Friday, 30^th October, 2020

 

The House met at 0900 hours

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

­­­_______

 

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, I rise to acquaint the House with the business it will consider next week.

 

Sir, on Tuesday, 3^rd November, 2020, the Business of the House will begin with Questions for Oral Answer. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will, then, deal with the Committee Stage of the Excess Expenditure Appropriation (2020) Bill, National Assembly Bill No. 10 of 2020. Then, the House will resolve into Committee of Supply to consider the following Heads of expenditure:

 

1. Head 65 – Ministry of Higher Education; and
2. Head 80 – Ministry of General Education.

 

Mr Speaker, on Wednesday, 4^th November, 2020, the Business of the House will start with Questions for Oral Answer. Thereafter, 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. Then, the House will resolve into Committee of Supply to consider the following Heads of Expenditure:

 

1. Head 68 – Ministry of Tourism and Arts; and
2. Head 76 – Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development.

 

Mr Speaker, on Thursday, 5^th November, 2020, 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. Thereafter, the House will resolve into Committee of Supply to consider the following Heads of Expenditure:

 

1.  Head 77 – Ministry of Defence; and
2.  Head 78 – Zambia Security Intelligence Services­ – Office of the President.

 

 Sir, on Friday, 6^th November, 2020, 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 consider presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Then, the House will resolve into Committee of Supply to consider the Following Heads of Expenditure:

 

1. Head 87 – Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC); and
2. Head 85 – Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

 

I thank you, sir.

 

­­_______

 

THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME

 

Mr Lumayi (Chavuma): Mr Speaker, from 2016, when I became hon. Member of Parliament, the Government has never released any money budgeted in the Yellow book to cater for capital projects for Chavuma. I would like to find out from Her Honor the Vice-President why Chavuma has not benefited from the money allocated in the Yellow book. 

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, the hon. Member may know that the Government had to defer some of the projects that were in the pipeline for the lack of resources and, I believe, the projects in Chavuma may fall under this category. I do not believe that Chavuma has not received any project from the Government for the last so many years. That needs to be investigated so that we know what has brought about this situation, if at all that is the case.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Kundoti (Luena): Mr Speaker, since the coming to a standstill of the construction of the Limulunga/Mongu Road, nothing has since been done to date despite Her Honour the Vice-President promising that the work would start soon when funds were made available. I would like to bring to her attention that there is a problem arising from the dust that is hitting the people on the western side of the road. As vehicles continue to over speed on that road, people are getting coughs. There is a lot of suffering because of the dust. Would Her Honour the Vice-President tell the people along the Mongu/Limulunga Road, especially from Malengwa to Limulunga, when the construction will commence.

 

Mr Speaker: I do not know whether Her Honour the Vice-President has had the sense of the intervention. If so, please, she may proceed.

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I want to assure the hon. Member of Parliament for Luena that the Government is committed to completing the works on the Mongu/Limulunga Road. The delay has been due to numerous constraints, but I am assured by the ministry responsible that monies to attend to this road will be released, probably, next week.

 

Mr Speaker, I am pleased that this question is coming from an hon. Member of Parliament representing the United Party for National Development (UPND) because we have been told in the past that Zambians will not eat roads.

 

Mr Speaker, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has been ridiculed for rolling-out road infrastructure in the country, yet the detractors do not realise that for a country to develop, there is a need for solid road infrastructure to be used by people, farmers in particular, to get their goods and services to various parts of the country. So, these services are very essential for the development of a country, including Zambia for that matter.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mwila (Chimwemwe): Mr Speaker, the US$200 million for the Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Project Phase II has been on suspension from last year due to no counterpart funding from the Government. The people of Chimwemwe would like to find out whether there is a possibility of the Government engaging the African Development Bank (AfDB), as a financier, for 100 per cent funding of this critical project so that water can reach, especially the peri-urban areas of Chimwemwe, which include, Kawama, Twatasha and Garnatone.

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the water utility companies in the country are semi-autonomous institutions, but are supported by the Government through many financial support provisions. The Nkana Water and Sewerage Company is performing such very valuable services on the Copperbelt. The Ministry of Finance, together with the water utility company, will address the issues of stoppage of some works in that area.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, the hon. Vice-President, the hon. Minister of –

 

Mr Speaker: Order! Hon. Member for Katombola, there is a proper address.

 

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of Her Honour the Vice-President the fact that the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, whilst addressing meetings in her constituency last week, encouraged people to go to the Office of the District Commissioner (DC) to be taught how to answer questions that are asked during the assessment of qualification as a Social Cash Transfer Scheme beneficiary. The Social Cash Transfer Scheme is meant for the vulnerable, who are the poor people. However, the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services was telling the old village headmen to answer the questions that they would be asked at the DC’s office in a particular way.

 

Mr Speaker, she was telling them to go to the Office of the DC to be taught how to respond so that they can qualify and get that money. Is that not a clear testimony to defraud the State because some of those village headmen do not qualify to get the money? The hon. Minister was encouraging them to defraud the State so that those who really need the money do not get it because those who have been taught how to get the money by the DC on the advice of the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services have done so? What is Her Honour the Vice-President’s advice to the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services?

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, for all I know, the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, in her constituency, was addressing village headmen. Village headmen are the leaders who know the most vulnerable people in their villages. They are the same leaders who will collaborate with the officers from the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare and with the District Commissioner’s (DC) office so that a verification process is undertaken before anyone can be put on the Social Cash Transfer Scheme. The hon. Minister could not persuade people to divulge wrong information so that they can access funds under the Social Cash Transfer Scheme. That is not allowed and the hon. Minister did not say what the hon. Member is saying. The village headmen help to identify the eligible people. That is the same process that is used for the empowerment programmes. The village headmen have the village registers and they know who is vulnerable in their villages. They know who requires support from the Government and who does not. So, to exaggerate this case by saying that the hon. Minister coached people on how to answer certain questions when they want to access the funds under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare, which is not true, is incorrect.

 

Sir, the beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Scheme, which is under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare, are verified even by the school and health authorities, the DC’s office and many other stakeholders who form the committee to select the vulnerable people in society, including those who have been recommended by the village headmen. We should not take issues out of context. We know the procedures followed when accessing funds under the Social Cash Transfer Scheme.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Imakando (Mongu Central): Mr Speaker, several weeks ago, Her Honour the Vice-President launched the Red Locust Control Programme. Can she update the nation on the progress the Government has made and whether it has sufficient resources to complete the eradication programme of red locusts?

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the Government has made substantial improvement in the eradication of red locusts in the southern and western parts of the country. This is being done in conjunction with the International Red Locusts Control Organisation for Central and Southern Africa (IRLCO-CSA) together with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Red Locust Committee. Unfortunately, the control of red locusts can be very tedious because these are flying insects and are not domiciled in one area. So, to track them, you will have to be very alert because, as they cross borders, they may be situated in an area in Botswana, Namibia or across in Angola.

 

So, the Government is engaging governments of these countries to see how we can fight the locusts together and this is what is happening at the moment. Further, the Government has moved along the Zambezi valley catchment area to fight the locusts. We seem to have controlled the locusts but they have not been eradicated 100 per cent. It is still work in progress.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Siwanzi (Nakonde): Mr Speaker, yesterday, we witnessed the enemy of progress in the name of United Party for National Development (UPND) and its ally stand in the way of the Bill that would have enabled the Government to delimitate some constituencies in this country. Now that we are in this situation, what is the way forward because Zambians are still eager to see that their constituencies are delimitated so that services can be provided?

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the non passing of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019 will have a devastating effect on many issues and not only on delimitation. I wonder whether the people who are celebrating today will have legitimate answers to give to the Christians and the churches, which wanted to see the Christian nation clause actualised in the Constitution. I wonder whether they will able to face the chiefs, the youths, the women and the people with disabilities to ensure that they understand why the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019 was shot down to their disadvantage.

 

Sir, for the last fifty years, the women of this country have struggled to have their voices heard in decision-making organs. This was quelled by the Opposition that felt that women should not come to the table at which decisions are made. So, how do we take the message to the women out there that the Opposition does not want to see the advancement of women? The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019 was going to introduce affirmative action. The number of women, youths and people with disabilities in Parliament and councils would have increased but now, this will not happen. This would have been the only chance that the advancement of women in decision-making positions would have been realised. Previously, we have followed the status quo of first-past-the-post election model and this has not worked, and now a piece of legislation that was going to empower the marginalised people in our society has been ‘killed’.

 

Mr Speaker, I do not know what the proponents of the anti-Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019 will say to the retirees, the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) that wanted certain changes in the law governing the management of the bank, and the many Zambians who wanted the lacunae in the Constitution and the many unprogressive clauses to be taken out. However, hon. Members who represent vast constituencies, especially in rural areas, from now onwards should not complain because they are the ones who shot down the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, hon. Members who abrogated the responsibilities vested on them by people who voted them into office and ignored the people of Zambia’s wishes will have themselves to blame. The right side of the House has done its part and the people of Zambia will be the ones to judge. So, I wonder if the delimitation of constituencies will carry on. Perhaps, it will be a relief for Parliament because it will not have to create more space for new hon. Members of Parliament, but in real sense, this will deprive people of the required services. So, I feel sad not for the right side, but the left side of the House that opposed the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mbangweta (Nkeyema): Mr Speaker, what is the Government doing to support the farmers in Nkeyema because, a few months ago, we heard that there was suspected Contagious Bovine Pleuro-Pneumonia (CBPP), a disease that affects animals, in the area? So, is the Government providing farmers with vaccinations or replacing the cattle that were affected?

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Let us have some silence, please.

 

Hon. Minister, I do not want to name you.

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, this Government is determined to eradicate livestock diseases and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock is on course in ensuring that it safeguards the animals in the country. However, the ministry is reviewing the programme regarding slaughtering an animal that is infected with a particular contagious disease and more information will be brought to the House when it is finalised.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Ng’ambi (Chifubu): Mr Speaker, according to media reports, about thirty-one families in Kasombo area in Mufulira or Kantanshi Constituency are in the cold as their houses were damaged by the rains that we had two weeks ago. Is the Government aware of this situation in Kantanshi Constituency? If so, what measures has it put in place to assist these vulnerable families?

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the public that the Government is aware of the plight of the affected families in Kasombo area in Kantanshi Constituency on the Copperbelt. In this regard, the Government, through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), mobilised and distributed thirty-one 25 kg bags of mealie meal to each household.

 

Sir, with the frequent occurrence of climate induced calamities in the country, may I take this opportunity to advise all hon. Members of Parliament that when disasters occur, there is a well defined reporting structure which they are encouraged to follow. This starts with the District Commissioner, who is the Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Committee. This committee conducts a rapid assessment and reports to the DMMU headquarters, here in Lusaka, through the Provincial Permanent Secretary.

 

Mr Speaker, hon. Members may also wish to note that the response from the headquarters is based on the rapid assessment report from the districts and the regional co-ordinators in the district. Therefore, hon. Members of Parliament are advised, and this advice is being given in advance, and encouraged to follow the laid-down procedure, which starts from the districts, instead of rushing to the House to ask questions on the Floor of the House as has happened in the past. Hon. Members of Parliament who have used this reporting procedure can attest to the fact that the Government has always responded quicker to disasters this way. In the case of Kantanshi, the hon. Member of Parliament followed the procedure and support from the DMMU was rapid. So, we want to see hon. Members of Parliament following the procedure starting from the district for the requests to be attended to in no time.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Kamboni (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, farmers are getting six bags of fertiliser and the Government had to increase the money to buy these inputs because prices went up. A bag of fertiliser is at K550 and, in some cases, K600. So, the price of all inputs increased by 100 per cent. However, when it came to those who were swiping, the money was not increased so that they could also buy the same fertiliser that the others are buying. Is the Government considering increasing the money that the beneficiaries who swipe get so that they can also buy the same number of bags of fertiliser that others are being given?

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I believe the people at the district office or the Ministry of Agriculture Headquarters can furnish the details to this question because I am not privy to those details. It is very important that our people receive adequate agricultural inputs for this coming season because we have been informed that the rainfall may be favourable. So, if the hon. Member is really concerned about the farmers in Kalomo, I request that he visits the Ministry of Agriculture to get more details of how they can be assisted.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, first and foremost, I appreciate the action of the Government, by way of a circular from the Secretary to the Cabinet on civil servants who are involved in partisan politics. However, there is an unprecedented situation regarding the distribution of inputs in Ikeleng’i where farmers who are members of the United Party for National Development (UPND) are being told to dance before they collect the inputs. They are being told to dance before the Patriotic Front (PF) Government before they receive the inputs and photos of them are being taken. Is that the new norm?

 

Laughter

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I fail to understand that question because no one dances to access anything from the Government.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Kabanda (Serenje): Mr Speaker, the issue of youth unemployment has become problematic. What interventions is the Government putting in place to create jobs for our youths?

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, empowerment programmes that have been announced are meant to empower the youths so that they can create jobs for themselves and others when they start running their small businesses. We look forward to the participation of more young people in accessing stimulus packages that will empower them to start businesses.

 

I thank you, Sir.

_______

 

BILL

 

REPORT STAGE

 

THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT BILL, 2020

 

CLAUSE 35 – (Procurement of Common Use Items)

 

The Minister of Finance (Dr Ng’andu): Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in clause 35, on page 38 in line 33 by the deletion of the words “user department” and the substitution therefor of the words “procuring entity”.

 

Clause 35, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

CLAUSE 41 – (National and International Selection)

 

Dr Ng’andu: Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in clause 41, on page 41, in line 12 by the deletion of the words “citizen supplier”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 41, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 56 – (Commencement of Procurement Proceedings)

 

Dr Ng’andu: Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in clause 56, on page 46, after line 3 by the insertion of the following new paragraph immediately after paragraph (b):

 

(c)        in the case of procurement works, approved the proposed design.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 56, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill

 

CLAUSE 72 – (Award of Contract)

 

Dr Ng’andu: Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in clause 72, on page 55, in lines 35 to

37:

 

(a)        by the deletion of subclause (3); and

 

(b)        the renumbering of subclauses (4) and (5) as subclauses (3) and (4), respectively.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 72, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 78 – (Defects Liability Certificate and Payments)

 

Dr Ng’andu: Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in clause 78, on page 57

 

1. in line 13 by the insertion of the words “or certificate of final completion” immediately after the word “certificate”; and

 

(b)        in line 14 by the insertion of the words “or certificate of final completion” immediately after the word “certificate”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 78, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 95 – (Suspension of Bidder or Supplier)

 

Dr Ng’andu: Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in clause 95, on page 66, in line 19 by the insertion of a comma and the words “procuring entity” immediately after the word “agency”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 95, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 97 – (Permanent Bar of Bidder or Supplier)

 

Dr Ng’andu: Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in clause 97, on page 67, in lines 14 to 15 by the deletion of the words “recommendation of a law enforcement agency with investigative powers” and the substitution therefor of the words “recommendation of a law enforcement agency, procuring entity or institution”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 97, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 100 – (Appeal of Decision by Procuring Entity)

 

Dr Ng’andu): Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in clause 100, on page 68, in line 35 by the insertion of the words “within ten working days of the Authority’s decision” immediately after the figure “101”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 100, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill

 

CLAUSE 102 – (Framework Agreements)

 

Dr Ng’andu: Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in clause 102, on page 69, in lines 18 to 19 by the deletion of paragraph (c).

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 102, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

FIRST SCHEDULE

 

Dr Ng’andu: Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in the First Schedule, in paragraph 6, on page 77, in line 31 by the deletion of the words “or members of the Review Board”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

First Schedule, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Report, as amended, adopted.

 

Third Reading on 3^rd November, 2020.

 

_______

 

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY

 

[THE CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the

Chair]

 

VOTE 39 – (Smart Zambia Institute – K99,793,953)

 

(Consideration resumed)

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Madam Chairperson, I would like to thank all the hon. Members who contributed to the debate on the Motion on the budget for Smart Zambia Institute.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Vote 39 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

 

VOTE 44 – (Ministry of Labour and Social Security – K33,450,981)

 

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Mrs Simukoko): Madam Chairperson, I wish to thank you more sincerely for according this opportunity to present the policy statement in support of the 2021 Ministerial Budget.

 

2020 Budget Performance Review

 

Madam Chairperson, the ministry was allocated a total Budget of K32.9 million in 2020, of which K21 million was for personal emoluments and K11.9 million was for non-personal emoluments. With this allocation, the ministry implemented four programmes as follows:

 

1. Labour and Productivity Services;
2. Occupational Safety and Health Services;
3. Social Security Services; and
4. Management and Support Services.

 

Madam Chairperson, let me, at this juncture, briefly outline the progress made in implementing the stated programmes.

 

Labour Productivity Services

 

Madam Chairperson, the ministry continued to implement key provisions of the Employment Code Act No.3 of 2019 in order to promote decent work. In the midst of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, my ministry facilitated the issuance of Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 48 of 2020 to exempt employers from obligations related to forced leave, payment of leave days, annual leave benefits and gratuity, upon meeting a certain criterion.

 

Madam Chairperson, the ministry also conducted labour inspections though on a reduced scale. This is largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ministry further finalised the development of the National Productivity Policy. In addition, the ministry also conducted the National Labour Force Survey and Skills Survey. These surveys are meant to provide information on key indicators of the labour market as well as establish the skills gaps existing in the country.

 

Social Security Services

 

Madam Chairperson, the ministry facilitated the registration of employed persons in the informal sector due to increased public awareness on social security. It is gratifying to note that employers and workers now appreciate the importance of this programme. With regard to social security reforms, the actuarial analysis of the leadership contributory pension scheme and new entrants to the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF) was conducted. The ministry also concluded consultations on the amendments to the National Pensions Scheme Act and the Workers’ Compensation Act.

 

Occupational and Health Services

 

Madam Chairperson, the ministry implemented this programme by enforcing laws pertaining to occupational safety and health. To ensure that work places are free from occupational diseases, hazards and accidents, occupational safety and health inspections were conducted.

 

Impact of Programmes implemented

 

Madam Chairperson, the programmes were implemented in line with the aspiration of the Government, as enshrined in Vision 2030, the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) and other existing policy and legal frameworks. These contributed to the maintenance of industrial harmony in the country.

 

Major Challenges Faced by the Ministry

 

Madam Chairperson, the implementation of programmes in 2020 was affected by a number of factors, including the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, inadequate funding and low staffing levels, which also had negative effects on the effective implementation of programmes.

 

Ministerial Budget Allocation 2021

 

Madam Chairperson, the total Estimates of Expenditure allocated to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security for 2021 is K33,450,981. The larger share of this amount is allocated to personal emoluments and this is estimated at K21,020,738. The amount provided for goods and services is only K10,871,732. The remaining amount of K1,558,511 is allocated towards grants to the National Productivity Centre for operations.

 

Policy Focus for 2021

 

Employment and Productivity Service

 

Madam Chairperson, the ministry will intensify labour inspections to enhance compliance to labour laws. The ministry will also implement employment promotion activities by providing public employment exchange services to link prospective job seekers to employers. Sector based minimum wages in different sectors of the economy will progressively be introduced. This will be done after conducting research on various parameters of the labour market.

 

Madam Chairperson, productivity and promotion activities will further be prioritised. In addition, the ministry will ensure that industrial relations are harmonised and properly managed with the involvement of workers and the employers’ organisations.

 

Social Security Services

 

Madam Chairperson, the ministry will continue to provide social security services to the general public. In doing so, special focus will be on implementing interventions aimed at extending the social security coverage to the informal sector. The ministry will further work towards modernising the social protection system in the country. This will be achieved through undertaking various policy and legislative reforms around social security.

 

Occupational Safety and Health

 

Madam Chairperson, the occupational safety and health inspections will regularly be conducted to enhance safety at work places. The ministry will strengthen protection mechanisms on occupational safety and health, especially for small and medium enterprises.

 

Madam Chairperson, to mitigate the challenges of inadequate funding, my ministry will consider mobilising resources from stakeholders and co-operating partners to cushion available resources for programme implementation.

 

Madam Chairperson, in conclusion, I wish to call upon hon. Members of this august House to support the 2021 Budget for my ministry.

 

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.

 

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Madam Chairperson, I thank you –

 

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Madam Chairperson.

 

The Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Chairperson, thank you. I would like to raise a very serious point of order on privilege. You may recall that last Friday, I rose on a point of order on Her Honour the Vice-President when she made a statement pertaining to the register of voters that is under contention in this country. Arising from the point of order I made on Her Honour the Vice-President, the Hon. Mr Speaker made a ruling that I should raise a question of urgent nature.

 

Madam Chairperson, I obliged to the ruling by the Hon. Mr Speaker, and an urgent question was raised under Order No. 31 and was approved. I did get correspondence from the Clerk’s office that the particular question was supposed to have come yesterday. Unfortunately, yesterday, it was not on the Order Paper and it is also not on the Order Paper today.

 

Madam Chairperson, I appreciate the confusion that has arisen due to the demise of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10. However, surely, should my rights be infringed upon as a result of what has transpired? I was written to by the Clerk, who represents the leadership of this House, and I was prepared to come and raise the question to Her Honour the Vice-President in the interest of the nation, as guided by the presiding officer.

 

Madam Chairperson, is this House in order to abrogate my rights and ignore the directive and the letter that was given with impunity?

 

The Chairperson: The hon. Leader of the Opposition, who is part of the leadership of the House, has indicated his appreciation of the nature of the business the House had to transact yesterday. Of course, the House is aware that yesterday, we were only able to dispense with only one item on the Order Paper. However, I am being informed that that particular question of urgent nature is scheduled to come on the Order Paper for Tuesday, next week.

 

The hon. Member for Zambezi East may continue.

 

Mr Kambita: Madam Chairperson, before I was interrupted by that point of order, I started with thanking you for according me the opportunity to debate Vote 44, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security – K33, 450,981.

 

Madam Chairperson, we all know that labour is one of the most important factors of production. Any economy the world over depends on a vibrant labour force to be productive. Zambia is no exception except that it has faced a critical challenge as regards labour issues. I have a few points to make, which the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security needs to take note of in dispensing that budget which we are going to approve.

 

Madam Chairperson, to start with, I support the budget, except I need to make these comments which need to be taken note of. Our labour force seems to be bleeding, mainly in the Civil Service and Public Service organisations. The Patriotic Front’s (PF’s) silent policy has been to retire people in national interest. In many cases, people have been victims of retirement because of political reasons. In those instances, even people who are so productive and who are needed to add value to the economy of this nation have ended up being thrown onto the streets, hence depriving all of us, as citizens, the production that would have been enhanced as a result of such skilled employees.

 

Madam Chairperson, I am aware that in the private sector, political influence has, somehow, had an effect on production. We have a situation where nationals, especially from the Asian region, who have established companies in this country, have had issues in securing their employees’ interests. The Government has turned a blind eye. I am aware that in some cases, the hon. Minister herself has had to visit erring institutions and, in most cases, those institutions that were found wanting have been acquitted based on political reasons. That disadvantages Zambians’ interests.

 

Madam Chairperson, I have heard the hon. Minister’s pronouncement on the minimum wage. It is one thing to declare a minimum wage and another to achieve it. When an economy is on its knees, the way it is now, the minimum wage becomes just rhetoric because companies will not afford to pay it. Some companies, especially those that are struggling to make ends meet, will not afford to pay the minimum wage. So, the amount that has been allocated towards inspections and compliance of the minimum wage will be a sheer waste of resources because the minimum wage does not translate into anything when an economy is not run well.

 

Madam Chairperson, I thought the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security would also pay attention to our own social security institution in the name of the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA). The Government has had the habit of abusing that institution and the resources that are collected there from, thereby hampering its performance in terms of profitability so that contributors to the fund, who can get hefty amounts at the end of the day, are not. I would like that to be checked out. As the Opposition, we are watching because we need to offer checks and balances to ensure that that the institution is not abused.

 

Madam Chairperson, I thank you. 

 

Mr Livune (Katombola): Madam Chairperson, I am grateful for this opportunity to debate. I will pick the debate from where the hon. Member left off where he called upon the hon. Minister to look at the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) seriously.

 

Madam Chairperson, the history of NAPSA is very clear, especially to the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security herself. This institution was born as a result of the realisation that there was a problem in the pension sector. This institution was meant to take over from the other three institutions to provide a minimum pension. The three institutions were the National Provident Fund (NPF), the Local Authorities Superannuation Fund (LASF) and the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF).

 

Madam Chairperson, it was proved beyond reasonable doubt that previous Governments had been abusing these institutions. Therefore, NAPSA began on a strong foundation and the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security is clear about that arrangement. So, we really call upon her to ensure that this institution, whose formulation and foundation she was very key, is protected.

 

Madam Chairperson, while still on the issue of pensions, I want to speak about a branch which NAPSA is now managing, the Zambia National Provident Fund (ZNPF). There are members who have money under that wing. The Zambia National Provident Fund Act of 1965, which was enacted in October 1966, created a situation whereby members who joined that fund, as a saving fund, were to get their money at the age of forty-five years. When NAPSA took over, it continued managing the ZNPF. To date, that money is losing value because the Act does not allow members’ accounts to actually benefit. There is no indexation.

 

Madam Chairperson, it only makes sense that we amend the law and ensure that all the members with money under the ZNPF get it away from NAPSA. It is also the management of the ZNPF which is marred by so many problems that paints a very bad picture of NAPSA because ZNPF funds take long to be collected due to missing records and all other issues that go with cash management.

 

Madam Chairperson, I, therefore, call upon the hon. Minister to quickly bring an amendment to Parliament so that we give power to NAPSA to pay off all the ZNPF members and only NAPSA members can remain active under that arrangement.

 

Madam Chairperson, I move on to the next issue, which is labour inspection. We have seen more of the hon. Minister and the Permanent Secretary (PS) in the ministry getting to speak to employers. Where are the labour inspectors? The hon. Minister and the (PS) are managers of the Labour Policy. Where are the labour inspectors so that they can do more work? We have seen employers rubbing shoulders and exchanging bad and bitter words with the PS and, sometimes, the hon. Minister. I hope the labour inspectors are not being demoralised.

 

Madam Chairperson, I plead with the hon. Minister to give labour inspectors enough ammunition to do their work. Let them be the ones who talk to employers or confront them and, then, give a proper account to the Labour Policy managers so that the country can appreciate why we pay these labour inspectors. It is, indeed, motivating for an inspector to go to an employer and carryout his or her job diligently.

 

Madam Chairperson, the other thing I would like to speak to is the issue of the Tripartite Labour Council. The hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security is aware that labour relationships are very important. Why should the Government be seen to be retiring union leaders who are serving on secondment as a way of shutting them up? The hon. Minister and I know too well that the Government has always been a culprit in these matters of shutting up effective union leaders.

 

Madam Chairperson, let us protect these labour leaders so that they can work diligently and provide the required leadership. We should protect them from being fired by employers on account of their talking too much, among others. So, I want the hon. Minister to carry out her work, in line with what she knows well.

 

With these few words, I thank you, Madam Chairperson.

 

Thank you.

 

Mrs Chinyama (Kafue): Madam Chairperson, in supporting the budget for the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, I want to state that there is a lot that the Government can do to improve the dignity of our workers. The Government can, indeed, do a lot outside the failed Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019 to try and to do something for the plight of our workers who are experiencing different and difficult situations.

 

Madam Chairperson, I believe that when you have worked, a salary becomes a human right. I have in mind workers of the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ), who I always talk about. The last time I asked Her Honour the Vice-President when these workers would be paid their arrears, the response was that it would be done. However, to date, these workers are still anxiously waiting.

 

Madam Chairperson, giving that as an example, I do not know what moral right this Government has to talk about minimum conditions of service and even urge other employers to meet them when it cannot pay its own workers. I think this is a very important aspect which this Government needs to take seriously.

 

Madam Chairperson, I observed from the hon. Minister’s submission that she talked about reviewing conditions of service and the minimum wage and all those issues, I believe, pertaining to the now mandatory statutory gratuity of 25 per cent. It is, indeed, important that the ministry continues to do that, especially for the 25 per cent gratuity. However, I think this a very difficult issue, especially for some emerging small-scale employers, so to say –

 

Mr Ng’ambi: On a point of order, Madam.

 

The Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Ng’ambi: Madam Chairperson, thank you for the opportunity to raise a point of order. I also seek the indulgence of the hon. Member, who was on the Floor.

 

Madam Chairperson, yesterday, 29^th October, 2020, the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019 was presented on the Floor of this House. This Bill was meant to benefit the people of Zambia, as it was progressive. It also meant to address the many challenges that they have been experiencing.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr Ng’ambi: Madam Chairperson, one of the issues that came out yesterday is what we are experiencing today, which is that the communication system at the National Assembly keeps freezing from time to time. So, at the time of voting yesterday, my consol froze and was unable to register my vote.

 

Madam Chairperson, as you may be aware, I supported the Bill and my name was supposed to appear among those who voted for it. However, my name did not appear and I have publicly declared that it was my intention to support Bill No. 10 of 2020. Since the system failed me by not registering my presence and I am publicly declaring my support for Bill No. 10 of 2020, will the records at the National Assembly be changed so that I become No. 106 among those who voted ‘yes’ yesterday?

 

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Chairperson.

 

The Chairperson: I reserve my ruling for obvious reasons. I will have to consult the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department before a ruling can be delivered. That is my position.

 

Hon. Chinyama was on the Floor. Please, continue.

 

Mrs Chinyama: Madam Chairperson, I was just saying that the ministry will do well to look into some of the conditions of service that it has tried to create for some players in the industry. What is being prescribed is not practical and may only push emerging companies under. I have observed that this is still rampant in some of these institutions. For example, public schools now employ members of staff under what they call Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) arrangements. Under such arrangements, schools are not able to meet what the workers deserve, according to the prescriptions of the law.

 

Madam Chairperson, the hon. Minister also talked about issues around occupational safety, which is a very important programme. I regret that we recently had that very sad situation at the Sinohydro Kafue Gorge where a life was lost and others are still battling for theirs. I hope the Government will consider compensation for the affected persons because that situation was really bad.

 

Madam Chairperson, with these few remarks, I thank you for giving me this opportunity.

 

Thank you, Madam.

 

Mrs Chisangano (Gwembe): Madam Chairperson, thank you for according me this opportunity to add my voice to the debate on the budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

 

Madam Chairperson, this ministry is supposed to protect the labour force in Zambia from harsh employers. We know that workers need decent working environments. In addition, they should be protected from unfair dismissals, underpayment, racism and abrogation of laws on working hours.

 

Madam Chairperson, we know that it is very difficult to find a job in this country. Most workers would rather stay quiet even if they are not treated well because the economy makes it hard for them just to stay at home.

 

Madam Chairperson, it is very sad to note that some companies, including some mines in this country, employ unqualified expatriates. These unqualified expatriates supervise experienced Zambians who have better qualifications than them. We have seen this happen in the mines. Where is the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to correct the situation? These situations demoralise our young qualified engineers, civil engineers and electricians who work in the mines.

 

Madam Chairperson, we have also seen that simple jobs are taken up by foreigners. We have visited some supermarkets where we have found foreign cashiers serving customers. We have also been to some construction sites were we have seen simple machinery or equipment being handled by foreigners. For example, streetlights are handled by foreigners when we have our own young qualified electricians. Our own young people are left behind.

 

Madam Chairperson, we want this situation to be corrected because we have many qualified youth who are graduates from university, but are seated at home doing nothing while their simple jobs are taken up by foreigners.

 

Madam Chairperson, we heard about labour inspectors, but we rarely see them in rural areas. We have a lot of fishing companies and institutions. For example, Lake Kariba has many fishing companies that employ a lot of fishermen. However, when you ask these fishermen how much they are paid, you will realise that they are really underpaid. We would like this ministry to extend the visits of its workforce to companies in the remotest parts of the country so that the workers there are also helped and attended to.

 

Madam, we want the ministry to be proactive and serve the vulnerable, especially the lowly paid workers in our country. Most lowly paid workers are harshly treated. What they get in this very harsh economy is too low. If employers do not follow the stipulated guidelines, then, these workers suffer and their families too are affected.

 

Madam Chairperson, I support the budget.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Madam Chairperson, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this very important Vote.

 

Madam Chairperson, as you know, labour is extremely important not only in the lives of our people, but also the economy of our nation. I would like to appreciate His Excellency the President for appointing this particular hon. Minister because, as Hon. Livune said, she has expertise, understanding of the field and is hard-working. It is very important that the Patriotic Front (PF) continues to see that the worker is looked after.

 

Madam Chairperson, as my colleagues have said, many times, workers on the ground in districts are faced with many challenges. Therefore, it is good to see that the hon. Minister, the Permanent Secretary (PS) and, indeed, labour officers in districts are involved. We need to capacitate labour officers so that they can interact with workers. For example, if possible, they should have toll free phone lines so that workers can call and communicate with them. We should also have officers conduct inspections.

 

Madam Chairperson, I want to appreciate the hon. Minister’s office in Mpika for the work that it is doing. There are many challenges that our workers in Kanchibiya, Lavushi Manda and Mpika are faced with. The officers on the ground are also equal to the task and their mobility is important. Therefore, we should ensure that they have fuel because, as you know, they service three districts.

 

Madam Chairperson, it has also been mentioned that women in labour require special attention. What we saw yesterday is a pity. We would have seen more women find their way into the National Assembly. Currently, female hon. Members of Parliament only constitute 17 per cent of the membership of this House against 83 per cent of men. However, hon. Members from the United Party for National Development (UPND) yesterday shot down the Bill that proposed to change the status quo and are celebrating. If we had more women in Parliament from the markets, young minibus drivers and young men from universities finding their way into the House, they would have found a voice to help them.

 

Madam Chairperson, yesterday, the idea of the Gender Commission was shot down and the UPND members are celebrating. They may be able to celebrate, but the PF Government is saddened, as her Honour the Vice-President said, because it is concerned about the Zambian worker. We want to see women well represented. The ministry was going to be assisted by having more women in the House and by having a Gender Commission, but the UPND is celebrating the demise, as they are calling it, of the Bill. It is a burial and it is a pity.

 

Madam Chairperson, I urge the hon. Minister to continue the work that she is doing. Hon. Livune mentioned that he worked with her very closely and knows her very well. Her passion, which is the passion of the PF, to ensure that the Zambian worker is protected should continue.

 

Madam, we appreciate the foreign investors who are coming, but the ministry must ensure that as they come, there is strict adherence to the laid-down procedures and regulations so that the job market for Zambians is protected.

 

Madam Chairperson, working with the Ministry of Home Affairs, in particular, the Immigration Department, and I am glad the hon. Minister is equal to the task, as I have seen him first hand, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security should ensure that it does not allow a situation where foreign companies, which would want to perpetuate the stay of expatriates even after the period which they had been given to tutor people at a work place has expired. They tend to transfer people after tutoring them so that when inspectors visit, they claim to not have tutored any employees. The Hon. Minister should ensure that those jobs are protected.

 

Madam Chairperson, there are companies that do not allow Provincial Administration and, sometimes, labour officers to access their premises. We should not have it in our land. Let us ensure that those areas are accessed and inspected so that the Zambian worker is protected.

 

Madam Chairperson, in conclusion, I thank and salute the Patriotic Front (PF) and all progressive hon. Members of Parliament who supported the way to have more youths and women in the House yesterday. Unfortunately, this was shot down by our Colleagues in the UPND.

 

Hon. Member’s time expired.

 

Mr Chali (Nchanga): Madam Chairperson, I thank you for allowing me to add a word on the debate on this important Vote for the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. First and foremost, I am supporting this Vote since it looks after the employees of this country.

 

Madam Chairperson, I have two important issues that I would like to put forward for the attention of the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security. The first one is the inspections. Looking at the money that has been allocated, I do not think there is enough money to allow the inspections to be carried out as they should.

 

Madam Chairperson, if you go into the industry now, especially the mining industry, you will find that workers on hired labour go for months without being paid. However, the company that would have been contracted by the mining company would have been paid, yet fail to pay the workers. Many workers go to the labour officers at district level to complain although the response and the way they are being assisted requires a lot of input. Therefore, there is a need for more inspections to be carried out in the plant areas where these complaints are coming from.

 

Madam Chairperson, the other issue is on unions.  The unions in the mining industry are now being politicised. I know each person has got the right to belong to a party of their choice, but let us not play partisan politics in the mining industry. I would also urge the district labour officers, through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, to make sure that no politics are played in the mining industry through the unions. It is just a way of destabilising the operations of the companies.

 

Madam Chairperson, before the liquidation at Konkola Copper Mines plc (KCM), many companies where owed a lot of money by the mining industry, hence the failure by the company to pay the contractors was one of the reasons the liquidation came into being.

 

Madam Chairperson, during that process, many of these companies had incurred hefty penalties against the dues that they were supposed to pay the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA). As we speak, some are appearing in court and some have had their properties ceased. Therefore, my humble request, through the Minister of Labour and Social Security, is to look closely at which companies were affected due to the non-payment by KCM. It is a valid reason as to why the company was liquidated. The ministry needs to see what measures can be taken or what relief can be given to these companies. For example, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) gave an amnesty to all companies that had defaulted payments by allowing them to only pay the principle amount. The companies were given a period of time and penalties were relieved.

 

 

Madam Chairperson, if this could be done, it would relieve many companies on the Copperbelt and add to their performance because, currently, many of them are affected because of this issue at KCM.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mrs Simukoko: Madam Chairperson, I thank you very much for the opportunity to wind up debate and I would also like to thank all the hon. Members who have contributed. Let me comment on a few things.

 

Madam Chairperson, retirement of workers in national interest is a condition of service that has been there for the Government and its one we cannot really temper with, as a ministry.

 

Madam, the ministry makes surprise visits to institutions to see the compliance on the issue of minimum wage and also to note what is going on. I would like to inform the workers in this country that they have an obligation to report any injustice, especially where there are no unions. For every right, there is an obligation. Trade Unions were formed to protest workers’ interests. Assuming there is no union, we expect the workers themselves to report any injustices because they have the right and obligation to do so. We even have a toll free line now where people can just call and tell us what is going on in that institution or whatever injustices are there. We normally go there, maybe bring in the employees, discus and counsel them. So, the obligation to report also lies in the workers.

 

Madam Chairperson, I am not aware of the Government abusing the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) funds. However, if the hon. Member who said it has evidence, I would rather have it. The Government will look into it. NAPSA is well protected because there are clauses that protect it and one of them is Clause 4, which makes it almost impossible for almost anyone to abuse NAPSA funds. So, unless the hon. Member has proof, he can come to my office so that we discuss it. I will see whether there has been some abuse there.

 

Madam Chairperson, Hon. Livune talked about labour inspectors. I am inspector number one and definitely we do not have many members of staff in that category. The Government has done its best because, I think, we have an inspector in almost every district. However, as the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, we have brought on board our colleagues from NAPSA and the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) as we conduct abrupt inspections.

 

Madam, again, I insist that the workers themselves have a duty to report wherever they feel uncomfortable. We spend eight hours at a work place and if one is miserable, it is like being miserable for the rest of one’s life. Therefore, we call upon Zambian workers to be proactive and always report injustices at a work place.

 

Madam Chairperson, let me also comment on the tripartite arrangement. All the laws that are made for workers are not formulated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, but by a tripartite arrangement composed of trade unions, employers, and the Government. So, it is highly participatory.

 

Madam Chairperson, I would like to thank all those who made some comments, I may not have specifically talked about them, but I have taken note of them. I would also like to thank the employers and trade unions who have worked very hard to ensure industrial harmony in the country. I hope we can continue working together and sharing whatever we can to improve the workers’ conditions of service in the country.  

 

I thank you, Madam

 

VOTE 44 ordered to stand part of the Estimates

 

VOTE 45 – (Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare) – K3,667,952,200)

 

The Minister of Community Development and Social Welfare (Ms Mulenga): Madam Chairperson, I wish to thank you for according me this opportunity to present the 2021 Estimates of Expenditure for the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.

 

Madam Chairperson, allow me once more to commend the hon. Minister of Finance on the elaborate presentation of the 2021 Budget, which has been delivered in an era where the global economy has been negatively impacted by the adverse effect of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

 

Madam Chairperson, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services will focus on pursuing key outputs as set out the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP). As you may be aware, the ministry draws its mandate from the Government Gazette Notice No. 836 of 2016, which calls for the provision of equitable social protection services to vulnerable individuals or communities and regulation of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in order to contribute to sustainable human development.

 

Madam Chairperson, I stand before you to give a brief account of our achievements and challenges the ministry faced in 2020, and indicate my ministry’s budget for 2021, which will be anchored mainly on social assistance and community development programmes.

 

Madam Chairperson, in 2020, my ministry was allocated a total of K1.4 billion. Of the total budget, K899.3million was to be financed by the Government, while K531.5 million was expected form co-operating partners. Of the total K1.4 billion Ministerial Budget Estimates, K1 billion, representing 75 per cent, was allocated towards grants to institutions as well as subsidies to vulnerable households and individuals.  A further K 295.5 million, representing 20.7 per cent, was earmarked for payment of goods and services, and K55.3 million, representing 3.9 per cent, towards payment of personal emoluments to staff while K0.463 million, representing 0.03 per cent, was for assets.

 

Social Cash Transfer 

 

Madam Chairperson, during the period under review, the demand for social services continued to be high, and accelerated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic which, as you may be aware, disrupted daily routines both at family and community levels. As of August 2020, the caseload of Social Cash Transfer stood at 632,327, with transfer values of K90 and K180 per household per month. By the end of 2020, the ministry will reach out to 700,000 beneficiaries under the Social Cash Transfer Programme.

 

Emergency Social Cash Transfer

 

Madam Chairperson, my ministry has implemented the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) as a response to the effects of the 2018/2019 Drought, 2019/2020 Floods and the COVID-19 pandemic experienced by different communities in some districts and the country at large. Through the ECT, the ministry has provided relief to more than 70,000 households. By the end of the year, the envisaged households to be reached will be more than 290,000

 

The Food Security Pack 2019/2020 Farming Season

 

Madam Chairperson, the Food Security Park Programme will continue to promote food and nutritional security in the extreme poor households through agriculture. The ministry under the FSP programme in the 2019/2020 Farming Season supported 36,000 poor and vulnerable, but viable farmer household in 116 districts. The support comprised nutrition sensitive messages and inputs, including cereals, legumes, and fertilizer.

 

Livelihood and Empowerment Support Scheme

 

Madam Chairperson, notable success has been registered in the implementation of women’s empowerment programmes, which seek to provide a package of productivity grants, training in life business skills, mentorship, and savings to a target of 75,000 beneficiaries in 51 districts by the end of 2020. To this end, my ministry has reached out to 73,484 women aged between nineteen and sixty-four years.

 

Madam Chairperson, the Government has secured additional financing for Girls Education Women’s Livelihood and Empowerment (GEWEL) Project, and is expected to reach out to an additional 54,000 beneficiaries under the Supporting Women’s Livelihood Initiative, implemented by my ministry.

 

Social Welfare services

 

Madam Chairperson, apart from the provision of social assistance and community development programmes, my ministry has continued to provide probation, reformatory and rehabilitation services to juveniles as well as processing adoption services and administering services for our emerging problems such as gender-based violence (GBV) and anti-human trafficking.

 

Strengthening and Social Protection Systems

 

Madam Chairperson, in order to strengthen the implementation of social protection programmes, my ministry has developed a Social Cash Transfer Grievance Mechanism and Case Management whose aim is to provide transparency and safeguard the rights of all beneficiaries on the programme in an effort to enhance service delivery. My ministry with the help from Smart Zambia Institute and support from co-operating partners developed and launched the Zambia Integrated Social Protection Information System (ZISPIS) in an effort to enhance payment mechanism and facilitate transparency as well as provide real time reporting of transactions.

 

Co-ordination of Social Protection Programmes

 

Madam Chairperson, my ministry has successfully implemented the single window initiative, aimed at co-ordinating various social protection programmes in order to enhance service delivery at community level.

 

Key Focus Areas For 2021

 

Madam Chairperson, my ministry’s budget for 2021 is K3,667,952,200 compared to K1.4 billion in 2020. This translates into an increment of K2.2 billion, representing a 61 per cent upward adjustment. The ministry’s 2021 Budget will overly focus on Poverty and Vulnerability Pillar, No. II 2 Cluster priority programmes of the 7NDP.

 

The Social Cash Transfer Programme

 

Madam Chairperson, the Social Cash Transfer Programme gives support to incapacitated individuals and households in form of cash transfers. The Government has, therefore, increased the cash transfer allocation from K1 billion in 2020, to K2,344,175,1623 in 2021. With this allocation, the caseload beneficiary’s household has been increased from the targeted 700,000 in 2020 to 994,000. Further, the transfer value will be revised upwards form K90 to K110. During the period 2021 to 2023, my ministry, with the support of co-operating partners, will continue with the Social Cash Transfer Programme as well as rolling out ZISPIS to the rest of the districts where it has not been implanted yet.

 

The Food Security Pack Programme

 

Madam Chairperson, the Government has increased funding for the Food Security Pack Programme from a K100 million in 2020, to K1,100,000,000 in 2021, to provide approximately 290,000 beneficiaries from the targeted 36,000 beneficiaries in 2020.

 

Madam Chairperson, may I take this opportunity to congratulate the hard-working Government ,under the able leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for the timely delivery of the farming inputs for the 2020/2021 Agriculture Season.

 

Livelihood and Empowerment Support Scheme

 

Madam Chairperson, my ministry has been implementing the Supporting Women’s Livelihood Project, which is a World Bank supported five-year intervention. It is aimed at increasing livelihood support opportunities for poor and vulnerable women with productivity grants, training in life and business skills, mentorship and savings with a target of 75,000 beneficiaries in fifty-one districts by the end of 2020. The women empowerment programme has an allocation of K40,000,000, which is an increase of K37.2 million compared to the 2020 Budget allocation. With this provision, the Government will reach out to more than 4,000 women through various women entrepreneurial and saving clubs in all districts.

 

Madam Chairperson, besides the above highlighted programmes, the 2021 Budget will enable my ministry to co-ordinate and regulate the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) sector, address functional literacy and train students in various skills through community colleges and skills training centres, provide social welfare services to persons with or without disabilities and strengthen systems surrounding the delivery of services under my ministry.

 

Madam Chairperson, in conclusion, I call upon all hon. Members of this august House to support the Estimates of Expenditure for 2021 for the ministry as presented, which prioritises the needs of the poor and the vulnerable in society.

 

Madam Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mecha (Chifunabuli): Madam Chairperson, thank you for granting the voice of Chifunabuli an opportunity to debate this Vote.

 

Madam Chairperson, this is a very important Vote –

 

Mr Miyutu: On a point of order, Madam Chairperson.

 

The Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Miyutu: Madam Chairperson, I thank you and I apologise to the hon. Member who was on the Floor.

 

Madam Chairperson, my point of order arises from the information that Her Honour the Vice-President gave to this House. At the beginning of this Meeting, a question was posed concerning the issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs) and Her Honour the Vice-President indicated that the hon. Minister of Home Affairs would update the House on how Phase II of the exercise was progressing. The hon. Minister of Home Affairs only came to update us about Phase I of the exercise, involving the first five provinces. However, he has not updated us on how Phase II of the exercise is progressing in the remaining five provinces. Is the hon. Minister of Home Affairs in order to not come to this House to update us accordingly, as Her Honour the Vice-President had instructed?

 

Madam Chairperson, I seek your fair ruling on this matter.

 

The Chairperson: My ruling is that in view of the fact that Her Honour the Vice-President had already indicated that the hon. Minister of Home Affairs would come to the House with an update, I urge the Executive to take note of this point of order and ensure that the directive given by Her Honour the Vice-President is carried out. That is my ruling.

 

May the hon. Member for Chifunabuli continue.

 

Mr Mecha: Madam Chairperson, before I was interrupted, I was about to say that this is, indeed, one of the most important Votes that can help Zambia to reduce poverty and vulnerability. I am happy that the Government has decided to increase the allocation to this Vote because the people of Chifunabuli are, indeed, benefiting.

 

Madam Chairperson, we are aware that Zambia is one of the countries that produce very good statistics on poverty levels. I am happy that this is one of the ministries that has properly targeted beneficiary districts. Everyone in Zambia knows that Chifunabuli is one of the poor districts, and as such, interventions under this ministry are expected to be directed towards the poor constituencies or districts. I want to concede the fact that Chifunabuli is benefiting from the Social Cash Transfer Programme, the Food Security Pack and sustainable women livelihood empowerment programmes. I am aware that we have had challenges with the disbursement of the Social Cash Transfer Programme, but this is not to say that it is not running smoothly.

 

Madam Chairperson, I just want to indicate that as we have been implementing the Food Security Pack Programme, we have been faced with a very big challenge with regards to the payment of local transporters. As you are aware, we have very few transporters. Last year, they were engaged but, to date, they have not been paid. So, we have a challenge. The Government gave us inputs in good time, in September 2020 and we managed to distribute them to the islands of Chishi and Mbabala but we had difficulties distributing them to the mainland because transporters refused to transport them. This led the ministry engaging transporters outside the district, which is not fair for the young entrepreneurs in Chifunabuli because we know that the cost of our operations is very high. Most trucks are now on rocks because of the non-payment of transporters. So, I urge the hon. Minister to expedite the payment of last year’s transportation activities.

 

Madam Chairperson, we celebrated our Independence Day successfully in Chifunabuli. We saw an unprecedented high number of freedom fighters participate in the celebrations and they challenged the District Commissioner (DC), the Council Chairperson and I because they want us to help them reduce their vulnerability. We know that most of the freedom fighters are vulnerable and have not been benefiting from Government interventions. So, they are appealing to the Government to deploy programmes that can help them and we have an opportunity to deploy affirmative action. The Government has deployed affirmative action with regard to the disabled persons under this ministry, the juveniles, the orphans and the youths. In a similar manner, the freedom fighters want the Government to help them because it has the opportunity to do that. The hon. Minister has just indicated that the ministry will increase the number of beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Programme to 994 and this is very important. So, the Government has an opportunity to probably create Community Welfare Assistant Committees (CWACs) specifically for freedom fighters. There is also an opportunity for them to benefit through the Food Security Pack as well as various programmes. So, this is the freedom fighters’ appeal, and the Government needs to find a way of helping them so that it can reward them for what they did for us pre-Independence and during Independence.

 

Madam Chairperson, I support the Vote.

 

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.

 

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) Madam Chairperson, firstly, let me state that I support the Vote for the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare. Indeed, every Zambian should support this ministry looking at the work that it is expected to do for the people.

 

Madam Chairperson, a section of people in our society that is mostly vulnerable includes the women, the old people and children. Even when we talk of poverty, these three groups of people are the ones who are mostly affected. So, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare comes to the aid of this section of people in our communities. However, I would like to indicate that despite this ministry being cardinal in our lives, it is not acting accordingly. There is a lack of disbursement of funds. In Kalabo, we do not know when the Government will effectively pay some beneficiaries their arrears. Some beneficiaries in Kalabo have not been paid their K90s. So, I urge the hon. Minister to ensure that these people are paid for the remaining months. Even if the money is little, it is better than nothing.

 

Madam Chairperson, I would like to inform the hon. Minister that the delivery of inputs through the Food Security Pack does not match the period when they are supposed to be received. I am sure the hon. Minister is aware that in the Western Province, we practice a bit of winter crop farming. So, the time when people are supposed to get fertiliser and other inputs, they are not available. This situation has an impact on them because they run out of seeds and fertiliser. So, the production of crops is negatively affected.

 

Madam Chairperson, another fact that might be disputed is that there is some political attachment to the Food Security Pack. I am talking about what we experience in Kalabo and not any other place. You find that beneficiaries who actually receive these packs belong to a certain political party. So, my request to the hon. Minister is that there be mutuality when considering the beneficiaries of the Food Security Pack so that all Zambians regardless of where they belong or who they are receive the packs as long as they are eligible beneficiaries, rather than be discriminated against for belonging to a certain party. So, I request the hon. Minister to take note of this. If the hon. Minister investigates, she will realise that what I am saying is true. In Kalabo, some people have complained that they do not receive their inputs because they do not belong to a certain party.

 

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

 

Thank you, Madam.

 

Ms Mwape (Mkushi North): Madam Chairperson, thank you for according me this opportunity to add the voice of the people of Mkushi North in support of the 2021 Budget for the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare.

 

Madam Chairperson, I would like to express my personal gratitude for the notable success that has been registered in the implementation of social protection programmes such as women empowerment programmes, which seek to uplift the lives of women through grants and savings. This is no mean achievement.

 

Madam Chairperson, a target of 75,000 beneficiaries in fifty-one districts by the end of 2020 is an enormous achievement. The hon. Minister has already pointed out that the ministry has reached out to 73,484 women aged between nineteen and sixty-four, and this is commendable. It is also pleasing to note that the ministry’s budget for 2021 is K3,667,952,200 compared to K1,430,920,476 in 2020. This is a very positive achievement.

 

Madam Chairperson, the allocation of the Social Cash Transfer Programme has been increased from K1,047,422,180 in 2020 to K2,344,175,162 in 2021. The support to incapacitated individuals and households in form of cash transfer is very commendable and we can see that the increase in allocation will translate in the caseload of beneficiaries’ households from the targeted 700,000 in 2020 to 994,000 in 2021. Apart from the increase in beneficiaries’ households, the transfer value has been revised upwards from K90 to K110. This is, indeed, commendable.

 

Madam Chairperson, the Food Security Pack is another programme whose funding the Government has increased from K100,000,000 in 2020, to K1,100,000,000 in 2021 to provide for approximately 290,000 beneficiaries from the targeted 36,000 beneficiaries in 2020.

 

Madam Chairperson, the timely delivery of farming inputs for the 2020/2021 Agriculture Season is such a positive development, which reflects the hard-work of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.

 

Madam Chairperson, with this submission, I wish to emphasise that the 2021 Budget for the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare should be supported by all well-meaning hon. Members of this august House.

 

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.

 

Mr Kamboni was inaudible

 

Ms Kasanda (Chisamba): Madam Chairperson, from the outset, I would like to say that I support this budget fully. My reason for supporting this budget is that women’s economic empowerment is critical in achieving gender equality and sustainable development. Additionally, women are the main providers of unpaid care and domestic work. Research has shown that globally, women provide unpaid care and domestic work 2.6 times more than the men.

 

Madam Chairperson, having said that, I just want to highlight a few issues that I have in my constituency. We have an agent that was contracted by the ministry to bring Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) to my constituency. The SIM cards were brought, but most of them were not active. As a result, most people were not able to get their Social Cash Transfer funds. It was also noted, in my constituency, that beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Scheme had remained the same. The same people had continued receiving the Social Cash Transfer as opposed to having different beneficiaries.

 

Madam Chairperson, I am aware that the list of beneficiaries will increase to about 1,200. The issue I have with this is that we know that this Social Cash Transfer Scheme has been politically inclined. Therefore, I would like to ask the hon. Minister to make sure that this time around, the Social Cash Transfer funds go to every Zambian. She should ensure that it is fairly distributed and that it includes people from different political parties in Chisamba as opposed to having only people from the same political party, as we have been seeing. I think it is important to have a criterion when selecting beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Scheme. As much as we know that the selection goes through the District Commissioner’s (DC’s) office, it is important that the hon. Member of Parliament is also informed of how this Social Cash Transfer Scheme will be distributed.

 

Madam Chairperson, another challenge that Chisamba is facing is that of the Food Security Pack. This programme is equally politically inclined. I think it is very important that the ministry looks into it and makes sure that everybody, especially the women, get a share or a piece of cake that they are entitled to. Women are the majority in the country and they are the ones who take care of the children. These are the people that need to be empowered.

 

Madam Chairperson, as a woman, I would like to speak on behalf of the women. Looking at the fact that the hon. Minister of Community Development and Social Welfare is a woman, I expect her to treat these women fairly regardless of their political affiliations.

 

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.

 

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Madam Chairperson, thank you for this opportunity to add a voice to the debate on this important Vote for the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare. I will limit my discussion to the support that comes through the social welfare assistance to not only the communities of Kaputa, but also to the Zambians in general. Let me thank His Excellency the President and the hon. Minister of Finance for having allocated these amounts of money to this ministry in the 2021 Budget. As we all know, this Government would not want to leave anyone behind. In the midst of the floods and droughts that we suffered in the past, a number of our community members have had their capital base and assets terribly eroded. So, allocating funds to the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare is very important and we are grateful for the job well done.

 

Madam Chairperson, let me address myself to the Social Cash Transfer, as it pertains to the people of Kaputa. On a number of occasions, I have made indications to the hon. Minister’s office. While we agree and accept, and thank the Government for having put the people of Kaputa on this Social Cash Transfer Scheme, the system of using Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards that is being used, especially for those who are within the urban areas of Kaputa, has not been of any advantage whatsoever. The beneficiaries have not been able to receive their money in good time compared to those who are not on the system. I am told that in Nsama, Kaputa and Mpulungu in the Northern Province, that system was being used on a trial basis. Could the hon. Minister and the directors in his ministry, please, check this. This has definitely disadvantaged our people in that they have not been able to receive these funds in good time. We are not talking about arrears, but allocations which should have been given to them.

 

Madam Chairperson, I would like to quickly look at the Food Security Pack, which is very important and critical support that is given to vulnerable, but viable households. When I look at the composition of the pack, which normally consists of two bags of D-Compound fertiliser, one bag of Urea fertiliser and a bag of seed, just this ratio of two to one does not work well within the agriculture circles. Those who understand agriculture will tell you that if you are going to give two bags of D-Compound fertiliser, please, ensure that you give two bags of urea fertiliser as well. Otherwise, what you are saying is that a person will plant a bigger hectarage and then fail to fertilise the crop with top dressing fertiliser. Therefore, you do not increase their yield, but make them poorer than they were. So, going forward in 2021, the Government must ensure that this ratio is not just a ratio that anybody dreams about. It is like being given two sweets. This is a technical and scientific ratio that must be followed from the agricultural sector point of view.

 

Madam Chairperson, for the support that the ministry continues to give to the people of Kaputa in the Livelihood Support Programme, we again say, thank you because a number of our women have benefited. All we are basically saying to the hon. Minister and her team is that the timely disbursement is extremely important in most of these support programmes. Yes, it may not be that the ministry is not doing its part but that those who are supposed to release this money from the Ministry of Finance have not been able to do so. However, as a team and a hard-working Government, let us ensure that our co-ordination and timely release of funds becomes very critical. People support this Government and the people of Kaputa will support it going forward.

 

Madam Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Ms Mulenga: Madam Chairperson, I want to sincerely thank all the hon. Members of Parliament who have contributed to this debate. In particular, I just want to respond to Hon. Mecha. I thank him for the support and for appreciating the Government’s efforts. With the increased budgetary allocation, we will, indeed, improve the Social Cash Transfer, the Food Security Pack and the Supporting Women Livelihood. Indeed, with these increments in the budget allocation, we expect that the people of Chifunabuli will have some of the issues that were raised before the House taken care of.

 

Madam Chairperson, I just want to assure the hon. Member that our transporters were paid last week. They were paid for last year’s arrears and for 2020. So, I should expect that, through the office of the DC and our offices at the Community Development and Social Welfare, these monies will be able to reach them in the soonest possible time, and we are thankful to the Ministry of Finance.

 

Madam Chairperson, on the issue of our freedom fighters, I just want to mention to the hon. Member that looking at the age of most of our freedom fighters, they are, indeed, in need of the Social Cash Transfer Scheme. However, we, of course, need to do more, as a Government, and, obviously, we will be coming up with a policy that will cover most of our freedom fighters.

 

Madam Chairperson, I would like to thank Hon. Miyutu for the support. Indeed, we are taking care of the old and the young women, as seen by the age variation of nineteen and sixty-four years old of those under various programmes in our ministry.

 

Madam Chairperson, indeed, we have had challenges with the disbursement of the Social Cash Transfer fund in the past. However, the challenges are going to be eased because our President has emphasised on leaving no one behind. With the additional financing of US$115million for 2020-2024, this aspect will receive an allocation. Therefore, I want to assure all hon. Members of Parliament that from January to December, we will begin clearing all arrears for the period January to December. So, we expect to have no arrears as we leave nobody behind.

 

Madam Chairperson, with regards to the Food Security Pack, I would like to assure the hon. Member for Kaputa that we do not discriminate. Vulnerability knows no political party. For the identification of members, we have what we call the Community Welfare Assistance Committees (CWACs). Therefore, I would encourage as many of our hon. Members of Parliament to go to our offices. The CWACs are identified by the community members themselves. Members of the community choose people to represent them. Therefore, the ministry is not involved in the identification. The community identifies who is vulnerable, and then the ministry does the vetting. It is non-political.

 

Madam Chairperson, indeed, we have been delivering inputs under the Food Security Pack on time. Since people in Hon. Miyutu’s constituency are engaging in winter farming, as a ministry, we may consider assisting them by allocating that activity some funds so as to ensure the timely distribution of the Food Security Pack.

 

Madam Chairperson, let me thank Hon. Kasanda for recognising the importance of the Government programmes. That those who are on the Social Cash Transfer Scheme within our communities are having integration challenges with the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card does not mean that they will not get their money. The hon. Member should, please, come to our office so that we know who the members are so that we give them their monies. This Government wishes to help the most vulnerable, but viable in our society, and the emphasis is leaving no one behind. So, their money should be given to them, and we are non-political.

 

Madam Chairperson, I thank Hon. Ng’onga for supporting this Vote. Indeed, with the new allocation of K1,100,000,000 to the Food Security Pack from a K100 million, some of the challenges that have been mentioned will be taken care of, as this programme is still under review.

 

Madam Chairperson, let me just assure hon. Members that this Government means well. We also sincerely thank His Excellency the President, through the hon. Minister of Finance, that our ministry has had a 64 per cent increment. For that reason, during this period of COVID-19 and the post COVID-19 era, our most vulnerable will be taken care of.

 

Madam Chairperson, I am sincerely thanking everybody who has supported our Vote.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Vote 45 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

 

VOTE 46– (Ministry of Health – K9, 230,638,999)

 

The Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Madam Chairperson, I wish to thank you for according me this opportunity to present a policy statement in support of the Ministry of Health’s 2021 Budget. The Patriotic Front (PF) Government, under the stewardship of his Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic aspires to attain universal health coverage, through health system strengthening anchored on an integrated community based primary health care approach. Our focus is to improve the provision of health services across the continuum of care. This includes promoting, preventive, rehabilitative, and palliative services and close to clients’ settings.

 

Madam Chairperson, I will begin by providing an update on the status of health service delivery, healthy system investments and then provide highlights on policy direction and care activities for 2021. I will conclude with the summary of the 2021 Budget allocations as well as key challenges

 

Review of the 2020 Budget Performance

 

Madam Chairperson, the disbursement for non-personal emoluments against the budget from Government stood at 70 per cent as of September 2020. Furthermore, the ministry received funding from various co-operating partners. As a sector, we have noted the fiscal challenges the country is facing and, therefore, appreciate the efforts of the Treasury regarding the significant improvement in the Budget performance in 2020. The Ministry of Health will continue to explore innovative financing measures in order to increase financing to the health sector.

 

Service Delivery

 

Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition

 

Madam Chairperson, as seen in the Zambia Demographic Health Survey of 2018, there has been notable progress in key health indicators. Therefore, the ministry will continue investing in strategies aimed at strengthening the provision of maternal, child, new born, adolescent health, and nutrition services in order to reduce mobility and motility.

 

Malaria

 

Madam Chairperson, malaria continues to be a public health challenge in Zambia, and the Government will continue straightening its integrated vector control measures and other interventions towards malaria elimination.

 

Madam Chairperson, the epidemiological situation in the region, and Zambia in particular, shows a resurgence of malaria and the Government is up to the challenge to respond to the resurgence.

 

HIV/AIDS

 

Madam Chairperson, I am glad to inform this august House that as at end of September 2020, Zambia was firmly on track in attaining the Joint United Nations Programme on (human-immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (UNAIDS) Fast-Track target of 90-90-90.

 

Tuberculosis

 

Madam Chairperson, we shall continue implementing high impact interventions to reduce the burden of Tuberculosis (TB) by finding the patients early and commencing them on life saving therapy. We shall do this by continuing to expand the diagnostic capacity and avoiding interruptions in the supply chain for TB commodities, amongst others.

 

Health Security

 

Madam Chairperson, in the recent past, our country has experienced disease outbreaks such as measles, polio and cholera in addition to potential threats in the region such as Ebola. It is clear that these disease threats exert the far-reaching impact on livelihoods and the economy. Therefore, the need to invest in health security is imperative in order to protect the country from these public health threats.

 

Madam Chairperson, as we all are aware, Zambia has suffered a negative socio-economic impact of COVID-19. In this regard, we have continued using a multi-sectoral response, which includes heightened surveillance at community level, in health facilities, at points of entry and in sentinel sites. The Ministry of Health will continue strengthening public health security through strengthening preparedness, prevention, surveillance, intelligence, and response.

 

Hospital Services

 

Madam Chairperson, as a country, we have continued to expand the scope of health services in the country and we have continued to expand renal dialysis services and now include Chipata, Kasama and Mansa hospitals. This has reduced referrals and stemmed capital flight.

 

Health System Investment

 

Madam Chairperson, we set a legacy goal to recruit 30, 000 health workers from 2017 to 2021. As at this year, 23,616 are being recruited.  In 2020  alone, 2, 232 health workers were recruited.

 

Madam Chairperson, the Ministry of Health introduced a specialty training programme as a response to the challenges we face in providing specialist services. As we speak, 442 medical doctors are undertaking specialist training at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital (LMUTH) and the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

 

Drugs, Vaccines and Medical Supply

 

Madam Chairperson, with support from the Ministry of Finance and co-operating partners, the Ministry of Health has continued to expand efforts in ensuring constant availability of medicines. We shall, therefore, continue to ensure timely supply of essential medicines through an integrated procurement, finance and logistics management system.

 

Infrastructure Development

 

Madam Chairperson, in our unwavering aspiration for universal health coverage, we have continued to expand infrastructure for health services.

 

Madam Chairperson, under infrastructure development, in our unwavering aspiration for universal health coverage, we have continued to expand infrastructure for health services. Out of the planned 650 primary health infrastructure, we have already completed the construction of 500 health posts. Thirty-four mini hospitals out of the planned 108 have also been completed.

 

Madam Chairperson, the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) and the Medical Stores Limited infrastructure is also being upgraded. The Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital, the Chinsali General Hospital and the Kalindawalo General Hospital are complete. The Lusaka Specialist Hospital is complete and the Bangweulu General Hospital is 30 per cent complete. The construction of the women and newborn hospital, the King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Women’s Hospital, is also advanced.

 

Madam Chairperson, in terms of healthcare financing, we have introduced an innovative way to finance health care and, the National Health Management Insurance Authority is now operational. We have now moved from 4 per cent coverage at baseline in 2016 to 25 per cent which translates into 4,475,262 beneficiaries as at today. This has removed out-of-pocket payments and has improved access to health services.

 

Governance and Leadership

 

Madam Chairperson, in 2020, we enacted the following Bills:

 

1. the Mental Health Act;
2. the Food Safety Act;
3. the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency Act; and
4. and the Nurses and Midwives Act.

 

 

Policy Direction for 2021 and Key Activities

 

Madam Chairperson, my ministry will continue building on the collective efforts to scale-up high impact and evidence-based health interventions. Under the stewardship of President Lungu, we will continue to pursue universal health coverage.

 

Budget Allocation for 2021

 

Madam Chairperson, as regards the 2021 Budget, we have been allocated as a sector a total of K9,230,638,999, representing 7.7 per cent of the National Budget. The difference of the funds has been allocated to other line ministries that implement health-related activities such as the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Defence. The ministry also expects to benefit from the K273 million allocated for net recruitment of Public Service workers, which is managed under the Ministry of Finance. Out of the K9,230,638,999 allocated to the Ministry of Health, K7.3 million is from the Treasury and K1.9 million is from various co-operating partners.

 

I would like to thank co-operating partners for the support. The funds allocated for key programmes include K1.4 billion for drugs, K899 million as grants for hospitals, K84 million for training schools and K178 million as grants for management support.

 

Madam Chairperson, on the overall policy direction, we will continue the multi-sectoral approach towards universal health coverage. The challenges we expect include funding for drugs, vaccines and medical supplies. We shall address these through innovative financing and interaction with co-operating partners.

 

Madam Chairperson, as I conclude, let me convey my appreciation to His Excellency, President Lungu, for the tremendous and continued support to the health sector. I wish to mention to this august House that my ministry will continue forging new partnerships in order to leverage resources with bilateral and multilateral agencies, the United Nations (UN), the United States Government and other co-operating partners (OCPs).

 

Madam Chairperson, primary health care remains fundamental. Community based approaches will be critical and, together, we will build a nation of healthy and productive citizens that will steer our aspiration for 2030 of becoming a healthy nation which is prosperous and of middle income status.

 

Madam Chairperson, I now ask this august House to support the 2021 Budget for the Ministry of Health.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Lufuma was inaudible. 

 

Mr Mwila (Chimwemwe): Madam Chairperson, thank you for giving me an opportunity to debate the Motion. Allow me to also thank the hon. Minister of Health for that policy statement.

 

Madam Chairperson, I have noted from the budgetary allocation for next year that there is no provision for the construction of a specialist hospital on the Copperbelt, particularly slated for Kitwe, whose site has been identified in Chimwemwe Constituency. The message from the people of Kitwe is that, through the good effort of the hon. Minister and that of His Excellency the President Edgar Lungu, co-operating partners be found to put up a specialist hospital in Kitwe similar to the one which will soon be launched here in Lusaka.

 

Madam Chairperson, I am aware that the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) is not present in all districts, but concentrated mainly in Lusaka and some urban provinces. So, we are counting on the ministry to ensure that inspections are carried out at private pharmacies, clinics and hospitals for counterfeit drugs. Our country is recording a number of deaths arising from the administration of counterfeit drugs. I would like that to come to an end, through the services of the ministry.

 

Madam Chairperson, on heightened surveillance of health security threats at community level, we have seen a number of cases were private hospitals and clinics hold on to patients they know they will not treat only to release them to Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) facilities when they  have few hours or minutes to die. I want that to come to an end and I am depending on this ministry to sort out this problem because we cannot continue to lose lives through unethical practices. However, not all private clinics do this, but a few undesirable health facilities do. In other cases, we have seen private hospitals admit patients seriously ill from the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) when they know that they do not have even a single ventilator in their facilities. That should come to an end.

 

Madam Chairperson, the country depends on the Ministry of Health to collect data for possible decision-making through heightened surveillance. I have seen many cases where middle aged men, especially, die because of wrong prescriptions of drugs meant to boost their libido, in most cases. This is a very serious issue that is affecting our country, but is not being talked about. So, I want the ministry to take keen interest in this, collect data and come up with sensitisation measures. We are living under stressful situations because of economic challenges imposed on us because of COVID-19 and external issues. These issues are translating into libido challenges. I want proper guidance from the ministry on this issue.

 

Madam Chairperson, similar to this problem is that of cases of stroke. We are having a number of people die from stroke. We depend on the ministry to address this. We know that the budget for the ministry has been reduced, but we can depend on the hon. Minister’s good standing with co-operating partners to have a few more resources put into sensitisation issues. Many of our people are dying from stroke because they do not know that it can be avoided if they could quit smoking, for example, or engage in regular exercise. Many of our people do not know this. So, we want the ministry to come on board and take that message to our people.

 

 Madam Chairperson, even on diet, to date, many of our people, especially from the east, and particularly Kacholola and Mutenguleni, believe that eating too much red meat is good for their health and is right. Our people in the east should be visited and discouraged from consuming red meat in the morning, afternoon and evening. These are some of the issues we want the ministry to handle because we have continued to lose critical lives –

 

The Chairperson: Order!

 

The hon. Member’s time expired.

 

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Madam Chairperson, I thank you for allowing me to add on a few words to the debate on the Vote for the Ministry of Health. To start with, I want to be very clear and say that I support this budget because I have no choice as we all get sick. Children and other family members also get sick. Ultimately, we all get help from health centres. So, I support this ministry’s budget.

 

Madam Chairperson, in fact, I would say that the budget allocation for the Ministry of Health is not sufficient. This ministry needed to get more funding. When we look at the allocation to the health sector, we can tell that its share of the National Budget in the past few years has been declining, and this should not be the case. The health and education sectors offer critical social services. Therefore, we cannot afford to have their shares of the Budget decline. We also cannot afford to have the absolute amounts decline. If you look at the amount of money going towards the health sector in real terms, it has been declining over the years. This should never be allowed.

 

Madam Chairperson, as I support this Vote, I wish to go further by saying that the hon. Minister of Health should receive even more funding. When you look at some of the areas where funding has been increased, it is very clear that there was ability to spend less money on less important items so that an important ministry such as this one could receive more funding. The consequences of reducing the funding that I am talking about, both in real terms and share in the National Budget are very clear.

 

Madam Chairperson, as we go around institutions across the country, I think, we can see that infrastructure is improving. However, if you go inside this infrastructure, you realise that other ingredients that are required to make health services functional or the total package is missing. Many health centres and hospitals in the country, currently, have no drugs and working materials such as gloves. We know this because we are all hon. Members of Parliament and we visit our institutions. So, how can we end up just having infrastructure, in as much as we need it, but not the complete set of items that are required to provide a good service?

 

Madam Chairperson, when you go to many rural health centres, there is no clean water. The staff and patients have to get dirty water from streams. That should not be allowed because there is sufficient money to put to use or to employ in these institutions.

 

Madam Chairperson, I, therefore, would like to appeal, through the hon. Minister of Health, to my friend over there, the hon. Minister of Finance, to give more money to the hon. Minister of Health so that he can buy medicines, bandages, gloves and solar lights in rural clinics rather than have people burn grass in order to see a woman who is delivering. That is not acceptable.

 

Madam Chairperson, finally, there are so many young people out there who have been given jobs at health centres, but tell us that they have been waiting to be put on the payroll for the last two years. How can they continue to work like that? That is why I am appealing to the hon. Minister of Health to get more money from Hon. Dr Bwalya Ng’andu.

 

Madam Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Mr Mwamba (Lubansenshi): Madam Chairperson, I thank you for the opportunity to speak on this Vote. First of all, I want to thank the ministry for its effort in ensuring that health services are provided for our people in Zambia.

 

Madam Chairperson, I want to also give gratitude to our President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for ensuring that what is being seen here in Lusaka, on the Copperbelt and in Livingstone is what we are also getting in rural areas. Rural areas have been given specialised hospitals, mini-hospitals, health posts and clinics. So, as I speak today, no one in these areas will actually die from a disease which is known and can be cured except for complicated cases which are brought here in Lusaka. Issues or cases that used to trouble people a long time ago no longer exist.

 

Madam Chairperson, as I speak, I also cry for more funding to be given to this ministry so that what is not, currently, available is actually provided.

 

Madam Chairperson, I also want to speak about staffing. The Government has made an effort in recruiting people to work in hospitals, but I feel it still needs to recruit more. Most of the clinics that the Government has put up do not have qualified staff and most of the mini-hospitals do not have sufficient numbers of doctors, nurses and support medical personnel. So, we feel the ministry should continue recruiting more staff until we see a situation whereby these institutions are fully staffed so that our people receive similar services in their places as those that are being provided elsewhere.

 

Madam Chairperson, we want to also thank the Government for giving health institutions the drugs that people need or that are used to cure them. Sometimes, things are just politicised. Our hon. Colleagues from the Opposition speak about there being a lack of drugs in clinics and hospitals, but when you go there, you find that even the clinic in the furthest point of a district, like in my constituency in Lubansenshi, has drugs. So, it is evident that the Government is trying all its best to provide what is required.

 

Madam Chairperson, this is as far as I wanted to contribute.

 

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.

 

Mr Mulusa (Solwezi Central): Madam Chairperson, I thank the hon. Minister for presenting this Vote and I support it. However, my concern is that he has been promising to upgrade the Solwezi General Hospital, which is a very old hospital in my constituency, but nothing has happened so far. Every Budget comes and goes. However, we have not seen much in terms of infrastructure development to improve the Solwezi General Hospital. How I wish he could also look into that matter very seriously so that our people in my constituency benefit from infrastructure development.

 

Madam Chairperson, this general hospital is very old. The growth of the population due to investments in the constituency is overwhelming and the hospital remains limited in terms of infrastructure. It is also dilapidated in some places. So, I urge the hon. Minister to seriously look into the issue of the Solwezi General Hospital in my constituency.

 

Madam Chairperson, we have no health workers in most clinics despite our efforts of building more clinics around Solwezi Central Constituency. In fact, health workers have not been allocated to most clinics. We want these clinics to open and operate so that the people benefit from the structures that we have dotted around the constituency.

 

Madam, only the community health workers are helping out in most operational clinics, which is not very good. As we discuss this Vote, which is not well funded as I can see, the issue of health workers in my constituency should be looked into.

 

Madam Chairperson, the Government is supporting a clinic in Kimakolwe, but construction at this clinic has also stalled. Not much is happening in there. We want that clinic to be funded so that it is completed.

 

Madam, by the way, there is only one clinic in Solwezi Central constituency of the 600 clinics that we boast about that is complete or rather Solwezi Central Constituency only received one clinic of the 600 clinics. It is important that the Kimakolwe Clinic, which is also very important because of the growth of the constituency, is funded so that people can start benefitting from it.

 

Madam Chairperson, another important clinic in Solwezi Central constituency called the Urban Clinic also needs rehabilitation and improvement. In fact, we need a modern hospital in Solwezi Central Constituency big enough to accommodate all the health concerns in the constituency. The Urban Clinic must be upgraded to a modern clinic that will have everything like other mini-hospitals. We want it to be upgraded so that the general hospital becomes a referral hospital for the province. That is the way it was set up by those who brought it into operation.

 

Madam, I urge the hon. Minister of Health to look into those matters seriously so that we can also say that we have benefited from the ministry.

 

With these few remarks, I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Thank you, Madam.

 

Dr Chibanda (Mufulira): Madam Chairperson, thank you for giving the people of Mufulira Central an opportunity to support the Vote on the Ministry of Health that is on the Floor of the House.

 

Madam, I must earnestly start by stating that even though this ministry’s budget allocation has been reduced, it has performed extremely well, especially now when our country like all other countries, is faced with this pandemic that has rocked the world.

 

Madam Chairperson, I commend the hon. Minister for upgrading Ndola Central Hospital and Kitwe Central Hospital into university teaching hospitals. This is a well intended measure meant to decongest the University Teaching Hospital, which I know has been overwhelmed because it has been the biggest of its kind in our country. I urge the hon. Minster to move in expeditiously to equip these two university teaching hospitals with the infrastructure to liken it to the Lusaka University Teaching Hospital. You are aware that these two hospitals are in a region which has access to the Northern and the North-Western circuits, therefore, most of these referral cases will be adequately managed by these two university teaching hospitals.

 

Madam, the hon. Minister has done well to stick to his promise to complete the 650 clinics built under the arrangement between the Zambian and Indian governments. I am a beneficiary of those clinics and I urge the hon. Minister to consider constructing more because our constituencies are vast. He is cognisant of the fact the Patriotic Front (PF) manifesto speaks to the fact that we should have a clinic every 2 km. We are on that trajectory, but we need to put it into a faster gear to ensure that all the requirements of our manifesto are actualised going by what we promised to give the people in terms of primary health amenities.

 

Madam the hon. Minister has been exceptionally helpful to my hospital, which is Kamuchanga Hospital. He is aware that it is the only hospital in Mufulira which provides free healthcare facilities for our people. I urge him to also expeditiously look into the completion of Mufulira Hospital, which was started by the PF Government under the able leadership of the late President Michael Chilufya Sata. That hospital has advanced well, but I know that we have not moved accordingly owing to the fiscal space. However, I know that he has not failed us, as the hon. Minister of Health. I urge him to put it in faster gear to see how we can make progress.

 

Madam Chairperson, speaking of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Ministry of Health has done exceptionally well and we, as the Zambian people, should commend him for being on the job by updating the nation and ensuring that people adhere to the standards that have been set. This is a commendable job. I encourage him to continue because I am aware that while we may be having a downward trend, it is increasing in Europe. Therefore, we may have a second wave. So, we are better off preparing, as a people and as a country, for the second wave. If it has happened elsewhere, there is potential that it can happen in our midst.

 

Madam, with these few remarks, I wish to commend to the hon. Minister for being on top of things and adhering to the requirements of the health sector for the Zambian people. I further wish to commend him for ensuring that his ministry is not left behind in the multi-sectoral approach that the Government of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has enhanced to offer to the Zambian people. No one will be left behind in the health sector. No one in Mufulira Central will be left behind in the provision of health. I implore the hon. Minister to do his best to ensure that our hospital is completed and that he is always on top of issues by ensuring that those of us with clinics are given adequate medication and on time.

 

With these few remarks, I thank you and I support the vote.

 

Thank you, Madam.

 

Ms Chisangano: Madam Chairperson, thank you for giving me this opportunity to add my comments to the debate on the budget for the Ministry of Health.

 

Madam, as we all know, the world has been hit by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This should have been a wake-up call for the Government to follow the Abuja Declaration by allocating, at least, 15 per cent of the Annual Budget to the health sector to improve it, but all we see is a reduction in the budget. We should have seen more clinics, mini-hospitals and hospitals being built in our country to attend to such emergencies and the usual health problems that people face.

 

Madam Chairperson, Gwembe Constituency was allocated ten health posts, but not a single one has been built. As a result of this, we are still seeing pregnant women, mothers, fathers and old people walking long distances to access health services. For example, in Nyangwe, which is about 10-15 km to the nearest health facility, pregnant women have to walk during the day and at night, depending on when they fall sick. We are requesting that two or three health posts be built out of the ten to help the patients in Gwembe Constituency.

 

Madam Chairperson, the Munyumbwe Hospital is a newly built hospital and we want to see it completed. It is also lacking a lot of equipment such as a generator set, and X-ray machines. Sometimes, the hospital runs out of drugs. Can we see an improvement in this situation.

 

Madam Chairperson, some time back, we were given an ambulance which was good, however, this ambulance only attends to maternity cases and accident victims. Looking at our constituency, we have old people and those who stay far where there is no transport. At times, these people fall very sick and need the services of the ambulance, but they are told that the ambulance can only attend to maternity cases and accident victims. In this vein, I am requesting that an ambulance or more ambulances be given so that they attend to emergency situations where people are very sick although their cases may not be maternity related.

 

Madam Chairperson, I am also requesting the Government to look into the issue of transport for the District Health Office and for Munyumbwe District Hospital so that the staff can be able to carry out outreach programmes and monitor the health facilities in the district. If they are provided with transport, the work of the health officers would be made easy.

 

Madam Chairperson, finally, I support the Vote but next time, could the Government increase the budget for the Ministry of Health. We have the COVID-19 pandemic and we need a lot of funds to a help alleviate the problem.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Ms Kasanda: Madam Chairperson, I concur with the hon. Members of Parliament who have debated and I fully support the budget for the Ministry of Health. The only challenge that I would like to talk about is that every year we support the Vote on the Ministry of Health, just like we support the rest of the other ministries, however, the challenge that we have is that we are not receiving much funding in the rural areas. I, being the Member of Parliament for Chisamba and also coming from the rural area, we are not getting much benefit for our people. If you look at the infrastructure development, for instance, in Chisamba, it is nothing to really talk about. 

 

Madam Chairperson, in that regard, I find it difficult to keep supporting this Vote every year, as much as I am in agreement that it should be supported. However, I think, it is only fair that the ministry stretches out its hands and takes this development to other parts as well.

 

Madam, if you look at our women, most of them walk long distances of about 27 to 32 km to access health services and those who are pregnant would deliver along the way. It is very embarrassing for a female to deliver in front of a man in as much as that person could be her husband. It is very embarrassing and it takes away from a woman’s dignity.

 

Madam Chairperson, after fifty-six years of Independence, we still have some people being treated under trees, which is very unfortunate. It is very important that the health facilities be taken to every part of the country because we have very dilapidated structures. There is only one hospital in Chisamba which is shared between two constituencies, namely Chisamba and Keembe. The hospital only has one doctor who attends to about 100 plus people a day. We only have two Medical Licensure (ML) and three Clinical Officers (COs), yet we have a ministry that is supposed to be looking after our poor people. I think it is very important that the hon. Minister looks into this plight of the people of Zambia, in particular, the people of Chisamba. We are also –

 

The Chairperson: Order!

 

(Debate adjourned)

 

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HOUSE RESUMED

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

(Progress Reported)

 

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The house adjourned at 1158 house until 1430 hours on Tuesday, 2^nd November, 2020.

 

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