DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE SECOND SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Thursday, 28th February, 2013

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER
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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER

MEMBERSHIP TO THE PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT

Mr Speaker: I wish to inform the House that, following the appointment of Hon. D. Mwango, MP, as Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice-President, Hon. O. Chisala, MP, has been appointed to serve as a member of the Pan-African Parliament to replace Hon. D. Mwango, MP.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

ARREST OF UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (UPND) OFFICIALS IN LIVINGSTONE, FOLLOWING THE KILLING OF A PATRIOTIC FRONT (PF) OFFICIAL, MR HARRY CHANDA

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr E. C. Lungu): Mr Speaker, I rise to brief this august House on the events of Monday, 25th February, 2013, in Livingstone. The events in question happened during the on-going campaigns in the Livingstone By-election, and two hon. Members of Parliament were involved. These are Hon. Garry Nkombo, Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central and Hon. Request Muntanga, Member of Parliament for Kalomo Central.

Mr Speaker, arising from the events that I will narrate, the two gentlemen ended up being absent from the Tuesday, 26th February, 2013 sitting of the House, leading to the point of order by Hon. Charles Kakoma. 

Sir, the two hon. Members in question were in police custody as of 26th February, 2013, helping the law enforcement officers with investigations relating to a murder case. In a nutshell, the case involved a PF district official from Monze, Mr Harry Chanda, who was brutally hacked to death by UPND officials.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, according to the police, in the evening of Monday, …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Let us have some order, please.

Mr E. C. Lungu: … 25th February, 2013, between 1900 and 2000 hours, some UPND members attacked a truck carrying some PF members. Since the assailant who caused the demise of the late Mr Chanda came from the UPND camp, the police apprehended all the occupants of that house, amongst whom were the two hon. Members of Parliament. 

Sir, the police later took measures to inform Mr Speaker about the incident, in writing to the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly.

 In conclusion, I wish to emphasise that what transpired in Livingstone was purely a criminal matter which the police are competently dealing with. 

Sir, as the matter is sub judice, I can only end here.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the statement issued by the hon. Minister of Home Affairs.

Mr Kakoma (Zambezi West): Mr Speaker, it has been long since the two hon. Members of Parliament were arrested and put in police cells. I would like to find out whether the hon. Members of Parliament and other UPND party officials have been charged with murder or taken to court. If not, why have they not been charged, considering that in arriving at the decision to arrest them, the police should have had evidence that they were involved in any criminal activity?

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, I wish to emphasise that I deliberately said that the police apprehended all the occupants of the house. Apprehension, to the best of my understanding, is different from arrest or charge. All I can say is that there were a number of people involved and the police are in the process of screening those who could have been actively involved or directly linked to the offence.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, my question has been taken.

Hon. Government Members: By who?

Laughter

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to condemn the killing by whoever did it. It is not only sad, but inhuman and, most of all, un-Zambian. What are we degenerating to as a country? 

Mr Speaker, where were the police when all this was taking place? We have been told that there are 300 police officers in Livingstone. The attack must have taken place over a period of time. It could have taken 30 minutes or so. Where were the police if not at the crime scene? Instead, they only rushed to where they knew that the UPND members were gathered, trying to find a scapegoat. I would like to know where the police were when this incident happened.

Mr E. C Lungu: Mr Speaker, I was cautious in my delivery of the ministerial statement. That is why I underscored the fact that the matter is sub judice. If it will help the hon. Member of Parliament, I will answer by saying that the police officers were all over Livingstone. However, I do not know whether they were present or not at the scene.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mufalali (Senanga): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out why the hon. Minister is certain that the people who were involved are the UPND members when the matter is still being investigated.

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, for the first time in my long stay in this House, I chose the words in this statement I made very carefully. I said that it is the police who gave me the report. Therefore, I cannot safely say whether the information is wrong or right. However, the police know better whether it is true that it was a UPND official who committed the crime or not. This is something they will have to prove before the courts of law. What else can I say?

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, firstly, it is regrettable that a life was lost. Any loss of life is regrettable because it is a negation to development. Hon. Minister, you are on record as having said that whenever there is an election, cadres from outside that locality should not venture into that area. When the first of such incidents occurred in Rufunsa, we were told that the official who died came from Chibolya in Lusaka. Today, we have been told that the official who died came from Monze. Is this not contrary to your instructions that people must abide by the rules put in place by the Government?

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, we are talking about events which led to the absence of two hon. Members of Parliament from the House on Tuesday, 26th February, 2013. I want to be as brief as I can so that I do not appear to be delving into matters which are not part of the point of order raised. Suffice it to say that when instructions are given, people ought to follow them. However, if they do not, and then they get into trouble, two wrongs never make a right.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Siliya (Petauke): Mr Speaker, would the hon. Minister concede that it is actually the perpetual state of electioneering in our country as a result of the many by-elections that are becoming costly to this country that such things are happening. We are losing lives, and this trend may continue unless we address the perpetual electioneering we have continued to see since 2011.

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, that is the hon. Member’s opinion.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr M. V. Mwale (Chipangali): My question has been overtaken by events.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that at the time the cadres started fighting, the PF cadres were in a truck. Did the truck stop before the cadres started fighting? How was the person killed?

Mr Speaker: Order!

Before the hon. Minister responds, let us reflect on some of these questions. He has indicated that this matter is under investigation. If you are going to ask questions where you expect answers relating to those investigations, you will not be fair to the hon. Minister. In short, as I understand your question, you are literally trying to get the hon. Minister to disclose who committed the crime. If the hon. Minister is able to answer that question, I will allow him to do so.

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, thank you for your protection.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, the truck that was carrying the PF cadres is alleged to have been at the UPND camp in Livingstone. Can the hon. Minister explain what the PF truck was doing at the UPND camp when we know that party cadres are supposed to be separated?

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, at the risk of appearing to go beyond what I was prepared to answer, I will say that this truck was on a public road in Livingstone and the UPND occupied a house along that road. That is what I have been told.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Simbao (Senga Hill): Mr Speaker, occurrences such as these are very frightening. I feel very insecure and so do many other Zambians. Such incidents have not been happening in the last fifteen years or so.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, now, they seem to be very common. We had a death in Rufunsa …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

You should have patience.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, we have had two deaths in Livingstone, and now we hear stories of houses being burnt in Mpongwe. I feel very insecure and want to know whether the hon. Minister feels the same.

Laughter

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, it is our responsibility to preserve life by all means. I cried when the news of the murder reached me. I do not know whether I can say more than this. We cherish life, whether it is of a UPND or PF member. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Antonio (Kaoma Central): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs is on record as having said that he wants to wipe out the UPND. Is that the democracy that the PF is pushing the country into?

Hon. Government Member: Iwe naiwe, ukabwelele ku Angola.

Laughter

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, under the Societies Act, I have authority to deregister an association, including a political party if I find that it is a danger to peace and good order. As I addressed this issue last time, I was queried about this by one media house and I said I will be the last person to invoke that power to deregister the UPND on account of their use of the infamous Mapatizya Formula which is a recipe for anarchy and killing innocent people. I am not bent on putting the UPND into extinction. The UPND will put itself into extinction through its deeds.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, today is a sad and dark day for democracy. There is no peace, justice or freedom in this country.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, firstly, I would like to convey my condolences to the bereaved family. The hon. Minister of Home Affairs stated that the matter is prejudiced.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

It is sub judice, there is a distinction between the two terms.

Laughter

Mr Lufuma: Sorry, Mr Speaker, sub judice. I am not English.

Mr Speaker, I would like to know whether that could be the case when the matter has not yet been taken to court.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, to the best of my knowledge, when a crime of this magnitude and gravity is committed and police move in with a view to enforce the law, I take it that the process of sub judice starts. I know that the leader of the UPND was picked up in connection to the matter which I spoke about in my statement. In fact, he has since appeared in court. 

So, I am taking it that the case is being viewed as a total package. The death of this one man is part of the total package which the police are investigating. I am trying to be careful by not talking about any person who is being held and is connected to the offence at hand in a manner which can make me guilty of sub judice.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chipungu (Rufunsa): Mr Speaker, obviously, the loss of life is very painful to everybody, including the relatives. We saw what happened in Rufunsa not too long ago. It is like what happened in Rufunsa is becoming a habit. It now seems as if each time there is a by-election, a life must be lost. I would like the hon. Minister to inform this House what the Government will do to stop the killings during by-elections. We are yet to witness many other by-elections. Does it mean that the Government is happy to see people being killed?

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, I would like to advise my colleagues to behave the way the PF behaved when it was in the Opposition.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr E. C. Lungu: We never ever took anyone’s life.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr E. C. Lungu: Additionally, I have already said that I have powers under the Societies Act which I intend to use if this lawlessness continues. I have the power to deregister any association.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Muleya, imwe!

Hon. Opposition Members: You do it!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, the election in Livingstone has since been postponed. In giving the reasons that had to be done, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) cited the high levels of intolerance among political parties and certain failures, including those of the police.

Sir, I have stood on the Floor of this House on four occasions, including today, to question the capability of the Zambia Police Force to deal with conflicts. In fact, after what has been happening in recent times, people have been calling for the resignation of Dr Solomon Jere as Deputy Inspector-General of Police. What is the Government going to do to enhance the ability of police officers to proactively prevent such unfortunate incidences?

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, I am quoted, in one of the media, today, as having said that the ECZ did not consult us in its decision to postpone the election in Livingstone. The police reports had indicated that the police had control of the situation and were able to effectively monitor the election in Livingstone. Thus, issues to do with the capabilities of the police officers should not arise. I must point out that the ECZ is an autonomous institution. In its wisdom, it can choose to consult the police when assessing the situation on the ground. However, in this case, it did not do so. 

Sir, police officers are capable of handling different situations, not only in Livingstone, but also anywhere else in the country. However, in line with the modern trends, we keep training the police officers like any other law enforcement officers to improve their skills. We also continue equipping them with modern technology and equipment.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Sesheke.

Mr Sianga rose in a shiny suit.

Hon. Members: Psychedelic.

Mr Sianga (Sesheke): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that he went to Livingstone …

Hon. Members: Disco!

Interruptions 

Mr Speaker: Order! 
 
Those running commentaries are outside your jurisdiction.

Mr Sianga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the two parliamentarians who were arrested were the ones perpetuating violence. Does the hon. Minister have any evidence regarding that statement?

Hon. Government Members: Is that a scripture?

Laughter 

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, in my statement, I did not say that I went to the police station. So, I do not know where the hon. Member of Parliament got the impression that I went to the police station from. I think the hon. Member should listen carefully to hon. Members as they speak on the Floor of the House.

Sir, proving whether the two hon. Members of Parliament are guilty of certain offences is not within my jurisdiction. It is the courts of the law which determine such matters after the police provide evidence.

I thank you, Sir.

Brig-General Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, a loss of life is regrettable in any circumstance. I heard the hon. Minister state that he was not consulted with regard to the postponement of the election in Livingstone because the situation was calm. Is the hon. Minister implying that the underlying tension has been sorted out such that the voting can take place?

Mr E. C. Lungu: Mr Speaker, at the time the decision was made to postpone the election, the Inspector-General of Police was in Livingstone. When I saw the postponement of the election being talked about on television last night, I asked the Inspector-General of Police whether she was consulted on the matter and she said that she was not. She told me that the situation was calm and that the police were ready for the election to take place. This is what I am telling this House. Beyond that, I do not want to go into speculations, opinions and so on and so forth.

I thank you, Sir.

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

KAPUTA HIGH SCHOOL

416. Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa) asked the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a)when the newly-built Kaputa High School in Kaputa District would be opened to the public; and

(b)when the Government would build boarding facilities, especially for the girls at the school.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, there is already an existing school called Kaputa Secondary School. However, the Government decided to construct additional infrastructure at the said school. The additional infrastructure, which we are constructing, will be completed in the course of this year.

Sir, the boarding facilities are also part of the buildings that we are currently constructing at Kaputa Secondary School and they are all expected to be completed in 2013. It is at that stage that the additional infrastructure, which we are constructing at the existing Kaputa Secondary School, will be opened to the public.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, I think the answer which has been given by the hon. Deputy Minister is a definite one because he has been to Kaputa to see the high school in question. I just want to find out the immediate measures that the ministry is putting in place to ensure that this school is opened in the course of this year.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, as the hon. Member has said, I visited Kaputa Secondary School last month and, of course, it is regrettable that the construction of a number of structures is behind schedule. I have indicated to my colleagues, here, and those in Kaputa that we will work with the contractor to see how we can handle the current situation because the secondary school is the only one in Kaputa District. We would like to work with the contractor with the view to partially handing over some key facilities like classrooms to the community so that they can start using them. The other urgent measure would be for the ministry to prod the contractor to expedite the works.

I thank you, Sir.

Kwame Nkrumah and Copperbelt Secondary School Teachers colleges

417. Mr Chisala (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education how many lecturers at Kwame Nkrumah and Copperbelt Secondary School Teachers (COSETCO) colleges possessed the following academic qualifications: 

(a)first degree;

(b)master’s degree; and 

(c)doctor of philosophy.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Professor Willombe): Mr Speaker, the Kwame Nkrumah Secondary School Teachers College has ten lecturers at first degree level, forty-seven at master’s degree level and two lecturers at doctor of philosophy level. Of the ten lecturers with the first degrees, eight are currently studying for their master’s degrees. Of the forty-seven lecturers with master’s degrees, ten of them are studying for their doctor of philosophy degrees. In addition, there is one part-time doctor of philosophy lecturer.

Mr Speaker, COSETCO has nine lecturers at first degree level, sixteen at master’s degree level and one at doctor of philosophy level, giving a total of twenty-six. Despite the small number of lecturers in comparison to Kwame Nkrumah Secondary School Teachers College, COSETCO hires an additional seven lecturers on a part-time basis from the Copperbelt University. There are six at master’s degree level and one at doctor of philosophy level, giving a total of seven.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, may I know the current staffing levels at the Kwame Nkrumah Secondary School Teachers College after a number of lecturers were transferred three years ago.

The Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Dr Phiri): Mr Speaker, no lecturer was transferred from Kwame Nkrumah Secondary School Teachers College three years ago. The actual position is that lecturers were transferred to the college because degree programmes were started there with a view to transforming it into a university.

Mr Speaker, there is no Kwame Nkrumah University College, but we are taking steps to establish it. To do that, we have to constitute a council which is the overall employer in a university. It is the council which will determine who will stay on as lecturer when the transformation takes place. We will arrive at that stage shortly because the Cabinet has given us a go ahead to turn Kwame Nkrumah Secondary School Teachers College into a university college.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, it is a well-known fact that the minimum requirement to teach in a university is a master’s degree. It is gratifying to see that Kwame Nkrumah Secondary School Teachers College appears to be on the right course. Given the fact that we envisage many more institutions of this nature, what plans are in place to improve the competencies of the lecturers to master’s degree level?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, there is an on-going staff development programme but, for Kwame Nkrumah Secondary School Teachers College, when the council is established, it will have the overall mandate to recruit lecturers, depending on the programmes which will be offered by the newly-created university.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kapyanga (Kabwe Central): Mr Speaker, the deadline for the transformation of Kwame Nkrumah Secondary School Teachers College was September last year. I would like to find out what the new deadline is.

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I am sure it is everyone’s wish that specific information is given when certain issues are discussed. When you are transforming a college of education into a university, there are certain requirements which have to be met. Firstly, the Government has to approve the plans we want to implement. Secondly, there must be a board of survey to prepare the transfer of assets from the college to the university. That process has just been completed and the report was given to me a few days ago. 

Sir, in addition, based on that board of survey report, we need to constitute the council. The council is the overall employer while the ministry just facilitates the process. After the council is in place, we will work on a statutory instrument to abolish the college of education and establish a university called Kwame Nkrumah University College. Thereafter, the ministry will hand it over to the council.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Speaker: What is the estimated time frame for the completion of all the processes?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I indicated that we will see the emergence of this university in 2013. It is not easy for me to give a specific date because of the processes I have outlined.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, when Kwame Nkrumah Secondary School Teachers College is turned into a university, will the staff who will be re-engaged be given new contracts?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, the board of survey submits a report which looks at the assets as well as the human resource. It is the board which works out a separation package for those who will not be absorbed by the council of the newly-created university. From the qualifications that were read out by Hon. Professor Willombe, it is clear that those holding first degrees are not likely to be taken on by the university. Those who will not be employed by the university are likely to join other institutions. Those who will be taken on by the council will be given separation packages so that they begin afresh as university lectures. 

I thank you, Sir.

Professor Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, it is correct to state that there is no locus of authority in our nation with regard to the academic development of universities. Is the hon. Minister giving serious attention to that particular aspect, especially the transformation of the colleges into university colleges or, eventually, universities? Is the hon. Minister giving attention to the academic input of the institutions, especially that there is a need for research being institutions that are at the frontier of knowledge? Otherwise, if that is not done, they simply become higher institutions of education and not universities.

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, that is a correct view and that is how we must proceed with the universities. Otherwise, we will be creating glorified secondary schools. That has been taken into account. From the very beginning, we established a committee to work on possible programmes for each of the universities that will be emerging. Besides that effort, we are also thinking that when the Higher Education Authority Act will be enacted, it will give proper direction to these universities. Otherwise, we will just have, as you rightly put it, universities in name whilst they are performing other functions. I thank you for that insight and be assured that that is getting due consideration by the ministry.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, does it mean that the new universities will do away with diploma programmes and concentrate on degree programmes? If the diploma programmes will still be offered, will the lecturers holding first degrees not be needed?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, maybe, my statement was not clear. The position is that when the council is in place, it will determine who the universities should employ and what programmes particular universities should have. I do not subscribe to the theory that diplomas do not belong to any university. Much will depend on the programmes that each university devises.

I thank you, Sir.

SCHOOLS IN SIOMA AND SHANG’OMBO DISTRICTS

418. Mr Njeulu (Sinjembela) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a)how many schools had their classroom roofs blown off in Sioma and Shang’ombo districts from 2010 to 2012, year by year;

(b)of the schools above, how many had been rehabilitated in the same period; and

(c)when the contractor for Shang’ombo Boma High School project would move on site.

 Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, nine primary schools had their classroom roofs blown off in Sioma and Shang’ombo districts from 2010 to 2012. During the same period, out of those nine schools, two were rehabilitated and three have been provided for in our National Infrastructure Plan (NIP) for 2013. 

Sir, as far as we are concerned, the Shang’ombo School Project is not among the eight school projects that were identified in our infrastructure plan for 2012 in the Western Province. Out of the eight sites in the province, three have been tendered. These are Nalolo, Mitete and Limulunga, and the evaluation process is underway. Therefore, the school, which the hon. Member of Parliament is lobbying for construction, will be considered in our future infrastructure plans. However, as the hon. Member of Parliament and the people of Shang’ombo are aware, we have a new school called Nangweshi Secondary School which is currently being constructed. Once everything is concluded, I am sure that this school can even be opened in the second term. We are aware that the hon. Member of Parliament wants a school in his constituency. However,  there is Nangweshi Secondary School, although it is a bit far from the central district of Shang’ombo. Nevertheless, there is a school. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Njeulu: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that Shang’ombo District has no high school despite there being a pronouncement that a high school would be constructed in Shang’ombo? Why has the hon. Minister turned round?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, I was in Shang’ombo recently. There are Nangweshi and Sioma seecondary schools there. Nangweshi Secondary School has not yet been opened. Although Sioma is a new district now, a school is already in existence there. This is why we are telling the hon. Member of Parliament and the people of Shang’ombo that, at the moment, the Government wants to concentrate on the completion of Nangweshi Secondary School. I would have expected the hon. Member of Parliament to request us to sort out the issues of ablution blocks and the incomplete hostels at Sioma Secondary School rather than to ask us to start building a school in Shang’ombo when Sioma has all those sanitation problems.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mufalali (Senanga): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the cry is for Shang’ombo District and not for Sioma District? The two schools that he is talking about are in Sioma District and Shang’ombo has no high school at all.

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, that cry is loud and clear. We will focus on Shang’ombo although the other decisions were taken, thinking that the two institutions were in Shang’ombo District. Nevertheless, we have taken note of that. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma): Mr Speaker, may I know why it takes long for blown-off schools to be re-roofed? This problem is not only in Shang’ombo, but also countrywide.

Mr Speaker: I suppose you are referring to the roofs.

Laughter

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, this reminds me of a question which Hon. Muntanga asked a few days ago before he went to Livingstone. He intimated that he got a report from the constituency that Matondo Primary School had a roof blown off and I did indicate that the challenge that we have with these blown-off roofs is that they are not natural occurrences. They are disasters. Where possible, the Office of His Honour the Vice-President has come to the ministry’s aid. As a ministry, we did not take precautions to prepare for disasters like blown-off roofs. In this regard, we have a backlog of schools with blown-off roofs. 

Sir, in the 2013 infrastructure budget, you will see that we are awakening to this reality and we have a number of schools we are targeting to roof. I hope that from this point, we can begin, each year, to look at this issue more systematically and treat it more urgently because the pain which blown-off roofs causes to our children is immense and, in many schools, they have no alternative classrooms. Your cry is our cry and we hope we can work together. In other instances, let me pay tribute to those hon. Members of Parliament who have come to our aid using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). We hope we can collaborate more to alleviate the plight of our people.

I thank you, Sir. 

HOMICIDE CASES COUNTRYWIDE

419. Mr Njeulu asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

(a)    how many cases of homicide had been reported countrywide, from January to December, 2012; and

(b)    of the cases above, how many had been disposed of by the courts of law as of January, 2013.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, the Zambia Police Force recorded 851 murder cases countrywide, from January to December, 2012. Out of these cases, 228 had been concluded by the courts of law as of January, 2013.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

ROADS CAMPS AT MWANAMUTOWA IN MWINILUNGA

420. Mr Hamusonde (on behalf of (Mr Katuka) (Mwinilunga)) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication when the Government would transfer the three houses that were previously used at a roads camp at Mwanamutowa in Mwinilunga Parliamentary Constituency to the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, following the abolition of the Roads Department.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr M. H. Malama): Mr Speaker, the three houses were handed over to the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication by the Road Development Agency (RDA). Further, the houses in question were valued in 2006 in readiness to be offered to sitting tenants. Therefore, the sitting tenants need to follow up this matter with the ministry.

I thank you, Sir.

RURAL HEALTH CENTRES IN MWINILUNGA

421. Mr Hamusonde (on behalf of (Mr Katuka)) asked the Minister of Health when the Government planned to repair the solar installations at the following rural health centres in Mwinilunga Parliamentary Constituency:

(a)Kamapanda;

(b)Chiwoma; and

(c)Kakoma.

The Deputy Minister of Health (Mr Mulenga): Mr Speaker, the Government plans to repair the solar installations at Kamapanda, Chiwoma and Kakoma rural health centres in Mwinilunga Parliamentary Constituency during the second quarter of 2013. I further wish to inform the House that the Government, through the Ministry of Health, has released KR2 million to the Zambia Flying Doctors Service for the procurement of the solar panels, batteries and other accessories for health facilities countrywide.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out the alternative source of energy that the health centres are currently using in the absence of  solar power.

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, I do not know what they are using at the moment because the question seeks to find out when the solar power will be installed and we have responded that it will be installed in the second quarter of this year.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Deputy Minister whether there is a general and running programme for the rehabilitation and repair of such facilities throughout the country.

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, indeed, there is. That is why we have allocated K2 billion towards the repair of the solar installations countrywide.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

RURAL ROADS UNIT

422. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a)    what the rate of performance in percentage points was for the Rural Roads Unit (RRU) from 2010 to 2012 year by year;

(b)    whether the RRU’s performance was satisfactory and, if so, what the Government intended to do to sustain and enhance the levels of satisfaction;

(c)    if the performance was not satisfactory, what remedial measures had been taken;

(d)    in which districts the RRU services were needed most;

(e)    whether the Government had any plans of establishing RRU centres in the districts where their services were needed most; and

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

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the following is the performance, in percentage terms, of the RRU from 2010 to 2012 province by province:

    Province            2010    2011    2012
    (%)     (%)    (%)

    Central    59.3     71.7         54.6 
    Copperbelt        67.2     59.4     53.0
    Eastern        63.8     61.8     46.4
    Luapula        92.9     60.3     48.7
    Lusaka        65.5    60.9    86.6 
    Northern        51.2     65.8    55.2 
    North-Western        52.3     48.7    57.6 
    Southern        73.1     65.1    68.0
    Western        47.4     61.9    52.2

Mr Speaker, from the information provided in the table above, the RRU’s performance was not very satisfactory due to obsolete equipment. Fortunately, the unit will be boosted by the machines being procured by the Government through the RDA. 

Mr Speaker, Zambia has a total network of about 67,671 km of gazetted roads. Most of the roads in the districts, about 43,991 km, are predominantly earth or gravel feeder roads. However, the most affected districts are those in rural areas. 

Sir, the RRU is currently based at provinces due to the limited number of equipment. However, it is planned that as we procure more equipment, as is being done by the current Government, we shall establish offices and road maintenance camps in districts. 

Finally, Sir, there are plans in the near future to establish road maintenance camps in rural districts. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, the response by the hon. Minister was quite comprehensive. However, the rate at which the Government, through the RRU, responds to problems of washed-away culverts and bridges is very low. When a bridge or culvert is washed away, it takes the Government a year to renovate it. The Government’s good will is usually delayed, and this appears to the people like they are being denied the service. What immediate measures has the Government put in place to quicken the repair of damaged bridges? 

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, sometimes, the delays are a result of some people not knowing procedures. The hon. Member spoke of washed-away bridges. This is disastrous. However, if the people at the grassroots are aware of the procedure, the renovations would be done more easily and quicker because washed-away bridges are a responsibility of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). 

However, as I indicated in my response, the Government is procuring equipment, through the RDA, meaning that the response will be quicker than before. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr M. B. Mwale (Malambo): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that the poor performance of the RRU was largely due to obsolete equipment. Do we have qualified artisans to service this equipment?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, yes, we have. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister said that the low performance of the RRU was essentially due to a lack of capacity, especially with regard to its old equipment. The hon. Minister further said that the ministry is in the process of procuring some equipment through the RDA. This being the case, can the hon. Minister indicate whether the process of procurement has commenced, and when we should expect this equipment to be in the country to alleviate these problems. 

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, this Government has taken this sector very seriously. I want to assure the hon. Member that, within three months, these machines will be arriving in Zambia.

Sir, I also want to take this opportunity to tell this august House that this is a sector that, for many years, had not received good support from previous governments. For example, from the time I took office, I have been giving almost the same responses regarding roads. This is a sign that this area needs the attention of the Central Government, which is the reason the PF Government has come up with the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr H. M. Malama: You can actually see the commitment of this working Government.  

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister indicated that there was a drop in percentage performance in some provinces, but a rise in Lusaka. Could it be that Lusaka received new equipment while the other provinces did not?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the fact is that most of the roads in Lusaka are tarred while those in rural areas are not.  

I thank you, Sir. {mospagebreak}

VILLAGES IN KASENENGWA

423. Ms Kalima (Kasenengwa) asked the Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs:

(a)how many villages there were in Kasenengwa Parliamentary Constituency;

(b)how many head persons there were in the constituency; and 

(c)what the role of the head persons in relation to the following was: 

(i)the community;
(ii)the chief; and
(iii)the Government.
The Deputy Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs (Mrs Kawandami): Mr Speaker, there are presently 650 villages in Kasenengwa Constituency.

Sir, the number of head persons corresponds with that of villages. Therefore, there are 650 head persons in Kasenengwa Constituency.

Mr Speaker, the role of the head persons in relation to the community, the chiefs and the Government are as follows:

(a)they are in charge of maintaining peace, presiding over village meetings, resolving disputes in the village and the overall administration of the village. The head persons are also responsible for monitoring births, deaths and transfers into and out of the villages;

(b)they are the advisors to the chiefs. The chief provides leadership in a holistic manner to all the villages in his/her chiefdom and formulates policies that address the needs of the villagers, but relies on his/her head persons for advice and administration of the chiefdom; and 

(c)they have no direct link to the Government because the chiefs are the link between the Government and head persons.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank my sister for that elaborate answer. 

Sir, from the answer, we are able to note that the village headmen do a lot of work at community level and as advisors to the chiefs who, in turn, communicate with the Government. My question is: Why has this Government decided to neglect the headmen, who play such an important role in the villages, by not giving them an allowance? Does the Government have any intentions of rewarding the headmen who work so much even for the Government?

Interruptions

Mrs Kawandami: Mr Speaker, the Government of our current President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, is a very committed Government.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Kawandami: If you look back, hon. Member, you will realise that, previously, the senior chiefs were not getting much, …

Mr Mwila: Under the MMD!

Mrs Kawandami: … but this able Government has increased their allowances, including those for indunas. The number of headmen in this country is so big that we would need a large budget to cover them. This would impact negatively on the resources of the country, considering the size of our Budget. So, until such a time that this Government is able to raise enough money, that will remain unattainable.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr M. B. Mwale: Mr Speaker, this is not a family affair. However, are the head persons not involved in the mobilisation of their communities for development, that is, when they are mobilising resources for schools and clinics?

The Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs (Professor Luo): Mr Speaker, I think that it is common knowledge to all of us seated here that our rural areas have lacked development for a long time because there has been no cohesion between the Government, the rural areas and, in this case, the head persons who are being discussed. That is why, to deal with the problem at hand, the ministry has adopted rural development as one of its major activities under the slogan, “One Chiefdom, Three to Five Products”. 

Sir, we have also put in place a robust programme of transformative leadership so that people can start looking at the resources that they have in the villages and translate them into money. Therefore, to talk about paying people when there are no economic activities in the rural areas that translate into money is really an exercise in futility. However, we are implementing this programme this year and expect to start raising money at the chiefdom level, after which we shall look at where the expenditures will be. We cannot about talk about expenditure now when there is no money.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, one of the roles of chiefs is to protect their boundaries and resolve boundary-related problems. Does the hon. Minister have any intentions of distributing the Chiefdom Map to the chiefs and hon. Members of Parliament? 

Mrs Kawandami: Mr Speaker, that will be done before the end of this year. In fact, the last time the maps were distributed was in 2007. The Government is making all efforts to ensure that all the chiefdoms in the country receive the 1958 Maps.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Did you say before the end of the year?

Mrs Kawandami: They are actually being distributed, Mr Speaker. So, by the end of the year, they will all have received their maps.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

LOCAL COURT AT MBOZA IN KASENENGWA

424. Ms Kalima asked the Minister of Justice:

(a)when the Government would construct a local court at Mboza in Kasenengwa Parliamentary Constituency;

(b)when the Government would rehabilitate the local court in Chiparamba Ward in Kasenengwa Parliamentary Constituency; and

(c)when the Government would construct a house for the Local Court Clerk in Chiparamba. 

The Deputy Minister of Justice (Dr Simbyakula): Mr Speaker, Mboza Local Court in Kasenengwa has been earmarked for construction in 2015.

Sir, there is a provision for the rehabilitation of several courts countrywide in the 2013 Budget but, due to budgetary constraints, Chiparamba has not been included. It is earmarked for rehabilitation in the 2014 Budget.

Mr Speaker, the construction of staff houses has been planned for in the 2014 Budget.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister says that Mboza Local Court will be constructed in 2016. Is he aware that, currently, court sessions are held under a tree and that during the rainy season, there are no court sessions in the area? What provisions can the hon. Minister make before 2015?

Dr Simbyakula: Mr Speaker, I am sure the hon. Member is aware that we have serious budgetary constraints. Under the Infrastructure Development Programme, we are only able to construct four local courts per province. So, we can only ask the hon. Member to see what she can do for the community with the CDF to alleviate the situation.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

BILHARZIA

425. Professor Lungwangwa (on behalf of Dr Kazonga (Vubwi)) asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    what the causes of bilharzia were;

(b)    which district in Zambia had the highest prevalence of bilharzia;

(c)    which age group in Zambia had the highest risk of contracting the disease; and

(d)    what measures the Government had taken to eradicate bilharzia.

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, bilharzia is caused by a parasite called schistosoma. There are two types of parasites that cause bilharzia in Zambia and these are schistosoma mansoni and schistosoma heamatobium.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Please, sympathise with him.

Laughter

Mr Mulenga: Sir, these parasites enter the body through the skin, mainly of the feet, when people swim in infested water. The schistosoma mansoni causes intestinal morbidity whilst schistosoma heamatobium causes urogenital morbidity.

Mr Speaker, the Government, through the Ministry of Health, has been mapping for bilharzia from May last year. Eight of the ten provinces have been surveyed and the data is being analysed. The Eastern and Southern provinces are yet to be mapped, and the survey is planned for the first quarter of 2013. After the analysis, we will have a true picture of bilharzia in Zambia. This will also help us to come up with interventions.

However, from the surveyed areas, bilharzia seems to be rampant in areas that are water logged, near streams and ponds. From the preliminary results, the most affected districts are in Luapula, Western, Lusaka, especially Luangwa and Kafue, and the North-Western provinces.

Mr Speaker, children between the ages of seven and fourteen years, who like swimming in infested water in streams, rivers and ponds, have the highest risk of contracting the parasite that causes bilharzia.

Sir, the Government has taken the following measures to eradicate bilharzia:

(a)    health promotion – health education, development and dissemination of information, education and communication materials;

(b)    social mobilisation – sensitisation on bilharzia;

(c)    mapping – mapping will give the country distribution of the parasite for planning purposes;

(d)    interventions – treatment of school children through preventive chemotherapy and mass drug administration;

(e)    research – surveys to determine the parasite intensity for monitoring and evaluating the programme or interventions being implemented; and

(f)    prevalence rates and the distribution of the two parasites in the country.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that a long time ago, the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR) carried out some research in bilharzia and the focus was on prevention? Is he aware that there is an indigenous plant scientifically called phytolacca dedacandra which kills the molluscs which cause bilharzia? If he is, what is he going to do about it to prevent this disease? Whereas we have these interventions, there should also be prevention. Since the plant is indigenous, can the Government liaise with NISIR if they have not done so.

The Minister of Health (Dr Kasonde): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for introducing this very important issue of research. I can confirm my awareness of the research that was conducted and is currently being carried out because I was part of that research. It was a period of intensive development of the Tropical Diseases Research Centre of which we are very proud. It was a period when what is currently described as the NISIR was only a committee. So, our history of knowledge of the research that has been conducted is quite significant. Therefore, I endorse the need to apply these preventive measures in controlling the transmission right from the start; that means through the water. The hon. Member for Luena should be congratulated on following up this kind of research and, perhaps, be invited to participate with us as we develop strategies.

I thank you, Sir.

Brig-General Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister is aware of the immediate and, perhaps, long-term effects of schistosoma heamatobium infection which affects the urinary tract. Can he indicate to the House how easily available the medicine for this disease is in our health facilities.

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that question. This is the kind of question that I think the hon. Member should have addressed when he had the opportunity to do so. However, …

Brig-General Dr Chituwo: Do not be sarcastic. Just answer the question.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, order!

Dr Kasonde: … I accept that the distribution of all medicines, and not just the particular medicine for bilharzia, has been erratic. Part of that erratic supply has been with the distribution of medicines which I believe in the course of the last one year, has greatly improved.

Hon. Opposition Member: Question.

Laughter

Dr Kasonde: I, therefore, believe that appropriate action is being taken to ensure that these medicines are available at health centre level.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, are there any chronic conditions that arise in children …

Ms Kalima: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Health, whom we give so much respect in this House, in order to be so sarcastic when answering Hon. Brig-General Dr Chituwo by saying that he should have asked himself that question when he was Minister of Health? Dr Kasonde is the hon. Minister of Health now and we are demanding answers from him. He has too much grey hair on his head to be so sarcastic when answering questions.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: My concern, hon. Member, is that you are also being sarcastic.

Laughter 

Mr Speaker: My understanding of the response from the hon. Minister is that he responded in  jest. I think it might have been a bit caustic to the extent that he suggested that this particular problem should have actually been addressed much earlier than the case is. However, outside that, I do not think I would take issue.

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, I wanted to find out from the hon. Minister whether there are any chronic conditions that arise from the bilharzia infections in children and, if so, are they curable?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, it is because of the long-term effects which the hon. Member for Mumbwa referred to that this disease is a major concern. First of all, when the bladder and urinal tract are affected, there are possibilities of failure of the kidneys to work. Secondly, when the liver and spleen are affected, there are difficulties for these organs to function properly. So, the answer to the hon. Member’s question is that yes, there are chronic conditions that arise and this is exactly why it is so important to prevent or treat the condition.

I thank you, Sir.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, now that the hon. Minister of Health has informed the House that he undertook research in this area, can we benefit from his fund of knowledge or repository of research in the archives and know the prevalence rates historically between schistosoma mansoni and schistosoma heamatobium in the districts that are affected.

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I wish I had those figures. I am afraid I do not have them, but I only know that they were sufficiently adequate to cause us to start the survey so that we could establish exactly what was happening. I think that the repository of information on the subject was the reason we embarked on a major survey across the country. So, I do not think that historical data, firstly, is available and, secondly, would be of any value at this stage.

I thank you, Sir. 

Ms Siliya (Petauke): Mr Speaker, many of us have not heard about bilharzia in many years, and yet it seems the disease is still prevalent. Is it not possible, with the right management, to totally eradicate this disease so that we avoid problems of kidney failure and impotence, I wish to believe, as a result of this disease? If the medicine is available and the disease can be treated, is it not possible for us to actually put up massive campaigns so that we deal with this disease once and for all? This will enable us to use resources where they will be most needed with other diseases that are much more serious.

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I agree entirely with the hon. Member. This disease has been a scourge in Zambia from way before Independence. Therefore, it is appropriate that questions are raised on why it should be allowed to exist at all. I thank the hon. Member for supporting the view that eradication is the answer to dealing with this disease. This is our target and I have noticed the great support that we have from hon. Members, including herself. I hope this support towards the eradication of bilharzia from Zambia will continue.

I thank you, Sir.

STATISTICIANS AT CENTRAL STATISTICAL OFFICE

426. Professor Lungwangwa (on behalf of Dr Kazonga) asked the Minister of Finance:

(a)how many statisticians in each of the following divisions at the Central Statistical Office (CSO) had a master’s degree or doctorate:

(i)economic statistics;
(ii)agricultural and environmental statistics;
(iii)demography and social statistics;
(iv)information, research and dissemination; and
(v)regional statistical offices; and

(b)whether the CSO had a national statistical training strategy to support the National Statistical System and, if so, to what extent this strategy had been implemented.

The Minister of Finance (Mr Chikwanda): Mr Speaker, below is the current status of statisticians at the CSO:

Division         Master’s     Doctorate

Director            1        0
    Economic Statistics            2        0
    Agriculture and Environmental Statistics    4        0
    Demography and Statistics    4        0
    Information, Research and Dissemination    2        0
    Provincial Office        2        0

Mr Speaker, the CSO may not have a national statistical training strategy as such, but the office has developed the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS). This document encompasses everything that would qualify for a national statistical training strategy and more. It also stipulates the various ways in which the CSO will interact with and support the National Statistical System. Therefore, this document has virtually been finalised and the CSO is scheduled to convene a meeting with stakeholders for them to make final comments on the document.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, a doctorate is a degree of leadership in research and our statistical office, as a nation, ought to have leaders at that level of training. Are there any plans, on the part of the ministry, to afford those with master’s degrees in this particular department to undertake doctorate studies so that they are able to provide effective leadership in the generation of statistical information for the nation?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, there is no mechanism for compelling people to acquire doctorates. In any case, these are disciplines which do not have vast numbers of people. That is why those who hold doctorates, like Professor Lungwangwa, are highly respected. In the event that there are any of the people working in the CSO wanting to go beyond their master’s degree, every considerable bit of encouragement will be given to them to advance their education because education is the only way in which nations enhance the productive capacity of their people. The higher the levels of education, the greater their productivity there presumably is.

Thank you, Sir.

Mr Simfukwe (Mbala): Mr Speaker, in the 2013 Budget, the hon. Minister of Finance has set a target of creating 200,000 decent jobs. Statistically, this translates into 17,000 jobs per month and about 4,200 jobs per week. Has the hon. Minister been reassured by the CSO that it will be monitoring this job creation process such that he does not have to wait until the end of 2013 to know how many jobs have been created? Is he comfortably going to be briefed that an average of 600 jobs are being created per day according to the targets set in the 2013 Budget? The hon. Minister will need to be briefed regularly that an average of seventy-five jobs are created per hour. Can the hon. Minister comfortably state that the CSO is able to generate information in that manner?

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, firstly, may I seek your indulgence to greet the hon. Member. I have not seen him for some time.

Laughter

Mr Chikwanda: Mr Speaker, the CSO is equipped to do the things that Hon. Simfukwe has talked about. Even this morning, at a management meeting which we convene every Thursday morning with senior officials, we were talking about the need to do a bit more with regard to the quantifying of the jobs in our economy, including those in the informal sector because this is a very large employer of the people. There are people who are meaningfully employed in the informal sector. Maybe, the gross domestic product (GDP), which we come up with annually, is only half of the real GDP of the economy because a lot of transactions take place in the informal sector which we do not quantify. We are doing everything possible to try to cover as many segments of the economy as possible, but one thing we want to do is to desist from trying to extend things to an area of fiction. We want the employment figures to be a true reflection of what is obtaining on the ground and not just things that we dream about.

Thank you, Sir.

KAPUTA/KASONGOLE/MUNUNGA ROAD

427. Mr Ng’onga asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication when the Government would rehabilitate the Kaputa/Kasongole/Mununga Road in Kaputa District.

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, currently, there are no immediate plans to carry out rehabilitation ...

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the Chair]

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, when business was suspended, I had just started answering Question No. 427. 

Mr Speaker, currently, there are no immediate plans to carry out rehabilitation works on the Kaputa/Kasongole/Mununga Road. However, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the RDA, intends to carry out periodic maintenance works on the Mununga/Nkoshya/Mukunsa Road, which will include part of the Kaputa/Mununga Road in 2014.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, the Kaputa/Kasongole/Mununga Road is the only economic road for the people of Kaputa. They use it to get their merchandise to Luapula and the Copperbelt. I would like to find out whether there will be any periodic maintenance that will be carried out in 2013 in order to bring this particular road to a passable standard.

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for the answer.

Hon. Members: For the question!

Mr M. H. Malama: Thank you very much for the question. 

Laughter

Hon. Government Member: Alowa umwaice, uyu.

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, as I indicated in my answer, as much as we appreciate that that the road is economical, we also have to look at the resource envelope. The hon. Member should not be too worried because we will seriously consider works on that road in the 2014 Budget. We did not plan for works on this road this year. Therefore, I would be misleading the people of Kaputa if I indicated that we will work on the road in question this year. However, as a caring Government, we are very mindful of the need for its rehabilitation.

I thank you, Sir.

Lt-General Shikapwasha (Keembe): Mr Speaker, the question by the hon. Member for Kaputa was whether or not there was going to be maintenance on the road in question as it is impassable. People cannot carry out their economic activities in Kaputa properly because the road requires emergency intervention from the Government. Is the Government going to do that?

The Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (Mr Simuusa) (on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Yaluma)): Mr Speaker, that road has been budgeted for full works in 2014. It is better for us to do a good job which everybody will be very happy with. We shall do a comprehensive job in 2014.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

ZAMBIA ELECTRICITY SUPPLY CORPORATION

428. Professor Lungwangwa asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development when the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) would install a transformer to enable people living along the Mongu/Kaoma electricity grid to access power.

The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Zulu): Mr Speaker, in an effort to improve the quality and reliability of power as well as increased access to electricity in the Western Province, ZESCO Limited is in the process of implementing several projects to upgrade the capacity of its existing main supply sub-stations.

In this regard, ZESCO Limited has purchased new transformers and associated equipment for upgrading Mongu, Senanga, Kaoma, Kazungula and Sesheke sub-stations at a cost of KR13.33 million. The equipment is expected to be delivered and installed by July this year.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the question has not been answered. Can the hon. Minister answer it?

The Deputy Chairperson: Can you ask the question again?

Professor Lungwangwa: Sir, the question is: When will ZESCO install a transformer to enable the people living along the Mongu/Kaoma electricity grid to access power?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, ZESCO Limited has purchased new transformers and associated equipment for the upgrading of Mongu, Senanga, Kaoma, Kazungula and Sesheke sub-stations at a cost of KR13.33 million.

Hon. Opposition Members: When?

Mr Zulu: The equipment is expected to be delivered and installed by July, 2013.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Bwekeshapo!

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, from the answer provided, I take it that the step down transformers will be installed in all those places that the hon. Minister has indicated. The hon. Member for Nalikwanda was specific in his question. He only wanted to know about the stretch between Mongu and Kaoma. However, the hon. Minister said that transformers have been bought for Sesheke, Senanga and the other places. Are you then confirming that you will install step down transformers in all those places?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, yes, I am confirming that.

I thank you, Sir.

RUBBER PLANTATION IN NCHELENGE DISTRICT

429. Mr Mpundu (Nchelenge) asked the Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection:

(a)    when the Government would provide funding for the expansion of the rubber plantation in Nchelenge District from the current 140 hectares to 1,000 hectares;

(b)    when the requisite plantation equipment would be provided; and

(c)    when a permanent workforce would be employed.

The Deputy Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (Dr Mwali): Mr Speaker, through the National Tree Planting Programme, we intend to expand the current rubber plantation in Nchelenge District. We intend to raise sufficient seedlings this year to expand the plantation by 50 hectares. The ministry will, thereafter, expand the plantation yearly.

Mr Speaker, the Rubber Plantation Expansion Programme already has a serviceable tractor and will also benefit from the equipment which we are currently procuring under the National Tree Planting Programme for all the provinces.

Lastly, the rubber plantation has a workforce of five. Two of these workers are now over 55 years and are due for retirement. Out of the other three workers, two have certificates in forestry while the other one has only obtained a general certificate of education (GCE).

The provincial administration in Luapula Province has identified two vacancies at the level of Forest Extension Assistant to employ the two holders of certificates in forestry and, so far, one vacancy has been filled.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mpundu: Mr Speaker, is the ministry thinking of an out-grower scheme for purposes of expediting the process of attaining the 1,000 hectare plantation?

Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, we need to bear in mind the status of the plantation. As it is now, it is a demonstration plot. The ultimate objective is to encourage the private sector to go into rubber planting.

I thank you, Sir.

WATER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT

430. Mr Mpundu asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development when the Government would employ the following staff in the Water Affairs Department in Nchelenge District:

(a)    District Water Engineer;

(b)    Assistant District Water Engineer;

(c)    secretary;

(d)driver; and

(e)    watchman.

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the positions referred to in the question are not in the establishment of the Department of Water Affairs in Nchelenge District and that recruitment for these positions cannot take place anytime soon since these positions currently do not exist and, consequently, were not budgeted for. The establishment for the Water Affairs Department in Nchelenge District comprises the following positions only:

Post        Salary Scale    Establishment    Filled Positions    Vacant

District Water Officer    GSS/07    01      0    01
Engineering Assistant    GSS/11    01      0    01
Typist    GSS/13    01    01      0
Office Orderly    CE/03    01    01      0

Mr Speaker, in 2003, the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development underwent restructuring. During this exercise, new positions were created and others abolished. The process also called for the ministry to embark on decentralising the functions of the Department of Water Affairs. As such, the department was to have representation at district level throughout the country. The purpose of the process was to improve efficiency and effective service delivery. The ministry will, therefore, employ officers to the positions within the establishment once Treasury authority has been granted by the Ministry of Finance.

I thank you, Sir.

ZAMBIA NATIONAL BROADCASTING CORPORATION TV2

431. Mr Chabala (Kankoyo) asked the Minister of Information and Broadcasting:

(a)when the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) would start broadcasting the TV2 channel for twenty-four hours a day on the Copperbelt;

(b)when MultiChoice Zambia would improve its television signal, especially during the rainy season; and 

(c)why the ZNBC premises along Alick Nkhata Road were dirty.

The Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting (Mr Kapeya): Mr Speaker, the ZNBC will not start broadcasting the TV2 channel for twenty-fours a day until we migrate to digital terrestrial television broadcasting. Currently, TV2 is broadcast at midnight, when the main channel closes, until the following morning.

Mr Speaker, the problem of intermittent interruption to Digital Satellite Television (DSTV) programming during the rainy season is due to natural disturbances to the signal referred to as Rain Fade. Rain Fade refers to the absorption of a microwave radio frequency (RF) signal by atmospheric rain, snow or ice. This happens as the signal travels from the satellite in space to the receiving dish or when the signal is sent from an uplink to the satellite. One way of resolving this problem is by requiring viewers to use bigger dishes which are, at least, 3.7 m compared to the 1.8 m dishes which are sold at the moment. However, this will entail clients incurring more costs at the installation stage. The other solution to this problem is to subscribe to GoTV which has less of this challenge because MultiChoice receives the signal using the 4.5 m dishes and feeds the stable signal from satellite to a television transmitter from which either an indoor or external antennae is used to receive stable terrestrial GoTV signal.

Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the ZNBC has put in place measures to ensure that the surroundings are kept clean at all times. The corporation is also in the process of employing an Estates Officer to ensure periodic maintenance is carried out on all its properties. In addition, an extra borehole for watering the lawns will be sunk in the near future.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chishimba (Kamfinsa): Mr Speaker, may I know when the garbage lying behind the ZNBC building, which makes it look terrible, will be collected.

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, that will be done very soon because we are also concerned about it.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Mushanga (Bwacha): Mr Speaker, it is not just the ZNBC surroundings that are dirty, but also the corporation’s walls. I do not know when they were last painted. May the hon. Minister state when the ZNBC management or the ministry will look into this because we pay television levy every month. Where does the money go?

Mr Kapeya: Mr Speaker, we are equally concerned about the ZNBC walls. I promise that we will look into this issue.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, it is not just the surroundings of the ZNBC which are dirty. The inside is also not clean.

Laughter

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, when we see the image of the journalists on television, we expect better things from the institution. I would also like to know when the ministry will reinforce the dress code as prescribed by the Permanent Secretary.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Minister, the hon. Member is saying that even the inside of the ZNBC is dirty, but you should also address the issue of the dress code.

Laughter

The Minister of Information and Broadcasting (Mr Sakeni): Mr Speaker, I will take the question on the dress code. I think the dress code is about individuals and it is not the wish of this Government to prescribe the type of clothes people should wear. People are always asking why we should prescribe what they should wear at work.

Mr Speaker, I will give a bonus answer on the inside of the structure of the ZNBC. If you have been there recently, you will have noticed that there has been some cleaning done. For example, the walls in the cafeteria have been painted. Cleaning the place to make it look presentable and nice is an on-going programme. The issue still remains that funds are inadequate, but we are trying to improve on this. Although KR3 is paid in the form of television levy, it is not enough to manage the institution.

I thank you, Sir.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH DECEASED EMPLOYEES

432. Mr Chishimba asked the Minister of Health:

(a)how many families of deceased employees of the ministry in Kitwe District had not received their terminal benefits as of October, 2012; and

(b)how many medical personnel serving on fixed-term contracts in Kitwe District had not received their gratuity from 2010 to date.

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, there are two families of deceased employees of the Ministry of Health in Kitwe District that had not received their leave terminal benefits as of October, 2012.

Sir, there are no medical personnel currently serving on fixed-term contracts in Kitwe District who are eligible to receive their gratuity. However, the House may wish to note that, at the moment, there are eleven medical personnel on a fixed three-year contract (March, 2010, to March, 2013) and their gratuity will be paid after March, 2013, when their fixed-term contract expires.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chishimba: Mr Speaker, may I know when the two families will be paid their terminal benefits.

Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, it is regrettable that the two families have not yet been paid. However, we are talking about these families not having been paid by 2012. I am sure they must have been paid by now, but I need to get the update.

I thank you, Sir.

NKANA WATER AND SEWERAGE COMPANY

433. Mr Chishimba asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a)how much money the Nkana Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) collected from its consumers in Kitwe each month;

(b)why Kitwe had an erratic water supply; and

(c)when the people in Kitwe would start having water at all times.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Kufuna): Mr Speaker, the NWSC collects an average of K5.7 billion (KR5.7 million) from customers every month, out of which K5.4 billion (KR4.5 million) is from Kitwe.

Sir, Kitwe has an erratic water supply because the water production by the NWSC has been outstripped by the growing demand from the growing population. Also, water supply is erratic due to old dilapidated infrastructure which is leading to water losses and reduced product efficiencies. In addition, water production is also affected by the seasonal variation of the water levels in the Kafue River, especially during the dry season.

Mr Speaker, the people of Kitwe will start having water adequately when the Government/African Development Bank Water Works are completed as scheduled by March, 2014. After completion of the main works, it is expected that hours of water supply will considerably improve to not less than eighteen hours of supply, on average, per day. The consistent water supply of twenty-four hours per day is planned for 2015, as per the NWSC’s Strategic Plan. However, this requires investment funding of not less than US$150 million.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chishimba: Mr Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister said that water distribution in Kitwe is affected by the variation of the water level in the Kafue River, especially during the dry season. May I know what measures the Government has put in place to ensure that the effect of low water levels in the Kafue River does not continue to affect water supply to the residents of Kitwe District, in particular, Kamfinsa Constituency.

The Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mrs Kabanshi): Mr Speaker, the strategic plan shows that NWSC will come up with more boreholes to alleviate this problem.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned that the NWSC requires massive investment in ensuring that Kitwe and Kamfinsa get a constant flow of water. May I know how the ministry is trying to mobilise the required investment so that by 2014 or 2015, as earlier mentioned, the residents of Kitwe will be able to get the water that they need.

Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, this problem is receiving a lot of attention and K63 billion has already been allocated to complete the programme in 2014. However, we have to look for more funding from co-operating partners and the Government to finish the programme scheduled for completion in 2015.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that sinking of boreholes is in the strategic plan. Can she elaborate the collaboration between boreholes and the Kafue River. I am a bit lost.

Interruptions

Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, if you cannot pump water from the river, you sink boreholes so that you have extra supply of water.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chungu (Luanshya): Mr Speaker, the NWSC faces serious difficulties in supplying clean and safe drinking water to the residents of Kitwe and other towns. Areas such as Wusakile and parts of Chimwemwe have not seen a drop of water in the last ten years. I am also aware that the company is owed K19 billion by the Government.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chungu: When is the Government going to pay this K19 billion to help sort out the problem?

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, the Government is trying its best to deduct money from the allocations for the owing institutions directly from the source, the Treasury. As a ministry, we are also encouraging the NWSC to install pre-paid meters so that people pay for the services before they get them.

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Simbao (Senga Hill): Mr Speaker, what is the shortfall in litres at the lowest point of supply from the Kafue River? Further, how many boreholes are required and where will they be sited?

Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, trying to improve water supply in Kitwe is an on-going process, as is the drilling of boreholes. We have managed to drill a number of boreholes in Wusakile this year. If the hon. Member would like me to tell him how many boreholes we would have drilled by 2015, then, he should give us time to prepare a comprehensive answer.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr B. Mutale (Kwacha): Mr Speaker, when will the hon. Minister consider giving the people of Kwacha Constituency, which hosts all these water works, water-borne toilets, since the NWSC has been doing this exercise in Nkana Constituency, which is just next to Kwacha Constituency?

The Deputy Chairperson: That is a new question but, if the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing has a bonus answer, then, she can give it.

Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, unfortunately I do not have.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, when there are many supplementary questions, it means that the challenge is serious. The problem of water is not unique to Kamfinsa alone, but also in the surrounding constituencies. I have seen the hon. Member of Parliament for Wusakile making efforts to see to it that the people of Wusakile are connected to water. 

Mr Speaker, when will the people of Wusakile start receiving water on a twenty-four hour basis? 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Government Member: Ema MP, aya.

Mrs Kabanshi: Mr Speaker, that question has already been answered.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Kabanshi: We said that they would get a twenty-four hour supply of water by 2015.

I thank you, Sir.

Bridge across Lunga River 

434. Mr Pande (Kasempa) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication: 

(a)when the construction of a bridge across Lunga River on the Mumbwa/Kasempa Road would commence; and 

(b)what the time frame for completion of the project was.

M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the Government, through the RDA, has provided funds for carrying out feasibility studies, detailed designs as well as preparation of tender documents for the Mumbwa/Kasempa Road in 2013. Construction of a bridge across the Lunga River on the Mumbwa/Kasempa Road will be guided by the outcome of the feasibility studies. 

Mr Speaker, the time frame for the completion of the project will only be known once the feasibility studies, detailed designs and tender documents have been finalised.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, the feasibility studies to be conducted this year will guide the commencement of the project. However, I do not think that the answer is comprehensive. If the feasibility studies are completed this year, will the construction of the bridges start next year? In addition, at the pontoon, the embankment is so bad that there is a likelihood of vehicles rolling back into the river. Can something be done about this.

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, I think that the answer that I gave is very clear. We are unable to tell when the construction of this bridge will start because we have to wait for the feasibility studies to be carried out. In fact, we, as the PF Government, barely one year in office, have made efforts to look at this problem while some previous governments, which were in power for more than twenty years, never wanted to do so.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr M. H. Malama: As a Government, we are seriously looking into that because we feel that it is important to the Zambian people for us to do so.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Siliya: Mr Speaker, I recall that when His Excellency the President, Mr Michael Sata, came to the House in 2011, he talked about the PF Government having to work on all the rural bridges. Has the Government compiled a list of all the bridges that need to be worked on, as is done in other ministries such as the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, and the Ministry of Health, so that we can have the plans?

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, as a serious Government, we can confirm that we are doing that and that the information has been compiled and is available. 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: Will it be availed to the hon. Members of Parliament?

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, yes, it will.

Thank you, Sir.

Brig-General Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, since we have heard of the serious work that has been undertaken in the area of roads and bridges, could the hon. Minister confirm that having recognised the economic nature of this road, which goes to the new Copperbelt, the Government is actually just completing the plans that the MMD left.

Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, we have made it very clear that on works that have not been completed, or issues that were left incomplete, we, as a responsible Government, are not going to abandon them. If that was one of them, then, we are going complete it. However, in this case, where the bridge was neglected for a long time, we have commenced with a feasibility study and will work on it.

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

COMMUNICATION TOWER IN MALAMBO

435. Mr M. B. Mwale asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication when the Government would construct communication towers in the following areas in Malambo Parliamentary Constituency:

(a)Chikowa;

(b)Luwimbi;

(c)Kasamanda;

(d)Nyakatokoli; and

(e)Chief Malama’s Chiefdom.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Colonel Kaunda): Mr Speaker, surveys to assess requirements for extending mobile communication towers and associated services to the other unserviced areas that include Chikowa, Luwimbi, Kasamanda and Nyakatokoli will commence within the first half of the year. The objective is to have countrywide coverage by 2015.

Mr Speaker, I assure the hon. Members that this Government is serious and understands the importance of communication. In the areas that have been surveyed so far, 144 towers will be erected this year. With the help of the Clerk of the National Assembly, we will give hon. Members a list of all the 144 towers that will be erected between June and December, this year.

Mr Speaker, I thank you, Sir. 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Government Member: Tiyende pamodzi!

Mr Chishiba (Kafulafuta): Mr Speaker, …

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

The Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member of Parliament for Zambezi West, Mr Kakoma, who is a UPND Member of Parliament, in order to come and sit here when the UPND has not exonerated itself from the killings? Are we safe on this side of this House? 

I need your serious ruling, Sir.

Laughter

The Deputy Chairperson: The hon. Member is in order since most political parties are involved in lobbying for support as well as membership.

The hon. Member may Continue. 

Mr Chishiba: Mr Speaker, I am glad to hear about the seriousness of this Government from the hon. Minister’s response. If my memory serves me right, the question on the construction of towers has come up about three times since last year. Is it the Government, the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) or the mobile telephone service providers that will undertake the construction?

Colonel Kaunda: Mr Speaker, ZICTA is part of the Government and it will construct the towers. Our plan is that the towers be erected by the Government. The providers will use the same towers in all the areas to minimise costs. Each provider will be given different provinces where it will be able to operate, and they will share costs. I am sure that by June this year, we will award the contract to the various contractors and the towers will be in place, by December.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Member: One Zambia!

TEACHING MATERIALS FOR GOVERNMENT BASIC SCHOOLS

436. Mr Kapyanga asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education when the ministry would purchase teaching materials for Government basic schools countrywide for 2013.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, this question is similar to the one Hon. Miyutu asked not too long ago, and our answer to both questions is the same. The tender process for the procurement of teaching materials was done last year and is undergoing evaluation which is expected to be completed soon. I am sure that as we go into the second quarter of this year, most of the teaching materials will have been supplied to the schools.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I am a bit worried that this problem has persisted. I do not know whether the hon. Minister realises that with this delay, we might not be able to produce doctors and professors in this country. Is the hon. Minister aware of that?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, we are aware of the inadequacy of the teaching materials, but the fact is that the materials are there in the schools, except that they are not enough. That is why, when I was answering the question from Hon. Miyutu, I said that we have K43 billion or KR43 million in the 2013 Budget which is going to be used for the procurement of teaching materials. In addition, the PF Government found it fit to start resuscitating the Zambia Education Publishing House (ZEPH) which our colleagues stalled for their own reasons. The re-capitalisation that is going on at that institution is going to help the ministry to supply cost-effective materials to our schools. We appreciate what Hon. Simbao is saying, and the teaching materials will be bought as we go into the second quarter of this year. Once ZEPH is re-capitalised, we shall have a sure supply of materials to institutions of learning. 

I thank you, Sir.

INTER-CITY BUS TERMINUS

437. Mr Mbewe asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a)whether the Government had any plans to relocate the Inter-city Bus Terminus in Lusaka to a more spacious location;

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

(c)what the estimated cost of constructing the new station was.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government (Mr N. Banda): Mr Speaker, the Lusaka City Council does not have immediate plans to relocate the Inter-city Bus Terminus, but is currently working on improving and expanding the existing infrastructure. The council also has a strategic plan, which is the creation of bus stations in the northern, eastern, southern and western parts of the city in order to decongest and improve the flow of traffic. 

Sir, since there is no plan to relocate the bus station, parts (b) and (c) of the question fall away.

I thank you, Sir.

HIGHRISE BUILDING AT KATONDO STREET AND FREEDOM WAY JUNCTION

438. Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a)who the owners of the incomplete highrise building at the junction of Katondo Street and Freedom Way in Lusaka were;

(b)how long the building had remained incomplete;

(c)what had caused the delay in completing the structure;

(d)whether the Government had any plans to compel the owners to complete the building urgently; and

(e)if the owners had no capacity to complete the building, what the way forward was.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Taima): Mr Speaker, the structure was originally owned by the Zambia State Insurance Corporation who sold it to Royal Lutanda Company Limited in 2001. The building plans were approved on 5th November, 1984 under Plan No. 480/84 and the construction commenced almost immediately, but has since stalled for over twenty years.

Mr Speaker, from the time the plans for development were approved as an office complex, the building has changed hands twice and the subsequent owners have proposed variations to the original approval and have attributed the delays to this. A due diligence study, which went up to the end of September, 2011, was carried out. The proposal now is to redevelop the original office block into a budget hotel, apartments, restaurants and shops.

Sir, the Government has actually been concerned with the delay in the completion of the building and, last year, the developer was summoned by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing and he made commitments to complete the structure in good time. The undertaking culminated into the developer re-designing the building which has since been approved by the Lusaka City Council.

Mr Speaker, it has been established that where the developer has no capacity to complete the structure, the Government will have to evoke the appropriate legislation governing re-entry into the properties through the Office of the Commissioner of Lands.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that elaborate answer but, maybe, he could have done the House the favour of informing us who the current owners of the building are because he skipped that part of the question. I think he will also agree that the completion of that building has taken too long. It is an eyesore and a shame to the entire city. Have they given you the time frame in which they are supposed to complete it?

Mr Taima: Mr Speaker, let me repeat the answer. The structure was originally owned by the Zambia State Insurance Corporation who sold it to Royal Lutanda Company Limited and so the current owners are Royal Lutanda Company. The the procedures and processes have been exhausted. Therefore, we are going to allow the law to take its course by repossessing the entire building.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister be prudent and give us the time frame as earlier asked by the hon. Member and also let us know whether the building will be repossessed or not because we might wait for another twenty years before that is done.

Mr Taima: Mr Speaker, in simple words, let me say as soon as possible.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out if the owners of Royal Lutanda Company are Zambians.

Mr Speaker: Is Royal Lutanda a Zambian company?

Mr Taima: Mr Speaker, of course, they are Zambians.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out if the issue of the parking lot for this building is still a problem.

Mr Taima: Mr Speaker, that is a very good concern. we do not have much information on that. However, once we get more information, we will still get back to you and give you a proper answer.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

DISTRIBUTION OF FERTILISER AND SEED

439. Mr Hamusonde asked the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock what measures the Government would take in order to improve the distribution of seed and fertiliser to small-scale farmers under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions 

Mr Speaker: Order, order!

Allow the hon. Minister to give the answer, please.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mr Monde): Mr Speaker, the Government is committed to reforming the FISP in order to improve its performance with regard to targeting the beneficiaries and delivery and distribution of inputs. Some of the measures that the Government has put in place in order to improve the distribution of seed and fertiliser to small-scale farmers under the FISP include the following:

(a)the implementation of the electronic voucher system in ten districts in the 2013/2014 farming season on a pilot basis with a view to rolling it out countrywide in subsequent farming seasons. The electronic voucher system of input support is a cost-effective business model and means of targeting agriculture inputs in the form of incentives to small-scale farmers. Some of the benefits to be realised as a result of using the electronic voucher system are:

(i)    cost effectiveness in the supply and distribution of agriculture inputs;
(ii)    early receipt of inputs by beneficiaries, leading to timely implementation of activities;
(iii)    transparency in the targeting of agriculture inputs to the intended beneficiaries;
(iv)    transparency in beneficiary selection;
(v)    stimulation of agro dealer development by promoting private sector participation in input supply markets;
(vi)    promotion of diversification and farmer choice of quality input and suppliers; and
(vii)    promotion of effective and efficient monitoring and evaluation of programme benefits; and

    (b)    exploring the possibility of increasing the number of fertiliser suppliers by limiting the number of zones each supplier can bid for in order to increase efficiency.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, we used to blame the MMD Government for the delay in distributing fertiliser, but it has become worse in the PF Government.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Hamusonde: Is the hon. Minister aware that this is February and fertiliser is still being distributed? Is that normal or abnormal?

Laughter

The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mr Sichinga): Mr Speaker, in responding to this question, I would like to submit that we have requested for the opportunity to make a ministerial statement on this issue. First and foremost, it is not satisfactory to deliver fertiliser at this time of the year to any farmer. There are plausible reasons this has been done and I am hoping that, through the ministerial statement, we will be able to clarify the circumstances and factors that contributed to this.

Mr Speaker, the second point is that there were aspects that were outside the control of the Government in the procurement of inputs last year. This is why we are now talking about other methodologies of enhancing the acquisition of inputs and selection of beneficiaries. We are also trying to do away with the inefficiencies that exist in the current system. Our intention is to change this and improve the manner in which it is done. One factor that has contributed to the late distribution of inputs is the inability to procure fertiliser locally. The result is that we have had to look for supplies outside the country and this has been met with impediments along the way, including transportation. 

Mr Speaker, early procurement of fertiliser, from both local and foreign sources, was not possible last year and this has led to the late distribution of fertiliser. Nonetheless, we are seeking to encourage the establishment of more private-sector players in the hope of enhancing distribution. You may also be aware that locally, we have deposits in Mumbwa, next to Nangoma, in Petauke and Isoka. We are seeking to explore possibilities of exploiting these deposits. It is our sincere hope that this will eliminate the issue of late distribution. What was not done last year and the year before has contributed to this situation. We will, however, make a comprehensive statement in which we hope that we can anticipate difficulties for the future and avoid them.  

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Kakoma (Zambezi West): Mr Speaker, one of the reasons for the delay in the distribution of inputs to farmers has to do with the companies that the PF Government awarded contracts to, in very controversial and unclear circumstances, which are even being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Kakoma: Can the hon. Minister explain whether they actually made a mistake to award contracts to the companies that were distributing fertiliser in Zambia. 

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, it is not my intention to engage in speculation. All I can say is that the various institutions of the Government have specific responsibilities that they have to undertake. The ACC did not start their investigations before the delivery of the fertiliser. In fact, this was part of the delay because there were certain steps that the ACC had to undertake to examine this. This, however, was not the only mistake made in the selection of suppliers. Suppliers require that they be paid in order to procure the inputs and, if funds were not available at the time, it would not have been possible for them to procure. 

Mr Speaker, let me also add that this country is quite capable of supplying its own fertiliser. It is the former Government …

Hon. MMD Members: Aah!

Mr Sichinga: … which failed and which wanted to kill the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ). This is why we do not have local supply of fertiliser. However, we are seeking to sort this out at the moment. This sensitive and hardworking Government has mapped out a direction to sort out the NCZ so that we can procure fertiliser locally. 

I thank you, Sir. 

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister, in his response, said that the e-voucher System will bring a lot of benefits in input supply. What guarantee do we have that this system will take off before the farming season, knowing very well that last year, the system which was supposed to be in place, failed to take off due to some inertia within the Government system. 

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, invoking an e-system requires connectivity between the control centre and the outlying areas. One thing that was not done last year was ensuring that there was sufficient broadband in localities where the beneficiaries are located. We have identified how this will be achieved. We are working on this because the e-voucher system has to be cashed at some stage. However, because the rural areas have no banks at the moment, we have to find means by which we can be able to effect it. 

We are bringing in more players in order to spread the risk of failure. This will entail that if one area fails, the other will succeed and avoid the risks that we had last year. In engaging electronic transactions, it is important that all the components that are necessary are put in place. Unfortunately, not all the areas of our country have broadband to enable us to sustain the number of people that would be able to access this system. 

At the moment, the Government is supporting 900,000 beneficiaries under FISP. We are breaking this number into categories of those that will continue to receive assistance under FISP and those that will receive it under the e-voucher system. This is why we are trialing it, firstly, in specific areas which are along the line of rail then see how it works from there and determine the challenges. After identifying what needs to be corrected, we shall correct it before rolling it out nationwide. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

Hon. Members indicated to speak. 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Since the hon. Minister will be coming up with a ministerial statement, we can move on to the next question. 

POLICE POSTS IN MUCHINGA

440. Professor Lungwangwa (on behalf of Mr Kunda) (Muchinga)) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

(a)whether the Government had any plans to establish police posts in Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency;

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

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

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Chilangwa): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to establish police posts in Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency in order to effectively police the area. This is in line with the PF Manifesto of establishing more police posts and stations and the training of more police officers in the country in order to maintain law and order. 

Mr Speaker, plans are already underway to establish police posts in Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency as part of the infrastructure development plans to be rolled out this year. 

Mr Speaker, I thank you. 

________

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Justice (Mr Kabimba, SC.): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn. 

Question put and agreed to. 

____ 

The House adjourned at 1744 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 1st March, 2013.