Wednesday, 26th September, 2018

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Wednesday, 26th September, 2018

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

_______

 

RULING BY THE HON. MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

 

POINT OF ORDER RAISED BY HON. J. J. MWIIMBU, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, ON TUESDAY, 25TH SEPTEMBER, 2018

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, the House will recall that on Tuesday, 25th September, 2018, when the House was considering the ministerial statement issued by the  Minister of Agriculture, Hon. M. Katambo and Mr D. Mung’andu, Member of Parliament for Chama South, was asking a question on a point of clarification, Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, Member of Parliament for Monze Central and the Leader of the Opposition, raised the following point of order:

 

“Madam Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order pursuant to Article 76 of the Constitution of Zambia and Orders 26, 27 and 28 of our Standing Orders. You may be aware that last week I raised a point of order on Her Honour the Vice President relating to the issues of the Social Cash Transfer Scheme. In the ruling by the Hon. Mr Speaker, he directed that I raise an urgent question.

 

“Pursuant to the advice that was given, Madam Speaker, I did just that and I got correspondence from the Clerk’s Office that the question would be on the Order Paper today, the 25th of September, 2018. I have the letter with me and I have noticed that the Order Paper is not reflecting the question that is supposed to have been on the Order Paper.

 

“The point of order I am raising pertaining to privilege is whether this House is in order to abuse my privilege and my rights consistently, taking into account that this is not the first time that I have complained, and have raised issues pertaining to my rights on issues that are supposed to be addressed on the Floor of this House. Last time I raised a Motion and that Motion was never processed, contrary to the Standing Orders, until after more than three weeks. Today, the infringement of my rights has occurred again as if there is a hidden hand that is protecting the Executive.

 

“Madam Speaker, is this House in order to continuously infringe on my rights as a Member of Parliament who has complied with the Constitution and the Standing Orders of this august House. I need your serious ruling.”

 

In my immediate response, I reserved my ruling in order to investigate the matter. I have since studied the matter, hon. Members, and I now proceed to render my ruling.

 

Hon. Members, I wish to confirm that the Office of the Clerk, indeed, received and processed the notice of a question from the hon. Leader of the Opposition. The hon. Member was accordingly notified by the Office of the Clerk that his question would appear on the Order Paper on Tuesday, 25th September, 2018. However, as hon. Members may recall, on Friday, 21st September, 2018, when the House was considering Question No. 36 on the Order Paper, Mr T. Ngulube, Member of Parliament for Kabwe Central, raised the following point of order:

 

“Madam Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to raise a point of order.

“Madam Speaker, two days ago, we heard that the President had decided to terminate the services of the Hon. Minister of Community Development and Social Welfare. Following that decision, yesterday, we were informed that the Board of Directors at the Zambia Postal Services Corporation (ZAMPOST) had decided to suspend four directors following what we can call a scam relating to the Social Cash Transfer Scheme.

 

“Madam Speaker, my point of order is on the hon. Minister of Transport and Communication. Is he in order to remain silent when members of the Board of Directors at ZAMPOST who are supposed to be investigated as culprits in the Social Cash Transfer Scheme scam, have suspended four directors? Are they in order to suspend the four officers of ZAMPOST when, in fact, the investigation must also be extended to them?”

 

In my immediate reaction to that point of order, hon. Members, you will recall that I ruled that it was in the best interest of the Executive to update the nation, through this House, so that the public was properly advised on the actions that their Government was taking. In that regard, I directed Her Honour the Vice-President to issue a statement on the matter. If the hon. Members will recall, I did stress that the statement on the matter must be comprehensive.

 

Hon. Members, the question that the hon. Leader of the Opposition intended to ask the hon. Minister of Community Development and Social Welfare raised the same issues as those in the point of order raised by Mr T. Ngulube, MP. As Hon Members are aware, it is established parliamentary practice that the House cannot debate the same subject matter during the same session more than once. Since Her Honour the Vice-President was directed to issue a comprehensive statement on the matter, the question by the hon. Leader of the Opposition became redundant and was accordingly withdrawn.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Leader of the Opposition will be at liberty to ask a question on points of clarification once Her Honour the Vice-President issues her statement. It is, however, regrettable that the letter notifying the hon. Member of Parliament for Monze Central  and Leader of the Opposition only reached him afterwards.

 

Hon. Members, the chronological order of events on this matter indicates that if there were any intentions to hinder the hon. Leader of the Opposition from exercising his right and privilege to raise issues on the Floor of the House, his question would not have been admitted in the first place. In addition, the letter informing him of the specific date would not have been issued.

 

Hon. Members, it is only when it became crystal clear that there were a lot of issues and clarifications that hon. Members wished to raise over the same subject matter that the Chair directed Her Honour the Vice-President and Leader of Government Business in the House to come to the House with a comprehensive statement on the matter so as to accord the hon. Members of Parliament the opportunity to hear and ask questions on points of clarification on the matter that is topical which is the Social Cash Transfer Scheme.

 

 In conclusion, therefore, the withdrawal of the question was in accordance with the established parliamentary rules of practice and procedure.

 

Thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

_____

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

PARKING SPACES FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICERS AND CLIENTS

 

38. Mr Mecha (Chifunabuli) asked the Minister of Works and Supply:

 

  1. whether the Government has a policy on the allocation and assignment of motor vehicle parking spaces for Government officers and clients;

 

  1. if so, whether the policy is effective;

 

  1. what the challenges associated with implementing the policy are;

 

  1. if there is no such policy, whether the Government has any plans to formulate one; and

 

  1. if so, when the plans will be implemented.

 

The Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Mutati): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that currently, the Government has no policy on the allocation and assignment of motor vehicle parking spaces for Government officers and clients. What is in existence are administrative parking arrangements for both Government officers and clients by individual institutions.

 

Madam Speaker, the policy cannot be effective since it does not exist. No challenges can be associated with the failure to implement the policy since it is not in existence. Usually, this provision is made at the time of construction. Therefore, there is no need to formulate a specific policy on parking spaces. The Government has taken note of the issue and will consider it for inclusion when the existing policies relating to buildings and parking spaces are revised.

 

 Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mecha: Madam Speaker, the public has been having challenges in parking their vehicles, especially at Government offices.

 

 Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Madam.

 

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

 

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, this point of order is really compelling from where I stand. I will run through it very quickly, bearing in mind that we are behind time.

 

Madam Speaker, it is pursuant to the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, Cap 12 of the Laws of Zambia. I will quote Section 16 of the Act which deals with the issue of evidence. It says:

 

“Any person who before the Assembly or any authorised committee intentionally gives a false answer to any question material to the subject of inquiry which may be put to him during the course of any examination shall be guilty of an offence against section one hundred and four of the Penal Code.”

 

Once found to be guilty, there are penalties for the individual in Section 21 of the same Act which reads as follows:

 

“For every offence under this Act for which no other penalty is specially provided, the offender shall be liable for conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred penalty units or to imprisonment with or without hard labour for a term not exceeding three months or to both.”

 

Madam Speaker, let me begin by congratulating the Patriotic Front (PF) on finding the money meant for the Social Cash Transfer Scheme which we were told was missing the whole of last week. I will quote from the newspaper which informed the nation that this money had been found. The paper is the Daily Nation of 24th September, 2018. It is a very pleasant discovery as this is the money for which an hon. Minister and officers from the Zambia Postal Services (ZAMPOST) were fired. Now that the money has been found, this entails that there is no issue.

 

Madam Speaker, in answering the question asked by the hon. Member of Parliament for Choma Central, the Minister of Finance, Hon. Margaret Mwanakatwe indicated to the country that the Government and His Excellency the President were aware about the missing funds since June, 2018, and that preliminary investigations had been established, which reviewed that, indeed, money was missing. She went on to say that the Government had instituted a forensic study. According to the English Oxford Dictionary, the word forensic relates to evidence found in an investigation for use in litigation or a court of law.

 

At the moment, the public is confused in the midst of the money being found. Therefore, is the hon. Minister of Finance in order not to come to this House to rest or ease the anxieties of the donors, would-be beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Scheme and hon. Members of Parliament who are charged with the responsibility of providing checks and balances to the Government? Is she in order to remain quiet in the midst of this wonderful and unbelievable news that the money is actually sitting in an account at the Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO).

 

Madam Speaker, I seek your ruling on this matter.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: My ruling is as follows: In view of the fact that the Executive is in the process of bringing a comprehensive statement to this House on the Social Cash Transfer Scheme as well as the issue which has been raised, and the reference made to some newspaper articles as well as the legislation, the Executive is expected to include the issue in the statement that is due to be delivered to this House. Since the hon. Members of the Executive are one when they appear in this House, we expect that they will, indeed, consult all the relevant wings, ministries and departments of the Government so that the statement is as comprehensive as it should be to cover all the issues related to the Social Cash Transfer Scheme.

 

That is my ruling.

 

The hon. Member for Chifunabuli was on the Floor, and he may continue.

 

Mr Mecha: Madam Speaker, I have visited most of the Government ministries. It is shocking to find that each time I want to park a vehicle, there is no parking slot. The information that I have is that most of the parking slots are occupied by Government employees. I am just wondering whether the hon. Minister has any immediate plans to free up parking space so that members of the public are enabled to transact their business with the Government cost effectively.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is there a question, hon. Member for Chifunabuli? Are you asking whether there are such plans?

 

Mr Mecha: Yes, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mutati: Yes, indeed, Madam Speaker, there are such plans and, already, as the hon. Member for Chifunabuli may have noticed, we are expanding the car park at Cabinet Office. We are also expanding the car park at the Ministry of Finance. Wherever we have found space, we are undertaking the expansion of car parks.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Madam Speaker, as the hon. Member for Chifunabuli has stated, most Government office buildings have challenges with parking space. An example is the Cabinet Office building car park, which the hon. Minister has said is being expanded. This is also the case for the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources office buildings.

So, I want to find out if the Ministry of Works and Supply is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure to provide enough parking space for the new buildings. For example, there is the Chinsali General Hospital that is being constructed in Chinsali. Is there collaboration with other ministries to ensure that such buildings have sufficient parking space so that after, maybe, twenty or thirty years, the parking space should still be able to accommodate an increased number of vehicles?

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, yes, indeed, for all the new buildings that are being constructed, we have made provisions for adequate parking spaces.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Madam Speaker, when Zambia’s population was very small, parking space in public places was adequate. I believe a client is more important than officers. In some ministries, however, you find that all the parking slots are labeled, leaving the client to wander around with nowhere to park. In certain places, your car is even clamped when you park on a labeled slot. The hon. Minister has said that there is no policy guiding this situation. Are there intentions to develop a policy that is going to make a client more important than the officers so that the client is served better?

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, this matter is not necessarily one of policy, but of instruction. Through Cabinet Office, we can instruct the Civil Service to give priority to customers. We are in the process of issuing such instructions.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mecha: Madam Speaker, I am just wondering whether there are any specific positions in Government for officers who are entitled to parking slots. This is because at the moment, it appears even an office orderly who owns a car can park anywhere.

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, at most Government office buildings, hon. Members will notice that those who are entitled to have parking slots have their positions written in the specific places. So, the officers entitled to parking slots are from director level going upwards.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Ngulube (Kabwe Central): Madam Speaker, may I begin by wishing the hon. Minister of Local Government a happy birthday.

 

Mr Mwale: On a point of order, Madam.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Members: How old is he?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I think you can wish him a happy birthday at the coffee shop.

 

Mr Ngulube: Madam Speaker, most obliged. I have in mind places like Mulungushi House which that houses more than four ministries. There is the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and so on and so forth. It has become very clear that if you go there, you will not find any parking space. In fact, now there is a tendency to just send people away. I want to find out from the hon. Minister of Transport and Communication –

 

Hon. Members: Hon. Minister of Works and Supply.

 

Mr Ngulube: I am sorry, I am getting old. I want to find out from the hon. Minister of Works and Supply how long we should wait because an instruction can simply be given. It can be made even now. Surely, even for parking slots, do we have to wait? When is the ministry going to issue this instruction so that, at least, even in places like the Government Complex, the civil servants should be given their own parking slots and customers should have their own too? Even at the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) building, where money is collected, it is difficult to find parking space. As a result, people are denied the opportunity to transact with the Government.

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, most of the Government buildings were built a long time ago. In fact, most of them were built prior to 1980. At that time, the designs contained parking spaces that were commensurate with the circumstances. Specifically for Mulungushi House, the hon. Member will notice that on the road that comes from the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and joins Independence Avenue, we are undertaking some works not only to build the offices for the Smart Zambia Institute, but also to create more parking space. Unfortunately, Mulungushi House does not have any expansion space at the front. So, we will take advantage of the land that is behind to respond to that issue.

 

What has happened to the economy over the years is that the majority of the people working in the Civil Service have been able to acquire motor vehicles. This has led to congestion in parking spaces. We are working on this matter to ensure that priority continues to be given to the clients to the Government, and not to the civil servants.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Chisopa (Mkushi South): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that the only people who are entitled to have parking slots are directors going upwards. What immediate intervention is the Government going to put in place to ensure that civil servants create enough space for clients in the parking areas?

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, I have indicated that a circular will be issued in October through the Secretary to the Cabinet to the Civil Service, defining parking spaces for civil servants and clients.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Ng’ambi (Chifubu): Madam Speaker, is the Government considering investing in multi-storey buildings specifically for Government car parks? Countries such as South Africa have opted to invest in multi-storey car parks specifically for Government employees because of challenges of land.

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, that is a very practical and sensible proposition. At the moment, we are focusing on what is critical in terms of service delivery. We have found that the most critical aspect that needs attention is the limited number of office spaces from which to execute Government work. So, priority has been put on finding spaces to construct new Government offices which will include associated car parks. Thereafter, we can consider building separate parking spaces such as multi-storey car parks.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Sampa (Kasama Central): Madam Speaker, my question has been tackled by the hon. Member for Chifubu.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

NAMPUNDWE/BLUE LAGOON GAME PARK/MUMBWA ROAD TARRING

 

39. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development when the tarring of the Nampundwe/Blue Lagoon Game Park/Mumbwa Road will commence.

 

The Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development (Mr Chitotela): Madam Speaker, the Nampundwe/Blue Lagoon Game Park/Mumbwa Road Project is scheduled to be executed using the contractor-facilitated initiative (CFI) mode of financing. The project will commence once the financing agreement has been finalised and signed. The finalisation of the financing agreement has delayed owing to the discussion that has been going on between the contractor and the Government. It is expected that the financing agreement will be finalised once the discussion between the contractor and the Ministry of Finance is concluded.

 

Madam Speaker, it is worth noting that the project is part of the project for upgrading to bituminous standard of approximately 257 km of D169/D534/RD536 from M009 at Nampundwe Junction to M009 at Situmbeko via Chimbotela, including DR554 at Situmbeko to Chabota and Kasalo to Keezwa in Shibuyunji District of Lusaka Province.

 

Madam Speaker, the project was awarded to Messrs Rotary Construction Zambia Limited at a total contract sum of US$192,282,415, with the duration period of forty-eight months from the date of commencement.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Hamusonde: Madam Speaker, I was given the same answer when this question was asked in 2016. Can the hon. Minister tell us exactly when this road is going to be worked on.

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, the honest answer is that the road will be worked on once the contractor who is providing the finances concludes negotiations with the Ministry of Finance. I stated that this road will be worked on under the CFI. The contractor is trying to deal with the issue effectively. I am confident that the matter will soon be concluded.

 

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Nanjuwa (Mumbwa): Madam Speaker, the Nampundwe/Blue Lagoon Game Park/Mumbwa Road is in a deplorable state. Most of the culverts on the road are worn out so much that in the rainy season, the road will be impassable. What other interventions is the hon. Minister putting in place so that the people of Chief Moono, Chief Muwezwa and Chief Shakumbila are not inconvenienced during this rainy season?

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, the ministry will send the regional manager for the Road Development Agency (RDA) to go and see if the road qualifies to be financed under the emergency fund which we usually disburse to the regions monthly. He might make a decision which would lead to bad portions of the road being attended to so that the movement of our people in that part of Zambia is not disrupted.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Jamba (Mwembezhi): Madam Speaker, the contractor who is supposed to work on this road has not done so from 2016 to date. Is this contractor Zambian or foreigner?

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, the project was given to Messrs Rotary Construction Zambia Limited. I am not privy to the information about who the directors of this company are. I do not know whether they are Zambians or foreigners.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Madam Speaker, from 2016 to date, the Government has been saying that the road would be worked on as soon as funds are made available. Is there a time frame for this project? We need to know so that we avoid saying that it will be worked on as soon as possible or when funds are made available.

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, let me clarify what I stated earlier on. I do not know where the 2016 is coming from because in my answer, I have clearly stated that the contract was signed on 11th January, 2017, at a contract sum of US$192,282,415. I also said the duration of the project is forty-eight months from the date of commencement. A CFI means that a contractor will come to the Government and say I have the money and so, if you give me this project, I will be able to execute it within this period. The Government did sign a contract with this company. I know the two hon. Members from Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency and Mwembezhi Parliamentary Constituency know the history very well. Let us engage the contractor to make sure that the resources are mobilised as was committed.

 

Sir, the Government signed a contract with the contractor which is still valid. Therefore, we need to engage the contractor as a way of helping with the quick mobilisation of the resources. I have engaged the two hon. Members outside Parliament. They are aware of the processes and stage at which the contractor is. As soon as he is done with the mobilisation of resources, the contractor will move on site. However, if it becomes apparent that the contractor has failed, we as Government shall summon him and discuss the way forward. At the moment, the contractor writes to us to inform us where he is in terms of resource mobilisation.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Hamusonde: Madam Speaker, is it possible for the Government to work on that road as we wait for the contractor to mobilise? That way, the road can be used during the rainy season unlike last year when we were using Mumbwa Road to go to Nalubanda, which is a long way. Is it possible for the road to be graded before the onset of the rains?

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, I did deal with that question when the hon. Member of Parliament for Mumbwa Parliamentary Constituency raised it. I stated that we will be able to send the regional manager from Lusaka to assess if the status of the road qualifies it to be financed under the Force Account. That is because this money is usually sent to the regions on a monthly basis so that it can be used for emergencies.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Madam Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister has informed the House that the road in question will be worked on under the contractor-facilitated initiative (CFI). Not too long ago, the hon. Minister informed the House that the Government had adopted this initiative as a strategy for infrastructure development. Is the hon. Minister in a position to enlighten the House regarding how many roads are being constructed under the CFI, who the contractors are, how much money is involved on each road and at what stage the construction of the roads are?

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, I can furnish the House with that information, but not at this time. You do recall that I submitted a request for the ministry to issue a ministerial statement on the status of the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project. It encompasses a wide road network and indicates the stage at which each road is, whether it is at 2, 5 or 50 per cent or whether it is at signature level. It also indicates which road projects are being financed by the Government through local resource mobilisation. In addition, it also shows which project is being financed by our cooperating partners, whether it is through grants or loans from the Indian Government, Europe or Kuwait. We have different projects. Once the opportunity arises, we shall come and share the information with the Zambian people through this august House.

 

Madam Speaker, I must, however, state that this is one of the projects which is being financed under the CFI.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

_______

 

MOTION

 

MOTION OF THANKS

 

(Debate resumed)

 

Mr Livune (Katombola): Madam Speaker, before the House adjourned yesterday, I had just stated that standards are there for us to check whether we are diverting from or maintaining the lane. In this case, I want us to zero in on our thoughts on governance.

 

Madam Speaker, we speak out on governance issues because we are partners in development. There is an issue of governance at stake here. Governance calls for rational leaders, an attribute that we do not see. If our colleagues on the right have it, then, it is a very minor component.

 

Madam Speaker, governance and development go together. In governance, there are components that must be respected because they are fundamental. One of them is the rule of law. The rule of law requires that our colleagues on your right govern this country as per the Constitution. You will recall that I talked about injustices in this House. One thing which is close to people is the issue of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). This is a component we always budget for. It finds itself in the Appropriation Bill which eventually is enacted into law for this country. We have a responsibility to ensure that the money is allocated and also to check if the money is used for the intended purposes as appropriated by the House.

 

Madam Speaker, you will recall that no CDF was released in 2015 and 2016, while in 2017 only half of the entire amount was released. As I speak right now, some constituencies have only received K500,000 from the 2018 CDF. This is a component which is supposed to be respected by this House. I have heard colleagues here lament about who we are if our colleagues on your right can abrogate with impunity the usage of things that we have due to the authority of this House. Bear in mind that while we are getting half amounts of this fund, some people were getting full amounts. This is a public fund from the Zambian taxpayers, including ourselves. This is money meant for our constituencies, yet our colleagues on your right cannot release the money. Who do they think they are?

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Livune: Madam Speaker, it is only fair that the money is released in an impartial manner. We are all Members of Parliament running constituencies, but the Government does not release the money –

 

Hon. Government Member interjected.

 

Mr Livune: Yes, who do you think you are? Look at you!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Katombola!

 

Mr Livune: This is our money. We have no development because the money cannot go to our constituencies. When we come here, those in Government want us to be smiling and talking about working together to achieve the Vision 2030. That is not fair. Some animals are more equal than others.

 

Ms Kapata: Are you an animal?

 

Mr Livune: Madam Speaker, yes, some animals are more equal than others. I do not know whether one is a pig or whatever animal. Some people think that they own this country. We must govern this country as prescribed by the Constitution. Why must we be seated here authorising things which just end up being a preserve of a few? It is not fair.

 

Mr Livune: We heard that some Government workers in this country have not been paid while domestic workers have been given a salary increment. How do you expect the civil servants who employ the domestic servants to work diligently? A reasonable group of leaders would do things simultaneously so that they do not create apprehensiveness in society.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Livune: The civil servants, and many other people, employ domestic workers. It is good that salaries for the domestic workers were increased, but we expect a reciprocal situation for the other category of employees like civil servants who work eight hours a day to perfect the operations of the Government.

 

Madam Speaker, a worker is very important, and a salary is a human right. You must respect human rights which are key components of governance. You can break the law, ignore the workers’ rights and think you are governing, yet you are not. I expected His Excellency the President to refer to the component of governance with the seriousness it deserves because therein lies the fundamentals which must be respected by all of us. Employees are complaining because they have not yet been paid or rewarded salary increments just like their workers have been rewarded. The Government must start thinking about this category of workers.

 

Madam Speaker, yesterday, I heard that there was talk in here about unfair bourgeoisie who think that they can have a field day at the expense of the workers who are complaining. I would like to think that you can only push people so far. You must take note of the signs which you are given because they speak volumes. At some point, people reach the wall and will not be able to run anywhere. So, they will react. Nobody should be blamed when the people react.

 

Hon. Government Member: Inciting!

 

Mr Livune: If inciting people is the way to go, then, why not, if it is reasonable?

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, I would like to believe that you have your own flow of thoughts, but it appears that you are reacting to running commentaries. Please, stick to your line of thought. You are doing well so far.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Livune: I thank you, Madam Speaker. Let me quickly deal with one component of participation in governance. I want our colleagues to check whether they are in the right lane. We have seen that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the civil society organisations (CSOs) in this country have been made to stop working as they should. It is important to allow the CSOs to do their job. Unfortunately, when they do their job, some of them are accused of being minions of certain political parties. It is not right. Let the Government get its facts right and allow people to participate in the governance of the country.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government must allow people to find out why it is buying fire tenders at US$1 million each and where the Social Cash Transfer Scheme funding has gone.

 

Mrs Mwanakatwe interjected.

 

Mr Livune: In the same vein, leadership calls for serious accountability. Leaders must be accountable. Not too long ago, Muvi TV, if I recall correctly, interviewed a Permanent Secretary on why people had not yet been paid through the Social Cash Transfer Scheme. The Permanent Secretary rudely asked the journalist where he was supposed to get the money and whether he manufactured money. That is not right. These colleagues of ours had the audacity to make the Permanent Secretary respond to a reporter who wanted to find out why people cannot be paid when they know that they abused the Social Cash Transfer Fund themselves. Look at them.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Livune: Madam Speaker, the Social Cash Transfer Scheme funds have been misused and, then, the Permanent Secretary is telling people, “Where do I get the money? Do I have to manufacture money myself?”

 

Hon. UPND Member: Shame!

 

Mr Livune: Shame, yes.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I guided yesterday that the word “shame” is unparliamentary.

 

Mr Livune: Madam Speaker –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Withdraw the word “shame” hon. Member.

 

Mr Livune: Much obliged, Madam Speaker, I withdraw it. It is important for my colleagues to know that they are accountable to the Zambian citizens together with the Executive and Permanent Secretaries. The Government officials must respond when people ask questions because that is why they are in their offices.

 

Madam Speaker, we all want development which should be properly planned. Planning development must be systematic, co-ordinated and sustainable. There is no finishing line in governance or in issues to do with development. This calls for responsibility from our colleagues. As we plan to develop the country, we must be aware of the issues of equity and rationality.

 

Madam Speaker, national development planning is for a particular class of people. It is not for every Jim and Jack and I know that for a fact. My colleagues who are in the Executive must regard themselves lucky to be where they are. Where they are requires that they become rational. They should not just think about their constituencies. They must think beyond that.

 

I heard about the universities that were distributed across the country, which is very good, but I want the Ministry of Higher Education to think of the other side. From Lusaka, going south, we do not have a university. I thought the President would address that fact. We have universities all over and even indications of the construction of more universities, but the Southern Province does not have any. Therefore, I would like to adopt the debate of Hon. Chonya as my own that we the leaders must think rationally to ensure that the whole country is attended to.

 

Madam Speaker, I also wished that the President spoke more on arresting violence. That party on your right, which is composed of those hon. Ministers, is responsible for the violence in this country. The President is the first person with the ability to stop this violence. Once the President pronounces that violence is not desirable and that anyone found wanting must face the consequences, everyone shall follow his guidance. However, my colleagues on the right say something in the day and, then, do the opposite in the night. This is why violence in this country cannot be stopped. Recently, in the by-election in Kasenengwa, we saw a colleague who was knifed. Why? The United Party for National Development (UPND) was not there.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Livune: That person was skinned using knives. That is not correct. Politics must be a contest of ideas. If you cannot fit in, then, leave room for others who are ready to take the mantle. It is as simple as all that. When we tell them this, they put their hands over their ears, pretending not to hear us. This is the more reason we have challenges in governance. We have people who are not fit to be in Government.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kapata placed her hands over her ears.

 

Mr Livune: How I wish the President could dismiss some people like those you see putting their hands over their ears.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Laughter

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. –

 

Mr Livune: Very soon, you will see that they will start responding. You shall know them by the way they respond to issues. The people in Government must be sober. They must respond with humility and talk about policy issues as opposed to things from their fields or gardens.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Livune: They must talk about policy issues. The UPND is ready to offer policy alternatives because it believes that things can happen in a decent manner. Governance issues are important.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Livune: Madam Speaker, governance issues are important. Currently, in some quarters of this country, the Patriotic Front (PF) is busy spending on inducing councillors from the Opposition to resign. This is not desirable. What value does it bring to their party when they go  do that? There are also a number of PF councillors who have indicated that they would like to join the UPND, but we have told them that there is no need to resign now. We have instead assured them that we will receive and adopt them in 2021.

 

Hon. PF Members: Question!

 

Mr Livune: I urge the PF to assure the councillors from the Opposition whom they are working with to serve the integrity of the nation and the Treasury. The hon. Minister of Finance must advise her Government that the Treasury is stressed. The PF must stop this frivolity of enticing councillors from the Opposition to resign from their parties to join it. Very soon, you will hear about a by-election in Kasempa because of this nonsense that is going on around the country. It is not desirable.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, use civil language. Withdraw the word “nonsense”.

 

Mr Livune: Madam Speaker, I replace it with “the less useful activity of by-elections around the country”.

 

Madam Speaker, Zambia is for all of us. Let us resolve to deal with the very components that bring pain to our existence such as by-elections. It is understandable to have by-elections where we lose our colleagues, but not where we deliberately induce them at the expense of a bleeding economy. We must agree to work as a team in a reasonable manner.

 

Ms Kapata put her fingers over her ears.

 

Mr Livune: Madam Speaker, what we agree in this House must be adhered to. The time to account is coming for those who put their hands over their ears. Some of them will see when they move to the left side. Others will not even come to the left side because their end would have come.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Livune: Madam Speaker, it is important to allow this country to resolve its problems through a dialogue process which must be called soon without pre-conditions because all of us have issues to discuss. With a decent convenor, we will be able to resolve our problems as a nation at the dialogue table.

 

Madam Speaker, the Church, in this case, is best suited to chair the discussions that are non -partisan and of a national nature. If the Zambia Centre for Inter-party Dialogue (ZCID) wants to hold meetings with us, we can have our private meetings with the PF like we have had before were we signed, but do not respect the signed documents.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Livune: Look at them!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Member’s time has expired.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, in consultation with the leadership of the House, the whips, we have agreed to proceed as follows: The UPND has indicated that it would like two additional backbenchers to speak and the PF has also indicated that it would like two additional hon. Members to speak. However, in view of the fact that the two major political parties in the House have not indicated female hon. Members to speak, I have decided to include the hon. Member for Chilubi. After that, we will proceed to listen to the hon. Ministers respond to the issues that have been raised. With that guidance, we will start with the hon. Member for Chembe who is not in his seat.

 

Hon. Members: He is there.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The Hon. Member for Chembe is in his seat. He may proceed.

 

Dr Kopulande (Chembe): Madam Speaker, I have been here for the past two years in this same seat. I wish to thank you, once again, for giving me this rare opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Speech of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, that he delivered on 14th September, 2018, outlining his vision for the development of our country.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to take this opportunity to pay my respects to our departed colleagues, the late Hon. Mweene and Hon. Victoria Kalima. May their souls continue to rest in peace.

 

Madam Speaker, I have attentively listened to the debates of the capable men and women who have spoken before me on this subject. I have listened attentively and reflected on the points raised by my able colleagues. I have heard some complaints that the President had missed an opportunity to give direct policy specifications to show where the country is going. I have listened closely to this. May I submit, Madam President –

 

Hon. Members: Madam Speaker!

 

Mr Kopulande: Madam Speaker, based on my experience in this area of what the President’s Address to Parliament should be like, ...

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kopulande: ... I wish to state that the speech to Parliament is not intended to be one that outlines programmes. It is intended to be a general statement of the strategic vision that the President’s Administration is focussing on. This is the purpose of the President’s Address to Parliament. It is not by accident that the President’s Address to Parliament comes before the presentation of the Budget. The President gives the general policy statement, while the Budget Address translates the strategic vision into particular policy programmes. Portfolio ministers in their policy statements will then tell us exactly how they have interpreted the President’s general policy direction. This is how these things move systematically from one stage to the other.

 

Mr Speaker, in this particular speech, which the President delivered on 14th September, 2018, allow me to quote from page 1, paragraph 1 which reads:

 

“I come here today cognisant of the fact that the hope of our nation rests, in greater part, with us the honourable men and women in this august House. We have the greatest power in our land. The power to shape the destiny of our country, the power to translate the dreams and hopes of our people into reality.”

 

Mr Speaker, the President outlined three key thematic areas, namely a reality of food on the table for each household, health care and education on the door step of every community in a vibrant economy with a place in it for everyone.

 

Madam Speaker, these key thematic areas are critical for the development of the country. In this statement that I have just quoted, the President is saying to this august House that the power is in our hands and not in his alone to develop this country. He called upon all of us on both sides of the isle, to your left and to your right, to put our hands and efforts together to change the destiny of our country. The President came here and reminded us that his power is shared with us and that we are collectively responsible to change the welfare of our people.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr A. B. Malama: Tell them.

 

Dr Kopulande: Madam Speaker, there is a shared responsibility between the Executive and the Legislature.

 

Ms Kapata: Livune, aleunfwako?

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Dr Kopulande: That is what the President said. He made that point very clear.

 

Madam Speaker, in the same style, the President encapsulated the concept of unity in the theme for his speech which is:

 

“Working Together to Achieve Vision 2030.”

 

Madam Speaker, the President did not say that this was a call to the PF, no. The President urged all of us to put our hands together. By that he meant that we work together in a multi-partisan spirit for we are a multi-party state. This is what we chose back in 1991. We cannot move away from that spirit that pulls us together, as a nation, with a collective responsibility for the shared future of our people.

 

Madam Speaker, in paragraphs twelve to fourteen of his speech, the President shows specific direction where portfolio ministries must direct their policies in order to achieve the Vision 2030 and that we may change the wellbeing of our people. The President points out seven key areas which are industrialisation, access to clean and safe drinking water, access to food, access to decent housing, access to electricity, access to quality education and access to affordable and effective health care services.

 

Madam Speaker, how, then, will the Executive translate these seven priority areas that the President has pointed out? On Friday, we will be listening to the Budget Address. After that, we are going to listen to ministerial policy statements.

 

Madam Speaker, the President has reminded us in this House that we have the power, which is not only in the Executive but also, to a large extent, in the hands of this House. Now is that time, especially that we have been reminded that we must open our eyes and listen to the portfolio policy statements.

 

Mrs Fundanga: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kopulande: Are the ministerial policy statements going to bring into practical reality the vision defined by His Excellency the President.

 

Madam Speaker, we have listened to ministerial policy statements twice before and we are going to listen to them for the third time. Now, that we have been reminded of the power that we have, we are not going to be too ready to listen to policy statements that are simply edited versions of last year’s statements.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kopulande: We must now be alert.

 

Madam Speaker, in the area of industrialisation, the people of Chembe will be keen to see how they are going to be part and parcel of the industrialisation drive by the Government. The people of Chembe will need to know how the industrialisation strategy of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry will achieve social justice as the President categorically stated in his address.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Chembe will be looking for answers as to how they are going to attract investment in value addition. The people of Chembe are going to look for answers as to how and when we are going to stop exporting raw materials at the expense of employment creation in this country. The people of Chembe will be looking for answers as to how they will participate in the industrialisation of the country so that they are not left behind. The people of Chembe will want to know what the role of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) will be in driving industrialisation for this country. Are we going to be happy that the IDC will simply be the same old story with nothing new? The President, in his speech, has called for innovation which is what we shall be looking for. We are going to ask as to whether the IDC is performing its intended role as a partner for foreign direct investment. We want to know if the IDC is going to perform its role as the initiator of Greenfield investments, and if it is going to play its role as the key investor in high impact areas such as steel manufacturing and energy so that we can drive industrialisation at a pace that will help fight poverty.

 

Madam Speaker, the President referred to access to food as a second key area. We shall be looking for answers and assurances that agricultural inputs will be delivered on time. We shall be looking for answers and assurances that we are not going to have a repeat of agricultural inputs being delivered in January and February, way after the agricultural season. From Chembe, we shall be looking for answers as to how we are going to embark on the mechanisation of our agricultural sector so that we can increase the cultivated land size and we can assure our nation of having food on the table …

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kopulande: … and excess for export. The people of Chembe are tired of kambwili agriculture, that is, farming using a hole. They would like to see that there is mechanisation so that productivity may rise. The people of Chembe will want to know what measures will be taken to improve agricultural marketing.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kopulande: They want to know that they will get a fair price for their labour.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kopulande: The people of Chembe will want to know how we are going to engage the private sector in the development of the livestock sector in our country. They would want to know how we are going to take advantage of the huge markets in Saudi Arabia, China and other parts of the world that consume meat such as goat.

 

Madam Speaker, on decent housing, we will be looking for answers in ministerial policy statements as to how we are going to improve rural housing.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kopulande: We shall be looking for answers as to how we are going to improve unplanned settlements in urban areas.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kopulande: We shall be looking for answers as to how services which Zambians are entitled to in terms of water, sanitation and electricity will be delivered.

 

Madam Speaker, we would want to know in the area of electricity generation that the President spoke about what we are going to do to improve access to electricity for every citizen of this land. We would want to know all this through ministerial policy statements for us to approve the Budget because we have the power …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kopulande: … and have been reminded about that not once, but several times. We would want to know what the Government is doing in order to introduce localised electricity grid systems which are cheaper so that most people can have access to power.

 

Madam Speaker, let me talk about the access to quality education. The people of Chembe are tired of seeing their children sitting on the floor in a classroom.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kopulande: They are angry that their children are learning in thatched structures …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kopulande: … which are a risk to their lives. We are going to wait for the ministerial policy statements to know how that will be addressed and how much shall be achieved. This is what the people of Chembe are looking forward to. I was in Chembe last week and they told me that once I get the answers to all the questions, I can approve the Budget.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kopulande: They are looking for answers to the questions. They are not looking for edited ministerial policy statements from yesteryear.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kopulande: They are looking for answers to the new challenges that they face today.

 

Madam Speaker, let me touch on the issue of the Social Cash Transfer Scheme that has been arising everywhere.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Kopulande: Madam Speaker, I am surprised that people have ascribed words to the President which he did not say. Let me quote what he said on page 23 of the speech which reads:

 

“The Social Cash Transfer Scheme has proved to be effective in contributing to poverty reduction as well as income redistribution, especially in the rural communities where poverty is very high.”

 

 I have not seen anywhere in the speech where the President said the Social Cash Transfer Scheme is performing well. He described the effect that it is having on the people. Whether it is functioning well or not was not the subject of the speech. Therefore, accusing the President to have misled the nation is preposterous and absolutely wrong. If issues have arisen post the speech, the President chose not to mislead this House or this nation. I read the speech over and over and have not ─

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Member’s time has expired.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr S. Banda (Kasenengwa): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for according me this opportunity to tender my maiden speech to this very important august House. Before I delve into the heart of the speech, firstly, I would like to thank the President, His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and the Patriotic Front (PF) for giving me an opportunity to represent the people of Kasenengwa Constituency as an area Member of Parliament. I would also like to acknowledge the work done in the constituency by my predecessor, the late Hon. Victoria Kalima, who has gone to be with the Lord. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

 

I rise today humbled by the responsibility placed on me by the people of Kasenengwa. Having been elected with more than 10,000 votes in a parliamentary by-election is, indeed, a great milestone and an honour placed on me by the people of Kasenengwa.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr S. Banda: Madam Speaker, campaigning is tough. You cannot run a successful campaign without support from volunteers, supporters, party members, family, friends and those members of the community who offer to help along the way. I did not win this seat on my own and, whilst I cannot mention everyone here today, I want to thank everyone who was involved in my campaign. Their time, commitment and enthusiasm got me over the line and, for this, I am eternally grateful. Furthermore, I would like to thank the campaign team and my manager, Hon. Vincent Mwale …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr S. Banda: … and his deputies, Hon. Olipa Phiri and Mr Masauso Tembo. I would also like to thank the provincial district and constituency committees. Last and most importantly, I would like to thank the wonderful people of Kasenengwa for believing in me and entrusting me with the huge responsibility of being their Member of Parliament and servant. I would like to assure them and the nation that I shall not let them down for I know that the task ahead is huge, but I am undoubtedly equal to the task.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to assure the people of Kasenengwa that we have a bright future ahead. I am cognisant of the mammoth task ahead of me, taking into account that the people of Kasenengwa voted for continuity, prosperity and fast tracked development, and the fact that they are expectant of positive results because Kasenengwa is currently in dire need of social basic amenities and infrastructure development, such as:

 

  1. Access to clean water

 

In most areas of Kasenengwa, people share water with animals in shallow wells and streams. The whole of Kasenengwa Parliamentary Constituency has only thirty boreholes servicing a population of over 122,000;

 

  1. Access to Health Services

 

Access to health services by most of the communities still remains a challenge in that there are very few health facilities against the above stated population;

 

  1. Poor Road Network

 

The road network needs to the improved. Currently, there are only thirty gazetted roads in the entire constituency. I am aware that Chongwe Trunk Road is being worked on by the Ministry of Local Government and that plans to work on the Msoro Road have reached an advanced stage. However, most of the road network still remains ungazetted and in a bad state;

 

  1. Access to Education Services

 

For example, not only do a number of children have to walk long distances but also most schools do not have adequate teachers; and

 

  1. Poor Mobile Phone Network

 

Mobile phone communication in most remote parts of the constituency still remains  problematic.

 

Madam Speaker, Kasenengwa has lagged behind in terms of development …

 

Hon. Opposition Member: Aah!

 

Mr S. Banda: … and I can comfortably say that it is one of the least developed constituencies in the Eastern Province. However, I am immensely proud to be part of the Government, under the leadership of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu …

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr S. Banda: … that has an affirmative strategic direction to build a strong, prosperous, safe and secure Zambia which Kasenengwa is a part of.

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr S. Banda: Madam Speaker, with the above background, the stakes in Kasenengwa Constituency are high for two simple reasons, the first one being that the expectations among the people of Kasenengwa are very high, as I am expected to steer the development and empowerment agenda. Secondly, my tenure of office as Member of Parliament is understandably short to realistically attain all the development and empowerment aspirations of the people of Kasenengwa Constituency.

 

Therefore, it is envisaged that in liaison with constituency stakeholders, we shall undertake the following activities:

 

  1. conduct a development and empowerment needs mapping exercise;

 

  1. develop a clear path for resource mobilisation; and

 

  1. carry out the priority activities within three years.

 

Madam Speaker, this approach shall accord us the latitude to credibly set realistic, implementable and attainable development and empowerment goals for the constituency, thus bring development and empowerment opportunities closer to the people. This shall mirror the priorities of the development and empowerment agenda for the constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to stress that the anticipated critical path for resource mobilisation and conduct of prioritised activities shall be accelerated by three enabling factors. To start with, we shall leverage on the district status of Kasenengwa, which is one of the immediate critical development enabling factors for implementing the development agenda in the constituency in the next three years. To this end, as the people of Kasenengwa, we would like to thank the leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for gifting us district status. This could have not come at a better time than this.

 

Mr Mwale: Hear, hear!

 

Mr S. Banda: Furthermore, in his speech during the Official Opening of the Third Session of the Twelfth National Assembly, His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu made keynote policy pronouncements which are fundamental and building blocks of forward looking and adaptive government policies as well as social and economic programmes. It is against this background that we in Kasenengwa, shall engage and lobby appropriate line ministries and Government agencies in accordance with our anticipated critical path for the development and empowerment agenda.

 

Madam Speaker, last but not the least, as the people of Kasenengwa, we shall endeavour to think outside the box in order to make development a reality in the constituency by forging linkages and collaborating with relevant Government agencies and our co-operating partners through community-driven developments and empowerment initiatives.

 

Madam Speaker, the keynote thematic policy pronouncements in the President’s Speech directly resonate with the prevailing situation in the Kasenengwa. The theme of the President’s Speech for the Third Session of the Twelfth National Assembly was: “Working Together to Achieve Vision 2030”. There is no other better time than this when we, the people of Kasenengwa, ought to come together in unity to work to reduce development and empowerment inequalities in the next three years. I believe that this shall invariably contribute towards the attainment of working together to achieve Vision 2030.

 

Since my being sworn in as Member of Parliament in this august House, I have been doing a lot of reflection on the debates on the Floor of the House and the prevailing geopolitics in our country and then drawing a parallel with the real patriotism of our forefathers who fought for our independence. Allow me to underscore the need for citizens and hon. Members of this august House to stay watchful by recognising that genuine patriotism must always remain a constant factor in geopolitics.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government, under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has demonstrated progressive political administration by putting the welfare of the nation first.

 

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

 

Mr S. Banda: He has also realised that genuine patriotism is an important facet to democracy and national development.

 

Madam Speaker, I am of the firm belief that we are Zambians not by choice, but by destiny. We can make Zambia great by the wise choices we make, and also by the model laws enacted in this august House. I am certain that the country places a high premium on this august House and its Members. I am, therefore, convinced that I have joined an association of hon. Members who are magnanimous and patriotic in executing their roles in this august House. That is, men and women who are ready to put the interest of Zambia first in all their deliberations.

 

Madam Speaker, I believe I have joined a club of hon. Members who, when our country’s sovereignty is scorned, despite the variances in political party ideologies, principles and values, are patriotic by fighting for our country’s self-esteem as a united force and making certain that our citizens and our Republican Constitution are defended and protected.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Hammer!

 

Mr S. Banda: I believe that they will nurture a geopolitical environment, which shall foster sustainable development. Madam speaker to this end, allow me to say that we owe it to ourselves and the future generation. Let us be proud by doing what is in the interest of the country. Otherwise, posterity shall judge us harshly.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr S. Banda: Madam Speaker, I have saved my last thanks for those most dear to me, namely my wife, Annie Zulu Banda, and my children. Annie, you are a wonderful partner and, together, we make a great team.

 

Mr Mwale: Hear, hear!

 

Mr S. Banda: You were the rock for our children while I was busy campaigning and you continue to hold our family together. Your wisdom, support and organisational skills made it possible for me to be here today, representing the wonderful people of Kasenengwa. To my children, thank you for sharing your dad with the people of Kasenengwa.

 

Mr Mwale: Hear, hear!

 

Mr S. Banda: I hope that through my work and the efforts of my parliamentary colleagues, we shall be able to give you a prosperous future with endless opportunities.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr S. Banda: To the people of Kasenengwa, my journey as Member of Parliament may be bumpy sometimes, yet I can assure you that I have the drive to ensure that you have a representative who is interested in what affects you.

 

Dr Malama: Hear, hear!

 

Mr S. Banda: I affirm my pledge to work hard to ensure a bright future for each one of the people of Kasenengwa as a whole.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr S. Banda: Madam Speaker, in conclusion, allow me to end with one of my simple beliefs which is just four words and that is: Life is about relationships. I truly believe in these words. As a man of strong faith, the most important relationship in my life is with God. The relationship is with those around me vis-à-vis my family, friends, my neighbours and my work colleagues in this august House. At the end of the day, when everything else is gone, relationships are what count.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Syakalima (Chirundu): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for according me this opportunity to speak.

 

Madam Speaker, I am afraid of getting to Friday because I feel anxious about what will happen on that day. What I expect on Friday might just shake my bone marrow because of what I heard as a prelude to the Budget which is yet to be delivered. If the Budget will be based on the President’s Speech, which was delivered on the 14th September, 2018, I see a very big problem ahead of us.

 

Madam Speaker, with this policy statement, even if the hon. Ministers are going to deliver their own statements, unlike one of my colleague, who is expectant, I expect nothing.

 

Mr Lufuma: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, let me just start with the Social Cash Transfer Scheme. This issue will not be whisked away. I have checked that despite all the hon. Ministers sitting together in Cabinet, each one of them has a different version of what is obtaining with regard to the Social Cash Transfer Scheme. I am sure that even if a directive was given by Her Honour the Vice-President that there must be an overall investigation, I still feel that this issue will not be whisked away until there is an explanation as to why people behaved the way they did. The money is intended for the least privileged people. Maybe, to just make people feel for these people, let me state that these are the poorest of the people in our society. Can you ever imagine anyone touching the money which is for the poor? They are given K90 every month. In terms of dollars, it is US$7.50.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government knows very well how poor countries are defined because the donors say that the citizens from there live on a dollar every day. They might even say that some of them live on US$2. Our people are given US$7.50 every month, which translates to 25c every daily. When defining Africa and other poor countries, the donors say that the people from there live on a dollar every day. Our people live on 25c every day. The same people you are helping are the ones you follow to get a 25c from them. God forbid! You must have a heart for the people.

 

Mr Mutale: Question!

 

Mr Syakalima: The very people you are helping are the ones whom you follow and get back the little money you give them. They are given K90 every month, which is 25c everyday and this translates to K3 every day. A head of a cabbage these days is going at K5 or K10. So, it is just like going to get a cabbage from the poor.

 

Hon. Government Member: Privatisation.

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, like the adage goes, “The power of total shame does not dawn on some people”.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You have to withdraw the word “shame.” It is unparliamentary.

 

Mr Syakalima: That is an adage. So, I do not know how to translate it. I remove that word which is in between and replace it with what you think could be its equivalent.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I am trying to demonstrate is that this type of corruption is very dangerous. The type of outright theft is very dangerous.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker:  Order!

 

Theft is also unparliamentary. Withdraw it.

 

Mr Syakalima: I will replace it with “getting things which are not yours”. When we appropriated the money in this House, we were thinking that we were giving it to decent people.

 

Madam Speaker, for the first time, this year the Government might suffer defeat over the Appropriation Bill. If the Government will bring the Bill with certain items here which we will realise will not benefit our own people, we will not pass it for the first time. Every time, items are brought before the House, we just read through, considering that it is in the afternoon on the day of adjourning sine die. This time around, that will not happen because when we appropriate the Budget, people just misuse the money.

 

Madam Speaker, initially, when people were making random visits on the mounted roadblocks and getting excited, we thought that it was only police officers who were corrupt. We did not know that actually, there was corruption of this magnitude.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Syakalima: This is happening in a country which is referred to as the third hungriest country in the world after Chad and the Central African Republic, which are war-torn countries. Zambia is positioned as the third hungriest country. We are in a country with plenty of land, but we have the Social Cash Transfer Scheme through which we give K3 per day to an individual. This is less than the price of a cabbage and, yet we have plenty of land with many water bodies. Fourty per cent of the water bodies in Southern Africa are in our country. Ninety billion cubic litres of underground water is unutilised and 60 billion cubic litres of rain water goes to waste every year and, yet we are called the third hungriest country. The Government has made its people vulnerable because of its behaviour and still follows them to get the little money it gives them. This is wickedness. It is not right.

 

Madam Speaker, Ali Mazrui  once said:

 

“Every day you take a meal, you must always remember that there are people who have not eaten for three days.”

 

 While we are drinking clean water, other people are drinking contaminated water which makes them suffer from bilharzia and cholera. While we have clothes, which we are wearing, there are people who are walking naked. This is how those in Government must be feeling about the people they purport to rule or lead. As other people say:

 

“In the midst of plenty, a fool starves.”

 

So, we must question ourselves, especially on this issue. I am dwelling on this particular issue because if the Government is not for the poor, who is it for? Governments exist because they have to look after the vulnerable, and take care of the children who have to be in school. They must take care of people who are sick. All these are some of the social services governments should provide. If anything, Zambia is the worst at providing them.

 

Madam Speaker, the recent report from United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) indicated that the children, who are five years today, maybe lucky to reach 40 years.

 

Madam Speaker, what type of country are we if 42 per cent of our own children are malnourished in a land of plenty? What is the Government doing about this? When you look at children who are five years old today, it is anticipated that they may not reach forty years because they are unable to feed properly. If they are sick and are taken to the hospital, you will find that there are no drugs at the hospital, yet our colleagues on your right are saying that there are systems of governance in place around the country. God punishes such behaviour.

 

Madam Speaker, during election campaigns, the Patriotic Front (PF) talked about people having more money in their pockets, more jobs and lower taxes. Alas, the PF has now increased taxes right, left and centre and no jobs have been created. The PF Government has not reduced any tax. As a result, the people who are suffering are the poorest, but the hon. Members on your right claim that they have a government system in place. Their days are few. They are on their way out.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Syakalima: However, even if those in Government are on their way out, why do they not want to protect the poor members of society and leave a good legacy? If they are not thinking of leaving a good legacy on earth, they should at least feel they are doing what is pleasing in God’s sight. What is the point in declaring 18th October as the National Day of Prayer when the Government is denying people basic needs? My God can never be mocked. Certainly, not the God of heaven. We have pretended for too long in this country. There must be repentance and restitution now.

 

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Syakalima: We cannot just be shouting God’s name in vein. We will certainly not do that. In the past, the President has come here and talked about the PF Government creating 500,000 jobs. In fact, the initial figure was 1 million jobs and, then, it was reduced to 500,000. To date, no job has been created, and now there is no figure attached to the number of jobs to be created. Therefore, these were false promises. I do not know if our colleagues are aware of the dictionary of morals? In the dictionary of morals, a false promise is theft of trust by calculated pretence. They should go and read that dictionary of morals.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, we should try by all means, especially this year, to be prudent as the Budget comes here because in the past, this Government has been recklessness when budgets are passed. If we resolve to do the same things that we have been doing in the last seven years, our colleagues should know that they will have no country to write home about. We will only be called Zambia because of the boundaries that were demarcated by our colonialists. That is all.

 

Madam Speaker, this now brings me to the issue of the Chinese, whom the PF Government is ready to defend at all costs. Instead of defending the Zambians, the PF prefers defending the Chinese. If it wants to defend the Chinese, the Government should, at least, let them know what the people are complaining about. The Government needs to explain what is expected of the Chinese in this country instead of just defending them. This is why a little Chinese boy in Kenya had the audacity to insult the presidency. I hope it does not come here. He said that Africans are monkeys that stink and that the Chinese were only in Africa to make money.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Syakalima: He was deported.

 

Mr Lusambo: In Zambia?

 

Mr Syakalima: In Kenya. In Zambia, the Chinese have even killed people. I am saying that, at least, in Kenya it was verbal abuse. In Zambia, our people have suffered physical abuse at the hands of the Chinese. If you went to most construction sites where the Chinese are contractors, you will even find Zambians eating on shovels. They are denied the use of plates by the Chinese. We are aware of such things.

 

Interruptions

 

 Mr Syakalima: If those in Government start questioning where such things are happening instead of defending our own people, therein lies the problem. We are not saying that the Chinese are not human beings, but they must behave properly in this country. There is no way we can allow them to do whatever they want. Sometimes, they injure our people with impunity. If it is in an enclosed structure, the Zambians are even locked up inside as they work. We cannot allow such things to continue. Until those in PF start doing certain things that are normal, including how we transact with the Chinese, they will not wish our complaints away.

 

Madam Speaker, this now takes me to the debt issue. I heard Her Honour the Vice-President say in this House that the debt issue is being taken out of proportion and some people want to use it to call for regime change. The debts we are contracting carelessly pose a danger to the next two generations to come. In the next 100 years, we will all not be there. Our colleagues in western countries plan for the generations to come. Therefore, we should not be highly indebted as we are now. Claiming not to have reached a debt crisis or in distress will not help the situation. Those are just words. In the eyes of a Zambian, the crisis is that there is no money to run the systems of governance. There are no teachers in schools, drugs in hospitals and people are not getting paid at the end of the month when they are supposed to be paid. In the eyes of a Zambian, the crisis is that the exchange rate is at K12 to US$1. The value of the kwacha is nose diving every day. That is the crisis in the eyes of a Zambian, and not whether the word “crisis” looks so weird or bad to the Government. What is causing this is the debt that we are just contracting anyhow.

 

In any case, Madam Speaker, the Constitution says that Parliament should actually approve loans before they are contracted by the Government.  However, this Government (pointing at hon. Government Members) has been flouting the Constitution. Therefore, they must pack and go.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Livune: Lusambo!

 

Mr Syakalima: If the Constitution does not allow us to impeach the entire Government, then, the President is in trouble as the head. We are coming back, again, to remove him.

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, we are now tired of saying the same things every day to people who do not listen. Instead of listening, they are rigid and do not want to listen to advice and words of wisdom. So, let me advise as I take my seat. Let he who has ears to hear, hear. It will not be like in the olden days when God used to talk to Moses because he gave us brains, ears and eyes. We need to use them in a godly manner.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Livune: Amen!

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Fundanga (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this extraordinary opportunity to add the voice of the people of Chilubi to the debate of the sumptuous speech, and I repeat, the sumptuous speech by the President of the Republic of Zambia.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Fundanga: I feel like eating all the words in this speech.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Fundanga: As I pondered on the contents of this speech, I was so thrilled to notice that we have such a passionate President, who does not only think about himself but also the bottom billion and all of us. This is why he insists that he does not want to leave anyone behind.

 

Madam Speaker, if we do away with the blame game, we will move forward as a nation. I regret, with tears, that we have lost many people who have contributed to the politics of this world and the country, especially Hon. Mwene who was a colleague and a younger brother of mine.

 

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Fundanga: We shared an office and we were both on the Committee on Agriculture, Lands and Natural Resources. I miss him dearly.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to advise my colleagues that if they want to take over a healthy Zambia, they should speak positively about the country. If they inflict plant wounds, our children will remain nursing the wounds that will have been inflicted. That will not take us anywhere. I, for one, as a mother, want to seal the wounds that my great grandfathers left. I want to seal the wounds of colonialism. I want to seal off the wounds that remind me that once upon a time, my grandfather had to buy shoes over a window. I want to seal off the wounds that remind me that once upon a time, an African, especially a Zambian, was never respected by the West. I am a product of the East. I was educated in the East. I am proud to tell you that once upon a time in the 1980s, I came to Zambia and said “Once Zambia starts looking at the East, that is when it will liberate itself.” I know that most people are very passionate about the fact that the Chinese have come to Zambia. Do we really believe that China is bad or is somebody else telling us that China is bad? Abapushi taba temwana.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Fundanga: Meaning, we are all beggars. The West is begging from China. We are also begging from China. So, there is no way the West can like us. In the past, when the westerners knew that we were not begging from China, they were not saying any bad things about China. Suddenly, they have realised that China had started focusing on Africa, China is now bad. Why is it that when China was helping the West, it was not bad? Now that China has started helping the Africans, China is suddenly bad. It is not China they hate. It is Africa they hate. Abapushi taba temwana.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Fundanga: Madam Speaker, why is China where it is? It is the question of globalisation.  China did not create itself. Globalisation is what created China. We cannot run away from globalisation because it has come to stay. This is why the late former Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Mr Kofi Anan, may his soul rest in peace, created the United Nations Global Compact. He realised that we cannot stop globalisation, but we could add a human face to it in the name of corporate social responsibility. He knew that as third world countries, we could not stop globalisation. Globalisation started a long time ago before it fanned out to Africa.

 

Madam Speaker, most people in this august House are well-travelled. All the Western countries have “China towns”. Australia, Canada and the United States of America all have “China towns”. The Chinese are building bridges and everything else all over the West. Why is it that when they come to build in Africa, there is something wrong? Please, my brothers and sisters, our biggest problem is the negative protectionism that we have. We are very comfortable with seeing mangoes drop and rot. When a child wants to eat those mangoes, we say, “No, do not eat mangoes.” We would rather just look at them rotting. It is easy to point out the Chinese because of the colour of their skin. Do you know how many Rwandese there are in this country running all these tu ntembas, yet, you do not talk about them?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Translate “tu ntembas ”, hon. Member.

 

Mrs Fundanga: Madam Speaker, tu ntembas are small shops. The Rwandese are here, but we are not talking about them. They have taken over the tu ntemba business. Instead of us uniting and asking what we can do about this problem, we just want to play the blame game. Can we just stop the blame game, unite and ask what we can do about our country. How can we stand tall and say that this is our Zambia? I want our children to stand up for Zambia. Mothers and sisters should stand up for Zambia. This is our Mother Zambia. Let us not play the blame game.

 

Madam Speaker, all these things that are happening here are just a question of checks and balances. We have failed to put certain things in place, and cannot blame anybody for that. We can only blame ourselves. Even when we talk about monies getting lost and found, I am basically very ashamed to talk about – oh, the word “ashamed” is not allowed. I am very embarrassed to say that. I do not want to be a dependant. The world has become a global village, but I do not want us to depend on donor financing. In a global village, we help others and they help us. Let us not forget that the West determine the price of our copper while they sit in London, and we do not even question that. However, we want to question why a Chinese is coming to add value to some of the things we are doing.

 

Madam Speaker, how long have we been independent in this country? We have been independent for the last fifty years. What did we have before? We had our so-called colonialists. We even call them colonialists. We are even proud to say that they are our colonialists. They have done nothing for us. Look at what has happened in the last fifteen years. I am personally prouder of what has happened in the last fifteen years than of whatever happened in the last fifty years in terms of infrastructure development, in whichever way it comes.

 

Madam Speaker, all we need is monitoring during implementation of projects. When dealing with donor support, all we need to do is put benchmarks in place. We need to monitor projects during implementation so that there are no loopholes. That will help the country. Who wants to lose money? I come from a rural constituency, Chilubi. I support the President’s statement that the Social Cash Transfer Scheme has helped people. It is true. Let us not look at the nut instead of the garden. The nut is what we are trying to crack, but the garden is what has helped people, and has got the potential to help the bottom billion. The President was looking at the potential which the Social Cash Transfer Scheme has, and what it has done. We are supposed to monitor this scheme during implementation. As hon. Members of Parliament, it is our duty to make sure that we monitor things instead of coming to this House to question why people have not received their payment from the Social Cash Transfer Scheme. The people on the left should not wait until things go wrong. No. Mufulo!

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Fundanga: Mwilacita umufulo.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, use the official language.

 

Mrs Fundanga: Umufulo means wishing people ill. If we as hon. Members were all interested in the Social Cash Transfer Scheme, we were not going to wait for the situation to come to this. We were going to say, “No, this is not right or that in my constituency, things have not happened like that.” That is how you work when you work as a team member. As I said earlier on, if those in the Opposition want to take over the governance of the country, they should look after it properly. However, I am not saying that they are going to take over.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

 

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mrs Fundanga: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was talking about the blame game. Let me now come to the issue of value addition. I am going to concentrate on how, as Africa or Zambia in particular, we are playing our game. African countries are endowed with a lot of wealth and are rich in minerals. Unfortunately, we behave like the servants in the Parable of the Talents. It is as if we are just keeping this wealth until God comes back to ask us what we had done with it. When our friends come into our country, they identify these resources and express interest in adding value to them, while we burry our heads in the sand. We then start being toxic and hypocritical, saying they have come to take away what is ours. What is ours when we have not actualised the ownership?

 

Sir, we have to learn to actualise the ownership of our resources. The only way we can do that is by recognising the wealth that we have in our country and start adding value to it. We should not just finger-point. In the Parable of the Talents, one of the servants did not add value to the talent his master left with him, and you know what he was called. I do not want to mention the word because the Hon. Mr Speaker will ask me to withdraw it as it is unparliamentary. That servant was called a fool. I take back the word. I was just trying to finish what I am saying.

 

Mr Speaker, let me now talk about the Civil Service. In Malaysia, the first thing that country did was to conduct an overhaul of the entire Civil Service. What normally happens in this country is that we cut-off the head leaving the garbage behind. We should consider carrying out an overhaul of the entire Civil Service. Civil servants should be put on hold so that they become responsible citizens who will start loving and putting their country first. Our attitude is what is making it impossible to be interdependent. The civil servants should depend on policy makers. Similarly, ordinary workers should depend on the Civil Service and vice-versa. This interdependency should trickle down to the bottom billion, as that is the only way we can develop.

 

Mr Speaker, the French say appliquer un médicament après la mort d'une personne. Trying to apply medicine after a person has already died or after something has already gotten out of hand is not going to work. We need to make sure that we have monitoring mechanisms in place during the implementation of any programme. This mechanism should be at the Civil Service level so that we can monitor if what our people are being given is sufficient. I am from a rural constituency and I see how my people appreciate some of the robust programmes implemented by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare. They have worked very well.

 

Sir, like I said earlier on, I would like to reiterate that the President was not wrong to say that the programmes benefit the people and that they are working well. I am one person who can testify to that. That is because the people of Chilubi Parliamentary Constituency have benefitted from some of the programmes.

 

Mr Speaker, as regards the Vision 2030, I would like to say that in this country, we lack planning. With all due respect to you, hon. Members, I do not know how many of us in this august House have an agenda or diary so that after our terms of office have ended, we can recall what we did on a daily basis. If we do that, we may come up with personal memoirs. We forget very easily. That is why change is very fashionable to us. We think that by changing, we are running away from responsibility. If you remember, you become responsible of what you remember. If you can keep a record of what is happening in your life, you will become responsible for what you can recall.

 

Sir, most developed countries are where they are because they plan. Our friends like South Korea have a Vision 2050 and others have a 2060 vision. The problem we have is that we want things to be done or to happen instantly. We always want things to be about ourselves. Selfishness is what seems to drive us, which is very unfortunate. This is why somebody can even question whether the Vision 2030 will be achieved. That is sad. Another person was asking how the Vision 2030 would be attained. How can we, the Members of Parliament, ask such questions? That is one of the visions we are supposed to implement. As Members of Parliament, we have a duty to make sure that this country attains its dreams, regardless of our political affiliation. It does not matter whether it is your party’s vision or another person’s vision, if it makes sense and if Zambia is going to be developed in 2030; if the children will be able to sit on desks; and if the bottom billion will have three meals in a day, we should be glad that this is going to happen regardless of our political inclinations?

 

Sir, if we do not do that and we continue playing the blame game, this country may not go anywhere. I say so because year in and year out, we will keep voting each other out of office, but the story will remain the same. Everybody will just be playing the blame game. It is true.

 

Mr Speaker, some of us complain that some investors come to Zambia and abuse our workers. This is why we are saying let us put certain things in place so that the trans-national companies that we see here can be monitored. Like I said, we cannot end globalisation. It has come to stay. However, we can add a human face to it by monitoring how investors conduct their businesses. We should also make sure we put in place mechanisms and regulations that will enable us monitor these companies. This country has a lot of regulations. However, when it comes to employers and employee relationships, there are very few regulations. That is one area we need to look at. That will help a lot.

 

Mr Speaker, when it comes to value addition, we should try to cluster our population and recognise its potential. That is one thing we have not done. We have not taken an audit. When it comes to industry, the potential gains to be realised in the Southern Province might not be the strengths of the Central Province or the Eastern Province. Therefore, we have to take an audit of the potential of our population to see what we can do industrially. We have the Copperbelt, which we know produces copper, but we need to identify what we have in the Southern Province, Luapula Province and the Northern Province. As a result of not auditing our potential, we end up fighting for the wrong things –

 

Mr Mbulakulima: Competitive edge.

 

Mrs Fundanga: – yes, competitive edge – when we could actually sit down and figure out the strengths of each region. If we did that, we would grow as one Zambia. Like somebody said yesterday, we are a body with different parts and different potential so we should cluster ourselves as such.

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, I thank you for this opportunity to also debate the address by the President.

 

In the first instance, I want to welcome the new hon. Member who has joined us. I also want to pass my regrets for the loss of Hon. Mwene. Since this is the first time I am speaking as Whip for the United Party for National Development (UPND), I want to pay tribute to my predecessor who performed his job with distinction.

 

Sir, let me now turn to the address by the President. Like many other people from this side of the House, I found the speech by the President extremely disappointing.

 

Mr Mukosa: Question!

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Livune: That is right!

 

Dr Musokotwane: In summary, the speech is disappointing in two main ways. Firstly, the speech was based on deception. The President came here and told the House and the nation that he is implementing the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) and that the country should expect prosperity as a result of it.

 

Mr Speaker, however, there is no 7NDP being implemented. Nothing is happening. I say so because when you are developing a national development plan, you are basically outlining the measures that you are going to take during that plan, such as how many classrooms you are going to build, how many teachers you are going to hire, how many clinics you are going to build and so on and so forth. Hand in hand with a development plan is a financial plan which must finance the programmes which are defined in the development plan. As of now, the financial plan, which is accompanying the 7NDP, is in total disarray. The financial plan is gone because the Patriotic Front (PF) has been borrowing too much money to the extent that the little money that has remained is financing Lusaka roads and for paying debts. What remains now is a national plan for paying debt and nothing for financing development.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Musokotwane: Therefore, one cannot claim to be implementing the 7NDP with no money. That cannot be true. There is nothing being implemented. This is where our colleagues make mistakes. Somehow, they believe that building roads in Lusaka amounts to development.

 

I urge my colleagues to think about it this way. If you took all the Zambians to Japan and told them that it is their new country, of course, they are going to find nice roads, nice factories and so on and so forth but, if you bring the Japanese to Zambia in its current state, they will find nothing. However, after fifteen years, the Zambia of today will look like the Japan of those days and Japan then will look like Zambia now. What is the difference? The difference is created by the human capital which is the most important component of development. Even if the Chinese or Indians come here to build roads, if the core team is not made up of Zambians, then, the building of roads is all in vain.

 

Mr Speaker, the second disappointing aspect of the speech by the President is that it is irrelevant to the current issues in the country.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Musokotwane: The biggest issue in Zambia today is the debt crisis, whether the Government denies it or not.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Musokotwane: Therefore, we expected that the President would come here and articulate how this debt crisis is going to be resolved. What did we see instead? The President came here and spent only about fifteen seconds talking about debt. Clearly, if the President is spending fifteen seconds to address the biggest problem of the day, then, that speech is irrelevant.

 

Mr Lusambo: Question!

 

Mr Mwiinga: Question your stomach, iwe!

 

Dr Musokotwane: Sir, the issue of debt is a very serious one. The debt or nkongole is the most important economic problem facing the country today. If you read The Economist, The Financial Times or Bloomberg, you will see that all they are talking about is the impending debt crisis in Zambia.

 

Mr Livune: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lusambo: Question!

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Musokotwane: If you go to the financial capitals of the world like New York, London, Washington or Johannesburg, everybody is talking about the impending debt crisis in Zambia.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Shame!

 

Dr Musokotwane: However, there is something interesting. There is one important institution in the whole world that does not know that Zambia has a debt crisis and that institution is called the PF Government. They do not know that there is a debt crisis in the country.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lusambo: Question!

 

Mr Livune: Look at them!

 

Dr Musokotwane: However, the good news is that the Zambian people have come to realise that there is a debt crisis in the country. They have come to realise it because every other day this Government is introducing new taxes. When they ask the experts why we have to pay so many taxes, the experts tell them that the Government has borrowed a lot of money and needs to pay off the debts. You have taxes to drill a borehole, taxes to make a telephone call on top of other taxes like Value Added Tax (VAT).

 

Sir, this Government is asking poor villagers to pay taxes. If you are a villager who does not pay tax, you will be turned away when you go to the hospital.

 

Mr Mulenga: Former quality!

 

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, the people of Zambia have come to realise that the country is in a debt crisis. It is our responsibility to elaborate more on the concerns that they have about the debt crisis.

 

Mr Speaker, the people of Zambia are very embarrassed that it was only about twelve years ago that the whole world wrote off Zambia’s debt. Those who wrote off our debt said, “Zambians, we are picking you up from the mud and washing you. Now that you are clean, do not go back to the mud” but, twelve years later, the PF Government takes us back into the mud of debt.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, we are very embarrassed. Never in my lifetime did I ever think that we would even go to countries like Turkey that are also struggling with debt to help us. Turkey is on the verge of a crisis but, because we are so desperate, we have to go and ask it to give us money to pay off our debts.

 

Mr Speaker, of all the debt from our creditors, the people of Zambians are particularly concerned about the debt from China. Please, do not misunderstand me. I have a lot of respect for China. It is an economic power. There is no country that can afford not to have economic relations with it. However, the question that the people of Zambia are asking, which the President should have answered is: China knows that Zambia is getting into serious debt. So, why does it keep pushing money into a country that is on the verge of bankruptcy? What is in it for China? What is China’s game plan? Does our Government know China’s game plan?

 

Hon. UPND Members: No!

 

Hon. PF Member: Question!

 

Dr Musokotwane: This is why the people of Zambia are justified to fear that perhaps, when we fail to pay back the debt, the Chinese will take over the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) and other economic assets. We cannot blame China for this because the question is: Why is this country pouring money into another which it knows is bankrupt?

 

Mr Speaker, the people of Zambia cannot be blamed for their fear because there are countries in this world that have defaulted on their loans and their assets have been grabbed. For example, Sri Lanka constructed a very expensive port, but failed to service its debt. Consequently, the port has been handed over to the Chinese to manage. The same thing happened to Djibouti. Venezuela got huge loans from China and promised to pay back in the form of oil. Today, Venezuela is paying double the quantity of oil that was contracted for the loan.

 

Mr Speaker, when the people of Zambia ask what it is that China is interested in by keeping on giving us money even when it knows that we cannot pay back, we cannot blame them.  What is China’s interest?

 

Mr Speaker, the people of Zambia are also concerned about the economic relationship between our country and China. I repeat that I have a lot of respect for China, but it does not mean that the Government of Zambia must abdicate its responsibility and think that everything that comes from or is done by China is alright. It cannot be.

 

Mr Speaker, some of the loans from China have of course, attracted workers who have come into Zambia. Some of the workers have stayed on in Zambia at the end of the projects. Some of them are undertaking economic activities that are directly displacing the people of Zambia.

 

Mr Mwiinga: Yes!

 

Dr Musokotwane: We do not mind a Chinese coming to set up a sophisticated factory here in Zambia. However, the people of Zambia are wondering why the Chinese should also be competing with them to sell tomatoes and chickens in the markets and stalls. This is what the people of Zambia are saying.

 

Mr Speaker, our Government must not abdicate its responsibility of ensuring that the economic relationship between Zambia and China is one that benefits both countries. This is what is missing.

 

Mr Speaker, last week, I was shocked to hear a denial that Zambia is not in a debt crisis because even the World Bank says so.

 

Mr Speaker, I have with me a piece of paper which I will lay on the Table of the House. This is a debt sustainability analysis (DSA) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This analysis basically asks the question: Does Zambia have the ability to pay its debt while financing everything else?

 

Mr Speaker, this report was presented to the board of the IMF, which is the highest level of that organisation, on 25th September, 2017. What does this report say in summary? It says that Zambia is at high risk of external debt distress. What does this mean?

 

Mr Speaker, when a DSA is conducted, there are four possible outcomes. The first one is low risk position in which case there is no need to worry. The second one is medium risk position which means that everything else remain the same. It is alright except in the event of a crisis such as low copper prices in which case there could be trouble.

 

Mr Speaker, the DSA rated Zambia medium risk in 2015. Last year, Zambia was rated high risk. According to the IMF definition, it means that some of the benchmarks have already been breached.

 

Mr Speaker, what is the difference between high risk and the distress which is the final bad position? Under the distress position, which is the fourth and last critical condition, all benchmarks would have been breached and, on top of that, default on some loans would have started. There is engagement of lenders and saying that we are in trouble, lend us some money to be able to survive. A good example is the way the Government engaged the Turks.

 

Mr Speaker, you notice that the difference between the high risk and distress positions is very small. Besides, when the DSA was conducted last year, Zambia’s debt was only over US$8 billion dollars. Today, it is higher by another US$1 billion dollars. When this was done last year, there was benchmark not to spend more than 20 per cent of revenue on debt servicing.  Under the Budget for this year, we are spending close to 27 per cent of the revenue on servicing debts.

 

Mr Speaker, when we claim that we are still sustainable, it means that there are certain things that we are suppressing which we should be spending money on so that we appear to be alright. This is why in Chembe, we cannot spend money to fix a classroom block that is made out of thatch because we have to service debt. It is why in Libonda, the construction of a high school, which was started in 2010, is at a standstill.

 

Mr Livune: That is right.

 

Dr Musokotwane: We cannot provide money for it so that we appear to be servicing debt. Despite the House, which made the law which created the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) passing the Budget, the CDF is still not being disbursed. What is the reason? This is because we want to service debt and appear to be alright. However, we cannot be alright if we fail to satisfy the needs of our people so that we service debt. That is self deception.

 

Mr Kambita: Sure.

 

Dr Musokotwane: So, Zambia is in debt crisis...

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Musokotwane: ... because it cannot both service its debts and be able to fund critical areas of development. It is in a debt crisis.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Musokotwane: So, Mr Speaker, I say to the PF, stop denying that there is a debt crisis in this country.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Musokotwane: There is a debt crisis.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I will now move to the Provincial Minsters and I will start with the hon. Minister for the Eastern Province.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister for Eastern Province (Mr M. Zulu): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank you for this opportunity to add words to the debate of the President’s Speech. When listening to the different debates from the other side of the House, I kept wondering whether we had listened to the same speech. It appears to me that the debate from the other side of the House was merely focused on misrepresentation of reality.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: Misrepresentation of reality because some people stood up and said the speech was hollow.

 

Mr Kambita: Yes!

 

Mr M. Zulu: Saying that the speech was hollow meant that it has no content. If it has no content, then, there is nothing to debate, yet they still went ahead and debated the content of the speech which they referred to as hollow for the full twenty minutes that is allocated to each and every one of them. Someone even dared to say that the speech was like a Trojan horse.

 

Mr Mwamba: Trajon.

 

Mr M. Zulu: There he said trajon, but I am glad to correct him. Since he referred to the Queen’s language and the need to be a Grade 12, I will actually correct him that it is not trajon, but Trojan horse.

 

Mr Mwamba: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: That was part of the debate. Some said the speech brought nothing. If the speech brought nothing, then, their debate was nothing. Some said that the Patriotic Front (PF) created no jobs. Others said that the PF was very defensive of the Chinese and do not want to defend the Zambians. There are also others who said that the speech was not inspiring, yet they were inspired to speak for twenty minutes. Others said that our economy is in distress because of the PF. There are those who said President Edgar Lungu and his team cannot manage and that the PF has failed them. Someone even dared to say that it was propagating a ‘One Zambia, One Chipata’. motto. I wondered if we were reading or listening to the same speech. There was yet another debate that said the speech was too long. Then, I saw where the problem was. For a person to say that the speech was too long, it means they probably have an attention deficiency syndrome (ADS).

 

Mr Kambita: Ah!

 

Question!

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: The inability to pay attention for a very long time is also called ADS. If one is not capable of paying attention for a long time, then, the individual is not able to debate in a manner that can be understood or is not able to fill in the gaps.

 

Mr Speaker, I heard a very disturbing debate which talked about the speech needing to have talked about the arresting of the violence and things of that sort. There was a debate that the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) has been sold to the Chinese who own 60 per cent shareholding. Others dared to debate that the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) has been sold.  I wondered why things that were not real were being debated. There are people who are making up stories that do not exist, but debating them as though they do.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: For a person to be able to make a full prognosis of what the disease might be, of course, it is important to look at the symptoms. The fact that they were making falsities as though they are realities only smacks of schizophrenia. It is only schizophrenia that can make one debate something which does not exist as if it does.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwamba: Schizophrenia!

 

Mr M. Zulu: In this case, I think our colleagues on the left, Mr Speaker, are labouring under political schizophrenia.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: The political schizos dared to debate that the speech contained nothing.

 

Mr Speaker, at this point, I will get into the speech to see whether, indeed, it contained nothing. For the first time I have heard a thing called social roads which was contained in the speech. There is never been anything like a social road. I checked everywhere and tried to research on social roads. There is nothing that pops up on social roads.

 

Laughter

 

Mr M. Zulu: Mr Speaker, there has never been anything called a social road. This is exactly what the President meant when he said there are screaming headlines of propaganda. Propaganda in its definition is taking information and using it to misinform or mislead for purposes of political expediency.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: Fortunately, the propaganda is certainly not working out here in Zambia because over the past seven years, we have had three elections in which people have listened to what the PF has been saying and voted for it. Those who purport to know what they are doing or ought to be done have not been voted for.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: It simply means that the Zambians are not dull.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: Mr Speaker, the Zambians are watching and seeing what exactly is happening.

 

Mr Speaker, the speech by the President was properly titled. The title reads:

 

“Working Together to Achieve Vision 2030.”

 

Mr Speaker, someone dared to debate that we do not have to wait until 2030 for all these things to happen. This is as a result of not realising that our vision, as a country, is to become a prosperous middle-income nation by 2030. Is it that there was the omission of the word “by” and simply saying, “To become a prosperous and middle income nation in 2030?” No! It is a journey. It is a journey that we, the PF, are taking towards 2030; a journey that we are taking in different sectors of our economy to get to 2030 as a middle-income country. It may happen before. It may happen then or after. We are on a journey towards becoming a middle-income nation, at least, by 2030.

 

Mr Mwamba: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: That is exactly what is contained in the speech by the President.

 

Mr Speaker, the President belaboured some points on our agricultural sector. I am proud to say that 57,000 sq. km in the Eastern Province has about 1 million ha of arable land. We are the largest producers of most of the commodities that we consume in this country. The PF has been strictly working with the farmer on the ground to ensure that there is food on our tables.

 

Mr Mwale: Mwaona manje!

 

Mr M. Zulu: We want to ensure that each and every family does not go hungry, …

 

Mr Mwamba: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: … yet we do not have many commercial farmers. We only have about 10 per cent of the commercial farmers are in the Eastern Province. Ninety per cent are subsistence farmers who are happy with the policies of the PF that it has put in place especially in the area of the Electronic Voucher (e-Voucher) System.

 

We are doing so well that the harvest from 2016 into 2017 having been 500,000 metrics tonnes of maize increased to about 846,000 metric tonnes in the 2017/2018 Farming Season. What does that tell us? It meant that farmers were able to access the inputs on time. There was little human contact, hence the system having flowed smoothly. Of course, the e-Voucher System had its teething problems which are expected when a programme is in its nursing stages. We as a province are catching up and growing in terms of agriculture. Very soon, we are seeing ourselves being the hub of agriculture or the bread basket of the region, and not just the country. We know that our consumption, as a country, or what we store in our national reserves is about 500,000 metric tonnes of maize. The Eastern Province alone produced about 846,000 metric tonnes of maize.

 

Mr Mwale: Mwaona manje.

 

Mr M. Zulu: We are feeding this country based on the good policies that the PF Government is putting in place.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: Mr Speaker, the President, in paragraph 31 of the speech, said that the Government is stepping up the Agricultural Diversification Programme and improving food security and nutrition. For this reason, during the last agricultural season, the Government included the support for the growing of legumes. We gave the farmers options of the seeds they could buy. We did not just restrict our farmers to maize as it was the case previously. This time around, as the Government, we are buying all the crops that the farmers are producing. We are also encouraging value addition.

 

The President said that to enhance agriculture diversification and promote value addition, the Government is supporting a number of pipeline projects to be implemented over the next two years. These include the Palm Oil Plantation and Processing Project in Muchinga Province and the Tea Plantation and Processing Project in Luapula Province. If those who listened and read the speech came across this information, perhaps, the manner of their debates would have changed. Alas, it seems we have a tragedy of opposition politics in this country. I say so because it appears that our colleagues have been conditioned only to criticise and not see the good that the Government is doing.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: In the area of agriculture, I expected that there could be, in their debate, some suggested alternative policies that could work for this country. However, to my dismay, there was none whatsoever even from persons who may have been in the Government previously on what would work in the best interest of our country in terms of agriculture policies.

 

Mr Speaker, allow me to move on to fisheries and livestock.

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: The Eastern Province alone has about 2 million ha of land capable of being used for purposes of livestock farming. What have we done? We have embarked on restocking of animals and goat production. The pig and chicken populations have gone up. Everything is suggesting that we are improving. We are not just talking about improving with no basis. We have tangible statistics which have been put across to show that improvement. I will refer to the President’s Speech just in case those who said it was too long never bothered to read it, did not pay attention or may have dozed off at that point. This is what the President said in terms of livestock. The speech reads:

 

“The performance of the livestock sub-sector has continued to show positive growth. From January to June, 2018, the national population of pigs grew by 84.4 per cent, poultry by 33.1 per cent, goats by 24.9 per cent, sheep by 20.2 per cent and cattle by 12.8 per cent.”

 

Mr Mwale: Mwaona manje.

 

Mr M. Zulu: Mr Speaker, when I say that there is political schizophrenia on the other side, I mean just that. This is because the reality of things is that there is growth but, then, the assumption of things on the other side is that there is none whatsoever. They are on a road whose final destination is deception. One word for a road that deliberately leads to deception is what the President called propaganda. So, even this House is being used by the Opposition to foster propaganda.

 

 As though that was not enough, Sir, allow me to talk about mining. In terms of mining, the President said that copper production increased from 371,285 metric tonnes in the first half of 2017 to 410,919 metric tonnes in the same period this year. None of the colleagues on the left saw this. If they did, they are oblivious to the fact that it does exist and that in itself smacks of political schizophrenia or being in a state of conviction that a certain set of facts do not exist when in fact they do. It is like being in a state of mind where ignorance is bliss. Last time I said that ignorance is bliss and debated pretty much on that. I said there are some people who are happy to be in a state of ignorance. This is a state where some people are incapable of appreciating the truth and the true value of what exactly is happening.

 

 Mr Speaker, the President further said that the Government is supporting the adding of value to our products. It is the Government’s policy to support value addition to our copper. This is already happening at the Metal Fabricators of Zambia (ZAMEFA) in Luanshya, Zalco Limited in Kabwe and Neelkanth Cable Limited in Masaiti that are manufacturing electrical cables. In Chewa, we say, mwana wamuzako akachita, achita. This means when your friend’s child succeeds, that child has succeeded. There is no need for you to say otherwise when it is clear that something is really happening. I wondered if this does not necessarily translate to growth.

 

There was a recent debate suggesting that there has been no job creation and industralisation in Zambia. Allow me to refer to page 18 of the President’s Speech. The President said that the favourable policies of the Government are facilitating private sector investments in the country. This year alone, a number of companies have come on board. These include the new US$500 million cement plant in Chongwe District, that has created 1,000 jobs.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: Mr Speaker, there are some people who are building and have bought Sinoma Cement which is a recent addition to the brands of cement on the market from Dangote and Lafarge. These brands were not there, but are there now. The economic policies are translating into growth. What else is happening? A US$35 million first ever tile manufacturing plant has created over 150 jobs as well as a US$20 million aquaculture investment plant in Siavonga District which is employing over 600 people. The plant is also providing a market for maize, wheat and soya bean farmers. Other investments are Forestcol Fertilisers Zambia Limited in Kabwe which, so far, employs over 200 people and the Zambia Fertilisers Manufacturing Plant in the Lusaka South Multi-facility Economic Zone which has created 300 jobs. The US$850 million investment by China Non-ferous Metals at the South Ore Deep Mining Project in Kalulushi has resulted in over 1000 jobs for our people.

 

Mr Speaker, I am not picking this from nowhere. I am picking what I am saying from the speech that has been said not to be inspiring, hollow and not worth the paper it is written on. I wonder if we were listening or read the same speech. However, all I can say is that we have a serious problem and that is the tragedy of opposition politics in Zambia where no good is seen in what the Government is doing. We do not only debate for ourselves in this House. Posterity will come and look at our debates and see if our minds were reflective of the reality that was on the ground. Apparently, to be absent from reality is to be present in deception. Our friends are basking in the ambiance of deception.

 

Mr Speaker, I will not bore you any further because I know I have delivered the point. I will end here. I submit.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister for Central Province (Mr Mushanga): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the President’s Speech.

 

Sir, I rise to contribute to the debate on the speech by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mushanga: … to this august House on Friday, 14th September, 2018.

 

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President’s Speech was so insightful and gave hope to our people whom we have sworn to serve through representation in this House. Indeed, through the power vested in us as hon. Members of Parliament, our people have been able to benefit from the transformational agenda of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government under the practical leadership of His Excellency the President.

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mushanga: Through this agenda, we as a country are more than determined and, as a province, to achieve our Vision 2030 of being part of a prosperous middle-income country.

 

Sir, through the projects and programmes being implemented in the Central Province, we want to confirm that His Excellency the President was spot on when he delivered his speech which showed that the PF Government is on the right track.

 

Mr Speaker, as a province, we are indeed, working towards building a strong and dynamic industrial province that is going to provide opportunities for the improvement of people’s wellbeing and transform people’s lives. We are doing this through the hosting of an investment forum and expo, which is slated for 8th to 13th October, 2018, to showcase the province’s investment opportunities and potential. Ultimately, we want to attract investment for employment creation and poverty alleviation, which stands at 56 per cent.

 

Mr Speaker, let me now highlight specific areas as indicated in the five pillars of the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) as I echo what was contained in the President’s Speech.

 

Mr Speaker, with regard to economic diversification and job creation, as a province, we are focusing on increasing agricultural production through the creation of an additional resettlement scheme in Ngabwe where His Royal Highness Chief Mukubwe has allocated a total of 12,000 ha of land for the creation of smallholder farms.

 

Sir, to enhance diversification and promote value addition, we have attracted private sector participation as evidenced by the setting up of Zhongkai International Limited in Katuba of Chibombo District that will be processing five different products from cassava, namely bio-fuel, ethanol, animal feedstock, carbon dioxide and liquid fertilisers. We intend to embark on an aggressive sensitisation programme targeting all the thirty-nine chiefdoms in the province to encourage the growing of cassava and facilitate links to the market.

 

Mr Speaker, Central Province is a major beneficiary of the Electronic Voucher (e-Voucher) System that has seen the number of beneficiaries grow from 129,149 in the 2016/17 Farming Season to 172,149 in the 2017/18 Farming Season. I want to assure the farmers in our province that we are vigorously working on all the bottlenecks to ensure that the programme succeeds in the 2018/19 Farming Season.

 

Sir, in the fisheries subsector, the province is a beneficiary of the resources from the Aquaculture Enterprise Development Fund. Through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), our people will be empowered to set up fingerling hatcheries …

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mushanga: … in Chitambo and Mkushi to supply fingerlings to fish farmers in the whole country.

 

Mr Speaker, despite having suffered a major setback as a result of the outbreak of the foot and mouth disease in Chisamba and Chibombo, the livestock subsector has continued to grow in the province. This is contributing to poverty reduction. Therefore, we thank our Government under the able and practical leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and all our co-operating partners for the timely provision of resources to help curb the further spread of the disease beyond the two districts through the procurement of drugs. A total of 32,082 animals in Chisamba and 26,579 animals in Chibombo were vaccinated at a cost of K5 million. In addition, three motor vehicles were procured at a cost of K1,200,000 for the same exercise.

 

Sir, diversification in the mining sector has continued to be a reality in the province as seen with the opening of new manganese mines in Mkushi, …

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mushanga: … Serenje as well as the auxiliary processing plants to add value to the minerals. Gemfields, which is the largest emerald producer in the country, is about to commence mining activities in Chief Kanyesha’s area of Luano District.

 

Mr Speaker, as the Government, when we talk about value addition to our minerals, especially copper, we mean business as can be seen from the production of electronic cables by Zalco Limited in Kabwe for both the local and export markets.

 

Sir, Central Province is determined to contribute significantly to the growth of the tourism sector. We are aggressively marketing the greater Kafue National Park in Mumbwa and Itezhi-tezhi through the completion of road works currently in progress on the Mongu Road Junction to Itezhi-tezhi Boma. We are also packaging and marketing the world’s largest bat migration at Kasanka National Park, while putting up support infrastructure at the David Livingstone Memorial Site in Chitambo District.

 

Mr Speaker, in the energy subsector, the province is geared to contribute to the country becoming a net exporter of electricity in order to earn foreign exchange. This is being done through the upgrading of Lusiwasi Hydropower Project in Serenje from 12 MW to 86 MW.

 

Ms Chalikosa: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, the Government is providing favourable policies that have facilitated private sector investment in the province such as the newly-opened Forestcol FertiliSers Limited in Kabwe. The fertiliser plant has created more than 200 jobs for the local people, especially youths. If this is not work, then, I wonder what it is.

 

Mr Speaker, despite the province being predominantly rural, I am glad to report that it has not been left out of the national agenda to achieve universal coverage in telecommunications. Communication towers have been erected and some already commissioned, making it possible for rural communities to utilise the various payment platforms. This is helping to promote a smart Zambia. Just last week, two communication towers were launched in Ngabwe District and Kapiri Mposhi District, respectively. I have no doubt that my colleague, Hon. Kakubo, agrees with me.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mushanga: Mr  Speaker, with regard to poverty and vulnerability reduction, the province is thankful to the Government for selecting two districts under the Girls Education and Women's Empowerment and Livelihoods (GEWEL) Project, namely Itezhi-tezhi and Chitambo, aimed at supporting women’s livelihood. The number of women beneficiaries has been scaled up from 511 in 2017 to 1,251 in 2018. This will lead to increased income at household levels and the improvement of household food security.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government is alive to the fact that a well motivated civil service will spur hard work and efficiency in service delivery. In line with this, the Government, under the good leadership of His Excellency the President, has constructed 244 housing units for correctional service officers at Mukobeko Correctional Prison and 138 housing units for the Zambia Police Service officers in order to improve their living conditions. The housing units are in Kabwe, Chibombo and Serenje.

 

Mr Speaker, to help spur development in rural areas, the Central Province is encouraging all their royal highnesses in the province to establish chiefdom development trusts so that after the successful hosting of the investment forum and expo, the would-be investors will be urged to escalate their partnerships with these trusts so that benefits from the investments accrue to the chiefdom and not to their respective royal highnesses alone.

 

Ms Chalikosa: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mushanga: Mr Speaker, the Government places a great premium on enhancing human development and, as a province, we appreciate the restructuring of the Kwame Nkrumah University that is currently going on and also the completion of the works in progress at Mumbwa Trades Training Institute.

 

Mr Speaker, the provincial administration has also bought equipment meant to operationalise the Serenje Youth Skills Centre. The province has also witnessed the completion of phase I of Serenje District Hospital, phases I and II of Mkushi District Hospital and procurement works for the first ever district hospital in Ngabwe have commenced. Once Ngabwe District Hospital is constructed and completed, it will provide health services to the local people, which they used to access from Kabwe Central Hospital, which is a distance of more than 60 km.

 

Mr Speaker, under the decentralisation programme, we are proud hosts of one of the districts, namely Chibombo, which is being used to pilot full decentralisation under the National Decentralisation Policy. The success of this project will enhance service delivery by the Government to its people at sub-district level.

 

Mr Speaker, in order to strengthen our governance systems, we must always endeavour to uphold our values and principles. I am very pleased to mention that the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance has already set up a unit at the provincial headquarters and placed an officer there.

 

Mr Speaker, the PF Government led by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, is more than resolved to achieve all the set targets. We are already on the trajectory leading towards the success story of achieving the Vision 2030.

 

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, allow me to say that developing a country or province cannot be done by standing on an anthill, criticising those who are working. Bitter politicians who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it or working. Politics is not a self-preservation system, but a vehicle for development and changing or transforming people’s lives. So, those who do not want to work together will be talking while we continue to work and render services to the people of this great nation and our province.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you and may God bless us all.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister for North-Western Province (Mr Mubukwanu): Mr Speaker, I want to sincerely thank you for this opportunity to participate in the debate on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address to mark the Official Opening of this House, delivered on 14th September, 2018.

 

Mr Speaker, allow me to join His Excellency the President in conveying our condolences to this House and families of our departed colleagues, Hon. Victoria Kalima and Hon. Mwene, both of whom I knew personally. It is very disheartening that these hon. Members died at a very young age. May their souls rest in eternal peace.

 

Mr Speaker, I wish now to congratulate the two new Members of Parliament in this House, in the name of Hon. Maria Langa and Hon. Sensio Banda of Chilanga and Kasenengwa, respectively.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mubukwanu: I wish the two hon. Members a successful tour of duty. Their election is a clear show of confidence in the Patriotic Front (PF) as a party and the leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, by the people of Zambia.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Speaker, the Kasenengwa seat was a well defended undertaking while Chilanga was sweet victory because the PF entered a new frontier. This is what it means to grow as a political party.

 

Mr Speaker, I also wish to take this opportunity to sincerely congratulate His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on a well-delivered speech. This is both in terms of content and style, and manner in which he delivered his speech. For this, I say: Well done, Mr President.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mubukwanu: Sir, like the hon. Minister for the Eastern Province said, it is somewhat very difficult even for me to respond appropriately to the cross country style of debates that we heard on this Motion. The debates lacked substance and focus on policy alternatives. They were characterised by the usual litanies of lamentations and criticism. It is high time that the people belonging to the United Party for National Development (UPND) migrated from this type of politics, lest they remain perpetual fault finders without providing alternatives.

 

Mr Speaker, such kind of debates deprive our people the opportunities to be effectively represented. We have heard on the Floor of this House the storytelling about which –

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1810 hours until 1830 hours.

 

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was about to give an example of how the precious time for debate to present the issues of our people has been missed or misused. We heard on the Floor of this House people storytelling about a witch finder called Sansakuwa. What has that got to do with us? How does it help the welfare of our people in the modern day? Nobody knows. There are several such examples that I can cite of debate that will certainly not in any way redress the situation in the country. 

 

Mr Speaker, the other worrisome issue that I would like to note from the debates is the lack of patriotism in those who debated, especially the hon. Members on your left. What they forget is the fact that their speculative and malicious debates, although aimed at discrediting the PF in order to gain perceived political mileage, ultimately negatively affect the entire Republic of Zambia, which they have been desperately aspiring to lead for so many years.

 

Mr Speaker, we have heard quite a lot of propaganda, especially on the issue of debt sustainability and the perceived debt crisis. The hon. Minister of Finance came to this House with a very elaborate position on the debt situation in this country, a position which seems not to fit very well into the scheme of things for the hon. Members on your left. That is why even today, they are still insisting that Zambia is in a debt crisis. What will only bring about the crisis is this careless talk that we have continued to hear from the politicians in this country. The position of this Government on the matter of debt, as stated by the hon. Minister of Finance, is that Zambia has neither defaulted nor is it in debt crisis. As the custodian of the Treasury, the hon. Minister of Finance is the most competent authority on this subject. Anything else is speculative unless proven otherwise. Those who have spoken have failed to adduce evidence which challenges the statement that was brought to the House by the hon. Minister of Finance to this House.

 

Mr Speaker, let me briefly comment on the Vision 2030. As the President rightly stated, the responsibility of developing this country is our collective effort, hence the theme of his address: “Working Together to Achieve Vision 2030”. Through the Vision 2030, we aspire, like the President said, to become a prosperous middle-income nation. We aspire to build a strong and dynamic industrial nation that provides opportunities for improving the wellbeing of all our people, and embodies the values of socio-economic justice as stated on page 33 of the President’s Speech. What this means in practical terms is that the President, through, this address, outlined the critical strategic measures required of us to make Zambia a prosperous middle-income nation come 2030. 

 

Mr Speaker, speaking for the North-Western Province, the province which I am privileged to head as a Minister, the PF Government has connected the entire province to the national power supply grid at a total cost of US$163 million. As I speak, the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO), our utility company, has registered an excess of 35,000 subscribers. This move alone has unlocked a lot of potential and created many opportunities for investment in the province. With access to a stable supply of power and increased economic activity in the mining sector, the North-Western Province is poised to be the new Copperbelt of Zambia. Without having taken these measures, the mining sector in the province would not have registered the unprecedented expansion. Today, the North-Western Province is boasting of three large-scale mines, not to mention the small-scale miners. All these present numerous opportunities for our people.

 

Mr Speaker, in our quest to increase access to health care among other services, the Government of the Republic of Zambia is constructing seventy-four health posts in the province. This is being done through a credit line facility from the Government of India.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mubukwanu: Sir, another practical measure to demonstrate this Government’s resolve to attain the Vision 2030 is the speed with which we constructed the Solwezi/Chingola Road.

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Speaker, the 165 km stretch of the road was divided into three lots each with a contractor in order to expedite the works. Today, there is world-class road connecting the two provinces which has reduced travel time between the two towns from seven hours to one-and-half hours.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Speaker, one of the debaters claimed that the Vision 2030 is the sole creation of the late President Mwanawasa, SC., may his soul rest in peace. To the contrary, in his own words, the late President Mwanawasa, SC., said:

 

“The last decade has witnessed an increase in calls by the general citizenry for the need to break with the past and prepare a commonly understood dream for the country. For this reason, the Government, in 2005, initiated a process of preparing the Vision 2030.”

 

  Sir, the above words can be found in the Vision 2030, in the foreword, with his signature under it. The late President Mwanawasa, S.C., acknowledged that this was a very consultative process which reflected collective understanding, aspirations and determination of the Zambian people to be a prosperous middle-income nation. He further stated:

 

 “The Vision 2030 will serve as a guide for all development efforts. The commitment and dedication of all Zambians to its realisation is of paramount importance. Our attitudes and collective mindsets, particularly towards work and participation in national affairs require changing.”

 

Sir, our attitudes require changing. We need to reach a time where when the hon. Opposition Members stand to debate, they will feed into the debate of the Government with alternative policies or solutions so that together, we can reflect the spirit of those who founded the Vision 2030.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mubukwanu: Mr Speaker, that is why on page 48, paragraph 158 of his speech, President Lungu states that:

 

“... This development trajectory cannot be easily accomplished without a keen sense of patriotism and inclusion of everyone.”

 

Mr Speaker, President Lungu reminds all of us that:

 

“As we strive towards achieving Vision 2030, we must not forget the importance of good morals and ethics. Let us renew our pledge to uphold our national values and principles for a better Zambia.”

 

Sir, there cannot be any better guidance from a President than this. Once again, let me take this opportunity to thank you. I appreciate the opportunity rendered to me.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister for Southern Province (Dr Hamukale): Mr Speaker, I am delighted to have this opportunity to congratulate His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia on the well articulated speech he delivered during the Official Opening of the Third Session of the Twelfth National Assembly on Friday, 14th September, 2018.

 

Sir, I would like to join my colleagues in affirming that indeed, under President Lungu’s governance, Zambia has made tremendous strides in keeping with the serious theme of “Working Together to Achieve Vision 2030” and the Patriotic Front (PF) party manifesto which aspires to make Zambia a more industrious, prosperous, peaceful, stable, united, democratic and inclusive society.

 

Mr Speaker, I also wish to pay tribute to the late hon. Members of Parliament for Kasenengwa and Mangango Parliamentary Constituencies, Hon. Victoria Kalima and Hon. Naluwa Mweene, whom we lost on 11th June, 2018 and 28th August, 2018, respectively. May their souls rest in peace.

 

Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the new PF hon. Members of Parliament for Chilanga and Kasenengwa Parliamentary Constituencies, Mrs Maria Langa and Mr Sensio Banda, on the well-deserved addition to this august House.

 

Mr Speaker, as I now transit to debate the President’s Address, I wish to greet the nation in the wonderful name of the Victoria Falls. I wish to commend our Head of State for the well- articulated theme, “Working Together to Achieve Vision 2030” because it resonates well with the PF Manifesto. As a member of the Reducing Poverty and Vulnerability Cluster, this theme speaks volumes for those of us presiding over the provinces, as we are right at the helm of ensuring that citizens at the very end of the line, which include the wards, committees, communities and villages, are able to access Government services without anyone being left behind.

 

Sir, on agriculture, during the year ending December, 2018, the Southern Province embarked on aggressive campaigns and promotion programmes on crop diversification. Our main focus in the coming year is to diversify from traditional crops such as maize to soya beans, groundnuts, sunflower, cassava, millet, cowpeas, cotton and sorghum. The crops on the diversification agenda have proven to have a higher regional comparative advantage as well as better properties to withstand the effects of drought and low rainfall. In addition, sugar cane and wheat have also been introduced to farmers at out-grower scheme and commercial levels in line with the crop diversification programme.

 

Mr Speaker, in keeping with the President’s line of thought on the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), we held workshops with the banks, agro-dealers and other stakeholders to emphasise the need to strengthen partnerships with the private sector over the distribution of agro-inputs. The 160,000 farmers under the FISP are expected to be brought on board for the 2018/2019 Farming Season in the Southern Province. The Electronic Voucher (e-Voucher) System has proved to be efficient, transparent and accountable in the manner in which it is administered. Unfortunately, both agriculture and livestock production in Namwala District is being affected because land is being grabbed from the poor.

 

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

 

Tell them.

 

Dr Hamukale: Mr Speaker, we have senior politicians in our land who are taking away ancestral land from the poor.

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Dr Hamukale: I hope they are listening.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: Sir, as you may be aware, the crop marketing season opened on a good note this year, with the maize floor price being pegged at K70 for a 50kg bag. You will be happy to note that both the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and the private buyers have been actively buying maize from farmers across the province this year. The FRA is expected to procure 43,000 metric tonnes of maize from the Southern Province this year. We are hopeful that with a projected harvest of over 300,000 metric tonnes of maize this year in the province, there is a lot more for the private sector to buy. On this account, we are urging farmers in the region to partner with the private sector on value addition projects even as a way of ensuring that no stock goes to waste.

 

Mr Speaker, in addition, 30,000 metric tonnes of sunflower, 11,000 metric tonnes of soya beans, 30,000 metric tonnes of groundnuts and 17,000 metric tonnes of sorghum were produced this season. On the programme of farming block development, the province still has plans to develop the Musokotwane Farming Block earmarked for Kazungula District. It is our hope that the surveying and demarcation of land shall be completed by the end of this year once funds are released for the exercise.

 

Sir, the province has been progressing tremendously on the Link Zambia 8,000 km Road Project and the Roads Tolling Programme. As you know, Lot 1 of the Bottom Road was completed late last year, while works for Lot 2 of the Bottom Road are on-going, with six bridges having been constructed so far.

 

Mr Speaker, as you may be aware, the province is constructing two toll plazas, one in Choma and another one in Livingstone. The toll plazas are at 82 per cent and 60 per cent levels of completion. I also wish to report to this august House that we are currently carrying out works on the Mazabuka/Kafue Road. A contractor is on site carrying out maintenance works. The Government has not neglected the people of Kalomo and Dundumwezi, in particular, as roads in those areas are also being worked on. On the Kalomo/Dundumwezi/Ngoma/Banga Road, works are well ahead of schedule. The road is expected to be completed in 2019. It will be placed under care and maintenance for the next three years in 2019. We have plans to tar 900 km of feeder roads under a World Bank funded programme in the province.

 

Sir, allow me to expound a little on the more money in your pocket concept which has been misunderstood in this country.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: Sir, indeed, the PF Government has put more money in people’s pockets. If you ask me how, you will know if you choose to listen. First of all, wherever the Government tars roads, the value of land and properties, including houses along the roads, has gone up.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: Mr Speaker, land, which was going for K1,000 per acre is now being sold for K4,000 per acre. That is a gain of K3,000 per acre. If you talk of rentals, a house which was fetching K2,000 per month before the tarring of the road has had its rental increased threefold. That is more money in the pocket.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

You are right!

 

Dr Hamukale: All of us know that vehicles depreciate. All moving assets here in Zambia and elsewhere depreciate. If they are driven on good tarred roads, the effect is that you will spend less on maintenance. Savings on maintenance amount to more money in the pocket.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: Sir, if you talk about commercial activities, goods and services are now being delivered at a faster rate. When I was staying in Luwingu, it took three to four hours to get to Kasama, but now ...

 

Prof. Lou: Now it takes 45 minutes.

 

Dr Hamukale: ... it takes between an hour and an hour twenty minutes.

 

Mr Mwamba: You are right!

 

Dr Hamukale: A minibus driver can do two to three trips in a day when, in the past, he could only do one trip. That is more money in his pocket because his so-called “cash in” has tripled. This is the interpretation of “more money in your pocket” which everyone should digest and see sense in.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwamba interjected.  

 

Dr Hamukale: Mr Speaker, on tourism, the Southern Province has been the first choice destination for many tourists visiting the country, as the province is endowed with numerous tourism attractions. We would like to improve these statistics by improving access to other local sites within the Southern Tourism Circuit, such as the Gwembe District, Sinazongwe District and Chipepo area which, like Siavonga, have the beautiful Lake Kariba frontage with great potential for water sports and entertainment.

 

The construction of the Kazungula Bridge as a one-stop-border stop has given life to Kazungula District which connects the Southern Province to the beautiful Barotse Plains and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The area hosts many species of wildlife and the beautiful landscape which has since been adopted by the National Heritage Conservation as a site worth preserving.

 

Mr Speaker, in an effort to fully exploit the potential of the livestock sector, the province has continued to support the establishment of livestock breeding centres. Various breeding centres are now active such as the Kanchindu Livestock Breeding Centre in Sinazongwe which has started offloading both large and small livestock to the public. The artificial insemination centre in Kalomo is also fully operational. The construction of an artificial insemination centre in Namwala is at 60 per cent completion level, with the expectation that in 2019, the project shall be completed and operational.

 

The province also remains committed to ensuring that livestock diseases are controlled. This is to ensure that the sector thrives, thereby enhancing animal production and productivity for the benefit of the farmers because their main livelihood is livestock. In this regard, a regional diagnostic laboratory is being constructed in Choma. The project is currently at 98 per cent completion level, awaiting water and power connectivity for it to be opened. Additionally, the province was allocated a total of ninety dip tanks at a cost of K17 million. So far, fifteen have been completed, while works on the remaining seventy-five dip tanks are in progress.

 

Sir, you may wish to note that the province procured a liquid nitrogen plant from India meant for the storage of vaccines. This plant, which is the first of its kind in the province, is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2019. The plant is located in Mazabuka District. The installation of the plant is currently underway.

 

Mr Speaker, the province continues to make headways in the provision of energy. We are hopeful that with better technology, we can go a step further in providing greater capacity in this sector. Currently, the technology on the market shows that we can get more from the coal deposits in Maamba, which produces thermal energy, with a 300 MW capacity, of which 267.5 MW is fed into the national electricity grid at the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO). In addition, the vast flood plains of the Gwembe Valley have potential for over nine hours of sunlight which can help us generate solar energy. We have great potential to exploit solar energy which, in turn, can help increase the countries capacity for the production of energy.

 

I wish to emphasise to this august House that the PF Government continues to prioritise development programmes to sustain rural development and increase access to all the Zambians. We also have the Kafue Gorge Lower Project and Batoka Gorge Project jointly funded by Zambia and Zimbabwe.

 

Mr Speaker, in the health sector, the Government has continued with the construction of health facilities with the Namwala District Hospital completed and functional. Kalomo District Hospital and Munyumbwe Hospital are open to the public.

 

Mr Speaker, in addition to the hospitals, we have been carrying out works for the extension of the lecture theatres and hospitals of health training institutions, namely Chikankata College of Bio-Medical Sciences and Monze School of Nursing. Thirty-one health posts out of the ninety-nine allocated to the Southern Province were handed over and are now in use.

 

Mr Speaker, in the education sector, the Government has continued with the construction works. The hon. Members may be aware that Shungu Namutitima Technical Secondary School in Livingstone, Ndondi in Pemba, Sinazongwe, Munyumbwe and several primary schools were constructed. This includes seventy gazetted secondary schools and 120 gazetted primary schools as opposed to the planned seventy-three schools combined. In addition, the Government, in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, Build it International, is building a primary school and a rural health centre at Banakaila in Monze District. The project with a budget which has been estimated at US$1.7 million, is ongoing. The project is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2018, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2019.

 

To increase accessibility to adequate safe and clean water, we are currently implementing a programme to drill a total of 500 bore holes in partnership with our co-operating partners. So far, thirty-two boreholes have been drilled and equipped in Kalomo District, Gwembe District and Mazabuka District at an estimated cost of K1.3 million collectively. Furthermore, we have intensified efforts in rehabilitating dams for water supply in far-flung areas. Currently, works have reached an advanced stage at 87 per cent.

 

Mr Speaker, most importantly, the Southern Province will, in 2019, host an investment exposition in the third quarter of 2019. This year, the Central Province will host one. Thus, I wish to congratulate Hon. Mushanga for the work which he is doing.  Next year, it will be the Southern Province. We hope that all the civic leaders, chiefs, hon. Members of Parliament and local Government leadership, through mayors and their councillors, can join hands with the Government to ensure that we work together in developing the Southern Province.

 

Mr Speaker, the Southern Province is currently the third largest contributor to the national gross domestic product (GDP) after Copperbelt Province and Lusaka Province. The Southern Province follows closely in third position to Lusaka Province and Copperbelt Province. So, the infrastructure that people are seeing the Government construct is meant for them, and they want to use it now. We hope that there will be a change of mindset in the way we deal with national matters in future.

 

Mr Speaker, I would like to thank you and my fellow hon. Members of this august House for listening to the presentation on the development arising from the Southern Province. We remain ambitious in the area of industrialisation. We want to establish a leather factory, a tannery, a timber factory and all manner of food processing plants in the province to ensure that we have jobs,  we improve rural household income, reduce poverty, increase literacy and put in place all the economic fundamentals that matter to humanity and human welfare.

 

Mr Speaker, as Minister heading this province, I cannot wait for 2019. We are here to act and work passionately.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister for Muchinga Province (Mr Sichone): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank you for according me this opportunity to actually add a word to this very important debate based on the Address by His Excellency the President of this Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, to this august House.

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to be enlisted among colleagues that have extended their messages of condolences to the family and the people of Mangango Constituency and to those of Kasenengwa on the loss of our beloved colleagues, the hon. Members of Parliament. That is, the late hon. Members of Parliament, Mr Mwene and Ms Victoria Kalima, respectively.

 

Mr Speaker, I also wish, in a similar vein to congratulate Hon. Banda on the triumphant victory in the immediate past by-election. Let me also congratulate Hon. Olipa Phiri on her appointment as hon. Minister for Community Development and Social Welfare.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sichone: Mr Speaker, I wish to acknowledge the great spirit and tenacity in which the President addressed this august House. The President rolled out a direction in which the nation is going. He also stipulated the transformational agenda that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has continued to pursue in making our country great.

 

Mr Speaker, let me narrow my debate down to the two centres of argument that is, one on debt and the other one on the Chinese-Zambia partnership or relations.

 

Sir, let me unleash my displeasure at those who, in the first place, have been “crying” as though this country has borrowed beyond its repayment threshold. For Zambia to make money, it will require to make investments. We require money.

 

Mr Speaker, we had noticed that the past Government kept the debt a bit low and did nothing probably around that time. That is why the people of Zambia spoke. They actually got them out of the Government.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sichone: Under the leadership of the current President, His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu, we have embarked on development programmes across the country. This development is an investment.

 

Mr Mwamba: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sichone: There is no way you expect a road to be worked on when most of us in this country are not even paying taxes. It is a country with a population of about 17 million. If you check how many people are paying taxes, you will discover that they are very few. Our production and productivity levels are very low, yet we are the same people that need roads, water and all the social services that a human being may want.

 

Mr Speaker, I think the bottom line is that we need to rally behind the leadership of His Excellency the President.

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Mr Sichone: We need to support the President of the Republic of Zambia.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sichone: Mr Speaker, the time for those politics of regionalism, ethnicity and all sorts of evil is gone. That time is gone. The people of this country are able to read between the lines. The people of this country want to depend on facts. If someone from nowhere and starts to brew up a story, for example, on debt, it should contain facts.

 

Mr Speaker, for argument’s sake, had it not been for borrowing, we could not boast of having a general hospital in Muchinga, which is the first of its kind. Had it not been for borrowing, we were not going to be talking about the Great North Road which the Government intends to rehabilitate and the contractor will commence works on 15th October, 2018. Had it not been for borrowing, the thirteen secondary schools being built in Muchinga could not have been built because we would not have had the resources that could have enabled us to build those schools.

 

 I also take note that no matter how much people talk, I think the President of this Republic of Zambia and his Government just need to forge ahead. We need to look at the possibility of changing the livelihoods of our people and alleviating poverty in our country. That focus calls for us to do much more than we are doing. Had it not been for the tenacity of this Government, we would not have seen the project of putting up communication towers across the province.

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sichone: For the first time, the people of Nabwalya are able to make phone calls. Believe me, if those who departed many years ago or even two years ago were given a chance to rise and find people communicating through phones, they would definitely die again.

 

Mr Speaker, as a country, we need to begin a process of retreating. Even as we politic, we need to be aware that nowhere on earth is it written that politicians must have malice and tell lies, sorry, falsehoods. The science of politics is about the integral transformation of human beings. It centres on the holistic human being. If we begin to entice people through falsehoods and to probably think of rising against, maybe, a sitting Government, in the end, like we have seen in other countries where not even the Opposition members get a chance to live, some people run away. We do not want that for Zambia. This calls for a change of mindset and it starts with us. We are a Christian nation, but I always wonder if we even fear God.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Sichone: What could be the reason for being full of malice? Do we realise there is tomorrow?

 

Mr Chama: They are masons.

 

Mr Sichone: Maybe, because some are masons, as I am being reminded.

 

Mr Speaker, in this country, we are importing vegetables, fruits and all sorts of commodities that we consume. However, the President is urging us to change. We need to be an export -oriented country. For me, I wonder why a political leader goes on radio or television to entice people to change the way they are doing certain techniques, for example, those to do with farming.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sichone: A leader must go on radio and encourage people like the President does. He has been talking about fish farming, and encouraging people to venture into it. That is what leaders at this level should be doing. 

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sichone: If I keep a lot of cattle and do not entice other people to keep cattle because I want to be the only rancher, that is wrong. Leaders who have succeeded in keeping cattle should encourage people in this country to keep cattle.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sichone: Leaders who are successful in business should begin to talk to people about business.

 

Mr Speaker, …

 

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

ADOURNMENT

 

The Chief Whip and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Chungu): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

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The House adjourned at 1911 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 27th September, 2018.

 

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