Tuesday, 18th June, 2019

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Tuesday, 18th June, 2019

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

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OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

 

The following hon. Members took and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance:

 

Charles Mambwe Chalwe

 

Joseph Chishala

 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MR SPEAKER

 

DEATH OF MS PATRICIA CHILESHE MWASHINGWELE, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR KATUBA

 

Mr Speaker: I wish to acquaint the House with a fact already in the public domain, namely that Ms Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele, the hon. Member of Parliament for Katuba Parliamentary Constituency, passed away. The late hon. Member passed away on Thursday, 2nd May, 2019, at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) here in Lusaka and was buried at Katuba in Chibombo District on Monday, 6th May, 2019. The House was represented at the funeral service by the following hon. Members of Parliament and staff:

 

         Madam First Deputy Speaker (Ms Catherine Namugala, MP)           Leader of Delegation

 

         Hon. Prof. Geoffrey Lungwangwa, MP

 

         Hon. Leonard Fungulwe, MP

 

         Hon. Emerine Kabanshi, MP

 

         Hon. Ambrose Lufuma, MP

 

         Hon. Raphael Nakacinda, MP

 

         Hon. Given Katuta, MP

 

Hon. Gift Chiyalika, MP

 

         Hon. Listed Tembo, MP

 

         Hon. Anthony Kasandwe, MP

 

         Hon. Mbololwa Subulwa, MP

 

Mr Melvis Shamakamba         –          Deputy Chief Parliamentary Security Officer    

and Deputy Serjeant-At-Arms

 

Mr Moses Mwitila                   –          Assistant Chief Parliamentary Security

Officer and Assistant Serjeant-At-Arms, and Secretary to the Delegation

 

Ms Caroline Silenga                     –     Parliamentary Security Officer

 

Hon. Members may wish to note that on behalf of the House, I conveyed the condolences to the bereaved family. Accordingly, Her Honour the Vice-President will on Thursday, 20th June, 2019, move a Motion to place on record the House’ condolences on the death of the hon. Member.

 

May I now request you all to rise and observe a minute of silence in honour of the memory of the late Ms Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele, MP.

 

Hon. Members of Parliament stood in silence for one minute.

 

COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION ZAMBIA BRANCH WORKSHOP

 

Mr Speaker: I wish to inform the House that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Zambia Branch, through the Technical Assistance Programme (TAP) of the CPA, will host a two-day workshop styled as “The role of Parliaments in Ratifying International Agreements and Treaties.” The workshop will commence tomorrow, Wednesday, 19th June and continue on Thursday, 20th June, 2019, from 0830 hours to 1300 hours on each day in the auditorium, here, at Parliament Buildings. All hon. Members are, therefore, requested to participate in this important workshop.

 

CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OF SESSIONAL COMMITTEES

 

SESSIONAL COMMITTEES – MEMBERSHIP

 

Mr Speaker: I wish to inform the House that in accordance with Standing Order 135(3), I have appointed the following hon. Members to serve on the following Committees:

 

PORTFOLIO COMMITTEES

 

Committee on Legal Affairs, Human Rights, National Guidance, Gender Matters and Governance

 

Mr R. C. Mutale, MP

 

Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Services

 

Mr C. M. Chalwe, MP

 

Committee on Local Governance, Housing and Chiefs’ Affairs

 

Mr A. Kasandwe, MP

 

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

 

Committee on Delegated Legislation

 

Mr R. C. Mutale, MP

Mr J. Chishala, MP

 

HOUSE-KEEPING COMMITTEE

 

Reforms and Modernisation Committee

 

Mr T. S. Ngulube, MP

 

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BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, I rise to give the House some idea of the business it will consider this week. However, before I proceed, let me welcome all hon. Members to the Third Meeting of the Third Session of the Twelfth National Assembly, whose main focus is consideration of reports of Committees of the House.

 

Sir, let me also take this opportunity to congratulate the two new hon. Members, who have joined us today, for emerging victorious in the by-elections held on 11th April, 2019. These are Hon. Joseph Chishala, Member of Parliament for Roan Parliamentary Constituency and Hon. Charles Chalwe, Member of Parliament for Bahati Parliamentary Constituency. Hon. Members, you are most welcome to this august House.

 

Mr Speaker, on a sad note, as we are all aware, the House lost one of its hon. Members, Ms Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele, the hon. Member of Parliament for Katuba Parliamentary Constituency. She passed away on 2nd May, 2019. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

 

Sir, let me now turn to the business the House will consider this week. As indicated on the Order Paper for today, Tuesday, 18th June, 2019, the House will deal with Questions for Oral Answer.

 

Mr Speaker, tomorrow, Wednesday, 19th June, 2019, the Business of the House will start with Questions for Oral Answer. After that, the House will consider Private Members’ Motions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will then debate the Motion to adopt the Report of the Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Services.

 

Sir, on Thursday, 20th June, 2019, the Business of the House will commence with Questions for Oral Answer. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will then debate the Motion on the death of Ms Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele, MP. Then, the House will debate the Motion to adopt the Report of the Committee on Delegated Legislation.

 

Mr Speaker, on Friday, 21st June, 2019, the Business of the House will begin with the Vice-President’s Question Time. This will be followed by Questions for Oral Answer. Thereafter, the House will deal with presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. After that, the House will debate the Motion to adopt the Report of the Committee on Transport, Works and Supply.

 

 Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

MATCH FIXING INVOLVING FAZ OFFICIALS AND PLAYERS

 

363. Mr Mbulakulima (Milenge) asked the Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development:

 

  1. how the Government has received the issue of match fixing involving Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) officials and players following the revelations by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA);

 

  1. whether the Government has engaged investigative wings to probe the matter further; and

 

  1. what important measures the Government is taking to ensure that Zambian football officials and players do not engage in any unethical conduct such as match fixing.

 

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development (Mr Mawere): Mr Speaker, the hon. Member may wish to know that the Government of the Republic of Zambia received the news of match fixing with deep concern. This involved the former Vice-President for the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), Mr Boniface Mwamelo and some players. The vice of match fixing affects sport development negatively by compromising the values of sportsmanship that include fair play. The vice also critically affects sponsorship of sports from the corporate entities that might lose faith and trust in a particular association, club or sportspersons.

 

Sir, the august House may wish to know that FAZ has engaged Zambian investigative wings such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Zambia Police Service to investigate the matter fully with the people involved. The ministry will continue following up the matter closely, through the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ).

 

Mr Speaker, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) regulations do not entertain match fixing. Therefore, the Government, through the NSCZ, has instructed FAZ to enforce FIFA rules that outlaw match fixing. Further, FAZ has constituted a committee called the Security and Match Fixing Committee in order to prevent further match fixing occurrences. The composition of the committee is as follows:

 

  1. a representative from the ACC;

 

  1. a representative from the Zambia Police Service;

 

  1. a representative from the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC);

 

  1. a representative from the Office of the President;

 

  1. a representative from the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA); and

 

  1. a representative from the National Anti-Terrorism Centre.

 

Sir, the Government, through the NSCZ, is also supporting an initiative which advocates against match fixing, which includes organisations such as the Nchimunya Mweetwa Sports Foundation, which is raising awareness on the consequences of unethical behaviour in sport such as match fixing. The NSCZ has also included match fixing as one of the cross-cutting issues which must be fought by all sports federations. This is because if the vice is not well fought, it has the potential of destroying the integrity of sport in Zambia.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Sir, it makes sad reading that corruption, which has been given a fancy name of match fixing, has now cascaded down even to the sports fraternity. Nonetheless, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the response. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) is not part and parcel of the investigation so as to assist us to get to the bottom of whether Mr Boniface Mwamelo and his team have, indeed, been involved in corruption which has now cascaded down to the whole rank and file of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Mazabuka Central, let us limit ourselves to the question at hand. The issue at hand has to do with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), a non-governmental organisation (NGO). We have just started our sittings today.

 

Hon. Minister, as you respond, limit yourself to FAZ.

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, the committee was constituted by FAZ, which is the supreme body. Like you have guided, FAZ is a semi-autonomous body and the Government has little influence in terms of the way it operates or conducts its business. I am sure the FAZ officials used their wisdom as regards which investigative wings to involve. However, the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) is not one of them.

 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Dr Chibanda (Mufulira): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the eloquent response. However, the issue of match fixing involving the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has been in the public domain for a long time. In response to the main question, the hon. Minister said that security wings are investigating this matter. Have the investigative wings of Government been given a time frame within which to conclude this matter?

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, the Government is equally anxiously waiting for the outcome of the investigations. However, the investigative wings operate independently and the Government does not influence their operations. As such, we will wait together with the citizenry until this matter is concluded. Thereafter, we will inform the nation of the outcome.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Nanjuwa (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, other than the former Vice-President of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), who has been banned by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), how many players are under investigation?

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, according to the information we have, no specific names were mentioned in that case apart from the former Vice-President of FAZ who was directly mentioned. As the case progresses, we hope the person mentioned will mention the names of the players who were also involved.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has taken any administrative action against the mentioned individual, such as banning him from all football activities for life as a way of sending a signal that the association is averse to corruption.

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, to set the record straight, I would like to state that the mentioned individual is the former Vice-President of FAZ. So, he does not hold any position in any football body. However, in terms of FAZ banning him for life, I am sure that can only be considered once the verdict is passed and the case is closed.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, indeed, the vice of match fixing is damaging and it is something that needs to be controlled. In fact, we need to wipe it out. On one hand, the hon. Minister said that the issue has been handed over to the investigative wings of the Government, namely the Zambia Police Service and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). On the other hand, he said that the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has put up a committee to carry out investigations. Could the hon. Minister clarify the two approaches? 

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, in response to part (c) of the question, in terms of the measures the Government has put in place to ensure that Zambian football officers and players do not engage in any unethical conduct such as match fixing, I stated that in order to curb future occurrences of this unwanted conduct, FAZ found it fit to constitute a committee called Security and Match Fixing Committee. Not only will this committee deal with the case before the investigative wings, but it will also deal with future possible occurrences, which we need to avoid at all costs. So, the Government is putting up measures to ensure that no one attempts to engage in match fixing because this is retrogressive to the sports fraternity in Zambia, especially that Zambia is a sporting nation and Zambians are emotional. Therefore, it is very unfortunate that one individual went against the wishes of the Zambian people and we need to put up measures to curb such kind of behaviour.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, first of all, I would like to congratulate the Zambia U–20 National Football Team for winning the Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) tournament. It may be a small tournament, but it goes a long way in uplifting the spirit of Zambians. However, in his response, the hon. Minister completely left out the pain and anguish that the Zambian people go through when they lose a game, more so, through match fixing. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why he left out the key component concerning the players because they are the ones who were actually told to lose the game, and one would have thought that for a speedy disposal of the case, the players should have been involved. Is it possible that the hon. Minister can amend the terms of reference for the investigative wings to include the players because this is actually in the public domain? FAZ even knows which players were involved and about the letterheads that were unused. However, FAZ has been involved in the investigations, yet it is an interested party. Do we expect the investigative wings to find positive answers?

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member’s desire is equally our desire. As I have indicated, the Government is deeply concerned with this development, and I would like to thank FIFA for unearthing a very important matter. We would all wonder how we could lose a match which we would be very certain of winning. This was very painful for every Zambian.

 

Sir, as I have indicated, as regards the matter before the investigative wings, the name of the individual mentioned in the report that we have is the one I mentioned. However, the former Vice-President of FAZ could not engage in match fixing without the players. So, definitely, some players were involved, but they have not been mentioned or identified yet. We hope that through the investigations, some players will be identified so that they can also be punished.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker: I will take the last four interventions from the hon. Member for Serenje, hon. the Member for Kabompo, the hon. Member for Kantanshi and, lastly, the hon. Member for Milenge.

 

Mr Kabanda (Serenje): Mr Speaker, following the revelations of match fixing by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), did it not at anytime occur to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), the local football governing body, that there was some match fixing taking place in the country?

 

 Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, FAZ was concerned with the rate at which the country was losing matches, which it would have obviously won. However, maybe, by then, the association had no proper mechanism to determine or establish the root cause behind the country losing those matches. However, through its effective investigative committee, FIFA unearthed this vice and that is why FAZ is also trying, by all means, to constitute committees such as the Security and Match Fixing Committee, the Integrity Committee, among others. This is intended to bring sanity in the football industry. I hope other federations can emulate what FAZ is doing so that this vice does not resurface in other federations as well.

 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.      

 

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo): Mr Speaker, as the hon. Minister mentioned, match fixing in soccer is a common phenomenon the world over, and the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and the Government should have known about this phenomenon. If they knew about it, did it need to be prompted by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to set up a standing committee to investigate the issue of match fixing in Zambia given the fact that the hon. Minister is of the opinion that we should have won some matches that we lost? Did it need to be prompted by FIFA for it to act?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, match fixing, in most cases, involves two parties. In this case, it means that we had very little knowledge about the intentions of other teams. Therefore, FIFA was in a better position to reveal the issue of match fixing in the sense that Zambia, through FAZ, complained to higher bodies such as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA itself that some of the games we lost were not genuine losses. Using the system that FIFA has at global level, it assisted us to reach out to other jurisdictions, that is, the teams we played against. This is why we relied on FIFA unlike relying on ourselves because match fixing may involve an individual from our side and a football body on the other side. So, by following transactions, it was easier for FIFA to establish that there was truly a transaction between an officer from Zambia and a body from another side.

 

Sir, as regards whether we knew about the match fixing, we could only speculate at the time, but we have now realised that match fixing happens even in Zambia. Initially, we used to just read or hear about it elsewhere. However, now that it is happening in Zambia, it is prudent that we put in place mechanisms to address this vice. Therefore, we should scrutinise all our officials, including executive officials, before we give them responsibilities of this magnitude.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr A. Mumba (Kantanshi): Mr Speaker, I would like to seek clarification.  Following the revelations of match fixing by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) created a standing committee and it also punished its former Vice-President. Could the hon. Minister share with us what the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) will be investigating.

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, the investigative wings will investigate the case at hand, which involves the former Vice-President of FAZ. Hopefully, the players who were involved will also be identified. However, the committee was established to prevent possible incidents of match fixing. Before Zambia plays any match with other countries, all possible loopholes that may lead to our people being tempted to engage in match fixing will be dealt with at this stage. I mentioned that recently, FAZ established an Integrity Committee to look at the credibility of individuals who take up positions in the football governing bodies. Therefore, this sub-committee of FAZ will try, by all means, to prevent occurrences of match fixing in future.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mbulakulima: Mr Speaker, I like the hon. Minister’s enthusiasm on the matter. I also want to assure him that when it comes to corruption, FIFA is very strict and has never found any government wanting. Therefore, the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) has a mandate to stop the rot. Fear not. The revelations of match fixing were made about five months ago and the investigative wings are carrying out investigations at the moment, but we have not heard them summon any player, current or previous official to testify. It has been very quiet. Does the hon. Minister not fear that his enthusiasm might be lost because the investigative wings might take this matter as business as usual? In the past, we have not received any positive reaction to this matter. Does the hon. Minister not fear that this important matter will die a natural death?

 

Mr Mawere: Mr Speaker, I share the same sentiments of the hon. Member for Milenge and I am sure he asked this question because he is concerned about what is happening in terms of this case. The people investigating this case are Zambians. I believe they know how every Zambian feels because Zambia is a sporting nation and Zambians love sport. In this country, sport is like a religion and some people even worship it. I believe the investigative wings will not attempt to water the case down, but will investigate it and give a position which will be communicated to the rest of the country.

 

However, in terms of our not knowing what is happening, I believe it is the nature of investigative wings not to inform the nation of every step they take. They would rather wait until they conclude investigating the matter so they can give fully baked information rather than give information based on speculations. I ask the hon. Member of Parliament to give them time to investigate. I am sure they are now aware that the whole nation is keen to hear the outcome of this case. So, I do not see anyone watering it down. I am sure we will soon see the results.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

CONFERENCE FACILITIES REHABILITATION

 

364.  Mr Chabi (Chipili) asked the Minister of Finance:

 

  1. when the loan for the rehabilitation of conference facilities in preparation for  hosting of 2022 African Union Heads of State Summit was contracted;

 

  1. what the scope of works to be undertaken under the project is;

 

  1. what the total loan amount is;

 

  1. whether the loan has already been procured; and

 

  1. what the conditions for the loan are.

 

The Minister of Finance (Mrs Mwanakatwe): Mr Speaker, the support from the People’s Republic of China for the construction of a modern and multi-purpose conference facility for the hosting of the 2022 African Union Heads of State Summit is in the form of a grant, not a loan. The Government of the People’s Republic of China’s decision to extend this support followed our request. The conference facility will be erected within the Mulungushi International Conference Centre grounds in Lusaka.

 

Sir, the exchange of notes that formalised this support between Zambia and China was signed in November 2018. It should be noted that the grant agreement will only be signed once the feasibility study that informs the total project cost has been finalised. The feasibility study is in the process of being finalised.

 

Mr Speaker, the scope of work involves the construction of a 23,950 m2 modern conference facility with a seating capacity of 3,500. In this regard, the facility will have:

 

  1. a conference hall with seating capacity of 2,500;

 

  1. a medium meeting room which can accommodate 600 people;

 

  1. a multi-function hall with seating capacity of 400;

 

  1. ten meeting rooms with seating capacity of sixty; and

 

  1. five VIP rooms.

 

Sir, the conference facility will also have an office area, exhibition area, press centre and an emergency medical centre.

 

Mr Speaker, as indicated earlier, the cost of the project and the amount of the grant will be informed by the feasibility study that is being finalised.

 

Sir, only the exchange of notes has been signed. The grant agreement will only be signed once the feasibility study has been completed and the project cost established.

 

Mr Speaker, we agreed with our Chinese counterparts on the respective responsibilities of the two parties as follows:

 

  1. the Zambian Government will provide the land for the project and the general facilitation of the project such as permits; and

 

  1. the Chinese Government will be responsible for the design and engineering of the project and provision of construction machinery, equipment, needed materials, engineers and technical personnel for  construction works.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Chabi: Mr Speaker, I have a copy of the News Diggers newspaper for 5th September, 2018, which I will lay on the Table. This newspaper quoted the former Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, Mr Amos Chanda, on this issue. The headline reads, “Govt acquires $30m Chinese loan to upgrade Mulungushi Conference Centre.” Today, the hon. Minister stated that it is not a loan but a grant. Which statement should the Zambian people believe? Should they believe the hon. Minister of Finance’s statement or that of the former Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, Mr Amos Chanda? Mr Amos Chanda made this statement while he was in China at the time negotiations for this money were taking place.

 

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, I shall not comment on the story from the News Diggers newspaper. I am speaking with authority as Minister of Finance because of the exchange of notes that we have signed.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr A. Mumba: Mr Speaker, I want to draw the hon. Minister’s attention to the feasibility study that is currently being undertaken. Is the hon. Minister in a position to tell the House how much the Government is spending on this exercise?

 

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, I am not in a position to tell the House the exact figure for the feasibility study. All I know is that the feasibility study is being carried out by the Chinese Government, and we are facilitating its works.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mrs Chinyama (Kafue): Mr Speaker, it is interesting that the Chinese Government offered to finance this project before determining the scope of works and the cost. Suppose it turns out that this project is too expensive for it, and the Chinese Government requests its Zambian counterparts to contribute funds towards the project, what will the Government’s position in that regard be?

 

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, we will cross that bridge when we get there.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for being authoritative when responding. Which consultants has the Government engaged to carry out the feasibility study on this project?

 

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, I am not at liberty to share that until the works have been done.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, since the project has moved from Mulungushi International Conference Centre –

 

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Leader of the Opposition, would you like to ask a follow-up question? I can see that you are indicating to speak. I can give you the liberty to ask a follow-up question.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I want to raise a point of order.

 

Mr Speaker: I assume you want to pursue the issue by the hon. Minister of Finance. I want to give you an opportunity to ask that question.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I rest my case for now.

 

Mr Speaker: Very well. The hon. Member for Kabompo may continue.

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, since the feasibility study is already underway, where exactly is the site for the new buildings? We were first made to believe that the Mulungushi International Conference Centre was going to be rehabilitated, but the hon. Minister said that it is a new project. Where is the site for the new project?

 

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, the site for the new project is within Mulungushi International Conference Centre grounds. There is a lot of land there, and we are going to make use of it. In the process, the Mulungushi International Conference Centre will be rehabilitated.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: The Leader of the Opposition may ask his question.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, with your indulgence, I would like to raise a point of order.

 

Mr Speaker: You may raise your point of order.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I rise on a very urgent and serious point of order on Her Honour the Vice-President.

 

Mr Speaker, you may recall that Her Honour the Vice-President came to this House and made pronouncements and commitments on behalf of the Government pertaining to the drought and severe hunger situation in the Western Province, Southern Province and Lusaka Province, and parts of the Central Province. She made a pronouncement to the nation that no Zambian was going to starve as a result of the drought situation, and that the Government would immediately start distributing relief food to the affected areas.

 

Mr Speaker, I have no doubt in my mind that my colleagues on the left, who have just come from their constituencies, will concur with me that people are starving and have been very expectant to receive the relief food as promised by Her Honour the Vice-President. I would have raised a question, but this matter arises from the statement that was made on the Floor of this House, which questions the veracity of Her Honour the Vice-President’s statement.

 

 Mr Speaker, is Her Honour the Vice-President in order to have misled this House by stating that no Zambian will starve, and that the Government would immediately start providing relief food?

 

Mr Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order! Let us have some order!

 

I do recall that that assurance was given, and I believe it was given towards the end of the last meeting. I also believe that hon. Members on both my left and right have been on the ground. If there are issues on the ground which you would like the Office of the Vice-President to attend to, my office is available to receive questions thereon. I will forward those questions to Her Honour the Vice-President so that you can engage her on the Floor of this House, and that is the only way we can establish whether or not what you are suggesting is, in fact, the case. I cannot make a ruling on whether or not she misled the House. It is not possible. I am not in the field. However, this is a platform to engage each other on matters of this nature. I am sure Her Honour the Vice-President, and her office at large, will be more than glad to respond to whatever issues you mount on the Floor of the House. That is my ruling.

 

The hon. Member for Chipili may continue.

 

Mr Chabi: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the fact that the hon. Minister has said that she is not in a position to comment on the statement in the News Diggers. However, allow me to appeal to her that if she cannot comment on the –

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Chipili, ask a question.

 

Mr Chabi: Mr Speaker, I am coming to the question. Whilst the hon. Minister cannot comment on the statement in the News Diggers, could she, please, comment on what Mr Amos Chanda stated whilst in China in his capacity as the Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations to the effect that US$30 million had been contracted as an interest free loan to build the Mulungushi International Conference Centre facilities in readiness for hosting the 2022 African Union (AU) Heads of State Summit?

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister of Finance, to put this matter to rest, give a plain response.

 

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, I am the one who signs notes of exchange and grants, and contracts loans on behalf of the Government. I can tell you that I signed the notes of exchange for a grant. So, I am afraid I am not willing to comment on the story in the News Diggers on behalf of Mr Amos Chanda.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, when the hon. Minister of Finance was responding to Hon. Chinyama’s question, she stated that we will cross that bridge when we get there. I have a problem with such answers. We are talking about a huge national project and money being available before even the bill of quantities (BoQs) is done, and so, we do not know what the value of those works will be. The hon. Members are uncertain and worried. Could the hon. Minister be explicit and tell us what will happen in the event that there is a mismatch between the money that has been contracted and the BoQs. It is not fair for the hon. Minister to tell us that we will cross the river when we get there. Collectively, we must be responsible towards national debt and the way forward for this country.

 

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, I would not want to be drawn to respond to speculative questions. The figure of US$30 million is a 100 per cent grant. That is what it is and that is the agreement that we have signed with the Chinese. How do I start thinking about a situation that is being asked of me? What about the many other situations? How many times am I going to speculate? So, what I am saying is that when that happens, we shall deal with it. If we need to raise money, we will do that. If we come up with some change from the US$30 million, that will be it. I do not think that it would be correct for me to respond to speculative questions.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mecha (Chifunabuli): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Finance whether the feasibility study that she indicated will also attract a full environmental impact assessment?

 

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Mr Speaker, indeed, it will have a full environmental impact analysis.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

NATIONAL INDABA

 

365. Mr Kasonso (Solwezi West) asked the Vice-President:

 

  1. whether the Government has any plans to hold a National Indaba to discuss the challenges in the country’s economy;

 

  1. if so, when the Indaba will be held; and

 

  1. if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Minister in the Office of the Vice-President (Ms Chalikosa): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that, currently, the Government has, through other avenues, provided for engagement and soliciting for views and contributions from stakeholders on how to manage economic challenges within the context of the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP). Therefore, whereas there may be no specific timelines for a National Indaba on the country’s economy, the Government is happy that professional bodies such as the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ), the Bankers Association of Zambia (BAZ), the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI), the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accounts (ZICA) and the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) are working with the Government to reach out to their constituents on topical issues such as the economy.

 

Further, in the recent past, the hon. Minister of Finance had the opportunity to discuss economic issues in various provinces in order to share information and solicit for better ways of addressing the challenges, including the introduction of the Sales Tax. In this regard, the EAZ is working with the Government to host the National Economic Summit in July 2019 to discuss and find ways and means of addressing challenges in the economy. The economic summit will draw participants, including His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, former Presidents, hon. Ministers, co-operating partners, Central Bank Governors and business leaders both from Zambia and beyond, among others.

 

Sir, as stated earlier, there are other forms of consulting stakeholders other than a specific National Indaba. Therefore, part (b) of the question has been addressed in the answer given in part (a).

 

Mr Speaker, the Government is continuously engaging stakeholders on specific issues at various fora as opposed to only holding a National Indaba convened specifically by the Ministry of Finance. It is, therefore, the Government’s considered view that holding of these fora on targeted economic issues have proved to be more effective and fruitful in the recent past. In this regard, an Economic Indaba may be held only if deemed necessary beyond other current modes of public consultations.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Kasonso: Mr Speaker, during the reign of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government under President Levy Mwanawasa, an Indaba was held in 2002 to interrogate the Zambian economy then, and it came up with serious decisions which helped the Government come up with tough decisions that impacted on the performance of the Zambian economy, as we saw later. The Zambian economy requires a co-ordinated approach as opposed to the Government engaging individual sectors. We should come together in a co-ordinated manner and advise the Government as this would enable it to ensure that the decisions that it takes are owned –

 

Mr Speaker: What is your question?

 

Mr Kasonso: My question is: Does the hon. Minister not think that holding a National Indaba is the best way unlike the Government engaging each sector?

 

Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, I am not really sure what the hon. Member for Solwezi West means by saying that we need to hold an Indaba in a co-ordinated manner because we engage specific sectors when addressing issues of economic challenges. Furthermore, if this Indaba is about engaging the United Party for National Development (UPND), we extend –

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Minister, resume your seat.

 

The question is simple and, in a way, you have answered it. Perhaps, I should not have allowed the question, but the hon. Member is trying to find a better approach between the ad-hoc continuous engagement with specific stakeholders or a convention which you are calling an Indaba. That is the question. Which one is better between the two? It is as simple as that.

 

Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, we are a Patriotic Front (PF) Government, not a Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government. We think the route we have taken is working well for us and that is the route that we will take. Unless we get to a stage where we feel that an Indaba will be supported by the UPND, we may consider inviting it, but we do not know if it will come.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Mr Speaker, it marvels me to receive such answers. My follow-up question relates to what the hon. Member for Solwezi West raised in terms of what the Government is doing to bring everybody on board in order to discuss the prevailing economic situation in the country. Could the hon. Minister indicate what the Government is doing in essence to involve everyone.

 

Sir, the hon. Minister will agree with me that to buy into any idea, people need to be encouraged to understand what the Government is doing unlike the approach that it has taken. Therefore, could the hon. Minister explain the clear plan that the Government has as regards the proposed economic summit that will be held in Livingstone so that we buy into the ideas that they are floating because the indicators clearly show that the economy is suffering. I can name the indicators and these include delayed salaries –

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Zambezi East, I do not think I will engage the hon. Minister to respond to that question. In the first place, she did not indicate that there was a proposed meeting. She has made her position clear that at the moment, the Government is proceeding in a certain line. The need for a convention has not been seen yet. If need arises, such a convention will be held. I do not think that we should press this matter in that regard further than this.

 

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, the economic problem that we are talking about in Zambia is basically the excessive debt that the Government has incurred. When many individuals, institutions and others advised the Government to slow down on debt contraction, some professional organisations said that there was no need to worry about debt and that the debt was okay, and they misled the Government. Does it make sense to allow the same institutions that misled the Government into getting into a debt crisis by encouraging it to borrow more to advise it on how to move forward?

 

Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, I mentioned the number of institutions that the Government is working with. These institutions have expertise in this field. They are the same institutions that existed when the hon. Member, who was previously on the Floor, was Minister of Finance. I am sure that the advice they rendered then was just as valuable as the advice they render now. So, in summary, I urge those who are calling for a National Indaba to attend the National Economic summit so that they can make their contributions. We will, then, see how we can work together going forward.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr A. Mumba: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for her responses, especially that the Government is trying to work with private institutions such as the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) and the Engineering Institution of Zambia (ECZ), which is a good thing. The hon. Minister said that the summit will take place in July 2019. I support the model that has been picked to ensure that it reduces the Government’s expenditure, especially that it would be expensive to hold an Indaba. However, the cost of attending the summit stands at K13,000 per participant. Is there anything the Government will do to probably help hon. Members of Parliament and other Government institutions, especially spending agencies, by cushioning the cost of attending the summit in order for the summit to reflect national involvement?

 

Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, this is a private initiative of the EAZ, but I know, from my past involvement in fundraising, that other private institutions can be engaged to be part of the sponsors. This notwithstanding, no one is stopping the EAZ from coming to Parliament to offer its services and share information with the hon. Members of Parliament. So, there is a way we can get around this if we dialogue. Otherwise, it is not a Government function. We will simply support the EAZ by attending and partnering with it as it embarks on the summit which is its own initiative and not the Government’s.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: I will take the last two interventions from the hon. Members for Mwembezhi and, lastly, the hon. Member for Mongu Central.

 

Mr Jamba (Mwembezhi): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that there will be an Indaba organised by the bodies she mentioned. Is the hon. Minister agreeing with the statement that the economy is in dire straits or that there are economic challenges?  Is that what she is telling the nation?

 

Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, the Government is on record as having been engaging the public on the challenges the country is facing. We have not denied that, and that is why we are continuously engaging with members of the public and asking them to partner with the Government. On one hand, the Government explained what it is doing through policy and, on the other hand, it is open to receiving contributions on how the public thinks it can get around these economic challenges.  So, the Government is very open and transparent about this issue.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Dr Imakando (Mongu Central): Mr Speaker, just so we are clear, is the hon. Minister suggesting that an Indaba is the same as a summit?

 

Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, I am not really sure what an Indaba is, but a summit is a meeting where specific people are invited to attend. Let me repeat that the EAZ invited the Republican President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu to attend the summit and he will. Other people who have been invited include former Presidents, hon. Ministers, our co-operating partners, Central Bank Governors and business leaders from both Zambia and beyond, among others. If an invitation has not been extended to hon. Members of Parliament, we can always advice the EAZ to extend that invitation.  

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

LUBURMA/TOWN CENTRE MARKETS

 

366. Dr Chanda (Bwana Mkubwa) asked the Minister of Local Government:

 

  1. which companies are managing Luburma and Town Centre markets in Lusaka;

 

  1. for how long the companies will continue to manage the markets before handing over to the Lusaka City Council (LCC);

 

  1. what the sharing mechanism of the proceeds from the markets between the council and the companies is;

 

  1. whether the Government has any plans to renegotiate the sharing mechanism of the proceeds to ensure mutual benefit to the parties; and

 

  1. what measures the Government is taking to ensure that future engagements in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are of mutual benefit to the country.

 

The Minister of Local Government (Mr Mwale): Mr Speaker, the Luburma and Town Centre markets in Lusaka are managed by China Hainan Zambia Limited and the United Engineering Group Zambia Limited, respectively.

 

Sir, the Luburma Market is managed on a sixty-five-year lease, of which forty-seven years are remaining, while the Town Centre Market is managed on a sixty-year lease, of which forty-two years are remaining.

 

Mr Speaker, with regard to sharing mechanisms, for Luburma Market, the council’s share of the market comprises 432 market stalls, the police post, the administrative office, the council site office, the ladies and gentlemen’s toilets, the site parking slots and rates collected in the sum of K72,000 per annum. China Hainan Zambia Limited’s share is 121 shops in the market, and we have not been given information as regards how much it is raising from these shops. We have made some estimates, but they are not official.

 

Sir, regarding the Town Centre Market, the council’s share of the market comprises all the kiosks and mini kiosks, the police post, the information desk, the ladies and gentlemen’s toilets, the loading and off-loading bays for mini-buses, all on-site parking slots, stands and rates collected in the sum of K33,000 per annum. The United Engineering Group Zambia Limited’s share is the exclusive use and right to lease occupancy of the ground floor shops and the internal parking facilities.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to renegotiate the sharing mechanism to ensure mutual benefit. So far, the following has been done:

 

  1. Luburma Market: the matter has been referred for arbitration; and

 

  1. Town Centre Market: the LCC has started negotiations with the view to compensating the developer with alternative parcels of land and a reduction in the remaining years on the lease in order for the developer to hand over the entire market once negotiations are concluded.

 

Sir, going forward, the Government will ensure that all PPP projects are closely monitored by the PPP Unit that is under the Ministry of Finance and that consultations are broad-based with the views of all stakeholders taken into account.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Dr Chanda: Mr Speaker, not long ago, the LCC had a contract with Parkrite Zambia Limited and Ndola City Council had a contract with a Chinese company, and these contracts were disadvantaging Zambians. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether other councils in Zambia have questionable contracts with foreign companies. Could the hon. Minister assure Zambians that such contracts will not continue?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the ministry is concerned about such agreements that our councils enter into with private partners. As to whether or not there are other questionable agreements that we do not like, at the moment, we are trying to find out if there are other councils with such agreements. I must say that the ministry intervened and ensured that the LCC declares a dispute with China Hainan Zambia Limited and the United Engineering Group Zambia Limited over the Luburma Market and the Town Centre Market respectively. The ministry guided the council because it was not happy that it was giving the council the Local Government Equalisation Fund to meet its obligations, but the council was not benefitting optimally from the contracts with its private partners. Therefore, the ministry urged the council to declare a dispute and go for arbitration in the case of the two markets.

 

Sir, the ministry is active and is ensuring that these things do not happen again, and the PPP Unit at the Ministry of Finance is equally active. In fact, the unit now has a committee in charge of monitoring and evaluation to ensure that all PPPs that Government institutions enter into with private partners are monitored regularly so that they deliver according to the promises made and that there is mutual benefit in these agreements. Going forward, we do not want to see this situation repeating itself and we will ensure that we benefit from the agreements.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mbulakulima:  Mr Speaker, part (d) of the question talks about the sharing mechanism of the proceeds of the markets, but I think the big issue is the sixty-five-year lease period. If the issue of the sharing mechanism has been taken for arbitration, what about the issue of the sixty-five-year lease period? I think that at one stage, the Government directed that this deal be renegotiated. How far has the ministry gone in renegotiating this deal? There was an uproar from people, and there were complaints from all over that a sixty-five-year lease period was too long and abnormal. Where are we today with regard to the issue of the lease period?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the reason we urged the council to dispute this agreement is that we think that sixty-five years is too long a period. If the council was getting 80 per cent of the profit and the private partner 20 per cent, maybe, we would be a bit okay with that because the council would benefit more. However, in this case, it shows that the private partner has a lion’s share of the profit and this will continue for sixty-five years. The Government is concerned about this, and that is why it intervened and wants the council to renegotiate the agreement.

 

Sir, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators has appointed an arbitrator who will bring the two parties together in the course of next week to renegotiate the agreement. Best practices show that such agreements should go up to twenty-five or thirty years and that the benefits must fluctuate. For example, for a start, the council could get 30 per cent of the proceeds and the other partner 70 per cent and then after five years, the council can get 40 per cent and they can continue alternating until the time that the council takes over the markets. However, the agreement has a constant sharing mechanism for sixty-five years which we are not happy about, and that is why we have declared a dispute. 

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Dr Chibanda: Mr Speaker, it is quite alarming to hear the ministry lament over such arrangements of the council. Is the hon. Minister in a position to tell us how much was involved in the Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for the markets and whether the council consulted the ministry when it was undertaking these PPPs?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the council itself entered into the agreement in 2001, and that is when the project started. The Central Government is not party to the agreement. It is the local authority itself that is directly involved with a private partner. The Government has now stepped in and is of the view that the council is not collecting as much revenue as it should and wants it to collect more. However, it was the council that entered into that agreement.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Simfukwe (Mbala): Mr Speaker, I know that Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) arrangements were done by the hon. Minister’s predecessors and probably under a different political administration. However, the stalls that we see everyday should not have cost more than two allocations of the Local Government Equalisation Fund, and the council could have built those structures itself. The council did not need to bring a foreign firm to build those stalls. Does the hon. Minister think that it was appropriate for the council to engage a non-Zambian investor to build shops when the council itself could have built them using its own resources considering that it gets the Local Government Equalisation Fund?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, it is hard to speak about an event that happened in 2001 or eighteen years ago. Perhaps, at that time, the council was operating under a different environment or circumstances. We do not know how much money it had. However, we would not allow the council to ask a private partner to invest very little money and reap off so much money. Our estimation shows that we could have spent US$3 million to build the stalls, and considering the rentals people have paid so far from the time the market opened to now, it shows that they may have paid up to about US$25 million. However, we still have forty-seven years to go, yet the council is not getting anything out of this venture. As of now, we would not allow the council to enter into such an arrangement. However, maybe, at that time, the council entered into the agreement due to different circumstances. We do not know how much money was available. We are coming from a time when councils had thirty months of salary arrears. I cannot talk about what happened at that time, but we would not allow that to happen this time around, not under our leadership.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: I will take the last interventions from the hon. Member for Chadiza, the hon. Member Chimwemwe, the hon. Member Kabompo and the hon. Member Chilanga.

 

The hon. Member for Chadiza may ask his question.

 

Mr Mbulakulima: Chadiza is not on. If you are not on, say you are not on.

 

Mr Mwamba (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, the sixty-five-year lease period is such a long time. After sixty-five years, the infrastructure would have been run down. Is there any clause in the agreement indicating who will take care of the infrastructure – How do I put it –

 

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

 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Chabi: Mr Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order. You just called the hon. Member for Chadiza to ask a question, but the one asking a question, if I am able to see properly, is the hon. Member for Lubansenshi. Is the hon. Member for Lubansenshi in order to stand and ask a question on behalf of the hon. Member for Chadiza without your indulgence?

 

 Mr Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: The indulgence came about as a result of the withdrawal of the hon. Member for Chadiza’s name on my screen and substitution by the hon. Member for Lubansenshi. That is how the indulgence came about.

 

The hon. Member for Lubansenshi may continue.

 

Mr Mwamba: Mr Speaker, if the infrastructure is run down after sixty-five years, who will take the responsibility to repair it? Is there a clause about that aspect in the agreement?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, infrastructure has to be handed over as it is. So, at the point of the hand over, nobody has an obligation to ensure that the infrastructure is in good shape. That is why we have declared a dispute because we know that by the time we clock sixty-five years, there will not be anything to talk about. Even now, the infrastructure is run down. In fact, the investor came up with a proposal to put up a five or six storey market at the same place, but we will not discuss anything of that nature until we resolve the current issues. If we are to enter into a new agreement, we must stand on a point of strength as a council or ministry. So, nobody has an obligation to take care of the infrastructure at the point of hand over, but there is an obligation to ensure that it is in good shape throughout the sixty-five years.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mwila (Chimwemwe): Mr Speaker, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement involving Luburma Market is similar to the one involving East Park Mall and the University of Zambia (UNZA) whose lease period was extended from twenty-five to fifty years through a secretly crafted and questionable addendum. What measures has the ministry put in place to ensure that when the PPP agreement involving Luburma Market comes to an end, it will not be extended in a questionable way as was the case with the PPP agreement between UNZA and East Park Mall?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, we will ensure that does not happen. I think I have given enough assurances. We have a dispute regarding Luburma Market because we are not satisfied with the agreement. We will not enter into any other agreement that will not help the local authority and that is the assurance that I can give.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, the ministry has declared a dispute over the sixty-five-year lease period. In the hon. Minister’s opinion, does this deal not smell of corruption? As such, is the Ministry of Local Government taking steps to inform the various investigative wings to dig deeper and ensure that this matter is investigated and the culprits are brought to book considering that public funds are at stake?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, it is very hard for me to say whether or not corruption was involved. Like I said, this is something that happened eighteen years ago. However, I understand that the Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement involving Luburma Market was the first agreement that this country entered into. Maybe, at that time, people thought it was good, but we do not think it is good. This Government is very transparent and if there is a need for us to investigate, we will welcome all investigators who might want to get involved to actually question those who were there. Like I said, it has been eighteen years since the agreement was entered into and the circumstances prevailing then were different from now. However, I agree that this arrangement is taking away a lot of money and we want it reversed.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mrs L. Phiri (Chilanga): Mr Speaker, it is very painful to learn about this Public Private Partnership (PPP). The hon. Minister said that the ministry will consider giving China Hainan Zambia Limited alternative land. Does he not think China Hainan Zambia Limited has made enough money to buy alternative land on its own?

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the company we are considering giving alternative land is United Engineering Group Zambia Limited, which is running the Town Centre Market. This is because the arrangement that was made was based on land and we have not gone into arbitration with this company. We are talking to this company and it seems agreeable to making amendments to the agreement that we have. By the way, both agreements are supposed to be reviewed over a period of time. I think the agreement on the Town Centre Market has to be reviewed every five years, although these reviews have not been done in the past, and the agreement on Luburma Market has to be reviewed every ten years. Therefore, there is an opportunity to discuss and say that since we are not benefitting from the lease, this is what we would like to address. However, when we called for reviews, our colleagues were not agreeable to all the demands that we made and that is why we resorted to arbitration. The company managing the Town Centre Market has agreed to get alternative land and hand over the market to us. So, we think that is an amicable solution that can help us so that we do not end up in court. This is one of the many options that we have.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

PATRICK NG’UNI ALLEGED KILLING

 

367. Mr Mung’andu (Chama South) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

 

  1. what the progress in investigating the alleged killing of a Mr Patrick Ng’uni of Nswanamano Village in Chama South Parliamentary Constituency by a wildlife police officer is;

 

  1.  whether the suspect was released on police bond; and

 

  1.  if so, why the suspect was released.

 

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, investigations into the killing of Mr Patrick Ng’uni of Nswanamano Village in Chama South Parliamentary Constituency have been completed and the suspect appeared in court and was charged with murder. However, the charge has since been reduced to manslaughter.

 

Sir, the suspected killer was released on bail by the courts of law and not police bond.

 

Mr Speaker, the suspect was released on bail because the charge of manslaughter is a bailable offence.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Mr Speaker, the family of the late Patrick Ng’uni requested me to make a follow-up because it did not attend the court sessions when the charge was reduced from murder to manslaughter. I went to see the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who indicated that the charge was reduced from murder to manslaughter based on the suspect’s account of events and not the witnesses’ who were there when the shooting happened. Arising from that, will the Ministry of Home Affairs consider reinvestigating this case so that the witnesses who were there when the murder was being committed also narrate what transpired? This is because the decision to reduce the charge from murder to manslaughter was based only on the suspect’s account of events and not the witnesses, who were there. Is the ministry considering sending police officers to reinvestigate this matter?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the hon. Member for Chama South’s follow-up question. However, if he followed me well, he would have heard me say that when the police investigated the matter, they slapped a charge of murder on the suspect. The current arrangement is that when the police officers investigate the matter and open a docket, they hand over the docket to the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) that proceeds to prosecute the matter in the courts of law.

 

Therefore, the suspect appeared in a Magistrate Court and that was where the charge was reduced. The matter has since been committed to the High Court and it will depend on how the matter will be prosecuted and how the Bench will deal with it. At this point, I would not say whether the police officers will reinvestigate the matter because after investigations, the suspect was charged with murder. Therefore, the matter is out of their hands. The NPA, which is responsible for prosecuting such matters, will determine the outcome of the case, and that is why the suspect was detained until he appeared in the courts of law. The police officers could not grant him bond because of the charge he was initially given. He was only bailed out when the charge was reduced in the courts of law. So, at this juncture, we can only wait for the High Court to adjudicate upon this matter.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

LOCAL AUTHORITIES VEHICLE LICENSING

 

368. Mr Samakayi (Mwinilunga) asked the Vice-President:

 

  1. when the following functions will be devolved to local authorities in line with Article 147 of the Constitution of Zambia:

 

  1. road tolling;
  2. vehicle licensing; and
  3. provision of electricity; and

 

  1. what has caused the delay in devolving the functions.

 

Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, hon. Members will recall that in June 2017, a ministerial statement on this matter was issued following three points of order raised by Mr Jack Mwiimbu, the hon. Member of Parliament for Monze Central. However, in responding to this question, I wish to repeat that Article 147(2) provides that the concurrent and exclusive functions of the national, provincial and local government levels are as listed in the Annex and as prescribed. The use of the words ‘and as prescribed’ in Article 147(2) means that the functions must not only be listed in the Annex, but they must also be prescribed. Section 3 of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, Cap. 2 of the Laws of Zambia defines the terms prescribed as “means prescribed by or under the written law in which the word occurs”.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

In other words, the mere fact that the Annex to the Constitution talks about electricity as an exclusive function under local authorities does not mean local authorities will immediately assume generation, transmission, supply and distribution. There must be an Act of Parliament which must provide for how the local authorities are to undertake this function.

 

In this regard, Section 21 of the Constitution of Zambia Act No. 1 of 2016 provides as follows:

 

“Subject to Section 6, where an Act of Parliament is required to give effect to an Article  of the Constitution as amended, that Article shall come into effect upon the publication of the Act of Parliament or such other date as may be prescribed by, or under, the Act of Parliament.”

 

What this, therefore, means is that Article 147(2) cannot come into effect until an Act of Parliament is passed. Therefore, devolution of road tolling, vehicle licensing and provision of electricity will only be undertaken once an Act of Parliament to effect the provisions of Article 147(2) of the Constitution of Zambia Act No. 1 of 2016 is passed.

 

Sir, what has caused the delay is as explained above. The Government is still looking into enacting this law, after which the functions will be devolved to local authorities.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Samakayi: Mr Speaker, I am aware of the procedures the hon. Minister has enumerated and that there is supposed to be an enabling legislation to operationalise the provisions of the Constitution. My question was precise. When will the Government devolve the functions? Part of the process of devolving the functions is to bring a Bill to enable the Government to devolve the functions to the local government. So, when will the Bill be brought to the House? I suppose that should have been the answer provided to this question because I am aware of the procedures the hon. Minister has enumerated.

 

 Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, we have started the process by enacting the Local Government Act, which was passed by this House. In previous statements, I stated that Chibombo is being used as a pilot project for some of the decentralised activities. So, the process has started and I believe about five city councils are piloting on vehicle licensing and road tolling. The process has commenced and is ongoing. However, it has not been devolved in totality.

 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

 Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, indeed, this is an important exercise which should enable the councils to be self-sustaining and to plan on their own for their growth. Apart from Chibombo, how many other districts have piloted this and are they are actually implementing road tolling, vehicle licensing and providing electricity?

 

 Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, none of the districts have embarked on road tolling. My apologies if I misled the House. The pilot project in Chibombo will determine the lessons learnt by the Government for it to roll out the project to other districts. However, in terms of vehicle licensing, the five districts that have already started licensing from the councils are Kitwe, Lusaka, Ndola and …

 

Mr Mwale: There are three councils in the North-Western Province.

 

Ms Chalikosa: … and three in the North-Western Province. So, Chibombo is a case study which will determine when we will roll out the decentralisation programme to other districts.

 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

 Mr Lihefu (Manyinga): Mr Speaker, we all know that the decentralisation process is ongoing. Does the Government not think that the delay in devolving the functions in the nation is disadvantaging the local authorities?

 

 Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, the delay has been caused by the challenges faced by local authorities, but the decentralisation process has started. So, the Government is addressing this issue. Hon. Members should give the Government a chance to see how the pilot project in Chibombo will work out before rolling it out to other districts. Besides, this used to be done previously. There was a reason for stopping this and now, we have reintroduced it. So, the Government would like to see how the pilot project in Chibombo will turn out, notwithstanding the fact that the Smart Zambia Institute has put up electronic systems to enable the Government agencies to communicate with each other. Therefore, we have to give this project a chance to work.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker: I will take the last two questions from the hon. Member for Mwinilunga and the hon. Member for Mitete.

                                                        

Mr Samakayi: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister talked about piloting, but I think Zambians cannot take it anymore because we have been talking about decentralisation since 2002, and seventeen years down the line, the Government is still talking about piloting. If the Government has failed to implement the National Decentralisation Policy, it should tell Zambians instead of hiding behind a pilot programme. There is nothing happening in Chibombo –

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, you are now debating. Do you have a question?

 

Mr Samakayi: Mr Speaker, yes, I have a question. Could the hon. Minister tell us exactly what is happening in Chibombo because as far as I know, there is nothing happening there?

 

Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, we have sent staff from the Civil Service to Chibombo to look at issues to do with health provision, agriculture, extension officers and community development. Therefore, we have sent staff from all the major ministries to go and carry out their functions at district level. I think the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is probably the Administration that is moving with speed to see to it that this is actualised. You may have your frustrations, but, we, in the PF believe that we are doing what we can to take services closer to the people.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

 Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Mr Speaker, is there any time frame for the pilot project that is being implemented in Chibombo? 

 

Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, yes, there is a time frame, but I am unable to state it as at now. However, I can make it available later.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Ms Kasune (Keembe): Mr Speaker, I speak as Member of Parliament for Keembe Constituency in Chibombo District. Having stated that, could the hon. Minister state one or two things being implemented in the district. At the moment, there is literally nothing that has been done in Chibombo that people can point at. Therefore, for the sake of clarity, it would be nice for the hon. Minister to state one or two things that people can point at in the district.

 

Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, I think there is a misunderstanding in terms of what has been done in the district. However, members of staff from line ministries have been transferred to Chibombo to carry out their functions in the district. That is what has been done. So, officers from the Ministry of Agriculture, health personnel and personnel from other line ministries have been transferred to Chibombo. However, if the hon. Member for Keembe is saying that this is not true, she can avail this information to our office so that we can look into it. We will equally make our statistics available to her.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker. 

 

KAFWIMBI PRIMARY SCHOOL

 

369. Mr Mecha asked the Minister of General Education:

 

  1. whether the Government has any plans to deploy additional teachers to Kafwimbi Primary School in Chifunabuli Parliamentary Constituency;

 

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

 

  1. whether there are any plans to rehabilitate the dilapidated teachers’ houses at the school; and

 

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

 

 The Minister of General Education (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to deploy additional teachers to Kafwimbi Primary School in Chifunabuli District.

 

Sir, the plans will be implemented during the 2019 teacher recruitment exercise.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government has no immediate plans to rehabilitate teachers’ houses at the school as its focus is on completion of the ongoing construction of school infrastructure.

 

Sir, due to the answer in part (c) of the question, part (d) falls away.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mecha: Mr Speaker, in view of the fact that teachers at Kafwimbi Primary School live in dilapidated houses, is the ministry thinking of awarding them housing allowances?

 

 Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the assessment is made by the local leadership. So, if the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) is of the considered view that houses at Kafwimbi Primary School are dilapidated and that they warrant teachers to get a housing allowance, then, that decision could be made. My colleague and I could speak to the DEBS so he can do an assessment and make the appropriate recommendation.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, how many teachers does the ministry intend to employ in the 2019 teacher recruitment exercise, and when will it advertise? 

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the number has not been determined because we are still consulting our colleagues in the Ministry of Finance. At an appropriate time, my colleagues will be informed about the matter.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the Government is currently focusing on the completion of the ongoing construction of infrastructure due to a lack of resources. What does the hon. Minister of General Education think of the teachers who are accommodated in dilapidated structures and are not yet eligible to receive housing allowance?

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of General Education is very grateful to the teachers for the hard work, commitment and resilience and for the job they continue doing for our people in Kafwimbi. Like I said, the Government remains committed to address the challenges they face. A week ago, I was in Chifunabuli and I know some of these challenges. I assured the teachers in Kafwimbi, including those in Chifunabuli Constituency, of the Government’s commitment to wind up the current infrastructure development for schools in 2020, and to invest in the existing schools. I would like to thank the teachers for their commitment. However, like I said, if it is the DEBS’ considered view that the teachers who live in those dilapidated houses should not be getting housing allowance, the ministry will undertake an investigation, and obviously, an appropriate decision will be made.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: Next question. The hon. Member for Sikongo.

 

Mr Lufuma: He is sick.

 

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Mongu Central may ask his question.

 

CDF PAYMENT

 

 370.  Dr Imakando (Mongu Central) (on behalf of (Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo)) asked the Minister of Local Government:

 

  1. how many constituencies had received part payment of the 2017 Constituency Development Fund (CDF);

 

  1. when the outstanding balances will be paid; and

 

  1. when the CDF for 2018 will be disbursed.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, out of the 156 constituencies, thirty constituencies received 100 per cent Constituency Development Fund (CDF), 125 constituencies received 50 per cent of the CDF and one constituency received 85 per cent of the CDF allocation.

 

Sir, the balance of the 2017 CDF for which a Supplementary Budget was approved before the House rose last year was expected to be paid in 2018 subject to the availability of funds.

 

 Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1640 hours to 1700 hours. 

 

 [MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was reading the answer to part (b) of the question and I will repeat the whole paragraph.

 

Sir, the balance of the 2017 CDF, that was approved in a Supplementary Budget presented before the rising of the last session of Parliament, was expected to be paid in 2018 subject to the availability of funds.

 

Mr Speaker, a total of 130 out of 156 constituencies were each funded with K1.6 million of the earmarked 2018 CDF allocation which amounted to K208 million. Further, two constituencies were partly funded with amounts of K837,616 and K500,000. The CDF disbursed in 2018, therefore, amounts to a little over K209 million.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, could the hon. Minister elaborate further as regards part (b) of the question. The hon. Minister said that the balance of the 2017 CDF was expected to be released after the House approved the Supplementary Budget. He further said that it would be released subject to the availability of funds. However, we have already approved a Supplementary Budget. Could he elaborate further on part (b) of the question regarding why the balances have not been paid?

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister of Local Government, is that question clear?

 

Mr Mwale: Yes, I got something out of it.

 

Mr Speaker, yes, we approved a Supplementary Budget, but that is not enough as we need to ensure that we have money. So, much as we approved the Supplementary Budget, the  Treasury did not have funds to enable us to honour the Supplementary Budget.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mbangweta (Nkeyema): Mr Speaker, given the funding constraints confronting the Government, is the hon. Minister in a position to indicate whether it will be able to source the balance and the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for this year?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, I feel constrained to answer a question regarding the 2019 CDF because I know that we will get into another subject which is not part of this question. However, for the 2018 balances, we will have to raise another Supplementary Budget before we can consider paying them out. The first step would be for this House to approve a Supplementary Budget for the balances and the second one would be for the Treasury to find the money. So, we will have to do those things to be able to pay out the balances.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I am a bit confused. The idea of approving a Supplementary Budget at the end of the year, like we did, was to identify the gaps that exist, look at the money that is available and fund activities according to the Supplementary Budget as requested by the hon. Minister of Finance. It was not us who requested for it, but the hon. Minister of Finance, in her capacity, knowing that she had money, requested this august House to approve the Supplementary Budget. As Parliament, we approved the supplementary Budget as was requested by the hon. Minister of Finance. So, where is the money?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, a Supplementary Budget is simply an amendment to the Budget. You do not only do a Supplementary Budget because you have surplus money. You may have a deficit, but still have a Supplementary Budget. We had a Budget deficit, but we thought that we needed to carry forward the funds we should have spent in 2017 to 2018. Even if we had the money, we would not have disbursed it in 2017 because the 2018 Budget was not going to allow us. So, we first amended the Budget to allow us to bring forward the funds we did not spend or the balances for 2017. However, whether or not we were going to find the money is a different question. In the end, we did not find that money, hence, we did not spend it. If we possibly found the money right now, we would have to prepare a Supplementary Budget and bring it forward to this year even though it is for 2017 and 2018.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, the Patriotic Front (PF) Party has been in the Government for eight years. During the eight years, if I am not mistaken, the Government only disbursed the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) three times maximum. This means that the CDF was not disbursed in five years. The CDF funds activities, especially in rural constituencies such as the hon. Minister’s and mine. We see many activities in Lusaka and the Copperbelt. Does the Government care for the people in rural areas such as those in the hon. Minister’s constituency and mine, if it did not release the CDF in five years, out of the eight years it has been in office?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, one has to look at the trend to see whether or not the Government cares. The first three years or so, the CDF was K500,000 per constituency, then, K700,000 and it is now K1.6 million. Look at the trend. The amount increased from K500,000 per constituency to K700,000 and is currently at K1.6 million. This K1.6 million is what we gave all constituencies except constituencies for some hon. Ministers. This shows that the Government cares and it is gradually giving out the money and covering more constituencies. We want to make sure that everybody is smiling because we know that these funds benefit the people. We want each constituency to receive the CDF. In fact, we want each constituency to receive the whole amount this year. Should we have the money, we want to pay out the balances and this is what we are pushing for. Therefore, we are serious. The President said he does not want to leave anyone behind and wants to ensure that all areas get developed and is doing that using the CDF.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

CHADIZA DIP TANKS

 

371.  Mr S. Tembo (Chadiza) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

 

  1. when the construction of the following dip tanks in Chadiza Parliamentary Constituency will be completed;

 

  1. Kapilimpika; and
  2. Chaphuka;

 

  1. what the cause of the delay in completing the works is;

 

  1. whether the Government has any plans to construct additional dip tanks in the constituency;

 

  1. if so, when the works will commence; and

 

  1. where the new dip tanks will be situated.

 

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Ms Mulenga): Mr Speaker, the construction of a dip tank and a borehole in Kapilimpika in Chadiza District was awarded to Fadem Construction, Transport and Suppliers. So far, the contractor has completed drilling the borehole and construction of a dip tank is about 85 per cent complete. The remaining works of the walkways and the roof are scheduled for completion this year. The construction of a dip tank at Chaphuka in Chadiza District was awarded to Lukomi Enterprise Limited.  The contractor has completed the construction of the tank, walkways and the roof.  The project is about 95 per cent complete and is scheduled to be completed this year.

 

Sir, the delay in completing the works is due to the contractor not finishing the works on time partly because of the delay in payments.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to construct additional dip tanks in Chadiza Parliamentary Constituency to combat tick-borne diseases. However, the ministry is not constructing new dip tanks this year following the presidential directive to concentrate on infrastructure projects that are over 80 per cent complete.

 

Sir, as stated in part (c) of the question, the plans will be implemented after we complete the ongoing projects.

 

Mr Speaker, as stated in part (c) of the question, the location of additional tanks cannot be determined. However, when dip tanks are to be constructed, their locations will be determined locally by the beneficiaries.

 

Sir, allow me to take this opportunity to inform this august House and, indeed, the nation that the Government is committed to ensuring that the construction of all dip tanks dotted across the country is completed in order to combat the tick-borne disease and other diseases.    

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mrs Chilumba: Mr Speaker, the dip tank projects in Kapilimpika and Chaphuka were awarded to contractors in 2014/2015. As ably stated by the hon. Minister, to-date, these projects have not yet been completed. Although the hon. Minister said that by the end of this year, the projects will be completed, the ministry has taken a long period to complete them. When will these projects be completed so that the people of Chadiza can benefit from the dip tanks and their animals can have a high production rate?

 

Mrs Chilumba: Mr Speaker, I stated that the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has sought Treasury authority, through the Ministry of Finance, and taken a step further to engage its co-operating partners so that the issue of the remaining incomplete dip tanks is put to rest. I want to assure the hon. Member for Chadiza that when funds are made available by the end of this year, the dip tanks will be completed.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, the former hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock came to this House and indicated that the construction of one dip tank would cost K150,000 and that the chemicals would cost about K4,000 to K5,000. When will the ministry migrate from dip tanks to spray races that are cheaper? The maximum cost of one spray race is K20,000 and 200 animals can be dipped within thirty minutes using chemicals worth K140. Why not do that in Chadiza to alleviate the tick-borne disease that is killing most of the animals?

 

Mrs Chilumba: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member for Dundumwezi may note that dip tanks are a more effective way of dipping the animals. However, in the immediate term, the other avenue the ministry is considering is the use of the knapsack sprayer. I acknowledge that there has been a delay in the completion of the dip tanks, but as soon as monies are made available, we will finish them. However, the most effective way of combating the tick-borne disease is through the dip tanks because once the animals are dipped, the whole body is covered.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Mr Speaker, the people of Chadiza Constituency have been very expectant for the completion of the dip tanks. Since the hon. Minister has told this House that the dip tanks are not yet complete, what has the ministry done to avert the problem of dipping animals in Chadiza Constituency at the moment, considering the prevailing situation?

 

Mrs Chilumba: Mr Speaker, in the immediate term, the dip tank committees have been mobilising themselves. Like I stated earlier, the alternative measure is spraying the animals using the knapsack sprayer although I know that, obviously, this is not the most effective way. The Government is committed to ensuring that dip tanks are completed by the end of this year as dipping the animals is the effective way of treating the tick-borne disease. 

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

LUNDAZI DAMS CONTRUCTION

 

372. Mr Nyirenda (Lundazi) asked the Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection:

 

  1. whether the Government has any plans to construct dams in the following Wards in Lundazi Parliamentary Constituency:

 

  1. Vuu;
  2. Msuzi;
  3. Ndonda;
  4. Lunevwa; and
  5. Chilolo; and

 

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

 

The Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection (Dr Wanchinga): Mr Speaker, the Government has been implementing a national programme for the construction and rehabilitation of small dams across the country. This is aimed at harnessing water to ensure its availability for socio-economic activities.

 

Sir, consequently, once funds are made available by the Ministry of Finance, feasibility studies will, then, be undertaken on various sites countrywide. These could include the above-mentioned sites in Lundazi Parliamentary Constituency. This will ascertain their potential for dam construction. It is at this point that detailed feasibility studies will be conducted for resource mobilisation.

 

Mr Speaker, as regards the second part of the question, the plans will only be implemented once these sites have been studied in terms of the pre-feasibility and feasibility studies that are expected to be undertaken once funds are made available by the Treasury.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr S. Banda (Kasenengwa): Mr Speaker, from the hon. Minister’s statement, it seems that the prerequisite to ensure that the dams are constructed are feasibility studies. What is the tentative date set for the feasibility studies to be carried out?

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, this is an ongoing exercise and it is resumed each time resources are made available. It is, therefore, difficult to put a time frame or to say whether it will be done in September, October or December. We will look at what to prioritise as regards what needs to be done within the ministry when the Treasury releases some funds. It is at this point that we will decide to undertake feasibility studies in Lundazi and other areas. Therefore, it will be determined by the availability of resources.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

CHIMBAMILONGA POLICE POSTS CONSTRUCTION

 

373. Mr Chansa (Chimbamilonga) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

 

  1. when the construction of police posts in the following wards in Chimbamilonga Parliamentary Constituency will commence:

 

  1. Kampinda;
  2. Munwa;
  3. Kakoma; and
  4. Chishela;

 

  1. what the total cost of the project is; and

 

  1. what the time frame for the completion of the exercise is.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, the Government has no immediate plans of constructing police posts in Kampinda, Munwa, Kakoma and Chishela Wards in Chimbamilonga Parliamentary Constituency. However, the mentioned wards in Chimbamilonga Parliamentary Constituency are being serviced by Nsama Police Post which is expected to be upgraded to police station.

 

Sir, currently, the Government is constructing a police station and ten staff houses in Nsama District. The construction of Nsama Police Station is at 75 per cent to completion while the ten staff houses are 85 per cent complete.

 

Mr Speaker, in light of the answer to part (a), parts (b) and (c) of the question fall away.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Chansa: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for that response. The hon. Minister has always helped Chimbamilonga Parliamentary Constituency like he said. Since the Government has no plans of constructing police posts in Chimbamilonga, could the hon. Minister facilitate transport to Nsama Police Post so that the officers can be able to undertake their operations in other areas.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, indeed, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government cares so much for the people of Chimbamilonga. That is why it is focusing on completing the project that it has started through the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Government is yet to finish the immigration office as well as the police station that I talked about. However, the issue of transport does not only affect Chimbamilonga Parliamentary Constituency. If the hon. Member for Chimbamilonga asked all the hon. Members of Parliament, he would discover that where they come from, the issue of transport for the police officers is a real challenge.

 

Sir, the Government intends to procure a fleet of operational motor vehicles and we expect to receive some vehicles before the end of this year. Certainly, Chimbamilonga will be one of the priority areas because we know the challenges that are there considering it is a border area. So, we need to ensure that the police officers respond to the challenges that are experienced in that vast border area. We will certainly do something before the end of this year, and the hon. Member for Chimbamilonga can assure our beloved people of Nsama District that we shall respond to their security needs.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, let me just briefly give the hon. Minister the correct perspective. I know that the answer that the Government does not have any immediate plans to construct police posts in Chimbamilonga could probably be reviewed. It is 40 km from Kashikishi to Nsama, 28 km from Kampinda to Nsama, 40 km from Munwa to Nsama, 57 km from Chishela to Nsama and 35 km from Kakoma to Nsama. The hon. Minister can imagine the distances from these places to the main police post or would-be police station. Could the hon. Minister assure the hon. Member for Chimbamilonga that in future, the ministry will consider establishing police posts in the area because one police station will definitely not cater for the places I mentioned?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I certainly share the hon. Member for Kaputa’s concerns. We are aware of the distances. The Government saw it prudent to declare Nsama a stand-alone district because it saw how people were struggling in those areas. The Government is currently focusing on finishing the police station and housing infrastructure for the police officers. In addition, we will give them brand new operational vehicles to ensure that areas such as Kampinda are serviced effectively. In the long term, we certainly cannot avoid taking the services of the police closer to the people in those areas via police posts. So, certainly, the long term plan will be to establish police posts in those areas. For now, we will ensure that we operationalise the district police station and capacitate it with a reasonable number of officers and motor vehicles.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mutale: Mr Speaker, Chimbamilonga, like Chitambo, has new districts. I know that both constituencies have a problem of understaffing of police officers. Since Chimbamilonga is vast, how many officers are currently managing this area? I know that Chimbamilonga, and Nsama in particular, is closer to the border.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I do not know the exact number of officers in Nsama District, but I can assure the hon. Members of Parliament for Chimbamilonga and Chitambo that officers from training schools shall pass out in a month’s time. We will, then, certainly consider beefing up the number in preparation for the upgrading of Nsama Police Post to a fully fledged police station. That is the assurance that I can give the hon. Member of Parliament for Chimbamilonga and the people of Chimbamilonga. However, like I stated, I do not know the exact number of officers on the ground.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker: I will take the last two questions from the hon. Member for Lupososhi and the hon. Member for Manyinga.

 

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, the roads in Nsama District are in a bad state, therefore, access to services is difficult. The hon. Minister stated that the police station and the ten staff houses are 75 per cent complete. Could he be kind enough to inform the people of Chimbamilonga, and Nsama District as a whole, when they can expect to see the project, which is 75 cent complete, to be 100 per cent complete?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the hon. Member for Lupososhi’s follow-up question. I know he is a very concerned provincial chairman.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: The hon. Member also knows that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government and in particular, the Ministry of Home Affairs, does not give promissory notes. It is the first time in the history of this country that we have seen the transformation of the ministry and its departments.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr Kampyongo: You can question, but even if you are blind, you will still see it.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: So many people in here are witnesses. The hon. Member for Mazabuka Central is the best witness to what is being done in the Ministry of Home affairs.

 

Mr Nkombo rose.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: I am sure that is in jest.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, it is in jest, but it is also a fact.

 

Mr Speaker: Continue, hon. Minister.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, it is in jest, but when one is exiting Mazabuka, he/she is able to see the modern houses being constructed for staff at the Zambia Police Service compound.  So, we are not joking. Let me assure the hon. Member for Lupososhi that the infrastructure project is among the projects that are prioritised in view of the policy direction that we concentrate on the completion of projects that are above 85 per cent complete.

 

Sir, as regards the issue of accessibility, this has been a challenge for the contractors who have been working on these projects. We have been discussing this issue with the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development because we are one Government and we have to ensure that we take holistic infrastructure development to our people. As we put up infrastructure for the police in that area, the people will need to access the police services using these roads. So, let me assure the Chairman and hon. Member for Lupososhi that these projects will be completed, hopefully before the end of this year.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

LIVINGSTONE TOWN CENTRE MARKET

 

374. Mr Jere (Livingstone) asked the Minister of Local Government:

 

(a)        when the construction of the Town Centre Market in Livingstone District will be completed;

 

(b)        how much money has been spent on the project so far; and

 

(c)        what the total cost of the project is.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the market will be completed in November 2019.

 

Sir, so far, K30.9 million has been spent on the project.

 

Mr Speaker, the estimated total cost of the project is K55,304,313.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

NSUMBU TOWNSHIP LOCAL COURT BUILDING

 

375. Mr Chansa asked the Minister of Justice:

 

(a)        whether the Government has any plans to construct a local court building in Nsumbu Township in Chimbamilonga Parliamentary Constituency; and

 

(b)        if so, when the plans will be implemented.

 

The Minister of Justice (Mr Lubinda): Mr Speaker, the Government of the Republic of Zambia is committed to construct a local court building in Nsumbu Township in Chimbamilonga Parliamentary Constituency.

 

Sir, the plans to construct the said local court building are included in the Judiciary Strategic Plan. This building shall be considered for construction in the 2020 Budget because at present, as Hon. Chansa is aware, the Government’s policy direction is that we concentrate on the completion of projects that are 80 per cent complete.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Kabanda: Mr Speaker, does the ministry have plans to construct local courts countrywide, particularly in places like Serenje where there are no local courts?

 

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, Serenje/countrywide.

 

Mr Lubinda laughed.

 

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, the Judiciary has a strategic plan which it will implement. However, like I said, currently, the Government’s policy is that it should not start any new projects, but complete the ones that are 80 per cent complete. As a result of this policy direction, a freeze has been placed on all those plans until such a time that the policy direction changes.

 

Mr Speaker, time and again, when I have had the opportunity to address the matter of local courts, I have implored hon. Members of Parliament to consider utilising part of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), whenever it is released, to provide local courts, and there are numerous examples where local courts have been built using the CDF. I am one living example of a Member of Parliament who has used the CDF to construct local courts to bring justice as close to the people I represent as possible. So, I would like to appeal to my colleague, the hon. Member of Parliament for Serenje, to utilise part of this year’s CDF to provide a local court for the people of Serenje.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

UNLAWFUL DETENTIONS

 

376. Princess Mwape (Mkushi North) asked the Minister of Justice:

 

(a)        how many people sued the State for unlawful detention from 2016 to 2018, year by year;

 

(b)        how many cases were successful;

 

(c)        how much money was awarded to the successful applicants as compensation; and

 

(d)        whether any disciplinary action was taken against the police officers who effected the unlawful detentions.

 

Mr Lubinda: Mr Speaker, the following number of people sued the State for unlawful detention from 2016 to 2018:

 

                      Year                            Number

 

2016 27

 

  1.  

 

2018 18

 

Sir, a total of fourteen cases were successful in the aforementioned three years, and a total of K771,266 were awarded to fourteen successful applicants or plaintiffs as compensation. The State, through the Office of the Attorney-General, has been making recommendations on a case by case basis for surcharging of erring police officers to Cabinet in line with the provisions of the Public Finance Act No. 15 of 2004. 

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

FARMING INPUTS

 

377. Mr S. Tembo asked the Minister of Agriculture:

 

  1. why the over 600 farmers in Chadiza Parliamentary Constituency who paid K400 each as contribution to the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) in the 2017/2018 Farming Season were not given the inputs;

 

  1. what the way forward on the matter is; and

 

  1. how many farmers in the constituency were given inputs under the FISP in the following farming seasons:

 

  1. 2017/2018; and
  2. 2018/2019.

 

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Katambo): Mr Speaker, the 600 farmers did not access the inputs due to a mismatch of the National Registration Card (NRC) details between the bank involved and the Zambia Integrated Agriculture Management Information System (ZIAMIS).

 

Sir, the ministry has now ensured that all banks working on the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) are fully integrated to ZIAMIS. All the affected farmers will be issued with inputs after the verification is completed. The Smart Zambia Institute and the bank involved are reconciling the records to identify the affected farmers. The ministry is making efforts to resolve this problem in the shortest time possible.

 

Mr Speaker, in the 2017/2018 Farming Season, a total of 11,790 farmers were given inputs while in the 2018/2019 Farming Season, 14,710 farmers were given inputs.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr S. Tembo: Mr Speaker, to be precise, 603 peasant farmers in Chadiza were deprived of inputs in the last two farming seasons. The ministry promised that in the 2018/2019 Farming Season, farmers would be given the inputs they did not collect in the 2017/2018 Farming Season. However, the hon. Minister ably said that they are working on synchronising this issue. Could the hon. Minister assure the people of Chadiza that they will receive the farming inputs in the 2018/2019 Farming Season?

 

 Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, as indicated, the ministry is in the process of finalising the reconciliations with the bank involved so that the affected 600 farmers get the farming inputs as soon as possible. The other assurance is that Chadiza is now under the Direct Input Supply Method of input distribution and, therefore, all targeted farmers will receive the inputs in the next farming season.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr S. Banda (Kasenengwa): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said the discrepancy was due to a mismatch. Chadiza and Kasenengwa had the same problem. Considering that the hon. Minister said that the farmers will be given inputs in the 2018/2019 Farming Season, could he assure the farmers that they will not be required to pay the K400 contribution?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, the K400 contribution per beneficiary is for a particular farming season. Once they have been verified and reconciled, farmers who will be identified will benefit and get the farming inputs they did not receive. So, in the next farming season, each beneficiary is supposed to contribute the K400 commitment fee for he/she to access the inputs. Farmers whose details will be verified and reconciled with the bank and ZIAMIS will receive their inputs. In other districts where the ministry is facing such challenges, we will use the Direct Input Supply System to enable us to service the farmers on time.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

ZNS FEEDER ROADS REHABILITATION

 

378. Mr Phiri (Mkaika) asked the Minister of Defence:

 

  1. how many feeder roads were rehabilitated by the Zambia National Service (ZNS) in 2018 in the following districts:

 

  1. Katete;
  2. Petauke;
  3. Chadiza;
  4. Nyimba; and
  5. Lundazi;

 

  1. whether the ZNS met its target for 2018 in the Eastern Province;

 

  1. if the target was not met, what the challenges were; and

 

  1. what measures are being taken to address the challenges.

 

The Minister of Defence (Mr Chama): Mr Speaker, the Zambia National Service (ZNS) rehabilitated the Lundazi/Chitungulu Feeder Road, which is 23 km in Lundazi District. There was no rehabilitation of feeder roads in the other four mentioned districts in the Eastern Province.

 

Sir, in 2018, the ZNS targeted 200 km of feeder roads to be rehabilitated in the Eastern Province. However, the set target was not met. 

 

Mr Speaker, the ZNS faced challenges because it was not funded and, therefore, could not undertake the rehabilitation and construction of feeder roads in 2018.

 

Sir, the Ministry of Defence has taken some measures to address the challenges and has continued to engage the Ministry of Finance to release the funds in time. In this regard, in the 2019 Budget, the ministry budgeted for K50 million for feeder road construction.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the ministry has plans to distribute the equipment to local councils so that, maybe, using the Local Government Equalisation Fund, we can work on some of the roads in our districts or constituencies. As the hon. Minister said, the ministry did not work on any roads in the four districts that have been mentioned and the roads are really in a bad condition. Therefore, does the ministry have plans to allocate the equipment to councils because it is just loafing at the Zambia National Service (ZNS)?

 

Mr Chama: Mr Speaker, we have no plans to allocate the equipment to councils. Whether the equipment is allocated to councils, since there are no funds, the roads will not be worked on. The hon. Member said that the equipment is just loafing at the ZNS, but we can still use the Local Government Equalisation Fund and the roads can be worked on.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, before the Zambia National Service (ZNS) was brought on board to be in charge of the rehabilitation of feeder roads in rural areas, the Rural Roads Unit (RRU) was in charge and the rationale for shifting this responsibility from the RRU to the ZNS was that the ZNS would meet its targets without any problems. From the look of things, this is not the case. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why the Government found it necessary to shift this responsibility from the RRU to the ZNS when, in fact, both these institutions are under performing.  Both the RRU and ZNS have failed and do not meet the targets. The results are the same.  Why, then, did the Government reassign the responsibility?

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Kabompo, that is a totally new question.

 

Mr W. Banda (Milanzi): Mr Speaker, in an event that Milanzi Parliamentary Constituency would want to use the Zambia National Service (ZNS) equipment, what are the conditions?

 

Mr Chama: Mr Speaker, the conditions are very simple. If one wants to use the equipment, he/she has to contact the Provincial Administration or go straight to the ZNS. The equipment is available and can be given if funds are available. The Ministry of Defence together with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is doing a lot and once funds are made available, we will open up the new districts. The hon. Member of Parliament for Lundazi sourced K1.2 million from the National Roads Fund Agency, and the ministry was able to work on 23 km of roads, as I stated. So, the equipment is available and the conditions are very simple. One can go to the Ministry of Defence or the Provincial Administration and the equipment will be made available. It is that simple.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mubika (Shang’ombo): Mr Speaker, the Zambia National Service (ZNS) charges commercial rates. I have been trying to engage the ZNS, but they have asked for K400,000 to rehabilitate a stretch of one kilometre. So, if we had to use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), only 4 km of road works would be worked on. For example, there is a stretch of 145 km from Shang’ombo to Sioma. Therefore, we would only work on a stretch of 4 km using the entire CDF. However, under the Rural Roads Unit (RRU), we would just provide fuel and allowances and the unit would work on the whole stretch for around K300,000. Is it not possible for the Government to share the equipment or to take some of it to councils so that we can work on the roads in our constituencies?

 

Mr Chama: Mr Speaker, the notion that the ZNS charges commercial rates is not correct. It all depends on the terrain. I can give an example of the Western Province where the soils are very sandy and sometimes, gravel has to be transported as far as 100 km away from where the road is supposed to be constructed. Some people recently engaged the ZNS to work on a road using their own funds and they were charged K34,000 per kilometre. So, I do not know where the hon. Member got the K400,000. However, the hon. Member can engage us. He can come to the ministry or ZNS and we will discuss the matter. We have competent engineers who can cost roads that are supposed to be worked on in a particular area. The conditions are different depending on the terrain and that is why the costing may be different. So, the notion that the ZNS is expensive is not correct. However, the hon. Member should come to the Ministry of Defence.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mubika: Give me a date and I will come.

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

You cannot seek an appointment across the Floor of the House.

 

CULTURAL TOURISM PROMOTION

 

379. Mr Lufuma asked the Minister of Tourism and Arts:

 

  1. how the recognition of the Makishi Masquerade and Gule Wamkulu as Master Pieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has benefitted the following communities;

 

  1. Vaka Chinyama Cha Mukwamayi in the North-Western and Western Provinces; and
  2. Chewa in the Eastern Province; and

 

  1. what measures are being taken to promote the development of cultural tourism, countrywide.

 

The Minister of Gender (Ms Phiri) (on behalf of the Minister of Tourism and Arts (Dr Banda)): Mr Speaker, the Makishi Masquerade and Gule Wamkulu were both proclaimed as Master Pieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in November 2005. This has benefitted the respective communities and the nation as a whole in that the visibility of these dances worldwide has increased interest and research in their continued preservation and promotion. The dances have also been appreciated and accepted by the communities.

 

Sir, the benefits are numerous. The UNESCO’s 2003 Convention had the following purposes:

 

  1. to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage;

 

  1. to ensure respect for intangible cultural heritage of the communities, groups and individuals concerned;

 

  1. to raise awareness at local, national and international levels of the importance of the intangible cultural heritage and ensure mutual appreciation thereof; and

 

  1. to provide for international co-operation and assistance.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government of the Republic of Zambia established a structure of the Zambia National Dance Troupe on the Government payroll with an aim to promote and preserve Zambian culture and at the same time, contribute revenue to Control 99 through cultural performances. The Zambia National Dance Troupe is a structure of twenty-nine dancers from all the ten provinces of our country.

 

Sir, UNESCO is able to provide:

 

  1. studies concerning various aspects of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage;

 

  1. experts and practitioners;

 

  1. training of all necessary staff;

 

  1. elaboration of standard-setting and other measures; and

 

  1. creation and operation of infrastructure.

 

Mr Speaker, the measures being taken to promote the development of cultural tourism countrywide are as follows:

 

  1. the maintenance of the Zambia National Dance Troupe based in Livingstone and performing at the Maramba Cultural Village. Having a national dance troupe is aimed at preserving dances from all provinces and for both local and foreign tourists to appreciate;

 

  1. the support to the various traditional groups through their participation at State functions, international day celebrations, festivals and carnivals such as the Pamodzi Carnival and Livingstone Cultural and Arts Festival (LICAF); and

 

  1. the construction of cultural villages to create space for performance and marketing of arts and cultural products. Once completed, these centres will be satellite points as spaces for local and foreign artists.

 

Ms Phiri resumed her seat and later rose.

 

Ms Phiri: I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: I was just wondering.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for attempting to give us the benefits of the Makishi Masquerade and Gule Wamkulu in the North-Western Province and the Eastern Province, respectively. In terms of the tangible benefits accruing to communities in the respective provinces and in terms of preservation and promotion of tourism, is the ministry considering constructing a museum which will be connected with tourism so that we preserve the masquerades in the Eastern Province and North-Western Province? Despite Zambians being bestowed this honour by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the Government is not taking up its responsibility as regards ensuring that there are facilities for the local communities to preserve culture and tradition. What is the ministry doing in this regard?

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, the Patriotic Front (PF) is a listening Government and has a number of programmes which are in the pipeline. We cannot just promote the rich cultural traditional dances without the provinces they originate from benefitting at all. We are a listening Government and we will consider that.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, the recognition of a cultural piece by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a Master Piece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity is a very important recognition and UNESCO has a budget for that. Does the hon. Minister have some idea of how Zambia is tapping into that UNESCO budget in an effort to support the Gule Wamkulu and Makishi Masquerade?

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, that sounds like a different question. Could the hon. Member put up a separate question.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Actually, as I understood it, it is a suggestion but, anyway, I will not press it further than that.

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I am glad that the Patriotic Front (PF) is a listening Government. Therefore, as a listening Government, when will it provide or construct a museum complex in order for the local cultural heritage to be preserved in the respective areas? Is it this year or next year?

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, that is the reason the United Party for National Development (UPND) should consider voting for the Patriotic Front (PF). If we are here for life, we will definitely give them whatever they will demand for because we have programmes in place. For sure, that will be considered, but a timeline will be advised at the right time.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: So, the hon. Minister is suggesting what you should do.

 

Laughter  

 

CHIEFS WELFARE POLICY

 

380.  Mr Samakayi asked the Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs:

 

  1. whether the Government has any plans to formulate a policy on the welfare of chiefs;

 

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

 

  1. if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs (Mr Sichalwe): Mr Speaker, the Government has already formulated a Draft National Policy on Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs that has since been submitted to Cabinet Office for tabling in Cabinet. The draft policy aims at improving the management of the chiefs’ welfare through the development and implementation of various guidelines and programmes relating to the institution of chieftaincy, among other things.

 

Sir, the plans will be implemented once the policy is approved by Cabinet.

 

Mr Speaker, as regards part (c) of the question, in view of the responses above, it falls away. I wish to take this opportunity to inform the House and the nation at large that the National Policy on Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs was approved by Cabinet on Monday, 4th February, 2019.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

 

381. Ms Chisangano (Gwembe) asked the Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance:

 

  1. whether the Government has any plans to make religious education a compulsory subject in all schools, considering that Zambia is a Christian nation;

 

  1. what religious activities are earmarked for implementation in 2019 in schools and communities; and

 

  1. what measures are being taken to make acquisition of Bibles more affordable, especially to the underprivileged.

 

The Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance (Rev. Sumaili): Mr Speaker –

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1810 hours until 1830 hours.

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Rev. Sumaili: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I had just begun responding to Question No. 381.

 

Sir, under the current Zambian education curriculum, religious education is a compulsory subject offered from early childhood education level to junior secondary school level. At senior secondary level, it is an optional subject. This is applicable to all public and private schools offering the Zambian curriculum.

 

Mr Speaker, currently, the Government, in collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Scripture Union Zambia, the Zambia Fellowship of Evangelical Students (ZAFES) and Chi-Alpha Campus Ministries, is already implementing religious activities in schools such as the distribution of daily devotional books, Christian literature and spiritual counselling for learners. In addition, the ministry, working with church mother bodies and traditional leaders, intends to attach chaplains to learning institutions and chiefdoms where there are none.

 

Sir, the ministry is encouraging fellowship in schools such as the one carried out by the Scripture Union. Further,  the ministry, in partnership with the Educational Broadcasting Service Unit under the Ministry of General Education, will ensure that content on Christianity is part of the programming. In addition, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance has collaborated with the Ministry of General Education and held several meetings to discuss the strengthening of the curriculum in schools.

 

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance is actively engaging various faith-based organisations, including the Bible Society of Zambia on the need to consider reducing the cost of Bibles. In addition, the ministry has continued to engage various churches through the church mother bodies to continue sharing the gospel through donations of Bibles to members of the public, especially those who cannot afford Bibles.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Kabanda: Mr Speaker, while acknowledging that Zambia is a Christian nation and appreciating that religious education be introduced in all schools, how do we intend to incorporate other religions like Hinduism and Islam in our country?

 

Rev. Sumaili: Mr Speaker, we have no apologies to make with regard to Zambia being a Christian nation. However, because we respect human rights, we also acknowledge other beliefs and religions. Since we are a Christian nation, it is important that religious education focuses on Christianity. However, I have looked at the curriculum and noted that it includes material on religions such as the Baha’i Faith and Islam. This is intended to enable pupils to have an understanding of other religions. However, the Government is focused on ensuring that our children grow in the knowledge of the Lord.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

NGABWE DISTRICT BOARDING SCHOOL

 

382. Mr Chiyalika (Lufubu) asked the Minister of General Education:

 

  1. whether the Government has any plans to construct a boarding secondary school in Ngabwe District;

 

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

 

  1. what the estimated cost of the project is; and

 

  1. what the estimated time frame for the completion of the project is.

 

Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the Government has no immediate plans to construct a boarding secondary school in Ngabwe District on grounds that a number of schools are undergoing construction and the Government wants to focus on them in terms of completion. Therefore, as a consequence of the answer to part (a), part (b), (c) and (d) of the question fall away.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

MOOMBA DAMS CONSTRUCTION

 

383. Mr Chaatila (Moomba) asked the Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection:

 

  1. when the construction works on the following dams in Moomba Parliamentary Constituency will commence:

 

  1. Dimba;
  2. Japhet; and
  3. Mambwali;

 

  1. what the cause of the delay in commencing the works is;

 

  1. what the cost of constructing each dam is; and

 

  1. what the names of the contractors for the project are.

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, I wish to state that Dimba, Japhet and Mambwali dams are existing  and only require rehabilitation. The Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection has been conducting feasibility studies at various dam sites that require rehabilitation across the country. This is to establish the suitability of these dams for repair. The Government will continue with this programme in 2019, and Dimba, Japhet and Mambwali dams have been included on the list of dams to be studied. The feasibility studies will be conducted in due course. However, this is dependent upon the availability of resources. Therefore, the general assessments concerning these dams will be made in phases depending on the availability of funds in each given year.

 

Sir, there is actually no delay as the project has not been earmarked for commencement because the feasibility studies that I referred to are yet to be carried out. The dams already exist, but only require rehabilitation.

 

Mr Speaker, the cost of the rehabilitation works will only be determined once the feasibility studies have been carried out.

 

 Sir, the contractor to undertake the feasibility studies will only be known once the procurement process has been completed and this will be upon the securing of finances for the rehabilitation works.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

CHIMBWI MINI HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTION

 

384.  Mr Bwalya asked the Minister of Health:

 

  1. when the construction of a mini hospital at Chimbwi in Lupososhi Parliamentary Constituency will commence;

 

  1. who the contractor for the project is;

 

  1. what the total cost of the project is; and

 

  1. what the time frame for the completion of the project is.

 

 The Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Health plans to build a mini hospital in Chimbwi in Lupososhi Parliamentary Constituency commencing in the third quarter of 2019.

 

Sir, the project will be undertaken by a contractor known as NMS Infrastructure Limited which is based in the United Kingdom (UK).

 

Mr Speaker, the project is part of the Engineering Procurement Contract (EPC), which includes the building of 108 mini hospitals and three district hospitals and, as such, at this stage, it is difficult to cost a single facility as there are many variables that are not yet computed.

 

Sir, the total duration of the project is forty-two months for all 108 mini hospitals. On average, the total construction period of one mini hospital is twenty weeks from the site handover date.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for that answer. The hon. Minister has been going round the country. He was recently in Katuba where he promised to construct mini hospitals as well as in many other places including Sesheke, Mangango and Kabompo. Where will the money to construct these mini hospitals come from? Is it a loan or a grant or is the project being funded by the Government?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, this is a highly concessional loan from the British Government through a company which is based in Britain called NMS Infrastructure Limited.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, as the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabompo has indicated, the hon. Minister has been making the pronouncement about building mini hospitals in various constituencies, especially where there are by-elections. Is he in a position to tell us which areas in our constituencies will benefit from this particular project so that we can tell our people and allay the fears that this is a political development project?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I have never heard of the term “political development project.” In politics, once you have the mandate to manage a nation, you must deliver development. So, development is a must. When we deliver development to the people, we are only fulfilling the promises or the social contract that we have with the people of this country who gave the Patriotic Front (PF) Government the mandate to manage the country. So, it must not be misconstrued to be a political development project.

 

Sir, at the moment, there are eighteen mini hospitals nearing completion. We will be commissioning a mini hospital in Chilanga and Lealui where there are no elections. We are on firm ground as regards expanding access to health services to the people of this country. We are building a mini hospital in Chembe, and there are no elections there. So, we are going to build mini hospitals in 108 sites, and the decision regarding these sites is informed purely by technical variables such as access, population and distance. The contractor has released a schedule that we will use to start the development project in various constituencies.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, the rains start early in Chimbwi, which is in Chief Katuta’s area of Lupososhi Parliamentary Constituency. The hon. Minister stated that the Government intends to start the project in the third quarter of 2019. Given the fact that the rains will soon start, is there a way of speeding up the planning so that the project can commence before the area becomes impassable?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, the third quarter begins in August, and we will definitely begin the project in August. The planning for construction takes into consideration rainfall patterns. So, the hon. Member of Parliament must be assured that we will be in Chimbwi in August which is the beginning of the third quarter of the year.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Ms Tambatamba (Kasempa): Mr Speaker, like the people of Lupososhi, the people of Kasempa in Kenyauna were promised a mini hospital which was supposed to be completed by October last year. The people in Lunga have also been waiting for the completion of a mini hospital in Lunga. Could the hon. Minister share the schedule indicating when the mini hospitals that are halfway done and the one in Kenyauna, which was supposed to be completed last year in October, will be completed.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I believe the hon. Member for Kasempa is talking about health posts and the contractor has remobilised in the North-Western Province. A schedule which shows when the projects will begin at each particular site is being circulated through Parliament.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mbangweta: Mr Speaker, we would like to see the schedule of the mini-hospitals and to know the criterion being used to decide which place to start with and that to end with, especially if it is a concessional loan because we will all end up paying for it.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, for the benefit of the hon. Member for Nkeyema, the schedule will be distributed through Parliament.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: I think he is saying it for the second time.

 

Princess Kucheka (Zambezi West): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that the project will commence in August. Is August only for Chimbwi or also for Zambezi West where the groundbreaking took place?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I would have repeated the third time, but for the benefit of the good looking hon. Member of Parliament for Zambezi West –

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister of Health, I do not want to endorse that. Respond to the question.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Members: Reverend!

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I was distracted. We will be in Zambezi West in August this year.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

KAOMA DISTRICT TOWNSHIP ROADS

 

385. Brig-Gen. Sitwala (Kaoma Central) asked the Minister of Local Government:

 

  1. why the construction of township roads in Kaoma District has stalled;

 

  1. when the project will resume;

 

  1. who the contractor for the project is;

 

  1. how much money has, so far, been paid to the contractor; and

 

  1. what the time frame for the completion of the outstanding works is.

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the construction of township roads in Kaoma District has stalled due to non-payment as a result of inadequate funding.

 

Sir, the project will resume once funds are made available and will be part of the 2020/2022 Work Plan.

 

Mr Speaker, the contractor for the project is Global Construction Limited in joint venture with ALD Plant and Fleet Management Limited.

 

Sir, as of February 2019, the contractor had been paid K22.2 million.

 

Mr Speaker, the time frame within which the works will be completed is eighteen months from the time the contractor resumes working.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Brig-Gen. Sitwala: Mr Speaker, is the contract still running? If so, is it possible for the same company to carry out maintenance works on some portions that are extremely bad in the township?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the contract is running, but it is not possible for the contractor to carry out partial patching works because we owe him some money and he would not be willing to conduct more works before we honour the outstanding certificates.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Ms Tambatamba: Mr Speaker, last year, the President permitted the ministry to proceed with working on all the outstanding township roads and Kasempa was one of them. I would like to find out how far has the procurement process gone so that the contractor can continue with the works which were not completed?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, the President’s directive was regarding those projects above 80 per cent and the two said projects are below 80 per cent.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister able to bring a schedule to bring us to speed on the country’s scenario because many township projects in many districts have stalled? I am aware that works have stalled in Kaoma, Kasempa, Kazungula, Sinda and many other places. Is he able to bring a schedule to show a picture of what is happening in the country?

 

Mr Mwale: Mr Speaker, yes, I am able to.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

NALUSANGA WARD DIP TANK

 

386. Mr Nanjuwa asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

  1. whether the Government has any plans to reconstruct the Katoka Dip Tank in Nalusanga Ward in Mumbwa Parliamentary Constituency;

 

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

 

  1. whether any punitive measures have been taken against the contractor for the substandard work on the project;

 

  1. whether the contractor was paid for the works; and

 

  1. if so, how much the contractor was paid.

 

Mrs Chilumba: Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to reconstruct the Katoka Dip Tank in Nalusanga Ward in Mumbwa Parliamentary Constituency. The programme to reconstruct the Katoka Dip Tank is ongoing.

 

Sir, the contract has been terminated, but before it was terminated, the contractor, M&M, was paid according to the certificate. The contractor was paid K434,729 as part payment towards the construction of the three dip tanks out of a total contract sum of K672,663.

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to acknowledge that the workmanship by the contractor was sub-standard and we take full responsibility for that. Arising from this, the Government will ensure adequate supervision and report such contractors to the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) for possible blacklisting. The Government is sourcing more funds from the Treasury and its co-operating partners to ensure that the works are completed.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Nanjuwa: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister able to confirm when the procurement process for the continuation of the works will begin?

 

Mrs Chilumba: Mr Speaker, the procurement process is ongoing and the hon. Member for Mumbwa is free to come to our office and get an accurate date on when the whole process will be completed.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker –

 

Mr Michelo: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Michelo: Mr Speaker, I apologise to the hon. Member who was on the Floor of the House for disturbing his line of thought.

Sir, one Friday morning in Bweengwa Constituency, Monze District, we heard sounds of helicopters hovering around as if there was World War III.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Michelo:  We were later informed that people in Likene Fishing Camp Area had been evicted by the officers from the Zambia Air Force (ZAF), the Department of National Parks & Wildlife and the Zambia Police Service. These people are human beings and citizens who require, at least, some shelter and have the right to life. Surprisingly, all their houses, foodstuff, blankets, money, National Registration Cards (NRCs) and voters’ cards were burnt.

 

Sir, is the Government in order to dehumanise its citizens, including old people and children, in this manner?

 

Mr Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member of Parliament for Bweengwa, in order for you to elicit a meaningful response from your colleagues on the right, the ones in the driving seat, you need to formulate a question. When you formulate a question, you should take it to the Clerk’s Office. They will pass it on to those on the right, where it will be attended to by other agencies within the Executive branch of the Government. Then, you can engage your colleagues by asking questions. That is how you can know the truth. We are now in our third year of this term. You are, therefore, expected to be familiar with the procedures. That is my ruling.

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister admitted in no uncertain terms that the contractor did shoddy works and that the ministry plans to report him to the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) for blacklisting, yet the ministry paid him K434,729 out of a contract sum of K672,663. At what stage did the ministry notice that the contractor was up to no good and was doing shoddy works for it to release a payment of more than 50 per cent? Is this doing due diligence? Could the hon. Minister tell me whether or not her ministry is up to the job and did due diligence in ensuring that shoddy works were brought to a halt.

 

Mrs Chilumba: Mr Speaker, I think the hon. Member for Kabompo should pay more attention when we are responding. There were three sites in question. The shoddy works were only done at one site. So, there was no problem at the other sites, but all the works were done by the same contractor. The amount I am talking about is not for one particular site, but for three sites. However, any contractor that does not do due diligence for any job will be reported to the ZPPA for possible blacklisting because we expect every contractor to do a good job. So, the contractor was paid more than 50 per cent because he worked on two sites, but the works on one site were questionable.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

NAKANYAA HEALTH CENTRE

 

387.  Prof. Lungwangwa asked the Minister of Health:

 

  1. whether the Government has any plans to upgrade Nakanyaa Health Centre in Nalikwanda Parliamentary Constituency to a mini-hospital;

 

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

 

  1. if there are no such plans, why.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to upgrade Nakanyaa Health Centre in Nalikwanda Parliamentary Constituency into a mini-hospital and it intends to do this in the fourth quarter of 2019. Therefore, part (c) of the question falls away.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, from the policy perspective, I would like to be enlightened on the criterion used to qualify a health centre as a mini-hospital. Is it dependant on the population or the number of patients visiting a particular health centre? We know that other than Nakanyaa Health Centre, there are many health centres in rural areas. For example, in Kazungula, there is Nyawa, Kauwe, Musokotwane,  and Mukuni health centres, yet our people are suffering. So, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister the policy on this matter.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, the level of accreditation of any facility is decided by the service delivery level. This means the services being provided and whether it is a first level primary health care facility, health centre, health post, a mini-hospital or a first level hospital. What determines what a structure is called is the service scope. However, to make a decision as regards the level of accreditation of a particular facility, we consider the population, distance to the next facility at the next notch of accreditation, the disease burden, existing infrastructure and the level of equipment. So, in deciding what facilities to upgrade, we consider creating access to health services across the service continuum. That is, does the facility have enough infrastructure to provide promotive, preventive and creative services at a first, mini, or health centre facility level and, if not, is there a facility within the area where people can go to for the next notch of service delivery?  If there is no such facility, we have to make an area self-contained by upgrading the infrastructure, putting up equipment, human capital and ensuring that the drugs for that level of service are made available.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Kambita: Mr Speaker, with your indulgence, I would like to get a clear answer from this hon. Minister of Health. I noticed that there are a lot of prospects of upgrading health institutions to mini-hospitals and the hon. Minister has fully explained the source of funds. Does the ministry have any other plans regarding the dilapidated district hospitals, apart from the good programme of upgrading health centres, especially in areas where there are by-elections?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, I seek your indulgence to just educate the hon. Member for Zambezi East that as per the decorum of the House, the Minister is addressed as “The Minister of Health” and not “This Minister of Health”.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, we have a comprehensive capital investment plan. Basing on the various variables we look at technically, we are able to decide where to put a health post, a mini hospital and a district hospital. Considering the countrywide plan in pursuit of universal health coverage, which is a political commitment by the President of this country, His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, we will construct mini hospitals, district hospitals and health posts where it is appropriate. So, there is a comprehensive capital investment plan. The blueprint is there, but what determines when a project should be started is the availability of resources and the deficit of health facilities in a particular area.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Prof. Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the response. The people of Nalikwanda, particularly Nakanyaa, are listening right now. I know that the hon. Minister has given a hint on what a mini hospital could have, but in simpler terms can tell us what constitutes a mini hospital? What should people expect in a mini hospital so that those who are listening now can understand what will be given to them?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, a mini hospital is a facility that provides first level health services which include outpatient services, where we have basic clinical services with consultation rooms,  and where clinical officers and general medical practitioners sit to attend to general cases. A mini hospital has a laboratory, where basic investigations for primary health care services can be carried out. It also has facilities to admit patients, and the bed space ranges between twenty-five and fifty beds. It also must have a clear distinction of pediatric, obstetric, surgical and medical cases. A mini hospital has a staff compliment that constitutes doctors at the level of senior house officer, that is, just after being promoted from internship or general medical officer, including nurses who range from registered nurses, enrolled nurses to registered midwives. A mini hospital also has other paramedical staff who provide the first level services that I alluded to earlier.

 

Sir, the essentials of a mini hospital are outpatient services, a laboratory, basic diagnostic services, ultrasound, radiography, basic laboratory services and a theatre for basic operations such as incision and drainage of abscesses. If a pregnant woman needs an operation to extract the baby, which we call a Cesarean Section, that can be done at a mini hospital. However, anything more sophisticated than that is supposed to be referred to a higher notch hospital. So, a mini-hospital has the basic outpatient services with a bed space of twenty-five to fifty and basic outpatient services, including a laboratory, other diagnostic services and a basic staff compliment.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mubika: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Health in a position to tell us how many health centres have been upgraded to mini hospitals and can he also give us a schedule on the health centres to be upgraded so that as Members of Parliament, we can know when health centres in our respective districts will be upgraded to mini hospitals?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, we will deliver the schedule of mini hospitals that will be planted, with the current funding, in various parts of the country.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Imakando: Mr Speaker, listening to the hon. Minister, it would appear that the mini hospitals come with housing for staff. If that is not the case, how will they be operational? Could the hon. Minister confirm if the mini hospitals come with housing for staff.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, mini hospitals have a minimum of four to six houses for the critical staff. We must also take note that the Government provides housing allowance for health workers. Therefore, those who do not benefit from the four to six houses are expected to find their own accommodation, but the Government gives them an allowance to pay for that accommodation.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

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MOTION

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

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The House adjourned at 1916 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 19th June, 2019.

 

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