Thursday, 17^th November, 2016

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

___________

 

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

 

ILLEGAL LAND ALLOCATIONS IN NDOLA AND KABWE

 

The Minister of Local Government (Mr Mwale): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to issue a ministerial statement on the reported illegal land allocations in Ndola and Kabwe Districts.

 

Sir, the House may recall that, early this year, my predecessor suspended Ndola, Kitwe and Livingstone City councils for illegal land transactions. As I speak, some former councillors from the three councils are appearing in the courts of law while investigations in the other cases, particularly those involving the Ndola and Kitwe councils, are still ongoing. However, before the conclusion of the investigations instituted following the suspension of the three councils, new allegations arose, particularly with regard to the council in Kabwe. Consequently, I have since dispatched officers from my ministry to audit the process used by the Kabwe Council in allocating the land in question. Once the officers submit their report to my office, I will issue a conclusive statement on the way forward. In the meantime, we are using our Provincial Local Government Officers to conduct a countrywide study on how the allocation of land to mayors and councillors has been handled in the past. We want to gather facts that will help us chart the way forward because we have been informed that there is an unwritten rule that entitles mayors and councillors to three pieces of land during their tenure of office, one each in the residential, commercial and industrial categories. We are hopeful that the study will help us come up with a policy direction on this matter.

 

Sir, in the case of Ndola, the security wings are investigating the allegations and the results of the investigations will determine the way forward.

 

Sir, let me seize this opportunity to warn the 106 local authorities in the country that the Government will not tolerate illegal land transactions, specifically, and corruption, in general. With the devolution of functions from the various ministries to the local authorities, our council officials are expected to demonstrate utmost honour and integrity in their work if they are to inspire public confidence and guarantee the success of the Government’s decentralisation programme.

 

Mr my predecessor did not waste time in suspending erring councils. In the same vein, I send an early warning to all councils that I will equally not hesitate to take punitive action against such erring councils. I reiterate that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government will not tolerate any misconduct on the part of either the councillors or council officials in the service delivery process. It is this kind of illegality and abuse of office that has, over the years, led to poor performance of the local authorities. So, I urge all councils, councillors and council officials to stop illegal activities because the PF Government will not be lax in its fight against illegal transactions, illegal practices and underperformance by councillors. There will be no sacred cows in our fight against corruption, abuse of office, laziness or direct theft of public resources. The suspension of the Livingstone, Ndola and Kitwe councils by my predecessor must continue to serve as a lesson to all councillors and officials indulging in illegalities. Some former councillors were even barred from re-contesting their positions because they are still appearing in the courts of law.

 

Mr Speaker, my timely advice to the new councillors is that if they engage in illegalities, the long arm of the law will eventually visit them. The law enforcement agencies have continued to do their work effectively. So, I will continue to encourage all councillors and council officers to comply with the provisions of the law, as my ministry will not condone any departure from the accepted norms, practices and procedures in the management of local authorities.

 

Sir, as I conclude, let me thank the residents in the concerned districts for the co-operation and support they have continued to provide to the councils and law enforcement agencies in fighting illegal land allocations in their respective districts.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

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

 

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that there is an unwritten law that provides for councillors to be given three pieces of land in their jurisdictions. Does that law also apply to Members of Parliament?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I know that the rule applied to Members of Parliament when they were also councillors. 

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, it is clear that many Zambians want to build houses incrementally. One of the challenges that have led to land scandals has been a lack of transparency and planning on the part of the local governments. Does the hon. Minister have plans to undertake a land audit? We are told that Lusaka has run out of land and most districts have run out of prime land, yet our areas are not well developed and there are pieces of undeveloped land everywhere. Does he have intentions of repossessing undeveloped and giving it to those who can develop it?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, there is an ongoing land audit, but it was initiated by the hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources who, I believe, informed the House about it. We are waiting to hear what the outcome of that audit will be. For now, let me say that, yes, we want to make sure that there is proper planning in the country and that we do not give out land anyhow. We must plan for what we want or expect our towns and cities to be in the next five, ten or fifteen years. We must also think about posterity.

 

Mr Speaker, like I said, we have dispatched officers to look at what land is available and what has been given out so that it helps us in planning.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister confirm the demolition of houses on land belonging to the Office of the President in the Lusaka West area in the last forty-eight hours. If he can, can he also state the circumstances around this unfortunate incident?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I received an informal report on that matter from a citizen. We are now trying to get to the ground and see what is happening. As you may be aware, there is an inter-ministerial taskforce on illegal land allocations. So, I can confirm that there have been some demolitions. They were not done by us, but I am sure they were the work of one of the institutions of the Government.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Mr Speaker, ...

 

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to raise a point of order hinging on the national interest.

 

Sir, of late, we, as members of the public and hon. Members of this House, have witnessed the unfortunate brutalisation of journalists by the police, ...

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: … which has become very rampant and continued with impunity despite the protestations of journalists and media houses. Allow me to cite a few examples.

 

Sir, two weeks ago, the United Party for National Development (UPND) President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, and his vice were in Kasama where they intended to visit a radio station. While there, some journalists who had accompanied them, including a Muvi TV journalist, were severely beaten by the police.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Shame!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: As if that was not enough, we have information that a manager at Komboni Radio here, in Lusaka, was also brutally beaten by police officers. Further, two days ago, journalists were brutality beaten at a Radio Mano in the Eastern Province on account of their having perceived differences with Patriotic Front (PF) officials.

 

Sir, on Friday, 11^th November, 2016, the hon. Minister Finance presented the National Budget to this House and implored citizens and foreign investors to invest in the country. He also indicated that one of the priority areas for investment was tourism. However, we all know that these unfortunate incidents of brutality against journalists will impact negatively on the Government’s good intentions to woo investors. Therefore, is the hon. Minister of Home Affairs in order to remain quiet and not inform this august House what measures he is taking against overzealous police officers who are brutalising journalists for doing a good job on behalf of the nation?

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: I will give an opportunity to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs to respond to the point of order raised by the hon. Member for Monze Central. Seeing as today is Thursday, the response will be made next week.

 

That is my ruling.

 

Hon. Member for Chinsali, please, ask your question.

 

Mr Mukosa: Mr Speaker, many people have lost money through buying illegal plots from mayors. What is the ministry doing to sensitise the public on this scourge?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, we will have to rely on the help of hon. Members of Parliament and other stakeholders in sensitising the communities. We also hope that people will follow the correct procedures of acquiring. The procedure is to apply to the council for land that has been advertised, not going straight to the mayors. Otherwise, people will end up being sold land that has not been planned for and end up having their houses demolished. Perhaps, we have to think outside the box on this problem, but we hope that members of the public know that they have to follow the right procedures instead of taking shortcuts.

 

I thank you, sir.

 

Evangelist Shabula (Itezhi-tezhi): Mr Speaker, we recently heard Patriotic Front (PF) councillors protest against the allowances they are given because they want a salary. As a result of that, many of them are not doing their work, leading to what is happening in the country. What measures has the ministry put in place to ensure that those councillors do not take the law in their hands? Will they be given the salaries and allowances they have demanded?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I do not see the connection between the salaries and allowances for councillors and illegal land allocations.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Mwale: There is no proof of illegal land allocations having increased during the past week in which we were discussing the demand by councillors to be put on salary. I, therefore, wonder why the hon. Member is connecting the two issues and think his question out of context. As we have already discussed the issue of salaries and allowances for councillors in this House, I hope that the hon. Member will not think that I am dodging his question.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Mr Speaker, clearly, there is an increase in illegal land allocations and disputes, and there is an inter-ministerial response mechanism in place. Is there a call centre to which distressed members of the public can report their land-related grievances and seek a timely resolution?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, one of the initiatives in our ministry is the establishment of call centres in all the councils, especially now that the councils will be offering many services.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mbulakulima (Milenge): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister talked about thinking outside the box. It seems that there is land that his ministry does not see, but the cadres and councillors see it. Does the hon. Minister not think that his ministry could be more is not being pro-active and take stock of the available land? How can the ministry fail to see land that cadres and councillors are able to see? Are there no means that the ministry can use to protect the land?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, we cannot allocate all the land at the same time. Like I said, we need long-term spatial planning for our cities towns and districts and reserve land for future projects or industries. For example, ten years from now, there might be a need for land for agriculture or other investments and we should plan for that. So, we are being pro-active, but I think our cadres and the general public do not appreciate what we are doing. Instead, they want all the land to be given out now and, if we do not do that, they want to grab it. Unfortunately, it is not practically possible for us to protect all the available land, which would require the employment of many people, using our limited resources. So, people must just learn to follow the law and only apply for land that has been advertised instead of getting it illegally.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mrs Chinyama (Kafue): Mr Speaker, Kafue District Council is one of the local authorities where a land agency ban was imposed. When is the ban likely to be reviewed? I am reliably informed that although the ban was imposed, a number of Government officials are frequenting the place and, somehow, being given pieces of land. So, I wonder whether the ban applies to everyone or it is discriminatory.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, we are considering the possibility of restoring land agency to Kafue District Council. Very soon, we will announce the way forward. However, we want to ensure that all systems are in place before we lift the ban.  

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Ms Miti (Vubwi): Mr Speaker, in new districts like Vubwi, land was allocated to people by the council, but it has taken more than two years for the plots to be formalised. In the process, people will build just for them to be threatened with demolition of their houses. How will the ministry help such people? 

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I think that is a very unique situation and we will have to find out what is causing that situation. I encourage the hon. Member to visit the ministry so that we can discuss the matter. I will also ask my officers to get find out what is happening in Vubwi because that could be the cause of people building without planning and authority. I think they are made to wait for too long. 

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Ms Kasanda (Chisamba): Mr Speaker, we have noticed a pattern of land being allocated by council officials to friends, family and those who can afford to pay extra money and that has greatly disadvantaged the local people. Are there guidelines for allocation of land?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, there are procedures for allocating land and anything outside them could be a result of corruption and other vices. I think the scenario the hon. Member has described depicts corruption, about which we are aware, hence our asking our Provincial Local Government Officers investigate how councils have allocated land in the past. We want to give guidance on how it should be done because there are standard procedures that should be followed by all councils in land allocation. There should be no discrimination.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya) Mr Speaker, does the hon. Minister think that the rampant land grabbing across the country is due to the lack of a clear national land policy?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is responsible for the administration of the land policy and I know that there is a land policy in place that might be under review.  As regards the allocation of land by the local authorities, we have guidelines. 

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Chibanda (Mufulira): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that officers have been sent to councils to undertake land audits and verifications. Does the ministry have plans to stop councils countrywide from allocating unserviced residential and commercial plots?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, we would love to ensure that sites are serviced before land is allocated. However, we get pressured by those who want to develop their sites to give permission for development before the services reach the sites. Sometimes, developers are in a hurry to put up structures like officers, plants and factories, and you cannot stop them just because an area is not fully serviced. You allow them to do that, then, you follow them with the services. Unfortunately, sometimes, that takes long time to be done. So, it depends on the situation. It does not happen quite often that we service an area before allocating land because servicing a site takes a lot of time. Imagine us saying that we can only allow developments after we have laid water and sewer pipes, and graded roads.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Mr Speaker, one issue that troubles me very much is that when land is illegally allocated, the ministry just watches as people build their houses without telling them about the illegality. However, when the houses are completed, the ministry moves to demolish them. Why does the ministry take so long to react in such situations?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, situations like that arise because councillors are involved. The councillors, who are supposed to ensure that land that is reserved for future use is protected, are usually the ones who give it out. So, they cannot report their illegal land allocations to the authorities. Instead, they just watch people build houses and churches and that will only come to our attention after some time. That is when we go to demolish. This is why we are saying that citizens must not deal with individual councillors, but go to councils and apply to get land that has been advertised. That way, they will not end up in unfortunate situations. Suffice it for me to say that we will deal with this matter. All councillors who are involved in illegal land allocation will face the law because they are causing a lot of harm to the nation. There will be no sacred cows.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, going by the unwritten rule that councillors should be given three plots, that is, one residential, one commercial and one industrial, would the hon. Minister consider it an illegality for a councillor to have three plots if the plots were allocated after the normal processes, such as interviews, were followed strictly?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, we cannot consider that an illegality because the practice seems to have been accepted. When councillors allocate land, they use by-laws. It is the same by-laws that they use to allocate land to themselves.

 

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwale: However, we are questioning whether that should continue because it has brought conflicts. For example, in Kabwe, 1500 plots were available for allocation out of which the councillors allocated themselves twenty-seven plots before advertising the rest for everyone to compete for them. So, people asked why the councillors did not go through the normal competitive process of acquiring plots like everyone else. The councillors’ response was that if they had competed for the pieces of land, being the ones who assessed the applications, they would still offer themselves the plots first. So, the whole thing would still be a mockery. That reasoning is logical, but the practice has been condemned by people in the newspapers. Again, the councillors are being sincere because they are insiders in the land allocation process. So, they cannot compete against outsiders. They did not want to pretend that an outsider could fairly compete against them for land allocated by their councils. That is the matter we are handling in Kabwe and it has raised so much dust that Hon. Mwiimbu had to raise a point of order on it on the Floor of the House.

 

Mr E. Mulenga (Ndola Central): Mr Speaker, many of the plots in Ndola, especially those near the stadium and on the banks of the Kafubu River were allocated to developers by the council. That is the reason the council was suspended by the former hon. Minister of Local Government. Now, we have read in the media that those houses are earmarked for demolition. My question is: Since that illegality was caused by the council, will the developers be compensated?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I understand that it is not the fault of the developers because they obtained the plots legally from the council. It is the councillors who were at fault. Therefore, we will find an amicable solution to the problem. However, we will certainly demolish the houses because they are where they should not. So, they have to go. Some of them have been built on the car park of the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. The council should not have planned for that land because it belongs to the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mrs Mwansa (Nyimba): Mr Speaker, a lot of land that has been allocated to people by the local authorities has remained undeveloped for a long time. What ought to be done about such land?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, we agree that people are often allocated land just for them to keep it undeveloped for a long time. So, it does not benefit them and others, and this is a common problem in the country. We are consulting the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on how to handle that matter. People have a habit of becoming complacent after obtaining title deeds. They can keep the land for a hundred or two hundred years without developing it. I think that is not working for us. We want the land to be put to be used to the advantage of the nation.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Ms Katuta (Chiengi): Mr Speaker, I congratulate the hon. Minister on his decision to undertake land audits in councils. However, is it possible to extend the exercise to rural councils?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the land audit in councils is a nationwide exercise. It will take care of rural areas as well.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Ms Tambatamba (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, in society, there are people in the low-income bracket and the vulnerable. That is the reason we have the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) scheme. How does the hon. Minister intend to make the acquisition of land affordable to such people, including the people of Kasempa, who see rich people favoured in land allocation and take up all the land?

                                                                                                       

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, each time we allocate land, we categorise it. There is land meant for people in the low-income bracket and it is in the low-cost category, whose land is relatively affordable. The medium-cost category is for people in the middle-income bracket while the high-cost category is for those in the high-income bracket. The reason we do that is that do not want to end up allocating land and it remains undeveloped for a long time. Sometimes, however, the vulnerable people are to blame because after getting land cheaply, they re-sell it to the rich at a higher price.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Chilombo (Nchanga): Mr Speaker, following a previous land audits that were undertaken on the line of rail, one of the councillors in my constituency is currently appearing in court. However, there are some areas where the same problem existed, but the culprits were left scot-free. The councils have only charged the developers what they are calling a ‘normalisation fee’ so that their structures are not demolished. Will the people who allocated those plots remain scot-free?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the legalisation of plots that were initially allocated illegally is a general problem countrywide and it always happens when councillors allocate unplanned land to individuals without the knowledge of the councils. The developers, then, go back to the council to ask for their plots to be legalised and the council has to re-plan and ask the developers to pay. Sometimes, the money asked for is not that much and most people pay. However, there are also those who fail to pay and their houses are demolished.

 

Mr Speaker, we want to review the practice of normalising illegal plots. There must be punitive measures against those who take advantage of this weakness in the council to get land, plan it, develop it and, then, expect to pay some small fee to have their plot normalised. We must not allow that to continue and that is why we have sent officers in all the provinces to understand find out what is happening in our councils, including identifying the weaknesses in the systems within the councils. We want to resolve this matter once and for all.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Jere (Livingstone): Mr Speaker, the population of this country is growing at a very fast rate and demand for shelter is also growing by the day. I am sure the hon. Minister is also aware that some councils have applied for de-gazetting of forests into mixed use. However, for any piece of land to be de-gazetted, there is a need for the President to sign for it which, to some extent, takes long. Does he have any intentions of revisiting the law so that the Ministers responsible for local government and lands will be able to sign for land to be given to councils that have agency of land?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I do not look forward to a situation in which Ministers can sign for the de-gazetting of forests. I think the current arrangement that restricts that authority to the President should be maintained because we do not want people to start targeting forests as areas for expansion of settlements. As I speak, the President and two or three Ministers are in Marrakech, Morocco, discussing climate change and its effects. So, I think that we must strike a balance between the need to make land available to our people, and the need to preserve some forests and protect our environment. For us to keep that balance, the stewardship must be maintained at the highest level, that is, in the Presidency. Otherwise, it is possible for us to end up with Ministers who may want to connive with the councillors and give out all the land. I do not think that there is any hon. Ministers wants to do that, but it is just good to err on the side of caution. The President must provide that much needed oversight.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Ngulube (Kabwe Central): Mr Speaker, starting around 0200 hours this morning, there were serious riots over a piece of land in Kabwe, which was corruptly allocated to a foreign investor who has since demolished twenty-seven houses. I am on record castigating the Kabwe Municipal Council over that land.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

 

Mr Ngulube: The company claims to have two title deeds for the land showing that they are farms in a residential area. However, the council has advertised plots on the same land in the newspapers.

 

Mr Speaker, is it in order for councillors who have only been in office for two months, the same period as us, hon. Members of Parliament, to earn three plots each at the expense of the members of the public? If the unwritten rule to which the hon. Minister referred will be maintained, will that not amount to condoning corruption or giving the impression that councillors are more important than other Zambians? I know that the hon. Minister has promised to issue a statement on the corruption at Kabwe Municipal Council, but can he comment on my question.

 

Mr Speaker, it is very painful to see houses that were built by widows and retirees on land allocated to them by the council brought down by the so-called investors. There has been a growing tendency in Zambia of foreign so-called investors fighting with the local people over land. My question to the hon. Minister is: What measures is he putting in place to prevent situations like the one that led not the riots we witnessed this morning in Kabwe? Will we just sit and watch?

 

As Member of Parliament for that area, I rushed there this morning just to find the police…

 

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

I think you have made your point.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Ngulube: Most obliged, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker: You are now talking about your measures.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I understand the hon. Member’s anger. That is the reason we have dispatched a team of officers to Kabwe, as I said in my statement, so that they investigate all such matters and give us the information we need to make informed decisions.

 

Sir, the hon. Member also referred to the issue of councillors getting three plots, and I think I already commented on that. I said that has been the practice countrywide, not only in Kabwe. However, as to whether we should continue with it, we will make a decision based on the information that will be gathered by the team we have sent to all parts of the country. Actually, I may have to go to Kabwe to see what is happening, especially regarding the demolitions. However, we have a team of officers who are taking care of everything there.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.           

 

_________

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

CONSTRUCTION OF NYIMBA COUNCIL MOTEL

 

2. Ms O. Phiri (Nyimba) asked the Minister of Local Government:

 

1. whether the Government was aware that the construction of the Nyimba Council Motel had stalled and, if so, what the reasons were;

 

1. when the construction works would resume;

 

1. what the time frame for the completion of the project was; and

 

1. what the cost of the project was.

 

The Minister of Local Government (Mr Mwale): Mr Speaker, the Government is aware of the stalled construction of the Nyimba District Council Motel due to the non-availability of funds.

 

Sir, the works are expected to resume in the first quarter of 2017, should the funds be made available.

 

Mr Speaker, once the funds are made available, the project will only take two years to be completed.

 

Sir, the cost of the project is K5,273,874.38.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

CONSTRUCTION OF DIP TANKS IN MAPATIZYA

 

3. Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

 

1. what the number of dip tanks constructed in Mapatizya Parliamentary Constituency from 2012 was;

 

1. where the dip tanks were situated; and

 

1. what the cost of constructing a dip tank was.

 

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Katambo): Mr Speaker, two dip tanks were constructed in Mapatizya Parliamentary Constituency between 2012 and 2016. Additionally, seven dip tanks were rehabilitated while two are still being rehabilitated.

         

Sir, the dip tanks are situated in the following areas:          

 

Name of Dip Tank                              Name of Veterinary Camp

 

Kaswaya                                          Chidi Veterinary Camp (Under Construction)

 

Kalungu                                           Zimba Veterinary Camp (Under Construction)

 

Chidi                                            Chidi Veterinary Camp

 

Kabanga                                      Kabanga Veterinary Camp

 

Misika                                          Kabanga Veterinary Camp

 

Luyaba                                         Siamafumba Veterinary Camp

 

Siamafumba                                 Siamafumba Veterinary Camp

 

Namadula                                    Zimba Veterinary Camp

 

Siluwayile                                   Siamafumba Veterinary Camp       

 

Mooka 1                                     Siamafumba Veterinary Camp (Under Rehabilitation)

 

Mooka 2                                     Siamafumba Veterinary Camp (Under Rehabilitation)

 

Mr Speaker, the cost of constructing a dip tank varies according to the area. However, it ranges from K150,000 to K300,000.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that the cost of constructing a dip tank is between K150,000 and K300,000, depending on the locality. My question is specific to Mapatizya. So, what is the cost of constructing a dip tank in Mapatizya? Further, why would the construction of a dip tank cost K150,000?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, I indicated that the cost varies. However, the ones that are being constructed in Mapatizya Constituency cost K150,000 each. I do not know if the hon. Member has evidence to the contrary.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, there are two types of dipping, the one in which animals swim and the spray race. Which of the two does the hon. Minister encourage farmers to use?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, we encourage both because they are both effective.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, various farmers have been constructing dip tanks on their farms at an average cost of K30,000. How is it possible for the same dip tanks to cost K150,000 to K300,000 when the Government constructs them?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, it depends on the materials used to construct the dip tank. The Government uses the materials according to the specifications and bill of quantities (BoQs) recommended by the Ministry of Works and Supply and other ministries that provide such specifications.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, dip tanks are important infrastructure, especially in the control of tick-borne animal diseases. How far has the ministry gone in dismantling the arrears owed to the contractors constructing and rehabilitating dip tanks?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, my ministry has frequent discussions with the hon. Minister of Finance and he has been very supportive of our desire to dismantle the arrears. For example, recently, he released K2 million towards the settling of arrears owed to contractors. We have realised that the reason contractors take long to mobilise are the delays in paying them.

 

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has stated that it costs K150,000 to construct a dip tank in Mapatizya. Is he willing to come back to this House in the near future and lay on the Table of this House a bill of quantities (BoQ) for a dip tank in Mapatizya?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, I will gladly do so.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, I did not get your response.

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, yes, we will ask our officers to give us a BoQ that we can lay on the Table of this House.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that the Government spends a minimum of K150,000 to construct a solid dip tank. However, his Government spent K150,000 on the construction of a dip tank at Kabanga, but the dip tank collapsed and it had to be renovated. Is that a prudent way of using Government resources?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, this Government encourages contractors in the various constituencies to execute some of the projects. In fact, it has been the cry of hon. Members that local contracts as a way of supporting them. Unfortunately, some of the contractors fail to execute the works to the specifications and we end up with shoddy works. So, I request the hon. Member to submit a report on the dip tank that was not constructed to expectations so that our offices can know what to do about it.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Ms Kasune (Keembe): Mr Speaker, from experience in our constituencies, we know that dip tanks are constructed at a much lower cost than the amounts the hon. Minister has mentioned, which are three to six times higher. For example, in Keembe Constituency, we have seen dip tanks of almost the same quality as those the Government builds or even better built at a cost of between K30,000 and K50,000. Given that scenario, could the Government not give us that money so that we construct more dip tanks with it?

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, maybe, the hon. Member is talking about the dip tanks that are constructed after communities contribute 25 per cent of the materials or use of matching grants, which are cheaper to build as a result. However, it is true, as she claims, that a dip tank in her constituency costs less, although she did not  mentioned the cost, ....

 

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Minister!

 

She mentioned the cost as being K30,000 to K50,000.

 

Mr Katambo: Sir, if constructing a dip tank in her constituency costs K30,000, she is welcome to show us the specifications, the BoQs, the materials and the staff used because we are a listening Government with a listening President, Mr Edgar Lungu, we …

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Minister is responding.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Do you not want him to complete his response?

 

Mr Katambo: ... will be more than happy …

 

Hon. UPND Members interjected.

 

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

He is giving you what you for, but you are questioning it.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Katambo: … to give business to the people who elected the hon. Member in the constituency. So, our door is open. The hon. Member is free to come for a discussion and let us know what the people in her constituency are doing. However, we should bear in mind that cheap is expensive. So, we will have to ensure that what she is talking about is the recommended dip tank.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Kamondo (Mufumbwe): Mr Speaker, the Government is losing a lot of money in this exercise because K150,000 is too much to spend on construction of a dip tank. Further, at Kabanga Veterinary Camp in Mapatizya, a dip tank was constructed, but it collapsed after three months. Are there punitive measures taken against people who do shoddy jobs?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, our ministry works with facts. So, if the hon. Member has facts to support his claims, he should bring them forth and we will blacklist the contractor.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Mr Speaker, does the ministry have a maintenance team? I ask this because, as I speak, we have many dip tanks across the country, which are not functional.

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, in my answer to the question asked by the hon. Member of Parliament for Mapatizya Constituency, I indicated that there are some on-going rehabilitation works. So, yes, our ministry undertakes rehabilitation works and all the dip tanks that are malfunctioning can be rehabilitated. I, therefore, extend an invitation to the hon. Member to tell us the dip tanks that need rehabilitation in his constituency and we will work on them.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Ms Jere (Lumezi): Mr Speaker, in my constituency, there are many people who keep cattle. To my dismay, I have noted that they have to take their animals very far away to have them vaccinated or dipped. How far apart are the dip tanks supposed to be?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, I ask to come back to the House with the answer to that question after I have consulted. I would not like to give inaccurate information to the House.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

UPGRADING OF MKUSHI ROADS

 

4. Ms Mwape (Mkushi North) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development when the upgrading of the following roads in Mkushi District under the Link 8,000 Kilometre Road Project would commence:

 

1. from Chengelo via Masansa and Luano to Kabwe; and

 

1. from Mkushi Boma via Musofu to the Kapiri Mposhi/Ndola Highway.

 

The Chief Whip interjected.

 

The Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development (Mr Chitotela): Mr Speaker, very soon we will amend the law so that we can have Deputy Ministers.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

 

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Minister!

 

Is that your response to the question?

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, I just said that on a lighter note in response to something the Chief Whip said.

 

Sir, the Masansa/Luano/Kabwe/Ndola Road is part of the project to upgrade the Kabwe/Kapiri/Mkushi (D200/D207/D214) and including the Mpula/Masansa roads in the Central Province to bituminous standard. The detailed designs for the projects were completed in September, 2016, at a cost of K6.2 million.

 

Sir, the Government intends to use the contractor facilitated initiative (CFI) mode in financing this project. In this mode, the contractor mobilises funds for the project.

 

Sir, it is envisaged that the works on this project will commence upon the finalisation of the procurement of the contractor and the financing arrangements in the third quarter of 2017,

 

Mr Speaker, there are no immediate plans by the Government to upgrade the Mkushi Boma via Musofu to the Kapiri Mposhi/Ndola Highway due to financial constraints. However, the road will be considered for an upgrade once funds are made available. Since the road is in a very bad state, we have asked our engineers to get on the ground and do routine maintenance to allow people to use the road.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister considering availing to hon. Members of Parliament the Road Sector Annual Work Plan (RSAWP) so that we can know the projects that will be implemented in 2017?

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, we are just finalising the work plan. We want to prioritise economic roads. Thereafter, we will roll out to social roads. As you may be aware, the Roads Department has been allocated K8.6 billion in 2017 Budget.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Jere: Mr Speaker, has the hon. Minister included the construction of bridges in the Road Sector Annual Work Plan (RSAWP) he is preparing?

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, bridges are a very important component of the road sector. We cannot build roads without bridges. So, bridges will be included.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Munkonge (Lukashya): Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister, if he can, to tell us if he is looking at roads with potential for economic roads. My constituency has potential for agriculture. So, a good road there might not have obvious and immediate economic value, but it can open an agricultural hub in the future. 

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, for us to realise the economic potential of an area, we must create enabling environment. However, we will begin with roads with obvious economic value and toll them. Thereafter, we will use the money realised from the tolls to open up new sites to economic activities. So, yes, we will consider those roads.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that he will consider economic roads first. In the case of my constituency, there is a stretch from Chasato to Chikwa, which is economically viable. As you are aware, my constituency produces the famous Chama Rice. However, during the rainy season, no one can reach Chikwa. Even Kamilala High School, a beautiful school built by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, becomes inaccessible. What plans does he have to upgrade such feeder roads?

 

Mr Speaker: Before I allow the hon. Minister to respond, I just want to say that I can see the temptation for you to ask on every road in the Republic of Zambia under the guise of supplementary questions. This question mentioned specific roads. So, I do not think that we can go across the length and breadth of Zambia under aegis of this question. Those who are contemplating asking follow-up questions must take this into account.

 

Hon. Minister, you may respond.

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, I will try by all means to restrict myself to the roads in Mkushi.

 

Sir, I referred to economic roads. Yes, we will start with those. Thereafter, we will identify roads with potential to open up areas to economic activity and create an enabling environment for private sector investment.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mrs Jere (Lumezi): Mr Speaker, I had given up when I heard your guidance, but I have decided to ask my question anyway.

 

Sir, in Mambwe District in of the Eastern Province, ‒

 

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

I thought you said that you had given up.

 

Mrs Jere: Oh no, Sir, I will go ahead. 

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: No! You were right to give up if you were following my guidance.

 

Mrs Jere: Mr Speaker, I have seen other hon. Members indicating.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: I will equally stop them.

 

Mrs Jere: Oh, okay.

 

Mr Speaker: Yes, I will.

 

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has introduced us to new nomenclature in the classification of our roads by referring to some of them as “social roads”. Can he explain to us what a social road is.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, there are economic roads, roads with potential and roads that lead to where people meet for social gatherings.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chitotela: As the hon. Member of Parliament for Chilanga indicated, some people go to night clubs or bars, which are social gatherings.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mutale: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the good answers he is providing.

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Mr Mutale: Mr Speaker, if I heard the hon. Minister correctly, he said that the construction of the Chengelo/Masansa/Luano/Kabwe Road will take off in the third quarter of 2017. However, the third quarter of the year is normally in the rainy season. My modest knowledge of construction informs me that a road constructed in the rainy season does not last. Could the ministry consider changing the commencement date for that project?

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, to my knowledge, the third quarter is July, August and September, and that is not in the rainy season.

 

Sir, let me give the people of Mkushi, Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi a bonus answer by saying that Treasury authority has already been given by the Secretary to the Treasury and two Italian contractors have expressed interest in financing the project. We are just waiting for the no-objection from the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA).

 

Mr Speaker, once the no objection has been given then, we shall proceed with the procurement process. That is why we are saying that we may be able to finalise the procurement processes and the financial clause in first and the second quarters of 2017. The contractor will, then, mobilise and start working in the third quarter.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

CONSTRUCTION OF A YOUTH TRAINING CENTRE FOR NCHELENGE DISTRICT

 

5. Mr A. Malama (Nchelenge) asked the Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development:

 

1. whether the Government had any plans to construct a youth training centre in Nchelenge District;

 

1. if so, when the plans would be implemented;

 

1. what the time frame for the completion of the project was; and

 

1. what the estimated cost of the project was.

 

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development (Mr Mawere): Mr Speaker, the Government has no immediate plans to construct a youth training centre in Nchelenge District. However, it is the Government’s policy to construct, at least, one youth training centre in each district. In this regard, my ministry is developing an infrastructure development plan (IDP) that will guide the construction of youth resource centres throughout the country, including in Nchelenge District. Once finalised, the plan will be implemented in phases, subject to the availability of funds.

 

Sir, part (b) of the question falls off.

 

Mr Speaker, the estimated time frame of the construction of a fully-fledged youth resource centre is sixty weeks.

 

Sir, the estimated cost of constructing a full-fledged youth resource centre is K30 million.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

_________

 

BILL

 

REPORT STAGE

 

THE SECURITIES BILL, 2016

 

CLAUSE 2− (Interpretation)

 

The Minister of Finance (Mr Mutati): Mr Speaker, I beg to move amendments as follows:

 

1. In clause 2:

 

1. on page 19, in line 10, by the insertion immediately after the word “securities” of the words “to the public’; and

 

1. on page 23, in line 25, by the insertion immediately after the word “excluding” of the words “treasury bills” and a comma.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 2, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 41 – (Revocation of conditions of licences)

 

1. In clause 41, on page 48:

  

(a)        in lines 21 to 25

 

(i)         by the deletion of paragraphs (f) and (g); and

 

(ii)        by the renumbering of paragraphs (h) and (i) as paragraphs (f) and (g); and

 

1. in lines 34 to 35, by the deletion of paragraph (j).

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 41, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 46 − (Information to be supplied by licensed person)

 

1. In clause 46, on page 51, in lines 5 to 8, by the deletion of Sub-Section (3) and he substitution therefor of the following:

 

“(3) Where a person becomes or ceases to be a director of a company licensed in accordance with this part, the company shall, within one month of the director becoming or ceasing to become a director, notify the Commission in writing of the change.”

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 46, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 47 – (Annual reports)

 

1. In clause 47, on page 51, in line 31, by the deletion of the words “by an audit firm approved by the Commission”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 47, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 69 – (Notification of changes and legal proceedings for misconduct)

 

1. In clause 69, on page 59, in lines 17 to 23, by the deletion of sub-sections (2) and (3) and the substitution therefor of the following:

 

“(2) A securities exchange that intends to cease to carry on the business authorised by the licence shall immediately notify the Commission of such intention and shall not cease to conduct business until the securities exchange develops and implements measures approved by the Commission for the protection of investors.

 

“(3) Where a person becomes or ceases to be a director of a securities exchange the company shall, within one month of the Director becoming or ceasing to become a director, notify the Commission in writing of the change.”

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 69, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 70 – (Annual reports)

 

1. In clause 70, on page 60, in line 11, by the deletion of the words “by an audit firm approved by the Commission.”

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 70, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 75 – (Registration of securities)

 

1. In clause 75, on page 61, in line 38 by the insertion after the word “issue” of the word “to the public”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 75, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 79 – (Trading in unlisted registered securities)

 

1. In clause 79, on page 63, in lines 14 to 23, by the deletion of sub-sections (1) and (2) and the substitution therefor of the following:

 

“(1) A person who intends to transact in a Government security or a registered security that is not listed on any securities exchange shall report that transaction to a securities exchange.

 

“(2) A person who transacts in a Government security or a registered security that is not listed on any securities exchange and who fails to report that transaction to a securities exchange, commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand penalty units or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both.

 

“(3) The Commission may, by notice to every dealer, declare that any securities specified in the notice, being securities which, in the opinion of the commission, are being actively traded shall be dealt with as if the securities were listed securities.”

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 79, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 95 – (Annual reports)

 

1. In clause 95, on page 71, in line 24, by the deletion of the words “by an audit firm approved by the Commission’.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 95, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 134 – (Consideration of applications for proposed mergers)

 

1. In clause 134, on page 90, in the marginal note, by the insertion of the words “take-overs and” after the words “proposed”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 134, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 148 – (Commission to approve auditors of companies)

 

1. In clause 148, on page 96, in line 27, by the deletion of the word “approved” and the substitution therefor of the words “meets the minimum criteria specified”.

 

1. On page 126, in lines 5 to 14, by the deletion of clause 208 and the substitution therefor of the following new clause:

 

“208(1) The Capital Markets Operators shall establish an association of Capital Markets Operators for the purpose of establishing and enforcing a code of conduct and promoting the development of Capital Markets.

 

“(2) The Commission shall not license a Capital Market Operator that is not a member of the association referred to in sub-section (1).”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 148, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 209 – (Disciplinary actions)

 

1. In clause 209, on page 126, after line 27, by the insertion after sub-section (3) of the following:

 

“(4)      The Commission may, by notice in writing, for a period not exceeding six months, suspend, director, manager or officer concerned in the management of a capital market operator who fails to take reasonable steps with the requirements of this Act or the Regulations.

 

“(5)      The Commission may, before the expiry of the period of suspension referred to in subsection (4), apply to the Tribunal for an order extending the suspension of such period as the Tribunal considers necessary, or removing the director, manager or officer from office.

 

“(6)      Despite subsection (5), the Commission may recommend to a capital market operator for the removal from office of a director, manager or office who fails to take reasonable steps to secure the compliance of the capital market operator with this Act and Regulations, without suspending the director, manager or officer.

 

“(7)      Where a director, manager or officer is suspended or removed from office under this section, the director, manager or officer shall not perform any duty pertaining to the office during the period of suspension or after removal from office.

 

“(8)      A person who contravenes sub-section (6) commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand penalty units or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both.”

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clauses 209, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

           

Report, as amended, adopted.

 

Third Reading on Friday, 18^th November, 2016.

 

_________

 

MOTION

 

BUDGET 2016

 

(Debate resumed)

 

Dr Imakando (Mongu Central): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to debate the 2017 Budget presented to this august House by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Felix Mutati.

 

Sir, the budget tells us what we expect to pay in form of taxes and the benefits we will received once the Government has spent our taxes. It also gives us indications of where the Government is taking us when it tells us what the gross domestic product and inflation rate (GDP) will be. These things help us in planning our businesses.

 

Sir, for example, if I may simplify it, the GDP is the income the country hopes to generate, and it is with that income that we will service our ever-increasing debt and create new jobs for the youths. So, the performance of the Zambian economy will depend on the ability of the Executive to manage the Budget wisely.

 

Mr Speaker, in the last five years of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, we have seen a growing mismatch between tax revenue and Government expenditure. To cushion the mismatch, the Government resorted to borrowing huge amounts of money and avoided paying arrears, leading to the accumulation of astronomical sums in unpaid arrears. The Government faces this situation because it appears that it had a different budget for development, which they called the “Ambitious Economic Development Agenda”.

 

Sir, I understand that the Budget is supposed to be prepared by the Executive, but it is also supposed to be approved by this House. However, it seems that the Government implemented many projects that were outside the Budget and, therefore, not approved by this House. In fact, in the last general elections, the PF continued to promise the people of Zambia the continued implementation of the Ambitious Economic Development Agenda. As we have seen, that agenda was not in line with the Budgets approved in this House. That is what resulted in the fiscal malaise that the hon. Minister of Finance now seeks to cure.

  

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Finance says that he wants to restore fiscal fitness for sustained and inclusive growth and development. The term ‘restore’ suggests that he wants to reasonably balance Government spending and tax revenues. In my mind, to restore is to bring back to existence. So, he is trying to bring back fiscal fitness and, in using this theme, the hon. Minister is admitting that things went wrong somewhere along the way.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Imakando: Mr Speaker, while we welcome the hon. Minister’s initiatives to bring back fiscal fitness, it is important for our friends to admit that things went wrong because of this ambitious plan, which was not approved by this House. It is in this plan that new districts, unplanned and unbudgeted for, were created; it was in this ambitious plan that trunk and urban roads that had not been planned for were constructed; and it is because of this ambitious agenda that we saw many Deputy Ministers appointed. We cannot do business like that. This honourable House must approve what the Executive prepares. Only then should our friends on your right implement. As they implement, however, we must provide oversight. However, how will we provide oversight if they implement programmes and projects that are not approved by this House? What would be the relevance of our discussions here if the PF Government will continue to introduce things that are not in the Budget?

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Imakando: Mr Speaker, Zambians want to know that will not happen again because it is what has brought us where we are and made us to fail to balance our income with our expenditure. All these unplanned activities and expenditures create policy inconsistencies and allow corruption to rear its ugly head up because there is no scope for monitoring.

 

Mr Speaker, we should not allow a situation in which projects are implemented and programmes introduced that have not been approved in this House because that is why Zambia’s economy is very sick. It is malnourished and, therefore, not growing.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Imakando: Our GDP of 3.4 per cent will not create the jobs we want to create. It might not even give us sufficient money to service our debts. Therefore, it does not inspire confidence.

 

Sir, we need a much higher GDP in order to create the jobs our youths need and to attract investment. As you know, GDP gives an indication of the country’s income and if it shows that our country’s income is very low, many investors may not bring their money here. That will, in turn, prevent us from creating the jobs our youths expect us to create for them.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Imakando: Mr Speaker, business confidence is declining in this country. There was a time when you had to wait for, at least, thirty minutes to be served in our shopping because the queues were long. What those queues suggested is that there was high activity in the country’s economy and people had incomes to spend.

 

Interruptions

 

Dr Imakando: Today, when you visit those shopping malls, the queues are no longer there because Zambians cannot afford to buy what is on sale.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Imakando: So, there is need to change the way we do business in this country. Yes, I agree with the hon. Minister of Finance that he has to make some hard choices and implement difficult reforms. However, the first hard choice he must make is to abandon the PF’s ambitious economic development agenda.

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Dr Imakando: It is this agenda that has landed us in this mess.

 

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

The word ‘mess’ is unparliamentary.

 

Dr Imakando: Mr Speaker, thank you for your guidance. I am still learning the linguistic etiquette of this House.

 

Laughter

 

Dr Imakando: Sir, it is the ambitious development agenda that has resulted in Zambia’s poor economic performance.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Imakando: Mr Speaker, we need a more realistic development agenda that will focus on the economic sectors and see the agricultural sector providing jobs. It is my firm belief that the jobs we want can only be created in the agricultural sector. It is also the agricultural sector that can ensure food security, produce inputs for our industries and increase our non-traditional exports. However, for the sector to do that, we must facilitate it by allocating adequate resources to it. So, we must be serious with what we are calling the Diversification Programme.

 

Mr Speaker, the development agenda must ensure that the energy sector provides enough electricity to the economic sectors so that our mines, farms, …

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Imakando: … factories and tourism facilities can operate at full capacity. Otherwise, these sectors will not grow and, consequently, there will be no jobs created, no exports out of this country and tourists will not want to come here only to experience darkness. So, there is need for a Budget that will enable the energy sector to make our economic sectors competitive.

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Imakando: Mr Speaker, regarding agriculture, which is supposed to be our economic mainstay, in my view, the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) has three or four challenges that need to be sorted out for it to deliver. The first has to do with targeting. Whom are we targeting? We must target only the farmers who are viable and ca be weaned off the programme tomorrow. Otherwise, we will go nowhere with this programme. The second challenge is that FISP depends on point-of-sale machines, yet most rural farmers do not have access to them.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Imakando: So, if the programme is to work, we must ensure that point-of-sale machines are made available farmers.

 

Mr Speaker, I must point out, too, that FISP seems to be skewed towards maize at the expense of other crops. I know that we allow farmers to choose their inputs, but the programme was designed to support maize growing. For example, only the inputs for maize cultivation can be bought using the allocated money. Tobacco and cotton farmer may not be able to buy the inputs. 

 

Sir, I welcome the irrigation development initiatives, but their implementation is problematic. Perhaps, the initiatives are also riddled with corruption.

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Imakando: If we are to see our agricultural sector develop, it is important for us to accelerate irrigation development so that many people can access irrigation facilities.

 

Sir, in the livestock sector, let me quickly comment on the cordon line. In this day and age, the cordon line will not be effective because the diseases whose spread we intend to restrict are carried by wildlife. As such, a cordon line without patrol guards and community support is a waste of resources that can best be used to fund breeding centres. Once we breed animals, ...

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1615 until 1630 hours.

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Dr Imakando: Mr Speaker, when business was suspended, I had just said that the resources we are wasting on supporting an ineffective cordon line can be best used to support animal breeding centres.

 

Sir, the 2017 Budget is neither a diversification budget, as it has not allocated money for improving and electricity supply in many areas, nor an inclusive one, as it will not facilitate the creation of jobs for our youths. The Budget is also not an equitable one because there will be no new projects. Further, it is not a growth budget because the GDP growth target is too low. Additionally, it is not pro-poor, as only K3 will be given to beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) scheme per day. It is not even pro-middle class because the increase in Pay As You Earn tax will hit that class hard. Instead, the Budget is pro-International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Government wants to restore fiscal fitness so that it can borrow money from the IMF and put us into more debt.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, thank you for allowing me to debate the Motion moved by the hon. Minister of Finance.

 

Sir, fifty-two years after Independence, this country is mature enough to shape its destiny. We have to abandon the tendency to ‘cut and paste’. In this country, we tend to copy things we do not even understand, and that has often put us in trouble. Even our Budget has the same lines year in and year out. Only a few figures are changed.

 

Sir, contrary to ‒

 

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

Could you both resume your seats so that I can provide some guidance.

 

Hon. Members, I do not allow points of order during these kinds of debates. So, if you have pressing issues that you wish to bring to the attention of the House, the Clerks-at-the-Table will attend to you. Just send notes to them. We communicate that way for the obvious reason that if we allow points of order, you will start debating through them. That is why I discourage them.

 

Continue, Hon. Muchima.

 

Mr Muchima: Sir, before I was interrupted by the point of order, I was saying that we are mature enough to determine our destiny.

 

Sir, there are things we need to review in the way we prepare this Budget. Not long after the hon. Minister of Finance presented his Budget speech to Parliament, someone from Ikeleng’i called me to find out if there was anything in the Budget for his area and I had difficulties answering him because, every year, people like him have listened to speeches delivered here by various Ministers of Finance yet, excluding the time the Movement for Multi-party (MMD) was in power, nothing has been done for them. The MMD really addressed the plight of the people in the villages.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, from the time the Patriotic Front (PF) came into power, the budgetary allocations for Ikeleng’i and the North-Western Province has been a nightmare. This is the sixth year that the PF has been in Government, but if you were to visit my area, you would see that there are no projects worth talking about yet, in contrast, others hon. Members are so proud of the development in their constituencies that they go to the extent of showing projects on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Muchima: One hon. Member for a constituency in Lusaka was boasting that even the road that goes to his house has been tarred.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Lubinda.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

Let us avoid dragging one another into the debate and avoid debating while seated.

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, the North-Western Province is endowed with riches in the form of water, minerals and the humility of the people.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sikazwe: Is Hon. Muchima humble?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Yes, he is very humble.

 

Mr Muchima: The province is also an exit point to Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, yet only one road, Kipushi/Solwezi Road, has been funded in this Budget. The rest of projects in the Budget are the same we have heard about since the PF came into power, such as the Solwezi/Chingola Road while roads like the Mumbwa/Kasempa, Kaoma/Kabompo and Manyinga/Mwinilunga do not seem to be a priority for the PF even though they lead to a province that can facilitate the value addition for which the Government is looking.

 

Sir, Luapula, the Western and North-Western provinces can contribute to our gross domestic product (GDP), but they are the poorest provinces in the country. When preparing a Budget, we are supposed to consider such issues so that they inform our utilisation of resources. I am reminded of something someone circulated on social media to the effect that Zambia is a resource-rich, yet poor country. People in the developed countries spend sleepless nights planning to come and invest in our country, but we, Zambians, only focus on whom we should arrest, which police officer should be fired and which political leaders should be taken to court.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Muchima: Sir, the tourism sector needs to be properly exploited. There was a time when Kasaba Bay used to attract many people. Unfortunately, Zambians focuses all its efforts in the tourism sector on the Victoria Falls, whose source we do not even know. Some Ministers here do not know the source of the Victoria Falls and do not even understand the map of Zambian.

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Muchima: Sir, there is a need to allocate a lot more money to agriculture and tourism. In Zambian, tourism is a sleeping giant due to the limited products and services range it offers.

 

Mr Speaker, if it were the United Party for National Development in Government, ...

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Muchima: ... the important road from Chingola through Solwezi, Mwinilunga and Ikeleng’i to Angola would have been constructed by now because it has economic value. It can give us the money to spend on those roads that lead to houses that I cannot mention.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Member: To social roads.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Muchima: Yes, to social roads.

 

Mr Speaker, I would put an airstrip near the source of the Zambezi and developed some other points in that area. The wildlife in the area also has a lot of potential for tourism. At one point, the European Union (EU) wanted to take the initiative, but the greed of those in office made them fail to see the potential for national development inherent in the initiative and rejected it because there was nothing in it for them.

 

Mr Speaker, energy is very crucial, but the Government is subsidising it for rich people with multi-million dollar companies. Those are the people paying nothing for electricity, yet the Government wants to increase the electricity tariff for ordinary Zambians. Why does it not increase tariffs for the mines, but lower them for the poor Zambian or middle-class Zambian, who owns a lodge and is at risk of closing the lodge and retrenching workers if his or her tariffs are increased? It seems that once people enter the Government, they totally forget about those on the outside. They only care about themselves and their wellbeing.

 

Sir, this Budget is ambitious, and I am happy that it has been prepared by an accountant for the first time. A budget is a plan measured against a standard. Unfortunately, here, in Zambia, it is nothing, but mere rhetoric. The Government plans and waits until November, then promises funding to programmes like the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), but it ends up not fulfilling the promises and refuses to carry the programmes over to the following year. That is deceiving the people. We need money that has been allocated in the Budget to be disbursed. It is said that, “Do not spend what you do not have”, but I am saying do not promise what you cannot fulfil.

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Muchima: Sir, I am sure an accountant is someone who takes time to balance figures. So, we want to see the potency of the Budget that has been presented. It looks good, but we want to compare it with the standard. The Government needs to implement whatever is in this document for a change. I want to be able to go to Ikeleng’i and tell the people that there is a difference in the Budget prepared by this hon. Minister of Finance because of his background in accounting. I also want to be able to tell them that the buildings that have remained unfinished for five years will be completed and that the clinic projects that were funded by the Indian Government will be executed. We hear that the clinics have already been built and are operational in other districts, but in Ikeleng’i, there is only a foundation. I want the hon. Minister to re-evaluate our expenditure and see where we have been careless in our economy. Our Constitution has no provision for Deputy Ministers and I think that we need to also abolish the office of the District Commissioner (DC) instead of increasing taxes like Pay As You Earn (PAYE). What job do they do? They are just an excess.

 

Sir, when the Budget is presented, the people want to be given hope and relief, not stress. However, there is a lot of stress in this Budget. We sympathise with the Minister of Finance because we know that he is correcting what the mistakes of his predecessor.

 

 Mr Speaker, when the PF came into Government, it promised more money in the pockets of the people and low taxes, but the story has now changed to dununa reverse.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Hon. Members: Meaning?

 

Mr Muchima: Sir, dununa reverse means that things are in reverse motion.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Hon. Government Members: Fyobe ifyo!

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, it will no longer be easy for people to dance to that song. Even if you played it today, people would not dance. 

 

Mr Nkombo: They would beat you!

 

Mr Muchima: They will beat you, instead.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, Chinua Achebe said, “Things fall apart; no longer at ease.”

   Interruptions

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, we have to handle this economy with care. Just like a patient needs a lot of care, this sick economy requires a lot of care, too. So, we need the capable hon. Minister of Finance, who was with us on this side, to prove our pessimism wrong by ensuring that whatever is put in this Budget is implemented.

 

Sir, we have a lot of potential in the energy sector, but we have neglected it completely. For someone to sign a power purchase agreement (PPA), especially a Zambian, it is a nightmare. Meanwhile, we import power at 22₡ per kilowatt. If I offer to develop a hydro power station and supply power at 13₡ per kilowatt, the Government would refuse to facilitate my project. Meanwhile, behind the closed doors, its officers sign contracts ordering power at 22₡ per kilowatt. Does that make any sense?

 

Mr Nkombo: No!

 

Mr Muchima: We should empower Zambians who can create employment. Let us identify the people who are already in business and empower them. This document shows that there was a total failure on the part of the PF and that we need to re-visit the issues therein. We have to admit our sins so that we are forgiven.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, I wanted this document to address what has been happening in this country because we cannot ignore history. When Hon. Dora Siliya was Minister of Education, money was allocated for the construction of a secondary school in Ikeleng’i at Swanakuda and teachers’ houses at Lwakela but, to date, the projects have not been implemented, and we have been told that those projects cannot be carried over because they were in a different Budget. Does the Government do it deliberately? Does it want to hoodwink us? Why put figures in the Budget just for them to be ignored deliberately? Then, what is the Budget for? When we budget, we indicate the things that we can do. We should not spend what we do not have or promise what we cannot fulfil.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Muchima: If the Budget cannot be implemented 100 per cent, at least, the difference should be minimal. I am not saying that we should open the door to over-borrowing because, already, we cannot sustain our debt burden.

 

Sir, I know that the Government does not adjust the figures in the Budget. However, for the first time, I want the hon. Minister to listen to what we are saying. We need his presence in North-Western Province. If he directs his Budget at politics, he will achieve nothing. In doing that, he will not punish me, but the economy of the country. So, let us re-visit our planning and involve Members of Parliament at that stage instead of relying solely on the technocrats who do not even know where Jimbe and the source of the Zambezi are. Those people are only interested in their own issues and allocate money only to projects where they know they will benefit. That is why they are able to mop up some money. The money is supposed to be used immediately, but they use bureaucratic bottlenecks to stop it from being used. Do they think that if they gave me that money I would fail to spend it? Even a baby would be able to spend it, as it is easier to spend than to mobilise. 

 

Sir, the CDF is a better way of giving this money to the poor people. In fact, we should increase it from K1.2 million to K5 million or K10 million. 

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Muchima: The former Minister of Finance promised to increase financial support for the poorest of the poor, who are found in places like Mporokoso and Ikeleng’i. We should not increase the CDF for the people in Lusaka. Even if you add the money is added to social welfare, how will we know how it will be distributed?

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Muchima: The officers will not distribute it equitably. Instead, they will first give contracts to their friends and enjoy loot that money. I, therefore, urge this Government to increase the CDF to K5 million per constituency. I know that can be done.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, increasing the CDF amount will enable us to build schools and help the vulnerable, with whom we live and whose suffering we know better. Why does the hon. Minister not want to involve us at the planning stage? For whom is he waiting and whom does he want to appease?

 

Mr Speaker, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will come and go, but the suffering will remain with us. When we die, we shall be buried here. So, we want it a record to remain that there was a Minister of Finance, Mr Felix Mutata, an Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) holder who performed miracles …

 

Laughter

 

Mr Muchima: … instead of cheap politics. We want to see the difference between an economist and an accountant.

 

Sir, let us manage our welfare. Zambia has many literate people, and I am happy to note that some people have enrolled themselves in law school. That is the way to go. They should not be shy to go to school because that will make them understand their welfare.

 

Mr Nkombo: Are you in school?

 

Mr Muchima: I completed.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, it is important to understand our issues. We should not appease people who are not even there. Let us help the people in Ikeleng’i and Kaputa. I always joke with my colleague from Kaputa that it is a nightmare to go there even though he says that there is massive development.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, in Ikeleng’i, we need the presence of the Ministry of Finance.

 

Mr Speaker, with those few words, I thank you.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, please, let us not drag individuals into our debates. There was reference to private roads, which might have embarrassed those who are being implicitly referred to, the hon. Minister of Justice in this case.

 

Laughter

 

Mr A. C. Mumba (Kantanshi): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to also comment on the Budget that was presented to the House.

 

Sir, economies the world over do not always swing upward. When we enjoyed ten years of positive growth of around 7 per cent, all of us kept that in our pockets. Now that our growth rate has gone down by 50 per cent, we have taken it to heart. We see, everywhere we go, whether in this House or beyond, people expressing their concerns about the economy, and concern, by nature, makes one to realise the need to re-plan and re-balance.

 

Sir, this Budget comes at a very appropriate time and every one of us here knows that this is an opportunity for us to review some of the expenditure and decisions of the past, such as the non-prioritisation of support for Zambians in business. In the energy sector, for example, the Ndola Energy Company struggled for years to get the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) to sign a purchase agreement with it until there was a power deficit. Now, it is the talk of the day, as the deal gives us an extra 50 MW. The company uses heavy oil by-products from Indeni Oil Refinery to generate power. These are the kinds of businesses that Zambians can own because they are very simple. We are currently struggling with a power deficit, but there has been no consideration of the possibility of piloting the use of gas in Ndola. People can be given gas to power their kitchens and restaurants so that we reduce our use of electricity.

 

Mr Speaker, this Budget encourages me. Therefore, I commend the hon. Minister and all the people who participated in its formulation. I am also grateful that the hon. Minister has set the Government a realistic target of creating 100,000 jobs in 2017. If he gave me money for the Ndola/Mufulira/Mokambo Road next week, 10,000 jobs will be created and he would only need to create 90,000 jobs in the other constituencies. Please, that is an appeal. Give me money for that road.

 

Laughter

 

Mr A. C. Mumba: Mr Speaker, the country cannot develop without infrastructure and, by infrastructure, I do not mean roads only. For example, we currently have a housing deficit of 1.5 million or more houses. That can be addressed if we revitalise our mortgage system which, in my opinion, has collapsed.

 

Hon. UPND Member: Hear, hear!

 

Mr A. C. Mumba: Our mortgages are very expensive cannot give anybody, including the people who will get the jobs that will be created, an incentive to own a house and properly contribute to their organisations. The hon. Minister of Finance can help us to address this challenge.

 

Mr Speaker, addressing the housing deficit would also create an opportunity for us to properly alienate land.  For example, the ministerial statement that we heard today enlightened us on how things have been going wrong. In my constituency, for example, the council’s job is only to allocate unplanned land in areas where there are no sewer systems. Then, five years later, the settlements become a hot political issue because the Ministry of Local Government has decided that the settlements are illegal and that the houses must be demolished. That, then, becomes a problem for the Member of Parliament, and I know that many hon. Members of Parliament are facing this problem. The Government also starts apologising. If we develop our housing infrastructure, we will reduce on such problems and give people an opportunity to own houses.

 

Mr Speaker, we also need to address the high cost of infrastructure, to which we have cast a blind eye for a long time. Let us lower the cost of infrastructure and pass the benefit to the people of Zambia. I have talked about some of the clauses that we have imported from Angola, Rwanda and South Africa and put in our contracts. We are in Zambia. Can we not do it the Zambian way? For example, some clauses stipulate that if the Government does not pay the contractor within the agreed time frame, it will be forced to pay interest at a commercial rate.  We all know that the bulk of the contracts are with our colleagues from China who borrow money at 2 per cent, yet they charge us interest at 40 per cent and we want Zambians to pick the tab. This has to be revisited quickly.

 

Mr Speaker, another example of how exorbitant our costs are is that when the price of Chilanga Cement was K85, the producers claimed that they were making a loss. However, when Dangote Cement was launched, the price of cement plummeted to K55 the following day, yet no benefit accrued to a Zambian during the time the price was very high and Chilanga Cement was making astronomical profits. Why can we not have systems? In Nigeria, when Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN) abrogated the law, it was charged US$5 billion, although there were further negotiations around the fine. For us, Zambians lost out. Even the road contractors made so much money at the expense of Zambians. So, we need to revisit these issues. Additionally, bitumen, a huge component of road construction is readily available at Indeni Petroleum Refinery. Why do we not look at that and see how we can engage the private sector to use it in construction?

 

Sir, there is a mine called Frontier Mining on the Ndola/Mufulira/Mokambo Road. If we were given money next week, we would make it the first road that would be constructed using the public-private partnership (PPP) mode. It would be a PPP not only in words, but also in action.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr A. C. Mumba: Mr Speaker, I am happy that, finally, we will get our fair share from the mining sector. However, it is important that we have policy consistency in that sector. From the interactions that I have had, there is a general feeling that we are now on the right track, especially given that the price of copper have started to rebound. I must mention, however, that commodity prices will continue to go up and down and that will definitely affect the performance of the economy. There is no magic we can do to avoid it. It will just happen. For example, we have heard that the copper price has hit US$5,000 per tonne. That was only expected to happen next year or the other year, but it is still good news. We should also know that other countries have similarly been affected by the effects of low commodity prices will also start rebounding economically. So, the global economy, generally, will start posting better indicators than it is doing currently. In that regard, the projected 3.4 per cent gross domestic product (GDP) growth is a realistic starting point for us and there is nobody who should be blamed for it. Otherwise, we should just blame the whole world.

 

Mr Speaker, for a long time, we have been looking for ways of making tourism and art contribute more to our GDP. In doing that, it is important that we start with ourselves, as I said in my maiden speech. The market starts with us. So, we have to start giving one another incentives through the Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB). I am concerned, however, that most tourism sites are currently owned by foreigners. If you go around the Lower Zambezi or any other place you can talk about in relation to tourism, you will find that most businesses are owned by foreigners, and we need to correct that. I am also glad that we have a Government department in charge of the arts. However, I feel that the Arts Department is not being looked after well. For example, there are musicians and actors in Mufulira, but they are not adequately supported. I hope that the hon. Minister of Finance can look into that and see how the tourism sector could be better supported.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government can do very well in the livestock and fisheries sector just by playing the role of a facilitator, not participant. A good example I can give is that of the good performance of Zambeef which, today, is on the Alternative Stock Market. All this has been possible because the Government has just been playing the role of facilitator.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr A. C. Mumba: The Government should concentrate on providing an opportunity for the private sector to tick. That is why I am concerned about the aquaculture about which the Government has talked to us. That sub-sector is already warming up for private sector participation. So, we just need to give the private sector a little more room to take full control while the Government focuses on building capacity in small-scale farmers in the sector. We have also seen the Government allow the private sector to play its role in the potatoes business.

 

Ms Siliya: Hear, hear!

 

Mr A. C. Mumba: Potatoes used to be an exotic luxury for many but, today, they can be grown in Luapula like Buyabamba is doing because the Government has given it an opportunity to flourish. In that regard, I encourage the hon. Minister of Finance to revisit the Government’s degree of involvement in the various sectors. In the livestock sub-sector, for example, the Government only gets involved when there are diseases. That is good. The Government does not get involved in marketing of the meat and that is why we do not have shortages of meat products. So, we need to allow the private sector to play its part because it is warming up and quite fast.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr A. C. Mumba: We have seen a new market created in Saudi Arabia and it is important that more markets are identified through Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. We need to create many partnerships.

 

Mr Speaker, the full involvement of the Government has highly politicised the sub-sector. The problems we encounter in maize marketing are non-existent in rice marketing because the Government has not been involved that much in the latter? We have a national rice deficit of almost 40 metric tonnes and we spend US$18 million per year importing the commodity. In fact, I suggest that the hon. Minister of Agriculture diverts 40 per cent of the funding to the cashew nuts project to funding rice farming. As you may be aware, it takes seven years for cashew trees to mature and start yielding their fruits. That is a long period.

 

Sir, on the map of Zambia, the poverty line is in Luapula, …

 

Ms Katuta: Hear, hear!

 

Mr A. Mumba: … the Western, the Eastern and Muchinga provinces, all of which have a lot of potential for rice growing which, if harnessed, can create jobs within five years and contribute to the 1 million jobs we aim to create.

 

Ms Siliya: Hear, hear!

 

Mr A. C. Mumba: Further, if we developed the rice industry, we would not only minimise the externalisation of over US$18 million per year, but also create jobs in packaging and polishing of the rice.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr A. C. Mumba: So, there are a number of activities that we can undertake for now. The cashew nuts will give us a lot of money, but we have to wait for seven years for them to mature. I know that cashew nuts have early maturity after three years, but full maturity will be after seven years, which will be in 2022 or 2023. When the cashew nuts mature, they will mostly be exported, and that is good for our foreign exchange earnings, but we need to realise that Mozambique is a big producer of cashew nuts and it will be our formidable competitor with a huge influence on pricing. We are also disadvantaged because we are landlocked. So, our projections need to be very cautious. However, jobs will still be created, and that is what is exciting about the project.

 

Mr Speaker, going back to maize marketing, my main concern is about the 10 per cent tax on maize exports. I think the hon. Minister of Finance and the hon. Minister of Agriculture need to seriously review this issue because when I looked at the prices of maize on the export market and its production cost ‒ currently, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) is struggling to buy maize at K85 per 90 kg bag because the private sector price is about K100 per 90 kg bag. Further, 90 per cent of our maize is produced by small-scale farmers, the same people we want to develop. So, it is important that the two hon. Ministers I have mentioned go back and sit with the technocrats or ask some of us who are interested to help them make maize marketing more profitable so that jobs are created instead of creating a scenario that will make this country remain the way it is despite its significant potential for growth.

 

Sir, this Budget does provide a starting platform for growth.

 

Mr Speaker, with those few words, I thank you.

 

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, I thank for giving me this opportunity to present my maiden speech to this august House.

 

Sir, firstly, allow me to congratulate you on your re-election to continue presiding over this Legislature. I also extend the same warmth to the First Deputy Speaker and the Second Deputy Speaker. I know that managing this House is a difficult assignment, but with God’s help, you will be able to execute your duties as well as you have done before.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, after all, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, allow me to appreciate and celebrate the people of Katombola Constituency, which is well known to a number of hon. Members for various reasons. I thank them for visiting us frequently. I also thank the people of Katombola for giving me another opportunity to serve them as their Member of Parliament. I will not take this privilege lightly, but will take it with humility and sobriety.

 

Mr Speaker, the people of Kazungula are blessed with five great parents, namely Chiefs Sikute, Mukuni, Nyawa, Momba and Musokotwane, in no particular order of seniority. To them and my headmen and women, I pledge to remain a loving son as always.

 

Mr Speaker, to get adopted in a very important and big party like the United Party for National Development (UPND) …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Livune: … can be very stressful because the adoption process is highly competitive. In this regard, allow me to thank my party, the UPND; the great sons of the soil, the men of the moment, the winning pair of …

 

Mr Mwamba: Question!

 

You did not win!

 

Mr Livune: … my beloved president, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, and his running mate, Mr Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, popularly known as GBM; …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Hon. PF Members: Question!

 

Mr Livune: …the National Management Committee (NMC), the Southern Province Provincial Management Committee (PMC), the Kazungula District Management Committee (DMC), the Katombola Constituency Management Committee (CMC) and all the fourteen Ward Management Committees (WMCs), namely Katapazi, Mukuni, Musokotwane, Kanchele, Simango, Ngwezi, Mandia, Sikute, Sikaunzwe, Moomba, Nyawa Central, Nguba, Chooma and Kauwe, in no particular order of preference.

 

Mr Speaker, allow me to pay special tribute to my gallant campaign team headed by the very wise Constituency Chairperson, the much loved Mr Teriford Lisapo. The other members of my campaign team were Mr Beaver Muchindu, Mr Innocent Mubita Muketoi, Mr Ernest Pimpa Haamunyemba, Mr Richard Mungala, Mrs Fanny Kamanisha, Mrs Siwidu, Doreen Siakasimbo, my beloved Council Chairperson, Eason Sikanyona Musokotwane, Magnes Dube, Mr Sibwidu, Charles Mweembe , Moffat Mulele, Kenford Siansole, Elias Muluwa, Teddy Mulambo, Teddy Livune, ...

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Livune: ... Shebby Mushabati and many others too many to mention.

 

Sir, my special gratitude go to my quests in the campaign, such as Hon Lackson Sianzila Kazabu and Commissioner Francis Chika. To them I remain indebted and they are my brothers and sisters for life.

 

Sir, let me also express my gratitude to my beloved father and mother, Mr and Mrs Joseph and Jane Livune; my mother-in-law, Mrs Sikendwa; my dearest wife, Zandy Sikendwa Livune; our children, Memory and Mutinta; and Lastone, Moffat, Mable and my junior wife, Vera.

 

Hon. Members: Aah!

 

Laughter

 

Hear, hear!

 

Hon. Member: On a point of order.

                                                                                                

Mr Livune: To the whole family and friends, I am humbled by their undiluted support in all forms. May God richly bless all those beloved people.

 

Mr Speaker, as a representative of the people of Kazungula, I am a bearer of a message of good will. Kazungula is a rural constituency and, like many rural constituencies in Zambia, is under-developed. So, there is a need for the Government to work hard and ensure that our people have, at least, the minimum of facilities required for social existence. I, therefore, challenge the Government to rise above political considerations and deal with the many issues that affect our people.

 

Sir, Katombola Constituency is in a critical need of roads. The hon. Minister of Finance talked about the economic roads that would be constructed. However, he omitted a very important road that passes through Kazungula to other important places like Sesheke. I submit that one of the roads that should never be forgotten is the Livingstone/Kazungula/Sesheke Road. Those who have used the road of late will agree that it is a death trap, especially after Sikauzwe. The Government is aware of other roads in Kazungula, which is one of the largest constituencies in this country and, therefore, needs many roads to link its various areas. Among them, we would like it to work on the Makunka/Manono/Ngwezi, Kalomo/Kauwe/Nyawa, Kabuyu/Simango, Ngwezi/Sikauzwe, Senkobo/Musokotwane/Sindi/Siumbwe/Makunka, Kalomo/Nguba, Makoli/Manyemunyemu Tumango/Kauwe, Zimba/Nyawa/Choma, Sikauzwe/Moomba, Senkobo/Katapazi, …

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Livune: … Simonga/Sekute/Makunka/Nyawa, Manyemunyemu/Katapazi/Mukuni, Kananga/Sindi, Sikauzwe/Sibulo/Sala and Kazungula/Katombola/Mandia/Siandundo roads. These are very important roads and we would greatly appreciate it if they were worked on to enable the people of Kazungula to continue doing what they do best, that is, feeding Zambia. You may be aware that Kazungula was part of Kalomo District, and it still is in terms of its activities. The latter is well known for producing a lot of maize for this country, and the former shares in that reputation. So, we need those roads to be worked on as soon as possible.

 

Sir, it is also important that I talk about education in Katombola. Kazungula District, as a whole, has over 130 schools. These include community, primary, basic and secondary schools.

 

Sir, those who have been to Kazungula, especially Chief Moomba’s area, will agree that it is important to take the cry of those people seriously. I know that sometimes there could be lapses, but it is never too late. We need to upgrade Kasesa Primary School in Ngwezi to a secondary school. It would also be a good idea to upgrade Kabuyu Primary School or Woodlands Primary School and Kauwe Primary School or Janda Primary School to cater for the ever-growing population in Kazungula.

                                                                                                            

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of General Education must seriously deal with certain issues that have to do with gazetting of community schools that have the minimum level of infrastructure required for them to qualify to be basic or primary schools. We have a number of schools that have not been gazetted and have no Payroll Management and Establishment Control (PMEC) numbers. However, they properly constructed schools and, sometimes, they are even better than some Government schools in the area. Further, it is important for me to point out that most schools in Kazungula were built by our hardworking men and women. Very few were built with Government assistance. All we want is for the Government to just gazette the schools and impose some order. We have some well constructed schools that have unqualified teachers. The pupils are taught by community school teachers, but when they write the Grade 7 examinations, they perform better than their privileged colleagues in other districts. In case of the schools that have been gazetted, the Government has taken long to give them PMEC numbers and most have still continued to have teachers with lower qualifications. So, the Government should take this cry seriously and send qualified staff to those schools.

 

Mr Speaker, let me quickly comment on agriculture. To start with, I adopt all the good things that have been said by my colleagues.

 

Sir, the hon. Minister has stated that some money will be provided for undertaking a livestock census. I have a problem with that because if all the veterinary officers worked like those in Kazungula, who count all the animals on a near-daily basis, the figures could easily be provided by the District Veterinary Officer. All the households in my area have been given cards, which are managed daily by the veterinary officers. On the cards, the farmers are required to indicate the numbers of the animals they own by kind. So, is it still necessary to allocate a substantial amount of money to a livestock census? I do not think so.

 

Sir, we need to pay a lot of attention to the construction of dams for we know that most of our dams were misdirected by the Government. Like Hon. Belemu said yesterday, we were told on the Floor of this House that US$50 million was released for the construction of dams. However, instead of constructing the dams, the officers in the Ministry of Agriculture decided to conduct a countrywide survey as though the whole country needed dams. We know that some areas do not need dams because they have rivers. I think that is not being serious with what we are trying to do. We know where dams are needed. So, when the money is made available, we just have to go and build them. I am also aware that money allocated for the construction of Syakasipa Dam disappeared in thin air after the works were advertised. Further, dams were supposed to be constructed at Siamundele and Malimba, but we do not know what happened to the money for those two important projects. So, we still want the hon. Minister responsible to consider them.

 

Sir, on 6 of the Budget Address, the hon. Minister says:

 

“Sir, in 2017, Government will further develop financial instruments that will attract pension funds led by the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) and other investment companies ...”

 

Mr Speaker, that is welcome. However, I would like to give a word of caution. The change from the National Provident Fund (NPF) to the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) was an attempt to stop the abuse of the former by the Government, which had extended its hand into the company so much that at some point, people’s money was abused. So, we hope that the foundation on which NAPSA was created will not be compromised. Whatever we may do, we must always remember that the principle objective of any pension scheme is to compensate people for the income that they can no longer earn after retirement. That objective must never be compromised.

 

Sir, President Kaunda and his team were wise enough to have that it created parastatals to perform particular functions in the country and the Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) was created to provide mortgages in the Republic. However, I have noticed that some functions were withdrawn from the institution. I say this because a scheme has been created to offer house loans to civil servants. That means financing has moved from the ZNBS to the new scheme, yet the Government still expects the ZNBS to perform. I am not sure how that will be possible. I think it was yesterday when Honour the Vice-President stated that the Government was committed to providing affordable housing to citizens yet, in the same breath, her Government is one window through which financing could be accessed. We must enhance the operational capacity of the ZNBS because it is an important institution. We must do whatever we can to resuscitate it.

 

Mr Speaker, it is worth noting that when poorly performing parastatals are privatised, perform better? Why does the Government fail to manage them? We must change that.

 

Sir, early this week, we learnt that they must be applied. I hope that the hon. Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance will promote adherence to ethical standards in our institutions so that they can attain the objectives for which they were created in the first place.

 

Mr Speaker, sometimes, our rural constituencies do not benefit from the empowerment funds for women and youths because the funds evaporate just within Lusaka. So, the Government should consider decentralising the administration of the funds to the local councils. The amounts may not be large, but if the fund is decentralised, at least, one or two groups in the district would benefit, and that would make sense to many of us in the rural areas. For now, it does not.

 

Sir, on rural electrification, I wish to remind this House that some of the electricity used in this country is generated in Kazungula, where the Victoria Falls is located. It is only for marketing purposes that we allow it to be under Livingstone. Unfortunately, most places in Kazungula are not connected to the power grid. Some people here have boasted that even the small huts in their villages are electrified, yet our schools and hospitals are not electrified. So, the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) should electrify the schools, homes and all facilities in Kazungula.

 

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, it is important for us to allow money to flow. In this regard, the hon. Minister of Finance should ensure that all pending payments are cleared so that money can continue flowing in the economy, which will enable the Government to collect more tax and fund all the projects and programmes that need financing.

 

Sir, with those few words, I want to thank you. May God bless you and, in your wisdom, may you continue helping us.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Mulyata (Rufunsa): Mr Speaker, I will start with a little prayer. Praise be to God, for this is a day that He has made, ...

 

Mrs Mulyata: … and we are surely blessed and highly favoured to be in this august House.

 

Hon. Members: Amen!

 

Mrs Mulyata: It is well.

 

Hon. Members: Amen!

 

Laughter

 

Mrs Mulyata: Mr Speaker, let me begin by thanking you for according me this opportunity to make my maiden speech. I also wish to join other Members of Parliament in congratulating you on your re-election to the highest office in this House. Congratulations also to the Hon. First Deputy Speaker, the Hon. Second Deputy Speaker and all my fellow hon. Members of Parliament on their election to their positions and to this House, respectively. Their election to this House is an important mandate given to them by the people of Zambia to improve the lives and wellbeing of their constituents.

 

Sir, I also thank my family, especially my husband ...

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Mulyata: Sir, my husband, ...

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Mulyata: … and children, and the people of Rufunsa Constituency for the moral support they rendered me during the campaigns and for electing me their Member of Parliament. I feel very honoured and humbled by the confidence they have shown in me by allowing me to serve them on the United Party for National Development (UPND) ticket for the next five years.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Mulyata: Sir, I also remember and thank my late father, Mr Dickson Shacholi of Kasenga, and my mother. If my father was alive today, he would have been very proud of me because he is the one who introduced me to politics. He always looked at me like a man although I am just a woman.

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Mrs Mulyata: How many of us have such fathers?

 

Hon. Government Member: You will cry.

 

Mrs Mulyata: I cannot cry.

 

Laughter

 

Mrs Mulyata: Mr Speaker, my special thanks also go to my president, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Mulyata: … whom we call Hakainde Hichilema the Great, ...

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Mulyata: … and his vice-president and dependable running mate, Mr Geoffrey Mwamba. For supporting me during the election campaigns, may God shepherd them.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Mulyata: Mr Speaker, I also thank my party, the UPND for adopting me adopting me to stand as Member of Parliament for Rufunsa Constituency. That simply shows the confidence and trust they have in me. My special gratitude goes to the leadership of the party and all party structures for the part they played in my election.

 

Sir, to my campaign team, which worked extra hard and tirelessly to get me elected, I say, thank you. I owe this victory to them all. Mrs Chimwela Kabaso and her team; the foot soldiers; the alert polling agents – it was tough – the women who cooked our food; and the children who shouted my name  – Every time I was in the area, the women shouted, “Amai Mulyata!”.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Mulyata: I will not forget them. The battle is still on and ultimate victory will only be ours when we deliver on our promises to Rufunsa Constituency.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Mulyata: Mr Speaker, let me remind this House that Rufunsa is located approximately 160 km …

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Mrs Mulyata: … from Lusaka on the Great East Road, besides the Muchinga Escarpment. The constituency covers the whole new district of Rufunsa; three chiefdoms, namely Mumpashya, Shikabeta and Bundabunda; and ten wards, namely Nangwenya, Mwachilele, Bundabunda, Kabuyu, Nyamanongo, Kankumba, Rufunsa, Chintimbwi, Mankhanda and Shikabeta. It also has approximately 51,000 people according to the 2010 Census of Population and Housing.

 

Mr Speaker, I now turn to the main challenges facing my constituency.

 

Water and Sanitation

 

Mr Speaker, fifty-two years after Independence, it is sad to note that some areas in my constituency still do not have access to clean and safe drinking water. Further, the vast majority of the people still rely on shallow wells and streams for their water needs. In some cases, women have to walk distances up to 5 km to fetch water, which they carry in buckets on their heads. That situation especially affects women and children, particularly the girl children, who often miss school because they are busy assisting with household duties. In this respect, I appeal to the Government to sink more boreholes in the area to alleviate the problem which has contributed to early marriages for the girls.

 

Health

 

Mr Speaker, the health situation in the district is very bad. Ba Hon. Dr Chilufya, emo bali? Muleumfwa?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Mrs Mulyata: Mr Speaker, the situation health in the district …

 

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

Just a moment.

 

Mrs Mulyata resumed her seat.

 

Mr Speaker: Please, avoid that.

 

Continue.

 

Mrs Mulyata: Much obliged, Mr Speaker. I am sorry.

 

Sir, the health situation in the district is very bad. Rufunsa still relies on Mumpashya Mission Hospital, which was built before Independence and although doing a very commendable job, is daunted by a myriad of both administrative and operational challenges, such as inadequate staff, infrastructure and modern operating equipment. The hospital’s highest cost is the purchase of fuel to power the generators on which numerous surgical operations and general lighting of the institution depend, since the area is not yet connected to the national electricity grid. Some health centres in the area also have inadequate medical supplies and insufficient medical staff, and lack modern medical equipment. These problems, coupled with the increase in population, have led to low quality of health services to the people.

 

Sir, we need to arrest the needless dying of people, especially children under five, from both preventable and curable diseases like malaria and tuberculosis (TB) by enhancing good health among our people. As the old adage goes: “The wealth of every nation lies in the health of its people.”

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Mulyata: My appeal to the Government, therefore, is that it considers building a district hospital in Rufunsa to complement Mumpashya Mission Hospital. It should also consider allocating more centres to the district in the national project to construct 650 health posts so that people have easy access to health services. So far, only two health centres have been allocated to Munyeta and Shikabeta wards, respectively.

 

Education

 

Mr Speaker, Rufunsa only has three secondary schools, namely Mumpashya, Chinyunyu and Rufunsa Technical School for Girls. However, currently, only the children of the rich can go to the technical school because of the high school fees. The local pupils cannot go to that school. So, the school is of no value to the local people. As far as they are concerned, the only schools they have are Mumpashya and Chinyunyu, which the poor locals can afford. Additionally, most community schools are dilapidated and in some instances, have 100 pupils in a classroom meant for about twenty-five or thirty pupils. This implies a high teacher-pupil ratio, which reduces teachers’ effectiveness, as they have to give attention to more than 100 pupils. It is necessary, therefore, that the Government considers building more schools, refurbishing and upgrading the already existing community schools, and recruiting more teachers to cater for the educational needs of Rufunsa.

 

Agriculture

 

Mr Speaker, the importance of the agricultural sector cannot be over-emphasised. Like many hon. Members said about their constituencies, Rufunsa Constituency is a very productive agricultural area and produces Maize, cassava and millet, among other crops. The people also rear livestock. However, most of them harvest very little because they do not have access to farming inputs like seed and fertiliser.

 

Mr Speaker, tonnes of mangoes go to waste in Rufunsa District because there is no market for them in the area. People end up going to sell the fruit at Soweto Market here, in Lusaka, sometimes at very low prices. It is in this vein that I appeal to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry to find local or foreign investors who can set up a mango processing plant in the area, as doing so will not only improve household incomes in the district, but also help to create employment opportunities for our youth.

 

Mr Speaker, Rufunsa is also a good area for fish farming. No wonder, there are many fish vendors at Luangwa Bridge. By the way, Rufunsa Constituency starts at Nangwenya, on the border with Chongwe, and ends at Luangwa Bridge, on the border with Nyimba and Feira. It is sad, however, that the traders have to sell their fish by the road side because they do not have proper markets. This situation is very dangerous and accidents have occurred in the area. So, the Government should consider building a modern market where people can safely trade.

 

State of Roads

 

Mr Speaker, like many of my colleagues have said, where there is a good road network, development follows naturally due to the fast movement of people and easy access to markets. Unfortunately, the roads in Rufunsa District remain in a very bad state, with most of them requiring grading despite servicing schools, clinics and potentially rich agricultural areas. The Government should, in this regard, consider looking into the state of the feeder roads in Rufunsa Constituency, not forgetting the reconstruction of many bridges that have either been washed away or broken down.

 

Mining Exploration and Business Infrastructure

 

Mr Speaker, one of the biggest challenges faced by the business community in Rufunsa is a lack of investment in the mining sector despite the district having potential for mining of gold, Malakite and other minerals which, if properly explored and developed, would boost the district’s economy and that of the country at large. The lack of formal exploration for minerals in Rufunsa has led to an influx of illegal miners to the area, which is very dangerous to those involved and to the community. Apart from that, the Government continues to lose revenue through uncollected tax on illegal mining in Rufunsa. The constituency is also home to the famous and very valuable mukula tree which, as research has shown, has community, social, ecological, environmental and commercial value. It is because of the value of the tree that the country is now experiencing illicit trade in it. Unfortunately, despite having that important resource, the people of the constituency have not benefited from it economically.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mulyata: Mr Speaker, there is a lack of communication facilities in Rufunsa. Further, there is no single filing station or bank in the constituency. It is, therefore, difficult for the people to do anything business related. In this vein, I earnestly appeal to the Government to step in and open branches of the state-owned banks, namely Indo-Zambia Bank (IZB) and the Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO), to give my people access to finance. Further, the Government, through relevant authorities such as the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), should consider erecting communication towers in the area to facilitate communication. Private investors should also be encouraged to open filling stations, as that is a good business opportunity. Imagine the whole of Rufunsa having no filling station. The distance between Lusaka and Rufunsa is like that between the nose and the mouth, yet developmental activities are concentrated in Lusaka, bypass Rufunsa and go to the Eastern Province.

 

Hon. Government Members: Ah!

 

Ms Mulyata: Yes!

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mulyata: Just imagine, after fifty-two years of Independence, there is no filling station, no electricity and no clean water. So, what does the Government think about Rufunsa?

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear! Hammer!

 

The Status of Women in Zambia

 

Mr Speaker, I have to skip a few things because this is very important.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mulyata: Mr Speaker, it is not a secret that while other countries  in this region and the world at large keep improving women representation in Parliament and all other key decision-making positions, we seem to be going slow, as a country. However, I congratulate my party, the UPND on adopting twenty-eight women to contest in the 2016 General Elections.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mulyata:  It is a pity that some of them did not win.

 

Mr Speaker, of the 156 seats in the House, only thirty are held by women, which is about 18 per cent and, by far, short of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development requirement. The implication of that is that women’s voices may not be heard as much as they should. For that reason, I expressly request all the men in the House to lend their voices on key women’s issues that will be brought to this House, as that is the only way we will develop this country.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mulyata:  Sir, men and women should come together and be united by the same desire to see Zambia develop. So, the small number of women in this House should not be a hindrance or threat to the development of the country. We should find a way of working together, as men and women, young and old, Opposition and Ruling Party, to ensure that all Zambians are respected and given enough opportunities to flourish irrespective of their religious and political affiliations, sex, age and many other considerations.

 

Mr Speaker, if I may pose a question to all my fellow female hon. Members of Parliament: Do we support each other?

 

Hon. Members: No!

 

Ms Malatya: Sir, I condemn the harassment of the independent media by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government. The brutalisation of the Opposition and the general …

 

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

Your time has expired.

 

Hon. Government Members: Sit down!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kakubo (Kapiri Mposhi): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank you for giving me the chance to make my maiden speech.

 

Sir, allow me to convey my profound gratitude to the people of Kapiri Mposhi for giving me this extraordinary chance in my life to serve them.

 

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kakubo: Mr Speaker, today, I affirm that my first duty will always to serve them. I also want to stress that the best way I can demonstrate my commitment to them is by supporting laws that will develop this country and sincerely applying myself to the uplifting of their social and economic welfare. By far, the most important part of my job is to be part of the lives of the people of Kapiri Mposhi because my destiny is shared with theirs.  To that effect, I will mourn, celebrate and live with them.

 

Sir, Kapiri Mposhi stretches far wide. It starts from its border with Ngabwe Constituency in Senior Chief Chipepo’s area, goes through Chief Nkole’s area, including Fubera, where I come from, down to Mukonchi, Lusemfwa Ward and all the way to Kampumba Ward, where we border the Luano Valley.

 

Mr Speaker, the campaign that we went through was extremely tough. Although we did not have much money and resources, we campaigned very hard. When we were not campaigning, we were on our knees praying that God provides us with resources and guidance and vice versa. Today, I stand here as a true testimony of the grace of God’s in one’s life. Our campaigns were also based on the good will of well-wishers. I remember having meetings in the house of a family I had met for the first time that day. I also remember many women who shared their food with us and the people who came to listen to our good news. I further want to remember the many men and women, the youths included, who played the role of foot soldiers in our campaigns. The victory that was conferred on me on 13^th August, 2016, in fact belongs to them. I particularly remember one old lady who, after a campaign rally in Kampumba, followed me to the vehicle. When I eventually noticed her, I slowed down and she, while shaking on the walking stick by which she supported herself, looked in my eyes and said, “Kakubo, I will campaign for you.” In retrospect, I wonder how that old lady could have campaigned for me, as she was already weak, tired and old. However, her blessings on my life have seen me here today.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kakubo: Therefore, my victory belongs to that woman, too.

 

Mr Speaker, the number of registered voters in Kapiri Mposhi was roughly 103,000. However, less than 50,000 people, representing about 46 per cent, turned up to vote despite the vigorous campaigns that different political parties mounted. What that tells us is that our problems in Kapiri Mposhi currently stretch far beyond the lack of infrastructure about which previous hon. Members of Parliament spoke. So, the people of Kapiri Mposhi feel completely let down by the Government ...

 

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kakubo: … in several areas, one of which is agriculture.

 

Sir, the people of Kapiri Mposhi are chiefly farmers. So, when the Government fails to deliver in the agricultural sector, it is a big problem for us. Some farmers in Kapiri Mposhi are victims of the Electronic Voucher (e-Voucher) Programme, whose teething problems have left them poorer. So, we hope that the Government will improve this programme. I know the pros and cons of the programme because I have experienced them. What happens in Kapiri Mposhi is that when we do not farm properly, our economy in the area worsens because we have no produce to sell and the ripple effect of that is severe. For example, it means that we cannot pay the school fees for our children. It is bad enough that we have to send our children to schools where they have to walk long distances but, now, we have to send them there hungry due to our poor yield. I met many children walking to and from school in Kapiri Mposhi during the election campaigns and I often stopped to give them a lift, often thinking that I would drop them a few kilometres later, but later realising that the distances our children walk to access education are way too long. The times are tough for the people of Kapiri Mposhi.

 

Mr Speaker, I am just one of the many youths in Kapiri Mposhi who saw poverty everywhere we looked in the constituency and came together to do something about it. We turned up in large numbers, and I was the captain of the crew. I said to the guys,, “Gentlemen …”

 

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

The word ‘guys’ is not parliamentary.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kakubo: Mr Speaker, I withdraw it and replace it with the word ‘team’.

 

Sir, we were so fed up of the poverty we saw everywhere that we decided to campaign for a change of Government. We decided to fight for the welfare of our grandfathers, grandmothers, youths, children and generations to come.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kakubo: Sir, like I said in my preamble, our campaign was characterised by inadequate resources, unlike our colleagues in the Patriotic Front (PF), who drowned the constituency in their campaign materials. Even trees were dressed in PF vitenge.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kakubo: There were many fleeces, jumpers or hoodies, if you like, with someone’s face that were handed out to the public free of charge as a way of campaigning. However, we did not need those things in Kapiri Mposhi. What the Ruling Party should have done was help my grandmother by delivering medical equipment and medicines to Kapiri Mposhi.

 

Mr Lubinda interjected.

 

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Minister!

 

Do not take that route.

 

Mr Kakubo: Mushimbili Hospital currently does not have enough medicines and health personnel. The PF Government should also have taken medicines to the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) Clinic. That is what we need in Kapiri Mposhi.

 

Mr Speaker, the call of the youths in Kapiri Mposhi is very simple. We have read reports, even on social media, that the youths of this country could not walk around in party regalia other than that of the PF during the campaigns because they would get assaulted. I hope that before I leave this House, it will pass a law to ban party regalia during election campaigns. We must focus on the real issues about our people’s needs.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kakubo: Mr Speaker, Kapiri Mposhi is privileged enough to host Mulungushi University, which is on the banks of the Mulungushi River. The university enrols about 4,400 and, this month, 800 students graduated from the institution. That is a very difficult thing to do given the fact that water is rationed almost every day, with the students having only one hour of water supply per day. They are not only thirsty, but are also exposed to serious health hazards.

 

Sir, the students who recently graduated Mulungushi University are going straight into a society that has many graduates who need jobs. The job market is saturated. I get emails all the time from students telling me that they wish to start small businesses and I encourage them to do so. However, we want the Government to meet them halfway.

 

Mr Speaker, when the PF came into power under President Michael Sata, may his soul rest in peace, the effective lending rate in this country was 18 to 19 per cent. Today, it has more than doubled. So, the graduates of Mulungushi University cannot get jobs to save money for capital and they cannot borrow because of the high lending rates. How will they start businesses? Therefore, we implore the Government, especially the hon. Ministers of Finance, and Commerce, Trade and Industry to negotiate with commercial banks so that they can cut the red tape in doing business in this country. The banks also always ask for collateral. Where can an entrepreneur get collateral in this country? Nobody can afford to buy collateral and it is difficult to build property because most building materials, including fittings, are imported. So, there has to be another way that the Government and the commercial banks can come up with in order to boost business in this country.

 

Mr Speaker, I believe that every hon. Member of Parliament comes to this House in a unique manner. My journey to this place started a long time ago in Kapiri Mposhi. I am thirty-six years old, but I remember being around seven years old when my father took me to that small town from Ndola on a red Zambia Railways train. I think we got into Kapiri Mposhi about 0200 hours in the morning. I remember that we walked to Headman Liyumbo’s house for a long time. That is how far back my story goes. My father, then, started a small farm there and became the local miller in the 1990s, becoming the main miller in Chief Nkole’s area. My father has been dead for eleven years now, but I am proud to have maintained the same workforce that he left me. The crux of my story is that the area that my father and I passed through from the rail station to the village is still exactly the same. May my father’s soul rest in peace.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kakubo: Mr Speaker, I also wish to celebrate my mother, who is still alive. I thank her for guiding my younger sister, Mwangala, my oldest brother, Tony, and my other brother, Sylvester. She took up the role of both father and mother over the years. I do not think my father had known that his son would one day speak on behalf of many youths and the rest of the country in this House.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kakubo: Mr Speaker, before I resume my seat, may I also take this chance to thank three important people who have steered my political career.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Kakubo: I salute Comrade Hakainde Hichilema.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

The word ‘comrade’ is not parliamentary.

 

Mr Kakubo: Mr Speaker, I withdraw that word and replace it with ‘my president’.

 

Sir, I salute president Hakainde Hichilema. Three days after I was declared winner in Kapiri Mposhi Constituency election, I remember rushing to his residence, where he told me words that still ring in my mind today. After congratulating me, he said, “Kakubo, go back to the people and thank them for the overwhelming votes that they gave us.” I have never seen such humility in a man.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kakubo: Allow me to also thank his running mate, Mr Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM), who was an hon. Member of this House as well, a colleague of ours and a colleague of Mr Hichilema. I thank the two gentlemen for their spirited during the election campaigns. Unfortunately, I cannot say much about their fight because it touches on matters that are in court.

                                                                   

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Princess Kucheka (Zambezi West): Mr Speaker, thank you.

 

Sir, is it really me addressing this House today?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: I do not know who you are, but I recognised the hon. Member for Zambezi West.

 

Princess Kucheka: Mr Speaker, let me begin by thanking you for giving me an opportunity to make my maiden speech in this august and prestigious House.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Princess Kucheka: I do so with humility and gratitude for having been given the responsibility to represent the people of Zambezi West.

 

Mr Speaker, before I go further, I would like to say that you inspire me with your unique laugh.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: I think I will cease inspiring you.

 

Laughter

 

Princess Kucheka: Sir, I have finally been given this opportunity on the fourth attempt. My first attempt was as an Independent in 2006. In 2011, I stood on the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) ticket and in 2014, I stood on the same party ticket during a by-election. I am now a member of the mighty United Party for National Development (UPND).

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Princess Kucheka: Sir, I thank the UPND leadership, under the able guidance of president Hakainde Hichilema, ...

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Princess Kucheka: ... for giving me the rare opportunity to stand on the UPND ticket and serve the people of Zambezi West.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Princess Kucheka: Mr Speaker, allow me to join other hon. Members in congratulating you on your re-election to the honourable office of Speaker. I also congratulate the First and Second Deputy Speakers on their deserved election to their positions. I am confident and very hopeful that you will preside over the business of this House with a high level of integrity and ensure that the voices of the people we represent are ably represented and heard on the Floor of this House.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Princess Kucheka: Mr Speaker, my speech would not be complete if I did not thank the Almighty God for His mercies and protection during the campaigns for the 11^th August, 2016 General Elections.

 

Sir, let me also take this opportunity to thank the people dear to my heart, namely my supportive and loving husband and my children, although they are not in Zambia to hear me thank them.

 

Hon. Government Members: Where are they?

 

Princess Kucheka: They are in the Netherlands and in Mozambique.

 

Mr Speaker, I also thank the people of Zambezi West and their traditional leadership for demonstrating their confidence in me by supporting my bid to represent them in this House. The people of Zambezi West have also demonstrated their commitment and loyalty to the UPND.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order, on the right!

 

Princess Kucheka: Given an opportunity to serve in the Government, the party can turn the economy around for the betterment of the majority of Zambians, ...

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Princess Kucheka: ... particularly the people of Zambezi West, who gave my predecessor, Hon. Kakoma, two terms and, in the recent past, voted for my sister, Christabel Ngimbu, of the Patriotic Front (PF) because of the numerous promises the PF made. Unfortunately, her party has not been fulfilled its promises.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Princess Kucheka: Mr Speaker, Zambezi West is endowed with many natural resources, including natural gas, copper, zinc and gold, which we have not had the opportunity to exploit for the benefit of the people of the constituency and the country at large. 

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Princess Kucheka: In agriculture, we have huge potential in rice and fish farming, which must be exploited.

 

Mr Speaker, let me move to the challenges facing the people of Zambezi West. I came here with a heavy heart, burdened by the high poverty levels and lack of social amenities in the constituency. We share the same geological belt with Angola, which enjoys an endowment of oil, and we believe that a belt of oil lies under our soil, and awaits exploitation and harnessing for the betterment of this country.

 

 Sir, we, the people of Zambezi West, have been neglected by successive Governments. For example, they are subjected to crossing the Zambezi River in canoes to get to the only minimally developed town of Zambezi. They risk their lives in that manner so that they can earn some income to support their families. The Mwanawasa Administration had promised to build a bridge on the Zambezi River to connect us to the town of Zambezi but, unfortunately, that promise has not been fulfilled even after feasibility studies were conducted. We were also promised the same project by the Rupiah Banda Government, but the project did not see the light of day. The PF, which has been in Government for the past five years, also promised, through the then Republican Vice-President, Dr Guy Scott, and the current Vice-President, who was then PF National Chairperson, when they were campaigning for Christabel Ngimbu during a by-election in 2014, to build the bridge within three months. However, like many other PF promises, that one has not been fulfilled, too.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Princess Kucheka: It seems that the people of Zambezi West have become fed up with political rhetoric and I hope that I will be able to push for them to be treated as equal citizens of this country and allowed to participate in and get a fair share of the cake of national development.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Princess Kucheka: Mr Speaker, I am also hopeful that by coming here, I will be able to continuously appeal to those charged with the responsibility of providing services like education to look at the plight of the people of Zambezi West. We have very intelligent boys and girls who have ended up resorting to abuse of alcohol and other undesirable vices because of not having an opportunity to continue with their education due to a lack of education infrastructure in the constituency. Young minds and hearts are my main motivation. I am here today to make for them a better tomorrow. With the right tools, the young boys and girls will lift themselves and this country out of poverty.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Princess Kucheka: It is my hope that all boys and girls will complete their primary and secondary education rather than be forced to leave school by the extremely high cost of education and long distances to schools.

 

Sir, the majority of infrastructure in the constituency was either left by the colonial masters or built by the United National Independence Party (UNIP) Government. We have not had new infrastructure developed. In this regard, I appeal to the hon. Ministers to tour the area to see the need for secondary schools, hospitals and other infrastructure there. I also appeal to the hon. Minister ...

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1815 hours until 1830 hours.

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mrs Kucheka: Mr Speaker, ...

 

Laughter

 

Mrs Kucheka: ... before business was suspended, I was about to appeal to the hon. Minister of Health – I saw him here. Where is he? I appeal to him to ensure that many health facilities are constructed in my area. I also demand that the Government gives us our share of the 650 health posts promised to the nation, which are already being constructed in other areas. Our current situation is bad.

 

Sir, in Zambezi West, even pregnant women have to cross the Zambezi River in canoes just to access health services or travel long distances by oxcart or bicycle to access larger health in Zambezi Town.

 

Mr Speaker, I equally appeal to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs to ensure that as many police posts as possible are constructed in Zambezi District to maintain security, law and order. Our people are not safe because of a lack of police posts in the entire constituency and depend on the police officers from Zambezi East to provide security.

 

Sir, let me appeal to the hon. Ministers of Community Development and Social Welfare, and Chiefs and Traditional Affairs to visit my constituency so that, together, we can fight early marriages, which are very common. Too many young girls are being married off or having unplanned pregnancies and suffering various forms of discrimination as a result. The traditional role of women continues to be challenged, as women wish to contribute to society as much as men. So, there is an urgent need for the Government to stop traditions and customs that are significant obstacles on women’s road to success; the customs that force young girls into early marriages.

 

Mr Speaker, I can give you the geographical set up of my constituency, be it Kucheka, just like my name, ...

 

Hon. Opposition Member: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Kucheka: ... Nyawanda or Nyachikayi. All these are areas where our people living, hoping that one day, they will see the essential facilities provided for them so that they can improve their welfare.

 

Sir, my people are also committed farmers, but they seem to be the last to be considered for farming inputs. So, I have come to be a strong voice for them.

 

Sir, my constituency is home to many tourist treasures that have been out of reach of many potential tourists due to a bad road network. In that regard, I earnestly appeal to the PF Government to include Zambezi West on the road grid.

 

Mr Speaker, we will demand, through this august House, that Zambezi West, which is in the North-Western Province, the new Copperbelt of this country, begins to benefit equally from development. It is sad that all the money made from the exploitation of natural resources like copper, gold and other minerals is channelled towards the development of other areas at the expense of our people in the North-Western Province.

 

Hon. Government Member: Question!

 

Mrs Kucheka: It hurts me that even the minimal development in the province starts from Solwezi, the provincial capital and the resources finish before reaching the tail end where we are. I appeal that the North-Western Province begins to benefit from the natural resources being extracted from there. Let development begin from the North-Western Province and flow over to other areas in the country because we are the major contributors to the Treasury. We will continue to highlight these and many other challenges affecting the people of Zambezi West and the North-Western Province so that we, one day, see equity in the distribution of wealth and development in our country. There will be five years of robust debate and engagement with the Government to make sure that our people receive the development they deserve.

 

Sir, speaking about natural resources in the area benefiting the people, it does not make sense that the majority of the people in Zambezi West have never seen electricity while the few who have suffer the infamous load shedding, yet the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) generates power from water flowing from the Zambezi River, which starts in Zambezi District. That is very awkward.

 

Mr Speaker, finally, both the left and the right of this Parliament should rise above partisan politics and work for our people, who have placed their destiny and hopes in us. Let us not be swayed by these air conditioners, privileges and the title ‘honourable’ because it is not honourable to forget the people who sent us here. It is my hope that during our time here, we will facilitate the building and/or rehabilitation of more schools, health posts and roads, and provision of other basic social amenities.

 

Mr Speaker, let me leave you with the following wise words from Abraham Lincoln:

 

“A Government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

 

Sir, before I ask God to bless you, I would like to say that I waited long before making my maiden speech because, as royalty, I wanted to give my subjects time to make their speeches first.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

I am sure you have concluded your debate. You may resume your seat.

 

Laughter

 

Mrs Kucheka: Mr Speaker, may God bless our great Republic.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker. 

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

 The Chief Whip, and Acting Leader of Government Business (Mr Musukwa): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

_________

 

The House adjourned at 1841 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 18^th November, 2016.