Debates - Wednesday, 12th October, 2016

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Wednesday, 12th October, 2016

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_____________

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

DIGITAL MIGRATION PROJECT

The Minister of Information and Broadcasting (Dr Kambwili): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank you for according me the opportunity to update the House and the people of Zambia on the progress made in the implementation of the digital migration project. This project emanates from the global decision to implement the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) resolution which was made in 2006. Digital migration involves the change of television broadcasting systems from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting. The Government decided to implement the Digital Migration Project in phases.

Mr Speaker, in June, 2015, I reported to this House that the Government had completed the implementation of Phase I of the Digital Migration Project. I now wish to update the House and people of Zambia on the progress the Government has made in the preparations to launch the implementation of Phases II and III of the project.

Mr Speaker, Phase I of the project covers the areas along the line of rail, from Livingstone in the Southern Province to Chililabombwe on the Copperbelt. Phase II covers the remaining provincial centres and Phase III includes the rest of the country. With the completion of the installation of transmission and other facilities in Phase I, digital terrestrial broadcasting has been realised and thirteen channels are now broadcasting on that platform.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kambwili: The channels currently broadcasting on the Digital Terrestrial Television Platform are:

(a) Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC TV 1, TV 2 and TV 3);
(b) Prime TV;
(c) Convent Broadcasting Corporation (CBC);
(d) Revelation TV;
(e) Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN 1 and 2);
(f) Q TV;
(g) City TV;
(h) Hope TV;
(i) France 24; and, most importantly,
(j) Parliament TV.

Mr Speaker, we have enabled the local television broadcasting such as Prime TV, CBC, Revelation TV, City TV and Q TV to quickly spread to areas that were not easily reached. In addition, the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Platform has enabled the live broadcast of Parliamentary Debates to parts of the country along the line of rail. The beauty of all this is that all the channels are broadcast on the same frequency, hence conserving frequencies which are a very expensive resource.

Sir, I wish to update the House that the implementation of Phases II and III of the project will commence once the financing modalities have been completed. The implementation of Phases II and III will be financed through a concessional loan from the People’s Republic of China, that is an all-weather friend of Zambia. This project is the first of its kind to be financed by the Export and Import Bank of China. It is a symbol of co-operation between the two countries in the field of media and cultural exchange.

Mr Speaker, Phases II and III of the Digital Migration Project will cost US$ 273 million and will include the following:

(a) installation of transmission facilities to cover the rest of the country, including areas like Dundumwezi where there is currently no analogue television;

(b) construction of six provincial broadcasting stations in Chipata, Mansa, Chinsali, Kasama, Mongu and Kabwe. The other two provincial broadcasting stations in Solwezi and Choma are already under construction though the pace is not encouraging. However, we shall do everything possible to improve this;

(c) rehabilitation of studios at the ZNBC and Zambia National Information Service (ZANIS);

(d) construction of a national operation centre at the ZNBC and a broadcasting backup and disaster recovery facility in Kitwe;

(e) provision of equipment for ZANIS and the ZNBC; and

(f) provision of 1,250,000 decoders.

Mr Speaker, to ensure the availability of television services to the people, the Cabinet decided that the 1,250,000 decoders be sold at not more than US$10 in urban areas and US$5 in rural areas. The Government further decided that a joint venture be established to operate the new broadcasting television network and to provide a basic bouquet of twenty-five channels which should not cost more than K30 per month. The basic bouquet will also carry ZNBC TV 1 and Parliament TV. The channels will be available at no cost even when the subscriber fails to pay the K30 subscription fee.

Mr Speaker, the Government has structured the financing of the Digital Migration Project and operation of the public digital broadcasting services in such a way that they do not put a strain on the Treasury, while at the same time ensuring that quality television services are provided to all the Zambian people, including those in the remote areas of the country. This will be achieved by ensuring that the joint venture company raises revenue from its operations to repay the loan. The implementation of Phase II and III is scheduled to start later this year. We hope that nine months after the commencement of digital broadcasting in the provincial centres, 500,000 decoders will be ready for distribution.

Mr Speaker, we all experienced before, during and after the 11th August, 2016, Presidential and General Elections how a lack of public information and broadcasting services in rural areas and other parts of the country brought about misinformation and almost set the country on fire. We cannot allow this to continue. That is why this project is of utmost importance. The project will provide television services to all parts of the country, thereby reducing the chance of fomenting chaos in the country through misinformation by some unpatriotic individuals who are bent on doing so.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kambwili: I, therefore, wish to urge all hon. Members of Parliament to support the hon. Minister of Finance when he brings a Motion to approve the loan for this project.

Mr Livune: Question!

Dr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

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

Mr Chisopa (Mkushi South): Mr Speaker, may the hon. Minister confirm that the implementation of this programme is in line with the Patriotic Front’s (PF) constitution which talks about giving the people in the rural areas access to information.

Dr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, precisely.

I thank you.

Mr Livune: Question!

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ngulube (Kabwe Central): Mr Speaker, may I find out from the hon. Minister if there are immediate plans to improve the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) television signal in Kabwe where we can only access the ZNBC signal through Digital Satellite Television (DSTV) and other television stations. Is this programme meant to improve television signal reception in Kabwe?

Dr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, yes, the lack of a clear television signal is an indication that those who are still receiving a poor signal are still using the analogue signal because we are running parallel digital and analogue signals. If you bought the set top box, you will be connected to the digital signal. Kabwe is covered in the transmission of digital signal. So, you should be receiving clear television picture. Please, go and buy a set top box in order to receive clear television signal.

I thank you.

Mr Kundoti (Luena): Mr Speaker, my concern is on the lack of proper equipment at the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC). May the hon. Minister tell this House what the Government is doing to provide adequate equipment to the ZNBC, as the studios do not have proper equipment. The equipment that is in the studios at the moment is obsolete. The cameras are not enough to provide the service required by the nation.

Dr Kambwili: Mr Speaker that is what happens if you have a pre-meditated question. If the hon. Member had paid attention to my statement, he would have heard that among the things that we are doing under this project is equip the ZNBC and Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS).

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Ngulube: Question!

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to confirm whether the installation of the systems he has mentioned above will cover the whole country.

Dr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, like I said in the statement, Phase III of the project will cover the whole country.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Kasune (Keembe): Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting clarify how the loan is not going to burden the Treasury. He referred to the fact that those who may not be able to pay the K30 subscription fee can still enjoy the service. I am wondering how the loan is going to be serviced without any fees from those receiving the service.

Mr Sing’ombe: Ema questions, aya.

Mr Livune: UPND material!

Dr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I said only two channels, that is, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) TV1 and Parliament TV, will be free. Even on the Digital Satellite Television (DSTV) bouquet, there are free channels. So, we will manage to recoup the loan.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, I would like to get clarification on the joint venture company that will be engaged. My concern is: Will it be a private company or it will be Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) or subsidiary of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).

Dr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, the joint venture company will have two partners, that is, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and the private entity that will be picked.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister which one should come first, the Freedom of Information Bill or the hon. Minister of Finance coming to ask us to approve the loans.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: The question, particularly the one arm relating to the Freedom of Information Bill, does not relate to the statement. If you would like to ask a question on the Freedom of Information Bill, file in a question for oral answer because that is the essence of your intervention. You would like to find out when the Freedom of Information Bill will be presented. I believe that is your intent.

Mr Sing’ombe: No, Mr Speaker, I wanted to know which one should come first.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, you may answer the question.

Laughter

Dr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, it is hypocrisy of the worst kind for the hon. …

Interruptions

Dr Kambwili: … Member to ask that question. Why do I say so? The Freedom of Information Bill was one of the issues that were supposed to be included in the Constitution through the Bill of Rights, …
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kambwili: … but that side (pointing at the Opposition Bench) de-campaigned the Referendum …

Interruptions

Mr Sing’ombe: Who on this side?
 
Interruptions

Dr Kambwili: The UPND!

Hon. PF Members: Hammer!

Interruptions

Dr Kambwili: Before you de-campaign something, you should read first.

Interruptions

Dr Kambwili: Learn to read because you will end up exposing your ignorance.

Interruptions

Dr Kambwili: The Truth of the matter is that the Zambian people, led by the UPND, rejected the Freedom of Information Bill through the Referendum.

I thank you Sir.

Mr Livune: Question!

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Katuta (Chienge): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what is being done about areas like Chienge that have been denied access to information. The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) does not cover Chienge. As a result, people do not know what is going on in the country. I would like to know what measures have been put in place for people to access information while we wait for the implementation of Phases III and IV of the project.

 

 Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, it would be unreasonable to work on the two projects at the same time. The Government will have to work on the temporary project in order to enable people to access information and, then, spend K273 million on the main project. Therefore, my sister, the people of Chienge should wait for the completion of the project in nine months’ time in order to have access to television.

 I thank you, Sir.

 Mr Daka (Msanzala): Mr Speaker, this is a welcome move by the Government to take television to all parts of the country. May I know how the payment for the service will be differentiated between rural constituencies like Chipata Central and the surrounding constituencies.

 Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, the Surveyor-General’s Office draws a map that shows which areas are rural and which ones are urban.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 Mr Siwanzi (Nakonde): Mr Speaker, you have mistaken me for the hon. Member for Mafinga. It is Nakonde.

 Mr Speaker: Order!

I called out for the hon. Member for Mafinga. So, you should not have stood up.

Laughter

Mr Siwanzi: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that decoders will be sold at US$5 in the rural areas while in the urban areas they will be sold at US$10. I would like to know whether the Government has put in place any measures to avoid a situation where people from the urban areas go to the rural areas and buy all the decoders.

 Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, that will be the responsibility of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and its partner in the joint venture. Nonetheless, the hon. Member’s question has opened up our minds to plan better.

 Sir, I thank you.

Mr Livune: Question!

 Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, I hope my question is not hypocritical because it is just a simple question.

Sir, I would like to find out the repayment period for the concessional loan which we are contracting from the People’s Republic of China.
 Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I do not have the details of the loan. The hon. Minister of Finance would be better placed to give us the details.

 I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, persuading Zambians to buy the decoders is a good idea. However, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what his ministry is doing about the content of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) channels that always air Hon. Kambwili, President Edgar Lungu or Mrs Lungu. This does not sit well with many Zambians.

 Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, first and foremost, the ZNBC was established to broadcast information relating to the Government, to entertain and to educate the citizenry. Therefore, it has lived up to its mandate. It airs programmes of an entertainment nature such as movies and educational ones. The ZNBC also disseminates information relating to the Government through the Government Chief Spokesperson (pointing at himself).

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister said that the Zambians, together with the United Party for National Development (UPND), rejected the Referendum which should have given rise to the drafting of this Bill. According to him and all the Zambians, who is their President?

 Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

 I will not ask the hon. Minister to answer that question.

 Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

 Last week on Friday, I assisted those of you who do not know the Republican President …

 Laughter

 Mr Speaker: … by supplying that information. I do not think I want to repeat myself.

_________

MOTIONS

MOTION OF THANKS

(Debate resumed)

Mr Speaker: Before, I open debate, I wish to give guidance so that we avoid wasting precious time. This is in relation to the results for the Presidential Elections.

I gave extensive guidance yesterday. Therefore, the Presiding Officers will not repeat that guidance. However, those who would like to venture into that territory in spite of the clear guidance will have their speeches curtailed. I want to repeat that the speeches will be curtailed. Once curtailed, they will be deemed to have rendered their maiden speech and contributed to the Motion at hand. So, this guidance is given so that we move with dispatch and avoid dwelling on the obvious. It is a waste of time and energy and it takes away a great deal from the dignity and decorum of the House. We shall proceed in that manner.

I have a request to debate from the hon. Members for Ndola Central, Nkeyema, Sinda, Bangweulu, Muchinga and Mbala.

Mr Mbangweta (Nkeyema): Can I start, Mr Speaker?

Mr Speaker: Yes!

Laughter
 
Mr Mbangweta: Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to render my maiden speech. I would like to begin by congratulating you, the First Deputy Speaker and the Second Deputy Speaker on your election to your esteemed positions.

Mr Speaker, I would like to appreciate and thank the President of our party, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbangweta: ... his running mate, Mr Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbangweta: … and the party senior management for adopting me as the candidate for Nkeyema Constituency on the United Party for National Development (UPND) ticket and for visiting the constituency during the campaign period to support and encourage me. 

Equally, I wish to thank all the party officials who supported this decision and campaigned for me vigorously. My thanks also go to my wife, Kuwabo, our children, friends and relatives for allowing me to participate in this important exercise of rendering public service. I thank them for the financial, material and moral support rendered and for continuously encouraging me even when things got really tough.

Further, special thanks go to my campaign manager and the Constituency Chairperson, Mr Titus Ntumwa, Mr Mweene and the members of the AK Campaign Team for leaving their commitments to be on the team on a full-time basis during the campaigns. They worked very hard, making it possible for me to subsequently be among the hon. Members of this august House today.

To the people of Nkeyema Constituency, I thank you very much for demonstrating your confidence and trust in me by electing me your first ever Member of Parliament. I undertake to reciprocate this confidence by working for the community and performing to your expectation. Lastly, Sir, I wish to thank my fellow competitors in the constituency for demonstrating such a competitive spirit.

Mr Speaker, I will give a brief background of Nkeyema Constituency, which is basically a rural constituency with seven wards. Nkeyema is one of the newly-created constituencies in the Western Province. It shares the boundary with Kaoma Central. The people in the area earn their living mainly through agricultural activities. They grow maize, tobacco, groundnuts, sweet potatoes and other vegetables. They also keep cattle, goats and chickens for both domestic consumption and sale. Like most rural constituencies in the Western Province, high poverty levels have confronted the people of Nkeyema. They yearn for development which appears to have eluded them.

Mr Speaker, the infrastructure in the constituency, especially feeder roads, bridges and water and sanitation facilities need urgent attention. Health and education facilities, if in existence, are in a deplorable state and not adequate to cover the population that has grown over the years. There is also a dire need for proper and effective agricultural extension services, communication services, continued fertiliser support and enhanced marketing arrangements for crops such as maize and tobacco. 

There are high levels of youth unemployment in the area. As a result, the youth routinely engage in anti-social behaviour. In a nutshell, these are the major issues that affect an average person in the constituency.

Mr Speaker, on the basis of the challenges that I have highlighted, the people of Nkeyema have sent me to this august House to present their concerns to the competent authorities who are responsible for the allocation of resources for development to the various parts of the country. In this regard, they know that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has been priding itself on the massive infrastructural projects that it claims to have implemented throughout the country. However, this does not seem to be the case in Nkeyema. The people of Nkeyema would like to find out why developmental projects are not being implemented in an equitable manner.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbangweta: They also want to know why a number of initiatives such as loans for youth empowerment have not trickled down to them. They have given me specific issues to highlight.

Mr Speaker, the people of Nkeyema are concerned about the bad state of the Lusaka/Mongu Road, which has some gravel patches. This road has been in this state for over three years now. The worst parts of the road are in Nkeyema Constituency, from the Tate Yoyo Gate after the Kafue National Park up to Mawilo in Sishamba Ward. This road supports a lot of economic activity between the Western Province and other parts of the country and should, under normal circumstances, qualify as an economic road which ought to be treated as a priority. On that basis, the people of Nkeyema are wondering what criterion is used to select roads for preventive maintenance and the construction of new ones in some areas while this road has been neglected to such an extent.

Mr Speaker, there is a pressing need to grade and make new feeder roads in the constituency to link productive areas in the various wards to the Lusaka/Mongu Road which is a gateway to the market and other services. The poor state of the feeder roads is constraining development in the area, as the people cannot access the services that they may require or transport their produce to the market.

Sir, the situation tends to worsen in the rainy season when areas are cut off from each other and vehicles, motorbikes and bicycles are difficult to use. During this time, the normal thing for the people to do is stock up until the floods recede to attempt to go to the other side.

Mr Speaker, the roads that require urgent attention include:

(a) Namilangi, Chivuli, Maloba, Lwambu, Kamiheto and Lihombo;
(b) Maloba, Kambizwe, Shimano and Munkuye Cross;
(c) TBZ-Kabyulule Scheme in Lombe, Lombe, Kampombo and Kancale on the other side which is an important road that leads to a farming block;
(d) Munkuye Cross, Mimpongo, Kandengo; and
(e) Mukandamina, Kangongolo and Pundamishako.

Mr Speaker, there is an urgent need to build a tarred road to Njonjolo Palace as is the case in other areas where the traditional leadership resides. There is also a need to erect a fence of wall around the palace so that there is some privacy. 

Mr Speaker, there are a number of schools in Nkeyema Constituency that are located across streams and rivers. The water bodies get flooded during the rainy season, making it difficult for pupils to cross. It is not uncommon to find that during those two or three months when there are floods, the pupils stay away from school. Therefore, there is a need to build a number of bridges across the streams and rivers in all the wards.

Of all these needs, the most pressing one is the building of the Mabuela Bridge in Namilangi Ward. This is a big capital project which cannot be handled locally but by the Central Government. The bridge is critical because it links a large community in Chivuli, Maloba, Kamiheto, Lihombo and Lwambu that needs to get to Namilangi on the Lusaka/Mongu Road throughout the year in order to take its produce to the market and also buy groceries.

There are pupils from surrounding villages in Mabuela who go to Namilangi School on the other side of the river. The health centre is also located at Namilangi. Crossing the river during the rainy season when the river is flooded requires the use of a canoe whose fare is K5 per person one way an expense the local people, especially the pupils, can ill afford.

Occasionally, the canoes capsize, resulting in a loss of life. Therefore, the need for a bridge that can accommodate even big trucks throughout the year cannot be overemphasised. Other areas that require bridges are Nalumino in Shimano Ward at a place commonly referred to as “Kakula Bridge” and at Kambwize on the Maloba/Kambwize/Shimano Road.
 
Mr Speaker, Nkeyema Constituency needs more health centres because the population is growing at a fast rate. The people know that it is the Government’s policy to increase access to health care so that people live within 5 km of a health facility.

Mr Speaker, currently, the majority of people walk more than 5 km to go to a health facility. They also know that the Government is supposed to build 650 health posts throughout the country and that, so far, 315 of them are operational. In the case of Nkeyema, only two health posts, one at Maloba in Shimano Ward and the other at Kancale in Lombe-Lombe Ward have been built. These cannot adequately meet the health needs of the community at large. On this basis, the people of my constituency would like to know why and how other areas are able to access more resources.

Mr Speaker, I would like to urge the Government to rehabilitate the majority of the Government schools in the area which are in a deplorable state due to neglect for a long time. Teachers’ houses also ought to be built. It is unacceptable to still have temporary structures of pole and mud in most schools in the area instead of permanent ones in 2016. The Government schools, namely Kanchale, Kampombo, Maloba, Sipalo, Kamasisi and Kabyulule should be rehabilitated as a matter of urgency. It is significant to note that I have deliberately left out the community schools which, by and large, now appear to be a responsibility of the local community, which should not be the case. Let us remember that education is an equaliser. A child in that remote place of Kandengo in Nkeyema Constituency has as much right to education as that in Kabulonga. There is a need to build and maintain the existing community schools. The responsibility to support and maintain community schools is putting an intolerable burden on the parents, as they cannot afford to do this, given their impoverished state.

Mr Speaker, Nkeyema Constituency has fertile soils. With proper technical agriculture support and marketing arrangements, it has the potential to produce enough food to feed its inhabitants and sell the excess to other areas. However, the major challenge the farmers in the area are faced with is the poor management of the Fertiliser Input Support Programme (FISP) and marketing arrangement for maize through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). I will briefly address the challenges relating to agriculture that the constituency is faced with in three segments.

Sir, Nkeyema used to be the bread basket of the Western Province when the FISP was administered properly. However, when the PF came into power, the pack that peasant farmers used to receive was reduced and started being delivered late.

Interruptions

Mr Mbangweta: This has greatly affected the yield of the farmers. Further, when farmers sell their maize to the FRA, it takes months for them to receive their payment. Sometimes, farmers do not receive their payments well into the next farming season.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbangweta: This means that the peasant farmers are caught up in a poverty trap and are unable to graduate to higher levels of farming. Some peasant farmers complain about the long distances between marketing points. Therefore, the establishment of more market points and implementation of an efficient marketing system will help them greatly.

Mr Speaker, a significant number of peasant farmers in the area grow tobacco in collaboration with Japan Tobacco International (JTI) whose office is located at Mawilo in Sishamba Ward. Although tobacco farming has contributed to the uplifting of the livelihood of the people, it has also presented some challenges. To grow tobacco, a farmer must have firewood to cure it. As a result, trees are cut, resulting in deforestation and environmental degradation. To collect the cured tobacco from the small-scale farmers, big trucks have to be used. These trucks degrade the few feeder roads that are never maintained by the local community, the Central Government or the tobacco company itself. It is also the view of the local community that JTI is not doing enough to ensure that the replanting of trees is supervised in a sustainable manner. Equally, the company’s corporate social responsibility programmes meant to support the local communities are not up to the required standards. The company ought to be compelled to plough back into the community by contributing towards a number of projects such as building of bridges, maintenance of feeder roads and building of markets instead of only concentrating on areas where their office is located. For instance, they have built a clinic where their office is located.

Mr Speaker, peasant farmers in the area keep livestock such as cattle and would benefit greatly from extension services which are not at the required levels at the moment. The provision of dip tanks for cattle and cattle restocking would greatly benefit farmers. There is a significant number of cattle around Libuyungu area in Munkuye Ward. However, there is a lack of drinking water for the cattle during the dry season. Therefore, the building of dams in Libuyungu and other areas to store water for the animals and for watering gardens would enable the people to generate income in a sustainable manner.

Sir, as a new district, Nkeyema is also faced with serious challenges relating to safe and clean drinking water, especially during the dry season when the wells that the communities dig dry up. As a result, young people and women are forced to walk long distances to fetch water. This is not appropriate. On behalf of the people of Nkeyema, I request the Government to ameliorate the situation by sinking more boreholes in the constituency.

Mr Speaker, in a large part of the constituency, it is very difficult to communicate by cellular phone. Our constituency is probably one of the few remaining constituencies where there is completely no cellular phone network coverage in certain areas from any of the three cellular phone network providers. In some areas, one has to climb an anthill or tree in order to access the network. On this basis, I wish to request the Government to encourage the responsible authorities to put up enough towers in the constituency in order to ease mobile phone communication. The lack of efficient communication is constraining development in the area.

Sir, in conclusion, from what I have discussed this far, it is clear that the massive infrastructure projects that the PF Government says it has embarked upon have not come to Nkeyema. So, it cannot be said that this applies to the whole country, but rather to some parts of the country. In view of this, the people in leadership must listen when citizens from places where there is no development taking place raise concerns. Indeed, even when someone is sick and goes to the hospital, the doctor does not prescribe treatment immediately. The doctor first asks the patient where they are feeling the pain, examines them, then, prescribes the tests that ought to be conducted, waits for the results and, on the basis of the results, prescribes the medicine to be taken. In the same way, when an organisation is confronted by an issue, whether it is changing a particular procedure which has been in place for a long time or introducing a new one, it has to get information from other organisations which are considered to be doing well. This is the reason study visits are undertaken. Similarly, when some citizens in certain areas complain about a lack of development amidst the massive development brought about by the PF in other areas of the country, those in leadership ought to go to those areas to find out whether or not the concerns of the citizens are justified, instead of dismissing them. How can you convince the people in Nkeyema that development is provided fairly when an existing major road in their area is not being attended to while new roads are being put up in other areas? I am aware there is some bureaucracy in implementing projects. However, local visitations by policy makers would enrich their perspectives. Of course, this will not happen if the Government deliberately denies other areas the development which they rightly deserve. We must remember that people take a cue from what we do and not necessarily what we say. Indeed, you cannot force a rational human being to see a bridge where there is none.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbangweta: Mr Speaker, finally, it would be remiss of me if I did not comment on the brutality exhibited by an institution that is expected to protect citizens. I am referring to what was witnessed in Luanshya last week on 5th October, 2016.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbangweta: The prevention of citizens from going about their normal business on that day by constraining them from using certain roads, and the beating up and tear gassing of innocent unarmed and defenceless citizens by the police in Luanshya, including those who fell out of a moving vehicle, ...

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Mbangweta: ... was a serious violation of their human rights. Such actions should not be tolerated in a country that proclaims to be a democratic country. What happened should be condemned in the strongest terms.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbangweta: The Patriotic Front Government will do well to restrain some of the institutions  ...

Hon. Government Members: Time up! Time up!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Let him finish in silence. Whether what he is saying is palatable or not, he has the right to express himself.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

It is only me who can curtail his speech. You cannot curtail him while you are seated.

Continue, hon. Member.

Mr Mbangweta: Mr Speaker, I was saying that the prevention of citizens from going about their normal business on that day by preventing them from using certain roads and the subsequent beating up and tear gassing of innocent unarmed and defenceless citizens by the police in Luanshya, including those who fell out of a moving vehicle, was a serious violation of their human rights.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbangweta: Such actions should not be tolerated in a country that proclaims to be democratic and should be condemned in the strongest terms. The Patriotic Front Government should restrain some of the institutions they superintend from brutalising innocent citizens who contribute towards ...

Hon. Government Members: Sit Down!

Mr Mbangweta: I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

Please, you may address me either as “Mr Speaker” or “Sir” and not both.

Mr Mulenga (Ndola Central): Mr Speaker, thank you for according me the opportunity to deliver my maiden speech. Before I begin, allow me to congratulate His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and the first female elected Vice-President, Mrs Inonge Mutukwa Wina, on their victory.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulenga: I also wish to congratulate you, Mr Speaker, on your re-election to the honourable Office of Speaker of the National Assembly. I further congratulate the two Deputy Speakers on their unopposed and deserved election. I also wish to congratulate all hon. Members of Parliament on their election and nomination to this House.

Sir, I thank my wife, Bayenkhu Mphande Mulenga, my children, the Church, my parents, family members, friends and the people of Ndola Central Constituency for the support they rendered to me during the campaigns. I also extend my sincere gratitude to the Patriotic Front (PF), under the leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for supporting my adoption as a candidate for the Ndola Central Seat.

Mr Speaker, it would not have been possible for the President, the Mayor of Ndola, the seven ward councillors in Ndola Central and me to win the elections without the hand of the Almighty God. I say this especially because while others were preaching Armageddon, we, in the PF believe that each leader comes from God.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Mulenga: We thank God for giving us the opportunity to lead his people.

Sir, there is no better time for the people of Zambia to have chosen us to be their representatives than now. I wish to assure the people of Zambia that we shall not let them down or abandon them along the way. The PF is a pro-poor party with a desire to uplift the living standards of every Zambian regardless of age, tribe and region. The PF is about, “One Zambia, One Nation”.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, I have come to address this House from Ndola Central Constituency which is at the heart of the Copperbelt Province.

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulenga: However, I have come with a heavy heart because the people of Ndola are still faced with a lot of challenges which I will highlight shortly.

Laughter

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, Ndola District was the first administrative centre of the Copperbelt Province, having been created in 1904 with a small white population and large black population at what we know today as Twapia. Today, Ndola Central Constituency is one of the fastest growing constituencies in Zambia, but still experiences challenges in the following areas:

Sir, health is a key factor of production in any given area. The population of Ndola Central is growing at a rapid pace and we need to match this growth with proper health services. According to the July, 2016 Central Statistical Office Population Projection, the number of people in Ndola District stands at 540,923. However, there is only one referral hospital each for adults and children. Ndola Central Constituency has a total population of just under 200,000 people, but only has eight clinics. Chipulukusu Ward, which has a population of about 65,000, only has one clinic to cater for this population. Dag Hammarskjold Ward, which has a radius of 47 km, only has two clinics. So, there is a need for mini-hospitals for both Chipulukusu and Dag Hammarskjold wards.

Mr Speaker, the people of Ndola need more health services than ever before. As the Patriotic Front is a pro-poor Government, ...

Mr Livune: Ah!

Mr Mulenga: ... I will strive to ensure that mini-hospitals and health centres are built in the above-mentioned areas in order to enable people to access medical facilities.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulenga: Sir, any nation that does not invest in education is doomed. In view of this, the Government desires to improve education.

Hon. Opposition Members: Doom!

Mr Sikazwe: Iwe!

Interruptions

Mr Mulenga: Ndola Central Constituency has six secondary schools against twenty-one primary schools. This has brought a lot of pressure on poor people because they have to compete for places in the already overcrowded few secondary schools. Chipulukusu only has two primary schools and a few community schools, forcing pupils to walk more than 5-7 km to the nearest secondary schools. The people of Ndola Central appeal to the Ministry of General Education to consider building secondary schools in Chipulukusu and Twapia to ease the burden of pupils having to walk long distances.

Sir, in some parts of Dag Hammarskjold Ward, pupils go as far as Luanshya to access secondary school education.

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

Mr Mulenga: As a result, pupils end up renting houses away from home. This exposes them to social vices such as early marriages, ...

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

Mr Mulenga: ... unplanned pregnancies ...

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members sitting close to me, you know the traditional way of questioning. You are permitted to question, but not in the manner you are proceeding. Hon. Member for Katombola in particular ...

Laughter

Mr Speaker: This is a waste of time again.

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, I appeal to the hardworking Cabinet to come to the aid of Ndola Central and put up the much-needed secondary schools.

Sir, it is our goal to reduce the burden of water borne and communicable diseases by sparing some resources meant for other sectors. We thank the Government for the initiative to partner with Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company in the Danish Development Agency (DANIDA) Project, which has invested US$104,000 to provide water to 1,000 households in Chipulukusu Ward. However, there are still challenges relating to water supply in Twapia, Mapalo, Yengwe and Nkwazi wards. Nonetheless the challenges will soon be over because we shall embark on massive water infrastructure development involving the upgrading of rundown pipes, sinking of boreholes and creation of water kiosks to serve the people of my constituency.

Mr Speaker, the Patriotic Front Government has made a milestone in road infrastructure. However, more needs to be done, especially in Ndola Central Constituency. We still walk on the streets that were left by our colonial masters. There is a need to open new roads to decongest the existing ones. 

Mr Speaker, I was pleased to hear the President share in his speech his vision of creating an atmosphere where sectors will work together to meet the developmental challenges such as youth unemployment and high levels of poverty by harnessing our youthful population into a productive one. Most of our population are youths and Ndola Central is no exception. There are many unemployed youths in Chipulukusu, Nkwazi and Twapia. This has resulted in an increase in poverty levels. These are densely-populated communities that need more attention. As His Excellency the President has pointed out, we need to diversify from mining into agriculture. In view of this, we intend to build a farming block in the constituency that will create 1,000 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs for the young people. This will not only improve our national food security, but also create employment and increase the gross domestic product (GDP).

Mr Speaker, it is saddening to note that the conditions of the Youth Fund are overwhelming and do not attract the young people. The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development should come up with an attractive package that will enable young people to access the funds. Currently, only a few youths are being empowered. As hon. Member of Parliament, I will ensure that more youths have access to the funds.

Sir, the leader of this great nation, His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has put emphasis on diversifying the economy through agriculture. So, we intend to come up with measures that will promote fisheries and livestock. We want to equip our people with more skills so that this sector can be viable and create jobs for our people, and make Ndola Central Constituency food secured. We will ensure that we have enough livestock that will boost the agriculture sector. We want Ndola Central Constituency to lead in the diversification process and create many jobs in the agriculture sector.

Mr Speaker, job creation and industrialisation will be our priority in order to improve the lives of our people in Ndola Central Constituency. We are here to work for the people …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulenga: … who have entrusted us with the power to lead them. Our people have high expectations from us. Therefore, it is prudent that whilst we are in this Parliament, we do away with the poverty that is affecting our people.

Sir, allow me to debate the President’s Speech whose theme is, “Building an Integrated Multi-Sectoral Approach to Development that Enhances Inclusiveness in Development without Leaving Anyone Behind”.
Sir, this theme fits well in our plan for Ndola Central Constituency. This month marks fifty-two years of Independence, yet we have not liberated ourselves from poverty, unemployment, ...

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulenga: … and poor water, and sanitation. It is our duty to pursue the desires of our people to create a healthy society.

Mr Speaker, the President’s Speech has given solutions to all the challenges that we have been faced with in the fifty-one years of Independence. His Excellency the President has assured us that his Government will develop and implement the Industrialisation Policy in order to address the high levels of unemployment.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulenga: Sir, further, we have been assured of a new Trade Investment and Enterprise Development Bill. The expanded investments through the joint venture and partnership between local and foreign investors address the high level of unemployment, which our people are faced with today. This is what we call, “walking the talk” because it addresses the challenges that our people are faced with. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulenga: Sir, I support the President’s proposal to create new ministries that will take care of most of the challenges that our people are faced with. We all know that constituencies such as Ikeleng’i and Livingstone Central are faced with challenges of poor water and sanitation and other environmental problems. Therefore, the new ministry in charge of water and sanitation will address these issues.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, the ministry will also be in charge of the National Water and Sewerage Company (NWASCO), which is currently under the Ministry of Local Government and Housing and the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), which is currently under the Ministry of Tourism, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. This will go a long way in addressing the challenges of ineffective service delivery. In Ndola Central Constituency, we support the intentions of His Excellency the President to create new ministries with specific portfolios to facilitate the provision of water and sanitation services, and housing that will contribute to the effective co-ordination and realisation of financial and human resources, particularly the water and sanitation sub-sector, thereby, leading to improved service delivery.

Mr Speaker, the estimated 1.3 million housing deficit our country is experiencing is yet another indication of the inadequate support to this critical sector which is supposed to promote the right to a decent standard of living. The creation of the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development has the potential to help meet the current housing deficit.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, let me also take this opportunity to thank the PF and His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Changwa Lungu, …

Laughter

Hon. Government Members: Chagwa!

Mr Mulenga: … for the massive development which the Zambian people have benefited from in the last five years.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, I must say that under the Patriotic Front Government, this country is on the path to economic emancipation.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, with these few remarks, I ask God to bless the Republic of Zambia.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr K. M. Tembo (Sinda): Mr Speaker, let me start by congratulating you, and the two Deputy Speakers on your election. Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate the President of this nation, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, together with Her Honour the Vice-President, Madam Inonge Mutukwa Wina, on their election.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr K. M. Tembo: Mr Speaker, allow me to begin by expressing my gratitude to you for giving me this rare opportunity to give my maiden speech in this august House.

Hon. PF Member: Chaya, mwana!

Mr K. M. Tembo: Sir, it is an honour to be part of this august House.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr K. M. Tembo: Mr Speaker, I would be failing in my duties if I did not show gratitude to the people of Sinda for electing me into the office of Member of Parliament.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr K. M. Tembo: Allow me to assure the people that I will strive not to let them down, but serve them all wholeheartedly ...

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr K. M. Tembo: ... whether or not they voted for me. We need concerted effort if our constituency is to develop.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. PF Member: Ema Independent, aya!

Mr K. M. Tembo: Mr Speaker, the campaign was a tedious journey but, because we worked as a united force, we emerged victorious.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr K. M. Tembo: Mr Speaker, in the recent past, besides its declaration as a district, Sinda has witnessed a number of developmental projects such as the construction of a day secondary school and a police station.

Hon. PF members: Hear, hear!

Mr K. M. Tembo: We, the people of Sinda, are grateful for the effort that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is making to better our lives.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr K. M. Tembo: However, I must state that we are still faced with a lot of challenges. Sir, we are a farming community whose livelihood is dependent on both crop and livestock farming.  Therefore, our appeal to this Government is that it looks into our plight as farmers, especially as regards the provision of farming inputs, access to markets and a strong marketing system.

Sir, it was gratifying to hear that this Government will prioritise agriculture.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr K. M. Tembo: While it is long overdue, it is a sign of better things to come and I am sure that my constituency will benefit from this Government.
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr K. M. Tembo: Mr Speaker, other challenges include dilapidated feeder roads which make it difficult for farmers to transport their produce to the market. Similarly, Kazangazi and Chitawe bridges have been washed away.

Laughter

Mr K. M. Tembo: Mr Speaker, with the coming rainy season, I can only feel for the people in the affected areas. I appeal to the Government to prioritise the rehabilitation of feeder roads.

Hon. Member: Hammer!

Mr K. M. Tembo: Mr Speaker, there are inadequate health services in Sinda. Though it is now a district, it still does not have a Government hospital. We appreciate the Church for the effort it has made in improving the health status of our people through the provision of health services at Nyanje Mission Hospital. However, this hospital is more than 20 km off the main road which is gravel. You can imagine the challenge of using such a road, especially for expectant mothers.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr K. M. Tembo: Mr Speaker, the population of Sinda has grown compared to the available water points. Therefore, it is a nightmare for our mothers who have to draw water. Given these challenges, I appeal to the Government to look into the areas of need that I have mentioned since Sinda is a new and upcoming district.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr K. M. Tembo: My biggest appeal is that the construction of a hospital be prioritised.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr K. M. Tembo: As earlier stated, we are a farming community. As such, I would like to appeal to the Government to support livestock farming the same way it supports crop farming. We also appeal to the Government to provide veterinary services and construct dams which will help reduce the challenge of a lack of water for livestock.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr K. M. Tembo: Mr Speaker, as a largely rural constituency, one of the challenges Sinda is faced with is that of early marriages. As Member of Parliament, I would like to state that I will do everything within my means to ensure that we bring child marriages to an end.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr K. M. Tembo: Sir, we want to see our girls completing their education and contributing to the development of this great nation.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr K. M. Tembo: Mr Speaker, as duly elected Member of Parliament, I would like to pledge to the people of Sinda that I will do my best to lobby for development. So, Hon. Chitotela for Works and Supply and Hon. Mwale for Local Government and Housing, I will be knocking at your doors. Please, do not get tired of me.

Laughter

Mr K. M. Tembo: Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I wish to state that I appreciate that the country is faced with a number of challenges. My appeal to the Government is that we put our efforts together so that we can realise the great potential that this country has.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr K. M. Tembo: Mr Speaker, the speech presented by His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on the Official Opening of this National Assembly gives me and the people of Sinda hope that we are going to move the country forward.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Indeed, we need to move on.

Laughter

Mr Kasandwe (Bangweulu): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to present my maiden speech and to contribute to the debate on the speech delivered by the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, to this House on the Official Opening of the First Session of the Twelfth National Assembly on Friday, 30th September, 2016. I congratulate him on his overwhelming victory.

Mr Speaker, before I go any further, I wish to join others in congratulating you on your deserved election as Speaker of this House. Likewise, my speech would be incomplete if I did not congratulate the two Deputy Speakers on their election to these important positions.

Mr Speaker, I further wish to congratulate Her Honour the Vice-President on her election, the Cabinet and Provincial Ministers on their appointment and all hon. Members of Parliament who have made it to the House this time around.

Mr Speaker, allow me to humbly express my profound gratitude to the people of Bangweulu Constituency for, once again, entrusting me with the responsibility to spearhead development in the area. I am, indeed, indebted to them.

I, therefore, pledge to do my best within the available means to ensure that the desired development is realised. The people’s cry for employment opportunities, clean water, good roads and timely delivery of services is mine too.

Mr Speaker, I would also like to thank my wife, Kampamba Lesa, and the campaign team headed by Theresa Kabamba, for their dedication and support. To the traditional and church leaders, the entire Patriotic Front (PF) family, relatives and friends, and even those not known to me, I humbly thank them most sincerely from the innermost of my soul for their support but, most importantly, for their vote.

Sir, the people of Bangweulu have, once again, chosen development by voting for the PF and its leadership. They are hopeful that the Patriotic Front Government will, among other things, consider doing the following in Bangweulu Constituency:

(a) upgrade Kapata/Twingi Road to bituminous standard. Once this is done, the cost of doing business will reduce, employment opportunities will expand and, above all, the living standards of the people will improve;

(b) upgrade Chinsanka and Kasanka rural health centres to zonal referral clinics;

(c) upgrade Kafubashi, Chisokone, Kalasamukoso and Katanshya primary schools into fully-fledged senior secondary schools to cater for the pupils in these areas who cover long distances to access high school education. Once this is done, it will reduce the cost of travelling and also provide security, especially for the girl children;

(d) turn Samfya District into a tourist headquarters for the province with modern infrastructure, increase bed space for hotels and lodges and construct a modern airport runway for easy access to the area;

(e) construct a training centre for tourism, fish-farming and fish management; and

(f) upgrade the water network for improved water supply for the growing population.

Mr Speaker, I wish to reassure the people of Bangweulu Constituency that the Patriotic Front Government will not fail them because, so far, it has demonstrated a high level of commitment in delivering development.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kasandwe: I, therefore, have no doubt that in the next five years and beyond, the PF will deliver to the expectation of the people of Bangweulu Constituency.

Sir, let me now apply myself to the President’s Speech that was delivered in this House on 30th September, 2016. I will concentrate on the importance of skills training in the five priority sectors that the President identified in his speech. In his speech, the President brought out a number of co-ordinated interventions to grow the economy and reduce poverty, hence improving the living conditions of the Zambian people at large.

Mr Speaker, in direct response to the high unemployment, low income and consequent high poverty levels among our people, it is the intention of the President, as shown in his speech, to transform Zambia’s economy by focusing on skills development in sectors with high potential for employment creation. In this regard, the Patriotic Front Government will focus its efforts on promoting skills development in agriculture, tourism, mining, manufacturing and infrastructure development to enable the Zambian people, especially the youth and women, to earn sustainable incomes to improve their livelihood.

Sir, the Patriotic Front Government’s strategy on industrialisation and job creation is expected to create one million jobs in the next five years. This is possible if only we can concentrate on skills training in the five priority areas. The jobs will be generated from five growth sectors that have been identified as having potential to achieve the objectives of promoting growth, employment, value addition and expanding Zambia’s economic base. These sectors have the highest requirements of labour and labour intensive projects, and the potential to be highly competitive.

Mr Speaker, for this to be realised, vocational skills training, as pointed out by His Excellency the President, becomes cardinal. Therefore, to address the challenge of employment creation, there is a need to develop skills development programmes to be implemented in the identified priority sectors. The Government, therefore, must endeavour to expand access to skills training in order to address the inadequate supply of requisite skills to support its industrialisation effort, particularly in the identified priority sectors.

Sir, it is a known fact that technical and vocational skills training are without doubt vital ingredients of any development process. Therefore, to achieve the necessary material growth; to make people creative and constructive; to make them live better lives and be fully alive; and to enable them to grow and become all that modernity wants them to be, Zambia must increase her effort at cultivating technical and vocational skills training at all levels of learning. For any training programme to be sustainable, it must address a specific challenge. It should, therefore, be tailored towards the needs of the economy at any given time.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, allow me to express my profound gratitude to the PF for adopting me as a suitable candidate to represent the good people of Bangweulu on behalf of the party. I will always be grateful for the privilege.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kunda (Muchinga): Mr Speaker, I will combine the President’s Speech and my maiden speech. Thank you for according me the opportunity to deliver my maiden speech. Today is a special day for me because it marks the new dawn of my term in this august House after the successful completion of my result-oriented father’s term from 2012 to 2016. Indeed, it was a fruitful four years. I owe it to God who has made it possible for this son of the soil to see this day for it is not by might, but by God’s never ending Divine Grace that I have lived to see this great day. I am truly grateful. Thanks to the Creator.

Hon. Government Members: Amen!

Mr Kunda: Mr Speaker, allow me to congratulate His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and Her Honour the Vice-President, Mama Inonge Mutukwa Wina, on their victory in the just-ended General Elections. Their victory is s sign of the mount of confidence the people have in them …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kunda: … to occupy the two highest offices of the land and also preside over the affairs of this great nation.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kunda: Mr Speaker, allow me to further give credit to my party president, Hon. Felix Chapota Mutati, ...

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kunda: ... who is also the Minister of Finance, for his support.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kunda: Sir, to the National Secretary of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) (Mr Raphael Nakachinda), and the entire leadership of the MMD, I say thank you for the confidence and belief in me. I also thank you for according me the chance to stand on the party ticket.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kunda: Mr Speaker, allow me to further congratulate you and your two Deputies on your well-deserved election to the offices you are currently holding. I have no doubt that you will discharge your duties diligently and in an impartial manner.

Sir, allow me to thank my ever-supporting family for the support it rendered to me. I thank my beautiful wife, Ann, my lovely mother, Mrs Ireen Kunda, my brothers and sisters, aunties and uncles and, last but not the least, my children who are a bundle of joy. It would not have been easy without my wife. So, I am greatly humbled by her support.

Hon. Government Member: Say I love you.

Laughter
Mr Kunda: Sir, special thanks go to my grandmother for the wisdom and encouragement to continue with the journey of truly serving the amazing people of Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency, and Zambia as a whole. To my campaign team led by my campaign manager, Mr Joel Mupeta, I say you are the best. You left the comfort of your homes to embark on the campaign trail with me throughout the constituency. I am highly humbled and grateful to you all. God bless you. To the Patriotic Front (PF) campaign team, I say thank you for the partnership of campaigning for the President and the Vice-President. It is for the good of the people of Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency and Zambia as a whole. I can proudly say that the partnership of the MMD and PF was only realistic in my constituency.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kunda: Sir, to the good people of Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency, I wish to say you are simply the best. I will not take your vote for granted. I promise to be at your service, just as I was in the previous term. I will work diligently to the best of my abilities and capabilities in bringing development to our beloved constituency.

Mr Speaker, at this juncture, allow me to talk about some of the sectors that the President talked about in his speech to this House. I would like to talk about sectors that relate to my constituency and highlight some of the projects that I would like to see worked on and completed in the next five years as I wholeheartedly undertake this task of serving the people of my constituency.

Mr Speaker, whilst working hand-in-hand with the Government under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, my expectations are that the three high schools will be completed to enable not only the people of Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency, but the entire Serenje District to have access to quality education and, therefore, make possible the saying that goes, “Education is the Key to Success”.

Sir, just as the theme of the President’s Address to this august House states, “Building an Integral Multi-Sectoral Approach to Development that Enhances Inclusiveness in Development without leaving Anyone Behind”, I wish to clearly state that the people of Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency do not want to be left behind.

Mr Speaker, as you may be aware, Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency is naturally an area that practices agriculture. We also produce different cash crops such as cassava, maize, soya beans, beans, sweet potatoes, to mention but a few. What is needed is to boost agriculture production and processing initiatives, provide new efficient and effective methods in the agriculture sector to amplify productivity and increase the local farmers’ earnings in the long run. Fish farming is another sector that needs exploitation, as there are many streams that can support fish farming.

Mr Speaker, during my previous term as Member of Parliament, I embarked on building health posts in my constituency so as to make health facilities easily accessible and shorten the long distances that the people had to cover to access health care and subsequently save more lives. Some of them have been completed, while others are yet to be completed, hence the urgent need to have them completed. In support of this, I wish to gladly state that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has worked favourably in my constituency. On that note, I wish to appeal to the Government to release the CDF in the quickest time possible so as to help facilitate the completion of the many projects that are underway.

Sir, as an agriculture area for various food production and a place where the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) buys a lot of maize from, Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency needs a good road network for easy transportation of goods and services to Lusaka and other parts of the country. It is, therefore, sad to state that the roads are in a bad state. I humbly request the Government to quickly improve the road network by grading the roads.

Mr Speaker, I wish to state that Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency is blessed with different types of gemstones. In view of this, people can venture into gemstone mining which would result in job creation and subsequently generate foreign exchange. I would like to see the implementation of a policy that will empower the indigenous youths with licences. Once issued with licences, the youths could partner with investors who are interested in venturing into gemstone mining. This will subsequently result in a wider tax base.

Sir, my constituency houses Lusiwasi Power Station, which is being expanded currently to increase the power-generating capacity. I wish to bring to the attention of the Government that the Kundalila Falls can also be exploited to generate power and ultimately contribute to the creation and provision of the 1 million jobs that the President mentioned in his speech.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to urge my fellow hon. Members of Parliament in this august House to embrace the spirit of oneness and work together with the Republican President ...

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kunda: ...  and his Government for the greater benefit of our country. I also wish to state that the development of this country depends on unity, as stated in our motto, “One Zambia, One Nation”.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kunda: Sir, allow me to end by congratulating my fellow hon. Members of Parliament on emerging victorious in the various constituencies of our beloved great nation. I thank you and may God bless you.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simfukwe (Mbala): Mr Speaker, I would like to join all the hon. Members who have already congratulated His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and Her Honour the Vice-President, Mrs Inonge Wina, on their resounding and convincing victory in the 11th August, 2016 General Elections.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simfukwe: I also join them in congratulating you, Sir, and your two Deputy Speakers on your election to head this very important legislative wing of our democratic system of governance.

Mr Speaker, as I commence my second term as hon. Member of Parliament for Mbala Constituency, I wish to express my gratitude to the Patriotic Front (PF) leadership at all levels, namely His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, the Central Committee, the Northern Province Executive Committee, Mbala District Executive Committee and all the constituency officials for unanimously supporting my adoption as the PF Candidate for Mbala Constituency.

Mr Speaker, I am thankful for all the material and moral support that was extended to me during the campaign period. I bow to all the grassroots structures in Mbala and assure them that I will not take this support and show of confidence in me for granted. Instead, I will reciprocate by continuing to be a loyal and dedicated member of the PF and an effective and practical development agent of the Patriotic Front Government in Mbala.

Mr Speaker, may I also extend special thanks to my family and all my friends in Mbala, Lusaka and elsewhere, especially my children, brothers and sisters, most of whom left their homes and accompanied me on the grueling three-month campaign.

Mr Speaker, allow me to talk about some issues of development in Mbala District. The district, which has a high altitude and moderate temperatures, which are never too hot or too cold, and a population of over 203,000, is Zambia’s most northern town. It is located on the southern end of Lake Tanganyika and about 1,000 km from Lusaka. It borders Senga Hill, which is now a district, Nakonde and Mpulungu. Most of the people in Mbala are farmers, but there are many trading activities. Only about 30 per cent of the population is in formal employment.

Mr Speaker, although Mbala is one of the oldest districts in the country, it has a lot of underdeveloped infrastructure. However, with regard to the road sector, we are happy that over 10.4 km of township roads, which used to be dusty, were recently tarred by a company called China Camc Engineering Company Limited contracted by the Road Development Agency (RDA). I must say that this has changed the landscape of Mbala.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simfukwe: Mr Speaker, we understand that another 20 km of the same township roads have been earmarked to be worked on by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. We are looking forward to the commencement of the works. The completion of the tarring of 167 km of the Mbala/Nakonde Road has left people in the constituency happy. This has reduced the travelling time to Nakonde from one or two days in the past to just one or two hours.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simfukwe: Mr Speaker, there was some effort by the Rural Roads Unit (RRU) …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Simfukwe: Madam Speaker, when business was suspended, I was saying that we were happy when we saw the equipment being deployed in the constituency to rehabilitate the Kamuzwazi/Kaka/Mwamba/Kawimbe Road in Mbala. However, the works have only been done halfway. Our prayer is that the equipment will be returned sometime this year to complete the works, as this is a very important road.

On a positive note, however, we were happy with the President’s pronouncement last year that civilian aircraft will now be allowed to land at the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Base in Mbala. This will certainly boost tourism in Mbala, the surrounding districts and the Northern Province as a whole.

Madam Speaker, the Mbala/Kaseshya Road is part of Phase III of the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project. We look forward to the construction of the road because it leads to a very important border with Tanzania. We want to see activities like those at the Nakonde Border taking place on the Mbala front.

Madam Speaker, Lumi Bridge, which is one of the important bridges in the area, collapsed and the then Provincial Minister, Hon. Sikazwe, and his team managed to come up with a design for a replacement bridge. We look forward to the actual construction of the new bridge at Lumi. The other roads that I look forward to being constructed or upgraded are Kawimbe/Kawama, Kalambo Falls/Chisanza and Mbala/Kawama roads.

Madam Speaker, I was happy when the President, in his last speech to this House, said that there will be one skills training centre in every district because there has never been a skills training centre in Mbala. The provincial administration has been constructing one, but the project has taken long due to inadequate funding. We hope that it will be completed under the new programme that the President announced.

Madam Speaker, in terms of education, we are grateful to the Government for reopening St. Mary’s University College. This is old infrastructure that has been lying idly for many years but, with support from His Excellency the President and his Government, money was allocated to this institution and it has now started operating.

New schools and staff houses have also been constructed at Kaka and Holland-Kela. We are also grateful for the upgrading of sixteen basic schools into secondary schools. The Government has also bought equipment for Lucheche Secondary School.  All this has cheered the people of Mbala who are grateful to the Government. However, Madam Speaker, we would like to see the construction of additional classroom blocks at the upgraded secondary schools. We would also like to see more degree-holderteachers posted to the schools as is the policy for secondary schools. We also look forward to seeing more teachers allocated to the many community schools in Mbala.

Madam Speaker, the sixteen schools that have been upgraded are not enough because there are still long distances between primary and secondary schools. So, we would like to see the upgrading programme extended to other schools.

Madam Speaker, the Government has constructed Mulefu Health Post, Mwenda Clinic, Tulemane Clinic and rehabilitated the Surgical and X-ray departments at Mbala Hospital. However, we still want our share of the 650 health posts being constructed. So far, no health post has been constructed in Mbala under this programme. We also need health posts at Chilungoma, Pumpha, Uningi, Maroundi overspill, Chipasi, Yona and Mwambala because these are very far from the nearest health centres.

Madam, as you know, Mbala depends entirely on agriculture for its economic survival. We are happy that for the 2016/2017 farming season, the allocation of fertiliser packs has been almost doubled. As the highest producer of maize in the Northern Province and Zambia, Mbala will benefit immensely from this increase. However, we would like to see the creation of more depots for people to sell their maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) instead of briefcase buyers. We are also grateful for the completion of the storage shed of 500 metric-tonne capacity in Mbala. The support that Mbala has received to rehabilitate the only farming training centre in order to protect against livestock diseases will boost agriculture in Mbala.

Madam Speaker, before I comment on the President’s Speech, it would be helpful to comment on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as it is important for the development of constituencies like ours.

Mr Bwalya: Hear, hear!

Mr Simfukwe: Madam Speaker, whereas some people do not consider the CDF to be critical, some of us find it useful in our constituencies. In Mbala, the CDF for 2014 alone accounted for the rehabilitation of a minimum of twenty-three schools and staff houses. If you go to Kalambo, Kamyanga, Namukale, Chilipula, Musipazi, Mwambala Chisenga and many others, you will be surprised to see how much the CDF has helped these schools to develop infrastructure, to replace thatched roofs with iron sheets and to build a classroom block at a Catholic-run paraplegic children centre. You will also be surprised to see how the CDF for 2014 has financed the construction of allowed crossings points at Chipoma, Lombwe, Mulunda, Kaziwe, Mayanga and Chitindi.

Madam Speaker, the CDF for 2014 has also helped us to lay a 1 km water pipe from a reservoir to the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO)/Mbulu Compound in the urban centre of Mbala and complete Musipazi Clinic. We have also completed mother’s shelters at Kalekwa and Saint Paul’s clinics while the construction of the clinic at Chilungoma has started.

Madam Speaker, I have said this because like most hon. Members of Parliament, I appreciate the importance of the CDF and think that it be increased, as it is a decentralised form of supporting community initiatives. There are many examples of the impact the CDF has made towards the development of constituencies. In this regard, I join other hon. Members in appealing to the hon. Minister of Finance and the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to increase the CDF from the current K1.4 million to a much higher figure so that it acts as a fore runner to the decentralisation initiative. It will also allow for the implementation of the Patriotic Front Manifesto on equitable development.

Madam Speaker, I wish to make a few comments on the President’s Speech. As I listened to His Excellency the President’s Speech and after studying it, it became clear to me that he has a vision to see tangible outputs from the Public Service.

Mr Bwalya: Hear, hear!

Mr Simfukwe: Madam Speaker, the President wants to see innovation in both the private and parastatal sectors. When the Head of State stated in his speech that, “The solution to our current economical and social challenges must be ground breaking, effective and empowering to the widest possible degree,” it was obvious that he was inviting the public and private sectors to be game changers. He also referred to performance contracts at Permanent Secretary (PS) level which have already been implemented. In his speech, the President ordered that the programme be rolled out to the rest of the Public Service. To me, this was a challenge to all of us to walk the talk.

Hon PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simfukwe: I would be surprised if anyone opposed this concept of performance contracts because it eliminates laziness, incompetence and generally isolates unpatriotic people from those who care about the development of this country.

Hon PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simfukwe: Madam Speaker, as we finalise the Seventh National Development Plan, there is a need to follow the directive of the President that all the benchmarks that we set in our development plans should be measureable, tangible and linked to performance. This also applies to the acceleration of decentralisation. If we do not set targets for achieving progress in decentralisation, as directed by the President, it will be another long period of talk without action because there will be nothing against which we can measure progress on achieving decentralisation in our country.

Madam Speaker, the President also referred to the development of local industrial linkages. Again, this may not yield any results if players in the private sector and all of us do not appreciate the need for local industrial development. It is not enough to depend on royalties from the mines. It is time we developed an industry of local manufacturing around the mines so that we can achieve more than just salaries and royalties.

Madam Speaker, the President referred to the need to have cheap and abundant energy. If we do not have abundant and affordable energy, even the key microeconomic indicators that he referred to of a double digit gross domestic product (GDP) and single digit inflation will be difficult to achieve. Again, it is a challenge to the players in this industry to make sure that they set benchmarks to achieving low and affordable energy in the country.

Madam Speaker, for example, we are expecting two solar plants to be set up at the Lusaka South Multi-facility Economic Zone (MFEZ). So, it is important for the people concerned with these programmes to set clear targets on when these will come on board. The same applies to the rest of the energy programmes that we have in the country because low, cheap and affordable energy is critical to the achievement of the macro objectives that the President referred to in his speech.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I just wish to say that it is obvious that His Excellency the President’s challenge to all of us is that we need to answer the following critical questions:

(a) how are we going to create opportunities for the hardworking farmers so that they can increase their income and truly prosper;

(b) how are we going to position the farmers to engage in the market place and the economy; and

(c) how are we going to strengthen the producer/consumer links in agriculture; and
 
(d) how can we help farmers and attain value addition in agriculture?

Madam, these are assignments that the President left us with both in the public and the private sectors. So, it is now up to us to live up to the challenge and come up with the necessary strategies so that we can achieve that which we intend to accomplish.

Madam Speaker, when the President says that the hand hoe must be banished, he means that we need to use technology. This is a challenge to all those who are in charge of the development of technology so that we can replace the hand hoe with another form of technology that is easily affordable to the small-scale farmers and which can be produced in bulk like the hand hoe. These are the challenges that His Excellency the President left us with.

 Madam Speaker, with those few comments, I submit my maiden speech.

 I thank you, Madam.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi (Sesheke Central): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to deliver my maiden speech in this august House as Member of Parliament for Sesheke Central.

Madam, I would like to thank the people of Sesheke for the honour they have bestowed upon me to represent them in this House.

Madam Speaker, allow me to join the other hon. Members of Parliament who spoke before me in congratulating the Speaker, as well as the First and Second deputy speakers on their election.

 Madam, I would like to thank the United Party for National Development’s (UPND) Leadership …

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: … in particular, our president, Mr Hakainde Hichilema …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: … for adopting me as its candidate. My thanks and appreciation also go to our campaign team that, with limited resources in the face of chitenges, which were falling like leaves from trees, …

Laughter

 Mr Mwale: Question!

Mr Kufakwandi: … was able to deliver a resounding victory for me and the UPND, …

 Mr Livune:  Hear, hear!

   Mr Kufakwandi: … the party of choice for the people of Sesheke Central Constituency.

 Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: Madam Speaker, I also wish to thank and acknowledge the invaluable support and encouragement that my family and friends gave me in various ways during the campaign.

Madam, after fifty-two years of being neglected and left behind by the national train of development, the people of Sesheke Central still have some hope that the next five years will be a turning point and that the national train of development will pick them up to join the rest of the country so that they can claim their rightful share of the national cake.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: This is the reason I am here as their elected representative.

Madam, we have not seen the much publicised and unprecedented levels of development in our constituency. What we have witnessed are the rising and unprecedented levels of poverty, hunger and suffering of our people. Sesheke Central Constituency remains backward and poor in the midst of rich endowments of natural resources such as land, forests, water bodies, fertile valleys, wildlife/livestock, fisheries and minerals in addition to human capital. These resources remain unexploited or underutilised due to the failure of successive governments since Independence to put in place a plan to develop the area, compounded by the unfair distribution of resources for national development in the country. As a result, the constituency lacks good feeder roads, has poor social delivery systems, with both education and health services being inadequate, in a dilapidated state and far apart.

 Madam Speaker, in most of the constituency, pupils have to walk 10 km or more to reach their schools, while expectant mothers have to travel 100 km on foot or by Scotch cart to reach the only hospital, Yeta Community Hospital, at the Boma to seek medical attention. Most of them do not make it to the health facility, as they die on the way. It is in this regard that I am requesting the Government to build more health centres to ease the suffering of the people of my constituency.

 Madam, certain parts of my constituency such as Imusho, Lwampungu and Nsonso have been forgotten since Independence, as the living conditions of the people in these areas have remained the same since 1964 and, in some cases, even worse. During years of poor harvest, the people in these areas largely depend on what nature can provide in the form of wild fruits and tubers. As they fend for themselves in this way, they are harassed and arrested by officers from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

Madam Speaker, while the constituency is endowed with large water bodies such as rivers and lakes, 60 per cent of the population has no access to clean water while sanitation facilities are limited or non-existent. Even at Sesheke Boma, which is situated on the banks of the Mighty Zambezi River, a large proportion of the residents have no access to portable water and have to draw water from the Zambezi River as if they were not living in what one can term the urban area in the constituency. This is a shame to our country.

Madam, people in many areas of the constituency have been attacked and killed by crocodiles as they fetch water from rivers and streams or when crossing the Zambezi River in canoes to seek social services on the other side of the river. This has been happening for decades while the country and Government watch and do nothing about it.
 Madam Speaker, how long shall our people continue to live with this danger hanging over their heads? We also have a situation where human being, wild animals and cattle drink from the same shallow wells in the Kalobolelwa and Imusho wards. This is not acceptable in an independent and supposedly democratic State.

Madam, to start the process of bringing development to rural constituencies like Sesheke Central and to the rest of the Western Province, we need to take electricity and other forms of energy to light up these areas to put them in a good state for development. Like good rural roads, electrification of the remote parts of Sesheke where large tracts of forests and fertile valleys are situated, will attract investors to exploit and process timber resources as well as farm the fertile valleys that are an answer to the challenges of climate change as they offer a pathway to the transition to climate resilient agriculture in our constituency. In these valleys, we can harvest, at least, twice a year with very little investment in agriculture infrastructure.

 Madam Speaker, Sesheke Central Constituency has no industry to talk about, leaving a huge army of youths in search of employment and a livelihood. The timber resources, which can be processed and create employment opportunities for the youths, are being carted away to other countries to feed their timber industry and create employment.

Madam, when the agro and fisheries industries are developed, they are potential sources of employment for the youths. Again, the unemployment situation in the constituency has been compounded by years of neglect by the Government.

Madam Speaker, my constituency borders two countries, Angola and Namibia, and many of the young people are involved in cross-border trading. Restrictions on the movement of goods at the border make it difficult for the young people to grow their businesses. There is so much talk about free trade in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), but the ordinary traders or people are not benefiting much from it.

Madam Speaker, let me now set forth what the people of my constituency expect and demand this Government to attend to in the next five years. Most of these expectations should have been attended to during the past decades, but neglect and a lack of strategic orientation by those who should have taken action has left our people in abject poverty and desperation.

Our people want improved access to clean and portable water and better sanitation services. They want the following feeder roads to be constructed: Imusho/Katima Mulilo, Lusu/Makanda/Ngweze and Sesheke/Boma/Lwampungu/Nonso. They are asking for the upgrading of mud and pole/thatched schools into modern structures in the remote parts of the constituency, construction of teachers’ houses and lighting up of the structures.

The people want  the construction of rural health centres in all the wards to bring quality medical services closer to the people, construction of communication towers to improve communication and radio reception, lighting up of the rural areas of the constituency to spur the start of industries, including cottage industries, establishment of a game management area (GMA) to act as a buffer zone between human settlements and the Sioma/Ngweze National Park in Imusho Ward to reduce human/animal conflict. I believe that this is the only national park which has no GMA to act as a buffer between the population and the park.

Madam Speaker, the people are also asking for the construction of an aerodrome in the Sioma/Ngweze National Park and the provision of incentives to investors to set up lodges in the park to create employment for the local people and boost tourism in the area.

Further, the forests of Sesheke are being threatened by uncontrolled exploitation and encroachment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to introduce acceptable standards of forest management in the forests of Sesheke which, alongside agriculture, has the potential to be important drivers of the economy of the constituency. The people of Sesheke Central also want the promotion of wood and agro industries to create employment and value addition so that they take advantage of the proximity to markets in Angola and Namibia as well as the domestic market.

Madam Speaker, there is a need to facilitate access to empowerment funds for women, the youth and marketeers, as Sesheke Central Constituency has not had its share of the funds. We have hosted a number of hon. Ministers in Sesheke, but all they have left us are application forms. The Government needs to complete the resurfacing of the Sesheke/Kazungula Road, which is an important trunk road for the country’s exports and imports. It raises a lot of concern when such an important road is left in such a state while huge resources are going towards the construction of township roads. We have to set our priorities right.

Lastly, there are forty former workers of Zambezi Sawmill who were retrenched in the 90s. To date, they have not been paid their severance packages and benefits.

Madam Speaker, this is not just a list of demands and expectations by the people in my constituency, but a call for action to transform and improve the lives and living conditions of the people of Sesheke Central Constituency.

Madam Speaker, I would now like to briefly comment on the speech delivered by the President when he opened Parliament on 30th September, 2016. As we know, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has trimmed Zambia’s growth forecast for 2016 and 2017 to 3 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively in the face of low copper prices and the continuing load-shedding, which has clamped the production capacity of the mines and industry in general.

While the economy is faced with such challenges, the Government, which has proposed to create new ministries and districts, continues with its spending as though our economy is not going through difficult times. This will put more strain on the already depressed economy, thus increasing the Budget deficit. This country must move from free spending to living within its means.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: Creating new ministries to expand the already large Cabinet for a small country like Zambia will not contribute to economic stabilisation, which is a pre-requisite to growing the economy in the medium term.

Bearing in mind the above, it is doubtful that the President’s pronouncements in his address to Parliament will be achieved. The President’s pronouncements were too general and lacked specifics, especially in the areas of transforming agriculture, …

Mr Chiteme: Question!

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: … as the main driver of the economy and diversification. There was no indication, in terms of where we are in the form of baseline data. If we do not know where we are, we will not be able to accurately assess our performance in future.

 Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: In a number of areas, most of the issues raised by the President have been raised before. What we need is action guided by prudent and fiscal discipline. Inconsistent policies, excessive borrowing, weakened and compromised public institutions have contributed greatly to the predicament that the country finds itself in today.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: Strong political, economic and financial institutions are the main determinants of achieving economic success and prosperity.

Our country’s institutions are too weak to spur the country to prosperity.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: We need to strengthen these institutions and free them from political interference.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: We need a phased plan for the diversification of our economy with clear targets and milestones. A gross domestic product (GDP) growth of less than 10 per cent is unlikely to have any impact on reducing poverty levels in the country. The Patriotic Front (PF) inherited an economy that was growing at 6 per cent, but which is now down to 3 per cent, with little prospects of reducing poverty, especially in rural areas.

Hon. UPND Members: Shame!

Mr Kufakwandi: The double digit GDP growth rate proposed in the President’s Speech will be difficult to achieve from a rate as low as 3 per cent, as forecast by the IMF, and in the face of low copper prices and a clamped production capacity in the mines and industry.

Madam Speaker, another area I wish to comment on is that of governance. Our record in governance in the recent past has been bad and disappointing. It appears that there is a plan to silence the Opposition by arresting leaders, particularly those from the UPND …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: … so as to plant fear in the membership of the party.

We shall remain resolute. We shall not be intimidated …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: … or cowed into submission.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

I want to listen to the debate.

Mr Kufakwandi: We do not believe in the power of force.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: We believe in the power of reasoning. Politics should be battles of ideas to enable our people to choose leaders who can make a change that will make their lives better.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: This is why the preference of the people of Sesheke Central Constituency in the August 2016 Elections was Mr Hakainde Hichilema, the UPND and its manifesto, which offers hope and a prosperous future with equity.

Mr Kufakwandi: Madam Speaker, no one can arrest or kill an idea.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: We will defend the Constitution and the rights and liberties of the people of Zambia. Zambia belongs to all of us.

Hon. Opposition Members: Correct!

Mr Kufakwandi: We must invest in peace and sustainable development.

 Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: It is our duty to stand up for what is right and that we shall do all the time. As Frantz Fanon, the great African revolutionary said, “Each generation must discover its mission, fulfil it or betray it.” We have chosen to fulfil our mission, which is to seek justice, fair play and prosperity for all.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: Madam Speaker, the people of Sesheke Constituency are concerned about the lack of professionalism and diminished capacity in some public institutions. They are also concerned about the lack of equity in the distribution of resources for development and appointments in the Government, foreign missions, quasi-Government institutions and the unfairness in the recruitment of staff such as teachers. While there are many qualified people in our constituency, they are not picked when recruitments are done. Instead, people from other districts are recruited and sent to Sesheke.

Madam Speaker, we want to see the national motto reflected in appointments in the Public Service, parastatal companies and the Foreign Service. There are many qualified and experienced people in all the ten provinces of the country.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: Let us walk the talk of, “One Zambia, One Nation”.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufakwandi: We want ...

Hon. Government Members: Time up! Time up!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Order, hon. Members!

Hon. Member, your time is up.
Mr S. Tembo (Chadiza): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for allowing me to contribute to the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address to this august House and to present my maiden speech.

Madam Speaker, I thank His Excellency the President of this great nation, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for his inclusive, inspiring and conclusive speech to this august House ...
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr S. Tembo: ... that was delivered on 30th September, 2016. He signed my adoption certificate, allowing me to contest the 11th August, 2016, General Elections, hence my being here before you to represent the humble people of Chadiza. To the President, I say, thank you very much and I can only wish you and your family God’s abundant blessings.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr S. Tembo: Many thanks also go to the members of the National Executive Committee for the Patriotic Front (PF) for settling for my name to be the party’s representative after scrutinising  the many names from Chadiza. They made the right choice.

Madam Speaker, the people of Chadiza send their greetings and heartfelt congratulations to you and the Second Deputy Speakers on your election. They are saying, hats off to His Excellency the President of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the Vice-President, Madam Inonge Mutukwa Wina, and the PF for winning the 11th August, 2016, General Elections. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr S. Tembo: Special thanks also go to the Provincial Chairperson for the Eastern Province, Mr Lubusha, and his team for the manner in which they handled the affairs of the party in the province during that time. I also thank the district and constituency executives members for their sacrifice and more importantly, for accepting my candidature. To the ward and branch officials, I say thank you for being on the ground. Without your indispensable effort, my hard-earned victory was not guaranteed. May our ever fair God pour His Grace upon each one of you and your families. Together, we must make a difference for the people of Chadiza by adding to what my predecessor left.

Madam Speaker, allow me to extend my profound thanks to Chief Mwangala, Mlolo and Zingalume for their invaluable advice. Many thanks go to the Church, headmen, civil servants and the general populace of Chadiza for their loud voice of change which sounded way back, but was only heard on 11th August, 2016. Without their candid desire for change, my aspirations and desire to foster development in Chadiza could have been futile. They are great, wonderful and magnificent people. I have lived amongst the people of Chadiza. So, we understand each other and know our challenges. My promise to them all is that I will not forsake, forget, abandon, ignore nor let them down. I will do everything in my power to lobby the Government and other organisations for development in Chadiza.

Madam Speaker, I would be failing in my duties if I forgot to mention the financial, moral and material support I got from the PF. May I also thank Postan Mwanza, Peter Banda, Hon. Regina Phiri, Teddy Zulu, Kwaza Phiri, Abraham Banda and the whole campaign team for their wonderful performance. The killer punch on my opponents’ campaign was delivered on 4th August, 2016, when the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, visited the constituency and campaigned for me by introducing me to the electorate. He sealed my victory. May God Almighty continue to bless him with wisdom and riches. Messrs Michael Ndhlovu and Peter Banda also deserve thanks for surrendering their vehicles towards the just cause of serving the people of Chadiza, thereby denying their families the comfort of these facilities. Mr George Phiri, the District Commissioner for Chadiza, is a marvel.

Interruptions

Mr S. Tembo: He left the comfort of his office, home and ...

Interruptions

Mr S. Tembo: Madam Speaker, it would be unjust if I did not recognise the suffering my family went through during this period.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr S. Tembo: We have lived a life involving elections from as far back as 1983. I have been involved in trade unionism and conventional politics since 2006. During this time, my wife, children, in-laws and brothers and sisters allowed me to soldier on. I salute them for this. Their sacrifice has been about making a difference in people’s lives. Through his mercy, God has allowed me to reach this far. Glory be to His name.

Madam Speaker, Chadiza is the second oldest district after Chipata in the Eastern Province. It gave birth to Katete and Vubwi districts.

Comparatively, the two ‘babies’ of Chadiza and the rest of the districts in the province are, and seemingly shall be far more developed than Chadiza. This is the sole cause of the cry of the people of Chadiza. The re-election of the PF to govern this country has cheered the people of Chadiza.

Hon. Opposition Member: Question!

Mr S. Tembo: Being the first PF elected Member of Parliament for Chadiza Constituency is gratifying to the people of Chadiza and the PF in the province.

Madam Speaker, the people of Chadiza have high expectations not only from me but also the party. In the last five years that the PF has been in power, the district has seen the construction of a bank, hospital and two primary schools which have been upgraded to secondary school, bringing the number of secondary schools in the district to five. This has inspired confidence in the people in the PF. Furthermore, the construction of an office block and ten houses for the police, the civic centre, Chipata/Chadiza and Katete/Chadiza roads, five health posts, twelve milling plants and to improve the water reticulation system in the constituency is underway. These developments have cheered the people of Chadiza.

Madam Speaker, the development agenda that I intend to pursue on behalf of the people of Chadiza will not be outside the Patriotic Front Manifesto. As expounded by His Excellency the President in his speech, the priority areas to be pursued in the next five years will be, among others, road networks, water and sanitation, agriculture, education, health, telecommunication towers, youth empowerment, social cash transfer and empowerment of marketeers.

Madam Speaker, on Page 29, item 124 of the President’s Speech, the President said:

“My Government will continue to ensure that Zambia has adequate, modern and well-functioning social and economic infrastructure. This includes housing, roads, airports and aerodromes, rail and inland water ways. ”

Item 126 says:

“In the road sector, my Government will continue to implement the Link Zambia 8,000. Priority with regard to the implementation of the Link Zambia 8,000 will be placed on economic roads, which will help integrate productive sectors of the economy to the markets.”

Madam Speaker, the people of Chadiza are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. They grow maize, groundnuts, cotton, soya beans and so on and so forth. The people need farming inputs and a ready market for their crops. In line with this, in April, 2013, the Government contracted China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited to upgrade approximately 150 km of the Chipata/Chadiza, Katete/Chanida roads to bituminous standard. Additionally, this route is of international importance because it provides a direct link to Malawi and the ports in Mozambique through Chanida Border.

Mr Mecha: Hear, hear!

Mr S. Tembo: Madam Speaker, on 2nd December, 2013, Avex Technical Works was contracted by the Government to upgrade 18 km of urban roads in Chadiza to bituminous standard with a view to improving connectivity within the district, alleviating poverty and easing agricultural marketing.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr S. Tembo: The people of Chadiza are happy with these projects because a good number of youths were employed by the contractors. The projects will also open up Chadiza which has had no paved roads since its establishment. However, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited has not done any works in the past two years due to a lack of funding. Nonetheless a skeleton staff and some machinery are still on site waiting for funding from the Government in order to continue with the works. The same is true about Avex Technical Works Limited that is still waiting for funding to complete the works. Both companies have only done about 40 per cent and 60 per cent of the works respectively. It is my responsibility to engage the ministry responsible so that the projects are completed in the shortest possible time in order to better the lives of the people of Chadiza.

Madam Speaker, I welcome the policy statement delivered by the President on agriculture and industrialisation. Chadiza is predominantly a farming district. It is our ardent hope that the policy statement will be actualised by the respective ministries so that hand hoes are taken to the archives and replaced with modern mechanised machinery to enhance agriculture production.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr S. Tembo: I will work with the relevant ministry to ensure that Chadiza is not left out in this particular area.

Madam Speaker, my office will work closely with the Ministry of Education to ensure that the provision of quality education and access to education are a priority in my constituency. It is a known fact that education is a vanguard of national development. It is very sad that fifty-two years after Independence, Chadiza is rated one of the lowest in terms of literacy levels in the country.

Madam Speaker, to date, pupils walk long distances to schools, thereby increasing the dropout rate while some children are not enrolled in school at all. Those who qualify to go to Grades 8 and 10 walk long distances while some are weekly boarders in the few secondary schools. There is an urgent need to reverse this trend by following what the President said in his speech and as contained in the Patriotic Front Manifesto.

Madam Speaker, if wards like Khumba, Mwangazi, Ambidzi, Naviruli, Kampini and Bwanunkha would be considered for the construction of new secondary schools ...

Laughter

Mr S. Tembo: ... or upgrading of some primary schools to secondary school, we would see a lot of change in literacy levels.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr S. Tembo: Madam Speaker, in mid 2011, there was a pronouncement that some funds had been released for the construction of a boarding secondary school in Kabvumo Ward. To date, no secondary school has been built. I intend to pursue the matter with the hon. Minister of General Education to find out where the challenge so that the money is released to build the secondary school in question. I also intend to lobby the Government to construct and upgrade a number of schools in order to improve the literacy levels in the district.

Madam Speaker, the President also made pronouncements on climate change. The effects of climate change have not spared the people of Chadiza. Currently, they are faced with the water challenges, as there are only a few functional boreholes in the district. Humans and animals walk long distances to access water. Family bonds are shaky because women, who in most cases fetch water, leave their homes at midnight and return late in the day. In some instances, animals die due to a lack of water. This has been compounded by the rampant deforestation, leading to the drying up of the few dams that are there. Of the eleven boreholes recently allocated to the district, none has been drilled, as we are still awaiting tender procedures.

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to put it on record that the people of Chadiza need a fair share of the national cake. The people in the far-flung areas of the district have not received their share of the cake, they lack the most basic needs. They can hardly communicate because the roads and bridges are in a bad state. There are no Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) towers. The use of letters as a means of communication is a thing of the past. Currently, people use cellular phones. Therefore, the erection of towers would enhance communication in the district.

Madam Speaker, the President’s Speech was emphatic, precise and elaborate. He spoke about measures to stabilise the macro-economic situation in Zambia. He also spoke about how agriculture and industrialisation would be a major priority of our economic diversification. In addition, His Excellency the President said that his Government will develop an industrial policy to stimulate job creation and industrialisation and that human capital development was key if the country was to make lasting progress.

Madam Speaker, I, therefore, intend to apply myself fully to meet these challenges. God bless Zambia, our President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and the Twelfth National Assembly.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister for Southern Province (Mr Hamukale): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to deliver my maiden speech for the first time in this august House.

Madam Speaker, firstly, I wish to congratulate you and your team on your deserved election to your respective offices to serve in the Twelfth National Assembly which will run from 2016 to 2021. Secondly, I wish to congratulate His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu and Her Honour the Vice-President, Mrs Inonge Mutukwa Wina, on their election to their honourable offices for a full five-year mandate to govern the affairs of the Republic of Zambia.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamukale: Madam, this demonstrates the confidence the people of Zambia have placed in the leadership and vision of the Patriotic Front (PF).

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, the people of the Southern Province and I wish to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency the President for nominating me as their Member of Parliament and the subsequent appointment as Provincial Minister for Southern Province. To show their gratitude and appreciation, the people of the Southern Province, particularly from Mazabuka Central, Magoye, Bweengwa and Namwala threw a party for me …

Mr Lubinda: Oh!

Mr Hamukale: … at Chief Choongo’s Palace on 9th October, 2016, to receive and welcome me and the PF Government in the province.

Interruptions

Mr Hamukale: Mr Speaker, during this party, two head of cattle, averaging 600 kg were slaughtered …

Laughter

Mr Hamukale: … and President Edgar Chagwa Lungu was given a gift of a cow which is pending collection. This kind of feast is not common.

Interruptions

Mr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, the people of Southern Province, in their hundreds of thousands, have welcomed President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s vision ...

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamukale: ... to transform Zambia and are not willing to be diverted or to be left behind in this journey. They have accepted his re-election.

Mr Lubinda: Ha, uli musankwa, yebo!

Prof. Luo: Mapatizya ya boola!

Mr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, I now wish to thank my parents for raising me well.

Laughter

Mr Hamukale: Further, Madam Speaker, I wish to thank my wife and children for being patient during the campaigns which were extremely dangerous. I also wish to thank Dr Ludwig Sondashi for exposing me to politics and connecting me to the likes of Dr Kenneth Kaunda at the age of eight when we went to receive him at the airport.  

Madam Speaker, allow me to particularly thank the people of the Eastern Province for giving me room to develop my leadership skills by electing and appointing me to various positions of responsibility at a tender age. This is now benefiting the people of the Southern Province and the nation at large.

Prof Luo: We hope they will learn!

Mr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, in the Eastern Province, we say, “Mwana wa mnzako, ni mwana wako nso.” This means, “Your friend’s child is yours too.”

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, I further wish to thank the people in the districts in which I had the opportunities to work, namely Luwingu, Sesheke, Senanga, Ndola, Mazabuka, Lusaka, Katete and Chipata. I, therefore, consider myself a true product of the, “One Zambia, One Nation” motto.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Prof Luo: Not Dundumwezi!

Mr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, the Southern Province has thirteen districts with a total population of about 1.9 million.

Ms Lubezhi: Bonse abo bana voter, ayi?

Laughter

Mr Hamukale: About 75 per cent of this population lives in rural areas, 98 per cent of which depends on agriculture. Over 70 per cent of urban businesses strive from on agriculture-related activities. The province houses the tourist capital where there is one the Seven Wonders of the World, the Mosi-o-Tunya or Victoria Falls. The province is endowed with a number of tourist attractions such as wildlife, rich cultural and heritage sites.

Madam Speaker, most farmers in the province are predominantly maize growers. However, the province will embark on the diversification programme whilst promoting the mass production of maize to meet the growing regional and international demand. To do this, other major crops, namely soya beans, sunflower, groundnuts, cowpeas, sweet and Irish potatoes will be promoted in order to have regional comparative advantage. Therefore, there is a need to set up irrigation facilities at an estimated cost of K10 million to promote all-year production of crops. Once a refinery is constructed, cooking oil and peanut butter would be produced from some of these crops. The province also has potential to harness horticulture production, gardening and fruit production which has more value than indigenous crops.

Madam Speaker, the province has the largest number of cattle mostly in Namwala, Monze and Mazabuka. There is potential to double the number of cattle in these districts and add value to beef products. Currently, there are 935,000 head of cattle in the province. The target is to increase the number by 100,000 per year. The programme of controlling livestock diseases of national economic importance through vaccinations, infrastructure development and checkpoints is underway. Other key deliverables include the improvement of infrastructure for milk processing and the construction of a tannery.

Madam Speaker, the province has the potential for diversification into high value small livestock such as guinea pigs, fowls, quails and rabbits. In the livestock sector, disease control will remain a priority. Ninety dip tanks, one livestock checkpoint, five satellite regional diagnostic laboratories and five artificial insemination centres will be constructed at a cost of K20 million in the next three years.

Madam Speaker, the province has potential to increase the stock of fish to sustainable levels. This can be harnessed through the establishment of free aqua parks and fish freezing facilities. This can increase fish production by an estimated 10,000 metric tonnes and lessen the need to import fish from China. Currently, the province produces 20,000 metric tonnes of fish per year.

Madam Speaker, to mitigate the effects of climate change, the province shall continue to sustainably utilise fisheries resources while at the same time ensuring that we maintain the environmental by promoting capture fisheries co-management and aqua culture production through the introduction of aqua culture parks in zones with high potential.

Madam Speaker, from time immemorial, the Southern Province has been known for being a predominantly agricultural area. With the effects of climate change not only in the region, but also the whole world, Zambia has awakened to the mining potential of the Southern Province. The province is endowed with abundant coal, nickel, amethyst and uranium deposits. In view of this, thermal energy is going to be a stable source of energy as can be seen from the successful exploitation of coal to support the sustainable generation of thermal energy at the newly-commissioned thermal power plant at Maamba Collieries Limited which is contributing 150 MW to the national electricity grid.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamukale: Investing in mining will enhance the provision of alternative energy, thus mitigating the power deficit the country is faced with.

Madam Speaker, apart from the exploitation of coal as a source of energy in electricity generation and industrial use, coal can be used in brick and ceramics making in the clay-rich areas of Gwembe and Sinazongwe which are also closer to the coal resource in the province. This can also promote the development of the small-scale mining sector and its integration into the economy. It also has potential for promoting local entrepreneurship, increasing demand for local goods and services, creating employment for Zambians and value addition.

Madam Speaker, the presence of uranium deposits in Siavonga makes the Southern Province a potential location for the establishment of a nuclear plant that can generate nuclear energy which can provide uninterrupted supply of electricity for the country and end the perennial problem of load shedding. Zambia can learn from countries like Japan which rely on nuclear energy for electricity, and supplies over 120 million people without interruption.

Madam Speaker, in its quest to diversify the Zambian economy and move away from copper mining by establishing new areas that will create employment and wealth for the Zambian people, the province, through the ministry responsible for tourism, is developing the Southern Tourism Circuit, Greater Livingstone Tourism Development Master Plan, Greater Siavonga Tourism Zone, Greater Kafue and Lochinvar National Parks Tourism Development Zones, Sinazongwe/Gwembe Tourism Development Zone, Kazungula Tourism Corridor and Livingstone Community Sustainable Tourism Resource Centre Project.

Madam, the Government will undertake a tourism product assessment in the province with the view to attracting more investors and tourists. This will assist the Government to develop attractive incentives for potential investors, increase the length of stay for tourists, create jobs for the locals and develop the rural areas through eco and community-based tourism.

Madam Speaker, the agro forestry industry in the Southern Province has potential to produce high value timber products which include furniture, tiles, doors, interior decorations and construction materials from the existing thirteen timber companies. Currently, the province is supplying raw materials with only 7 per cent value addition. There is a need for value addition equipment such as kilns to be strategically placed in selected timber-producing areas such as Kazungula, Livingstone and Namwala.

Madam Speaker, the sector also has potential to generate jobs at different levels. Procurement of value addition equipment such as honey extractors and creation of honey bulking centres can accelerate the production of good quality organic honey.

Mr Mwale: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamukale: Currently, the province has 1,700 bee farmers producing over 8,000 tonnes of organic honey per year. Forest products such as timber contribute a significant amount of revenue. For example, tree species such as mukwa and teak can sale at US$800 to US$1,500 per tonne. The sector has also embarked on a farm forestry management and economic diversification programme to mitigate against the effects of climate change.

Madam, the Forestry Department is mandated to promote sustainable management and utilisation of forest resources in order to ensure sustainable production of wood and non-wood forest products for the benefit of present and future generations. There is, therefore, a need to provide resources for kiln construction and procurement of honey extractors and bulking centres.

Madam Speaker, the lands sector has potential to improve revenue collection. Currently, the province collects K2,500,000 annually. The cost of collecting revenue is high due to a lack of ground rent collectors in the districts. Consequently, staff at provincial level have to collect revenue in the districts, but only when funding are made available.

Madam, the province is in the process of procuring cadastral survey equipment to capture the correct hectarage of land parcels. Most land in the province is not surveyed, hence payments for land are based on bare minimum estimates. Currently, the province is using only one Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS facility.

Madam, the province has potential to improve investments through decentralised processing and issuing of title deeds. As you are aware, a title deed can be used as collateral for acquiring loans. Currently, title deeds are processed centrally. If the issuance of title deeds was decentralised, it could act as a catalyst to major investment and development.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, the Southern Province is endowed with favourable weather conditions. However, there has been extreme weather in the past, resulting in insecure household food security and reduced water levels for power generation. The province has not been spared from the global challenges of climate. The weather has been increasingly unpredictable due to the increase in sea surface temperature in the Central Pacific El Niño episodes.

Therefore, there is a need for increased allocations to the Meteorological Department to produce timely and effective early warning information on the El Niño conditions, rainfall forecast and its related consequences for us to prepare adequately.

Madam Speaker, there is also a need for mitigating measures to be put in place on weather and climatic conditions that affect especially agriculture to avoid catastrophes that lead to crop failure.

Mr Speaker, as we endeavour to concentrate resources on key development sectors highlighted above, the majority of our population in the province lives below the poverty datum line. To alleviate the suffering of the poor in our communities, the province will continue to cushion and empower the poor through a number social protection programmes.

Madam Speaker, the challenge of youth unemployment is not only synonymous with the Zambian situation, but has also become a huge challenge in the Southern Province. In view of this, plight of the youth will be prioritised.

Madam Speaker, the provincial administration for the Southern Province has noticed that a growing number of children living on the streets of urban areas such as Livingstone and Mazabuka poses a threat to the wellbeing of children and security in the province. Addressing this matter will be one of my priorities.

In the interest of time, allow me to comment on the speech by His Excellency the President.

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamukale: The speech by His Excellency the President was not only inspiring, but also practical and multi-sectoral in approach.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamukale: As the speech was practical, my job is simply to implement.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Ema Minister, aya.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

ADJOURNMENT

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

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The House adjourned at 1746 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 13th October, 2016.