Debates- Tuesday, 23rd September, 2014

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DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 23rd September, 2014

The House met at 1430 hours

MR SPEAKER in the Chair

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

The following hon. Member took and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance:

Margaret Miti
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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER

COMPOSITION OF THE STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE FOR THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE ELEVENT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 150 (1), I have appointed the following Members to constitute the Standing Orders Committee for the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly:

The Hon. Mr Speaker (Chairperson) 

The Hon. Dr G. L. Scott, MP, The Vice-President

The Hon. A. B. Chikwanda, MP, Minister of Finance

The Hon. Y. D. Mukanga, MP, Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication, and Chief Whip

Ms C. Namugala, MP

Mr R. L. Mpundu, MP 

Mrs M. G. Imenda, MP

Mr H. H. Hamududu, MP

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BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

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

Sir, as indicated on the Order Paper for today, 23rd September, 2014, the Business of the House will begin with Questions to hon. Ministers. Thereafter, the House will commence the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address which was delivered on Friday, 19th September, 2014.

Mr Speaker, tomorrow, Wednesday, 24th September, 2014, the Business of the House will commence with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will then consider Private Members’ Motions, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address. 

Sir, on Thursday, 25th September, 2014, the Business of the House will commence with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will then continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address.

On Friday, 26th September, 2014, the Business of the House will commence with His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time. This will give the new hon. Members an opportunity to see how I am viciously attacked by certain people from the seats opposite mine who include the hon. Member for Kalomo Central.  

Laughter

The Vice-President: Sir, this will be followed by Questions to hon. Ministers, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will debate the Motion on the Composition of the Public Accounts Committee. The House will then continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address.

I thank you, Sir. 

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

ZAMBIA’S PREPARDNESS FOR THE EBOLA VIRUS OUTBREAK

The Minister of Health (Dr Kasonde): Mr Speaker, thank you very much for granting me an early opportunity to update the House and, through you, the public on our preparedness as a nation for the prevention and possible management of the Ebola Virus.

Mr Speaker, Ebola is a haemorrhagic viral disease with 50 to 90 per cent case fatality. The current Ebola outbreak started in Guinea in December, 2013, and spread to Sierra Leone and Liberia. It has now also spread to Nigeria and Senegal. This is the largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded, both in magnitude and geographical spread. By 7th September, 2014, a total of 4,366 cases and 2,218 deaths had been reported from Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Further, twenty one cases and eight deaths had been reported in Nigeria while Senegal has, so far, recorded only one case imported from Guinea.

Mr Speaker, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reported a more localised Ebola outbreak that is epidemiologically unrelated to the West African epidemic. Sixty-two cases and thirty-five deaths had been reported by 7th September, 2014.

Mr Speaker, the Ebola Virus outbreak has been spreading rapidly across both the rural and urban areas of the affected West African countries with over half of the victims dying of the disease. This outbreak has also been characterised by an unusually high mortality rate among health care providers. In many instances, health care providers have become infected in the course of attending to cases before they are diagnosed or confirmed. The Ebola Virus outbreak is still on the rise, with approximately 48 per cent of the total number of cases having been reported in the last thirty days. 

Mr Speaker, from the situation I have given above, it is evident that Zambia is at risk of importing Ebola from the affected countries. This is particularly true in view of the ease of modern travel and the extent of the outbreak. The Government, therefore, has taken the following measures to minimise the risk of the importation of Ebola into the country and to promptly detect and respond to any suspected cases:

(a)    an appropriate legal framework has been put in place through Statutory   Instrument (SI) No. 49 of 2014. This SI adds the Ebola Virus to the list of notifiable infectious and epidemic diseases in the country, thus providing a legal framework for the notification of the disease;

(b)    in March, 2014, the Ministry of Health commenced sensitisation programmes for those people who work at provincial health offices and major points of entry. This activity is ongoing; 

(c)    the National Epidemic Preparedness Prevention Management and Control Committee has put the Ebola Virus on top of its agenda. The National Rapid Response Team has been constituted comprising of all the key stakeholders. Provincial and district rapid response teams are already on high alert. It should be appreciated that epidemic preparedness and response is not the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Health. Effective epidemic preparedness requires a comprehensive approach. It is for this reason that the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in the Office of the Vice-President has been co-ordinating the country’s Ebola preparedness efforts;

(d)    multi-sectoral meetings chaired by the Secretary to the Cabinet with representation from all Government ministries at Permanent Secretary level are held weekly. At the first meeting, the specific roles and responsibilities of each ministry was identified. Subsequent meetings have provided a platform for the Ministry of Health to provide updates on the Ebola situation in West Africa and for the various ministries to share progress on their mandated responsibilities; 

(e)    a comprehensive Ebola Virus Disease Epidemic and Response Plan with an estimated budget of K106,142,459.00 has been prepared. This covers disease surveillance, port health, case management, community sensitisation, isolation and quarantine facilities, as well as, laboratory capacity;

(f)    the ministry issued a travel advisory in which it provided guidance to travellers coming from Ebola affected countries to Zambia and those travelling from Zambia to those countries. We are rigorously screening travellers from affected countries to ascertain their level of risk. Travellers found to be at significant risk of having the Ebola Virus infection are being quarantined and followed up to determine whether they develop symptoms or not;

(g)    two infra-red thermal scanners have been set up at the Kenneth Kaunda and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe international airports and are currently in use. In addition, all the four international airports as well as the Mwami, Kasumbalesa, Nakonde, Mpulungu, Nchelenge and Katima Mulilo borders have been equipped with hand-held thermal scanners;

(h)    the Ministry of Health has procured personal protective equipment (PPE) including N-95 respirators and suits which it has distributed to different provinces. I also wish to commend the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its timely donation of additional PPE to my ministry. This has further strengthened our preparedness;

(i)    all the hospitals in the provinces are holding regular clinical meetings on Ebola in order to raise awareness among the health care providers. We have also stationed ambulances in the provinces to facilitate the movement of suspected cases to isolation facilities; and

(j)    a massive sensitisation campaign using electronic and print media as well as community meetings has been embarked on so as to sensitise the public on the Ebola Virus.

Mr Speaker, on the international front, Zambia has continued to participate in meetings convened by the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to review the regional response to the Ebola Virus and harmonise country approaches to the threat. We have also been actively involved in other regional meetings and trainings, all targeted at strengthening our capacity to respond to this disease.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I wish to state that no case of Ebola has been recorded in Zambia so far. I would also like to state that Zambia has in-country capacity to test for the Ebola Virus at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Zambia. We are also building the capacity of the Virology Laboratory at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) to test specimens for Ebola. Our surveillance system has detected a number of suspected cases or rumours and on investigation, these have been found negative. 

Mr Speaker, at this point, I wish to assure the nation that the Government is doing everything possible to prevent the importation of Ebola into the country. We have a system in place to detect and rapidly respond to any possible cases. Above all, we have a sensitive and sensitised community capable of responding firmly to the threat.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the ministerial statement which has been delivered by the hon. Minister. 

Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that K106 million has been allocated in the budget to enhance Zambia’s preparedness against the Ebola outbreak. I would like the hon. Minister to assure us, and through us, the nation, that this money will, indeed, be used to prepare the many communities, especially those along borders, against this virus and not for sitting and travelling allowances for Government officials.

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, it is very important that these funds are used for the protection of the people in this country, particularly in border areas. However, I will not stop visits of my team to any part of the country where their expertise will be needed. I think that under such circumstances, the budgeted funds may be used. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that Zambia has the capacity to respond to respond to the Ebola Virus. I want to assure him that it does not.  

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Dr Musokotwane: Sir, when I went round my constituency last week, I discovered that there was no information about the Ebola Virus in that area. I held meetings which made me aware that the people were totally ignorant about the Ebola Virus, in spite of the so-called sensitisation. Hon. Minister, are you not worried that the interventions which you have put in place has not reached the ground, as evidenced by what I saw?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I have also been around the country and can confirm that our campaign has not reached everybody yet. All I emphasised in my statement is our capacity to conclude the sensitisation campaign. My movements and those of others in the ministry have been directed towards that effect and we are seeing progress in that direction. Even though we may not be 100 per cent on track, we are still in the right direction.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister talked about a number of border areas where the ministry has put measures to try to detect the possible importation of Ebola. 

Sir, I would like the hon. Minister to explain what is happening at Mukambo, Kazungula and Chirundu borders? These are active borders through which the virus can enter the country. 

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, with your permission, I would like to reiterate what I stated earlier about the borders that the hon. Member for Lupososhi is referring to. I said that two infra-red thermal scanners have been set up at the Kenneth Kaunda and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International airports and are currently in use. 

Sir, all the four international airports as well as Mwami, Kasumbalesa, Nakonde, Mpulungu, Nchelenge and Katimamulilo borders have been equipped with hand-held thermal scanners. I hope that this answers the hon. Member’s question. Of course, we will continue to answer such questions.

I thank you, Sir. 

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, since the Ebola Virus could be endemic in West African countries, what advice would the hon. Minister give to travellers to the countries affected? 

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, the subject of travel has been very emotive in some cases. This has led to meetings of the AU and SADC to try to establish exactly how we should proceed as a continent on this issue. 

Mr Speaker, as a ministry, we have two critical advisory points. Firstly, if you want to travel, ask yourself whether it is really necessary to go to the affected countries. Secondly, if you are in those countries and you want to come to Zambia, we want you to ask yourself whether it is absolutely necessary to do so and in addition, we shall subject you to screening on arrival. This position has been taken by SADC and subsequently also, the AU.  

Sir, I think that it is fully agreed that our greatest chance of controlling this disease on the continent is to ensure that those who are in areas that are affected are discouraged from travelling to the other areas that are not affected. The contention has been, of course, the freedom of movement, especially for those in commerce. I think the measures which we have put in place are satisfactory. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, Ebola is named after the River Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and was first discovered in 1976. 

Sir, the Ebola River is not very far from Zambia. Can the hon. Minister help us to understand what the international community of scientists is doing to help us appreciate the genesis of Ebola on the banks of the Ebola River and whether other rivers within the vicinity of the Congo have the potential to incubate it? 

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, we have had the privilege of discussing at length with the hon. Minister of Health of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and delved, to some extent, into the possible origins of the virus. One thing which I am sure about is that it has nothing to do with a river at all. It is not a waterborne disease.

Sir, the initial cases were associated with animal infections, in particular, those related to bats and monkey-related species. Therefore, efforts have been made to ensure that anybody handling these animals appreciates the risk being undertaken. Further, research which was carried out revealed that the bats in Zambia do not have the Ebola Virus. So, in terms of understanding the transmission of the disease, we are now, at least, scientifically certain that it is from animals to human beings and then, subsequently, it spreads amongst them.

 I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, I would like to believe that Ebola is contagious. It is partly the reason in West Africa, the quarantine areas are far away from the densely populated areas. For example, they have established stadia as the quarantine areas.

Sir, not long ago, we saw people protesting in Zambia, Chipata Compound, to be specific, where the ministry intended to establish the quarantine areas. The compound is heavily populated. I would like the hon. Minister to state weather that was in order. Has that plan been changed? 

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, yes, isolation is a very important part of the management of the Ebola Virus, but is not limited to the three levels which I shall now talk about. Level one is where a person goes to a hospital and has to be isolated within the hospital confines from all the other patients. The other one is at community level. At this level, it may become convenient to drive or to take that person away from that community to an isolated place. Then the other level is when a person comes into the country and is suspected to have the Ebola Virus. We have established different ways of responding to issues at all the three levels. When I was in Kaputa last week, I saw how one suspected case was handled. A person suspected to have the Ebola Virus can be quarantined at a house or any other suitable form of accommodation. There was a case involving a person who came to Zambia from Sierra Leone who was suspected to have had the disease. The individual was confined to his own house. We must be prepared to adapt our management to circumstances as they arise.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Pande (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, I would like to commend the hon. Minister of Health for educating us on what is happening with regard to the Ebola Virus and how prepared the country is to combat it. 

Sir, my worry concerns the border areas, particularly the rural ones near our border with the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC). The border is about 2,000 km from that country. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what is currently on the ground regarding the many porous areas around the border which include Kipushi, Ngwezhi and Kaputa. What is currently on the ground?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, this issue has been discussed at length within SADC and the AU. We have all recognised the porousness of our borders. Our conclusion is that there will be formal arrangements for checking on those who are using what we are now referring to as critical areas. It is not possible for us to monitor what is happening around our borders on our own. That is why we have entered into formal arrangements with our neighbouring countries to help us monitor the activities around the critical areas as identified by the professionals. We must be prepared to handle any movements around our border areas in the same way that we handle the ones in our different communities.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mushanga (Bwacha): Mr Speaker, what is the hon. Minister’s comment on the three children of the same family of Zingalume in Lusaka who died a few days ago after experiencing symptoms similar to those related to Ebola as aired during the 1830 -1900 hours news yesterday on Muvi TV?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, as I pointed out earlier, it has become necessary to investigate any rumours and suspicions associated with the Ebola Virus. Our investigations, so far, have shown no signs of the Ebola Virus in all those who have been tested in our country so far. Investigations regarding the persons whom the hon. Member for Bwacha is referring to are currently taking place.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, I have heard that the Ministry of Health is screening people who are coming into this country. I would like to know which criteria we use to determine which people need to be screened. In some countries any person coming from any African country is screened upon entering their borders. Is the ministry screening only those from West Africa or those who are from countries which have confirmed Ebola Virus-related deaths or any person visiting Zambia?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, we have had to make it clear that we are concerned with the mobility of individuals and not their nationalities. In order to avoid any form of discrimination, some level of screening of everybody that comes to our main points of entry has to be done. However, special screening for those that come from areas that have been known to have the disease is also made possible and encouraged. In certain instances, there could be need to conduct a particular type of screening due to the area from which an individual has come from and not the nationality.

 I thank you. Mr Speaker.

Mr Mutale (Kwacha): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the people that are being smuggled into the country are being subjected to the same tests.

 Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, yes, they are.

Laughter

Dr Kasonde: Sir, there was an embarrassing case involving some distinguished visitors who decided that because they came from a particular country they should avoid being screened to use other means other than the normal entry points and managed to get to a hotel. It was at the hotel that those people were identified as having not gone through the customary screening process. We are prepared for all sorts of situations. We know that wherever there is a risk that one might be turned back or delayed, there is the temptation to use unusual means of entering the country. Therefore, everybody should be constantly prepared to notice any unusual occurrences in their communities. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr L. Ngoma (Sinda): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that about K106 million has been set aside for this cause. I would like to find out where this money is, whether it is at the Ministry of Health, Bank of Zambia or Ministry of Finance. I would also like to know what measures have been put in place to ensure the speedy release of finances to the point of call should need arise.

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, this money was requested by the Ministry of Health and, of course, we know that that request went to the Ministry of Finance. At the moment, the money is in the hands of the Ministry of Health. It is up to the Ministry of Health to ensure that these funds are properly used and released as quickly as possible when needed. I have no reason to doubt the capacity of the Ministry of Health to do that.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, this is a very serious question. I would like to find out what precautions the hon. Minister is taking to ensure Bembas do not eat monkeys to avoid getting infected.

Laughter

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I would wish not to be brought into the culinary habits of the different areas of the country. I know that in some areas, there are smaller animals which are eaten by the people.

Laughter

Dr Kasonde: Sir, let those people enjoy eating those small animals. It does not matter what the tribe is. What matters is that precautions are taken in handling any animals whatsoever.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Simbao (Senga Hill): Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister explain to us how this virus operates once it enters the human body to the extent that once infected, a person dies within a few days.

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, the causes of death have been associated with the loss of fluids which include blood which is in addition to the presence of other infections as a result of the presence of the virus. These are the mechanisms by which the body is affected. It is in fact, on that basis that current treatment, which is not curative, is based.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Konga (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, finally!

Laughter

Mr Konga: The hon. Minister has given us a very detailed report, and we thank him for that. However, I have not heard him mention the curative process as is being undertaken in some of the West African countries. In its preparedness, has the Government of Zambia put in place measures to acquire any of the drugs that can be used to cure persons infected with this virus?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, on the front of treatment, we have a lot of difficulty as a world. To date, there is no evidence of any one drug being effective in treating this condition. What we have received is evidence of, at least, two people who recovered following the drug called ZMapp which is permitted to be used even before it is has been cleared through the customary scientific processes. What we have been told is that there are, at least, two vaccines being considered through evaluation, but none of these are, at present, curative. Therefore, we cannot put together a plan for the procurement or distribution of these interventions which have not been proven. Our present position is consistent with that of the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO has authorised that a certain amount ZMapp be made available in emergency situations. At the moment, we have made no preparations to use any of the drugs which I am talking about. We are just monitoring the development of the emerging vaccines and drugs and as soon as we are satisfied that any one of them merits our purchasing or use, we shall do so.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Antonio (Kaoma Central): Mr Speaker, in his presentation, I did not hear the hon. Minister talk about the Zambian border with Angola. Some of our brothers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) come to Zambia through Angola. Is it not necessary to also locate these testing machines at any of the borders with Angola?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, it is possible. The border between Zambia and Angola is very porous. The border cannot effectively be policed through a one point surveillance system. The border with Angola is so porous that, at present, we are using a general approach to patrol it. We need to keep this situation under continuous review.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

MOBILE COMMUNICATION SIGNAL ALONG THE ZAMBIA-MALAWI BORDER

1.    Mr I. Banda (Lumezi) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication what measures the Government was taking to improve the mobile telephone communication signal along the Zambia-Malawi border.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mwimba H. Malama): Mr Speaker, the Government is taking measures to improve mobile telephone communications along the border between Zambia and Malawi by considering an increase in the height of some towers in the affected areas and the adjustments of power supply to the antennaes.

Sir, the Government will also endeavour to connect the affected tower base stations to the national electricity grid to guarantee a constant and available source of energy. The Government shall also engage the Government of Malawi to discuss the regulation of frequencies to improve the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) mobile telephone communication network along the Zambia-Malawi border.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr I. Banda: Mr Speaker, …

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir. 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, thank you for allowing me to raise this point of order. As you may recall, it was your earlier ruling that has allowed me to come back today to raise my point of order following my attempt to do so soon after the ceremonial opening of this Assembly by His Excellency the President Mr Michael Sata.

Sir, my point of order is directly related to what I may deem to be a violation of the Standing Orders as well as the Constitution. I am aware of the correspondence that was written by one of the media houses, namely Muvi TV, to this institution in order for it to seek accreditation to cover the ceremonial opening of Parliament. I would like to quote from a letter which was written by Parliament to Muvi TV in response to its request. It stated:

“Dear Sir,

LIVE COVERAGE OF PARLIAMENT− OFFICIAL OPENING

I refer to your letter dated 15th September, 2014, in which you sought permission to cover the Official Opening of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly by His Excellency the President Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, on Friday, 19th September, 2014. 

I wish to inform you that the Official Opening of the National Assembly is a State event. Therefore, names of media personnel wishing to cover it have to be submitted to the Director of the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) who will then forward them to us. Once this is done, it is the duty of the National Assembly to accredit such personnel. 

Further, please, note that while press cards are produced and signed on behalf of the Clerk of the National Assembly, these are based on the list of names submitted by ZANIS. 

By this letter, you are advised to urgently contact ZANIS at the Mass Media Complex.

Yours faithfully,

G. H. N. Haantobolo (Dr)
For/ CLERK OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Sir, in my opening remarks, I made reference to the Standing Orders and if you allow me, I will quote page 51 under Standing Orders Committee Section 150(4), which concerns the House-Keeping Committees of this Assembly which states that:

“The Committee shall examine matters pertaining to the variation of parliamentary procedure, customs and traditions and any matters connected herewith.”

Sir, Part V of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia, as amended by Act No. 18 of 1996, except for Article 79, addresses itself to the subject of the Legislature, which is this wing of Government. I would like to quote Article 62 which states:

“The legislative power of the Republic of Zambia shall vest in Parliament which shall consist of the President and the National Assembly.”

Sir, I chose to raise this point of order knowing very well that I am an hon. Member of the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services. I would like to remind the House and also those listening out there of a reminder which was given to me by yourself in your ruling that came as a result of a point of order which was raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for Shiwang’andu who is also hon. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Stephen Kampyongo, who said:

“Mr Speaker, I thank you for your ruling. I was saying that there are important Committees that you have appointed to help you in discharging your duties here as the Presiding Officer of this important institution. My point of order is centered on two important Committees. One of them is the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services. This is the Committee which helps you maintain the integrity of this important legislative arm of Government. 

Sir, when referring to the time when hon. Members on your left hand side caused disturbances in the House when they were agitating for the release of the Draft Constitution, the hon. Deputy Minister went further to say:

“Sir, the events of yesterday and the day before in the Chamber, as you described them, were unprecedented. Unfortunately, we had hon. Members from this important Committee participating in those disturbances. For the record, I will cite Hon. Nkombo, Hon. Mwiimbu and Hon. Namugala.”

Sir, in your ruling, seemingly in agreement with what Hon. Stephen Kampyongo had said, you stated that:

“Hon. Members, as this House is aware, one of the chief functions of the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services is to assist me whenever appropriate or necessary to inquire into cases of alleged breaches of privileges of the House.”

Sir, one of the privileges of this House enjoyed by hon. Members of this legislative Assembly is to be heard by those whose interests and aspirations they represent. Following that sad issue of selected media houses not being allowed to cover this very auspicious and ceremonial event, the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Dr Joseph Katema, is on record as having stated the following:

“Dr Katema has put the blame on the National Assembly for banning some private media institutions from covering the Official Opening of Parliament last Friday. Dr Katema says the Government has no intentions to regulate the media.

He further stated that Parliament acted independently to stop private media institutions from covering President Michael Sata during the Official Opening of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly.

Meanwhile, correspondence received earlier from the National Assembly indicates that the Zambia News and Information Services, which falls under Dr Katema’s jurisdiction had the final say on who to cover the event.”

  Sir, that is a quotation from a story which was aired during a news bulletin of a certain media house. I will lay a printed version of the story on the Table. His Honour the Vice-President, just yesterday, in his usual …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order on the right!{mospagebreak}

Mr Nkombo: … prudent way, darted out a sincere apology to the media for the incident, which, to me, entails accepting the blame. As a Member of the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services and Whip of my political party, I subscribe to the fact that I need to assist you in ensuring that the Business of this House functions properly. 

 In the face of what happened, Sir, I would like to find out whether Government officials are in order to contradict themselves as to who actually issued the instruction from a department under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to this Assembly which is one of the three wings of Government thereby declaring it subservient to ZANIS. Are the Government officials in order to show inconsistencies? On one hand, His Honour the Vice-President has issued an apology, which we are ready to accept because he is only human and on the other, the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting denied ever having issued an instruction that ZANIS should be the one to accredit whoever must cover the events and proceedings of this House. This is despite us having agreed collectively through the Reforms and Modernisation Committee to bring this House closer to the people of Zambia through such media coverage.

Sir, I need a ruling on this matter.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: My ruling is that I obviously need to study the point of order raised by the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central in order to ensure that I render a measured response to the various issues he has highlighted.

Mr I. Banda: Mr Speaker, when are the Government officials going to meet their Malawian counterparts because the subscribers in those areas spend double on airtime? They spend their airtime when they receive and make phone calls. 

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the meetings have already started through the Southern African Development Community (SADC). However, what is important is that we need to ensure that we work on the network weaknesses. I think that is the first thing we need to address. These include increasing the tower heights and also connecting the towers to the national electricity grid. These are the most important things that we need to address.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, the Minister in answering the question only talked about adjusting the tower heights …

Mr Speaker: The consultations going on, on my left, are rather loud.

Mr Hamudulu: … and, Sir, …

Mr Speaker: Order, I was just trying to secure some silence for you. 

You may continue, please.

Mr Hamudulu: Sir, recently, I was in Zozwe …

Hon. Government Members: Hmmm!

Mr Chitotela: Doing what?

Mr Hamudulu: … in Vubwi Constituency. 

Sir, does the hon. Minister think that only adjusting the tower heights without erecting new towers will solve the problem, especially in an area like Zozwe where I did not see even a short tower.

Mr Muntanga laughed.

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, I hope the hon. Member is appreciating the fact that the process is an on-going one. We cannot do everything at the same time. We are aware that we need to put up some towers in some areas.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Konga (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, the Minister has stated that they will endeavour to increase the height of the towers and connect the towers to the national electricity grid. Is the hon. Minister aware that not all parts of Zambia are connected to the national electricity grid?

The Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Yaluma) (on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, it is true that not the entire Zambia is connected to the grid. The situation as it is right now is such that every station for our towers is connected to satellite power as well as diesel generators. We only do that for contingency measures in an event of a power failure. Our providing higher towers is just to increase the reach so that, at least, they would cover a bigger radius. The gap between the towers is what we must manage. We are working on that. I think the areas Hon. Banda referred to will soon have proper connectivity. The exercise to provide connectivity to the chiefdoms is an on-going one.

I thank you.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, previously, the expansion of telecommunication coverage took into account the needs of a settlement. The current policy takes into account the needs of a chiefdom. In places like Liuwa and most of the Western Province, where there is only one chief per district, what is the Government doing to ‘disadvantage’ us?

Mr Muntanga laughed.

Dr Musokotwane: Sir, under the previous policy, we were going to have towers at Luhola, Siluwe and Liuwa. These are vast places which fall under one chief. 

Dr Kaingu: And there are chiefs there.

Dr Musokotwane: Sir, are the people who stay in such areas not important enough to have their own towers?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, when we started rolling out the communication network we were looking at the needs of the entire country and not specific chiefdoms. When planning for the rural areas, we took account of the population density of the chiefdoms and also the need for the chiefs to have communication facilities. 

Sir, places where there is only one chief for large pieces of land, there are sub-chiefs. We have gone down to reduce the requirement to also cover where indunas and sub-chiefs are.

I thank you.

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister has said that he is paying attention to the variance in the heights of towers in order to address the existing gaps. How is the Minister reconciling what they are doing with the digital migration which is around the corner which will inevitably bring in new technology that will efficiently address the communication problems, especially in the rural areas?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, the only benefit which we shall get from the digital migration is the freeing up of some frequencies which will be picked up for later utilisation. The migration will free up some frequencies which are occupied right now. This will help us to spread the communication network to some other rural areas to be covered with 3G which is prominent here or 2G which was prominent here before 3G came onto the scene. This will also spread the utilisation of the internet.

I thank you.

Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo): Mr Speaker, what plans does the hon. Minister have for new districts like Sikongo, where there is no network?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, Sikongo will be covered. If there is no sub-chief, we will use the criteria that Hon. Dr Musokotwane referred to which focused on settlements. I can assure you that Sikongo will be covered in the next roll out.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chipungu (Rufunsa): Mr Speaker, if my memory serves me right, either at the beginning of this year or sometime last year, …

Prof. Lungwangwa: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Prof. Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order not to clarify the increasingly convergent nature of technology? Mobile communication, television and the internet are all converging. So, there is, increasingly, no separation. This is where we are moving to. Even the technology that the Executive is thinking of ordering is converging. Is the hon. Minister in order not to clarify how the technology referring to mobile communication will be addressed in the gap that has been seen as a problem in the rural areas taking into account the convergent nature of modern technology?

Mr Speaker: I have difficulty qualifying what you are saying as a point of order. Firstly, you are making a statement and, secondly, you are debating. So, I do not think there is anything that the hon. Minister needs to respond to.

The hon. Member for Rufunsa may continue.

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, I was saying that either early this year or end of last year, there was a circular from the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) requesting hon. Members to identify areas that are not covered and make submissions in order to respond to the challenge of going specifically for chiefdoms, which is really disadvantaging us. For instance, in Rufunsa, you have Mpanshya Hospital area with almost 2000 people, but has no network. However, when you go to the Chief, who is alone, you find network. What has happened to that programme?

Laughter

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, we welcome all the means that would help cover the uncovered areas. However, we are also supposed to be mindful of the different types of terrain in the different areas. If the terrain is a valley, we have to elevate it in order to cover it. The same applies to my constituency, where we have Chief Chitimukulu. There is only one tower, but we look for sub chiefs so that we can extend the reach. So, what we are saying is that come and tell us and we will try to come in and give you the service you need. 

Mr Speaker, as for digital migration, it is a requirement which we are supposed to fulfill before the end of the year. Yes, the equipment will have to converge and migrate, otherwise, the analogue system will not function after a certain stage. I thank you Hon. Prof. Lungwangwa.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, the construction of towers is a welcome move. However, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister who is supposed to pay the rentals for a tower that is built on somebody’s land. Is it the Government or the network provider?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, when the Government, through Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), puts up a tower, it will make arrangements to secure the payments for the land being used. If it is the service provider such as MTN, ZAMTEL or Airtel, they make their own arrangements with the land owner on how they are to sort them out. 

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, I just want to find out from the hon. Minister the criteria that is used to allocate these towers because I do not agree with the response he gave to the hon. Member for Liuwa. I will give him an example. Lukulu …

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, do you just want to find out the criteria or lead evidence?

Dr Kalila: Well, I need both, Sir.

Laughter

Dr Kalila: Sir, in Lukulu, there is one chief and several sub chiefs and yet when the initial 169 towers were allocated, it was given zero. How do you explain this anomaly? Was it an oversight or, as Hon. Musokotwane said, the people in Lukulu are not important?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, if my memory serves me right, I think that there was a time when we came in this august House, through your pigeon holes, to show you which chiefs had been covered. If there was an omission of your area, you should have come back and indicate that you were not covered. Nonetheless, we are still open to that information so that we can go ahead and include the omitted areas. The process is ongoing. It is not going to end until we provide this service to the entire Zambia.

I thank you, Sir.

CONSTRUCTION OF DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN RUFUNSA

3. Mr Chipungu asked the Minister of Health:

(a)     when the construction of a district hospital in Rufunsa District would commence;
(b)    what the estimated cost of the project was; and

(c)    whether the site for the hospital had already been identified and, if so, where it was located.

The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Mr Speaker, the Government, through the Ministry of Health, has plans to ensure that all new districts are provided with new first level hospitals in line with the planning guidelines for the establishment of this service. The establishment of a district hospital in Rufunsa District shall be done as soon as funds are made available for the facility. Currently, the district is serviced by St Luke’s Mission Hospital.

Mr Speaker, the estimated cost of construction of a district hospital is K40 million. The actual location has not yet been identified.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chipungu: Mr Speaker, I am hoping that the hon. Deputy Minister is aware of the geographical location of the mission hospital in Rufunsa. In case he is not, since the district is ‘longish’, the mission hospital in the district that he is talking about is at the far end. Therefore, how does he expect those that are on the other end to benefit from the medical facilities that are offered by this hospital?

Mr Speaker: Well, I hope there was a question there.

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I did not hear the question either. However, if he wants me to explain a little more about what I mean by the presence of St Luke’s Mission Hospital, I can do that. 

Sir, in the name of equity, we plant hospitals in various districts depending on the availability of resources. So, there are districts that have no hospital at all and others that may have one hospital albeit at the far end. So, we phase the construction of these hospitals in districts in line with principles of equity.

I thank you, Sir.

SECURITY OPERATIONS IN CHIBOLYA

4. Mr Kapyanga (Kabwe Central) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

(a)    following the security operations in Chibolya Compound in Lusaka in May/June, 2014, what sustainable measures had been taken to ensure the maintenance of law and order in the area; and

(b)    what the cost of the exercise was.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, in order to ensure that law and order is maintained in Chibolya Compound, the following sustainable measures have been put in place:

(i)    a troop of 300 officers from Kamfinsa Mobile Unit was deployed and is still in the compound in order to maintain law and order;

(ii)    the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has continued to conduct sporadic raids  or operations in Chibolya Compound in order to maintain law and order; and

(iii)    the DEC has also trained fifteen peer educators in drug abuse sensitisation. The peer educators are residents of Chibolya Compound who are trained to compliment the efforts of the education and counseling division of the commission.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Member and the entire House may wish to know that before we carried out the major crackdown, we had what we call ‘dipstick’  kind of operations which were stingy in nature because they were targeted certain areas to try and ascertain the extent of the challenges we had in Chibolya. Therefore, the cost component is only focused on the major crackdown which was done on 29th and 30th May, 2014. The breakdown is as follows:

    Description    Quantity    Total (K)

    Fuel        1110 litres    11,877

    Lunch allowance    512 officers    25,600

    Other logistics        100 reflectors        2,600
            Jackets        
            20 torches          400
            40 batteries       1,800
                42,277
            
I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Deputy Minister if there are any measures to extend similar operations to other towns, especially Kabwe where compounds like Katondo and Makulu have experienced a high rate of crime.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, yes indeed, we have a programme to continue with these operations. I am sure that the hon. Member must have seen what we did recently. We had targeted areas in Lusaka and the Copperbelt in Ndola. We wish to continue with these operations funds permitting.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, what were the officers looking for in Chibolya? What did they find? What do they intend to do now?

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I want to inform the hon. Member that the compound we are talking about had become a den for criminal activities such as illicit drug trading. Criminals were also running there to hide. We also had weapons which were being kept by criminals in that area. That is one area that criminals had declared as a ‘no go area’ for other citizens. We had citizens who were living in that area under siege of these criminals for a good number of years. Therefore, we carried out a crackdown because we were looking for all sorts of people who were involved in criminal activities.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Shakafuswa (Katuba): Mr Speaker, I want to find out whether the criminal activities which were being engaged into in Chibolya will continue for a long period in Katuba as well. Cattle rustling in particular has become so rampant in Katuba and police officers are non-existent, which has led to citizens taking the law into their own hands, which is wrong. When are we going to ensure that police work is done when it is supposed to be done instead of waiting for an expensive operation like the one which was conducted in Chibolya?

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member for bringing that information to us, and I want to assure him that we will get to Katuba. We will go for criminals wherever they are, including in churches.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, in most occasions, drug related activities have an economic connotation in these areas where they are conducted, and Chibolya is no exception. That being the case, what socio-economic empowerment programmes has the Government, and not the ministry, put in place to ensure that the people who are engaged in such activities are empowered so that they do not go back to such activities?

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I want to agree with the hon. Member of Parliament. I also want to inform him that what we did initially was to appreciate the source of some of those substances which were found in Chibolya for example, cannabis and dagga. We identified these areas. Before we started the operations, we went to sensitise the people in these areas. It was a tedious exercise. We went and sensitised the people about the dangers of growing cannabis. We have done our part as the Ministry of Home Affairs to secure that place so that other line ministries or other institutions can go in and deal with social programmes. Our job has been done. We know very well that before our operation, it was difficult for other organisations or ministries such as the Ministry of Youth and Sport to go in Chibolya and take programmes there that could have benefited the citizens of Chibolya. We have done our part to secure the place and make it safe for them to go and do their part.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank the Government for the work that it did in Chibolya Compound. We have the issue of karavinas in Mitete …

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: … and the police officers who were stationed there were moved by the ministry. What is the hon. Minister doing about the issue of the karavinas in Mitete?

Mr Speaker: Order!

That is a new question, but I will still give the liberty to the hon. Minister to answer it if that information is at hand.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, despite that being a new question, I will give my dear colleague a bonus answer. His district is one of the newly created districts which is going to benefit from the ministry’s infrastructure development plan. Before the end of this year, we, as a ministry, will move into his district to put up a new police station that will go with ten housing units. We are very concerned about his area and are doing everything possible to ensure that security is maintained.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Lubezhi (Namwala): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the ministry is considering making cattle rustling a non-bailable offence just like car theft.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, your ministry.

Laughter 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I know the hon. Member is concerned about the issue of cattle rustling. As a ministry, we just enforce the laws that are formulated in this Chamber which belongs to. 

I thank you, Sir. 

ELECTRIFICATION OF MASESE CENTRE

5. Dr Kaingu (Mwandi) asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development when Masese Centre in Loanja Ward in Mwandi Parliamentary Constituency would be connected to the national electricity grid considering that the centre is less than 3 km from the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) power line.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, Masese Centre in Loanja Ward in Mwandi Parliamentary Constituency is less than 3 km from the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) power line. According to the Rural Electrification Master Plan, any area in a radius of 5 km from the existing ZESCO distribution power line is considered as an electrified area. Therefore, Masese Centre is considered as an electrified area and the community is encouraged to engage ZESCO’s area office for possible electrification.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I do not seem to understand what the hon. Minister is talking about because there is no power at Masese Centre. How can he say that the centre is electrified? This centre is very old, and some foresters have been trained there. It is also a centre for agriculture related activities. It is a very important centre. Is the hon. Minister saying that the centre does not require power? How can they bring the Patriotic Front (PF) to Mwandi Constituency if those are their answers?

Laughter

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, as Government, we would love that area to be connected because our target is that by 2030, 50 per cent of the rural areas will be connected. I would like to inform Hon. Kaingu that ZESCO has a programme which is called Increased Access to Electricity Services. Let us work together over this issue. I would like to advise the hon. Member to pass through our office for more information. We will, together, consult with ZESCO and see how that place can be connected through that programme in which connection is subsidised.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that any area which is within 5 km radius from the ZESCO power line is considered electrified. How does the ministry intend to inform the communities in those areas that ZESCO can connect them to electricity since they have never been connected to power for years? This includes the areas which are less than 2 km from the ZESCO power lines.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, let me put what I said in another way. There are pockets of households which lie along the ZESCO power lines which are not electrified. The World Bank is currently funding ZESCO’s post connections. These are done for areas near power lines which have pockets of houses which are not connected to power. These are the ones the hon. Member is talking about. Here in Lusaka, post connections are being carried out in Chawama and Kanyama. So, if the same issues apply to the area which Hon. Kaingu is talking about, we will do exactly as we are doing in Lusaka.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, I am amazed to hear that the Government policy says that any place within 5 km to a ZESCO power line is considered to be electrified. 

Interruptions

Dr Musokotwane: I say this because even here in urban areas, connection costs are very expensive and are the responsibility of the people wanting to be connected. The training institute belongs to Government. Is it not the responsibility of the Government, as the owner of the institution, to get money out of its pockets to pay ZESCO and get the place electrified? 

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, the training centre, just like any education facility or clinic, qualifies to be connected. So, it should be connected to electricity through the Rural Electrification Programme.

Sir, I think there are some misunderstandings which have been created. The way issues to do with the electrification of the centre must be handled is different from those relating to commercial plots. For commercial plots, it is the individual owners who can apply to ZESCO for power supply. However, that should not apply to the training centre. 

Mr Speaker, I seriously take note of what Hon. Musokotwane has just said. We are supposed to supply electricity to that institution.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, in ZESCO’s Rural Electrification Programme, there is a non-refundable capital contribution. Can the hon. Minster clarify what this is? Other than what the hon. Member of Parliament for Liuwa said, could that be one of the hindrances to the electrification of this centre?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, the training centre is supposed to be electrified through the Rural Electrification Programme. 

Sir, the capital contribution is non-refundable. 

Mr Mwiimbu: No!

Mr Yaluma: Sir, I want to clarify the capital contribution issue. We do not refund it. What we do refund is the security deposit. 

Mr Speaker, capital contributions apply, for example, if you have an area owned by small farmers who want to bring a feeder supply line to their area. Each of those farm owners would have to contribute to the capital of putting up the required infrastructure. Such a contribution is never refunded. It is your contribution towards bringing the line to your area. If anybody else comes and puts a farm down the line then they will also have to contribute a little towards that asset. The non-refundable capital contribution and security deposit are two different things. I do not know which type contribution the hon. Member was talking about. 

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: I will see you later.

Mr Yaluma: Please do. 

 I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, … 

Dr Kaingu: On a point of order, Sir. 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised. 

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I find the answers from the hon. Minister to be vague and ambiguous. 

Hon. Government Member: Question!

Dr Kaingu: Sir, I do not seem to understand what the official position of the ministry is. The hon. Minister has said that the centre can be electrified by the Rural Electrification Authority while the answer that came from the hon. Deputy Minister indicated that the area was already considered as having been electrified and that it was up to us to engage the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) if we needed any other things to be done. I do not understand what the hon. Minister is saying.

Interruptions 

Hon. Opposition Member: Is he in order?

Dr Kaingu: Sir, is hon. Minister in order not to be clear, not only to me, but also to the people of Mwandi who have asked this question through me? 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, please try and clarify the issues. I must state here that if, for instance, you feel that you would like to come back through me in a more comprehensive fashion, I am available to facilitate that.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, why are members of the public in rural areas being discriminated against pertaining to the connection fee that is applicable? I am aware that people in the urban areas have been allowed to pay K150 to have their households connected. The poorest …

Mr Shakafuswa: In the village. 

Mr Mwiimbu: … of the poor in the rural areas have been denied electricity. Why are our people in the villages who are the majority and are supposed to benefit from the service being discriminated against and not being given the opportunity to benefit from their Government? 

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, the subsidy of K150 is applicable in the rural areas …

Mr Mwiimbu: No!

Interruptions 

Mr Yaluma: Sir, it has been made available through the assistance of the World Bank. If the people from the constituencies of some hon. Members have not had access to the subsidy, they are free to come to the ministry to query us.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, for the sake of clarity, let me state that the non-refundable capital contribution is an amount which somebody who is applying for a new installation has to pay. ZESCO also plays its part by providing the transformer and other relevant materials. 

Mr Yaluma indicated assent.

Mr Shakafuswa: Sir, why should we be subsiding ZESCO when it actually gets the money it invests in infrastructure back through the tariffs we pay every month?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member has added to what I was saying. The non-refundable capital contribution goes to the cost of the asset which is being put up. 

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, I stated that what the hon. Member for Katuba was saying was exactly what I was trying to say. The non-refundable capital contribution goes towards the infrastructure being put up. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, I appreciate the efforts being made by the hon. Minister and his deputy to distribute power across the country. My concern has to do with the operations of the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) in the Western Province.

Sir, what measures will the hon. Minister put in place to enhance ZESCO operations in the Western Province? ZESCO management in the Western Province is working below par. It is not connecting its clients who have paid so much money to it. What is the Government doing to make this company viable? 

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, the Government is putting as much effort as possible to ensure that people are serviced as efficiently as possible. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, I would like further clarification on the non-refundable contributions by customers for putting up of assets which Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) is ultimately going to use to generate revenue. If these assets are going to help ZESCO to generate revenue then why should the customers contribute to their setting up?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, first and foremost, there is nothing for nothing. When you apply for power, ZESCO has to put in place a line and transformer. The transformer remains the property of ZESCO and whenever it develops a fault, the corporation will have to maintain or replace it. Clients never pay anything towards the maintenance or sustenance of the equipment indefinitely. So, why should they be refunded? The customers only contribute to the setting up of the infrastructure. The rest of the contribution comes from ZESCO. The corporation is also responsible for maintaining the equipment. 

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

NAMULUNDU HEALTH CENTRE

6. Ms Kansembe (Lukashya) asked the Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health:
(a)    when Namulundu Health Centre in Lukashya Parliamentary Constituency, constructed using Constituency Development Fund, would be opened to the public; and

(b)    when the Government would take over the running of the facility.

The Deputy Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health (Ms Kazunga): Mr Speaker, the clinic is incomplete. There is also need to ensure that a staff house is provided as well as water supply, office furniture and basic equipment. Water is the biggest priority which the centre cannot operate without. 

Sir, once this clinic is completed, there will be need for the local authority to officially hand it over to the District Community Medical Officer (DCMO).

I thank you, Sir. 

Ms Kansembe: Mr Speaker, the community of Namulundu put in a lot of effort in constructing the clinic. I think that Government must intervene and construct a staff house there. Since, the clinic was constructed within a radius of 1 km or so from the town centre, is it not prudent to make the clinic operational even before that staff house is built? I think in the meantime, the officers that will be deployed there can be coming from the town centre where there is accommodation.

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, we will certainly be able to open the health centre even before we construct the staff houses. The only problem is that the heath centre does not have water at the moment. Basic things such as furniture can be sourced without a problem. We need to sink a borehole so that there is water at that clinic. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, …

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

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, this is the voice of Chadiza.

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: Sir, I rarely stand on points of order. 

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: Whenever I do so, it means that a very serious matter has come up. 

Sir, last sitting in July, I received a letter from the hon. Minister of Health which indicated that that by 15th August, 2014, the construction of health posts in Chadiza would start. On that particular date, I sat under a mango tree the whole day waiting for the people responsible to appear, but they were nowhere to be seen.

 Laughter

Mr Mbewe: Sir, the people of Chadiza want health posts, especially the mothers and the children. Is the hon. Minister of Health who is busy drinking Government water, seated very quietly and looking very innocent in order not to come back to me to indicate that the date had been changed? 

In need your serious ruling, Sir.

Mr Speaker: My ruling is that in order for the hon. Member for Chadiza to get an appropriate response from the hon. Minister of Health on behalf of the people of Chadiza, he should file a question which I will forward to the hon. Minister so that he can supply him with an explanation and, if need be, he should follow it up with questions on behalf of the people of Chadiza.

Mr Mbewe indicated assent.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, may I find out from the hon. Minister whether she is aware that most of the health centres in rural areas have got no water?

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, certain rural and urban health centres are faced with a lot of inadequacies. Considering that the hon. Member is talking about a health centre in his constituency where there is no water, I would like to urge him to work with the community so that, at least, even a borehole is sunk.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, now that the hon. Minister has ably identified that water is critical and is not available at the health centre and therefore, the opening of the health post is impossible, what is she going to do to facilitate the sinking of the borehole so that the community there can start accessing the health facility?

The Vice-President (Dr Scott) (on behalf of the Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health(Mrs Kabanshi): Mr Speaker, if the question is examined carefully, it would be seen to be referring to a health centre in Lukashya Parliamentary Constituency, which was constructed using Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which is a fund attached to the constituency, supervised by the local authority and administered by the CDF Committee which, in a normal sense, the questioner is a part of. The answer of what the hon. Minister, who is not the owner of this, if you like, project has to do with looking for water and so on and so forth is very unclear. If the funds were not adequate, the whole job should have been an agreement to be struck between the CDF Committee or the local authority and the ministry for the remaining works. As it is now, we are standing in front of the whole House of Parliament and negotiating the details of who is supposed to fund the provision of water at the health centre. That is very unreasonable.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is a Government fund which is administered by the council. When hon. Members use the CDF to construct schools and clinics, they do it in conjunction with the district health and education officials. Are the Government officials not supposed to actually plan how they are going to eventually take over the running of such facilities? The CDF cannot take a doctor or nurse to a clinic. It is the Ministry of Health that is responsible for that. When is the Ministry of Health going to take up such responsibilities so as to ensure the service delivery, which the hon. Member of Parliament wants, in her constituency is availed? 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the answer given was very clear right in the beginning. The operations at the clinic will only begin when there is water supply of whatever sort in store.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Mazoka (Pemba): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from His Honour the Vice-President who is supposed to bring water to the health centre. Is it the hon. Member of Parliament in her personal capacity or the Government?

The Vice-President: Sir, clearly, the community, through the CDF, undertook the construction of the clinic which it will hand over to the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health in due course. There is a mismatch between the funds which are required to finish the construction works and what was initially allocated to the project. Right now, we are trying to negotiate how water can be supplied to one clinic in the House. I feel that the key stakeholders should get together and find a way of sorting out the problem.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Laughter

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, can we be guided. Assuming the health facility is handed over to the Government in its state, will the Ministry of Health provide water to it?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member is asking me to get outside my territory completely.

Laughter{mospagebreak}

The Vice-President: Sir, he is asking me to make commitments on behalf of the Ministry of Health with no notice or background briefing. So, I think I cannot answer that question. It just seems too elementary on one hand, and too surprising on the other.

I thank you, Sir.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, His Honour the Vice-President seems to have indicated that we are discussing only one clinic …

Ms Lubezhi: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Ms Lubezhi: Mr Speaker, is His Honour the Vice-President in order to refuse to answer the question by the hon. Member of Parliament for Katombola when he committed himself to answer questions on behalf of the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health? 

Mr Speaker: Well, I do not think the word ‘refuse’ is an apt description of the response by His Honour the Vice-President. I think the lamentation by His Honour the Vice-President is that this issue seems to involve more than one ministry. It goes beyond the ministry that is responding to this particular question. In my sense of the discourse, if I may call it so, it seems to be going round in circles. I just hope that, sooner than later, His Honour the Vice-President can bring some closure to this by, of course, speaking on behalf of the Ministries of Community Development, Mother and Child Health and Health and indicating the direction the matter will take.

May the hon. Member of Parliament for Mumbwa continue. 

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, I am baffled because before the CDF is utilized, after a community identifies a need, what it requires is submitted to the District Development Co-ordinating Committee (DDCC) where experts in health, education and so on verify whether there is duplication in the request by the community. Once a conclusion is arrived at, the decision is passed on to the council. At the time the funding of a project is approved, all the relevant ministries are consulted. How come in this case, His Honour the Vice-President does not seem to be sure on which ministry is supposed to handle the issue? Why is that so? The hon. Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health has indicated that water is a requirement for the clinic to become operational. Surely, having given a go-ahead to this project, the ministry should have made a provision for this facility to be functional. Surely, that is not rocket science.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the provision for water for the clinic should have been made available by the CDF Committee or the local authority because, as explained by my friend from the other side there, the owner of Shaka’s Kraal …

Laughter 

Mr Speaker: No, he is the hon. Member of Parliament for Katuba.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: I think that is the designation this office recognises and not what is owned by the hon. Member.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, public funding, particularly the CDF, is being administered at local level.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

We have to get the response from His Honour the Vice-President.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, this matter could have been easily sorted out, but there has been some oversight somewhere perhaps. We could have sorted it out even at Shaka’s Kraal, …

Laughter

The Vice-President: … but will not do that because we would rather do it in my office.

I thank you, Sir.

 Hon. Members rose up.

Mr Speaker: We need to make progress. We have dwelt on this issue far too long. Next question.

FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON TOBACCO CONTROL

7.  Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo asked the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock:

(a)    when the Government would ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), having been instrumental in its formulation;

(b)    whether the Government had any plans to substitute the growing of tobacco with other cash crops and, if so, what the plans were; and

(c)    if there were no plans, why.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mr Monde): Mr Speaker, the Government of the Republic of Zambia acceded to the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on 23rd May, 2008.

Sir, the Government is encouraging crop diversification and the production of other cash crops such as soya beans, cotton, rice, sunflower and wheat. However, tobacco still remains an important cash crop for a number of farmers. Therefore, it will take some time for farmers to completely switch from tobacco growing to other crops.

Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to promote the growing of other cash crops as indicated in part (b) of the question. The livelihood of our people and local communities will be given priority as the Government looks for alternative crops which should be of equal economic importance like tobacco.

I thank you, Sir.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, there is a provision in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Protocol to assist the area of crop diversification. Will the hon. Minister consider applying for these funds in order to accelerate the diversification process thereby minimising the consumption of tobacco either directly or indirectly?

The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mr Simuusa): Mr Speaker, as a ministry, and I think I mentioned this sometime back on the Floor of this House in reference to this same subject, we are seriously looking at ways of sorting out the situation.

Mr Speaker, in response to the last question, the Government already has a policy on crop diversification which it has started implementing. Unfortunately, we have not actively looked at the provision in the FCTC which can help us to establish whether the Government can get assistance with regard to diversification. As a Government, we have got our own resources which we can use for the diversification programme. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Ms Lubezhi: Mr Speaker, the ministry encourages farmers to go into tobacco farming and yet fails to find market for these farmers, as was the case this year. Why does it do that?

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member should be very factual when she says that we have failed to find a market for the tobacco farmers. As I speak, some merchants are purchasing the tobacco. I have a report in my office, which the hon. Member is free to read, showing all the transactions that are going on in the tobacco industry.  

Mr Speaker, all the sponsored farmers were cleared with regard to payments. We are currently clearing the independent farmers. This is what is happening. Thus, there has been no failure on the part of the Government to find a market for tobacco farmers.  

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, concerning the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), has the ministry made arrangements to be present at the meeting later this year in Russia? I know that the former Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Hon. Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo, signed an agreement on this framework without considering what happens at home.

Laughter 

Mr Muntanga: This Question which he has put is important for consideration. 

Laughter 

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised. 

 Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order. Is the hon. Member of Parliament for Kalomo Central in order to insinuate that this hon. Member of Parliament for Mumbwa signed an agreement without due regard to the welfare of this country, either economically or socially? 

Laughter 

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: Is he in order, surely, to imply that blindfoldedly, this gentleman …
 
Laughter 

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: … undertook to commit this very serious Government to such an adventure? Is he in order? I need your serious ruling. 

Mr Speaker: My ruling is that the hon. Member for Kalomo Central was not in order to the extent that he referred to the hon. Member for Mumbwa in his personal capacity. He probably did sign the document on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zambia and I do not think that it is fair and proper to credit or discredit the wisdom or otherwise of that action to the hon. Member for Mumbwa. I would like to believe that he signed, if at all, in a representative capacity bearing in mind the principle of collective responsibility. So we cannot attribute the wisdom or otherwise of that agreement to him individually.

Hon. Member for Kalomo Central, you may continue.  

Mr Muntanga: I thank you, Sir, for your guidance.  

Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock whether he has made arrangements to attend the important meeting in Russia. Ministries of Health in other growing African countries do attend these meetings and make decisions on behalf of their countries. Malawi and Zimbabwe did not sign this agreement, but Zambia did and this is why there is this Question on the FCTC and when it will be ratified. 

As the hon. Minister responds to this question from the hon. Member for Mumbwa, can he state whether Zambia is ready to attend the meeting in Russia so as to convey the views of Zambia. 

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, Hon. Muntanga has raised a very important aspect regarding the issues surrounding the convention. This simply demonstrates the effort we are making in balancing the issue where, on one hand, we are talking about controlling tobacco under the Ministry of Health and, on the other hand, as Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, we are looking at growing the crop. 

I will engage my colleague shortly to make sure that we balance that delegation. 

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear!

Mr Simuusa: Sir, I can report that at the moment, there are more health officials as delegates. This has just come to my attention. I will be sitting down with my colleague so that we balance that delegation to the convention. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, there are companies in this world that make alcohol, a beverage that destroys people, especially the youth, but no one has asked them to stop producing it. There are companies that produce chemicals that are used in the mass destruction of people in wars, but no one has asked them to stop production. There are companies that produce guns, aeroplanes and ships that destroy millions and thousands of people.

Mr Lubinda: Millions and thousands? 

Dr Musokotwane: Yes, Sir. Thousands and millions of people. It is one and the same. There are companies that produce cars which are killing young people in accidents, but no one has asked them to stop production. Why we are being asked to stop growing tobacco when we can make money from it? Why is the hon. Minister even entertaining these thoughts?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, Hear!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I hope that we are not debating as farmers. Hon. Minister, you may respond. 

Laughter 

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, like I said, the principal Question has highlighted the pertinent issues on the convention. One thing that I can promise is that as the delegation comes back from Russia, we will generate a report which will be of interest to the hon. Members and, maybe, even a statement which can be questioned and debated because these are issues which touch the very core of our sector and the way we want to govern ourselves. I would like to make that assurance. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Antonio (Kaoma Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister how the ministry failed to protect our tobacco farmers by paying them very little for their tobacco, resulting in most of them contemplating abandoning tobacco farming. 

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, I dealt with this issue extensively in the last Session. The assertion made by the hon. Member is not correct. The real issue is on the classification of tobacco with regards to quality. The prices are okay. 

Sir, we need the farmer, the merchant and the Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) …

Mr Muntanga: Yes!

Mr Simuusa: … to be present when this tobacco is being graded so that the correct price …

Mr Muntanga: Yes!

M r Speaker: Hon. Member for Kalomo Central, I understand your passion …

Laughter 

Mr Speaker: … for this subject but, please, allow the hon. Minister to respond. 

Mr Simuusa: Sir, the correct quality and grade should be sold at the appropriate price.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, going by the question asked by the hon. Member for Liuwa, is the hon. Minister in a position to tell us what Zambia’s position is, as he goes to attend this convention, regarding whether we are going ahead with the growing of tobacco or we would want to stop?

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, as I alluded to earlier on, we have acceded to this convention as a country. However, as far as I know, we have not yet domesticated it. This means that we have not yet brought its regulations into effect in the country. Therefore, as we go to the convention, those are the issues that we will discuss even among ourselves.

Mr Speaker, as I said, I am going to encourage debate on this issue so as to see how we are thinking as a nation. 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

UPGRADING OF THE MPOROKOSO/NSAMA/NSUMBU VIA KAPUTA ROAD

8. Mr Chansa (Chimbamilonga) asked the Minister of Transport, Works and Supply and Communication when the Mporokoso/Nsama/Nsumbu via Kaputa Road would be upgraded to bituminous standard.

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Road Development Agency (RDA) is currently carrying out a feasibility study and detailed engineering designs as well as preparing tender documents for the upgrading of the Mporokoso/Kaputa via Mutundu Gate (D37/D40) (215 km) and the Mutundu Gate to Nsumbu Road (36 km). This services contract was awarded to SMEC International Consulting Engineers at a contract sum of K9,883,762.44. The services commenced on 10th August, 2013 and are expected to end on 10th November, 2014. It is expected that the procurement process for the engagement of a contractor will commence in 2015.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chansa: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister if there are any immediate plans for the road because if the Government does not work on it soon, it will be impassable during the rainy season.

 Mr Speaker: Order!

 I do not know whether that is a question or not.

Laughter

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: I am sure the hon. Member would like to find out whether the road will be maintained through routine maintenance.

Mr Speaker, actually, we are actually carrying out an assessment through the Rural Roads Unit (RRU) for the whole province in order to see whether there is a need for the agency to work on the bad areas on most of the roads in the area.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, knowing that this is a very important road to that part of the country, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when he thinks the road works will begin in 2015. The people of Kaputa have been waiting for the works since 2011. Unfortunately, we are still in Phase I when we are in 2015.

 Mr Speaker: Order!

 We are in 2014.

Laughter

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, it is a very difficult for me to state exactly when the long procurement process will be completed. What is important is for us to get done with the feasibility studies. So, when they finish with the feasibility study somewhere in November, then, the procurement process will commence and, maybe, by the end of 2015, the time when the contractor will move on site will be known.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, the maintenance of inter-district roads is very critical, especially that we are now going into the rainy season. Roads like Luwingu, Nsombo, Chaba, Chilubi and the road in question are very important economic roads. The hon. Minister mentioned something to do with the RRU. What is the ministry doing to ensure that the Rural Roads Unit (RRU) is equal to the task of providing hold and maintenance services for our roads?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the Government is trying to find money so that it can buy more equipment for the RRU so that it can maintain more rural roads. The biggest problem we have is that we do not have enough equipment, hence the problems that the RRU is facing, especially with regard to the movement of the equipment.

 Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mucheleka (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, we were told the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project is in various phases. My understanding is that the roads which were scheduled to be worked on under Phase I have already been attended to. Therefore, it is very important for the hon. Minister to indicate the phase under which the works on this important road are. Is it under Phase II or III? I would like to sympathise with the hon. Members for Chimbamilonga and Kaputa who made a promise to the people that if this road is not done, they would not even go back to their constituencies.

Laughter

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the good thing is that my hon. Colleagues for Chimbamilonga and Kaputa will go to back Chimbamilonga and Kaputa because we are going to work on this road under Phase III of our road works programme.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

CONSTRUCTION OF NAKANYAA AND NALWEI SECONDARY SCHOOLS

9. Prof. Lungwangwa asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a)    what had caused the delay in completing the construction of Nakanyaa and Nalewi Secondary Schools in Nalikwanda Parliamentary Constituency;

(b)    when the constructing of the two schools would be completed and the schools opened ; and

(c)    what measures the Government had taken to ensure that two schools were completed on time.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the delay in completing the construction of Nakanyaa Secondary School in Nalikwanda Parliamentary Constituency was caused by budgetary constraints and logistical problems due to the poor state of the road to Nakanyaa.

Mr Speaker, the delayed completion of Nalwei Secondary School, which was to be constructed under the community mode, was due to the lack of community contribution in terms of upfront materials. However, progress has since been made on the construction of that school and only minor works, such as painting, are remaining.

Sir, works on the Nalikwanda Secondary School are scheduled for completion in 2015, and as such, we expect to open it in the second term of 2015 while Nalwei is operational with Grade 8 and 9 classes being underway. This is, of course, taking into account what I said that minor works are going on at Nalwei Secondary School. In terms of the measures for the completion of the two schools, for Nakanyaa, in the short term, in 2014, the contractor has been paid more than K3 million to speed up the remaining construction works. In the long term, funds will be allocated in the 2015 Annual Work Plan to complete the two projects.

I thank you, Sir.

Prof. Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, Nalwei Secondary School has not been opened. There are no pupils who are learning there. I am surprised that the hon. Deputy Minister can stand on the Floor of this House to give this House an incorrect answer with regard to Nalwei Secondary School. Could the hon. Minister give the people of Nalikwanda the correct position with regard to Nalwei Secondary School instead of creating a false picture.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, if the statement that I have given, in terms of Nalwei Secondary School is incorrect, then it is regrettable. However, the information which is on the ground is that we have got Grade 8 and 9 classes at the school. In order for me to give a measured answer, I think it would be appropriate for me to get back to the hon. Member after I have carried out my investigations.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: That is a most appropriate response.

Hon. Opposition Member: Hear, hear!

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, three years after the Patriotic Front (PF) has been in office, nothing has been done at Nakanyaa. At Libonda High School, it is the same story. There is not even an extra brick that has been laid. It has been three years since the PF formed Government, but Sikongo, Mangango, Lukulu and Chavuma all have nothing. 

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Let us have order!

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, while nothing is happening in these places that I have mentioned, in the last sitting of Parliament, we were hearing people saying come and see the development that is taking place in our areas. So, are they deliberately discriminating against us or what?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, we are not discriminating against any part of Zambia. In fact, if I look at the examples that Hon. Dr Musokotwane has given, for example on Libonda High School, we had administrative issues to do with the land. I want to report to him, just like I reported to the hon. Minister that I went to Libonda two months ago and we have since allocated some funds for works to the school. If you look at Nakanyaa, you will notice that almost ninety per cent of the works at that school have been completed. Of course, we did not find the works at that stage. In July this year, we paid almost K3 million to the contractor. Mayukwayukwa School in Mangango Constituency has been opened. When we inherited some of the projects, the budget at that time was only K150 million. However, since we came into power, as the Patriotic Front (PF), the budget has gone up as can be seen in the 2014 Budget which is almost K500 million. In July alone, we paid almost K260 million to various contractors.

Sir, that goes to demonstrate that the PF Government is committed to completing these projects. Even when you look at the President’s Speech, which was delivered to this House on Friday, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Mabumba: … you will notice that the President stated that 49 per cent, …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Mabumba: … of the schools have been worked on and that, 41 per cent of the eighty four projects are operational. So, hon. Members, surely, with those statistics, would you not say that as the PF Government, we are committed to completing our projects?

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, of course, we have faced a number of logistical problems with regard to the completion of the works, but our commitment, especially as we go into 2015, is to complete these projects and hand them over to the communities. So, colleagues, when you petition us, we appreciate that we need to have a multi-sectoral approach to monitoring these projects. So, if you come and tell me of any problems, we will go and address them in your area.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, the fiscal year is just about to end, and soon, we shall be listening to the hon. Minister of Finance, who is going to unroll his Budget Speech for the coming fiscal year. I would like to know how possible it is for the hon. Minister to prepare a summary of the status report with regard to the projects so that hon. Members can know, in no uncertain terms, what exactly the Patriotic Front (PF) is claiming to have done. This is considering the fact that the hon. Minister prudently indicated to the hon. Member of Parliament for Nalikwanda that he would like to go back and double-check the status of Nalwei Secondary School just in case he has more reports that may be conflicting with what is on the ground.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, before we went on recess, hon. Members were asking for the Infrastructure Development Plan for the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education.

Sir, we have provided them with the Infrastructure Development Plan for the year 2014, and projections of when the projects would be completed. However, if that was not enough, probably, we can put the status report for the projects in the hon. Members’ pigeonholes.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: I would urge you to do so.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, if I heard the President correctly on Friday, he did mention that we had a chancellor for the University of Senanga in the name of Hon. Wina and she stood up. As a result of that announcement, there is anxiety in Hon. Prof. Lungwangwa’s Constituency amongst the students who want to go to that university which has been opened where Hon. Wina is chancellor.

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether there is now an assurance that those students of Nalwei Secondary School, which we are being told is partially operational, will be able to access the university when according to Hon. Prof. Lungwangwa, the school is not operational yet.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, I think the President was referring to a school of nursing.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Speaker: Order!

We cannot proceed this way.

Mr Mabumba: The President was referring to a school of nursing. I would not want to comment further on this issue because the school falls under the care of the Ministry of Health.

I thank you, Sir.

CONSTRUCTION OF BUS STATION IN KAPIRI MPOSHI

10. Mr Musonda (Kapiri Mposhi) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a)    when the Government would construct a bus station in Kapiri Mposhi; and

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

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Kufuna): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to construct bus stations in all the districts including Kapiri Mposhi. However, these are high capital projects which are subject to the availability of funds. Therefore, the estimated cost of the project will be known once the council submits the request for funding which will contain, among other things, a priced bill of quantities.

I thank you, Sir.

SET-TOP BOXES

11. Mrs Mazoka asked the Minister of Information and Broadcasting:

(a)    whether the Government had started importing set-top boxes (STBs) in readiness for digital migration set for 2015;

(b)    if so, which Government department was carrying out the task;

(c)    how much money had been spent on procuring the STBs to-date; and

(d)    whether the STBs would be sold to the public at subsidised prices.

The Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting (Mr Njeulu): Mr Speaker, the sale and distribution of the set-top boxes (STBs) for now will not be undertaken by the Government because it is a business opportunity for Zambians to engage in as one of the benefits of digital migration. To this end, the Government, through the Zambia Bureau of Standard (ZABS) and Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), developed type approval standards for the STBs. The standards will help would-be STB dealers get certified and provide the right STBs to the consumers. In view of this, the Government is not involved in the importation of STBs since the idea is to provide business opportunities for Zambians to venture into the supply and distribution of STBs, provided they meet the requirements prescribed by ZICTA and ZABS. To date, no money has been spent on the procurement of STBs.

Sir, the Government has committed itself to ensure that the cost of STBs will be affordable to citizens. This will not be done through subsidising the cost of STBs. However, the Government through the approved Digital Migration Policy, has put measures in place to ensure that the availability and affordability of the STBs will be effected through providing incentives with regard to the importation and manufacturing of the STBs. The Government is still consulting stakeholders on the incentives. It is anticipated that at an appropriate time, these tax and non-tax incentives will be announced by the relevant arm of Government.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Pande (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has stated that the Government is still consulting on what incentives will be given. We are only three months away from going into 2015. When do we expect this programme to be finalised so that these STBs are in the country before 2015?

The Minister of Information and Broadcasting (Dr Katema): Mr Speaker, the deadline for digital migration is 17th June, 2015. We are consulting on the incentives to be provided. When the incentives are agreed upon by all stakeholders, including the hon. Member who is asking, we are going to make an announcement.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Matafwali (Bangweulu): Mr Speaker, we are reliably told that with the advent of the digital mode of broadcasting, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) is going to be in a position to run eight channels at a ago. Is the ministry considering allocating one particular channel for parliamentary business as is the case in most countries surrounding us?

Dr Katema: Mr Speaker, that is one of the advantages of digital migration that will accrue to the nation. As a matter of fact, the challenge the ZNBC is going to face is that it will have to look for content to put on those extra channels. So, this will be an opportunity for all relevant radio and television stations as well as other entities to have channels for themselves on the national broadcaster. So, yes, there will be an opportunity for Parliament to allow the ZNBC to have a channel for proceedings of this House.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Prof. Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, digital migration is a very important leap forward in communication transformation. I heard the hon. Minister say that there is an approved Digital Migration Policy. Is he in a position to avail that policy to us so that we are informed of what it contains and how it is going to impact on communication development in the country?

Dr Katema: Mr Speaker, yes, that is possible if you allow us to do so.

Mr Speaker: Let it be done.

Laughter 

Mr Hamudulu: Sir, digital migration is a very important undertaking …

Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Muntanga: I am sorry, Mr Speaker. You tell us to normally raise points of order immediately or contemporaneous with the subject under discussion but, unfortunately, I was not here on Friday. When a question was posed to the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education about a certain university which the President is alleged to have talked about in his Address, he said that what the President referred to was a nursing school. Therefore, I started wondering what was going on because it appears there is something that is not correct. So, I called for the verbatim of the President’s remarks on the same matter and if you allow me, I will read a part of his Address. His Excellency President Sata said: 

“Mr Speaker, to mitigate the shortage of skilled health personnel, the Government has been rehabilitating and constructing training institutions. To this effect, two new training institutions are under construction, that is, the Senanga and Lusaka at Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital. For this one in Senanga, we have to teach people the Lozi language. They must be able to say, eni sha. Yes, sir/madam, and the chancellor will be Hon. Mrs Wina. When she is in Senanga she really walks like a typical Lozi woman. Have you seen the way she is looking today? Mrs Wina can you stand up? So if you want to take your children to Senanga University you must be nice to Hon. Mrs Wina.” 

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, I would like to know the correct position. Contrary to what the President said, the hon. Minister says that what is being built is a training school for nurses in Senanga. Is it in order for the information in the Daily Hansard to be so different to what is being said by the hon. Minister?

Mr Speaker: I think you have rightly indicated from the outset that I normally insist that points of order are raised immediately an issue is noticed. I do appreciate the fact that you needed to have recourse to the transcript proceedings because you were not available last week on Friday. I still think if you still want to seek clarification on this subject, the doors are not closed. You can actually put a question which will be referred to the appropriate ministry so that you get an appropriate response. I think that will put the matter to rest. 

In the meantime, we have actually migrated to another ministry dealing with issues of digital migration. I would feel very constrained that at this juncture, we revert. I think file in a specific question so that you get a very clear answer about the subject matter. You have the material before you anyway. It will give an opportunity for your colleagues on the right to make an informed response. 

That is my ruling.

Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, I was just saying that this undertaking of digital migration is very important and a welcome move. Prior to the final switch over, there will be a period of testing the equipment which will be procured. At the rate at which we are going, how confident is the hon. Minister that we are going to beat the set deadline?

Dr Katema: Mr Speaker, we are very confident that we will beat the set deadline.

I thank you.

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister in his response alluded to the fact that they are still negotiating with stakeholders with regard to incentives. The deadline is next year in June. 

Sir, when asking my question, I am taking into account the points that digital migration is not a new subject and that within the next few weeks, the hon. Minister of Finance will present the National Budget. Can the hon. Minister share with the House what kind of incentives he is talking about and how they will be captured in the Budget which will be out very soon.

Dr Katema: Mr Speaker, it is a punishable offence to start debating the Budget which will be proposed to the hon. Members before it is presented on the Floor of this House. We cannot debate a budget which has not been presented to this House by the Minister of Finance. Such questions can be asked after the hon. Minister of Finance has presented the Budget to this House.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the hon. Minister where he draws his confidence from, given the fact that both the procurement and testing of the equipment have not been done. 

Dr Katema: Mr Speaker, as it has already rightly been pointed out, discussions about digital migration have not started now. The bulk of the optic fibre which will be used has already been put in place. The first phase of digital migration has already been approved. A company to implement the first phase of the digital migration process has been identified and a part payment has been made to it. Almost all the equipment which is being used by the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) is digital. This means that once we decide to switch off from the analog to the digital system, we are not going to need new machinery. So, the machinery is in place in Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe and in most all the other places. We can comfortably say that we shall beat the deadline because a bulk of the work has already been carried out.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I am aware that when the Government speaks on this Floor of the House, its gives Government assurances. I have heard the hon. Minister talk about the optic fibre as having been laid throughout the country, which is actually not the position. The optic fibre has only been laid out along the line of rail. In most of the rural areas that has not been done. Further, the contract pertaining to digital migration has been shrouded in controversy. We heard of it being awarded and then cancelled at some point. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether he is confident that come June 2015, …

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

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to rise on a serious point of order. Is the hon. Member of Parliament in order to insinuate that the fibre optic …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Sikazwe: … has only been laid out along the railway line when it is even in Mpulungu and Kawambwa? 

I need your serious ruling.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: The problem with that point of order is that you are now actually debating the issue. Let the hon. Member for Monze Central complete his question. Once he completes the question, the hon. Minister will respond. The hon. Minister’s portfolio, in as far as this question is concerned, covers the whole country and I think he can speak for himself. He will speak for himself as he responds. If he needs assistance, I am sure he will probably, if need be, come back to you, somehow. For now, he will respond himself.

The hon. Member for Monze Central may continue.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I thank you for your protection. 

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has informed the nation that all the equipment has been installed in the country to ensure that we digitally migrate. Considering that there was controversy pertaining to the contract for digital migration whereby a contract was given then cancelled, allegations of corruption were made, re-tendering was done and eventually, the contract was given to another Chinese company, I would like to find out who has installed this equipment since the contract has just been recently awarded.

Dr Katema: Mr Speaker, I mentioned that a bulk of the work has already been done. Transmitters have been imported and installed. We do not need to go back and buy those. We  have put up transmitters here in Lusaka and along the line of rail. Those transmitters are digitally ready. Those are some of the works from which we are drawing confidence that we are on track and are going to beat the target.

Dr Katema paused.

Laughter

Ms Kalima: Are we okay? Tulifye bwino?

Mr Speaker: He is still responding.

Laughter

Dr Katema: Sir, it is a pity the hon. Member who is a lawyer who is supposed to say the truth and nothing else has started to draw words from the mouth which I did not utter.

Mr Speaker, the company which got the contract … 

Mr Speaker: Order!

Can we have order on the left, please. He is responding.

Dr Katema: … was announced in the press. It is the Star Times of China. It is the one that is going to do the first phase of the digital migration.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

GARBAGE COLLECTION IN MUFULIRA

12. Mr Chabala (Kankoyo) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a)    how much money the Ministry disbursed to Mufulira Municipal Council for garbage collection from 2011 to 2014, year by year; and 

(b)    whether the ministry had any plans to increase the allocation in 2015.
    
Mr Kufuna: Mr Speaker, in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, no funds for refuse collection were disbursed to Mufulira. However, in 2013, the ministry procured four skip containers and twenty-five wheelie bins for Mufulira valued at a total sum of K98,000. In 2014, no funds will be disbursed for refuse collection to Mufulira as this was not provided for under the 2014 Budget.

Mr Speaker, the ministry has plans to increase the budget allocation for the year 2015. However, this is dependent on the availability of funds in the Budget.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Mr Speaker, we have learnt that there was no money released for refuse collection to Kankoyo in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 except for support in terms of purchasing equipment in the name of skip containers. In answering part (b) of the question, the hon. Deputy Minister indicated that the ministry is considering increasing the allocation. Should we read that to mean that the Government is considering establishing a refuse collection fund to be given to all councils or is the answer in respect of increasing the grants to all councils which grants shall be utilised by councils as they see it fit?

The Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Chenda): Mr Speaker, we are aware that councils do not have the capacity to purchase equipment for solid waste management. In this regard, the Government intervened by buying equipment which it is still struggling to pay for. However, depending on how much money will be allocated, we intend to increase the allocations so that we can spread this intervention countrywide. You all agree with me that some major councils were actually assisted through the procurement of compact trucks, refuse bins and other equipment so that we can be on top of things in dealing with the issues of solid waste management.

I thank you, Sir.
    
KASEMPA AIRSTRIP

13. Mr Pande asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)    when the rehabilitation of the Kasempa Airstrip would commence;

(b)    what the time frame for the completion of the project was;

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

(d)    whether the road to the airstrip would be tarred and, if so, when.

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, we intend to include the rehabilitation of Kasempa Airstrip in the 2016 Budget. 

Sir, the time frame for completion of the project shall only be determined after the preparation of the designs and contract documents has been finalised. The cost estimate will also be known after the design has been completed. Once the designs and contract documents are ready, it will then be known whether and when the road to the airstrip shall be upgraded to bituminous standard.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, if we leave the airstrip in its current state up to 2016, it will have to be reconstructed. Is the Government ready to do that? It will spend more money than it is supposed to spend if it does not rehabilitate the airstrip now.

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker, we will send our people to go and see the state of the airstrip. As for the full rehabilitation, we have not budgeted for it and intend to include that cost in the 2016 Budget.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, I recall that this is the same airstrip that almost killed Hon. Dr Musokotwane, Hon. Mulongoti and Hon. Dr Kaingu. Is it not possible to treat this airstrip as a priority by doing the repairs on it in 2015 for our people in Kasempa as well as the entire North-Western Province, instead of leaving everything to 2016?

Mr Speaker: Order!

The hon. Minister said that he will send people there to make an assessment so that they can see what remedial measures could be carried out immediately. Therefore, I think that we will be repeating ourselves on this question.

The hon. Member for Liuwa may ask his question.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, let me rephrase the question asked by the previous hon. Member. I have to declare interest in the question because I almost died in Kasempa. The Kaondes are not nice people. 

Hon. Government Members: Ah!

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, it is just that we had to be tough and survive. If I have to save the Kaondes, my question is: Can we have this airstrip worked on this year and not in 2015?

Mr Speaker: Order!

My response to that question is identical to what I had said in response to the hon. Member for Lubansenshi. Give the official from the ministry an opportunity to get there, and let me say that beyond our business here, please, engage each other. It is very important to do so. That is my counsel.

Hon. Member for Zambezi East you may ask your question.

Ms Sayifwanda (Zambezi East): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister talked about sending a group to assess the airstrip. When will this be done?

Mr Mwimba H. Malama: Mr Speaker. It will be done soon. That is, before the end of this year. 

Mr Speaker, I have clearly stated that the cost for working on the airstrip will be included in the 2016 Budget. Working on this airstrip is as difficult for us as it was for our colleagues who were in power who almost died and never worked on it …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Minister, take a seat. I think that I have moved the process further already. I think that it is time to move to the next question.{mospagebreak}

EDUCATION FACILITIES IN BWACHA CONSTITUENCY

14. Mr Mushanga (Bwacha) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a)    when Naambe Primary School in Bwacha Parliamentary Constituency would be upgraded to a secondary school; and 

(b)    when a boarding secondary school would be constructed for the Kalwelwe, Chinyanja, Haamududu, Kasavasa, Munyama and Kang’ombe catchment areas.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr P. Ngoma): Mr Speaker, consultations between stakeholders are being made to consider upgrading Naambe Primary School into a day secondary School in the near future.

Mr Speaker, the Government is considering upgrading Munyama Primary School, which is centrally located into a day secondary school in the next phase to cater for Kalwelwe, Chinyanja, Haamududu, Kasavasa, and Munyama catchment areas. However, the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) with the help of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) may consider constructing weekly boarding facilities to accommodate pupils from far-flung areas.

I thank you, Sir.

CHEPESHI/SHIMUMBI FEEDER ROAD

15. Mr Mucheleka asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a)    what the name of the contractor for the Chepeshi/Shimumbi Feeder Road in Luwingu District was;

(b)    what the cost of the project was;

(c)    how much money had been paid to the contractor as of 31st August, 2014;

(d)    what had caused the delay in completing the project; and

(e)    when the project would be completed.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Tembo): Mr Speaker, the names of the contractor for the Chepeshi/Shimumbi Feeder Roads in Luwingu District are: Mkaka Construction Company and Infasim Construction and General Supplies who are working as a joint venture.

Mr Speaker, the total contract sum for this project is K26,108,525.

Mr Speaker, the money paid out to the contractor as at August 31st, 2014, was K6,454,896.

Mr Speaker, the delay in the completion of the project has been caused by the following reasons:

(i)    adverse weather conditions during the rainy season could not allow the works to proceed;

(ii)    increased scope of work; and

(iii)    delayed payment.

Mr Speaker, the works are scheduled to be completed by December, 2014.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the answer given by the hon. Minister. Luwingu District is in Ecological Zone III. It is a very high rainfall area. Given that only K6,454,896 million has been paid, leaving a balance of almost K20 million, how will the contractors be able to complete the road in the remaining few months? It will start raining heavily in Luwingu District in the next six weeks.

Mr Tembo: Mr Speaker, I have already indicated that there were challenges which were being faced and that is the reason why the contract could not be completed on time. In view of this, we still foresee the same challenges occurring. We will extend the contract to some date next year. 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

CONSTRUCTION OF PRISONS IN MUCHINGA PROVINCE 

16.    Mr Sichula (Nakonde) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

(a)    when a prison would be constructed in Nakonde District; and 

(b)    whether the Government had any plans to construct a prison for female in-mates in Muchinga Province. 

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Chilangwa): Mr Speaker, the construction of the Nakonde Prison is in Phase II of the Prison Infrastructure Development Programme. This means that the construction will commence after the completion of Phase I projects in Mwembeshi, Luwingu, Monze, Kalabo and Livingstone. Land has already been secured through Chieftainess Nawaitwika and the provincial prison office is working with the Nakonde District Council to secure documentation. 

Sir, the Government has plans to construct prisons for female in-mates, but these plans are constrained by limited resources. Until resources allow females prisoners will continue to lodge in designated sections of male prisons where prison facilities are found. There are currently only two female prisons in Zambia which are in Kamfinsa and Kabwe.

I thank you, sir. 

Mr Sichula: Mr Speaker, when will Phase I finish? The response to that question will help us to determine when the works in Nakonde will begin.

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, the first phase will be completed next year. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, the construction of prisons is a very important assignment. 

Sir, why is the Government not considering constructing Very Important Person (VIP) cells and prisons since in here, we have people who have the potential to be there after 2016. Why are they not considering that? 

Laughter 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Please, bear in mind that we do not debate ourselves in that fashion.

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, the essence of constructing new prisons is not just for the Very Important Persons (VIPs), particularly those who plundered national resources and are facing criminal charges. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Chilangwa: Sir, our aim is to improve the entire prisons service because we believe that even those colleagues of ours colleagues who are in the cells need to be looked after decently.

I thank you, Sir. 

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, what criteria is used to decide where and when prisons are built, especially that the people in Nakonde and Mafinga have to travel long distances to go and visit their relatives in Isoka. 

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, the criteria used as to which prisons must be built first is the demand for the service. We also need to determine whether an area meets our requirements.  

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister mentioned that Phase I will be completed next year. Next year, comprises twelve months. Would the hon. Deputy Minister care to give us a specific month so that we know when exactly they are going to complete Phase I.

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, December 31st 2015.

I thank you, Sir. 

Laughter 

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister talked about the construction works at Kalabo State Prison in his response. In view of the fact that the prison faces the challenge of flooding and the answer he previously gave on the Floor of this House that the construction works would come to an end in June 2014, when does the hon. Deputy Minister intend to ensure that the works are completed?

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, if the hon. Member of Parliament visited that prison now, he would find that we are just working on final touches because almost all the major works have been completed. 

I thank you, Sir. 

ELEVATORS AT KITWE CENTRAL HOSPITAL 

17.    Mr Chishimba (Kamfinsa) asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    when all the malfunctioning elevators at Kitwe Central Hospital would be replaced with new ones; and 

(b)    what the cost of the project was. 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, Kitwe Central Hospital has a total of six elevators of which only two are currently operational. The Government, through the Ministry of Heath, has released K2 million to the institution for the replacement of two elevators. 

Sir, the process of replacing the elevators at Kitwe Central Hospital is being implemented in a phased manner as it depends on the availability of funds. The cost of replacement of one elevator is approximately K1 million. The total project is expected to cost approximately K4 million. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Chishimba: Mr Speaker, when will works start on the two elevators?

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, money was released two weeks ago and tender processes are being undertaken as we speak. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) is only a few kilometres from this honourable House. 

Sir, when I was admitted, I had to be wheeled down through the mortuary to go to the Very Important Persons (VIPS) section.

Laughter 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, when are you going to start replacing the malfunctioning elevators at the UTH?

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, let us deal with supplementary questions. Supplementary means just that. 

RECOGNITION OF THE NEW PARAMOUNT CHIEF CHITIMUKULU 

18. Mr Mwanza (Solwezi West) asked the Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs what the progress on the recognition of the new Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people was. 

The Deputy Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs (Ms Limata): Mr Speaker, …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours 

 [MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Ms Limata: Mr Speaker, before we went on break, I was about to say that according to the minutes of the selection meeting for the new Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people held at the Chitimukulu Local Court on 2nd August, 2013, the Bemba Royal Establishment has not elected the Paramount Chief Chitimukulu. This matter has been brought to the royal family’s attention and they have assured the ministry that they are working on it. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwanza: Mr Speaker, this idea of deliberately delaying the recognition of the new Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people has greatly injured the people of LuBemba and may cost the Patriotic Front (PF) votes in 2016. What is the Government doing to ensure that this is done as quickly as possible? 

Ms Limata: Mr Speaker, I have assured this august House that we are waiting for the response from the members of the family tree.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, the PF Government has been interfering a lot in the appointments or installation of chiefs. Why is the PF Government humiliating the chiefs when they are appointed by their family trees? 

Ms Limata: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the hon. Member that the problem is not with the Government, but the members of the family tree. Immediately they sort out their issues, we will come in as the Government. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, this PF Government lost a Defence Minister on account of failing to recognise the right Mwine LuBemba, the Paramount Chief Chitimukulu. After Mr Wynter Kabimba, SC., was fired, we saw the former hon. Minister of Defence who had left Government on account of that getting involved in the Patriotic Front (PF) activities full of vigour. Is that an indication that the issue of the Mwine LuBemba has been resolved?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Limata: Mr Speaker, that is a new question which I am not going to respond to. 

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the Bemba tribe is very small, but has a wide cultural influence.

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

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order. What is the hon. Member for Mwandi using to gauge the size of the Bemba tribe which is a very big and has a very good historical background? Is he in order to start demeaning this very important and proud tribe of this country?

Mr Speaker: Order! Hon. Members, before we continue, I sense that this discourse could degenerate. It is behoven on us to maintain the dignity of this House. It is absolutely essential. You should bear in mind that there is a specific question that was raised by the hon. Member for Solwezi West. The hon. Minister has made a response and it is time for supplementary questions. At the rate we are going, I fear that our debate could degenerate and I will not allow it. Please, let us avoid exciting each other in the manner in which we approach the questions. That is as far as I would go. I do not want to go into issues of statistics because I do not have them. I cannot have a definitive position on these demographical/tribal issues. Let us exercise caution, circumspection and political maturity. That is as far as I would go. If I assess that we are not able to handle the current issue properly, we will move on to the next Question.

The hon. Member may continue.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, what I am saying is empirical and I want to continue with my question. If I was given an opportunity to complete this question, I am sure the hon. Deputy Minister would not have risen on a point of order. I thank you, Sir, for giving me this opportunity, once again, to put this question. My preamble is based on empirical research.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, can you sit down, please.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: I have given counsel but, maybe, I was too general. I need to be specific and am now addressing both sides, the hon. Member who is raising the question and the one who rose on a point of order. If my counsel was not clear, let me make it clear. I am trying to discourage the House from debating which tribal grouping has more population than the other. That is all I am saying because it could be controversial. That is the problem. I am avoiding unnecessary controversy because we all have different information in our possession. 

The hon. Member may continue.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, my information is from the Central Statistical Office (CSO) and is empirical. The Bemba tribal group is small, …

Hon. Government Member: Question!

Dr Kaingu: … but it has a wide cultural influence. 

Interruptions

Dr Kaingu: Sir, what is happening to the Paramount Chief Chitimukulu is actually diluting this very important cultural influence which is found in the Northern, Copperbelt and Luapula provinces. Some people in those provinces are not Bembas, but now speak the language. That is what I am saying.

Mr Kambwili: What is your question?

Dr Kaingu: You are not the Speaker to ask me for the question.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Mwandi, …

Dr Kaingu: Yes, Sir.

Mr Speaker: … can you sit down.

Dr Kaingu resumed his seat.

Mr Speaker: I am giving you an opportunity to ask a supplementary question. Do not give a statement. Please, ask your question. In the absence of you not asking a question, I am afraid you cannot proceed.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Member to state whether what they are doing to Paramount Chief Chitimukulu is actually diluting the cultural influence of the Bembas.

Ms Limata: Mr Speaker, let me inform this august House that the Paramount Chief has not been selected …

Mr Muntanga: Question!

Ms Limata: … and we are still waiting for that to happen.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! 

Mr Ng’onga: Ema Ministers.

Laughter

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I want to thank you most sincerely for this rare opportunity to ask a follow-up question. I hope that the hon. Deputy Minister will be able to give us very competent answers in order for us to reduce the recycling of questions.

Mr Speaker, the last time this issue of Bashi LuBemba came up, we were told that there were police officers stationed at the palace. I want to find out whether those police officers are still stationed there or not. If they are still there, when are they going to leave the palace because I feel that this is a violation of the human rights of the people of Mongu? I want the hon. Deputy Minister to answer these questions competently so as to avoid …

Mr Mucheleka: On a point of order, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Mbulakulima: … arguments. 

Ms Limata: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member is talking about police officers …

Mr Muntanga: Question!

Ms Limata: … when we are talking about the selection of a paramount chief ... 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Limata: Sir, as I said earlier, we are still waiting for the family tree to choose its Paramount Chief.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, …

Mr Mucheleka: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to continue to mislead this House and the nation by stating that the authorised traditional leaders have not selected the Chitimukulu when she knows too well that this traditional group of Bashi LuBemba have followed to the letter the Chiefs’ Act by presenting to the Government the Paramount Chitimukulu Henry Kanyanta Sosala Manga II the 38th Chitimukulu. I need your serious ruling.

Mr Speaker: My ruling is that as the hon. Deputy Minister continues to respond, he should take that point of order into account.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I raise this question with a very heavy heart. 

Mr Nkombo: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Sir, I recall that the hon. Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs once ordered that anyone who would masquerade as a chief would be arrested. The answer which has been provided by the hon. Deputy Minister seems to suggest that the current Chitimukulu is masquerading as a chief because no selection process has taken place. Arising from that, I would like to find out from her whether they will threaten to arrest him like they did in the North- Western Province where they arrested a chief whom they claimed was masquerading as one. 

Ms Limata: Mr Speaker, the information I am providing was obtained from the Northern Province. The family tree says that it has not selected the Paramount Chief. If the hon. Member has any evidence to the contrary, then he should bring it here.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, … 

Mr Shakafuswa: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: It is his time to speak.

Mr Muntanga: … this question of the Paramount Chief …

Mr Shakafuswa: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, issues relating to traditional affairs are very serious. We should not trivialise them because of personal differences. Even if we became leaders tomorrow, we would never trivialise them. 

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister is insinuating that a family tree is the one which appoints a chief when it simply shows the lineage of people who come from the royal family. Is she in order to mislead this House and give an answer on the Floor of this House that a family tree actually chooses who should be a chief in this country? I need your serious ruling.

Mr Speaker: Well, the issue or subject in the point of order relates to a figure of speech.

Hon. Members rose.

Mr Speaker: I am not through. I think, let us bear that in mind. We know that if we took a literal interpretation, we will not derive any meaning from it because it is a figure of speech. I am sure we all know the communication which is being relayed to us. It is that those who are responsible in determining the history of who is eligible to accede to the throne have not made their decision. That is what the hon. Deputy Minister meant through the figure of speech. So, there is a danger here that we could be dealing with semantics.

May the hon. Member of Parliament for Kalomo Central continue.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, when the question of Paramount Chief Chitimukulu came in the last Session, the hon. Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs clearly explained how the selection process is conducted and why she thought Chanda Sosala was not the right person for this position. She even talked about Ngoshe Mukote and others. 

Laughter 

Mr Muntanga: Sir, now she is so quiet and not telling us the position of the election which she talked about. She is further allowing the hon. Deputy Minister, who is struggling to explain a tradition she does not understand to answer the questions. Hon. Minister, why are you avoiding to give us the details of the one who is supposed to be Paramount Chief Chitimukulu as opposed to Chanda Sosala? 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, you may respond. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs (Prof. Luo): Mr Speaker, the reason why I am quiet is that there has been too much politicking on this issue and as such, I will remain mute. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, I want to know whether …

Dr Kaingu: On a point of order, Sir. 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised. 

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker I have a lot of respect for Hon. Prof. Luo, who should know her job very well. Is she in order to state here categorically to you, that she is not going to answer any of the questions that we are asking when she remains the hon. Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs?  

Mr Speaker: The question was very specific and the person who immediately responded is the hon. Deputy Minister. 

In so far as the procedure is concerned, she has the liberty to either leave the response to the hon. Deputy Minister or to supplement the effort of her Deputy. In this particular case, the hon. Member for Kalomo Central quizzed her and that is why she maintained silence on the subject and offered an explanation for that. 

However, in so far as this Chair is concerned, the hon. Deputy Minister is still available. This is why I am inviting questions. 

Hon. Member for Dundumwezi, you may proceed. 

Laughter 

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister ….

Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir. 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised. 

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, I raised a particular question to the hon. Minister because she clearly outlined to this House how a person ascends to the position of Chitimukulu. Now, she is saying that the issue is political and yet she is a politician. When there is a political issue, politicians must solve it. She is a full Cabinet Minister who handles chief’s affairs. Is she in order to avoid supplementing the hon. Deputy Minister’s responses to this House?

Mr Speaker: I think that in my ruling, I was very clear. I used the word ‘liberty’. 

Hon. Member for Dundumwezi, you may continue. 

Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister indicated to this House that those who are given the authority to …

Mr Mbulakulima: On a point of order, Sir. 

Mr Speaker: Let the hon. Member for Dundumwezi complete his question. 

Mr Sing’ombe: …elect the Paramount Chief have not yet elected him. May I know whether there is anyone sitting in that position as at now?

Ms Limata: Mr Speaker, there is no one in that position.

I thank you, Sir. 

Laughter 

Mr Mbulakulima: On a point of order, Sir. 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised. 

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order. I need to be schooled on this matter. The question from the hon. Member for Kalomo Central, who wanted the indulgence of the hon. Minister, was very specific. Going by the concept of collective responsibility and, indeed, the function of the Executive in this House, we believe its members are supposed to answer questions as they arise. His Excellency the President is on record as having compelled hon. Ministers to answer questions. 

Is the hon. Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs in order to disengage herself from the function of the Executive openly when the entire nation is listening? Is she in order?

Mr Speaker: Hon. Cabinet Minister. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I said that my hon. Deputy Minister has given the answers and that I have no contribution to make. 

Sir, I want to say also that there are procedures on how chiefs are selected. If some hon. Members of Parliament would like to take over and select chiefs, they are free to do so. For us, we want the correct procedures to be followed.  

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Mafinga, you ask your follow-up question. 

Ms Namugala: I thank you, Sir. 

Interruptions 

Mr Speaker: I beg your pardon, the hon. Member for Chipata Central is supposed to be on the Floor.

Mr Mtolo (Chipata Central): Mr Speaker, mine is a very simple question. 

Sir, can the hon. Minister educate us so that we can inform the people of Zambia on the actual electoral college that is supposed to select the person who is supposed to occupy this very new famous position of the Paramount Chief of the Bemba? 

Mr Speaker: Substantive Minister. 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I would like to invite Hon. Mtolo to my office …

Interruptions

Prof. Luo: … or to go to the archives. 

Sir, we have answered such questions before. I can say is that this whole issue is becoming too political. I want to state that in this country apart from this particular chief, who is under discussion, we have many others who have ascended to thrones without following procedure and we have requested that they follow it. I really think that there comes a point when one can read in between the lines and analyse the situation. I would like to hear more about the other chiefs who have not been gazetted for the past eighteen years. 

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister can hear about other chiefs whom the Government has not recognised because there are disputes in the area of the electoral college. One such chief is Chief Muyombe. The dispute is on the chiefdom. 

Sir, I want to found out what is so special about Paramount Chief Chitimukulu that the dispute should be between the Bemba Royal Establishment and the Government instead of amongst the people belonging to the Bemba Royal Establishment itself. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear! 

Mr Speaker: I will invite the Cabinet Minister again. 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, as far as we know, there has never been a dispute between the Government and the royal establishment.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I want to emphasise that point. There has never been any dispute between the Government and the royal establishment. This dispute may have been created in people’s minds. In fact, when we talked about masquerading, it was in relation to Chief Puta. There is a certain man called Mr Kapotwe whom I talked about when I called for a press conference. Mr Kapotwe wanted to become Chief Puta through a coup. Therefore, I called a press conference to talk about that situation.

Sir, the following day, Mr Sosala stated that we could go and arrest him. Nobody in that press conference referred to anybody from the Northern Province in that conference. People can go to the press to check what I said on that particular day. Nobody in that meeting referred to anybody from the Northern Province. To be specific, the press briefing was about Chief Puta. Mr Kapotwe had no right to go to Chienge and stage a coup. 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 Mr Speaker: Order!

 We have devoted sufficient time to the question. Let us go to the next question.  

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

KILWA ISLAND HEALTH CENTRE

19. Mr Mpundu (Nchelenge) asked the Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health:

(a)    when a clinical officer and an environmental health technologist would be posted to Kilwa Island Health Centre in Nchelenge Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b)    when the main buildings and staff houses at the health centre would be rehabilitated.

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that currently, Nchelenge District has no position for a clinical officer and an environmental health technologist at Kilwa Health Centre. This is because the positions have been frozen after they were unoccupied for some years. The District Health Office has made a request for activation of these positions in 2015.

Sir, with regard to rehabilitation, some rehabilitation works to the health centre will be done by the District Health Office, funds permitting. However, major rehabilitations will be planned for in the 2015 Activity Plan.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

ZANIS

20. Mr Musonda asked the Minister of Information and Broadcasting:

(a)    when the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) would be provided with adequate cameras and motor transport for news gathering countrywide; and

(b)    when ZANIS would be allotted more time on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation TV1 Channel for news casting.

Mr Njeulu: Mr Speaker, I would like to inform the House that before the end of the year, the ministry will procure more than seventy brand new professional cameras with full high definition video recording capacity. Two mobile video vans to be distributed to the provinces will also be bought before the end of this year. Furthermore, the procurement of motor vehicles and equipment such as cameras will continue in 2015 until all districts are covered.

Mr Speaker, the current slot of ZANIS News on ZNBC TV 1 Channel is not adequate. Further, the ZNBC has limited space available on this channel due to the current contractual obligations. However, the long-term solution that the Government is exploring is the establishment of a full-time channel once the digital migration roll-out has been completed in 2015.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

CONSTRUCTION OF A RECREATION CENTRE IN KATETE

21. Mr P. Phiri (Mkaika) asked the Minister of Youth and Sport:

(a)    whether the Government had any plans to construct a recreational centre in Katete District;

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

(c)    what the time frame for undertaking the project was.

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.

Government Members: On who?

Laughter

The Deputy Minister of Minister of Youth and Sport (Mr Mulenga): Mr Speaker, the House may wish to note that it is within the long-term plan for the Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sport, to construct ultra-modern sport complexes in every district including Katete District.

Mr Speaker, you may further wish to note that from the pilot district which will be selected, the programme will be rolled out to other districts in phases.

Sir, the time frame for implementing this program is dependent on the availability of funds from the National Treasury.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr P. Phiri: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for that elaborate answer …

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I am at pains to get up at this late hour to raise a point of order. I have decided to do so because I follow the Standing Orders religiously.

Sir, I wish to draw the House to Standing Order No. 28 which says:

“On reaching the orders of the day, the Speaker shall direct the Clerk to read them without question put. Public business shall be disposed of in the order in which it appears upon the Order Paper.”

   Sir, the key phrase in Standing Order No. 28 is ‘disposed of.’ 

Sir, Standing Orders 29 says:

“Questions shall be put only to Ministers and shall only relate to public affairs with which they are officially connected ...”

Mr Speaker, there are two matters in this House which have continued showing their face on the Order Paper because they have not been disposed of. As we were departing in July, the issues to do with the Constitution and Chitimukulu were not resolved. Those two items have continued to come on the Order Paper because we have not dealt with them exhaustively. 

Mr Speaker, going forward, no matter how emotive the subject is, can this House consider following the Standing Orders so that matters are disposed of in order for them not to come on the Order Paper within a not too distant future.

Sir, I need your guidance.

Mr Phiri: Mr Speaker, before the point of order was raised I was thanking the hon. Minister for that answer. You stated that you have put in place some long-term measures. I would like to know if there are short-term measures for the youth, especially for those in Katete District.

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, the wish of the Government is to put up these facilities as quickly as possible in all the districts. As I have already mentioned, we are constrained by the funding. However, we will ensure that when this programme rolls out, we will put up these facilities in the hon. Member’s district.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, the answer from the hon. Minister is vague in the sense that it is not giving us the time frame. I say so because these are very important facilities which we needed yesterday. Is the hon. Minister in a position to give us the time frame when these facilities are going to be put in place? 

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, time can never be vague. I have already stated the timeframe clearly. If the hon. Member listened carefully, he would have heard that we are going to select a pilot project soon. It is at that point that we are going to give you the timings when we will get to the different districts.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.{mospagebreak}

PROCUREMENT OF AMBULANCE FOR KWACHA CONSTITUENCY

22. Mr Mutale (Kwacha) asked the Minister of Health when an ambulance for use in Kwacha Parliamentary Constituency would be procured.

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, the policy of the Government, in respect to ambulance distribution, is that ambulances are distributed to district medical offices or general hospitals and not to constituencies, to service the lower level health facilities such as health centres. The district ambulance is intended to cover the entire district population. In this case, Kitwe District Medical Office has an ambulance that is servicing Kwacha Constituency.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutale: Mr Speaker, thank you for the elaborate answer. Kwacha Constituency is vast and part of the constituency is rural. We are told that people walk a distance of about 4 km to get to the nearest facility. However, this area covers more than 15 km and people suffer a lot to get to the hospital. Could the hon. Minister, please, consider providing an ambulance for that area since part of it is rural in nature.

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the concerns of the hon. Member I think we should take this into account when we next look at the distribution of ambulances. What we want to establish is the principle that the allocation shall be to the district and not to a constituency.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, is it prudent for the ministry to consider revising the principle so that instead of giving the districts, these ambulances should be given to the constituencies since that is where the people are?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, no, we have the important consideration of accountability. There is a need to have a particular office within the system which shall be accountable for the ambulance. The district and provincial offices have a system through which accountability can be followed up. A constituency does not have the administrative structure to administer the ambulances which we distribute.

I thank you, Sir.

CERVICAL CANCER

23. Mr Miyutu asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    what the level of awareness by women of cervical cancer in Zambia, especially among the rural women was;

(b)    what measures the Government had taken to increase the level of awareness; and

(c)    what the coverage area of immunisation against cervical cancer among the girl children countrywide, was.

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, a lot of work to increase awareness of cervical cancer has been done throughout the country. However, we concede that a lot still remains to be done to raise awareness of the cancer of the cervix. The level of awareness amongst women about cervical cancer is influenced by such factors as social economic status, cultural beliefs, education attainment, availability and accessibility of services.

Sir, in order to increase the level of awareness, the Zambian Government, in collaboration with its co-operating partners, has taken the following steps:

(a)    introduced free cervical cancer screening services where they have been possible;

(b)    trained a number of nurses to diagnose and treat cervical cancer;

(c)    developed community programmes to provide education about cervical cancer, its causes and the importance of screening;

(d)    distributed educational materials about cervical cancer in appropriate languages;

(e)    promoted the involvement of peer educators who talk to different groups of people in the community;

(f)    organised community-based drama groups which create sketches using key messages about cervical cancer as well as announcing the availability of new screening and treatment facilities;

(g)    provided public radio spaces that communicate information about cervical cancer and the screening procedures; and

(h)    established forty-one prevention sites in outlying Government-operated public health clinics and a modern outpatient evaluation centre.

Mr Speaker, the Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination Programme is in its pilot phase and is being implemented in three districts, namely Chongwe, Kafue and Lusaka. The purpose of the pilot is to evaluate the readiness of Zambia to embark on a countrywide vaccination of eligible girls. The pilot started in 2013 and 16,688 was the latest count or girls who have been vaccinated. The evaluation of the results will assist in guiding the national scale-up plan.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, at one time in Kalabo, we had more than two victims or patients of this cancer. During my tours and meetings, I learnt that the community was not aware of this cancer. After the pilot project in Lusaka, is there going to be a way of reaching the rural and remote places like Kalabo where we have patients of cervical cancer?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I think the hon. Member should distinguish between the awareness related to cervical cancer and the HPV vaccination programme. I think the hon. Member is referring to awareness regarding cervical cancer. He found that there were low awareness levels in his constituency. I hope that since the hon. Member observed this, there has been some improvement which will continue in the country, and specifically in Kalabo. 

Sir, with regard to the vaccination programme, it is a pilot project which is not related to the awareness levels. It is a pilot study and its results will determine what will be done to scale-up the vaccination programme. Therefore, it is, by definition, a limited exercise upon which we shall build to create a long-term programme.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamudulu: Sir, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what …

Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, I have followed the question to the hon. Minister by my brother from Kalabo Central. On the other hand, I know that there are so many problems of prostate cancer because there are so many Lozis in the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) suffering from this disease. Is he in order to insist on asking the hon. Minister only about cervical cancer without including the real problem in Kalabo of prostate cancer? Is he in order not to put these two issues together so that we benefit from the knowledge of the hon. Minister on these problems?

Mr Speaker: Well, I think the hon. Member for Kalabo Central is in order because the question is confined to that form of cancer. I am not, by any means, underrating what the hon. Member for Kalomo Central is saying, but if you want to exact a response from the hon. Minister on that particular subject, file a question.

Mr Hamudulu: Sir, I was just about to ask the hon. Minister what exactly the ministry is looking for in this pilot vaccination programme that is ongoing in the three selected districts. Is it the effectiveness of the vaccination or how ready we are to accept the vaccination as Zambians?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, the important question of safety and efficacy has already been resolved scientifically. So, we are not considering whether or not this vaccine is effective or safe. This has been done in several studies across the world. Therefore, as the hon. Member may recall, in my answer, I said the purpose of the pilot study is to evaluate the readiness of Zambia to embark on the countrywide vaccination of eligible girls.

I thank you, Sir.

Prof. Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has told us that there are education materials on cervical cancer. Is he willing to give each one of us copies of those materials for our libraries in the constituency offices and, by extension, could he, at least, for now tell us what cervical cancer in our seven main languages is, that is, in Bemba, Lozi, Tonga, Nyanja, Luvale, Lunda and Kaonde. I am sure he has the answers at his fingertips and can tell us what it is in our local languages.

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I was under the impression that the medium of communication in this august House was English. I would need to be advised whether it would be appropriate to use other languages in this august House. For the time being, I would reserve my option to use other languages in the interest of the proceedings of this House.

Laughter 

Dr Kasonde: Sir, in terms of making available the educational materials on this subject, I have no difficulty whatsoever in arranging for this to be done. I am glad that the issue has been raised and we shall do it.

I thank you, Sir.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE COMMISSION

24. Mr Mwila (Chipili) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a)    whether Government had any plans to abolish the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC); and

(b)    whether the Government was satisfied with the performance of the commission.

Mr Tembo: Mr Speaker, as of now, the Government has no plans to abolish the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC). The expectations of the Government over the performance of the LGSC is much higher than what it has been able to deliver. This is due to a management problem which the Government is addressing. The Government is in the process of undertaking the Public Service reforms which will affect the LGSC. Under these reforms, the role of the LGSC will be redefined.

I thank you, Mr Speaker,

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has identified the problem, which is with management. Is it possible for the hon. Minister to give us the time frame when that problem will be sorted out?

Mr Tembo: Mr Speaker, what I can indicate right now is that the problem of management is just one of the issues which has been cited. There are so many problems, including the lack of a secretariat. The moment we institute the Public Service Reforms is when these many problems, some of which I have mentioned, will be actually resolved to the fullest.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

CHIEFDOM BOUNDARIES IN MWINILUNGA

25. Mr Katuka (Mwinilunga) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing where the boundaries between Mwinilunga District Council and the chiefdoms of the following chiefs in the district lay:

(a)    Senior Chief Sailunga;

(b)    Senior Chief Kanongesha;

(c)    Chief Chibwika; and

(d)    Chief Kanyama.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr N. Banda): Mr Speaker, in response to the question raised by hon. Member of Parliament for Mwinilunga Constituency, I wish to inform this august House that:

(a)    Senior Chief Sailunga’s boundary is along the township beacon which is on Solwezi/Mwinilunga to Farmers Training Institute (FTC) Road up to Lunga River then runs along the Lunga River up to the Nyaminkabila-Lunga Confluence.

(b)    Senior Chief Kanongesha’s boundary is along the township, from Chibwika/Kanongesha Road, leading to the place up to Kampemba stream. Then it runs across Kayimbi stream to Headman Kafwimbu’s area through Mudonyama River. The boundary follows Mudonyama River to Nyamachaka Village, following the Kawiko depression which cuts across Mwinilunga Trades Training Institute and the Prisons Farms’ former pineapple cannery up to Lunga River.

(c)    Chief Chibwika’s boundary is along the confluence of Nyaminkabila and Lunga rivers up to Mwinilunga Village, through Chibwika Road, up to the Chilemika Kanongesha Junction.

(d)    Chief Kanyama’s boundary runs from Lunga River crossing the river and TS Road (Solwezi/Mwinilunga Road) up to Kanyikomboshi Junction where there is a township boundary beacon.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Katuka: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Deputy Minister for that response. Are there any boundary maps that show these boundaries? If there are, could he be kind enough to avail the maps to us so that we can help to avert the disputes that are taking place between the council and the chiefs.

Mr N. Banda: Mr Speaker, the maps showing these boundaries are actually in the custody of the council. If the hon. Member does not have access to the maps, the ministry, through the Department of Planning, can avail him the maps.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, boundaries between chiefs have been a problem for a long time. It is not true that there are maps. If there are, then they were just produced yesterday. 

Mr Speaker, the Minister of Local Government and Housing, over the years, has been relying upon the information from the 1958 Map. When did the ministry print the maps which the hon. Deputy Minister is talking about?

Mr N. Banda: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the knowledge which the hon. Member of Parliament for Mwandi has shared with us. There is a difference between the map he has in mind and the map I am talking about which defines the district boundaries. We have special maps for district boundaries. 

I thank you Sir.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, this question relating to the map for chiefs has been in this House since the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) days. Surprisingly, it is still in the House even in the days of the Patriotic Front (PF). The PF had promised to avail copies to this House of the map for chiefs for 1958. There have been a lot of problems over the map for chiefs. 

Sir, a former hon. Minister has said that there is no map while a current hon. Minister seems to be suggesting that he has just created a map. May the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing, please, clarify the issue so that we know if the 1958 Map is just a hoax.

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, this has been a very contentious issue which needs to be sorted out. In the principal question, we are talking about matters related to township boundaries. We have a diagram which is supported by the Town and Country Planning Act under the Declaration of the Township. The diagram has nothing to do with chief’s boundaries.

Sir, a map for the chief’s boundaries is available regardless of this is a very contentious issue which needs to be studied further. That is what can help me to give an elaborate answer. I am not even too sure whether the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, now that we have a Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, is the appropriate line ministry to deal with this issue. That notwithstanding, I think, it is an issue that is of great concern. It is a topical issue which must be addressed and I think, as a ministry, together with our colleagues at the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, we will pay attention to it.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

______________

MOTION

MOTION OF THANKS

Mr Mwila (Chipili): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the thanks of this Assembly be recorded for the exposition of public policy contained in the President’s Address.

Mr Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Mr W. Banda (Milanzi): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, let me begin by thanking you for according me this honour and privilege to move the Motion of Thanks to the Speech by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia Mr Michael Chilufya Sata on the occasion of the Official Opening of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly on Friday 19th September, 2014.

Sir, allow me to also join His Excellency Mr Michael Chilufya Sata in congratulating the newly elected hon. Members of Parliament. They worked hard during their by-elections and, therefore, deserve their respective victories and taking their seats as hon. Members of this august House.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: That includes Hon. Kalima.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, allow me from the outset to indicate that the Address by the President to this House was excellent and well delivered.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Mwila: Sir, it depends on how you heard it. I am aware that some Members on your left, Mr Speaker, will criticise it in their debate.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Sir, this is a normal practice in a democracy because their role as Opposition is to provide checks and balances to the Government.

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: This not withstanding, Mr Speaker, I urge the hon. Members on your left to debate and provide constructive criticism. Further, I want to inform them that the Executive is ready to provide answers to any questions they may wish to raise because, as a Ruling Party, we are in a hurry to develop this country …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: … as evidenced by the development this country has witnessed in the past three years …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: … the Patriotic Front (PF) has been in office. This urgency to develop the country is elaborated in the President’s Speech. The President, in his Speech to this august House, raised a number of important issues. I will not follow the sub-headings which are outlined in the President’s Speech, but will highlight only a few issues I feel the PF Government deserves commendation for.

Education

Mr Speaker, His Excellency informed the House that education and skills development are key to our overall goal of achieving accelerated national development. The PF Government strongly believes in this and its achievements over the last three years as were ably outlined by the President need not be overemphasised. Among the many achievements, I will talk about a few of them. The Government has introduced formal learning at pre-school level. In this regard, the Government has recruited and deployed 1,000 early childhood education teachers. Further, the curriculum for early childhood education teachers has been developed. The Government has completed the construction of forty-one new secondary schools out of the planned eighty-four countrywide. This is accompanied by the construction of staff housing units. 

Sir, the Government has also introduced a two-tier education system. Under this system, the students in Grade 10 and above are exposed to vocational training for self employment purposes when they leave school. In addition, the Government has invested in new infrastructure for skills training which includes in Kalabo, Isoka, Mwense, Mpolokoso and Sesheke. 

Mr Speaker, the President, once again, reaffirmed the PF Government’s commitment to establishing, at least, one university in each of the ten provinces. He informed …

Interruptions

Mr Mwila: Sir, all of us were listening. He informed the House that construction works were ongoing at Robert Makasa, Paul Mushindo and Palabana universities. Additional infrastructure is also being put in place at Chalimbana, Mukuba and Kwame Nkrumah universities.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, in order to address the critical shortage of student accommodation in institutions of higher learning, the President said that the PF Government has embarked on the construction of 4,160 bed space hostels at the University of Zambia, 3,200 for the Copperbelt University, 1,280 for the Mulungushi University and 960 at the Evelyn Hone College of Applied Arts and Commerce. The construction is being done under the framework of direct budget support and public-private partnerships. 

Mr Speaker, these developments outlined by the President are a serious testimony of the PF Government’s high level commitment to education.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Sir, the hon. Members of the august House should join me in commending the President for all the developments being undertaken in the education sector.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!    

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, … 

Rural Development

Mr Speaker, in respect to rural development, His Excellency informed the House that the Government is committed to improving the standard of living for our people in rural areas by accelerating service delivery. In this regard, he stated that all the thirty-two newly-created districts have been ‘operationalised’.

Interruptions

Mr Mwila: This is not Tumbuka. It is English.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the construction of infrastructure has started in five of these districts, including the upgrading of infrastructure in Choma and Chinsali as new provincial headquarters of the Southern Province and Muchinga Provinces respectively. Construction of district offices and other infrastructure in the remaining twenty-seven districts will commence before the end of this year.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, Hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the President further said that the Government has continued implementing the Rural Electrification Programme mainly focusing on new districts. In this regard, Sioma and Kayema in the Western Province have already been electrified while works to connect Nalolo, Luampa, and Sikongo are ongoing.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the President further informed this Assembly that the Government also plans to connect Shang’ombo, Luangwa, Rufunsa, Chama and Lundazi districts to the national grid. You know that Lundazi is very special to us.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Sir, the districts I have referred to are currently supplied with diesel-generated power.  The President was also happy to inform us that in line with the PF’s pro-poor policies, 50,000 low income households had been connected to electricity at subsidised connection charges.

Dr Kaingu: He never said … 

Mr Mwila: I have this document …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, it is clear from the President’s Speech that the PF Government places rural development high on its development agenda. The Government wants the people in rural areas to start enjoying some of the facilities found in urban areas. People should not travel for days to get services offered by civic leaders and local government authorities. This is why the PF Government is taking districts closer to the people by establishing new ones. Furthermore, fifty years after Independence, electricity should not be alien to our people. It is with this in mind that that the PF Government thinks it is important to provide electricity to all the rural areas of Zambia. 

Mr Speaker, those who cannot commend this kind of development are merely pretenders and do not mean well for the Zambian people.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Employment

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, allow me to appreciate the President’s magnanimity when he acknowledged that the issue of unemployment remains one of the PF Government’s major challenges. We are not shy, as a Government, to accept that unemployment is there in our country, especially among the youth. However, even as we acknowledge this fact, the Government has not failed or given up on the unemployment challenge. The people should trust this Government when the Head of State says that his administration will continue to improve the capacity of our economy to create new jobs. The President said that the PF Government has adopted an industrialisation and job creation strategy focusing on specific growth sectors such as agro-processing, manufacturing, tourism and construction.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Creative industries, information technology, metal fabrication, clothing and textile

  Mr Speaker, the growth from these sectors will significantly contribute to the creation of meaningful jobs which will, in turn, lead to poverty reduction and further economic growth and development. The Government realises that the creation of formal jobs is not for the Government alone, but for the private sector as well. This is why we are working hard to focus on these sectors so that an enabling environment is created for the private sector to invest and help us to create more jobs.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Let me have order on the left.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, as the President rightly stated, we have created over 456,539 formal jobs in various sectors of the economy …

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

Mr Mwila: … since 2011.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Sir, we are committed to continue the creation of more jobs for our people so that we free them the shackles of poverty. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the President singled out the construction sector which holds enormous potential for job creation and the alleviation of poverty for the majority of Zambians. 

Sir, since 2011, the sector has created a total of …

Ms Kalima: Summary!

Mr Mwila: … 93,487 jobs …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: … and has the potential to even create more. I, therefore, welcome the President’s directive that all the ministries, provinces and spending agencies must ensure that 20 per cent of the works are subcontracted for job creation purposes for the local people and that this be part of the evaluation criteria in the awarding of all contracts. This will also ensure that our local people directly benefit from all the investments being done in their localities, especially in the construction sector. 

Mr Speaker, with regard to the mining sector, His Excellency the President stated that it continues to play a significant role in the economy as a source of employment, foreign exchange earnings and the gross domestic product (GDP). The President informed the House that the Government will continue creating an enabling environment in order to attract more investment in the mining sector.

Sir, this is a good move as it will enable the country to reap the benefits from this sector. Not only will it create employment for the unemployed, but it will also help to increase the GDP for the country and improve the standard of living for our people. 

Mr Speaker, I, therefore, welcome the President’s directive to the hon. Minister of Finance and the hon. Minister of Mines, Energy, and Water Development to come up with consistent policies that will guarantee transparency and accountability in the declaration of minerals produced and exported. It is important to ensure a win-win situation for both the nation and the investors. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, with regard to infrastructure, His Excellency the President informed the House that the Government has continued to place great importance on road infrastructure development. He further informed the House that progress is being made on all major road projects such as the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project, Pave Zambia 2,000 Road Project and Lusaka 400 Road Project. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Sir, the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project is progressing well with twenty-two works contracts signed as of July 2014, covering 2,245 km. The major road projects include the Leopards Hill Road to Chirundu in Lusaka Province and the Kitwe to Chingola Dual Carriage Way on the Copperbelt. 

Mr Speaker, other works mentioned by His Excellency the President include the Bottom Road in the Southern Province …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Mr Mwila: … Mongu/Kalabo Road in Western Province, Itezhi–tezhi/Mumbwa Road in Central Province, … 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: … Chipata/Chadiza/Katete in the Eastern Province …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: … Kawambwa/Mushota in Luapula Province … 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: … Chingola/Solwezi Road and the Mbala/Nakonde Road. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, completed roads include the Kasama/Luwingu in the Northern Province, Sesheke/Senanga Road –

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: … – Sir, Senanga is where Hon. …

Mr Livune: He never said that.

Mr Mwila: … Mufalali comes from, in the Western Province. The Muntanda/Chavuma Road has also been worked on.

Mr Mushanga: Muntanga!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, under Pave Zambia 2,000 km Road Project, the distribution of equipment has been completed in all the ten provinces.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Sir, the Lusaka 400 km Road Project involving construction, maintenance, rehabilitation and upgrading of roads around the city is in full gear. 

Sir, I call upon the hon. Members of this august House to join me in commending the President for all the developments in the road sector. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Mr Mwila: Sir, these are important developments which will help bring the people closer to each other and shorten the time spent on travelling. 

Sir, I travelled from Sesheke to Senanga. The road is beautiful. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Read the Speech. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, I strongly support the directive given to the hon. Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication and the hon. Minister of Finance to speed up the construction of roads under this project. 

Sir, in conclusion … 

Mr Chitotela interjected. 

Laughter  

Mr Mwila: … I am convinced and duty bound to call upon all hon. Members of Parliament to …

Mr Speaker: Order!

(Debate adjourned)

__________

The House adjourned at 1955 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 24th September, 2014.