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Debates - Thursday, 10th October, 2013
DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE THIRD SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 10th October, 2013
The House met at 1430 hours
[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]
NATIONAL ANTHEM
PRAYER
______
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
NURSES’ STRIKE AT THE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL
The Minister of Health (Dr Kasonde): Mr Speaker, I thank you for granting me the opportunity to address the nation on the reported work stoppage by nurses and midwives through this ministerial statement.
The statement is not only in response to the point of order raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for Chipata Central, but is also meant to address the concerns of Zambian citizens in general. I shall address the following three issues:
(a) progression of salaries in the last two years;
(b) chronology of events; and
(c) the position of the Government on this matter.
Mr Speaker, since coming into power, in September, 2011, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has demonstrated its commitment to progressively improve the conditions of service for all Public Service workers, nurses, and midwives, in line with its campaign promises and manifesto.
To this effect, my Government and the Public Service unions agreed on pay reforms to be implemented over a ten-year period. This is aimed at having a competent and effective Civil Service which is well remunerated and competitive in the sub-region.
Mr Speaker, in line with these reforms, most non-duty-related allowances have been abolished, leaving the following:
(a) housing;
(b) transport; and
(c) commuted overtime allowance.
Mr Speaker, the commuted overtime allowance, which was at 5 per cent of the basic salary in 2010, has been increased to 7 per cent. In addition, the shift differential allowance for health personnel has been introduced at 15 per cent of the basic salary. The current total earnings are as follows:
Lowest Paid Nurse
2010 2013 Increase Percentage
(ZMW) (ZMW)
Basic Salary 1,940.19 2,912.00 50.09
Allowances 420 1,513.84 260.44
Gross Total 2,360.19 4,425.84 87.53
Lowest Paid Midwife
2010 2013 Increase Percentage
(ZMW) (ZMW)
Basic Salary 2,014.33 3,328.00 65.22
Allowances 420 1,730.96 312.13
Gross Total 2,434.33 5,058.96 107.82
Mr Speaker, the differences in salary between the lowest-paid nurse and midwife in 2010 and 2013 are 87.5 per cent and 107.82 per cent respectively. In 2010, the lowest-paid nurse got a total of K2,360.19 as gross pay. Today, that same nurse is getting K4,425.84 as gross salary. This represents an 87.53 per cent increase in overall earnings. Other conditions of service for nurses and midwives have also been improved. For instance, a health personnel shift differential allowance of 15 per cent of the basic salary has been introduced.
Mr Speaker, the Collective Agreement signed between the Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO) and the Government awarded a total income increment of 21 per cent to nurses and midwives, broken down as follows:
(a) 4 per cent increment on basic salary;
(b) 2 per cent increment to the already existing 5 per cent basic salary as commuted night duty allowance; and
(c) 15 per cent of basic salary as the newly-introduced health personnel shift differential allowance.
In monetary terms, these changes have resulted in an increment of not less than K600 for the lowest-paid nurse or midwife. However, following the effecting of the new salaries and conditions of service in September, 2013, some disparities have been observed which have resulted in underpayments affecting a very small number of nurses and midwives in salary scales F and G. For example, instead of receiving the agreed upon 4 per cent increment in basic salary, some nurses received 1.1 per cent. This is a problem associated with change management and migration from the fragmented salary structure to the single-spine salary structure that the Government is implementing. This issue has already been brought to the attention of the Government, and corrective measures are being taken. This matter is purely administrative and has nothing to do with the Collective Agreement. As recently as Friday, 4th October, 2013, a meeting was held between the Public Service Management Division (PSMD) and representatives of the aggrieved workers at which the Government agreed to address the grievances raised by the nurses, including the payment of arrears in those areas that had anomalies.
Sir, on Thursday, 3rd October, nurses at Lewanika General Hospital in Mongu threatened to go on strike due to the non-payment of the recently-increased salaries. Following consultations between the local leadership of the ZUNO and medical authorities at the provincial office, the threat was withdrawn. This was the state of affairs in Kitwe, Itezhi-tezhi, Katete and Mazabuka. On the same evening, nurses at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka went on strike. Intensive negotiations with ZUNO national leadership, the Cabinet Office and Ministry of Health started on Friday, 4th October, 2013. Following this, the Cabinet Office made a clear statement to the effect that the anomalies in payments, which were caused by a technical fault in administering the pay, would be rectified and this would be reflected in the October, 2013 salaries. While ZUNO agreed with this explanation, some nurses at the UTH ignored it and continued with the strike.
Mr Speaker, let me take this opportunity to commend a number of nurses who continued to work despite the anomalies and thank the unions that helped with the situation. To the contrary, I would like to condemn anybody who encouraged this strike.
The Government’s position on the strike action is as follows:
(a) currently, there is no declared industrial dispute between any of the health workers’ unions and the Government. Therefore, the reported work stoppage by nurses, midwives or any other health worker is illegal;
(b) the Government is very disappointed with the nurses who resorted to stopping work illegally, as this shows a lack of appreciation for the efforts that the Government has continued to make in improving their conditions of service;
(c) to continue providing patient care and avoid loss of life due to stoppage of work by striking nurses, the management of the UTH has put in place the following measures:
(i) engaged students to provide care to the patients;
(ii) requested the directors of private nursing schools to deploy their students;
(iii) mobilised nurses on contract and those working on a part-time basis to work at the hospital; and
(iv) recalled nurses who are on leave;
(d) the Government engaged ZUNO to explain the details and implications of the 2013 Collective Agreement signed between the Government and ZUNO. Further, ZUNO has engaged the PSMD to rectify some disparities that may have been observed on some payslips; and
(e) nurses who have continued to stay away from work will be charged for absenteeism through the normal established procedures.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, the Government remains prepared to continue with the discussions which relate to a matter which should have been put to rest as soon as it was corrected. In conclusion, while appreciating the good work that health professionals continue to do under difficult circumstances at times, it is important that governance issues, including collective agreements, are adhered to by both the Government and unions together with their membership for the benefit of the citizens who have entrusted their health in us. While the PF Government remains committed to improving the conditions of service for all workers, we may be witnessing the emergence of indiscipline and irresponsibility among our highly esteemed health professionals. This phenomenon must be rooted out without delay in the interest of the welfare of society in general and the sick in particular. I call upon hon. Members of this August House to unite in achieving this goal.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the ministerial statement given by the hon. Minister of Health.
Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that statement. The statements made by the ZUNO representatives are to the effect that a certain amount of blame should be shouldered by the Government. If that were true, would the hon. Minister not see it benevolent to issue a blanket apology to the nursing staff …
Hon. Government Members: Question!
Mr Nkombo: … for the miscalculations or omissions that may have been caused by his Government, and the collective agreement negotiations of the union that resulted in certain errors and omissions on the payslips of the essential workers who are also life savers?
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, our position has been to immediately correct the error which we committed when adjusting the figures. We regard correcting the figures and paying the appropriate amounts to be tantamount to an effective response which does not subsequently call for other explanations or apologies. I think that instead of seeking an apology, we should be seeking appreciation for our immediate and positive response to the request.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mwila (Chipili): Mr Speaker, it was reported that the President of the United Party for National Development (UPND), Mr Hakainde Hichilema, visited the nurses at the UTH. Can you clarify whether permission was granted for this visit? If it was not granted by the hon. Minister’s Office, …
Mr Mulusa interjected.
Mr Mwila: I am not talking to you. I am talking to the Hon. Mr Speaker.
… what action is going to be taken?
Interruptions
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the feeling of the hon. Member which, I think, is shared by many. However, our concern was that at the time Mr Hichilema was addressing the nurses, the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting and I were on the premises seeking an opportunity to address them, too. So, we see in this a double fault in totally ignoring the work that we were trying to do and going on to incite the people we were trying to address.
Hon. Opposition Members: Question!
Interruptions
Dr Kasonde: Of course, Mr Speaker, if any action has to be taken, it is not a matter that I, as Minister of Health, would undertake, as that is the Government’s responsibility.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, I must admit that I do not find this statement helpful. When you compare the 2010 and 2013 figures, you are contrasting …
Mr Mufalali: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Mufalali: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Health in order to mislead this House and the nation at large by saying that Mr Hakainde Hichilema was at the UTH at the same time when the hon. Minister of Health was there when, in fact, Mr Hichilema left the UTH way before the hon. Minister arrived? We saw the hon. Minister when he was going to the UTH, and it was way after Mr Hichilema had left.
Is he in order to mislead this House and the nation at large by saying that Mr Hichilema and him were trying to address the nurses at the same time when he refused to address the nurses under a tree?
Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I would like to remind you that a statement has been issued and this is an opportunity to seek clarification on that statement. You may attach some significance to the sequence of movements, but I can only leave that to the hon. Minister to respond in due course. However, my emphasis and counsel is that we should concentrate on the substantive issue.
May the hon. Member for Chembe continue, please.
Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I was saying that I did not find the hon. Minster’s statement helpful in the sense that he needed to compare like with like. With the 2010 and 2013 comparison that he has made from the salary point of view, one would have imagined that he was going to look at the economic fundamentals from 2010 to 2013 in terms of the pricing system, cost of living, purchasing power and how it has fallen, but he has not done that.
Hon. Government Members: Ask the question!
Mr Mbulakulima: The question is: Do you think nurses are mad people who can just wake up one morning and go on strike? Do you not think that you are now reaping what you sowed because of your over-zealous promises that have raised nurses’ expectations?
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Order!
Before the hon. Minister responds, I would like to inform you that you are restricted to one question only for obvious reasons. I want as many people as possible to ask. Please, let us not be emotional. As mentioned yesterday, we are leaders.
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I shall address the question on whether the comparison between the 2010 and 2013 figures was appropriate. We wanted to show that there has been progressive improvement in the conditions of service for nurses. That is The fundamental message. Of course, I do appreciate that the hon. Member, being well vested in economics, and also being competent enough to calculate the changes in the dynamics of economic performance, …
Laughter
Dr Kasonde: … will be pre-occupied this afternoon and, possibly tonight too, with such an exercise, but I hope the message from me will have gone through. There has been a large improvement in the remuneration of nurses. That is our message.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Konga (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister tell this House and the nation at large how many public medical institutions have been affected by the work stoppage other than the UTH.
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I read out all the institutions that have been involved and chronologically showed how they were involved in the strike. It may be that the hon. Member still wants me to read the statement again, which I would be very happy to do if the Hon. Mr Speaker would grant me another twenty minutes.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mweetwa (Choma Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out why the hon. Minister has restricted himself to talking about nurses and midwives who are unionised, when there is a looming strike by pharmacists who are an integral part of health service delivery. Why has he decided to be mute on that issue because, as at 09:00 hours this morning, at the Kitwe Central Hospital, the pharmacists had downed tools and, as at 12:00 hours, the pharmacists at the UTH had also downed their tools? In fact, their strike started before that for nurses and midwives. Why are you quiet on this matter? Is it Mr Hakainde Hichilema who is also inciting the pharmacists?
Mr Speaker: Order!
Hon. Member, you have made your point.
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the observations of the hon. Member and I agree with him that other health professionals have also complained about several issues. I think it was important for me to be clear about the issue at hand. I did not think we should begin confusing different issues and start talking about strikes in general. We had a specific industrial action over a specific complaint which was that there were discrepancies in the new salaries for nurses and midwives. We have dealt with that issue and are still dealing with it.
Mr Speaker, there have also been complaints from pharmacy technicians, and I have personally addressed a group of pharmacists on that issue. However, that is subject to its own analysis and announcement on what action we are taking or what agreement we have reached.
Sir, I am concerned that by wandering from one issue to the other, we are beginning to join that level of confusion where nothing is clear about who is asking for what. I hope that hon. Members will resist the temptation of bringing all the dreams they have had over the last few years into a simple and straight-forward situation which we are dealing with.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mufalali (Senanga): Mr Speaker, may I find out why the hon. Minister has resorted to threats as part of his …
Mr Mweetwa: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Mweetwa: Mr Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to raise this point of order.
Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Health in order to insinuate that we are confusing issues and that we are here to talk about dreams that we have had in the last few years when, unlike him, we are speaking because we were elected to represent the people?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mweetwa: Is the hon. Minister in order to make such statements on the Floor of the House when we are raising serious issues of that of importance to the nation?
I need your serious ruling, Sir.
Mr Speaker: This is clearly a very emotive subject, and my guidance is that those who are seeking clarification on the part of the hon. Minister of Health should, please, confine themselves to the issues. That is the only way we will make progress and minimise the points of order.
This is very factual dispute, so to speak. We need to analyse it objectively and disentangle the issues at hand. The best way to do so, …
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: … hon. Member for Chembe, is by being emotional. That is not a sign of objectivity because you are being emotional.
The hon. Member for Senanga can continue.
Mr Mufalali: Mr Speaker, among the many solutions that the hon. Minister indicated, were threats that he was going to fire the nurses who would not get back to work. Why is the hon. Minister resorting to threats and intimidation when it is his payroll system that failed the nurses and caused this disaster?
Mr Livune: That is right.
Mr Mufalali: Why are you resorting to threats, hon. Minister?
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I do not recall threatening to fire or dismiss anybody. I do not know where that statement came from. It certainly was not in my presentation and it has not been part of any other declarations that I have made in the last few days.
Mr Speaker, what I have said, and must repeat, is that there are rules and regulations that govern our conduct, and that in every event, we should be looking for those rules and applying them.
Sir, in this case, there is absenteeism from work and, because there is no declared dispute, it is illegal. Therefore, the rules and regulations that apply to that situation will apply through the normal procedures. That is all I have said.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Kunda (Muchinga): Mr Speaker, how many people have died as a result of the strike by the nurses?
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, that is a very serious question which should have been addressed to all those who have tried to play a role in this event and all those who did not ask themselves whether their actions would lead to the death of others.
Mr Speaker, for now, I can assure the House that there has not been a single death that can be attributed to the industrial action taken by the nurses. However, I think the point made by the hon. Member is worth noting and making sure that it does not add to the possibility of that happening.
I thank you, Sir.
Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that statement on a very serious matter.
Mr Speaker, can the hon. Minister clarify the situation where the classified daily employees (CDEs) get more money than some nurses which brings about a serious issue of supervision.
Mr Speaker: I gave counsel on the one question only rule.
Brig-Gen. Dr Chituwo: That was one question.
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I would like to draw attention to the importance of sticking to the question at hand. It is because of that lack of concentration on the question raised by the nurses in the first place that we have ended up with a confused situation.
Mr Speaker, the nurses have complained that the gap between their salaries and those of the CDEs is very small. They are concerned that their image, as highly-qualified people, is being threatened by this small difference in salaries. They are, therefore, of the view that their salary increment should have been 100 per cent instead of the 21 per cent. This and other issues have created confusion, and I have said that this is a cycle of review which we carried out in January and March this year and which we shall carry out in February and March next year.
Sir, I have assured them that the opportunity remains to be exploited. If they have a problem with the merging of the educated with the uneducated, then let them bring this up at the next round of negotiations.
I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}
Mr Mulusa (Solwezi Central): Mr Speaker, in response to Hon. Mweetwa’s question regarding the pharmacists, the hon. Minister indicated that he had addressed them. May I know what issues they brought to his attention and what promises he gave them.
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I cannot repeat more often the importance of sticking to the issue at hand. The pharmacy technicians complained that they were not represented at the negotiations in the last round. They also complained that they should be receiving night duty allowance just as the doctors. Of course, superficially, this might sound impressive, but the reality is that the night shift allowance was dropped in the course of the last negotiations. It does not exist. They are fighting for something that does not exist. That is the nature of the negotiation. Some are rather intelligent concerns while others are less intelligent. We must be prepared to go through all of them at the appropriate time.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr L. J. Ngoma (Sinda): Mr Speaker, other than the breakdown in the calculation of the percentage of Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE), nurses have categorically stated that they are very unhappy with the small gap between their salaries and those of the CDEs. Bearing in mind that you are a doctor, hon. Minister, is this the PF’s position not to reward education?
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member has raised two issues, and I would like to start by saying that the position of the PF Government, regarding differences in salary based on education is that it wishes to see the vast differences in the entire salary structure narrowing. Whether or not you think the educated should be paid more, the issue of the narrowing of that gap is certainly a creed of the PF.
Sir, I wish to state that I do not have a position, but rules and regulations. Using those rules and regulations, any negotiations interesting to the hon. Member can be raised. I do not have to have a personal position when I represent a national position.
I thank you, Sir.
Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, there are, at least, three senior doctors who are serving at the Cabinet Office, including the officer responsible for negotiations and salaries. As far as I know, these technical errors have only happened to the health sector workers. Is it by sheer coincidence or do you feel that our colleagues have failed you personally?
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member does not need a lecture on collective responsibility. We are talking about the responsibility of the Government. It is not the responsibility of one office versus another. That is, perhaps, where his own medical ethics might be different in the sense that the attending physician has the ultimate responsibility against collective responsibility. In this case, we are talking about collective responsibility. Our Government worked out those figures, has corrected them and is going to pay accordingly.
I thank you, Sir.
Ms Lubezhi (Namwala): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned that the Government is disappointed by the action of the nurses. I am equally disappointed by the casual approach of the hon. Minister of Health on this issue. We are talking about people’s lives here.
Mr Speaker: What is your question?
Ms Lubezhi: Mr Speaker, would you not agree that the strike is paradoxical, based on the fact the PF Government has once more failed to honour its promises.
Interruptions
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the use of the term, “paradoxical”.
Mr Speaker: I was also concerned.
Laughter
Dr Phiri: She does not even know what it means.
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I would like to think that hon. Members have witnessed the negotiations that we have held during this very unfortunate period. To describe this as casual would be less than appropriate. I might have used another word, but this is definitely not a correct estimation of the work that has gone into this exercise.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, a sit-in protest is a way of …
Ms Kapata: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, I rarely stand on points of order. Is the hon. Member who is just about to ask a question in order not to tell the hon. Minister of Health that nurses are not supposed to go on strike because they are essential workers?
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Order!
That point of order is very misplaced.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Speaker: The hon. Member may continue.
Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, a sit-in protest is a peaceful way by which employees such as nurses can communicate to the principals …
Mr Mulusa: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Mulusa: Mr Speaker, I wish to apologise to Hon. Livune for disturbing his contribution. In responding to our questions, the hon. Minister of Health kept on referring to pharmacists as pharmacy technicians. According to the information I have, these are pharmacists who are first degree holders just like medical doctors. Is he, therefore, in order to perpetuate the downplaying of the importance of pharmacists in the House?
Mr Speaker: Order!
That is not really a point of order. I know you have already raised a question. If you want to clarify something, there are other avenues and strategies you can employ rather than raising a point of order. I know that you have exhausted your slot, but this is certainly not a point of order, and is, therefore, not permissible.
The hon. Member may continue.
Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, I was saying that a sit-in protest is a peaceful way by which employees such as nurses can communicate to their principals about a particular grievance. In this regard, is the Government in order to have sent police officers to harass and teargas nurses when they were demonstrating peacefully over a matter that required attention?
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, if there was any teargas used, I did not see it. Besides, it is outside my purview to explain the use of security forces. It is important for the House to appreciate the nature of a gathering at an institution such as a hospital where those who have refused to work, gather under a tree and start singing and shouting at those who are trying to enter the hospital premises. This is described as picketing, that is, making it difficult or impossible for those who want to work to do so. Under our law, it is illegal to do that.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Dr Kasonde: There would be every justification for such an incident to result in the movement of such people out of the premises.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mtolo (Chipata Central): Mr Speaker, as the hon. Minister is answering …
Mr Livune: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to generalise that the nurses who staged a sit-in were shouting at anyone who entered the hospital premises? If one or two nurses shouted at him because of dissatisfaction, he should not generalise.
I need your serious ruling, Sir.
Mr Speaker: The point of order is misplaced. Can the hon. Member continue.
Mr Mtolo: … questions, he keeps on referring to the fact that we should not ask about the other concerns that the nurses are raising, but should only focus on one issue.
Sir, is the hon. Minister aware that the nurses are refusing to go to work because of many other complaints? They do not accept the 4 per cent salary increment and the K580 to K480 which was given to them as housing allowance. They are also comparing themselves with the teachers that are now getting K5,500. Furthermore, they are very unhappy about the nurse-patient ratio of almost 1:100 which is obtaining at the UTH and the lack of essentials such as gloves, needles and methylated spirit at the institution.
Mr Speaker, we, therefore, cannot discuss the discrepancies in salaries in isolation. If we are to solve this problem, …
Mr Speaker: Is that a question?
Mr Mtolo: Sir, is the hon. Minister aware that there is a basket of problems that is leading to the problem at the UTH?
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, there could never have been a better demonstration of the confusion that I was talking about than this. The hon. Member has access to a number of complaints from the nurses. These complaints are about the narrow difference in percentage with the others’ salaries, and other issues and these have been emerging over this period. I have said that it is because of these complaints that we are unable to focus on addressing the real issue. When the nurses came to us and complained that their payslips were not reflecting the increase in their pay, we accepted that and corrected it. I am now hearing a list of various complaints which now constitute a basket.
Laughter
Dr Kasonde: This basket must be defined first, and then we will get it when it is full. Let us use the existing rules and regulations to address all the components of the basket of the hon. Member for Chipata Central.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister …
Mr Mulusa: On a point of order, Sir.
Hon. Government Members: Another one.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Mulusa: Mr Speaker, it is very important that as we leave our various professions to become leaders, we use our experience to resolve the challenges of society. Is Hon. Jean Kapata, who was a nurse before, and visited us in South Africa on several occasions, and on each occasion told us that the reason she was in South Africa was that she was on strike, …
Laughter
Ms Kapata: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Mulusa: … in order to state that nurses are not supposed to go on strike because they are an essential component of health service delivery?
I need your serious ruling, Sir.
Mr Speaker: Her point of order and yours are both misplaced.
Mr Hamudulu: Sir, the hon. Minister, in his statement and when answering questions on points of clarification, has clearly admitted that the nurses have an issue which the Government is currently addressing. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister the justification that he gives for the Government, through State House, to shift the blame of this strike on an innocent Zambian …
Mr Bwalya: Which one?
Mr Hamudulu: … by the name of president Hakainde Hichilema. He is being …
Hon. Government Member: Question!
Mr Hamudulu: … blamed for inciting the nurses when the hon. Minister has clearly admitted that the nurses have an issue with the Government.
Mr Livune: Hear, hear!
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I do not remember shifting the blame for the strike on the person that he is referring to or stating anything of that sort. In fact, I would be very reluctant to shift anything on him.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, there is an adage that goes, “A stitch in time, saves nine.” There must have been some agitation of some sort that shows that the nurses were dissatisfied and overtures must have been made to this effect. Did the Government try to nip this problem in the bud before the strike actually took place?
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, many events are preceded by some kind of warning and it is entirely up to those who see those signs to take action, if possible, to prevent their occurrence. We know that this happens. Some governments believe that they cannot be changed, but they are changed. This has been our experience throughout life.
Sir, yes, from time to time, complaints have been there. It would be unreasonable to suggest that there have been no complaints, from time to time, from our staff. It would also be reasonable to say that these complaints are the business of management. That is why we usually have a meeting between the Ministry of Health and health sector-related trade unions every month in order to resolve these issues as they arise. What the hon. Member may not be aware of is that a number of issues have actually been resolved in those circumstances.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, it is obvious to note that there has been quite a good trend in terms of salary increments for various health sector workers, taking into account the various economic parameters that have taken place over the years. The hon. Minister made reference to the engagement of nurses on contract. I want to know whether the nurses who are on contract are those who have been serving for a long time or there was a need to recruit another group of nurses in order to fill that gap and what the effect will be in terms of cost.
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, this refers to both categories of nurses. There has always been an arrangement where, if necessary, nurses are recruited on short or long-term contracts. In this case, the nurses will continue to work, together with those to be recruited.
I thank you, Sir.
_____________
QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER
MWINILUNGA DISTRICT HOSPITAL
93. Mr Katuka (Mwinilunga) asked the Minister of Health when the Government would rehabilitate and expand the facilities at Mwinilunga District Hospital in view of the increased population in the district.
The Deputy Minister of Health (Mr Mulenga): Mr Speaker, expansion and rehabilitation works at Mwinilunga District Hospital commenced in 2012, under the Poverty Reduction Programme.
Sir, works include rehabilitation of the sewer system and mortuary, construction of an isolation ward and general painting of the wards. Comprehensive expansion and rehabilitation works will commence in 2014. These will include extension of wards, construction of an incinerator, office block, out-patient department and sluice rooms.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY STUDENT ACCOMODATION
94. Mr Mucheleka (Lubansenshi) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:
(a) what measures had been taken to address the shortage of student accommodation at the Copperbelt University (CBU);
(b) what the shortfall of bed-space in relation to the student population at the institution was; and
(c) what the time frame for resolving the matter was.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Prof. Willombe): Mr Speaker, the current enrollment at the CBU is 9,882. This includes full-time, part-time and distance education students. The number of full-time students is 7,277.
Mr Speaker, the demand for bed-space is in respect of the 7,277 full-time students. The available number of bed-spaces on campus is 2,128. This leaves a shortfall of 5,099. In order to increase the availability of bed-space, the university secures accommodation on behalf of the students in boarding houses in the locality of the campus. The availability of off-campus bed-space is 1,349. Therefore, the overall shortfall is 3,800.
Mr Speaker, the Government is committed to resolving the shortage of student accommodation at all institutions of higher learning. There are various options in which this problem could be resolved, and the Government is working on all of them.
Prof. Willombe struggled to read the small print.
Interruptions
Dr Phiri interjected.
Prof. Willombe: Yes, I am getting to that. It is just that the print is too small.
Mr I. Banda: Come and get my reading glasses.
Prof. Willombe: Mr Speaker, I have to read the script carefully because the print is too small.
Sir, the Government is preparing provisions in the ministry for next year and subsequent years to directly finance the construction of accommodation at the higher institutions of learning.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, I sympathise with the hon. Deputy Minister who was struggling to give me an answer.
However, whilst we appreciate other options, including the public-private partnerships (PPPs) approach, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister the specific strategies that have been put in place to ensure that there is fast track construction not only at the CBU, but also at Mulungushi University and the University of Zambia (UNZA).
The Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Dr Phiri): Mr Speaker, as the hon. Deputy Minister indicated, that problem has lingered on for some years now.
The Government has decided to directly finance the construction of this infrastructure. We are making a provision to provide bed space not only at the CBU, but also at UNZA and Mulungushi University in 2014. Hopefully, this provision will be accepted by this august House and will be continued in the subsequent years.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Konga (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, why does the hon. Minister authorise the CBU to over enroll students when they know that there is not enough bed space? Where are the students expected to live when there is no space?
Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, that is a very good question, which I hope I can remember to convey to the university councils at UNZA, the CBU and Mulungushi University. Over the years, we have not expanded university education in the country. For example, UNZA was meant for 2,000 students but, today, we are talking of about 12,000 students. As we expand these facilities with the support of this august House, the pressure on the existing public universities will lessen and so will the demand for bed space. It will take a little while, but the focus must be maintained.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mutale (Kwacha): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the CBU is outsourcing boarding houses. Is he aware that students who live in boarding houses pay more than those who live on campus? Does the University Council consider cushioning the students who live in boarding house? These students get the same allowance as those who live on campus, but pay more for their accommodation.
Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, all I can say to the hon. Member, whose constituency hosts the CBU, is that the University Council will be reminded about his suggestion. As a Government, we are focused on providing enough bed spaces. That is why we are proposing to start the project in 2014 so that we make boarding houses irrelevant.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.{mospagebreak}
Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has realised that there was no expansion in the universities to accommodate the ever-increasing student population. Can he reconcile the two issues, His voice is loud and clear that new universities are being constructed. Would it not be more prudent, at the moment, to expand the bed space in the existing universities than to build new ones?
Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I have not said that we are not increasing bed spaces in the old institutions. In fact, we are building 10,000 bed spaces at UNZA, 8,000 at the CBU and 5,000 at Mulungushi University alongside building the new universities.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Ng’onga: Ema Minister, aya.
Dr Phiri: It is a big challenge, but we hope we can meet it because of the urgency of the matter.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, the PPPs are very critical to the development of every sector in terms of infrastructure. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education whether there is a deliberate policy or strategy in place to sensitise the private sector so that it can come on board and partner with the Government.
Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, the direct path that I have talked about does not exclude other avenues. The Government is still exploring the PPPs as an avenue to sort out not only the accommodation challenges at the public universities, but also in the universities that we shall establish in the near future. Negotiations have been long drawn and the Government must show responsibility by doing this alongside the negotiations.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, the construction of 10,000; 8,000 and 5,000 bed spaces for UNZA, the CBU and Mulungushi universities respectively is what the PF Government is embarking on. I would like to know when this huge project will commence. It would be gratifying if it could be contained in tomorrow’s Budget.
Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I am glad that as Hon. Nkombo was asking the question, the hon. Minister of Finance was saying, “Very soon.” I concur with him that it will be very soon. In fact, I said 2014. Over the years, we have punished students who have been to these institutions and have since graduated and those who are still there. As an apology, we want to start next year and see how far we can go. It will be an on-going project, but the start will be in 2014.
I thank you, Sir.
SOLWEZI WEST DISTRICT STATUS
95. Mr Mwanza (Solwezi West) asked the Vice-President whether the Government had any plans of transforming Solwezi West Parliamentary Constituency into a district.
The Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Mr Mwango): Mr Speaker, the criteria for transforming an area into a new a district are set out in Local Government Act No. 281 and the Provincial and District Boundaries Act Cap 286 of the Laws of Zambia. However, the House may wish to know that the right to declare an area a district lies with the President.
It is, therefore, not possible to state when Solwezi West Parliamentary Constituency will be transformed into a district.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mwanza: Mr Speaker, I asked this question because that is the new Copperbelt. When you talk of Lumwana and Kalumbila, you are speaking about Solwezi West. The people listening in are very disappointed to hear that from the PF Government. The question is: Are you going to review this aspect of your answer?
The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, we have no plans to review it at all. The effect of the answer is that we have not considered or made a decision on that question yet. That is all I can say. I cannot speak on behalf of the President whose prerogative it is to decide if and when an area becomes a district.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mweetwa (Choma Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the need to create a district is driven by certain considerations such as the need to take development to an area or just rests on the whims of the President regardless of whether or not it makes sense to do so.
The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the President is elected by the population of Zambia by getting more votes than any other candidate because he is expected and trusted to do a better job of bring development across the country or to certain key areas of the country, I suppose. It is the same as the creation of ministries, departments and all administrative structures, including districts which is the prerogative of the President. That is the law. If the hon. Member wants to change it, let him bring an amendment. We may or may not welcome it.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, members of this Government are on record as having said that they would bring development through decentralisation, and one of their strategies is the creation of districts all over the country. So far, thirty districts have been created. If that is their strategy, why is it that the North-Western Province has not been considered? We also need development.
Interruptions
The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, Manyinga District is one of the districts that have been created. There are ten provinces and the North-Western Province is one of the large ones, but the fact that some provinces are considered earlier than others, is neither here nor there. You cannot expect the President to create fifty districts in one day or morning as if he were the Creator, with only seven days to do the job. I have no idea specifically on why there is only one district created in the North-Western Province, but I am very sure there will soon be more.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from His Honour the Vice-President …
Prof. Lungwangwa: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Prof. Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, His Honour the Vice-President is the Leader of Government Business in the House. Therefore, is he in order to tell us that he cannot speak on behalf of the President?
I recall one time when he was answering a question raised by Hon. Namugala, he said he did not carry the President in his pocket …
Laughter
Prof. Lungwangwa: … and, therefore, could not speak on his behalf.
Mr Speaker, is His Honour the Vice-President in order to give us such answers when he is the Vice-President of Zambia and Leader of Government Business in the House and is supposed to give us confidence that the answers to our questions are based on profound consultation with the President? I need your serious ruling, Sir.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Speaker: The sense of his response was that in terms of the relevant law, the discretion to create or establish districts is vested in the President. Towards the end of the response, he acknowledged that one such district in the province in question has been created and he thinks that, in due course, more may be created. To that extent, he is in order.
May the hon. Member of Parliament for Siavonga continue.
Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from His Honour the Vice-President, now that he is the right hand man of the President, whether when he is convinced that there is a need to create a district in an area, there is a window in his operations to advise the President to consider the creation of such a district.
The Vice-President: Of course, Mr Speaker, but the prerogative to actually do so or not rests with the President. That is the constitutional position. We are there to give the President advice. The whole Cabinet is full of advisors.
I thank you, Sir.
MBALA FEEDER ROADS
96. Mr Simfukwe (Mbala) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications:
(a) whether the Government had any plans to rehabilitate the damaged feeder roads in Mbala Parliamentary Constituency in 2013; and
(b) if so, which feeder roads were earmarked for rehabilitation and when the exercise would commence.
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications (Mr M. H. Malama): Mr Speaker, there are plans to work on some damaged feeder roads in Mbala District.
Sir, Mbala District Council, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), has set Vyamba/Chinakila Road as a priority for rehabilitation, and the procurement process is in progress. Funds for this project are provided for in the 2013 Road Sector Annual Work Plan.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Simfukwe: Mr Speaker, the answer from the hon. Minister has left me a very sad person. Before I ask my question, I wish to say that the road, which has been mentioned, is not in Mbala, but Mpulungu Constituency.
Sir, Mbala is the largest producer of surplus maize which goes to the rest of the country. Why has the Government neglected Mbala? No development activities are going on there. The road that has been mentioned in the answer is not in Mbala Parliamentary Constituency.
Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, firstly, the hon. Member of Parliament for Mbala was once a Permanent Secretary for the Northern Province, and he had all the equipment at his disposal …
Interruptions
Mr Mukanga: And he had all the money.
Mr Speaker: Order, hon. Minister!
I, …
Laughter
Mr Speaker: … do not think we should proceed in that fashion. Just answer the question independently of the questioner’s past track record.
Laughter
Mr Speaker: Now, he is asking you in his capacity as Member of Parliament for the area. That is the capacity in which he is putting that question.
You may continue, hon. Minister.
Mr M. H. Malama: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Now that there is a responsible Government in power, after the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government failed lamentably to work on the feeder roads in Mbala District, we have admitted that there are plans to work on the feeder roads. I do not see the reason for the hon. Member should worry. So, we have plans to work on some feeder roads in Mbala District.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Simfukwe: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Hon. Members: On who?
Mr Simfukwe: I raised it when the hon. Deputy Minister was still on the Floor.
Mr Speaker, thank you for allowing me to raise this point of order. The hon. Deputy Minister is saying that there are plans to work on the feeder roads, but the plans he has mentioned are for another constituency. Is he in order to continue misleading this House and the nation?
Mr Speaker: That is not a point of order.
Laughter
Mr Speaker: That is my ruling.
Mr Muntanga rose.
Mr Speaker: Order!
Do you want to ask a supplementary question or what?
Mr Muntanga: Yes, Sir.
Mr Speaker: Then, sit down. I will point at you.
Laughter
Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, we have heard, in this House, that the roads and development activities taking place are in a different constituency. What is the hon. Minister doing for Mbala Constituency with regard to road development?
Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member will agree with me that there are a lot of feeder roads in Mbala District, and this district is not small. Therefore, we cannot work on all the feeder roads at once. We shall look at all the feeder roads that have been prioritised and submitted by the district council and follow that order. So, we are ready to work on some feeder roads in Mbala District.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
KABOMPO DISTRICT MINING LICENCES
97. Mr Lufuma asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development:
(a) which firms held the following licences in Kabompo District as of July, 2013;
(i) mining; and
(ii) prospecting;
(b) what the duration of the licences were; and
(c) whether actual mining activities had commenced at any sites in the district and, if so, where.
The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Musukwa): Mr Speaker, no firm held a mining licence in Kabompo District as of July, 2013. However, the following companies held prospecting licences in Kabompo District as of July, 2013:
(i) MGB Mining Limited;
(ii) Mufumbwe Copper Mines Limited;
(iii) Musompa Diamond Mining Limited;
(iv) Elizabeth Zulu;
(v) Providence Resources Zambia Limited;
(vi) Copper Zone Resources Limited;
(vii) Samtrade Limited;
(viii) ZAKOR Metals Limited;
(ix) Lufilian Mining Limited;
(x) Daheng Group Zambia;
(xi) Dimitri Mining Limited;
(xii) Yetu Mining Limited;
(xiii) Legana Investments Limited;
(xiv) Trilith Resources (Zambia) Limited;
(xv) China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Co-operation Zambia Limited;
(xvi) Messina Minerals Limited;
(xvii) Samfuel Limited;
(xviii) Dominic Chola Mulaisho and Company;
(xix) Henan Mining Corporation Zambia Limited;
(xx) Infinity Minerals and Resources Limited;
(xxi) Zambian Most Harvest Mining Development Limited;
(xxii) Rabby Kamukwamba;
(xxiii) Classic Venture Limited;
(xxiv) Matty Investments Limited;
(xxv) ANGLO Exploration Zambia Limited;
(xxvi) Grassroots Copper Limited;
(xxvii) Metalco Industries Company Limited;
(xxviii) Reddy Resources Zambia Limited;
(xxix) MKB Mining Limited;
(xxx) Jing De Zham Enterprises Limited;
(xxxi) Tuibombele Corporation Limited; and
(xxxii) Zambia Artisan Mining Empowerment Limited.
Sir, the exploration licences for the companies have a duration of two years, and are renewable for a further two years. No mining activities have commenced in Kabompo District, as the firms are still exploring.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, it is a well-known fact that Kabompo District is endowed with oil reserves. It is also known that the exploration of oil is a very expensive venture. I would like to know what the Government is doing to ensure that the necessary environment is created for private persons or companies to come in and start mining the oil in the district.
Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, indeed, the hon. Member is correct to say that the area has a huge potential for exploration for oil and petroleum. I will not say fuels. Just as the hon. Minister announced a couple of days ago, the Government is working tirelessly to ensure that credible investors to explore these minerals are found. As a Government, we are on time in ensuring that this is done.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
_______{mospagebreak}
MOTIONS
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS 19, 20, 21, AND 31
The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that Standing Orders 19, 20, 21 and 31 be suspended to enable the House to sit from 1415 hours tomorrow, Friday, 11th October, 2013, until business has been concluded, and also to omit His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time from the agenda.
Mr Speaker, the House is aware that, in accordance with its tradition, the hon. Minister of Finance presents the National Budget on a Friday afternoon each year. However, Standing Orders 19, 20 and 21 provide to the effect that the House shall sit on Fridays from 0900 hours in the morning to 1300 hours, while Standing Order 31 provides for the Vice-President’s Question Time.
Sir, it is in this regard that I move this Motion to suspend Standing Orders 19, 20,21 and 31 so that the House can sit from 1415 hours on Friday 11th October, 2013, and also to omit the Vice-President’s Question Time from the agenda so as to enable the hon. Minister of Finance to present the Budget.
Mr Speaker, this is a straightforward and non-controversial Motion that even I would find difficulty in perceiving some controversy in it. I, therefore, urge all hon. Members of this august House to support it.
Sir, I beg to move.
Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, in supporting this Motion by His Honour the Vice-President, I would like to state that much as he thinks the Motion is non-controversial, I believe that it is.
Sir, last time, when I debated in support of the same Motion, in his reply, His Honour the Vice-President said that he would find a way of allocating time to His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time.
Hon. UPND Member: Hear, hear!
Mr Muntanga: Sir, since His Honour the Vice-President knew that the Budget would be presented to this House and the nation on Friday, he should have made arrangements to find a day during the course of the week for His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time. It is very important because this is the only opportunity that hon. Members of Parliament have to get answers from the Government on various issues. If this concern is not addressed by allocating it a day other than the usual day which, in this case, coincides with the Budget presentation, then it would bring about some controversy. I still contend that there is a need to provide for His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time on any other day when we find that we have to postpone the procedures on Friday.
With these few words, I thank you, Sir.
Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Sir, I agree that in a normal situation, this Motion should not even attract any debate. However, going by the prevailing circumstances, I am compelled to say one or two things. As we suspend Standing Orders 19, 20, 21 and 31, we need to remind ourselves that tomorrow’s event is very important to any country. We also need to remind ourselves, without seeming to abuse anyone, that we need to stop treating the Budget Address like an ordinary event. This is cardinal, especially for our colleagues in the Patriotic Front (PF).
Mr Speaker, the budgeting process is very important to any country. Therefore, I hope that as we get into tomorrow’s business, we shall be told in the preamble what went wrong with this Budget Cycle. This will allow us, and I am saying this with a heavy heart, to get full appreciation of how the current Budget has performed. In my view, this year’s Budget collapsed or should I say, it failed.
Rather than making it an academic exercise so that when this particular day of the year comes, we drop the Standing Orders in order to listen to my beloved uncle, the hon. Minister of Finance, deliver the Budget Speech, it will be helpful that whatever may be contained in tomorrow’s Budget Address is actually implemented. The Leader of Government Business in the House must ensure that whatever comes from tomorrow’s budgeting process is implemented as we go forward. Budgeting must be planned. Hon. Members from that side should also plan. The issue I have at hand …
Mr Lungu: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Lungu: Mr Speaker, I apologise to the hon. Member on the Floor. However, is it in order for him to be allowed to wander about when the Motion is very clear? It is the Suspension of Standing Orders 19, 20, 21 and 31. He is talking about the Budget, its contents, implementation and so on and so forth which is not the object of the Motion.
I seek your very serious ruling, Sir.
Mr Speaker: My ruling is that as much as the issues raised by the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central may be central to the business, I think the ideal thing to do would be to wait for the delivery of the Budget Address. In the context of the debate that will ensue, those matters will be appropriately raised at that juncture.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: Sir, thank you for your counsel. However, what if I refuse to have the Standing Orders suspended based on …
Mr Speaker: Order!
Hon. Member for Mazabuka Central, I do not think you should proceed in that fashion.
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I clearly do not support the suspension of the Standing Orders.
Thank you, Sir.
The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I wish to thank the two hon. Members of Parliament; one for having so much confidence in my ability to answer his questions and the other for trying to explore an interesting space.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Speaker: Order!
Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.
[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]
Question put and agreed to.
MOTION OF THANKS
(Debate resumed)
The Deputy Minister for North-Western Province (Mr Mubukwanu): Mr Speaker, I thank you for affording me yet another opportunity to continue with my debate. At the time business was suspended yesterday, I had just begun to respond to some of the critical issues that were raised by the hon. Members of Parliament from the North-Western Province.
Mr Speaker, most debaters from the North-Western Province bemoaned the neglect and under-development that characterise this great province. As a Government, we acknowledge this regrettable status quo, but reluctantly say that it is purely the making of the former Government.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Speaker, it is not only fallacious, but also unfair for anyone to have debated in a manner that apportions blame on the hardworking PF Government, either wholesomely or in part, for the under-development of this province.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Speaker, we do not want to play the blame-game on serious matters that affect the lives of our people. It is a fact that the North-Western Province had adequate representation in successive post-Independence Governments of the Republic of Zambia. A good number of senior hon. Ministers in the MMD Government hailed from this province, but did not do anything to change the province for the better.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Speaker, on our part, we shall do everything possible to redress this situation in record time. As hon. Minister in charge of the province, I wish to assure the good people of the North-Western Province that the PF Government is a responsible Government under a responsible President whose passion for developing this country is unmatched.
Mr Livune: Question!
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mubukwanu: We are on course to raise the profile of this province through a robust development agenda which focuses on agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, tourism, education and health care, to mention but a few.
Mr Speaker, our road infrastructure development plan for the province has prioritised the following key roads under the phased Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project that will be upgraded to bituminous standard:
(a) Solwezi/Kipushi, which is now under feasibility study;
(b) Solwezi/Kalulushi;
(c) Manyinga/Jimbe via Mwinilunga which is also under feasibility study;
(d) Zambezi/Lukulu via Watopa;
(e) Kasempa/Mumbwa; and
(f) Kasempa/Kaoma which is also under feasibility study.
Sir, the Government is scheduled to upgrade the now famous Chingola/Solwezi Road to a dual carriageway, stretching from Chingola to Mutanda.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mubukwanu: The design works will commence early next year, and periodic road maintenance works are ongoing. These major road works will be punctuated by upgrading of township roads to bituminous standard in all the nine districts of the province. The procurement of these works has reached an advanced stage.
Mr M. H. Malama: Hear, hear!
Mr Livune: Question!
Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Speaker, the Government has increased the budgetary allocation for feeder roads connecting various chiefdoms in the province in the 2014 Budget. More road construction equipment shall be bought for the Provincial Rural Roads Unit …
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Order!
Mr Mubukwanu: … in addition to our allocation under the Pave Zambia 2,000 km Road Programme.
Mr Speaker, as a responsible Government, we resolved to complete all the good projects initiated by the fallen Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government on the principle of continuity. To this effect, we are completing the construction of five boarding secondary schools in Mushindano, Kayombo, Kanyama, Mufumbwe and Chavuma. In our quest to expand secondary school infrastructure in the province, the Government will introduce twenty-two new day secondary schools next year. This will be a major boost to the education sector which will, in turn, lay a firm foundation for calls for a provincial university.
Mr Speaker, this year, the Government has recruited 349 teachers for the province, a move which will significantly reduce the current high teacher-pupil ratios. With all these leaps of progress in the education sector, the Government expects that the quality of education to be offered across all levels in the coming years will match the parents’ expectations of good results.
Mr Speaker, under the health sector, the President clearly indicated that in Lumwana, a district- level hospital in Solwezi West is expected to be completed before the end of 2013. Out of the 650 health posts to be built across the country, seventy-four are earmarked for the North-Western Province.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Speaker, in partnership with Kansanshi Mine Plc, the Government is currently upgrading infrastructure at Solwezi General Hospital.
Hon. Government Member: You see?
Mr Mubukwanu: I also want to inform this august House that the Government has just upgraded the school of nursing at Solwezi General Hospital from offering Zambia Enrolled Nursing training to State Registered Nursing training.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mubukwanu: In 2013, the Government has recruited fifty-one medical personnel, among them one senior resident medical officer, twenty-three registered nurses, ten enrolled nurses, six environmental health technicians, four clinical officers, three pharmacy technicians …
Mr Ng’onga: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to rise on this point of order. I apologise to the hon. Deputy Minister who is debating so well. Are the hon. Members of Parliament, especially those on your left and occupying the front bench on both the Untied Party for National Development (UPND) and MMD sides, in order to be outside the Chamber when the hon. Ministers are responding to the questions that they wanted answered?
Mr Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Order!
There is a point of order and I have to make a ruling on it.
It is evident that there are several seats on the left which are unoccupied, and this is such a drop from what we had witnessed in the last few days. This trend is most unfortunate. At this juncture, we expect that the colleagues on the left would listen in to the responses. That is the sense of the Motion under debate. I think that this is regrettable and would urge the Whips on my left to do the needful. That is my ruling.
Mr Nkombo left the Assembly Chamber.
Mr Mutale: Aya mukubomba inchito.
Laughter
Mr Speaker: The hon. Deputy Minister may continue.
Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Speaker, this reaffirms the Government’s position of good health for our citizens being a precondition for national development.
Mr Speaker, the Government will continue to support the agriculture sector in the province. Under the 2013/2014 Farmer Input Support Programme (PISP), the province has received 28,214 x 50 kg bags of D-Compound fertiliser, courtesy of the once obsolete Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ).
Mr Mwaliteta: It is in Kafue.
Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Speaker, our budgetary allocation for farming blocks in the province has been increased in the 2014 Budget. The Government has moved on to diversify the economy of the province from being mining centred to promoting the livestock sub-sector, alongside agriculture for food security and job creation. We have embarked on cattle restocking programmes with various genetically-superior breeds through the establishment of breeding centres such as the one in Kanyama Chiefdom of Mwinilunga District whose cost is over K3 million with 184 animals.
Mr Mwaliteta: Hear, hear!
Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Speaker, in order to boost this subsector, we shall continue to scale-up the creation of livestock centres and establish more disease-free zones in the province. The housing deficit being experienced countrywide is rife in the North-Western Province and Solwezi in particular. Owing to the unprecedented increase in mining and related activities, the Government has begun addressing this situation in line with the President’s directive. Last week, we launched a programme to construct 200 housing units in Solwezi under the Public Service Pension Fund.
Mr Mwaliteta: Just like that.
Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Speaker, there are a lot more housing units in excess of 10,000 to be built by Kansanshi Mine Plc at Kabitaka Hills and the Trident Project at Kalumbila under First Quantum Minerals. These housing projects will not just address the housing deficit, but also create employment for our people.
Mr Speaker, to date, most of the North-Western Province is using diesel-generated power. The construction of mini hydropower stations in Chavuma and Muzhila in Mwinilunga, Kabompo Hydropower Station by the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC), the various rural electrification projects in the province, and the 33kv power transmission lines under construction by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) from Mumbwa to Kalumbila via Kasempa will significantly increase the province’s access to stable power from the national power grid.
Mr Speaker, the President underlined the need to boost access to financial services in rural areas. To this effect, the Government has opened a National Savings and Credit Bank (NATSAVE) branch in Chavuma District. Chavuma and Kasempa districts were on the first national pilot phase for low-cost finance under the Public Service Micro Finance Institution. The response from the civil servants to this Government initiative was overwhelming.
Mr Speaker, the President, in his Address to this august House, emphasised the Government’s national industrial and job creation strategy which entails a co-ordinated development of primary, secondary and tertiary industries. The Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) is driving this agenda through the industrial clusters. For the North-Western Province, honey was identified in Kabompo and neighbouring Zambezi District, dairy for Solwezi and pineapples for Mwinilunga and Ikeleng’i districts. Regrettably, no single application was received towards value addition under the pineapple sector.
Mr Speaker, the other emotive issue that came up during the debates was the argument that the North-Western Province should be given special development consideration …
Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!
Mr Mubukwanu: … on account that it contributes substantial amounts of money to the Treasury through the mines. The mines, regardless of where they are, are a strategic national asset, and must be looked at from a national perspective. The mines do not belong to a particular region, but to the people of this country. There are other ways such as corporate social responsibility through which host communities can accrue direct benefits for hosting the mines.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Speaker, the PF Government shall endeavour to bring development to all parts of this country regardless of each region’s contribution to the Treasury. Our belief in the PF is that the citizens of this land not only deserve better lives, but are also entitled to better lives …
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mubukwanu: … regardless of their region’s contribution to the Treasury.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Speaker, I call upon the good people of the North-Western Province to rally behind President Michael Sata and his Government …
Mr Muntanga: Question!
Mr Mubukwanu: … for us to serve them better.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mubukwanu: I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
The Minister of Youth and Sport (Mr Kambwili): Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for according me this opportunity to join other hon. Members of Parliament who spoke before me in contributing to the debate on His Excellency the President’s landmark Address to the Third Session of the Eleventh National Assembly on Friday, 20th September, 2013.
Mr Speaker, from the outset, let me join other hon. Members of Parliament who have sent their condolences to the Sakeni family. We, in the PF, are saddened by the death of this gallant Zambian.
Mr Speaker, the Speech of His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, is very inspirational and it gives hope to the Zambian people for a better future. For the first time in the history of the country, the President has given targets in terms of employment opportunities to be created by the PF Government. He has also given targets in terms of institutions of learning and health facilities to be established in the next year. This is, indeed, inspirational and is a re-affirmation of our election promises of developing the country and putting more money in people’s pockets.
Mr Speaker, listening to most of the debates by hon. Members from the Opposition, one would think that there was a circus. I do not believe that with these targets that the President has set, one could come to this House and say that the Speech was hollow. I was taken aback when one hon. Member of Parliament lifted a copy of the Speech that was delivered by the late President Mwanawasa and said that it had eight-four pages, compared to the forty-five pages of President Michael Chilufya Sata’s Speech. If one’s summary skills are impaired, it is not the problem of President Michael Chilufya Sata.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, as the PF, we have been accused of not honouring our election promises. To the contrary, I think that our colleagues have only decided to close their eyes and pretend not to see what is happening all over the country. I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that where they are seated, deep down, the hon. Opposition Members are saying that this is really a working Government.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, where I come from, there is a saying that goes, “Uwakupata, tatila busuma bobe.”
Hon. Government Members: Yes!
Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, literally translated, this means that when somebody hates you, he/she will never compliment you, no matter how beautiful you are.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I think that this is exactly how our colleagues on the left are behaving. For instance, it is sad that some people from the Western Province who were Ministers before, can stand in this House, today, and condemn what is happening in the Western Province when the Government in which they served, as hon. Ministers, shot and killed people in cold blood. When some people called for hon. Ministers from the Western Province to condemn what was happening in the province then, not even one of them stood to condemn it. However, we are following the rule of law by arresting the people who are breaking the law, taking them to court and letting the court make a decision.
Mr Speaker, we have been accused of failing to create employment. The creation of employment is not done magically. It is not done through abracadabra. It is a process.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, we, in the PF, have realised that the prerequisite to the creation of employment is the provision of an enabling environment by providing infrastructure that will enable us to open the rural areas so that investment can flow in those areas in order to create employment. I am sure that Hon. Mutati will agree with me that most of the investors who have come to this country to invest in the rural areas have said that the major hindrance is the lack of roads and inadequate electricity generation in those areas. The PF has started improving electricity generation and creating roads in rural areas so that investors can come in for us to create employment. Creating employment cannot be done in a day. For example, the MMD Government, through the hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry then, started the multi-facility economic zones (MFEZs) in 2000. Today, the Chambishi MFEZ, which is supposed to have over fifty companies, only has about four established companies that have created jobs. Some are still at the planning stage while others are still being built. This means that in order to create reasonable and permanent jobs, you do not need two years. It is unreasonable for anybody to say that the PF has failed to create jobs.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, how are we going to create jobs if we do not have the infrastructure to attract investment? The Government does not create jobs. It only provides an enabling environment for jobs to be created.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kambwili: Therefore, I can challenge anyone from the other side to stand up and tell us how they could have created permanent jobs, other than those in the public sector such as those for nurses and teachers, in two years. Wanting to create a storm in a tea cup is unreasonable and must be stopped.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, as Zambians, we must be preoccupied with creating a politically- stable nation. If you are going to deceive the people by saying that the PF has not created jobs so that you can change the Government after five years, this country will end up in a situation where it is not politically stable. When the country is not politically stable, investment will not come. Who is going to suffer as a result? It is the people of Zambia. Therefore, if you are reasonable, you should nurture the PF …
Hon. Opposition Members: Question!
Mr Kambwili: … and give it enough time to work and create an enabling environment for investment to flow. That way, this country can be politically stable.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Speaker, where countries are not politically stable, the end result is anarchy and civil strife. We do not want to be like other countries in North Africa. So, if we are really serious about building and developing this country, I appeal to my colleagues on your left to help the PF to create an enabling environment where investment can flow to create jobs for our people.
Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Youth and Sport in order to persuade the Opposition to nurture the PF, …
Laughter
Mr Muntanga: … and make it stop using abracadabra to work, and yet when this hon. Minister was in the Opposition, he never gave the MMD peace, and would also oppose the Hon. Mr Speaker? Now that he is in Government, why should he find it easy to ask others to nurture him and forget that his ‘nurturing’ habits were to chase the MMD? So, those of us who have not had a ‘taste’ of being in either position are chasing him out so that we, too, can go that side.
Laughter
Mr Speaker: Well, he will take that into account. Probably, it is a change of heart.
Laughter
Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I am only being reasonable. The MMD was in power for twenty years and there was every reason for us to be tired of them, but how can you be tired of the PF in only two years?
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kambwili: Please, give us time to develop the nation of Zambia. It is only reasonable for you, when you go on radio, to tell the people of Zambia that the PF has failed in this or that area, but has done well in the area of infrastructure development. It is only reasonable to give credit where it is due. After all, if we have a trend of changing governments every five years, you will also come in and leave after five years, and this will cause political instability.
Interruptions
Mr Kambwili: So, if you really want to be in power, please, give us time so that we can also give you time when your turn comes.
Mr Speaker, the PF Government has taken cognisance of the fact that there cannot be equitable development without the participation of the youth. It is for this reason …
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Order!{mospagebreak}
Mr Kambwili: … that the Government has embarked on a number of ambitious programmes for youth development.
Sir, before I delve into the programmes that the PF has been implementing for youth development, permit me to remind this august House that the numerous problems that youths are facing are historic in nature. In the First Republic, the Government attempted to address youth unemployment through rural development programmes such as the Rural Reconstruction (RR) and the mandatory Zambia National Service Programme for school leavers. The youth were taught various skills to prepare them for further training in tertiary education institutions.
Mr Speaker, the MMD Government failed lamentably to come up with suitable youth development programmes for twenty years of misrule. The number of jobs in the private sector drastically dropped and the majority of the victims of unemployment were youths. The youth continued to receive promissory notes such as developmental policies under the MMD Government. It was under the MMD Government that a number of young people who graduated from colleges and universities ended up on the street. All these problems, among others, accumulated over twenty years of the MMD misrule. Therefore, it would be unreasonable to lump the blame on the PF Government.
Sir, to adequately address the problems that young people have faced over the years, the PF has come up with the following interventions:
(a) Youth Skills Development;
(b) Youth Entrepreneurship Development;
(c) Youth Social Development; and
(d) Youth Micro Finance.
Mr Speaker, let me now outline some of the successes scored in the youth and sports sector since the PF Government assumed office. As the PF, we have recognised that skills development is of critical importance to the enhancement of competitiveness and contribution to social inclusion, provision of decent employment and reduction of poverty. As such, and in line with our 2011 electoral manifesto of mainstreaming and integrating youths in national development, we have embarked on a robust infrastructure development programme of constructing youth resource centres.
Sir, we have a plan to establish, at least, one youth resource centre per district.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kambwili: Further, my ministry will soon embark on the upgrading of infrastructure at the former Mwange Refugee Camp in Mporokoso District to turn it into a youth skills training centre and youth resettlement. We are investing heavily in this sector so as to ensure that the youth acquire the necessary and relevant vocational and life skills and attitude to enable them to navigate successfully through life and contribute positively to national development.
Mr Speaker, as the PF, we attach great importance to employment creation for the youth as the top most strategy for ensuring the stability of society and overall growth of our economy.
Sir, in his Speech, His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, stated that the Government is implementing the industrialisation and job-creation strategy. I wish to state that based on this strategy and the studies carried out with the support of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ), and the German Organisation for Technical Co-operation (GTZ), my ministry has just concluded the Youth Employment Empowerment Strategy aimed at migrating from fragmented and stand-alone micro interventions to coherently mainstreaming approaches in all sectors. This initiative will be launched by His Excellency the President in the coming one or two months. This is aimed at ensuring that the youths of Zambia have commensurate decent employment opportunities that enable them to contribute to sustainable national development.
Sir, with regard to promoting youth entrepreneurship, as you are aware, since 2010, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Youth and Sport, has been running the Youth Development Fund for the promotion of enterprise development among the youth for employment creation.
Mr Speaker, in 2010 and 2011, the management of the disbursement of The funds was centralised at the ministry headquarters. The funds were disbursed without any assessment and appraisal of the projects’ viability. To a larger extent, The funds were given out along the lines of political patronage. Further, there was no debt recovering mechanism put in place, as all debtors were required to travel to the ministry headquarters to make repayments in installments or wait for the accountant to visit them.
Sir, out of the K4 billion that was given out during the MMD rule, only K170 million was recovered. This scenario led to high default levels on loan repayments. Since the coming of the PF into power, the Youth Development Fund has been decentralised to provinces. Furthermore, an institutional framework has been put in place for the effective, prudent and transparent management of the fund. With prudent mechanisms put in place for the management of the Youth Development Fund, it has now started contributing positively to job creation.
Mr Speaker, from the K11 million allocated in 2012, The fund contributed to the creation of 622 jobs by young entrepreneurs. Further, it is projected that from the K19 million allocated in the 2013 Budget, it will contribute to the creation of 1,100 employment opportunities by young entrepreneurs. The fund has the potential to create a million jobs per annum if well nurtured. In addition, my ministry plans to transform The fund into a specialised financial institution that will contribute to youth entrepreneurship development.
Sir, in order to make the legal and policy environment conducive for youth participation in national development, my ministry has commenced the process of reviewing the 1986 National Youth Development Council Act, the National Sports Council Act, and the National Youth and Sports Policy. This is aimed at ensuring that the Acts and policies bring on board emerging issues in youth development and are more responsive to the current needs of the youth sportsmen and women.
Mr Speaker, consultations with the stakeholders on the review of the Acts and policies have been completed and I will soon be tabling before the Cabinet, Bills and policies for their consideration and onward transmission to this House.
I also wish to inform this august House that my ministry is in the process of developing a Youth Mainstreaming Strategy Policy that will ensure that all sectors start contributing to youth development and empowerment. This has been done to create a conducive environment for the participation of youth and sportsmen and women.
Mr Speaker, the PF Government recognises the unifying role that sport plays in the country. Therefore, its significant contribution to national building cannot be over emphasised. It is for this reason that the Government, through my ministry, has embarked on massive investment in this sector in order to provide opportunities for all Zambians to realise their sports excellence.
Sir, in an effort to realise this very important objective, my ministry embarked on the following programmes:
(a) rehabilitation of sports facilities at the National Sports Development Centre (NASDEC);
(b) construction of an Olympic-standard swimming pool at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC); and
(c) rehabilitation of the hostels at the University of Zambia (UNZA) in readiness for the hosting of the Zone Six Games which were hosted successfully.
Mr Speaker, the PF Government will remain dedicated to the development of sports infrastructure in the country. We shall soon witness the commissioning of a 50,000 seating capacity National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Mr Mutelo: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Hon. Opposition Member: Washishi.
Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, today, I had meant to sit here and listen to the debates, but I have been compelled to rise, looking at the time.
Sir, is the hon. Minister who is on the Floor in order not to apologise to the people on your left and the entire country for saying that we are being unreasonable for allowing the PF to outlive its time of ninety days?
Hon. Opposition members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mutelo: Who is being unreasonable? Is it the PF who have failed to live up to their ninety-day promise or us who have allowed them to go on for five years? Is he in order not to apologise to the entire nation?
I seek your serious ruling, Sir.
Laughter
Hon. Opposition members: Hear, hear!
Mr Speaker: As the hon. Minister of Youth and Sport continues debating, he will bear that point of order in mind. However, in my opinion, it does not deserve rendering an apology. Nevertheless, I will give him the liberty to address it.
Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, if our electorate could come to Parliament and see what goes on here, some people would not come back to Parliament for a second term.
Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!
Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, the construction of new stadia in Livingstone and Mongu is also underway. These massive investments will contribute greatly to the development of sport in the country and brighten the nation’s opportunity to host regional and continental tournaments.
Sir, the Government is determined to ensure that the stadia are completed in time to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2019, which the country is seriously …
Dr Kalila: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, every part of this country has the liberty to choose leaders as they deem it fit. Is the hon. Minister of Youth and Sport in order to doubt the credibility and ability of the people of Mitete in having elected the hon. Member to come back to the House for the second time.?Is he in order to insult them?
Mr Speaker: I think this is a question of interpretation and implication of what has been stated. The statement was very terse and, if you want my view, I would not go that far in interpreting it. That is my ruling.
Mr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, I, therefore, urge all citizens to rally behind the PF Government in its bid to host the 2019 AFCON. I further wish to inform this august House that we have officially written to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), informing it that the Government will support the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) in its bid to host the 2019 AFCON.
Furthermore, the PF Government has continued with the rehabilitation of provincial stadia in respective provinces. It will also soon embark on establishing sports for excellence centres in selected provinces as envisioned in the PF Manifesto. The centres will be attached to learning institutions to provide opportunities to talented young men and women to develop their sporting potential to excellent levels. The programme is also aimed at rekindling physical activity and sport in the community which we call Komboni Sport. We shall go into the communities to encourage the people to participate in a sport of their choice regardless of their age, gender or religion.
Mr Speaker, I am glad to announce that we are discussing the development of football at the grassroots with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education. FIFA has promised to give us 50 per cent of the money to tap young talent, while the other 50 per cent will come from the Government.
Sir, we are also discussing with the Premier League of the United Kingdom (UK), a premier skills development programme, where we shall train community coaches and referees and identify talent for possible export to the UK.
Mr Speaker, sports talent identification and development programmes have continued to produce positive results in different sporting disciplines. I am proudly standing here, as Minister of Youth and Sport, to remind this august House that the following tournaments were held successfully:
(a) the Zone Six Games in December, 2012;
(b) the Confederation of Aquatic Nations Associations (CANA) Swimming Competition in April, 2013; and
(c) the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Senior Challenge Cup in 2013.
Sir, Zambia got a record sixty-two medals in the Zone Six Games and lifted the COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup. This is a clear demonstration of the PF’s commitment to the development of sport in the country. It also gives us the impetus to host bigger sports events such as the AFCON that we are bidding for.
Mr Speaker, to achieve this, the PF shall put emphasis on infrastructure development.
I thank you, Sir.
The Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs (Prof. Luo): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to debate on the Speech given by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, when he officially opened the Third Session of the Eleventh National Assembly.
Mr Speaker, I would like to join other hon. Members of Parliament who have spoken before me in passing condolences to the Sakeni family. We shall all miss him in this Parliament and also in the Government, may his soul rest in peace.
I would also like to welcome, to the House, the new hon. Members of Parliament who were elected for the first time and those who retained their seats fraudulently.
Hon. Opposition Members: Question!
Prof. Luo: In particular, I would I like to celebrate the only female Member of Parliament, Hon. Ingrid Mulonda Mphande, for increasing the numbers of women in Parliament. We thank the PF for their vision in adopting a female Member of Parliament.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Prof. Luo: From the outset, let me acknowledge the Speech delivered by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia which was thought-provoking, gave a lot of hope and was a breath of fresh air to the Zambian people.
Mr Livune: Question!
Hon. Government Member: Walaya, iwe.
Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata’s Speech was anchored on the need for motivation and engaging ourselves, as a united people, to face the future with resolve.
Prof. Luo: His Excellency the Republican President reminded us about what is enshrined in the PF Manifesto, which reads as follows:
“The citizens of this land not only deserve better lives, but are also entitled to better lives.”
Mr Speaker, this will form the basis of my debate this afternoon. My contribution cannot go without commenting on some of the issues that were raised by colleagues on your left. I shall base my comments on history. History is a very important subject because it reminds us of where we are coming from. I want to remind those who have forgotten by talking about the violence which has been spoken about by literally every hon. Member of Parliament who has debated. Let me also remind my colleagues in this august House what the Mapatizya Formula was, and who formulated and implemented it.
Mr Nkombo: Question!
Prof. Luo: A member of a certain political party by the name of Mr William Banda terrorised people in …
Ms Kapata: Catherine Namugala.
Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, once again, I stand with a heavy heart on a point of order on someone whom I have admired as a politician up to this moment. Is Hon. Prof. Nkandu Luo, a seasoned politician and Minister inseveral governments, in order to debate in this fashion by speaking about the Mapatizya Formula without explaining whether she …
Hon. Government Members interjected.
Mr Nkombo: Please, give me a chance. She was speaking about the Mapatizya Formula without actually explaining what she understands about it. We are not shy to say it is our formula.
Interruptions
Mr Nkombo: Secondly, is she in order to speak about individuals who are not here to defend themselves? Is she in order to carry on in that fashion, Sir?
Mr Speaker: Order!
Regardless of the ownership of the formula, for the record, it is important to explain the term. It is only fair and proper for the record.
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear! {mospagebreak}
Mr Speaker: I am equally at a loss. Secondly, I have said this before, and almost every day, that we should not debate people who are not here. We are not even allowed to debate ourselves. There are deep-seated reasons for this. The proceedings, here, are absolutely privileged. That is the legal position. If a person is aggrieved, he/she cannot go to court to seek redress. That is why we care about how we proceed and talk about other people in all fairness. The settled practice is that we should not debate individuals who are not here. It is a matter of fairness because they will not have any other opportunity to vindicate themselves in light of the privilege I have referred to. To that extent of my ruling, the hon. Minister was out of order.
She can continue.
Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, our colleagues on your left, inherited a member from a party called the United National Independence Party (UNIP), which terrorised people and this person has continued to terrorise us. I recall …
Mr Livune: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, on several occasions, you have given us counsel. Is the hon. Minister who is on the Floor of the House in order to address this House without any script? She has chosen to use scribbled pieces of paper which have a lot of seditious material such as bringing people who are not in this House in context.
I need your serious ruling, Sir.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Speaker: Mr Speaker, where I am seated, it is not possible for me to tell whether the scripts are typed or handwritten. All I can see from here is that she seems to be reading from some written material. I think, to that extent, she is in order.
In order to make progress, let us debate the Motion before us, and that is the President’s Address. I have ruled, on several occasions, that the President highlighted specific themes in his Speech which you should debate on. They are very rich themes, if I may add. At least, I consider them so. Move away from debating individuals. There are also what are called innuendos. I may end up delivering legal lectures which I am not inclined to do. Please, let us move away from debating individuals.
The hon. Minister may continue.
Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, thank you for your guidance. Usually, it hurts when you remind people about their history. However, I will continue to raise some important issues that are in the President’s Speech. Firstly, as Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, I represent the poor people of Zambia in the chiefdoms. Literally everything that the President spoke about has a direct effect on the lives of the poor people in the nation, including those who utilised the Mapatizya Formula.
Hon. UPND Members: Question!
Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, …
Mr Ntundu: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to raise a point of order. You have guided the House that hon. Members should not debate formulas without explaining what they are. Is the hon. Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs in order to keep this House at a loss by not explaining what the Mapatizya Formula is? Are the hon. Government Members in order to keep mentioning the Chawama Formula without giving the hon. Minister an opportunity to explain to this House what it is?
I seek your serious ruling, Sir.
Laughter
Mr Speaker: Order!
Indeed, I have ruled that for the record, the hon. Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs should explain to the House what she means by Mapatizya Formula. There is nothing peculiar about this ruling. I have demanded of this whenever vernacular words, proverbs or sayings are imployed. They must be explained. So, the continued reference to the term Mapatizya Formula is subject to an explanation. Secondly, the Chawama Formula emanates from people who are not on the Floor. I will pay no regard to debate that is trying to violate the rules.
Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to explain the Mapatizya Formula. It is in reference to the violence that took place in Mapatizya and Mufumbwe, …
Mr Livune: Question!
Prof. Luo: … and was formulated by a party to explain what it was doing. The party did not want to call it violence, and so it beautified it by calling it the Mapatizya Formula.
Mr Speaker, before the point of order, I was saying that I represent the poor people …
Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Prof. Luo: Yaa!
Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, allow me to quote Cap 12, Sub Clause 16 of the Laws of Zambia which states that any person who gives false evidence before the National Assembly is guilty.
Mr Livune: She is.
Mr Muntanga: Sir, is Prof. Luo in order to allege that the Mapatizya Formula was formulated by a party during the elections in Mapatizya and that there was violence when none of the people in the Southern Province and, in particular, the UPND indicated that there was use of the Mapatizya Formula or any violence anywhere in this country?
Is she in order to mislead the House, Sir?
Mr Speaker: I have ruled before that points of order that are aimed at debating a point under discussion are deprecated. She has explained her conception of the formula and, to that extent, I am satisfied. Whether that formula, as explained, is valid or not, it is not for me to decide. She has also carefully not named any political party in her reference to the formula. To that extent, I take it that she has heeded my counsel. So, I cannot go into the veracity or otherwise of the application, interpretation or meaning of that formula. She has given an explanation. So, let her debate.
Can the hon. Minister continue.
Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, before I was interrupted by that point of order, I was saying that I represent a ministry for the poor who have suffered in the past due to underdevelopment, a lack of education and health services. Therefore, when His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Micheal Chilufya Sata, came to this august House to share the works that the PF Government has completed in the two years it has been governing this country, I find it sad that the debate is characterised by a lack of appreciation of the works that have been done so far.
Sir, let me take the House back to some parliaments where people debate issues. There is what is called praising what is due and offering some alternatives. However, what we heard in this House in the last three weeks was opposing for the sake of it. I am going to highlight some issues that have been raised.
Furthermore, I find it interesting that people who have been in the Government before keep referring to some programmes as belonging to the MMD.
Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!
Prof. Luo: The thing about governance is that a good Government continues with programmes that it finds when it comes into power. I know of a Government which, when it took over from the first Government, destroyed all the good things that it found. As a result, the country was taken backwards.
Hon. Opposition Members: You were there.
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Order, order!
Prof. Luo: Can I have your protection, Hon. Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker: You have it.
Prof. Luo: I thank you.
Mr Speaker, this lack of continuity is what has destroyed Zambia. What the PF has done is pick up the pieces from where the previous Government left. However, most of the programmes that were referred to as belonging to the MMD were dreams. I know we are allowed to dream, but it is also important to try to plan around that dream and make it a reality.
Sir, this reminds me of the debate that we hear all over Africa and world over, where people say, “If you want good and new ideas, go to Zambia. However, if you want them implemented, go elsewhere.” That is what characterised the last twenty years of the MMD rule.
Interruptions
Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, let me spend some time to analyse the impact that the developmental programmes that we have started to implement in the last two years is going to have on rural Zambia and, in particular, the people in the 288 chiefdoms.
Sir, let me start by referring to pages 6-9 of the President’s Speech where he talked about education. The President talked about the upgrading of schools, construction of secondary schools and trades and skills training centres and the opening of new universities so that we can increase the numbers …
Mr Mulusa: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Mulusa: Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to raise this point of order. I am really struggling to harvest any benefit from the debate by the hon. Member on the Floor. I was expecting policy responses to the issues that we raised. We cannot sit here and be subjected to her paraphrasing what the President said. Is she in order not to give us policy responses, andto start paraphrasing what the President said as if we were deaf and did not hear it for ourselves?
I need your serious ruling, Sir.
Mr Speaker: My ruling is that she has barely begun and has not finished making her contribution.
Interruptions
Mr Mulusa: Ten minutes is gone already.
Mr Speaker: I hope that as she utilises her time, she will also address the policy issues. I said she had barely begun because the record shows a spate of points of order and rulings.
Hon. Minister, you may continue.
Mr Mulusa: She is just dancing cha cha cha.
Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, when we had poor access to health and education services, children in rural areas dropped out of school and died from preventable diseases. Men, women and children died from preventable diseases. Now that we are going to have more secondary schools, people will be able to access tertiary education, which will make our campaign against child-marriages easier.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, let me now move on to the issue of health infrastructure.
Sir, we will soon be celebrating fifty years of Independence. However, going round the country, one tends to wonder how our people are surviving. People have to walk very long distances to access health services.
Therefore, the declaration by the President of the Republic of Zambia to increase the number of health institutions, and upgrade the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and other health institutions will have a positive impact on the lives of our people.
Mr Speaker, people in rural areas have been ‘eating’ dust. The roads are so bad that a lot of people attending our orthopedic clinics suffer from backaches.
Mr Muntanga: Aah!
Prof. Luo: The situation is worse in rural areas. The infrastructure development in the area of roads that the President talked about is obviously going to increase …
Ms Imenda: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, to my recollection, the hon. Minister on the Floor was Minister of Transport and Communications as it was known then in the MMD Government. Is she in order to condemn the dilapidated road infrastructure she left?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Speaker: Order!
Shortly after assuming office, I ruled that, given our political system, culture and history, there have been a lot of transitions in terms of political parties. I, therefore, do not think that it would be appropriate to individualise the debates. I do not think that it will be of any assistance to single out personal histories in terms of what one did or where he/she served. I do not think that I would be inclined to undertake those inquiries and make rulings to that extent.
She is now hon. Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs under the current regime and it begins and ends there.
Hon. Minister, you may continue.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I thank you for your protection.
Sir, dust has very serious implications on people’s health. I am very pleased that when I visit chiefdoms in rural areas now, I can see people enjoying good health because the amount of dust has been minimised due to better roads.
Mr Muntanga: Aah!
Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, agriculture is the mainstay of people in chiefdoms. It was, therefore, a breath of fresh air for me to hear about the investment that is intended for agriculture. Our chiefs are very happy about this, too. They are saying that this is unprecedented because, for the first time, the Government has showed care for them, including Bashi Lubemba.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, the Government’s recognition of the importance of chiefs in the governance system of this country through the Decentralisation Policy is very welcome. Those who want to come on board and participate will see a multiplier effect in their chiefdoms. For instance, this Saturday, the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock and I will be in Mbeza to bring new life to the chiefdom. We are taking equipment that will improve the activities of the chiefdom.
Mr Speaker, chiefdoms will bring value addition to the way the country is run. Since chiefs are the closest to the people, they are the ones who identify with the problems. We are working on the communication system so that chiefs are able to tell us, within a short time, what problems people are facing, and that some hon. Members of Parliament who do not visit their constituencies are unable to bring to our attention.
Mr Speaker, the focus on improving communication, access to electricity and the recapitalisation of the National Savings Bank will have a multiplier effect in chiefdoms. At the moment, people have nowhere to put the money that they get from the sale of different agricultural products.
Mr Speaker, one hon. Member of Parliament talked about how the PF Government is abusing land. I stand here to give testimony of how 61,000 hectares of land have been given for a mining operation. The president of a party went to dance cha cha cha in that area.
Laughter
Prof. Luo: Who, then, is abusing land?
The Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs has taken the bull by the horns to ensure that the size of this piece of land is addressed. Sir, 61,000 hectares of land is equivalent to the size of Lesotho or Rwanda.
Mr Speaker, let me conclude by giving a few tips. We should give praise where it is due.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Prof. Luo: For those of us who were dreaming, it is time to stop. This is time for hands-on work so that we bring a better life to our people. When I make my policy statement during the Budget Debate to this House, I will show how we have made a difference in rural areas, particularly chiefdoms.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, the PF is led by His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, who is a hands-on person and I, therefore, invite all hon. Members of Parliament onto this boat of success.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Speaker: Any further debate?
Hon. Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, you may debate.
Mr Mwale: Mailesi Sampa.
Laughter
The Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Sampa): Mr Speaker, I thank you for this opportunity to debate. I take the words of all those who paid tribute to the late Hon. Sakeni as my own, may his soul rest in peace.
Mr Speaker, I rise to support and congratulate His Excellency the President on his succinct Speech, especially on the state of the nation. One debater on your left stated that the Speech was too short and he wanted it voluminous like the other speeches in the past. I wish to remind him that we are in the days where it is not quantity that matters but quality.
Sir, I wish to congratulate the MMD vice-president, Hon. Dr Kaingu, on doing the right thing this time around by not tearing the Speech. It only means that he was happy with the contents of the Speech.
Mr Speaker, I wish to set the foundation of my debate by quoting page 2 of the President’s Speech which states:
“The PF Government came into power to address the many social and economic challenges facing the Zambian people so as to restore their dignity and past glory. This is in line with the PF Vision which is enshrined in our manifesto which states that:
‘the citizens of this land not only deserve better lives, but are also entitled to better lives.’”
The key words in this quote are “restoring their dignity and past glory”.
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Let us have order, both on the left and right.
Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, the question is: has the PF Government restored the dignity and past glory of Zambians? The answer is, yes and I will explain that. As Deputy Minister from one of the economic and wealth-creating ministries of the Government, I will pinpoint the areas or statements in the President’s Address that touched on economic development and specifically as relates to wealth creation for Zambians. In doing that, I will also respond to a number of arguments or concerns that came out from the debates on the left.
Mr Speaker, as I proceed, allow me to quote one of the greatest sons of this soil, the late President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, SC., may his soul rest in peace.
Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, he said, “Zambians forget easily.” He was very right. This is exactly what the Opposition are doing except that they do it deliberately. They choose to easily forget all the good things that have happened to this country since the PF took over the Government two years ago. They have chosen to concentrate on the small hiccups here and there and want them to make headlines all the time. My job, today, is to prove them wrong by reminding them about all the good things that have happened to Zambia in the last two years, as they relate to the Presidents’ Speech.
Mr Speaker, the argument from some debaters from both inside and outside the House who are saying that whatever the PF has achieved was a brainchild of the MMD …
MMD Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Sampa: … is not valid.
Mr Mulusa: Aah!
Mr Sampa: If this is true, then all the so-called shortcomings of the PF Government should also be blamed on the MMD. In any case, Sir, it would also mean that all the achievements of the MMD Government should be accredited to the UNIP Government, whose achievement also should be accredited to Mr Welensky’s Administration. Therefore, the argument on your left that the PF are just launch masters of the MMD projects is not valid. All the developmental projects that are being implemented now start and end with the PF Government. When the history books of Zambia are written, they will say the PF Government did this and that. There will be no appendix, stating that such and such a project was started by the MMD.
Mr Speaker, like the case is in football, it is not the people who start the game that matter. Even after half time, it is not the people who start the game in the centre circle that matter. Those who kick-start the game do not matter in the outcome and history of the game. It is the people who score the goals that matter. At the moment, the PF Government is scoring goals and the game stands at 10-0.
Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!
Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, if I support the President’s Address from a personal perspective only, I may be biased since I am a member of the PF and part of the Government. I will, therefore, try, as much as possible, to quote renowned organisations and reputable publications …
Mr Mbulakulima: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member, who is my fellow football administrator, in order to mislead this House and the nation by saying that, in football, the only people who matter are those who score, when we know how critical the goalkeepers and defenders are and that football is a team game? Is he in order to isolate the scorers, forgetting the defenders and the goalkeeper?
Mr Speaker, I need your serious ruling, Sir.
Mr Speaker: I am not an expert in football, but bear in mind that analogy and your possible limitations in the use of that analogy.
You may continue.
Mr Sampa: I will try to quote what the world thinks about Zambia. The President talked about the Eurobond in his Address. It seems Zambians are not aware of what they have achieved and what the world thought and said about the achievement of the Eurobond. While the Opposition is busy punching holes in the success of the Eurobond, let me remind them what the world has said.
Sir, The Globe and Mail Magazine, quoting through Reuters, stated that:
“The Zambia Eurobond could be Africa’s tipping point. Zambia is about to become an African economic trendsetter. Its debut $750 million launched last month was oversubscribed a spectacular fifteen times and analysts say it could prove a catalyst for a wave of debt issuance from some of the fastest growing economies. Even seasoned imaging market watchers were stunned by the $11.9 billion oversubscription, while many imaging markets viewed this as a higher subscription rate.”
It was a rare feat for a first time African issuer with a B-rating. A debut $500 million bond from higher rated Namibia last October was oversubscribed five times. Ours was eleven times, while a long awaited issue of the same size from Nigeria, Africa’s second biggest economy generated around $1.5 billion worth of orders. Mr Speaker, put into context, the size of Zambia’s order book is nearly double the gross domestic product of Rwanda.
“They (Zambia) made a good case for the credit and timed very well”, said one investor.
“The interest rate Zambia has to pay for the ten years’ money is lower than the average interest rate. The USA has had to borrow for the last sixty years,” said another investor.
Mr Speaker, I will go to this year’s 21st June, 2013 Zambia Daily Mail which carried a headline, “Zambia Wins Finance Award,” that further read:
“Zambia has won the best sovereign bond award in Europe, Middle East and Africa for 2013. Accepting the award in London, Minister of Finance, Alexander Chikwanda, said Zambia is committed to maintaining a positive economic position through fiscal discipline.”
The Eurobond award comes at the back of commendations from influential bankers, Goldman and Sachs and the Global Peace Index, which have both tipped Zambia as a good investment destination despite condemnation from other local civil societies.
Mr Speaker, it was only a few days ago that the media reported that the hon. Minister of Finance, Mr Alexander Chikwanda, and the Bank of Zambia Governor, Dr Michael Gondwe, had been nominated for Africa’s Best of the Best Award in Washington. They are up there competing with the Finance Minister of South Africa, Pravin Gordhan, and renowned Reserve Bank of Nigeria Governor, Lamido Sanusi. This is all on the back of our successful Eurobond, amongst other factors.
Sir, on Tuesday this week, you announced the presence of guests from Ghana. These are members of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance. It is not a coincidence that the National Assembly of Ghana saw it fit to send its Finance Committee to Zambia. It is all because of the Eurobond and that we have now become a success story in Africa.
Mr Speaker, may I quote the Lusaka Times of 5th September, 2013. This is an online newspaper owned by the MMD, I believe. There was an article in this paper headlined, “Zambia Ranked 7th Competitive Economy in Africa and 93rd in the World”. The World Economic Forum (WEF) has ranked Zambia as one of the top ten most competitive economies in Africa for 2013. Out of the 148 countries surveyed globally, Zambia has moved from last year’s 102nd position to 93rd and is ranked as one of the countries which recorded remarkable economic progress.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Sampa: What does this ranking mean to Zambia’s economy as a whole and its image on the global stage?
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Sampa: It means that Zambia has good functioning public and private institutions, meaning that the courts are functioning well and the companies are functioning independently. It also means that the infrastructure is appropriate. The roads that we are building are noticed by the world. It also means that the macro-economic indicators are good. The lending rates have come down and that good health care and primary education is also being noticed.
Sir, people are complaining about the UTH, but I was there last week and I was amazed at the good things that are happening there. For the first time, I saw that each bed had a fridge next to it. The UTH is now as good as hospitals in Europe. So, I invite hon. Members to visit the UTH and see this with their own eyes.
Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!
Mr Sampa: I congratulate the hon. Minister of Health on the good work done at the UTH.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Sampa: Sir, allow me to quote the Insight Magazine of September 5th this year, which carried a headline, “Zambian Tourism Ranked 11th in Africa.”
Mr Speaker, despite constant lamentation from the Opposition that tourism is dead in Zambia, official reputable reports state that tourism in Zambia is growing and getting better. Zambia is the 11th best tourism destination in Africa and rose ten places from 2012.
Sir, on page 27 of his Speech, the President mentioned that the PF Government has created 316,000 jobs in the last two years. I wish to give an example to prove that jobs have been created. I conducted some research with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and obtained the total Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) figure for September, 2011, and September, 2013, the two years that the PF has been in power.
The total amount for income tax paid by workers in September, 2011, was K101 million, while that paid in September, 2012, was K456 million. Mr Speaker, this represents an increase of K355 million in the PAYE collected since the PF took office. We can, therefore, safely deduce that the increase is as result of the new jobs created. There is a saying that goes, “figures do not lie.”
The argument by others, both inside and outside the House, that the jobs created are temporary because they are linked to road construction is lopsided and not valid. Firstly, we need to come out of this colonial belief that only …
Ms Imenda: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, we have to be careful with how we use statistics.
Dr Kalila: That is right.
Ms Imenda: Are the figures from the ZRA that the hon. Member is giving evidence that new jobs have been created? Are these high-powered jobs in the category of those who pay tax or are they at the lower level?
Is the hon. Member in order to mislead the House with that information which means that the salaries of some people have gone up? That is very misleading. Is he in order to mislead the House?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Speaker: This is yet another point of order intended to debate.
You may continue, hon. Deputy Minister.
Mr Sampa: Thank you, Mr Speaker. This is also based on the backdrop of increasing the tax threshold from K700 to K1,000. Actually, most people stopped paying PAYE. If one earned less than K1,000, they stopped paying PAYE. So, that figure is actually understated.
Mr Speaker, some people refer to the jobs that have been created as temporary, but employment is not only about white collar jobs because blue collar jobs are equally good. You do not create employment by starting with managerial or directorate positions. You cannot give someone a managerial position immediately you employ him/her. He/she has to start from somewhere.
Mr Livune: Question!
Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, the argument is that these jobs are temporary, but my message is that the jobs that we have created through the projects that we have started such as the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project and Lusaka 400 km Road Project (L400) have a lifespan of three years. So, these people will be in employment for three years. Even when the projects have been completed, it does not mean that we will not give more contracts. We will have more and more road contracts until the roads in all the constituencies such as Katombola have been tarred. That is when the projects will come to an end.
Mr Livune: That is right.
Mr Sampa: However, that is ten years or so from now.
Laughter
Mr Livune: Aah! Why?
Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, Zambians are very happy because of all these milestones and achievements by the PF Government. Thou shalt not …
Mr Livune: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, I was excited when I heard the hon. Minister on the Floor talk about tarring roads in Katombola. However, is he in order to insinuate that the roads in Katombola will only be tarred ten years from now?
Mr Speaker: He did not insinuate, he actually stated it.
Laughter
Mr Speaker: You may continue, hon. Minister.
Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, before the point of order was raised, I was saying that thou shalt not be misled by the tone of some debaters in this House who always sound annoyed, bitter, sad and claim that their views represent the views of all Zambians. They do not represent Zambians in general. At least, they do not represent the people of Matero. Zambians are actually very happy.
Mr Muntanga: Hear, hear!
Hon. Government Members: Go on!
Mr Speaker: Order!
Hon. Deputy Minister, continue.
Laughter
Mr Speaker: Let us have order!
Mr Sampa: Since they are murmuring, Mr Speaker, I will actually prove that Zambians are happy by quoting their online publication, the Lusaka Times, dated 11th September, 2011, which says: …
Hon. Government Members: Go ahead, hammer!
Mr Mulusa: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Mulusa: Mr Speaker, in the interest of allowing the hon. Deputy Minister’s debate to flow without being disturbed, I decided not to rise on a point of order when he stated that the Lusaka Times is owned by the MMD, without providing any proof.
Hon. Government Members: Aah!
Mr Mulusa: Sir, is the hon. Deputy Minister in order to state that the MMD, a party that does not have the funds to own an online publication, owns the Lusaka Times? Is he in order to state so without laying any evidence on the Table?
Mr Speaker: I was following his debate and at no point did I hear him refer to the MMD.
Mr Mulusa: He did.
Mr Speaker: He referred to them, but I did not hear him refer to the MMD.
Interruptions
Mr Mulusa: No, he did.
Mr Speaker: May the hon. Deputy Minister continue, please.
Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, there is nothing wrong with owning an online publication. It is actually a very good online publication. It is usually very factual and I read it and commend it.
Mr Muntanga: It is yours.
Mr Mulusa: It is yours, iwe.
Laughter
Mr Sampa: Sir, on 11th September, this year, that online publication carried a big headline that read, “Zambia has been Ranked the 7th Happiest Country in Africa,” ...
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Sampa: … the 2013 World Happiness Report has said. The ranking places Angola as Africa’s happiest country, according to a new global survey of 156 countries released that Monday.
The report is sponsored by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDSN) which was established by the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, and came ahead of the Annual General Assembly then.
The report defines happiness both as an emotion where people are asked: “Were you happy this morning?” and an evaluation of one’s life as a whole.
The author says the survey is meant to contribute to the debate on the direction of public policy and push authorities to align policies to what really matters to their citizens.
Mr Speaker, the PF Government will formulate its policy with this report in mind. The report can be found on the website, WorldHappinessReport2013 online pdf.
Mr Speaker, I am very proud to be Zambian because I have now seen that our country’s dignity has been restored. When you travel out of this country, and you get on a taxi from the airport, and when you tell the taxi driver that you are from Zambia, he will say, “Ooh, you are from Zambia, the African football champions. How is Mr Kalusha Bwalya?”
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Sampa: Sir, when you get where you are going, be it at a meeting at the UN, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) or the African Union (AU), and you introduce yourself as coming from Zambia, the people will congratulate you on coming from a country headed by Mr Michael Sata and that managed to successfully get the Eurobond.
Mr Mucheleka: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Mucheleka: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to debate in that manner by not acknowledging that at the rate we are borrowing, the country is seriously sliding into another debt trap, and there are no measures in place to indicate how that external as well as domestic debt stock will be handled?
I need your serious ruling, Sir.{mospagebreak}
Mr Speaker: I know that there is no right of reply here. Certainly, points of order are not substitutes for the right to reply.
Hon. Minister, you may continue.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, as a country, we should be proud that we can still borrow. There are countries that cannot borrow.
Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, according to my calendar, this is 2013, and the current African football champions are Nigeria. In his statement, the hon. Deputy Minister said that each time he travels outside the country, taxi drivers ask him where he is from and when he tells them that he is from Zambia, the drivers say, “Ooh, the African champions in football.”
Sir, is he in order not to have changed his calendar so that it reads 2013, and to continue living in the past together with his fellow taxi drivers abroad …
Laughter
Mr Nkombo: …who continue to congratulate him on Zambia’s being the African champions of football?
I need your serious ruling, Sir.
Mr Speaker: I think it is important that we are factual, especially for matters that are in the public domain and where there is really no controversy about facts. We should acknowledge those facts and state them correctly so that we give credence to our debates.
The hon. Deputy Minister may continue.
Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, the problem is that I last travelled outside the country last year.
Laughter
Mr Sampa: Sir, the world still likes to talk about our win because it was dramatic and it was the best. The world values Zambia’s win of the Africa Cup of Nations more than that for Nigeria.
Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I would like to state that Zambia is on the move. The President, together with his Government, is making a positive difference to the State and history of this beloved country by taking development to all the parts of the country. I can also prove this but, for now, I rest my case.
Thank you, Sir.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
The Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Yaluma): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Motion of the President’s Speech for the Official Opening of the Third Session of the Eleventh National Assembly. I would also like to extend my sincere condolences to the family of the late Hon. Kennedy Sakeni, may his soul rest in peace.
Sir, as the House is aware, my ministry superintends over three important sectors, namely mining, energy and water. These sectors are crucial to the development processes of our country. My debate …
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Order!
Let us have order, both on the left and the right.
Mr Yaluma: … will, therefore, be confined to critical areas of these three sectors.
Sir, as regards mining, I would like to talk about monitoring and regulating of the mining industry. It is a known fact that monitoring of the mining sector has, for a long time, been a challenge, resulting in the country losing the much-needed revenue and other benefits. It is for this reason that since the PF Government came into power, the focus has been on improving the monitoring and regulating of this important sector. To this effect, my ministry concluded the review of the Mining Policy. Zambia now has a Mining Policy that clearly shows how, as a nation, we intend to handle our mineral resources for the development of the country.
Sir, Statutory Instruments Nos. 34 of 2012 and 17 of 2013 have been issued to enhance the quality of reporting by mining companies and to introduce penalties for non-compliance. The ministry has also made considerable progress in reviewing the Mines and Minerals Development Act of 2008 in order to align it with international best practices and to ensure that it provides for the country to maximise benefits from mineral resources. The Draft Bill is in place and will be presented to this House as soon as possible.
Mr Speaker, without the relevant human resources, implementation of the policy and enforcement of the law is impossible. To improve the staffing levels, my ministry recruited thirty-three technical staff. The improved staffing levels are helping in the enforcement of the law and the provision of technical services to small-scale miners.
Sir, the ministry is implementing modernisation programmes focused on developing, monitoring and regulatory tools, regulation and mechanisms to ensure that development in the mining sector translates into benefits for the people of Zambia.
Mr Speaker, Zambia is endowed with a variety of mineral resources. Apart from the base metals, we have a wide range of gemstones which, if exploited in an orderly manner, can contribute to the economy as much as the base metals. To this effect, my ministry is working on mechanisms to increase gemstone production and improve marketing systems. Some of our efforts are already bearing fruit. As you have seen, for the first time, two emerald auctions were held successfully in Zambia. The ministry will soon introduce mechanisms that will ensure that gemstones produced by small-scale miners are also auctioned.
Mr Speaker, the ministry is also undertaking measures that will attract investment in the gemstone sector. It is currently assessing mines in Lufwanyama to come up with a strategy to attract investment. In addition, the ministry is promoting the exploitation of industrial minerals that can be utilised in our local industries.
Mr Speaker: Order!
Business was suspended from 1815 hours until 1830 hours.
[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]
Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, when business was suspended, I was talking about the ministry promoting the exploitation of industrial minerals that can be utilised in our local industries such as limestone, coal and others. The ministry embarked on reconnaissance surveys to document the potential of the major carbonate rock outcrops in selected areas.
Mr Speaker, improving the investment climate and regulatory framework requires adequate geological information. Therefore, my ministry has embarked on improving the provision of geological information in order to attract investment on one hand and to better monitor and regulate the sector on the other hand. In light of this, the Geological Survey Department is currently mapping six quarter degree sheet areas in Luapula, Copperbelt, Northern and Central provinces. In addition, the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines-Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) has incorporated a company which will be carrying out exploration activities and providing technical expertise to small-scale miners.
Mr Speaker, as stated by the President in his Address to this House, my ministry will continue to focus on improving the monitoring of the mining industry from exploration through to exports in order to ensure that the country benefits from the exploitation of mineral resources. Through the Modernisation Programme, we will work towards establishing the following:
(a) an efficient and transparent licensing system;
(b) an effective monitoring and regulatory framework for efficient data capturing and sharing among Government departments for revenue collection. The monitoring and regulatory framework will be extended to capture data on all minerals. This is a shift from the current situation where focus is mainly on copper; and
(c) upgraded laboratory facilities for the efficient monitoring of mining operations as well as reducing the export of mineral samples for analysis. This is expected to contribute towards the reduction of exploration expenditure.
Mr Speaker, there are quite a number of investments which have come into the country in mining and more are still coming in, based on the marketing we have done in the past one-and-half years. One of the upcoming operations is the Mwambashi Mine Project. SINO Leach Metals in Chambeshi plans to invest about US$70 million in the Mwambashi Mine Project, which is expected to create more than 600 jobs for the local people. So far, a total of US$1.5 million has been spent on exploration and feasibility studies.
Mr Speaker, another project is the Sentinel Mine Project that is known as Trident Mining. The project has been developed by First Quantum Minerals Limited at an estimated cost of US$1.7 billion. The project has an estimated measured and indicated resource of 1,073 million metric tonnes at 51 per cent copper grade containing 5.2 million metric tonnes of copper. I think this will be the biggest mining venture ever experienced in Africa.
Mr Speaker, there is also the upgrading of existing mines such as the Konkola Deep Mining Project by Konkola Copper Mines (KCM). The sinking of a shaft was completed in 2012 and it is being used to hoist development. The mine will be fully operational once the development of other underground production facilities such as rescue bays, workshops and pump chambers has been completed. As for Mopani, …
Mr Lufuma: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Deputy Minister for Southern Province in order not to inform this House and the nation at large that Hon. Dr Phiri, the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education is actually his immediate younger brother? I would appreciate your ruling, Mr Speaker.
Mr Munkombwe sat next to Dr Phiri.
Laughter
Mr Speaker: Well, I think he has taken care of the point of order by maintaining a very proximate relationship physically and theoretically. So, if there is anybody in doubt about that, they can see it for themselves.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, as for the Mopani Copper Mines Synclinorium Project, significant progress has been made in sinking and lining a shaft which is expected to be completed in 2014. The sinking of this shaft will extend the mine’s life and increase copper production for the next twenty-five years. There is also the expansion of the Kansanshi Mine which has continued with the Phase II Project with an annual production capacity of 400,000 metric tonnes. This phase involves the expansion of the sulphur treatment facilities by constructing a new section of a plant for treating 25 million tonnes of sulphide ore per annum.
Mr Speaker, it has been noticed that there is a huge investment in mining being extended to the North-Western Province. This has raised a bit of concern for hon. Members of Parliament from the province, due to the perceived negative impact on the normal life of the people there, from the environmental point of view. However, I would like to assure the hon. Members of Parliament from the North-Western Province that the Government is taking due diligence on the miners who are coming to invest in the area. We will ensure that environmental issues are addressed accordingly.
Mr Speaker, I now move onto the area of energy. As I do this, I will talk about the electricity generation and transmission network. For some time now, the country has been experiencing power outages mainly due to the increased demand which has not been matched with increased supply and expansion of the transmission capacity. The frequent power outages are a consequence of old generation and transmission infrastructure. In cognisance of the centrality of the power sector on the economy, my ministry is moving decisively to overcome these challenges by implementing several programmes and projects that are aimed at ensuring that there is security of supply in 2014.
Mr Speaker, this will foster economic growth, as our industries and households will enjoy uninterrupted long hours of electricity supply which will help considerably to boost production. The following, among others, are power-generation projects that have been earmarked for construction:
(a) the Kafue Gorge Lower (750 MW);
(b) Kabompo Hydroelectric Project (40 MW);
(c) up-rating of Lusiwasi Power Station (86 MW);
(d) Musonda Falls (10 MW); and
(e) Chishimba Falls (14.8 MW).
As we increase the generation capacity, my ministry is also implementing projects that are aimed at expanding and reinforcing the transmission and distribution network in order to improve the reliability of the system. All these measures will improve the quality of supply of power and increase the number of customer connections in industrial, commercial and domestic settings.
Mr Speaker, in demonstrating the PFs commitment to improve the lives of the people of Zambia, the House may wish to note that the Government, on 3rd October, 2013, signed a financing agreement with the International Development Association (IDA) for the reinforcement of the Lusaka Transmission and Distribution Network. Like I said earlier, this agreement will ensure that there is an improvement in the quality of power supply in Lusaka Province.
Mr Speaker, following the creation of new districts, the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has taken up the challenge of electrifying the new districts by developing electrification plans. These plans are based on the ranking of the districts provided by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. The Government will, therefore, electrify newly-created districts and rural areas using technological options such as solar, grid extensions or construction of mini-hydropower stations, depending on the electrification plan.
Currently, the REA is working on the development of Kasanjiku Mini-Hydropower Station with a capacity of 560 KW in the North-Western Province and, at the same time, the ministry just closed a tender for the construction of Chavuma and Chanda Mini-Hydropower stations with Chavuma having an output of 14MW and Chanda 1MW. Implementation of these projects is expected to start in 2014. Once the projects have been completed, they are expected to improve the lives of the people in the area. Other projects under development, among others include Mujila Mini-Hydropower Station with a 1.4MW output.
Mr Speaker, with regard to the petroleum sector, I wish to reiterate what the President said when opening Parliament that we have made great progress in the construction of fuel depots in selected towns and cities. Currently, the Lusaka Fuel Depot has been commissioned. The Mpika Fuel Depot is almost complete and will be commissioned next month while the Solwezi and Mongu fuel depots are under construction.
Mr Speaker, the President’s Speech also highlighted the need to revise legislation in order to attract investment in renewable energy resources. I wish to inform the House that the ministry is committed to this process and, in line with the President’s Speech, will soon bring a Bill to this House for your consideration. The Bill will deal with, among other issues, exploring ways of how quickly we can develop the energy sector as a whole. Currently, my ministry is working with relevant stakeholders to develop a Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff Policy. Other efforts in the development of renewable energy resources include the plans to develop a renewable energy resource map. My ministry is working on this project with the World Bank. Once the map has been developed, it will help us to develop our renewable energy resource and to diversify the energy mix.
Mr Speaker, as the leading institution in the water sector, my ministry will continue to implement programmes and projects aimed at improving the lives of our people. This will be done by implementing programmes on water resource management, ground water development for drought-prone areas, trachoma control and for needs in health, education and strategic institutions.
In implementing the programmes highlighted earlier, the Government has signed a concessional loan amounting to US$49,622,791.08 for the implementation of a project for an Integrated Framework for Development and Management of Water Resource in the country. Our expectations are that once the project has been completed, the incidence of water-borne diseases will significantly reduce.
Mr Speaker, having said that, I would like to assure the House and the nation at large that come December, next year, I do not think that they will be experiencing the load shedding they are currently experiencing. This will be a thing of the past.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
The Minister of Gender and Child Development (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, …
Mr Ntundu: Hear, hear!
Laughter
Mrs Wina: … I wish to thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Speech by His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, the President of the Republic of Zambia, on the Official Opening of the Third Session of the Eleventh National Assembly.
In the same vein, I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Hon. Kennedy Mumba Sakeni, on his untimely death. We have, indeed, lost a reliable and valuable colleague, may his soul rest in peace.
Mr Speaker, I also want to register my appreciation to the PF for nominating a woman to contest the Mkushi North Parliamentary Seat which she won overwhelmingly, and …
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Wina: … has resulted in an increase in women representation in political decision-making. I wish to congratulate my sister, Hon. Ingrid Mphande, on her overwhelming win in Mkushi North. I also wish to congratulate all the other hon. Members of Parliament that have come to this House from the different constituencies around the country. Well done.
Mr Ntundu: Hear, hear!
Mrs Wina: Mr Speaker, from the outset, allow me to congratulate His Excellency the President and the PF Government on celebrating the second anniversary in office. This has been a period in which the Government has had to put its feet down in order to address the many socio-economic challenges inherited from the previous Government.
Mr Speaker, the previous Government left a situation which required urgent attention as far as national development is concerned and the restoration of the dignity of the Zambian people. I am glad to note that the PF Government has, in this short period of being in power, scored many successes as was well elaborated in the President’s Speech.
Mr Speaker, the Speech gives us hope that we have a framework and an enabling environment which should enable us all to achieve our goals.
Mr Speaker, this administration has unveiled a robust roadmap for infrastructure development which no Government has been able to do in the last forty-nine years.
Mr Livune: Question!
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Wina: This is because infrastructure is the foundation for any progressive development agenda. In this regard, the Government has prioritised the expansion of school infrastructure at all levels of education in order to improve access to quality education.
This is very important for both our male and female children, as you know that access to education is critical to national development, and the young people of today are the future managers of our economy. Therefore, the expansion of education infrastructure is very important, especially in rural areas where children still cover long distances to school. As you know, the longer the distances to school, the more the children, especially girl children, drop out of school. Furthermore, the commissioning of the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project has created employment opportunities for both women and men. The road infrastructure that is being created through the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project will enable the rural women, who constitute the larger population of peasant farmers, to have easy access to farming inputs and markets for their produce.
Mr Speaker, one of the hallmarks of the PF Administration is the creation of new districts …
Mr Muntanga: Question!
Mrs Wina: … under the umbrella of decentralisation. I realise that there are some hon. Members in this House who opposed the establishment of new districts …
Hon. Opposition Members: That is right!
Mrs Wina: … and I think that they will see its results in a few years to come. The rural people who live in these new districts are very happy and thankful to His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, because this will be the first time that they will experience the direct delivery of services by a government. Our rural people are being offered a lifeline to development. Why oppose such a programme? I, therefore, call upon the women and youths to prepare and position themselves in business to benefit from these new administrative centres.
Mr Speaker, with regard to health, the Government is determined to ensure that all Zambians, be they male or female, young or old, disabled or able bodied, have access to optimum health care. It is, therefore, gratifying to note that …
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Order, on the right!
Mrs Wina: … His Excellency the President clearly pointed out that the Government will provide an optimum package of health care as you know that both maternal and child mortality rates are still very high in our country. This situation is not acceptable at all to the PF Government. Therefore, the Government policy to bring health care as close to the family as possible, through the construction of 650 health posts and the rehabilitation of 137 health facilities over the next two years is phenomenal. This development will reduce the burden on the women who often have to travel long distances to access health services for themselves and their children. The completion of these projects, coupled with the construction of district hospitals, will go a long way in enhancing the health of our people, especially mothers and children.
Mr Speaker, agriculture has been prioritised as a sector for job creation and promotion of household incomes. The Government is emphasising on developing agriculture …
Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Order!
A point of order is raised.
Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, you have been asking for order on your right. Is the hon. Deputy Minister for Gender and Child Development in order to leave his seat and go to the back to gossip continuously, and not listen to the hon. Minister who is delivering a powerful speech? Is he in order or does he want to be demoted so that he can be sitting there?
Mr Speaker: Order!
Well, there are constant movements everyday in the House. However, I think that what is paramount is that we pay attention to the hon. Minister as she delivers her speech and debates the issues. I would imagine that the colleagues on the right would render maximum support to their colleague as she delivers her speech.
Hon. Minister, you may continue.
Mrs Wina: Mr Speaker, our Government is emphasising the development of agriculture through crop diversification and technology transfer, especially to small-scale farmers. History has it that no country has developed without first developing its agriculture sector. In other words, agriculture fosters the development of other sectors in developing economies like ours. Therefore, the stance that this Government has taken to diversify the economy by developing the agriculture sector alongside the mining and other sectors should be commended, because it assures a food secure and healthy Zambia.
Mr Speaker, it is a well-known fact that women provide much of the labour force in small-scale agriculture, which is a characteristic of the Zambian agriculture sector. On the other hand, women and children have to provide care for their households which entails collecting firewood, sweeping and tendering to the children. This clearly increases the burden on the women. However, on behalf of the women, especially those in rural and peri-urban areas who suffer most from the brunt of the labour burden, I am happy that the Government is emphasising the use of modern technology in developing the agriculture sector. This will go a long way in reducing the labour burden on women and children. In this regard, the private sector should take this opportunity and partner with the Government to provide appropriate technology, especially to the women farmers who constitute the largest number of peasant farmers in our country.
Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Gender and Child Development …
Mr Kunda: On a point of order, Sir.
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Order!
A point of order is raised.
Mr Kunda: Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to raise this point of order which is very important. Yesterday, the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing, Hon. Kabanshi, promised that she would lay, on the Table, a list of the fifty-six constituencies out of the 150 constituencies that have received the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). It is almost 1900 hours and she has not laid that list on the Table. Is she in order not to give us the list which is very important to us? We need to know the names of constituencies that have received the CDF.
I need your serious ruling, Sir.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Speaker: My ruling is that the hon. Minister will distribute the list in all the pigeonholes of hon. Members of Parliament tomorrow. This should be done not later than 1430 hours.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Speaker: May the hon. Minister continue, please.
Mrs Wina: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Gender and Child Development, which is mandated to co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of all gender and child development activities, will ensure that gender and child-related issues are mainstreamed across all the sectors in the national development process to ensure equity and equality at all levels.
Sir, as I conclude, allow me to remind this august House about the President’s call for peaceful conduct, especially during elections. However, let me add that we need peace. Peace should prevail in our country at all times, and we, as leaders in our communities and constituencies, should guarantee that peace is maintained in Zambia.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
The Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mrs Kabanshi): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the visionary and inspiring Speech delivered to this House by His Excellency Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, the President of the Republic of Zambia, on 20th September, 2013.
Sir, before I make my contribution, allow me to express my sincere condolences to the Government of the Republic of Zambia, the PF, residents of Mansa and the family of the former Member of Parliament for Mansa Central, the late Hon. Kennedy Sakeni, who was also the Minister of Information and Broadcasting.
Mr Speaker, the Government, the party and, indeed, the people of Luapula Province in particular, have lost a gallant leader in the name of the late Hon. Sakeni, and we shall surely miss him, may his soul rest in peace.
Sir, may I also join other hon. Members of Parliament who have spoken before me in congratulating the hon. Members of Parliament on their election during the recently-held by-elections. I wish to particularly salute the electorate of Mkushi North Parliamentary Constituency for giving Mrs Ingrid Mphande an overwhelming mandate to represent them. The adage says, “If you educate a woman, you educate the nation.” In the same vein, I want to state that the single seat won by Hon. Mphande is worth more than the five seats that were won by the men.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Kabanshi: Congratulations, Hon. Mphande, and welcome to the House.
Mr Kabimba chatted with Mr Mwamba.
Mr Livune: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, I am seated here quietly listening to the debate by the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing, hoping that she will soon talk about the CDF. Are Hon. Wynter Kabimba and Hon. Mwamba in order to sit next to each other, smiling broadly in this House?
I seek your serious ruling, Sir.
Laughter
Mr Speaker: Order!
My ruling is that they are perfectly in order beacuse they are both hon. Members of the House.
May the hon. Minister continue, please.
Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, with regard to the President’s Speech, first and foremost, I would like to appreciate the concerns raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for Monze Central and other hon. Members about issues affecting the local government sector during their contributions to the debate on the President’s Speech.
Sir, it is universally agreed that the local government system is the engine of basic service delivery and sustainable development, as it is closer to the people whom we all represent in this House.
Mr Speaker, it is for this reason that His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, as grand master of local government, has prioritised Local Government, together with other critical social sectors such as education, health and agriculture.
Sir, you will agree with me that before the PF came into power, the local government system had almost grounded to a halt. However, the PF Government is on an unstoppable course of revamping the operations of the local authorities so that they can become more efficient in the provision of social services.
Mr Speaker, for over twenty years now, the performance of our local authorities has been poor and the PF Government is now undertaking major reforms to revamp the Local Government System in Zambia. My ministry is in the process of conducting performance assessments of councils so that they are kept on their toes to effectively deliver services to the people of Zambia. The ministry is also building capacity of the local authorities by facilitating the employment of qualified manpower through the Local Government Service Commission. So far, 1,183 quality jobs have been created in the Local Government Service since February, 2013. If you went to the ZRA, you would find the record of the people who have been recruited.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, in addition to improving capacity in local authorities, we have created jobs and, therefore, have put more money in employee’s pockets in line with the PF Manifesto.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, we never promised the Zambian people a 200 per cent increment in salary. Rather, we promised to give them more money, regardless of whether it is 20 per cent, 25 per cent or 100 per cent. We did not specify the amount.
Therefore, I would like to urge the hon. Members on your left to be factual when they are debating and even when they are talking to the people because the Zambian people are listening and they know when they are telling lies – sorry, when they are not telling the truth.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, you have a very attentive hon. Member of Parliament in me. I would like to thank the hon. Minister for changing her grammar, but is she in order to simply say, “not telling the truth” without withdrawing the word, ‘lies’ which she used?
I seed your ruling, Sir.
Mr Speaker: I think my ruling is simple. In the course of the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central raising the point of order, she retracted and qualified the statement. So, I think amendments have been made.
Please, continue, hon. Minister.
Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, I thank you for your guidance.
Sir, another milestone achieved by the PF Government in enhancing performance in the local government system and the public sector is the harmonisation of salaries and that is what we promised the people. This exercise has resolved the problem of salary disparities between councils and within the ministries. This has made it possible to facilitate equitable levels of human resource capacity through the transfer of council staff from one council to the other and also transfers within ministries.
Mr Speaker, since the harmonisation of the salaries and conditions of service, the PF Government has been supporting the Civil Service and the salaries for the workers in councils, especially those that are in Divisions 1, 2 and 3.
Mr Speaker, this measure is designed to enhance the capacities of all workers whether in the public sector or in the local government. The PF Government recognises the critical role that workers play. So, if there is a harmonised salary system, people will be motivated to work even harder. There were a lot of disparities in the previous Government where the margin between the salaries of the executive and the staff was very big. The Government is now reducing the difference between the lowest and the highest paid.
Mr Muntanga: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Muntanga: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to continue talking about salary increments when councils have not been paid for two months now?
Mr Nkombo: They are on strike.
Mr Muntanga: She is not able to tell us why she is not paying the councils, and yet they are about to go on strike.
Mr Nkombo: They are already on strike.
Mr Muntanga: Is she in order not to talk about the failure to pay councils their salaries?
Mr Speaker: My ruling is that we give her an opportunity to complete her address. We really do not know the content of that address. She may well be addressing that issue in due course. It would not be appropriate for me, at this point, to say whether she is out of order or not.
The hon. Minister can continue.
Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, when the PF Government came into power, we found a backlog of salary payments of up to fifty-six months and we have since cleared the salary arrears.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}
Mrs Kabanshi: We are only remaining with two months’ arrears which we have promised to clear. You need to give credit where it is due.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, there has been a gradual decline in the local government revenues in the system of Local Government finance in Zambia due to the fact that the Central Government took over some of the revenue resources from the councils which has led to a narrow resource base for local authorities.
As a result, the Government is currently transforming the local government revenue structure in a manner that will balance an appropriate level of local revenue autonomy on one hand with a desire for a clearer, transparent and efficient local revenue system on the other hand.
Mr Speaker, the Government intends to improve and strengthen the local government revenue system, especially for the rural councils. Further, the Government is committed to the process of addressing the deficiencies in the local tax structure such as property tax to enhance the efficiency on the local tax administration and to promote local revenue autonomy through the review of the Rating Act.
Sir, the Government has also started the process of revenue sharing mechanisms as evidenced by the allocation of the 4 per cent income tax component and 2.6 per cent mineral royalty tax to the local government in the 2013 National Budget.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, when the PF Government came into power, and the President first created the districts, the people on your left said there was an outbreak of districts. That outbreak has now become gold and they are all crying for districts to be created in their constituencies.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Hon. Opposition Members: Question!
Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, our colleagues on the left need to appreciate how focused our President is.
Mr Livune: Question!
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, the creation of new districts has brought a lot of joy to the people who were marginalised in the previous Government. There is a lot of infrastructure that will be built, jobs are being created and people are able to celebrate national events properly because they now have money to spend on events such as the International Women’s Day. The people in the new districts appreciate what this Government has done for them.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, further, some of these newly-created districts like Mitete were forgotten because it is in the wetlands. It is only this Government that has come up with a good plan of making sure that canals in the wetlands are opened up.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Kabanshi: We are planning to provide more vessels so that people can travel comfortably and do business just like us.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, the PF Government does not like sweeping dirt under the carpet. We like being real and to tell people the truth.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Kabanshi: We are not like our colleagues on the left who stand on the Floor of the House to debate the Speech when they have not even looked at it.
Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!
Mrs Kabanshi: Sometimes, we even wonder what type of leaders they are when they just make …
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Kabanshi: … disparaging remarks on the President’s Speech. You are supposed to honour your leaders. That way, even your children will honour you.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mbulakulima: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this rare opportunity to rise on a point of order.
Hon. Government Members: Aah!
Mr Speaker: Order!
Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister on the Floor in order to say that the Opposition does not tell the truth when a few minutes ago, a point of order was raised on her for promising to distribute a list of fifty-six constituencies that have received the CDF which she has failed to do? Is she in order to say that she tells the truth when she does not?
Mr Speaker: My ruling is that we should refrain from debating ourselves. I am cognisant of the fact that she made a general remark about a lack of appreciation of the Speech under debate. What is not too clear in my mind is the connection about truthfulness, or otherwise, of the debate by the hon. Members on the left. I am not able to make that link. However, whatever the case, let us try to avoid debating ourselves. It will be more helpful if we constantly focus, as I keep on stressing, on issues. I think it is the issues that will propel the country to greater heights and set it on the right direction. I must reiterate that there are themes that the President left with us. We need to demonstrate that we are capable of engaging his thought process on those themes. That is what I would like to encourage.
The hon. Minister may continue.
Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, thank you for your guidance.
Sir, leadership is a gift from God …
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Kabanshi: … and it should be nurtured. We expect all the hon. Members of Parliament to make sure that they take time to read the President’s Speech, and also make constructive input.
Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Kampyongo: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker: Order!
We cannot have two points of order at the same time.
Interruptions
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, in your immediate past ruling, just a few minutes ago, probably the last breath of your speech, you reiterated why hon. Members should not discuss one another, especially with insinuations that the hon. Members do not read. Is the hon. Minister in order to continue ignoring your counsel and say that the hon. Members on your left do not read the President’s Speech when, as a matter of fact, we saw, this afternoon, how one of the colleagues on the right, was failing to read a written answer from the ministry?
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Order!
I have made this point and do not think I should belabour it. The danger with generalisations is that they capture everybody. It does not matter whether it is the left or right. I am aware, for instance, that evidence has been shown, both on the left and right, that some of you have taken the Speech very seriously but, equally, both on the left and right, there has also been evidence, in some cases, that there could have been very serious lapses in the discharge of Parliamentary duties. You will recall that I have constantly counselled, for the last three weeks I have been present in the House, on the need to read the Speech. Therefore, let us focus on issues. I know that it is tempting to always politic because we are politicians, but I think this Motion is of a special character. There is an Address and it has themes. Let us use this limited time to address those themes and see which way we should take the country.
The hon. Minister may continue.
Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, coming to the policy on urban development, I would like to state that legal reforms towards re-planning and renewing urban settlements will further be enhanced by this Government through the formulation of the Urban Development Policy, which my ministry is facilitating with the support of the United Nations-Habitat.
Mr Speaker, our colleagues on the left have always said that Zambia is dirty. However, I would like to see them participate in keeping their constituencies clean.
Interruptions
Mrs Kabanshi: I would like to see the contribution that they will make, especially in making their constituencies clean. This is because it is one of the municipal services that have remained a challenge in the country and have given us a lot of problems.
Mr Livune: Dirt.
Mrs Kabanshi: Yes, dirt.
Laughter
Mrs Kabanshi: My ministry, in conjunction with the private sector, is in the process of rebranding the “Keep Zambia Clean and Healthy Campaign” because we want it to be owned by people like you and me so that we can police the people who are throwing litter around, and advise them to dispose of it in its rightful place.
Therefore, I am urging all hon. Members of Parliament to sensitise the public in their constituencies on issues of proper waste management and general cleanliness for their own health and environmental protection which is critical to socio-economic development.
Mr Speaker, concerning the CDF, …
Mr Livune: Question!
Mrs Kabanshi: … the citizens of this great country have expressed concern in the manner it is being administered by various councils. The Government is still committed to the strengthening of the institutional and legal framework on the utilisation and management of the CDF.
I, therefore, urge all hon. Members of Parliament in this august House to assist the Government by ensuring that The funds are utilised for the improvement of the well-being of our fellow citizens. It is important that once funds are released to different constituencies, hon. Members of Parliament assist in monitoring the absorption capacity and timely submission of expenditure returns.
Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!
Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity accorded to me to contribute to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to this inspiring Speech …
Mr Muntanga: Question!
Mrs Kabanshi: … by His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, the President of the Republic of Zambia.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
The Deputy Minister of Luapula Province (Brig-Gen. Kapaya): Mr Speaker, allow me, as Minister for Luapula Province, to join hands with all well-meaning Zambians in congratulating the Republican President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, on the inspirational and visionary Speech made in Parliament at the Official Opening of the Third Session of the Eleventh National Assembly, which highlighted a number of developmental projects that are taking place in our beloved country.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Brig-Gen. Kapaya: Sir, allow me to thank all of you and the entire nation in the manner in which you unwaveringly supported us during the illness and demise of the late hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Member of Parliament for Mansa Central. I want to sincerely thank you for the tremendous support given to the people of Luapula during the funeral and burial of the late hon. Minister. Hon. Sakeni was our Provincial Chairman, hon. Member of Parliament, member of the Central Committee and, indeed, an hon. Minister. We will miss him a lot, may his soul rest in peace.
Sir, I would also like to congratulate the new hon. Members of Parliament on making it to the House. To you, colleagues, I say well done and welcome.
Mr Speaker, I will narrow down my debate to Luapula Province and mention what the PF Government has done in the last two years. The people of Luapula Province are happy that the PF Government is pro-poor. In the two years it has been in Government, we have seen programmes and projects that are addressing socio-economic challenges in the province.
For years, the province has been wallowing in poverty despite its abundant natural resources, notably, the mighty Luapula River, Lake Mweru, Lake Bangweulu, Lake Chifunabuli, a number of waterfalls, mineral deposits, favourable agricultural land, and good rainfall, to mention but a few.
Sir, we appreciate that the Government has vividly come to our rescue by addressing our road network in the entire province. The people of Luapula are happy that the province is a beneficiary of the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project that the PF Government launched.
The roads that will be worked on next year include the following:
(a) Kashikishi/Lunchinda, through Lambwechomba to Kaputa;
(b) Mununga/Mporokoso;
(c) the road linking Mung’anga, through Chipili to Kawambwa;
(d) the road from Mwenda to Kashiba in Mwense;
(e) and the roads from Chembe, Milenge and Tuta.
Mr Speaker, when these roads have been worked on, business will be very impressive in Luapula Province …
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Brig-Gen. Kapaya: … because people will travel and conduct business quickly.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Brig-Gen. Kapaya: Mr Speaker, some contracts are at evaluation stage and soon, the contractor will be on site to commence works. These are contracts for the Samfya/Lubwe/Kasaba Road which joins Luwingu Road and Nchelenge via Chienge to Lunchinda and Kaputa.
Mr M. H. Malama: Hear, hear!
Brig-Gen. Kapaya: Mr Speaker, the following roads are being worked on at the moment:
(a) Mansa via Chipili to Luwingu and the contractor is on site;
(b) Kawambwa/Mushota to Luwingu and the contractor is on site; and
(c) the Pedicle Road.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Brig-Gen. Kapaya: Mr Speaker, most of these works are already underway, and the province has had a facelift. The roads from Chembe to Mansa and Nchelenge have been worked on and are smooth. To this effect, it is also my honour to inform the House that the philosophy of more money in people’s pockets is working in my province …
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Brig-Gen. Kapaya: … because a number of youths have been employed to work on these projects and many more to come.
Mr Speaker, the Mansa Airport Terminal has also been worked on. The runway will be worked on in 2014 so as to attract bigger aircraft to land in the province. A good airport and a good road network will attract local and foreign tourists to the province. The province has embarked on quite a number of infrastructure development programmes in order to attract the appropriate investment to Luapula so that more jobs are created to improve the livelihood of the people.
Mr Speaker, the PF Government has procured 450 units of solar equipment which has, so far, been distributed to all the eleven districts in Luapula. Apart from the provision of solar power, the province is also trying to partner with other co-operating partners to bring mini-hydropower schemes to the province to tap into the many waterfalls that are clustered in Luapula Province.
Mr Speaker, in addition, the ZESCO has continued partnering with the REA and I am proud to mention that the partnership is working well. These projects that I have highlighted will allow people to access quality social services. The focus for the province will be on key areas of agriculture, infrastructure, mining and tourism.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I want to join all the other speakers in passing condolences to the family of Hon. Kennedy Sakeni, the people of Luapula Province, all the Zambians and the hon. Members of this House. I say, mwachulenipo mukwai. I hope I do not have to translate that.
Mr Speaker: You have to.
The Vice-President: Please, condolences to you all.
Mr Speaker: Yes.
The Vice-President: I want to congratulate everybody who spoke. I think it was a very imaginative performance put up by the Opposition. My favorite one is the hon. Member for Liuwa’s likening of the Mkaika By-election to the Battle of Stalingrad, in which over a million people died. Maybe, all those bicycles were for launching a brisk rig …
Hon. Government Members laughter.
The Vice-President: … across the Russian Steppes in order to take Moscow by surprise. He also likened it to the Battle of Britain, and gave the following quotation, “Never had so much been owed by so many to so few.” For an election that is the wrong way round, never has so much be owed by so few to so many because it is a game of numbers and you need the majority.
Mr Speaker, generally, I think, apart from some, we will forget the lack of manners that occur sometimes, and say that I think this House is maturing. There was better cross-country debate than we had last year. It was more civil and more well-informed from this side. I, especially, congratulate my own hon. Ministers and Deputy Ministers on explaining ...
Hon Opposition Members: Question!
Hon Government Members: Hear, hear!
The Vice-President: … the Government’s policies. We are getting stuck in. I do not need to go on my own cross-country debate, as the hon. Member for Kalomo Central has reminded us that there is the Vice-President’s Question Time every week, if you want to go cross country. He makes me go cross country. He is so sad that he is going to miss his Vice-President’s Question Time even for one Friday. Perhaps, Mr Speaker, we could have a few extra minutes put in the following week to compensate him. Some people cannot sleep without the Vice-President’s Question Time …
Laughter
The Vice-President: … on Friday evening.
Mr Muntanga: Who told you that I cannot sleep?
The Vice-President: I was not accusing you of not sleeping.
Mr Speaker, with those few words I reiterate my thanks and my appreciation of the way the House debated the Motion and has imparted information to those here, those listening in and those absent, and caucusing in their room.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Mushanga (Bwacha): Mr Speaker, in winding up debate on the President’s Speech to this House and also the debate from your hon. Members, as mover of the Motion, I think this was a reflection on our leadership as Members of Parliament. It was also a time to reflect on the service that we have rendered to the people of Zambia in the individual constituencies as Members of Parliament.
Sir, allow me to thank all the hon. Members of Parliament who have contributed to the debate. I have noted that sixty-eight Members of Parliament have contributed to the debate. I think that is very positive.
Mr Speaker, I have no doubt in my mind that His Honour the Vice-President, being Leader of Government Business in the House, has taken note of all the points, views and ideas that came from both your left and right. I believe he is going to come up with a report which he is going to give to the President as the author of the Speech.
With these few words, Mr Speaker, allow me also to thank you for according me an opportunity to be the mover of this Motion.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Question put and agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT
The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.
Question put and agreed to.
__________
The House adjourned at 1944 hours until 1400 hours on Friday, 11th October, 2013.