Tuesday, 9th February, 2016

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MR SPEAKER

ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE 

Mr Speaker: I wish to inform the House that in the absence of Her Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning who is attending to other equally important Government business, the hon. Minister of Justice, Dr Ngosa Simbyakula, MP, has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House from today, Tuesday, 9th February, 2016, until further notice. 

APPOINTMENT TO PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

Mr Speaker: I wish to inform the House that in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 131, Mr Mighty Mumba, MP, has been appointed to serve on the Public Accounts Committee following the resignation of Mr Miles Sampa. 

APPOINTMENT TO PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT

Mr Speaker: I wish to inform the House that following the appointment of Hon. Dora Siliya, MP, as Minister of Energy and Water Development, Ms Margaret Miti, MP, has been appointed to serve on the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) to replace Hon. Dora Siliya, MP. 

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BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

The Minister of Justice and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Dr Simbyakula): Mr Speaker, I rise to give the House some idea of the business it will consider this week.

Sir, before I do that, let me welcome all the hon. Members to the second meeting of the Fifth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly. I hope that the hon. Members had a refreshing break. 
Mr Livune: Question!

Dr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, as indicated on the Order Paper for today, 9th February, 2016, the House will deal with Questions for Oral Answer and presentation of Government Bills. 

Sir, tomorrow, Wednesday, 10th February, 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 there will be any. Thereafter, the House will deal with Private Members’ Motions, if there will be any. The House will then consider the Report of the Committee on Estimates on the Supplementary Provision Warrant No. 1 of 2016. 

Sir, on Thursday, 11th February, 2016, the Business of the House will commence with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will then consider the Report of the Parliamentary Select Committee Appointed to Scrutinise the Presidential Appointment of Mr Justice Charles Kajimanga and Mr Michael Musonda, SC. to serve as Supreme Court Judges and Hon. Dr. Justice Winnie Sithole Mwenda, Mrs Irene Inonge Zeko Mbewe, Mrs Mercy Kapuka Makubalo, Mrs Penjani Longwe Lamba, and Mr Dancewell Mwape Bowa to serve as High Court Judges. 

Mr Speaker, on Friday, 12th February, 2016, the Business of the House will begin with Her Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time. This will be followed by Questions, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will deal with presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. 

I thank you, Sir. 

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENT 

The Minister of Higher Education (Dr Kaingu): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank you for giving me the opportunity to make a ministerial statement on the closure of the two major public universities, namely the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road Campus, and Copperbelt University (CBU). 

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Dr Kaingu: Sir, on Wednesday, 3rd February, 2016, I announced the closure of the two universities, following days of violent protests by students that resulted in damage to public property. Only students from the School of Medicine Ridgeway and Ndola campuses, Graduate Schools, Evening, Distance and Parallel programmes were exempted from the closure. 

Mr Speaker, from the outset, I wish to state that the closure of the two universities was a very painful decision that we had to make. Unfortunately, that was the only option we were left with. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Dr Kaingu: Sir, the education sector is the Government’s priority. Currently, almost 20 per cent of the National Budget goes towards this sector. In order to increase access to university education, the Government supports vulnerable students to pursue studies at UNZA and the CBU. As the establishment of the Loans Board is being finalised, vulnerable students are supported through the payment of tuition and accommodation fees, accommodation refunds for students who are not accommodated by the two universities, meal allowances, book allowances and project allowances. 

Mr Speaker, tuition and accommodation fees are paid to the universities at the beginning of each academic year while other allowances are paid directly to the students. Meal allowances are paid to the students at the beginning of every term. Book allowances are paid to the students at the beginning of every academic year. Project and accommodation refunds are paid to entitled students upon receipt of information from the universities. Sir, I must hasten to say that the allowances are paid only when they are made available. 

Mr Speaker, CBU students were paid book and meal allowances for Term I at the beginning of the term on 10th June, 2015. Term II allowances were paid on 9th November, 2015, while project and accommodation refunds were paid on 18th January, 2016. Part of the Term III meal allowances were paid on 2nd February, 2016. The allowance paid was K1,317.50 per student. This is meal allowance for fifty-nine days out of the ninety-seven days for Term III. 

Sir, UNZA students were paid book and Term I meal allowances on 18th November, 2015, at the beginning of the term, while part of the Term II meal allowances were paid on 2nd February, 2016. The allowance paid was K1,192.50 per student for fifty-three days out of the ninety days for Term II.

Mr Speaker, on Friday, 29th February, 2016, students at UNZA …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the right!

Dr Kaingu: … protested against delayed Term II meal allowances for the 2015/2016 Academic Year. On Monday, 1st February, 2016, students at CBU also protested against delayed Term III meal allowances for the 2015/2016 Academic Year. 

Despite assurances that students would be paid meal allowances as soon as the hon. Minister of Finance released the funds, students chose to take to the streets to disturb the general public and destroy property. They continued with their violent behaviour even after the meal allowances were paid. 

Mr Speaker, it is important to note that, so far, all the allowances due to the students have been paid and that the only allowance that was delayed was the meal allowance. I would like to emphasise that at the time the decision to close the two universities was made, the Government did not owe the students any allowance because there has been misinformation that the decision to close the two universities stemmed from failure by the Government to pay meal allowances to beneficiary students. This is totally false. 

Mr Speaker, it is saddening that the vulnerable students who are privileged to receive Government support are the ones who have chosen to be unruly. The beneficiaries of bursary support to the CBU and UNZA ought to appreciate that their colleagues in other public universities do not enjoy the privilege to receive a bursary that they have chosen to abuse. It is wrong to abuse this privilege when many Zambians desire to have it. 

Efforts were made to dialogue with the students to return to , but this proved futile. For instance, the UNZA management addressed the students on Friday, 29th January, 2016, to assure them that the Government was doing something about their grievances, but they resorted to damaging property, including stoning vehicles on the Great East Road. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education tried to intervene in the matter on the same day, but to no avail. 

In the case of the CBU, I personally visited the university and offered to dialogue with the students, but they refused. Sir, I wish to make it clear that the Government does not take pleasure in closing institutions of higher learning, but will act to control the situation when students choose to indulge in violent protests and destroy public property instead of concentrating on their studies.  

I wish to appeal to the student leadership in the country to make an extra effort to sensitise their members on matters of discipline, non-violent protests and non-involvement in active politics. Parents who have children in these institutions also need to play a role by instilling discipline in their children. 

Opportunities to study at institutions of higher learning should be optimised and not abused. Any disruptions in the academic calendar of the institutions are not only costly to the institutions, but also the students and the entire nation. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune: Question!

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

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the statement because I was ready to stand on a point of order on this matter. Hon. Minister, you read my mind and were quick to bring the statement before I could catch you unaware. 

Hon. Minister, this is a recurring problem. On several occasions, you have mentioned that the Government would introduce student loans in order to solve the problem of student protests. When are you going to give the students loans to deter them from demonstrating?

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for his question. Hon. Member for Chadiza, indeed, I knew that you would rise on a point of order and I had to be cleverer than you. 

Laughter 

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the preparation of a Bill on student loans has reached an advanced stage. It is my hope that it will be brought to the House before the end of this meeting. 

I thank you, Sir.  

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, the students contend that they were only paid half their entitlement. The hon. Minister has said that the Government does not owe the students any allowances. Hon. Minister, did you educate the students on their entitlement before the half amounts were paid? 

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I would like the House to know that when students are enrolled at the universities, they sign bursary forms which clearly state that allowances will only be paid when they are made available. 

As far as meal allowances are concerned, the Government was supposed to pay the students on a daily basis. However, to make it convenient for both the Government and the students, it was decided that meal allowances be paid in advance. 

Sir, students at the Copperbelt University (CBU) were paid meal allowances for fifty-nine days out of ninety-seven days. This means that they were also paid for the days that they were not in the university. In the case of the University of Zambia (UNZA), students were paid for fifty-three days out of the ninety-days they were supposed to be in the university. So, they have been paid more than their entitlement.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, the meal allowance serves students who live in boarding houses off campus due to limited bed space at the institutions. In view of this, I expected your statement to show the steps you will take towards reconciling your differences with the students.

Sir, now that you have clearly exonerated yourself from indebtedness on the issue of the meal allowance, when will you move towards reconciling your differences with the students which would then lead to reopening both institutions and normalising the situation at the institutions? I ask bearing in mind the advice you have given us that we should all play a part in counselling our children.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the process of initiating dialogue with the students has begun. This should have been done before closing the universities, but the students decided to riot instead of engaging the Government. 

Sir, the Government is ready to dialogue with the students. I had a meeting with the student leaders yesterday and I would like to assure you that as soon as the modalities have been agreed upon, we shall announce the date when the universities will open. The action that I took is regrettable. However, that was the only option.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, you are aware that ever since the value of the Kwacha began to depreciate, the cost of living has been rising, including that of meals. What steps are being taken towards meeting the students’ grievances and those of the whole nation? 

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the bone of contention is very clear. The students wanted to be paid their meal allowances, which have since been paid. The question of whether they can afford meals with the allowances paid cannot be discussed because it has not been brought to our attention that the meal allowances are inadequate.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mutelo (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that the Government does not owe the students any money, as all their meal allowances were paid, but the students decided to riot, resulting in the closure of the two universities. If the Government has paid all the allowances, what could have caused the riots? 

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, what has surprised the Government is that the students still went on to riot even after we paid what they demanded.

Laughter 

Dr Kaingu: The only option was to close the universities.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister is on record as having said at another forum that some of the students who were arrested were imposters who were political activists. One would have thought that he would take this opportunity to clarify this matter in his statement. 

Sir, can you clarify your earlier statement by giving the House the number and names of the imposters who were arrested.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Higher Education does not conduct arrests, neither does he take law breakers to court for trial. Therefore, I am not privileged to know the names of the outsiders who were found loitering at the institutions.

Mr Mwila: That is enough.

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, ...

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: ... there is impeccable evidence that some political parties are trying to garner support in institutions of higher learning. I am not accusing anybody. So, do not ask who the people who are doing this are.

I thank you, Sir. 

Ms Lubezhi (Namwala): Mr Speaker, yesterday, on the 1900 hours Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) main news, the hon. Minister said that the students have to show maturity in order for the Government to authorise the two universities to reopen. What yardstick is the ministry using to measure the maturity levels of the students in order for the two universities to be reopened?

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, it should be everybody’s knowledge in this House that at university level, students must not only pursue their study programmes, but also develop a character of leadership. A character of leadership comes with humility. If students lack humility, then, it means that they cannot be taught. At the moment, it is very clear that students lack humility. Some of them have demonstrated that they are immature. It appears that their brains have not matured in proportion to the sizes of their bodies.

I thank you, Sir.

 Laughter

Mr Mutale (Kwacha): Mr Speaker, private universities do not experience closures like the two public universities we have in this country. In the recent past, the closures have been quite frequent. If the bursary that is given to the students is the one that is causing this unruly behaviour, what measure is the Government putting in place to discontinue it?

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, the biggest problem that we have in this country is the syndrome of entitlement. People believe that they are entitled to free things in life, including food. It is very clear that even we, politicians, tell the people that they are entitled to free accommodation, water and electricity. 
Laughter

Dr Kaingu: Sir, the syndrome of entitlement is what has created this problem. I want to agree with the hon. Member of Parliament that we must seriously look at implementing the loan scheme. If we cannot, then, maybe, we should go back to the system of students eating from the dining halls.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, there have been reports and insinuations by the Government that the riots were prompted by some opposition parties. How did the hon. Minister come to that conclusion? If that is true, which political parties are those?

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, sometime last year, a president a political party and his vice-president of were spotted at Mulungushi University distributing t-shirts. Mulungushi University has got a student population of about 10,000. If this president and his vice-president could garner support at the institution, what would stop them from hunting for members in an institution where there are 24,000 students? I cannot name this president because we are not allowed to mention names of people who are not in this House. I know that the guilty are always afraid and I can almost see that. 

Laughter

Dr Kaingu: Sir, if this president and his vice-president could be spotted at Mulungushi University, then, we can deduce that actually, they have gone out of their way to woo support from students at other institutions of learning. We all know that this president and his disciples have visited the institutions of learning. Let me appeal to hon. Members like Hon. Nkombo who have passed through the Copperbelt University (CBU) and the University of Zambia (UNZA …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Minister, I do not think you should single him out.

Dr Kaingu: Sir, he is my nephew. I hope he will not take this seriously.

Mr Speaker: No! Nevertheless, I object.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kaingu: I apologise, Sir.

Mr Speaker, I want to emphasise that the two presidents and their disciples have taken a serious step of wooing youths to vote for them and will stop at nothing, including causing problems in institutions of learning.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, we all know that the students were not paid their meal allowances for a certain period. We also know that a hungry person is an angry person.  Were any measures put in place to ensure that the students had food so that they do not get angry? 

Dr Kaingu: Mr Speaker, I think the hon. Member failed to understand the ministerial statement that I gave. I said that apart from meal allowances, students are also paid other allowances. It is important that students learn to budget or save. What we are seeing in the institutions of learning is that students spend all their money as soon as they get it. The hon. Member of Parliament for Kalomo Central will agree with me that if there are places where there are many electronic gadgets, it is the universities. Where do the students get the money to buy these things if they are from vulnerable families? It means that they are actually using the meal allowances to buy the electronic gadgets instead of saving for their meals. It is not true that the money that they are paid is inadequate. If the money was inadequate, they would not afford to buy the electronic gadgets.

I thank you, Sir.

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

YOUTH RESOURCE CENTRE IN KALABO

227. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Youth and Sport:

(a)    why construction works at the Youth Resource Centre in Kalabo District had stalled;

(b)    when the construction works would resume;

(c)    when the works would be completed;

(d)    how much money has so far been spent on the project; and

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

The Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport (Mr Chitotela): Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Kalabo Central, Mr Chinga Miyutu, is asking the Ministry of Youth and Sport a question in five parts. 

Mr Speaker: Who are you referring to as the person who is posing the question?

Mr Chitotela: Mr Chinga Miyutu.

 Interruptions

Hon. Members: Hon. Miyutu!

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, I am referring to Hon. Miyutu or whatever his name is.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Address him as Hon. Miyutu.

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament may wish to know that the project was scheduled for completion within forty-eight weeks of the site being handed over to the contractor on 12th August, 2014, and the completion date was supposed to be 20th August, 2015. However, the construction stalled as a result of the contractor abandoning the site.

Sir, the Ministry of Youth and Sport, in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Supply, have conducted inspections to assess the works done so far. This will inform the decision to resume works and the future of the contractor for the project. The ministry is concerned about the status of the project and is, therefore, considering terminating the contract after all the laid-down procedures have been carried out. In this regard, works will resume upon completion of the processes of terminating the contract. Thereafter, another contractor will be engaged.

Mr Speaker, the completion of the Kalabo Youth Resource Centre is dependent upon the conclusion of the processes to review the current contract. The money spent so far is K2,226,836 and the project sum was estimated at K23,958,343.52.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.  

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, …

Mr Mbewe: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, I thank you for according me the opportunity to raise this serious point of order relating to the Government.

Sir, as hon. Members from the Opposition, we are here to offer checks and balances to the Government. So, when we ask questions, we expect answers from the Government. When we raise points of order, it is important that some research is conducted for us to get correct answers.

Mr Speaker, during the last meeting of the House, …

Interruptions

Mr Mbewe: Who is saying bakali?

… I asked the Government to avail us with information on who had stolen the classified information from State House. To date, the Government has not given us an answer. We also asked the Government about the disbursement of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), but we have not been given any answer. Further, I also asked when the immunity of former President Rupiah Bwezani Banda would be restored since he was cleared by the courts of law, but the Government has remained quiet on this matter.

Mr Speaker, since this House is about to be dissolved, will the Government continue with its silence on such serious matters raised in this House?

Ms Lubezhi: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

The difficulty I have with that point of order is that the hon. Member has raised many questions and I can recall that some of them were answered. I will single out the immunity of the Fourth President which Her Honour the Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning responded to. If the hon. Member feels that there are some issues that have remained unsettled in his estimation, please, do not hesitate to follow them up so that the House can get appropriate responses. 

The hon. Member has raised three questions, including the one on classified information to which a response was given. The response to the question on classified information in particular was that the matter was being investigated. However, if the hon. Member wants to follow up the matter, he can do so. The responses are there and we can refer to the Hansard.

Can the hon. Member for Lukulu West continue.

Miyutu: Sir, truly speaking, the hon. Minister’s response does not reflect the situation on the ground, especially after having had discussions with the contractor. I do not know who is wrong or who is giving the true story between the contractor and the Government. The contractor is claiming that the Government has not paid him for him to continue with the works and that he started the works using the company’s resources instead of the down payment from the Government as the case should be. So, who is telling the truth between the contractor and the Government?

Mr Chitotela: The factual statement from the Government is that the Ministry of Finance paid a sum of K2,226,836.96 directly into the account of the contractor. Therefore, when the contractor abandoned the works, the Government directed the Provincial Administration of the Western Province to go and inspect whether the materials used were of substandard. After that, engineers from the Ministry of Works and Supply were sent to go and assess the materials used. We had to engage the Road Development Agency (RDA) to go and test the materials used. After the test was conducted, it was discovered that the contractor had used sub-standard materials. However, we re-engaged the same contractor and negotiated with the Government to give him another chance to remedy the mistakes he had made. 

Sir, the Government is in the process of negotiations. We looked at the possibility of cancelling the contract. However, after writing to him, the contractor made a proposal to the Government to complete the project. He also submitted another certificate, amounting to K251,000, which has also been passed onto the Ministry of Finance for the release of the money. The truth is that the contractor acknowledged that he was using sub-standard materials and this was also proved by the Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ).

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, …

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to raise this point of order which is of a serious nature and borders on the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia.

Sir, let me, once again, thank the hon. Minister of Higher Education for giving a ministerial statement that spoke about the state of affairs in our country.

Mr Speaker, my point of order is on the Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Davies Mwila. Yesterday, at a residence that is near one of our founding mother’s residence, Mama Chibesa Kankasa, which is next to the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Secretariat, there was a running battle, …

Hon. UPND Members: Mayhem.

Mr Nkombo: … which others may call mayhem, where factions of two political parties clashed, thereby destroying property and vehicles. The unedited version of the video recording showed how police officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs took part in throwing stones at perceived opponents.

Interruptions

Mr Nkombo: Sir, last week, …

Mr Speaker: Order! 

Mr Nkombo: … some police officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Choma shot a citizen in the leg while attempting to disperse people who were simply waiting to see their leader.

Mr Speaker, finally, two weeks ago, when an hon. Member of Parliament flew to the Copperbelt on a Proflight plane, we saw big trucks ferrying alleged Patriotic Front (PF) members from either the faction …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: … of the hon. Member of Parliament, according to the police, or the remnants of the mainstream PF.

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: Sir, I am sorry and I withdraw the word “remnants”.

Mr Speaker, it is alleged that some PF cadres mobilised trucks to block Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport.

Mr Mwenya: Bufi.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Continue, hon. Member.

Mr Nkombo: Tebufi, ba Mwenya.

Sir, I would like to find out if the hon. Minister of Home Affairs is truly in order to remain quiet, unlike what his colleague did today and not updatethe nation on the social order in our country because the rights and freedoms of citizens have been systematically affected by the PF Government, depending on which side of the political divide one is.

Mr Speaker, I need your ruling on this matter.

Mr Speaker: My ruling is that I will allow the hon. Minister of Home Affairs to give an update on the three specified incidents in the course of this week.

The hon. Member for Kalomo Central may continue.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, I seem not to have understood the hon. Minister’s response. In one breath he is saying that the contractor abandoned the project and, in another breath, he is saying that the Government negotiated with him to continue with the project although they were not happy with the quality of the materials used. Could he state the correct position? Did the ministry engage a proper contractor to undertake that job? If it did, was the contractor not supervised?

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Works and Supply followed the process of engaging the contractor because it is the procurement unit for the Government. The contractor abandoned the site and when we wrote to him indicating our intention to terminate the contract, he told us …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left!

Mr Chitotela: … that he was ready to remedy the shortcomings that were noticed on the site. That is the correct position and I have no doubt that the Ministry of Works and Supply picked the right contractor. The Zambians want the Government to empower local contractors but, once we do that and they are paid a down payment, they do not use the money for the intended purpose. These are some of the challenges that we are faced with as the Government.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when the contractor will return to the site so that the construction of the Youth Resource Centre in Kalabo is completed on time.

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, as soon as the Ministry of Finance gives the contractor the sum of K250,000, as stated on the certificate, he will be back on site.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, I concur with the hon. Minister that some local contractors complain about their not being given contracts, yet they do not deliver. The hon. Minister also stated that the contractor has been paid K2,226,836.96 and that at some point, the Government contemplated terminating his contract. Having paid him that amount and if the contract is terminated, does the Government not think that it will be more expensive to pay another contractor or will the contractor be made to pay back the money?

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Luena for the commendation. Initially, we intended to terminate the contract. That is why we wrote to the contractor. We even sent inspectors from the ministry and engaged the Provincial Administration for the Western Province so that we could have a solid ground as we wrote to him. However, after we wrote to him, he indicated his willingness to remedy the shortcomings that were noted. It is from that background that we decided to give him a second chance. We have since shelved our intention of terminating the contract because the contractor has shown commitment to remedy the shortcomings and complete the works as planned.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mtolo (Chipata Central): Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister enlighten us on why we tolerate such contractors when there is a performance bond which is given to them? How can the hon. Minister tell us that the Government renegotiated with a contractor who used sub-standard materials and was off time? Why should this country be subjected to such business conduct?

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the hon. Member’s concern. However, public procurements in all the ministries are handled by the Ministry of Works and Supply. So, when we noted the shortcomings, we wrote to the ministry and it sent engineers who also confirmed the shortcomings. The Government has embarked on a number of projects and some of them were awarded to Zambian contractors. However, it is concerned because their performance is not up to expectation.

I am not branding all the Zambian contractors, but the majority of them. We want to empower the Zambian contractors by giving them contracts. That way, money will remain in their hands. We want the Zambian people to be in control of this economy. When the Government empowers citizens, they need to show some seriousness by working for this money. That is the only way the country can develop. However, if citizens have tendencies of failing to execute projects, it becomes costly for the Government because if the contracts are cancelled, the Government will have to re-advertise them. That will cost us a lot of time. So, Zambian businessmen and women need to be serious.

Mr Speaker: We have spent an inordinate amount of time on this Question. I will close it with three questions from hon. Members for Katuba, Lukulu West and Keembe.

Mr Shakafuswa (Katuba): Mr Speaker, thank you very much for this opportunity to debate, and happy New Year to the House. After being given a down payment, the contractor has abandoned works on his own accord. Is such a contractor supposed to be followed up and made to complete the works or are we supposed to treat him with kid gloves because he is known to us? Just as the hon. Member for Chipata Central said, would it not be better if contractors were given security bonds, which should act as security for the Government? That way, in the event that such contractors failed to deliver, the Government withholds the bond as a way of punishing the contractor. Is that not the right thing to do?

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, that is the right thing to do. I am saying that the matter was referred to the buyer who, in this case, is the Ministry of Works and Supply. The ministry followed up the matter and made recommendations on the matter. The hon. Member for Katuba has been in Government before. So, he understands how the Government works. There are many contractors whose contracts have been terminated. After writing to them, we refer them to the Ministry of Works and Supply. We have terminated certain contracts based on the recommendation from the Ministry of Works and Supply. Similarly, if the new contractor does not perform accordingly, I do not see him lasting longer because his contract will also be terminated.

I thank you, Sir.

Bishop Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha (Keembe): Mr Speaker, I am surprised that the hon. Deputy Minister is being kind to someone who has not done what the Government paid him for. The Government used taxpayers’ money to pay the contractor. Why is the Government being so kind to people who are literary milking the economy without performing? Why are you also giving such people a second chance to milk the Government further? Why is the Government abusing the money that it has been entrusted with?

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, I want to set the record straight by saying that the Government, as the people’s representative, is not abusing any money entrusted in its custody. It is the Zambian people who are not serious about work when they are awarded contracts. I stated clearly that we wrote to the contractor with the intention of terminating the contract. I also stated that we made the recommendation to the buyer, the Ministry of Works and Supply, who wrote back to us after carrying out investigations. The ministry told us that the contractor asked for a second chance and that we could cancel the contract if his performance was not satisfactory. So, the contractor has committed himself to remedying the shortcomings that were noticed during the investigations carried out by the ministry.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West): Mr Speaker, who is this contractor? The hon. Deputy Minister has just informed the House about the recommendations made regarding the contractor and the feedback from the Ministry of Works and Supply. I would like to know whether the Government has made it clear to the contractor, when giving him a second chance, when the project should commence and when it should end or else it will continue negotiating with contractors who, according to you, are not performing to your expectations.

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, I am unable to mention the name of the contractor, ...

Hon. UPND Members: Come back with the name.

Mr Chitotela: Sir, I said, I do not have the name of the contractor at hand. That does not mean that you are not entitled to this information because you are. I can bring the name of the company. However, I do not have it at the moment. I said that the contractor submitted a certificate, amounting to K251,000 which we have passed on to the Ministry of Finance for payment. The contractor will move on site as soon as the payment has been made.

I thank you, Sir.

KALABO/TAPO ROAD

228. Mr Miyutu asked the Minister of Works and Supply:

(a)    whether the quality of road works on the Kalabo/Tapo Road met the specifications;

(b)    who the contractor for the project was;

(c)    who the consultants for the projects were;

(d)    what the time frame for undertaking the project was; and

(e)    whether the project would be completed on schedule.

The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Dr Mwali): Mr Speaker, the Kalabo/Tapo Road is an existing paved road that is about 50 km long. There are no works going on on the road despite its being in a poor condition.

Sir, there is no contractor for the Kalabo/Tapo Road, as there are no road works going on. Similarly, there is no consultant for this road.

I thank you, Sir.

ZAMBIA QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY AND UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA BOARDS

229. Mr Mbewe (Chadiza) asked the Minister of Higher Education:

(a)    who the members and chairpersons of the following boards were:

(i)    Zambia Qualifications Authority; and

(ii)    University of Zambia (Interim) Council;

(b)    when the boards were constituted; and

(c)    what the minimum qualifications for appointment to the above-mentioned boards were.

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education (Mr Mushanga): Mr Speaker, I thank Hon. Mbewe for that Question.

Interruptions

Mr Mushanga: Sir, somebody is saying Grade 12.

Mr Speaker, the board members for the Zambia Qualifications Authority are:

Name    Organisation Presented    Position

Ms Namucana C. Musiwa    Zambia Institute of Human    Board Chairperson
        Resources Management 

Prof. Charles M. Namafe    University of Zambia    Vice-Chairperson

Mr Owen Mgemezulu     Permanent Secretary-Ministry    Member
        of High Education Member

Mrs Chanda S. Nyonda    Ministry of Labour    Member

Mrs Evelyn Muleya    Ministry of Health    Member

Mr Tom J. K. Thewo    Zambia Institute of Chartered    Member
        Accountants    

Mr Enock Mulembe    Zambia Institute of Advanced    Member
        Legal Education

Prof. Moses Musonda    Zambia Open University    Member

Mrs Mutinta C. M. Chilala    Zambia Air Services Training    Member
        Institute    

Mrs Elly Mwale    Civil Society Organisation    Member
        Working in the Education Sector
        Zambia National Education Coalition
I thank you, Sir.

TOURISM INVESTMENT IN LIUWA NATIONAL PARK

230. Mr Pande (Kasempa) (on behalf of Dr Musokotwane) (Liuwa)) asked the Minister of Tourism and Arts:

(a)    what plans the Government had to encourage tourism investment in the Liuwa National Park; and

(b)    when infrastructure to spur tourism investment, especially a spinal road, would be constructed in the park.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism and Arts (Mr P. Ngoma): Mr Speaker, before I respond to the Question, allow me to give a brief background to the Liuwa National Park. 

The park was established to serve as a traditional hunting ground for the Litunga of Barotseland. The Litunga secured this area by establishing villages along the periphery to serve as guardians of the park. Overtime, the park deteriorated in terms of wildlife numbers and habitat modification. So, a partner in the name of African Parks Network was brought on board. 

In 2003, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed among the Government, through the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), which is now called the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) and African Parks Network for the long-Term management of the Liuwa National Park. Since African Parks Network assumed the legal mandate to manage the park, it is through this channel that plans are made to revive the tourism potential of the park.

Sir, I wish to state that the Government plans to turn the area into a trans-frontier conservation area to be shared between Angola and Zambia. The other major plan is to ensure that all the projects and programmes of African Parks Network in the area are implemented. For instance, African Parks Network is in the process of implementing the following projects:

(a)    construction of a four-star lodge which will be supported by the famed Norman Carr Safaris. This project is expected to be completed in November, 2016;

(b)    construction of five community-owned campsites, four of which are located in the park and one in the Game Management Area (GMA);

(c)    improvement of the airstrip to include accessibility in the wet season;

(d)    intensifying of law enforcement and anti-poaching operations to reduce poaching of wildlife so as to build its numbers; and

(e)    introduction of extinct local lion species to the Liuwa National Park. This is important for restoring balance in the ecosystem and encouraging tourists to visit the park.

Mr Speaker, the African Parks Network has embarked on marketing campaigns for the park through its website and other networks. The park has also partnered with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to film in the Liuwa National Park. Currently, movies are being filmed in the park. It is envisaged that this will encourage tourist arrivals in the park.

Mr Speaker, the construction of infrastructure to spur tourism investment in the Liuwa National Park started sometime back as envisaged by the on-going construction of the Mongu/Kalabo Road. This will also open up the area for the development of tourism and improve accessibility.

Mr Speaker, the Liuwa Plains National Park is part of the Southern Tourism Circuit which stretches from Chirundu to Liuwa. Funding has been provided for in the 2016 Budget to operationalise both the Northern and Southern tourism circuits. The idea behind this is to promote circuit tourism so that tourists can stay longer in Zambia and enjoy diverse packages through an integrated network of lodges, tourism attractions and transport facilities. This way, we shall re-position the tourism and arts sector as a major contributor to foreign exchange earnings, employment creation, poverty reduction and economic diversification as directed by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa, in his Opening Address to the current Session of the National Assembly.

Sir, the Government has identified spinal roads that are key to the improvement of the flow of investment in national parks. Consultations are underway with the relevant technocrats with a view to improving the accessibility of the roads. Since the park is prone to floods, the Government is …

Interruptions 

Mr Speaker: Order, on the right!

Mr P. Ngoma: … looking into the possibility of improving waterways, particularly rivers which run parallel to spiral roads, in order to improve accessibility.

Sir, I thank you.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, while I appreciate the putting up of infrastructure in Liuwa by African Parks Network, I think that it is important to appreciate that the Western Province and Kalabo in particular where the Liuwa National Park is located, are among the poorest areas of this country. If the park was improved, it is one of the areas where we can see poverty reversed. What is critical are the spiral roads. Can the Government make a commitment that it will urgently look into working on the spiral roads into the park.

The Minister of Tourism and Arts (Ms Kapata): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for that question. Indeed, the Government’s intention is to see to it that roads leading not only to the Liuwa National Park, but also almost all the national parks are worked on.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister made reference to the Liuwa National Park as a trans-frontier area in which the Government of the Republic of Angola and our Government will co-operate. Can the hon. Minister shed some light on how far this has gone.

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, Zambia and Angola are in the process of forming a trans-frontier conservation area which is going to cover the Liuwa National Park in Zambia and Musuma National Park in Angola. Plans are underway and I am sure we shall announce the inception of the conservation shortly.

I thank you, Sir.    

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, …

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank you for according me the opportunity to raise two very serious Constitutional points of order. The first one emanates from the provision of Article 259 of the amended Constitution of the Republic of Zambia. 

Mr Speaker, I would like you to take judicial notice that the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the President, has made various appointments for ratification to this House without taking into account the provisions of Article 259 of the Constitution.

Mr Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention and that of the House the provisions of Article 259 of the amended Constitution which reads:

“Article 259(1), where a person is empowered to make a nomination or an appointment to a public office, that person shall ensure:

(a)    that person being nominated or appointed has the requisite qualification to discharge the functions of the office, as prescribed or specified in public office circulars or established registers;

(b)    that fifty per cent of each gender is nominated or appointed from the total of available positions, unless it is not practicable to do so;”

Mr Speaker, as I indicated earlier, we shall be making various ratifications on the Floor of this House pertaining to nominations and appointments. We have noticed that the appointing authority has not followed the provisions of this particular article.

Mr Speaker, is the Government in order to abrogate the Constitution of Zambia, which we debated here and was fully supported by this House, especially the people on your side, ...

Mr Muntanga: On your right.

Hon. Opposition Members laughed.

Mr Mwiimbu: ... by not following the Constitution which we enacted on the Floor of this House with regard to appointments? 

The second Constitutional issue which I would like to raise and I would like the Government to respond to at an appropriate time is what it is going to do about two public institutions? With regard to the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) Limited, the Government must be aware, if they have not read the Constitution, …

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: … that from the time the Constitution was enacted, exclusive rights of providing electricity in this country have been given to local authorities. Local authorities are councils as per the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia. Is the Government in order to continue running an institution called ZESCO?

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mwiimbu: Secondly, in accordance with the same article, is the Government in order to allow the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to continue collecting licence fees when the Constitution of Zambia has transferred this function to the local authorities? Is it in order to continue abrogating the amended Constitution of Zambia which it is proudly informing people about? According to the law, we must respect the Constitution.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: I will begin with the second point of order. In fact, I have been liberal to allow you to raise two points of order consecutively. You have invited the Government to clarify the position in relation to ZESCO and RTSA. I will, in due course, give an opportunity to the Government to respond to that aspect.

The first point of order, obviously, also involves my office to the extent that I am more involved in the administration of ratifications. As you have rightly pointed out, there are two operative terms in this article, namely (a) available positions and (b) where it is practicable to do so. You have raised the point of order in vacuole. You have not taken into account the establishment. Secondly, there is a leeway given to the Executive and, that is where it is practicable to do so. My office is engaging the Executive on both scores and will ensure that all these issues that you have raised are attended to before these matters are finalised and brought before this House.

That is my ruling.

The hon. Member for Luena may continue.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, firstly, I would like to commend the formation of a trans-frontier conservation organisational syntration. When it comes to Zambia’s resources, natural or otherwise, I am very jealous. 

Sir, normally, we are treated to watching the beautiful migration of wildebeests from the Masai Mara to the Serengeti and vice versa. This migration also happens in the Liuwa National Park. While I am encouraged that the African Parks Network, in partnership with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), is carrying out some marketing, I would like to find out what the Ministry of Tourism and Arts is doing to also help market this beautiful scenario which was captured some time back when the then Vice-President, Dr Guy Scott, flew over the Barotse Flood Plains. Will it ensure that we can also watch it on the National Geographic Channel?

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, as stated in the hon. Deputy Minister’s response, the BBC is filming a documentary in the Liuwa National Park which will be shown on the National Geographic Channel on Digital Satellite Television (DSTV). Considering that it is widely watched by many people, I am sure that they will be able to see that the park is being marketed in the right way.

Mr Speaker, apart from this, the Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) is charged with the responsibility of marketing our national parks. If you watch its programmes on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Television, you will note that it markets all our national parks and tourism attraction centres.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister explained that the construction of the Mongu/Kalabo Road has helped to provide access to the Liuwa National Park. I am especially interested in when the spinal road into Liuwa will be constructed.

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, I do not want to put a time frame to an activity that is not undertaken by my ministry. I mentioned that my ministry has taken a keen interest in ensuring that most of the roads leading to national parks are in good condition. However, I cannot say when the construction of the roads will be completed because it is neither my mandate nor that of my ministry.  Hon. Muntanga, I cannot tell the time frame for the construction of the road save for the interest we have in the construction of roads leading to national parks.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

KASEMPA DISTRICT HOSPITAL

231.  Mr Pande asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    when the construction of the Kasempa District Hospital would commence;

(b)    who the contractor for the project was;

(c)    what had caused the delay in commencing the works; and

(d)    what the time frame for completing the project was.

The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Mr Speaker, the construction of the Kasempa District Hospital shall commence within the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) 2017/2019. 

Sir, the contractor for the project shall be determined once all the procurement procedures have been undertaken. 

Mr Speaker, there has been no delay in starting the project because the Ministry of Health is currently following the laid-down plan for the implementation of infrastructure projects. So, the construction of the hospital is expected to start as stated.
Mr Speaker, the minimum period for the construction of a full district hospital is three years.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, this is the second time that this Question has been raised on the Floor of the House. In the first response, the ministry indicated that construction would commence in 2015. To that extent, the council, to which I am a councillor, identified land for the construction of the district hospital. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what has necessitated the pushing of this project to 2017 as opposed to 2015/2016.

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, action plans are dynamic and their implementation is dependent upon the availability of resources. This project has been pushed to 2017/2019 in view of the austerity measures that are being undertaken as a result of the budgetary constraints that dictated that no new projects should be embarked upon. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH STANDARD COMPLIANT COMPANIES IN KAFULAFUTA

232. Mr Chitafu (Kafulafuta) asked the Minister of Labour and Social Security:  

(a)    whether the following companies in Kafulafuta Parliamentary Constituency were compliant with occupational health standards for their employees:

(i)    Dangote Cement Plc;

(ii)    Zambezi Portland Cement (Zambia) Limited;

(iii)    Neelkanth Lime Limited; and 

(iv)    Ndola Lime Company Limited; and 

(b)    if any company was not compliant, what measures had been taken against it. 

The Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Security (Ms Kansembe): Mr Speaker, according to the findings of the latest inspections carried out at the four companies, namely Dangote Cement Plc, Zambezi Portland Cement (Zambia) Limited, Neelkanth Lime Limited and Ndola Lime Company Limited, the companies are compliant with occupational health standards for their employees and are operating with valid certificates in accordance with the law. Dangote Cement Plc uses high technology and it is worth noting that its occupational safety and health standard is exemplary. Zambezi Portland Cement (Zambia) Limited has a good occupational safety and health management system despite its plant and equipment being fairly old. Neelkanth Lime Company Limited is labour intensive and the company has put in place appropriate measures to ensure the protection of its workers from occupational health hazards and risks. Ndola Lime Company Limited has consistently maintained occupational safety and health standards.

Sir,  the four companies are compliant with occupational health standards for their employees. 

I thank you, Sir. 

MOBILE PHONE SERVICE PROVIDERS

233. Mr Mbewe asked the Minister of Transport and Communication: 

(a)    whether any of the mobile phone service providers incurred losses during the period 1st October, 2010 to 1st October, 2014, due to computer hacking;

(b)    what the extent of losses for each company were; and 

(c)    what measures had been taken to prevent such losses in the future. 

The Deputy Minister of Transport and Communication (Mr Kapyanga): Mr Speaker, no mobile phone service operators incurred losses during the period 1st October, 2010 to 1st October, 2014, due to computer hacking.

Sir, there were no losses incurred. To this effect, the Government, through the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), plans to install a telecommunications traffic monitoring system that will monitor traffic and identify, and isolate malicious traffic. 

Mr Speaker, the Government, in collaboration with ZICTA, set up the National Computer Incident Response Team in September, 2012, which serves as a co-ordination mechanism to proactively and reactively monitor activities in cyberspace and provide digital forensic services to …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours. 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, when business was suspended, I was about to say that the Government has also established a computer forensic laboratory at the Police Headquarters to actively monitor cyberspace in real time.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister was threatening me with violence. Therefore, I do not have any question for him.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

Well, I cannot deal with that predicament. 

DEFORESTATION, AFFORESTATION AND REFORESTATION IN ZAMBIA

234. Mr Mbewe asked the Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection: 

(a)    what the current rate of the following activities was countrywide:

(i)    deforestation;

(ii)    afforestation;

(iii)    reforestation; and

(b)    what practical measures had been taken to conserve forests in the country. 

The Deputy Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (Mrs Kawandami): Mr Speaker, the current rate of deforestation countrywide is between 250,000 ha and 300,000 ha per annum. The current rate of afforestation countrywide is approximately 112 ha per annum. It is important to note that the Government has been implementing the Afforestation Programme mostly in the Western Province. The programme will be extended to other provinces gradually. The current rate of reforestation countrywide is approximately 2,600 ha per annum.

Mr Speaker, the Government has taken the following practical measures to conserve forests in the country. These include, include among others:

(i)    Establishment of Community Forest Management 

The Government has enacted Forests Act No.4 of 2015 that has made provisions for promoting community forest management. This is aimed at ensuring sustainable utilisation of forest resources in the country. In this regard, a number of community forest management groups will be established across the country;

(ii)    Tree Planting 

The Government, through the Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, under the Department of Forestry, is implementing the Afforestation and Reforestation programmes. Nurseries have been established in all the provinces of Zambia to support the Afforestation and Reforestation programmes. Seedlings raised in the nurseries are planted in degraded forest areas. 

In addition, the Government has promoted and supported the establishment of exotic woodlots and orchards in schools and local communities. This programme started in 2012 and is still ongoing;

(iii)    Policy, Legislation and International Conventions 

The Government has developed the National Forestry Policy that will help in addressing emerging issues in the forestry sector such as climate change, bio-energy development, ‘prioritisisation’ …

Yah!

Laughter

Mrs Kawandami:     … of agriculture, …

Mr Speaker: You can take a breath.

Laughter

Mrs Kawandami:     … prioritisation of agriculture, eco-tourism and environment as engines of Zambia’s development. The policy is further aimed at addressing high rates of deforestation and forest degradation, the promotion of local community and private sector participation and devolution of forest management systems in order to improve the management of forests and forest products in a more sustainable manner. 

The policy also enhances conservation and sustainable utilisation, with full participation of local communities and the private sector. The implementation of the new Forestry Policy will also improve local community livelihoods and subsequently reduce poverty levels, particularly among rural communities. 
Further, as a signatory to many environmental conventions such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) and the Convention on Bio-Diversity (CBD), Zambia has to ensure that it adheres to the provisions of the conventions. As such, the country has worked on domesticating the conventions so that they relate to the country situation. This has manifested in a number of projects that Zambia is currently implementing. 

Furthermore, conventions have had a bearing on the formulation and review of policy and legislation.

(iv)    Routine and Blitz Patrols

The Government has been conducting joint patrols with other stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies like the Zambia Police Force, to curb the illegal harvesting of trees in the country. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, the country has been experiencing a drought because of the depleted forests. I would like to find out what plans the Government has to replace the trees which have been cut. Do you have seedlings for farmers to plant or other incentives so that more people can come on board?

Mrs Kawandami: Mr Speaker, first and foremost, it is important to note that deforestation encompasses forest land that has been cleared for agriculture or settlements, among other uses. Afforestation is where trees are planted in areas that did not previously have trees. Reforestation is planting trees in areas that previously had trees but were cleared. 

Mr Speaker, countrywide, the Forestry Department has nurseries. The Government is trying to encourage everybody to grow trees. If, for instance, you cut down one tree, two more should be planted. Recently, a programme was launched in Muchinga Province where chiefs gave the Government some land to plant pine trees. Every hon. Member in this House who owns a farm is encouraged to plant trees so that we can improve our environment in this country. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Simuusa (Nchanga): Mr Speaker, we have a catch-22. We have a drought because we have depleted our trees. At the same time, our trees will not grow because there is no rain. I just want to find out from the hon. Minister whether the current unfavourable rain pattern has affected the afforestation and reforestation rates and, if so, what plans the Government has put in place to address this situation. 

Mrs Kawandami: Mr Speaker, naturally, with the drought that this country has been faced with, we are bound to lose large amounts of forestry. However, there are areas in this country that have received adequate rains. I think that it is important for us, as a country, to concentrate in those areas and encourage the farmers to grow more trees. This will help us to meet the deficiencies that we are faced with in the area of forestry. 
I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Namulambe (Mpongwe): Mr Speaker, in her response, the hon. Deputy Minister stated that the current rate of afforestation is 112 ha per annum while between 250,000 ha and 300,000 ha of forestry are being cleared per annum mostly for charcoal burning. She also said that one practical measure that the Government had taken to conserve forests was the establishment of community forest management committees. 

Sir, how effective are the committees, considering the high rate of deforestation as a result of charcoal burning, especially in areas where people are learning to burn charcoal due to load shedding? What incentives are you giving to people who are in areas with high deforestation rates? This is affecting us, as a country. I am afraid to say that at the current rate of reforestation, we may not achieve anything. What are you doing to curb this vice? 

Mrs Kawandami: Mr Speaker, firstly, it is important for all hon. Members of Parliament to sensitise our people about the effects of deforestation because we represent all parts of the country. We also need to encourage people to find alternative sources of energy. Many people have begun burning charcoal which is affecting weather patterns in the country. It is also important that hon. Members of Parliament sensitise people about the benefits of tree planting.

Further, Sir, through the Ministry of Agriculture, we intend to come up with programmes that will encourage people to start planting more trees. The Forestry Department gives us trees every year, but how many of us have collected some to plant in our constituencies?

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, the issue of deforestation is very serious and my view is that we have not paid serious attention to afforestation and reforestation. We can take a leaf from Rwanda where every able-bodied citizen has to plant a tree on the Tree Planting Day. We must find out how they have managed to achieve that.

Sir, in the Western Province, most of the deforestation is as a result of the logging of indigenous trees. When replanting trees, are you going to plant exotic trees, indigenous trees or both? 

Mrs Kawandami: Mr Speaker, we are actually replacing both. If you go to our nurseries countrywide, you will find both indigenous and exotic trees. You are free to collect as per schedule, especially in December.

I thank you, Sir. 
Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister indicate how effective the nursery in Mongu is. How many trees has the nursery in Mongu supplied to the Forestry Departments in the districts of that province?

Mrs Kawandami: Mr Speaker, I can bring that information to the House if the hon. Member files in a new question. I have no specifics at the moment.

I thank you, Sir.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has talked about the programmes of reforestation. However, I would like to find out whether there are any plans to provide incentives to local communities in rural areas to appreciate the value of tree planting.

Sir, do you not think that it is better to marry this programme with visible benefits of forests like beekeeping, for instance? Secondly, when I went to the nursery in Mumbwa, I was told to go and map out where to plant the trees. What is the duty of the forestry officers if they have not mapped out where we should plant the trees? You are asking the hon. Members of Parliament to identify areas, collect the plants and find resources to go and plant the trees. Are you not asking for too much?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Kawandami: Mr Speaker, incentives for the locals can only come about after they have been sensitised by hon. Members of Parliament. As we go round our constituencies, we are able to identify areas where trees can be planted. Our co-operating partners are also involved. They have provided us with transportation, meaning that each district has got equipment for observation in as far as the cutting down of trees is concerned. 

Sir, the ministry will embark on a monitoring programme that will make sure that trees are not cut down. There is actually an Act that criminalises the cutting of trees without a permit. We need to sensitise our people because it is only natural that we preserve our trees as a country.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: What about the other aspect requiring the hon. Member of Parliament to map out a piece of land?

Mr Mutelo: They are asking for too much.

Mrs Kawandami: Mr Speaker, I mentioned that we, as Members of Parliament, can work with forestry officers in our constituencies who can help us map out places where trees can be planted.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga: Hon. Minister for forests, ...

Mr Speaker: We do not have a minister for forests. You did not approve any ministry to that effect.
Laughter 

Mr Muntanga: Hon. Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, is your ministry capable of conserving forests because the last of Lusaka’s forests is being destroyed to pave way for the construction of a tabernacle. There was an industrial plantation on the Copperbelt, but it seems every effort is being made to cut the trees down. Some indigenous tress were conserved in Ndola, but they were cut down to pave way for the construction of a stadium.

Sir, is the ministry capable of conserving forests in order for us to reap the benefits that you are talking about?

Mrs Kawandami: Mr Speaker, industrialisation brings about deforestation. We create employment for people through industrialising. The population of this country has grown and people need shelter. As a result, deforestation is taking place. This is why the Government has asked chiefs in the periphery to give us land so that we can plant more trees.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, it is said that prevention is better than cure. If I heard the hon. Minister correctly, she has quoted the Forestry Act which states that anyone caught cutting trees without a permit would be prosecuted. She also said that a mechanism for preventing deforestation according to the Forestry Act is going to be put in place.

Mr Speaker, at the moment, trees are being cut at an alarming rate in the Western Province. Trees are cut not necessarily for charcoal but logging. When I was coming from the Western Province, I found many trucks carrying logs. I know that the logs were not bound for Lusaka but somewhere else. Has the ministry got any monitoring mechanism in place to prevent the illegal cutting of trees? If no monitoring mechanism is put in place, people will continue cutting trees without permits. Some people are using permits that have expired. They make copies of the old permits to make them look authentic. Has the ministry got a monitoring mechanism in place to make sure that people are using genuine permits? Why can the ministry not ban logging temporarily until the Government has put in place monitoring mechanisms?

Mrs Kawandami: Mr Speaker, in this country, we use timber for roofing and making coffins, furniture, and other items. Therefore, we cannot ban logging completely. We also have sawmills. So, if we ban logging, then, the building industry will be affected. The schools that our children go to need desks and we all know that desks are made out of timber. The Government is trying to put in place a system that will monitor logging. At the moment, the Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) is employing forest guards who will be deployed throughout the country to start this process.
I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, charcoal burning is one of the major contributors to deforestation in this country. This will continue to be so as long as there are no alternative sources of energy. What alternative sources of energy is the Government promoting? What incentives is the Government providing to ensure that the alternative sources of energy are taken up by the users?

Mrs Kawandami: Mr Speaker, I think the hon. Member has seen what is happening at the moment. There is a shift from using electricity to solar energy, briquettes and gas. We are trying to encourage people to start using wooden stoves because there are trees that fall on their own that we can get wood from instead of charcoal. In fact, it will even save us from further destruction of the ozone layer.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

UNCONFIRMED HEADTEACHERS IN KASEMPA

235.  Mr Pande asked the Minister of General Education:
(a)    how many headteachers were not confirmed in Kasempa District as of 30th September, 2015;

(b)    when the headteachers would be confirmed; and

(c)    what the cause of the delay in confirming the headteachers was.

The Deputy Minister of General Education (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, as of 30th September, 2015, there were fifteen headteachers who were not confirmed in Kasempa District. This matter has been submitted to the Teaching Service Commission to facilitate confirmation in their appointments. However, out of the fifteen positions, ten are awaiting for the freeze of the positions to be lifted in 2016 by the Public Service Management Division (PSMD) so as to further facilitate the confirmation of the headteachers who are serving at the schools. The delay in confirming the headteachers was due to the late submission of the necessary documents to facilitate the confirmation. The House may wish to note that the ministry’s desire is to ensure that all deserving officers in acting appointments are confirmed once they have been deemed suitable for the positions.
I thank you, Sir.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, why were the positions of the ten headteachers frozen?  

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, once the appointment has been delayed, the PSMD and the Treasury take it that the position is no longer required at that particular school. This is why I have stated that we are working with the PSMD to lift the freeze in the positions because we still need the headteachers to be confirmed in their positions.

I thank you, Sir.

BUDGETARY ALLOCATION FOR WESTERN PROVINCE RURAL ROADS

236. Mr Pande asked the Minister of Works and Supply whether the Government had any plans of revising the budgetary allocation per kilometre for the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads in the Western Province, considering the high operational costs due to the sandy terrain.

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, the allocation of funding for construction and rehabilitation of roads is based on the particular needs of a road. There is, therefore, no fixed amount as the Question may suggest. However, the cost of construction and rehabilitation of roads in the Western Province has always been high due to the terrain and non-availability of suitable road construction materials within acceptable distances. It is for this reason that the Government is considering the use of other technologies which are aimed at cutting down on costs during construction or rehabilitation of roads. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, in view of the escalating costs, could I take it that there will be no excuse from the Government for not working on the roads in the Western Province?
 
Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, the escalating costs apply to all projects countrywide and we cannot use that as the basis for reducing the number of projects in a particular province. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, which other methods are you planning to employ in the Western Province in order to cut on costs in road construction?

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, the method in road construction being considered for the Western Province is Geoweb.

I thank you, Sir.

Prof. Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has acknowledged that the cost of constructing roads in the Western Province is quite high as a result of the terrain and cost of construction materials. Has the ministry made any comparative analysis in terms of research of the variations in the costs of the construction of roads in various parts of the country? This could be the basis for policy decisions of funding to areas like the Western Province as well as imploring new technology which might be more cost effective. Has there been such a research?

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, actually, we do not need very sophisticated research to assist us understand the prevailing variations. For example, there is a variation of 49 per cent in terms of gravel road construction, while for paved roads, the variation is at 87 per cent. For double surface dressing, we are looking at between 32 and 43 per cent. 

Sir, this simply translates into a cost of about K576,000 per km for gravel roads in the Western Province, while it would cost the Government about K289,000 in the Eastern Province. For paved roads in the Western Province, the Government is spending about K90 million per km, yet the Government is spending about K11.9 million for a similar road in the Northern Province. For double surface dressing, the Government is spending about K4.4 million in the Western Province, while a similar road in the Northern Province would cost about K2.4 million per km.

 Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, the Western Province may be unique in terms of terrain compared to the rest of Zambia. However, it is not the same when compared with the neighbouring countries such as Angola, Namibia and Botswana. In fact, Botswana has done a lot in terms of road infrastructure. Has the Government tried to find out the secret behind the advancement in road infrastructure in Botswana?  

The Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Mukanga): I thank the hon. Member for Luena for that question.

Sir, firstly, it is important to note that we have been working in collaboration with the Government of Botswana since the commencement of the construction of the Kazungula Bridge. Therefore, we have been discussing and sharing notes so that we can understand each other. The only difference is that this exercise has to do with the economies of both countries and how well the economy of each country has been doing. Botswana has a lot of money and is able to invest some of it in the road network. However, we are also doing our best with the limited resource envelope.

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member asked about the new technology which the Government was considering to use in order to reduce the cost of road construction. In his response, the hon. Minister mentioned something like Geoweb. What does Geoweb entail and by how much does it cut costs?

Mr Mukanga: Sir, I want to give the hon. Member additional information on the other method that the Government is looking at called Probase. Geoweb is a technology where a synthetic web is used, then, the aggregate is put and it is compacted to a particular strength. Thereafter, the surface dressing is applied. Geoweb is a technology that is used in America and Israel. It is a method that we are trying to adopt as a country. Probase is a new technology that is used in Malaysia. We are, therefore, looking at those methods to enable us to reduce the cost of road construction by about 50 per cent.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED LEGAL EDUCATION

237. Mr Mbewe asked the Minister of Justice:

(a)    how many students sat for the Legal Practitioners’ Qualifying Examination at the Zamia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) from 2011 to 2014, year by year;

(b)    how many students at (a) were from the University of Zambia (UNZA); and

(c)    how many students failed the examinations and were subsequently barred from sitting for the examinations in the same period.

The Deputy Minister of Justice (Mr Mukata): Mr Speaker, the number of students who sat for the Legal Practitioners Qualifying Examination at ZIALE are as follows:
    
    Year            Number of Students
    
2011                 159 

 2012                  211 
    
2013                 210 

2014                267

Sir, the number of students from UNZA were as follows:
    
Year            Number of Students

2011                 76 

2012                72 

2013     103
 
2014    86 

Mr Speaker, the number of students who failed the examinations and were subsequently barred from sitting for the examination in the same period was as follows:

Year            Number of Students
2011                10 

2012                25     

2013                 31 

2014                 41 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, there was an increase each year in the number of students who failed from 2011 to 2014. I want to find out whether this trend continued up to 2015. If that is the case, what could be the reason for the increase in the number of failures each year?

Mr Mukata: Mr Speaker, the question under consideration is up to 2014. We did not apply our minds to the latest results for 2015. Perhaps, the Question could be paraphrased so that the ministry can deal with it appropriately.

 I thank you, Sir. 

CHISANKA CLINIC IN BANGWEULU

238. Mr Kasandwe (Bangweulu) asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    when the construction of Chinsaka Clinic in Bangweulu Parliamentary Constituency would be completed; and

(b)    what had caused the delay in completing the project.

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, the construction of Chinsaka Clinic in Bangweulu Parliamentary Constituency is expected to be completed by the end of June, 2016.

Sir, this is a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) funded project. The project delayed because the council underfunded it, resulting in the contractor failing to finish the building as well as the ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines. However, with support from a co-operating partner from the United States of America (USA), the procurement of materials has commenced and the works will be completed by June, 2016.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.  
 
Mr Kasandwe: Mr Speaker, since there is a donor who has come forward to complete the clinic by June, 2016, could the hon. Minister assure us that staff will be deployed as soon as it is completed.

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, we are aware that the clinic is under construction. Therefore, we have planned for human resource and equipment for the clinic.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

DESKS FOR SCHOOLS IN MKAIKA

239. Mr Phiri (Mkaika) asked the Minister of General Education when desks for the following schools in Mkaika Parliamentary Constituency would be procured:

(a)    Chavuka;

(b)    Walila; and

(c)    Chamboo.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, Chavuko, Walila and Chamboo Schools in Mkaika Parliamentary Constituency will receive desks in the second quarter of 2016.

I thank you, Sir.

2010 TO 2014 TOURIST VISITS

240. Mr Mbewe asked the Minister of Tourism and Arts:

(a)    how many tourists visited Zambia from 2010 to 2014, year by year; and

(b)    how much revenue was raised from the tourists in the same period, year by year.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism and Arts (Mrs Banda): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that a total of 4,456,072 international tourists visited Zambia between 2010 and 2014, broken down as follows:

    Year    No. of International Tourist Arrivals

    2010    815,140
    2011    920,299
    2012    859,088
    2013    914,576
    2014    946,969
    Total     4,456,072

Sir, the Zambian Government collected a total of K13,551,104 from tourist visits between 2010 and 2014.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what measures the ministry has put in place in terms of advertisements to ensure that more tourists visit Zambia.

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, marketing in tourism is an on-going venture. Like I said earlier when I was responding to another question, the Zambia Tourism Agency is mandated by the ministry to market Zambia as a tourist destination.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, the number of tourists is encouragingly increasing. However, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when a target of 1 million tourists visits to our country is going to be set?

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, we can set a target of 1 million tourists even today, but that is dependent upon people wanting to visit Zambia. There are many factors that attract people to a particular destination. One of the disadvantages Zambia has is a lack of connectivity because there are no direct flights into Lusaka. For example, a tourist from America would have to come into Zambia via Dubai, Ethiopia or South Africa, and this is cumbersome. So, there are many factors that hinder tourist visits to Zambia. So, we need to do more in terms of connectivity and other factors.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, the figures that the hon. Minister has given us this afternoon are worrying. US$13 million divided by about 4 million arrivals translates to US$3.25 per tourist which, in kwacha which is at K11 per dollar, is K35.70 per tourist. Could she confirm whether or not this is outstanding performance?

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, I did not do well in mathematics at school. However, to answer the hon. Member’s question, there are many factors that would lead to this. Usually, Zambian tourists spend a day or two in Zambia. As a ministry, we are trying to ensure that tourists who come to Zambia stay longer so that the country can make more money from their stay.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister talked about Zambian tourists, but the question referred to foreign tourists. She clearly stated that there were about 4 million arrivals, translating to US$3.25 per tourist, …

Mr Nkombo: Which is K35.

Mr Muntanga: … which is K35. Is that good or bad performance?

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, it is a fair performance. As a Minister, I cannot force tourists to stay longer in Zambia because their stay is dependent upon their pocket. Therefore, this issue has nothing to do with the ministry.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Chilangwa (Kawambwa): Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister confirm that other than connectivity and marketing, the careless statements that we, as politicians, keep on issuing to the extent that Zambia is on fire when the country is at peace can also …

Interruptions

Mr Chilangwa: … hinder the inflow of tourists into the country.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Kawambwa Parliamentary Constituency for that question. Indeed, some statements that are issued by our colleagues are not good because they impact negatively on tourism in Zambia. When negative statements are issued about Zambia, they create an impression that there is war in the country when, in fact, not. Zambia is a very peaceful nation. So, I want to take this opportunity to invite more tourists to come to Zambia.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapeya (Mpika): Mr Speaker, of all the tourist attractions that Zambia has, which ones are the most outstanding? I would also like to know what the Government is doing to improve those tourist attractions.

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member of Parliament for that question. Zambia is endowed with a lot of tourist attractions, which include waterfalls, national parks, traditional ceremonies, national heritage sites, among others. According to our records, the most attractive are the Victoria Falls, which are among the Seven Wonders of the World. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out how much tourist visa fees are and whether they are not a hindrance to tourism visits.

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question. Visa fees are US$50 per person. 

Mr Muntanga interjected.

Ms Kapata: You, (pointing at Hon. Muntanga) do not speak to me. I am answering a question.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, do not engage him directly.

Ms Kapata: Sir, he is interjecting.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Continue.

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, visa fees are US$50 per person. For your information, we have introduced the Kaza Univisa, which allows tourists to visit both Zambia and Zimbabwe after paying US$50 visa fees. Very soon, Botswana, Namibia and Angola will also join this multiple-country entry visa. So, tourists can now visit the five countries using the US$50 visa. This should be able to attract more tourists to Zambia.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister, ...

Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, notwithstanding the fact that the hon. Minister did not pass mathematics, is she in order to tell us that the only income raised from the 4 million tourists who paid US$50 per person is US$13 million? When you multiply US$50 by four million, you get US$200 million. Is she in order not to give us the exact figures of the revenue generated from the 4 million tourists who visited the country?

Mr Speaker: My ruling is that if you want particular data, please, use the usual way of getting statistical data from hon. Ministers.

The hon. Member for Siavonga can continue.

Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, before the point of order was raised, I was saying that the hon. Minister has talked about a number of factors that discourage tourists from coming into the country. She also indicated that political statements alarm tourists. Would the hon. Minister not want to include the fact that potential tourists read about the insecurity at our airports where Patriotic Front (PF) cadres have the liberty to go on the runway and stop some planes from taking off as one of the contributing factors. Does the hon. Minister not think that would also deter tourists from visiting our country?
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, that issue is currently being investigated by the police. Therefore, I am not obliged to respond. Please, ask questions that are related to the subject matter. Do not politicise the issue.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has just talked about international tourists. I would like to find out what the ministry is doing to encourage local tourism. I know that when there was a Tsunami in Indonesia, all the international tourists stopped going there. However, the country survived on local tourism. So, what is the Government doing to encourage local tourism?

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, I thank Hon. Pande for that question. As a ministry, we launched a programme to promote local tourism in 2014. So, we are encouraging Zambians to visit tourist attraction centres within their districts. It is very sad that if you went to Livingstone today, you would find Zambians who live in Livingstone, but have never been to see the Victoria Falls. We are working hand in hand with our colleagues in the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to ensure that all districts in the country account for the tourism attractions that are found in their respective districts. That way, we shall be able to determine what needs to be done. Two weeks ago, I went to see the Ntumbachushi Falls in Kawambwa District. There is nothing to write home about those falls because despite being one of the most beautiful falls in this country, there is no accommodation in the area, ...

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Ms Kapata: Mwaliba indisciplined, mwe. You are a very indisciplined bunch of people.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, please, exercise self restraint. The question of discipline is my mandate.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, exercise self restraint.

You may continue.

Ms Kapata: Sir, I have even finished responding to the question. However, as I was saying, we are working towards marketing the beautiful tourist sites that we have in Zambia. We are trying to woo investors to come and invest in these areas by providing accommodation and other facilities for visitors. We are, therefore, encouraging local people to learn from others who have invested in similar ventures. 

Sir, we have also gone a step further to ensure that the history of the people is documented. For instance, in Kawambwa, we shall put up a museum that will archive the history of Luapula Province. This museum will feature the tribes and foods that are found in that part of the country. This is aimed at ensuring that the local people utilise our tourism attraction sites. It will also enable local authorities to raise funds for themselves. When people visit these places, they will pay a nominal fee, which will be used to pay salaries for the people employed by the local authorities.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

POWER IMPORTS FROM AGGREKO IN MOZAMBIQUE

241. Mrs Masebo (Chongwe) asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development:

(a)    whether mining companies had been paying a premium for the 148 megawatts of power imported from Aggreko in Mozambique; and

(b)    if not, why.

The Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development (Mr Zulu): Mr Speaker, the mines have not been paying a premium for the 148 megawatts emergency power imported from Aggreko in Mozambique.

Sir, the Ministry of Energy and Water Development facilitated negotiations between the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) Limited and mining companies in order for the mines to start paying an adjusted tariff of US$ 10.35/kWh, effective January, 2016, as approved by Cabinet in 2015. The tariff is all-inclusive in that it takes into account the cost of ordinary as well as emergency power to the mines. Therefore, the cost of emergency supplies to the mines is embedded in the new tariff.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, it is gratifying to note that you entered into a negotiation with the mining houses in order to increase the tariff. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister, bearing in mind the pronouncement the Head of State made while seated there (pointing at the Hon. Mr Speaker’s Chair) that he is going to make sure that the mining houses share the burden of the scarcity of electricity so that they also pay cost-reflective tariffs.

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) adjusted the electricity tariffs for the mines in April, 2014 to 6.84 cents/kWh. However, some mining companies contested this decision and went to court so that they could continue paying the tariffs as per their respective power purchase agreements.
Sir, in 2015, the country faced a severe power deficit that necessitated the importation of emergency power. To this effect, the importation of power started and the mines were supplied up to 70 per cent of their power requirements on the old tariff of 6.84 cents/kWh while any consumption above seventy per cent was pegged at 10.12 cents/kWh, as proposed by ZESCO.

Mr Speaker, it must be noted that in order to ensure that the mines start paying this new adjusted tariff, the ministry has engaged ZESCO, the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC), ERB and the mines so as to reach a consensus on this matter. To this effect, a committee, which consists of all relevant stakeholders in this process, has been set up.

Sir, the mines are subject to supply limitations due to the on-going energy deficit. They have been informed that they will receive between 70 per cent/kWh of their power supply requirements for the first quarter of 2016, 80 per cent/kWh for the second quarter and 90 per cent/kWh for the rest of the year. This is the case because we expect generation projects to come on stream by the first and second quarter of 2016. For example, Itezhi-tezhi is expected to come on stream in the first quarter, while Maamba is expected to come on stream by the second quarter of 2016.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, now that the Presidential directive for the mines to pay cost- reflective electricity tariffs did not yield the desired results, I would like to find out whether the imported electricity is supplied to the mines at 10.35cents/kWh per or 12 cents/kWh. Is he saying that we import power at a high price while the mines pay less, as the country subsidises their consumption? Is that the correct position?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, no, it is not the correct position.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: What is the correct position?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, the correct position is what I have already explained. The importation of power started and the mines were supplied up to 70 per cent of their power requirements on the old tariff of 6.84 cents/kWh while any consumption above 70 per cent/kWh was pegged at 10.12 cents/kWh as proposed by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO). So, the negotiations are ongoing. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, the question is, is the Government subsidising? 

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, the answer is no.
Interruptions

Mr Mutelo: Who, then, is paying?

Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, the question is very simple. If we are importing power at a higher cost than the mines are paying for what they are consuming, who is paying for the difference?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, we are still negotiating with the mining companies …

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

Interruptions

Hon. Opposition Members indicated.

Mr Speaker: Take your seats, gentlemen.

Mr Mutelo: Who is paying?

Mr Zulu: Who is paying?

Mr Mbewe: Yes!

Mr Zulu: The Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) is paying.

Interruptions

Mr Muntanga: How much?

Mr Ntundu (Gwembe): Mr Speaker, I am surprised that the hon. Minister does not know who is paying for the difference. I am aware that …

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Gwembe.

Mr Ntundu: Yes, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Let us make business easy. Ask a question.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Admittedly, you may be surprised, but ask a question.

Mr Ntundu: Sir, I was building up my question. 
I know that the Government imports electricity at 15 cents/kWh and the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) is giving power to us at about 5 cents/kWh. I am surprised that the hon. Minister does not know about this. Can I find out from him how much money the Government pays on behalf of ZESCO in total as a subsidy, considering the fact that ZESCO is selling to us electricity at about 5 cents per kilowatt.

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, I would like him to file in a new question.

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

Mr Zulu: I do not have the answer.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, these questions are a follow up to what you have said. The questions are supplementary and the hon. Members are seeking clarification. I do not want to get into this matter too deeply, but it is the issue of the difference. How is the difference being paid for? Put that matter to rest. If you are not able to, please, advise me and I will make appropriate directions.

Mr Muntanga: Call a full Minister.

Mr Speaker: No, unless you want to go to this side (pointing at the Government Bench). 

Laughter

Mr Speaker: That is politics.

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, the question was whether mining companies are paying a premium on the 148 megawatts and we have said they are not. If not, why, and I have answered. 

Mr Speaker, for the other details, I do not have those figures. So, if the hon. Member wants more information, I can come back and give the correct information.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: Well, all I can say at this juncture is, of course, the Chief Whip has taken note of this. Please, let us address this matter sooner than later.

MITETE SECONDARY SCHOOL

242. Mr Mutelo asked the Minister of General Education:

(a)    what the progress in the construction of Mitete Secondary School, was;

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

(c)    when the school would be opened.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the progress in the construction of Mitete Secondary School is as follows:

(a)    ten staff houses at ring beam;

(b)    two staff houses at roof level;

(c)    three staff houses at slab level; and 

(d)    five staff houses at sub-structure level.

Mr Speaker, the construction works are expected to be completed in 2017. Therefore, the school is expected to be opened in 2018.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION IN MITETE

243. Mr Mutelo asked the Minister of General Education:

(a)    how many schools were earmarked for construction in Mitete District in 2016; and

(b)    what the names of the schools were.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the focus of the ministry is to complete on-going projects. Therefore, there are no new projects that we have planned for implementation in Mitete District in 2016. In view of the above, we cannot name the proposed schools to be constructed.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, amongst the on-going projects for the construction of schools are Washishi Primary School and Muyondoti High School. How far have you gone with these projects? 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, I stated that we are not going to embark on any new projects because we want to use the resources in the 2016 Budget to complete the projects that were already started. This is why even Washishi is going to be considered for construction.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN MITETE

244. Mr Mutelo asked the Minister of Works and Supply:

(a)     how many roads had been constructed in Mitete since it was declared a district;

(b)    if none, why; and 

(c)    when the construction of roads in the district would commence.

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, construction of roads in the newly-created district of Mitete is yet to start. Hence, no roads have been constructed at this point.

Mr Speaker, although we have not received the district layout for Mitete, we intend to undertake the construction of new roads in the newly-created districts, beginning 2017.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, if we brought the layout tomorrow, would you start the construction of roads?

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, I am sure we are all aware that this House passed the Budget for this year in December. Therefore, new projects can only be considered in the coming year.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mufalali (Senanga): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out why there has been a delay in the ministry accessing the layout?

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, we are not a planning authority for towns. We are in road construction and building. So, we depend on our colleagues to give us these documents.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, clearly, Mitete was declared a district before it was planned for. Who, therefore, is supposed to spearhead the production of the layout? Is it the ministry or the staff that is still buffed up at the district?

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, the district council should be able to come up with the layout Once this has been done, we shall plan and integrate it into our Budget. The plan will have to come from the councils. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, Mitete is a newly-created district which has yet to be given staff. How possible is it that a district that has skeleton staff is expected to come up with a layout? A number of staff were laid off because they were not on the payroll.

Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, before Mitete was declared a district, it was under Lukulu District. Therefore, we would have expected Lukulu to assist in the production of the plans. This is how it works in the Government.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

RETIRED SENIOR MILITARY PERSONNEL

245. Mr Mbewe asked the Minister of Defence how long retired senior military personnel were allowed to serve on contract.

The Deputy Minister of Defence (Mr Mulenga): Mr Speaker, the mandatory retirement age for senior military personnel, who are on permanent service, is fifty-five. However, the Defence Act allows senior military personnel who have reached the mandatory retirement age to be engaged on contract until they attain the age of sixty, renewable every year.

Sir, notwithstanding the foregoing, the President may engage retired senior military personnel to serve only up to the period of his/her engagement.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, what special skills are considered for senior army personnel to be retained on contract?

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, this is not dependent on skills, but the President can use his discretion when an officer applies to extend his/her service. Since you have touched on skill, I would like to state that in the Zambia Air Force (ZAF), for instance, there are some engineers who are difficult to replace upon retirement. These can be re-engaged.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, considering that the renewal of the contract is done annually, is it possible for an officer to get a contract after the age of sixty?

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, it is possible at the discretion of the President, as he is mandated to do so.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

KASABA BAY AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION

246. Mr Chansa (Chimbamilonga) asked the Minister of Transport and Communication:

(a)    what the  progress on the construction of the Kasaba Bay Airport was;

(b)    which contractor was awarded the contract;

(c)    when works on the project would resume;

(d)    what the cost of the outstanding works was; and

(e)    what the time frame for the completion of the remaining works was.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, the construction of the Kasaba Bay runway is still at 45 per cent and the Bill of Quantities (BoQ) for the remaining works has been completed. A new draft revised contract for the remaining works is ready for negotiation and shall be submitted to the Ministry of Justice for review and clearance. This follows the termination of the earlier contract.

Sir, following the termination of the earlier contract, a consultant has been selected, namely Ng’andu Consulting Limited. This shall be followed by the selection of a contractor once the contract document for the project has been developed and as soon as the procurement process has been completed. 

Mr Speaker, works on the project will resume once the revised contract has been signed and the tender process for selecting a contractor completed. The revised contract shall be based on the actual works to be done as opposed to machine hours on which the old contract was based.

Sir, according to the engineers’ estimate, the cost of the outstanding works is about K398 million. 

Mr Speaker, the expected time frame for the completion of the remaining 55 per cent of the works will be determined once the selected contractor completes verification for the scoping of the project. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Chansa: Mr Speaker, the answer I have just received from the hon. Minister is very saddening and ‘painful’ …

Laughter

Mr Chansa: … because there was already an existing airport there. However, the Government decided to upgrade it to an international airport. Thereafter, the Government abandoned the project. 

Hon. Opposition Members: Shame!
Mr Chansa: Sir, the road from Mporokoso to Kasaba Bay is ‘unpassable’, just like the road from Mbala to Nsumbu and Kasaba Bay. 

Laughter

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Chansa: Mr Speaker, what is the Government’s immediate plan to make Kasaba Bay accessible? 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, I think that all those issues will be taken into consideration once the contract has been revised.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, surely, that is sad information for the hon. Member of Parliament for Chimbamilonga. There was an airport at Kasaba Bay, but it was destroyed to pave way for the construction of an international airport. The Government started a project and then abandoned it in order to upgrade the airport. What is the Government doing to make Kasaba Bay accessible in the immediate term? This is a serious situation because Kasaba Bay is completely cut off from the rest of the country. This is very ‘painful’. 

Laughter

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, what is being done to make Nsumbu accessible? This is a ‘painful’ thing to me. 

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

The hon. Minister has already answered that question.

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BILLS

FIRST READING

THE CIVIL AVIATION BILL, 2015

The Minister of Transport and Communication (Dr Simbao): Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Civil Aviation Bill, 2015. The object of the Bill is to:

(a)    provide for the control, regulation and orderly development of civil aviation in Zambia;

(b)    provide for the grant of permits for air services and airport services;

(c)    provide for the implementation of a State Safety Programme in compliance with Annex 19 of the Chicago Convention;

(d)    provide for the establishment of an independent Aircraft Accident Investigation Board in compliance with Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention; 

(e)    provide for security of civil aviation and a National Aviation Security Programme in compliance with Annex 17 of the Chicago Convention;

(f)    provide for air services, airport services and air navigation services in compliance with Annex 14 of the Chicago Convention;

(g)    provide for the transportation of dangerous goods by air in compliance with Annex 18 of the Chicago Convention;

(h)    promote the safe, secure and efficient use of civil aviation;

(i)    give effect to the International Convention on Civil Aviation signed in Chicago on 7th December, 1944, and all international agreements on civil aviation to which Zambia has acceded and is a State party;

(j)    consolidate the various laws on aviation and repeal the Aviation Act, 1995, Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1989, Air Services Act, 1964, and Tokyo Convention Act, 1971; 

(k)    provide for the functions of the Zambia Airports Corporation Limited and the renaming of designated airports; and 

(l)    provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Communications, Transport, Works and Supply. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Thursday, 25th February, 2016. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions to the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee. 

Thank you. 

THE LAYOUT-DESIGNS OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS

The Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Mukanga) (on behalf of the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mrs Mwanakatwe)): Mr Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits, 2016. The Object of the Bill is to:

(a)    establish a register for layout designs or topographies of integrated circuits;

(b)    provide for a transparent legal framework for the protection, registration, rights over, infringement or use of, and access to, layout designs or topographies of integrated circuits;

(c)    recognise, protect, and support the inalienable rights and duties of qualified owners over their layout designs or topographies of integrated circuits;

(d)    provide for the authorisation of exclusive assignments or licences by a qualified owner or prospective qualified owner of layout design rights to an assignee or a licencee;

(e)    establish streamlined procedures for obtaining a compulsory licence, licence to remedy anti-competitive practices and use of layout designs or topographies of integrated circuits for public or non-commercial purposes;

(f)    give effect to the provisions of the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and any other relevant international treaty or convention to which Zambia is a State Party; and

(g)    provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.
 
I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Economic Affairs, Energy and Labour. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Thursday, 25th February, 2016. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions to the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee. 

Thank you. 

_________

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Justice and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Dr Simbyakula): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn. 

Question put and agreed to. 

_________

The House adjourned at 1802 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 10th February, 2016.