Tuesday, 28^th March, 2017

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

_____________

 

RULINGS BY MR SPEAKER

 

POINT OF ORDER RAISED BY THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS, HON. S. KAMPYONGO, MP, AGAINST HON. G. G. NKOMBO, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MAZABUKA CENTRAL, AND POINT OF ORDER RAISED BY HON. G. G. NKOMBO, MP, AGAINST HON. F. SIKAZWE, MP, THE HON. MINISTER FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS

 

Mr Speaker: On Friday, 3^rd March, 2017, when the House was considering Question for Oral Answer No. 140 on the Order Paper, and the hon. Member of Parliament for Ndola Central, Mr E. Mulenga, MP, was on the Floor, the Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. S. Kampyongo, MP, raised a point of order enquiring whether Hon. G. G. Nkombo, MP, was in order to storm out of the Chamber immediately after my ruling against him.

 

Further, on Friday, 10^th March, 2017, when the House was considering Question for Oral Answer No. 164 and the hon. Member of Parliament for Kalabo Central, Mr Miyutu, MP, was on the Floor, Hon. G. G. Nkombo, MP, rose on a point of order alleging that Hon. Sikazwe, MP, the Minister for Presidential Affairs, had called him, Hon. Nkombo, stupid and that as the hon. Minister was leaving the House, he uttered vernacular words meaning, “you dog”, in reference to Hon. Nkombo, MP. Furthermore, Hon. Nkombo, MP, asked whether the hon. Minister for Presidential Affairs was in order to leave the House when a point of order was raised against him. 

 

The House will recall that I reserved the rulings on both points of order. Hon. Members, the points of order border on the same issue of conduct of hon. Members in the House. In this regard, I have decided to render a composite ruling.

 

With regard to the point of order by Hon. Kampyongo, MP, hon. Members will recall that it was raised following my ruling, which directed Hon. Nkombo, MP, to withdraw a statement he had uttered that I found most inappropriate. The House may further recall that Hon. Nkombo, MP, only withdrew the inappropriate statement after being confrontational with the Speaker. In fact, he stated that he was painstakingly withdrawing the statement and was merely doing so to please everyone. Thereafter, he resumed his seat and immediately left the Chamber and some other hon. Members of his party followed suit.

 

Hon. Members, as the Speaker, I am an arbiter of the proceedings of the House. My role in this regard is well articulated by the discourse of renowned authors on parliamentary practice and procedures, Audrey O’Brien and Marc Bosc, in their book entitled House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Second Edition, 2009, at page 308, where they state that:

 

“As the arbiter of House proceedings, the Speaker’s duty is to preserve order and decorum in the House and to decide any matters of procedure that may arise. This duty carries with it a wide-ranging authority extending to matters as diverse as the behavior and attire of Members, the conduct of proceedings, the rules of debate and disruptions on the Floor of the Chamber and the galleries.”

 

Hon. Members, it is clear from this authority that, as Speaker, I am charged with the responsibility of maintaining order in the House and to ensure that hon. Members observe the rules of debate at all times. Hon. Members will appreciate that decorum and courtesy in the manner of debate are hallmarks of the dignity of all hon. Members and are, indeed, cardinal to the smooth transaction of the Business of the House and above all, upholding the dignity of the House.

 

Hon. Members, it will be noted that Hon. Nkombo, MP, was reluctant when I asked him to withdraw the statement. In addition, his leaving the Chamber with the hon. Members of the United Party for National Development (UPND) immediately after my ruling may be properly construed as a protest against my ruling. This conduct was disrespectful not only to me, but also to the House at large.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Nkombo, MP, and other hon. Members of Parliament from the UPND were, therefore, out of order to storm out of the House immediately after my ruling, as this signalled a protest against my ruling.

 

At this point, I wish to address Hon. Nkombo, MP, with regard to his conduct in the House. As a long-serving hon. Member of this House, a Whip of the UPND and, indeed, a Member of the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services, his conduct in the House and outside, ought to be exemplary and beyond reproach. If he felt strongly about certain issues, including the need to challenge the Chair, there are procedures that the rules of this House prescribe. It was, therefore, unacceptable for him, as a Whip of a political party, and, indeed, member of the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services to champion behaviour that bordered on breach of parliamentary etiquette and decorum of the House. His behaviour put the Chair and, indeed, Members of the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services, where he belongs, in a very awkward position. If he continues on this path, it will be extremely difficult for him to exercise leadership as a Whip of his party as well as a Member of the Committee charged with the responsibility of assisting me in the maintenance of discipline amongst hon. Members of Parliament. It is, therefore, my sincere hope that he will consider my counsel and reflect seriously on his responsibilities to the House as a whole.

 

With regard to the point of order against Hon. Sikazwe, MP, the National Assembly Members’ Handbook, 2009, is instructive on the rules of parliamentary etiquette that hon. Members are to observe at all times in the House. Paragraph 32 of Chapter 5 of the handbook in this regard, prohibits the use of unparliamentary language as follows:

 

“Members should not use words containing insinuations and offensive and unparliamentary expressions ...”

 

Hon. Members, I had recourse to the verbatim record on Hon. Nkombo’s point of order. The record revealed no vernacular words meaning, “You dog,” as having been uttered by the hon. Minister for Presidential Affairs. The only words captured by the verbatim recording attributed to Hon. Sikazwe, MP, were vernacular words meaning, “This is stupidity,” in reference to Mr Nkombo, MP. Nonetheless, my ruling on this point of order is as follows:

 

1. firstly, by uttering the vernacular words meaning, “This is stupidity,” in reference to Hon. Nkombo, MP, the Minister for Presidential Affairs, Hon. Sikazwe, MP, employed offensive and unparliamentary language, contrary to the rules on parliamentary etiquette and was, indeed, out of order;

 

1. secondly, by walking out of the House before I could make a ruling on the point of order against him, Hon. Sikazwe, MP, showed disrespect to the Chair, contrary to the provisions of Section 19(d) and (e) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, and, therefore, was out of order;

 

1. thirdly, the House may wish to know that the recording also revealed that when Hon. Nkombo asked on his point of order whether Hon. Sikazwe was in order to walk out before the Chair could rule on the matter raised against him, Hon. Tutwa Ngulube, MP, shouted at Hon. Nkombo, MP, to go out. This infuriated Hon. Nkombo, MP, who then challenged Hon. Ngulube, MP, to a physical fight. In this regard, the conduct by Hon. Ngulube, MP, to shout at Hon. Nkombo, MP, to go out, was also contrary to the etiquette rules and Hon. Ngulube, MP, was equally out of order; and

 

1. fourthly, the conduct of Hon. Nkombo, MP, to challenge Hon. Ngulube, MP, to a physical fight was in breach of the provisions of Section 23(d), which prohibits an hon. Member from challenging another hon. Member to a physical fight and contrary to the etiquette rules of the House. Therefore, Hon. Nkombo, was also out of order.

 

Hon. Members, I now wish to address the hon. Minister for Presidential Affairs.

 

Hon. Sikazwe, MP, as a long-serving hon. Member of the House, you are aware that the use of offensive, provocative or threatening language, personal attacks or other obscenities in the House is prohibited because this degrades the decorum and dignity of the House and brings its hon. Members into public ridicule. By your utterances, you demeaned the integrity of this House. I, therefore, hope that you do realise this and regret your unparliamentary conduct. You should remember that you are not only an ordinary hon. Member of Parliament, but also a Cabinet hon. Minister. As such, your conduct is expected to be exemplary and, indeed, above reproach. I, therefore, call upon you to conduct yourself in a manner befitting your title of hon. Member and also as a Cabinet hon. Minister. A repetition of such conduct on your part will certainly attract a stiffer punishment.

 

In conclusion, I want to remind all hon. Members to abide by the rule of civility during debate. I also advise hon. Members to desist from using the House as a forum for party and personal fights at the expense of matters of national importance affecting the citizens of this Republic who sent you here at a great expense. This, hon. Members, shall not be allowed to continue. Hon. Members are to maintain their temperament at all times and be moderate, modest and civil in their debate and conduct, in keeping with parliamentary language and etiquette. Going forward, I will, not hesitate to name and suspend any erring Member.

 

I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

RULING BY THE HON. SPEAKER ON A POINT OF ORDER RAISED BY MR J. J. MWIIMBU, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MONZE CENTRAL CONSTITUENCY, AGAINST Hon. HOWARD KUNDA, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MUCHINGA PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY ON FRIDAY, 24^TH MARCH, 2017

 

Hon. Members will recall that on Friday, 24^th March, 2017, when the Hon. Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development had just rendered a ministerial statement, and Hon. C. Mutale, MP, was about to ask a question clarifying the hon. Minister’s Statement, Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, rose on a point of order. In his point of order, Hon. Mwiimbu, MP, said that in a complaint letter addressed to the Speaker against members of the United Party for National Development (UPND), by Hon. H. Kunda, MP, he signed off as a Member of Parliament for Muchinga Constituency under the Patriotic Front (PF) party.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Mwiimbu, MP, further submitted that in terms of Article 72(1) and (2) of the Constitution, Hon. H. Kunda, MP, had crossed the Floor by joining the Patriotic Front (PF). Hon. Mwiimbu’s point of order sought to establish whether or not Hon. H. Kunda, MP, was in order to remain in the House after crossing the Floor. Hon. Mwiimbu, MP, proceeded to lay the letter on the Table.

 

In my response, I indicated that I could only render the ruling on the point of order upon reading the letter Hon. Mwiimbu, MP, had laid on the Table. I, accordingly, reserved my ruling. I have since read the letter in question, and now render the ruling as follows.

 

Hon Members, the letter laid on the Table by Hon. Mwiimbu, MP, is a copy of the complaint letter received by my office from Hon. H. Kunda, MP, against the conduct of members of the UPND of boycotting the State of the Nation Address by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on Friday, 17^th March, 2017.

 

Hon. Members, indeed, I can confirm to the House that Hon. H. Kunda, MP, signed off the letter as Member of Parliament for Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency under the PF ticket.

 

In line with Parliamentary Practice and Procedure, the Office of the Clerk wrote to Hon. H. Kunda, MP, requesting him to confirm whether he had joined the PF. In his response, the hon. Member said that he had not resigned from the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), the party that sponsored his election to the House in 2016. Thus, he was still a member of the MMD and holding the party position of Deputy National Secretary.

 

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: With this explanation, Hon. H. Kunda, MP, said that the reference to PF in the letter was a mere typographical error.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I find the explanation given by Hon. H. Kunda, MP, reasonable and acceptable.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: In any event, it is common knowledge that there has been no by-election in Muchinga to warrant Hon. H. Kunda, MP, a new Member of Parliament for Muchinga Constituency under the PF ticket.

 

In view of the foregoing, hon. Members, I am satisfied that Hon. H. Kunda, MP, is still a Member of Parliament for Muchinga Constituency under the MMD ticket and, therefore, in order to be in the House because he has not crossed the Floor, as provided under Article 72(2)-(d) of the Constitution.

 

I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Any outstanding matters will be dealt with on 13^th June, 2017.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

_________

 

MOTION

 

SUSPENSION OF STNADING ORDERS 21 AND 22 (1)

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that Standing Orders 21 and 22 (1), if necessary, and Standing Order 100 be suspended to enable the House to complete all Business on the Order Paper and all matters arising therefrom and that, on such completion, the House do adjourn sine die.

 

Mr Speaker, as hon. Members may already be aware, Standing Orders 21 and 21(1) provide for the procedures for automatic adjournment, while Standing Order 100 prohibits consideration of more than one stage of a Bill in one sitting of the House. It is in this regard that I move this non-contentious Motion to suspend the aforementioned Standing Orders.

 

Sir, the current meeting of the House commenced on Tuesday, 21^st February, 2017 and as of today, Tuesday, 28^th March, 2017, the House has been sitting for a total of twenty days. Although this meeting has been relatively short, a lot of business has been transacted. During the meeting, a total of 170 Questions for Oral Answer were considered on the Floor of the House. The House also debated two Private Member’s Motions and one Motion to adopt a Parliamentary Committee Report on the proposal to ratify three international conventions.

 

Mr Speaker, twenty-five ministerial statements were presented to the House to explain the Government’s position on various matters of national interest. In addition, twenty-one annual reports from Government and quasi-Government institutions were laid on the Table of the House. The House also considered and passed seven Bills.

 

Sir, for the first time in the history of our country, in line with Article 86(1) of the Constitution of Zambia, as read with Article (9), as well as Standing Order 11, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, addressed Parliament on 17^th March, 2017, on the application of constitutional values and principles.

 

Mr Speaker, the House will agree with me that the accomplishment of the amount of business I have outlined above, in a relatively short period, is a great achievement. It is a demonstration of the seriousness in which all hon. Members handle the Business of the House. Therefore, let me take this opportunity to profoundly thank all hon. Members, individually and collectively, for a job well done.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Having worked so hard, it is important that the House takes a break to enable hon. Members to attend to other equally important duties in their respective constituencies.

 

Sir, let me also seize this opportunity to remind hon. Members of the responsibility entrusted in us by our electorate in the respective constituencies that we represent. We owe them a duty to represent their desires and aspirations for development and must have that in mind at all times, especially when the House is in session.

 

Mr Speaker, as hon. Members of the Executive, headed by His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, ...

 

Ms Kapata: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: ... and the Legislature headed by the hon. Mr Speaker, we are all collectively accountable to the people of Zambia and should, therefore, bear allegiance to the rule of law.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, that aside, the 2016-2017 Farming Season has had a number of challenges ranging from late distribution of farming inputs, crop destruction by fall army worms and red locusts to floods in some parts of the country. Therefore, it is important that hon. Members use the recess to supplement the Government’s efforts to assess the effects of the challenges in their constituencies so that they may advise the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in my office of any areas where relief food and emergency rehabilitation of infrastructure may be needed.

 

Sir, in conclusion, let me commend you, the hon. First Deputy Speaker and the hon. Second Deputy Speaker most sincerely for the proficient and effective manner in which you presided over the Business of the House under difficult circumstances.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kapata: Caused by the UPND!

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I wish to place on record my gratitude to the Clerk of the National Assembly and her staff ...

 

Hon. Government Member: Like Jack Mwiimbu!

 

The Vice-President: ... for the excellent services they continue to render to the House. I express my profound gratitude to the staff from my office and other Government ministries for the unwavering support and assistance they provided throughout the meeting. I wish you and all hon. Members a happy and peaceful Easter.

 

Sir, I beg to move.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Malanji: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to second and support the Motion that has been moved by Her Honour the Vice-President. As I second this Motion, I would like to take note of the comments that Her Honour the Vice-President has made pertaining to the late distribution of inputs to our farmers.

 

Sir, as you are aware, hon. Members on your left have raised a number of issues on this topic, but the Government chose to deny them until it realised that it was courting disaster. A number of our farmers have been affected as a result of the Government’s failure to supply the inputs on time. Despite good rains, we will have very low yields in certain places due to the failure of the Government to supply fertiliser.

 

Mr Speaker, as I support this particular Motion, I have no doubt in my mind that my colleagues are very happy to go to the constituencies and explain to the people on a number of issues of national interest that have affected this country from the time we had elections in August, 2016.

 

Mr Speaker, I would like to state, without hesitation, that there has been discrimination in terms of provision of developmental projects in this country.

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, we are aware that, on the Floor of this House, answers were given to questions that were raised by my colleagues on your left. Most of the time, if not all the time, hon. Members of your left were being told that there is no money, yet answers to the questions that were raised by my colleagues on your right were always positive. They were being told that the money was available, contracts had been signed and that the projects were going to start on certain dates.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, we have the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia, which provides for non-discrimination. We have noted, with concern, that despite the pronouncements of “One Zambia, One Nation”, what we have seen on our side is “One Zambia, One Side.”

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, there is no more, “One Zambia, One Nation.”

 

Hon. UPND Members: Yes!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Sir, it is the responsibility of the leaders on your right to ensure that there is unity and that development trickles down to every corner of this country. Every member of Zambia pays tax. There is nobody who does not pay tax in this country. It, therefore, entails that our people, whether they voted for this Government or not, deserve developmental projects in their areas.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Sir, that is how it is supposed to be. We will explain to the people in our constituencies that the Government of the day has discriminated against them …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: … and that if somebody discriminates against them, they should not accord them the due respect that they deserve.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mwiimbu: It is, therefore, incumbent upon this Government to change its attitude towards the people of this country.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, bear in mind that this is a procedural Motion, please. Continue.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, that is exactly what I am doing. I am talking about the issues Her Honour the Vice-President has told us to explain to the nation. These are issues that affect the nation and explaining is exactly what I am doing.

 

Mr Speaker, we have just been told that this country is under stress. This country has failed to provide security for the people. The nation is unstable.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, with this newspaper in my hands, I have a statement of the Inspector-General of Police acknowledging that this country’s security is unstable. We also have in our custody a letter from the Zambia Police (ZP) Service indicating the reason it did not allow us to hold a rally in Kanyama being security situation which is not stable. We will, therefore, tell the people that there is no security in the country.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Sir, it is also our responsibility to tell the people of this country that come next one month, the cost of living in Zambia will be unbearable ...

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: … because the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) will increase the tariffs by 75 per cent. As a result of that increase, the people of Zambia will suffer. The workers of this country will have their cost of living almost reduced to zero, unless they are given an increment of 75 per cent corresponding to ZESCO’s increase. We will tell the workers that this is what the so-called listening Government is doing for them.

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Tutolitoli!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, the notion of “More money in your pockets” is no more. The policy of the Government is, “Less money in people’s pockets.” That is what it is doing.

 

Mr Speaker, we will also explain to the people of Zambia that the confidential files of hon. Members of Parliament are no longer confidential. Their medical reports will be available in the public media. We have seen how documents which were tendered to the Office of the Clerk have now ended up in the newspaper. Those are supposed to be confidential documents.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, there is no way that officers of this Parliament can start leaking documents to the press. It is unfortunate.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mwiimbu: We will also tell the people that the Government has failed to bring legislation to this House arising from the Constitutional amendments. So many constitutional provisions are hanging and the Government has failed to bring legislation to effect them. I can cite examples. The actualisation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is supposed to be through an Act of Parliament. That Government, despite your ruling, Mr Speaker, has failed to do that. It is asking us to go back to our constituencies to breach the Constitution of Zambia due to its failure.

 

Mr Speaker, any responsible Government knows that this session was supposed to be a legislative session and should have taken measures to ensure that certain pieces of legislation were brought to this House, but it did not do that. All it did was politick outside this House.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Sir, I would like to urge you to advise Her Honour the Vice-resident to ensure that the Government takes measures to actualise the Constitution. Otherwise, there was no need for us to amend the Constitution, yet fail to enjoy the privileges of the new one.

 

Mr Speaker, finally, I would like to state that we will tell our people that the Government of the Republic of Zambia wants to use impunity which our former leaders fought against. All of our leaders in the continent of Africa supported the promulgation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) because they wanted to avoid impunity. It is only in Africa where there are no mechanisms to punish a sitting President. It is only in Africa where we have been seeing evidence of massacres. The only remedy that was available to the people of this continent, where democracy does not thrive, was to report the leaders to the ICC for justice. However, our leaders in Africa, since they are birds of a feather, have collectively decided to do away with the ICC so that they can support each other and continue to rule with impunity.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, we are all aware that in neighbouring Congo, more than four million people were butchered as a result of impunity, yet more people are dying in other neighbouring countries. Why would we want to do away with a piece of legislation that protects our people? Unless those who want to do away with it have an intention to abrogate the ICC, there is no need to pull out of it.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, it shows that there is an agenda. I urge my colleagues to search their conscience. We are not talking about an individual. We are looking at situations of the future. Let us protect our people.

 

Mr Sing’ombe: It is a deterrent.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Why should we be responsible for doing away with deterrence? Why? What do we fear?

 

Mr Sing’ombe: King’i?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, we will campaign for the people to reject the withdrawal from the ICC by the Government.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, with those few remarks, I support the Motion moved by Her Honour the Vice-President.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Her Honour the Vice-President wind up debate.

 

Hon. PF Members: Aah!

 

Mr Speaker: You want to debate a procedural Motion?

 

Mr Mung’andu: We want to respond to those politics. He has done a lot of politics on the Floor.

 

Hon. PF Member: Sit down.

 

Interruptions

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I want to thank all the hon. Members of Parliament for supporting the Motion. I only regret that the only hon. Member who contributed to the Motion included issues that do not even relate to the Motion whatsoever.

 

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President of this country, Mr Lungu, has said that the issue of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a very important matter that should be given to the people to decide.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, we had another very important matter in this country that was the referendum which had to be presented to the people for their decision. That piece of paper contained more useful clauses that would have helped this country to progress, but then it was relegated to the dustbin.

 

Mr Speaker, the consultations on the issue of the ICC will start and we want the people of Zambia to input in such an important decision that the Government has to make on their behalf.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

__________

 

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

 

RE-ORGANISATION OF THE HEALTH SECTOR

 

The Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Mr Speaker, it is my honour and privilege to inform the Zambian compatriots, through this august House. about our continued effort to optimise national health service delivery through the reorganisation of the Ministry of Health.

 

Today, we are confronted by contemporary challenges that require contemporary solutions and the health sector does not stand in isolation. Increasingly, the wealth of the nation and the nation’s capacity to grow hinges on its human capital. The wellbeing of the citizenry determines success or doom, as with your permission, I itemise as follows:

 

(a)        a healthy population provides a healthy workforce, which directly contributes to increased productivity;

 

(b)        a healthy population lives longer, thus providing a ready pool of consumers of products, fast growing our gross domestic product (GDP);

 

(c)        healthy Zambians reduce the burden on the Treasury in terms of treatment for both communicable and non-communicable diseases; and

 

(d)        investor confidence is enhanced when the people are healthy.

 

Mr Speaker, African countries, recalling the 1978 Alma Attar Conference on Primary Health Care, agreed to the Ouagadougou Declaration in 2008 to set the framework for successful implementation of High Impact Actions (HIA) founded on primary health care. This is a practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable means of availing universal health care. It should come at affordable cost and form the core function of the overall social and economic development of the community. Primary health care is premised on self reliance and determination with empowerment of individuals and our society to define their health destiny.

 

Mr Speaker, today in Zambia, as we reorganise the national philosophical approach to health, I am calling for the national social movement which will value and entrench wellness and good health as the pillar of our livelihood from individual, family and community to national level. No one should be left behind and we must commit to a national vision of universal health coverage. Our aim is to ensure that all Zambians:

 

(a)        access quality health services spanning the whole continuum of care from preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care;

 

(b)        are safeguarded from public health risks;

 

(c)        are protected from impoverishment due to illness whether from out-of-pocket payments for health care or loss of income when a household member falls sick; and

 

(d)        are empowered to take ownership for their well-being and given the power to define their destiny and contribution to the nation through living a healthy and productive life.

 

Mr Speaker, in order to attain the lofty ends outlined before, the Ministry of Health is pursuing a transformational agenda as we work to become a nation of healthy and productive people. Under the guidance of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the Patriotic Front ( PF Government) has prioritised health as a key economic investment. Vision 2030 aims at transforming Zambia into a prosperous middle income country and, as a ministry, we intend to provide the engine for this transformation.

 

Mr Speaker, I would like to speak to where we are in contemporary Zambia and start with a quote by Sun Tzu (512BC):

 

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of hundred battles. If you know yourself, but not the enemy, for every victory gained, you suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

 

Mr Speaker, as a country, we find ourselves faced not only with a high burden of communicable diseases, but also a rapidly rising burden of non-communicable diseases. The two challenges we face are that of a growing population and a change in disease patterns, with more of non-communicable diseases being manifest. However, given the collective potential of our country, we can do better. In doing so, we shall need to tackle a number of challenges which I shall enumerate.

 

Mr Speaker, to engineer the health system we need, we have to make five fundamental changes:

 

1. beyond delivering healthcare to enabling health, we are now focusing on promoting health and preventing diseases. Each day must start with exercises for all of us, as we promote healthy living, eating and regular screening for hypertension, cancers, diabetes mellitus and other communicable diseases, including the human immuno- virus (HIV);

 

1. we need to move the centre of gravity of healthcare delivery from the hospital to the home within the community. We are embarking on a social transition or movement away from just focusing solely on treating diseases to begin with promoting wellness and preventing diseases and at the same time, creating enhanced capacity to treat the diseases while in our hospitals. This responsibility should be shared by individuals and our society. Good health in the re-organised approach starts with each one of us individually before we move to collective responsibility. In most cases, you will find that people simply need health promotion messages and a helping hand to be motivated to seek wellness. My ministry intends to be that hand, in partnership with our communities, civil society organisation, media, exercise groups, the Church, traditional leaders and other Government institutions. We are all in this together;

 

1. in our re-organised approach, we are embarking on innovative ways of raising finance for health. We are fostering partnerships to ensure that we raise the necessary finances for health. Our medical streams in our hospitals are being improved, premium health care services are being introduced and our hospitals are improving the quality of care and engaging various institutions to ensure adequate financing for our hospitals. Furthermore, Mr Speaker, as was presented earlier on the Floor of this House, the Government is in the process of setting up a Social Health Insurance;

 

1. we must avail the right mix of specialist human resource and that is what we have started doing by engaging the community in healthy living, in various aspects of preventing and promotive health services. Furthermore, we must provide adequate human resource to provide the tertiary level care in our specialist institutions; and

 

1. we must adopt a whole-of-Government and multi-sectoral approach so that we can develop a comprehensive and holistic universal health coverage system.

 

Mr Speaker, in focusing on key areas in the health sector, I will refer to the seven key result areas that are shaping our re-organisation. These include:

 

1. health service delivery;

 

1. human resource for health;

 

1. infrastructure and equipment;

 

1. vaccines and medicines;

 

1. leadership and governance;

 

1. healthcare financing; and

 

1. health management and information systems.

 

Health Service Delivery

 

Mr Speaker, beginning with health service delivery, we are embarking on a balanced investment in health promotion, prevention of diseases and in hospital services commonly known as curative services. To do this, as in the spirit of the Seventh National Development Plan, we are utilising an “All Sector Integrated Approach”. Our key contribution will be the primary health care approach, and we are doing this by engaging line ministries and stakeholders in leveraging resources and capabilities, particularly, in influencing the social determinants of health. A new department has been created in the Ministry of Health called Health Promotion, Environment and Social Determinants to foster shared responsibilities by all sectors in promoting good health and addressing social determinants of health.

 

Furthermore, Mr Speaker, we are riding on decentralisation. The Ministry of Health is a key advocate of the Decentralisation Policy and through working with local authorities, we are managing to address a number of social determinants of health and we will continue engaging with the Ministry of Local Government to ensure that health services are decentralised.

 

Mr Lubinda: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, in reducing the human resource that is at the helm in the Ministry of Health, we have re-organised the headquarters and reduced directorates from seven to five. The five directorates are:

 

1. Clinical Care Diagnostics;

 

1. Public Health Promotion;

 

1. Environment and Social Determinates;

 

1. Department of Policy and Planning; and

 

1. Human Resource and Administration.

 

Furthermore, Mr Speaker, we are now managing the ministry under two Permanent Secretaries, one looking at administration and the other looking at health services. For the directorates that have been removed, there is no loss of function as these functions have been re-assigned to other departments.

 

Mr Speaker, we are critically looking at setting up an Emergency Response Unit to attend to acute emergencies such as accidents and medical emergencies. This Emergency Response Unit will have a centre where ambulances shall be dispatched from. There will be a communication system and paramedics who will respond to emergencies when there are distress calls from various scenes of accidents and homes.

 

At the same time, Mr Speaker, we have also set up the National Public Health Institute. The National Public Health Institute is the one anchoring the Regional Africa Centre for Disease Control that is serving the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This centre is focusing on disease intelligence, disease surveillance, public health laboratory systems and the emergency response system in public disease outbreak.

 

Mr Speaker, the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) has been re-organised into the University Teaching Hospitals comprising five hospitals, namely:

 

1. children’s;

 

1. women and newly born;

 

1. adult;

 

1. cancer disease; and

 

1. eye hospitals.

 

Mr Speaker, these hospitals are running independently and with the re-engineering that has happened, we are seeing improvement in the quality of care and no floor beds.

 

City Health Services

 

Mr Speaker, cities have their own peculiarities in terms of health. Taking an example of Lusaka, it is a microcosmic metropolitan area, which comprises densely and sparsely populated areas with very different determinants of health. Some areas of Lusaka may have a population higher than an entire small country. Cities, therefore, deserve a different approach. We have re-organised health services in cities and municipalities with a key strategy of zoning and placing public health specialists in various zones and first level hospitals and general facilities in zones. This, in Lusaka, has reduced the referral to the UTH by 33 per cent and it is being replicated in all cities and municipalities. This is the best way to deliver health services closer to the people.

 

Mr Speaker, in the various zones, public health specialists are being assisted by public health nurses, environmental health technologists, health promotion officers, nutritionists, malaria control officers and these are delivering a drone of community interventions to the various communities to keep them well and prevent them from being ill which reduces the traffic in our hospitals.

 

Human Resource for Health

 

Mr Speaker, this year, the Government has recruited 7,400 health workers, but I must be quick to say a few words about them. They have worked in very difficult circumstances, but have persisted and today, I would like to use this opportunity to appreciate the hard work and commitment they have shown in delivering health services under those circumstances. With the increased number in human resource, the burden is reducing. This Government will transform health care by investing in health care workforce and is charting strategies to ensure that it increases the number further.

 

Sir, secondly, we, as a Government, have redistributed specialists from the UTH to provincial hospitals with each now having a minimum of four consultants and a varying number of newly-qualified doctors. This has improved the quality of care in the provinces and also reduced the referrals to Lusaka and the Copperbelt provinces. Thirdly, in order to enhance human capital development, the Ministry of Health has began preparations to open the 3,000 bed capacity National Training Institute that will cater for the training of doctors, family physicians, nurses and other public health specialists. I want to emphasise that with the recruitment of 9,000 health workers in the last two years we are on the firm track to address the poor patient/doctor and patient/nurse ratios. 

 

Mr Speaker, there are key infrastructure projects that will be undertaken in 2017 aimed at improving the quality of health care in the country. Levy Mwanawasa Hospital will be an 800 bed capacity hospital and construction begins next month. It will be unveiled as a teaching hospital and will now anchor training for specialist doctors and other health cadres. Further, a 1,000 bed capacity hospital will be built in Kanyama, this year, and another first level hospital will be built in L85 and another Chawama, and three hospitals on the Copperbelt in various densely populated places.

 

Sir, this year, the Government will also build modern zonal 108 health centers in various parts of the country distributed equitably. It has started reviewing all framework contracts for the drugs that it procures in order to address the cost and also ensure that there is efficiency in their distribution. The decentralisation of Medical Stores Ltd (MSL) has continued and the construction of medical stores hubs in Mpika and Mansa will commence this year.

 

Health Care Financing

 

Mr Speaker, concerning health care financing, I will reiterate what I said earlier on that social health insurance will be introduced before the end of the year and that medical schemes have actually been implemented in various hospitals and the revenue is improving for health care financing.

 

Health Information Systems

 

Mr Speaker, the ministry has been working with the Smart Zambia Programme to leverage the appropriate Information Communication Technology (ICT) for the sector. This year, the Government will introduce electronic health records in all the hospitals. So far, Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) have been introduced in three hospitals on the Copperbelt. Going forward, this shall be replicated in all the key hospitals.

 

Sir, as I conclude, the transformation of our health care system is a journey we must embark on together. Only with a shared vision of what a good health system is can we successfully build a resilient system that will serve our people well into the future. Now is the time to act. We must be the generation that delivers universal health coverage. Duty demands that we build health, dignity and prosperity. Poverty, especially of will and the mind, shall not be our portion.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

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

 

Mr Munkonge (Lukashya): Mr Speaker, I understand the ministry’s desire to improve health services in the urban areas, but I cannot get the gist when it comes to health care in the rural areas. Could the hon. Minister, please, enlighten me further.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I was only talking about city health services as part of the reorganisation. Our provision of health services in the rural areas will be enhanced by placing more human resource and the structure will basically be the same. We will focus mainly on disease prevention and health promotion. However, we have placed more human resource and equipment in the provincial hospitals to ensure that we improve health services in the rural areas. We will package the health services in rural areas differently from the urban areas because of the differences in key variables. So, let me assure the hon. Member of Parliament that rural areas will be the focus of the ministry. It will ensure that there is adequate infrastructure in rural areas and deliver health services.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mrs Jere (Lumezi): Mr Speaker, I am concerned because a rural health post in Njoka Area along Zambezi Road in Lundazi has not been opened. The people in the southern part of the area travel 30 km while those in the northern part travel 42 km in order to access health services. Does the ministry have any plans to ease their access to health services?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, Lundazi is receiving specific focus in health service delivery in 2017. Since it recorded the highest maternal mortality in 2016, the Government plans to construct ten zonal health centers in the district and Njoka area is included. The health post that the hon. Member of Parliament referred to is small, but the one to be constructed will have a theatre, maternity annex and the capacity to admit, at least, twenty patients. Therefore, I want to assure her that health infrastructure in Lundazi shall be improved, partly to address the maternal mortality and also to ensure that health services are delivered closer to the people. I sympthasise with the people of Lundazi and this problem is being addressed.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister made reference to the equal distribution of the …

 

Mr Kampyongo: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to raise a very serious point of order. I want to sincerely apologise to the hon. Member for Lunte for disturbing his flow of thought.

 

Sir, my point of order is on the lamentations made by Hon. Jack Mwiimbu. It is always said that “those who seek equity must come with clean hands.”

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, the United Party for National Development (UPND) Member of Parliament for Monze Central Parliamentary Constituency, cited the Inspector-General of Police (IG) with regard to the advice that he gave the party when it applied for a permit to hold a public meeting. However, the hon. Member did not state the reasons that were given by the IG.

 

Mr Speaker, as I speak, the UPND is failing to hold peaceful press briefings. Today, two young ladies, one from Radio Phoenix and another one from Millennium Radio were clobbered and stripped naked in the presence of the party leaders, including Mr J. J. Mwiimbu.

 

Hon. UPND Member: Question!

 

Hon. Government Members: Ba ngwele.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, is he in order to ignore that barbaric act by his party’s thugs on innocent citizens and instead come here to cry about the IG. The IG has been worried about the party’s conduct of late. Is he in order to cite the IG who is unable to come here to defend himself?

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members will recall that just a few days ago, I guided the House. For avoidance of doubt, let me repeat what I said then.

 

Hon. Members, I have repeatedly stated and guided that points of order must be used to bring to my immediate attention any breach of order or transgression of any rule of the House. However, the unfortunate trend in the House is that points of order have been used to raise issues unrelated to the Business of the House. This is a misuse and abuse of points of order and this practice must end forthwith. Therefore, ...

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left!

 

Mr Speaker: … I wish to reiterate that points of order should strictly be raised on the following:

 

1. general maintenance of order and decorum in the House;

 

1. a question of procedure in the House and when the procedure is violated, where appropriate, cite the relevant order of the Standing Orders or Rule of the Members’ Handbook; and

 

1. relating to business before the House at a particular moment, that is to say contemporaneously.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: In the event that hon. Members wish to bring to my attention important and urgent national matters, recourse should be sort through the following mechanisms or avenues:

 

1. Questions of urgent nature under Standing Order No. 31;

 

1. Her Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time on Fridays;

 

1. Ministerial Statements by hon. Ministers as directed at the discretion of the Chair; and

 

1. Private Members’ Motion.

 

I said this, maybe, forty-eight hours ago. The context in which the point of order was raised was a Motion by Her Honour the Vice-President. I also did state that it is a procedural Motion meant to enable us complete business at the end of the day. I must state on record that over time, this Motion has also been abused. It is supposed to be a very brief Motion. If you recall, I reminded the hon. Member on the left to note that it was a procedural Motion.

 

As regards the issues raised by the hon. Minister of Home Affairs relating to current events, I think that it is inappropriate, ...

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: ... for me to make any ruling on factual matters. I am not able to do that. My appeal to the House is to treat these Motions for what they are. Let us take a cue from Her Honour the Vice-President. She was very brief and indicated, rightly so, that extraneous matters were being brought into the Motion. I think we should seek her counsel. Let us abide by her counsel.

 

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, before the point of order was raised, I was saying that the hon. Minister made reference to equity as regards the distribution of these health facilities, especially the 108 health posts. In view of that, I would like to find out which province has the most number of hospitals and which one has the least. I would also like to find out how that information will affect the distribution of the 108 health pots.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I may not have the exact numbers that the hon. Member is asking for. However, I would like to assure him that the PF Government, under His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has distributed health infrastructure equitably and it will continue to do so.

 

Sir, if we talk of the hospitals that have been under construction in the last five years, you will see that they are equitably distributed. Some are in the Western Province and others are in the Southern Province. We have hospitals being constructed in Kalomo, Kazungula, Namwala and Gwembe. Similarly, in the Western Province, hospitals are being constructed in Nalolo, Limulunga, Mulobezi and Lukulu. In Luapula Province, hospitals are being constructed in Kawambwa, Mansa, Mwense, and Milenge. In the Eastern Province, we have Vubwi, Chipata and Nyimba. Therefore, equity is not a problem for us, as a Government, to adhere to. The equitable distribution of resources and infrastructure for health has been our guiding principle. So, I want to assure the hon. Member of Parliament that even the health centres that are yet to be constructed will be distributed according to need.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Daka (Msanzala): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for a well delivered statement. I wish to conquer with him that the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) has undergone metamorphosis.

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear! E chisingu ichi.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: I missed that word.

 

Mr Daka: Mr Speaker, metamorphosis. I am a living example of someone who has taken their 100 year old mother to the UTH. I am the last born and when my mother was taken there, she had stopped breathing. At the moment, she is on life support and is able to shake her hands and that can be attributed to the good management by the Ministry of Health.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Daka: Mr Speaker, I want to find out the emergency services that have been set up and whether they are corresponding with the trauma centres in all these areas. The first ten minutes of an accident are very important to a person’s chances of surviving. Has the Government matched the emergency services, which will cover the accidents, with trauma centres in these hospitals that have been set up?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the kind words from the hon. Member of Parliament. The emergency response unit which is being set up has a control centre. The staff in the control centre will monitor what will be going on in the cities using the Global Positioning System (GPS). The staff will also be able to respond because there will be dispatch centres at which ambulances will be short. Therefore, our ability to respond to emergencies will be based on the proximity of the scene of the accident or where the victim is calling from to the dispatch centre. So, while there will be a control centres at which people managing them will receive calls and respond or co-ordinate, there will be dispatch centres sited in various parts of cities to ensure that our response is quicker. We will begin with cities and extend to provinces later on.

 

However, Sir, I must be quick to mention that strategic towns where road carnage has been a problem have received trauma centres. The construction of a hospital in Nyimba has been completed while a trauma centre is being constructed. We shall have a trauma centre in Kabwe and Chibombo, around Liteta, in Central Province and another constructed between Mpika and Chinsali. Our emergency response is, therefore, backed by a robust infrastructure expansion programme. While the construction of some projects has already begun, others are in the offing. The emergency response centre that will be operationalised in Lusaka will be linked to all the other trauma centres through provincial hospitals.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mrs Mwansa (Nyimba): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister, in his statement, mentioned that the Government would introduce social health insurance. Who will be the beneficiaries of this insurance?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, all Zambians will be beneficiaries of this social health insurance.

 

If I may delve a little into the general framework, the Government is looking at avoiding out-of-pocket payments. There are many people today who, when asked to pay huge amounts of money for certain investigations and operations, be it in private or public clinics or hospitals, fail to do so. Access to health care is, therefore, denied because the cost is prohibitive.

 

Mr Speaker, out-of-pocket payments have been catastrophic on the finances of many individuals. What we are calling for now is a small pre-payment either from the salary or from various modes of contribution from the community. We want to create a pool of resources which we can use to finance health so that at the time of need, even if someone has no money, they are able to access health services. We are, therefore, targeting the informal and formal sectors, communities and various modes of contribution.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Jamba (Mwembezhi): Mr Speaker, I am aware that the Government wants to improve Kanyama Health Centre and Levy Mwanawasa Hospital. However, when we talk of providing health care services and sending health care providers to an area, the people of Mwembezhi are left in a quagmire.

 

Mwembezhi, which is so near Lusaka, has no hospital. Worse still, the roads in the area are in a bad state. Patients have to be transferred from Mwembezhi to Levy Mwanawasa Hospital, in Lusaka, or taken to Nangoma where they are charged fees simply because they are from another district. Can the hon. Minister state what is being done about this constituency, which is so near to Lusaka, yet without a hospital?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I was not giving the infrastructural operational plan for 2017 in my statement, but key infrastructure projects for 2017.

 

I want to reassure the House that the Government has mapped the country. It knows the needy areas will, in a phased manner, ensure that there is health infrastructure in every part of this country. The Government is targeting to achieve universal access to health and in ensuring that access to health services is there for people. Infrastructure will definitely be built.

 

Sir, I do appreciate the effort of Hon. Jamba to get Government assurance for Mwembezhi.  There shall be a zonal facility in Mwembezhi in 2017 which will certainly eliminate the need for patients to be transferred to Nangoma or Lusaka. This, I can tell you confidently.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr C. M. Zulu (Luangeni): Mr Speaker, the coming in of new hospitals is good development. However, I did not hear the hon. Minister state where the money to build these hospitals will come from. I am aware that the Government intends to finish up old projects from the last term of office and only then can we embark on new ones.

 

Mr Kambita: Hear, hear!

 

Mr C. M. Zulu: Where will the money come from?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, there are various ways of financing infrastructure development. Some of these finances that we are talking about have actually been in the offing for a long time and are just maturing now. One way of financing infrastructure development would be through various loans and budget mechanisms. We will finance all infrastructure development that I have mentioned.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Zimba (Chasefu): I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Zimba: Sir, the hon. Minister said that Lundazi has the highest maternal mortality rate in the country. From the 650 health posts, we have only been given three. One is operational, the other almost complete, and the third at slab level. I am also aware that the contractor has deserted the site.

 

With regards to the new hospitals that are being constructed, is the hon. Minister sure that emphasis is on rural constituencies, keeping in mind areas such as Lundazi that have high maternal mortality rates? Is the hon. Minister really looking at taking services to rural constituencies?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament comes from the Eastern Province. Therefore, I will be very kind and repeat what I said earlier because he is my cousin. I want to assure him that Lundazi has caught our attention. Maternal mortality, which is very high in Lundazi, is one indicator for health service delivery. We analysed why this is so and noticed that the distance between where people live and where they access health services is too long.

 

Secondly, the animal-human conflict in the area has worsened the situation. To address this problem, we strategically located construction sites for new health centres. If, therefore, the question is whether we are really looking at rural areas, yes, we are and Lundazi will receive ten health centres. These centres will be modern with theatres and maternity annexes as well as an admission capacity. So, Lundazi will be different next year.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: Please, let us ensure that we are very specific with our questions. This is an opportunity to clarify the statement by the hon. Minister of Health. Hon. Member for Chienge, you may seek your clarification. 

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!

 

Ema afro aya!

 

Laughter

 

Ms Katuta (Chienge): I thank you, Mr Speaker. 

 

Mr Speaker: You can ignore the distraction. Please, continue.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Katuta: Mr Speaker, on behalf of the people of Chienge, I would like to thank the hon. Minister of Health for containing cholera and for sending his team, which is still on the ground, to Chienge. Maybe, I should thank the Patriotic Front (PF) Government for sending the team there.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Katuta: Sir, I heard the hon. Minister talk about prevention of diseases. I am concerned about Kabole Clinic, which is situated right in the residential area, the market and the commercial area. I would like to find out from him if there are any plans of relocating of Kabole Clinic to a safer place for the residents of Mununga.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, Mununga is densely populated and has more than 30,000 people. Mununga is getting a modern health facility with a little theatre and additional capacity to respond to the increased welfare needs for the people Mununga.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Ngulube rose.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Mazhandu! Mazhandu!

 

Mr Ngulube (Kabwe Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank hon. Members for the name “Mazhandu.” It is growing and I like it.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Ngulube: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what is being done about Kabwe General Hospital. Last time, we lamented the exercise by the Zambia Army which sought to demolish a concrete tank stand within the hospital premises using explosives, which did not go well. As a result, the hospital is now in a deplorable state, especially now that it is raining, such that patients, hospital staff and other people are actually being inconvenienced. I would like to know when the renovations of the biggest referral hospital in our province will begin so that the people in this province and not just Kabwe can, at least, appreciate the services that are being rendered by the working Patriotic Front (PF) Government.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, what happened at Kabwe General Hospital should not be referred to in a negative manner because Zambia Army did not mean to break down that hospital. What transpired was an accident and it is owed to unknown consequences.

 

Sir, the Ministry of Health with the support of the Ministry of Works and Supply, then, which is now the Ministry Housing and Infrastructure Development, has completed an assessment of what needs to be done at Kabwe General Hospital. It has been included in the infrastructure operational plans to attend to some of the things that were shaken off. Therefore, this is something that is being addressed. Definitely, the minor damages that were caused will be tackled before the end of the year.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr A. C. Mumba (Kantanshi): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister of Health for a very elaborate statement and all the ambitious programmes that he has outlined.

 

Sir, some health posts under the 650 health posts project to be constructed in our constituencies, and Kantanshi in particular, are still on slab level. How did the ministry manage to college the counterpart funding that he once talked about so that the construction of these health posts start to take shape this year?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, we are currently engaging the Ministry of Finance to ensure that those resources are released. I am, therefore, confident that the Ministry of Finance will release the required counterpart funding to ensure that the project is unlocked.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Siwale (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, I wish to commend the hon. Minister for employing 7,000 health staff. I am sure he has broken the record since time immemorial.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Siwale: However, I would like to find out one thing. The district medical staff for Mafinga live in another district, thereby, depriving our people the health services which they really need. I would like to find out whether this is a policy of the ministry because other members of staff in other departments live in the same district. For Example, things like ambulances are not in Mafinga District, but with the drivers who live in other districts. I would the hon. Minister to make a comment on that.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I would like to reassure the hon. Member that we got that report and instructions have been given for health workers who are living in Isoka to actually shift to Mafinga. On the issue of housing, the Government has insisted that since members of staff are given housing allowance, they should be able to find alternative accommodation. We know that Mafinga is a new district and with the new hospital being constructed, there will be new houses constructed as well. Therefore, we will accommodate a few health workers, but will still demand that the district director of health and the rest of the team move to Mafinga.

 

Sir, in reaction to the report that we got two weeks ago, instructions are being given that health workers shift to Mafinga. This is the same problem that we had in Lunga, where people were staying in Samfya. However, they have since shifted to Lunga. The same will happen in Mafinga. So, I would like to reassure the hon. Member that within the next two weeks, he will not find the same situation prevailing.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mulenga (Ndola Central): Mr Speaker, in his statement, the hon. Minister said that he has reduced the number directors from seven to five. We would like to commend him for that because the ministry is trying to serve. However, I would like to find out how effective and efficient the ministry is after that reduction?

 

Dr. Chilufya: Mr Speaker, with the reduced numbers at the centre, the health sector is now more efficient. Yes, we had many senior colleagues at the centre who were carrying out administrative work, but we have, so far, moved more than forty doctors back to serve at the front line. Suffice to say that some of them are still directors and they are working very efficiently at that front line. Some are on the Copperbelt, UTH and some are in the Western Province.

 

Sir, we have seen their contribution to improved quality of care at the various stations they are serving. So, the reduction in directorates has resulted in the reduction of people at the centre, but we have increased the number at the implementation level. Therefore, the structure of human resource in the health sector must be pyramidal. The base at the implementation line must have more people and the helm must be lean. So, we have already started seeing improved efficiencies at the front line and we have not been disrupted at the centre.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr L. N. Tembo (Kaumbwe): Mr Speaker, my main concern is on equal distribution of health facilities. The hon. Minister might be aware that Petauke District has three constituencies and three hospitals. I would like to find out the criteria that the ministry used to come up with another hospital that is being built along the tarmac, 3 km from Petauke General Hospital.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, there is a criteria that is used to allocate hospitals. If you see facilities in proximity, it means that there are not at the same level of accreditation. There are facilities that are at first level, second level and others at third level of accreditation. What we are building in Petauke District is a specialist general hospital to cater for a number of people in Petauke and beyond Petauke District. It is a referral facility. What is already there is a first level hospital for people of Petauke. The one that we are constructing now may be in Petauke, but it is a specialist referral facility.

 

However, the hon. Member’s concern about inadequate health infrastructure in Kaumbwe is something that we will address through our infrastructure operational plan. I am sure we can engage more with him regarding the sites for this infrastructure in Kaumbwe.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that comprehensive statement. Chama South is too vast and the hon. Minister mentioned that the Government wants to reduce the distance that people cover in order to access medical services. The constituency also has a high incidence of human-animal conflict. We were told that the contract that was awarded to Angelique International Limited to construct a portion of the 650 health posts countrywide in Chama South was terminated. The hon. Minister also told this House that our able men and women in uniform from the Zambia National Service (ZNS) will carry out this work by April, 2017. Now that the House is rising today, what message should I take to the people of Chama South and the entire Muchinga Province concerning their portion of the 650 health posts to be constructed nationwide to reduce the distance that they cover to get health services? Will the ZNS carry out this work or not?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, like I said earlier on, the Ministry of Finance is in the process of releasing resources to the Zambia National Service (ZNS) to ensure that it completes what Angelique International Limited did not. There are other avenues that are being pursued to ensure that we complete the health posts quicker, but I can confirm that the Ministry of Finance will release K50 million as the first installment to the ZNS to commence construction of health posts where Angelique International Limited failed to do so in Muchinga, Luapula, Northern and North-Western provinces.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

REFINEMENT OF THE REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION

 

The Minister of Justice (Mr Lubinda): Mr Speaker, I am grateful to you for allowing me to update the House and, through it, the nation on the process of the refinement of the Republican Constitution. His Excellency the President of Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: … assented to the Constitution of Zambia Act, 2016 and Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act, 2016 on 5^th January, 2016. The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act, 2016 amended the provisions of the Constitution, except for Part III and Article 79 of the Constitution of Zambia Cap. 1. The amendment to the Constitution has led to the enactment of several consequential pieces of legislation to bring the laws in conformity with the new provisions of the Constitution.

 

Sir, allow me to repeat that because earlier today, a statement was made concerning this matter. For the purpose of clarification for the people in the House and outside, the amendment to the Constitution has led to the enactment of several consequential pieces of legislation to bring the laws in conformity with the new provisions of the Constitution.

 

Mr Speaker, on 27^th October, 2016, I made a ministerial statement to this august House following the outcome of the referendum on the question of the enhancement of the Bill of Rights and the proposed way forward. Following that event, a Motion to amend some provisions of the Constitution owing to the inconsistencies identified in the Constitution was presented before Parliament through a Private Member’s Motion on 9^th November, 2016, it was accordingly successful. Consequently, the Ministry of Justice has been taking specific steps to ensure that the resolution of this House is carried out. I now wish to provide an update on the status of the amendment to the Constitution, thus far, and the various steps remaining to be undertaken in the process.

 

Sir, in order to ensure the efficient implementation of the provisions of the Constitution, there is a need to further amend some of the provisions of the Constitution. The amendments to the Constitution are not wholesome. Rather, they are limited in scope and for the better implementation of the provisions of the Constitution.

 

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Justice called for submissions from various stakeholders such as Government institutions and departments, statutory bodies, Bank of Zambia (BoZ), Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), Judiciary, National Assembly of Zambia (NAZ), House of Chiefs and civil society organisations on the proposed amendments to the provisions of the Constitution where inconsistencies have been identified.

 

Sir, I wish to report that the ministry has received responses from all government departments, LAZ, BoZ, Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ), NAZ, House of Chiefs and numerous civil society organisations. Now that submissions have been received and as soon as they have been considered, the Ministry of Justice will prepare an amendment Bill for consideration by the public and thereafter, by this august House.

 

Mr Speaker, the next steps that the Ministry of Justice is undertaking are as follows:

 

1. constitution of a technical legal working group within the Ministry of Justice to analyse the various submissions from the various stakeholders;

 

1. preparation of a draft Constitution (Amendment) Bill for consideration and approval by Cabinet for publication for, at least, thirty days prior to its introduction to Parliament; and

 

1. continued stakeholder sensitisation and engagement on the proposed amendments to the Constitution.

 

The Ministry of Justice aims at having the publication of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, 2017, by the end of August, 2017. Should publication take place by August of this year, 2017, the amendment Bill should be ready for introduction to Parliament by the end of 2017.

 

Mr Speaker, coupled with the reform of the Constitution is the amendment to Part III of the Constitution and Article 79. In an attempt to amend Part III and Article 79 on 11^th August, 2016, Zambia held a referendum alongside the General Election. However, the referendum failed and we know the reasons why. I addressed those reasons when I reported to the House last year. This entails that the current Bill of Rights in the Constitution of Zambia Cap, 1 continues to be in effect until such a time that another referendum is held, and hopefully it succeeds.

 

As has been stated already, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, under His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Edgar Chagwa Lungu, remains totally committed and dedicated to ensuring that the will of the Zambian people is respected and that the citizens have enhanced rights. In the meantime, the Government’s dedication to ensuring that the Zambian people’s human rights are met is unwavering. The Government is, therefore, developing mechanisms to implement some of the rights contained in the failed referendum, but this will have to be done within the ambit of the current Bill of Rights. With your indulgence, Sir, I shall seek your permission to address the House and the nation on this matter in more detail at a later date.

 

Mr Speaker, the aspirations of the Zambian people are important to the PF Government and all the above processes are in a bid to meet these aspirations. Having updated the House on the process of refining our Constitution, allow me to commend all the relevant stakeholders, all those patriotic people and all those patriotic institutions for their submissions. I assure them that their submissions shall receive the full attention of the Ministry of Justice and they will form part of the basis of the work of the ministry in identifying the areas of inconsistencies and lacunas in the Constitution.

 

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.

 

Amb. Malanji (Kwacha): Mr Speaker, everyone knows that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government and His Excellency the President tried to cut costs by holding the referendum together with the general election last year. Of course, the referendum failed. Enacting certain Acts will not be easy because you cannot enact an Act without formulating a policy. The hon. Member of Parliament for Monze Central, who had gone for a funeral last week, ...

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Government Members: And watched TV!

 

Amb. Malanji: ... mentioned how we, as a country, have appended our signature to a good number of protocols such as the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). I would like to find out whether it is a practice world over to regulate meetings, gatherings or rallies in most countries which have policies similar to those we have in Zambia.

 

Mr Speaker: Just a point of guidance. Please, there is no need to bring in colleagues in questions. It is unnecessary. You could have put your question without that reference, quite frankly.

 

The hon. Minister may answer.

 

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, because he made reference to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), with your permission, in a short while, may you permit me to render a ministerial statement on Zambia’s membership to the APRM and I will address some of those matters then.

 

Sir, regarding the question: Do all governments in the world regulate activities such as meetings? I would like to respond by saying that there is no country in the world which has no regulations on how its citizens engage with one another. If there was such a country, it would be a country of anarchy and I do not think there is any country that allows anarchy. There are rules and regulations by which people will engage. As everybody knows, where one’s rights end, another person’s rights commence. Where individuals’ rights end is where society’s rights commence. As a country, and as a Government, we have a duty and we owe it to the Zambian people to ensure that we maintain peace, law and order.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Sir, because my colleague referred to the Bill of Rights and the failed referendum, with your permission, last year, I reported to the House and the country at large how the referendum on the enhancement of the Bill of Rights failed. I said that speaking on behalf of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, his Cabinet and, indeed, his party that it was a very regrettable event because President Edgar Lungu even put up huge billboards for his campaign for the Bill of Rights. Unfortunately, some people were extremely active in campaigning against the Bill of Rights and now, some of those who were vigorously campaigning against the referendum are assuming an unfettered responsibility of calling for an enhancement of the Bill of Rights today.

 

Hon. Government Members: Shame!

 

Mr Lubinda: I do not want to use that word my colleagues are using, but all I can say is that it is extremely diabolical ...

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: ... to, on one hand, campaign against a process and on the other hand, want the fruit of that tree that you cut. You cannot have the cake and eat it.

 

Hon. Government Members: Yes!

 

Mr Lubinda: Sir, I want to say to Hon. Amb. Malanji and, through him, the people of Zambia, that the Government of His Excellency the President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, is extremely determined to ensure that we enhance the rights of the citizens of Zambia and with their support, I am sure that we shall get there.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Ngulube: Mr Speaker, I am aware that following the enactment of the new Constitution, a lot of legislation will have to be passed to allow for a number of things to happen, as dictated by the Constitution. I am also aware that certain people have continued to lament over the results of the 11^th August, 2016 General Election ...

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

 

Mr Ngulube: ... and believe that there will be a time when somebody will upset the entire result. Given the fact that the election is now over and that the people of Zambia have moved on, is there a deliberate policy by the Government, which appears to discriminate against those areas that other people are alleging that it is because of ...

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Order!

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mr Ngulube: Mr Speaker, when business was suspended, I was trying to find out from the hon. Minister of Justice about those individuals or political parties who are denying that we have a Republican President and think that this country has no leader, yet he is there. My question is: Is there any deliberate move by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government to continue treating all areas equal despite the fact that their representatives are denying that we have a Head of State in place?

 

Ms Kabanshi: Hear, hear!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Sikazwe: Ema question aya! Hear, hear!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, the first part of the question is asking whether people have any reason to question whether this country has a President or not, and I am sure that the Learned Counsel, Hon. Tutwa Ngulube, knows very well that once a matter has been determined by a court of law, it ends there. The dispute ends when the court of law adjudicates over a matter. The hon. Learned Counsel and Member of Parliament for Kabwe Central, …

 

Mr Kambita: Question!

 

Mr Lubinda: … also popularly known as “Mazdyandu”, …

 

Laughter

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear! Ema nickname ayo!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Lubinda: … knows that when there was a dispute on the election results, President Elect Edgar Lungu and his running mate, Her Honour the Vice-President, Mrs Inonge Wina, chose to respect the rule of law. They were not sworn in immediately to allow a third wing, which is an important wing of the Government, to preside over the matter. They only swore in oath of office after the courts pronounced that that dispute had come to an end and the courts had found that, indeed, the two had been rightly elected.

 

Mr Jere: Question!

 

Mr Lubinda: Duly elected.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: They were, therefore, right to be sworn in.

 

Mr Mushanga: Yes!

 

Mr Lubinda: After that, everything is water under the bridge.

 

Sir, I know that there is a mater before the courts of law, but as far as I know, that is a totally different matter. It is a question of whether people were heard or not, but the court determined and ruled that His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Lungu, and his running mate were duly elected.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: That is not in contention.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Had it been in contention, Sir, or a matter before any court of law, I would have not commented on it. However, I am at liberty to speak because the ruling is there for everyone to look at. So, if there are some people, Hon. Learned Counsel Tutwa Ngulube who are going round claiming …

 

Mr Ngulube: … and masquerading!

 

Mr Lubinda: … that President Edgar Lungu was not duly elected, they must be careful because they are treading on very quick sand.

 

Mr Sikazwe: Yes!

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: They are treading very dangerous grounds …

 

Prof. Luo: Mubanyamune!

 

Mr Lubinda: … because there is an elected President who was sworn in, rightly so.

 

Prof. Luo: Banyamuneni!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Lubinda: The issue of delivering development in some areas, again, is a matter that I will address as I render my next ministerial statement.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Ngulube: Ema answer aya!

 

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for that update on the amendment of the Constitution. Zambia has a very rich history as regard the amendment of the Constitution. We had the Chona, Mwanakatwe, Mvunga commissions and ended with the Mung’ombe commission. All these brought up a number of submissions from the Zambian people. The Technical Committee, which the hon. Minister has mentioned in his statement, has been tasked to ensure that it deals with pertinent issues within the Constitution. Could he give comfort to the Zambian people on whether they will have very strict and clear terms of reference for them to follow so that the process is not only prolonged, but also sticks to the programme of work?

 

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, the comfort I can give to my honourable colleague and the nation at large is that the process that we have embarked on has a time frame which is up to the end of this year. I want to assure Hon. Bwalya Chungu that this process will end here in this House.

 

Sir, you may recall that when the Constitution Bill was brought to this House, it was surrounded by a lot of acrimony. Most of us in this House may recall that there was a lot of drama in this House. There were people protesting right in the centre of the House with total disregard to the processes of the law on procedures of the House. Meanwhile, out there, they were demanding to bring the recommendations of the Technical Committee to Parliament without any change whatsoever, but bring it in its entirety.

 

Mrs Simukoko: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: That is exactly what we did. By so doing, we denied the Zambian people the opportunity for their representatives gathered in this House to interrogate the Constitution and every Article in it. This is what has led us to where we are today.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Had it not been for that kind of misconduct, we would not have had the problem of addressing lacunas and inconsistencies today. This House has the ability to study and pass Bills just like it has in the past.

 

Sir, unfortunately, we are where we are today because of unnecessary acrimony. This time around, it is my humble appeal, on behalf of the humble President of Zambia, that we will all be on board. His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Lungu, is pleading that we all read the Constitution and a decipher areas that require refinement so that we end up with a document that will be easy for everyone to interpret and understand.

 

Mr Speaker, it is my earnest appeal that we all participate when the Bill comes to the House. I hope we will participate from our Benches and not by collecting ourselves in the centre of the House hoping to intimidate other hon. Members.

 

Sir, I made an appeal to all organisations, particularly political parties that have representation in Parliament, to also make their submissions. I will not go into who has made submissions and who has not today. However, if need be, I will when I come to present the Bill.

 

Mr Speaker, the submissions we have received, so far, are very encouraging. I did not expect such submissions because there was some resistance when I presented a statement earlier. The Government is grateful that people have made their submissions and I hope that this will be a way of galvanising us so that we may forge together as one united country.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

STATUS OF THE AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM

 

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, I thank you most sincerely for allowing me to make a second statement. Like I said earlier, this is a statement to update the House on Zambia’s performance in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

 

Sir, in honouring its commitment to good governance on the continent, the Government of the Republic of Zambia acceded to the APRM in January, 2006. The APRM is Africa’s paramount framework of self monitoring in governance and is voluntarily acceded to by member States of the African Union (AU).

 

Mr Speaker, the origins of the APRM can be traced to 2001. In July of that year, at the 37^th Summit of the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union (AU), held here in Lusaka, the Heads of State and Government of the member States of the AU set out a new vision for the development of Africa, the so-called New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). NEPAD’s main objectives were:

1. eradication of poverty;

 

1. promotion of sustainable economic growth;

 

1. integration of Africa into the global economy; and

 

1. promotion of gender equity and women’s empowerment

 

Sir, good governance was identified as a fundamental prerequisite in order to reach these objectives. On 8^th July, 2002, at the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the AU, African leaders adopted the NEPAD Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance.

 

Mr Speaker, the NEPAD Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance places emphasis on democracy, human rights, free, fair and regular elections, transparency and accountability in both public and private sector organisations, among others.

 

Sir, Zambia hosted the country review mission in February, 2011, which prepared the country review report from which a national plan of action was drawn. In January 2013, Zambia was peer reviewed during the 18^th summit that was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Zambia’s peer review was followed by the launch of the country review report by the 5^th Republican President, the late Michael Chilufya Sata, in March, 2014.

 

Mr Speaker, on 17^th October, 2016, Zambia’s country review report was tabled and discussed by the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) during its ordinary session that was held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Tabling and discussion of the country review report is one of the requirements of the APRM process before the country can be peer reviewed yet again.

 

Sir, Zambia is expected to undergo a second round of peer review in 2018-2019 to assess the progress made in addressing governance challenges that were identified during the first peer review. Prior to the second peer review, Zambia is expected to prepare at least two progress reports to be presented by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia at the APRM Summit of Heads of State and Government.

 

Mr Speaker, the National Governing Council, through the Ministry of Justice, facilitated the preparation of the first progress report in 2016. The report was presented at the 26^th Summit of the Heads of States and Government that was held in Addis Ababa Ethiopia on 28^th January, 2017, by the President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

 

Sir, the highlights of Zambia’s report as presented by His Excellency the President, which emanated from the peer review report that was carried out in Zambia, include the following:

 

Standards and Codes

 

Mr Speaker, on this matter, the President reported that the process of establishing a central depository registry of regional and international agreements was initiated through the enactment of a law that would guide the functions of the central depository registry.

 

Democracy and Political Governance

 

Sir, the President reported that Zambia concluded the consultative process and had amended the Constitution in January, 2016.

 

Over Centralised State System

 

Mr Speaker, Zambia reported that it had approved the National Decentralisation Policy which would empower provinces and districts to manage their own affairs for effective social economic development.

 

Gender Parity to Uphold Principles of the Convention and Elimination of Discrimination against Women

 

Sir, Zambia created the Ministry of Gender to spearhead the attainment of gender parity. With regard to female representation at Cabinet level, the Government has made tremendous progress by increasing gender participation in Cabinet from 14 per cent in 2011, to 28 per cent in 2016. That is doubling women participation at cabinet level. President Edgar Lungu deserves to be applauded.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Guaranteeing Separation of Powers

 

Mr Lubinda: Sir, the President of the Republic of Zambia reported to his peers that the Zambian Constitution enshrined separation of powers among the three organs of the state and safeguards the independence of these organs.

 

Economic Governance and Management Issues

 

Mr Speaker, the President stated that Zambia’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate recorded a steady decline from 5.1 per cent in 2013 to 3.2 per cent in 2015. The economic growth averaged 5.3 per cent per annum and that this growth was reduced by poor performance particularly, in the agricultural sector in 2013 and 2015. The growth rate under mining in 2014, 2015 and further, was affected by devastating combination of external shocks in response to which Zambia had put stringent measures to arrest the negative growth of the GDP. On this note, I would like to inform the House and the nation at large that as opposed to what we heard earlier about crop failure, as for the 2016/2017 Farming Season, with the early delivery of inputs, private sector agriculture and the sufficient rain that our Good Lord has blessed us with this year, we anticipate a larger harvest than we have recorded before.

 

Diversification of the Zambian Economy

 

Sir, the President reported that Zambia had established private sector development, industrialisation and job creation in January, 2015 to coordinate the implementation of the industrialisation and job creation strategy and to provide a coherent guidance on salient strategies that promote the diversification of the nation’s economy.

 

Promotion of Corporate Social Responsibility (ICR)

 

Mr Speaker, the President reported that Zambia had experienced a drastic reduction in the level of involvement by private firms in developmental programmes until 2014. The Government of Zambia had rekindled the practice by strengthening the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives in 2015.

 

Unequal Distribution of Income

 

Sir, it was reported that the Government of the Republic of Zambia reviewed salaries of employees across the country in order to ensure equity in the distribution of salaries by narrowing the gap between the salary scales.

 

Deficit in Housing

 

Mr Speaker, the President reported that the Government had prioritised the construction of housing units during the period 2017 to 2021, through a number of public as well as private initiatives and strategies.

 

Poor State of Feeder Roads in Rural Areas

 

Sir, Zambia had initiated the Link 8,000 km Road Project programme (accelerated national roads construction programme) aimed at transforming Zambia into a truly land-linked country and programme for improvement of a total of 13,422.9 km of primary feeder roads by 2024. He added that by the end of 2016, a total of 3,358.90 km had been achieved.

 

Cross-Cutting Issues

 

Mr Speaker, the President reported that in an effort to fight corruption, Zambia was encouraging spending agencies to establish Integrity Committees (ICs) in line with provisions of the new Anti-Corruption Act and that the Government had also intensified community awareness programmes to encourage community participation. In 2016, Zambia launched a national slogan, “A Corruption Free Zambia Begins With Me” which was aimed at driving the country’s anti-corruption crusade.

 

Maturity of Democratic Practice

 

Mr Speaker, the penultimate point was on the maturity of democratic practice. His Excellency the President reported to his peers that the country’s democracy had been augmented by the amendment of the Constitution in 2016, which included progressive provisions which were important in safeguarding a maturing democracy. He further stated that despite the said successes, the country had faced a challenge of maintaining a steady voter-turnout which was showing a downward trend particularly, at presidential election level. The President also did report that there was poor performance particularly, on the referendum and the enhancement of the Bill of Rights (BOR).

 

Social Cash Transfer Scheme (SCTS)

 

Sir, His Excellency the President reported that the scheme had been expanded tremendously from the time of Zambia’s country review mission in 2011, when there were only 51,308 beneficiaries in ten districts. By December, 2016, the number of beneficiaries had increased to 242,000 from seventy-eight districts and that Zambia was aiming to roll-out the programme to cover all districts in the country. As we all know, in 2017, the number of beneficiaries has been increased to 590,000 in all districts of our dear country.

 

Mr Speaker, in response to the presentation by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), Forum Chairperson, His Excellency the President, Mr Uhuru Kinyata congratulated his brother for the progress made in presenting the first Progress Report. He noted Zambia’s determination for the second peer review. He encouraged His Excellency the President, Mr Lungu to maintain the stance that Zambia has taken in implementing its national plan of action.

 

Mr Speaker, Zambia’s Progress Report was well-received by various states of the African Union (AU), who all congratulated her. It was worth noting that the following countries specifically congratulated Zambia when they made their own statements. All of them touched on Zambia’s first Progress Report.

 

Sir, the first one was the Namibian President, His Excellency the President, Dr Hage Geingob, who joined other peers in congratulating Zambia for presenting the first Progress Report. President Geingob indicated that Namibia and Zambia had a lot in common and that Namibia would learn a lot from Zambia on APRM.

 

Mr Speaker, the Senegalese President, His Excellency, Mr Macky Sall also congratulated his Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia for the presentation of the first Progress Report. President Sall recalled Zambia’s long standing history of warm hospitality and peace and particularly, for hosting many Senegalese. He thanked His Excellency for the good gesture.

 

Mr Speaker, as many will know and as I have stated earlier, APRM is concerned about four thematic areas. These are the ones against which member states performance is assessed. For the sake of clarity, the thematic areas are namely:

 

1. democracy and good political governance;

 

1. economic governance and management;

 

1. corporate governance; and

 

1. socio-economic development.

 

Sir, the Government of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu is not only committed but is indeed, determined to continue enhancing the provision of high quality leadership in these and all other areas of human endeavour. It is in light of the foregoing that we call upon all citizens of this great country to be patriotic and contribute to the betterment of the whole country.

 

Sir, the performance of Zambia in the thematic areas I have spoken about was confirmed in recently produced 10^th Anniversary of the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) Report. The Mo IIAG is a quantifiable tool to measure and monitor governance performance in African countries, to assess its progress over time and to support the development of effective and responsive policy solutions.

 

The 10^th Anniversary Report analyses and compares the performance of all African countries over a period of ten years, 2006 to 2015.  In brief, Sir, this is what the report says about Zambia, and I quote:

 

“Zambia has improved in every category in the Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) over the last ten years, resulting in an improvement of +4.3 score points at the overall governance level leading the country to rank 13^th on the continent four rank places higher than a decade ago when the country ranked 18^th.”

 

It goes on to say:

 

“In safety and rule of law, Zambia ranks ninth Out of 54 countries and is the tenth most improved country in accountability with diversion of public funds and access to information featuring among countries ten most improved.”

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Lubinda: Sir, I am going to lay the report on the Table so that those who are not capable of finding such reports may take advantage of your grace and can read the report. Sir, this report is the Moore Ibrahim Foundation Report .

 

Interruption

 

Mr Ngulube: Ema report aya!

 

Mr Lubinda: A decade of African governance.

 

Mr Lubinda laid the document on the Table.

 

Interruption

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Lubinda: Sir, having successfully presented the first progress report on the implementation of the National Plan of Action, Zambia is now set to undertake the following projects under the Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) process:

 

(a)     dissemination of a report on the first progress report. In doing this, I would to echo the sentiments of His Excellency the President, Please, let us read.

 

Again, Sir, for the sake of my colleagues who may have difficulty finding this report, allow me to lay it on the Table so that they may read it themselves.

 

Mr Lubinda laid the document on the Table.

 

(b)     sensitisation of new districts on the Africa Peer Review Mechanism because these new districts did not take part in the initial sensitisation process.

 

(c)     the Government of Zambia shall increase budgetary allocation to the APRM process;

 

(d)     shall enhance mainstreaming of the APRM National Plan of Action in national planning processes and those who will lay their hands on the Seventh National Development Plan (SNDP) will find therein, that the ambitions encapsulated in the APRM Plan of Action are actually included in the SNDP; and

 

(e)     shall engage in monitoring the implementation of the National Plan of Action.

 

Mr Speaker, Zambia will continue to implement the National Plan of Action and monitor the progress being made in readiness for the second progress report.

 

I want to end by saying we ought to sing our song when we do well and, here, Africa has led us to sing our song because it has appreciated that, indeed, Zambia, under the leadership of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is on the right trajectory to development.

 

Sir, I thank you.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

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

 

Mr Jamba: Mr Speaker, I have heard that African leaders and everyone in that meeting gave Zambia kudos because it was doing fine. A lot of good things have been spoken as regards the APRM. However, here in Zambia, and, in fact, in this Parliament, I have heard people say that your Government is selective in the way it allocates projects to various regions. How does the hon. Minister reconcile the kudos from other countries to the accusations of segregative development from this Parliament?

 

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for this question because it gives me an opportunity to indicate that in this House, we tend to come and use the House for all other purposes than the one for which it is meant. We come here and say statements that we cannot substantiate. I have also heard what the hon. Member has heard. Even this afternoon, I heard a matter that was exterior to the Motion where somebody was saying that there is one Zambia one side and I am sure this is what the hon. Member is referring to. However, I want to assure him that for the Mo Ibrahim Index to give this report, it is based on a variety of sources of information ...

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Speaker: I do not think it is proper to contradict him whilst he is speaking. We know that very well. If you want to engage him, you wait. You cannot do that whilst you are seated. Let him make his point. If you have questions, put them to him. It is as simple as that.

 

The hon. Minister may continue.

 

Mr Lubinda: I thank you, Sir. The Mo Ibrahim Index was not written by Zambia.  Even the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Report of 2016, for those who care to read, states very clearly that Zambia is on the right trajectory to development.

 

Sir, I will appeal to my colleague, the hon. Minister of Finance, in the next report sitting of Parliament when the Government comes to present reports, to produce a list of all the development projects that this Government has engaged in across the country province by province.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: I can assure you that once this is done, some people will not even sit in the House. They will walk out out of shame. Now, I can just go through a few provinces. Let me start with Western Province where we are doing the Kalabo/Sikongo/Angola Road ...

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Ngulube: Ema roads aya!

 

Mr Lubinda: ... to cost K950 million.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: The second one is the Katunda/Lukulu/Watopa/Mwembezhi Road to cost K2.1billion.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: The third is the Kafue Hook Bridge to cost K340 million.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: The Livingstone/Sesheke Road at a total cost of K1.2 billion.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Dundumwezi, ...

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: The popular Dundumwezi.  We heard earlier about one Zambia one side and now, I am also showing that indeed the development of this Government is one Zambia one side delivering development to the people who are saying that we are not delivering to their areas.  The Dundumwezi/ Itezhi tezhi Road is being worked on at a cost of K210 million.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr A. B. Malama: All that.

 

Mr Lubinda: There is also the Gwembe/Chisekesi Road.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Lubinda: What about in Monze?

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: All those who have been to Monze and…

 

Mr Kampyongo: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: … I am not talking about those who sit in Lusaka and claim that they go to Monze; I am talking those who go to Monze.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kabanda: Those who go for funerals.

 

Mr Lubinda: We have completed the urban road network

 

Mr Kampyongo: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Those of us, who go to Monze, …

 

Mr Mutati: Eh!

 

Mr Lubinda: …drive on tarred roads which were not there before this PF Government came into power.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: I lived in Monze, my friend (pointing at Mr Jamba).

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Where there were potholes in Monze Central, today, there are tarred roads.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: And then somebody will come here and mislead you and the nation that it is one Zambia one side. What one Zambia one side?

 

Ms Kapata: Shame!

 

Hon. PF Members: Shame, shame!

 

Mr Lubinda: What about the Monze/Niko Road? No one wants to talk about it.

 

Mrs Simukoko: Tell them.

 

Ms Kapata: Bangwele!

 

Mr Lubinda: If you ask the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, he will tell you the number of dip tanks that have been sank in Monze.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: It is not in Petauke, it is in Monze.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Simukoko: Mukafifumweko

 

Mr Lubinda: My dear hon. Member, have you not heard on the Floor of this House, my colleagues in Government informing us about how we are connecting the North-Western Province to the National Electricity Grid at a cost of US$163 million.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr E. Mulenga: Wasting money.

 

Mr Lubinda: I will leave the rest …

 

Mr Kampyongo: Wabeeja, Mwiimbu.

 

Mr Lubinda: … to my colleague, the hon. Minister of Finance…

 

Mrs Simukoko: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: … in the next sitting of Parliament he will come and give us a lowdown. The truth of the matter my dear brother, is that we are delivering development across the country without consideration of where people think they have strongholds. As a matter of fact, I want to say to you that as far as we are concerned on this side of the House, we were elected by the people of Zambia across the country.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: We owe it to the people to make sure that we deliver development equitably.

 

Mr Mwakalombe: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: After all, that is what the Constitution wants us to do. We are determined that the next time we go to the APRM all African states must say well done, well done, well done, Zambia because we are providing quality leadership to the people. I do not think they are many who are capable of providing this kind of leadership.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: That is the reason why we also have here (pointing at Government Members), representatives of a political party that does not only talk about democracy when it comes to national issues but talks about democracy also in intra party issues.

 

Mrs Simukoko: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: We hold regular elections…

 

Mrs Simukoko: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: … to choose our leaders.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: We do not have any persons who are considered God sent.

 

Mr Mutati: No.

 

Mr Lubinda: No, we have regular elections on this side of the House…

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: … because we are good and democratic leaders.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: I want to appeal to you my good friend (pointing at Mr Jamba), come join us we have space for you.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mbangweta: That will be political suicide.

 

Mr Ngulube: Mr Speaker, we would like to thank the hon. Minister for a very elaborate statement on how the Government is delivering development to all areas including those areas where people are crying that the PF Government is being very selective. We are aware also that…

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, I know that you belong a profession which is known to rely on words.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: I belong to that profession as well.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: Please, get to your point.

 

Mr Ngulube: Mr Speaker, I want to find out from the hon. Minister on the sweet report of the APRM, is there anything in that report that suggests that Zambia did not have any free and fair elections.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker that is a very difficult question.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Lubinda: Let me attempt to address the question. In attempting to address the question, I want to say that the Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth was in Zambia not too long ago.

 

The Vice-President: That is right.

 

Mr Lubinda: We read in the press how some Zambians went to the Commonwealth and said the elections were not free and fair.

 

Mr Lusambo: Hmm.

 

Mr Lubinda: The Secretary General of the Commonwealth made a report…

 

Mr Mulunda: They are not Zambians.

 

Mr Lubinda: … in which they stated categorically that they had an observer mission in Zambia.

 

Mrs Simukoko: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: A mission which observed the elections.

 

Mr Mutati: Yes.

 

Mr Lubinda: They Commonwealth were here in the country for close to three months before the elections.

 

Mr Mutati: Eh!

 

Mr Lubinda: They were monitoring the whole process from the time that the election period was declared up to the period when the President was installed or sworn in. There conclusion was that the elections in Zambia were conducted under a free, fair, transparent and credible process.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: The same people who were going there to tell the Commonwealth that please declare these elections to be null and void said no, we observed the elections. Based on international best practice, Zambia is above board.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Simukoko: Tell them.

 

Mr Lubinda: Hon. colleague, I want to say to you that at the African Union, those who have gone there know the kind of regard that African nations give to this country especially when it comes to its democracy and the ability to hold free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Zambia’s record is unblemished.

 

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Those who are singing from anthills, I am afraid to say, and borrowing a word I learnt from a good friend from, where mwana, (Asking Mr Mutati) from Lunte.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Lubinda: Baloba …

 

Hon. PF Members: Ilyauma!

 

Mr Lubinda: …ilyuma.

 

Sir, they have gone to the river and in the process of fishing, normally when you fish, you catch fresh fish, but for them, when they go with a fishing line, they pull out dry fish.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: I thank you, Sir.

 

THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ENERGY SECTOR

 

The Minister of Energy (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to update the House on the developments in the energy sector. I will focus on three things in my presentation which are:

 

1. power status and loadshedding;

 

1. migration of tariffs to cost reflectivity; and

 

1. the status of private sector participation in fuel procurement.

 

Power Status and Loadshedding

 

Mr Speaker, as the nation is aware from 2015, Zambia has been experiencing a power deficit due to the low rainfall pattern which experienced during the 2014/2015 rain season. In April, 2015, the power deficit was about 560 mega watts and increased to 1,000 mega watts by December, 2015. To mitigate the power deficit, the Government of the Republic of Zambia through ZESCO imported about 500 mega watts of emergency power from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region and in addition, ZESCO implemented an eight hour long loadshedding management programme from June, 2015 to May, 2016 aimed at conserving the available energy. In June, 2016, the loadshedding programme was reviewed and reduced to four hours when the power deficit reduced to 500 mega watts due to a combination of power inputs, increased generation and following a better 2015/2016 rain season and the commissioning of the Itezhi-tezhi 120 mega watt power plant. In September, 2016, the first 150 unit at Maamba Coal Plant was commissioned; this further reduced the power deficit to 450 mega watts.

 

Mr Speaker, currently, the generation at Kafue Gorge Power Station has increased from 630 mega watts to 900 mega watts against an installed capacity of 990 mega watts. We are pleased to note that the water level has risen rapidly and is currently standing at 2.74 metres above the minimum dam operating level of 974 metres.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order, on the left and right.

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, you may wish to note that with the above development, spilling has equally been instituted from Kafue Gorge Dam in order to control the rising water levels. The generation at Kariba North Bank Power Station remains at 380 MW, which is against the installed capacity of 1,080 MW. The Kariba Dam has continued to record average water inflows and the water level is rising and is currently standing at 5.2 m above the minimum dam operating level of 475.5 m. The maximum operating level is 488.5 m above sea level. This implies that the situation remains below the desired operating point at this time of the year.

`

Sir, the water level in Itezhi-tezhi Reservoir Dam as of 13^th March, 2017, was standing at 1,027.91 m above sea level representing 82 per cent of full storage capacity. This provides an average generation of 95 MW at Itezhi-tezhi Power Station whose installed capacity is 120 MW. The Victoria Falls including the small hydro power stations dotted across the Northern Circuit are generating a total of 118 MW. The total generation from all Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) sources currently stands at 1,493 MW. With the power procured from the independent power producers namely: Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company, Maamba Collieries Ltd and Ndola Energy Company Ltd at 408 MW, the total of available power is at 1,901 MW.

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House and the nation that, although generation capacity has increased to 1,901 MW when last reported on 12^th February, 2017, the peak demand remains at 1,900 MW, while the average daily demand is at 1,600 MW. The system loses are at an average of 8.5 per cent. The current power imports stand at 75 MW mainly from Karpowership in Mozambique. The country still continues to experience a power deficit of about 86 MW at peak periods from 1700 hours to 2100 hours, which is being mitigated through imports from Karpowership. As a result of this development, on 10^th February, 2017, ZESCO suspended the load shedding during the off-peak periods from 0600 hours to 1800 hours. However, it is still effecting emergency load shedding during peak periods from 1800 hours to 2130 hours, in few places, as and when the demand exceeds the generation.

 

Migration of Tariffs to Cost Reflectivity

 

Sir, in August, 2015, ZESCO made an application to the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) for an average tariff increase of 187 per cent. Following the application made in August, 2015, the ERB made a decision and awarded ZESCO the full tariff increase applied for. However, ZESCO suspended the implementation of the new tariffs as it was established that there was need for further stakeholder consultation and engagement. Consequently, in 2016 and 2017, ZESCO had several engagements with key stakeholders, including the Government, ERB and the mines. Following these engagements, it has become clear that ZESCO requires an additional increase in its tariffs in order to ensure that it continues to meet its operational and capital obligations.

 

Mr Speaker, as you may be aware, the current electricity tariffs in Zambia are not cost reflective for all customer categories. Therefore, there is need for current electricity tariffs to be gradually adjusted to cost reflectivity for all customers. The benefits will include among others the enhancement of security of supply through attraction of investment in power generation, transmission and distribution. The tariff increase will also ensure that ZESCO has adequate revenues to continue purchasing the electricity shortfall from the local Independent Power Producers (IPPs) as well as imports from the region. ZESCO has, therefore, proposed to effect a 75 per cent increase in retail tariffs as follows:

 

1. an initial 50 per cent increase effective 1^st May, 2017; and

 

1. an additional 25 per cent increase effective 1^st September, 2017.

 

However, regarding Hon. Jack Mwiimbu’s concern, we have increased the tariff …

 

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Monze Central, the hon. Minister is on the Floor. I will deal with these issues.

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, in order to address the constituents’ concerns, the life line tariff (RI) which was previously 100 units has been increased to 300 units at the same tariff level.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mabumba: This means that a person in Monze who earns a low income will pay less than K100 for 300 units. Therefore, this Government …

 

Mr Ngulube: Tell him!

 

Mr Mabumba: … is addressing the concerns of those who earn low incomes.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mabumba: Furthermore, following several engagements with the mining customers since December, 2016, it has been proposed that effective 1^st January, 2017, the mining tariff will increase to 9.30 cents per kWh. Thereafter, the mining and retail tariffs will be determined based on the results of the cost of service study that will be undertaken in April, 2017

 

Mr Speaker, the ERB is legally mandated to review and determine electricity tariffs. Consequently, in accordance with the requirements of Section 8, sub-section (2) of the Electricity Act Cap 433 of the Laws of Zambia, ZESCO has submitted an application to the ERB to revise its retail electricity tariffs. The ERB will undertake a public consultation process in order to receive consumers’ views on the proposed increase prior to making its final decision.

 

Sir, in order to strengthen the electricity sub-sector regulatory environment, in the next sitting of Parliament, I intend to present two Bills before the House for ratification, namely, the Electricity Bill, 2017, and Energy Regulation Bill, 2017. These Bills are intended to give the ERB greater oversight of the energy sector as well as create a consistent framework for tariff determination which has been problematic. These Bills will also provide regulatory oversight of power and bulk supply agreements, and empower the ERB to review and determine tariffs for all electricity consumers, including the mining companies.

 

Private Sector Participation in Fuel Procurement

 

Mr Speaker, in the 2017 National Budget address, the hon. Minister of Finance announced to the nation that the Government would disengage from the procurement of finished petroleum products as follows:

 

“The petroleum sub-sector is also embedded with inefficiencies and unsustainable Government involvement. In order to ensure efficiency and disengage the Government from the sector, the procurement of finished petroleum products will with effect from 1^st March, 2017, be undertaken by the private sector”.

 

Sir, after this pronouncement, the Ministry of Energy undertook a national wide consultative process on how to disengage from procuring petroleum products. Consultative workshops were carried in six provinces, namely, Lusaka, Central, Copperbelt, North-Western, Northern and Southern provinces in February, 2017. In addition, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), financial institutions, the Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia (PTAZ), the Policy Research and Monitoring Center were also consulted. The consultations were undertaken under the following thematic areas:

 

1. procurement and financing of petroleum by the private sector;

 

1. storage capacity;

 

1. marketing, distribution and contractual relationships;

 

1. regulation reforms;

 

1. the role of Tazama Pipelines Ltd and Indeni Petroleum Refinery Ltd; and

 

1. the zambianisation of the transportation of fuel.

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Ministry of Energy has finalised country-wide consultations and sensitisation meetings on the policy directive for the transition and setting up of modalities for the procurement of petroleum products by the private sector. It has worked out an implementation plan for migrating to private sector financing of finished petroleum products. The ministry has developed a draft Petroleum Management Bill that will enhance smooth operations of the new policy direction in the petroleum sub-sector. The new Bill awaits necessary approvals before it is brought to the Floor of the House. Therefore, due to the sensitivity and complexity of this new policy direction, it is estimated that the effective date of implementation is 1^st July, 2017.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, before you ask the hon. Minister questions, let me just state two points. Firstly, in order to avoid debating ourselves, let us refer to the views, issues and subjects that have been advanced as opposed to referring to individuals. Secondly, the hon. Minister has made reference to a number of Bills. As per tradition, until and unless those Bills are presented, they cannot be a subject of interrogation at this juncture.

 

Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the statement given by the hon. Minister of Energy.

 

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that update on the power supply in the country. However, the hon. Minister has not alluded to what the Government and the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) in particular, is doing to ensure that we address this issue in totality.

 

Sir, what is the Government doing to harness and utilise the water that is in the Northern Circuit of this country. The Northern Circuit has a lot of water bodies, which if harnessed, would give us the much needed power to drive the country’s economy.

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question. Indeed, I did not indicate in my statement, how the Government is addressing the issue of the power deficit that we have been having because I had to combine a lot of things in the Ministerial Statement. However, in order to address the power deficit problem, the Government started the construction of the 750MW Kafue Gorge Lower Power Project in January 2016. In terms of project implementation, we are at 6 per cent and the project is expected to be completed in 2020. Furthermore, in the Northern part of Zambia, we have got the Kalungwishi Hydropower Project and I answered a question on it from the hon. Member for Kaputa. That is a 247MW Project and it has been on the drawing board for the past ten years. We have agreed with the developer, Lunzua Power Authority to start the construction of the power station by July, 2018. Like I said when I responded to Hon. Ng’onga’s question, we are not going to give the developer any extension beyond July 2018 if he does not start the construction.

 

Sir, on Thursday, 30^th March, 2017, we will be having an investor conference in Livingstone, where Hon. Mutati and a few Cabinet Ministers will be, with Her Honour the Vice-President giving a key-note address. We have invited investors on the construction of the Batoka Gorge Hydro Power Project. As you are aware, this is a 2400MW power project shared between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Therefore, this is a key project for us. At that conference, we are going to be marketing the bankability and financeability of the project. We expect that going into 2018, that project should kick off.

 

Mr Speaker, in the Northern part, we have started feasibility studies on the Luapula River Basin. We have started feasibility studies on four sites with a total capacity of about 1000MW. We have been given US $3.5 million by the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) to do a feasibility study on this project. We are engaging our colleagues in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the view of agreeing on the implementation modalities of those four sites. In totality, there are a high number of projects that the Government is undertaking, including the Scaling Solar. In 2016, we did 100MW and this year alone, we have two phases, which are phases two and three. In the second phase, we have got about 200MW which we are going to work on. As you are aware, this is a 600MW Scaling Solar Project. Phase three is going to be undertaken around May. In totality, there are a number of initiatives and measures that the Government is strategically implementing to address the power deficit problem.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Ms Mwape (Mkushi North): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that good report. However, I would like to know when the importation of power will come to an end.

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, if you look at where we are coming from, you will note that in 2014/2015, we were importing almost 560MW of power. Today, in my ministerial statement I have indicated that we are currently importing 75MW. Therefore, we have made significant progress. This is due to the good rainfall pattern that we have had. However, importation of power is not an issue I can say we will completely do away with. In the interim, it will remain, but in the next two to three years, Zambia will become self-sufficient in terms of supply and exportation of power given the number of projects that we are implementing.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr C. M. Zulu: Mr Speaker, it is good that the electricity tariffs are finally being increased. This is a positive development which will help us attract investment in the sector.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr C. M. Zulu: Mr Speaker, having said that, what programmes has the Government put in place to ensure that the Zambian people are sensitised and made aware that by increasing the electricity tariffs, the Government means well. The Zambian people need to understand that this has to be done so that certain quarters do not gain political mileage out of this.

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, I thank Hon. C. Zulu for that brilliant question. What he is saying is true. We have agreed with ZESCO to first comply with Section 8 of the Electricity Act where we have made public the intention by ZESCO to increase the electricity tariffs. We have agreed that ZESCO will carry out selective public sensitisation exercises, especially on the move from 100 units at 0.15ngwee to 300 units. What this means is that a person who lives in Kalingalinga who is going to be using within that bundle of 300 units will only be paying K45. If you add a few units here and there, that will not even be more than K100.

 

Sir, the PF Government as a pro-poor Government is again demonstrating that it loves the Zambian people.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mabumba: Sir, even in the context of loving the Zambian people, just as Hon. Zulu has said, we want to engage them and tell them why we are increasing the power tariffs. We cannot attract investments without taking certain measures. For instance, ZESCO needs renewal in terms of its infrastructure. It also needs to invest in power generation, transmission and distribution. Therefore, without increasing the power tariff, this will not happen. So, for me, this should not be a contentious issue because it is a must. We should ask ourselves if we want ZESCO to survive or not. If we want ZESCO to survive and continue powering our industries and providing or supporting job growth, we have no strategic option other than to increase the electricity tariffs. If you look at the increase, you will see that in 2015, the proposed increment was 187 percent. The Government directed that we needed to do this in a gradual manner. As part of that gradual process, we are saying that it is 75 per cent divided into 50 per cent in May and 25 per cent in September. There is nothing that can be done other than that because we know that we have low income groups, those who will be spending beyond 300 units and this gradual process of the adjustment will not affect them much neither is it going to affect the economy compared to the 2015 decision where we wanted to have one steep increment of 187 per cent.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that the supply of power is becoming reliable and that load shedding has reduced. It is clear that load shedding was due to low water levels at the Kariba Dam and not due to other reasons as others were saying. However, Chama District is still seriously affected by load shedding. People stay without power for almost eight to ten hours.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Kavotedwe.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Sir, what is the Government doing to normalise the situation in Chama District?

 

Business was suspended from 1810 hours until 1830 hours.

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Chama South inquired about the constant power outages in the area. Basically, this is because Chama depends on power from Malawi and, obviously, this is something that is beyond our control.

 

This Government has however engaged a Chinese contractor to work on a transmission line from Chipata to Chama, through Lundazi. The purpose of the transmission line is to manage the power outages that the residents of Chama have been experiencing. I would like to assure my colleague and the people of Chama that the Government is aware of the challenge that they are going through and this is why we are doing the Chipata/Chama transmission line via Lundazi.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr A. Mumba (Kantanshi): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the Ministerial Statement. In fact, I would like to thank the Government, at large, for the various decisions that have been made to reduce our power deficit from about 500KW to 75KW.

 

Sir, I am aware that the Government has continued to come up with various strategies to grow the energy sector. Can the hon. Minister share with us what strategies the Government has put in place for the excess power that we will have as a country very soon? What will happen to this power?

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, this is a very brilliant question.

 

The Government is investing in inter-connectors. For example, there is one strategic project that Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya have embarked on. The reason for the Zambia/Tanzania/Kenya inter-connector is to allow countries in the Southern African power pool to trade power with the Eastern African power pool and vice-versa.

 

Mr Speaker, this inter-connector has so far been done from Pensulo to Kasama. All that remains is the distance from Kasama to Nakonde. The hon. Minister of Finance is busy mobilising resources to ensure that we kick start the project. Equally, our colleagues in Kenya and Tanzania are also making huge efforts with the project. The other inter-connector is with Zimbabwe and into South Africa. This will allow us to trade power with Eskom, a South African electricity public utility.

 

The other inter-connector is the one I mentioned earlier. The Chipata/Chama via Lundazi inter-connector will connect in Malawi and allow us to trade power with Malawi. The other inter-connector will be from Pensulo into Mansa and then Congo. This will also allow the evacuation of power into Congo. These are some of the strategies that we have to ensure that we export excess power to neighbouring countries. This investment in power generation will give us excess power which we will be to export in the next few years.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Chibanda (Mufulira): Mr Speaker, I would like to commend the hon. Minister for his eloquent presentation to the House. My question is based on the Ministerial Statement that he gave prior to this one, concerning contractual obligations that the country has with the mines, who are the bulk consumers of power. Where are we, as a nation, in terms of these contractual obligations vis-à-vis the amount you said the mines would be paying?

 

Mr Speaker: Your question is not premised on this statement but on the one before it?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: Would you like to clarify? I am giving you the Floor.

 

Dr Chibanda: Mr Speaker, my question is actually based on the figures that mining companies will be paying for power consumption, which figures the hon. Minister has brought to the House.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, you may respond.

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, we have had legacy issues with the mines as a result of their privatisation. The Government wanted to attract investment and we gave concessions, such as bulk power supply agreements, which have been on the cards for far too long. 

 

Sir, two Bills will be brought to the House to repeal the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) and Electricity Acts. These Acts will be amended to ensure that we provide powers to the ERB to manage the power supply agreements and the bulk supply agreements. Once these legislative reforms are done, we will, as Government, have the powers to manage the bulk supply agreements. Notwithstanding this, we engaged the mines on a win-win situation so that they can agree with our proposals in terms of the tariff adjustment. So far, we have recorded progress with them.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Kalobo (Wusakile): Mr Speaker, allow me to commend the hon. Minister for reviewing the power supply agreement that the Government has with mining companies, who are the bulk consumers. However, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when the Government will review the power supply agreement with independent power producers.

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, what is key with independent power producers is tariff. We buy power from Mamba and Itezhi-tezhi at almost 10.20 ¢ per KW/h. This is the principle figure that I can mention for the sake of the public and the august House. So, we buy power from independent producers at 10.20 ¢ per KW/h and sell at 6.6 ¢ per KW/h, and obviously, there is a huge burden on the Treasury because of this subsidisation.

 

This is why we said that we will begin a gradual process of adjusting these power tariffs. We need to allow the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) to have sufficient resources so that the extension into Mwinilunga, Kabompo, Chavuma and Zambezi in the North-Western Province, which Hon. Lubinda talked about, can become a reality. This goes for the Sikongo project that we are doing as well, more especially since we have built a secondary school there and it needs power. ZESCO, however, can only continue to invest in this project if it has additional income for its capital investments.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

 

Mrs Fundanga rose.

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear! Ema aunt aya!

 

Laughter

 

Mrs Fundanga (Chilubi): Mr Speaker, I really appreciate that the hon. Minister has looked at the tariffs because in most countries, electricity is a luxury. It is only in this country, where we use electricity for domestic use, but most countries, do not. For instance, countries in West Africa, North Africa and most parts of East Africa do not use electricity for domestic use. We should, therefore, try not to politicise the new tariffs.

 

Mrs Katuta: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Fundanga: Sir, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when they will start sensitising the public like it was suggested by one of our hon. Ministers. We should sensitise the public as well to enable them realise the use of gas. The ministry should also be looking at promoting gas as an alternative use for domestic use because that is what most people all over the world use.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, like I said, we first of wanted to comply with Section 8. The fact that the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) has made that announcement, any time soon, and before the explanation of the thirty days notice, the public sensitisation will run concurrently because we want ZESCO to go into our townships such as Mtendere or Kalingalinga and tell the people that despite the tariff adjustment, the Government has taken care of the low income groups by adjusting the band from 100 units to 300 units at 15n.

 

Mr Speaker, furthermore, ZESCO will take advantage of the same sensitisation programme to tell the people about alternative energy sources like gas. We have Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Indeni, but because of the myth in this country, where people think that gas is dangerous, they do not want to use it. So, it is our responsibility as Ministry of Energy to start changing the mind set of our people to stop relying on ZESCO because it costs money. So, the only way we can do it is to educate our people on the alternative sources of energy, which is available in this country. It is also used in other many other parts of the world and has been accepted by people as cheap source of energy.

 

It is cheaper to use gas compared to using charcoal. Now, because of the myth of the danger of gas, it is very difficult for many of our people to accept it. So, we will use a platform of this engagement with the public to sensitise them on other energy efficiency measures that they can implement at household level to ensure that their power bills are manageable.

 

 I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Ngulube rose.

 

Mr Musukwa: Iyo wabomba lelo, Mazhandu!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Ngulube: Mr Speaker, I am aware that most countries in Europe do not depend on water to generate their electricity. In most instances, they use renewable energy like solar and wind farms.

 

Sir, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what measures the Government is putting in place to ensure that we stop relying on the hydro power generation, which has actually proved to us that it is a reliability in terms of drought. For example, countries like China do not depend on any hydro power stations. I also know that other countries like the United Kingdom (UK) depend so much on renewable energy like solar and also wind farms. I would like to find out from him if there are any measures that the Government is putting in place to encourage investors in that sector so that the power deficit that he mentioned could be reduced.

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, just like Hon. Tutwa has mentioned, we too as Government recognises that depending on hydro power generation, where we  have 98 generation has been a danger to the growth of our economy and to industrialisation given the effects that we have had in the 2014/15 season. Like I said, it is because of that realisation that we are trying to diversify. We have a 600 mW scaling solar project, which is under implementation. We also have a key example of a 300 mW of Maamba coal. We are also still discussing with many companies that are interested to invest in Maamba in terms of the diversification programme. We are furthermore discussing with many companies that want to invest in wind farms.

 

Sir, in fact, we will be having a wind farm investigation programme in Pensulo, where we will be installing in the mast that will be reading the data. Once successful, it is going to be about 130 mW of wind project. So, we have started the diversification agenda on a gradual process. I am sure that is going to broaden our generation in the next few years. This is what we are going to be pursuing so that we are not affected.

 

Mr Speaker, one of the measures that is likely to come mandatory is that all the houses and shopping malls that are going to be constructed will come with solar installation and will be given a grace period once we issue necessary instruments because ZSCEO is a luxury. If they do not do that, they will not have power, but we give a migration plan before the end of this year.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Malanji (Kwacha): Mr Speaker, at the expense of monopoly, I would like to back up the question by the hon. Member for Mufulira, Hon. Chibanda.

 

Sir, if I could validate history in the House, we were told that in the legacy of the agreement, which were signed with the mines, there was a provision for force majeure. The only mitigating factor for the deficit of power is import. Considering the hon. Minister’s statement, he is saying the cost of service study will only start in April, 2017. Will that period be big enough to counter such a complex programme?

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the cost of service study that we will be implementing in April, 2017 is meant to give us an overall view of how much it costs to generate transmit and distribute power so that the information can form the basis of determining tariffs because at the moment, we do not seem to have a mechanism of setting the tariffs. In many cases, we have so many disagreements with the mines and other customers. So, we decided to come up with a methodology of how power tariffs are going to be set.

 

Sir, like I have said on many instances on the Floor of this House, BSA are concessions that were given to mining companies as part of attracting investment at the time the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mine (ZCCM) was being privatised. Therefore, force majeure has been provided with that. For example, if we had agreed to 700 mW of power company “X” because of the power deficit that we have had from 2014/15, ZESCO went and informed those mining companies that it was not possible for them to be given “X”- quantum power, which was provided in the BSA simply because of the unforeseen circumstances that we have had.

 

Mr Speaker, many mining companies have agreed because the power deficit we have is not something that was induced by ZESCO, but something that was uncontrollable. So, the BSA and the cost of service study are two different things. We are going to deal with the BSA with the review of the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) Act as well as the Electricity Act, which will then give the energy regulation Act a mandate, which they do not currently have to manage and review the BSA because at the moment, it is very difficult to do that.

 

Sir, one of the issues that have been cited is that they do not have the mandate to review the BSA. Once we review the registration, ERB is going to be given the statutory responsibility to review any agreements irrespective histories that were signed.

 

I thank you, Sir.                        

 

Mr Sampa (Kasama Central): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for a well elaborated statement. As a representative of the wonderful people of Kasama Central, I welcome the statement on low tariffs for the people with low incomes in Kasama. The hon. Minister brought up the issue of identification of sites on the Luapula River where feasibility studies can be undertaken regarding the development of new hydropower stations.  My concern is that feasibility studies take too long and usually cost huge sums of money. Is there a way we can avoid the huge expenses for feasibility studies?

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the issue of carrying out feasibility studies is provided for in our legislation. It is very difficult for the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to approve a project for an investor that wants to invest in the hydropower sector without doing a feasibility study or environmental and social impact assessment. Therefore, feasibility studies are a requirement before any such project is undertaken, although they are expensive.

 

Sir, even if the Government said that we are not interested in feasibility studies, it would be very difficult for people to invest in projects because financiers would be interested to know the bankability of a particular project. Financiers want to know if a project is going to have the necessary returns for the investor to pay back the loans. This is why these studies are a necessary requirement as part of any project implementation. Therefore, ZEMA cannot approve any proposal and neither would the financial institutions be willing to provide money without a feasibility study. The feasibility studies come at a cost, and that is what it is, but we just have to investigate going forward how best at minimal cost we should be able to do these feasibility studies.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Ng’ambi (Chifubu): Mr Speaker, I want to commend the hon. Minister for reducing the daily power deficit to 86 MW. I think this is because of the able leadership of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Ng’ambi: The hon. Minister has indicated in his statement that there is a component of ‘Zambianisation’ in the process of fuel transportation. First of all, what strategies have been put in place to build capacity in the Zambian transporters? Secondly, what is being done to ensure that Zambian transporters are not disadvantaged?

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, I have already said that regarding the procurement of petroleum products by the private sector, one of the Bills that will be coming to Parliament is the Procurement Management Bill that provides the governance structure of how this model is going to be implemented. As part of that Bill, we want to provide two things. The first is the recognition of Zambian citizen-owned oil marketing companies. The second is the recognition of citizen-owned transporters in the Republic of Zambia.

 

Mr Speaker, we have decided to do this because we want to provide penalties in this legislation. We also want to provide priorities in terms of our tendering process, especially when it comes to fuel. Contracts in this sector shall be given to citizen-owned companies. If a foreign-owned company has to be awarded a tender, it has to demonstrate partnership with a Zambian citizen-owned oil marketing company.

 

Sir, equally on the transportation side, once the Bill is approved, the following is the proposal. Anyone who wants to use foreign-based transporters will have to request for approval from the Ministry of Energy. Therefore, with all these safeguards, we are of the view that the ‘Zambianisation’ of the transportation of fuel products will become a reality once that legislation is approved by Parliament.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mulenga (Ndola Central): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for taking into consideration domestic users regarding the proposed tariff increments by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO). In his statement, the hon. Minister indicated that by September, 2017, electricity tariffs in the country will be cost reflective. By what percentage or amount will the Government save annually as a result of this measure?

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, that is a difficult question. However, let me just provide some context. What I said is that the domestic tariffs will be increased in two phases. The first phase will take effect on 1^st May, 2017. The other one starts in September, 2017. I did not say that this increment will provide electricity cost reflectivity. However, what I am saying is that it is a gradual process. The cost reflectivity will only be known once the cost of service study is concluded by December, 2017.

 

Mr Speaker, in terms of the amount that we will save, I can only look at the importation because that is where I feel we should be able to measure. We were importing almost 400 MW of power and it used to cost this country US$40 million per month. We are now only importing 75 MW. So, it is quite a good measure going forward in terms of the importation bill coming down from US$40 million to around US$15 million or less.

 

Sir, it is expected that the additional revenue that the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) will be making as a result of the planned increment in tariffs would really support the corporation in doing a number of projects it has not been able to do for many because our concentration was on the importation of power and subsidisation programme.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order, on the far right! There are very animated conversations there.

 

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN ZAMBIA

 

The Minister of Gender (Ms Kalima): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me this rare opportunity to deliver a ministerial statement on the situation of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Zambia. GBV is a violation of basic human rights and freedom to which all humans are entitled regardless of their gender. The right to life, freedom of thought and expression and equality before the law are compromised by acts of GBV. GBV takes the form of physical, mental, social or economic abuse against a person because of that person’s gender and includes violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to the person, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.

 

Mr Speaker, I note with sadness that cases of GBV have continued to rise, in some cases resulting in loss of lives and if one survived, they are left with lifelong mental disorder, stigma and physical disabilities. A recently released annual survey by the Victim Support Unit (VSU) of the Zambia Police Service revealed that in 2016, the country recorded 18,540 cases as compared to 18,088 cases recorded in the previous year of 2015, showing an increase of 452 cases of GBV. These statistics imply that barely a day passes without the Zambian communities witnessing about fifty cases of GBV.

 

Mr Speaker, the report further indicated that cases of assault occasioning actual bodily harm stood at 6,769. Defilement cases were at 2,363 and cases of neglecting to provide accounted for 1,530. These offences were top on the list of commonly committed cases of GBV in 2016. Other commonly reported GBV cases included; rape, assault on a child, indecent assault, murder, incest, sexual harassment, child desertion, use of insulting language and unlawful wounding.

 

Sir, there are indications that these figures are only a fraction of what is actually obtaining on the ground, especially in rural areas where most cases go unreported. This is a very sad situation which needs concerted efforts to deal with.

 

Mr Speaker, the root causes of GBV can largely be narrowed down to gender inequality for women and associated violence and harmful and controlling aspects of masculinity as a result of patriarchal power imbalances imbedded in much of our traditional and cultural beliefs. This imbalance, it is argued, has led to pervasive cultural stereotypes and attitudes that perpetuate the cycle of GBV. Communities, especially in the rural areas, have continued to embrace negative cultural beliefs, where GBV is a norm such that if a man does not beat his wife, it means he does not love her.

 

Hon. Government Members: GBM!

 

Ms Kalima: Also, some beliefs condone men’s infidelity as compared to female infidelity leading to increased domestic violence and health complications.

 

Sir, the dependency syndrome, where most of the female victims or survivors depend on the perpetrators of violence against them for survival put them in much more vulnerable situations as compared to their male counterparts. I do not want to rule out the fact that most of the members of the community in particular the women are now aware of the various forms of GBV and are able to take steps to report such cases unlike before. In the past, most cases of GBV were considered as family or private issues and went unreported. As a ministry, we will leave this for further interrogation by researchers and academicians to empirically ascertain whether this could be the major factor contributing to the rising cases of GBV.

 

Mr Speaker, GBV is a hindrance to the attainment of gender equality as well as realisation of social and economic goals of this country as it erodes confidence of the survivors to participate in development efforts. In this regard, my ministry has been coordinating the implementation of the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) and the United Nations (UN) joint programme on GBV. This programme has a multi-sectoral approach and involves enhancing access to health services, legal services and social protection systems for survivors of GBV. Under this programme, two fast-track courts in Kabwe and Lusaka have been established to ensure that there is speedy disposal of GBV cases. In addition, village-led One Stop Centres have been established in Nyamphande, Sandwe, Mumbi, Kalindawalo, Nyanje and Mwanjabanthu Chiefdoms. Four more village-led One Stop Centres have been established in Nalolo, Mulobezi, Chongwe and Kapiri Mposhi Districts. The village-led One Stop Centre is a concept where community members are trained to handle GBV cases and refer those they cannot handle to the police. The centres provide health services, legal advice and social protection services under one roof.

 

Sir, child marriage is another form of GBV and a human right violation that robs girls of their right to health, live a secure life and choose when and who to marry. It is a harmful practice which severely affects the rights of a child and further deprives a child a chance of attaining other aspirations of life such as education. The 2013/2014 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) found that child marriage was more common among girls than boys. Seventeen per cent of girls aged fifteen to nineteen are married compared to only 1 per cent of boys of the same age group. Further, 42 per cent of women aged twenty to forty-nine reported having married before age eighteen compared to only 4.2 per cent of men. However, the practice seems to be on the decline as older generations are more likely to report a younger age of first marriage at 13.2 per cent of women aged forty-five to forty-nine getting married before the age of fifteen compared to 5.9 per cent of women aged twenty to twenty-four. My ministry is consolidating the efforts already made that are yielding the desired results in reducing child marriage in Zambia. In this vein, my ministry is coordinating the implementation of the national strategy on ending child marriage in the consortium of eleven ministries that are bringing on board various expertise to prevent the vice and provide support services to victims of child marriage. The implementation of the strategy is aimed at accelerating national efforts to end child marriage by 2030 by providing an operational framework to achieve this target. Some of the specific interventions that the ministries in the consortium will implement include; awareness raising and ending child marriage, facilitating the review of policy and legal framework related to children and marriage, building capacities of stakeholders at all levels, mobilising funds and facilitating service delivery related to addressing the vulnerability and consequences of child marriage.

 

Mr Speaker, allow me to inform the nation that my ministry is committed to creating an enabling environment in which civil society organisations, faith based organisation, private sector and individuals can work and thrive and hence, contribute to the reduction of GBV cases and incidences of child marriage to make the lives of our people worth living. I therefore, wish to encourage our partners who are already working with us on GBV campaigns and child marriage not to relent for the sake of that Zambian girl child in Sikongo, Chienge, Chadiza, Dundumwezi, Kaputa, Chibombo, Muyombe, Chavuma, Lufwanyama, Mandevu or indeed, Lusaka. In the same vein, I want to take advantage of this platform to appeal to would be partners to join us in this effort to eliminate GBV and child marriage for a better tomorrow for Mother Zambia.

 

Sir, as I conclude, I would like to draw the attention of the House to the Anti-Gender-Based-Violence Act No. 1 of 2011 which interprets sexual harassment as:

 

“Engaging in a pattern or conduct that induces in a person the fear of imminent harm or feeling of annoyance and aggravation including:

 

(a)     sexual contact without the consent of the person with whom the contact is made and making unwanted sexual advances;

 

(b)     following, pursuing or accosting a person or making persistent, unwelcome communication with a person and includes:

 

(i)      watching, loitering outside or near a building where the harassed person resides, works, carries on business, studies or happens to be;

 

(ii)     repeatedly making phone calls or using a third party to make phone calls to the harassed person, whether or not conversation ensues;

 

(iii)    repeatedly sending, delivering or causing the delivery of offensive or abusive letters, telegrams, packages, facsimiles, electronic mail or other offensive objects or messages to the harassed person; or 

 

(iv)    engaging in any other menacing behaviour.

 

Sir, I wish to take this opportunity to urge hon. Members of this House to familiarise themselves with the contents of this piece of legislation and sensitise their constituents on the provisions of this important Act and lead by example, as hon. Members of Parliament. As Government, we shall continue to review and amend relevant legislation in order to make it responsive to the needs of our people.

 

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 statement given by the hon. Minister of Gender.

 

Mr Munkonge: Mr Speaker, I have an issue Gender Based Violence (GBV). Perhaps for the sake of clarity as the expression has been used so often, I am against any form of GBV.

 

Mr Nyirenda: Mwalileka?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Munkonge: My question comes from the fact that data collection or recording of GBV is skewed towards women reporting the offence. This comes to light because often, the concept of verbal abuse is not understood by the implementing authority which is the Police. So, if a husband goes to complain that he has been verbally abused, it will not be understood. However, when he goes back as a husband who reacts physically to the verbal abuse, then that is reported and recorded. Hence skewing the data towards gender based violence against women. What is the Government doing to sensitise and encourage men that they too can report other forms of abuse which may include verbal abuse, not being fed, or not being allowed into one’s own home …

 

Laughter

 

Mr Munkonge: … and other forms of gender based abuse?

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Munkonge: Sensitising the men of their rights and sensitising the enforcing bodies is cardinal. By ignoring some of these aspects that is what leads to the physical side which is the most popular news making item. What is the hon. Minister doing to sensitise men of their rights when they are abused in that form?

 

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, firstly, I would like to say that gender based violence in whatever form is considered as GBV whether it is done to a man or a woman. As a ministry, we have various programmes that we are engaged in to sensitise both men and women especially more of the men. In going forward, we have realised that it is cardinal that we work with the men since they are the role models and usually are the perpetrators of this vice. So, we have various programmes where we are involving men.

 

The hon. Member may wish to know that we are starting with the men from a tender age. We have a programme called Boys to Men Programme, where we are sensitising boys from the age of ten just to ensure that they grow up respecting women. Also to sensitise them on the different abuses they will be able to come across including the ones that the hon. Member has mentioned. At the time they get married, they would come across verbal abuse from the women. Yet realising that we, women talk as it is part of us to talk and …

 

Laughter

 

Ms Kalima: … sensitise them that they should discuss in their home that GBV which also include verbal abuse. So, we are doing that but more to the women to sensitise them that when they talk in the way that they do, it could be considered as gender based violence.

 

Also, we are sensitising the men that they should come out to report any forms of gender based violence and we are glad that of late we have seen a lot of men coming out to report when they are abused by their wives. Before, it used to be considered to be a form of weakness but now we are encouraging them to come out and report.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, the issue of Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) is a double edged sword problem. I would like to know what sort of measure her ministry is putting in place, in as much as we know that women are vulnerable when it comes to SGBV, but there are some women that are fond of putting on seductive clothing …

 

Mr Sikazwe: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sampa: … to lure the men and when they fail to achieve what they want to do, they later on report to law enforcement agencies that they would have been abused. Now, what is the ministry doing in order to sensitise and conscioustise the law enforcement agencies? This is because not all of these cases that are reported are true.

 

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, aah …

 

Laughter

 

Ms Kalima: … Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) yes, is a double edged sword because it is from both sides just as the hon. Member has put it, although I would want to state that mostly it is perpetrated by men …

 

Hon. Male Members: Aah!

 

Hon. Female Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kalima: … I do not think that when somebody is wearing a mini skirt without any words there would be any exchange.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Kalima: Usually, it would take a man to approach the woman. I do not think there is anything wrong with just looking.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Kalima: Anybody can wear anything but the problem comes in when the men want to approach the women then the problem comes in.

 

Interruptions

 

Ms Kalima: I just want to add that we are working with other eleven ministries and one of those eleven ministries is the Ministry of Home Affairs.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Ms Kalima: We have involved the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Police in sensitisation programmes in various trainings. So, when a case of Gender Based Violence (GBV) is reported, there is a lot of investigation that is done. No action will be taken until there is proof that indeed, there was abuse or gender based violence occurred. So we are not working on our own but also with the Ministry of Home Affairs who are very experienced in handling these cases.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, I listened attentively to the hon. Minister’s statement and she indicated that there were two fast-tracks courts that are in operation in Kabwe, Central Province. However, I just wanted to find out whether this number is sufficient knowing very well that Zambia is a large country and it would need more of these courts in order to ensure that these Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases and many others dealt with promptly.

 

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, thank you, for that question Hon. Ng’onga. I just want to state that we are aware that the two fast-track courts are not sufficient. Initially, this was just a pilot project to see how it would work and it is working very well.

 

Mr Speaker, let me give a background to why this was done. This was done to ensure that the process of handling cases was sped up. We used to have a lot of cases withdrawn when they go to court because of the period and process that it used to take. The introduction of the two courts in Lusaka and Kabwe was just a pilot to see how it would work. We are working with cooperating partners on how to roll this out to other areas because we realised that gender based violence does not just occur in Kabwe and Lusaka. We are working on how best to spread this to other areas.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mwamba (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, I have seen a lot of activities going on in areas along the line of rail to sensitise people on matters relating to gender based violence. What method is being used to reach out to people in the villages like those in Lubansenshi Constituency? I have never seen such activities take place in my constituency.

 

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, it is a pity that the hon. Member has not seen anything in his constituency. The Ministry of Gender has been working with traditional leaders as well as the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs in all 288 chiefdoms. We have been sensitising traditional leaders so that this information can be passed on at community level. Apart from the sensitisation of all 288 chiefs, we will also be coming up with sensitisation programmes for headmen as they are custodians at community level. We want to work with headmen to ensure that no one is left out at community level.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Ms Mwape: Mr Speaker, my question has been overtaken by events.

 

__________

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

ELECTRIFICATION OF NANGOMA CONSTITUENCY BY REA

 

224   Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Energy when the electrification of Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency by the Rural Electrification Authority would be implemented.

 

The Minister of Energy (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, according to the Rural Electrification Master Plan (REMP), it is estimated that the Nangoma Constituency will be electrified by 2019.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, in previous sittings we were told that Nangoma would be electrified between 2015 and 2016. Why is the Government changing the schedules?

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, implementation plans have been changing due to Budget limitations. However, the REMP is quite clear on the time-frame when a particular constituency is supposed to be electrified. Insufficient funds are what have caused the delay.

 

Sir, we are committed to ensuring that the people of Nangoma are connected to the national grid.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

CHISEKESI/CHIPEPO ROAD TARRING

 

225   Ms Chisangano (Gwembe) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:

 

1. when the tarring of the Chisekesi-Chipepo road in Southern Province would commence; and

 

1. what had caused the delay in commencing the project.

 

The Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development (Mr Chitotela): Mr Speaker, the upgrading of the Chisekesi/Chipepo Road in the Southern Province was not included in the 2017 Road Sector Annual Work Plan (RSAWP) due to Budget ceilings. The Government, through the Road Development Agency (RDA) has, however, already completed the detailed engineering designs for the section from Chisekesi to Munyumbwe. Works will commence once funding is made available.

 

Sir, the delay in commencing the works is as a result of lack of funding.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

CREATION OF DISTRICT IN CHIEF MUNUNGA’S AREA

 

226   Ms Katuta (Chienge) asked the Vice-President:

1. whether the Government had any plans to create a district in Chief Mununga’s area in Luapula Province;

 

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

 

1. if there were no such plans, why.

 

The Minister in the Office of the Vice-President (Ms Chalikosa): Mr Speaker, the criteria for transforming an area into a new district is set out under the Local Government Act No. 281 and the Provincial and District Boundaries Act Cap.286 of the Laws of Zambia. However, the prerogative for declaring an area a district lies with the President. Therefore, it is not possible to state when Chief Mununga’s area in Luapula Province will be transformed into a district.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Ms Katuta: Mr Speaker, both the late President Michael Sata and the current President, His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, promised Senior Chief Mununga that they would declare Mununga Chiefdom a district. Can the hon. Minister elaborate on this?

 

Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, as I stated, it is the prerogative of the President to declare districts. It is an issue that will be considered at an appropriate time.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGE ON KAFUE RIVER TO CONNECT KANG’WENA TO LUAMFULA IN SOLWEZI EAST CONSTITUENCY

 

228. Mr Kintu (Solwezi East) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:

1. whether the Government had any plans to construct a bridge on the Kafue River to connect Kang’wena to Luamfula in Solwezi East Parliamentary Constituency;

 

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

 

1. if there were no such plans, why.

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, the Government of the Republic of Zambia has plans to construct a bridge across the Kafue River connecting Kang’wena to Luamfula. However, the construction of this bridge was not included in the 2017 Road Sector Annual Work Plan due to budget ceilings. The project will be implemented once funds are secured.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

GOVERNMENT DAY AND BOARDING SECONDARY SCHOOL FEES

 

229. Mr Hamusonde asked the Minister of General Education:

1. what the stipulated fees for the following categories of Government schools were;

 

1. Day secondary; and

 

1. Boarding secondary; and

 

1. what criteria were used to arrive at the fees.

The Minister of General Education (Dr Wanchinga): Mr Speaker, the fixing of the range of fees which the pupils pay in day secondary schools is guided by the principle of the needs of the school and its locality. The ministry has since instructed that pupils in day secondary schools should pay between K250 to K500 per term.

 

Mr Speaker, in boarding secondary schools, depending on the needs of the school and the kind of diet the school boards or Parents Teacher Association (PTA) may wish to provide to their pupils, the ministry has instructed that pupils should pay between K700 and K1,000 per term. The criteria used in arriving at this was guided by the idea of not making public education prohibitive to the bulk of the Zambian people. These ranges of fees were arrived at after a lot of consultations with key stakeholders and also, riding on the tenets of the pro-poor approach and principle that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government stands for.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, there are parents who fail to pay school fees for their children. Is the ministry considering helping such parents so that their children can go to school?

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, indeed, the Government has bursaries for the needy in schools. This is a programme which has been running for a very long time. This programme may not benefit every child but it was put in place to help the needy.  Sometimes, schools do make arrangements with the parents to pay in kind. Parents may be asked to bring some produce which can be sold in order to raise money. There are mechanisms, as an internal arrangement within the school, which are worked out between parents and the school administration to help those children who are in need.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, the United Party for National Development (UPND) manifesto states that education will be free. Can the Patriotic Front (PF) comment on this.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, that kind of rhetoric can only come from somebody who has never been in the Government.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, certainly, education is free up to Grade 7. If the Government had to provide free education all the way through, it would be very difficult to attend to other national needs.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

COMMUNICATION TOWER CONSTRUCTION IN CHAMA SOUTH

 

230. Mr Mung’andu (Chama South) asked the Minister of Transport and Communication:

 

1. when the Government would facilitate the construction of communication towers in the following areas in Chama South Parliamentary Constituency;

 

1. Pondo;

 

1. Chimphamba;

 

1. Kapichila Senga;

 

1. Mapamba; and

 

1. Manga; and

 

1. when the towers at the following Chiefs’ palaces would be repaired;

 

1. Chief Chikwa;

 

1. Chief Chifunda; and

 

1. Chief Tembwe.

 

The Minister of Transport and Communication (Mr Mushimba): Mr Speaker, the Government, through the Ministry of Transport and Communication in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance will facilitate the construction of towers in Phase 2 in Chama South Constituency. This phase is targeting and unserved and underserved areas of the country. The Ministry of Finance is in the process of securing resources for the communication towers under the Phase 2 project implementation and has engaged the Government of the Republic of China through the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of China to finance the project. The project implementation is said to begin once the financing agreements are finalised. We are hoping that this will coincide with the end of the rainy season as well. The communication towers in Chama South under Phase 2 are earmarked for the following areas:

1. Mapamba;

 

1. Kasela;

 

1. Chifunda;

 

1. Kamilala; and

 

1. Magwere.

Mr Speaker, the communication sites in question are currently functional. The site at Chief Chikwa’s palace had experienced some technical challenges in the third quarter of last year due to increased voice traffic. This has been rectified and that tower is currently working. At Chief Tembwe and Chief Chifunda’s communication towers, those sites underwent maintenance and also functional. However, I would like to state that part of the challenges we face with the towers that we have put up are vandalism and theft. In my ministerial statement on this subject, I appealed to the members of the public as well as the hon. Members of this honourable House to take interest in making sure that such blatant damages and thefts should be stopped because they are costing the Government a lot of money.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the update. It is clear that the people of Chama South will, for the first time, be able to communicate with their relatives, not only within Zambia, but outside.

 

Sir, is the hon. Minister aware that as I speak, the tower which is at Chief Tembwe’s Palace is actually none functional and that with the towers at Chief Chikwa and Chief Chifunda’s Palace, people are only able to communicate between 2200 and 0300 hours?

 

Mr E. Mulenga: Yabuloshi iyo tower.

 

Mr Mung’andu: If one cannot wait up to around that time, they cannot communicate.

 

Mr Mushimba: Mr Speaker, obviously, the response we have provided was based on what was submitted at the end of the year and at that time, the tower at Chief Chikwa’s Palace had experienced heavy voice traffic which caused the challenges that were experienced then as a result of limited band width. We sent technicians to do some repair works on the tower and the report at the end of last year was that the tower was working perfectly.

 

Sir, the towers at Chiefs Tembwe and Chifunda’s palaces were vandalised and, as I mentioned, maintenance and repairs were carried out. If they are not working today as the hon. Member has reported, this is new information that I will take in and investigate why they have gone off site again.

 

Mr Speaker, the waking up at 0300 hours to make a call at Chief Chikwa’s Palace speaks to limited bandwidth. The design of that tower could process up to a certain number of calls and, obviously, is processing more than its designed capacity and the reason why we are rolling out Phase II to address the increase in the volume to provide more infrastructure for the people of Chama South.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Mr Speaker, would I be right to go and assure the people of Kamilala, where we have Chama South Boarding School, that this time around they will have a tower and the pupils will be able to access internet?

 

Mr Mushimba: Mr Speaker, I am looking through the towers that we are putting up in Chama South and I want to confirm that I have seen Kamilala. It is the fourth site in Chama South. Therefore, the hon. Member can go and tell the people of Chama South that there is a tower earmarked for that site which is bigger than the first one that we did in Phase I. It is more powerful and with stronger signal strength. So, the challenges of communication that they are currently facing will be addressed once we put this tower in Phase II.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: Including internet connectivity?

 

Mr Mushimba: Mr Speaker, I thank you for that clarification.

 

Mr Ngulube: And whatsapp?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mushimba: Once we provide the network that we need in the area and the bundles, they will have the internet they desire so they can whatsapp each other and the city.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

MOBILE PHONE NETWORK EXTENSION TO ALL PARTS OF ZAMBIA

 

231. Mr Hamusonde asked the Minister of Transport and Communication when mobile phone network coverage will be extended to all parts of Zambia.

 

Mr Mushimba: Mr Speaker, this Government recognises the need to extend communication to all parts of Zambia for the universal inclusion that we have been talking about and launched Phase I of communication towers which was undertaken by the Zambia Information Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA). The project installed a total of 204 communications towers and increased network coverage to 88 per cent.

 

Sir, under Phase II, which we are about to start, we will do a total of 469 brand new towers and also upgrade over 800 communications towers for a total of 1009 towers that we are going to handle in Phase II and will increase network coverage to 92 per cent. For the remaining 8 per cent, we are going to fall back on the universal access fund which is managed through ZICTA where fees are collected from mobile network operators.

 

Mr Speaker, using the universal access, about US$7.5 million in fees is collected per year. About 2.5 million of this is used for maintenance of the infrastructure which leaves about US$5 million. The cost of each tower that we are putting up is about US$250,000. So, based on that, in the next three to four years after we finish phase two, we should be able to close the gap nationally and have 100 per cent coverage.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, network problem is not only in rural areas.

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Hamusonde: The problem exists even in town. For example, we have network problems 50 km away from the city. What is the problem? What are the real challenges? Last time, ZICTA came here and submitted some papers, but are nowhere to be seen to date.

 

Mr Mushimba: Mr Speaker, like said, the challenges are the limitation in the infrastructure that we put out there. A tower is designed for a certain coverage, band width and radius of coverage. If you fall outside the coverage and there is no other tower picking up the signal, then you have a gap in communication. ZICTA, an institution under my ministry, is continuously mapping the country to see these dead sports so that it can move in and, either increase the signal strength or introduce another tower. This is a continuous process until we have very good coverage in the country, which is the commitment from this Government.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mwamba (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, last year, the hon. Minister brought a list to this house and gave it to hon. Members of Parliament to check ...

 

Mr Chilangwa: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, as you, the House and the country know very well, I rarely rise on points of order...

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chilangwa: ... unless it is important and paramount that I must rise.

 

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, you have guided this House on a number of occasions that points of order must be as provided under the Standing Orders and all the other statutes. Without belabouring on how all these points of order must be raised, I want to go to the point at hand.

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Sir.

 

Mr Chilangwa: Cap 12, is here for your information Mr Dundumwezi. In Clause 20, it reads:

 

“where at any time any question arises in the House or in a Committee, regarding –

 

1. the right or power of the Assembly or Committee to hear, admit or receive oral evidence; or

 

1. the right or proper of the assembly or Committee to peruse or examine any paper or book, record or document or to summon, direct or call upon any person to produce any paper, book, record or document before the Assembly or committee;”

 

Mr Speaker, we go further to Clause 28 (4), under the Disciplinary Powers of the Assembly. The law states that:

 

“If any person not being a member commits contempt, whether specified in section nineteen or otherwise, the Assembly may, by resolution, direct that the Speaker shall order such person to appear before the Assembly and that he shall, upon such attendance, reprimand him at the Bar of the Assembly.”

 

 

In Clause 28(5) it goes further to say:

 

“the Speaker, may refer a case of breach of privilege or contempt of the Assembly to the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services to examine the case and make appropriate recommendations to the Assembly.

 

Mr Speaker, in Clause 28 (6) the law further states:

 

“whether the alleged breach of privilege or contempt of the Assembly is committed by Members of the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services the Speaker, shall appoint a Select Committee to examine the matter and report according to the Assembly”.

 

Mr Speaker, on the 1830 hours news on Muvi TV, as we seat here and belabour the issues of the House and the nation, one Hakainde Hichilema…

 

Mr Mulunda: Question!

 

Mr Chilangwa: … has send and I quote,

 

Ms Kapata: Ni ngwele uyo.

 

Mr Chilangwa: … “I want to tell you cadre Matibini that you cannot discipline me. You can abuse those you have control over and not me”.

 

Mr Lubinda: Ah!

 

Hon. PF Members: Aya sani uyo.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, are we in order to sit here and let on HH…

 

Ms Kalima: Hakainde Hichilema.

 

Mr Chilangwa: … an accomplished failure…

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chilangwa: … continue pouring contempt on your seat, this Assembly and the Zambians in that manner? Mr Speaker, I seek your very serious ruling.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Hon. PF Members: Ngwele, ngwele!

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

As you have indicated, we have been seated doing business. We do not know what is transpiring out there. So, obviously, we will check the assertions you have made and thereafter, I will indicate to the House what the position of the Speaker is on these assertions or aspersions. In short, my ruling is reserved for those reasons.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: We had come to the end of this session …

 

Mr Mwamba: No, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker:… and I was on the verge of …

 

Mr Speaker: Sorry, the hon. Member for Lubansenshi was on the Floor.

 

Mr Mwamba: Mr Speaker, I was just trying to remind the hon. Minister that last year, in September or October, we requested us a list showing how towers would be constructed in each constituency. The list was provided to us and some us indicated that we needed some more towers for they had given as a provision to ask for more if there was need. We indicated that in my constituency we needed three as additional towers to the four that are there. When the hon. Minister brought out his list we discovered that there were no additions. May the hon. Minister clarify on what happened? Would there be additional towers provide as asked for by the people of Lubansenshi at that time.

 

Mr Mushimba: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that question. When I spoke about the communication towers in my ministerial Statement, I touched on that subject that when we provided the information on phase two and how many towers we were going to put out, a lot of hon. Members brought feed back that there were areas that were still not covered based on the survey that did. I answered then that this was a continuous process. We developed scope for phase two which we have priced out and are about to start. Those areas that are not covered but you feel they should, we ask that you provide that feedback to us. We will put our technicians into the ground to verify the information as we seek for further funding to address the new areas.

 

Mr Speaker, I just mentioned that once we finish phase two, we are going to have 92 per cent coverage across the country in terms of network. So, the 8 per cent that is left speaks into some of those sites. As we get this information from you hon. Members and we send out teams into the field we will make sure that 8 per cent is closed using the universal access funds that we collect through Zambia Information Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA).

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

_________________

 

BILLS

 

HOUSE IN COMMITTEE

 

[THE CHARPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the

Chair]

 

THE BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES BILL, 2017

 

Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 2 (Interpretation)

 

The Minister of Finance (Mr Mutati): Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in clause 2, on page 20, in line 2:

 

1. by the deletion of the words “in excess”; and

 

1. by the insertion of the words “or more” immediately after the word “percent”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause further amended accordingly.

 

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

 

Clause 3, 4, 5, 6,

 

7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 12 – (Authorised activities of banks)

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 12, on page 24, in lines 27 to 29, by the deletion of paragraph (i) and the substitution therefor of the following:

 

1. deal as a principal or agent for its customers in financial derivatives; and

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 12, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 25 – (Limit on voting control)

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 25, on page 29, in lines 27 to 31, by the deletion of paragraph (b) and the substitution therefor of the following:

 

(b)        enter into any voting arrangement or other agreement that would enable that person or another person to control more than twenty-five per cent of the total votes that could be cast at a meeting of the financial service provider.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 25, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61,

 

62, 63, 64, 65 and 66 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 67 - (Significantly under-capitalised financial provider)

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 67 on page 54 in lines 18 to 19 by the deletion of the subsection (4).

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 67 as emended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 167, 168, 169, 170 and 171 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Title agreed to.

 

_____

 

 

HOUSE RESUMED

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

The Following Bill was reported to the House as having passed through Committee with amendments:

 

The Banking and Financial Services Bill, 2017

 

REPORT STAGE

THE BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES BILL, 2017

CLAUSE 4 – (Relationship with other Acts)

Mr Mutati: Mr Speaker, I beg to move a further amendment in Clause 4, on page 21

1. in line 12 by the insertion of the figure (1) between “4” and “where”; and

 

1. after line 14 by the insertion of the following new subclause:

(2)        Despite subsection (1), where there is an inconsistency

Act No. 41      between this Act and the Securities Act, 2016 in relation to the

of 2016                        the regulation of securities, the Securities Act, 2016 shall prevail

Act No. 41      to the extent of the inconsistency.

of 2016

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause further amended accordingly.

 

Clause 4, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 70 – (Notice of taking possession)

 

Mr Mutati: Mr Speaker, I beg to move a further amendment in Clause 70, on page 54, in lines 32 and 33 by the deletion of the words “in accordance with section 67 (1)(f)”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause further amended accordingly.

 

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

 

CLAUSE 71 – (Power and duties of Bank on taking possession)

 

Mr Mutati: Mr Speaker, I beg to move a further amendment in Clause 71, on page 55, in line 2 by the deletion of the words “in accordance with section 67 (1)9f)”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause further amended accordingly.

 

Clause 71, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 112 – (Prohibition of anti-competitive practice)

 

Mr Mutati: Mr Speaker, I beg to move a further amendment in Clause 112, on page 71, in lines 26 to 27 by the deletion of the words “ unsafe and unsound practices or”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause further amended accordingly.

 

Clause 112, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Report adopted.

 

Third Reading, today.

 

THIRD READING

 

The following Bills were read the third time and passed:

 

The Banking and Financial Services Bill, 2017

 

The Standards Bill, 2017

 

The National Technical Regulation Bill, 2017

 

The Metrology Bill, 2017

 

_____

 

MOTION

 

ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE

 

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

 

Question put and agreed to.

____

 

The House adjourned accordingly at 2037 hours on Tuesday, 28^th March, sine die.