Wednesday, 4^th November, 2020

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

_______

 

QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

MALARIA CONTROL PROGRAMME INSECTICIDES

 

58. Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central) asked the Minister of Health:

 

1. why the Government has started using insecticides containing Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (DDT), a banned substance, in the Malaria Control Programme;
2. what urgent measures are being taken to stop the use of insecticides containing DDT; and
3. why other insecticides, which are not harmful to humans and livestock, were not considered for use in place of the ones containing DTT.

 

The Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Mr Speaker, Zambia used Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (DDT) in Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) from 2002 to 2010. It stopped using the insecticide due to resistance from the anopheles mosquito vector, which transmits malaria. However, susceptibility of the mosquito to the DDT has been restored, hence the programme is now able to use the DDT again.

 

Mr Speaker, the ban on the DDT only applies to the agriculture sector. For the purposes of public health, in particular, malaria control and elimination, the use of the DDT for the IRS is still permissible by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Stockholm Convention. Zambia, as a signatory to the Stockholm Convention, abides by all the rules and regulations associated with the use of insecticide for the IRS, including the DDT.

 

Sir, the Zambia Environment Management Agency (ZEMA), as the in-country secretariat to the Stockholm Convention, diligently regulates and enforces these tenets of the convention. Further, to avoid contamination of the environment during IRS with the DDT, only the inside of the structure is sprayed.

 

Mr Speaker, insecticides for use during the IRS are decided using the resistance patterns, the efficacy, the cost and the length of time the insecticides continue to be effective after being sprayed on the walls. The Ministry of Health continues to embrace and scale-up malaria interventions that target the anopheles mosquitoes. The IRS is one of the high impact interventions.

 

Sir, the use of the DDT in the IRS shall continue as long as it remains effective in killing mosquitoes. To mitigate the development of the insecticide resistance by the mosquitoes, the Ministry of Health also uses other insecticides for the IRS. All these insecticides are, then, deployed simultaneously in a rotational mosaic pattern during each annual spray campaign.

 

Mr Speaker, the rotation of these insecticides is done every two years, as enshrined in the National Insecticide Resistance Management and Monitoring Plan. This plan outlines the process of monitoring the impact of insecticides on mosquito populations. For instance, carbamates like bendiocarb are effective only for two to three months. While the DDT lasts for nine to twelve months and fludora fusion, which is one of the neonicotinoids, lasts up to seven months.

 

Sir, the insecticide which was recently used from 2011 to 2017, actellic, showed a reduction in residual effect from six to four months approximately, hence the need to change the insecticides. Susceptibility patterns across the country showed restored susceptibility of the vector, that is, the anopheles mosquito, to the DDT while in other areas the mosquitoes were resistant.

 

Mr Speaker, as stated in answer to part (a) and part (b) of the question, the other insecticides which are not as harmful to humans and livestock are being used. So, it is not true that other insecticides were not considered for use. The DDT in Zambia is purely being sprayed indoors for malaria prevention only and not for outdoors for agriculture purposes. In other parts of the country, other insecticides under the class neonicotinoids, that is, fludora fusion and sumishield, are being used.

 

Sir, it is important to take note that all insecticides like other chemicals if not used appropriately are potentially harmful to living things and the environment. The Government has put in place measures to safeguard the communities where the DDT is used in the IRS, as guided by the Environmental Management Act 12 of 2011 and the Public Health Act Cap 295 of the laws of Zambia, including the Stockholm Convention on the use of insecticides.

 

 

These measures include the following:

 

1. a strategic environmental assessment was conducted by the Ministry of Health, through the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and ZEMA;
2. consultative meetings with other line ministries and multi-sectoral stakeholders were held prior to the deployment of the DDT;
3. construction of waste management facilitates for the DDT and other insecticides;
4. continued oversight by ZEMA;
5. provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to handlers of insecticides;
6. training and capacity building both at district and provincial levels;
7. community sensitisation before, during and after the spray campaign; and
8. continued stewardship by the Government, ZEMA, manufacturers and their local agents on the aspects of importation, distribution, storage, usage, collection of waste and final disposal in the country of origin.

 

Mr Speaker, from the foregoing, it can be stated that the DDT is not the only insecticide being used in the country, but also other insecticides. Further, bearing in mind the harmful effects of DDT on humans and livestock, measures listed above are taken. Lastly, the DDT is among the best insecticides recommended by the WHO in the elimination of vectors and the recommendations of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are adhered to strictly as we conduct the IRS.

 

Mr Speaker, this is part of the legacy agenda to eliminate malaria from Zambia, a programme that is part of the Government of His Excellency President Lungu to eliminate malaria in Zambia.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Kabanda (Serenje): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that elaborate clarification on the use of Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (DDT) in this country. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the Indoor Residue Spraying (IRS) cannot be applicable to the precincts of Parliament Motel or, indeed, the rooms at Parliament Motel where mosquitoes are rampant.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, susceptibility investigations dictate which insecticide we use in which part of the country. Like I said earlier on, structures are sprayed from the inside. That is why it is referred to as the IRS. So, if there be evidence that there is susceptibility of the vector here in Lusaka or in a particular area that the hon. Member of Parliament is talking about, then, that will be deployed.

 

Mr Speaker, what informs the choice of insecticide is the susceptibility investigation. Let me also assure the hon. Member of Parliament that the problem of nuisance mosquitoes in Lusaka is well-known and we are working with our partners in local government to ensure that we deploy various methodologies to ensure that we get rid of the nuisance mosquitoes.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the answer. The spirit of this question is in light of the known negative effects of Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (DDT), which include, among others, breast cancer and a reduction of the spermatozoa quality in men. These negative effects are long-lasting and can be fatal. I wanted to find out from the hon. Minister whether it is true or not that the last time this country imported the DDT was in 2010, as a result of the international ban due to the effects, some of which I have elucidated, including the chemical being harmful to birds and fish. Could the hon. Minister confirm that the last import of this chemical was in 2010, as a result of the international ban.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, as I mentioned earlier on, the DDT, like any other chemical, if not used in line with the stipulated guidelines can cause harm. However, there are regulations on the use of the DDT, including rules that put a barrier between plants, animals, humans and the chemicals. Therefore, the harmful effects of the DDT are known and documented. Whenever there is an environmental assessment, what is done is to ensure that all the measures are in place to protect humans, animals, plants and the environment from any harmful effects.

 

Mr Speaker, there is documented evidence on the efficacy of the DDT in getting rid of the vector, anopheles mosquito. Even globally, when we peruse literature on countries that eliminated malaria, DDT is there. Today, Zambia is not the only country utilising the DDT, be it in the region or globally. It is a known efficacious agent that gets rid of the vector and it is part of the world’s global agenda to eliminate malaria, which is a killer of many citizens, pregnant women and under five children.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, your comment on the ban of 2010 and the reason thereof?

 

Mr Nkombo: Yes!

 

I want that particular answer.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, the ban on the DDT was as to the extent to which the DDT would be used and the exposure to humans, plants and the environment. That ban was related to a certain way of using the DDT. The way we are going to use the DDT now is very different from the way we were using it in the past. Now there are environmental and other safeguards that are being informed by what has been picked out, as evidence out of research. So, we are aware of that. That is why our environmental mitigation now takes care of that bit.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the statement. Indeed, the use of Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (DDT) was long done away with, even for us who were born those days. With the nuisance of these mosquitoes, especially in Olympia and Roma areas in Lusaka, we have also seen an upward swing of different types of sprays for mosquitoes on the shelves in shops. How safe are we with these sprays because we always want to look for the strongest spray that can deal with these mosquitoes? Does the ministry inspect and check that this DDT is not one of the components of the insecticides given to the general public? We do not know the components. We just buy anyhow and look for the strongest insecticide to use.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, may I request the hon. Member to repeat the question.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Ikeleng’i, repeat the question and summarise it.

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, let me summarise it. I am saying that on the shelves in shops, there are varieties of insecticides from Doom to several other brands. How safe is the society?  Does the ministry inspect and check that some of these insecticides have no DDT and that they are not posing a danger to people’s lives?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, again, all these chemicals that are used for vector control, whether indoor or outdoor, are screened for safety. There is no spray that is sold in the shops that contains the DDT. If it is picked by our regulators, then, that product is done away with.

 

Mr Speaker, I must emphasise that the reason we do not want the DDT in any of these chemicals that we use outdoor is that, we already know that when the insects, the vectors themselves, get into contact with the DDT inside a structure, on the walls, there is efficacy against it. However, if you spray outside, the DDT, including any of these sprays if they contain DDT, will actually cause harm to the plants there. So, there are regulatory measures put in place to ensure that people are protected and that they are safe as they use various sprays.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Nanjuwa (Mumbwa): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether communities in localities are sensitised before the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) using the Dichloro-Diphenyl- Trichloroethane (DDT) is conducted so that they are aware about the effects of the chemical being used.

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, whether we use the DDT, pyrethroids or any other chemical, the first thing we do is sensitise communities on what we utilise to conduct the IRS. I also want to emphasise that whatever is used to spray indoors is screened for safety. So, we do sensitise the public on these matters.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Speaker: I will take the last three interventions from the hon. Member for Kaputa, the hon. Member for Senga Hill and, lastly, the hon. Member for Mapatizya who indicated on Zoom.

 

Mr Nkombo: Sir, may I have a second chance?

 

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, I thank you for this opportunity. Let me also thank the hon. Minister for the answers being provided and for the work being done in the programme for the control of malaria.

 

Mr Speaker, as one of the product stewardship principles, any supplier of Dichloro-Diphenyl- Trichloroethane (DDT) into this country was instructed to ensure that packages of the DDT were gathered in one place and, at the end of the day, shipped to countries where safe disposal could actually be done. Does the product stewardship principle still apply now such that we do not have these packages of the DDT everywhere and anywhere, as long as it was supplied in the country?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament is spot on and that stewardship principle is as valid today as it was yesterday.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Simbao (Senga Hill): Mr Speaker, first of all, I would like to commend the hon. Minister for the answers that he has given. I would also like to say that all drugs have two sides, the efficacious side that you want to achieve and the side effects. I remember that Dichloro- Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (DDT) was used massively in the 1960s and European countries used it mostly to eliminate the vector, the anopheles mosquito. Have there been any recorded incidences of the kind of diseases Hon. Nkombo referred after all these many years of using the DDT in this country?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, it is very important to state that we do not have any documented ailments associated with the use of the DDT in Zambia. Moreover, even the discouragement of the use of the DDT was informed by evidence from studies from other countries and not because we had those challenges in Zambia.

 

Mr Speaker, the use of the DDT within precincts of the evidence adduced is very safe and can lead to the elimination of the vector of malaria. We do not have documented cases of DDT associated illnesses such as infertility or cancers in the country.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, my concern is that in rural areas, once a bread winner passes on, the surviving family immediately relocates. However, that relocation would mean only moving about 10m from the previous place where the family used to stay. The family would, then, turn the old homes into structures where goats and sheep are kept. Now, the hon. Minister indicated that among the effects of the spray could be some long-term effects even on animals. So, does he not think that we need to do a little bit more sensitisation, especially in rural areas, were people relocate just a few metres away from where they lived before and turn their old homes into habitation for animals?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, we do not have information that humans vacate their homes and relocate animals into their old homes. When carryout the IRS, the assumption is that these are places of human residence and that is the principle on which we operate. We welcome any information that will inform our practice.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, maybe, I did not hear the hon. Minister correctly when he answered my first question. However, I thank you for your intervention. I wanted the hon. Minister to confirm that the last time this country ever imported Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (DDT) was in 2010, as a result of an international ban. I would be very happy if he could favour me with an answer to that question.

 

Mr Speaker, my second intervention is that the hon. Minister indicated that as we have now began to import the DDT, there are some measures that are being taken in order to circumvent what could be the effects or the damage that it could cause. Now that it is indoor spraying, I would like to know the consequences from the human perspective. What I have read is that the possible negative side effects, while dealing with the issue of malaria, could be cancer and the reduction of the quality of sperm in men. So, what are these measures that the Government has put in place now to try to circumvent the possibility of these diseases or ailments that we have not yet recorded as a way of prevention, which is better than cure?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, let me state categorically that there is no blanket ban on the use of the DDT, but there are rules on its use.

 

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member of Mazabuka Central cannot get you. Could you, please, speak louder?

 

Dr Chilufya: Mr Speaker, let me state categorically that there is no blanket ban on the use of the DDT. There are instead rules on its use and there are indications of its use guided by the Stockholm Convention, which is an international instrument which Zambia is party to. So, there is no blanket ban internationally on the use of the DDT.

 

Mr Speaker, any drug or chemical has potential to cause harm if not used appropriately. So, if used in the right therapeutic dose aimed at attaining the efficacy of getting rid of the anopheles mosquito, there is absolutely no risk to humans. If used under the rules that I referred to earlier, there is no risk to humans. So, in the places where we are deploying the DDT, all household members should be assured that there is absolutely no risk. This is the reason due diligence is done. This is a multi-sectoral process and, the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), being the secretariat for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, co-ordinates with other sectors from plant health, animal health and human health in the true spirit of one health to ensure that everyone is safe when it comes to the utilisation of the DDT.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

_______

 

MOTION

 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL ECONOMY, TRADE AND LABOUR MATTERS ON THE PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING THE TRIPARTITE FREE TRADE AREA AMONG THE COMMON MARKET FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA, THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY, AND THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY

 

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do adopt the Report of the Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters on the Proposal to Ratify the Agreement Establishing the Tripartite Free Trade Area among the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for the Fifth Session of the Twelfth National Assembly laid on the Table of the House on 9^th October, 2020.

 

Mr Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

 

Mr Chali (Nchanga): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

 

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, in line with Article 63 of the Constitution of Zambia, as amended by Act No. 2 of 2016, and Section 5 of the Ratification of International Agreements Act No. 34 of 2016, your Committee considered the proposal to approve the ratification of the Agreement Establishing the Tripartite Free Trade Area among COMESA, the EAC and SADC.

 

Mr Speaker, since the hon. Members are privy to the report of your Committee, I will only highlight key issues that came up in your Committee’s interactions with stakeholders. From the outset, let me state that most of the stakeholders who appeared before your Committee supported Zambia’s ratification of the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement and were of the view that Zambia considers it a key priority in the country’s integration agenda. However, in making this recommendation, stakeholders were cognisant of the domestic challenges that continue to inhibit the country’s trade interests.

 

Mr Speaker, one issue that was of concern to most of the stakeholders relates to low levels of industrialisation in the country. Your Committee observed, with concern, that most Zambian exports are characterised by unprocessed commodities or raw materials and, as such, the processes of value addition mainly take place outside the country. In light of this, your Committee strongly recommends that the Government takes deliberate steps to expand the industrial base and accelerate the diversification agenda, as espoused in the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP). This will not only increase export volumes for finished and tradable products, but also improve the quality of products to acceptable international standards.

 

Mr Speaker, another matter of concern relates to the manipulation of rules of origin by importers and member States. While rules of origin have been put in place, countries can still manipulate them to their advantage in order to have market access. Zambia has been a victim and previously experienced such challenges with imported cooking oil from Kenya, which was imported under the impression of being produced in Kenya when it was, in fact, a re-export. In this vein, your Committee recommends that the Government should put in place robust monitoring mechanisms that will enforce the rules of origin and effectively detect whether products truly originate from the tripartite free trade area or not.

 

Mr Speaker, finally, your Committee expressed concern that since Zambia is a net importer, the tripartite agreement will further expose the manufacturing sector to cheaper products produced by bigger, more efficient and competitive economies among the member States. Your Committee recommends that for Zambia to take advantage of the agreement, the Government needs to aid the manufacturing sector with an enabling policy environment that will ensure local manufacturers can compete favourably. This should include favourable tax incentives and access to affordable credit from financial institutions. Your Committee also urges the Government to expedite the finalisation of the draft Investment, Trade and Enterprise Development Bill, draft Trade Remedies Bill, and draft Local Content Bill in order to protect local industries.

 

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, allow me to state that your Committee supports the proposal to ratify the agreement establishing the tripartite free trade area, subject to the various concerns it has raised. Therefore, your Committee urges the Government to address the concerns raised in this report and take into consideration the complementary policy actions and measures recommended by your Committee in order to maximise the benefits of the tripartite agreement.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: Does the seconder wish to speak now or later?

 

Mr Chali: Now, Mr Speaker.

 

Sir, thank you very much for allowing me to second this important Motion on Zambia’s ratification of the agreement on the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA). This Motion has been ably moved by the chairperson of your Committee, Hon. Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane. I basically would like to comment on three issues, which are the lack of incentives for local manufacturers, increased market access and revenue leakages.

 

Mr Speaker, when Zambia introduced the Multi-Facility Economic Zones (MFEZs), some incentives were also introduced. Like the previous speaker has ably commented, when these incentives were introduced, we saw that the MFEZs started opening up, but somehow the incentives were withdrawn. As a result, Zambia competing on an enlarged market will be a tall order if the incentives are not replaced.

 

Sir, the second issue is increased market access. Zambia is, currently, a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and at the same time, it is a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). However, the coming in of the TFTA will allow Zambia to trade with additional countries like Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eritrea and the South Sudan. This will now provide an increased market and we expect to benefit and also improve on our industrialisation.

 

Mr Speaker, the third point is on the revenue leakages. Since some tariffs will be removed because of entering into this tripartite agreement, Zambia should now critically look at how it is going to protect its revenue. Once we go into this tripartite agreement, our revenue will definitely be affected because some of the taxes that are being paid now will be reduced and others will basically be foregone completely. So, for us to endure that loss in revenue, we now have to critically look at how we are going to compete on this broadened market so that the leak of revenue is somehow sealed.

 

Sir, lastly, the mover of the Motion also talked about the rules of origin. If we are not closely monitoring the goods that are coming onto the market, we will find that our colleagues will be getting items from other countries and, then, just make their countries transit routes.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, it is a real pity that a report of this importance has not attracted hon. Members’ interventions. I want to start by saying that I am a Member of this Committee and, ordinarily, we should have left this matter to be discussed by those people who did not take part in consulting the experts and those who understand the implications and ramifications of ratifying such a protocol.

 

Sir, there is a clear threat here. Much as I was part of your Committee, I thought that the Government must be made aware of some of the threats that come as a result of the agreement that we are about to ratify. It was me, I think I used to sit somewhere up there, who brought a frozen chicken here to complain that we are eating chickens from Brazil, yet we have the potential to improve our poultry industry.

 

Mr Speaker, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) trade area that we have been working with has clearly shown some disadvantages in terms of developing our local industry. Why am I saying so? If you go across the Great East Road to East Park Mall, you will find that the shops that are prominent are Woolworths Zambia, Stuttafords Zambia Limited, and others whose names I have forgotten, but anyway, you know what I am talking about.

 

Sir, a long time ago during the First Republic, we had companies like Cerios International that used to have shops in the high streets of London such as Oxford Street. This defined a textile base for a product weaved from Zambia by companies such as Swarp Spinning Mills. In those days, we had companies like Sakiza Spinning Limited and Amaka Cotton Ginneries. We used to process cotton and produce fabric here in this country, but those days are long gone.

 

Mr Speaker, we are competing with economies that have big muscle and we risk being a subset of other economies. That is what is going to happen. Do not forget that this country where you and I belong does not even produce a toothpick. Yes, we may have markets that may be opening up like the Democratic Republic Congo and Angola, but we have also failed to take advantage of exports into those markets in the past. We know every well that beef is expensive in Angola, but we have failed to take advantage of exporting beef to this country. We know very well that the Namibian Government supplies fish into the Congo region. Namibians use this country as a transit route to sell fish in the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC).

 

Sir, let me come back to the textile industry. There is a need for a substitute for us to grow the textile industry here in Zambia. Even after coming out of the doldrums of a difficult economic situation, the Zimbabweans have done better than us in the textile industry. If you go into Zimbabwe, you will find that they produce fabric. There are T-shirts and trousers made in Zimbabwe. However, here in Zambia, when you go to Cairo Road, Freedom Way, Soweto Market or anywhere else, what you find are boys and girls trying to make a living selling salaula clothes coming from the European market. That disadvantages our country –

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, please, translate salaula.

 

Mr Nkombo: Sir, salaula literally means ‘choosing, choosing’. This is whereby you just choose clothes from the street. I have no better term than that. Thank you.

 

Mr Speaker: I would suggest that it is second-hand clothes.

 

Mr Nkombo: Sir, they are not normally just clothes. Salaula –

 

Mr Speaker: You can just go ahead.

 

Mr Nkombo: Thank you, Sir.

 

Sir, finally, the seconder talked about the issue of incentives in the industrial parks, which should have lifted the economic base for this country. The Patriotic Front (PF) Government took away certain incentives. It will only be fair those incentives to be reinstated so that the would-be investors can find reason to come to this country in order to set up businesses and make sense out of the Multi-Facility Economic Zones (MFEZs). For now, all you get are companies that already exist like Zambian Breweries that have set up successfully in the MFEZs. So, as we ratify this agreement, some of us have serious reservations, for now, because we risk Zambia becoming a dumping ground going into the future.

 

Sir, I thank you for the opportunity to debate.

 

Thank you, Sir.

 

Mrs Chinyama (Kafue): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to debate. I thought I should also add just a few words to the debate, as a way of encouraging your Committee that came up with the report, whose observations and recommendations I agree with. In encouraging your Committee, I just want to adopt the debate that has just been made by the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central as my own. However, I want to add that, indeed, we can only fully benefit, as a country, from such an arrangement if our manufacturing industry is fully supported and revamped. Otherwise, we risk being a consumer nation and a dumping ground for goods that are produced elsewhere because our manufacturing industry is really nothing much to write home about. So, we go into this arrangement as a very weak partner whereby others are likely to benefit more than ourselves.

 

Mr Speaker, I also want to urge the Government to focus, as I have already stated, on working on reviving our manufacturing industry, in line with what it has envisaged under the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP). However, of late, I have been taken aback by the attention being given to this issue of privatisation.

 

Sir, my prediction would be that even if privatisation in this country had not happened, the possibility that these industries would still have been run down by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is very high. Otherwise, how can we explain industries like Mulungushi Textiles and Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia, which were never privatised, having difficulties in thriving in this economy? We need to concentrate and save the little resources instead of investing in this exercise of trying to find out how our privatisation went, which I consider to be witch hunting. However, if that is the way to go, all of us would be happy to see that this particular exercise is not targeted at one individual in the name of Mr Hakainde Hichilema, but widened to include a wide range of Zambians –

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Kafue, please, do not draw in a third party, who is an outsider for that matter, into your debate.

 

Mrs Chinyama: Most obliged, Mr Speaker.

 

Sir, the point I was making is that if such an inquiry was to be undertaken, it should be thorough and look at all the industries that were privatised. Only, then, are we going to consider that exercise as being genuine and not a gimmick to try to eliminate certain players from the political scene.

 

Mr Speaker, those are the few comments that I thought I should add to this very important debate.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Ngulube (Kabwe Central): Mr Speaker, thank you for according me this rare opportunity to add my voice to the debate on this very important Motion. I will be very brief.

 

Sir, the world is now a global village and that is why you see the Patriotic Front (PF) Government doing everything possible to ensure that Zambia moves in tandem with other countries. It is very important that we ratify such agreements because Zambia wants to participate in trade with other countries. Some of the requirements are for a country to be a member of this kind of block.

 

Mr Speaker, we have heard some people lamenting issues of taxes and privatisation. If you look at the arguments relating to this kind of Motion, it is very difficult to bring in privatisation because what we are talking about is growing the economy through integration.

 

Sir, I know that we now have a growing manufacturing base in Zambia. Some things that we never thought would be manufactured in Zambia are now being manufactured here. For example, we can talk about tiles, steel, and many other products which Zambia used to import, but is now manufacturing. Zambia must begin to open up its borders because its trade restrictions have hampered economic growth. Zambia will not be able to export to other countries or participate in certain trade agreements because it has not ratified these agreements. I thought I should clarify that.

 

Mr Speaker, without wasting so much of your time, I heard my brother, the hon. Member of Parliament for Monze Central, talking about Zambia having had –

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. –

 

Mr Ngulube: Sorry, the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central.

 

Mr Speaker: Very well. Proceed with that correction.

 

Mr Ngulube: Sorry, Mr Speaker, I think I was looking at the video where I saw people dancing for food from Hungry Lion.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Ngulube: Mr Speaker, there was a comment regarding privatisation having ‘killed’ our manufacturing sector. It is very true. The negative impact of privatisation was that it eliminated the potential Zambia had. However, as a result of the confidence that the people have in the PF Government, we have seen a lot of investors coming to setup huge industries to try and correct the damage that was caused by our relatives when they mismanaged privatisation.

 

Sir, Luapula Province and some other provinces were traditionally never known to be manufacturing hubs. However, because of the good economic policies of the PF Government, provinces like Luapula are in the forefront leading the production and exportation of non-traditional minerals like manganese and all sorts of things.

 

Mr Speaker, I want to conclude by saying that the people of Zambia are now worried. We, probably, have to look at our affairs, as a country, and understand how it is possible that a group of law-makers would be given a pack of Hungry Lion and Fanta and told to dance the way we saw in a video. We are worried –

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Deputy Chief Whip, have you finished your debate? I suppose you have.

 

Mr Nkombo: It is better than eating a snake.

 

Mr Ngulube: Mr Speaker, for the sake of peace in the House, I want to end my debate because I might actually reveal that some people danced for Hungry Lion.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Laughter

 

Mrs Chinyama: No Substance!

 

Mr Kamboni (Kalomo Central): Mr Speaker, in any situation, too much of anything is very dangerous. Even food can give you diseases that may kill you if you overeat. Therefore, regulation is important to ensure that we protect what we value most.

 

Sir, one of the problems in our country is that the manufacturing industry is gone. Small manufacturing industries need protection in order to grow. We have had companies like the Metal Fabricators of Zambia (ZAMEFA), which produce electrical components, complain about their inability to compete with the giants, who are the Chinese. They cannot compete because they have to pay taxes and take care of their employees, which leads to the death of industries. However, when we protect industries and enable them to grow, they will be the best solution for the country because they employ Zambians and the money they make remains in the country.

 

Mr Speaker, currently, we have a problem of a lack of money in circulation in the country. There is no money in the country because many investors are taking money out of the country to develop their countries. Only Zambians can develop this country. Therefore, doing things just for the benefit of others does not help us at all. When Zambian companies grow and produce, they will pay taxes reasonably, employ our people and the chain will go on.

 

Sir, Kafue Textiles and Mulungushi Textiles died because of second-hand clothes. If we had protected these industries, they would have grown and increased the growth of cotton in the country. If we had improved the growth of cotton, we would have had more people involved in the industry, which would have benefitted Zambians within the country.

 

Mr Speaker, one of the reasons Africa is poor is because we are simply suppliers of raw materials to Europe. Our industries that start very small are not protected.

 

Mr Speaker, all our copper is gone and we cannot even add value to our materials within the country which can, in turn, benefit many Zambians. Zambians can get employed and build structures which they can live in, and this would improve the infrastructure of the country. They would also pay tax to the Government for a long period of time. However, when the foreign companies come into the country and make money, they leave the country. They know they will leave the country and so they do not care about the buildings they out up. They can put up temporary structures and off they leave. So, the Government needs to protect the local industries.

 

Sir, let me give one good example of growing wheat. When wheat was imported in the country from neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe, its production was ‘killed’ because it could not be protected. To produce anything in Zambia, one has to consider the cost of electricity, which is very high. However, for companies that come from outside, electricity tariffs are very low so it is cheaper for them to produce anything. In Zambia, electricity tariffs are very high, we have high taxes, water is a problem and we have load shedding. So, when you produce something, you cannot compete with people from outside and because of that, you reduce the number of people that should be employed.

 

Mr Speaker, 65 per cent of our population in this country is made up of the youths. The youths are all over and are unemployed. We are even failing to employ teachers. We are now even borrowing to pay civil servants because we do not have money in the country. The Government is failing to even raise revenue that can bring the Budget to balance. So, to me, it is very reckless that the chickens and tomatoes sold in shops like Shoprite should come from outside the country. We are ‘killing’ the production. People from other countries will come and dump their commodities in Zambia and after realising that they have ‘killed’ our industry, they will increase the prices and that will be the end of us. So, there is a need for us to pay attention and protect our produce so that when we harvest, we can all benefit as a country.

 

Sir, I thank you very much for allowing me to air my views.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, I thank everyone who has debated the Motion.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

_______

 

BILL

 

THIRD READING

 

The following Bill was read the third time and passed:

 

The Excess Expenditure Appropriation Bill, 2020

 

_______

 

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY

 

[THE CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the

Chair]

 

VOTE 52 – (Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection – K2,165,472,368)

 

(Consideration resumed)

 

The Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection (Dr Chanda): Madam Chairperson, to ensure environmental protection, my ministry is enforcing Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 65 of 2018 on extended producer responsibility. The regulations are aimed at banning the manufacture and use of plastic carrier bags below 30 microns in thickness, in order to protect the environment. The enforcement of the SI has resulted in the reduction of plastic production by 600 tonnes. This has contributed to the reduction in environmental pollution and degradation.

 

Madam Chairperson, to accelerate universal access to water and sanitation, in line with the Vision 2030, my ministry is implementing the national water supply and sanitation programmes to improve the provision of water and sanitation services in both urban and rural areas. This will address the social determinates of health because the lack of access to clean and safe water and sanitation leads to water bone disease such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery. To this end, the construction and rehabilitation of water supply and sanitation infrastructure is, currently, ongoing. Some of the projects are at 80 per cent and these will remain prioritised to ensure they are completed. Various projects, for example, the Kafulafuta Water Project, the Nkana Water Supply Project and the Zambia Water Supply and Sanitation Project are being implemented on the Copperbelt Province.

 

Madam Chairperson, projects such as the Kafue Bulk Water Supply Project, the Chongwe Water Supply Project, emergency water supply improvement works in peri-urban areas of Lusaka, the Lusaka Sanitation Programme, the Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation and Drainage Project are all being implemented in Lusaka Province. In addition, in the North- Western Province, we are implementing the Mufumbwe Water Supply Project and the Solwezi Water Treatment Plant is being upgraded.

 

Madam Chairperson, we are implementing the integrated small towns water supply and sanitation projects in Luapula Province, the Northern Province, the Western Province and Muchinga Province. We are also implementing the Transforming Rural Livelihoods Project in the Western Province and the Kaputa Water Supply Project and the Mpulungu Water Project are on-going in the Northern Province. The implementation of the Nakonde Water Supply Project and Chinsali Water Supply Project in Muchinga Province are also ongoing. In Central Province, the ministry is implementing the new Serenje Water Supply Project.

 

Madam Chairperson, it is gratifying to know that my ministry is scaling up the on-going interventions and robust plans are under way to ensure improved water and sanitation services in the Eastern and the Southern provinces. To ensure that the rural population is not left behind in accessing water and sanitation projects, we are targeting rural areas, constructing and rehabilitating boreholes, and piped water schemes and open defecation programmes are all being implemented.

 

Madam Chairperson, I wish to take this opportunity to state that these projects have, so far, created about 5,323 jobs. Once completed, 2 million people are expected to access water and sanitation services, thereby contributing to the attainment of universal access to water and sanitation, as enshrined in the Vision 2030.

 

Madam Chairperson, to ensure that water utility companies operate as viable commercial entities, my ministry is facilitating various interventions to restructure their operations, including the diversification of investment portfolio and improving efficiency to boost financial viability and improve service delivery.

 

Madam Chairperson, allow me to highlight some of the ministry’s focus areas in 2021. As you are aware, my ministry plays an important role in catalysing economic diversification and job creation and enhanced human development. In this regard, the key focus areas include the following:

 

1. completing water and sanitation projects at 80 per cent and above;
2. resumption of works for the construction and rehabilitation of ten small dams in five provinces, namely, Eastern, Copperbelt, Southern, North-Western and Luapula;
3. regulating surface and ground water, and the measures include the issuance of a SI on protecting water recharge zones and water bodies such as rivers and lakes;
4. environmental protection and pollution control measures, which include promulgating a SI to control emissions from automobile sources. Once in effect, the regulations will contribute to make Zambia clean, green and health; and
5. reviewing the 2010 National Water Policy and the 2007 National Policy on Environment.

 

Madam Chairperson, I now wish to highlight the budgetary allocation to the ministry. K2.1 billion has been allocated to the ministry, out of which K1.9 billion will go towards water supply and sanitation programmes to complete the construction and rehabilitation of on-going projects. K104 million will go towards environmental protection and control programmes.

 

Madam Chairperson, to promote integrated water resources development and contribute to sustainable development, K58 million has been allocated to water infrastructure and water resources management. To ensure that the ministry contributes significantly to the attainment of the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) and the Vision 2030, K45 million will go towards management support services programmes.

 

Madam Chairperson, I wish to reiterate my ministry’s commitment to contribute to the attainment of Zambia’s sustainable development. As I conclude, I wish to appeal to hon. Members of Parliament to support the 2021 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for my ministry as water is life.

 

Madam Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Madam Chairperson, thank you very much for giving the people of Kaputa the opportunity to support the Vote for the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection.

 

Madam Chairperson, the hon. Minister ably indicated in his statement that water is life and that the Government has done pretty well in addressing the issue of water and sanitation in this country.

 

Madam Chairperson, I will be failing the people of Kaputa if I do not indicate their desire for the need for water and sanitation requirements. In 2012/2013, the Government started a water project in Kaputa with an allocation of beyond K100 million. It has been the largest budget, so far, allocated to a water supply project for the people of Kaputa, and we thank the Patriotic Front (PF) Government. However, it has taken a long time for the people of Kaputa to receive the water they so much desire. We are very hopeful that this year will not end without the people of Kaputa having the much-needed resource.

 

Madam Chairperson, as the hon. Minister rightly indicated in his policy statement, when people have good and quality water, their state of health also improves. We have had outbreaks of cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases before in Kaputa because we did not have the required water. Therefore, the water project is extremely important for the people of Kaputa. I just hope that it will be during the hon. Minister’s tenure that we will see the project handed over to the people of Kaputa. The last time His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu visited Kaputa, he wanted to see how this water project had progressed, and from that time, quite a lot of work has been done. We thank Him for that. So, I am very confident that the project will be handed over to the people before the end of the year. I just hope that nothing will stop it from being handed over to the people of Kaputa because they have waited and are looking forward to the day they will drink clean, pure and good water that they have not had for a long time.

 

Madam Chairperson, the other thing I want to talk about is sanitation. I will limit my discussion on sanitation to educational institutions and some health institutions. Between 2011 and 2014, the Ministry of General Education, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection made an effort to improve the sanitation component by soliciting for funds outside their budgets. I think this has slackened and a number of schools and health institutions have no proper sanitation and we are sitting on what one would call a time bomb. If the Ministry of Health became very strict, it would close down a number of schools because of the lack of proper sanitation at the schools. Therefore, I urge the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Generation Education to work together with the Ministry of Health to ensure that they think outside the box even if the budget allocation is not sufficient because the required sanitation in schools and health institutions needs our leadership and attention.

 

Madam Chairperson, as I conclude, I thank the hon. Minister and I support his budget because it will see to it that all of us, as Zambians, benefit by having clean water and good sanitation and a good environment.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Kintu (Solwezi East): Madam Chairperson, thank you for according me and the people of Mushindamo an opportunity to debate the Vote for the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection.

 

Madam Chairperson, from the outset, I would like to inform the hon. Minister that the people of Mushindamo are relying on him to ensure that he gives them water supply and sanitation facilities this time around. Why do I say so? For a long time now, we have been approving budgets, but we have not seen anything meaningful in Mushindamo. To date, people still draw water from unprotected water sources such as rivers and shallow wells. As a result, we have had outbreaks of diseases because of unsafe water supply. So, I support the budget for the Ministry of Water Development and Environmental Protection and the hon. Minister should ensure that he gives us some safe water points in Mushindamo.

 

Madam Chairperson, the people in places like Musaka and Kikola wards in Mushindamo fetch water from the nearby Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) because we do not have enough water points and, sometimes, the water points dry up during the dry season.

 

Madam Chairperson, the hon. Minister is new in that seat and, therefore, we are expecting a lot from him. I am sure the hon. Minister is aware that water supply and sanitation move together. Therefore, if he supplies us with water and leaves out sanitation, it will be like mopping a running tap. I urge the hon. Minister to ensure that water and sanitation facilities move together in our communities.

 

Madam Chairperson, I would like to draw the attention of the hon. Minister to the rural water supply and sanitation interventions that will run from 2020 to 2021. This is the intervention that the ministry has put in place. In Mushindamo, the ministry planned to sink fifty boreholes between 2020 and 2021. From the budget that we are approving today, we are yet to see how many boreholes the ministry is going to give us. According to the plan that the ministry has, the boreholes that are defunct or those that need to be rehabilitated are about 300. I urge the hon. Minister to start implementing this plan so that we give people an opportunity to have clean and safe drinking water.

 

Madam Chairperson, since I am running out of time, I only wish to tell the hon. Minister that the people of Mushindamo are looking forward to the implementation of the 2021 Rural Water Supply and Sanitation interventions.

 

Madam Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Ms Mwape  (Mkushi North): Madam Chairperson, I thank you for according me this opportunity to add the voice of the people of Mkushi in support of the 2021 Budget Estimates for the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection. The ministry plays a critical role in the socio-economic development of our country, as it is charged with the responsibility of increasing national water security through the construction and rehabilitation of dams. It also ensures water resource availability for various socio-economical uses such as agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, hydro-power and water supply sanitation.

 

Madam Chairperson, my focus will be on the need to fund the ministry adequately. Despite making some strides in increasing national water security provision for water and sanitation services, improved water resource management and sound environmental management, the ministry is faced with various challenges in ensuring that it delivers on its mandate. In the areas of national water security, the ministry requires significant resources to ensure that it undertakes the construction and rehabilitation of water resource infrastructure such as dams. This will ensure availability of water for various uses.

 

Madam Chairperson, to improve water resource management and contribute to the national development, there is a need for adequate funds to be allocated to the ministry to promote sustainable management for water resources and prevent water from pollution and other effects of climate change. A clear example includes unsustainable water in various parts of the country, including areas in my constituency, in the Mkushi River Catchment.

 

The hon. Member was inaudible.

 

Ms Mwape: Madam Chairperson, the people of Mkushi, especially the small-scale farmers were deprived of water. People are looking forward to equitable utilisation of water from the Mkushi River. Therefore, I am urging the hon. Minister –

 

The hon. Member was inaudible.

 

The Chairperson: We have lost you, hon. Member.

 

Ms Tambatamba (Kasempa): Madam Chairperson, I thank you for giving the people of Kasempa an opportunity to support this Vote by expressing themselves and telling their story about the situation in which they find themselves in relation with water and sanitation.

 

Madam Chairperson, as has already been referred to by other hon. Members, water is life. The people of Kasempa, I am sure like many others, find themselves challenged by both the issues of quantity as well as quality, especially in the context that there is a huge influx of people who are flocking to Kasempa in search of farming opportunities. Water has become a huge challenge because now, we have more settlements that have been established. In the past five or ten years, we have seen so many people coming to Kasempa. However, the quantity of water systems that were put in place some years back are not able to supply adequate water for the people of Kasempa.

 

Madam Chairperson, with regards to the quantity issue, we are way behind. This is why the people of Kasempa are adding their voice to the debate on this Vote by saying that the ministry must optimise the delivery of water supply systems that will cater for the many people who have come to settle in Kasempa as well as the many other families that have been growing in Kasempa.

 

Madam Chairperson, when it comes to quality, much as we can say that some parts of the country, including Kasempa, have enough water, most of it is raw. It is not potable water. I heard the hon. Minister talk about meeting the Vision 2030 target of ensuring that everybody has access to clean drinking water by 2030. In Kasempa, we are in trouble. Potable water is something that many people have continued to beg for. Most of the people are drinking raw water from shallow wells and river rings. This has resulted into people getting infected with diseases caused by drinking unprocessed water.

 

Madam Chairperson, in this 21^st century, we expect all our people, in particular, the people of Kasempa, to also have access to clean potable water. I just want to point out that water preservation, conservation and management, as a survival resource, be given enough attention, especially in locations with growing populations.

 

Madam Chairperson, this idea of the centre syndrome where more of the resources and the water supply system ends up in the urban areas is hurting the nation and those in the rural areas. So, we, the people of Kasempa should also be considered in receiving modern technologies to supply us with water so that we can survive and also contribute to the economic development of this country.

 

Madam Chairperson, just like other hon. Members, let me now talk about environmental issues and sanitation. The learning institutions and health facilities tend to have huge challenges in having well-designed technologies for the maintenance and management of sanitation, which impacts negatively on the health of the people. Therefore, I want to implore the hon. Minister to look into such issues. I also urge him to respond to the people of Kasempa as he winds up debate on this Vote.

 

Madam Chairperson, I thank you and I support the Vote.

 

Thank you, Madam.

 

Mrs Phiri (Chilanga): Madam Chairperson, thank you very much for this opportunity given to the people of Chilanga to add their voice to the debate on this very important Vote. I thank the hon. Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection for the policy statement. I also want to congratulate him on his appointment as hon. Minister. He hit the ground running.

 

Madam Chairperson, the people of Chilanga are very happy with the way the Patriotic Front (PF) Government of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu is working. It is on course in achieving the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on universal access to water and sanitation services. The Government is ensuring that all Zambians have access to clean and safe water and acceptable standards of sanitation services without leaving anyone behind.

 

Madam Chairperson, the people of Chilanga Ward are going to be beneficiaries of the Kafue Bulk Water Supply Project once it is commissioned in the first quarter of 2021. However, I would to take this opportunity to request the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection to also supply water to other areas of Chilanga where the people will not be beneficiaries of this project. One such area is Namalombwe, which gets flooded during the rainy season and the water gets contaminated. I would like to urge the hon. Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection, to consider areas like Namalombwe in his programme of construction and delivering water to different parts of the country. He may also consider putting up some well fields where our people in Namalombwe can access clean and safe water.

 

Madam Chairperson, people of Linda, Malupili, Kalundu, Nakachenche, Malcolm and Mubanga have challenges of water. Chilanga is huge, but the Government does not supply any clean drinking water. In support of this Vote, I would like to say that, as the people of Chilanga, we are looking to having clean and safe drinking water and not to be left behind.

 

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

 

Thank you, Madam.

 

Ms Chisangano (Gwembe): Madam Chairperson, thank you for giving me this opportunity to comment on the debate for the Vote for the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection. I support this Vote simply because, as stated by the hon. Minister, water is life for human beings, animals and plants. Every year, we approve budgets under this ministry, but we are still seeing water challenges in both urban and rural communities. We hope that this budget will address some of the challenges so that we can see a positive improvement.

 

Madam Chairperson, the world at large is faced with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and one of the ways of preventing the spread of this disease is by washing hands. Now, we find that some communities and schools are faced with the lack of or inadequate water supply. How, then, are the people in such areas going to prevent this disease?

 

Madam Chairperson, some pregnant women, old women, young children and girls still walk long distances to fetch water. Sometimes, school girls spend more time fetching water instead of being in school, and this is very sad. We have also seen people losing their lives in search of water. People are killed by crocodiles and other animals in the water as they try to draw water for use at home. Others have been attacked by crocodiles whilst bathing, washing plates or clothes in the rivers. This has happened in some areas such as Kaleleyi in my constituency. Last week, a child was attacked by a crocodile in Chipepo. Therefore, we need safer sources of water for our people.

 

Madam Chairperson, some communities are still sharing water with animals. Can this budget attend to such communities by providing hand pumps and also look at the issues of dams for the animals. Surely, animals in my constituency need –

 

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Madam.

 

Madam Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Chairperson, I would like to thank you for according me this opportunity to raise a very serious point of order anchored on the privileges of hon. Members of Parliament in this House.

 

Madam Chairperson, I would like to raise a point order on the Patriotic Front (PF) and Her Honour the Vice-President, who is also the Vice-President of the PF –

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mwiimbu: You had said you wanted to walk naked.

 

The Chairperson: Order, in the House!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: You walk naked.

 

The Chairperson: Order, in the House!

 

I do not expect those comments, hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and the hon. Deputy Chief Whip. Let us have order in the House. Allow him to make his point of order.

 

Hon. Leader of the Opposition, you may proceed.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Chairperson, my point of order is based on Section 3 of the Parliamentary Privileges Act. I am raising this point of order on Her Honour the Vice-President, as Vice-President of the party and of the Republic of Zambia, and also on the Secretary-General of the PF.

 

Hon. Government Members: Questions!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Chairperson, are the three individuals I have mentioned in order to take disciplinary action against three hon. Members of Parliament, …

 

Hon. Government Members: Questions!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: … who enjoy privileges in this House? Three letters have been issued and written to the hon. Member for Mwansabombwe, the hon. Member for Chifubu and the hon. Member for Kamfinsa for having not voted for the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill No. 10 of 2019.

 

Madam Chairperson, hon. Members of Parliament enjoy privileges.

 

Mr Ngulube: On a point of procedure, Madam Chairperson.

 

The Chairperson: Order!

 

Let him conclude, hon. Deputy Chief Whip.

 

Mr Ngulube: There is a procedural issue, Madam Chairperson.

 

The Chairperson: Order!

 

Resume your seat. He is still on the Floor. Resume your seat.

 

Mr Ngulube: Madam Chairperson, it is a procedural issue that needs to be raised before he finishes. Otherwise, it will be too late.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: What would be too late?

 

Mr Ngulube: Point of order on procedure, Madam Chairperson.

 

 The Chairperson: Order!

 

Hon. Deputy Chief Whip, please, resume your seat.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Chairperson, he is the hon. Deputy Chief Whip.

 

The Chairperson: Order!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Chairperson, I am raising a point of order as to why these individuals I have mentioned are violating the rights of hon. Members of Parliament, who enjoy privileges in this House.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Are they in order to take disciplinary action against the three hon. Members of Parliament whilst they enjoy privileges on the Floor of this House? I seek your serious ruling.

 

Interruptions

 

 The Chairperson: Order, in the House!

 

You have raised your point of order. Allow me a chance to rule.

 

My ruling, of course, as you will guess, is that I am not competent to rule on a matter that has to do with the internal issues of the Patriotic Front (PF).

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

 The Chairperson: Unless, of course, as you have said, you can show evidence that those particular hon. Members are being punished for what they have done in the House while enjoying their privileges, as hon. Members of Parliament, I am not competent to rule on what the PF does with its members or how it manages itself. That is my ruling. However, to the extent that the freedoms of hon. Members of Parliament that are to be enjoyed while in this House are undermined or are frustrated, and you can lay on the Table evidence to that extent, then, of course, I will have jurisdiction to deal with that matter. For now, that is my ruling.   

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Give me five minutes. I will be back with evidence.

 

Hon. PF Members: Ah! Woo!

 

Mr Mwiimbu walked out of the Assembly Chamber.

 

Ms Chisangano: Madam Chairperson, should I continue?

 

The Chairperson: Yes, Ms Chisangano. You may continue with your debate.

 

Ms Chisangano: Madam Chairperson, before I was interrupted, I was raising the point that animals and human beings are sharing water from one source. This is very sad and unacceptable. Can the hon. Minister, through this budget, make sure that dams are constructed, especially those that were allocated money as far back as 2016. Can they be built instead of them being on paper.

 

Madam Chairperson, another request is for sanitation facilities, that is, toilets and hand washing facilities to be built at most of our schools. Most schools lack these facilities and, therefore, there is no way we are going to prevent water borne diseases.

 

Madam Chairperson, with these few words, I would like to request the hon. Minister to look at his budget and make sure that he helps the people of Zambia, especially those that do not have safe drinking water because they too are entitled to it.

 

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.

 

Ms Katuta (Chienge): Madam Chairperson, I thank you for giving the voice of Chienge this opportunity to debate. I just want to add my voice to the debate on this important budget allocation and the policy statement made by the hon. Minister.

 

Madam Chairperson, I am always at pains when I hear other hon. Members thanking the Government for the availability of water. Chienge is a place with a lot of water. It has rivers such as the Kalungwishi River. It also has Lake Mweru. All that we cry for is just to have even a submersible pump so that we can make water kiosks.

 

Madam Chairperson, I do not know if I will be allowed to say that even in my personal capacity, as Member of Parliament, I have managed to get one submersible pump. I am pumping water to a clinic where women at the maternity ward used to draw water straight from the river. When women gave birth, those who were attending to them would wash their stuff in the river and that is the same water that people were using for drinking and all other stuff. It is really a sad situation that we have in Chienge.

 

Madam Chairperson, the people of Chienge love this Government of the Patriotic Front (PF). So, my appeal to the Government is for it to just give us submersible pumps and we are going to do the rest. If, as an individual, I have managed to put up a submersible pump that is pumping water up to the clinic, how much more can the Government do?

 

Madam Chairperson, a submersible pump does not cost that much. It only cost me K20,000 to put up one. So, instead of waiting for that US$500 million project, which we are not interested in, we are asking for submersible pumps. The community is ready to contribute money so that it buys its own pipes in order to pump water. We have a small river called the Lunchinda River. We can also put a submersible pump there. The whole project will cost about K20,000.

 

Madam Chairperson, we have identified streams in every ward where we can put up submersible pumps together with solar panels. I am urging the Government to allocate to Chienge even just a K100,000. I can assure it that these pumps are pumping 10,000 litres of water per hour. If the Government can give us money for pumps, we can do the rest on our own. I am begging.

 

Madam Chairperson, the people of Chienge love the PF, but have a challenge with water. We have lost many lives. Social media and other media houses have reported on how we have been losing people in Chienge when they go to draw water and are attacked by crocodiles. My only appeal, as a mother and a woman is that, please, give the women of Chienge water. They wake up as early as 3am. They are married women who are supposed to attend to their husbands but wake up that early to draw water and others end up getting killed.

 

Madam Chairperson, I hope my appeal has reached the Government. We only need a K100,000 and we will do the rest in these other wards. Otherwise, I support the budget allocation, but would like to just ask for a K100,000 from those billions I have heard mentioned. We are not going to wait for that US$500 million project.

 

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.

 

The Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection (Dr Chanda): Madam Chairperson, I would like to thank all hon. Members who have debated. From the feedback, you can tell that water is a topical issue. Water is life, and I think everyone in this Parliament, irrespective of party affiliation or lack of it, is interested in it.

 

Madam Chairperson, let me, very quickly, mention to Hon. Ng’onga, that the Kaputa Water Dam Project is very important to us. I had a meeting last week with the investor, Tomorrow Investments. We are making a lot of progress on that project and I will be visiting it very soon. I assure Hon. Ng’onga that his project is receiving maximum attention. In fact, I am also happy to mention to all hon. Members of Parliament generally that the hon. Minister of Finance and I, under the direction of His Excellency the President, are working very closely. The President has prioritised water supply and sanitation, hence the hon. Minister of Finance and I, sometimes, meet on a daily basis to discuss all these issues. The Government has highly prioritised water and sanitation projects.

 

Madam Chairperson, I would also like to respond to Hon. Kintu about Mushindamo. I have been to the North-Western Province and would like to say that apart from what the Government is doing, it is also actually working with co-operating partners like Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) who have shown a lot of interest in water issues by pumping in their resources. We are not just seated looking in one pot.

 

Madam Chairperson, I am happy to say that here in Lusaka, we had a private sector engagement meeting at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MCCI) where we called almost all the big private sector players in Lusaka to engage them as partners in terms of corporate social responsibility investment and alternative solutions. We will be doing the same for the Copperbelt Province and the North-Western Province. The North-Western Province has huge mining companies which are even running their own water reticulation systems. So, we want to see how they could also come in to supplement the Government’s efforts.

 

Madam Chairperson, I would also like to respond to Hon. Doreen Mwape over the Mkushi River issue. In fact, when I went to Mkushi, the upstream of Mkushi River was all gone. It was dry because of the obstruction of water at the Mkushi Dam. However, I am happy to report that the Water Resources Management Regulatory Authority (WARMA) has been on the ground and water is now flowing to the people. However, like I said in the Policy Statement, we will be passing a Statutory Instrument (IS) to protect water bodies and water recharge points because we have seen that we are not managing water resources in a sustainable manner. Like I have repeatedly said, God is no longer in the business of creating rivers. If you dry up one river, God will not create another one the next day. Therefore, we have to protect the water that we have very jealously. We are going to enforce the law and will not allow encroachments, pollution and misuse or unsustainable use of water.

 

Madam Chairperson, Hon. Tambatamba talked about how vast Kasempa is. She talked about the quantity and quality of water in the North-Western Province. The answer still applies that with water supply, it is a question of supply and demand. If you have many people going to Kasempa, yet you only have a limited supply of water, it calls for more investment so that we have more water given to the people who are going there. So, basically, the answer is the same. Whether you are in Lusaka or in a rural area, we need to match the water supply with the demand. That is the Vision 2030 for the Government, to ensure that we provide universal access to safe and clean water and sanitation services for all, without leaving anyone behind.

 

Madam Chairperson, I am happy that hon. Members who have contributed are actually matching the two, water and sanitation. There has been a tendency to talk about water while leaving sanitation behind. So, sanitation has been the orphan while water has been the favourite child. However, to achieve the Vision 2030, we are actually running with both through universal access to water and sanitation, without leaving anyone behind.

 

 Madam Chairperson, I would like to acknowledge the debate by Hon. Phiri, Member of Parliament for Chilanga. I would like to assure the people of Chilanga that I have been to Chilanga Central were all the water pipes coming to Lusaka pass. Chilanga has been more like a transit point. If you go to Chilanga today, there is an erratic supply of water to the hon. Member of Parliament’s office and the District Commissioners (DC) office. However, what we have done is to have the Kafue Bulk Water Project, which we expect to be completed by January, offload water for Chilanga because that is where the pipes pass. So, we will offload, maybe, about 10,000 cu m of water just for Chilanga to make sure that it is catered for because it is growing rapidly. Nevertheless, I would like to appeal to the hon. Member of Parliament and the local authorities not to allow encroachment. When I went there, I found people building on top of the new water pipes installed under the Kafue Bulk Water Project. So, we will demolish those structures without hesitation.

 

Madam Chairperson, lastly, I would like to thank Hon. Chisangano. She raised pertinent issues about human-to-human conflict over water and human-to-animal conflict over water. Water is a very important resource and, as the hon. Minister of Finance usually tells me, apart from air, the next most important resource on earth is water. So, water and air are important resources. Therefore, water has to be protected and supplied to our people. That is the only way we are going to have sustainable development for our nation.

 

Madam Chairperson, with those few words, I am very grateful for the support that the House has given to the budget for the Ministry of Water Development Sanitation and Environmental Protection.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Vote 52 ordered to stand part of the Estimate.

 

VOTE 62 – (Ministry of Energy – K902, 815,370)

 

The Minister of Energy (Mr Nkhuwa): Madam Chairperson, today, I stand before this august House to present the 2021 Budget Estimates for the Ministry of Energy. The ministry remains steadfast to its mandate of developing and managing the electricity sector in our country to stimulate sustainable development.

 

Madam Chairperson, in line with the Budget theme, “Stimulate Economic Recovery and Build Resilience to Safeguard Livelihoods and Protect the Vulnerable,” my ministry will focus on critical outputs that will stimulate the sector contribution towards Pillar I – Economic Diversification and Wealth Creation, and Pillar III – Reducing Developmental Inequalities as Outlined in the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).

 

Madam Chairperson, I wish to commend the hon. Minister of Finance for recognising the pivotal role that the energy sector can play in attaining economic recovery.

 

2020 Performance Review

 

Madam Chairperson, in 2020, an estimated amount of K1.4 billion was allocated to the Ministry of Energy of which 80 per cent was a contribution from co-operating partners. With this allocation, the following programmes were implemented:

 

1. Petroleum Development and Management

 

          In the year under review, my ministry continued to ensure security of supply of petroleum products in the              country. Accordingly, the construction of the Luwingu and Mporokoso rural stations has since been                       completed;  

 

b.  In 2020, the demand focus indicated that the current installed electricity demand of 2,976.23 MW were sufficient to meet the projected demand of 2,300 MW. However, available generation capacity could not meet the projected demand due to continued low water levels in our reservoirs. In this regard, the Government implemented a number of measures to address the power deficit, including load management with schedules lasting up to twelve hours daily for all customer categories;

c.in the long-term, additional measures were undertaken, including the development of various electricity generation projects such as the 750 MW Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Scheme;

d. during 2020, the ministry, through the Rural Electrification Authority (REA), continued to implement the Rural Electrification Programme. You may wish to note that 485 Rural Growth Centres (RGCs) have been electrified against the set target of 510. Further, 24,875 rural households and 3,104 Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been connected to on-grid electricity under the Electricity Services Access Project (ESAP);

e. my ministry continued to promote the development of the renewable and alternative energy programme with the aim to address the current electricity supply challenges and diversifying the generation mix. In this regard, my ministry has continued to implement renewable energy feed-in tariff strategy with a target of 120 MW of solar photovoltaic and 100 MW of small hydros. My ministry also facilitated the signing of an implementation agreement for development of a 12 MW hydro power project located in Mpika District and issued nineteen feasibility study rights for development of renewable energy power projects;

f. the Ministry of Energy continued to strengthen enforcement and regulatory mechanisms in order to create an enabling environment for private sector investment. Thus, review of the Rural Electrification Act and the Petroleum Development and Management Bill is underway in order to enhance the Rural Electrification Programme and improve the development and management of the petroleum subsector; and

g. in the year under review, my ministry developed an energy sector research strategy and the energy sector monitoring and evaluation master plan.

 

Challenges

 

Madam Chairperson, the major challenge faced in 2020 is the onset of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The onset of the pandemic caused major delays in the completion of a number of projects such as the Kafue Gorge Lower hydro power scheme and the execution of programmes, including the much anticipated cost of service study, which will now be completed in the first quarter of 2021.

 

Priority Programmes for 2021

 

Madam Chairperson, in 2021, my ministry will endeavour to do more with the allocated K902,815,370. This allocation will facilitate the implementation of the following programmes in the energy sector:

 

1. Petroleum Development and Management

 

Madam, the budgetary allocation for this programme is K4,597,286 and it will be used to enhance the efforts aimed at ensuring security of fuel supply, cost reflectivity in pricing, and increase in access to petroleum products. The ministry will facilitate the construction of rural filling stations in Lukulu and Kalabo districts and expand strategic fuel reserves like constructing fuel depots in Chipata and Lusaka districts. We are also putting in place modalities of construction of a fuel depot in Choma;

 

b. Electricity Development and Electrification Management

 

 Madam, this programme has been allocated K802,738,011, of which K482,369,732 is from donor support. My ministry will continue to promote, facilitate and regulate the production and distribution of electricity. In 2021, a total of 750 MW from Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Scheme  will be added to the installed capacity;

 

c. Rural Electrification Programme

 

 Madam Chairperson, the Rural Electrification Programme has been allocated K320,368,279  to facilitate implementation of programmes that will increase access to electricity in rural areas. My ministry will install 550 KW of solar power, which will connect 15,500 households in rural areas around the country.

 

In addition, under the ESAP, 9,600 rural households and 240 SMEs will be connected to on-grid electricity;

d. Renewable and Alternative Energy Development

 

Madam Chairperson, this programme has been allocated K6,005,900. Under this programme, the ministry will install solar home systems, undertake biogas projects and develop the wood fuel study and the renewable energy efficiency strategic and action plan. The implementation of this programme will scale-up development of renewable and alternative energy sources for a reliable and climate resilient energy mix;

 

e. Energy Sector Standards and Regulation

 

Madam, in 2021, my ministry will ride on the adoption of the Electricity Act No. 11 of 2019 and Energy Regulation Act No. 12 of 2019 to deliver key sector and regulatory framework reforms in order to make the sector more responsive to the country’s energy needs. This programme has been allocated K75,069,908; and

 

f. Management and Support Services

 

Madam Chairperson, this programme has been allocated K14,404,265. This allocation will allow for continued enhancement of the much desired operational efficiency. The ministry will also implement the Energy Sector Research Strategy and develop the 2022-2027 Ministerial Strategic Plan.

 

Madam, I wish to conclude my statement by reassuring this august House that my ministry is fully aware of the challenges in the energy sector. Therefore, with this budgetary allocation, I am more confident that the programmes planned for implementation in 2021 will drive the sector towards the attainment of stable and reliable energy supply for sustainable development. Therefore, I wish to appeal to this august House to support my ministry’s budget estimates and priority programmes for 2021.

 

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.

 

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Madam Chairperson, I thank you for the opportunity to be able to make some comments on the debate of the Vote for the Ministry of Energy. In the first place, I, of course, do support the budget for this ministry. Energy is very important, both for the social development and economic development of the country. When energy has been a problem, we have seen that translating into difficulties in many areas of the economy, particularly in the mining, manufacturing and agriculture sectors.

 

Madam, as I support this budget, I would want to get clarification from the hon. Minister on a number of issues that are causing worry and concerns among the population of Zambia. The first one is the continued long period of load shedding that is taking place in the country. I think it was in 2018 when the hon. Minister’s predecessor stood right there and declared that from that year, there would no longer be any load shedding in the country because sufficient investments had been made at the Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station and Maamba Power Station and Zambia would be exporting electricity. However, to this day, we are experiencing long periods of load shedding, which of course is adversely affecting many people’s businesses, especially that the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is also on the scene.

 

Madam Chairperson, hand-in-hand with that, on the security of electricity supply, I would want the hon. Minister to confirm whether the security of the country remains on course, given the big legal wrangles that are taking place between Maamba Collieries Limited and Zesco Limited.

 

I believe Maamba Collieries Limited supplies 300 MW to the grid and it accuses Zesco Limited of owing it US$300 million. Obviously, if there is such a bill pending, at one time or another, Maamba Collieries Limited may decide to shut down. If it does, 300 MW will be off the grid and what will, then, happen to the supply of electricity in the country?

 

Madam Chairperson, let me move to the issue of the petroleum sub-sector. At the moment, there is a lot of concern about the security of our petroleum products. Last week, there was a story circulating that a shortage was bound to happen, but the Government denied that allegation. On the other hand, analysts are saying that the current price of petroleum products has been overtaken by the exchange rate. Today, the exchange rate is almost K21 per United States Dollar and I believe the current stocks are priced based on the rate of K19. So, this is worrying the private sector and, indeed, the Government. How can the supply of petroleum products be assured when those who import them feel it is no longer profitable to do so? So, it is necessary that the hon. Minister assures us that in spite of the fluctuation of the exchange rate, petroleum products will still be available in the country.

 

Madam Chairperson, finally, we are all waiting to have petroleum products in the country. More than ten years ago, President Mwanawasa, SC., announced the possibility of having crude oil in the country. However, to date, we are not sure about what is happening. Could the hon. Minister clarify why it is taking so long for us to determine whether we have crude oil or not.

 

Madam Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Mr A. C. Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Chairperson, I thank the hon. Minister for Energy for the policy statement. I think his ministry has performed well in as far as the few issues I would like to highlight are concerned, but I would also want him to go back to his team and see whether some of the suggestions I will make are tenable and can assist Zambia in future.

 

Madam Chairperson, for starters, in terms of electricity, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has performed extremely well through its investment in electricity projects. After it faced a challenge in 2015 and 2016, it has been the first Government to have realised the need to invest in the electricity sub-sector. Load shedding has slowed down our economy, but the response has been good. However, the people of Kantanshi have noticed that we have started slowing down regarding the diversification programme of moving away from hydropower to solar. GET FiT that was supposed to be producing 120 MW of solar power has slowed down its investment. In Japan, President Edgar Lungu witnessed a signing agreement with Toyota Tsusho to produce 50 MW of solar power but we have, again, slowed down on that because the implementation and land agreements are slowing down. In my opinion, that will affect the energy sector because it is ideally supposed to start contributing towards the repayment of the investments that are currently being made.

 

Madam Chairperson, the Government has continued spending a lot of money on petroleum products, and I do not know when it will consider moving away from procuring them. When the Government spends US$20 or US$30 million, at the time of converting the dollar to kwacha, banks make about K10 million to K12 million and the Government can use that money to pay suppliers and to meet its other obligations. So, I look forward to having the private sector participate more than the Government so that it can spend that money on improving other areas of need.

 

Madam Chairperson, I urge the hon. Minister of Energy to push for cost reflective tariffs. The cost-of-service study started two and half years ago, but it has not yet been completed. We are now being told that it will be completed in March next year. However, the findings of the study will give the people of Zambia a lot of confidence in terms of how much the PF Government believes we, as the customers, need to pay.

 

Madam Chairperson, finally, let me talk about the Independent Power Producers (IPPs), who have now become a financial burden to the Government, and I think there is a matter that is already in court. The strange part about all this is that the people of Zambia have a shareholding of about 35 per cent in Maamba Collieries Limited. So, how the IPPs are putting so much pressure on the Government is something that must be urgently reviewed so that the business environment that has been created in the energy sector can continue attracting more investors, as was planned when the tariffs were being raised.

 

Madam Chairperson, with those few words, I support the proposed budget for the Ministry of Energy.

 

Madam Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Ms Mwape: Madam Chairperson, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to comment on the debate on the Vote for the Ministry of Energy. I further wish to thank the hon. Minister of Energy for the elaborate budget presentation. I am in full support of the budget, in particular, the increased budgetary allocation for the Rural Electrification Authority (REA).

 

Madam Chairperson, electricity is an enabler of economic development, and in the recent past, climate change has disadvantaged the energy sector, particularly the generation of power. However, the increased allocation to REA will go a long way in completing all the planned projects to increase access to electricity in rural areas. Coming from a rural constituency, this gives me great delight that our people will eventually benefit from this milestone that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has achieved under the able leadership of the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

 

Madam Chairperson, I recently learnt that REA and the Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is aimed at electrifying most houses in rural areas. This will also provide local, small and medium enterprises the opportunity to increase productivity and competitiveness in rural areas. Such partnerships are in line with the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP), which departs from sectoral planning to an integrated development approach.

 

Madam Chairperson, the people of Mkushi would like to find out when Fiwila Mission, which was implemented by Muchinga Electrical and Electrification Engineers, is going to be energised. Fiwila Mission Grid Extension is situated in Mkushi District in Central Province. The project involved the electrification of Fiwila Mission, the rural health centre, Fiwila Primary School, Fiwila Secondary School, Fiwila Orphanage and the surrounding community and it was completed on 15^th July, 2018. However, Bombwe line where the Fiwila line taps power from has not been connected and part of it has been vandalised. So, we would like to find out when it will be worked on.

 

Madam Chairperson, once the project is completed, it will have forty-seven initial connections, and a total catchment area of 1,071 is expected to benefit from this infrastructure. I would like to put it on record that since Independence, this is the first time the people of Mkushi have been connected to the national grid. However, – (Inaudible) when the project is expected be energised. This infrastructure is important to the people of Mkushi. Most of our rural dwellers only dream of having access to electricity. However, with this increased allocation to the ministry, I believe, our people will now begin to understand what energy can do, and will begin to adapt to the new way of life. The importance of electricity to our daily lives cannot be over emphasised.

 

Madam Chairperson, with these few words, I wish to support this budget.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

The Chairperson: Hon. Members, before we proceed, we have to go back to Vote 52 because there was an amendment that should have been moved. Hon. Minister of Finance, do you have the amendment? Do you not have it?

 

VOTE 52 – (Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection – K2,165,472,368)

 

The Minister of Finance (Dr Ng'andu): Madam Chairperson, I beg to move the following amendments –

 

Dr Ng’andu: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move the following amendments:

 

1. On page 628, Table 3 Budget Allocation by Programme and Sub-Programme:

 

1. under Programme 2119: Water Supply and Sanitation, Sub-Programme 9001: Sanitation; by the deletion of K34,530,821 and the substitution therefor of K39,530,821;
2. under Programme 2199: Management and Support Services, Sub-Programme 9006: Planning Policy and Coordination; by the deletion of K17,778,596 and the substitution therefor of K14,778,596; and
3. under Programme 2199: Management and Support Services, Sub-Programme 9007: Monitoring and Evaluation; by the deletion of K5,716,493 and substitution therefor of K3,716,493.

 

1. On page 632, Table 4: Programme Budget Allocation by Economic Classification:

 

1. under Programme 2119: Water Supply and Sanitation, item 03: Transfers and Subsidies; by the deletion of the words ‘Zambia Water and Sanitation Project’ and the substitution therefor of the words ‘Commercial Water Utility Companies.’

 

Amendment agreed to. Vote amended accordingly.

 

Vote 52 as amended, ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

 

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Madam Chairperson, to start with, let me simply say that we are no longer proud to be called Zambians with what is happening in the Ministry of Energy. I will tabulate the reasons I am saying so this afternoon.

 

Madam Chairperson, load shedding in this country has become a traditional norm under the Patriotic Front (PF) Government. From the time the PF Government took over power, load shedding in this country –

 

The Chairperson: Order!

 

(Debate adjourned)

 

______

 

HOUSE RESUMED

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

(Progress reported)

 

______

 

The House adjourned at 1658 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 5^th November, 2020.