Debates- Friday, 22nd February, 2013

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DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE SECOND SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY

Friday, 22nd February, 2013

The House met at 0900 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_______

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER

RETURN FRIENDLY MATCH BETWEEN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF ZAMBIA AND THE MALAWIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, the announcement I am making is a follow up to an earlier one I made on Thursday 1st November, 2012, in which I informed the House on the composition of a team of hon. Members of Parliament to represent the National Assembly of Zambia in future games with other parliaments. I am pleased to inform the House that arrangements have been made for return friendly matches in football and netball between the National Assembly of Zambia and the Malawian National Assembly. You may recall that Zambia hosted the games in Chipata in June, 2012 and, therefore, we are now reciprocating this gesture. The team will depart for Malawi by road on Friday, 1st March, 2013 at 0830 hours and will return to Zambia on 3rd March, 2013. The matches will be played in Lilongwe on 2nd March, 2013. The Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia has communicated to the teams regarding the logistical details. May I, on behalf of the House, urge the players to prepare adequately for this return match in which, as I last indicated, victory is not negotiable.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Therefore, as part of the preparations, there will be a match played this afternoon at the showgrounds.

I thank you.

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BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, I rise to give the House an idea of the business it will consider next week.

Sir, on Tuesday, 26th February, 2013, the Business of the House will begin with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, I there will be any.

On Wednesday, 27th February, 2013, the Business of the House will, again, begin with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will then consider Private Members’ Motions, if there will be any. Perhaps, I could simply comment, at this point, that I do feel that it is during this time when hon. Members can raise Private Members’ Motions through which they can have some of their concerns addressed instead of raising points of order.

Mr Speaker, on Thursday, 28th February, 2013, the Business of the House will commence with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any.

Sir, on Friday, 1st March, 2013, the Business of the House will begin with the Vice-President’s Question Time, if he survives this one today. This will be followed by Questions, if there will be any. The House will then deal with presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any and, then, the House may deal with any business that may remain outstanding.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

IMPORTATION OF CATTLE INTO THE COUNTRY

The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mr Sichinga): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank you for according me this opportunity to inform this august House on issues surrounding the point of order that was raised by Hon. Request Muntanga regarding the importation of cattle from Tanzania and the health status of the same cattle.

Sir, Zambeef, a Zambian company, imported 500 cattle from Tanzania in October, 2012. These animals came into the country in batches. The first batch arrived on 16th October, 2012, while the last batch arrived on 9th December, 2012. There were 168 borans and 332 zebus.

Mr Speaker, prior to the importation of the cattle, Zambeef requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock for a permit to import the breeding stock from Tanzania. As a standard practice, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock gave Zambeef certain conditions which needed to be complied with. Such conditions have been put in place in order to safeguard the risk of diseases.

     The following are the conditions:

(a)animals should be free from infectious diseases, including foot and mouth disease, contagious bovine pleural-pneumonia (CBPP), enzootic, bovine leucosis, brucellosis, tuberculosis, vibriosis, trichomoniasis, leptospirosis, Johnes disease and campylobacter;

(b)animals should be certified by State veterinarians in both countries so as to ensure that that they are free of infectious disease before they are exported or imported;

(c)the animals should be quarantined for a minimum of twenty-one days during which they are subjected to physical inspections both prior to exportation and upon arrival in the country of destination.

    A Zambian epidemiologist (veterinary doctor) was dispatched to Tanzania to screen the animals prior to the importation process. The veterinary doctor verified that the area where the animals were coming was disease free. The doctor even inspected individual farms where the exported animals were coming from. On the basis of this certification, Zambeef Limited was given permission to import these animals. A permit was issued to Zambeef by the Government in collaboration with the Tanzanian authorities.

Mr Speaker, Zambeef was given a permit to import the animals into Zambia after it had met the prescribed conditions. Besides, the Tanzanian authorities had assured the ministry that they were implementing a CBPP roll back programme and that the area from which the animals came from was a CBPP-free zone. Further, 5 per cent of the herd of cattle was tested whilst the animals were still in Tanzania and the results were negative.

Mr Speaker, upon arrival on the indicated dates, the animals were delivered and quarantined at the Zambeef Farm in Mpongwe. The first deaths occurred in October, 2012. Since the affected animals had incurred fractures, no postmortem was conducted. The farm only got concerned upon further deaths which occurred between November and December, 2012 while the animals were still quarantined. Eleven samples were then collected and submitted to the Central Veterinary Research Institute. Eight out of eleven tested positive for the CBPP. Since the CBPP is a herd disease, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Protocol for Animal Health, all the animals on the farm were considered infected.

Mr Speaker, immediately upon diagnosis of the disease, the quarantine measures were reinforced and a notice in gazette notice No. 6161 Vol. XLIX No. 14 dated 15th February, 2013 was issued to inform the public of the outbreak. To control the disease, the farm has been depopulated. All the animals have been slaughtered and the quarantine remains effective until 1st April, 2013. In accordance with the CBPP control protocols currently in place, active surveillance is being maintained between Nakonde and Mpongwe districts to ensure that there is no risk of the disease occurring along the transportation route.

Mr Speaker, the ministry wishes to assure the farmers and the public at large that following the depopulation of 456 animals at the farm, there is no risk of the disease spreading to the neighbouring farms. The bacterium that causes the disease does not survive in the general environment and, therefore, infection does not occur from contaminated grass, farm structures, equipment or people. The infection only occurs through contact between infected and healthy animals. However, although the bacterium does not survive in the general environment, the ministry has prolonged the quarantine measures instituted at the farm beyond the recommended twenty-one days. 

Mr Speaker, in order to prevent any such occurrences, the ministry has decided to tighten the import protocols. The measures will include reducing the interval between certification of the animals and the time of export. I would like to thank the hon. Member of Parliament who raised the point of order on this issue. In fact, on that particular day, the ministry was in the process of releasing a press statement to the general public.

I thank you, Sir.

Interruptions 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members are free to ask questions on points of clarification on the ministerial statement which has been issued by the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock.

Dr Kazonga (Vubwi): Sir, based on epidemiological principles of the CBPP, the hon. Minister has indicated that 5 per cent of these animals were tested. Using biostatistics in particular, 5 per cent of 500 is twenty-five. Was that sample really adequate? Is it part of the standard to only use 5 per cent to carry out such a test or the epidemiologist that went there just used whatever method was possible? 

Mr Sichinga: Sir, I am not in a position to indicate whether that is the protocol at the moment or not. Suffice to say that these animals were at several farms. I suspect that the exigencies of the situation demanded that he only takes a specific sample from each farm. In fact, I have with me here indications that not only were these samples taken and tested by a veterinarian from Zambia, but also that the same tests were conducted by the laboratories in Tanzania before the animals were dispatched.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Kalima (Kasenengwa): Mr Speaker, according to the statement by the hon. Minister, officers from the ministry were sent to Tanzania where the verification was firstly done. Would the hon. Minister just explain to this House, and nation at large, whether this was really the case or there was something else that happened. I say so because if the certification was really done, I think the results would be otherwise. So we would really love the hon. Minister to tell the nation and the House what exactly happened and what has happened to the people that were dispatched to Tanzania.

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I do not want to undertake conjecture here. What I will state are the facts as given to me. In fact, let me restate the position which I indicated earlier. I have certification from both the veterinary doctor as well as the laboratories in Tanzania. It is my desire to lay the certification on the Table of the House after the conclusion of this particular debate so that the hon. Members are at liberty to verify the documentation for themselves.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister informed the House that upon realisation that the animals were contaminated, they were all killed. He has further told us that the quarantine measures have been prolonged beyond twenty-one days. What was being quarantined after all the animals were killed?

Mr Sichinga: Sir, the quarantine, obviously, is not just about the animals that were at the Zambeef Farm, but also in the neighbourhood. There are other animals in the neighbourhood which have to be observed under the same quarantine. In other words, there will be no movement to the farms of any additional animals because we want to ensure that after 1st April, 2013, there will be no possibility of any animal infections in the area.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has confirmed that there was an outbreak of the CBPP. When there is an outbreak, animals have to be vaccinated within a radius of 40 km. In this case, all the animals were slaughtered. Now, while all the infected animals were slaughtered, what measures is the hon. Minister putting in place to vaccinate the animals within the radius of 40 km?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I did indicate that measures were taken to ensure that no other animals were infected around the neighbourhood. Tests have been carried out in the neighbouring farms to ensure that there is no such infection and these have proven to be negative.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwanza (Solwezi West): Mr Speaker, what action is the Patriotic Front (PF) Government taking against the veterinary officer who went to Tanzania and certified that the animals were okay only to discover that all of them were contaminated?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I did not say that all the animals were infected. I said that, according to protocol, once a set of animals are found to be infected, it is assumed that all of them would be. Also, there are eleven samples that were taken. Out of those eleven, eight were positive and three were negative. Therefore, we cannot assume that all the animals were infected.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Is there anything to be done to the veterinary doctor?

Mr Sichinga: Sir, there are no steps that have been taken as far as the doctor is concerned because as far as the protocol is concerned, he did what was right. This has been verified both in terms of what was certified by him as well as by the laboratories which certified his findings. As we all know, there is no way that a doctor can operate without the assistance of the testing from other laboratories. What we have done is to communicate with our Tanzanian counterparts so as to ensure that they are made aware of this situation. The necessary measures, according to the protocols that are observed in such situations, will be undertaken.

I thank you, Sir.

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha (Keembe): Mr Speaker, there are a number of records where livestock has been lost. I remember a number of swines were lost …

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha: … and then slaughtered. The owners were compensated. Is the Government going to help Zambeef by compensating it for the 500 animals lost?

Mr Sichinga: Sir, those are issues that are being handled, at the moment, in the usual way, between the company as well as those that they imported the animals from. As I said, everything is being done to ensure that not only is a compensation issue raised, but also that the effect of the tests that were carried out will also be communicated to our Tanzanian counterparts. In fact, this has already been done.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, I welcome the hon. Minister to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. No more clusters now.

Laughter

Mr Mbewe: You will now be talking about washing and castrating pigs.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Order! {mospagebreak}

Mr Mbewe: Sir, the hon. Minister said that there were some animals which had fractures. Why was a postmortem not done?

Mr Sichinga: Sir, transporting 500 animals clearly has this particular effect …

Mr Sichinga’s phone rang.

Interruptions

Mr Sichinga: I am being updated. 

It is being affected by the …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order! 

May the hon. Minister continue.

Mr Sichinga: Sir, 500 animals being transported from Mbeya to Ndola are likely to sustain fractures because it is a long way. Even animals being transported from much nearer places like Chipata or Mazabuka to Mpongwe can sustain fractures. The assumption, at the time, was that these animals had died as a result of fatigue and the fractures they had incurred during the transportation process.

In addition to that, Mr Speaker, we will continue to talk about clusters because the animals need to feed in to them. 

Laughter

Mr Sichinga: This is what we call the backward linkage that the animals will need to be processed somewhere and this somewhere includes the clusters that Hon. Chenda has kindly agreed to continue reinforcing because the PF Government is well aware …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order! 

Listen to the hon. Minister on clusters.

You can continue.

Mr Sichinga: Yes, Sir. I am responding to the questions on clusters that were asked. So, I want to assure the hon. Member for Chadiza that he need not worry. His employment will be created and the clusters in Chadiza will be provided.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Simbao (Senga Hill): Mr Speaker, going by what has happened, was the Government fair to send only one person to inspect such a big number of cattle for importation into this country?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I know why the hon. Member is worried. It is because Senga Hill is positioned close to Tanzania and, in fact, he might even have some animals crossing from the other side. However, I want to say that the regular arrangements are that one veterinary doctor would be sufficient. In any case, at the time that this was taking place, there was no question of the validity of the tests that had been carried out as well as the co-operation that we received from our counterparts on the other side. As I have said, I will lay on the Table of the House the certifications that were obtained from Tanzania which were quite clear. So, under those circumstances, I do not think that we would have anticipated this problem to the extent that it would have prompted us to send more than one veterinary doctor.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Lubezhi (Namwala): Mr Speaker, going by the way the hon. Minister is answering, does he realise that this irresponsible action by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has got the potential to devastate the livestock industry in this country?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I suppose this is the baptism of this accountant in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, but suffice to say that there is no irresponsible action here. I think that, from the statement that I have given, it has shown very clearly that, at every stage, there were responsible measures that were taken in accordance with the protocols that are observed. In as much as I realise that the hon. Member comes from Namwala where there are a lot of cattle, I would like to think that her own animals in her area are safe from this situation because of the responsible measures that have been taken by this Government.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr I. Banda (Lumezi): Mr Speaker, what is the ministry doing along the border with Tanzania where we have this disease to prevent the spread into our country?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, as far as I am aware, this disease is not along the border areas as such. What is prevailing in some of the parts is the East Coast Fever and all the measures, in terms of the vaccinations and dipping among others, have already been undertaken in the normal way even without the knowledge of this particular condition that we have had at Mpongwe Farms.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chisanga (Mkushi South): Mr Speaker, why is the Government importing animals from Tanzania when we have animals in Zambia, namely in Central Province, in Mkushi, and in the Southern and Western provinces?

Mr Sichinga: Sir, I am not able to give an answer because, as I have stated right from the outset, this was a private transaction by a company and it is normal practice when animals are imported. There have been several cases where animals have been imported into the country, including being flown into the country and, therefore, this is not an unusual and exceptional situation. As far as the decision was concerned, it was not the decision of the Government, but Zambeef and, therefore, our responsibility was to ensure that the animals that came in were not infected, but that the importation was in accordance with the protocols that are normally observed in this case.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Belemu (Mbabala): Mr Speaker, the documentation from Tanzania indicates that the particular herd was to be vaccinated against the CBPP. Under the protocols that the hon. Minister is talking about, only animals in the CBPP-prone areas are vaccinated. Was that not the first indication that these animals were already infected?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, that is a wrong assumption to make. My nephew needs to know that there is a procedure that is normally followed regardless of whether an animal is infected or not. This is why, in my response to the question by the hon. Member of Parliament for Namwala, I said that there was no irresponsible action which was ever undertaken. Every one of the steps that were taken was very responsible. I hope that will be the last question.

I thank you, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: No, that is the prerogative of Mr Speaker.

Laughter

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, Zambeef is part of the prolongation of the CBPP in the Western Province because it did not want competition. Now that the head of cattle in the Western Province have been diminishing, Zambeef has to import some more CBPP into this country. What is the Government doing about Zambeef? I also note that a veterinary officer was even sent to go and help Zambeef. Could the Government not have sent veterinary officers to the Western Province to help wipe out this disease?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I do not want to engage in speculative opinions such as what my colleague and hon. Member of Parliament is indicating here. What I would like to say, however, is that the decision to import the animals was not the Government’s. Secondly, there was no irresponsibility on our part. The veterinary officer who was sent to check on these animals was not from Zambeef, but from the ministry. He was sent to ensure that the animals that were being imported were disease free. The tests that were carried out indicated that the animals that were tested from the sample that was taken were disease free. Therefore, I do not know about the speculative side of what happened in the Western Province. Suffice to say that everything in our power is being done to ensure that the herd within the country is free of the disease. Besides that, there is also the research work that is going on all the time to ensure that we minimise the spread of disease amongst the animals within the country.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Antonio (Kaoma Central): Mr Speaker, from the report that we got from the hon. Minister, the animals tested negative to the disease in Tanzania. Is the Government able to establish at what stage they contracted the disease?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, we are not able to establish at what stage any infection may have been contracted and this is why we have extended the quarantine. Secondly, we are also monitoring the route that this particular herd used while it was being imported.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, given the scenario that despite having tested negative, the animals were still found to be sick, do we see a situation where we will have to suspend the importation of beef for the time being until we establish whether this disease can be cured?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I indicated that as a result of this situation, we have tightened and extended the measures that have to be observed. That is an indication that there may be challenges. Let me also correct the impression that some people may have. Not all the animals were infected even after they had arrived here. I indicated that out of the eleven that were tested, only eight were found to be positive. The other three were found to be negative based on the sample that was taken.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Chituwo (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister says that only eight out of eleven were found positive. That is a very significant number. Is it not possible that this disease has an incubation period and that, perhaps, all the animals were infected from the point of origin into Zambia and this is why they later tested positive? With time, would it not have been possible that all the animals may have become infected, taking into account the incubation period in each animal? 

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I agree that there is an incubation period. In fact, as I concluded my statement, I stated that in order to prevent any occurrences, the ministry is tightening up on import protocols and the measures include reducing the interval between certification of animals at origin to the time of export because there is a possibility that the incubation period would have, in fact, occurred during that particular time. However, this is a double-edged sword.  Once you observe …

Mr Sichinga looked behind at Hon. Dr Chituwo.

Hon. MMD Members: The mike!

Mr Sichinga: The mike is here.

Laughter

Mr Sichinga: This particular situation is such that when the animals were dispatched at different times, one would have expected that if the infection was showing, symptoms would have shown at different times. This is the answer I already gave that we are not so sure at what stage they may have contracted the disease. Yes, we have tightened up on the protocols and the certification as I have already indicated.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mufalali (Senanga): Mr Speaker, I realise that there was professional misconduct in this matter. I am aware that the animals were not even escorted from Tanzania to Zambia. Tanzania is prone to the CBPP. May I find out from the hon. Minister what disciplinary measures he is taking against the veterinary officer that allowed unprofessionalism to prevail by importing animals from a CBPP-prone area. The ban on the Western Province has been in effect for many years because of the CBPP, but they went ahead to import from Tanzania and yet they knew that that country has that disease.

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, let me just correct the impression that has been made by the hon. Member. It is not the Government that imported the animals. The importation was conducted by a private company.

Interruptions

Mr Sichinga: Sir, this company would have allowed specific measures to be taken because it is in its interest that the animals that arrive are healthy. The statements which are being made by the hon. Members are speculative opinions. No action will be taken against the veterinary doctor because, according to the protocols, he did what he did in the correct manner. As far as we are concerned, there was no professional negligence in the conduct of the doctor. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr M. B. Mwale (Malambo): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that the animals at the farm were slaughtered. May I know what happened to the carcasses? 

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, I am not privy to that information at this point …

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

Mr V. Mwale: Esho alelya Kambwili ku Mpongwe. 

Mr Sichinga: … suffice it to say that, as far as I am concerned, all the animals were destroyed. I would imagine that the normal procedures for handling carcasses which are destroyed were put in place. Let me just clarify the issues that have been raised in the previous question by the hon. Member of Parliament. The areas were visited to ensure that they were CBPP-free areas. It is important that we recognise that there is only so much that can be humanly done and this is what was done. Everything was certified, including the certification from laboratories in Tanzania, in accordance with the authorities that are established worldwide. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Pande (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, were there any measures which were taken to ensure that the animals that were tested and certified disease free were the ones that came into the country?

Mr Sichinga: Mr Speaker, the details that are provided indicate numbers rather than marks on any animal. Therefore, I am not in a position to say to you that the animals that were inspected or tested were the ones that were dispatched. In any case, the tests were carried out only on a sample and not the entire herd.

I thank you, Sir.
_______

HIS HONOUR THE VICE –PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME

Mr Simbao (Senga Hill): Mr Speaker, what is the origin and relevance of the prayer that is said in this House at the beginning of every session, because it seems that it has no effect on the conduct and thinking ... 

Hon. Opposition Member: Of the Patriotic Front (PF).

Mr Simbao: … of most of the hon. Members of Parliament?

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Senga Hill Constituency, there is a problem with that question because its net effect will be that we should now begin to debate ourselves and how prayers affect our behaviour.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: That will violate our rules of debate. As much as the question might be interesting, I am afraid, I will not permit His Honour the Vice-President to respond to it.

Ms Kalima (Kasenengwa): Mr Speaker, what is the position of the Fertiliser Input Support Programme (FISP), that is, on the distribution of fertiliser? How many farmers are yet to receive the fertiliser and what type of fertiliser is yet to be distributed? As His Honour the Vice-President answers, I would like him to know that I know that some of the people in Kasenengwa have not received the fertiliser yet.

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, the fertiliser distribution exercise has, to all functional purposes, been completed. If anybody has not received the fertiliser, they are not going to receive it because it is now too late. The problems with FISP were many, but the main one was the legal injunction that was obtained by a bidder against Nyiombo Investments, Omnia Fertiliser Limited and Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ). The result was that computers and records were taken out of the offices. Thus, we were not able to begin the distribution exercise until November, 2012. That was unfortunate. It is a case in which transparency, which, by the way, saved us US$20 million, turned and bit us where it hurt most. I think, we have to pursue changes. The new hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, who calls himself ‘the accountant’ will be very good at telling us how he can do things better. This situation is unfortunate and we just have to make sure that it does not happen again.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, how long will it take for the industrial clusters that we have been waiting for to be established and to flourish? It is almost twelve months since they were announced, but there is no cluster that I have seen formed in the Western Province, which has many mangoes, cashew nuts and cassava.

Laughter

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I suggest that the new hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry takes a fresh look at the cluster concept and gives … 

Laughter

The Vice-President: … us his view on how and when the entities will start to exist on the other side of the plain.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Matafwali (Bangweulu): Mr Speaker, on behalf of the ‘useful idiots’, as one conceited lawyer referred to us, I would like to find out from His Honour the Vice-President when the Motion to remove the immunity of the former President, Mr Rupiah Banda, will be brought to this House.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, Hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, when that bit of parliamentary procedure is decided, and if it will be decided that we proceed that way, then, it will be brought to the House.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, when is the Government going to bring a Bill to this House that will protect the process of having a referendum in the country?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, it will be in the correct order of things. We have got the Draft Constitution, which is being considered at local level and will be considered at the national level in the next few weeks. After that, the Draft Bill will come to the House and the referendum will be held. I, really, do not understand why we are constantly being niggled on the Constitution-making process when we have remained absolutely true to the road map and will remain true to it.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Sichula (Nakonde) Mr Speaker, what is the position of the Government on the nomination of Justice Lombe Chibesakunda as Chief Justice?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, this Executive does not share the view of some experts that the Constitution forbids a person of a certain age from being appointed as Chief Justice. However, it might become a controversial issue if some people say that the Constitution does while others say that it does not. The decision of whether we should be controversial or accommodating is, of course, His Excellency the President’s. It is his prerogative.

I thank you, Sir.

Ms Imenda (Luena): Mr Speaker, recently, we lost a prominent person who served as hon. Minister of State a former Government. According to the current Government policy, such a person was supposed to have been accorded a State Funeral. I am talking about the late Hon. Chrispin Sebeta, former Member of Parliament for Luena Constituency, and we know that he was a very prolific debater, like everyone from Luena.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Imenda: Mr Speaker, why was he not accorded a State funeral? Further, will the Government compensate the family for the negligence it exhibited?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, in the statement made to this House by my then hon. Deputy Minister, Mr E. C. Lungu, on the 14th of March, 2012, which was an answer to a similar question that was raised as a point of order, the periods of mourning and the status of a funeral of various hon. Ministers were spelt out. The period of mourning is one day for serving personalities. However, what is ambiguous about this is whether the hon. Minister has to have been serving or not when he died in order for him to be given an official funeral. I will take it up. All I suggest is that, next time such a thing happens, you should draw my attention or that of the Secretary to the Cabinet to the issue and we will use our discretion to sort it out, rather than keeping it as ammunition to show how heartless and satanic we are.

Laughter

I thank you, Sir.

       Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West): Mr Speaker, recently, there was a dossier circulated around by the President of this nation. This is in connection with the bank accounts of Mr Hakainde Hichilema, president of the United Party for National Development (UPND).

  Hon. Government Members Chairman of the UPND.

     Mr Lufuma: Sir, has it now become legal for individuals to sniff and find out details of bank accounts of individuals in this country without permission from a court?

  Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

  The Vice-President: Sir, I would suggest that the injured party, if he is feeling injured, takes up, with his bank, the question of why they released information concerning his wealth, expenditure and income. I do not see that it is an offence for anybody else. The confidentiality is between the bank and its client.

   I thank you, Sir.

     Mr V. Mwale (Chipangali): Mr Speaker, the PF Government promised Zambians that it would try hard to cut unnecessary costs in this country so that it could direct the resources of this nation to areas of need. One such area that it promised was a lean Government. With the appointment of three hon. Deputy Ministers in each ministry, is the His Honour the Vice-President confident that this Government is going to achieve that objective of having a lean Government so as to save costs and take resources to areas of need?

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

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, we have found it very useful, in fact, to have hon. Deputy Ministers. For example, I now have two, from one, last week, and I have assigned them to Lusaka and Central provinces for the duration of this sitting so that they can look at issues there at the weekend and go round checking on the operations of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) which has got a lot of work arising from burst dams, washed-away bridges and broken roads.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Sir, as we speak, they are on their way to Mulobezi, Livingstone, Kalomo and Sinazongwe. I think it is, actually, quite a cost-effective method of getting some supervision in the rural areas, particularly. I doubt that it is cost-ineffective. If it were up to me, I would have three or four more.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Mrs Mazoka (Pemba): Mr Speaker, last year, in December, I had the privilege of observing the Ghanaian General Elections. One of the many things that impressed me was the cleanliness of that country. This left an indelible impression on me, having come from a dumpster of a country. When is the Government going to be serious about cleaning up the country, which has become a virtual dump site and the situation is getting worse by the day?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I do not know which Ghana the hon. Member visited.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: If it was the same Ghana that I visited after the results of the same elections, it was not a startling example of cleanliness. Anyway, I do not wish to start an international incident by commenting on Ghana’s cleanliness and will confine myself to Zambia’s cleanliness. 

Sir, the cleaning of the different areas across the country is a local Government issue, and one that has to do with decentralisation. It is an issue that I think, if there is concern, should be taken up by the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing in a public statement about keeping Zambia clean.

I agree with the hon. Member. We do not need a dirty country and, especially, one where plastic bags keep blocking the culverts and causing flooding in the middle of town. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mushanga (Bwacha): Mr Speaker, what progress has been made in the construction of the new universities in this country?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, according to the latest information I have, and it is very hot-off-the-press, I think, this morning, in fact, the progress in the construction of Chalimbana, Mukuba and Nkrumah universities is good. They will open as universities this year, 2013.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: We have selected the Vice-Chancellors and their deputies.

Interruptions 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

You asked the question and His Honour the Vice-President is responding.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

The Vice-President: We are now constituting the councils and, thereafter, we will issue statutory instruments to establish them as universities.

Sir, as for Palabana and Lubwa universities, the evaluation process is still on-going while Robert Kapasa …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Order!

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Let us have order, please.

The Vice-President: … Robert Kapasa Makasa in Chinsali …

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I must be allowed to grant one or two questions in my own Back Bench.

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Continue, His Honour the Vice-President.

Laughter

The Vice-President: Regarding Robert Kapasa Makasa in Chinsali, Phase II, which is the construction of the administration block, will be done.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Sir, hon. Members are clearly not very interested in what I am saying.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Dr Kazonga (Vubwi): Mr Speaker, currently, people are registering SIM cards with the different mobile telephone operators. Has the Government, through the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), set a deadline for the exercise? If that is the case, what is the deadline?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, as far as I am aware, no deadline has been set yet.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, what is the prudence of your Government exporting 25,000 tonnes of maize to Tanzania when it is a well-known fact that we have been having problems with our staple food and that, currently, we appear to have bungled up the FISP, thereby, leading to questions as to whether we shall have the optimum crop yields this year?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, there are two reasons for exporting 20,000 tonnes, and I think that the quantity is very limited, to Tanzania. One is that, if we do not take the pressure on Zambian maize in Southern Tanzania off, you are going to get unregulated exports, which will actually cause the kind of shortages that we have been seeing, from time to time, in the Northern Province. Therefore, it is a practical measure to let the Government do it officially, get the money for it, at least, and see where and when it is going. 

Sir, the second reason is the long-term understanding between neighbouring countries that they will help each other out in difficult situations. We did this in 1992, when we were importing maize and Malawi managed to run out of the crop. We diverted some of our supplies from the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) into Malawi in order to prevent disorder. 

So, I think, if we can go some way towards establishing an understanding with our neighbours, just as if we were in the same village, we will have achieved something positive.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mtolo (Chipata Central): Mr Speaker, tomorrow, 23rd February, 2013, is the Ncwala Ceremony in Chipata and we expected all the hon. Members, especially my cousins, to be there. However, most of the hon. Members will be heading to Mpongwe and Livingstone where we have been exposed to this continuous barrage of misuse of finances and manpower. I would like His Honour the Vice-President to tell us whether he is proud to be the Vice-President of Zambia at a time when this country is being exposed to such unnecessary unbridled costs. This includes Hon. G. B. Mwamba who has to appear everywhere to show his abilities.

Laughter 

Hon. Opposition Member: Shame!

Mr Mtolo: Is this the kind of legacy they would like to leave for this country?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order, order!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I am sorry if the hon. Member is feeling the pressure of our political campaigns in Mpongwe and Livingstone. How much is too much is a subjective matter, but I know how much it hurts. Whilst in the Opposition, I went around the country fighting against the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) which was rolling in money.

Laughter 

The Vice-President: The United Party for National Development (UPND) also had more money than us although they did not get more seats than us.

I thank you, Sir. 

Laughter

Mr Mulomba (Magoye): Mr Speaker, as hon. Member of Parliament for Magoye where the major economic activity is agriculture, I would like to put it on record that last year’s crop marketing was the worst that has ever been experienced in Zambia.

Interruptions

Hon. Government Member: Question!

Mr Magoye: Farmers only got paid what they were owed for last year in 2013. May I know what measures the PF Government has put in place to ensure that this scenario does not recur in the 2013 marketing season?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I think we should take care to discipline ourselves against making statements like “the worst season on record”. In fact, the date by which 90 per cent of the maize was paid for was a record on the positive side. The only noise was coming from places where fraud was being entertained, like Kalomo, for instance. We sent the money to Kalomo with the Auditor-General and the Anti-Corruption Commission, but nobody claimed the money because they realised that they were going to be caught out. 

Laughter

The Vice-President: Sir, I do not like answering such types of questions because they fall in the same class as someone accusing us of killing sixteen people in Mukobeko Prison when it is not true. It would be better if the hon. Member could give specific dates as opposed to asking questions according to years so that we can see whether what he is alleging is true.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr L. Ngoma (Sinda): Mr Speaker, following the Zambia National Team lifting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy in 2012, the PF Government is on record as having stated that the victory was as a result of their hard work and that the PF had a winning formula.

Laughter

Mr L. Ngoma: May His Honour the Vice-President comment on the assertion that the Zambia National Soccer Team failed to lift the AFCON Trophy in 2013 because the PF Government is now a failure and the PF Formula is no longer working.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I really cannot see how one can connect sporting results with political formulas. Maybe, Don’t Kubeba was what worked in Gabon. At one stage, Didier Drogba was asked what he thought of the Zambian goalkeeper and he said that he did not even know his name. When they asked Kennedy Mweene for a response he said that Didier Drogba would know his name once he saved his penalty. That was, probably, why someone may have said that the PF Formula works even in football. I take it to be an enthusiastic expression of someone who had just won.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Professor Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, His Honour the Vice-President promised the nation, on the Floor of the House, that he would take measures to close the Don’t Kubeba Market. Could he shed light on the current state of the market.

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I doubt the assertion that I promised to close the Don’t Kubeba Market. I am not the Lusaka City Council (LCC). I am just one out of the forty councillors in the LCC. As far as the condition in the market is concerned, the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) is keeping a constant eye on the cholera threat and the other issues of sanitation in all the markets in the country. 

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, the issue of SIM card registration has raised a lot of concerns among many Zambians, basically because of the fear that the Government will be interfering with their personal data and privacy. What guarantee is the Government giving to the Zambian people as regards the protection of personal data and privacy, especially that Zambia is a democracy?

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, when the hon. Member joins a parliamentary delegation to go to Mauritius, he may wish to obtain a SIM card. He will find it very easy to buy one, but it will not be registered for 48 hours in order to register and check on him through Interpol. For example, in Mauritius, they found, that there was a lot of personal insulting going on. People would buy SIM cards, call and insult people, then simply destroy the sim cards. 

Therefore, registering SIM cards is a standard procedure in a lot of countries. There is legislation covering privacy and, if the hon. Member thinks we should bring a Bill, then, I can take that as something we need to bring at the same time as the forms for registration.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, the road between the weighbridge and the Victoria Falls in Livingstone is very bad. When is the Government going to work on that road? 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, may I just repeat my frequent recommendation that if you are going to ask about a specific road or a specific site in Zambia, just send me a note and I can ask the hon. Minister responsible for transport to find out from the Road Development Agency (RDA), or whatever, what the necessary steps are. I, obviously, do not know the answer to that question.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Laughter

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, could His Honour the Vice-President explain the shortage of ‘meal-meal’ …

Hon. Government Members: Meal-meal?

Mr Mbewe:… and the increment of prices. Is it political or it is because of poor management?

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Do not mind the pronunciation.

Laughter

The Vice-President: Sir, we have the cheapest mealie-meal in the entire region.

I thank you, Sir.

___________

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

MACHILE BRIDGE

360. Mr Sililo (Mulobezi) asked the Vice-President:

(a)whether the Government was aware that the Machile Bridge in Mulobezi Parliamentary Constituency was washed away by strong currents on Sunday, 17th February, 2012 and that the people were stranded on either side of the river; and

(b)if so, what measures the Government had taken to alleviate the hardships faced by the travelling public in the area.

The Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Mr Mwango): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that my office is aware that Machile Bridge in Mulobezi Parliamentary Constituency was washed away by strong currents on Sunday, 17th February, 2013 and that the movement of people has been affected. 

Sir, the report obtained from the Road Development Agency (RDA) indicates that permanent works will only be undertaken after the rainy season. However, as an interim measure, my office, through the DMMU, has released a boat to ease the movement of people and goods. This will alleviate the hardships being experienced by the travelling public in the short term.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mufalali (Senanga): Mr Speaker, may I find out whether …

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

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order. Are the hon. UPND Members of Parliament in order to stay away from the House? When we resumed business this morning, their seats were full but, now, most of them, especially the Front Bench, are out of this House. 

I need your serious ruling, Sir.

Interruptions

Mr Speaker: Well, hon. Members are, of course, expected and required to attend to their commitments here at all times. I do not know why this particular row is conspicuously vacated …

Interruptions

Mr Speaker:… by its occupants but, whatever the reason is, I would like to tell the hon. Members that we have a commitment to the people we represent. We should represent our people fairly and faithfully. I do not want to conjecture how and why this particular row has been vacated. That is my appeal.

Mr Mufalali: Mr Speaker, is it possible to use the Zambia Army to put up a bridge that will be able to help in the meantime while we wait for the permanent bridge?

The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, given the short period between now and the dry season, when the RDA can get to work, it is probably unnecessary. It is more effective, generally, to use the boat, which is what we are doing. However, I will check that specific question and inform the hon. Member accordingly.

I thank you, Sir.

WATER PUMP AT CHIPATA DAY SECONDARY SCHOOL

361. Mr Mtolo (Chipata Central) asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a)when the Government would repair the water pump at Chipata Day Secondary School to end the shortage of water and avert any outbreak of diseases at the school; and

(b)when the school would receive the outstanding grants for 2012.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, Chapata Day Secondary School is not experiencing any water blues as a result of the breakdown of the water pump. The pump at the school is working and there is water supply to the school.

Sir, however, in most of the secondary schools, the challenge has been the high bills from the utility companies. Therefore, even for Chipata Day Secondary School, the bills from the Eastern Water and Sewerage Company are quite colossal and the school cannot pay from the money that it generates or from the grants that we give them. We are also aware that what is required is to rehabilitate the borehole at the school because the water output is not significant. The Provincial Education Officer (PEO) is working on that. 

Sir, the grants for the fourth quarter were received late, but the monies were disbursed to all the schools across the country.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Kalima (Kasenengwa): Mr Speaker, …

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

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I am mindful of the fact that in Africa, we do not take advantage of someone’s misfortune unlike in other parts of the world where someone’s happiness could be your sadness and someone’s meat could be someone’s poison. I am worried about my distant cousin, Hon. Dr Effron Lungu. Yesterday, he sat in that chair when he was not sworn in and we forgave him. Now that he has been sworn in, is he in order not to be happy?

Laughter

Mr Mbulakulima: He is constantly sad as if nothing has happened? Is he in order to do that?

Laughter

Mr Speaker: Well, since the sadness or joy of hon. Members is not my immediate jurisdiction, I will not rule on that matter.

The hon. Member for Kasenengwa can continue.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, since there is a crisis at Chipata Day Secondary School, can the hon. Minister indicate how long it will take for the PEO to look into this issue and have it concluded.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, I indicated that there is no crisis at Chipata Day Secondary School. I was at the school and I was told about all the immediate challenges that the school is facing. The water issue was not mentioned to me. Like I have said, the school is receiving water from the Eastern Water and Sewerage Company. We recognise that the bills that the school is receiving are very high. Therefore, we want to work together with the PEO’s Office to support the school and to ensure that the borehole is rehabilitated. In terms of time frame, this is something that is being worked on and it is not going to take too long. The consolation is that the school is receiving water.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Minister: Hear, hear!

Mr Chishiba (Kafulafuta): Mr Speaker, the issue of delaying the disbursement of grants to schools is a national problem. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister the standard period of disbursing grants to schools.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the grants are disbursed quarterly but, of course, we, as the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, do not hold on to the money. Immediately we receive the money from the Ministry of Finance, it is disbursed to the provinces and districts. Therefore, the delay in disbursing money for the fourth quarter of last year could mean that the money was received towards the end of December, 2012 and many schools, hence started receiving the money towards the end of December, 2012 and in January, 2013. Therefore, as far as the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education is concerned, the disbursing of these grants is dependant on how soon it receives the money from the Ministry of Finance.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr V. Mwale (Chipangali): Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister has indicated that Chipata Day Secondary School owes the Eastern Water and Sewerage Company a lot of money, and so, it is expected that its water supply may be cut off soon. Can the hon. Minister, please, tell us, and not dodge this question, when the office of the PEO is expected to sink the borehole that he talked about so that in case the supply of water is cut off, a borehole should be already in place and the school can continue operating.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, I talked about two things. I indicated that the borehole is still working, but its water output is not enough. However, in addition to that, the school is receiving water from the Eastern Water and Sewerage Company.

Hon. Government Member: Chapwa.

Mr Mabumba: Therefore, I do not know what the hon. Member wants me to say beyond what I have already said. I also indicated that we want to support the school by rehabilitating the borehole so that its water output can improve.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: That is enough.

Laughter

Dr Kazonga (Vubwi): Mr Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minister indicated that they want to rehabilitate the borehole that is in existence in order to improve its output. I would like to find out if there is any plan to sink an extra borehole so that there can be a reduction in the consumption of water from the Eastern Water and Sewerage Company such that the bills which are currently being incurred can be further reduced.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the rehabilitation of the existing borehole will still improve the supply of water at the school.

Hon. Government Members: Yes!

Mr Mabumba: For example, the time we had difficulties at Chizongwe Secondary School, a very good Chinese company helped us to rehabilitate the boreholes. Therefore, the PEO is of the view that if we use a contractor of that capacity, the borehole will be rehabilitated and the water supply to the school is going to be improved. Therefore, we intend to use the same option that we used for Chizongwe Secondary School.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

CHISOMO BASIC SCHOOL

362. Mr Mtolo asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:

(a)when the Government would send more teachers to Chisomo Basic School in Chief John Shawa’s area in Chipata District; and

    (b)    when the Government would build teachers’ houses at the school.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the plan was to send two more teachers to Chisomo Basic School in Chipata after the teachers’ recruitment which was concluded in December, 2012, and these two teachers have since been sent to the school. In terms of the need to build teachers’ houses at the school, I feel that problem is part of the national challenge with regard to the inadequate provision of accommodation for our teachers. Let me ask Hon. Mtolo to assist us to sort out the accommodation problem for teachers in the area since he can easily influence the decisions which are made by working together with the District Education Board Secretary’s (DEBS) office. The decision of which schools to include in the infrastructure development plan (IDP) is made at the DEBS level in the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education. 

Therefore, I would like to urge Hon. Mtolo to discuss that issue with the DEBS of Chipata so as to ensure that when it submits its infrastructure requirements, it is able to include the aspect of houses at Chisomo Basic School. When this information is received at the ministry headquarters, our role is just to make a consolidation. However, in terms of the decisions, as earlier stated, they are made at a local level. I am sure Hon. Mtolo can be able to influence the decisions made at that level.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, I have noticed that the IDPs are not funded. I would like to find out the reason these plans are not funded.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, not all the projects that were contained in the 2012 IDP were funded. I am aware that some projects were funded. These include the construction of new primary schools, teachers’ houses and ventilated improved pit-latrines (VIP) at schools. However, additional projects that included the construction of 1X 4 classroom blocks at existing schools were not funded because the ministry was also not funded by the Ministry of Finance for such projects.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ngonga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, my question has fallen off.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, as a way forward, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what is supposed to be constructed first between the school and the teachers’ houses. The reason I have asked this question is because, in my constituency, Kasenengwa, and to be specific at Chilile Basic School, we have 512 children, a 1X 3 classroom block with nine teachers and only one teacher’s house.

The Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Dr Phiri): Mr Speaker, the debate of what should be built first between the classrooms and teachers’ houses can be compared to that which is generated when the question is raised as regards to which comes first between the egg and the chicken. Where funds are available and adequate, the teachers’ houses and classrooms should be built simultaneously. One cannot build a 1X 4 classroom block whilst ignoring the welfare of teachers. At the moment, what we are trying to do is provide adequate funds so that wherever we construct a school, we should, at the same time, look into the plight of the teachers’ accommodation.

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

Dr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, when the hon. Deputy Minister was responding to the supplementary question raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for Chadiza Constituency, Hon. Mbewe, he indicated that the 2012 IDP was not fully funded. He said that this is what led to some plans not being fully executed, particularly, those to do with the construction of new infrastructure such as the additional classroom blocks. Will the projects that were not funded be given priority this year?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, the position which has been stated by the hon. Member is the one which we have taken. We are currently combing, through the IDP, in consultation with the PEOs and DEBS to find out exactly which projects can be implemented. We have since sent our sincere apologies through the PEOs and DEBS to the many communities which have continued to carry out wonderful work. This is despite our having disappointed them last year because we did not support them fully due to the limitations in terms of the finances we released. I agree with the hon. Member that before we start implementing the 2013 IDP, we need to take stock of what the 2012 IDP achieved.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, Liuwa means plain by the way. Hon. Minister, is the 2013 IDP out and, if so, can you share it with us?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, we are now in the process of reviewing the 2012 IDP. As the House may recall, it came out rather late last year and we explained why that was the case. For 2013, we hope that we can do a better job. We are expecting to have the 2013 IDP in place within the first few months of this year so that we establish a common understanding with the hon. Members of Parliament regarding the direction we will take this year.

I thank you, Sir.

Professor Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, funding for infrastructure development in the education sector is provided by both the Ministry of Finance and the co-operating partners. Is the hon. Minister telling us that the other part, namely the co-operating partners, did not release their share for the infrastructure development in the country? Is that the message we are getting?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, there was no such message from me.

Laughter

Dr Phiri: The co-operating partners have had difficulties with the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education and other ministries. We have almost come up with a new understanding with them. I am proud to say that the co-operating partners have indicated that they will be resuming funding to the education sector soon. From our meeting last week, there was an indication that some of our projects will be funded. However, the story regarding our own finances from the Ministry of Finance, as Hon. Professor Lungwangwa is aware, is that the funding does not come at the right time. Further, even when it comes, it is insufficient for us to do some meaningful things. Nevertheless, I am hoping, there will be a difference, this year in the way we use the funding for infrastructure development. 

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mufalali: Mr Speaker, why is there piecemeal funding to the ministry? Has the hon. Minister found out why the Ministry of Finance is funding the ministry piece-meal instead of what the IDP indicates?

Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, the IDP is developed by the ministry. The allocations from the Ministry of Finance are not based on the IDP. However, from time to time, we implore our colleagues in the Ministry of Finance to release specific funding for specific purposes. However, they also have their own challenges because they do not look after the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education alone.

I thank you, Sir.

STAFF HOUSES AND LOCAL COURT BUILDINGS IN RURAL AREAS

363. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Justice when the Government would provide decent staff houses and local court buildings in rural areas, especially in the Western Province.

The Minister of Justice (Mr Kabimba, SC.): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Judiciary has budgeted for, at least, five local courts to be constructed per province per year from 2012 to 2015. This means that five local courts and staff houses are earmarked for construction in the Western Province. The construction of staff houses is an on-going programme which is part of the construction of local courts. The courts to be constructed are as follows:

    (i)    Namaenga    Mongu District;

(ii)    Mabenga     Mulobezi District

I just hope that Mr Mabenga does not claim the court.

Laughter

Mr Kabimba:

    (iii)    TBZ    Kaoma;

    (iv)    Katima    Sesheke District; and

    (v)    Mbangu    Lukulu District.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, even after the response, I wish to state that my question still stands. I understand that the clients who are attended to in these local courts do pay levies and fees. Why can the Government not use these levies and fees to build staff houses for the court officers who render very important services to the community, but live in ramshackles?

Mr Kabimba, SC.: Mr Speaker, I am not very sure if it is correct to say that the question still stands. The question which has just been asked by Hon. Miyutu sounds like a new question. What are charged are levies and not fees. The fees which are payable to the Judiciary actually go to the Central Treasury. Thus, the fees cannot be used to construct staff houses and local courts. Doing that would constitute an offence.

I thank you, Sir.

Laughter

Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo): Mr Speaker, now that we are in the rainy season, court sessions are not being conducted. Is your ministry going to ask the Office of the Vice-President to provide tents where the court sessions can be conducted during the rainy season?

Laughter

Mr Kabimba, SC.: Mr Speaker, the question of infrastructure development in the Judiciary remains a major challenge to us. Without any expression of ranker or recrimination, I would like to simply state that we are looking at this programme very seriously. We know the cause of this state of affairs.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, may I find out from the hon. Minister if there is a formal infrastructure development programme in his ministry for local courts in this country. If there is, he should share it with us, the hon. Members of Parliament, so that we do not have to ask him if a local court is going to be constructed in Zozwe or Kavumo.

Laughter

Dr Kazonga: With that information I will be able to follow what is being planned by this Government.

Mr Kabimba, SC.: Mr Speaker, the question of particular details relating to infrastructure development in the Judiciary, if sought by individual hon. Members of Parliament, can be made available. This is a national programme and we are intent on ensuring that this state of affairs changes. It is scandalous for a country to hold court sessions under a tent or tree.

I thank you, Sir.

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, I would also like to acknowledge, with gratitude, the fact that Mbanga, in Lukulu East, will benefit from this programme. I am aware that no brick has been laid in any of these programmes. However, the hon. Minister has indicated that this programme is from 2012 to 2015, and so, I would like to find out at what stage this programme is. Is it at tender or planning level?

Mr Kabimba, SC.: Mr Speaker, I can furnish the particular details regarding the stage at which the construction of these respective local courts is to individual hon. Members of Parliament who may be interested in consultation with the people responsible.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chishiba: Mr Speaker, I would like to know whether there is a proportionality element in the construction of these court buildings and staff houses and the human power. I ask this question because, in Kafulafuta, for the past four years, there has been a new building at Mutaba Local Court where there is no local court justice and other supporting staff. May the hon. Minister, please, comment on that.

Mr Kabimba, SC.: Mr Speaker, I would be interested to get the details about at particular local court because we did not have any advance information on that. In that regard, I would not like to mislead the hon. Member of Parliament and this House on that particular issue. However, I would be grateful if I could be furnished with the details.

I thank you, Sir.

AMBULANCE SERVICES IN KALABO DISTRICT

364. Mr Miyutu asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    whether the Government was aware of a critical shortage of ambulance services in Kalabo District;

(b)    if so, what measures were being taken to mitigate the shortage;

(c)    why the few ambulances available in the district were restricted to transporting maternity cases only;

(d)    whether there were any plans to introduce helicopter ambulances to service rural areas such as Kalabo District with poor road network; and

(e)    when a medical doctor and other trained medical staff would be posted to Sihole Clinic in Kalabo Central Parliamentary Constituency.

The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Chikusu): Mr Speaker, the Government is aware of the shortage of ambulance services in Kalabo District and, indeed, the nation as a whole. The Ministry appreciates that a functioning ambulance service increases access to health service for the people of Zambia.

Sir, the Government has taken measures in order to avert the shortage of ambulance services not only in Kalabo District but also in all the districts countrywide. The Government has procured 106 ambulances for distribution …

Business was suspended from 1045 hours until 1100 hours.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

Dr Chikusu: Mr Speaker, I was saying that the Government has taken measures to …

Mr L. Ngoma: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr L. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, it is always said that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Earlier on, there was a point of order that was raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwe who raised concern on the whereabouts of the Front Bench.

Sir, I am wondering whether it is in order for the entire Government, His Honour the Vice-President and all the senior hon. Ministers, to be absent from the House immediately after tea break. The hon. Members of the Ruling Party have made this a habit. So, are they in order?

Mr Speaker: My observations, which I made earlier on, are equally applicable and, I think, we must collectively take responsibility for this. This is not a blame game. As an entire House, we have an obligation to the nation, a very onerous one for that matter. Collectively, we have an obligation to the House. This House is called the National Assembly of Zambia; it is a Parliament for the country. It is not Parliament for one particular grouping, but the entire country. So, the representatives of the people should not short-change the public. We must be faithful in-discharge of our responsibilities to the nation. The people are watching and listening.

So, the whole House is not portraying a positive image in the manner we are discharging our duties. The breaks have specified periods and I have always said that the Speaker, in particular, should not be waiting for hon. Members to return to the Chamber. Hon. Members should not demean the Office of the Speaker or should be the last, if any person should do so, anyway. That is my ruling.

Dr Chikusu: Mr Speaker, the Government has taken measures to avert the shortage of ambulance services not only in Kalabo District, but also in all districts countrywide. The Government has procured 106 ambulances for distribution to all the districts in the country. The utilisation of the ambulance service in Kalabo District is not restricted to transporting pregnancy cases only. However, the House may wish to note that obstetric emergencies in Kalabo District account for close to 80 per cent of all emergencies. Therefore, in order to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality, one of the measures that the district has put in place is to ensure that the ambulance service is used for pregnancy cases.

Mr Speaker, the Government has future plans to procure helicopter ambulances as one of the measures for servicing rural areas such as Kalabo District that have a poor road network. It is for this reason that the Government has commenced the process of re-alignment of the Zambia Flying Doctor Service to also provide ambulatory services.

Mr Speaker, Sihole Clinic in Kalabo Central Parliamentary Constituency, is a rural health centre and, as such, it has no provision for a medical officer position on its establishment. Therefore, the Government has no plans to post a medical doctor to the clinic, although it has other staff. Further, the House may wish to note that the filling of positions to reduce the variance between the approved establishment and staff in post in any public health facility in Zambia is done in phases. Sihole Clinic is expected to benefit from the Government initiative in the 2013 net recruitment funding that will be set aside.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS

365. Mr Kapyanga (Kabwe Central) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication what measures the Government had taken to ensure transparency in awarding road construction contracts.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Mr M. H. Malama): Mr Speaker, in ensuring transparency, the Government, through the RDA, is streamlining procurement operations in the road sector by developing a procurement manual for the RDA, based on the provisions of the Public Procurement Act and its regulations. The manual is currently at the final draft stage. This will help ensure that the RDA co-ordinates procurement systematically and consistently across all road sector agencies, both at national and regional levels. 

The Government has also identified that a key activity in the procurement process is that of tender evaluation. The Government, through the RDA, has embarked on the development of an evaluation guide in the form of a handbook for the road sector which will be circulated by the RDA to all other road sector agencies in order to ensure that all those involved in the evaluation process follow the same systematic step-by-step procedure. Further, the RDA has partnered with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) whereby the commission’s officers are involved during tender evaluations to ensure transparency.

The Government has also reached an advanced stage in the selection of a consultant who will assist in developing monitoring and oversight tools for and through the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA). The ZPPA will, in turn, help to keep a spotlight on the road sector and ensure that all requirements of the Public Procurement Act that govern the use of open tendering procedures and the publication of the best evaluated bidders is adhered to, including the appeals procedures provided for under the Act. However, the Government notices that some bidders abuse these appeals procedures to such an extent that procurements are unnecessarily delayed and, therefore, some well-meaning provisions begin to hamper project implementation if not controlled.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, what measures is the Government putting in place to raise the standard of workmanship in the local road construction companies for them to compete favourably with foreign contractors?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, although the question sounds like a new one, I think this is why we actually have the RDA, which is supposed to be on top of all works that obtain in the road sector, in place. We will ensure that all the contractors who are not serious when they are given jobs have their contracts cancelled. We are spending money and, therefore, there is no way we can be allowing shoddy works.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mbulakulima (Chembe): Mr Speaker, the question under discussion is very important because it can be helpful to the Government. The hon. Minister has talked about cancellation of contracts for contractors who are not serious. However, can he shed more light on the awarding of the contract for the Landless/Mumbwa Road Project in terms of transparency. We have now learnt that the Government is actually going to pay the original contractor. What was wrong? Was it the awarding or termination of the initial contract?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, the question is new, and also that issue is in court. So, I find it very difficult to comment on it.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, I also share the same view with the hon. Member for Chembe. This is a very important question because it is addressing transparency in the contraction industry, particularly the road sector. The hon. Deputy Minister has indicated that the hallmark of transparency is the tendering process. In that vein, why was the Pedicle Road not retendered, following the cancellation of the original contract that was awarded to an Italian company?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, that contract had some problems, but a new sub-contractor took over.

Thank you, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Let me interject, at this point, and point out what I have repeatedly said. Some of these issues are very important, and I have consistently and constantly appealed to you to take what I am about to say seriously. Raise specific questions so that you get specific responses because the hon. Ministers do not move with all this data that you are asking for. I have said that they are not encyclopedias. You file questions and let them research, give full accounts and submit supplementary questions. If we expect hon. Ministers to possess information of all the details, I do not think that we would be fair to the hon. Ministers and the people you represent. I say this because you ask these questions in a representative capacity. I have always said that the secretariat always processes questions with utmost efficiency. I hope that this will serve us well, instead of grossing over very serious issues.

Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, in his response, the new hon. Deputy Minister, who is really applying himself very well, constantly referred to the RDA, which shows that it is really cardinal in the ministry. However, recently, the President took over the running of the RDA. What is his role in ensuring transparency?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, I do not know whether my colleagues listened to what I said. The question was very specific. The author of the question wanted to find out whether the Government had put some measures in place to ensure transparency. When you want to find out what the role of an hon. Minister …

Hon. Government Members: President.

Mr M. H. Malama: If you want to know the role of the President, it is simple. The President, anywhere you go, is the supervisor of all the projects in any nation. You cannot even question what the role of the President is because, at the end of the day, people will point fingers at the President and say that he has failed. So, in order for him to ensure that he does not fail, he brings all the projects near so that he can supervise them closely.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mooya (Moomba): Mr Speaker, we were told, last year, that those measures outlined by the hon. Minister would take effect on 1st January, 2013. Now, I am not very convinced. Are those measures, in fact, in effect, currently?

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, most of them have been, actually, implemented.

I thank you, Sir.

COST OF PRODUCTION FOR LOCAL MANUFACTURERS

366. Mr Kapyanga asked the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry what measures the Government had taken to reduce the cost of production for local manufacturers.

The Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Mukata): Mr Speaker, the Government is cognisant of the high cost of production facing our local manufacturers. To this end, the Government, under the Private Sector Development Reform Programme (PSDRP), Phase II, is seeking to create a conducive business environment to reduce the cost of doing business and ensure that manufacturers optimise their production levels, through structural reforms in various institutions in the country. The priority areas under the PSDRP, Phase II, are business licensing and regulatory reform, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) development, labour and labour productivity, private-public-partnership (PPP) development, trade expansion, and finance, among others.  

Mr Speaker, the Government, under the Zambia Development Agency Act, No. 11 of 2006, has also provided incentives that assist local manufacturers to be competitive. The following are some of them under the manufacturing sector:

(a)under income tax, there is a 10 per cent initial allowance and annual 5 per cent on wear and tear on buildings and structures;

(b)a 50 per cent depreciation allowance on machinery; and

(c)on indirect tax, there is customs duty exemption on most machinery and equipment used in manufacturing, zero-rated duty on certain raw materials, and import value added tax (VAT) deferment on eligible plant machinery of capital nature.

Sir, the Government has also, through the 2013 Budget, proposed the following measures, among others, to reduce the cost of doing business and make capital equipment more affordable to local manufacturers:

(a)removal of customs duty on a wide range of mechanical and electrical machine tools; and

(b)removal of excise duty on carbonated drinks and water.

Mr Speaker, the Government is aware that energy, particularly electricity, is one of the major factors contributing to the high cost of production. To that effect, the Government has identified energy as a priority sector, which entails that investors in the energy sector will enjoy incentives under the Zambia Development Agency Act. This is aimed at attracting more investment into the sector, which will reduce the cost of energy, in the long run, and, subsequently, reduce the cost of business. On the supply side, there is a programme under the Link Zambia 8,000 Road Network Project whereby road infrastructure will be upgraded, and that will assist in trade expansion, reducing the cost of transporting either raw materials or finished products as well as assisting the manufacturers to easily access the markets.

I thank you, Sir.

CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGE ACROSS LUFUBU RIVER

367. Mr Chansa (Chimbamilonga) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication whether the Government had any plans to construct a bridge across the Lufubu River on the road linking Mpulungu District to Nsumbu Business Centre in Nsama District.

Mr M. H. Malama: Mr Speaker, yes, the Government has plans to construct a bridge across the Lufubu River on the road that links Mpulungu District to Nsumbu Business Centre in Nsama District. The tender is under evaluation and the project is budgeted for in the 2013 Annual Work Plan at an estimated cost of about K20 billion.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

SPEED BOAT FOR PATROLS ON LAKE TANGANYIKA

368. Mr Chansa asked the Minister of Home Affairs when Nsumbu Police Station would be provided with a speed boat to intensify patrols on Lake Tanganyika and access Kapisha Ward in Chimbamilonga Parliamentary Constituency.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mrs Mwamba): Mr Speaker, I would like to take advantage of this question to explain to all the hon. Members that the Government, through the Zambia Police Force, is in the process of buying security boats that will service all waterfront areas countrywide, including the following provinces: Northern, under which Chimbamilonga falls, Luapula, Western, Southern and Lusaka. 

Mr Speaker, the boats bought by the previous Government are speed or racing ones, which are not suitable to conduct patrols and have very high fuel consumption, hence the PF Government’s wanting to correct the situation by procuring appropriate boats. For example, in Siavonga, the boats have been parked because they consume too much fuel. The new security boats will have security gadgets, such as surveillance devices and radars.

Mr Speaker, the project has already been tendered and we expect the boats to be procured by June, 2013. Additionally, I wish to inform the House that over thirty marine officers are, currently, undergoing a special marine training course in Mbala at a place called Outward Bounds. This is an intensive course designed to equip and build capacity in our marine officers, who will be deployed to all waterfront areas across the country. With the influx of illegal immigrants, the marine officers will reinforce immigration officers in curbing the scourge. 

I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}

CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS IN MAPATIZYA CONSTITUENCY

369. Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya) asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development:

(a)    when the Government would construct dams in the following areas of Mapatizya Parliamentary Constituency:

(i)Mafumba;

(ii)Mooka;

(iii)Tambana;

(iv)Sialumba;

(v)Chundwe;

(vi)Siambelele; and

(b)    when the Government would rehabilitate the following dams:

(i)Kanyanga;

(ii)Masizi;

(iii)Simwami; and

(iv)Chalinga.

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, the Government, through the Department of Water Affairs, will carry out feasibility studies for all the mentioned dam sites in Mapatizya Constituency in 2013 to determine their cost, usability and suitability. These feasibility studies will commence in May, 2013, with the hope that, by August, 2013, we will be through.

Mr Speaker, the Government, through the Department of Water Affairs, plans to rehabilitate the mentioned dams in 2013. This will be done after the rainy season.

I thank you, Sir.

VETERINARY CAMPS IN MAPATIZYA CONSTITUENCY

370. Mr Miyanda asked the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock:

(a)    when veterinary officers would be posted to the following veterinary camps in Mapatizya Parliamentary Constituency:

(i)Chinkoyo;

(ii)Chidi;

(iii)Siamafumba; and

(iv)Zimba; and

(b)    when agricultural extension officers would be posted to the following agricultural camps:

(i)Misika;

(ii)Kanyanga;

(iii)Siamafumba;

(iv)Chidi; and

(v)Mulamfu.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mr Monde): Mr Speaker, the veterinary officers are based at the district, not the veterinary camp level. Mapatizya Constituency falls under Kalomo District, which also has a veterinary officer. A veterinary camp is manned by a veterinary assistant.

Mr Speaker, we are employing veterinary assistants and have already advertised. The Public Service Commission is in the process of recruiting staff for the ministry to fill other vacant positions. As soon as the successful candidates have been employed, veterinary assistants will be posted to the camps mentioned above.

Mr Speaker, positions for agricultural extension officers have already been advertised. The Public Service Commission is in the process of recruiting staff to fill vacant positions. The successful candidates will be posted to the various vacant agricultural camps, including the ones mentioned above, as soon as they are employed.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Quality!

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, I heard the hon. Deputy Minister say that Mapatizya Constituency falls under Kalomo when, in fact, it is supposed to be under Zimba. Can he clarify that answer.

The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mr Sichinga): Mr Speaker, the questioner is right in raising that point. When that question was raised, things were as stated in the hon. Deputy Minister’s response. However, there have been changes and Mapatizya now falls under Zimba. 

Mr Speaker, it may also be useful for me to just give some supplementary information. There are thirty-nine agricultural extension officers who have been recruited for the Southern Province. From this number, five will be deployed to Kalomo District. However, the specifics of the camps to which they will be deployed will depend on the availability of accommodation in those particular locations. I hope this information was of some use.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

REQUIREMENTS FOR ESTABLISHING FUEL FILLING STATIONS

371. Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa) asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development:

(a)what the requirements for establishing a fuel filling station in a particular location were;

(b)what the cost of putting up a filing station was; and 

(c)when the Government would facilitate the establishment of a filling station in Kaputa District.

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, the requirement for establishing a filling station is that the prospective filling station operator obtains four approvals. These are approvals from: 

(a)the local authority;

(b)Zambia Environmental Management urgency (ZEMA);

(c)Energy Regulation Board (ERB); and

(d)the local community.

Sir, all these approvals must be obtained prior to the beginning of the construction works. 

Sir, the cost of setting up a filling station will depend on its design and location. The cost ranges from KR2.5 million to KR6 million. 

Sir, the Government has already created an enabling environment in which oil marketing companies can freely establish filling stations in any part of the country, Kaputa District included.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, I want to bring to the attention of the hon. Deputy Minister that the areas surrounding Kaputa, which are Chienge, Nsama, Mporokoso and Nchelenge, have no filling stations. You can imagine the sort of environmental and risk factors that the people of these particular areas are subjected to due to as a result. Would it not be prudent for the Government to create a fund to enhance the establishment of filling stations in these areas?

Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, the Government has a programme to construct, at least, two filling stations per year. However, it is also up to the hon. Members of Parliament to talk to oil marketing companies (OMCs) and encourage them to invest in their areas. I can give you an example of how this idea has worked in the past. One filling station was constructed in Chadiza District after Hon. Allan Mbewe talked to an OMC and it invested in that area. Therefore, you should not just wait for the Government to do this. The Government has already provided an enabling environment for investment. We also have the Link Zambia 8,000 Road Network Project that will make these areas accessible.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mooya: Mr Speaker, that was very useful information from the hon. Deputy Minister. I would like to be educated on the minimum size of the plot required for filling stations.

The Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member of Parliament for that question. However, it is too technical even for a person like me who is an engineer and I did not prepare for it.

I thank you, Sir.

MWERU-WA-NTIPA NATIONAL PARK

372. Mr Ngo’nga asked the Minister of Tourism and Art: 

(a)whether the Government had any plans to degazette part of Mweru-Wa-Ntipa National Park No.5 which covers a very large portion of Kaputa District, especially the area covering Kasongole, Chimpatika and Mibangali under Chief Mukupa Katandula, to provide land for human settlement; 

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

(c)if there were no such plans, why. 

The Deputy Minister of Tourism and Art (Mr P. Ngoma): Mr Speaker, there are no plans to degazette part of Mweru-Wa-Ntipa National Park No. 5 to facilitate human resettlement.

Mr Speaker, there are no plans to degazette Mweru-Wa-Ntipa National Park because, firstly, the Government has not established that there is shortage of land for human resettlement in Kaputa District. Secondly, a multi-disciplinary task force, which was mandated to assess the illegal settlements in Mweru-Wa-Ntipa National Park in 2009, recommended that the Government should resettle people who had encroached in Mweru-Wa-Ntipa National Park and avoid degazetting part of or the whole national park.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Ngo’nga: Mr Speaker, may I find out from the hon. Deputy Minister whether the Minister of Tourism and Art as well as the hon. Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection will visit Kaputa so that they can appreciate the magnitude of this encroachment. Kaputa District is basically in the national park and, if you have to resettle the people, it means you have to resettle the whole district.

Mr Speaker: Order!

There is an invitation.

Laughter

Mr P. Ngoma: Mr Speaker, I am aware that the hon. Minister of Tourism and Art visited this constituency. I am pretty sure that that is the time the hon. Member of Parliament should have consulted the hon. Minster on the way forward. However, the hon. Minister is not in Lusaka currently. As soon as she is available, I will inform her that the trip to Kaputa District should be undertaken.

I thank you, Sir.

LUNJE BASIC SCHOOL

373. Mr Miyutu asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education when the roof at Lunje Basic School in Kalabo District which was blown off in 2011 would be repaired.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the roof which was blown off at that school in 2011 has been provided for in the 2013 Infrastructure Development Plan.

I thank you, Sir.

SALAO BASIC SCHOOL

374. Mr Miyutu asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:
    
(a)when the reconstruction of Salao Basic School, which was burnt in 2011, would commence; and

(b)what measures the Government had taken to alleviate the suffering of both teachers and pupils following the burning of the school.

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the reconstruction of Salao Basic School already commenced in February, 2012. According to the information we got from the provincial leadership, a 1 x 3 classroom is being built using Constituency Development Fund (CDF). I want to take this opportunity to whole-heartedly thank the hon. Member of Parliament for that gesture. Further information I have is that Salao Basic School was not completely burnt. Only the teachers’ houses were burnt.

Mr Speaker, there are two semi-permanent staff houses which have been constructed at the school to accommodate the teachers. The DEBS in Kalabo made a budget for the construction of the school in the 2013 Budget.

I thank you, Sir.

BOREHOLES IN ZIMBA

375. Mr Miyanda asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development:

(a)how many boreholes were earmarked for sinking in Zimba District     
in 2013; and

(b)what the estimated cost of the project was.

   Mr Zulu: Mr Speaker, the Government, through the National Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme, has planned for the following in Zimba District:

(i)sinking fifteen new boreholes with hand pumps;

(ii)digging four new hand dug wells fitted with hand pumps; and

(iii)rehabilitating three water points.

Mr Speaker, the estimated cost of this project is K750,000.

  I thank you, Sir.

__________

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.
_________

The House adjourned at 1145 hours until 1430 hours on Tuesday, 26th February, 2013.