Debates - Wednesday, 27th February, 2013. | National Assembly of Zambia

DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE SECOND SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, 27th February, 2013

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

__________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

CORRUPTION CASES

396. Mr Chisala (Chilubi) asked the Vice-President:

(a) how many cases of corruption were reported to the Anti-Corruption Commission from 2009 to 2011, year by year; and

(b) of the cases at (a) above, how many were investigated.

The Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Mr Mwango): Mr Speaker, the following cases of corruption were reported to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) from 2009 to 2011, year by year:

Year Cases Reported Cases Investigated

2009 659 301

2010 329 162

2011 356 154

Total 1,344 617

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, out of the cases investigated in 2011, how many were committed to the courts of law?

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, it was not part of the original question, but I will give the answer anyway. In 2011, the number of prosecutions, including some carried forward from the previous year, was seventy-nine. I anticipated the next question and can say that the number of convictions was fourteen.

I thank you, Sir.

REHABILITATION OF HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS

397. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education when the Government would commence major rehabilitations of the following learning institutions:

(a) University of Zambia (UNZA);

(b) Kwame Nkrumah College of Education;

(d) National Institute Public Administration (NIPA);

(e) Northern Technical College (NORTEC); and

(f) Evelyn Hone College of Applied Arts and Commerce (EHCAAC).

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Professor Willombe): Mr Speaker, the ministry has the following rehabilitation works lined up at the named institutions:

University of Zambia Main Campus

Major rehabilitation works were done in the existing hostels in preparation for the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA) Zone Six Games that the country hosted in December, 2012. These rehabilitations included the old dining hall, which will be turned into a cafeteria in the next two months, and will provide meals for students and staff and, consequently, reduce on cooking in the rooms by students, leading to improved levels of cleanliness in the university. UNZA’s strategic plan for 2013 to 2017 was launched on 26th February, 2013. The plan has an ambitious budget for a five-year project to rehabilitate its infrastructure. The university is also working with co-operating partners to develop new infrastructure in 2013 as follows:

(b) a lecture theatre at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences;

(c) an institute for language studies. This will provide fifteen fifty-seater lecture rooms, one conference room of 150 capacity and some office space; and

(d) construction of a high-voltage laboratory at the School of Engineering by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO).

Kwame Nkrumah College of Education and Copperbelt College of Education

The two institutions are being converted into universities. Therefore, the works commenced at the two institutions were tailored towards the conversion. In this regard, the Government awarded contracts for infrastructure development befitting a university set-up. This will involve the construction of two blocks of four storey-hostels, a library, a lecture theatre and two-storey lecture rooms for each institution. These works started in 2009 and, this year, more contracts have been awarded.

National Institute for Public Administration

This institution, which falls under the Office of the President and is overseen by Cabinet Office, has an Infrastructure Development Programme (IDP) in the Strategic Plan (SP) with a dual system. Firstly, there is the preventive maintenance programme for hostels and other training facilities, such as classroom maintenance and furniture replacement. Secondly, there was a rehabilitation of the old hostels to upgrade them to self-contained status and, already, two have been finished. There was also construction of new infrastructure and, in the last two years, two storey classroom blocks have been constructed to house 500 to 600 students, staffrooms, tutorial rooms and banking facilities ...

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order, on the right!

The hon. Deputy Minister may continue.

Professor Willombe: … were completed. The project started two or three years ago at a cost of KR7.1 million. Currently, NIPA is putting up an ultra-modern library with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment and conference facilities worth KR28 million. The project is expected to be completed by June, 2013.

Further, NIPA is in the process of setting up satellite campuses in all provinces in a staged manner, and is working on a concept paper, as per the strategic plan. The establishment of satellite campuses is expected to start in the second part of 2013.

Northern Technical College

Mr Speaker, as regards NORTEC, the ministry has commenced the process of carrying out rehabilitation and construction works with the view to increasing access to technical education, vocational and entrepreneurship training (TEVET) and improving the quality of training. For 2013, the ministry has an approved Budgetary allocation of KR2 million for the rehabilitation of two hostel blocks and construction of a new lecture theatre with a seating capacity of 500 students. The contract for the rehabilitation of the hostel blocks has been signed and awaits the release of funds from the Ministry of Finance. The contract sum for the works is KR6,242,391 while the contract period is forty weeks. The construction of the lecture theatre is awaiting the preparation of tender documents by the Buildings Department in the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication.

Evelyn Hone College of Applied Arts and Commerce

As for the Evelyn Hone College of Applied Arts and Commerce, plans to construct and rehabilitate infrastructure are at the infancy stage. Therefore, the works have been projected to commence in 2015.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Deputy Minister for that lengthy answer. Recently, the able Government of President Michael Sata released funds that went into the rehabilitation of the infrastructure at UNZA. I want to thank the Government, on behalf of my fellow students at the university, for the job well done and urge it to keep that spirit burning. However, recently, it has been discovered that a number of buildings that were rehabilitated have heavy leakages. What has the ministry done about that?

Professor Willombe: Mr Speaker, we are waiting for a report ...

Hon. Opposition Members: From where?

Professor Willombe: … from the university.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Do not ask questions whilst you are seated. Otherwise, we move on to the next question.

Laughter

RURAL TEACHERS

398. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education why the staffing levels of teachers in the rural areas were low.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, the staffing levels in the rural areas are low because some of the teachers posted there opt to go for greener pastures while others do not take up the appointments. Further, teachers are not willing to take up vacancies in rural areas because of the challenges that are found there. In addition, married female teachers are reluctant to go to rural areas because they want to be with their spouses. However, despite these challenges, the ministry has concentrated on deploying teachers to the rural areas to reduce the gap in the staffing levels.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, I know that one of the reasons for the said problem is the lack of teachers’ houses in rural areas. In view of this, why do long-retired teachers remain accommodated in teachers’ houses?

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, before they are paid their repatriation fees and other terminal benefits, the only option that retired teachers have is to remain in institutional houses despite that not being the intention of the ministry. We can only pay the repatriation and other terminal benefits dependent on the money that we get from the Ministry of Finance. That is one of the reasons teachers remain in the houses.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, teachers are not willing to work in rural areas due to the challenges they face there. What are the immediate measures that will show the will of the Government in countering these challenges if it, really, has the interests of the people in the rural areas at heart? The people in the rural areas are the ones who are facing more problems.

Mr Speaker: I am sure that you have completed your question.

The Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Dr Phiri): Mr Speaker, I cannot add another explanation to Hon. Miyutu’s. At every opportunity, I have paid tribute to the men and women who accept to serve in areas where the average Zambian might not accept to serve. Because of this, we hope that, beginning this year, we will pay particular attention to the welfare of our teachers, especially those in rural areas, by making sure that every school that is built, from now onward, has accommodation for teachers. Due to budgetary constraints, it is not possible for us to go flat out to build houses for teachers because the number is huge. However, the ministry will endeavour to build houses wherever it builds an institution of learning. There are other factors …

Mr Siamunene entered the Assembly Chamber.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

Let us have order, please.

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, for a moment, I thought that the response from the hon. Members of Parliament was to the answer I was giving, …

Laughter

Dr Phiri: … until I observed that it was in honour of Hon. Siamunene, who is now an hon. Deputy Minister. Let me take advantage of this opportunity to congratulate him and pray that the Mapatizya Formula does not follow …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Phiri: … him because his appointment is in the interest of the Republic of Zambia. We should work together, as brothers and sisters, to bring development.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, we are committed to providing the best that we can to all teachers, particularly those in rural areas.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, I am glad that, when answering the last question, the hon. Minister mentioned the lack of accommodation for teachers which, I think, is the major problem we have in rural areas. While I appreciate the intentions the Government has of building more houses in rural schools, has the ministry considered partnering with the communities in which these schools are to build the dearly-needed houses?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I am grateful to the hon. Member of Parliament for that question. We are not only partnering with the communities and encouraging them to help out in this endeavour because they are major stakeholders, but also in the process of asking hon. Members of Parliament to partner with us so that they can spare a little from their Constituency Development Fund (CDF) towards meeting the deficit in teachers’ houses, besides our budgetary allocations. We are also exploring other avenues to help alleviate the plight of teachers with regard to the housing shortage.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, I have noted, with concern, that some teachers who are posted to rural areas only stay there for less than a month and, then, get transfers to urban areas. What has the Government done to alleviate this problem?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, we have addressed that problem, although I cannot say, with certainty, that the measure we have put in place will produce the desired results because this is a complicated human relations problem. I will not use the term ‘banned’ because it is too strong. We have put in place the rule that no teacher will be given a transfer from a rural area to an urban area, although the reverse will be acceptable because we have a heavy deficit in the rural areas. We hope that, by next year, we will be able to review this measure and see whether it is achieving the desired results. Beyond that, this is a question that will haunt the ministry for some time because it is particularly difficult to deny female teachers transfers out of rural areas.

Sir, we hope that, with sensitisation, the teachers will begin to appreciate that they have a role to play in providing education to our children in the rural areas.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Antonio (Kaoma Central): Mr Speaker, what plan does the Government have over transport problems that most of our rural teachers face? Many of them are shunning the rural areas because of the long distances they have to cover to get to their schools.

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, the question of providing transport facilities to our teachers came up last week, here, in Parliament. We hope that the opening up of rural areas by the Government, through the implementation of the Link Zambia 8,000 Road Project, will help alleviate this problem. We also think that we should encourage our teachers to get more user-friendly loans once the Public Service Bank is established. Our budget cannot be stretched far enough to provide facilities like motorcycles for our teachers. This is a subject under discussion and it awaits the implementation of the Public Service Bank.

I thank you, Sir.

GAME RE-STOCKING

399. Mr Mpundu (Nchelenge) asked the Minister of Tourism and Art when the Government would re-stock the wild animals on Kilwa and other islands in Nchelenge District, as part of the Northern Circuit Tourism Project.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism and Art (Mr Phiri): Mr Speaker, although Kilwa and other islands in Nchelenge District are part of the Northern Circuit Tourism Project, they are not designated as wildlife protected areas. In this regard, the Government has no immediate plans to re-stock them with wild animals. Currently, the Government is focused on enhancing wildlife protection in already designated wildlife protected areas that have serious challenges of poaching in the Northern Circuit Project. It may not be prudent, therefore, for the Government to re-stock areas that have not yet been designated as wildlife protected areas.

I thank you, Sir.

GLUCOMETERS AND BLOOD PRESSURE MACHINES

400. Brig-Gen Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa) asked the Minister of Health:

(a) how many health centres had glucometers and blood pressure machines countrywide, as of November, 2012; and

(b) when the ministry would equip all health centres countrywide with glucometers and blood pressure machines.

The Deputy Minister of Health (Mr Mulenga): Mr Speaker, as of November, 2012, 414 health centres had glucometers while 1,350 had blood pressure machines.

Sir, the Government appreciates the need for adequate medical equipment, including glucometers and blood pressure machines, in all the health facilities countrywide.

Mr Speaker, to address the shortage of medical equipment in health facilities, the Government has adopted a phased approach. Each year, the Government, through the Ministry of Health, sets aside funds for the procurement of medical equipment, which includes glucometers and blood pressure machines.

Sir, this year, the Government has allocated KR120 million for the procurement of medical equipment, and it is expected that part of these funds will go towards the procurement of glucometers and blood pressure machines.

I thank you, Sir.

Brig-Gen Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, we have been told, repeatedly, about the rising numbers of patients with diabetes. Can the hon. Minister indicate to this House how soon glucometers, which are important pieces of equipment, can be made available at health centres. I ask this because, without them, patients are dying or cannot be managed qualitatively.

The Minister of Health (Dr Kasonde): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Mumbwa for raising such an important point, which follows on his and our interest in non-communicable diseases.

Sir, I assure the hon. Member and the House that it is our intention to increase the supply of glucometers and blood pressure machines to all health institutions. I fully agree that the matter has to be treated with more urgency, and I am with him in providing that urgency.

Mr Speaker, may I add that glucometers and blood pressure machines are now accessible on the market. I, therefore, encourage, very strongly, the hon. Member and the community to purchase for themselves or their relatives these very easily adaptable and usable machines.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Pande (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, what is the number of health centres in the country so that we can appreciate the deficit or the extent to which the ministry has provided the equipment?

Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, the current numbers are 437 urban health centres and 1,059 rural health centres. When we add the 275 health posts and 112 hospitals, the total will be 1,883.

I thank you, Sir.

ELECTRIFICATION OF SIKONGO POLICE

401. Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo) asked the hon. Minister of Home Affairs:

(a) when Sikongo Police Station in Sikongo Parliamentary Constituency would be electrified; and

(b) what had caused the delay in electrifying the station.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mrs Mwamba): Mr Speaker, from the outset, I would like to state that this question should have been directed to the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development. However, since it was brought to us, we pursued the line ministry and were given an answer.

Sir, the Government, through the Rural Electrification Authority (REA), has embarked on the electrification of Sikongo District, including Sikongo Police Station. Currently, under Phase I of the project, the construction of the power line between Kalabo and Sikongo is almost complete.

Sir, the electrification of Sikongo Police Station is part of the on-going project and is expected to be completed at the end of Phase II of the project. The delay in the project has been due to limited funds. Further, the project was phased so that the funds available could still facilitate the construction of the line from Kalabo to Sikongo under Phase 1. Funds are now available for Phase II, and the process to procure a contractor to undertake the works is under way.

Mr Speaker, Phase II of the project involves the following works:

(a) upgrading and works at the existing ZESCO sub-station in Mongu;

(b) construction of the new sub-station at ZESCO, Kalabo office;

(d) construction of a power line at Lumba Mission.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ndalamei: Mr Speaker, in the 2012 Budget, there was a provision of K200 million for the renovation and wiring of houses in the police camp. During the Budget Sitting, I was assured that the money was available and that the contractor would do the job. Where is the money, and when will the contractor renovate the houses?

Mrs Mwamba: Mr Speaker, I think that the hon. Member was not listening. I said that the money for rural electrification was now available for projects under Phase II.

I thank you, Sir.

MULONGA WATER AND SEWERAGE COMPANY

402. Mr Chabala (Kankoyo) asked the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a) what had caused the delay in appointing the Board of the Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company Limited;

(b) when the company would improve the supply of water to Kankoyo Parliamentary Constituency; and

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Kufuna): Mr Speaker, the appointment of the Board of Directors for Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) and other commercial utility companies is at an advanced stage. With specific reference to the MWSC, all that remains is for Cabinet approval to be granted.

Sir, the improvement of water supply in Kankoyo Township started in January, 2012. Sections A, B, C and D have all been completed and the water flow is adequate. The works in sections E and F are 40 per cent complete while total completion awaits the arrival, in the country, in a months’ time, of the new pipes that have been procured. The expected completion date for the whole Kankoyo Water Supply Project is May, 2013.

Mr Speaker, the sewer system in Kankoyo is in place and able to adequately carry effluent. Therefore, there are no plans to install a new sewer system for the area. In order to improve its service, the water utility company has stationed a crew in the township to carry out preventive and corrective maintenance of the sewer system.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chishimba (Kamfinsa): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the delay in the appointment of boards for the water utility companies, which he says is at an advanced stage, is hampering the implementation of programmes in his ministry?

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr N. Banda): Mr Speaker, we are aware of what the hon. Member has said, and will ensure that the appointment is done quickly.

I thank you, Sir.

KAMFINSA PRESIDENTIAL LODGE

403. Mr Chishimba asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a) when the Government would resume the rehabilitation of the Presidential Lodge in Kamfinsa Parliamentary Constituency, considering that there was money allocated for this project in the 2011 and 2012 National Budgets;

(b) who the contractor was;

(d) what the timeframe for the project was.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr M. H. Malama): Mr Speaker, the rehabilitation of the Presidential Lodge in Kamfinsa Constituency has been going on since contract commencement on 23rd May, 2011.

Sir, the contractor is Mercury Lines Limited of Lusaka.

Mr Speaker, the cost of the project is KR4,367,117.76. The scope of work includes the construction of a 4 km palisade fence, improvement of water supply and refurbishment of the lodge.

Sir, the project is expected to be completed within the second quarter of 2013.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chishimba: Mr Speaker, how credible is the contractor, and what measures has the ministry put in place to ensure that the works are completed as stipulated?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the contractor is credible. Before he was awarded this contract, he was investigated by the relevant authorities.

Sir, one of the verification measures we have put in place will start in the office of the hon. Member. It is for this reason that we are encouraging all hon. Members of Parliament, including those from the Opposition, to work with the Government of the day.

Sir, an hon. Member of Parliament is part of the Government. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage the hon. Member for Kamfinsa to contact us if he sees that work is not progressing well. Further, we will continue checking on the contractor to ensure that works are completed by the middle of this year.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, works on the Presidential Lodge commenced in May, 2011, and are scheduled to finish in the second quarter of this year. That means that the project will take two years to implement. If the contractor doing the works is credible, why will it take two years just to rehabilitate the lodge?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, this time, we are going to supervise the works closely to make sure that the works are completed on time. We do not have information on why the contractor will take two years, but we will ensure that the works are completed on time.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

KITWE POLICE OFFICERS

404. Mr Chishimba asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

(a) how many police officers in Kitwe District had not been paid subsistence and settling-in allowances from 2010; and

(b) how many officers in the district had not been promoted in the past eight years.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, from 2010 to date, ninety-nine police officers in Kitwe District have not been paid subsistence and settling-in allowances. The Zambia Police Force will make efforts to pay the settling-in and other allowances to the affected officers when the funds are made available.

Sir, 155 police officers have not been promoted for, at least, eight years. However, I wish to point out that promotion is not only dependant on the length of service, but also on other factors, such as discipline, turn-out and hard work. Further, the hon. Member and the House may wish to know that the Government is in the process of harmonising the conditions of service for all the security wings under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Therefore, a system is to be developed in which in-service training will be conducted. Promotion examinations, known as Promex, and all other measures of assessing officers’ eligibility to be elevated to the next level of responsibility will be introduced. As you may be aware, such a system has been lacking in the Zambia Police Force for a long time.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chishimba: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for that answer, although it seems demoralising to the brothers and sisters in uniform. Why have the ninety-nine officers mentioned in the response to part (a) of the question not been paid, and the 155 officers not been promoted for eight years? Is that not de-motivating to our officers?

Laughter

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member is almost repeating his original question. However, I will focus on the second part of his question, in which he talks about demoralising the officers. Indeed, we have taken note of this challenge. That is why we have introduced the measures that I referred to when answering the principal question. We want the system to identify hardworking officers. Currently, most of the promotions are a responsibility of the Police and Prisons Service Commission (PPSC). For administrative purposes, promotions for officers between the ranks of Sergeant and Chief Inspector are delegated to the Inspector-General. The ranks from Chief Inspector to Deputy Commissioner are left to the PPSC while those from Commissioner to Inspector-General are left to the President for appointment.

Sir, we want to have a system in which our officers are going to be assessed through in-service training in various policy disciplines. Through that, they will be subjected to competitive examinations so that the progression will be dependent on the abilities of individual officers, instead of a system that does not recognise hardworking officers. It is, really, depressing to find officers serving as constables for eighteen years.

Sir, we are doing everything possible to address the situation.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, …

Mr Ntundu and Mr Kakoma interjected.

Mr Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members for Gwembe and Zambezi West, if you want to intervene, catch my eye. That is all.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: That is the right and usual way.

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, ninety-nine is quite a big number for one constituency, Kamfinsa. It means that the number for the whole country is much bigger. If ninety-nine officers have not been paid in Kamfinsa for the last …

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

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to raise a point of order.

Sir, in Africa, advice is found everywhere, unlike in Europe, where it is called consultancy and is paid for. In Africa, if people know that there is a lion somewhere, they will advise you not to go there for free. Mr Gabriel Namulambe, a prominent member of the Patriotic Front (PF), had given very timely advice to the party that if it wanted to poach hon. Members from the Opposition, it should poach quality. Is that Government in order to continue poaching hon. Members who do not meet the standard that Mr Namulambe had suggested?

Laughter

Mr Speaker: I am sure that the hon. Member is trying to lace the on-going debate with some humour, and I will treat it as such.

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, currently, there are over 300 police officers in Livingstone who have been deployed to make sure that the by-election there goes on smoothly, and I feel for them. Is that Government assuring the officers in uniform that their subsistence allowances will be paid to them before they retire?

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, in my earlier response, I indicated that we are working on harmonising the conditions of service for the men and women in our security wings. This is a comprehensive process in which we are looking at all the issues that affect our officers, including those to do with allowances. Hon. Mbewe has mentioned the officers who are in Livingstone. Currently, we are not doing things the way they were done in the past. We make sure that, when officers are going for an operation, their allowances are prepared in advance so that they do not pile up. What we are dealing with are arrears.

I thank you, Sir.

Brig-Gen Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, the 155 police officers who have not been promoted for eight years, clearly, have lost out. Does the hon. Deputy Minister have any plans that will cater for such kind of officers who, by no fault of theirs, have not been subjected to fair means of assessment? If the plans are there, when will they be implemented?

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, it is, indeed, pleasing to hear a question coming from Hon. Brig-Gen Dr Chituwo. I am sure that my elder brother has been in a situation in which systems functioned properly. I think that, when he joined as a doctor, he knew his entry point in the Defence Force. That is the system we are trying to replicate in the Zambia Police Forces. All those who are already in the service will be given a chance to be assessed and prove themselves. If they prove themselves, they will, certainly, rise through the ranks.

I thank you, Sir.

Professor Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, promotion examinations are a legacy we inherited from our colonial past. We had the Teaching and Civil Service examinations, which were done away with. Can the hon. Minister enlighten the House and, through this House, the nation the efficacy of promotion examinations in the Zambia Police Force as internal and external validity indicators of performance meriting promotion to higher levels.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I am surprised that the Professor is saying that the plan we are trying to implement is an old way of assessing police officers for promotion. The examinations will not be the only factor we shall consider. I do not know what else could be effective if you cannot allow your officers to go for further training and, then, assess them. It is only logical for individuals to be examined at the end of each course so as to ascertain how much knowledge they have acquired. Promotion examinations are just one of the assessment measures that will be in place.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

MUMBWA/LUBUNGU PONTOON ROAD

405. Mr Pande asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:

(a) when the re-gravelling of the road connecting Mumbwa to Lubungu Pontoon would commence; and

(b) what timeframe for completion of the works was.

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the road from Mumbwa to Lubungu will not be gravelled, but it is earmarked to be upgraded to bituminous standard under the Link Zambia 8,000 Road Project. The detailed designs of the road works are expected to commence on 15th April, 2013, and be finalised by December, 2013. Construction will commence in the first quarter of 2014.

Mr Speaker, the timeframe for the completion of the works will only be known when the detailed designs and preparation of tender documents have been finalised, as outlined above.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Pande: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the programme that the Government has put in place for that road. However, does the hon. Minister realise that the road is, currently, in a bad state and almost impassable? Can anything be done about the road before the next works commence?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, we will discuss the issue with the Rural Roads Unit (RRU), which might work on the bad areas, although our interest is to upgrade this important road to bituminous standard.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, the gravelling of roads also affects Lupososhi Constituency. However, I would like to draw the hon. Deputy Minister’s attention to the period of working on the detailed designs, from April to December, 2013. Is this not too long a period for this purpose?

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, firstly, there is a process involved in contractors working on a project. Secondly, we are not only looking at working on this road, but also most of the roads in Zambia. Therefore, it calls for a lot of work to be done. It is a good thing that the road in question is in the Central Province while the hon. Member comes from the Northern Province because it shows that there are many works to be done. Therefore, I wish to advise the hon. Member that there is a lot of work that this Government is undertaking.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mwanza (Solwezi West): Mr Speaker, the road in question is very important economically and, as far as I know, there are two points on which pontoons are operated, at Kafue and Lunga. What is the PF Government’s position on the bridges on the two rivers?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, when we upgrade this road, we will also look at the bridges. There is no way we can upgrade the road to bituminous standard and ignore the bridges. That is not possible under the PF Government.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

MPOROKOSO HIGH SCHOOL

406. Mr Simbao (Senga Hill) (on behalf of Mr Mutati) (Lunte) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a) when the rehabilitation of Mporokoso High School would begin;

(b) what the scope of the rehabilitation works was;

(c) whether construction of staff houses and additional pupils’ dormitories were part of the rehabilitation programme; and

(d) what the cost of the project was.

Professor Willombe: Mr Speaker, the rehabilitation works at Mporokoso High School will start in the second quarter of 2013.

Sir, the works shall be limited to water supply and sanitation.

Sir, the construction of staff houses and dormitories is not part of the works.

Mr Speaker, the water supply and sanitation works will cost about KR340,000.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, this school is very important and has produced very educated men, including Hon. Professor Willombe.

Laughter

Mr Simbao: I am, therefore, surprised that the Government can ignore the terribly dilapidated dormitories and the fact that the enrolment numbers have increased from what they were the time Hon. Professor Willombe and others like Hon. Misapa, passed through the school. Why have they decided to neglect this school?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, …

Hon. Government Member: Hon. Dr Kasonde is also a product of the school.

Laughter

Dr Phiri: … the infrastructure of secondary schools countrywide, Mporokoso Secondary School being just one of them, which were constructed in the early 1970’s, is, truly, in a deplorable state. I think that it is worse than the structures that you would find in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where there has been conflict for some years now. However, in Zambia, we have had peace and stability from 1964, but decided not to invest in the secondary school sector. This means that, as I speak, the schools have no functioning water and sanitation systems. Furthermore, most of these schools have resorted to temporary relief by digging pit latrines. I wish that something could be done about this today but, because of budgetary constraints, we are unable to immediately deal with this challenge. In almost every district, there is a secondary school in a similar state to that of Mporokoso.

Mr Speaker, what we, as the Government, have been doing is some sort of fire-fighting, which is draining our energies and time. There are places worse off than Mporokoso Secondary School, hon. Member. Once, during one of my fire-fighting errands, I was in Nchelenge and could not believe the state of disrepair in which I found the secondary schools there.

Hon. Government Member: Under the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government.

Dr Phiri: I found a pupils’ dormitory that had been neglected, over the years, to the extent that there was a tree growing inside it.

Hon. Government Members: Shame!

Dr Phiri: However, we do not want to waste our energy by quarrelling over which Government was in power then. The schools have degenerated to this state.

Hon. Government Member: Balyabene ba Simbao.

Dr Phiri: However, I would have wished that this question had come from newly-elected hon. Members of Parliament, not the ones who were in authority then. Sometime last year, I had indicated that this neglect has affected our education system.

Mr Speaker, to cut the long story short, we have identified schools that need to be rehabilitated immediately. As I promised, there will be a small facility in the 2013 Budget to begin, in phases, the rehabilitation of these schools. Unfortunately, due to the limited budgetary allocation, we can only concentrate on the rehabilitation of the water supply and sanitation systems, and roofing. The 2013 Budget can only accommodate KR5.6 towards this project.

Mr Chikwanda: KR5.6 million.

Dr Phiri: KR5.6 million, thank you. I do not know what I would do without you, hon. Minister of Finance.

Laughter

Dr Phiri: This entails that …

Mr Speaker: You cannot do without him.

Laughter

Dr Phiri: I do not know what I would do without you, Mr Speaker.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: There would be no business.

Laughter

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, beginning this year, we will rehabilitate one school per province. The good news ...

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Dr Phiri: With the figure that the hon. Deputy Minister has given, we can only target one school per province. The good news is that, in the Northern Province, Mporokoso Secondary will be the target school. We hope that we will be able to entice the hon. Minister of Finance into giving us a little more so that we handle more cases as soon as possible.

Interruptions

Dr Phiri: If this is the school that Hon. Professor Willombe went to, he should have declared interest. However, it has nothing to do with the choice of Mporokoso Secondary School being the school to be rehabilitated. We just think that, in the Northern Province, it deserves to be the first school to be attended to.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kazonga (Vubwi): Mr Speaker, in the answer, the hon. Minister …

Professor Lungwangwa: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to raise a point of order.

Mr Speaker, in his response to the question raised by the hon. Member for Lunte, as well as the follow-up question by the hon. Member for Senga Hill, the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education insinuated that the hon. Members of the House who had once served in the Government should not raise questions on matters affecting their people.

Mr Speaker, we are here as voices of the people we represent. They are the ones who sent us here. Therefore, when we raise questions on the Floor of the House to the Executive, it is on issues that are pertinent and problems affecting the people. We are here to bring pertinent issues and problems affecting the people to the attention of the Executive.

Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, therefore, in order to insinuate that the hon. Members on your left who were in the previous Government should not raise questions that affect the people they represent?

I need your serious ruling.

Hon. MMD Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: I did not understand the hon. Minister to have said that you should not ask questions. I understood him to have meant that he was surprised that these questions were coming from hon. Members of a political group that should have avoided the state of affairs he was referring to. He was also quick to caution himself against wanting to play the blame game. He went on, at length, to indicate the measures and intentions of the present Government in its wish to ameliorate the rather unfortunate state of affairs he was asked about. Therefore, to that extent, I think that the hon. Minister debated this matter with the appropriate decorum.

That is my ruling.

The hon. Member for Vubwi may proceed.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated, in his response, that his ministry is targeting water supply and sanitation in its rehabilitation programme. I appreciate that. However, is it possible for the hon. Minister to share with the House the scope of the water and sanitation works? Is the ministry going to sink boreholes …

Mr Kalaba: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Kalaba: Mr Speaker, are the hon. UPND Members of Parliament in order to be so few in the House? There are only eight present out of twenty-nine.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Let him complete the question.

Mr Kalaba: Is it in order for them to be so few in the House and be busy outside politicking when they should be here concentrating on debating?

Mr Speaker, I need your very serious ruling on this matter.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

I have not received any communication on why there are very few hon. Members of this particular political grouping in the House. In the absence of any communication, therefore, I would not want to speculate on why they are not here and apportion any blame whatsoever.

That is my ruling.

The hon. Member for Vubwi may continue.

Dr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, what is the scope of the water supply and sanitation initiative that the Government wants to implement at Mporokoso Secondary School? Is it the sinking of water boreholes or the rehabilitation of the existing water supply system under the Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company (CWSC)?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I indicated that, in Phase I, we will concentrate on schools that need urgent attention. These schools are under the constant threat of being closed by the health authorities, thanks to my neighbour, here, the hon. Minister of Health, who threatened to close them down because of the inadequate water supply and poor sanitation facilities. The poor sanitation facilities have meant that the ablution blocks, which were built in the 1970s, are no longer functional. This has also affected the flow of the effluent. In some schools, the sewage facilities where the effluent is supposed to go into have been demarcated into plots and given away. So, we would like to reverse that. To have a good sanitary system, you need water. Some schools have improvised by sinking boreholes but, in many cases, the challenge is still very huge. So, we would like to look at the underground pipes because these, having been built in the 1970s, have been eroded or blocked. However, besides that, I said that the roofs have also been badly affected. We would like to give a little something to the repair of roofs at these schools, instead of waiting for a disaster. I must emphasise that this is just the beginning of the efforts which, I hope, we can sustain because there are many areas that need help in all the old secondary schools. We should not wait until the health authorities force us to close schools down because the repercussions will be unbearable.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Brig-Gen Dr Chituwo: Mr Speaker, is the situation at Mporokoso High School that the hon. Minister described the same as that prevailing at Mumbwa High School?

Dr Phiri: Dr and Brigadier-General, I know the tactics. In short, he is asking whether Mumbwa High School is part of this arrangement. The description is the same for Mumbwa, Sesheke, Kawambwa, Luwingu and schools in all parts of the country. However, if it will console the hon. Member, I can say that we will look at Mumbwa in this phase because of the ugly pictures that are coming from that school. If we leave it to be in the state it is in, then, we are risking that school being closed. In fact, the Ministry of Health is just being sympathetic to us. There are many schools that are in a similar situation to Mumbwa Secondary School in the country. That is why I have said that we have selected those schools that need urgent rehabilitation without saying that the other schools do not need to be rehabilitated. I think that there are some that are in a very advanced stage of decay.

I thank you, Sir.

MULUNGUSHI TEXTILES

408. Mr Kapyanga (Kabwe Central) asked the Minister of Defence how much progress the Government had made on the re-opening of the Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe.

The Deputy Minister of Defence (Colonel Lungu): Mr Speaker, the Government, as a first measure, re-constituted the Zambian Board of Directors in accordance with the Articles of Association, since the term of previous Zambian Board of Directors had expired in 2011. After the re-constitution of the Zambian Board, three Board Meetings were called, but the Chinese majority shareholders, with 66 per cent shareholding, have not been responsive. However, a Board Meeting was held on 27th December, 2012, in accordance with the provisions of the Article of Association, in the absence of the Chinese Shareholders to discuss the way forward.

Mr Speaker, notwithstanding the above, the hon. Minister of Defence, on behalf of the Government, engaged the Chinese Ambassador on 28th January, 2013, to discuss the way forward.

Sir, on 4th February, 2013, the hon. Minister of Defence received correspondence from the Director and General Manager of the Zambia-Chinese Mulungushi Textiles (JV) Limited informing the ministry that commissioners would be dispatched by the Ministry of Commerce of the Chinese Government and Qingdao Municipal Government in February, 2013, to hold negotiations for the resumption of the production at the company. In addition to the above, the Government, in the interim, is considering leasing the company, and some prospective investors have shown keen interest. Discussions are on-going and have reached an advanced stage.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, what other measures is the Government putting in place to resuscitate the institution as quickly as possible because the people of Kabwe Central are waiting for that?

The Deputy Minister of Defence (Mr Mwila): Mr Speaker, the first measure is that we have engaged our colleagues from China, who are the majority shareholders. The Zambian Government, through the Ministry of Defence, has 34 per cent shares. So, we have engaged the Chinese Embassy so that it gets in touch with our colleagues, who have promised that they will be able to give a position on whether they are still interested in running Mulungushi Textiles in three weeks time. Secondly, we have also engaged other investors who would come and take over the company.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kakoma (Zambezi West): Mr Speaker, the question from Hon. Kapyanga was: How long will the people of Kabwe wait for this Government, which they put in power, to keep negotiating with colleagues, colleague after colleague?

Laughter

Mr Kakoma: When are the people going to get employed and benefit from Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe?

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, firstly, the blame cannot be put on the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr Mwila: It was left by the MMD.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: What we are doing, as the Government, Sir, is to correct what our colleagues left. Our Chinese colleagues, who are the majority shareholders, have a bigger say. Unless Hon. Kakoma does not understand the business transactions, he should agree with me on that. We are the minority shareholders. So, we have to engage our colleagues. We cannot just go and take over the company. That is not tenable. So, what we are saying is that, in three weeks, our colleagues will come back to us and give a position on whether they are interested in continuing to run the company. There is the other option of bringing in other investors who can take over the company so that we can take life to Kabwe and our people are employed, including the United Party for National Development (UPND) members.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, indeed, the PF is not to blame. However, when they were campaigning, members of the PF gave hope to the people of Kabwe, who are waiting for it to act and ensure that Mulungushi Textiles becomes an employer and improves the wellbeing of the people of Kabwe.

Sir, as a Government, sometimes, it is necessary to take charge.

Hon. Government Member: What is your question?

Ms Namugala: The question is: When is this group of men and women of action going to take charge and end the suffering of the people of Kabwe by taking Mulungushi Textiles back from the Chinese who, for a long time, have been failing to resolve the problems of that particular operation? When are you taking charge, as a Government?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Before the hon. Minister responds, I think, he has repeated himself twice, so far, regarding the measures that have been taken immediately. There is a risk, here, that we will be debating in circles. Unless there is something new or different that the hon. Minister would like to say in response, I propose that we move to another question.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, we are in charge. That is why we have started this process. So, they should just wait for three weeks after which our colleagues will give a position.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, I have heard the three options that are under consideration. Is the third option, which I am about to suggest, also under consideration? The Government is also a shareholder. Given the fact that the Chinese have, so far, not conducted themselves in a manner that is very beneficial to Zambians or the other shareholders, are you considering buying them out, thereby taking over the company completely, as was the case with Zambia Railways Limited?

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, I have stated our position, which is that we will only be able to know the position after our colleagues write to us in the next three weeks.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: Is a buy-out an option?

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, not for now.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mushanga (Bwacha): Mr Speaker, in his response, the hon. Deputy Minister has indicated that the Government will, in the next three weeks, get a report from the main shareholders. In the event that the main shareholders give negative feedback regarding Mulungushi Textiles, what route will the Government take in re-opening the company?

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, we will go to the second option.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr V. Mwale (Chipangali): Mr Speaker, when we had a by-election in Chama Constituency, the President of Zambia, Mr Michael Sata, categorically said that the problem we had in buying cotton, which our farmers failed to sell because of low prices, was going to be sorted out by the re-opening of Mulungushi Textiles, and that the Government was going to open the company before the end of the last farming season. So, shall we, then, conclude that the President was making a baseless pronouncement that did not take into account what the hon. Minister has just told this House?

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, did not specify when Mulungushi Textiles would re-open. We have started this process so that we can re-open …

Mr V. Mwale: He did. He said that it would re-open last year.

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Chipangali, you cannot debate in that fashion. It is not permissible at all, however passionate you may be about this subject.

Continue, hon. Deputy Minister.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, this is insubordination.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, it is not within your jurisdiction to comment on that.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the company will be re-opened soon.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

ELECTRIFICATION OF NSADZU RURAL HEALTH CENTRE

409. Mr Mbewe asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development:

(a) when Nsadzu Rural Health Centre in Chadiza District would be connected to the national electricity grid;

(b) how much money the electrification project would cost; and

The Deputy Minister of Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Zulu): Sir, the project to connect Nsadzu to the national grid was completed in 2008. The scope of works involved the installation of a 50kvA transformer and construction of a medium voltage power line network to connect the rural health centre and staff houses. These works have already been completed and staff houses are already connected.

Sir, the cost was K88 million in 2008.

Sir, the project has already been completed. What remains is for the beneficiary institution to carry out internal wiring so that electricity can be supplied to the rural health centre infrastructure.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

CHEMBE COMMUNICATION TOWERS

410. Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication when the Government would facilitate the construction of communication towers in the following locations in Chembe Parliamentary Constituency:

(a) Kabange and Mulumbi farming areas in Senior Chief Milambo’s area; and

(b) Mumbotuta in Chieftainess Sokontwe’s area.

The Deputy Minister of Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Colonel Kaunda): Mr Speaker, in an effort to extend mobile communication services to unserviced chiefdoms and other areas, surveys covering 215 sites were carried out in August and September, 2012. Senior Chief Milambo’s area was covered during the surveys. The construction of towers and extension of mobile communication services to the stated areas will be done within the course of this year. To this effect, the Government is in the process of identifying contractors. Surveys to cover other unserviced areas that were not covered under the initial survey have been programmed to go on with the objective of having full countrywide coverage by 2015.

Sir, Mumbotuta in Chieftainess Sokontwe’s area, which was not covered under the initial survey, will be surveyed in the first half of this year.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

CHIEFS’ VEHICLES

411. Mr Hamusonde asked the Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs whether it was the policy of the Government to procure second-hand vehicles for chiefs.

The Deputy Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs (Mrs Kawandami): Mr Speaker, there is no Government policy that sanctions the procurement of second-hand vehicles for chiefs. The directive and authority to purchase second-hand vehicles was made on 17th October, 2007, when the late President, Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, SC., may his soul rest in peace, gave express authority for the purchase of second-hand Japanese vehicles from Japan for all chiefs in Zambia.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, were the vehicles given to the chiefs on loan basis? If so, how does the Government expect to pay back the loans when the second-hand vehicles never worked the way they should have?

Mrs Kawandami: Mr Speaker, to begin with, except for ten, all the chiefs were given vehicles by the Government. The ten remaining chiefs are going to be given vehicles this year. The vehicles were not given on loan because the Government is, currently, paying for their insurance. Therefore, they are a property of the Government.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, who is meeting the cost of maintaining the vehicles? Does the Government have a hand in it or it is left entirely to the chiefs?

Mrs Kawandami: Mr Speaker, currently, the chiefs receive an allowance that helps them to run the vehicles. However, when the vehicles get involved in serious accidents, the Government, as I said earlier, takes over, through the insurance policy.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

NALWEI AND NAKANYAA POLICE STATIONS

412. Professor Lungwangwa asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

(a) whether the Government had any plans to construct offices at Nakanyaa and Nalwei police stations in Nalikwanda Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b) when the Government would provide a utility vehicle to Nakanyaa Police Station.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Chilangwa): Mr Speaker, the Government is, currently, working on the ambitious plan of constructing housing units for the Zambia Police Force in order to mitigate the critical shortage of accommodation that the Zambia Police Force and other institutions have been facing for a long time. Nakanyaa and Nalwei will also benefit from this project.

Sir, the implementation of this project has been delayed due to some adjustments to the original plans. Plans are also in place to construct offices at both Nakanyaa and Nalwei police stations as part of a Nationwide Infrastructure Development Plan.

Mr Speaker, the Government also has plans to procure more vehicles for operations in the country. Nakanyaa Police Station will be provided with an operational vehicle once the procurement of more vehicles is done.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, this was a very specific question requiring a specific answer. Can the hon. Minister be specific in informing the people of Nalikwanda, in particular, those of Nakanyaa, when the ministry will procure a vehicle for Nakanyaa Police Station.

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, I am very specific in my answers, and I gave a very specific answer to Hon. Professor Lungwangwa’s question when I said that the Government was procuring vehicles for police stations countrywide. It is an on-going programme, and Nakanyaa Police Station will receive a vehicle along the way.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, the question is: How soon will these vehicles be procured?

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, are you able to give a date?

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, even if I bought a vehicle from Japan and said that it would be arriving in the third quarter of the year, it might come in the first or second week of January. The specific answer that Professor Lungwangwa wanted is that the vehicles will be coming in the course of the year.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: Are you able to give a date?

Mr Chilangwa: Mr Speaker, I cannot give a specific date.

I thank you, Sir.

BWACHA MARKET

415. Mr Mushanga asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a) what stalled the renovations at Bwacha Market in Bwacha Parliamentary Constituency;

(b) when the renovations at (a) above would resume; and

Mr Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr N. Banda: Mr Speaker, when business was suspended, I was about to answer the question on Bwacha Market, which was asked by the hon. Member for Bwacha Constituency.

Sir, the market in question was funded under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in 2010. However, consultations with the Kabwe Municipal Council revealed the following:

(a) variations were encountered in the specifications in the bill of quantities, which has caused delays in the procurement of materials, thereby affecting the completion period of the project. The project has reached roofing stage, with roofing sheets already placed and fixed;

(b) the contractor will resume the works once the remaining roofing sheets are procured; and

Mr Speaker, it is important to encourage hon. Members of Parliament to have a keen interest in developmental projects in their constituencies and engage the local councils regularly so that they have first-hand information on what is taking place on the ground. I say so because this question particularly relates to the use of the CDF and should be well-known by hon. Members of Parliament.

I thank you, Sir.

______________

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Sir, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

_____________

The House adjourned at 1635 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 28th February, 2013.

WRITTEN REPLIES TO QUESTIONS

CHIEFDOM BOUNDERIES

407. Mr Milambo (Mwembeshi) asked the Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs:

(a) whether Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo’s Chiefdom of Chongwe shared boundaries with Senior Chief Shakumbila’s Chiefdom;

(b) if so, where the boundary between the two chiefdoms began and ended; and

The Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs (Professor Luo): Mr Speaker, Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo’s Chiefdom does not share a boundary with Senior Chief Shakumbila’s Chiefdom because the two chiefdoms are separated by a piece of State land. Therefore, the two chiefdoms share boundaries with the State land.

Sir, the ministry is using the 1958 Chiefdom Boundary Maps in resolving chiefdom boundary disputes, as it is, currently, the only legal Government document that shows chiefdom boundaries.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

MECCO EMPLOYEES’ SALARIES

413. Mr Kunda (Muchinga) asked the Minister of Defence when employees of Mupepetwe Engineering and Contracting Company Limited (MECCO) in Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency, who had not received their salaries since July, 2012, would be paid.

The Minister of Defence (Mr Mwamba): Mr Speaker, MECCO had cleared all outstanding salary arrears for employees, as at 31st December, 2012.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

MUCHINGA COMMUNICATION TOWERS

414. Mr Kunda asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication when the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) would facilitate the construction of communication towers in the following locations of Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency:

(a) Kabansa;

(b) Chibale;

(d) Mailo; and

(e) Nakalengule.

The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr Yaluma): Mr Speaker, surveys covering 215 sites, including Chibale, Chisomo and Mailo, were carried out in August and September, 2012. Furthermore, preparations for the construction of towers and extension of mobile communication services to the stated areas are underway and will be executed within this year, as soon as the contractor is identified. The surveys of other unserviced areas not covered under the initial exercise have been scheduled to be undertaken with the objective of having full country coverage by 2015. In this regard, Kabansa and Nakalengule, which were not part of the initial surveys, will be surveyed in 2014.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

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Debates - Wednesday, 27th February, 2013.

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