DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE THIRD SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 30th October, 2013

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER
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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER

ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE

Mr Speaker: I have received communication to the effect that, in the absence of His Honour the Vice-President, who is attending to other national duties, Hon. Yamfwa Mukanga, MP, the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication, and also Chief Whip has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House today, Wednesday, 30th October, 2013.

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RULING BY MR SPEAKER

RULING ON THE POINT OF ORDER RAISED BY DR M. KAINGU, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MWANDI PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

Hon. Members will recall that yesterday, Tuesday, 29th October, 2013, the hon. Member for Mwandi Parliamentary Constituency, Dr M. Kaingu, MP, raised a point of order through which he sought to know whether the revenue from the mines, through the imposition of export duty on ores and concentrates, would be factored into the Budget. In response, I indicated that the ruling would be reserved. I have since studied the point of order and now wish to make the ruling as follows:

Hon. Members, the point of order emanates from the Customs and Excise (Ores and Concentrates) (Export Duty) (Suspension) Regulations 2013 and Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 89 of 2013 which was issued on 4th October, 2013, by the hon. Minister of Finance. The SI in question suspended the levy of export duty on ores and concentrates for a limited period only, namely from 4th October, 2013 to 30th September, 2014. The SI, thus, meant revenue loss to the Government during the periods that the law would be in effect. However, I wish to inform the House that on Monday, 28th October, 2013, the hon. Minister of Finance issued the Customs and Excise (Ores and Concentrates) (Export Duty) (Suspension) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, being SI No. 99 of 2013 which amended SI No. 89 of 2013. The SI No. 99 of 2013 reduced the period of suspension of export duty on ores and concentrates stipulated in SI No. 89 of 2013 by amending the date on which the suspension would end from 30th September, 2014 to 28th October, 2013. Effectively, SI No. 99 of 2013 has revoked SI No. 89 of 2013. 
   
Therefore, hon. Members, I am directing the hon. Minister of Finance to explain the financial implications of this measure as he winds up debate on this Motion tomorrow, Thursday, 31st October, 2013.

Thank you.

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

THE STRATEGIC FUEL RESERVE FUND

The Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Yaluma): Mr Speaker, on Tuesday, 22nd October, 2013, I was requested to present a comprehensive answer to Question Number 126, appearing on the Order Paper for that day. The question was: Hon. Mwiimbu of Monze Central to ask the Minister of Finance what the legal basis for collecting money for the Strategic Fuel Reserve Fund was.

Mr Speaker, I wish to thank you for this opportunity to present a ministerial statement on the Strategic Fuel Reserve Fund and the legal basis on which collections are made. I wish to inform the House that on 11th April, 2005, Cabinet approved the establishment of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Programme. The programme provided for setting up of the following:

(a) strategic petroleum reserve stocks;

(b) building of associated infrastructure; and

(c) a strategic petroleum reserve cost line to be used for price stabilisation, procurement of strategic petroleum stocks, construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure.
Mr Speaker, in order to operationalise the Cabinet’s decision, the Government, through the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development, pursuant to the provision of Section 20, Sub-Section 2 (b) of the Energy Regulation Act Cap. 436 introduced a strategic petroleum reserve cost line in the fuel price, in December, 2005.

Sir, Section 20 Sub-Section 2 (b) of the Energy Regulation Act Cap. 436, states as follows:

“The board may, subject to the approval of the Minister, raise, by way of loans or otherwise,e such money as may be required for the discharge of the functions of the board.”

Further, Section 21, Sub-Section 1 (2) of the Energy Regulation Act provides as follows:

“21(1) Amounts payable as fees under this Act shall be paid to the general revenues of the Republic.

“21 (2) Moneys paid to the general revenues under this section shall be applied to the development of the energy sector in Zambia.”

Mr Speaker, I wish to report to this august House that since the strategic reserve cost-line was introduced in the price of fuel, it has been used to stabilise the price of fuel thereby cushioning the Zambian people against adverse price volatility from the international oil prices.

Sir, this cost line has also been used to rehabilitate various petroleum infrastructures and construct provincial petroleum storage facilities. To date, the Government has been able to construct a 25 million litre capacity fuel depot in Lusaka and a 6 million litre capacity fuel depot in Mpika. The Lusaka Depot, which was commissioned in august, this year, is now fully operational whilst the Mpika Depot is due for completion in November, 2013. In addition, works have commenced on the 15 million-litre Solwezi Depot and the 6 million-litre Mongu Depot.

Mr Speaker, once completed, the depots will greatly assist in improving the efficiencies in the distribution of fuel to the nation as well as provide the country with the much-needed additional storage capacity for operational and strategic fuel stocks, given the growing national fuel demand.

Sir, notwithstanding the foregoing, I wish to inform the House that in order to ensure the effective operationalisation of this important programme, my ministry, in conjunction with the relevant authorities, commenced review of the Energy Regulation Act. This is being done based on our recognition that the current legal framework is not sufficient to provide efficient operations of this programme. This is for the purpose of amending the current Act to specifically provide for the administration and management of the strategic reserve stock and the cost-line under the Energy Regulation Act Cap. 436, among other things.

Mr Speaker, the appropriate amendment has been submitted to the Ministry of Justice. Once the matter has been finalised, we are hopeful that it will be brought to this House for consideration during the current session.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

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

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, let me thank the hon. Minister for his statement though it has left me a bit more confused than I was before he issued it. He indicated that the Energy Regulation Board Act provision allows the board, subject to ministerial consent, to apply these levies. These monies would be collected to be used among, inter alia, develop the energy sector, for infrastructure rehabilitation and price stability. It is generally known that, on average, the price of fuel in Zambia is higher in comparison to all the countries in the region by approximately, 60c. I would like the hon. Minister to explain whether he would not find it prudent, as he has agreed in the past, that the closure of Indeni would actually result into price stability arising from the removal of the 25 per cent import levy on fuel other than continuing to levy poor Zambians at this rate.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, if I may, I would like to draw Hon. Nkombo’s attention back to what I just said on the cost line. We all know very well that the cost of crude oil per barrel has been running between US$100 to US$150. When such situations happen, we go to this fund to cushion the international fluctuation prices so that they do not impact on the ordinary Zambian. That is why we have been going on with this arrangement.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development earlier brought to this House a levy for strategic reserves so that the Government could build up funds to enable it to those strategic tanks with fuel. However, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government diverted this levy towards road rehabilitation. May I know how it will be able to stock fuel when the strategic reserve fees has been diverted by this Government.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, again, I will go back to my speech. I said that the purpose for this Strategic Reserve Fund is to ensure that the strategic petroleum reserve stocks are secured. In addition to that, I went ahead to say that this will help us build the needed infrastructure. Regarding the availability of contingent stocks, I said that it will also help with the procurement of strategic petroleum stocks apart from the construction and rehabilitation of our infrastructure.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has attempted to answer the point of order I raised by making a ministerial statement which does not tally with Article 114 of the Constitution of Zambia.

Mr Speaker, the Constitution of Zambia, under Article 114 (1), states:

“Subject to the provisions of this Article, taxation shall not be imposed or altered except by order or under an Act of Parliament.”

Mr Speaker, the question I am raising is whether the hon. Minister came to this House to get authority, under an Act of Parliament, to impose this particular Act. The answer he is giving is that the Energy Regulation Board (ERB), which is under his authority, decided to impose this particular tax which is contrary to the law …

Mr Speaker: What is the point of clarification?

Mr Mwiimbu: When will he abide by the provisions of the Constitution and bring an appropriate Bill to this House so that the House can authorise this tax? He is aware that there is even an audit query which has been running for sometime now and the Government has been making assurances to do something about it.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, being privileged to have this wealth of knowledge on legal matters, I would like to answer this question.

Sir, firstly, Cap. 436, Section 20(2b) mandates the hon. Minister to grant a request made by the board. This was done appropriately within the law.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, …

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, the law states that a delegate cannot delegate. Under what authority did Parliament give the hon. Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development the power to authorise a subservient authority under him to impose a tax on Zambians? Is he in order to mislead the nation?

Mr Speaker: I note that this is a technical issue. In order to put this matter to rest, I request the hon. Minister of Justice, in due course, but not later than next week, to issue a statement on the point of order raised by the hon. Member for Monze Central.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, in line with the price stability and in concomitance …

Laughter

Mr Mbulakulima: … with the statement which the hon. Minister has just delivered, there are speculations that your Government is about to increase the price of fuel in the country. Can you confirm that assertion.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, before I tackle his question, I would like to bring to the attention of the august House the existing Act and what I stated in my speech.

Sir, I said that there is an amendment going on, at the moment, on this particular Act which is now lying with the hon. Minister of Justice and will be brought back to this House for endorsement. It is highly dynamic and will be reviewed. Other issues which are being tackled here will be attended to.

Coming back to the question, the Government has not indicated that it will hike the price of fuel in the next two months.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda (Luena): My question has been overtaken by your ruling, Sir.

Mr Mtolo (Chipata Central): Mr Speaker, …

Mr Mbewe: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Mtolo: … I would like to find out from the hon. Minister …

Mr Mbewe: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Hon. Government Members: Tom and Jerry.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, I am the substantive (stammering), …

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: … hon. Member of Parliament for Chadiza …

Mr Speaker: Is the qualification necessary?

Laughter

You may continue.

Mr Mbewe: I am Allen Divide Mbewe …

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: … who is in charge of Chadiza Constituency.

Mr Speaker, I have a very serious point of order and I need your serious ruling.

Yesterday, the 8th of October, which was Tuesday …

Hon. Opposition Member: 8th?

Mr Mbewe: 28th, sorry, Sir.

Laughter

Hon. Opposition Member: Mumusokoneza.

Interruptions

Mr Mbewe: Take it easy. I am getting there.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Hon. …

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, the Times of Zambia newspaper, which is Government propaganda, …

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Mr Mbewe: … on page 8 bears an article with the title ‘Residents Nod Tarring of Chipata/Chadiza Road’

Mr Speaker, I have made several attempts to seek clarification on why it has taken too long for a contractor to start working on the Chipata/Chadiza Road. The people of Chadiza appreciate …

Mr Speaker: What is your point of order?

Mr Mbewe: … and are very grateful that the contractor is on site.

Mr Speaker, is the Government in order to misinform His Excellency the President and …

Interruptions

Mr Mbewe: Yes, he is my President.

…  the people of Zambia that the Chipata/Chadiza Road works started in April, this year? Accompanying the article on the same page is a very beautiful picture with the caption ‘the works on Chadiza/Katete/Chipata Road begun in April, this year.’

Mr Speaker, when you look at this picture, you get the impression that works on the Chadiza/Katete/Chipata Road have started and are on-going. The marks are done, the sign posts are done, and yet not even an inch of the road has been constructed. When you look at this …

Hon. Opposition Members: Shame.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, I think you could go on and on, but I will not allow that.

Hon. Government Members: Order! Sit down.

Mr Speaker: Can you just put your point across.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, is the Government in order to mislead His Excellency the President and the people of Zambia that the bituminous road depicted in the newspaper is the Chadiza/Katete/Chipata Road? I need your serious ruling and I will lay this paper on the Table.

Interruptions

Mr Mbewe laid the paper on the Table.
Mr Speaker: Order!

Taking into account my guidance in the past and the criteria I stated for raising points of order, this point of order that has been raised does not qualify at all. If you have any questions about the state of affairs regarding this project, please, file a question. That is the easiest way to get information. To expect me to make rulings on the basis of these press reports, to say the least, is highly inappropriate. I cannot make rulings on the basis of press reports. If you want to get information from the right, ask questions. Soliciting information is not the purpose of points of order.

The hon. Member may continue.

Interruptions

Mr Mtolo: Mr Speaker, when constructing and rehabilitating these depots, what measures are put in place to safeguard humans and surrounding properties? I have a case in point of a fuel depot in the industrial area which is definitely a danger not only to humans, but also the surrounding property.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, I am not an expert, but I will say that we do not take up any projects without full approval from the health, safety and environmental institutions which see to it that those requirements are adhered to.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that there is work in progress at the Ministry of Justice which will culminate into harmonisation of the law and the said levy. May I know if the status quo, then, means that the law has been abrogated, if that is an admission?

Mr Speaker: Order! I have already addressed that question in a way. I noted that this is a technical issue and the most appropriate person to render a full and adequate explanation on it is the hon. Minister of Justice.

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

PRISON CONSTRUCTION AND DISPATCH OF POLICE OFFICERS TO KAPIRI-MPOSHI DISTRICT

151. Mr Musonda (Kapiri Mposhi) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

(a) when the Government would construct a prison in Kapiri Mposhi District; and

(b) when more police officers would be sent to the district to curb the high rate of crime.
The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, the Government will only consider constructing a prison facility in Kapiri Mposhi District when all the on-going projects are completed.

Sir, these on-going projects are Kalabo, Monze, Chitumba Open Air in Mumbwa and Luwingu prisons. In the meantime, we would like the local authorities, in consultation with the prison authorities, to secure a suitable piece of land for this prison facility. We would like the hon. Member to play a role in ensuring that this land is made available so that immediately the resources are put aside, the works can commence.

Mr Speaker, the Government, through the Zambia Police Force, will deploy more police officers to Kapiri Mposhi District when the revision of the structure in line with the population growth of the district is done. The structure for Kapiri Mposhi has been considered for expansion so that the district can have more police officers to provide law enforcement in the district. Further, the Government wishes to ensure that housing units are provided for the officers before they can be deployed to the district.

Sir, however, the hon. Member should know that recently, the division command deployed eight officers to Kapiri Mposhi to reinforce the current number of officers there.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Musonda: Mr Speaker, it is a commonly known fact that in Kapiri Mposhi, we have a stretch of road along the Great East Road, from the point of entry to the exit, that is being worked on under the Pave Zambia 2,000 km Road Project on which there is a lot of crime happening, especially at night. Some hon. Members of this House have been attacked. Is the hon. Minister considering deploying some paramilitary officers there while this road is being repaired?

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, we have taken note of that and are going to request the division command to ensure that some officers are deployed to carry out some patrols so that motorists are safe.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, Kapiri Mposhi is one of the most densely populated districts. If I am not mistaken, it has over 200,000 people with only less than eighty police officers. Do you not think that places such as Kapiri Mposhi, just like Milenge, need special attention in this regard?

Laughter

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, indeed, we recognise the strategic position of Kapiri Mposhi and are aware of the increase in population. That is the reason I indicated that the Government is considering restructuring the police establishment in Kapiri Mposhi so that it can be policed effectively accordingly.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Belemu (Mbabala): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has mentioned three things which suggest that, probably, this project is long term. Firstly, he said that the council and the hon. Member for that area must look for land on which this project can be done and, secondly, that it will only be undertaken when other projects are completed. The Government seems to suggest that there is no immediate plan to work on this project. May I know whether it was really the Government’s plan to put up a prison in Kapiri Mposhi or the hon. Minister is only responding because a question has been asked?

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, it has been the intention of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government …

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Kampyongo: … to increase the number of bed spaces in prisons. This plan to establish a prison facility in Kapiri Mposhi is on the table of prisons services. However, what we are saying is that currently the resources that we are receiving will be spent on the on-going projects. We cannot start another project when we have incomplete programmes still on going. So, plans to construct a prison in Kapiri Mposhi have been on the table.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the lack of transport in the district has resulted in the failure of the officers to curb the high rate of crime?

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, yes, we are aware and making every effort to ensure that the situation is addressed.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, …

Mr Mbulakulima: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I want to thank you for your kind consideration to allow me to raise a point of order. The PF, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, is on record as having stated that the main source of conflict or violence during by-elections is the tendency to export cadres to places where they take place and that this must be stopped at all costs.

Mr Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order because the record shows that during the local government by-elections in Rufunsa, a Mr Zulu, who was a PF cadre, was killed in that area, but he came from Chimbolya in Lusaka and was buried here in Lusaka.

Mr Livune: Aah!

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, secondly, during the Livingstone Central By-election, a Mr Joans Jakonka, who was killed, came from Kafue and was buried in Choma. Lastly, Mr Harrison Chanda, who was killed, came from Monze and he was buried there. The list is quite long.

Mr Speaker, in today’s The Post newspaper on page 2, there is an article with the headline, “Mkaika hacking victim testifies against Andrew, co-accused” which reads as follows:

“Two PF cadres on Monday testified in a case where Andrew Banda and MMD cadre Thokozani Banda are appearing in the Katete Magistrate Court charged with unlawful wounding.”

It goes on to read:

“Phiri, a resident of Kanyama Compound in Lusaka, alleged that Andrew hacked him twice with a machete while Thokozani hacked him once.”

All these people, who are actually PF cadres, have come from areas outside where these by-elections have been held. Today, we have received the information or it could be an allegation that more than 100 PF cadres have been sent to Mansa Central.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, with this record which I have categorised, is the hon. Minister of Home Affairs in order to sit comfortably …

Mr Muntanga: And smiling.

Mr Mbulakulima: … while his party continues exporting terrorism in this manner?

Mr Nkombo: Militia, militia!

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I need your serious ruling on whether this Government is in order to keep quite while this country continues losing innocent lives through the politicking of the PF.

Mr Speaker, I need your sympathetic ruling.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: My sympathetic ruling is that you should file in a very urgent question and I will forward it to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs.

Continue, hon. Member for Kalomo Central.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, Kapiri Mposhi is like an inland border town. People from Tanzania travel to that town and so many …

Mr Nkombo: Even the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mr Muntanga: … offences, including homosexuality, are committed there. If the Government is so concerned about the people in Kapiri Mposhi, why did it not consider building a prison there where so many offences are committed? I heard the hon. Minister state that the Government intends to build a prison in Luwingu when there is already one. I would like to urge the hon. Minister to first prioritise building a prison in Kapiri Mposhi, which is an inland border town.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I indicated in my earlier response that we acknowledge and appreciate the strategic position of Kapiri Mposhi and I agree with the hon. Member that it is like an inland entry point. We have said that there are plans on the table to build a prison in Kapiri Mposhi. You may wish to know that the proximity of Kapiri Mposhi to Kabwe, where we have our major prison facilities, is quite short and, for now, Kapiri Mposhi is being taken care of by Kabwe. However, as I indicated, the Government has plans to put up a prison facility for the district.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, Kapiri Mposhi is a very busy town and the hon. Minister has said that the Government will urgently look into the construction of a prison in Kapiri Mposhi. Can the hon. Minister specify how long this will take? What is the timeframe within which this problem can be sorted out?

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, we are going to make sure that measures to sort out this problem are put in place as soon as possible. I would not want to give the exact timeframe because we are mandated to look after the entire nation and not only Kapiri Mposhi Town.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Mr Speaker: Continue, hon. Minister.

 Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, the needs in Kapiri Mposhi are just as critical as those in other areas where we also need to provide services.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, I am at a loss at the logic behind building more prisons as an answer to crime prevention. Can the hon. Minister educate me on how he hopes to control crime by simply building more prisons? Is that his policy?

Laughter

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Lungu): Mr Speaker, as a ministry, we are responding to the specific question which was posed by the hon. Member of Parliament for Kapiri Mposhi. That question was whether the Government had any intentions to build a prison in Kapiri Mposhi and we have adequately responded to it. Had the question been on what we are doing to curb crime, we would have answered it accordingly.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.{mospagebreak}

FORMER GRZ VEHICLES

152. Mr Katuka (Mwinilunga) asked the Vice-President how long former Government vehicles were to continue to bear a GRZ number after being sold to a former office holder.

The Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Mr Mwango) (on behalf of the Vice- President (Dr Scott) : Mr Speaker, a former Government vehicle should continue to bear a GRZ number until the former office holder is offered to buy it and pays for it in full. This means that the ownership of the vehicle will only be changed after the former officer holder pays for the vehicle in full upon being offered to buy it. Meanwhile, the Government is coming up with a policy where the buyer will only be allowed to pay and register the vehicle within three months after separation from the Government.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Katuka: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the hon. Minister is aware that once a vehicle of a former office holder has been surrendered to the officer, it becomes family property and there is a lot of abuse of these Government vehicles after they have retired or stopped working for the Government.

Mr Mwango: Mr Speaker, as I said earlier, the vehicle only becomes family property after it has been fully paid for. Before that, it remains Government property.

I thank you, Sir.

SIKONGO DISTRICT SUB-STATION

153. Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo) asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development:

(a) when construction of a sub-station to connect Sikongo District to the national electricity grid would commence; and

(b) what the cause of the delay in the construction of the sub-station was.

The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Zulu): Mr Speaker, the electrification of Sikongo District is being done in two phases. The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has already completed Phase I of the project, which is the construction of a 65 km-long 66 kV power line, which is from Kalabo District to Sikongo District at a cost of K10,432,120. The project was completed in March, 2010.

Mr Speaker, the contract for the construction of the sub-station to connect Sikongo District to the national electricity grid has already been signed. The site was handed over to the contractor by REA in June, 2013, and works have already commenced. Commencement of Phase II of the construction of 66 kV Sub-station at Kalabo District delayed because of the huge resources that were required to start the project. In 2012, REA planned to undertake a number of projects which also included the construction of the sub-station in Kalabo. The budget was approved and REA went ahead to commence construction of the sub-station.

Mr Speaker, the sub-station is expected to be completed in June, 2014, and the project cost for the sub-station is K12,473,141.14. The project scope also involves construction of medium voltage lines to supply power to public institutions in Sikongo District and upgrading of the Mongu Sub-station to facilitate the energising of Mongu/Kalabo line to 66 kV, as it is currently charged at 11 kV. So far, the contractor has mobilised to site and in terms of construction of the motor vehicle network in Sikongo District, bush clearing and procurement of poles has been done.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, now that the contractor is on site, when will Sikongo be connected to the national electricity grid?

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, Sikongo will be connected by June, 2014.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, powering up this country is crucial to national development.

When Hon. Konga was Minister, he periodically rolled out what he called the Rural Electrification Master Plan (REMP). When will the hon. Minister give us an updated REMP so that we know what work is in progress at every given stage so that we stop asking these questions? When will he bring the plan to this House?

The Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Yaluma): Mr Speaker, REMP was done by the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), under contract with REA, through the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development. This was not for a period of one or five years, but up to 2030.

Sir, of course, in-between, amendments will be made due to upcoming priorities. We will, therefore, look into it and ensure that we avail the new additions and the movements in dates so that hon. Members can have a look at where their needs are placed.

Hon. Government Member interjected.

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, we have just made the amendments. They are many and I will have to come at a later stage to commit.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

MARKETS AND BUS STATIONS ACT

154. Mr Katuka asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a) what progress the Government had made in implementing the Markets and Bus Stations Act No. 7 of 2007;

(b) what had caused the delay in implementing the Act;

(c) whether the Government had any plans of reviewing the Act; and

(d) if so, when the Act would be reviewed.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Kufuna): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the Government has, so far, ensured that control and management of markets and bus stations is under the jurisdiction of local authorities. The Government is currently in the process of establishing the following:

(a) management boards for selected markets and bus stations;

(b) public-private-partnerships in the management of all bus stations which are currently privately-owned and operated; and

(c) a national Markets and Bus Stations Development Fund.

Mr Speaker, there has been no delay in implementing the Act as it has been under implementation since it was assented to on 12th April, 2007. All markets and bus stations are being managed using the Act.

Sir, the Government has since started the process of reviewing the Act. The ministry is engaged with the Ministry of Justice in drafting the Statutory Instrument (SI). The ministry cannot commit to any tentative date for the review of the Act at this time as consultations with line ministries are still underway.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, does the Act allow cadres to collect money from bus stations?

Mr Kufuna: Mr Speaker, the answer is, no.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, the Markets and Bus Stations Act was enacted in order to regulate the operations of markets and bus stations. Now that the PF’s policy is for people to trade anywhere and anyhow, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister how it is implementing this Act since, pretty soon, people will even be at State House, selling by the roadside.

Laughter

Mr Kufuna: Mr Speaker, I said that we are reviewing this Act. We will incorporate street vendors so that we regulate them and ensure that they trade in designated places.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Mr Speaker, the Markets and Bus Stations Act intended to replace market advisory committees with market boards. Having heard that the Act has been under implementation since it was assented to on 12th April, 2007, I would like to find out why all markets in Lusaka are still running under market advisory committees and not market boards, as is provided for under the law.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kufuna: Mr Speaker, in my response, I said that the process has already started.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, may I know whether the Markets and Bus Act No. 7 (2007) also applies to the bus stops and markets in the Western province.

Mr Kufuna: Mr Speaker, this Act applies countrywide.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Laughter

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, these questions are asked in search of proper answers. The …

Mr Sikazwe: That was a proper answer.

Mr Muntanga: … question which was asked to the ministry is: Why has the Markets and Bus Stations Act not been implemented? Why are we still using the old Act?

Mr Speaker: What is your question? Sorry, this is for the sake of the record.

Mr Muntanga: The question is: When will the ministry ensure that this new Act is implemented?

The Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mrs Kabanshi): Mr Speaker, I think my hon. Deputy Minister answered that question very well. He said that the process has started. We are appointing the boards which will run the markets and bus stations.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

SECONDARY SCHOOL CONSTRUCVTION IN MBALA CONSTITUENCY

Mr Simfukwe (Mbala) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a) why the Government had not constructed a new secondary school in Mbala Parliamentary Constituency;

(b) whether the Government had any plans to build a new secondary school in the Constituency;

(c) if so, when the plans would be implemented; and

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

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, the Government has prioritised the construction of new secondary schools in areas which have had no secondary schools since Independence. Mbala Parliamentary Constituency has Mbala and Lucheche secondary schools while other constituencies have none. The hon. Member and the public may wish to know that currently, the Government is constructing Menje Secondary School in Senga Hill Constituency which is situated in Mbala District.

Mr Speaker, the Government has no immediate plans to construct a new secondary school in the constituency. The plans to construct a new secondary in Mbala Parliamentary Constituency will only be undertaken when other areas without schools have been considered.

Mr Speaker, the estimated cost for constructing a secondary school ranges between K30 million to K50 million.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Simfukwe: Mr Speaker, I have heard the hon. Minister clearly say that the Government has no plans to construct a secondary school in Mbala. At the time the first secondary school was constructed in the 1960s, the population was 40,000, but, now, it is over 200,000. Lucheche Secondary School is just an upgrade of an old basic school. The question I have for the hon. Minister is: Since there is money from the Eurobond, why would he not consider allocating part of that money to the construction of a secondary school since there has been an increase in population, as I have already mentioned.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, even the last time, I indicated on the Floor of the House, that the Ministry of Finance did not allocate any money from the Eurobond to the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education. However, recognising the increase in population in Mbala, since the secondary school was built, the hon. Member can take advantage of what we have indicated on the Floor of this House that in 2014, the ministry will embark on the upgrading of strategically located basic schools into day secondary schools. I am sure that option will help the people of Mbala.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has ably indicated that there are no plans to build another secondary school in Mbala at the moment. I would like to find out from him whether there are any plans to rehabilitate or upgrade Mbala Secondary School, which has been around since the 1960s, to a modern-looking school.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, yes, we recognise that Mbala Secondary School has been in existence for a while now, however, there are plans to begin the rehabilitation of selected secondary schools. The Government’s plan is to earmark the rehabilitation of one school per province. I want to assure everybody that while the plan to rehabilitate schools will commence, due to limited resources, only one school will be rehabilitated per province.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, without being shy about it, I must say that the hon. Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education is an ideal hon. Minister because he answers questions very well. I want to ask him a question which may be of help to Mbala. In some of our constituencies, we normally support this ministry by building a 1 x 3 classroom block from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) at every given time. Would the hon. Minister be in a position to get some counter funds if Mbala decided to commence an expansion project at the old secondary school to, at least, create some classroom space to accommodate the ever-growing population, as explained by the area hon. Member. Would the ministry be able to assist the CDF Committee if it took that initiative?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, in fact, most of the times when we request our hon. Members of Parliament to make use of their CDF, it is …  Allow me to just say, if there is that idea, the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education will be more than willing to discuss with the hon. Member for Mbala on how we can make that expansion.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

____________{mospagebreak}

MOTIONS

BUDGET 2014

(Debate resumed)

The Deputy Minister of Gender and Child Development (Mrs Banda): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank you for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to the debate on the 2014 Budget Speech delivered by the hon. Minister of Finance.

Mr Speaker, before I go into the specific areas of my contribution, allow me to thank His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, the President of the Republic of Zambia and the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, for demonstrating progressive political will and commitment to gender equality and empowerment of women as well as development of children in our country.

Mr Speaker, also allow me to thank the Minister of Finance, Hon. Alexander Chikwanda, Member of Parliament, for presenting a progressive National Budget which will not only advance the programmes and policies of my ministry, but also contribute to the national development agenda for all citizens of Zambia.

Mr Speaker, my specific areas of contribution to this debate are restricted to child development and gender-based violence.

Sir, women and men have the same capacity to develop this country although with uniquely different roles and responsibilities.

Mr Speaker, on the issue of child protection, I wish to state that the prevailing socio-economic conditions are impacting negatively on the well-being of the majority of our children. Currently, Zambia is faced with the problems of streetism and youth unemployment due to, among others, socio-economic factors and the human immuno-deficiency virus/acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) prevalence.

Mr Speaker, as a ministry mandated to co-ordinate the implementation of programmes aimed at addressing the problem of street children in the country, the Ministry of Gender and Child Development has taken two major approaches of addressing the problem of streetism in Zambia.

Sir, the first approach is targeting older street children, aged between fifteen to twenty-five years old. Under this programme, my ministry is collaborating with other line ministries such as the Ministry of Youth and Sport and the Ministry of Defence to implement skills training and rehabilitation programmes aimed at imparting survival skills to the young people for self-sustenance.

Currently, Sir, this programme is being implemented in Kitwe on the Copperbelt Province and at Chiwoko Zambia National Service (ZNS) Camp in the Eastern Province. Under this programme, young people are being trained in various skills for the period of eighteen months.

The second approach, Sir, is targeting young street children, aged between zero to fifteen. Under this approach, the ministry is collaborating with other line ministries such as the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health and Ministry of Home Affairs. The ministry also collaborates with churches and civil society organisations. This approach is aimed at ensuring that street children …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Let us have order on my left!

You may continue, hon. Minister.

Mrs Banda: … below the age of fifteen are removed from the streets and reintegrated with their parents and guardians whilst those without families are taken to institutions of care. So far, well over 1,000 children have been removed from the streets across the country.

Sir, the ministry further provides support to families of street children by giving them training in income-generating activities which is supplemented with financial support. This initiative is being implemented in districts along the line of rail where the problem of streetism is rampant. The ministry will extend this programme to all provincial headquarters where this problem is starting to manifest.

Mr Speaker, the idea is to ensure that families are able to take care of their children in terms of feeding and education support. Also, this programme ensures that children are protected from all forms of abuse which they may be subjected to on the streets. The programme also addresses matters of child negligence by parents or guardians through counselling and other educational talks on children’s rights.

Mr Speaker, I am pleased to inform this august House that my ministry will continue with the implementation of these activities designed to protect children, especially those on the streets, in 2014 and beyond.

Sir, the PF Government is highly committed to the protection of children and this is evidenced through the continued allocation of funds for child protection activities not only to my ministry, but also to other line ministries such as the ministries of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, Home Affairs, and Health.

Mr Speaker, let me come to gender-based violence. This phenomenon has long been recognised as a problem all over the world. Although it affects both males and females, women and children are particularly more vulnerable to gender-based-violence due to various factors.

In many cases, Sir, gender-based violence culminates into injury and loss of human life. In particular, sexual gender-based violence has become a major health concern, causing not only physical, but also emotional and psychological harm to its victims.

Sir, in this era of HIV/AIDS, and considering all the serious consequences associated with the pandemic, there is a great need to urgently address the situation.

Mr Speaker, the Government, in line with the PF Party’s Manifesto, has placed emphasis on ensuring that all regional and international instruments which Zambia is party to are domesticated. Consequently, the Government has prioritised the domestication of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, (CEDAW), and other regional and international instruments such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in order to provide an enabling legal framework for the advancement of women and children through several policy measures and pieces of legislation.

Sir, it is the guarantee of the rights contained in the CEDAW and other regional and international instruments that will ensure gender equality and equity in our communities and nation at large.

My ministry is, therefore, committed to accelerating the domestication of the provisions of the CEDAW and to facilitating the implementation of specific interventions to address some of the most pressing gender issues such as gender-based violence.

Sir, the ministry operationalised the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence thereby enhancing co-ordination in tackling issues of gender-based-violence.

In addition, Mr Speaker, the ministry has and will continue to facilitate the implementation of the National Action Plan on Women …

Mr Miyutu: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, thank you for according me this chance to raise this point of order. I am raising this point of order for the benefit and interest of development of the people of Kalabo.

Sir, as we are seated here in Lusaka, the people of Kalabo have no access to land. The Kalabo District Council is not selling land to any intending developer. My point of order is: Is the Ministry of Local Government and Housing in order to block the people of Kalabo from accessing and developing land which is in their territory? I need your serious ruling.

Mr Speaker: My ruling is that I have a lot of reservation about the timing and judgement of the point of order. There is a Motion being debated and I do not think we should detract ourselves in that fashion. In any event, that is a question that could easily be answered by the relevant hon. Minister if you filed a question. Let us give the right an opportunity to respond with minimum interruption and disturbance.

You may continue, hon. Deputy Minister.

Mrs Banda: ... Girls and HIV/ AIDS and the Anti-Gender-Based Violence Act No. 1 of 2011.

Sir, as I conclude, let me assure this august House that my ministry is determined to make progress in addressing the issues of streetism and gender-based violence in our country. In doing so, my ministry will do the following:

(a) ensure that the rights of our children to survival, development and protection are realised through the co-ordination, monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the National Child Policy;

(b) ensure that children on the streets are rehabilitated through a systematic skills training and family empowerment approach rather than forced removal, as this has proved ineffective over the past years;

(c) ensure that the provisions of statutory functions embedded in the Anti-Gender-Based Violence Act No. 1 of 2011, the Matrimonial Causes Act No. 20 of 2007, the Affiliation and Maintenance Act Cap. 52 of the Laws of Zambia, as well as Legitimacy Act are fully implemented and adhered to; and

(d) focus on planning, monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of gender equality and child development programmes in order to facilitate the development and implementation of appropriate interventions across sectors.

Mr Speaker, my ministry will ensure equitable implementation of gender and child development programmes across the country in order to contribute to the attainment of job and wealth creation, as guided by the PF Party Manifesto.

Sir, I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to contribute to the debate on the 2014 Budget Speech on behalf of the women and men, girls and boys of Zambia.

I thank you, Sir.

The Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Siamunene): Mr Speaker, it is my honour and pleasure to contribute to the debate on the 2014 Budget Address by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Alexander Chikwanda, MP, which was delivered to this National Assembly on 11th October, 2013. I want to describe the Budget as futuristic because …

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Siamunene: … it gives me and, indeed, many hon. Members of Parliament hope that our future, that of our children and our children’s children is certain.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: Ema Ministers aba!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, my contribution to the debate on the address is in line with the core function of my ministry, which is to facilitate the growth of the commercial, industrial and trade sectors which are key to the social and economic development of this country.

Mr Speaker, I would also like to thank His Excellency the President of this country for being a chief marketer of this country.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: Sir, His Excellency the President has extensively marketed this country as a suitable investment destination. The investment climate in this country is very conducive and His Excellency the President has marketed it as such and that is why we have investments coming into this country.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Let us have order!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, the trade surplus increased by 17 per cent to US$433.5 million in 2013 compared to US$368.5 million in 2012. This reflects a significant export growth which requires commendation.

Hon. Back Benchers: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, non-traditional exports have continued to grow strongly, recording a 49 per cent increase to US$2.449 billion in the first eight months this year compared to US$1.67 billion recorded during the same period in 2012. This represents a positive response to a call for diversification of our economy. So, indeed, the PF Government has tried to diversify our economy, which is what this country needs.

Mr Lubinda (pointing at hon. UPND Members): Kobalanga baya muusa!

Laughter

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, exports and gemstones, cement, electricity, sugar, tobacco, cotton and cotton lint, maize and maize seed registered strong growth. This demonstrates the increased diversification and resilience of our economy.

Sir, I am pleased to note that Zambia has remained a very attractive investment destination with foreign direct investment (FDI) of US$5 billion in pledges in the first nine months of this year. This is a huge pledge.

Mr Speaker, the focus of the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) is an ambitious job creation agenda in agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, energy and construction which will go a long way in attaining economic growth and alleviating poverty among our people. It is pleasing to see that the Government is committed to the promotion of diversified agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors to be central pillars of our development strategy for consolidating economic growth in 2014.

Mr Speaker, full potential growth will enable our many small-scale farmers to become prosperous medium to large-scale producers and contribute significantly to our industrial and export growth.

Sir, the position of the fisheries sub-sector for the country to become a net exporter of fish is delighting. The revival of the operations of the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) is a step in the right direction as this will avert the loss of foreign reserves from fertiliser inputs and impact positively on the contribution of the manufacturing sector to our gross domestic product (GDP).

Mr Sikazwe: That is right.

Mr Siamunene: Sir, as you know, agro products feed into agro processing. This will also promote manufacturing. Zambia needs the manufacturing sector to grow if it is to be able to export and earn foreign exchange.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, the investment in the tourism infrastructure to diversify tourism by improving accessibility to our national parks is in tandem with the need to have improved infrastructure for ease of movement of goods and persons to conduct their business in these areas which are potentially viable.

Sir, the introduction of holograms to protect innovations sits well with my ministry’s quest to curb counterfeits. This is fundamental in the protection of intellectual property rights. I would like to mention that the release of K106.9 million to the Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) and National Savings and Credit Bank to support the financing needs of the industry, particularly small and medium scale enterprises who also benefited from the resumption of funding to the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), is cheering. This significant role that the small and medium enterprises play in our industrial development cannot be over emphasised.

Mr Speaker, the acceleration of the development of Multi-Facility Economic Zones (MFEZs) in 2014 will facilitate value-addition in manufactured products. The diversification of the products with potential to enter export markets will contribute significantly to exploiting regional and international export markets. This will also grow our export base and eventually create jobs.

Mr Speaker, the commencement of auctioning of gemstones locally will encourage small-scale gemstone miners to get better value for their gemstones. As we have witnessed, the move that the Government has taken has not only benefited the gemstone sector, but also other sectors like tourism and agriculture. The people who have come into this country to buy gemstones have spent nights in Zambian hotels thereby contributing to the tourism revenue in this country. This move is commendable.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, it is also encouraging to note that the Government will continue with the implementation of reforms aimed at enhancing the regulatory environment for private sector-led growth. The establishment of the provincial one-stop-shop for business registration and the decentralisation of some filing procedures for registration to local authorities will greatly reduce the cost of doing business and subsequently, encourage the establishment of new businesses in many parts of the country thereby contributing to poverty reduction.

Mr Speaker, the role infrastructure development plays in attaining socio-economic development by reducing the cost of doing business cannot be over emphasised. The implementation of the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project, which commenced last year, will promote trade as the movement of goods and people will be eased. It will also encourage the growth of the construction sector and contribute to job creation.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, trade is very important because without it, society cannot reap the benefits of industrialisation and productivity. So, for smooth trade to happen, there must be road infrastructure development.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! That is right.

Mr Siamunene: Sir, the Government’s aspiration to fully operationalise the Pave Zambia 2,000 km Road Project will also contribute to employment creation for our people and poverty reduction. The rehabilitation of feeder roads will afford the rural community access to markets for their produce and improve local trade in these areas.

Mr Speaker, to enable learners to cope with the demand of self-employment in the labour market, the Government has prioritised skills development. This will also contribute to trade because people will be skilled enough to form their own companies. We need to develop our own entrepreneurs to develop our country.

Mr Speaker, the elimination of incentives under import duty exemptions accessed through the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to new licence holders, apart from licence holders in MFEZs’ industrial parks and business enterprises in the rural areas, is a welcome move as this will encourage the opening up of these areas for investment, which has been lacking for years. This will thereby create employment and reduce poverty in the rural areas, which is at 80 per cent at the moment.

Hon. Government Member: That is right.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, I want to thank you sincerely for according me this chance to debate, but I want to leave the Floor by quoting one Zambian saying that “Ngulube shenda mabanga, kuli chamu vundumula.”

Laughter

Mr Siamunene: Mr Speaker, the translation of this saying is that for a man to embark on a journey in the night, there must be a reason. In the same way, there is a reason I am on this side of the House.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (Dr Mwali): Mr Speaker, …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order! Order!

Dr Mwali: … I thank you for this opportunity to contribute to the debate in support of the Motion moved by Hon. Alexander B. Chikwanda, the Minister of Finance, on the estimates of revenue and expenditure for the year commencing 1st January, 2014 to 31st December, 2014, which was delivered on Friday, 11th October, 2013.

Mr Speaker, the Motion moved by the hon. Minister of Finance goes a long way in elaborating the policy statement which was outlined in the speech by His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, during the Official Opening of the National Assembly on 20th September, 2013. In this respect, I wish to thank His Excellency the President and the hon. Minister of Finance for showing keen interest in the sustainable management of our forests in this country.

Mr Speaker, last year, the hon. Minister of Finance provided K12 million to my ministry for the National Tree Planting Programme (NTPP).

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Dr Mwali: Sir, I further wish to thank the hon. Minister of Finance for providing funds in the 2014 Budget towards the continuation of tree planting thereby resuscitating the forestry sector. I also need to mention the solid foundation left by our former Minister, Hon. Wilbur Simuusa.

Sir, as regards my portfolio, both the President’s and Budget speeches make reference to the establishment of eleven large-scale nurseries by the PF Government. Indeed, we, in the PF, have taken the deliberate position that forestry, if well-harnessed, can ensure job creation, income generation and poverty reduction thereby contributing to the economic growth and development of Zambia.

Sir, it is an acknowledged fact that the forestry sector plays a key role in a number of economies across the globe. For instance, forestry contributes over 7 per cent to the GDP in Swaziland and this is only from planted forests. In Zambia, forestry currently contributes about 5.2 per cent to the GDP, which is very low for the size of our country and the inherent potential of the sector.

Mr Speaker, we need to remind ourselves that it is the post-Independence demand for timber, especially by the copper mines and construction industry, which necessitated the creation of exotic plantations in this country. Unfortunately, the plantation area has remained static at 50,000 hectares on the Copperbelt and 10,000 hectares dotted throughout the country as provincial and district supply plantations.

The supply of exotic or plantation timber is currently estimated at 50,000 cubic metres per annum against the demand of 2 million cubic metres per annum. With this situation, …

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: The hon. Minister debating is raising very serious issues concerning this country. Are the people on your right hand side in order to continue making noise while we struggle to listen as they drown his voice? Why can they not just leave so that we pay attention to what the decent hon. Minister is saying?

Mr Speaker: Order!

The point of order is well placed. Let us listen to these debates. If there is an urgent need to consult on anything, you have the liberty to walk out, do the consultations, come back, take your seats and listen in silence. I am sure that it is very discouraging for any person debating to compete with these running conversations, very animated conversations for that matter.

Hon. Minister, you may continue.

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, with this situation, the plantation resource base needs to be more than doubled over the next five years to sustainably support the wide range of industrial wood requirements.

Mr Speaker, allow me to also touch on the supply of transmission polls from our plantation forests. Currently, our forest resource base is unable to meet the national demand for transmission polls. The Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO), the major user, requires approximately 60,000 to 70,000 polls per year. This demand has not been met solely by Zambia, something which has been the case for ten to twelve years. Transmission polls are now being imported from Zimbabwe while some sawn timber is coming from Malawi.

Mr Speaker, the indigenous forest resource base supplies both wood and non-wood products. Timber products come from high value tree species such as Mukwa, Teak and Muzauli or Rosewood to mention, but a few. An estimated 25,000 to 30,000 cubic metres of high value timber is processed into a number of products annually, mainly for both domestic and export market. Unfortunately, Zambia has been selling these high value forest products at very low prices. The international market for our valuable timber species ranges from K2,000 to K5,000 per cubic metre. However, our timber is sold semi-processed at the value of K600 per cubic metre. We are, therefore, encouraging the private sector to invest in value-addition of indigenous timber for the local and export market.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister on 8th November, 2012, instituted a ban on timber licences in order to regulate the harvesting of trees from our national forests. Following the ban, my ministry has revised the timber licence conditions and issuance procedures. The new conditions aim at regulating harvesting of trees by commercial, medium and small-scale timber enterprises. The revised conditions will also promote transparency in the issuance of timber licences. All the stakeholders that are crucial in the management of forests have been brought on board to ensure that only eligible applicants are awarded timber licences.

Mr Speaker, the forestry sector employs about 1,000,000 people mainly in the informal sector. The PF Government would like to see that the job creating activities within the sector are scaled up by increased investment so that they are more secure …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, the PF Government would like to see that the job creating activities within the sector are scaled up by increased investment so that they are more secure, gainful and wealth creating thereby transforming forestry informal jobs to formal ones. Needless to mention that apart from the traditional sawmilling and charcoal production, forestry in our country has a huge potential for economic diversification.

Mr Speaker, we should make no mistake, there is a pending crisis in the forestry sector, firstly, from over-exploitation and depleting timber resources and secondly, from failure to manage forest resources sustainably. There is a need for us to urgently formulate appropriate interventions to avert the crisis. We cannot afford to sit back and watch such a valuable resource get depleted. We need to pay attention to this sector which, to some authorities, appeared useless, but is very useful and plays an invaluable role in sustaining our lives. We need to restore its productivity for carbon sequestration as a means of climate change mitigation, ensure forest protection to maintain water catchment and river basins and support forest conservation and sound management. In this regard, we see the bringing back of forest guards as cardinal.

Mr Speaker, I also wish to urge the nation and my fellow hon. Members of Parliament on both sides of the aisle to fully support the National Tree Planting Programme so that together, we can prevent the country from becoming a desert. The benefits that can be obtained from well managed forests are massive. A well-managed forest will ensure the promotion of a commercially viable sector, which will bring in the much-needed revenue for the Government while at the same time, promoting job creation and diversifying rural local economy. I, therefore, urge all hon. Members of this House to support this progressive Motion on this Floor.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister of Health (Mr Mulenga): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Budget Speech which was ably presented by the hon. Minister of Finance.

Sir, first of all, I would like to mention that it is good that you are here. I missed you so much, especially last week. It is good you are back.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

You know, in the queen’s language, this should be employed very carefully.

Laughter

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, …

Rev. Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Rev. Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to do apple polishing on the Hon. Mr Speaker? I seek your serious ruling.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

No, he is certainly not in order.

May the hon. Minister continue, please.

Laughter

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, from the outset, let me state that I am in support of the hon. Minister’s Speech. This Budget can only be described as one of the best budgets Zambia has ever produced since Independence.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, the Budget is not only inspirational, but also meets the expectations of the majority of the Zambian people, especially in the social sectors such as education and health.

Sir, I want to thank some of my colleagues on your left who were so professional and objective in their debate, especially Hon. Dr Musokotwane and Hon. Mutati. I cannot hide that I followed their debates very well. I have no doubt that their advice was without malice, but professional, especially on debt stocks. I am sure the hon. Minister of Finance was also following.

Mr Speaker, I want to focus my debate on two issues that concern the Ministry of Health. I am aware that there are a lot of issues that can be talked about under the Ministry of Health but, due to limited time, the hon. Minister will tackle what I will leave out when he comes to give the policy statement. I just want to concentrate on health infrastructure development and essential medicine and medical supplies.

Sir, on infrastructure development, as a ministry, we have embarked on a programme to strengthen referral systems in the country. It is a well-known fact that the referral systems in the country leave much to be desired.

Mr Speaker, the referral system has been very weak for a long time due to a lack of facilities required to offer such health care. At the moment, it is difficult to distinguish a district hospital, from a general hospital and tertiary hospital because all of them operate as general hospitals. This has resulted into serious congestion and poor service delivery in most of the existing facilities.

Sir, in the 2012 statistics, it is indicated that the existing health facilities countrywide were standing at 1,958 health facilities. These are broken down as follows; Lusaka Province, which has the highest number of health facilities, with 294 while the Southern Province has 253, the Copperbelt has 250 and Muchinga Province, which has the least number of health facilities, with ninety-nine.

Mr Speaker, most of the facilities are the rural health centres, standing at 58 per cent with 1,131, followed by urban health centres at 23 per cent with 409. The health posts are the least with 15 per cent are only 307 in the country, hence, the need to construct the 650 health posts in order to increase on this basic primary health care.

Sir, we have only six third level health facilities recorded in the country. We have nineteen second level and eight four first level hospitals. These include the Government health facilities, mission health facilities and private health facilities.

Mr Speaker, in order to improve service delivery and increase access to cost-effective health care and achieve universal health care coverage, the PF Government, through the Ministry of Health, has embarked on a robust programme to rehabilitate, upgrade and construct new facilities.

Sir, in the 2013 Budget, the Government, through the Ministry of Finance, allocated K143 million to the ministry while K204 million was funded through the Eurobond. This was meant to upgrade Kitwe Central Hospital, Ndola Central Hospital, Livingstone General Hospital and University Teaching Hospital (UTH) to modern, tertiary and specialised hospitals.

Mr Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Minister of Finance for increasing the allocation towards this programme from K143 million in 2013 to about K245 million in the 2014 Budget. This will enable us to continue with the programme and to place emphasis on scaling up the programme to the districts that are currently not served with first level referral facilities and upgrading tertiary level institutions to provide specialised secondary and third level health care.

Mr Speaker, when His Excellency the President officially opened Parliament, I remember very well that he mentioned that during the period under which the PF had been in the Government, thirty-one district hospitals were under construction, 110 facilities were under rehabilitation and thirty-six houses had been constructed. I want to affirm His Excellency the President’s statement by giving the breakdown of these figures, province by province. For district hospitals, they were as follows:

Province No. of District Hospitals

Central 2

Eastern 3

Luapula 4

Lusaka 3

North-Western  2

Southern  5 

Northern 5

Western  3

Muchinga 3
 
Mr Speaker, the figures for the existing facilities under rehabilitation are as follows:

Province  No. of Facilities under Rehabilitation

Central  8

Copperbelt 13

Luapula Province 11

Lusaka Province 7

North-Western Province 13

Northern Province 10

Southern Province 11

Western Province 15

Muchinga Province 7

Mr Speaker, the breakdown of the number of houses constructed was as follows:

Province No. of Houses Constructed

Central Province 5

Copperbelt Province 6

Eastern Province 22

Luapula Province 1

Lusaka Province 5

North-Western Province 22

Northern Province 16

Southern Province 20

Western Province 16

Muchinga Province 1{mospagebreak}

Mr Speaker, I have given the breakdown of those statistics in order to clear the minds of some of our colleagues who are claiming that favoritism is employed in the implementation of Government programmes. We have been hearing these sentiments for a long time. When Dr Kaunda was President, the people’s perception was that development was going to the Northern Province. However, after he left power, it became apparent that there was no development, including Chinsali where he came from.

Sir, when Dr Chiluba came into power, there were sentiments that development was being taken to Luapula Province, but even after he left power, Luapula Province was still one of the poorest provinces in the country.

Mr Speaker, Mr Levy Mwanawasa, SC., came into power and we were told that even the paths leading to toilets in Chibombo were tarred and boreholes were sunk at every residence, but when you go to Chibombo, the suffering of the people is the same as the rest of the country.

Hon. Government Member: Tell them!

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, President Ruphiah Banda came into power and we were told that the Eastern Province was a heaven on earth, but today when you go there, the suffering is the same. Today, His Excellency Mr Michael Chilufya Sata is in power and there are sentiments that development is going to Muchinga Province, but what is happening in Chinsali is what is happening in Choma, but no one is talking.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, those sentiments are not true and the people of Zambia are aware of that.

Sir, let me quickly switch to the essential medicines and other medical supplies. I firstly want to talk about the most important issue of Anti-retroviral (ARVs) that people have been raising in the recent past. Essential medicines and medical supplies are cardinal to the meaningful health care of our people. The Ministry of Health’s health budget for the ARVs steadily increased from K5 million, in 2010, to K175 million in 2013. This was to increase access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).

Mr Speaker, the Government now accounts for about 35 per cent of the ARV budget from less than 10 per cent in 2010. This is credible evidence of the Government’s commitment to sustaining the health of its citizens.

Sir, in 2012, the Government procured ARVs worth K50 million and in 2013 worth K175 million. The Government has continued to prioritise the ART by ensuring increased access to ARVs. Although low stocks were experienced in 2013 due to the delayed arrival of ordered shipments, no stock out was recorded at service delivery levels.

Mr Speaker, I want to inform the House that Zambia is one of the first countries in Africa to introduce a once-a-day pill for the treatment of HIV/AIDS called Atripla.

Mr Speaker, the House may also wish to know that Zambia was the second largest public supply chain system for ARVs in Africa where about 480,000 clients are accessing ARVs free of charge. In some countries, the patients are only given prescriptions to enable them to procure the medication on their own.

Sir, I will now talk about the other essential drugs. The Government has continued to prioritise access to essential medicine to the Zambian population. The essential medicines budgets have increased from K279 million in 2011 to K508 million in 2013. In 2012, about 60,000 units of health centre kits …

Mr Ng’onga: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to raise a point of order and I apologise to the hon. Deputy Minister, who is debating so well, for interrupting his debate. However, is the hon. Deputy Minister in order to almost exhaust the time allotted to him without enlightening us on your left on the name of Paul Mushindo, …

Laughter

Mr Ng’onga: … a name which hails from his constituency? I need your serious ruling.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: He is not out of order. As I ruled yesterday, let us not suggest the content of these debates, but leave the person debating to decide, in their own wisdom and judgment, whether it is necessary to explain something or not.

Mr Mutale: Mr Speaker, I thank you for your guidance and direction. Whoever wants to know about Paul Mushindo can go to the museum and find out about him.

Sir, in 2012, about 60,000 units of health centre kits with priority medicines were procured to cover 2013 and part of 2014 requirements. This is a significant increment from the previous 44,000 in 2010.

Mr P. Ngoma: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutale: I thank the hon. Minister of Finance for increasing the medical allocation to about K759 million in the 2014 Budget.

Mr Speaker, the health care kit has been adjusted upwards thereby increasing the availability of basic essential medicines to greater than 90 per cent in most health facilities.

Mr P. Ngoma: Hear, hear! Eba Paul Mushindo aba.

Laughter

Mr Mutale: Mr Speaker, the Government has embarked on a programme to decentralise the services of the Medical Stores Limited of Zambia to the region by establishing distribution hubs. This is aimed at increasing efficiency in the distribution system. For the first time, the Medical Stores Limited trucks are delivering medicines to the door steps of each health centre under each hub. This is to address one of the most important challenges that health facilities face. This programme was first started in Choma in June, 2013, and the second hub will be operational before the end of 2013 in Chipata.

Mr Speaker, one of the challenges in the distribution chain of these drugs has been pilferage. Therefore, the Ministry of Health has constituted a task force on pilferage of medicines that has been actively implementing activities that reduce losses due to pilferage.

Sir, we have also enhanced labeling requirements for all medicines meant for distribution in Government health facilities by introducing a colour coding using colours of the national flag and also adding the Court of Arms on the packaging of these medicines. Specific public awareness shall continue to sensitse people about the importance of drugs.

Mr Speaker, today, the hon. Minister has flagged off the distribution of ambulances and this will reduce the suffering of the people, especially those in the rural areas.

Mr Speaker, in the one minute left of my time, I want to remind the people of Zambia that some the achievements of the PF Government include the repossession of the Zambia Telecommunications Company (ZAMTEL), revamping of the Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL), re-capitalising of the NCZ, enhancing minimum wage, Civil Service salary increment, Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project, Pave Zambia 2,000 km Road Project, creating new districts and provinces, distributing of universities throughout the provinces and construction of modern hospitals. The list is so long that I cannot afford to mention everything that we have achieved, as a Government, that we promised the people of Zambia.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister for Southern Province (Mr Munkombwe): Mr Speaker, I want to thank you for affording me this opportunity to join my honourable colleagues in paying tribute to the Budget that was presented by the hon. Minister of Finance, who is popularly known as ABC. A bit of history may be necessary in order to justify the qualification of the name ABC. He started out as a youth in Kitwe …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Minister!

Laughter

Mr Speaker: I do appreciate your need to pass on the heritage, especially to the younger citizens but, unfortunately, our rules are quite restrictive in that regard because that will now amount to debating the hon. Minister of Finance and that is not permitted.

You may continue.

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, Hon. Chikwanda was Minister of Finance in the First Republic and he excelled very efficiently at that time as he is doing now.

Mr Speaker, some people went to universities to be spoiled. When they came out of universities with doctorates in philosophy (PhDs), they became professors who just wander all over the world. As a result, the country lacks experts. It would be unacceptable for me not to mention the names of some decent people who are highly schooled and are hon. Members of this august House. These are the people who remain consistent to their commitment to serve the people and among them is Hon. Prof. Lungwangwa.

Mr Speaker, while this Budget may be an embarrassment to some people, the World Bank is rating Zambia as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. However, the detractors are saying otherwise …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Finance received some recognition. I want to be nearer to the truth by saying that he was recognised as one of the very bad, …

Laughter

Mr Munkombwe: He was recognised as one of the very good hon. Ministers of Finance.

Laughter

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, there were some assertions about the qualifications of some District Commissioners (DCs) in the country. It is known that when Bill Clinton got into power, he went with his people.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Sir, in the same way, other people can do well by working so hard that they take over the Government and bring along their own people. We know that, in the past, we had one of the best hon. Ministers of Works, Supply and Communication by the name of the late Mr Haswell Mwale. With minimal education, he was able to perform so magnificently. Education can also be destructive

Interruptions

Mr Munkombwe: Yes! You have professors who are wandering all over the world and the country is not benefiting anything from them.

Hon. UPND Members interjected.

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left!

Hon. UPND Members interjected.

Mr Munkombwe: One of them goes by the name you have mentioned.  I am not the one who has said it.

Laughter

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, in the Southern Province, we are benefiting from this Government in a manner that is exciting. So far, in terms of road development in Sinazongwe, Choma, Gwembe, Kalomo, Monze, Mazabuka and Kazungula, 461.3 km of roads, including inter-town roads, have been worked on. In Livingstone, the Government is now …

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

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to start mentioning kilometres of roads that have been worked on in Monze and Mazabuka when the projects have not even started? As the hon. Minister for the Southern Province, he should talk of the things that are happening in the province and not perceptions. Is he in order to speculate on issues that are supposedly happening in the Southern Province when, in fact, they are not happening?

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order! My ruling is that as the hon. Minister for the Southern Province continues addressing issues relating to the province, he should seize this opportunity to clarify that point raised by the hon. Member in his point of order.

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, my clarification is that 461.3 km of roads, which include the township roads, have been worked on.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, I respect those people (hon. UPND Members) because they were elected by people and I am prepared to work with anyone of them. If, for instance, there is some inability by any one of them to be relevant to their constituents, that is not my business.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, out of the 28 km of roads that were earmarked for construction in Maamba, 20 km have been worked.

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, as we speak, in Mazabuka, graders are in Chivuna and the hon. Member for Magoye can attest to that.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, in Livingstone, the Government is constructing an ultra modern market. It is also building an inter-city bus terminus and the Maramba Stadium is being worked on. In addition, 40 km of roads, including the Mosi-O-Tunya Road, have been worked on.

Mr Speaker, in terms of education, several schools …

Mr Kampyongo: On a point of Order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I thank you so much and I sincerely apologise to the veteran politician who is busy debating on developmental issues in his province.

Mr Speaker, are the hon. Members on your immediate left, in order to continue distracting him by engaging him directly …

Hon. UPND Members: Aah!

Mr Kampyongo: … through heckling.

I need your serious ruling, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order! Order! Order!

Let us give the hon. Minister for the Southern Province an opportunity to explain himself in silence. Let us avoid those running commentaries which he cannot respond to. I am following those commentaries, but I have turned a gracious blind eye to them so far. I may not persist with that stance for long …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … if this continues. You are not being fair to him. Let us give him an opportunity to debate.

Continue, hon. Minister.

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, in terms of education, among the many schools which have been rehabilitated include Magoye Basic in Mazabuka, …

Mr Muntanga interjected.

Mr Munkombwe: … Makuyu Basic in Gwembe, Sinakumbe School in Sinazongwe, …

Ms Kapata: Tell them!

Mr Munkombwe: … Libuyu in Livingstone and Mabwatomba School in Chief Macha in Choma and, fortunately, that is where I come from.

Mr Speaker, in terms of health facilities, the Government has continued to upgrade and rehabilitate some facilities, including the completed Kalomo Hospital.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear! Tell them.

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, the art of bargaining by elected hon. Members is individualised. Hon. Members, who are elected, even those who are in the Government, must be artists in bargaining. You cannot bring about development if you do not bargain. You must talk to the people who have the authority to consider budgetary allocations.

Mr Sikazwe: Yes!

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, I made a simple research in Hon. Sing’ombe’s constituency and found out that only ninety-nine out of 300 villages have no vehicles. 201 villages have vehicles and some families have about three to four. That is development and illustrates a constituency that is benefitting from the politics of any government. It may not be this Government that has brought about that development, but there is continuity.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, in Kalomo North, in Dimbwe, to be specific, the production of maize is very high except in a bad year like was the case last year.

Sir, in terms of the Social Cash Transfer Programme, a total of 477 people in Kalomo North, 3,290 in Monze and 2,500 in Kazungula are beneficiaries.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, we need more districts to be beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Programme.

Mr Speaker, in terms of social welfare, which is part of the Social Cash Transfer Programme, the Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, is registering women’s clubs as way to empower them. So far, a total of 2,900 people are beneficiaries of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, indeed, we need more people to benefit from this programme. The current number of beneficiaries is insignificant compared to that of people who must be benefitting. However, it is a starting point.

Hon. PF Members: Yes.

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, I spoke about why people bring along their own people when they form Government. I know that the veteran politician Mr Robert Mugabe took with him Mr Simon Muzenda, a man who could hardly read, and appointed him his Vice-President. So, those who think that His Excellency the President , Mr Micheal Sata, can appoint people who do not exist and are not loyal to him to make them DCs do not understand the political scenario.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, during the United National Independence Party (UNIP) days, we had basiamasuku …

Hon. PF Members: Yes.

Mr Munkombwe: … and because they were there for us during campaigns, we had to appoint them. So, please, if you want to organise yourselves, work hard so that you can bring along your own people when you form Government.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, I think the theory of giving your left cheek when someone slaps you on the right cheek died with Jesus.

Laughter

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, it is no longer humanly possible. It went away with the Son of God.

Laughter

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, I want to thank …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Munkombwe: … the hon. Members from the Southern Province …

Mr Muntanga: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: … for giving me an opportunity to work with them.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, let me say this again, for as long as they do not talk their politics in my presence, I will also not talk my politics in their presence.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Munkombwe: Mr Speaker, we will meet in service to our people. I am prepared to travel with Hon. Muntanga’s son …

Hon. UPND Members: Son.

Laughter

Mr Munkombwe: … to foster development in Chifunsa, Dimbwe and anywhere else. I am connected to all of them in one way or another.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chansa: Ema Ministers aba.

The Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Sampa): Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to add my voice to the debate on the Budget Speech delivered by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Alexander Bwalya Chikwanda. I commend the hon. Minister for his usual exemplary service to this land, Zambia. The Budget is all about income and expenditure.

Mr Speaker, the Member of Parliament for Liuwa, Hon. Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, debated very well last week. He stated that all of us are happy and excited about the expenditure side of the Budget. I am happy, on behalf of my constituency and province, with what is in the Budget because therein lies everything we care about. 

Mrs Kabanshi: Me too!

Mr Sampa: Hon. Dr Musokotwane further told us − I guess from his experience as Minister of Finance − that an hon. Minister of Finance has to worry alone about the income side of the Budget, that is, in terms of where the money to meet all the needs for all the constituencies and, indeed, the 13 million Zambians will come from. This, we were told, is what worries Finance Ministers.

Mr Speaker, unlike in the United States of America (USA), the expenditure side of the Budget in Zambia is constantly at minimum and never goes maximum. It is unheard of in this country for expenses to go down, including salaries. Everybody always expects them to go upwards. Firstly, this is due to inflationary reasons and secondly, people cannot just consciously allow salaries to go downwards.

Mr Speaker, even when a certain political party leader rejects salary increments from the Government for his hon. Members, …

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Sikazwe: That is right!

Mr Sampa: … the hon. Members will not reject those salaries, but instead opt to do a “donchi kubeba” on their leader.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

What do you mean?

Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, they will keep quiet and not tell their leader the truth, which means that they would not be rejecting the increment. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, Parliamentary Procedure dictates that we are not at liberty to debate ourselves.

Is the hon. Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry and Member of Parliament for Matero in order to bring innuendoes to this House that there are hon. Members who have a leader whom they are not telling the truth? Is he in order to continue in this line of debate?

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

The hon. Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry is certainly out of order.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Let me restate what I consistently say. There is a Motion on the Floor of the House, and in it are proposals and directions being proposed in terms of fiscal matters. There is a lot in the speech and I expect the colleagues on my right to be bolstering the address by the hon. Minister of Finance and not use this as an omnibus for politicking, especially contrary to our own rules, more than anything else. This is a concern. We cannot debate ourselves, directly or indirectly.

The hon. Deputy Minister may continue, with that caveat.

Mr Sampa: I am much obliged, Sir, and now that my colleague is alert, I will move on.

Mr Speaker, the point is that the cost or expenditure side of the Budget never comes down. It can only increase. Therefore, the challenge to push up and realise the income side of the Budget remains with the hon. Minister of Finance. I must confess that the role of increasing income for a country is very tricky. It is one of those roles where when one employs method A and method B suffers and vice-versa.

Mr Speaker, Hon. Dr Musokotwane stated the obvious. He said that income can be enhanced through domestic revenue like tax and excise duty and, of course, through borrowing by inserting in the Budget what is called a Budget Deficit. This would include borrowing locally and abroad. A budget deficit is part and parcel of all stimulus budgets that want to grow the economy.

The issue, however, is in the size of the deficit. In Zambia’s case, we are told that for the 2014 Budget, the deficit is expected to grow to about 6.6 per cent. My research indicates that with a total Budget at K42 billion, the current debt, at a deficit of 6.6 per cent, is about K13 billion. I stand to be corrected. The total debt for Zambia, therefore, is about 31 per cent of its GDP.

On the contrary, Sir, the USA is way ahead in debt, as we saw recently. The total budget deficit for the USA is 110 per cent of its GDP while Zambia is at 31 per cent. The USA was developed and ran mostly on borrowed funds. Its latest Budget Deficit is 35 per cent while ours is at 6.6 per cent.

Mr Speaker, we have to use the USA as a good example of how far we do not want to go in terms of both domestic and international debt. The total debt for the USA is US$17 trillion, which equates to US$52,000 per person. Every second, the USA contracts a new debt of US$12,000. Therefore, because it owes US$17 trillion, in terms of interest calculation, its debt increases by US$12,000 every second. It has, therefore, gotten itself into massive problems compared to us. We are far better off than the USA.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, Hon. Felix Mutati, in his debate, raised concern that these borrowed funds, as was the case with the Eurobond, should be ready for use once contracted and not be put away in commercial banks to earn a lower interest than would be earned abroad. This is a valid point. However, all of us here are to blame because we are the ones who make laws.

Mr Speaker, a while ago, Hon Jack Mwiimbu also lamented the lack of progress as regards the projects in his constituency. The famous Monze/Niko Road is not being worked on because of the challenge of the tender process which involves advertising, tendering and awarding of contracts. This takes not less than six months. All we can do is sit and wait. Some companies even know how to delay the process further. When they lose a tender, they delay the process further by appealing and this takes another six months or so.

Mr Speaker, this was the case with the Monze/Niko Road. It was bogged down by the tendering procedure and, as a Government; we cannot do anything about it. Some of us have learnt to keep ourselves out of such matters. No matter how much one tries to push the system in the Government, it simply does not move. One risks being accused of corruption or of being an interested party. Therefore, you simply sit back and wait for the process to take its course.

Mr Speaker, I remember one former hon. Minister who opted to push the process by single-sourcing. That former hon. Minister is attending court cases now. I understand her and the circumstances which could have prompted her to do what she did, but there is a system in place. We are trying to develop all the areas of the country and, sometimes, money may be there, but the systems we have in place must be followed. Hon. Ministers or Government officials can only cut corners at their own peril.

Mr Speaker, as I go to the last part of my debate and still on enhancing the income side of the Budget, I will restrict myself to the mines because this is what butters the bread of the poor Zambians. However, I am afraid that what we, the Zambians, have been getting from the mines, since the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) era, is peanuts. What we have been getting reminds me of what we used to call makololo at boarding school. Investors get the chunk of the profits while we get the makololo. 

Hon. Opposition Member interjected.

Mr Sampa: The hon. Member is awake and he knows what makololo is. At boarding school, makololo are the remains of nshima at the base of the pot. This is what some of us would eat when we got to the dining hall late. In the same way, the mines take and eat the nshima, but what remains …

Col. Kaunda: Ichikwangwa, iwe!

Mr Sampa: ... Ichikwangwa, as the hon. Minister has said, is what we are getting from the mines as Zambians. The mine investors are getting the nshima and leaving the chikwangwa or the makololo for us. Why? I will explain why I say so. I have lamented in this House and outside the gross tax evasion or avoidance by investors in our mines. Some of them are known international fraudsters who have mastered the art of paying …

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left!

Mr Sampa: … zero tax to the Government. They do it so swiftly that, in the end, they break no law. Hence, they cannot be arrested. At best, they are masters in arm twisting governments. and pushing them to tight corners. The only way out for them is zero tax. All they want is zero tax not only in Zambia, but also in Brazil, Australia and wherever there are mines. Just google and you will find these stories.

Mr Speaker, a case in point is the famous windfall tax and mineral royalty tax. If these mines choose to arm-twist the Government, all the mines do is stockpile. This means that the mines do not process and export. What is the implication of that action? This means that the mineral royalty tax, which is currently at 6 per cent, cannot be collected by the Government, given that tax is only collected once the copper leaves our country. Only when the mines export is the tax due. So, if they want to push the Government in one direction, all they do is mine the copper and stockpile it. There are mountains and mountains of copper in the mines. Why is that so? Personally, I feel they are doing it deliberately because they know we budgeted in the …

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.{mospagebreak}

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, Hon. Sampa is a Minister in the Government. Is he in order to lament the tax that is not being paid by the mines when the Government has the power to make decisions and, in fact, refused to reintroduce the windfall tax? Why is he lamenting? He should talk about the policy of the Government and not lament. Is he in order to lament like a Back Bencher?

Hon Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: As much as the hon. Minister is at liberty to analyse and highlight problems, it would be more befitting to suggest solutions after identification of the problems and give the direction which you see you your Government taking on these issues.

Hon Opposition Members: Hear, hear.

Mr Speaker: I think that would be complementary and useful in the context of this Motion because you are in the driving seat.

May you continue.

Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, thank you. I am coming to the suggestions and what this Government is doing so far. These problems I have highlighted are not peculiar to the PF Government. They have been there for a while. It is a problem of the entire country and I am bringing it to the attention of the hon. Members because the solution does not lie in today’s Government. We need to own this problem as Zambians.

Hon Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, having said that, I will zero in on what we, as a Government, are doing. When the mines do not pay tax, this is when the overrun comes in. Remember, I am talking about the income side of the Budget. On top of not wanting to pay tax, some of these mines do not even want to give contracts to local suppliers of goods and services. They opt to import nearly everything from India and China.

Mr Speaker, as a Government, on that score, we are trying to engage the mines and see if, one day, we can debate legislation in this House to compel them to give business to the local suppliers on the Copperbelt.

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, you have guided already and done so very clearly. As Back Benchers, we would be in a position to bring legislation for debate here with the view that our colleagues on the right will understand and appreciate it. Their role is to formulate policy. Is the hon. Deputy Minister in order to continue on that path after you have ruled very clearly that he must now start giving us solutions to the problems that the Government is facing, especially in the light that the platform on which the PF came into the Government was that it would reintroduce the windfall tax.

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: I do not want to repeat myself. I hope that the hon. Minister will take that into account.

You may continue, hon. Minister.

Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, thank you. Solutions are on the drawing board. We will continue engaging the mines. However, there are other stiffer options to curb tax avoidance. For instance, there is a need to look at the productivity of these mines. I am sure that the relevant ministries in charge will bring those regulations to the House when they have been put in place. The point is noted and the issue is that there has been a challenge with the streaming in of income from way back, as regards the Budget. Therefore, as regards the mines giving contracts to the local companies, stiffer measures will be put in place and they will be announced.

We should not bury our heads in our sand. After all, Mr Speaker ...

Laughter

Mr Sampa: … we should not bury our heads in the sand because most of these mines are independent mines. They are owned by investors and not the Government, as we have seen elsewhere. We are not capitalists. We know that capitalism was strong in the USA, but it is now embracing communism and China, which is a communist country, is now embracing capitalism. Across the shore, in Zimbabwe, we see that they are in control of their economy. There is no neocolonialism in Zimbabwe. They are in control of their assets and that is where this Government is heading. It is going to ensure that it takes full control of the situation by having fully-fledged ownership of its economy. At the moment, our economy is owned by investors. We are a fully capitalist country. We need to find a platform on which we can embrace ourselves so that we have full control of our assets.

Mr Speaker, finally, I am confident that the able hon. Finance Minster will ensure that the income streams in.

Mr Sing’ombe: Aibala.

Mr Sampa: Ninzi, ba daala?

Mr Speaker: Continue, hon. Minister.

Mr Sampa: I am confident that the hon. Finance Minister will ensure that all the income streams in the 2014 Budget are realised. In any case, these mines lobby so much to the extent of hiring people, even from your left, Mr Speaker, to lobby on their behalf to get what they want from the Government at the expense of the Zambian people. I have seen in a meeting where one of these lobbyists was chased away …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on my left!

Mr Sampa: Sir, they are bent on curtailing my debate.

Mr Kunda: Who?

Mr Sampa: In conclusion, Sir, but before I go to that, there is one interesting topic that was raised by the left that I want to respond to. This is the issue of the PF ignoring certain people when making appointments. The previous speaker spoke about it.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Sampa: As far as I know, political parties are clubs. Since they are clubs, everybody chooses which club to join.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sampa: No one is forced to join a club. Sir, to enhance my point, I will give an example of a football club so that the listeners outside can understand this point.

A football player can choose to join Arsenal, Manchester United, …

Interruptions

Mr Ng’onga: Zambia United!

Mr Sampa: … Nkwazi or Nkana United and the team which he joins may win the league. However, a player of Manchester United cannot play under Arsenal without joining Arsenal.

Hon. Opposition Members: No!

Mr Sampa: This is because they chose to belong to a club of their own choice.

Mr Belemu: Substandard example!

Mr Sampa: So, this issue of people expecting to be given positions in our club, and yet they did not join this club cannot happen. When we were in the Opposition, …

Interruptions

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Tell them!

Mr Sampa: … people joined our club …

Mr Sing’ombe: On a point of order, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Tell them!

Mr Sampa: … and when the PF won the elections, it is the people who joined our club who were given positions in the Government.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sampa: Similarly, Sir, had the MMD bounced back into power, it is the people that have chosen to remain with the club who were going to be considered for positions in the Government. If I choose to join the club, I can also be in the Government if the MMD came to the right side of this House and the same applies to the United Party for National Development (UPND). Who is expected to form the Cabinet if it so happened that the UPND won elections and sat on the right side of the House? It is those people who choose to join now. We all know who they are. We can see them.

Interruptions

Mr Sampa: We know what the cabinet would be like. It is the people seated in the front roll on your left …

Mr Speaker: Now, you are debating your colleagues and I had asked you to refrain from doing that.

You may continue.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, since I belong to another club, I would be dreaming to expect to be appointed in the club that would have won at that time.

Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Aah, Muntanga!

Mr Sampa resumed his seat.

Mr Speaker: Have you concluded?

Laughter

Mr Sampa: Sir, the shadow minister of agriculture is disturbing me.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Do not direct your attention to the left. You are addressing me.

Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, in conclusion, …

Mr Livune: On a point of order, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Sampa: … the politics of multi-partism started in 1991. I understand why, in 1973, our forefathers brought about the one party State. It was for that reason. They abolished clubs, but one. So, when that club won, positions were distributed among everybody who was available. They looked in all the corners of the country and brought everybody on board and there was equal representation.

Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Sampa: However, this is a multi-party dispensation. It is like premier league. It is that club which wins and only the people in that club are the ones …

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, you are violating one rule which is tedious repetition.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: You have already belaboured this point. I do not want to curtail you because I want you to conclude on your own note, but do not repeat yourself. You have been repeating yourself for the last ten to fifteen minutes.

You may continue.

Mr Sampa: I have noted, Mr Speaker. This is because counter arguments on this issue are repetitive and non-stop and they choke my ears and are all over the show. If you switch on any radio station, it is the same complaint you hear.

Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Sampa: Sir, that said, finally, …

Laughter

Mr Sampa: … I congratulate the  …

Laughter

Mr Sampa: … hon. Minister of Finance for the robust 2014 Budget. Knowing him, I know we will achieve everything that is enshrined in this Budget. I also know that we will all get our Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Mr Speaker, the people of Matero have not received their CDF for 2013 and we look forward to the Minister, Hon. Kabanshi, giving us the CDF for 2013 as well.

Sir, despite all the disturbances, I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Labour and social security ninani? Tali ready, ulya! He has been caught napping!

Laughter

The Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Security (Mr Mbulu): Mr Speaker, thank you for allocating me time to contribute to the debate on the Floor of this House.

Sir, I wish to thank the hon. Minister of Finance for presenting a very directional and forward- looking debate on the Floor of the House.

Hon. Opposition Members: Where is your written speech?

Interruptions

Mr Mbulu: I have it here.

Laughter

Mr Mbulu: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the presentation made by the hon. Minister of Finance because he has given us a number of building blocks in the Budget. He has identified key areas in the Budget which are the foundation for economic development.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbulu: Mr Speaker, I will not belabour the point, but let me go straight to my preserve, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

Sir, there has been every indication here that the hon. Minister of Finance has given us a direction of the Government’s development agenda. On page 3 of the Budget Speech, he says that at the centre of the plan is an ambitious …

Mr Belemu: Circus!

Mr Mbulu: Can I be protected, Mr Speaker?

Mr Speaker: Order, people on the left!

Mr Mbulu: Thank you.

From the presentation of the Minister, Hon. Alexander Chikwanda, there is an indication, on page 3 of the Budget Speech, that at the centre of the Budget is an ambitious plan by the Government to create jobs in excess of 200,000. Our concern, as a ministry in charge of job creation, is to attach the critical component of productivity to the jobs we create, no matter how many they may be. That is why my ministry is moving this country forward in terms of how it contributes to the Budget by ensuring that it sets a productivity centre which will be key and very instrumental in enhancing and identifying skills gaps. As a ministry, we will create skills institutions which will provide the needs of the industry.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ng’onga: Ema minister, aya!

Laughter

Mr Mbulu: Mr Speaker, allow me also to talk about the preliminary figures which were captured by the Central Statistical Office (CSO) which indicate that, so far, formal sector employment rose by over 58,000. However, if you go into the details of the statistical data that we gave through the other hon. Deputy Minister, you will find that this Government has been able to create more than 316 jobs so far. We still remain focused and determined to continue on our path of creating more jobs for the Zambian people. However, the questions are: What is our challenge as the Ministry of Labour and Social Security? What role do we play in all this?

First of all, we have …

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, you have guided us, time and time again, that we must only debate when we are ready. I note, with a lot of disappointMENT, that the hon. Deputy Minister on the Floor, instead of exercising his decency that we all know him for by saying that he is not ready, he is speaking off-the-cuff and pretending to read from the Budget Speech. The result of that is what has actually made to me stand on this point of order. His colleague, in his written text, said that the Government had created 330,000 jobs. However, in his quest to outplay the rules we set for ourselves, he said only 300 jobs have been created. Is he in order to continue speaking like this, lest he hurts himself by misrepresenting his own Government? I seek your serious ruling, Sir.

Mr Speaker: From where I sit, it is very easy for me to discern who is ready to debate and who is not. It is so obvious. I think I made a point yesterday that it is important that you are ready before you volunteer to speak. One can tell when you are trying to construct …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: … a presentation while on your feet.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: It is easy to tell because of my background, which I will not go into. So, if you feel you are not in a position to begin debating at a particular point, please, say so. It is very honourable to do so because there are many other people who would like to debate and, therefore, we should use this time judiciously. It will not be possible for everybody to debate. So, this time should not be wasted.

Hon. Member, you may continue, under the circumstances.

Mr Mbulu: Mr Speaker, I am very sorry, but I need to state a point here. I have been challenged. From the points I made yesterday, I should have debated tomorrow anyway. That is why I did not come with any written speech, but from what I have constructed …

Interruptions

Mr Mbulu: Please, give me space.

Mr Speaker: Order!

He is explaining himself to me.

Continue, hon. Deputy Minister.

Mr Mbulu: Mr Speaker, I know my capabilities and capacities to debate. I cannot fail to debate on this issue. It is impossible. With the knowledge I have about my job, I thought I could put a point across because I know my job and speak about it without difficulties. However, I seek your indulgence that I may be allowed to debate tomorrow.

Mr Speaker: Very well.

Interruptions{mospagebreak}

The Deputy Minister for Lusaka Province (Mr Kosamu): Mr Speaker, it is, indeed, an honour and privilege for you to allow me to rise and add my words to those spoken by several other hon. Members who have been in support of the Motion for the 2014 Budget which was presented to this House by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Alexander Chikwanda.

Sir, the 2014 Budget is an expression of the PF Government’s resolve, in the face of difficult economic and fiscal conditions, to maintain firm control over expenditure, ensuring that Zambia’s finances remain sustainable so that, in turn, twenty or thirty years down the line, our children do not have to pay for what we do today.

Mr Speaker, as Lusaka Province Minister, I wish to confine my contribution to two important objectives of the 2014 Budget which are reducing the incidence of extreme poverty and the promotion of rural development.

Sir, it is, indeed, gratifying to note that K18.8 billion has been allocated to Lusaka Province for the construction of new roads and upgrading of existing ones. Already, Lusaka Province has greatly benefited from the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project and L400 Programme, more especially with the recent past ground-breaking commissioning by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata.

Mr Speaker, the first phase of the construction of the long-awaited Lusaka Ring Road Project, which will see the construction of 14.6 km of roads in and around the city, is on course. The roads will link the South-Eastern areas of Lusaka to the South MFEZ and Kafue Road. Lusaka Province has already started benefiting from this project in that motorists and passengers are spending less time on the roads. Similarly, Lusaka Province will benefit from the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project, which is expected to be completed over a short period of time. The Lusaka/Leopards Hill Road via Chiawa to Chirundu District is being upgraded.

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear!

Mr Kosamu: Mr Speaker, further, a network will provide a link to Kasisi, Chipembi, Chalimbana and Palabana, among other areas. There will also be another connection from Chongwe River through to the Luangwa Bridge. The D145 Luangwa Road is currently being upgraded to bituminous standard. This important road link underscores the PF Government’s desire and determination to develop infrastructure in the country, particularly roads, so as to facilitate the efficient movement of goods and people within and beyond our borders.

Mr Speaker, the K10.73 billion or 25.1 per cent of the Budget that the Government has set aside for general public services, which include allocation for infrastructure development for the new districts, inter-governmental fiscal transfers and debt payments is a commendable move. In view of the above, I wish to thank the Ministry of Finance for having given due consideration by including the newly-created districts in the 2014 Budget. To this extent, some of Their Royal Highnesses have responded favourably by freeing land for development in the newly-created districts. For instance, in my province in Rufunsa, about 9,500 hectares of land has been given to the Government by His Royal Highness Chief Mpashya for the development of the township.

However, Mr Speaker, development in some of these areas is being hampered by unsettled border demarcations, which have resulted in wrangles between and among chiefdoms. It is my earnest hope that these wrangles will be resolved sooner than later for the sake of progress and development.

Mr Speaker, it is gratifying to note that the 2014 Budget has given priority to the health sector. The proposed expenditure of 9.9 per cent of the Budget on health services in 2014 will go a long way in improving the health of the people of Zambia. This is more especially that out of the total health budget of K4.23 billion, K245.7 million has been provided for the construction and rehabilitation of district hospitals, health centres, training schools and the upgrading of tertiary health care.

Sir, in addition, out of the 650 health posts to be constructed throughout the country, eighty-one will be located in Lusaka Province thereby bringing health infrastructure as close to the community as possible. In 2014, the Ministry of Health plans to construct thirty-two health posts to cover all the eight districts in the province. The challenge, at the moment, is identification of land for the said thirty-two new health posts.

Mr Speaker, as regards education, human capital is the most important resource to foster the growth and development of any nation. Therefore, it is no surprise that the proposed 2014 Budget expenditure in education is K8.61 billion or 20.2 per cent of the total Budget. The construction of education infrastructure, which will include fifty-three new secondary schools and the upgrading of 220 basic schools into secondary schools, will have a great impact on improving literacy levels in the country.

Sir, as a province, we will also continue to promote this sector by increasing access to quality education by opening up new secondary schools and rehabilitating  the existing ones. This will meet the demand for school places and decongest schools in Lusaka District. For this reason, in 2013, five new secondary schools were opened in the province, namely Likasa Secondary School in Kafue District, Mwembeshi Secondary School in Chilanga District, Twin Palm Secondary School, Nyumba Yanga Secondary School, Lilayi Secondary School − all in Lusaka District − and Rufunsa Girls Secondary School in Rufunsa District.

In 2014, Sir, we expect to open the Luangwa Day Secondary School. Land has also been allocated by respective communities to the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education to build more schools in order to improve access to education. To this effect, the province will also benefit at tertiary level from education improvement and expansion such that some colleges like Palabana and Chalimbana have been turned into universities which is a plus to us, as the PF Government.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Kosamu: Mr Speaker, it is, indeed, true that, in the past, social protection programmes had not been given adequate resources.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order! Order, Please!

The conversations going on are too loud.

You may continue.

 Mr Kosamu: However, the successful piloting of the Social Cash Transfer Scheme in several districts across the country had a visible and direct impact on reducing extreme poverty. The corresponding increment in the allocation to this scheme from K72.1 million to K199.2 million in 2014 is something that the PF Government should be commended for.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Kosamu: Mr Speaker, I am, indeed, honoured that my province will, this time around, benefit from the scale up for 2014 as two districts, namely Lusaka and Luangwa, will be covered by the scheme initially targeting households that have members with a disability of some kind.

Mr Speaker, in concluding my contribution to the debate on the Motion to adopt the 2014 Budget Address, I wish to state that the Budget is in line with the PF’s Manifesto of seeking to foster socio-economic development and generally improving the quality of life and living conditions of our people.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister of Gender and Child Development (Mr Sikazwe): Mr Speaker, first and foremost, I wish to thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the 2014 Budget Speech by Hon. Alexander Chikwanda, the Minister of Finance.

I wish to thank His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, the President of the Republic of Zambia and the PF Government, for demonstrating progressive political will in creating a platform for all Zambians to pursue job and wealth creation opportunities across the country through massive and unprecedented road, school and hospital infrastructure.

Mr Speaker, I wish to draw your attention to the activities of my ministry, with special focus on gender mainstreaming and economic empowerment. I am aware that the subject of gender mainstreaming is usually misconstrued to mean a subject about women and girls only. Let me correct this impression by saying that gender matters go beyond increasing the number of women and girls in any given set up or activity. It is about bringing the experience, knowledge and interests of women and men as well as girls and boys in contributing to the national development agenda. This means that equity and equality should be the starting point as we look at the budgets of each and every public institution that draws resources from the Treasury.

Mr Speaker, it is with the stated principle that the Budget estimates that will be presented should be analysed so that we can then assess how women, men, girls and boys are going to benefit from the stated Budget estimates from the Treasury. For example, gender mainstreaming refers to how the boreholes being sunk and the roads and hospitals being built will improve the lives of our people, especially women and children, in various parts of the country. Indeed, we focus, especially on women and children because they tend to be the most vulnerable and are the ones …

Mr Mwale: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Sikazwe: Twalapusanapofye.

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to raise this point of order. I understand that when a neighbour is in problems, you really have to help. I am raising this point of order to try to assist my neighbour here (Ms Imenda), whom I now see preparing to leave for some reason. The last time she rose on a point order because Hon. Masumba, seated that side, was staring at her so fiercely that she felt that she was in danger. Therefore, is Hon. Masumba in order to move even closer to her such that the hon. Member is so scared that she even wants to leave this House? I need your serious ruling.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Well, I do not think that the hon. Member can be said to be stalking her.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: I am sure there is a reason he is seated next to the hon. Member for Luena. So, I am not apprehensive.

You may continue, Hon. Sikazwe.

 Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, I was saying that, as a country, we focus especially on women and children because they tend to be the most vulnerable and bear the largest scars of under-development and poverty, according to our census reports.

Therefore, Mr Speaker, the starting point for my ministry was to assess the impact of various sector interventions in uplifting the status of women, men, girls and boys. This has resulted in the development of the Baseline Gender Status Report of 2011. From this study, we can clearly see the gaps in the results of the interventions from resources appropriated by this House because the outcomes translate into the ratio of girls and boys enrolled at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

Sir, it also translates in maternal health issues, child mortality, women employed in the formal sector, women owning small and large-scale mining licences and women representation here in Parliament. The statistics in this report show that we must focus on activities that improve the lives of women and men in each sector. It is the intention of my ministry to produce this report on an annual basis as part of the progress report on gender mainstreaming across sectors. The 2012 report will be completed soon while the 2013 report should be available to the public early next year.

Mr Speaker, the nation may wish to know that my ministry is currently analysing the 2010 Census Report with expertise from the CSO in order to give a clearer picture of gender issues relating to gender from the recent census. This is part of providing a platform for sector institutions to assess their performance in as far as realising gender equity and equality in the nation is concerned. This exercise is due for completion by the end of November, 2013.

The Baseline Gender Status Report of 2011 outlined the need to involve women in fostering economic development and ensuring that economic success and benefits accrue to women too. The ministry has continued implementing the Women Economic Empowerment Fund as a development tool to empower and uplift women in business and economic empowerment development.

Mr Speaker, in 2011, the ministry gave out over 290 hammer mills, …

Hon. Opposition Members: Where?

Mr Sikazwe: … which were distributed countrywide.

Hon. Government Members: Yes!

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, as a result of the experience we had, as a ministry, as a result of the previous Government distributing hammer mills even in areas where they were not required, the ministry has since changed the manner in which it is giving the equipment. Now, starting from 2013, the ministry will be giving out equipment depending on the demand. It should be a demand-driven exercise.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: This means that we want clubs to tell us exactly what business they are doing and what equipment they would like us to buy for them. We do not want the business of people receiving hammer mills and taking them to their homes. No, we want to empower the vulnerable people.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Those whom the equipment is intended for.

Mr Speaker, one of the prerequisites for a club to benefit from this fund is that it should be registered and have an account. Therefore, registration of the clubs has been a problem in some areas in that there are no facilities. The Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) is not stationed in some rural areas. Therefore, the ministry has decided that the local government, meaning the district councils, will be giving certificates at district level. This is because the certificates given by the councils are slightly cheaper compared to registering with PACRA which costs more than K250.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, therefore, we are now saying that the councils like Mpulungu District Council or Rufunsa District Council can give a certificate for, maybe, K75.

Hon. Government Members: Yes!

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, that certificate from the council is being recognised by the ministry.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, that is a plus.

Hon. Opposition Members: To whom?

Mr Sikazwe: To the PF Government!

Laughter

Mr Muntanga indicated.

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, in the 2013 …

Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order!

A point of order is raised.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Deputy Minister of Gender and Child Development in order to mislead the House by stating that clubs register with PACRA as companies, and yet clubs register through the Registrar of Societies where they pay K250? Is he in order to mislead the House by saying that now clubs register as companies?

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Deputy Minister of Gender and Child Development, as you progress with your debate, please, clarify that position.

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, I thank you very much. This is one of the problems the ministry has. Some hon. Members of Parliament, I am not being rude, but just being factual, do not seem to know what is happening in their areas. What I am telling you is the experience that I have had in some areas. What I have stated here is a fact.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, my plea to the hon. Members of Parliament is to help these people. Help the poor women there to, at least, try to register the clubs because no club is going to benefit without that certificate. What I am stating here is that …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

You may continue.

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, in some areas where we went, we were told that clubs had been asked to register with PACRA and that is why I am saying that we want to correct that because it is not the case. It is not the case, okay?

Laughter

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, in 20 …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Sikazwe, just a moment.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

Please, the point of order is plain. Where is the registration done? It is with PACRA or with the Registrar of Societies? That is the issue.

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, what I am saying is that the clubs can be registered with the Registrar of Societies and the local government …

Hon. Government Member: Even at PACRA.

Mr Sikazwe: … even at PACRA. What we are saying is that the money involved in registering at PACRA is too much and people are being inconvenienced because some of them cannot travel to Lusaka or to Kasama, right? Therefore, please, can we work with our womenfolk? They can register with the Registrar of Societies. From the experience I have gathered in going around the country, the women have complained about the K250 being too high. Thus, I am saying that the local councils have now been permitted to give certificates. This is because initially, the local government certificates used to be rejected. However, I am saying that for the sake of the vulnerable people, can we give them a chance to register their clubs at district level?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Speaker, our estimate is that over 4,000 jobs have been created across the country.

Mr Muntanga: Question!

Mr Sikazwe: With this trend, I see the nation moving forward to consolidate growth and social justice in peace and unity as ably stated by the hon. Minister of Finance.

Mr Speaker, it is in this regard that I wish to support the hon. Minister of Finance for proposing a progressive Budget that meets the aspirations of the people of Zambia. He has proposed a number of measures aimed at achieving this objective and, among them, is the increased allocation toward infrastructure development projects such as roads, schools and hospitals. It is clear that women, especially those in pregnancy, will easily reach ...

Hon. Opposition Members: In pregnancy?

Mr Sikazwe: … health facilities for medical attention thereby increasing the prospects for safer deliveries, resulting in low mortality rates among babies being born, as well as averting pregnancy-related complications and deaths among mothers …

Mr Speaker: Order!

The time now … The Chair rose too soon but, anyway, the time now is 18 …

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, you may continue.

Laughter

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, on the other hand, improvement in education infrastructure will also increase opportunities for our girls to get into school thereby improving gender …

Mr Speaker: Order!

Finally, it is 1815 hours.

Laughter

Business was suspended from 1815 hours until 1830 hours.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Sikazwe: Mr Speaker, let me wind up now.

Sir, I was saying that on the other hand, improvement in education infrastructure will also increase opportunities for our girls to get into schools thereby improving gender parity ratios as outlined in the millennium development goal (MDG) No. 3 on Gender Equality.

Mr Speaker, it is acknowledged that currently, the gender parity or the ratio of girls to boys in any given class at primary school level is about fifty/fifty, but the number keeps dropping as we progress to secondary and tertiary levels.

Mr Speaker, it is unprecedented in the history of this country to see a well-designed and focused Budget that not only brings into realisation the promises made by the PF Party, but also meets the desires of the nation as outlined in the Vision 2030 which has been translated into action through the Revised Six National Development Plan (SNDP) 2013/2016.

Sir, in conclusion, I wish to applaud the hon. Minister of Finance for focusing on improving the conditions of the vulnerable in society by increasing the allocation to social protection which includes women and children and increasing the Social Cash Transfer Scheme allocation to benefit, particularly, the vulnerable women especially in poverty-stricken areas.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I am very confident that, with the support of this House, the hon. Minister of Finance will, indeed, deliver to the expectation of the people of Zambia.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (Mr Chingimbu): Mr Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to contribute to debate on the Motion on the Floor of this House.

Sir, the speech by the hon. Minister of Finance brought out key issues of development earmarked for 2014. It is gratifying to note that land is one of the sectors which the hon. Minister has proposed to spend on in 2014 in order to improve our service delivery.

Mr Speaker, indeed, land is an important resource upon which most sectors depend. Therefore, effective land administration and management is important to economic development and poverty reduction.

Mr Speaker, as you are aware, most of the rural poor depend on land for survival, especially women who, in most cases, are bread winners of most rural households. It is for this reason that this resource must be administered and managed properly.

Sir, land administration and management in this country has been a mess for a long time.

Hon. Opposition members: Aah!

Mr Chingimbu: It has been the source of some major conflict …

Mr Speaker: Please, withdraw the word ‘mess’.

Mr Chingimbu: Mr Speaker, I apologise.

Mr Speaker: Mr Speaker, land administration and management in this country has been a source of concern for a long time. It has been a source of major conflict and has failed to fully contribute effectively to the much-need economic growth of our country.

Mr Ntundu: Hear, hear!

Mr Chingimbu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Finance is aware of the potential of the sector to economic development and …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left!

Mr Chingimbu: ... poverty reduction to this country. Therefore, during his speech to this House, the hon. Minister has allocated K50 million towards the National Land Audit.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chingimbu: Mr Speaker, it is a task which will enable us to systematically collect data that will help the ministry to develop a Land Use Master Plan in order to accelerate the effectiveness in planning, decision-making and subsequently lead to proper utilisation of land in the country.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chingimbu: Mr Speaker, currently, the ministry is unable to generate good statistics related to utilisation of land. With the support of the Ministry of Finance, my ministry will be able to develop and implement a robust land information and management system called the Zambia Integrated Land Management and Information System (ZILMIS) which will do the following:

(a) electronically speed up the progress of each process or transaction;

(b) cut out unnecessary red-tape associated with the land transactions;

(c) improve certainty of land location and ownership and identify fraudulent practices;

(d) reduce corruption and informal arrangements in land transactions, hence, installing public confidence; and

(e) interface with systems in other institutions such as the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), PACRA and National Registration Department .
 

Mr Speaker, this will, in turn, lead to the following:

(a) improved revenue on behalf of the Government;

(b) improved transaction procedures and service delivery;

(c) enhanced security of tenure for both customary and state land;

(d) promotion of greater productivity and better use of land as a result of enhanced data and information availability for better planning and decision-making; and

(e) curb the current problems of multiple land allocations.

Mr Livune: Question!

Laughter

Mr Chingimbu: Mr Speaker, the new system will also serve as a platform to store data and information during countrywide land audits which my ministry intends to undertake. The system will, therefore, play a key role in helping the Government make sound decisions as well as enhance sustainable land governance, strengthen land use planning and transparency in land administration and management.

Mr Speaker, because of the importance of this sector, the hon. Minister of Finance has further provided more funds in next years Budget to ensure the successful completion of the development of the system.

Sir, the Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection is one of the Government institutions tasked with the responsibility to collect non-tax revenue on behalf of the Treasury. However, due to a number of properties not being captured in the system by my ministry, owners of these properties have not been paying ground rates to the ministry, resulting in the Government losing revenue.

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Finance has provided funds in the 2014 Budget to enable my ministry to also undertake the National Titling Programme.

This programme will involve the systematic land regularisation and registration of various pieces of land across the country to ensure that the people have title and are able to access credit from financial institutions. Therefore, this will ensure that the majority of poor Zambians, who depend on land for a source of living, are protected.

Sir, the implementation of this programme will also contribute towards revenue collections as more properties will be captured by the Government and subsequently be built. This programme will be implemented in a phased manner, starting with Lusaka Province in 2014.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I wish to urge the public and my fellow hon. Members of Parliament to fully support the various programmes that my ministry will embark on in 2014, particularly the Zambia National Land Audit and National Titling programmes. These programmes will contribute significantly to effective land administration, management and revenue generation.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Zulu): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute towards the debate on the Budget Speech which was delivered to this august House by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Alexander Chikwanda, MP. May I also express my profound gratitude to the hon. Minister of Finance for making the energy sector a priority sector in the 2014 National Budget. The allocation of K550 million for power rehabilitation and K65 million for rural electrification, as articulated  on page 16 of the Budget Speech, demonstrates the Government’s recognition of the importance of the energy sector. We are determined, as the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development, that the country continues to exploit the vast potential of the energy sector so that Zambia may become a major exporter of energy in sub-Saharan Africa in the near future. This is our target. We want to be the major exporters of power.

Sir, the energy sector is a driver of the economy and, therefore, it is incumbent upon my ministry to ensure that each sector of the economy has reliable sources of energy. Can you imagine this place having no power and using candles?

Mr Speaker, currently, Zambia’s hydro-power generation capacity stands at 1,557 MW against the national demands of 1,850 MW. As you are aware, demand for electricity has been growing since Independence due to factors such as population growth, mining sector growth, demand from the manufacturing industries and the agriculture sector growth. My ministry will continue to pursue several initiatives with the private sector to increase the generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure. The following are the generation projects which the ministry and its partners will continue implementing in the 2014 Financial Year.

Kafue Gorge Lower −750 Mega Watts

Mr Speaker, this project is being implemented by the Office for Promotion of Private Power Investment (OPPPI) in the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development on a build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis with a proposed tenure of thirty years. It is expected to increase the average generation by 215 GW per hour month.

Mr Speaker, Kariba North Bank Extension Power Station is being developed by ZESCO and is being implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Company. The project is wholly owned by ZESCO. The station design output is 360 MW, meaning we have two units which are 180 MW each and will operate as a peaking station with mid-merit generation during very wet seasons. The estimated total project cost is K2.135 billion, that is, US$420 dollars, of which China Exim Bank is financing 85 per cent of the project cost and the balance is being financed through a Development Bank of Southern African Loan that ZESCO obtained.

Mr Speaker, the project is being developed under a private-public partnership (PPP) with ZESCO and Tata as the partners. The partners have created a special purpose vehicle, Itezhi–tezhi Power Corporation Limited, to operate the station. The project will be developed on a BOOT basis and the plant will be transferred to ZESCO after twenty-five years from the date of the commercial commissioning of the plant. The estimated total project cost is K1.204 billion.

Mr Speaker, the electricity transmission system has continued to record losses. It is with this view that my ministry and its partners will rehabilitate and construct new transmission lines. The following are the transmission projects that my ministry will pursue in the 2014 Financial Year;

(a) connection of the North-Western Province to the national electricity grid. All the districts that are in the North-Western Province and Lukulu in the Western Province. It is expected to be completed by 2015;

(b) Pensulo Kasama and Pensulo Chipata, 330 kv Project. The project will involved in the construction of about 400 km and 280 km of 330 kv transmission lines from Serenje to Kasama and Serenje to Chipata respectively; and

(c) Kariba North Bank Extension Power Evacuation Project. The project is being undertaken for the purpose of increasing capacity to evacuate power from the Kariba North Bank Extension Project. The project involves the construction of a 132 km, 330 kv transmission line from Kariba North Bank switch yard to Kafue West.

Mr Speaker, my ministry will continue to implement the Rural Electrification Programme, through the Rural Electrification Authority (REA). There were twenty-one projects altogether and we have finished ten of them which are the following:

(a) Kakulu, Lot One  in Kapiri Mposhi District;

(b) Chanyanya in Kafue District;

(c) Chikando in Chipata District − this is my constituency, Mr Speaker,  − …

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Zulu:

(d) Jerusalem in Chipata District;

(e) Matunga in Katete District;

(f) Chibondo in Mwense District;

(g) Chebele in Mwense District;

(h) Musa in Kasama District;

(i) Mukosa in Kasama District; and

(j) Kwanda in Kabompo District.

Mr Speaker, the ten projects have been completed and commissioned. However, that is not to say that we are not going to finish the remaining eleven projects. We are still on the ground, working on them.

Mr Speaker, the petroleum sub-sector under the 2014 Financial Year will ensure that security of supply of petroleum products to the nation is maintained at all times. In terms of infrastructure development, my ministry will continue to establish and construct fuel depots in all provincial centres. This will increase storage capacity and contribute to enhancing security of supply of petroleum products in the country. My ministry will continue to rehabilitate the Indeni Oil Refining and adopt new strategies on how best the refinery can operate.

 Water Sector

Mr Speaker, water is a very important natural resource that is critical to all human activities. If supplied in sufficient quantity and quality, it can contribute to economic development and people’s livelihood.

My ministry has continued to improve access to water through various projects and programmes that include the construction of dams and boreholes. In order to ensure that there is sustainable utilisation of the water resources, there is a need to improve the management of water. My ministry is committed to ensuring that water is managed in a sustainable and equitable manner in order to increase access to all sectors of the economy, especially for agriculture and domestic water supply.

Mr Speaker, the commencement of the new Water Resources Management Act will mark the beginning of improved water resources management which will lead to improved access to various uses. Some of the key provisions of the new Act are to strengthen both the legal and institutional frameworks. It will also provide for the management of our water resources in an integrated manner. The new Act also has provisions that encourage the participation of stakeholders at different levels in water resources management. This will include the participation of stakeholders from the highest to the lowest unit, which is the Water Users Association.

Mr Speaker, what is most important is that the new Act has taken into consideration the issue of decentralisation, hence the participation of stakeholders at different levels, including the grassroots. Further, it provides for how the management and development of Zambia’s vast water resources will be done. It will also make it easier for the country to manage all shared water courses. As you may be aware, the Zambezi River is shared among eight countries. Yes.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Mr Muntanga: Yes!

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, let me take this opportunity to inform this august House that Zambia has acceded to the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) Agreement and will be able to co-operate in regional projects to develop its water resources and attract investment in the water sector, especially infrastructure development, to improve access to water for agriculture and domestic supply.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, we are committed, as a ministry, to regional projects. In the energy sector, we have interconnectors, such as the Zambia, Kenya and Tanzania interconnector. Kenya and Tanzania are already working. Zambia is also on the ground. We also have another interconnector called the Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia (ZIZABONA) Interconnector. We also have the Batoka Interconnector, which involves Zambia and Zimbabwe. We are, therefore, strategically positioned as a country. As we say in the energy sector, we are not landlocked, but land-linked. 

Mr Speaker, a long time ago, my grandfather told me that there are two types of failures. The one who thinks, but does not do and the one who does without thinking. We are thinking and doing.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, gone are the days when we Would be thinking about the next election. We have heard people from certain quarters saying the PF Government will be removed from power in 2016. It is not necessary to speak in those lines.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Zulu: Let us not look at the next elections, but the next generation.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr  Zulu: By doing so, we will be …

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, we are in this situation …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Zulu: … because of past generations. Let us look at what we are doing now because it will determine our future.

Mr Speaker, with these few words, I beg to move.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister for Central Province (Mr Mwaliteta): Mr Speaker, allow me to thank the hon. Minister of Finance for delivering a special Budget for 2014. As you may be aware, the economy of Central Province depends on agriculture with small-scale farmers leading the sector in terms of cash crops such as maize and livestock production. Large-scale and commercial farms are mainly found in Chisamba, Chibombo, Mkushi and Mumbwa districts. Large-scale farming is also expected to commence in Serenje District when the Nansanga Farming Block is fully operationalised.

Mr Speaker, our development efforts for the period of 2013 to 2016 focus on a more people-centred agenda with emphasis on job creation opportunities, including diversification, and increased investment in agriculture and infrastructure development, as articulated in the PF Party Manifesto and …

Mr Livune: Question.

Mr Mwaliteta: … the Revised National Development Plan for 2013 to 2016.

 Mr Speaker, the vision statement for Central province is to attain a sufficient level of social and diversified economic development that promotes human development through equitable and efficient delivery of goods and services by 2013. In line with this vision, the province aspires to not only be known as central in terms of its geographical location, but also to be the centre and hub for developmental activities in the country.

Mr Speaker, the 2013 Budget allocation to the province was over fifty-two million. In terms of developmental programmes and implementation, substantial amounts of funds were also released by sector line ministries, including other stakeholders who had planned to invest in Central Province.

Mr Speaker, the province performed very well in implementing developmental programmes sector by sector. On agriculture, the current Government’s stance is to diversify this sector, promote small-scale farmers and explore regional comparative advantages. This stance will effectively enhance agriculture as the mainstay of Central Province’s economy and standards for our people in the province.

Mr Speaker, on crop production during the 2012/2013 Farming Season, the province recorded 493,392 tonnes in terms of maize production the lower than 534,187 tonnes recorded during the 2011/2012 Farming Season. This was largely as a result of the floods in two of the districts of Central Province and also the outbreak of army worms which affected 48,410 …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the right!

Mr Mwaliteta: … hectares of crops and 20,154 farmers in the province. However, despite these setbacks, the province still remained one of the highest in maize production in the country. Crop production in nine out of seventeen mostly grown crops in the province also recorded a remarkable increase in the 2012/2013 Farming Season compared to the previous season. The total area planted for seventeen most widely-grown crops increased to 421, 343 hectares during the 2012/2013/ Farming Season from 380,339 hectares planted in the 2011/2012 Farming Season.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left!

Mr Mwaliteta: Mr Speaker, with regard to the agriculture crop marketing programme, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) purchased and secured 41,571 metric tonnes of maize by 16th October, 2013, out of the targeted 68,186 tonnes. A total of 23,764,670 has been paid to farmers and the outstanding balance of  30,277,955 is yet to be paid to farmers.

Mr Speaker, on the cattle restocking programme, the province spent 500 million in 2012 …

Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Deputy Minister debating in order to keep referring to figures like thousands and millions without specifying what these thousands are. Are they kwachas or bags of maize? He keeps on mentioning figures of thousands and millions. Is he in order to just give us figures without specifications. I need your serious ruling, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: May the hon. Deputy Minister continue and take into account that point of order.

Mr Mwaliteta: Thank you, Hon. Muntanga.{mospagebreak}

Sir, under the Land Resettlement Scheme Development Programme, K560,000 was allocated and released for the provision of physical and social infrastructure for improved livelihood production and productivity of the small-scale farmers in the province. The funds are being spent towards completion of classroom blocks and construction of staff houses and ventilated improved pit latrines (VIP) at Kampumbu Resettlement Scheme in Serenje District.

Mr Speaker, under the health sector infrastructure development, I wish to say that the province has continued with the construction of health facilities in line with the PF Manifesto to improve health service provision.

Sir, the construction of Phase II of Mkushi District Hospital is at 60 per cent towards completion whilst Serenje District Hospital has reached 90 per cent towards completion. Construction of Phase I of the Mine Hospital in Mukobeko Township of Kabwe has been completed and is yet to be handed over. Four health posts, two in Serenje and two in Mkushi, have been completed.

Furthermore, Mr Speaker, students hostels and classroom blocks are being constructed in Chitambo and Chibombo districts and four more health posts are being constructed in Chibombo, one in Mumbwa and Kabwe Central Hospital. An Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was also opened and a Trauma Unit is being established.

Sir, on the education sector, I wish to say that the PF Government recognises that all Zambians have a right to compulsory, free and quality education. In line with these tenets, seven secondary schools were operationalised in January, 2013. Five are still being constructed and three new sites have been handed over to contractors for construction of secondary schools in Mkushi South Constituency in Luano District. These schools are Makululu Day in Kabwe and Muchinga Boarding in Serenje District.

Mr Speaker, to promote high tertiary education, expansion of infrastructure for Mulungushi University and Nkurumah University College of Education has continued. Malcolm Moffat College of Education has been upgraded to offer primary school teaching diploma programmes.

Sir, in order to provide technical and technological skills, Kabwe Trades Institute was transformed into an institute of technology now called Kabwe Institute of Technology (KIT).

Mr Kampyongo: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwaliteta: Mr Speaker, on rural roads, I wish to inform this House that our Government, so far, has released K20 million to the Rural Roads Unit (RRU). Out of the amount released, two additional earth-moving machines have been procured at a cost of K3 million. K2 million is being spent on maintenance of the equipment while K7 million is being spent on the actual rehabilitation of feeder roads in all districts in the province. In addition, township roads in Kapiri Mposhi and Kabwe District are being rehabilitated under the Road Development Agency (RDA).

Sir, again, I want to recommend the hon. Minister of Finance for …

Mr Muntanga: Is it commend or recommend?

Interruptions

Mr Mwaliteta: I want to commend him for increasing funds in the 2014 Budget. The implementation of development programmes will continue to be prioritised in line with the PF Manifesto and the Revised Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) for 2013/16.

Sir, in the 2014 Provincial Budget, the allocation to development programmes has been increased by K7,334 million from K14,311 million in 2013 to K21,646 million in the 2014 Budget. This represents an increase of 51.25 per cent.

Mr Speaker, you may wish to know that this increment has been to fulfil the emphasis that is being placed on implementing actual development projects as opposed to spending on recurrent departmental charges.

Mr Speaker, as expressed in the 2014 Budget theme, which is “Moving Forward to Consolidate Growth and Social Justice in Peace and Unity,” the strategy of the Government is cenEtred on sustained growth, diversification and equity in the development process. In line with the Government’s strategy, the proposed development programmes for Central Province focus on sectors with high growth potentials that will significantly contribute to poverty reduction such as roads infrastructure development, agriculture, forestry, land resettlement schemes and development in infrastructure in the new districts.

Mr Speaker, the province has set aside K18 million out of which K6 million will be spent on procuring additional equipment such as heavy duty trucks. K3 million will be for maintenance of the equipment and K9 million will be for the actual rural road works in Central Province.

Sir, under the agriculture sector, the province, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, will ensure increased and diversified production in this sector. To improve livestock production, K400,000 has been allocated for cattle restocking in the province. In the 2014 Budget Implementation Plan, the province will change the approach of administering the cattle restocking programme from procuring heifers to procuring only in-calf heifers, which are animals about to give birth, so as to shorten the waiting period before animals are passed on to the other groups.

Mr Speaker, under forestry management and protection, the province has been allocated K380,000 for afforestation and reforestation of depleted forests through planting of nursery trees and other related works. The Agriculture Land Resettlement Scheme development is equally a potential sector for growth and poverty reduction and has been allocated …

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I am a little bit at sea. Listening very carefully to the hon. Deputy Minister speaking and bearing in mind that his text was prepared by people in his administration ...

Mr Speaker: That is a presumption you are making.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, that is my hope. Let us assume it was written by him.

Mr Speaker: Yes, a fair assumption.

Mr Nkombo: Sir, it makes my point of order even more crystal clear. Is he in order not to punctuate his speech in order for us to follow his thread of thought because I am failing to connect his speech …

Hon. Government Members interjected.

Mr Speaker: Let the hon. Member complete his point of order.

Mr Nkombo: Sir, I believe, now, that he actually wrote the speech himself. Is he in order not to punctuate it so that we can have a fair understanding of the message that he is trying to deliver to us? He has gone to the extent of talking about in-calf and calf heifer and we are now completely lost.

Sir, I need your serious ruling.

Mr Speaker: My ruling is that the sense I get from what the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central is saying is that if you could just slow down in delivering your speech so that those very important messages that you are conveying are fully comprehended. I will not go to issues of punctuation and the others.

So, please, hon. Minister, you may continue.

Mr Mwaliteta: Mr Speaker, K100 million has been allocated to the youth skills development. This will go towards the construction of additional facilities at a youth training centre in Serenje and K80,000 for the rehabilitation of Ngungu Youth Resources Centre in Kabwe.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, allow me to emphasise and assure this august House that our developmental efforts during 2014 will positively sustain growth and enhance unity and social justice through job creation and poverty reduction among the people of Central Province. However, for this to be achieved, there is a need for wider stakeholder participation in monitoring and evaluation of proposed development interventions. I, therefore, implore all the hon. Members of Parliament from Central Province to actively participate in ensuring the process of moving forward to consolidate growth and social justice in peace and unity is successfully attained in the province.

Mr Speaker, allow me to also mention one major activity which happened recently when the hon. Minister of Finance went to commission the Kalonga Milling for Prisons in my province. This is a very big achievement by the PF Government. This is why I want to assure my colleagues on your left not to worry about those people who are in prison. They will be looked after very well by this Government. So, our colleagues should not troop to prisons. I plead with them to visit their constituencies and not the prisons because they are not needed there. The prisoners are well-taken care of.

Mr Speaker, thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Minister for Copperbelt Province (Mr Mwenya): Mr Speaker, thank you for according me this rare opportunity to contribute to the Motion on the Floor, which is specifically the Budget Speech, delivered by the hon. Minister of Finance. The Budget Speech was well presented, meaningful and, indeed, well received by a lot of people on the Copperbelt.

Mr Livune: Question!

Mr Mwenya: Mr Speaker, I want to mention that the Copperbelt is one province that has really benefited a lot, over a period of time, from the previous Budget of 2013 as a number of projects have actually been completed. It is gratifying to note that our people on the Copperbelt are extremely happy with the developmental projects that are taking place there. I want to mention that the construction of the Kitwe/Chingola Road, which is being converted into a dual carriage way, is progressing well. I am also happy that the Kitwe/Ndola Road is being rehabilitated and the works on that road are also progressing very well. I am also happy to mention that, for the first time, the Copperbelt has received the agricultural inputs on time.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwenya: The fertiliser has reached all the distribution points in the province.

Mr Speaker, I am also happy to mention that, under the Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund, significant amounts of money have been allocated towards the fish, timber and dairy industries. We are also happy that the spillway at Mwekela Fisheries in Kitwe has been completed and the fish market centres have been constructed at Machiya and Mpongwe. All these are projects that were worked on and, now, we are looking forward to the funds that have been budgeted for 2014.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Mukanga): Sir, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

____________

The House adjourned at 1916 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 31st October, 3013.