Wednesday 2^nd November, 2016

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

_______

 

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

 

DISBURSEMENT OF THE 2015 CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND

 

The Hon. Minister of Local Government (Mr Mwale): Mr Speaker, I thank you for according me the opportunity to issue a ministerial statement on the 2016 Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

 

Mr Speaker, my predecessor had assured the House in the last Sitting of Parliament that the ministry would endeavour to update the House on the disbursement of the 2016 CDF. I wish to state that my ministry will live by that commitment to ensure that there are no gaps in the flow of information in respect to the funding status for the 2016 CDF and the conclusion of the revision of the CDF Guidelines.

 

Mr Speaker, with regard to the revision and updating of the CDF Guidelines, the consultations with the technocrats, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society have been concluded. We have since written to the Clerk of the National Assembly to set a date in November, 2016 to meet hon. Members of Parliament for their input in respect to the Draft Revised CDF Guidelines. You may wish to know that the draft revised guidelines were brought before the last Meeting of Parliament, and the hon. Members of Parliament met in the Amphitheatre at Parliament Buildings. However, my ministry was advised to withdraw the document following concerns raised by hon. Members of Parliament. Some concerns such as the inclusion of hon. Members of Parliament on the CDF Committees, have since been addressed. It is, therefore, my hope that once we meet, the hon. Members of Parliament will make comments that will assist the ministry to finalise the document so as not to delay its implementation and enable it to meet the aspirations of all the stakeholders. Meanwhile, my ministry will circulate the draft document for the perusal of the hon. Members of Parliament once the date for the meeting has been set.

 

In view of the urgency regarding the revision of the CDF Guidelines, allow me, Mr Speaker, to request your indulgence that you authorise all the hon. Members of Parliament to attend the meeting once the date and venue have been set.

 

Mr Speaker, allow me to refresh the minds of the House by emphasising that the CDF is still a charge that is budgeted for by the Ministry of Local Government annually in the National Budget that is appropriated by this House. To this end, I wish to echo the fact that the allocation for the 2016 CDF was, therefore, budgeted for in compliance with the ceiling which the Treasury set in the core circular that was issued at the time of the preparation of the 2016 Annual Budget.

 

Mr Speaker, I also wish to inform the House that the allocation in the National Budget was a commitment to disburse the CDF for 2016 to the 150 constituencies. However, the number of constituencies has since increased to 156, arising from the delimitation exercise in which additional constituencies were created. This, therefore, implies that there is a need to create additional fiscal space for the six additional constituencies. In this regard, my ministry has engaged the Ministry of Finance to chart the way forward.

 

Mr Speaker, on the issue of disbursement of the 2016 CDF, I wish to announce that the disbursement of the CDF for 2016 will be done directly from the Treasury to the CDF accounts which are maintained by the 106 councils across the nation. The CDF for 2016 was not disbursed at the time the House adjourned sine die. This was because the Government’s desire was to ensure that we agree on the new guidelines so that hon. Members of Parliament are not deprived of involvement in the adoption and approval of projects. However, following the successful conduct of the General Elections and subsequent appointment of the Cabinet Ministers my ministry will liaise with the Treasury to consider commencing the disbursement of the CDF for 2016 once the revision of the guidelines has been concluded.

 

Finally, Mr Speaker, I wish to assure hon. Members of Parliament that my ministry is committed to ensuring that the CDF is disbursed and that the guidelines are ready as soon as possible.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mutati: Well done, hon. Minister.

 

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

 

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank the hon. Minister of Local Government for making the statement pertaining to the disbursement of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for 2016.

 

Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to take note of the provision of Article 162 of the Constitution. For ease of reference, I would like to quote Article 162(1) of the Constitution that states:

 

 

         “There is established the Constituency Development Fund.”

 

Article 162(2) reads:

 

“The appropriation of monies to the Constituency Development Fund and the management, disbursement, utilisation and accountability of the Constituency Development Fund shall be prescribed.”

 

The definition of the term, “prescribed” in the Constitution of Zambia entails that there shall be an Act of Parliament to regulate the disbursement of the CDF. The hon. Minister indicated in his statement that there will be guidelines. However, he did not tell us whether he is going to comply with the provisions of the Constitution to come up with an Act that will be tabled for enactment before Parliament.

 

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

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I would like him to indicate ...

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Thank you very much, hon. Member for Monze Central.

 

I do not think I will allow that point of order (addressing Hon. Kampyongo).

 

If the hon. Member for Monze Central wants to help the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing, he can consult him as he responds.

 

 Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, as I indicated in my statement, my ministry has been holding consultative meetings with various stakeholders. There is also a pending consultative meeting which we intend to hold with hon. Members of Parliament. We are yet to set a date for the meeting with the Clerk of the National Assembly. I, therefore, think we could use that avenue to discuss how we are going to administer the CDF. As far as I am concerned, the CDF Guidelines form part of what is prescribed in the Constitution. Therefore, the consultative meeting will avail the hon. Members an opportunity to discuss and state what they want included in the guidelines.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker. 

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Let us get this issue clearly. Article 162(1) establishes the CDF. Article 162(2) says:

 

“The appropriation of monies to the Constituency Development Fund and the management, disbursement, utilisation and accountability of the Constituency Development Fund shall be prescribed.”

 

Then, in the definition clause, “prescribed” is also defined, and it means provided for in an Act of Parliament.

Therefore, as I understand it, the question is: How do you relate this constitutional requirement that entails the passage of an Act of Parliament to the guidelines on which you would like to engage with the hon. Members of Parliament on?

 

 Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, at this point, we shall have to consult the hon. Minister of Justice on how to proceed on this matter. We thought that we could not stop the disbursement of the fund on account of not being able to come up with the necessary Act of Parliament. However, we thought that we might be able to agree on certain issues and continue with the disbursement while we look at the legal matters. At this point, we shall consult the hon. Minister of Justice. If there will be a need for us to do something before the disbursement of the funds starts, he shall advise us accordingly.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for that statement. I would also like to find out from him whether it is prudent for the constituencies to form committees before the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has been disbursed.

 

 Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, depending on the outcome of the consultations with the hon. Minister of Justice, that concern will be taken into account. It might not be legal for us to do that or we may have a leeway to do it. However, all that will depend on the advice from the hon. Minister of Justice through the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mbulakulima (Milenge): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the statement.

 

Sir, as the hon. Minister may be aware, hon. Members of Parliament are no longer members of the council or the Constituency Development Committees (CDC).

 

Sir, as rightly stated by the hon. Minister, the guidelines have been withdrawn twice. I would like to know whether the technocrats who worked on the first two documents are the same ones who are working on the current guidelines. Further, what factors are they taking into account to reduce the tension between them and the House?

 

 Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, maybe, my dear hon. Member has mixed up the two issues, that is, that of not being a member of the council, and that of the CDF. I will dwell on the issue of hon. Members not being members of the CDC.

 

Sir, the hon. Member may wish to know that the guidelines that my ministry brought to this House for discussion removed hon. Members of Parliament from the CDC after consultation with various stakeholders such as the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and others. After listening to the complaints of hon. Members of Parliament, we have decided to put them back on the committees. However, we want this validated by the hon. Members at a workshop which we hope to conduct here, at Parliament Buildings, so that we can hear from the hon. Members whether they want to be included on the committees. If they want to be included on the committees, then, the guidelines that relate to the CDF will be reviewed. Thereafter, we can proceed with the disbursement of funds. This is the reason I was saying that we are waiting for Parliament to set the date for the consultative meeting with hon. Members of Parliament. For now, we have to wait because of the emerging issue of the Act, which we have to deal with before we can start disbursing the funds.

 

 Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Chanda (Bwana Mkubwa): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank the hon. Minister of Local Government for the comprehensive statement on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

 

Sir, I have been touring the CDF projects that have been completed in my constituency in the past five years. However, it is disappointing to note that there is a mismatch between the resources spent and the projects that are said to be implemented. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what auditing or monitoring measures the ministry has put in place to make sure that the fund is achieving the intended purpose. I suppose we need an auditing system, like the one the Auditor-General’s Office uses to monitor Government ministries, to monitor the utilisation of the CDF.

 

 Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, that was a very good question. However, …

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Mr Mwale: … the hon. Member has also provided a response in part because he talked about the Auditor-General’s Office. I wish to assure him that this time around, the Auditor-General’s Office will be involved in the auditing of the CDF, including other activities which are undertaken by the councils unlike what used to happen in the past where they were audited by internal auditors. Let me also say that it is important that we try as much as possible to put to good use the public resources that are availed to us by the taxpayers.

 

Mr Speaker, I left out one point on the question raised by Hon. Mbulakulima. With your indulgence, I wish to state that the reason hon. Members of Parliament were excluded from the Constituency Development Committees (CDCs) is that they also sat in council meetings. It is not because my officers in the ministry wanted them out.  You may be aware that both the CDCs and councils approve projects to be undertaken. Now that Members of Parliament are no longer part of the councils, it is prudent that we put them back on the CDCs. This was the justification. We shall reverse the system after the validation to suit the requirements of Members of Parliament.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

 Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, it was wise for the hon. Minister to come up with the ministerial statement, considering that constituents are starving. Around November, 2015, there was a commitment to release the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Now, you are bringing in ‘complications’ involving the Ministry of Justice. This is November, 2016, can the hon. Minister assure the House and the nation that the CDF for 2015and 2016 will be disbursed?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, we can agree with the Ministry of Finance to disburse the monies whilst we wait for the guidelines to be finalised. I know that this may take a bit of time. However, if it makes my colleagues comfortable, the Ministry of Finance can release the money if it is made available.

 

Mr Speaker, I do not want to go back to the issue of the CDF for 2015 because my predecessor discussed it conclusively on the Floor of this House. I am here to give a statement on the CDF for 2016 and the way forward. 

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, I am aware that the Government, through the Ministry of Local Government, retired K300,000 from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) accounts in Kalomo District to Control 99. Of this amount, K95,004 was from Kalomo Central while approximately K70,000 was from Mapatizya. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why the ministry took that step when the money was meant to pay the people who provided their services in the implementation of CDF projects.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I am aware of the fact that most of the monies that were not spent in our accounts were collected by the Ministry of Finance and not the Ministry of Local Government. I think that that is the way the Ministry of Finance conducts its business. It collects finances that are not spent at the end of the year.

 

The Government does not want to borrow money when there is money ‘sitting’ in the accounts. The Government can collect all the monies that is not spent, if it is needed to run the economy, before it looks at who needs the money back or who needs to claim it for unpaid certificates. This is what the Ministry of Finance did.

 

However, we are in talks with the Ministry of Finance so that it can release the monies back. So far, there has been some from the Ministry of Finance. You may wish to know that Chipangali Constituency lost K300,000 in a similar fashion. The money was collected, yet it was meant for people who were still doing some works. We are in talks with the Ministry of Finance and are hopeful that something will be done soon.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister’s ministerial statement is heavily anchored on what the hon. Member for Monze Central referred him to in the Constitution, which we all have sworn to protect and defend. To a large extent, without the passing of the Act, whatever you may try to do now is an act of illegality.

 

Can the hon. Minister exonerate himself by informing the House when he will expeditiously bring the Bill so that whatever he may try to do is in accordance with the Constitutional provision?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, we shall do so as soon as we finish consulting with the Ministry of Justice.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Jere (Livingstone): Mr Speaker, my question has been overtaken by events.

 

Mr Ngulube (Kabwe Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the elaborate statement on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for 2016. However, I have a few concerns to raise. 

 

Hon. Minister, the administration of the CDF has become problematic. I am cognisant of the provision in the Constitution that talks about the management, disbursement and accountability of the funds. In my constituency, the local authority assumes that Members of Parliament have nothing to do with the CDF. Now, we have a situation where the local authority uses equipment such as tippers, graders and front-end loaders that was purchased using the CDF to generate income as opposed to doing public works.

 

Sir, this has become a thorny issue. However, I believe, the hon. Minister will find it in his heart to quickly address the abuse of the equipment purchased using the CDF even before the Bill is presented to Parliament. In addition, it appears that there is nothing being done to ensure that the CDF is spent on projects that have been approved. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what measures are being put in place to safeguard the equipment which was bought for purposes of public works instead of being used for fundraising ventures which cannot be accounted for. 

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member has made a long statement describing a unique situation in Kabwe. My advice is that he should get together with the Kabwe Municipal Council and agree on how to work together on the utilisation of the CDF. Apart from forming part of the revenue for the councils, the fund is meant to be used for developmental projects in the constituencies.

 

There is nothing wrong with agreeing with the council to buy equipment for roads in the constituency to help in the maintenance and construction of more roads. However, there is everything wrong with people not being able to talk to each other. Such things happen. It is not wrong for the council to do what it is doing. However, it is wrong to do it without agreeing with the constituents who are the ‘owners’ of the money.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, I do not like it when the hon. Minister says, “My staff in the ministry and I”. What he is projecting is that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is a charity from him and the ministry officials. I want it to sink into his head that the CDF is for Members of Parliament …

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Katombola, we need to be civil in our communication. That is not appropriate language to employ. I know that this is an emotive issue, but you can express yourself in a civil manner. By the way, what is your point of clarification?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is the initiative of the hon. Members of Parliament? As such, the ministry must get instructions from hon. Members of Parliament and not the other way round.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I am aware that the CDF is an initiative of the Government for the hon. Members of Parliament. It is not an initiative of the hon. Members of Parliament for the Government. This is an initiative by the Government ...

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Mr Mwale: ... to assist hon. Members of Parliament.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwale: We want the hon. Members of Parliament to perform their function of taking development to the constituencies using the CDF which they shall continue to receive. This is a good initiative by the Government. We know that this money is meant to help all well-meaning hon. Members of Parliament. We shall consult the people on the regulations and guidelines to be followed in the distribution of the CDF because we are elected by the people to manage the resources of the nation on their behalf.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out the rationale behind the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) being disbursed through the councils. I ask because I have observed that sometimes, projects are started using this fund, but they are not completed. In some cases, projects are reported to have been implemented but, upon checking, you would find that nothing was done. I wish to find out the rationale for disbursing the fund through the councils as opposed to disbursing it through the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly. After all, it is meant for hon. Members of Parliament who have assistants in their constituency offices.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I think that we are aware of the existence of the separation of powers. It is not the responsibility of the Legislature to implement programmes. The Legislature appropriates funds for the Executive to spend on Government programmes. The Legislature also provides oversight through different committees that check the operations of the Government. If this fund was disbursed through Parliament, it means that the Legislature would stop performing its oversight function and become the implementer of programmes. Who will provide oversight if things go wrong? So, that suggestion to disburse the fund through the Clerk of the National Assembly may not be appropriate. However, the hon. Member is free to make any other suggestions during the consultative meeting we shall have regarding the CDF. We are now decentralising certain functions. Therefore, we cannot run away from using the councils. Every line ministry now wants to use councils to provide services to the citizens of this county. In fact, the hon. Members are part of the committees in charge of administering the CDF. So, they should state what they want the money to be used for. Hon. Members can use staff at the councils who are involved in procurement to ensure that quality goods and services are procured or provided. It is in our interest to make sure that we use the facilities at the councils to administer the CDF in a proper manner. We are open to discussion. However, we think this is the best way to go.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr S. Tembo (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, there are projects that were started using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), but have stalled for quite some time. How soon is the CDF likely to be disbursed, considering that some of the projects that have stalled are roads?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the funds will be released as soon as we agree on the guidelines. For example, I heard that we wish to put back hon. Members of Parliament on the Constituency Development Committees (CDCs) that are in charge of managing the CDF. We shall release the funds as soon as we finish our consultations with the Ministry of Justice on the issue of bringing an Act of Parliament that will guide the administration of the CDF. We shall move speedily on this issue. We want hon. Members of Parliament to begin accessing the fund. As Member of Parliament, I know that other hon. Members urgently need this money. We shall release the money as soon as we finalise the legal issues.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Princess Mwape (Mkushi North): Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister explain why all the constituencies received equal amounts of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) when some constituencies are larger than others? For example, Mkushi North Constituency is quite big and is supposed to be delimitated.  

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, that is a brilliant question by Hon. Mwape. The first thing we had to deal with was provide a legal framework for the CDF. Secondly, we have to think about how to distribute the CDF to constituencies in an equitable manner. I know that countries like Uganda and Kenya borrowed the CDF concept from us. Kenya has come up with an interesting formula on how to distribute the fund. For example, constituencies that are more financially endowed get less money. The formula looks at factors like population, poverty index and many others in the constituencies. We may wish to learn from that. However, what was of importance to us initially was the creation of a legal framework for the CDF. In the near future, we should discuss how to distribute the CDF. We may call the hon. Member of Parliament for another stakeholders’ meeting to pick her brain on this matter and discuss how we can proceed with the administration of the CDF.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Simbao (Senga Hill): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister referred to the fact that Kenya got the concept of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from Zambia. I would like to find out how far Kenya has distanced the hon. Members of Parliament from the fund.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, from my interactions with hon. Members of Parliament from Kenya, it seems the hon. Members are fully involved in disbursing the fund and identifying the projects to be funded. I do not have a report or anything that I can refer to, but I do know that they have is a high level of involvement in the management of the CDF.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Mr Speaker, will there be consideration, in retrospect, for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) that was not disbursed in the previous years.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, that would be dependent upon the Treasury. As far as the Treasury is concerned, the 2015 Financial Year ended. So, we shall not go back to look at the expenditure for that year. We, as a ministry, may want that to happen, but the Treasury controls finances and makes decisions on the expenditure for the country.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Kunda (Muchinga): Mr Speaker, in responding to a question, the hon. Minister referred to the issue of ministries wanting to use the councils. Do you not think that we are overloading the councils by making them manage the Constituency Development Fund (CDF)?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, as a country, we have embarked on a Decentralisation Programme and have drawn many plans to make sure that this is a success. I am not sure in what sense the hon. Member believes the councils are being overloaded. If it is in relation to a lack of capacity, there is already a plan to deal with that.

 

Mr Kunda: Corruption!

Mr Mwale: Further, if it is because they are perceived to be corrupt, there is also a plan to deal with that.

 

Mr Speaker, the country has decided to embark on a ‘journey’ of decentralisation that is enshrined in the Constitution. The Government will try to address all the challenges associated with councils so as to ensure that they become centres of excellence in service delivery. Our image will soon change.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Siwale (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, are there any intentions of increasing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation, bearing in mind that most projects in constituencies have not been completed due to limited funds?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the ministry appreciates the CDF and always has intentions of adjusting the allocation upwards. However, all this depends on the Ministry of Finance that takes care of the country’s resources. Once our fiscal space grows, I am sure it would love to increase the allocation. Whenever we talk to the ministry, it tells us how much it is able to give in a particular year.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, by his own admission, the hon. Minister has interacted with his colleagues from Kenya and Uganda. Could he tell us the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations for Kenya or Uganda so that we can benchmark it against the allocation for Zambia.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, in our interactions, we did not discuss the allocations for constituencies.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mwale: However, Kenya has actually capped the allocation to a certain percentage of its Budget. It is dependent upon the size of the Budget for a particular year.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, as I have stated before, there is a need to increase the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation from K1.4 million to K5 million per constituency. This can be done, for instance, by ensuring that the money that is given to the Ministry of General Education for the construction of primary schools and teachers’ houses is diverted to the CDF. Similarly, the money that is given to the Ministry of Health for clinics and rural health posts or any other ministry that has been decentralised can be redirected to the CDF. If that is done, we can be assured of receiving some funds from each ministry as opposed to the current system where, for instance, the hon. Minister of General Education is left to decide which constituencies to prioritise while ‘poor’ Liuwa gets nothing. When is the CDF going to be increased from K1.4 million to K5 million?

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I am sure the hon. Member for Liuwa, who once had the privilege of serving as Minister of Finance, will understand that each ministry is given a ceiling. Increasing the allocation to K5 million is dependent upon the fiscal space in the Budget. Perhaps, we should ask the hon. Minister of Finance about what he thinks about diverting some money from the education and health sectors to the CDF. We, as Ministry of Local Governemnt cannot make such decisions because, as the hon. Member may be fully aware, they are a preserve of the hon. Minister of Finance.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister considering disbursing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to all constituencies at the same time as opposed to what used to happen in the past when some constituencies received their allocations earlier than others?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, from the Treasury, the Ministry of Finance disburses the allocations to the constituency accounts that are managed by the councils. My ministry will engage the Ministry of Finance to ensure that all the constituencies receive their allocations at the same time.

 

Sir, the Government receives revenue at different times. So, it may wish to allocate some money towards the CDF or other institutions in batches. If we say that it should not disburse the CDF until there is enough money for all the constituencies, then, we may have to wait a little longer. Sometimes, it helps to release the money in batches. I do not know what system of disbursement the hon. Members would prefer. However, I think that it is better to disburse the CDF in batches until all the constituencies receive their allocation by the end of the year. I think this will be the best approach to adopt.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Ng’ambi (Chifubu): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned a revised allocation for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) that is supposed to be agreed upon, but he did not indicate the amount. Considering that a number of us are new to this House, could he state what the revised amount is.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the CDF for 2016 was pegged at K1.4 million. Next year, it may be a different amount, depending on the availability of funds at the Treasury. It may be revised upwards or downwards.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

Mr Mwale: There is no amount enshrined anywhere ...

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

 

Mr Mwale: ... in the Constitution or any Statute. The amount is dependent upon the availability of funds at the Treasury. If there is enough fiscal space, then, the allocation can be increased. However, if there is not enough fiscal space, then, as the saying goes, you cannot squeeze blood out of a stone. The Ministry of Finance will give us what is available and we shall accept it graciously.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo): Mr Speaker, I am aware that since the inception of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the allocation has never been reduced. It is always revised upwards, taking into account the rate of inflation. So, the hon. Minister should dispel those insinuations.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, I do not think this is your time.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I have difficulty understanding how the hon. Members of Parliament, together with respective district councils or municipal councils are supposed to dismantle arrears vis-à-vis obligations that have been incurred relating to the CDF. I say so because some projects are half-way done and contractors need to be paid. Has the hon. Minister budgeted for funds to dismantle the 2014 and 2015 arrears in the 2017 Budget? I think it is necessary that the arrears are dismantled.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member used a clever way of raising the issue of the CDF for 2014 and 2015. Like I said earlier, the issue of the CDF for 2014 and 2015 is a closed chapter. We would like to allocate them in the 2017 Budget, but this also presents a new set of challenges. Our intention is to increase the Local Government Equalisation Fund (LGEF) that will be directed to the councils. That is the fund that will be used to deal with development at local level. Therefore, if the CDF is increased, we will still have the fund that can be used to deal with such issues.

 

Mr Speaker, we cannot go back to the issue of the CDF for 2014 and 2015 because, according to the hon. Minister of Finance, that is a closed issue. We shall look forward to the 2017 Budget which may have its own challenges of allocations. With your indulgence, let me refer to the issue that the hon. Member mentioned earlier. He said that the CDF has never been reduced. It has always been revised upwards. Some funds may be increased while others may be reduced.

 

Mr Speaker, the LGEF may be increased while the CDF may remain the same or go down. This means that the councils will still benefit from the Treasury.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mrs Chinyama (Kafue): Mr Speaker, while we are still dealing with the hitch on the law relating to the disbursement of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), can channelling the fund through the Local Government Equalisation Fund (LGEF) be an option in the interim so that the money is not forfeited on account of not having a legal framework in place.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, that is a brilliant suggestion that we might consider. If we have challenges relating to the disbursement of funds because of the legal framework not being in place, why not consider such an option?

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Phiri (Mkaika): Mr Speaker, in responding to one of the questions, which sought to find out whether the Government would pay the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), for 2015, the hon. Minister said that was a closed chapter. With only two months remaining before the close of the year, are we also considering treating the CDF for 2016 the same way?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, as I said in my statement, we are consulting with the Treasury and the Minister of Finance to ensure that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for 2016 is made available. We would like to do that before the end of the year.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

_________

 

MOTIONS

 

MOTION OF THANKS

 

(Debate resumed)

 

Ms Kasune (Keembe): Mr Speaker, I have the honour to represent the 116,840 people of Keembe Constituency in Chibombo District in this First Session of the Twelfth National Assembly. This is an honour which I have accepted with immense gratitude, humility and respect. Therefore, I shall do my best to execute my duties primarily for the people of Keembe and Zambia at large.

 

Sir, before I go into the details of my maiden speech, may I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election to the great Office of Speaker of the House. Let me also congratulate the First and Second Deputy Speakers on their election to their offices. The election of Madam Deputy Speaker is a great honour for us as this goes a long way in narrowing the gender gap that exists in our country. I know that we, as a country, need to continue breaking the glass ceiling which affects women, especially the girl child. I also wish to congratulate my fellow hon. Members of Parliament on their victory in the recent General Elections.

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kasune: Mr Speaker, it is now time to work and deliver. To my party, the National Party for National Development (UPND), our president, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kasune: … his vice-president, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, all the female leaders, the Central Province Committee, Keembe Constituency leaders and leader at branch levels in Chibombo, I thank you for the support you gave me not only in form of time, but also financially. Each one of you are the reason I am here. My opponents made me campaign everyday in order to win. They made me stronger and forced me to learn a lot about politics. I hope we will work together for the cause that made us run for office in order to serve the people of Keembe and make Keembe Constituency a better place to live in.

 

Mr Speaker, I have a big responsibility of representing a large constituency such as Keembe. There are more than 1 million people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Zambia, especially women and children. I did not only lose both of my parents to AIDS, but also found out that I was HIV positive in 1997. Since then, I have spent my life advocating for people to normalise HIV infection within Zambia and around the world.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kasune: However, Mr Speaker, it is sad to note that women in particular continue to be prisoners of themselves due to fear of stigmatisation and discrimination against people living with HIV. Some of them go as far as taking their medication in secrecy for fear of being stigmatised. It is my hope and prayer that this will come to an end in this country, as there is no one in this country who is neither infected nor affected. So, stigmatisation and discrimination should come to an end.

 

Mr Speaker, I have not only become the first publicly known HIV positive lawmaker in history, but also the first female Member of Parliament for Keembe Constituency since 1964 when Zambia got its Independence.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kasune: Sir, I do not take this lightly. I pray that there will come a time when being a female Member of Parliament will be a norm for our country.

 

Mr Speaker, as the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Mr Ban Ki-moon, rightly puts it:

 

“Countries with high levels of gender equality have higher economic growth; companies with more women on their boards have higher returns; agreements that include women are more successful; Parliaments with more women take up wider issues, including health, education, anti-discrimination and support for children.”

Mr Speaker, I am a world renowned HIV/AIDS activist who has spoken to leaders around the world, including the former President of the United States of America (USA), Mr George W. Bush. The discussions led to the authorisation of US$15 billion which has come to be known as the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the re-authorisation of the US$51 billion Global Fund for Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV. To the list includes the former British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament, the USA Congress and many other key leaders in countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland, yet it was difficult to speak in my own country whose flag I had carried for more than twenty years.

 

I, therefore, wish to call upon the Zambians not to discriminate against our people or undermine the potential and intellect that we have in this country. I also wish to encourage each one of us to benefit from the people who are in the Diaspora. May I quote one of the Zambian authors, Mr Joshua Ngoma, who is based in Chicago, who said that we need to move away from thinking that being in the Diaspora is a brain-drain instead of a brain-gain. This will do well for our country that needs all the intellect that it has to offer to develop.

 

Mr Speaker, young people, especially those who were born with HIV ...

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

The consultations on the right are rather loud.

 

Mr Livune: Hear, hear! Hammer, my dear, hammer!

 

Ms Kasune: Mr Speaker, I pray that I serve as a beacon of hope for those living with HIV/AIDS, especially the young people by sharing with them that HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence, but that they can become everything that God intended them to be.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kasune: However, as a country, we have to put not only policies relating to HIV/AIDS in place, but also ensure that they are implemented. It is for this reason that I wish to call upon all my fellow lawmakers to take a lead in the fight against HIV/AIDS so that we can reduce the stigma and discrimination that is perpetrated by our society. If we have to show leadership to the nation, we should take a bold step in testing for HIV. I, therefore, wish to encourage all hon. Members of Parliament and lawmakers to consider publicly taking an HIV test and, hopefully, come out publicly about their HIV status if they are HIV positive. I pray that they will gather the courage so as to normalise the current situation and reduce the stigma and discrimination attached to HIV.

 

Mr Speaker, it is sad to note that the PEPFAR Report submitted to the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Services on the sustainability of Zambia’s HIV/AIDS Response indicates that there is 90 per cent financial dependency on donor aid. This is not a good sign for us as a country. We need to reduce the donor-heavy dependency in HIV/AIDS treatment and responses. As a Government, we have a responsibility to ensure that more funds are allocated to diseases such as HIV which still remain a pandemic.

 

Mr Speaker, it is sad to note that the 2015 Auditor-General’s Report revealed that some of the Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) had a short shelf-life or had expired in some cases. This is not just wastage of the much-needed resources in our challenged economy, but also a danger to lives. This is unacceptable. We all know that human life is sacred and precious, hence worth saving at all costs.

 

Mr Speaker, may I draw your attention to an urgent issue relating to a generation that is being forgotten. These are our young people who are born with HIV. Today, they have become adolescents and some of them are sexually active, yet there are neither programmes nor policies in place that are targeted at them. This is a bomb that we are sitting on and neglecting them is losing out on the needed leadership and workforce for our country. These young people deserve all our care and attention because they are part of society and can contribute to it and make a big difference.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Interruptions

 

Hon. UPND Member: There is too much noise in the House.

 

Ms Kasune: Mr Speaker, it is sad to note that Zambia cannot boast of good governance if there are few women in decision-making positions. I, therefore, wish to thank the ten women Members of Parliament on the (UPND) ticket for participating in politics. It is also encouraging to have thirty women Members ...

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order, on the right, for the second time!

 

The hon. Member may continue.

 

Ms Kasune: It is also encouraging to have thirty female Members in the House, irrespective of their political affiliation. Together, may we fight for the full domestication and implementation of:

 

1. the Beijing Declaration and its Platform of Action of 1995;

 

1. the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Declaration on Gender and Development of 1997 and its Addendum of 1998;

 

1. the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security of 2,000; and

 

1. the Protocol of the African Charter on Women and People’s Rights of Women in Africa of 2003.

 

Mr Speaker, I look forward to seeing a 50 per cent women representation in 2021.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kasune: Again, let me quote Mr Ban Ki-moon who said:

 

“Women hold up more than half of the sky and represent much of the world’s unutilised potential. They are the educators, they raise the children, hold families together and increasingly drive economies. They are natural leaders. We need their full engagement in Government business and civil societies.”

 

Mr Speaker, may I call upon all women to mentor other women without feeling intimidated or threatened. In a multi-party democratic country, divergent political views and multipartism are the essence of democracy. At this point, may I share a personal story. On 23^rd June, 2016, when my fellow constituents from Keembe and I travelled to Lusaka to witness the filing-in of nominations for Mr Hakainde Hichilema and his vice-president, we were attacked by people wielding machetes, as you can see from the scar on my right arm. Some people sustained more injuries than I. This shows that violence has become the order of the day in our country and must be condemned by all well-meaning Zambians.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kasune: We cannot afford to drink from the very poisonous chalice that has led into civil war or ethnic cleansing not only in Africa, but also around the world. Ultimately, it is the Zambians, especially children, who suffer the most. In Lenje, there is a saying that goes, “Chabona mubyo chilo chili pali ndiwe”, ...

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kasune: ... meaning that what befalls your friend today may befall you tomorrow.

 

Mr Ndalamei: Wamvela ka, Chungu?

 

Ms Kasune: Mr Speaker, may I zero in on the needs of Keembe Constituency. The first thing that the people of Keembe are asking for is the delimitation of the Constituency. This is a big Constituency that is about 640 sq. km. It is too big for developmental projects to be implemented properly. I, therefore, call upon the relevant authorities to cut Keembe Constituency into three if development is to take place.

 

 In addition, I wish to call upon the House to consider moving a Motion to increase the Constituency Development (CDF) allocation for rural constituencies, as they lag behind in terms of development compared to urban constituencies which have better infrastructure and are, therefore, more developed.

 

Mr Speaker, it is not a secret that Keembe is one of the key players in agriculture, yet it has remained undeveloped as it has not been given much consideration. It is one of the four agro-ecological regions in Zambia under Region 2 whose rainfall ranges between 800 mm to 100 mm per annum and has fertile plateau soils. Against this background, I call upon the Government to diversify the economy so that it is not solely dependent on copper.

 

Mr Speaker, it is for this reason that the people of Keembe ask the Government to make sure that their inputs are delivered on time and the roads are worked on. This brings me to my next point. The people of Keembe are waiting for the Landless/Mumbwa Road to be worked on. They are also waiting for the Chitanda/Turn-off Road to Ipongo to be worked on, as the works have stalled for a long time.

 

Sir, in the area of health, there is a need for a district hospital in Keembe and improvement to health services, as there are few health posts in the area. Most health posts lack bed linen and beds. The Government departments in all the nine wards in Keembe are understaffed. Also, there is no running water in most of the areas.

 

Mr Speaker, most pupils in Keembe still sit on the floor as if we are still in the stone age. This is a sight that would make one cry. Some places where pupils learn from look like stables. In places where computer studies have been introduced, there are either no computers or only one computer to be shared amongst sixty or seventy pupils. There is also a lack of housing in the constituency. Some teachers rent houses in the nearby villages. Community schools are poorly run and should not be allowed to operate. This is unacceptable and should be looked into. Remember we are all stewards of the responsibility we have been given in the Government.

 

Sir, the Police Force is another area that has been neglected, as it lacks transport, communication facilities such as radios and housing. There are only two police posts in the area, namely Chiyuni and Keembe and one police station, Chibombo. Civil servants have continued to ‘cry’ as a result of a lack of housing. People in rural areas, especially civil servants, work so hard that they need to be motivated by being provided with housing.

 

Mr Speaker, with regard to water and sanitation, the people of Keembe are in dire need of clean water and more boreholes. I visited my constituency recently and only learnt afterwards that I had drunk water from the same source as cows and where children bath from in Ipongo. This is not acceptable. As noted, there is a direct link between water, health and education. The provision of clean water and sanitation will help school-going children, especially girls, by lessening the time they spend on drawing water. This will encourage them to go to school and ultimately reduce on the high levels of illiteracy and poverty in the constituency.

 

Sir, women need to be empowered economically by supporting their activities, groups and associations. There is also a need for income-generating activities for youths and more vocational training institutes like the one in Keembe. Therefore, I wish to call upon the hon. Minister of Agriculture to revamp Keembe Institute.

 

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, it would be remise if I did not thank my husband, Mr David Schoefernacker, for his support for the people of Keembe and Zambia. I also thank my daughters, Joyce and Faith Zulu, who have been my longest supporters, and my son, David Kulangila Schoefernacker, who is less than two years old, yet has already known the reality of having a mother who wants to fight for a better Zambia. Let me also thank my siblings, the Kusune family, Caroline, Muyani, Felix, Nathan, my aunt, Edna Mwanamusuwe, my best friends, Belinda Collins and Vanessa Church, my brother and friend, Mark Seymour, Nora Stewarts, Victor Villuenuvia, Cecil Mbolela, my mentor and former boss, Mr Mike Mantel, Gary Englund, Ann Johnson, all the pastors whom I know and many of those who I cannot mention by name. Above all, I thank my late father, Mr Goodson Moffat Kusune, and my late mother, Ms Joyce Mwanamusuwe, whose legacy and wisdom I continue to draw upon.

 

Sir, I also thank my campaign team, particularly Kayeka. I would not have made it to this House without them. To all the councillors in Keembe Constituency, I say bravo, you are the best. To the two Patriotic Front (PF) councillors, I wish to say that it is time for us to work together and put the campaign behind us. To all the headmen and Their Royal Highnesses, Chiefs Chitanda and Liteta, thank you for your wisdom and neutrality that put all of us candidates on a level playing field in the campaign.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank my immediate predecessor, Hon. Bishop Lt-General Ronnie Shikwapwasha, for identifying my political leadership qualities earlier on, and all those who once served as Members of Parliament for Keembe before me. I pledge to build on their successes and to learn from their challenges. I pray that as Zambian lawmakers, we will move away from starting all over whenever there is a change of Government and, instead, build on previous successes as we strive for peace and oneness for the sake of our children and their children. May we leave Keembe and Zambia better than we found it.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kamondo (Mufumbwe): Mr Speaker, thank you for according me the opportunity to deliver my maiden speech. Let me join the other hon. Members of Parliament in congratulating you on your re-election as Speaker. May I also extend a congratulatory message to the First and Second Deputy Speakers and my fellow hon. Members who have been blessed to be in the First Session of the Twelfth National Assembly.

                                    

Sir, allow me to extend my gratitude to my president, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, …                

 

Mr Ngulube: Question!

Mr Kamondo: … and his vice, Mr Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!                

 

Mr Kamondo: … for adopting me and campaigning for me. I would like to thank them for their time and commitment. I would also like to thank the national management, provincial, district and constituency committees for adopting me as the most preferred candidate for the United Party for National Development (UPND) in Mufumbwe Constituency.

 

Mr Speaker, I also wish to thank Their Royal Highnesses, Chiefs Chizela and Mushima, for allowing me to be among the people who participated in the just-ended General Elections. I also wish to thank the following individuals who worked tirelessly in making sure that I won the election. These are  Mr Mulondwe Muzungu, Mr Katambi, Mr Sapenzo, Mr Machayi, Mr Museni, Mr Kayona and Mrs Chikanya, just to mention a few.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kamondo: I also wish to thank my wife and children for the encouragement they gave me during and after the elections.

 

Sir, I would be failing in my duties if I forgot to thank the good people of Mufumbwe who voted for me and made sure that I became a Member of Parliament. I wish to assure them that I will not fail them.

 

Mr Speaker, Mufumbwe is one of the fast-growing towns in the North-Western Province. The main activity of the people in the constituency is farming though it is faced with a lot of developmental challenges. Mufumbwe is also one of the biggest constituencies, with about sixteen wards which are located very far apart. The people of Mufumbwe depend mainly on agriculture for their living. However, the sector has not done well due to the reduction in the number of beneficiaries of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

 

Most of the people in Mufumbwe are small-scale farmers. The number of farmers keeps increasing due to the good soils in Mufumbwe. There are more than 30,000 would-be beneficiaries of the FISP. Unfortunately, only 16,000 have been catered for. This means that many more farmers would like to benefit from the same programme, but have not been able to do so. I would, therefore, like to appeal to the Ministry of Agriculture to increase the number of beneficiaries of this programme. I would also like to urge the ministry to urgently pay the farmers who sold maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). The ministry should also deliver seed and urea fertiliser before the onset of the rains.

 

Mr Speaker, the people of Mufumbwe have not benefitted from the road rehabilitation programmes being carried out by the Government. Most of the feeder roads have not been worked on for a long time. As a result, most of them are in a bad state, making it difficult to deliver farming inputs to the constituency.

 

Sir, one of the major concerns is the Kalengwa/Mushima Road, which connects Chief Chizela and Mushima Mubambe areas. On the southern part of the district, is a bridge that is in a bad state. So, people are unable to cross to the other side. This bridge has not been worked on despite the assurances by the Government. On 23^rd June, 2010, an assurance was made in this House that the bridge would be worked on. This made the people of Mufumbwe happy. However, to date, the bridge has not been constructed, leaving the people of Mufumbwe feeling neglected and ignored.

 

Mr Ngulube: Kavotedwe!

 

Ms Kapata: Bale vota bwino!

 

Mr Kamondo: Sir, why should the Government make assurances which it does not fulfil? How do you expect the people that you give the assurances to vote for you when you do not keep your promises? They cannot vote for you.

 

Mr Ngulube: Question!

 

Mr Kamondo: Mr Speaker, I wish to appeal to the Government to ensure that it fulfils the promises it makes. People cannot be cheated anymore – oh sorry.

 

Mr Speaker: You have to withdraw that word.

 

Mr Kamondo: Mr Speaker, I withdraw it. People cannot be taken for granted.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kamondo: Mr Speaker, my earnest appeal to the Government is that it considers constructing this important bridge because the people are tired of having promises which are never fulfilled. The rehabilitation of the bridge should be given the seriousness that it deserves because money was allocated for the project. As a result of the Government’s failure to fulfil its promises, it has become difficult to convince the people of Mufumbwe about the Patriotic Front’s (PF) development agenda. No wonder some people who stood on the PF ticket could not be voted for. It was because many assurances were made, but none of them were fulfilled.

 

Mr Speaker, the vastness of Mufumbwe Constituency is another area of concern. It is so big that the distance from town to the remotest ward is about 475 km. On the southern part, it shares boundaries with Solwezi, Mwinilunga, Manyinga, Kaoma, Kasempa and Mumbwa. Due to the vastness of the district, there is a need to create another district in Mushima area so that the southern part can receive development as is the case in other parts of Zambia. The southern part has not received any meaningful development. In agriculture, for instance, there is nothing to talk about. Farmers usually sell their crops to the nearby district.

 

Sir, Mushima, Miliya, Kaminzekezeke and Lalafuta wards have been neglected in the area of education, health, water and sanitation. If a district was created in this area, it would promote tourism because part of it is a game reserve with a lot of wild animals.

 

Mr Speaker, there is no communication network in the southern part, especially Lalafuta, Kaminzekenzeke and Miluji wards, hence the need to construct towers for communication purposes. There is also a need to construct a bridge in Miluji to connect the farming block in the area. Once this is done, it will be easy for farmers to access farming inputs which are not accessible.

 

Sir, I also wish to urge the Government to seriously consider finishing the construction of the only boarding school whose construction started in 2011, but has since stalled. The works started well. However, no works have been done at the school after so many years. This school is important because, if completed, it would help the girl child and many others who come from far off places. The girl children are vulnerable because they have to rent houses near the school. As a result, most of them end up falling pregnant while others are infected with diseases.

 

Mr Speaker, as the saying goes, “Education is the best equaliser”. It is unfortunate that the North-Western Province has not been well taken care of in the area of education. The people of the North-Western Province are looking forward to the opening of a university in the area. In some provinces, there are more than two universities, but there is none in the North-Western Province. I, therefore, wish to urge the Government to consider constructing a university in the North-Western Province to enable people attain meaningful education.

 

Sir, as a Member of Parliament from the North-Western Province, I am sad that the province is still backward in terms of development. As you may be aware, the North-Western Province has three big mines that contribute greatly to the National Treasury. For example, Lumwana Mine, which has a copper grade of 0.07 per cent, contributes about K800 million, on average, per annum. Kansanshi Mine, which has a copper grade of about 4 per cent, contributes three times more than Lumwana Mine. So, Kansanshi Mine contributes a lot to the National Treasury. In 2015, the production at the mine was as follows:

 

Mineral                                    Quantity

 

Copper                                     410,00 – 440,000 tonnes

 

Nickel                                       32,000 –  40,000 tonnes

 

Gold                                        218,000 – 247,000 ounces

 

Zinc                                          40,000 – 45,000 tonnes

 

Platinum                                   25,000 – 35,000 ounces

 

Palladium                                  25,000 –35,000 ounces

Mr Speaker, with such production figures, it is evident that the province is contributing a lot of money to the National Treasury. Kansanshi Mine paid about K305 trillion, which is equivalent to US$611 million in taxes through corporate tax, mineral royalty tax and Pay As You Earn (PAYE), among other taxes, translating into an average of about US$1.67 million every day. This shows that the North-Western Province contributes almost 32 per cent to the country’s total revenue. This mine is like the goose that laid-golden egg. Neglecting it is like killing the goose the lays the egg. So, where are you going to get eggs from?

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Mr Kamondo: Sir, we need a fair share of the proceeds from the mines. That is why we say, “Muzungu wabula kajo kumusebenzela ne”, meaning you cannot work for a white man who has no food because at the end of the day, you will not eat.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kamondo: Mr Speaker, despite the huge contribution to the National Treasury out of the ten provinces in this country, the North-Western Province has not received a fair share of the national cake. That is why the people of the province gave the PF a protest vote in the last General Elections. We did not vote for the PF because it has neglected us.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kamondo: Therefore, our only alternative was to embrace the United Party for National Development (UPND) and Mr Hakainde Hichilema (HH) because they offered solutions to the North-Western Province.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kamondo: Sir, HH assured the people of the North-Western Province that before the minerals were depleted in the mines, he would do something for us. Therefore, our voting for him was not on tribal grounds, but was due to the unfair treatment that we get from the Government. In other words, HH was the answer to our problems and nothing else.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kamondo: Mr Speaker, there are important roads like the Kasempa/Kaoma Road in the North-Western Province that have not received any serious attention at all. If upgraded to bituminous standard, this road would provide the shortest route between Zambia and Walvis Bay in Namibia. Some copper would be transported through this route to minimise the pressure on the Chingola Road. Another important road is Kasempa/Mumbwa, which is also the shortest route from the North-Western Province to Lusaka.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order, on the right!

 

Mr Kamondo: Mr Speaker, …

 

Mr Ngulube: In conclusion!

 

Mr Kamondo: I will not conclude until my time is up.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kamondo: All the roads that I have mentioned have not benefited from the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project, yet we see good roads in other provinces. In short, I am saying that the province does not receive much from the National Treasury, compared to what it is contributing. We are only asking for what we deserve. I think it is not fair for some people to contradict what I am saying.

 

Mr Speaker, it is quite painful for me to talk about the problems in my province. I wish you could allow me to cry as a way of expressing my bitterness.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: You should have given me notice.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Government Members: Let him cry!

 

Mr Kamondo: Mr Speaker, one of the problems in the province is the Chingola/Solwezi Road. I do not even know how I will get to my constituency because the road is almost impassable, especially during the rainy season. So, I wish to urge the Government to seriously consider working on this road. This is not a light matter.

 

Sir, the North-Western Province contributes a lot of income to the National Treasury and provides a lot of employment opportunities. All of us seated here have relatives who work for Kansanshi, Lumwana or Kalumbila mines. Therefore, asking for a share of the national cake should have nothing to do with our political divisions. The provision of national equity is a matter that needs serious attention.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order! Order!

 

Mr Kamondo: We should give serious attention to such issues when they are being debated instead of shouting, “Question!” to everything I say.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order! Order!

 

This is not a political rally.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kamondo: Mr Speaker, I would also like to comment on the Kalengwa Mine. I wish to urge all the concerned parties, including the Government, to consider reopening the mine. Kalengwa Mine can help provide job opportunities for the people in the surrounding area. The Government should also intervene in the wrangles relating to the ownership of the mine. If it is established who the rightful owner of the mine is, then, it can be reopened in order to create employment.

 

Mr Speaker, with these few remarks, I thank you.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister for Lusaka Province (Mr Mwakalombe): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to deliver my maiden speech as Member of Parliament for Chongwe Constituency and as Minister for Lusaka Province. In my speech, I will also contribute to the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia’s Address to the First Session of the Twelfth National Assembly.

 

Sir, I stand with full gratitude to the Almighty God, who spoke through the people of Chongwe, because without their support, I would have not been here today. I also wish to profoundly thank the Patriotic Front (PF) and the Republican President, His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for the confidence he has shown in me by appointing me Minister for Lusaka Province.

 

Mr Speaker, I also wish to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your re-election, your two deputies on their election and the Chief Whip on his appointment. I look forward to being under your able guidance in this august House.

 

Mr Speaker, let me also thank the following people:

 

1. the head of the Pastors’ Fellowship of Chongwe and my pastor, Dr Prophet Blaze Kazadi;
2. my campaign manager, Mr Charles Kabinga Mumena, and campaign team;

 

1. the district campaign manager, Mr Misheck Nyambose;
2. the council chairperson, Mr Geoffrey Chumbwe;

 

1. Mr Jonas Luputa and the entire PF District Committee;

 

1. the PF Provincial Committee;

 

1. the PF Central Committee; and

 

1. the former PF Secretary-General and Minister of Defence, Hon. Davis Chama.

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwakalombe: I also wish to thank my family, especially my dear beautiful wife, Puseletso Mwakalombe, and children. I equally wish to thank my close friends for their encouragement, love and spiritual, emotional and financial support before and during the campaign. Politics demand many sacrifices of family and friends, which made this an almost impossible challenge to overcome, but was made possible through their tolerance and patience. I emerged victorious in the 11^th August, 2016, General Elections because of all the people around me.

 

Mr Speaker, the elections in Chongwe were very challenging. However, I find myself in a unique position of being one of the Members of Parliament to have won over an incumbent candidate from an Opposition stronghold. Therefore, I join the great men and women of this country who have gone before me in relentlessly contributing to the development of this great nation, Zambia.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwakalombe: Mr Speaker, apart from representing my constituency in this august House, the President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, appointed me Minister for Lusaka Province. I promise the people of Lusaka Province that I shall not disappoint them, but will deliver to their expectations and make Lusaka City and the entire province great again.

 

Sir, Lusaka Province has immense potential for economic growth and development, especially in the area of agriculture, construction, manufacturing, tourism, mining, hospitality and commerce and trade. The vision of the province is to:

 

“achieve sustainable levels of development, both economically and socially, by ensuring

quality and timely service in a transparent, accountable and equitable manner.”

 

In this vein, the President’s Speech to the First Session of the Twelfth National Assembly resonated well with the aspirations of the province in creating a smart country and, indeed, a smart province.

 

Mr Speaker, Lusaka Province has a huge responsibility of providing road infrastructure in the urban and rural areas of the province for easy movement of goods and services through the Zambia National Service (ZNS) and Road Development Agency (RDA). The province will continue to channel more resources towards carrying out different types of roadworks such as grading and re-gravelling, heavy grading, culvert installation and bush clearing on all the roads in the rural and urban areas of the province in order to improve mobility, access to the market and access to goods and services in all the districts of the province. So far, a total of 399.4 km of rural roads and 358 km under the L400 km Road Project have been upgraded to bituminous standard. The completion of the L400 km Road Project is expected in November, 2016. However, works on the drainage and other accessory works will continue until the project completion date of 15^th January, 2017. This project has seen the upgrading to bituminous standard of more than 300 different roads.

 

Mr Mwale: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwakalombe: Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia talked about the prioritisation of industrialising the economy by creating more jobs and wealth for the people. I am glad to mention that the youths, who voted in numbers, need skills. In response to this need, two more youth skills training centres, namely Chiyota in Rufunsa District and one in Kafue have been built in the province. Further, I wish to thank His Excellency the President for declaring Kafue District an Iron and Steel Multi-facility Zone. With this development, almost all the metals will be processed in Kafue, thereby creating more jobs and reducing the importation of metals.

 

Mr Mwale: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwakalombe: Mr Speaker, in an effort to share wealth and not poverty, as His Excellency the President stated in his speech, Lusaka Province and Chongwe and Rufunsa constituencies, in particular, have embarked on a robust programme of diversifying the agriculture sector to include livestock and fisheries. Twenty-five fish projects were funded by the Citizens’ Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) in 2015 and the first cropping commenced in May, 2016, with Rufunsa District being among the first beneficiaries of the aquaculture parks that were announced by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia in 2015. Lusaka Province is anticipated to contribute significantly to the country’s fish production. The development of agriculture, livestock and fisheries value chains will, in turn, create jobs and wealth for the people. To this end, particular focus has been place on the growth of agriculture, livestock and fisheries.

 

Mr Speaker, in the health sector, the province has continued to ensure improved quality of life for all through enhanced access to health services, thereby reducing the disease burden and mortality rate. This includes decongesting bigger hospitals by opening and upgrading clinics to first level hospitals. Notable among them is Luangwa District Hospital whose second phase of construction has been completed and works are progressing well on the third phase of the hospital. The scope of works for the third phase includes the construction of male and female wards. Further, the Ministry of Health, through the Provincial Health Office, upgraded five clinics in Lusaka District to level one hospital. These are Chawama, Matero, Chilenje and Chipata …

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mr Mwakalombe: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was saying that Lusaka Province has benefited thirty-seven health posts from the construction of 650 health posts countrywide.

 

Mr Speaker, I am excited about the creation of the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection which has been ratified by this august House. The Department of Water Resources Management plays an essential role in providing clean water to the community through the drilling of boreholes and dam construction, and rehabilitation. The focus of my Government is on water resource management and infrastructure development. The Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company is also working hand-in-hand with the Government to improve access to clean water in Lusaka Province. Apparently, part of Lusaka Province lies in the Agro-ecological Zone One, which is water stressed.

 

Mr Speaker, this has contributed to the acute water shortage in areas like Chiawa, the Lower Zambezi, Rufunsa and Chongwe. The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unity (DMMU) and Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company have put in place short-term measures of ferrying water using water bowsers. It is envisaged that the new ministry will have the political will to come up with long-term measures to mitigate the water crisis being experienced in the named areas and the province as a whole.

 

Further, Mr Speaker, the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company receives funding under the Millennium Challenge Account, amounting to US$52 million to upgrade the drainage system in Lusaka District. The expected completion date for the project, comprising the Bombay and Mazyopa drainages, is 2018. With this development, it is anticipated that the floods that are experienced in Lusaka District will be a thing of the past.

 

Mr Speaker, Lusaka Province continues to make education accessible to all through the provision of school infrastructure and requisites, and the upgrading of basic schools into high schools and the reduction of the teacher/pupil ratio through the deployment of teachers in various parts of the province. In the tertiary sector, I wish to thank the PF Government for the two public universities, which are under construction, in my constituency. These are Palabana and Chalimbana.

 

Mr Mwakalombe: Mr Speaker, my Government is doing everything possible to connect communities to electricity and explore renewable energy alternatives such as the construction of two solar plants at the Lusaka South Multi-facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) with a total generation capacity of 100 MW to be added to the national electricity grid. Rufunsa and Luangwa are being connected to the national electricity grid and works have reached an advanced stage. Once these works are completed, the province will see a significant reduction in deforestation and increased opportunities for small and large-scale planting of various agro and non-agro products. A substation with a generation capacity of 33/11 kV was constructed to upgrade the Chongwe overhead line. This will enable many schools, clinics and homes to be connected to the national electricity grid.

 

Mr Speaker, the programmes aimed at enhancing community development and social welfare have continued to be implemented where women are being trained in entrepreneurship skills. Lusaka Province is piloting the Social Cash Transfer Programme in three districts, namely Luangwa, Rufunsa and Lusaka. So far, there are 3,195 beneficiaries.

 

Mr Speaker, Lusaka Province has not been spared from the adverse effects of climate change. The province has been addressing this by strengthening climate resilience in the Kafue Sub-basin. The target districts are Kafue and Shibuyunji. The project is aimed at strengthening the adaptive capacity of poor rural farming communities and agricultural production systems to better respond to the current climate variability and long-term consequences of climate change in the Kafue Sub-basin. To that effect, eight projects have been approved for funding. The Climate Change Programme is being undertaken through a partnership between the African Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of the Republic of Zambia.

 

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I wish to say that the Government has implored all of us to work hard as espoused in the speech by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia. I come to this august House with hope to work hard and improve people’s lives in Chongwe Constituency and Lusaka Province as a whole.

 

Sir, as stated earlier, in order to make Lusaka a smart city, my office, working together with the Lusaka City Council, is looking at how the city can be decongested. So far, there are many alternatives that are being considered. The issue of solid waste management is also receiving attention because there are plans to start recycling garbage into biogas, energy and other uses.

 

Mr Speaker, the focus of the province in the next five years will be to have a resilient and diversified economy that will be attained through the developmental programmes outlined in the Seventh National Development Plan which is being finalised. This entails relying less on copper and diversifying into other sectors such as agriculture, livestock and fisheries, and developing the entire value chain for this sector. Hence, the economy will be highly industrilised and more jobs will be created as earlier indicated. The planning and execution of projects in the province will be approached in an integrated manner instead of planning in silos as was the case in the past.

 

Finally, Sir, I wish to put it on record that the President’s Speech that was delivered during the Official Opening of the First Session of the Twelfth National Assembly has brought hope to the people of Chongwe, Lusaka and the nation as a whole. Chongwe Constituency and Lusaka Province as a whole will implement programmes in line with the Seventh National Development Plan in order to improve the livelihood of the people.

 Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of Gender (Ms Kalima): Mr Speaker, allow me to start by expressing my gratitude for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the many insightful contributions that have been made so far by other hon. Members towards the address by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, during the Official Opening of the First Session of the Twelfth National Assembly on Friday, 30^th September, 2016.

 

Mr Speaker, let me also take this opportunity to congratulate His Excellency the President and Her Honour the Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia on winning the 11^th August, 2016, Election. This victory is a clear indication that the people of Zambia have trust and confidence in their leadership and that they cherish the fundamental values of the Patriotic Front (PF). I further congratulate His Excellency the President on the creation of the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs.

 

 Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

 Ms Kalima: Thus, affirming further the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation. We thank God, and to God be the glory.

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kalima: In the same vein, I wish to warmly congratulate you, Mr Speaker, on your re-election, an opportunity to, once again, demonstrate your impartiality, dignity and professionalism in superintending over the deliberations of this august House, more so that you are now being supported by two Deputy Speakers elected in line with the principle of gender equity as enshrined in the Amended Constitution of 2016. To the two Deputy Speakers, I say congratulations too.

 

Sir, I am aware that all the hon. Members of this august House are not here by mistake, as they are in this House because the people of Zambia gave them the mandate through the ballot box. To emerge victorious in the 11^th August, 2016, General Elections was not an easy task, especially for all the women in this House. To you all, I say congratulations and wish you the best as you serve the people of this great nation, Zambia.

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, I will give my maiden speech and, thereafter, move to the President’s Address.

 

Sir, I would like to thank His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the one and only President of Zambia, and the Patriotic Front (PF) Central Committee …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kalima: … for giving me the opportunity to contest the Kasanengwa Seat on the PF ticket. The people of Kasenengwa are happy about my appointment to Cabinet as Minister of Gender.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kalima: I am proud to be part of this hardworking Government under President Lungu’s leadership. I wish to tell those who have never been in a party in power that it feels good to be in power.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Kalima:  Actually, nshaishibe fye. I wasted my time on the other side.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

What does that mean?

 

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, it means being in the Opposition is a waste of time.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kalima: Sir, I thank God for his unending mercies, love and faithfulness that enabled me to win the elections on 11^th August, 2016 in which I dununad with many votes, ‘silencing’ the other candidates.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hammer!

 

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, to the chiefs of Kasenengwa, Nkhosi yama Nkhosi Mpezeni, chiefs Mzamane, Mazimawe and Mushilo, and all the headmen of Kasenengwa, I say thank you for creating an enabling environment for me.

 

Sir, to the co-ordinators of women groups, William Njovu, Alida, Yona, Sapi, amalume, NK Kambalani, Doro, Mafuleka, Menyani and Shombe, zikhale telo, zikomo. I also wish to thank Mildred, my campaign manager and Musonda my driver. Umuntu ni palyapene as we used to say, which means pali ba Lungu.

Laughter

 

Ms Kalima: To my sisters and brothers, Chakwana Mtiyuo Alice, Andrew, …

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, just interpret the previous statement you made.

 

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, umuntu ni Lungu means there is only one President and that is President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Therefore, people should accept this.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kalima: To mum, Mrs Evelyn Banda Kalima, I wish to say amama, mutima wameneuyo, which means my mother should continue being good-hearted.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kalima: To my husband and children, tuli mu bwato bane, meaning we have entered the Ruling Party.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kalima: Thank you for standing with me.

 

I wish to thank my prophet, pastors and the church that stood with me in prayer. Alas, I wish to thank the women of Kasenengwa and the provincial chairperson for their support. Lastly, but not the least, I wish to thank Hon. Vincent Mwale who is more than a brother to me. Kuliye mweo kuliye viliko, meaning without you, I would not have made it. Thank you very much, my brother.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, the President’s Address to this House …

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Ms Kalima: … was anchored on the theme, “Building an Integrated Multi-Sectoral Approach to Development that Enhances Inclusiveness in Development without Leaving Anyone Behind.”

 

Mr Speaker, the speech by the President gives the people of Zambia, particularly women, the confidence that the Government will provide an enabling environment for us all to develop and contribute to the economic and social transformation of the country.

 

Mr Speaker, in his speech, the President committed to achieving gender equality and equity by creating more opportunities for women, men, girls and boys, to participate in socio-economic development. In this vein, the Ministry of Gender will continue to build on its previous success in empowering women through entrepreneurship development, technology and financial support, especially in agriculture.

 

Mr Speaker, in supporting the President’s resolve of having a Zambian economy where we shall use our raw materials from crops such as groundnuts, soya beans and sunflower to process them into peanut butter, cooking oil and stockfeed for the local markets and for export, my ministry will scale up agricultural development through the Value Chain Enhancement (ADVANCE) Project to reach more co-operatives across the 288 chiefdoms in Zambia.

 

The ministry will ensure that co-operatives are systematically identified, provided with relevant training for both primary production and value addition and availed with appropriate production resources. To this end, the ministry will partner with traditional authorities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), faith-based organisations (FBOs), civil society organisations and residents of respective chiefdoms, to enhance implementation and monitoring of the project. The ADVANCE Project, therefore, is in line with the President’s resolve of promoting the use of co-operatives as an effective business model to spur development, especially in rural areas.

 

Mr Speaker, I am happy to state that since the Patriotic Front (PF) came into power, it has shown a lot of commitment in supporting women and girls in order to accelerate the attainment of gender equity and equality in line with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal No. 5. In this regard, the Ministry of Gender, working with the Ministries of Community Development and Social Welfare and General Education, is implementing the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood (GEWEL) Project which is aimed at supporting women and adolescent girls to realise their socio-economic aspirations through the attainment of education and economic empowerment.

 

As a way of building on the successes underscored by various women empowerment initiatives, including the Social Cash Transfer Scheme, the GEWEL Project aims at reaching out to 75,000 poor and vulnerable women and has the potential to carry out productive and income-generating activities by providing them with livelihood and empowerment services. In addition, the project is aimed at improving access to secondary education for 14,000 girls from poor households. The project is envisaged to impact positively in breaking the inter-generational transmission of poverty and to allow women and girls to participate meaningfully in the various developmental initiatives outlined by the President in his speech to this House.

 

My ministry, therefore, welcomes and commends the President for committing to continue with the Citizens’ Economic Empowerment Programme, the Youth Bus Drivers Empowerment Scheme, the Youth Street Vendors Empowerment and the Presidential Marketeers Empowerment schemes, which are pro-poor initiatives aimed at empowering vulnerable members of our society, especially women and girls.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, allow me to express my sincere gratitude, on behalf of the people of Kasenengwa Constituency, to the President for appointing me to serve in his Cabinet. I, therefore, pledge my loyalty and hard work as I serve in his Cabinet and the country as a whole. I also wish to state that the Ministry of Gender remains committed to ensuring that gender gaps are eliminated in our communities and that gender equity and equality principles are integrated in all national policies, programmes and projects at all levels of governance.

 

In conclusion, it is my prayer to the Almighty God that we move under the “One Zambia, One Nation” motto as a country. I now declare peace, and …

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kalima: … cover Zambia with the blood of Jesus.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. PF Members: Amen!

 

Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo) Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to deliver my maiden speech to this august House. Allow me to congratulate you on your election as Speaker of the National Assembly of Zamia. I would also like to extend my congratulations to the First and Second Deputy Speakers on their election to this august House. 

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to thank the leadership of the United Party for National Development (UPND), …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Ndalamei: … president Hakainde Hichilema and his vice-president, Mr Godfrey Mwambwa, …

 

Laughter

 

Mr Ndalamei: Pardon me, Godfrey Mwamba, commonly known as GBM, …

 

Laughter

 

Mr Ndalamei: … for adopting me as the party’s candidate in Sikongo. I would like to thank the people of Sikongo, who are allergic to the Patriotic Front (PF), but addicted to the UPND, for voting for me.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank my wife, friends and children who gave me moral support and spiritual, and financial assistance during the campaign period. The people of the Western Province rejected the PF because they did not have anything to point at.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Ndalamei: They used the slogan, “Point at where you have worked”, but it worked against them because they did not have anything to point at.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

 Mr Ndalamei: They rushed to commission the Mongu/Kalabo Road whose construction was started by the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD). It was like a man who marries a woman who is nine months pregnant ...

 

Laughter

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

 Mr Ndalamei: … and claims the baby to be his.  

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, take a seat.

 

Mr Ndalamei resumed his seat.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, I think that in respect to the womenfolk here and beyond, please withdraw that statement.

 

 Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, I withdraw the statement, but retain the meaning ...

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Ndalamei: … because they claimed to do something that they did not do.

 

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

The withdrawal is unconditional. Your debate may end soon if you continue debating in that manner. You cannot withdraw a statement and retain the meaning. It means that there is no withdrawal. So, please do the needful …

 

Mr Ndalamei: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I withdraw the statement.

 

Mr Speaker: … and continue debating.

 

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government could not point at anything it had done in the Western Province and so it lost. It got ‘zero’ votes.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Ndalamei: Under the Link 8,000 km Road Project, the people of the Western Province, expected the construction of the following roads:

 

1. Kalabo/Sikongo;
2. Katunda/Lukulu;
3. Sioma/Shang’ombo;
4. Kalongola/Kalabo Road;
5. Luamba/Machile/Simungoma;
6. Limulunga/Lukulu; and Kaoma/ Kakwemba.

 

However, the roads were not worked on. That is why they got ‘zero’ votes. The people of the Western Province did not see anything the PF had done.

 

Mr Speaker, I will comment on the “One Zambia, One Nation” motto. Our founding fathers formulated this motto in order to unite the country. However, it is now being used to deceive people.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Ndalamei: The “One Zambia, One Nation” motto is not working. Some regions have more universities, roads and more development while others have nothing happening. During the recruitment of teachers and health workers, the people conducting the recruitment look at which region one hails from.

 

Mr Speaker, people who belong to the Opposition in Sikongo were denied relief food. I used to raise this issue on the Floor of this House in the last Session of Parliament. I used to caution the Governemnt against the way relief food was distributed in the Western Province. That cost them. That is why they got zero.

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

I know that these are emotive issues, but let us keep order.

 

You may continue, hon. Member.

 

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, since the PF came into power in 2011, there has been a complete breakdown of law and order in this country. Cadres are now above the law. Police officers get instructions from cadres.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Ndalamei: In Mulobezi, for instance, some people were shot at, but those who shot at them are still moving freely on the streets of Zambia. So, it seems Zambia is now like Animal Farm where some animals are more important than others.

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, the PF Government should stop brutalising Zambian citizens. The police should uphold the rights of the people. Zambia is not a police State and should not be turned into one. People should not live in fear. The Government should let people campaign freely. I remember that after the 2011 General Elections, the late President Michael Chilufya Sata, may his soul rest in peace, ...

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Ndalamei: ... was allowed to campaign immediately after the elections. I do not know what the PF Government is scared of ...

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, take a seat.

 

Hon. Members, we cannot continue this way. When it comes to freedom of expression, give your colleague space. That is the essence of freedom of expression. You cannot always hear what you like. Silence is our golden rule in this House. Without it, we cannot do business. If we cannot maintain silence, then, we should retreat and go back home. So, whatever he has to say, give him space. If you want to challenge any of his statements, you will have an opportunity to do so. Just indicate that you want to debate and you can refute whatever he is saying. It is as simple as that.

 

Continue, hon. Member.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, thank you. I am not here to please failures.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, when the PF took over Government in 2011, the exchange rate of the United States (US) Dollar to the Zambian Kwacha was K4.8 to the dollar. By the end of 2015, it was K10 to the US Dollar. The inflation rate was at 6 per cent in 2011 but, by the end of 2015, it was 12 per cent. This is total failure.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Ndalamei: The PF has destroyed this country. People are suffering. People cannot afford three meals per day. They have to take turns to eat. Those who have lunch do not have supper ...

 

Laughter

 

Mr Ndalamei: ... in order to make ends meet. To the PF, that is an achievement.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, the people of Sikongo are waiting for the PF to complete the electrification of the township in Sikongo. It has taken five years for the transformer to be put up. What a failed Government.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Ndalamei: Then they praise themselves for being a hardworking Government.

 

Mr Speaker, I also wish to appeal to the Government to complete the four health posts in Lwaumba, Labunyi, Sikushi and Lumbele. These are among the most-talked-about 650 health posts being constructed by the Government. The structures for four health posts in Sikongo are still at slab level. That is why the people did not vote for the PF.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, the people of Sikongo are also asking the Government to supply relief maize to them because they are starving. It saddens me to hear people claim that there is no one who is starving in Zambia because the people in Sikongo survive on cooked raw mangoes and wild fruits. Meanwhile, the Government is claiming that it is feeding the people.

 

Mr Speaker, I also wish to appeal to the Government to immediately erect the six communication towers which the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) allocated to Sikongo District in order to ease communication. Maybe, this can enable them to get the Sikongo Seat in future. I also wish to appeal to the Government to open the health posts at Makiya, Mutala and Lundu.

 

Interruptions

Mr Ndalamei: The structures have been completed and are only waiting ...

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Ndalamei: They were built using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and not by the PF Government ...

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ndalamei: ... because it comprises failures.

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, continue addressing me.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Ndalamei: We would like the Government to open the health posts and provide health workers, drugs, and other utilities.

 

Mr Speaker, the people of the Western Province are waiting to be reconciled with the Government. The Government has declared 18^th October a public holiday for prayers. Meanwhile, Messrs Afumba Mombotwa, Pelekelo Likando and Sylvester Kalima Inambao are still under arrest. The people of the Western Province are awaiting their release so that there can be reconciliation between the Government and the people of Barotseland.

 

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, during the campaigns, indunas were sent around the constituency to ask the people to vote for the PF so that after the elections, they can start addressing the Barotseland Agreement of 1964. The people of the Western Province are waiting to hear from the Government when discussions will start. The people of the Western Province want this issue to be resolved peacefully.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of General Education (Dr Wanchinga): Mr Speaker, allow me to apologise for missing my call. I had to attend to an emergency call outside. Let me also thank you for allowing me to address this august House through my maiden speech.

 

Sir, the outline of my speech will be a follows; after the salutations, I will give a brief introduction of the Ministry of General Education, this will be followed by my response to the policy statement contained in His Excellency the President’s Address to the First Session of the Twelfth National Assembly on the 30^th of September, 2016. The response will be from the perspective of the Minister of General Education. I will then briefly respond to the issues raised by hon. Members of Parliament on the Motion of Thanks concerning His Excellency the President’s Address. I will conclude my address by giving a summary of the developmental priorities of Mambilima Constituency, which I have been asked to bring to this august House. I will end my address with some brief words of thanks.

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to join my colleagues in congratulating His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu and Her Honour the Vice-President, Mrs Inonge Mutukwa Wina, on winning the 2016 Presidential Elections and on peacefully steering the country through a difficult post-election period.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Wanchinga: I wish to congratulate the Speaker and the two Deputies on their election to serve the nation in their respective capacities.

 

Sir, the people of Mambilima Constituency join me in congratulating His Excellency the President and Her Honour the Vice-President. They also send their greetings to this august House. I also wish to thank His Excellency the President for the trust and confidence placed in me by appointing me Minister of General Education. It is a great honour and I will do my best to uphold this trust.

 

Mr Speaker, let me also express my profound gratitude to the President of the Patriotic Front (PF), Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the party’s Central Committee and the provincial, district, constituency and ward officials who, at the various levels of decision making, adopted me as the party’s parliamentary candidate for Mambilima Constituency.

 

Sir, I also wish to thank my family and friends who supported me through the long campaign period, including Their Royal Highnesses in my constituency, Chiefs Mulundu and Kashiba. I wish to thank all of them and assure them that I will not betray the confidence they have placed in me.

 

Mr Speaker, I now turn to the response of the hon. Minister of General Education to the Speech of His Excellency the President to the First Session of the Twelve National Assembly.

 

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of General Education draws its mandate from the portfolio functions outlined in Gazette Notice No. 183 of March, 2012, and as reinforced by Gazette Notice No. 160 of December, 2012. These functions cover the subsectors of:

 

1. Adult Literacy;
2. Primary Education;
3. Continuing Education;
4. Early Childhood Education;
5. Education Policy Formulation,
6. Educational Standards and Evaluation;
7. Educational Broadcasting,
8. Secondary Education,
9. School Guide and Services; and
10. Teacher Training.

 

Through the relevant Statutory Acts of Parliament, the ministry also oversees the Public Education Boards, the Examination Council of Zambia (ECZ), in-service resource centres, the Teaching Council of Zambia, public colleges of education, the Zambia Educational Projects Implementation Unit, the Zambia Education Publishing House (ZEPH) and the Zambia National Commission for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Currently, the ministry has an establishment of 134,851 employees of which 94,516 are teachers and 40,335 are non-teaching staff.

 

Mr Speaker, the PF’s focus in the 2016-2021 Manifesto will be to consolidate the gains made during the 2011-2016 period in the provision of quality and equitable education for all Zambians. This will cover all the various subsectors which have been outlined in the educational system.

 

Sir, among the key areas proposed in the President’s Speech in driving the economy in the short to long-term are:

 

1. Agriculture: focusing on increased productivity and value chain enhancement; and

 

1. mining sector: focusing on value chain enhancement and industrialisation which is proposed to be anchored on new technologies, value chain enhancement and the use of local resources.

 

Mr Speaker, the speech also focused on the need for innovative entrepreneurship development, especially among the youth, the need for well trained health personnel for the management and control of epidemics and the importance of strengthening national capacity for wildlife management, fisheries development, especially aquaculture. It also focused on the need to pay attention to the issues of climate change. These were among the many proposals for revamping the economy which the President pronounced.

 

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of General Education notes that to achieve these policy proposals, the President recognised science, technology, innovation and skills development as the major engines to drive the envisioned economic transformation. You may have noticed that of the twenty-four pages of the speech, twenty-two pages contained direct or indirect references to the roles that science, technology, innovation and skills development will play in the realisation of the policy proposals. For instance, boosting agricultural production, enhancing its productivity and enhancing its value chain will all depend on science and technology.

 

Sir, from the Ministry of General Education’s point of view, I interpret these policy statements as directly impacting on the education system, particularly on the need to produce the required critical mass of the human resource base and the need for school and college curricular to be able to respond to the requirements of the new pillars of the economy. For example, we need to strengthen and revamp our agricultural education from preschool to university in order to effectively support the agricultural sector. We need to strengthen the teaching of mathematics, science and technology at all levels and set up meaningful supporting workshops and laboratories to give pupils real practical experience.

 

Mr Speaker, we need to create a strong transitional bridge from secondary to technical institutes and also from colleges to universities in order to facilitate the specialisation in any chosen technical or theory area. This needs to be achieved through the new school curriculum, which has introduced two pathways, that is, the academic line and the skills training line. We need to revamp and strengthen support for the junior engineers, technologists and scientists’ organisation in order to promote the interests of the young people in science, technology and innovation. We need to restructure the National Science Centre and refocus its mission. We also need to set up or strengthen specialised technical institutes and colleges in order to support the various sectors which have been identified for the economic growth of the country.

 

Mr Speaker, we also need to promote youth and adult literacy in order to increase the numbers of those who could benefit from practical skills training which would make them more productive in the identified sectors of economic growth.

 

Mr Speaker, additionally, it will be essential to increase funding to science and technology from the current levels of about 0.2 per cent to, at least, 1 per cent of the gross Government expenditure.

 

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of General Education, in partnership with local, bilateral and multi-lateral partners, will work hard to respond to the President’s policy directives contained in his speech within the framework of its mandate.

 

Sir, given the emphasis which was placed on agriculture, it would be essential to supplement national efforts by utilising bilateral ties, especially with countries that have expertise in agricultural production, particularly those with experience in irrigation and water harvesting techniques such as Israel and Argentina. We shall also actively seek assistance from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Institutes such as the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CYMMYT), which is an organisation responsible for research on maize, the International Research on Rice Institute (IRRI), which is responsible for research in rice globally, and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), which is responsible for research on sorghum and millet and have immense experience which can be tapped into in order to train people in climate change as well as research.

 

Mr Speaker, the President has declared Kafue District an industrial steel-based zone. This is a good model for promoting industrialisation in other areas. For instance, in the Luapula Valley, starting from Mambilima Constituency up to Chienge Constituency, the area can be declared an industrial zone for fruit-based extraction and canning industries, given the large quantities of mangoes which go to waste annually in that area. The role of the Ministry of General Education would be to provide basic skills which would facilitate employment for the youth and women in the fruit-based industries.

 

Mr Speaker, the nexus or link between energy and development has long been known. The President’s call for energy independence in all areas of Zambia is a welcome strategy. Again, here, the role of a good science curriculum cannot be over emphasised. Good energy scientists and technologists can only be products of a good education in physics and engineering, and colleges that offer relevant technical skills.

 

Sir, I would now like to respond to the debates by the hon. Members of Parliament on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address on the First Session of the Twelfth National Assembly.

 

Mr Speaker, I listened very carefully to the debates and I have taken note of the various pronouncements that have been made by hon. Members of Parliament, some of them very passionate such as those by the hon. Members for Liuwa and Kanyama. The issues that were raised include the construction of new school infrastructure, the upgrading of existing basic schools to secondary schools, the improvement of teacher/pupil ratios, the provision of learning materials and the  improvement of the conditions of service, particularly the living conditions of teachers.

 

Mr Speaker, my ministry will continue to work with hon. Members of Parliament on these important matters. In this vein, it will also be necessary for all stakeholders to increase funding to the education sector. We also need to strengthen our ties with our co-operating partners who support this important sector. At this point, let me urge the hon. Members of Parliament, especially those who may have doubts about the Patriotic Front’s (PF) commitment to walk the talk in the education sector.

 

Sir, currently, the Government has fully completed the construction of sixty-two new secondary schools at a cost of K2,825,454,336.81, with a total of 699 classrooms and 27,960 desks. The new secondary schools include six in the Southern Province, six in the Western Province and five in the North-Western Province. The rest of the provinces shared the other forty-five new schools. A further total of fifty-three secondary schools are at various levels of development in different parts of the country at an estimated cost of K1,960,477,048.39, which will provide a total of 584 classroom space. The schools will need 23,360 desks. A total of 115 schools will be targeted for construction.

 

Sir, the first phase of upgrading 220 day secondary schools has been completed. In 2016, a total of 1.8 million desks will be procured. About 6.2 million books for Grades 2, 6, 9 and 11, worth K315 million have also been procured and distributed to over 300 schools. A total of 2,289 primary school teachers were recruited and deployed countrywide in 2016. About 3,314 secondary school teachers were recruited in the same period. A total of 130,021 Early Childhood Education Centres have been annexed by the Government, private and community schools in order to improve the performance of pupils.

 

Mr Speaker, these developments are in addition to the various skills training centres and colleges which have been planned for or constructed throughout the country. I wish to ask for patience from hon. Members of Parliament as the Government rolls out the education programmes in various parts of the country. I shall endeavour to visit every constituency to see how best we can work with hon. Members.

 

Sir, let me also take this opportunity to thank the various partners such as the non-governmental organisations (NGOs), bilateral and multilateral partners who have assisted the education sector and those who will continue to assist.

Sir, in conclusion, let me give a brief summary of the developmental priorities of Mambilima Constituency. Mambilima Constituency is one of the constituencies in Mwense District in Luapula Province. It lies approximately 92 km from the provincial capital, Mansa. It is endowed with abundant water resources, good arable land, rich forests and an abundance of seasonal fruits, mostly mangoes, and minerals such as copper and manganese. It also has good sunshine. Most importantly, there are men and women who are highly motivated and are eager to contribute to national development and to improve their wellbeing.

 

Mr Speaker, fortunately, the PF has recognised the nexus or link between the cause and effect of underdevelopment in many of our rural constituencies. The party’s manifesto for 2016/2021 has set out key development priorities which closely match the development needs of Mambilima Constituency, particularly in the areas of education and skills development for women and the youth. There is also a need to improve the health sector by building new clinics.

 

Sir, of paramount importance is the need to upgrade Mambilima Mission Rural Health Centre to a first level hospital. Until this year when the district hospital in Mwense was opened, this was the main health facility in Mwense District. The construction of key feeder roads, increasing of power generation capacity and improving communications, and storage facilities for farmers will continue to be given priority on the development agenda for the constituency, including the need to strengthen social security measures such as social cash transfer. We shall continue to advance general and girl child issues, literacy, and sports and recreation programmes in the constituency. However, let me emphasise that the final development agenda of the constituency will only be the one arrived at, updated and owned by the local communities in consultation with my office as the area Member of Parliament.

 

Mr Speaker, once again, I wish to thank you for allowing me to address this august House through this maiden speech. I also wish to thank the hon. Members of this House for their attention and for their various contributions on the challenges faced by their respective constituencies relating to the education sector. God bless this august House.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, thank you very much for according me the opportunity to deliver my maiden speech. Firstly, let me congratulate you on your election as Speaker of the Zambian Parliament. I also wish to congratulate the First and Second Deputy Speakers on their election to their offices. 

 

Mr Speaker, allow me to thank the great people of Mapatizya for giving me a second term, without using their usual formula. 

 

Laughter

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, I wish to thank my campaign manager, Loveness Chigola and her team, the constituency and district committees, the provincial team and the great president Hakainde Hichilema (HH) and Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM). These are men who cannot be easily intimidated, financially or physically.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, allow me to also thank my beautiful Lozi woman, answering to the names of Nangana Simataa, who stood by me. She was an inspiration in my big and sweet victory.

 

Sir, the expectations of the people of Mapatizya are high. To this end, I am a bearer of a message from the people of Mapatizya to the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.

 

Mr Speaker, the road network in the constituency is very poor due to non-periodical maintenance. There are seven major feeder roads in the constituency, namely:

 

1. Luyoba/Mafumba;
2. mondiritava/Kanyanga/Jumba;
3. Chimkoyo/Mulamfu;
4. Chidimafuta;
5. Muziya/Makwalala;
6. Semafumba/Simalundu;
7. Chundwe; and
8. Zimba.

 

The above-mentioned roads were last graded during the liberation war in Zimbabwe, way back in 1981.

 

Mr Speaker, of the 4,000 km road works that have been carried out under the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project, no road has been worked on in Mapatizya, Kalomo, and Dundumwezi. The people voted that way not because of tribalism, but because there is nothing that has been done to point at. The roads that are there were worked on way back in 1991. The main road linking Mapatizya to Kalomo, a stretch of 105 km, is equally in a bad state. The road goes up to Mapatizya Mine where precious minerals are mined. The cry of the people of Mapatizya is for this road to be tarred, as this would attract big companies and individuals to the mine.

 

Mr Speaker, it takes someone five hours to drive a distance of 71 km when another person can drive from Kalomo to Lusaka, a distance of 400 km, in three hours. There are huge potholes on the road. If you were to drive on that road, you would think that the people of Mapatizya are rearing crocodile or fish in the potholes.

 

Hon. PF Members: Cry!

Mr Miyanda: I will not cry, Mr Speaker.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Miyanda: Sir, I am saddened because last year on the Floor of this House I was promised by Her Honour the Vice-President that the Mapatizya/Kabanga Road would be worked on in the last quarter of 2016.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

 

Mr Miyanda: The year is coming to an end and there is no sign of the road in question being worked on.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, the people of Mapatizya know that I am bringing a message kuli ba nkwambilabuye.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: Meaning what?

 

Mr Miyanda: Meaning that the people of Mapatizya live near the Zimbabwe Border.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: What was that word again, repeat it for the record. You see, we have machines here that record what you say. What did you say?

 

Mr Miyanda: Yes, Mr Speaker.

 

The people of Mapatizya said that even as they were giving me the message to bring to the PF, they were aware that these people are ba nkwambilabuye, which is the same as talking to a stone.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, the Mapatizya/Kabanga Road is economical as opposed to other roads that are in the northern region and other places. These roads are given priority over roads in Dundumwezi, Mapatizya and Kalomo where maize and beef should come from. We are told that roads in the Northern Province are economical because people need to transport ifinkubala from that region into Lusaka. I ask myself ...

 

Mr Speaker: Meaning what?

Mr Miyanda: I am told ifinkubala are edible caterpillars.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hammer!

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, the Bottom Road links Mapatizya, Sinazongwe and Gwembe to Livingstone. Siavonga and Livingstone are tourist capitals that should be linked by this road. However, the works that have been done on this road so far only end in Sinazongwe Constituency, which almost borders Mapatizya, which is considered to under the Opposition. By working on the Bottom Road, it was hoped that the PF would get the seat for the former Minister of Defence, but it still lost it.

 

Mr Ngulube interjected.

 

Mr Miyanda: You got nothing.

 

Mr Speaker, according to the late President Sata, may his soul rest in peace, the road should have joined the Lusaka/Livingstone Road at Zimba. It makes sad reading that the road will now bypass Zimba and go straight to Livingstone. Connecting to Zimba would have eased the transport challenge that the people of Mapatizya are faced with. My appeal to this Government is to rescind its decision to bypass Zimba.

 

The people of Mapatizya, who are very disappointed with the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), are mostly small-scale farmers growing mainly maize. Going by the report of the Auditor-General, the report on the FISP is not good. With your indulgence, Sir, allow me to refer to page 274 of the Report on Conventional FISP Programme Procurement Invoice: Failure to recover funds for fertiliser not supplied by Nyiombo Investments Ltdthat states:

 

“During the 2013/2014 farming season, the ministry engaged Nyiombo Investments Ltd to supply 48,809.5 metric tonnes of fertiliser at a contract sum of K278,927,685. However, Nyiombo Investments Ltd did not supply the 5,086.08 metric tonnes equivalent to 107,736 x 50 kg bags of fertiliser costing K9,696,240 although the supplier was fully paid.”

 

Mr Speaker, despite the failure to deliver all the fertiliser for the 2013/14 farming season, the ministry engaged the company to supply fertiliser in the 2014/15 and 2015/16 farming seasons. The controlling officer indicated that the K9,696,240 in respect of the undelivered fertiliser would be recovered from the payments for the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 contract. However, as of August, 2016, no recoveries had been made.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Shame!

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, the people of Mapatizya are asking who the owners of Nyiombo Investments Ltd are and how special the company is. Even with all these issues, the company is contracted to supply fertiliser year in and year out. The number of bags of fertiliser that was not delivered translates into about 53,868 farmers were denied this product. The people of Mapatizya are appealing to the hon. Minister to do a good job.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, still under agriculture and livestock, I wish to refer to the report of the Auditor-General which states:

 

“In the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the Financial Year Ended 31^st December, 2015, a provision of K57,586,314 was made to cater for the construction and rehabilitation of 398 infrastructure projects that included dip tanks, dams, staff houses and office blocks in the seventy-seven districts against which amounts totaling K51,887,000 were released from the Eurobond.”

 

Mr Speaker, this is the money that this country borrowed and should have been put to good use through the construction of dams and dip tanks.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, the report further states:

 

“According to the Financial Statements (Statement ‘C’), amounts totaling K42,360,808 had been spent, leaving a balance of K9,526,192 as at 31^st December, 2015. On 2^nd October, 2014, the ministry entered into a contract with Messrs Netweb Investments Ltd for the rehabilitation of the cattle exhibition stand at the Copperbelt Agricultural and Commercial Show in Kitwe at a contract sum of K486,896, VAT inclusive, for a contract period of eight weeks, ending on 27^th November, 2016. Although the contract price was K486,896, there was an overpayment of K11,361 above the contract price without the approval of the ministry and no variation orders had been approved in line with the contract …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Miyanda:

 

“… under Sections 37, 38 and 39. Although the contractor was paid K112,197 for the construction of a piggery, there was no piggery constructed at the stand.”

 

Hon. UPND Members: Ah!

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, despite all this money being released, no dam or dip tank was constructed in Mapatizya, yet the PF is now questioning why the people voted in that manner.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, there are only five rural health centres and one mission hospital in Mapatizya. This is a vast constituency that shares the border with Zimbabwe. This implies that many people do not have access to proper health care. The challenge is compounded by the fact that there is no qualified health personnel at the existing health centre. Places like Siejumba, Malaba, Nakabimba, Mafumba and many others do not have facilities for antenatal care and under five clinics. Nakabimba and Malaba are about 49 km from the nearest health facility. Is this what it means to take health care closer to the people? Prior to the elections, the PF, in its usual style, promised to build two health posts in Mafumba and Kanyanga. At the moment, there is only a slab at Kanyanga and ...

 

Hon. UPND Members: Shame!

 

Mr Miyanda: … and nothing for Mafumba. That is why the people voted in that manner. So, no one should say that they are tribal.

 

Mr Nkombo: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, most of the people in Mapatizya were moved from the Zambezi Valley to pave way for the construction of the Kariba Dam.

 

Mr Mushimba: A long time ago!

 

Mr Miyanda: Yes, a long time ago …

 

Laughter

 

Mr Miyanda: … in 1957. These are people whose relatives are buried under that mass of water. To date, they still live in the dark while our friends boasted on the Floor of this House in the last Meeting of the House that the Northern, Luapula and Muchinga provinces are heaven on earth.

 

Hon. Government Members: Ah!                 

 

Mr Miyanda: I heard them say that. However, having been to some parts of the provinces during the by-elections, I am a sad man because I only saw misery everywhere. If that is the way heaven is like …

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Mr Miyanda: … I am reluctant to go there.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hammer, hammer!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I wish to reflect on one thing. As the UPND, we lost two people, and that has always touched my heart.

 

Mr Ngulube: Hammer, hammer!

 

Mr Miyanda: We lost Mapenzi Chibulo and a former University of Zambia (UNZA) student from Namwala …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!                

 

Mr Miyanda: … who were killed in cold blood by the police.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, we have also seen people gun-toting in Mulobezi as if they are Somali Warlords, killing people at will …

 

Laughter

 

Mr Miyanda: … and walking about freely.

 

Interruptions

 

Hon. UPND Members: Mention them!

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, I can assure you that the men who have taken lives needlessly live with a mark like that of Cain. Cain is actually a man in one book of the Bible who murdered his brother in cold blood and was cursed by the Almighty God.

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, the people who have committed these crimes actually walk with the mark of Cain and anyone who will meet them after 2021 will either kill or imprison them.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, I think you should be careful with your aspersions. You are done I suppose.

 

Hon. UPND Members: No!

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I wish to state that in our great country, we seem to have strange friends with questionable reputations. I have in mind …

 

Hon. Government Members: Who?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, I did not mention any name. However, as a country, we have a friend at international level who actually ordered the slaughter of between 20,000 to 30,000 people in Matebeleland and the Midlands. Lately, we have been told …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hammer, hammer!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, you are rather careless in your statements.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: You see, you are trying to withhold the name of the country, and in another breath, you are disclosing certain information. This can cause diplomatic challenges.

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, thank you for the guidance.

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, such things worry me because we have been told that Tongas …

 

Mr Kampyongo: Sit down!

 

Mr Speaker: Just a moment. Hon. Minister, you cannot proceed that way. You can question him, but you cannot order him to sit down.

 

Conclude, hon. Member.

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I am a worried man because I was told that anyone who is Tonga in my own country must be wiped out.

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, can you withdraw that statement.

 

Mr Miyanda: Which one, Mr Speaker?

 

Mr Speaker: The one you have just made.

 

Mr Miyanda: On wiping out the Tongas?

Mr Speaker: Yes.

 

Mr Miyanda: If the person who said it did not withdraw …

 

Mr Speaker: No, can you withdraw it.

 

Mr Miyanda: I withdraw it.

 

Mr Speaker: Sit down!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

__________

 

The House adjourned at 1746 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 3^rd November, 2016.