Wednesday, 27^th September, 2017

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

________

 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, the House is aware that the newly installed multi-media system in the Chamber now displays photographs of each Member on the screen.  It has been brought to my attention that some photographs are blurred and, therefore, do not give an accurate, proper or desired reflection of the countenance or face of some hon. Members.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: In this regard, I wish to inform the House that the Public and International Relations Department of the National Assembly of Zambia, has set up a photo booth in the Members’ Pool, Room 2, here, at Parliament Buildings.

 

Therefore, hon. Members who wish to have their photographs or portraits taken or retaken are urged to visit the booth at their convenience starting from today, Wednesday, 27^th September, to Friday, 6^th October, 2017. The booth will open from 09:00 hours to 16:00 hours from Monday to Friday.

 

I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Is it voluntary?

 

Mr Speaker: Of course, it is voluntary.

 

Laughter

 

_______

 

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

 

THE STATUS OF CHIEF MUSHIMA MUBAMBE OF MUFUMBWE DISTRICT IN NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCE

 

The Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs (Mr Sichalwe): Mr Speaker, I thank you for according me this opportunity to issue a statement in response to the point of order that was raised on the Floor of the House by Hon. Shabula, on Friday, 22^nd September, 2017, on the status of Chief Mushima of Mufumbwe District of North-Western Province.

 

Mr Speaker, the point of order was, and I quote:

 

“Is the hon. Minister in order to remain silent instead of correcting the status of Chief Mushima Mubambe of Mufumbwe District, which was typed as Chief Mushimo Mubambe, who does not exist in Mufumbwe? Is he going to inform the nation that, in fact, Chief Mushima is gazetted, draws a salary from the Government, has a retainer and, probably, drives a Pajero? The hon. Minister has assigned a Permanent Secretary for North-Western Province to officiate at the Makundu Ceremony of the Kaonde people of Chief Mushima in Mufumbwe District. Is the hon. Minister, therefore, in order to remain silent on this issue?”

 

Dr Kambwili: Ndefwaya ukuya chinja akamutwe.

 

Mr Sichalwe: Mr Speaker, Madam First Deputy Speaker’s ruling was, and I quote:

 

“The hon. Member has raised a point of order wanting the hon. Minister to clarify whether or not he is aware that, in fact, Chief Mushima, who I believe his correct name is Mushima and not Mushimo, has actually been drawing his allowance and other benefits from the Government. Hon. Members, having listened to the answers that the hon. Minister was giving when Mr Speaker was in the Chair, my ruling is that the hon. Minister must come back next week and clarify this point and the position of the Government as to whether the name of the Chief is Mushimo Mubambe or Mushima Mubambe. He should also clarify whether this chief is gazetted or not so that this matter can be put to rest. The hon. Minister will come back to this House on Wednesday, next week, with a statement on this particular issue.”

 

Mr Speaker, the following is my response. My ministry acknowledges receipt of Parliamentary Question number 26, which appeared for Oral Answer on the Order Paper dated 22^nd September, 2017 and had the following questions:

 

(a) whether the Government had any plans to construct palaces for the following chiefs in Mufumbwe District;

 

(i) Mushimo Mubambe; and

 

(ii) Chizela.

 

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

 

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

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that according to the records at the ministry, There is no recognised chief called Mushimo Mubambe of Mufumbwe District. The records indicate that the recognised chief of the Kaonde people, in Mufumbwe District, in the North-Western Province, is Chief Mushima. Chief Mushima was gazetted through Statutory Instrument No. 24 of 2003, dated 28^th February. Being a recognised chief, Chief Mushima is paid monthly subsidies and he is entitled to a retainer as part of the prescribed privileges and benefits accorded to all recognised chiefs in Zambia.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for clarifying the point which he was forced to do through a point of order. May I know from the hon. Minister, since the matter has been settled through this clarification, if the ministry is going to construct a palace for Chief Mushima Mubambe as was sort in the question?

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I did indicate that questions will be limited to the point of clarification. If you want to pursue this matter, hon. Member for Ikeleng’i, you are at liberty to do so in a question.

 

Any questions from the clarification?

 

I note from the screen that there appears to be none. The matter is clear.

 

__________

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

PROCUREMENT OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND STAFF DEPLOYMENT TO REUBEN AND KATIKULULA HEALTH POSTS IN CHITAMBO PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

 

32. Mr Mutale (Chitambo) asked the Minister of Health:

 

(a)  when medical equipment for Reuben and Katikulula Health Posts in Chitambo Parliamentary Constituency would be procured;

 

(b) when staff would be deployed to each Health Post; and

 

(c) when the two Health Posts will be opened to the public.

 

The Minister for Health (Dr Chilufya): Mr Speaker, the picture on the screen is showing correct countenance. I would not go to the …

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: And a desired one I suppose.

 

Laughter

 

Dr Chilufya: Sir, our response is that the Government through the Ministry of Health has already procured medical equipment for Reuben and Katikulula Health Posts. The medical equipment shall be distributed by the end of November, 2017, when construction works at the two health posts are expected to be completed.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government has already identified and posted staff to Central Province and they will be deployed to the two health posts once the outstanding works are finalised and the facility is handed over by the contractor by the end of November, 2017.

 

Sir, the two health posts are expected to be handed over by the contractor by the end of November, 2017, after which they will immediately be open to the general public.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mutale: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for that good answer. However, may I find out what has led to the delay in completing the construction of the two health posts because the construction started as far back as 2015. May I know what caused the delay?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, inadequate funding from the Ministry of Finance for the fiscal year 2015/2016, for Infrastructure Cost Centre led to the delay. However, this year, we received adequate funding for the projects. Therefore, we shall complete the project as I have stated.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity. May I learn from the hon. Minister if the two health facilities are part of the 650 prefabricated rural health centres?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, they are not part of the 650 rural health centres that the Government is building under the Indian line of credit. These are facilities that were being built under the Infrastructure Operational Plan for 2015.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Kamfinsa…

 

Mr Musonda (Kamfinsa): Mr Speaker, my question has lapsed.

 

Mr Speaker: … to be followed by Chitambo.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Kamfisa, is your question overtaken by events?

 

Mr Musonda: Yes, Sir.

 

Mr Mutale: Mr Speaker, may I know from the hon. Minister of Health if solar power equipment is among the equipment they have purchased, because where the health posts are situated, we do expect them to be supplied with Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) power. May I know if solar power equipment has been procured for these health posts?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, solar electrification of these facilities is part of the scope of work of the contracts. Therefore, the contractor will install solar power which will include solar panels before handing over the facilities. Equipment has been procured separately.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Chisopa (Mkushi South): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that he has sent some health personnel to Central Province who will eventually be posted to the health posts under construction. How many of the health personnel has he sent to Central Province will end up at the health posts yet to be completed?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, like it was said in the Presidential Speech, the Government for the very first time, recruited 7,400 health workers in 2017. 600 were posted to Central Province and they are all on the payroll. Since we are match planning for infrastructure with that of human resource, we already anticipated that they will be requirement for human resource at the two health posts.  We have earmarked under the Central Province HR Database, positions for the two health facilities. From the 600 that are already on the payroll, there are some that are earmarked to go the two rural health centres. For now, the staff are idling at Kabwe Central Hospital.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Ms Miti (Vubwi): Mr Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to first thank the Government that in Vubwi, we have adequate health staff in all the health posts.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Ms Miti: Yes, we have staff in all the health centres.

 

Mr Speaker: Even those who have not been to Vubwi are questioning.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Miti: I want to invite them to Vubwi.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Miti: Mr Speaker, about a week ago, I saw a clip on Muvi Television, where a medical staff engaged in a fight with a patient in Chipangali Constituency. What could be the problem? Are they demotivated? The hon. Minister mentioned that they are sending medical staff to Chitambo and would not want a similar incident to recur.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, there are allegations that a member of staff engaged in a physical fight with a member of the public. The allegations are being investigated and we do not have areport yet. We will, therefore, revert to this subject when we get the formal report. However, for now, I can confirm that there are allegations and we will get back to you once we get the formal report of the incident.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Kambwili (Roan): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the equipment that will be sent to the two health posts in Chitambo is brand new or second hand? When the hon. Minister went to Roan, he is on record saying that they were given 28 million Euros to buy new equipment for Section 25 Clinic, yet they brought old beds from Thompson Hospital.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government under His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has put in place a robust plan to build infrastructure and equip it to translate into universal health coverage. The people of Roan Constituency are Zambians and they deserve infrastructure. Yes, I visited Roan and I was disappointed that some infrastructure that is being built using Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and other contributions has been under construction for over five years. I expected the hon. Member of Parliament for Roan to have expedited the construction of those health centres and even provide them with new equipment.

 

Interruptions

 

Dr Chilufya: We are not going to allow the second hand equipment that the hon. Member is renowned for and gets from Britain. We are going to put new equipment.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Order! Let us have some order, please!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order on the right!

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, we are correcting the wrongs in Roan Constituency.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: The construction of the infrastructure should have finished by now. However, we have now appropriated enough resources to complete the infrastructure at the said clinic. The Government has engaged a partner to procure equipment worth 28 million Euros and Roan will be the first to receive that equipment. Therefore, Roan Constituency will be totally different now that there is a different focus in terms of its leadership.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Have you answered the question in relation to Chitambo?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, Chitambo will get brand new equipment.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, …

 

Dr Kambwili: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Dr Kambwili: Mr Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to rise on a very serious point of order bordering on the integrity of the Government. Hon. Minister, Section 25 Clinic in Roan Constituency has been under construction since 2014, using CDF. On a yearly basis, money is allocated from CDF for the construction of that clinic. Is the hon. Minister in order to claim that because of poor leadership, the clinic has not been completed when his Government has failed to release CDF for three years …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kambwili: … which could have completed it? Is he accepting, therefore, that the bad leadership is from his Government? I seek your serious ruling, Mr Speaker.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

As the hon. Minister proceeds, of course, he will clarify. You may continue hon. Member for Mapatizya.

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that there will be a solar component among the equipment that they will order at a value of 28 million Euros. Wherever they construct a clinic, they have decided to put up a solar panel and everything that goes with it. What is the life span of solar panels?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, solar panels will work as long as they are maintained and I guess specifications differ for different panels. Therefore, they carry on working as long as they are serviced as a system. However, we are investing in strong solar systems that will stand the test of time.

 

Sir, you guided that I clarify Dr Kambwili’s point of order. When you receive CDF, and this is guidance to all hon. Members of Parliament, and you start constructing a clinic, first of all, engage the Ministry of Health so that we include it in the Infrastructure Operational Plan and can plan for human resource. If you have challenges with CDF releases, you visit your constituency regularly and you are committed to your people, you can come and engage us and we can get money from the Infrastructure Operational Plan. It is Government money.

 

Interruptions

 

Dr Chilufya: This year when we heard that there was a problem in Roan Constituency, we allocated money to complete Section 25 Clinic. This should have happened, if two years ago, the hon. Member of Parliament was serious enough to come and see me in the office.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to clarify the issue of staffing. Is our working Government going to ensure that appropriate staff is deployed not only in Chitambo, but also in Chama South? The reason for asking this question is because most of the clinics particularly those in Chama South are manned by male nurses, midwives and environmental health technologists instead of clinical officers. The health posts in Kapechila, Nsenga, Mangwere, Chifunda and Mapabare are manned by midwives and the one in Mpondo by a nurse. Does the ministry have any plans to ensure that there is appropriate staff manning the health facilities?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Chama South should take comfort in knowing that all the health facilities that we are building have a human resource plan. The human resource complement is commensurate to the level of care or accreditation of the facility. The hon. Member should, therefore, be rest assured that all the facilities will receive the human resource that is required.

 

Mr Speaker, an environmental health technologist is a team requirement at a health centre. Apart from an environmental health technologist, a health centre also requires a mid-wife and a clinical officer, depending on the size of the facility.

 

We will bring the hon. Member up to speed on which facilities deserve what complement of staff. For now, I can assure him that an environmental health technologist is part of the structure for a certain level of care. If a clinical officer or a mid-wife is missing, it means that we are yet to deploy. We will deploy as Treasury authority is granted.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Musonda (Kamfinsa): Mr Speaker, in my constituency, there is an incomplete health post called Kamatete. I have mentioned in this august House before that the post is being vandalised.

 

Mr Kambwili interjected.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Musonda: The contractor’s reason for not completing the structure is non-payment of counterpart funding.  The hon. Minister alluded to the fact that his ministry has received some funding. I would like to find out from him whether or not his ministry is considering, as a special case, advancing some money to Kamatete Health Post so that it can be completed in order to avoid total vandalism.

 

Mr Kambwili interjected.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I do not have a response specific to Kamatete Health Post. I want to state, however, that Section 25 in Roan Constituency is a special project.

 

Laughter

 

Dr Chilufya: I do not have an answer for Kamatete just yet. However, I would like to assure you, hon. Member, that our infrastructure development team is taking stock of all the projects for cost requirements needed so that we can engage the Ministry of Finance for the completion of the projects. 

 

The focus for 2018, is to complete projects which were started in 2017, before we embark on new ones. Therefore, be rest assured hon. Member that Kamatete Health Post will be looked at as we continue to assess incomplete infrastructures earmarked for completion.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

 

Mr Mbangweta: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: Your point of order is ill-timed. Hon. Member for Kantanshi, you may ask your question.

 

Mr A. Mumba (Kantanshi): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister of Health for the elaborate answers.

Mr Speaker, …

 

Mr Mbangweta: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Ngulube: Ema setting ayo!

 

Laughter

Mr Speaker: I did not hear anything from my left. Continue hon. Member for Kantanshi.

 

Mr A. Mumba: Mr Speaker, as I said earlier, I would like to thank the hon. Minister of Health for …

 

Mr Mbangweta: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Mbangweta: Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order, to find out whether or not the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development is in order not to brief this august House on why Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), on the Copperbelt, is breaking the law and subduing Zambians by changing their conditions of service. I require your serious ruling, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I know that most of us are new in this august House. Ordinary questions – ordinary in the sense that they are not compelling or urgent, such as the one that the hon. Member has just posed, …

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: … ought to be channeled in the usual fashion. Therefore, what you should do hon. Member for Nkeyema is forward your question to the Clerk and it will be appropriately considered and processed.

 

Hon. Member for Kantanshi, you may continue.

 

Mr A. Mumba: Mr Speaker, as I said earlier, I would like to thank the hon. Minister of Health for his commitment to his ministry and for providing such elaborate answers. 

 

Mr Speaker, …

 

Mr S. Tembo crossed the Floor.

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Ngulube: Ema ignorance aya!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: Continue hon. Member for Kantanshi.

 

Mr A. Mumba: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Health talked about the modernisation exercise taking place in various hospitals. One of the hospitals that has benefited greatly since I became Member of Parliament is Ronald Ross General Hospital, which is one of our main hospitals. The hospital has been receiving modern equipment and now it is running 24/7 in the provision of health services.

 

Mr Speaker, when I visited the hospital, I discovered that some of the new equipment has stopped working because of lack of service.  I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether or not his ministry has set up a technical department, looking at the amount of money being invested, that will service the equipment as opposed to taking it to the private sector. This practice has continued to drain the minimal resources that the hospitals countrywide have.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Kantanshi for graciously acknowledging President Edgar Lungu’s efforts in modernising and equipping health facilities. I would also like to thank him for his kind words.

 

Mr Speaker, in re-engineering the Ministry of Health Headquarters and its structures below, we have created a new directorate called Physical Planning and Medical Technologies. There is a huge unit under this directorate called Medical Equipment and Maintenance. The hon. Member is, therefore, spot-on when he says that we need to ensure that the equipment is not only bought, but serviced as well.

 

The hon. Member is right to say that we need a comprehensive maintenance plan. This is part of the focus for the Ministry of Health. The new Directorate of Physical Planning and Medical Technologies has a unit which will carry out maintenance works. This directorate has been staffed with engineers who will be ensuring that the equipment is, first and foremost, of the right standard, and secondly, that appropriate maintenance schedules are maintained for the machines to last.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Phiri (Mkaika): Mr Speaker, in Mkaika, there are two health posts that were constructed using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Unfortunately, the health posts are not equipped.

 

Mr Speaker, now that the Ministry of Health has received some funding, I would like to find whether or not, as in Chitambo, these health posts will be equipped.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, the plan is comprehensive. We will equip all the facilities in a phased manner. The 28 million Euros is targeted at certain facilities. However, we still have the resources and the plans to procure more equipment using other avenues.

 

This plan is phased, but be rest assured that wherever we have put up infrastructure, we will translate it into service delivery by equipping it.

 

Therefore, I would also encourage the hon. Member to engage with the District Director of Health and the Provincial Medical Director because they always have a schedule of when the health posts and health centres will be equipped. I also want to assure this august House and the hon. Member of Parliament that we have a capital investment plan and an equipment plan for the whole country. Therefore, all the infrastructure being constructing or planning to construct is also catered for in terms of equipment.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, first and foremost, I would like to take note that due to the new status of my brother, Hon. Kambwili, there is a lot of money that is being spent in his constituency, which is a blessing for the people of Roan Constituency.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Sir, through the answer the hon. Minister gave to Hon. Kambwili’s question, he has indicated that Government will no longer accept any second hand medical equipment. I would like him to be very categorical and tell the nation and the health authorities wherever they are in this country that they should never accept any assistance by any willing donor if the equipment or the goods are second hand. Let him be very categorical on that.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, donations to this country are welcome, but we still do the due diligence. It is not every piece of equipment that comes as a donation that we accept. Therefore, we do not accept scrap.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: Sir, we do not accept the equipment especially when we see that the tools will not last or it will just be confined to the junk in a few months. We will do our due diligence. Therefore, there is no blanket statement stating that this country will never take second hand equipment.

 

Sir, I would like to assure this august House and the nation that we will procure equipment that is of good standard. We will ensure that due diligence is made and this is what we will place in the hospitals.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chaatila (Moomba): Mr Speaker, all the four new health posts in my constituency in Bwantu, Ntambo, Muchika and Munimabasi are all operational. The challenge that we have is that each health post has only one clinical officer. As the hon. Minister may be aware, most of the time, officers in the civil service will either go for workshops or are on leave. This means that when they are not there, the affected health post is closed. Sometimes, this may take even the whole week, resulting in denying the people around that area access to medical attention. Is the ministry intending to increase the number of staff to these health posts?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I would again, like to thank the hon. Member from being magnanimous in acknowledging the robust infrastructure expansion programme by the Government that has resulted in building new health posts in Munimabasi and the other three places he mentioned.

 

Sir, as I stated earlier, this is the first Government that recruited 7,400 health workers at once. This was not enough to cover all the facilities, but by December, 2016, we had mopped every graduate from the health science colleges in the country. We have recorded more graduates this year and, therefore, we are still navigating issues of Treasury authority for 2018, for us to beef up on the number of health workers in these facilities. Therefore, if the hon. Member has one clinical officer at one of the health posts, it is working progress. Going forward and as we recruit more staff, we will be able to send staff. For now, we are only distributing what we have and ensuring that every facility has at least a qualified health worker.

 

Mr Speaker, in the past, these facilities were run by casual daily employees. Therefore, it is good progress that at least, there is even one health worker. Be rest assured, hon. Member that as we get more Treasury authority and recruit more health workers, we will be able to add more staff to the health facilities.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

UPGRADING OF MWANDI POLICE POST TO A POLICE STATION

 

33. Mr Mutaba (Mwandi) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

 

(a) when the Mwandi Police Post in Mwandi Parliamentary Constituency would be upgraded to a police station;

 

(b) when the police post would be provided with a motor vehicle to enhance its operations;

 

(c) whether the Government had any plans to establish police posts in the following areas in the constituency:

 

(i) Magumwe; and

 

(ii) Lipumpu; and

 

(d) if so, when the plans would be implemented.

 

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the august House that the Zambian Police Service reviewed the structure and the proposed establishment was submitted to the Management Development Division for approval. In the reviewed structure Mwandi Police Post has been upgraded to a Police Station. However, the implementation of this upgrade awaits the approval of the structure by the MDD and Treasury authority from the Ministry of Finance.

 

Sir, one police post will be provided with a motor vehicle to enhance operations when funds are made available to procure new vehicles for Zambian Police Service. The Government has no immediate plans of opening police posts in Magumwe and Lipumpu due to inadequate funding. However, the hon. Member is encouraged to equally consider using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) just like other hon. Members are doing.  Thereafter, we will work with him to see how we would work on the proposed police posts.

 

Sir, for part (d) of the question, I wish to inform the House that the Government has no immediate funds due to inadequate funding.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mutaba: Mr Speaker, the police post at Mwandi used to have a vehicle, but was taken for servicing over two years ago. When is it going to be brought back to the police post?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I wish the hon. Member had included that aspect in the substantive question, I would have probably come with an appropriate response, but he was asking for a new vehicle to be bought. May I ask the hon. Member to give me time so that I can follow-up that matter and revert to the august House with an appropriate response. If it is out for repairs, we shall ensure that it is worked on so that it gets back to the station for operations.

 

Sir, I thank you.

 

Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister was saying that Mwandi Parliamentary Constituency will have a vehicle when funds will be available. When does he think he will have the money?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Ndalamei: Is it going to be in this year’s budget or the 2018 Budget?

 

Laughter    

 

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister is aware that most of the police posts in rural areas have no vehicles. Is it possible for the ministry to buy motorcycles or even bicycles for these police posts? Officers are always stranded because they do not have vehicles.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I am indeed aware of the logical challenges the police officers encounter in various areas. I just want to assure the hon. Member and the nation at large that we have not sat back. We have been planning on how to address that challenge. Progressively, we shall be dealing with this matter.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member has made a suggestion for motorcycles and bicycles. What is your response to that, hon. Minister?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, my response to that is that it is not practical to procure motorcycles for all the areas because the terrain of various areas varies from one to another. It might be a waste of resources if we go that route.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: And the bicycles?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Well, the bicycles are even worse, Mr Speaker, because in this time and era I cannot imagine how officers can perform their duties effectively cycling in sandy areas like Mwandi, where the questioner comes.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, I really thank the hon. Minister for giving answers that are on point. Just like in Mwandi, where the hon. Minister has said our working Government has plans to actually upgrade the police post to a police station, is he in a position to confirm the number of police posts that are earmarked for upgrading in the entire country? I ask this question because as a district, Chama does not have what can qualify to be called a police post. Are there any plans to construct good police stations not only for the people of Mwandi, but also of Chama?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I want to say to the hon. Member for Chama South that the Government is very committed. The hon. Member for Mwandi, can confirm that before the Patriotic Front (PF) came into Government, Mwandi was one of the areas where the police officers were operating under a tree. However, we made sure that we worked around the clock to try and establish that facility I am talking about. Because it is a masterpiece and it is easier for us to upgrade it.

 

Sir, I am also equally aware of the current status of the police infrastructure in Chama. As you know, Chama is developing as other infrastructure in the district is coming up. We are equally planning for Chama just like we are planning for other districts. However, this can only be done within the fiscal space that will be provided to us. That is why I am saying …

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order on the right!

 

Mr Kampyongo: … as hon. Members of Parliament, there is still something we can do to help. I am speaking from experience and I know what we are doing in other constituencies where we are working with the Government to put up the infrastructure. We are going to plan for Chama and see how we can upgrade the infrastructure which is there. I am aware of the situation and the hon. Member should assure the people in Chama that we are not equally sitting back.

 

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Jere (Livingstone): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that the police post in Mwandi, which is situated at the chief’s palace, will be upgraded to a police station. We are aware that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government created Mwandi District, which is situated 30 km away from the palace. Therefore, are there any plans to construct another police station in the district, bearing in mind the distance between the palace and the district?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I am aware of that distance and if the hon. Member followed what I said that it is out of concern that we made sure that there was that infrastructure built there. For my dear colleague’s information, police officers were operating under a tree. However, it should be noted that every district has infrastructure plans for the year. In those plans, police facilities are included.

 

For now, however, we shall ensure that we provide for that station as much as we can before we can think of another police station at the new district. In future, that will be the desirable way to go. We need to put up houses for the officers at the new facility and so we do not want to spread the resources. Therefore, there are plans to make sure that we put up a suitable infrastructure at the new district. That is the way a working Government operates.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Mr Jamba (Mwembezhi): Mr Speaker, I cannot see the hon. Minister properly. Anyway, my concern is with the new vehicles to be given to police stations. I hope that this time around the ministry is going to consider the location of the constituencies in allocating vehicles because in the past, some rural constituencies were given Nissan vehicles which are very hard to maintain. Just like in Mwandi, the police in Mwembezhi have no vehicle for operations. How soon are the new Land cruisers going to be distributed to the constituencies?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member for his observation. Yes, indeed, when procuring these vehicles, one of the considerations is the terrain of the place of operation. We cannot get a 2 x 2 vehicle to work in an area which requires a 4 x 4. Therefore, when these vehicles are available, I will probably come back to the august House and share how the distribution will be done. Of course, it will not be possible to cater for all the areas at the same time. That is certainly not possible, but like I said, progressively, we shall be providing police facilities with this required logical support.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Lihefu (Manyinga): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for a good explanation.

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lihefu: Manyinga is a newly created district and the police officers in the area are working in bad conditions. Is there any plan by the ministry to allocate even a second-hand vehicle to Manyinga District because the police are using ox-carts for their operations?

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I sincerely thank the hon. Member for that question and his concern for the men and women in uniform who are operating in his constituency. That is how it should be. He should not be bothered by those who will die with a question in the …

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, just continue with your response.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, old habits can hardly be avoided.

 

Therefore, as I have said, new districts have plans for the infrastructure layout. However, working with hon. Members, all we can do as a ministry is to follow this up and make sure that we push for the construction of police stations. Secondly, like I have said again, we shall give priority to certain areas even in the distribution of vehicles. I am must state that we are going to give priority to the newly established districts because we know the challenges that the officers face when they are sent to go and operate in those areas.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Kundoti (Luena): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister advised the hon. Member of Parliament for Mwandi to take initiative and use his Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to put up  police posts in Lipumpu and Magumwe. Yet, he knows very well that a number of constituencies have not received their CDF. The issue of CDF has been raised by a number of hon. Cabinet Ministers who have said that, hon. Members of Parliament, should use the CDF to put up certain infrastructure in the constituencies. Is the hon. Minister being realistic by advising an hon. Member of Parliament who may not have received CDF to use it to put up infrastructure?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I am being logical and sincere in encouraging hon. Members to do that. Hon. Members from the Patriotic Front (PF) have done that before. Ask Hon. Lubinda about that. He has built four police stations in his constituency using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Hon. Jean Kapata has done the same. You just have to go to Garden Compound here to see the infrastructure built using the CDF. You see, CDF is Government money and that is why we can talk about it, as hon. Ministers.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members on the left, you should not engage him in that fashion.

 

Continue, hon. Minister.

 

Mr Kampyongo: You are probably new. You will learn and there is no harm in learning. What I am saying has been happening and the old hon. Members can share with you about this. If you have not received CDF yet, I am sure that since it is in the Budget, it will come and when it comes, you can consider these plans that I am floating to you. These are things that will get you back here. I have come back to this House and I am telling you what gets people back here. You can either take my advice or not. I will not force you. You are at liberty to either take this advice or not, but at the end of the day, people will ask you what you did for the constituency. All I am saying is that we can work together. I have worked with other hon. Members before in doing what I am proposing. This is not something I have just created from my mind. The CDF is a Government fund and that is why it is in the Yellow Book to help you and your community improve certain areas where the Government cannot reach as quickly as people desire. I am being logical and offering sincere advice.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mwila (Chimwemwe): Mr Speaker, in his answer to part (b) of the question, which was about equipping police stations with motor vehicles, the hon. Minister said that the ministry plans to procure vehicles and distribute them countrywide. How many vehicles is the ministry planning to buy and at what cost?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, the final details to ascertain the number of vehicles to be bought have not been finalised. Once the details are finalised, I will come back to share that information.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has stressed that there is a lot of planning going on in his ministry. Indeed, planning is very important for our security and well being as a nation. Can the hon. Minister indicate to us when we are likely to see a comprehensive national plan which will indicate the provision of police posts and police stations throughout the country?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, indeed, planning is a starting point. This time around, we have taken an integrated approach to development, including infrastructure development. The Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development is at the core of planning for infrastructure. We also have plans for human development, in terms of how to make the members of staff more effective. We are also planning to reform and transform most of the departments. I will come back and share with the august House the many programmes the ministry has embarked on. As you know, the Ministry of Home Affairs is vast and has so many functions.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: For avoidance of doubt, does that include the national development plan for the roll out of the police posts and police stations?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, yes, that is in line with the 7^thNDP.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES EARMARKED FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN BWANA MKUBWA CONSTITUENCY

 

34. Dr Chanda (Bwana Mkubwa) asked the Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development:

 

(a) what youth empowerment programmes were earmarked for implementation in Bwana Mkubwa Parliamentary Constituency in 2017; and

 

(b) when implementation of the programmes would commence.

 

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development (Mr Mawere): Mr Speaker, the youth empowerment programmes being implemented by the Government are not constituency-specific, but national in nature. There are various youth empowerment programmes being implemented by Government institutions or various line ministries to empower the youth. The youth of Bwana Mkubwa Parliamentary Constituency can access the empowerment programmes through the provincial administration and the District Commissioner’s office.

 

Sir, the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development, in particular, where the question is directed to, is implementing a number of programmes.

 

Firstly, the Skills Development Programmes; youth resource centres where various skills are being provided to the youth. These among others include artisan works like carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing and various skills programmes.

 

Secondly, the Land Empowerment Programme; where we are resettling a number of young people in various localities within the country. The youth who are interested to become agriculturists or farmers are able to take up this land at no cost. This is because we are aware that land is quite expensive and most of the youth have not reached that capacity yet to purchase it. As Government, we are able to provide this platform. We have also appealed to all provincial administrations to identify a piece of land in conjunction with local authorities and traditional leaders and set aside the land which Government can use to settle the youth who are interested in agricultural activities.

 

Thirdly, we have the just launched the Street Vendors Empowerment Scheme; where the youth who are engaged in trading are able to access Government funds to enhance their businesses in various localities.

 

Fourthly, Mr Speaker, we have also just launched the Motorised Cargo Tri-cycles for the youth, who would want to engage into minor transportation of various commodities from one point to another.

 

We are also about to launch the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Empowerment Scheme; because we do not want to leave any youth behind in terms of ICT. Therefore, very soon, we will be launching the ICT Empowerment Scheme, were the youth, will be able to access ICT, especially in the out skirts or rural districts of the country, where it is very difficult to access the service. This will empower the youth, who should be able to provide these services to the people in those respective areas.

 

Mr Speaker, we also have the Internship Programme; where the youth who have just graduated or about to graduate, are attached to various industrial sectors that are potential employers so that they are able to learn the hands-on programmes.

 

Sir, we have also just launched the Street Children Empowerment Scheme, through which we are able to empower the parents or guardians of the street children who are always in the streets. We have realised that among the challenges which are leading to parents sending their children to the streets is poverty. Therefore, as a listening Government, we feel that we need to empower these families and encourage them to remove their children from the streets through this programme.

 

Mr Speaker, the programmes are ongoing, and the youth from Bwana Mkubwa can contact my ministry, through the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development Provincial Coordinators, the Copperbelt Provincial Administration and the District Commissioner’s (DC) office in Ndola to access and learn more about the empowerment programmes being offered by the ministry.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chanda: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for his response. I met with the Provincial Youth Coordinator on the Copperbelt and one of the issues I discussed with him was the establishment of youth employment centres which other countries are doing. As the hon. Minister may be aware, 82 per cent of the population is youths. Now, I would like to know whether his ministry has any plans to establish specific youth employment centres where most of the programmes that he has said can be integrated, more like a one-stop shop. If he has that, we can offer him land in Bwana Mkubwa Constituency.

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, the ministry is in the process of coming up with empowerment hubs in various provinces and districts where the youth can engage themselves and can engage Government to develop various programmes which can enhance their employment chances and also can enable them to create employment for themselves and for other young people as well. We are in the process and the hon. Member of Parliament for Bwana Mkubwa is welcome to bring suggestions to the ministry on how we can perfect it.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Kabanda (Serenje): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the ministry has any plans to revisit the Street Vendors Empowerment Scheme, in view of the public outcry with regard to lack of consultation even from Members of Parliament.

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, I am not very clear in which areas of reviewing the empowerment programme the hon. Member is referring to, whether it is in the naming of the programme or the aim of the programme. If it is in the naming of the programme, I did promise here in this august House that we are going to consider renaming the programme. However, in terms of the aim, I think it is well intended because we do not want to encourage people trading in the streets, but to trade in the designated places. This challenge is with us, people are not trading in designated places and for us to dangle a carrot or encourage them to trade in designated places, we need to empower them so that we are able to have control over their premises or business of trading.

 

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Ms Katuta (Chienge): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister, when he says the youth should go to the offices of the District Commissioners (DCs) to get the information, I am pretty sure he knows very well that the position of a DC is a political appointment. Therefore, most of the time, whenever people in Chienge want to see the DC, they are told that they belong to another party. How is he going to cure that? All  the youth are Zambians and they deserve to partake of the taxpayers’ money.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, the position of a DC is non-partisan.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mawere: It is a civil service position. It is part of the Executive of the Government and as such, I do not expect the DCs to be partisan in the way they deliver services to the youth.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister may not be aware that under the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Government, there was equitable distribution of resources pertaining to youth empowerment funds.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: The ministry then, under the MMD, used to allocate money specifically per constituency. Whatever items that were meant for the youth were distributed per constituency. Would he consider emulating the good practice the MMD used pertaining to the distribution of resources for the youth in the country?

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, I wish to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Monze Central for that good question, but I wish to state that the Government is committed to decentralising its functions. It is the desire of the Government that provision of services should go to the grassroots. As a ministry, the structure goes up to provincial level, that is why we are able to use the districts offices district points of entry. However, we have advisory committees in the districts which are able to go up to constituency level. Definitely, Sir, we are using that approach in certain instances when we see that this programme needs to quickly reach out to the grassroots, we are able to go up to constituency level and we desire that we start going up to ward level.

 

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr A. Mumba: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development has been carrying out a number of very progressive programmes, but it is very difficult to appreciate them. In Kantanshi, for example, from 2011, only ten people benefited from the loan fund meant to encourage youths to start businesses and so forth. I must inform the hon. Minster that I have been to the Permanent Secretary’s office several times regarding this. Is it possible to set up a one-day workshop, like the Ministry of Agriculture is doing on the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), to inform hon. Members what the ministry is offering the constituencies, because if we are left behind then the people we have come to represent will remain behind.

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, the ministry will seriously consider that request. After reviewing the youth empowerment programmes, we have observed that a lot of resources have gone into them, but not much has been achieved. After a review of the approach towards empowering the youth, we decided to partner with fund managers like ZamPost. The hope is that the fund managers will make it easier for the youth to access funds and pay back the loans. In most cases, the youth have been giving the excuse of not knowing how they can pay back the loans because there are no facilities in the rural areas. We believe that ZamPost’s wide coverage will enable the youth who are accessing the funds to service their loans without difficulty.

 

Sir, I will sit down with my technocrats and set a date when we can invite hon. Members of Parliament to share the various programmes that we intend to implement.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Kufakwandi (Sesheke Central): Mr Speaker, most of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) supporting the youth in Zambia operate largely from urban areas. Are there any plans, through the Government youth empowerment programmes, to put more emphasis on rural areas, where many of the youth are not getting their fair share?

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, the Government does not want to leave anyone behind and this includes those in the rural areas.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mawere: This is why the approach is to ensure that even a person in Shangombo has access to these empowerment programmes. We feel that the presence of ZamPost in almost all districts is better and is in a position to aid the youth in accessing these programmes than the Government.

 

Sir, we will endeavour to ensure that the programmes cater for the rural areas so that they can equally benefit.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) used to give hon. Members of Parliament footballs to deliver to constituencies, but now it seems the Government is using the back door. What is difficult about giving hon. Members sports equipment and cheques to give the constituents instead of giving them to District Commissioners?

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the request being made by the hon. Member of Parliament. The Government conducts its business transparently.

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Mr Mawere: We will use hon. Members of Parliament where we see fit and use other avenues where we see fit, because the programmes vary in nature.

 

Sir, the example that the hon. Member gave relating to sports equipment is still in place. I am sure I will be a very popular minister before the end of this year because hon. Members of Parliament will receive this equipment to deliver to their constituencies so that they can remain relevant to their constituents.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, I seek further clarity on the scheme with regard to street children and the attempts to empower their parents or guardians with a view to taking them off the street. How exactly does this work? What exactly is being done for the parents and how are they being identified? Further, does the hon. Minister believe this is a sustainable method to rid the streets of street children?

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, we have a challenge of escalating numbers of street children, especially along the line of rail. We also observe that the big cities, especially provincial towns, are also experiencing the same challenge. The 7^th NDP talks about not leaving anyone behind and that includes the children who are in the streets.

 

Sir, our interaction with these children in the streets and their parents has revealed that more than 80 per cent of the street children have parents or guardians. There are very few who cannot trace where they come from. We have discovered that the biggest challenge faced by parents and guardians is poverty. The Government does not just want to remove the children from the street, rehabilitate them and reintegrate them into their families without looking at the root because, otherwise they will end up back in the streets. The Government and its cooperating partners have realised that there is need to empower these families with start-up capital and other programmes so that they engage in economic activities to create wealth for their families and enable them to put their children through school. In short, that is how it operates.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, the future of any society can be predicted from the opportunities which are being created for the youth today. In that regard, the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development is extremely important. When are we likely to see a comprehensive directorate which is integrated and multi-sectoral in addressing the demographic dividend of the youth in our country?

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, the Government is managing the country in an integrated manner. All the ministries which are under the Government work together. The issue of youth empowerment is an integrated and multi-sectoral programme for the Government. With regard to programmes which are undertaken, each ministry puts the youth at the centre of activities. For example, in the quest to maintain law and order in the country, my brother, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Hon. Kampyongo, employs the youth to various positions. 

 

Mr Speaker, in the Ministry of Agriculture, we are also encouraging the youth who still have the energy to take up the challenge of being farmers. We want them to get involved in the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). In the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare, the Ministry of General Education and Ministry of Higher Education, there are programmes for the youth as well. It will be very unfair for one ministry to be responsible for the interests of all the youth in Zambia. I am saying so because the programmes which are targeted towards the youth are multi-sectoral.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government has a roadmap on how it is going to help the youth benefit from the wealth in the country. This is already under the 7^th NDP. The five pillars which are under the 7^th NDP are targeting the youth of this country. The diversification, job creation, is supposed to be done by the youth. Job creation means that we are creating jobs for the youth. Issues of reducing developmental inequalities and enhancing human development concern the youth of this country. The Government has, therefore, come up with a roadmap through which every youth will be put on board to ensure that they also participate in the wealth creation of the nation.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Zimba (Chasefu): Mr Speaker, in the statement, the hon. Minister said that no one will be left behind, especially the youth, in the youth empowerment programmes. Are these programmes being implemented countrywide since he said that he is not doing it at constituency level? If not, what criteria is the hon. Minister using to identify areas that are benefiting from this programme?

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, the Government has put decentralisation at the centre of its governance. At national level, when we develop a programme, we inform the provincial administration, the District Commissioners (DCs) and the youth through our Advisory Committees. These committees inform them of all programmes which this Government is taking up. These programmes are happening everywhere in the country. At national level, we allocate the programmes according to provinces. At provincial level, these programmes are allocated to districts. At district level, this is where they identify the beneficiaries of these programmes. These programmes are everywhere, countrywide.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Ngulube: Ema neighbours!

 

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Mr Speaker, what specific programmes does the hon. Minister have that can attend to the delinquency amongst the youth, as recently seen in some neighbourhood in Lusaka?

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, it is very difficult for me to specify which programmes are suitable for our constituencies. As a ministry, we look at the interests of the youth. We have currently allocated these empowerment programmes in sectors.  We know that the youth cannot be interested in similar things. The youth have various areas of interest. As such, we consult them and that is why we are able to develop these programmes. Most of the programmes we are mentioning here are multi-sectoral in nature. The youth are the ones who propose these programmes. For example, the ICT Empowerment Scheme was proposed by the youth who were interested in it. This is because they know that they are very good in that area.  Those who have interest in transportation can be empowered through the same sectors. Those who are interested in agriculture can make sure that the Government empowers them so that they become successful farmers. These programmes are demand-driven and sectoral based.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Ms Mwashingwele (Katuba): Mr Speaker, in his response to the question which was raised by the hon. Member for Bwana Mkubwa, the minister spoke about parcels of land that are going to be distributed to the youth. Are these parcels of land across all the 110 districts of the country or they are in specific districts?

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, as a ministry, we first wrote to all the provincial administrations to identify where this land was. The provincial administration was asked to request for pieces of land from the local authorities and the traditional leaders. This land was to be earmarked for youth empowerment programmes. So far, we have received response from Northern Province, particularly, Mporokoso. We have also received response from North Western Province, where we have 26,000 hectares of land. Recently, we received response from Eastern Province, in Mambwe, Petauke, Vubwi and Chadiza, if I am not mistaken. This is where land is being earmarked for this purpose.

 

Mr Speaker, as regards the identification of land, it is incumbent upon the local people themselves to spare land for this purpose. This appeal is still active. We have appealed to provinces for land which they can spare to enable this ministry settle the youth.

 

Mr Speaker, as regards settling the youth, we do not segregate or insist on settling them where they are based. We settle them on the basis of where their interest lies. So, if a person who is based in Lusaka is interested to do farming in North-Western Province, we can still facilitate for the settlement.

 

Mr Speaker, we have seen a number of young persons from Eastern Province and North-Western go to Mwange. The Government facilitates their settlement and gives them start-up capital in form of equipment and input for the first one year. It also puts them on a feeding programme for a year and afterwards allows them to continue with the business.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that District Commissioners are civil servants and that through the reviews of this youth empowerment programme, they have  discovered that nothing has been achieved at all.

 

I do not know whether the hon. Minister is aware that there were plans by the Government to set up a non-partisan bank to avoid interference of DCs, who we meet in political campaigns, like we did recently. Are there plans to set up a bank that can work in collaboration with the Citizen’s Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) to disburse this money without political influence?

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, the setting up of a bank was with the view to reducing the interface between the Government and the youth who are the beneficiaries. We were looking for a fund manager and a bank. In this case, we have found ZamPost which we have appointed as fund manager. Therefore, we hope that the worries that some hon. Members of Parliament have can be addressed through ZAMPOST.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

RESEARCH UNDERTAKEN TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ORIENTATION PROGRAMME FOR NEWLY ELECTED COUNCILLORS

 

35. Mr Bulaya (Mpongwe) asked the Minster of Local Government:

 

(a) whether there had been any research undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the orientation programme for newly elected councillors;

 

(b) if so, what the findings were; and

 

(c) whether the Government was satisfied with the performance of the councillors following the orientation programme.

 

The Minister of Tourism and Arts (Mr Banda) (on behalf of the Minister of Local Government (Mr Mwale): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that research was undertaken and the orientation programme has helped most of the newly elected councillors in understanding their roles, especially the councillors who were elected to office for the first time.  However, there are a few challenges with some councillors who have not fully understood their roles and also the officer relationships when it comes to decision-making.

 

The time allocated to the topic of local governance was too short and there are plans to arrange with the Chalimbana Training Institute (CTI) to come up with short courses on local governance as a way of capacity building for the councillors.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government is satisfied with the performance of councillors. Before the orientation programme, there was a challenge in decision-making by most of the councillors as they did not understand their roles. However, currently, most councillors have understood their roles in providing policy direction in their respective councils.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mwiinga (Chikankata): Mr Speaker, would it not be a better approach to equip councillors with the Constitution of Zambia rather than just the Standing Orders of the councils?

 

Mr Banda: Mr Speaker, the training actually undertook to equip councillors with different roles that they are supposed to understand in order for them to perform well. For instance, the specific objectives of the orientation included:

 

(a) enabling the councillors understand the purpose and nature of local government;

 

(b) enabling them to understand the national governance structure;

 

(c) enabling them understand the national decentralisation policy at concept; and

 

(d) enabling them understand the legal framework of local authorities in Zambia.

 

Mr Speaker, we felt that this was adequate for them.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the Government has any plans to increase allowances for the councilors considering that the cost of living is very high due to the rise in the cost of goods and services in Zambia.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, these questions should be supplementary. This means supplementing the questions which have been asked. If you go through these questions, there is nothing, in my opinion, which is related to allowances. This is about the orientation programme to make councillors effective in their role and the question is whether there has been any research undertaken; and, if so, what are the findings; and whether the Government is satisfied with the performance of the councillors following the orientation programme. Therfore, the whole fulcrum of the questions is on the orientation programme, but now, we are going into fiscal issues which are allowances. Let us move to the next question.

 

Hon. Member for Ikeleng’i, do you have a question on the orientation programme?

 

Mr Chabi: Ema emphasis aya!

 

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, I would like to inform the hon. Minister that the orientation programme is important. When you go around the councils throughout the country, the standards of councils are poor. Has the ministry got a deliberate plan to review each council, on whether they are meeting the required standard or not. If so, when do you intend to implement the review?

 

Mr C. Banda: Mr Speaker that is a very good question from the hon. Member. All I can tell the hon. Member is that this is an ongoing process. In the first instance; we did undertake to give an orientation, so that the councillors are able to understand their roles in the councils. This means that a follow-up to that initial orientation will give us an idea whether we are making headway or not. If not, then we will have to find other ways and means to ensure that councillors understand their roles and are performing to expectation.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Jere (Livingstone): Mr Speaker is the hon. Minister aware that the local Government in this country is run on Statutory Instruments (SIs). That being a fact, when is the hon. Minister going to amend the Local Government Act in order to suit the prevailing situation, considering the fact that the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia was amended.

 

Mr Speaker: Again, this has nothing to do with the orientation programme.

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Tambatamba (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, following the amendment of the Constitution that saw Members of Parliament no longer sitting in the councils, there is obviously a different landscape that the councillors find themselves in. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister, whether he has any particular elements in the orientation programmes that will promote harmony on the roles of the councillors and Members of Parliament to avoid acrimony.

 

Mr C Banda: Mr Speaker that is an obvious thing. We should be able to advise even hon. Members of Parliament on which roles they can play in order to compliment the efforts the councillors are putting in the councils, because, we are all stakeholders. Therefore, as far as the ministry is concerned, we have to inculcate in the councillors the proper procedure of how they should conduct their business in the council and at the same time, how they should relate with hon. Members of Parliament.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker: Next question.

 

Ms E. Phiri (Kanyama): Mr Speaker, Question 36 has been overtaken by the current happenings in Kanyama Constituency.

 

Mr Speaker, I want to inform the House…

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member …

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: ... for Kanyama, take your seat.

 

Are you withdrawing this question?

 

Ms E. Phiri remained seated.

 

Mr Speaker: I am addressing you. You have to stand up.

 

Ms E. Phiri: Yes, I am withdrawing the question, but I just wanted to inform the House the reason…

 

Mr Speaker: Well, let us do one thing at a time.

 

So, the question has been withdrawn.

 

That concludes the Questions for Oral Answer.

 

__________

 

MOTIONS

 

MOTION OF THANKS

 

(Debate resumed)

 

Mr Chaatila (Moomba): Mr Speaker, thank you for allowing me to continue with my debate which I started yesterday.

 

Sir, yesterday, I informed the august House that the Speech by the President is favouring the rich. What I meant was that, what the President said is more favourable for people who live in towns than us villagers. Then I looked at the challenges the rural women are facing. I also dwelt on the issue of climate change, which I was about to conclude yesterday.

 

Mr Speaker, going forward, I want to have an input on the issue of agriculture.

 

Sir, I am sure that you are aware that in rural areas where we come from, agriculture is the mainstay of the people. That is the main business which we do in the rural parts of Zambia. It was interesting yesterday, when I heard some of my colleagues especially those from urban constituencies articulating what constitutes the cost of producing a 50 kg bag of maize in relation to an acre. It was also very baffling to hear that in here, there were some hon. Members saying that the cost of a 50 kg bag of maize at K60 is very effective and supported by the people from their constituencies. It was strange to hear that media houses have put the low cost of a 50 kg bag of maize as outcry from the farmers in rural areas. K60 per 50 kg bag of maize is nothing. I want to assure the PF Government that they are fast tracking their exit.

 

Mr Chilombo: Question!

 

Mr Chaatila: Thank you very much.

 

Mr Mutale: Thank you for what?

 

Mr Chaatila: You are helping yourselves to leave office very fast. Have you forgotten the people in rural areas who voted for you.

 

Mr Kampyongo: How do you mean?

 

Mr Chaatila: Thank you.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chaatila: Mr Speaker, there are two things which the hon. Member who was giving us the list of the cost of producing a bag of maize left out and I want to give you a bit of information. For example, in Moomba Constituency, we had about five satellite depots. If you go there now, you will find only one depot operating. The rest have been phased out. You are all aware that we had one thousand plus satellite depots. Now, we have about 650 for the whole country. In Moomba Constituency, we only have one satellite depot. Nadongo and Bayola, are far flung areas and farmers have to pay about K15 to transport one bag of maize to the only depot in Moomba. The hon. Member did not factor in the issue of time the farmer takes to transport the maize.

 

Sir, I want to help you a bit. Let us put the cost per empty bag of maize at K5, plus transportation cost, it comes to about K20. In essence a bag of maize is not at K60 per se when you factor in all the costs, it is K40. Therefore, do your cost analysis and tell us how much profit a farmer is making.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Tell us.

 

Mr Mutale: Tell us.

 

Mr Chaatila: There is nothing. It is a raw deal.

 

Mr Chabi: Tell us.

 

Mr Chaatila: Farmers are losing out and you ...

 

Hon. PF Members: How?

 

Mr Chaatila: Sir, these are hon. Ministers who are saying that.

 

Hon. PF Members: Losing out, how?

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members on the right.

 

Hon. Member for Moomba, take your seat.

 

Please, let us avoid that kind of misconduct because that is what it is.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: May the hon. Member for Moomba Continue.

 

Mr Chaatila: Mr Speaker, thank you for protecting me. It is very surprising because these are our leaders, who are put in critical positions …

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member that is not even your function.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: If you have finished debating, we can go to the next person who wants to debate.

 

Mr Chaatila: I have not finished. Mr Speaker, I am talking about the raw deal that they have given the farmers. This time around, if you went to the rural areas, you will find piles of maize. Farmers have failed to transport and sell the maize to the satellite depots and the rainy season is around the corner. I sympathise with the farmers, who have produced so much maize which will now go to waste. We expected the Government to create marketing linkages for them. However, since they have failed to do that, it means they have failed to find the market for the farmers.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government has put up a requirement where all farmers will now need to buy a cell phone for them to be eligible for the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and the e-Voucher System. Some elderly people do not even know how to answer a phone call, yet you want them to buy a cell phone which costs about K100. That is another cost for farmers in the rural areas.You are burdening them. It was stated on the Floor of the House that every account holder must have a Tax Payers Identification Number (TPIN). Therefore, banks have been sending reminders through the Short Message Service (SMS) to account holders for them to submit their TPIN. In the Southern Province, Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) is working with a known bank and they have informally given the bank officials forms which they are selling to the farmers at K100 and K200 for them to be helped to come up with the TPIN. When you introduce such things, you are supposed to make it easy for our people.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

 

Mr Chaatila: Therefore, you have burdened the farmers and since there is a deadline to this exercise, most of the accounts will be closed.

 

Mr Speaker, let me move to the last item. I expected the President to deal with the issue of corruption which is taking away the resources and to be candid about it. President Michael Sata, may his soul rest in peace, was once given the Report of the Auditor-General and when he found that some officers had abused the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), he never even thought twice and he fired them. Today, some of these officers now hold critical Government positions and have been given a huge responsibility of managing the financial affairs of this nation. It baffles me.

 

Mr Speaker, Late President Sata, introduced the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project and Kalomo/Kasempa, Mumbwa/Kasempa and Kanakatapa Roads were included in this project. These roads have been abandoned, yet the Government had said that they would not embark on new projects before finishing the old ones. However, the Ndola/ Kitwe Dual Carriageway which had nothing to do with the programme has been undertaken. President Sata never tolerated corruption and the roads that were included in the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project were chosen without any corruption. The Ndola/Kitwe Dual Carriageway links a city to a city and that is why I said that the President’s Speech is for the rich. If Kanakatapa and Mumbwa/Kasempa Roads were constructed, it would make the lives of the rural people easy in terms of travelling from one place to another. However, you are starting projects where you know you will get benefit.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chaatila: That is very sad. Massive mansions are being built in New Kasama. Where have we found the money all of a sudden? You our leaders need to be accountable to us.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, you do not debate your colleagues.

 

Mr Chaatila: Thank you Mr Speaker for the guidance. Corruption has eroded the confidence the people of Zambia have in the leaders of this nation. Lastly, I am appealing to the Patriotic Front (PF) Government to seriously search their souls and reflect further if what they are doing now is taking the people of Zambia anywhere, because the President talked about it.

 

Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the Speech of the President.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Jere (Livingstone): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to add the voice of the people of Livingstone to this debate. Moving towards a smart Zambia is the theme of the President’s Speech. Indeed, having listened very carefully from those who debated before me, I could see that some of my colleagues were labouring to add flesh to the Speech. They were trying to turn black into white, but the truth always remains the truth.

 

Mr Speaker, having reflected deeply on the recent happenings, I totally agree with the sentiments of the hon. Member of Parliament for Kalomo Central who said that there is a total breakdown of the rule of law. We are all aware that the late President Chiluba, was known for the liberalisation of the economy and the late President Mwanawasa was known for the rule of law. However, the PF Government is known for nolle prosequis and I will explain that later.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Jere: Indeed, they enter into a nolle prosequis because of the breakdown of the rule of law. However, they decided to disregard the Constitution which is the supreme law of the land. Examples were given Mr Speaker …

 

Mr Speaker: Just a moment, hon. Member. I think I will get back to that after the break.

 

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mr Speaker: When Business was suspended, the hon. Member for Livingstone was debating, and I was on the verge of giving guidance over the nolle. 

 

In terms of Article 180 of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016, the powers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are set out in sub-Article 4 and, for avoidance of doubt, I will read them out:

 

“(a) institute and undertake criminal proceedings against a person before a court, other than a court-marshal, for an offence alleged to have been committed by that person;

 

"(b) take over and continue criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by another person or authority; and

 

"(c) discontinue, at any stage before judgment is delivered, criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by the Director of Public Prosecutions or another person or authority.”

 

In essence, the nolle is covered by Article 180(4). Sub-Article 7 goes on to state and I quote:

 

“The Director of Public Prosecutions shall not be subject to the direction or control of a person or an authority in the performance of the functions of that office, except that the Director of Public Prosecutions shall have regard to the public interest, administration of justice, integrity of the judicial system and the need to prevent and avoid abuse of the legal process.

 

According to the Constitution, therefore, this power is vested only in the Director of Public Prosecutions. Furthermore, you know that it is our practice to be factual, to substantiate and to avoid misleading statements. If the hon. Member is ready to substantiate, we will hear how. This is my counsel.

 

You may continue.

 

Mr Jere’s microphone malfunctioned.

 

Mr Speaker: I have given you counsel. Your microphone is dysfunctional?

 

Mr Jere: Yes, Sir.

 

Mr Jere’s microphone came on.

 

Mr Speaker: Oh, there you go. Continue.

 

Mr Jere: Mr Speaker, I am most grateful for your guidance. I was looking at the definition of nolle prosequi which is unwillingness to prosecute.  

 

However, I was talking about the breakdown of …

 

Mr Speaker: No.

 

Let us proceed properly. You said that nolle is to discontinue prosecution. That is acceptable.  However, you added that it is attributed to the President as he will be renowned for nolles?

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes.

 

Mr Speaker: How?

 

Mr Jere: Mr Speaker, I was referring to the administration …

 

Mr Speaker: Of?

 

Mr Jere: Looking at what is happening at the moment, there is a total breakdown of the rule of law.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: No.

 

Mr Jere: I have examples, Mr Speaker, …

 

Mr Speaker: No, hon. Member for Livingstone.

 

Like I advised earlier, we are hon. Members. Let us do what is honourable. I do not have to put words in your mouth. I have given guidance based on the Constitution, which I am sure is clear.

 

Mr Jere: Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Speaker: Do what is honourable. You may continue.

 

Mr Jere: The happenings in the recent past have resulted in so many questions. Is this the society that our forefathers …

 

Mr Speaker: No, no, no.

 

You see, we will not make progress. I have told you to avoid misleading statements and to substantiate your statements. Be factual. I have explained what the law is on this matter. It is as simple as that.

 

Continue.

 

Mr Jere: Mr Speaker, again thank you for the guidance.

 

However, allow me to quote …

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Withdraw your statement regarding the nolle. 

 

Mr Jere: Mr Speaker, the statement is withdrawn. However, allow me to quote from page 2, paragraph 4 of the speech:

 

“The House approved the invocation of Article 31 of the Constitution in order to preserve peace and ensure national security, safety of property and the general public. I commend the security wings for the professional manner in which they have administered the regulations on the preservation of public security.”

 

The President went on further and I quote:

 

“Let me reassure the nation, through this august House, that the invocation of article 31 was not meant to unduly inconvenience the general public, but to preserve peace and security in the country.”

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Jere: Mr Speaker, first of all, let me sympathise with all those whose market stalls were burnt at Soweto Market.

 

Sir, it was in this august House, where all well-meaning hon. Members of Parliament debated and warned the police not to use excessive powers that were given to them during the threatened state of emergency.

 

Mr Speaker, barely a day after the extension of the state of emergency eleven boys were arrested in Livingstone, air lifted, brought to Lusaka and were detained in different cells.

 

Sir, we all know that under the Prisons Act, even prisoners have the rights such as the right to health care, right to be visited by their legal counsels and the right to food. It is regrettable that the boys from Livingstone were brutalised and their relatives were not allowed to visit them.

 

Mr Speaker, after some days in detention their legal counsels applied for the habeas corpus. For the sake of the some people in Chinsali, habeas corpus is a writ for delivering a person from imprisonment. When they realised that was about to be granted, they released the people who were in detention, including a Zambia Air force (ZAF) officer at midnight and took them back to Livingstone. To date, the affected people still do not know why they were arrested and yet, on page 2 of the President’s Speech, His Excellency the President was praising the officers for executing their duties diligently.

 

Mr Speaker, it goes without saying that indeed, they are people in this House who do not correctly advise His Excellency the President, on what exactly is happening out there.

 

Mr Lufuma: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Jere: Sir, how can a citizen of country need a police permit from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to visit a relation in detention. It is, therefore, very clear that the officer in-charge is given powers to grant authority to any person who wishes to visit a detainee. This is the only country, where people have to get police permit from the IGP for them to visit their relatives in detention. Unfortunately, when the suspects were arrested the IGP was in Tanzania. I do not know what he was doing there, but we were referred to see him.

 

Mr Speaker, the principles of democracy and good governance command respect for the rule of law. Recently, we witnessed the Patriotic Front (PF) Government …

 

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, you sit at a vantage point to hear and see unruly hon. Members vis-à-vis unpalatable running commentaries as any hon. Member is debating.

 

Sir, in the event that maybe, your eye did not catch the two hon. Members, who are also hon. Government Ministers, I would like to find out from you, Sir, if the hon. Member of Parliament for Mandevu, who is also the hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and also the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security …

 

Ms Kapata indicated.

 

Interruption

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Nkombo: Sir, they are engaging me in my point of order.

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

I have indicated order and you may proceed.

 

Mr Nkombo: Sir, I would like to find out if the two hon. Members of Parliament namely; Hon. Jean Kapata, hon. Member of Parliament for Mandevu, who is also hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and hon. Joyce Nonde-Simukoko who is the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security are in order to continue drowning the speech by the hon. Member for Livingstone Constituency, who is busy trying to give an exposé of how their Government through the police work in terms of the current debate on the Floor. Are the two hon. Members in order to proceed in that manner knowing, very well that you, Sir, is seated in the Chair with that authority that you have. I need your serious ruling?

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Members, the Public Parliamentary Handbook is very clear on running commentaries. There are not permissible. Let me also cease this opportunity to indicate some of the discussion I have had with the leadership of the august House. If you are not sure about it, we have a House Business Committee, which sits at the beginning of the meeting, midway and at the end. We also have the Standing Orders Committee.

 

One of the issues that exercise our mind in the two leadership Committees is the issue of conduct, running commentaries and way still, some of the comments that are passed are in unprintable language. I will be constantly reviewing the verbatim record and I will do it randomly because the debates are recorded as we are transacting. So, I will be reviewing the verbatim record from time to time with the assistance of the Clerks at the Table.

 

As I indicated to the two Committees, I will proceed in a very stern fashion to try an arrest this unfortunate trend, especially where unprintable language is used, because even the unprintable language is recorded and transmitted around the Republic of Zambia. Therefore, it does not project us well. Therefore, those who are in that habit should take this as a timely warning. This should generally include the running commentaries. I will be reviewing that. As far as I am concerned and according to the Act, I can act alone and in most cases, I will be acting alone.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: I will end there.

 

You may continue.

 

Mr M. Jere: Mr Speaker, I was saying that indeed, recently we witnessed what I may refer to as a slap on the face of the Constitutional Court following the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) appeal on the ruling by the Constitutional Court.

 

Sir, allow me to quote Article 128 of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia, which reads:

 

“Subject to Article 28, the Constitution Court has original and final jurisdiction to hear- (b) a matter relating to a violation or contravention of this Constitution.”

 

Mr Speaker, I, therefore, believe that when the PF Government talks about lacunas in the Constitution …

 

Mr Kampyongo: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, first and foremost, before I raise my point of order, I just want to urge the hon. Member to read the whole Article he has referred to, so that he does not mislead the nation. Yesterday during this same segment, I was made to understand that, there is a standing arrangement that, points of order during this segment are not permitted. I obliged because I had wanted to raise a point of order on the hon. Member who was on the Floor. I, therefore, would like to seek your clarification on this matter.

 

Mr Speaker: I will start with the first part. I will allow you to address that when you begin debating. Indeed, it is correct that as a general rule, I have stated that points of order during this segment should not be allowed. You are absolutely correct and I think we will keep it that way. I think it is a timely reminder, but issues of discipline always concern me anyway. The essence of proscribing points of order, if I may clarify further, is to avoid arresting debates.

 

I think your point is taken, hon. Minister of Home Affairs, and let us avoid these points of order so that we progress. You can see already the reason this is discouraged. We have arrested the debate and I think moving forward, let us keep it that way. Please, let us also ensure that there is good conduct in the House because it is the conduct that unfortunately makes us to step into these issues. The hon. Member on the Floor may continue, please.

 

Mr Jere: I am most grateful, Mr Speaker, for that protection.

 

Mr Speaker, poverty and inequality are directly related. On page 41 of the Speech, the President talked about the poverty levels in the country, which has remained very high, with 54.4 per cent of the Zambian population living below the poverty datum line. One would wonder as to why people in a country endowed with so many natural resources are living in poverty. It is because of what I had stated earlier on. The lack of adherence to the principles of democracy and good governance brings such situations. Even countries where there have been volcano eruptions, earthquakes and war have been able to rebuild and become better than Zambia, which has never been to war since independence.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Ngulube: Question!

 

Mr Jere: Mr Speaker, what we are supposed to do is address what is now happening in the Patriotic Front (PF) Government. Instead of concentrating on combating corruption, money laundering and tax evasion, our colleagues in Government are busy pointing fingers at one another and asking who is supposed to be in office. We have wasted a lot of time and, therefore, I do not think that we can proceed and develop the country in the manner we are going at the moment.

 

Mr Speaker, we have said before that tourism is a major activity in Livingstone. It was in this august House that I pleaded with the hon. Minister of Tourism and Arts to revisit the issue of one needing so many licences to do business in Livingstone. This has made Livingstone one of the most expensive tourism destinations in the sub-region.

 

Mr Speaker, in Victoria Falls town, which is a direct competitor to Livingstone, the airport has been expanded. This means that a lot of planes are now landing in Zimbabwe. Since accommodation and food is cheaper on the Zimbabwean side, we are likely to say good bye to tourism in Livingstone.

Sir, we have said that in order for us to compete, we should look at what is prevailing on the other side, since part of the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is partly in Zimbabwe. We ought to undertake a tour to look at how Zimbabwe has managed to promote tourism. For example, right now, flying from Victoria Falls town to Bulawayo costs US$60. To fly from Lusaka to Livingstone is US$180. The difference is too huge. We need to look at what mechanisms Zimbabwe has put in place to attract tour operators so that we know what is making tourism tick there and not in Zambia.

 

Mr Speaker, worse still, the Government recently introduced the bed levy. The bed levy has made hotel operators fail to improve their rooms. In the tourism industry, you need to upgrade and update every year. For example, tourists should be able to be ferried from the airport to the hotel in a vehicle that has air conditioning. On the Zambian side the tour operators are unable to fix vehicles. Their vehicles have no air conditioning and tyres are finished because business has gone down.

 

Mr Speaker, moving forward, the Government should come up with a deliberate policy to move certain offices from Lusaka to Livingstone. Some directors of tourism institutions should be moved from Lusaka to Livingstone so that they can make decisions. We have frustrated a lot of investors who would have wished to invest in Livingstone because of the bureaucracy in public institutions.

 

Mr Speaker, sometime in February this year, a team of hon. Ministers went to Livingstone and promised the people there that the Government was going to build a convention centre. I thought it would create jobs for the people in Livingstone, but it is just on paper and nothing has been put in place. We all know that a lot of conferences in the country are held in Livingstone.

 

Mr Speaker, if a stadium was constructed in Livingstone, the tourism sector would earn extra income. This is because people coming from other countries to play and watch football would love to relax at the Victoria Falls after the games. This would be at a cost. This means that they would pay for viewing the Victoria Falls and tour operators, taxis, hotels and those selling food would benefit from this.

Mr Speaker, in Tonga we say, “Chatakamana chilayoha”. This means that whatever does not finish is scary. The PF is digging its own grave. Only time will tell how long it will be in Government.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to add my voice to the Speech made by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of the sovereign state of Zambia ...

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: ... on 15^th September, 2017.

 

Mr Speaker, where I come from, they say, “Umwana ashenda atasha nyina ukunaya,” meaning, those who do not move from the precincts of their households only appreciate the nshima prepared in their households and do not live to know how nshima is prepared in other households.

 

Sir, having returned from the United Nations General Assembly in New York, which is the apex of international political discourse, I can say that the President’s Address at that assembly was well-received. At that assembly, there were representatives from all the organisations under the United Nations (UN). The President’s Speech at that assembly was reported as it was given by his Excellency the President.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: I know my colleague the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs will come and add his voice to the fact that the President was well-received and respected.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: For the first time in history, he was given a slot to speak on a prime day when all the major speakers were scheduled to speak. For the first time, we were made to attend the supreme organ of the UN, the United Nations Security Council.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, that privilege is not given to people who are not appreciated. We saw how other people were demonised in the United States (US).

 

Mr Speaker, let me start by quoting the words of His Excellency from his Speech on 15^th September, 2017:

 

“... the evocation of Article 31 was not meant to unduly inconvenience the general public, but to preserve peace and security in the country.”

 

Sir, following the evocation of Article 31, the President consulted Cabinet because he believes in team work and collective responsibility. Consequently, Statutory Instrument No. 55 of 2017, was issued in accordance with Section 3, 4 and 5 of the Preservation of Public Security Act Chapter 112 of the Laws of Zambia. The regulations in the Statutory Instrument (SI) provided guidance to the Zambia Police Service and other defence and security agencies during the period of the state of threatened public emergency. I do not need to overstate the events which triggered the Government to take those drastic measures. We know how the people’s lives were shattered, and they are yet to rebuild their lives. Poor people whose livelihoods were derived from markets woke up to a rude shock when everything they owned crumbled. Any responsible leader had a cause to be concerned, just like the President was. Assurance was given to the members of the public through this august House that the regulations were not meant to interfere with the freedoms and liberties of law abiding citizens. Only culprits, who were linked to some of those atrocities that were committed were pursued by the law enforcement agencies. The general public was free to go about its normal business as there was neither a curfew nor restrictions in movement. Further, the regulations provided procedures for any person who was aggrieved to seek justice, like we heard from one of the hon. Members, it was the responsibility of everyone here to read what the content of the regulations were. It is not good to make blanket allegations which you cannot even substantiate. The public should continue with their normal lives.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government remains resolved and indeed committed to the fair application of the Public Order Act in order to promote peace, good governance and protect people’s human rights. It is, therefore, important for the general public to follow the provisions of the Public Order Act, as they hold different gatherings and processions, regardless of their grouping, be it political or religious. The provisions of the Public Order Act are very clear. The requirement for people to inform the police when they want to hold a meeting is also very clear. I am alive to the fact that this is a law which is being revisited, but as a ministry charged with the responsibility of enforcing the law, we are going to continue enforcing what is currently available until such a time when there will be changes done to the Public Order Act.

 

Mr Speaker, the President alluded to the issue of corruption in his speech. The President has walked the talk. I think we all know where he stands on this issue. Having been here for the past six years, I want to place it on record on how disappointed I am to see the hypocrisy that we have attached to corruption. I used to be at the backbench. Then, I came to the middle and later, I got here. I have heard some people here accusing those in the front bench of being corrupt. We have had newspapers laid on the Table by some people from the left, showing how some people on the right are corrupt. We used to have an hon. Minister sitting where my older brother is sitting. Every day, our colleagues on the left, from the United Party for National Development (UPND), used to say that he was a corrupt hon. Minister. They used to say that hon. Minister had given himself contracts, and newspapers saying that used to fly around here. What happened next? The moment that hon. Minister crossed the Floor to the left, all that corruption finished.

 

Ms Kapata: Shame!

 

Mr Kampyongo: That gentleman became a great leader and was made to occupy a top slot in the opposition party.

Mr Speaker, the country had an opportunity to host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). The hon. Minister who was responsible for tourism was accused of theft, corruption and looting. She used to make statements here to defend herself, barefooted, under the blazing guns of our colleagues on the left. The moment she crossed the Floor to the left, she became clean in their eyes. They even started escorting her to court to offer solidarity.

 

Sir, my catalogue is long. We hosted the All Africa Games. Again, there was hullabaloo here. Those on the left questioned how the stadiums were being renovated and what we were building. In desperation, the hon. Minister in charge of sport at that time, mobilised buses and loaded all of us to go and see what was happening at the sports venues. We went to the venues at night, my colleagues here on the right can attest to that. Today, they are together in the opposition. Now, the question is, have they become birds of the same feather? Or maybe making corruption allegations is their way of recruiting those of us in ministries.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, you have not named anybody admittedly, but we are now debating ourselves.

 

Mr Mushanga: Eba leimya na ma Points of Order!

 

Mr Speaker: The President left a loaded speech …

 

Ms Kapata: No, you are responding!

 

Mr Speaker: … addressing a lot of issues. I think I have tried to encourage Members on both sides, even from my initial guidance, that we should focus on the public policy questions that he has presented, please.

 

You may continue hon. Minister.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Well guided Mr Speaker, but these matters have been debated heavily in here. The issue of corruption is a policy matter, and explaining how this Government is tackling it. However, some of us have been accused and have heard things concocted.

 

Hon. Government Members: They need to withdraw!

 

Mr Kampyongo: That is why I was asking as to whether this has become a scheme of recruiting members. They will bombard you with accusations and expect you to cross onto the other side and the corruption tag goes off.

 

Mr Mutale: Tabamona fisuma!

 

Mr Kampyongo: However, when everything is said and done, some of us will be among the last men and women standing.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: This is because we know where we stand in serving the people of Zambia who have given us this mandate that we are standing on.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, when you see a President firing one of his own lieutenants from Cabinet on allegation of corruption, what more can he show.

 

Ms Mulenga: Kokolapo!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mutale: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Sir, the President walks the talk and he has made it very clear to all of us here.

 

Here in this Chamber, we make laws, but I have heard various discussions about procurements in here. Yet some of us were part of the enactment of the Public Procurement Act, maybe with the exception of the new Members. Therefore, I expected hon. Members to research. For instance, if they want to accuse this minister standing here, they must stand on terra firma and refer to the Act, which was breached by this minister of this ministry in this line. Other than just jumping on an anthill and join all those who are not well informed.

 

In addition, there is the Abuse of Office Act …

 

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: … which also follows any public office bearer, in case he or she strays from their area of jurisdiction. These laws are there. Therefore, making allegations and accusing the President of not doing anything about corruption is not being fair at all.

 

My dear colleague, the hon. Minister of Local Government was belabouring a point on fire-fighting equipment. Probably, it is difficult for people to appreciate how people suffer when they lose property in a fire. I expected to hear from the debaters that they went to inspect these fire tenders that the Ministry of Local Government purchased with these specifications. Then they should have gone to their internet and find out. As you may be aware, this time information flows.

 

In short, all I am saying is that the President is committed to ensuring that we serve the nation without fear or favour. Even, as I am standing here, as your Member of Parliament and Minister, if I am found wanting, I am not going to bother about what is happening to my other colleague, the best way to clear myself and make sure that I answer questions that are put on me. That is how people cleanse themselves. One cannot cleanse oneself by throwing mud at other people and coming to this august House saying that someone has vehicles. Owning a vehicle is not like owning a bicycle. There is Road Transport Safety Agency (RTSA) …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: … where one can obtain records and show that this person owns so many vehicles. That is how it works. I am telling them that they will not bring us down.

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mushanga: Mwachepa!

 

Mr Kampyongo: We are aware of the schemes by people who are trying to bring Chagwa’s soldiers down. However, I can assure them that we shall fight to the hilt. This hypocrisy …

 

Mr Speaker: Order! For the record …

 

Mr Kampyongo: … that I will proudly refer …

 

Mr Speaker: Give me chance!

 

Mr Mushanga: Those are running comments!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Give me chance.

 

The normal address is the President. We address him as the President. Even just out of sheer respect.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Yes, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: He is the President of the Republic of Zambia.

 

Mr Kampyongo: With due respect, Mr Speaker, you have well guided, but for those that are envious of us, I withdraw, us as members …

 

Mr Speaker: Well outside the Chamber you can do that.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Well guided, I withdraw. His Excellency …

 

Mr Speaker: Yes!

 

Mr Kampyongo: … the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mushanga: Abene ba chalo!

 

Ms Kapata: Abene ba chalo!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, we, in the Patriotic Front (PF) Government are resolved to work for the people. Therefore, those who think they will take advantage of the President, by wanting to co-exist and engage in meaningful and genuine dialogue, I wish to warn them that we are not going to sit back and allow law breakers to continue tormenting people’s lives. Those of us, who are charged with the responsibility of maintaining peace and order, shall make sure that we pursue those who have tormented people’s lives to the letter.

 

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Equally, those who want to start thinking that they can form their own clusters and design their own laws are making a very big mistake. We are not going to be threatened by the so called science of darkness which some people have been trying to use.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: We shall pursue wrongdoers using civilised means of policing.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Ensuring that they do not get away with wrong doing and misleading the people.

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: I also want to …

 

Mr Speaker: Can you please clarify for the record …

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Members: Yes!

 

Mr Speaker: … what you mean by the “science of darkness”

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: … so that the Hansard is clear?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, those of us who are charged with the responsibility of pursuing wrongdoers and corrupt people, we suffer a tendency of these vices fighting back in different ways.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: We have heard of people saying they will come for us because they sleep in graves …

 

Mr Speaker: In short you are referring to witchcraft?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Something like that your Excellency …

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, something like that!

 

Mr Speaker: Just say witchcraft then we make progress.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: Witchcraft, Mr Speaker.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Indoshi!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: I just know it in my language as “ubuloshi”.

 

Mr Mushanga: Yes!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Therefore, we, the God fearing people just like our President …

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Mmm!

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: … shall remain under the shelter …

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Kampyongo: … of God Almighty the Creator.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Let them not make a mistake of thinking they can get us distracted by those fake threats.

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: We want to have a united country.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, the word “fake” is unparliamentary. Please, leave this point.

 

Mr Kampyongo: I replace that word with “empty threats”. We are resolved to make sure that the country remains as a one united nation with so many tribes …

 

Mr Mushanga: And regions!

 

Mr Kampyongo: … and regions, ten of them.

 

Mr Mushanga: Yes!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Our role is to make sure that every Zambian is given an opportunity to enjoy their rights as citizens without being suppressed by any grouping. Therefore, we encourage His Excellency, the President, who has committed himself to genuine dialogue with those that will genuinely come. We have seen the efforts he is making in bringing the nation together. We are now grappling with the humanitarian crisis of the people of North-Western province who are running away because of fear. We would not want our own citizens to find themselves in a situation where they will be running away from their own country.

 

Mr Nkombo: Siyandenge!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Mazabuka, you stood earlier on a point of order ...

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: ... and singled out two hon. Ministers.

 

Mr Ngulube: He is a hypocrite!

 

Mr Musukwa: Eh ma Speaker!

 

Mr Speaker: Let us walk our talk.

 

Mr Ngulube: Eh ma hypocrite!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, lastly, the PF is a united family. We have had rebellion from very vibrant rebellious characters in here, who are now on the other side  ...

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

 

Mr Kampyongo: My warning to those colleagues from my party ...

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Substitute those words.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Sir, there are those who think they can bring down the PF individually. Unfortunately, this section has been famous for that (pointing at the opposition back bench) ...

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chilangwa: Which section?

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, when you start singling out a section, you are targeting a section for debate.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, all I am saying is that PF is a poor people’s, party.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

 

Mr Kampyongo: The PF is a collective team and new and old members need to stand behind their leader in order to serve the people without leaving anyone behind.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Once you miss the boat, it will be very difficult to climb back in.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister for Luapula Province (Mr Chilangwa): Mr Speaker ...

 

Mr Lusambo: Hammer, hammer!

 

Mr Chilangwa: ... I thank you for giving me this rare opportunity to contribute towards this important Motion on the Floor of this august House.

 

Sir, the theme of the President’s Speech is “moving towards a prosperous smart Zambia in peace and tranquillity without leaving anyone behind”. It is a rare opportunity that every parliamentarian must use, not only to punch holes and gain fake political mileage, but ...

 

Mr Nkombo: Fake?

 

Mr Speaker: Did you say “fake”? I just counselled your colleague earlier on about “fake” being unparliamentary.

 

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, I withdraw the word “fake” and replace it with “dubious political mileage”.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chilangwa: It is a rare opportunity that every parliamentarian must use, not only to punch holes and gain dubious political mileage, but to focus on matters that affect the country and the constituencies.

 

Sir, not long ago we were campaigning and telling the people that we are the change they need and we need to deliver according to their expectations. We should not turn this august House into a house of lamentation. We must bring solutions to our people.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, we are the third wing of Government. There is no superior being up there to whom we can pour our lamentations. The buck stops at all of us as individuals and collectively. Therefore, I expect my colleagues to bring solutions to the table. Time for lamentations is gone. The people out there are expecting much more than we are offering at the moment.

 

Mr Speaker, before I go further into my debate, allow me to pay my sincere gratitude to His Excellency, the President of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for having officiated at the Luapula Expo and Investment Conference, which took place from the 26^th to the 31^st of July, 2017, as well as at the Mutomboko Traditional Ceremony. I also want to thank members of Cabinet for the tremendous support rendered.

 

Sir, I am also grateful for the support we received from various ministries and Government institutions during the planning stage of the Luapula Investment Expo. I further wish to thank all well-meaning hon. Members of Parliament, especially those from Luapula Province, who joined us in the preparations for the Expo and all those from other regions, who found time to come and be with us. The expo is and will continue to be an engine of self determination for the people of Luapula Province.

 

Mr Speaker, there is no allocation in the Yellow Book for the Luapula Expo, but instead of lamenting, we worked as a team who desire to make a change. We made the decision that the future of Luapula Province lies in our hands as inhabitants of the province. Similarly, the future of this country lies in our hands as leaders and we must provide solutions. We were elected to provide solutions. We should not run away from our responsibilities as leaders. The blame game must come to an end.

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Mr Chilangwa: Saying “question” will not bring solutions for the people of Kazungula.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, I would be failing in my duties if I did not recognise the support that Luapula Province received from the local business community, the corporate world, who gave us in excess of K4 million to host the Expo, the Diplomatic Corp and the United Nations family. The Luapula Expo proved that when the Government, the private sector and the local people join hands, it is possible to achieve anything.

 

Mr Ngulube interjected.

 

Mr Chilangwa: Sir, as a result of all this support, Luapula has now become the centre of attraction in terms of investment promotion and development. Every single day that I am in Lusaka, I meet potential investors and business persons who desire to venture into Luapula. We shall only reduce the poverty levels in our constituencies by attracting outside investment and that is what we are determined to do in Luapula Province. The people should be the winners at the end of the day.

 

Mr Speaker, only one who is deranged or one who is a wagtail would not understand what I am talking about. Animals have four legs and a wagtail. A wagtail has got no brain and it does not control itself. This is especially true if that wagtail is on a boogie man ...

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Mr Speaker: I did not get the later expression.

 

Mr Chilangwa: The boogie.

 

Mr Speaker: What is that?

 

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, a boogie man is ...

 

Mr Speaker: Just find a substitute right away.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, where I come from, we say, “umuntu kumumwena kuntampulo” and this phrase explains the word, “boogie.”

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chilangwa: The Speaker has given me the latitude to explain.

 

Mr Speaker: Please, carry on.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, umuntu bamumwena kuntampulo. Nga alenda, afwile ukwenda kwati mutuntulu ali eka. When a person is walking, he is not supposed to throw himself around like there are three people in one. If that happens, then that person becomes a boogie man.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, fifteen years ago, there was an advertisement on the Digital Satellite Television (DSTV), on a certain channel which attracted a lot of attention. We all thought that comedy was going to be the greatest thing to watch. There came a comedy called John Bravo. We saw how John Bravo threw himself around even when he was actually empty. John Bravo can also be described as a person who would say he is a contractor and when he is given a contract to build a market for the people in Mwense, five years down the line, he fails to deliver. That is a description of John Bravo.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, John Bravo (boogie man) is a man who is going to claim …

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, to the extent that earlier on, I advised you to substitute that word or phrase, it means it is unparliamentary and you cannot go back to it.

 

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, I oblige.

 

Sir, when John Bravo was given the responsibility to oversee labour matters in a particular space, he gave ultimatums.  He kept saying, “Tomorrow, I will do this and that,” but he did not do anything.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, just take a seat. You started very well, but towards the end, it is becoming something else. I know where you are headed. I can read between your lines. Just keep the same tenor you had started with. It has now become something indescribable.

 

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, I oblige. Sometimes, I get derailed when explaining certain things, but I will now focus on the Speech.

 

Mr Speaker, to other provinces that wish to hold similar events as the Luapula Expo and Investment Conference, we wish them good luck. As members from Luapula Province, we are available to share our experiences.

 

Sir, let me now turn my thoughts to the Presidential Speech which was delivered to the nation through this august House. In our quest to move forward as a country, in terms of development, without leaving anyone behind, His Excellency, the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the only elected leader of this country, whom people entrusted legitimately, said that the development agenda for the country for the next five years will be anchored on the 7^th NDP. Its focus will be on five strategic areas which are economic diversification and job creation, poverty and vulnerability reduction, reducing developmental inequalities, enhancing human development and creating a conducive governance environment for a diversified and inclusive economy.

 

Mr Speaker, in our effort to contribute to the implementation of this 7^th NDP, Luapula Province will endeavour to do the following:

 

to continue following-up on the investment pledges that we have received so far, following the hosting of the Luapula Expo, until the objectives of the Expo are achieved. This is why as people’s representatives we should not shy away from participating in such events. When people visit our constituencies, as leaders, we must all participate in all the events. Members should not go and stand at Shoprite and think that that is where voters are;

 

(a) to continue marketing Luapula Province as a world economic destination for tourists at all major economic forums and world expos around the globe;

 

(b) to aggressively pursue the Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the area of infrastructure development, where we hope to implement a number of projects within the private sector;

 

(c) in an effort to also harness investment to support the people, Luapula Province will develop socio-economic concept notes and prioritise working with co-operating partners to complement the Government efforts in the areas of education, health, campaign against child marriages, social protection, sanitation, provision of well-planned housing and energy in rural communities. These programmes will also be complemented by a vigorously capacity building programme for the women and youths in entrepreneurship and skills development.

 

(d) at community levels, we will also promote partnerships;

 

(e) the province has also made a deliberate effort to begin supporting community co-operatives through the one word, one co-operative initiative. The initiative is aimed at creating at least one viable co-operative towards focusing on community resource endowment, and local knowledge to add value to various projects at community level. We believe that this strategy will begin to bring the high poverty levels down in the province; and

 

(f) the province will prioritise the creation of chiefdom trusts in all chiefdoms in order to regulate the exploitation and harness investments on customary land. Through chiefdom trusts, we believe that rural and local communities would then go into joint ventures with investors for the benefit of everyone.

 

Mr Speaker, in Luapula Province, we believe that this roadmap will surely make us accountable for us to sustainably implement the 7^th NDP.  With this process, the province will be able to account for its measurable contribution to the nation’s actualisation of the Vision 2030.  Luapula Province does not wish to be cost centre. It must be an economic centre. 

 

Mr Speaker, to achieve all this, we want to make a special appeal to all the ministries, provinces and parliamentarians that we must all focus on how we can contribute to income generation. We must all be part and parcel of these activities. The vision of Luapula Province becoming an economic centre rather than being a cost centre, must be embraced by all of us here. We must not always think about how much we are getting out of the national Treasury. As members from Luapula Province, we believe in how much we should put in the national Treasury.

 

Mr Speaker, as I wind down, allow me to say that the intention of the President, who was chosen by the people, …

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, in conclusion, as I wind down, I would like to say that more often than not, mad people think they are normal. Tired people think that those who are bringing solutions are the ones who are tired.

 

Mr Speaker, those who came to Parliament thinking that it is a resource area, where they are going to create their economic platforms always become sorry sites. Some of them cannot even visit their constituencies. I invite them to come on board so that we go the constituencies. We promise to settle issues with them. They should not be tired now because they are too young. More often, a corrupt person will point a finger at another person forgetting that actually the four fingers are pointing at him. I, therefore, earnestly appeal to all Zambians to support His Excellency, the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu. We should all ensure that we achieve our goals to the maximum for the sake of the country.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1810 hours until 1830 hours.

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

The Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency, the President’s Address to the National Assembly, which he delivered on 15^th September, 2017.

 

Mr Speaker, in keeping in line with the 7^th NDP, the President articulated an all-sector integrated blueprint for development. The President also took time to catalogue the progress that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has posted in health.

 

Sir, the President emphasised that the Government places premium on the health of its people, as a healthy population will result in a healthy workforce, which in turn will drive the social economic development agenda.  It goes without saying that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.

 

Mr Speaker, in his discourse, the President clearly stated, and I quote:

 

“Human capital enhancement and development is critical for a smart and inclusive Zambia.”

 

Mr Speaker, indeed, health is a vital economic investment. Addressing one key determinant of productivity in improving the health of the people is, indeed, the way to go. Our aspirations to prosper, therefore, are kept on track with this visionary approach.

 

Mr Speaker, as the President spoke about the progress towards universal health coverage, he touched on all the key pillars of health services. He spoke about infrastructure, human resource, the supply chain, health care financing and the importance of accountability.

 

Mr Speaker, as the President spoke about infrastructure, he emphasised that there was need to invest in robust infrastructure to ensure access to health services along the continuum of care.

 

Mr Speaker, the President spoke about thirty-five district hospitals that are at various levels of construction. I want to emphasise that this infrastructure is equitably distributed and would like to begin by mentioning Kalomo District Hospital. Mr Speaker, it is a state-of-the-art facility nearing completion. Phase I is complete and we are now in Phase II.

 

Mr Speaker, the hard work of the former Member of Parliament, the late Hon. Muntanga resulted in good collaboration with the Ministry of Health, in particular and the Government in general, to ensure that a state-of-the-art facility is constructed in Kalomo.

 

Therefore, Mr Speaker, it is important to put the record straight for the people of Kalomo that infrastructure development in the health sector has been on track. We have built district hospitals not only in Kalomo, but in Kazungula as well, where the hospital is 95 per cent complete. In Gwembe, phase one is complete and open to the public. In Namwala, the hospital is equally complete.

 

Mr Speaker, in Western Province, Limulunga Hospital is at gable level. Nalolo is advanced and phase one of Lukulu Hospital is complete and open to the public. Mulobezi is also complete and open to the public.

 

Mr Speaker, this is indeed equitable distribution of resources. Therefore, as the President spoke about construction of thirty-five district hospitals, he was potraying his passion for equitable distribution of wealth in the country.

 

Mrs Fundanga: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, construction of district hospitals in other provinces such as the Northern Province is continuing. We are also constructing a new hospital in Luwingu, which will be a general hospital.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: Chinsali General Hospital construction is advancing.

 

Mr Mwamba: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, there are plans to put up twenty more zone health facilities in Muchinga and Northern Province.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, Mpika District Hospital is at phase two of construction, while phase one is finished. This is the Michael Chilufya Sata Hospital. Furthermore, we have earmarked Mpika for the construction of a Cancer Diseases Hospital to provide cancer diseases services to the people of Muchinga, Northern and parts of Central Provinces.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, all the nine provincial hospitals as the President said have been upgraded and modernised. We have placed specialists in all the nine provincial hospitals. This means that now there are consultants in all the four major disciplines in the nine provinces. Therefore, health services are now being provided closer to where the people live and health services are now cost effective.

 

Mr Speaker, in the past, if you had an accident in Chipata, you needed to be flown to Lusaka for a Computerised Tomography (CT) scan. Chipata, Kasama and Mansa have a CT scan now.

 

Mr Malanji: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, in line with the modernisation programme, Lewanika General Hospital has been equipped with a modern oxygen plant. Western Province no longer procures oxygen from Lusaka. All the district hospitals in Western Province and parts of Southern Province are now supplied by Lewanika General Hospital. This is the infrastructure development and the modernisation programme that His Excellency, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, was addressing.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, allow me to mention the Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital. This is a milestone, a legacy. President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, upgraded Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital to Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital and ordered the annexing of the 3,000 capacity student centre that is just adjacent to the hospital.

 

Sir, this now means that human capital development is enhanced. We will now be training medical students, doctors and various health workers at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital. We will also be training specialists at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwansa: Tell them.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, that is not all. In the spirit of human capital development, the Ministry of Health has introduced specialist training programmes in various hospitals. This will effectively mean that health workers will not be coming to Lusaka for them to become specialists. They will be training in their various hospitals. In Livingstone…

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting, you are distracting the House.

 

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: You may continue hon. Minister.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, specialist training will now be conducted in various hospitals. Katete General Hospital will be training surgeons and awarding fellowships. Chipata Central Hospital will be training medical personnel in all the disciplines and awarding fellowships. Livingstone General Hospital will be training specialist nurses and doctors. Kabwe General Hospital will be upgraded to a central status and will also be training medical personnel. Ndola and Kitwe Central Hospitals will also commence training.

 

Mr Speaker, all this has happened in His Excellency, President Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s first year in the office …

                         

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: … and this is what will translate in the production of 500 new specialists in the country. In the last fifty years, Zambia has produced specialists and today we only have 200 specialists. However, with this robust human capital development programme that the President has embarked on in the last one year, we will have 500 new specialists in the next five to six years and there is no better legacy than that.

 

Mr Speaker, we have accelerated the upgrading of infrastructure in Lusaka, since it is densely populated. We have zoned Lusaka and have upgraded hospitals in Matero and Chilenje. This upgrade is continuing and we will now upgrade those in Chipata, Kanyama and Chawama. This shows the commitment of the Government to ensuring that health services at specialist level are brought closer to the people.

 

Mr Speaker, as I speak, of the upgrading of peripheral infrastructure in Lusaka, there is a one third reduction in referrals to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and that is why today, you will not find floor beds in the UTH. In order for the Government to reduce on treatment abroad, it plans to build five specialist hospitals. There will be two specialist hospitals in Lusaka. One will focus on cardiac, renal and neural surgery and the other one on mother and child issues. This shows the commitment of the Government to stop treatment abroad.

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, the investment in a woman and children’s hospital is also a clear statement of intent that President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, does not want any woman to die while giving birth. Maternal deaths are very close to the President’s heart and he has charged the Ministry of Health to do its utmost to ensure that it eliminates all preventable maternal deaths and these shall be eliminated under this Government.

 

Mr Speaker, allow me to focus a little bit on e-Governance, a legacy defining programme for His Excellency, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. I want to assure the hon. Members of Parliament who spoke about e-Learning that it is entrenched in the Ministry of Health. We have more than 500 students enrolled under the e-Learning programme in nursing and just last week, the first sixty-nine nurses who were trained under the programme graduated. That shows that the programme is working and I want to correct the statement that was made on the Floor of the House that e-Learning is not possible in this country. It is possible and we have sixty-nine new nurses competently trained and they are providing a service.

 

Mr Speaker, the President spoke about commodity security and he is committed to promoting private sector investment in the manufacturing of essential drugs.

 

As I speak, the Ministries of Finance, Commerce, Trade and Industry and Health are working together to craft mechanisms that will ease the manufacturing of drugs locally.

 

Mr Speaker, this has advantages. Firstly, it will prevent capital flight in payments that are made to external suppliers. This will in turn promote the stability of the kwacha. Secondly, we will create jobs for Zambians and grow the local economy. Thirdly, we will enhance commodity security and, finally, the cost on warehousing will reduce because we will not order huge amounts. We will be able to manage the framework contracts and ultimately increase access to safe and efficacious drugs. The President’s call to manufacturing companies to increase production and to investors to invest in Zambia’s local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry was, therefore, spot-on.

 

Mr Speaker, the President focused on child survival. Child survival is priority for the Government. He spoke about conditions that are associated with morbidity and mortality of many children in the country.

 

Mr Speaker, with regards to HIV/AIDS, the country has scored progress by reducing mother-to-child transmission of the virus, almost eliminating it. We have introduced new vaccines and this has resulted in the reduction in child morbidity and mortality.

 

Mr Speaker, with regard to malaria, the President made a statement that under his watch, malaria will be eliminated. Vector Control is the first intervention. I would like to assure the House that we are commencing Vector Control programmes in Lusaka and other parts of the country to eliminate mosquitoes, including Parliament buildings. Sir, with your permission, I will soon issue a statement on this malaria control programme.

 

Mr Speaker, in ensuring that we create new revenue streams to finance healthcare, the President spoke about national social health insurance. The insurance will eliminate the need for out-of-pocket payments. It will remove the barrier of out-of-pocket payments and move us towards universal health coverage.

 

On test and treat, the President made a statement that the country will now adopt the universal routine HIV test and treat approach. This was a very important pronouncement. It distinguishes Zambia, as a nation that is really determined to eliminate HIV. This has been recognised worldwide and Zambia has been identified by global partners as a nation that will eventually eliminate HIV/AIDS by 2030 and attain epidemic control by 2021. Further, because of this step, we will be recipients of significant donor support from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

 

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I want to emphasise that the President brought out the importance of strengthening health systems to ensure that we attain universal health coverage, ensure that the people are healthy and productive and ensure that the people drive the socio-economic development agenda. We are right on track and I want to assure this august House and the nation at large that health systems in Zambia will be solid enough to attain universal health coverage and contribute to the aspirations of becoming a middle income prosperous country by 2030.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister for Central Province (Mr Mushanga): Mr Speaker, it is with profound gratitude, on behalf of the good people of Central Province, that I thank you for according me an opportunity to contribute to the Speech delivered by His Excellency, the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, during the Official Opening of the Second Session of the Twelfth National Assembly.

 

Mr Speaker, the Speech by His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, which is centred on our people, was very moving and life-changing. It is only people who do not have eyes that cannot see what the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has implemented in the one year that President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has been in office.

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, in line with the key policy pronouncements made by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia, during the Address to the Second Session of the Twelfth National Assembly, I am pleased to highlight major achievements the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has scored in Central Province in the different sectors of the economy, which is a demonstration that the Government is working.

 

Economic Diversification and Job Creation

 

Sir, the province targeted to support 129,743 farmers with each card worth K2,100. Government contribution is K1,700 and the farmers contribution is K400 to enable the farmers to procure designated livestock, fisheries and crop inputs. This represents an increase of 19 per cent compared to 108,845 farmers that were targeted in the 2015/16 Farming Season.

 

Mr Speaker, the province now has a fully functioning livestock breeding centre in Keembe Parliamentary Constituency known as Keembe Piggery Breeding Centre. This is located to in Keembe Veterinary Camp of Chibombo District. The centre specialises in breeding pigs for sale to prospective farmers. The project is meant to give an opportunity to the community, especially young people and women to have income generating projects.

 

Mr Speaker, the province is also involved in fish farming. Currently Central Province has two fish farms in Chalata and Serenje. These are in Mkushi and Serenje respectively. Central Province has an artificial insemination centre in Kabwe, which was recently completed. There is another one in Chibombo, which was completed and equipped. The project in Keembe is almost complete although we are sorting out some administration issues with the contractor, but it will soon be completed.

 

Sir, the province is also boasting of two milk collection centres that are well equipped, completed and operational. These are expected to contribute towards the good distribution of milk for local consumption and to factories for the production of dairy products.

 

Mr Speaker, there are various works, which are going on the with regard to development of land for agriculture use in Central Province. This is both subsistence and commercial farming. Notably, the developments of land for agricultural use are at Nansanga Correctional Farming Block under the Zambia Correctional Service in Serenje District. The works are a marvel. Progress is ongoing and it is proceeding very well. Additionally, the Zambia Correctional Services in Nansanga have installed nine centre pivots ready to irrigate the first wheat crop.

 

Sir, all these are as a result of the good leadership of His Excellency, the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu …

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Mr Mushanga: … not wanting to leave anyone behind …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mushanga: … including the people of Kazungula.

 

Mr Speaker, among the key activities to note under the irrigation in the province, is the construction of the Momboshi Irrigation Dam in Chisamba District. The works at the dam are at 35 per cent towards completion. The displaced people have since occupied 230 housing units as part of the Environmental Impact Mitigation Programme.

 

Sir, when His Excellency, the President ,was launching this project, he emphasised that all the families where the dam was going to be constructed should be given alternative accommodation, which has since been done, hence, the name of His Excellency, the President, has been given as ‘Mr Walk the Talk.’

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!     

 

Mr Mushanga: Transport and Energy

 

Mr Speaker, a modern market and bus station have been constructed in Itezhi-tezhi. The projects were completed and commissioned by Her Honour, the Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia, Mrs Inonge Mutukwa Wina, on 12^th September, 2017. The local council is currently working on modalities to allocate the market stands to the local people. If this is not working or bringing development to the people, then I do not know what is.

 

Sir, construction of road tolling plazas at Katuba and Nangoma in Chibombo and Mumbwa, respectively are complete and the plazas are fully operational and contributing to the Government revenue for the road sector development. Zambia is seeing tollgates for the first time because of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. I would like to commend the President for a job well done and he should keep it up.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, the construction of an electronic weighbridge in Mumbwa District is also progressing very well. Construction works of the road toll plazas at Manyumbi, on the Kabwe/Kapiri Road are ongoing. The contractor working the Mumbwa/Mongu/Itezhi-tezhi Road is on site. The works on the Itezhi-tezhi/Namwala/Dundumwezi Road are also on course and the contractor is on site.

Mr Speaker, in order to meet the increased demand for electricity in the country, the Central Province is contributing through the Itezhi-tezhi Hydro-power Plant, which was commissioned and is operational. The plant is contributing 120 MW to the national electricity grid. An additional 15 MW from the Lusiwasi Upper Hydro Scheme is expected to come online in 2018.

 

Governance and Administrative Infrastructure

 

Mr Speaker, the province has identified and cleared the site for the construction of administrative infrastructure in Chitambo District. The Ministry of Finance has assured us that going forward, the offices will be done. The construction of administrative infrastructure in Luano District is at 25 per cent towards completion. This is a new district. However, the post office is complete and awaiting electrification and commissioning. The construction of the administrative infrastructure in Ngabwe District is at 25 per cent towards completion. The construction of administrative infrastructure in Chisamba District, which is also a new district, is at 25 per cent towards completion. All this is due to hard work and the President is testifying to the people of Zambia that he is able to transform their lives.

 

Mr Speaker, as the Government is responding to the infrastructure challenges in the new districts, it is also responding to the governance and administrative infrastructure in the old districts. The construction of Liteta Police Post in Chisamba District is at 90 per cent complete. The construction of a modern police station and housing units in Serenje District is ongoing and the works are 50 per cent towards completion. The Itezhi-tezhi District administration block construction works are at 50 per cent towards completion.

 

Poverty and Vulnerability Reduction

 

Mr Speaker, the Government is working towards reducing poverty levels among the people in the province. The province has seen 14,255 people benefiting from the Social Cash Transfer Scheme (SCTS) from March, 2017, to-date, under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare. This shows an increase in the beneficiaries as compared to 8,607 that benefited in 2016.

Mr Speaker, 4,157 people benefitted under the Food Security Pack Programme in the 2016/2017 farming season.

 

The President and the Government are introducing all these programmes aimed at reducing poverty and touching and changing the lives of the people. All these activities are a response to what was contained in the Speech delivered by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, in this august House on Friday, 15^th September, 2017. All this is as a result of the visionary leadership of the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

    Mr Mushanga: Reducing Development Inequalities

 

Mr Speaker, the forestry sector in the province has been identified as a potential growth area with the capacity to create new jobs, contribute to industrialisation, reduce poverty and diversify the economy in order to reduce development inequalities. The forestry departments in all districts of the province are securing these areas in order for the province to realise the full benefits of the forests. The province has identified 50,000 ha of land in each district for reafforestation.

 

Enhancing Human Development

 

Mr Speaker, a community, province or nation without good health facilities wants its people to perish. In the health sector, a lot has been done. Allow me to highlight some of the projects that have been done so far, especially those not highlighted by the line hon. Minister, Hon. Dr Chilufya, who spoke before me. The construction of the final phase of Serenje District Hospital is complete. The hospital is fully operational and awaiting commissioning. Phase II of the construction of Mkushi District Hospital is complete and awaits certification so that the facility can be operationalised and commissioned. The construction of a trauma centre at Kabwe General Hospital is complete and operational, while construction works of the trauma centre at Liteta Hospital are 80 per cent complete. The construction of the sixty health posts which were given to the people of the Central Province under the Indian Government grant is 92 per cent complete. A big eye hospital is under construction at Kabwe General Hospital. It will service Central and parts of Copperbelt and Luapula Provinces.

 

Education Sector

 

Sir, the on-going infrastructure projects are bound to impact positively on access to quality education and skills enhancement. Some of the projects being undertaken under education and youth skills infrastructure are as follows:

 

(a) the upgrading of Mulungushi University, second phase, is on-going. The library has been completed and hostels and lecture theatres are being constructed;

 

(b) the upgrading of Nkrumah College of Education into a university is 95 per cent done. The library, hostels and lecture theatres have been constructed;

 

(c) the construction of nine secondary schools in the province is on-going and works are 70 per cent complete. We are going to prioritise finishing them in the coming year;

 

(d) twenty-two primary schools are being transformed into secondary schools;

 

(e) the construction of Serenje Youth Resource Centre is on-going;

 

(f) the construction of a new shopping mall. Since independence, the people of the Central Province have never had a shopping mall, but now we have one and another one is being completed;

 

(g) a heavy trucks and equipment plant has been opened in Kabwe; and

 

(h) fertiliser plant is awaiting to be opened.

 

Conducive Governance Environment for a Diversified and Inclusive Economy

 

Mr Speaker, the province has continued to hold Provincial Development Coordinating Committee (PDCC) meetings as a way of creating a conducive governance environment for all. Currently, the PDCC sub-committees are being aligned to the 7^th NDP’s five development pillars. The meetings are also meant to be a vehicle to discuss what needs to be done in wards, constituencies, districts and also the province.

 

Sir, the year 2018, will take into account incomplete projects for 2017, whilst continuing with the 7^th NDP implementation. For Central Province, infrastructure development will remain key in driving the development agenda in the province. The main goal as a province will be the completion of infrastructure development in the newly created districts in the health and education sectors. We will also focus on development of support infrastructure to tourism sites in order to unlock the immense tourism potential in the province. Mr Speaker, the newly created districts, Luano, Ngabwe and Chitambo, will see most of its infrastructure connected to the national electricity grid in 2018, and we are consulting with the Ministry of Energy.

 

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I wish to state that Central Province will make efforts towards enhancing efficiency of programme implementation through enhanced monitoring and evaluation and strengthening capacities of the local authorities, as directed in the revised Decentralisation Policy and as per the policy direction by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia.

 

Sir, allow me to support the Speech delivered by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister for Copperbelt Province (Mr Lusambo): Mr Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity as Copperbelt Province Minister to add my voice to the debate on the Presidential Speech.

 

Sir, it is indeed with great pride that I stand before this august House to remind the people of what a great Government we have. The Speech by His Excellency, the President, is encouraging and enough testimony of a great leader that we have, as well as the resolve by the Government to ensure the delivery of the promises we made.

 

Mr Speaker, indeed, it is only right that as we plan ahead, we should look back and take stock of the strides that we have made as a nation. Only then we will know whether we are headed in the right direction. Sir, I can proudly say that it is crystal clear that we are moving towards our vision of becoming a middle income economy by 2030.

 

Sir, as I stand here representing the Copperbelt Province, the anchor of the economy of this nation, the province has embarked on a lot of developmental programmes, most of which are aimed at diversification, in the province that has continued to be so much dependant on copper.

 

Mr Speaker, allow me to highlight some of the major programmes which are: the transport and communication area, construction of the new Greenfield Ndola International Airport, the launching of the Ndola/Lusaka Dual Carriage Way and the C800 Road Project, the rehabilitation of township and feeder roads. Mr Speaker, we will, indeed, make Copperbelt Province a transport hub of this nation.

 

During the year, Sir, the province also commenced rehabilitation works on four trunk roads namely, Kitwe/Chingola Dual Carriage Way, Lufwanyama M18, Ndola/Kitwe Dual Carriage Way and the Solwezi/Chingola Road.

 

Mr Speaker, furthermore, in the agriculture sector, which is one of the priority sectors for diversification in the province, the flowing activities are being undertaken:

 

(a) Construction of the Ndola ...

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

__________

 

The House adjourned at 1911 hours until 1430 hours Thursday 28^th September, 2017.