Debates - Wednesday, 5th March, 2014

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DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE THIRD SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 5th March, 2014

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_________

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MR SPEAKER

COMMEMORATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that on Saturday, 8th March, 2014, the National Assembly of Zambia will join the rest of the country and the international community in commemorating the International Women’s Day. The theme for this year is: “Inspiring Change: Celebrating God’s Favour on Fifty Years of Women’s Excellence ...

Hon. Namulambe: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: ... and Achievements.”

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: This year’s commemoration is significant for Zambia as we are celebrating fifty years of Independence.

The National Assembly has lined up a number of activities to commemorate this special occasion. These are as follows:

(a) an exhibition on women in the Zambian Legislature since 1964, to be displayed in the foyer of the Parliament Buildings. This will be officially launched by the Hon. Mr Speaker on Thursday, 6th March, 2014 in the Auditorium starting at 10:00 hours. All hon. Members are invited to attend the launch;

(b) on Saturday, 8th March, 2014, selected hon. Members of Parliament and staff, particularly those born in 1964, ...

Laughter

Mr Speaker:

... will take part in a march past from the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) Head Office to the Show Grounds where the main event will take place.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: I do have the statistics.

(c) special interviews will be conducted on Parliament Radio involving the following:

(i) the Chairperson of the Zambia Women Parliamentary Caucus, Hon. E. Kabanshi, MP, Minister of Local Government and Housing;

(ii) the Hon. Minister of Gender and Child Development, Mrs I. Wina, MP; and

(iii) the Chairperson of the Committee on Legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights, Gender Matters and Child Affairs, Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: All Hon. Members are urged to render their support to ensure the success of these activities.

I thank you.

MEMBERS ABSCONDING FROM THE HOUSE AFTER REGISTERING THEIR PRESENCE

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members will recall that yesterday, the House, again, adjourned prematurely due to the fact that the hon. Members who had asked Questions for Oral Answer listed on the Order Paper of Tuesday, 4th March, 2014 were absent from the House. As a result, all the questions, except one, lapsed.

My office did not receive prior notification on the absence of the hon. Members concerned except for the Member of Parliament for Mwinilunga Parliamentary Constituency, Hon. S. Katuka, MP. As a matter of fact, I have verified and am aware that some hon. Members registered their presence …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: … and later decided to stay away from the House …

Mr Mushanga: Allowance, allowance!

Mr Speaker: … at the time that their questions came up for consideration. This shows that the hon. Members intentionally, I repeat, …

Mr Mushanga: Intentionally.

Mr Speaker: … intentionally, absconded from the Chamber in order to disrupt …

Mr Namulambe: Mucheleka.

Mr Speaker: … the Business of the House.

Ms Kapata: Eya!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, this conduct amounts to contempt of the Assembly …

Mr Mwaliteta: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: … contrary to Section 19(e) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, Cap.12 of your laws which states:

“19. Any person shall be guilty of an offence who (e) commits any other act of intentional disrespect to or with reference to the proceedings of the Assembly or of a Committee of the Assembly or to any person presiding at such proceedings.”

As this House is aware, the emoluments payable to hon. Members, in particular, the Sitting Allowance, is for hon. Members’ attendance of the sittings of the House. The National Assembly Members’ Handbook, 2006, in Chapter 11 on ‘Remuneration of Members’ under the heading ‘Sitting Allowance’ states at page 54 that:

“A sitting allowance is paid to all Members under the following circumstances:

(a) when they attend sittings of the House;

(b) when they attend meetings of the Committee; and

(c) when on Parliamentary business within Zambia, as directed by the Speaker.”

In this regard, an hon. Member who merely registers his/her name on the attendance list and immediately thereafter absconds from the Business of the House, …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: … including from asking questions on the Order Paper, is presumed to have been absent from the sitting of the House …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: … on that day and is, therefore, not entitled to receive the sitting allowance.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, the sittings of the House are paid at a huge cost to the tax payer. As such, the Zambian citizens, who voted for all of you and whom you all represent in this House, expect you to be fully committed to the Business of the House.

Therefore, it is an act of unjust and illicit enrichment for an hon. Member to draw a sitting allowance when he/she intentionally absconds from a sitting of the House. Surely, there must be a modicum of morality …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: … in the conduct of hon. Members.

I, therefore, wish to warn the House that with effect from today, any hon. Member who decides to intentionally abscond from the House, including from asking questions on the Order Paper, shall not be entitled to a sitting allowance for that particular day’s sitting and shall further be subject to disciplinary proceedings in terms of section 19(e) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, Cap. 12 of the Laws of Zambia.

I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

__________ {mospagebreak}

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
 
OUTBREAK OF AFRICAN SWINE FLU IN CHOMA

The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mr Sichinga): Mr Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to make this ministerial statement …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the right!

Mr Sichinga: … on a matter that is of deep concern to our ministry and should be of concern to this House too.

Sir, hon. Members of this august House will recall that only a few months ago, I came to this House to announce the outbreak of the African Swine Fever in Lusaka Province. In fact, only last week did the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock lift the ban on the movement of pigs in Lusaka Province after a long process of undertaking several activities to contain the disease.

Sir, it is against this background that I, with deep regret, have to inform this House, again, of the outbreak of the same animal disease but, this time around, in the Macha Area of Choma District in the Southern Province. It is clear that as a country and a sub-sector, we have not learnt much from the recent experience of the outbreak in Lusaka Province. It is also clear that many people are placing the profit motive before food safety.

Sir, the African Swine Fever is a highly contagious viral disease that can kill 95 to 100 per cent of the infected and affected pigs. It is spread by contact, movement of infected wild and domestic pigs and through contaminated pig products or pig related by-products. The disease does not affect human beings, but has a devastating effect on the economy of the pig farmers and the agriculture sector in general. In fact, it is a notifiable disease under the Animal Health Act, Cap. 250 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia. This means that it has to be reported to the nearest veterinary office once detected. The disease cannot be treated or prevented by vaccination.

Sir, recently, there have been reported cases of the African Swine Fever in the Macha Veterinary Camp in Choma District of the Southern Province. The province has an estimated pig population of 140,000, according to the 2013 Animal Census. This has an estimated trade value of K72 million. It is also important to note that most of the pigs reared in the Southern Province are sold as live pigs, pork and/or pork products in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces. It is, therefore, important to control swine diseases in order to ensure continued safe trade in this pork sub-sector.

An outbreak of the African Swine Fever at His Royal Highness Chief Macha’s farm in Choma District of the Southern Province, which is located in Macha Veterinary Camp some 60 km north-west of Choma, was reported on 11th February, 2014. The disease was confirmed by the Central Veterinary Research Institute (CVRI) in Lusaka on 16th February, 2014. At the time of reporting the outbreak, the farm had lost sixty-nine pigs out of a total population of 213. Although the farm is enclosed, there is little bio-security and access to the pens is not restricted.

Mr Speaker, further, sixteen small-scale farmers in the area have also lost about eighty pigs. The estimated pig population in Macha Camp is 1,782 according to the 2013 Animal Census.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the right!

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, the source of the disease is suspected to be either Nyawa or Chikanta areas which also reported cases of the African Swine Fever in 2013. Our initial investigation has led the ministry to suspect that the transmission of the virus could also be by soft ticks in the areas and/or wild pigs from the areas in the nearby national park. The affected farms are located close to the main route used by pig traders from Nyawa and Chikanta areas in Kazungula and Kalomo districts, respectively.

 Sir, it is also common for traders from Kalomo to slaughter pigs and sell pork in the affected area.

Mr Speaker, let me brief the House on the current situation in Choma District as of 27th February, 2014:

 Number of households visited 81

 Number of households with positive 16
 identification of the virus

 Number of pigs slaughtered so far 348

 Estimated number of animals in the area 1,782

Mr Speaker, unlike the case in Lusaka, in the Macha area, the disease occurs not on formal and enclosed farms per se, but in the villages where the interaction of pigs is common and widespread, especially due to the feeding of animals in communal areas. This makes it difficult to contain and eliminate the disease.

Mr Speaker, a high risk zone has been identified in the Southern Province and it lies between the Choma/Namwala/Simaumbi Road to the north and the Livingstone/Lusaka Road to the East. The following measures have since been instituted to deal with the situation in the Southern Province:

(a) a high risk zone with regard to the African Swine Fever has been identified and put under quarantine until further notice. The high risk zone comprises the following veterinary camps:

(i) Macha, Mbabala, Mutanga, Sinalungu, Kabimba, Dundwa, Mapanza, Mang’unza and Simaubi in Choma District;

(ii) Lungunya, Nkandanzovu, Munyeke, Malende, Chifusa, No. 3, and Siachitema in Kalomo District;

(iii) west of Zimba Camp in Zimba District; and

(iv) all veterinary camps in Kazungula District. I would have liked the hon. Member of Parliament for Kazungula District and others to have been here to take note of this;

(b) no pigs, pork, pork products and pork by-products will be allowed to move or be transported from the high risk zone until further notice;

(c) pigs, pork, pork products and pork by-products from the rest of the province will only be allowed to move within or out of the province after being examined and authorised by the Veterinary Services Department;

(d) pigs moving for slaughter will need to be accompanied by a valid abattoir assurance form issued by an abattoir or processing plant;

(e) pigs, pork, pork products and pork by-products being moved should be accompanied by a valid Stock Movement Permit issued by the Department of Veterinary Services;

(f) stationary and mobile check points will continue to be mounted and whoever will be found contravening the above mentioned measures will be dealt with in accordance with the Animal Health Act Cap. 250 of 2010;

(g) surveillance of pig farms will continue to be conducted in the province with more emphasis in the high risk zone;

(h) the Department of Veterinary Services will continue sensitising the pig farmers in the affected areas on good animal husbandry practices; and

(i) these measures will remain in force until they are reviewed, depending on the dynamics of the diseases.

Mr Speaker, I am appealing to all the stakeholders, …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

The consultations on the left are rather loud.

Mr Sichinga: … including the chiefs and hon. Members of Parliament, to help us in the fight against this disease.

Sir, we have also observed that traders are resorting to using illegal means to bring pigs to Lusaka and the Copperbelt markets, especially from the Southern Province. Some of them are bringing live pigs which they offload and slaughter in the nearby bushes just before the Kafue check point. The carcasses are then put in carrier bags and these traders, then, cross the check point with these bags without being noticed or with the aim not be noticed that they are carrying pork products in carrier bags. This is a recipe for transmitting the disease and it is not helping in our efforts to contain it.

Mr Speaker, let me also use this opportunity to explain the correct procedure for moving animals from one area, district or province to the other. It is as follows:

(i) farmers get clearance from the local leadership, that is, chiefs or headmen for proof of ownership of the livestock;

(ii) they, then, go to the police station for an anti-stock theft clearance;

(iii) they proceed to the nearest veterinary assistant or officer and obtain a Stock Movement Permit;

(iv) from the veterinary office, the farmer goes to the council to pay Council Levy; and

(v) the farmer will, then, be required to move with all the above-mentioned documents up to the destination.

Mr Speaker, I have, in this ministerial statement, pictures of what these farmers do. I will lay these on the Table of this House.

Mr Speaker, the pigs in these pictures were recently found being slaughtered and skinned in the bush near Kafue Bridge. It is my sincere hope that we will receive the support of all hon. Members of this House, particularly those who represent the affected areas. On our part as a ministry, we will intensify our education campaign even through radio and television. This is to ensure that our people appreciate that the regulations have been designed to protect everybody’s interest.

Mr Sichinga laid the paper on the Table.

I thank you, Sir.

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

Hon. Opposition Members: Gary, Gary!

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, it is my wish to thank the hon. Minister for his statement on the issue …

Mr Mweetwa: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Let the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central complete seeking clarification.

Mr Nkombo: … that I was very concerned about. I heard hon. Members calling my name even if I did not indicate intent to raise a follow-up question. Therefore, I meant to say to you that I am satisfied with the answer that the hon. Minister has given.

I thank you, Sir.

__________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOREIGN RESERVES

397. Mr Mwila (Chipili) asked the Minister of Finance:

(a) how much money was held in foreign reserves at the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) from 2010 to 2013, year by year; and

(b) whether the Government was satisfied with the level of the foreign reserves.

The Minister of Finance (Mr Chikwanda): Mr Speaker, the foreign reserves held by BoZ during the period 2010 to 2013, year by year, were as follows:

 Year Reserves
  (US$’million)

 2010 2,093.7

 2011 2,322.0
 
 2012 3,044.0

 2013 2,768.1

Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the Government is not satisfied with these reserves which translate into roughly 3.1 months of import cover. The target of the Government in the medium term is to build the reserves to, at least, four months import cover. This can best be attained by diversifying the economy and consequently, the exports.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, may I find out from the hon. Minister why there was a reduction …

Mr Mweetwa: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to raise what I consider to be a very serious point of order.

Sir, the events that have characterised this House and those out of this House in the last few days have compelled me to raise this point of order. I am representing the hon. Members of Parliament who were elected by the people of Zambia to come here, primarily, to make laws. These people we represent have now demanded that we make a new grand law, the Constitution.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, we are paid for doing exactly that.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, as I speak, I think many of my colleagues on your left …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members on the right, I am the only one who is permitted to speak while seated. The rest of you have to seek licence from me to speak. Until I grant that licence, keep your peace.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: We want to maintain order here. There has been a lot of disorder. In fact, according to the language in our constitution, the Standing Orders, it is ‘gross disorder’.

Laughter

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: I am trying everything possible within my means to restore order. So, please, help me.

Hon. Member for Choma Central, you may continue.

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, I was just about to say that as we sit in this House, the hon. Members on your left are concerned about the heavy presence of armed police officers. Further, yesterday, 4th March, 2014, during the 1300 hours news, the Patriotic Front (PF) Provincial Youth Chairperson, in his statement, asked the Hon. Mr Speaker to stop paying allowances to hon. Members who are disrupting the Business of the House which, in my view, was a directive.

Mr Nkombo: President Khama!

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, this was echoed at 1900 hours by the Secretary-General of the PF, who is also Minister of Justice, Hon. Kabimba, SC. He said that the conduct of the hon. Members, who, in his words, are disrupting the Business of the House, is tantamount to fraud, …

Hon. Government Members: Yes!

Mr Mweetwa: … therefore, designating us as fraudsters, …

Hon. Government Members: Yes!

Mr Mweetwa: … we, the hon. Members of this House, who, Sir, are your Members.

Mr Speaker, in the same newscast, His Honour the Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr Guy Scott, …

Mr Muntanga: They seem to be arguing.

Mr Mweetwa: … stated that we, the hon. Members of the Opposition, have been coming to this House to monkey around.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Mwiimbu: Mukuwa mbwa kamba mukuwa!

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, according to the dictionary which I have here, the Oxford English Dictionary, ‘monkeying’ is not only derogatory and demeaning, but also has a history …

Interruptions

Mr Livune: Monkeys are blacks ayi?

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, I have just been counselling the people on my right, and you just do exactly what I was counselling against.

May the hon. Member, please, continue.

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, the term ‘monkeying,’ according to the dictionary means behaving in a silly way and has the history of a racist posture by orientation.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Nkombo: And the one who said it is a Caucasian. It was said by a muzungu.

Interruptions {mospagebreak}

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, when you combine these three utterances by the hon. Members from the PF, is the hon. Minister of Justice, therefore, in order to state that we are fraudsters and that we are wasting taxpayers’ money by simply coming here to register and leave …

Hon. Government Members: Yes!

Mr Mweetwa: … when our action is propelled by the views of the people of Zambia …

Mr Mwila: It does not matter!

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: … who elected us to this House and are demanding a new and people-driven Constitution?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: This is given the fact that what is prompting our action is that a lot of public funds have already been wasted by that PF Government …

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa: … and we want to ensure that that money does not …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order! Order!

Please, continue.

Mr Mweetwa: … go to waste and also that the people who voted for us cannot be allowed to picket Parliament.

Mr Nkombo: Mahatma Gandhi!

Mr Mweetwa: Sir, in the words of Mahatma Gandhi, silence is a form of conveying a message. It is a form of demonstration which is constitutionally allowed.

Mr Speaker, are Hon. Kabimba, SC., and his colleagues, therefore, in order to label us in a manner that suggests that we were elected to receive allowances when we were voted to represent the interests of the people of Zambia? The majority of Zambians who voted for us now want a new Constitution and this is the basis of our action in this House.

I seek your serious ruling.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Hon. Government Members: Monkeying! Monkeying!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, do not engage in cross-border transactions.

Firstly, I am not able to address all the issues that have been raised in the point of order and I will explain why. Some of the issues, obviously, require verifications. Therefore, I will need to verify those parts of the point order that need verification.

Secondly, we, as presiding officers, have said before, and I think it was only the day before yesterday that it was repeated that we should not be drawn into the politicking of whatever sort that happens outside the House.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: That is not my remit. The central issue which I see falling within my remit is what we have been going through since last week and on that, I will make a ruling without hesitation. The background of this, I do not know whether to call it impasse, crisis or disorder, I leave that for your pick, has been the Constitution.

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

Mr Speaker: I mean there is no doubt about it. It does not require demonstration. The genesis of the problem was a point of order which prompted the hon. Minister of Justice to issue a ministerial statement. Questions were allowed, but were not pursued and eventually, we got where we are.

What I would like to make clear is that it is one thing to pursue the issue of the Constitution. Personally, if you ask me, I cannot question you for championing the Constitution, certainly not the Speaker, not Dr Patrick Matibini.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: However, it is another thing and that is my quarrel, when you come here, where I preside as Speaker, elected by yourselves and entrusted with a constitution to administer to administer here on the Floor of this House but, so far, you have expressly indicated to me that you are going to violate it anyway. You careless whether it exists neither do you care about the implications nor the powers that are given to me that you continue to conduct business as you please. There, we reach a point of divergence.

For those of you who have been engaging with me, Hon. Nkombo, Hon. Mtolo, Hon. Rev-Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha, Hon. Kambwili, present, Hon. Munkombo …

Hon. Member: Munkombo?

Mr Speaker: … Munkombwe …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … heard me very clearly on this. Let us observe the separation of powers. We have got rules and should respect them. They were not made by me. I found them here and I will leave them here. However, for the time being, it is my task to enforce them.

If you elect to use physical solutions by standing in front of me, facing me and chanting “Constitution! Constitution! Constitution! …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: On a light note, I thought you would be facing this way (pointed at the Hon. Government Members).

Laughter

Mr Speaker: I do not have the Constitution. I cannot produce it. You should have been facing this way (pointed at the Hon. Government Members).

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: You were facing me, but where am I going to get the Constitution? We all know the procedures. I do not have the power to compel the initiation of legislation because that is the prerogative of the Executive. Whoever will get to the Executive has that prerogative.

I was gracious enough to provide a platform for an engagement and those of you who were coming back scene were present and know how much time we spent engaging on this. We successfully agreed to meet yesterday and I must say that we had a very good meeting, which should have led events into Friday, barely the day after tomorrow. However, upon walking the distance between the Committee room and the Chamber, I found chaos. That was chaos.

Mr Mushanga: Mucheleka!

Mr Speaker: How can all those questions lapse if not intentionally? So, when I give directives about allowances, they are not prompted by anybody. They are simply prompted by the handbook which was drawn in 2006 and I was not even at the High Court at that time.

In short, hon. Members, I know that you are politicians and have strategies, but as you strategise, let us look at these things critically and from a principled point of view. I will say this now and can repeat it anywhere, my task is to enforce the Standing Orders and all ancillary instructions, the handbook and so on and so forth and I am going to enforce them to the letter. That is my position.

If there are portions I am not able to address, I do not like making rulings when I do not have facts, in vacuo, no, I will not. However, on this issue that has gripped the House and the Speaker, I can make a ruling. The Speaker and the institution he heads have just been held at ransom.

I know the Constitution is important and am sure many of you who know my history know how much investment I have made in this process. It is in the public domain, but that does not take away my responsibility of running the legislature because, for the time being, I am in charge.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: I am not doing anything outside the rules. I am not making any rules here. I am just following your rules, your own constitution. I think, as leaders, let us approach this issue with calmness and from a principled − I emphasise, principled − point of view. Even when you strategise, look at the facts and the principles. I have a job to do here. It is either I enforce the rules or leave this place, but I was elected to enforce the rules.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: By the way, that is my partial ruling.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: I think so.

Laughter

Hon. Opposition Members left the Assembly Chamber.

Hon. Opposition Member: Constitution!

Interruptions

Mr Kalaba: No Allowances.

Dr Kaingu: Keep your allowance!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Who was on the Floor?

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Next question. Hon. Member for Nangoma.

Mr Mwila: It is a follow-up question.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Nangoma.

Hon. Government Members: Follow-up question.

Mr Speaker: Sorry, hon. Member for Nangoma. A moment.

Mr Hamusonde left the Assembly Chamber.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, …

Hon. Government Member: Ngoma, come back.

Laughter {mospagebreak}

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, there was a reduction …

Mr Chilangwa: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, I thank for allowing me to stand on this very important point of order. I would like to make a preamble.

Sir, hardly two minutes ago, you counselled us on the way we should conduct ourselves in this House.

Mr Speaker, in 2011, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) and the United Party for National Development (UPND) spent years at the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) from which they earned a lot of money, but came up with nothing. Are they in order to start jumping around today like they are champions of the Constitution without going back to the Zambian people to apologise and to pledge to pay back the money that they chewed at the NCC …

Mr Speaker: ‘Chewed’ is unparliamentary.

Mr Chilangwa: I withdraw that word, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: In any case, you cannot chew money.

Laughter 

Mr Chilangwa: ... the money which they squandered without going back to the Zambians to apologise? Are they in order, Mr Speaker?

Mr Speaker: In light of my earlier ruling, I am very reluctant to go there. I think I have made myself very clear on this subject.

The hon. Member for Chipili may continue.

Mr Mwaliteta: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Nobody has even said anything.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, there was a reduction from 2012 to 2013 of about …

Mr Mwaliteta: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwaliteta: Mr Speaker, of late, we have heard the hon. Members of Parliament in the Opposition, especially the UPND, saying that they are representing Zambians. On Saturday around 1900 hours, there was a very touching news item concerning the hon. Members of Parliament from the UPND. Chief Macha bemoaned that the hon. Members of Parliament for the UNPD from the Southern Province do not go back to their constituencies to relate with their constituents.

Hon. Government Members: Shame!

Mr Mwaliteta: Mr Speaker, are the UPND HON. Members of Parliament in order to come to this House and pretend to represent the people of Zambia when they are representing Mr Hakainde Hichilema? I need your serious ruling.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I have said before, including this afternoon, that I do not make decisions on the politicking that goes on out there. That is not my business.

Hon. Member for Chipili, you may continue.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, what caused the reduction of US$283 million from 2012 to 2013?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, foreign currency reserves cannot stay static. They increase or deplete depending on the level of activity of the Government. The depletion in the reserves was caused by heightened activity of the Government in financing development projects.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mpundu (Nchelenge): Mr Speaker, what are some specific long-term measures that the Government may have aimed at in boosting international reserves to satisfactory levels?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, we are aimed at growing the economy, especially, using the agriculture sector where the prospects for growing it lay.

I thank you, Sir.
_________

BILL

HOUSE IN COMMITTEE

[THE CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the 
Chair]

THE SERVICE COMMISSIONS (Amendment) BILL, 2013

Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 2 – (Repeal and replacement of section 3)

The Minister of Justice (Mr Kabimba, SC.): Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in clause 2, on page 3,
(a) in line 9 
by the insertion after the word “President”, of the words “who shall be a person who holds or qualifies to hold high judicial office”;

(b) in line 10
by the insertion between (b) and “the” of the words “a judge nominated by”; and

(c) in lines 13 to 16
by the deletion of paragraph (d) and the substitution therefor of the following new paragraph:

“(d) a representative of the division responsible for public service management nominated by the Secretary to the Cabinet;”; and

(d) in line 17
by the deletion of the word “judge” and the substitution therefor of the word “magistrate”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 2, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Title agreed to.
________

HOUSE RESUMED

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

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

The Service Commissions (Amendment) Bill, 2013

Report Stages, on Thursday, 6th March, 2014.

________

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.
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The House adjourned at 1528 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 6th March, 2014.{mospagebreak}

WRITTEN REPLIES TO QUESTIONS

MOBILE PHONE NETWORK SERVICE IN NANGOMA CONSTITUENCY AND CHIEF NGABWE’S AREA

398. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication when the following areas would be serviced with mobile phone network:
(a) all the wards in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b) Chief Ngabwe’s area in Kapiri Mposhi Parliamentary Constituency.
The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication is working on extending mobile communication services to improve mobile services across the country.

Sir, in 2013, the Government, through the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), signed a contract with Huawei to roll out communication towers to facilitate provision of communication services to cover, at least, 200 un-servICED chiefdoms and other areas. Nangoma and Kapiri Mposh Parliamentary constituencies will be serviced in 2014 under the contract signed between the Government and Huawei.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

UNIVERSITY IN THE NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCE

399. Mr Mwanza (Solwezi West) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:
(a) when a university would be constructed in the North-Western Province; and

(b) where it would be located.
The Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Dr Phiri): Mr Speaker, the ministry has planned to construct a university in each of the ten provinces in Zambia. However, due to budgetary constraints, construction cannot begin in all the provinces, instead it will be done in a phased approach over a period of time.

In 2014, the ministry will begin with the construction of King Lewanika University in Namushakende, a new district located near Mongu, the Western Province and Luapula University in Mansa, Luapula Province.

You may wish to note that the Government will commence the construction of three university colleges, namely:

(a) University of Mathematics and Sciences in Nalolo District, Western Province;

(b) University College of Applied Arts in Katete District, Eastern Province; and

(c) University College of Technology, North-Western Province.
I thank you, Sir.

ZAMBIA-MALAWI-MOZAMBIQUE GROWTH TRIANGLE

400. Mr Katuka (Mwinilunga) asked the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry:
(a) what the progress on the Zambia-Malawi-Mozambique Growth Triangle had been, from inception to-date; and

(b) what benefits had accrued to Zambia.
The Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Chenda): Mr Speaker, the Zambia-Malawi-Mozambique Growth Triangle (ZMM-GT) Initiative was conceived by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to harness the resource endowment of the ZMM-GT area and transform the sub-region into a dynamic growth area through greater private sector participation and improved infrastructure. This was with the objective of poverty reduction through job creation.

Mr Speaker, from the time the ZMM-GT was launched, work had stalled due to the fact that the institutional framework was not yet in place. In August, 2011, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) facilitated a meeting in Lilongwe, Malawi, to help resuscitate the growth triangle. The meeting resolved that roles be reallocated among the three member States. In this regard, Zambia, which had been hosting the Secretariat, was given the responsibility to host the research and development component while Malawi took over the hosting of the Secretariat. Mozambique continued to host the resource mobilisation function.

Sir, the functionality of the triangle has continued to face challenges due to the absence of a Permanent Secretariat, as Malawi is the interim Secretariat. To this effect, the three countries will be hosting a meeting in Malawi to agree on the hosting of a Ministerial Conference at which a binding agreement is expected to be signed by ministers responsible for trade and industry to permanently establish the Secretariat and begin implementing the projects.

Considering that permanent structures have not yet been set up and implementation of projects has not yet begun, no tangible benefits have yet accrued to any of the participating member States. However, Zambia stands to gain more once the growth triangle is fully functional because the largest part of the triangle is in Zambia (Northern, Muchinga and the Eastern provinces). Chipata and Kasama are earmarked to host a satellite office. This means that jobs will be created and project implementation will be well co-ordinated. Further, the hosting of the research and development component will mean that all developmental research done jointly by the three member States will be done in this country.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

LUWANA WEST/CHIEF KAOMA/KAMBIMBA BORDER POST ROAD

401. Mr Katuka asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication when the Government would rehabilitate the road from Lumwana West through Chief Kakoma to Kambimba Border Post in Mwinilunga Parliamentary Constituency.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, the said road was not prioritised by the respective local road authorities in the 2014 Road Sector Annual Work Plan due to funding constraints. The road has, however, been prioritised to be rehabilitated in 2015.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

KANYANGA, NJABALOMBE AND SIMALUNDU RESETTLEMENT SCHEMES

402. Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya) asked the Vice-President:

(a) whether the Government had any plans to improve the living standards of the people of Kanyanga, Njabalombe and Simalundu Resettlements Schemes which were established in 1959 in Chief Simwatachela’s area in Mapatizya Parliamentary Constituency;

(b) what benefits the people of the areas at (a) had derived from the construction of the Kariba Dam which caused their displacement; and

(c) who relocated the people at (a) from the Zambezi Valley to Chief Simwatachela’s area which is more than 130 km away from the valley.

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, the following are the activities being undertaken to improve the living standards of the people in the Mapatizya Parliamentary Constituency of Kalomo District in which Kanyanga, Njabalombe and Siamalundu Resettlement Schemes fall:

(a) Fisheries Development

Mr Speaker, the Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, undertook dam restocking in the three resettlement areas in which a total of thirty dams were stocked with Oreochromis macrochir (green-headed bream), Oreochromis andersonii (three-spotted bream) and Tilapia rendalli (red-breasted bream). A total of 30,000 fingerlings were stocked and these were from Kanchele Government Fish Farm in Kalomo District. Furthermore, the Government has been undertaking extension visits to promote aquaculture in earthen ponds and, conducting fish farmer trainings. These activities were done under the Rural Aquaculture Programme (RAP) with assistance from the American Peace Corps. A total of forty fish ponds were stocked in the area.

(b) Crop and Vegetable Production

Sir, Kanyanga and Njabalombe Resettlement areas are also agricultural camps, with Simalundu being situated within Kanyanga Camp. Kanyanga and Njabalombe camps are each currently manned by a camp extension office. The ministry has been carrying out conservation agriculture programmes in the two areas in order to promote increased crop production, crop diversification and improved food nutrition. Furthermore, Simalundu Dam was constructed in 2007 and therefrom  the people in the area are benefiting through fishing, vegetable production and access to water for livestock. {mospagebreak}

(c) Veterinary Services

Mr Speaker, under veterinary services, specifically in the control of scheduled and non-scheduled diseases, the following activities were conducted in the areas:

(i) East Coast Fever Immunisation;

(ii) Rabies vaccination;

(iii) Hemorrhagic Septicemia (HS) and Black Quarter (BQ) vaccination;

(iv) Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination;

(v) Treatment’s and tick control;

(vi) Support to camp operations; and

(vii) Tsetse and trypanosomiasis control.

(d) Livestock Development

Sir, under livestock development, the following activities were undertaken:

(i) Livestock extension;

(ii) Product quality control and promotion;

(iii) Support to camp operations; and

(iv) Livestock Service Centres.

Further, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) is co-ordinating the implementation of development projects under the Zambezi Valley Development Fund (ZVDF) which was specifically created to cater for communities that were displaced from the Zambezi Valley after the construction of the Kariba Dam. The needs of all such communities are identified through their local councils who, thereafter, through the ZRA, forward them to the ZVDF Trusties for consideration and adoption.

Mr Speaker, the people in the resettlement schemes benefit from a number of irrigation schemes carried out under the Zambezi Valley Development Fund Trust.

Sir, the relocation of the people in the valley was instituted by the Federation of Governments of Northern, Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland between 1953 and 1963. The people in the said areas are said to have been settled between 1956 and 1957.

I thank you, Sir.
 
UTH BEDDINGS

403. Mr Hamusonde asked the Minister of Health when the Government would provide sufficient beddings at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

The Minister of Health (Dr Kasonde): Mr Speaker, the procurement and distribution of hospital linen is an on-going activity. In 2012/2013, the Government procured various types of hospital linen which was distributed countrywide. The UTH received the following:

Type of Linen  Amount

Adult Cellular Blankets 180

Children Blankets 82

Children mortuary gowns 354

Adult mortuary gowns 286

Mattresses 160

Bed sheets 500

Pillow Cases 500

Mr Speaker, the Government is at the stage of signing a contract for the supply of 12,000 Chali Blankets and the UTH will be allocated some more blankets from this procurement.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

CUSTOMARY LAND SALE REGULATION

404. Mr Hamusonde asked the Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection whether the Government had any plans to enact a different law to regulate the sale of customary land by chiefs and other traditional leaders.

The Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (Mr Kalaba): Mr Speaker, I would like to inform this august House that the current law does not allow the sale of customary land by the chiefs or any other person as all land is vested in the President as stipulated in Section 3 Cap. 184 of the Laws of Zambia. However, the Government, through my ministry, is currently developing legislation that will enhance the security of tenure for customary land across the country. This will ensure that the rights of the people, especially vulnerable groups, residing on customary land are secure. The Bill will also ensure equitable distribution of customary land. It will soon be tabled before this august House.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

CIVIL SERVANTS’ HOUSING LOAN SCHEMES

405. Mr Ntundu (Gwembe) asked the Minister of Finance:

(a) whether the Government had any plans to reintroduce the Housing Loan Schemes for civil servants;

(b) if there were no such plans, why; and

(c) what plans, if any, the Government had for Civil Servants who did not benefit from the sale of Government houses.

The Minister of Finance (Mr Chikwanda): Mr Speaker, the available Housing Loan Scheme for civil servants was revived in September, 2006 as a Government Housing Empowerment Initiative for mainstream Civil Service, Teaching Service, Police Force and Prisons Service and Public Service employees serving in missions abroad. This excluded support staff recruited by the Heads of Missions, Judicial Service, and defence and security personnel using the proceedings from Exceptional Revenues from the sale of Government pool houses.

Sir, the committee that oversees the disbursement is composed of Permanent Secretaries responsible for finance, Public Service Management Division, education, justice and the Commissioner of Lands, a representative from the Civil Service and Allied Workers Union and Agriculture Professional Union of Zambia and the Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) who are the mortgage administrators under a signed agreement with the Government.

From inception to date, 300 civil servants have accessed the facility through the ZNBS and were awarded loans amounting to K28,266,347.00.

Mr Speaker, the challenge has been the low recoveries which cannot enable the Government to finance the administering of the long-outstanding list of applicants that now stands at 2,824 with dues amounting to K339,211,280.00. I, however, wish to inform the House that all the loans shall be disbursed through the Public Service Micro Finance Company which was recently established.

Sir, the scheme is in place as already mentioned. The Government plans to evaluate the scheme before injecting more funds into it so that it benefits all civil servants who did not purchase Government pool and council houses. In the meantime, civil servants who did not benefit from the sale of Government houses may access loans from the ZNBS and the Public Service Micro Finance Company.

I thank you, Speaker.

POLICE POST CONSTRUCTION IN CHIEF SAILUNGA’S AREA

406. Mr Katuka asked the Minister of Home Affairs when the Government would construct a police post in Lumwana West in Chief Sailunga’s area in Mwinilunga Parliamentary Constituency.

The Minister of Home Affairs (Dr Simbyakula): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this House that the Government will construct a police post in Lumwana West in Chief Sailunga’s area in Mwinilunga Constituency when funds are available. The Government is aware of the problem of accessing police services from Mwinilunga due to the distance that the people in the area are facing. It, therefore, requests the area hon. Member of Parliament to consider utilising part of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for this project.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.