Wednesday, 3^rd July, 2019

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

CONSULTATIVE MEETING ON SALES TAX BILL

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I wish to inform the House that I have authorised the hon. Minister of Finance to hold a consultative meeting with hon. Members of Parliament on the Sales Tax Bill. The meeting will take place tomorrow, Thursday, 4^th July, 2019, in the Amphitheatre, here at Parliament Buildings, and the meeting will start at 1000 hours prompt. All hon. Members of Parliament are encouraged to attend this very important meeting.

I thank you.

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

FEEDER ROADS IN KASENENGWA DISTRICT

428. Mr S. Banda (Kasenengwa) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:

1. how many kilometres of feeder roads, out of the national target of 10,000 km are earmarked for:

1. Kasenengwa District;
2. Chipata District; and
3. Eastern Province;

1. what the names of the roads in Kasenengwa District are;

1. when the exercise will commence.

The Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Kafwaya) (on behalf of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development (Mr Chitotela): Madam Speaker, there are two major programmes under feeder roads, namely the Improved Rural Connectivity Project (IRCP) and the National Feeder Roads Programme (NFRP). Under IRCP, there are no feeder roads earmarked for rehabilitation in Kasenengwa District while under the NFRP, the list of roads to be covered is yet to be finalised, and Kasenengwa will be considered. For Chipata, 152 km of roads have so far been included on the list under the NFRP. Approximately 550 km of feeder roads in the Eastern Province are targeted under Phase I of the IRCP while a total of 936 km of roads in the Eastern Province have been included under the NFRP list currently being compiled.

Madam Speaker, the names of the roads to be covered in Kasenengwa District will be known after consultations are complete with the provincial administration and the Ministry of Local Government.

Madam Speaker, under the IRCP, an advertisement of tenders for the procurement of the contractors for the 325 km of roads in Nyimba and Petauke districts closed on 24^th May, 2019, and is under evaluation. Two tenders under the NFRP are currently running and works will commence upon finalisation of the procurement process.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kabanda (Serenje): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the elaborate answer. Would it be possible for the hon. Minister to avail us a list of the roads to be worked on under the National Feeder Roads Programme (NFRP) in all the constituencies including Serenje?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, although the subject under consideration concerns the feeder roads yet to be done, I notice that the question by the hon. Member for Serenje Parliamentary Constituency is about the work that has been undertaken. It is possible to render the list of the work that has already been done, and yet to be done.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: When do you undertake to do that?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, in the course of this Meeting.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Chisopa (Mkushi South): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that 152 km of feeder roads are targeted for Chipata, and that Kasenengwa, which is a rural part of the province, will be considered. Could the hon. Minister share with us the criterion they used to come up with Chipata as opposed to Kasenengwa?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, I indicated that 550 km of feeder roads are targeted for the Eastern Province and not Chipata. Therefore, I think the hon. Member for Mkushi South might be making a comparison in a slightly wrong way. The works which I talked about are for the Eastern Province and not Chipata.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Zimba (Chasefu): Madam Speaker, Chasefu is part of the Eastern Province and we have been crying for feeder roads. Following Hon. Chisopa’s question, what criterion was used to come up with the roads that will be worked on in the Eastern Province as a whole?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Acting hon. Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development, do you have the answer to that question or would you want to answer it at a later stage?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, consultations are going on between the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development and the Ministry of Local Government as well as the provincial administration. The consultations involve all the stakeholders. Therefore, all the stakeholders are coming up with the roads to be constructed. The consultation process is ongoing. Clearly, the specific players involved in this conversation are the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development, the Ministry of Local Government and the provincial administration in the Eastern Province.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, do you know the criterion that was used?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, I may have to come back to the House regarding the specific criterion.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr A. C. Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, I want to draw the hon. Minister’s attention to the fact that the rainy season is from December to mid-May and no contractor goes on site during this time. Why would the ministry still be conducting evaluations in the period when contractors are supposed to be working because the hon. Minister knows very well that in the rainy season, all contractors demobilise? So, why are they undertaking evaluations in the dry season when contractors are supposed to be working?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Kantanshi for that very important question regarding why we are still undertaking evaluations when we know that the rainy season will soon begin and contractors will demobilise. These programmes require arrangements in terms of funding in order to make them possible. You cannot undertake evaluations before you finalise the sourcing of the funding. So, clearly, the Government had to make sure that the financing aspect was sorted out and then eventually begin the procurement process. The reason we are still evaluating is that we first had to source for funding and be sure that the projects would be funded. Thereafter, we will start the procurement and implementation processes. This is not a one year programme. It will continue after the rainy season.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Madam Speaker, –

Dr Hamukale: On a point of order, Madam.

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

Dr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, I would like to apologise to the hon. Member for Kanchibiya.

Madam Speaker, I would like to find out why the hon. Members of Parliament of the United Party for National Development (UPND) from the Southern Province are all not in the House? Are they in order not to be here when Parliament is in session? I seek your ruling.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, Hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: My ruling is that this House operates on the basis of a quorum.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: For as long as there is a quorum, the Business of the House will continue.

The hon. Member for Kanchibiya may continue.

Dr Malama: Madam Speaker, following that point of order that hon. Members of Parliament from the Southern Province are not in the House –

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Dr Malama: Madam Speaker, following the point of order raised by the hon. Minister –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order in the House!

Hon. Member for Kanchibiya, you have been given an opportunity to pose a supplementary question.

Dr Malama: Madam Speaker, I thank you and would also like to thank the hon. Minister who rose on a point of order concerning our brothers from the Southern Province who are not in the House. My question follows the hon. Member of Parliament for Kantanshi’s question on the wind of opportunity contractors have to work on the roads. I note that most roads in rural areas are impassable during the rainy season. Is the Government going to ensure that the programmes commence before the onset of the rains this year?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, yes, that is what we are thinking.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr C. M.  Zulu (Luangeni): Madam Speaker, I am aware that the substantive question was specifically on Kasenengwa Constituency, but in his response, the hon. Minister mentioned Chipata, Nyimba and Petauke districts. Is he in a position to tell the House and the people of Luangeni Parliamentary Constituency how many kilometres are for Luangeni?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister should only answer if he is able to. Otherwise, that question does not relate to the substantive question which is clearly about Kasenengwa. Of course, the hon. Minister referred to the Eastern Province in general.

Hon. Minister, are you able to indicate how many kilometres are for Luangeni in the Eastern Province?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, of course, the main question touched on the Eastern Province as a whole, although the information was specifically for Kasenengwa. This is why even when I was responding to the hon. Member for Mkushi South’s question, I said that 550 km of feeder roads are targeted for the Eastern Province and not Chipata. So, clearly, I do not know how many kilometres are for Luangeni, but as we complete the process, we will be clear in terms of how many kilometres are for Luangeni.

I thank you, Madam.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I will allow questions from the hon. Member for Kasama Central, the hon. Member for Mwembezhi and will end with the hon. Member for Mkaika.

Mr Sampa (Kasama Central): Madam Speaker, my question is a rider to that asked by the hon. Member for Luangeni. I would like to find out how many kilometres will be constructed in Vubwi?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I will not allow that question.

Mr Jamba (Mwembezhi): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the ministry went to source for funds and after that, evaluations were done. I suppose the hon. Minister knew the kilometres which are supposed to be worked on since evaluations were done so that when funds are made available, work can commence on the ground. Which institution is funding the Improved Rural Connectivity Project (IRCP) and National Feeder Roads Programme (NFRP)? Is it the World Bank? What funding arrangements is the hon. Minister referring to?

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, I referred to the process of securing funding arrangements prior to committing, and that is what the Government has done. As the House may be aware, the task of financing public programmes is a domain of the Ministry of Finance. For me to be clear on the matter, I will consult the hon. Minister of Finance regarding the specific funding modalities for these projects.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Phiri (Mkaika): Madam Speaker, –

Mrs Chinyama: On a point of order, Madam.

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

Mrs Chinyama: Madam Speaker, I have just entered the House. However, two minutes ago when I was on my way here, I heard a point of order that hon. Members of Parliament from the Southern Province were not in the House.

Interruptions

Mrs Chinyama: Was the hon. Minister in order to mislead us, who were following the proceedings, that hon. Members from the Southern Province were not in the House because I can see a number of them?

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: My serious ruling is that that point of order is incompetent.

The hon. Member for Mkaika may continue.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Phiri: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has stated that 550 km of feeder roads are targeted for the Eastern Province. According to the simple mathematics that I did, it means that out of the fourteen districts in the Eastern Province, each district will get close to 40 km. There are several roads in Kasenengwa which are in a bad state that need to be worked on. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the 40 km of roads in each district are going to be enough in view of all the roads in the district.

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, it appears to me that the inference brought to the Floor is like a division of the number of districts into 550 km. Firstly, the criterion has not been established which might imply that the division may not be the right way to draw inference from these numbers. Secondly, 550 km of feeder roads are targeted for works under Phase I. According to my response, it is expected that a total of 936 km of roads in the Eastern Province are going to be worked on. I cannot comment on the 40 km because that is not the criterion the Government is using.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

REMOVAL OF TEVET LECTURERS FROM GOVERNMENT PAYROLL

429. Ms Kasanda (Chisamba) asked the Minister of Higher Education:

1. why lecturers under the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) institutions were removed from the Government payroll; and

1. whether the TEVET institutions have the capacity to meet the lecturers’ remunerations.

The Minister of Higher Education (Prof. Luo): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that when the Government adopted a liberalised economy, one of the fiscal measures put in place was to downsize and right size the Civil Service in order to reduce the Government wage bill. Consequently, all the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) institutions were replaced under management boards which were expected to raise their own funds through user fees and projects in order to pay lecturers. On the other hand, the Government supports the expenditure of these institutions in form of grants as and when funds are available.

Madam Speaker, some of the TEVET institutions have the capacity to pay lecturers. In fact, the House may wish to note that some of the trades training institutions maintain competitive conditions of service similar to those in the mainstream Government institutions. This is because the institutions are engaging in innovative ways to raise funds. It has, however, been noted that some institutions, especially those that are off the line of rail, may be struggling, but most of those along the line of rail are alright.

Madam Speaker, in view of this, the Government is exploring options that will help increase grant allocations to these institutions. Further, the ministry is closely working with some of the institutions in order to scale-up the innovative ways of raising funds.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Kasanda: Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister elaborate a bit more in terms of the grants being given to institutions. How much is being allocated to the institutions?

Prof. Luo: Madam Speaker, some institutions get a minimum amount of K5,600 per month. However, TEVET institutions in Kaoma and Mwinilunga are actually given full support for their payrolls. So, the employees from TEVET institutions in Mwinilunga and Kaoma have not been removed from the Government payroll. Therefore, the employees are paid their salaries in full by the Government.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, before we move to the next item on the Order Paper, let me seek the indulgence of the House to slightly alter the order of business for today.

 Hon. Members, Standing Order No. 27 provides for precedence of business on each sitting day of the House. To this end, Standing Order No. 27(2) states as follows:

“On a Wednesday, Private Members’ business shall have precedence over Government business on the Order Paper, to be followed by Private Members’ orders of the day, to be followed by Government business. If there is no Private Members’ business, the time may be utilised for Government business.”

It is for this reason that today’s Order Paper starts with Motions to adopt Committee reports followed by the presentation of Government Bills. However, in order to ensure efficiency in the way business is conducted today, I seek the leave of the House to consider the presentation of Government Bills before the Motions.      

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Let me repeat. On today’s Order Paper, there are two Motions, one of which is a Private Member’s Motion, which is supposed to be considered before the presentation of Government Bills. I seek the indulgence of the House to start with the presentation of Government Bills, for First Reading. I will, therefore, repeat what I just said. I seek leave of the House to consider the presentation of Government Bills before the Motions. Any objection?

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I am seeking the indulgence of the House so that Government Bills can be presented before the Motions to allow full debate on the two Motions. Any objection?

Hon. Government Members: No objection.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: No objection.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I note that leave is granted.

Hon. Opposition Members: No!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Leave is not granted?

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, we will follow the Order Paper as it appears.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

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MOTIONS

BANNING THE SMOKING OF SHISHA IN THE COUNTRY

Mr S. Banda (Kasenengwa): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House urges the Government to ban the smoking of shisha in the country.

 Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Evg. Shabula (Itezhi-tezhi): Madam Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, on both sides of the House!

Mr S. Banda: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for allowing me to move this important Private Member’s Motion that borders on the health and future of our people. This Motion was prompted by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) concerns about the harmful effect of shisha tobacco on human health and recommendations to the parties of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). As the House is fully aware, tobacco use, particularly smoking, is the leading preventable cause of premature death, with about 6 million people worldwide dying from tobacco related diseases every year and Zambia is not an exception.

Madam Speaker, tobacco smoking significantly contributes to the overall disease burden in low income countries, which include Zambia. The negative effects of smoking extend way beyond individuals as billions of dollars are lost in productivity and health care expenditure related to smoking every year. It is in view of the foregoing that we are calling on this House to urge the Executive to ban the smoking of shisha in Zambia.

 Madam Speaker, in urging the House to support this position, I endeavour to do the following:

1. explain what shisha smoking is;

1. state the health effect of shisha smoking;

1. highlight the WHO’s recommendation to state parties; and

1. give examples of countries that have banned shisha smoking.

 Madam Speaker, for the benefit of hon. Members who might not know what shisha smoking is, allow me to state what it is. According to the WHO fact sheet, pipe water smoking tobacco is a form of tobacco consumption that utilises a single or multi-stemmed instrument to smoke flavoured or non-flavoured tobacco, where the smoke is designed to pass through water or other liquids before reaching the smoker.

 Historically, water pipes have been in use by the indigenous people of Africa and Asia for at least four centuries. In the late 19^th century and the early part of the 20^th century, water pipe tobacco smoking was popular among the older men in the Middle East, who primarily used the harsh non-flavoured tobacco, which was repulsive to the youth. However, the introduction of flavoured tobacco in the early 1990s rapidly escalated its use among the young people starting in the Middle East and extended into other countries and continents, mainly through universities and schools.

Madam Speaker, our concern arises from the fact that shisha smoking has become increasingly popular among our young people in Zambia and most drinking places are synonymous to water piped tobacco smoking. There is a lot of ignorance among our youths on the dangers of shisha smoking. Some of our people are flocking to shisha parlours thinking it is harmless, when in fact not. Our people have the wrong notion that the risk is reduced when it is purified as it passes through water. 

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note the following facts about shisha smoking:

1. shisha smokers inhale more tobacco smoke than cigarette smokers due to the large volumes of smoke inhaled in one session, which can last as long as an hour;

1. an hour of a shisha smoking session involves about 200 puffs with a smoking session ranging between twenty to eighty minutes, while smoking a cigarette involves twenty puffs in five to seven minutes;

1. the amount of smoke inhaled during a typical shisha session is about 90,000 ml compared to 500 to 600 ml inhaled when smoking a cigarette;

1. unlike cigarettes, shisha smoke also contains by-products of charcoal or wood cinder combustion, which can increase heart disease-causing agents;

1. shisha smoke contains high levels of toxic compounds, including tar, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, heavy metals and cancer-causing agents; and

1. high levels of benzene, a chemical found in crude oil and gasoline, were found in shisha smokers and non-shisha smokers in a survey of people who attended social events where shisha was being smoked. Benzene exposure is a known risk factor for leukaemia.

Madam Speaker, studies have shown that the health effects of shisha smoking include the following:

1. as with cigarette smoking, shisha smoking increases the risk of getting cancers such as –

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order in the House! Resume your seat, hon. Member for Kasenengwa.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members! Let us listen to the mover of a very important Motion about shisha smoking. Let us have order in the House.

The hon. Member for Kasenengwa may continue.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr S. Banda: Madam Speaker, studies have shown that the health effects of shisha smoking include the following:

1. as with cigarette smoking, shisha smoking increases the risk of getting cancers such as those of the throat, mouth, bladder and oesophagus;

1. sharing the shisha water pipe increases the risk of contracting communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and hepatitis;

1. babies born to women who smoke shisha while pregnant weigh less than those born to non-smokers;

1. babies born to shisha smokers are also at increased risk of respiratory diseases;

1. shisha smokers are at higher risk of reduced lung function; and

1. shisha smokers are at higher risk of reduced fertility.

Madam Speaker, WHO states that a systematic review of the effects of water pipe smoking has indicated a significant association between water pipe tobacco smoking and lung diseases, serious gum infections and low birth weight. With this growing evidence of the harmful effects of water pipe smoking, governments are being called to take decisive action to protect the public. Further, WHO is recommending, among other policies, the following measures:

1. product design and information: regulate water pipes and water pipe products consistent with WHO FCTC guidelines;

1. ban shisha with alcohol and sweet-like flavours that may appeal to children and young people;

1. require manufacturers and importers to disclose to government authorities information about the contents and the emissions of water pipe tobacco; and

1. require the registration of manufacturers and importers with government authorities.

Madam Speaker, based on WHO’s concerns about the harmful effects of shisha tobacco smoking on human health and recommendations to all state parties to the WHO FCTC, Rwanda banned the use, advertisement and importation of water pipe tobacco with effect from 15^th December, 2017. The House may further wish to note that our neighbour, Tanzania, also banned shisha smoking. Tanzania banned shisha smoking over the concern of its links with drug and alcohol abuse. The Tanzanian Government stated at the time of the ban that shisha smoking was killing future generations. The aforementioned countries noted with grave concern, the aggressive marketing and promotion of shisha to young people, especially girls and that an increasing number of new users were observed in public places, hotels, bars, restaurants and night clubs.

Madam Speaker, Zambia, like many other African countries, has a growing population of young people. Therefore, the manufacturers of cigarettes and those peddling shisha smoking have found a potential market in this young, fragile and easily manipulated population. Therein lays the problem. Already, there is a trend of shisha smoking in Zambia, especially among the youth particularly in towns along the line of rail. Just within the city of Lusaka, there are about fourteen popular cafes where people smoke shisha publicly where the young adult population has access to shisha smoking sessions.

Madam Speaker, in view of the evidence and recommendations available, Zambia needs to emulate other countries which have banned shisha smoking in order to safeguard people’s health. We do not need to wait until we lose our valuable young people through preventable diseases. The Executive and hon. Members of this august House do not need to wait for the inevitable to happen for us to act. Now is the time to act.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Evg. Shabula: Now, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to second this very important Motion. Let me also commend the mover for ably moving the Private Member’s Motion. The scale-up of tobacco control especially after the adoption of the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) is a major public health success story. Nevertheless, smoking remains risky and a cause for early death and disability worldwide, and therefore, continues to require sustainable political commitment. Of concern is the rising number of people who are smoking shisha, including insunko.

Madam Speaker, studies have revealed that contrary to the belief –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What is insunko?

Evg. Shabula: Insunko is tobacco that is sniffed by some people, especially those in rural areas.

Madam Speaker, studies have revealed that contrary to the belief that shisha smoking is less harmful and addictive compared to cigarettes, its smoke contains high concentrations of hazardous chemicals and nicotine. It contains hazardous chemicals and by-products that expose shisha smokers to a higher risk of diseases such as lung cancer, respiratory diseases, chronic bronchitis, low birth weight for their babies, cardiovascular diseases, blindness and nicotine dependence. Smokers are also exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide, heavy metals and cancer-causing chemicals from the burning of charcoal used for heating shisha.

In addition, the sharing of shisha pipes has been linked to the spread of infectious diseases like hepatitis B, herpes, tuberculosis and flu. Shisha smoking commonly takes place in groups, in places of socialisation, with bars, cafes and restaurants as the most preferred, while other forms of tobacco use tend to occur individually at homes. Peer pressure has been cited as the main reason for initiating shisha smoking because the majority of shisha smokers initiated and practiced this habit in the company of friends. The country has witnessed an increase in incidences of Non-Communicable Diseases (NDCs) such as cancer.

Madam Speaker, given the increasing popularity of shisha smoking, it is our considered view that if it is allowed to continue, it will certainly contribute to pushing up the number of people who are affected by diseases. Many lives will be lost because already, our people have poor health seeking behaviour due to lack of information about cancer.

Madam Speaker, the Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Services in its report for the Second Session of the Twelfth National Assembly, appointed on 20^th September, 2017, noted the following:

1. that NCDs in Zambia which were of public health concern included, but were not limited to, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, trauma, certain cancers, asthma and obstructive lung diseases which were brought about by occupational hazards and lifestyle such as cigarette smoking;

1. lifestyle-related risk factors included obesity, mainly caused by unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, tobacco use and alcohol and substance abuse; and

1. NCDs were also affecting the younger population unlike the previous trend where the elderly were mostly affected. These diseases were prevalent in the productive age group of thirty to sixty years, and contribute significantly to premature deaths in Zambia.

Madam Speaker, according to the National Cancer Control Strategic Plan (NCCSP) 2016-2021, Zambia is currently experiencing a high burden of NCDs with significant consequences on morbidity and mortality. The policy document acknowledges that tremendous achievements and gains have been scored under cancer management, but there were still challenges such as:

1. insufficient human resource and infrastructure to meet the countrywide demand;

1. low awareness levels of risk factors and health seeking behaviours among the general public;

1. inadequate surveillance and research to respond to the increasing incidences of NCDs; and

1. poorly supported referral system of both patients and specimens.

In view of the above, the failure to take drastic measures to deal with shisha smoking will have a serious strain on the country’s health sector. The country needs to take responsibility through the Ministry of Health to protect the health of its citizens, especially the young and future –

Mr Mwewa: On a point of order, Madam.

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

Mr Mwewa: Madam Speaker, is the seconder in order to read as he debates, when he is not supposed to? I seek your serious ruling.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: My ruling is that because the subject is somewhat technical, the hon. Member is allowed to refer to copious notes. The hon. Member should take that point of order into account as well as my guidance.

 The hon. Member for Itezhi-Tezhi may continue.

Evg. Shabula: Madam Speaker, I am very grateful for the way you have guided the House. This is the first time this topic is appearing. If I use scientific and technical language, I am sure many people will not understand what I will be saying.

Laughter

Evg. Shabula: So, I am very grateful for putting it that way.

Madam Speaker, let me simplify the conclusion of the matter. Shisha smoking is dangerous to the health of human beings and it affects everyone in the productive age from thirty to sixty years. It affects the whole body, the heart, lungs and everything that human beings use to breath.

Interruptions

Evg. Shabula: When as citizens we become sick, we are not able to report for work, hence productivity goes down. As a result when the income of the nation goes down, many companies will close down and many people will be thrown into the street. What would then happen is that there would be more malnutrition and deaths, and crime will go up because of allowing shisha smoking in different places.

Madam Speaker, therefore, I urge the Government to take action now, and not tomorrow, and ban shisha smoking in this country, including insunko.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Kasune (Keembe): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the two hon. Members for bringing such an important Private Member’s Motion to the House, on the banning of shisha smoking, which has become a common trend in our country.

Madam Speaker, I will not be long, but I just want to say a few things. Please, pardon my voice. According to the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC), whose headquarters is in Geneva, and whose work is being done here in Zambia through the Ministry of Health, Zambia is among the countries where tobacco use is increasing, and this is worrying. This is because the use of products such as shisha, which are a disguise of tobacco, is also increasing.

Madam Speaker, if shisha usage continues to increase, as the two hon. Members already mentioned, there will be a great damage to the country. In particular, there will be an increase in the spread Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). We already know that cases of NCDs in Zambia have increased, and we are seeing many premature deaths. Therefore, products such as shisha are a contributing factor to the increase of NCDs.

Madam Speaker, I also want to add that because of allowing products such as shisha to be smoked publicly, the young people are being introduced to smoking at a very early age. Such products contain tobacco and as for shisha, one cannot even know the toxicity or nicotine that is found in it. This has raised a lot of concern, and must worry all of us hon. Members of Parliament. When the young people are introduced to smoking at a very tender age, there are low chances of them quitting. They are likely to graduate from using drugs such as shisha to other drugs such as tobacco and from there, one cannot tell the hard drugs they may start taking. 

Madam Speaker, Hon. Eng. Shabula alluded to the issue of insunko. This drug has been used for a long time, especially in Zambia. In particular, females use insunko as an aphrodisiac, meaning their bodies become warmer and hence entice their male counterparts.

Laughter

Ms Kasune: However, one of the effects of this is cervical cancer. Therefore, from a health point of view and as a health activist, I think this Private Member’s Motion has come at the right time. In as much as the FCTC has stipulated things that this country must achieve, it does not stipulate the ways to go about substances such as shisha and I think this poses much danger.

Madam Speaker, I just wanted to make these few points so that as hon. Members, we think about the use of this drug which has become a way of life and is even regarded as a good way of living, so to speak. This has long-term implications on our children and society, and as they say, a healthy country is based on its healthy population. Since, we know that Zambia is a youthful country, we have a responsibility and mandate to ensure that we protect our young people.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Madam Speaker, I have heard the contributions of the mover and seconder of the Motion, and the hon. Member who has just finished debating so I will likely take a few minutes. I urge the Government not to ban the smoking of shisha because all those who have debated said that this practice has been going on for some time now. Although they did not state when it started, it has been there for generations, but today, they are saying that because of a, b, c and d, it should be banned.

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, are we also going to say that junk foods such as pizzas should be banned or close fast food stores because junk foods are also a genesis of diseases? 

Brig-Gen. Sitwala: Obesity!

Mr Mutelo: Someone has mentioned that junk food causes obesity and diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Is the mover also going to urge the Government to ban all the junk food?

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Keembe mentioned the uses of some drugs and the old people also know their benefits. Why are we just concerned about the disadvantages of shisha? What are its advantages so that we can balance our argument and depending on what outweighs the other, we can say whether it is good or bad? Junk food is salty, too sweet or oily. Therefore, are we going to ban the junk food? We can instead concentrate on how we can improve on such things. In the next four or five minutes, someone should talk about how we can address this issue. That is what is on my mind. We cannot just outrightly say that there will be no shisha smoking from today onwards. Why should it be like that?

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: If we ban shisha smoking, we should also ban junk food. Therefore, I tend to disagree with the mover and seconder, and the hon. Members of Parliament who have supported this Motion. With these few remarks, I am against the Motion.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kamboni (Kalomo Central): Madam Speaker, if people commit suicide by hanging themselves on trees, should we cut all the trees …

Laughter

Mr Kamboni: … meanwhile we use them to make timber to roof our houses and other things.

Interruptions

Mr Kamboni: Madam Speaker, corruption has led to many deaths. We just got a report where K6.1 billion was misappropriated. However, some people in my constituency are dying out of hunger because the Government has no money. We have people dying in hospitals because the Government has no money. Why can the Government not ban corruption? Instead, we see them defending those who have misappropriated funds, but they cannot raise a Motion to have –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, resume your seat!

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Let me guide the House. This is a Private Member’s Motion and it is very clear. It was moved by an hon. Member who is not in the Executive. In debating this Motion, you can either support it or not, and give your reasons. So, hon. Member for Kalomo Central, perhaps, you should wait for another opportunity to bring in those issues that you now want to bring into the debate on this Motion. This Motion is very clear. It is about banning the smoking of shisha. You can either support it or not.

Please, continue with your debate.

Mr Kamboni: Madam Speaker, the Motion is urging the Government to ban the smoking of shisha because it leads to death, and that is the centre of the whole discussion. However, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which has killed many people, is transmitted through sex. So, my question is: Should the Government ban sex?

Laughter

Mr Kamboni: Madam Speaker, the mover of the Motion should have urged the Government to address a number of issues. People must take responsibility. People die in road traffic accidents in big numbers. So, should we ban cars because of road traffic accidents in which people get killed? Guns can shoot so many people. So, are we going to ban the use of guns because they kill people? The bottom line is that people must take responsibility before we can talk about the issue of banning the smoking of shisha.

Madam Speaker, if I may ask, what is the difference between shisha and other cigarettes? There is no difference. Cigarettes have similar consequences with shisha. I do not know why one would only pick on shisha. The research on banning the smoking of shisha was not done properly. If we ban the smoking of shisha, then, we should ban smoking altogether because the disadvantages that we are talking about are very similar and evident. You cannot only look at the quantity of shisha and think that maybe it is more concentrated. In Gwembe Valley, Siavonga and Chirundu, old people smoke something similar to shisha, and they add water to it.

Madam Speaker, in my view, it is not correct to bring such a Motion to the House when there are many other things that are health hazards. The mover of the Motion could have urged the Government not to allow the smoking of shisha in public places. People must be given choices. Life is about choices. Leave those who choose to go ahead to smoke shisha even when there are warning advertisements. We cannot all be pastors. Some people drink beer, yet drunkenness causes road accidents, while other people do not drink beer. So, you cannot say that because you do not drink beer, no one should drink beer. Some people drink beer and smoke reasonably. However, there are some people who overdo these things. When you over eat nshima, it can kill you. Similarly, when you over eat meat that is nice, you can suffer from cancer or any other related diseases.

Therefore, you cannot blame the product, but its use. When any product is used properly, it works well. When I use a knife to cut cabbage or meat, it does a good job but if I use it to stab and kill a friend, it becomes bad. However, we cannot ban the use of knives in the whole country because how will I cut my meat the next day? So, the point I am trying to make is that before we talk about the issue of banning anything, we should do proper research to ensure that we are fair to everybody. Whilst I do not smoke, I do not think that it is right to ban the smoking of shisha because there are disadvantages of smoking cigarettes, other tobacco products and many other things.  So, I think the Motion is, in the first place, misplaced.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Sampa (Kasama Central): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to this Motion that has been raised.

Mrs Chinyama: On a point of order, Madam.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Kasama Central, and the hon. Member for Kafue, resume your seats.

During the period we are going to be debating the two Motions on the Order Paper, I will not allow points of order because I would like to have smooth debates. For that reason, I will not allow the hon. Member for Kafue’s point of order.

The hon. Member for Kasama Central may continue with his debate.

Mr Sampa: Madam Speaker, I will be brief. I disagree with the mover and seconder of the Motion. First and foremost, we have not even been given serious statistics as regards the effects of shisha, which is like any other ordinary cigarette, but even lighter.

Madam Speaker, the Motion that has been brought before this House is about shisha, yet we have serious economic issues and problems in the country. We have a serious problem of codeine which is causing children to be admitted in hospital every day, and the statistics are increasing. That is even a more dangerous drug than the shisha which we are talking about. However, we have by-laws that are administered through councils to regulate smoking in public places. Therefore, I think this Motion is misplaced. I do not even wish to proceed discussing the matter further because I know for a fact that shisha is not as serious a matter as codeine or marijuana. One of the hon. Members spoke about junk food, which is even more serious in view of regulating health issues. I disagree with this Motion that has been brought before this House.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Madam Speaker, I thank you most sincerely for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on this Private Member’s Motion urging the House to ban the smoking of shisha.

Madam Speaker, it is a fact that shisha is harmful to health. It contains tar, carbon monoxide and nicotine, and is part of the products that predispose people to ill health in the long term. However, the best way to address matters to do with health hazards is not to cherry pick one thing and ban it and come back the next day and ban another, but to take a comprehensive approach to issues pertaining to tobacco. In domesticating the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), many variables were looked at including the aspect of commerce, which looks at the trade and weaning-off of small scale farmers. So, there are many aspects associated with the use of tobacco and they include health and socio-economic ones and the banning the smoking of shish is cherry picking.

Madam Speaker, I urge the hon. Member of Parliament for Kasenengwa to engage the Executive to ensure that his contribution is part of a broader framework to address issues of food or products that expose the population to ill health. We will not agree with the approach of banning individual items through Motions on the Floor of the House. While the hon. Member is on terra firma on the ill effects of this substance called shisha, I urge him to engage the Executive so we can discuss broader policy approaches to ensure that we protect the public from ill health through speaking about the broader aspects of nicotine addiction and many other hazards that will expose people to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Therefore, we do not support this Motion in its current version.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr S. Banda: Madam Speaker, firstly, I would like to thank both the hon. Members who supported the Motion, and those who objected it. Obviously, this has been a starting point for discussions relating to shisha. During my debate, I mentioned the effects of shisha smoking, and I am sure they are very clear to this House. However, in view of the hon. Minister of Health’s advice regarding how best this matter can be addressed, I withdraw the Motion. I will come back to this august House so that we can have a comprehensive approach to the Motion.

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Are you withdrawing the Motion at the very last hour?

Mr S. Banda: Yes, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member for Kasenengwa, the mover of this Motion, has willingly withdrawn the same. I will, therefore, not put the question.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CABINET AFFAIRS

Dr Imakando (Mongu Central): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that this House do adopt the Report of the Committee on Cabinet Affairs for the Third Session of the Twelfth National Assembly laid on the Table of the House on 21^st June, 2019.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Mr Mwewa (Mwansabombwe): Madam Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Dr Imakando: Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Committee’s programme of work, the Committee reviewed the operations of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). Likewise, the Committee also reviewed the operations of the Department of Resettlement. Further, the Committee undertook a local tour and visited various resettlement and disaster-prone areas on the Copperbelt and in the North-Western Province in order to validate the information gathered during Committee meeting interactions with witnesses and stakeholders.

Madam Speaker, please, allow me to now briefly present some of the highlights, key observations and recommendations contained in the Committee’s report.

Madam Speaker, in 1994, cognisant of its responsibility to protect citizens’ lives and property during disasters, the Government of the Republic of Zambia created the DMMU in the Office of the Vice-President. The DMMU was meant to focus on reducing or avoiding potential losses from hazards, assure prompt and appropriate assistance to victims of disasters, and therefore, achieve rapid and effective recovery. The DMMU’s actions were therefore expected to lead to greater preparedness, better early warning systems, reduced vulnerability and where possible, even prevent man-made disasters in the nation.

In this regard, the DMMU was expected to pursue appropriate policies and develop plans that either change or minimise the causes of disasters, or mitigate their effects on people, property, and infrastructure. The DMMU has now existed for over twenty-four years, yet reports on the country’s unpreparedness to deal with disasters are common and seem to be the norm. As a result, disaster struck communities still suffer irreversible damage to their properties and means of livelihoods. It is for this reason that the Committee resolved to undertake a detailed study to establish the effectiveness of the unit, identify its challenges and suggest possible solutions.

Madam Speaker, in order to understand the subject under consideration, the Committee sought the views of various institutions and stakeholders, who made both written and oral submissions. The Committee bemoans the inadequate capacity of the DMMU to effectively respond to emergencies due to inadequate funding and lack of personnel. This situation is unacceptable as it negatively affects the performance of the unit in the execution of its mandate, and leaves vulnerable communities at risk. The Committee also observed that the DMMU is highly concentrated at its headquarters with little or weak representation at provincial and district levels. This shortcoming brings about challenges associated with arbitrariness and discretion in the allocation of relief resources, and undermines timely responses. The issue of equity in the allocation of relief resources has, as a result, come into question.

Madam Speaker, the Committee, therefore, recommends that the Government should strengthen provincial DMMU offices to enhance their preparedness, as well as improve efficiency and equity in the administration of disaster relief recourses and measures. The Committee strongly recommends that the Government adequately capacitates the DMMU both financially and materially for it to discharge its mandate more effectively.

Furthermore, the Committee expressed concern that while other countries have shifted from pursuing disaster management strategies to disaster risk reduction, the DMMU has not evolved. This is especially worrying given the advent of climate change. Disaster risk reduction is less costly compared to disaster management. It is imperative that the DMMU prioritises disaster risk reduction strategies and activities as opposed to disaster management.

Madam Speaker, the Committee, therefore, strongly urges the Government to expeditiously take steps to ensure that the DMMU begins its evolution towards disaster risk reduction and research as opposed to the traditional emergency response practices it is used to. The Government should also consider integrating disaster risk reduction at all levels of the school curricular so that Zambian children are made to appreciate the concept of disaster risk reduction from a tender age.

Madam Speaker, the Committee visited Kapompi Bridge in Kitwe which collapsed in February this year. The Committee observed that the bridge is a danger to both human and animal life. In this regard, the Committee recommends that funds be made available to repair the bridge as soon as possible in order to avert the loss of lives.

Madam Speaker, the Committee also visited Chachacha area in Kitwe where about 150 houses were purported to have developed cracks as a result of mine blasting activities. Indeed, a number of houses inspected had multiple cracks. In this regard, the Committee recommends that a technical assessment be undertaken in order to establish the cause and extent of the damage and make suggestions on the way forward. I am, however, reliably informed that the Office of the Vice-President has already dispatched a technical team to the area. This is, indeed, commendable, and the Committee will await the findings.

Madam Speaker, one other area that attracted the Committee’s attention relates to the Resettlement Policy Framework. The Committee is disappointed that the National Resettlement Policy has not been implemented despite having been approved by Cabinet almost five years ago. The Committee strongly urges the Government to ensure that the National Resettlement Policy is implemented without further delay. This will allow the Department of Resettlement to discharge its mandate effectively.

Madam Speaker, the Committee also received stakeholder concerns over the Draft Land Policy. The Committee is concerned that issues raised by traditional leaders with regard to the draft Land Policy have remained unresolved. This is affecting the effective implementation of the resettlement programme as chiefs who are the custodians of customary land are reluctant to release more land for the resettlement programme. The land disputes between the Government and traditional leaders are considered a big hindrance to the resettlement programme.

The Committee, therefore, strongly recommends that the Government should take steps to expeditiously conclude this matter. In the same vein, the Government should intensify sensitisation on the provisions of the Draft Land Policy so as to address the concerns that traditional leaders have with regard to the land policy, in general, and the administration of land in particular.

Madam Speaker, another important matter that came to the attention of the Committee concerns staff accommodation in resettlement areas. The Committee observes that there is inadequate staff accommodation for teachers, health workers and agricultural extension staff at Maheba Resettlement Scheme, Kainamfumu Resettlement Scheme and Miengwe Resettlement Scheme. Further, agricultural extension staff in these areas do not have adequate transport to carry out their work. In this regard, the Committee urges the Government to ensure adequate accommodation is made available to staff in these schemes in order to enable them perform their duties effectively. In addition, transport, even in the form of motor bikes, should be provided.

Further, the Committee observes that the road network in and around these resettlement schemes is extremely poor. The same can be said for telecommunication infrastructure. The poor road and telecommunication infrastructure inhibits the economic activities of the settlers in these schemes. The Committee, therefore, urges the Government to consider improving road infrastructure and to erect more communication towers in order to enhance connectivity and boost economic activities in these resettlement schemes. Resettlement schemes should be carefully managed to prevent the likelihood of hardships and impoverishment for the effected individuals and communities given that a displaced community will not be entirely satisfied with its new situation unless there is a noticeable improvement in the standard of living and/or livelihoods.

Madam Speaker, another thorny issue that the Committee encountered pertains to the management of tailings dams, commonly known as mine dumps. Tailings dams are the materials left over after the process of separating the valuable fraction from the uneconomic fraction of the ore. The tailings dump in Luanshya was reported to be a danger to human and animal life in 2013. This tailings dams has been abandoned and remains a hazard to date.

 The Committee recommends that mine operators be required to submit closure plans before the start of any mining activity in future. The mining houses must also be made to deposit a financial guarantee equal to 100 per cent of the estimated rehabilitation cost of the environment. Tailings dams are often the most significant environmental liability for mining projects. The tailings dams in Luanshya requires urgent attention before it becomes a serious hazard.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, on my right!

A report is being presented. I expect the members of the Executive to be interested in the report. Hon. Members on my right, let us have order.

The hon. Member for Mongu Central may continue.

Dr Imakando: Madam Speaker, tailings dams are often the most significant environmental liability for mining projects. The tailings dams in Luanshya requires urgent attention before it becomes a serious hazard to the people of Luanshya. The Committee calls for those charged with the responsibility of managing the tailings dam in Luanshya to do so immediately.

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, let me take this opportunity to thank all the witnesses who appeared before the Committee for their valuable input. May I also thank you, Madam Speaker, for rendering guidance to the Committee throughout the deliberations. Likewise, may I thank the Clerk of the National Assembly and her staff for supporting our Committee in many and varied ways during the session. The Committee is, indeed, indebted to you all.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

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

Mr Mwewa: Now, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I raise to second the Motion ably moved by our good Chairperson, Hon. Dr Mwilola Imakando, that the House do adopt the Report of the Committee on Cabinet Affairs for the Third Session of the Twelfth National Assembly laid on the Table of the House on 21^st June, 2019.

Madam Speaker, I am confident that most hon. Members perused through the report and that they were listening attentively when the Chairperson was delivering his speech on this Motion. I know that hon. Members will follow me as well as I try to highlight a few salient matters in the report.

Madam Speaker, I will premise my debate on the resettlement schemes and, indeed, the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). Your Committee went and looked at resettlement areas in the North-Western Province and Copperbelt Province. The idea of resettlement schemes is a beautiful idea which should be supported by everybody, especially the Government. When we went round, we saw how beautiful and fertile the land is where the schemes are. It can probably be used to support agriculture and to make these areas the food basket of this country if it is fully supported by the Government.

Madam Speaker, when the Committee went to the North-Western Province, it was very difficult to get to one of the resettlement areas because of the road network. Although we were using four wheel drive vehicles, we still failed to pull through to get to where people were. If we could not pass through the road using 4 x 4 vehicles, how is it possible that a 30 tonne truck loaded with products would get to those areas if the farmers were to be supported by the Government? How would they move their products from their farms to the markets?

It is important that we seriously look at the road network. The roads are not tarred and are just gravel. So, it only requires pushing a grader there and the road will be gravelled. When this is done, the farmers will be able to produce what we want them to produce. Therefore, I urge the Government to seriously consider doing this. The provincial administration should seriously look into this issue and grade the roads so that they are accessible as a way of supporting the farmers. That way, we will at least have one sector that can feed this nation because the land is vast and nice.

Madam Speaker, as regards telecommunication infrastructure, I had an urgent issue in my constituency, but I failed to make a phone call. It was not possible for me to communicate with anybody.  I was advised to climb a hill or tree, but I still could not communicate with the people because there was no network. In short, there is literally no telecommunication infrastructure there. You cannot communicate with anybody. I urge the able hon. Minister in charge of communication to take a keen interest and probably visit these areas so that he can give them the communication towers that were given to the people of Mwansabombwe. It is important that we give the people in resettlement areas what we are also enjoying in our respective constituencies.

Madam Speaker, there is literally no electricity in the resettlement areas. However, some boreholes were sunk, but one borehole was given to twenty farmers, and one farmer was allocated 10 ha of land. If twenty farmers each have 10 ha of land, we are talking of about a coverage of 200 ha, but there is only one borehole, which is sunk probably at the tenth farmer’s farm. Therefore, people have to walk long distances to draw water from that borehole. The sad part that really touched my heart is when some people brought us water to drink. The water was dark brown, such that I thought they had served us coffee. The Chairperson of the Committee wanted to drink this water, but Hon. Dr Malama stopped him from drinking it for fear of him getting sick. That is how bad the water those innocent souls drink is. However, they drank that water with a smile on their faces. I know for sure that the Government is capable of doing something for the people. I, therefore, urge it to sink more boreholes so that people can draw clean water closer to where they stay. It would be better to even take chlorine to the people in those areas.

Madam Speaker, there is no electricity in the resettlement areas, and it is a total bush. It is dark. It is like people are living in the stone age period, yet we are in 2019. It is important that we think about the awelfare of the people in resettlement areas. In short, there is a lack of social amenities in the resettlement areas. It is important that we consider and appreciate the people living in resettlement areas for accepting to settle in those areas. The sad part is that they were asked to pay K7,000 to get title deeds for a 10 ha piece of land when they are vulnerable, That is why they were taken to these areas. Others managed to borrow money from their relatives and they managed to pay the K7,000 in 2015/2016, but up until now, they have not yet gotten their title deeds and they are still waiting for them. It takes long for the ministry to even process title deeds for the vulnerable people. I urge the hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to seriously look into this matter for it is a thorn in the flesh.

Madam Speaker, when we went around, we went to the only school available in the area. There are no secondary schools and one imagines where the children go to acquire further education. At the only school in the area, the children were seated on the floor. I was touched because I love children. There are no desks at the school and the children literally sit on the floor. I then asked myself: Is this how unfair we can be to our own people? Furthermore, the children walk long distances to get to the school. We passed through a clinic where there were no medical officers. There were only women that understand issues of childbirth who help women, who are about to give birth, but they were crying for skilled manpower in that area, and there was no power. I know the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is a listening Government, and it will be able to look into this matter.

Interruptions

Mr Mwewa: These are not laughing matters, hon. Members of Parliament. These are serious issues that touch some of us. 

Madam Speaker, let me talk about the DMMU. It is important for us to look at proper policies that will address the issue of disaster management. I feel that it is important that we have well prepared programmes to deal with disaster management and mitigation. When we went to Luanshya, we found tailing dams.

Interruptions

Mr Mwewa: For those who do not know what tailing dams are, I will try to explain what they are and why they are a danger to the community and society in general.

When copper is being unearthed, soil is dug out and then it is separated from copper. For instance, when 100 tonnes of soil is unearthed, and only 6 tonnes of copper is extracted, the remaining 94 tonnes of soil should be dumped somewhere. The problem is that after that is done, the soil finds its way into our main rivers and thereafter, block them. This might become a big problem, and consequently, become a disaster. Therefore, I feel the DMMU should intervene and look at this issue.

Madam Speaker, in the past, the first owners of the mine used to take care of the tailing dam, but when the new owners took over, they had nothing to do with them. This is another problem that is caused when some people make agreements on behalf of the Zambian people. When investors buy the mines, they do not think about other people. The mover of the Motion talked about cracked houses and it comes back to the same issue. The people who bought our mines did not consider the effects of blasting on the houses. This happened because we did not analyse the agreement properly in terms of how to take care of our people. I feel that –

Mr Mwamba crossed the Floor.

Madam First Deputy Speaker:  Order!

Hon. Member for Lubansenshi, as a very senior hon. Member of this House, you should know that we do not cross the line between the hon. Member debating and the Chair.

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lubansenshi, next time, take note of that.

The hon. Member for Mwansabombwe may continue seconding the Motion. 

Mr Mwale interjected.

Mr Mwewa: Na Vincent abwezapo, Madam Speaker.

Laughter

Mr Mwewa: Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Her Honour the Vice-President most sincerely for the spontaneous response. When we reported the issue of the cracked houses, she immediately sent a team –

Hon. Members: Instantaneously!

Mr Mwewa: Yes, that is the word I was looking for.

Laughter

Mr Mwewa: The people from the Office of the Vice-President responded instantaneously and sent people to the area. We expect a good Government to do that and that is what was done. Hon. Members of the United Party for National Development (UPND), that is why I said that the PF Government is a listening Government.

Madam Speaker, I do not want to bore you with a lot of words. I know there are Government Bills to be considered. However, let me take this opportunity to thank the Chairperson for the good leadership that he showed during our trip. We worked as a team with all hon. Members of the Committee and understood each other very well. I also want to thank the officers from the Office of the Clerk for the good services rendered to the Committee. Lastly, I wish our officer, Madam Emily Banda, a quick recovery. She fell sick after the tour and has been down up to this time. May God make her recover quickly.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mecha (Chifunabuli): Madam Speaker, right from the outset, I would like to support the report ably presented by the Committee on Cabinet Affairs. I must indicate that the report is expertly written. I would also like to thank the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), through the Office of the Vice-President, for the quick response to the many disasters that have recently occurred in the country.

Madam Speaker, that notwithstanding, the Committee brought out a very important issue in form of a challenge. On pages 8 to 9 of the report, under part 6.1.4 regarding challenges affecting the operations of the DMMU, there is an important challenge which has come to the fore under Section VI – culture of dependency. With your indulgence, it states that:

“Communities had developed a culture of dependency because they knew that the Government and other agencies would always intervene in the event of a disaster, hence they did not invest in disaster preparedness and copying mechanisms”.

Madam Speaker, most interestingly, communities were more inclined to response mechanisms than preparedness and resilience building. This is a cause for worry not only at community level. To overcome the challenges identified, recommendations have been outlined on page 10 of the report, and I want to bring the attention of the House to Item III, which talks about the need to emphasise disaster risk reduction. It says that:

“It was recommended by stakeholders that emphasis should be placed on financing of disaster risk reduction activities as opposed to disaster management, as research had indicated that disaster risk reduction was cheaper than emergency response”.

Madam Speaker, the Committee was quite consistent in its conclusion, and I would like to quote what the report states in the conclusion. I would like to quote the first part of the conclusion on page 42 of the report which states that:

“Following its study on the operations of the DMMU, the Committee is concerned that while there is a global paradigm shift from disaster management to disaster risk reduction, the unit has not evolved accordingly”.

Madam Speaker, I have a problem with this. I know that the country is spending a lot of money on emergency responses, which is very good. I am also aware that there are numerous priorities that the Government needs to attend to. However, attention is being diverted from such needy areas to relief food distribution, building and construction material distribution as well as many other items. Since the Government is implementing austerity measures at the moment, we must find a way of reducing the cost of managing disasters in Zambia.

Madam Speaker, I want to be contemporaneous in my debate by way of giving the House two contemporaneous case studies. I will start with the Southern Province. A few days ago, a concern was raised with regard to the distribution of relief food in the Southern Province. As I indicated, when there is a disaster, it is always important that the Government distributes relief food, but we can always find a way of avoiding this situation. We know that the Southern Province falls under region one. By implication, region one is a low rainfall area and, therefore, prone to drought. There is a high risk of drought in the area. If we are to avoid the distribution of relief food, we must do the right thing. We must set our priorities right. 

This is the reason the Ministry of Agriculture recommends that farmers should plant early maturing varieties. I know that there have been incidences when the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) distributed inputs which were not suitable for a particular area because of doing things in a hurry. We can always do better.

Madam Speaker, a few months ago, the President attended a field day in the Southern Province organised by the Conservation Farming Unit. During that field day, it was very clear that some farmers managed to salvage something from the previous farming season because they used conservation agriculture. However, the question is: Why are most farmers not adopting the principles of conservation agriculture? Some people might argue that it is because of poor extension service delivery. Others might argue that it is because of low funding by the Government, but why should that be the case? If the Government wants to mitigate certain risks, why should it not fund such activities? This has more to do with the Ministry of Finance, and it must identify areas –

Prof. Luo crossed the Floor.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I am sure the hon. Minister of Higher Education is now aware of what the Chair is about to mention. The hon. Minister of Higher Education has just crossed the Floor and she should take that into account next time, especially that she is a very senior hon. Member of this House.

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

Mr Mecha: Madam Speaker, I know that the Conservation Farming Unit is doing a good job in terms of promoting conservation agriculture, and the interventions are yielding results for those farmers who are following them. One wonders why interventions that are yielding positive results are receiving low funding. If we had, indeed, internalised conservation agriculture, we would have avoided the situation in the Southern Province because there was not going to be failure in crop performance that we suffered in the previous farming season. We need to work on this.

Madam Speaker, I know that the Southern Province requires the development of water harvesting technologies. I am aware that the Ministry of Agriculture, with co-operating partners, previously invested a lot of money in developing water harvesting technologies so that we can mitigate the risk of drought in areas such as the Southern Province. However, the question is: Where are those technologies? Are they being promulgated? If they are not being promulgated, why is it like that? Is it because this country probably enjoys distributing relief food? I think we need to put our priorities right. Water harvesting technologies are available because they have been documented. What we need to do is just to implement them. Other countries have done that before, and we need to do it. These look like small issues, but if not properly addressed, they have an effect on the expenditure for disaster management. This is the reason the Government is spending so much money on the distribution of relief food.

Madam Speaker, most areas in Lunga got flooded the previous farming season for the simple reason that the water channels were blocked. Similarly, in Chifunabuli, in Mwita Village where I come from, the water channels were clogged by weeds and we know the implication of that. Water could not flow freely. That being the case, the resultant feature is floods which could have been avoided. Look at how much money the Government is now spending on the distribution of relief food and what the households lost? There was total crop failure in that area. The situation in Lunga is a sorry sight compared to that in the Southern Province. I visited the area and saw the suffering that the people in that area have been subjected to. The serious questions that should be asked are: Where was the department responsible for unclogging water channels? Why should it be reactive than proactive? This is a serious issue, and there is need to change the paradigm shift so that we can do the right things.

Madam Speaker, the Government has proper prescriptions of approaches it can deploy in its work. The Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) prescribed the approach of working in clusters. Clusters are good because people can exchange a lot of ideas from the planning stage all the way to implementation and monitoring stages. However, how well are we harnessing such approaches? This is a serious concern because it has an implication on the performance of the DMMU. In that vein, I recommend that, probably, the DMMU be a cross-cutting unit in all the clusters. If it is not properly resourced in terms of human resources, we need to work on that so that the Research and Planning Unit under the DMMU is reinforced. We need more manpower in this unit so that it can traverse across various sectors to help them plan for disasters. We need to deploy disaster risk reduction measures more than entertain the disaster management measures because research has proven that it is costly to do that. So, I recommend that the DMMU goes back to the drawing board so that it can strike a balance between the interventions under disaster management and those under disaster risk reduction. If the two interventions are not harnessed properly, the country will continue spending a lot of money on relief materials and food.

Madam Speaker, with those few words, I support the report.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Madam Speaker, I thank you for according me the chance to debate the Motion on the Floor. First and foremost, I would like to thank the Committee for the good work it did, and for its clear report.

Madam Speaker, the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) had proper terms of reference which were drafted by the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), when it was in office. However, the problem is that this institution has been surrounded by politics. I am glad that the Committee talked about research. The DMMU, which is under the Office of the Vice-President, does not even know what research is all about. If it had concentrated on research, today, we would not be talking about the bridges that have fallen in Mwinilunga, Chama, Lundazi and elsewhere, because the Committee talked about forewarning measures.

Madam Speaker, the DMMU was meant to address emergency issues, irrespective of politics. However, today, politics have taken the centre stage. District Commissioners are keeping the maize or relief food and they not giving it to the people.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I was saying that the DMMU has departed from its terms of reference because politics are now at the centre. The relief food, which is supposed to be given to the people in need, is now being used to buy councillors. Wherever there is a by-election, that is where relief food is distributed. It is unfortunate that Her Honour the Vice-President is not available, but, anyway, the hon. Minister in the Office of the Vice-President is here. It is only during by-elections that we see helicopters and trucks moving around distributing relief food.

Mr Mwamba: Question!

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, I was glad to hear the seconder and Hon. Mecha debate in a non-partisan manner. That is the way it is supposed to be. The report has disclosed a lot of information that is key to the DMMU. The DMMU is not supposed to be used for political mileage. It is supposed to look at people who are distressed. However, the DMMU has become a disaster itself.

Madam Speaker, some schools in rural areas have had their roofs blown-off, like in the area I come from. I approached the DMMU, but it has not paid attention to our issues. However, when there is a by-election, all the helicopters from the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) are directed to that area and relief food is seen. The DCs, who have become politicians instead of civil servants, actively distribute relief food. These are not the terms under which the DMMU was created. The DMMU is supposed to be a non-partisan institution which should serve the people of Zambia irrespective of partisan politics. However, today, when a roof is blown off or a bridge is washed away, and people ask for assistance from the Government, cadres at lower levels have the guts to tell them that they did not vote properly and that if they vote properly, there will be development. One wonders how the cadres are talking about development using the DMMU. The DMMU draws its resources from the Treasury, which draws its money from taxpayers. As I always say, most of the country’s resources come from the North-Western Province. However, in terms of benefits, there is completely nothing which the province is getting. This issue is boiling in the heads of the people. The Government is not managing the affairs of the people properly.

Madam Speaker, Hon. Mecha talked about efficiency. The Government is supposed to use what is known as the balanced scorecard. That is how it can see whether an institution is applying itself to its terms of reference. However, today, the DMMU is doing things that are contrary to the expectations of the people. The Committee in its report talked about timely responses. Today, when a bridge is washed away and this is reported to the DMMU, it takes years for it to respond. I do not know where the timely response is. The officers at the DMMU do even not understand what a timely response is. I talked about research, and research means that the officers from the DMMU are supposed to go round the whole country and not only to areas where the Patriotic Front (PF) got more votes. This is because the resources do not come from PF strongholds. They come from everywhere, but everything has been made to belong to the PF.

Madam Speaker, we want the Government to be very responsible by addressing the key issues. It should go back to the drawing table to see why the DMMU was created. It is sad that we are begging for services when the DMMU is already there. We used to budget for disasters using certain amounts of money for the simple reason that we could not measure how much would be used. However, today, we put figures in the Budget for the DMMU, but we do not know where that money goes. This is especially apparent in the so-called Opposition areas, which might as well forget about the DMMU. That is why we are saying that the DMMU should be decentralised so that decisions can be made at district level.

Madam Speaker, the Government should also move away from using DCs, who are cadres, in the distribution of relief food.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Muchima: Maybe, it should be the responsibility of the councils to distribute relief food and not the DCs. In view of the austerity measures, the post of DC should even be done away with because it is not providing any services that we need. We need efficiency in this country. When we form Government, we will turn the DMMU into an institution that will address the misery of every Zambian in every corner.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!   

Mr Muchima: We have to be serious. I mean business when I am issuing these warnings.

Laughter

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, the Committee in its report talks about strengthening the DMMU on condition that it addresses the plight of every poor Zambian, and not only those in areas where the PF got votes. At times, I go around the country. I had gone to Chama. Some hon. Members have said that there is massive development in Chama. However, it is difficult for the people in the area to cross some bridges. During the rainy season, the people there need canoes or ubwato to cross the bridges. I do not know what the DMMU is doing about this. The DMMU is supposed to address the issues of schools and roads in every corner. However, when there is a by-election, like the one that will be held in Samuteba in Mwinilunga, trucks with food will head there, and the food will be delivered to the wrong people. I encourage the people to get the relief food and then vote against the PF, and they should know that.

Laughter

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, the Committee in its report talks about assuming prompt action. Prompt action means when the bell rings like it did, hon. Members should come to the Assembly Chamber. Therefore, whether it has money or not, the Government should send choppers from the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) to Ikeleng’i, Mpola and Shang’ombo to see what is obtaining on the ground. In fact, hon. Ministers are supposed to be exempted from the Sittings of the House so that they fly around to address the issues facing the people.

Madam Speaker, the DMMU has been an establishment for about twenty-four years. However, it has totally departed away from its core mission. Those in the Patriotic Front (PF) Government are asking the people to vote for them so you can continue being in office, and this is a serious disaster. Instead, they need to think about how you are performing. I referred them to the balanced scorecard which they can use to measure their performance. Are you doing that with institutions such as the DMMU?

Madam Speaker, let me talk about resettlements. Resettlements require good roads, staff and telecommunication. However, the refugee camps are properly managed than resettlement areas. Resettlements were meaningful during the President Kaunda Regime, when President Kaunda encouraged people to get back to the land, and during the era of the MMD. The PF does not even understand the meaning of resettlement which it has just completely thrown in the rubbish bin.

Mr Ng’onga: Question!

Mr Muchima: Hon. Lubinda, what I am simply saying is that depoliticise the work of the DMMU.

Mr Lubinda: On a point of order, Madam.

 Mr Muchima: As the hon. Minister of Justice, come up with laws that can help to compel the DMMU to address the issue of relief food for the people in the whole country because we are not seeing anything at all.

Madam Speaker, once again, I would like to thank the mover and seconder of the Motion, the hon. Member for Mwansabombwe. That is the way it is supposed to be. Hon. Mwewa appealed to the Government in the manner it is supposed to be done.

Madam Speaker, years back, some bridges in my constituency were washed away and some people even died. To-date, nobody has visited my area, not even officers from the provincial office. A clinic was built in a certain place, but no vehicle can go to that area because there are no bridges. The DMMU, another arm of the Government, wants to put up a clinic. It will not reach there and put up that clinic.

Madam Speaker, we know the hon. Ministers who are working well and those who are just loafing and drinking tea. The DMMU wake up –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, you are not the supervising officer of the hon. Ministers. Focus on the Motion.

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, all I am saying is that hon. Ministers should be proactive. The people in the villages need them. There are issues that need to be addressed, especially by the Office of the Vice-President. We need the presence of Her Honour the Vice-President not only during by-elections, but during this time when there are problems in the Southern Province, and the North-Western Province, where the Government is drawing money from. It needs to pay back. Even the Bible says give Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Those who are in Government must rethink their strategies because the people of the North-Western Province are annoyed with them. Even if they are pleaded with, the people from the North Western Province will never vote for those who are in Government because of their deeds, ...

Mr Ng’onga: Question!

Mr Muchima: ... apart from a few hon. Ministers who are doing the correct thing. I heard two good debates and that is the way to go. Let us be pragmatic and move in the direction that can mould this country into unity, without segregation and can attend to people’s needs immediately. With these few words, I support the report because it is good, but the DMMU requires an overhaul and needs to be re-tuned. Today, there is a Cabinet Minister and that is when we are seeing more failures.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to debate the report of the Committee on Cabinet Affairs. I will be very brief because I only want to highlight one or two concerns.

Madam Speaker, the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) has been in operation for twenty-two years. However, it was created in 1994 after this country experienced a severe drought in 1991. In its twenty-two years of operation, I can hardly see a serious improvement in addressing disasters that this country has had.

Madam Speaker, the Government has continued injecting a vaccine of poverty in most Zambians, and I will illustrate what I mean. We had drought this year, but somehow I do not agree with what the DMMU is doing. I will take what is happening in the Southern Province as an example. I am not against the distribution of mealie-meal, but what the DMMU is thinking is just to probably reduce hunger in terms of food on the table.

Madam Speaker, some parents are failing to take their children to school for the simple reason that there was no rain in the Southern Province and other provinces. Farmers normally depend on a single income which they earn by selling their produce after harvesting. However, since they did not sell anything this year, it means they are having difficulties footing medical bills and sending children to school. Instead of the DMMU reducing the challenges that most farmers are facing, to some extent, it has increased the problems. What do I mean by this?

Madam Speaker, in the last one or two years, the Government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, distributed solar-powered hammer mills across the country. I thought that the Government, through the DMMU, would take advantage of the availability of relief food being released by the Ministry of Agriculture. I will not mention the company, but the DMMU has given tonnes of grain to a big company which has the capacity to buy the little maize that is around, and to mill and sell it. I thought the DMMU would give the maize to the co-operatives running the solar-powered milling companies, and that this would have reduced the poverty in the area. However, the farmers do not only need food. As I mentioned, they need to take their children to school, but most of the hammer mills in Dundumwezi are not operating because there is no maize. We have a Government which does not want to take care of the people who are suffering. Why is the hon. Minister not taking the maize to co-operatives which have the capacity to mill it and then distribute it to the needy areas? I think that way, the Government will reduce the challenges that the people are facing.

Madam Speaker, even if someone has mealie meal, I do not think he/she can cook food without water. There is drought because we did not have enough rain. The DMMU together with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock should have assisted the livestock farmers. We are aware that there is an outbreak of the Foot and Mouth Disease in most districts in the Southern Province. This means that those who have not had the opportunity to receive relief food cannot sell their livestock due to the ban in the Southern Province.

Madam Speaker, I thought the ministry would put up solar boreholes to enable farmers fetch water for their animals. Currently, farmers walk a distance of more than 10 km in search of drinking water for their animals and for domestic useage which is not available. However, I heard that the Government is sending trucks to deliver water to a few areas, but that is not sustainable. The Government cannot provide water to a rural area using water bowsers. That is not sustainable. I thought the DMMU would mop funds that are lying around in the Government and drill a number of solar boreholes. This would go a long way in addressing the many challenges that the livestock farmers are currently going through.

Madam Speaker, therefore, I earnestly appeal to the hon. Minister in the Office of the Vice-President to liaise with her counterpart, the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, to ensure that – In dry areas such as Nkandanzovu and Kalemu in Dundumwezi, people did not harvest not even a cob and all they hear is that relief food is being distributed to an area where there is a by-election. I think we can do better. The Government should consider drilling solar boreholes and giving the maize grain to co-operatives particularly in Dundumwezi where there is no grain. The people in this area can manage to mill the grain and can collect it from there. It can then give them liquid cash to assist them and their families.

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I am informed that the hon. Member for Bahati is ready to render his maiden speech.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chalwe (Bahati): Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to render my maiden speech on the Floor of this House. Let me begin by thanking the almighty God for his faithfulness and grace that had made it possible for me to stand before you today.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chalwe: Madam Speaker, I would also like to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and the entire Patriotic Front (PF) leadership for adopting me to stand in Bahati Parliamentary Constituency on the PF ticket. Special thanks also go to my campaign manager, Dr Chitalu Chilufya, and his team as well as the entire party leadership in Luapula Province for the support they rendered to me during the campaigns which led to my victory.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chalwe: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my family and those close to my heart for the encouragement, love, spiritual, emotional, monetary and material support before and during the elections. I am highly indebted to them and may God continue blessing them.

Madam Speaker, I would be failing in my duties if I do not thank the good people of Bahati Parliamentary Constituency for the confidence and responsibility they have reposed in me to represent them in this House. Let me assure them that I will not let them down. Instead, I will ably represent them without fear or favour. I will embrace everyone, including those who did not vote for me.

Madam Speaker, my speech will be incomplete if I fail to commend the people of Bahati Parliamentary Constituency for demonstrating that elections in this country can be coducted without violence, as was evidenced by a record of no incidence of violence during the just ended by-elections. I also wish to commend the officials from the Zambia Police Service and Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for the professional manner in which they conducted the affairs during the elections.

Madam Speaker, let me begin by stating that now is the time for the people of Bahati Parliamentary Constituency to join hands with the PF Government under the able leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, to work towards the development of this great constituency. In fact, before I proceed any further, I would like to commend the Government for the many developmental projects being undertaken across the country, including Bahati Parliamentary Constituency. I have in mind the construction of health posts, primary and secondary schools and the tarring of the Mansa/Luwingu Road. Others include the on-going project to electrify the rural health posts and schools, the upgrading of some primary schools into secondary schools and the upgrading of the Mansa/Kalaba Road and the Mansa/Matanda Road to bituminous standard.

Madam Speaker, despite these developments, Bahati Parliamentary Constituency, like any other rural constituency, is faced with some developmental challenges. These include high poverty levels, inadequate health and educational facilities, youth unemployment, water shortages and poor delivery of agricultural inputs, to mention but a few. This is unacceptable and as a constituency, we need to join the crusade of the able Government of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, in addressing these challenges and delivering the much needed development in Bahati. I appeal to the Government to help us sink boreholes that will alleviate the challenges of water shortages. Further, I urge the Government to erect more communication towers to ensure effective communication and connectivity of the constituency with the rest of the country.

Madam Speaker, with regard to agriculture, I wish to implore the Government to help us in two areas. Firstly, there is a need to increase the number of beneficiaries of the Farmer Support Input Programme (FISP) to enable as many small-scale farmers as possible to access the facility. This will not only go a long way in helping alleviate poverty in the constituency, but also improve food security at household level. Secondly, I urge the Government to ensure that it pays the farmers who sell their crops to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) early. This will lead to increased household income as farmers will not fall prey to briefcase buyers who buy the crop cheaply.

Similarly, I wish to appeal to the Government to ensure that there is a timely disbursement of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) so as to help hon. Members of Parliament undertake developmental projects in their constituencies such as the completion of incomplete projects. The Government should also address the challenge of limited access to development credit funds such as those under the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) and aquaculture development funds for the young people who are not in employment.

Madam Speaker, Bahati is richly endowed with natural resources such as rivers, timber and minerals. If these resources are well harnessed, they can create an opportunity for youth empowerment and sustainable development for the constituency and the country as a whole. As I conclude, let me state that politics are not just about winning and celebrating the victory. It is about meeting the needs and aspirations of the people. May God bless the Republic of Zambia and Bahati. Let love and hard work be at the core of our activities.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving the people of Mitete the chance to add a voice to the debate of the Committee’s report. I would like to thank the mover and the seconder of the Motion. In supporting the report, allow me to say that disaster is disaster. There is no substitute for disaster. In reference to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), in my view, the word “disaster” should be “emergency” to mean unexpected things. An emergency is anything that can happen without one thinking it can.

Madam Speaker, therefore, the DMMU must always be prepared like a pregnant woman is when going towards the delivery of a baby. That is what the Government is supposed to have in mind. The Government should know that at any given time, an act which it may not expect may take place. Therefore, the right word for ‘disaster’ must be ‘emergency’ to mean unexpected things.

Madam Speaker, the situation in the Western Province is quite different because the province experienced a total drought. The farmers planted the rice seed believing that it would rain, but it did not. Therefore, all the rice gardens in the Western Province dried up and we never expected that. Hence, the DMMU must be ready at all times. There were floods in the northern part of Zambia and every little garden was washed away. That is an emergency, and the DMMU must always be ready. In my view, it should be the ‘Emergency Management and Mitigation Unit’ and it has to be prepared for emergencies at all times. However, it seems the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is more prepared for by-elections.

Mr Mung’andu: Question!

Mr Mutelo: Yes, I am speaking from experience.

Madam Speaker, there are eleven wards in Mitete, but do you know where the relief food was taken to? It was taken to Muyondoti Ward and Lupui Ward because there were by-elections. The Government cannot even assess the vulnerable families, but it just gives everyone. Trucks of mealie-meal were taken to Muyondoti Ward and Lupui Ward, but what of the other nine wards? When do we expect those trucks which we saw in Muyondoti Ward and Lupui Ward to go to the other wards in Mitete, and not only in Mitete, but Liuwa and Zambezi West? When will we see those trucks of maize and 12.5 kg bags of mealie meal? Things should not be done like that. This year, the hunger situation is worse countrywide and that is why, we, on your left side insist that it be declared a national disaster, but our colleagues are refusing.

Madam Speaker, I support the Committee’s report, but the DMMU must be ready to respond to emergencies, and it must have resources at any given time, in the same way that there is an ambulance for expecting mothers. An ambulance is always there to attend to emergencies at the maternity ward. That is how we should be handling disasters, and there must be an answer at any given hour. Instead, sometimes, it takes years to address an issue. For example, a roof was blown off at Mbumi Primary School, but it will take years to attend to it. Further, a bridge was washed away, and I saw the hon. Minister in the Office of the Vice-President over it, but it will take ages to address the issue. Then, what is a disaster or an emergency?

Madam Speaker, as we formulate the 2020 Budget, I appeal to the hon. Minister of Finance to provide a big portion of resources for the DMMU for emergencies, even as we deal with the normal Budget lines for ministries, because you never know what will happen when. It is like death. You just have to be ready somehow. No wonder the hon. Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance preaches that we have to be ready for heaven because no one knows when he/she will go. If one cannot repent now, there will be no time, save for one of the two thieves who got hanged on the right hand side of Jesus who got lucky.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mitete.

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, an emergency must be an emergency, and there is a need to appropriate funds for such things. I support the Office of the Vice-President because it needs all the resources, be it in urban or rural areas, but more so in rural places. How can you give someone a 10 kg bag of mealie meal and call that disaster management?

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: In the village, we do not make budgets. Couples do not have two children, and some families consist of ten to fifteen people. So, how can you give them 10 kg bags of mealie meal and say that you are managing the hunger disaster? How can you give a couple with fifteen children a 10 kg bag of mealie meal, who are helping the population of Zambia to grow, and those are the ones who are voters? 

Definitely, no one wants them to die and it is not a laughing matter. The Government is giving a family of fifteen members a 10 kg bag of mealie meal. However, we were told that it is still doing assessments on the hunger situation. Unfortunately, by the time it finishes conducting the assessments, people would have died. Therefore, there is a need to have enough money for emergencies. Ambulances should always be ready for maternity matters. The hon. Minister of Health told the hon. Member of Parliament for Mwinilunga that they will have a hospital and an ambulance, but there is no bridge. It was washed away. Do you call that an emergency? It is not possible to reach your destination because the bridge has been washed away and there is no road.

Madam Speaker, to reach Mitete, one has to pass through the Cantina/Lukulu Road, which is in a bad state. The local people use a pontoon to cross over to the other side and there is mud, sand and streams all over. How is the Government going to mitigate these issues? There is a need to educate our citizens. By the way, even if the Government does not give the affected people the 10 kg bags of mealie meal, they will still survive. If people in deserts can survive, they will also survive because God is there. God in his own way will save the people who had their fields washed away by rains in the Northern Province as well as those in the North-Western Province, Central Province, Southern Province and Western Province and parts of Lusaka Province.

Madam Speaker, the Government should either answer our call or God in his own way will come to our rescue. I urge the Government to do something because God works through people. As I conclude adding the voice of the people of Mitete to this debate, the DMMU must have an emergency fund readily available, which other people may call 24/7. At any given time, it needs to attend to emergencies, which in this vein are known as disasters. A disaster has no substitution whatsoever. A disaster is a disaster.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Minister in the Office of the Vice-President (Ms Chalikosa): Madam Speaker, I have taken note of all the debaters on the Floor. If people could eat words, I am sure Hon. Muchima and the hon. Member for Mitete would satisfy the whole country with their words because they would be so full –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Minister!

Hon. Members are at liberty to debate in this House. They are merely doing their job. Please, respond to the issues.

Ms Chalikosa: Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to some of the issues that have been presented by the Committee. With regard to the operations of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), I would like to start by agreeing that, indeed, there is a need to review the Disaster Management Act, 2010.

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to know that the DMMU, working with co-operating partners, has already started working on this, to bring on board issues of international humanitarian law and other aspects as stipulated in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. The exercise will consist of conducting legal mapping, taking into consideration, the identification of legal gaps which impede effective co-ordination with all sectors.

Madam Speaker, the concern that the DMMU is concentrated at central level, and that it brings about arbitrariness and discretion in administering relief food, has been noted. However, arbitrary distribution is not the desired practice of the DMMU. The response to disasters is based on reports as compiled and received from the first responders on the ground through the District Disaster Management Committees (DDMCs), of which all hon. Members of Parliament are members. The House may wish to take note that the composition of DDMCs is as follows:

1. the District Commissioners (DCs) chairs the Committee;

1. all hon. Members of Parliament in the district are members;

1. heads of Government departments at the district level are members;

1. members from the business community;

1. representatives of faith-based organisations; and

1. representatives of traditional leaders.

Madam Speaker, people from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and others from civil society organisations are also involved in the disaster risk reduction exercise. Therefore, all the fantastic ideas that the hon. Members brought on the Floor could be channeled towards those meetings when the DCs call for them.

Madam Speaker, the Office of the Vice-President will strength the provincial DMMU offices to enhance their responses to emergency preparedness. The office will also ensure that the unit has permanent offices at district level. In fact, as I speak, the establishment has been approved, but we are waiting for Treasury authority for us to actualise the establishment.

Madam Speaker, the other issue that was raised is that of tailing dams in Luanshya. This issue needs concerted effort from both the Government and the concerned investors. Going forward, the DMMU shall ensure that management plans for the tailing dams are put in place and funding for their maintenance is sourced from both the Government and the concerned investors.

Madam Speaker, the issue of cracked houses in Kitwe’s Chachacha area, Section 27 in Luanshya, and Kankoyo area in Mufulira, has also been raised in the report. I wish to inform the House that the Office of the Vice-President, working with stakeholders, carried out an assessment. Unfortunately, assessments have to be done for us to know what to respond to. The recommendations for the assessments that have been done are under consideration by appropriate authorities. This is an active exercise that is currently being undertaken. I would like to assure this House that, through the recently launched Disaster Risk Management Framework, and in line with internationally accepted standards as stipulated in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the disaster management regime in the country is moving from being reactive to proactive.

Madam Speaker, I now turn to the second part of the report, which is on the operations of the Department of Resettlement. The Committee is concerned that the National Resettlement Policy is not being implemented. To this end, the House may take note that to rectify thirty years of neglect of resettlements by previous government in five years is a tall order. I wish to inform the House that the Government is actually implementing the National Resettlement Policy of 2015, as approved by Cabinet, by following and recognising the roles and functions of the stakeholders. Further, copies of the policy have been shared with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, and the Ministry of Local Government, among others.

Madam Speaker, the other concern raised by the Committee in the report is that some schemes are being managed by local settlers who are not accountable to anyone for the day-to-day management of the resettlement scheme and that this, in some cases, has resulted in distortion of information and delayed feedback. It is true that this situation is obtaining in some schemes where settlers, through the Farmers Co-ordinating Committees, are managing the schemes. The Office of the Vice-President, through the Human Resource and Administration Department, has requested the Public Service Management Division (PSMD) to unfreeze the frozen positions, which include eleven positions of scheme managers and technical officers, including twenty-eight others, giving a total of thirty-nine officers who need to be recruited. Once these positions are unfrozen, this matter of having some schemes managed by local people will be addressed.

Madam Speaker, with regard to the lack of markets for goods developed and produced in the schemes, the Ministry of Agriculture, through the Department of Agribusiness, is promoting market-oriented agriculture, the initial scheme being Maheba, where the Department of Resettlement built a bulking centre to be used by the settlers.

Madam Speaker, during the debate, it appeared as if the debaters were describing the DMMU as a unit that exists on its own. The DMMU is a multi-sectoral unit. Any planning that is done involves all the line ministries because each line ministry is supposed to perform its role and responsibility in order to respond to emergencies. So, the unit does not exist in isolation. The rest of the recommendations will be acted upon in collaboration with other line ministries to provide the necessary infrastructure and schemes such as roads, health posts, schools and communication facilities, in addition to promote the empowerment for our vulnerable communities to enable them uplift their living standards.

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

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Imakando: Madam Speaker, as I wind up this debate, I would like to thank Hon. Mwewa for that excellent secondment, Hon. Mecha for his debate focused on reducing costs, Hon. Muchima for his debate on depoliticising the distribution relief food, Hon. Sing’ombe for urging us to take advantage of solar hammer mills, Hon. Mutelo for telling us that emergency preparedness is key to the DMMU’s success and Hon. Chalikosa, the hon. Minister in the Office of the Vice-President, for those very reassuring responses. Indeed, if the hon. Minister’s responses will be honoured, we all look forward to a strong DMMU that will serve the people of Zambia well.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Question put and agreed to.

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BILLS

FIRST READING

THE ELECTORAL PROCESS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2019

The Minister of Justice (Mr Lubinda): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Electoral Process (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The object of this Bill is to amend the Electoral Process Act, 2016, so as to –

1. reduce the campaign period from three months to sixty days;

1. revise the rules to be prescribed in relation to the registration of voters;

1. provide for the duty of the Commission to publish the election timetable in a newspaper of nationwide circulation in addition to the publication in the Gazette;

1. prescribe the conduct of persons during the counting, tallying, tabulation of votes and transmission of results;

1. revise the manner of accreditation of observers and monitors;

1. provide for sanctions to be imposed by the Commission for breach of the Code;

1. provide for regulation of  conduct of political party agents; and

1. provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Legal Affairs, Human Rights, National Guidance, Gender Matters and Governance. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Friday, 19^th July, 2019. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

THE PUBLIC ORDER BILL, 2019

The Minister of Defence (Mr Chama) (on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo)): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Public Order Bill, 2019. The objects of the Bill are to –

1. provide for the enjoyment of the right of freedom of assembly and association;

1. regulate the conduct of public gatherings for the preservation of public order, public health and public safety;

1. repeal and replace the Public Order Act, 1955; and

1. provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Friday, 19^th July, 2019. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

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MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

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The House adjourned at 1759 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 4^th July, 2019.

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