DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE THIRD SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 11th February, 2014

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

______

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MR DEPUTY SPEAKER

APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES

Mr Deputy Speaker: I have some announcements to make. In accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 131, the following appointments, relating to the following Committees, have been made:

Committee on Estimates

Mr R. Mwewa, MP

Committee on Agriculture

Mr R. K. Chitotela, MP
 
Committee on Economic Affairs, Energy and Labour

Mr G. B. Mwamba, MP

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

APPOINTMENT OF AN HON. MEMBER TO THE PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT

Mr Deputy Speaker: I wish to inform the House that following the nullification of the election of Mr Lucky Mulusa as Member of Parliament for Solwezi Central Parliamentary Constituency, Professor G. Lungwangwa, MP, has been appointed to serve as a member of the Pan-African Parliament to replace him.

MEMBERS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE FROM NIGERIA

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to acquaint the House, with the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery of the following members of the Parliamentary Committee of Works from the House of Representatives in the Republic of Nigeria:

         Hon. Ogbueti Ozombhachi, Chairperson of the Committee of Works and leader of   
         delegation;

         Hon. Babagide Ibrahim;

         Hon. Uzo Azubukile;

         Hon. Tobias Okwupu;

        Mrs Esther Otulaya, Acting Nigerian High Commissioner, Lusaka;

        Engineer Ekunsumi, Director (PPP Department);

        Mr E. G. Ajani, Federal Ministry of Works, Nigeria;

        Mr Richard Okwuoma, Consular Office, Nigerian High Commission, Lusaka;

        Mr A. U. Sambo, Staff of Nigerian High Commission, Lusaka;

        Mr Wezzy Chomba, Road Development Agency, Lusaka (Co-ordinator of Programme)

I wish, on behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, to receive our guests and warmly welcome them into our midst.

I thank you.

______

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Seeing that we have just resumed sitting of the House, I need not remind you of the rules of the game, which you all know. The Chief Whip has issued a circular to all hon. Members of Parliament, dated 10th February, 2014, on the rules that guide us in the discharge of our responsibilities. I hope all of you have received it. So, let us all read those rules. May His Honour the Vice-President indicate the Business of the House for this week.

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Sir, I rise to acquaint the House with the business it will be considering this week. However, before I do that, let me welcome all the hon. Members to the Second Meeting of the Third Session of the Eleventh National Assembly. Let me ask those hon. Members who are present …

Mr Livune: Question!

Laughter

The Vice-President: … and vocal to pass on my welcome to those who are missing because they are campaigning in Katuba Constituency instead of being here.

Mr Livune: Question!

The Vice-President: Sir, as indicated on the Order Paper for today, Tuesday, 11th February, 2014, the Business of the House will deal with 25 Questions for Oral Answer.

Sir, on Wednesday, 12th February, the Business of the House will begin with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any.

On Thursday, 13th February, the Business of the House will commence with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by the presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will then consider the Second Reading Stage of the Legal Practitioners Amendment Bill, 2013.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

I think there is disorder in the House. Can His Honour the Vice-President continue.

The Vice-President: Sir, on Friday, 14th February, the Business of the House will begin with the Vice-President’s Question Time and answers, if there will be any.

Laughter

The Vice-President: This will be followed by Questions to hon. Ministers, if there will be any. After that, the House will deal with the presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Afterwards, the House will deal with any other business that may be outstanding for this week.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

EYE UNIT AT YUKA MISSION HOSPITAL

223. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Health:

(a) whether the Government had any plans to expand the Eye Unit at Yuka Mission Hospital in Kalabo District;

(b) if so, when the expansion project would commence; and

(c) if there were no such plans, what measures the Government had taken to improve the eye treatment services in the district.

The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Mr Speaker, Yuka Mission Hospital is owned by the Seventh Day Adventist Church. As at now, the Government has not received any request from the owners of the hospital to help them expand the Eye Unit at the hospital.

The expansion project will not commence as there has been no request for it. If and when the ministry receives a request from the church, an assessment will be made to determine whether the expansion is necessary.

Mr Speaker, the Government and its partner, Norwegian Aid, has procured new eye equipment that is to be placed at the Kalabo District Hospital. This equipment was delivered to Mongu on 10th October, 2013. In addition, currently, a doctor based at the Kalabo District Hospital is undergoing specialised training in eye health in Kenya in order to be in a position to offer specialised services. At the moment, the provincial ophthalmologist provides specialised eye outreach services to Kalabo District.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 CONSTRUCTION OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS

225. Mr Mwila (Chipili) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a) when the construction of primary schools that were planned for in 2012 would commence;

(b) what had caused the delay in commencing the construction;

(c) whether any action had been taken against those responsible for the delay and, if so, what type of action had been taken; and

(d) when funds for the 2013 projects would be released.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr P. Ngoma): Mr Speaker, the construction of primary schools in 2012 was funded by the Government. Funds were disbursed for the construction of schools at Kansota, Chilu-Luonga and Kabange in August, 2012. The Government also disbursed funds for the construction of double and single Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrines, teachers’ staff houses and a 1X3 classroom blocks.

Sir, from the information available from the district, there was no upfront material that had been secured, thereby resulting in the said delay. There is no action that has been taken against anyone as the delay was not caused by any staff from the ministry. For 2013, a total of K70,490 has been released for Luapula Province.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the Government was allocating K240,000 for a 1X2 classroom block in the absence of community participation in the construction of schools. What is the time frame for the completion of these schools? As we are talking, they are not even at slab level. Can hon. Deputy Minister explain why this is the case.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, like I said earlier on, the agreement at that time was that the community would provide the upfront materials whilst the Government was going to look at the money aspect. However, the community did not do its part. As regards the time frame for the completion of these schools, all I can say is that the projects will most likely begin this year.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, during the general election campaigns, the Patriotic Front (PF) made it very clear that it was not going to allow the mode of community participation in the construction of schools once it came into office. Now that our colleagues are in office, what is the actual policy of the PF with regard to community participation in such projects?

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, in the past, the agreement between the Government and communities was as I have stated earlier. However, the PF has now started implementing the approach of the Government wholly funding the construction of schools around the country. 

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, …

Mr Miyutu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, thank you for according me this chance to raise this serious point of order. Is the hon. Deputy Minister in order to mislead the House and nation at large by stating that the Government has done away with the mode of community contribution for school construction? I say so because there is the construction of a school at Yeta in Kalabo District where the community is contributing labour and other materials? I need your serious ruling.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, as you answer the follow-up question by the hon. Member for Chadiza, you can take care of that concern.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, why are people in Lusaka, Ndola and other urban areas not contributing labour towards the construction of schools? On the other hand, people in rural areas, particularly in Chadiza and other places like Chipili, are contributing 25 per cent of the labour and other materials for these projects. I would like the hon. Deputy Minister to clarify why this is so because a precedent is being set. In future, people in rural areas will start refusing to play their part in these works. We want to know whether the PF Government has done away with the community’s contribution to these projects or not.

Mr P. Ngoma: Sir, first of all, I want to begin by correcting my colleague who raised a point of order. The project he is talking about is an old one and was carried on from the previous regime. What my ministry and I are aware of is that all the school projects that have been started by the PF Government will be fully funded by it. 

As for my colleague from Chadiza, the projects that he is talking about here in Lusaka have had community participation in the form of financial contributions. The money contributed by the community is used to purchase materials such as stones and sand. That is what has been happening under school projects in urban areas. The situation is different in rural areas because materials like stones and sand can easily be found and collected nearby. That is why the forms of contributions vary between the urban and rural areas.

    Sir, we are not saying that the Government has introduced a policy which has cancelled the initiative of communities contributing materials to the construction of schools. That is not what we are saying here. What we are saying is that agreements which exist between the Government and communities regarding the construction of schools shall be respected. That is how we will operate. In instances where the Government says it shall wholly fund the construction of particular schools, it shall do just that.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

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

Mr Deputy Speaker: On whom?

Mr Mwila: On the hon. Member for Lukulu West.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Let us observe the rules.

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, may …

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

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwila: I rise on a very serious point of order.

Mr Livune: That is right.

Mr Mwila: Is the hon. Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education in order to mislead this House ...

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear!

Mr Mwila: … that the project we are talking about was started in the days of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government.

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes.

Mr Mwila: You will recall, Mr Speaker, if you look at the answer to the principal question that this project was budgeted for in 2012 …

Interruptions

Hon. Government Members: Yes

Mr Mwila: … which is after the PF had taken over power.

Interruptions

Mr Mwila: Sir, is he in order to mislead this House that the project in question was carried over from the MMD Government?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

May I request the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, if he is able, to shed light on that point of order.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

The Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Dr Phiri): Mr Speaker, there is no contradiction in the answer given. The project is for 2012. The Government pledged to fund this project on the understanding that the community would also play its part. The Government’s position is as has been described by the hon. Deputy Minister.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Dr Phiri: Sir, where the Government feels it can build a school on its own, it will not request for the help of the community. Where we need community help, in order to foster community ownership of the project, we shall request for it. We have clearly stated that for the secondary school sector, no such arrangement will be entered into. However, for primary school projects, many a time, whether it is through Government funding or from any other source such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the community is encouraged to help build such infrastructure.

I thank you, Sir.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, …

Mr Deputy Speaker: I am sorry. Somebody was asking a question.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, what is the Government’s policy regarding the construction of schools? Will the projects be fully funded by the Government?

Mr Deputy Speaker: I think it is important, hon. Minister, to be clear on this matter.

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

Mr Deputy Speaker: In one vein, the House is being told that the policy is that, the Government will fully fund the construction of schools and, in another, that the community will be asked to assist. What is the correct position, hon. Minister?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, where the Government is in a position to fund the construction of a particular school, it will do so. On the other hand, it will not deny the community an opportunity to support the construction of schools because that is very cardinal in terms of ownership of the projects. The different communities will continue to support the Government in different ways in its efforts to construct schools. As the hon. Deputy Minister indicated, in the urban areas, communities usually contribute funds while in rural areas, they provide some sand and stones.

Sir, discouraging the communities from participating in the construction of schools would be a very bad Government policy. Communities must be seen to be partners in the education of their children.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has confused me even further.

Laughter

Dr Chituwo: Sir, is it that only communities in rural areas where poverty levels are so high volunteer to help the Government to build school? How possible is that? I would like the hon. Minister to categorically state whether the initiator of the projects are the communities or the ministry.

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I am surprised by the hon. Member’s confession that he has been confused by what we have been talking about. I am sorry to have added to his confusion.

Laughter

Dr Phiri: Sir, it is not my intention to confuse anybody.

Sir, communities can initiate their own school infrastructure development projects. That is encouraged. On the other hand, the Government can also initiate its own projects. The two parties have defined positions regarding the construction of primary schools. After all, even in Mumbwa Constituency, there are a number of community-run schools. The Government did not encourage the communities to set up these schools. The communities set up the schools because they felt the pain of seeing their children not going to school. The communities initiate the projects and later on engage the Government for some assistance. In many circumstances, the Government comes to their aid. That is the position which the hon. Member of Parliament for Mumbwa must encourage. He should not encourage communities to look to the Government as a benevolent father.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Dr Phiri: Sir, that should not be the case.

Sir, the communities must begin to own these projects. Need for benevolence should not arise. What is the definition of the word ‘government’? It is the people themselves.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, this Government is misleading this country.

Mr Livune: Yes. It is confused, mwana.

Mr Miyutu: Sir, we have secondary and primary schools. Which of the two types of schools cater for non-Zambian children? I am asking this question bearing in mind what we have been told that during the construction of certain types of schools, the community’s contribution is required.

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I did not know that a recess of this length would bring problems to the House.

Laughter

Dr Phiri: Sir, I did not know that the recess would provide an opportunity for people to rehearse on which questions to ask. I need to definitely research in order to properly answer the question by the hon. Member. What he is saying is that, primary and secondary schools are the same in terms of magnitude, funding required and complexity. What it is, is that, usually a primary school is not as sophisticated as a secondary school.

Sir, I did state on the Floor of this House that we encourage community schools to go ahead with the construction of primary schools. As a result of the complexity of secondary school infrastructure, the Government needs to be involved in its construction. This does not mean that there is a difference between the children who go to primary and secondary schools.

Sir, they must give us a pat on the back for deciding that the construction of secondary schools will become a responsibility of the Government. That does not suggest that, we are telling communities not to think of constructing secondary schools. We have experts who can advise on the various guidelines which should be followed.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, I want clarification from the hon. Minister. When the PF was campaigning, it said clearly that, once in power, communities would not be required to contribute …

Mr G. B. Mwamba entered the Assembly Chamber.

Hon. Opposition Members: GBM, GBM, GBM!

Laughter

Hon. Opposition Member: Mwaume!

Hon. Opposition Member: Aleisa!

Interruptions 

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Okay, hon. Member for Liuwa, the excitement is over, continue with your question.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, I am sorry for the interruption caused by the dramatic entry of Hon. G. B. Mwamba in the House.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, I was saying that when the PF was campaigning in 2010 and 2011, it made it very clear that parents and communities would not be required to contribute towards the construction of primary and secondary schools. Even that time, there was no requirement for community contributions towards the construction of secondary schools. So, there is nothing new.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

There is only one person on the Floor.

Dr Musokotwane: Now, I seek a specific clarification. There is a school being constructed in Liuwa with community involvement and people are resisting contributing because they say that the Government policy is for it to do everything. Now, when I go back in March to Mutunda and Mutaa, what should I tell them? Should I tell them that the Government has said that they should contribute to the construction of the school contrary to its promise or what?
 
Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, with the vast experience of the hon. Member of Parliament, I wish to send him as the ministry’s envoy to go to those communities and praise them for the effort they have made to resuscitate the hopes of their children who demand for a better future. Tell those communities that it is true that the Government has the responsibility to build schools. However, where the communities are able to help, their efforts will be appreciated.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kaingu (Mwandi): Mr Speaker, I thank you. Hon. Minister, let me help you. Just tell this House that you have no policies.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

What is your question, hon. Member for Mwandi?

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the question from Hon. Mwila was very clear.

Mr Mutelo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, I thank you for according me the opportunity to raise this point of order. Is Hon. Divide Mbewe in order to escort Hon. G. B. Mwamba in the manner he did as if he is coming into this House afresh? I seek your serious ruling.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Well, I suppose that is the type of point of order that is meant to make people laugh.

The hon. Member may continue.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the question from Hon. Mwila is very clear.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Dr Kaingu:  Sir, the construction of the schools we are talking about was budgeted for by the Government. How should the community come in?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, the reply from the hon. Deputy Minister was very clear. The Government disbursed funds for schools at Kasota, Chilu-Luonga and Kabange in August, 2012, on the understanding that the communities would provide up front materials. Since this did not happen, the construction works were delayed. That is why the hon. Deputy Minister said that we regretted the delay. However, I wish to state that the construction of these schools will take place.

 I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutati (Lunte): Mr Speaker, I would like to seek clarification from the hon. Minister in relation to feelings. It seems that we have a mixture of policies. On one hand, the works seem to be driven by the feelings of the community and on the other, by those of the people from the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education. It seems that the ministry wants us to tell the people when we go back to our constituencies that we have a mixture of polices in place which are based on feelings.

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I wish the policy was based on feelings. We have laboured to tell this august House that where the Government has the resources to complete a project, it shall do so.  However, where the Government does not have enough resources, it will beg the community to work with it. Our approach is not based on feelings. What we have in place is a dual approach in which we want to encourage the communities to help out and, at the same time, encourage the Government to do something for the people.

I thank you, Sir.

PAID-ESA

226. Mr Kapyanga (Kabwe Central) asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs when the Government would pay terminal benefits to former employees of the Pan-African Institute for Development − East and Southern Africa Region (PAID-ESA), which was closed in 2007.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Namulambe): It is important to stress from the outset that PAID-ESA was neither a Government department nor a grant-aided agency. Therefore, the Government of the Republic of Zambia is not necessarily obliged to pay the severance benefits to the institute’s former employees. However, the Government has a moral obligation towards its citizens, especially after ceding some of the institute’s major assets and infrastructure to Kwame Nkrumah University College.

The Government may consider paying a severance package to the former PAID-ESA employees on an ex-gratia basis.

I thank you, Sir.

CONSTRUCTION WORKS AT HEALTH FACILITIES IN KALOMO

227. Mr Belemu (Mbabala) (on behalf of Mr Muntanga) (Kalomo Central) asked the Minister of Health:

 (a) when the construction works at the following health facilities would be  completed:

(i) the new Kalomo District Hospital; and

(ii) Kalomo Clinic; and

 (b) when a generator set would be installed at Kalomo Clinic.

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, the construction of Kalomo District Hospital will be completed in 2016. The construction of the hospital is being done in phases. Phase I, comprising of the Outpatient Department, the X-ray Department and the Theatre Department commenced in January, 2013, and was expected to be completed in February, 2014. However, when visited by a team from the Ministry of Health, led by the hon. Minister of Health, on 31st January, 2014, it was found that the building was nowhere near completion. Consideration is currently being given to possible termination of the contract.

Sir, the construction works at Kalomo Clinic will be completed in February 2014. The Government has released funds amounting to K475 thousand and a contractor has been engaged to complete the works.

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Health has an on-going programme to supply and install generator sets as power back-up for major health facilities. Due to limitations in funding, the process has been phased and Kalomo District Hospital will benefit in Phase II in 2016.

I thank you, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Belemu: Mr Speaker, as we speak, there are no works that are going on at this hospital, and the hon. Deputy Minister indicated that the Government has intentions of terminating the contract of the current contractor and engaging another one. Why are there no works going on, a situation that has led the hon. Minister to think that he needs to terminate the current contract and engage another contractor?

The Minister of Health (Dr Kasonde): Mr Speaker, as explained by the hon. Deputy Minister, an inspection was conducted in Kalomo to see what progress was being made in the construction of Kalomo District Hospital. It was, then, that the team, led by me, discovered that the contractor was not anywhere near completing the job. Therefore, a meeting was held with a representative of the contractor at which it was concluded that a detailed report on the current pace of the works was to be submitted to the hon. Minister so that any extenuating circumstances could be taken into account before a decision was made finally on whether to continue working with the current contractor.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, why did it take long for the Government to discover that no work was taking place there? Is this not a sign of indolence on the part of the Government?

Interruptions

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, with your kind permission, I shall try to use language which is parliamentary and shall not go to the level …

Hon. Government Member: Indolence!

Dr Kasonde: … which the hon. Member has descended to by using unparliamentary language.

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

The fact that I kept quiet when the word ‘indolence’ was used does not justify its use.

You can continue, hon. Minister.

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, the answer to that question is that warning signs were already being passed on to the ministry. However, for some time, it was the considered view of our technical team in the engineering community that it was not appropriate to intervene as the work was progressing although slowly. Then, a time came when the team felt that the work was moving too slowly.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mufalali (Senanga): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that in 2016, Kalomo District Hospital will be given a generator because there is a programme for that allocation. Is he willing to share with us how the allocation of generators for the clinics and hospitals will be done since it is a programme that is on-going?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I do not know what level of detail should be given about who will receive what and when. In response to the question that was raised by the hon. Member for Kalomo Central, we established that the work will be completed in 2016. I do not have the details for the other district centres here with me. That information can be provided if requested for. However, that information is not part of the issue which we are currently discussing.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mucheleka (Lubasenshi): Mr Speaker, I have observed that there is a serious backlog with regard to the construction projects under the health sector. What specific steps are being taken by the ministry to address this challenge across the country?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I had the privilege of meeting the hon. Member in his constituency recently and while there, we indicated what we were doing in that area. We have a programme of action which I will publish in the next few weeks.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, health facilities are very important to our people. This Government has made many ‘pronunciations’ on different fora …

Hon. Members: Pronouncements.

Mr Mbewe: … that 650 …

Mr Mbulakulima: It is okay, proceed.

Mr Mbewe: … health posts were going to be constructed in all constituencies.

Mr Speaker, I want a bonus answer from the hon. Minister …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Let there be order on my right.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, last time, when I asked this question, the hon. Minister said that in November, 2013, he was going to launch the construction of health posts. This is now February, 2014, but that has not been done. When is that hon. Minister going to start constructing health posts in our constituencies?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Minister, what do you have to say regarding the pronouncements which you made?

Laughter

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the difficulty of communication between Lusaka and the various constituencies.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Can we have order because I cannot hear the hon. Minister?

Dr Kasonde: Sir, maybe, the hon. Member for Chadiza was not informed about the launch of the construction of health posts in the North-Western Province on the 6th of February, 2014.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mweetwa (Choma Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Health …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Can we, please, have order on my right. If you have to consult, do so quietly so that that the person asking the question can be heard.

You may continue, hon. Member.

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Health whether we should take what he said regarding the timings for the completion of the projects as an assurance given that in the past two years, his ministry has failed to simply upgrade Choma District Hospital into a tertiary hospital?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I visited Choma recently. I am in a position to discuss the details of the hospital in Choma. However, I do not think it is appropriate to talk about the hospital in Choma at this instant. During the launch of the construction projects, I stated the expected duration for the works to be completed. It is reasonable to believe that an hon. Minister can be relied upon to say the truth.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Livune: Question!

OPENING OF POSTAL AGENCIES IN SOLWEZI

228. Mr Mwanza (Solwezi West) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication whether the Government had any plans to open postal agencies at the following places in Solwezi West Parliamentary Constituency:

(a) Mutanda;

(b) Manyama;

(c) Kisasa;

(d) Kalumbila; and

(e) Musele.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Col. Kaunda): Mr Speaker, the ministry has had plans to engage partners to provide postal services and advertisements were placed in the media for that purpose. We have received no response yet from the advertisements to show interest in the engagement of agencies to offer postal services in these areas. However, we are looking into the issue of building post offices in these areas as well as engaging First Quantum Mining to also plan for offices that may serve as postal agencies.

I thank you, Sir.

CONSTRUCTION OF DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN KATETE

229. Mr P. Phiri (Mkaika) asked the Minister of Health:

(a) whether the Government had any plans to construct a district hospital in Katete and, if so, when the project would commence; and

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

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to construct level one hospitals in all districts that do not have such facilities, and this includes Katete District. However, at the moment, priority has been given to those districts that have no health facilities at all. Katete is currently served by a second level referral facility hospital that is supported by both the Government and the church. The cost of constructing a district hospital is estimated at K35 million.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, it is unfortunate that the Government cannot build a hospital as soon as possible in Katete because of the existence of St. Francis Hospital. St. Francis Hospital is catering for almost the whole Republic of Zambia and is always congested. Does the Government not feel for the people of Katete to an extent of putting up a hospital as soon as possible in order to avoid the congestion which is at St. Francis Hospital?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I do share the concern of the hon. Member for Chadiza. Indeed, I share many other concerns with him. The description by Hon. Mbewe of what is happening in our country with regard to access to health institutions is applicable not only to Katete, but to several other areas as well. Therefore, for the time being, we must be really giving priority to those areas that have nothing. We know that St. Francis Hospital is very efficient and can cope, for the time being only, with the kind of work that is demanded of it in the Eastern Province.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out when the Government will produce the Infrastructure Work Plan for 2014, with regard to the construction of district hospitals.

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I do not wish to give an exact date. However, I can make a promise to avail the plan to the House not more than fourteen days from today.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, there is a lot of effort going to Vubwi and Petauke …

Interruptions

Mr Mbulakulima: … and not Katete. I am wondering whether this is because of the impending by-elections in the two areas. The people of Katete are suffering. Is it possible for the Ministry of Health to consider adjusting its programmes for Vubwi and Petauke in order to help the people of Katete who are suffering in terms of health facilities?

Hon. Opposition Member: That is right!

Mr Mbulakulima:  Sir, I want the hon. Minister to come out as clean as his haircut.

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

I do not see the connection between the haircut of the hon. Minister and the question.

May the hon. Minister of Health answer the question.

Laughter

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, if you may allow me, I will confine my remarks to the issues to do with the need for a hospital in Katete and not to any anatomical issues for the time being.

Laughter

Dr Kasonde: Sir, I again sympathise with the concerns that have been expressed. Indeed, during my visit to Chipata in the next one or two weeks, I shall look at the existing situation and, if necessary, consult the people in the surrounding areas.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, since preference is given to areas or districts which have nothing, like Mitete District which is cut off from other areas during floods, is there any hope for the people of that district with regard to them getting a health facility? Katete has something, at least, but Mitete does not even have a mission hospital. Is there hope for such places?

Laughter

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

I want us to get used to asking questions that are relevant. Next question. The hon. Member for Senga Hill.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

REMOVAL OF SUBSIDIES

230. Mr Simbao (Senga Hill) asked the Minister of Finance:

(a) how much money the Government saved as of 30th September, 2013, as a result of the removal of subsidies on the following:

(i) fuel;
(ii) mealie-meal; and
(iii) fertiliser;

(b) how much money the Government expected to save in 2014 from the removal of subsidies on the poor; and

(c) what measures the Government had taken to reduce the negative impact of the removal of subsidies on the poor.

The Minister of Finance (Mr Chikwanda): Mr Speaker, …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Minister, may you, please, hold on. There are too many people talking behind you and even some from my left. I cannot hear what you are saying. I am sure the questioner will also have problems in hearing what you are saying. Can we, please, consult quietly.

May the hon. Minister continue, please.

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, with regard to the fuel subsidy, the House may wish to note that between 1st January and April, 2013, prior to its removal, the Government had to facilitate payments totalling K1.22 billion through the Treasury.

Sir, had the Government not removed the subsidy on 1st May, 2013, an additional K583 million would have been required to be paid on 30th September, 2013. Hence, the saving on account of the removal of the fuel subsidy was projected at K583 million as at 30th September, 2013.

Mr Speaker, the saving on account of the removal of the mealie-meal or maize subsidies was projected at K548.96 million. This projection was based on the assumption that the same quantities of maize, 62,628 metric tonnes, sold to the millers in the previous marketing season will have been sold to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) during the 2013/2014 crop marketing season.

Sir, this assumption was based on the fact that the demographic trends of the nation are not expected to change drastically over a one-year period, hence, the consumption level would, to a large extent, be the same.

Mr Speaker, firstly, I wish to clarify the fact that the Government has not removed any subsidy on fertiliser. Rather, what the Government did in 2013 was to reduce the subsidy or alternatively increase the farmer contribution for farming inputs which include both seed and fertiliser as administered through the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). This is intended to make the programme more cost effective.

Sir, in this regard, the Government has estimated the savings as a result of this measure to be at K110.6 million during the 2013/2014 marketing season.

Mr Speaker, it is estimated that the total savings in 2014 as a result of the removal of the fuel and maize subsidies, including the reduction of the subsidy on farming inputs, would be K5.5 billion. Of this amount, approximately K4.8 billion is projected to be saved on account of the removal of the fuel subsidy in 2014. The estimation takes into account the increased national demand for fuel over the last few years which has approximately gone up by 40 per cent.

Sir, with regard to the projected 2014 savings as a result of the phasing out of the mealie-meal subsidy and reduction in the subsidy on the farming inputs, it is quite difficult at this juncture to determine for certain.

Mr Speaker, as the House may be aware, issues relating to both crop marketing and the provision of farming inputs tend to be influenced by various factors year after year. These include the price differentials of farming inputs and crop production both within the country and the region.

Sir, as to what measures the Government has put in place to reduce the negative impact of the removal of subsidies on the poor, the PF Government believes that investing public resources in tangible projects that promote sustainable livelihoods and take people out of the poverty cycle are the most effective way of protecting the people from economic dislocation, including the removal of subsidies.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, therefore, to cushion the people from the negative impact of the removal of subsidies, the Government has increased allocations to health, education and social protection. This can be seen in the rise in budgetary allocations to K1.2 billion in 2014, compared to K892.2 in 2013 on social protection and K 4.2 billion and K8.6 billion from K3.6 billion and K5.6 billion on health and education, respectively.

Sir, notwithstanding the above, the Government has also increased the budgetary allocation on road and railway infrastructure from K4.3 billion in 2013 to K5.5 billion in 2014. It is hoped that this will ease the challenge of accessibility to social services and enhance trade prospects especially in rural areas.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that elaborate answer. Is the hon. Minister aware that many households in the compounds are now sentenced to having one meal a day, …

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Simbao: … which was not the case before the removal of subsidies on mealie-meal?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, the issue of subsidies is connected to the availability of resources. When we run a Budget Deficit of K11 billion, as we are doing this year, I do not think there is anymore fiscal space to indulge in the luxury of subsidies.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, through you, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Finance whether he is aware that in the remotest parts of Luena, a bag of mealie-meal costs K110.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Hon. Opposition Member: Under the PF Government.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, how do I go and tell the people in the area that they have benefited from the removal of subsidies when they have not even seen any money allocated to the construction of a road in their area? What do I tell them?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, I have confidence in the leadership of the hon. Member for Luena. She should put more effort in promoting the growth of rice in her area.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikwanda: Sir, rice production in the Western Province is very high. The farmers in the area ditched the growing of cassava and yet it is a more virile crop than maize. People can be encouraged to grow things like cassava because …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Chikwanda: … it has a yield of up to 30 tonnes per hectare, whereas maize, even in the best soils and under the most proficient practices, cannot go beyond 10 tonnes per hectare. As a leadership, we have this alternative to diversify the economy. This economy is chocked on account of irresponsible subsidies on maize.

Mr Speaker, when we took over Government in 2011, our predecessors, in that particular year, had spent on subsidies twice the allocation to the Ministry of Health. What sense does that make?

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, before the removal of fertiliser subsidies, the price for a bag of fertiliser was K50 and after the removal, the price went up to K100. With that background, maize production will ultimately suffer.

Sir, can the hon. Minister of Finance indicate whether or not he does not believe that this is going to lead to an increase …

Ms Imenda: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has not answered my question. The people were told that they would benefit from the removal of subsidies. The people of Luena have not seen the benefit of the removal of the subsidies. What should I go and tell them about the removal of subsidies?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! Your point of order has come later than the time it was supposed to be raised.

Interruption 

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! You people like interrupting even when you know your own rules. My responsibility here is to uphold the rules that you make. You must raise the point of order there and then. The hon. Member for Luena is raising a point of order after I have asked somebody else to ask a question.  Can the hon. Member who was on the Floor continue.

Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, before the reduction of the subsidy on fertiliser, the price for fertiliser was K50 for a 50 kg bag. After the reduction of the subsidy on fertiliser, the farmers are paying K100 per bag. This means that any farmer who was able to buy two bags can only afford to buy one bag. Can the hon. Minister of Finance confirm that this will ultimately lead to food insecurity in the country and that the prices of mealie-meal and maize products are going to continue to escalate?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, the prices of inputs will adjust from time to time. In the long term, the answer is just to invest in better agronomy for the small-scale farmers so that the yields can be increased. We should also let people grow crops which are better suited to their areas in terms of climatic or soil conditions. If you grow maize in the high rainfall areas of the north where the rainfall is 1,000 mm and there is leaching, you would have to use considerable amounts of lime to tone down the acidity and raise the pH levels to 5 per cent or 5.5 per cent, which is a very costly process. I think it would be irresponsible for me, as somebody who promotes rationality, to take the route the hon. Member of Parliament for Mafinga wants me to take. As leaders, it is imperative for us to be rational. I will not take part in investing emotions and sentiments in a crop called maize.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, you will excuse me for not being an economist. I would like to know if it is prudent to run a budget with a deficit of K11 billion.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member took part in approving a Budget with a deficit of K11 billion.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has told the House that out of the savings from subsidies, the Government has increased the allocation to the health sector. Is he therefore, telling us that we should comfort the people that they should not worry about losing the subsidies because when they suffer from malnutrition, which will arise as a result of the removal of subsidies, they can go to the hospitals or clinics which are going to be built out of the savings?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, we are encouraging increased expenditure on sectors such as health and education. We need a healthy nation. Education is the only way citizens of any society increase their productive capacities. So, we have to increase outlays of those sectors. Ideally, we should also be increasing the allocation to the agriculture sector so that we can increase our food production levels.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikwanda: Sir, malnutrition does not only depend on the non-availability of food. It is also a question of food habits. For instance, if you went on eating just proteins without starch, some of the proteins would have to be converted into starch thereby causing malnutrition. Therefore, malnutrition is not just a question of the availability of food. It is also a function of food habits.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Pande (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister was quoted as having said that there was no benefit coming from the removal of subsidies. Can I take it that he was misquoted?

Mr Chikwanda: Sir, I cannot be responsible for what people say and attribute to me.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, when the subsidies were being removed, the people of Zambia were told that there would be massive development. During the rule of the MMD Government, subsidies were there and comparative development used to take place. In the North-Western Province, there is completely nothing happening at the moment.

Mr Deputy Speaker: What is your question?

Mr Muchima: Sir, what is this removal of subsidies doing for the people of the North-Western Province?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, only last week, I was in Lumwana, which is not very far from Ikeleng’i and the people there were complimenting the Government for the development it was spearheading in the area.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Lubezhi (Namwala): Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Luena wanted to find out what she will tell the people of Luena because when the subsidies were removed, the Government said that the money it would save would go into capital projects and not just the diversification of the agriculture sector?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, the capacity of the hon. Member for Luena to understand issues is so huge that it will not be very prudent of me to begin to tutor her as to what she should tell the people in her constituency.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, the answers to section (a) of this question were based on assumptions or estimates. Does the ministry not have a mechanism in place to capture the actual savings and if at all it does, when do we expect the actual figures to be availed to us?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, in the real world, it is not always easy to come up with facts about something which is transitory or on-going. I think it is more honest to talk in terms of assumptions or estimates.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, the justification for removing the subsides was that the money saved would go towards infrastructure projects. As we speak, there are no infrastructure development projects in Liuwa taking place.
 
Mr Speaker, the people of Liuwa used to benefit from subsides because they used to buy mealie-meal at cheaper prices. Currently, there is no school or clinic being constructed in Liuwa. What should I tell the people of Liuwa since there are no tangible positive results which they have seen and the food prices have become more expensive?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, I am not comfortable with the fact there are no development projects taking place in the constituency of the former hon. Minister of Finance. Therefore, I think that we should engage in a discussion and put our heads together to see …

Laughter

Mr Chikwanda: … what we can do to try to get some projects initiated in the area.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwanza: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Finance why it has become necessary to borrow large sums of money now when, indeed, equally, large sums of money are being saved from the removal of subsides.

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, what the removal of subsidy has done is simply to make the Budget Deficit bearable. If we had not removed the subsides, instead of the Budget Deficit for the fiscal year 2014 being K11 billion, maybe, it could have been K15 billion thereby rendering the Budget unsustainable. I think that, as leaders, we should not give our people false hopes to try to make them live in a fool’s paradise to the extent that we spend money which we do not have. It is as simple as that. We must learn to cut our suit according to the available cloth.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, this Government is chewing more than it can …

Interruptions

Mr Livune: … swallow.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order! Order!

The word ‘chewing’ is unparliamentary.

Mr Livune: Sir, can the hon. Minister confirm that, actually, not much money in quantum terms has been saved through the removal of subsidies? What subsidy removal simply did was reduce our deficits.

Mr Chikwanda: Sir, the hon. Member has explained the matter very well. I do not want to be superfluous.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Laughter

Mr Antonio (Kaoma Central): Mr Speaker, the removal of subsidies has not helped the common Zambian. In fact, it has just brought misery on the common Zambian.

Mr Ng’onga: Question!

Mr Antonio: Mr Speaker, is it true that the removal of subsidies has simply benefitted the Executive?

Interruptions

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, it has benefitted the Executive and the hon. Members of Parliament.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikwanda: Sir, this is the more reason we have a debt to our country. We need to work hard to try to generalise prosperity instead of just confining it to ourselves.

I thank you, Sir.

 ELECTRIFICATION OF LUNGA DISTRICT 

231. Mr Mutelo asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development when Lunga  District would be either connected to the national electricity grid or provided with solar power by the Rural Electrification Authority (REA).

The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Zulu): Mr Speaker, the Government, through REA, will provide solar power to the district through the construction of a solar mini-grid.

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, REA, therefore, conducted feasibility studies for the electrification of Lunga District using solar power. The study has indicated the cost estimates for the construction of a solar mini-grid. However, the solar mini-grid in the district will only be constructed once funds are made available.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mutelo: Sir, my question was: When will these funds be available?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, a feasibility study on the electrification of Lunga District was conducted. We intend to connect the new district centre, Kasoma Lunga Primary School, Kasoma Health Centre, Kasoma Lunga Local Court, Chief Kasoma Lunga’s Palace, seventy eight permanent houses, 781 grass-thatched houses, twenty-eight shops and a market as well as four churches to the national grid. The estimated cost of the project is K13,750,000. As soon as money is made available, we will connect the district to the grid.

Mr Speaker, the mere fact …

Interruptions

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order, on my right!

Mr Zulu: … that we carried out the feasibility study means that we are committed, as a Government, to connecting the district to the grid.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Hamudulu: Sir, the feasibility study has been carried out. It sounds rosy and nice. It is not enough for the hon. Deputy Minister to just state that this project will be undertaken as soon as possible without specifying the exact date because the people of Lunga District will not benefit from the feasibility study, but the actual connection.

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, the Annual Budget is revised yearly. We are evaluating the projects which are appearing in the master plan so that we can now reprioritise and consider them in next year’s Budget.

I thank you, Sir.

REHABILITATION OF THE MALABO/CHANGA ROAD

232. Mr Habeenzu (Chikankata) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a) how much money was spent on the rehabilitation of the Malabo/Changa Road in Chikankata Parliamentary Constituency in 2013;

(b) what the name of the contractor who worked on the road was;

(c) whether the project had been completed and, if not, when the project would be completed;

(d) what the contract sum for the rehabilitation of the Mwanamainda/Kasengo Road was;

(e) what the name of the contractor who worked on the road at (d) was; and

(f) whether the works had been completed and, if not, when the project would be completed.

The Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mrs Kabanshi): Mr Speaker, a total of K1,597,856,61 has, so far, been spent on the 57 km Malabo/Changa Feeder Road in Chikankata Constituency in 2013 out of a total of K2,064,340,98. The name of the contractor is Tukamona Company Limited. The project is 95 per cent complete and is expected to be completed by 31st March, 2014. Some metre drains are the only outstanding works remaining.

Mr Speaker, the contract sum for the rehabilitation of the 31 km of Mwanamainda/Kasengo Feeder Road is K2,279,816,50. The name of the contractor is Tukamona Company Limited. The project is 85 per cent complete with only re-gravelling works remaining to be done. The project will be completed by 31st March, 2014.

I thank you, Sir.

PROMOTION OF TEACHERS IN KAPIRI MPOSHI

233. Mr Musonda (Kapiri Mposhi) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a) how many teachers in Kapiri Mposhi were promoted upon obtaining higher   academic qualifications from January, 2010, to September, 2013; and

(b) why teachers with certificates and those with diplomas are in the same salary scale.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that Kapiri Mposhi District, like any other operational level, has managed to process different categories of promotional cases for teachers in the period January, 2010 to September, 2013.

Sir, at diploma level, 256 senior teachers, eighty-two deputy head teachers and seventy-six head teachers were promoted. For degree holders, seven teachers, eleven deputy head teachers and nine head teachers were promoted. In total, 441 personnel were promoted.

Mr Speaker, teachers with certificates and those with diplomas happen to be in the same salary scale as a result of the implementation of the Job Evaluation and Re-grading Exercise (JERG), which took place last year in September. The exercise was as a result of the collective agreement signed between the Government and the four teachers’ unions.

I thank you, Sir.

CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS IN MAGOYE

234. Mr Mulomba (Magoye) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock when the Government would construct dams for livestock and irrigation purposes in the following areas in Magoye Parliamentary Constituency:

(a) Mainza;

(b) Chitongo;

(c) Mabanga;

(d) Chiziyo;

(e) Munenga;

(f) Mbiya;

(g) Dumba;

(h) Jilihiba;

(i) Kaseele; and

(j) Nalwala.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mr Kazabu): Mr Speaker, every year, the Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, plans and budgets for the construction of dams. These are primarily small multi-purpose dams in selected areas with fisheries and livestock activities as well as areas with high potential for irrigation across the country.

Sir, the construction of these dams is demand-driven by the farmers with clear objectives in terms of what they intend to utilise them for. These plans for dams are, therefore, compiled from demand-driven projects which are identified by communities throughout the country.

Mr Speaker, the preparation and construction of dams can only commence once demand for the infrastructure has been identified. Farmers in Mainza, Chitongo, Mabanga, Chiziyo, Munenga, Mbiya, Dumba, Jilihiba, Kaseele and Nalwala areas of Magoye Parliamentary Constituency are, therefore, encouraged to approach their respective nearest agriculture camp extension officers and District Agriculture Co-ordinators’ (DACOs) offices for technical and extension advice if they need this kind of assistance.

Sir, the hon. Member of Parliament can also be proactive by liaising with the DACOs office in his area.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister has stated that communities have to demand for the dams. Now that the communities have demanded for these dams through their area Members of Parliament, when will the dams be provided?

Mr Kazabu: Mr Speaker, I clearly explained the procedure in my response. Communities should get in touch with camp extension officers as well as the DACOs. The matter will, thereafter, be forwarded to the ministry headquarters for budgeting.

I thank you, Sir. {mospagebreak}

SINKING OF BOREHOLES IN KALABO

235. Mr Miyutu asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a) how many boreholes were sunk in Kalabo Central Parliamentary Constituency from September, 2011 to September, 2013, year by year; and

(b) what plans the Government had to increase the supply of water in Kalabo District to cater for the increased population.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr N. Banda): Mr Speaker, the year 2011 was used to plan for Phase II of the project that had ended in 2010. In 2012, eight boreholes were drilled by Village Water Zambia, which is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that works with the Government. In 2013, ten boreholes, through funding from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) and Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ), were drilled. Furthermore, six boreholes, also in 2013, were drilled by Luena Water Wells. 

Mr Speaker, in the next five years, the Government, with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), has plans to develop water infrastructure in Kalabo District. Water infrastructure development shall involve construction of boreholes, equipped with hand pumps, hand-dug wells, piped water schemes and the rehabilitation of hand pumps and hand-dug wells.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the straightforward answer.

Sir, the hon. Minister indicated that the boreholes were sunk by NGOs. When will this Government of the people, by the people and for the people, in accordance with its budgets, sink boreholes for its people? When will it sink the 2,000 boreholes which are always indicated in the budget?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr N. Banda: Mr Speaker, in 2013, we sunk sixteen boreholes. As I stated earlier, 2011 was used to plan for Phase II of the project. The hon. Member of Parliament may appreciate that, in 2010, Kalabo District received twenty-two boreholes from the Government.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, there has been too much talk about boreholes. Is it not possible for the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to collaborate with the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development in that while electricity is being installed in villages, piped water can be provided as opposed to always sinking boreholes? Is it not possible for the two ministries to collaborate and provide piped water to our people, especially in rural areas?

Mr N. Banda: Mr Speaker, that is a proposal that the Government might take into consideration. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, knowing very well that water is life, I am sure we are all aware that the sinking of eight boreholes in 2012 and sixteen in 2013 is not sufficient when you look at the size of any district in Zambia. When will there be an increase in the sinking of boreholes in the rural areas?

   Mr N. Banda: Mr Speaker, as a Government, we have a five-year plan which will be implemented to sink the boreholes which are necessary to satisfy the demand of the people of Kalabo.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, I am concerned at the pace at which we are moving in the provision of water and, indeed, sanitation. Considering that the millennium development goals (MDGs) are almost coming to a close in 2015, are we likely to meet the deadline in the provision of quality water and sanitation services, especially in the rural areas?

Mr N. Banda: Mr Speaker, as a Government, we have the vision to meet the MDG to do with water and sanitation. The hon. Member may notice that in the 2014 Budget, we have doubled the figure allocated to the provision of water and sanitation. Apart from the Government, the private sector also tries to provide such services in the rural areas. As a Government, we are determined to achieve the MDG Number 7 which focuses on the provision of clean water to communities.

Mr Speaker, as a Government, we have challenges handling issues to do with sanitation. I would therefore, like to take this opportunity to implore hon. Members of Parliament to help in sensitising the communities that sanitation issues are much more related to people’s ways of life. It is cardinal for hon. Members to also sensitise the communities to have pit latrines in the villages. I, therefore, wish to inform this august House that the Government is determined to achieve by 2015 the MDG Number 7 which is to provide clean water and sanitation.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Lubezhi: Mr Speaker, what is the average cost of sinking a borehole in Kalabo?

Mr N. Banda: Mr Speaker, the cost of sinking a borehole depends on the terrain of an area. For Kalabo, the average cost could be between K30,000 to K35,000.

I thank you, Sir.
Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Sir, the hon. Minister has implored hon. Members of Parliament to sensitise their constituents on the need to improve sanitation. I was sensitising the community in Kabwata on the importance of sanitation over the weekend. The question which most people had was: When will the Government ensure that their toilets are connected to a sewerage reticulation network so that they do not use pit latrines and soak-aways which have the risk of contaminating underground water?

Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, that is a very good question…

Mr Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the Chair]

Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, the Government is in the process of connecting the toilets for the residents of Lusaka to a proper sewerage reticulation system. We want Lusaka residents to have flushing toilets. To this effect, we have started with Mtendere Compound. The time for the people of Kabwata will come after we have finished the project in Mtendere Township.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS

236. Mr Mwila asked the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry:

(a) what the progress on the implementation of the industrial clusters was;

(b) how much money was earmarked for the entire project;

(c) whether the Government was satisfied with the pace of implementation; and

(d) if not, what had caused the delay in implementing the programme.

The Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Siamunene): Mr Speaker, the implementation of the Industrial Clusters Programme is on course and significant progress has been achieved. In particular, progress has been made on the implementation of the product specific value-chain based clusters. Let me now talk about some of the milestones which were attained in 2013.

Sir, the Government, through the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), has approved 1,083 product specific value-chain based projects for funding amounting to K65.4 million. These projects are expected to create over 10,000 jobs. Furthermore, the projects that have been approved are in thirty-one districts covering the whole country. This translates into three projects in each of the ten provinces. Thus, the Government is proceeding on the basis of the cluster development guidelines of supporting three clusters in each province (one cluster per district). For example, in the Southern Province, Siavonga, in particular, has benefited from the cluster initiative in the fish industry on account of having readily available raw materials.

Further, in the implementation of the product specific value-chain clusters, the Government is being guided by the principles of equity enshrined in the Rural Industrialisation Strategy, targeting, at least, 90 per cent of the empowerment fund at rural areas, thus enhancing social equity through the increased empowerment of women and youth.

Sir, in this regard, 91 per cent of the approved 1,083 cluster projects for 2013 are in the rural areas. Out of those, 38 per cent are for women and 26 per cent are for the youth. Some of the products that are being funded under the Cluster Development Initiative are soya beans, cotton, beef, timber, dairy, mango, poultry, groundnuts, honey, pineapple, cassava, rice and many more.

Mr Speaker, for the period 2013 to 2016, the total cost of implementing the programme has been estimated to be K165 million. The Government is satisfied with the pace of implementation of the product specific value chain based clusters programme. The Government has re-organised the CEEC in the area of cluster programme implementation and the institution has been re-structured to ensure that it is development oriented so that it delivers on the product specific value chain-based clusters.

Sir, there is no delay in the implementation of the cluster programmes. The Government is implementing the programme in phases so that it is done in a good and orderly manner. This Government believes in planning for programmes that work for the benefit of the people of this country.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the Government has to be serious.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Sir, it has now been a year since the Government made this pronouncement. The hon. Deputy Minister has just informed this House that the project is only being implemented in Siavonga. Can he inform this House if there are any such projects in Luapula?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mucheleka: Ema MPs aya.

The Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Chenda): Mr Speaker, I am glad to inform this august House that, indeed, money has been disbursed in several places in the country. Let me just mention a few of those places that I am aware of. To answer the question from the hon. Member of Parliament for Chipili Constituency, I want to say that the Government has started disbursing funds for the projects in Nchelenge. There is an aquaculture project there. However, I must also mention that you will recall that the programme had been suspended in order to carry out an audit. After that was completed, we had to re-structure the CEEC so as to improve on accountability and the manner in which the loans were being disbursed. Soon after that, we began to process the loans. I am glad to inform this House that 1,400 applications have since been approved and money has started being disbursed, in particular, in Mumbwa, Kitwe, Ndola, Luanshya, Petauke, Nchelenge as I earlier mentioned, Rufunsa, Mungwi, Kasama, Mpulungu, Livingstone, Namwala and Siavonga. So, the programme, in earnest, has begun and we will continue to ensure that we speed up the process of disbursing funds to successful applicants.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr I. Banda (Lumezi): Mr Speaker, if I am not mistaken, the hon. Minister explained that each province would have, at least, three clusters. I would like to know what the three main clusters are on the ground in the Eastern Province. I would also like to know what sort of materials are being used in those three clusters in the Eastern Province.

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, in the Eastern Province, groundnuts are taking the centre stage of the programme. However, let me just go through the list so that I can accurately inform the august House. In the Eastern Province, the products that have been identified are dairy, soya beans, groundnuts, cotton and tourism. In this connection, I would like to state that all the loans that we have given in Petauke, being one of the districts that was identified, are to do with groundnuts.

I thank you, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: The question was where those three clusters are in the Eastern Province. Hon. Minister, could you shed some light on that.

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, they are in Petauke.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, development in an area continues whether there are elections or not.

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Allow the hon. Minister to provide the answer that you so desire. Hon. Minister, you may proceed.

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, the answer that I gave was that we are concentrating on the value chain clusters. There appears to be a misconception which has made people think that they are like Multi Facility Economic Zones (MFEZs). For the clusters, you will not see physical structures that have been constructed by way of building a boundary wall or putting people together. In value chain clusters, we are following the endowment at local level and empowering the people that live in those areas to ensure that they exploit their local resources. In this case, I gave an example of Petauke where I said there is potential for groundnuts, and people there have applied to access these funds. So, we are empowering them in the production and processing of groundnuts. We also help them to market the groundnuts thereby completing the value chain so that at every level, we are able to create employment for our people. That is what we are going to do in all the selected districts. Like I said at the beginning, due to the limitation of funds, we have picked three districts in each province. This means, for this year, we are attending to thirty districts and, next year, we will, again, move to other new districts so that we spread the project throughout the country.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out which particular districts in the North-Western Province have been picked for these clusters, and which specific portfolios these districts are endowed with.
 
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, in the North-Western Province, we have picked Ikeleng’i, which will be concentrating on pineapples; Solwezi, on dairy products; and Kabompo on honey.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Belemu: Mr Speaker, there appears to be a departure from the concept of clusters we were earlier given. May I get confirmation from the hon. Minister whether clusters have now been restricted to implementing what is contained in the Citizens Economic Empowerment Act. All that we are being told about are loans that have been given under the CEEC.

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, indeed, the Government has realigned this programme in order to be practical. I know that in the initial stages, the impression that was given is that each district would provide particular space where the Government was going to move in and build industrial clusters. The information that I have, as advised by technocrats, is that it costs between US$5 million to US$30 million to construct one industrial cluster. We do not have the financial capacity to go that route. That is why we have gone for the value chain clusters targeting the rural areas where 90 per cent of the funds will be utilised to ensure that we give loans to the people. We want to empower them so that they can exploit the local endowments and also promote processing and manufacturing at local level. All these clusters will be centred on a core venture which will be taking place in the form of manufacturing in these areas.

Sir, an example is the industrial cluster in Petauke. There are people who have obtained loans to process groundnuts. Therefore, the local people will be buying groundnuts and taking them to these factories so that they can be processed. In Luapula, there will be the processing of palm oil. Small factories will be set up to process various products in different places. Therefore, the programme is on course. We are using the value chain clusters and not the enclave industrial parks.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, the implementation of this programme by choosing three districts per province, for me, seems too slow. I just want to get an assurance from the hon. Minister whether all the districts in Zambia will be covered by 2016.

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, it would be naïve of me to give that assurance. All I can say is that we are doing our best depending on the funds that are available to ensure that we spread the benefits of this programme to as many districts as possible. We have begun with three districts per province and if you multiply that by ten provinces, that is thirty districts. This year, we will, again, attend to another thirty districts and so on and so forth until 2016.

Sir, there are more than sixty districts in this country and obviously at this pace, we may not be in a position to cover all the districts by 2016. Nonetheless, I must say that should things improve and we get more money for this project, obviously, our intention will be to extend it to as many districts as possible so that our people can be empowered.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I know that wherever Hon. Sichinga is, he must be turning over and over due to that modification.

Laughter

Mr Livune: Is he in the grave?

Mr Mbulakulima: Sir, …

Mr Sichinga: On a point of order, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

Mr Sichinga: Sir, I am seated here, very quietly, and not doing what he is saying. Is the hon. Member in order to bring me into his debate when I have absolutely not said a thing to him? I seek your serious ruling to prevent him from causing me any further embarrassment because I am seated here very quietly.

The Deputy Chairperson: The serious ruling is that he was out of order in so far as he dragged you into his debate. I noticed that you were listening attentively to the proceedings. So, please, hon. Member for Chembe, desist from dragging hon. Members who are concentrating into your debate.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I want to agree with Hon. Mwila that when we attended the last Luapula Provincial Development Co-ordinating Committee (PDCC) meeting, the issue of clusters was a very hot one. May I find out from the hon. Minister whether the people of Milenge and Chipili are also earmarked to benefit from this facility and, if so, in what phase are they in?

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, this is a programme that is supposed to benefit all Zambians, including the people of Milenge. When their turn comes, they will also be given the loans.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, it is a pity that most of the good words are unparliamentary.

Laughter

Mr Livune: Sir, many hon. Members of Parliament here carried the message about industrial clusters to their constituencies. Some letters about the clusters were even sent to our respective councils. Unfortunately, this Government has not cared to write and advise on the current position, making all of us hon. Members of Parliament look … I have difficulties choosing the right word to use. What then does the hon. Minister have to say to us, hon. Members of Parliament, and our various councils, which were written to regarding the industrial clusters?

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, the Government had good intentions when it announced the programme of establishing, at least, one industrial cluster in each province. I think that spirit still continues to live with us. However, we must also be realistic. We are implementing a programme that is practical, can reach the people and is working. Funds permitting, it is our intention to ensure that we actually build one industrial cluster in each province. However, like I said, the creation of an industrial cluster will cost a minimum of US$5 million. Where is that kind of money going to come from? So, yes, the will is there, but we must be realistic to the limitations of our means.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, it is a known fact that the CEEC funds were previously misused to the extent that most of the people who got loans defaulted on their repayments. What steps have been taken to ensure that the funds that will be given in the form of loans, through these clusters, are indeed, repaid in time so that even the people of Lubansenshi in Luwingu District can have access to these funds within a reasonable period of time?

Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, the whole process begins with the proper selection of the applicants. If this exercise is done properly, it will ensure that only those whose business plans are viable, are given the loans.

Sir, in order to enhance transparency and accountability, we have engaged financial institutions to help us with the recovery and administering of the programme. We have also taken very strong measures against those that have been defaulting. In the recent months, I think you have seen some adverts in the press where the CEEC was actually repossessing some properties from those that had defaulted. All these measures are being taken to ensure that people realise that this money has to be paid back. It is our sincere hope that with these measures that we have put in place, the recovery rate will be much higher than the case was before.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

SUBSCRIPTION FEES PAID TO COMESA AND SADC

237. Mr Mwanza asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs:

(a)      how much money was paid by the Government as subscription fees from 2011 to  
     date to the following organisations:

 (i) Southern African Development Community (SADC); and 
 (ii) Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA); and

(b) what the benefits of belonging to both SADC and COMESA were.

Mr Namulambe: Mr Speaker, before I answer the question, may I thank you for the nice carpets. The Chamber is looking nice.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: You have forgotten where you are sitting.

Mr Namulambe: Including the seats, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: Thank you

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: You may proceed hon. Deputy Minister.

Mr Namulambe: Mr Speaker, Zambia has paid a total of US$6,065 towards annual SADC member States subscription fees from 2011 to the current financial year.

Sir, Zambia has paid a total of US$2,108,616 towards member States subscriptions from 2011 to the current financial year.

Mr Speaker, by being a member of SADC and COMESA, Zambia has benefited the following:

(a) implementation of joint programmes that enhance regional co-operation and integration;

(b) continued enjoyment of peace and stability as a result of immense contributions the two regional organisations have upheld in the consolidation of peace, security and stability;

(c) opening of potential markets for Zambian export products;

(d) improved trade facilitation and custom procedures;

(e) improved cross border management;

(f) improved transport linkages that is, road and air network linkages;

(g) regional efforts to control and manage trans-boundary animal diseases in particular, the Foot and Mouth diseases, African Swine Fever and the Cattle Lung disease;

(h) adoption and implementation of regional strategies and policies for combating of Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS);

(i) effect regional energy measures to rehabilitate power plants and construct new ones;

(j) energy power pulling which is assisting with the stabilisation of the power supply situation in the country; and

(k) liberalisation of air transport market in the region which has led Zambia to witness an increase in the regional and international air lines operating in the country.

Mr Speaker, the Member of Parliament for Solwezi West has been a member of the SADC Parliamentary Forum for over five years and I am sure there are many benefits he can share with the rest of the country.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Mtolo (Chipata Central): Mr Speaker, other than the listed benefits which the hon. Minister has given us, these organisations do offer quarters on job opportunities for member States. Has Zambia ever benefitted from these job offers?

Mr Namulambe: Mr Speaker, yes, Zambia had benefited at one point and it will continue to benefit once the quarter comes to it.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, there is an urge by many African states to consolidate regionalism, especially with regard to SADC, COMESA and the East African Community (EAC). What role is Zambia playing towards achieving that dream of integrating the three organisations rather than allowing them to compete against each other?

The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Simuusa): Mr Speaker, with regard to the issue raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwata, I would like to report that the issue of regional integration, in fact, is the vision of the African Union (AU). From the recently completed summit, it was agreed that regional integration is the way to go. In Zambia, the way we are encouraging that regional integration, especially now, is to open up the marketing areas.

Mr Speaker, for example, I can talk about Lake Tanganyika. By improving Lake Mpulungu and contemplating to open up the roads and rail links to Burundi and other countries that are on the lake, we are opening up the integration between Eastern Africa and Southern Africa in terms of trade.

Mr Speaker, we are resolute on the need to integrate. This came out strongly even in the last AU Meeting, which I will be giving a statement on shortly. We want Africa to benefit as one large market …

Hon. Government Members: Hear!

Mr Simuusa: … and because of that, we are going to make use of the regional groupings to open up markets instead of going out to the West all the time and letting outside forces exploit our market. It should instead be us as Africans doing so.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, my question is a follow up to the one which was asked by the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwata. We need to avoid the duplication of efforts. There are members who are in both COMESA and in SADC. What is the position now because there was a desire to integrate the two organisations?

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, as a result of the number of bodies coming up, there will always be overlaps. Apart from COMESA and SADC, we also belong to the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). The goals of the ICGLR also overlap with those of SADC and COMESA.

Sir, there is even an overlap in the issues discussed at some summits of the regional groupings. At a summit which was held about two months ago, the overlaps were indentified.

Mr Speaker, it would be very difficult to kill other regional groupings and keep one. What we are saying is that, we want this integration to continue. Even between these regional groupings there is going to be co-operation as has been exhibited by the ICGLR and SADC and between COMESA and SADC.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, one of the reasons for the promotion of regional integration is the promotion of parliamentary democracy. Can I find out from the hon. Minister what Zambia’s position is as regards a full-time SADC Parliament? I am aware that other regions, except SADC, have full-time regional parliaments.

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, Zambia recognises its sovereignty. We will only participate as far as other countries are willing to participate. Zambia is willing to cooperate with any country in the SADC region. If the issue which has been talked about by Hon. Mucheleka is agreed upon, we are ready to co-operate.

Mr Speaker, I wish to point out that each country should enjoy its sovereignty.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, …

Mr Mucheleka: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Simbao: … what …

Mr Mucheleka: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Simbao: … progress has been made in integrating the three regional groupings which the hon. Minister has just talked about because you find that a country can belong to all the three bodies. For example, Tanzania is a member of EAC, SADC and COMESA.

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, I wish to just clarify, once again, that there are three specific areas of integration, namely economic, political and social integration. So, when we are discussing these issues, it is important to separate them.

Sir, the previous speaker’s question referred to political integration which is very different from commercial or economic integration. Recently, an agreement was signed to have a free trade area in the COMESA, SADC and East African regions.

Sir, I can also report that from the last African Union (AU) Summit we had, African regional blocks were being encouraged to form free trade areas so that we can, as soon as possible, form an African Free Trade Area so that all the five regional integrated bodies will operate together in a free trade area. So far, Southern Africa has managed to come up with one.

I thank you, Sir. 

DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS TO WOMEN’S CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS IN WESTERN PROVINCE

238. Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo) asked the Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health how much money was disbursed to the following districts for women’s clubs and associations in 2012 and 2013:

(a) Lukulu;

(b) Mongu;

(c) Sesheke;

(d) Kalabo; 

(e) Senanga;

(f) Shang’ombo; and

(g) Kaoma.

The Deputy Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health (Ms Kazunga): Mr Speaker, the amounts distributed by the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health to the women’s clubs and associations in the said districts were as follows:

District    Year   

   2012 2013
                                        
                                        K                               K

Lukulu 63,000                         2,337

Mongu 58,000                      343,171

Sesheke 50,000                        37,813

Kalabo 41,450  7,060

Senanga 74,300 97,500

Shang’ombo No applications
 
Kaoma                        42,012    2,429

Total                          328,762 490,310

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, why was Kalabo given K7,000 in 2013 despite  a lot of clubs in the district applying for support from the ministry?

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, we cleared a lot of applications in 2013. The clubs that remained should be very few because there was a lot of money that was given out towards the end of 2013, needless to say that perhaps you could give us a bit of time so that we can go through our list to see which ones are pending for 2014.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sianga (Sesheke): Mr Speaker, how many women’s clubs in Sesheke benefited from these funds year by year.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Minister, you may answer if you have the information.

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, for 2013, sixteen clubs benefited. For 2012, I do not have the information with me right now. However, I can still avail it to the hon. Member of Parliament at a later date.

Mr Antonio: Mr Speaker, may the hon. Minister be kind enough to tell the House whether these women clubs received cash only. Did they receive other materials such as hammer mills?

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, we found it easier to give the women clubs cash rather than buying them equipment. However, I must say that in 2011, and towards the beginning of 2012, these clubs were given certain equipment from our warehouse. However, we prefer to give them cash so that they can buy the equipment on their own.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, I need more clarification from the hon. Minister. On 11th December, 2013, I visited the hon. Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, and the records which the officers availed to me at the ministry contradict what the hon. Minister has said. Why is there a contradiction between the data which was availed to me indicating the number of clubs which were funded and the numbers which she has given today? Why is there a discrepancy?

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, I find it very difficult to compare his data which I do not have with mine.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, the only data that I have is what I have given to the House.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, some clubs were unsuccessful with their applications. What reasons were given for that?

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, there are problems we encounter when providing funds to women’s clubs. Some clubs do not package their applications properly. Therefore, these applications are sent back to the clubs. Perhaps, instead of sending back the rejected applications to the original owners so that they can correct their mistakes, sometimes, our officers keep these applications in their offices so that the number can increase and then they can send back the applications to the owners at the same time. To be on top of things, I think we should be ensuring that immediately an application is rejected, it is quickly sent back to the applicants.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Lubezhi: Mr Speaker, it is actually the hon. Members of Parliament who submit these applications for most of these women clubs to the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health. Would it be prudent for the ministry to avail copies of the successful applications to the constituency offices so that the hon. Members are kept abreast with which clubs have benefited from the programme in their constituencies?

Ms Kazunga: Mr Speaker, what I can advise the hon. Member of Parliament is that it would be good for her to sometimes interact with the District Community Development Officers in the districts because that is where the information is. I think that if our hon. Members can come individually to our offices and say that they need this information, whenever we send the cheques to the districts, I think we will be able to avail their offices with that information.

I thank you, Sir.

CLEARING AND FORWARDING AGENTS

240. Mr Sichula (Nakonde) asked the Minister of Finance:

(a) how many clearing and forwarding agents were registered with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) as of 30th September, 2013;

(b) whether it was mandatory for the agents to be conversant with the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA); and

(c) what the benefits of ASYCUDA were.

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, the customs clearing agents are licensed in line with Section 182A of the Customs and Excise Act, which provides for the hon. Minister of Finance by regulation to provide for the licensing of clearing and forwarding agents. As of 30th September, 2013, there were a total of 538 registered agents with the ZRA.

Mr Speaker, clearing agents handle all the necessary customs paperwork for clearance into Zambia. The ASYCUDA, among other things, facilitates efficient processing of customs transactions at ports of entry in a standardised manner. With the utilisation of the ASYCUDA, therefore, clearing agents are required to possess, at least, some working knowledge of ASYCUDA to enable them to undertake customs declarations for their clients.

Mr Speaker, the ASYCUDA is a system that enables the ZRA to operate more efficiently in executing its trade facilitation role. Specifically, the system helps ZRA to:

(l) efficiently process customs transactions at its ports in a standardised manner;

(m) account for all revenue collected from trade transactions at ports;

(n) quickly compile reliable trade statistics to inform policy formulation;

(o) facilitates the administration of various rebates where applicable;

(p) provides a real interface opportunity with the other administrations for data exchange which provides benefits for our risk management strategy since most of the neigbouring countries are operating under the ASYCUDA; and

(q) raises the profile of Zambia to importers of various goods by providing a customs service that is effective and efficient.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sichula: Mr Speaker, how often does the ZRA engage with the clearing agents so that the clearing agents can be updated in the ASYCUDA sytem?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, because of the nature of business on both sides, the interaction is almost every day.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Milambo (Mwembeshi): Mr Speaker, ASYCUDA++ is becoming outdated and as such, capturing real time information is proving to be a problem. When is the ZRA going to move from this outdated ASYCUDA++  to the ASYCUDA World?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, the movement is transitory. As soon as resources become available to update and modernise the system, we shall do it.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, I do not know whether the hon. Minister is aware that because of the out-datedness of ASYCUDA, the clearing process has been slowed down throughout many border posts. If the hon. Minister is aware of that, what is he doing to assist the ZRA to quicken the process of clearing goods at border posts?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, the slowness in the clearing process is not purely the function of the obsolescence of our system, but also human factors. Sometimes the officers do not want to use automated systems because it makes it very difficult for them to engage in fraudulent activities.

I thank you, Sir.

EXPATRIATES EMPLOYED BY KCM

241. Mr Mwila asked the Minister of Labour and Social Security:

(a) how many expatriates were employed at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Plc from 2010 to 2013, year by year;

(b) whether the number of expatriates had been reducing and, if not, why; and

(c) whether the ministry played any role in the issuance of work permits to foreigners and, if so, what the role was.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Mr Shamenda): Mr Speaker, KCM Plc employed expatriates as follows:

 Year Number of Expatriates

 2010  16 
 2011  16
 2012    3
 2013    5

Sir, the number of expatriates has been reducing. It has reduced from sixteen in 2010 to five in 2013.

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is represented by the Labour Department at the Immigration Permit Control (IPC). The IPC is in charge of giving advice to the Director-General of the Department of Immigration on whether certain permits should not be granted. Once the IPC deliberates, the issuance of the permits is done by the Department of Immigration. It is important to note that the ultimate decision to grant the permit lies with the Director-General of the Department of Immigration.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the KCM has brought in a lot of expatriates through its contractors? What is the ministry doing about that?

Mr Shamenda: Mr Speaker, I am not aware of that. If that information is made available, then, we shall co-ordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs so that this situation can be corrected.

I thank you, Sir.

MEDICAL DOCTORS SERVING ON CONTRACT

242. Mr Belemu (on behalf of Mr Muntanga) asked the Minister of Health:

(a) how many medical doctors serving on contract, countywide had not been paid their gratuity as of 30th September, 2013;

(b) how much money, in total, was owed to the doctors; and

(c) when the doctors would be paid.

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, there were twenty-two medical doctors serving on contract countrywide who had not been paid gratuity as of 30th September 2013.

Sir, the total amount of money owed to the doctors in terms of gratuity as of 30th September, 2013, was K3,022,590.5.

Mr Speaker, the payment of gratuity to doctors is an on-going exercise. The House may wish to note that between September and October, a total of ninety doctors were paid their gratuity amounting to K10,707,803.66. The Ministry of Health has made a provision of K77,739,913 in the 2014 Budget in order to offset personnel-related arrears. It is, therefore, envisaged that these doctors, including those who were due after 30th September, 2013, will be paid their gratuity during the course of 2014.

I thank you, Sir.

ISSUANCE OF LARGE-SCALE MINING PROSPECTING LICENSES IN SOLWEZI

243. Mr Mwanza asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development:

(a) how many large-scale prospecting licences were issued for prospecting in Solwezi District from January, 2001 to September, 2013;

(b) how many holders of the large-scale mining licenses had, so far, been penalised, countrywide, for failing to commence mining operations within the period stipulated in the licences;

(c) how much money the Government had earned from the penalties for failure to adhere to regulations; and

(d) if no penalties were imposed, what the reasons for the failure to impose penalties are.

The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Musukwa): Mr Speaker, a total of seventy-four large-scale prospecting licences were issued for prospecting in Solwezi District from January, 2001, to September, 2013.

Sir, no large-scale mining licence holder has, so far, been penalised for failing to commence mining operations within the period stipulated in the licence. However, the process to penalise the nine large-scale mining holders who failed to commence mining operations as per programme started in 2012 with the issuance of default notices. Following their reaction to the default notices which we issued as a ministry, the mining licence holders were granted a grace period within which to ensure that corrective measures were put in place. The grace period ranged from one to three years.

Mr Speaker, the Government earned in excess of over K66,000 in 2013 as penalty fees for non- adherence to the regulations.

Sir, the Government has been imposing penalty fees on the mining right holders who fail to adhere to regulations as stipulated by the Mines and Minerals Act.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwanza: Mr Speaker, is the ministry aware that some of these large-scale mining licence holders are not providing the required safety clothing for workers?

Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, we are not aware that various prospecting mining houses are not adhering to the provision of safety equipment during their operations. We thank the hon. Member for this information because, as a ministry, we know that it is important to safeguard all the people who are engaged in any mining activities.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Simfukwe (Mbala): Mr Speaker, in view of the lobbing which Kalumbila Mine has been engaged in of mobilising influential people to get a title for 6,000 ha or more of land, does the Government have any plans to allocate this land to a local agency such as Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) or the local community so that the land which is free in our country can become the local contribution to the shares that are involved in this mining operation?

Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, firstly, as a ministry, we are not aware of any lobbying which Kalumbila Mine has been engaged in. As a Government, we have a duty to ensure that the law is followed in the acquisition of mining rights. Issues connected to Kalumbila Mine are  sentimental to the Government. We need to ensure that our people in the North-Western Province are given priority in terms of employment and that no displacements whatsoever, will occur. You will be interested to know that, in fact, the Government has been holding inter-ministerial meetings with the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development and the Office of the Vice-President (Disaster Management Team). We have adequately resolved the issue. Actually, the Ministry of Local Government and Housing has been allowed to preside over this issue so that our people who stay in that area are not disadvantaged in any way.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

MEASURES TAKEN TO PROTECT ZAMBIANS LIVING ALONG THE BORDER WITH MOZAMBIQUE

244. Mr Mutelo asked the Minister of Home Affairs what measures the Government had taken to protect the Zambian citizens living along the border with Mozambique considering that civil strife had broken out in Mozambique.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mrs Mwamba): Mr Speaker, the Joint Provincial Operation Committee (JPOC) has been engaged and is currently sensitising Zambians or Zambian nationals living along the common border on security matters such as what to do when faced with any security challenges or problems.

Mr Speaker, border patrols are being conducted by the JPOC in order to strictly monitor the situation. Nevertheless, the security situation is very calm and peaceful. The Zambian nationals living along the common border with Mozambique are engaging in their normal activities.

I thank you, Sir.

UPGRADING OF SCHOOLS IN CHIPILI

245. Mr Mwila asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a) how many basic schools were earmarked for upgrading to secondary schools in Chipili District;

(b) what their names were; and

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

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, there are two basic schools that are earmarked for upgrading into secondary schools in Chipili District. The names of the said basic schools earmarked for upgrading are Chilu-Luongo and Kalundu. The total cost of upgrading the two basic schools is estimated at K2,910,778.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, …

Prof. Lungwangwa: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

The Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

Prof. Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, I thank you for granting me the opportunity to raise this point of order. Following the release of the Grade 9 National Examination Results, the nation has been plunged into a crisis. More than 46,000 children who sat for the Grade 9 National Examination last year have passed, but have not been afforded the opportunity to go into Grade 10.

The situation in Lusaka is that more than 11,000 children who have passed are loitering in the streets without any opportunity to get into Grade 10. In Luapula, more than 9,000 children have passed, but cannot proceed to Grade 10. In the Southern Province, more than 5,000 children have passed, but they have no opportunity to go to Grade 10. In the Western Province, more than 2,700 children have passed, but they cannot go to Grade 10.

In the entire country, out of ten provinces, only the North-Western Province has been able to absorb all the children who have passed the Grade 9 Examination.

The Deputy Chairperson: What is your point of order?

Prof. Lungwangwa: Sir, is the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education in order to sit in this House quietly without informing the nation, through this House, the short-term and long-term strategies that the ministry is taking to address the plight of more than 46,000 children in our country that have passed, but have no opportunities for Grade 10? I seek your serious ruling on this extremely serious national issue.

The Deputy Chairperson: The serious ruling is that the hon. Minister is in order to sit quietly because he has already indicated that he will come with a ministerial statement with the aim of apprising the House and the nation as a whole.

The hon. Member may continue.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, from the K2,910,778 that has been mentioned, which infrastructure is going to be worked on and when is this initiative going to be implemented?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the upgrading process will include teachers’ houses, classrooms, toilets and an administration block. Once the money is released by the Ministry of Finance, the upgrading process will commence.

I thank you, Sir.

MUTANDA RESEARCH CENTRE

246. Mr Mwanza asked the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock when the Government would recapitalise the Mutanda Research Centre to enable it to carry out research in line with its mandate.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mr Monde): The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in its 2014 budget has made a provision K1,940,663 for Mutanda Research Station. These funds are meant to facilitate the recapitalisation of the research centre through infrastructure rehabilitation and the procurement of equipment which will enable it to carry out research in line with its mandate.

I thank you, Sir.

SINKING OF BOREHOLES IN CHIPILI

247. Mr Mwila asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a) how many boreholes were earmarked for sinking in Chipili District in 2013;

(b) in which areas the boreholes were sunk;

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

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

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Kufuna): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the Government had earmarked to sink fifteen boreholes in 2013. The boreholes are being sunk in the following wards and areas:

         Ward      Location
                                  
      Mweshi     Mukanga School
      Mukunta Community School

      Chibalashi                             Lexi Village
      Chikonkolo Village

      Nkonge      Lukausha, Kandakala, Kafwimbi

      Nalupembe      Kashimba Primary School
                    Kapenda Primary School

         Mumbwe                               Kalundu, Moba, Luposhi

      Nsenga       Luanda, Nshindano and Chipuite

Mr Speaker, the total cost for the project is K512,766,67.

Mr Speaker, there was no delay in the commencement of the project. The drilling of boreholes in Chipili, Mwansabombwe and Chembe districts was packaged as one lot and awarded to China Gansu. The contractor’s schedule of work began with Mwansabombwe, then Chembe and finally Chipili. The contractor will remobilise after the rainy season to finish the remaining five boreholes as the sites cannot be accessed now. As of now, only ten boreholes have been sunk.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, through you, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when they are going to complete sinking the boreholes.

Mr Kufuna: Mr Speaker, the remobilisation will start immediately the rains reduce. I think they will not take long to complete the project because there are only five boreholes that are remaining to be sunk.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Deputy Minister whether it is the Government’s policy for contractors to package as one lot the drilling of boreholes in three to five districts. I feel this delays the rate at which these boreholes are sunk in these areas.

Mr Kufuna: Mr Speaker, this packaging was done in order to reduce the costs.  For example, if we had to get one rig from Lusaka to Chembe, it would cost K30,000 and if we had to get three rigs to Chembe, Chipili and Mwansabombwe, it would cost K90,000 and fewer boreholes would be sunk. Therefore, when we sink a number of boreholes at once, the costs are reduced, but more boreholes are sunk.

I thank you, Sir.
____________

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬__________

The House adjourned at 1751 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 12th February, 2014.

LAPSED QUESTIONS

CONSTRUCTION OF SKILLS TRAINING CENTRE IN NAKONDE

224. Mr Sichula (Nakonde) asked the Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health:
(a) when the Government would construct a skills training centre for women and youths in Nakonde Parliamentary Constituency; and

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

The  Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health (Dr Katema):Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health has not yet prepared the specific plans to construct a women and youth skills centre in Nakonde Parliamentary Constituency as it is currently rehabilitating the provincial community development skills centres. In view of the above, the ministry has not prepared the cost estimates for such a project in Nakonde.

I thank you, Sir.

CHIKANKATA ROAD

239. Mr Habeenzu (Chikankata) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)       when the remaining twenty-one kilometres of the Chikankata Road in Chikankata     
      District would be tarred;

(b) how much money was spent on tarring the ten-kilometre stretch of the Road; and
 
(c) how much money was required to tar the remaining 21 kilometres of the road.

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Mukanga):Mr Speaker, the Road Development Agency (RDA) is in the process of securing the services of a consultant to carry out detailed engineering designs for the T001 – Chikankata Road. It is anticipated that the designs will be ready before the fourth quarter of 2014 in good time for the implementation process in 2015. The procurement process for the upgrading of the T001 – Chikankata Road to bituminous standard will commence within the year 2014.

Mr Speaker, the tarring of the last 10 km stretch of the road along the T001 – Chikankata Road was done as a variation to the rehabilitation of the Kafue/Mazabuka Road under the former Roads Department (RD)between 1997-1998. Therefore, in order for us to know the exact money spent on tarring the 10 km stretch of the road, we need to dig from the archives.

Mr Speaker, the amount of money required to upgrade the remaining 21 km stretch of the road will be known after the detailed engineering designs have been completed by the consultant.

I thank you, Sir.