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Wednesday, 15th March, 2017
Wednesday, 15th March, 2017
The House met at 1430 hours
[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]
NATIONAL ANTHEM
PRAYER
__________
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
DEMONSTRATION BY ALLEGED PATRIOTIC FRONT CADRES AT THE LAW ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA IN LUSAKA
The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to render a ministerial statement on the illegal demonstration by some alleged Patriotic Front (PF) cadres at the offices of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ).
Hon. UPND Members: Kaizer Zulu!
Mr Kampyongo: However, Sir, with your indulgence, permit me to seize this opportunity to join the rest of the soccer-loving Zambians in congratulating the Under 20 Football Team on the historic achievement.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kampyongo: I also thank you for your presence, Sir. We saw you pray when you saw the unusual activities that were taking place on the pitch.
Laughter
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, in the same light, allow me to thank the Inspector-General of Police, his deputies and all the commanders of the units in the Zambia Police Service for the exemplary service they rendered to the nation at its time of need.
Sir, you may wish to know that one of the coaches who mentored the goal keepers is Chief Inspector Yona Phiri of the Zambia Police, whom we have since honoured.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity, once again, to issue a ministerial statement on the point of order raised by Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, Member of Parliament for Monze Central Constituency, on the illegal demonstration by some alleged PF cadres ...
Mr Livune: Question!
Mr Kampyongo: ... at the LAZ offices in Lusaka on 3rd March, 2017.
Sir, while Part III Article 2(b) of the Constitution of Zambia provides for freedom of conscience, expression, assembly, movement and association, the article ought to be read together with the Public Order Act Cap 113 of the Laws of Zambia.
Mr Speaker, the Public Order Act provides the procedures that ought to be followed to hold public meetings, processions and demonstrations legally in this country. Any public meeting, procession and/or demonstration that does not meet the provisions of the Public Order Act is, therefore, a breach of the law and an illegality.
Sir, I must also stress that all organisations, associations and persons operating in Zambia are bound by the provisions of the Public Order Act. The Government is, therefore, concerned about the apparent increase in the number of public demonstrations by some political parties, students, public service drivers and members of the community.
Mr Speaker, we have observed that illegal demonstrations by political parties tend to occur mostly in election years. In fact, opposition political parties account for a bulk of the illegal demonstrations that took place ...
Hon. Opposition Members: Question!
Ms Lubezhi: Ah!
Mr Kampyongo: ... in the election years of 2011, 2015 and 2016. Sadly, political parties in Government have equally contributed to the breach of the Public Order Act.
Sir, as the ministry responsible for the enforcement of the law and ensuring public order, the Ministry of Home Affairs does not condone illegal demonstrations. Therefore, all political parties, whether in the Government or the Opposition, are expected to observe the law, as there is no place for lawlessness in a democratic country like ours.
Mr Speaker, illegal demonstrations do not only contravene the provisions of the law, but also breach public order and peace in the country. The provisions of the Public Order Act are very clear. Any person intending to assemble or convene a public meeting, procession or demonstration is required to notify the Zambia Police Service, at least, seven days before the event.
Sir, with regard to the demonstration by some alleged PF cadres that took place on 3rd March, 2017, at the offices of LAZ in Lusaka, I wish to categorically state that it was illegal because the organisers did not follow the provisions of the Public Order Act. However, the Zambia Police Service acted swiftly in ending the demonstration.
Hon. Opposition Members: Question!
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, the demonstrators obeyed the directive of the Zambia Police Service to disperse. The dispersion was peaceful, resulting in the restoration of order at the LAZ offices and the surrounding areas.
Mr Livune: Question!
Mr Kampyongo: Sir, it should also be noted that no loss of life or damage to property was reported. Accordingly, no arrests were effected.
Mr Speaker, my ministry has since directed the Zambia Police Service to come up with an early warning system for illegal public meetings, processions and demonstrations so as to prevent any potential breach of public order in good time.
Sir, furthermore, I have directed the Zambia Police Service to work closely with the Chief Registrar of Societies to put measures in place to ensure that all organisations, associations and individuals observe the provisions of the Public Order Act whenever they wish to hold public meetings, processions or demonstrations.
Mr Speaker, some of the measures that will be put in place to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Public Order Act are:
- sensitisation of leaders of organisations at all levels and members of the public on the provisions of the Public Order Act through radio and television programmes;
- provision of advice to leaders or organisations and associations on ensuring public order during meetings, processions and demonstrations; and
- enhancement of patrols by the Zambia Police Service so as to quell any illegal public meetings, processions and demonstrations before they cause any significant public disorder.
Mr Speaker, I wish to stress that the Public Order Act is an essential piece of legislation for the preservation of public order, especially in a plural society such as Zambia. It is also essential for the preservation of our democratic dispensation and protection of fundamental liberties. My Government shall, therefore, continue to vigorously uphold and enforce the law governing the holding of public meetings, processions and demonstrations.
Therefore, Mr Speaker, I wish to send a timely warning to the political parties, particularly the Patriotic Front (PF) to which I belong, …
Mr Nkombo: Hear, hear!
Mr Kampyongo: … and the United Party for National Development (UPND).
Mr Livune: Question!
Interruptions
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, the two political parties account for a number of legal meetings, processions and demonstrations.
Mr Speaker, law abiding citizens expect the party in Government to lead by example with regard to the observance of the law. Similarly, any political party that aspires to take the mantle of leadership of our country has to be exemplary in its observance of the law of the land. This is essential because we are a Government and country of laws.
Mr Speaker, before I conclude, let me commend the spokesperson for the UPND who issued a statement this afternoon, restraining its supporters from going to disturb court processions. That is the kind of leadership we want to see in this country.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask points of clarification on the statement given by the hon. Minister of Home Affairs.
Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, let me briefly join the hon. Minister in congratulating the Under-20 National Football Team. In the same breath, allow me to apologise, on behalf of the Patriotic Front (PF), to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the unbecoming behaviour of one of the State House Aides, Mr Kaizer Zulu.
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I also wish to apologise, on behalf of the PF, to the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ).
Interruptions
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, …
Mr Lubinda: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, only yesterday, you guided on the decorum that we ought to maintain in this House and that was a very serious ruling. The hon. Minister of Home Affairs has just presented a ministerial statement, the conclusion of which called for a high level of respect for others. He also commended the spokesperson of the United Party for National Development (UPND) for doing what is expected of leaders.
Sir, is the hon. Minister …
Ms Lubezhi: Minister?
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Lubinda: Yes, Sir, it may excite them when I make a mistake of referring to the hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central as minister. That is understandable.
Laughter
Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to assume the locus that he does not have by apologising on behalf of people who are present here and who have the capacity to apologise when they think there is a need?
Interruptions
Mr Lubinda: He is apologising in regard the ministerial statement in which the hon. Minister indicated that the Patriotic Front (PF) was not involved in anyway.
Interruptions
Mr Lubinda: Sir, is he in order to assume the powers to apologise on behalf of the PF when he is not its member and failing to apologise on behalf of his party which did not support the Under-20 National Football Team?
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Lubinda: Sir, is the hon. Member in order to celebrate the team after it has registered a victory?
I seek your serious ruling, Sir.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, let us confine ourselves to the business at hand. I thought it was befitting to allow the hon. Member to congratulate the Under-20 National Team. However, to get into matters that could be controversial is most inappropriate. As the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central indicated, he was apologising on behalf of a political party, yet he was referring to a Government functionary in his statement. This can confound the situation. I know we are a political body. However, we have business to conduct here. Let us respect the business we are scheduled to conduct. There are other platforms elsewhere where we can politic in that fashion. As far as the House is concerned, these are the kinds of statements that, unfortunately, degenerate into the issues that I deprecated yesterday.
When you make such statements, you excite each other and you resort to conduct that may not befit your. So, hon. Member for Mazabuka Central, please, focus on our core business this afternoon which is to simply seek clarification on the statement given by the hon. Minister of Home Affairs. That is our core business.
Mr Nkombo: Sir, I withdraw the apology or just ...
Laughter
Mr Speaker: Just withdraw the statement.
Laughter
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I unreservedly withdraw the statement of apology that I made on behalf of the Patriotic Front (PF). However, I apologise on behalf of the people of Zambia, to which I belong, who suffered embarrassment.
Laughter
Mr Speaker: Order!
Hon. Member for Mazabuka Central, maybe, you did not get my ruling.
You have no platform to render any apology whatsoever. I have indicated that there are other platforms away from the Floor of the House. You can use those platforms. So, let us not use this platform to politick in that sense. You are a whip, hon. Member.
Please, let us move on.
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, the Government has been accused of selective application of the Public Order Act. I wish to remind the hon. Minister that the happenings at the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) offices are in motion picture and the persons who are in that picture are known to be members of his party. Should he need some help to identify them, we are here to offer that help. Is he averse to arresting the people, whom we know are members of his party, who went to breach the peace of an organisation, LAZ, that was established under an Act of Parliament? We have a video clip of the members of the PF that is now denying its members like Peter denied Jesus three times in – what town was that? I have forgotten it.
Laughter
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, the statement was very clear. I will repeat that the procession to the offices of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) was illegal. That is what prompted the Zambia Police Service to dispatch officers to disperse the people who had gathered there and they obliged.
Mr Speaker, when I say that the gathering was illegal, I am not looking at what organisation the demonstrators belong to. In my statement, I also talked about the increase in the number of such activities. For example, the occurrence at the LAZ offices cannot be compared to what transpired last month at the High Court Grounds. Suspects from the United Party for National Development (UPND) still appear in court for the damage that was caused at the court premises.
Mr Lubinda: He has not apologised on behalf of the UPND.
Mr Kampyongo: I would have liked the hon. Member who raised this point of order to have used the same vigour ...
Mr Lubinda: To apologise.
Mr Kampyongo: ... to apologise to the Judiciary and the people who work in the court premises because they were traumatised.
Mr Nkombo: You apply justice selectively.
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I do not know what the hon. Member means by selective application of justice. The law will be applied fairly and firmly regardless of whether one is from the PF or UPND.
Hon. Member: Chiwamila galu!
Mr Kampyongo: It does not matter who is involved. Anyone who breaches the law is dealt with accordingly.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, the question was: If identified, would the persons be subject to the law?
Mr Kampyongo: Your Excellency ...
Laughter
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, when the police go to deal with a situation like the one under discussion, they assess whether or not there is a need to effect an arrest. In this case, whether or not the culprits were identified, the police were called to the scene, they asked the demonstrators to disperse and they obliged. So, there was no need to effect an arrest.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Nanjuwa (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has warned both the United Party for National Development (UPND) and Patriotic Front (PF) against holding illegal demonstrations. How would he describe the reaction of the Zambia Police Service to the peaceful demonstrations by the UPND as compared to those by the PF?
Mr Speaker: I am not sure whether you followed the question.
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I followed the question. However, I have a challenge with it because it is a generalisation. He should have cited the peaceful demonstration that the UPND held, for instance, at the High Court Grounds or in Kalingalinga. Then, I would have known how to react. I have a challenge reacting to a blanket question like that by the hon. Member. However, I would like to repeat that my warning to the two political parties was very clear. If they follow the law, they will have no problem with the Zambia Police Service. If they decide to breach the law by going against our advice, then, they will have no one to blame but themselves.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mukumbuta (Senanga): Mr Speaker, what measures has the hon. Minister put in place to protect public institutions from such barbaric behaviour from Patriotic Front (PF) cadres?
Mr Speaker: I am not sure I have got your question.
Mr Mukumbuta: Mr Speaker, I asked what measures the hon. Minister has put in place to prevent a recurrence of such barbaric behaviour from the PF cadres?
Hon. PF Member: Question!
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, my statement was very clear and did not single out any grouping. I do not know how long my hon. Colleague has been in this country. However, he cannot compare what happened at the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) offices with what happened at the High Court Grounds.
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Order!
Mr Kampyongo: To make it easier for the hon. Member, the measures we have put in place are those that I have spelt out.
Sir, the Zambia Police Service will be conducting patrols but, certainly, you cannot have the police guarding all public places. It will conduct patrols and move in where there is disorder. For example, the demonstrators at the LAZ officers heeded the advice of the police to disperse. Likewise, the thugs who went to the High Court premises were dealt with accordingly. They were arrested and still appear in court while the leaders who incited them enjoy their freedom.. Those are the measure that we have put in place.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, this is a straightforward issue. I can read the undertones clearly and they are unnecessary. This is a time for points of clarification on the statement. However, we are trying to use the statement as a platform for something else.
Mr Mwamba: Orientation!
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: If there is nothing to clarify, we should move on with our business.
Hon. Government Members: Yes!
Mr Speaker: I have the discretion to move on almost immediately …
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Speaker: … if we are proceeding on this trajectory.
Mr Mbangweta (Nkeyema): Mr Speaker, I seek your indulgence. We have been told that that was ‘en’ illegal procession.
Mr Ngulube: An!
Mr Mbangweta: There have been illegal demonstrations before by some parties and citizens. For other parties and citizens, teargas has been sprayed, investigations conducted and people arrested. However, in this instance, an illegal demonstration took place, the Zambia Police Service was informed about it, but just asked the demonstrators to disperse. We are all citizens of this country. This is what we mean by double application of the Public Order Act.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mbangweta: My question to the hon. Minister is: Can he explain what has happened in this case?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, at the expense of repeating myself, what transpired was that people went in a procession with some placards carrying messages. They had no missiles or stones. When the Zambia Police Service was notified about the procession, it checked its records and found that there was no notice of such a procession, moved in and advised the people to disperse. In the other instances, there were thugs wielding stones …
Mr Lubinda: Yes!
Mr Kampyongo: … and breaking people’s properties like cars.
Mr Lubinda: Yes!
Shouting, “kumbele!”
Laughter
Mr Kampyongo: So, when the police is called to such a scene, it swings into action …
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kampyongo: … and gives the culprits treatment that befits their actions.
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kampyongo: In other words, there is no different application of the law. It is the circumstances and conduct of the people having a procession that dictates the action to be taken by the police. That is what marks the difference.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated, in his statement, that the Public Order Act demands that when there is going to be a demonstration or public gathering, the Zambia Police Service should be notified. My question is: Why does the Zambia Police Service insist that permission should be granted? I would like the hon. Minister to differentiate between giving notice and seeking permission. I ask because the Zambia Police Service always wants to give permission as opposed to being given notification.
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the question by the hon. Member for Ikeleng’i. Ideally, the Zambia Police Service should be given notification, spelling out the activities to be carried out. The police should be satisfied with the measures put in place in order to preserve public order. If people are going to be brought together, the Zambia Police Service would like to know how the gathering is going to be managed. So, first and foremost, the police should be satisfied that there will be order before permission is granted.
Mr Speaker, not so long ago, there was a stampede at a church gathering. So, anything can happen when there are multitudes. If the Zambia Police Service is not satisfied with the security measures put in place, it advises the conveners of the gathering what to do. In some instances, it will say, “We feel you should not hold this event on such and such a day because we need to ensure that order prevails where there is a large gathering. This is because our interest is to ensure the safety of the people.
Mr Speaker people should notify the Zambia Police Service before organising an event for a large gathering.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, you may wish to clarify the distinction between the notification procedure and whether or not there is a requirement for permission.
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, when the Zambia Police Service receives notification that there is going to be a church assembly and is convinced about the safety of the people, the conveners are given a go ahead. However, if it is not satisfied, it can propose a suitable date for the procession or meeting. So, it does not grant permission, but acknowledges that it is satisfied with the arrangements for the public gathering. You can call that permission, but it depends on the terminologies you choose to use. All that matters is the process to be followed.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, ...
Mr Ngulube: Question!
Mr Livune: … this being a House of laws, I am somewhat startled by the hon. Minister’s constant reference to the matter that is in the High Court relating to the United Party for National Development (UPND). I felt that the hon. Minister ...
Mr Speaker: Is that a point of order?
Mr Livune: No Sir. I thought that I could take advantage of this opportunity ...
Mr Speaker: No, you should not and you cannot do that because I have allowed you to ask a question.
Mr Livune: Sir, my question is: ...
Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, let me apologise to the hon. Member for Katombola for disrupting his question.
Sir, this country operates under a law of presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The hon. Minister of Home Affairs repeatedly referred to and compared the events at the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) offices relating to the Patriotic Front (PF) or suspected PF members, as he called them, and the demonstration at the High Court by the UPND members, which is still active in court though not yet determined. Is the hon. Minister in order to be the judge and jury to the convicted UPND members …
Mr Michelo: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: … who are still appearing in court and seeking their innocence? Is the hon. Minister in order to compare that event with the issue on the Floor of the House?
Sir, I seek your ruling.
Mr Livune: Hear, hear!
Mr Speaker: As I understood him and actually heard him, the hon. Minister did not refer ...
Hon. UPND Members: Ah!
Mr Speaker: You are asking for a ruling.
Interruptions
Mrs Chonya: We are asking for a fair ruling.
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Let us have some order!
The ruling is being awaited by the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central …
Laughter
Mr Speaker: … who raised the point of order and I am duty bound to discharge in silence. There was no reference to a course of action. I hope we are together.
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: There was no reference to questions put before a court of law. The hon. Minister referred to measures taken by the Zambia Police Service in response and compared the physical situations at the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) and the High Court Grounds which are not juridical.
Interruptions
Mr Ngulube: Ema Speaker, aya!
Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister knows the people who went to disrupt the peace at LAZ. What steps has he taken to counsel them, especially since he is the National Youth Chairperson for the Patriotic Front (PF) so that they should behave in future?
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, we are really benefitting from your counsel and disposition. The hon. Member has paraphrased the question which was posed earlier on with regard to what transpired at the LAZ offices. Let me explain further for his benefit. When there is a demonstration, the police make a proclamation in the name of the President, requesting the demonstrators to disperse. If they adhere to the proclamation, no further action is taken and the demonstrators are left to disperse peacefully. If they do not adhere to the proclamation, then, the police takes action. So, in this case, whether identified or not, the demonstrators obeyed the police’s proclamation to stop the activities.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Jere (Livingstone): Mr Speaker, my question is a follow up to that by the hon. Member for Ikeleng’i. In an event that the police deems it fit not to allow a gathering or procession to proceed, does it give the reasons for that?
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, those who are not allowed to proceed with a procession, public meeting or gathering are furnished with the reason after the necessary information has been gathered. Not too long ago, a religious event turned into a catastrophe and lives were lost.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Ms Chonya (Kafue): Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister alley the fears that the Zambia Police Service is highly infuriated with Patriotic Front (PF) cadres and that is the reason the Public Order Act is unfairly applied.
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I wish to assure the hon. Member of Parliament that the Zambia Police Service is supposed to be a professional institution. In other words, it is apolitical. As Minister in charge of home affairs, I cannot entertain officers who are partisan because then we shall be killing the institution. However, most of the officers have served the institution for many years and I do not think they can change switch their support from one political party to the other, considering the way governments change. So, they provide a service to all the citizens and are not supposed to be partisan. We advise those who are partisan to leave the institution and join active politics.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Hon. Opposition Members: Question!
_________
QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER
LUKULU/KAOMA ROAD
179. Mr Mutelo (Mitete) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:
- whether the Government was aware that the Lukulu/Kaoma Road is virtually impassable;
- if so, what emergency measures would be taken to make the road passable in the short and long term; and
- when the rehabilitation of the road would commence.
The Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development (Mr Chitotela): Mr Speaker, the Government is aware that the Lukulu/Kaoma Road is in a poor condition.
Sir, the Government, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), has taken short-term measures to address the situation by undertaking on-the-spot improvement works on the worst affected sections from Lishuwa Area to Lukulu, which is a stretch of approximately 40 km, to make the road passable. K500,000 was released last week for the on-the-spot improvement works during this rainy season. The Government has a long-term plan to upgrade the road to bituminous standard.
Mr Speaker, the Lukulu/Kaoma Road is being considered for upgrading to bituminous standard in the 2017 Road Sector Annual Work Plan using the Contractor Facilitated Initiative (CFI). The financing term sheets were submitted to the Ministry of Finance for consideration. The rehabilitation of the road will commence thereafter.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Mr Speaker, I am seated right next to the hon. Minister. Is the money that was released last week already being utilised? I ask because, just as the hon. Minister has stated, the road is still impassable.
Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, I can safely say that K500,000 was released last week and that it is already being utilised. To set the record straight, I wish to say that the total released for the on-the-spot improvement of the road amounts to K3, 940,000. We have been releasing funds for the improvement of the road so that people’s movements are not disrupted. One of the measures we have taken is to allow the regional engineers from the Western Province to assist the people travelling on this road. That way, we will avoid the inconvenience that may be caused to the travelling public. From the report that I received, I can confirm that the engineers are currently working on the bad spots.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, ...
Mr Speaker: Sorry, hon. Member, before you take the Floor, the hon. Member for Mitete has a second slot. I did not notice that he was indicating.
Hon. Member, you may take your second slot.
Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, on the long-term measures, the hon. Minister has just said that the Government is waiting for finances. Is the hon. Minister sure that the funds for the upgrading of the road in the short-term will be released? By the way, people are listening.
Laughter
Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, I am very certain about that. The Lukulu/Kaoma Road is part of the Katunda/Lukulu/Watopa Road Project. The 270 km-Katunda/Lukulu/Watopa Road has been split into three lots. Lot 1, which includes the rehabilitation of 112 km, has been awarded to China Anhui Shu’ian Construction Group at a cost of K607 million. Lot 2, which starts from the Lukulu/Watopa Junction and whose distance is between 102 km and 190 km, has also been given to Messers Anhui Shu’ian Construction Group at a total cost of K601 million. Lot 3 has been awarded to China Railway Seventh Group (Zambia) Limited at a cost of K900 million. As I stated earlier, the road will be 100 per cent financed by the contractor. After rehabilitating the road, the contractor will transfer the liability to the Government. As a ministry responsible for public works, we do not have the power to contract loans. According to the Loans Authorisation Act, which is an Act of Parliament, only the Minister of Finance can commit the Government to contract debt. So, as a ministry, we have done our part and submitted the rest to the Ministry of Finance.
I wish to assure the people of the Western Province, and Lukulu in particular, that we shall continue engaging the Ministry of Finance so as to ensure speedy signing of the loan agreement to enable the contractors to move on site.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I am sure the hon. Minister is aware that this is a road of high economic value. Most of the timber that we export comes from that region. I am aware that the road was repaired shortly before the onset of the rainy season. The above normal rainfall has done a lot of damage to it. This has been exacerbated by the continuous movement of trucks carrying logs. In addition, our matrimonial ratings have dropped tremendously, as we cannot visit our in-laws seeing as we married from the same province.
Could the hon. Minister state how much money was wasted in repairing the road. In the past, a small vehicle like a Toyota Corolla could cover the 200 km stretch to Lukulu in 40 minutes. However, it now takes five hours to cover the same distance. As the hon. Minister responds to this question, could he also address the issue of diminishing matrimonial ratings.
Laughter
Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, to the best of my knowledge, there are no diminishing matrimonial ratings. The hon. Member and I have the alternative of using the Chingola/Solwezi Road since he goes to Zambezi and I go to Mwinilunga. So, I do not anticipate any challenges in getting to Zambezi and Mwinilunga. It is because of the importance that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government attaches to this road that it has committed K2.1 billion to upgrading it to bituminous standard. We appreciate and truly value the economic benefits that this road will bring about.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Speaker: Away from the ratings.
Laughter
GREAT EAST ROAD (SINDA/CHIMTENGO) REHABILITATION
180. Mr W. Banda (Milanzi) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:
- when the stretch of the Great East Road between Sinda and the Chimtengo Forest would be rehabilitated; and
- what had caused the delay in rehabilitating the road.
Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, rehabilitation works on the 15-km stretch of the Great East Road between Sinda and Chimtengo Forest are ongoing. It is expected that the works will be completed by July, 2017.
Sir, the delay in rehabilitating the remaining 15-km stretch was caused by the suspension of the works by the contractor who demanded compensation for loss of revenue resulting from the devaluation of the Zambian currency against the United States Dollar. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has agreed to finance part of the compensation cost through price adjustment while the balance of the cost will be financed by the Government of the Republic of Zambia.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr W. Banda: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out if the Government has intentions of installing tollgates on this road once it has been worked on.
Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, that is a brilliant idea. Indeed, the Government has intentions of putting up tollgates on the Great East Road. One will be between Lusaka and Chongwe and the other one will be between Sinda and Petauke. There will also be another one between Katete and Chipata. As the Government, we are investing over K500 million on this road project. Therefore, there is no way we can invest all that money into a road and not maintain it to ensure that it is sustained for a longer period. So, I can confirm to the people of the Eastern Province that they will begin to contribute towards the maintenance of the road very soon.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr C. M. Zulu (Luangeni): Mr Speaker, hardly two years has passed and parts of the road are already damaged. What will you do, hon. Minister? Will you send a private contractor to work on the road?
Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, to the best of my knowledge, this is one of the best roads that the Portuguese company, Condra and the Motor Angel, has worked on. If truly there are some portions of the road that have been damaged, the hon. Member for Luangeni can take comfort in knowing that the road is still the responsibility of the contractor, as it has not yet been handed over to the Government.
However, even after it has been handed over to the Government, there is a defect liability period of twelve months in which the contractor can be asked to go back to the site and repair damaged portions of the road.
I thank you, Sir.
Ms Miti (Vubwi): Mr Speaker, the portion that the hon. Member for Milanzi referred to is supposed to be completed by July. I am concerned that the detour road we are using at the moment is very narrow. About a week ago, there was congestion on the road because vehicles could not navigate the narrow detour. Is there room for the contractor to widen it?
Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, we shall speak to the contractor. However, these are some of the challenges encountered at the implementation stage of projects. There are certain inconveniences people should suffer for them to have a better tomorrow.
The initial contract sum for this road was K421 million. However, the contractor claimed a loss of business of K110 million, resulting from price variations due the exchange rate. The Government will pay K79 million of the outstanding amount while the African Development Bank (AfDB) will pay K32 million. We shall ensure that the contractor does a good job, considering the huge investment we have put in.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
KAFULAFUTA ELECTRIFICATION
181. Mr Kabamba (Kafulafuta) asked the Minister of Energy when the Rural Electrification Authority would commence the electrification of Kafulafuta Parliamentary Constituency.
The Minister of Energy (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, according to the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) Master Plan, the electrification of Kafulafuta Constituency is earmarked for 2019, subject to the availability of funds.
I thank you, Sir.
KAPUTA DISTRICT LAND DEVELOPMENT FUND
182. Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa) asked the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources:
- when the Government would disburse money from the District Land Development Fund to Kaputa District Council; and
- what the conditions for accessing the money were.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources (Ms Kapata): Mr Speaker, in June, 2016, the ministry released a total of K496,949.89 to Kaputa District under the Land Development Fund.
In accordance with Section 18 of the Lands Act of 1995, Cap 185 of the Laws of Zambia, the Land Development Fund is meant to help local authorities across the country open up new areas for development. Currently, the fund supports the following scopes of work at the project site:
- preparation of the layout plan;
- demarcation and surveying;
- construction of roads;
- water reticulation; and
- provision of electricity.
Therefore, a council that wishes to apply for the fund should ensure that its application is within the above scopes of works.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether or not there is a verification mechanism to ensure that districts that access the fund spends the money on the intended purpose? If not, what will your ministry do?
Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, we make follow-ups. In the case of Kaputa District, the money was used to survey and demarcate 1,500 properties.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Speaker: And the latter part? What will your ministry do in case the money is not properly applied?
Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, we have had no situation where the money has not been properly applied. This is because it is specifically for the purpose that I outlined in my response.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Fungulwe (Lufwanyama): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources how often her ministry disburses money from the Land Development Fund to councils.
Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, the money is disbursed upon request from the councils. Money was disbursed to new districts for them to survey land where Government infrastructure would be put up.
As stated earlier, money is disbursed on demand by councils.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Chisopa (Mkushi South): Mr Speaker, according to the hon. Minister, money is given on demand. Is it possible that a council can be given money twice in a year if it requests for it?
Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, the Land Development Fund is only given about K28 million per year. This is not enough for all the councils. Therefore, we only give councils that are in dire need. Like I mentioned earlier, we have concentrated on new councils because they need to carry out surveys.
I thank you, Sir.
DAMS AND INDUSTRIAL BOREHOLES IN KAUMBWE
183. Mr L. N. Tembo (Kaumbwe) asked the Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection:
- whether the Government had any plans to construct dams and sink industrial boreholes in Kaumbwe Parliamentary Constituency;
- if so, when the plans would be implemented; and
- how many dams would be constructed and boreholes sunk in 2017.
The Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection (Mr Kaziya): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that it is the responsibility of the Government to provide access to safe and clean water for communities. Therefore, the Government has plans to construct dams and sink boreholes countrywide, including Kaumbwe Parliamentary Constituency. Currently, detailed feasibility studies are being conducted in Kaumbwe Constituency to identify potential dam construction sites.
Sir, plans for the construction of dams will only be implemented as and when the detailed feasibility studies have been completed and funds for execution of such sites are made available.
Mr Speaker, the number of dams to be constructed cannot be ascertained at the moment, as feasibility studies are still ongoing. Therefore, the Government’s work plan for 2017 does not include the construction of any dams in Kaumbwe Constituency.
I thank you, Mr Speaker
Mr L. Tembo: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the Ministry of Agriculture carried out some feasibility studies and the people of Lumene were promised that everything was in place and the only thing being awaited was funding. What other feasibility study is the ministry conducting in that area?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kaziya: Mr Speaker, if there are any feasibility studies that were conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, then, this was not communicated to my ministry. I, therefore, need to consult. Like I mentioned earlier, feasibilities studies are ongoing and, if there is any disparity between the feasibility studies conducted by Ministry of Agriculture and those carried out by my ministry, we shall compare notes and come back to inform the House.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Nanjuwa (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, there are concerns relating to the sinking of boreholes and construction of dams in most parts of the country. Would the hon. Minister come up with the annual work plan for the construction of dams to be constructed countrywide in 2017.
Mr Kaziya: Mr Speaker, according to my ministry’s work plan for 2017, there are 2,700 boreholes to be sunk countrywide.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Speaker: Order!
That is not the issue, hon. Minister. The question is: Are you able to circulate the information showing the distribution or location of the plans or activities?
Mr Kaziya: Mr Speaker, yes, we are able to circulate the information. I will provide it next time I come back to Parliament.
Hon. Opposition Members: Tomorrow!
Laughter
Mr C. M. Zulu: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out how long the feasibility studies in Kaumbwe Constituency are going to take.
Mr Kaziya: Mr Speaker, feasibilities studies are an on-going process. Therefore, there is no time limit. When the feasibility studies have been conducted, we shall inform the House that the ministry is now ready to construct a dam.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Sialubalo (Sinazongwe): Mr Speaker, would the hon. Minister inform the House how much money has been set aside for the feasibility studies.
Mr Kaziya: Mr Speaker, about K500,000 has been set aside in our work plan for this year’s Budget for the feasibilities studies.
I thank you, Mr Speaker
Mr L. N. Tembo: Mr Speaker, we bring along to this House promises to our people and everyone knows that the ministry is only waiting for funding. What assurance does the ministry have for the people of Lunene in regard to dam construction?
Mr Kaziya: Mr Speaker, I am not sure whether I got the name of the area the hon. Member mentioned.
Mr L. N. Tembo: Lunene.
Mr Kaziya: Sir, the substantive question is on Kaumbwe, but the hon. Member is now asking a question relating to a different area.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr L. N. Tembo rose in his seat.
Mr Speaker: Order!
Unfortunately, you cannot ask another question, hon. Member.
Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, according to the hon. Minister’s response, there were feasibility studies carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and her ministry. Could he confirm that there is no flow of information in the Government such that money can be spent twice on the same task.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kaziya: Mr Speaker, I mentioned that my ministry was not communicated to. However, that is not to say that there is a disparity. The two ministries are, therefore, going to compare notes. Nonetheless, the feasibility studies are ongoing. If we confirm that the Ministry of Agriculture conducted feasibility studies on this project, we shall discontinue the studies.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Ms Kasune (Keembe): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that there no time limit to the feasibility studies. I would like to know how the ministry will ensure that projects are implemented. The argument is that the Government should deliver on the promises it makes to the people.
Ms Kaziya: Mr Speaker, the Government is committed to ensuring that boreholes are sunk according to the allocation in our work plan. It is our sincere promise to the people of Kaumbwe to sink boreholes as per our promise.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, most hon. Members who were in the last Parliament are at pains to continue listening to the same story about feasibility studies. When is the ministry going to harmonise the plans for the feasibility studies which were carried out by the Ministries of Agriculture in the previous Government and the current one, especially that this is a new ministry? If this is done, the issue of referring to previous ministries having conducted feasibility studies will come to an end. This will enable us to only deal with his ministry and avoid the duplication of feasibility studies every now and then.
Mr Kaziya: Mr Speaker, the feasibility studies for the dams that we intend to construct were conducted according to our work plans. As regards the feasibility studies carried out by other ministries, we need to consult them so that we reconcile all our projects.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
CHIFUNDA SECONDARY SCHOOL IN CHAMA SOUTH
184. Mr Mung’andu asked the Minister of General Education when the construction of additional classrooms at Chifunda Secondary School in Chama South Parliamentary Constituency to accommodate Grades 11 and 12 would commence.
The Minister of General Education (Dr Wanchinga): Mr Speaker, this project should attract commendation from us all because it is an example of a community that is committed to improving its welfare. The Government is aware that a Grade 10 class has been opened at Chifunda Secondary School. The opening of this school was as a result of a request by the community through Chief Chifunda. The community has since committed itself to assisting with the construction of the secondary school. To this effect, the people in the area have molded bricks for the expansion of the school to accommodate Grades 11 and 12.
However, the construction of additional classroom blocks at the school will only commence once the other materials have been procured. The procurement of the materials will depend upon the availability of the Government’s contribution to this project.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mung’andu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has correctly mentioned that Grade 10 classes commenced last year and there are supposed to be Grade 11 classes at the school this year. Are we going to wait for the availability of funds before Grade 11 and 12 classes can commence?
Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, that is a valid concern by the hon. Member of Parliament. I will consult the technocrats in my ministry to see how we can come to the aid of the school in the absence of resources so that the construction of the school infrastructure required to accommodate Grades 11 and 12 classes can continue.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Ms Mwashingwele (Katuba): Mr Speaker, from the hon. Minister’s response, it would appear as though the issue of the school has come as a surprise to him. Is the ministry not aware that this school had a Grade 10 class last year so that it should have been ready for the Grade 11 class this year?
Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, my office is aware that the school will require infrastructure for Grade 11 and 12 classes. However, the hon. Minister of Finance and other hon. Ministers have repeatedly said on the Floor of the House that we can only spend what we have. There is a lot of goodwill to improve infrastructure. However, we can only do this if the Treasury could release the resources in good time. I emphasise that we are aware of the need to construct additional infrastructure at the school in question. That is why I have said that I will consult my colleagues to see what contingency arrangements we can make to accommodate the Grades 11 and 12 classes at the school.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Ms Chonya (Kafue): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister able to avail us the Infrastructure Development Plan for the ministry this year?
Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, that is an interesting question. The hon. Member of Parliament may be aware that the responsibility of infrastructure development is now under the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development. So, I will consult my colleagues in the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development to see what residual infrastructure plans are with my ministry and those which have been moved to the other ministry. If we are given some time, we should be able to avail this information to the House at a later date.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, in case I missed this in the hon. Minister’s earlier response, what has happened to the Grade 10 class which was there last year and is supposed to be in Grade 11 this year?
Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, like I said earlier, I will bring the information to the House at a later date, once I have consulted my colleagues. I have also stated that we are going to make contingency plans to accommodate the Grade 11 and 12 classes. This issue may have been already addressed. So, if there is information relating to the arrangements that have been made to accommodate the Grade 11 class, but which I was not privy to, I will bring it to the House at a later date.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Mr Speaker, I am aware that one of the hon. Members has just asked the hon. Minister a question concerning the ministry’s infrastructure development plans. From the hon. Minister’s responses, it is clear that there is no clear reconciliation between what is now being handled by the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development and what rests in his ministry in terms of infrastructure development.
I wish to find out how the ministry is dealing with issues blown off roofs for classrooms. To be specific, can the hon. Minister give us an overview of how the ministry is dealing with such infrastructure which require repairs.
Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, firstly, let me apologise. I have flu and my voice …
Mr Ngulube: Ah!
Laughter
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Dr Wanchinga: Ema apologies, aya (turning towards Mr Ngulube).
Laughter
Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, I am aware about the wide range of infrastructure plans the Ministry of General Education has been pursuing. For instance, we have had plans to construct 115 secondary schools countrywide. Out of the 115 schools, sixty-two have been completed and we are trying to complete the rest. There is also a programme of upgrading 220 schools in all the provinces from basic to secondary school.
Mr Speaker, we have also been negotiating with the World Bank for the construction of eight-two new secondary schools across the country. We have also been negotiating with another group of donors that has offered to help us construct thirty new schools throughout the country. These are the plans the ministry is working on to upgrade and build school infrastructure.
Sir, I have to consult my colleagues in the Ministries of Works and Supply, which is charge of maintaining infrastructure, and Housing and Infrastructure Development, which is in charge of constructing new infrastructure, so that we agree on which structures should be completed by the Ministry of General Education and which ones should be handed over to the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister keeps telling us ...
Prof. Lungwangwa: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Prof. Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to raise a point of order.
Sir, in his response to the question raised by the hon. Member for Zambezi East, the hon. Minister of General Education stated that the ministry is upgrading 220 secondary schools per province. However, the information we were availed last year was that 220 primary schools were to be upgraded countrywide, giving a total of twenty schools to be upgraded per province.
Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to mislead the House by saying that 220 primary schools per province are going to be upgraded yet, according to the data we were given, 220 schools will be upgraded countrywide?
Sir, I need your serious ruling on that misinformation.
Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Nalikwanda, I was just wondering why you could not just ask the hon. Minister a question. You have not asked a question in regard to this issue for you to worry about taking a second question. The Floor is still open to questions.
Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, in his many responses, the hon. Minister kept referring to his consulting other hon. Ministers. He should consult his colleagues before coming to the House so that we get the benefit of the consultation. We expect answers.
Mr Speaker: That is not a question, ...
Laughter
Mr Speaker: ... but a comment.
Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, I wish to take advantage of the failed point of order by the hon. Professor. Are the 220 schools to be constructed as per the new master plan or are 220 schools across the country going to be upgraded?
Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, 220 basic schools will be upgraded countrywide.
That was the flu factor, Mr Speaker.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!
Mr Speaker: Order!
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, in his response to the question raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for Zambezi East, Mr Brian Kambita, which sought to know exactly which ministry houses the data for infrastructure that requires repairs such as blown-off roofs, the hon. Minister talked about the donor that would partner with the ministry and the other donor that would give the ministry a loan. The question is: Who houses the database for blown-off roofs in schools? If the data does not exist, hon. Members of Parliament and their councillors can quickly amalgamate that information and give it to his office so that he can start showing a semblance of organisation. In future, when a question is asked, whether he has flu or not, which I sympathise with, ...
Laughter
Mr Nkombo: ... he should give factual answers.
Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, that is a useful contribution. However, let me assure the hon. Member that the ministry has been compiling information on all the blown-off roofs in schools countrywide. If there are other cases of blown-off roofs that the ministry may not be aware of, that should be brought to the attention of the ministry. This being the rainy season, roofs are being blown-off almost every other day. So, we may not have up to date information on the number of schools with blown-off rooms. Certainly, we are compiling the list that should form the basis for the contingency plans to ask for resources to repair some of the blown-off roofs.
I thank you, Sir.
Ms Kasune: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister talked about upgrading some of the schools in the provinces. In Chibombo, schools such as Chibombo Basic School have been upgraded to high schools. The challenge we are faced with is that the schools that have been upgraded do not have furniture such as desks and other things. Is there a monitoring and evaluation system in place for the schools that are being upgraded? The communities are left to fend for the schools that do not have the required furniture. In some places, pupils learn in ramshackle buildings.
Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, that is another useful contribution. As a ministry, we are aware that facilities in the classrooms are important elements in the learning outcome. The hon. Member may have seen in the papers advertisements for the supply of desks to improve the learning facilities in the classroom. We are also in the process of ensuring that every school that hosts examinations in Information Communication Technology (ICT) is equipped with adequate computers.
So, Mr Speaker, the ministry is aware of the shortcomings. However, it is committed to ensuring that they are overcome.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker: Hon. Member of Parliament for Nalikwanda, do you still want to pursue that matter?
Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Most appreciated, Mr Speaker. School mapping is an important input in the projection of enrollments per school. However, I wish to know the extent to which school mapping informs the hon. Minister about the problems that are peculiar to individual schools like the one that has just been mentioned.
Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, there technocrats in the ministry who go round the country compiling this information.
Thank you, Sir.
Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!
NANSANGA FARMING BLOCK IN SERENJE
185. Mr Kabanda (Serenje) asked the Minister of Agriculture what measures the Government was taking to find equity partners to develop Nansanga Farming Block in Serenje District.
The Minister of Agriculture (Ms Siliya): Mr Speaker, in 2002, the Government embarked on a programme to develop and commercialise agricultural land as part of the Farming Block Development Programme.
For Nansanga, the equity partner, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), was allocated the core venture of 10,000 hectares of land which will be developed as the main anchor.
Also, 3,700 hectares were allocated to the Zambia Correctional Services in 2015 that has since installed nine centre pivots to irrigate 700 hectares of land for continuous crop production.
Sir, all the 300 smallholder farms, ranging from ten to forty hectares were allocated to Zambian applicants who have since started producing crops like maize, sunflower, soybeans and vegetables.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!
Mr Kabanda: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out what measures the Government has put in place to improve the livelihood of the fifty-five families that have been displaced and now live in tents.
Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, it is not the policy of the Government to displace people when it is establishing farming blocks. Further, there is consultation both at local authority and traditional levels. So, if there are families that have been displaced, I would suggest that the hon. Member liaises with the Office of the Vice-President that deals with disaster management so that permanent residential areas can be found for the people.
I thank you, Sir.
FEEDER ROADS IN KALOMO CENTRAL
186. Mr Kamboni (Kalomo Central) asked the Minister of Local Government:
- when the rehabilitation of the following feeder roads in Kalomo Central Parliamentary Constituency would commence;
- Nazilongo/Monde; and
- Kanchele/Dimbwe Mission
- what had caused the delay in rehabilitating the above-mentioned roads, considering that they were of high economic value.
The Minister of Local Government (Mr Mwale): Mr Speaker, rehabilitation works for the feeder roads in Kalomo will commence once the funds have been secured. The roads in question are among those that have been prioritised by the local authority.
Sir, the delays in starting the projects are due to the unavailability of funds.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, I have noticed that no project for Kalomo that was in the Budget for 2015/16 been implemented. The roads in question were approved and included in the 2015/16 Budget. However, we were told that this year’s Budget will concentrate on the projects that were not implemented. When the hon. Minister says that something will be done when money is made available, it is as good as not having given a response.
Laughter
Mr Kamboni: My question is: What kind of budgeting is this where every time we ask about projects that were budgeted for, we are told they have not been implemented? Even when the Executive is given one month to respond to questions, we are told the projects will be implemented when funds are made available. What kind of budgeting is this?
Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, this is the kind of budgeting that is practiced all over the world.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mwale: Sir, I have said before in this House that a budget is a wish list. Whether others like it or not, that is what it is. I have heard some people disputing this, but the fact remains a budget is a list of the things we wish to achieve. We anticipate that funds will be made available in due course. Then, we can implement the projects that have been listed down. However, if funds are not made available, it becomes difficult to implement them. So, when funds are made available, we shall work on the roads.
Mr Speaker, let me also correct the impression created that the Government has not done anything regarding roads in Kalomo since 2013. I wish to state that we worked on one of the roads called Nazilongo/Monde. We did some spot improvement during the period 2013 to 2015. I agree that we need to rehabilitate it fully. So, it is not right to say nothing has been done.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Kamboni: Mr Speaker, this is a decent House and it is not in order to say what is not right.
Mr Ngulube: Question!
Mr Kamboni: The question is: …
Laughter
Mr Kamboni: Before I ask the question, I wish to disagree that this road was not worked on in 2013. It is not correct. My question is: At what point after budgeting is the hon. Minister going to say he has failed to implement what he budgeted for?
Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, our wish is to work on that road once funds are made available. If we manage to raise the funds that we require to work on the roads, we shall definitely work on them. However, if we fail to raise the funds, then, we, as a nation, including all of us seated here, would have failed to work on the roads.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, the Kanchele/Dimbwe Mission road is almost impassable. May I know what the hon. Minister is doing to find a short-term measure to work on this road.
Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, our aim is to deal with this road once and for all. Hence, we are working towards raising resources from the Ministry of Finance. That is what is in our plans. We do not want to attempt to do something now then three or four months later we find money to rehabilitate it in full. We may be wasting money. We anticipate that Ministry of Finance is raising money and this money is coming. However, if everything fails, maybe we may be able to see what we could do in the other year, to ease the burden.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, in his response to part (b) of the Question, the hon. Minister said the ministry would work on the two roads when funds are made available.
Interruptions
Mr Miyanda: How much will it cost to work on the Nazilongo/Monde and Kanchele/Dimbwe roads?
Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, that was not part of the principal Question. So, I do not have a response. However, I can make it available later on.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Kambita: Mr Speaker, I have difficulty reconciling the hon. Minister’s response with the question by the hon. Member relating to feeder roads. I have listened to similar responses from the hon. Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development and I feel there is confusion between what is being done by the two ministries.
Sir, does the hon. Minister have a database of feeder roads prioritised according to which should be done first and so on and so forth? We have a quite a number of feeder roads in our constituencies. If asked, hon. Members could give a huge list of ailing roads. In my constituency, I have quite a number ...
Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister.
Laughter
Hon. Government Member interjected.
Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, in my earlier response, I said that these two roads are amongst the roads that have been prioritised. This means that we have a list of roads that have been prioritised to be attended to. We have been working towards making this list available to all hon. Members of Parliament from the time this question was raised by Hon. Mukata last week. We are working on a road infrastructure development plan which will state what we want to achieve in the next three years. We shall distribute that document once it is complete.
Sir, these two roads in Kalomo were prioritised by the local authorities, who are the owners of the feeder roads. I think this answers the question of who owns these roads. The Road Development Agency (RDA), just like the Zambia National Service (ZNS), is an agency that helps in rehabilitating roads. However, the local authorities are the owners of the roads.
Mr Speaker, feeder roads and urban roads are devolved to local authorities according to the Constitution and all the devolved functions. Local authorities own these roads, but they are assisted by the RDA and the ZNS. We identify and prioritise roads and request other line ministries to come in and help.
I thank you, Sir.
Ms Chonya: Mr Speaker, are there parts of the country where rehabilitation of feeder roads has started against the 2017 Budget, seeing as we are almost finishing the first quarter of the year?
Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, at the moment we are dealing with the roads that we have been carried over from previous years. It does not make sense for us to start new ones and abandon the incomplete ones that we started in previous years. We are focusing on the old roads.
Sir, we require about K800 million to finish off all the other roads that we started in the last few years. We have not started new ones because we are focusing on the old ones.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Nanjuwa (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, following the dispute between the hon. Minister and the hon. Member of Parliament ...
Mr Speaker: Which dispute are you referring to? I am not aware of any dispute.
Laughter
Mr Nanjuwa: I withdraw that statement, Sir.
Mr Speaker, since the hon. Member insists that no work has been done on any of those roads, can the hon. Minister tell us how much was spent on the roads?
Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I can provide the details of the amount, the contractor and the contract period because I believe this road was attended to between 2013 and 2015. It was not worked on fully, but some works were done to improve the road.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, are the roads supposed to be done by the Ministry of Local Government or the Ministry of Defence through the Zambia National Service (ZNS)?
Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the mandate is ours, but we have an understanding with the ZNS which assists us.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that failure would be failure for all of us.
Laughter
Mr Mutelo: Hon. Members on this side of the House passed the Budget.
Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!
Mr Mutelo: Why are we being included in the Government’s failure to implement projects?
Laughter
Mr Mutelo: The Budget has already been passed for 2017. Please, clarify.
Laughter
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the clarification is that ...
Mr Ngulube: Clarify the Budget!
Mr Mwale: ... the execution of the Budget is the responsibility of the leadership of this country and we are all part of that leadership.
I thank you, Sir.
Interruptions
SAMFYA YOUTH SKILLS TRAINING CENTRE IN BANGWEULU
187 Mr Kasandwe (Bangweulu) asked the Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development:
- why the construction of the new Samfya Youth Skills Training Centre in Bangweulu Parliamentary Constituency had stalled;
- when the construction works would resume; and
- what the time frame for completion of the remaining works was.
Mr Mwale (on behalf of the Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development (Mr Mawere)): Mr Speaker, hon. Member may wish to know that the construction of the new Samfya Youth Skills Training Centre has stalled due to a lack of funding for the project. Works will resume once funds for the project are made available. The time frame for the completion will depend on the availability of resources.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Jere (Livingstone): Mr Speaker, how much was allocated for this project and when was it supposed to be completed?
Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I do not have that information now, but I can give it to the hon. Member tomorrow.
AIRSTRIP IN CHINSALI
188. Mr Mukosa (Chinsali) asked the Minister of Transport and Communication:
- whether the Government had any plans to upgrade the airstrip in Chinsali District to an airport, considering that the district is the provincial headquarters;
- if so, when the plans would be implemented; and
- if there were no such plans, why.
The Minister of Community Development and Social Welfare (Ms Kabanshi) on behalf of The Minister of Transport and Communication (Mr Mushimba)): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to transform Chinsali District Aerodrome into a provincial airport and upgrade it to bituminous standard. The Government will, therefore, commence the project once funds are available.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mukosa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has stated that the commencement of the project is dependent on the availability of funds. This means that if there are no funds, this project cannot commence. When will the plan be implemented?
Ms Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, this project is already on the plan. Chinsali District has been upgraded to a provincial headquarter. As the working Government, we will ensure that this aerodrome is also upgraded.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mukosa: Mr Speaker, when exactly is this project going implemented?
Ms Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, not too long ago, Chinsali District was upgraded into a provincial headquarter and plans to upgrade that aerodrome are on the table. As the Government, we have already started building infrastructure such as schools and houses in this country. We are very committed because we can see the potential that tourism has in the Northern Circuit. Therefore, as soon as the funds are available, we will definitely commence the works.
I thank you, Sir.
Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Mr Speaker, the condition of our airstrips is of great concern particularly, in the provinces and districts. The assurance which is given by the hon. Minister is welcome. However, is the hon. Minister going to avail us with the information as to how much it will cost to bring the airstrip at Chinsali and other provincial centres to bituminous standards?
Ms Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, there are no funds that have been availed to the ministry for us to know how much it can cost to upgrade the airstrips in the provincial centres. When money is released, we will be able to avail that information to the hon. Members.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister told this House that this project will commence when funds will be available. Does it mean that she does not know when these funds will be available and how much it will cost?
Ms Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, all works related to architecture cost money. Chinsali District has already been upgraded to a provincial headquarter and the idea for infrastructure development in that area is underway. The infrastructure that is going to be built there is already on plan. When the funds are available, we will start working on the plan and see how much it will cost to upgrade that aerodrome. Hence, we cannot give a flat figure right now because the costs differ from one province to the other.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
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MOTION
ADJOURNMENT
The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.
Question put and agreed to.
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The House adjourned at 1636 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 16th March, 2017.