Friday, 21st October, 2016

The House met at 0900 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, I rise to give the House some idea of the business it will consider next week.

Sir, on Tuesday, 25th October, 2016, the Business of the House will begin with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. After that, the House will continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s address.

Mr Speaker, on Wednesday, 26th October, 2016, the Business of the House will begin with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by the presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider Private Members’ Motions, if there will be any. Then the House will continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s address.

Sir, on Thursday, 27th October, 2016, the Business of the House will start with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if here will be any. Then, the House will continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s address.

Mr Speaker, on Friday, 28th October, 2016, the Business of the House will begin with Her Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time. This will be followed by Questions to hon. Ministers, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. After that, the House will continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address.

I thank you, Sir.

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

 
                                       SAFETY AND HEALTH IN THE MINING INDUSTRY

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I have permitted the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development to issue a ministerial statement.

The Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Yaluma): Mr Speaker, I thank you for according me this opportunity to inform the House and the nation at large on safety and health in the mining industry.

Sir, mining continues to be the key economic sector in the country. Its performance has improved over the years as can be seen from the increased number of mines and subsequent increase in mineral production. The performance of the mining industry, particularly large-scale mines, is also noted in improved compliance with safety, health and environmental regulations through the adoption of new technologies that enhance safety and reduce environmental pollution. These include smelter plants at Mopani, Kansanshi and Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), which substantially improve sulphur dioxide capture up to 95 per cent and the installation of fatigue monitoring machines at Kansanshi and Kalumbila, which are used to manage fatigue in dump truck drivers in the open pits. The industry has also adopted risk assessment as a safety management tool compelling managers to be proactive in managing risk in circumstances where established procedures may not be effective.

Mr Speaker, regrettably, the industry has, in 2015 and 2016, recorded an increase in accidents, both in terms of absolute numbers and frequency rate compared to the previous three years. This is of great concern to the Government. We cannot allow this situation to continue. The goal of the Government and that of the mining companies is to have a thriving accident free mining industry.

Sir, mining accidents are a cost to both the nation and the mine owners in that where there is loss of life or injury there is loss of ability to work, loss of time and consequently, livelihood and resources. Therefore, the Government is urging all players in the mining industry to work together to ensure that mine accidents are prevented and safety of employees is given priority.

Mr Speaker, during the years 2012 to 2014, there was a decline in mine accidents, although not to the desired levels. Lost time accidents recorded at both small and large-scale mines reduced from 150 in 2012 to seventy-three in 2014, while fatal accidents were twelve in 2012 and fourteen in 2014. Lost time accidents stood at seventy eight in 2015 and fifty as at October 2016. Fatal accidents recorded increased to fifteen in 2015 and to twenty-two as at 14th October, 2016. This poor safety record has coincided with periods of low metal prices, an indication that the mines may be relaxing their safety rules as they strive to reduce production costs. This is not acceptable and my ministry is working hard to ensure that safety records in the industry improve. Looking at the causes of accidents in 2015 and 2016, it is evident that they can be reduced.

Mr Speaker, the major causes of accidents include negligence by management to make safe work places, failure of safety management systems and miners not adhering to laid-down procedures. In addition, most accidents involve contractor employees. This shows that contractor employees are more susceptible to accidents due to inadequate training and experience coupled with pressure by their employers to meet contract targets.

Mr Speaker, the major causes of the accidents have been rock falls, moving machinery running over miners, ground collapse and miners falling from heights. Some of these accidents could be avoided, if both management and individual employees adhered to laid-down procedures and regulations. To this effect, the ministry has started conducting periodic mine safety audits in order to identify weakness or gaps in safety management systems. Through these audits, the ministry is able to identify gaps and prescribe remedial measures.

Mr Speaker, in addition, regulations are being reviewed to strengthen workers’ rights to refuse to work in unsafe environments. The regulations will also introduce more punitive measures for erring employees and companies. Penalty fees and fines will be revised to make them deterrent. I, therefore, call upon the mining companies both large and small to double their efforts in ensuring safety in the mines by doing the following: 

(a) improve on the in-house safety management systems;

(b) increase the budgetary allocation on safety;

(c) enhance sensitisation of miners including contractors’ employees on safety, health and environmental issues;

(d) continuously train and re-train  miners; and

(e) implement the principle of, “if it is not safe, do not do it.”

Mr Speaker, I believe that enhanced efforts by both the Government and the mining companies will result in the desired accident-free mining industry.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I wish to state that all mining companies have a duty to adhere to safety, health and environmental regulations. We all desire to attain increased mineral production, but it should not be at the expense of safety and life of the miners. It is not the wish of the Government to withdraw mining licences, but to see a vibrant mining industry that safeguards the environment and the life of the employees. My ministry will on its part increase the monitoring of the industry to ensure that our mineral resources are exploited in a safe and sustainable manner for the benefit of both Zambians and foreign investors.

I thank you, Sir.

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

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, mine safety is critical. It appears as though the mining houses only care about their production and profits and not the lives of the people. From the statement, it appears as though the hon. Minister is appealing to the mining houses to check their in-house regulations. What would the hon. Minister say about the laws that are currently enforced? Are they adequate for the Government to compel so that the lives of the miners are safe?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, the current regulations pertaining to safety in the mining industry are stringent. As stated earlier, we have on-going reviews through audits which are being conducted to ensure that compliance is achieved. Yes, it might look like we are not policing the mining industry to comply, but this is because of the situation where we had an increase in the accidents in the last two years. We have accelerated the number of audits to ensure that compliance is adhered to and that the mining industry reduces in the number of accidents which are currently prevailing. I do not think it is an acceptable performance on the part of the mining. Last week, we had two fatalities in the mines. We are, therefore, doing whatever we can to scale-up the investigations and audits to ensure that whatever tools we think will be utilised to reduce these accidents are in place and implemented.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chiteme (Nkana): Mr Speaker, with the increased number of accidents, how much production has been lost due to lost-time injury and how has this affected the Government revenue?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, wherever there is lost-time injury, there is low production. We have had an increase in the lost-time injuries and we do not condone it at all. We are monitoring monthly, what time has been lost to injuries. We have also asked the mines to give us the explanation and preventive measures they are putting in place so that this does not increase. The audits we are doing are to verify and confirm if the mining industry is indeed putting action plans to ensure that the number of accidents are reduced. We are seriously monitoring what is going on. In future, these fatalities should come to zero. We all know that we have been hit by fatalities. We are just looking forward to ensuring that the Government together with the mining industry put measures in places so that we reduce on these accidents.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kasonso (Solwezi West): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has given a blanket statement regarding the number of these accidents. Is he in a position to tell the nation which mines have got the highest number of accidents and which ones have got good safety measures?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, indeed, we do have records and we know which mines are the worst with regard to performance in the safety and environmental health issues. I have quite a long list of whatever fatal accidents occurred at each and every mine. I will put this list in the pigeon-holes for the hon. Members to see.  Some mines are performing better than others. Just last week, we had two accidents at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM). There was also an accident about one- and-half years ago where we lost about six miners. There are also mining industries where we have not experienced any fatalities or lost-time injuries.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kundoti (Luena): Mr Speaker, may the hon. Minister tell this House what measures are being taken to remedy the situation where foreign mine owners are giving jobs to their fellow foreigners which can be done by the Zambian professionals.

Mr Speaker: We are supposed to seek clarification on the statement given by the hon. Minister.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Mr Speaker, there is no mine in Lunte and I am sure you are wondering why the interest. My older brother, relatives and friends work in the mines on the Copperbelt and the North-Western Province.

Mr Speaker, in addition to the risk management measures that the mining companies are putting in place, are they also considering extending trauma management to the victims and families of victims of accidents?

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, to the first question from my ...

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, you can ignore that.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, mining companies have put down various conditions which are applied to the deceased families. They have introduced kits which they use to supplement the families in either a one-off payment or over a period to help sustain the families’ livelihood. This is what is in place, but is challenged regularly and reviewed through the labour union.

Mr Speaker, I do agree that there is a need for better conditions for people while on duty in the mines. This is being looked into through the relevant labour unions. The Government also intervenes through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. We try to ensure that good conditions are offered and better payments are given to families of deceased miners. These negotiations are ongoing to ensure that we better  the conditions offered to those who lose their loved ones through accidents in the mines.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Nkuwa (Chingola): Mr Speaker, there is a saying that accidents do not just happened, but are caused. Most of the accidents in the mines, like the hon. Minister rightly said, have been caused mainly by negligence and if investigated and found wanting mine licence holders are liable to prosecution and conviction. 

Mr Speaker, does the hon. Minister know whether we have taken any such cases to the courts of law and secured convictions? I know that conviction is deterrence to would-be offenders who tend to neglect the regulations in the mines.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, in many cases, when accidents occur in the mining industry, in depth and serious investigations are carried out. If the investigations prove any negligence, managers or superintendents are taken to court for negligence. Once investigations are completed, charges are pushed on to a manager who was looking after a particular team, a superintendent, a foreman or a shift boss. So, prosecution is carried out arising from investigations that are conducted after accidents.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mrs E. Phiri (Kanyama): Mr Speaker, as the hon. Minister has correctly said, most accidents in the mines are due to negligence. May I know if the Government may consider withdrawing licences of the mining companies that are found wanting? The fact is that the people that are engaged in the mines are Zambians and not foreigners. However, the owners of the mines are foreigners and, therefore, care very little for the lives of their workers. This is my feeling.

Hon. UPND Members: Your question?

Mrs E. Phiri: The question is, may the Government consider ... It is not a question.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Kanyama, sit down. You have already posed a question.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, I stated in my presentation that most accidents are partly due to negligence while other accidents result from the miners not adhering to the laid-down procedures and regulations. So, if we find that the mining company has erred for negligence, we can withdraw the licence. I highlighted that it is not our intention to withdraw the licences, but if we see that there is a need to withdraw them, we can do so.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

FOOD SECURITY SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY

The Minister of Agriculture (Ms Siliya): Mr Speaker, let me thank you for giving me this opportunity to update the House and the nation at large on the food security situation in the country. This statement has been necessitated by the recent directive from His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on the need for my ministry to closely monitor the food security situation in the country. I, therefore, wish to use this occasion to inform Parliament and the public at large on policy measures aimed at ensuring that national food security is maintained and sustained.

Mr Speaker, total maize production for the 2015/2016 season was estimated to be 2,873,052 metric tonnes. The country also had a maize carryover stock amounting to 667,524 metric tonnes as at 1st May, 2016, bringing the total supply of maize available for the 2016/2017 marketing season to 3, 540,576 metric tonnes.

Mr Speaker, you may wish to note that total availability for the 2015/2016 marketing season, just for comparison purposes, was 3,963,622 metric tonnes of maize. The national food balance sheet for the period 1st May, 2016 to 30th April, 2017, total maize requirement is as follows:

  Item       Amount (tonnes) 
 Human Consumption  1,588,831
 Strategic Reserve Stocks 500,000
 StockFeed 257,912
 Breweries  115,500
 Grain retention  100,000
 5 per cent estimated all farm losses 143,653
 Informal Cross Border Trade 200,000

The above-mentioned estimated total requirements amount to 2,905,896 metric tonnes of maize. When these total maize requirements are subtracted from the total maize available, that is, 3,540,576 in the 2016/2017 season, the food balance sheet indicates that the country had a maize surplus of 634,680 metric tonnes. The country also recorded increased production in several other key food security crops. The production of soya beans was estimated to have increased by 18.19 per cent to 267,490 metric tonnes in the 2015/2016 season from 226,323 metric tonnes in the 2014/2015 season. The House may wish to know that soya beans is used in the production of cooking oil, high energy protein requirements, in meat substitute meals and also for the production of stockfeed. Zambia also exports soya cake to Zimbabwe and other neighbouring countries.

Mr Speaker, the production of sweet potatoes was estimated to have increased by 95.96 per cent to 231,882 metric tonnes in the 2015/2016 season. The production of sorghum was estimated to have increased by 73.66 per cent to 14,107 metric tonnes in 2015/2016 from 8,123 metric tonnes in the 2014/2015 season. Sorghum is also used in the production of sorghum meal used in the brewing industry by Zambian Breweries, stockfeed production as well as exports of sorghum to Botswana and Namibia where it is consumed as a substitute to mealie meal.

Sir, the 2015/2016 season was a unique year not only for Zambia, but for most Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. According to the SADC Regional Food Balance Sheet, Zambia and Tanzania are the only countries in the SADC region that have recorded a surplus in maize production. The SADC region as a whole has recorded a maize deficit of over 3.9 million metric tonnes. The situation has been made worse by the fact that South Africa, the main exporter of maize to the SADC region, has recorded a significant maize deficit in excess of 1.6 million metric tonnes.

Mr Speaker, as a result of the maize deficit in the region, the price of maize in Southern Africa has been above average in 2016 compared to previous years. For example, the regional price of maize in 2015 was approximately US$200 per metric tonne. Currently, the average price of maize in the region is approximately US$280 per metric tonne with prices as high as US$370 per metric tonnes in some neighbouring countries. Although Zambia has the lowest price of maize in the region at US$221 per metric tonne, this situation has put upward pressure on the price of maize in Zambia.

Sir, this year, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) started purchasing maize from farmers on 12th July, 2016. The FRA has been purchasing maize at K85 per 50 kg bag. It is important to point out that Zambia has a liberalised maize marketing policy. The private sector is free to buy maize and other commodities from farmers at mutually agreed market prices. The high price of maize being paid by the grain traders is good for our farmers.

 However, it has created a challenge on how to manage national food security, especially with respect to the price of mealie meal for consumers. The appetite for grain traders to export maize to neighbouring countries, where they expect to get a higher price compared to Zambia, has created inflationary pressure on the price of mealie meal. It is for this reason that the Government resumed interventions in the market in July 2016, by releasing cheaper maize to millers and other institutions through the FRA. This was done to stabilise the price of mealie meal on the market. A total of 87,876 metric tonnes were released between 1st July to 10th October by the FRA to millers and other institutions at a cost of just over K147.4 million.

Mr Speaker, as at 10th October, 2016, the FRA had purchased 276,608 metric tonnes of maize with a value of K473,041,320 from all regions of Zambia. In addition, the FRA also had 55,108 metric tonnes carried over from the 2015/2016 marketing season. This brings total stocks held by the agency to 331,716 metric tonnes as at 10th October, 2016. On the other hand, the private sector has this season purchased 903,630 metric tonnes of maize from this year‘s harvest. As at 10th October, 2016, the grain traders also had 103,000 metric tonnes of maize stock carried over from the 2015/2016 marketing season. Some large-scale members of the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) are also holding 66,434 metric tonnes of maize.

Sir, when all the above-mentioned private sector stocks are considered and after exports as well as sales on the local market, the private sector is holding verified total maize stocks amounting to 794,785 metric tonnes as at 10th October, 2016. When the FRA stocks of 331,716 metric tonnes are added to the private sector stocks, total in-country stocks of maize as at 10th October, 2016, were estimated at 1,126,501 metric tonnes. This figure does not include maize stocks still being held by small-holder farmers, some large-scale farmers and some grain trader stocks which were not captured during the verification exercise. I am also aware that there is potential for the country to produce an estimated 100,000 metric tonnes of early maize by March, 2017 and I have already begun involving stakeholders on this matter. Our view is for the farmers to produce early maize which the Government will either purchase or allow them to export.

Mr Speaker, given the information that I have just presented, it is clear that the country has sufficient maize for human consumption and industrial requirement to last beyond the end of the current marketing season in April, 2017. My ministry, through the National Stocks Committee, is conducting monthly updates of the stocks held by millers, grain traders and the ZNFU.

Sir, there have been numerous reports in the media of maize being illegally exported to neighbouring countries. I wish to inform the House that the Government has put in place stringent measures to ensure that the vice is minimised or even stopped altogether. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the security wings for their tireless efforts in ensuring that the informal export of maize and mealie meal is stopped. Once the Government has secured sufficient strategic reserves, it is my intention to allow for the resumption of exports of maize and mealie meal products to our neighbouring countries as a way of supporting the private sector, promoting economic growth jobs creating and increasing foreign exchange earnings.

Mr Speaker, at the moment, the FRA is being encouraged to deal with as many farmers as possible to purchase maize at the best price on a, first come, first serve basis, to avoid the Government being held to ransom by grain curtails. Once the FRA has secured the stock, I will allow exports to support the private sector and also in the spirit of good neighbourliness. I, however, encourage neighbouring Governments to employ the Government to Government purchasing route, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to import maize from Zambia.
 
Sir, the Government has put in place the following measures to ensure that national food security is maintained:

(a) the FRA will continue in the market until it secures an additional 187,000 metric tonnes of maize to bring the strategic reserve levels to just over 500,000 metric tonnes;

(b) the Government will allow for the resumption of exports of maize and maize products after meeting the strategic food reserve requirements;

(c)  the Government, through the National Stocks Committee, will continue to verify the stocks held by grain traders, millers and the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU);

(d) law enforcement agencies and the security wings will continue to ensure that smuggling of maize and mealie meal is stopped;

(e) confiscated trucks, maize and maize products will be impounded and disposed of in accordance with the law; and

(f) maize seed, maize bran and other permitted agriculture products will continue to be exported.

Mr Speaker, my ministry has also advanced preparations for the 2016/2017 Farming Season, and at an appropriate time, I will issue a comprehensive statement on the status of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). Preliminary weather forecast indications are that most of the country will experience improved rainfall during the coming rainy season. I would, therefore, like to urge our farmers to begin early preparations for the upcoming farming season.

Mr Speaker, the Government is committed to introducing other food crops into Zambia’s food basket. In particular, the Government will promote the use of cassava and sorghum for blending with maize and wheat. Last week, I did inform the House that my ministry will conduct a review of the FISP as well as the operations and mandate of the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). It is my intention to propose new policy measures to ensure that other crops can be supported so that the country can attain true crop diversification for improved nutrition, food security and job creation.

I thank you, Sir.

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

Mr Ngulube (Kabwe Central): Mr Speaker, having listened to the hon. Minister of Agriculture, I am of the opinion that the country’s food situation is okay. However, I would like to know what measures are being put in place to rehabilitate maize storage facilities. In my constituency, for example, we have Natuseko Shades where the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) stores its maize. The said sheds are in a very deplorable state and the road leading to these sheds is literally impassable even during the dry season. So, I would like to know if there are any deliberate measures or efforts put in place to ensure that much as the country,s is food secure, the facilities that are storing this food are also in a state that will not harm both the maize crop and the consumers.

Mr Ngulube: Ema question, aya.

Laughter

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member may wish to know that in the last few years, the FRA has been on a programme to construct new storage facilities as well as to rehabilitate the existing ones. I also wish to mention that storage in this country is an opportunity for the private sector to invest in considering where we want to take agriculture to. So, please, do not hesitate to invest in storage.

Sir, as I mentioned last week, we want to approach agriculture from an integrated approach. Last week, I emphasised that infrastructure is going to be the foundation for us to move agriculture forward. So, we are taking into account all the agriculture infrastructure requirements, not just warehousing, but all related agriculture infrastructure. This will enable us to move agriculture to another level. So, that was an important question and it is well taken. Let me remind the private sector to invest in warehousing because there is money to be made in agriculture.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Ngulube: Ema answers, aya.

Mr Sikazwe (Mpulungu): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has told this House that the Government intends to give grain traders permission to export maize after the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has bought enough maize for the strategic reserves. I take it all the farmers have sold the maize to the grain traders and that the only people who have maize are the grain traders. So, if you give them hope that at some point, you will permit them to export maize, do you think they will be willing to sell that maize to the FRA?

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament is precise to say that. However, if the grain traders or whoever has maize out there does not make it available for purchase to the FRA so that we attain national food security, then the Government will not allow for exports. So, I believe that there is an incentive for those who have grain, on a first-come, first-serve basis to quickly begin talking to the FRA for the best price for the Government to purchase. That way, once the Government has secured its 187,000 metric tonnes that is required to reach the 500,000 metric tonnes as the minimum national food security, there will be an incentive for the traders. The country’s total stocks are over 1 million metric tonnes. If the Government is only looking for 187,000, then you must know that there is an incentive to sell, not just to the FRA, but also if the price is right, to millers and everybody else as well. They can even export because we do know that there is still a need in the region. So, the incentive is there, and that incentive is that until the Government secures stocks, there will be no exports.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that statement. The hon. Minister has indicated that the price structure is normally mutually agreed upon with stakeholders. In this case, being grain traders, millers, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and the Government itself.

Sir, your predecessors have burnt their fingers after taking the route of ignoring the forces of supply and demand, which should really be the determining factor for setting the price of the commodity. In the midst of the distorted marketing system, which you are aware of, is the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). Is there anything the Government can do to ensure that the farmer who toils to grow the maize also benefits and is made part and parcel of the price fixing structure as opposed to just engaging the people who form cartels and hold positions on stocks of maize and sell a 50kg bag of maize at K93? That is very painful for a common man.

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, that is a very important question. All of us, as a nation, and as leaders in this House must agree on how we want to go forward as regards maize and mealie meal. When you look at the whole value chain, you will notice that the farmer is not making money. Consequently, the Government is also not making money and this state of affairs cannot continue. Every year, we have overdrafts. The Government puts in inputs at a great cost because food is important. However, we have decided that we are going to subsidise production. In the end, we are also subsidising consumption. We are subsidising every Zambian, both those that can afford and those who cannot afford. So, it is time we looked at this issue differently.

Sir, we, in the Ministry of Agriculture, are asking the tough questions such as should agriculture not be the Ministry of Agriculture business and not the vulnerable so that issues of vulnerability are handled by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare who can support those in need at that level. That way, we will be able to give the required input in terms of smart subsidies to the farmer so that there is always money to pay the farmer on time for his produce. That is all the farmer is asking for. If that happens, the Government will not be chocking because this will be a revolving fund. However, what we are seeing is from the land, there is the farmer, then the Government and the only people making money are the millers and the grain traders. Most of these grain traders are actually not even Zambians. So, it is important that we look at the value chain as a whole.

I have already instructed the Permanent Secretary (PS) in my ministry so, that by next week to prepare a list of the actual cost at every level, I see them.

Mr Nkombo interjected.

Ms Siliya: I can hear the hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central saying how clever I am. That is why I am here.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Siliya: That is the reason I am here and I take the compliment. Thank you very much.

Mr Speaker, I think that is what we need to do. I believe that my colleagues who have been hon. Ministers of Agriculture before have struggled with this matter. However, it is now time for us to say let us …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Ms Siliya: We need to support and smartly subsidise agricultural production. Thereafter, we must be able to say that at whatever level we intervene, the farmer must be able to make money and the Government must be able to always have cash available for the farmer. So, I am thankful to the hon. Member for that question.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Mr Speaker, the people of Kanchibiya are predominantly farmers and are preparing for the next farming season. The payment for the crops that were last sold to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) is very significant in this regard. At the moment, farmers are unable to send their children to school or contribute to community participation. This also goes for the transporters in Kanchibiya. Therefore, when is the Government paying the farmers and transporters in Kanchibiya what is due?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, that is a very important question and I am sure that is the elephant in the room; when is the Government going to the pay the farmers? Let me just first of all put into context my statement that from the maize purchased by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA|), the value is K473,041,300.20. So far, the Government has released K73,156,733, leaving a balance of K399,884,546.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Ms Siliya: I think it goes back to the question that was asked earlier by the hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central that this cannot continue. We are aware that once the farmers have produced, we cannot continue to hold them to ransom because we are not able to pay them. I have been working frantically with the hon. Minister of Finance so that we give some comfort to the farmers because they want to prepare for the new farming season. The hon. Minister of Finance has confidently told me, and that is why I am going to announce it, that the payments will be done by the first week of November, 2016.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, as the hon. Member of Parliament for Dundumwezi, which produces more maize than any other constituency in this country,…

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ngulube: Question!

Mr Sing’ombe: … I would like to find out from the hon. Minister, with the maize deficit in the Southern African region giving rise to the cost of maize, what national co-ordination marketing arrangements the hon. Minister is proposing to put in place to help our farmers export and sell their maize for good value and avoid exploitation by briefcase traders who buy maize from our farmers like charcoal on the streets?

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, let me begin by congratulating the hon. Member of Parliament for Dundumwezi. He continues to dress very well these days.

Laughter

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, the question asked by the hon. Member of Parliament for Dundumwezi is very important. What we noticed this year was a very unique situation. In a normal situation, we have found that a province like the Eastern Province will actually sell more maize …

Mrs Chinyama: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: You want to object to the compliment? Unfortunately, points of order are not allowed during this segment.

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, the trend normally has been that the Eastern Province in the past few years has sold more maize to the FRA than the Western Province. This year, however, it was so strange to find that actually the Western Province has sold more maize to the FRA than the Eastern Province. It is not that there was not enough production in the Eastern Province, but it clearly highlighted the leakages in some places. Maize was actually being exported by farmers, maybe not by themselves, but through other traders who bought from them and were exporting it to Malawi and Mozambique. I think that these are sort of sipping leakages that the Government is not able to control and benefit from.

Now, while there is an appetite for all this maize in the region, I think we have to learn some lessons that we have to reorganise ourselves. I had a meeting just two days ago with the security wings to give me information on smuggling activities on our borders. Based on the activities on the Kasumbalesa Border, we know that in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), they need maize and it is for us, as the Government and Zambia, to formalise that trade so that we can benefit from it and avoid people smuggling maize, even in the bonnet of a car. So if there is, indeed, that demand pull for our maize, we have to work backwards and determine what the need there is plus our own national need so that we produce and link our farmers to that market.

Mr Speaker, we need to provide farmers in Ikeleng’i, Kafue and Dundumwezi with a marketing linkage system so that they are linked to the market. The hon. Minister of Finance and I have been discussing on possible agriculture free trade zones at Kasumbalesa and Mwami Border as well as at the Mpulungu Port, so that my colleague, the hon. Member of Parliament for Mpulungu, can provide services for his people.

Therefore, I think the question is timely. We all have to review these marketing linkages because they have been haphazard. The market is there beyond Zambia, but the input must meet the demand. That is why the hon. Minister of Finance, hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry and I are saying that we have to make targeted trade missions to particular countries to get off-take agreements. This will enable us to come back to our farmers and say that this is what they must grow because there are ready markets and the Government will create systems and infrastructure to lead to the export markets.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chiteme (Nkana): Mr Speaker, food security seems just to be in terms of maize against that of other crops. I am referring to the case of food and nutritional value in Zambia. I want to tell you that Zambia has been ranked amongst the three worst countries in regard to food and nutrition. We have even been beaten by our poor neighbours, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). What is the Ministry of Agriculture doing to ensure that we do not only have food security in terms of maize, but also nutritional security in terms of crop diversification? A case in point is the Eastern Province where …

Mr Speaker: Order!

I think you have made your point.

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, let me first begin by addressing this issue of the 2016 Global Hunger Index. I think it is very important that we understand it in two contexts, especially when the hon. Member of Parliament compares Zambia to the DRC. Zambia provided the data for this index, while the DRC, Burundi and other countries do not provide the data. So, they are not even part of that index, if I am not mistaken.

Secondly, we are arguing, as the Government, that while we are a willing partner in providing this data to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), we believe that the way the data is collected is skewed towards making Zambia be in a bad position because other variables are not considered and one of them is consumption. Yes, we can concede that maybe, indeed, there is a distribution challenge, but that does not take away from the fact that we believe that consumption levels were not addressed in that index. So, I thought that it was important that we put that into context because the variables that are being used to put Zambia as one of the countries that is third from the bottom in terms of hunger are disputable. Therefore, we are saying that we do not believe that the variables used are inclusive.

Mr Speaker, on the other hand, I think we are working very closely with institutions such as the African Development Bank and between 2015 and 2019 have identified that there are certain crops that are much better in terms of nutrition than maize. One of them is cassava and sorghum. You heard in the statement that in other countries like Namibia, they eat sorghum mealie meal. Why is it that in Zambia, when we talk about mealie meal, we think it is just maize. I think that going forward; we have to give citizens a choice. If, indeed, we are going to answer the question by the hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central that farmers must be paid on time, it means that agriculture must be managed in a business-like manner. Those that want to eat mealie meal from a product such as maize which is very expensive; must be prepared to pay the price. Those that want to eat mealie meal from cassava can pay a different price. Those that want to eat a blend of cassava and maize meal will pay another price. There must be choices and different prices in terms of food. Mealie meal must not just be 100 per cent maize. The point is well taken and my ministry is doing everything possible to support other crops.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, Zambia recently exported maize to Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, an indicator that actually Zambian grain is on demand. My question to the hon. Minister is why the Zambian grain is actually the cheapest in the region, if I heard you right, you said it is US$221 per metric tonne while in the region maize is up to US$280 per metric tonne.

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, it is clearly an issue of supply and demand. Zambia has an excess of over 600, 000 metric tonnes while other countries in the region, including South Africa, which is the biggest exporter, has a deficit of 1.6 million metric tonnes. Clearly, in a country like Zambia, where there is extra stock, you expect the price to be lower compared to countries like Zimbabwe and South Africa where there is a deficit. It is clearly an issue of supply and demand in the region.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Daka (Msanzala): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister, what the ministry is doing to ensure that value on maize is added at the source, in view of the recent introduction of solar powered milling plants. I am asking because when I came back from the village, I found that our small-scale farmers are not ready to pick up this challenge of getting milling plants to assist them to produce mealie meal at the source.

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, I did note earlier that we have to look at the whole value chain of maize from the field until it becomes Nshima on the table. And what we can do to minimise cost and add value especially at source. Through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry in collaboration with co-operatives, the Government has intervened to provide these solar milling plants. We are also saying that in the long term, through an integrated framework, we want to put up thirteen massive milling plants in outlaying areas so that we reduce transport costs in terms of the price of mealie meal. I think that the Ministries of Gender, and Community Development and Social Welfare, do have a programme of providing hammer mills.

Mr Speaker, we have to look at where production is taking place and where the value addition should be to ensure that if maize is produced in the Eastern Province, it is not brought to Lusaka and sent back to the Eastern Province as a bag of mealie meal. Even when it comes to exports, I think we have to encourage export of mealie meal with value addition instead of maize because when we export a bag of maize, we are creating a milling job in another country. We should keep that milling job in Zambia. I think that is how we, in the Ministry of Agriculture, are thinking now.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, the biggest percentage of poor people is in the rural areas, but the largest number of poor people is in urban areas like Lusaka, the Copperbelt and so forth. These poor people unlike their colleagues in the villages, who have the option of tilling the land and looking for wild fruits, do not have that option. Hunger means starvation. Hon. Minister could you just give us an indication as to what your view is regarding the maximum price at which you are going to intervene in the markets for these large numbers of poor people in urban areas so that they do not starve to death.

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, in fact, intervening in the market, is what I think the Government has been doing for a long time. That is why we keep asking the question, what role do we want the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to play? The FRA was intervening in the market from last year in November until May this year. When the price of mealie meal went up in June/July, 2016 the Government again decided to intervene, from 1st July to 10th October, and that cost the country K147.4 million just to stabilise the price of mealie meal so that the urban consumer is cushioned. I think we have to ask the tough questions, I am sure, as former Minister for Finance, this is a matter you understand very well. How should we be smartly intervening towards supporting production so that when production expands, maybe, even the poor youths in urban areas can then find jobs in the agriculture sector not just at actual production, but also agro processing, at value addition because these jobs have to be created.

Mr Speaker, I think that in times of austerity like now we have to be prepared to take the painful pill and say, if we just continue to subsidise consumption at the expense of production, then this sector will not grow. Agriculture will just be considered as a sector for the so-called peasant farmer who never become rich and will never graduate until the Government itself will chock because it will not be able to sustainably support these so-called peasant farmers. We are saying let us look at it with fresh eyes. I am very willing, hon. former Minister of Finance, to continue our old conversations on these matters. I am coming to see you so that you can also contribute to what should be lasting solutions on these matters.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo): Mr Speaker, I have a simple question to the hon. Minister. The hon. Minister seems to be disputing the fact that Zambia is the third country in the world in terms of hunger.

Laughter

Mr Lufuma: She bases her argument on the fact that the perimeters that have been used in calculating and arriving at this very unacceptable position by her as skewed, that is the word she used.

Mr Speaker, we know from the National Nutrition Commission of Zambia that 72 per cent of the people in Zambia cannot manage three square meals per day. Those are facts. That being the case and the fact that she is disputing, could we find out which variables she is using to dispute the report.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, while we appreciate the 2016 Global Hunger Index Report, as the Government, we have studied it with our experts including the data. One of the things that are prominent was that there are countries that are worse off than us and they do not even give data. One of them was the DRC Congo, Burundi and the other two countries from the report that I cannot remember. So, clearly, even on face value, we cannot be that bad compared to a country, where a lot of our food is being smuggled to. I think that is the first thing.

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, secondly, we said that after studying the data, we have noticed that the nationwide consumption is not one of the variables that are clearly addressed. So, we do accept that they might be looking at the distribution variable. Clearly, I conceded that in terms of the many variables that they use, distribution could be one of them. Yes, some people have more while some people do not have any. Others have three meals per day while others have one, but clearly, we cannot say that Zambia is the third in terms of the hunger index the world over. We have said after we have studied the report, we know that there are countries that are worse  off than Zambia that are not participating and are not even giving that information.

Sir, the House may wish to know that we are a willing partner in the index report because we gave the intimation although not all the information we gave was used-not all of it. While they used the three variables of child mortality, nutritional value and the third one, which I cannot remember, we still believe that not all the information we gave was used.

 Mr Speaker, if it makes the hon. Member happy to continuing singing that song, I cannot stop him, but we also know that our experts have disputed that. Actually, I wish to invite him at the launch of this report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) next week, Wednesday, where I will be so that he can hear for himself from the Zambian experts and not politicians like me, but the Zambian experts. While disputing some of the findings in that report, it is not all the findings that are bad, but unless we have the right information, the Government cannot make the right interventions. That is why it is important that we discuss this with the FAO that gives out this report so that we and it can be informed and going forward, we can engage in a better manner.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kamboni (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, agriculture is a serious business and it requires planning. Why does it take the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) that long to determine the floor price for maize? The farmer needs to know the price well in advance for him to plan which crops will be more profitable. Quite often, if not always, the price for maize comes very late and that discourages most farmers to go into the maize production. Why can we not have the floor price for maize as early as possible?

 Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, a question from the hon. Member for Kalomo Central is an offshoot of the question that the hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central asked. What can we do to correctly go forward and what can we correctly do now.

Sir, if indeed, the FRA is the elephant in the whole process then, we have to review the role of the FRA because the FRA was only supposed to buy strategic stocks, but over time, due to politics, social pressure, economic consideration, sometimes, the FRA has behaved as the only buyer in the market, especially in times of plenty when there is no demand in the region.

Sir, it is during that time that we all want the FRA to buy the grain. Sometimes, it has bought over 1.5 million stocks, but in instances like this year when there is demand in the region then, there is not just the FRA in the market.The FRA went into the market late and found that the private sector had already bought the grain because of the demand in the region. The House should know that this is not consistent because when there is more maize in the region then, the FRA becomes the only buyer to support our poor farmers. When there is demand in the region, the FRA is left behind because the private sector acts very quickly and goes in the market and buys the maize.

Mr Speaker, the FRA had to make a consideration before it intervened because it has professionals. For example, its professionals have to look at the moisture content and the availability of the stock that is going to be produced, but the grain traders are not bonded by those restrictions. They went to buy while the maize was still in the field and purchased it from the farmers. Therefore, to me, what I said to the hon. Member for Parliament for Mazabuka Central is that we have to look at through the whole process and determine what we want the FRA to be, what the marketing system should be then, we will be able to answer all these questions including at what levels we should provide smart subsidies. Is it at consumption or only at production levels?

 I thank you, Sir.

 Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, if my memory serves me right, the hon. Minister highlighted from her statement that the FRA managed to release some maize valued at about K100 million.

Sir, my concern is that each year, our working Government has been advertising inviting bids for the supplies of fertilizers. I think those bits are broken per province and the figures are not less than US $7 million. I would like to know who really benefits from these subsidies because if you look at the people of Chama South, they have been farming from time immemorial and the farmer Fertiliser Input Support Programme (FISP) has been there to help, but their lives have not changed.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mung’andu: Right now ,as we are talking …

 Mr Speaker: Order!

 Hon. Member, I think you have asked your question.

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, since his memory did not serve him right, I said that the FRA had given out over 87,000 metric tonnes of maize between 1st of July, to 10th October, 2016 at the cost of K147.4 million. That intervention was only for that period. The hon. Members must remember that the FRA had been intervening in the market from November, 2015 to May, 2016 and we continued from July to date. Again, the Government must make a decision whether we must continue to intervene or allow the market forces to take its course. These are the hard decisions that we must make in the environment of hostility measures. On one hand, we have to grow the economy and on the other hand, we have to cushion the poor.

Sir, I believe that when the FISP was introduced in 2003, it was believed that it was going to be a short-term measure to support the farmers to graduate within three years, but we have not seen many farmers graduate. In fact, it was supposed to be a support in the outlying areas, but now, it is everywhere including Chongwe and even some backyard gardens because there could be some who accessed subsidised fertilisers or inputs, but that is not smart subsidy and either it is a provision of subsides in a smart fashion.

Mr Speaker, I said that we are looking at the whole value chain from the production of maize to when it is in the shop and becomes nshima on the table. Who is benefiting? We still see that the farmer is still a peasant farmer, the Government is still chocked with the bills of suppliers, seed providers or ware-housing and transporters of millers. At the moment, the debts stand at over K1.2 billion but, who is getting the chunk of this money?

Sir, the hon. Member rightly mentioned the issue of fertiliser. Therefore, going forward, and when it comes to the procurement of such important inputs, we should say that these traders should go to the Zambian companies so that there are no capital flights. Sometimes, we think that capital flights is only from repatriation of profits, but it is also from procurement when we are giving foreign companies massive contracts to take the money out when the money should be going to the Zambian companies. Therefore, agriculture should lead by example.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Siliya:  As such, going by the running commentary by the hon. Member of Parliament …

 Mr Speaker: Order!

 Hon. Minister, do not focus on the running commentaries.

Ms Siliya: As guided, Mr Speaker.

We are not saying that we have all the answers. What we are saying is that we are willing to talk to all those that feel that they can contribute so that we can find a lasting solution, once and for all.  What we want is for the peasant farmer to graduate and for the Government to get money out of agriculture and build schools, roads, bridges, clinics and other infrastructure.

We, therefore, have to look at agriculture with  fresh eyes. Is it agriculture just for peasant farmers or agriculture for business? We have to look at where commercial farmers come in and how we can relate to providers of supplies into the industry. My earlier comment was that we have to do a total review or overhaul. As the President indicated, we will do this and not let anything stand in our way, be it a person, systems, policy or regulation.  We need a review for us to move from point A to B because we cannot continue doing the same thing every year.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Mr Speaker, firstly, I would like to commend the hon. Minister for the elaborate statement that she gave.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Mutale: I also wish to break the ice by complimenting the hon. Minister …

Mr Sikazwe: On her dress!

Mr Mutale: …on the beautiful dress.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Mr Sikazwe: Eikali iyo!

Mr Mutale: Mr Speaker, recently, Zambia experienced rains in many parts. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister if we experienced any maize stock losses because of these rains.

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, there was a joke on the internet that some parts of society wanted to run to the Constitutional Court concerning how President Lungu had managed to bring the rains as early as 3rd October.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Siliya: Sir, as I affirmed in my statement, this year, we are expecting better than average rainfall and we are encouraging the farmers to prepare early. So far, I have not received any reports on whether any maize stocks were damaged because of those rains.

Earlier, the hon. Member for Kabwe Central emphasised that it is important that we have proper storage for our crops and I did mention that this is an opportunity for the private sector, Members of Parliament and everybody else to take advantage of because warehousing is critical in agriculture. Storage should not be left to the Government alone even though we are committed to agricultural infrastructure. I want to reiterate that the business of food is across partisan lines and I am willing to listen to everybody.

There is nothing wrong in saying that we need help. Let us share ideas and so, I am inviting the hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central for tea so that we discuss these issues. In fact, I would be very happy to meet with him on Monday at the Independence Day Celebrations so that we can discuss this matter to its logical conclusion.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

_____

HER HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Mr Speaker, lest we forget, thirty-eight years ago today, Zambia lost servicemen in Old Mkushi from attacks by the Southern Rhodesia Military. Our country has an enduring debt to these fallen heroes. What is the Government doing to memorialise our fallen heroes?

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, the Government appreciates and respects all Zambians and foreigners who have rendered outstanding service to the Republic. Zambia has, since Independence, administered the Honours and Awards System on the basis of Proclamation No.6 of 1965. The Honours and Awards System recognises and acknowledges people who have distinguished themselves, people who made a difference and those who are serving others.

Sir, the soldiers and police officers who died in Old Mkushi at the hands of the then Southern Rhodesia Army were Zambians defending their country. Currently, the Government is promoting a national policy that will give guidelines on all matters relating to the Honours and Awards System. It is after this national policy has been devised that the heroes that died in 1978 will be considered.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, Her Honour the Vice-President came to Liuwa to a warm welcome during the campaign period.

Hon. Government Members: Ah!

Dr Musokotwane: My question is: As I go back in December, what should I tell the people of Liuwa you are promising to do for them?

Laughter

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the people of Liuwa have high expectations from both their Member of Parliament …

Laughter

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: …and the Zambian Government with regard to service delivery.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Finance will bring the National Budget to this House on 30th October, 2016. It is the Budget allocations that will determine what projects will take place in Liuwa.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: I beg your pardon, on 11th November, 2016 and not 30th October, 2016. This is what will determine the projects that will go to Liuwa to help our people in the area.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Mr Speaker, a few weeks ago, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, announced that he would constitute a team to probe the post-election violence. I would like to find out, on behalf of the people of Chinsali, if this team has been constituted, and if not, when?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the post election violence is of great concern to His Excellency the President as well as to the people of Zambia. Currently, there is an on-going process to identify commissioners to form a commission that will delve into the issue of the post election violence.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, the Mulobezi Railway Line is still a death trap. The Euro Bond money that was supposed to be spent on that railway line was abused. To date, our people are at risk. What is the Government doing to ensure that the railway line is repaired?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the Mulobezi Railway Line was a death trap for a number of years until this Patriotic Front (PF) Government came to its rescue by apportioning part of the Euro Bond to rehabilitate it. Today, the people of Mulobezi are very happy ...

Mr Livune: Question!

The Vice-President: ... about that development. The rehabilitation of the railway line was not completed, but works will continue on it. As for now, the death trap scenario has ended. As I said earlier, the people of Mulobezi are happy with that rehabilitation.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, this is an on-going programme, it has not ended. We will see the results when the project is completed.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, I would like to know the rationale behind the exclusion of all hon. Members of Parliament from sitting in the council meetings. What was the rationale behind that decision? During campaigns, we, the hon. Members of Parliament, interacted with so many people and promised them so many things, but when it comes to the planning stage at local level, we are excluded.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, this provision in the Constitution to exclude hon. Members of Parliament from council meetings was not the work of the PF.

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

Mr Lubinda: Yes, Jack Mwiimbu was  the Chairman of your Committee.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Laughter

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the contributors to the Constitution Review Commission made this arrangement to have hon. Members of Parliament not sit in council meetings. If this clause is infringing the rights of hon. Members of Parliament and if they feel strongly about it, I think that it is one of the clauses that should be scrutinised and perhaps reviewed. All hon. Members of Parliament have the power to review that part of the Constitution ...

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: ... so that we revisit the provision.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mweetwa (Choma Central): Mr Speaker, the Government has deployed police recruits in large numbers in Mazabuka, Monze, Gwembe, Namwala, Choma and Mongu, as well...

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Mweetwa: ... as other places. These recruits have not even had their pass-out ceremony or graduation. What has necessitated this massive deployment of these recruits? I am reliably informed that some of these recruits are forty years old or above, which is clearly above the recruitment age ...

Laughter

Mr Mweetwa: ... fuelling and raising fears that the recruitment process was politically interfered and not transparent. In about 2012 ...

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, you have put your question already.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I would like to know exactly what the question was. Was it about the age of the recruits?

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, put an explicit question. Be explicit.

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, my question would have been explicit if only I had concluded it.

Mr Speaker: Order!

As I understood it, your question was: why has this deployment has been made in these areas? That was your question. Are you able to confirm that, hon. Member for Choma Central?

Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, thank you for asking the question on my behalf in that regard.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

Why the deployment in those areas? That is the question.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I am glad I do not have to respond to the age limit of a police officer or police recruit.

Sir, last week, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs gave statistics in this House on the prevalence of post election violence in certain areas and the areas which were indicated are the ones where police officers have been deployed. Some of those areas are Choma and Mazabuka and others like Namwala.

Ms Lubezhi: Ah! 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, this has been done not just for the sake of having police officers in these areas. The lives and properties of people have to be safeguarded. That is why the Government decided to send security police in these areas in the Southern Province and in other parts of the country. However, the high prevalence of post election violence was in the areas that have been mentioned by the hon. Member of Parliament for Choma Central.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sikazwe (Mpulungu): Mr Speaker, after listening to the ministerial statement by the hon. Minister of Agriculture and the one that was given yesterday, by the hon. Minister of Finance, everybody got hope that this Government of His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, really means well...

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Mr Sikazwe: ... in trying to improve the living standards of the people of Zambia. Having been a Provincial Minister in the previous Government, I know that the work attitude of civil servants is bad, when it comes to implementing the Government programmes. What is the Government doing to correct the situation or to help the civil servants to change their attitude towards work?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the performance of civil servants in Zambia should be appreciated. However, there are areas where we need to make improvements and that is why the Government has provided the performance appraisal system. This system has started with Permanent Secretaries and we would like it to go down all the way to junior civil servants so that we all can move together. Every civil servant will be monitored and assessed on their individual performance for the benefit of better service delivery to our people.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, yesterday, the President of the faction of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), speaking as hon. Minister of Finance ...

Laughter

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Nkombo: ... made a clear statement regarding the gravity of our current economic situation and set out an economic recovery plan which he hoped would guide us back to the levels of growth that our country needs.

Mr Ngulube: Gary 2021!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Nkombo: I will beat him, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: It has been very prevalent, before this landmark statement was made by the President of the faction of the MMD ...

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Mazabuka Central, let us be plain about this. Are you referring to the hon. Minister of Finance? I am not very sure.
 
Mr Nkombo: Yes, I actually ...

Mr Speaker: I know there are disputes about the leadership of the MMD.

Mr Nkombo: I said a faction.

Mr Speaker: Who are you referring to? The Minister of Finance?

Mr Nkombo: The Minister of Finance who ...

Mr Speaker: Then, let us put it that plainly.

Mr Nkombo: Thank you for your guidance, Sir.

Mr Mutati entered the Assembly Chamber.

Hon. Member: He has come!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, the statement that the hon. Minister of Finance gave yesterday, put us in a state of disillusionment. We now know that the country is in dire straits economically.

Sir, on the 18th of this month, I was at home watching on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Television where the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), one of the three church mother bodies, was conducting a session of prayer, atonement for sins and reconciliation. Several statements were made in this process, including how the Patriotic Front (PF) was thanking God for the abundant blessings of the Zambian economic path that included infrastructure development.

Mr Speaker, could Her Honour the Vice-President help me reconcile these two statements by the hon. Minister of Finance and what the sinners who went to repent at the Woodlands  grounds were proclaiming when they said that this country has been blessed by God with economic developments.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Government Members: Question!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, any true Christian will proclaim that we pray to God in all circumstances.

Mr Lubinda: Yes, we are not sinners!

Hon. Government Members: Free Masonists!

Mr Speaker: Order!

The Vice-President: I do not believe that a Christian believes that we should only pray when things are good for us.

Mr Speaker, when the hon. Minister of Finance gave his statement on the status of our economy yesterday, he was here as hon. Minister of Finance and not as a faction leader of a political party.

Sir, the economy of this country is moving in the right direction.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: It is only the pessimists who are praying hard to whichever church they pray to ...

Hon. Government Members: Masons!

The Vice-President: ... to ensure that the country’s economy breaks down completely.

Mr Ngulube: Satanists!

The Vice-President: It is these same leaders who are wishing President Lungu dead.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Hon. Government Members: Yes!

Mr Mwiimbu: How can you say that?

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

The Vice-President: If the word ‘dead’ is too strong, I must apologise and withdraw it, but I know some people who are running commentaries on social media are wishing  President Lungu ill.

Hon. Government Members: Yes.

The Vice-President: We know that this is what is going on in the country and I hope this will stop because we need to reconcile and understand each other.

Hon. UPND Members left the Assembly Chamber.

Mr Lubinda: You are not allowed to leave the Chamber after asking a question.

The Vice-President: If the hon. Member feels that the response we are giving to these questions are not suitable or palatable to their ears, then I wish them well.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1048 hours until 1103 hours.

 [MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Madam Speaker, I am sure Her Honour the Vice-President has a true picture of the North-Western Province. Many statements have been made over Chingola/Solwezi Road, but when will the Government give the people of the North-Western Province a real statement on when that road will be completed and what is causing the delay? That road has started claiming lives. When are you going to carry out an inspection of that road?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, the Chingola/Solwezi Road is one of the economic roads that have been prioritised by the Government to be completed at the earliest possible time. Some of the road works have stalled due to challenges in funding. That road is important and the Government is aware that the sooner it is completed, the more economic benefits will come to the people of the North-Western and Copperbelt provinces.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chibanda (Mufulira): Madam Speaker, arising from the recent fatal accident that claimed over twenty-four lives on the Serenje Road, Her Honour the Vice-President stated to the nation that there is a statutory instrument (SI) that will stop the movement of passenger buses at a certain time. Is she in a position to state to the House and the nation when this SI will be affected?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, the SIs do not come on the day they are announced. It takes time to put all the evidence and information in order before the Government can pass a law of that nature or any other law in the country.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Jamba (Mwembezhi): Madam Speaker, the Geological Survey Department did some survey on the availability of oil on the western part of this country using the bio-investigations. The samples were taken to Germany and when they returned, they showed positivity. As the Geological Survey Department was almost starting the exploration, the project was politicised and it stalled. Is this Government going to look into the possibility of continuing the oil exploration in the western part of this country since oil is a major problem in this country?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, indeed, oil is one of the engines of economic development. As a matter of fact, the Government has commissioned about seventeen companies that have been given exploration licences to prospect for oil in various parts of the country, including the Western Province. Out of the seventeen companies, two seem to have come with some evidence of oil in one or two sites. That prospect will be given to the House and the country at large, when we receive tangible evidence of oil findings in some parts of this country.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mrs Chinyama (Kafue): Madam Speaker, is there any room for the Government to reconsider the decision on the creation of additional ministries arising from the concerns that have been expressed by colleagues in this House …

Interruptions

Mrs Chinyama: …as well as the picture we got of our economic situation yesterday, through the ministerial statement by the hon. Minister of Finance?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I think the hon. Member is pre-empting the debate even before the issue is brought to Parliament. Parliament will decide on whether these new ministries are necessary. It will also decide on the configuration of ministries. It is a bit pre-mature to make assumptions at this moment, as to whether additional ministries are necessary or not.

I thank you, Madam.

Madam Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, we will go beyond the usual time because we lost about a minute when I was making an announcement.

Mr Chabi (Chipili): Madam Speaker, last evening, this House witnessed a very divisive debate coming from an hon. Member who is not only senior politician but also a senior citizen, Hon. Dr Musokotwane. In his debate, he mentioned that this country is divided into two parts. According to him, there is a part called the North-Eastern Rhodesia and the other one called North-Western Rhodesia. I am very concerned as a young politician. I stand to be corrected because as far as I am aware, the President of this country, borrowing Hon. Dr Musokotwane’s terminology, comes from the eastern part of Zambia, which is representing North-Eastern Rhodesia and he is being deputised by Her Honour the Vice-President who comes from the western part of this country, representing the North-Western Rhodesia. May Her Honour the Vice-President clarify whether, indeed, this country is divided in those two parts?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, geographically speaking, there is no division between the western, southern, eastern and northern parts of Zambia.  Politically, there have been divisions …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: … which we need to eradicate and do away with as quickly as we can.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, from this end, this Government is determined to ensure that the country moves together as one. That is why even development will be taken to every part of Zambia.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Even those that claim that they belong to another part of Zambia should know that they are part of this country. This reconciliation is not a one way traffic. We need to reconcile to reach out to one another so that, as we may differ politically, we should work together as one people of one country.
 
Politics can only divide us, maybe, during elections, but afterwards, there is no reason why we should continue to divide ourselves or make statements that are negative that continue to divide our people. Our people have high respect for all of us, as leaders, especially hon. Members of Parliament. So, what we say and do will be emulated by our followers.

Madam Speaker, I hope that all of us are taking heed of some of these pronouncements that we make.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

_________

BILLS

FIRST READING

EXCESS EXPENDITURE APPROPRIATION (2013)

The Minister of Finance (Mr Mutati): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Excess Expenditure Appropriation Bill (2013). The object of the Bill is to approve the excess expenditure of monies aggregating K573,635 required for the services of the Republic during the financial year which ended 31st December, 2013.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The contents of the Bill have already been considered in the Committee of Supply.

Second Reading on Tuesday, 25th October, 2016.

SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (2014)

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Supplementary Appropriation Bill (2014). The object of the Bill is to confirm the supplementary expenditure of excess monies aggregating K3,538,867,024 required for the services of the Republic during the financial year which ended 31st December, 2014.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The contents of the Bill have already been considered in the Committee of Supply.

Second Reading on Tuesday, 25th October, 2016.

THE COMPENSATION FUND BILL (No.2), 2016

The Minister of Justice (Mr Lubinda): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Compensation Fund (No. 2) Bill, 2016.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands committed to the Committee on Economic Affairs, Energy and Labour. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Tuesday, 8th November, 2016.

Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

Thank you.
________

MOTION

MOTION OF THANKS

(Debate Resumed)

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for according me this opportunity to deliver my maiden speech in this House for the fourth time.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, as I rise, I would like to pay glowing tribute to the people of Monze Central for once again according me this rare privilege of serving them in this august House for the fourth time. I would like to assure them that I shall always endeavour to speak on their behalf without fear of any recrimination from any source whatsoever.

Madam Speaker, I would be failing in my duty if I did not appreciate the leadership of the United Party of National Development (UPND), through his eminence, president Hakainde Hichilema ...

Interruptions

Mr Mwiimbu: ... the President of the UPND together with his running mate, whom we believe, as  the UPND, won the elections. This is why the matter is still in court.

Hon. PPF Members: Question!

Mr Mwiimbu: I also want to thank the entire leadership of the UPND for supporting me to assume this position of Leader of the Opposition in this House.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: I would like to assure them that I will not fail them.

Madam, I also want to thank my campaign team in Monze, led by Mr Bongo Namitondo, deputised by Mr Chiya and Mr Nseluka and the entire team that worked tirelessly to ensure that the UPND in Monze Central won the election resoundingly.

Madam Speaker, I also want to thank my family and, in particular my wife, Mambo Mwiimbu, for the able guidance she gave me in ensuring that I am elected Member of Parliament for Monze Central, once again.

Hon. UPND Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: I also want to praise my colleagues who have won the seats in this House. They may have deserved to be elected to this House.

Hon. PF. Members: Aah!

Mr Mwiimbu: I am saying so because some of you have been petitioned. However, when you are petitioned, do not criminalise those who have petitioned you. It is a right for one to petition. If people petition you, they do not recognise you as duly elected. This is why other leaders in this country have gone to court. It is not an offence not to recognise somebody you have taken to court as not being duly elected.

Hon. PF Members: Question!

Interruptions

Mr Mwiimbu: This is why, Madam Speaker, there is Article 101 and 103 of the Constitution of Zambia.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I am aware there are junior lawyers in here who are misbehaving.

Ms Siliya: There are no lawyers, but hon. Members in here.

Interruptions

Mr Mwiimbu: This is an august House.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Monze Central, please, ignore the running commentaries and address the Chair.

You may continue.

Mr Mwiimbu: I appreciate your guidance, Madam Speaker.

This is an august House and we assume that every person who comes to this House is honourable. We also assume that when you are seated and making comments, you must make honourable comments.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: You cannot start making comments that are divisive on the Floor of this House.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Monze Central, please, take your seat.

Mr Mwiimbu resumed his seat. 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Both sides of this House have been making running commentaries. As I sit here, I listen from the left and right. I would like you to leave it to the Chair to determine when to take action against those making running commentaries. Please, concentrate on your debate, especially, hon. Member, that you are coming for the fourth time.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You may continue.

Mr Mwiimbu: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I was making those comments to assist the House based on the position I hold.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, on 4th October, 2016, I swore before you to faithfully owe my allegiance to the President and defend the Constitution of Zambia and that is exactly what I am going to do today.

Madam Speaker, we have noted, as the Opposition, the propensity to abrogate the Constitution of Zambia by those in the Government.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, the trajectory that is being shown by those in the Government pertaining to the adherence of the Constitution of Zambia is frightening. We, as the Opposition, are here to provide checks and balances and offer advice. Advice as it is, you either take it or leave it. We are here to do exactly just that.

Madam Speaker, we have noted the propensity by the police under the Patriotic Front (PF) Government to abrogate the Constitution of Zambia …

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Mwiimbu: … and abuse the people of this country without following the laid-down processes of law.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ngulube: Question!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I have in mind that on 5th September and 19th October, 2016, our leaders, Hakainde Hichilema, and his running mate, were summoned by the police to appear in Luanshya. They obliged to appear before the police, …

Interruptions

Mr Sing’ombe: Iwe, Kampyongo, iwe.

Ms Kalima: Chikonko mwikate.

Mr Mwiimbu: … but despite their obliging, their rights as citizens of this country …

Mr Ngulube: On a point of order, Madam.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order. hon. Member for Kabwe Central! I am listening attentively.

Hon. UPND Members: Sit down!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Continue, hon. Member.

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I can read the mind of the hon. Member who wanted to raise a point of order. He thinks I am raising issues pertaining to a matter that is in court. The answer is no. The issue I am raising is the gross violation of Articles 21 and 22 of the Constitution of Zambia.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: The issue I am raising is the right to association and free movement of the two individuals.

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, the issue I am raising relates to the behaviour of the police. After the two leaders appeared in court, they were forced to move out of Luanshya and were not allowed to meet or greet any relative or friend contrary to the Constitution of this country.

Interruptions

Mr Kampyongo: On a point of order, Madam.

Mr Mwiimbu: They were forced to move out of Luanshya contrary to the laws and that is the point I am making.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order! Order, hon. Member for Monze Central! 

Mr Mwiimbu resumed his seat.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I would also like some order on my right. I am in the Chair. I am listening attentively. The hon. Member for Monze Central is addressing the issue of the police in relation to the people who are arrested for one reason or the other. I am paying attention because I want to make sure that he does not start addressing issues that are before the courts of law. In so far that he only sticks or rather concentrates on the issue of the police and those who were arrested, I will allow him to debate.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members on my right, allow me to do my job.

Continue hon. Member.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Much obliged, Madam Speaker and I thank you for the guidance.

 The point I am making is that every Zambian has a right to free movement and to associate as long as he or she is within the confines of the law. That is the point I am making. I am not addressing the issues that led them to be in court. I am not doing that. The point I am making is that these two leaders obliged and they are law abiding as evidenced by their ensuring that they went to court. When the court hearings ended, they were supposed to mingle and meet their friends and relatives in Luanshya.

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: However, the heavily armed policemen had to move them out of Luanshya. I am aware that even my colleagues who are hon. Members of Parliament and had gone to Luanshya to escort their leaders were teargassed.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, the point I am making is that it is incumbent on the part of the leadership of the PF to ensure that actually they maintain peace in this country.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, if they continue with this trajectory, it will be difficult …

Mr Mutale: To do what?

Mr Mwiimbu: … to continue and maintain …

Mr Ngulube: Question!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwe Central should not behave like that …

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Mwiimbu: … after your guidance.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Monze Central …

Hon. Government Members: Leader of the Opposition.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: … and Leader of the Opposition in the House, I think that we have all acquired enough experience to be deaf to running commentaries.

 You may continue.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, they can either take the point I am making or leave it. It is up to them. The point I am making, as Her Honour the Vice-President had acceded, is that this country is divided. It is the responsibility of all of us leaders here to ensure that we maintain peace and order in this country.

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, however, we should not become irresponsible and make comments and tribal remarks on the Floor of this House which are being heard by members of the public, especially those in one particular corner on your right.

Hon. Back Benchers: Question!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, even yesterday, some of the hon. Members on your right were making tribal comments on the Floor of this House.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, let us avoid debating ourselves. Let us also be less emotional. You may continue, but address the Chair.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, this is a very emotive issue. We are all aware that the country is divided. It is the responsibility of all of us, leaders, to ensure that this country does not follow the path of failed States. That is what we have to do.

Madam Speaker, the point that I am making is that in this House, whatever comment you make wherever you are seated is picked by these speakers and the members of the public hear what we say. So, I am just advising you.

Hon. Government Members: We know that they can hear.

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, advice is advice. If those people do not want to listen to advice, then they can go to a certain place which is very hot where there is no coming back. They can go.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, if the name of the place I am talking about was not unparliamentarily, I would have said where they are supposed to go.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, please,continue.

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I want to thank you, the hon. Mr Speaker and the Second Deputy Speaker. I would also like to indicate that your election to those positions was well deserved. As I make these accolades to you, I would like to refer to the provision of the Constitution, which seeks your office to protect the rights of the hon. Members of this august House.

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I would like to urge you to perform your duties with impartiality and above board. The Zambian Parliament has always been praised internationally. Therefore, I urge you to continue on the path of your predecessors, Speaker Nabulyato, Speaker Mwanamwambwa, Speaker Nyirenda and others. That is to ensure we protect the integrity of this House. You are the umpires in this House and we look forward to your protection. Members of the public look up to this House to ensure that the debates are regulated in an impartial manner ...

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: ... and without bias. As our presiding officers, we assume that you do not belong to any political party and we hold you in that light. We are looking forward to seeing you continue with that guidance.

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, as I indicated, we have, on a number of occasions advised on the need for this House to protect the Constitution. We are on record as having advised when the Constitution of Zambia was being debated and passed in this House. However, because of the arrogance of numbers, we, on the left, were defeated. However, the reasons we objected to it have now come to pass and now the hon. Members on your right have realised that the decisions that they made on that fateful day were wrong.

Mr Kampyongo: Question.

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, they have realised that they have done a disservice to this country, hence the zeal to come back and amend the Constitution. We were abused on that day. The hon. Members on your right laughed at us. They laughed at us and said that we did not know what we were doing.

Hon. Government Member: That was not the document.

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I am surprised to hear somebody say that was not their document. That document was tabled on the Floor of this House by the hon. Minister of Justice.

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

Hon. UPND Members: By the PF.

Ms Siliya: From the people.

Mr Mwiimbu:  Madam Speaker, that was their document.

Hon. Government Members: It was from the people.

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, that was their document and not ours.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Order in the House!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, that is why it is always important to listen to the other side. If you do not listen, you fall in the pit.

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Do not think that just because you are going to make amendments to the Constitution, those amendments will pass. You have to discuss and convince us on the need to pass that particular Constitution.

Madam Speaker, there is no way you can use impunity and think that you can pass a law on the Floor of this House. We are aware that some of you are crying because you no longer have positions after removing positions for Deputy Ministers and many others. Now you have realised that what you did was wrong. You are now talking about our not being members of the council. We told you to send back that particular document to the people so that amendments could be made, but you refused because of the arrogance of numbers.

Hon. UPND Member: Shame on you.

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, there is no way we will allow you to use the arrogance of numbers anymore. You do not have, ...

Interruptions

Mr Mwiimbu: ... the two-thirds majority required to pass any Constitutional amendment on the Floor of this House.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, you will first need to talk to us and convince us. However, we also expect you to first of all apologise to us and accept that you erred.

Interruptions

Mr Mwiimbu: If you do not do that, do not even dare because we are not going to pass that Constitution.

Hon. Government Members: No!

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, we will not support it unless the hon. Members on your right convince us. We have the numbers here ...

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: ... not to allow that Constitution to pass.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, they do not have the numbers.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order on both sides.

Hon. Members on the right, I am reluctant to start mentioning names. Therefore, I ask that we try to be orderly. The hon. Member for Monze Central Parliamentary Constituency is just about to conclude his debate. Allow him to conclude. Your time will come when you too, will have an opportunity to deal with the issues that he is raising. You can then deal with them effectively at that time. For now, allow him to conclude his debate.

Continue, hon. Member.

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I thank you. That is the leadership we appreciate and we are looking forward to you, continuing to provide the good leadership you have exhibited today.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I am saying that if our colleagues want to amend the Constitution, they have to talk to us and convince us to support it otherwise there will be no Constitution amendment.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mrs Fundanga (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, I feel greatly honoured to give my first maiden speech in this House. I am Rosario Fundanga representing the good people of Chilubi.

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!

Mrs Fundanga: Madam Speaker, I would like to start my maiden speech to this august House by first congratulating Mr Speaker in absentia, you as First Deputy Speaker and the Second Deputy Speaker on being elected to preside over this House. This is a great expression of the enormous trust that legislators of our great country have in you all. I also pay my respect and congratulations to one of Zambia’s pride, Her Honour, the first woman Vice-President and running mate for our President, Mrs Inonge Wina, for a deserving victory in the last election.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Fundanga: I would also like to congratulate every hon. Member in the House here on winning the elections in their respective constituencies. I know that it was not easy because I went through the same process. However, what is important here is not ourselves. It is the way we treat the most vulnerable in our communities and constituencies. The way we behave in the Chamber is what will reflect the basic strength of our young democracy.

Madam Speaker, let us not lose track of why we are here. We should not perpetuate hate speeches, forgetting the effects this will have on our most marginalised and everyone who voted for us. In politics, just like in business, the pendulum should not be allowed to swing too far in favour of individual rights. There should be a commensurate degree of individual responsibilities and discipline as well.

Madam Speaker, if we do not oblige, five years will look like five days. Our Republican President has set the tone and we should get down to business by burying our political differences. We are, indeed, One Zambia, One Nation and the people are very expectant of positive results from all of us, otherwise our sittings will be a mere worst of taxpayers’ money.

Madam Speaker, as I continue my salutations, I would also like to thank my dear husband and children for the undeniable love and support they have always given me, making it possible for me to share this love and be effective in whatever responsibility I have taken. I would also like to thank my siblings for the time and encouragements as well as my parents for contributing to who I am today. I wish to thank my aunt and uncle, Professor Chomba and Mr Chomba. I would also like to thank my adopted brothers and sisters and all my friends and relatives who stood by and believed in me, especially Uncle Alexander Chikwanda and Mrs Chikwanda.

Interruptions

Mrs Fundanga: I would also like to thank the Patriotic Front (PF) and all its structures, especially the Members of the Central Committee (MCCs), provincial, constituency and district officials, not forgetting, and I emphasise, the PF party members of Chilubi and the people of Chilubi for the support they gave me. They stood by me, especially during the adoption process and campaign period.

Madam Speaker, allow me to thank my former employer, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) for grooming, training and empowering me on how to operate in a wide world of development experts and for all the time they allowed me to take during my campaigns.

Madam Speaker, I would be amiss in my salutations if I did not congratulate His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on his resounding victory in the 11th August, 2016 elections. I thank him for the support he rendered by coming to my constituency to campaign for me. I had to reserve the big congratulations to the end of all the others so that it could set the tone for the rest of my speech.

Madam Speaker, Chilubi is a district as well as a constituency and has twenty-two wards, making it one of the largest constituencies in Zambia. Chilubi District is in the Northern Province and consists of an island on the north of the centre of the eastern side of Lake Bangweulu and on the east part of the lake is the mainland. Both are under one constituency. The island has an unusual zigzag shape of about 12 km long and 1.5 to 3 km wide. It resembles a Chinese dragon with its head and tail and has about 100 km of shoreline.

Madam Speaker, the mainland borders with Luwingu and the lake itself. I am saying this because probably some people from faraway places have never been to Chilubi. Lake Bangweulu is referred to as the place where the water meets the sky and it is breathtaking with its white beaches.

Madam Speaker, like most rural places in Zambia, Chilubi is no exception when it comes to challenges, and I will just mention a few. The notable challenges are in road infrastructure, schools, health, food security, agriculture and transportation. Unfortunately, the road network infrastructure is a nightmare for the good people of Chilubi. On the island, there are no roads to talk about. The traditional pathways that have created a ring way is what is there from the district headquarters to the mission hospital called Santa Maria and curves throughout the island. No road has ever been graded on the island since Independence. The pathway is cleared by manual labour from time to time.

Madam Speaker, the bridge connecting Chilubi Island to Nsumbu Island has not been constructed, making it impossible for some people in Nsumbu to actually do meaningful development activities because no vehicle has ever been there to transport the much-needed developmental materials. It hurts me to acknowledge such endeavours, but this is the reality. When I hear some of my hon. Colleagues talk about tarred roads in their areas, I begin to wonder whether Chilubi is in the same country, …

Mr Mwiimbu: Hear, hear!

Mrs Fundanga: … especially now when the PF Government has performed wonders on infrastructure development. I am comforted by the fact that we have a listening President and he will certainly hear the cries of the people of Chilubi.

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mrs Fundanga: In Chilubi, there is not even a tarred road, like I said, not just on the island, but also the mainland. On the mainland, we have for many years been promised a road connecting Luwingu, Nsumbu, Chaba and Chilubi islands. I am confident that with the passion that our President, His Excellency, has for the rural people, this promise will come into reality. The drawings and survey apparently have already been made. This road opens up Chilubi connecting to Luwingu, which will serve as a transport corridor to various markets and destinations.

Madam Speaker, I wish to thank His Excellency the President and the PF Government for constructing a secondary school on the mainland which is yet to be commissioned. The state of the yet to be commissioned building will secure the populations needs. However, there is  a need to improve on primary schools which are mainly community schools and are of very low standard.

Madam Speaker, it would also help if Santa Maria Mission School was upgraded to a secondary school through partnering with the Government. An introduction of a boarding school from primary to secondary will be of great help as fishermen tend to take their children with them to fishing camps during school terms.

Madam Speaker, Chilubi Island is sandwiched between Samfya and Chilubi Mainland, most people travelling to Chilubi Island from the Copperbelt or Luapula use Samfya as a gateway. However, the one boat which is there is fatigued and a death trap. You can imagine that it is so fatigued that for a distance of about 70 km, this boat takes about seven to eight hours on water with no proper heath facilities on board and it is normally overloaded with goods and passengers.

Madam Speaker, water transport should be a priority for Chilubi. It takes US$1 million to construct a 1 km road. This could be used, if it was possible, to buy two passenger boats or a vessel because the road is the water which is already constructed. I imagine it will cost more than a 3 km road stretch and yet it will be covering the 70 kilometres in good time, saving many.

Madam Speaker, as I said earlier, Chilubi Constituency has the island and the mainland. The island enjoys electricity from the national grid, but there is no electricity on the mainland where most of the agricultural activities take place. The newly built secondary school and hospital are located on the mainland. This investment by the Government can only be of full benefit to the people if there was energy or electricity available on the mainland.

Madam Speaker, I wish to thank His Excellency the President and the PF Government for providing the people of Chilubi with a district hospital, the first of its kind since 1964. The President commissioned this hospital in July this year. Chilubi only had one hospital, courtesy of the Catholic Church which has been in Chilubi for over a hundred years. The newly built district hospital is on the mainland. This has helped avoid many deaths, especially of pregnant women and people trying to cross the lake to Santa Maria Mission Hospital on the island. The ten health posts earmarked for Chilubi have not yet been constructed and people still have to walk long distances to go to the nearest hospital. I urge the Government to continue supporting Santa Maria Mission Hospital by creating a stronger partnership.

Madam Speaker, like all rural settlements in the country, Zambia is a blessed country; there are prospects in Chilubi for agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and trade. In agriculture, I am glad the hon. Minister of Agriculture is here, I would urge her to look at the plight of our people for value addition because it will lead to the retention of youths in rural areas.

Madam Speaker, in tourism, as I had mentioned earlier, we have beautiful beaches and bird sanctuaries that one can marvel at.

Madam Speaker, I always say that water is one resource which is most expensive but unfortunately because it is not found on the stock exchange, people do not look at it as a valuable asset. With so much water in Chilubi, the sky is the limit but unfortunately, we do not have clean running water yet the water table is very high. If it were possible to pipe and use solar pumps, the dug up wells and boreholes would provide clean running water to the people.

Madam Speaker, during my campaign, I promised the good people of Chilubi Constituency only two things, an ear and my time.

Madam Speaker, I am honoured to have been elected to a Government and a party that will provide good leadership and I will play my part to ensure that as a nation, we do not walk complacently into the future, but that we will control our destiny and achieve our goals.

Madam Speaker, I have a few comments on the President’s Speech. I wish to put on record that the Speech His Excellency the President delivered which some economists have called “hitting the ground running 2016-2021 agenda” has defined our work for the five years we will be in this House.

Madam Speaker, the theme “building an integrated multi-sectoral approach to development that enhances inclusiveness in development without leaving anyone behind”, is a testimony that His Excellency the President is thinking of the bottom millions.

Mr Sikazwe: The bottom what?

Mrs Fundanga: In Zambia, we are only millions so, it can only be the bottom millions.

Mr Sikazwe: Millions.

Mrs Fundanga: Yes.

Madam Speaker, the main key sectors the President mentioned are agriculture and industrialisation, job creation, energy, business environment and competitiveness, climate change, human capital development and social protection, and gender equality.

Madam Speaker, most countries that have attained economic development such as countries in South East Asia and South Korea of the Far East nest their success in recent years through agriculture and industrialisation.

Madam Speaker, I am extremely excited to acknowledge the fact that His Excellency the President, gave more time to this topic because of its importance to our own economy. Agriculture has an immediate benefit to the bottom millions and therefore, gives no room for profit externalisation and in some cases tax evasion. Agriculture is one sector where even a small farmer is comfortable with the word profit or can be comfortable with the word profit.

Madam Speaker, the farm mechanisation that His Excellency talked about coupled with science and technology will not stimulate production, but will contribute to the supply chain. The value addition to the produce will also add shelf life to the products as well as quality. The process itself will create jobs as mechanisation will require training and therefore, engage human capital.

Madam Speaker, the majority of Zambian farmers, particularly small-scale farmers-share a common denominator, namely low quality, low skill content, low pay, low productivity and low prospects for advancement, with limited access to development resources. These vast hindrances and challenges can only be overcome with political will and drive through a policy shift like His Excellency has embarked on with his holistic approach to diversification. There is enormous potential to accelerate the contribution of agriculture to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Mr Sikazwe: Endesheniko, you are running out of time.

Mrs Fundanga: No!

It is my maiden speech.

Madam Speaker, I know some corners of our society might claim that they have heard this before; but I would like to invite them to read the speech carefully and see whether these are not home based truths that we need diversification and that we need to …

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member.

You time is up.

Interruptions

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Madam Speaker, I thank you very much for giving me this rare opportunity to stand here and address this august House.

Madam, let me begin by congratulating you, Madam, and Mr Speaker on your election to this august House, where you went unopposed.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamusonde: His success is testimony of the trust the House has in him.

Madam Speaker, allow me to congratulate you and the other Speaker on your election to your positions.

Madam, first and foremost, let me pay tribute to the people of Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency for electing me their Member of Parliament.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamusonde: By so doing, the residents of Nangoma have made me their servant and I stand ready to be at their service by effectively representing them through this august House.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamusonde: Madam, by giving me their vote again, the people of Nangoma have demonstrated their confidence and trust in me and to the nation as a whole, especially that I stood as an Independent candidate.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamusonde: I want to pledge that I will always be duty bound to serve them and I intend to monitor all the projects that I, together with my constituents, will come up with.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker, poverty in Nangoma Constituency ranges from not having enough food to eat, not having access to medical facilities to many other forms of human deprivation. My task in the next five years will be to play the role of commander in alleviating poverty.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear

Mr Hamusonde: I know it will not be an easy fight, but it will be won at any cost. Therefore, one thing is crucial and that is, I will need to spend more time with the people of Nangoma.

 Madam, just like other Zambians, my people are in a hurry to develop and raise their standard of living. The people of Nangoma have re-elected me because I am an action-oriented man so that we can initiate developmental projects to empower women and youths.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamusonde: Madam Speaker, with regard to health, I wish to take this opportunity to state that a health nation is a productive nation and therefore, this is key to national development. The people of Nangoma do not have adequate access to medical facilities. If we are going to promote economic growth in this country, we must have a health workforce. This means that the Government should formulate the National Budget in such a manner that more resources are committed towards improving health services and infrastructure.

Madam, the Government should not only build new hospitals and clinics, but also improve the supply of drugs and ensure that both hospitals and clinics have adequate and appropriate personnel to provide services to the people to avert what is obtaining on the ground.

Madam Speaker, Muchabi Myooye Chiwena and Maimwene clinics have no health personnel. In addition, the two clinics have no ambulances to assist ferry the sick to hospitals.

Madam, there is a lot of potential for tourism development in this country. Tourism can create employment for the local people, boost development and, indeed, encourage other development activities. I call upon the Government through the hon. Minister of Tourism and Arts to look at the potential of the game park in Nangoma Constituency.

Madam Speaker, in Nangoma, we have the Blue Lagoon National Park, which has great potential for exploitation. In this vein, I would also like to implore the Government to work on the Nampundwe/Mumbwa Road, which passes through the Blue Lagoon National Park. At the moment, this road is in a very bad state. Although last year, the hon. Minister of Works and Supply promised that the road will be upgraded, to date, it has not been worked on. We need the road to be worked on without fail. Further, we also require the road from Nangoma to Kasulu going to senior chief’s palace to be tarred. If this road is worked on, it will help the people of Nangoma a lot and they will definitely appreciate the Government’s effort. We also want the stretch to Nangoma National Hospital to be worked on because it is in a very bad state.

Madam, just like many other rural constituencies, it is worth noting that Nangoma depend on agriculture as its economic main stay. It is both a source of food and money. In short, it provides employment to almost all men and women in the area. There is need to strongly support this sector in my constituency. I also want to emphasise this to my constituency officials.

Madam, as Member of Parliament, I would like to see an improved marketing structure of agricultural produce. As we are all aware, clean drinking water is essential to healthy living. It is, therefore, my wish to see enough boreholes sank in Nangoma. Furthermore, my wish to see enough boreholes sank in Nangoma. In addition, more dams need to be constructed in areas such as Mukubu area and to rehabilitate the existing ones such as Mambulwe, Nangoma and Namalawe dams.

Madam Speaker, on education, I wish to say that this is a basic human right. It is against this back ground that I appeal to our Government under the Patriotic Front (PF) Government to continue building schools. There is need to construct more schools in rural areas and also to send more trained teachers to rural constituencies so as to improve illiteracy levels and encourage those who still have the will to continue with their education.

Madam, we only have one high school in Nangoma Constituency. The school is located at the centre. It was built with the assistance of the community and myself. I now wish to urge the Government to come in and build more structures such as accommodation for teachers and additional classroom blocks.

Madam Speaker, I also wish to state that although Nangoma Constituency is about 120 km form Lusaka, cellular phone networks are a problem. To this effect, I am asking the Government to build up more towers so that the people of Nangoma can easily access cellular phone networks.

I wish to end by stating that Zambia is for Zambians, therefore, it is One Zambia, One Nation and one people.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 Mr Hamusonde: Madam Speaker, with these few words, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

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.

______

The House adjourned at 1214 hours until 1430 hours on Tuesday, 25th October, 2016.