DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE THIRD SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Thursday, 17th July, 2014

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

______________

STATEMENT BY HIS HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT

50TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, this statement is intended to inform hon. Members on Zambia’s state of preparedness for the 50th anniversary of its Independence, which will be in about ninety days from now. It will not be …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left!

That is a very unparliamentary response. Those of you who reacted that way know that we do not respond that way even in our cultural settings, least our homes.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, preparations for the forthcoming celebrations started officially on Independence Day, last year, when His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, declared the commencement of the celebrations in his address to the nation on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Television.

The declaration of the commencement of jubilee activities gave impetus to various Government line ministries and other institutions to carry out their annual activities under the spirit of the Golden Jubilee. One of the activities that were celebrated was the ninetieth birthday of the First President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, that fell felicitously earlier in the year. This was officially a month-long celebration with a number of activities lined up which culminated into the main birthday celebration on 28th April, 2014.

Mr Speaker, in an effort to effectively prepare for Zambia’s Golden Jubilee Independence Anniversary, the Government set up a National Steering Committee chaired by the Secretary to the Cabinet and the Zambia @ 50 Secretariat that is responsible for organising large-scale jubilee celebrations countrywide. The National Steering Committee comprises the following sub-committees with different mandates and is presided over by Permanent Secretaries (PSs):

(a) Secretariat – this is housed at Cabinet Office and is chaired by the PS in charge of administration;

(b) Protocol and Accommodation – the chairperson is the PS for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is charged with the responsibility of drafting programmes for the anniversary, arranging for accommodation for visiting foreign Heads of State and looking into the wellbeing of dignitaries during key activities;

(c) Publicity – the chairperson of this sub-committee is the PS for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It is responsible for the publicity of core activities and accreditation of both local and foreign journalists to the celebrations;

(d) Defence and Security – this sub-committee will work in collaboration with the Chinese Government with whom we are preparing mass performances such as calisthenics, among others, to make the celebrations more memorable.

I think we are in competition because a lot of countries near to us, not Zimbabwe, of course, but Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya have all celebrated their fiftieth Independence anniversaries within a few months of ours. This is because there was a cluster of independences fifty years ago. In view of this, we need to excel;

(e) Transport, Logistics and Infrastructure – which is chaired by the PS in the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication, is responsible for mobilising transport for visiting foreign dignitaries and logistics for all local activities;

(f) Religious and Entertainment ¬– this sub-committee is chaired by the PS in the Ministry of Tourism and Art;

(g) Honours and Awards – which is chaired by the PS in the Office of the Vice-President. This sub-committee is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that all honours and awards related to the Golden Jubilee are bestowed on deserving Zambians;

(h) Health – this sub-committee will, among other things, provide specialist outreach medical activities across the country;

(i) Agriculture and Livestock – this sub-committee will, inter alia, produce radio and television programmes depicting the historical development of the agriculture sector. Perhaps, we should say the food sector since it also extends historically into gathering and hunting;

(j) Commerce, Trade and Industry – this sub-committee will, among other activities, host the Russian and German weeks on cultural exchange with Zambia and mount exhibitions depicting fifty years of commerce and trade in Zambia;

(k) Gender and Justice;

(l) The KK @ 90 – this sub-committee has since completed its work; and

(m) Zambia @ 50 Secretariat – this is chaired by Ms Mulenga Kapwepwe whose surname is not accidental in the business of Independence. This is housed at the Government Complex. I would urge any hon. Members who have ideas or queries on things that could happen in the next three months not to hesitate and make their way there.

Mr Speaker, I wish to draw your attention to the official logo for the Golden Jubilee. The National Steering Committee, led by the Secretary to the Cabinet, officially launched the logo for the Golden Jubilee at Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC). This was witnessed by the public and private sectors, the diplomatic corps and other key stakeholders.

The logo competition was made public from 9th to 14th February, 2014. During the selection process, considerations were made to ensure that the logo depicted major Zambian icons. I am sure all hon. Members have seen it. Both the electronic and print media are identifying with the logo as I am sure hon. Members have noticed.

Mr Speaker, currently, the Zambia @ 50 Secretariat is also running a contest in the media for the Golden Jubilee theme song that is inviting Zambians to submit songs that will inspire and motivate patriotism and celebration in every Zambian. The following are the themes on which entries into the competition should centre:

(a) thank the freedom fighters and encourage the youth to love their nation;

(b) unity, love, tolerance, co-existence and reconciliation; and

(c) fifty years of Independence and what it means for all of us.

Mr Nkombo: Question.

The Vice-President: I would urge the hon. Member for – I have forgotten …

Laughter

The Vice-President: … to participate in this competition. I know he can play the guitar, one string at a time. Therefore, he should be able to compose a reasonable song that will sound good during the celebrations.

The competition was open to Zambians, both within and outside the country, and ended on 20th June, 2014. In fact, one has to get a special dispensation to submit it now.

This august House may also wish to note that the Zambia @ 50 Secretariat has also created a Golden Jubilee Website reflecting national symbols of the country. The website is http www.zambia@50.co.zm.

Mr Speaker, the National Steering Committee intends to hold the grand finale of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka. We gave this new stadium a test run during the Africa Freedom Day Celebrations as I am sure people noticed.

For other activities such as mass performance entertainment, a team of Chinese experts is in the country to assist Zambian choreographers and other artistes who designed the theme for the mass performances. We would like the Chinese to be our technical advisers. We do not want them to take over cultural traditions, and we have been very adamant about this because this is a Zambian affair and not a foreign affair.

Mr Speaker, the experts are studying the country’s cultural dances, artifacts and wildlife. Thereafter, they will help the Zambian choreographers and other artistes to design a theme. The stakeholders in this exercise include;

(i) the Ministry of Defence, Zambia National Service;
(ii) the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education;
(iii) the Ministry of Tourism and Art;
(iv) the Ministry of Youth and Sport; and
(v) the Zambia National Arts Council.

The training of trainers that will last about three weeks has commenced. This will be followed by massive training of pupils, students and military personnel in August.

Mr Speaker, the main programme for the Golden Jubilee Independence Celebrations and other side events is currently being drafted. Once all national events and celebrations have been compiled, this will be published in the media to afford all Zambians an opportunity to be part of the celebrations.

Sir, these are among the main activities for the Golden Jubilee that are expected to be undertaken:

(i) Golden Jubilee Interdenominational Thanksgiving Church Service to be held on 19th October, 2014 at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross. All provinces are expected to equally hold similar interdenominational thanksgiving services on the same day;

(ii) Golden Jubilee Gala Night on 23rd October, 2014, at which several performances will be staged, including a staggering fireworks display and the hoisting of the national flag shortly before midnight. This event is also expected to be replicated across the country; and

(iii) Wreath Laying and Investiture Ceremony on 24th September, 2014.

Finally, Mr Speaker, following Cabinet approval of proposals to invite Heads of State and Governments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent invitations to other countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region to attend Zambia’s celebrations. In September, the Cabinet Office Secretariat will start sending group invitations to the invited guests from the general public through to churches, political parties and community organisations in Lusaka. I will personally make sure that no discrimination of any type is exercised.

The Jubilee Celebrations will be held on 24th October, 2014 at the National Heroes Stadium.

With this brief summary on the preparations, I thank you, Mr Speaker.

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

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the statement given by His Honour the Vice-President.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from His Honour the Vice-President how much money these celebrations will gobble and whether it will filter down to the ward level.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I would expect much of the money to be disbursed in the form of allowances from the ward up to the national level. I am afraid I do not have the bottom-line figure.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, how can His Honour the Vice-President give us the Programme for the Jubilee Celebrations without telling us how much this will cost …

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes.

Ms Namugala: … and whether or not Parliament appropriated funds for this activity. We would like to know how much it will cost and whether it is really worth it.

Hon. PF Members: Hmm!

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, we cannot be the only country in the world to fail to celebrate our fiftieth anniversary. As to whether we are spending a reasonable amount of money or not, I should have the total budget for this at hand tomorrow with answers for other questions that I have deferred from last Friday.

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, His Honour the Vice-President’s statement has outlined a number of preparations taking place at national level. I would like to find out what sort of preparations have been made at district level if there are any.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, that is the responsibility of the overall coordinating committee and the Secretariat. I do not have the information for the districts. I might be able to get some information on the provincial activities tomorrow.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, when we first celebrated Independence in 1964, I was in Grade 2.

Mr Mumba: You are very young.

Dr Musokotwane: I remember the celebrations very well. We celebrated because Grade 7 school leavers were able to get jobs as police officers and other jobs. Form 2 school leavers were employed as bank clerks and teachers. Form 5 and university graduates were also able to get jobs. My question is: As we celebrate fifty years of Independence, what hope are you giving to those who are eight years old and, generally speaking, the youth of Zambia?
 
The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the hope lies in the growth of the economy; the number of jobs available; and the number of people sufficiently skilled to hold the jobs down. I am sure the difference between us and those who are on the basic outline is not as big as the former hon. Minister of Finance and I might sometimes make it appear.

There is no alternative to creating jobs if the population grows. You cannot create jobs by saying that the Government will take up the numbers. I know that twenty-five years ago, it was assumed that if you went to university, the Government was obliged to give you a job in the Civil Service. That can no longer be sustained because the number of educated people is growing at such a pace that we cannot keep putting everybody into a guaranteed slot that we already have for them before they become educated.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, fifty years after Independence, the people of Mapatizya and other rural constituencies still live in darkness, the roads are not worked on and their animals are still dying. What is there for the people to celebrate fifty years of Independence?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, there is a lot to celebrate. The hon. Member must realise that it is unfair to sit on that side of the House and, in one voice, say that you are wasting money by borrowing money to build roads and, at the same time, say that there are no roads. Are there roads or are there no roads? Listening to the other side, I do not seem to know the truth. Maybe, Mapatizya is a special case. Maybe, we borrowed money and did not build a road there, but I doubt it.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwale (Chipangali): Mr Speaker, I had a question relating to the issue of money, but it has been addressed.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, the people of Dundumwezi would like to join in the celebrations for this year’s Independence Anniversary. Are you going to make sure that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) pays all the farmers in Dundumwezi so that they can also have something to celebrate?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, we will try to have the usual or slightly better than usual service. We will strive to do what the hon. Member recommends.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr L. J. Ngoma (Sinda): Mr Speaker, how many foreign Heads of State do you envisage attending the celebrations, considering that most Heads of State have shunned visiting Zambia? Further, what practical measures are you taking between now and then to make Zambia attractive for visits?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I contest the allegation that people have shunned us. There have been no events of this magnitude and importance to merit visits. I visited Kenya for its Independence Celebrations, I visited Tanzania for both its Independence and the Union celebrations and I also visited Malawi. I have not visited anywhere else except to attend the SADC or African Union (AU) meetings. You do not spend your life as Head of State or a second-rate Head of State like myself running around just doing protocol things. However, somebody’s independence celebration is like their birthday. We expect many people to turn up. Exactly how many will turn up will be clear in due course because the list of invitees is still subject to Cabinet approval. However, I have spoken to several Heads of State who have assured me that they will be coming.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwila (Chipili): Mr Speaker, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government was in power for twenty years and, in those twenty years, Zambia celebrated its Independence Anniversary annually and spent money. What is so different between those celebrations and the one for this year? Can you explain.

Hon. Opposition Member: Boko Haram.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the answer to that question is, no, I cannot explain because it baffles me completely.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, fifty years of …

Mr L. J. Ngoma: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr L. J. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order. The hon. Member of Parliament for Chipili asked a harmless question in his quest to represent his people and the Zambian public at large, and His Honour the Vice-President responded by saying, “I cannot explain.”

Hon. Opposition Member: I am baffled.

Mr L. J. Ngoma: He is baffled. Is he in order to answer in such a manner when the hon. Member of Parliament wanted an answer?

Mr Speaker: After the question by the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central and the response thereto, I will request the hon. Member for Chipili to restate the question. Quite frankly, I also had difficulty following what he was saying.

The hon. Member for Mazabuka Central may continue.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, earlier, the hon. Member of Parliament for Mafinga sought to find out whether this unknown expenditure that His Honour the Vice-President will bring to the House tomorrow has been appropriated by this House. It will be gratifying, if that can also be part of the answer that he will bring tomorrow.

Sir, fifty years of independence is a major milestone for any country, and hence worthy to be celebrated.

Sir, the Human Rights Report of 2013, that I am sure His Honour the Vice-President has seen it, reveals a lot of human rights abuses, including police brutality against people who do not share the same views with the Patriotic Front (PF). Can His Honour the Vice-President guarantee that this will be used as a platform to heal this country from this diabolical culture of no tolerance and beating up people who do not share the same ideals with those of the PF to the extent that if we decide to respond to the invitation and attend this function, we, on this side of the House, will be guaranteed safety from the PF’s machetes and pangas?

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I am not sure which human rights report the hon. Member is referring to. There is the one published in the United States of America (USA) which tends to include all allegations as well as anything proven and which provokes some controversy when you are discussing with the Americans. After all, they are the people who try to put people to death and fail after forty-eight minutes of injecting them with mysterious substances, and yet no one comes up with a human rights report on them.

I understand the hon. Member’s concern, but I think that we have no intention of making this a one-party celebration or demeaning any other party. We have no intention of not inviting the leaders of other parties or committing any human rights abuses. That is all I can say.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, under the MMD, we celebrated Zambia’s Independence anniversary annually for twenty years and spent money. What is the difference between those celebrations and the Jubilee Independence Celebrations?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwale: This one is under oppression.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I understood the question and it invited the reply that I gave which is that I do not see the difference, in principle, between holding independence celebrations under the Patriotic Front (PF), the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), the United Party for National Development (UPND) or any other party. Under the United National Independence Party (UNIP), we held twenty-seven Independence Anniversary Celebrations. So, I think he has made the point by asking the question. I really did not need to amplify it.

I thank you, Sir.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, the celebration of fifty years of one’s existence is a very important event and His Honour the Vice-President has promised that we are all invited for the celebrations. Can I have an assurance that this message will reach the lowest Government organ so that this call to reconciliation on amnesty is truly experienced at all levels?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, reconciliation on amnesty sounds as if there have been major hostilities in undeserving situations and I rather object to that. Of course, you are invited. You are Zambians. That principle has never, as far as I am aware, been broken by the PF or anybody else.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kaingu (Mwandi): Mr Speaker, as we celebrate fifty years of Independence, are you aware that there were men and women who were with President Kaunda during the struggle for Independence? Among them were Mr Munukayumbwa Sipalo, Mr Mundia Nalumino, Mr Arthur Wina, Mr Sikota Wina, Dr Mutumba Bull, Mr Mungoni Liso, Mr Mainza Chona, Mr Peter Matoka, Mukwae Nakatindi Sr and Mama Kankasa. If you are aware, what are you doing to honour these people like you have honoured President Kaunda? Some of them even worked harder than President Kaunda.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I think that the hon. Questioner has mentioned several names that have been honoured once, twice or even three times at Independence Day events. In fact, I happen to know that for this year, Dr Mutumba Bull, just to give you an example, is one of those who we will be honoured. Therefore, I think that this is another smoke and mirrors. I think that the reality is exactly as he thinks it should be. We know all these people. These people’s names come up to be honoured and they are honoured.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Pande (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, it is a follow up …

Dr Kaingu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order!

A point of order is raised.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I thank you very much and I apologies to Hon. Pande for interrupting his debate.

Mr Speaker, when I talked about honouring the men and women who participated in the fight for Independence, I did not mean their being given medals. For example, Dr Mutumba Bull has done a lot for the education sector of this country but, instead of naming a university after her, you decided to name it after Paul Mushindo whom we do not even know.

Interruptions

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, is His Honour the Vice-President in order to think that giving a medal to a person who fought for Independence is enough to honour him? Mr Mainza Chona was the first Secretary-General of the Zambia African National Congress (ZANC).

Mr Nkombo: He just gave away the presidency.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, does His Honour the Vice-President think that just giving him a medal is enough to honour him when airports and hospitals are being named after some of the freedom fighters?

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, is His Honour the Vice-President in order to think that just giving medals is enough to honour people who fought for Independence?

Mr Speaker: Order!

His Honour the Vice-President appropriately responded to your question but, if your contention is that, that is not sufficient, he has indicated that there is a structure that has been put in place, which is available to everybody, especially national leaders like the hon. Member for Mwandi, to engage and make suggestions on how best we should celebrate this event, including the issue that you have just raised of medals not being sufficient. Maybe, something more should be done. Therefore, I cannot say that His Honour the Vice-President was out of order.

Dr Kaingu: You have answered for him.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, my question was almost along the same lines as that for the hon. Member for Mwandi, but I will change it and ask His Honour the Vice-President whether his Government is considering coming up with a Bill to see how the freedom fighters can continuously be supported in terms of remuneration so that they are taken care of like it is done in other countries such as Namibia. Is the Government thinking along those lines?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, yes, the matter is under consideration, but I would like, with your indulgence, to just go back on the point of order of the hon. Member for Mwandi since the hon. Member for Kasempa had a similar question. I am trying to think, and will have to consult the hon. Member for Chipili on this one. How many heroes of liberation had game parks, schools or airports named after them by the MMD Government?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, in fact, I am having difficulty remembering that the MMD Government even threw a birthday party for Dr Kenneth Kaunda on his seventieth birthday. If I remember correctly, he had to go down to Johannesburg to have his birthday party at the expense of the African National Congress (ANC). Therefore, let us preach from where we are rather than from where we wish we were.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, has the Government coined a theme for the 50th Independence Anniversary? If it has, what is the theme?

The Vice-President rose to adjust the microphone.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the theme of this jubilee is: “Commemorating God’s Favour on Zambia’s Fifty Years of Independence for Continued Peace, Unity, Democracy, Patriotism and Prosperity”.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo): Mr Speaker, is the Government going to release the Barotse activists who are detained in Kaoma so that they can join in the celebrations?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I am afraid the hon. Member will just have to wait and see how things turn out.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Lt-Gen. Rev. Shikapwasha (Keembe): Mr Speaker, this is a landmark event that comes probably once in a life time. There are men and women in uniform who fought for Independence. Today, some of them live in squalid conditions. Is the Government going to do something about the former commanders who fought for the Independence that you are celebrating?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, that strikes me as quite a good question. I shall take it up.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamududu (Bweengwa): Mr Speaker, the post Independence fifty years have been underlined by bad governance due to a bad Constitution. Do you not think that this could be the best year to start afresh and give people a people-driven Constitution to improve governance going forward?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I think that the hon. Questioner is mixing up what is intrinsically a non political matter, which is the celebration of the 50th Independence Anniversary with a political agenda which he has.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Opposition Members: No.

Mr Speaker: Order!

His Honour the Vice-President, I understand the question and will paraphrase it to read, celebrate this event with the conclusion of the Constitution-making process.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, it may be possible, but it will involve a lot of things coming together.

Hon. Opposition Members: Which things?

The Vice-President: A lot of peace-making and secession of verbal hostilities between the two sides to get it done in the next 100 days. That is my estimate. I can only estimate. I cannot say whether that will happen or not.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, the way I understand the fifty years commemoration of our Independence is that it involves reconciliation …

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I apologise to the hon. Member on the Floor.

Sir, my point of order is of a very serious nature. In his response to the question by the Member of Parliament for Bweengwa, Hon. Hamududu, His Honour the Vice-President insinuated that the question regarding the awarding of Zambians, side by side with the celebration of Independence and the finalisation of the Draft Constitution, had a political undertone, …

Mr Speaker: Order!

A political what?

Mr Nkombo: Undertone.

… and yet it was the Republican President, His Excellency Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, seated where you are seated, in 2011, who lifted the hopes of Zambians on three consecutive State of the Nation Addresses to this country. He made clear statements about his desire to have this document finalised. Is His Honour the Vice-President, therefore, in order to respond to the question by the hon. Member of Parliament for Bweengwa concerning the non-political issue of the Draft Constitution in that manner?

Mr Speaker: Order!

My ruling is very simple. I did intervene and His Honour the Vice-President revisited his response accordingly. The response is very clear and it is on record. We may want to consult the record later, but he revisited his response.

May the hon. Member for Luena continue, please.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, I was saying that I am given to understand that as we commemorate fifty years of Independence, it is time for reconciliation. Fifty years ago, as we got to Independence, there were certain agreements that were entered into by the Government, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Imenda: … including the agreement on the financing of the Kariba Dam and many other agreements and legal documents that Zambia signed with various stakeholders, internationally and otherwise. One of them was the Barotseland Agreement.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, as we reconcile, fifty years after Independence, is the Government considering honouring this agreement, which was abrogated, and releasing the findings of the Commission of Inquiry that was set up when the Patriotic Front Government came into power?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I am not aware of any programme to revisit anything to do with the Barotseland Agreement. If you want to know why, I would consult some of your fellow hon. Members on that side who were in the MMD for a very long time during which the Barotseland Agreement was not even mentioned, let alone abrogated or however you want to put it. Perhaps, we could have a re-run of some of the campaign speeches of the UPND in 2011 and see how many times they promised to honour the Barotseland Agreement. So, I think we are, again, talking about …

Interruptions {mospagebreak}

Mr Speaker: Order!

The Vice-President: … a specific issue which may be treated in one year, ten years, six months or three months, but is not part of anything to do with the 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order!

His Honour the Vice-President, there was reference to the Report on the Commission of Inquiry.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I will see if I can get an answer on that one because it is more serious to get a proper answer than for me to simply say that I do not know.

I thank you, Sir.

__________

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

ROAD REHABILITATION AND CONSTRUCTION IN ZAMBIA

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank you most sincerely for granting me this opportunity to make a ministerial statement on Road Rehabilitation and Construction in Zambia.

Sir, the Road Development Agency (RDA) was established by the Public Roads Act No. 12 of 2002, with the following specific functions:

(a) to provide for the care, maintenance and construction of public roads in Zambia;

(b)  to regulate maximum works permissible for transmission on roads; and

(c)  to provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

Mr Speaker, the RDA commenced operations in 2006, and is responsible for the care and maintenance of the entire classified road network of 67,671 km. However, it has concentrated this effort on a Core Road Network (CRN) of 40,454 km. The CRN, as defined by the Road Sector Investment Programme of 2003 (ROADSIP II), is the minimum network required to spur economic development in Zambia.

Sir, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through my ministry, which supervises the RDA, is implementing a number of major projects with the aim of creating the following:

(i) connectivity;

(ii) accessibility;

(iii) lowering of transport costs;

(iv) reduction in transit times; and

(v) poverty reduction through job and wealth creation for the majority of Zambians.

Mr Speaker, the major projects and programmes being implemented by the Government include:

(i) Link Zambia 8,000 km;

(ii) Pave Zambia 2,000 km;

(iii) L400;

(iv) Kazungula Bridge;

(v) Axle Load Control; and

(vi) National Tolling.

Sir, the PF Government has allocated a total of K4.9 billion to the road sector in the Road Sector Budget which comprises local and external resources. The Government has so far released a total of K1.8 billion for the various on-going projects in the 2014 Road Sector Annual Work Plan. This represents 37 per cent of the total Road Sector Budget for 2014.

Mr Speaker, as you may be aware, the Patriotic Front Government initiated the Link Zambia 8,000 km Programme in 2012 with the aim of transforming Zambia from being landlocked into a truly land-linked country in Southern Africa. The programme involves upgrading, to bituminous standard, approximately 8,000 km of roads, thereby linking districts and provinces throughout the country. The PF Government has, so far, engaged a number of contractors to carry out rehabilitation and upgrading works on the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project.

Sir, I am pleased to inform you that, to date, over 1,900 km of roads, with a total cost of about K7.1 billion have been procured under the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project. The rates are at different stages of implementation and feasibility studies. Designs are currently ongoing on over 2,600 km of roads. It is envisaged that construction works will commence after completion of the detailed designs. The programme aims at creating not less than 24,000 jobs, especially among the youths. Further, the programme aims at promoting the growth of the local contracting industry and contributing to the reduction of Road User Costs (RUCs) and transit times across Zambia, with the resultant creation of economic growth poles and wealth in outlying areas of Zambia. I am pleased to inform you that the programme has, so far, created over 18,000 jobs in the road sector, especially among the youths.

Mr Speaker, arising from the 20 per cent sub-contracting policy, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the RDA, has created opportunities for 259 local construction companies that are participating in road construction activities. Through this policy, it is expected that road construction capacity will be enhanced, especially amongst the indigenous Zambian local road construction firms.

Sir, the Road Tolling Programme, which commenced on 1st November, 2013, under the PF leadership, has continued to provide additional revenue for road maintenance. From its inception to date, a total of K180.5 million has been collected from the toll points located at weigh bridge stations and ports of entry. In September, 2014, the Government will commence the construction of toll plazas at nine designated locations on the road network out of the approved twenty-six sites. This development will lead to even more revenue for road maintenance.

Mr Speaker, the Pave Zambia 2,000 Project is on course. The Government has not limited its projects to urban areas, but has also extended them to the provinces where the installation of equipment has been completed, except for Muchinga where we are yet to connect power to the plants. The Government has, so far, released a total of K26 million for the programme from the total budget of K40 million. The manufacturing of paving blocks has already commenced in Lusaka. Some of the locations earmarked for this include the area near the Freedom Statue, Chawama, Bishop Road and Bauleni.

Sir, the L400 is a US$348 million project, covering over 400 km of road in Lusaka District. The project commenced on 15th June, 2013, and is expected to be completed by 15th January, 2017. Once completed, the project will help in reducing premature traffic congestion and will also improve the drainage system in the City of Lusaka. So far, a total of 20 km of road has been completed. Works on the planned expansion of Burma, Chilumbulu and Kasama roads are ongoing.

Sir, the PF Government has embarked on the Kazungula Bridge Project which is another major project.

Hon. MMD Members: Aah!

Mr Mukanga: The valuation process of the Kazungula Bridge Project is ongoing. It is anticipated that it will be completed by the end of 2014, and the works will commence thereafter.

Mr Speaker, the RDA has the mandate to ensure the preservation of road and bridge infrastructure through regulating the maximum permissible works carried out on Zambian public roads. In this regard, it has allocated funds for the construction and rehabilitation of all the bridges at strategic locations on the road network.

Sir, the rehabilitation of the Kazungula, Kapiri Mposhi and old Kafue bridges has now been completed. The construction of the new weigh bridge in Chongwe will commence in the third quarter of 2014. The compliance level with overloading on the road networks stands at 96 per cent and the acceptable compliance is 95 per cent.

Mr Speaker, the programme of road rehabilitation and construction that the PF Government has embarked upon includes carefully thought-out projects, stemming …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left!

Mr Mukanga: … from the visionary leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, his Cabinet and the entire Government. The PF Government has remained committed to transforming Zambia into an economic giant of the region and beyond.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: Sir, to this end, the PF Government has prioritised the high economic routes of the North-South and Nacara corridors through the Great East Road. Sustainable financing for road maintenance will be guaranteed through the National Tolling Programme.

Mr Speaker, allow me to conclude by reaffirming that the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication, through the RDA, will work tirelessly to ensure that we get good quality roads. It is also hoped that the newly-introduced vendor-rating systems of works and services by the RDA will ensure and guarantee quality in design and construction works.

Sir, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Namwala.

Ms Lubezhi (Namwala): Mr Speaker, …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: I am responding to your fast rate …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … because you are rising even before the hon. Member has sat down.

Anyway, hon. Members, for completeness’ sake, it is now time to ask questions on points of clarification on the statement issued by the hon. Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication.

Laughter

Ms Lubezhi: Mr Speaker, of the roads that have been identified and prioritised since 2011, how many have been worked on or are being worked on in the Southern Province?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, in the Southern Province, there is the Monze/Nico Road whose contractor is mobilising, the Bottom Road and township roads. The Government is committed to working on the roads.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, I am glad that the hon. Minister has come up with this statement to give us an update on what the Government is doing in the road sector. I am sure, like always, he can almost guess my question.

Sir, can the hon. Minister give an update on the Katunda/Lukulu/Watopa Road which I have consistently asked His Honour the Vice-President about, but have never been given a satisfactory answer.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I was anticipating that question.

Laughter

Mr Shakafuswa: Good, hon. Minister.

Mr Mukanga: There are consultancy services in place, and we expect the designs to be ready by October, this year.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Shakafuswa: That is how it is supposed to be.

Mr Mucheleka (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, there is a perception that there is a lot of corruption in the road sector. Now that the Road Development Agency operations have been moved to State House, as opposed to State House providing oversight on the ministry, do you not think that you have taken corruption to the doorstep of State House?

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, the RDA operations have not been taken to State House. What is happening is that we are over-inspecting. The Head of State also has the power to over-inspect the ministry. So, there is no problem at all. The anticipated corruption was a perception, and nothing of the sort has been proved so far. If the hon. Member has got any evidence, he can bring it forward so that we act on it.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Matafwali (Bangweulu): Mr Speaker, when will the works on the township roads in Luapula commence?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I am not sure if the hon. Member meant Luapula Constituency or Luapula Province in general. Therefore, I can only answer his question if he is more specific.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Pande (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, it is interesting to hear the hon. Minister talk about the Kazungula Bridge. He is saying that the Patriotic Front Government has started constructing the bridge. However, what I know is that I was fully involved in the construction of that bridge that we had to divert from Zimbabwe …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Let us give him a chance to put his question across.

Mr Panda: … to Namibia. I actually have a lot of information concerning that bridge.

Further, a number of roads in the North-Western Province are appearing on the schedule for the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project. When are the works on the Ikeleng’i/Jhimbe Road, Mumbwa Road and Mumbwa/Kasempa Road going to start? We would like to know when they will start because there is nothing happening at the moment.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, firstly, I would like to state that there is a difference between talking about projects and implementing them. The PF does not just talk about projects, but also implements them.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, our leader is a man of action. I agree with the hon. Member for Kasempa that the project was started by the Movement for Multi-party Democracy Government. However, I would like to know which contractor was …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Mukanga: … sourced? My Government has gone ahead with the project which has since commenced. If this is a process that your Government commenced, you should have said so. We are happy that we are doing what we are supposed to do as a Government.

Sir, there are a lot of consultancies for road projects in the North-Western Province that should be concluded by September, this year. Thereafter, we shall see road works going on in the province.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chishimba (Kamfinsa): Mr Speaker, the Masangano/Luanshya/Fisenge and Mufulira/Ndola roads are in a deplorable state. Hon. Minister, when are road works going to start on the two roads on the Copperbelt where you come from?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, works on the Mufulira/Ndola Road will be starting soon. The design is almost concluded, and we are trying to source a contractor. With regard to the Luanshya/Ndola Road, the works will start as soon as the design has been completed. We are on course and are doing all we can to give the best service to the people of Zambia.

I thank you, Sir

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, the road between Kafue and Mazabuka forms part of a very important road that brings in goods from the South to the North and, sometimes, even as far as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Last week, a question was asked on what is being done about the deplorable state the road is in. I would like the hon. Minister to take advantage of the discussion on the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project to update the House on what is being done about the road in order to avoid the many accidents that are taking place as a result of the poor state of the road.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, when the question was asked last week, the House was talking about the contractors that are working on the Kafue/Chirundu Road. There are a number of contractors working on that road. We shall carry out holding maintenance works on the portions of the road that are very bad. This will enable the sourced contractor to do a good job.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr I. Banda (Lumezi): Mr Speaker, under the Link Zambia …

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

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Sir, Chirundu and Mazabuka are two different places.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Continue, hon. Member for Mazabuka Central.

Mr Nkombo:  Sir, is the hon. Minister hallucinating …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Not so long ago, I cautioned against the use of the word, “hallucination”. Look, let us be courteous to each other.  Everybody here is honourable and deserves respect. Let us be fair to each other. How can the hon. Minister be hallucinating when he is actively responding to questions? Please, withdraw that word before you proceed.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, with a lot of humility, I withdraw the word, “hallucination”. However, I seek that you will help this House to get the hon. Ministers to answer questions as they come so that we avoid these points of order. I would never have raised this point of order had you guided the hon. Minister that my question was on the Kafue/Mazabuka Road.

I submit, Sir.

Mr Speaker: It is as simple as that. I am going to get back to the hon. Minister to ensure that he clarifies that issue as he responds to the question from the hon. Member for Lumezi. These are not complicated issues.

Hon. Minister, take note of the concerns of the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central.

You may continue, please.

Mr I. Banda: Mr Speaker, under the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project, whose schedule we were given in 2012 during a workshop in the Amphitheatre, there was a road which is supposed to run from Chief Mwanse, through Lundazi Boma via Chief Chitungulu, Chief Mwanya up to Mfuwe in Malambo, Mambwe District. The works on this road were supposed to start this year. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the project will go ahead as scheduled.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, firstly, I would like to apologise for not giving the correct answer. We are carrying out feasibility studies on the Kafue/Mazabuka Road. For the portions which are very bad, we will send engineers to go and look at them so that we do some holding maintenance.

Mr Speaker, the names of the areas that the hon. Member for Lumezi mentioned are very long. I will try to look at those issues later so that I give him a proper answer.

I thank you, Sir,

Mr Speaker: I would like to commend you for tendering that apology.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kunda (Muchinga): Mr Speaker, the youths out there are saying that their money is being misused by this Patriotic Front Government. What necessitated the moving of the Road Development Agency to State House, seeing that the Auditor-General’s Office cannot audit State House?

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, just be clear on that issue. I know you addressed it earlier on.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, a similar question was asked last time and I said that the operations of the RDA are still under the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication. State House is just over-inspecting.

Sir, over inspection is the process of checking whether the works are being done correctly. The head of department has the power to do that. So, when the youths complain that the money is being misused, tell them that they should be patient because it is for their benefit, and that we are working hard to ensure that our children appreciate what this Government                                                                                   is doing in future.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila (Chipili): Mr Speaker, in Luapula Province, there are contractors working on the Kawambwa/Mushota, Kashikishi/Chienge, Mansa/Luwingu, …

Dr Kaingu: How come?

Mr Mwila: … Musaila/Kasaba and the Pedicle roads.

Hon. Opposition Members: All those roads.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, order!

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the Patriotic Front Government for working on all those roads. However, my concern is on the Pedicle Road. The progress of the works on the Pedicle Road is not satisfactory because the contractor is too slow. I would like the hon. Minister to explain what is going on.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the hon. Member’s question because he has appreciated the massive investments that this Government is making in road works. Currently, we are working on all the roads in Luapula Province that he has mentioned.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: I think we need to be given credit for such performance. However, coming to the …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Just give me a minute, hon. Minister. Please, can you sit down. There are too many running commentaries. I know how central this issue is to your roles as hon. Members of Parliament and I know that a lot of you are anxious to ask questions. I have a long list, and I am being assisted, as usual, by the Clerk and her staff. However, this is no cause for running commentaries or innuendos.

May the hon. Minister continue.

Mr Mukanga: I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Sir, coming to the issue of the Pedicle Road, the delay in the works has been caused by the cancellation of the contract with the contractor, and it was difficult to identify another contractor to continue working on that project because this happened in the rainy season. However, those issues have been resolved and there is a contractor who is working on that road at the moment. Both my hon. Deputy Minister and I have been to check on the progress of that road and have seen that there is a lot of improvement. We shall complete the project in due course.
 
I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ntundu (Gwembe): Mr Speaker, in response to the question by the hon. Member of Parliament for Namwala, the hon. Minister said …

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Ntundu: … that the township roads in the Southern Province were being worked on. I live in Gwembe which is one of the oldest districts in Zambia.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ntundu: Yes. This electricity that you are enjoying comes from Gwembe.

Laughter

 Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, which township roads are being worked on in the Southern Province because there is dust all over Gwembe, Choma, Mazabuka …

Mr Nkombo: Yes, please.

Mr Ntundu: … and Monze?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, when we talk about the Southern Province, we are not just talking about Gwembe. Livingstone is in the Southern Province, and 80 per cent of the roads in Livingstone were worked on before the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly. We are also working on some roads in Monze. The construction of roads is a process and, eventually, all the towns will be covered. So, we are working on the roads, given the available resources.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, during one of the sessions of His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time, I had the opportunity to ask His Honour the Vice-President when the 11-km stretch of the township roads in Kabompo would be worked on, and he assured the people of Kabompo that this would be done before the onset of the rains. That was in 2012. I would like to find out when this will be done.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I do not remember His Honour the Vice-President saying that. However, I will go and check for the requested information and will provide it to the hon. Member.

I thank you, Sir.

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, I can see that the hon. Minister has a catalogue of roads that his ministry, through the Road Development Agency, is working on. Can he inform the people of Nalikwanda what is happening to the Namushakende/Nakanyaa Road.

Laughter

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I do not have the Namushakende/Nakanyaa Road on my list. So, there are no works being undertaken on that road.

 I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, the Kasama/Kaputa Road was cut off by the rains in March this year. To date, the people of Kaputa are unable to get to Nsama or Mporokoso using that road. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when the road will be worked on in order to enable the people of Kaputa to use it before the rains start?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, when such things happen, it is a disaster. We have the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in the Office of the Vice-President which should attend to that issue.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, my eyes were filled with tears …

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: … when I heard that about four or so roads have been constructed in Luapula Province. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when a contractor will also work on the Katunda/ …

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: … Lukulu/Mumbezhi Road. This is not a joking matter because the rainy season is around the corner.

Interruptions

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I am not sure which hon. Member asked a similar question. However, I said that there is a consultant who is working on the design of the road and it will be completed in October, this year.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mufalali (Senanga): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what has happened to the bridges …

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

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Prof. Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for affording me the opportunity to raise a point of order. Is the hon. Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication in order to contradict himself by saying that there are no works being carried out on the Namushakende/Nakanyaa Road when, just a few months ago, he stated that a contractor was working on that road? When the hon. Deputy Minister was challenged on the Floor of this House that there was nothing happening on that road, he said that he would go and verify.

Mr Speaker, this is a stretch of 55 km that people have to walk. When they are lucky enough to get on a vehicle, they have to pay K120. The hon. Minister has just responded that this road has been completed. Is he in order to contradict himself in this unacceptable manner over an important road such as the Namushakende/Nakanyaa Road?

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, you may respond. 

I beg your pardon. Hon. Minister, after you respond to Hon. Mufalali’s question, you may clarify the issue raised by the hon. Member for Nalikwanda.

Hon. Members, I have a long list of people intending to ask questions. If these points of order continue at this rate, there will be very little progress. I have said before that this is not the only platform to engage the hon. Minister or hon. Ministers in general. As we know, Zambia is a vast country, and there are a lot of activities taking place. The hon. Minister has a schedule in front of him, but I am not too sure just how detailed it is for people who expect him to talk about township roads and every type of road within the length and breadth of this country. I do not know how feasible that is.

I have stated before that the colleagues on the right should develop a practice of constantly updating their colleagues on the left by making available this information on a regular basis. You can see now how much time we are going to spend on this exercise because I have a long list before me of hon. Members wishing to debate. I cannot even count the number of people who are intending to ask questions. It is understandable though because there are many roads involved.

I believe that this statement that the hon. Minister made on what the Government is doing in the area of roads was general. However, if we are going to use this as a platform to audit the status quo of each and every road, I am afraid we may take very long, if at all, to dispose of this list.

Hon. Minister, after the response, please, take note of what the hon. Member for Nalikwanda said.

Hon. Member for Senanga, you may proceed.

Mr Mufalali: Mr Speaker, I have been writing to the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication about the Kakenge, Munguli, Lwamba and Tepa bridges in Senanga since 2011. I have been to the ministry in person, and even gone as far as the Office of the Vice-President.

Mr Speaker, the people of Senanga want to know why this Government has been unable to construct these bridges which have been brought to its attention. What are you doing about them?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, we will be implementing an acrow bridges project where works on approximately 144 bridges will be executed in the country. We will be able to look at some of the requirements for bridges and do whatever we can within the resource framework. 

Mr Speaker as for the point of order by Hon. Prof. Lungwangwa, the last time we engaged each other, we talked about the periodic maintenance of the road in question. I am talking about the current position which is that there is nothing happening on that road.

If the hon. Member is aware of an emergency that requires immediate attention, he needs to come to us so that we can attend to it.

I thank you, Sir.

Lt-Gen. Rev. Shikapwasha (Keembe): Mr Speaker, I would like to start with an appeal to the hon. Minister.

Sir, contracts have been signed for roads to be worked on from Chibombo to Malambanyama, Chitanda Turn-off to Chitanda, Chitanda to Ipongo and Ipongo to Itumbwe.

Hon. Opposition Member: Mwamvela ka?

Lt-Gen. Rev. Shikapwasha: Contractors have been paid, but nothing has happened on the ground for a whole year.

On Tuesday, the hon. Minister stated that 65 km of the Mumbwa/Landless Corner Road would be worked on by September, this year. Hon. Minister, can you confirm that this will be done even though there is nothing happening at the moment? 

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, going by the contract, the job is supposed to be finished by November, this year.

If contractors will not execute their jobs in accordance with the agreements, they will no longer be awarded contracts. We have a vendor-rating system which will identify contractors who are poor performers and those that are high fliers so that when it comes to interacting with them and awarding jobs in future, we take this into consideration.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned the Bottom Road as one of the roads being worked on in the Southern Province, and rightly so.

However, is he aware that most of the culverts and bridges on that road, especially the Lusitu Bridge, which is the biggest, are so poorly constructed that you may have to go back and work on them?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member for that valid information. We will look at it and validate it.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, last week, I posed a question during His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time on the Mwinilunga/Jimbe Road. His Honour the Vice-President said that he would get back to me this week.

Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to find out from the hon. Minister  – I hope that he will be as detailed as he was when responding to Hon. Dr Kalila’s question – when, exactly, this 105 km road, which the Provincial Minister will not even use, will be worked on.

Surely, you cannot hate the people so much that you cannot even gravel the road for them?

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Mr Muchima: Hon. Minister, be specific, when exactly will this road be worked on?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member has already asked His Honour the Vice-President who indicated that he would come back to the House with a response. The hon. Member will be given feedback tomorrow by His Honour the Vice-President.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutale (Kwacha): Mr Speaker, traffic on the Kitwe roads is quite heavy. Is the hon. Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication considering re-routing heavy trucks, after the Kafue Bridge, away from the city and onto the Kalulushi/Chingola Road? 
 
Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, His Honour the Vice-President has instructed me to answer the question by Hon. Muchima. So, I thought that I should start with that question.

Sir, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through RDA, has engaged a consultant to carry out consulting services for the techno-economic study. The contract for detailed engineering, design and technical tender document preparation for the upgrading of the Maninga/Jhimbe Road, which is 327 km, through Mwinilunga and Ikeling’i District in the North-Western Province, was awarded to Jeffrey Rays Green & Associates. The contract is worth about K16.1 million. The consulting services are expected to be completed by 6th January, 2015. It is anticipated that the works will commence by the first quarter of 2015.

Sir, I am unable to give the hon. Member for Kwacha an answer. Instead, I will send some engineers who can give us technical advice on the best way to solve the problem.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.{mospagebreak}

Ms Sayifwanda (Zambezi East): Mr Speaker, having completed the designs for the Katunda/Lukulu/Mumbeji Road, joining the M-8 Road, I would like to get an assurance from the hon. Minister whether the ministry is going to allocate some money in the 2015 Budget for the construction of this road so that his relatives can be at peace.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, the intention is that once we have completed the consultancy services and the designs, we should then make progress and provide the resources. We will make proposals in the Budget. However, it is up to us, hon. Members of Parliament, to pass the Budget so that we can do the job.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, the roads in the Northern Province are in a bad state and most of them are on the schedule for the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project. These are the Kasaba via Chungu to Ipusukulo into Luwingu, Luwingu/Nsombo/Chaba/Chilubi, Mporokoso/Kaputa and the Mbala/Nakonde roads. These roads have not been given to any contractor to work on. I hope the hon. Minister will look into that.

Secondly, Mr Speaker, the Road Development Agency was constituted to deal with the core business of constructing and maintaining roads, but I note that it is now into procuring of equipment and moulding materials for paving the roads. Is that not diluting the core business of the RDA to an extent that it may not be able to cope with the current road works that it is expected to do?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, the RDA is doing everything possible to ensure that we execute what we promised the Zambian people. Whatever the hon. Member has mentioned is within its core business of road maintenance and construction.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, one of the missing links in the Zambian road network is that of linking this country with Angola. This is why there was a proposal to construct a road from Kalabo to the Angolan Border. In 2012, we asked a question as to when this road would be constructed and we were told that the road would be constructed in 2013, which was last year. However, nothing has happened to date. Could the Government tell us cleanly whether or not the loan finances that were procured for that road were diverted. If they were not diverted, why is the road not being constructed?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that we had looked at procuring a contractor, but we had given the funders from Kuwait documents to give us a no-objection, but they delayed. The documents have been signed. Therefore, we will be able to see some progress on that job. I would like to assure the hon. Member that the money is still there and has not been diverted. In trying to link Zambia with Angola, we are not just looking at the road alone, but also the canal, which we have already done.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo): Mr Speaker, when is the contractor expected to move on site?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, we are trying to carry out some procurement processes of a contractor to do the job.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Muntanga indicated.

Mr Speaker: Order!

 I know that the hon. Member for Kalomo Central has just come in.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: No. The Speaker is on the Floor. I just want to update Hon. Muntanga that I have a long list of members indicating to take the Floor, and I have put his name down. People have been rising even before he came and I have not yet had a chance to give them the Floor. I am following a list which I am not too sure whether or not I will exhaust.

Mr Chansa (Chimbamilonga): Mr Speaker, the Mporokosao/Nsama/Kaputa/Nsumbu Road was one of the roads in the Road Sector Investment Programme (ROADSIP) I. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when this road will be constructed.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, the road in question will be constructed after the feasibility study has been completed. 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Belemu (Mbabala): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that the focus is on the more than 40,000 km of roads that were indentified under Road Sector Investment Programme II in 2003. Considering that we are following a five-year development plan and there have been many development programmes in between that require prioritising, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why the ministry is still giving preference to roads that were identified in 2003.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, this has to do with continuity. We need to continue from where our friends left off. We will then build on that so that we can give the best service to the people of Zambia.

 I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chipungu (Rufunsa): Mr Speaker, in the past, most of our roads were good. Lately, due to the indiscriminate cutting of the famous mukula tree, most of the roads are in a deplorable state because of the heavy trucks that the so-called investors are using to ferry the logs. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what he will do about this. The hon. Minister must also comment on the Great East Road because it is also being affected. I am aware that last year, he assured this House that the portion between the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Roundabout and the Luangwa Bridge on the Great East Road would be worked on. However, to date, nothing is being done about the road.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the right! 

The hon. Minister will respond.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, it is only that he is my mulamu. Otherwise, I would have answered differently.

Laughter

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, we are doing a lot of work on the Great East Road. This road has three contractors assigned to it. Very soon, we will be seeing a lot of work being done on the Great East Road.

Sir, as to the trucks that are carrying heavy loads, we have weigh bridges which ensure that we get some money from the transporters if they are over and above the acceptable limit. As I said in my ministerial statement, we are at 96 per cent compliance when it comes to tonnage. Apart from that, we have also introduced toll gates to ensure that we get more money from such operations.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mwale (Chipangali): Mr Speaker, has the ministry ever carried out an audit or inspection to ascertain how many foreign contractors have complied with the regulation of contracting 20 per cent of the works to Zambian contractors?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, that is a continuous process and we do it every time we award a contract so that we check what is happening. That is why we introduced the vendor-rating system. We have had a big challenge in that some of the local contractors would rather go to the major contractor and ask to be given a portion of the contract and then decide to stay home. That has been a big challenge because, instead of us building capacity in the sub-contractors so that they can rise to higher grades, we are having to try to address that problem.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, the Link between Mongu/Limulunga/Lukulu is a very short distance. However, currently, there is no such link and, if somebody is coming from Mongu or Limulunga and going to Lukulu, they have to use the Katunda/Lukulu Road which is 400 km long. There is supposed to be a road between Limulunga and Lukulu via Mushitwambumu and Mbanga. Has the contract for that road already been commissioned or is this project still on the drawing board?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, we have engaged some consulting services to make a detailed study and engineering design on that road which will be completed by November, this year.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Antonio (Kaoma Central): Mr Speaker, the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project was introduced in 2012, and road projects like the Kalabo/Mongu and Senanga/Sesheke were initiated by the MMD. So far, 1,900 km of road have been worked on under the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project. May I know what the distance is from the Western Province?

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the right!

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, we did not divide the kilometres into provinces. Let me also comment on the statement that those were projects initiated by the Movement for Multi-party Democracy. When the Patriotic Front came into power in 2011, the people of Zambia gave us the mandate to make decisions and we would have decided not to continue if we so wished. However, we looked at the needs and decided to continue. So, we should be given credit for continuing with the projects. Is there anything the MMD can claim to have done on the Mongu/Kalabo Road? It is us who will implement the project. So, it is the PF which is working.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Shakafuswa (Katuba): Mr Speaker, first and foremost, I would like to commend the hon. Minister, …

Lt-Gen. Rev. Shikapwasha: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: We are about to go on break. There are only two minutes remaining. So, let the hon. Member for Katuba finish his question.

Lt-Gen. Rev. Shikapwasha resumed his seat.

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, firstly, I would like to commend the hon. Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication for the manner in which he is responding to questions. He is not being emotional and is responding with humility. Other hon. ministers should take a leaf from him and come to the House prepared. Most of you use the Great North Road when coming into town and have seen the congestion which is there as you enter the town centre. That congestion is there because there is no ring road which cars going onto the Great East Road can use. I would like to know if the hon. Minister has paid a contractor to work on the Great North Road/Kasisi/Airport Road to help reduce the congestion that accumulates as you enter Lusaka.

Mr Speaker: Order!

As the time is now 1615 hours, I suspend business, and that is the last question.

Laughter

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, when business was suspended, I was about to respond to the question by Hon. Shakafuswa.

Sir, the ministry has noticed the congestion that is being experienced in the City of Lusaka. We are trying to come up with a number of ring roads around the city so as to divert traffic to the ring roads at all points of entry into the city.

Sir, for the Kasisi Road, the contractor is paid as soon as the interim payment certificates are raised. So far, he has been paid for the interim payment certificate which he raised. Thereafter, will continue to pay as we monitor the work that is being carried out. We are on course, and we will execute the work in accordance with the contract.

I thank you, Sir.

__________________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

KCM OPERATIONS

611. Mr Matafwali (Bangweulu) asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development:

(a) what the findings of the forensic audit into the operations of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Plc were;

(b) whether the company operated within the legal framework relating to mining in the country; and

(c) if not, what measures would be taken to ensure that all mining companies operated within the legal parameters for mining activities.

The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Musukwa): Mr Speaker, contrary to the assertion by Konkola Copper Mines that the proposed retrenchments were necessitated by the planned mechanisation of mining methods, the audit established that there was no plan linking the two. The problem was purely the mismanagement of the business by the company.

Mr Speaker, the findings were as follows:

Threat of Insolvency

As of 30th September, 2013, the KCM’s total liability stood at well over US$1.567 billion, exceeding the current assets of the company which stand at US$123 million. Consequently, the KCM was unable to meet its obligations, as they fell due. The liabilities included the following:
 
(i) bank loans, local and foreign suppliers and contractors;
 
(ii) ZCCM-IH copper and cobalt price participation; and

(iii) deferred taxes and outstanding bank guarantees to cover environmental liabilities for its mining operations.

High Turnover of Chief Executive Officers and High Exodus of Skilled Zambian Professionals

Mr Speaker, poor corporate governance at the KCM resulted in parallel management structures where the Chief Executive Officer dealt with an advisory council board on one hand and management on the other hand.

Non-compliance to the Commitment to Bring in Foreign Direct Investment
 
Mr Speaker, Vedanta Resources Plc has not complied with its commitment to inject US$357 million into the KCM as foreign direct investment (FDI) to-date. Instead, funds generated within the KCM, which would be used for operations in a normal operation, were diverted to finance capital projects. As a result, current operations were starved of the necessary maintenance funds. From the time Vedanta Resources Plc acquired the KCM, US$2.8 billion, composed of internally- generated funds and bank loans, was injected in capital projects which included the Konkola Deep Mining Project (KDMP), concentrator expansion at Konkola Mine and the new concentrator and smelter at Nchanga Mine.

Lack of Investment to Develop New Ore Sources and Provide Adequate and Sustainable Feed for the Efficient and Cost-Effective Running of the Processing Facilities

Mr Speaker, the commissioning of the KDMP has been delayed by over seven years mainly due to design changes. This has not only resulted in the increased cost of sinking of the shaft and the development of the ore sources, but also the loss of 4 million tonnes of ore anticipated per annum from this venture in the last five years.

Failure to Adopt Cost-effective Means of Production

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left!

Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, the subcontracting or outsourcing of all mining operations by the KCM resulted in the high cost of doing business, rendering the company almost insolvent. In addition, due to dependence on contractors, the KCM could not purchase or maintain its own equipment. Consequently, the pullout of any contractor at any time meant the suspension of mining activities.

Lack of a Strategic Survival Business Plan

Mr Speaker, it was clear from the foregoing that the company lacked a proper business plan and the financial muscle to mitigate any business challenges.

Mr Speaker, the mining legislation under the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development that is used to regulate the mining industry, the KCM included, are:

(a) The Mines and Minerals Development Act, 2008;

(b) The Mines and Minerals Development (General) Regulations, 2008;

(c) The Mining Regulations;

(d) The Explosives Act and its regulations;

(e) The Mines and Minerals (Environmental) Regulations, 1997; and

(f) Statutory Instruments (SI) 34 of 2012 and 17 of 2013.

Mr Speaker, the KCM is largely compliant with all the above legislation. My ministry, through its various technical departments, the Mines Safety and Mines Development Department in particular, regularly inspects the KCM to check on compliance issues which include, but not limited to, safety, health and environmental practices, use of appropriate and approved equipment, use of qualified personnel, submission of statutory reports and payment of statutory fees.

Mr Speaker, there have been incidences of non-compliance from time to time on certain aspects by the company. These have included delays in the submission of statutory reports and environmental pollution from the mines. These and other issues of non-compliance have been dealt with by the ministry as and when they arise in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Mr Speaker, as I have explained before in this House through several ministerial statements that have been issued, the problems at the KCM are largely as a result of mismanagement of the business, leading to failure to take key strategic actions to keep the company afloat. However, through Government intervention, the company has come up with a business intervention plan (BIP) that is aimed at keeping the company afloat, save jobs and improve productivity.

Mr Speaker, in order to ensure that all mining companies operate within the legal parameters for mining activities, the Government is working to enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development to monitor and regulate mining operations. The measures include the following:

(a) recruitment of more technical staff to increase the enforcement of the provisions of the law;

(b) strengthening of the legal framework. The Mines and Minerals Development Act, 2008, Explosives Act and its regulations and Mining Regulations are all currently under review in order to ensure that we are abreast with current trends in the mining industry; and

(c) strengthening collaboration between the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development, Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and other regulatory agencies in the mining industry.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.{mospagebreak}

Mr Matafwali: Mr Speaker, the problems at the KCM and other mining companies seem to be coming from the laxity in the oversight functions at the ministry. It is like the inspectorate at the ministry has either gone to sleep or is totally moribund. What are we doing to solve this problem?

Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, like we have clearly indicated in our earlier statement, the Government is working towards ensuring that capacity is built in our technical staff and ensure that the oversight role on the industry is enhanced in order to avoid the said problems.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the ministry carries out inspections on the productivity in mines. However, I would like him to give me some comfort by reconciling the production statistics and the reported figures that are confusing us in this Republic.

The Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Yaluma): Mr Speaker, I guess it is a matter of perception, but we do try to reconcile figures. We are now putting up weigh equipment right outside the mines. We should be able to compare what is going out of the smelter with what is declared at the borders by the drivers who transport what is produced at the mines. So, we are crosschecking at the moment.

Thank you, Sir.

Mr Konga (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, is the Government aware that in the United Kingdom (UK) Vedanta Resources Plc, which owns the KCM, has been summoned by the British hon. Members of Parliament to consider delisting it from the London Stock Exchange because of bad behaviour such as tax evasion in Zambia?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, there has been a lot of information from the media lately and we do take cognisance of that information and evaluate what could be the truth or what could not be the truth. It helps us to be alert. We are using that information as it is.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwila (Chipili): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has informed this House that the KCM has US$1.6 billion in debt which has exceeded the US$123 million total worth of assets for the KCM. This means that the company may go …

Mr Mumba: Insolvent.

Mr Mwila: … into liquidation. What is the ministry doing to protect the jobs of employees at the KCM?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, as highlighted by Hon. Musukwa, the BIP, which has been put in place, is actually tackling that issue. We are aware of that issue. There will be no loss of jobs on the part of employees at the KCM. In fact, I would like to put it on record that after the review of its first quarter and coming into the second, its performance has shown the right trend. Two hundred and fifty casual workers out of 280 have been turned into permanent employees, leaving 30 employees. I think that is an indication the company is willing to increase the employee establishment, but not retrenching.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, yesterday and today, the hon. Minister has indicated that the study that the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) conducted on Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and all other investigations have proved that there have been no challenges in relation to the pronouncements by Mr Anil Agarwal in India when he boasted that he was making a lot of money from this country. Tax evasion is sophisticated and may be more sophisticated than our local agencies such as the ZRA can handle. Going by what the hon. Member for Chavuma has said, would the hon. Minister consider engaging more sophisticated organisations such as Scotland Yard to carry out a more forensic study in order to find out what is hidden in the way the mining companies have been cooking up their accounts using transfer pricing and sometimes just mere tax evasion.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, we agree with the speculations in the mining houses. We cannot refute the reports. I would like to assure the House that Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has also acknowledged this and is increasing capacity and the number of audits on its part to ensure that there is no tax evasion. At the same time, it has indicated willingness to contract foreign experts whenever it is necessary to assist them in conducting audits. We have taken note of that concern and are on a par in doing that kind of thing.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chishimba (Kamfinsa): Mr Speaker, I am wondering if the two hon. Ministers work under the same ministry.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chishimba: I recall hearing the hon. Minister using all sorts of sweet words in praising Konkola Copper Mines (KCM).

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chishimba: He said that the KCM had the best business plan. However, today, the hon. Deputy Minister is saying that the company has no proper plan. Can they reconcile the two statements.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, I would like to take you back to the verbatim report because what we are submitting is the same as what I submitted in my ministerial statement and I have a copy of it here. There is nothing …

Mr Chishimba: We can go to the Zambia Daily Mail.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Yaluma: Listening is a skill and we must pay attention when somebody is talking.

Mr Mucheleka: Aah!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Yaluma: I gave my hon. Deputy Minister this document to read exactly what was tabled here and that is what he read. Please, learn to understand.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Lubezhi (Namwala): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why the Government is over protective of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and its employees. When the KCM wants to lay off its employees, the ministry will come in and intervene, and yet the same Government is quick to lay off civil servants like what happened to the nurses.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, I appreciate that observation. However, the question should be directed to the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security or any other relevant ministry. I am defending the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development here as it is.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, following the pronouncements by Chairman Agarwal, if I may borrow …

Mr Nkombo: Anil Agarwal.

Mr Lufuma: Anil Agarwal.

Laughter

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, following those remarks, has the Government cared to summon him so that he can explain why he made those remarks? What is the justification for those remarks?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, Vedanta Resources, through the Chairman Agarwal, has rendered a full apology to the Zambian Government.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Yaluma: Despite that, the Secretary to the Cabinet has set up a team to review the comments made by Mr Agarwal and see if there is any legal implication to that effect.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, it is not long ago when Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) wanted to shade off labour because it could not afford it since it wanted to rationalise, but the Government did not allow that and threatened to terminate the contract with the KCM.

Mr Speaker, this afternoon, we have been told that 250 employees have been turned into permanent employees, and yet I do not see what has improved for the company to justify the increase in permanent employees when just a few months ago, it wanted to shade off labour. Can the hon. Minister assure this House that the 250 extra workers are genuine and not cosmetic?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, when we called in the Vedanta shareholders, we shared the audit report because whenever an audit is conducted, it is given back to the people involved so that they can review and give an audit response. Six of the shareholders were invited into the country. Once we finished reviewing the audit, we put up a BIP to ensure that the KCM starts to improve its performance. One of the things we attached to that were new targets. Remember that from inception, the KCM never reached its own targets on production. So, we set tight targets for it to achieve per quarter and also requested Vedanta to fund its company with $350 million so that it could be used for the anticipated increase in production. Therefore, this also called for the deployment of more workers. Those are the casual workers they brought in who have since been employed on a permanent basis. We also agreed that no loss of jobs should ever be experienced.

Mr Speaker, we further asked Vedanta to issue a US$400 million guarantee to the KCM to help it tap into loans and that has been done. As regards money owed to the 111 Zambian contractors and suppliers, the KCM has since paid US$52 million. This is according to the report for the first quarter. It is supposed to produce quarterly reports on its operations. So, if that is not improvement, then, what is it? Do we have to choke them, in which case the Government of Zambia will be in a terrible state?

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, in response to the question by the hon. Member for Namwala, the hon. Minister said that he was defending the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development and directed her question to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. I would like to find out whether this Government believes in collective responsibility and whether it has a defined policy direction on labour because, on one hand, it stops others from firing employees and on the other, is firing Government employees.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, the House is discussing the KCM and not nurses. The hon. Minister of Health is here to defend his ministry’s decision as regards nurses. I do not know what the status quo is on this issue. However, I know that the recruitment of nurses has commenced and, if you want full information, file in a question to the hon. Minister of Health. I do not have much information on this issue. Otherwise, I might mislead this august House.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. UPND Members: Collective responsibility.

FISH CONSERVATION IN LAKE MWERU-WANTIPA

612. Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock what measures the Government had taken to conserve fish in Lake Mweru-Wantipa in Kaputa Parliamentary Constituency.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mr Monde): Mr Speaker, the Government’s focus on fish production is twofold, namely conservation and stock enhancement. The following is being done in Kaputa Parliamentary Constituency where Lake Mweru-Wantipa is located:

(i) the Government, through the Department of Fisheries, has been conducting sensitisation meetings in fishing villages with a view to establishing fisheries and co-management structures so that fishermen participate in fish conservation. Among the villages covered are Kawama, Kalundu, Kasengole, Kampinda, Kakomo, Chitipa and Kashikishi;

(ii) the Government has also introduced a programme called Fish Stock Enhancement or Fish Restocking. In the areas where communities have been trained, fish pens have been placed in water and fish is growing to build the stocks. At the moment, these are in Chitipa, Kampinda, Kakomo and Kashikishi; and

(iii) as funds are made available, it is planned to  establish a lake-based hatchery with nursery ponds in which to grow fingerlings for stock enhancement and a breeding area has been identified in the western side of Mweru-Wantipa between Kawama and Kalundu, and regular patrols are being conducted in that area to prevent unsustainable fishing.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, it is a known fact that in order to enhance conservation, we need to promote fish farming as a business. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether there is a particular fund that our people can tap into through the ministry in order to enhance their fish farming activities.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, there is no such fund for fish farmers. However, we are promoting these methods to ensure that we increase fish stocks in the waters so that fishermen are able to have big catches.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chipungu (Rufunsa): Mr Speaker, I am sure that my colleague from Kaputa is very happy with that answer. However, I would like to find out whether the conservation taking place in Mweru-Wantipa is extended to other areas in the country. I ask this because we also have a similar problem in the Luangwa River where fish stocks are being depleted.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, the intention of the ministry is to ensure that fish stocks are not reduced. As such, surveys are being conducted to ensure that there is restocking where fish stocks are depleting. Therefore, Luangwa River is also part of the plans of the ministry.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, is the Western Province part of that programme?

Laughter

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, I recall that a few days ago, I responded to a question on the Zambezi River and I said that there are areas that we have identified in the Western Province for restocking fish. So, the Western Province is also part of the programme.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr L. J. Ngoma (Sinda): Mr Speaker, is Lake Bangweulu receiving the same attention as Lake Mweru-Wantipa? When we went to Lake Bangweulu, we did not see a single fish.

Laughter

Hon. Member: Bufi ubo, mwaice.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, to say that there was no single fish is an overstatement that I cannot justify except to say that wherever we are noticing low catches, we have a plan to ensure that we restock. As for Lake Bangweulu, we have not yet started the programme. Maybe, we need to check what programmes there are for that lake.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what methods will be employed in restocking fish in the Luangwa River.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, there are many methods that are used to restock fish. Establishing land breeding centres and collecting fingerlings from there is not really the recommended method because, sometimes, fish that is dumped in rivers ends up dying due to the change in environment. So, we are trying to ensure that we restock by using better methods of fishing so that we do not harvest the fish that is productive.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, apart from the plan to restock fish, can the hon. Minister give us two or three examples of places where fish has actually been restocked.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, in my response, I said that we are restocking the fish in Mweru-Wantipa by putting up fish pens made out of wires with big mesh so that the big fish we are feeding does not go into the river, while the small fish being bred can enter the river. There are many places where we are restocking fish. In fact, last week, when I responded to a similar question, I said that we have fish hatcheries in Kaoma, Mwandi, and other places dotted around the country.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Lt-Gen. Rev. Shikapwasha (Keembe): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the methods of fishing are the ones that need to be redefined …

Mr Livune: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order!

A point of order is raised.

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, I am very disappointed with the hon. Members on your right …

Hon. Opposition Member: Apologise to him.

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, I have just been reminded that I interrupted Lt-Gen. Rev. Shikapwasha, hon. Member of Parliament for Keembe. I am sorry for that.

Mr Speaker, were your hon. Members on your right in order to keep shouting, “Hear, hear!” when the hon. Minister who was answering questions was just abducted from the United Party for National Development (UPND) without shame? They are busy saying, “Hear, hear!” in this House. Are they in order?

Mr Speaker: Order!

I am sure that was just a light moment. If he had been abducted, it would have been a criminal offence.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

I am sure whatever he did was by his own volition.

Lt-Gen. Rev. Shikapwasha: Mr Speaker, the fishing methods are the ones that are depleting the fish. In Itezhi-tezhi and Lukanga, fish is being depleted because people are using mosquito nets to catch fish. The late Hon. Sikatana, may his soul rest in peace, flew to Lake Mweru-Wantipa with many fingerlings for restocking. However, because there is no methodical approach to stop the problem of using mosquito nets to catch fish, fish is being depleted in our lakes. Hon. Minister, what plan is there to deal with this very big problem in our lakes and rivers?

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, in my response to the question on Lake Mweru-Wantipa, I said that we were conducting lake patrols in some areas to ensure that bad fishing methods are not used to catch productive fish. The fish ban is also one of the measures to restock fish. We know that this is a very difficult exercise to conduct, but we always work with communities to fight the people who catch small fish using wrong fishing tools such as mosquito nets.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

DECEASED STATESMEN

613. Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe) asked the Vice-President:

(a) when and where the following statesmen died:

(i) Mr Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe; and

(ii) Mr Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula

(b) whether the statesmen were accorded State funerals and, if not, why;

(c) if the statesmen were accorded State funerals, how many days of national mourning were observed for each statesman’s funeral.

The Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Mr Mwango): Mr Speaker, Mr Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe died on 26th January, 1980, in Chibuluma Mine Hospital in Kalulushi, and Mr Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula died on 8th October, 1983, in the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

Mr Speaker, the two statesmen were accorded State funerals of three days each. Further, you may wish to note that while there are some guidelines regulating State funerals, His Excellency the President reserves the prerogative to grant a State funeral to any person locally or internationally as he may deem appropriate.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I think that you agree with me that this Question would not have come at a better time than this, when His Honour the Vice-President has just given a statement to this House. What a coincidence.

Laughter

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, taking into account that we are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Independence, I would like to find out from His Honour the Vice-President whether the Government monitors the families of the late great men? Are they going to do something for them this year, taking into account that these were great freedom fighters? How are you going to take care of their families in an exceptional manner?

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, I think that unless there is a consistent policy that covers senior politicians and their families’ welfare, pensions and so on and so forth, we cannot simply make it up as we go along. I mean, the three days national mourning period, just to give you an example, is the statutory three days for a former Vice-President. If the Vice-President dies while he is in the job, it is five days. Therefore, my friends on that side should be careful not to run me over by accident or anything like that, or they will have to spend five days of no singing, dancing, or drinking …

Laughter

The Vice-President: … and not even any laughing because I will return from the dead.

Mr Speaker: Order!

You will be policing.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, we do have our eye on this question of former statesmen and I think that I can take it up in the 100 days remaining before the Jubilee Celebrations, but I do not think that it is such an obvious issue that we can simply jump in with both feet and say in the case of these two statesmen, we will make some special arrangement. There has to be a framework or law that has to cover even the statesmen on that side of the House.

I thank you, Sir.

MASAITI DISTRICT COUNCIL CDF

614. Mr Chitafu (Kafulafuta) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a) whether the ministry was aware that Masaiti District Council only received the 2013 Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in January, 2014;

(b) whether the ministry was aware that the council had not yet implemented the 2012 CDF projects; and

(c) what measures would be taken to ensure the timely release of the CDF in future.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Tembo): Mr Speaker, it is true that the 2013 Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was remitted to Masaiti in January, 2014.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Tembo: The delay was caused by the bank account which was erroneously given by the council. This has since been addressed, but we emphasise that correct information is given to avoid such errors.

Sir, the ministry is aware that the council has not yet implemented the 2012 CDF projects. The delay in implementing the 2012 CDF projects was as a result of the challenges faced in the selection of contractors to undertake various works which were characterised by irregularities. The contractors have started mobilising to various sites after being awarded the contracts.

Mr Speaker, the ministry has engaged the Treasury to release the CDF early in the year. Further, the ministry has prepared funding profiles as a basis for funding of the CDF on time.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, how long does it take the ministry to phone the Council Secretary and ask for the right account to be given when an error has been identified? How long does this take for you to delay the process until January, 2014?

Mr Tembo: Mr Speaker, our duty is to ensure that we have disbursed the CDF to all local authorities. When there are such errors, it is important that hon. Members report them to the council so that the Council secretary informs the ministry. That way, issues can be attended to promptly.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo): Mr Speaker, we are now in the month of July. How many constituencies have you released the CDF to?

Mr Tembo: Mr Speaker, so far, we have released the CDF to eighty-seven constituencies.

I thank you, Sir.

Lt-Gen. Rev. Shikapwasha: Mr Speaker, have constituencies like Keembe and most constituencies represented by hon. Members from the Opposition that received their money late last year been funded earlier than those that received the money much earlier last year?

Mr Tembo: Mr Speaker, we do the same things all the time. The CDF is given on a first-come-first-served basis in terms of …

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Let the hon. Minister explain and then you can make your own interpretations.

Mr Tembo: … returns. The faster you do your returns, the faster you will receive the CDF. That is one of the criteria.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, has the ministry organised itself in a way that they will ensure that there is no segregation in the disbursement of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) so that we do not have a repeat of what happened last year?

The Minister Local Government and Housing (Mr Chenda): Mr Speaker, those that have received the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) will attest to the fact that the latest release has been spread out across the country. Therefore, hon. Members should seek comfort in the fact that we are looking at these funds as funds that are due to all constituencies and we are distributing them accordingly. There is no bias in the distribution of the CDF. I can confidently state that we have sent money to all the provinces. If you have not received your money yet, then, maybe, it is the issue of bank transfers because the money was sent two weeks ago. I saw the schedule and it indicated that money was sent right across the country in proportion to the number of constituencies that exist in the country. It is being done rationally and equitably.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mucheleka: Ema Minister, aba.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Dr Musokotwane: … I hope the hon. Minister will issue a schedule as was the case last year.

Sir, …

Mr Mutelo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, are the two hon. Ministers in order to contradict themselves? The answer that the hon. Deputy Minister gave was that only eighty-seven constituencies had received the CDF, while the hon. Minister has just said that every constituency has received the fund. I seek your serious ruling.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, let us follow the responses. The response was that eighty-seven constituencies have been covered and these have been equitably and geographically spread out. That is not the same thing as saying all the 150 constituencies have been funded. These are two different statements. Let us follow the proceedings closely.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister said that the release of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is based on the pattern of those who submit their returns earlier. Last year, we observed that most of the CDF that was released went to the constituencies represented by Patriotic Front (PF) Members of Parliament, which means that the council staff in the PF-held areas were very efficient. However, the CDF for the Opposition Members of Parliament came very late, meaning that the members of staff in these councils are very inefficient. When will the hon. Minister either fire the inefficient staff or transfer them to the PF-held areas?

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, the CDF has been distributed equitably across the country. I urge the hon. Members of Parliament to ensure that as they go back to their constituencies, they provide the necessary leadership to ensure that these funds are properly accounted for and that the projects that have been selected are within the criterion of the CDF guidelines. We are counting on you to ensure that we get proper value for this money.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister put the schedule of all the constituencies that have benefited from the CDF in our pigeonholes.

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, we will do as the hon. Member has requested. This is public information and there is no secret about it. We will circulate this information in the pigeonholes.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: As soon as possible.

Laughter

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, since certain constituencies, including mine, were given the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) quite late, it goes without saying that even the submission of the returns will be done late. If this money is not properly monitored, it can have some negative effects. Most of the time, money finishes towards the end of the year. Have you taken the late submission of returns by some councils due to late disbursement into consideration?

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, our wish is that money should be released at the beginning of the year. Yesterday, we said that we are pursuing the Ministry of Finance to release the money as early as possible so that we can use it efficiently. The issue of first-in, first-out and the late submission of returns only comes in due to the late release of the funds. Our desire is to ensure that this money is disbursed as early as possible so that it can be put to good use. We have no intention of holding on to this money. As soon as we receive the money, we will make sure that we disburse it. I wish to commend the constituencies that have received this money, spent it within the prescribed period and accounted for it.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

NDUNGO RURAL HEALTH CENTRE IN KABOMPO

615. Mr Lufuma asked the Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health:

(a) when construction of the Ndungo Rural Health Centre in Kabompo District would commence; and

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

The Deputy Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health (Mrs Mphande): Mr Speaker, Ndungo Rural Health Centre is an existing health facility that is in a dilapidated state. After the last technical assessment of the facility, it was established that the facility was beyond repair and a new structure needed to be built. Works are expected to start this year, as the project has been included in the 2014 Infrastructure Operational Plan.

Sir, the time frame for this project is twenty-four months, funds permitting.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I sincerely thank the hon. Minister for that very comforting answer. This facility has been in a dangerous state since five years ago. Therefore, I am very happy that the hon. Minister has given us comfort. I just wanted to make that comment.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Please, questions are not comments. You can commend her over a cup of tea.

Laughter

DEPRECIATION OF KWACHA

616. Mr Chishimba asked the Minister of Finance:

(a) what led to the drastic depreciation of the kwacha against the US Dollar towards the end of March, 2014;

(b) what the major effects of the depreciation on the economy were; and

(c) besides the revocation of Statutory Instruments Nos. 33 of 2012 and 55 of 2013, what long-term measures had been taken to ensure a stable kwacha.

The Minister of Finance (Mr Chikwanda): Mr Speaker, the following factors were primarily responsible for the drastic depreciation of the kwacha towards the end of March, 2014:

(a) an increase in demand for capital imports arising from the growing economic activity which has not been matched by an increase in supply of foreign currency;

(b) a steep decline in copper prices on the international market in respect to the period we are talking about;

(c) general strengthening of the United States Dollar; and

(d) speculation by market participants.

Mr Speaker, the House may wish to note that the depreciation of any currency over a period of time affects the economy, resulting in both winners and losers. For example, it tends to help exporters by making them more competitive, while making import costs high. Given that the kwacha has only experienced a steep depreciation from the beginning of the year, it is too early to state, with certainty, what the net effect has been on the economy.

Sir, in an effort to ensure a stable kwacha, the Government, through the Bank of Zambia (BoZ), has taken measures to tighten the monetary policy which includes the following:

(a) raising the statutory reserve ratio upwards from 8 per cent to 14 per cent effective 10th March, 2014;

(b) revising the policy rate upwards from 9.75 per cent to 10.25 per cent effective 1st March, 2014 and from 10.25 per cent to 12.0 per cent effective 1st April, 2014; and

(c) revising the overnight lending facility rate and setting it at 6 per cent points above the BoZ policy rate.

Mr Speaker, the Government is mindful of the need for long-term sustainability. The only way the kwacha can be stabilised is by enhancing foreign exchange earnings by diversifying the export base. In this regard, the Government continues to encourage export diversification in sectors such as energy, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing. Non-traditional exports have already shown tremendous potential with their growth rate surpassing that of the traditional foreign exchange earners. This means that the non-mineral exports are now trending upwards, which is a very encouraging sign in terms of the growth of the economy.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chishimba: Mr Speaker, the kwacha has now stabilised at just K6 to US$1. However, this has been accompanied by sharp rising interest rates in the country which experts say could be artificial and responsible for stabilising the currency. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister if he is concerned about the effects of the prevailing high interest rates.

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, I share the hon. Member’s concern. Interest rates trending upwards can never be neutral on the economy because they push up costs in the economy. if we used that as the method for fighting inflation, it would be self defeating because, ultimately, the high interest rates will themselves start up an inflationary spiral in turn.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Matafwali: Mr Speaker, it was so ironical that upon the revocation of statutory instruments No. 33 and 52, the kwacha still continued sliding downwards. Do you have any thought of reinstating the Statutory Instruments?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, the Government suspended the Statutory Instruments because their effects were essentially negative. Businesses were involved and any of you who have done importation would have been involved in the massive filling in of forms. So, we suspended those Statutory Instruments in order to allow for consultations. We will only reinstate them when we are satisfied that there will be no inconvenience to the economy.

I thank you, Sir.

MAKOMBELE AND NGOMBAYELA SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MKAIKA

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

(a) when construction of Makombele and Ngombayela secondary schools in Mkaika Parliamentary Constituency would commence; and

(b) what had caused the delay in commencing the project.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, first and foremost, I would like to state that one of the schools mentioned, which is Makombele, should have read as Cardinal Mazombwe because that is the site which is known in the ministry.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, at the back there!

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the construction of Cardinal Mazombwe and Ngombayela day secondary schools at a contract sum of K12,636,508 and K14,238,967, respectively was included in the Infrastructure Operational Plan for 2012. However, the two projects were among the twenty projects which were a subject of investigations by the Ministry of Justice and the investigative wings of the Government. As a result, the Ministry of Justice, towards the end of 2013, ruled that the affected projects be re-advertised. So, the position of the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education is that the projects will be re-advertised on condition that the Budget allocation for 2015 will permit that.

 I thank you, Sir.

Mr Phiri: Mr Speaker, Cardinal Mazombwe played a very important role in the history of Zambia …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Phiri: … by campaigning for the cancellation of Zambia’s international debt.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Phiri: Mr Speaker, this school was supposed to be constructed in his honour, may his soul rest in peace.

Mr Mucheleka: Correct.

Mr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when exactly the construction works for this school will start.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member has stated that this school was supposed to be constructed in honour of Cardinal Mazombwe and probably that is why this site was named after him, may his soul rest in peace. Like I stated, the ministry is committed to the construction of this school. However, the construction will depend on the availability of funds in the 2015 Budget.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr L. J. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that investigations established that there were illegal activities that caused the cancellation of the tender for the project. I would like the hon. Minister to shed more light on what those investigations were all about.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, I think the Ministry of Justice would be the appropriate ministry to refer that question to. My colleague should file in a new question so that it can be answered appropriately.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mucheleka (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, I certainly agree with the hon. Member of Parliament for Mkaika who said that there is a need to honour Cardinal Medardo Mazombwe for the role that he played in the debt cancellation.

Sir, the hon. Minister indicated that funds were allocated in the 2012 Budget, notwithstanding the challenges that he has referred to. Would it be possible to allocate funds in the 2015 Budget for the construction of that school in honour of the late Cardinal Mazombwe.

Mr Speaker: That is exactly what he said.

Interruptions

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, I just want to confirm that, that is the exact position I stated.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: I know it has been a long day, but let us follow the proceedings. We still have a long way to go.

ZAMBIA POLICE FORCE

618. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

(a) whether the height of a potential police officer in the Zambia Police Force is still a prerequisite for recruitment; and

(b) whether the Zambia Police Force had any plans to introduce mobile police services in remote areas of the country.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Chilangwa): Mr Speaker, the height of a potential police officer in the Zambia Police Force is still a prerequisite for recruitment.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Chilangwa: The standard heights are 1.65 m for men and 1.60 m for women as provided for by the Police Standing Orders.

Sir, the Zambia Police Force has plans to introduce mobile police services in remote areas of the country. This will be done during the implementation of the Zambia Police Strategic Plan 2013-2016 as a way of strengthening patrol programmes in order to prevent crime and provide support to victims of crime and create a safer environment. Currently, the mobile services being provided are that of reinforcing the regular police officers in patrols and during times of riots, by the Kamfinsa Mobile Unit based in Kitwe. This unit has detachments in some provinces for rapid response to varying situations. Plans are underway to establish the detachments in every province for rapid response.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, in Nangoma, there is only one police post. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when we are going to have, at least, two police posts in Nangoma Constituency.

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, the Zambia Police Service has a national programme and strategic plan which will run from 2013 to 2016. I would, therefore, ask the hon. Member of Parliament for Nangoma to come and engage us at the Ministry of Home Affairs so that we can look at the areas of need with a view to including them in the programme.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwanza (Solwezi West): Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister clarify whether the correct nomenclature is Police Force or Police Service?

The Minister of Home Affairs (Dr Simbyakula): Mr Speaker, the Zambia Police Act Cap 107 of the Laws of Zambia and the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia still refers to it as Police Force, as it has not been amended yet.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, when was the required height changed from that which was applicable immediately after Independence to 1 m?

Laughter

Dr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, the standard height is 1.65 m for men and 1.60 m for women. Height restriction is, however, discriminatory. So, it is not enforced religiously in Zambia. Most countries have moved away from height restriction because of its discriminatory nature.

Mr Speaker, during the presidency of the late Mr Fredrick Chiluba, the requirement for a standard height was waived ...

Laughter

Dr Simbyakula: … and, to date, it is not being applied. We are carrying out a comprehensive review on the Zambia Police Act to clean it up.

I thank you, Sir.

BRIDGE ON LUFUBU RIVER IN MPULUNGU

619. Mr Ng’onga asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a) when a bridge on the Lufubu River in Mpulungu Parliamentary Constituency would be constructed; and

(b) whether the Government had any plans to rehabilitate the Mpulungu/Nsumbu Road via Lufubu Bridge.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mwimba. H. Malama): Mr Speaker, the construction of the Lufubu Bridge is expected to commence in the last quarter of 2015.

Currently, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), is in the process of engaging a consultant to carry out detailed engineering designs of the Lufubu Bridge. It is expected that this contract will be signed by the end of August, 2014, after conclusion of the tender process which is currently ongoing. It is envisaged that the tender for the construction works will be floated in the second half of 2015.

Mr Speaker, there are no immediate plans to rehabilitate the Mpulungu/Nsumbu Road via Lufubu Bridge.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, this road would be the shortest route from Kaputa via Mbala and Mpulungu to Nakonde. Are there any intentions to upgrade it to bituminous standard?

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, upon construction of the bridge, the road will be upgraded to bituminous standard.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, I have always wondered why it takes so long to design and do everything that goes with road engineering. I thought that the Road Development Agency (RDA) had engineers who can do these things.

Sir, can the hon. Minister educate me on whether this is a matter of policy or it is just that we do not have the people at the RDA who can design these bridges.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, some education.

Laughter

Mr Mukanga:  Mr Speaker, the amount of works that we have to do in the country in terms of crossing points requires that we contract out some of the services for us to be on time. Despite the Road Development Agency (RDA) having the skill, we believe that for us to accelerate the process, it is better to outsource some of the services.

I thank you, Sir.

VILLAGE CHICKENS COUNTRYWIDE

620. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock:

(a) what the estimated population of village chickens countrywide was as of April, 2014;

(b) what the benefits of village chickens in terms of uplifting standards of living were; and

(c) what measures the Government had taken to promote and encourage the rearing of village chickens, especially among the peasant farmers.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, the population of village chickens in the country …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Monde: … as of April, 2014, was estimated at 122,490,492.

Mr Livune: Question.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: It is an estimate.

Hon. Minister, continue.

Laughter

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, the population of village chickens in the country, as of April, 2014, was estimated at 122,490,492.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Monde: Sir, in most rural areas, village chickens are the only type of livestock the peasants own. Sales of village chickens help the rural communities to raise income which can be used to buy other necessities, thereby uplifting their standard of living.

Mr Speaker, village chickens are also an important source of animal protein for rural communities. The droppings from the chickens are also an important source of manure for gardens and fish ponds.

Hon. Opposition Member: For what?

Mr Monde: For aquaculture or fish farming.

The Government has set up livestock multiplication centres in various districts of the country. The centres will bleed or multiply village chickens, among other types of livestock.

Hon. Opposition Member: Bleed?

Mr Monde: Breed. That came out wrongly. That was the Lozi version of the word.

Laughter

 Mr Monde: The village chickens coming from these centres will be distributed to peasant farmers through a stocking and restocking programme. This programme is expected to alleviate the poverty levels of the beneficiary farmers and communities. The Government has also continued conducting regular farmer training programmes and building capacity in improved chicken production. The delivery of animal husbandry extensions is an on-going activity countrywide.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Kasempa. 

Mr Pande (Kasempa): I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Sorry, hon. Member. Let us begin with the hon. Member for Kalabo Central.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the response given by the hon. Minister. However, ...

Mr Mumba: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mumba: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member for Kalabo Central in order to refer to free-range chickens as village chickens. I need your serious ruling.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

 I did not get your point of order.

Mr Mumba: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Kalabo Central has referred to free-range chickens as village chickens. Is he in order to refer to free-range chickens as village chickens?

Laughter

Mr Speaker: I think that the hon. Member has communicated effectively.

Laughter

May the hon. Member continue.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the response given by the hon. Minister. However, does the he feel that the response on livestock multiplication centres is practical or just theoretical. If it is practical, I would like him to inform us in which area of this country any of those centres exist because we are eagerly waiting for such centres to be established in Kalabo, as there is no livestock multiplication at the moment.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, this Government is very serious and keen to ensure that the village chicken type of agriculture is promoted.

Sir, the response which I gave on the livestock multiplication centres was that the programme is ongoing. We have already started establishing centres in all the provinces where we have, at least, one livestock multiplication centre that is being built. The intention is to graduate the programme to start keeping chickens from these centres, some of which are already operational, like Mukulaikwa, where we have goats and Chickens.

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, we are also looking at the programme of animal husbandry. If I were to run through the whole programme of what we are doing at the moment, like in Mazabuka through the Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust (GART) Programme and Heifer Programme, …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Please, do not engage him whilst you are seated.

You may continue.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, chicken is part of our livestock. Therefore, in these multiplication centres, we are rearing goats and chickens that are going to be given to our peasant farmers.

 I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu (Mwandi): Mr Speaker, there was a project in Solwezi …

Mr Miyutu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank you for according me this chance to raise this point of order.

Mr Speaker, the response from the hon. Minister is welcome. My question was on livestock multiplication centres. Therefore, my question was very precise and clearly on village chickens. I would like to find out in which part of this country, especially in the Western Province and Kalabo in particular, the livestock multiplication centre exists.

 Mr Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister said that the establishment of livestock multiplication centres was underway. Is he in order, therefore, to anticipate activities which are not on the ground? I need your serious ruling.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Can the hon. Minister respond to that point of order when responding to the question by the hon. Member for Mwandi.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, there was a project in Solwezi of cross breeding village chickens with broilers to improve the breed.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on my right!

May the hon. Member for Mwandi continue.

 Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, if you do not have the know-how …

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: Sir, there was a project in Solwezi of crossbreeding village chickens with a broilers to improve the breed. Is that project still there? If it is still there, are you going to replicate it in other provinces?

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, I am not aware about that programme. I have to find out how that is possible.

Mr Speaker, coming to the point of order by the hon. Member for Kalabo Central, I will read through my answer again. Maybe, that will make sense.

Sir, the following are the livestock breeding centres that we have developed:

Name   District   Province

Kalungwishi   Mporokoso   Northern

Chongwe   Chongwe   Lusaka

Mukulaikwa   Shibuyunji   Lusaka

Rufunsa   Chongwe   Lusaka

Lusaka   Lusaka    Lusaka

Shang’ombo   Shang’ombo   Western

Mutaba   Masaiti    Copperbelt

Mwase   Lundazi   Eastern

Keembe   Chibombo   Central

Mbesuma   Chinsali   Muchinga

Kanyama   Mwinilunga   North-Western

Jiwundu   Solwezi   North Western

Chishinga   Kawambwa   Luapula

Kanchindu   Sinazongwe   Southern Province

Sir, let me further say that the breeding centres are at various stages. Some have been completed and others are under construction. The ministry will this year introduce village chickens in the breeding centres that are operational. I must also mention that in this year’s Budget, K450,000 is available for the purchase of incubators for the breeding centres.

Mr Speaker, both Mazabuka Research Station and Misamfu Research Station in Kasama, Northern Province, received incubators with capacities of 1,200 chickens/eggs per cycle.

Sir, in Mwansabombwe, Luapula Province, the Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, in conjunction with Heifer International, have indentified communities that will benefit from the distribution of village chickens.

Mr Speaker, the African Development Bank (ADB) is running a project called Livestock Infrastructure Development in the Northern and Muchinga provinces with a budget of US$21 million. This project will provide infrastructure for livestock production and has a component of chicken restocking and stocking.

To help control new castle disease, the Australian Government is funding a project called Strengthen Family Poultry, through agriculture production for small-scale poultry keepers in Chibombo District, Zambia and Tanzania. This is a five-year project that started this year.

 I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, apart from the breeding centres that have been established, is the Government not considering extending veterinary services to ordinary villagers in Kalabo, Kaputa and Kasempa for vaccinating the village chickens?

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, we have district veterinary officers whose duty is to ensure that they carry out these exercises every day.

 I thank you, Sir

Mr Kunda (Muchinga): Mr Speaker, …

Dr Kaingu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I want to declare interest. I was a Minister of Community Development and Social Welfare and travelled extensively in this country. So, I know about this project. This project was doing very well in Solwezi and was helping the village chicken to grow fast. Is the hon. Minister in order to downplay this project by answering in that manner when I know very well that the project can help people in the villages who are in dire need of protein?

Mr Speaker: The hon. Minister answered appropriately. In fact, if I may add, very appropriately.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: People have lamented here the incorrect information being supplied. Clearly, from his response, he needs to check this information. You may be aware about this project, but he is not. In all fairness, give him time to check on the information and, in an appropriate manner, he will come back with the answer. If you want to expedite eliciting a response from the hon. Minister, you could file in a question which we will send to the ministry so that the answer is specific. Give them all those details that you have concerning this project and establish the status quo. In so answering, he has not, by any means, downplayed the issue. In fact, this is the kind of response that I encourage. If you are not sure, do not mislead the House. Instead, you should ask for leave to come back to the House with an accurate response. So, the hon. Minister was perfectly in order.

Hon. Member for Muchinga, you may continue.

Mr Kunda: Mr Speaker, before the point of order was raised, I was saying that hon. Ministers are supposed to lead by example. I want to find out if the hon. Minister is also keeping village chickens so that the youths out there can emulate him.

Mr Speaker: Anyway, that is not what I understand by leading by example. Hon. Minister, you may respond.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, in my village, in Itezhi-tezhi, I have a small farm where I keep village chickens. When he comes to my village, I will invite him to come and taste some of it.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: I did not imagine that this subject will provoke so much interest. I am even at a loss where to start.

Laughter

Mr Katambo (Masaiti): Mr Speaker, which province produces the highest number of village chickens?

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, we gather our information through the census that takes place in our camps where we also get the post-harvest numbers. However, I do not have the information regarding which province produces the highest number of chickens.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Lubezhi: Mr Speaker, I was brought up in a village called Maala in Namwala, I have never seen any of the veterinary officers coming to conduct a village chicken census. How often is it conducted and how is it done?

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, we have camps that are known as camp agriculture committees (CACs)

Mr Kambwili sat among the Backbenchers.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, at the far end!

Hon. Opposition Members: Kambwili.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, it is done through our officers who go as far as the camps where we conduct our post-harvest surveys on livestock owned by our people. So, it is a process that is ongoing.

I thank you, Sir.
_______

BILLS

FIRST READING

The following Bills were read the first time:

The Excess Expenditure Appropriation Bill, 2011

The Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2012

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister of Finance, please, sit down.

Chief Whip, please, help me to deal with the situation on the right. I am referring to hon. Ministers.

Second Readings, on Tuesday, 22nd July, 2014

HOUSE IN COMMITTEE

[THE CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the
Chair]

THE ZAMBIA CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT (Amendment) BILL, 2014

Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Business was suspended from 1815 hours until 1830 hours.

[THE CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the 
Chair]

CLAUSE 7 – (Functions of Institute)

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mukanga): I beg to move an amendment in Clause 7, on page 10, in line 27 by the deletion of the word “provide” and the substitution therefor of the word “accredit”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 7, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 18 – (Disclosure of Interest)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 18, on page 16, in line 10 by the insertion after the words “at a meeting of the” of the word “Council” and a comma.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 18, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 19, 20, 21 and 22 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 23 – (Membership and Membership Fee)

Mr Mukanga: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 23, on page 17, in line 20 by the deletion of the word “five” and the substitution therefor of the word “four”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 23, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60 and 61 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Schedule ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Title agreed to.

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HOUSE RESUMED

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

The following Bill was reported to the House as having passed through Committee with amendments:

The Zambia Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Bill, 2014

Report Stage on Friday 18th July, 2014.

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MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

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The House adjourned at 1844 hours until 0900 hours on Friday 18th July, 2014.

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