Tuesday, 20^th March, 2018

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

_________

 

ANNOUNCMENT BY MR SPEAKER

 

HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT, MR EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU’S SPEECH ON THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE APLLICATION OF NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES ON FRIDAY, 16^TH MARCH, 2018, REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS, HUMAN RIGHTS, NATIONAL GUIDANCE, GENDER MATTERS AND GOVERNANCE FOR CONSIDERATION

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that the Speech by His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on the progress made in the Application of National Values and Principles, delivered to the House on Friday, 16^th March, 2018, has been referred to the Committee on Legal Affairs, Human Rights, National Guidance, Gender Matters and Governance for consideration.  The Committee is required to submit its report to the House in the next Meeting.

 

Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the speech are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

 

Thank you.

 

__________

 

RULING BY THE HON. MR SPEAKER ON A POINT OF ORDER RAISED BY DR C. KAMBWILI, MP, AGAINST HON. J. KAPATA, MP, MINISTER OF LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND HON. B. LUSAMBO, MP, THEN MINISTER FOR COPPERBELT PROVINCE ON 3^RD OCTOBER, 2017

 

Mr Speaker: I now order Hon. Jean Kapata, MP, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and Hon. B. Lusambo, MP, Minister for Lusaka Province, to stand Behind the bar of the House. I also instruct the Sergeant-At-Arms to take the Speaker’s Mace and stand behind the two hon. Ministers.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Shame!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members will recall that on Tuesday, 3^rd October, 2017, when the House was considering Question for Oral Answer No. 41 and the hon. Member of Parliament for Bweengwa Parliamentary Constituency, Hon. K. Michelo, MP, was asking a follow-up question, the hon. Member of Parliament for Roan Parliamentary Constituency, Dr C. Kambwili, MP, rose on a point of order.

 

In the point of order, Hon. Dr C. Kambwili, MP, alleged that when he was in the foyer with Hon. H. Kalaba, MP, then, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Dr M. Imakando, hon. Member of Parliament for Mongu Central Parliamentary Constituency and Hon. R. Nakachinda, National Secretary for the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), Hon. B. Lusambo, MP, then, Minister for Copperbelt Province, approached him and threatened to deal with him for making allegations against the Government. He, then, proceeded to slap him twice on his face.

 

He further alleged that, while he was returning to the Chamber, soon after the incident, Hon. J. Kapata, MP, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, poured water on him and hurled unprintable insults at him.

He, thus, sought guidance from me on whether the hon. Members were in order to attack him in that manner within the precincts of Parliament.

 

In my immediate response to the point of order, I indicated that since the incidents happened outside the Assembly Chamber, there was a need for the matter to be properly investigated. Consequently, on Tuesday, 10^th October, 2017, I referred the matter to the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services for investigation, especially in light of the potentially conflicting versions of what transpired on the material day.

 

Hon. Members may wish to note that the point of order raised by Ho. Dr. Kambwili, MP, raises two issues:

 

(a)        firstly, assaulting an hon. Member within the precincts of Parliament; and

 

(b)        secondly, threatening or use of abusive language against another hon. Member.

 

Hon. Members, assaulting, using abusive language against or threatening another hon. Member, within the precincts of the House, is an offence under the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, Cap. 12 of the Laws of Zambia.  In addition, various discourse by eminent Parliamentary practice authors condemn such conduct. Thus, the following legal provisions and works of eminent writers attest to the prohibition of assaulting, threatening or using abusive language against another hon. Member within the precincts of Parliament:

 

Section 23(a) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, Cap. 12 of the Laws of Zambia, is couched in the following terms:

 

“23(a) any person shall be guilty of an offence, who threatens, assaults, obstructs or insults any hon. Member or officer going to or from the precincts of the Assembly Chamber.”

 

Section 19(c) of the Act goes on to provide that:

 

“19(c) Any person shall be guilty of an offence, who causes an obstruction or disturbance within the precincts of the Assembly Chamber or during a sitting of the Assembly or of a Committee thereof.”

 

   M. N. Kaul and S. L. Shakdher, in their book entitled ‘Practice and Procedure of Parliament’, Seventh Edition, make the following observation at page 311:

 

“It is a breach of privilege and contempt of the House to obstruct or molest an hon.  Member while in the execution of his duties, that is, while he is attending the House or when he is coming to, or going from the House. Thus, insults offered to hon. Members on their way to or from the House have always been deemed high breaches of privilege …

 

“In the following instances, hon. Members and others have been punished for molesting other hon. Members –

 

(a)        assaulting Members within the precincts of the House; and

 

(b)        using insulting or abusive language against Members within the precincts of the House.”

 

Erskine May, in his book entitled ‘Parliamentary Practice,’ 24^th Edition, at page 262 states as follows:

 

“Members and others have been punished for such molestation occurring within the precincts of the House, whether by assault or insulting or abusive language, or outside the precincts.”

 

Hon. Members may wish to note that the House had occasion to consider a similar matter in the case of Mrs Elizabeth Mulobeka-Chitika versus Mrs Mumbi-Phiri …

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: … National Assembly Parliamentary debates of 16^th January-27^th March, 2009, at pages 1464-1470).  The brief facts of the case were that the two hon. Members insulted each other and fought within the precincts of Parliament. The Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services considered the matter and recommended that the two hon. Members of Parliament be suspended from the sittings of the House for thirty days and ninety days, respectively. The House upheld the decision of the Privileges, Absences and Support Services Committee and accordingly, suspended the two hon. Members of Parliament from the sittings of the House for the periods of thirty days and ninety days respectively.

 

Hon Members, in line with Parliamentary Practice and Procedure and in accordance with the rules of natural justice, the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly wrote to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Jean Kapata, MP, and then, Minister for Copperbelt Province, Hon. Lusambo, MP, requesting them to state their sides of the story. Furthermore, the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia wrote to the witnesses mentioned in the point of order. In addition, the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia received reports from the Parliamentary Security Officers, who were present at the time the alleged incidents occurred. Furthermore, all the people mentioned in the reports of the security officers and responses by witnesses were written to and requested to give an account of what transpired on the material date. The parties concerned, and the witnesses appeared before the Committee to speak to their written submissions.

 

The House may wish to note that of the ten witnesses that appeared before the Committee, seven confirmed seeing Hon. Jean Kapata, MP, pour water on Hon. Dr. C. Kambwili, MP, while two confirmed seeing Hon. Lusambo slap Hon. Dr. C. Kambwili, MP.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

 

Mr Speaker: Additionally, four said that they saw Hon. Lusambo, MP, poke his finger at Hon. Dr. C. Kambwili, MP. 

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

 

Mr Speaker: The Findings of the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services its and recommendations are outlined below.

 

POINT OF ORDER OF RAISED BY DR C. KAMBWILI, MP, AGAINST HON. B. LUSAMBO, MP, THEN, MINISTER FOR COPPERBELT PROVINCE

 

After considering the testimony of the various witnesses, and the respondent, Hon. Lusambo, MP, the Committee found that Hon. Lusambo, MP, did, in fact, slap Hon. Dr. Kambwili, MP, as alleged. The Committee also observed that during its deliberations, Hon. Lusambo, MP, behaved with utmost disrespect to the complainant as well as the Committee and showed no remorse for his actions.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

 

Mr Speaker: The Committee arrived at the conclusion that Hon. Lusambo, MP’s conduct was unparliamentary and not befitting of an hon. Member or Minister …

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

 

 

Mr Speaker: … and was in breach of sections 19(c) and 23(a) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act.

 

On the basis of the authorities cited and having regard to the precedent set in the case of Mrs Mumbi Phiri, MP and Mrs Elizabeth Chitika, MP, the Committee resolved that Hon. Lusambo, MP, be suspended from the service of the House for the maximum period of thirty days.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: I now turn to address Hon. Lusambo, MP. Your conduct of assaulting a fellow hon. Member, within the precincts of Parliament, is unbefitting the conduct expected of an hon. Member of Parliament and more so an hon. Minister. This is a House of honour, decorum and dignity and I am duty-bound to ensure that the honour, decorum and dignity of the House is protected and preserved at all times. I wish to state that I will not tolerate indiscipline and misconduct from you or, indeed, any other hon. Member. I request you to reflect on your conduct more so as an hon. Minister. I truly trust that you will change and conduct yourself in a manner befitting an hon. Member and hon. Minister. Therefore, Section 28(2) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, requires a resolution of the House to suspend an hon. Member from the House.

 

Question that the House accordingly suspends Hon. Lusambo, MP, for a period of thirty days with effect from today, 20^th March, 2018, put and agreed to.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Lusambo, MP, before you take the walk of shame through the main entrance door of the Assembly Chamber, I wish to inform you that, in accordance with Section 28 (3) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, during the period of your suspension, you shall not:

 

1. enter the precincts of the Assembly and this extends to the National Assembly Motel;

 

1. participate in any activity of the Assembly or any Committee that you are assigned in, in your capacity as an hon. Member of Parliament; and

 

1. be paid a salary or allowance that you are entitled to as an hon. Member.

 

I now order you, Hon. Lusambo, MP, to take the walk of shame and leave the Chamber through its main entrance, on thirty days suspension with effect from today, 20^th March to 18^th April, 2018.

 

Mr Lusambo walked out of the Chamber.

 

POINT OF ORDER RAISED BY HON. DR C. KAMBWILI, MP, AGAINST HON. J. KAPATA, MP, MINISTER OF LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES

 

Hon Members, after considering the testimony of the various witnesses and the respondent, Hon. Kapata, MP, the Committee found that Hon. J. Kapata, MP, did, in fact, pour water on Hon. Dr C. Kambwili, MP, as alleged. The Committee also noted that Hon. J. Kapata, MP, behaved with utmost disrespect to the complainant and the Committee while submitting before it. She, however, admitted to pouring water on Hon. Dr C. Kambwili, MP.

 

Hon. Members, before the Committee could mete out the appropriate sanction against Hon. Kapata, MP, both parties wrote to the Committee notifying it that they had reconciled and that Hon. Dr C. Kambwili had withdrawn his complaint against Hon. Kapata. In light of this, the Committee found that there was no complaint before it as regards Hon. Dr C. Kambwili, MP, and Hon. J. Kapata, MP. The Committee, in this regard, resolved to close the matter and counsel the parties.  

 

Hon. Members, I have taken note of the recommendation of the Committee and the considerations it took into account in arriving at its decision. However, I have not been persuaded to uphold the recommendation because Hon. J. Kapata, MP’s conduct of pouring water on Hon. Dr C. Kambwili, MP, and hurling unprintable insults at him, within the precincts of Parliament, was not only a violation of Hon. Dr C. Kambwili’s rights, as an hon. Member, but also a violation of Sections 19(c) and 23(a) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act. Hon Members, to put it plainly, assaulting and using abusive language against an hon. Member is a grave offence not only against an hon. Member, but also the House as a whole, whose decorum and dignity I am under a solemn duty to safeguard.

 

As a matter of fact, this House set a precedent on this matter in the case of Mrs R. Musokotwane against Hon. M. L. Kaingu (National Assembly Parliamentary Debates, 16^th January to 27^th March, 2009, at pages 3107-3112). In the Musokotwane case, Mrs R. Musokotwane, then, hon. Member of Parliament for Katombola Constituency, raised a point of order against Hon. M. L. Kaingu, then, hon. Minister of Community Development, for making a false accusation against her on the Floor of the House. The matter was referred to the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services and when the parties appeared before the Committee, Hon. M. L. Kaingu apologised, profusely, to Mrs R. Musokotwane for his statement and she accepted his apology. In deciding on the matter, the Committee considered Hon. Kaingu’s apology and Mrs Musokotwane’s acceptance of the apology and resolved as follows:

1. the Committee accepted the apology by Hon. M. L. Kaingu, MP, to Mrs R. Musokotwane, MP, and commended the courage and honour with which the hon. Minister conducted himself before the Committee;

 

1. the Committee resolved that the House be informed of Hon. M. L. Kaingu, MP’s apology so as to correct the parliamentary record; and

 

1. the Committee, in considering that there is a duty on every hon. Member not to mislead the House or table before it, any incorrect information, resolved that the Hon. Minister of Community Development and Social Services be admonished and be ordered to apologise before the House.

 

In addressing Hon. Kaingu, when rendering the ruling, my predecessor had the following to say:

“I wish to inform you that your apology to the hon. Member for Katombola Parliamentary Constituency, Mrs R. Musokotwane has been accepted both by her and the Committee. However, as an hon. Member of the House, you have a duty to ensure that the information you provide to this House is factual. Your action of misleading the House and the public amounted to breach of privilege and contempt of the House. In line with the Committee’s decision to be lenient in its punishment against you because of the manner in which you have handled the issue, you are hereby admonished for submitting incorrect information to the House.”

 

Hon. Members, evidently, in arriving at its decision, the Committee took into account the fact that the offence committed by Hon. Kaingu, beyond being an offence against Hon. Musokotwane, was an offence against the Assembly. The fact that the hon. Minister had apologised to Hon. Musokotwane, who had accepted the apology, did not absolve him of blame for breaching the rules of the House. Rather, it merely gave the Committee reason to exercise leniency when deciding what punishment to mete out on him.

 

Hon. Members, as you are all aware, the current incident received wide publicity in both the print and electronic media. Therefore, the conduct of the two hon. Members brought the dignity and integrity of the House into public disrepute and odium. In this regard, it is imperative that this House demonstrates that it cannot and will not condone such conduct from any hon. Member. Additionally, I am of the considered opinion that failure to mete out punishment on Hon. Kapata, MP, on the ground that she had reconciled with the victim, Hon. Dr C. Kambwili, MP, will not be in keeping with the precedent, and lead to hon. Members breaching the rules of the House and resorting to reconciliation in order to escape punishment. This can result in the discipline of the House and among hon. Members being compromised. Therefore, the reconciliation can only act as a mitigating factor and not to serve to exculpate the culpable hon. Member.

Therefore, pursuant to Section 28 of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, which grants me power to punish an hon. Member found guilty of contempt of the Assembly, and considering the gravity of the offence, namely pouring water on Hon. Dr C. Kambwili, MP, and hailing unprintable insults at him, I have decided that Hon. J. Kapata be suspended from service of the National Assembly for a period of seven days.

 

I know turn to address Hon. Kapata, MP. Hon. Kapata, MP, your conduct of pouring water on and hailing unprintable insults at a fellow hon. Member within the precincts of Parliament was unbefitting the conduct of an hon. Member of Parliament and moreover, a Cabinet hon. Minister. Further, as a senior hon. Member of this august House, you ought to know that this House is a House of honour, decorum and dignity and as such, your conduct ought to be exemplary and above reproach. Ordinarily, your conduct would have attracted a much more severe punishment, but due to the fact that you have reflected on your conduct and reconciled with your victim, I have elected to exercise leniency on you.

 

 I wish to reiterate that I will not tolerate gross indiscipline and misconduct from any hon. Member of this House. The honour, decorum and dignity of the House must be protected and preserved at all times. I trust that you will reflect seriously on your conduct and, in future, desist from conduct unbefitting an hon. Member and moreover, an hon. Cabinet Minister. Thus, in accordance with Section 28(2) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, I now put the question. The Question is that the House accordingly suspends Hon. J. Kapata, MP, for a period of seven days with effect from today, 20^th March, 2018. As many as are of that opinion say ‘Aye.’

 

Hon. Members: Aye!

 

Mr Speaker: Of the contrary say ‘No.’

 

Hon. Members: No!

 

Mr Speaker: I will repeat that.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: The Question is that the House accordingly suspends Hon. J. Kapata, MP, for a period of seven days with effect from today, 20^th March, 2018. As many as are of that opinion say ‘Aye.’

 

Hon. Members: Aye!

 

Mr Speaker: Of the contrary say ‘No’;

 

Hon. Members: No!

 

Mr Speaker: The “Noes” have it.

 

Hon. UPND Members called for a division.

 

Mr Livune: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: No.

 

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, on a point of guidance.

 

Mr Speaker: No. Take your seat.

 

Mr Livune: Sir, they are indiscipline.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Members, let us have some order.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Members on the left, could we have some order. Let me guide the House. I am not entertaining points of order. There is a process underway.

 

Question that the House accordingly suspends Hon. J. Kapata, MP, for a period of seven days with effect from today, 20^th March, 2018, put and the House voted.

 

Ayes (35)

 

Mr Chaatila

 

Mr Chabi

 

Ms Chisangano

 

Mr Jere

 

Mr Kakubo

 

Dr Kalila

 

Mr Kamondo

 

Ms Kasanda

 

Mr Kufakwandi

 

Mr Kundoti

 

Mr Lihefu

 

Mr Lufuma

 

Mr Lumayi

 

Prof. Lungwangwa

 

Mr Machila

 

Mr Mandumbwa

 

Mr Mbangweta

 

Mr Michelo

 

Mr Miyutu

 

Mr Mubika

 

Ms Mulyata

 

Mr Mutaba

 

Mr Mutelo

 

Ms Mwashingwele

 

Mr Mweetwa

 

Mr Mwene

 

Mr Mwiinga

 

Mr Nanjuwa

 

Mr Ndalamei

 

Eva. Shabula

 

Mr Sialubalo

 

Mr Sing’ombe

 

Gen. Sitwala

 

Mr Syakalima

 

Ms Tambatamba

 

Noes (64)

 

Mr R. Banda

 

Mr W. Banda

 

Mr Bwalya

 

Mr Chali

 

Ms Chalikosa

 

Mr Chama

 

Dr Chanda

 

Dr Chibanda

 

Mr Chilangwa

 

Dr Chilufya

 

Mr Chisopa

 

Mr Chiteme

 

Mr Chitotela

 

Mr Chiyalika

 

Mr Chungu

 

Mrs Fundanga

 

Dr Hamukale

 

Mrs Jere

 

Mr Kabamba

 

Mr Kafwaya

 

Mr Kasandwe

 

Mr Katambo

 

Mr Kaziya

 

Mr Lubinda

 

Prof. Luo

 

Mr Mabumba

 

Mr Mawere

 

Mr Mbulakulima

 

Mr Mecha

 

Mr Miti

 

Mr Mubukwanu

 

Mr Mukosa

 

Mr Mulenga

 

Dr Mumba

 

Mr Mundubile

 

Mr Mushanga

 

Mr Musonda

 

Mr Musukwa

 

Mr Mutale

 

Mr Mutati

 

Mr Mwakalombe

 

Mr Mwale

 

Mr Mwamba

 

Mrs Mwanakatwe

 

Mr Mwewa

 

Mr Ng’ambi

 

Mr Ng’onga

 

Mr Nkhuwa

 

Ms E. Phiri

 

Mrs O. Phiri

 

Mr Sampa

 

Mr Sichalwe

 

Mr Sichone

 

Mr Sikazwe

 

Mr Simbao

 

Mr Simfukwe

 

Mr Siwale

 

Mr Siwanzi

 

Ms Subulwa

 

Rev. Sumaili

 

Mr Tembo

 

Mrs Wina

 

Mr Zimba

 

Mr Zulu

 

Abstention (4)

 

Question accordingly negatived.

 

_______

 

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

 

FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF THE NEW KENNETH KAUNDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

 

The Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development (Mr Chitotela): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me an opportunity to issue a statement on the financial and economic aspects of the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA). This follows a directive by the Hon. Mr Speaker that I issue a ministerial statement on the same.

 

Sir, early this month, I stood on the Floor of this House to deliver a ministerial statement on the progress made in the construction of the KKIA. The statement was meant to update the House and the nation ...

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Let us listen to the hon. Minister.

 

Mr Chitotela: ... on the milestones that have been achieved under this project to date.

 

Mr Speaker, following my statement, I was requested by the House, through you, to render a statement to address the financial and economic aspect of the project. It is, therefore, on this premise that I stand here before this august House.

 

Sir, as I have informed the House before, the Government engaged China Jiangxi Corporation for International and Technical Corporation Zambia Limited to design and construct the new international airport infrastructure. The contract came into force on 10^th March, 2015, while the construction started on 1^st April, 2015.

 

Mr Speaker, China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Corporation was given the responsibility to produce the layout designs for the airport facilities, which include the presidential pavilion, new passenger terminal, the commercial complex, airport shopping mall, office park, new warehousing facilities and the rehabilitation and convention of the existing terminal into a new one to carter for domestic flights.

 

Sir, I felt that it was important to highlight the key facilities that will come with the new airport so as to explain the total cost of US$360 million for the design and construction of the new airport facilities.

 

Mr Speaker, as the House may recall, the funds were provided by the Exim Bank of China, through the established procedures. Due to the huge task at hand, the main contractor sought the services of other sub-contractors to assist in the execution of the work. The sub-contractors of the project are as follows:

 

1. Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company Limited;

 

1. Zulu Development Consulting Limited;

 

1. Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO);

 

1. Asphalt Roads Zambia Limited;

 

1. Zambia Telecommunications Limited (ZAMTEL);

 

1. Department of Water Affairs;

 

1. Gauff Ingenieure;

 

1. Redland Technologies Limited;

 

1. Davis and Shirtliff Limited;

 

1. Electrotec Engineering Limited;

 

1. China ADB;

 

• Hunan Zhongda Designing Institute Company Limited;

 

1. Hangzhou Jinhui Steel Structure Test Project Company Limited;

 

• China Airport Construction Group Corporation of CACC; and

 

• NEI Investments Limited.

 

 

Mr Speaker, out of the total loan amount of US$360 million, US$250 million, including a US$25 million advance payment, has been spent on various items. Amounts disbursed to each of the major subcontractors are as follows:

 

(a)     US$99,659.09 to the ZESCO;

 

(b)     US$13,229.43 to ZAMTEL; and

 

(c)     US$267,853.27 to NEI Investment Limited.

 

Sir, with regards to the terms of the loan, the maturity period for the loan facility is 240 months or twenty years with a grace period of seven years, while the loan is expected to be repaid within a period of thirteen years. Further, the applicable interest rate on the loan is 2 per cent per year while the rate applicable for the management fee is 0.25 per cent. Lastly, the rate applicable for the commitment fee is also 0.25 per cent per annum.

 

Mr Speaker, as we progress in the construction of the various facilities under the airport, the Zambia Airport Corporation Limited will contract the services of a third party private entity to manage and operate the facilities, such as the kitchen, hotel and other commercial spaces. We are glad that this project is one among many other projects that are contributing and will continue to contribute towards employment creation during and after construction. As of the end of January, this year, the total number of Zambians employed on the project was 1,200. After construction, similar levels of full-time employment will be created to support the operation of the main facilities I have mentioned. As evidenced by the experiences in other airports in the region, this important national asset will be a hive of economic activity and will contribute significantly to the growth of the economy.

 

Sir, in addition to the direct and indirect jobs that will be created across the supply chain, the following, but not limited to, are the anticipated benefits that will accrue to our economy once the project is completed:

 

1. increased revenue and commercial viability of the Zambia Airport Corporation Limited with brighter prospects for growth;

 

1. contribution to human resource capacity development, through learning by participation of the many young Zambians involved in the construction sector;

 

1. raising the profile of the aviation sector and airport standards;

 

1. promoting Zambia, as a tourist destination, and the growth of local tourism enterprise through increased international and domestic tourist arrivals; and

 

1. contribute to the viability and prospects of the soon-to-be introduced national airline.

 

Sir, as I conclude, this project is of significant to the Zambian economy in many respects because the economic, commercial and social benefits far outweigh the cost of investing in the project. It is one of the projects that is poised to provide impetus towards industrialisation and transformation of Zambia into a transport hub in the region and beyond. This is also a legacy project that makes the Government and many of our citizens proud.

 

Mr Speaker, the ministry will continue to provide feedback on this and other projects because it is accountable to the people of Zambia. 

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the statement given by the hon. Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development.

 

Mr A. Mumba (Kantanshi): Mr Speaker, my concern is on the 1,200 Zambians, who are working. This is a loan that the higher income earners will end up paying for, as the majority of people do not use airports. Does the hon. Minister know how much these people are being paid and whether they are contributing anything to the tax base of our country?

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, I may not be able to give the exact figure, but the information reaching us is that everybody working there is being paid above the minimum wage and the Industrial Relations Labour Law prescribes that anybody who is getting K500 and above has to contribute to social security. This means that those who are working are contributing to their pension so that they are catered for after their service.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Ngulube (Kabwe Central): Mr Speaker, this international airport is supposed to enhance the appearance of our country. Our fears are that once the airport is complete, we are likely to see most of those shops that will open being given to foreigners, who will charge us in dollars. Once the airport is complete, we will see Zambians being given preference so that business opportunities at the airport are different from what we have currently?

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Speaker, I agree with the hon. Member that this Government puts the interest of Zambian’s first. The first right of refusal will be given to Zambians even at the shopping mall that is being constructed at the airport. Preference will be given to Zambians, but it will not be restricted to them because we will be running a business and the airport should be profitable. Zambians in enterprise who are willing to operate duty-free shops will be given the first right of refusal.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

APPOINTMENT OF MARKET AND BUS STATION BOARDS AND THE PROVISION OF ALTERNATIVE TRADING LAND FOR STREET TRADERS

 

The Minister of Local Government (Mr Mwale): Mr Speaker, I wish to thank you for giving me this opportunity to make a statement on the Floor of this House and, indeed, through it I wish to update the nation on how the Government intends to run markets and bus stations. Further, I wish to report progress on what the Government has done on the provision of alternative land for traders who have been removed from streets in towns following the outbreak of cholera.

 

Mr Speaker, it is important to state, from the onset, that the Government is committed to ensuring that it creates adequate trading spaces in designated areas for our people. Further, the Government has put in place measures to ensure that no one is allowed back on the street without facing the law, through the provisions of the Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 12 of 2018, which amended the SI No. 10 with revised fees.

 

Sir, I wish to reiterate the Government’s resolve to ensuring that councils take charge of running of markets and bus stations. To this effect, the Government has strengthened the law that deals with anybody who illegally collects levies from markets, market traders or licensed public transporters other than the council. This has been done through SI No. 12 of 2018.

 

Mr Speaker, in order to augment the enforcement of SI No. 12 of 2018, the Government has began appointing market and bus station boards to run markets and bus stations as opposed to councils directly running them, a strategy which has failed in the past, thereby, giving unscrupulous people room to illegally collect levies from marketeers for their personal enrichment. To this effect, and as a pilot, I have appointed Market and Bus Station boards in Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, Livingstone, Chipata, Samfya, Mazabuka and Choma. In the long run, I will appoint more Markets and Bus Station boards in other towns across the country.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government has put in place these measures and, therefore, expects that the law will be followed to the letter. To this effect, my ministry has authorised the recruitment of 140 additional council police for the City of Lusaka. It is expected that these recruits will beef up security in markets and bus stations around the capital city to ensure effective management of the facilities by boards.

 

Mr Speaker, allow me to turn to the issue of provision of adequate spaces for vendors who were removed from the streets. Inadequate trading and unsuitable market places resulted in high levels of street vending. Vendors began to trade in undesignated places without proper water and sanitation facilities. This became a threat to public health of the nation. This had to be stopped in order to bring sanity to our streets and most importantly, to control the spread of cholera, which ravaged our communities. To this effect, my ministry issued Statutory Instrument No. 10 of 2018, of the Local Government Act, Cap. 281.

 

Mr Speaker, for a long time, a number of markets in the country have not been upgraded to take into consideration the rising numbers of traders, thereby creating a huge backlog of works that require urgent attention against limited national resource allocation. In order to curb this and, as provided for in the Markets and Bus Stations Act of 2007, my ministry has established a National Markets and Bus Stations Development Fund that will assist to raise resources for the development of modern and sustainable market facilities. This was done through the issuance of Statutory Instrument No. 77 of 2017. In this regard, it is envisaged that these funds will, in turn, accelerate the provision of alternative trading spaces through the construction and upgrading of markets.

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this House and, through it, the nation that the Government is implementing a number of stop-gap measures that will provide adequate and safe trading spaces for marketeers in Lusaka. The projects include:

 

(a)     construction of a double storey market at Simon Mwewa Lane. The cost of the project is estimated at K70 million;

 

(b)     construction of four market shelters at BH or Soweto annex area behind New Soweto Market. This is basically used for sale of fresh farm produce and four shelters estimated at a cost of K8 million to be erected and are currently at 70 per cent completion;

 

(c)     designating a market space at Agro-fuel land next to Lumumba Bus Station; and

 

(d)     designating another vegetable market along Tokyo Highway in Kamwala.

 

These are the immediate steps that the Government took on in order to provide legal and secure trading spaces for street vendors that were removed from the streets of Lusaka.

 

Mr Speaker, long-term measures will include construction of new satellite markets and upgrading the existing ones within constituencies in Lusaka in order to decongest the town centre.

 

Further, at national level, not less than fifty markets are planned to be constructed in various parts of the country. As you may be aware, there has been little interest from the private sector in infrastructure development for markets. With the fore-going, the Government is appealing to the private sector to consider going into public-private partnerships (PPP) with local authorities to develop markets and bus stations. To this effect and in order to address this gap, the Government intends to partner with Sinomine Limited, a private company that expressed interest in investing US$205 million in the development of markets and bus stations across the country. The project will be implemented in two phases. Phase I, which is worth K50 million, will be provided for in the Bus Stations and Market Fund once all agreements finalised. The Government will complete the legal requirements for this project within the next few weeks and hopes to commence implementation in two months time.

 

Mr Speaker, finally, the Government is committed to the provision of conducive trading environments for its people as part of the deliberate policy to reduce poverty at household level. The Government will, therefore, continue with programmes of constructing modern markets in both urban and rural areas, with adequate sanitary facilities which will go a long way in the prevention of water-borne diseases, such as cholera.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions of points of clarification on the statement given by the Hon. Minister of Local Government.

 

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, street trade is an acknowledged means of livelihood for millions of people worldwide. It is not by any means peculiar to this country. In order to address its problems, it requires well thought-out policy interventions, one of which we have been told includes building or providing trading spaces. What that means is that we should be able to know, for example, which is my question, how many street traders have been displaced currently against how many spaces we intend to create, especially at Simon Mwewa Lane Market and the other four.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, indeed, it is important that as we plan to provide alternative spaces, we take into account the numbers involved in this whole thing. We had up to about 8,000 street vendors in Lusaka. The alternative spaces that we are providing aim to outnumber that so that we actually have a surplus. The permanent markets that we are building in Lusaka aim to provide up to about 22,000 spaces so that we can buy a lot more time before we can find ourselves with a challenge of having a backlog of market spaces versus people who want to trade.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Siwale (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, there are some markets which were constructed by co-operatives. I will cite one example, the one in Miyombe. The council wants to grab that market from the co-operators. Is it the policy of the council to grab any market which was constructed by co-operatives, which are the private institutions, so that they collect levies from traders?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, there has been a dispute between the co-operative movement and local authorities on the running of markets. Just about four to five days ago, in fact, I had to step in an attempt to resolve this dispute. There are so many markets that are run by co-operatives in the country. Local authorities have always wanted to take over the running of markets for the reason that the Bus Station and Markets Act, gives the mandate of running of markets to local authorities and the hon. Minister for Local Government. So, co-operatives actually went to court last month to seek an interpretation and the court ruled that the mandate lies in local government and local authorities. Starting last week, most councils begun to grab markets from co-operatives. However, I stepped in and requested councils to stop so that we can find an amicable way of going about it because co-operators are encouraged by the Government to get into co-operatives to conduct businesses to promote their welfare. They could sign, for example, a memorandum of understanding with the local authorities to allow them to run these markets. If it is the issue of sharing resources in these markets that is bringing about these problems. The two parties could have an understanding on how to deal with this matter. We are one Government. Co-operatives fall under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry while councils fall under the ministry which has the mandate to run markets. However, we can have an agreement on how to progress and we hope to handle this issue during the coming week.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has given an example of Lusaka where about 8,000 people were removed from the streets. He has further stated that the ministry intends to provide about 22,000 spaces for these people. A few years ago, the ministry released money for projects which were abandoned, such as the one in Dundumwezi. Instead of the hon. Minister providing spaces for people who do not exist, will it not consider completing markets that were started by the ministry in places such as Kasukwe in Dundumwezi Constituency?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, in my statement, I said that in the next two months or so, we should start a project to construct fifty bus stations and markets throughout the country because there is a financier who is willing to finance and recover the money from the Bus Station and Market Fund. In this vein, places such as Kasukwe in Dundumwezi may be considered under this project.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Zimba (Chasefu): Mr Speaker, it is good to know that the marketeers who were displaced are now being allocated trading places. Since the outbreak of cholera, there have been two statutory instruments (SIs) that have been introduced, that is, SI No. 79 of 2017 and SI No. 10 of 2018. If these SIs are in effect at the moment, has there been enough sensitisation? 

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, it is the hope of the Government that there has been enough sensitisation. During this cholera outbreak, we have had so much participation by all media houses in sensitising the communities on what and what not to do. The Government has made interventions through the multi-sectoral approach and the team lead the way.  I hope people will take into consideration all the messages that have been given to them on the best practices on how to trade and take care of the markets.

 

Sir, apart from sensitisation, we ensured that all market places come up with committees knows as the Health Committees to ensure that they assess whether diseases that are likely to spread are incubated in market places. Let me just state that more action has been taken.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Ngulube: Mr Speaker, we have heard the measures that are being put in place here in Lusaka, but have not heard what measures will be put in place for the vendors who were displaced in places outside Lusaka. I have in mind a market called Waya in Kabwe Central. The vendors were moved from town to that market, which the area council has now decided to sell a part of. Was that done lawfully? Does the Government have any plans of ensuring that even vendors who were displaced in places outside Lusaka are equally given a place from where to trade?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the reason we are targeting fifty plus markets is that we want to deal with even areas outside Lusaka. Forty-five out of these fifty markets will be constructed in areas outside Lusaka. I can confirm with the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwe Central that Kabwe is earmarked for the construction of one big market to mitigate the problem that was created there.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government collects fees from bus stations and markets. However, collecting money comes with responsibilities. What sort of preparations has the ministry made, especially for the workers in the Ministry of Local Government, to ensure that the funds that are collected from both bus stations and marketers are commensurate with the services that are expected of them?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the councils were let to collect and use the money to rehabilitate the markets and provide services to the people, but I think this idea has not worked very well. That is why we have created one big pot, which is the Bus Station and Market Fund in which most levies will be put. We, then, can use this fund to rehabilitate the markets and build new ones across the country. It is some sort of revolving fund like Chilimba, if you may allow me to use that word. This is where you put money together to raise substantial amounts to be used to rehabilitate markets.

 

Sir, for example, if we allow the local authority in Kaputa to collect and accumulate money to enable it rehabilitate a market, it will take years for it to have enough money to do that. Therefore, putting everything in one pot will help us deal with this because, then, we can borrow against what we are collecting. This is why we have come up with this innovation to try to deal with the problem that the hon. Member has referred to.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mrs Chonya (Kafue): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister may be aware that the Kafue Estates Market was considered one of the best markets around the country. The structures are quite solid except that the maintenance and rehabilitation have not been up to date. Of late, officials from the councils have been going to survey the market, and I am not sure whether it is under the programme that the hon. Minister is talking about. The rumour around town is that the local authority is trying to demolish it so that it can put up a new, modern and bigger market to allow more people to trade from there. 

 

Mr Speaker, is it not prudent for the council to consider putting up this new structure, which is welcome, somewhere else rather than demolishing what is there now? That structure is still quite a good market as long as it can be maintained. Is the hon. Minister giving guidance to the local authorities on where and how they should set up these markets without causing unnecessary panic among the current traders?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, our priority is to set up new markets within areas where they will be accessible and appreciated. I do not know if Kafue is one of the districts where we will build a new market, but assessments are being conducted across the country and what the hon. Member has made reference is possibly one of the assessments. So, the idea is to build new ones in new areas. We can only be compelled to demolish old markets in situations where we have no land.  If the hon. Member of Parliament’s advice is that we leave that structure and build a new market elsewhere if it happens that Kafue is earmarked for the construction of a new market, we will possibly go by that. I think that it is more prudent than demolishing good structures that are existing.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Chibanda (Mufulira): Mr Speaker, I heard the hon. Minister talk about boards being constituted in Lusaka. My question is on the issue of Intercity Bus Terminus. As an interested party, I know that we have been paying a lot of the so-called charges. At what point is decency supposed to be seen at Intercity Bus Terminus? Is it from the time the boards will take effect or the ministry has put in place measures to do away with costs that are unwarranted at Intercity Bus Terminus?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, things will begin to change from the time that the board will take charge of the affairs of Intercity Bus Terminus. The appointments for board members have been made. We expect that they should begin to work very soon to ensure that there is sanity in these stations and markets.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Kasandwe (Bangweulu): Mr Speaker, my question has been overtaken by events.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Chanda (Bwana Mkubwa): Mr Speaker, the construction of markets in Mushili, which is the biggest ward in Bwana Mkubwa Constituency, has taken over two years and marketeers sell their goods outside. The situation was worsened when vendors were displaced. We now have council officials, despite them being behind the delay in the construction of markets, chasing marketeers and vendors. Is it the ministry’s policy to displace people who have nowhere to go?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, it is not the policy of the ministry except that it does that in the interest of public health, which takes precedence. The ministry is trying by all means to secure alternative places before it can actually move the people. The people should realise that this is being done in their interest. It is not the Government versus vendors or the people. The Government makes decisions with the Street Vendors Association of Zambia, which has since changed its name, and marketers to ensure a win-win situation for everyone.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Ms Chisangano (Gwembe): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned that the Government will construct fifty markets and bus stops in fifty districts. How many will be constructed in the Southern Province?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, assessments where they are needed the most are being made at the moment. I will inform the hon. Members of Parliament at an appropriate time where the markets and bus stations will be constructed. The markets will be as beautiful as the one that was constructed in Itezhi-tezhi.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Ms Phiri (Kanyama): Mr Speaker, there is an outcry among the vendors who were given designated trading places, but were removed by the people who put them there. May I find out who is responsible for allocating trading places? Sugarcane sellers have not been allocated any trading place and they come to my office crying every day.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the local authority in this case, the Lusaka City Council, is responsible for allocating trading spaces. Of course, we supervise them and ensure that they do the right thing. We have tried our best to allocate trading spaces for different sectors of vendors. Salaula traders will start trading at Agro-fuel this Saturday, but the sugarcane sellers need to wait for the completion of the BH Market, which has been designated for the selling of vegetables, fruits and other farm produce, such as sugarcane. The market is 70 per cent complete. So, their trading place will soon be in place.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, I commend the hon. Minister and his counterpart, the hon. Minister for Health, for removing street vendors from the street and, indeed, cleaning Lusaka City and many other cities. How helpful are the Marketeers Association of Zambia, Buses and Taxis Association, and Street Vendors Association of Zambia in ensuring that we do not have street vending in town?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, these associations have been very helpful thus far. We have not encountered problems with them. They have been actually bridging the gap between us and the vendors, traders and taxi drivers. They have also been providing necessary information to us and the traders. Like I said, the Street Vendors Association of Zambia has even changed its name. It does not want to be identified as an association of street vendors because street vending has been banned. So, the association is very helpful and we talk. During the allocation of spaces, the association actually identifies its membership and ensures that those who want to take advantage of the situation to find trading places even though they were never on the streets do not do so. It is a very good association and we will continue to work with it.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Miti (Feira): Mr Speaker, the general public is complaining that whenever new markets are constructed, rentals for the stalls are always too high for average marketeers and traders and this, in most cases, results in foreigners acquiring stalls. Could the hon. Minister guarantee us that the Zambian marketeers and traders will be able to acquire stalls in the newly-constructed markets?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, it all depends on the design of the markets. I agree with the hon. Member for Feira that we have had situations where foreigners acquire stalls in markets. In this case, we have designed proper stalls to accommodate people who have very little to sell and cannot afford recover rentals from their sales. So, the new designs will accommodate those who sell vegetables, fish, fresh meat, salaula and hardware. An example of a market with a good design is the one in Itezhi-tezhi that caters for a cross-section of marketeers. Therefore, certain challenges come about because of the design of the market.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo): Mr Speaker, aside from the fact that assessment teams were sent throughout the country to assess which particular districts may need to be funded through the Markets and Bus Stations Fund, should the respective district council officials apply to the ministry in order to be considered for the construction of these particular markets?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, there is no harm in council officials indicating that they actually need markets although they are already talking to the team at the ministry which is considering where the markets will be constructed. I must say that the hon. Provincial Ministers have been very proactive. They have written to the ministry to indicate which district should be considered and we have received a number of letters and proposals. So, the consultative process is going on, but there is no harm in the council officials writing to the ministry.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Jere (Livingstone): Mr Speaker, the Government is on record as saying that it will not embark on any new projects before completing the current ones and those that were started a long time ago. Therefore, when will it complete the Inter-city Bus Terminus and Town Centre Market in Livingstone, whose construction started in 2012?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, we are considering completing the two projects in Livingstone using the fund that has been secured for completing old projects and they will be prioritised. I cannot give more details of what we intend to do because there are some contractual issues that we have to deal with. However, we will certainly complete the two projects.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr C. Zulu (Luangeni): Mr Speaker, there is a problem of so many foreigners dominating these markets that they are literally running them. If the hon. Minister went to Soweto and other markets, he would find that Swahili speaking is the order of the day. What is he doing to rid these markets of foreigners?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, indeed, having foreigners dominating markets is a source of concern. Hence, the local authority has been advised to deal with this problem. For instance, I am aware that at Lubama Market, there is a group of foreign brothers who seem to dominate shops there because they are bringing cheaper commodities from outside. We have discussed how we will deal with this matter and I hope that we will soon find a solution to it.

 

However, there are some markets like the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), where we have allowed our brothers from neighbouring countries to bring in products from their countries through a certain arrangement that also allows Zambians to engage in similar trade in neighbouring countries. For this reason, markets such as COMESA Market are exempted because we have had to compromise and allow this kind of trade to happen. For other markets, it is really a source of concern and we will do everything possible to clean up these markets.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr P. Phiri (Mkaika): Mr Speaker, most of our people in Katete have been affected by the removal of street vendors from the streets. However, I remember the hon. Minister’s promise to this House on the construction of a bus station and a market in Katete. May I find out from him when the construction of these buildings will start?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, we will soon start the construction of a bus station and a market in Katete because this project is funded by the German Government. Any time from now, in April, we should have our final bilateral discussions with the German Government. There are some districts where they want to help us construct some markets and Katete is one of them. Indeed, I promised on the Floor of this House and also disclosed how much money will be involved.

 

Therefore, once we finalise the discussions with the Germans, we will hand over the site and a market will be constructed in Katete. This will be done in April, 2018 after the discussions are concluded.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Mr Speaker, you may be aware that the Patriotic Front (PF) Members came into power on the shoulders of the street vendors. Now, after having ridden on their shoulders, the hon. Minister has decided to break the bond by chasing them away from the streets. If one went on the streets of Lusaka he or she would see vendors busy running away from police officers and soldiers. Is he the hon. Minister aware that street vending is still happening in Lusaka? The street vendors themselves are not happy with the PF.

 

Mr Ng’onga: Question!

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the street vendors may not be happy now, but eventually they will be because we will accord them a good status and respect that a trader deserves. We will give them conducive trading spaces which have running water and sanitation. They will be able to trade in a decent manner and grow their businesses. How do you expect somebody selling five items in their hands in the streets to grow their businesses? Some of them have been selling for ten years like that all because they do not have an opportunity to get themselves a decent place from where to trade. This is what they want and that is why we are talking to them and they are very happy to hear that the Government is actually planning big for them.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwale: So, I have just announced that US$205 million will be invested into this project. I also talked about the reconstruction of a multi-storey building at City Market.

 

Mr Speaker, in fact, this morning I went to inspect the Simon Mwewa Market and it is taking shape. It is a double story building with nice stalls which are meant for the people who have been on the streets for a long time and not for those apa mwambas, meaning if you like, meaning those who are well to do. The same street vendors will eventually be very happy and pleased with this Government and, again, nafuti, nafuti they will vote for it.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

________

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

OPERATIONALISATION OF THE POLICE POST AT MUNYJMBWE

 

241. Ms Chisangano (Gwembe) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

 

1. whether Government was aware that there had been, at least, ten cases of murder in Gwembe District this year;

 

1. when the police post built at Muyumbwe using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) would be opened; and

 

1. what had caused the delay in opening the police post whose construction was completed in 2014.

 

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, the Government is aware of only two murder cases and one attempted murder case that have taken place in Gwembe District this year. This is contrary to the question by the hon. Member of Parliament who is alleging that about ten murder cases have taken place. However, I would like to urge the hon. Member to report any other such cases that may not have been reported to the Zambia Police Service so that investigations can be instituted. The facts of the three cases are as follows:

 

1. Mr Lawrence Kanyengele aged forty-nine of Chilule Village in Chief Muyumbwe’s area, was shot dead by Mr Emerson Kanyengele using a home-made gun on the 1^st of January, 2018. The suspect has since been arrested and is in police custody;

 

1.  On 31^st January, 2018, Mr Morgan Siamatondo aged fifty-six was shot dead by unknown people at Syampunda Village in Chief Chipepo’s area. So far, no arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing; and

 

(c)        On the 10^th of January, 2018, an attempted murder of Mr Samuel Mwiinde aged seventy-three of Syanjalika Village in Chief Chipepo’s area was reported. He was shot and wounded by unknown person. Since then, no arrests have been made and investigations are equally ongoing.

 

Mr Speaker, in order to enhance public safety in Gwembe District of the Southern Province, Zambia Police Service has taken the following measures:

 

1. to supplement the ongoing efforts on firearm amnesty, a clean-up operation was conducted in January, 2018, and resulted in the recovery of twelve home-made rifles;

 

1. enhanced foot and motorised patrols;

 

1. formation of community crime prevention associations;

 

1. enhanced community mobilisation to prevent and arrest the incidents of crime in the area; and

 

1. enhanced sensitisation of the general public on personal safety through meetings with communities and civic leaders, such as the hon. Member.

 

Mr Speaker, the post at Munyumbwe has not been open because preliminary inspections reviewed that the infrastructure does not meet the minimum standards required of a post. The minimum standards include well-ventilated cells and humane conditions to accommodate suspects. As a way forward, the Ministry of Home Affairs will engage the Ministry of Health on the possibility of acquiring the former structure, which was used as a clinic, to be used as a police post. The former clinic has basic structures, which could be easily modified to meet the minimum standards for a post.

 

Sir, like I have done before, I would like to urge hon. Members to always engage the Zambia Police Service whenever they consider constructing police posts using the Constituency Development Funds (CDF). This will enhance adherence to the required minimum standards of a police post.

 

Mr Speaker, as mentioned in answer to part (b) of the question, the delay in opening the police post is as a result of the preliminary inspection, which reviewed that the police post does not meet the required minimum standards.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, …

 

Mr Kakubo: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Kakubo: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development in order to remain mute on the issues to do with the administration of and the financial position of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), which is currently in a crisis.

 

Sir, I have copies of the judgments, which were rendered against FAZ on 22^nd February, 2018 and the 14^th March, 2018.

 

The First judgment is referred to Mr George Mwila Kasengele, Plaintiff against Mr Ponga Liwewe, Defendant in the matter, where Mr Kasengele, Plaintiff is suing FAZ in order to recover K2.2 million with regards to his terminal benefits.

 

Mr Speaker, since FAZ sent no representation at the proceeding of this matter in court, judgment was rendered in default of the appearance defence. This means that FAZ has to pay K2.2 million to Mr Kasengele, notwithstanding that it still owes him additional funds to his salary arrears, which are yet to be calculated. Apart from that, there are also costs that go with this case.

 

Sir, as if this is enough, the second matter involves Mr Elvis Nkandu and 132 others, where again, Mr Ponga Liwewe, in his capacity as Secretary-General and Defendant of FAZ, was again sued to the amount of K695,266. Again, FAZ lost this matter because it did not send any representation whatsoever. There are other matters in which FAZ was taken to court for non-payment of rentals of the former Zambia National Team Coach, Mr Hervé Renard, and his deputy. Again, FAZ was sued and it lost the case. Therefore, it is supposed to pay the plaintiff over K700,000.

 

Mr Speaker, these funds are over K3 million, notwithstanding the interests attached to the judgments. Is the hon. Minister of  Youth, Sport and Child Development in order to remain mute while FAZ faces a financial crisis, yet in few days time, Zambia will host the Four Nations Tournament on the Copperbelt. I seek your ruling.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: My ruling is that the hon. Member should file a question.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kalila: Mr Speaker, my attention to the hon. Minister’s response has been caught by his frequent mention of minimum required standards for setting up a police post. I have interest in this because I equally have a non conducive environment in my constituency as far as security is concerned . The hon. Minister is aware of the issue of hired assassins known as caravinas in a huge district, which only has one police station. Therefore, I am interested in knowing what it takes to set up a police post, especially with regards to the minimum standards, which he has talked about.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, we have standard drawings for police posts. For the hon. Member’s information, there are a few standards to adhere to when, for example, constructing holding cells. We would want to have separate holding cells for adult  or juvenile males and females, which are humane in nature, that is, well-ventilated, good sanitary facilities provided and, of course, a few offices for the officers. So, we have the drawings. We are grateful that the hon. Member is interested in this matter so that we can partner with him. We will avail the standard drawings and the schedule of material that he may need to help him provide these facilities. We are thankful that the hon. Member is interested in this issue.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mwene (Mangango): Mr Speaker, cases of a similar nature are seemingly increasing in Zambia. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether he is in a position to come to this august House with a ministerial statement indicating the statistics of persons, who have been murdered in a similar manner.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, indeed, it is quite sad that we are recording these kinds of cases. I have been to this House before with a statement on similar cases. It is saddening. For instance, if we consider the first case, it all happened within the same family. Therefore, there is a need for all of us, as civic leaders, to sensitise our people on the ills kind of this hate, which is being perpetrated amongst our citizens.

 

Sir, some of the causes are issues of witchcraft suspicions or jealousy over how many heads of cattle someone may have. These are issues to do with our morals and our being as a people. So, it is not only the hon. Minister of Home Affairs to deal with this issue, but it also requires concerted efforts of civic leaders and hon. Members of Parliament to engage our people and teach them to co-exist because the violence between families, which we are witnessing, can to community level and before we know it, it will be very difficult to manage.  

 

Mr Speaker the situation requires concerted efforts. The ministry on its part is providing the services that are required, but we need these services to be supplemented by the efforts of all stakeholders. When we aggregate the statistics on different offences, it is possible for me to come and share with this august House and the rest of the nation.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Ms Chisangano: Mr Speaker, from the bottom of my heart, I am truly disappointed to hear that there were only two cases recorded in Gwembe District because as far as I know, the cases have been many. I am sure even the families that lost their dear ones are also very disappointed. However, can the hon. Minister confirm when the old clinic will start being used as police post?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I certainly share the concern of the hon. Member of Parliament. However, the question she posed to the Ministry of Home Affairs on the Order Paper is very specific. In her question, she talked about cases that have occurred this year and our response is based on the facts that we have. This is why I went to great length of citing the individual cases. Therefore, if there are cases that occurred in the district last year, we could not capture them cases because the question was quite specific. This year, only January, February and March have passed.

 

Mr Speaker, I also said in my response to the hon. Member that if there are cases other than what I have stated here, it is incumbent upon the hon. Member to come forth with the information. For us, there is no death case which can be ignored and the ten cases that the hon. Member stated is such a huge number. Every time I have come to inform this House, I have ensured to account for police cases, case by case, just I have done with this question.

 

Mr Speaker, the hon. Member may be disappointed, but that should not be the way to approach this matter. After we conclude this matter in here, I can even accompany the hon. Member to the Central Police, where she can give us details, including the villages where these cases that she feels have not been reported occurred. Just as they have followed up on other cases, police officers will be glad to follow up on those cases. It should be noted that it does not matter when any person was buried. We go further to even exhume the entire remains of victims. So, that should give the hon. Member some comfort because we are willing to get that information.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Nanjuwa (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, in the hon. Minister’s response, I heard that the weapon which was used in one incident was a home-made gun. What measures are being put in place to control the use of illegal weapons across the country?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, before I respond to the hon. Member’s follow-up question, maybe, I should answer the hon. Member for Gwembe, who asked a question on when we will open a police post at the old clinic. The building in question is does not belong to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Therefore, we will engage the Ministry of Health, which has built a new facility to be used as a clinic. We want to see if it is possible for that particular facility to be made available so that we can, then, refurbish and modernise it to suit a police post.

 

Mr Speaker, as regards the previous questioner’s follow-up question, I indicated that the Zambia Police Service has continued to offer amnesty to those who are in possession of hand-made weapons, particularly rifles. The amnesty deal entails that the owners of weapons are not slapped with charges upon handing over the weapons. However, when the police undertake an operation, such as the one I talked about which yielded the confiscation of about twelve hand-made rifles, those found in possession of those weapons will be slapped with charges. They will have to face justice by being tried for being in possession of firearms illegally, whether hand-made or not. It is mandatory by law to possess a weapon that is licensed.

 

Mr Speaker, therefore, the first measure we are taking is offering amnesty so that people can willingly handover illegal weapons. As I have said, we would appreciate the help of hon. Members of Parliament in areas where there is this issue of people making hand-made weapons so that we can discourage them and ask them to ensure that they hand them over for peace to continue prevailing in our communities.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Ngulube (Kabwe Central): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has, in the past, encouraged hon. Members of Parliament to use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to construct police stations in their areas. I want to confirm with the hon. Minister that we have two police stations in Kabwe Central Constituency that are 100 per cent complete, but the Zambia Police Service has refused to take up ownership and they are now being vandalised. The reason the Zambia Police Service has given for that is that the CDF committee or members of the community should first build armories for the police to take up these stations. Is that the Government’s policy on this matter, considering that a lot of money has already been spent on the police stations?

 

Mr Speaker, our situation will soon be like the one in Gwembe because more than 6,000 residents of Natuseko Ward have nowhere to run to whenever, they are attacked by thieves or they catch a thief. The police stations in question were constructed four years ago, but the police cannot occupy them because of the lack of armories.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I know that the substantive question is about Gwembe District, but I will give a bonus response to the hon. Member for Kabwe Central. I talked about the minimum standards for a police post and the component the hon. Member has cited is one of the key requirements. It may sound as if it is a simple requirement, but it is very essential because this is a store-room which must be designed properly. The walls must be reinforced properly and the entrance or access to this particular facility must equally be secure because that is where the equipment, that is, firearms and the accessories that go with them, which our police officers use is stored.

 

Mr Speaker, I want to emphasise this point for the hon. Member for Kabwe Central. It feels so bad, on our part, when people spend the little resources they have without consulting us. Sometimes, people will just start building a structure and think that they are being helpful. The best way to go about the issue of putting up police facilities is for us to start together because, then, from the beginning, we will advise on what is an acceptable structure for a police post. We will advise on the requirements that need to be in place as well as the drawing for the design. We import drawings for police posts.

 

Sir, I have cited a number of hon. Members of Parliament who we have worked with successfully in putting up such structures and there has been no challenge at all. Once the structure is complete, we ensure that we deploy officers there, even when there are police houses, in some cases, as long as the facility is suitable and all the requirements are met. Nonetheless, we shall see how we can get the police command in the Central Province to revisit these places and see if there is something that we can do to reconfigure the buildings that the hon. Member has talked about so that they can be utilised.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Mr Speaker, the police service is one social service that each citizen of our country is entitled to regardless of the part of the country he/she is domiciled. Many hon. Members have come up with the initiative to build police posts in their areas where this service is required. What deliberate measure has the Government put in place to ensure that such police facilities. Some police posts have been built by hon. Members using the Constituency Development Funds (CDF), yet they are not being utilised as the Government has not deployed personnel to those places. I have in mind the buildings that the hon. Member for Kabwe Central has spoken about. We also have similar buildings under construction in Zambezi, Mukanda Nkunda and Imize in particular. What deliberate policy has the Government put in place to ensure that when these buildings are completed, they are utilised?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, at the expense of repeating myself, I have stated that we, as a ministry, accept initiatives by either the community or hon. Members of Parliament to put up this much-needed infrastructure. I have also stated that when the community comes up with such an initiative, it should engage the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Zambia Police Service at which point they will be told about the designs in place and the standards to be adhered to because they have to be maintained for police posts or stations. We are receptive to such initiatives, but what is paramount is for communities to start these projects in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Zambia Police Service. We have standard designs for holding cells, for example, and these must be followed because we have to observe human rights when dealing with offenders and suspects.

 

Mr Speaker, there are some hon. Members of Parliament who have done this before and we have worked very well with them. Hon. Lubinda and Hon. Kapata have worked with the ministry to build police facilities in their constituencies. The hon. Member for Kanyama is mobilising resources, not the CDF, to build a police facility because she has seen that the Government is building houses for police officers in Kanyama. We are helping her by supervising the construction work to ensure that the facility will be suitable for the operations of the Zambia Police Service.

 

Like the hon. Member rightly said, Zambians deserve the services of the Zambia Police Service and are entitled to them.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Jere (Livingstone): Mr Speaker, whenever there are murder cases, the police takes too long to get to the crime scene on account of lack of transport. When will the Government ensure that the Zambia Police Service has transport and cameras to help it function effectively?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I acknowledge that we do not have adequate transport in some areas, hence it is very difficult for our officers to carry out motorised patrols and respond to matters faster than they do now. The Government has started progressively equipping the police service. It is not just about providing motor vehicles, there is modern equipment that we need to equip our officers with so that they can conduct their work much more efficiently and effectively. The Government is committed to progressively providing logistical support to the Zambia Police Service so it they can reach as many areas as possible, which are far and near.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that a gun called mudinkilwa or home-made gun was used to kill one person. Has the Government investigated who manufactured that gun, and has that person been arrested?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I am sure that my dear colleague will be very helpful to me on this matter because even in Dundumwezi, we have some cases involving the use of home-made guns. Just a few weeks ago, we worked with him to deal with some culprits in his constituency who committed similar offences. I am sure the hon. Member knows that the people who are manufacturing these home-made guns are members of the communities in Dundumwezi and Gwembe. Some people are hired from far-flung areas to manufacture these guns in Dundumwezi. Sometimes, they are hired to carry out assassinations in Gwembe. My warning to these culprits is that the police command, under Commissioner Kapeso in the Southern Province, is coming up with a team to specifically deal with this issue. Those who are manufacturing these guns and those in possession of them will face the wrath of the law. This problem has been going on for some time. Therefore, I want my colleagues to be supportive of this exercise to catch the culprits so that their people can live in peace.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

TOWNSHIP ROADS EARMARKED FOR TARRING IN KAFUE DISTRICT

 

242. Mrs Chonya (Kafue) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:

 

1. how many kilometers of township roads were earmarked for tarring in Kafue District under the Lusaka 400 km (L400) Road Project;

 

1. how many kilometers were tarred as of February, 2018;

 

1. when the project commenced;

 

1. what had caused the delay in completing the project; and

 

1. when the project would be completed.

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

 

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

The Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development (Mr Chitotela): Madam Speaker, the 10km of township roads in Kafue District are earmarked to be upgraded to bituminous standards under Phase II of the Lusaka 200 km (L200) Road Project.

 

Madam, 4km were upgraded to bituminous standard as of February, 2018. Phase II of the L200 commenced on 15^th June, 2017. No delay has been recorded on the project as the contractor is on schedule. The project is to be completed within the duration of thirty-six months, commencing 15^th June, 2017. The contractor concentrated on efforts of expanding the two key roads in 2017. The two are Mungwi and Great North roads all the way up to Kabangwe, as planned by the Road Development Agency (RDA). It is expected that the project will be completed by June, 2020.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kufakwandi (Sesheke): Madam Speaker, there are many of township roads which have been abandoned across the country. In the case of Sesheke, we have 9.5 km that was supposed to be worked on, but works on those roads have stalled. However, for the past two and-a-half-years, no works have been done there. Could the hon. Minister assure this House that this project has been sufficiently funded in the 2018 Budget to ensure that roads, whose works have stalled for a long time, are worked on.

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, I will stick to the question on Kafue and the people of Lusaka, who I want to assure that this Government has made provisions for the completion of Phase II of the L200. The contract sum has been divided into two with the first sum being US$241,180,000. I want to assure the people of Kafue that the 10 km that have been allocated to them will fully be worked on.

 

Madam Speaker, for the benefit of the people of Kafue, the roads to be worked on are Central Street, which is 1.5km, Kafue Drive, which is 0.55 km, the 0.55 km Third Avenue, the 1km Acacia Drive, the 0.35 km Shantumbu Road Extension, which will connect with the Central Street and the Kafue Day Secondary School Road up to the Lusaka/Livingstone Road, which is 2 km. The others are Mtendere Road, Kalukungu Market through Mtendere School up to the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) 2 km Chanyanya Road. Therefore, the Government has sufficiently funded the roads which have been identified.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mrs Chonya: Madam Speaker, allow me to express my shock at the hon. Minister’s responses regarding when this particular project started. The hon. Minister indicated that this project commenced on 17^th June, 2017. I was elected as Member of Parliament for Kafue Parliamentary Constituency in September, 2016 and I found this matter was already on the table. The people of Kafue were already crying about the 10 km road project that was pending. Perhaps, there is a need to go back and reconcile the records pertaining to this project because we are clearly not singing from the same hymn book.

 

Madam Speaker, I also want to state that, ...

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, now that you have expressed your shock, please, ask the question.

 

Mrs Chonya: Madam Speaker, would the hon. Minister be kind enough to consider additional, ...

 

 

Mr Ngulube: You have to cry.

 

Mrs Chonya: Yes I wish I could cry also.

 

Would the hon. Minister consider additional kilometres for Kafue. The places where the road works will be worked on, as indicated by the hon. Minister, do not even include the critical areas in Kafue, where we need these township roads to be upgraded. For instance, the hon. Minister talked about the Malundu Road, ...

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Kafue, what is the question?

 

Mrs Chonya: Madam Speaker, considering that we heard that other constituencies received sixty other new projects, could the hon. Minister consider giving the people of Kafue additional kilometres, given the dire need for township roads to be upgraded?

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, I want to put it on record that Phase II of the L400 Road Project started in 2017. That is where Kafue has been placed. This project commenced on 15^th June, 2017. That must be put very clearly. Furthermore, I would like to assure the people of Kafue District that the 10 km will be tarred. The identification of roads to be worked on was done in consultation with the local authority in Kafue. The authority selected the roads to be tarred. Therefore, if the hon. Member of Parliament feels there are some roads that need to be worked on, but they were not selected, she could engage the local authority in Kafue and agree on which roads could be replaced with the ones already selected. However, I can confirm that Kafue District has been given 10 km of roads to be worked on.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mwiinga (Chikankata): Madam Speaker, I am aware that the contractor moved the machinery from the site and I am sure the hon. Minister is aware of this as well. Why was machinery moved from the site and taken to State Lodge where plots are being shared?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister will ignore the last part of the question. It is totally irrelevant.

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, the contractor is on site in Lusaka for Phase II of the L400 Road Project. However, priority roads are selected by the various local authorities and the contractor has a construction period which started last year and will end in June, 2020. Just because the contractor is not in Kafue today, it does not mean that he will not work on the roads there. The contractor will work on the roads in Kafue within the period that has been specified in the contract. What necessitates movement from one point to the other are needs, as presented by local authorities.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mrs Chonya: Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister be clear on when the works in Kafue will commence. This machinery had already been put on site to work on a road which is only 10 km long. What is the rationale behind the Government moving the equipment from the site only to come back to tell us that this project is expected to end in June, 2020? Is that not a mockery to the people of Kafue?

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, it is not a mockery. The people of Kafue have been considered under the L400. We have seven constituencies in Lusaka that have been earmarked for consideration under the L400. I need all hon. Members of Parliament and Lusaka residents to know that a contractor can only be at one site at any given time. He cannot be everywhere. The people of Kafue must rest assured that the Government is very committed and once it commits itself to doing something, it delivers. The people of Kafue should be assured that 10 km of township roads will be worked on within the implementation period.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mwene (Mangango): Madam Speaker, having listened to the lamentations by the hon. Member for Kafue, I have no doubt in my mind that the people in Kafue feel the project has been delayed. Is June, 2020 the initial completion date or was it another date?

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, I find it strange that this project has delayed when its implementation began on 15^th June, 2017. What I said is that the implementation of the project is three years and the project is running up to 2020. Therefore, I do not see any delay.

 

Madam Speaker, I stated in my response that no delay has been noted in the implementation of the project, as the contractor is on schedule. The project duration is thirty-six months commencing in June, 2017, and the contractor concentrated efforts on the expansion of the two key roads on the project, which are Mungwi Road, which services the industrial area, and the Great North Road from Independence Stadium up to Kabangwe. There is no reason for members of the public to say that the project has delayed when we are less than a year into the implementation period.

 

Madam Speaker, funding for this project has been secured, the contractor is on site and the people of Kafue will have quality works. The agreed completion date is June, 2020, and the Government does not anticipate having variations in time extension because the contractor is committed and will deliver quality works to the people of Lusaka and Kafue.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Nanjuwa (Mumbwa): Madam Speaker, just like my colleagues have indicated that these township roads have been a thorn in the flesh, the same applies to Mumbwa where a contract that started in 2014 to cover about 15 km has only had about 4 km worked on.

 

Madam Speaker, what is the rationale behind engaging one contractor to work on all the districts in Lusaka Province?

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, the rationale behind it is prudent management and easy monitoring of what the contractor is doing. If we have more than ten contractors working on the same roads, we may not be assured of quality, as it will be compromised. In an event of failure, it becomes difficult to hold people accountable. The question that the hon. Member has asked is similar to someone asking why we should have one contractor building a dual carriage way from here to the Copperbelt. We have one contractor because we want quality. We want to ensure that the contractors we engage are held accountable even during the defect liability period so that we are able to take them back to work in an event of failure of the project. That is why we usually pick one contractor per project.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mwila (Chimwemwe): Madam Speaker, what measures have been put in place to ensure that the contractor tarring the roads in Kafue does not abandon the drainage works, as was the case in Chimwemwe Constituency where the contractor ran away from site abandoning drainage works causing the main roads to be washed away by rain water?

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, I assure the people of Kafue and Lusaka that the designs that we are doing as part of the contract include technical specifications for drainage and street lights. Going forward, all the roads that will be rehabilitated will come with a full drainage as part of the technical specifications before the interim payment certificate is signed. The engineers that have been appointed to supervise these works will ensure that the contractors adhere to technical specifications that include good drainage systems and street lighting.

 

Madam Speaker, there will be no roads worked on in townships without drainage and street lighting because we need to beautify the areas where our people live. This includes the projects that will be undertaken on the Copperbelt. I cannot speak for what happened previously, although the Government is a continuous process. I do not want to cast aspersions or start speaking on why townships roads were designed without drainage systems and street lighting.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr A. Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, I would like to draw the hon. Minister’s attention to the second part of the question which deals with delays. Even His Excellency the President, Mr Lungu, has been concerned with delays of projects. So far, hon. Members from Mumbwa, Chimwemwe and Kafue have talked about delays. Has the hon. Minister considered forming an audit of all these delayed projects so that we have comfort that, indeed, these projects will be completed? If we have so many projects that are delayed, obviously, there will be a lot of pressure on the implementation. Is there an audit that will be carried out to ascertain which roads have been delayed and what the causes are so that the Government knows what to do?

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, before I come to the general question paused by the hon. Member of Parliament for Kantanshi, I want to specifically refer to the Kafue project, which is said to have delayed. That is not the position. The Kafue project, under L400 Road Project Phase II has not delayed. The project commenced on 15^th June, 2017 and the completion period is 15^th June, 2020. I want to assure the people of Lusaka Province and Kafue District, in particular, that the total sum for the project has been reinforced to US$241,180 and it has been secured for the L400 Phase II Project.

 

Madam Speaker, so far, US$89,610,794 has been spent on the L400  and paid to the contractor. This Government does not owe any contractor any amount of money on the certified works done by the contractor. So, let us do away with the notion that the project has delayed because it is right on schedule. As a Government, we anticipate that the contractor will complete the work way ahead of schedule. The L400 Phase II has not delayed.

 

Madam Speaker, with reference to other projects, indeed, we are have done our monitoring and evaluation to ensure that we ascertain what has caused other projects to be delayed. I am avoiding mentioning some projects to avoid attracting general questions, because I may not have information on each project. However, if I am given an opportunity to render a ministerial statement on the status of road infrastructure in Zambia, I may have answers to what has caused delays in particular projects and where we are. In terms of L400 Phase II, there has been no delay. We are right on schedule and the people of Kafue must be assured that they will have their 10 km tarred by the end of 2020, commencing last year, 2017. The whole of the L400 will be done without any delay.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development, you stated in your answer that if given an opportunity to render a ministerial statement, you should not be compelled to render a ministerial statement.

 

Mr Livune: Yes!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You should take advantage of the opportunity to inform the public through this House.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: So, you should be proactive and bring ministerial statements to the House so that members of the public are not in the dark on your activities in your ministry and that the hon. Members of Parliament are well-equipped with information to be able to sensitise the people in the constituencies …

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: So, be proactive, hon. Ministers, …

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: … and bring statements to the House.

 

Mr Kabanda (Serenje): Madam Speaker, … (Microphone was not switched on)

 

Mr Ngulube: Akulandeni!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kabanda: Madam Speaker, I was being obstructed by Hon. Tutwa Ngulube.

 

Mr Speaker, it would appear that the ho. Minister has too much on his shoulders in terms of completing road and housing projects nationwide. How much has been projected to be spent on these projects and how much has the Government lost due to delays?

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, this minister is very proactive and there are two ministerial statements that are awaiting clearance. I think we will be able to update the House and the nation to know where we are. In terms of delayed projects and how much we have lost as a Government, this information will come in the ministerial statement on nationalwide projects because we are dealing with issues of Kafue. However, what the Government is projecting to spend in the next six months, for there are projects which we have appraised that are over 80 per cent complete which we want to target in the first six months of this year, is US$460 million or K4.6 billion. We have projected that once that money is made available under the Ministerial Taskforce on the Implementation of Projects, whose functions I have been privileged to chair, co-chaired by the hon. Minister of Finance, we should be able to complete all projects that are above 80 per cent. Then, we shall move to the next level.

 

However, that is besides other projects because projects like Copperbelt 400 Kilometres Road Project (C400) phase I and II, Chingola/Solwezi Road and L400 Phase II are not part of the 80 per cent, are called special projects. Once we are given a clearance, probably, in the next meeting of Parliament, we will update the nation and on where we are, in terms of percentage progress on projects and how much the Government has spent and where we are and when we intend to complete projects both in housing and roads.

 

Madam Speaker, in terms of there being so much on our shoulders, we have a responsibility, as, a Government, to deliver to the people of Zambia. The responsibility is given to us and we do not see it as a burden, but as a challenge to better the lives of the majority of Zambians that have entrusted their lives and expectations both socially and economically in the leadership of the Patriotic Front (PF). So, Hon. Kabanda, we do not take it as a burden. We take it as a challenge that we need to rise above to provide solutions and answers to the majority Zambians who are out there expecting this Government to deliver. Though others may criticise the Government questioning whether they can eat infrastructure or roads, we know that once we put up this infrastructure, it is a precursor for economic development and the people of Zambia will be happy for they will be able to trade, exchange information and travel from one point to another with ease. So, it is not insurmountable. We are able to rise above and deliver to the people of Zambia.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

__________

 

MOTION

 

MOTION OF THANKS

 

Mr Sampa (Kasama Central): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the Thanks of this Assembly be recorded for the exposition of public policy contained in the President’s Address on the progress made in the application of national values and principles.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

 

Ms Subulwa (Sioma): Madam Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

 

Mr Sampa: Madam Speaker, let me begin by thanking you for according me this honour and privilege to move the Motion of Thanks to the speech by His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia, on the occasion of address on the progress made in the application of national values and principles delivered to the Second Meeting of the Second Session of the Twelfth National Assembly on Friday, 16^th March, 2018.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me, from the onset, to congratulate his Excellency the President on his well-delivered speech …

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sampa: … to this august House. The speech was excellent and well-articulated …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sampa: … and covered all areas of society that need to be addressed in order to build a strong foundation for the application of our national values and principles.

 

Madam Speaker, as you are aware, our Constitution, under Article, demands that once a year, the President of the Republic of Zambia presents to this august House a report on the progress made in the application of our national values and principles. His Excellency the President, in his speech to this House, raised a number of important issues. Let me, therefore, highlight some of them.

 

Madam Speaker, let me begin with the call for national unity. His Excellency the President, in his speech, emphasised the need to foster patriotism for national unity by all political leaders regardless of their political affiliation, race, gender and tribe. It is, therefore, important that all political players continue to work together by championing politics that unite everyone and not playing divisive politics. His Excellency the President has demonstrated that he would want to live a worthwhile legacy for future generations to follow by practicing genuine and clean politics. As hon. Members of Parliament, representing all parts of Zambia, let us emulate him in this endeavour and call for national unity.

 

Madam Speaker, I, therefore, echo his sentiments when he quoted our First Republican President, Dr Kenneth David Kaunda, when he was invited to the United States of America (USA) to take part in a programme called, “Conversation with History.”

 

“If we approach politics as a dirty game, we are very much on the wrong course because politics is supposed to be an instrument of justice, fair play and good behaviour towards fellow human beings … We must understand that our world is one. Different tribes, different faiths, but all God’s children. Who are we to say he made you white and therefore, he was wrong; He made you black and, therefore, he was wrong; He made you red and brown, he was wrong … There must be determination to do what is right and it starts with genuinely loving people.”

 

Madam Speaker, it is, therefore, important for all of us, as politicians, to reflect on these inspirational words so that we can continue being relevant in truly uniting this country under our famous motto of, “One Zambia, One Nation.”

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President emphasised a lot on the issue of patriotism and national unity. It is our duty, as representatives of the people, to ensure that we take a lead on this issue. It is disheartening to realise how some Zambians have become unpatriotic. Some Zambians would prefer to buy foreign goods as compared to our Zambian products in the supermarkets. I would like to commend His Excellency the President for reminding the country, once again, on the need to strengthen the campaign on buying Zambian products. We are all aware that the buying of Zambian products will, in turn, foster socio-economic development in Zambia and enable us to rise above poverty and other ills of underdevelopment.

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President is a President for all Zambians. The Patriotic Front (PF) Government, led by the able leadership of His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr Sampa: … has taken development to all the ten provinces of Zambia without any segregation to ensure that no one is left behind in benefiting from the country’s development. As stated by His Excellency the President, there is a need for people to have equal access to opportunities and public resources. The PF Government should be commended for constructing 1,836 and rehabilitating 420 boreholes countrywide, among its many other developmental activities. My colleagues, hon. Members of Parliament from North-Western Province, should be very happy that, through the able leadership of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the province has, for the first time, since Independence, in 1964, has been connected to the national grid,…

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr Sampa: … thereby offering opportunities to our people to engage in more productive activities. This is all in line with the principle of social justice and equality. It will be very ungrateful of members on your left to continue to claim that no development has been undertaken in their constituencies. In fact, it is not just the North-Western Province that is seeing this massive development, but the entire country. For example, we have witnessed the construction of the most expensive bridge in Mongu, the Bottom Road in the Southern Province, …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr Sampa: … the Chingola/Solwezi Road, the upcoming Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway, communication towers, aviation infrastructure, hospitals, schools and universities across the country. The list is endless and impressive. This is all in the principle of equality.

 

Madam Speaker, on good governance and integrity, let me applaud the efforts of His Excellency the President in his resolve to continue fighting corruption. As enunciated by His Excellency, corruption is a cancer of our society which everyone must strive to cure. His Excellency the President has, on several occasions, called for active and immediate collective action in fighting corruption so as to safeguard resources for future generations. It is not by chance that ratings by both international and local organisations have shown declining levels of corruption, but it is through concerted efforts of His Excellency the President and his Government.

 

Madam Speaker, it is also gratifying to note that His Excellency the President is calling for prudent management of public resources. In this regard, this hard working Government has submitted to this august House for consideration the Public Financial Management Bill. It is, therefore, my hope that all Members on both divides will unanimously support this progressive Bill. By doing so, we will show support and adherence to our national values and principles.

 

Madam Speaker, let me implore everyone, particularly, my colleagues on the left, …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr Sampa: … to join His Excellency the President in the fight against corruption because it continues to be high on his agenda as well as that of his PF Government.

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, in his speech, affirmed his unwavering support in the quest to end gender-based violence (GBV). Let us emulate his determination, as it is also our duty to take necessary steps to create awareness amongst our people in order for our country to completely eliminate this vice that has sown a lot of discord and family breakdown. We have a duty, as Members of Parliament, to propose progressive Bills to this august House that will deter potential perpetrators of GBV. I would like to call upon the Church and the civil society to also join hands in this fight.

Madam Speaker, lastly, but not the least, let me seize this opportunity to briefly talk about climate change that has affected not only Zambia, but also the world at large. It is not a secret anymore that climate change is here. Just like His Excellency the President indicated in his speech, we have experienced long dry spells, extreme temperatures and flash floods that have caused extreme havoc to thousands of households in our country. It is the duty of all well-meaning citizens to join the effort being put in place by the Government. His Excellency the President outlined a number of interventions that are being made, such as afforestation, reforestation, the promotion of conservation farming and the implementation of the Waste Policy Management. Let us all join hands to help the Government in finding meaningful ways to reduce the effects of climate change.

 

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, allow me to echo His Excellency the President’s sentiments that “the application of national values and principles is not a matter for the Government alone. It is a responsibility of every citizen, family, institution, whether private or public, and the Zambian society at large.”

 

Madam Speaker, I, therefore, urge all hon. Members to be exemplary in the way they conduct themselves. We are the mirror of society.

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sampa: People outside this august House look up to us.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sampa: Therefore, for our country to achieve progressive national values and principles, it has to start with us …

 

Mr Chabi: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sampa: … and how we conduct ourselves both inside and outside Parliament. I am calling upon all my colleagues to show love to one another and be above board when discussing matters of national interest.

 

Madam Speaker, with these few words, I beg to move.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Does the seconder wish to speak now or later?

 

Ms Subulwa (Sioma): Now, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, let me begin by thanking you for according me this rare opportunity to second the Motion of Thanks to the address of this august House by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on Friday, 16^th March, 2018. Allow me to also thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Kasama Central Constituency, Mr Kelvin Sampa, for ably moving the Motion.

 

Madam Speaker, the President’s Address is not only important to us, as Members, but to the nation at large. The address borders on national values and principles, which are our common national heritage and are paramount to fulfilling the developmental agenda of our nation.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to state that I have summed up the President’s Address in two broad areas, equality and inclusive development, both embedded in the motto of “One Zambia, One Nation,” as espoused by our founding fathers, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Mr Munakayumbwa Sipalo and Mr Mainza Chona, to mention, but a few.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Subulwa: Madam Speaker, it is evident that equality and inclusive development are pronounced in all aspects of the speech. I am, therefore, glad to note that His Excellency the President has not departed from his earlier pronouncements made during the official opening of this session on 15^th September, 2017, themed “Moving towards a Prosperous Smart Zambia in Peace and Tranquility without leaving Anyone Behind.” His Excellency the President emphasised that this is achievable only if we realise the importance of our national values and principles.

 

Madam Speaker, I, therefore, wish to remind my colleagues and the nation, through this House, that the pronouncements made by His Excellency the President last Friday are not new. What remains to be done is to effectively act and implement good policies that will help us rightfully apply and realise these values, attain the objectives set for ourselves in the Seventh National Development Plan (SNDP) and, ultimately, meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Vision 2030.

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President’s call for upholding morality is timely. Zambia is a Christian Nation and as such, the promotion of national values and principles should continue. What is obtaining on the ground is extremely unfortunate. For example, the youths are indulging in all kinds of illicit behavior, which highly pose a danger to the future leadership of our country. I, therefore, urge my fellow youths to take this call seriously.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Subulwa: I would also like to put it on record that I will join hands with the Government in power to do my part in Sioma to educate my people about morality and I encourage all the hon. Members of this House to do the same in their respective constituencies.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Ema independent aya!

 

Ms Subulwa: Madam Speaker, the efforts outlined by His Excellency the President, as measures being put in place to promote good morals, such as youth empowerment, the Anti-Doping Programme, the implementation of a five-year national strategy on ending child marriages, the Code  of Ethics and Bills for teachers, public and state officers, respectively, are, indeed, commendable. I wish to request the Government to ensure that these efforts are well- implemented in all relevant sectors and that the monitoring of this implementation is adequately followed up. The Government must help all of us to walk the talk.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to appeal to the private sector to join us in fighting these vices by supplementing the Government’s efforts through the setting up of amenities for productivity and entertainment purposes, especially for the youths. For example, alternative places for play parks that have since been turned into residential plots must be found within our communities so that children and youths can have leisure and recreational facilities. Other than the private sector, allow me to appeal to the local authorities countrywide to desist from re-planning play park designated areas to commercial use. This will ensure that social amenities are not shifted from the local communities to other central locations that require the need for transport for young people.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to agree with His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, that the fight against cholera united us as, we endeavoured to sensitise our people about the need to keep themselves and their surroundings safe from it.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Hammer!

 

Ms Subulwa: However, I want to urge the Government to ensure that preventable diseases such as cholera are not heard of in our country again. Fifty years plus of independence should not reward us with negative consequences arising from preventable diseases, such as cholera. I am, therefore, once again appealing to our able Government to ensure that lasting solutions are found to problems that are health hazards, such as street vending and unplanned settlements.

Madam Speaker, on the issue of gender-based violence (GBV), allow me to commend the Government for partnering with the United Nations (UN) in implementing a multi-sectoral programme to enhance health, legal and social protection services for victims of GBV.

 

Madam Speaker, Zambia has continued to record more reported GBV cases, as evidenced by the statistics presented by His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on page 15 of his speech. The increased number of reports shows that people have become more aware of their rights and can now report GBV cases to the relevant authorities. However, the act of GBV still remains unacceptable in a Christian nation. It is, therefore, gratifying to hear progressive pronouncement from the Head of State concerning the matter. It gives me hope that we are headed in the right direction.

 

Madam, it will be more gratifying if we can put into action the words that were pronounced by His Excellency the President. I am saying ‘we’ because I believe it is not the job of His Excellency the President alone, but one that requires an input from each one of us, as Zambians.

 

Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Subulwa: Madam Speaker, the issue of congestion in prisons is a song we keep singing about in this House. It was, therefore, pleasing to hear His Excellency the President assuring us of the Government’s concern about uplifting the living standards of our people, including that of prisoners. I am looking forward to that day when the state of our prisons will change for the better.

 

Madam, the current state of our prisons poses many health risks and is simply a violation of human rights, especially for women and children who require more attention, dignity and privacy. As such, I am happy to hear about the review of Government policies and the legal framework on correctional services with a renewed focus on correction and rehabilitation.

 

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Subulwa: Further, Madam Speaker, allow me to congratulate His Excellency the President and the Patriotic Front (PF) Government for the connection of the North-Western Province and Lukulu District in the Western Province to the national electricity grid.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Subulwa: Madam, I say, well done.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Subulwa: However, let me remind the Government that equipment wears out, hence installation and implementation should be accompanied with strict monitoring and evaluation measures to foster sustainability. In addition, this effort should be extended to the other provinces of the country.

 

Madam Speaker, as I second this Motion, allow me to conclude my speech on the issues of good governance and integrity. As explained by his Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, there are many challenges that continue to hinder good governance and these include corruption and lack of integrity.

 

Mr Kamboni: Who is corrupt!

 

Ms Subulwa: Madam Speaker, corruption will not take us anywhere. We will remain under developed even after 100 years. As a young Parliamentarian, I want to take this opportunity to encourage all of us, as leaders, more so the Government in power, to emulate His Excellency the President in speaking and acting against corruption.

 

Mr Kambita: Question!

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Subulwa: Madam, information communication technologies (ICT) like social media are at our disposal for use for such progressive purposes as speaking against corruption and should not only be used to unleash negative energies or for mere politicking. Effective application of national values and principles requires that we all lead by example and act accordingly.

 

With these few remarks, Madam Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Ngulube (Kabwe Central): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for according me this opportunity to be the first one to debate on the President’s Speech.

 

First of all, Madam, I would like to congratulate the Republican President for having delivered such a great speech to the nation and also to this House. I also want to take this opportunity to say that it is important that this country begins to make efforts to try to patch up some of the areas that His Excellency the President has observed.

 

Madam Speaker, I have noted, with concern, that every time His Excellency the President makes a speech, we do not see the arms of the Government responding to his concerns. For example, when His Excellency the President condemned the people who abuse public resources, we expected the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Zambia Police Service to move in and curb the rampant abuse of resources.

 

Madam Speaker, it is for this reason that we need to start mending some of the damages that we have seen being done our country. For example, when His Excellency the President talked about morality, some people have found it very easy to just abuse the law or their offices or just steal Government resources and they even become stars that they pause on Face Book …

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwe Central, the word ‘steal’ is unparliamentary.

 

Mr Ngulube: The word ‘steal’ is unparliamentary and I withdraw it, Madam Speaker, and replace it with the word ‘snatch’.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mecha: Helping themselves!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mecha: Helping themselves!

 

 

Mr Ngulube: A number of people believe that when they help themselves to public resources, then, they become a hero.

 

Hon. Government Member: Yes!

 

Mr Ngulube: This is wrong. To borrow a Chinese word, we can say teng sha.

 

Hon. Members: Aah!

 

Mr Ngulube: This means that they should stop it.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Ngulube: Madam Speaker, to those who have actually found it easy to use hate speech in our country, we also say to them, teng sha because we have seen how social media is being abused. We have seen how the unity that governed us for a very long time is actually now waning away. Zambia is now being polarised. People are now looking at Members on the basis of either belonging to a Ruling Party or the Opposition, which is wrong.

 

Mr Speaker, when it comes to the truth, we must be ready to face and confront it as it is without fear of being accosted or punished for telling it.

 

Madam Speaker, I also heard His Excellency the President talk about multi-partism and democratic values in this country. It is clear that most of us in this House would not have been here had there been no democracy. For this reason, we want to encourage each Zambian out there to begin to evaluate the political parties that exist in Zambia today and see whether they are promoting democracy.

 

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Ngulube: It has become apparent now that even when Article 60 of the Constitution says that political parties shall promote democracy and intraparty democracy, it appears it is just a song. So, we would love to see a situation where this House legislates against naba neka parties. Naba neka parties means those political parties that are run like companies, where a person, his wife, children and everybody else think they own that political party and no one can remove them from power. We are seeing some of these problems spilling over to even political parties that we thought were very democratic. Right now, we have seen also some political parties having two or three presidents. This faction belongs to this president and this other faction belongs to another president. We believe that this should come to an end. We say teng sha!

 

Interruptions

 

Mrs Chonya: Dununa!

 

Mr Ngulube: Madam Speaker, without spending some much time on this issue, allow me to conclude by saying that early marriages in our country have troubled the authorities. In most cases, you would find that girl children do even not finish school because their parents prefer to sell them off. Despite the enactment of the pieces of law, such as the Anti-Gender-Based Violence Act and other proposals, which are already in effect, our people in the villages and on the ground are actually seeing very little translation in the application of national values and principles. I would like to say that each and every hon. Member Parliament should become a campaign manager against early marriages and the gender-based violence.

 

Madam, I have also noted, with concern, that 90 per cent of the policies and programmes are being politicised in the sense that sometimes, you would find that even a very good proposal, which comes through the referendum or the Presidential Election will be shot down. Thereafter, we have found ourselves languishing, as a country, because we do not know how to move from where we are. It is time for us, hon. Members, to begin to have common ground so that even when we make amendments to the Republican Constitution to day, no one should actually cry foul tomorrow and say that this should not have been done because we were forced to do this and that or that we were drunk when we were passing this law.

 

Madam Speaker, with those few words, I thank you.

 

Mr Mbulakulima (Milenge): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for giving me this rare opportunity to participate in the debate on the speech delivered by His Excellency the President to this august House.

 

Madam, from the outset, I first want to say that we should pat ourselves on the back, as Zambians, for having come up with this kind of idea where we enshrine the issue of values and principles in the Constitution. More so, it beckons his Excellency the President to come to give the progress report on the same. This is one of the best things that has ever happened in this country.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mbulakulima: The issue of values of principles is a non-controversial matter because it is not political.

 

Madam Speaker, as far as I am concerned, the concept is more than the budget presented by the hon. Minister of Finance.  Further, it is even more important than the President’s Address during the official opening of Parliament. I am not saying that the two addresses are not important, but that they are actually anchored on this concept. As far as I am concerned, this is the congruency of the Budget and the President’s Address because this is where they meet.

 

Madam, where will the Budget on its own without morality or ethics stand? Where do social justice, human dignity and other related things stand on their own? So, the most critical issue is the application of national values and principles because it hurts no one. Our humanity, dignity, the respect and the identity of our country should be anchored on this. It is for this reason that I expect no controversies on this matter.

 

Madam Speaker, what is critical for me is the manner in which His Excellency the President delivers his speech because he is not just at ease or at home, but there is also commitment on his part and the desire to have the speech impact positively on the Zambian people. We should, therefore, encourage this. This is what I see through.

 

Madam, allow me to highlight some of the few salient issues, such as corruption, which eats, the moral fiber of our country. In my view, and I believe many hon. Members might agree with me although many people out there might disagree with me, is that corruption is bad in every form. Therefore, nobody is allowed to take any coin from the State. How come we have not made enough progress in this regard? As far as I am concerned, I have been in Government, Opposition and having spent six years in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), I believe that there must be some paradigm shift if we have to fight corruption. The focus on corruption is on a politician.  I think that is wrong. While I agree that the politicians might steal …

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: That is unparliamentary

 

Mr Mbulakulima: Madam Speaker, the focus of the nation is so much on the politician, who might have had nothing to do with the public resources.  The six years I spent in the Public Accounts Committee tells me that actually, the moral degradation is more below the political spectrum. For instance, the controlling officers and the directors in the Civil Service, the clerks at any level and the public sector are involved in this vice, but how many people are focusing on that?

 

Madam Speaker, year in and year out, the volume of the Auditor-General’s report come, out but how many politicians have been cited in the report? Having been given the privilege to serve on that Committee for six years, I will say that only about two or three politicians have been quoted, but I am not saying that is nothing because it is also a concern.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Who are those?

 

Mr Mbulakulima: For instance, Madam, there are two provincial hon. Ministers who have been cited and I will not mention their names. Again, it is on the issue of getting the allowance for the Parliamentary sitting, which came from the poverty reduction. I agree that it is wrong because that is misapplication of resources. In this particular case, what they needed to do was to seek for Treasury authority to rectify that. Otherwise, all the heavy issues have been at the lower level.

 

Madam, even when politicians leave Parliament, one can visualize, from Nakonde to Sesheke or Chipata to Zambezi, that there are very few retired hon. Members of Parliament or politicians who are great or have invested. When we leave office, we are short of even begging for food. It is not that we are careless. For instance, how many hon. Members have access to the money when it is disbursed from this House? For instance, the money for the Ministry of Health, which comes from Lusaka, is handled by the provincial medical officer and his district medical officers. Money for the education sector is handled by the Provincial Education Officer (PEO) with the District Education Board Secretaries (DEBS). When it comes to the money in the agriculture sector, it is handled by the agriculture officer, the District Agriculture Co-ordinating Committee (DACO) and the rest. There is no hon. Member of Parliament who even knows the colour of the money in agriculture, health or education, yet, no one in this country will actually cite all these examples I have mentioned. The focus is on politicians and hon. Members of Parliament. It is far from it.

 

Madam, unless there is paradigm shift in the way we fight corruption, starting from the lower level going upwards, the fight against corruption will be in vain. It is my sincere hope that, as we embark on a journey of principles of ethics morality and everything, the bigger society and picture will come to surface so that we can put our efforts together, to fight corruption and let everybody get involved other than where we have narrowed the spectrum today …

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1810 hours until 1830 hours.

 

        [MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mr Mbulakulima: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I was winding up my first point and I was saying that nobody should be exempted from the fight against corruption. Even politicians must be made accountable. However, my emphasis is on focusing on where the biggest damage is being caused, which we seem to have ignored. When it comes to employment today, it is the employment clerks or officers who are responsible for this task, but how many people have access to employment in this country? Everybody is just crying foul. Access to any service has become difficult. People are even complaining about being able to supply various goods and services. It is not the politicians to blame per se, but all of us who are involved in the running of this country. My appeal to all Zambians is that we must widen the scope if we have to fight the vice of corruption.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to move on to another subject, which is street vending. I believe unregulated street vending is part of the moral decay in this country and we need to tackle it urgently. As I said before, the issue of ethics and principles is nonpartisan and for all of us. We should ask ourselves what kind of Zambia we want to see. The application of national ethics and principles is not only for His Excellency the President or hon. Ministers. It is about the Zambian people. How I wish this can permeate through to the young ones. We need to start teaching them principles at an early stage, like at primary school level. Once they grow up with values and principles, they will have a sense of ownership of this country and make Zambia a better place.

 

Madam Speaker, as I have said before, I believe street vending is part of the moral decay in this country. This reminds of a book I have read about being beckoned by destine. Most of us who were around at the time will recall that we had a man in Zambia from Nigeria by the name of Gibson Nwosu. He was the deputy air commander during the Nigerian Civil War, commonly known as the Biafra War. This man worked in Zambia as the vice-principal and eventually principal of the Zambia Air Services Training Institute (ZASTI).

 

Madam Speaker, today, Mr Nwosu is a chief in Nigeria. When you gave me the opportunity to go to Nigeria last October, I happened to have met him. In the book he has written, he narrates how he learnt a lot of things during the time he spent in Zambia. He believes that Lusaka was one of the cleanest cities in Africa in the past. When he was appointed general manager of an environmental and sanitation company in one of the states in Nigeria, the first thing he did was to come to Zambia and learn how Lusaka was managed.

 

Madam Speaker, in the past, Lusaka was zoned into smaller areas and even today, the council infrastructure for those zones is still in places for areas such as Chelston, Chunga, Matero and Chilenje. That is the model that Mr Nwosu came to learn from Zambia. When he saw our model for managing Lusaka, he said that there was no need to reinvent the wheel. He went and replicated our model in Nigeria, although the population and other things were different.  He declared what he called war against filth because many places were very filthy. He also declared war against indiscipline because nobody wanted to listen to anyone. The only modification he made to our model, because of the military situation there, is that he did not just appoint general managers for the zones, but appointed retired majors because of their firmness on discipline.

 

Madam Speaker, this reminds me of what we did when there was the recent cholera outbreak in this country. There was a presidential decree whereby the army was called in to correct the situation. Without taking anything for granted, I want to say that the move by His Excellency the President was timely and important. If it was not for that, many lives would have been lost.

 

Madam, however, my worry is on how we will sustain this good programme. Many people have complained about being harassed, but I think the Ministry of Local Government and Ministry of Health must learn from this experience. Today, we all seem to be on top of things. We often wash our hands and have got hand sanitisers in our vehicles.  I think this is a culture which must be sustained. I would not like to see the situation degenerate.

 

Madam Speaker, I was very impressed and happy when the hon. Minister of Local Government gave us his ministry’s vision going forward. It is my sincere hope that what we have started will be maintained because, today, Lusaka City is not looking so bad. What we need to do is not to lose track of what we have gained so far. That is why I gave that example earlier. We can also learn from other countries, as Nigeria learnt from us. From what is happening, we can declare war against filth and indiscipline because many people do not want to listen.  At the end of the day, when something bad happens in the country, it is the Government which is answerable and accountable and people will say “boma iyanganepo”, which means the Government must do something about the situation. Otherwise, so far so good because the environment and people are protected and it is important that we keep on moving in this direction.

 

Madam Speaker, the last issue I want to talk about is the war on early child marriages. The Government is implementing a five-year national strategy, with a vision to reduce this vice by 40 per cent by 2021, which is achievable. This programme will be anchored on our traditional leaders, but I believe traditional leaders need to respond more positively.

 

Madam Speaker, when you and I were growing up, this vice of early child marriages was not there. This nonsense has just come up now. How I wish that the focus and effort that the traditional leaders are putting on the land issues can be the same with ending early child marriages. There is so much emphasis and focus by our traditional leaders on the issue of land. This is very good and we must address that matter, but the fight against early child marriages should also be anchored on our traditional leaders. At the moment, they are just glossing over the matter.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government probably needs to help the traditional leaders understand this problem and give them targets, just as we have given ourselves reasonable time to eliminate this vice. How I wish we can help them come up with strategic plans in issue chiefdom. We can give them targets in each chiefdom so that when we take stock, we know which chief is progressing and which one is not helping matters. The vice of early child marriages must be fought at all costs.

 

Mr M. Zulu interjected.

 

Mr Mbulakulima: I have been advised by Hon. M. Zulu that there must be war against filth and indiscipline. We need to moderate many things.

 

Madam Speaker, the paraphernalia of traditional systems ...

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mbulakulima: Paraphernalia is a combination of “para”and another word  ...

 

Hon. PF. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mbulakulima: ... and if we use our traditional systems well, we can stop early marriages. It is up to us to stop this problem. His Excellency the President has set the tone. All of us need to address this problem. As I said, this issue is non-partisan. It is like when the Zambia National Soccer Team is playing. We do not care who is who or where they come from as long as they can make a grade. I wish we could have a proper and strong national team because that would bring about love and unity.

 

Madam, one great achievement we have made, as a country, is enshrining in the Constitution the concepts that His Excellency the President talked about. I wish we lived by them. If we did that, Zambia would be a better place, fellow countrymen and compatriots.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Belemu (Mbabala): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to debate.

 

Madam, allow me to use lenses today. I have been assured that wearing lenses is an indication of seniority in the House and age, by my neighbour. If at all that is true, there is no need to flatter anyone, but to tell the truth as it stands.

 

Madam Speaker, I am standing in reference to ...

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Are you proposing that in order for one to be considered as a senior, all they have to do is buy a set of spectacles?

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Belemu: Like the honourable Chairperson, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, I have risen to debate the address of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, which was made pursuant to Article9(2) of the Constitution of Zambia, as amended in 2016. I will state things as I see them from where I am standing. My basis for this debate is the people I represent from Mbabala Constituency and hopefully, the majority of Zambians.

 

Madam, from the onset, let me state that we have not made progress on national values and principles. To the contrary, this nation has been in reverse. I will endeavour to demonstrate some of my assertions. This country has become a runaway train without control. It is in freefall mode.

 

Hon. PF. Members: Question!

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, I assume that our struggle for self-determination before 1964 and our eventual return to multi-partism in 1991 was based on an old infallible truth that you and I, including the people we represent out there, are born with rights, liberties and freedoms and are capable of determining their own destinies. I think that is a very solid foundation for us to build national unity and patriotism, as a country. That foundation can guide our morals and ethics in the course of performing our respective roles in the Government and outside it.

 

Madam, history has shown that there is a direct positive correlation between how much people can enjoy their liberties and freedoms, and development of a nation and national unity. I have been in the House from 2011. Unfortunately, under the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, these liberties and rights have become illusions for a number of citizens.

 

Hon. PF Members: Question!

 

Mr Belemu: Since people are questioning, let me say that you cannot coerce people into submission and call that national unity and patriotism.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, it is very clear that we shall not achieve this national unity and patriotism we are talking about if we do not all agree on how to achieve it. As the old saying goes, “How can two move together unless they agree?” The proposition in the Constitution that we need national unity and patriotism is very correct. However, we do not agree with the Patriotic Front (PF) on a number of things and, therefore, we shall not walk with it. For example, we do not agree with the reign of terror that we have experienced under them.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Belemu: Madam, PF cadres have wielded all forms of machetes and weapons to damage property or maim people in bus stations, for example. I can cite examples. One young man, who was a university student, was killed for wearing a United Party for National Development (UPND) branded t-shirt. His sin was just wearing that t-shirt. Today, his family is mourning and wondering what went wrong.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Shame!

 

Mr Belemu: One youth who chose to be patriotic and went to a Youth Day celebration was undressed in the presence of State agents like police officers. She was injured and abused.

 

Mr Kampyongo: On a point of order, Madam.

 

Hon. UPND Members: There is no point of order!

 

Mr Belemu: How shall two walk together unless they agree?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, please, take your seat.

 

I am listening attentively. When I see any need for me to guide the hon. Member on the Floor, I will do so.

 

 Let me take this opportunity to guide the Executive. Please, take notes. It is very important for you to do that.You will have all the time you need to respond to the issues that are being raised. Take notes and prepare to respond so that the position of the Government is communicated, through this House, to the public on the issue of the application of national values. So, this time, hon. Ministers, please, listen.

 

The hon. Member for Mbabala may continue with his debate.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, thank you.

 

Some people I represent from a place called Kasiwe in Mapanza were injured by PF candidate during 2011 Elections. He wielded a gun and shot and injured people. As I speak today, that person is still roaming the streets of Mbabala Constituency like a female elephant. Nothing has been done despite reporting that person to the police. In another incident, the wife of the constituency chairperson for Sinazongwe was injured, her hands were fractured by the police. Her only offence was being married to a politician. The matter was reported, but nothing has been done about it.

 

Madam Speaker, we do not agree with the rampant and unabated abuse of public resources by the Government. For example, we do not agree with the sale of the National Resources Development College (NRDC).

 

Madam Speaker, the donor community, under a basket fund, gave money to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing at that time, and that money was withdrawn and abused by the State. When the donors began to ask where the money had gone, the Government had the cheek and audacity to forge a bank statement. We are opposed to that and, ...

 

Hon. Government Members: Aah!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Mbabala Parliamentary Constituency, unless you have facts to substantiate that statement, you must withdraw it.

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, at my age, I have no cause to start lying. I am preparing myself for eternity. I have the facts and, ...

 

Laughter

 

Mr Belemu: ... I am more than ready to substantiate what I am saying.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Mbabala Parliamentary Constituency, you must first withdraw the word lying. Secondly, if you do not have facts to substantiate your statement, you will withdraw it and proceed with your debate.

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, I thank you for your guidance. I withdraw the word lying. However, I want to say that I am able to substantiate what I am saying.

 

Hon. Government Members: Lay it on the Table.

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, I will conclude my debate in the next twelve minutes.

 

Hon. Government Members interjected.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Members on my right, let us have some order. Hon. Member for Mbabala Parliamentary Constituency you know the rules.

 

Mr Belemu remained standing.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mbabala Parliamentary Constituency take your seat.

 

Mr Belemu resumed his seat.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You know the rules, and you have seen this happen several times in the House. Unless you have material to substantiate your allegation, you cannot continue debating in that manner. You have to withdraw that statement and proceed debating factually. Therefore, you will proceed until the time when you have the material to substantiate what you are alleging. If you say that you have the evidence, then, I will allow you to lay it on the Table. As for now, in the absence of that evidence, you will not discuss that matter in that manner.

 

You may continue.

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, with your leave, I am able to substantiate that claim. I am also able to bring the documentary evidence tomorrow.

 

Hon. Government Members: Aah! Question!

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, it is 1900 hours now. However, let me proceed.

 

Hon. Government Members interjected.

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Masholi.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, if that is how we shall make progress, then, I will bring the material tomorrow and lay it on the Table. I have the material on my phone. I can even go and print it now.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, on my right!

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Masholi.

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, as members of the United Party for National Development (UPND), we have not agreed with the PF on this country’s taxation regime. People are burdened with taxes. We will not move in national unity and patriotism if citizens will be taxed at the level they are being taxed without corresponding accountability on the part of the Executive. Almost every other month, there is a new tax that is being introduced. Just this week, we have been told that there is a statutory snstrument (SI) concerned with the drilling of boreholes and that it will be levied by the Water Resource Management Authority (WARMA). In a country which has barely survived cholera, which resulted from poor water and sanitation, the Government wants to charge people who make initiatives to have clean water. It wants the people to go back to drinking water from the ponds so that they get afflicted and then die of cholera.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Shame!

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, in a country where people can barely survive, the Government wants to charge various taxes which are diminishing people’s levels of disposable income. Citizens of this country can barely afford to pay school fees, but the Government wants to introduce more fees so that citizens can fail to take their children to school. We are not agreed on that.  We are also not agreed on the implementation of the Public Order Act where the Opposition always has to plead with the Executive to assemble. As a result, citizens are in court all the time for trying to enjoy the liberties of association, speech, freedom and movement.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, we are not agreed to all that. There are so many people who are in court on account of the Public Order Act. Almost every other week, there is somebody who is being taken to court on account of the Public Order Act.

 

Madam Speaker, we have witnessed a very unfortunate incident from 2011 to date, and more so from 2016. I am talking about the dismissals and retirements in the Public Service. It does not matter the flowery language that may be used to describe these events. The ultimate thing is that people’s employment has been terminated on flimsy grounds and the Government is calling it retirement in national interest. We have had doctors whose employment has been terminated, yet this country has no doctors. Teachers and almost all forms of public servants have had their employment terminated. Some of the people who have been removed from the Public Service are as young as thirty years, notwithstanding the fact that some of them were sponsored and educated by this country at huge costs.

 

Madam Speaker, Thomas Jefferson said, and I quote:

 

“When people fear the Government, there is tyranny. When Governments fear the people, there is liberty.”

 

Madam Speaker, lessons of history abound. Those who chose to rule by terror and scare citizens into submission by riding on the back of the tiger never sustained their leadership because the same tiger they were riding on to scare citizens ended up swallowing them.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, the PF must realise that nationhood is never built on account of terror. It is never built on the back of unwarranted arrests of citizens in the nation. It is never built on account of dismissing civil servants or Public Service workers no matter how much they disagree with your thoughts, as a Government.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to turn to the matter of morals and ethics. It is still my contention that we ought to separate the Government from the Church. The Church should continue to provide a moral mirror for society. That is not the case now, as we have seen a rising bigotry based on senseless tribalism, nepotism and religious prejudices where one section of Christians thinks it is better than the other. This is the first time, in my life, that I am hearing that we can have Christians for an individual.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Belemu: Madam, where is national unity and patriotism if I can be a Christian for Hon. Lufuma and Hon. Sing’ombe a Christian for Hon. Prof. Lungwangwa?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, the State must divorce itself from matters of the Church. Let the Church continue being a mirror for us who achieve the moral standards and ethics that we are talking about, as a nation. Lately, there have been some people, within church groups, who have turned themselves into political demagogues thinking that only them are begotten and not the other groups of people. The Church, ...

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, did you say cheating?

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, I said demagogue. I am a Christian, so I cannot use that word.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, I do not think that was the intention of the Constitution.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, demagogue is unparliamentary. Therefore, withdraw it.

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, I withdraw it and replace it with propaganda.

Madam Speaker, developing this nation through prudent use of the meagre resources that we have and providing opportunities for our youth is a moral obligation for anyone who chooses to be in Government. How can we, in a country that is impoverished, make a decision to buy fire tenders and ambulances at such colossal sums of money?

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: It is better than not delivering!

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, let me put this in context. A small 1 MW unit hydropower station, such as the one in Shiwang’andu, can be built from US$1 million. Out of US$42 million, we could have built forty-two small hydropower units which would have covered all the areas in the northern part of the country which have waterfalls right from the Zambezi source all the way to Luapula.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Belemu: Every town would have had a 1 to 2 MW station from the amount of money we paid for each fire engine. For each of the ambulances that we bought, we could have managed to generate solar electricity for small towns like Pemba and Magoye. Avondale could have been lit by one solar unit system that would cost the amount of money we paid for one ambulance.

 

Madam Speaker, where is the morality in the Government telling us that we have made progress? We have not made progress. We have retarded. His Excellency the President, in his speech, indicated that there is a misapplication of resources on the part of the Executive, shy of saying there is abuse and corruption in the Government.

 

Mr Sing’ombe interjected.

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President said he is willing to receive assistance from us and I am more than ready to assist him. From today, I will carry a notebook where I will write down those in the Executive, and their agents out there, who are involved in corrupt practices so that this vice can come to an end. They should not ask us for evidence. I have already made a commitment which I will embark on tomorrow afternoon.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Sing’ombe: It is coming.

 

Mr Belemu: Those of us who are actual patriots need a moment of reparation and restitution. When the UPND is in Government, it shall seek to ensure that there is restitution and reparation.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, all those Public Service workers have been fired unjustly shall be reinstated if they so wish and we will compensate them. That is a moral obligation on our part. All those who have had their relatives die or maimed under the PF, including the families of a number of our colleagues here and so many people out there will have complete reparation.

 

Mrs M. Phiri interjected.

 

Mr Kabanda: Cry!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, we will also ensure that there is equity in the distribution of national resources. We shall not choose based on gender or political creed. It is a moral obligation on the part of the PF.

 

Madam Speaker, most citizens are injured as they walk through the streets. A number of us carry scars that were occasioned by agents of the PF, namelt the police. There is a need for national restitution, reparation and chastisement, particularly for those who are in the Government.

 

Mr Lubinda: No!

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Iwe Given!

 

Mr Belemu: By the way, should the Government go ahead with the NRDC deal, the UPND will get it back because it is a public resource. It is a moral obligation.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Belemu: Madam Speaker, we will review the taxation in this country because it is immoral on the part of the Ruling Party to continue imposing tax, yet, want to live comfortably. It is immoral and unacceptable.

 

Madam Speaker, there is exploitation of public resources. How can we have all public resources going to China, yet we have a Government ...

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Mukula!

 

Mr Belemu: ... and a Constitution with provision for morals and patriotism? Where is the Government’s patriotism?

 

Mrs M. Phiri: Graders?

 

Mr Belemu: Where is the patriotism if Mukula can be confiscated in China because it has moved out of this country illegally?

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Shame!

 

Mrs M. Phiri: Graders?

 

Mr Belemu: Mukanda mukovwa woma. There is no one who should scare us. This nation belongs to all of us. When we stand on this platform, we stand on a moral position given to us by the people. Those who seek leadership must understand that they have an obligation to the Zambian people. It is a question of time. Sooner than later, this will catch up with them.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr A. Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, from the onset, let me make it clear that His Excellency the President’s speech was extremely inspiring.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr A. Mumba: I have decided not to delve into all the aspects of the speech, but instead pay attention to three areas that caught my attention. I believe that even my colleagues, who have been privileged to become hon. Ministers, should be able to pick one or two issues from there.

 

Madam Speaker, I will start with patriotism. His Excellency the President talked about us buying Zambian. Just last week, we had a ministerial statement by the hon. Minister of Health, who was updating us on the challenges of the listeriosis that is in products like polony and cheese, ...

 

Mr Ngulube: Sausage!

 

Mr A. Mumba: ... which the country should have been producing in bulk instead of importing. His Excellency the President talked about how we can create jobs in this sector. This caught my attention because the ban will give rise to issues of supply and demand because demand has remained constant while supply has been affected by the disease. As a result, I am expecting that price adjustments might take place. This should be a lesson to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock that we should invest in such a way that we are able to sustain ourselves, as a country, and at the same time start to export. I do not understand why Zambia is still an import-led economy. We should have been able to export various products by now, looking at our geographical position. We are investing in an airport and a national airline because we want to take advantage of our geographical position.

 

Madam Speaker, however, the Government has reacted positively in quite a number of areas. As you may be aware, we had a fish deficit of about 30,000 metric tonnes. We were only producing 90,000 metric tonnes, but there has been heavy investment in the fishing industry and I am sure we will soon become exporters. We have seen the same investment taking place in areas of livestock. We used to import a lot of potatoes, but investment has been made in the sector and now we seem to be balancing in terms of trade. We also had a rice deficit of almost 15,000 metric tonnes. With proper investment, these are some of the areas that we can use to create jobs and stabilise our currency. If we keep on importing at the rate at which we were importing, we will definitely live our currency vulnerable.

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President also talked about how we should enhance the use of our natural resources. I come from a constituency that produces copper, but sometimes as I enter the town, I tend to wonder whether I have entered into a war-torn area.

 

Madam Speaker, I think it is about time that we started to craft our policies so that these resources that God gave us start to work for us. Yes, we do need the private sector to drive and contribute to the economy, but we need to review some of the benefits. In the past, of course, when these mines were run by the Government, we did see a lot of investment in the social and recreational centres of the towns and in education. At the moment, you really have to negotiate to beg for the people to benefit, we are seeing these resources going and money being made.

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President also talked about wildlife. I realise that, as a country, we have not taken advantage of our wildlife and all these natural resources that God has given us in the tourism sector. Next week, we will have a long weekend. I am sure many people are planning to go outside Zambia to visit some of the tourism sites in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, yet God has given us a variety of wildlife which has not even added to the economic benefit of our people. For example, when you talk about Liuwa, which has one of the largest wildlife animal migration, there are no benefits that accrue to the people in the Constituency from what God gave them. When you go to the Northern Province where we have the largest bat migration, people come to spend thousands of dollars just to visit and see what is happening, we, the owners of these things that are in our country do not make use of them. I am hoping that the Ministry of Tourism and Art can come up with policies that will make it attractive for us the local people. When I was a Trade Secretary in London, there was a target of one million tourists. When I look around, we can produce one million tourists amongst ourselves and open up this country. Our colleagues who are in various areas where there are tourism sites will tend to have better lives because more investment will go there, people will be able to have better and different dreams as compared to some us who are living in these already developed towns.

 

Madam Speaker, let me move to my next point and that is promoting equity. His Excellency the President gave an example of sub-contracting 20 per cent on infrastructure projects. This is a very good example because we have over 2,500 projects. These projects are infrastructure related. In fact, the bulk of our budget, for the last six or five years, has been investing in infrastructure. Positive scores have come out of this, even today, I was asking how much people get paid? We cannot continue saying minimum wage. We all know minimum wage does not attract any tax. From the economic point of view, what will basically happen, going into the future, is that, those people who earn a little bit more will continue paying taxes. I think the complaint about taxes that the hon. Member was making, though to some extent I do not agree with him, was valid. If you look at it at the moment, if you have 1,200 people working on a project which is wealth US$360 million and they do not pay a single tax, then, who will pay that US$360 million? Yes, you can talk about expected revenue, but in the meantime that loan will have to be serviced. So, who will pay for that? So, there is a need for the Government to review some of these things that have been left hanging. We cannot have minimum wage as the amount of money that we should get paid. Some contracts are contract-financed, meaning that the loan has to be paid. So, if I have 1,000 people on site and none of them is contributing to Pay As You Earn (PAYE), so, my PAYE has to cover these costs in the future. In the process, you will find that even the people who we are employing under these huge contracts start banking with banks like Stanbic Bank and Barclays Banks, banks that will actually not add any value to them because of the money they get paid. On the other hand, you have got National Savings and Credit Bank (NATSAVE) which could be more responsive to the monies that they get, but you will find that institutions like that do not take advantage. I think it is about time that the Government looked at where are our people banking? Do they get any financial benefit? How do you compare somebody who is getting K1,200 to somebody who is getting K5,000? If the bank has a product like an advance or whatever, definitely, the one getting K5,000 stands a chance of benefiting from that product. So, the one getting K1,200 will just be there for bookkeeping purposes. So, you need people to get better pays in order to start contributing towards taxes so that we have many people contributing to taxes.

 

Madam Speaker, the other issue that I looked at under equity is the challenge of paying the Zambian contractor and supplier. You will find that even if you go to ministry a, they have a list of debtors. Instead of separating the debt on what is owed to Zambians, who will actually spend money in the economy, they will lump the debt together, but the block of it will be to foreign- owned companies. That in itself, I feel, should be looked at under this issue of promoting equity. If we do not allow our local people to be paid so that they can spend this money, their credit rating will start to drop. Already, the credit rating that has been set by the Government is for three months, yet the Government itself takes almost nine months to pay. So, the hon. Minister of Finance can look at how to increase the credit period for our people so that our credit ratings in banks remain constant and so that the banks will have confidence to lend. Just last week, the Government was able to sell its Treasury Bills, which were oversubscribed on the 15^th of March, 2018. If you check how many Zambians participated in the sale of Treasury Bills, you will find that it was almost zero. So, this is where I think the Government needs to craft better policies to be responsive to even subcontractors. Last year, the hon. Minister of Finance talked about the US$50 million which was available for small and medium scale entrepreneurs (SMEs), but the bulk of them today are not able to repay their loans simply because facilities such as the one offered by the Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ), are not responsive. So, there is a need for us to look at the entire equation to ascertain how everybody inclusive and ensure that some of these institutions that we have are able to provide services that are will promote equity.

 

Madam Speaker, for me, I thought these two areas will be the ones that I will talk about and I would like to end by saying to the Executive that this was a good speech meant to change our lives and I thank His Excellency, President Edgar Lungu, for presenting it.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mwashingwele (Katuba): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for allowing me to add my voice to the debate on the Motion on Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Speech. I would want to pay attention to page 14 of the speech, which is headlined; Human Dignity, Equity, Social Justice, Equality and Non-Discrimination.

 

Madam Speaker, I quote bullet 43:

 

“The upholding of human dignity remains an ethical, legal, social and political obligation of this Government [PF Government]. Every citizen of our country deserves to be respected and treated fairly, regardless of race, gender, ethnic background, religious beliefs or social status.”

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to first start by talking about values and principles. If really the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is talking about values and principles and respecting our people, the first thing we should look at is respecting who the people are whether poor or rich. Specifically, I would want to refer to the people in Chipata who today, are almost displaced from a piece of land they have lived on for more than twenty years. This matter has been on the news for the past one week. The people in Chipata are agonising because they are about to be displaced for whatever reason. Does that show respect for the people of Chipata? Does it give them value? We are talking about people in Chongwe, today, in Kafue under Chieftainess Nkomeshya areas where 3,000 hectares of land has been given to some lodge or tourism chain to displace twelve villages.

 

Ms Kapata: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to rise on a very serious point of order. Is the hon. Member on the Floor in order to listen to what is going on social media. We are aware, as the Government, that there a lot of wrong things being circulated on social media. The land in question, which was 335.5 hectares, that she is talking about was given out in 1994, and are you aware that …

 

Mr Sing’ombe: You are asking us?

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, …

 

Interruptions

 

Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, I am still trying to compose myself so that I can raise my point of order. Let me state that the city planners made a mistake. Instead of writing 335.5 hectares on a billboard, they wrote 3 million hectares. Where can we find 3 million hectares of land in Chieftainess Nkomeshya’s area? All the land is taken. Is the hon. Member on the Floor in order to mislead this House by saying that the Government gave out a piece of land, as circulated on social media? People should not bring issues on social medial to Parliament.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, I need your serious ruling.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources raises a point of order on the hon. Member for Katuba asking whether she is in order to mislead the House by stating that 3 million hectares has allegedly been given to some groups of people to the detriment of the people occupying a particular area. The hon. Minister, in her point of order, mentions that some officers of Government misled the public …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: … by indicating the hectarage as 3 million instead of 300.

 

Mr Livune: That is right. No morals.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister is asking the Chair to rule whether or not the hon. Member for Katuba is in order to state the 3 million hectares that she has stated. Clearly, from the hon. Minister’s own admission …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear! 

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: … that the hectarage that is appearing is incorrect and that is the information that is in the public domain, …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: … the ruling of the Chair is that unless and until the hon. Minister comes to this House to correct the information …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: … and gives an explanation on what led to that misleading information, what is being said by the hon. Member for Katuba will be taken as the information she believes to be correct. In this regard, as stated earlier, I urge the hon. Ministers to take notes so that when the time comes, she can correct the information. This way, the record of this House will be corrected so that it reflects the actual position of the Government on matters such as this one. This is my ruling.

 

The hon. Member for Katuba will continue.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: Madam Speaker, I thank you for that protection and guidance. Having said that, my point is that land is very important to our people.

 

Madam Speaker, with regards to values and principles, regardless of someone’s value, whether in money form, they need to be respected and protected. This is according to the speech that was given on the Floor of this House. The two examples I gave on land are not the only cases of people who are aggrieved. Our most precious possession has been abused. We, therefore, urge the Patriotic Front (PF) Government to be more sensitive with this value if we are to really appreciate what we are talking about.  A value is regarded as something that is priceless. In this vein, our land is priceless. In the Muchinga, Northern, Southern and Western provinces of this country, you will find that everyone is talking about how much land is being given to people who just come into this country.

 

Madam Speaker, even if I was in China for ten years, I would never be given a hectare of land because it is a preserve of the indigenous people. We are saying that no one in this country must be displaced if we really respect and value our people. We all know that land is the only thing that gives our people the dignity that is being spoken about in the speech. If the PF Government really wants to show that it cares, people must be given the comfort that they are crying for. 

 

Madam Speaker, we grieve for our people. The poor, according to Professor Michael Kelly in 1998, are not only poor in wealth, but also in knowledge. They do not know the implication of taking so much land away from them. They are grieving. Unless the Government of the day really understands that part and protects that land, our people may find themselves in a major predicament, such as shifting from being a land owner to care takers. Is that the value and principle we are going to attach to our people? We should not only speak, but be practical. There is so much theorising. We want to see the practical aspect of that speech.

 

Madam Speaker, when we talk about land, that includes institutions such as the National Resource Development College (NRDC). That institution has been standing for years on end but today, in the wisdom of the PF, it chose to sell and relocate it to some place called Mumbwa. Is that what we want? Why could the PF not leave it where it is standing? If it wanted more space for that institution to accommodate all the students, it should have opened an annex to it. We have so many students who need to be educated. The NRDC land is prime, but it has been given to this purported investor who has come into our land. We believe that these people are heaven-sent, yet they are actually coming to decolonise us mentally, physically, socially and economically.

 

Madam Speaker, we are saying “no” to that. So, when we argue in those lines, it is not because we do not understand. Maybe, the vision of the PF is not the vision of people of this country, because what belongs to the people it wants to give to strangers who come into the country. Is that value and principle? Is that respecting the people who it found? Is that respecting an institution that has been standing for more than forty years? This Government has only been in power for ten years, but it wants to sell everything that has been standing because it is the Government of the day. Is that what we want? We are talking about principles. What are the principles of the PF? Where does it want to take this country?

 

Madam Speaker, we have just been told about a statutory instrument (SI) that is talking about taxing ground water. Maybe, in Lusaka it makes sense, but in Katuba Constituency, it does not. When we are soliciting for people to drink clean water, we drill a borehole in the middle of the village and it does not belong to anybody. However, this Government wants to tax each village K833. Who will contribute to pay for that borehole? Will I tax my villagers because they are drinking water from there? Does the PF Government want us to go back to digging shallow wells? Is that what it wants?

Madam, why does the PF Government, in fairness and respect of the villagers, not tax the alcohol or whisky and tonic being drank everyday and cigarettes? People smoke cigarettes which do not put food on our table. I do not mind if a bottle of Mosi lager costs K25 …

 

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Ng’onga: Question!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: … or a packet of cigarettes costs K50 because it will not change the lives of the people in Katuba. However, if you charge them for water, are you sure you are respecting them? Are you giving them value? Would you want them to revert to the old method of digging wells because you are charging the most essential commodity of a human being, which is water? The people of Kanchibiya, Kaputa and Shang’ombo have the same problem as those in Katuba.

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: Madam Speaker, since the Government does not give us reticulated water, we are forced to drill boreholes. However, if it introduces tax on boreholes, what value is it adding to its people? The people of Chelston and Avondale have been victims of poor reticulated water. For this reason, most of them drilled boreholes at their houses. A service is not being provided to the people. However, the Government wants to charge them for the little effort they are putting in. Is that respecting them?

 

Mr Sing’ombe: No!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: Is it showing concern and being empathetic to them or giving them a better life? I tend to believe that a party in the Government is the Executive and its first priority is to ensure that people have food on their tables and other basic needs. Unfortunately, the PF Government is not doing that.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: When we go out to buy things for the people, we go for the highest bidder. The people of Mumbwa, Kaputa and Shang’ombo need secondary schools, but the Government goes to buy a fire tender for US$1 million.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Shame!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: As if that is not bad enough, it goes ahead to insure it for K250,000.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: Madam Speaker, where has K750,000 gone?

 

Interruptions

 

Ms Mwashingwele: According to simple mathematics or economics, you cannot buy a bottle of water at K2 and insure it at K1. At whose advantage would you make a loss? You tell us about the application of national values and principles, but this goes against the basic human principles. Maybe, US$1 million is not a lot of money for the Executive, but this money can be utilised in Katuba Constituency, Shang’ombo, Sioma, Nalolo …

 

Prof. Lungwangwa: Nalikwanda.

 

Ms Mwashingwele: … Nalikwanda and Liuwa. If I was given such an amount of money, I would go singing to meet my ancestors because I would have done a lot of work. That is a lot of money and would be used to build three or four secondary schools, which the people are in dire need of. However, the Executive, in its wisdom bought one fire tender for Katuba Constituency, yet we do not even have fires in Katuba.

 

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: That is not a priority. So, we need to add value to the little resources that we have. The Government bought ambulances at US$288,000 when it could have bought them at US$67,000.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: Where is the change?

 

Madam Speaker, when a statement is brought to this House, it must be sincere and add value even to hon. Members seated here. Unless there is value in what is being said, people tend to actually get disillusioned even by the presenter because when the theory and practice do not agree, the people will judge you by what is practically on the ground. We are not actually dreaming about the things we are talking about, but they are going on around us. I have already spoken about the issue of water and other issues. People may disagree, but the truth of the matter is that it sums up to corruption. Someone, somewhere, is benefitting from the little taxes that people are paying. Since the technocrats in the ministries have seen the politicians’ weaknesses, they have taken advantage.

 

Mr Livune: That is right!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: In the Auditor-General’s Report, and in reference to the Ministry of General Education, which I am comfortable with, 101 pages talked about the misuse in the application of funds in a ministry that needs every ngwee to sustain it. Where are the people who have the power and authority? There is no discipline and no one is being charged. The Auditor-General does not have the power to actually arrest the people cited. So, who is in charge?

 

Mr Livune: Freedom Sikazwe!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: Madam Speaker, on the Floor of this House, we were told that every corrupt hon. Minister and Member of Parliament would be brought to book, …

 

Mr Livune: Yes!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: … but up to today, we are still waiting. However, we can see and tabulate the problems that we are facing. The people who elected us are losing trust in us, as politicians, because they think politics is all about enriching oneself, yet it is meant to provide a service.

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Go abroad.

 

Ms Mwashingwele: However, because the PF has misapplied resources and has a different vision, we are all not trusted …

 

Mr Livune: That is right!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: … and this must come to an end. Can we be practical and do the right thing because the day of reckoning …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Yes!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: … and being accountable shall come.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Yes!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: I can hear the Investigator-General (IG) saying question, but he will be the first one to be questioned.

 

Mr Livune: They will run away.

 

Ms Mwashingwele: So, we have been talking about these things.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: To my knowledge, there is no IG in the House.

 

Ms Mwashingwele: I withdraw that statement, Madam Speaker.

 

Interruptions

 

Hon. UPND Members: Mwami one!

 

Laughter

 

Ms Mwashingwele: Mwami one.

 

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, let me talk about the forest because it is also our natural resource. When something is banned, the ban must be enforced on everyone. The law must not segregate. When we ban the sell of maize, a politician, trader and everybody else must not export maize. When we ban the exportation of Mukula logs, everyone regardless of their position in this country must abide by that ban …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: … if we are to talk about principles and values.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: Alas! The poor man and woman who cut down the Mukula tree is banned from exporting the logs, then, we hear that Zambia has illegally exported them to China.

 

Mr Livune: How?

 

Ms Mwashingwele: Who has the power to do that? So, when we do certain things, let us ensure that we lead by example.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: Even our children learn better from the acts we do than from the things they hear, and there has been too much talking. I urge the PF Government to take up the challenge of being doers of its word and not just to talk. Let us stop talking and unless we do that, all the speeches that will be presented on the Floor of this House will be a laughing stock by our own people. This is currently happening in the country and as such, the President’s Speech would have been more valuable had certain things happened and others been controlled. I urge the Government to stop taxing the poor people so heavily.

 

Mr Muchima: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mwashingwele: Let the Government find a formula of making money and if it does not have one, let it look for another way. We need to stabilise the nation and assure the poor people that there is a life whilst there is the Government of the day. Otherwise, we are going on a roller coaster downhill.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. UPND Members:

 

Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kasune (Keembe): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for allowing me to add the voice of the people of Keembe Constituency and, indeed, my own voice to the debate on the speech that was made by His Excellency the President on national values and principles.

 

Madam, what I really want to touch on are some of the things that have already been mentioned by hon. Members of Parliament from this side of the House, whose role is to provide checks and balances on the Executive.

 

Madam Speaker, it is important for us to remind ourselves what we mean when we talk about principles. In a quick dictionary that I looked at, it says that principles are a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as a foundation for a system of beliefs or behaviour for the chain of reasoning and for better governance.

 

Madam Speaker, when we talk about values and principles, as a nation, it is important to underscore that our values and principles are being challenged. One would be blind or deaf not to know that there is moral decay in our country. Many things have been said on this issue, but I want to say one of the few things if people remember nothing else.

 

Madam Speaker, misplacement of priorities is what is making Zambia what it is. There is so much talk, yet very little action taken in this country. As long as this trend continues, Zambia will forever lag behind. There are many countries that have progressed that we can cite as examples. The trajectory of their economic development is going up while that of Zambia is going down.

 

Apart from the misplacement of priorities, Madam Speaker, as a country, it is safe to say that we are suffering from misappropriation of funds. Year in and year out, we hear pronouncements of resources being allocated to road infrastructure, healthcare services and educational facilities, but lo and behold, when the year ends, what has been done does not reflect where the resources were allocated to. This is a problem for this country.

 

Mr Belemu: It is a cancer!

 

Ms Kasune: Until we get cured of that, Madam Speaker, this country is headed downwards. When we, the Members on this side of the House, talk about such things, we do not just say them just to sound a gong, if I may say that, but we speak so that those who have ears, especially those in the Executive, may act upon what we say.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kasune: It is not to merely shame or bring out issues that we talk about these things. Our responsibility on this side of the House is to provide checks and balances.

 

Dr Kalila: To tell them the truth!

 

Mr Belemu: Yes!

 

Ms Kasune: I know many of my colleagues on the other side know about a Bemba saying that goes, “munshebwa …

 

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

 

Laughter

 

Ms Kasune: Yes, Hon. Kampyongo, knows the meaning.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Kasune: Meaning that one who does not listen went with human waste to his or her in-laws.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Laughter

 

Ms Kasune: It would be sad for this country to experience that just because we do not want to listen.

 

Madam Speaker, Karl Max said that religion is the opium of the poor. Zambia is not the only country that is seen to use religion to advance other people’s interests and neglect the poor.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear! Yes!

 

Ms Kasune: We really need to safeguard against this, because many are times that religion has been abused to advance personal interests. Where are the national values in this? Where are the principles we are talking about if we do not fight for the poorest of the poor in our country?

 

Madam, I stand to be corrected, in the 2016 General Elections, the number of constituents, who were the main voters of this country, came from rural areas in Zambia.

 

Mr Belemu: Yes!

 

Ms Kasune: However, when you look at the policies that are being made by the Government today, they are not sustaining or enhancing the lives of those in rural Zambia where Keembe also happens to sit. When will we respond to the needs of the people in rural areas?

Madam, when will we ensure that the poor also climb the ladder and, maybe, become what they have always dreamed of, not only for themselves, but their children? As long we, as a country, do not put in place policies that meet the needs of the poor people, Zambia will forever lag behind.

 

Madam Speaker, the cry of all Zambians is that good governance does not hinge on an individual, but rather stands on good policies and principles that should be adhered to by all. If I correctly remember, the then President of the United States of America (USA), Mr Barrack Obama said:

 

            “Africa needs good policies and not good people.”

 

For so long, as a country and as a continent, we have looked at an individual on a personal level. For so long, we have neglected to put the right people in places on personal grounds, yet we miss the opportunity to develop not only our country, but also our continent. 

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kasune: It is high time the words of Mr Obama came to pass. We need good policies, good governance and not good people.

 

Madam it breaks my hearts that every time we hear people say that such a person is nice, hence needs to be there when they may not even know what they are supposed to be doing in that office in the first place.

 

Ms Lubezhi: Exactly!

 

Ms Kasune: Why are we not choosing people on merit? Why are we not putting people in places of work based on performance? Look at Rwanda today. Despite its experience, it is thriving today.  We have a lot to learn from them.

 

Madam Speaker, let me now talk about governance. We cannot take about good governance and divorce accountability, transparency and, indeed, integrity as well as the rule of law. If we neglect this, we, as a country, are not only doing ourselves a disservice, but unto our children and their children to come. I want to give an example where it has been referred to. There has been a public outcry because of the dossier that has been released.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Kasune: Instead of the voice of the people being appreciated by those in power, whistle blowers are being taken to task. How can we develop if whistle blowers are not protected? How can we develop when one’s response to being questioned on the misappropriation of funds is always no? Let us learn from countries like South Africa, where when issues are brought before the table, the Executive take heed and ensure that those who are mentioned are brought to book.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kasune: Zambia sits on a very good geographical position, which is in the centre, therefore, as a people poised to learn from many if we choose to. As I already said, ushumfwa, aile …, as Hon. Kampyongo has already finished for me.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: On a point of order, Madam.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for permitting me to rise on this important point of order.

 

Madam, I have been setting patiently trying to put head and tail to the debate by the hon. Member on the Floor with her slung. I am sitting here trying to make her debate make sense to my listening. Is she in order to pick on me …

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: … when she is misusing my much cherished language by using proverbs that she does not even understand so well?

 

Ms Kasune: No, I do understand.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I was hoping she could have refrained from using a language she does not properly understand.

 

Mr Livune: Uushumfwa, aile ku bapongoshi!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, is she in order to pick on me when I am quietly, and like I have stated, trying to put head and tail to her flamboyant debate, which sounds too sweet for nothing?

 

Laughter

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You have put your point of order across.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I seek your very serious ruling.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: As presiding officers, obviously, we do take note of the running commentaries, although most of the time we ignore them. We also sometimes note the body language. Perhaps, the hon. Member for Keembe in making reference to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs every time she states that Bemba proverb is indirectly soliciting for consultation services.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Perhaps, at some point, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs can use his vast knowledge of Bemba to explain to the hon. Member for Keembe the correct meaning of the Bemba proverb that she is using and continuously inviting the hon. Minister of Home Affairs. For now, the hon. Member for Keembe will continue

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kasune: Madam Speaker, I would like to also add a few words on the issue of lack of morals in our society, leading to young people getting pregnant, especially teenagers, and indeed child marriages. We know very well that this is a deterrent to development in our country, especially for the children in places like Keembe Constituency and, indeed, many other rural constituencies.

 

Madam Speaker, we cannot stop this from happening if we do not put the right measures in place. I want to speak on the issue of community schools. As much as this is a good idea, we, however, would find that community schools are running without trained teachers in many cases. You find that children are still sitting on stones in this day and age. The teachers themselves have so many challenges.

 

Madam Speaker, you would recall that when the last teacher recruitment exercise happened this year, a place like Chibombo District, which has over 100,000 pupils, I stand to be corrected, only received about seventeen teachers. Chibombo District has two constituencies, which are Keembe and Katuba. So, how are we to stop child marriages and teenage pregnancies if the teacher/pupil ratio is so high? In some cases, the pupils who strive to learn have to rent in nearby villages. In the end, what happens is that they do not come back with the school certificate that they need, but come back pregnant.

 

Madam Speaker, as long as the Government of the day does not put in place the right measures in recruiting the correct number of teachers so that the teacher/pupil ratio is manageable, we will not curb the challenge of teenage pregnancies and child marriages. Of course, I want to recognise some of chiefs who have been spearheading the fight and speaking against child marriages. There are people like Chief Liteta, Chief Chamuka and Chief Chitanda. However, more has to be done to involve many more chiefs if we are to see this problem coming to an end.

 

Madam Speaker, we have also talked about the morals and values of teachers being evaluated …

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

(Debate adjourned)

 

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The House adjourned at 1955 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 21^st March, 2018.