Wednesday, 11^th November, 2020

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

_______

 

MOTION

 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT, WORKS AND SUPPLY ON THE PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE YAMOUSSOUKRO DECISION CONCERNING THE SINGLE AFRICAN AIR TRANSPORT MARKET

 

Mr Syakalima (Chirundu): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that this House do adopt the Report of the Committee on Transport, Works and Supply on the Proposal by the Executive to Ratify the Yamoussoukro Decision concerning the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), for the Fifth Session of the Twelfth National Assembly, laid on the Table of the House on 5^th November, 2020.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

 

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Madam Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, pursuant to Article 63 of the Constitution of Zambia, Cap 1 of the Laws of Zambia, as amended by Act No. 2 of 2016, and Section 5 of the Ratification of International Agreements Act No. 34 of 2016, the National Assembly is mandated to oversee the performance of the Executive functions by, among other things, approving international agreements and treaties before they are acceded to or ratified.

 

In this regard, Madam Speaker, your Committee was tasked to consider and make recommendations to the House on the Executive’s proposal to ratify the Yamoussoukro Decision concerning the SAATM. In order to acquaint itself with the provisions and ramifications of the international instrument under consideration, your Committee sought both written and oral submissions from relevant stakeholders.

 

Madam, for the benefit of the House, allow me to highlight that the Yamoussoukro Decision of 1999 establishes the arrangement among state parties for the gradual liberalisation of scheduled and non-scheduled intra-Africa air transport services. Further, the Yamoussoukro Decision has precedence over any multilateral or bilateral agreements on air services among state parties, which are incompatible with this decision.

 

Madam Speaker, the SAATM is a project of the African Union (AU) and is meant to create a single market for air transport in Africa. Once completely in force, the single market is supposed to allow significant freedom of air transport in Africa and, consequently, advance the AU’s Agenda 2063.

 

Madam, the primary goal of the SAATM is to fully implement the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision. This means that all participating countries agree to lift market access restrictions for airlines, remove restrictions on ownership, grant each other extended air traffic rights and liberalise flight frequency and capacity limits.

 

Madam Speaker, your Committee notes that once ratified and domesticated, the economic benefits of air space liberalisation to Zambia would include improvements in new routes, more frequent flights, better connections and lower fares. This will increase the number of passengers which, in turn, will have both direct and indirect positive effects on employment, trade, travel and tourism. This is expected to have a positive impact on the broader economy of the country.

 

Madam, however, some stakeholders have criticised the implementation of the SAATM. The criticisms were predicated on concern about the unclear regulatory issues such as powers and functions of the executing agency, consumer protection, competition rules and dispute settlements.

 

Madam Speaker, given the above background, your Committee is in support of the proposal to ratify the instrument. However, your Committee has made some observations and recommendations which I will now briefly highlight as follows:

 

1. your Committee notes that Zambia is faced with high costs of transportation, with ticket prices being higher than those in competing jurisdictions due to high taxes and levies, among other costs. Therefore, your Committee recommends that in order for Zambian operators to remain competitive in the liberalised market, the Government should review the high fuel prices and some of the taxes and levies on aviation services;
2. your Committee notes, with concern, that liberalising the Zambian sky through the Yamoussoukro Decision would result in a few bigger airlines dominating the market, hence stifling competition. Therefore, your Committee recommends that to protect the local market share, the Government engages local operators with a view to facilitate alliances for private operators and opening more domestic routes to expand the market; and
3. your Committee takes note of the existing pieces of legislation that will be affected by the ratification of the Yamoussoukro Decision and urges the Executive to harmonise the relevant legislation with the decision expeditiously. In this regard, your Committee recommends that the legislation be thoroughly examined to ensure that it enhances the development of the local aviation industry and the preservation of national security.

 

Madam Speaker, having said that, your Committee recommends that the House approves the proposal by the Executive to ratify the Yamoussoukro Decision concerning the SAATM. In your Committee’s view, the country stands to benefit from being party to the agreement, especially if the concerns raised are addressed.

 

In conclusion, allow me to place on record your Committee’s gratitude to all stakeholders who appeared before it and tendered both oral and written answers and to you for your guidance during its deliberations. Your Committee also appreciates the services rendered by the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly.

 

Madam Speaker, I beg to move.

 

Thank you, Madam.

 

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

 

Mr Miyutu: Now, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, thank you for according me –

 

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

 

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

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I rise to raise a very serious point of order that shall hinge on the Constitution and the Electoral Process Act and will have a long-term effect on the governance of this country.

 

Madam, you are aware that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) commenced the voter registration exercise on 9^th November, 2020, and that on that same day, issues pertaining to it arose. I am aware that even Her Honour the Vice-President, after registering as a voter in the Silverest area of Lusaka, complained that the process was very slow and tedious. Arising from all the other issues that were raised by the leadership of the Government and political parties in Zambia, the ECZ has not come out to address those issues.

 

Madam Speaker, I have just come from my constituency where members of the public who were advised to go to polling stations to register as voters have raised very serious complaints. I noted the issues.

 

Madam, the ECZ has assigned one individual at a polling station to register voters, manage the equipment, laminate and attend to complaints that arise. As a result of this inefficient system that has been put in place by the ECZ, people being registered in most polling stations in the country at any one given time do not exceed forty.

 

Madam Speaker, you may not be aware that the ECZ has given the people in a particular polling station to register as voters in only seven days. After seven days, the ECZ will move to another polling station. If you multiply the average of forty by seven per day, you are talking about 280 registered voters at any polling station. I also want to bring to your attention, before I specifically raise the question, that most polling stations in Lusaka have more than 5,000 voters, taking into account those who were on the old register and the ones who are going to register. If you only register 240 per day, what does that entail to the registration process in this country?

 

Madam, when the ECZ announced the registration of voters, it told the nation that each polling station would have thirty days –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Leader of the Opposition, I am sure that you have given us enough background. What is the point of order?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Let me just complete this particular one, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Ah!

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Unless some hon. Members have no problems in their constituencies, this issue is very important.

 

Interjections

 

Mr Mwiimbu: That is the problem with people –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Leader of the Opposition –

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, just allow me this.

 

Madam, when the ECZ announced that it would be conducting voter registration, it said it would be registering, at least, thirty-three members of the public everyday for thirty days at any given polling station. However, we told the ECZ that even that was not enough.

 

Madam, Her Honour the Vice-President is the one who makes statements on the Floor of this House on behalf of the ECZ. Is she in order to remain quiet pertaining to this very serious issue that affects the governance of this country and that can threaten its peace? Is she in order to remain quiet considering that this is a very serious issue, and she herself is aware of the problems affecting the registration of voters?

 

Is she in order, Madam Speaker?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: In view of the seriousness of this exercise that is meant to ensure that every Zambian citizen gets to exercise his or her democratic rights, I will order that the Executive, through Her Honour the Vice-President, comes to this House not later than Tuesday, next week, to give a statement as a way of updating not just this House, but also the nation at large. Today being Wednesday, I am sure that the Executive will require some time to gather information and come to update the House on Tuesday, next week, on the voter registration exercise. That is my ruling.

 

The hon. Member for Kalabo Central may continue.

 

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, as I second the Motion, I will only touch on a few issues that were not highlighted by the mover.

 

Madam Speaker, the liberalisation of the air space is likely to benefit the Zambia National Airports Co-operation Limited (NAC) through increased revenue, which will arise from the increase in air traffic flow into the country. Moreover, the increase in international carriers utilising our airports will act as a catalyst to develop Zambia, as a regional hub for both passengers and cargo.

 

Mr Ngulube: On a point of order, Madam.

 

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

 

Mr Ngulube: Madam Speaker, I thank you for according me this rare opportunity to rise on a very important point of order.

 

Madam Chairperson, you might be aware that just last week, the people of Zambia were treated to a rude shock when Parliamentarians, who have been given the mandate, under the Constitution of Zambia, to legislate, pass laws, refine the electoral process and come up with a Constitution that would clear all the problems that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is having, were dancing, winning and dinning because they were happy that they had dealt with the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019, which was meant to protect the people’s rights under the electoral system.

 

Madam Speaker, in just less than a week, we have seen the same people who celebrated the failure of Bill No. 10 going through coming back to this House trying to, now, press for the rights that they threw away under Bill No. 10 of 2019.

 

Madam Speaker, I am aware that this House had an opportunity to correct all those problems −

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Deputy Chief Whip, what is the point of order?

 

Interjections

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order on my left!

 

Mr Ngulube: Madam Speaker, is the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, in order to come −

 

Mr Syakalima interjected.

 

Mr Ngulube: Madam Speaker, am I addressing Hon. Syakalima? I need my protection.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order hon. Members on my left!

 

Mr Ngulube: Madam Speaker, is the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, in order to come to this House and pretend that there was nothing wrong with what hon. Members from the United Party for National Development (UPND) did in shooting down Bill No. 10 of 2019, then, come through the back door and try to assert the same rights? If at all Bill No. 10 of 2019 was not important to the electoral process −

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Deputy Chief Whip, what is the point of order?

 

Mr Ngulube: Madam Speaker, I listened to Hon. Mwiimbu raise his point of order and he used up seven and half minutes in addressing his point of order. For me, it is less than three minutes, but I am already −

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, resume your seat.

 

The hon. Member for Kalabo Central was on the Floor. He may proceed.

 

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, the increased movement of goods and services and passengers will, therefore, foster socio-economic development in this country. However, the Government should consider reducing the number of international airports and continue providing incentives to the national carrier and other domestic operators for them to remain commercially viable.

 

Madam Speaker, with these few words, I beg to second.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the House for ratifying –

 

Mr Mwale: Indicated intention to rise.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, would you like to respond? I did not see you indicate. You do not have your gadget?

 

The Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development (Mr Mwale) (on behalf of the Minister of Transport and Communication (Mr Kafwaya)): Madam Speaker, I did not check how many people were still debating because I do not have my gadget.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, the list has no one else.

 

Mr Mwale: Madam Speaker, I thank you for your indulgence. Presently, aviation markets are not open and, as such, countries have to engage in bilateral air service agreements in order to access other markets in other countries. Further, African air transport services are characterised by restrictions on ownership, restricted flights frequencies, no eligibility criteria for African carriers and varying aviation tariffs from country to country which, in some instances, are prohibitive to entry of foreign countries into local aviations markets.

 

Madam Speaker, the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) aims at eliminating the bilateral air service agreements through the granting of fifth freedom rights to carriers of states participating in the market. This actually offers an opportunity to ensure sustainable development of air transport in Africa and its contribution to economic growth, job creation and integration of the continent. For Zambia, the benefits include, among others, the following:

 

1. reciprocal exchange and exercise of fifth freedom traffic rights will benefit Zambian airlines through the creation of additional opportunities to convey traffic from other state parties;
2. the exchange of fifth freedom traffic rights will increase the attractiveness of Zambian airports and may transform such airports into significant regional hubs;
3. increased flights into Zambia could lead to an increase of tourists into the country;
4. enhanced connectivity of air routes and lower fares across Africa;
5. enhanced aviation safety and security through harmonisation of aviation regulations and standards within the African region;
6. establishment and strengthening of regional civil aviation oversight and co-ordination institutions;
7. increased regional consultation and decision-making on matters of  air transport;
8. creation of new business opportunities and trade through availability of new air freight links; and
9. increased co-operation in airline co-operation, code sharing, cross border investments, including initiatives to create regional airlines with involvement of the private sector.

 

Madam Speaker, the stated benefits will play a key role in transforming the country into a transport hub, which the Government is pushing for.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister, the seconder for contributing and the House for this support.

 

 Madam Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Question put and agreed to.  

 

_______

 

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY

 

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the

Chair]

 

VOTE 76 – (Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development – K 181,780,411)

 

(Consideration resumed)

 

Ms Kasune (Keembe): Mr Chairperson, I was raising the point that the allocation of funds, when it relates to our youth, in this country has really gone to the worst, as we see a lot of funding to people in urban areas, particularly in the Ruling Party strongholds. What I was trying to underscore is that the youth will mingle at some point. The youth being left out in some of our areas, especially rural areas, may end up marrying from where the youths are advantaged. Society has a way of equalising itself. Therefore, it is important that the hon. Minister looks into the equal distribution of these funds.

 

Mr Chairperson, I would also like to speak to the plight of persons with disabilities. They have been neglected in this country for too long. There are nearly 2 million people with disabilities in this country and over 60 per cent are youth. We do not have affirmative action or deliberate programmes for people with disabilities. I think this is an area that the hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development should look into. For instance, the school dropout rate for youth with disabilities is very high.

 

Mr Chairperson, I would also like to draw special attention to those with albinism. Albinos are highly affected and I do not see any programmes directed at them. Their plight is critical. They are equally Zambian and are youths of this nation who should also partake of the national cake.

 

Mr Chairperson, with those remarks, I submit.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Mr Chairperson –

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

 I am seeing someone raising a point of order. Hon. Members, we will not proceed like that. We have a lot of work to do. Looking at the time, we will not move with points of order being raised like that. So, I will not allow points of order.

 

Continue, hon. Member for Kanchibiya.

 

Dr Malama: Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Mr Chairperson, this is a very important ministry. As you know, this ministry deals with the majority of our citizens, who are the youth. As we look at the youth, it is important that we allocate a lot of resources to them because they are the majority of our citizens. Investing in the youth does not only mean investing in this generation, but also generations to come. This is why we would have wanted the youth to have had their way into this House. They would have helped us legislate and they would have represented themselves. They would have helped us to budget and provide oversight.

 

Mr Chairperson, as you know, the Patriotic Front (PF) party was very ready for that. I say this not because I am a member of the PF, but because I am a Zambian. It is a pity that the hon. Minister needs to explain to our youth in Zambia how we would have wanted to see them in the House, but for the United Party for National Development (UPND). We would have wanted them to be here to explain for themselves the challenges that many of them are facing in areas of employment, education and skills development.

 

Mr Chairperson, our Zambian youth are very eloquent. We are glad that His Excellency the President appointed Hon. Mulenga, as hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development because he is almost a youth and he understands –

 

Laughter

 

Dr Malama: Oh Jack, I am not talking about your –

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order! Speak through the Chairperson, and continue.

 

Dr Malama: Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Sir, one of the major issues that we need to provide for the youth is skills development. I would like to commend the hon. Minister for the programme he is undertaking to ensure that there is empowerment of our youth.

 

Hon. UPND Member: Tamwakapite, tamwakapite!

 

Dr Malama: I do not know who is talking or what he is talking about.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

 Hon. Member, you are very much protected.  Ignore those talking and continue.

 

Dr Malama: Mr Chairperson, the majority of the Zambian youth know that the PF wanted them to be in this House –

 

Hon. Member: Ulesebana, iwe.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order hon. Member!

 

Dr Malama: Mr Chairperson, we have some of our youth on the streets. We call it streetism. As the ministry continues to engage and rescue the youth living on the street, it is important that it increases the number from 400 to an even higher figure. What the hon. Minister and his ministry are doing by empowering the youth is very important. Let us ensure that if possible, and it should be possible, we look after the vulnerable youth. They should be put in foster homes or placed with their relations. We should indentify even villages where they come from and upscale them so that they are able to provide for themselves and their immediate families.

 

Mr Chairperson, the other issue is the one that the ministry has embarked on, which is sports development. What we are seeing in that regard, particularly in urban areas, is important. However, we would like to see it even in rural areas such as Sioma.

 

Ms Subulwa: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Malama: Correct. Even my daughter agrees. We would like to see such sports development programmes in rural areas such as Kanchibiya, Mazabuka and Monze. I wish I could go to Monze and represent the youth. They would have wished to come to this House, but for the UPND. I would like to assure the youth in Monze, particularly the female and disabled youth, that the PF party and Government are cognisant of what they are saying and what they are looking for. They wished to be in this House, but for the UPND.

 

Mr Chairperson, the hon. Minister of Youth –

 

Mr Syakalima interjected

 

Dr Malama: Mr Chairperson, it is appetising to respond to the hon. Member, but I will avoid him because this is a very important topic.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

Hon. Member, continue debating and ignore those debating while seated.

 

Dr Malama: Mr Chairperson, I will ignore the hon. Member for Chirundu.

 

Interjection

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

Dr Malama: Mr Chairperson, the youth of Chirundu would have wanted to be in this House, but for the UPND. I will follow your advice and ignore the hon. Member for Chirundu and his insinuations. The young people in Chirundu would have wanted to come to this House in one way or another.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

The hon. Member’s time expired.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Members, yesterday, we were looking at this same Vote. So, we will begin to conclude and we will call upon the hon. Member of Parliament for Sioma, who is an hon. Independent Member, so that we keep balancing the numbers of the debaters.

 

Ms Subulwa (Sioma): Mr Chairperson, thank you for according me an opportunity to also speak to this ministry. In the first place, I would like to support the budget. I know it is very difficult to do so, as I am speaking from a background of having come to Parliament as a youth, who was not adopted, maybe, for many reasons such as being a woman and young. I felt that this year was going to be an opportunity for the youths to be well-represented if only we, as a country, considered their cries.

 

Mr Chairperson, it is sad because I also come from a background where I went to a school with albinos and other differently abled people. I went to a school that is well-known, Sefula Secondary School in the Western Province, from Grade 8 to 12. I know the pains that those people go through. I also know the pains of being a youth, being in this House, and not having a fair share of representation in Parliament. I feel so bad to see that there is a certain political party which has just shot down the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019, which should have increased the youth representation from all corners of this country in this Parliament.  I am really sad and at pains because I am a woman and a youth. Being the youngest female hon. Member of Parliament in this Parliament, I have nobody to talk to.

 

Interruptions

 

Ms Subulwa: There is no other female youth in this Parliament. Mr Chairperson, do not be misled by my body. I am still very young.

 

Interruptions

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order! Hon. Member, continue with your debate. You should not be disturbed.

 

Ms Subulwa: Mr Chairperson, even as I get back to my constituency, I will still speak to the youths in my area and across the country on their need to be aware of such a political party.

 

Mr Chairperson, I would like to appeal to the hon. Minister to look into the area of empowerment, specifically for the youths. I know that there is a programme already in place, but I think it is very cardinal that the hon. Minister considers coming up with a programme to reach out to the youths who are in the deep rural areas. For instance, the youths in Sinjembela and Dihehe should be considered so that they also feel that they are part of this country.

 

Mr Chairperson, the other issue is to do with sports in this country. We have very talented young people who have skills in sports, but are not recognised by the nation because they are in the deep rural areas. So, I am appealing to the hon. Minister to consider bringing these youths on board. I do not know what criterion he will use, but I think he needs to come through to my constituency. I am inviting him, particularly to Sioma, so that he gets to meet these youths who have special talents, especially in sports. I would want to bring to the attention of the hon. Minister that there is a very active team in Sioma. In Sioma Boma, Mulele and Sinjembela, we have very talented young girls and boys, who I feel, would make a difference if they were to be co-opted even in the national team. I think the hon. Minister should actually look into the deep rural areas and not just concentrate on the urban areas. I support this Vote.

 

Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Mr Siwanzi (Nakonde): Mr Chairperson, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to debate the Vote for the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development. In debating this Motion, I just want to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for coming up with an initiative of a multi-sectoral youth empowerment programme, which he recently launched. It is a fact that since Independence, this country has never seen such an initiative. Therefore, a well-meaning Zambian must appreciate such an initiative by the President of the Republic of Zambia.

 

Mr Chairperson, the Patriotic Front (PF) has really demonstrated that it really cares for the youths of this country. Recently, we heard musicians complain about their lack of recognition and support. The voice that came from the leadership is that when a child is complaining, check what it is complaining about because it could be that the child has stepped on a thorn. This Government has responded by funding the musicians K30 million, which must be appreciated. In my constituency, musicians have not been left out. Our artistes have benefitted. I have names of groups in my constituency that are being empowered by this Government, which must be appreciated.

 

Mr Chairperson, as if that is not enough, this Government, again, has initiated a very important skills development programme for our youths in this country. In my experience and understanding, I have not seen a Government that has embarked on taking on youths who possess various skills and professions into various Government departments to work on internship on an allowance for a period of more than twelve months. This must be commended. In this country, 65 per cent of the population are the youths, which entails that Zambia is a youthful country. It is only by taking care of our youths that we are building for the future and to ensure that we have morally upright citizens who can take on the leadership of this country.

 

Mr Chairperson, just to ride on the debate of the hon. Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya, Dr Malama, the youths of this country must realise and know who cares for them. As I have always indicated in my past debates, most of these leaders who have been sent to this Parliament are selfish because they come to represent their own interests. That is why they ensured that the youths were denied an opportunity to serve as hon. Members of Parliament in the House because they know that once the youths come, they will know most of the things they have been misled about. The youths of this country are carefully watching these leaders.

 

Mr Chairperson, next year, we will be going into elections. If these youths really know what will be good for them, it is better they stick to a Government that cares for them. The Government that cares for them is the one under the able leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who has not left out any sector to ensure that our youths are empowered.

 

Mr Chairperson, under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, we have seen this Government empowering our youths in aquaculture skills and giving them support in form of capital to start up businesses in this particular field. In agriculture, we have seen this Government empowering youths with land and the necessary capital injection for them to undertake their agricultural activities. Therefore, come 2021, the youths of this country, who are the majority of our population and whom I believe have the majority vote, should ensure that the enemy of progress that shot down the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019, which would have allowed their voice to come to Parliament and be heard, is completely defeated and does not resurrect and instead join finished politicians who are resting in peace.

 

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

 

Thank you, Sir.

 

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development (Mr Mulenga): Mr Chairperson, I would like to thank you for the opportunity granted to respond to the hon. Members who have contributed to the debate on this very important Vote. I would like to thank the hon. Members for Chilubi, Kalomo Central, Kalabo Central, Keembe, Kanchibiya, Sioma, and Nakonde constituencies.

 

Mr Chairperson, all hon. Members who have debated have actually done so with passion and have shown a sense that they really care for the youths. As the Executive, we can only do so much. However, as a Parliament, we can do a lot in making sure that we attend to the needs of the youths in this country.

 

Sir, before I get to conclude, I should state that many hon. Members indicated that the money allocated to the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development is not enough. However, I will state that this is a multi-sectoral approach. Youths are individuals between the ages of nineteen and thirty-five, according to the Constitution, and they constitute 37 per cent of the Zambian population. Those below the age of nineteen are 45 per cent. So, those below the age of thirty-five are 82 per cent of the Zambian population.

 

Mr Chairperson, those who are under our ministry are also those under the Ministry of General Education. The Ministry of General Education has been given almost K2.5 billion and the Ministry of Higher Education has been given K1.9 billion.

 

Sir, His Excellency the President, has directed the Ministry of Agriculture to make sure that almost 50 per cent of the allocation under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) goes to the youths.  This is actually being implemented and that is an allocation of about K5.8 billion. Under skills and defence, they have given K18.9 million. So, it is a multi-sectoral approach where all the ministries are involved in ensuring that the youths benefit.

 

Mr Chairperson, His Excellency the President interacted with the youths in March 2020. An indaba was organised at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre and their concern was that they wanted to speak for themselves. In Bemba we say, “uwumfwa umucele ukufina, muntu usendele.” This simply means that the youth appreciate the challenges that they are going through. So, it was imperative that they be given a chance to speak for themselves in this Chamber but unfortunately, the piece of legislation which was going to allow them to come here was shot down. The youths need to know who the enemy to their progress is. We, as the Patriotic Front (PF), want to involve them in the governance system and that is why it was put in the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019.  

 

Mr Chairperson, since that is water under the bridge, the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019, will never be brought to this Chamber before we go for general elections. My humble appeal to hon. Members like the Leader of the Opposition and others who have been in this Parliament for long is that they should not come back in 2021, but give an opportunity to the youths. If really they meant what they were talking about –

 

Interjections

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

Hon. Minister, the people will decide. We are all brought here by the people. Let the people decide who they want to be in this Chamber. You may continue. You are now remaining with seconds to windup your debate.

 

Mr Mulenga: Mr Chairperson, what I meant is that they spoke passionately. They want the youths and people living with disabilities to progress. What they need to do, if they care for the youths, is ensure that when a youth with qualifications comes to the table, but does not have the money to run a campaign, they support such youth to come to Parliament by caring for him or her so that they represent themselves. The youths cannot compete with the sitting hon. Member because the hon. Member goes away with gratuity. So, let them find a youth in their constituency and support them to this House.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Minister, I think I guided you on that. Just proceed to windup.

 

Mr Mulenga: Mr Chairperson, as I conclude, I want to assure the hon. Members who have contributed to the debate on this Vote that we have taken note of their submissions. The members of staff from the ministry and I were taking note. We will make sure that we consider whatever they have put across. I thank you for the opportunity granted.

 

Thank you, Sir.

 

Vote 76 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

 

VOTE 77 – (Ministry of Defence – K 4,344,820,720)

 

The Minister of Defence (Mr Chama): Mr Chairperson, it is a great honour and a rare privilege to stand before this august House to present the estimates of expenditure for the ministry of defence for the period 1^st January to 31^st December, 2021.

 

Mr Chairperson, may I take this opportunity to commend the Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr. Bwalya Ng’andu, for the well presented 2021 National Budget under the theme, “Stimulate Economic Recovery and Build Resilience to Safeguard Livelihoods and Protect the Vulnerable.” The theme is a timely one as it has come during the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Mr Chairperson, during the presentation of the Budget, the ministry took into consideration the theme, the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP), the Ministerial 2019/2021 Strategic Plan, the balance scorecard and the 2021/2023 Budget Call Circular. Suffice to mention that the ministry also took into consideration the lessons learnt in the implementation of the 2020 Budget, the austerity measures put in place and the economic slowdown due to the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, my ministry also, now, migrated to output based budgeting from the activity based budgeting system.

 

Mr Chairperson, our mission statement, as a ministry is:

 

 ‘To preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity for national peace and security’.

 

Review of the Current 2020 Budget Performance and the Key Indicators for the Ministry

 

Mr Chairperson, during the period under review, in 2020, my ministry had an approved budget of K3,878,559,001. In addition to the approved budget, my ministry also received an approved supplementary budget amounting to K496,901,847. So far, K3,543,927,559 has been released as at 28^th October, 2020.

 

Mr Chairperson, during the period under review, my ministry recorded significant achievements, which include the following:

 

Modernisation of the Defence Forces

 

Mr Chairperson, my ministry continued with the exercise of modernising the defence forces. In this regard, various pieces of equipment were procured and upgraded. The ministry also facilitated specialised training for personnel. Through these efforts, the ministry’s ability to maintain peace and stability for sustained national economic development has been enhanced.

 

Infrastructure Development and Rehabilitation

 

Mr Chairperson, in line with the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP), my ministry engaged in infrastructure development and rehabilitation in collaboration with other stakeholders. The major works undertaken in the period under review included, but were not limited to the following:

 

1. the construction of feeder roads and 168 km of feeder roads in eight districts were constructed;
2. the construction of Nangoma Dam was completed;
3. the construction of markets in Chifubu in Ndola was successfully completed;
4. the construction of health facilities, including the upgrading of Maina Soko Military Hospital, which stands at 95 per cent completion, and will be commissioned in February next year;
5. the construction of milling plants in Monze and Mpika with a daily capacity of 240 metric tonnes and each stands at 85 per cent completion; and
6. the construction of military cantonments and Kala Camp for the marine unit in Kawambwa was handed over and commissioned in January this year.

 

Agriculture and Livestock

 

Mr Chairperson, the importance of the agriculture sector in achieving economic diversification of the country cannot be overemphasised. The thrust of agriculture production in the ministry is through the Zambia National Service (ZNS). A total of 3,635 ha in the 2019/2020 Season out of the annual target of 3,755 ha were cultivated. Out of the hectarage cultivated, maize covered 2,221 ha with a yield of 115,185 x 50kg bags of maize. Soya beans accounted for 548 ha with a yield of 20,732 x50 kg bags of soya beans and wheat covered 868 ha. My ministry continued restocking livestock in its ranches and it managed to restock 150 cattle. All these efforts are aimed at contributing to the enhancement of national food security and economic growth in general.

 

Recruitment

 

Mr Chairperson, manpower levels in the defence force are relatively low due to attrition. It is worth noting that the structure of the ministry has expanded over time without a corresponding comprehensive recruitment drive to fill up the established positions and the required number of staff. In this regard, this august House may wish to note that my ministry began the process of recruiting service personnel in order to mitigate the manpower shortfall.

 

International Engagements and Operations

 

Mr Chairperson, in a quest to demonstrate our commitment to international peace and security, my ministry continues to actively participate in regional and international engagements aimed at contributing towards the maintenance of international peace and security. In this regard, despite the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, my ministry participated in one joint permanent commission on defence and security with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As hon. Members may be aware, the joint permanent commission with our neighbouring countries is a platform through which neighbouring countries resolve matters of mutual interest in defence and security for the purpose of maintaining good neighbourliness. Furthermore, Zambia and South Africa held a joint defence commission to enhance defence co-operation.

 

Mr Chairperson, the Ministry of Defence has continued contributing troops to the United Nations (UN) for peacekeeping and peace support operations, particularly in the Central African Republic, with the last being in July 2020. My ministry has also continued sending officers and soldiers as military observers in conflict torn areas within the continent.

 

Aid to Civilian Authorities

 

Mr Chairperson, the ministry provided various services to communities whenever they were called upon by civil authorities. To this end, my ministry stands ready to collaborate with other Government departments in responding to national emergencies, as and whenever called upon.

 

2021 Budget Highlights – Key Activities to be Implemented in 2021 within the Framework of Budget Allocations

 

Mr Chairperson, allow me now to give an overview of the ministry’s budget for 2021. The Budget Estimates for the Ministry of Defence for 1^st January to 31^st December, 2021, is K4,344,820,720. The proposed budget estimates translates to 89.5 per cent for personal emoluments and 10.5 per cent towards the acquisition of goods and services.

 

Mr Chairperson, having given the budget overview, allow me to proceed with its salient features and allocations. As regards the overall impact of the policy direction, my ministry will endeavour to undertake its programmes, as guided by the 7NDP, 2019/2021 Strategic Plan and Balance Scorecard. The following are the key activities to be undertaken:

 

Recruitment

 

Mr Chairperson, as I have indicated, we will be recruiting. According to the 7NDP Pillar I, economic diversification and job creation, my ministry is due to –

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

The hon. Minister’s time expired.

 

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Chairperson, thank you for according me this opportunity to debate the budget for the Ministry of Defence.

 

Mr Chairperson, I would like to state that I support the budget for the Ministry of Defence and that all of us in this country appreciate the role that the defence forces play in maintaining peace in Zambia.

 

Mr Chairperson, this is one ministry that employs a large number of youths. As we employ the youths in this country, there are issues that need to be addressed. In addressing the issues that affect the youths in this country, I have heard lamentations and wailings from hon. Members on the right who are saying that this country can only provide for the youths if there are youthful hon. Members of Parliament in this House. That is very unfortunate. That is poor governance because all of us here represent members of the public irrespective of age. That is our responsibility. However, the hon. Members on the right are telling us that they do not care for the youths in this country because there are no youths on their side.

 

Hon. PF Members: Question!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: That is what they are telling us.

 

Mr Chairperson, it is imprudent to make such suggestions. In case the hon. Members on the right have forgotten –

 

Mr Ngulube: Discuss the budget.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: I am talking about the youths. In 2011, the hon. Members on the right –

 

Interruptions

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order! I am following his debate as well.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, a number of Cabinet Ministers at that time shot down the provision that was intended to provide for the youths. In 2015 –

 

Hon. PF Members: Which ones?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Do you want me to name them? Hon. Lubinda was there –

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order, hon. Member!

 

Mr Lubinda: On a point of order, Sir.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

Hon. Minister for Justice, resume your seat.

 

Hon. Member for Monze Central, move away completely from issues to do with the Constitution (Amendment) of Zambia Bill No. 10 of 2019. The critical matter, at the moment, is the budget for the Ministry of Defence and the ministry has so many departments. So, it needs to hear your voices.

 

You may continue.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, when a statement is made on the Floor of this House, any hon. Member has the right to rebut or correct that statement.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Not in this manner because –

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, I will find the right manner.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Leader of the Opposition, resume your seat. You have experience in this House. When we were looking at the budget for the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development, you could have debated. However, you were not given that opportunity because the hon. Members on your side had debated. We are now looking at the budget for the Ministry of Defence. So, let us concentrate on the problems affecting the ministry. Let us not politicise everything.

 

You may continue.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, I am going to talk about what the Patriotic Front (PF) did in 2015. There was a proposal for proportional representation on the Floor of this House, which would have enabled the youths to be represented. However, our hon. Colleagues made an amendment to remove that provision from the Constitution on the Floor of this House.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Member, I want to see the connection of what you have said with the budget for the Ministry of Defence.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, the connection I am making is that the PF has never believed in youth representation, and so, it removed the clause in the Constitution. If it had not removed the clause, we would have had youths in this House.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Member, we will not move in that fashion. We all understand where we are coming from and what we are supposed to look at. Can we, please, look at the budget for the Ministry of Defence.

 

Interruptions

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order on my right!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, I am raising the issue of the youths and their interest. The youths have a particular interest in the Ministry of Defence. There is no recruitment in the Ministry of Defence under which youths are not recruited. They only recruit the youths and for their rights to be enhanced under the Ministry of Defence, they are expected to have more hon. Members of Parliament. However, the PF amended the Constitution to remove the clause on the youths.

 

Mr Lubinda: On a point of order, Sir.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

Hon. Minister, I am not allowing any points of order. I have guided Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, the Leader of the Opposition, who is debating. He has touched on the Ministry of Defence in his debate, and he has delivered his point on the youths in relation to the Ministry of Defence. Can we move on.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, I am saying that the Ministry of Defence has just been recruiting the youths. There was an advertisement stating the age of the people it wanted to recruit, and they were youths, who expected to be represented by youthful hon. Members of Parliament but because of the PF, there are no youthful hon. Members of Parliament.

 

The Government advised us that it was going to undertake a process of removing the youths from the streets and that it would take them to the Zambia National Service (ZNS) for training. Unfortunately, Mr Speaker, this exercise has not been done.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: It is Mr Chairperson.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, sorry. As a result of the failure to implement this exercise, there are now too many youths in the streets and the number is increasing. I would like to bring it the attention of those in the Government, in particular the hon. Minister of Defence, to take this issue very seriously. The street kids we have now will no longer be streets kids in the next two to three years. They will be adults. Once they become adults, they will not want to be in the streets. They will want to be out of the streets and because there are no jobs, they will become hardcore criminals. Therefore, I urge my colleague, the hon. Minister of Defence, to come up with a programme so that the streets kids are taken to national service centres to acquire skills and be useful to the nation.

 

Mr Chairperson, I am also aware that the equipment that was supposed to be given to the Rural Roads Unit (RRU) some time back has been taken to the ZNS. What has transpired after the transfer of that resource to the ZNS is that most of the councils in rural areas no longer have access to utilise that equipment. The hon. Minister of Defence must liaise with his counterpart in the Ministry of Local Government so that reasonable payments are made to the Ministry of Defence either directly through the councils or the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for us to utilise the equipment. Most of the roads in rural areas are not being worked on because there is no equipment that is available for the councils. We rely on the ZNS. I am also aware that the Zambia Army has equipment. Let that equipment be accessible to the councils in order for us to provide for our people in rural areas.

 

Mr Chairperson, with those few remarks, I support the budget.

 

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

 

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Chairperson, I would like to thank the hon. Minister of Defence for the policy statement. It is only befitting to support a ministry such as the one the hon. Minister runs, especially that on average, he is one of the few measured hon. Ministers in the Patriotic Front (PF), who many times speaks relevance and I congratulate him for that.

 

Mr Chairperson, the theme of the Budget is, “Stimulate Economic Recovery and Build Resilience to Safeguard Livelihoods and Protect the Vulnerable.” Yes, we appreciate what the Zambia National Service (ZNS) does in terms of food provision. We also appreciate the disposition of the officers in the Zambia Air Force (ZAF), Zambia Army and the ZNS. I must tell you now that those officers are totally different from the officers in the Zambia Police Service. I want to give an example of how the officers behaved when they were deployed into the communities at the time when there was gassing in this country. They performed very well and I think that it should be kept that way because the men and women in uniform vis-a-vis in the Zambia Army, ZNS and ZAF are not yet fully infiltrated, as have police officer.

 

Mr Chairperson, if there are cadres in the ministry masquerading in uniform, it would be very unfortunate. So far, the hon. Minister has lifted the flag for his ministry in a manner that deserves to be given accolades. However, there is failure on the hon. Minister’s part in terms of the sovereignty that he discussed this afternoon. The hon. Minister knows very well that our borders are very porous. However, if he does not know, he should know that the people in his party are busy issuing sovereign documents to foreigners. They are issuing National Registration Cards (NRCs) to Mozambicans, Malawians and Congolese, yet his ministry and the defence forces are sitting here in the inner land.

 

Mr Chairperson, I am a living example of a person who took a Congolese to the police for trying to obtain an NRC in Mwense. He was being aided by the Zambia Police, the District Commissioner (DC), and a chief in that area. So, where is the sovereignty? Can the hon. Minister get a Congolese NRC? The answer is no. In this area, we have been left porous, extremely porous.

 

Mr Kampyongo: On a point of order, Mr Chairperson.

 

Mr Nkombo: There are no points of order. That is what the Chairperson said.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

That is my job.

 

Mr Kampyongo: It is a compelling point of order, Mr Chairperson.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Nkombo, resume your seat.

 

Let me just guide the House. I have listened to the hon. Member debating. I think if there is any pressing issue, since we are looking at the Vote for the Ministry of Defence, kindly pass a note to the hon. Minister of Defence so that he can respond on your behalf. I wish the hon. Member on the Floor raised this issue when we were dealing with the Vote for the Ministry of Home Affairs. Let us be mindful of the boundaries. That is my guidance.

 

Hon. Nkombo, you may continue.

 

Mr Nkombo: Mr Chairperson, I am glad that you are talking about boundaries. I am stepping from the issue of the boundary of this country. That issue is squarely in the ambit of the hon. Minister, Mr Davis Chama. The defence forces have failed us on that matter because foreigners are coming into the country to get NRCs. I am a living example of a person who saw a foreigner do this. I can give you evidence of a Congolese man I spoke with. I have the evidence on my phone. A Congolese confessed that he was brought here in order to vote. That is erosion of a country’s sovereignty, and do not even hide behind a finger. This is happening. The only thing that the Government of Hon. Chama is good at is making sure that it wins elections at the expense of governance. One day, it will put this country in harm’s way. The issue of an NRC is of paramount importance. You cannot give a Polish, an American or an Indian a Zambian NRC for purposes of winning an election. It is wrong. It is immoral.

 

Mr Chairperson, finally, I expected the hon. Minister to give us an update on the Zambia/China Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe because it is under his ministry. We need to know how that company is performing and establish whether the youths jobs are being given jobs. It has now become apparent that the Government is preaching about youth employment as a postmortem or funeral for the collapse of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10.

 

Mr Chairperson, I am grateful to you because you have banned the talk on the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 through your ruling a while ago. I do not want to hear anyone talk of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 because it is dead. I do not want.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

The hon. Member’s time expired.

 

Prof. Lungwangwa was inaudible.

 

Dr Malama: Mr Chairperson, I thank you for the opportunity to debate. First and foremost, I would like to appreciate the hon. Minister of Defence for the statement he has given. I also appreciate the hon. Minister and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for the role our men and women in uniform played during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. They came in harm’s way to protect this country. I also appreciate the men and women in uniform for the role they continue to play to keep our sovereignty and realm protected.

 

Mr Chairperson, the Ministry of Defence is performing well despite facing challenges. It is important that the barracks where the officers live are on title. I hope that, through this budget, the Ministry of Defence can liaise with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources so that the barracks are secured and protected.

 

Mr Chairperson, the Government should be commended for looking at the infrastructure of our men and women in uniform. Camps and newer housing units are coming up. However, let us also look at the maintenance of the older infrastructure. Our men and women in uniform are restricted in the camps. Therefore, the Ministry of Defence should see to it that it continues with this programme that it has started of improving infrastructure so that our men and women in uniform are well looked after.

 

Mr Chairperson, as referred to by one of the speakers, the issue of uniforms is very important. Let us create capacity to make uniforms at home, as this will create employment. We have many tailors. Let us capacitate them so that jobs are not exported outside the country.

 

Mr Chairperson, I commend the ministry for looking into the fleet for the ministry. However, there are certain other areas that require revisiting, particularly the fleet of our men and women in uniform in the Zambia Army, the Zambia Air Force (ZAF), and the Zambia National Service (ZNS). This needs to be addressed. Let me start with the infrastructure of these institutions. I commend the hon. Minister because our men and women in uniform are putting up very modern infrastructure using their own workmanship. A lot can be done using their capacity. The other day, as the Chairperson of the Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, I visited the ZNS camps with my colleagues. A lot is being done in the ZNS camps. The ZNS can help to upgrade the skill of so many unemployed young people today. Certain countries like Israel, including ourselves as Zambia, provided skills for builders through the youth service. If you go to our farms, you will see that they are doing extremely well.

 

Mr Chairperson, lastly, I commend our men and women in uniform for the role they are playing in peacekeeping. Let us support ZAF, the army and the ZNS and capacitate them so that they can do a good job. The ZNS has been considered as an auxiliary force, but I think it is a pure force. Let us review how we consider the ZNS so that we capacitate it to stand tall. When there was the liberation struggle for Zimbabwe, which was called Southern Rhodesia then, the ZNS did a commendable job. Let us look at it because in my view, it is not an auxiliary force. It is a service or a force that can stand alongside the army and the air force in protecting this land.

 

Mr Chairperson, with these few words, I support the Vote.

 

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

 

Prof. Lungwangwa was inaudible.

 

Mr Kamboni (Kalomo Central): Mr Chairperson, may I begin by commending the hon. Minister of Defence. Under a very difficult environment when our politics in the country are so biased, he has done very well to really maintain the decorum of the Ministry of Defence. I would like to commend him because his ministry has done very well. It has not been polluted by us, politicians or leaders of the day, by allowing to be used as a narrow goal to stay in power, like other ministries have been used. So, for that, I would like to really commend the hon. Minister of Defence. He will leave a good legacy.

 

Sir, as far as I am concerned, the amount of money that is given to this ministry is not enough. Technology is changing every day and we need more workshops for our men and women in the military every now and then because learning never ends. We need money for retraining them in new technology that comes along so that our military personnel are always up to date.

 

Mr Chairperson, like the previous speaker said, we also need to look at the housing or accommodation of military personnel. These are men and women who are doing a very good job. For instance, if I was looking for help and I met a soldier and a police officer, I would surely go to the soldier and not the police officer because we have destroyed their professionalism. The leadership has destroyed their professionalism. This is not very good for taxpayers because what we should know is that this same money we are talking about is paid by the Zambian people. So, no individual should be above the Zambian people and actually influence what is not right.

 

Sir, like I said earlier, the hon. Minister of Defence has done so well because if he had allowed politics to come in or cadres to come in to influence wrong things, then, this country would not be the way it is today. I do not know where it would be by now. This is why I am giving commendation that he has done very well in that aspect.

                                                                                                                                

Mr Chairperson, there is also the issue of employment in the military. We need to add more money to this ministry’s budget so that every now and then, we have new recruitments from all over the country, and not only from one side of the country because in the military, you need people gifted with all sorts of talents. So, that requires money and that is why this ministry should be given more money. So, for me really, K4.3 billion is still very little.

 

Sir, people in the military really help us and, therefore, they also need a lot of training in terms of survival skills. For instance, when we have disasters like bridges being washed away, institutions under the military such as the Zambia National Service (ZNS) and others have come in to help us. So, funding in this area really needs to improve and come to a level where it will meet the demands of our society. Technology is constantly changing and we need to pay more attention to the Ministry of Defence because it really provides security for all of us in this country. Therefore, when the United Party for National Development (UPND) comes to power, we will certainly take care of the Ministry of Defence far much better than the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is doing at the moment.

 

Mr Chairperson, there is only one area in which I feel the Ministry of Defence should improve. Some time back, I am not too sure about now, we heard about corruption cases concerning procurement and other stuff coming from the Ministry of Defence. I must say that procurement is a very noble profession which we look up to. Those who are involved, and I am not talking about soldiers, but those involved in the procurement of uniforms and other items who engage in corruption should stop.

 

Sir, that is one other area which the hon. Minister of Defence should work on so that we see that the Ministry of Defence is completely clean. It should not be associated with such things that happen in other ministries. I hope the Ministry of Home Affairs will learn how to run a ministry from the Ministry of Defence because it has really been chaotic. We will come to it when its budget is presented.

 

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

 

Mr Nakacinda (Nominated): Mr Chairperson, I also want to join those who have commended the hon. Minister of Defence on his policy statement and to also echo what has already been said. I think the work that our men and women in uniform are doing to maintain the peace that we have continued to enjoy for the past fifty-six years is really commendable. Of course, these efforts contribute economically through many activities that the hon. Minister has highlighted such as in the agriculture sector and also some of the issues that have been indicated such as the textile sector and we hope that these efforts in that regard will begin to yield results.

 

Sir, I must just say that, obviously, we are witnessing whatever level of development that all of us seem to be advocating for, and we hope even more can be done. Development can never be achieved unless the peace that we are enjoying is maintained and continues to be harnessed by all of us. Each of us has a duty to contribute to the maintenance of that peace.

 

Mr Chairperson, I think it is important that we, as politicians, begin to reflect on how we are conducting ourselves and even the sentiments that we express, especially when we are discussing sensitive matters of security, for example. In this case, we are dealing with the Ministry of Defence.

 

Yesterday, Sir, I was talking to somebody from Kasama and I was lamenting the level of somersaulting by some politician and his response, which was in Bemba, left me in reflection. He said, “Bambi ama politician, mashilu aba samba.” In other words, do not be deceived by their suits. They may not be coherent because when you look at the level of inconsistency in what they advocate for, you will really be amazed that somebody that is correct in certain areas would be going that way.

 

Mr Chairperson, I think it is unfortunate that we would want to play a very dangerous game such that in one vein there is commendation towards the way the Government is running, for example, the defence, but in another vein, you are springing out of that to try and discredit another wing of the Government. In this case, this is a security wing of the Government that is doing a lot of good work to safeguard the country. Even for us to be in this National Assembly to debate is because of the efforts that are being applied in that regard.

 

Sir, we may have our own political differences, but it is important that we do not stretch that to a point where we begin to undermine our own institutions that are charged with the responsibility of making sure that peace and order prevail in this country. I think some of the information that is being channelled on the Floor of the House is very unfortunate. I think the decorum of the House or, indeed, the requirements of the Standing Orders is that if somebody is going to allege something, it should be substantiated. Like I heard from the hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central, who alleged that somebody from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) registered as a Zambian citizen and obtained a National Registration Card (NRC), he should have substantiated that. That is not something that somebody can just say in passing. That is a very serious allegation which needs to be substantiated.

 

Mr Chairperson, we cannot use Parliament to politick to levels where we are undermining our institutions. I do not see how our country, since time immemorial, would begin to have foreigners obtain NRCs. Unless, indeed, they have come into this country, fulfilled the necessary requirements and have decided that they are going to be Zambians, then, they cannot obtain NRCs. There are procedures that are stipulated by law for those things to happen.

 

Sir, I find some of these pronouncements very unfortunate and I thought I could just add my voice to the debate by saying that we have to be responsible, especially that we are getting a little bit emotional as we go towards elections. I know that some politicians have already begun to see signs that they will not make it in 2021, but they should not spoil the situation. I think let us begin to prepare to lose with dignity rather than want to destroy the peace that we, as a people, are enjoying.

 

With those few words, Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Mr Chairperson, thank you for this opportunity you have given the people of Chilubi to have their voice heard. I would like to appreciate what the Ministry of Defence has been doing for this nation beyond the maintenance of peace, which also tallies well with other uniformed personnel driven ministries like the Ministry of Home Affairs, which I equally appreciate. The Ministry of Defence cannot be a stand-alone ministry.

 

Sir, the hon. Minister emphasised that the issue of sovereignty is of great importance and that it cannot go without patriotism. The Ministry of Defence has tried its best to put in place measures that ensure that we still have peace. It is in charge of the external issues as opposed to the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is in charge of internal affairs. When the Ministry of Home Affairs gives with one hand, we, as politicians, seem to take away with another hand on the sovereignty component. Some of the things that we say, even outside the boundaries of the nation through worldwide websites like Facebook and many others, seem to be a source of worry because they can cause a breach of peace. It is just like violence. It can start either by emotional or verbal provocation. Actually, things that provoke violence do not start with guns or physical entanglements. They start with provocation of all sorts.

 

Sir, having said that, I would now like to venture and narrow down to appreciating that the Ministry of Defence is abound with expertise in engineering, farming and many other fields. We debate in this nation about the farming of cash crops like Marijuana that can be used for medicinal purposes which, at some point, received approval from the Cabinet, but were restricted to cultivation for medicinal purposes. It still remains of value that the Zambia National Service (ZNS), among other things, takes up farming, especially of cash crops to beef up national security and help the economy generally because it has demonstrated a pedigree in that area. Besides cash crops, the ZNS, as an arm of the military, has also demonstrated its capacity to do more in livestock farming.

 

Mr Chairperson, apart from what I have mentioned above, some of us who come from areas where there are embankments and difficult feeder roads that require the expertise of defence forces still appreciate the input of the ZNS. Just the other week, I noted that the hon. Minister of Defence sent the ZNS to assess our embankments because they have problems during the rainy season.

 

Mr Chairperson, I think that such monies, as have been allocated, could be put to good use if they can be used on embankments and many other things, not just in my area, but also other as well because there are a lot of bridges and embankments that need to be worked on in this country.

 

Sir, I wish that at some point, the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development could go into joint ventures and projects with the Ministry of Defence, which has a lot of expertise, as I have already indicated. I know that the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development equally has some expertise, but what we need is to twin them, especially when they implement joint projects, so that the nation can have proper infrastructure like feeder roads, embankments and other ventures of that sort embarked upon.

 

Mr Chairperson, as people from Chilubi, we would like to appeal to the ministry to ensure that part of the money that has been allocated goes to the areas I have talked about. We would be more than happy if products like maize and maize products could be kept from going out of the country, especially that the ministry has demonstrated that it can preserve the resources of our country.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Chama: Mr Chairperson, thank you once more for giving me an opportunity to wind up debate. First of all, allow me to thank Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, Hon. Nkombo, Hon. Dr Malama, Hon. Kamboni, Hon. Nakacinda and Hon. Mulenga Fube.

 

Sir, because of the lack of time, I will quickly respond to a few issues that have been raised by the hon. Members. Most of them are commendations and we appreciate them. We shall strive to be as professional as possible as we try to protect the territorial integrity of our country. 

 

Mr Chairperson, I know that Hon. Jack Mwiimbu was trying to be a bit political when he brought up issues of the youth vis-a-vis the collapse of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019. However, I want to say that the youth are lamenting. I wish the hon. Members of Parliament from the United Party for National Development (UPND) had been more patriotic by remaining in the House to support the Bill because it was well-intended. That is why the Ministry of Defence is recruiting the youth in order to capacitate the ones who are on the streets.

 

Sir, Hon. Mwiimbu also mentioned something to do with kids on the streets, which is very unfortunate. We are collaborating with the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development and recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Unfortunately, due to the lack of time, I could not highlight what we intend to do in order to remove the kids from the streets. Very soon, we will remove children off the streets so that we can train and capacitate them.

 

Mr Chairperson, the equipment that we have from the Rural Roads Unit (RRU) is doing a great job with limited resources. We can do much more and hope that we can collaborate with councils so that most feeder roads can be worked on.

 

Sir, Hon. Nkombo was commending the Ministry of Defence and how it carries itself. We assure him that we shall proceed as such.

 

Sir, the borders of this country are quite porous. We share borders with eight neighbouring countries. The border between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is about 2,000 km. The police are very professional. The Ministry of Home Affairs is very professional in terms of the issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs). You have to be accompanied by a relative or a guardian to attain an NRC. Those who are being identified as foreigners are being prosecuted. There are cases that were cited by the hon. Minister of Home Affairs when he gave a statement on the issuance of NRCs. Therefore, it is incorrect to insinuate that the Government is deliberately issuing NRCs to foreigners. I want to dispel those assertions that the Government is deliberately issuing NRCs to foreigners.

 

Mr Chairperson, on Mulungushi Textiles, we are on top of things. We are working with our Chinese partners. It is only that we have been disturbed by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) that has destabilised borders. By now, we could have been opening up Mulungushi Textiles. We want to recapitalise it and ensure that the old equipment is removed and new state-of-the-art machinery equipment is put in. Our partners in China are mobilising finances and we will make pronouncements to that effect very soon.

 

Sir, on the ballots and title deeds, I assure Hon. Dr Malama that we are working with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to ensure that some of our cantonments have title deeds. However, I cannot go into detail because these are matters of security. In the olden days, title deeds were never given because the minute they were given, they could be picked by Google Maps and certain sensitive installations could be exposed to the country. However, we will ensure that areas that are being encroached are protected. We are working with the Ministry of Lands and National Resources to protect our cantonment areas.

 

Mr Chairperson, it is our desire, as a ministry, to capacitate our factories to produce uniforms locally. It is high time we started producing uniforms. Immediately Mulungushi Textiles is operationalised, it is our desire to not import uniforms as we will manufacture them locally ourselves.

 

Mr Chairperson, on issues of accommodation, this Government has done a lot to make sure that it accommodates the men and women in uniform, given the limited resources. The Commander in Chief who is the President is committed to make sure that we modernise the accommodation of our men and women in uniform.

 

The hon. Member’s time expired.

 

Vote 77 ordered to stand part of the estimates.

 

VOTE 78 – (Zambia Security Intelligence Services – K 845,381,809)

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Mr Chairperson, I wish to express my gratitude for this opportunity to address this august House on the occasion of presenting the estimates of expenditure for the Zambia Security Intelligence Services for 2021.

 

Mr Chairperson, according to the Republican Constitution, the Zambia Security Intelligence Services is mandated to provide accurate and timely intelligence on threats to national security, which might jeopardise the peace that the country enjoys. Therefore, it is my appeal that this House gives necessary support to the institution so that it can effectively execute its mandate.

 

Review of Budget Performance for 2020

 

Mr Chairperson, the performance of the 2020 Budget for the Zambia Security Intelligence Services was generally satisfactory. You may wish to note that the 2020 authorised expenditure stood at K786,640,842. Despite the adverse effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has affected all sectors of our economy, the intelligence service continued to receive the necessary financial support from the Central Government, which enabled the institution to continue operating effectively and efficiently.

 

Mr Chairperson, without peace, no country can achieve its goals in serving the needs of its citizens. In this regard, the Zambia Security Intelligence Services plays a critical and pivotal role in the preservation of peace in Zambia. It is for this reason that the Government, with the unwavering backing of this august House, has continued to support this important institution. We are mindful of the ever increasing threats to national security such as subversion, sabotage, espionage, cyber crime, terrorism and other activities unfavourable to the State.

 

Sir, in addition, the advent of the COVID-19 global pandemic has brought to the fore the threat of bio-security. In order to mitigate these challenges, there is a need for the Government to provide adequate funding to make it possible for the institution to, among other things, enhance its capacity as well as invest in modern Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

 

Mr Chairperson, you may wish to also take cognisance of the fact that the work of the institution is very sensitive and requires to be in line with modern trends in all areas. Further, the sensitivity of its work equally requires that as we debate its budget, we do not put the country’s security interest at risk. Allow me to reiterate my appeal to this august House to be very wary of the sensitivity of the institution under consideration, as we debate the proposed budget.

 

Budget Estimates for 2021

 

Mr Chairperson, may I now draw the attention of this august House to the proposed 2021 Budget Estimates for the Zambia Security Intelligence Services. The 2021 Budget Estimates stand at K845,381,809, which represents an increase of 7.47 per cent from the 2020 approved estimates.

 

Mr Chairperson, as I conclude, allow me to reiterate the commitment of the Government to ensuring that the ZSIS meets the expectations of Zambians. Sufficient funding to this important institution is cardinal to meet its obligations.

 

Sir, I, therefore, appeal to the hon. Members in the House to fully support the budget estimates for 2021 for the Zambia Security Intelligence Services.

 

Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Mr Chairperson, I want to thank you for this opportunity to debate. To begin with, I would like to pay my respect to the late Mr Nkhoma who was the Director-General (DG) for the Zambia Security Intelligence Services. He was a colleague whom I worked with and was very professional.

 

Mr Chairperson, our intelligence service is one of the most professional services on the continent and in the world. We need to support it. In supporting Her Honour the Vice-President for the statement given, we need to support this service. In fact, we need to capacitate it, particularly in the area of research and analysis. Like Her Honour mentioned, the world has become very technical and advanced. Therefore, we must be able to push our intelligence service to those levels. It also calls for human resource both at home and abroad.  As Zambia positions herself in global politics, we have to prepare (roar of thunder) – even lightening agrees with what I am saying −

 

Laughter

 

Dr Malama: In global economy, it is very important that we capacitate this service.

 

Mr Chairperson, on internal security, we talk about our borders. We talked about the various ways in which warfare is happening. Therefore, despite the fact that every service is important, this is one service for which we can go an extra mile. Those fights that we do not see against our country are handled by the intelligence service, in collaboration with the Zambia Army, the Zambia Air Force (ZAF), the Zambian National Service (ZNS) and the Zambia Police through the Immigration Department and many others.

 

Mr Chairperson, we need to look at the welfare and operations of our men and women. I would like to appeal to the DG and command to ensure that they put up offices at national, provincial and districts levels, including new districts such as Kanchibiya and Lavushi Manda as well as in newer districts throughout the country. The information that comes through the Zambia Security Intelligence Service assists to stabilise the country and its economy. Gone are the days when people used to fear the Zambia Security Intelligence Service. This time when you find an intelligence officer, you must know that you have found someone who is protecting you.

 

Mr Chairperson, I am also calling on the general citizenry to support the Zambia Security Intelligence Service. When you get information that you know is helpful, pass it to the District Commissioner (DC) or the local police station. Pass is it through the necessary channels, and somehow, it will get to the Zambia Security Intelligence Service.

 

Mr Chairperson, with these few words, I support the Vote.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Syakalima (Chirundu): Mr Chairperson, in supporting the Zambia Security Intelligence Service, which is the first in the line of defence, there are a few words that I would like to say which I have been saying in the last four years. I think Her Honor the Vice-President has been listening to me because I am almost the only person who has been debating this Vote. However, today, I am happy that several other hon. Members of Parliament have joined.

 

Mr Chairperson, this institution, amongst all the institutions in Zambia, if we were to operate as a normal State, should have been the one most funded. The operations that this institution engages in are, perhaps, more than the operations that other defence units engage in.

 

Mr Chairperson, if you check this year’s budget, it is low although we are saying that there is an increase of 7.4 per cent in the 2021 Budget. It is only that we do not factor in other issues when we say we have increased. Our Kwacha has dropped down by 36 per cent. So, in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) terms, it is actually lower than what we had last year.

 

Mr Chairperson, because we are now going into a difficult time of elections, and we know that people can easily take advantage of the country. Therefore, I was thinking that the budget would have been higher this year. We must fund this service to the fullest so that it is able to carry out its operations properly. That is the most difficult part of the Zambia Security Intelligence Service. Intelligence services cannot be performed without operations, and operations cannot be conducted without money. It does not just work.

 

Mr Chairperson, we should not take the peace that we have for granted. We must always be prepared. In any case, you check how you deal with the Zambia Security Intelligence Service against the way you see your landmass. We are more than 750,000 Km² of landmass in Zambia. Intelligence officers are supposed to be dotted around even at district level, as Hon. Dr Malama said. They have to go even in the bush. Such are the operations of the intelligence. The police and the army conduct operations which are not a daily issue, but for the Zambia Security Intelligence Service, it is a daily issue so that they get so much information which they have to corroborate with information from elsewhere.

 

Mr Chairperson, I would like to emphasise, again, that this amount of money allocated to this Vote is quite little. I can now see that we should have budgeted more rather than us coming for a supplementary budget because that makes the work of the Zambia Security Zambia Security Intelligence Service tedious. I would like to appeal to our colleagues in the Government that when making budget allocations for the Zambia Security Intelligence Service, the landmass which is more than 750,000Km² must be checked. That is quite a large amount of landmass.

 

Mr Chairperson, this is how things work. It is not only here in Zambia, but everywhere. You can only depend on our intelligence because they are the first in the line of defense.    

 

Mr Chairperson, so, we only pray that even with very little, they can still continue working for the country because that is their job. For me, this is the institution, apart from the Auditor-General’s Office, that I have found to be very professional in the way it has carried out its work. All of us hope that it will continue doing its work even in the midst of very little resources.

 

With those words, I would like to support the Budget.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Ngulube (Kabwe Central): Mr Chairperson, allow me to very briefly support this Vote. As I do so, allow me to state that we have some political parties that behave like militias. We normally hear them threatening citizens during elections. So, we hope and trust that as we head to the 2021 Elections, such militias, which we are seeing dancing and celebrating by drinking Four Cousins, will not take the people of Zambia for granted. I also know that some militias have been preaching ‘Armageddon’ and threatening the peace of this country. We hope and trust that such militias will not take the people for granted in next year’s elections.

 

Mr Chairperson, with these few remarks, allow me to also thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on this Vote. Before I sit, as a good boy who debates under a minute, allow me to also castigate those people who are making falsehoods on the Floor of this House that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued National Registration Cards (NRCs) to foreigners. We hope and trust that such serious allegations will be substantiated. We are also aware –

 

Interruptions

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order! Hon. Ngulube, can we consider the Budget for the Zambia Security Intelligence Services, which is on the Floor.

 

Continue bearing in mind that time is not with us.

 

Mr Ngulube: Mr Chairperson, I agree with you and I will conclude in less than a minute. I was saying that they must remember that they were made to apologise on the Floor of the House the last time they raised such a serious allegation against the Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary-General (SG). We hope and trust that the next time they have such serious information, they will not abuse the Floor of this House to paint people black. 

 

With those few remarks, allow me to say, maybe, it is the hungry lion and the Four Cousins that is working.

 

The Chairperson: Order! Are you done?

 

Mr Ngulube: Mr Chairperson, I saw someone dancing because of hungry lion.

 

I thank you, Sir

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Mr Chairperson, thank you for allowing me to contribute to the debate on the Vote that is on the Floor of the House, which is the Zambia Security Intelligence Service.

 

Mr Chairperson, before I go further in my debate, I would like to state that the institution exists for the security of all of us, as Zambians. That fact must be appreciated. That being the case, I would like to commend the men and women working in that institution for taking care of our security. That being said, I would also like to make comments which are very specific to the electioneering in this country. The institution, being in the frontline of security for every citizen, should be apt to detecting any form of fraud in electioneering. We have had instances where, somehow, suspicion of fraud in electioneering has gone without being checked and stopped. That is an indication that the institution is not appropriately funded to detect such things which guarantee the security for all of us.

 

Mr Chairperson, I heard the hon. Deputy Chief Whip debate about militias. You see, it is very clear that –

 

Mr Ngulube: On a point of order, Mr Chairperson.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

He has not said anything apart from mention your name because you spoke earlier than him.

 

Mr Ngulube: I am alert. I do not want him to mention me.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

Please, bear with me, Hon. Ngulube.

 

Continue, Mr Kambita.

 

Mr Kambita: Mr Chairperson, this is a debate and we are debating.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Continue. You are protected.

 

Mr Kambita: Mr Chairperson, talking about the so-called political violence, we have had situations. Not too long ago, we had a situation whereby a president of an Opposition party went for a court session in Kasama, and this is in the public domain. On his way back to Lusaka, he was attacked by the same people called militias. Such crimes, which are well calculated and are committed by people who hide in the bush and wait to attack members of the Opposition members, are undetected and they go on just like that. So, the question we ask is: Where is the collaboration between the Zambia Police Service and the Zambia Security Intelligence Service to stop such crimes before they happen?

 

Mr Chairperson, we are approving a budget in order for us to be guaranteed of our security, yet it will just go like that. Our security is no longer guaranteed, as we have seen from some events. We are heading towards elections, and as I have mentioned, most of the issues border on electioneering. If our intelligence services cannot detect this and we are not guaranteed of our security, then, why are we approving this budget? Probably, we are allocating less money to the institution than it needs. If that is happening, then, it could be deliberate and the Executive has to be blamed for this. We cannot take our security for granted just because we want to push one party into Government or we want to perpetuate one party to continue governing. The Zambia Security Intelligence Service has a judicial duty of securing the security of all of us, as Zambians.

 

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

 

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Mr Chairperson, in the olden days or biblical days, the Zambia Security Intelligence Service was known as ‘those watching the tower.’ They would be on top to watch things and would alert or inform.

 

Mr Chairperson, I support this Vote a 100 per cent. However, when the men and women in the Zambia Security Intelligence Service give us factual information or rightful data, we sometimes end up hurting them by not wanting to listen to them, but they are always on top of things. Like Her Honour the Vice-President has mentioned, some sensitive issues are not supposed to be discussed in public.

 

Mr Chairperson, I salute the men and women in the Zambia Security Intelligence Service. I support this budget, and in my own way, we should not even have debated it. The Zambia Security Intelligence Service should get the biggest chunk of money because it protects our nation. So, I support this Vote a 100 per cent. We, especially us the politicians, should listen to what the Zambia Security Intelligence Service tells us concerning national issues and concerning – (Inaudible)

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Member, we cannot get you. Sorry, we have lost you and we will move on. We need to conclude this Vote.

 

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Chairperson, certainly, I will not take much time because I know that Her Honour the Vice-President, who presented the policy statement for this Vote, will conclude on behalf of all of us.

 

Mr Chairperson, I just want to say that I agree with my hon. Colleagues, who have debated this important Vote. The Zambia Security Intelligence Service that we are discussing is the nerve centre of our security cluster. Indeed, it is very important and deserves to be supported by all citizens. I am happy that my hon. Colleagues both from the Opposition and those on the right have found common ground in supporting this very important institution.

 

Mr Chairperson, as has already been discussed, the Zambia Security Intelligence Service is very critical during all seasons and not just during the period that we heading towards, which is the election period. We depend on this institution all year round. Therefore, as an oversight institution, we must debate all the institutions of governance.

 

Mr Chairperson, we are happy with the way the Budget is being debated. It has been refined and we have made a lot of progress and are now dealing with performance briefs. In a similar manner, we would like to have express consideration to not debate this Vote and the previous Vote, whose policy statement was presented by the hon. Minister of Defence. My plea is that we should not debate these important institutions on the Floor of the House because, sometimes, when people get emotional, they veer off and might debate in a manner that exposes our nation. Otherwise, as the Government, we have every reason to support this important institution which, like I said, is the nerve centre of our security cluster.

 

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

 

The Vice-President: Mr Chairperson, the hon. Members who have contributed to the debate on this Vote include Hon. Malama, Hon. Syakalima, Hon. Ngulube, Hon. Kambita, Hon. Mutelo and the hon. Minister of Home Affairs. Let me assure the House that the Zambia Security Intelligence Service will remain professional in its operations and activities to safeguard the internal security of our nation.

 

Mr Chairperson, with regard to electoral fraud, a response was already given in the first part of my statement. We appreciate the hon. Members’ support such as that of Hon. Malama who indicated that there is a need for the presence of the Zambia Security Intelligence Service in the newly created districts. Let me assure the hon. Member that the Zambia Security Intelligence Service has opened up a number of offices even in the new districts. When funds are made available, the institution will open up more centres and will construct its own houses to accommodate its officers in the various centres that have been opened.

 

Mr Chairperson, I want to thank everyone who contributed to the debate on the budget for  the Zambia Security Intelligence Service.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Vote 78 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

 

VOTE 87 – (Anti-Corruption Commission – K72,787,743)

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Mr Chairperson, I rise to present the Estimates of Expenditure for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for 2021. It is an undisputed fact that corruption continues to rob this country of the much-needed resources for heath, education, social protection and infrastructure development. Public resources are diverted from these priority areas by some unscrupulous and selfish individuals for their own personal benefits causing a negative spiral effect on our national developmental trajectory. The impact of corruption, if left unchecked, may lead to a number of undesired effects that include an increase in the cost of doing business, the breakdown of the rule of law, the loss of revenue through tax evasion schemes and compromised public service delivery. Consequently, my Government is determined to ensure that corruption is not allowed to grow and flourish in our society. My Government shall endeavour to protect national resources so that the developmental programmes that are being embarked upon, for the benefit of all Zambians, are realised.

 

Review of the 2020 Budget Performance

 

Mr Chairperson, in 2020, the ACC was allocated K79 million and it carried out the following activities:

 

1. conducting investigations and prosecutions;
2. strengthening operations of integrity committees;
3. conducting corruption risk assessments; and
4. conducting public awareness programmes.

 

Mr Chairperson, I wish to inform this august House that some milestones have been achieved as follows:

 

1. fifty-eight investigation cases have been concluded, and fourteen cases have equally been concluded in the courts of law with ten convictions secured;
2. eighteen integrity committees have been established in various public institutions; and
3. an estimated 400,000 members of the public have been sensitised on corruption.

 

Mr Chairperson, this august House may further wish to note that a total of K63 million worth of properties and assets have, to date, been forfeited to the State. In addition, over K8 million in funds –

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

(Debate adjourned)

 

_______

 

HOUSE RESUMED

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

(Progress reported)

 

_______

 

The House adjourned at 1657 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 12^th November, 2020.

 

____________

 

 

 

 

WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTION

 

POOR QUALITY MOBILE SERVICES

 

61. Mrs Phiri (Chilanga) asked the Minister of Transport and Communication:

 

1. whether the Government is aware that mobile service providers are providing poor quality service to clients countrywide; and

 

1. if so, what measures are being taken to ensure improved service delivery.

 

The Minister of Transport and Communication (Mr Kafwaya): Madam Speaker, the Government is aware that the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are providing poor quality of service and regrets the inconvenience experienced by consumers nationwide. The Government, through the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), has undertaken the following in order to address the poor quality of service being experienced by the consumers:

 

1. allocated temporary spectrum in the 800, 900 and 1800 Mhz bands to the MNOs, free of charge, to increase network capacity and, in turn, improve the quality of service. This was necessitated by the increased use of the internet as a result of  Electronic Learning (e-learning) and working from home, among others, during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic;

 

1. the quality of service guidelines were revised in 2019, including an update to the quality of service parameters and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), to ensure that guidelines are current with the ever changing technological advancements in the telecommunications and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sectors;

 

1. quality of service measurements are being undertaken on a monthly basis and once the KPIs are not met, as stipulated in the quality of service guidelines, ZICTA imposes penalties on the MNOs;

 

1. the MNOs have been engaged regarding the underlying causes of poor quality of service, which include inadequate reinvestment in the network. Arising from these engagements, the MNOs have been directed to reinvest in their networks, including the acquisition of standby power solutions;

 

1. planned and random compliance and monitoring inspections are being conducted regularly to ensure that service providers uphold quality of service standards; and

 

1. quality of service measurement is now conducted on a town-by-town basis to address poor quality of service on a localised basis. This allows for pinpointing of specific locations with poor quality of service.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.