Tuesday, 19^th September, 2017

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

_____________

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MR SPEAKER

 

SESSIONAL COMMITEES-MEMBERSHIP

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 149, the following hon. Members shall constitute the Standing Orders Committee for the Twelfth National Assembly:

 

HOUSE-KEEPING COMMITTEE

 

Standing Orders Committee (10)

 

The Hon. Dr P. Matibini, SC., MP, Speaker (Chairperson)

The Hon. I. M. Wina, MP, Her Honour the Vice-President

The Hon. F. C. Mutati, MP, Minister of Finance

The Hon. R. Musukwa, Chief Whip

The Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, Leader of the Opposition

Mr G. G. Nkombo, MP

Mr H. Kunda, MP

Mrs R. C. Fundanga, MP

Mrs G. M. P. Jere, MP

Mrs S. S. Mulyata, MP

 

I thank you.

 

ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that, in the absence of Her Honour the Vice-President, who is attending to other Government Business, the Chief Whip, Hon. Richard Musukwa, MP, has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House from today, Tuesday, 19^th September, 2017, until further notice.

 

I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

OPERATIONALISATION OF PARLIAMENT TELEVISION

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that the National Assembly of Zambia, with the support of the German-owned development bank, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KFW), has embarked on the operationalisation of Parliament Television.

 

You will, therefore, observe that some cameras have been installed on the walls of the Chamber to my left and right. You will also observe that part of the Press Gallery has been turned into a control room for the purpose of processing the broadcast of Parliamentary proceedings.

 

This development, as the House may be aware, is part of the on-going reforms aimed at ensuring the proceedings of the House are broadcast live to the Zambian public. Further, arrangements are underway to install cameras in committee rooms to also facilitate the broadcast of some of the Committee sittings.

 

I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

UPGRADE OF NEW EQUIPMENT IN THE HOUSE

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members may further wish to note that whilst the House was on recess, the new equipment, which was installed in the Chamber in the last Session, was upgraded to include new features. This was done to make the House efficiently conduct its business.

 

The staff from the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department of the National Assembly will, in a short while, apprise the House on the new features and how to access them.

 

I thank you.

 

In light of my last announcement, I now suspended business for twenty minutes. During this period, the live broadcast of Parliamentary proceedings is also suspended.

 

I thank you.

 

Business was suspended from 1438 hours until 1522 hours.

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

 

PROCUREMENT OF FIRE TRUCKS

 

The Minister of Local Government (Mr Mwale): Mr Speaker, I thank you for according me this opportunity to shed light on the concerns raised by some members of the public, following the event of 13^th September, 2017, at which Her Honour the Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia, Mrs Inonge Wina, officiated the handover of forty-two fire trucks to local authorities. The trucks were procured through my ministry.

 

Mr Speaker, I have been prompted to make this statement following concerns raised by some members of the public that the price of US$1 million per truck is too exorbitant. It should be noted that this debate is not new. When this procurement was concluded towards the end of 2015, a similar debate ensued and was steered by Opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) President, Ms Edith Nawakwi, who claimed that the Patriotic Front (PF) had pocketed US$30 million out of the US$42 million contract for the supply of forty-two fire trucks. My predecessor in the ministry, then, rose to challenge Ms Nawakwi and clarified the matter. As it could be clearly seen, Madam Nawakwi’s statement was not substantiated by any facts, and the matter was rested.

 

Mr Speaker, before I proceed to discuss the pricing of the fire trucks tenders, allow me to give a brief historical background to this matter. On 4^thMay, 2012, the late President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, officiated at the commemoration of the International Fire Fighters Day, in Lusaka, at which he bemoaned, among others, the lack of investment in the fire and rescue services. At this function, President Michael Sata directed my ministry to decentralise the provision of fire and rescue services to protect the valuable lives of our people and infrastructure in various parts of our country. After this Presidential directive, a United Kingdom (UK)-based company known as Albion Export Services Limited submitted an unsolicited bid to supply sixty-three fire trucks at a cost of US$54.8 million, which it later revised to US$66 million in 2015. Further, Albion Export Services Limited requested that the company be single sourced to supply the fire trucks with an upfront payment of 100 per cent, but to deliver them over two years. The ministry, then, wrote to the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) requesting authority to direct-bid Albion Export Services Limited. On 22^nd July, 2015, the ZPPA responded to our letter and rejected the request, but advised the ministry to use a competitive method to procure the fire trucks.

 

Mr Speaker, consequently, in September, 2015, my ministry proceeded to advertise the tender for the supply of the forty-two fire trucks. At the close of the tender in October, 2015, sixteen bidders had responded. After their evaluation, Grandview International stood out the best evaluated bidder with a bid sum of US$42 million after meeting the required criteria, as stated in the solicitation document. The list outlining the sixteen bidders with their respective amounts has been attached to this statement for consideration.

 

Mr Speaker, soon after Grandview International was notified of the award, four companies, namely Albion Export Services Limited, whose bid price was US$49.5 million, Savenda Management Services, DL NAFFCO Zambia Limited and Albert Ziegler appealed to the ZPPA against the decision to award Grandview International the tender. The ZPPA heard the appeals within two weeks and rendered its decision. Thereafter, it dismissed the appeals for lack of merit. The ZPPA also informed the ministry to proceed with its award to Grandview International.   Some companies also made an appeal to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against the decision to award the contract to Grandview International. The ACC also dismissed the appeal and gave the ministry clearance to proceed with the procurement process. 

 

Mr Speaker, the cost of procuring these fire trucks has now become a subject of debate by some quarters in our society. Comparison of various fire fighting trucks of different specifications and costs have been made. I have noted, with interest, that all those observing that our fire trucks are overpriced are only quoting the lower-priced bids, thereby creating an impression that Grandview International quoted the highest price, yet while responding to the same specifications, Albion Export Services Limited from the UK quoted US$49.5 million, which was US$7.5 million higher than the amount quoted by Grandview International.

 

Mr Speaker, the fire trucks we have procured are not standard trucks. They are custom-made, specifically to respond to the challenges posed by the terrain and operational areas that our fire men and women have been facing over the years. In fact, the specifications were set by the users, who are the fire fighters, and based on them, the fire trucks were manufactured in Spain.

 

Mr Speaker, the fire fighters informed the procurement team that some of the challenges often encountered in fire fighting were the narrow roads that were difficult to access, particularly in unplanned settlements. To respond to this challenge, the new fire trucks were equipped with monitors, which allow fire operators to fight fires at a distance of up to 70 m, irrespective of obstructions along the way. They not only offer added manoeuverability in places which are difficult to navigate, but also have increased storage capacity for water and special foam. The fire trucks have a storage capacity of 7,000 L for water and 1,000 L for foam. On the contrary, the older fire trucks being utilised had no provision for foam and only had a capacity for 5,000 L of water. In addition, the fire trucks have improved extraction equipment for the rescue services. I understand that they are able fill up their tanks within two minutes.

 

Sir, in addition to better capacity, the new fire trucks have stainless steel tanks as opposed to the polythene tanks that the old ones have. The durability of the trucks is further enhanced by the ground clearance from the raised chassis. These are just highlights of the broad technical and non-technical specifications that informed the procurement process. I have attached the exhaustive list of specifications for considerations.

 

Mr Speaker, based on these detailed specifications, procurement experts and firefighters involved in the procurement process believed that the bidder was the best suited to give us value for money as compared to other bidders who were not selected. This was arrived at after an elaborate scrutiny of all bids.

 

Sir, the fire-fighting and rescue equipment are an integral part of the economy that would safeguard the economic gains made, so far, in all sectors of our economy. Fire outbreaks have become a common phenomenon in almost all districts in the country for varied reasons. However, the response to such fire outbreaks has, in the past, been hampered by a lack of power in adequate fire-fighting equipment. This is why the Government, through my ministry, has acquired this state-of-the-art fire-fighting and rescue equipment for all major districts across the country, especially those with higher population density, and increased economic activity.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

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

 

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to ask in a quest to seek clarification from the hon. Minister of Local Government pertaining to the ministerial statement he has made. I would like him to be very clear, categorical and sincere in his response. Is he not aware that this particular project of procuring fire tenders was supposed to be financed by donors, who withdrew immediately they realised what the Government had done?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I do not have that information.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo): Mr Speaker, now that the hon. Minister is aware of the fact that these fire tenders were supposed to have been financed by a donor …

 

Mr A. B. Malama: He is not aware!

 

Mr Ngulube: Question!

 

Mr Speaker: You may continue, hon. Member of Parliament for Kabompo.

 

Mr Lufuma: What does the hon. Minister intend to do to rectify the situation so that the people of Zambia are not denied the money that is supposed to go towards development?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, at the moment, the ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs are in discussions with co-operating partners to see how they can partner with us in various sectors of our economy, and I think that they are making headway. For instance, we see some assistance from co-operating partners in agriculture and other sectors. Therefore, we will bring up this matter so that if there are there are co-operating partners willing to give us money, we could then invest in this sector.

 

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr W. Banda (Milanzi): Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to educate me and the House on who is responsible for the procurement process in our Government.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the procurement of anything in the Government is done by procurement officers, who are the technocrats. In the ministry, people are employed to handle procurement. It is not done by elected officers and neither is it a function of the Cabinet nor that of an hon. Minister. In fact, the Ministerial Hand Book stipulates that no minister is allowed close to procurement processes. This function is to be carried out specifically by those employed to do it, that is, Permanent Secretaries, who are controlling officers. Beyond them, the authority that deals with procurement is the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA).

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: I am advised by the Clerks at the Table that the first name that had appeared on the screen was actually Hon. G. G. Nkombo. However, because I recognised Hon. Mwiimbu, his name disappeared.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: So, I have to do justice.

 

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, I am holding a document which I will later lay on the Table for the hon. Minister to see the glaring irregularities that occurred in the procurement process of these fire tenders. Firstly, I would like the hon. Minister to confirm whether he is averse to the Hon. Mr Speaker constituting a Committee, preferably the Committee of Economic Affairs, to carry out a thorough oversight function on this particular procurement.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Nkombo: We know that this Grandview International had just been incorporated in 2012, yet the rules of the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) are very clear and stipulate that participants in the supply of Government purchases such as this one must be a company that has been registered, at least, three years prior to a tender process with a track record.

 

Sir, is the hon. Minister also aware that the Government actually lost an arbitration case in Cape Town where the claimant, Albion Export Services, whom he mentioned, and two other bidders, took it and Grandview International to court. As it is, this document is an award to Albion Export Services Limited, which outlines the flaws that characterised the procurement of forty-two fire tenders.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Ngulube: Question!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, as I indicated in my statement, the ZPPA, which sets conditions on the sort of companies that can bid for the provision of goods and services, cleared this tender. I even went as far as providing the date on which the ZPPA wrote to the ministry to clear the tender. Therefore, we may have to institute an enquiry.

 

Sir, secondly, I am aware of the fact that there was arbitration on the matter. However, I beg to differ with some of the facts presented by the hon. Member. As far as I know, no compensation was due to Albion. It asked for lost profit, but the arbitrators asked the Government to pay legal fees. The compensation Albion sought was for lost business, which could have been in millions of US$ Dollars. However, all the Government was asked to pay is US$150,000 in legal fees.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

 

Dr Kambwili (Roan): Mr Speaker, the Government experienced a severe recession in 2015. In the Government’s view, was it important to procure forty-two fire engines worth US$42 million when our economy was in dire straits?

 

Sir, further, is the hon. Minister aware that the person who was the hon. Minister of Local Government, then, received three vehicles from Mr Bokani Soko?

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kambwili: The hon. Minister received a Toyota Hilux 2016, a Range Rover Vogue ...

 

Mr Michelo: Hammer!

 

Dr Kambwili: ... and a Toyota ZX, in which he was later involved in an accident.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Let me provide some guidance. Firstly, it goes without saying that every hon. Member is restricted to one question. Secondly, we know the settled tradition. We do not bring individuals into our debates, as they have no opportunity to respond because the proceedings here are privileged.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, in my statement, I gave the historical background to what gave rise to the procurement of the fire tenders. The President, then, in good faith, gave a directive on the need for the Fire Department to be taken care of and this was implemented by the Ministry of Local Government.

 

Mr Speaker, Hon. Kambwili and I were both a part of the Government in 2015. We went through those economic problems together, but that did not cripple the operations of the Government. Although we had to scale-down on certain things due to a lack of funds, the Fire Department, which had not seen any significant investment at the time, was given priority by the Ministry Local Government. Perhaps, the hon. Member, who was a Minister of another ministry, then, may have equally given priority to other areas in his ministry, but the Ministry of Local Government gave priority to the Fire Department. In accordance with its priorities, the ministry did justice to the department.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chibanda (Mufulira): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minster for this great ministerial statement and hope that we can put this matter to rest.

 

Sir, what was the mode of financing the procurement of the fire tenders?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, it was through the Budget.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: You were not clear. Many people seem to wonder what the last part of the sentence was.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, it was financed through the National Budget.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Where?

 

Mrs P. Jere (Lumezi): Mr Speaker, what criteria will be used in the distribution of the forty-two fire tenders, considering the number of districts in the country?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the criteria for the distribution will be based on where there will be dire need for the fire tenders.

 

Mr Musukwa: We are starting with Chililabombwe!

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, also councils that have constructed fire stations using the Local Government Equalisation Fund ( LGEF) will also receive fire tenders. The Council Secretary for Kalomo was requesting for a fire truck, but I reminded him that the council cannot receive a fire truck until a fire station has been constructed.

 

Sir, all forty-two fire trucks have been distributed. If the hon. Members want to know which districts have benefited, I could provide the information later on.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Mr Speaker, what was the budget estimate per fire truck?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, this project is a huge investment. Therefore, it could not be encompassed in our budget because, as you know, we are given budget ceilings by the Ministry of Finance ...

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

 

Mr Mwale: Hold on, please.

 

Sir, this purchase could have taken up as much as half of the ministry’s budget. Therefore, although we had a budget line in the Yellow Book, which did not specify the amount to be sent, it was just for formality. However, the Ministry of Finance was to source for the funding of the procurement of the tenders.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

 

Mr C. Zulu (Luangeni): Mr Speaker, it is good that this equipment is in, especially that we have been experiencing fires in the recent past. When will we start training the operators and from where will the money for training come?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, there was a component for training in the contract. The fire trucks were manufactured in Spain and trainers came to Zambia to train people on how to use them. The training has already come to an end and the trainers have returned to Spain. However, we ensured to train people extensively so that they can continue with the training process in this country.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mbulakulima (Milenge): Mr Speaker, I need the hon. Minister to help me understand this issue because I think I am at a loss. What is really the issue at hand? Is it the company that was awarded the tender that is in dispute and have those aggrieved submitted the name of the company they feel should have been awarded the tender to your office or is it the pricing? If that is the case, what do the complaints think is the average price of the fire tenders on the market?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, it is both ways. If you look at the document that our colleagues have laid on the Table, you will find one company complaining about the other. In fact, the company which is complaining was the highest bidder. It bade K49.5 million for the supply of forty-two fire tenders while the one that was awarded the contract bade K42 million. The highest bidder took the Government to court for arbitration. This is the problem which our colleagues are referring to.

 

Sir, the problem which the general public is talking about is the cost per fire tender, and this is the issue that I was addressing. I said that the firemen and procurement officers are the ones who were looking for certain specifications. They evaluated all the bids and found that this was the bid that responded to their needs. They did not necessarily go for the lowest bidder. They awarded the contract to the bidder whose specifications suited our needs.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, I seek clarification on the issue of the price. There are so many companies that had submitted their bids. What will happen if it is found that the real cost of procuring the fire tenders is less than what has been reported?

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I have difficulties in getting the gist of the question which the hon. Member is asking. When companies participate in a bid, they state exactly what they expect to be paid for a given product. So, the evaluation is done based on the bid that meets the criteria. Therefore, I am not sure at which point you can come to the realisation that the price of the said items is actually lower than stated. I need the hon. Member to help me understand his question. That way, I will be able to give a very good answer.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mbangweta (Nkeyema): Mr Speaker, in the ministerial statement, the hon. Minister stated that the original procurement was challenged by President Nawakwi who, of late, has not been speaking on this issue. Does the hon. Minister think that the people who are complaining or raising issues are being unreasonable or is there an issue which needs to be attended to by the Government?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I would not call the people complaining unreasonable. At face value, even for me as a layman who does not understand procurement, the figure is alarming. However, when I questioned the procurement officers who explained to me, I then got to understand. When I questioned the procurement officers on why they went for a bidder who was asking for K42 million instead of the one who was asking for K24 million, they explained the kind of services they were looking for. They explained the concept of the lowest evaluated bidder and I learnt that there is no such thing as the lowest bidder. They evaluate specifications.

 

Mr Speaker, I have already said that this particular bidder was ready to supply machines with stainless steel tanks as opposed to the other bidders who were to supply machines with plastic tanks. One fire-fighting truck was given to Chibombo and this means that it will have to service the area all the way up to Mpongwe, where the road is very bad. Therefore, the procurement officers explained that there was a need for fire trucks that have clearance from the ground, which tends to be a bit more expensive. Other bidders were providing some fire fighting trucks with 5,000 L capacity, but these particular trucks have a 7,000 L capacity. In addition to that, there is a tank for foam, which helps to put out fires caused by electrical faults. Therefore, added onto the specifications requested for by firemen, the procurement officers took all these issues into consideration and that is what informed the decision to settle for this bidder.

 

So, Mr Speaker, as a layman, I would consider the price, but the competent professionals, who look for the products, focus on the specifications. I am informed that these fire trucks are scania and manufactured in Spain, but there was a bidder who wanted to bring in trucks which were not as strong as scania trucks. So, all those are the things which the procurement officers took into account. I am not an expert. So, who am I to argue about pricing when specifications of items are different?

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Ngulube: Ema Minister aya!

 

Mr Kambwili: Mwaice ukesa fita!

 

Laughter

 

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, as a poor country, most of the time we have to make compromises. What I mean is that if you need a service, you will have to look at a whole spectrum of that possible equipment that can provide that service. Most of the time, because we are poor, we would tend to choose something that would not be chosen in America, Germany or Japan. This is because we want to save money to buy chalk for the children in schools, medicine in hospitals and construct rural roads in this country. Why did the hon. Minister allow the officers to go to the extremes of choosing equipment whose specifications are so exorbitant such that the Government is now failing to give us the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), provide chalk in schools and supply medicine in hospitals?

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the question is fair considering that the hon. Member recognises that the purchase of fire tenders was a function of procurement officers. So, the question is: Why did we not stop them? This is a critical question which raises another, which is: At what point do we get to interfere in the procurement process? The hon. Member was privileged to serve this country as Minister of Finance and realises that all hon. Ministers tend to be careful in order to not interfere. How does an hon. Minister come in to say, “This particular choice is too expensive and will not help us save resources for chalk and the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). So, let us go for the other one.” There is no such opportunity presented to hon. Ministers. We let the people who are employed to deal with procurement and have the legal mandate do their work.

 

Interruptions

 

Hon. PF Member: That is abuse.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, obviously, my colleague, Hon. Dr Kambwili, knows that when he was the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, there are things that were bought …

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Minister, I do not think that it is fair to single out …

 

Mr Mwale: He is here, Sir. He is my brother.

 

Mr Speaker: He may be your brother, but do not single him out. Just give an explanation.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Continue.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, serving hon. Ministers and former hon. Ministers know that there is no point at which hon. Ministers get involved in procurement processes.

 

Hon. PF Member: They know.

 

Mr Mwale: We all know that there is no such point at which an hon. Minister is consulted for an opinion on what product to go for. If there is money in the Budget for the procurement of given items, they go for it. This is the predicament that even those who were in the ministry when this was happening would have found themselves in as regards stopping this kind of a process.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to …

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

I should have announced earlier on that when we have a situation of this sort, my practice is not to allow points of order.

 

The hon. Member may continue.

 

Mr Kambita: Mr Speaker, I did not hear what you said.

 

Mr Speaker: Just continue with your question.

 

Mr Kambita: I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker, I am cognisant of the fact that the hon. Minister of Local Government answered the question regarding whether the expenditure on fire tenders was provided for in the National Budget. However, I do not seem to understand how the decision was arrived at in the light that there was no figure in the Budget, but that there was a line where this procurement was mentioned. I am at a loss and would like the hon. Minister to elaborate the audit trail of how the decision was finally made and how the expenditure found itself in some form of a supplementary Budget. How was the decision to put it in the Budget made when there was no money at the time?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I would be lying if I did not admit that this is the practice in the Government. It happens where you open up …

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, the word lie is unparliamentary.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I withdraw it. Let me rephrase my answer. To be honest, it is the practice in the Government to open up a Budget line in the case where a particular ministry cannot hold any more money due to the Budget ceiling knowing very well that the Ministry of Finance or, indeed, Parliament can later on make supplementary expenditure should there be a need for more money than what was used to open up the line. This happens in the Government systems and it is exactly what happened in this case.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Ms Katuta (Chienge): Mr Speaker, I remember that the late President, His Excellency Mr Michael Sata, may his soul rest in peace, had planned to purchase 100 fire tenders. However, from what I have heard and seen, only forty-two have been purchased against seventy- six districts. Considering that there is already an outcry about the price, what will the Government do about the districts that will be left out in view of what His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu said last week, on Friday, about not leaving anyone behind? Additionally, I want to find out if Chienge will benefit from the currently available forty-two fire tenders.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the directive that was given by the late President, may his soul rest in peace, was for a fire tender to be bought for every existing district. So, this purchase was deemed as Phase I. There should be a move to buy fire engines for the rest of the districts. I am sure that with the talk about the price, there should be a way of ensuring that we look at what has to be done to satisfy everyone.

 

In fact, Mr Speaker, let me correct the statement that we have seventy-six districts. We currently have 110 districts in Zambia.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mukumbuta (Senanga Central): (microphone malfunctioned)

 

Mr Speaker: You are incapacitated. Just wait a minute. We seem to have a problem with your facility.

 

The microphone was repaired.

 

Mr Speaker: There you go.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mukumbuta: Mr Speaker, in his statement, the hon. Minister said that there is public outcry over the price of the recently-acquired fire tenders. In the market scenario, you do not just consider the quality of a product, but the price as well. Considering the Government’s claim that it is a listening one , is there room to renegotiate the price and maintain the product?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I am not a procurement expert, but I do not know how we could possibly go back and renegotiate after the contracts were already signed, payments made and goods delivered. I do not know what room we have. However, it is something we can give a try.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Mwashingwele (Katuba): Mr Speaker, I would like to refer the hon. Minister to the case of the, then, Tourism and Arts Minister, Hon. Masebo, versus the People of Zambia. She was recently acquitted because she stood in the gap for the people when she cancelled hunting rights contracts. So, for the hon. Minister to argue that he has no power to counter an exorbitant price, is he sure that he is being sincere?

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker that is the reason we are saying that some cases went to court. When one starts getting into a field that he or she is not competent in, there is a problem there. In this case, the ZPPA gave no objection and the ACC cleared the procurement of the fire tenders. What would have been …

 

Mr Musukwa: Basis.

 

Mr Mwale: ... the basis for us, as politicians, to say, “Can you stop this supplier and get the other one,” when people in procurement were saying that the specifications they were looking for were met by one supplier?

 

In any case, Mr Speaker, we now have oversight institutions such as Parliament. It is now their duty to assess if there is a problem with this particular procurement. What I have said here is what happened in the ministry. Indeed, there is an outcry, but as I said, the amount equally worries me, but when I get down to the specifications and have the people in the ministry convince me on why they had to go for that supplier leaving out others, it became a totally different picture altogether. Those who are charged with oversight functions in society can come in if they see any problem in the way this particular procedure was done and do what they do best.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr A. B. Malama: Eh!

 

Mr Kamboni (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, initially, a donor was willing to sponsor the procurement of these fire tenders and that made a lot of sense, looking at our economy. We are in an economy which requires that part of our Budget be funded by co-operating partners. Morally, as the hon. Minister in charge, why was he in a hurry to use our meagre resources, which could have been channelled elsewhere, to procure these fire tenders as opposed to waiting until we had found another donor willing to procure on our behalf?

 

Ms Chonya: What was the rationale?

 

Mr Kamboni: If the hon. Minister found the price shocking, as he said, why did he not wait for another donor to fund that particular purchase of fire tenders because Zambia does not need that equipment at the moment?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, when I was responded to the question asked by Hon. Mwiimbu, I did state clearly that I am not aware that there was a donor who expressed desire to fund the procurement of these fire tenders. Perhaps, I need to go back to ask my colleagues at the ministry or even consult from the officers who were present at the time if there was such a thing. It would be difficult for me to say why I did not look for another donor for I am not aware of the first donor. What I am aware of is that there was a Presidential directive on the need to sort out this sector, to which the ministry responded. Where the money to implement the project was to come from was not a big issue even if it meant that it was to be donor-funded or funded by the Government.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Ms Chonya (Kafue): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank you for giving me an opportunity to ask the hon. Minister a question on this very difficult issue.

 

Sir, I tried to convert the amount involved per fire tender into our local currency, the Zambian Kwacha, and it is something around K9 million. In the unrebased Kwacha, it is K9 billion. Certainly, this is a colossal amount of money and, given the state of our economy, it made me wonder whether we could afford the luxury of settling for this expensive equipment when there were other cheaper versions.

 

Mr Speaker, in reference to a statement which was issued by one Zambian who, in his statement, concluded, after analysing the procurement that, without a doubt, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, including the Head State, is corrupt.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Hon. PF Members: Question!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Chilangwa: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

 

Ms Chonya: I wanted to find out …

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, you need to consult your handbook. I do not seem to have a copy with me, at the moment. However, it is stated therein that we will not bring the Head of State into debates in the manner you are proposing to.

 

So, if you may just steer off that aspect.

 

Ms Chonya: Thank you, Mr Speaker, for that guidance, but I was merely referring to the statement which I can lay on the Table …

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, I have provided guidance. You see, when you adopt a statement that violates our rules, it is not that member of the public who is accountable, but you who is here. I have guided you. So, just get to your question.

 

Ms Chonya: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chonya: My question is actually very simple. I just wanted to ask the hon. Minister whether he thinks Zambians are so gullible as to buy into what he is explaining to us concerning this procurement.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, my duty is to lay it bear as it is. In fact, I have come to the House to present an unsolicited statement. As a ministry, we volunteered to come here to give a ministerial statement to clarify a matter that is in public domain.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, we want to be as clear as possible. We have nothing to hide. I have said that even this decision to procure fire trucks was made by officers who were responsible for the procurement process by coming up with this tender and choosing which bidder to whom to award the tenders. In fact, where do we bring in other stakeholders like hon. Ministers, the Cabinet and the President in this whole procurement process? The procurement is handled by our technocrats who are employed to handle such matters.

 

Mr Speaker, whether Zambians believe it or not, my job is to be accountable and provide information as is. I sat with my officers in the ministry to solicit as much information as they could give me and this is what I have brought here. The Minister is not part of the procurement officers and that is why we have to get this information from those who were dealing with these matters at that time.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Jamba (Mwembeshi): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for that statement. However, even when a statement is not solicited from the hon. Minister, the public deserve to know because he occupies a public office. The issues surrounding the purchase of fire tenders are something to do with technical responsiveness towards the specifications outlined and also the price. Are we saying that there was no other bidder who could give us the fire trucks at half the price with almost the same specifications? Are we saying that this person who bade for US$1 million per truck was the only one who met the technical aspect of the trucks to be provided? Is the hon. Minister telling the people of Zambia that there was no one who bade at a lower price, even at US$500,000? US$1 million per truck is too much money.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the information given by the people who accessed the bids was they were the best evaluated bidder.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Tambatamba (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, I think that most of the issues about this country being in dire straits and its Government publicly committing to its citizens to live within its means have been belaboured. In this context, we talk about value for money and the leaders that are both on the right and left …

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, I have been very liberal. This juncture is for simple clarification and not for debate and long prefaces. If something is not clear to you, you can ask the hon. Minister. That is all. There is no need to address anybody.

 

Ms Tambatamba: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker, given that the hon. Minister is responsible for the resources assigned to the people of Zambia, through his ministry, and that the fire trucks have already been procured, could he explain to the people of Zambia how he will ensure that value for money in terms of durability and longevity of the equipment is achieved?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, this Government has always aspired to achieve this each time it provides services to the country. His Excellency the President has emphasised, so many times, that there be value for money as we procure goods and provide services. Perhaps, we must begin to think about reforms that can be undertaken to ensure that procurement processes are more enhanced by having more stringent measures applied and ensuring that they are more transparent. I am not saying that these were the challenges. However, if we have had such challenges in the past, we, as a country, must put in place proper systems going forward. Perhaps, those who are charged with the duty to procure goods will help us achieve more value for money. We promise to achieve this and since the hon. Minister of Finance has been talking about value for money, he should think about reforms that can ensure that that is always achieved in our procurement processes.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, the local government was a client in the procurement process and we cannot run away from that fact. Hon. Musokotwane, the Member of Parliament for Liuwa, asked the hon. Minister how urgent the procurement was against the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which the hon. Members have yearned for, for many years. Was it a priority for the Government or the people of Zambia?

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, as I said, the tender was done in 2015 and that is a long time ago. We have to go back to check the records to ascertain if the 2015 CDF was given or not.

 

Hon. UPND Members: It was not!

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I think that the hon. Member may be basing his argument on the current scenario. However, the procurement process was began and a part payment made even before the last elections. At that time, there were different hon. Members of Parliament on whose behalf the hon. Member cannot speak on whether they got the CDF. Let us not downplay the importance of fire-fighting equipment …

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwale: … because of the issue of pricing. Women and men suffered when the Lusaka City Market got burnt down. They began to experience problems because they could not sustain their livelihoods.

 

Ms Kapata: Ebaocele ababene!

 

Mr Mwale: People were affected when Katabalala Market, New Kasanda Market in Kabwe and Kapala Market were burnt down, and one person actually committed suicide in Ndola after all his goods were burnt down. I know that there is an issue surrounding the price of the fire trucks, but there is no way we can think that they are not an important aspect of the municipal service which we have to provide. We must actually ensure that all districts in the country have fire-fighting equipment and should not dwell much on the issue of pricing. We are being objective and talking about how we can enhance transparency in procurement, but we need fire-fighting equipment and we should not downplay that.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Daka (Msanzala): Mr Speaker, having heard what the others have said and considering the recent fires that gutted the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) poles in Chama and a filling station in Kasama, is the Government not in a hurry to distribute the important equipment other than going backward and forward?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the Government is in a hurry to dispatch the equipment, which came in batches. The first sixteen of the equipment was registered and insured and some districts have already received it. The rest of the equipment, which came in later, is being registered and insured before it can be distributed.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Kopulande (Chembe): Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for this opportunity to interrogate this important subject matter. For me, the price does not matter because I learnt very early in my childhood that cheap is actually expensive and I believe that investing in fire-fighting equipment may seem as useless as investing in an insurance policy which is never urgent until the need arises. In view of what we have learnt in the recent past and the experiences that we have gone through, is the Ministry of Local Government doing anything to revisit the building standards in our country in order to reduce fire susceptibility of our public institutions?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, we are strengthening the inspectorate departments at the various councils to ensure that each time construction is being undertaken, inspectors are there to ensure that access roads are intact and that there is enough space for fire-fighters so that we do not have any challenges. Early next year, each constituency in Lusaka will have its own civic centre so that the municipal services are localised and people do not have to queue up. That way, the people of Matero, Kabwata, Mandevu and other constituencies will be able to take care of their own problems. We are currently decentralising to ensure that we enhance inspections, as people construct.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Kasanda (Chisamba): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has not informed us on how these fire tenders were distributed. Seeing as Chisamba is in need of a fire tender, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what criterion was used in the distribution of the forty-two tenders, in view of the fact that we have 102 districts in need of them. 

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, if the hon. Member would care to get in touch with me tomorrow, I can avail the distribution list to her. I am aware that Chibombo District has been allocated one fire truck, but I will have to check whether Chisamba District has been given one too.  

 

Mr Speaker, the criterion used was based on the need for fire tenders in municipal councils. Priority was given to those councils that managed to construct fire stations. However, I will check and give feedback.

 

Lastly, Sir, I would like to correct the hon. Member that the number of districts in the country is 110 and not 102.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr A. Mumba (Kantanshi): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the rich background on what transpired. I get the feeling that Albion Exports Services Ltd was so sure that it would get the contract and also that it is behind all the misunderstandings that have occurred. I have also learnt that the company has further intentions to produce a document that will spell out the differences as well as state why the tender should have been awarded to it.

 

Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what the US$150,000 that this Government is supposed to pay is for? In one of the responses, I heard him talk about loss on profit; loss on profit for whom? 

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I was responding to an assertion by one hon. Member who said that we lost a case in Cape Town and, therefore, needed to compensate. The clarification is that what the company asked for as compensation is loss of profit in millions of United States (US) dollars. However, this was not awarded even though it is what the company was looking for when it went for arbitration. Albion Export Services did not win the case to get back the tender. The court, however, held that the Government pays legal fees of a certain amount because of some reasons given in the arbitration.  

 

Mr Speaker, I want to announce that we have appealed this decision.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: I have some few, but very persistent questioners. However, if I allow these questions, the list will extend. So, we will end here.

 

_______________

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

UPGRADING OF KANYAMA HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE

 

1. Ms Phiri (Kanyama) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:

 

(a) whether the Government had plans to upgrade the housing infrastructure in Kanyama Parliamentary Constituency;

(b) if so, when the plans would be implemented; and

(c) if there were no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development (Mr Chitotela): Mr Speaker, the Government has long-term and short-term plans to upgrade the housing infrastructure in Kanyama Parliamentary Constituency.

 

In the short term, Sir, the Government has plans to upgrade infrastructure in Kanyama Parliamentary Constituency under a phased approach, through the Participatory Slum Upgrade Programme, which is co-financed by the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

 

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development, through the Lusaka City Council, has started implementing Phase I of the Participatory Slum Upgrade Programme with focus on the following:

 

(a) re-planning of the settlement;

(b) land regularisation and improvement of security of tenure;

(c) improvement of access roads and drainage system;

(d) improvement of water and sanitation systems; and

(e) improvement of solid waste collection and management.

 

Mr Speaker, as for part (c) of the Question, the Government has plans as stated in (a).

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, Kanyama seats on prime land and every person who enters Zambia, from the south or north, will see it first. This being the case, we, the people of Kanyama, are of the view that the housing units be improved. Further, we feel that the unplanned settlements be legalised as quickly as possible.

 

Hon. Members: Question!

 

Ms Phiri: My question is: What is the time frame within which these projects are to be completed?

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the passion with which the hon. Member of Parliament has spoken. I only hope that she is not referring to Kanyama Township, but Kanyama Parliamentary Constituency.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, as I stated earlier, phase I of the Participatory Slum Upgrade Programme has been implemented by improving access roads and drainage systems as well as improving solid waste collection and management.

 

Mr Speaker, in the long-term, we want to upgrade Kanyama from a slum to a better dwelling place. This is after we have ensured that all the necessities are in place. The process and programme of upgrading Kanyama with basic necessities has started.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

CHOOMBWE/NACHIBILA ROAD

 

1. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Local Government:

 

(a) whether the Government had any plans to tar the Choombwe/Nachibila Road in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency;

(b) if so, when the project would commence;

(c) when the road was last rehabilitated; and

(d) who the contractor for the project was.

 

The Minister of Local Government (Mr Mwale): Mr Speaker, the Government has not yet planned for the tarring of Choombwe/Nachibila Road in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency because the road has not been submitted for inclusion on the annual work plan. The hon. Member of Parliament is, therefore, urged to engage the council and submit this road to be considered in the 2018/2019 Annual Work Plan.

 

Sir, the project will commence once the road is planned for in the annual work plan. Further, records on when the road was last worked on and the contractor who last worked on it are non-existent.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, this road is now a river. Is it possible for the hon. Minister to see the condition in which this road is? Last year, it was not used and if it is not graded this year, people will not have access to the area …

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, with that invitation, my ministry would visit the hon. Member’s area to have a look at the road. We would want to work on all the rural roads in order for us to boost productivity. Hon. Siliya would want to see the rural roads worked on so that agriculture can be further boosted from its current status. So, that is one of the roads that the ministry would love to work on. Like I advised, the hon. Member should ask the local council to include it on the list of priority roads to be worked on so that something can be done about it.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

REHABILITATION OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IN SERENJE CONSTITUENCY

 

4. Mr Kabanda (Serenje) asked the Minister of General Education:

 

(a) whether the Government had any plans to rehabilitate the following community schools in Serenje Parliamentary Constituency, which were in a deplorable state:

 

(i) Ntenge; and

(ii) Kabale;

 

(b) if so, when the plans would be implemented; and

(c) if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of General Education (Dr Wanchinga): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to rehabilitate Ntenge and Kabala Community schools in Serenje Parliamentary Constituency. We appreciate that the two schools are in a deplorable state, but the House may wish to note that the Ministry of General Education has been supporting community schools in various ways such as providing grants, teachers and learning materials. Therefore, as and when funds are available, the two community schools will be considered for rehabilitation in 2018. Therefore, the ministry has plans to rehabilitate the two schools.

 

Mr Speaker, let me hasten to add a bit more important information on the two schools. The Government has provided three teachers, who are on payroll, at Ntenge Primary School while Kabale Primary School is awaiting the full construction of teachers’ houses, which has been a major challenge for this particular community school.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Does the hon. Minister for General Education have a problem with his microphone because what is reflecting on my screen is the hon. Minister of Energy’s portrait?

 

Dr Wanchinga: Sir, the problem is having too many microphones in front of me.

 

Mr Speaker: No! No!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: It is the problem of not using your microphone.

 

Laughter

 

Dr Wanchinga moved to his microphone.

 

Mr Speaker: You see, you are now using your microphone because I can see your portrait now.

 

Dr Wanchinga: I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS AND SCHOOL HALL COSNTRUCTION AT CARITAS SECONDARY SCHOOL IN NDOLA

 

4. Dr Chanda (Bwana Mkubwa) asked the Minister of General Education when the construction of the following at Caritas Secondary School in Ndola would commence:

 

(a) additional classroom blocks; and

(b) a school hall.

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, yes, I am now on the right microphone.

 

Mr Speaker: Yes.

 

Laughter

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, the House that the Government has no immediate plans to construct additional classroom blocks and a school hall at the grant-aided Caritas Secondary School in Ndola.

 

Sir, from the information available at the Ministry of General Education, the two projects have been taken up by the school’s Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) and two structures are already being constructed. Therefore, the ministry will only be able to provide some technical support to ensure that the project is completed to expected standards.

 

Mr Speaker, in the midst of scarce resources, the Government can only give consideration to projects in a phased approach. We are revising our methodologies of engaging various schools that are seeking granted-aided status. Therefore, we want to sign memoranda of understanding (MOUs) specifying the exact ways in which the Government can intervene in the operations of schools. As it is now, we have a situation where a school’s administration can just wake up and ask for various items. So, we will see a more organised approach to the process of granting schools with granted-aided status.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

ZNBC OFFICES IN CHINSALI

 

5. Mr Mukosa (Chinsali) asked the Minister of Information and Broadcasting:

 

(a) whether the Government had any plans to establish offices for the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation in Chinsali District;

(b) if so, when the plans would be implemented; and

(c) if there were no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Information and Broadcasting (Ms Mulenga): Mr Speaker, the ministry has a plan to build a provincial broadcasting station in Chinsali District. This project is part of the implementation of phases two and three of the Digital Migration Project. The Provincial broadcasting stations will be utilised by the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) as local offices as well.

 

Mr Speaker, the implementation of the plan has already started. At the moment, the contractor has started building the transmission house and tower. The works on the main provincial broadcasting station in Chinsali will commence once the contractor has completed the construction of the transmission house on or before 15^th October, 2017. The commencement of the construction works in Chinsali, Mongu, Mansa, Chipata, Kabwe and Kasama will, therefore, start before the end of October, 2017.

 

Mr Speaker, part (c) of the question is not relevant considering that the ministry does have a plan.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

FARMING BLOCKS IN CHINSALI

 

6. Mr Mukosa asked the Minister of Agriculture:

 

(a) whether the Government had any plans to establish farming blocks in Chinsali District;

(b) if so, when the plans would be implemented; and

(c) if there were no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Agriculture (Ms Siliya): Mr Speaker, the farming block development guidelines and plans stipulate that each province is expected to have, at least, one farming block under the Farming Block Development Programme. In Muchinga Province, Manshya Farming Block has been designated for development. This farming block covers an area of 147,000 ha, covering parts of three districts, namely Chinsali, Shiwang’andu and Mpika.

 

Sir, the plans for the development of the farming block are already underway. A total of 5,000 ha of land has been allocated to Mushe Milling Limited and is now at the stage of cadastral surveying. The rest of the land has been allocated to small-holder farmers.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

YOUTH AGRICULTURE EMPOWERMENT SCHEMES IN NYIMBA CONSTITUENCY

 

7. Mrs Mwansa (Nyimba) asked the Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development:

 

(a) whether the Government had plans to establish youth agriculture empowerment schemes in Nyimba Parliamentary Constituency;

(b) if so, when the plans would be implemented; and

(C) if there were no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development (Mr Mawere): Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament may wish to know that the Government has plans to establish, at least, one youth development centre in each province, including the Eastern Province. The centres are meant to empower youths with land to enable them to engage in agriculture and related activities.

 

Mr Speaker, the establishment of a youth development centre in the Eastern Province awaits identification of land and mobilisation of required financial resources. The ministry has written to all provincial administrations, including in the Eastern Province, to facilitate the identification and allocation of land for the programme. Once established, the youth development centre in the Eastern Province will benefit youths from all constituencies, including Nyimba Parliamentary Constituency.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

KANYAMA SECONDARY SCHOOL RETICULATION SYSTEM

 

8. Mr Samakayi (Mwinilunga) asked the Minister of General Education:

 

(a) when a water reticulation system would be installed at Kanyama Secondary School in Mwinilunga District; and

(b) what had caused the delay in installing the system despite the school opening to the public in 2012.

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, two boreholes were drilled and installed by the contractor that constructed Kanyama Secondary School in Mwinilunga. However, after the reticulation system became ready for use, it experienced a number of problems. Due to the nature of the soil around the borehole, there were very fine particles which always found their way into the water pumps, causing them to jam and making the water system to fail.

 

Therefore, Mr Speaker, the Government has now identified a separate source of water supply to the school, which is Lunga River, which is about 3 km from the school. The new system will include a raw water intake pump station and all the necessary equipment that will allow water to be supplied to the school. It is hoped that this system will be put in place before the end of the year.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

NSALU CAVE HERITAGE AND DAVID LIVINGSTONE MEMORIAL SITES AS TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

 

9. Mr Mutale (Chitambo) asked the Minister of Tourism and Arts:

 

(a) whether the Government had any plans to promote the Nsalu Cave Heritage and David Livingstone Memorial sites in Chitambo District as tourist attractions;

(b) if so, when the plans would be implemented; and

(c) what immediate activities would be undertaken to improve the outlook of the two sites.

 

The Minister of Tourism and Arts (Mr C. Banda): Mr Speaker, the Government of the Republic of Zambia has plans to promote the two sites. To date, a visit by a team of local and international journalists has been facilitated to both sites on an educational tour from which documentaries were produced and articles published to profile the two sites as tourist destinations. Notable documentaries and articles have, so far, been produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) Travel Series, Zambian National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), Zambian Daily Mail and Times of Zambia, as a direct effort of the Ministry of Tourism and Arts, through its tourism promotion and marketing agency, the Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA).

 

Mr Speaker, the promotion of David Livingstone Memorial and Nsalu Cave Heritage sites and other attractions in the Northern Circuit is ongoing. The Government of the Republic of Zambia, through its implementing institution, the National Heritage Conversation Commission (NHCC), intends to uplift the status of the David Livingstone Memorial Site by construction of visitor facilities as follows:

 

(a) ablution block with showers;

(b) visitor information centre;

(c) resting shelters;

(d) camping site area; and

(e) car park for overnight visitors.

 

Mr Speaker, of these activities, the construction of the ablution block is in the 2017 Budget and Work Plan. Architectural drawings were already worked on and works will commence once funds are made available.

 

In the same vein, Mr Speaker, the Government will encourage the private sector to invest in other tourism infrastructure such as the development of a campsite. In addition, the rehabilitation of the road leading to David Livingstone Memorial Site has been planned for this year by Chitambo District Council. Other infrastructure at the site, such as shelters, will be considered starting from the 2018 Budget once financial resources are available.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, with the assistance of the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA,) erected information signage at the site in 2005. The signage is still visible at the site. Other improvements of the site will be considered, in future, once funds are available.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

CHINGOLA/NJIMBE/ANGOLA RAILWAY LINE

 

10. Mr Lufuma (Kabompo) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:

 

(a) was. when the construction of the Chingola/Njimbe/Angola Railway Line would commence;

(b) what had caused the delay in commencing the project;

(c) whether a contractor for the project had been engaged;

(d) if so, what the name of the contractor was; and

(e) what the time frame for the completion of the project

 

The Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development (Mr Chitotela): Mr Speaker, in principle, the Government has approved the acquisition of 30 per cent equity shares in the North-Western Railways Company Limited and its contribution to the project will be through provision of railway reserve land.

 

Sir, the delay was caused by the need to reach a consensus on the percentage share that the Government was to acquire in the North-Western Railways Company Limited that proposed an unsolicited bid to it to construct the railways. The Government and the North-Western Railways Company Limited are in the process of drafting a shareholders’ agreement and reviewing the Articles of Association for the North-Western Railways Company Limited.

 

Mr Speaker, no contractor has been identified yet for this project. The completion period will only be known once the contractor is identified and engaged.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, this project was mooted in 2005. Almost twelve years later, we are still talking about equity, articles of association and memoranda of understanding. Seriously, the Chingola/Solwezi Road is in a dilapidated state mainly because of the bulk carriers of copper from Solwezi to the Copperbelt and onwards for export, which is for the benefit of our country. Why has it taken so long for the Government to arrive at getting the 30 per cent shareholding in the North-Western Railways Company Limited so much that the project has been delayed for twelve years?

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, seriously ...

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chitotela: ... the Chingola/Solwezi Road is coming up very well and it has been designed to last for the next twenty years. The width of that road is 11 m. I think the people of the North-Western Province are very excited about it. For the first time, Solwezi will have a dual carriageway. This Government is very serious about completing that project.

 

Sir, regarding the North-Western Railways Company Limited, that is a private company, and so, I cannot speak for it on why the commencement of the project has delayed just as I cannot speak for the previous Governments. However, under the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Lungu, the Cabinet approved the acquisition of 30 per cent shares in the North-Western Railways Company Limited in principle. We now need to engage the owners of the project so that we begin to amend the articles of association in order to protect the Government’s interest.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to either deny or confirm the allegation that the twelve-year delay might have been due to certain interests of people in the Government. Allegedly, some people in the Government circles have vehicles which transport copper, and the substitution of vehicle transportation with railway transportation will lead to competition, hence causing vehicle owners to lose out on business. Can the hon. Minister clarify that issue.

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, the Government does not work on assumptions. Therefore, I cannot confirm the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabompo’s perception. However, I can confirm that this Government has accepted to buy 30 per cent shares in the North-Western Railways Company Limited so that construction of the railways can start, and the interests of the Government be protected.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

____________

 

 

MOTION

 

MOTION OF THANKS

 

Mr Chiteme (Nkana): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the thanks of the Assembly be recorded for the exposition of public policy contained in the President’s Address.

 

Mr Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

 

Mrs Jere (Lumezi): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

 

Mr Chiteme: Mr Speaker, in the first instance, allow me to thank you for the honour you have bestowed upon me to move the Motion of Thanks on His Excellency the President’s Address. I congratulate His Excellency on his well-delivered speech to this august House. Indeed, the speech was a clear indication of his eloquence as well as passion for peace, welfare and development in this great Republic.

 

Mr Speaker, the positive acclamation of this House to His Excellency the President’s Official Opening Speech, under the theme, “Moving Towards a Prosperous Smart Zambia in Peace and Tranquility without Leaving Anyone Behind,” was an indication that, as Zambians, we are eager to work together to maintain unity, regardless of our political affiliation, religious and tribal backgrounds.

 

Sir, as His Excellency the President rightly put it, “Even though we may disagree and quarrel, we remain one. The factors that unite us are much greater than those that seek to divide us.” In agreeing with him, I wish to echo the slogan of “One Zambia, One Nation” which he ably used to remind us that we are and will always remain one people, provided we work together to preserve the peace and unity we treasure and enjoy.

 

Mr A. B. Malama: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chiteme: Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President’s commitment to maintaining peace and unity resounded when he restated the words from his National Address of March, 2017, by emphasising that “Patriotism and national unity should speak to the heart and soul of every Zambian in our quest to sustain our sovereignty and to build a better country for ourselves and for the future generations.” I believe these words carry a powerful message which should serve as a reminder to every Zambian on a daily basis.

 

Sir, apart from highlighting the importance of peace and unity, His Excellency the President’s Speech provided an excellent progress report on the performance of the party and its Government during the previous years. In this vein, allow me to commend His Excellency the President for offering a brave and honest analysis of the major constraints the country is faced with, such as high poverty levels, especially in rural areas. However, he was also optimistic to inform us of the positive achievements attained by the Government in bringing development to our country.

 

Mr Speaker, it is gratifying to note that after subdued economic activities, whose growth rate was reduced by 2.9 per cent in 2015, there has been a rebound in 2017. His Excellency the President gave hope when he stated that the economy was growing despite it growing at a lower than targeted percentage, which is at 3.4 per cent growth rate against the targeted 7 per cent contained in the Revised Sixth National Development Plan. His Excellency the President added that growth is projected to strengthen at 4.1 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2017. This growth is expected to continue in years to come during the implementation of the Economic Stabilisation Programme. In my view, the Government’s economic interventions are working and His Excellency the President deserves to be praised for his efforts.

 

Hon. A. B. Malama: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chiteme: Mr Speaker, the economy has continued its recovery in 2017, the stronger growth and better macroeconomic indicators will result in an improvement in the fiscal indicators, therefore, result into real changes in the lives of our people in this country. The party and its Government have and will continue to further reduce the stock of public expenditure arrears and improve commitment controls, including continuous monitoring, to ensure that the problems we have encountered do not recur. This party and its Government are committed to ensuring that our public debt strategy is communicated via public reports, going forward.

 

Sir, economic growth is expected to be stable at 4.1 per cent in 2017, 4.5 per cent in 2018 and 4.7 per cent in 2019 from 3.4 per cent in 2016. Inflation declined to 6.5 per cent in May, 2017, from a peak of 20 per cent in February, 2016, and together with a stable kwacha, this has led to the Central Bank easing its monetary policy, thereby reversing the pressure on credit growth. This is evidence enough that the party and its Government have been making progress with this economic recovery plan dubbed ‘Zambia Plus’. The Government will continue to implement its economic recovery plan. The harvest and electricity production has been high because of the favourable weather and copper production and will increase because of the recently refurbished mines and the use of improved technology.

 

Sir, those who judge the Government merely by the heights it has achieved would do well to remember the depth from where it is coming.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chiteme: Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President touched on strategic areas. I wish to congratulate him for presenting the development agenda to the House, which will guide this country for the next five years. The agenda focuses on five strategic areas, namely the following:

 

(a) economic diversification and job creation;

(b) poverty and vulnerability reduction;

(c) developmental inequalities reduction;

(d) enhancing human development; and

(e) creating a conducive governance environment for a diversified and inclusive economy.

 

Sir, in moving this Motion, I will highlight some of the pertinent issues under some of the strategic areas contained in the President’s Speech as follows:

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chiteme:

 

Economic Diversification and Job Creation

 

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President informed this august House that economic diversification agenda of this country did not come to fruition because of the poor economic growth rate that the country experienced. As a result, sectors such as agriculture, forestry and fishing were affected. Consequently, there was also a slow growth in job creation.

 

Sir, despite this seemingly pessimistic picture, His Excellency the President provided hope to all Zambians when he stated, in his speech, that the Government was still committed to attaining a resilient and diversified economy which would benefit all citizens. This optimism exhibited in his speech is a mark of true leadership, as it provides assurance to all Zambians that things will get better, and the challenges the country is faced with will be overcome through hard work and perseverance. The Government believes that if real development is to take place, then, our people have to be involved.

 

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President stated that the Government is pursuing economic diversification and job creation through value addition and industrialisation, anchored on agriculture, mining, and tourism. I appreciated the detailed manner in which he explained diversification in each of these three areas. What diversification in agriculture entails became clearer because of his explanation. It is not just about crops, but includes infrastructure, mechanisation, value chains and access to finance to mention, but just a few.

 

Mr Speaker, on the issue of agriculture, it is interesting to note that the Government is supporting a number of projects to be delivered in the next two years. These include the following:

 

(a) establishment of a mango processing facility in the Eastern Province;

(b) investment in palm oil plantation and palm oil processing plant in Luapula Province; and

(c) investment in a cashew nut project in the Western Province and re-establishment of a pineapple processing facility in the North-Western Province.

 

Sir, this is a good initiative of taking development to the rural parts of Zambia which are the most affected areas by poverty. This will, therefore, ensure that no one is left behind in accessing the benefits of development. This party and its Government has successfully increased the production of crops, mostly maize, and other crops such as cassava, soya beans and wheat. This is largely thanks to the increased size of areas under cultivation as opposed to increased yields.

 

Mr Speaker, in this vein, even I as an accountant by profession commend this working Government for its constant calls for agriculture to be considered as a business opportunity as opposed to something that retired people should engaged in. There is an enormous scope to increase agriculture productivity and reduce the vulnerability associated with dependence on rain-fed agriculture.

 

Sir, while the Government has increased public expenditure on agriculture, we still believe that there is vast scope to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The Government is looking at ways of improving spending in agriculture to ensure the promotion of a non-copper economy and improved rural livelihood. Low agricultural productivity is an impediment to poverty reduction and has knock on effects such as gender disparities, land degradation and rapid deforestation.

 

Sir, our plan for diversification in tourism includes medical tourism, meetings, mine tours and ethno-tourism to mention, but a few. It is gratifying to hear His Excellency the President state that the Government is involving communities in the management of wildlife. So far, seventy-six community resource boards have been established in game management areas (GMAs) employing a total of 914 scouts from within the community. This provides strong evidence of the Government’s commitment to empowering poor people by taking development to the communities. I support this approach by the Government, as it dignifies communities by not only providing them with development, but also by partnering with them.

 

Mr Speaker, like I said, the community has to be involved in order for real development to take place. The Patriotic Front (PF) Government, under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, does not only talk about being pro-poor, but also practices it. In short, it walks the talk.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

 

Mr Chiteme: Mr Speaker, domestic tourism has the potential to provide economic development, cultural growth and national integration. This sector has the potential to play an increasingly important role in stimulating economic growth by contributing to job creation, foreign exchange earnings, entrepreneurial and infrastructure development and improved rural communities, where most of our attractions are based.

 

Sir, it is common knowledge that our economy faced challenges from both domestic and external factors. This is why the Government has announced its resolve to diversify the economy as one of its measures to mitigate the said challenges. Besides agriculture, copper and timber, tourism will become a sector with the potential to transform this country’s economy. It is worth mentioning that domestic tourism is a key component that will bring about job creation and stability of the kwacha.

 

Mr Speaker, this is a vast country of great beauty and diversity. Its potential in tourism is equally vast with a rich cultural heritage superbly manifested in many of our tourism sites such as the mighty Victoria Falls, which is one of the renowned seven wonders of this world, and a wealth of wildlife spread across nineteen national parks. In addition, the country has thirty-four game GMAs with a total area of 65,000 square kilometres. This country boasts vast waterfalls, lakes and rivers with one of the biggest manmade lakes and one of the biggest concentrations of bird species the world over.

 

Mr Speaker, allow me to comment on the mining sector. His Excellency the President informed the House that this Government has committed itself to continue with a mapping programme for the remaining parts of the country, namely Muchinga, Luapula, the Northern and North-Western provinces. In addition, diversification within the mining sector will involve carrying out mineral surveys for gemstone, clay and lime stone in order to promote their exploitation, among other things. Specific areas to be surveyed include the North-Western Province for gemstones and the Copperbelt, North-Western and Luapula provinces for limestone.

 

Sir, apart from mineral surveys, the Government will continue to build the capacity of small-scale miners with the implementation of the development mineral capacity building programmes. These programmes will not only enhance capacity in the exploitation and development of minerals through training, but will also create market linkages and provision of grants. In this regard, it is gratifying to note that seventy small-scale miners have undergone a Trainer of Trainers Programme in geology, mining, processing, environment, safety, value addition, quarry management and human rights.

 

Mr Speaker, I am also glad to note that His Excellency the President also talked about the importance of the energy sector as a catalyst for economic diversification and job creation. His Excellency the President stated that the Government will diversify sources of energy from hydro to solar, wind, biomass and nuclear. It is my sincere hope that we, as parliamentarians, in this august House will ensure that adequate resources are provided for these activities as we scrutinise the 2018 National Budget.

 

Poverty vulnerability reduction

 

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President acknowledged that the poverty levels in this country remain unacceptably high with 54.4 per cent of people living below the poverty datum line, especially in rural areas. I applaud him for being sincere to the people of Zambia. Not many people are sincere.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chiteme: Mr Speaker, in light of this sincerity, I commend His Excellency the President for the measures that the Government continues to put in place to uplift the living standards of the people, regardless of where they live. This is especially evidenced by the provision of social protection programmes such as the Social Cash Transfer Programme, which has been rolled-out from seventy-eight districts, in 2016, to all the districts in 2017. His Excellency the President stated that the number of households benefiting has also increased from 242,000 to 590,000. In addition, he indicated that the amounts under the Social Cash Transfer for beneficiary households have been increased by 28 per cent from K70 to K90 per month. This is, indeed, a remarkable feat in the fight against poverty and a true testimony that His Excellency the President and this party are committed to helping the poor.

 

Mr Speaker, our resolve to further reduce poverty includes investment in key economic sectors with special interest on agriculture and rural development. This will be done by improving rural infrastructure, creating rural employment opportunities through the promotion of large-scale enterprises, strengthening the linkages of small-scale farmers to commercial producers and agro- businesses, stimulating small-scale rural businesses by helping poor people improve food production and strengthening social services in education and health. All this is being complemented by our National Agriculture Policy.

 

Reducing Developmental Inequalities

 

Sir, as stated in the President’s Speech to this House, the strategies towards reducing developmental inequalities are at the core of the Patriotic Front (PF) Party and the Government’s agenda. In this regard, His Excellency the President of this Republic, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, will ensure that his Government addresses challenges relating to developmental inequalities through various policy interventions, including the promotion of integrated rural development, rehabilitation and maintenance of district feeder roads and strengthening of gender affirmative action. The Government’s policies in managing inequality are universal because they pay particular attention to the needs of the disadvantaged and marginalised.

 

Enhancing Human Development

 

Mr Speaker, the Government must be congratulated for its continued recognition of education as an equaliser. In this regard, the Government has continued to support education for all the learners in this country, especially the vulnerable female learners in rural areas. The Government is currently running a bursary scheme entitled, “Keeping the Girls in School Project.” Under this project, over 14,000 girls from extremely poor households are being supported to access secondary school education.

 

Sir, His Excellency the President recognises the fact that human development is critical for us to have a smart Zambia. Accordingly, the Government has continued to prioritise investment in human capital development for a healthy, skilled, productive and innovative citizenry. In this regard, nine provincial hospitals have been expanded and upgraded to tertiary level hospitals and modernisation is going on at various health institutions.

 

Sir, His Excellency the President has also confirmed that the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus/Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) remains a challenge in the country. However, significant strides in combating the pandemic is evidenced in the reduction of the prevalence rate in adult population from 13.3 per cent in 2014 to 11.6 per cent in 2016. This is a great achievement and the PF Government must be applauded by all Zambians.

 

Creating a Conducive Governance Environment for a Diversified and Inclusive Economy

 

Mr Speaker, I am in full support of His Excellency the President’s statement that good governance is a prerequisite to our political stability, human security, economic growth and sustainable development. I am, therefore, confident that the Government will remain committed to the consultative process in the governance of our country through the creation of a smart platform for consultation, as the Cluster Advisory Groups at national and sub-national levels. The advisory groups which will have broad participation from both State and non-State actors will enhance accountability mechanisms.

 

Mr Speaker, I should also echo the words of the great luminary, Mr Julius Kambarange Mwalimu Nyerere who said that:

 

“No nation has a right to make decisions for another nation nor people for other people.”

 

Mr Speaker, it is, therefore, unpatriotic for the Zambian citizens in the Opposition political parties to go out to the international community to disparage our nation. It is so unfortunate. We need home-grown solutions for our challenges. Zambia will be built by Zambians. We need to grow, eat, buy, dress and fly Zambian.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chiteme: Mr Speaker, that is why our Government, under the able-leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has designed an economic recovery plan dubbed, “Zambia Plus.” These are the solutions through which we will secure our country.

 

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, let me state that a number of successes have been recorded by the PF Government in all sectors of the economy in the year under review and more positive results will follow in the coming years through the integrated approach. To achieve these aspirations, it is absolutely imperative that the country continues to enjoy peace and unity. I, therefore, call upon my fellow Parliamentarians to work together in unity so that we can deliver to the expectations of the Zambian people, who entrusted us with the responsibility of representing them in overseeing the activities of the Government. Being in the Opposition does not mean that people should literally oppose everything that the Government does.

 

With these few words, I beg to move.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Jere: Mr Speaker, first and foremost, I wish to express my sincere thanks to you for according me this opportunity to second the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, which was delivered on the Official Opening of the Second Session of the Twelfth National Assembly on Friday, 15^th September, 2017. The speech by His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the President of the Republic of Zambia, was well-presented and I feel honoured to second it today.

 

Mr Speaker, let me recognise the able manner in which Hon. Alexander Chiteme moved the Motion of Thanks to the speech which was delivered by His Excellency the President. In this regard, I wish to join him in commending His Excellency the President for a well-articulated speech …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Jere: … under the theme, “Moving towards a Prosperous Smart Zambia in Peace and Tranquility without Leaving Anyone Behind.”

 

Sir, in explaining the theme of his speech, His Excellency the President called upon all of us to seriously reflect on the state of our national unity, our sense of patriotism and a spirit of oneness, as a nation.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Jere: Sir, to embrace this call, I totally agree with His Excellency the President that we all need to engage in a thorough soul-search to help us come to the realisation that our oneness is embedded and secured in our common heritage, national values and principles. I applaud His Excellency the President for emphasising the need to maintain peace and unity. These are values we should safeguard and maintain, not only for ourselves, but also for future generations.

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Jere: Mr Speaker, allow me, at this juncture, to mention some salient points from the five developmental pillars referred to by His Excellency the President in his speech to this august House, last Friday. In discussing one of the developmental pillars, his Excellency the President talked about economic diversification and job creation. He also encouraged the Public Service workers to engage in agricultural activities whilst they are still active and energetic instead of waiting for the time they retire. Despite this counsel being appropriate and relevant to the Public Service workers, I would have also appreciated hearing His Excellency the President emphasise the need for the youths to get actively involved in agriculture so that they can contribute positively to the development of this nation. The youths constitute a unique constituency of potential farmers waiting to be tapped into. I would, therefore, like to stress the need for the Patriotic Front (PF) Government to engage the youth when it comes to agriculture because the survival and sustainability of Zambia’s agriculture rests squarely on them who are the farmers and leaders of tomorrow.

 

Sir, I greatly welcome the Government’s plan to continue the implementation of the Development Mineral Capacity Building programme for small-scale miners, as an aspect of economic diversification in the mining sector. This programme is important as it will equip small-scale miners with skills in value addition, quarry management and processing and safety, among others.

 

Mr Speaker, with such skills, our small-scale miners will be able to contribute to the growth and development of the sector and the economy in general. However, as the Government implements this programme, I wish to appeal to it to pay particular attention to women small-scale miners who are in the minority in this competitive and challenging field.

 

Sir, if this is done, women small-scale miners will not only thrive as miners, but will also serve as role models to other women interested in small-scale mining who, at the moment, may be hesitant to venture into this field owing to its many challenges, including the complexities of acquiring mining licences.

 

Mr Speaker, in his speech, His Excellency the President mentioned the need for diversification within the tourism sector. To this effect, he made reference to the promotion of non-traditional tourism products, such as sports events, mine tours, meetings, conferences and other events. This is a good initiative as it has been observed that a number of countries are reaping financial benefits through the hosting of meetings, conferences and sports events.

 

Mr Speaker, if Zambia is to garner similar benefits, there is a need for the Government to ensure that it increases and improves infrastructure, such as conference and convention centres, stadia and sports facilities. This way, as a nation, it can compete favourably on the global stage.

 

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President highlighted the positive benefits of the Social Cash Transfer programme under the development pillar ‘Poverty and Vulnerability Reduction’. The positive and success stories which have resulted from the Social Cash Transfer programme are impressive. The initiative is a life changing phenomenon for the beneficiaries and their families.

Mr Speaker, positive as the initiative is, the issue of sustainability of the programme is critical to avoid a dependency syndrome of some sort. As much as there are successful life changing stories, it is important to come up with strategies on how sustainable this programme can be so that once withdrawn, the beneficiaries do not feel left out in the cold.

 

Mr Speaker, it is gratifying to note that His Excellency the President acknowledged that the gap between the rich and the poor remains wide.

 

Mr Speaker, development pillar ‘Reducing Development Inequalities’ sets the tone for the argument that in as much as there is a need to tackle both rural and urban poverty, there is also a need to put more emphasis on addressing rural poverty. A decline in rural poverty could, in fact, result in a decline in urban poverty. Rural poverty is one of the major factors that are attributed to the high influx of the population from the rural to urban areas, thereby, putting pressure on the limited facilities in the health sector and other social sectors in urban areas.

 

Mr Speaker, it is, therefore, my sincere hope that the measures taken by the Government to accelerate investment in ventures such as forestry, tea, coffee and aqua culture production will not be confined to urban areas only, but should also embrace rural areas as well.

 

Additionally, the rehabilitation and maintenance of district and feeder roads will go a long way in alleviating transportation challenges farmers face in their quest to market their produce.

 

Mr Speaker, under development pillar “Enhancing Human Development,” His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, informed the nation through this august House that thirty-five district hospitals were at various levels of construction out of which twelve are operational. He further informed the House that nine provincial hospitals are being expanded and upgraded to tertiary level hospitals.

 

Sir, the move to improve the provision of health services such as an increase in health infrastructure is indeed an important ingredient in enhancing human and economic development in the nation. However, the reality on the ground reveals a different situation. Most hospitals and clinics are still understaffed despite the recruitment of the 7,400 health workers. In short, there has been a minimal impact in offsetting the huge challenge of the health worker/patient ratio. As the Government reflects on this, it should also ensure that the newly constructed district hospitals and the recently expanded tertiary level hospitals are stocked with adequate drugs and equipment.

 

Mr Speaker, I will, therefore, urge the Government, through the Ministry of health, to address the challenges being faced in most of our clinics and hospitals to ensure that there is no mismatch between the number of health workers, health centres and drugs in our country.

 

Mr Speaker, still under development pillar “Enhancing Human Development”, I wish to state that a nation that is not educated cannot have meaningful development due to the lack of skilled human resource. In this regard, we expect to see more construction of school infrastructure, including teachers’ houses. This will attract more teachers to go and teach in rural schools which will in turn improve learner performance.

 

Mr Speaker, in line with what has been said above, I would like to implore the Government to build more schools both at primary and secondary school levels in rural areas. Doing so will enable more children access education and ultimately contribute meaningfully to the development of this nation. The same is true for tertiary education. Additionally, the Government should build universities as well as skills training centres in every province to enable school leavers to have an opportunity to specialise in the field of their choice and ability.

 

Mr Speaker, in concluding my remarks on the Motion, may I remind each one of us that Zambia belongs to all of us …

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Jere: … and it is in this spirit that the Government should aim at ensuring that development reaches all corners of our country so that everyone can reap the benefits of a prosperous smart Zambia. However, let me reiterate that this can only happen if we continue reflecting on the wise words of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu to value the fifty-three years of peace, stability and unity that we have enjoyed as a nation.

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Mrs Jere: Mr Speaker, with these few words, I beg to second the Motion.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mung’andu: Ema seconder aba!

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

(Debate adjourned)

 

________

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

________

 

The house adjourned at 8110 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 20^th September, 2017.

 

_________