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Thursday, 12th October, 2017
Thursday, 12th October, 2017
The House met at 1430 hours
[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]
NATIONAL ANTHEM
PRAYER
_________
ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRESENCE, IN THE SPEAKER’S GALLERY, OF HON. MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND STAFF OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL POWER FROM THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOZAMBIQUE
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to acquaint the House with the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery, of the following hon. Members of Parliament and staff of the Committee on Public Administration and Local Power from the Parliament of the Republic of Mozambique:
Hon. Rafael Lourenco Chande, MP - Leader of the Delegation;
Hon. Lucilia Hama, MP;
Hon Alberto Jumulate, MP;
Hon Margarida Sebastiao Mapandzane Chongo, MP;
Hon Sebastiao Da Costa Sebastiao, MP;
Mr Emidio Constantino Guambe, Assistant to the Committee;
Mr Dercio Alfazema - Programme Officer - Institute for Multi-Party Democracy;
Mr Alberto Selemone - Charge De Affairs, Mozambican Embassy in Zambia;
Mrs Laercia Timbana - Second Secretary, Mozambican Embassy in Zambia; and
Simiao Mucakele - Interpreter.
I would like, on behalf of the National Assembly, to receive our distinguished guests and warmly welcome them in our midst.
I thank you.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
_______________
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, FASTING AND RECONCILIATION
The Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance (Rev. Sumaili): Madam Speaker, I thank you most sincerely for giving me this opportunity to make a statement to this august House and to inform the nation of the preparations underway towards the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation ...
Hon. UPND Members: Question!
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: ... which is scheduled to take place on 18th October, 2017.
Madam Speaker, before I proceed, allow me to remind this august House why the ministry exists. The mandate of the newly created ministry is to actualise the declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation by finding practical, workable and realistic interventions. It also seeks to actualise our national values, principles and ethics.
The mandate of the ministry is to also facilitate the mainstreaming of the national and biblical values and principles in our day to day life and country’s programmes. The specific portfolio functions as published in the Government Gazette include national guidance, Christian affairs, religious affairs and coordination of public religious celebrations.
Madam Speaker, allow me to remind this august House and the nation that this country continues to publicly acknowledge the supremacy of God Almighty over its affairs.
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: This, Madam Speaker, is through, among others, the declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation and officially putting it in the preamble of the Constitution of Zambia.
Madam Speaker, as part of actualising the declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation, on 25th May, 2015, our founding father and First Republican President Dr Kenneth David Kaunda, blessed and released the nation from negative forces and submitted it to the lordship of Jesus Christ. In the same year, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, announced that 18th October, shall be a national day of prayer and fasting. The day was also declared a public holiday, commencing 2016. The purpose is to dedicate the day to prayer, fasting, repentance and reconciliation.
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: The day would also be used to pray and forgive one another so that we remain united.
Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, the country is yet about to observe this very important day under the theme ‘Repentance, Promoting Peace and Reconciliation - Consolidating National Unity in Diversity.’
Madam Speaker, the preparatory works being coordinated by the ministry in collaboration with the National House of Prayer and the church in Zambia have reached an advanced stage. Logistics are also being taken care of by the Standing Committee of Permanent Secretaries on State Functions.
Madam Speaker, the national prayers will be held in Kitwe at Nkana Stadium. However, the observance of the day will be in all the provinces and districts of Zambia. Further, communication to missions abroad has been done to encourage them to observe this day.
Madam Speaker, allow me to implore hon. Members of this august House to ensure that they encourage all the members of the public, in their respective constituencies, to come out in numbers and pray together on this special day.
Madam Speaker, allow me to remind this august House that the National Day of Prayer is not unique to Zambia only. Great Britain recently held its National Day of Prayer on 8th September, 2017. They prayed for the Prime Minister, for Brexit, unity of the United Kingdom and the nation to turn back to God and his holy word.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: The United States of America, since time immemorial, have set aside the first Thursday of May every year, to pray, meditate and repent.
Madam Speaker, we are blessed as a nation. We are a covenant people. Therefore, it is our time to once again turn to our God in fellowship and repentance. It is time for us to turn to God to pray for the promotion of peace, reconciliation at all levels and consolidation of national unity in diversity.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Lubinda: Wamene azafunsa, ni Satanist.
Laughter
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the Ministerial Statement given by the hon. Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance.
Mr Mwiimbu (Monze): Madam Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to ask the hon. Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance questions of national interest. This day of prayer is not being celebrated for the first time in Zambia. We had a national day of prayer last year and the year before. Despite these days of prayers, the hon. Minister may not be aware that corruption has risen to unprecedented levels.
Hon. Government Members: Question!
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mwiimbu: Hatred has reached unprecedented levels …
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mwiimbu: …disunity has reached unprecedented levels…
Interruptions
Mr Mwiimbu: Hon. Minister, you are the Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance. Despite utterances that divide this nation and issues of corruption rising in the country, you have been quiet without saying anything. Last week, we had confrontations outside Parliament amongst your own Members…
Mr Kampyongo: Question!
Mr Mwiimbu: …and there has been a threat on the life of Hon. Kambwili…
Hon. PF Members: Ah!
Mr Mwiimbu: …by members of your party, but you have been loudly quiet.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mwiimbu: Does the hon. Minister think that these prayers which we do not believe in as a country are going to have an affect the nation?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that question. I want to say that counselling is not done in public. It is not for the public gallery, but for the person being counseled, to hear the counsel and receive it. This is what I have been doing. You may not know about it, but I have been meeting various people in the church, in the political arena and in the public sector, when they need counsel and I will continue to do so.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: We may not announce it or you may not see it in public, but it is being done. Let me say that the Government of the Patriotic Front is very serious on the fight against corruption.
Hon. Government Members: Yes!
Rev. Sumaili: We are a Government of laws. We respect laws.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Hon. Opposition Members: Question!
Rev. Sumaili: As you know, Articles 8 and 9 of our Constitution …
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: …clearly talk about values.
Mr Lubinda: Yes!
Rev. Sumaili: These are values which we are trying to inculcate in people’s minds and also in the governance system. There is value in good governance and integrity. We should not pretend, but do it in actuality. The ministry has been established to actualise those values.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Livune (Katombola): Madam Speaker, I will be talking to the hon. Reverend as an Evangelist.
Mr Lubinda: Who?
Mr Livune: I want to draw the hon. Minister’s attention to the fact that our holy Constitution, the bible, is against debt. Now that …
Mr Lubinda: What?
Mr Livune: Debt, nkongole, the bible is against it. Now that the National Day of Prayer has been called, I want to find out how the hon. Minister is reconciling the nation with this debt that continues to accumulate and the call for prayers on that day. How well are our prayers going to be received by the Lord?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Katombola, I am not sure if I heard you correctly, did you say you are an Evangelist?
Mr Mwale: Awe, niochimwa, uyo.
Laughter
Mr Livune: It is very true, Madam Speaker, I am an Evangelist.
Laughter
Mr Lubinda: Where?
Interruptions
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Evangelist for that question. I do know where debt is forbidden, because in the same book, the bible, there is an account of a widow who needed to be helped…
Mr Mutelo: Hallelujah!
Rev. Sumaili: She was advised by a prophet to go and borrow…
Mr Mwale: Waona!
Rev. Sumaili: … containers as many as she could and use them.
Mr Lubinda: Using containers.
Laughter
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Hon. Government Members: Hammer, hammer!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members.
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, if debt is contracted to bring productivity…
Mr Mwale: Waona manje.
Rev. Sumaili: …to improve the welfare of the people, lift the living standards of the people and to strengthen the economy, I think it is in order.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Madam Speaker, it is a fact that prayer without action is nothing. It is also a fact that those who preach one thing and do the exact opposite are called hypocrites.
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, during the National Day of Prayer, we lose a lot of man hours because people go and congregate under trees and pray for peace and reconciliation in this country. When it was declared in the first year, they prayed for the recovery of the economy. In the second year, they prayed for reconciliation and healing. Now, this year’s theme is a repeat of last year’s theme.
Madam, it is also unwise to put the cart before the horse. We know this country requires healing and reconciliation because some Patriotic Front (PF) party members maimed people just two weeks ago in Chilanga during a by-election. You want us to go for the prayer meeting, yet you stopped us from praying at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross when our leader was released from incarceration.
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when the Government is going to practicalise the things that they normally say and shift away from the diabolic of dununa reverse and donchi kubeba? Donchi kubeba means do not tell them or to say one thing and do another. When will the hon. Minister, Hon. Godfridah Sumaili, whom I knew before the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance was created, be true to herself, so that we do the right things? We shall congregate as they wish when we put the horse before the cart and show steps of reconciling this country.
Mr Kampyongo interjected.
Mr Nkombo: I am not talking to you. I am talking to the Speaker.
Interruptions
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order on my right!
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that important question which has some truth in it. Prayer is powerful …
Hon. PF Members: Amen! Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: … and it changes things. We have embarked on a transformation agenda and prayer will transform this nation. I agree with the hon. Member that prayer without action does not yield much, but when we mix it with action, it will. If, indeed, we want this country to be united and we if love the people of Zambia, we have to pray together. To be an effective leader, you have to love the people. They look up to us and see our actions. The people of Zambia love God and want to fellowship with him.
Hon. PF Members: Amen!
Rev. Sumaili: Therefore, when they do not see their leader at the place of prayer, they question whether he is serious …
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili:… about reconciliation. I want to encourage all of us, as leaders, to go and pray on that day. I know that there will be prayers in the constituencies and it would be wonderful to appear there and be with the people.
Hon. PF Members: Amen!
Rev. Sumaili: Even those who aspire to rule this nation at some point in time must pray with the people and show that they love God.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kundoti (Luena): Madam Speaker, indeed, I believe what the hon. Minister said that people look up to their leaders. If the leaders do not practice what they preach, they are hypocrites.
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: I had allowed the word ‘hypocrite’ earlier because it was used in a different context. Can you withdraw it?
Mr Kundoti: Madam Speaker, since we are dealing with a religious topic, I thought maybe it is convenient.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: You can use another word.
Mr Kundoti: Madam Speaker, they are pretenders …
Mr Nkombo: Hear, hear!
Mr Kundoti: … because they do not practice what they say. We live in a Christian nation. However, the same Government that talks of reconciliation and wants to worship the Living God, at one time sent armed policemen with dogs to disperse people. Where is the Christianity?
Madam Speaker, we have seen …
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Luena! This time is for questions on points of clarification. It is not debate time. Can you, please, ask the hon. Minister a question that is related to the statement she has made.
Mr Kundoti: Madam Speaker, I was about to ask my question and was saying that we have seen a number of people who have lost their jobs after being retired in national interest. These men and women are crying today because their families are suffering. Does the hon. Minister expect these people to attend the reconciliation prayer meeting?
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, yes, people look up to their leaders. We are supposed to be their role models. I want to take this opportunity to commend President Edgar Chagwa Lungu …
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: … for coming up with measures to actualise the fact that Zambia is a Christian nation.
One of the things that he has done is to come up with the day of prayer where the whole nation comes together to pray. This day is dedicated to the Lord. I think that is very practical. President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has demonstrated, through and through, that he walks the talk.
Mr Livune: Question!
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, when President Lungu pronounces a measure, he puts it into practice. We, therefore, cannot start pointing fingers now. You see a speck in your brother’s eye when you have a log in your eye.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, a few months ago, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government went to Kabwe and disturbed a prayer meeting at a certain congregation and a Mr Milner Mwepu, who was conducting prayers at that church, was arrested. Is the Government ready to apologise to the congregation that it disturbed by arresting Mr Milner Mwanakampwe in Kabwe?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, I am not aware of the incident that the hon. Member is referring to.
I thank you, Madam.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Machila (Magoye): Madam Speaker, I hope most of us here are aware that the levels of corruption are very high. Similarly, the levels of intolerance are very high. I followed what the hon. Minister was said on values such as good governance and integrity. I would like to know if the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance has done enough to intercede for some of the senior Government officials who have not upheld the values of Christianity when it comes to the statements that they issue. For example, on the Floor of this august House, around March, the hon. Minister of Local Government announced that the Government would introduce a Bill whose aim is to strengthen the administration of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) by July, this year. To date, that Bill has not been brought to Parliament. Christianity is about being truthful.
Mr Livune: That is right.
Mr Machila: Madam Speaker, July has passed and this Bill has not been brought. I want to know what the Government is doing to ensure that its members observe what it says and maintain integrity.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question. I like the fact that he has mentioned intercession. This is the reason we need to come together and pray as a nation. There are so many issues that we need to pray for. I believe that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is one that really honours God. God is truth and so, we are committed to the programmes that are brought in the public domain. The truth is the foundation.
Madam Speaker, I want to commit that we shall be praying for various things, and I encourage all of us to pray for the Government, the hon. Opposition Leaders and every citizen of this nation.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Mwiinga (Chikankata): Madam Speaker, not long ago, we had some happenings in this country. These happenings were not too good. I, therefore, want to find out what role the hon. Minister played in unifying this country.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, you want to find out what role she played as a minister?
Mr Mwiinga: Yes, Madam Speaker.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: In what?
Mr Mwiinga: Madam Speaker, I am trying to find out what role the ministry played in trying to unify the country.
Hon. Government Members: Over what?
Mr Mwiinga: Madam Speaker, over the confusions that have taken place. There have been confusions in this country. Some people have been arrested and others have been beaten. A lot has happened.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance will briefly re-state the role of the ministry in general. Please go ahead, hon. Minister.
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has not been clear in what he is asking. However, I said in my ministerial statement that the mandate of this ministry is to actualise the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation. The ministry is also mandated to ensure that the national values which appear in Part II, Article 8 and 9 of our Constitution are actualised. These are morality and ethics, patriotism and national unity, democracy and constitutionalism, good governance and integrity, equity and non-discrimination. All these are the values that we have given ourselves that is where the rule of law comes in. However, we need to promote Christian and cultural values. This is the role of the ministry.
Madam Speaker, let me say that the issue of national unity and patriotism is critical, and as such, it is everybody’s responsibility, including the hon. Opposition Leaders and Members to ensure that Zambians remain as one. Therefore, the ministry has been doing a number of things to ensure that we all become alive to the fact that we are One Zambia, One Nation.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Mwene (Mangango): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has just mentioned the national day of prayers. My question rides on the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central’s comment over what happened at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
Mr Nkombo: Hear, hear!
Mr Mwene: Madam Speaker, people in my constituency are a little worried that meeting in such magnitudes requires notifying the police. The hon. Minister of Home Affairs yesterday stated that after the police are notified, the waiting period is seven days. The Hon. Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance has just advised us to notify the police about this day when only six days are remaining. How practical is this?
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Rev Sumaili: Madam Speaker, what happened at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross is behind us. The Government intervened in the matter and we thank God that people met and prayed.
With regard to notifying the police, we have been working on it for some time now. The ministry has been working with all the Church mother bodies and I am glad to say that we are moving on the same page. Similarly, we have been working at provincial, district and community level in preparation for the national day of prayer. Therefore, preparations have been done and we have secured whatever we need to hold the prayers.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Ms Mulyata (Rufunsa): Madam Speaker, Zambia is a Christian nation. However, we are worried about the morals which are eroding away, particularly in our children. There was an incident in Woodlands two months ago, where a house belonging to a priest or some clergy, hosted about 100 sexing children.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Ms Mulyata: Madam Speaker, I am more than fifty-five years old.
Hon. Government Members: Ooh!
Ms Mulyata: I know what a birthday party is. I know what a wedding party is and I definitely know what a kitchen party is. I have no idea what a sex party is.
Laughter
Ms Mulyata: In our culture, this is taboo.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Ms Mulyata: The sad part is that to-date, the Church is quiet. There has not been much condemnation of the incident and this is worrying. Hon. Ministers and hon. Members of Parliament in this House have all been quiet. We want to know what has happened to that issue.
Secondly, …
Hon. Government Members: Aah!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
One question only, hon. Member.
Ms Mulyata: Madam Speaker, I am sorry.
Still on morals, we have seen in the newspapers how our daughters are being painted in the nude and we have kept quiet.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Ms Mulyata: We have all seen the nudity.
Madam Speaker, because of this there are many defilement cases today. We cannot even entrust a father with a girl child.
Interruptions
Ms Mulyata: There are too many cases of defilement, Madam Speaker. Furthermore, there is too much drug usage in our universities and colleges nowadays. Our children are dealing in drugs and we have kept quiet.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!
Ms Mulyata: My question is: What are you doing about it?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kakubo handed a bottle of water to Ms Mulyata.
Mr Livune: Zoona amai!
Rev Sumaili: Madam Speaker, I am glad that my sister, the hon. Member for Rufunsa, has raised this matter in the House. I am also glad that she was touched by the incident. As mothers, we have to feel pain when we see our children in such a state.
A society that has no moral values is sick and dead. It is no wonder the President saw it fit to create a ministry that would work on the values so that as a people, who are cultured, we respect them. He saw it fit to have a Government ministry that would work with the family, the Church, chiefs, other government ministries and everybody else to ensure that we inculcate these values in us.
Madam Speaker, the incident that happened at one of the houses in Woodlands saddened all of us. We have taken a number of steps just to deal with the matter as in place programmes for the youth. The ministry has been working very closely with the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development, the Ministries of General and Higher Education, the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs and Their Royal Highnesses to ensure that values are inculcated in the youth.
We have programmes that we have to implement in the schools and colleges, but above all, we have to focus on the family, because all the children come from somewhere. If we are weak at family level, then the children will have unacceptable behavior.
We will, therefore, put in place programmes for the family. The idea is to strengthen the family. We also have programmes for the Church. Churches need to strengthen the congregants in the area of raising children, morality and ethics. We are, therefore, doing a number of things.
The incident in question is at the moment with the Ministry of Home Affairs. There are certain steps that needed to be taken as it was a criminal offence. The Ministry of Home Affairs is looking into it. As we continue to sensitise the children, we will sensitise the parents as well.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kintu (Solwezi East): Madam Speaker, the Prophet of God, Uebert Angel was deported.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kintu: Hon. Minister, who determines a true Christian or prophet? Is it your ministry, Church mother bodies or Jesus Christ?
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, Zambia is a sovereign state. Therefore, we have given ourselves regulations, which we should follow. The word of God determines whether somebody is or not a prophet because we are guided by the word of God. If somebody is carrying out certain practices that are not biblical, then, that person is not a true prophet because a true prophet speaks on behalf of God.
I thank you, Madam
Mr Kambwili rose.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Kambwili (Roan): Madam Speaker, certain traditions such as half-naked and witchcraft are unbiblical. The hon. Minister has just said that when a man does what is unchristian, then, he is regarded not to be a Christian. Is it a good example or reasonable for the head of state from a Christian nation …
Hon. Government Members: Question!
Mr Kambwili: … to go and watch half-naked women in Swaziland.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
Can the hon. Member for Roan stand again and withdraw the word ‘naked.’
Mr Kambwili: Madam Speaker, I would like to withdraw the word ‘naked’ and replace it with ‘half-dressed’ women in a foreign land.
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, we have different cultures in Africa. Countries like Swaziland, Botswana, Tanzania and Zambia have different cultures. Therefore, it is in order for us to practice our cultures.
I thank you, Madam.
Laughter
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
I am going to take the questions from hon. Members for Chitambo, Siavonga, Ikeleng’i, Zambezi West, Keembe, Chasefu and I will end with the hon. Member for Mkushi North. I will follow that order and please, try to be brief with your questions.
Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Madam Speaker, well appreciated.
Madam, the behaviour of the opposition political parties in Zambia has been questionable of late. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister if her ministry has provided special invitations to those parties, which have become alarmists and individuals like Hon. Kambwili …
Madam Speaker: Order!
Mr Mutale: … to come and attend …
Madam Speaker: Order!
You know that we do not debate ourselves. You cannot do that because you are going to invite a reaction. The hon. Member for Chitambo will restrict himself by asking the hon. Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance a question on points of clarification on the statement that she has issued.
You may continue, please.
Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for the guidance.
Madam, I was saying that there are alarmists in this nation, who are peddling lies …
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
Could you withdraw the word ‘lies?’
Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, I withdraw the word ‘lies’ and replace it with falsehoods.
Madam, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether there are special invitations to those particular individuals to come for the prayers because I know for sure that if we pray as a nation, those people will repent and they will change their character and behaviour towards the nation. May I know if the ministry has invited them to these prayers?
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, we have an opportunity and this is a wonderful opportunity for us as a nation to come together in unity and pray to our God. I believe that when there are discussions, we should know that this is what is in the physical realm. They are talking about dialogue and the coming together of the Opposition and the Government. The people of Zambia are demanding that their leaders should come and move together. Therefore, the prayers are so critical. That is why we are to even preparing the grounds by holding the meetings.
Madam Speaker, the ministerial statement, I have issued this afternoon is an open invitation to all of us as leaders because we have a responsibility of presiding over the people. The people of Zambia want their leaders to work together whether in Opposition or in Government. We are all responsible and, therefore, all of us as Zambians are expected to pray despite coming from different political parties. We have already seen the unity, which is coming up in the church. Regardless of different denominations, people have come together and they have agreed to pray.
Madam Speaker, again, I would like to encourage all hon. Members of this august House to go for prayers on the 18th October, 2017.
I thank you, Madam.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mulunda (Siavonga): Madam Speaker, …
Mr Mutelo: On a point of order, Madam.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for allowing me to raise a point order.
Madam, was the hon. Member of Parliament for Chitambo in order to mislead the nation that the hon. Member of Parliament for Roan, who is a genuine and true Patriotic Front (PF) hon. Member of Parliament is an opposition Member of Parliament when he is the original …
Laughter
Mr Mutelo: … PF member and he is in this august House as a PF hon. Member of Parliament for Roan. Was the hon. Member for Chitambo in order to say that? I need you serious ruling.
Laughter
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Firstly, the hon. Member is aware that points of order must be contemporaneous. Secondly, the hon. Member was in this august House and is aware that the Chair ruled the hon. Member for Chitambo out of order.
Mr Mulunda: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister knows as well as I do that the Bible demands that we must be truthful all the time as Christians. She also knows that as Christians, we are the salt of the earth and, therefore, if we lose truthfulness, then we can be of no value to the society.
Madam Speaker, looking at the sentiments that are coming from the hon. Members on your right, can we sincerely, whole heartedly and truthfully declare, that these people have forgiven others? The Bible demands that before we go to pray, we must forgive our enemies. Can we truthfully say that these people have forgiven other members of society so that when we go to pray on that day, God will be able to hear us?
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, I think we are not talking about the people on the right or left. We are talking about Zambians seeking the face of God. Forgiveness is an issue of the heart. Nobody can enter another person’s heart and see if they have forgiven the other person. That is why Zambians are praying right now. We have been in a forty day fast and prayer at various levels so that people’s hearts can be softened. It is time for us to forgive one another. We need God to help us to release the other person.
Madam Speaker, I believe that as we take a step of faith and go to these prayers, even if you are carrying a grudge against somebody, you are going to meet God there and there shall be a release. You cannot have a breakthrough in life when you are holding a grudge against another person. You have to release the other person so that the hand of God can touch you.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Madam Speaker, Zambians are looking to the leadership of this country to behave in a Christian manner. However, this country has witnessed unprecedented …
Mr Siwale: On a point of order, Madam.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Siwale: Madam Speaker, is it in order for the hon. Member for Roan to come to this honourable House every time to just log in and go out immediately and after that get paid? I need a very serious ruling.
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Laughter
Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member for Mafinga wishes to know if it is procedural for the hon. Member for Roan to come in the House, log in and go out. The position of the Chair is that, firstly, the Chair has not been focusing on one hon. Member of the House. Therefore, the Chair cannot rule him out of order. Other hon. Members in this august House probably do not spend all the time in the House.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: I am aware that many hon. Members come in, log in and go. Some come back and others do not.
Mr Mwiinga started walking out of the Chamber.
Hon. Members: Uyo! Uyo!
Laughter
Madam First Deputy Speaker: In that regard, I would like to offer counsel to all hon. Members of Parliament. We have a responsibility to the people that elected us and they pay us to do the work that we do. I would, therefore, urge hon. Members of Parliament from both sides of the House to put in an honest day’s work to earn the trust of the people that have sent us here. That is my counsel.
Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, I was saying that the nation looks to its leadership for guidance based on the good behaviour of leaders. In this country, ever since the Patriotic Front (PF) came into power …
Mr Lusambo: Question!
Mr Muchima: … we have seen an unprecedented number of atrocities being committed. For example, when you wear the United Party for National Development (UPND) regalia, you cannot go to a bus station. If the hon. Minister, who is dressed in UPND regalia …
Laughter
Madam First deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Ikeleng’i!
The hon. Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance is dressed in beautiful red attire.
Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: I know that is not regalia of the United Party for National Development (UPND).
Laughter
Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, I thank you for the guidance. I said that if she passed through a bus station, she would be mistaken to be a member of the UPND and would be attacked.
Madam, today, churches of God are divided because of politics. Some church leaders support the PF, while others support the UPND or Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD). That is unprecedented. We have seen branded vehicles …
Mr Kampyongo: On a point of order, Madam.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, thank you so much for permitting me to rise on a point of order on the hon. Member of Parliament on the Floor. The hon. Member on the Floor is a senior hon. Member of this august House. He knows how dignified this august House is and the need for us to debate sincerely. However, he is alleging that people who wear cloths of a certain colour and those that support the United Party for National Development (UPND) are not permitted to move freely, like other citizens.
Hon. UPND Members: It is true!
Mr Kampyongo: He has been moving all over, and he comes here to perform his functions. All these hon. Members have been coming here to perform their functions and they pass through the same streets where we all pass through, as citizens. They know that the only time that anybody is arrested is when they break the law. Even though we are a Christian nation, we have to make sure that we live within the confinements of the law. Is he, therefore, in order to mislead this august House and the nation at large that people of a certain class and Christians of a certain political affiliation are being harassed?
Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling. We are leaders and what we say here goes out to the people.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Madam Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members from my right and left, we have a golden opportunity to help remove hostilities in the nation, to unite the nation and ensure that we move together as one. Just like one hon. Member says that members of the public seen wearing Patriotic Front (PF) attire are attacked, another can say that people seen wearing United Party for National Development (UPND) attire are being attacked. It is all about perception and experience. Therefore, my ruling, hon. Minister, is that it is his perception that people seen to be wearing particular attire are not free to move in certain areas.
Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!
Madam Deputy Speaker: That is only his perception. You could have a different one, just like many other hon. Members of this august House could have a different perception. In that regard alone, he is not out of order.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Madam Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member for Ikeleng’i will continue.
Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, thank you for that guidance.
Madam Speaker, I was referring to the atrocities and unprecedented divisions that we have seen in the country. For instance, Madam Laima and her husband have been attacked several times simply because they were wearing the regalia for the United Party for National Development (UPND).
Madam Speaker, does the hon. Minister have any plan to hold a special session to pray for senior Government officers and the kaponyas in the market ...
Madam Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, explain the word “Kaponya.”
Mr Muchima: Kaponyas are cadres in bus stations or ngwangwazis who shout “Come, here is the bus to Matero or Mutendere” in bus stations.
Does the hon. Minister have any plan to hold a special prayer session for the leadership in Government so that they can repent, and so that we can follow their lead? We are worried in this country that you are leading us into temptation to attack one another. Will you have such a session?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, I agree with the hon. Member that the nation is looking to the leadership for guidance. Therefore, it is very disheartening to hear leaders saying that they will abstain from the prayers. We all need to pray because we all need God. All of us here need repentance. Every act of violence should be condemned. It is sad that a young man was killed in Livingstone. How do you kill your fellow human being?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: How do you do that? All of us have to reflect. It is time for us to humble ourselves and reflect. I want to again, implore the leaders to show leadership. Let us lead by example. If you are a real leader, you should be kneeling down and praying on the 18th of October.
I thank you, Madam.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Princess Kucheka: Madam Speaker, from the time I came out of my mother’s womb, I have known that Christians are for Jesus. What is your position, hon. Minister, on the so called “Christians for Lungu?”
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, we are a free people. We are a democracy. We are free to associate with whoever we want to associate with. The “Christians for Lungu” I am sure, is a group of Christians who wanted to support Lungu and who support Lungu.
I thank you, Madam.
Ms Kasune (Keembe): Madam Speaker, it is encouraging that the hon. Minister has said that we need to reconcile as a country and that it has to begin with us leaders. The hon. Minister alluded to the National Day of Prayer in the United States (US), which I have been privileged to attend many times and to speak there. My question is around the budget for this event. Is there a budget for this event that the Zambian people should know, and how much is it?
Mr Livune: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: Madam Speaker, there is always a cost which is allocated to gathering people together and organisation of this kind of events. Obviously, you need to inform people, buy airtime and to prepare a venue. There will be a minimal cost. We are talking about minimal costs that are associated with the arrangement of this very important event.
Madam Speaker, let me also take this opportunity to thank the Church in Zambia. I am talking about all the Church mother-bodies and different denominations that have put so much of their own resources towards this event. They have also put in time and providing services free of charge. They are contributing in one way or the other. Two days ago, I was on the Copperbelt, and held a meeting with the clergy. They used their own transport and prepared refreshments. There is a lot that is being put in place.
Therefore, I really want to remind the hon. Members of Parliament that they have constituencies and people are gathering to pray. What is it that they can do as Members of Parliament representing the people? I am sure the people are putting the events together and the hon. Members’ contributions will be very helpful.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Zimba (Chasefu): Madam Speaker, I feel the weight on the shoulders of the hon. Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance. I am a pastor as well and I know what it is to …
Laughter
Mr Mwale: Ba pastor bapaka!
Laughter
Mr Siwale: Polepole!
Laughter
Mr Zimba: I know the weight that is on her shoulders and I pray that God gives her the wisdom and boldness to unite the nation. Through you, Madam Speaker, I would like to mention to the hon. Minister that the animosity and division in the country is perpetrated by us the leaders. What we discuss here or show to the nation or whatever happens here is reciprocated out there. Now, she has been in Parliament and she sees the animosity that happens in here. Hon Members on both sides of the House are divided.
In answering to Hon. Jack Mwiimbu’s question, she said that she has been engaging people from all sectors of society including politicians.
Mr Mwamba: Ipushenifye question naimwe!
Interruptions
Mr Zimba: Has she taken a step to call people like the Chief Whip, the Leader of the Opposition and the hierarchy of this august House together to see what she can do to curb this animosity? I believe that once the animosity is curbed in here, it will also be curbed outside. Has she done that?
Rev. Sumaili: I thank you, Madam Speaker, and thank the Hon. Pastor for this question.
Like I said earlier, Madam Speaker, the issue of national unity is everybody’s responsibility.
Mrs Simukoko: Hear, hear!
Rev. Sumaili: We all have to make effort to reach out and bring ourselves together as One Zambia One Nation.
Madam, I totally agree that the ministry has a big task to facilitate unity in the nation. Admittedly, I have not really brought Leader of the Opposition and the Chief Whip together, but we have been doing a lot of work underground to prepare for this thing. It has to be done at various levels. We also have to be mindful of the protocol situation where someone does not jump there, when a higher authority is talking to that one, we have to flow together and do things in order.
However, I totally agree with the hon. Member of Parliament for Chasefu that we have to begin to reach out. By the way, it is not only the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance, but anyone of us can initiate that kind of unity.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: We will end with the hon. Member of Parliament for Mkushi North.
Hon. Members, we have been deliberating on this particular Ministerial Statement for nearly one hour thirty minutes. As I have already announced, we will end with the hon. Member of Parliament for Mkushi North.
Ms Mwape (Mkushi North): Madam Speaker, the National Day of Prayer is a national day as indicated in the statement by the hon. Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance. This is a day that everyone has to take seriously. We need to come to together regardless of our political affiliation, race, colour or tribe. What preparations has she put in place for people in rural areas like Mkushi, for them to be part of …
Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I am very grateful for giving me an opportunity to rise on a point of order. I want to sincerely apologise to the hon. Member of Parliament for Mkushi North for this interjection. It is with a heavy heart that I stand up on a point of order when we are preparing for a national day of prayers. I would like the Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance with her Colleague the hon. Minister of Home Affairs, to take a deep reflection to this point of order.
Madam, at this moment, we are dealing with a very important subject and I need not emphasise the counsel that the Chair gave us about the opportunity that lies ahead of us in trying to bring this country together.
Madam Speaker, this august House is in Mandevu Constituency. Last night, in Mandevu Constituency, against the Constitutional provisions of Zambians being free to associate and to have freedom of conscious, while having their meeting, the members of the newly formed National Democratic Congress Party (NDC) sitting in an in-house door meeting in Mandevu, were attacked and brutalised by the political party that the hon. Minister of National Prayers and Guidance belongs to.
Laughter
Mr Muchima: Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance!
Mr Nkombo: Is this fair? Are we in order to continue being hypocritical, Madam Speaker, …
Madam First Deputy Speaker: The word “hypocritical” is unparliamentary and you do not use it in this House.
Mr Nkombo: I withdraw the word, Madam and apologise. I do not mean to be naughty.
Mr Nyirenda: But you are naughty!
Mr Nkombo: This is the very fabric of why they created the ministry to stop pretending.
At this juncture, I want to take off my hat for the Minister of Defence, Hon. Chama …
Mr Sing’ombe: Hear, hear!
Mr Mwiimbu: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: … for once beaten, twice shy.
Mr Sing’ombe: Neighbour!
Mr Nkombo: I am short of envy for his demeanor right now. Only an idiot cannot change their minds …
Hon. Government Members: Aah!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order Hon. Member!
Laughter
Mr Nkombo: It is a figure of speech.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central, …
Mr Nkombo: I withdraw that Madam. I am sorry.
Interruptions
Mr Mwamba: Question!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: … you rose on a point of order …
Mr Nkombo: I withdraw that particular one.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: … and now you are beginning to debate the Minister of Defence and in the process using unparliamentary language. If you are done with your point of order, please indicate so.
Mr Nkombo: I withdraw the idiom. I did not mean to direct it at anyone, but there is wisdom in knowing that I am going in the wrong direction. That is basically what that idiom means.
Zambians are being brutalised for refusing to tow the Patriotic Front (PF) line. That is a fact. Last night, some people were brutalised and they are still collecting police reports in Mandevu. They were beaten by PF members because they belong to the party Hon. Mwenya Musenge has formed up on the Copperbelt. This is in a midst of a Constitutional provision that people are free to belong to any political party. Can the hon. Minister take this issue seriously?
Madam Speaker, is she in order not to know that as she is inviting us to …
Mr Kampyongo: Question!
Mr Nkombo: Question of whom? Of your mother!
Laughter
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central continue with your point of order.
Laughter
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: This is a serious matter we want to reconcile with these people.
Hon. Government Members: Question!
Mr Nkombo: We would like to reconcile with these people, but they must not play games.
Mr Muchima: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: These are games, they are telling us to go to church to pray when they are beating people into submission. This is not something we will do easily ourselves. Madam, is PF Government in order to bring this empty statement to invite us to go and pray when they are beating up people from other political parties such as the NDC which is in its infancy born out of PF and their intolerance? Are they in order to continue keeping us here wasting one hour of time doing one thing and saying another? I seek your ruling, Madam.
Mr Mwamba: Question!
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: The point of order raised by the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central is that he wants to know whether the hon. Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance is in order to bring a statement, as she has done, when, according to him, some members of some political party were attacked by members of another known political party. Now, as the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central will guess, in the absence of facts from of HPAI being transmitted to humans. The previous strain which is the H5N1 has spread to humans and the symptoms are as according to the report that people are affected by HPAI through non-stop feverish and hot temperatures.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Kundoti (Luena): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister told us that the best way to get rid of chickens that have died from the infection is to bury them in a six feet deep pit. How effective could be the option of burning the chickens?
Mr Katambo: Madam Speaker, I answered accordingly to the recommended way of getting rid of the affected flock, which is to bury them in a six feet deep pit to allow the virus to decompose. Burning could be another method via the use an incinerator, but this could lead to health complications because of pollution. Therefore, the best way is to bury them so that the virus decomposes in the soil.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Madam Speaker, the statement issued is quite informative. Quick response to poultry and livestock diseases in general is very important. Recently, there was a disease in Lupososhi Constituency that affected pigs from which they were dying within a shortest possible time.
What is the ministry doing to enable officers in the Veterinary Department to respond quickly to issues of this nature in as far as the provision of transport is concerned?
Mr Katambo: Madam Speaker, there are various challenges within the ministry which included resources and mobility. However, we are trying to reach out to as many of the small holder farmers as possible within the affected areas. Like I said, we are also trying to sensitise the citizenry and farmers through programmes on radio stations and flyers about the outbreaks. The ministry also has a draft document that responds to outbreaks and prevention of disease occurrence.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Mecha (Chifunabuli): Madam Speaker, in the event that the disease spreads to Zambia and farmers are forced to slaughter their flock, is the Government ready to compensate them?
Mr Katambo: Madam Speaker, the issue of compensation is a bit complicated. However, our officers are sent to assess the area where there is a report of an outbreak of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Once the assessment report is brought, it could be that the disease just spread through negligence and we could not compensate. However, since the HPAI is a disease of national economic importance, once the assessment report is brought forth, the hon. Minister has the discretion to look into the issue of compensation. Yes, I can say that farmers would be compensated if the affected area was without negligence.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
OUTBREAK OF CHOLERA IN LUSAKA DISTRICT
The Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Madam Speaker, I thank you for granting me this opportunity to present a statement on the outbreak of Cholera in Lusaka and to indicate the measures that the Government has taken to contain the disease.
Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that currently there is a confirmed outbreak of Cholera in Lusaka District in the following peri-urban areas:
(a) Chipata;
(b) Mazyopa;
(c) Kanyama; and
(d) Ng’ombe.
There is also on record one patient who travelled from Kasenga Village in Chisamba District and was diagnosed with Cholera upon arrival in Lusaka.
Madam Speaker, to give a bit of back ground, Cholera is a waterborne disease caused by bacteria called Vibrio Cholerae, mainly spread through the faecal oral route. Symptoms include acute onset of diarrhoea and/or vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle cramps and body weakness and, if untreated, can result in rapid dehydration and death within 24 hours.
Madam Speaker, the current outbreak was declared on 6th October, 2017, after laboratory confirmation of the two initial cases that were presented to the Chipata First-Level Hospital on 4th October, 2017. As at today, thirty-nine cases have been recorded. Twenty out of the thirty-nine stool samples tested from the affected patients were positive for Vibrio Cholerae. Currently, we have five patients that are under treatment. One is at Chipata First-Level Hospital and four at Kanyama First-Level Hospital. Thirty-four have been successfully treated and discharged.
Madam Speaker, we further note that one child absconded, aided by the mother, from Kanyama Cholera Treatment Centre. Madam Speaker, there has been a reported death of a three month old baby due to a diarrhoeal condition that has not been confirmed as Cholera. The patient died upon arrival at the facility. The cultures have tested negative to Cholera, but the investigations continue. As we speak, there is no fatality from the facility. There is a case that was brought in dead and is under investigations. Preliminary investigations so far show that it is not Cholera.
Madam Speaker, we have identified the determinants of the outbreak in the affected areas and these include:
(a) inadequate access to clean water;
(b) poor sanitation; and
(c) infected water samples or sources.
Madam Speaker, boreholes in Chipata Compound, specifically B95, Mazyopa School, A16, B96 and Lusaka Water Trust Tanks have indicated contamination with faecal coliforms. Further analysis has indicated the presence of Vibrio Cholerae in boreholes B95 and A16.
Madam Speaker, the Government through the Ministry of Health has mounted, with support from partners and sister ministries, a robust multifaceted response to the cholera outbreak. We have set also up an incident management system led by an incident commander at the Zambia National Public Health Institute which is a body mandated to conduct disease surveillance, disease intelligence, emergency preparedness and response. This command centre is being supported by command posts that have been set up at Chipata and Kanyama First Level Hospitals. Other interventions that have been put in place under this incident management system include:
1. Case Management
Madam Speaker, we are managing cases from two centres that is Kanyama and Chipata First Level hospitals. Chipata Hospital has so far recorded thirteen cholera cases while Kanyama Hospital has recorded twenty-six. We have deployed doctors, nurses and other health workers to beef up these two facilities. We have adequate medical supplies and drugs to support patient care.
2. Contact Tracing
Madam Speaker, we have intensified surveillance, are conducting contact tracing and our public health teams are in the communities to trace all contacts of the infected patients. This is critical in identifying those who may have contracted the infection so that they are screened and given appropriate treatment and hence stop further spread of the disease. In addition, we are distributing household chlorine and chlorinating water sources and disinfecting pit latrines.
3. Health Education
Madam Speaker, appropriate health promotion messages are being given to the public through various strategies including the use mobile public address systems, and distribution of printed materials such as brochures, leaflets and posters. Messages are also being disseminated through community radio stations and the public broadcaster, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).
4. Environmental Management
Madam Speaker, environmental management processes that are being implemented include, intensified water sampling in all the affected communities and this has been extended to the rest of the province to ensure that contaminated sources are identified as soon as possible in order to institute appropriate remedial measures. Chlorination of water sources both public and private is being done with the support of local authorities, Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company (LWSC) and partners such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Waste management has been enhanced with more trucks mobilised to remove garbage in the affected areas. This is being escalated further by cleaning up affected areas including markets and streets through a multi-sectoral approach. Inspection of public facilities including markets food outlets and other trading premises has also been intensified in the affected communities.
Madam Speaker, we have also closed the infected boreholes in the affected areas and instead provided alternative sources of water through bulsers. Furthermore, we are installing chlorinators in some selected boreholes.
5. Multi-sectoral Response
Madam Speaker, to elaborate the multi-sectoral response, we are working in collaboration with partners such as the Lusaka City Council, LWSC, the Zambia National Services (ZNS), the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), WHO, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), USAID, Discover Health and private players such as Pharmanova and Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) have provided logistical support, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) have also joined the team. We are providing alternative supply of clean water to effected residents using water bulsers, as I said earlier, working with DMMU. Further, DMMU is in the process of erecting tank stands to mount fifteen by 10 000 litres water tanks to supply clean and safe water to affected areas. LWSC has been directed to provide waver to the affected communities and will supply clean water at no cost to the consumers at the point of collection.
Madam Speaker, working with the Lusaka City Council, we have also stepped up efforts to clean up all public places. Street vendors and the public at large have been engaged to address the potential risk of spreading the disease through food sold in the open and on the streets. Today, we were meeting the streets vendors from Kanyama and engaging them to ensure that we stop street vending in the affected areas. A high level meeting has been held with various ministries chaired by myself and attended by hon. Ministers from Water and Sanitation, Local Government and the Lusaka Provincial Office. The area Member of Parliament for Kanyama has also been incorporated. We are putting in place measures to step up surveillance and ensure that we update the nation accordingly.
Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I would like to appeal to all the hon. Members of Parliament to participate in their various provinces in sensitising the public on the possibility of outbreaks of water borne diseases especially that the rainy season is loaming. I have directed all levels of health care systems to activate the rapid response teams and intensify activities to contain the outbreak. At the national level, we will continue the multi-sectoral national epidemic preparedness meetings and ensure that we provide appropriate leadership at national level.
Madam Speaker, the National Public Health Institute will continue surveillance in order to strengthen preparedness so that we rapidly detect and respond to epidemics. With these remarks, I submit.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the Ministerial Statement given by the hon. Minister of Health.
Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for his statement. It is a sad state of affairs that cholera has once again broken out. Hon. Minister, we are going into the rainy season right now and the absence of running water is a catalyst for the spread of this disease which is basically associated with dirt or unhygienic tendencies. There has been a project, I am glad Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company (LWSC) are partnering with the hon. Minister in this attempt to arrest the situation. Hon. Minister, do you know whether or not this project to capacitate water supply into the city will be effective. I am sure you know that the whole Lusaka area has been excavated in order to improve water reticulation. This situation has led to a shut down. I know that most areas in the Central Business District (CBD) have had no water supply and people have been depending on the bulsers the hon. Minister talked about to supply water to markets and residences to give way to this improvement of the water supply into the city. Does the hon. Minister think that this project has exacerbated the problem at hand or has nothing to do with it. I ask this question because the hon. Minister said he will try to control vending in the affected areas. While that is good, it is also true that there are people who are domiciled in areas like Mazyopa and Kanyama who do not trade there, but in other areas like Northmead, Longacres and the Central Business District.
Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central for that question. Indeed, long term control and prevention of cholera lies in ensuring that the public accesses clean and safe water. This involves investment in infrastructure development and appropriate water reticulation. Therefore, the project that is being undertaken in Lusaka to improve the water reticulation system is a commendable and right project in the long term to avoid epidemics of cholera.
However, Madam Speaker…
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.
[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]
Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, before tea break, I was saying that investment in infrastructure and reticulation systems improves access to clean and safe water. That is the long term solution for prevention and control of cholera. There is no causal link today between the Millennium Challenge Project, which is taking place in Lusaka and is expanding the water reticulation network, and the outbreak in Kanyama and Chipata compounds. Like I said earlier on, our water sampling has brought out faecal coliforms in the boreholes in these places and that has nothing to do with the project that is being carried out under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister of Health for the update to the House and the nation. Issues of water borne diseases especially cholera brings a lot of apprehension for a number of us who come from border areas and I have in mind Kaputa, Nsama, which is along Lake Tanganyika, Nsumbu and Mpulungu along Lake Mweru. It is easy to mobilise robust multi-faceted support in Lusaka, the urban centre, because the co-ordinating organs work together. However, what measures is the hon. Minister putting in place to ensure that the preparedness in Kaputa is actually up to scratch although we have not gotten any indication of the disease yet?
Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, like I alluded to earlier, the Government has set up the National Public Health Institute to take charge of disease surveillance and intelligence, preparedness and emergency response. This institute is present in provinces through the provincial health offices. We have routine surveillance and disease intelligence activities and these include water sampling. We have public health specialists who are placed in various parts of the districts countrywide, whose role is to lead teams of public health officers that include environmental health officers, who do water sampling. Routinely, an environmental health officer will sample the quality of water that the people are consuming in Kaputa and if there is any evidence of faecal coliform contamination, there is intervention. There are many outbreaks that we have prevented because of routine testing of the water that the people consume.
Madam, I want to assure the hon. Member that preparedness in every province is such that we hold epidemic preparedness committee meetings at provincial level. With the rainy season on the verge, we have actually triggered all provincial health officers to co-ordinate with partners in the provinces to conduct provincial epidemic preparedness committee meetings to look at preparedness and the ability to respond. Like I said earlier on, I have directed all rapid response teams countrywide to be triggered so that we are ready for any possibility of an outbreak. However, what is comforting is that routine surveillance is ongoing so that we can be pre-emptive to some of these outbreaks that are coming.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister is aware that street vending in most of the major towns now has reached unmanageable levels. He is also aware that in most of these towns where these street vendors are trading from, there are no toilet facilities. Taking into account that there is now an outbreak of cholera, what measures has the ministry put in place to ensure that it does not affect the street vendors in most of these towns considering that they are mobile?
Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, every outbreak has associated determinants and one key determinant is the selling of fresh food on the streets. It is a well known intervention to stop street vending of fresh foods and raw fruits in affected areas. In Lusaka, we engaged the Street Vendors Association and sensitised them. They provided leadership in today’s meeting where we engaged the street vendors in the Kanyama Zone so that they can stop vending raw food, vegetables, fruits and fresh meat on the street. This measure is important to avoid the spread of the outbreak.
Madam Speaker, I want to emphasise that we do not have an option, but to stop street vending of raw food and fresh meat when there is an outbreak. This is done in consultation with the street vendors. We engage and empower them with information and consider them as stakeholders in the control of this epidemic. At national level, we would like to encourage all citizens to observe high levels of personal hygiene including hand washing, consumption of food that is well prepared without contamination, boiling food and generally to avoid consuming food that is sold from the streets without ascertaining its safety.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Chiyalika (Lufubu): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the wonderful statement that he has presented to us. I also thank him for the interventions being undertaken to address this outbreak. However, I would like to know when we are going to have a cholera-free Zambia? I ask this because the country has these outbreaks year in, year out.
Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, cholera is not endemic in Zambia. Endemicity is the occurrence of cholera in three of every five year period in the same places. Zambia is firmly on track in eradicating most water borne diseases. The statistics show that water borne diseases have been reducing every year.
Madam Speaker, by investing in infrastructure for water and sanitation, we are actually firmly on track when it comes to eliminating or eradicating most water borne diseases, including cholera. The Millennium Challenge Project in Lusaka is a significant investment in the health of the people of Lusaka. We have, in many parts of the country, projects to drill boreholes and install new reticulation systems. The Government has borrowed from the Africa Development Bank (ADB) to improve the water reticulation system in the Western Province. We have also borrowed to improve the water reticulation systems in the Northern, Luapula and Muchinga Provinces. Further, we have drilled thousands of boreholes in the Central Province and other parts of the country. All this is aimed at addressing one key determinant of the health of the people. It is through addressing this determinant that we are going to eradicate cholera. The simple answer for my hon. colleague is that Zambia is firmly on track to eliminate water borne diseases be it cholera or typhoid by systematically investing in infrastructure for water.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Jere (Livingstone): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his statement. He mentioned that cholera had broken out in Lusaka, in particular in Mazyopa, Chipata and Ng’ombe Compounds respectively. Is the Government aware that this morning, there was a news item on the radio to the effect that cholera had broken out in Makululu Compound in Kabwe? If the Government is aware, what measures has it put in place to deal with the outbreak?
Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, like I said earlier on, we received a case in Lusaka from Chisamba, which we diagnosed on arrival as cholera. Our team in the Central Province has been triggered and it is doing contact tracing and routine surveillance for cholera.
Madam Speaker, we do not have a confirmed outbreak of cholera in Makululu, and that is just one of the places in the Central Province where routine surveillance is taking place. Once we get a case confirmed and we meet the definition of a cholera outbreak in Makululu, we will be able to come to the House and confirm. As things stand, we have not met the case definition of an outbreak in Makululu.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Madam Speaker, I appreciate and commend the hon. Minister for the robust action that the Government has taken to contain the outbreak. However, what is the mean wait time for reception and out-patient consults for patients in the affected areas? How has the re-allocation of staff and outbreak affected the mean wait time?
Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, the main intervention in an outbreak of cholera is in the community. We have placed public health teams who include public health nurses and environmental health technologists who are disseminating key health promoting messages in the community. At the various treatment centres, there are currently no huge numbers. We only have four at Kanyama and one at Chipata Level One Hospitals. Therefore, we have not impacted negatively on the work time for patients at these facilities. We have deployed staff, but most of the interventions, and appropriately so, are being done in the communities so that people can prevent getting cholera. We have not affected the normal wait time at these facilities. However, the significance of that question is that human resource in the facilities must be adequate at all times so that we are able to respond to epidemics in a manner that does not disrupt normal service delivery. This is why the Government is investing in human capital for health in both training and recruitment.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Kintu (Solwezi East): Madam Speaker, quarantining is one of the measures taken to isolate contacts from those infected with a virus. I have looked at your interventions and noted that quarantining is not one of them. Could the hon. Minister confirm if quarantining will be included as one of the interventions in tracing the contacts.
Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, I am not too sure what the hon. Member means when he says quarantine. Is it quarantining the contacts or the patients? However, I will address both aspects. First of all, we appeal to all residents who have any signs or symptoms of cholera to present themselves to the nearby facilities for treatment. When you present yourself to a facility, we are not treating the suspects in the wards where we treat other patients routinely. In that sense, we are quarantining and treating patients in separate purpose set up centres just meant to treat cholera. In that sense, that is quarantining.
Madam Speaker, in the sense of the citizens or the contacts, quarantining has no place. This is because what needs to be done is, if you realise that this is a contact for a patient who is clinically unwell and is confined to a treatment centre, what you need to do is to investigate or question for symptoms. If need be, you can either treat or give prophylaxis. Remember that a lot of cholera patients may be asymptomatic or may have mild symptoms and actually be shedding the vibrio cholerae, but without presenting clinically. What is important then, is to step up the interventions at community level without really quarantining contacts. Therefore, quarantining is not a measure that you want to use when you are dealing with contacts in the community. However, in the facility, we treat patients in more appropriately stated language, isolation wards.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Ms Kucheka (Zambezi West): Madam Speaker, prevention is better than cure. I would like to know the measures that the Government has put in place to ensure that chlorine is distributed to rural areas such as Zambezi West.
Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, the ministry has put in place a surveillance system to pick out indications or need to treat water with chlorine. Routinely, water that people consume is chlorinated. Routinely conduct water sampling tests so that if there is any evidence of contamination, we chlorinate the water, give household chlorine or encourage people to boil drinking water. Where there is no indication, we will not routinely distribute household chlorine.
The hon. Member will take comfort in the knowledge that all districts have epidemic preparedness committees which stock household chlorine and other forms of the element just in case there is an epidemic or in case they routinely pick out evidence of contamination of water. The committees then chlorinate the water or give out household chlorine. So, countrywide, we have stocked chlorine and other requisites that we will need to use in the event of an outbreak of a waterborne disease such as Cholera. I, therefore, want to assure the hon. Member of Parliament that the citizens in Zambezi West are very well taken care of.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Ms Mwape (Mkushi North): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that hon. Members of Parliament should be involved in disseminating information in rural areas. As you are aware, not all of us are health personnel. What measures have you put in place to equip us with information so that we give the right information to our people in the respective areas?
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, all hon. Members of Parliament are capacity-built to tell their constituents to observe high standards of personal hygiene, to buy food from designated trading places, to avoid buying vegetables, fruits and fresh foods from the street. All hon. Members of Parliament are capacity-built to encourage people to dispose of faecal material, especially from children, in a safe manner and to escalate the dissemination of the information that hand washing is a very important practice in schools and in the villages.
Madam Speaker, all hon. Members of Parliament should participate in epidemic preparedness committee meetings in their provinces and use the opportunities they have to engage their constituents. Not only should they disseminate information on avoiding waterborne diseases, but information generally that empowers the people to entrench wellness and avoid all forms of illnesses.
Madam Speaker, hon. Members should, furthermore, encourage their constituents to pima. The self-test kits are still available. We commend parliamentarians for self-testing last week and we encourage them to carry some of the kits to their constituencies and to encourage the public to go and test within the facilities. Therefore, hon. Members of Parliament are very capacity-built.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
____
QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER
ESTABLISHMENT OF A YOUTH SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE IN CHITAMBO DISTRICT
58. Mr Mutale (Chitambo) asked the Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development:
- whether the Government had any plans to establish a youth skills development centre in Chitambo District;
- if so, when the plans would be implemented; and
- if there were no such plans, why.
The Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development (Mr Mawere): Madam Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Chitambo may wish to note that the Government, through the ministry, intends to construct a youth resource centre in every district, including Chitambo and Chipata, subject to availability of funds.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether or not he has included the construction of a skills centre in the 2018 Budget so that I can be part of the people...
Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Madam.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.
Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I apologise to the hon. Member of Parliament for Chitambo for disturbing his line of thought. My point of order, which is straight forward, is on the hon. Minister of General Education, Hon. Dennis Wanchinga.
Dr Wanchinga sat up.
Laughter
Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I feel that my point of order qualifies as an urgent matter because it has the capacity to dent the image of the country.
Madam, last week, there was a trending story on social media and in most private newspapers about a certain school. I could be wrong, but the Daily Mail and Times of Zambia, which are Government newspapers, did not carry this story. If they did, then I apologise to these media houses. There is a school in Central Province called Chengelo Primary and Secondary School. I want to declare interest because all my three children went to this school many years ago. My last child left Chengelo School five years ago.
Madam Speaker, my point of order, which concerns a matter of pupils bullying each other to a point of brutalisation, could damage the image of this country. What makes this case particularly worse is that the victim of this brutalisation is Caucasian. This pupil was allegedly brutally assaulted by two Zambian boys, who are also pupils at the same school.
As you know, social media has no boundaries. I received phone calls from friends of mine far and wide. They called from Canada and Japan to tell me that they have heard about the violence in this country and that it has now escalated to schools. Is the hon. Minister of General Education in order to sit so comfortably here...
Laughter
Mr Syakalima: Even sleeping.
Mr Nkombo: ...and not inform this House about the facts relating to that assault and what remedial measures his ministry has taken in order for us to reclaim, if at all we can, our standing on the world stage? What is circulating out there is that we are a racist and violent group. Is he in order to keep quiet and just sit the way he is seated without coming to inform this august House on the state of affairs?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!
The ruling of the Chair is that while the Government will not be expected to comment on every news item, I will request the hon. Minister of General Education to shed some light on this particular matter through a statement, indicating the Government’s position next week, Thursday, especially that the matter has been reported even in the public print media. I hope that should be sufficient time for the hon. Minister of General Education to prepare himself to come and issue a statement. That is my ruling.
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, yes, it is the hon. Member for Chitambo.
Madam Speaker, in my follow-up question, I wanted to know if the ministry has included the skills centres in the 2018 Budget because the hon. Minister has ably said that the Government has intentions or plans to construct the skills training centres in all the districts.
Mr Mawere: Madam Speaker, indeed, the ministry has allocated some funds towards the construction of the youth resource centres. In addition, we have about eight youth resources, which are under construction, which we are building in a phased approach. Therefore, we have sufficiently allocated some funds towards the continuation of the construction of the youth resource centres.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Miti (Feira): Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development bring a list of the youth skills centres indicating the phase at which they are in each district to the this House tomorrow?
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
You cannot order the hon. Minister to do that, but you can only request that he indeed, brings information to the House. Is the hon. Minister able to bring that list to the House? If so, when is he able to bring it to the House?
Mr Mawere: Madam Speaker, I can bring the list in the course of next week. However, I have a list of the number of youth resource centres, which are operational and those, which are under construction. We have nineteen, which are operational and eight, which are under construction. These are in Mpongwe, Luanshya, Chililabombwe, Kafue, Rufunsa, Chama, Kalabo and Mporokoso. Therefore, I will come back to the House to indicate when the phases of other districts will be considered for these facilities.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Dr M. Malama (Kanchibiya): Madam Speaker, when the youth skills development centres are established, they will have the potential to assist us in terms of employment. I would like to know from the hon. Minister what type of skills will be offered at the skills centres and how many youths will be targeted for empowerment per district.
Mr Mawere: Madam Speaker, from the experience that we have from the existing youth resource centres, we are able to graduate not less than 2,000 youths per year. The courses being providing are market-based. So far, there is carpentry and joinery, bricklaying, metal fabrications, electrical, mechanical, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and others, which I have forgotten, but they are all market-based. They are designed in such a way that they speak to the market.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Ms Kasune (Keembe): Madam Speaker, we all know that youths skills centres are critical for the youths particularly, in the rural areas. Since the hon. Minister has said that he will bring a work plan, I hope it has an action plan as well. I would like to know what criteria was used in terms of who goes first or second so that the people of Keembe can also know where they stand.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
Did the hon. Minister understand the question or he would like the hon. Member repeat her question?
Ms Kasune: Madam Speaker, I was just saying that given the fact that he will bring the plan to the House, I would like to know the criteria, which has been used so that the people of Keembe can know when they will be considered for the same.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
Is that clear now, hon. Minister?
Mr Mawere: Madam Speaker, the criteria used was to first look at the most disadvantaged areas because there certain districts, which at least have the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) colleges, especially those which are along the line of rail. Therefore, we are targeting those that are disadvantaged so that every young person can be given an opportunity to access the skills, which we are providing.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, from the districts that have so far benefited and mentioned by the hon. Minister, it appeared the Central Province did not appear on that list. In short, I did not hear any district from Central Province that has benefited. He also said that the ministry has apportioned some money in the 2018 Budget towards the skills training centres. May I know if Chitambo is earmarked in the 2018 Budget skills training centres allocation.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
The hon. Minister will probably be repeating himself because the hon. Member for Chitambo is more or less asking the same question he asked in his substantive question. If the hon. Minister feels he can provide additional information in his opinion, which he may have left out, please go ahead.
Mr Mawere: Madam Speaker, there is nothing left out.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!
Mr Chiyalika (Lufubu): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the statement.
Madam Speaker, I am one of those hon. Members who are interested in this issue because I come from Central Province. Since this question has been curtailed, I would like to find out who will be paying the trainers in the skills training institutions?
Mr Mawere: Madam Speaker, these are Government institutions, therefore, the Government is currently paying and will continue paying the instructors.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Lufuma (Kabompo): Madam Speaker, when asked what type of courses are taught in the youth skills development centres, the hon. Minister answered that they are market oriented courses such as bricklaying, carpentry, electrical engineering, mechanics and so on and so forth. However, what is the major difference between the skills training centres and trades training centres? What is the advantage of the skills training centres over the trades training centres since they offer more or less the same courses?
Mr Mawere: Madam Speaker, all these institutions provide skills courses approved by the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA). The youth resources centres are under TEVETA in the way the curriculum has been developed. The only difference is the way these institutions are being managed. The trades training centres are commercial in nature because they are charging commercial tuition fees, while the youth resource centres are heavily subsidised.
Madam Speaker, some of the courses at youth resource centres are as low as K500, while other courses are being sponsored by the entities we have partnered with. For trades training institutes, it becomes very difficult for the vulnerable families to access those facilities. Therefore, we want to ensure that we do not leave anyone behind by providing important skills to every young person in Zambia.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
CONNECTION OF HEALTH CENTRES IN MWANDI CONSTITUENCY TO THE NATIONAL ELECTRICITY GRID
59. Mr Mutaba (Mwandi) asked the Minister of Energy when the following health centres in Mwandi Parliamentary Constituency would be connected to the national electricity grid:
- Masese;
- Lwazamba;
- Mushukula; and
- Magumwe.
The Minister of Energy (Mr Mabumba): Madam Speaker, according to the Rural Electrification Master Plan (REMP), there are four institutions earmarked for connection by 2020. However, the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) will undertake a feasibility study in 2018 to ascertain the cost and scope of connecting them to the national electricity grid. Once the cost has been established, the authority will advise when the implementation will commence based on the availability of funds.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Mwiimbu (Monze): Madam Speaker, I am aware that sometime back, the Ministry of Energy distributed a master plan that was generated by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to all hon. Members of Parliament. That master plan indicated where the routes for electrification will pass for various constituencies. We have been waiting for the hon. Minister of Energy to give us an action plan to activate that particular master plan that was generated by JICA, but to no avail.
Madam, as a result of the failure on the part of the ministry, a number of questions similar to the one that has been raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for Mwandi are being raised on the Floor of this august House. When is the hon. Minister going to update us pertaining to the JICA master plan so that all of us are aware of when the various areas will be electrified, other than continuing asking questions individually?
Mr Mabumba: Madam Speaker, I totally agree with what Hon. Mwiimbu has said. This is why I have said repeatedly on the Floor of this august House in the recent weeks that we are planning to hold a workshop with the hon. Members of Parliament. A letter has already been written to the Clerk of the National Assembly to ascertain the date when the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) and REA are going to hold a workshop with the hon. Members of Parliament. This is because, as hon. Minister, I too recognise that hon. Members of Parliament are repeatedly asking me the same questions. Even on my part, it is really frustrating. It does not inspire confidence for me to tell hon. Members that we going to electrify places in their constituencies by 2020, without a concrete plan. I recognise that too.
Madam Speaker, on the other hand, our efforts have been hampered by inadequate funds. Regarding the master plan that Hon. Mwiimbu has referred to, REA was supposed to be allocated US$50 million on an annual basis to execute the JICA master plan. Unfortunately, that has not happened. My colleagues should be mindful of the fact that they are the ones who approve the National Budget in this august House.
Madam, one of the things that I would request them before the 2018 Budget is approved is to scrutinise the amount of money that has been allocated for rural electrification. This will enable us to collectively maybe convince Hon. Mutati to give us more money so that we can address some of their aspirations in their constituencies. Therefore, I can assure Hon. Jack Mwiimbu that there will be a workshop in the course of this month on this subject.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Madam Speaker, I am thankful to the hon. Minister for having visited Kanchibiya in the last three months. Rural health centres such as the ones that have been talked about, included those in Kanchibiya and others places, have a high maternal mortality rate, which is the death of mothers as they give birth, especially at night due to lack of electricity. It has also been very difficult for mothers and other patients to access health services, especially those who are admitted. Is there any immediate intervention that can be provided to the rural health centres regarding electrification?
Mr Mabumba: In the workshop that we will hold with the hon. Members of Parliament, one of the strategies will be to address the challenge of how to connect public institutions such as schools and clinics within the shortest possible time. Like I have said, I hope that when I hold that workshop with the hon. Members of Parliament, we will communicate to them what our strategy is in terms of how we intend to electrify public institutions, especially those that are far away from the national electricity grid. For the institutions that are near the national electricity grid, of course we can put up a distribution line, but some public institutions are away from the ZESCO lines.
Madam Speaker, between now and 2018, in the context of the budget that has been allocated, we will obviously set aside some money as part of the annual plan in terms of buying solar panels for those institutions. That is the information that we will be sharing with hon. Members at the workshop. We also hope to get their wisdom in terms of how we can work together to accelerate this electrification.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Minister for communicating to us about the workshop that he intends to hold with all hon. Members of Parliament. However, it now appears that he has relegated and delegated his authority to the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) and Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) to be the ones to communicate with us. This is despite him having a good platform there where he is seated, where he can tell us exactly what the plan is.
Madam Speaker, I want to tag onto the question by the Leader of the Opposition. The hon. Minister said that he is extremely frustrated with the same questions seemingly coming back and forth. If he is really frustrated with his job, all he has to do is resign so that someone who is not easily frustrated can answer these questions that we are asking. We are here to ask hon. Ministers questions.
I am disappointed that you said you are frustrated because we do not ask you questions in order to inspire you. If that was your impression, I am sure you were wrong.
Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister going to delegate the authority of explaining to us, elected hon. Members, what the Ministry of Energy is doing, to Mr Mundende and whoever is running the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) right now, when he has a beautiful platform here in the House to tell the country what he is doing, as the hon. Minister of Energy?
Mr Mabumba: Madam Speaker, the frustration I meant is that I want to address the many concerns that the hon. Members of Parliament have on electrifying their public institutions in their communities, but my efforts have been constrained by inadequate funds. I have requested the hon. Members of Parliament to help me lobby for funds before the Budget for 2018 is approved.
Madam Speaker, I am not going to delegate that task. At the time the workshop is will be held, I will be present and I will speak to the hon. Members of Parliament before the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) presents what they have to my hon. Colleagues. Hon. Garry Nkombo, I am not going to delegate to ZESCO. On that particular date, I am going to be there and then my members of staff from ZESCO and REA are going to take you through what we have prepared for 2018 to 2021.
I have decided to do that because I do not want a document which has been promised on the Rural Electrification Master Plan to be driven by my staff and I. I want hon. Members of Parliament to tell me that certain areas that we have identified for electrification between 2018 and 2021 do not fit into their priorities as far as their constituencies are concerned. Therefore, hon. Colleagues, I am giving you that opportunity. I am not going to delegate to ZESCO. I am sure that at the conclusion of that workshop, I will issue a ministerial statement on the manner we are going to move between 2018, to 2021, in terms of electrification of the rural areas.
I hope that when Mr Speaker announces the date for the workshop, hon. Members will find time to come and listen because I am not going to make adjustments to that document once we agree in that workshop. If you are not going to be there, please, I request you to send a representative if you can.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
_________
MOTION
BUDGET 2018
(Debate resumed)
Mr Phiri (Mkaika): Madam Speaker, yesterday, before we adjourned, I was almost concluding my debate.
Madam Speaker, I have noted one thing about the Yellow Book, which contains the revenue and expenditure. The book has gained volume. It has become bigger. I, therefore, suggest that we separate it into two parts. One part should contain personal emoluments, wages and salaries and the other should contain money for investments.
With those few remarks, I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for according me this opportunity to add my voice to this Budget Speech.
Madam Speaker, without wasting much time, I want to take you to page 9, paragraph 40, of the Budget Speech which says:
“Sir, in the area of animal health, the Government will continue with animal disease prevention and control programmes across the country. To this effect, work on the 200 dip tanks will continue. In addition, construction of four regional laboratories will be completed by the end of 2018.”
Madam Speaker, under the Budget for 2017, this august House allocated K50 million for livestock census. Up to now, people are still doing the census. Whether they are still doing it or not, this money has not been put to good use. There was also K30 million which was apportioned for the construction of 200 dip tanks. Even at K150,000 for construction of one dip tank, K30 million was enough to construct all the 200 dip tanks. However, things are not getting done.
Madam Speaker, allow me to refer to the President’s Address on the Official Opening of the Second Session of the Twelfth National Assembly. On page 6, paragraph 17, he said:
“We may disagree and quarrel, but we remain one. The factors that unite us are much greater than those that seek to divide us. Just like when one arm cuts the other with a razor blade, one does not go out and get an axe to cut it off.”
Madam Speaker, I am sure the Head of State had his own interpretation of this paragraph. I have my own too. Since 2011, we have been told that the Government would construct the 200 dip tanks. In 2017, there was an allocation of K30 million, which was enough to complete all these dip tanks. In my opinion, I think somewhere in the implementation process, someone is sitting on this money. Until the Head of State is willing to chop off the arm that is not doing well, we will not get anywhere, we will still be talking about these dip tanks in 2021. In the meantime, animals are dying because dip tanks have not been constructed.
Madam Speaker, under the Budget for 2017, we also allocated K10 million for the cordon line. I was privileged to visit the Western Province and Hon. Chinga Miyutu took me to the cordon line. Nothing has happened there. We apportion all these monies, but things are not being done. Someone along the line is not implementing these things. These are the hands that seem to be cutting other arms with a razor blade and they must be chopped. This Government has proudly told us that we have around 4.9 million livestock in the country. However, the country does not manufacture any antibiotics or dipping chemicals. All antibiotics and dipping chemicals are either imported from Pakistan or Germany.
Nothing is manufactured in this country and yet we are saying that the livestock sector is good business.
Besides, even if we talk about dipping animals, most people will not afford because the dipping chemicals are very expensive.
Mr Katambo: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.
Mr Miyanda: Madam Speaker, let me move on and talk about Constituency Development Fund (CDF) which is …
Mr Mwale: Ba busa ba imya point of order!
Mr Katambo: Ati ba busa!
Laughter
Mr Mwale: Ba busa!
Mr Miyanda: Let me move on to …
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
Is the hon. Minister of Livestock and Fisheries raising a point of order on the Member on the Floor?
Mr Katambo: Yes, Madam Speaker.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is it pertaining to his debate?
Mr Katambo: Yes, Madam Speaker, untruthful debate, I respect his debate but he is debating untruthful matters …
Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister of Livestock and Fisheries will be given an opportunity to respond to the issues that are being raised in his area. Therefore, just take note of the issues that are being raised.
May the hon. Member of Parliament for Mapatizya please, continue.
Mr Miyanda: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Before I was interrupted by that point of order, I was about to move on to my area of concern which is Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
CDF is the only fund that actually benefits that rural person across all the 156 constituencies. Unfortunately, this is a fund that has not been given the consideration it deserves. I got concerned when the Minister of Finance announced that he is actually making an increment on the Equalisation Fund which goes to the councils. It is for this reason that I want to challenge the Minister of Finance as he comes to respond, that I am aware that 20 per cent of the Equalisation Fund is meant for capital projects. However, are these projects also approved by the Minister of Local Government?
I am saying so because the way things are with CDF. I am not even sure what role a Member of Parliament plays. When a Member of Parliament proposes and submits names of the District Coordinating Committee (CDC), someone else sitting at some council will decide that the names cannot be approved.
Mr Mwale: Aah!
Mr Miyanda: And yet these are names that have been submitted by a Member of Parliament …
Mr Mwale: Ni vabooza!
Mr Miyanda: … as CDC committee.
Mr Mwale: Point of procedure!
Mr Miyanda: Still on the same CDF, the District Development Coordinating Committee (DDCC) sits first, then the full council meeting and before the projects are sent to the hon. Minister for approval.
Mr Mwale: No!
Mr Miyanda: Now, what is all this bureaucracy? Even if I send a project from Mapatizya in form Bangalale, no one knows where Bangalale is or whether it exists or not. Why is it that we have started to mistrust each other? Whatever a Member of Parliament submits is never the truth, but only what the council secretary submits will be the real truth.
Mr Mwale: Ba busa niba booza aba!
Laughter
Mr Sing’ombe: Aah!
Mr Muchima: Continue mwata!
Hon. Opposition Members: Hammer! Hammer!
Laughter
Mr Miyanda: Madam Speaker, …
Mr Mubika: Aisha hammer!
Laughter
Mr Miyanda: Madam Speaker, I would say that I have nothing against the Equalisation Fund. It is a good thing. However, the Minister of Finance should monitor where the 20 per cent goes which is meant for our capital projects.
Madam Speaker, on the issue of agriculture, I wish to state that I have some concerns also. When all of us started farming during the 2016/17 farming season, we were looking at one price which was K85. We certainly never expected the Government to increase the price of a 50 kg bag of maize above K85 neither did we expect it to come down.
For instance, a farmer who would have produced 100 by 50kg bags of maize last year, at K85 would have made K8,500. The same quantity and quality of maize at K60, the same farmer will now get K6,000, meaning he would have lost K2,500.
Mr Mwiimbu: Hear, hear!
Mr Miyanda: These are the same poor farmers who make the composition of the 55 per cent of the poor people in rural areas. Yet we are being told that this is pro-poor Government.
Earlier, I heard arguments from some debaters that it is cheap to grow maize. I am not sure whether it is profitable to grow maize at a higher input price and sell a 50 kg bag at K60. Without considering the fact that before the rains start, farmers need to travel to town to buy the seed. There is transport cost. When the rains start, they need to prepare the land and they cannot do it alone. They need to hire manpower. At planting stage, they need to hire manpower except for those who grow maize behind their houses, but for people who would want to make farming a business, they need manpower.
They need manpower at planting, weeding …
Interruptions
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order! Order hon. Member, please!
Hon. Minister of Local Government …
Laughter
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Let us have order in the House.
May the hon. Member of Parliament for Mapatizya please continue.
Mr Miyanda: Thank you, Madam Speaker, I was just saying that they need manpower when they are harvesting and manpower to transport the harvest from the field to the farm. Some of the fields are as far as 5 km and someone here is saying that there is no cost in growing maize. They also need manpower to help them do the shelling and packing of the maize and later transport it to the satellite depots where they will still need manpower. Therefore, Madam Speaker, pegging a 50 kg bag of maize at K60 is nothing.
This is the why people will remain poor in the country. K60 price of a 50kg bag of maize is equivalent to a village chicken.
Laughter
Mr Miyanda: That is the truth.
Laughter
Hon. Opposition Member: Imagine!
Mr Miyanda: In Kabosha, it is sold above K80. Here in Lusaka a village chicken against a 50kg bag of maize yet someone stands in here and tells me that there is profit in that.
Madam Speaker, I feel for the people. These are our people. These are Zambians and they deserve better.
Madam Speaker, under the Fertiliser Input Support Programme (FISP), we were told that Government was targeting 1 million farmers. This is why a bag of maize should cost K60 because farmers contribute K400 and the Government pays the rest.
Madam, I think it is important that as the ministers come to respond to us, they should tell us the total number of farmers across the whole country. One million cannot be 100 per cent of all the farmers. Most farmers do not benefit from FISP and the Food Security Pack. Meaning that, most of these farmers have to fend for themselves. What will they get, if the price of a 50 kg bag of maize is pegged at K60?
My advice to the farmers across this country, those who have failed to sell their maize is that, they should feed the white maize to their animals and make money out of their animals. That is the best way to go.
Madam Speaker, last weekend, I was in the constituency and I observed that in Kalomo, Mapatizya, Monze, Zimba up to Mazabuka, it is raining. Here are the farmers watching their maize getting soaked because they have no tents. They were told that Food Reserve Agency (FRA) cannot weigh their maize now because of the moisture content. This is a natural calamity. We do not know what the farmers will do with that maize. Stacks and Stacks of maize that has not been mopped up by FRA. I am saying mopped up because FRA, which is a wing of this Government just mops up the maize and does not pay …
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
Business was suspended from 1810 hours until 1830 hours.
[THE FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]
Mr Miyanda: Madam Speaker, as my time runs out, I want to look at irrigation. In his Speech, the President, at page 18, paragraph 54, said:
“I am pleased to inform this august House that during the 2016/2017 farming season, the Government and the private sector managed to bring on board an additional 8,000 hectares of land under irrigation. This has increased the total area under irrigation from 192,000 hectares in the 2015/2016 farming season to 200,000 hectares in the 2016/2017 season.”
Madam Speaker, this was good initiative started by the late President Mwanawasa, may his soul rest in peace, when this country had a food shortage. President Mwanawasa had decided that we needed to grow winter maize, which was a very good thing. However, now that we have up to 200,000 hectares of land under irrigation, how many of our people are benefiting from these centre pivots? You see centre pivots as you drive across the Central Province, a few in Choma and Kalomo and the rest on the Copperbelt. However, other than Costain Chilala somewhere in Kapiri, the rest are white farmers. How many of the Zambian farmers are benefitting from this money that we are pumping to irrigate 200,000 hectares of land?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Miyanda: Madam Speaker, there is one aspect which seems to be missing in this year’s Budget speech and that is the Bottom Road. From 2011, up to this year, everyone would stand up and talk about how they are working on the Bottom Road in the Southern Province. What has happened to this road?
Madam Speaker, President Sata may his soul rest in peace, came to his House in 2011, around the time he was moving the provincial capital from Livingstone to Choma, and said that the Bottom Road would link Livingstone as a tourist attraction to Choma as a provincial headquarters. The intention was that those who are coming from Chirundu would travel up to Zimba and those wishing to go to the tourist capital would go there while those wishing to go to the offices would go to Choma. However, this time around, everyone is quiet about this very important road. Where are we? Construction of the road has stalled in Chirundu, somewhere near Sinazongwe, and yet it was supposed to be coming to Zimba. When is the road going to reach Zimba? How much money are we putting there? Is all the money that is being put into this project being monitored?
Madam Speaker, I insist that the hand that is trying to use a razor blade must be chopped off.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Miyanda: There is corruption in this system!
Mr Livune: That is right!
Mr Ngulube: Question!
Mr Miyanda: There is no way that the road is still far from completion after five years.
Mr Ngulube: Point of order!
Mr Miyanda: Madam Speaker, on energy, most of the electricity in the country comes from the South Province. However, people in most of these rural constituencies in the Southern Province are living in darkness.
Mr Livune: Total eclipse.
Mr Miyanda: There only way a child in a rural school in Mapatizya can see lights is if they use solar power. The situation is not good. We hope the Government will improve instead of enriching themselves.
Mr Livune: Hear, hear!
Mr Miyanda: Madam Speaker, as I conclude, when you go to buy a book in a bookshop you look at the picture on the cover. When you look at the picture at the back of the Budget speech, you will see three children standing like they are waiting for water in Mapatizya at a dry borehole. However, what worries me is that there is a picture of a transport tunnel next to it. I am not sure whether this is where they want to park their cars which they have gotten from looting.
I thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Hon. Government Members: Question!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Leader of the Opposition, do you still want to debate?
Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I will debate tomorrow.
Hon. Government Members: Aah!
Mr Mwiimbu: I want to give way to the others who had indicated earlier.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Very well.
Hon. Opposition Members: Eh ma leaders aya!
Mr Jere (Livingstone): Madam Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to debate the 2018 Budget address by the hon. Minister of Finance.
Mr Ngulube interjected.
Mr Jere: Madam Speaker, we still remember that on 28th September, 2017, this august House was filled to its capacity by people from all walks of life, regardless of political affiliation, creed and race. They were here for the simple reason that ...
Mr Ngulube: Eh chisungu!
Mr Jere: ... they wanted to hear what the hon. Minister of Finance was going to say about the 2018 Budget.
Mr Livune: Hear, hear!
Mr Jere: Madam Speaker, people out there gathered around televisions and radios in order to listen because what they hon. Minister of Finance was going to say would directly affect their lives. In short, the hon. Minister of Finance had our undivided attention.
Madam Speaker, before I proceed, I would like to salute those who have debated before me, ...
Mr Livune: That is right!
Mr Jere: ... although some of them showered praises on the Patriotic Front (PF) Government by saying it is a working Government. Apart from that, many hon. Members used rich African proverbs such as “uwakwensha ubushiku bamutasha nga bwacha”, which means he who drives throughout the night will be praised during the day.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Hon. Government Members: Question!
Mr Ngulube: Eh slow motion!
Mr Jere: They also said “amene satasha nimwana wamfwiti”. This means that he who does not appreciate is a child of a witch.
Laughter
Mr Jere: I totally agree with them, however, I see no reason to shower praises on the PF Government.
Should I honestly shower praises on the PF Government for the bad state in which the Kafue/ Mazabuka and the Kazungula/Sesheke roads are? Should I commend the Government for the uncompleted structures at the market and the Livingstone Bus Terminus in Livingstone Constituency? Should I shower praises on the PF Government for failing to provide clean drinking water to the majority Zambians? I cannot certainly do that.
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Jere: Madam Speaker, it is said that this country is endowed with natural resources. One would wonder why Zambia is rated as a seventh poorest country in Africa. Let us reflect on the past so that we can correct the present to perfect the future. The 2017 and 2018 Budgets are not different. In the 2017 Budget, there were promises which the Patriotic Front (PF) Government had made which it has not honoured. For example, the Government had promised that it would create 100,000 jobs for the youth. It had also promised that the taxes would be reduced. What did we see? The Government did nothing about it.
Madam Speaker, to make matters worse, in the 2018 Budget, there is nothing that has been allocated to empower the youth and yet in this country, 60 per cent of the population is composed of youths. We are wondering where we are going. We keep on saying that the youths are the future leaders, but are we preparing them to be better future leaders? There is nothing that the PF Government has put in the 2018 Budget that will improve the lives of the youth for them to avoid the business of throwing stones during elections.
Hon. Government Members: Question!
Mr Livune: Hear, hear!
Mr Jere: Madam Speaker, the majority of the population of this country live in the rural areas of Zambia. About 80 per cent of the people are poor and are living in the rural parts of Zambia. What measures have we put in place to improve the lives of the people in the rural Zambia in order to reduce migration?
Madam Speaker, this country is also regarded as one of the most urbanised countries. This is because people are running away from places with natural resources because this Government has deliberately decided not to provide good roads, health facilities and schools in those areas. The only activity which is promoted in these areas is agriculture. We all know that 40 per cent of arable land in the country is underutilised.
Madam Speaker, in this country, we have abundant water like other countries in the Southern region. We wonder why the level of malnutrition is very high in the rural areas of Zambia. Most of the children are dying due to illnesses. We are told that the first 1,000 days are very critical. When the PF Government came into power, we thought it would improve the rural areas of Zambia so that people can be attracted to stay there. When some of the civil servants are sent to work in rural areas, they do not stay there for a long time. They will eventually request for transfers to urban areas. The reason is simple. It is because there are no banks and electricity in most of the rural areas. Why should this be the case when in Zambia, we are now migrating from digital to electronic in everything that we do. In rural areas, there is nothing that has been done that can really motivate people to live there.
Madam Speaker, the minister responsible for education is on record of having advised hon. Members of Parliament to invest by building houses in the rural Zambia. Honestly speaking, the cost of building has become expensive. Now, will a person leave Lusaka to go and build houses in Kaputa and expect those houses to be of value? We all know that due to the 2018 Budget, building or construction will even be more expensive due to the K2 tax that has been introduced on each K50 kg bag of cement. We are appealing to the Government to revisit this decision because the poor people will not to afford to purchase cement. We know that cement is the most important commodity in as far as construction is concerned. Zambia in general is a developing country.
Mr Livune: Hear, hear!
Mr Jere: Madam Speaker, let me also talk about tourism which is indeed, in my heart. I was shocked when I saw what …
Mr Ngulube: Former coloured!
Laughter
Mr Jere: …is outlined on page 10 of the Budget Speech. It is a summary of diversifying agriculture and tourism sectors. Nothing has been mentioned to improve the tourism sector. The tourism sector is very expensive. In order to make it more expensive, the PF Government has introduced 40 per cent tax on geysers. This Government actually knows that in order for the hospitality industry to thrive, they need to change geysers time and again. I think this Government must have reduced tax on solar geysers instead of electricity geysers.
Madam Speaker, the number of arrivals in terms of tourists in this country has decreased. Last year, in this House, it was discussed that if the PF Government is to introduce the levy, automatically, that would be transferred to the consumers, but they did not listen. To make matters worse, the invocation of Article 31, under a threaten state of emergency, scared people.
Madam Speaker, I am ready to lay on the Table of this House, the Mid Year Economic Review from the Ministry of Finance. Page 20 of this book indicates that …
Hon. UPND Members: Hammer!
Mr Jere: …in 2016, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport had 92,957 arrivals as compared to 85,339 arrivals in 2017. Meaning there was a reduction of 8.2 per cent.
As if this is not enough, in the first and second quarters of 2016, Chirundu recorded K68,206 arrivals as compared to the first and second quarters in 2017, when we had 65,604. There was a reduction of 3.18 per cent. What does this mean? It means that we have completely failed to promote tourism.
Madam Speaker, tourism is a package. We need to take advantage of our rich cultural traditional ceremonies. When tourists come, they should be able to spend more days than expected. At the moment, a tourist will come and view the Victoria Falls, but will have difficulties to go and see the source of the Zambezi River. It is very difficult to move from Livingstone to Luangwa National Park. We need to bring in airlines so that fees can be competitive and people can move from place to place to view what the country has.
Mr Muchima: Hear, hear!
Mr Jere: Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I want to talk about the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Madam Speaker, we appreciate that there is the Equalisation Fund. Madam, 20 per cent of this fund is supposed to go towards service delivery. Unfortunately, because of over employment by the Local Government Service Commission, all that money is going towards emoluments. This is the more reason we need to increase CDF to K5 million, if possible.
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Jere: I know that it is possible. This is the only money that the people in remote areas have the power to decide what to do with it.
Mr Muchima: Hear, hear!
Mr Jere: Since independence, decisions have been made from the top to the bottom. We now want to change the scenario to bottom-up approach.
Madam Speaker, when the Ministry of National Development and Planning was introduced, I thought that it would help us to be ahead of all ministries, but when I took time to look at the 7th NDP, I saw that there was literally nothing and it was business as usual.
Madam Speaker, we started singing the song of decentralisation way back and I thought that this time around, the Ministry of National Planning would come up with a road map. When we plan towards 2021, we should have fiscal decentralisation. We should be able to identify the challenges where we are coming from. Money is spent on workshops year in and year out. What is it that we have failed to put right? Last year, we were amending the Constitution in this august House and those that meant well said that the position of the mayor should have executive function.
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Ngulube: Question!
Mr Jere: However, because no one wants to lose power, we have left it hanging as usual. Up to now, there is no job description for the mayors and council chairpersons in this country. They fight everyday with the District Commissioners in the performance of their duties because the Government has failed to clearly state where each and every one should start and end. It has failed. It is now a year after elections.
Madam Speaker, the way forward is that in as much as we are talking about poverty, we need concerted effort. We need to work the way South Korea worked to where it is today. In 1964, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Zambia was twice that of South Korea. As I speak, it is 37 per cent GDP per capita income in South Korea than Zambia which was better at independence. What has gone wrong? It is the type of governance that we have.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Hon. UPND Member: Wachaya!
Mr Ngulube: Is it Kolea?
Laughter
Mr Mulunda (Siavonga): Madam Speaker, I thank you for according me the opportunity to make a few comments on the Budget Speech.
Mr Ngulube: Ema headboy aya!
Mr Mulunda: Madam Speaker, we used to hear the slogan that people used to dance to known as ‘Dununa Reverse’. Alas, this slogan did not only end with election campaigns, but has continued. We have seen that they meant what they sung because according to this Budget, ...
Dr Chanda: Is that in the Budget?
Mr Ngulube: Page number?
Mr Mulunda: I am going to qualify that. According to this Budget, everything ...
Mr Ngulube: Page what?
Mr Mulunda: ... is seemingly going backwards. It is dununa reverse. Even the theme that they have formulated ...
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
Hon. Member for Siavonga, for the benefit of people out there who are listening to the debate, can you please interpret ‘dununa reverse.’
Mr Mulunda: Madam Speaker, dununa reverse means reverse gear or going backwards.
Interruptions
Mr Mulunda: These people are almost arriving into Lusaka ...
Madam First Deputy Speaker: What language is that?
Mr Mulunda: Madam Speaker, dununa reverse is going backwards.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: In what language?
Interruptions
Mr Mulunda: It is common language.
Laughter
Mr Mulunda: Madam Speaker, I would not want to waste time, but qualify why I am saying that they are going backwards. I also want to speak about moving together in peace and tranquillity. This theme is far reaching in Zambia. It is difficult to attain in the present situation and move together in peace and tranquillity.
Madam Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central gave a scenario where some people went to attack others in their own home yesterday. How can we move together in peace and tranquillity?
Interruptions
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order hon. Member for Kabwe Central. I think you are now disturbing the debate.
Mr Mulonda: We have a number of ...
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Siavonga.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Kabwe Central, ...
Hon. UPND Member: Makululu
Madam First Deputy Speaker: ... let us maintain order in the House. Your running commentaries are beginning to disturb the Business of the House.
Mr Ngulube: Thank you Madam Speaker.
Laughter
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Siavonga, I wish to remind you that the Motion under debate is that moved by the hon. Minister of Finance ...
Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: ... that this august House resolves into Committee to consider the estimates of revenue and expenditure. In that regard, the hon. Minister of Finance presented a speech to the House. I see that you are starting way far from the Budget Speech. Honestly, you are beginning to lose me. Please, debate the address by the hon. Minister of Finance. You may continue.
Mr Mulunda: Madam Speaker, I thank you for your guidance and I value it very much. The speech by the hon. Minister of Finance on the poverty levels leaves much to be desired. At this point, I will bring in the Speech by the Head of State, who lamented in this august House that poverty levels have gone up to 54.4 per cent. We needed to find remedies on how to reduce the poverty levels. Now, if the hon. Minister is able to add, we have retirees in this country who are trying to build houses to rent out, but then there is an introduction of 2 per cent levy on cement. That levy is taking us backwards. The hon. Minister talked about the construction of a road between Lusaka and Ndola. He said they will build hotels and other infrastructure to along that road. Are they going to do the same on the roads between Mazabuka and Lusaka, Livingstone and Sesheke? Those are the inequalities that we are looking at.
Mr Ngulube: Yes!
Mr Mulunda: Madam Speaker, when you look at agriculture, people had put in their best in terms of resources, time and manpower to grow maize because they knew that at K85, the price was very good. Farmers did everything that they could to grow maize. Here is this uncaring Government that has reduced the price.
Hon. PF Members: Question!
Mr Mulunda: They reduced the price from K85 to K60 while saying, poverty levels are high. We have to find means and ways of reducing the high poverty levels. How do you reduce poverty levels when you punish farmers in this way?
Madam Speaker, I know the PF will go down as the most uncaring Government in terms of agriculture...
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mulunda: …because there is no Government that has done what they have done. All the previous Governments were increasing the price of maize every season, but this Government decided to go backwards.
Mr Ngulube: Where?
Mr Mulunda: This is why I am saying they are in the reverse gear. We cannot move forward together and reach where we want to go. In terms of governance, Makululu was almost lynched. The hon. Member for Kabwe Central …
Mr Ngulube: Point of order, Madam Speaker.
Mr Mulunda: The hon. Member for Kabwe Central was almost lynched.
Mr Ngulube: On a serious point of order, Madam Speaker.
Mr Mulunda: How do you move together in peace and tranquillity, if you cannot be allowed …
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, order hon. Member for Siavonga.
Hon. Member for Kabwe Central, please sit down.
Mr Ngulube: Is he in order to talk like …
Madam First Deputy Speaker: I did not grant you the Floor.
Hon. Member for Siavonga, continue with your debate and refrain from bringing the hon. Member for Kabwe Central into your debate.
Mr Mulunda: Madam Speaker, I appreciate.
When you look at what was allocated to the agriculture sector, K1.8 billion to Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) while Public Order was allocated K2.1 billion. Which of the two sectors will be more productive? Arresting and brutalising people gets a lot of money instead of improving the economy or the lives of the people through agriculture. That is why I am saying that the planning of this Government is in reverse gear because we cannot move together in that way. The Opposition are being brutalised for no reason. They are perceived to be enemies of the Government. It should not be like that. A few weeks or a month ago, we saw PF cadres everywhere in the country, demonstrating against the hon. Minister of Finance and nobody was arrested. Some travelled on buses from Chipata to Lusaka. If anybody from the Opposition did that…
Mr Ngulube: Debate the budget.
Mr Mulunda: That is the budget.
Mr Ngulube: You have digressed.
Mr Mulunda: Then you say we are moving together in peace and tranquillity. Just a few weeks ago, the PF thugs went and brutalised the family of somebody who designated his room as a campaign centre. Is that the peaceful way of moving together? In April, people who to me are criminals…
Mr Ngulube: Budget
Mr Mulunda: I am still in the budget.
Interruptions
Mr Mulunda: Those people that I would call criminals.
Mrs Simukoko: There are no criminals is here.
Mr Mulunda: In this budget, my concern is that we have not put a lot of money in things, according to me, no productivity or building the nation thus making us move together in one direction in peace and tranquillity. This is the Government that says without leaving anyone behind. For instance, in education, there are students in colleges and universities, what has the Government done to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to be in class. We have seen that a lot of things have been introduced. For instance, I have spoken of the roads which will be accompanied with lodges and hotels. Why does the Government not take that money they are using on lodges and hotels to bursaries for the students that are unable to pay for their education?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mulunda: The Government says they want to build lodges. By the way, when you build those lodges by the roadside, what is so special between Ndola and Lusaka?
Mr Ngulube: Ah!
Mr Mulunda: Since you need to put up lodges, then you should build lodges everywhere where there are new roads. Why do you not get those resources and put them on the budget for the farmers or the educational sector. We have talked about farmers in rural areas who are lamenting and mourning every day over dams, boreholes and other things which they need to improve output, but the Government is putting resources in these other sectors. When it comes to agriculture, the PF will forever be called paya farmer. This is because these people have destroyed the agricultural sector. They do not seem to have any idea of what to do. If they are going to say we are moving away from depending on copper, we want to diversify and revamp the agriculture sector, then there should be drastic decisions made that will be pointing at improving the agriculture sector, but we have not seen this. Everybody in PF is happy because their tummies are full…
Mr Sing’ombe: Hear, hear!
Mr Mulunda: … while others are crying in the villages. People in the villages cannot send their children to school or access health facilities because they need money. When we speak about these things, they say it is because we are in the Opposition. We are looking at the lives of the people out there.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Chikote (Luampa): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for according me this opportunity to also contribute to the debate on the Floor of the House on the Budget Address presented by the hon. Minister of Finance, Hon. Felix Mutati on 29th September, 2017.
Madam Speaker, the PF Government has given this august House a set of ideas in their budget that they need to do for this country. It is full of fake ideas, but before I speak on those ideas, I would like to bring to the attention of the Government a few aspects of understanding. This Budget Address that the PF Government has given the people of Zambia…
Mr Ngulube: Is a good one.
Mr Chikote: In the first place, we have to do an assessment on what type of country we need. What kind of leadership do we need in order to implement the ideas which are in the budget? Zambia needs leadership…
Mr Kabanda: It is there already.
Mr Chikote: …that is not corrupt.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Chikote: Zambia needs leadership that will not brutalise citizens.
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Chikote: Zambia needs leadership that will think about providing services instead of theft.
Mr Ngulube: Question!
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, it is time for the Patriotic Front (PF) Government to work on their ideas in order to remove poverty and to implement the Budget. Year in, year out, it presents budgets with good ideas. However, implementation becomes a problem.
Madam Speaker, we want the leadership of this Government to implement what they have put in the Budget. Today, I want to encourage those in leadership positions. I believe that all those seated in the Front Bench have been entrusted to sort out the issue of poverty. For the country or the PF to do well, we must assess the people in leadership positions. They must be competent and have the capacity to deliver. We do not have to put people who do not have the capacity to deliver in leadership positions. This is because for us to achieve the attributes in the national address, we need to have people with capacity.
Madam Speaker, the Zambian people need equal opportunities. Pillar 3 in the National Budget brings out the aspect of reducing development inequalities for social service delivery. However, the Government is not reducing development inequalities in Zambia.
Mr Chikote drank water.
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, the PF Government embarked on the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project. This year’s theme is that no-one should be left behind. However, not even a single km was constructed for the people of Luampa from the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project.
Madam Speaker, the feeder roads in Luampa District are in a poor state. Yet the hon. Minister of Finance is saying that the PF Government does not want to leave anyone behind. How can the Government be saying that it does not want to leave anyone behind when it has already done that? The Government has left the people of Luampa District behind. I want to make sure that the people who are in the Executive hear me clearly. That is why I am shouting.
Madam Speaker, the people of Luampa are complaining. The feeder roads in Luampa District are in a deplorable state. I believe that when roads in a particular area are in bad shape, it does not matter how much the farmers produce, they will have difficulties taking their produce to the market. What do you call that? It is poverty. How do you help a farmer who is in Mwambi or Molwa where there are no proper roads? If the PF Government wishes to see results from its Budget for 2018, it needs to critically look into the issues affecting our areas.
Madam Speaker, in his Budget Speech to this House, the hon. Minister told us that the Government had sourced for US $200 million for feeder roads. I am sure that only those who live along the line of rail will benefit from this money. I say so because that is the same thing that happened with the Link 8000 km Road Project. If you look at the roads in Kabwata and other areas where there is no production, you will see that they have all been tarred. However, when a person in a decision-making position is questioned on the rationale for allocating funds to rehabilitate the roads, the response he gives is kavotedwe. Is that being serious? Does having such an attitude make a person who has been entrusted with a responsibility to serve Zambians serious? You have been put in those positions to carry out certain tasks. Those, ...
Laughter
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, when we question the hon. Members of the Executive, their response is that it is because of the people’s kavotedwe.
Hon. Government Members: Meaning what?
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, meaning people’s way of voting. That is not being serious. In civilised countries where democracy, ...
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
Hon. Member for Luampa Parliamentary Constituency, you are facing the wrong direction as you debate, and so, you are beginning to respond to what is being said in that direction. Please face the Chair. I am here to listen to you.
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, I thank you for your guidance. I thought that the hon. Members of the Executive would take these matters that I am raising seriously if I debated while facing them.
Hon. Government Members: Is there laughing in the Budget?
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, as regards the health sector, I want to say that I do not know if the people we have entrusted with positions of authority carry out proper assessments to know that we still have people who walk more than 40 km just to look for panadol or coaterm. However, the Government is proudly praising itself and saying it is working.
Madam Speaker, people are still travelling more than 30 kilometres to look for medical services.
Mr Mutale: Where?
Mr Chikote: In Luampa District. For those of you that do not know, Luampa District is in Western Province.
Madam Speaker, the people of Luampa hope that as you implement the 2018 Budget, there will be equal opportunities for all, because we are all Zambians. Surely, in this era, how does somebody travel 20, 30, or 40 kilometres to look for medical services? Meanwhile, some people are commending themselves that they are doing very well. I think that there is need to do more, for the people of Luampa to benefit from the national cake.
Madam Speaker, had it not been for the missionaries, Luampa District would not have had a single proper hospital. The hon. Minister of Finance has promised so many aspects under health. We would like to request that as they implement the 2018 Budget, they upgrade Luampa General Hospital to a modern hospital so the people in the ten wards, who are struggling, are able to get quality medical services.
Madam Speaker, somebody says that no one will be left behind. I would like to talk about the Social Cash Transfer Scheme. This is a good idea, which, unfortunately, has been politicised.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, district commissioners are in the forefront of identifying beneficiaries. As you are aware, district commissioners are political appointees and they are identifying mostly Patriotic Front (PF) cadres as beneficiaries. How do you expect to move forward with everyone on board? This good idea needs a system that will help people to do the right thing as was purposed in the first place.
Madam Speaker, agriculture is an important aspect for rural areas as it helps the farmers to survive. It is an aspect that helps the farmers to send their children to school. However, it is difficult for farmers in Luampa District to sell their produce because there are no proper roads. The farmers need help. Feeder roads need to be improved in order to help a poor farmer to sell his products.
Mr Kabanda interjected.
Laughter
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, I want to comment on education.
Madam Speaker, the education system in Luampa is very poor. I know that education is an important equaliser.
However, if you go to Luampa District today, you would find that most schools in that district are an eye sore. The schools are not worth to be called schools because pupils are still sitting on the floor and still struggling to receive quality education. The so-called classrooms are in dilapidated state, but nothing is being done. Pupils fight for small desks. Where is the so-called ‘Smart Zambia’?
Madam Speaker, you even the civil servants, who are being deployed to go and work in the rural areas, are not going there.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Chikote: They are refusing because they are no roads, no houses or communication. How do you expect somebody who has spend three years in college to go and work in an area, where all the facilities which I have mentioned are lacking.
Madam, most schools from Grade 1 to Grade 9 in the rural areas are run by one person and yet, the Theme of His Excellency, the President, is ‘Moving towards a Prosperous Smart Zambia in Peace and Tranquility without Leaving Anyone Behind.’ Which is which?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, the Government introduced computer lessons in all schools. How could they introduce computer lessons in schools, where pupils do not even know how a computer looks like? Pupils are subjected to computer lessons in schools, where there is no electricity. What kind of planning is this?
Hon. Opposition: Hear, hear!
Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, this is shameful and, therefore, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has to pull up their socks …
Laughter
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Chikote: … and implement all programmes in the schools.
Madam Speaker, I would like to encourage the Government to work hard for the people of Zambia. They should work extra hard so that the people of Luampa can also benefit from the National cake.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Chikote: Madam, we also need good road network and communication in order to encourage, retain the civil servants and also improve the quality of education in the rural areas.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mutelo rose.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear! Boma! Boma!
Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Madam Speaker, I thank God in heaven for the gift of life. I also wish to thank you, Madam, for this slot.
Madam, it is really hard to be a representative of the people in Zambia and Mitete, in particular.
Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!
Laughter
Mr Mutelo: It is really hard.
Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, the themes of the 2007 and 2018 Budget Speeches are the same, despite being eleven years apart. For the 2018 Budget Address, theme is, ‘Accelerating Fiscal Fitness for Sustained Inclusive Growth without Leaving Anyone Behind.’
Therefore, we are talking about economical fitness. The 2018 Budget Speech is written ‘Zambia Plus’ behind. In quotation marks, we have, “The Economic Stabilisation and Growth Programme”. Again the key word here is ‘stabilisation’. We have been stabilising the economy from 2007 to-date. If it is not stability, it is improved service delivery.
Madam Speaker, since we have been trying to stabilise the economy from 2007 to 2018, what has gone wrong? If this was the theme from 2006 or 2007, why are we still talking about it? The problem is that we have over borrowed. That is what has gone wrong. The issue of improved service delivery started in the era of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Government. We are now under the Patriotic Front (PF) Government and the same issue is back.
Laughter
Mr Mutelo: Our colleagues on your right should ask the International Monetary Fund (IMF)? This organisation will be able to tell them where we are as a country economically.
Mr Kabanda: Ask who?
Mr Mutelo: They are saying, “Ask who?” They should ask those whom they go to borrow money from.
Laughter
Mr Mutelo: They will tell them where we are right now economically. We are a risky highly indebted country. We are now being told that funds have been allocated for servicing the three Eurobonds which were contracted recently. What did the Eurobond do for the people in Mitete? Where did the money go?
Mr Siwale: It went to Kalabo!
Mr Mutale: It is in the Yellow Book!
Mr Mutelo: The last Presidential Address on the Official Opening of Parliament is a policy direction and the foundation for the 2018 Budget Address. In his address, the President on page 46, paragraph 142 said:
“Inequality anywhere is a threat to long term social and economical development and unity.”
Madam, I would like to replace the word ‘anywhere’ in that quotation with ‘in Zambia’. This statement is true. When there is inequality, not anywhere, but in Zambia for now, it is a threat or the root cause of disunity. We must to be very careful with inequality.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, on page 46 of his Address, the President said:
“Although the country has in the past decade experienced impressive economic growth, averaging 6.9 per cent, developmental inequalities have not reduced. The gap between the rich and the poor remains wide.
Madam Speaker, that is why I said it is very hard to be a representative of a rural constituency. Then someone said that I should come to town. I do not want to come to town. To come and do what?
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, on page 41, paragraph 125, the President said:
“I hope members of this august House can see that my current address is reporting significant progress for my previous addresses. Your Government is indeed working.”
Madam Speaker, just after the above quote, in paragraph 126, the President said ...
Madam Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mitete, I appreciate that you were making reference to the President’s Speech as a policy document or starting point. However, as of now, we are debating the Budget Speech presented by the hon. Minister of Finance, which I note you have it with you. Please, put away the President’s Speech and discuss the Budget Speech.
Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, I am putting it away, but I will speak of what is written there. In that Speech, the President said that poverty levels are unacceptably high in rural areas. However, in the Budget Speech, the hon. Minister said that poverty levels are high. Who is telling the truth?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mutelo: All the projects in Mitete have stalled. Where has the money gone? What has happened to Washishi, Chinonwe and Lupuyi health posts? Hon. Minister of General Education, what has happened to Mitete High School? What has happened to Washishi Basic School? None!
Mr Livune: Hear, hear!
Mr Mutelo: What has happened to Katunda/Lukulu/Watopa/ Mumbezhi Road?
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mutelo: What has happened? Akuna! Meaning, nothing! Mwahono! Mupalezwi! You have failed! Not until Zambians become United and Progressive for National Development, UPND ...
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mutelo: ... shall this nation move forward.
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mutelo: If Zambians continue to be pathetic failures, we will not go anywhere. The phrase ‘without leaving anyone behind’ is just a statement meant to pull wool over our eyes.
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
What statement did you use?
Mr Kampyongo: He said pathetic failures!
Interruptions
Ms Mulenga: He said Zambians are pathetic failures!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
Hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting, order!
Interruptions
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member of Parliament for Mitete, please, mind your language.
Ms Kapata: Withdraw!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Yes, indeed, withdraw the phrase ‘pathetic failures’. Try very hard to stay on course. You are doing quite well, but stay on course, please.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: May the hon. Member of Parliament for Mitete continue, please.
Mr Mutelo: Thank you, Madam Speaker, I withdraw the phrase ‘pathetic failures’ …
Laughter
Mr Mutelo: … and replace it with ‘professional failures’.
Laughter
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear! Hammer!
Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, we have moved on to a programme called Zambia Plus, from the previous one called Smart Zambia. S.M.A.R.T stands for Scenes Maintained Applying Retrogressive Tactics. We will not go anywhere because we keep changing programmes.
Mr Ngulube: Ba ZAWA balikwisa bapokeko bangle!
Laughter
Mr Mutelo: Not until we become progressive and take away the inequality that exists, shall Zambia have a meaningful status.
All of us seated in here live to leave a legacy. Even the current Government will also leave a legacy. Any person, be it the President, hon. Minister or hon. Member of Parliament will leave a legacy. Leadership is not about always having groundbreaking ceremonies, but completing projects so that you cut ribbons to commission them. That is what matters.
Mr Nkombo: Hear, hear!
Mr Mutelo: Some years ago, the PF Government had a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a stadium in Mongu. When are we cutting the ribbon to commission that stadium?
Hon. Opposition Member: Hear, hear!
Mr Mutelo: We are told that the train has already taken off and that we should either jump on it or watch it leave. However, if the train has already taken off, how do you expect me to jump on it?
Laughter
Mr Livune: It is in motion.
Mr Mutelo: It is already in motion. Further, how did it take off? It took off by taking out the one who was there before, but now they come and say we should jump on because the train has already taken off. It cannot be like that.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, I will end here. It is very hard to be a representative of a rural constituency, more so, coming from the Western Province and being a Lozi or a Luvale.
Hon. Government Members: Question!
Mr Mutelo: Twasakulila mwane.
Mr Ngulube: What is that?
Mr Mutelo resumed his seat.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Are you done?
Mr Livune: He is annoyed!
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Are you done hon. Member? You said something that I did not understand.
Mr Mutelo: I said twasakulila mwane, luitumezi, twatotela mukwai, twalumba kapati which means thank you very much, but in equality.
Laughter
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Ngulube: Question!
Ms Kasanda (Chisamba): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me and the people of Chisamba the opportunity ...
Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear! Eh ma Opposition!
Mr Ngulube: Eh ma neighbour aya!
Ms Kasanda: ... to add a voice to this 2018 Budget.
Madam Speaker, I would like to start by first understanding ...
Mr Ngulube: Ta bomba sana!
Ms Kasanda: ... and appreciating if this Budget had indicated the amount of money that is meant to be paid back to the people of Zambia which was used by the hon. Ministers during the campaigns.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Ngulube: Question!
Ms Kasanda: We would have liked to know that that money was given back and added to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Ms Kasanda: The Budget speaks of giving hope and practical support to the youth. How will this Budget protect the vulnerable, reduce inequality and help all of us when the country is divided? How will this Budget help create jobs and reduce poverty when the country is divided? There is an allocation of K2.1 billion towards the maintenance ...
Interruptions
Ms Kasanda: ... of public order and safety.
Mr Livune: Kampyongo!
Ms Kasanda: The problem that I have with that is that this country stands to be divided.
Mr Ngulube: Question!
Ms Kasanda: All we have seen in this country is brutality, especially against the Opposition. What we have seen is a country that has no freedom of speech or freedom of assembly.
Now, when you look at the allocation in this Budget, it becomes a bit of a concern that we have used this money for this so-called safety and protection and yet, we do not have that comfort of that protection in this country. I can speak about what is happening in Chisamba right now. Most of the people are being beaten for wearing a United Party for National Development (UPND) chitenge by the PF members.
Interruptions
Ms Kasanda: Madam Speaker, in the Central Business District (CDB) of Chisamba, there is a lady who was undressed for wearing a UPND chitenge. Now, where is our freedom? That becomes a serious concern.
Interruptions
Ms Kasanda: Madam Speaker, I would like to remind the Government that when we borrow money as a country, we are not doing it only the PF Government. We are borrowing it as a nation for the purpose of developing and serving country. Therefore, I would like to urge the PF Government to look at every constituency to ensure that development is taken ...
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Ms Kasanda: …there. We all need that development as a nation. We are saying that the growth of our economy is expected to be above 4 per cent from the 3.8 per cent in 2016. One of the key drivers of our economy is agriculture. I am concerned about the fact that today our farmers are selling their maize as low as K40 and K50 per bag. They are not able to sell it for K60 as recommended by the Government. We all know that this is lower than the K85 that the farmers were selling their maize for last year.
Madam Speaker, what we are not putting into consideration is that the farmers have a lot to put in. They have to put in seed, herbicides, fertiliser, transport and labour. Now, where do we leave the farmers? This becomes a serious concern because it brings fewer incentives to the people. What will drive a farmer to grow maize in the coming season? As we can see, the rains are just around the corner, but what incentive is the Government giving to the people?
Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!
Ms Kasanda: Madam Speaker, capital will be totally wiped out and this will threaten the food security of the nation.
Mr Ngulube: Ama Sergeant aya!
Ms Kasanda: Madam Speaker, under the Fertiliser Input Support Programme (FISP), the Government has failed to pay suppliers of inputs. What guarantee do we have now that the e-Voucher System will be funded 100 per cent to cover the whole process? This Government’s quest is for pro-poor development but I feel they need to go back to the drawing board. The price of cement right now has increased by K2. The excise duty that has been put up of K2 does not help us and it is unjustified. When the President came through for his Address, he was very categorical by saying that he wanted to make sure that no one is left behind. We have the women who are ready to build and change the nation, but how are we helping them if we are increasing the price of this cement?
Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!
(Debate adjourned)
______
The House adjourned at 1915 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 13th October, 2017.