Thursday, 13^th February, 2020

 

The House met at 1400 hours

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

_______

 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY SPEAKER

 

MRS VALENTINA MATVIENKO’S, SPEAKER OF THE FEDERATION COUNCIL OF THE FEDERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, VISIT TO ZAMBIA

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that Her Excellency, Mrs Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, will visit Zambia from Monday, 17^th to Wednesday, 19^th February, 2020.

 

During the visit, Her Excellency, Mrs Matvienko, will address the House on Tuesday, 18^th February, 2020.  Following the address, Her Honour the Vice President will move a Motion to place on record the thanks of the House to Her Excellency, Mrs Matvienko, on the occasion of her special address to the Assembly.

 

I thank you.

 

_______

 

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

NDOLA LIME COMPANY UNDER-PRODUCTION

 

115.  Dr Chibanda (Mufulira) asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development:

 

1. what the major causes of under production at the Ndola Lime Company are;
2. how much money the Government, through the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines-Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH), invested in the company from 2013 to 2018;
3. whether the company is insolvent;
4. if so, whether the Government has any plans to either privatise or list the company on the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE); and
5. when the new kiln at the company will be commissioned.

 

The Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Musukwa): Mr Speaker, the major causes of under-production at Ndola Lime Company are as follows:

 

Poor Plant Availability

 

The plant and equipment are in four phases, mainly, the production areas of quarrying, crushing, kilning and hydrating. All these facilities need urgent replacement because they have been in place for a long time. Consequently, there are frequent breakdowns of plant and equipment leading to failure to produce budgeted tonnages and meet contractual obligations with various clients.

 

Competition and Diminishing Market Share

 

 Mr Speaker, due to the increased customer dissatisfaction resulting from failure to meet contractual obligations, the market share for Ndola lime has significantly dwindled. This problem is also compounded by the competition which has been created by new entrants in the supply chain of the same products as Ndola Lime Company within the same vicinity.

 

Sir, the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) through the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines-Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) has invested in excess of over K1.3 billion in the Ndola Lime Company. The most recent investments were made in March, 2016, when ZCCM-IH converted a loan of US$80 million to equity in order to free up the company’s balance sheets. A further K362 million was advanced to the company as a debt.

 

Mr Speaker, the Ndola Lime Company was technically insolvent as at 30^th June, 2018. Its liability exceeded its total assets in excess of over K811 million. In addition, the company is unable to meet its financial obligation as and when they fell due.

 

Sir, in its current state, the Ndola Lime Company does not qualify to be listed on the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE). As the House maybe aware, for the company to be listed on LuSE and, indeed, other stock exchanges, it must be in a profitable position for a minimum period of three years, consecutively.

 

Mr Speaker, in this regard, owing to the challenges that the Ndola Lime Company has been going through, the Government has been looking at a number of interventions in order to ensure that it is kept afloat and the human capital associated with the operation also survives. We have been looking at a remodeling mechanism in some of the operations associated with ZCCM-IH in the area such as the cement plant, which we envisaged to have started.

 

 

Secondly, the ministry is actively looking at engaging a strategic partner who will be able to bring in fresh capital and help revitalise the operations of Ndola Lime. To this effect, this process has commenced and is expected to be concluded by June 2020.

 

Mr Speaker, the kiln will be re-commissioned, once again subsequent to the implementation of the recapitalisation plan as envisaged in my earlier responses.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Chibanda: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for his honest answer where he has clearly stated that Ndola Lime is technically insolvent.

 

In this regard, has the hon. Minister done a prognosis of the companies that are under the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) –

 

Ms Kapata: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to rise on appoint of order.

 

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order following the issue of people being sprayed chemicals which has spread from the Copperbelt Province, the North-Western Province and now Lusaka Province.

 

Mr Speaker, these incidences raise a lot of suspicion. I want to say that they are politically motivated because –

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Order! Order!

 

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, these incidences are politically motivated because the members of the Opposition who are supposed to be working hand in hand with the Government in such a crisis are busy celebrating the death of people in Lusaka.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Ah!

 

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, I speak so because this morning, in my Constituency, Mandevu and Chaisa Compound, in particular, a handful of people about ten of them woke up around 0300 hours and started knocking on peoples’ homes asking them to come out because the police had arrested the perpetrators of gassing. Within the shortest period of time, people came out of their homes because they are already agitated. Immediately, the crowd grew bigger people started chanting political party slogans.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Ah!

 

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, it means that these colleagues in the Opposition will do anything to get into State House. They do not care whether people die or not.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: What is your point of order?

 

Ms Kapata: Yes, Mr Speaker, I am raising the point of order.  As I speak, three people have died. Innocent blood has been shed here in Lusaka. If they were serious or were not unconcerned, we could have been working together to sort this out.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister!

 

Ms Kapata: I stand on a very serious point of order. Are our colleagues in the Opposition in order to push people in our constituencies to start using their slogans? I seek your serious ruling, Mr Speaker.

 

I thank you.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order! Order! Let us have order!

 

Yesterday, there was a point of order raised by the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central and he touched, in the main, on the same subject that the hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources is referring to. In my ruling I did indicated and directed that the hon. Minister of Home Affairs should come to the House next week on Tuesday to give an update on the efforts that are being made by the relevant public agencies to secure public safety. The essence of the point of order which the hon. Minister seeks to raise touches on the alleged celebrations about these fateful events. It is not within my remit to rule or adjudicate on the response which certain members of the public may be giving to these very unfortunate events. It is not really even the business of this House to dwell on. So, I urge hon. Members to wait until the hon. Minister of Home Affairs comes to update the House. Those reactions quite frankly, politically motivated or otherwise are not my concern. It is not my business as Speaker of the House.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: There are other platforms, of course, that are available outside for you as politicians to engage one another.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

However you engage one another.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Mufulira may continue.

 

Dr Chibanda: Mr Speaker, I was trying to ask the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development whether his ministry –

 

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order that hinges on a matter of national interest and the safety of the people of Zambia. As I raise this point of order, I would like you to take judicial notice of the happenings in the world and in China in particular pertaining to the outbreak of the Coronavirus.

 

Mr Speaker, you are aware that prudent governments in Africa and outside have taken measures to protect their citizens against this serious outbreak of the Coronavirus.

 

Mr Speaker, from the time this particular virus broke out in China to date, hon. Members of Parliament and the public have been waiting for the Government to issue a comprehensive statement on what measures it has taken to ensure that this outbreak is contained in Zambia.

 

Mr Speaker, other jurisdictions –

 

Prof. Luo interjected

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Do no provoke me!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Monze Central, just focus on what you want to do.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I am aware that other countries in Africa have put measures to ensure that those Chinese residents who went for a holiday in China do not return until the virus is controlled and that their nationals do not travel to China. Other countries have put measures to evacuate their citizens from China in order to safeguard their health.

 

Mr Speaker, in Zambia, we heard a statement by the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs where he said that Zambians are safe in China and that the Government would not do anything. However, the death rate in China and in Wuhan Province, which is the epicentre, is rising and this is where a number of our students are.

 

Is the Government in order to remain mute and not take appropriate action to ensure that Zambians are protected because we have no capacity –

 

Hon. PF Members: Question!

 

Mr Speaker: I think you have made your point.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Is the Government in order –

 

Mr Speaker: I have gathered it.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Is it in order not to address this House and the nation pertaining to the measures it has taken on this particular serious issue?

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: I direct the hon. Minister of Health to render a ministerial statement on this subject outlining the measures and response that this Government is taking on the matter. This statement shall be rendered next week on Wednesday, 19^th February, 2020.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Mufulira will now go uninterrupted.

 

 Laughter

 

Dr Chibanda: Mr Speaker, –

 

Interruptions

 

 Mr Speaker: I have given a direction already, uninterrupted means uninterrupted.

 

 Dr Chibanda: Mr Speaker, when receiving the dividends from the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines-Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH), the hon. Minister of Finance said that the Government, particularly the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, is going to carry out an introspection of all the companies which are under ZCCM-IH that are not profitable in terms of what they are declaring to the Treasury. Considering what the hon. Minister has said about Ndola Lime Company Limited, has the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development carried out an introspection of all the companies which are under the ZCCM-HI?

 

Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, the primary objective of the Government through the ZCCM-IH is to implement a turnaround plan to ensure that the companies facing challenges get back to profitability. Apart from Ndola Lime Company Limited, there is Kariba Minerals Limited and Investrust Bank Plc. The focus of the ZCCM-IH is to ensure that a turnaround plan which has already been hatched is implemented in order to ensure profitability. Last week, ZCCM-IH declared dividends to the Government. The company wants to ensure that its operations are viable to create profitability.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Musonda (Kamfinsa): Mr Speaker, –

 

Mr Malanji: On a point of order, Sir.

 

 Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

 Mr Malanji: Mr Speaker, I rise on a very serious point order. Is the Leader of the Opposition in the House in order to mislead this House and the nation that the Government is not doing anything regarding the people who are –

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Complete your point.

 

 Mr Malanji: Mr Speaker, a travel ban to China or any other country which has a disease monitored by the World Health Organisation (WHO) can only be effected by WHO. This Government has been in touch with the Chinese Government. The Ministry of Health is seriously looking at this matter because the gestation period of the coronavirus is fourteen days. A person can travel from China to Zambia and they will still be …

 

Mr Speaker: What is your point of order?

 

 Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

 

 Mr Malanji: Sir, is the Leader of the Opposition in order to indicate that most African countries have evacuated their citizens out of China, yet Zambia is doing nothing?

 

 Mr Speaker:  My ruling is that …

 

 Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

 

 Mr Speaker: … it is not in order for you to raise a point of order on a point of order.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

 Mr Speaker: That is my ruling.

 

May the hon. Member for Kamfinsa continue, please.

 

Mr Musonda: Mr Speaker, it is well known and on record that the rotary kiln that was installed at Ndola Lime Company Limited has not been commissioned, and this has been attributed to failure by the suppliers of the kiln to comply with the technical specifications of the same. Has the Government made any efforts through the ZCCM-IH to pursue the manufacturer of the kiln that has failed to operate at Ndola Lime Company Limited? If not, when is the Government going to do that.

 

 Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament is right that this kiln has not operated for a long time from the time it was put in place. So, the ZCCM-IH has put on red alert the manufacturer and all the engineers who were involved in ascertaining the suitability of this kiln in order for the ministry to get value for the money for this facility that was procured and yet failed to operationalise.

 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, in his response to the question from the hon. Member for Mufulira, I heard the hon. Minister mention Kariba Minerals Limited. I would like to find out what exact measures the ministry is putting in place working with the ZCCM-IH for the Kariba Minerals Limited which is in Mapatizya.

 

 Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member did not just hear about Kariba Minerals Limited working together with the ZCCM-IH. The ZCCM-IH owns Kariba Minerals Limited just like it owns Investrust Bank Plc and Ndola Lime Company Limited and other small shareholding strategic companies.

 

Sir, as you know, Kariba Minerals Limited has been struggling for a long time and needs recapitalisation. The ZCCM-IH got Kariba Minerals Limited a molting scheme so that the company comes back on line. Further, a new plan on how to operate the company has been put in place. So, the hon. Member will envisage a huge turnaround at Kariba Minerals Limited because the Government is putting fresh investment there.

 

 I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Ng’ambi (Chifubu): Mr Speaker, it is in the public domain that the supplier of the kiln has filed for liquidation in his country of origin. What measures has the ministry put in place against the Zambian engineers who went to Italy and various parts of the country to carry out due diligence on this kiln? The Government spent a lot of money on this kiln through ZCCM-IH. What measures has the ministry put in place to ensure that Zambian engineers do not approve procurement of such equipment in this country? 

 

Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, I am told that the company started the liquidation process in their country of origin. Zambia enjoys its rights regarding this matter in terms of the rule of law. The Government is still waiting for any information to that effect. Basically, Ndola Lime Company Limited is a company that is wholly owned 100 per cent by ZCCM-IH and by extension, the Government. Therefore, the Government expects the investment portfolio of ZCCM-IH to be protected abroad or locally.

 

Mr Speaker, it is clear from this transaction of the kiln that certain things were not correctly done. That is why the Government is putting a very high premium on our local engineers. Before they certify any product or machinery of this magnitude which was bought at a huge cost by the people of Zambia, certain critical components must be put in place. In this case, we cannot allow a situation where local engineers connive with engineers from a different platform and then defraud the Zambian Government of huge sums of money. We expect the engineers to be molted out by the Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ), and the relevant laws which are prevailing in Zambia should apply to them. This matter is active before the court of law and the court is taking into account all the facets that the hon. Member indicated, which includes liquidation of the supplier in their country, the engineers and other people who were associated with this undertaking.

 

Mr Speaker, further, I want to indicate that there are about two or three employees who applied for a business rescue over the entire process as a way of resolving this matter. The ZCCM-IH is looking actively into all the propositions to ensure that the company survives. Currently, through the court process, creditors are being paid and all the issues surrounding the company are being managed.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Speaker: The last question will be from the hon. Member for Keembe.

 

Ms Kasune (Keembe): Mr Speaker, there is a company that is next to Ndola Lime Company Limited. It is similar to Ndola Lime Company Limited and it is thriving. It has purchased a kiln at a much lower price –

 

Mr Kabanda: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Kabanda: Mr Speaker, yesterday in the evening, I saw a clip on Prime Television of a demonstration. You are alive to the fact that hon. Members of Parliament have sworn to defend the Constitution of this country as well as protect the institutions of good governance.

 

Mr Speaker, it is also important for you to take judicial notice of the fact that the United Party for National Development (UPND) has sued the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) as first respondent and the Patriotic Front (PF) as second respondent.

 

Mr Speaker, was the hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central in order ...

 

Mr Nkombo: File a question!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kabanda: ... to have led a horde of UPND carders to demonstrate at the ECZ when the matter is already in the High Court?

 

Mr Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

This is Parliament. The matter that you are referring to largely has to do with what is happening in court. I am not too sure whether it could even qualify as sub judice. I doubt it. Clearly, all these are political issues. I have the sense of the temperature of the nation. Let me say this: Let us use our time here and energy productively. The people out there are expecting relief from this institution. They are bearing the cost of running this institution and, the cost is colossal and staggering. I do not think they expect this. So, let us exercise judgement as we raise these issues and ask ourselves simply if they are beneficial to the people out there. Here I am, spending this precious time on this kind of counsel. I should not be doing this. Surely, what do I do about somebody going to the ECZ ...

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: ... with a horde of carders who may accuse me of interfering with freedom of movement and association?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: Who was on the Floor? I have lost direction.

 

May, the hon. Member for Keembe continue, please.

 

Ms Kasune: Mr Speaker, next to Ndola Lime Company Limited, there is company called Zambezi Portland Cement and its kiln is working. I am wondering whether the Government took some lessons from there so that we do not end up in the same situation again. A lot of money has been misused and now we are left with no one to answer for it.

 

Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, I stated that the new kiln which was procured failed to operate. So the old kiln is the one that is currently running but it is inefficient. As a result, the company is failing to break even. The hon. Member is right that next door, there is a kiln at Zambezi Portland Cement. There are also other business entities operating within the same area where Ndola Lime Company Limited is located as the area is highly mineralised in terms of limestone. When it comes to ZCCM-IH and Ndola Lime Company Limited, our people, especially technical staff such as engineers, must rise to the occasion and be accountable in terms of the decisions they make. This idea of people making any decisions because the company is a Government facility and, therefore, they can go away scotfree, is a matter that will not be entertained. That is why the Government, through the ZCCM-IH, will ensure that all the people associated with the procurement of this facility and its non operationalisation will account for this failure on the spot. 

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

    

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, now that this House has been told that the company that defaulted on the supply of parts for the kiln is going under liquidation, what recourse does the Government have? Does the Government hold the first lien to getting this kiln worked on before the liquidator decides to strip the assets off the Ndola Lime Company and offload it?

 

Mr Musukwa: Mr Speaker, this is what is surprising. It can be clearly seen that the Government is dealing with local and international misguided people. In order to arrive at this contractor, the entire procurement process was undertaken and all various security processes were done, including due diligence on the supplier and the capacity to both supply and install the facility. It is surprising that at the height of all this, a liquidation process was hatched and the Government’s only suspicion is that it was meant to dodge away from the responsibility that is held in Zambia.

 

Sir, ZCCM-IH and the Ndola Lime Company are pursuing all avenues to ensure that this contractor and, indeed, the people who were involved are brought to book to account for the loss that the Government through ZCCM-IH has encountered.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

SCHOOLS ELECTRIFICATION

 

116.  Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya) asked the Minister of Energy:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to electrify the following secondary schools in Mapatizya Parliamentary Constituency:

 

1. Kabanga;
2. Luyaba;
3. Siamafumba; and
4. Simundimvwi; and

 

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

 

The Minister of Energy (Mr Nkhuwa): Mr Speaker, the Government through the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has plans to electrify the following schools:

 

1.  Kabanga;
2. Luyaba;
3. Siamafumba; and
4. Simundimvwi.

 

Sir, according to the Rural Electrification Master Plan (REMP), the mentioned schools in Mapatizya Parliamentary Constituency are earmarked for electrification in 2030.

 

Laughter

 

 Mr Nkhuwa: However, the actual electrification for the schools will be subject to the availability of resources.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, if I heard the hon. Minister right, he said the electrification of these schools will be done in 2030 and this is 2020. The parents of children in these schools paved way for the construction of the Kariba Dam. As the people live in that area, they see power lines overhead, but they themselves are still in darkness. Why is the hon. Minister looking at ten years from today to electrify the schools?

 

Mr Nkhuwa: Mr Speaker, REMP was brought to this House and laid on the Table and its duration is up to 2030. So, some constituencies were number one and others were number twenty. Unfortunately, other constituencies will have to come at number thirty. That is how REMP was structured.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Ms Lubezhi (Namwala): Mr Speaker, I know that the hon. Minister answered that there is a table. However, may he kindly inform this House how many schools are being earmarked for electrification between now and 2030.

 

Mr Nkhuwa: Mr Speaker, I do not have those details at the moment. However, the hon. Member can file in another question to get those details. The question was on particular schools in Mapatizya Parliamentary Constituency and that is the information I came with.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, may the hon. Minister indicate whether there is any short term relief for these schools. These are schools with activities that require electricity, especially that now even computers are very important and required at the mentioned schools. To ensure that our people in these schools are also able to get the benefits of modernisation, is there anything that the ministry is preparing in the short term, as the hon. Minister waits for 2030?

 

Mr Nkhuwa: Mr Speaker, there is a shortage of finances around. So, other than moving the projects forward, it will not be possible. However, I would advise the hon. Member of Parliament for Mapatizya to engage REA and contribute some of the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) and then the Government will be able to assist him by meeting him somewhere halfway in taking up these projects. So, if the electrification of these schools is really important, the hon. Member of Parliament could also commit part of the CDF and the Government will be able to work with him.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Chaatila (Moomba): Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister able to share the Rural Electrification Master Plan (REMP) with this House, so that hon. Members may stop asking such questions because they would know when the schools in their constituencies would be electrified? Since the hon. Minister has indicated that Mapatizya Constituency will be covered in 2030, it means there is a master plan.

 

Mr Nkhuwa: Mr Speaker, like I said earlier, REMP was laid on the Table of this House, but another copy for this year can be provided, so that hon. Members may know exactly where we are.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, we are 156 hon. Members in this House. The hon. Minister’s predecessor, Hon. Kenneth Konga, would always bring the Rural Electrification Master Plan (REMP) and put it in the pigeonholes for hon. Members to see whether the plan is being executed timely. Can the hon. Minister commit to this House that he will not only bring the plan to be laid on the Table of this House, but also circulate it in all the pigeonholes so that hon. Members can not only look forward to 2030, but also gauge whether the plan is on course? Is the hon. Minister able to do that tomorrow?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Nkhuwa: Mr Speaker, yes, I am able to do it, but not at gunpoint tomorrow.

 

•  

 

Mr Nkhuwa: It will be done in good time. By next week, the master plan will be laid on the Table of this House and in the pigeonholes.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Ms Kasune (Keembe): Mr Speaker, these schools in Mapatizya Constituency are hardly 50 km to 60 km away from the main power source. The House would like to know the criterion being used to electrify other schools when the schools that are actually closer to the source are not being considered until 2030.

 

Mr Nkhuwa: Mr Speaker, I keep answering the same thing. The Government has a plan that has been put in place and that is what is being followed. It is the same plan I will lay once again on the Table of this House and also put in the pigeonholes.

 

Sir, the criterion or the plan which was formulated is according to the poverty index of the country. The Government is trying to put electricity in places where people are poorest. Where people are doing much better, electricity is being installed at a later stage. However, I must say that there is a master plan and that is what is being followed. It cannot be juggled around because of urgency and so on and so forth.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, according to the hon. Minister, the challenge is funding. Planning and funding do not seem to match his words. How sure is he that in 2030, which is ten years from now, the Government will have the funds to electrify these schools?

 

Mr Nkhuwa: Mr Speaker, in the last part of my response, I said, “However, the actual electrification of the schools will be subject to the availability of resources.”

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker: I will take the last two questions from the hon. Member for Senga Hill and the hon. Member for Ikeleng’i, in that order.

 

Mr Simbao (Senga Hill): Mr Speaker, does the hon. Minister know in what state of readiness these schools are for electrification? I know that before power is taken to any building, it must be ready for that power.

 

Mr Nkhuwa: Mr Speaker, when there is about a year to go, a team from REA does go around doing assessments to make sure that the buildings are able to receive power. They ensure that the buildings have the internal wiring and that everything is ready. At the moment, with this ten years lead time, no one has gone there to do the due diligence.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i): Mr Speaker, I am well aware that this was a Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government programme which started around 2008 and 2009. I think it was last year when it was said that 35 per cent of this programme has been achieved. Is the hon. Minister able to give us the update on that 35 per cent which has been done in the rural areas, so that we are assured of what exactly this Government is doing?

 

Mr Nkhuwa: Mr Speaker, we are in the process of producing the information that the hon. Member has asked for and we will be able to come and share it.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr C. M.  Zulu (Luangeni): Mr Speaker, 2030 is quite far. Now, is there a possibility that before 2030, we could source funding maybe from other stakeholders to ensure that the people of Mapatizya enjoy power before 2030? 

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Nkhuwa: Mr Speaker, it would be possible if Hon. Zulu could give his space to Mapatizya.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Nkhuwa: However, it is not possible for us to make it before 2030.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

BOARDING FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION

 

117. Mr Chikote (Luampa) asked the Minister of General Education when the Government will construct boarding facilities at the following secondary schools in Luampa Parliamentary Constituency:

 

1. Luampa;
2. Mbanyutu;
3. Lui; and
4. Katuwa.

 

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Prof. Luo) (on behalf of the Minister of General Education (Mr Mabumba)): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the august House that the Government has no plans to construct boarding facilities at the following schools in Luampa Constituency:

1. Luampa;
2. Mbanyutu;
3. Lui; and
4. Katuwa.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, I pity those people who are in power.

 

Hon. Members: Why?

 

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, why do I pity them? It is because they are able to give negative answers to the needy. One of these schools which are highlighted here, known as Lui, is along the Mongu/Lusaka Road. It is a rural community which needs full support of the Government. Without a boarding facility in a rural area, what does the hon. Minister think would enable the parents to support those children whose homes are far from the institution? I do not know if she has got my question.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, did you get the question? He is not sure himself.

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I hope the hon. Member of Parliament himself is sure of what he was asking. I want to assure him that whatever he said, I got it word by word. Therefore, my response is as follows.

 

When this Government of the Patriotic Front (PF) came into power in 2011, it recognised the fact that it needed to put up boarding facilities for children in recognition of the long distances that the children have to cover to get to school, especially, protecting a girl-child. That is because some of these children found themselves having to rent accommodating in the communities.

 

Mr Speaker, it is this realisation that within a very short period of eight years in Government, we have put in place boarding facilities in many secondary schools. However, I want to say that Rome was not built in one day. Therefore, the Government of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, is committed and will slowly be putting up facilities in the different schools. However, according to our plans for 2020, these plans are not addressing the four schools that are in question, but in future, they will come into the plan. As the Government, we also want to work according to plan.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, I am very much disappointed with the Executive. This is a Government which always says that it will not leave anyone behind in terms of development. We all know that education is a very important sector in every nation. The hon. Minister has said that the Government does not have any plans to construct boarding facilities at these schools. By the way, I do not have that school which is written as Katuwa on the Order Paper. I think they have made a mistake. I do not even know how they got the response if they do not know the school. It is supposed to be Katunda and not Katuwa.

 

Sir, the hon. Minister has said that in order to protect the girl-child as well as the boy-child, the Government is still taking that into consideration to see how it is going to assist. My question is: Since we have this problem at hand and there is even a high percentage of dropouts because most of these pupils have stopped going to these schools due to lack of facilities, what immediate plans is the Government going to put in place to help this situation in order to better the nation?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, the question that has been asked is exactly the question I answered earlier on. However, for the purpose of clarity, I want to inform the hon. Member that indeed, the Government is committed to not leaving anyone behind. However, the resource envelope dictates what one does. One needs to cut his/her dress according to the cloth that he/she has. As at now, the Government is going slowly ensure that for those schools for which it planned, it is going to continue providing boarding facilities. In future plans, the schools that have been mentioned here will be catered for. Let me also remind the hon. Member that he was in this House when we were appropriating the Budget. That would have been a good time to discuss this.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Mr Speaker, why is it so difficult for the Patriotic Front (PF) Government  to find money to construct secondary schools in places like the Western Province, especially in the constituency where my brother the hon. Member for Luampa comes from, but it is so easy for them to fly in choppers to Chilubi to promote tribalism?

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Laughter

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I would like to answer the question as follows: We need to look historically at our country. For twenty-seven years, we had a Government in place followed by another Government that stayed for twenty years. Surely, if the hon. Members on the left want to be really honest with themselves, they should give accolades to the Patriotic Front (PF) for the amount of work that it has done in eight years only.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I do not think it is fair for anybody to say that we are finding it difficult to take development to the Western Province. That is not a fair statement. I can assure the hon. Member that this Government is working around the clock to ensure that development is shared across the country. I do not think that I want to bring Chilubi into discussion.

 

 I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: I commend you for not bringing Chilubi into the discussion.

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, I heard the hon. Minister very correctly that the interest of the Patriotic Front (PF) is to protect the interest of the girl-child. That is correct. What criteria does it use to choose and site boarding schools? Have these four schools in Luampa Constituency failed to meet the criteria, and how can they be helped to meet the criteria so that they are considered?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of General Education uses its staff on the ground to do this. They look at the geographical location and the distances which the children have to cover. Given this information, the Ministry of General Education and the infrastructure unit then chooses which schools should be addressed. However, I do understand that as hon. Members, we all want our issues to be addressed. I would like to say to this august House that let us give each other a chance. I am sure there are other hon. Members whose schools are being addressed and once those are concluded, the other schools will be included in new plans. 

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Mr Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, particularly Her Honour the Vice-President, for building schools. Just last Friday, she was in Sikongo, inspecting a very good boarding school which is yet to be opened. She also talked of the other boarding schools in the Western Province.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Malama: Has the hon. Minister been able to sit down with the education authorities in Luampa so that the children can be availed the information on the nearest boarding schools which they can go to, if they cannot go to these schools?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, the ministry headquarters works with the District Education Board Secretaries (DEBS) as they are nearest to the schools. One of the functions of this office is to continuously engage with different headmasters and headmistresses and share the resources that it has. So, this engagement has continued. I would like to invite the hon. Members to take interest and visit the ministry in Lusaka and the DEBS offices so that we can work together and deal with some of the issues that are being raised.

 

 I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Chikote: Mr Speaker, in terms of equity in development in the country, I want the hon. Minister to know that these schools we are talking about were an initiative of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chikote: Sir, from the time the MMD left the Government, not even a single structure has been put in these secondary schools by the PF Government. Luampa is a new district but does not have a boarding school. Is it not fair for the Government to lobby for money somewhere for a boarding school so that Luampa District can have a boarding school which can help the children?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I just love the passion of the hon. Member. The question was very straightforward and I think I have given adequate answers, but I will engage with our technical staff on the ground to see whether their passion matches his on this issue.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has informed the House that the Ministry of General Education is working according to plan. I am aware that boarding facilities are a peri-urban and rural environment facility. Is there a countrywide comprehensive boarding facility plan which she can share with the House so that we know how the boarding facilities in the peri-urban and urban areas are being tackled by the ministry?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, the truth of the matter is that the focus on boarding schools is much more in rural areas than in urban areas. This is because the distances in the urban areas are short compared to rural areas. We have put emphasis on constructing boarding schools mainly in rural areas. I will consult my technical staff to create a comprehensive document that can be shared.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Mr Speaker, I would like to ask a question which is more of a rider to the question that was raised by the hon. Member for Nalikwanda Constituency, Hon. Prof. Lungwangwa. Hon. acting Minister of General Education, it is clear that the problem of secondary school facilities, more especially boarding secondary schools, is common in most of our constituencies. It is very important for us to know what the problem is in terms of the status as regards how the ministry is handling this problem at hand. The hon. Minister has rightly put it that she will be coming to this House after getting information from the technocrats in terms of what has been done so far. What is the policy of the Government at the moment to deal with this issue of secondary schools amicably? The problem seems to be growing. What is the policy around secondary schools and boarding facilities so that Zambians know what the PF Government plans to do, for instance, in the next three years?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, listening to the hon. Member of Parliament, what is running in my mind is that the PF Government created a policy in 2011, to address the problem of our children who are going to school in far-flung areas. We analysed the situation and found that children, especially girl-children would squat in villages because there are no boarding facilities and some of them ended up pregnant. We do not need to bring another policy for the next three years because we have a policy in place. Like I said earlier, it is in our interest, once in a while in life to give accolades to people who are doing a good job in life.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Prof. Luo: The boarding school programme was started by the PF Government.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Prof. Luo: I want to emphasise that.

 

Mr Muchima: Question!

 

Prof. Luo: You will question until hallelujah, but that is a fact of life.

 

Laughter

 

Prof. Luo: So, we will share with you the policy of 2011 to date and beyond.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Chikote: Question!

 

Mr Mwiinga: Tribalist!

 

ADMINISTRATION BLOCK CONSTRUCTION

 

118. Mr Mutale (Chitambo) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:

 

1. when the construction of an administration block in Chitambo District will commence;
2. who the contractor for the project is; and
3. what the time frame for the completion of the project is.

 

Prof. Luo (on behalf of the hon. Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development (Mr Mwale)): Mr Speaker, the construction of the administration block in Chitambo District was earmarked to start in 2014.

 

Sir, the contract was awarded to Kawazane Enterprises Limited at a contract sum of K4,124,319.55. Further, the contractor was given 20 per cent advance payment for the site mobilisation. However, the contractor could not commence works as land wrangles erupted, resulting in delay to commence the project for over three years.

 

Sir, arising from the above, and to avoid losing the advance paid to the contractor, the Government decided to move the contractor to Mpongwe District where land was readily available. The contractor has since made progress on the new site. With the land issues now resolved in Chitambo District, once funds are secured, the procurement of another contractor will commence. The new contractor will only be identified once the procurement process is completed.

 

Mr Speaker, the time frame for the completion of the project will be determined after the new contractor is identified. The desire of the Government is to have the project completed within twenty-four months, funds allowing.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mutale: Mr Speaker, I want to place it on record that Chitambo was declared a district in 2011 by the late President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata. These land wrangles that have been mentioned in the answer only lasted for a year, meaning that in 2012, we had found land where the administration block was supposed to be built.

 

Mr Speaker, in 2014, people mobilised themselves and cleared the land. In 2016, when I became the hon. Member of Parliament, I worked very hard with the people in Chitambo and laid a foundation stone. Lunte and Nalolo are both new districts but administration blocks have been built there. The question by the people of Chitambo is: When will this Government, to which I belong, give us a very straightforward answer so that we know whether the administration block will be built or not? It has been a long time from 2011 to date and there has been no indication as to whether there is any tender that is being floated to select a contractor. May I know clearly when the contractor will be found?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I do sympathise with the hon. Member of Parliament and I know the frustration that he is going through. However, the issue of land wrangles is something that is happening everywhere. There are many places where the Government desired to do some work but there have been delays to do it because of land wrangles or siting. Nobody would want to keep a contractor on a site without doing work because that is costly. Every time you keep a contractor on a site, he will come back and ask for variations of the contract. I just want to assure the hon. Member of Parliament that we are going to do this construction. The good news is that the Ministry of Finance will be releasing funds to the new districts. The money that will come to Chitambo will obviously go to priorities and the administration block will receive this money as it is a priority.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Lihefu (Manyinga): Mr Speaker, Chitambo is a newly created district like Manyinga. The assertion is that development can only go to the provinces where the PF …

 

Dr Malama: Question!

 

Mr Lihefu: … hon. Members of Parliament are. Why has it taken the Government long to construct this new administration block in Chitambo?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, this is a very interesting admission of the assertions that have been made that development only goes to PF strongholds. This is an example of an area where there has been delay. It is a very good observation. I want to say that there is no such a thing that development will only go to constituencies held by hon. PF Members of Parliament. In fact, when you do an analysis and lay it on the Table, you would find that we have left nobody behind and everybody is getting equal support.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, I have been provoked because the hon. Minister said that going with the analysis, nobody has been left behind. I want to remind her that Ikeleng’i was declared a district in 2010 –

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member of Parliament for Ikeleng’i –

 

Mr Muchima: Yes, Mr Speaker?

 

Mr Speaker: This is not an occasion for you to go into a dialogue.

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, she said analysis.

 

Mr Speaker: That is the dialogue I am referring to.

 

Mr Muchima: Alright, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker: You want to enter into a dialogue, but it is not possible here.

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, let me ask my question.

 

Mr Speaker: Yes, just ask your question.

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has just said that the Government has not left anybody behind. Does she have evidence to show that all the declared districts in the recent past, starting from 2010, when Ikeleng’i and the rest were declared, will have their administration blocks built? Which plans have been put in place so that we can even see where Chitambo is? Has she got such information so that we can have a clear the analysis?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, what we are talking about is an administration block in Chitambo. The question that was raised is the assertion that development is only going to constituencies that are held by the PF and that is the argument that I was talking about. I did say in my response that we have had some challenges like land wrangles and site issues. Moreover, sooner than later, the hon. Minister of Finance will be releasing money to all the new districts and the priority areas will be given priority.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Chisopa (Mkushi South): Mr Speaker, the situation in Chitambo is the same as that of Luano, where there are no land wrangles and nothing has been done.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chisopa: Sir, since the hon. Minister has indicated that funds are going to be available, when does she think the money will be available for the construction of an administration block in Chitambo?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I think I made a statement and I cannot give a time frame.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Kopulande (Chembe): Mr Speaker, Chembe was declared a district on –

 

Laughter

 

Dr Kopulande: Mr Speaker, Chembe was declared a district on 5^th May, 2012, but up to now, none of the district infrastructure has been completed. Do we have a policy to prioritise the new districts in terms of infrastructure development? Is there such a policy and can we have a clear position?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, first of all, Chembe and Luano were not part of the question. I would like to inform the hon. Members of Parliament that even as they say that nothing has been done, they should be talking about the percentage of work that has been done in those particular districts. They are giving a wrong impression to the nation that nothing has been done. There are some areas of infrastructure that have been done and I think that that is what they should be talking about.

 

I thank you, Sir

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, the question seeks to establish whether or not there is a policy regarding construction of administration infrastructure for new districts. Does the policy exist or not?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I think that when you do a policy document, you cannot only have a policy for the construction of an administrative block. We do have a policy of infrastructure development in the country and everything dovetails into that policy.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo): Mr Speaker, I would like to take on the hon. Minister of Higher Education concerning the analysis that she has intimated that she will do and make available if possible. Is she ready to make this analysis that she has intimated available to this House so that we know as to who is being left behind?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, a few months ago, in June last year, to be precise, I was transferred from the Ministry of Higher Education to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. This afternoon, I am answering on behalf of the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development. I will also engage my hon. Colleague the hon. Minister of Higher Education through his staff to do the analysis.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Malama: Mr Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Patriotic Front (PF) Government ...

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Malama: ... for the unprecedented infrastructure development in Zambia today.

 

Ms Mulenga: Ema IG aba!

 

Interruptions

 

Dr Malama: Mr Speaker, my question to –

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Let us have some order, please. Let the hon. Member ask in silence.

 

Dr Malama: Mr Speaker, before I was interrupted, I was saying I would like to congratulate the PF Government for the unprecedented infrastructure development ...

 

Hon. PF Member: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Malama: ... whenever you look around this country. Zambians are able to identify the PF Government with infrastructure developments.

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Malama: This Government that has done so well with infrastructure development, just like Chitambo, when will it remember Kanchibiya?

 

Laughter

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, that is a very clever way of begging. We will make sure that our staff, as they look at the plans, they remember Kanchibiya.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, most people are asking the hon. Minister when the Government is going to put up infrastructure in their districts. Even Dr Malama, my beloved brother-in-law, is asking the same thing. Therefore, would the hon. Minister now accept the assertion that many people used to tell this Government that it is misconceived or wrong to declare many districts without a plan? Would she now accept that her Government made a terrible mistake?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, let me use this question to say that the PF Government made the correct decision to actually declare many districts because this is the surest way it could bring development to the doorsteps of the people.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Prof. Luo: I also want to say that the PF Government is very alive to the fact that there is a lot of demand for infrastructure and because it started this, everybody has been now awakened to the need for infrastructure. As I said earlier, there is merit in giving accolades to those who are doing a good job.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

LIMULUNGA/KATE ROAD REHABILITATION

 

119. Mr Kundoti (Luena) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:

 

(a)        when the rehabilitation of the Limulunga/Kate Road in Luena Parliamentary Constituency will be completed;

 

(b)        what has caused the delay in completing the project; and

 

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

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, I presume you are still responding to these questions?

 

Prof. Luo (on behalf of (Mr Mwale)): Mr Speaker, the rehabilitation of the Limulunga/Kate Road in Luena Parliamentary Constituency will be completed as soon as funds are made available. The delay in completing the project has been due to financial constraints. The cost of the project will be known once the contractor is engaged.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Kundoti: Mr Speaker, the answer that the hon. Minister has given is the one which has always been given. We are being told, “when funds are made available.” This road I am talking about leads to the administration centre, which is under construction although the construction of that place has stalled. There is no other road which goes there. The so-called road is actually a bushy road which was created by ox carts. If one is not a native of Luena and he/she ventures to go to the administration centre, he/she would end up lost. There are just a few kilometres that were done by the Zambia National Service (ZNS), which are completely run down and a vehicle cannot pass through. Therefore, when the hon. Minister says that the road will be rehabilitated when resources are available, it makes me lose hope because that is the administration centre where our council and staff are supposed to move to.

 

Mr Speaker, will the hon. Minister give me and the people of Limulunga District an assurance when the funds will be made available to finish up that road to the Kate Administration Centre for Limulunga District?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I hear the hon. Member of Parliament and his lamentations but I just want to share some information that may help him. As regards the first 8 km stretch that was constructed, which he referred to, a decision was made to advertise the contract for the construction of this road so that we get a contractor on site. When the adverts were done, the people in procurement realised that the people that had answered the bid did not have the capacity to be able to construct the road further.

 

Sir, as I said earlier in another response, the Government cannot keep money while waiting to get the correct contractor. So, as at now, the truth is that those funds were used elsewhere. Therefore, the Government is now looking for funds to continue with the construction of that road because it is important. This is what I would like to share with the hon. Member of Parliament.

 

Mr Speaker, these are things that we can share and resolve together had the hon. Member of Parliament engaged the hon. Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, the term “when resources are available” is the national anthem for the PF Government. We sing it every day on the Floor of this Parliament, but we go and say that it is a working Government. What a discrepancy.

 

Mr Speaker: Order! What was the last word?

 

Mr Lufuma: What a discrepancy.

 

Mr Speaker: Oh, I see.

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, The hon. Minister said, “when resources are available” in the Treasury. Considering that this is an important road to be worked on, has she engaged the Treasury to get an indication as to when exactly the funds will be available? Will it be within this fiscal year, next year or in 2030? Can we have an indication.

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I just want to assure the hon. Member of Parliament for Luena who asked this question that this is a very important road, as far as the Government is concerned. I am sure that we have not been singing the national anthem on the Floor of this House except at the beginning of a meeting. Therefore, the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabompo needs to write this national anthem which he is talking about in order for us to know that there is another national anthem.

 

Sir, I would like to assure the hon. Member of Parliament for Luena that as soon as funds are made available, this road will be attended to and that we should continue the discourse.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

NAKONDE SECONDARY SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION

 

120. Mr Siwale (Mafinga) (on behalf of Mr Siwanzi (Nakonde)) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:

 

(a)        why the construction of Nakonde Secondary School in Nakonde District has stalled;

 

(b)        whether the Government is aware that the contractor for the project has abandoned the site;

 

(c)        if so, whether the Government has any plans to engage another contractor to complete the project;

 

(d)        when works will resume; and

 

(e)        what the time frame for the completion of the project is.

 

Mr Speaker: The hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock again.

 

Prof. Luo (on behalf of (Mr Mwale)): Mr Speaker, the construction of Nakonde Secondary School has not stalled. The contractor has just slowed down the construction works due to financial strain.

 

The Government is aware that the contractor is still on site, but has only slowed down the pace of works.

 

The Government has no plans to engage another contractor as the site is still alive.

 

Works have not stopped and a contractor is still on site.

 

Sir, the initial time frame for the completion of the project was 25^th September, 2019, but due to the slow pace of works, the completion date has been revised to 25^th September, 2021.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Siwanzi: Mr Speaker, this question has been overtaken. I am aware that this Government has released funds for Nakonde Secondary School. Currently, the contractor is on the site and works have started progressing. Now that the works have resumed, when do we expect this contractor to complete them?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I said that the works have been revised and the new completion date is September 2021.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

MANYINGA/MWINILUNGA ROAD REHABILITATION

 

121. Mr Lihefu (Manyinga) asked the Minister Housing and Infrastructure Development:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to rehabilitate the Manyinga/Mwinilunga Road which is in a very deplorable state; and
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented.

 

Prof. Luo (on behalf of (Mr Mwale)): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to rehabilitate Manyinga/Mwinilunga Road. The works on the project will only commence once the financing agreement for the project has been finalised between the Ministry of Finance and the financier.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Lihefu: Mr Speaker, this road is putting the lives of innocent health workers and the patients from the affected areas at risk. Since the hon. Minister has said that the works will only commence once the funds are available, I would like to know whether there are any short-term measures which the Government can undertake and work on this road to ease the movement of the affected people.

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, just a point of correction. I did not say the road will be worked on when funds are made available, but that when the financing agreement is signed. Therefore, the immediate plan is for the Government to continue with the project document so that we can sign the agreement at the shortest possible time.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: What about the short-term measures, hon. Minister?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I am saying that we cannot carry out any short-term works on the Manyinga/Mwinilunga Road because it requires proper works. This is why there has been a contract that has been signed with Messrs China CAMC Engineering Company Limited for a contract sum of K273 million. The duration of the project is thirty-six months. Once the financing agreement is signed, the works will commence. I think that is the best way to go about it because if any contractor goes there and carries out shoddy works, we will not achieve anything.

 

 I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Kambita: Mr Speaker, I seem to be getting confused with the semantics of the hon. Minister’s response towards the financing for this road. It is very clear from her explanation that the Government envisages the financing of this project to come from a private partnership agreement. Further, she ably explained to us that a contract has been signed. However, later in her explanation, she said works will start once the financing agreement has been finalised. So, what has been signed if the financing agreement has not been signed? We need a clarification so that we know. Once a contract has been signed, there is a date when a project is supposed to start and complete. We would like to get a clear explanation about the Manyinga/Mwinilunga Road because the people out there are expectant.

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, we all know that when a financier is engaged for a particular project, there has to be project documents which are developed. The final authority of the financing agreement on how it will be carried out and what sort of partnership it is going to be is done by the Ministry of Finance and the people who are going to implement the project. This is exactly what I am saying. We are awaiting the signing of the financing agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the people who are going to finance the project. Those who have worked in the Government are aware of this kind of activity.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Samakayi (Mwinilunga): Mr Speaker, we have been talking about the Manyinga/Mwinilunga Road and the financing agreement for the last three years. Would the hon. Minister be clear enough and tell us, hon. Members of Parliament here and the nation at large the time frame attached to this financing agreement.

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I am not in a position to tell this House the time frame for the project because we all know that these discussions take place between the financiers and the Ministry of Finance.

 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo): Mr Speaker, I am still slightly confused, but I will try and put my question very simply. Which comes first, the contract to execute the project or the financing agreement to avail the money? Could she clarify so that we know where we are with the Manyinga/Mwinilunga Road?

 

Prof. Luo:  Mr Speaker, when there are works to be carried out, a ministry can discuss a project or write the project agreement, but when it comes to financing agreements, it has to be the Ministry of Finance to do that. Further, the Ministry of Finance signs the financing agreement as to how the monies will be spent. No ministry can sign a financing agreement. In addition, financing agreements come in form of discussions. So, it is give and take. Somebody may ask for a certain amount of money, but there is need to negotiate in order to get a good deal.

 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

MBALA/KASESHYA ROAD REHABILITATION

 

122. Mr Simfukwe (Mbala) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:

 

1. whether the Government is aware that the Mbala/Kaseshya Road is in a deplorable state;
2. if so, when the rehabilitation works will commence;
3. what the cost of the project is; and
4. what the time frame for the completion of the project is.

 

Mr Simfukwe: Mr Speaker, these works are progressing very well. The question has been overtaken by events.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

 Mr Speaker: Very well. You simply state that you are withdrawing the question, for avoidance of doubt.

 

Mr Simfukwe: Mr Speaker, the question has been answered. I withdraw it.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Question put and agreed to. Leave granted.

 

Question, by leave, accordingly withdrawn.

 

 

Mr Speaker: Very well.

 

VETERINARY OFFICERS DEPLOYMENT

 

123. Mr C. M. Zulu (Luangeni) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

 

1. when veterinary officers will be deployed to Luangeni Parliamentary Constituency, following the completing of the construction of staff houses;
2. what the total number of officers earmarked for deployment in 2019 was; and
3. what measures the Government is taking to ensure that new houses are not vandalised before they are occupied.

 

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Prof. Luo): Mr Speaker, Luangeni Parliamentary Constituency currently has five veterinary camps of which four are manned by veterinary assistances and only Jugujane Veterinary Camp is not manned. The vacancy was created after the death of the veterinary assistant. The ministry is unable to deploy an officer as the position is one of the 320 frozen positions. The ministry is seeking authority to unfreeze the positions and deployment will be made once authority is granted. To mitigate this situation, the district is using veterinary assistants in the neighbouring veterinary camp to serve farmers in Jugujane Camp and the district backstops the camp regularly. The ministry is working around the clock to ensure that these houses are occupied.

 

Mr Speaker, there were no officers deployed in 2019.

 

The ministry is doing its best to ensure that the houses are occupied. In the meantime, security is in place to safeguard the vacant houses to avoid vandalism.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

IMF ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLANS

 

124. Mr A. C.  Mumba (Kantanshi) asked the Minister of Finance:

 

1. whether the Government has any alternative economic recovery plans in the event that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package falls through;
2. if so, what the plans are;
3. what immediate measures the Government is taking to raise the import cover to three months; and
4. why the exercise to dismantle the national debt has slowed down.

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Malanji) (on behalf of (the Minister of Finance (Dr Ng’andu)): Mr Speaker, the Government already has a plan. The Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) 2017-2021 is the main blue print for development, and it was prepared through a highly consultative process. To support implementation of the 7NDP, the Government prepares much shorter term plans, namely, the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the National Budget. The much shorter plans are prepared in order to implement the national development plan and address any emerging economic matters.

 

Mr Speaker, the House may wish to note that one of the most widely used medium term plans was the Economic Stabilisation and Growth Programme (ESGP), which run from 2017 to 2019. The objectives of the ESGP, which are also contained in the 2020 National Budget, are to:

 

1. restore credibility of the Budget by curbing Budget deviations and staying within prescribed and fiscal deficit and borrowing limits;
2. enhance domestic resource mobilisation, refocus public spending by strengthening tax compliance, and modernising tax administration and minimising the cost of running the Government;
3. restore debt sustainability by:

 

1. placing a moratorium on contraction of external project loans;
2. cancellation of selected external project loans; and
3. re-scoping of the selected externally finance projects. 

 

       d. gradually reduce the stock of domestic arrears by increasing budgetary allocations to K2.3 billion in 2020   

       from K437 million in 2019, use of debt swaps and enhanced implementation of commitment control   

       systems.

 

           e. scale-up Government Social Protection programmes with the aim of protecting the most vulnerable in

              society against the effects of reforms being implemented.

 

Mr Speaker, as a member country of the International Monitory Fund (IMF), we continuously engage with the institution through Article 4 consultations. The last mission was in November 2019, during which the Fund made a number of recommendations. These were largely in line with the ESGP. Key among the recommendations was the need to frontload fiscal adjustment.

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to assure the House that engagements with the IMF are ongoing. The following are some of the plans that the Government is making to raise the import cover to three months:

 

1. continued receipt of mineral royalty tax in United States (US) dollars currency;
2. purchase of foreign exchange. The Government, through the Bank of Zambia (BoZ), purchases foreign exchange on the financial market as a way of improving foreign reserves and subsequently the import cover;
3. possible use of gold as a reserve asset. The BoZ is exploring the possibility of broadening the asset universe by including gold to the reserve portfolio; and 
4. promotion of non-traditional exports as a way of diversifying foreign exchange sources.

 

Mr Speaker, the process of dismantling the national debt requires that the process is done in a transparent manner, taking into account all legal ramifications. For instance, cancellation of external project loans requires engagement with the lenders and the contractors. To avoid paying heavy penalties, the Office of the Attorney-General has been engaged to study contracts. In summary, there has been no slowing down by the Government, but a well-thought-out methodology developed to undertake the exercise.

 

Mr Speaker, the House may also wish to note that regarding dismantling of domestic debt which is in the form of Government securities, the Government meets the obligation as and when they fall due. Budgetary provisions are also made to meet interest payments.

 

Mr Speaker, regarding domestic arrears, dismantling of arrears has continued in line with budgetary provisions. Going forward, the Government has prioritised the clearing of debt owed to local suppliers of goods and services, hence the increase in budgetary allocation for clearing the arrears.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, in answering the question as to what is being done to reduce the loans that Zambia has on its books, the answer given by the hon. Minister is that the Government is slowing down on getting new loans. This is the same story which we have been hearing since 2016, 2017, and maybe even before that. The Government has been saying the same story that it is reducing on borrowing.

 

Yesterday, the hon. Minister of Finance gave us an update on the economy. In that update, he told us that in June 2019, the total amount of loans or debt for Zambia, both domestic and foreign, was $15.8 billion. In December 2019, six months later, the total debt was $18.5 billion. There was an increase of 17 per cent within six months from June 2019 to December 2019. Is this Government serious? It keeps telling us that it is reducing on getting new loans, when in actual fact, it is doing the opposite.           

 

Mr Malanji: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Liuwa must realise that the Government cannot stop functioning. The Government is looking at projects that must run with the necessary time which is required. That is why I categorically said that a moratorium has been put on some of the loans and services that are supposed to be undertaken in that capacity.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr A. C. Mumba: Mr Speaker, my question is in reference to the economic stabilisation growth programme which is supposed to ensure that there is inclusiveness in terms of tax collection.  One of the ways to do so is to ensure that local companies are paid. What plan does the Ministry of Finance have in terms of paying other service providers to the Government such as suppliers of food, stationery, printing materials and computers? It seems that the ministry has only focused on road contractors.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Kantanshi, assist me to see where your follow up question is located from parts (a) to (d) of the main question.

 

Mr A. C. Mumba: Mr Speaker, it is in part (d), which says, “Why the exercise to dismantle the national debt has slowed down.” In his response under the economic stabilisation programme and national debt, the hon. Minister did include debt dismantling which in itself should trigger more tax to be collected from local businesses.

 

Mr Malanji: Mr Speaker, we are all aware that if you deliberately go by the informative platform that has been put in place by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), the authority wants to ensure that it creates a wider network for the tax base.

 

Sir, as regards the local debt, the Government equally has the same concern and I can assure the hon. Member that there is something that the Government is doing to try and cushion the situation. As for now, before the Government finishes lobbying, these matters cannot be brought to the House, but at an opportune time, the Government is going to indicate how it is working out mechanisms to sort out this local debt.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Kakubo (Kapiri Mposhi): Mr Speaker, I like the fact that Hon. Musokotwane referred to the statement that was issued by the substantive hon. Minister of Finance yesterday. The fundamentals which the hon. Minister has referred to would suggest that the Ministry of Finance has lost control of the economy. Everything that was spelt out pointed to the negative and to the detriment of the country.

 

Sir, in his answers this afternoon, the hon. Minister has continuously referred to the Government having established the grace period for paying back debts, but that does not answer how the debt will be dismantled. In dismantling both the domestic and foreign debt stock, which has gone up by over US$1 billion, what is the Government’s source of revenue other than the moratorium to ensure that actual liquidity is established to pay back the contracted debt?

 

Mr Malanji: Mr Speaker, a budget in any household is a projection. The hon. Member must realise that within the period to service the debt, situations were encountered. For instance, there have been acts of force majeure that no person can control. So, with that focus, the Government is still determine, hence the indication that there is a moratorium in place. As it gets into green, the Government is definitely going to be pragmatic with payments to the contracted loans.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Mr Speaker, I am alive to the fact that the substantive hon. Minister of Finance is not in the House, but that will not stop me from asking pertinent questions regarding –

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

I did not get the first part.

 

Mr Kambita: Mr Speaker, I am alive to the fact that the substantive hon. Minister of Finance is not in the House. Therefore, my line of questioning will be limited to what I want to know. I also did mention that it will not stop me from asking pertinent questions so that the Executive answers because people are expectant.

 

Sir, in terms of dismantling the debt, and more specifically, I want to know from the acting hon. Minister of Finance how the Government has planned to dismantle the domestic arrears. I have asked this in line with the fact that most institutions that depend on financing from the Treasury for services are actually struggling, including certain institutions related to this House. How then has the Government planned to dismantle domestic arrears in such a situation, with indicators of an already struggling Government to finance institutions of service?

 

Mr Malanji: Mr Speaker, I was very categorical when responding to the hon. Member of Parliament for Kantanshi. As Government, we are equally not sleeping. We want to find a formula through which domestic debt can be sorted out. The Government has actually engaged its co-operating partners and at an opportune time, the Government is going to bring to this House measures that have been taken.

 

As Government, we cannot come to this House and give a good picture that will impress hon. Members just for this debate. However, at an opportune time, the Government will indicate to this House the measures that have been taken to sort out the local debt. Mind you, the Government has prioritised local debt because the earlier that is done, money circulation in the country will improve.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, as a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Zambia is in constant consultations with the IMF, which is essentially a requirement in accordance with Article 4 of the IMF. Apart from that, is the Government in negotiations with the IMF in terms of a bailout package? If so, when is the bailout expected to be implemented, so that it can alleviate the problem that the country is facing to some extent?

 

Mr Malanji: Mr Speaker, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a club with laid down decorum. This country could have had some constraints, but that will not deter the Government from negotiating with the IMF to which this country is a member. Necessary efforts are being put in place to ensure that the situation on the ground is improved and that we reach a give and take position with the IMF.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Ms Kasune: Mr Speaker, according to the –

 

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Ms Kasune: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was saying that given the hon. Minister’s report or speech on the revision of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 2019, which was revised from 4 per cent to 2 per cent because of economic challenges, I want to understand how the hon. Minister then will tackle the debt dismantling of 2020. The hon. Minister told us that the 3 per cent is the projected GDP. Is he able to put that into figures and if so, how will it be used to dismantle the national debt, which has crippled the country?

 

Mr Malanji: Mr Speaker, with regard to the revision of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), like I said earlier on, the Government is trying to make sure that with the status quo now, we explore all avenues of widening the tax base. The hon. Member may know that the ZRA has gone the electronic way of making sure that they catch each and every platform from where they can collect tax.

 

Sir, secondly, the hon. Member must realise that in the previous year, there was not much collection of revenue. The reason is due to effects of climate change. In most companies, due to lack of electricity, production went to its lowest point. So, it is from that premise that the Government, like I said earlier on, is trying to see how it can actually get a mitigating factor for even the 2020 Budget with co-operating partners. We are trying to see how we can salvage the situation as we go, but the projection remains as it is.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

FRA STORAGE SHEDS/SLABS CONSTRUCTION

 

125. Mr Kintu (Solwezi East) asked the Minister of Agriculture:

 

1. why the construction of storage sheds and slabs for the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in Solwezi East Parliamentary Constituency has stalled;
2. when the works will resume; and
3. what the time frame for the completion of the project is.

 

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Katambo): Mr Speaker, the construction of slabs by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in Solwezi East Parliamentary Constituency has stalled because of the land wrangle over the ownership of land where the site was to be constructed and, therefore, the contractor had to leave the site.

 

Sir, the works will resume once the land wrangle is resolved. The 13,000 metric tonnes capacity of covered storage sheds has been planned to be constructed. The construction of the 13,000 metric tonnes sheds is expected to be completed within twelve months after the contractor moves on site. The sheds’ construction has been included in the Advanced African Solutions Project which has not commenced yet.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Kintu: Mr Speaker, we have been told that the construction stalled because of land wrangles that took place. I am wondering which place this is, where there were those wrangles. Is it possible for the people of Mushindamo to be able to choose another area where a slab can be constructed?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, the ministry is engaging the traditional leadership, the royal establishment of Chief Kapinjimpanga, to resolve the matter so that we could be able to construct on the proposed sites. So, the provincial administration and the provincial agriculture office and team are engaging the traditional leadership. On the said land is where the construction of the storage tanks for fuel have been constructed. The other alternative land as the hon. Member may be aware is the one near the showground, which now is being recommended also for construction of the storage sheds.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament’s question is very clear and he is saying that he is not aware of the land wrangles that the hon. Minister is talking about. If that is the case, is that the only place where that slab can be put considering how vast that place is? Can there be no alternative land where there is no wrangle where that slab can be constructed?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, I have just made the hon. Member for Solwezi East Parliamentary Constituency aware that the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) constructed the sheds for fuel tanks and then the other alternative land is near the showground. That is where now they are trying to resolve to construct the storage sheds.

 

I thank you, Mr Speakers.

 

Mr Kintu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister is talking about where fuel tanks were constructed. That is in Solwezi Central and not in Solwezi East. Can the hon. Minister, therefore, make it very clear to the people of Mushindamo which area he is talking about?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, I said that there are disputes between the royal establishment and the Ministry of Agriculture through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to construct these sheds. This place in question was taken by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to construct fuel storage sheds. For Solwezi East Parliamentary Constituency, I just indicated that the area near the show grounds has been recommended as the place where to construct the storage sheds by Advanced African Solutions.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Ng’ambi: Mr Speaker, certain areas in this country such as the North-Western, the Western Province and the Southern Province are prone to land wrangles. In the interest of national development, is the hon. Minister considering shifting those funds from Solwezi to Muchinga or the Northern Province where there are no land wrangles?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, like I said, there is a resolution now in this land wrangle. So, the package for Solwezi East Parliamentary Constituency still stands. We will still construct the storage shed for Solwezi East Parliamentary Constituency.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

KASUMBALESA/MUKAMBO BORDER POSTS TRADE VOLUMES

 

 126.  Mr A. C. Mumba asked the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry:

 

1. when the Government last undertook an assessment of the trade volumes at Kasumbalesa and Mukambo Border Posts;
2. whether the Government has any plans to establish trade desks at the two border posts to capture trade volumes and foreign currency inflows and outflows;
3. if so, when the plans will be implemented;
4. whether the Government is encouraging commercial banks to establish banks at the two border posts; and
5. if so, whether any commercial banks will be opened at the two border posts.

 

The Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Yaluma): Mr Speaker, the trade volume assessments at Kasumbalesa and Mukambo border posts were undertaken in the first half of last year, January to June, 2019.

 

Mr Speaker, currently feasibility studies are being undertaken in establishing Trade Information Desks (TIDs) at the two borders with support from the World Bank through the Great Lakes project.

 

The trade information desks at the two borders are expected to be implemented in 2020.

 

Sir, the Government has been encouraging and providing a platform for commercial banks to open branches at the two border posts. Financial transactions are currently being done through the Zambia Electronic Single Window (ZESW). In 2014, the implementation of the electronic payment platform e-payment for payment of taxes began by linking the customs management system ASYCUDA-World to the banking system. Currently, sixteen out of the seventeen commercial banks in Zambia are offering banking services through electronic payment platforms for payment of taxes, among them include, Atlas Mara, Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO), Access Bank, Indo Zambia Bank, Investrust Bank Plc, First National Bank (FNB) and so on.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Kopulande (Chembe): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated in his answer that the last trade volume assessment was done from January to June 2019. Is the hon. Minister in a position to appraise this House as to whether or not trade volumes are increasing or reducing and the extent to which this has happened? Could he state the numbers regarding the increase or the reduction in trade volumes.

 

Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, the trade volumes are on the increase.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: Is the hon. Member of Chembe trying to ask another question?

 

Dr Kopulande: Mr Speaker, if that is in order, yes.

 

Mr Speaker: No it would not.

 

Laughter

 

CHIFUNDA SECONDARY SCHOOL GAZETTING

 

127.  Mr Mung’andu (Chama South) asked the Minister of General Education:

 

1. when Chifunda Secondary School in Chama South Parliamentary Constituency will be gazetted;
2. when teachers will be deployed to the School;
3. when the School will be opened to the public; and
4. when additional teachers will be deployed to  all other schools in the constituency which have few members of staff.

 

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Prof. Luo) (on behalf of the Minister of General Education (Mr Mabumba)): Mr Speaker, Chifunda Secondary School is already gazetted. The House may wish to note that the construction of the school is not yet completed and this is why the secondary school learners are currently squatting at Chifunda Primary school.

 

Sir, the teachers will be deployed to the school once the school is complete and is given a staff establishment. However, some teachers have already been assigned to the learners.

 

 The school will open once the construction is complete. Additional teachers will be deployed to other schools in the constituency and schools countrywide during the 2020 teacher recruitment.

 

 I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that the school is under construction. A one by three classroom block has being constructed using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and community board resources. The nearest high school from Chifunda is about 30 km. Chifunda has more than 6,000 people. Since Chifunda Secondary School is gazetted, is the Government considering opening the first Grade 10 classes at the school while other infrastructure at the school is being constructed for the people? 

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I said that despite the structure being incomplete, the students are still squatting at the primary school. As soon as the infrastructure is inspected, and the establishment is made for the secondary school, the functioning of that infrastructure will commence. As such, the ministry will be able to inspect the 1x3 classroom block. If it meets the requirements of a secondary school, teachers will be assigned and learning will commence.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Dr Malama: Mr Speaker, part (d) of the question talks about additional teachers. The PF Government prioritises the need to have our children educated. Yesterday, we heard one of the parents lamenting that tribe is of the essence, but obviously, it is not of the essence to the PF Government. Patriotism is of the essence to the PF Government. Is the Government intending to increase the establishment in schools so that there is adequate teaching staff? Is the Government going to recruit teachers so that the establishment is met?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, let me emphasise part (d) of my answer. Additional staff will be deployed to other schools in the constituency and schools, countrywide, during the 2020 teacher recruitment.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Mr Speaker, a number of pupils were selected for Grade 10 at this school, I think about twenty-two of them. Teachers were sent there. A 1 x 3 classroom block was constructed by the community. Is the hon. Minister considering resending those teachers who were initially sent to that school so that it is opened? Pupils are waiting for teachers in order to commence lessons.

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I just want to answer part (b) of the question once again. I wish to indicate that some teachers have been assigned to the learners. Meaning, we already have teachers. As a ministry, we have been taking tours around the country to ascertain some of the challenges that are being faced. During the next tour of Muchinga Province, we will pay attention to this school.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, on additional teachers to be deployed, the hon. Minister indicated that in 2020, there will be teacher recruitment. How many teachers is the ministry likely to employ this year to cover the whole country? Can she assure the people of Chama South that teachers will be deployed to this school?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, that is a new question. I did not bring those figures with me. However, I can engage with the hon. Member of Parliament for Ikeleng’i who is using the back door to try and know what will happen in Ikeleng’i.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION

 

128. Mr W. Banda (Milanzi) (on behalf of Mr Phiri) (Mkaika)) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development when bridges will be constructed at the following crossing points in Mkaika Parliamentary Constituency:

 

1. Mnyamanzi;
2. Chisale;
3. Chamatonye; and
4. Lupande, between Mkaika and Mambwe.

 

Prof. Luo (on behalf of (Mr Mwale)): Mr Speaker, the construction works for Mnyamanzi Bridge will commence once a contractor has been engaged and upon funds for the works being made available.

 

Sir, the construction of Chisale Bridge will commence under the Force Account once funds for the works have been released by the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA). This work will be done by the Road Development Agency (RDA).

 

Mr Speaker, an assessment of the works required at Chamatonye crossing point will be undertaken before the end of the first quarter 2020.

 

Sir, procurement of a contractor to undertake the civil works at Lupande will commence in the second quarter. It is envisaged that the civil works on Lupande Bridge will commence in the fourth quarter of 2020.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Phiri: Mr Speaker, regarding Mnyamanzi Bridge, is the hon. Minister aware that this bridge will be constructed under the Acrow Bridge project? If so, and since the bridges are in the country, when is the bridge going to be constructed?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, the bridge will be done as soon as the contractor is engaged.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

SIOMA COMMUNICATION TOWERS CONSTRUCTION

 

129. Ms Subulwa (Sioma) asked the Minister of Transport and Communication:

 

1. when the construction of communication towers in the following areas in Sioma Parliamentary Constituency will commence:

 

1. Luhoto;
2. Sinjembela;
3. Lyabangu;
4. Kabula; and
5. Kaanja;

 

     b. what has caused the delay in commencing the project;

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

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

 

The Minister of Higher Education (Dr Mushimba) (on behalf of the Minister of Transport and Communication (Mr Kafwaya)): Mr Speaker, the construction of communication towers at Luhoto and Sinjembela has been completed and the towers are expected to be on air by the end second quarter of 2020. However, construction of communication towers in Lyabangu and Kabula will only be considered in future projects as these areas have not been planned for in Phase II of this project. The Government takes cognisance of the importance of communication and as such, has undertaken surveys to ascertain coverage requirements in these areas. Similarly, the Government is looking into improving the network coverage of the already existing communication tower at Kaanja.

 

Mr Speaker, the delay has been due to various challenges, which include construction of upstream communication towers which will provide transmission to the communication towers at Sinjembela and Luhoto and transportation of heavy equipment to the sites due to the sandy terrain.

 

Sir, the total cost of the construction of communication towers in Phase II countrywide is US$280 million.

 

Mr Speaker, the project is expected to be completed by the end of the fourth quarter of 2020.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Ms Subulwa: Mr Speaker, I know my question has taken a bit of time to be put on the Order Paper and I am aware that the communication towers in Luhoto and Sinjembela have already been completed. Therefore, I would like to know why we would wait until the second quarter of 2020 for network connectivity.

 

Dr Mushimba: Mr Speaker, the technical aspect to that question is what causes the delays. You can finish constructing a tower, but that tower has to be connected. That is why we said if the upstream is not yet done and we do not have the connection and the signals to that upstream where we connect, we will delay the connecting and putting on air of these towers. Therefore, when we say we are going to finish by this quarter, then we know that we are going to run the cables to where we tap or where we connect these new towers. We should be able to do that by the end of this quarter.

 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Muchima: Mr Speaker, I am wondering because in the same Sioma District, some areas are in a different phase than others. Therefore, how is that working? I remember that all hon. Members of Parliament made submissions of certain points which could have been dealt with. Is the ministry carrying out a review of the whole master plan or there is a different methodology that is being applied to construct these towers?

 

Dr Mushimba: Mr Speaker, if I understood the question correctly, the hon. Member is asking about the different phases of construction, such as why certain towers are ahead of others and why others are on air, while others have not gotten on air. I think the simple answer is that when we started this project, we looked at the existing infrastructure, quick wins and where connectivity was easier because the backbones were already there. We also looked at the urgency in the clusters of schools, hospitals and health centres. Many parameters were looked into. Based on that, it drove the priority based on how we have been rolling this out. However, we are committed to putting up and connect all the towers that have been planned for in phase II before the end of the year. So, some may have delayed, but certainly, before we finish the project, all of them will be up and running.

 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Siwale: Mr Speaker, when is the ministry is going to start the project of erecting communication towers in Sioma and other areas like Mafinga under phase II?

 

Dr Mushimba: Mr Speaker, sticking to the question on the Order Paper, I mentioned that the towers in Sinjembela, Sitoti, Mutomena, Mulele and Namatoya are on air, while Sinjembela, Luhoto and Nangweshi are the ones that are yet to get on air. We are just waiting to connect them to the backbone by the end of the quarter.

 

Mr Speaker: You did well to restrict yourself to Sioma.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Subulwa: Mr Speaker, regarding the Kanja tower, I would like to inform the hon. Minister that we have a short tower which has no network. Moreover, that is where our Senior Chief Lukama is and you can imagine the entire palace and all the people in Kanja have difficulties in communicating because the tower that is there is short. I do not know whether there is any measure that the ministry intends to put in place to ensure that network coverage improves in the area.

 

Lastly, I would want to know why Silyabangu and Kabula are not in phase II because surveyors were in Sioma and they engaged our staff from the constituency office to go and survey the area. The two places were in phase II but how come today the hon. Minister is telling me that they are not in phase II? Can he please clarify this issue?

 

Dr Mushimba: Mr Speaker, there are several questions in that one question and we will try to unpack them. Kanja has a tower that was constructed in phase I. As we know, phase I had shorter towers that were largely done in the chiefdoms. It is from lessons we learnt in phase I that we improved on the towers that we offer in phase II. Furthermore, the notes that I have here are that we have plans to relook at improving the network coverage for Kanja. Once we do that, then the challenges that the hon. Member is referring to in terms of connectivity will be addressed. Therefore, it has been noted and we have plans to look into improving the network coverage for the Kanja tower.

 

Sir, as for Lyabangu and Kabula, the surveys that we carry out do not necessarily mean that all the works we identify are going to be done in phase II. We have continued to map the land for the network coverage to enable us plan for the last phase or the last mile in terms of network connectivity. Therefore, that is why you may have seen some works being done or people surveying Lyabangu and Kabula. However, the two sites have not been accounted for in the works that we have to do now in phase II. Nonetheless, we have taken note of the need to do the two and that is why I have said that in the future plans or future erections of towers, those two sites will be taken into account.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

CASHEW INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

 

130.  Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Agriculture:

 

1. how many farmers were listed under the Cashew Infrastructure Development Project in the Western Province as of July, 2019;
2. what assistance, if any, the Government avails to the farmers under the project;
3. how many cashew plants there were under the project as of  March, 2019;
4. what challenges the Government is encountering in implementing the project; and
5. how many agriculture extension officers are working on the project.

 

 Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, there were 15,000 farmers listed under the Cashew Infrastructure Development Project in the Western Province as at July, 2019. The Government is assisting the farmers in training in cashew production and processing, providing the farmers with good quality planting materials and construction of infrastructure for cashew bulking and salting.

 

Sir, as at March, 2019, there were 943,000 cashew plants under the project. The project is facing some challenges in its implementation and these include poor local seedlings. As a result, high quality polyclonal seedlings have been imported. There are also delays in contract execution by some contractors, especially local contractors, for infrastructure such as office blocks and houses at the Simulumbe Research Station in Mongu. There are 164 agriculture extension officers working under the project.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, this is the second time that a cashew nut project is being implemented. There is a question which is making the members of the community not to be very proactive towards the project. What has the Government put in place to enable farmers to continue to find a market for the nuts once they have been harvested? What measures has the Government put in place to secure a market for the cashew nuts?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, the Government will construct the cashew bulking and sorting centres so that farmers in those ten districts where this project is being implemented will be able to sell. The traders who will be buying the cashew nuts will also be buying from the bulking centres. So, there is this assurance from the Government that our targeted 60,000 farmers who are to benefit from the project will be able to sell to traders in these bulking centres.

 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, I would like to tag on the question that was raised by the hon. Member for Kalabo Central. We are aware that when a project like this has been started by the Government, it does not succeed unless the Government also becomes a major player in the marketing of the product. Can the hon. Minister assure the people of the Western Province that in the event that the private sector is not available to buy the cashew nuts, the Government will buy the product and resell to other would-be purchasers in other countries?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, it is also a priority of the Government that it should be the main buyer like it is with other crop commodities that it buys through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). So, the Government will look into the issue of providing a ready market for the cashew producers in the Western Province.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, the cashew value chain in the Western Province is one of the biggest investments that this Patriotic Front (PF) Government has supported. At one point, there were private players within the value chain that were supplying seedlings to the cashew producers in the Western Province. These seedlings have been discarded or disallowed. What are the underlying reasons for the Government opting to import seedlings instead of getting them from the local private participant?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, let me indicate that the Government did not contract private seedling suppliers in the project. The tender was not awarded to private seedling suppliers. The Government could not have ascertained the quality of the parent materials and this could have resulted in the project supplying poor quality seedlings to farmers. So, the project did not contract the private seedling suppliers.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Malama: Mr Speaker, in the hon. Minister’s policy statement during the Motion of Supply, he stated that one of the key challenges is poor functioning agricultural markets. In this light, will the cashew nuts from our producers be protected against the ones that are being imported from outside the country such as from down south? Will our producers be prioritised and assured of a market?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, I just responded to the question by the Leader of the Opposition that the Government has to be the main buyer of the cashew nuts in the province. This is the assurance. I said that in trying to assist the cashew nut producers in the Western Province, the Government has created bulking or sorting centres for the farmers to sell the cashew nuts within those areas. The private traders or buyers will also be able to buy from these farmers with the Government providing oversight.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central):  Mr Speaker, obviously, the hon. Minister understands, like I do, that the cashew industry is very delicate. It is so because cashew nuts are a very high value crop and their consumers are top society people. You do not get people from our level of society eating cashew nuts every day. There are cartels world over even on the international market. So, as a way of protecting this investment, why has the Government not adopted the attitude of “charity begins at home” by first of all ensuring that chain stores like Shoprite Zambia and Game Stores do not import cashew nuts so that the cashew nuts from the Western Province have a guaranteed market from these chain shops? I know for a fact that they have been refusing to buy cashew products directly from farmers. Even Shoprite Supermarket in Mongu does not buy directly from producers in Mongu.

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, the Government policy is to promote the local market. Thus, we will link the cashew farmers to the market. Of course, the provincial administration charged with the responsibility of running the project will look into these recommendations that farmers should have ready market there and then.

 

Sir, the Government will play a key role by providing a market for our farmers. This is why you have seen the Government working together with the African Development Bank (AfDB) has targeted 60,000 farmers in ten districts. So, it is not a mini-project, but a gold mine for the province.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government will look into the solutions and provide a ready market. Even if it is a liberalised market, we will look into the issues of a ready market by the private players within the province where farmers could be supplying cashew nuts.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, the question from the hon. Member alluded to the restrictions on importation.

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, I indicated that it is a liberal market and we cannot make restrictions. Of course, the chain stores that we have are committed to buying local products. So, we will be able to engage these chain stores to be ready to buy good quality cashew nuts that will be produced by farmers in the province.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that there are 164 extension workers attached to the cashew nut project. What is the distribution of these 164 officers? Is the hon. Minister able to give the number of extension officers per district so that we know how many of these are for Kalabo and so on because we do not know them?

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, are you able?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, I could provide the distribution list for the 164 extension staff that we have in the Western Province and the number of extension staff in Kalabo District and other districts.

 

 Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Speaker: I will take the last question from the hon. Member for Liuwa.

 

Dr Musokotwane: Sir, the cashew nut project has been a big investment in the Western Province, and it costs a lot of money. In the hon. Minister’s assessment, is this project on target in terms of the objectives for which it was set in as far as assisting the people of the Western Province to get out of poverty?

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, I wish to affirm that the project is on target. As I said in my response that as at March 2019, there were 943,000 cashew nut plants under the project. We are targeting 6 million plants in the next season and we have already planted about 3 million plants. So, the project is on target. We are on course and we will manage the project.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker: Do you want to add something?

 

Mr Katambo: Yes, Sir.

 

The Chairperson for the Committee on Agriculture, Lands and Natural Resources asked why we did not award the contract to supply cashew nut seedlings to local nursery suppliers. It is because we could not ascertain the quality of polyclonal materials. This is why it is important for farmers to plant good quality seedlings as recommended by the technical advisers to the project.

 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

BOREHOLE LEVY SUSPENSION

 

131. Mr Michelo (Bweengwa) asked the Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to suspend the borehole levy in all provinces which were affected by drought in the 2018/2019 Rainy Season;
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented;
3. how long the suspension will be in force; and
4. if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection (Dr Wanchinga): Mr Speaker, the Government has no intention to suspend the one-off borehole registration fee of K250 in the provinces which were affected by the drought in the 1018/2019 Rainy Season. However, the Government has been implementing a waiver of borehole registration fee for boreholes provided to communities in line with the Statutory Instrument which was put in place.

 

Sir, the Government has no plans to suspend the borehole levy arising from above. This is because through borehole registration, the Government regulates the drilling of boreholes and safeguards the interest of the people by ensuring sustainable use of water resources in order to prevent depletion of water resources. Let me also add that the 2018/2019 scenario in terms of the rainy season may not be exactly the same in 2019/2020 and the succeeding year. The borehole registration fee is a one-off payment, and the service will continue to be rendered because some of the boreholes which did not have enough water in the 2018/2019 season may have recharged even above the expectations of the owners of the boreholes.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Michelo: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister in a position to tell us how many boreholes are there in the country? How much money have we realised as a country from borehole fees and what has the money been used for?

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, let me start by answering the last part as to how the money is used. The money is used to assist the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) in its operations in ensuring that water as a resource is properly conserved. The primary purpose of the money is to help the overhead costs of undertaking those duties. It is similar to the way we pay a small fee when we enter the national parks. Basically, the money is collected to ensure that the Department of National Parks & Wildlife (DNPW) is able to maintain the services required by ensuring that our wildlife is properly maintained. 

 

Sir, in terms of the number of boreholes in the country, the figures can be given at a later date because we are still in the process consolidating the information through the registration exercise. For example in Lusaka Province alone, we have engaged 110 interns to carry out the exercise. So far, over 4,000 boreholes have been registered in Lusaka alone. This number will be consolidated once the exercise has been completed as it is being undertaken in the first phase of the operation.

 

 I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, when the levy for boreholes was first introduced, many of us told the Government then that this was just a roundabout way of introducing a tax for sinking boreholes. However, it said that the money that was going to be collected would be utilised to help the people who sink boreholes with various services. Could the hon. Minister mention what services the ministry has rendered to the people who sink boreholes since the borehole fee was introduced?

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, that is a good question from the hon. Member because it provides an opportunity to give further clarification on the K250 registration fee for a borehole. I did give an example that when one enters a national park, he/she will pay an entry fee to assist the wildlife department. Now, there are toll gates where we pay toll fees to assist the road sector to maintain the road infrastructure.  

 

    Therefore, the borehole levy which is paid to the WARMA is used for the same reasons. It is not a tax. Infact, this levy is better than any other levy because it is a one-off payment in the life of that borehole.

 

Mr Speaker, there are many services that accrue as a result of this one-off payment. When a person wants to drill a borehole, they can call upon WARMA to see whether the driller has done a good job, for instance, in terms of whether the borehole has been properly cased or whether the pipes have been put and various safeguards are in place. So, WARMA is supposed to provide advice on various issues that are supposed to be considered before drilling a borehole. Those who want to drill a borehole register with WARMA and are advised on certain issues such as the distance for certain infrastructure, like chicken runs and sceptic tanks from the borehole. Further, WARMA officers also visit the locations of the boreholes as a matter of routine to sample the water, especially when it gets reports that the area is contaminated. They get samples from boreholes to analyse and see the level of faecal forms and whatever is contaminating the water.

 

Mr Speaker, these are the kind of services which are given by WARMA as a result of this fee. This fee supports WARMA to move around and meet other operational costs to provide these services to people who have registered their boreholes.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, I am aware that we passed a law on the Floor of this House which requires that all fees, charges and levies that are collected by quasi-Government institutions or Government departments to remit the money to Control 99. Is the hon. Minister informing us now that WARMA is an exception and does not send the levy or tax it collects to the Ministry of Finance through Control 99?

 

 Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, I will find out how this money routes itself through Control 99 and back to WARMA. I am not saying it is an exception.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Laughter

 

Interruptions  

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Minister, I did not get your answer. What is your answer?

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member wants to find out whether that money is remitted to Control 99 or WARMA uses it after collections. I will find out and report back to the House how that money routes itself to Control 99 and comes back to WARMA.

 

 Mr Speaker, I thank you

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: Very well. On a serious note, I think you should simply say you are not able to respond now. Is that the correct position?

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, I will get back to the House when I find out how that money is handled by WARMA. However, the undertaking in the Statutory Instrument was that WARMA would use that money to provide various services.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Michelo: Mr Speaker, the people of Bweengwa and I feel that this borehole levy is a punitive measure imposed on the people of Zambia. Were the Zambian people consulted when this law was passed? Did they agree that this law should be enforced for the Government to start charging them all these levies?

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, I can confirm that there were wide consultations with various stakeholders. There were provincial workshops on this issue. When I was moved to this ministry, the first thing I did was to attend one of these workshops in Livingstone which was organised for farmers and other people. There was wide consultation on the matter. Maybe the hon. Member for Bweengwa did not participate for one reason or the other, or maybe he was not aware of these workshops. However, consultations were made in the provinces.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mwiinga (Chikankata): Mr Speaker, does the hon. Minister not think the K250 is too much for people to remit it to the ministry.

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, we are not talking about community boreholes because they are exempted from this levy. The people who drill boreholes are those who are able to spend K20,000 to K40,000 on drilling and equipping a borehole. Therefore, K250 is a small amount which can even be raised on the Floor of this House.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Ms Kasune: Mr Speaker, given that the borehole levy was introduced and people have been paying, how much money has been raised from this levy and what has it been utilised for?

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, this question relates to the issue of Control 99. I do not have the exact figure of the amount that has been raised through this borehole registration.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Speaker: The last question will be from the hon. Member for Katuba.

 

Mr Kapalasa (Katuba): Mr Speaker, for me to drill a borehole, it will cost me about K15,000 and on top of that, I have to pay the K250 levy. How much levy does the driller pay to the Government from the K15,000?

 

Dr Wanchinga: Mr Speaker, Parliament passed a Statutory Instruments No. 18, 19 and 20. Statutory Instrument No. 18 relates to borehole registration and No. 29 relates to the control of drillers. The drillers have their own charges which they have to pay. When an individual wants a number of boreholes to be drilled on his/her land, K250 should be paid to WARMA. There are separate charges that relate to the drillers. The K250 levy has been over-dramatised. It is a very small amount. If somebody is ready to pay K15000 to K20000 to drill a borehole, K250 on top of that amount is a very small amount. I am sure the hon. Member must have bought a round for more than K250 in a single night.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

 

ADOLESCENT GIRLS SAFE HOMES

 

132. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Gender:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to establish safe homes for vulnerable adolescent girls countrywide;
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
3. if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Gender (Ms Phiri): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to establish safe homes specifically for –

 

 Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1810 hours until 1830 hours.

 

  [MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was in the process of responding to the question posed by Hon. Miyutu.

 

Sir, the Government has got plans to establish safe homes specifically for the vulnerable adolescent girls, countrywide. Safe homes are intended to be used by adolescent girls, especially in rural areas where girls walk long distances to access education.

 

The Government is currently engaging co-operating partners and other stakeholders to see how the establishment of the safe homes could be financed.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that the Government is negotiating with co-operating partners concerning this matter. Has the Government constructed safe homes anywhere across the country using public resources? 

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, as you are aware, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is a caring Government.

 

Mr Miyutu: Question!

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Phiri: It is the only Government that has shown the political will of caring for everybody and leaving no one behind.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, fifty years down the line, no Government has ever cared for the girl-child like the PF Government has done. The Government is sponsoring girls in schools and also retrieving them from marriages so that they go back to school. These are girls that had no hope. Therefore, in responding to the hon. Member’s question, I would like to inform him that through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare, the Government has a safe home in Chongwe.

 

 I thank you, Sir.

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, just to make the hon. Minister understand that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government is uncaring, as she leaves this House this evening, let her drive to Kamwala junction –

 

Dr Malama: What is your question?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: I am making a preamble to my question.

 

Mr Speaker, if the hon. Minister goes to Kamwala, she will find a lot of adolescent young girls at the traffic lights.

 

Mr Samakayi: Even at Manda Hill!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Yes, even at Manda Hill.

 

Sir, we are sitting on a time bomb if this particular issue is not addressed. If the Government is caring, what particular programme does it have for those adolescent girls who are found on the streets of Lusaka?

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, I have already alluded to the fact that the PF is a caring Government. Those girls are always collected from the streets but they go back.

 

Mr Sir, we should not forget that the population during the United National Independence Party (UNIP) and Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) was small but now it has increased. Some girls are being taken care of in these homes and those who really want to reform are given that opportunity to do so. Some girls come from the homes within the communities in Lusaka and they have taken that as a business venture. Some of them are not genuine vulnerable children and they have taken it as a business.

 

Mr Speaker, for sure, if there is a Government that has ever cared for the girl-child, it is the PF Government. People should show me which Government has ever withdrawn a child from marriage, sent her back to school and even paid for that child for her to become a better person. Nowadays, we have graduates from the University of Zambia (UNZA), but they are not doing anything. Those who watch television can bear witness that there was somebody who was testifying during the sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence week. We have testimonies.

 

Sir, we also have the Girls' Education and Women's Empowerment and Livelihood (GEWEL) Project that we are doing. In most of the constituencies of your hon. Members, this is happening and they can testify. If they do not want to speak about it, it may be because they are not being truthful. The truth is that in some of the constituencies, the Government is taking care of the education of the children of people who are on the Social Cash Transfer Scheme.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Ms Kasune: Mr Speaker, I think the question at hand is about safe homes for vulnerable children. If I remember correctly, when the hon. Minister brought the budget for her ministry, it was underfunded as it relates to last year and hence the challenge of safe homes. She did bring a plan of the many safe homes that will be built for these vulnerable children in Zambia, but that has not been actualised yet. So, can the hon. Minister tell us how many safe homes have been built since and how many are remaining countrywide?

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, in my earlier response, I was categorical that we are establishing a relationship with our co-operating partners to come up with these safe homes. The Government of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has many friends.

 

Interruptions

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, this Government has been working very well with its co-operating partners. We have a programme which is looking at how we are going to establish these safe homes. For now, it can be premature for me to say that we have this and that. To answer the question by my sister, I want to say that in Luapula, there are some safe homes. The Government –

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Just refer to her as the hon. Member for Keembe.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the hon. Member for Keembe, who is my sister, …

 

Laughter

 

Ms Phiri: … that in Luapula Province, we have some safe homes which the Government of the Republic of Zambia, working with the co-operating partners, has built. I have just said that in Chongwe, we have a safe home which has been constructed under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare.

 

Sir, we are a caring Government. If previous Governments were as caring as the PF, this time we would not have been asked about safe homes. Previous Governments such as UNIP and MMD would have left some of these safe homes. Actually, the former hon. Minister of Finance is here.

 

Interruptions

 

Ms Phiri: He would have financed some, but because the Government under which he served did not care, we took over the problem as the PF. At least we have somewhere to point. If they go to Luapula and Chongwe, they will find safe homes which we have established. The reason we have a heavy load on us as the PF Government is because of the uncaring Governments which we have had before.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Minister, the question is very specific and I would urge you even for the other questions which will be put to you, to please just be specific. The question was: How many such homes have been established, meaning the number, and secondly, how many more do you intend to set up?

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, I think that is a new question.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Phiri: For numbers, I need to come back to the House with the number because what I know is that the Government in the process of doing that. We have three already established safe homes in Luapula Province, the Northern Province and in Chongwe.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker: How many to go?

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, I said that we are still talking with our co-operating partners and it will be dependent on how many they will be ready to finance.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Malama: Mr Speaker, I want to totally agree with the hon. Minister as I ask my question that this is a non-partisan issue. Indeed, it is an important issue even as Zambia domesticates the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child. Would the hon. Minister be able to come back to this House and tell us the number of safe homes upon consultation with the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development and the co-operating partners? It is very important to move children from a hostile environment where they are emotionally and physically abused to homes where they will find refuge? Would she be able to come back to this House and give comfort, not only to this House, but to the nation on how our children in the face of harm are being looked after?

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, yes, I will come back to this House knowing that we are working as a cluster. Children are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development. I cannot promise when because we are yet to conclude with our co-operating partners who are financing this project. So, I will bring those details as soon as we conclude with our co-operating partners.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Ms Katuta (Chienge): Mr Speaker, I have seen that this is all about planning. Does the plan for this project include some kind of training for these vulnerable girls when they are put in these safe homes, like the Tansinta Programme, where the girls would be kept busy? So, I just want to know whether that has been included in that plan.

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, yes, this is why we are looking at how we can improve their lives even when we provide them with safe homes. One of the programmes that we are considering to put in place is skills training for the girls who will be identified. Most of these are those who are being taken to school by the Government. We are not just going to keep them in the house while they do nothing. We will consider improving their lives even as we give them a safe home.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, I think the hon. Minister is trying to derail me. I was the questioner of this question –

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Kalabo Central, I do not think it is fair to say that.

 

Dr Malama: Correct!

 

Mr Speaker: You cannot say that she is trying to derail you. I think you are imputing a motive which you cannot establish, categorically. Whatever it is, if there is any doubt or you want to clarify something, just get to the point. I doubt if she would want to derail you. What for? What is your question?

 

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, my question was on safe homes. A safe home is different from a school. The hon. Minister knows that a safe home is a home where the victims and vulnerable children are kept. It is not a school.

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, this is a very simple thing. You clarify. Ask a clarification question.

                                                                                     

Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, thank you.

 

 The hon. Minister talked about the caring of children, especially in rural areas. She mentioned Luapula Province and Chongwe. Vulnerability is increasing. We are in need of these safe homes. Those children who are being victimised and defiled need to be kept in these homes. The hon. Minister said that there are negotiations with co-operating partners about this issue. Why can the Government not use its own resources to do this rather than wait for co-operating partners to address this challenge of vulnerability?

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, the Government is already working with co-operating partners. For instance, the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) has safe homes where we take people who are abused. We have quite a number of co-operating partners. It does not mean that when you eat food that you have begged from a neighbour, you will not be satisfied because it will be different from the food that you buy. 

 

Laughter

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, we take children to safe homes such as those by the YWCA. A safe home built by a co-operating partner is still a safe home. It will not change just because the Government has not built it. As these homes are being established, there may be certain conditions that the safe homes should be financed by both the Government and co-operating partners. It will depend on how we are going to conclude our negotiations. I think people need to give praise where it is due. The Patriotic Front (PF) Government is trying its best. If we are relating with people well, and we are managing to get some help from our co-operating partners, it means we are doing well. If a mother begs and her children eat, she is a good mother.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, I appreciate and acknowledge the jobs which are well done by those entrusted to run offices. Just for the record, the “trying” by the hon. Minister is not good enough. This is because the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government under the able leadership of its hon. Minister then, the current First Deputy Speaker, was able to remove children from the streets. The hon. Minister of Gender can check the records. So, her trying is not good enough and she should not praise herself too much. She should work extra hard. Is the hon. Minister able to give us a list of safe homes in the country so that we know the gap and where to take the affected children for safekeeping? Like the hon. Member for Monze said, there are children on the street who are have babies. 

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, I think that is a different question which needs me to go back to the ministry and bring the correct record. Let me take this opportunity to inform hon. Members that t this issue of the children on the streets has been directed to the wrong ministry. My ministry deals with mothers. Children are under the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development. So, the hon. Member should file a question to the correct ministry.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Samakayi: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister compared the performance of the PF Government to that of the United National Independence Party (UNIP) and the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government. Could the hon. Minister inform the hon. Members and the nation the number of vulnerable adolescent girls that this Government is managing so that we can praise her?

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, I think that is a different question. The hon. Member should file a question.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Phiri: If he wanted the number, he would have filed in a question for me to bring the numbers here. This question is about safe homes and not the number of vulnerable adolescent girls.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, in nearly every response, the hon. Minister has clearly indicated that the Government is negotiating with co-operating partners and friends on this issue. Who are these friends and co-operating partners?

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, the PF Government has several co-operating partners. If the hon. Member wants to know who they are, let him give me a written question.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

  Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, we are in problems. We have to bring many written questions. The hon. Minister said that this entire programme is driven by co-operating partners. Obviously, when she talks about co-operating partners who are driving this programme, she must know one or two of them. Could she kindly mention just one co-operating partner who is assisting in the programme of putting up the safe homes?

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, I am worried about my hon. Colleagues. We are in discussions with our co-operating partners and, therefore, I think it is not wise for me to start mentioning some of them. There are people who help silently. When things happen and things materialise, I will be able to inform the hon. Members who the co-operating partners we dealt with are. How can I pre-empt what we are now doing?

 

Mr Livune: Seer 1!

 

Ms Mulenga: Seer 1 ni yama wenu!

 

Laughter

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, your hon. Members are not being fair to me as the hon. Minister. 

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: The last question will be from the hon. Member for Mufumbwe.

 

Mr Kamondo (Mufumbwe): Mr Speaker, I will be very fair with the hon. Minister. She mentioned the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) who is helping the Government in looking after the street children. Who are the other partners apart from the YWCA?

 

Ms Phiri: Mr Speaker, the YWCA is one of them. I also mentioned that there are other orphanages where we take children, like Cheshire Homes. You know that Catholics are so dedicated to looking after children. For example, they have Kasisi Orphanage, and there are so many such facilities. There is also the Centre of Excellence which is at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), to mention but a few.

 

Interruptions

 

Ms Phiri: There are people who volunteer to look after the children. I think I have answered the question. The hon. Member wanted me to name just one organisation but I have given him more than one.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: I acknowledge your generosity.

 

Laughter

 

KASAMA/MANSA ROAD BRIDGES REHABILITATION

 

133. Mr Munkonge (Lukashya) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:

 

1. Whether the Government has any plans to rehabilitate the Lukulu and other bridges on the Kasama/Mansa Road, which are on the verge of being washed away;
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
3. if there are no such plans, why.

 

Mr Munkonge: Mr Speaker, my question has been superceded by events. Therefore, I withdraw it.

 

Question put and agreed to. Leave granted.

 

Question, by leave, accordingly withdrawn.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Very well.

 

MUMBWA DISTRICT AGRICULTURE COMPOUND HOUSES SALE

 

134. Mr Nanjuwa (Mumbwa) asked the Minister of Works and Supply:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to sell the houses in Agriculture Compound in Mumbwa District to the sitting tenants;
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented;
3. what has caused the delay in implementing the plans; and
4. if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Works and Supply (Ms Chalikosa): Mr Speaker, the Government of the Republic of Zambia does not have any immediate plans to dispose of the houses to the sitting tenants in Agriculture Compound in Mumbwa District.

 

Sir, implementation does not apply as there are no plans to dispose of the institutional houses.

 

Mr Speaker, as indicated in my answer to part (b), this does not apply.

 

Sir, the Ministry of Works and Supply does not initiate the sale of institutional houses but only processes disposal of houses that have been duly declassified for sale by the host institutions.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Nanjuwa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister will recall that there were discussions concerning these houses and offers were given to the sitting tenants through the Ministry of Agriculture. Has that programme been cancelled? Is she saying that there are no plans to sell the houses? What is the status quo of that discussion?

 

Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Works and Supply has not received any correspondence authorising the sale of any of the houses from the Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Agriculture. So, as far as we know, there are no such plans.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Kamondo (Mufumbwe): Mr Speaker, most of these institutional houses like the ones in Mumbwa and other parts of the country are in a deplorable state. Is the Government thinking of renovating them?

 

Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, one of the things that the Ministry of Works and Supply is doing is to work on the asset management policy, which will also look at disposal of assets in terms of public infrastructure. So, it is an issue that will be looked at and it has certain conditions which need to be identified before we can come up with a decision to sell. Like I said, the process is not initiated by the Ministry of Works and Supply. It is the host ministries or institutions that decide that they do not need these houses and then they write to the PS at the Ministry of Works and Supply to indicate if they wish to sell.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Nanjuwa: Mr Speaker, those properties are in a bad state. Right now, it is the tenants who are maintaining them out of their own resources. In an event that the ministry wants to auction those properties, is the hon. Minister assuring us that the sitting tenants will be given the priority to buy the properties?

 

Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, we do have a circular that stipulates the procedure to follow in the event that a decision is made to sell the houses. The conditions that are laid out in that circular will be followed. As at now, I know that there are fifteen houses in this Agriculture Compound. The Ministry of Agriculture should be in the lead on this issue. I am not able to give an assurance as the hon. Minister of Works and Supply that we will give the offers because we are not the initiating ministry.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, many of the houses that are being referred to are dilapidated and some do not have tenants. How should they be managed in the interim before the policy is declared because they are losing value every day? Can the hon. Minister guide on how these houses must be looked after? Who should take responsibility of these houses? In some cases, the houses are being vandalised and bats are even producing the young in those same houses.

 

Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, I think the onus is on the owners of those houses and that is, the institutions that own them. They have the responsibility ensure that they provide security to protect those houses from being vandalised. That is the starting point. As we look at the asset management policy, we will look at the cost of maintaining properties because for a long time, many Government properties have not been maintained regularly. There are many properties that are in a state of disrepair. The onus is on the institutions that own those properties to lead in terms of securing them.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Kambita: Mr Speaker, I have noticed that there is dilapidated infrastructure belonging to institutions or ministries in most districts. Just like Mumbwa, the Farmers Training Institute in Zambezi is dilapidated. The Ministry of Works and Supply, being responsible for maintenance of Government infrastructure, what plans does it have in place to ensure that this infrastructure still remains a Government property which is maintained and utilised for the purpose it was intended or be disposed of? We need to know the status of these properties so that this infrastructure does not go to waste as the status quo is right now?

 

Ms Chalikosa: Mr Speaker, one of the programmes that the Ministry of Works and Supply is looking at is the redevelopment of wasting an idle assets, which basically means that we are inviting the private sector to partner with the Government to refurbish Government properties with a view to leasing part of them so that the whole project becomes self financing and a win-win situation. That is one of the major measures that the Government has put in place. We are yet to implement this programme. However, in the few weeks to come, we will be sending out more invitations to the general public who may be interested in real estate development to help with the redevelopment of idle and wasting assets such as what the hon. Member has just asked about.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

VUBWI DISTRICT BUS STATION/MARKET CONSTRUCTION

 

135.  Mr W. Banda (on behalf of Ms Miti (Vubwi)) asked the Minister of Local Government:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to construct the following in Vubwi District:

 

1. a bus station; and
2. a modern market;;
3. b. if so, when the plans will be implemented;

          c. where the structures will be located;

         d. what the cost of each project is; and

          e. if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources (Ms Kapata) (on behalf of the Minister of Local Government (Dr Banda)): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to construct a modern market and bus station infrastructure in Vubwi District. The time frame to undertake the projects will be determined only when funds are available. The land will be allocated in consultation with Vubwi Town Council when funds are available and the total cost of the project will only be established when project designs are in place. The Government has plans to undertake this project and, therefore, part (e) of the question is not applicable.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, as I earlier said, the only answer by the Government is “when funds are available.” Where are the funds and where is the beef?

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Lufuma: Sir, has the hon. Minister has an indication, at all, from the Treasury as to when she should expect some trickles of money to implement this programme? Has she got any idea as to when she will get any money from the Treasury?

 

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, the Treasury has the money, but the Government has priority areas. Money is being diverted to priority areas and when there is excess money, these projects will be done. However, for now, there are no funds to do that project because it is not a priority.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr S. Banda (Kasenengwa) Mr Speaker, it is common knowledge that there are a number of new districts in the Eastern Province like Vubwi. Are there any plans for other new districts in the Eastern Province to have bus stations and markets set up?

 

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, yes, the Government has plans to set up bus stops as well as modern markets in new districts because it is part of the plan. Not only those two infrastructures, but the Government has constructed many others in new districts such as council buildings, administration blocks, hospitals and many more. The construction of infrastructure in new districts is an ongoing project. Therefore, the construction of modern markets and bus stations will also be taken on board.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, as regards the planning aspect, was this market and bus station which is being referred to in Vubwi planned for and is it part of the Budget for the 2020 fiscal year, which was passed in December last year?

 

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, in my answer to part (e) of the question, I said plans were available. Therefore, the question is not applicable.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

LIBONDA SECONDARY SCHOOL COMPLETION

 

136.  Dr Musokotwane asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to complete the construction of the Libonda Secondary School in Liuwa Parliamentary Constituency;
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented;
3. if there are no such plans, why; and
4. what the way forward for the infrastructure already constructed at the school is.

 

Prof. Luo (on behalf of Mr Mwale): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to complete the construction of Libonda Secondary School in Liuwa Parliamentary Constituency.

 

The completion of the construction of Libonda Secondary School in Liuwa Parliamentary Constituency is subject to availability of funds.

 

As indicated at (a), the Government has plans to complete the secondary school.

 

Sir, the way forward for the infrastructure already constructed at the school is subject to the assessment by the Ministry of General Education on whether it can be utilised based on prescribed standards set by the ministry and the local needs.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, this school is at about 65 per cent to 70 per cent completion level and it was like that in 2011 when the Patriotic Front (PF) Government came into office. Since then, year after year, the Government has been promising that it is going to complete the school, but nothing happens. Every year, the story is given that the school is going to be completed and it is now almost nine years and nothing is happening. Could the hon. Minister specify exactly which year the Government is going to complete the school?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I have heard the lamentations of the hon. Member of Parliament. I can just confirm that the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) is committed to ensuring that this secondary school is completed. As an hon. Minister, I can only do an undertaking to confirm that the school will be completed.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, we have been assured on the Floor of this House that the Government is going to complete all projects that are at a certain stage and that includes those at 80 per cent and above, which this particular school is at. why is the Government not completing this particular school considering the undertaking made on the Floor of this House that no any other project was to be embarked on until all these other projects are completed?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, the statistics available to me is that Libonda Secondary School is at 50 per cent and not 85 per cent. However, because we value education as the Government, I want to assure the hon. Member of Parliament that we are committed to completing this school.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, commitment alone is not enough. Deeds should follow commitment. Since the Government is committed and has continued to be so for nine years, is there an allocation in the Budget which we just approved as a follow up to fulfil that commitment that has been talked about?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, since this House appropriates the Budget, we are aware that there was money that was allocated for infrastructure development for all the ministries that have infrastructure and the Ministry of General Education has a share of this Budget.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, the Government has issued instructions that buildings that are above a certain per centum of completion point will be worked on and these are projects which begun under its reign. However, there are those projects that rolled over from the previous Government such as Libonda Secondary School, which are at over 50 per cent completion point, where there is no commitment. I do not think I would agree that the Government is committed when it cannot complete a building in nine years. Surely, is the Government concerned about the value for money and the taxpayers’ money that has been wasted in this kind of situation?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, as I was watching the hon. Member of Parliament, given his weight, I was worried about him getting hypertension.

 

Interruptions

 

Prof. Luo: Let me be very clear and say that in Bemba, we say, “Mpyana ngo apyana nama bala.” This means that despite the project being rolled over from the previous team, it will not be abandoned because Government is Government. We are committed to completing the school, especially that we realise that Liuwa really needs education because of its geographical position. We want to commit and ensure that it is completed.

 

Mr Kambita: Ema tribalists aya!

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I also want to say that I do not want to be drawn into social media. I am above social media.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Ms Mulenga: Ba mano aba!

 

Mr Kambita: Which above?

 

Mr Kamondo (Mufumbwe): Mr Speaker, it has taken quite long to complete this school in Liuwa. Is the Government not considering involving other co-operating partners who can come in and complete it because it has taken too long? It seems the Government has no resources.

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, this assertion that the Government has no resources and the use of back door agendas to start saying things against the Government is not going to take us anywhere. Rome was not built in one day and we want to say that we are committed and will ensure that this school is completed.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, education starts from primary school and then proceeds to secondary school and tertiary education in that order. Even if we have the higher levels of education, meaning colleges and universities, the bottom line is that if the primary and secondary schools are not producing students, we have it wrong.

 

Sir, in the 2020 Budget, the Ministry of General Education and the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development provided some money, although I cannot remember the exact amount, for infrastructure for general education and for universities and colleges. Out of that amount, 70 per cent of what was budgeted for infrastructure is for the construction of the new university at the time when we already have three public universities and so many private universities. Would the hon. Minister like to consider making a supplementary request to the hon. Minister of Finance to withdraw the money which was budgeted for the new university and take it to lower levels of education such as Libonda High School? This school should be completed. We cannot have higher levels of education without taking care of the lower levels. Would she like to consider making that request for supplementary funding?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I think everybody knows that we first go to primary schools, secondary schools and then we get to tertiary institutions. That is how we all proceeded. I want to emphasise that we are committed to working on this particular secondary school. Further, we work as a team. No single hon. Minister can make a decision to re-programme the money. That has to be done through a discussion among the ministries of general education, higher education, and housing and infrastructure development. Therefore, I will not commit to that kind of discussion as a single hon. Minister.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

MWILWA/MOFWE LAGOON/MUNUNGA ROAD

 

137. Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to rehabilitate the Mwilwa/Mofwe Lagoons/Mununga Road;
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented;
3. what has caused the delay in rehabilitating the road considering that it is in a deplorable condition; and
4. when the rehabilitation of the Tabu Bridge on the Mwilwa/Mununga Road will commence.

 

Prof. Luo (on behalf of (Mr Mwale)): Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to rehabilitate the Mwila/Mofwe Lagoon/Mununga Road. The project will be implemented under the National Feeder Road Programme in the Northern Province once funds have been secured.

 

Sir, the rehabilitation of Tabu Bridge is part of the works on the Mwila/Mununga Road and will commence once the funds are available. The delay in rehabilitating the road is due to financial issues.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

MAFUTA BRIDGE REHABILITATION

 

138. Mr Miyanda asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:

 

1. when the rehabilitation of Mafuta Bridge in Mapatizya Parliamentary Constituency will commence;
2. what has caused the delay in commencing the project;
3. what the total cost of the project is; and
4. what the time frame for the completion of the project is.

 

Prof. Luo (on behalf of (Mr Mwale)): Mr Speaker, the rehabilitation of Mafuta Bridge in Mapatizya Parliamentary Constituency will be undertaken in the second quarter of 2020, subject to the availability of funds.

 

 Mr Speaker, commencement of the project has been delayed due to financial constraints. The total cost of the project is K3.1 million and the time frame for the completion of the project is four months from the date of commencement. This bridge will be constructed by force account, which means it will be constructed by the Road Development Agency (RDA).

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Kambita: Mr Speaker, I am aware that some bridges were acquired to be fixed on places where we have challenges. Apart from that bridge in Mapatizya, we have several other bridges including the bridge in Zambezi East called Makondu Bridge. We have heard that the challenge has been finances. The bridges which were acquired are ready-made bridges which are supposed to be fixed. When will the ministry going to fix those bridges? These bridges need to simply be fixed where they were planned to be fixed, going by the plan which was disseminated to us, as representatives of these areas where these bridges are supposed to be fixed.

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, even if the bridges are already made, fixing them requires the services of engineers, manpower and labour. It is not like they can be carried on the head and taken to be fixed. There are logistics involved in transporting those bridges. As I said, these bridges and the bridge in question will be constructed by the RDA. As soon as the RDA is ready, we will inform the hon. Member of Parliament for Mapatizya because this question was about the bridge in Mapatizya and not the one in Zambezi East.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Lufuma: Mr Speaker, in the previous question and answer, the hon. Minister said that there is a programme called the rural roads connectivity programme which was going to take care of the bridges in Kaputa. Is the Southern Province part and parcel of this rural roads connectivity programme? If it is, would the hon. Minister consider putting this bridge which is urgent under that programme because that programme has secured funds from the World Bank?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, the project in Kaputa will be implemented under the national feeder roads programme in the Northern Province once funds have been secured. So, I do not know why the hon. Member is saying that there is a programme in Kaputa. This notion of thinking that things are being done elsewhere and not in other places should come to an end because people will even start creating their own answers which were not there. In fact, the bridge in Mapatizya is even much more secure because it will be done what is called the force account under the RDA.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.  

 

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, this bridge got damaged around 2016 and where it sits, the river is heavily infested with crocodiles. So, the people are under serious risk. I just wish to get a serious commitment that this time around under the force account the bridge will be worked on so that the lives of the people in Mapatizya are preserved.

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, I wish I could climb on the rooftop to emphasise that this bridge is receiving attention and GRZ under the able leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, is committed.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! 

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Mr Miyanda: Mr Speaker, I am aware that the Southern Province, the Western Province and the Central Province did not benefit from the Acrow bridges that were recently imported. I am torn apart to be assured by the hon. Minister that the Government will only work on the Mafuta Bridge in the second quarter of 2020. Will the ministry construct a concrete bridge or is it one of the Acrow bridges which will be installed at the Mafuta Bridge in Mapatizya.

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, it is interesting that the hon. Member is aware that the Western Province, the Southern Province and the Central Province did not benefit from the Acrow bridges. However, the hon. Minister is not aware. What I know is that the Government is committed to sorting out bridges across the country.

 

Dr Malama: Correct!

 

Prof. Luo: Since this question was about Mapatizya, I want to read the response again so that we do not have any doubt. I did say that –

 

Interruptions

 

Prof. Luo: What did he say?

 

Mr Speaker, I said the work will be taken in the second quarter of 2020 and I think any hon. Member of Parliament having been assured would by this time be seated and not ask any more questions.

 

Mr Livune: Question!

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, let me also take advantage of a comment that was made by one of the hon. Members on your left. I think we need to respect each other.

 

Hon. Government Members: Correct!

 

Prof. Luo: If you want services from us on the right, and think that you can continue insulting us, I take great exception to that. When I leave this House, I would like the hon. Member of Parliament to account for his sentiments of saying, ‘useless’. Otherwise, I will write an official complaint to the Mr Speaker. We should stop this and stop it now!

 

I thank you, Sir. 

 

Interruptions

 

Hon. Member: Lubinda, Seer 1!

 

Ms Kasune: Mr Speaker, given that the Mafuta Bridge was washed away and knowing that this happens in many other areas, what measures has the ministry put in place to mitigate some of these impacts, so that the Government does not continue going back to putting money where it has already spent it?

 

Prof. Luo: Mr Speaker, in answering this question, I just want to remind the hon. Members of Parliament in this House that natural disasters are something that nobody is in control of. Even developed countries are suffering disasters. They are also having bridges and buildings coming down because of natural disasters. When His Excellency the President was here talking about climate change, people took it as a joke but now we are seeing the effects of climate change.

 

Sir, those of us who have been reading even know what has happened in the Amazon Region. Just a few days ago, there were hurricanes in the United Kingdom (UK) and everything was disrupted. What makes us think that because we are in the Opposition, it is the PF that is making these disasters a problem? Us, as the Government, are very concerned about even the disasters that are washing away our bridges, creating floods and even bringing down people’s houses.

 

So, the only mitigation measure that we need to put in place is for us to work together. It is for us to ensure that those who are cutting trees in our areas are stopped. Those who are using bad agricultural methods of stumping trees should stop it because we need to mitigate against climate change.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

NANGOMA POLICE POST MOTOR VEHICLE PROCUREMENT

 

139. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Home Affairs when a motor vehicle will be procured for Nangoma Police Post in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency to enhance its operations.

 

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the hon. Member for Nangoma –

 

Mr Lubinda: Actually, he has stopped being an MP.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, the Government is, indeed, aware of the transport problems the Zambia Police Service in Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency faces. However, the Government through my ministry has already procured some motor vehicles among other equipment for the Zambia Police Service through a government to government contract with the People’s Republic of China. The consignment of motor vehicles is expected to alleviate the transport problems in the Zambia Police Service as some vehicles will be allocated to needy areas such as Nangoma Police Post through Mumbwa District to service Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, how is the police operating in Nangoma without transport, knowing that they are supposed to cover long distances in Nangoma in totality?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the follow up question from the hon. Member of Parliament for Katombola. He may wish to know that Nangoma Parliamentary Constituency is under Mumbwa District. So, the police post which is in Nangoma is supervised by the Mumbwa police command. That is why I said that even the assistance this police post will get will be through Mumbwa District, which is responsible for that police post.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

_______

 

MOTION

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

_______

 

The House adjourned at 1944 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 14^th February, 2020.

 

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