Wednesday, 10th February, 2021

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Wednesday, 10th February, 2021

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

_______

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

COMMUNICATION TOWERS CONSTRUCTION IN NANGOMA

 

126. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Transport and Communication:

 

  1. whether the Government has any plans to construct communication towers in the following areas in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency, which experience network connectivity problems:

 

  1. Keezwa;

 

  1. Makubu;

 

  1. Malende; and

 

  1. Malima; and 

 

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

 

The Minister of Transport and Communication (Mr Kafwaya): Madam Speaker, I would like to inform this august House and the hon. Member of Parliament for Nangoma that the Government planned to construct six towers in Nangoma Constituency. Out of the six, one of them is on the location named Malima Hills. However, the Government did not plan to construct towers on the other three locations that have been mentioned.

 

Sir, the planned tower at Malima Hills has been constructed. The construction of towers in the other areas will be given consideration during the implementation of future projects.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Ms Subulwa (Sioma): Madam Speaker, just like Keezwa, Makubu and Malende, we also have areas in Sioma like Lyabangu and Sioma Boma that do not have communication towers.

 

Madam Speaker, the predecessor to the current hon. Minister once gave us a scheduled plan of how the ministry was going to construct communication towers in various locations across the country. However, we have not got any feedback as to what progress the ministry has made in terms of the construction of the communication towers across the country.

 

Madam Speaker, will the hon. Minister come to the House at any point before we adjourn say, maybe, next week or some time during this session to give a holistic plan to the nation and Hon. Members of Parliament on when certain towers would be put up? Will he come to the House to give us a holistic plan of this whole issue of the construction of communication towers, as it keeps coming up?

 

Madam Speaker, I hope it is a relevant question this time around.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: To the extent that you are asking for a plan, it is.

 

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, it is my duty to provide information as needed or as required by hon. Members of Parliament and, indeed, the public in general. However, it would be unfair to indicate that there has been no feedback whatsoever in terms of the project whose plan was brought to the House by my predecessor. Every time I am asked questions on telecommunication towers, like the question I am answering today, that is feedback. To claim that there has been zero feedback is not correct and is totally unfair. In fact, even His Excellency the President and Her Honour the Vice-President have been able to provide feedback on the Government of the Republic of Zambia–Universal Access Project (GRZ–UAP). So, if there is specific information that is required, it should just be sought. In this case, the hon. Member wants a comprehensive report when, in fact, this constituency is just Sioma. I think that I am not only capable of giving a comprehensive statement, but also capable of giving information as it relates to Sioma, the same way I am doing on Nangoma. So, clearly, that is a possibility.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is it possible, hon. Minister?

 

Mr Kafwaya: It is a possibility, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Can you bring it to the House?

 

Mr Kafwaya: It is a possibility and it depends on you. When you give me that target, I will do it.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: If it is available, you can bring it even tomorrow and share it with hon. Members of Parliament.

 

Mr Kafwaya: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Hamusonde: Madam Speaker, I want to understand why the hon. Minister is saying that the Government is not ready to give us communication towers in Nangoma Constituency, especially in those areas I mentioned.

 

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, the question was whether we had a plan and I have established that we had a plan for only one of those areas. Firstly, the plan that we had was to construct six towers in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency and those six towers covered one of the areas that the hon. Member asked about. The other three were not planned for. This is why I have said that those areas would be considered in our future plans.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Lihefu (Manyinga): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that six towers were planned for Nangoma. Like many other constituencies countrywide, the Government planned for various towers in Manyinga, but some areas like Dihamba were left out. The hon. Minister is aware about Manyinga because he was there for quite some time when he was going to Ndunga. That tower was left out.

 

Madam Speaker, how many of the six towers that were planned for Nangoma were constructed? I just heard of one which was constructed on one side. I have not heard about the extra five. How many of the six towers, which he mentioned, were constructed? I heard of one which was constructed on the other side, but I have not heard about the extra five.

 

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, allow me to appreciate my hon. Colleague, the Member of Parliament for Manyinga Parliamentary Constituency. I was trying to be as relevant as I could be to the question that was posed to me by indicating that we planned to construct six towers in Nangoma Constituency. Out of the areas of interest of the hon. Member of Parliament, there was a plan for only one location. However, let me be clearer. We have constructed all the six towers which we planned for Nangoma Constituency. All of them have been constructed, but I referred to this particular one because the area is included on the areas the hon. Member of Parliament is asking about. Let me further state that out of the six towers that we have constructed, fulfilling our plan by 100 per cent, we have two towers which are already live. The other four will be on air in the course of this year.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that clarification. It is clear that the communication towers project is one of the landmark achievements of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.

 

Madam Speaker, I only that hope our colleagues in the United Party for National Development (UPND) will one day be able to explain to their people that this is where the much talked about “borrowed money” is going. These communication towers are for all our citizens.

 

Madam Speaker, we know that there is high demand for these communication towers. Just like in Nangoma, Chama and, particularly Chief Chibale’s, Chief Lundu’s and Chief Mulilo’s areas do not have these communication towers.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Ask your question, hon. Member.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, looking at the location of Nangoma, probably, there are other nearby communication towers which are feeding into parts of Nangoma. Is there a possibility that, maybe, a tower located in the area called Situmbeko in Nangoma is able to feed into some of the areas where the hon. Member is asking for communication towers?

 

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, I would like to appreciate my colleague, the hon. Member of Parliament for Chama South for that follow up question. Hon. Mung’andu speaks very clearly in terms of his thinking that this is a landmark achievement for the Patriotic Front (PF). Even though I represent a rural constituency, like hon. Mung’andu, I live in Lusaka and have seen how Lusaka has changed. Living in Chilenje, I have seen how we transitioned from Chilenje to town and, eventually, to Parliament. The country has literally changed and, indeed, these are landmark developments. I really appreciate that.

 

Madam Speaker, however, the question he asks is a technical one which requires technical people to understand whether infrastructure put in one locality can supply signal beyond its radius. I think that is a matter that I can confirm after consulting with the technical people in the ministry.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Hamusonde: Madam Speaker, can the hon. Minister tell us whether these remaining communication towers will be erected before the 2021 General Elections.

 

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, according to the plan we have, there are no remaining towers that need to be erected in Nangoma. All the six were constructed and one of the areas, which the hon. Member put in his question, was covered in our earlier plan. The other three are not in our plan. This is why I said that they will be considered in our future plans and that will be according to the assessment of need. It is the Government’s policy to make sure that underserved and un-served areas continue getting this infrastructure. Therefore, to ask when the remaining towers will be erected is not correct because all the towers were constructed. The question should be, “Are all these towers going to be live?” The answer to that is that they will be live during the course of this year.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

COMMUNICATION TOWERS CONSTRUCTION IN NONGOMA

 

127. Mr Mbulakulima (Milenge) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:

 

  1. when the reconstruction of the damaged bridge across the Lwela River in Mulumbi Ward in Milenge Parliamentary Constituency will commence;
  2. when the invitation for bids for the project was advertised;
  3. what the estimated cost of the project is; and
  4. what has caused the delay in commencing the project.

Mr Mbulakulima: Madam Speaker, Question 127 has been overtaken by events. You may recall that these questions were asked in early 2020. The Government commenced with the reconstruction of the bridge. However, since the Minister is keen to give the answer, he may give a bonus answer by commenting on the road on which this bridge is.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Milenge, you know the answer. You have just informed the House that the question has been overtaken by the pro-active hon. Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development.

 

LWELA RIVER BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION

 

128. Ms Kasune (Keembe) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

 

  1. when the Government will increase the number of police officers at Keembe Police Post in Keembe Parliamentary Constituency; and

 

  1. when the Government will procure the following, for the police post, in order to enhance its operations:

 

  1. motor vehicles

 

  1. computers and

 

  1. Communication equipment.

 

 

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this House, Hon. Kasune and her people that, indeed, the Government will increase staffing levels at Keembe Police Post when resources for police recruitment and training are made available.

 

Madam, the Government is aware that Keembe Police Post does not have adequate transport to service the area. The Government has continued to procure motor vehicles and equipment for the Zambia Police Service. The service recently received vehicles which were distributed countrywide, under the Poly Technology Project. The distribution was done on a need basis.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government will allocate a motor vehicle to Keembe Police Post when resources are made available. However, the House may wish to note that Keembe Police Post is currently being serviced by motor vehicles allocated to Chibombo Police Station, which is about 60 km away. In addition, the construction of Liteta Police Station, which is above 80 per cent completion rate, will enhance operations in the area, as it is just 12 km away.

 

Madam, the distribution of computers and printers is ongoing and is being done in a phased approach. The Government has prioritised police stations because of the coverage. Once all police stations are equipped with computers, some police posts, including Keembe, will also be considered.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government is providing communication equipment through the Safe City Project across the country. The installation of telecommunication equipment in Chibombo District will provide coverage to Keembe Police Post and the surrounding areas once it is powered. Like other police stations and police posts in the country, Keembe Police Post will ride on the communication equipment being installed throughout the country under the Safe City Project.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Ms Kasune: Madam Speaker, as Hon. Kampyongo is aware, Keembe Police Station is one of the police stations we have built to replace the colonial one, which was very old and small. We have been in touch with the hon. Minister’s office and we have gone ahead, through my office, and with the help of other well-wishers to expand this police post to a police station. The community, Chief Liteta, Chief Litanda and I put money into the expansion of the police post, which I think is commendable.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Keembe Constituency, which is a big area, are very interested in working with the Ministry of Home Affairs in ensuring that their well-being is protected. Could the hon. Minister help us by clarifying when funds for the vehicles will be available. The police station he referred to is at Liteta in Chisamba Constituency and the Chibombo Police Station, which he also referred to is about 60 km –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, you have already asked the question. Hon. Minister, did you get the question? When do you think you can offer some sort of assistance?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I appreciate the follow up question from the hon. Member for Keembe. Indeed, I would like to commend and applaud her and her people for their efforts in trying to refurbish and expand the police post that she has referred to. I assured her even as she was carrying that work out that we, as a ministry, would assist her in any way possible, and we still remain committed to that undertaking.

 

Madam Speaker, of course, Liteta Police could be in Chisamba, as she has put it. However, the operations of the Zambia Police Service do not basically look at boundaries of districts. So, when I said that the construction of Liteta Police Station will help supplement the operations of the police post in Keembe, I was talking about the staffing levels and the equipment that will be deployed at that police station. Therefore, I would like to assure the hon. Member of Parliament for Keembe, just as I did last year when she was working on that project that we will try and do everything possible to support our police officers who are working at that place by beefing up the numbers. We are in discussion with the Ministry of Finance to try and see how we can beef up the numbers of the Zambia Police Service, which have been depleted. We will make sure that something is done within the course of the year.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Lihefu: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for his answers. Keembe is like many other constituencies in this country. I am aware that Keembe is vast, as the hon. Member stated, just as is Manyinga. In any given district, security is very important.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, please, ask your question.

 

Mr Lihefu: Madam, the hon. Minister stated, on the Floor of the House, that transport would be distributed countrywide, but we have not seen any motor vehicles. How many police officers does Keembe Constituency have at the moment?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister of Home Affairs did you get the question?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I picked the question from the hon. Member for Manyinga.

 

Madam Speaker, indeed, I gave assurances on the Floor of this House and on other fora that we were going to distribute motor vehicles. Just as I have said, we bought some motor vehicles. However, this is a challenge that has been in existence for many years. It took this Government to appreciate that challenge and start addressing it practically. It is not possible to get vehicles for all the police stations across the country at one go because the number of vehicles required is huge. So, the hon. Member should know that we need to be sincere even as we lobby the Government to do something on certain issues such as transport in the Zambia Police Service.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is being insincere by saying that there is nothing he has seen with regards to vehicles for police officers. This is because when we are handing over these vehicles to the police, the hand over is public knowledge. At least, everyone is able to see the dignity that we are returning to the Zambia Police Service because they are needed everywhere. Like he rightly put it, most of the rural areas are so vast and the terrain differs from one place to another. So, every time we are procuring motor vehicles, we have to make sure that we get vehicles that will serve our people where there is different terrain like sandy areas in the Western Province, hilly or mountainous areas, like in Muchinga or Muyombe. So, we have to be mindful and this does not come cheaply. We are progressively getting vehicles to make the operations of our police officers effective and possible.

 

Madam Speaker, as for the number of police officers we are going to send to the police post, that can only be determined in due course when we see the staff establishment that we are going to have at the new police station that we are going to open at Liteta. We can then see how many police officers we can send to the police post in Keembe.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Ms Subulwa: Madam Speaker, now the hon. Minister of Home Affairs has provoked the people of Sioma. I do not know about my predecessor, but I have been making follow ups since 2016 on the issue of vehicles for my constituency, Sioma. Assurances were made to the people of Sioma that a small car and a land cruiser would be procured for the people, and that was in 2016. That information reached the people of Sioma, but nothing yet has been seen. Today, when this hon. Member for Keembe asked her question –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker; Hon. Member for Sioma, ask your question.

 

Ms Subulwa: Madam Speaker, yes, in his response, the hon. Minister indicated that he would only be able to procure motor vehicles or equipment for the people of Keembe when funds are available. Further, he also mentioned that motor vehicles were distributed vehicles to various places. Would the hon. Minister then come to this House and avail us the information of which districts benefited from the vehicles that were procured by the Ministry of Home Affairs?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I hear the hon. Member for Sioma. Indeed, she has been making requests. I wish she could also acknowledge that we have been supportive to her to the extent of ensuring that the vehicle which is in Sioma for now is made operational, as the people of Sioma are waiting for a vehicle to be sent there.

 

Madam Speaker, it is possible that the Minister of Home Affairs can come to the House and share information because we have been doing this, I think, from time to time. I want to emphasise the point that the issue of motor vehicles for the Zambia Police Service, Zambia Correctional Service, Zambia Department of Immigration and other very important security wings under the Ministry of Home Affairs was a historical challenge. This Government must be commended for taking practical steps in starting to address this challenge.

 

Madam, we are distributing vehicles in phases and the only challenge we have had is what is now common. I mean, this Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected Government operations in so many areas. So, we know the challenge that is at the Ministry of Finance with regards to mobilisation of resources. So, we will be addressing these challenges progressively. We know that eventually, we will get to service all the districts. That is our desire. I want to assure the hon. Member for Sioma and her people that we have not forgotten about them. We have them and other districts on the priority list.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Will you bring a list to the House indicating the districts that have been allocated motor vehicles?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, at an appropriate time, I can avail that information to the House.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to ask a question. Ministries like the Ministry of General Education identified a motor vehicle within the ministry and worked on it. Now, suppose the hon. Member of Parliament for Keembe identified a vehicle within Chibombo Police Post, would it be released if she can repair it since most of these vehicles are parked and the Government is failing to repair them?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I appreciate the follow up question and the proposal from the hon. Member for Dundumwezi.

 

Madam Speaker, we collaborate with so many stakeholders. There are hon. Members of Parliament who have done so much in working with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Others have gone as far as putting up police stations or posts. When I look at this document here, I know how many hon. Members have gone to their constituencies and, working with their communities, have put up police posts. Others have gone further to support the ministry by acquiring motor vehicles. So, the hon. Member’s request that hon. Members who have the capacity to work with the police service by, for example, providing spares to maintain vehicles is welcome proposal. We welcome such gestures from different stakeholders. So, it is possible and we are ready to work with hon. Members who deem it fit to work with us.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Madam Speaker, I felt pity for one hon. Member when the hon. Minister’s response to his question was that he should be able to lobby for development because the hon. Minister knows very well that there is a political party which ensures that we see by-elections and disciplinary cases happen whenever its elected hon. Members try to work very closely with the Patriotic Front (PF) Government. What advice does the hon. Minister have for such a party that has retarded development in some areas even when elected officials wanted to work?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker gave the Floor to Ms Mwape.

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear! Ema ignore aya.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Mwape (Mkushi North): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the well-elaborated answers. The Government of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has done very well in terms of purchasing vehicles to assist police stations across the country.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to find out about police posts like the one in Mkushi North that are looking forward to receiving new motor vehicles. The hon. Minister said that he has allocated a motor vehicle for Mkushi Boma and Masansa, which has a very big police post because of the situation in the area. Since it also caters for Luano, it is supposed to operate as a fully-fledged police station, as opposed to a police post.

 

Madam Speaker, in the case of Keembe, is the Government able, in the interim, to send even a second-hand vehicle as it awaits the coming of a new one? I also want to find out whether police posts are entitled to motor vehicles.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I will start by giving the hon. Member a bonus answer. We have not forgotten about the need to service Masansa and the surrounding areas, including the Luano Valley. These areas are quite challenging in terms vastness and the terrain. So, we are doing everything possible to try to send some transport to those areas.

 

Madam Speaker, on whether police posts are entitled to motor vehicles, we prioritise police stations under which these police posts operate because that is where they are commandeered from. Police posts are mainly established to enhance community extension services by the Zambia Police Service and to make police services accessible to our people who are far from the substantive police stations. So, normally, motor vehicles are sent to police stations, which are able to cover the police posts. However, in some cases, we get to upgrade police posts and the establishment changes. At that point, police posts, then, become entitled to transport. So, like I have said, where police posts are under police stations, the police stations are the ones that are entitled to receive logistic tools such as motor vehicles.

 

Madam Speaker, on whether there is a possibility of sending a second-hand motor vehicle to Keembe, if it was available, we would have first sent it to Chibombo, which, then, would have been covering this police post because the area that the Chibombo Police Station covers is so vast, and it includes Keembe. We know that Keembe is equally such a vast area that requires police presence nearby. This is the reason I was commending the area hon. Member of Parliament for taking up the challenge of expanding the police post in order for us to get our officers to operate in a conducive environment in that part of Chibombo.

 

Madam Speaker, I know that if I had to ask all hon. Members of Parliament, I would come to the conclusion that this is a challenge that they have all been trying to address on behalf of the Zambia Police Service. We are grateful to them because when people’s representatives are also concerned about the operations of our police service, it gives us encouragement. This is why we encourage area hon. Members of Parliament, regardless of what political party they belong to, to come to the aid of the Zambia Police Service. They are the people’s representatives.

 

Madam Speaker, very soon, we will be going to our people and there will be nothing like, “No, I did not serve you because I belong to this party. I did not lobby for your development because I am not part of the Government.” People will be looking for results.

 

Madam Speaker, I am just giving a bonus response. I think it is important that when we come here to Parliament, we put aside our political jackets because we are here to represent our people and ensure that development is taken to their areas. That is what we are here for.

 

Madam Speaker, we, in the Government, welcome everyone. That is why we respond even to the questions posed by our hon. Colleagues from the Opposition, and our doors are open. I think the fate of those who come to work with us should not be an issue because what every hon. Member of Parliament desires is to have development in his/her area. We are here to serve our people. The Opposition and independent hon. Members of Parliament form part of the Government. This is an arm of the Government. It is the legislative arm of the Government. So, those who do not understand that need to get back to their civic orientation.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I will allow questions from the hon. Member for Mangango, the hon. Member for Serenje, the hon. Member for Milanzi, the hon. Member for Katuba and will end with the hon. Member for Mitete.

 

Hon. Member for Mangango, please, be brief.

 

Mr Putu was unavailable.

                 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: It seems the hon. Member for Mangango is not available.

 

Mr Kabanda (Serenje): Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister contemplating engaging co-operating partners in order to source computers and other Information and Communication Technology (ICT) related items for the Zambia Police Service?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, like I stated earlier on, we accept gestures from co-operating partners who want to partner with us genuinely because the Zambia Police Service is a security institution. So, we are also mindful of the stakeholders that we engage to collaborate with us.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, has a very robust programme as regards computers and other communication equipment. This is coming with a project we are calling Safety City. This is the project through which you have seen us put up installations of surveillance in Lusaka and many other cities in other parts of the country. That is coming with the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) platforms which the Zambia Police Service will be using. So, this is meant to cater for all police stations across the country. For now, that is the project that is being rolled out. It is a Government project. However, we do not mind our efforts being supplemented by other co-operating partners who mean well and other citizens who would want to supplement our efforts.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr W. Banda (Milanzi): Madam Speaker, in response to part (a) of the question, the hon. Minister indicated that the Government will only increase the number of police officers at Keembe Police Post when funds for recruitment are made available. I would like to find out from him whether there is no initiative the Government can use so that, maybe, one or two officers can be sent to Keembe Police Post.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, there are already police officers who are manning the police post except that they are not enough to cover the vast area, as the area hon. Member of Parliament asked. There is a need to beef up the number of police officers at this particular police post. Otherwise, it is being manned by police officers even now as it is.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Kapalasa (Katuba): Madam Speaker, for us in Chibombo, we look at this Liteta Police Station that the hon. Minister has been talking about as a white elephant in that it lacks police houses. In addition, it has stalled for a long time. When does the hon. Minister plan to open the police station?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

The question relates to the procurement of motor vehicles, computers and communication equipment as well as the increment of the number of police officers at Keembe Police Post. So, that question is not related at all. 

 

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for his answers. The situation of lack of vehicles and inadequate manpower or police officers at Keembe Police Post is what is prevailing in Mitete and Lukulu. I would like the hon. Minister to give us a bonus answer regarding Lukulu, taking into consideration that it services Lukulu and Mitete. I just want a bonus answer.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: There is no bonus answer. File a question.

 

CHIFUNABULI EXCLUSION FROM ENHANCED SMALLHOLDER LIVESTOCK INVESTMENT PROGRAMME (E-SLIP)

 

130. Mr Mecha (Chifunabuli) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

 

(a)        whether the Government is aware that Chifunabuli District has been excluded from the Enhanced                          Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (E-SLIP);

 

(b)        if so, why the district has been excluded;

 

(c)        whether there are any plans to include the district on the programme; and

 

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

 

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Prof. Luo): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Government is not aware that Chifunabuli District has been excluded from the Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (E-SLIP). I want to use this opportunity to reiterate that the E-SLIP is a countrywide programme and, therefore, Chifunabuli District, being part of this country, has not been excluded from this programme and its activities.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the nation, through this august House, that the policy of inclusiveness is the cornerstone of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government and as such, the E-SLIP abides by that policy.

 

Madam Speaker, as stated in the response to part (a) of the question above, the district has not been excluded from the activities of the E-SLIP.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government’s plan for the country, including Chifunabuli District, is to ensure that the E-SLIP is implemented countrywide, in line with the project’s objectives.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this august House and the nation at large that the project is only implemented in an area where a number of things have been put in place. This includes assessment of the co-operatives that have been submitted, sensitisation and the training of potential beneficiaries and the identification of livestock packages needed by the farmer groups or co-operatives. It is only after these prerequisites have been put in place and are met by the co-operatives at the district and the constituency level that livestock is brought to the beneficiaries.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mecha: Madam Speaker, it is very exciting for the people of Chifunabuli Constituency to learn that actually, the district has not been excluded from participating in the Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (E-SLIP). Of late, I have seen the hon. Minister distribute livestock to various parts of the Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, you will recall that a couple of months ago, her predecessor was on the Floor of this House assuring the people of Chifunabuli, specifically the livestock farmers who lost their pigs to the African Swine Fever (ASF), that they would be compensated. I think there were more than 700 farmers who were affected. I would like to find out from her whether the E-SLIP is, indeed, an avenue the Government would wish to utilise to compensate the farmers who lost their livestock, specifically pigs.

 

Prof. Luo: Madam Speaker, let me use this opportunity to, again, inform the nation that the E-SLIP works through co-operatives or clubs. As I said, under its specific objectives, we do not compensate individual farmers. It has to be co-operatives.

 

Madam Speaker, secondly, we have a policy that the beneficiaries shall be 50 per cent women, 30 per cent shall be for the youths and 20 per cent shall be shared between the different genders. Therefore, the compensation of the pig farmers who lost their pigs will be carried out through our budgetary alignments of the ministry.

 

I want to assure the hon. Member of Parliament that, in fact, my ministry has already entered Luapula and has restocked Samfya, Milenge, Chembe, Mwansabombwe, Kawambwa and, sooner rather than later, shall be entering the other remaining constituencies.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Lihefu: Madam Speaker, Chifunabuli is a newly created district just like Manyinga. Are there any other newly established districts which have been excluded from this good programme?

 

Prof. Luo: Madam Speaker, let me just repeat my answer by saying that this is a countrywide programme. It is not based on whether a district has been newly established or not. It is based on the district being part of Zambia, as a country. As far as I know, Manyinga is part of Zambia and, therefore, it cannot be excluded. What I would like to say to the hon. Member of Parliament is that he should submit the list of co-operatives and women’s clubs to the ministry so that the people who are interested in benefiting from this programme are trained and given the appropriate information. Then, the ministry and the E-SLIP staff will visit Manyinga and the people of Manyinga will benefit from the programme.

 

Madam Speaker, hon. Members of Parliament from the North-Western Province, specifically from, Kalumbila, Kabompo, Kasempa and Mwinilunga, who have been pro-active, have already started benefitting from this programme. So, I encourage the hon. Member of Parliament for Manyinga to be proactive and ensure that his people benefit from this programme.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mrs Chinyama (Kafue): Madam Speaker, Is the hon. Minister in a position to tell us how many districts have benefited, so far, from this programme.

 

Prof. Luo: Madam Speaker, I can lay on the Table information regarding the beneficiaries of this programme. Once we update this document with other beneficiaries, we will make it available. For now, I can lay this document on the Table so that hon. Members of Parliament can be informed. As I lay this document on the Table, I want to encourage my hon. Colleagues, especially those from the Opposition, to work with my office and ensure that their people benefit from this programme. It is a very important programme which is premised on three principles as follows:

 

  1. food security;
  2. ensuring good nutrition amongst our people; and
  3. wealth creation.

 

Madam Speaker, let me also take advantage of this question from the hon. Member for Chifunabuli to inform the nation that for many years, people have believed that food is maize and nshima. I want to inform this nation that nshima does not have much of the food values other than starch. What is important is for people to able to have access to livestock and milk because that is where you get total nutrition of proteins that are important. As we face the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), access to vitamins and mineral salts is very important. It is very important that every household has access to livestock of all types starting from rabbits to cattle so that their food security and their nutrition is assured. When people are healthy, they will be very active in creating wealth for themselves.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Fungulwe (Lufwanyama): Madam Speaker, this programme is very important, especially to rural constituencies like Lufwanyama. I heard the hon. Minister state that it is a countrywide programme. Lufwanyama submitted the list of co-operatives that should benefit from the programme a long time ago. At what percentage of implementation is the programme? Of course, it is a good programme.

 

Prof. Luo: Madam Speaker, I can come back to the House and give the percentage of implementation. I want to say that we have received submissions from Lufwanyama and we have decided that we cannot be going back ten times to one province. We have over 50 per cent submissions from the Copperbelt. Once we conclude work in the provinces which we have already entered, such as Luapula, we will proceed to the Copperbelt.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Madam Speaker, –

 

Mr Michelo was inaudible.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The connection is bad. May the hon. Member for Nakonde ask his question.

 

Mr Siwanzi (Nakonde): Madam Speaker, the Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (E-SLIP) is a clear demonstration that this Government, under the able leadership of His Excellency, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, wants to provide proper nutrition to the people of this country. Nakonde is a beneficiary of this programme, and I can give testimony on how this programme has worked well in my constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, because this is a good programme, there is high demand –

 

Mr Michelo interjected.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Bweengwa, the hon. Member on the Floor is the hon. Member for Nakonde.

 

The hon. Member for Nakonde may proceed.

 

Mr Siwanzi: Madam Speaker, before I was interrupted, I was saying that Nakonde is a beneficiary of this programme, and I can give testimony that this programme is working so well among our people.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that the beneficiaries of this programme should be members of co-operatives and not individuals. In the recent past, individuals who have wanted to be part of this programme have flocked to my office. I have belaboured to encourage or explain to them that they should form co-operatives so that they could be empowered in future.

 

Madam Speaker, is there is programme under the ministry, through the structure at district level, which goes in the community to give this information to the people? The composition of some of the co-operatives may not be as the hon. Minister has recommended. Your recommendation is that 50 per cent should be women, 30 per cent youths and probably 20 per cent other people within the group. I want to find out whether the ministry has officers on the ground to sensitise the people, encourage them to form co-operatives and also ensure that co-operatives are formed in such a way that the hon. Minister has described.

 

Prof Luo: Madam Speaker, in fact, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has more than one support programme. Apart E-SLIP, we have the Climate Resilient Livestock Management Project (CRLMP) and many others. Members of staff from my ministry have been going all out to educate. We also have an arm called the National Agriculture Information Services (NAIS), which brings broadcasts radio programmes and all sorts of things. I, personally, have been appearing on television and radio to talk about this.

 

Madam Speaker, what we need to appreciate, as Zambians, is that Zambians are individuals and this is something that we have to work at as a country. Zambians do not like to work with others. That is why it is always said that in Zambia, we have a disease called Complaining, Criticism and Jealousy (CCJ). Therefore, they do not want to work with others. I have been to some parts of the country where many people who have never registered as co-operatives, but have just heard that the hon. Minister has come have come to me saying they would not want to work with others, but just individuals.

 

Madam Speaker, l have tried to explain, but let me take advantage of this time to explain again, through this august House, to the nation, that some of the countries that have developed to a level where they are today started as co-operatives and this is information I am giving all over the country.

 

Madam Speaker, one important example of a country that has developed is Japan. It established co-operatives all over the country. When the co-operatives started doing well, they started coming together to form some of the big companies that we are talking about. We, as Zambia, need to learn this. As an individual, it is very difficult to have the kind of money needed to start up big companies. All these people we see who even come to buy our big mines, manage to do that because they come as consortiums. They do not come as individuals.

 

Madam Speaker, I, personally, travel with the teams so that I change the mindset of our people. I have also taken time to tell them the benefits of this programme because within a given co-operative, you can have one arm dealing in chickens, another arm selling eggs and others bagging manure so that they can start making money from manure. For cows, some can sell the cows, while others can take the skin because there is money in selling the skin. Others can be collecting horns because there is money in that too. Tooth picks, buttons and all sorts of things can be made from horns. In addition, others can be making gas from cattle dung. We are giving all this information to the people. However, I can assure you that E-SLIP or CRLMP or any of the programmes in the ministry will not achieve this by themselves.

 

Madam Speaker, as Zambians, we need a mindset change so that people stop existing as individuals, stop complaining and stop criticising, but be part of this great movement that is going to change the status quo of this country.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I will allow two additional questions from the hon. Members from Mapatizya and Mkushi North.

 

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Madam Speaker, I want to agree with the hon. Minister that the Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (E-SLIP) is the way to go. That our people believe that food is maize is true. In Mapatizya, which is a rural constituency, we have too many co-operatives and women’s clubs. However, at district level, where are we supposed to submit papers for clubs and co-operatives? Should the papers be submitted at the office of the Veterinary Department, the Office of the District Agriculture Co-ordinating Office (DACO) or through the Office of the District Commissioner (DC) for onward transmission to your office in Lusaka?

 

Prof Luo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament himself can submit this directly to our ministry. However, if they want to do it at district level, they can submit it through the Office of the Livestock and Fisheries Co-ordinator or the District Commissioner (DC).

 

Madam Speaker, personally, I think that if we put them in many places, they end up not being in the right places. Therefore, I always suggest that the hon. Members of Parliament submit them directly to us because we are trying to address them constituency by constituency. We are also insisting that when I am in a constituency, the hon. Member of Parliament for that particular constituency be present because he/she needs to continue monitoring and making sure that this programme is a success.

 

Madam Speaker, I also want to take advantage of this opportunity to say that whenever I listen to people talking about the success of the Patriotic Front (PF), they talk about hospitals and schools. I think we need to change the narrative to add the livestock programme as one of the success stories of the PF. It is only when people start hearing these success stories, which affect their stomach and affect direct wealth creation, that we are going to get everybody to come to this movement. Therefore, the hon. Member of Parliament for Mapatizya is welcome to submit his list of co-operatives and women’s clubs directly to the E-SLIP office or to my office.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mecha: Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to ask a follow up question. I am aware that the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Mission was here in June last year to look at the performance of the Enhanced-Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (E-SLIP). One of the observations the mission made was to the effect that some animals which were delivered to the farmers ended up dying. They made particular reference to chickens. I think about 70 per cent of the chickens and 37 per cent of the goats that were delivered died. This was attributed to diarrhoeal diseases and pneumonia arising from poor housing.

 

Madam Speaker, is animal disease management one of the things that this project will prioritise, as the ministry pushes the agenda for increasing production and productivity of livestock? I can give an example of Chifunabuli, which has a high,−

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, you have already asked your question.

 

Prof Luo: Madam Speaker, if the hon. Member of Parliament reads the most recent International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Mission now, he will see that all that has been taken by events. When we visit Chifunabuli, you have testimony to this and I am sure your colleagues who we have visited will tell you that veterinary doctors are amongst the team that I travel with, especially those that make the actual medicines for animals and right on spot, they give information on vaccination, treatments and everything. In the team, we also move with those who are involved with pastures because it is very import not only to distribute animals or chickens, you have to talk about the feed. So, I move with teams that deal with pastures, legumes and so on and so forth. They conduct on the spot demonstrations of how to administer the vaccinations.

 

Madam Speaker, that has been overtaken by events, and I think even the IFAD Mission has moved Zambia out of the red to the green category. We are a high performing programme now.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Ms Mwape: Madam Speaker, I wish to thank the hon. Minister for that well-elaborated statement. Mkushi North Constituency is one of the beneficiaries of this programme. The livestock has changed the living standards of the people of Mkushi. They benefitted cows, pigs and goats. Therefore, we thank His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for changing the lives of the people of Mkushi North.

 

Madam Speaker, now that the people of Chifunabuli District have come to understand that they have not been excluded from the Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (E-SLIP), I am sure they are listening and are very excited that this Government has not excluded them because it is known for not leaving anyone behind.

 

Madam Speaker, after the submission of the certificates to the people in Chifunabuli Constituency, is the hon. Minister able to advise the hon. Member of Parliament so that he can tell the people how long it is going to take for them to receive their share just as she did a very good job in Mkushi North?

 

Prof. Luo: Madam Speaker, let me commend the hon. Member of Parliament for Mkushi North for that question. This is the distinction between women and other genders. Women always think for others.

 

Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

 

Prof. Luo: In fact, I just came back from bereavement in the early hours of this morning and I was just discussing with my staff after being away from the office for some few days to come up with a time table. Amongst the provinces we are going to visit is Luapula. So, definitely, Chifunabuli will be on the list and our mission starts this weekend.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

________

 

BILLS

 

FIRST READING

 

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (Amendment) BILL, 2021

 

The Minister of Justice (Mr Lubinda): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the National Institute of Public Administration Bill, 2021. There is only one object and it is to amend the National Institute of Public Administration Act, 1998 so as to revise the composition of the council.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Cabinet Affairs. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House on Friday, 26th February, 2021. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

 

Thank you

 

THE PETROLEUM (EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION) (Amendment) BILL, 2021

 

The Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Musukwa): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The objective of the Bill is to amend the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, 2008, so as to revise the composition of the Petroleum Technical Committee.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Friday, 26th February, 2021. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

 

Thank you.

 

THE EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL OF ZAMBIA (Amendment) BILL, 2021

 

The Minister of General Education (Dr Wanchinga): Madam Speaker, I wish to present a Bill entitled the Examinations Council of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The object of this Bill is to amend the Examinations Council of Zambia Act so as to revise the composition of the council.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Education, Science and Technology. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Friday, 26th February, 2021. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

 

Thank you.

 

THE NATIONAL HERITAGE CONSERVATION COMMISSION (Amendment) BILL, 2021

 

The Minister of Tourism and Arts (Mr Chitotela): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the National Heritage Conservation Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The objective of this Bill is to amend the National Heritage Conservation Commission Act so as to revise the composition of the commission.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Delegated Legislation. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Friday, 26th February, 2021. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

 

Thank you.

THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION (Amendment) BILL, 2021

 

The Minister of Energy (Mr Nkhuwa): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Rural Electrification (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The object of the Bill is to amend the Rural Electrification Act, 2003 so as to revise the composition of the authority.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Delegated Legislation. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Friday, 26th February, 2021. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

 

SECOND READING

 

THE ZAMBIA REVENUE AUTHORITY (Amendment) BILL, 2020

 

The Minister of Finance (Dr Ng’andu): Madam Speaker, with leave of the House, I wish to withdraw the Bill to allow for further consultations, as recommended by the Budget Committee. The Bill will be resubmitted after the completion of the consultations.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Question put and agreed to. Leave granted.

 

The Bill, by leave, accordingly withdrawn.

 

_______

 

 

MOTION

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

 

Question put and agreed to.

_______

 

The House adjourned at 1601 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 11th February, 2021.

 

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