Debates- Friday, 20th September, 2013

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DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE THIRD SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Friday, 20th September, 2013

The House met at 1000 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_______

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

The following hon. Members took and subscribed to the Oath of Allegiance:

Rueben Phiri Mtolo

Brian Kaimbi Chitafu

Villie Ephraim Lombanya

Ingrid Mulonda Mphande

Peter Phiri

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order! 
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TIME OF THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, will be arriving at 1025 hours to declare the causes of his calling the House to meet today.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Business was suspended from 1012 hours until 1050 hours.

His Excellency the President entered the Assembly Chamber escorted by Mr Speaker.

(Assembly Resumed)

The Clerk read the Proclamation.

_______

THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

His Excellency the President (Mr M. C. Sata): Mr Speaker, Madam Chief Justice, the Leader of Government Business in the House, in accordance with the decorum of this august House, I join you and the rest of the hon. Members of Parliament to officially open the Third Session of the Eleventh National Assembly.

It is now one year since I last addressed this august House on the occasion of the official opening of the Second Session of the Eleventh National Assembly. A number of developments have since taken place in our country.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

  The President: Mr Speaker, before I go any further, I note with sadness that during the Second Session of the Eleventh National Assembly, the House lost the hon. Member for Mansa Central Parliamentary Constituency, the late Mr Kennedy Sakeni, and former Minister of Information and Broadcasting, who passed away on 5th September, 2013. May his soul rest in peace.

May I now ask the House to stand and observe a minute of silence in honour of our dear departed colleague.

Hon. Members of Parliament stood in silence for one minute and then sang the National Anthem.

The President: Mr Speaker, this session is special in many respects. Firstly, it marks almost two years of hard work by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Sir, the PF Government came into power to address the many social and economic challenges facing the Zambian people so as to restore their dignity and former glory. This is in line with the PF’s vision which is enshrined in our manifesto which states: “The citizens of this land not only deserve better lives, but are entitled to better lives.”

Mr Speaker, secondly, the session also comes against the background of Zambia having successfully co-hosted, with Zimbabwe, the highest ever attended United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly last month. The event has helped to raise Zambia’s image as a tourist destination of choice.

Sir, thirdly, this session sets the stage for the commemoration of Zambia’s 50th Independence Anniversary, the golden jubilee, in October next year. The theme of the celebrations is: “Commemorating God’s favour of Zambia’s 50 years of Independence for continued peace, unity, democracy, patriotism and prosperity.” This is an opportunity for us as a country to reflect on our achievements and challenges. It is equally an occasion to motivate and energise ourselves, as a united people, to face the future with resolve. During the commemoration, the Government will bestow deserving individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of this country with a special Single Class Independence Day Medal.

Mr Speaker, I am happy to note that, during the Second Session of the Eleventh National Assembly, the hon. Members of Parliament worked together across party lines to deal with matters of great importance to the nation in the interest of our people. This was demonstrated by the number of Bills passed, parliamentary questions debated and ministerial statements presented.

Mr Speaker, I, therefore, wish to thank you, the honourable Deputy Speaker, the Deputy Chairperson of Committees of the Whole House, and the chairpersons of all the Parliamentary Sessional and Select Committees for effectively discharging your functions. Your leadership enabled the House to carry out its constitutional mandate and to ensure that our Government was kept on track in its provision of services to the Zambian people.

Sir, furthermore, I would like to thank and congratulate His Honour the Vice-President and Leader of Government Business in the House on the excellent manner in which he directed Government business. In thanking His Honour the Vice-President, I also acknowledge the role that party whips played in ensuring that the Business of the House was conducted smoothly. Similarly, I would like to commend the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia and her staff for the excellent services and dedication to duty.

Let me take this opportunity to congratulate all the new hon. Members of Parliament, who have since joined the House. I also thank the electorate who participated in the by-elections. I, however, regret to note that some by-elections were characterised by violence. I wish to emphasise the need for self-restraint and tolerance before, during and after elections so as to enable our democracy to flourish.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Mr Speaker, under the PF Government, the performance of the economy has continued to be positive, recording growth in the gross domestic product (GDP) of 6.8 per cent and 7.3 per cent in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Sir, this growth was driven by the transport, communications, construction, agriculture, trade and manufacturing sectors. Inflation has remained at a single digit level, recorded at 7.1 per cent as at the end of August 2013. Lending rates have fallen from an average of 20 per cent in 2012 to 16.3 per cent as at June 2013.

Mr. Speaker, the Government’s initiative of borrowing through the Eurobond resulted in increasing the fiscal space for national development. This has enabled the country to undertake projects such as the re-capitalisation of the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ). The production of fertiliser locally is going to boost our farmers’ production and subsequently increase food security and generate employment.

Mr Speaker, efforts to diversify the economy will be guided by the national Vision 2030, the Revised Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP), covering the period 2013 to 2016, and the Decentralisation Policy. The focus will be on the key areas of agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, tourism, science and technology. Our goal is to achieve higher and sustained economic growth in order to alleviate poverty through rural development and job creation.

Mr Speaker, the planning framework reaffirms our Government’s commitment to co-ordinated planning in line with the PF Manifesto, which must be our reference document at all times. To this end, the Government will soon present to this House, the 2014 National Budget which will support the implementation of priority programmes. I would like to urge this august House to support the Budget.

Mr Speaker, I wish to restate that education and vocational skills development are both critical to national development. It is, however, a fact that a good number of our young people have not had access to quality education due to limited school spaces, particularly, at secondary and tertiary education levels. The hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, Dr Phiri, is working very hard in this sector. In our effort to address this challenge, I wish to inform this House that our Government is reviewing the Education Policy. Stakeholder consultations are about to be concluded. The policy will re-align the education system to ensure that the academic and vocational training efforts are harmonised from early childhood to tertiary education levels. The aim is to make the curricula at all levels relevant to national development.{mospagebreak}

Sir, in my address to this House last year, I directed the hon. Minister responsible for Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education to establish a regulatory body to monitor education standards in the country. I am pleased that the Higher Education Act was enacted. This Act provides for the establishment of the Higher Education Authority. The Government has commenced the process of establishing the authority.
Mr. Speaker, while steady progress has been made to expand primary education infrastructure, the Government recognises the need to accelerate the construction of new secondary schools to meet the growing demand for post-primary education. In this regard, the Government has completed the construction of thirty-two new secondary schools out of the planned eighty-four in the country.

Sir, in 2014, the Government will accelerate the completion of the remaining fifty-two schools currently under construction. It is our Government’s policy to ensure that the construction of school infrastructure, especially in rural areas, is accompanied by the construction of staff housing units so as to provide a conducive teaching and learning environment.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Mr Speaker, in addition to the construction of schools, the Government will also accelerate the roll-out of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in learning institutions in order to enhance both access and quality of education.

Mr Speaker, in my last address to this House, I announced the construction of universities in various provinces. I am pleased to inform this House that the construction of the Chalimbana and Palabana universities in Lusaka Province, and Paul Mushindo at Lubwa Mission in Muchinga Province has commenced. The construction of the David Livingstone University in the Southern Province, King Lewanika University in the Western Province and Luapula University in Luapula Province will commence soon.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ntundu: What about in Gwembe?

The President: Where is Gwembe?

Laughter

  The President: Come and tell me where Gwembe is so that I can construct one university there.

Laughter

The President: Furthermore, the House may wish to note that the upgrading of infrastructure at the Kwame Nkrumah and Mukuba university colleges has commenced. These measures will broaden opportunities of access to university education and help decongest the three public universities.

Hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, you should listen to the hon. Member of Parliament for Gwembe. You should visit his constituency to see if there is space for the construction of a university.

Mr Ntundu: Hear, hear!

Laughter

The President: Mr Speaker, the Government is aware that the infrastructure at the three public universities requires urgent attention. I, therefore, direct the hon. Minister responsible for Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education to rehabilitate the infrastructure at these universities so as to improve the learning environment. The hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, without the support of the hon. Minister of Finance, will not achieve much. They will have to work hand in hand. After all, both of them have got bald heads.

Laughter

The President: Mr Speaker, our Government expects that the quality of education that will be offered across all levels in the coming years will match the parents’ expectations of good results. The hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education must take this directive seriously.

Mr Speaker, our Government places high priority on vocational skills development for our youths. This has guided our Government to invest in the construction and expansion of trades training institutions throughout the country. I am, therefore, delighted to inform this House that construction works at training institutions in Kalabo and Isoka are nearing completion while those for the Mwense and Mporokoso trades training institutes will commence before the end of this year. Hon. Kambwili is very happy because he comes from Mporokoso. In addition, expansion works are under way at the Northern Technical College, Zambia Air Services Training Institute, Choma and Chipata trades training institutes as well as at the Kabwe Institute of Technology.

Mr Speaker, our Government reaffirms its position that the good health for the country’s citizens is a pre-condition for national development. The Government has continued with its commitment to re-organise the health sector so as to ensure significant improvement in service delivery in a clean, caring and competent environment as close to the family as possible. We are very lucky we have a very hard-working First Lady, ...

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The President: … but without pay. We will ask Hon. Jean Kapata to look into that by bringing a Private Member’s Motion to this House.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

  The President: Sir, I am pleased to inform this august House that the Government approved the National Health Policy in 2012. The policy is aimed at providing an optimum package of health care. I am, therefore, directing the hon. Minister of Health to ensure that health services are discharged with the necessary efficiency and effectiveness expected by the public.

Mr Speaker, in our quest to bring health care as close to the family as possible, the Government has continued to build and upgrade health infrastructure across the country at all levels. The Government has made progress in this area and 137 health facilities have been rehabilitated countrywide. In addition, the rehabilitation works for 110 health facilities have commenced. 

Sir, the construction of two new district hospitals has been completed in Shang’ombo and Chadiza districts. These hospitals are now operational. Furthermore, the construction of four new district level hospitals in Lumwana, Lufwanyama, Chienge and Samfya is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Further, twenty-one new district hospitals and 114 housing units are under construction countrywide. We are very grateful to the hon. Minister of Finance for providing the necessary funds.

Mr Speaker, in my address last year, I informed the House that the Government would commence the construction of 650 health posts across the country and expansion of the Cancer Diseases Hospital. I am pleased to inform this august House that contracts have now been signed for the construction of the 650 health posts.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Mr Speaker, the construction … 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

The President: Bring the questions and we shall answer them.

Laughter

 The President: … will be done over a period of two years. In addition, the construction of a 220-bed facility at the Cancer Diseases Hospital is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The Government has already procured specialised medical equipment for this facility. The training of medical personnel in various clinical fields is also underway. A few weeks ago, the First Lady, with volunteer medical personnel visited Mkushi. She has now been asked to go to Gwembe where she is expected to receive questions.

Laughter

The President: Mr Speaker, the Government has commenced the modernisation and upgrading of the University Teaching Hospital, Ndola and Kitwe central hospitals, and the Livingstone General Hospital by installing specialised equipment. These measures are aimed at affording more Zambians access to specialised quality health care services and hence, reducing the cost associated with treatment abroad.

Mr Speaker, the Government is committed to improving the procurement and distribution of essential medical supplies so that drugs are readily available in all health institutions. This will be achieved through the allocation of adequate funds for the procurement and distribution of essential medical supplies, including antiretroviral drugs.
Hon. Member for Gwembe, have you heard?

Laughter

Mr Ntundu: I cannot hear.

The President: Antiretroviral drugs.

Mr Ntundu: They are not there.

The President: Do you need some?

Laughter

  The President: Hon. Minister of Health, can you, please, attend to Mr Ntundu. He needs some antiretroviral drugs.

Laughter

The President: He is a very active young man. Thus, we should look after him.

Laughter

The President: Sir, we shall decentralise the services provided by the Medical Stores Limited by introducing regional distribution hubs. 

Mr Speaker, to address the critical shortage of skilled health personnel, the Government will construct, rehabilitate and expand health training and research institutions in order to increase the number of graduates and promote research in the medical field. Hon. Mr Speaker, can you kindly consider releasing some trained medical personnel in this House, like Hon. Jean Kapata, so that they can help us in carrying out research in the medical field. We also need Hon. Chilangwa.

Laughter

The President: Mr Speaker, the agriculture sector is key to ensuring national food and nutritional security. We are very grateful to our colleagues from the Southern Province for fighting high poverty levels and creating job opportunities. To this effect, the Government will enhance the use of science and technology in pursuit of its policy objective of achieving a competitive, diversified and sustainable agriculture sector.

Sir, in 2012, the sector contributed 19.2 per cent to the GDP. This was on account of good performance of the crops and livestock sub-sectors. Positive growth was registered for crops such as wheat, barley, soya beans and rice in the 2012/2013 agricultural season. However, maize production fluctuated regionally because of the unfavourable rain pattern experienced during the last farming season. 

  Mr Speaker, our focus for 2014 is to continue investing in the Crop Diversification Programme so that we trigger the desired 6 per cent annual growth rate in the sub-sector. To achieve the projected growth rate, the Government will, among other things, continue the re-capitalisation of the NCZ.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Sir, in addition, the Government will continue restructuring the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) aimed at providing access to inputs for 900,000 small- scale farmers through better targeting. This will be complemented by up-scaling the electronic voucher system.

Mr Speaker, to increase productivity among small-scale farmers, the Government will focus its efforts on modernising agricultural production through science, technology and mechanisation. In addition, the Government will also promote good agricultural practices which will include conservation agriculture, use of improved seed varieties and the diversification of on-farm activities. The measures will be supplemented by enhanced extension services. Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, could you send more extension officers to Gwembe. Where else?

Mr Sing’ombe: To Dundumwezi.

The President: In Dundumwezi, the farmers have already been paid.

Mr Sing’ombe: No!

The President: They have not been paid?

Mr Sing’ombe: Yes.

  The President: Give a list to the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock so that we can pay the farmers tomorrow.

Laughter

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Boma! 

The President: That is a Government assurance. Give us the list so that we can pay the farmers … 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambwili interjected

The President: … because we need them.

Laughter

The President: Mr Speaker, during my address to this august House last year, I indicated that the Government would continue to make land available for agricultural development under the farm block programme. Works at Nansanga and Luena farm blocks are progressing well. 

Sir, in Nansanga, the Government has constructed roads and dams. It has also connected the farm block to the national electricity grid. In Luena, the construction of infrastructure is underway. Furthermore, land has been identified for farm block development in the North-Western, Copperbelt, Western, Eastern, Muchinga and Northern provinces. Consultations to identify land for developing farm blocks with our traditional leaders in Lusaka and the Southern provinces are still underway.

Mr Speaker, to reduce over-dependence on rain-fed agriculture, the Government is committed to progressively bring 17,000 ha of land under irrigation by 2016. I am glad to report that over 4,500 ha is now under irrigation as part of this programme. 

  Mr Speaker, the Government’s interventions in the livestock sub-sector were mainly in the re-stocking and disease control programmes. This was done through the creation of livestock centres and establishment of disease-free zones.

In 2014, the Government will continue promoting increased livestock production by increasing the number and quality of genetically superior breeds of livestock. I would like to thank Hon. Kazabu, who is working very hard, even if he is not here.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Hon. Opposition Members: Promotion.

The President: When we promote him, he will stop working hard.

Laughter

Hon. Opposition Members: Promote him.

The President: I should make him an hon. Minister of Hardworking.

Hon. MMD Members: No, hon. Minister of Livestock.

 The President: Unfortunately, he only has three cows.

Laughter

The President: Sir, to address livestock disease outbreaks, the Government will continue with the construction of dip tanks and livestock centres. The Government will also continue with the countrywide vaccination of animals. 

Mr Speaker, the current supply levels of fish from our rivers and lakes cannot meet the national demand due to depleted fish stocks. Accordingly, the Government will continue promoting aquaculture through the establishment of fish hatcheries and lake-based nurseries across the country. In addition, the Government shall promote fish conservation and surveillance so as to promote the sustainable exploitation of fisheries.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}

   The President: Mr Speaker, I must admit that, in Chinsali, when you say, you are reserving fish for re-stocking, they say that umunani batuletela mupepi. So, we need people like Hon. Kazabu and Hon. Shamenda to help us in that area.

Mr Speaker, agricultural marketing has been facing some challenges for some time now. Our Government will prioritise the promotion of agricultural marketing with a focus on increased private sector participation. This will be achieved through the establishment of agribusiness centres; community crop bulking and marketing centres; and livestock marketing centres as well as agro dealer networks countrywide. 

Sir, to comprehensively address problems which we have encountered in agricultural marketing, the Government will review the Agriculture Marketing Act. To this effect, I am directing the hon. Minister responsible for agriculture to expeditiously review the Act in consultation with all stakeholders and this House.

Mr Speaker, the Government will, in 2014, ensure that there are sufficient food reserves at all levels by enhancing storage capacity in order to reduce post-harvest losses. This will be attained by increasing the storage capacity by a further 450,000 metric tonnes, bringing the total to 1.3 million metric tonnes. The construction and rehabilitation of storage facilities will continue to bring the required minimum national storage capacity to 2 million metric tonnes. These measures in the agriculture sector will lead to job creation and increased income generation which will ultimately contribute to poverty reduction. Our target is to create 510,000 jobs by 2016 in this sector alone.

Mr Speaker, last year, I reaffirmed our Government’s commitment to the decentralisation of functions in our local government system. To demonstrate this commitment, the Government approved the revised national Decentralisation Policy, which I launched on 16th July, 2013. In a country as large and sparsely populated as ours, citizen participation and the effective delivery of services in many areas remain daunting tasks. In order to address these challenges, our Government has created thirty new districts out of which eighteen are already functional.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Ntundu interjected.

The President: We are being told that we need to create another district in Gwembe.

Interruptions 

The President: At Shibuyunji, I think.

Mr Speaker, I, therefore, urge the responsible hon. Minister to expedite the operationalisation of the remaining newly-created districts for enhanced local community governance.

Mr Speaker, to strengthen the revenue base of the local authorities, the Government is in the process of amending the Rating Act. Let me take this opportunity to direct the responsible hon. Ministers for local government and finance to ensure that the Local Government and Finance Acts are brought in line with the spirit of the revised National Decentralisation Policy. This policy must change our people’s living standards and contribute to employment creation in all the districts.

Mr Speaker, the country has been experiencing a huge housing deficit, which has resulted in scarce and expensive accommodation for our people. I am, therefore, directing the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing to explore various partnership options aimed at sorting out the current national housing deficit. In addition, in 2014, the Government will recapitalise the Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) in order to provide affordable finance to our people for the construction of houses. 

The hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing should not go out and start looking for mosquitoes because we know there is one mosquito here. We have to protect ourselves from this mosquito through the use of an insecticide.

Mr Ntundu: Which one?

The President: Ask Hon. Edgar Lungu.

Laughter 

The President: Mr Speaker, during my last address to this House, I committed the Government to developing a social protection policy to guide the implementation of social safety nets aimed at cushioning the poor and vulnerable groups from poverty. I wish to inform this august House that consultations on the development of a national social protection policy are nearing completion. The policy will streamline the implementation of the social safety net programmes and rationalise the use of resources to achieve maximum impact. The development of this policy must be expedited to compensate for the removal of subsidies on fuel and maize by the Government this year.

Mr Speaker, the Government will continue to implement the National Policy on Disability to guide programmes for persons with disabilities so as to enable them to lead productive, fulfilled and dignified lives. The policy will ensure that disability issues are mainstreamed in all our sector plans and programmes. 

Hon. Members of this House, can you, please, assist me to sort out disability issues. The hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, Dr Phiri, once came to me and said that the bald head he has is a disability.

Laughter 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The President: I do not know if having a bald head is a disability.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Mr Speaker, the Government will scale up interventions aimed at accelerating rural development in order to improve the people’s living standards. To ensure that the rural areas are connected to electricity supply, the Government is constructing mini-hydro power stations, like the one I went to officially commission in Shiwang’andu. The construction of Chanda Falls Mini-hydro Power Station in Chavuma is expected to commence soon.  

Our Government will continue supporting the Rural Electrification Programme which is aimed at connecting rural communities such as chiefs’ palaces, schools and health centres to the national electricity grid. This process is being complemented by solar projects. In 2014, the focus of the programme will be to electrify new districts in line with the Government policy of decentralisation.

Mr Speaker, further, the Government has commenced an expansion programme for mobile communication services to cover chiefdoms and other previously unserviced rural areas. By the end of 2014, we expect that more than 60 per cent of the country will be covered by mobile communication services. 

Mr Speaker, in order to boost access to financial services in rural areas, the Government will, in 2014, recapitalise the National Savings and Credit Bank (NATSAVE) in order to provide affordable finance to our people. Furthermore, consultations with relevant stakeholders across the country, including the House of Chiefs, on the introduction of legislation to govern customary land have been undertaken. Accordingly, a Bill will be tabled before this House in due course.

Mr Speaker, the Government has commenced a comprehensive Labour Law Review Programme to update the laws in light of the changes in work places. This is aimed at addressing bad labour practices, such as casualisation and unfavourable conditions of service. Once reviewed, the labour laws will facilitate the improvement of conditions of service in all the sectors of the economy and protect the rights of both employers and employees, including hon. Members of Parliament.

Mr Speaker, to address concerns of occupational safety and health, our Government is currently formulating a national policy.  The policy will promote the workers’ safety and address the occupational diseases, accidents and deaths. To this effect, I am directing the hon. Minister in charge of labour to expedite the revision process.  This must be done in consultation with the concerned stakeholders.

Mr Speaker, the PF Government is concerned with the plight of pensioners, most of whom end up destitute, especially those from Chipata, after having diligently served their country. The Government has, therefore, embarked on pension reforms that seek to reduce destitution among pensioners in line with our Government’s pro-poor policies. The reforms will, among other interventions, enhance private sector participation in the management of pension funds. The Government is also committed to restoring the dignity of the retirees by dismantling the outstanding arrears in order to alleviate their suffering.

Mr Speaker, the Government has continued with its efforts to fulfill its promise of putting more money in people’s pockets. 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

The President: In this regard, the Government recently honoured its pledge to increase salaries for Public Service workers, making their conditions of service competitive both locally and regionally. This has never happened in the history of this country.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

The President: The Government attaches great importance to employment creation as the top most strategy for ensuring the stability of society and overall growth of the economy in all sectors. 

Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the Government is implementing the National Industrialisation and Job Creation Strategy which entails the coordinated development of the primary, secondary and tertiary industries. The strategy outlines our plans aimed at developing labour-intensive industries and enterprises. In this regard, the Government will continue putting in place efforts aimed at developing the multi-facility economic zones (MFEZs) as well as technology and industrial parks which are expected to create over 110,000 jobs once fully operational.

Mr Speaker, furthermore, the Government has commenced the implementation of the Pave Zambia 2,000 km  Road Project. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The President: In this regard, the Government has procured road construction equipment to be utilised in paving public roads across the country. This road project is expected to create over 20,000 jobs for the youths as well as impart in them skills in road paving construction.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Mr Speaker, for the first time in the history of our country, the Government has commenced the auctioning of gemstones in Zambia to enable small-scale mines to generate sufficient revenue. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Mr Speaker, in this regard, the Government will continue to support the local auctioning of gemstones and also to promote value addition through cutting, polishing and jewelry making in this sub-sector, thereby contributing to employment creation and revenue generation.

Furthermore, our Government has, through the Eurobond, mobilised US$20 million for onward financing by the Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) to small and medium enterprises at low interest rates. I, therefore, call upon the small and medium-scale entrepreneurs to develop bankable project proposals in order to access these funds.

When you access these funds, do not say, “Banipasa loan, manje iyi loan ni kuyika mutumba.” You have to pay it back for other people to benefit from it as well. Especially the people from Chipata, bakamipasani loan, muona ati vamahala vabwela manje.

Laughter 

The President: Mr Speaker, other initiatives by the Government to address employment creation include the construction of eight youth vocational training centres across the country. The Government’s intention is to establish at least one youth vocational training centre in each district in line with the PF Manifesto. 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

The President: In addition, the Government provided K19.14 million in the 2013 Budget to support youth enterprise development. The funds have since been accessed by over 700 youth-led enterprises countrywide, creating 2,300 jobs. The implementation of these measures, among others, has created over 316,000 jobs in the various sectors of our economy.

Hon. Opposition Members: Where?

The President: Where?

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

The President: It depends where you are coming from.

Laughter 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! 

  The President: If you go to the National Assembly Motel, you will find that we have created more jobs for waitresses. When I was a Member of Parliament, there were very few waitresses at the motel, but now, there are so many. That is why you can afford to put on big nice hats.

Laughter 

The President: Mr Speaker, our Government will continue to implement programmes and activities aimed at attracting and promoting investment into the country. In addition, the Government will also streamline business registration, licensing and granting of incentives in order to create a competitive business environment. 

In 2013, the Government targeted to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) amounting to US$3 billion. I am pleased to inform the House that as at 30th June, 2013, approved projects were above the target and amounted to US$3.56 billion. I say congratulations to the hon. Minister of Finance for this. 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The President: This performance was against the prevailing slow growth in the global economy. This is a re-affirmation of the country’s investment attractiveness and position as a top investment destination for foreign investors. When we talk about foreign investors, we are not talking of investors from Lundazi.

Mr Speaker, the State has not been able to maximise the revenue potential of numerous State-owned enterprises and assets. Additionally, there are still many parastatals and partnerships in Zambian companies that are not adding sufficient value due to a lack of efficient and effective management. In this regard, the Government shall re-organise and reform the system for overseeing and managing State-owned enterprises, assets and parastatals to ensure that the State maximises its contribution to job creation and economic development.

Mr Speaker, I am pleased that the tourism and arts sector continues to play a key role in the attraction of investment and creation of employment. The Government will continue to pay special attention to enhancing tourism product diversification and infrastructure development in the Northern Circuit, Lower Zambezi and the Greater Kafue National Park.

Mr Speaker, the House may recall that on 30th May, 2012, Zambia and Zimbabwe signed the co-hosting agreement of the 20th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly. We must congratulate ourselves on the successful co-hosting of the event which attracted over 4,000 delegates from across the globe. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The President: This will result in improved tourist visits and, thereby, raise the revenue for economic development. The co-hosting of the event improved the infrastructure and general outlook of Livingstone as our tourist capital and destination. 

Mr Speaker, I wish to thank everyone for their contribution and support to the successful co-hosting of this event. The experience gained will go a long way in assisting the country to host events of a similar nature and magnitude in future. It has also provided a model which can be replicated for the accelerated development of our infrastructure across the country. 

Mr Speaker, mining has continued to be a major contributor to foreign exchange earnings and employment creation. The Government will continue creating an enabling environment for development activities in the mining sector so as to attract investment for both large and small-scale mines in 2014. 

To ensure continued investment and maximum economic benefits from the mining sector, the Government has completed the revision of the country’s mining policy. The policy is aimed at facilitating mineral diversification from copper and cobalt to other minerals like nickel, gold, manganese, iron, emerald and uranium. To this effect, the Government will recapitalise the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines-Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) in order to promote value addition in the mining industry. 

Mr Speaker, let me state here that the Government is committed to making the mining industry more transparent and accountable in mineral production, extraction and export declarations. In this regard, the Government is reviewing various pieces of legislation to facilitate increased exploration activities and strengthen the declaration monitoring mechanism. This will contribute to increased revenue collection by the Government. 

Mr Speaker, our Government has prioritised infrastructure development in the transport sector. Accordingly, the Government is heavily investing in the construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of transport infrastructure. Our commitment is demonstrated by the implementation of the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project under which over 1,500 km of road works are being constructed in phase one, while over 2,700 km of roads will be upgraded to bituminous standard under phase two. Further, the Government has launched the Lusaka 400 km Road Project which involves rehabilitation and construction of selected urban roads. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The President: With respect to airport infrastructure, the Government has completed the upgrading and modernisation of the Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone to international standards. This contributed to the successful hosting of the UNWTO General Assembly last month. Further, the Government is in the process of upgrading and modernising the Kenneth Kaunda, Mfuwe and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe international airports and provincial aerodromes. 

Mr Speaker, I wish to re-affirm our Government’s commitment to re-activate the railway infrastructure in the country. This is evidenced by the Government’s allocation of US$120 million of the Eurobond to Zambia Railways Limited. 

Hon. Opposition Members: What about Chirwa?

The President: We shall hire you to go and look for him.

Laughter 

The President: Our vision is to create a competitive and efficient railway system which will ensure that all the heavy cargo is offloaded from the roads. This will guarantee our road network a longer lifespan and also reduce the national budget allocations on road rehabilitation and maintenance.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The President (pointing at Hon. Ntundu): Hon. Kambwili, this young man reminds me of the days when I was in the Back Bench.

Mr Kambwili: The hon. Member for Gwembe?

The President: Yes, the hon. Member for Gwembe. He reminds me of the time when everyone was talking about the hon. Member for Kabwata.

Interruptions 

The President: He is not naughty. That is his mannerism. He is just an active hon. Member of Parliament. He is attentive.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter {mospagebreak}

The President: Mr Speaker, in my address to this House last year, I committed the Government to ensuring security in the supply of petroleum products through the construction of provincial fuel depots. I am happy to inform this House that the Government has made progress in this area. The Lusaka Fuel Depot has been completed and commissioned, while the construction of the Mpika and Solwezi fuel depots is scheduled to be completed soon. In addition, construction works for the Mongu Fuel Depot are expected to commence next year. 
Looking into the future, the Government is committed to the development of renewable energy sources. In this regard, I am directing the hon. Minister responsible to proceed with the revision of legislation in order to attract investment in the renewable energy sector.

Mr Speaker, the Government will continue implementing projects aimed at increasing electricity generation capacity through the construction, refurbishment and upgrading of hydro-power stations across the country. To this effect, the Government is extending the Kariba North Bank Power Station. Once the extension has been completed in 2014, the power station is expected to generate an additional 360 mw.

With regard to water supply and sanitation, the Government will continue with the construction and rehabilitation of the water supply and sanitation infrastructure across the country. To demonstrate this commitment, the Government has increased investment in infrastructure development for water supply and sanitation from K90 million in 2011 to K250 million in 2013. 

Mr Speaker, environmental protection is key to sustainable socio-economic development. In this regard, the Government has put in place a policy and legal framework to safeguard the environment. With regard to the ecological balance, I am glad to inform this august House that the Government has established eleven large-scale forest nurseries across the country.  These nurseries will raise 1.5 million seedlings, each of different tree species, for plantation establishment and replenishing of degraded areas. 

Mr Speaker, the Government is fully committed to upholding the rule of law, including the separation of powers among the three arms of Government. 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions 

The President: In this regard, I want to assure the Zambian people that our Government has no intentions, whatsoever, to turn this country into a one-party state.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Opposition Members: Question! 

The President: With regard to the constitution-making process, the Government remains committed to delivering a people-driven constitution. The consultative process has been completed and the Final Draft Constitution is expected by the end of this year. Thereafter, the Government in collaboration with other stakeholders will guide the process accordingly. Mind you, without a constitution, there would be no Government. Today, there is a Constitution and that is why there is this National Assembly. So, we have a Constitution with which we are ruling this country. That is why I am sitting here today.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Even the Clerk of the National Assembly told us that there is a Constitution just before I began this address.

Mr Speaker, let me now talk about things to do with the hon. Member for Gwembe. The fight against corruption remains one of the …

Mr Ntundu: Aah!

Interruptions

The President: Leave the hon. Member for Gwembe alone. He is not corrupt. He is just a hard-working young man. 

Mr Speaker, the fight against corruption remains one of the top priorities on our good governance agenda. The Government will, therefore, strengthen and decentralise the operations of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to enable it to effectively execute its mandate. To this end, the Government has established a special investigations unit in the commission to deal with complex financial crimes.

Mr Speaker, in the last address to this House, I committed the Government to establishing an Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) to ensure accountability and a level playing field in the broadcasting industry. I am pleased to inform this House that our Government has fulfilled its promise and the authority is now operational. 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

The President: Mr Speaker, when I was a young Back Bencher, it was taboo for people to chew in the House, but I have seen people doing that now.

Interruptions 

The President: Mr Speaker, the Government will continue to uphold the fundamental principles of sovereign equality and mutual respect. We will, therefore, strive to ensure that Zambia continues to play an active role in international organisations for the benefit of the country. Our foreign policy is aimed at repositioning our country so that it derives maximum benefits from international relations. To this effect, the Government will continue to maintain friendly diplomatic and trade relations with other countries. Priority will be given to economic diplomacy as a means to promoting the revitalisation of our economy. 
 
Mr Speaker, I wish to re-affirm our Government’s determination to create a better Zambia for all in line with the PF Manifesto. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Mr Kambwili: Imwe fyonse kutalika.

The President: That is what they are here for. They must talika.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter 

The President: Mr Speaker, there will be no Opposition if they are not talikaling.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter 

The President: Mr Speaker, the Opposition must put hon. Government Members on their toes.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear! One-zero!

The President: Mr Speaker, this is the basis upon which the PF Government was overwhelmingly elected into office on 20th September, 2011. I was told by the late former Speaker, Mr Robinson Nabulyato, that ‘parley’ means talk. It is now my singular honour and privilege to declare the Third Session of the Eleventh National Assembly officially open. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to make this address.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. PF Members: Boma! Boma!

His Excellency the President left the Assembly Chamber.

Mr Speaker took the Chair.

__________ 

MOTIONS

ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE  

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that at its rising today, the House do adjourn until Tuesday, 24th September, 2013.

Sir, may I begin by expressing, on behalf of this House and, indeed, on my own behalf, sincere thanks to the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: … for a remarkable, measured and informative speech.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: I am glad that the entire House is one on this subject. The President has delivered a remarkable speech to this House and, through it, he has, of course, done so to the nation as well. No doubt the President, in his speech, has provided the socio-economic route that we, as a nation, should take in the year ahead. In so doing, His Excellency the President has raised very important issues which require careful consideration by this House.

Mr Speaker, considering the importance of the matters raised and given our tradition in this House regarding the President’s Opening Speech, I am persuaded to move this Motion. Adjourning now will accord the hon. Members ample time to study the speech in detail and come back to the House on Tuesday, next week, fully prepared to make substantive and positive contributions to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Speech.

Mr Speaker, I beg to move.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mushanga (Bwacha): Mr Speaker, allow me to put on record my sincere gratitude for this opportunity accorded to me to be the first one to speak on the Motion His Honour the Vice-President has just moved.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, I agree with His Honour the Vice-President that hon. Members need time to study and digest the important message in the speech which is the third address to this House by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mushanga: Sir, the adjournment is necessary because most of the issues that have been raised in the President’s Speech hinge on the many concerns, problems and expectations prevailing in our beloved country, Zambia. Therefore, hon. Members need time to critically analyse the speech and be able to raise specific challenges and make proposals for the improvement of the welfare of our people in this country.

Sir, adjourning today will enable hon. Members to adequately examine the speech and come back next week, on Tuesday, fully prepared to debate the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. Allow me, in this regard, to fully support the Motion and to urge all my colleagues to do the same.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear! Quality!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I am very grateful to the House for its unanimous support of this Motion. I hope the weeks ahead will be as constructive, brief and to the point as today’s debate has been.

With those few remarks, I thank you, Sir.

Question put and agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.
_________

The House adjourned at 1214 hours until 1430 hours on Tuesday, 24th September, 2013.