceptable conduct. Therefore, let us give each other a chance to debate freely and in silence. I will take care of the order of the House. Therefore, please, listen carefully, and in a democracy as I mentioned last week, you do not have to agree. We have got different viewpoints. When your time comes, you will express your disagreements and challenge any issues.

You may proceed, hon. Member for Luena.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, for the people of Barotseland, nicknamed the Western Province …

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, just take a seat. The Western Province is not a nickname.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

It is not a nickname. It is a juridical term in a Unitary State. That is what the Western Province is. If you go back in the constitutional history of this country, you will come to a point when that province or area was acknowledged legally as the Western Province. It is not a nickname. 

Hon. Imenda, you may continue.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, ever since the United National Independence Party (UNIP) led Government abrogated the Barotseland Agreement of 1964, one cannot say that the people of that area can celebrate peace. Fifty years after 1964, perhaps, it is time to reflect. For those who do not know, for those, who never knew, for those who would rather not know and for those who do not want to know, I would like to take them all the way down memory lane.

Mr Speaker, on Page 106, The Kapwepwe Diaries, reads:

“The President assumed power over the party as Secretary-General and dissolved the Central Committee elected in 1967. He replaced this Committee and appointed Attorney- General Fitz Patrick Chuula to head a committee he appointed to examine the party constitution with the view to reduce sectional competition within the party. To show his impartiality between the countries’ sectional groups, President Kaunda abrogated the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 in October, 1969 and renamed Barotse Province as Western Province. ”

Hon. Opposition Members: Eh! 

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, who is still doubting that the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 was not abrogated? Since that time, the people of the Western Province have not known peace as described in the definitions I have given you. Many of them were thrown in detention or placed under restrictions. Examples include one vibrant Mr Nalumino Mundia and another one, an old man whom I knew personally a Mr Matende because I was at school at that time and Mr Mufaya Mumbuna, whom some of you have come to know because he only died about maybe twenty years ago. Mr Mufaya Mumbuna, as an African National Congress (ANC) hon. Member of Parliament stated on the Floor of this House that:

“The Government was bent on destroying the province and its people. We must not close our eyes to the history of Zambia for it is only one person who made Zambia, that is, King Lewanika and without him, we would not be seated in this House today because the Northern Province would belong to the Germans, the Eastern Province would belong to the Portuguese, and the Copperbelt Province would have been taken by the Belgians.”

Mr Speaker, Mr Mufaya Mumbuna further stated that he was shocked to hear Kenneth Kaunda (KK) denouncing the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 at a UNIP meeting. The question is: Fiftieth Independence Anniversary: Celebrating What?

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, I would like to move onto prosperity. Prosperity is one of God’s favours that we are supposed to be celebrating. Is this prosperity real for the people of the Western Province, especially those of Luena? 

Mr Livune: It is only in Nalolo. 

Ms Imenda: Sir, currently, the Western Province is the poorest and yet this was not the case fifty years ago. Go to Luena now and you will not find any roads. Hon. Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication, we do not even have gravel roads. 

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, you do not address the hon. Minister, but the Speaker. This is the established practice. 

Ms Imenda: I thank you for your guidance, Sir. 

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister should hear the fact that there are no gravel roads in the Western Province. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune: Lukulu/Katunda!

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, in the 2013 Budget, the Miulwe/Nangula Road was allocated some money. However, to date, there are not even loads of sand to indicate some form of activity there. There is completely nothing happening and yet somebody talked about a certain number of kilometres being worked on, different phases of road construction as well as the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project. Why should you not start with the poorest province? Are you implying that those that have will be given more and those who do not have will not have plenty, as the little that they have will be taken away?  This is what is happening to the Western Province right now. 

Interruptions

Dr Kalila: Like the Mongu Stadium.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, the first phase of road construction is in the north-eastern region. We have been told that we have been included in the third phase. How, when we do not have anything right now?  In the 2016 you talked about, there will be no money. This, I can assure you. 

Interruptions

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, schools in Luena are made of pole and mud. It is a pity that the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education is not here. Anyway, …

Mr Livune: Mabumba is there. 

Ms Imenda: It is good that hon. Deputy Ministers are here. 

Mr Muntanga: Mabumba is better than the hon. Minister.

Ms Imenda: Sir, the schools were made of pole and mud with the help of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which I am sure you are aware, is not enough. Where is the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education investing? Which areas is it prioritising?

Sir, I was recently in my constituency and the question that everyone was asking was why when it comes to schools, the people of Luena only rely on the meagre CDF? Where is the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education? Which schools is the ministry investing in because it has nothing to show in the Western Province? 

Mr Speaker, let me share some of the experiences there. There is a school called Nangili, where I did my Grade 6. The school was established in 1918 … 

Hon. Government Members: Ah!

Ms Imenda: … and is about to celebrate its centenary. The school has produced graduates of high calibre who went to Makerere University before one was built here. Unfortunately, this school is firstly still a primary school, and secondly, the children at the school are longer passing because the standard of education has fallen way below the required level. We do not know what is happening. We do not know whether it is the Government’s policy to deliberately make things go this way. 

Mr Speaker, there is also Salondo School. 

Mr Livune: Huh? Salondo? 

Ms Imenda: Sir, yes, Salondo School and also Nalusheke, a community school.  The children of Salondo School have not been attending classes for two years now because the school has not been operating due to a lack of teachers and yet it is a Government school. There are no teachers at the school because they have no accommodation. The permanent classroom block structure at the school was built with the help of the CDF. Where is the Government? 

Mr Speaker, the headmaster’s grass house at Likutwe School has been threatening to collapse on him so he has been planning to run away. 

Laughter 

Ms Imenda: Sir, since it was an emergency, I had to donate, from my own pocket, …

Hon Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Imenda: … poor as I am, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Imenda: … ten iron sheets. 

Laughter 

Hon. Government Members: Only?

Ms Imenda: Poor as I am. 

Laughter 

Ms Imenda: Sir, almost all the schools in the province have inadequate staff. Wherever I have gone, they have complained of a lack of teachers. 

Mr Speaker, the economic activity for the people of Luena is livestock farming. In the past, they would take their cattle to the line of rail where they could have a competitive market. However, the Government has deliberately not taken the issue of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) seriously. I think that it is a deliberate policy because they want the people of this area to sell their cattle to Zambeef, which is the major buyer there. The market is very bias because when a farmer takes an animal to Zambeef, it is looked at and the owner is told, for instance, that the horns are too big such that the farmer ends up getting very little for it.  Where else can a farmer go? 

Mr Speaker, these are the issues. Fifty years after Independence, celebrating what? Poverty? 

Mr Livune: Hon. Ministers are failing.

Ms Imenda: What are we celebrating? 

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, not until there is quality basic education, not until there is a long and healthy life-span for all, not until the people of the Western Province, in general, and Luena, in particular, feel safe from arbitrary arrests just because they want to talk about an agreement that was signed, not until there is good infrastructure, not until there is equitable and sustainable economic development, will the people of Luena celebrate. 

Sir, why does this Government find it difficult to use affirmative action for equitable development instead of adding more to those that already have? The quality of life for the people of the Western Province, and Luena, in particular, has tremendously gone down fifty years down the line. They need affirmative action to come to the same level as everyone else before we even talk about decentralisation, if at all it will occur. 

Mr Speaker, not until there is an efficient, effective and development-orientated Public Service, will the people of Luena, have something to celebrate. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Kalomo Central, you may debate. He has an international engagement.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, I am grateful that you have allowed me to contribute to the debate on the President’s Address delivered during the Official Opening of this Parliament. Unfortunately, I was not here when the President opened Parliament. I was, however, very grateful that he did. 

Sir, I was one of those who had been asking to see the President, but unfortunately, I did not see him. I had to depend on the reports of my friends. One of the hon. Members said because I am very kind, I would have cried had I seen him. I then realised that it took a lot of effort for him to come and be seen here. It made everyone sympathise with him.

Mr Speaker, I went on to see Volume I and II of the Speech. When I read Volume II, I realised it was a repeat of Volume I with a little more detail. I came to the conclusion that what is being referred to as Volume I is simply an abridged version of Volume II. Volume I was made smaller for the President to read in his address to Parliament. The President then made his own Volume A which is what is in the Hansard. In the Hansard, I found things which were not in Volume I and II.

Sir, the mover of the Motion, as you may recall, called on me to work with him and agree that the President’s word is more honourable and serious than mine. When I read his Speech, I started doubting that. That is why I took time to debate. If I debate the one in the Hansard, I will be talking about things which are difficult to debate. When I looked through the Speech, I realised that Senenga University is actually Senanga School of Nursing. The hon. Member for Gwembe was told that if he continued to talk about Gwembe, the President would go to Gwembe and ask the people there why their hon. Member was complaining about the construction of Gwembe University which had already been completed. The construction of Gwembe University has not been completed. Certain things that were said in the Speech are not a reflection of what is obtaining on the ground. 

Mr Speaker, when the President talked about unity, peace and stability, he said something which I agree with. He said that we need to be thankful to God because the peace we enjoy is as a result of His grace. I agree with him because if we did not ignore the behaviour of our friends in certain situations, then we would not have this peace that we talk about. Some of our friends become overzealous during by-elections. They engage in actions which threaten the peace of this country. 

Sir, the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central and I were once wrongly detained by the police who knew exactly what really happened. I was detained for seven days while my colleague was detained for twenty-one days. If you do not pray to God, that type of behaviour can make you an angry person who would want to revenge.

Mr Nkombo: Like me.

Mr Muntanga: Sir, that is why I agree with the President that the peace we enjoy is as a result of the grace of God. The provocation which is perpetrated by our colleagues is not good. They are the ones who shout the loudest about violent political parties when they are causing the trouble. They find pleasure in doing so because they have the backing of a newspaper which backs them even when they are wrong. They also have the police that jump around at their call. It is by the grace of God that we have this peace. We should continue praying to God that these people who misbehave should change.

Mr Nkombo: Hear, hear! Kamwinduluka ayisha. 

Laughter 

Mr Muntanga: Sir, those people must change. The President knows that it is only by the grace of God that we enjoy peace in this country. Thus, we need to pray for those who are a threat to our peace to change their behaviour. 

Mr Speaker, arbitrarily, I looked at the speeches and found out that the hon. Members were supposed to stand and observe a minute of silence at some point, but did not. 

Mr Nkombo: Tikakamba. 

Mr Muntanga: Sir, that point is there in Part II of the President’s Address. All the hon. Members were supposed to stand up and observe a minute of silence. 

Mr Nkombo: Instead kwali kwimaima bo bantu. 

Mr Muntanga: Sir, I had to look at what happened here on the television. What comforted me was that the Opposition on this side of the House was totally silent …

Mr Nkombo: We were devastated.

Interruptions 

Mr Muntanga: … while some hon. Members on the Ruling Party side were giggling and laughing. We can bring the television footage which can prove that what I am saying is true. You can check the records to see who was laughing during the proceedings.

Sir, I asked one of my friends why they were laughing during the proceedings. 

Mr Nkombo: Mwenzo seka chani?

Mr Muntanga: Sir, he told me that the President was better when he came to Parliament than he was when I was insisting to see him. It was then that I understood why they were laughing. We were perhaps too sorrowful because we did not know how he looked before. However, I still think seriousness should be shown by both sides of the House.

Mr Speaker, this year, Zambia celebrates fiftieth years of Independence. Ordinarily, all of us should participate in the celebrations. Even though we have had varied experiences from 1964 to date, we all agree that Zambia is a peaceful country. The fifty year Independence celebrations should not be for any one group alone. They should not just be for the Ruling Party. The celebrations should be for all of us. We should work together as brothers and sisters. There is no point in being selfish.

Sir, I have watched documentaries telling us the history of Zambia and showing us who participated in the Independence struggle. Very little is mentioned about the people who fought for Independence from certain areas. I was actually upset one time. Nobody talks about who brought what in this country.

Mr Nkombo: Abakabika mali.

Mr Muntanga: Sir, they do not mention the fact that there was a person known as Mbikusita Lewanika who, while in South Africa, joined the African National Congress (ANC) and brought it here. He was the first President of the ANC. 

Mr Nkombo interjected.

Mr Muntanga: Sir, he is actually respected in South Africa to the extent that one of Mandela’s grandchildren is named after him. 

Mr Nkombo: Tabahi aba.

Mr Muntanga: Sir, it seems there are people who want to obliterate from the historical records the participation of others in the Independence struggle. We want to make others big instead of accommodating everybody. Maybe, some of the people in the House today were actually young ones then. Such people need to know the President of the United National Independent Party (UNIP) who stepped down for Dr Kaunda to take over. You should know that Mainza Chona was president.

Mr Nkombo: Apona waba dictator.

Mr Speaker: Please, can you let the hon. Member debate. He does not need assistance. He rose on his own and did not say he would have assistance.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Leave him to debate alone. Everybody else is quiet and we know that running commentaries are not permitted. I have already said this. 

Mr Nkombo indicated assent.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Mainza Chona was the President of UNIP, but stepped down for Dr Kaunda. 

Interruptions 

Mr Muntanga: Sir, they can check their history.

Mr Speaker, I am grateful that Hon. Chikwanda was there. In 1963, Mr Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula could have easily decided to work with the whites, but he decided to come together with Kaunda and form the first coalition when he was the Minister of Education. They were there to work for peace. I know that some of you who have kept on talking about peace are in fact very ruthless. 

Mr Nkombo: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Sir, let me urge the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting to ensure that the roles which others played in the Independence struggle are not ignored.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Sir, maybe, that is why some people have been saying that they will not participate in the Golden Jubilee Celebrations. This is because they have seen a lot of segregation. Multi-partism was there from 1964 to 1972, when people started hacking one another. Who gave up his party to pave way for a One Party State? Mr Nkumbula did. If it were others, they would not have allowed their parties to come together.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Sir, some people are so selfish that they could not have done such a thing. Mr Nkumbula was able to abandon his party. He was even willing to go against the plans of others who were not for the idea. 

Mr Nkombo: Swebo tuli ba ANC!

Mr Muntanga: Sir, that must not be forgotten. I know some people in the background are talking about the Choma Declaration. We all know about that part of our history. They should accommodate everybody in the way they want to play around with these issues. 

Mr Speaker, let me now look at the various contributions that have been made on the Floor of this House. 

Hon. Government Members indicated dissent. 

Mr Muntanga: When you indicate dissent, it means that you lack …

Mr Speaker: Order! Hon. Member, concentrate on addressing me.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, I want the message to sink into their heads, but they are …

Mr Livune: They are being regional!

Mr Muntanga: …being regional. 

Mr Speaker, let me talk about agriculture. I dispute the declaration that we produced 3.4 million metric tonnes of maize. I told the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock that this was a three-year harvest estimate. I requested the hon. Minister to go and get a post-harvest record so as to show us the correct figure. I also told him that I did not see a bumper harvest in the Southern or Eastern Province. Maybe, it was in Luapula Province where I have not been for some time.

Sir, we had a serious drought in February such that the crops did not mature properly. We are still waiting for post-harvest data. I want to urge the hon. Minister to give us the actual post-harvest data. The President said that national food security has been prioritised to the extent that twenty-seven sheds had been built and the remaining nineteen will be worked on by the end of this year. I want the Government to tell us the actual food reserves which we need in this country. Knowing the quantity of food reserves we need will help us to determine the storage capacity which we need. There was a question which was raised by the hon. Member for Kaoma Central concerning silos. We were told that the Government is still planning. I want the hon. Minister to tell us how much storage capacity we need in Kaoma so that we know exactly what we need to build there. 

Sir, proper planning is good. We need to know the amount of food we need to store for particular areas. This will guide us on the storage capacity which we need to create in these areas. We need to know the amount of food which is required in Mansa, Kasama and other areas in the Western Province. What will remain after the Government has bought for the strategic reserves should be left for the private sector. If you planned to buy 500,000 metric tonnes and you end up gathering 900,000 or a million metric tonnes, you will create confusion. Actually, the money to pay the farmers will not be there. 

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Sir, we cannot continue doing things that way. When buying food for our reserves, we should only utilise the money which has been allocated to the activity by the hon. Minister of Finance. If extra quantities of food need to be bought, the Government should borrow money from the banks. We can go ahead and export maize without touching the strategic reserves. 

Mr Speaker, we had storage facilities in Monze which were used to cater for the country’s consumption. The next ones were in Kabwe and Chisamba. These were strategically put where the people were in need of food. We can even go to a much lower level. We can easily put up sheds at district level when we know the quantities which are needed in the specific areas. You cannot haphazardly plan. I do not debate out of malice. I prefer the Patriotic Front (PF) to do the correct things so that when the United Party for National Development (UPND) comes into power, it will have no problems. 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, in any case, if I were the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, I would do the correct thing. 

Interruptions

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, this is very simple issue to talk about. The Government should be answerable to the people on such issues. Why should you build sheds in Lusaka if you have silos that could be rehabilitated to store enough food for residents? If the number of Lusaka residents has increased, we should be in a position to know the storage capacity that is needed.  We should also know how much storage capacity is needed on the Copperbelt. That is proper planning. 

Mr Speaker, let me also talk about animal health. We have heard a lot of talk regarding livestock vaccinations. We have gone down that lane before. We spent a lot of money on the cordon lines. Unfortunately, we still have some wires which are stuck at a centre in the Western Province. We have about 800 rolls of wire which are not being used. Why should we spend money that way? On the eastern side of the cordon line in the Western Province, there is a river, which is a natural barrier. I am sure you can maintain that cordon line. You can turn the area between the river and the cordon line into a zone in which you can do whatever you want. I am just giving free advice. It is up to the Government to take it or leave it. You can have selective controls in the different zones. For example, in Choma, if you select an area on the left side of the road and tell the farmers to fence it up to Mayoba, they will do so. They will also put all the necessary control measures in place. Further, the farmers can even fence the other side and declare it a disease free area. The Government will not spend any money in this whole process. The farmers will actually be happy to have certified disease free zones in place. 

Mr Speaker, I wish the President mentioned something to do with the Constitution of Zambia because certain things that are contained in that document are important. I know that our friends on that side (right) of the House do agree with me on that point. We only disagree on certain contents in the document. It will not do us any good to just shove the Constitution-making process aside. Let us not think that the process belonged to the former hon. Minister of Justice. It is a concern for all of us, including the new hon. Minister of Justice. Heaping all the blame on the former hon. Minister of Justice for the delays will put pressure on the Government. Now that the former hon. Minister of Justice is out of the picture, people will expect the Government to work overnight to quickly give them a new Constitution. If that is not done, the people will just think that the Government has just kept on looking for excuses to buy time. I am very grateful that in spite of our not having received the Draft …

Mr Speaker: Order! The hon. Member’s time has lapsed.{mospagebreak}

Mr Mpundu (Nchelenge): Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity you have afforded the people of Nchelenge to contribute to the debate of the President’s Policy Address to this august House. Before I proceed, allow me to congratulate the six newly-elected hon. Members of Parliament. I wish to welcome them to the school of hard knocks. I hope that at this stage in their lives, they will be more useful to others than themselves.

Mr Speaker, allow me now to address myself to the President’s Policy Address. He talked about two important things. Firstly, the President talked about the Government’s policy commitments in the last three years. He also made further policy pronouncements. This shows consistence as well as perfection in the art of governance. Now allow me to make comments on individual policy areas beginning with economic affairs.

Mr Speaker, a major highlight is the promise to lay before this House, the Planning and Budgeting Bill next year. Once this Bill becomes law, the complexion as well as the architecture of the Budget will change drastically. Hon. Members of this august House will be in a position to be part and parcel of the Budget preparation process. This is something that we have cried for a long time. This will make it possible for the hon. Members to be part of the Budget preparation process through the sectoral Committees.

Mr Speaker, you may be pleased to learn that the Westminster practice of urging the Government to do this or that will be broken. Instead, we will more or less adopt the Congress practice whereby we will be persuading the Executive to do one or two things through the input we will have in the Budget-making process through the sectoral Committees. The focus of the Budget will also change. It will focus more on results or outputs rather than inputs as the case is currently. The so many questions that we pose on the Floor of this House may diminish because the focus is expected to be more on policy rather than activities. 

Mr Speaker, let me turn to mining. His Excellency the President proposed a win-win situation in this sector for both the nation, as well as, the mining investors. Mining taxation in this country is extremely emotive. I am glad to mention from my considered view that the mining taxation regime in this country is adequate and globally competitive. However, it is not effective on account of the operationalisation of incentives which are given to the mining houses because there is very little or nothing at all to tax. This creates a difficult scenario because our people want to get as much as they can out of their God-given resource. With the incentives in place which erode the tax base and also have that cascading effect, I think we may wish to consider changing the way we treat mineral royalty tax. The mineral royalty tax is refunded to the mining houses. My proposal is that we do not do that. 

Mr Speaker, as for the future regarding mining investments, because we want to benefit much more, let me put forward a number of proposals. Firstly, that we increase our shareholding in mining enterprises. This could be done through mineralisation that could be part and parcel of the epic contribution that we could make in any of those single enterprises. Secondly, we may wish to consider a one off tax which is turnover tax which can negate all the other taxes such as import tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), corporation tax and so on and so forth. We may also wish to consider fortification valuation as well as the sale of mineralisation so that the proceeds are collected over the entire period of the production process. The efficacy of these proposals could obviously be tested using some mathematical simulations since we have a lot of mathematicians in this country.

Mr Mushanga: Hear, hear!

Agriculture 

Mr Mpundu: Mr Speaker, …

Mr Mwila: Uleumfwa ichisungu.

Mr Mpundu: … crop diversification continues to be the policy cornerstone for His Excellency the President with respect to agriculture development in this country. The strategy is well domiciled in our thinking and does resonate well across the country. I, together with the others, are looking forward to good programmes as well as a robust financing strategy. 

Job creation

 Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President reiterated the need for the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for the purposes of job creation.

Mr Sikazwe: Hear, hear!

Mr Mpundu: Sir, the fundamental development would be the operationalisation of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Strategic Plan, particularly, those excerpts which relate to the establishment of the Venture Capital Fund. That significantly would unlock the potential that is there is in the SMEs.

Mr Mwila: BY.

Mr Mpundu: Sir, we have a lot of empowerment funds which are spread across a number of ministries, particularly, Ministries of Gender and Child Development, Community Development, Mother and Child Health as well as Youth and Sport. It is my considered view that in these ministries, we do not have the competencies required to administer these funds. I feel these funds could be brought together under the auspices of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry …

Mr Nkombo: Aah!

Mr Mpundu: … where there are adequate competencies.

Infrastructure development

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President reiterated his commitment as well as that of his Government to investment in roads, railway, marine and aviation sectors. The worry though is the high cost and low quality of products and services that we receive from contractors. My thoughts are that contractors be engaged on Government cost estimate basis, meaning that the Government, through its engineers, should determine the cost and then contractors can pick it up as it is or decline it. In some jurisdictions, contractors’ profits are limited and their books of accounts are also audited so that profits do not exceed the determined threshold. Anything over and above is returned to the Treasury. That can also be done in our country. 

Mr Speaker, we may wish to consider that we only pay on a reimbursement basis meaning that there should no longer be advance payments. Under such circumstances, it is only after works have been certified satisfactory when the payment should be made. If the works are shoddy, then the contractor will incur a loss.  We should also strengthen performance audits.

Health

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President must be commended for his Government’s policy measure of mitigating the shortage of health personnel.

Hon. Back-Benchers: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Bwekeshapo.

Mr Nkombo: Question!

Mr Mpundu: Sir, he pointed out the fact that in future, 10,000 personnel will graduate from colleges and universities countrywide. Let me appeal to the hon. Minister of Health and his ministry to ensure quality particularly by private sector health training institutions.

Education

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President must be hailed for his commitment to the establishment of, at least, a university in each of our ten provinces.

Mr Mwila: Hear, hear!

Mr Mpundu: Sir, he must also be commended for the establishment of the Teaching Council of Zambia to assure quality teaching by our teachers and also for the promise to establish the Higher Education Authority. 

Housing

 Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President must be commended for his commitment to the provision of affordable housing. I wish to appeal to the Cabinet to implement the existing Housing Policy. That one is quite solid because it has very wonderful financing mechanisms. It will be a very good gesture to our people who live in sub-prime neighbourhoods. 

Energy

Mr Speaker, the Government’s commitment to rural electrification is there for all to see. The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) is doing a wonderful job, …

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Mpundu: … particularly in your constituency, hon. Member.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mpundu: Mr Speaker, I would like to urge my colleagues to ensure that, in the next Budget, we appeal to the hon. Minister of Finance to allocate more money to the energy sector so that all Government institutions such as schools and health facilities are electrified, in particular, the institutions in Nchelenge.

Mr Mushanga: Especially Kalwelwe and Makululu.

Mr Mwila: Hear, hear!

Social Protection

Mr Mpundu: Sir, His Excellency, the President’s commitment to social protection is both unprecedented and unmatched in the history of this country. What I am hoping for is a nationwide roll-out so that we allow as many people as possible to benefit from this programme. Currently, we have 150,000 people on the Social Cash Transfer Scheme.

Sir, social protection goes hand in hand with nutrition, and this requires a multi-sectoral approach. My appeal is for the establishment of a nutrition desk in all those ministries that deal with issues related to nutrition so that in future, we can have a nutrition-sensitive Budget.

Decentralisation

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President’s pronouncement on the establishment of the Local Government Equalisation Fund next year will give impetus to the implementation of the Decentralisation Implementation Plan. This is a wonderful step in the direction of implementing fiscal decentralisation and so, he must be commended for it.

Climate Change

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President assured this House that in the coming year, which is 2015, the Climate Change Policy will be in place. Climate change, as we all know, is a very serious economic problem. I am appealing to civil society organisations and Government departments that deal with this issue of climate change to provide hon. Members of Parliament with the necessary tools that will enable them to legislate in a better way.

Constitution

Sir, His Excellency the President has advised Zambians, particularly ourselves here, to divorce our partisan as well as personal interests from the Constitution-making process. What I decipher is that His Excellency was talking about the ownership as well as the management of the Constitution-making process. So, if all the parties in the Constitution-making process proceed with the spirit of compromise, then we shall move forward.

Mr Speaker, the President’s Official Opening Speech on the occasion of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly is a Budget pre-emptor. I, like everybody else, have a lot of confidence in our hon. Minister of Finance that he will relate the two because he is well schooled at this art.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: We will proceed in the following manner; firstly, we will have the hon. Member for Rufunsa, who will be followed by hon. Member for Lukulu West and then the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central.

Mr Chipungu (Rufunsa): Mr Speaker, let me first of all, thank you, for giving me this opportunity. May I congratulate the new Members of Parliament on winning the by-elections. To them I say, well done because I know it was not easy to win those seats.

Sir, I will restrict my debate to issues to do with land. I think this is a topic that I am interested in so much as it affects us in Rufunsa District greatly. We have talked and complained about it to the Government. Unfortunately, nothing is happening. So, now we have even stopped crying mawee.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Meaning what?

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, that is a solemn cry which is occasioned at a funeral. We are deeply touched. However, we have now changed the way we cry and we now cry hmm.

Laughter

Mr Chipungu: Sir, what that means is that the answer is in ourselves. It is just like donchi kubeba. That is the message from Rufunsa. I wish to adopt the speech of Hon. …

Hon. Government Members: Mawee!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Chipungu: … Muchima and the other very vibrant hon. Members who have spoken before me. They have debated this Speech so eloquently and I do not want to repeat what they have said. Like I indicated, I want to concentrate on land, which most of us and most Hon. Ministers, including the President trivialise.

Hon. PF Members: Aah!{mospagebreak}

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, the reason I am saying so is because while he has spoken so much on topical issues like agriculture and health, which I think he deems very important, his Speech on land is less than a page. In his Speech he said:

“Land continues to play a critical role in uplifting the living standards of our people. However, the land administration system in Zambia has had challenges for a long time.”

Sir, I agree with him. It is those challenges which I wanted him to bring out very clearly. In delivering my speech, I want to bring on board, my Private Member’s Motion, which I delivered to this august House, complaining about the indiscriminate cutting down of important trees, especially the Mukula Tree. I am happy that day in, day out, I am reading or seeing on television about people being arrested and prosecuted in Serenje and elsewhere for cutting down this Mukula Tree. However, I have not heard anybody from Rufunsa being arrested for this offence. This could mean that, maybe, highly placed personnel are the ones who are doing this, hence eluding the police check points.

Mr Speaker, just think about the importance of land. Besides farming, I do not know if we all realise that all the ministries are anchored on land. If you talk about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sport, the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health as well as Ministry of Health, they are all anchored on land. So, what I am saying is that land is very important and without it, all the ministries that are here would not be. Our roads are also about land. Therefore, important as land may be, we did not get any policy direction from the President in his Speech. I hope, in 2015, as he comes to address this august House, he will talk about these challenges.

Mr Speaker, Zambia sits on a huge piece of land. The question is: Who owns most of this land and are Zambians getting any benefit from it? For me, the answer is no. Most of the land in this country is actually owned by the so-called investors and non-Zambians. I will give you an example of an investor in Rufunsa who was given about 15,000 ha, of course, through corruption then.

Hon. PF Members: When?

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, the same investor has, again, corruptly obtained over 50,000 ha of land.

Interruptions 

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, it does not matter which year he got it in. The point I want to deliver here is that our land is not benefitting Zambians. It is benefiting foreigners. I have repeatedly gone to see the last two hon. Ministers of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection over this matter and I want to thank Hon. Kalaba for being very proactive. I am sure most people saw his actions on television concerning this issue. I also want to thank Hon. Kapeya. He and I have had meetings with this investor who is very arrogant. Hon. Kapeya directed that a committee be put in place comprising of headmen, Government officials and I. Hon. Members should note that I am not only a Member of Parliament, but also a senior headman representing the people in my area.

Interruptions

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, for some unknown reason, …

Mr Pande: Ni mfumu iyi.

Laughter 

Mr Chipungu: … that committee has not met up to now. I will follow up the issue with the current hon. Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. However, the issue regarding foreigners obtaining big chunks of land is very bad and headmen are not to blame for this.  This brings me to the issue of corruption in the issuance of land which is a key factor in this matter. When the same investor I was talking about was obtaining the land in question, I went to complain to the late President, Dr Mwanawasa, and Hon. Machila was then an hon. Minister …

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, just a moment. 

This is supposed to be a public policy debate. Unfortunately, what you are doing now is just singling out a particular case. I know this case is very close to your heart. It is not the first time you have referred to it, but I think it would be useful in the context of this Motion for you to focus on public policy.

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, thank you very much for your guidance. I want to talk about corruption in the issuance of land. First of all, we all know that most title deeds are not genuine and take too long to obtain. It is very surprising that at the Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection public documents go missing. I do not understand how that can happen. We are also worried about land grabbing by political party cadres in this country. We have witnessed situations of people killing each other over land and we want the Government to do something about it. 

Mr Speaker, I also want to briefly talk about our environment and natural resources. There is too much destruction of our trees through charcoal burning and the cutting down of trees. I think this is affecting the climate in our country. We need order so that there is, at least, some regulation in the cutting down of trees. 

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, it is my considered view that at some point, the Government must consider compulsorily repossessing the land which was given to foreign investors. We must get it away from them so that it could be redistributed to Zambians who are in need of land. Many people have no land and we all know that land has been a source of wars.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, there is a lot of pretence in Zambia. First of all, allow me to say congratulations to the new hon. Members who have just joined us. I was here on Friday during the President’s Address, which has two volumes. I have named Volume II as Volume I and it has forty-eight pages. This other one (holding up a copy of Volume I) is what I am calling Volume II. It has twenty-two pages. 

Mr Speaker: You mean you have renamed them?

Mr Mutelo: Yes, but they remain as they are …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: I think for the record, let us follow the official labeling. Otherwise our transcripts will be distorted.

Mr Mutelo: Sir, there is also Volume III which is in my heart.

Mr Speaker: No, let us keep the volumes as they are so that we follow you easily.

Mr Mutelo: Sir, Volume II which has forty-eight pages is my Volume I. Then Volume I …

Interruptions

Mr Mutelo: … which has twenty-two pages is my Volume II. I also have Volume III which only has thirteen pages. The latter is the real volume of the President’s Address. Out of the thirteen-paged volume, people laughed thirty-one times. In other words, starting from the time the President opened his mouth up to the time he closed it, people laughed thirty-one times.

Interruptions  

Mr Mutelo: Sir, I will concentrate on the one which I heard the President deliver to this House.

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Mutelo: Sir, on Page 6 of the Speech which I heard being delivered on the Floor of this House, the President said:
 
“Mr Speaker, during the last session the House dealt with matters of great importance    
affecting the welfare of our people. Hon. Members of this august House ably  considered and passed legislation and debated serious and, at times, delicate matters of national importance in a way which upheld transparency, accountability and good governance.” 

  Sir, delicate topics include issues which people may not want to hear, but are very important such as the Constitution and the Barotseland Agreement.

  Sir, the President urged this august House to continue fulfilling its legislative and oversight responsibility to the country. Let us not only talk about what is pleasing for him to hear. Let us talk about that which is seen and known by everyone. That way, we shall be helping the nation. We will not move forward as a nation if we shall only be talking about what is pleasant for the President to hear.

  Mr Speaker, on Page 12 of the ‘real’ Speech, the President said:

“Sir, the Ministry of Health is working very well in looking for our own doctors, nurses and medical assistants so that we regroup ourselves. This is because the money we spend        sending people to India and South Africa can be spent on paying our people.” 

Sir, such pronouncements are good. The money we are spending on sending people to India, South Africa, …

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: … Israel …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo: … and any other nation, if we regrouped our doctors and health personnel, can be spent on treating people locally. I agree with what the President said in that regard. The people of Mitete cannot manage to continuously send people outside Zambia for treatment. Tell me who has been sent to India from Mitete for treatment.

Mr Livune: No one.    

Mr Mutelo: Sir, who has been sent to South Africa near as it is?

Laughter

Mr Sikazwe: Tamulalwala!

Mr Mutelo: Sir, only those who are rich manage to get the opportunity to go abroad for medical treatment, but because we are poor, we are not considered. It is the nation’s money that is used to send the rich outside the country for treatment.

Mr Speaker: Order, on the right.

Mr Mutelo: Sir, the President said that if we can regroup our medical personnel, we would not need to spend as much as we do when sending a rich person outside the country for treatment. Notice that I am using the word ‘we’. Us, the poor, are only included on a trip when a rich person is being sent in that same direction for treatment. This is despite our not having even one qualified medical personnel in Mitete.

Ms Imenda: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo: Sir, some of the people just hear about people being sent for treatment, but are not lucky enough to access such treatment themselves. If we can use this money to call back our own, who have gone in search for greener pastures, we will be saving the money which is spent on sending people outside the country for specialist treatment. Let some people continue laughing because Zambia has a lot of people who like to pretend.

   Laughter 

Mr Mutelo: Sir, in reality, most of the hon. Members know that we can do what I am saying. Yes, we can.

Mr Lubinda: Obama for United Party for National Development (UPND).

Mr Mutelo: Sir, even those of us in rural areas should be considered for quality health care. As for now, we just watch others being sent for treatment while we continue to die when we suffer from treatable diseases. Let it come rainy season, we will be dying in numbers. There will be no ambulance in Mitete. There will be no Flying Doctor Service which we just hear of. As all this is happening, we will continue sending others for treatment outside the country. This is what I heard the President saying.

Mr Speaker, we should not be afraid to speak such painful truths. Anyway, we will continue sending them …

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: … for treatment outside the country while we wait for another fifty years.

On Page 5, His Excellency the President said:

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

 Sir, our only hope for the Katunda/Lukulu/Watopa/Mumbezhi Road to be worked on …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo: … is in the next fifty years. How can we be celebrating fifty years of Independence without this road having been worked on?

Ms Imenda: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo: Sir, our only hope is in the next fifty years because the past fifty years, the golden ones, the road has not been worked on. For now, we will join the other people who have enjoyed the past fifty years to celebrate with them. 

Sir, our hope is in the next fifty years. The President has also urged us to reflect on where we are coming from. For us in rural areas, we are coming from a period of not having many things.

Laughter

Mr Sing’ombe: From nothing.

Mr Mutelo: Sir, where are we coming from? Where are we heading? We are still within the first fifty years of Zambia’s Independence until after 24th October, 2014. After that will be the next fifty years. That is our hope. It shall come with new blood and new hope. Yes, the Patriotic Front (PF) is privileged to rule right now. However, the next fifty years will bring in new leadership with new ideas and new plans. Thank you very much that the first fifty years is coming to an end this year. I am, indeed, looking forward to the next fifty years. Let us talk about the diamond celebration in the next twenty-five years when Zambia will be seventy-five years. That is when we will be able to assess our performance as the new blood in the next fifty years. We are living in some other people’s fifty-years, but it is coming to an end.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: I was trying to avoid intervening, but you are repeating yourself. You have been dwelling on one point for I do not know how many minutes. Our rules do not allow repetition in debate. It has been the same point about the next fifty years. You have been repeating yourself over and over again. You need to make progress in your debate.

You may continue.

Mr Mutelo: Sir, moving forward, it is the next fifty years with a new future.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: At least, let us cross the threshold.

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, the President was right. He mentioned on Page 11, in the last line that:  

“These people meet privately and I am just told.”

Hon. Member: Which people?

Hon. UPND Member: It is those who want to be Presidents.

Mr Mutelo: We have to be very careful with women power. This is the President saying that he does not know which people meet privately. He is just told. Maybe, even the Speech was made up of just what he was told because this is what he was reading.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, on Page 23, he also had this to say:

“She has made me stay up to now. I have not died yet, but she is hell.”

Mr Speaker, he also had this to say on Page 3:

“Now, I am not very sure whether I have two Vice-Presidents, one in my house and the other one outside.” 

Why did he say that? The answer is on Page 11where he states that these people meet privately …

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: … and he is just told. This came from the President. This is why Zambia …

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, what point are you making? I am struggling to see the point you are advancing, please.

Hon. Government Member: He has even lost himself.

Interruptions

Mr Mutelo: I am following the Speech. I, were, also struggling …

Hon. Members: I were?

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: … to connect these issues.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: This is your debate. What are you debating? 

Laughter

Mr Speaker: You are just quoting. What are you debating?

Mr Mutelo: Sir, the President is complaining of people who just meet and he is just told about it because we like living in pretence. We do not want to do the right things. 

 Mr Speaker, I agree with this real document. Thank you for the laughter because we have thirty-one of them in here. Soon, …

Hon. UPND Member: Forward.

Mr Mutelo: … Zambia will not be under an era which shall be full of pretence. 

Hon. Government Member: Ikalenifye namupwisha!

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, let the people of Mitete benefit in the next fifty years from the new leadership and new ideas. It may look like a laughing matter today, but let us stop living in pretence.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, I thank you for the privilege to debate. I would like to begin by stating that the State of the Nation Address given by His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Sata, was indeed meant to be a very joyous occasion because we were all hopeful that we were going to see our leader come and give direction to this country. I would like to salute him most sincerely for his ‘unhending’ – sorry I have been associating with Bembas a lot – unending not ‘unhending’ humour because it was clear in my eyes that he demonstrated love for his people, by coming here in the state that we all know he is, to come and share with us his vision.

 Sir, I would like to state, without doubt, that I did sympathise with the state of health of my leader and, ever since that day, I have continuously gone on my knees to ask God to give him a peace of mind and good health because the state of the Head of State cascades to the ordinary of the most ordinary people of any land.

Mr Speaker, the President said that the session starting on 19th September, 2014, came at a time when Zambia was celebrating fifty years of Independence. Yes, indeed, we, from the United Party for National Development, will join the President in commemorating this milestone and an event which we all know comes once in a life time for many people. Only those who are lucky may still be alive after the next fifty years.

Sir, as such, as we go into this particular commemoration, it becomes important for the PF and President Sata to realise that the privilege of being in the Government is not exclusively theirs because we, from your left hand side and the Judiciary at this particular juncture, form what is called the Government except that it is led by the PF. So, it goes without saying that we are all privileged. Therefore, I think that it is time to take an introspection of where we are coming from, where we are and where we want to go as a country.

Sir, should the UPND have been in leadership at this particular point, it would have utilised this momentous occasion to address very cardinal issues that affect our country namely the polarisation of our society. Our society has been completely polarised. Everybody who understands the Queen’s language understands what I am talking about. We would have taken this opportunity to redefine who we are as a people. 

Sir, we would have taken this opportunity to reconcile our differences with those who share different political views, and agree that while we are divergent in our thinking, we must be united as a people. That should have come out extremely clear if we, in the UPND, had been at the centre of the administration of this country. We would have condemned the acts of violence which have become common in our country. We would have condemned these acts like I am doing now. However, the President did not do that. We would have condemned electoral violence. The members of the Patriotic Front (PF) have the preponderance of thinking that they are mighty and above the Government. As I go into my discourse, I am going to quote a very senior citizen who has given the PF free advice. The PF reminds me of the United National Independence Party (UNIP) in its desperate years in power. The members of the PF need to start changing the way they handle those who have different political beliefs.

Mr Speaker, if we, in the UPND, were in the Executive, we would have taken this opportunity to state that the use of pangas, knives and catapults during elections should be an atrocity that must come with severe punishment.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: Sir, this would send a message to those who have the preponderance of continuously using youths to go and harm those who share different political views. We would have used this particular momentous occasion to embrace one another, and I mean a warm embrace, and not this don’t kubeba embrace were in one breath you are laughing together, as soon as you turn away, they want to harm you.

Mr Speaker, time has come for the PF to realise that with all these intermarriages that we have had, political dominance and failing to improve certain parts of the country on the account of tribe should come to an end. The PF has been a shining example of a dominant party which does not condone other people’s feelings. We have also seen how they have embraced those who once criticised them. Maybe, because of corn puffs and jiggies, those who were against it before have now decided to be under the hegemony of the PF. 

Mr Speaker, at this juncture, I would like to state that I join the President in commiserating with the family of the late Hon. Dr Antony Chikusu. May his soul rest in peace. In the same breath, I also join the President in congratulating those hon. Members of Parliament who just succeeded to come here. In his Address, the President was very clear. He clearly stated that the PF has recorded progress in political, economic and social spheres. At this juncture, I would like to beg to differ with the President because sometimes, in fact, more often than not, it is always good to accept than to deny. Under the headline of governance and administration, the President said very little about one of the most topical matters, the Constitution-making process. We all know how much difficulty you, Sir, sitting in the Chair had with your hon. Members here representing fellow citizens to run the affairs of this House because of the dishonest manner in which the PF has dealt with the Constitution. The PF must take advantage of this commemoration of the fifty years of Independence to come clean and stop hiding behind a finger. They should tell us whether they are going to give us the Constitution or not. If they are not, we, in the UPND, do promise the Zambian people that we shall do as they wish.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, whether they say question or not, that is a fact. Due to the unfortunate state of his situation, it was difficult for us to even heckle at him and ask him why he abused us at the time when he was able to say that the Constitution that we have is functional. Who does not know that it is functional? However, functional as it is, it is a dislocated Constitution because we know that it is part of our colonial hegemony. Who does not know that the Public Order Act (POA) is a bad law?

Sir, these same PF people who are hiding behind their fingers today have put a paragraph in here saying that they respect the existence of the media. Actions speak louder than words. These colleagues do not respect the media. They do not even love the media. They have said to me here that they have given ten licences to radio stations. I think that the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting must take this opportunity to know that he can cheat people sometimes, but not all the time. In Germany, there was a man called Joseph Goebbels. Ask me what happened to him?

Mr Speaker: Order!

Just substitute your word cheat for a more parliamentary and acceptable term.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, with no resistance, I will gladly substitute the word ‘cheating’ with the words ‘being dishonest’. Joseph Goebbels was the Minister of Information or public sensitisation. Joseph Goebbels, together with his friend Adolf Hitler, did not last. This is because they stifled the media. They made their own media. They sang their own song. Why can we not let the Zambians freely talk about the successes which the PF has scored? Of course, they are building roads from borrowed money. Who does not know that? I wish that when the hon. Minister of Finance comes to give us the Budget Speech, he will also tell us how much interest those loans that we have borrowed have accrued so that the Zambians who are growing will know what is ahead of them.

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

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, on the economic front, it is extremely simple. Where are we economically? What is our gross domestic product (GDP)? How different is it from last year, for instance? How much growth have we recorded as a country? It is from 6.8 to 7.2 per cent somewhere thereabouts, and then you can stand up and tell me that things have improved? This is the same PF Government which has not done a Living Conditions Monitoring Survey ever since it came into power. Let them argue if they have done it and tell me when they did it. That survey helps to determine many things, including poverty and employment levels. Today, I want them to know that they have been burying their heads in the sand and insisting that they have created jobs. Where are the jobs? You have people sweeping the streets, and working for the China man on contracts and you tell me that you have created formal jobs. I sit on the Committee of Economic Affairs, Energy and Labour. We took to task all the agencies, including the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) on these same issues. We asked them to show us empirical evidence from the data base that jobs have been created. The answer was zero. What they are claiming to have happened has not happened. Let them carry out the correct surveys. Let them spend money in order to determine that yes, indeed, poverty levels have dropped from 68 per cent to a lower figure.

Mr Speaker, let the PF prove to me that the cost of living is now better than it was before. I know that when the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) was in power, a 25 kg bag of mealie meal was about K38. What about today? In the midst of plenty, the fool starves so says the black book. If, for sure, we have this bumper harvest that Hon. Muntanga was talking about, determined by a pre-harvest survey, what happened to the principle of demand and supply which is a determinant for the price? What happened to that? Is Zambia in mars where the principle of demand and supply is not functional? No. Zambia is on earth.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1815 until 1830 hours.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I was trying to emphasise the fact that at the time the MMD left power, a 25 kg bag of mealie meal, our staple food, was K38. Today, it is in the region of K85 and K90. Zambians are the ones who are spending this money so they know what I am talking about. Those who are heckling and saying “no” probably stopped buying mealie meal and buy some other foodstuffs. 

Mr Speaker, the exchange rate, at the time the MMD left, was at a certain level. For those who care, go and check what level it is at today. Also, check what caused the arrest of the escalation of the exchange rate, whether it is artificial or, indeed, reflective of the strength of our currency. The cost of doing business has only become worse under the PF. 

Mr Speaker, I would like to quickly touch on Budget adherence because the President, in his National Address, indicated that his Speech would gear into the hon. Minister of Finance’s presentation of the Budget, hoping that the two would speak to one another. 

Sir, I want to confess that we, from Mazabuka Central Constituency, have seen very little budget performance in the last three years. I personally went to lament to the Minister of Finance when I found out that the 20 km of bituminous standard road that they promised the people of Mazabuka in 2013 has not been done. I was told that there were competing needs and that they would include it in the 2014 Budget, which they did. However, 2014 is coming to an end and nothing has been done. 

Sir, I want to move onto the health sector. Last night, I went to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH). I was saddened by what I saw in the admission ward. When you hear the hon. Minister and his hon. Deputy Minister speak in this House, you may think that paradise is a photocopy of Zambia. 

Laughter 

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, there are difficulties there or as they say in Kaonde “bukatasho,” where men and women are comingled in the same ward and are sleeping on the floor. This is a fact. I invite whoever dares to argue to stand up so that he or she can also go see what I saw at the UTH. You want to come here and show us as if paradise is a photocopy of Zambia. 

Sir, in the interest of time, I want to quote what an elderly statesman, Mr Andrew Sadanis, said in his book.  

Hon. Government Member interjected.

Mr Nkombo: Yes, to me.

Mr Speaker: Order! Just address the Speaker.

Mr Nkombo: Sir, he is engaging me and I have the capacity to engage him back. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: In his book, Zambia: the First 50 Years, Mr Andrew Sardanis says: 

“This country is capable of making faster progress when its people are allowed to use their initiatives, and it regresses when the main preoccupation of those in power is to maintain their dominance and in the process they try to regiment people’s thinking to a point of wanting to even regulate them and curtail their initiatives.”

Mr Speaker, he goes on to say that President Sata must take on board the political picture which halfway through his term of office looks bleak. For those who do not understand what I am saying, there is a dictionary here. He also goes on to say that if Mr Sata cares about his legacy, and this is not me speaking, and his country, he must be courageous and fearless and throw out some of the bad eggs from his party.

Hon. Opposition Member: Like Kambwili!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Nkombo: Sir, he must stop his party from politicking and in-fighting …

Mr Mwale: Madzila yoyipa.

Mr Nkombo: … and turn his full attention to the real needs of this country, namely unemployment, low wages, poverty and squalor. 

Sir, that is the message to the Head of State. I am sure that he is listening wherever he is. Further, Mr Sardanis believes that the President’s ability to do what has been talked about will produce short-term relief. It is a tough job, indeed. This is what Mr Sardanis is saying. This relief shall lay a foundation for long-term progress. 

Mr Speaker, it is us who are in the leadership of this country, whether you like it or not, who are going to lay the foundation for the progress of this nation by first of all inculcating the values that I spoke about in the beginning of my discourse. Let us differ in our thinking, but do not hate me. You can hate the game, but not the player. If you hate the game of politics, get out. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: Do not hate the player. This is the democracy we chose for ourselves. Allow people space in this democratic dispensation. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

ADJOURNMENT 

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker I beg to move that the House do now adjourn. 

Question put and agreed to. 

______ 

The House adjourned at 1838 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 1st October, 2014.