DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE THIRD SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

 Thursday, 10th July, 2014

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER
_________

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR DEPUTY SPEAKER

ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I have received communication to the effect that in the absence of His Honour the Vice-President, who is attending to other national duties, Mr Yamfwa Mukanga, MP, hon. Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication and Chip Whip, has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House today, 10th July, 2014.

Thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
__________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

PRESIDENTIAL LODGE IN KITWE

570. Mr Chishimba (Kamfinsa) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a) whether a contractor to complete the rehabilitation of the Presidential Lodge in Kitwe had been found and, if so, what the name of the contractor was;

(b) when the rehabilitation works would be completed; and

(c) what the total cost of rehabilitating the lodge was.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr M. H. Malama): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House as follows:

(i) the contractor is Hua Chang Infrastructure Engineering Zambia Limited;

(ii) the rehabilitation works are expected to be completed in December, 2014;

(iii) the contract period is seven months; and

(iv) the total cost of rehabilitating the lodge is K6,538,696.33.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chishimba: Mr Speaker, I would like to recommend the ministry …

Hon. Opposition Members: It is commend.

Laughter

Mr Chishimba: … for its hard work. I would also like to confirm to the House that it has responded well to the request that I made and so I would like to commend it and urge it to keep up the good work.

Mr Deputy Speaker: That was not a follow-up question. You just wanted to commend the hon. Minister.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether this is the same lodge which the President visited, and earned the hon. Minister a name.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, if it is, I would like to know when it is going to be completed so that he is not called another name when the President visits it again.

Laughter

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, since there is only one Presidential Lodge, it is the same lodge the hon. Member is referring to, and is going to be completed by December, this year.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister stated that over K6 million has been spent on the rehabilitation of the lodge. I would like to find out what major works were carried out at this lodge that cost about K6 million.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, we did not say that we have spent over K6 million, but that the cost of the project is K6.5 million. The details of the works are as follows:

Description Amount (ZMW)

Preliminary and General Items 276,711.18
 
 Refurbishment to Main House 2,367,183.00
 
 External Works 2,052,913.00
 
 Provisional and Prime Cost Sum 940,000.00
 
 Value Added Tax 901,889.15

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Shakafuswa (Katuba): Mr Speaker, K6 million is a lot of money. The construction of the house for the First Republican President cost about K5 million. What justification do you have for spending such a colossal sum of money enough to build a high school on renovating one building?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, firstly, I would like to correct the impression that the construction of the First Republican President’s house cost K5 million when it cost K7 million. However, it depends on the type of building that we are looking at and how important it is. This is a Presidential Guest House and there are a lot of works to be done there. We are going to remove the existing roofing material and replace it with harvey tiles and timber trusses. We will put a PVC ceiling and replace the wooden window frames with heavy duty aluminum frames. We will also replace the main doors and closet doors, and do some floor finishes, landscaping and many other works. We intend to refurbish the lodge completely.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has mentioned that that is the only Presidential Lodge on the Copperbelt when we know that there is also Kabelenga Presidential Lodge in Ndola. Can he confirm to the House that the President has now abandoned the Ndola lodge and will be staying at the Kitwe lodge instead.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, we have not abandoned the lodge in Ndola. This is the only Presidential Lodge in Kitwe and the Kabelenga Presidential Lodge is in Ndola. We are not building a new structure, but just renovating the existing one which has been neglected and has since deteriorated to an extent where we now have to spend money to rehabilitate it. If we do not spend money to rehabilitate it now, we will fail to rehabilitate it when it is in a deplorable state.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, I am an hon. Member for a rural constituency, Kalabo Central. So, when I hear an amount of K6.5 million just for the rehabilitation of …

Hon. Opposition Members: One building.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, I feel the Government should have considered constructing a new house with that amount.

Mr Hamududu: It is a Presidential Guest House.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, if the rehabilitation of the lodge cost K6.5, how much would it cost to build a new Presidential Lodge in Kitwe? I would like the hon. Minister to clarify that.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, firstly, I think that it is important for hon. Members to appreciate that this is a national asset and nobody should personalise it. Any person who becomes the Head of State will stay there one day. So, it is important that we give the Head of State decent accommodation when he is in Kitwe. Secondly, the cost of building a new Presidential Lodge could even be ten times the cost of rehabilitating the existing one.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Mukanga: Yes, it is important that we consider quality and standards. We are trying to set good standards for the people of Zambia.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Luena, you may ask your question.

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, my question has been overtaken by events.

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, where is the morality of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government if it can spend K6.5 million on one guest house and neglect to pay the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) of K1.3 million?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, firstly, this has nothing to do with the CDF.

Secondly, when we are debating issues relating to this asset, no one should be annoyed. We should all be calm and look at the issues level-headedly.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, how can this Government justify expenditure of K6.5 million on the rehabilitation of a guest house and spend only K4 million on children’s programmes in the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health? 

Interruptions

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, children are sleeping in the cold. There are many children’s programmes, and yet only K4 million has been allocated for this. Meanwhile, the Government is spending K6.5 million on the rehabilitation of a guest house which will be used …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

What is your question?

Ms Namugala: … only when the President visits Kitwe. Can the hon. Minister justify this expenditure?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I think that hon. Members should understand that we are not looking at a small structure. If they have a small structure in mind, then, they are justified to say all these things. This is a Presidential Guest House, and it is a very big structure.

This Government is very committed to dealing with children’s affairs. We are doing our best to ensure that children have the best in this country. This Government will never relent in providing for the children because we believe that children are the leaders of tomorrow.

Mr Speaker, this structure is not only for the President, but also local and international guests. So, we need to provide decent accommodation for them.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Ng’onga, you may ask your follow-up question.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: I beg your pardon, hon. Member for Kaputa.

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, I just want the hon. Minister to educate me on the other uses of this guest house so that the nation can know that it is not just for the President. 

Mr Deputy Speaker: I believe that was a comment, but you can respond, hon. Minister, if you wish.  

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, as I said earlier, this guest house is not for the President only, but also important local and international guests. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kunda (Muchinga): Mr Speaker, time is running out for this Government …

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Mr Kunda: … because it is not considering the youths out there who need employment. Why can it not use this money to create employment for the youth instead of rehabilitating a structure for a President who is not even moving?

Laughter

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I think that it is important to understand the history of that lodge. It used to be the Queen’s house.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Mukanga: We should not be myopic when looking at this issue.

Let us not suppose that this money would have been more useful to the youth. The Government is catering for the youth adequately. Soon, we will be providing a lot of employment. We are doing everything possible to ensure that we provide employment for the youth because we know that they need it, particularly that the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government left …

Mr Miyutu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Mukanga: … high unemployment levels.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Your point of order has been overtaken by events.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, K6.5 million is a lot of money.

Mr Miyutu: On a point of order, Sir. 

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for according me the chance to raise this point of order.

Mr Speaker is the hon. Minister who is responding to the queries and points of clarifications in order to refer to them as myopic? Is it a fair word to for the hon. Minister to use?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Well, as of now, I am not sure what answer to give because I am not sure whether the word is parliamentary or not. I reserve the ruling to a later stage.

Hon. Member for Dundumwezi, you may proceed.

Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, to this side of the House, K6.5 million is a lot of money. Hon. Minister, how much of that money will go into your pocket?

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Next Question. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

LOAN SCHEME FOR SMALL-SCALE FARMERS

571. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock whether the Government had any plans to introduce a loan scheme for small-scale farmers who intended to invest in irrigation farming.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mr Monde): Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is currently implementing the Irrigation Development Support Project (IDSP) with financial credit support from the World Bank. The irrigation infrastructure project has a component for providing Investment Support Fund (ISF), which is a matching grant facility aimed at improving access to long and short-term financing and investment capital for smallholder farmers to acquire productive equipment and assets, and to stimulate the establishment of micro enterprise in and around irrigation schemes.

The project is currently developing bulk water infrastructure and establishing irrigation schemes in three districts, namely Chirundu, Chisamba and Mufulira with the intention of spreading to other parts of the country eventually.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mucheleka (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister …

Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Minister: A point of order is raised.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, I need your guidance on a serious point of order raised by the Hon. Member for Monze Central yesterday. He asked the Government to clarify issues that were not clear. The response from the Hon. Mr Speaker was that he could not force the Government to give any information and that whatever was said outside this House should be taken as the official stand.

Earlier, Sir, there were rulings here to the effect that what is said outside, should not be brought into this House. Now, we are being told that what is said by the Government outside should be treated as official. What should this House take as the correct position with regard to statements that are made outside the House and those that are made inside the House? I seek your clarification, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

The clarification is that there are statements that are made outside by certain people which cannot be brought into the House. Conversely, there are statements that are made outside by certain individuals that can be brought before the House. The ruling made by the Hon. Mr Speaker yesterday was in relation to one of the issues that cannot be brought into the House.

 May the hon. Member for Lubansenshi continue.

 Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister said that an amount of money has been set aside for the loan scheme for small-scale farmers who may want to engage in irrigation farming. I would like to find out how much that is and whether it will cater for all the regions, especially Ecological Zone III which includes Northern, Luapula and North-Western provinces which experience high rainfall.

 Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, the total project cost is US$115 million which is intended to put up infrastructure which will later be translated …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Could the hon. Members on my right observe order and consult quietly. The hon. Minister is answering, and we are interested in hearing what he is saying.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, I said that US$115 million is for putting up infrastructure. This is a World Bank funded-project. After the infrastructure has been put up, there will be other funds to help the small-scale farmers in setting up the irrigation system.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mrs Mwamba (Lukashya): Mr Speaker, from the answer given by the hon. Minister, it would appear …

Dr Kaingu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, following your guidance on the point of order that has been raised by Hon. Muntanga, I would like to seek further clarification on what rationale an hon. Member of Parliament will use to evaluate the information that has come to him/her from outside or inside the House. I seek your guidance on what rationale the hon. Member of Parliament should use.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

We shall leave that to your judgment but, when it is brought here, we shall tell you whether it is permissible to refer to it in this House or not.

Can the hon. Member for Lukashya continue.

Laughter

Mrs Mwamba: Mr Speaker, I was saying that from the answer given by the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, it would appeal that urban areas and areas along the line of rail are prioritised. When are the majority small-scale farmers, who are dotted over rural Zambia, going to be given priority?

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, currently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is looking at four other sites where programmes are going to be extended to besides the three.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, does the hon. Minister not think that …

Mr Shakafuswa: On a point of order, Sir.

 Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, the decorum or respect of this House lies in the Chair. Lately, we have been having decisions from the Chair which seem to be contradictory. Do you not think that those decisions also have in effect on the dignity of this House because, as hon. Members of Parliament, we have been told that we are supposed to uphold the dignity of this House where we debate on behalf of the nation? Do you not think that the decisions hindering hon. Members of Parliament from debating freely and inform the nation what is happening are contradictory?

I need your serious ruling, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Can the hon. Member give an example of what he thinks was the Chair’s contradictory ruling because I cannot make a ruling in a vacuum. Give an example.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

If you are unable to give an example of the contradictory decisions, then, you make it difficult for me to make a ruling. I cannot make a ruling on that point of order.

Can the hon. Member for Monze Central continue, please.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is being myopic, considering that the Government has been assuring ...

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: … the people of the Southern Province that it was going to come up with irrigation projects for the last twenty years, and yet nothing has happened.

Mr Muntanga: Yes.

 Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: This is where our role, as presiding officers, comes in. Hon Members will recall that somebody asked whether or not the word, “myopic” was unparliamentary, and my response was that I could not make a ruling because, at the time, I did not know whether or not it was parliamentary. By the same token, for now, I would say the use of that word in that context is unacceptable until I come back to the House to confirm whether the word in question is parliamentary or not. Therefore, the hon. Member can use another word in place of “myopic” until I come back with a ruling.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the Government is not being deceitful by not providing irrigation facilities for the people of the Southern Province, considering that it is a drought-prone area.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, at the time when the feasibility studies were conducted, Chirundu was part of the Southern Province. Therefore, in a way, it was catered for. However, we know that the larger part of the Southern Province has been hit by a drought. As a ministry, we are doing everything possible to alleviate the situation. I cannot give an answer right away because the feasibility studies are still being conducted. It is, therefore, possible that we may put up other irrigation points in the Southern Province.

 I thank you, Sir,

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that Chirundu was catered for because, at the time, it used to be part of the Southern Province. Now that Chirundu has been moved, ‘in their heads’, to another province, … 

Laughter

Mr Muntanga: … would the Government consider shifting this project to the Southern Province rather than depriving the province projects that are due to it. I live along the line of rail, have not seen any project in progress.

 Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, I mentioned that we are extending this programme to four different centres. I can, therefore, safely say that the feasibility studies are being carried out. In view of this, we will consider putting up new projects in the areas which have been affected by the drought.

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Konga (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, in his response to the question, the hon. Minister stated that the project has started with three districts. After which, it will be extended to other districts in the country. Can he give the time frame within which the majority of the small-scale farmers will be able to access the irrigation fund?

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, the setting up of irrigation schemes and construction of dams are not small projects. Therefore, they require a lot of time to conduct feasibility studies. In view of this, I may not have an answer for the hon. Member at the moment.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that the World Bank, as the major financier of the irrigation fund, has given it US$115 million. What is the Government’s contribution to the fund? If there is none, which I suspect, how does the Government intend to sustain this important project?

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, the Government’s involvement is lobbying and finding donors to support this project as co-operating partners. I must also mention that we have planned for this project in the National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP). So, as the Government, we are facilitating the implementation of the project.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, how many hectares are expected to be covered with this US$115 million in the three districts?

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, there are three districts that are going to benefit from this project that will include the creation of dams, farming schemes, road network and smallholder farmers. That is the scope of the project. In terms of the land coverage, I do not have that answer right away.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

GRADES 8 AND 10 QUALIFICATION IN KAPUTA

572. Mr Ng’onga asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a) how many pupils in Kaputa District qualified to Grades 8 and 10 in 2012 and 2013;

(b) how many of the pupils were selected to schools outside Kaputa District;

(c) how many pupils in Kaputa District did not qualify to Grades 8 and 10 in 2014;

(d) what measures the Government had taken to ensure that all pupils who passed Grades 7 and 9 Examinations secured places in Grades 8 and 10, respectively; and

(e) what measures the Government had taken to increase the number of Grades 8 and 10 places in Kaputa District.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, in 2012, a total of 430 pupils qualified to Grade 8 while 613 pupils qualified to Grade 10. In 2013, a total of 810 pupils qualified to Grade 8 and 613 pupils qualified to Grade 10. In 2012, one Grade 8 boy was selected to Hill Crest Secondary School and forty-three Grade 10 boys were selected to Mungwi Technical High School while six Grade 10 girls were selected to Kasama Girls Secondary School.

Mr Speaker, in 2013, nineteen Grade 10 girls were selected to Kasama Girls Secondary School and twelve Grade 10 boys were selected to Mungwi Technical Secondary School. In 2014, 899 pupils did not qualify to Grade 8 and 208 pupils did not qualify to Grade 10.

Mr Speaker, to ensure that all pupils who passed the Grade 7 and 9 examinations secured places in Grades 8 and 10, the Government opened two Grade 8 and 10 classes at Kaputa Skills Training Centre. The Government further scaled up the number of classes from two to four at Kaputa Secondary School.

Mr Speaker, to increase the number of Grade 8 and 10 places in Kaputa District, the Government opened Kaputa Boarding Secondary School in 2014. In addition, the ministry has plans to upgrade three primary schools in Kaputa District to day secondary schools in the programme of upgrading 220 strategically-located primary schools across the country.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, are there any intentions to increase the number of schools to be upgraded from three to four, considering that Kaputa Central has more pupils that have not accessed this level of education?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, like we said the last time when answering a similar question on Kaputa District, the upgrading of primary schools across the country is an on-going programme. Obviously, the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education is going to consider that concern from Kaputa in due course.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that there are no high schools in some of the constituencies in Zambia?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, yes, we are aware that there are some constituencies that have no secondary schools. However, the construction of secondary schools is on-going programme.

I thank you, Sir. {mospagebreak}

FISH BREEDING IN WESTERN PROVINCE

573. Mr Miyutu asked the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock:

(a) what measures had been taken to facilitate the fish caging system of breeding in water bodies in the Western Province;

(b) how many fish breeding centres there were in all the water bodies in the province;

(c) of the breeding centres at (b), how many were active; and

(d) whether the fish industry had capacity to reduce poverty in the province and, if so, how.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

It appears a number of hon. Members of Parliament are not listening. We have to pay attention to what is being said.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, the measures that are being taken to facilitate the fish caging systems in the Western Province include the identification of potential cage and pen culture sites, community sensitisation and provision of technical and advisory services on cages and pen culture. So far, Makapaila Lagoon in Mongu has been identified as an ideal site for pen culture.

There are no breeding centres in any water bodies in the province. However, two land-based fish breeding hatcheries exist in the province. There is one Government facility in Kaoma and another at Mwandi that is currently run by the African Wildlife Fund (AWF) in collaboration with the Government. All the two land-based fish breeding hatcheries mentioned above are active.

Mr Speaker, the fish industry has the capacity to reduce poverty in the province with increased private sector participation and investment, especially in fish farming, which will lead to the creation of employment and increased incomes. The province is endowed with an abundance of water and favourable climate conditions that can boost fish production through fish farming enterprises.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has clearly stated that fish farming can reduce poverty in the Western Province. If so, how effective have the land-based breeding centres been in promoting the fish industry in the province?
Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, firstly, the land-breeding hatcheries will boost the increase in fish in our rivers by way of getting people to buy from hatcheries for their ponds because they will not just rely on water bodies. Secondly, last week, in response to a similar question, we said that the method that is being used by the ministry where you get fingerlings into the water bodies is not the expected one. The best method is to ensure that we protect the breeding fish for it to grow in numbers. For example, one fisherman is trying to buy 4,000 fingerlings, and we have said that we shall use two fish at our Chilanga Breeding Centre to produce the 4,000 fingerlings. So, we can produce more fish if we use all these methods.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what his Government’s vision is regarding the expansion of the fishing industry in the Western Province since he has said that it is an industry that can end poverty. Can we hear the practical policy to realise that goal.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, we have two breeding hatcheries for fish in Kaoma and one in Mwandi. We have also identified a place in the Makapaila Lagoon in Mongu which the local people can take advantage of to breed fish. I think there are many programmes that the Government has embarked upon.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, can the Hon. Minister indicate which sites are possible for cage-fish farming in the Western Province, if there are any.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, all the water bodies are good for cage-farming, including the Zambezi River.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that fish can contribute to poverty reduction. I would like to find out if there are any funds available for small-scale fishermen and fish farmers so that they can engage in fish caging and other methods of fish farming. Are there any funds that are available in the ministry?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Next question (looking down at his folder).

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Oh!

This is the problem when the Presiding Officer gets notes.

Laughter

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, currently, we do not have funds set aside for supporting famers in that aspect.

REFUSE COLLECTION IN KITWE

574. Mr Chishimba asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a) how much money was released to the Kitwe City Council for refuse collection from 2011 to 2014, year by year;

(b) why the funds were always released late; and

(c) what measures had been taken to ensure the timely release of funds in future.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr N. Banda): Mr Speaker, the funds for refuse collection in Kitwe were released as follows:

  Year   Amount (ZKW)
  
2011 nil
2012 400, 000
  2013   2,100,000
2014 nil

In 2014, some expenses are being made which we have not yet segregated for the equipment that we have allocated to Kitwe City Council.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

I can now make a ruling on the word, “myopic”.

I have made sufficient consultations and, from my consultations and research, this word does not appear among the unparliamentary words in the Member’s Handbook. However, there are a number of words that do not appear in the handbook, but that are not civil, and “myopic” is one of them. Therefore, we should not use that word. In view of this, both the Hon. Minister and the Member of Parliament for Monze Central were not in order.

I thank you.

INCINERATOR FOR MWINILUNGA DISTRICT HOSPITAL

575. Mr Katuka (Mwinilunga) asked the Minister of Health when an incinerator would be built at Mwinilunga District Hospital.

The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Mr Speaker, the incinerator at Mwinilunga District Hospital in the North-Western Province will be constructed this year, 2014. The Ministry of Health has made a provision of K170,000 for this activity in its 2014 Infrastructure Operational Plan.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Katuka: Mr Speaker, the absence of this incinerator has made the people of Mwinilunga lose confidence in this public institution.

Mr Speaker, there was an incident where an amputated leg was thrown into a pit and the dogs picked it up. So, nobody wants to go to the health institution because of that incident. How, then, will the Government win back the confidence of the people for this public institution?

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, there is an incinerator adjacent to the hospital, and that is the one being used at the moment. We expect any solid medical waste to be disposed of correctly through this incinerator.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that all hazardous waste is disposed of through the incinerator that is adjacent to the institution in Mwinilunga. I would like to know whether he is aware about the circumstances that led to the amputated leg finding itself in a pit when there is an incinerator that the institution is using.

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, we do not have information on that incident. We are yet to find out what happened.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Pande (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, it is good to hear that there is a provision for the construction of an incinerator this year. Can the Hon. Minister ensure that the Ministry of Finance will release the money for the construction of the incinerator this year.

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I do not speak on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, but I can confirm that it has been supportive to the Ministry of Health in terms of the budget for infrastructure. We have started receiving funds and I am confident that we shall be funded for the projects that are in our Operational Plan for 2014.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mucheleka (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, the challenge of incinerators affects not only Mwinilunga District Hospital, but also many others, including Luwingu. Can the hon. Minister indicate which other districts have no incinerators apart from Mwinilunga.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Well, I did not hear the hon. Minister’s response cover areas other than Mwinilunga. Therefore, let us not open pandora’s box. If the hon. Minister had other areas in mind, he would have mentioned them. Let us, therefore, restrict our follow-up questions to Mwinilunga.

Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, I would like to know how much money was budgeted for the incinerator in Mwinilunga.

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I said that K170,000 was budgeted for the incinerator in Mwinilunga.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kaingu (Mwandi): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that he was waiting to hear whether the money would be released by the hon. Minister of Finance. Looking at the proximity, you could have consulted your colleague as to whether the money would be released or not.

Laughter

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament did not hear what I said. I said that we have been receiving funds to support our Infrastructure Development Plan for 2014, and that I am confident that the Ministry of Finance would release some more funding to complete all our projects in 2014. In fact, we have been allocated some resources for infrastructure development. Just this week, we shall be receiving some funds and the Provincial Medical Officer for the North-Western Province has the jurisdiction to begin this project immediately.

I thank you, Sir.

Miyanda (Mapatizya): My question has been overtaken by events.

DIP TANKS IN LUKULU WEST

576. Mr Miyutu (on behalf of Mr Mutelo) (Lukulu West) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock:

(a) how many dip tanks were in Lukulu West Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b) if there were none, when they would be constructed.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, there are no dip tanks in Lukulu West Parliamentary Constituency. The Government has no intention of constructing dip tanks in the area because there is no East Coast Fever (ECF) which is a major tick-borne disease that is decimating the cattle population in the country. The harsh environmental conditions, that is, the Kalahari sands and floods in the area do not favour the growth of brown ear ticks which transmit the parasites that cause ECF.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, understandably, the hon. Minister has stated that there are no ticks causing ECF in the Western Province. Are there no other types of ticks in the Western Province which affect animals that should be eliminated through dipping? 

Mr Monde: No, Mr Speaker.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, Lukulu West and Liuwa are just next to each other and both have the Kalahari sands that the hon. Minister has spoken about. I can also confirm that in Liuwa and Lukulu West, there are ticks which molest animals. Can the hon. Minister confirm that the real reason there are no dip tanks in those places is that the Government has chosen to neglect them rather than the reason that he has given?

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, in response to this question, we have always stated that no Government, past or present, has ever put up dip tanks in the Western Province and the reason is that we rely on scientific research, and the results of that research are that there is no denkete in this area. Dip tanks are meant for areas where denkete exists.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, Lukulu West is prone to Contagious Bovine Plural Pneumonia (CBPP). Can the hon. Minister confirm whether this disease cannot be prevented by dipping animals in dip tanks?

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, CBPP cannot be prevented through dipping. I must mention that the Government has spent a lot of money, particularly in the Western Province, to eradicate CBPP through another method.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that we do not just dip animals to kill ticks, but …

Mr Shakafuswa: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Livune: That is right.

Laughter

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order. Is the hon. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs in order to shout, “quality,” when the hon. Deputy Minister of Agriculture is giving answers that are  eloquent and well researched without mentioning that His Honour the Vice-President should prepare himself adequately when he comes to this House to give answers? I need your serious ruling.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member who was on the Floor may continue.

Laughter

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that we do not just dip animals to eradicate ticks, but also to kill lice?

Hon. Government Members: He is aware.

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, I am aware.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, now that the hon. Minister is aware that dipping is not only for eradicating ticks, when will dip tanks be constructed in Lukulu West?

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, as far as we are concerned, there is no lice in Lukulu West.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, in one of his responses, the hon. Deputy Minister said that successive governments had not bothered to put up dip tanks. Is he not aware that there are a few dip tanks in Liuwa, which borders Lukulu West, but that they are just not enough?
 
Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, I think that the response I have given is very clear. There is no dip tank in Lukulu West. There has been no dip tank constructed there from the first Government to date for the reason I have already given.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, notwithstanding the answer given by the hon. Minister about the difficulty of constructing dip tanks, is the hon. Minister aware that in the absence of dip tanks, there have been spray races constructed for that purpose? Is he aware that apart from the denkete he has talked about, there are other diseases such as heartwater disease and others that are caused by ticks? There is a need to control tick-borne diseases. If he is aware of this, will he consider talking about spray races as well?

Mr Monde: Mr Speaker, we will go by whatever professional advice we have been given by the technocrats. However, I must also mention that the advice we have received is that once we begin to dip the animals, they will become prone to diseases. Therefore, we do not want to use the dip tanks, especially that the animals are not affected at this time.

I thank you, Sir.

EXPANSION OF GREAT EAST ROAD

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

(a) whether the Government had any plans to expand the Great East Road from the Kabwe Roundabout to the Airport Roundabout from a four lane to a six-lane road; and

(b) what measures the Government had taken to ensure that there is free flow of traffic on this road during peak hours.

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the Government, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), is studying the possibility of expanding the capacity of the Great East Road from the Kabwe Roundabout to the Airport Roundabout from four to six lanes.

Mr Speaker, currently, police officers are employed to assist in controlling traffic during peak hours at selected road crossings. For the future, the RDA intends to come up with an elevated corridor on this portion of the road.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to clarify whether the elevated corridor is the same as upper roads. Has the Government got plans to put up upper roads in order to improve the flow of traffic on this section?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, yes they are the same.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwale (Chipangali): Mr Speaker, we have seen some rehabilitation on the same road that we are talking about, especially in the Chelstone Area. Is that the same programme that the Government intends to implement in order to increase the lanes from four to six?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, yes, it is the same programme. The RDA is working on the design in order to see how we can expand the road.

I thank you, Sir.

Interruptions 

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member for Liuwa may ask a question.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, it is Luuwa.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

What did I say?

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, you said Liuwa.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Oh! I see.

I mean the same place.

Laughter

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, I have noticed that in Lusaka, last year, several traffic lights were put up at various points, but they have since been abandoned. Similarly, I remember seeing some traffic lights in Mongu as well. When they turned green, there were no cars moving from the other side. This means that the traffic lights were inconveniencing traffic because it was delaying. Hon. Minister, when you for planned for traffic lights in the ministry, did you ever consider whether or not they were necessary? Why do we have so many traffic lights that are just redundant?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, I wish my ministry was in charge of putting up traffic lights, but that task falls under the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. Our job is just to construct roads and then the Ministry of Local Government and Housing considers whether or not it is necessary to put up traffic lights on the road.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, I am surprised to hear that the works which are going on on the Great East Road around Chelstone Area are an indication of the expansion of the road. The information we got from outside this House is that the contractor is just resurfacing the road. Can the hon. Minister confirm that the project he has mentioned involves expanding the road?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, I further said that the designs for the expansion of the road are being worked on by the RDA. That is what I said, Hon. Mbewe.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Shakafuswa: Mr Speaker, the Great East Road is being resurfaced from the tank in Chelstone up to the Airport Roundabout. What necessitated the resurfacing of the entire road from Munali Roundabout to the Airport? Is that not just a waste of taxpayers’ money?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, initially, that is what I thought too because I was not told the reason for the resurfacing by the experts. However, later on, I was told that the road needed resurfacing because the foundation of the road on that stretch was weak. Therefore, it needed to be worked on. If you go to Chelstone, you will find trenches being dug because we want to strengthen the base of the road so that it can last for a longer period.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, one of the answers given by the hon. Minister was that designs are being made for the expansion of the road. However, the road is being worked on now when there are no designs. May I know why the construction work started when there were no designs for the expansion of the road?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the contractor just moved on site. I live in that area. If my brother lived somewhere in the same area, he could have seen that there is a bit of delay in the work because that aspect has to be accommodated. So, I hope I have made myself clear on that point.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the hon. Minister whether the full length of the road will be excavated like it has been done in Chelstone.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, no. We are only looking at the portions of the road which are very bad. Those are the ones we are excavating for us to compact and come up with a solid base.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Milambo (Mwembeshi): Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister confirm which of the two comes first: the design or commencement of the works.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, it depends on the job that is being done. There are times when we design and commence the works at the same time, and there are also times when we design first and then commence the works later.

Sir, the Formula 1 Project was a design and construct type.

Mr M. H. Malama: Design and build.

Mr Mukanga: Design and build. I believe that is how engineering works.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, why should the Zambian people trust this Government? They move on site without designs, realise later that certain things must be done, slow down the works, and waste more time. Remember, the longer a contract takes, the more taxpayers’ money is spent. Why should the people of Zambia trust this Government which is so wasteful?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

The people of Zambia are not here.

Hon. Opposition Members: We are here.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: In short, you are saying, why should you trust this Government? Be specific.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, the people of Zambia trust this Government very much as attested by the election results for 2011. The people still trust us and have given us the mandate to go up to 2016 and beyond.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question.

Interruptions

Mr Mukanga: Sir, what I am trying to say is that the people of Zambia will look at the works that we have done. In as far as work is concerned, there is no party or government that can compare with the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Hon. Opposition Members: Question.

Mr Mukanga: For example, if you look at the roads that we have done in the last two years such as the Link Zambia 8,000 km, Pave Zambia 2,000 km, L400 km, and the many other urban roads that we are working on, the people of Zambia have every reason to vote for the PF in the upcoming by-elections …

Hon. Opposition Members: Question.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukanga: … and the 2016 General Elections.

I thank you, Sir.

Interruptions

ZRA BORDER POST REVENUE

578. Mr Livune asked the Minister of Finance how much revenue the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) collected from the following border posts in 2012:

(a) Victoria Falls;

(b) Kazungula;

(c) Katima Mulilo; and

(d) Chirundu.

The Minister of Finance (Mr Chikwanda): Mr Speaker, the revenues collected from the four borders posts are as follows:

Border Post Amount (ZKW)

Victoria Falls 84,966,612

Kazungula 414,304,891

Katima Mulilo 51,998,203

Chirundu 2,053,249,957

Mr Speaker, I wish to take this opportunity to inform the House that the one-stop border post concept has been adapted with the aim of decongesting the borders with neighbouring countries, thereby enhancing revenue collections.

Sir, to start with, a decision was taken to have Chirundu Border Post pilot the implementation of the one-stop border post concept since the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe had constructed new infrastructure at the border. This has eased the movement of goods and people between the two countries by way of reducing transit time for traders and transporters. There has also been a noticed increase in the trade flows through improved efficiencies, thereby enhancing revenue collection at this border post.

Mr Speaker, the Government is committed to ensuring that the one-stop border post initiative is replicated in other border posts like Kasumbalesa, Kazungula and Nakonde so that we can realise similar gains. Once the Kazungula Border Post is fully operational, commercial traffic passing through Livingstone and Victoria Falls borders will easily be absorbed and revenue collection for the Government will be enhanced.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, K414,304,891 was realised from Kazungula Border Post, which is a very important border post. To maximise the collection of revenue at the border post, what is the order of preference of the plans earmarked to revamp the border posts in the country?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, as I have explained, we will use the successes attained at Chirundu to replicate measures at all the other border posts.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated the successes at the Chirundu Border Post. When does the Government intend to replicate the concept of the Chirundu One-Stop Border Post in other areas? Is there a timeframe that has been set up with regard to the replication?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, the timeframe is conditional on the availability of resources.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister of Finance confirm that it is because of the high revenue of K2 billion collected from the Chirundu Border Post that this Government found it necessary to move Chirundu from the Southern Province to Lusaka in the name of decentralisation so that the huge revenue from the border post does not remain in the Southern Province?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, I …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Chikwanda: … cannot confirm things which are miscontexualised and not true. Whether Chirundu was in the Southern Province or Lusaka Province for purposes of revenue, the revenue collected from all the borders, by an Act of Parliament, goes into the General Revenue Fund.

Hon. Government Members: Yes.

Mr Chikwanda: I thank you, Sir.

Mr Matafwali (Bangweulu): Mr Speaker, why do we normally have wide variances between the actual collections and the budgeted figures from the border posts?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, to all intents and post purposes, the disparity between the figures used in the Budget and what we collect is very small.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ntundu (Gwembe): Mr Speaker, I have passed through Kazungula Border. This border looks like a concentration camp in the ancient days. You cannot imagine that it is a border post. Does the Government have any plans to ensure that the tax collectors receive bonuses on the monies that they collect?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, the collections at Kazungula will improve because the ministries of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications, and Finance are working hard to try to get the bridge project launched. I am sure the customs officers are adequately reimbursed and in some cases they even reward themselves illegitimately.

Laughter

Mr Chikwanda: We should plug the loopholes because what happens with customs officers and police officers mounting roadblocks is that they do what the rabbis do with the synagogue collection. The rabbis toss the money in the air and that which goes up is for the Lord and that which comes down is theirs.

Laughter

Mr Chikwanda: So, when some of the police and customs officers collect money, they toss I into the air and that which goes up is for the Ministry of Finance while that which comes down is theirs. Therefore, I do not think that they need an extra reward.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, I am very worried. Is the hon. Minister informing this House and the nation that police and customs officers are corrupt?

Dr Kaingu: They allow them to be corrupt.

Mr Deputy Speaker: I think that the hon. Minister said that in jest. I do not think that that is what he meant.

Laughter

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, that is what she infers, but we must admit that these people are very resourceful.

Mr Muntanga: Resourceful.

Laughter

Mr Chikwanda: We need to seal the loopholes.

I thank you, Sir.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, it is gratifying to note that over K2 billion is collected at the Chirundu Border Post. However, there is still a lot of congestion at the border post. Is there anything that can be done to ease the congestion so that we can collect more revenue?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, first and foremost, the revenue figures I gave relate to 2012. I am sure the picture for 2013 is slightly different, as revenue collection may have increased. I agree with the hon. Member that the congestion does not help the course of the economy. Therefore, we need to make more efforts to try and improve the conditions.

Sir, Zambia has got a very difficult work ethic, but if we can get the officers to exert themselves a little more, then, we would not have as much congestion. Sometimes, this congestion is caused by the lack of diligence on the part of our officers.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, are there any plans to open banks at the Kazungula Border Post?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, as business picks up, I am sure the banks will see it as lucrative to open branches the border post. The Government does not open any other banks except for the National Savings and Credit Bank (NATSAVE). The rest of the banking activities, apart from NATSAVE, are in the hands of the private sector. However, I am sure that with the improvement in the traffic flow and opportunities, one of the banks may feel inclined to open a branch of the bank there.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, I like the hon. Minister’s humility. He is a good man and Minister because he calls a spade a spade and not a big spoon.

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the hon. Minister of Finance, who has said that some of the officers are corrupt, to tell us what he has done to curb this vice.

Mr Muntanga: Call a spade a spade.

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, we do everything humanly possible, but some bad tendencies in Zambia are a reality. For example, if you see a truckload of beer coming into the country and you ask how it came into the country, you would be told that it was smuggled, but how can a truck be smuggled? It did not pass through the bush, but the border. Therefore, there is evidence that there is connivance with some of the customs officers. It is a problem for society and we should all be involved in a positive way. Corruption in Zambia is rampant.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Konga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that the Government does not have enough resources to put up border posts in places like Kazungula. Considering the revenue that can be collected from a single border post like Chirundu, does the hon. Minister intend to construct a border post through a build-operate-transfer (BOT) financing system or just have a concessioner put up the infrastructure at Kazungula and have the Government operate it?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, when the hon. Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication has finished the bridge project, all those things will be factored in. Kazungula will be a one-stop-border post with adequate and up-to-date facilities.

Sir, a BOT is feasible but, sometimes, the experience has not been very salutary. For example, I do not think the concessioner in Kasumbalesa was doing a good job, and the country was taken for a ride which is why we abolished the concession in the first place.

I thank you, Sir.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT FUND PROJECTS

579. Mr Mucheleka asked the Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health:

(a) what measures had been taken to monitor and track progress on projects funded under the Women Empowerment Fund;

(b) whether there were any success stories emanating from the fund in terms of job creation and poverty reduction; and

(c) if so, what some of the success stories were.

The Deputy Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health (Ms Kazunga): Mr Speaker, the Department of Community Development has structures at community, district and provincial levels that play an important role not only in the implementation of community development programmes, but also in monitoring and evaluating the performance of women’s clubs and associations that receive grants or equipment.

Sir, the main thrust of the empowerment programme under the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, is to improve the livelihoods of individual members belonging to a club or association. This is attained through profit sharing of proceedings derived from businesses or activities undertaken by the group. Group members have been able to purchase livestock and send their children to school while others have been able to start businesses using their share of profits and knowledge gained from the club.

Mr Speaker, in terms of success stories, groups that are involved in the processing of peanut butter, sausage making and poultry often engage other members of the community to sell products on their behalf, thereby creating employment.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, I am aware that huge sums of money are spent on the empowerment of women. This is a fund that is going a long way in improving the livelihoods of women, especially in the rural areas. The only concern is the monitoring and evaluation. Is it not possible for the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health to consider putting up a strong monitoring and evaluation team so that this unit can monitor the performance of the projects and use of the empowerment in order to help women venture into other life-sustaining projects using the same empowerment fund?

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, there is a register at the headquarters for all the clubs that have been formed and those that have been empowered. There are monitoring groups that comprise officers from the headquarters, provincial offices, district offices as well as the hon. Ministers that check if the women are doing the right thing. In most cases, we have found that the clubs are really improving. Where we find problems, the district officers counsel the people involved. Where the clubs have not done well, they have been made to start all over again. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, the Women Empowerment Fund has been there for some time now. Is there a deliberate policy in place to compel the clubs to submit returns on the money that they have been funded so that we can check whether they are the same people who have been benefitting from the funds and whether or not they are improving?

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, the funds that we give are known as grants. Yes, we have a policy in place which compels the clubs to prepare reports every year.  

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, are you aware that at district level, monitoring is quite difficult because most of the local councils have no transport. When are you going to provide transport, especially for the newly-created districts?

The Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health (Mrs Kabanshi): Mr Speaker, it is very difficult to monitor projects in the rural areas. This is because most of the areas are not accessible. At the moment, we do not have enough money to provide vehicles for all the departments. This Government is committed to building capacity, and will try to provide vehicles and motorbikes to the offices. We will attend to that as soon as possible in order to improve the livelihoods of the people of Zambia.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Mwamba: Mr Speaker, has this Government got a method of ensuring that same projects are not funded year in and year out?

Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, the Government’s policy is to make sure that the funds do not go to the same projects. My ministry is in the process of coming up with a single registry so that we monitor the people who are accessing the funds.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to give a categorical answer pertaining to the registration of women’s clubs. We are all aware that in our various constituencies, women have been failing to register their clubs and access these funds due to the centralised registration of clubs. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the ministry has considered decentralising the registration of clubs to the local councils so that they can be registered with the councils and given certificates to enable them access the funds easily. As the situation is, it is almost difficult for women in certain constituencies to access this fund.

Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, I think the hon. Member does not visit his constituency …

Interruptions

Mrs Kabanshi: … and does not attend council meetings. The registration of clubs has been decentralised to councils. I would like to urge the hon. Member to visit his council so that he can clarify those issues.

I thank you, Sir.

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

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to allege that I do not visit my constituency when I am trying to assist her ministry. We are aware that most of the councils are indicating that they have not been given the authority to register clubs. Is she in order to start misleading the House?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Sometimes, let us go straight into answering questions without going into areas which will prompt other people to raise points of order. It makes it difficult for us to make rulings on such issues. Can we, please, learn to answer questions directly. May the hon. Minister continue.

Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, I have already answered his question.

The hon. Opposition Members: No, she has not.

Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, I went to my constituency at the weekend, and my council told me how many clubs it has registered. I do not really know why his council is not registering the clubs. That is why I am telling him to go to his constituency to find out what is happening there. We are ready to help the councils to start registering the clubs.

I thank you, Sir.

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, the responses given by the hon. Minister border on business projects. Is the hon. Minister considering changing the concept from that of Women Empowerment Fund to Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF) which is more along business lines?

Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, we are dealing with vulnerable people. That is why we are giving them grants. When these people graduate from their status, they can then go and borrow from the Citizens Economic Empowerment Committee (CEEC) or other lending institutions for them to start their businesses. I am sure that is exactly what you did when you were in Government.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that some clubs with registration certificates that cost K75 that were issued by certain institutions are being denied the Women Empowerment Fund because they are told that only those that come from – I do not know where and cost K250,000 – are accepted.

Interruptions

Mr Livune: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Mufalali: Are you aware?

Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, I do not think I am aware of that because I know that there are some clubs that were registered under the Ministry of Home Affairs and there are others that are being registered with the councils. For those that are registering with the councils, the certificates cost about K120 and we are accepting all of them.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

MARAMBA STADIUM IN LIVINGSTONE

580. Mr Livune asked the Minister of Youth and Sport:

(a) when renovations of the Maramba Stadium in Livingstone would be completed;

(b) how much money had been spent on the renovations as of March, 2014; and

(c) what the total cost of the project was.

The Minister of Defence and Deputy Chief Whip (Mr E. C. Lungu) (on behalf of the Minister of Youth and Sport (Mr Kambwili)): Mr Speaker, I would like to inform the House that the renovations of Maramba Stadium should have been completed two months after the contractor moved on site. The contractor moved on site on 23rd July, 2013. Therefore,  the works should have been completed on 23rd September, 2013. However, the works have stalled because the project did not receive any funding.

Sir, the House may wish to know that a total of K4,865,056.62 was indicated in the initial certificate of works as the cost of the renovation works done up to March, 2014. However, the certificate of completion …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, on my right!

Mr E. C. Lungu: … is yet to be cleared by the Ministry of Finance on account of lack of allocation of funds to the project by the said ministry.

Mr Speaker, the total cost of the project is K22,362,679.33.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, the issue of morality arises again. Maramba Stadium is public infrastructure. The hon. Minister has just told the House, the people of Livingstone, and the people of Zambia that no money was provided in the 2013 Budget and the amount of money that has been spent so far. Who does this Government expect to provide money for this stadium to be completed?

Hon. Opposition Member: Hear, hear!

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, I did not say anything like what the hon. Member wants to attribute to me. Suffice it to say that K500,000 was budgeted for this project in 2014.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister confirm if the Government is incurring liquidated damages due to the fact that it is delaying in paying the contractor what is due to him?

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, I have to look at the contract which was signed between the contractor and the Government to be able to answer that question.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwewa (Mwansabombwe): Mr Speaker, …

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITEES in the Chair]

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON

INTERPARLIAMENTARY GAMES

The Deputy Chairperson: I have an announcement to make. Further to my earlier announcement regarding the interparliamentary games to be held on Sunday, 13th July, 2014, in Livingstone with our colleagues from the Parliament of Zimbabwe, I wish to inform the House that the Hon. Mr Speaker will be leading the parliamentary sports delegation to the games. All the members of the football and netball teams are urged to be ready for departure at the Parliament Motel tomorrow, Friday, by 1100 hours. In the meantime, all other hon. Members of the House are called upon to render moral support to their colleagues.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: You may also wish to learn that the hon. Mr Speaker’s counterpart, Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Mudenda, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe, will also be leading a forty-member parliamentary delegation to the games.

Hon. Members: Forty.

The Deputy Chairperson: I wish both teams good luck.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

It is clear that the Zimbabwean Delegation will be led by the Hon. Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe and he will be leading a forty- …

Hon. Members: Forty.

The Deputy Chairperson: … member delegation.

Interruptions
_________

Mr Mwewa: Mr Speaker, when business was suspended, I was about to say that my Government …

Mr Livune: Question.

Interruptions

Mr Mwewa: … has been constructing stadia in most of the provinces in the country. I know that, mostly, for the preparations of the …

The Deputy Chairperson: May you ask your question, please. Do not preface your contribution with a lengthy preamble.

Mr Mwewa: Thank you, Mr Speaker. 

Sir, what measures is the Government taking to prevent the stadia from becoming white elephants?

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Youth and Sport, in conjunction with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), is awaiting the outcome of a bid to host the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) which is expected to take place a few years from now. Apart from that, local community schools as well as local football clubs have access to our facilities. We, therefore, own the stadia jointly with these institutions such that there is no way that any stadium in any locality in Zambia can become a white elephant in the course of time.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister confirm that the Government will not release even 50 per cent of the K22 million for the rehabilitation of Maramba Stadium simply because it is in the Southern Province and there is no Member of Parliament to speak for the people of Livingstone?

Hon. Government Members: Question.

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, as I said earlier, in 2014, the ministry provided K500,000 in the budget for continued works on this project. In 2013, K1,000 was released for the same project.

Mr Speaker, the background of this project is that during the time of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Conference, the stakeholders and key players in hosting the conference included Maramba Stadium as a project they thought would be used for the entertainment of visitors and delegates. In the process, the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication was brought on board and undertook to do some of the works. Unfortunately, the pledge of the organisers and the ministry was not met.

Sir, it is during this period that the contract I referred to earlier was signed. Now, we want to factor in the next budget adequate funds to ensure that the project is completed.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Milambo (Mwembeshi): Mr Speaker, with this delayed funding, when will the stadium be completed?

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, the first question I addressed was when renovations at Maramba Stadium will be completed. I already said that we will factor in funds into the next budget to ensure that it is completed. I think that this answers the hon. Member’s question.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, K22 million was budgeted for in the Yellow Book, which is an activity-based budget. However, only K4 million has since been disbursed. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what he really means when he says that the project will be factored into the next Budget. What is the implication of this, going by the fact that our Budget is an activity-based one? Does this entail that the Government has found some other use for the money which we appropriated in this House?

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, the information I have from the ministry is that in 2013, K1,000 was allocated to commence rehabilitation works at the stadium in phases. I also have information that in 2014, only K500,000 was budgeted for this purpose. This, however, is only because there was an understanding that most of the money would come through the UNWTO Organising Committee which had intimated to the ministry that it would take charge of the responsibility of rehabilitating Maramba Stadium.

Sir, I do not have the other details the hon. Member is asking for. However, I can safely say that the foundation for four flood lights was completed. A grand stand with a sitting capacity of 1,000 has since been completed. Two change rooms and a kitchen have been completed as well. Also completed are the commentary box and VIP lounge as well as offices. Works, however, have not yet finished and we are not sitting idly on this project.

I thank you, Sir.

DECONGESTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF PRISONS COUNTRYWIDE

581. Mr Lufuma asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

(a) what measures the Government was taking to decongest and improve conditions in prisons countrywide;

(b) when the dilapidated Kabompo Prison would be rehabilitated; and

(c) whether the Government had any plans to construct a new prison in Kabompo at a new site away from the residential areas and, if so, when construction would commence.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, before I respond to the question from the hon. Member for Kabompo West, I want to assure you, Sir, that your players are ready to go to Livingstone and bring back the desired results.

Interruptions

Mr Kampyongo: As Captain of the side, I have taken note of the delegation that is coming and we shall be ready for them.

Sir, I wish to inform the House and the hon. Member for Kabompo West, who is also a very dependable player, that the Government is really concerned about the poor state of prison conditions which has been exacerbated by the increase in prison population against the backdrop of limited cell capacity.

Sir, as you may be aware, most of the prison facilities that we have were built during the colonial time between 2012 and 2040 and were meant for retribution for those …

Interruptions

Mr Kampyongo: I beg your pardon, between 1912 and 1940.

Sir, these facilities have since been overwhelmed by the high population of inmates in prisons, resulting in congestion. In view of the foregoing, the hardworking Patriotic Front (PF) Government is on course with efforts to decongest and improve the conditions in prisons by expanding the holding capacity in cells.

The Government has since commenced works at the Kabwe Maximum Prison A, Mwinilunga, Chipata, Chitumba, Mwembeshi Open Air, Isoka, Mbala, Sesheke and Livingstone. Recently, I commissioned a 100 holding capacity dormitory at B-Farm in Kabwe.

Sir, we are also putting up a new prison in Luwingu which is almost complete and will be commissioned by the hon. Minister of Home Affairs at the end of this month. We are doing some works at a prison facility in Monze which is due to be commissioned before the end of this year. We are also building a prison in Kalabo, which is almost complete, and will be opened before the end of August, this year.

Sir, the House may also wish to know that Mwembeshi Maximum Security Prison “B” was completed last year and is now fully operational. As you might have seen last year, we had massive movement of prisoners to decongest Kabwe Maximum Prison, which is also called Maximum Prison “A”. Further, I wish to assure the House that once the facilities which I have mentioned are completed, we shall decongest some of the overcrowded prisons once they are commissioned.

Mr Speaker, the Presidential Amnesty and Parole systems also help to decongest some of the prisons. May I mention that plans are underway at the ministry to establish what we shall call immigration detention centres so that illegal immigrants, people pending deportation and those with pending court cases are detained in those facilities away from the ordinary prisons.

Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the rehabilitation of Kabompo Prison is scheduled to start when funds are released from this year’s Budget under infrastructure development. The hon. Member for Kabompo West accompanied me when we visited this facility with other hon. Members through Coalition of African Parliamentarians against HIV and Aids (CAPAH). We even donated some paint to give a facelift to the facility. Therefore, the Government will ensure that it quickly moves in to do the rest of the work.

Mr Speaker, the Government is aware that Kabompo Prison was initially a social welfare facility under the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health before it was converted into a prison, hence its location near the residential area. Therefore, the Government is considering constructing a new prison in Kabompo at a suitable location as a long-term measure after all the on-going projects, which I have mentioned, are completed.

 Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I would like to appreciate the hon. Minister more sincerely for the elaborate answer.

Sir, the hon. Minister has not been categorical as to when the rehabilitation of these facilities in Kabompo West will commence.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, like I indicated, we have already budgeted for the rehabilitation of prison facilities. Currently, we are working on one prison in Mwinilunga. Once that is done, we shall move onto other prisons. We do not want to start works at the same time because the resources are limited. Immediately we are done with the one we are working on in Mwinilunga, we shall definitely move onto Kabompo and carry out the rehabilitation works.

 I thank you, Sir. 

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, I would like to wish the team captain all the best of luck even though I notice that the team is travelling without a team doctor.

Laughter

Dr Kalila: I, therefore, hope that it has medical insurance.

The Deputy Chairperson of Committees: Order!

The team doctor, as an hon. Member of Parliament, has a standing invitation.

 Laughter

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, a good number of prisoners are remandees. Although I have forgotten the statistics, there are in the range of 30 per cent. This means that these are the people who are waiting for court processes, and it is not unusual to be informed that some of them have been in prison for up to two years or even more. What is the Ministry of Home Affairs doing to ensure that this very unfortunate situation that hinges on abuse of human rights of the remandees is addressed as a way of decongesting the prisons?

The Minister of Home Affairs (Dr Simbyakula): Mr Speaker, the question of long detentions of remandees is a pressing one because it has to do with the justice delivery system. As discussed yesterday, there are many actors in the justice delivery system such as the prosecution or police. As stakeholders, we are trying very hard to see how we can speed up the cases for the remandees.

 I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutale (Kwacha): Mr Speaker, Kamfinsa Prison also keeps juveniles. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the Government is considering removing the juveniles from the hard-core criminals at Kamfinsa Prison.

 Dr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, yes, we are trying to get resources to construct separate cells for juveniles. It is, therefore, just a question of resources.

 I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, it is true that most of the hon. Members on your right will be prisoners after 2016.

Laughter

Mr Lubinda: Question.

Mr Mbewe: You will remember me because I am telling you the truth.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

May the hon. Member for Chadiza ask his question.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether a provision has been made for VIP cells or VIP prisons. Is that being given consideration?

Dr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, the facilities are the same for every prison.

 I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, when there is an immigration operation, it means that all citizens who are found without any national registration cards (NRC) on them are supposed to be detained. What is the ministry doing to ensure that Zambians are given NRCs to avoid detention?

Dr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, every Zambian who attains the age of 16 is eligible to get an NRC. It is, therefore, the duty of all of us, hon. Members, to encourage our children who attain that age to acquire NRCs.

 Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, the idea of relocating the Kabompo Prison from the residential area is commendable. In 2008, the hon. Member for Kabwata appealed to the Government to consider relocating Kamwala Prison, which is in the middle of a residential area and is also posing a threat to the people of Kamwala. There was an assurance from the Government then that it would consider doing that by selling off the land to private investors to raise the money with which to construct a new prison. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether his ministry is still looking into that matter or whether it has decided to shelve that important undertaking. If it is working on it, could he indicate to the people of Kamwala when that prison will be relocated.

Dr Simbyakula: Sir, it is true that there are some private investors who are interested in that area and have proposed to the Government to construct another prison facility outside Kamwala. They have been to our ministry, we have engaged them and discussions are ongoing. We contacted our colleagues at the Surveys Department in the ministry that deals with valuation to evaluate that property. So, we will give further information in due course.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, your Committee …

Mr Sing’ombe: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, thank you very much for allowing me to rise on this serious point of order. It is a well-known fact that the Ministry of Home Affairs’ mandate is to issue what Hon. Kampyongo would term a Form 15 to ensure that space for prisoners is created. However, is he in order to start issuing Form 15 to hon. Members of Parliament so that they are not part of those going to Livingstone to bring the desired result for this House? I seek your serious ruling on this matter.

Mr Deputy Chairperson: If, in fact, that Form 15 is issued by the hon. Minister of Home Affairs, which he has denied, then he is out of order.

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, your Committee on Legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights, Genders Matters and Child Affairs recently toured the magistrate or subordinate courts on the Copperbelt and North-Western provinces. Your Committee found that the holding cells accommodate both adults and juveniles. When is the Government going to construct separate holding cells for juveniles?

Dr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, my colleague has intimated to the House that there are rehabilitation works going on at various prison facilities. This includes the expansion of various existing cells for females, juveniles and adults. That is the idea of this rehabilitation exercise.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, is the diet in prison okay now?

Dr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, the Prisons Act prescribes the diet for prisoners. Of course, as the hon. Member is aware, the resource envelope is quite challenging, but we do have farms where we keep animals, grow maize and a few other crops. So, we are slowly but progressively improving the diet for prisoners. We have increased the acreage …

Mr Hamududu interjected.

Dr Simbyakula: Of course, thank you very much. If the hon. Member can donate food we shall be grateful.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, there is a lot of congestion in prisons where about 30 per cent of the inmates are those on remand. Some offences were made non-bailable in the past by the previous Government just to target certain individuals. For example, treason, aggravated robbery, the lighter part of murder ...

Hon. Mwale: Manslaughter.

Ms Imenda: Yes, manslaughter, and various other offences are not bailable. Even the theft of a motor vehicle is not bailable. Would the hon. Minister not consider bringing such laws for repeal because we know why they were made?

Mr Deputy Chairperson: If the hon. Minister has a bonus answer, he may provide that because we have digressed completely from the Question under consideration.

Dr Simbyakula: Yes, Sir, I do have a bonus answer. The Justice and Legal Reforms that have just been instituted are going to address those issues because, as the hon. Member has said, some of the laws impinge on sentencing. As she has rightly pointed out, the offences of aggravated murder, possession of drugs and many others are all not bailable. So, these are going to be addressed wholesomely. There is also a possibility of putting on our statute books more non-custodial sentences.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.{mospagebreak}

HEALTH POSTS IN MFUWE

582. Mr Ng’onga asked the Minister of Health:

(a) when the Government would construct health posts at the following places in Mfuwe Parliamentary Constituency:

(i) Kazembe in Chief Nabwalya’s Area;
(ii) Mabonga in Chief Mpumba’s Area; and
(iii) Chipundu in Chief Mukungule’s Area; and

(b) when the 650 health posts project would be launched in Muchinga Province.

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, there are two health posts that have been constructed using the CDF in Kazembe in Chief Nabwalya’s Area. These are Kalimba and Chaya health posts. The House may wish to note that in addition to the construction of health posts in the chiefdom, a staff house at Kalimba Health Post is under construction and is at window level, while the construction of a staff house at Chaya Health Post is at lintel level.

Further, the House may also wish to note that the Government has given priority to the completion of construction and commissioning of the two health posts before embarking on constructing new health posts in the chiefdom. Therefore, the construction of a new health post in Kazembe will be considered in the 2015 Ministry of Health Infrastructure Operational Plan.

Sir, there are two health posts that have been allocated for construction in Mabonga in Chief Mpumba’s Area under the Indian Line of Credit to construct 650 health posts countrywide. In this chiefdom, Kalonje and Mabonga are the areas that have been proposed for the construction of health posts. The contractor shall commence mobilisation in the Eastern Province from August, 2014.

Mr Speaker, as regards Chipundu in Chief Mukungule’s Area, there is Katibunga Health Post that has been included for completion in the 2014 Ministry of Health Infrastructure Operational Plan. This is a community mode project that is currently at roof level and is scheduled for completion in December, this year. Therefore, construction of a new health post in Chipundu in Chief Mukungule’s Area will be considered in the 2015 Ministry of Health Infrastructure Operational Plan.

Mr Speaker, the 650 health posts project in Muchinga Province was launched on 7th April, 2014.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

_______________

MOTIONS

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ESTIMATES

Mr Hamududu (Bweengwa): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do adopt the Report of the Committee on Estimates on the Review of the first Quarter of the 2014 Budget for selected ministries for the Third Session of the Eleventh National Assembly, laid on the Table of the House on 4th July, 2014.

Mr Deputy Chairperson: Is the Motion seconded?

Mr Mpundu (Nchelenge): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Mr Hamududu: Sir, your Committee, in line with its terms of reference, reviewed the performance of the first quarter of the 2014 Budget for four ministries, namely:

(a) Transport, Works, Supply and Communications;

(b) Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education;

(c) Agriculture and Livestock; and

(d) Health.

Mr Speaker, let me now briefly highlight some of the findings of your Committee on this matter. From the sample of the ministries that were considered, your Committee notes that there was generally late release of funds by the Treasury and the existence of low absorption capacities by some ministries. For example, under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), inputs that were meant for the last rainy season were still being distributed as late as January, 2014.

Mr Speaker, in light of this, your Committee recommends that the Executive ensures the timely and efficient release of funds to ministries, provinces and spending agencies, and put measures in place to improve Budget implementation capacities in ministries, provinces and spending agencies if the Budget was to have the desired positive effect on our population.

Mr Speaker, your Committee was informed that the Executive had been studying the possibility of implementing the Output-Based Budgeting (OBB) as a successor to the current Activity-Based Budgeting (ABB). The feasibility of implementing the OBB is part of the Budget Reforms which focus more on budget results rather than just conforming to financial processes and procedures.

Your Committee was further informed that the Ministry of Health has been piloting results-based financing which is a form of OBB. There is, therefore, evidence within the Government to show the benefits of the OBB. Your Committee, therefore, recommends that the Executive, through the Minister of Finance, expedites feasibility studies on this matter.

Mr Speaker, your Committee appreciates the importance of undertaking quarterly reviews of the Budget. The ex-ante involvement of your Committees in the budgetary process is key in minimising the needless number of audit queries in the Report of the Auditor-General. Your Committee is, therefore, of the view that in addition to the quarterly reviews, there is a need to review the mid-year Budget performance. In this regard, your Committee is concerned about the failure by the Executive to adhere to the provisions of section 3, sub-section 2(b) of the Public Finance Act of 2004, which requires the hon. Minister of Finance to present the mi-year Budget performance report to Parliament.

Your Committee is concerned that while the law is very clear on this issue, the Executive, for a long time, has not been presenting mid-year Budget performance reports to Parliament. This has effectively denied Parliament a chance to hear the mid-year Budget performance which would have given an opportunity for corrective action. In this regard, your Committee recommends that the Executive begins to present the half year or mid-year Budget performance reports as provided for in the law.

Mr Speaker, the pilot quarterly review of the Budget has been a worthwhile experience by your Committee. However, this review process would be given more credence if it covered all ministries, provinces and spending agencies.

Sir, the eventual passing of the envisaged Planning and Budgeting Bill and the establishment of the Parliamentary Budget Office will also add value to the work of your Committees in budgetary oversight.

In conclusion, Sir, your Committee wishes to express its gratitude to you, Mr Speaker, for the guidance rendered during the session. Your Committee is also grateful to the witnesses who appeared before it for their co-operation and input in its deliberations. Lastly, I also extend your Committee’s appreciation to the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly and her staff for the services rendered to your Committee during its meetings.

Mr Speaker, I beg to move.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: Does the seconder wish to speak now or later?

Mr Mpundu: Now, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, I wish to second the Motion which has been ably moved by the Chairperson of your Committee. Since the mover has highlighted most of the salient issues arising from the study of your Committee, I will only highlight one key finding that he did not touch on.

Sir, your Committee notes an increase in the releases to the Ministry of Health in the first quarter as a proportion of the Budget for the first quarter from 10 per cent in 2013 to 22 per cent in 2014. It notes that the ministry has clearly outlined programmes being implemented in the first quarter of the 2014 Financial Year. It is of the view that, the performance of the budget for the Ministry of Health in the first quarter, as it relates to the releases, was favourable.

Mr Speaker, your Committee also notes that there is an increase in the releases to the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication in the first quarter from 13.3 per cent in 2013 to 25.5 per cent in 2014 as a proportion of the budget.

While appreciating this positive development, your Committee implores the Government to stay on course with the releases so as to ensure full implementation of key projects such as the construction of the 650 health posts and the modernisation of the access roads at the University Teaching Hospital which will attract huge funds. The continued timely release of funds will ensure that the programmes are implemented on time, thereby avoiding the unnecessary supplementary expenditure.

In conclusion, I wish to thank you, Mr Speaker, for according me the chance to serve on this important Committee. I also wish to thank the members of your Committee for giving me this rare chance to second the Motion.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, firstly, I would like to commend your Committee on Estimates on its report which is quite comprehensive.

Mr Speaker, there are issues that I would like to briefly touch on. The issue of the inadequate release of funds affects the performance of both the Budget and specifically various ministries and activities.

Mr Speaker, for example, last month, I was confronted by some district agricultural-coordinating committee members, or whatever it is called, which has been given instructions to hold an agricultural show in the newly-created Limulunga District. This committee wrote letters begging for funds in for it to conduct the agricultural show. The begging bowl was also extended to the hon. Member of Parliament for the area who expected to make a contribution.
 
Mr Speaker, the culture of begging has permeated our country. I asked what the problem was because if they are expected to hold an agricultural show, they are supposed to be funded by the Government. I was told that the district office of the ministry was only funded to the extent of K4,000. This amount was meant for all the activities of the ministry in the area, including the holding of the agricultural show.

Mr Speaker, this business of putting pressure on rural hon. Members of Parliament whenever there is a Government function is very unfair because the money that is meant for the rural areas is consumed at the headquarters which are situated in urban areas. So, there is so much pressure whenever there is a function.  Even when there are issues such as Women’s Day or Youth Day, a begging bowl is presented to the hon. Member of Parliament to fund from his/her pocket.

Mr Speaker, you will recall that only recently, a number of hon. Members of Parliament from rural areas were written letters to say that the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development had acquired water drilling rigs and, therefore, if they wanted to access those facilities to sink boreholes in their constituencies, they had to part away with part of the CDF to operationalise the drilling rigs. Why is that so, Mr Speaker? It all goes back to the issue of funding of rural activities by the Central Government. There is so much pressure because there is improper, late, or inadequate release of funds from the Treasury. As if that were not enough, when that money goes to the ministerial headquarters, the ministry gets a big chunk and gives crumbs and leftovers to the rural offices. This is very unfair.

Mr Speaker, allow me to speak on the issues of fisheries that have been mentioned in your Committee’s report. I would like to suggest that the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock partners with some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on issues of aqua-culture. I have in mind NGOs like the Programme against Malnutrition (PAM) that has a lot of structures or, at least, used to because I do not know about now – right across the rural areas and as far as Shang’ombo, Imusho and such places. In order to be efficient, why can the Government not partner with organisations like PAM? When you leave this money with civil servants in the ministry, our experience is that instead of directing the money to productive areas, the first thing they do is hold a workshop which is followed by a series of meetings which are very unproductive. For example, Page 9, paragraph 5 of your Committee’s report which is titled ‘Fisheries Development’, your report states:

“In addition, the department held meetings which dealt with the following issues: the preparatory meeting for the management of joint fisheries resources; a review meeting on value addition on the project in the Western Province.”

Sir, there will be a series of meetings and before the money can go into productive areas, it will be finished because the officers will claim allowances and it becomes very attractive for them.

So, I would like the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, who is listening attentively, to consider my suggestion for the ministry to partner with some NGOs. In the past, the Food Security Pack (FSP) was given to PAM and it worked very well until politics set in. I do not want to go into the details. I would even suggest that in addition to entrusting PAM with the distribution of the FSP, it could also share in the responsibility to manage the Farmer’s Input FISP. While part of it can be handled by the civil servants, the other part could be given to such organisations in partnership with the Government.

Mr Speaker, on the issue of education, I have noted, from the report, that there is inadequate funding for schools. This affects the rural schools the most. As I travel through my constituency, I get a lot of requests for school requisites such as text books and chalk. Some schools do not even have chalk and I tell them that these things are supposed to be supplied by the ministry, but they say that they do not get them. They say that they are only funded once a year and once the funding is finished, they cannot even afford chalk. They do not have school books and so on and so forth.

Sir, I would like to believe that sport is part of the school curriculum. I do not know about now, but when I was in school, sport was part of the school curriculum. However, these days, schools have no sports equipment. Consequently, they call upon their hon. Member of Parliament to supply soccer balls, volleyballs, and so on and so forth. They do not have anything. You cannot even talk about javelin and discuss. Some of our children have never even seen what they look like.

Mr Speaker, the speaker on the Floor used to participate in discuss. So, I know what I am talking about, but children these days do not even know what this sport is.

Mr Muntanga: Which speaker?

Ms Imenda: (Pointing at herself) this one.

The Deputy Chairperson: He was wondering which Speaker is a lady.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, it is the person on the Floor.

Laughter

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, they do not even have learning aids, and I just wonder how children, especially in the rural areas, cope in school. the Treasury does not only release inadequate funds, but the funds also delay in reaching their destination because they have to go to the ministry headquarters first and then, the officers there may decide not to give the money to certain schools. That is very unfortunate. As if inadequate funding were not enough, there is also a delay in the release of the funds. Now, if the funding for these activities is delayed, some activities will not take place or will not be completed. What does that mean? It means that the Budget performance is thrown overboard.

Mr Speaker, with those few words, I support the Motion on the Floor.

Mr Mucheleka (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to debate this Motion.

Mr Speaker, let me begin by appreciating your Committee’s report that has been submitted by the Committee on Estimates, which is a review of the first quarter of the 2014 Budget for the selected ministries that have been mentioned.

Mr Speaker, when you look at the four ministries that have been mentioned, you will realise that the they are key to economic development and poverty reduction. Your Committee has raised a number of issues under the agriculture sector. It also looked at important issues in the education sector. Of course, it is also important to appreciate the fact that the report has brought out the fact that in a number of sectors, the rate of the release of funds has improved. This is highly appreciated. However, as much as we appreciate the rate of increase in the release of funds in the first quarter of 2014, there are still some sectors where funds were released late. Somewhere in the report, it is indicated that funding to the districts was delayed, and I have a problem with that. I come from Luwingu in Lubansenshi Constituency where the majority of the people are very poor. If there is one important sector that can help to improve their livelihood, it is agriculture. The education sector and all the other sectors that have been mentioned could help alleviate this problem too.

Mr Speaker, the late release of funds has also delayed the implementation of almost all the projects that have been mentioned. Therefore, two issues have been brought to the fore in the report. The first on is the late release of funds and the second one is the delay in the completion of projects. Added to this is the poor quality of construction work and funds being misappropriated. If you look at all the Auditor-General’s reports, including the latest one for 2012, you will begin to wonder whether or not we are serious about poverty reduction and economic development, and yet some people are boasting about unprecedented development in the country. Who does not know that because of all these challenges cited in the Auditor-General’s reports, these development projects are now being used as a conduit for corruption and theft.

Mr Muntanga: Eeh!

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, that is a fact. We are aware that almost all these contractors for projects have indicated that they are members of the Patriotic Front (PF). They are being used to raise funds for the party.

Hon. Government Members: Question.

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, if that is not the case, why are the projects not being completed? How many schools have been constructed, and why have those under construction not being completed on time? Why are the projects in the agricultural sector not being completed on time? Who is taking action on this? There is also the so-called Link Zambia 8000 km Road Project and the L-400 Road Project. Why is it that these projects are not being completed on time? Who is concerned about this and taking action?

Mr Speaker, look at the Auditor-General’s Report, and the recommendations that have been made on the Floor of this House, why is it that we have not seen any action being taken against the culprits? Some of the culprits even end up being promoted for misappropriating funds. Who is bearing the brunt of the misapplication of funds? It is largely the rural people. We appreciate that it is important to develop this country. However, why is it that the transformation of the lives of the rural people is delayed? Their lives are not being transformed. They have remained poor. We are now in the third year of the PF Government. Is there anything that has been done differently from what was happening under the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD)?

Hon. Government Members: Yes.

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, poverty levels have increased. We are almost in 2015, and we have not done much to attain the millennium development goals (MDGs). Can someone tell me where we are with regard to achieving MDG Number One which is so critical to poverty reduction. Is there someone who is even concerned about this?

Dr Kaingu: I am.

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, where are the key performance indicators to show us how much progress we have made? There is nothing like that.

Mr Muntanga: They are too busy.

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, why is it that some people are talking about the post 2015 development framework, when we have failed lamentably in the implementation of all these programmes? At least, the previous administration had the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) which was used as a benchmark for the implementation of these programmes. These are serious issues. The transformation of our people’s lives is being delayed because of the delay in the implementation of projects in the key sectors of health, education, agriculture and infrastructure. I would like to see an improvement in the release of funds married with the timeframe within which certain projects are implemented. By now, we should have begun to take stock of how many projects have been implemented by the PF Government, how many are yet to be completed, and how they have helped to improve the lives of our people. However, we are not doing that. All of us, here, are lamenting this situation. I believe that I speak for most hon. Members of Parliament who come from rural areas where the poverty levels are worsening.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, for instance, we are almost in the third quarter of the year and most constituencies have not yet received the CDF, and yet …

Hon. Government Member: Question.

Mr Mucheleka: … we are aware that this is the fund that has had a positive impact on the lives of our people.

Sir, I remember the hon. Minister of Finance assuring this House that he would prioritise the release of the CDF …

Mr Sikazwe interjected.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Laughter

Mr Mucheleka: This should have been done in the first quarter, but we are now in the third quarter and the money may only be released during the onset of the rainy season which will have an impact on whether projects will be properly implemented or not. All these are issues which we should look into. All we see are serious symptoms of corruption through the so-called unprecedented development.

Sir, not too long ago, the hon. Minister of Finance admitted that there is corruption. Is it true that corruption was only there during the reign of the MMD?

Dr Kaingu: There was nothing.

Mr Mucheleka: If anything, people have become more corrupt.

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes.

Mr Mucheleka: These are serious issues. Why is it that projects are not being completed on time? You are making our people suffer. People voted for change because they wanted a positive impact on their livelihood, but that has not happened and people have become more frustrated. I am more frustrated than I have ever been.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mucheleka: It is sad to see how much my constituents are suffering.

Mr Ng’onga: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Mucheleka: We have heard about schools that are supposed to be turned into secondary schools, and yet there is no funding.

Hon. Opposition Member: Ikaleni, ba Ng’onga.

Mr Ng’onga resumed his seat.

Mr Mucheleka: How will our people escape poverty?

Mr Speaker, I am speaking with a very heavy heart. We need to give hope to our people because they have suffered for too long. The Government needs to review its actions to see whether or not it is on track.

Mr Speaker, having said that …

Laughter

Mr Mucheleka: … I want to commend your Committee for bring out these important issues, and I hope that the ministries concerned will take the issues that have been discussed seriously so that they can help to improve the lives of our people. We must seriously prepare for the Post 2015 Development Framework given that we have failed to attain almost all the millennium MDGs.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Minister of Finance (Mr Chikwanda): Mr Speaker, let me start by commending the Committee under the chairmanship of Hon. Hamududu, hon. Member of Parliament for Bweengwa.

Sir, the report is very straight forward. I have no excuses to give for some of our omissions and slippages. All I can say is that we shall strive to do better.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikwanda: It is inexcusable that the Ministry of Finance should breach the provisions of the Public Finance Act which requires us to submit mid-year reports. We shall take every considerable measure to live up to the provisions of the Act.

Mr Speaker, the conduct of your Committee gives us hope. Parliamentary Committees are becoming real instruments for oversight on the performance of the Executive. This role of oversight of Parliament will be strengthened in the proposed Budget and Planning Bill, and there will be greater involvement of Parliament in the planning and budgeting for our country’s development.

Sir, In terms of underfunding in the first quarter, I must admit that the first quarter is always a problem, especially during January and February when the revenue inflows are very low. I am not using this as an excuse, but the lack of adequate funding to the ministries, provinces and spending agencies is occasioned by the reduced revenue inflows which tend to pick up as we go into the second quarter of the year.

Mr Speaker, some of the problems encountered by ministries are not due to the shortage of funds, but lack of capacity to implement.

Mr Muntanga indicated assent.

Mr Chikwanda: We draw large sums of unspent balances from ministries and I would advise some of my colleagues on this side of the House not to use Parliament to put pressure on the Ministry of Finance because we are all members of the Government and we should do things collectively. When allocations have been made by Parliament, …

Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Chikwanda: … it is inexcusable for anyone of us on the Government side to use the fact that funds have not been allocated as an excuse.

Sir, I would like to entirely support the provisions of your Committee and thank the Chairperson and members of your Committee for coming up with a good report despite some hon. Member having used it as a platform for other agendas.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu: Mr Speaker, in winding up the debate, allow me to  thank…

Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Hamududu: … the seconder of the report, Hon. Mpundu, Member of Parliament for Nchelenge …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamududu: … and the members of your Committee.

Sir, as Chairperson of the Committee on Estimates, I could not have asked for better members than these. I thank them for their commitment and for proposing reforms to the ministry. I would also like to thank the hon. Members like Hon. Imenda, Member of Parliament for Luena, who is the iron lady of the west, who contributed to debate on this report …

Laughter

Mr Hamududu: … and Hon. Mucheleka who was very positive and progressive as usual.

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Mr Hamududu: Finally, I would like to thank the hon. Minister of Finance. We, as a Committee, appreciate the hon. Minister of Finance’s positive reform orientation and the way he has been receptive to positive change.

Mr Muntanga indicated assent.

Mr Hamududu: We have the Planning and Budgeting Policy, which is a precursor to the envisaged Bill, because of him. This shows progress. We hope that we shall have the Bill on the Floor of this House within the next twelve months. I would also like to thank him for the remodeling of our budgeting system.

Sir, I am aware that the hon. Minister of Finance’s team went to South Africa for some feasibility studies and, perhaps, we can change from ABB to OBB. We appreciate that orientation and we stand on hand to assist and continue giving suggestions if they will be useful to the advancement of the country.

I thank you, Sir.

Question put and agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication, and Chief Whip (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

__________

The house adjourned at 1744 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 11th July, 2014.