Friday, 7^th July, 2017

 

The House met at 0900 hours

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

______

 

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): (The mic did not come on) Madam Speaker, I am sorry we have to fight with technology.

 

Laughter

 

The Vice-President: I rise to give the House some idea of the Business it will consider next week. On Tuesday, 11^th July, 2017, the Business of the House will begin with Questions for Oral Answer, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of the Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider a Motion entitled Declaration of Threatened State of Public Emergency. The House will then debate the Motions to adopt the Reports of the Public Accounts Committee as follows:

 

(a)        Report of the Auditor-General on the Accounts of the Republic for the Financial Year Ended 31^st December, 2015;

 

(b)        Report of the Auditor-General on the Accounts of Parastatal Bodies and other Statutory Institutions for the Financial Year Ended 31^st December, 2015.

 

Madam Speaker, on Wednesday, 12^th July, 2017, the Business of the House will start with Questions for Oral Answer, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of the Government Bills, if there will be any. Then the House will consider Private Members Motions, if there will be any. After that, the House will debate the Motions to adopt the reports of the following Committees:

 

(a)        Local Governance, Housing and Chief’s Affairs on the Report of the Auditor General on the Review of the Operations of Local Authorities for Financial Years Ended 31^st December, 2013, 2014 and 2015;

 

(b)        Public Accounts Committee on the Report of the Auditor-General on the Road Projects under the Road Development Agency for the Period January, 2012 to December, 2015.

 

Madam Speaker, on this day, all things being equal, I will move the Motion to suspend relevant Standing Orders to enable the House complete all business before it and, thereafter, adjourn sine die.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

____________

 

HER HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME

 

Mr L. Tembo (Kaumbwe): Madam Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for his initiative to empower traders across the country by sacrificing his salary towards it.

 

Madam, it has been nine to ten months now since the initiative, and I believe that this account has accumulated appreciably. The traders of Kaumbwe Constituency would like to know when they will start to benefit from this empowerment initiative.

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, the Presidential Initiative for Traders was started with the belief that it will be a revolving fund to ensure that as many traders as possible access it. Unfortunately, the repayment rate has been very low and, as a result, the pace of disbursement has also been extremely low. However, the President still continues to support this initiative. We hope that in the near future, the traders in the hon. Member’s constituency will also benefit from the Presidential Initiative for Traders.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr A. Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, today is a very exciting day for the people of Mufulira and Ndola Districts. Finally, the President will be launching the Ndola/Mufulira/Mukambo Road, at 1500 hours, God willing. Can Her Honour the Vice-President assure the people of Mufulira District that this project will not stall because of inconsistencies in funding, especially that there will be many jobs that will be created, and these  require being ring-fenced?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Her Honour the Vice-President, I see you are still consulting?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, the reason why the inauguration of the project took long is because there was still an issue of resource mobilisation to finance the construction of this road. I can assure the hon. Member that funds have been mobilised through the Ministry of Finance as well as National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) who are supporting this project. The hon. Member should be at peace knowing that this project is now starting, and it will not stall.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mukumbuta (Senanga): Madam Speaker, on Tuesday morning Zambians woke up to a rude shock, with their hearts broken, after seeing one of the biggest trading centres, the Lusaka City Market, being razed down by fire. It is a difficult issue for every Zambian, especially those poor traders and tax payers. Your Government and you, madam Vice-President, in particular, were quick to play a blame game even before investigations started. Now, if the investigation proves otherwise, for instance, that the fire was caused by an electric fault are Her Honour the Vice-President and the Government, going to be brave enough to apologise to the Zambians …

 

Hon. Members: Ah!

 

Question!

 

Mr Mukumbuta: … especially to those individuals being blamed…

 

Amb. Malanji: Apologising for what?

 

Mr Mukumbuta: …or you are going to remain quiet?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, indeed, we cannot pre-empty the investigations. However, as I was driving to the market that Tuesday morning, some news item was circulating on social media, where a member of a certain political party was celebrating the fire that had engulfed the market...

 

Mr Kampyongo: Yes.

 

The Vice-President: … and calling on his colleagues to even intensify the torching of more places.

 

Amb. Malanji: You can imagine.

 

The Vice-President: Usually, Zambians believe in facebook and all the information they receive through social media. Because of this, we said that, perhaps, this matter could be arson but we will leave it to the police to investigate. No conclusions have been made yet. This was not the first fire, anyway. These arsonists have been on the loose for a long time. As I was going to that market, I had not concluded on who had caused that fire but with the information we were collecting that morning, it showed that there were unscrupulous people who were behind these fires. The police will investigate and determine the cause of that fire, and who was behind it.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Dr Chanda (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, in view of the serious security situation in the country, the President had to invoke Article 31 of the Republican Constitution, which says that a situation exists which if allowed to go on; it will lead to a State of Emergency. However, we have seen that some enemies of the country have gone on a very serious dis-information campaign. On international media, it is being said that the President of Zambia has declared a State of Emergency, it is there on Chinese television, and I read it on Reuters. What is the Government doing to manage this dis-information campaign launched by enemies of Zambia?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, to project the image of the country positively inside and outside the country is a responsibility of every Zambian, not only the Government. Naturally, the Government has an upper hand concerning the propagating of the good image of Zambia. It is very unfortunate that the real culprits that spoil the name of Zambia are Zambians themselves. The reasons for doing so are really not well established because since the end of the General Election in August, 2016, we have had accelerated propaganda on damaging Zambia’s reputation, particularly, its leadership. This will really damage the investment opportunities in the country. I do not know whether the people who are doing the damage realise the implications of this propaganda which is so negative that the world thinks Zambia is in a State of Emergency. This is not so. That is why the President of this country, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has used the law to inform the Zambians that the situation in the country requires that he is given certain powers by Parliament to address the issues at hand.

 

Madam Speaker, it is very seldom that you find leaders who can seek the mandate from the representatives of the people in Parliament to give the President Powers to invoke certain orders. In some countries, the President would have just declared a State of Emergency but in this case, our President is a man of laws, a democrat, a listener, a humble man and above all…

 

Mr Bwalya: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: …he is a God fearing person.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: So, I do not know what a Zambian would be looking for in a President. Maybe an arrogant and a bulldozer type of person is what others may accept as a good President.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chali (Nchanga): Madam Speaker, early this year, the Chairman of Vendetta Resources visited our President at State House, and made some pronouncements that Vendetta through Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) was going to create 7 000 jobs, and bring into the country US$1 billion worth of investment immediately. I would like to know from Her Honour the Vice-President, how much has been brought in so far, and how many jobs have been created.

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, indeed, the head of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) had assured the Government of Zambia that 7000 jobs will be created, and that US$ 1 billion will be ejected in the operations of KCM. Apparently, these jobs would have been created based on the Konkola Deep Project. As it has transpired, the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Ltd (ZCCM) despite its long history of mining, has constructed tunnels which are very far from the copper lines. This means that KCM will have to realign this arrangement underground, and it may take up to three years before it realises any meaningful production from that project. So, we are engaging KCM to find out how they will produce the 7000 jobs as promised.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Madam Speaker, ...

 

Ms Kapata: On a point of order, Madam.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to raise a point of order since I rarely do so. The United Party for National Development (UPND) hon. Members sent one of their colleagues to raise a point of order in Parliament that Hon. Lubezhi and Hon. Mwiimbu, the hon. Members of Parliament for Namwala and Monze Central, respectively, were wrongly sent away, and brought evidence to that effect. However, the hon. Speaker ruled that they can come to Parliament. Are they in order not to come to Parliament after that ruling?

 

I need your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I reserve my ruling to allow me to investigate as to why the mentioned hon. Members of Parliament have not been attending the sittings of the House.

 

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, firstly, I would like to compliment Her Honour the Vice-President for looking elegant this morning.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, well-known political leaders made some proclamations that in this nation there will be mayhem after the elections and armageddon, and this has come to pass. I would like to find out from Her Honour the Vice-President if the Government is contemplating to pursue these leaders, and bring them to book in view of the current happenings?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member of Parliament ...

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: ... for observing that grandmothers can dress well.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Laughter

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, yes, indeed, we have seen an upsurge of arsonist acts for a given period of time, but we cannot ascribe all this to the utterances of certain political leaders. However, investigations have been instituted in all these cases, and it will be established as to whether those utterances have something to do with what is going on or not. If it is established that they do, I think action will be taken against those individuals. For now, I can only say that all political leaders, including Patriotic Front (PF) leaders, should be careful with the words they use because this can incite people to undertake acts which are contrary to the morals and norms of our society.

 

Madam, it is a collective responsibility for the leaderships of all political parties not to influence our young people to undertake serious human rights violations in the country because when they are apprehended, the leaders are not there. The other people, especially the youth who are given money to perpetrate these acts as well as their families suffer. So, the country suffers when these acts are not stopped, and the President is trying to arrest this situation before it gets out of hand. However, this country is peaceful, and wants to maintain this peace. Zambia is known in the region for the peace it has enjoyed for the past fifty years. So, we look forward to politicians who want to participate in politics peacefully, and not those who incite violence in our communities and country.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member for Kwacha.

 

Mr Ngulube: Ema neighbour aya!

 

Amb. Malanji (Kwacha): Madam Speaker, statistics indicate that there are 16,000 officers in the police service creating 0.11 per cent. A typical example is my constituency. This is a highly populated area where the police have only one land cruiser. Thus there is a very big deficit in logistics. Will the Government consider increasing manpower and logistics in the Ministry of Home Affairs?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, the Government is aware that the Zambia Police Service is under-staffed. The current number is not adequate to cater for all the services that need to be done by the Service.

 

As such, the Ministry of Home Affairs is currently negotiating with the Ministry of Finance to ensure that more officers are recruited. This is an on-going process. Hopefully, before the end of the year, we will get authority to recruit more officers.

 

Madam speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Madam Speaker, at 0400 hours this morning, I got a call from Chinkobo in Kanchibiya. The caller was very concerned about the arson cases around and some other deliberate acts that are trying to destabilise our way of life.

 

Madam Speaker, Her Honour the Vice-President, in assuring the people of Kanchibiya of what the Government is doing about the situation, mentioned that the police command is offering a reward of K300,000 to people who will come forward with information. 

 

Hon. Members: K500,000!

 

Dr Malama: Now K500,000.

 

Is the Government getting responses with regard to this reward, and is it getting any information that is assisting our investigative wings to bring these cowards that are destabilising our way of life to book? Are we winning the game?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, the operation of security forces is not a matter of public debate. There are on-going investigations that started from the time the arson cases started. Sometimes, there are joint forces undertaking such cases. Therefore, this is something that I cannot divulge. However, when the investigations are concluded, the whole country will know.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Madam Speaker, in one of her responses, Her Honour the Vice-President talked about how some Zambians in the Diaspora are inciting violence on social media by suggesting that people should burn more private and public property.  I would like to find out from Her Honour the Vice-President if the Government is considering extraditing such people so that they can come and answer to some queries by the police.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, this Government has signed some agreements with some foreign countries regarding extradition of undesirable Zambians in those countries. We are in discussions to ensure that they do not harbour people who are damaging our country. We have also engaged the International Police (Interpol) to look into some of these issues. So, the country will be informed when some developments have been achieved in this area.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Madam Speaker, I would like to commend His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and his Cabinet for controlling the wanton destruction of our forests, especially the round woods.

 

Last weekend, I travelled to Kaputa through Mporokoso then to Nsama and part of Luwingu. I saw that there are still many round woods exposed to bush fires. I would like to find out from Her Honour the Vice-President what the Government is doing to secure these woods so that they do not get burnt by bush fires to avoid the nation losing out completely. Is there any programme in place to mop up these woods, and put them to good use for the people of Zambia?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and her team, the joint operations committee in provinces, and the Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) should be commended for a tremendous job done in rescuing the Mukula logs.

 

As I speak, Mukula logs have been collected from Kasama, Mpulungu and Mbala. The next collection will take place in Luapula, Muchinga and the North-Western Provinces. Before the onset of the rains this year, we would have collected all the remaining logs throughout the country so that they are put in safe custody for ZAFFICO to do what it has been asked to do with them.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwila (Chimwemwe): Madam Speaker, at the moment, there is a stand-off between the residents of Chimwemwe and the Nkana Water and Sewerage Company in Kitwe over disputed water bills, some exceeding K6,000 per household, for the years 2014, 2015 and part of 2016.

 

This dispute arose from the fixed monthly water charges lumped on the residents of Chimwemwe Constituency when the taps, in the highlighted period, were mostly dry. Further, where water supply was restored, the taps only ran for one or two hours. The period in question is when this country experienced poor rainfall, and companies such as the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) were affected, resulting in massive load shedding.

 

Madam Speaker, the Nkana Water and Sewerage Company is state-owned. What assistance can the people of Chimwemwe expect from central Government so that they are not forced to pay for a service that they did not receive?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, it is very important for water utility companies to deliver services to the people. However, the case of the Chimwemwe is not a new matter I, therefore, believe that the water utility company and the Ministry of Local Government had looked at this matter. I suppose that it should come to a conclusion after the water utility company and the communities meet to iron out the sticking issue that seem to be troubling the people of Chimwemwe. I trust that this will be done as soon as possible. In this regard, I would like the hon. Member of Parliament to engage the communities as well as the water utility company to see how they can resolve this matter amicably.

 

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Ngulube (Kabwe Central):  Madam Speaker, first of all, allow me to congratulate His Excellency the President of the Republic Zambia for using the Republican Constitution to defend this nation.

 

Madam, when the people started witnessing ritual murders from street to street, the Government engaged security forces to bring the situation to a halt.  Another incident is when our mukula tree was facing extinction, the Zambia Army was engaged, and the situation was brought under control. Additionally, when the Miloni brothers were terrorising the people of Luano Valley, …

 

 Mr Chisopa: Question!

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

 Mr Ngulube: … the Zambia Army was again engaged, and they actually brought the situation under control.  I would like to find out from the Vice-President whether the Government intends to use the security forces to defend the security insulations in order to prevent the escalating acts of terror that are actually driving this country into fear.

 

 The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I have indicated that we are working with a democratic President. These powers will be outlined once Parliament agrees to the emergency measures that His Excellency the President wants to take to arrest the current situation.

 

Madam, at the moment, I cannot say much on what measures are being taken. Otherwise, I will preempt the investigative channels that are being put in place by the Government. Nevertheless, I can assure the hon. Member that strategies have been made to include other wings of our security in the arson issues.

 

 Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear! Ema answer aya!

 

Laughter

 

Ms Katuta (Chienge): Madam Speaker, I would also like to add to the compliment which has already been passed to Her Honour, the Vice-President.  Actually, she really looks stunning.

 

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

 

 Ms Katuta: You cannot tell that she is a grandmother. Anyway, I am somehow jealous.

 

Laughter

 

 Hon. Government Members: Oh!

 

Ms Katuta: Yes, she looks beautiful.

 

 Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

 Ms Katuta: Madam Speaker, I would like Her Honour the Vice-President to comment on the issue of the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) that is currently in the country. Since it was introduced in Zambia, it has already created problems.

 

For instance, if you consider what is happening in South Africa, you would find that millions and millions of them have been blacklisted, and they are unable to access even the basic loans that they can be assisted with. I would like to find out from the Government why the CRB is mostly run by foreigners when we have professors in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), accountants and many Zambians who are trained in investigative jobs, and can do this job. Why is it that this company is being run by foreigners when some of them are blacklisted in their countries? Suffice to say that when they went to their countries, they were told that they could only get instructions from South Africa.

 

Madam, I also just want to appeal to the Government to just scrap it off, if possible. I have seen millions and millions of people in South Africa being reduced to nothing just because somebody could not pay a hundred Rand balance.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

I hope the question is clear, Your Honour?

 

Interruptions

 

 The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I will attempt to answer the hon. Member.

 

 Madam, as citizens, there are certain monetary regulations that we need to adhere to. The Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) is one of them. It is meant to regulate the conduct of people who deal in money.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has alluded to the fact that this is run by non-Zambians in our country. I want to say that the CRB in Zambia is under the auspices of the Bankers Association of Zambia (BAZ). Therefore, the Government has no power to direct who should be the manager or the board member of this organ. However, it is necessary to have a unit to help people to safeguard their money in the banks.

 

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Tembo (Chadiza): Madam Speaker, the Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) has been in the country since inception, and it is as old as Zambia itself. It holds thousands of hectares of land, which it gave out to a number of farmers, but most of these farmers have not developed their land because they believe that the land still belongs to TBZ. I would like to find out from Her Honour the Vice-President what the Government plans on this issue in regard to the issuance of title deeds to the affected farmers. Given the title deeds, they can develop these farms, and thereby, develop themselves.

 

 Hon. Members:  Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

The question is about Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) land.

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I am pleased to hear that there are still some farmers in rural areas who respect the rights of others, including that of the TBZ as to the ownership of the land. I only regret that this land has not been used for productive purposes for a long time. Currently, the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources, in conjunction of the Ministry of Agriculture, are undertaking an audit of all unused land in the country, including the TBZ land. After the audit, the area will be demarcated, and perhaps, the farmers who have settled in these areas will be allocated pieces of land, and given title deeds to the land.

 

 Madam Speaker, I thank you.           

 

Mr Jamba (Mwembezhi): Madam Speaker, I was watching television (TV) and saw the Vice-President …

 

Mr Ngulube: Which channel?

 

Mr Jamba: The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).

 

Laughter

 

Mr Jamba: I saw her talking on TV, and she was telling the nation that there are people who want to rule this state at all costs, and are bent on doing criminal activities. According to that statement, it seems to me that the Government knows these people. Why has not the Government caught them so that they are brought to book, instead of …

 

Interruptions

 

Laughter

 

Jamba: Why has not the Government apprehended them, instead of invoking certain powers? They should just be brought to book so that we live peacefully in this country. Because the Government knows them, it should deal with them legally.

 

Interruptions

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I wish it was as easy as that. This is a democratic state, and you just do not go about on the basis of rumours to catch everyone you suspect to be a culprit; this means becoming an animal farm. What we are doing is to follow the law. That is why we have instituted these investigations so that the actual truth will be discovered, and then the culprits will be brought to book. So the President is asking this House to give him these powers to ensure that the security wings do their job freely so that they can apprehend the culprits.

 

Madam Speaker, it is important for this House to know that when our colleagues come back to Parliament, perhaps next week or so, they should realise that they are going to engage a person in the name of the Vice-President, who was also a running mate to the President during the last elections. There is very little difference between the ticket that brought us to this House and the one that ushered the President into State House. Therefore, it should be noted that the respect that is given to this House and the Vice-President should also be given to the Head of State.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to ask Her Honour the Vice-President a question. I just want to recognise the efforts and responses that the Government is putting in place to respond to various challenges in the security sector, economy and many others. My concern, however, is that when a person is trained in security matters, he or she becomes very dangerous if he or she joins criminal activities. I think, we saw what happened …

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Ask your question.

 

Mr Kafwaya: My question is; what progress have we made to arrest former Police Commissioner Siandenge and bring him to book?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, it is regrettable that some of our professional officers can engage themselves in acts of illegality, but the officer whose name was mentioned is being pursued by security forces, and will be brought to book when that has happened.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

______________

 

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

 

OUTBREAK OF TYPHOID IN LUSAKA, MPIKA AND ISOKA AND ZAMBIA’S PREPAREDNESS TO PREVENT SPREAD OF EBOLA INTO THE COUNTRY

 

The Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Madam Speaker, thank you for granting me this opportunity to present a ministerial statement on the outbreak of typhoid in Lusaka, Mpika and Isoka District and indicate the measures that the Government has taken to stop the spread of the disease. Further, I shall be making a statement on Zambia’s preparedness to prevent the spread of Ebola into the country, following the recent outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that recently there have been three outbreaks of typhoid in Kalingalinga in the Lusaka Province and Mpika and Isoka in Muchinga Province. Typhoid is caused by bacteria called salmonella typhi, which can be spread through contaminated food and water. Symptoms include persistent fever above 38.5ᵒ Celsius, chills, headache, abdominal pain, general body weakness and diarrhoea and vomiting. If untreated, the infection can result in perforation of the bowels, confusion and death.

 

Madam Speaker, the Kalingalinga outbreak was declared on 12^th April, 2017 and as of 12^th June, 2017, the cumulative cases had reached 138, with eight out of twenty-nine having tested positive for the salmonella typhi bacteria from blood culture. Currently, there are no patients under admission, and the last patient was discharged on 8^th June, 2017. There has been no death because of typhoid since the outbreak was declared in Kalingalinga. As of 6^th June, 2017, there had been no new cases reported.

 

Risk factors identified in Kalingalinga include poor hygiene, water and sanitation. Heavy rain and accumulation of flood water in Kalingalinga zones eight, nine and ten during the last rainy season contributed greatly to overspill of pit latrines and septic tanks. This led to contamination of water sources, including piped water. Zones eight, nine and ten lie in a marshy area adjacent to the University of Zambia (UNZA), Great East Road campus. Interventions that have been instituted include multi-sectoral meetings, where all stakeholders have addressed various components, active case management, health education and door-to-door chlorine distribution campaigns. The Lusaka City Council (LCC) instituted de-slugging of flooded septic tanks, with more than forty-six emptied.

 

Madam Speaker, the typhoid outbreak in Mpika was declared on 4^th May, 2017. Cumulatively, the cases reached 162, with five out of 113 stool cultures found positive for salmonella typhi. The patients were treated at Chilonga Mission Hospital. Sadly, we lost two patients from suspected typhoid since the outbreak was declared in Mpika. There has been no new case since 9^th June, 2019, and the outbreak was declared controlled as of 27^th June, 2017. So typhoid in Mpika has been brought under control.

 

Risk factors in the Mpika outbreak included the lack of safe water and low hygiene practices, exacerbated by the breakdown of the water reticulation system in the Mpika town in the first quarter of 2017. Interventions put in place included the drilling of four boreholes by the local authority with support from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). Active surveillance, health education, chlorine distribution and chlorination of wells have continued in the district.

 

        Isoka Outbreak

 

Madam Speaker, the typhoid outbreak in Isoka was declared on 12^th June, 2017. The cumulative number of suspected cases was forty, with four confirmed by stool culture. One case was of a pupil from Isoka Boys Boarding School and three from the communities within the district. Case history indicated that on 30^th May, four pupils at Isoka Boys Boarding School experienced fever, abdominal pain, chills and headache. Salmonella typhi was isolated from stool from one of the pupils. The pupil with the positive stool culture came from Mpika where there had been a confirmed typhoid outbreak. All four pupils were admitted and treated at the local health facility within the school ground. The ministry mobilised the team which supported the district to control the outbreak. The outbreak in Isoka was contained as of 27^th June, 2017.

 

Zambia’s Preparedness to Prevent Spread of Ebola into the Country

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to comment on Zambia’s preparedness to prevent the spread of ebola into the country from the recent outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  Ebola is a haemorrhagic viral disease with a 50 per cent to 90 per cent case fatality rate. The most recent outbreak in DRC started in April, 2017. On 11^th May, 2017, the ministry of health of DRC notified the World Health Organisation (WHO) of the outbreak of ebola in Likati Health Zone in Bas-Uele Province, in the northern part of the country bordering the Central African Republic.  Laboratory samples which were collected at the time and tested proved positive for ebola virus of the Zaire sub-type. The House may wish to note that DRC has previously reported localised ebola outbreaks. This is the eighth outbreak in DRC since the disease was first discovered in the country in 1978. By the 8^th of June, 2017, there were a total of eight cases with four deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 50 per cent. The risk assessment by WHO and the ministry of health of DRC indicated that the risk of further cases was moderate for DRC and very low for Zambia. On 2^nd July, 2017, WHO declared the end of this most recent outbreak. The announcement came forty-two days after the last confirmed ebola patient in the affected province tested negative for the disease for the second time. I am gratified to inform the House that we do not have any case of ebola in Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government has taken the following measures to minimise further the risk of importation of ebola. This has been through strategic placing of capacity to promptly detect and respond to any suspected cases:

 

1. the Inter-ministerial National Ebola Preparedness Committee, chaired by the Secretary to Cabinet was activated. This high level committee of permanent secretaries meets under the Office of the Vice-President, through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), thereby demonstrating the seriousness with which the Government is addressing this threat. Every week, a meeting has been convened to assess the situation, and give updates on the preparedness being implemented by each line ministry. In addition, the Zambia Ebola Preparedness and Response Plan has been reviewed by the committee, and revised to provide guidance to all sectors. Also, provincial and district ebola coordination committee meetings were being held consistently across the country;

 

1. the Government, through the Ministry of Health, has intensified surveillance activities throughout the country. Thermal scanners have been installed at all the international airports and major border crossings such as Kasumbalesa in Chililabombwe and Mikambo in Mufulira. Health screening continues to be conducted at all points of entry to ensure that any suspected cases of highly infectious diseases are promptly identified. Our health staff have been sensitised to maintain a high index of suspicion, especially in the border areas;

 

1. the Government, through the Ministry of Health, continues to sensitise the public through various media platforms, including print and electronic media on personal hygiene and risk reduction for infectious diseases. Further, materials for health promotion, information, education and communication have been developed for use by various stakeholders. The office of the Vice-President, through the DMMU has been coordinating responsibilities of the various ministries in ebola preparedness;

 

1. the Ministry of Health, with support from cooperating partners has secured logistics in managing any cases that may occur, such as personal protective equipment, respirators (N95), laboratory supplies and essential commodities;

 

1.  the Government has ensured adequate laboratory capacity for diagnosis and confirmation of cases. The University of Zambia (UNZA) School of Veterinary Medicine, in collaboration with the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) laboratories, are always on alert to process specimens from any suspected cases; and

 

1.  we have also set up isolation facilities in all the provinces. Orientation and training of staff is ongoing for key personnel in case management and infection prevention.

 

Madam Speaker, may I conclude by assuring the nation that the Government has consistently worked hard to prepare adequately for any possible ebola outbreak, using a multi-sectoral approach. The ebola outbreak in DRC is over. Despite this, the Government will continue with surveillance and monitoring of the situation, and the risk will be reassessed and appropriate measures shall be put in place accordingly. 

 

Madam Speaker, I appeal to residents in the areas which were recently affected by typhoid, and the nation at large, to observe high standards of personal hygiene, and ensure they use safe water. I also alert all citizens in border areas to continue working with the Government to ensure that all citizens coming from other countries use designated borders so that they are screened.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

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

 

Mr Ng’onga: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated the level of preparedness of the Government to ensure that Zambians are safeguarded from importation of ebola into the country. I am concerned about this issue because Kaputa, Nsama, Chimbamilonga and Chienge share the vast border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). When will the screening equipment be positioned in these border areas so that we are not caught unawares?

 

Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, we have put thermal scanners in all high traffic entry points such as international airports and selected border points. This is an ongoing process, and we will place these scanners at all entry points where we will see a great deal of traffic. Our surveillance staff is available in Kaputa and in other entry points where we do not have thermal scanners, and are conducting routine screening services at designated entry points.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Zulu (Luangeni): Madam Speaker, in his statement, the hon. Minister mentioned that they are distributing chlorine door to door. How is the water being treated? Is it in their homes or at the source or both?

 

Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, we do use chlorine in various ways. We distribute household chlorine which is utilised in water. We can also use chlorine at water points such as wells. We can also chlorinate boreholes. So, we can chlorinate at various levels be it household or at the water points.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, I think the question is that, do you know how the chlorine is being used in this case.

 

Mr Zulu: Yes!

 

Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, we are doing both. We are distributing household chlorine door to door and we are also chlorinating the wells and boreholes in order to ensure that the greater population accesses clean water that is coming from those wells or boreholes. However, we are also giving household chlorine for people to chlorinate water in their homes.

 

Thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Mbulakulima: Madam Speaker, I agree with the hon. Minister that Typhoid and Ebola are very dangerous diseases. Among the interventions required is the availability of human resource that is, in terms of health workers and secondly, the health facilities.

 

In Milenge, we had threats of Typhoid in many areas like Kashila and Lungumukuta, which shares boundary with Congo. Unfortunately, in places like Kashila, Mumanse and Kafwanka, there are no health facilities and yet these are the main ingredients in the preventive fight againt diseases. Now that we are coming to the close of Business of Parliament, the people of Milenge will still be asking about the clinics and health centres which the Government actually promised. When is the hon. Minister coming to Milenge to put up this infrastructure so that we can fight Typhoid and Ebola in a professional manner?

 

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the hon. Member that Mumanse and Kafwanka are earmarked for construction of health posts under the 650 Health Post Project. As we conclude the refinancing of the project, we should be able to give timelines as to when the contractors will be on site to start construction of these health posts. My assurance is that we are committed, as Government, to constructing the infrastructure at Mumanse and Kafwanka. At the moment, we are just awaiting finalisation of the refinancing agreements with the Indian Government over the 650 Health Post Project.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Ms Katuta (Chienge): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether he is aware that in Chienge, Nchelenge, Kaputa and Nsama, there are people who do not use the border post to come to these areas but come by boats and so, they would disembark anywhere. Further, the hon. Minister has mentioned that the citizens should work with the health workers to bring out the information, but I do not think the citizens would be able to tell who is sick or not. I will give an example of Chienge. The people who are in the Chienge have relatives who are in Mpweto or on the side of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). And so, if a relative comes using a boat, they will not be able to tell if this person is infected or not. The same applies to people on the island on Lake Mweru. How is the hon. Member going to help the people of these areas? He mentioned that there is already his staff in these places, but I do not think they are enough, and do not think they will receive the help that they require. As at now, these are quite high risk areas. How is he going to assure the people of Chienge and Kaputa and their relatives of the treatment of Ebola, and the role played by other line ministries?

 

Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, as I said earlier on the statement, some of the key interventions are health promotion and community sensitisation. So the community is the key stakeholder in disease surveillance and prevention. Actually, it is not the number of health workers in Chienge that will matter in this case, but it is the sensitisation and participation of the community in ensuring that they are alert, and deal with people crossing from the other side where there is a risk. These people should be advised to cross through designated border points. If they are not crossing the designated border points, at least, the community must know that a person with a fever, which is the simplest symptom of the disease, is more likely to suffer from a particular disease. If a person has a fever and flu, he or she could possibly be exhibiting the first symptoms, and must be reported to the health authorities so that the person is quarantined and investigated to avoid a spread of diseases.

 

Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: So, it is extremely important to note that the community is a key stakeholder in disease surveillance and prevention. So, we are carrying out massive sensitisation on local radio stations, distributing flyers, and have involved traditional leaders too to ensure that they can also disseminate this information. We have not only traditional leaders, but also other opinion leaders such as in churches, schools and villages to help us disseminate this information in various congregate settings. So, the health workers will come in at the end when it comes to the actual technical investigation of a patient who is suspected to have Ebola.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Thank you, Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister made reference to …

 

Mr Chilangwa: On a point of order, Madam.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Chilangwa: Madam Speaker, I stand on a very serious point of order concerning the two hon. Members of Parliament seated on the Opposition Bench. Are those two hon. Members of Parliament, my former mulamus, in order to be sitting and masquerading to be United Party for National Development (UPND) when we know very well that they are sitting in the wrong place, and are supposed to be on your right hand side. I need your serious ruling.

 

Mr Mubukwanu: Who are they?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: My serious ruling is that the hon. Members have got the freedom …

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: … to sit anywhere within the Chamber when they wish to consult. Therefore, they are perfectly in order to sit where they are sitting as they are consulting their colleagues.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Laughter

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: May the hon. Member of Parliament for Lupososhi continue, please.

 

Mr Bwalya: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister made reference to the refinancing of the 650 health posts project as he answered the question by the hon. Member of Parliament for Kaputa. The Northern, North-Western, Muchinga and Luapula Provinces are the most affected by the failure to implement this project. The pressure is mounting.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Bwalya: When will the hon. Minister inform Parliament how far the refinancing negotiations have gone, and when the project will recommence?

 

Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, I assure the hon. Member of Parliament for Lupososhi that the Government remains committed to the completion of the 650 health posts project. I will issue a ministerial statement, with the permission of the hon. Speaker, to update the House on how far we have gone, and the new timeframes that are in place as we conclude the renegotiations through the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

ESTABLISHMENT OF MANAGEMENT BOARDS UNDER LUSAKA CITY COUNCIL

 

The Minister of Local Government (Mr Mwale): Madam Speaker, I wish to submit a statement on the establishment of management boards under the Lusaka City Council (LCC).

 

Madam Speaker, to enhance service provision efficiently and effectively in our local authorities, the Ministry of Local Government has commenced the process to pilot the establishment of management boards under the LCC.

 

Madam Speaker, as the House may be aware, the growth of the population and businesses in Lusaka has created the need to address the enormous demands in service provision by the LCC. The increase in demand and consumption has also created challenges such as shortage of housing and solid waste handling capacity. Most of these challenges can be directly attributed to the centralised management of the LCC whose capacity has been outstripped by the huge demand for services.

 

Madam Speaker, in light of the unceasing challenges the LCC continues to face, coupled with implementation of the decentralisation policy, there is need to establish management boards aimed at enhancing efficiency, and bringing governance closer to the people of Lusaka, in line with Section 3 of the Local Government Act. These management boards will devise a management and financing arrangement to match the demand for services. The management boards will replicate all the services offered by the LCC at their local levels.

 

Madam Speaker, therefore, the ministry has decided to make each constituency a management board. This means that management boards will operate at local levels providing all services with a fully fledged management synonymous with the one at the Greater City of Lusaka. All these management boards will be overseen by the Greater City of Lusaka.

 

Madam Speaker, all the measures that we are undertaking are provided for under Section 3 of the Local Government Act Cap. 281 of the Laws of Zambia, which stipulates in part:

 

“For the purposes of Local Government, the Minister may, by statutory order, establish for any District, a city council, municipal council, district council, township council or management board as the case may be, and the name of the council or management board shall include the name of the District: Provided that a township council or management board shall be established under this section only on the recommendation of the appropriate city council, municipal council or district council.”

 

Madam Speaker, in this regard, the LCC has passed a resolution, according to the procedure, recommending to my office that I create management boards comprising clusters of existing constituencies. The LCC will also be required to submit proposals of a memorandum of understanding which shall be signed by the council and management boards. Further, I will issue the Statutory Instrument for publication in the Government Gazette for the LCC to operationalise the management boards effective 1^st January, 2018.

 

Madam Speaker, management boards will be rolled out to Kitwe and Ndola City Councils after evaluating the performance of the boards established under the LCC. Therefore, depending on the performance of Kitwe and Ndola City Councils, management boards will be established in Chipata and Livingstone City Councils.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chabi: Eh ma zayelo aya.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the statement issued by the hon. Minister of Local Government.

 

Mr Mbulakulima: Madam Speaker, the creation of management boards is a welcome move beacause they will enhance efficiency, and include all the services the hon. Minister has mentioned. However, I want to believe that they will also include fire fighting services. It normally takes a long time for fire departments to move from their central location to where their services are needed. Is there a plan for infrastructure development in order to achieve this? And what is the timeframe? Further, is there a budget for this?

 

Mr Mwale: Madam Speaker, when we discussed the creation of management boards under the LCC, the question of infrastructure was discussed. Some of the infrastructure required by these boards already exist. We will establish one board under Munali Constituency to take care of the welfare of Munali. There are already council offices in Chelstone that were created for this very purpose at the time Lusaka had townships established under the council. 

 

Madam Speaker, Munali and Chelstone already have offices. The offices in Kabwata will be located at the Kabwata welfare hall where we have land which we can use to expand the existing offices. Matero already has offices as well. However, we may need to provide funding to acquire offices in constituencies that do not have any, and this is why it will take effect next year.

 

Madam Speaker, to answer the second part of the question, there is no budget at the moment. The reason why the establishment of management boards will take place next year is to factor it in the 2018 Budget. The services that will be provided by these management boards will include fire services. We want to ensure that these boards run independently, and provide all the municipal services that are needed. We want to ensure that there is more focus. Each area will handle its own problems, and we believe this will create competition which will be healthy for service delivery.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Dr Chanda (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, firstly, I want to thank the hon. Minister of Local Government for the great efforts that he is making to decentralise service delivery in our local authorities. The hon. Minister has talked about the formation of management boards, and we have seen this happen in other countries. Are these management boards synonymous with municipalities? Why are we just piloting instead of implementing this in Lusaka and Ndola?

 

Mr Mwale: Madam Speaker, these management boards are synonymous with municipalities. These will be sort of mini-municipalities that will be taking care of their own issues. It is true that we have opted to roll-out the implementation in all the districts that I mentioned. This system is working all over the world. I know that Dar-es-Salaam has about five to six municipalities. London is divided into many municipalities, and all these fall under the Greater City of London. This is exactly what we want to do in Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, we also want to deal with the issue of finances, and see how this will be worked out in Lusaka. Ndola and Kitwe may not be able to raise more money than Lusaka to sustain these management boards. So, we want to see what challenges we will encounter here in Lusaka, since this is a city that has got more money than others. After that, this is when we will be able to come up with a proper plan for those cities that may not have so much revenue as compared to Lusaka. That is why we will delay in other towns.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kabanda (Serenje): Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me an opportunity to comment on the statement by the hon. Minister of Local Government …

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order! Ask a question, hon. Member for Serenje.

 

Mr Kabanda: Madam Speaker, has there been a research undertaken to prove that the creation of these boards will promote efficiency in the delivery of services as envisaged?

 

Mr Mwale: Madam Speaker, indeed, a research has been undertaken, and we have reflected on this issue.  Before Kalumbila was created as a district to work as a management board, under Solwezi Municipal Council, we did extensive research supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). So, we know what is expected, and who members of the board will be. We have done some research, and we are very sure of what we are doing. This is actually provided for in the Laws of Zambia, and we think it is the best way to go.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Ngulube (Kabwe Central): Madam Speaker, once these management boards have been implemented, who will be responsible for the route from the airport all the way probably up to State House? If the hon. Minister passed there now, he will discover that probably the Lusaka City Council has abandoned that route which is mostly used by our international visitors such as Heads of State. Is there going to be a specific management board that will oversee the cleanliness and also, the cleaning up of this route?

 

Mr Mwale: Madam Speaker, I wish my hon. Colleague was specific on what route he is talking about.

 

Mr Ngulube: I can ask again!

 

Mr Mwale: Nevertheless, let me state that the management board that will be responsible for Munali will take care of matters in Munali. They will take care of waste management issues to make sure that Munali is clean. Where the road stretches into another constituency, obviously, that constituency will deal with everything in that particular area. I think this is a good competition which will ensure efficiency in the way we clean up our towns in managing the Keep-Zambia Clean and waste matters. We really need to give it a try.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mwila (Chimwemwe): Madam Speaker, are these management boards going to be operating on a voluntary basis or they will be receiving sitting allowances from the Central Government? I ask this question because local authorities in towns such as Kitwe are still struggling to pay terminal benefits for their retirees, and it will not be fair to compel them to pay allowances to board members.

 

Mr Mwale: Madam Speaker, these boards will be doing this work voluntarily. Currently, there is some prescription of what has to be paid to board members throughout the country. These members will not be sitting everyday, and the money that they will be paid is not too much. They will act like other board members, and they will have a work plan for their sittings. We are also going to employ people to be running these management boards on a full-time basis. What we have at the council, as I said in the statement, will be replicated in these boards. So, we will have officers who will be dealing with waste management and other aspects of municipal services that are supposed to be provided for by the Greater City of Lusaka.

 

Madam Speaker, in fact, we will have to redeploy all those officers at the Greater City of Lusaka into these management boards because that is where most of the work will be. We will only leave a few members who will provide an oversight that is required. Therefore, we will not need a great deal of money for allowances for board members, and I do not think this can stop the councils from paying retirees.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

________

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

PRIMARY SCHOOL AT LUNGO MUKUTA IN MILENGE DISTRICT

 

310. Mr Mbulakulima (Milenge) asked the Minister of General Education:

 

1. whether the Government had any plans to construct a primary school at Lungo Mukuta in Milenge District;

 

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

 

1. if there were no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of General Education (Dr Wanchinga): Madam Speaker, Lungo Mukuta is actually an existing school in Milenge District. So, it is not like the hon. Member is talking about a totally new school. We have an old school at that place which runs from Grades 1 to 7 and has a total enrollment of 275 pupils. There are 137 boys and 138 girls. Currently, a school has a 1 x 2 portal frame classroom which was constructed in 1966 together with two staff houses. The portal frame structure …

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1040 hours until 1100 hours.

 

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, ...

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear! Ema shikulu aya!

 

Laughter

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, the ma shikulus are not receiving compliments like the grandmothers.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Malama: Grandpa wants compliments when he looks smart.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was saying that Lungo Mukuta is actually an existing primary school in Milenge District, and runs Grades 1-7, with a total number of 275 pupils with a breakdown of 137 boys and 138 girls. Currently, the school has 1x2 portal frame class rooms which were constructed in 1966 together with two staff houses.

 

Mr Speaker, the portal frame is in a fair condition, but, admittedly, the two staff houses are in poor condition. Currently, what is required is to rehabilitate the existing structures, and possibly add a 1x3 class room block and three staff houses. We will endeavour to put the construction of an additional 1x3 classroom in the 2018 Budget. However, the alternative is to work with the area hon. Member of Parliament to identify one or two community schools which could be upgraded into formal Government primary schools, as a short term measure.

 

Mr Speaker, I have visited this area, and it is quite clear that Milenge District requires additional infrastructure, especially that some of the current infrastructure was built by the missionaries as far back as 1934.

 

Mr Speaker, the additional structures that we are talking about can only be considered, perhaps, in future.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I do not know whether to thank the hon. Minister for the statement or not, suffice to say that the nation has heard.

 

Mr Speaker, I know the hon. Minister’s passion for education. He has grown up in the education sector. However, he must admit that although he has traversed this country, he has never been to a place like Lungo Mukuta which is 150km from Milenge and another 120km from Chembe. There are three areas namely Lungo Mukuta, Kasila and Lupiya. In his submission, the hon. Minister said that this school was built in 1966 and anyone with a reasonable mind can tell how it must look like. For the information of the hon. Minister, my father’s younger brother was a teacher at this school in 1966. I want to clear this impression because Hon. ‘Dora Mbulakulima’ might think I do not even visit my constituency.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, ask your question.

 

Mr Mbulakulima: In view of the hon. Minister’s passion for education, can he come out clearly on when he thinks he will help the people? There is some semblance of a school, quite alright, built in 1966. The 275 pupils that the hon. Minister talked about receive their education outside this one block. So, when is he going to build a modern school for the poor people of Lungo Mukuta?

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: The question is clear.

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, the question is clear. However, I cannot commit myself to giving an answer to the question of ‘when’. I would, however, assure the hon. Member that the Ministry will do its best to ensure that there is a school given to that particular area.

 

Mr Speaker, we have a number of windows through which we could look for opportunities to build a school in that area. I mentioned in the days past that an opportunity may come through from a group of businessmen who have planned to build various schools in this country. So, we could possibly use that window. I have also said that we are in the process of negotiating with the World Bank for the building of secondary schools across the country. We are currently just mapping out areas where these could be built. This is because we need to submit our findings to our colleagues once the negotiations have been concluded.

 

Mr Speaker, we certainly have Milenge and Lungo Mukuta at heart, but cannot promise the exact day or month when the construction of a school would begin in that particular area in Milengi constituency.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Mr Speaker, construction of schools in our country, especially in rural areas like Milenge and Kanchibiya is very cardinal. The cost of constructing schools is a great concern. Is the Government considering best practices, for example, what is done in Uganda, on how much it takes to construct schools and utilising local materials to cut the cost of construction, so that more schools are constructed? In places like Lubantwa, Macheleta, Kapili and Kanchibiya, there are no schools. Are we looking at cutting the cost so that we prudently utilise the limited resources.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister of General Education, bear in mind that the question is on Milenge.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, yes, the question is focused on Milenge but the hon. Member is jumping on that bandwagon.

 

Dr Malama: Very good.

 

Dr Wanchinga: I would like to assure the hon. Member as well as the hon. Member for Milenge that, indeed, as we pursue various avenues of building schools in various areas of need, and we are also cognisant of the fact that perhaps in that process we need to look for cheaper ways of building schools. About a month or two ago, we had a special workshop where we were brainstorming on how we can build schools cheaply in various areas. We took note of some of the suggestions which were raised, and are looking at options of using prefabricated materials.

 

Mr Speaker, you may be aware that, for instance, that there are a number of military barracks that have been built using prefabricated materials. We are also considering going that way. Certainly, the search for cheaper ways of building schools is very much on our agenda.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mrs Fundanga (Chilubi): Mr Speaker, I know that today we are talking about constructing a primary school in Milenge but the hon. Minister is on record promising this House that he was going to do an audit and bring the list of schools to be constructed and upgraded in 2017/2018. I think that information will help the House. When is the hon. Minister going to bring that list?

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, that is a good question but I am not sure whether the hon. Member is putting words in my mouth.

 

Laughter

 

Dr Wanchinga: Indeed, that will be useful information to bring to the House. I would like to inform the House that we have actually begun mapping out schools which will be built under World Bank funding as well as those to be built with Government funding, and schools which we may build with the assistance of the Turkish community. Once these lists are finalised, they will be brought to the House for those who may wish to know exactly when these schools will be built.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

UTILITY VEHICLES FOR HEALTH INSTITUTIONS IN KASAMA CENTRAL CONSTITUENCY

 

311. Mr Sampa (Kasama Central) asked the Minister of Health when utility vehicles will be purchased for the following health institutions in Kasama Central Parliamentary Constituency:

 

(a)        Kasama General Hospital;

 

(b)        Location Clinic; and

 

(c)        Mulenga Hills Clinic.

 

The Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Mr Speaker, Government is aware of the shortage of utility vehicles at Kasama General Hospital and in other health facilities in the nation. Kasama General Hospital has two functional utility vehicles against the recommended standard of eight. The Government through the Ministry of Health is in the process of procuring utility vehicles for health facilities, and Kasama General Hospital will be considered once the procurement is complete.

 

Mr Speaker, the standards for lower level health care facilities such as Location Clinic in Kasama Central Parliamentary Constituency does not qualify to hold a utility vehicle by the standards we have set. However, we are going to ensure that this clinic accesses the utility vehicle that is allocated within the zone where Location Clinic is.

 

Mr Speaker, for Mulenga Hills Clinic, the answer is the same. It is also going to be catered for within the zone where it exists. However, for both clinics motor bikes and bicycles are available for use in outreach services.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Simfukwe (Mbala): Mr Speaker, arising from the hon. Minister’s reference to other health facilities in the nation facing similar challenges. Kasama General Hospital tends to act as a referral for Mbala General Hospital so the pressure of that hospital in Kasama is high mostly because of a lack of some equipment at Mbala General Hospital.

 

Mr Speaker, I want to add that the President’s pronouncement through the Minister of Health that Mbala General Hospital will have a nursing college has come to pass. We now have a General Nursing School at Mbala General Hospital. This has added to the pressure at the hospital for more equipment. Would the hon. Minister want to inform the nation through this House whether as he deals with Kasama General Hospital, he also intends providing some equipment to Mbala General Hospital to alleviate pressure on Kasama General Hospital?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for the kind words of support to the Patriotic Front (PF) and the Government, in particular, his Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for fulfilling the promise to open a nursing school at Mbala General Hospital. This is as it should be.

 

Mr Speaker, Mbala General Hospital is accredited to provide second level services. So, what we are doing now is, sending human resource. For now, we have sent three consultants to Mbala General Hospital. We will be sending a fourth one to ensure that you have a full complement of specialists, and as part of the modernisation programme; we are also equipping Mbala General Hospital. Within the next few weeks, you will see that Mbala will receive ultra stenography machinery, enhanced radiography machinery, and enhanced support in the obstetrics department…

 

Mr Ngulube: Ema ministers.

 

Dr Chilufya: … this is to ensure that we support the general nursing school that we have just established.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, I am glad that the hon. Minister has recognised the deficit of utility vehicles at Kasama General Hospital. However, I want to know what would be the time frame of expecting additional vehicles from what we have currently. On the other clinic, the hon. Minister has said that they would need to be part of the zone issue, I would be happy if the utility vehicles were increased to help the General Hospital reach out to these other clinics.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I agree with the hon. Member of Parliament that Location and Mulenga Hills Clinics have huge catchment populations and require transport support. By the package of the basic health care services that we provide, we may not be able to place utility vehicles in each zonal clinic. However, we juxtapose these clinics in such a way that they utilise one utility vehicle for a zone in order to support outreach services and patient referral. Now, the timeframe for the procurement of the utility vehicles will be within the third quarter of 2017. Let me also assure the hon. Member that ambulances are being procured, and will also be in by the third quarter. Therefore, there will be an ambulance strategically positioned to support the referral system for Mulenga Hills and Location Clinics.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Mr Speaker, I am concerned about the many sources that public vehicles are being procured from. Our type of terrain requires vehicles that do not wear and tear easily. Will the ministry consider finding the best type of models that can be used, especially in the rural areas so that they could have a longer lifespan?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, that is a very valid observation, and it is important that we invest resources in resilient and robust vehicles that can pass through the terrain where our facilities are stationed. In strengthening health systems, one of the key pillars is the procurement and supply chain. We are ensuring that we improve the capacity in this unit so that they are able to procure appropriate vehicles for the terrain in our various provinces. We will not repeat what happened in the past where vehicles were bought, but did not even last for a year or two. However, this time we will be more careful to ensure that the vehicles are suitable, durable and robust to handle the terrain that we are talking about.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

SCHOOLS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS IN KAPUTA DISTRICT

 

312. Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa) asked the Minister of General Education:

 

1. whether there were any schools for children with special education needs in Kaputa;

 

1. if so, what the names of the schools were; and

 

1. how many special education teachers were deployed to the above schools as of February, 2017.

 

The Minister of General Education (Dr Wanchinga): Mr Speaker, you may have noticed that in some cases when a question is asked on a topical issue, I bend backwards to provide information so that it can benefit both the House and the general public at large. This is because some of these questions may be a symptom of an issue which may be held by various people within and outside the House. So, on the question of special education, the ministry has special needs programmes and as of 2015, for instance, we had 107,014 children undergoing special education. Of that number, there were 54,969 girls and 52,045 boys. At the primary school level, there were 89,646 and at secondary school level there were 17,368 pupils.

 

Sir, another thing which perhaps might be worth noting is the trend in terms of parents allowing children with special needs to be taken to school. You may be aware that in the past, when a family had a child who was blind, had no legs or maybe had a devastating attack of polio, and could not walk, such a child was normally confined to its parent’s home. However, we are now seeing a trend where parents take such children to school. I would like to use this platform to appeal to the parents with children with special abilities and learning challenges to take them to school because there are facilities available for those who are blind or crippled to get an education, and be able to live as useful citizens in this country. The two tier programme that we are rolling out in our schools is also meant for the disabled children so that they should be able to find their rightful place in society after completing school.

 

Mr Speaker, in response to the question asked by the hon. Member for Kaputa, Kaputa District has no specialised school for children with special education needs. However, the district has a special unit located at Kaputa Primary School, and it has eleven learners consisting of one girl and ten boys. It was created to supplement regular schooling at that particular school, but it meets the specific needs of children with disabilities. So, there are opportunities for children with special learning needs which exist in Kaputa District, and this particular unit has only one teacher.

 

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, I am grateful to the hon. Minister for having ably answered the question. I agree with him that children with special needs are stigmatised, and even in Kaputa, it is a big issue because even the classroom they use was improvised. Does the ministry have any plan to construct, at least, one classroom at the school to cater for the population of Kaputa, Nsama and Chiengi Districts?

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Kaputa’s appeal is loud and clear. I can only say that, indeed, when an opportunity allows, we will, at least, build one special school in Kaputa District in future.

 

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

LAND SALES IN MUSHILI AND NDEKE TOWNSHIPS IN NDOLA

 

313. Dr Chanda (Bwana Mkubwa) asked the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources:

 

1. whether the Government was aware that foreigners have bought huge pieces of land in Mushili and Ndeke Townships in Ndola District;

 

1. if so, whether the land was legally held by the foreign nationals; and

 

1. if not, when the Government would repossess the land.

 

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources (Ms Kapata): Mr Speaker, the Government is not aware of any foreigners that have bought huge pieces of land in Mushili and Ndeke Townships in Ndola District as the two statutory areas are under the jurisdiction of the Ndola City Council. Hence, the ministry is not in a position to know the legal status of such land nor can it repossess it.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Chanda: Mr Speaker, the issue of foreigners, particularly Somalis, owning land in Ndola District is in public domain. The Somalis are very notorious for acquiring land.

 

I do appreciate the hon. Minister’s response that this matter is under the jurisdiction of the Ndola City Council. However, when the President came to address the House on 17^th March, 2017, he clearly stated that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources should bring a revised Land policy that can empower Zambians with land, and stop foreigners from acquiring it. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when we will see the revised Land policy which will take care of this issue.

 

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, the revised Land policy is underway. We are still consulting. The document will be ready as soon as we have the input of our traditional leaders, who are stakeholders in this policy.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mbulakulima (Milenge): Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to enjoy this question.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mbulakulima: It is a very good question. It is a real, harmless but critical question, which does not intend to promote xenophobia. Would the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources direct the Ndola City Council to investigate and report back on the rampant occupation of land by Somalis in Ndeke Township? Would you care to comment, hon. Minister?

 

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, I will enjoy answering that question.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Kapata: I think that it is important that some of these councils are made to explain how huge land has found itself in the hands of foreigners. I will be quick, however, to mention that foreigners in this country can own land conditionally.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

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

 

Hon. Members: Drink some water!

 

Ms Katuta: I think that I will have a nice time today. 

 

Mr Speaker, the law states that when a parcel of land is not developed within a stipulated period, it must be repossessed. Former Dag Hammarskjöld Stadium in Ndola, belonging to Mathani, is one huge piece of land that is not developed. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has revoked the agency of councils in land distribution. Will it overrule some of the by-laws by councils and repossess the former Dag Hammarskjöld Stadium?

 

Ms Kapata:  Mr Speaker, land is repossessed by councils when it is not developed within a stipulated period. 

 

In the acquisition of land, what is first sent out is an invitation to treat. Afterwards, we send out offer letters and an individual is supposed to respond within ninety days to the offer letter. If within ninety days an individual does not respond to the offer letter, the offer is revoked. 

 

Mr Speaker, even when an individual pays for the land it can still be repossessed if it is not developed within eighteen months. The ministry will advertise the land for repossession in print media so that everyone, including the offeree, who is given a ninety day ultimatum, sees it.  

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Simfukwe (Mbala): Mr Speaker, I want to find out the hon. Minister’s response to the issue of foreigners constructing Mosques in residential areas, which is quite common in Mushili and Ndeke Townships in Ndola District and Lusaka. There is a Mosque along Addis Ababa Drive, which is right in a residential area. There is a new Mosque near Fairview Hotel. These Mosques also come with some long range loudspeakers, which are sounded off sometimes at 0400 hours in the morning to announce services, even to those who are not members.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Simfukwe: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources whether she intends to liaise with the hon. Minister for Religious Affairs and National Guidance so that some of these Mosques that are in wrong places are closed down to avoid inconveniencing Zambians (who are not Moslems) with very loud announcements.

 

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, before a building is constructed, the council has to approve. It is, therefore, the councils that are permitting people to build Churches or Mosques in residential areas. I do not think that the law allows this.

 

I will consult my colleagues in the Ministries of Local Government and Religious Affairs and National Guidance, Hon. Mwale and Hon. Sumaili’s respectively, and see how best we can assist each other over this issue. I must insist that the problem is with our councils because they are the ones that approve such constructions.

 

 Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister if there are plans to quantify the hectares of land that is owned by foreigners. We know that foreigners own land in various forms. For instance, they may own 80 per cent shares in a company, especially companies that are owned by foreigners. Is the hon. Minster in a position to update this House in future how much land is owned by these foreigners?

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

 Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, how can I know how much land is owned by foreigners? I suppose that is a new question.  I wish to inform the hon. Member and the House that I will be coming to the House next Tuesday with a ministerial statement on the issue of foreigners and land.  Maybe, with your permission, Sir, allow me to give a bonus answer to my colleagues in Parliament on this issue.

 

 Mr Speaker, I would like to tell the hon. Member that the law provides for the condition under which foreigners can own land in this country as stipulated under Section 3 of the Lands Act of 1995 under Cap. 185 of the Laws of Zambia.

 

Sir, some of the conditions are:

 

1. if a non-Zambian is a permanent resident in the Republic of Zambia with a resident permit;

 

1. if the non-Zambian has obtained His Excellency the President’s consent in writing under his hand; and

 

1. if the non-Zambian is an investor within the meaning of the investment act or any other law relating to the promotion of investment in Zambia.

 

Therefore, foreigners are only allowed to own land under certain conditions. Let me also mention that my ministry is in the process carrying out land audit. Once that exercise is completed, we will be able to know which land belongs to foreigners and the land that belongs to Zambians. After the land audit, we will also know which land is in use and which one is not.

 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

POLICE STATION IN BWANA MKUBWA

 

314. Dr Chanda (Bwana Mkubwa) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

 

1. whether the Government had any plans to construct a police station in Bwana Mkubwa Parliamentary Constituency; and

 

1. if so, when the project would commence.

 

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Government has had plans to construct a police station in Bwana Mkubwa, but the delay has been because of budgetary constraints. However, the hon. Member of Parliament, whom I know is committed to serve his people in his constituency, is requested to work closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs to find a lasting solution. As I stated yesterday when I was responding to a question from my colleague, the hon. Member for Chimwemwe, the hon. Member for Bwana Mkubwa should consider apportioning part of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to make sure that the project is completed in good time.

 

Mr Speaker, the construction of the project will commence when funds are made available.

 

 I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Chanda: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for a good response.

 

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

 Dr Chanda: Sir, I would like to bring to the attention of the hon. Minister the fact that we are already using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to construct the police post, but the population of Bwana Mkubwa is growing. As the House may be aware, Ndola is actually growing southwards because that is where there is enough land. We estimate that the population will soon be over 200,000 in that area. While three constituencies in Ndola already have police stations, Bwana Mkubwa does not have, and yet the population is ever growing. Would the ministry please, consider this request as a priority in the next budget?

 

 Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

 Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I would like to sincerely thank the hon. Member for Bwana Mkubwa Constituency for the follow up question. Indeed, the ministry is aware that the hon. Member’s constituency is growing rapidly in terms of population, which is also posing a challenge in terms of security in the area. Therefore, his suggestion is worth considering. The ministry will look at the possibility of putting up a suitable police facility in order to manage security in Bwana Mkubwa Constituency.

 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Mr Speaker, now that the hon. Minister has confirmed that his ministry will consider putting up a police station in Bwana Mkubwa, the only thing, which is remaining is the funding. I would like to find out from him whether the ministry has any plans to recruit more officers to offer services in the newly constructed police stations taking into consideration the hon. Minister’s response that hon. Members should consider using part of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to build police posts. I am sure we might have some challenges in terms of police officers, especially to manage the new police posts. Are there any immediate plans to recruit more new officers?

 

 Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, let me make this issue very clear.

 

Sir, I have acknowledged that there is need to consider putting up a befitting police facility in Bwana Mkubwa. Acknowledgement means that we are ready to take the matter on board as suggested by the hon. Member for Bwana Mkubwa, but we can only make the assurance when the plans are put in place and funds made available.

 

Mr Speaker, to respond to Hon. Mutale’s question, I wish to inform him that the ministry has plans to recruit more officers. When Her Honour the Vice-President was responding to one of the questions in the morning, she alluded to the fact that it is desirable for the ministry to recruit more officers in order to match with the ever growing population in terms of police/population ratio. This is because we are below the required number.  Therefore, we are looking forward to beefing up the number. The hon. Member should also bear in mind that we have only one revenue basket that deals with ministrial competing needs.

 

Sir, recently, our colleagues in the Ministry of Health were recruiting front line staff. We are now negotiating on the number of police officers we will be allowed to recruit this year. This exercise is not only meant for the Zambia Police Service, but any other wings under the Ministry of Home Affairs, such as the Department of Immigration or the Department of Correctional Services because all these departments are understaffed. So, I would like to urge Hon. Mutale not to be discouraged by thinking that maybe, if he builds a police post in his constituency, it will not be manned. We are going to ensure that we progressively increase the number of our men and women in uniform to man all these facilities that we are putting up. Therefore, do not be discouraged. Let us start working now because even with the limited existing number of police officers, we can still make sure that we allocate and deploy officers to the newly established facilities.

 

 Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

_____

    

  ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER

 

SEVENTH NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that copies of the Seventh National Development Plan (7^thNDP), which was launched by His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on 21^st June, 2017, have been placed in the hon. Member’s pigeonholes here at Parliament Buildings. In this regard, hon. Members are advised to check their pigeonholes at their earliest convenience to collect their copies of this important document.

 

______

 

MOTION

 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNANCE, HOUSING AND CHIEFS’ AFFAIRS

 

Mr Kabanda (Serenje): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that this House do adopt the report of the Committee on Local Governance, Housing and Chiefs’ Affairs for the First Session of the Twelfth National Assembly, laid on the Table of the House on 5^th July, 2017.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

 

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

 

Mr Kabanda: Mr Speaker, your Committee, in line with its terms of reference as set out in the Standing Orders, considered one topical issue on the housing situation in Zambia. I am humbled to be presenting this first report for the First Session of the Twelfth National Assembly to this august House. Let me sincerely thank my colleagues for the hard work, and the focused manner in which we deliberated on the matters that came before us.

 

Mr Speaker, let me state from the outset that shelter is a basic human right, just like food and clothing. Therefore, it is with great sadness that your Committee notes that after fifty-three years of independence, Zambia is still grappling with the growing problem of inadequate shelter. It is a known fact that there is a severe shortage of housing in the urban areas, with the gap between demand and supply increasing day by day. To be specific, and put it in numerical context, the current deficit of housing units across the country sits at 1.3 million units. If nothing is done to seriously address this alarming situation, the housing deficit is expected to rise to 3 million by 2030. In other words, we are expected to build 222,000 conventional housing units every year between now and 2030 in order to overcome this problem.

 

Sir, your Committee is concerned that one of the major contributing factors to this huge housing deficit has been the rapid increase in the urban population with the constant migration of the rural dwellers to cities in search of jobs. This has caused unbearable strain on urban housing and related basic services. This rapid urbanisation is today estimated at about 40 per cent of the national population and is projected to increase to 60 per cent by 2050. Your Committee observes with sadness that this situation has been perpetuated by the serious disparity or mismatch in development between the rural and urban areas of our country.

 

In order to combat the housing deficit, the Government would be required to provide resources equivalent to 15 per cent of the total National Budget every year towards housing. This is according to the National Housing Policy of 1996. It is worrying to learn that the Government has completely failed to honour its own commitment in this regard. Since the promulgation of the National Housing Policy of 1996, never has the budget allocation ever met the 15 per cent requirement that is incorporated in the policy.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Kabanda: Taking the past three years as an example, the Government allocated K822.8 million in 2017, representing 1.3 per cent of the Budget, K467 million in 2016, representing 0.9 per cent and K799 million in 2015, representing 1.7 per cent of the Budget. It is also important to note that the budgetary allocations were not only meant for housing development programmes, but were also meant to cover the provision of various amenities, including water and sanitation.

 

Sir, it is evident that these amounts allocated in the mentioned budgets were not adequate as the country required approximately K13 billion per year to construct the needed 222,000 housing units per year. In light of this, your Committee strongly urges the Government to ensure that it honours its commitment by ensuring that the housing problem is prioritised through the provision of adequate resources in the National Budget. The release of such funds to the relevant ministry should also be prioritised, as a matter of urgency, in order to curb the prevailing problem of inadequate housing.

 

Mr Speaker, during your Committee’s scrutiny of the viability of the current National Housing Policy, it was noted with concern that the policy had no implementation plan. As a result, most of the objectives in the policy have not been achieved.

 

Mr Speaker, the key challenges facing the housing sub-sector include inadequate affordable financing to facilitate the construction or purchase of houses, inadequate government leadership, especially as regards the provision of low cost housing, and failure to attract the private sector to participate in the provision of affordable housing. Further, the public institutions tasked with the provision of housing, especially the National Housing Authority (NHA), have been poorly funded, making it impossible for the institutions to fulfill their mandate.

 

Your Committee appreciates the fact that a new housing policy is being developed to facilitate improvements to the housing finance system and the creation of a public social housing estate fund as well as group housing improvement finance schemes. In this regard, your Committee strongly urges the Government to expedite the process, and ensure that all loopholes in the previous policy are sealed to improve the current situation.

 

    Mr Speaker, another problem which your Committee noted is that there is limited capacity among local authorities to deal with the high population growth, and the exemption of rural areas from planning. These two issues have also greatly contributed to significant housing challenges which are being experienced in the country. It is worrying to note that local authority has, in the recent past, been involved in construction of new houses because of inadequate funding. This situation is exacerbated by the lack of innovation of local authorities to generate resources. It is paradoxical that councils are unable to raise resources despite having huge tracks of land under their jurisdiction. It is interesting to note that private developers are able to make profits off the same land once it is allocated to them. For example, private developers are able to realise profits while offering a good service to the public ...

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

I think someone is reading something important.

 

Mr Kabanda: ... in form of burial spaces. A case in point is the Leopards Hill Memorial Park where the developer is able to generate K10,000 for a 1 x 2 m burial space in the cemetery.

 

Mr Speaker, the housing problem has also been compounded by a lack of adequate serviced land for housing development. This scenario is a source of concern to many stakeholders who appeared before your Committee. Your Committee strongly urges the Government to ensure that all local authorities actively facilitate the opening up of serviced land for housing development. Your Committee also recommends that the Ministry of Local Government comprehensively reviews the operations of local authorities to ensure that they are realigned to their mandate. Another goal of such a review would be to come up with innovative ideas to improve the efficiency and operations of local authorities. Your Committee also felt that streamlining the land allocation system is another avenue which the Government needs to pursue in its quest to combat the housing challenges being experienced in the country.

 

Mr Speaker, lastly, it would be amiss of me not to talk about the cost of housing units being offered by both private and public developers. These are very exorbitantly priced and, therefore, out of reach of an ordinary Zambian. The House may wish to know that, in accordance with estimates by the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance, developers targeting young professionals are offering houses in the price range of K600,000 and K1 million. The construction cost of a three to four bedroom high cost house is between K800,000 and K1.5 million with monthly rentals of between K8,000 to K10,000, while a two to three bedroom medium cost house cost between K650,000 and K1 million with monthly rentals of between K3,500 and K5,000. It is notable that these costs include cost of services such as water and sewerage services, roads and power. Your Committee felt that the Government ought to consider developing a strong legal framework on such services so that service providers are compelled to provide these services in bulk, and bear the cost, unlike the current scenario where the cost is passed on to citizens who buy houses. Such a move would help reduce the cost of houses, which will result in increased sales, and consequently, encourage private developers to build more houses. Your Committee further urges the Government to consider providing free or less expensive land to property developers as another incentive to reduce the cost of housing.

 

Sir, I wish to conclude by thanking you and the office of the Clerk for the guidance and support you rendered to your Committee during its deliberations. I further wish to thank the permanent secretaries and all chief executive officers of the various institutions who made both written and oral submissions before your Committee. I also wish to acknowledge and appreciate the advice which was rendered to your Committee by the office of the Auditor-General, the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Does the seconder wish to speak now or later?

 

Mr Mukosa: Now, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker, I stand to second the Motion highlighted by the mover concerning the issues which were deliberated upon by your Committee. I feel honoured to be doing this, considering the importance of this occasion.

 

Sir, the mover of this Motion ably articulated the views of your Committee on this Motion. Therefore, I shall only make a few comments on other few issues which caught your Committee’s attention.

 

Mr Speaker, allow me to touch on the issues concerning building materials used in the country.  Your Committee observed that there has been little or no research carried out in the use of local building materials. Your Committee did a comparison of local materials and conventional imported construction materials, which are very expensive, and in some cases, not available, especially in towns or districts away from the line of rail. Your Committee found it unacceptable that most of the building materials which may be locally sourced are imported. This puts pressure on the local currency, and affects the economy negatively. Further, it has artificially made construction costs to be very high and unaffordable to an average Zambian. Your Committee felt that the construction costs may be avoided.

 

Sir, according to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), only 3.1 per cent of the urban household population today can afford the cheapest newly built house from formal developers. Your Committee felt that the prescriptive laws which do not promote the use of local materials have hindered innovation and research in alternative, durable building materials. Your Committee therefore strongly recommends that Government seriously considers putting in place a strong legal framework to promote research and development in institutions like the National Council for Construction (NCC) and other institutions of higher learning in order to encourage and develop the use of local materials and green technologies. Tied to the previous matter, is the issue of taxes on imported building materials. While it is the desire of your Committee to urge the Government to restrict importation of all building materials used in the country, your Committee notes that there are some materials which cannot be sourced locally and both private and public contractors may need to import such materials. Your Committee felt that the Government should seriously and expeditiously consider waiving taxes on imported building materials which cannot be sourced locally in a quest to lessen the cost of building.

 

Mr Speaker, another area of great concern is the formal housing finance sector. Zambia’s formal housing finance sector includes development banks, pension and provident funds, the insurance industry, commercial banks, building societies and micro finance institutions. Zambia has been experiencing an unstable macroeconomic system of high inflation and high interest rates. Furthermore, it is important to note that high Government borrowing has led to high Treasury bill rates, which are normally a benchmark set by financiers in costing their funds. This environment makes it impossible for institutions such as the Zambia National Building Society to access affordable long term financing for onward lending to citizens. In addition, Zambia has no apex housing finance institution which can be used to mobilise affordable long term financing for onward lending to housing finance institutions.

 

In addition, Mr Speaker, Zambia has no apex housing finance institution which can be used to mobilise affordable long term financing for onward lending to housing finance institutions.

 

Mr Speaker, the resultant effect to this scenario is that there are, currently, very few institutions in housing finance which provide financing for middle and low income earners or people employed in the informal sector. The majority of Zambians in these categories uses short-term loans from micro finance institutions or personal loans from commercial banks to build their houses over a long period of time. These short-term loans are very expensive, and often inadequate for the financing of formal developer built houses.

 

Sir, obviously housing is an expensive, long-term undertaking and, it therefore, needs large initial capital amounts relative to household income, but with the current scenario, the efforts of many have greatly been futile. Access to financial services among Zambians is extremely limited, and it is evident, according to Fin Scope Zambia, that less than a quarter of the population has access to financial services in Zambia.

 

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, the lack of proper housing finance system in Zambia makes it extremely difficult to increase developer built formal housing supply as demand for housing is artificially reduced when household could not access finance from banks.

 

Allow me Sir, to thank the House, for the attention and your office, and that of the Clerk for the support rendered to your Committee.

 

Mr Speaker, I beg to second.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of Local Government (Mr Mwale): Madam Speaker, luckily, I do not have to respond …

 

Hon. Members: It is Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mwale: Oh, Mr Speaker. I am sorry.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear! Ema madam aya!

 

Laughter

                                                                                                                                     

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Go ahead hon. Minister.

 

Mr Mwale: Pardon me, Mr Speaker. Before tea break we had Madam Speaker in the Chair.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mwale: Luckily, I do not have to respond to some debates that were raised by hon. Members, but I just picked up a few things in the report that relate to our ministry.

 

As you may know, the housing component of the ministry was taken to the newly created Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development, and I hoped that the Minister was going to respond to some of the issues, especially that this study that the Committee did was specifically on housing.

 

However, there are a few things that relate to my ministry that I thought I needed to respond to. On page 27, Mr Speaker, the Committee raises an issue on the phasing out of land records, and I wish to respond that the phasing out of the land records will be clearly addressed by the regulations under the Urban and Regional Planning Act. These regulations are currently being developed.

 

So, we will make clearer the expectations of the Urban and Regional Planning Act as regards the phasing out of the land records. This is a matter that is under control, and we are developing regulations to do with it.

 

Sir, the other issue is on pages 28 and 29 which relates to the recommendations 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 on the provision of development plans and preparation of National Urbanisation Policy, and I wish to respond that the Urban and Regional Planning Act No. 3 of 2015 provides for the preparation of the Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) in every council to ensure meaningful socio-economic development. According to the Act, all councils are required to initiate preparation or revision of the IDPs within six months of election of a new council. However, this is subject to availability of funds, and my ministry has been engaging the Ministry of Finance and Cooperating Partners to facilitate the funding of preparation of IDPs in all councils.

 

IDPs will provide a framework that ensures land delivery to institutional developers with a bias towards the development of affordable housing schemes as recommended by your Committee.

 

One component of the IDP is the Capital Investment Programme which spells out how councils intend to provide municipal services over the planned period. This includes delivery of services such as water and sanitation, roads, drainage and electricity.

 

In order to address the issues of informal and unplanned settlements, my ministry has embarked on the preparation of a National Urbanisation Policy whose objectives are as follows:

 

1. To avoid future human-made and environmental disasters from unplanned rapid urban population and physical growth;

 

1. To create jobs to lift people out of poverty by harnessing agglomeration advantages of concentrated economic activity;

 

1. To deliver more cost effective public services and infrastructure;
2. To strengthen municipal institutions to plan and manage urban growth; and

 

1. To deliver a more functional national urban system that contributes to rural development, and transformation.

These are the things that we expect to come out from the New Urbanisation Policy that is under development, as we speak.

 

Further, the Urban and Regional Planning Act provides for upgrading of informal settlements through the preparation of local area plans that will ensure improved land tenure system through the creation of plots that can be put on title once informal settlement is upgraded. This will further improve access to improved housing for residents.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you, and these are the responses from the Ministry of Local Government but I know that the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development is doing a great deal of work to ensure that we provide low, medium and high cost housing in the nation, and there are many programmes that are to come, and the Minister will talk about them in this House.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Kabanda: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the various speakers and, in particular, the seconder, and the Minister of Local Government for supporting this motion.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

__________

 

MOTION

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

__________

 

The House adjourned at 1218 hours until 1430 hours on Tuesday, 11^th July, 2017.