Friday, 28^th October, 2016

 

The House met at 0900 hours

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

______

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

 

HEALTH TALK ON COMMON EYE DISORDERS AND FREE EYE SCREENING EXERCISE

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I have two announcements to make. The first is that I have authorised Dr Agarwal’s Eye Hospital to conduct a free sensitisation health talk on common eye disorders and a three-day free eye screening camp for interested hon. Members of Parliament and staff. This eye screening exercise will comprise the following;

 

1. registration;

 

1. computerised eye testing;

 

1. subjective refraction test by an optometrist;

 

1. counselling by a trained patient care associate to explain the procedures done and interpret the results found from the test conducted; and

 

1. give direction accordingly.

 

The health talk on common eye disorders will be held on Monday, 31^st October, 2016 in the amphitheatre at Parliament Buildings from 1430 hours to 1600 hours. The eye screening exercise will run from Tuesday, 1^st November, to Thursday, 3^rd November, 2016 in Committee Room number five here at Parliament Buildings. All interested hon. Members are urged to attend the health talk and visit the medical practitioners at their convenient time from 0900 hours to 1600 hours each day at their clinic.

 

VOTING RESULTS ON MOTION OF APPROVAL OF GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES AND DEPARTMENTS

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, the House will recall that yesterday, Thursday, 27^th October, 2016, the decision on the Motion, Approval of the Government Ministries and Departments was determined after a division and the results were announced as follows:

 

1. the Ayes  91; and

 

1. the Noes 41.

 

However, a computer-generated division list revealed that the Chair, as First Deputy Speaker, voted for the Motion when in fact not. The error occurred because the Second Deputy Speaker voted while seated in the seat ordinarily occupied by the First Deputy Speaker. I have since directed the Clerk to rectify the mistake accordingly. The record now stands as follows:

 

 Ayes 90; and

 

 Noes 47.

 

I thank you.

 

______

 

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

 

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

 

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, 1^st November, 2016, the Business of the House will begin with Questions for Oral Answer, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address.

 

Madam Speaker, on Wednesday, 2^nd November, 2016, the Business of the House will begin with Questions for Oral Answer, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider Private Members’ Motions, if there will be any. The House will then continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address.

 

Madam Speaker, on Thursday, 3^rd November, 2016, the Business of the House with start with Questions for Oral Answer, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider the Second Reading stage of the Patents Bill, No. 25 of 2016. Then the House will continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address.

 

Madam Speaker, on Friday, 4^th November, 2016, the Business of the House will begin with Her Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time. This will be followed by questions to hon. Ministers, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

______

 

HER HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME

 

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Madam Speaker, yesterday, one member of the Central Committee of the Patriotic Front (PF), Paul Moonga, addressed the press and the nation, making various proposals to the Amendment of the Constitution. One particular Constitutional Amendment that has been proposed is to extend the term of office for the President, Members of Parliament and Councillors.

 

Madam Speaker, this abhorrent proposal was widely publicised by the Government media and other media houses yesterday as well as today. I would like Her Honour the Vice-President to categorically state the position of the PF pertaining to this abhorrent proposal by Mr Paul Moonga.

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Madam Speaker, every Zambian is entitled to their own opinion. Mr Moonga conducted this press conference on his own behalf, and not on behalf of the central committee or on behalf of the President or the Government.

 

Yesterday was the first time we heard about this pronouncement in the newspapers and other media. However, this has nothing to do with the Patriotic Front (PF) Central Committee nor is it the stance of the Government. It is far from it and is just an opinion held by one member of the PF named Mr Paul Moonga.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Madam Speaker, thank you for according me a chance to ask Her Honour the Vice-President a question that I have been intending to ask. Shortly after elections, there was political violence. I am concerned with the violence which happened in Namwala. It was reported that this violence was not only political in nature, but also on tribal lines in that some tribes were targeted by other tribes. Therefore, is it true that some tribes were targeted by other tribes and which ones were the victims and who were the aggressors?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, the House was informed that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, was disturbed by the levels of violence immediately after the elections. As a result of the President’s concern and that of the public, a commission of inquiry has been established to look into this matter. When the findings of this commission are out, the country will be informed on the various concerns that have been advanced by the public.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Madam Speaker, there has been growing concern about police brutality on citizens in this country.  One such case is that which resulted in the death of Mapenzi Chibulo before the last general elections. Two days ago, we saw this intolerance of the police resulting in their turning against each other, where Mr Banda, a police officer from Chipata, was killed at the airport junction on the Great East Road by fellow police officers as well as the brutal beating of Inspector Maliba in Choma by recruits from Kamfinsa and Sondela Police Training Camps. Is there anything that the Government is doing in order to professionalise the police so that they only use force in compelling situations?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, some of the incidences that have occurred are of a criminal nature and some have been due to some overzealous police officers. However, the police, especially recruits, have always been conditioned to undergo human rights education. There is a continuous process of sensitising our police officers on human rights issues and how they should interact with the public. I hope this will bring positive results.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Dr Chanda (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, I think there is a global concern that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is more biased against African countries than other countries. For example, twenty-two out of the twenty-three cases currently being tried by the ICC are to do with African countries. We have seen that founder countries like South Africa, Burundi and Gambia are all pulling out of the ICC. What is Zambia’s position on this matter? Do we plan to continue being members of the ICC or does the Government also plan to follow other countries in pulling out of this organisation?

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, the question, as I understood it, is whether Zambia wants to continue being a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is a creation of various countries including Zambia. The knowledge I have is that, Zambia’s membership to the ICC has not been withdrawn.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Madam Speaker, the financing of the road from Kalabo to the Angolan border was completed between 2010 and 2011. Up to now, that road has not been constructed. Can Her Honour the Vice-President give an indication of what is happening on this project? Is that money still available or it has been diverted somewhere else?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I can assure the hon. Member of Parliament for Liuwa that the Zambian Government or the Ministry of Finance in particular is not in a habit of transferring monies intended for certain projects to other projects. All I know is that the agreement between the Zambian Government and Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) of Kuwait was signed a few years ago, as the hon. Member rightly said. The funds will be released and the project will start from Kalabo to Sikongo and possibly to the border with Angola. So, the project still stands and it will be undertaken by the Government.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Madam Speaker, we have a situation in Chinsali at Mbesuma Breeding Centre. In the past two months, cattle at the centre have been dying. When we tried to find out from the livestock officers at the centre what the reason was, they advised that the number of animals that they have now is huge, such that they are failing to provide food for the animals because of delayed funding. So, the people of Chinsali want to find out when the Government is intending to offload some of the animals to the public in Chinsali and the outsiders who would want to buy these animals so that the breeding centre can only remain with a sizeable number that will be manageable in terms of feeding.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members on the left!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, this Government is on an ambitious programme to improve livestock in the country and the centre that the hon. Member of Parliament is referring to has been one of the chosen centres. In all the provinces, we have identified areas where livestock cattle centres will be established. I am very pleased to know that the animals in Chinsali have multiplied because this initiative was started many years ago, but it did not succeed. I think we are on the right path. What I can encourage the hon. Member to do is file a question which will give a comprehensive answer than what I can give.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, currently, Zambia has only seven mental health doctors. What is the PF Government doing to increase the number of mental health doctors?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, mental health is one of those conditions that has not been publicised in our country. A lot of people walk around and yet they are not mentally healthy including some Members of Parliament.

 

Laughter

 

The Vice-President: I do appreciate the question from the hon. Member for Dundumwezi because I think time has come for our country to address the issue of mental health because mental illness can mean something else. Some of the people are diagnosed medically ill, yet they may just be undergoing a stressful period. So, all these issues need to be tackled. I am glad to report that the Ministry of Health has recognised this challenge and are currently training ten doctors that will be sent to different hospitals in the country to address the issue of mental health and mental illness.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from Her Honour the Vice-President how much the Government has prepared for our farmers through Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I think I missed the question.

 

Madam First Speaker: The question was how much the Government has prepared for farmers under FISP. That was the question.

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, if the preparedness that the hon. Member is inquiring about is for this current farming season, I would encourage him to file a question which can be tackled by the hon. Minister of Agriculture.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr A. B. Malama (Nchelenge): Madam Speaker, Nchelenge Constituency knows that the duly elected President for this country is His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, whose portrait is supposed to be displayed in public places and offices. There is another person purporting to be His Excellency the President. I recall that the hon. Minister for Southern Province had issued instructions for people to display the portrait of His Excellency the President and the duration he gave I am sure, has since elapsed. What measures, is the Government, taking to ensure that people of one region who do not want to display this portrait …

 

Interruptions

 

Mr A. M Malama: … of His Excellency the President do so.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members. The clock is ticking away …

 

Mr Lubinda: Yes!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: … so you are only disadvantaging yourselves.

 

I will wait until order returns before I can ask the next person to ask a question.

 

The clock is ticking away. So, let us maintain order.

 

The hon. Member for Nalikwanda.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Oh!

 

Sorry, please sit down.

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I can only advise politicians and civil servants who want to prolong the campaigns, that the elections and the campaigns are over. It is now time to work for the people of Zambia so that we improve their standard of living. Those civil servants who still think that the elections have not ended and another President will be announced, should realise that time will not come because the current President that we are serving and all of  us paid loyalty and allegiance to is Mr Edgar Chagwa Lung.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: That is a fact. So, for civil servants or the people that are masquerading as presidents…

 

Laughter

 

The Vice-President: … I think they should swallow their pride and realise that we can only have one President in this country. At the time of elections, we choose that President and when elections come once again, we will choose another President if the people of Zambia want it that way but if not, the same President may also continue …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: … for a long time.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Madam Speaker, Her Honour the Vice-President visited Nalikwanda during the campaign. She specifically visited one project at Nakaanya, which is an extremely urgent and very important project as was expressed by the people. The re-opening of Nakaanya Secondary School has delayed like many other secondary schools in the Western Province. What further assurance can she give them now regarding the opening of that school?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, there are quite a number of unfinished projects in the country due to the fiscal space that was a major constraint. However, the Government has committed itself to undertake all the unfinished works in the country whether it is in Nakaanya or other areas. I know it is not only Nakaanya Secondary School, but also are other secondary schools and rural health centres that were not completed. I can guarantee that the works at Nakaanya will be completed as soon as resources are made available.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for this opportunity although my substantive question was taken by Hon. Jack Mwiimbu on the seven years suggested duration that the Patriotic Front Government should be in power-Nevertheless, I would like to ask Her Honour the Vice-President another question.

 

Madam, it is no longer a secret that the state of the economy is not encouraging, but I am more worried about the liquidity situation of the Government. How safe are we, Madam Vice-President in terms of the Government meeting the salary obligations given the fact that the Public Service has not been paid? How safe are we?

 

 The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I can assure the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabompo that the liquidity situation in the country is secure.

 

Madam, the month of October has not come to an end for the hon. Member to claim that the Government has failed to pay the public servants. The public servant is rewarded at the end of thirty days and the thirty days is not yet over. Definitely, the Ministry of Finance will ensure the all public servants are paid, at least, before end of October, 2016.

 

 I thank you, Madam.

 

Mrs Chinyama (Kafue): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from Her Honour the Vice-President whether the new ministries that were created following the Motion which was passed yesterday have been catered for in the 2017 Budget considering that the Budget preparation process has reached an advanced stage. Did the Government anticipate that these ministries would be created using the arrogance of numbers in this House? I would like to hear her views considering that we have been sitting together with the new hon. Minister of the new ministry in this House even before the Motion was moved.

 

 The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, whenever a Government makes a Budget provision, the aim is to meet the obligations of that plan. So, the newly created ministries will be included in the new Budget. In any case, the budget circle is not over. Therefore, there is a possibility that this provision is already there or it will be part of the new budget.

 

 I thank you, Madam.

 

 Ms Tambatamba (Kasempa): Madam Speaker, the rains in the North-Western Province have already set in and the farmers are already cultivating. The people in that area depend on agriculture as the mainstay of their livelihood and specifically food security. Since the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) collected the maize from the previous season, the farmers have not been paid their dues. The people of Kasempa would like to know from Her Honour the Vice-President when their payments will be delivered to them.

 

 The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I want to assure the farmers of Kasempa that their money will be given to them very soon. It is only last week that the hon. Minister of Finance released funds to the Ministry of Agriculture to pay the farmers whose maize was acquired by the FRA. So, I am certain that part of that money will be allocated to Kasempa to pay our farmers.

 

 Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Madam Speaker, I would like Her Honour the Vice-President to comment on the commitment made to the people of the North-Western Province on the University to be called “Peter Matoka,” and also the road that connects Mwinilunga to Ikeleng’i up to Jimbe whose infrastructure …

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Can the hon. Member for Ikeleng’i address the Chair.

 

Mr Muchima: … I would like her to comment on the infrastructure development in the North Western Province, the Peter Matoka University and the road connecting Jimbe to Ikeleng’i and Mwinilunga under the Public Private Partnership (PPP). The Government promised would that it work on the 20 km stretch, would be tarred but up to now, nothing has been done.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Could Her Honour the Vice-President only answer one question.

 

The Vice President: Madam Speaker, that was a loaded question. However, I would like to assure the hon. Member of Parliament that the Jimbe-Ikeleng’i Road is being worked on. As a matter of fact, a contractor is already on site and is working there. The amount of US$105 million has been allocated for the construction of that road. So, I wonder why the hon. Member is still complaining about this issue.

 

Madam, as for the universities and colleges, I have said several times in this House that these will be constructed. They are still on the programme of the Government, but there are still preliminary issues that need to be sorted out before these projects could start.

 

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

 Mr Jamba (Mwembezi) Madam Speaker, the road which leads to our constituency, Nampundwe via the Farmers Turn Off is in a terrible state. The people of Mwembeshi have heard that many roads in the country are being constructed. Just like any other constituency, they are waiting for the Government to work on that road. Is the Government assuring the people of Mwembezi that this road will be worked on?

 

 The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, most of the rural roads or feeder roads have been earmarked for improvement. The Zambia National Service (ZNS) has been mandated to undertake the works on most of our feeder roads. I am sure even this particular road that the hon. Member is referring to will be worked on. I would, therefore, like to urge him to contact the provincial administration to know when this road will be given the necessary resources to be worked on.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

______

 

MOTION

 

MOTION OF THANKS

 

(Debate resumed)

 

Ms Miti (Vubwi): Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to present my maiden speech to this august House. First and foremost, I would like to thank God for his mercy. The fact that I have returned to this House, after serving for one year five months in the last term, is a clear demonstration of the confidence that the good people of Vubwi have in me, despite all odds.

 

I wish to thank the Patriotic Front (PF) Administration for adopting me to stand and defend the constituency seat in the wake of stiff competition from members who also applied for adoption. I wish to express my profound gratitude to my supportive family for standing with me throughout the campaign period.

 

Madam Speaker, I would also like to thank the good people of Vubwi Constituency for re-electing me after only serving them for a short period. This victory is not mine, but is dedicated to the people of Vubwi. To the hardworking and resilient party officials at all levels in Vubwi, I can never thank them enough and I promise to work for them to the best of my ability.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to congratulate His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and his running mate Her Honour the Vice-President, Mrs Inonge Mutukwa Wina, on their victory in the August 11, 2016, tripartite elections. The Zambian people chose them as their preferred custodians of political, economic and social facets of our democratic governance system.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Miti: Further, I wish to extend my hearty congratulations to Mr Speaker and his two Deputy Speakers, Madam Catherine Namugala the first deputy speaker and Hon. Martin Mwimba Malama the second deputy speaker, on their deserved election …

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Miti: …to preside over the business and affairs of this Parliament.  

 

Allow me also to congratulate the other parliamentarians elected. It is my sincere hope that all hon. Members shall execute their functions wholeheartedly, impartially, with humility and honour. The constituents expect us in accordance with the dictates of our sworn allegiance and Constitution provisions.

 

Madam Speaker, let me begin by bringing to the attention of this House a brief history and geographical location of the constituency in order to appreciate the mindset and the huge expectations of the people of Vubwi.

 

Vubwi is located on the fringes of the north-eastern part in Zambia’s Eastern Province, bordering Malawi and Mozambique. The three countries share an inadequately manned border whose establishment that has no proper identification facility. There is only a gravel road leading to Zozwe area in the eastern part of the central business activity location that demarcates these three countries. This inadequacy, over the years, has on many occasions caused disputes and misunderstandings over land and other social amenities between the constituency inhabitants and others from Malawi and Mozambique, who share similar linguistic, cultural and social norms. 

                  

Madam Speaker, prior to the 2011 General Elections, where the PF Government won the elections, the people of Vubwi were promised district status if the party won the respective elections. This is because Vubwi, which was under Chadiza District, only received a portion of development. The PF Government fulfilled its promise and in 2012 conferred Vubwi with a district status, in line with its decentralisation policy.

 

Madam Speaker, the declaration of Vubwi as a district is evidenced by the massive infrastructure development programmes being undertaken. The constituency has benefited from the Link Zambia 8,000 Km Road Project and this is a clear political will by this Government.  The Chipata/Vubwi Road is being upgraded to bituminous level. A modern teachers’ compound is being constructed at Vubwi Secondary School. Construction of Vubwi District Hospital and residential housing units is also underway. Three basic schools in the constituency have been upgraded to secondary schools and the construction, delivery and full operation of six health posts in all the eight wards has been done. Further, a post office and administrative Government offices are being constructed at the moment.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government’s installation of nine solar mealie meal grinding mills and electrification extension to the national electricity grid from Chipata is underway. This is happening for the first time since Independence and it has definitely encouraged entrepreneurial activities in the central business district of Vubwi.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Vubwi Constituency appreciate the tangible developmental projects embarked upon by the PF Government in such a short period of time. However, I would like to bring to the attention of the House that despite these positive developments, completion of most projects has taken too long, as there is  a need, to embark on other new important projects. 

 

Madam Speaker, construction of the Chipata/Vubwi Road to bituminous standard has remained static. So far, only 10 km, out of the 80 km, has been done. Works on the post office, staff houses and administration offices have stalled. There is a need for immediate total rehabilitation or construction of Vubwi River Bridge, which leads to the construction site of the district hospital, en route to other villages, within the vicinity of the populous communities.

 

The immediate concern is that the current state of the bridge has deteriorated and poses a danger of collapse, which may result in injury, death or other calamity, to its daily users. In this vein, I am calling upon the hon. Minister of Works and Supply, through the Road Development Agency (RDA) or other relevant authority, to urgently move in and work on the bridge by re-engineering it so as to ease the fears of the people traversing it.

 

Madam Speaker, I am appealing to the Government to rehabilitate feeder roads to ease the movement of people and enhance agro markets accessibility in Malawi and Mozambique. The President emphasises this in Paragraph 9 of his Speech. This aspect is true because Vubwi is a tested and renowned agricultural hub of the Eastern Province and the nation at large, not only in traditional agro products like maize, but also groundnuts, soya beans and sunflower.

 

Madam Speaker, I am elated by His Excellency the President’s pronouncement that the Government will continue to implement the Link Zambia 8,000 Km Road Project and that priority will be placed on economic roads which will help to integrate productive sectors of the economy to the markets.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to echo the President’s observation of harnessing rural development as a driver of the economic diversification agenda because agriculture is the economic mainstay of the people of Vubwi, which is a rural constituency. Agriculture is the core of the people’s livelihood and well being. We have concentrated on traditional agro-products such as maize and groundnuts. We should develop the agriculture sector further by the inclusion of other crops such as soya beans and sunflower by providing farmers with the technical knowledge to grow these crops. There should also be stakeholder engagement to improve livestock development, especially dairy cattle infusion into communities. This way, the people of Vubwi shall have increased access to knowledge on how to manage profitable livestock production. Furthermore, the acquired knowledge will be passed on to their offspring for generations. In this quest, we shall aspire to engage the relevant stakeholders to provide appropriate linkages for our farmers.

 

Madam Speaker, Vubwi has no access to banking facilities and our farmers, entrepreneurs, workers and the general populace are forced to obtain banking services from Chipata, which is about 80 km away. Over time, this has discouraged people from saving. It has also impeded borrowing for investment. This is a loud call to the relevant ministry not to continue sidelining the rural communities, especially the people of Vubwi. The relevant ministry should initiate a deliberate business incentive in legislation that will encourage the banking and finance sector to embark on servicing this client base which has huge potentiality in this regard. This is achievable, especially that the President’s Speech to this House, stated that the Government intends to expedite the implementation of the Movable Property (Security Interest) Act No. 3 of 2016 and the Agricultural Credit Act No. 35 of 2010.

 

Madam Speaker, being a rural constituency, Vubwi is grappling with the issue of land ownership and tenure which requires to be addressed adequately. It is well known that customary land held by traditional authorities is usually un-documented. Traditional land tenure lacks the ownership aspect even though occupants’ rights are normally held in perpetuity. The majority of the people of Vubwi have depended on customary land for their livelihoods for generations. The Traditional land tenure system is vulnerable to insecurity and this has worsened over time due to the demand for land from investors and the growing population. In Vubwi Constituency, a land wrangle has emerged, where a community in the former Vubwi Tobacco Board of Zambia Scheme farms of more than 2,000 settlers have occupied that piece of land for over forty years without ownership documentation. An individual was allowed to acquire a large track on that potion of land in 2009 without the relevant authorities notifying the indigenous families on that land. This scenario has culminated in the helpless settlers now being victimised and threatened with eviction. This  is being raised in view of the President’s pronouncement in his address to this House that the Government will implement integrated land management reforms and that they will bring a Customary Land Administration Bill before this House in order to protect not only the people of Vubwi, but also other rural communities in similar circumstances. It is my prayer that this pronouncement shall receive timely and diligent attention by the relevant ministry.

 

Madam Speaker, the youths in Vubwi, like those in any other area across the country, are leaders of the future. The upbringing of young people is not only the preserve of parents. It has evolved into a governance issue. Young people who graduate from schools continue to be assimilated into communities where employment opportunities are not only scarce, but even non-existent, especially in rural areas like Vubwi. Vubwi lacks social amenities and the youths get involved in activities that do not make them useful in society. Alcohol abuse and other vices have become the norm in Vubwi.  I am calling on all the relevant authorities in charge of various development projects to ensure that able bodied youths are deliberately targeted and integrated into hired labour in order to help them live respectable lives. Vubwi District does not have a youth skills development centre. In order to mitigate the pitfalls of its absence, a deliberate effort by relevant authorities should be initiated to plan for the construction of a youth skills development centre in the district.

 

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, during the 11^th August General Election campaign period, the message by the Patriotic Front (PF) to the electorate was development-oriented. As the party in Government, we were able to indicate progressive development projects initiated in order to improve our people’s livelihood. The PF Government remains committed to fulfil its campaign promises. My appeal to my fellow hon. Members in the House is that we should all come together and drive the development agenda for the country to improve the livelihood of the people who elected us. Campaigns are now over and we should put all our differences behind us and embrace each other for the sake of Mother Zambia. There can only be one Republican President at a time.

 

 God bless Zambia and the National Assembly of Zambia.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Madam Speaker, I would like to give my sincere gratitude to the Almighty God who has granted me yet another day to live and for all that I am today.

 

Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to deliver my maiden speech in this august House. In the first place, allow me to thank the United Party for National Development (UPND) and our leader, Mr Hakainde Hichilema mwana mubotu, for allowing me to become the Bweengwa Member of Parliament. Further, I would like to give very special thanks to the people of Bweengwa for allowing me to be their lawmaker. It is out of their collective effort that today, I am speaking here as a Member of Parliament.

 

Madam Speaker, no man is an island. Allow me to thank my dear wife, Priscilla, my family, relatives, friends and of course, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu for being with me in the tough campaign journey that saw me emerge victorious. Above all, I thank the people of Zambia for giving the UPND and our President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, massive votes. Like my fellow UPND, members, I strongly believe that the UPND won the just-ended general elections.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, allow me to highlight a few development ideas I have for the people of Bweengwa. Allow me to specifically thank my immediate predecessor, Hon. Highvie Hamududu, for all he did for the people of Bweengwa. 

 

Further, allow me to collectively thank all the former lawmakers of Bweengwa Constituency namely Hon. Lawrence Katilungu, Hon. Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, Hon. Kayumba Hamwende, Hon. Rex Nataala, Hon. Eli Meleki Mwang’onze, Hon. Baldwin Nkumbula ‘Mwana akumabu’, Hon. Edgar Keembe and Hon. Japhet Monde for the good work they did for the people of Bweengwa and the nation in their respective times.

Madam Speaker, Bweengwa is one of the leading constituencies in cattle population in Zambia. Hence, I urge this Government to put more effort into making sure that the animals are protected and our farmers are supported in renovating existing dip tanks and putting up new ones in strategic areas. These dip tanks should be supplied with acaricides or dip tank chemicals to curb tick-borne diseases.

Madam Speaker, the diary industry here in Zambia is a very vital sector which has not been given much attention by this Government. Therefore, I am urging the PF Government to seriously consider cattle nutrition for small-scale dairy farmers because cattle nutrition is a very vital competent of the dairy supply chain. In Bweengwa Constituency alone, there are six active dairy co-operatives which do not have good quality roughage for their animals at this time of the year. The natural pastures are dry and have less nutritive value at this time of the year. In most tropical countries, particularly Zambia, the dry season is very long, hence the need for a dry season strategy of feeding for our animals.

Madam Speaker, my appeal to the relevant authorities is that the dairy co-operatives in my constituency be empowered with farm mechanisation implements such as a tractor for each co-operative, a mower for cutting grass, a roller or rake, a bailer and a trailer. This set of implements can be very important in feed roughage preservation to be fed to animals in the dry season.

 

Madam Speaker, dairy concentrates are one of the most important feed components for dairy animals, but our farmers lack one of the most important macro ingredients, the maize bran. It is sad to see that this Government allows people to export maize bran at the expense of our local dairy and beef farmers. I urge the Government to immediately put a ban on the exportation of maize bran from April to December as this is the most critical period for dairy farmers. Our farmers should always feel that they have a caring Government, unlike the Government we currently have. 

 

Madam Speaker, it is common knowledge that maize is Zambia’s staple food, but this common knowledge seems to be absent in the faculties of thought of the PF. The PF Government has failed to support small-scale farmers. I urge this Government to provide free fertiliser inputs to all small-scale farmers for the next three years, if they are a serious Government. If the PF does not understand how this can be achieved, they are free to go to our president, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, who can offer them free advice on how this can be attained.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, Bweengwa Constituency has seven wards and there is a need to construct, at least, three big dams per ward. This should be done in order to shorten the long distances and stress that animals undergo in search of water. Drinking water for our cattle is mainly accessed from the Kafue River, which is very far from grazing areas. I urge the Government to respond positively towards dam construction in my constituency.

Madam Speaker, Climate Change is real and it is a real threat to our lives and that of our animals. I urge the Government to start setting up commercial boreholes driven by windmills. In an event that in a particular year our country experiences massive drought such boreholes can act as a source of water for domestic use as well as drinking water for our animals. A practical example is what happened last year when we experienced low rainfall and saw dams drying up. The Government does not seem to have an immediate solution to the drying up of dams.

 

Madam Speaker, our friends from Egypt in the North of Africa, rely only on the River Nile to supply water for almost the entire country for domestic use as well as all agriculture-related activities. We can emulate that and access water from our Zambian rivers and lakes. Zambia contains about 40 per cent of the total water found in Southern Africa. It is very disappointing that our people can still be accessing drinking water from shallow wells which are the same sources used by their domestic animals. Such harsh treatment from this knee-jerk type of Government should be a thing of the past. Therefore, this Government should provide tap water to all Zambians. If Botswana can do it, what is stopping Zambia from doing it as well? This will only be possible once all the gates of corruption are completely closed. Currently, the valves of the floodgates of corruption are all open and all the four cylinders of corruption are firing at a high speed.

Laughter

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, Lochinvar National Park is found in Bweengwa Constituency. It has the highest number of Lechwe amongst all national parks in Zambia. It also has the highest number of bird species in the world. We also find different types of wild animals. These are enough to make Lochinvar National Park the core of the Government’s options for a tourist attraction. Above all, the famous Gwisho Hot Spring is found at Lochinvar National Park. With all these areas which are tourist attractions, it is sad that the roads within the park and the entire constituency are in a deplorable state. I urge the Government to urgently rehabilitate the feeder roads in the constituency. The Monze/Niko Road, which passes through Bweengwa Constituency has been abandoned by the contractor. It should be completed as soon as possible.

Madam Speaker, education is the best equaliser as such we want all our school-going students in colleges and universities to acquire education for free. I urge the PF Government to renovate all the existing schools and put up six new modern schools and one university in Bweengwa Constituency. The university should be named after the renowned politician Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula. We do not want a situation where only Mushindo University and other universities are built.

Laughter

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, the people in the Southern Province, particularly those in Bweengwa Constituency, should be considered. We are the people who sacrificed, sold our animals and raised £800,000 of the required total of £1 million at Samu Lya Moomba to send Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, Kenneth Kaunda and a thirty-man delegation to our colonial masters in Britain to get the White Paper which represents our freedom today.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Michelo: It is because of this White Paper that on 24^th October, 1964, Zambia’s Independence was realised.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Michelo: This vital and pronounced Samu Lya Moomba is found in Bweengwa Constituency and should be considered as one of Zambia’s most important heritage sites.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, since 1964, it is sad to say that Bweengwa Constituency, the place from which animals were sold to raise money for the Independence of Zambia, has never had a hospital. I urge the Government to seriously consider putting up a modern hospital. This should be included in this coming National Budget. I would like hon. Mutati, Minister of Finance to seriously take note of this.

Madam Speaker, I proudly thank our leader the President of the most liked party in Zambia, the UPND, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, for putting up a modern clinic using his own resources at Mooya Bweengwa Constituency.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, gifts and bribes make even wise men blind to the reality of what is happening in the country. There are too many wrong things going on, but people that are thought to be honest are keeping quiet and turning the other way. This is because these people are benefitting and eating from the system that is perpetrating these dangerous ills. To them, it is time to eat and they are eating quietly.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Michelo: They have sold off their principles for money, positions and privileges in the Government.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Michelo: Today, our former champions of liberties have become the country’s hypocrites, trying so hard to pretend they are men of God and prayer when their hearts, are full of nothing, but hatred and abuse of police and other law enforcing agencies. Look at the way the president of the biggest opposition party, the United Party for National Development (UPND), Mr Hakainde Hichilema (HH) and his Vice-President, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM) are currently being brutalised by the police.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, this is something some of us have never seen in the previous governments. How can HH and GBM be denied water and food for the whole day in cells in Luanshya? How can HH be stopped and tear gassed when going to the funeral of his grandfather in Monze? Why should it be so?

 

Mr Lusambo: Baka bwalala!

 

Mr Michelo: Shut up!

 

Laughter

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order! Retract what you have just said.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, I retract that statement. Keep quiet!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, truly speaking, there is nothing more frightening than total disregard of the law. Let us bear in mind that there is no permanent Government. We all know that governments come and go. Let us all endeavour to comply with the in our actions and decisions in order to protect our democracy because we only have one Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, the same way we have different physical appearances, others appear tall, short, big and small, we are bound to embrace different ideas and beliefs.

 

Mr Mulusa handed a note to Mr Michelo.

 

Mr Michelo: He is bringing leakage.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, people in a democratic country must be allowed to express their opinions freely. There is, therefore, no need for the Patriotic Front (PF) to get scared of different views to the extent of even attempting to silence others from commenting on matters of national interest. If you silence someone, it does not mean that you have won the confidence of that person. It is said that someone cannot convert the other just because he or she has silenced them.

 

Madam Speaker, Charles Bradlaugh said, “without free speech, no search for truth is possible, no discovery of truth is useful. Better a thousand fold abuses of free speech than denial of free speech.  The abuse dies in a day but the denial stays the life of the people and entombs the hope of the race.”

 

Madam Speaker, together as a country, we should encourage each other and every Zambian, regardless of tribe or race to move forward in every sector of life. Indeed, after fifty-two years of Independence, it is embarrassing and totally unacceptable to be advised by someone who is neither a Zambian citizen nor a democrat on how we should conduct ourselves in our democratic country. As Zambians, specifically the serious and democratic people of Bweengwa Constituency, we cannot entertain such undemocratic advisers. Zambians are serious democratic people. If we need such advice, we can only emulate the Sovereign Republic of Tanzania which has done so well, democratically, politically and economically.

 

Madam Speaker, Zambia is for Zambians and Uganda is for Ugandans. Politically, we are an independent country. Yes, economically, we are still depending on donors. I know after the PF rule, Zambians will be both politically and economically independent. What we are lacking now are economic managers that can run the affairs of this country so that we can have free education for our children, affordable fuel and electricity. I urge this Government to immediately increase the tax on beer and reduce fuel prices.

 

Ms Kucheka: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, excessive beer drinking has killed our nation. Nowadays, even in rural areas, almost every good looking tree has become a tavern. We are slowly becoming a drunkard nation and I am very worried about our future generations. I say so because this can make them inherit the drunkard nation from the older generation if no correct productive measures are put in place today. The productive age nowadays has resorted to beer drinking even during working hours. Where are we going as a country?

 

Madam Speaker, while the damage is still repairable, we can, as a country, work together and regulate beer drinking. Why are we having Christmas celebrations every day when we have a huge task to undertake? Our country is economically sick. Let us repair it in a sober manner. In Tonga we say, “Bukoko bulakokola naa chikuku chilakukula.” This means that beer can prune you or wipe out your money.

 

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, when one causally looks at the previous voting pattern in Dundumwezi, which has become the household name and the most famous constituency in Zambia, one can barely see that this has sent a loud message on how bad the economical and political situations are in the country. We have two tiers of law where some people in Zambia are considered to be more Zambian than others. The PF Government and its leader, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, have embarked on a dictatorial governance model, which is worse than that of the Kaunda era of One Party State. What legacy is Mr Lungu going to leave behind? There are numerous atrocities and human rights violations that have manifested under this PF Government. Instead of this PF Government taking a stance to unite Zambians, they have decided to take a position of dividing Zambians, where any opposition is considered to be an enemy of the PF Government.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Michelo: Madam Speaker, I, therefore, urge this PF Government to emulate the worldwide peace icon, Mr Nelson Madiba Rolihlahla Mandela, who took a stance in 1994 to unite blacks and whites. The PF Government should stop brutalising the Opposition, especially the ones from the UPND and our leader HH. They should embrace all Zambians regardless of tribes and political affiliation.

 

Madam Speaker, finally, just for a joke of the day, I also want to thank Mr Lungu for contributing some money for constructing a secondary school in Bweengwa Constituency.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Kasonso (Solwezi West): Madam Speaker, I stand with a sincere heart to make my maiden speech in this august House for the second time. I wish to congratulate you on your well deserved election as First Deputy Speaker of this august House. It is not my intention to embarrass you when I say that I can attest to your good qualities as a leader endowed with wisdom of judgment in serving the people of Zambia. Definitely, you are up to the task.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kasonso: Madam Speaker, allow me to further congratulate the Speaker and the Second Deputy Speaker on their re-election and election, respectively. To you all, I stand and demand no favour, but fair play to both sides of the divide.

 

Madam Speaker, from the outset, it is cardinal that I thank my Almighty God for His grace, guidance and mercy during the campaign. I also thank my president, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, the President of the UPND, his Vice-President, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba and, indeed, his colleagues in the leadership of the party for, once again, in giving me an opportunity to stand on the UPND party ticket. I wish to recognise their special support of the UPND President and his Vice-President in coming personally, to campaign in my constituency. Without this effort, my easy victory would have been in doubt.

 

Madam Speaker, it is also important to recognise the effort of the entire United Party for National Development (UPND) rank and file as well as well-wishers for providing material and moral support to my campaign after which I emerged with resounding victory.

 

Hon. PF Member: Question!

 

Mr Kasonso: My family members and friends, I thank you for your support and encouragement in all sorts of ways that made my re-election easy.

 

Madam Speaker, finally, I must thank the people of Solwezi West Constituency for their confidence and trust in me. I can only promise them one thing that I will represent them without fear or favour in this House.

 

 I further salute their Royal Highnesses Senior Chief Musele, Senior Chief Mukumbi, Chief Mumena and Chief Matebo for their impartial manner and neutrality. This is what it should be in a multiparty democracy.

 

Madam Speaker, I want you and the entire House to hear me loud and clear because in ki Kaonde we say, “bumi bwa muntu bujimukutwi”.

 

Hon. UPND Member: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kasonso: It means that human existence lies in listening to what people say.

 

Mr Chabi: Umweo waba mukutwi!

 

Mr Kasonso: Madam Speaker, it is not possible to stand on the Floor of this august House without making reference to the recent political events in this country and their far-reaching implications which, so far, have divided our nation.

 

The political events before, during and after the general elections clearly demonstrate the bonds that brought us together in 1964 as One Zambia, One Zambia no longer exist.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kasonso: Madam Speaker, I intend to spend a little more time to deliberate on this matter as it is of huge concern to me and the nation at large. It would be hypocrisy and a betrayal of the people of Zambia if I did not address this matter with passion. This sad development requires more than just political will. It requires leadership from both sides of the divide. However, the PF leadership has an enormous responsibility in ensuring that there is genuine dialogue among all political players in order to address this matter for the sake of Mother Zambia and its people. It must not be allowed to continue.

 

Madam Speaker, the Motto of One Zambia, One Nation is not rhetoric or political sound bite, but a special tool to influence peaceful cohesion of all Zambians to feel good in order to be patriotic to Zambia as one people so that the best of us can come out to advance our country, Zambia, forward.

 

Madam Speaker, our founding father, Dr Kenneth David Kaunda, used this motto so effectively in uniting Zambia and, indeed, with his colleagues in leadership, achieved so much in developing the country.

 

Madam Speaker,  One Zambia, One Nation means that we are one people. Therefore, all those in the leadership of our nation must demonstrate inclusiveness in what they say and do at all times. For example, during the reign of Dr Kaunda, appointments in the Government and parastatals were made across all the regions of Zambia. Similarly, development was taken to all parts of the country. I am extremely concerned over this issue of division because this PF Government is using the slogan of One Zambia, One Nation as a palliative to cure this dangerous challenge of division in this country.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kasonso: It will profit no one when the country is divided. Remember, Madam Speaker, it is said that unity of purpose is the first line of national defence. Therefore, all of us, as leaders in this House and outside, should seriously think about ways of resolving this issue of division amicably. We must all be true to ourselves and let no one be disingenuous about it.

 

Madam Speaker, the Amended Constitution has many serious challenges that require engagement with various key stakeholders to be resolved.

 

Madam Speaker, the application of the Public Order Act (POA) by the Zambia Police Service is another challenge which has brought serious disagreements and frustrations among stakeholders, particularly those in the political arena.

 

Madam Speaker, the biased application of the POA is so serious that it has largely contributed to the rule of law slipping away with the pillars of fair play and justice being trumped on with impunity by those in the Government and officers of the Judiciary.

 

Madam Speaker, the vital fourth-estate, which is the freedom of press is another area that requires political will from the leadership to be addressed for without it, it will be difficult to advance the principles of multi-party politics and democracy which is the cornerstone of a prosperous society.

 

Madam Speaker, power often produces not only less respective language, but also flat out rudeness. When we are feeling powerful, we act in self gratifying and, often, greedy ways. The pride and ego of numbers on both sides of the divide must be managed with God’s wisdom and not by the use of intellectual capabilities.

 

Madam Speaker, I now wish to contribute to the President’s Speech. The people of the North- Western Province look forward to being provided with development which is due to them as the area is now the new Copperbelt of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, according to the 2014 extractive revenue to the Government, Kansanshi Mining (KM) Plc paid K3.2 billion or 32.86 per cent; Kalumbila Minerals (KM) Ltd paid K752 million or 7.25 per cent; Lumwana Mining Company (LMC) Ltd paid K724 million or 7.2 per cent; First Quantum Mining and Operations (FQMO) Ltd provided K962 million or 9.6 per cent and yet in return, there was no meaningful development in my constituency the and North-Western Province as a whole.

 

Hon. UPND Member: Shame!

 

Mr Kasonso: Madam Speaker, in view of the President’s pronouncement that priority will be placed on economic roads, it is the hope of the people of the North-Western Province that the roads in my constituency and the province in general such as the Chingola/Solwezi, Mumbwa/Kasempa, Mushindamo/Solwezi, Ikeleng’i/Mwinilunga Roads and, indeed, Solwezi Township roads will be attended to with urgency.

 

Madam Speaker, congestion in classrooms in my constituency continues to be very high due to the lack of adequate classrooms as well as teachers.

 

Madam, people in my constituency continue to cover long distances to access health services. This is coupled with the lack of adequate medical personnel to attend to them.  However, even when the people are attended to, there is a lack of essential medicines in the health facilities.

 

Madam Speaker, water and sanitation is another challenge in my constituency. There is a need to construct boreholes in places such as Kalengelenge, Wamafwa, Kalende and Shilenda.

 

Madam Speaker, poverty levels remain stubbornly high in my constituency despite the presence of the big mines operating in the area. In this respect, I urge the Government, through the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, to engage in serious dialogue with the mine owners to increase the level of corporate social responsibility in order to improve the lives of the people in the areas in which they operate.

 

Madam Speaker, the issue of where the new Kalumbila District will be located is important and the Government needs to start meeting the stakeholders such as our traditional leaders to amicably agree on a suitable location.

 

Madam Speaker, finally, the Government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, should move fast in setting up the economic zone at Lumwana Mine area as promised five years ago to assist in the industrialisation drive in the province.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Miyanda: Well articulated.

 

Ms Chisangano (Gwembe): Madam Speaker, I thank you for according me the opportunity to deliver my maiden speech today to this august House. Let me join the others who have spoken before me in congratulating the Hon. Mr Speaker, yourself and the Second Deputy Speaker on your election to these prestigious positions in our land.

 

Madam Speaker, first and foremost, let me express my gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the Almighty God for according me this rare opportunity to talk about some of the concerns of my constituency. Indeed, I feel humbled and honoured to lead this constituency. I owe my family members enormous appreciation for their unwavering support during and after all my campaign trails. These include my parents, siblings, children and other beloved relatives.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the following people who were part of the campaign team, my campaign managers, Mr Sikutwa and Mr Hajema, the council chairman, the provincial, district and constituency officials, the councillors, the headmen, Mr Cavaras, and all members I have not mentioned here. They made it possible for me and the other United Party for National Development (UPND) candidates at different levels to win the elections. May God Almighty continue blessing them.

 

Madam Speaker, I would not have been here today without the generous favour and support of the people of Gwembe, who turned out in large numbers to change the trend of events by voting for me, the first female Member of Parliament ever since the establishment of Gwembe Constituency. I would also like to thank all the people who voted for my party president, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, the council chairman and councillors in the manner they did. This is a clear testimony of the trust and confidence they have in me and the UPND Party. I promise to work very hard and with them to bring about meaningful and positive change in their lives.

 

Madam Speaker, I would also like to thank the few who did not vote for me and my party as they are also strengthening democracy in our land. I say no to a One Party State. Further gratitude goes to the UPND family and my Party President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, and his running mate, Mr Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, for adopting me as a candidate on the biggest opposition political party ticket and also for their moral, material, financial and other support rendered to me during the campaign period.

 

Madam Speaker, I am a Public Health Practitioner by profession, with a background of nutrition. Therefore, it is ethical in my profession that for a society to be healthy and productive there must be concerted effort of all stakeholders who include all the Government ministries and the general population, spiced with good and democratic governance. As such, the Government should be mindful of the allocation and distribution of the available resources fairly across the country regardless of people’s political affiliation, gender, religion and tribe. Such kind of impartiality has the capacity to inspire and amalgamate the people of Zambia into the philosophy of One Zambia, One Nation, which our founding freedom fighters jealously upheld and guarded. We want a healthy and productive nation.

 

Madam Speaker, before I go any further, I would like to mention here that no Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has been given to Gwembe for the years, 2014, 2015 and 2016. My appeal on behalf of Gwembe Constituency is that the arrears of the CDF for the years in question be paid in full so as to enhance development in the area which is already underdeveloped. Gwembe is a rural constituency with a population of 50,000 people and is divided into two chiefdoms, Chief Muyumbwe and Chief Chipepo. It has fourteen wards in total and shares boundaries with Monze, Siavonga, Pemba and Sinazongwe districts.

 

Madam Speaker, Gwembe Constituency is disadvantaged by the unfriendly terrain of mountainous lands, big rivers and streams and the vast Lake Kariba. This natural phenomenon makes it hard to travel from one area of the district to the other, thereby disadvantaging the people economically. Gwembe Constituency has lagged behind in development since Independence. The people of Gwembe have never enjoyed freedom because of poverty and lack of adequate social, educational and healthy facilities or services as the Government support has been minimal, if any. I have noted with sadness that the people of Gwembe have been abandoned, ignored and side-lined by the preceding governments and to some extent even by the current Government.

 

Madam Speaker, it is unfair to imagine that after fifty-two years of Independence, Gwembe has no single modern infrastructure as those found in other parts of the country including the newly created Muchinga Province. Neglecting Gwembe from national development is very unfair because most of the Patriotic Front (PF) strongholds that are now developed were only recently established. This is the highest developmental discrimination ever experienced in the Zambian history and should be condemned in the strongest terms by all well-meaning Zambians …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Yes!

 

Ms Chisangano: … as this is vengeance and unfairness. Imagine, for example, the source of electricity is from Gwembe, but the district is denied the service on the national grid. Most parts of the constituency are not connected to power at all.

 

Madam Speaker, co-ordination between all the Government offices and councils is proving to be very difficult because of the location of these offices. The council offices are found in Muyumbwe Township while the rest of the Government offices are found in Gwembe Township, 50 km apart. It is very important to have these offices in one area and this shall require funding from the Government.

 

Madam Speaker, it saddens me to note that Gwembe has a lot of …

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Members, the consultations are rather loud!

 

Continue, hon. Member.

 

Ms Chisangano: … challenges such as poor road network and bridges, there is only one police station, no communication facilities, very few clinics, no electricity facilities in most of the areas, no banking facilities, poor agriculture services and only very few, but dilapidated schools. There are no youth programmes in the area and this has led to high alcohol consumption levels among the youths, early marriages for girls and slow economic development. Our women should also benefit from the presidential funding and the Government should not only give funds to Lusaka and Copperbelt based women. Vulnerable women are everywhere.

 

Madam Speaker, let me now dwell on the individual challenges that the people of Gwembe are faced with. The people of Gwembe Constituency mainly survive by agriculture and also fishing. Therefore, they need Government aid through animal restocking and the provision of farming inputs in due time in order to improve their livelihoods. Improved fish-farming is also required in the area. There is little support in the field of agriculture in the provision of adequate dip tanks, dams, medicine, laboratories for the animals and storage sheds for both the farming inputs and the produce in the area. It is sad to note that most times, the farming inputs reach the farmers quite late. Right now, there is a challenge of inadequate drinking water for our animals because of few functional dams in the whole district. My biggest worry at this point is that our animals might start dying.

 

Madam Speaker, I must also state that the Agriculture Department lacks adequate camp houses and transport for the extension workers as there is only one vehicle and motorbike for the whole district. Besides that, funding from the Government is also very erratic and this has a negative impact on the implementation of activities at the right time by the department. This usually affects the agriculture production that eventually leads to constant hunger and starvation in the area.

 

Madam Speaker, concerning roads and bridges, it saddens me to note that Gwembe has a very poor road network, with dilapidated, very old and dangerous bridges. The water transport is equally very poor. I recall that on 24^th October, 2014, twenty-six schoolgoing children who were going for the Independence Anniversary drowned in the Zambezi River and to date, no reliable water transport has been provided by the Government. May the souls of these children rest in perfect peace and could the Government also think of compensating the families of these children as they were going for a State function.

 

Madam Speaker, the current Government only has plans for the Bottom Road which has remained a pathway for animals in most parts as it is less used compared to the Chisekesi/Chipepo Road which is the busiest road, but has been abandoned by the Government.

 

   It is very disheartening to note that a lot of people, especially children and traders, have lost their lives on this same bad road. It has also led to poor economic activities in the area. The Chisekesi/Chipepo Road should be tarred as promised by President Edgar Lungu when he visited Gwembe during the campaign period. A President in a Christian nation does not lie.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to appeal to the Government to also work on the major feeder roads in the district, which have never been graded since Independence. There are so many of such roads. Most of the existing bridges are of poor standard and very dangerous to use during the rainy season. During the rainy season, people find it very hard to cross the numerous streams and rivers as they usually get flooded. Schoolgoing children are the most affected as they fail to go to school when the rivers are flooded. A lot of people have died while trying to cross the rivers and streams on these bridges.

 

Madam Speaker, most parts of my constituency have no reliable mobile network system. Very few places are serviced by Zambia Telecommunications Company Limited (Zamtel) and Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN) networks. The radio and television signals from our Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) stations are very poor in the whole area except for Gwembe Township. People that live near the lake use mobile networks from Zimbabwe because they work better than the local networks, but that is very expensive. Further, the area has no community radio station. This is another indication that the Government has given little attention to the plight of the people of Gwembe. The people have been treated as if they are non-Zambians. The people of Gwembe District need to be informed of what is happening in the country on a daily basis, but that is not the case.

 

Madam Speaker, with regard to security, the district only has one police station which is situated in Gwembe. That station was established in 1964 and gazetted in 1965. It has only three rooms and one small cell that can only accommodate less than ten people of the same sex. The police station also lacks adequate transport. My appeal to the Government is that it should build a decent and modern police station in Gwembe. The Government should also construct staff houses and more posts in other parts of the constituency. I believe this will also cut down on the costs of bringing truck loads of policemen from Lusaka to Gwembe. When brought to Gwembe, the policemen do nothing most of the time. They are also bringing social problems among our beautiful girls.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. UPND Member: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chisangano: Madam Speaker, relating to education, there are only four secondary schools, thirty-five primary schools and thirty-four community schools in my constituency. Seventeen of the community schools have very poor infrastructure and most of them are made of mud with thatched roofs. Further, most of the community schools are managed by untrained teachers, not electrified while others have no safe drinking water. The recently built Munyumbwe 55 High School is not yet electrified contributing to very poor water supply at the school and resulting into poor sanitation. The failure to electrify the school affects the teaching of computer lessons. Generally, there are few learning resources, with instances of a ratio of one text book to forty-five pupils in some schools. This means that only the teacher has a copy. The lack of adequate computers is another great challenge being faced. For instance, when pupils are supposed to take their computer practical examinations, they do not do so because some schools only have two computers for forty-eight pupils.

 

Madam Speaker, in most cases, pupils travel long distances to school on empty stomachs. Further, due to a lack of adequate teachers and houses in some schools, some teachers have been accommodated in the classrooms, making pupils learn under trees. The girl children are usually vulnerable to sexual abuse because of the long distances they are subjected to travel from school with boys through the bush paths.

 

Madam Speaker, the whole Gwembe District has no single college or a Youth Skills Centre. Even those who have completed their tertiary education, through God’s grace, are still being kept by their parents because the PF Government has no jobs for them or they have no money to continue with their college education.

 

Madam Speaker, as regards health, there are only ten health centres in the constituency. This has led to unnecessary loss of lives. The Government has planned to construct four health posts in the district. I would like to thank the Glassco Foundation which constructed three beautiful clinics in the district. The new Munyumbwe District Hospital, which was officially opened during the campaign period, is not yet operational. Could we have this hospital opened as soon as possible so that lives can be saved.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1045 hours until 1100 hours.

 

 [MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Ms Chisangano: Mr Speaker, before we went on break, I was talking about the inadequate health facilities in Gwembe District. Most clinics lack adequate medical supplies, equipment, personnel, electricity and staff houses as well as transport. Some clinics have no blankets, beds and mattresses. Sadly, in some cases, pregnant women are still being attended to by traditional midwives when giving birth. This is a period when we are encouraging all pregnant women to deliver at health centres so they can be assisted by trained clinicians in order to reduce maternal deaths.

 

Mr Speaker, I bemoan the situation of safe and clean drinking water in my constituency. Women travel long distances to fetch water. It is unacceptable to note that some people draw their drinking water from the same water sources as those where animals drink water from. I am appealing to the Government to continue or start constructing the planned six dams in the district. The water that is in shallow wells is unclean as it is untreated and so its consumption leads to high incidences of diarrhoeal diseases. At the moment, some village schools have no source of water supply. A good number of pumps have either dried up or are not working. The water situation has been made worse by the dry spell that the country is experiencing.

 

In conclusion, Mr Speaker, I would like to passionately emphasise that the Government should not ignore the problems of an area perceived to be an opposition stronghold because a responsible government is not only a government for its people or cadres, but also for all citizens regardless of their tribe, birth place, religion and political affiliation. I, therefore, urge the Patriotic Front (PF) Government to take development to all corners of the country, as we are One Zambia, One Nation. Politics of revenge, accusations, finger pointing and divide and rule are long gone.

 

Mr Speaker, President Lungu in his last address to this House showed dedication to fight tribalism in Zambia. I implore him to honour his words and make good roads in Gwembe, improve agriculture, health, security, education and communication and bring infrastructure development as he has done in most parts of the country which are PF strongholds. Let the Government supply clean and safe drinking water as a matter of urgency, if it means well for all Zambians. Good governance shall be blessed by God.

 

Sir, I promise the people of Gwembe that we shall wage war of open dialogue, appeals and persistently push the Government for the sustainable development of our district, if that is what it will take for the PF to realise that we are also part of Zambia, who need the above-mentioned problems solved. We have suffered and struggled for a long time and we must say enough is enough. If we stand together and support each other, we can acclaim victory and development. The PF Government should know that it is not bigger than Zambia and begin to develop all districts, as we shall rise and fight for the good of our children who have been neglected for a long time. Let us not only sing ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ without understanding the contents of the words in that slogan, but let us also show it through the fair sharing of the national cake.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kintu (Solwezi East): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to render my maiden speech to this august House. To being with, allow me to thank God Almighty for the successful and peaceful campaign conducted in Solwezi East Constituency and subsequent victory of our party, the United Party for National Development (UPND).

 

Sir, I now wish to join other hon. Members who have spoken before me in congratulating Mr Speaker and the two Deputy Speakers on being elected to their esteemed positions. I, therefore, have no doubt that with your guidance, we will mature into formidable Parliamentarians. This House has thus placed tremendous confidence and trust in the three of you as our presiding officers and it is my hope that you will be able to guide this House to fruitful debates, quality points of order and impartial rulings from time to time.

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to extend my gratitude and thanks to the president of our party, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, his running mate, Mr Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, UPND National Management and Committee, provincial, district and constituency committees for adopting me to stand on the envious and prestigious UPND ticket. Special thanks go to Ambassador Mulondwe Muzungu, Hon. Hunter Kangwa and Col. Katambi for delivering the North-Western Province to the UPND.

 

Mr Mweetwa: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kintu: I also wish to take this opportunity to thank my wife Anif, family and friends for the moral, material and financial support rendered to me during the election campaigns. I further wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my mentors; Prophet T. B. Joshua and Prophet Shepherd Bushiri for their guidance in my spiritual walk with the Lord.

 

Mr Speaker, allow me to thank the five chiefs in my constituency, namely Senior Chief Kalilele, Senior Chief Mujimanzohvu, Chief Muonga, Chief Kikola and Chief Musaka. I also thank the electorate in Solwezi East Constituency in general. Lastly, my gratitude goes to my campaign team led by Hon. Hunter Kangwa and Mr Jameson Mutunta for the splendid fight they put up to redeem Solwezi East Constituency from political dominance by one Hon. Richard Tonde Taima.

 

Sir, I pledge to provide continuity with change in the interest of our people and the common good, sacrificing all and expecting little in return. I will wholeheartedly commit myself, with God’s help and guidance, to serve the people of Mushindamo to the best of my ability with loyalty, honour and integrity with all my heart, strength, love and justice.

 

Mr Speaker, Solwezi East Constituency or Mushindamo District, as it is called now, is a vast area which lies in the eastern part of Solwezi District, as the name implies. It shares boundaries with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Chililabombwe, Chingola, Lufwanyama, Kasempa, Solwezi West and Solwezi Central Constituencies. It has a population of about 50,000 people, predominantly the Lamba and Kaonde-speaking people.

 

Mr Speaker, Solwezi East Constituency is basically a rural area and the people depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Allow me to convey to you greetings from the people of Solwezi East Constituency. They also asked me to convey to you their challenges that I will discuss later. The expectations of the people of Mushindamo are as follows:

 

1. installation of a communication network;

 

1. work on so many impassable roads such as;

 

1. Solwezi/Chingola Road;
2. Solwezi/Kipushi Road; and
3. Kalulushi/Kalengwa/Kasempa Road;

 

1. good agriculture and marketing policies;

 

1. good feeder roads;

 

1. accessible good schools;

 

1. an accessible and effective healthcare delivery system;

 

1. serious implementation of rural electrification;

 

1. accessible safe drinking water and sanitation facilities; and

 

1. serious fight against corruption.

 

Mr Speaker, failure to show commitment in these areas, the Government should expect strong resistance from the rural communities, particularly in Mushindamo District. The issues of agriculture, education and health are cardinal to the people of Mushindamo. The past five years of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government’s rule has made agriculture collapse. The people in my constituency want this Government to change its attitude and agriculture policies by reintroducing subsidies enjoyed by farmers during the ‘New Deal’ Administration of the late President Patrick Levy Mwanawasa, SC. may his soul rest in peace.

 

Mr Mubika: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kintu: Subsidies on farming inputs is the only way to enable peasant farmers to survive the harsh economic challenges ahead. 

 

Mr Speaker, agriculture inputs are very expensive beyond the reach of many vulnerable Zambians, unless the Government gives the hon. Minister of Agriculture more money to subsidises production through cheap fertilisers and buy maize from farmers, we shall never defeat poverty in this country. If the paya farmer (PF) syndrome continues, the peasant farmers will rise against the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.

 

Mr Ngulube: Question!

 

Mr Kintu: Mr Speaker, many schools are in a state of disrepair and require urgent attention in Mushindamo District. Upgrading of Kasapa Primary School to secondary school and construct 1x3 classroom block. Kasapa School has a total number of over 1,500 pupils and currently there are only five classrooms. The school is from grade1 to 9. There is need to construct a 1x3 classroom block at Kapako School in Kikola Ward. There is also a need to construct a primary school at Mapande also in Kikola Ward.

 

Mr Speaker, there are inadequate health facilities in the district. There is a need for a health centre in Kikola Ward, possibly at Luanfula. Our people in Kikola Ward usually go to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to access medical services, where they pay huge sums of money. Currently, there is only one health post in Kikola Ward which services the entire ward. There is need to construct a health post at Mapande in Kikola Ward and Shafilundu in Kalilele Ward. Mushindamo Health Post needs expansion to a district hospital in order to cater for the growing population. The people in the constituency have to walk a long distance of about 10 km to 20 km to access medical services which is a challenge to our expecting mothers.

 

Mr Speaker, a poor road network has remained a major complaint from the constituents. The Chingola/Solwezi Road is the most politicised road in Zambia. The people of Mushindamo are tired of unfulfilled promises by the PF Government pertaining to the road.

 

Mr Speaker, the Solwezi/Kipushi Road requires construction because during the rainy season, it is impassable. Due to damaged roads, the girl child enrolment at Mushindamo Girl’s Secondary School has dwindled and teachers are shunning to work at that school. The school will soon be a white elephant. The Kamilombe /Mapande /Lyenge Road needs to be worked on. The Mafinta /Mapunga/Shafilundu /Kitoboshi Road need to be worked on. The Kalulushi/Kalengwa/Kasempa Road requires construction. The Kipushi Border needs modern infrastructure to be constructed and a market facility.

 

Mr Speaker, portable drinking water points are inadequate in many parts of my constituency. More boreholes are required in all the wards.

 

Mr Speaker, Zambians need a Government which understands that holding public office is about service to the nation and its people. It should never be about personnel interest or elite financial advantage. Good governance is essential for economic growth and development as well as ensuring that the benefits and wealth created by Zambian’s growth are shared equitably.

 

Mr Speaker, this is not happening in my country more so for the people of the North-Western Province and in particular, for the people of Mushindamo District. In this country, corruption is endemic. It requires serious attention by those in the Government to ensure that institutions of governance perform their mandate as required by law. This corruption fight should be holistic in all sectors of the economy, otherwise we will never move forward as a country.

 

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, may I draw your attention to the Report of the Auditor-General on the Accounts of the Republic for the financial year ended 31^st December, 2015 on page 194, U.ii,  an example to demonstrate what corruption has done to my constituency. On number ii, it states “undelivered building materials – Solwezi District Education Board Secretary (DEBS)”, “in March and April 2015, amounts totalling K264,504 were paid to Lucchero Enterprises for procurement of various building materials for four schools namely Mwanjimambwe, Solwezi Urban, Mukumbi and Kabisapi Combined School. An examination of financial and stores records reveal that the supplier only supplied building materials valued at K124,328 leaving materials costing K140,176 undelivered twelve months after the advance payment”As of July 2016, no action has been taken against the supplier.

 

Mr Speaker, this is a classic example of what is happening in this country. Kabisapi is a school in Mulonga Ward, Solwezi East constituency in the North-Western province.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kamboni (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, I wish to start by thanking this House for giving me the honour to speak and introduce my line of thinking through my maiden speech. I would like to thank my party, the UPND and my party president, Hakainde Hichilema …

 

Mr Ngulube: Question!

 

Mr Kamboni: … the man loved by Zambians for his unique practical vision...

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kamboni: … and his vice Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, for the support rendered to me and Kalomo Central. May I also give my sincere gratitude to Kalomo Central people for entrusting me with a huge task of representing them in this House? The UPND party structures and the cosmopolitan campaign team were simply a dearly to work with. I promise not to throw away their trust like most politicians do, especially those from PF, but instead live fully to their expectations.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kamboni: I will certainly be their faithful servant.

 

Mr Speaker, leadership these days is economic management which should in the end benefit the citizens of the country, that is, turning around the natural resources to benefit the country. If you cannot do that you are not a leader and these days the job of the Government is borrowing until they cannot borrow any more.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, let me come to Kalomo Central which is the reason why I am here. People of Kalomo Central turned up in larger numbers than they had ever done before to vote because they seriously wanted change. This is because they are tired of the PF’s divide and rule type of leadership whose policies are to enrich their friends and relatives meanwhile leaving the rest of Zambians suffering and starving.

 

Mr Ngulube: Question!

 

Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, the results of the elections remain in the hands of the Zambians to charge. When you look at what is happening economically, you will realise that the people of Kalomo Central made a smart choice of voting for the United Party for National Development (UPND) because at the moment, there is a crisis in the country.

 

Mr Ngulube: Question!

 

Mr Kamboni: Those who voted for the Patriotic Front (PF) are seriously regretting now.

 

 Mr Speaker, Kalomo was the first Capital City of Zambia, the number one maize producer in the country, and the oldest town in Zambia, but when it comes to sharing of the National cake, it is marginalised and forgotten.

 

Sir, the people of Kalomo are very hard working who will do everything possible, and will go to extreme length in order to produce food that feeds the whole country, but they are called all sorts of names such as vudundumwezi and kachemas just because they exercised their democratic right to vote.

 

 Mr Speaker, when people vote in large numbers for the PF, that area is referred to as a strong hold for the PF, but when people vote for the UPND in large numbers, it is referred to as being tribal. What kind of semantics is that?

 

 Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

 Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, the people of Kalomo Central will always vote for what they think is the best for the country and no amount of psychological welfare will thwart them from doing what is right. Therefore, what is in fashion currently, is to work with the UPND and HH, the only one for Zambia.

 

 Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

 Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, people in Kalomo Central feel as if there is no Government. After the fifty-two years of Independence, which includes the five disastrous years of the PF Regime, sixty-six villages in Kalomo Central still has no clean drinking water. Where are the leaders?

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, we still have sixty-six villages without boreholes or clean drinking water yet, some people have more than five taps in their houses. It is surprising that you would find that the whole village has no borehole or safe drinking water, there are men and women who wear very nice suits and are calling themselves leaders. What are they doing?

 

Interruptions

 

 Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, this is not equity. We have a number of community schools such as Syanyama, Magalelo Malala and Madondo with more than 100 pupils without any source of water. We also have six clinics without water. Kalomo Central needs about eighty boreholes as an emergency, that is within six months. Failure to do so, we will give what you like most.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, Kalomo town is using water from a privately owned dam because we do not have our own dam. The dam which was there got damaged some years back and has not been repaired up to today. This is a matter of emergency and it must be repaired as soon as possible.

 

 Interruptions

 

 Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, I know that empty tins make a lot of noise, I will not pay attention to them.

 

 Laughter

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Can I have order from the hon. Members on my right. The good thing about this House is that when hon. Members from either side of the House debate, the other side will respond, the best thing that we can do is to take note of what is being said so that when we stand to debate, we will respond according to what we got. Let us give the chance to the hon. Member on the Floor.

 

You may continue.

 

 

 Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, I thank you for that flamboyant protection.

 

Sir, Kalomo does not have good reception signals for the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC). It is very poor and most of the time, it is not accessible. I would like to appeal to the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting to ensure that the people of Kalomo Central have access to the signals within two months.

 

 Hon. Government Members: Aah!

 

 Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, Parliament Radio reception is also not heard in Kalomo Town and yet, it is along the rail line. I would like to appeal to the people in charge of this radio station to ensure that these facilities are made available to the people of Kalomo Central.

 

Sir, Kalomo Hospital is the only district and oldest hospital that has no theatre, it caters for more than 250,000 people. The human resource is also a crisis as the whole district has only one medical doctor. How can one medical doctor manage to service more than 250,000 people?

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Shame!

 

Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, there are no health staff houses and there is also a critical shortage of clinical officers. The House may wish to know that the whole district has only two ambulances. For your own information, Sir, Dundumwezi is also part of Kalomo District.

 

Sir, when it comes to education, we have schools such as Square, Chawila and Kasikili, which are more than 10 km apart and further , there are no clinics in these areas. We also have clinics like Moonde, Muungolo, Chifusa, Mayoba, but there is no water and therefore, boreholes need to be sunk. Do not be shocked when the people of Dundumwezi show you the love signal again. How do you expect people to vote for you when you do not take care of them?

 

 Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

 Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, in the 2015 Budget, the Government promised to tar a 20 km stretch of the road in Kalomo Town, but up to now, nothing has started. We need this road to be tarred.

 

Sir, the local road network is in a bad state yet, this is the road, which leads to where the maize is grown. The PF Government has been talking about job creation, but they overlook areas where job creation is needed. Indeed, this is the lack of seriousness on the part of the PF Government. They talk big and do nothing. They also walk the failure and not the talk.

 

Mr Ngulube: Question!

 

 Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, let me now talk about the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). This fund has not been released to Kalomo Central since 2014. Even the little money of about K300,000, which was in the bank account was taken back to the Central Government for the reasons best known to themselves yet, the projects are still pending. There is no CDF which has been released from 2015 to 2016, respectively. What is the Government doing? What they should know is that they are not in the Government to give excuses, but to deliver the promises that they made to the people. This is the reason the people of Kalomo have resolved not to vote for the PF.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kamboni: Sir, Kalomo Central needs about twenty-two dams for water. Even animals are wondering what has happened to mankind. Animals do not have water to drink yet this can create employment from animal husbandry. We have to do something.

 

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

 

Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, wards Chifusa, Dimbwe, Chawila, Kalonda and Mayoba have no network towers because this Government segregates when installing such facilities. The satellite depots are not enough for the maize storage. Farmers have to incur expensive transport costs because depots are very far from where they live.

 

Sir, the Veterinary Department has no capacity to service the whole district. This has greatly affected animal farming. Sometimes, one may be tempted to start thinking that being a farmer is criminal. We would like to know why the farmers are not paid on time for their produce after enduring so much labour. The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) must pay all the farmers, Dundumwezi inclusive. How do they expect the farmers to go back to their fields this season when they have not been paid for the previous farming season?

 

Mr Speaker, about 2,000 farmers deposited their money in the e-Voucher System and they were given cards, but surprisingly, no records are showing that the money was deposited by the Government. They have not received anything up to today, yet it is business as usual.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Shame!

 

Mr Kamboni: Sir, about 2,000 farmers need the money for them to buy farming inputs. During elections, the PF Government manages to find money for their chitenge materials. This simply shows how reckless this Government is.

 

Mr Speaker, since Kalomo has more maize than any other place in Zambia, it would be wise to have a milling company so that mealie meal can be transported instead of the raw materials. By so doing, it will make some economic sense.

 

Interruptions

 

 Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order! 

 

Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, I learnt from here that one of the duties of the National Assembly is to check and hold the Executive accountable for whatever they do. May I now be allowed to say something about the Executive.

 

 Sir, Zambia is a rich country and it is endowed with all the natural resources any country can dream of, but why is the majority of the population poor in the midst of all these natural resources?

 

Mr Speaker, the problem that we have as a country is that the human resource that we entrust to run our wealth has no capacity to do so at all. The quality of the human resource that we entrust with this responsibility leaves much to be desired. This problem has put Zambia in a difficult situation, economically. The Zambian economy is now in the intensive care unit headed for a total breakdown. In case you do not believe me, …

 

Mr Ngulube: Aah!

 

Mr Kamboni: … ask how much the price of fuel is today. The choice that the Zambians have is to elect the UPND and get rid of the PF who have insufficient leadership qualities and no vision at all.

 

Hon. PF Members: Aah!

 

Mr Kamboni: I must remind my fellow Zambians that the choices we make as a people will dictate what lives we lead as a country.

 

Ms Kalima: Then do not shout!

 

Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, our Executive is financially indisciplined. It is asking Zambians to tighten their belts and yet it is doing the exact opposite. Honestly, how can a country that is bankrupt charter a plane to go to the United Nations (UN) Summit when other countries that are richer than ours used a commercial airline?

 

Mr Ngulube: So?

 

Mr Kamboni: This is the carelessness that I am talking about. Prudency must begin with the Executive. It must show seriousness in improving this economy. It cannot tell others to do what it cannot do.

 

Mr Ngulube: Question!

 

Mr Kamboni: The money that was used to charter a plane could have been used to buy computers for hundreds of schools in the country that are writing computer studies examinations. It is all about themselves and not the ordinary Zambians.

 

Mr Machila: Shame!

 

Mr Kamboni: Yesterday was one of the saddest days of my life having seen people who are complaining that the economy is in intensive care creating new ministries, all because they want to create employment for friends and relatives. These ministries will add no value at all to the country. Let us put the country first and not ourselves.

 

Mr Speaker, for the PF to create jobs, it has to create new districts and new ministries. This is making the Government expenditure colossal and in the process, running the economy down, which is what they are good at.

 

Mr Speaker, I now want to turn to job creation. All that the PF Government has done is put some people that it does not like out of jobs. When the Post Newspaper closed, 10,000 people lost their jobs.

 

Mr Ngulube: Question!

 

Mr Kamboni: Muvi TV, which was also closed, is now struggling to recover after reopening.  It is the same with Komboni Radio Station. All these suffered the effect of the PF Government’s careless and brutal policy of staying in power at all costs.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, the creation of 1 million jobs is too good to be true.

 

Hon. PF Members: Drink some water!

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members on my right!

 

Mr Kamboni: This is the same Government that promised the Zambian people a Constitution within ninety days.  Todate …

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member on the Floor!

 

Mr Kamboni: …nothing …

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Give me a minute, hon. Member on the Floor. Hon. Members, let us give the hon. Member who is debating a chance.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Allow him to debate. Continue ,hon. Member.

 

Mr Kamboni: I thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

 

Sir, here is how the United Party for National Development (UPND) will create employment. We will create employment by creating a supportive environment. We will support Zambians with real skills and empower those who want to start their own businesses. We support small scale businesses by giving them start-up capital. We will remove corruption and bureaucracy in institutions such as the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) and Youth Empowerment Fund, which support citizens. We will support the creation of industries such as agro processing and manufacturing.

 

Mr Speaker, we can make cornflakes in Kalomo because we have the maize. We can make tomato sauce in Kalomo because we have plenty of tomatoes. We can produce canned beef in Kalomo because we have a lot of animals. This is the way employment is created.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kamboni: Have joint ventures between foreign-owned companies and Zambians. Zambians should not only be casual workers carrying wheelbarrows. We must make sure that at the start of a company, they are also shareholders.

 

Mr Speaker, let me now talk about direct investment. The minute we become silent on things that matter in our lives, the death of society begins. Currently, no normal investor can come to Zambia. This has been caused by the choice of words by the Daily and the Times of Zambia Newspapers and the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) who have put up headlines such as “Genocide in the Southern Province” and “UPND Militia” and so on. Which normal investor can come to a country where there are militias? They may be doing this to remain in power, but they are destroying the economy of Zambia.

 

Hon. PF Members: Question!

 

Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, Zambia Police Force brutality is now on YouTube and Google. It has gone viral. The whole world now knows how brutal our police is. Now, which investor would like to come to a country that beats women, the young and the old? Meanwhile, the Executive sits back and enjoys the beatings.

 

Hon. PF Members: G.B.M!

 

Mr Kamboni: We have a police that will arrest someone on trumped up charges. This Government will instigate and arrest someone for buying tomatoes and other vegetables from poor people just so to remain in power. This must stop immediately.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Shame!

 

Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, the PF Government has borrowed more money in five years than the United National Independence Party (UNIP) borrowed in twenty-seven years. The Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) left some money in the Treasury, but the PF has finished it all. The PF Government only knows how to spend and it has no idea about how to make money for the country.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Shame!

 

Mr Kamboni: The PF Government got a huge loan to improve the supply of electricity, but all we have seen is load-shedding. It borrowed money to revamp the railway system but it is now worse. My point is that it must have ideas on how to improve the economy. It thinks that its enemy is the Opposition, but its enemy is the economy. If it does not sort out the economy,  it might as well pack  its bags because it is going.

 

Hon. PF Members: Where?

 

Hon. UPND Member: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, the price of fuel in Zambia is the highest in the region. It has remained high despite low global fuel prices. This is so because the procurement process leaves much to be desired. It is ineffective and inefficient and allows for corruption. In the end, it is the consumer who pays for all that corruption. This is one of the most corrupt areas of our economy and it is compounded by structures such as the Energy Regulation Board (ERB), which serves no purpose other than being a conduit for corruption.

 

We must now …

 

Mr Jamba: Bambile!

 

Hon. UPND Members: Shame!

 

Mr Kamboni: … take leadership seriously.

 

Mr Ngulube: Question!

 

Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, I would now like to turn to Education. The PF Government should abolish the policy that allows boarding schools to pay a maximum of K1,000 only. This has made the running of schools very difficult.  

 

In conclusion, I want to state that if you do not deal with the economic crisis that Zambians are facing right now and instead concentrate on your evil undemocratic schemes towards the top leadership of UPND, you might as well start packing because your end is near.

 

Please, solve the starvation problem because most Zambians are starving. Pay the pensioners, pay the farmers through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), pay the salaries for the civil servants and Members of Parliament on time, and stop wasting money financing the police to brutalise citizens who pay tax to the Government. What happened to Maphenzi and Chibulwe? I will end by saying that a good speech is like a woman’s dress, long enough to cover all part and short enough to be exciting.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. UNPD Members: Hear, hear!

 

 Mr Mulunda (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, I thank you for according me this precious time to deliver my maiden speech. I stand today honoured to be in this august House,...

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Mulunda: … as duly elected Member of Parliament for Siavonga Constituency.

 

Mr Speaker, allow me at this point to join my colleagues in congratulating you and your team on your election as Presiding Officers of this honourable House. I want to thank God Almighty for His grace and mercies that He has shown and given unto me during the campaign period. He fought my battles and made it possible for me to be in this House today. Allow me …

 

Mr Ngulube: Who?

 

Mr Mulunda: May I be protected from Tutwa, Mr Speaker?

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: You are, hon. Member. Continue.

 

Mr Mulunda: Mr Speaker, allow me to thank my wife Frida, my children, relatives and friends for their support and encouragement during the campaign period.

 

May I also appreciate the party officials from the branches, wards, district and the constituency for their good work. I thank most sincerely, the wards which made it possible for me to come out as the winner overwhelmingly during the primary elections. May I also take this time to thank our two chiefs, His Royal Highness Chief Sinadambwe and Chief Simamba for their counsel and encouragement. They encouraged me to be peaceful and to conduct issue-based campaigns. I say job well done to them.

 

Mr Speaker, I feel humbled by the trust and confidence that the people of Siavonga Constituency deposited in me. I assure them that I will remain their loyal servant and do what it takes to represent them in this august House.

 

Mr Speaker, let me also pay a glowing tribute to my campaign team led by the campaign manager, Lubinda Mubiana. Others in the team are Thomas Kalembe, Flemings Hakazembwe, Fossy Ng’angu, Munkombwe Raymond, Hanongo, Michelo, Agent, Kebby and many others I have not mentioned. I also thank the provincial committee led by chairman Billiard Makwembo and the national management committee. Above all, I thank my president, Hakainde Hichilema, and his running mate. I say thank you so much and may the good Lord continue protecting you and give you wisdom to lead this nation at an appropriate time.

 

Mr Speaker, let me start by giving you a short background about Siavonga Constituency. Siavonga Constituency is found along the biggest man-made lake, which is Lake Kariba. The people of Siavonga used to live along the banks of the Zambezi River before they were moved to the other side of the lake. They were peaceful and enjoyed their activities of mostly fishing and agriculture, but in the early 1950s, an area along the Zambezi River was identified where the Government at that time, decided to build the Kariba Dam. Before the construction of that dam, the Government sat down with the people of Siavonga and made pledges to them because they needed to move them to pave way for the construction of that dam. Siavonga Constituency is housing the biggest power station in this country. The people of Siavonga were promised two things once the hydro-power station was completed. The first one was that they were going to be given electricity and the second one was that they were going to be given piped water and dams. This has not happened and that has made us very sad. The people of Siavonga are urging this Government to do something about this situation so that they can appreciate the construction of the Kariba Dam and the hydro-power station.

 

Mr Speaker, in the early 2000s, the Government, under the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), tried to honour the promise of the Colonial Government by taking electricity to the people of Siavonga Constituency in rural areas. It decided to do this through a programme called the Gwembe-Tonga Development Project. However, in 2007, under the leadership of the current Managing Director of the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO), Mr Mundende, the project was closed. Initially, the people of Siavonga were promised that all the chiefs’ palaces in the area would be electrified. However, when the project closed, only four chiefs had their palaces electrified. I ask the Patriotic Front (PF) Government to try to revive that project so that our people can enjoy the promises that they were given. I have heard that in the Eastern Province, some grass-thatched houses have been electrified. That should have happened first in Siavonga Constituency where electricity come from.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mulunda: The people of Siavonga sent me here with all these burdens.

 

Mr Speaker, the ground where the people of Siavonga were moved to after the construction of the Kariba Dam is not fertile. Hence, a lot of people there depend on fishing. The people of Siavonga also keep animals. However, the mountainous place where they were taken to has no water for their animals. Therefore, I urge the Government to quickly look into this problem and construct dams because the people were promised that water and electricity would be provided for them. I want that to be honoured. I remember that between 2013 and 2015, I was a councillor and I was visited by three hon. Ministers, that is, the hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and the Provincial hon. Minister for Luapula, at that time. They visited Siavonga. We have a compound called Micho, which has the problem of water reticulation. These three hon. Ministers promised that they were going to work on that problem and that the compound would have running water. Alas, nothing was done about it. I wish they were here, I would have waved at them. The people of Siavonga have not forgotten about the promise that those three hon. Ministers made hence they need to go back and do what they promised because that problem is still there. This water problem was caused mainly by the construction of the Kariba Dam. The people are simply asking the Government to fulfil the promise they made.  Three quarters of the year, the boreholes that have been drilled in Siavonga Constituency do not work. They dry up. People and animals are suffering because of the lack of water. People in Siavonga do not have clean and safe drinking water.  Sometimes, people go to the lake to fetch water. Some areas of the lake are infested with crocodiles and we have been losing lives because of that. I would like the Government to make sure that they come up with a good plan to fix this matter. I think I have driven my point home.

 

Mr Speaker, there are roads in Siavonga that have never been attended to for the past thirty years. Munyama, Chimata and Dambwe Roads have never been attended to. Hon. Ministers have visited Siavonga and this issue has been mentioned to them.

 

Today, I do not want us to just speak, but also to see that action is taken on these things.

Mr Speaker, Siavonga is mostly a rural constituency and most of the roads are in bad shape. It is hard for people to come and trade because the roads that I have mentioned are impassable. We appeal to the Government to ensure that these roads are worked on. The PF has been in Government for five years and we want to see a change of things. The fact that the people voted in the way they did should show the Government something. The people have spoken through the ballot and we should be able to do what the people want done.

Mr Speaker, in 2011, the Government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, approved 10 km of township roads, but nothing has been done about it yet. In 2015, under the Pave Zambia 2,000 Project, the Government promised about 15 km of township roads, but nothing has been done about it to date. 

Ms Chilumba: Aah!

Mr Mulunda: Mr Speaker, this year, the Government has approved 8.8 km of township roads. However, based on the history that we have in which the Government does not fulfil its promises, we might not see it.

Ms Tambatamba: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulunda: If we did not remind them in 2011 or 2015, then I am reminding them in 2016 that the people they are serving need these services.

Ms Chilumba interjected.

Mr Mulunda: Mr Speaker, I am sure the hon. Minister of Justice is aware that we talked about an airstrip when he was still Minister of Tourism. He is aware that we need it desperately.

 

Mr Mwiimbu (pointing at Hon. Lubinda): Are you aware?

Mr Mulunda: The hon. Minister should advise the Government accordingly.

Mr Lubinda: Aah!

 

Mr Mulunda: When it comes to health, Siavonga Constituency does not have a modern hospital. Siavonga Hospital does not even have a standby generator. The load-shedding which we are experiencing throughout the country has led to the loss of lives because we have to rush patients to Chirundu,...

Ms Chilumba: You have lost lives, not life.

Laughter

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Continue, hon. Member

Mr Mulunda: I thank you, Mr Speaker, and I allow her to do that.

Mr Speaker, whilst other districts have been attended to in terms of development and health facilities, Siavonga is still lagging behind. We implore the Government to do what it has done elsewhere because we are all Zambians and the national cake is supposed to be shared equally, Siavonga included.

Ms Tambatamba: Tell them.

Mr Mulunda: Mr Speaker, we need to make sure that we send qualified personnel to these health centres. The hon. Minister of Health should know that materials have just been dumped for one of the fabricated clinics that is supposed to be put up in Nanynaga Ward. No one seems to know what is happening and the contractor has not been seen anywhere near the site for five months.

Mr Speaker, Siavonga has lagged behind in terms of infrastructure development. It has been given about six projects in the 2014-2015 Budget, but the only project that is past slab level is a police station. All the other projects have stalled at either slab level or window level. We do not see the contractors working on any of the six projects in the district.

Mr Ngulube: Voting patterns!

Mr Mulunda: Maybe, like Hon. Ngulube is saying, this is the reason why there are voting patterns as observed in the past elections. We voted that way because of those unfinished projects. If we are to unite Zambia, we need to see development across the nation. We need to make sure that if there is a University in the Northern Province, then there should be universities in all other provinces.

Mr Speaker, Siavonga has got no youth training centres. I implore the Government to ensure that they introduce a youth training centre because our youth have nowhere to go to get skills. I implore the Government to look into that as a matter of urgency.

Ms Kucheka: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mulunda: When we are given the mandate to run the affairs of the nation, we should not run the affairs of the nation in one corner while leaving other corners of the country undeveloped.

Ms Tambatamba: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulunda: Mr Speaker, when it comes to the ministries that were created yesterday, I am only competent to talk about one of them because I am a believer. It is my prayer that hon. Minister,...

Mr Ngulube: What about the others?

 

Laughter

Mr Mulunda: I know Tutwa will always make comments.

Laughter

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, ignore those who are disturbing you.

Mr Mulunda: I am only competent on one ,...

Mr Ngulube interjected.

Mr Mulunda: You, Tutwa, look at the time, ...

Laughter

Mr Mulunda: I am only competent on one ministry, which is the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance. When you marry the Church with the Government, it brings about difficulties. I do not even know how this ministry will work with other religious bodies like the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ). How are they going to work with the ministry?

Interruptions

 

Mr Mulunda: How is the hon. Minister going to work to unite this nation?

 

Mr Ngulube: It is not a problem.

 

Mr Mulunda: It is a problem. We cannot say it is not a problem. Further, the creation of 1 million jobs is not possible.

 

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

 

Mr S. Mulusa (Solwezi Central): Mr Speaker, today, I rise in this House for the first time as a very proud Member of Solwezi Central. From the outset, I would like to place on record my thanks to the people for Solwezi Central for their trust in me to represent them and for supporting the United Party for National Development (UPND).

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr S. Mulusa: I will always honour their trust and work hard for them. I will respect and depend on the values and traditions that have made our constituency great. The decisions that we make today will shape our future. We face huge challenges and I will not shun away from the task of tackling them.

Mr Mwiimbu: Eh ma debate aya!

Mr S. Mulusa: Firstly, I wish to thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to make my first ever speech on the Floor of this august House. I am well aware that I am surrounded by some of Zambia’s best lawmakers.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr S. Mulusa: This thought gives me confidence that as a man beginning my political career, I shall be able to learn quickly from the seasoned politicians in order to serve my constituency effectively.

 

Ms Tambatamba: Eh ma debate aya!

 

Mr S. Mulusa: Mr Speaker, before I go any further, allow me to thank my family and friends for their overwhelming support before, during and after the victorious elections. My great and humble appreciation goes out to my President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, and his Vice-President, Mr Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, for their resilience and focused leadership.

 

Mr Speaker, let me go straight to the subject at hand. God the creator has blessed us with the tremendous material heritage on the African continent. Snuggled in the belly of the Southern Africa, Zambia is a fairly large territory with the fertile soils, abundant water, good climate, varied mineral resources and diverse flora and fauna. Besides this material heritance, we are fortunate to process a rich spiritual, cultural and political heritage too. Our multi-ethnic complexion is acknowledged not only in our Republican Constitution, but is also reflected in the national symbols, emblems and songs.

 

Mr Speaker, although for many years, our neighbouring countries were surrounded by hostility, through God’s help, we have been spared from the scourge of war. In His own wisdom, the Almighty has preserved the Republic of Zambia to be a haven of peace, a place of refuge and a solace for those bruised by the ravages of war. I believe this is the reason why God has continued to preserve us from the destruction. We have opened not only our country, but also our homes to strangers, the wounded and those rejected by other countries. We have given them food, water, medicine and education. We have given them hope and a reason to continue living. This has given us an opportunity, through the years, to build upon the foundation of freedom which was established by our founding fathers. We have the treasured political institutions that are strong enough to sustain our cherished national values and freedoms.

 

Mr Speaker, this is how we have lived and it never occurred to us or our neighbouring countries that the people who took asylum would one day be a target of xenophobic attacks, as witnessed not so long ago. It was not even known by the good women and men of this great country that there would come a time when the very political institutions they have painfully built would systematically be destroyed by those we entrusted with power. It is in this vein that I inevitably see this country sliding towards the very dangers that it has been able to avoid for many years.

 

Mr Speaker, at this point, let me state that the most deadly threat to our democratic political institutions and everything we value as a nation is simply caused by the impudent violation of the rule of law. What makes this violation more deadly is that in our experience, those that hold power and head State institutions are the ones guilty of violating the law. This violation of the rule of law is manifest in three different directions, namely:

1. abuse of State and other vital democratic institutions;

 

1. disrespect for ethnic diversity; and

 

1. violation of the property rights of Zambian citizens.

Mr Speaker, let me comment on their effects briefly. The first one means the abuse of State and other democratic institutions by those entrusted with State authority, especially executive authority. This is clearly visible. As I speak on this Floor of the House, several members of the United Party for National Development (UPND) are being held in various prison cells across the country without charges, trials or on trumped-up charges.

 

Hon. Government Members: Baka bwalala!

 

Mr S. Mulusa: Mr Speaker, this is mostly because of their different political pursuits. The courts have been harassed and justice impeded. With regard to the private media, they tend to be closed or in some cases, their reporters are met with intimidating reactions. Disapproving voices are intimidated or shut up altogether. I feel we are really sliding towards the dark edges.

 

Mr Speaker, the disrespect of ethnic diversity is shameful. I am very disappointed with some of our so-called leaders and elders of the country for their exhibition of ethnic intolerance and misdirected energies to build sub-colonies in Zambia. The promise that I can make is that this structural imperialism will not work in the North-Western Province and Solwezi Central in particular. Our people will not succumb to intimidation of any kind for as long as the rule of law is disrespected. Those pursuing this ideology are on a path of self-destruction. We are a liberated people and as such, we wish to remain as such.

 

Mr Speaker, all of us must get it straight that God created all men equal. This is the rule which we shall follow to play, relate or do business. National values, principles and economic policies embody democracy. Other things that embody democracy are constitutionalism, human dignity, social justice, equality and non-discrimination.  

 

Mr Speaker, the only thing that is able to hold us together as “One Zambia, One Nation” is the rule of law. In its absence, we are strangers to one another. Let us admit it. If one ethnic group refuses to respect the law and the principle of justice, there is no longer a basis for unity or co-operation. This must be crystal clear. It is either you accept and respect me the way I am or we part company. I do not have to be like you, speak your language, and turn to your culture to be a Zambian or vie for the highest office in the land. These are unacceptable alien terms and conditions and must be condemned in the strongest terms.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr S. Mulusa: Mr Speaker, the North-Western and Solwezi Central Constituency in particular, have made huge tax contributions in the past ten years in excess of billions of kwacha in the mining industry alone. Solwezi Central Constituency has provided jobs to thousands of Zambians and foreign nationals from all walks of life, yet this PF Government, systematically has denied the people of Solwezi, who have given the country so much, the development they need. Our road network is terrible. We do not have good schools and a district hospital. This is shameful. It is surprising to note that our people have been discriminated against by the State. What I am asking for is nothing strange, but full respect for the principles of our Constitution such as equality, equity, fairness and social justice. This Government must construct the Solwezi/Chingola Road without any further delay. The contractors on this economic road have not been paid and no meaningful work has been done. A contractor known as China GEO Engineering Corporation has been there for over two years and all it has done is display its equipment on the road side. Our people understand and know how much the province contributes in terms of mineral taxes. We are contributing huge amounts of money through, Kansanshi, Lumwana and Kalumbila Mines, yet there is a deliberate policy by the Government to deny the people of this province at large the much-needed development.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government repealed the Mines and Minerals Resources Development Act of 2008 and replaced it with the 2015 version. In this new Act, it has removed clauses relating to mineral revenue sharing mechanism. This simply means that communities in the mining areas like Solwezi will never benefit from mining revenues. If this Government has a conscience, if it claims to serve the people of Solwezi like any other part of Zambia, it must restore the mineral revenue sharing part of the clause in the Mines and Minerals Development Act of 2015.

 

Mr Speaker, with a population of over 180,000 now, Solwezi Central Constituency has no district hospital. The only referral hospital in our province, Solwezi General Hospital is in a deplorable state and not fit to be called a hospital. I wish to remind Her Honour the Vice-President that we need a level three hospital there. Tuvwan’ana and Kimasala wards are largely populated. We, therefore, need the first level hospitals in these two highly populated wards.

 

Mr Speaker, Kapijimpanga, Sandang’ombe and Kamalamba wards equally need good clinics with proper maternity wards for our people to access health care close to their family members as quickly as possible. This must be done not only for us, but also for future generations as well.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government must build a university in Solwezi Central and upgrade many schools, especially the ones located in the rural wards like Kapijimpanga, Kamalamba and Sandang’ombe to secondary school levels.

 

Our people need access to education without so much hardship. Many children today quit school in Grades 7 and 9 because many schools only go up to Grade 9, needless to say that education changes lives.

 

Sir, tertiary education in the constituency is a nightmare. College access and affordability is yet another nightmare. This is coupled with the non-availability of lecturers. Our people need institutions like the Evelyn Hone College of Applied Arts and Commerce and the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) to be extended to them and to be closer to them.

 

Mr Speaker, it is very expensive for our people to send children to school on the Copperbelt or to Lusaka to further their education. In the same vein, many schools in the constituency have no teachers.

 

Sir, accommodation is another problem. Teachers and their families have no housing. There should be regulations that aim at ensuring that every student is taught by a great teacher and that new teachers have the support they need to be successful.

 

Mr Speaker, many of our people in the constituency are peasant farmers. The farmer Support Programme (FISP) has failed so many farmers in the constituency. The fertiliser either comes late or the packages that are handed out are not enough to cater for all farmers that subscribe to the programme. Farmers are put into a position where they have to share one bag of fertiliser and this ends up reducing the farm yield. Fertiliser is generally expensive for many farmers in my constituency. Therefore, the Government must find ways to subsidise and further reduce the price of the commodity and make it more accessible.

 

Mr Speaker, feeder roads in my constituency require attention and there is a need for the creation of more such roads for easy transportation and access to the market.

 

Mr Speaker, the only way to create jobs is to establish a supportive environment for business that promotes economic growth and diversification. The Government has been a model of policy inconsistencies. This has cost us adversely in the mining sector in terms of jobs, industrial growth and income. Our people in the constituency have lost employment. This has also seen the reduction of activities under the corporate social responsibility, especially by the mines.

 

Mr Speaker, our youth must be equipped with real skills. We also need to empower those who want to start their own businesses through training initiatives, transparent access to contracts, especially in the Government and the mining companies, and easy access to finance. With a high unemployment rate looming among our people, we need to get serious about job creation and ensure that every Zambian is empowered to make a decent living.

 

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I wish to strongly reiterate that the rule of law has been grossly violated and if the group of people that are behind this continue to do so, the Zambian people will also feel no obligation to follow the same laws that are being broken.

 

Hon. UPND Member: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mulusa: Mr Speaker, the preamble and the national values in our Constitution make it clear what everyone’s obligation is. In this regard, Executive authority of the State is given to promote democracy and enhance the unity of the nation, respect the diversity of the different communities and cultures of Zambia and uphold the rule of law. So, let us reach out to the greatness and believe that the best is yet to come. Let us build hope and increase our faith in the ability to rise above our challenges. Let us build a country for all Zambians regardless of colour, race, ethnicity, region, creed or political affiliation because we are stronger together than divided. May God bless the Republic of Zambia. May God bless you all.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

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 1220 hours until 1430 hours on Tuesday, 1^st November, 2016.