Friday, 9th April, 2021

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Friday, 9th April, 2021

 

The House met at 0900 hours

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

_______

 

RULING BY MR SPEAKER

 

ON A POINT OF ORDER RAISED BY HON. A. CHITEME, MP, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING ON FRIDAY, 27TH NOVEMBER, 2020, AGAINST HON. J. J. MWIIMBU, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MONZE CENTRAL PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY, ON WHETHER HE WAS IN ORDER TO REFER TO THE PATRIOTIC FRONT PARTY MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FROM THE COPPERBELT AS CRIMINALS IN HIS DEBATE WITHOUT LAYING THE EVIDENCE ON THE TABLE OF THE HOUSE

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members will recall that on Friday, 27th November, 2020, when the House was considering the adoption of the Report of the Committee on Media, Information and Communication Technologies and Hon. T. S. Ngulube, Deputy Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Kabwe Central Parliamentary Constituency was on the Floor, Hon. A. Chiteme, Minister of National Development Planning raised the following point of order:

 

“Mr Speaker, I know that as hon. Members of Parliament, we are accorded privileges to rise on points of order, especially when we feel that there is a breach of the Standing Orders. In this case, I am referring to Standing Order No.53, which reads as follows:

 

“53. (1) A member shall, in debating any matter, ensure that the information he or she provides to the House is factual and verifiable.”

 

Mr Speaker, further, Chapter No. 3 of the 2006 National Assembly Members’ Handbook, at page 13, states as follows:

 

“Members must not allege specific matters of fact as being true unless they are able to substantiate them.”

 

Mr Speaker, in his contribution to the debate on Head 21 – Loans and Investments – K13,555,860,128, Hon. Mwiimbu called the hon. Members on your right thieves and criminals who have gone round acquiring buses and throwing around money to the people in their constituencies. The hon. First Deputy Speaker, who was the Chairperson of the Committee at that time restrained him. Firstly, she said, “I will not allow that. Withdraw your statement, on two accounts. Number one, because we do not debate ourselves. Secondly, he was told that he would be called upon to adduce evidence that they were, indeed, thieves that we were throwing around money recklessly and that were a party that has more money than the Government.

 

Mr Speaker, he was stopped and ordered to withdraw what he had said and given extra time in which to do that. He came back on the Floor and further said:

 

“Actually, I have substantial evidence that the hon. Members of Parliament for Chililabombwe and Nkana –

 

Hon. Member: Yourself?

 

Mr Chiteme: Speaker, yes, myself, thank you very much. He alleged that we are the ones who have stolen to buy the said buses and flashed money to the people in our constituencies. He further said that he was going to lay the evidence on the Table.

 

Mr Speaker, is Hon. Mwiimbu in order to disrespect the decorum of this House by going against the Standing Orders and calling hon. Members on this side criminals and thieves?

 

Mr Speaker, this is the fourth time that Hon. Mwiimbu has come to this House. He has been in this House for twenty good years.

 

Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to make these false accusations without providing the needed evidence or even just going to the Higer Bus to get the names of the said hon. Members of Parliament who have acquired buses?

 

Mr Speaker, let me just quickly conclude. To get a bus from Higer, it is K4,000 per month. 

 

Is he in order, Sir?

 

Mr Speaker, I need your serious ruling”

 

In my immediate response, I reserved my ruling to enable me to study the matter carefully, especially the verbatim record of the proceedings, so that I could render a measured response.  In addition, the House may wish to note that on the same day that the point of order was raised, my office received a letter of complaint from Mr A. Chiteme, MP, on the same matter. The letter of complaint was expressed in the following terms:

 

“RE:    COMPLAINT LETTER AGAINST HON. JACK MWIIMBU, MP, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

 

The above matter refers.

 

Sir, I am a Member of Parliament for Nkana and currently Minister of National Planning and Development.

 

Sir, during the debate in the House on the Committee of Supply, the hon. Leader of the Opposition alleged that I, as a Member of Parliament for Nkana Constituency together with other Members of Parliament, had no capacity to buy buses, but that we had bought buses for the community. He also alleged that he had evidence which he was going to lay on the table of the House.

 

I wish to state that I did not purchase any bus and have not distributed any bus to the community. The said statement was so misleading and not factual.

 

Sir, was the Hon. Leader of the Opposition in order to mislead the House and the nation when he knew that he had no evidence whatsoever of what he was referring to.

 

I seek your serious ruling on this matter.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Hon. Alexander Chiteme, MP.

MINISTER OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT”

 

In line with Parliamentary practice and procedure and in accordance with the rules of natural justice, on 10th December, 2020, the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly wrote to Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, requesting him to state his side of the story. However, Hon J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, did not respond to the letter. This prompted the Office of the Clerk to write another letter on 26th January, 2021, reminding Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, to state his side of the story. Subsequently, on 28th January, 2021, Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, responded as follows:

 

“RE: POINT OF ORDER AND COMPLAINT AGAINST MYSELF BY HON. A. CHITEME, MP, MINISTER OF NATIONAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

 

The above matter and your letter of the 26th January, 2021, instant refers.

 

Please, be advised that the complaint and the point of order are contradictory. In the premises, it is difficult for me to respond.

 

Yours faithfully

 

Hon. Jacob J. Mwiimbu, MP.

 

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION”

 

Hon. Members may wish to note that the point of order and letter of complaint by Hon. A. Chiteme, MP, raises the issue of a Member’s duty to ensure that the information he or she provides to the House when debating is factual and verifiable.

                                                                                                        

The duty to ensure that the information a member provides to the House when debating is factual and verifiable is a requirement that is well known to all the hon. Members. I, therefore, do not wish to belabour the point. Suffice to say that hon. Members may make reference to Standing Order 53(1) of the National Assembly Standing Orders, 2016, and Chapter 3 of the National Assembly Members’ Handbook, 2006 on Rules of Debate to apprise themselves of this duty.

 

Hon. Members, I have rendered rulings on similar matters on numerous occasions, and more recently, in the case of Hon. R. Chitotela, Minister of Tourism and Arts and Mr A. L. Lufuma, Member of Parliament for Kabompo Parliamentary Constituency found in the Daily Parliamentary Debates of Tuesday, 3rd March, 2020, at pages 2 to 6, where I stated, at page 8, as follows:

 

“I would like to take this opportunity to remind hon. Members of their duty to ensure that the information they provide to the House is not only factual, but also verifiable and substantiated. I have, however, noted with concern that of late, hon. Members tend to make unverified and unsubstantiated statements. This is unfortunate granted that the debates in the House are followed not only countrywide, but also worldwide through the radio, television and on the internet. It is, therefore, cardinal that hon. Members should verify information submitted to the House in order to avoid misleading the House and the public at large.”

 

Hon. Members, the essence of the foregoing authorities is that although members have freedom of speech when debating, that freedom is subject to the rules of the House. One such rule is that a Member must ensure that the information they bring before the House is factual, verifiable and substantiated. In other words, a Member’s right of freedom of speech and debate in the House carries with it a corresponding duty to ensure that the information presented by the Member is not only factual and verifiable, but also substantiated with cogent evidence.

 

Hon. Members, I, accordingly, referred the matter to the Committee on Privileges, Absences, and Support Services for consideration. Both the complainant and the respondent appeared before the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services. Below is a summary of their submissions.

 

  1. Submission by Hon A Chiteme, MP

 

Hon. A. Chiteme, MP, submitted that Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, had referred to him as a thief and criminal in his debate. He contended that Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP’s reference to Nkana Parliamentary Constituency was a reference to him because the Member’s Handbook provided for Members to be addressed by their constituency. He further contended that Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP’s assertion that the cost of the buses was beyond the pay of an Hon. Minister implied that the funds used to purchase the buses had been dubiously obtained. In that regard, he should have substantiated his allegation. Thus, he was compelled to raise the point of order and complaint against Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, because, by failing to substantiate his statement, Hon J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, had breached the Standing Orders of the House.

 

  1. Submission by Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP

 

Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, informed the meeting that contrary to the Hon. Minister’s point of order and complaint, the verbatim record of his debate of 24th November, 2020, does not reveal or show that he called the Hon. Minister a thief and criminal or that he had made a direct reference to the hon. Minister having purchased a bus for his constituency. He said that his reference to the bus that was purchased and donated to Nkana Parliamentary Constituency was not an insinuation that the hon. Member of Parliament for Nkana had purchased and donated it to the constituency. He explained that anyone was at liberty to donate to any constituency.

 

The Committee observed that Hon. A. Chiteme’s point of order and complaint arose from Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP’s debate of Tuesday, 24th November, 2020, on Supplementary Estimates for Vote 21 – Loans and Investments. The Committee referred to the relevant excerpt of Mr J. J. Mwiimbu, MP’s debate, which was in the following terms:

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Chairperson, the way we are behaving, splashing money, any lender would assume that we have deliberately defaulted. We have seen that a political party now has more money than the Government. Hon. Members of Parliament are splashing money as if the economy is stable. Those trends are sending a wrong signal to the lenders –

 

The Chairperson: Order!

 

Hon. Leader of the Opposition, withdraw the statement that hon. Members of Parliament are splashing money, for two reasons. The first reason is that we do not debate ourselves. The second reason is that I may want to ask you to adduce evidence so that we know which hon. Member is splashing money. For those two reasons, withdraw that statement.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Chairperson, my time is up for withdrawal.

 

The Chairperson: No. I will allow you more time only for the purpose of withdrawing that statement.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Chairperson, I can substantiate my statement. Hon. Members of Parliament have bought buses, which are not equivalent to what they are earning. That is what is happening. Madam, in Chililabombwe and Nkana constituencies, the buses have been bought, and it is in the public media, and that is the evidence.”

 

Hon. Members, upon reviewing Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP’s debate in the verbatim record of 24th November, 2020, and considering the testimony of the parties, the Committee observed that Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, had not specifically referred to Hon. A. Chiteme, MP, as a thief or criminal as he alleged. The Committee further noted that Hon. A. Chiteme, MP’s point of order and complaint were anchored on the assumption that by referring to Nkana Constituency as having received a bus from an hon. Member of Parliament, Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu was referring to him. The Committee was of the considered view that that assumption was erroneous because any Member of Parliament could have made the alleged donation to the constituency.

Hon. Members, in view of the foregoing, the Committee found that Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP’s statement did not amount to a breach of privilege and contempt of the House. In that regard, the Committee resolved that a case of breach of privilege and contempt of the House had not been established against Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, and recommended accordingly.

 

I have taken note of the recommendation of the Committee and the considerations it took into account in arriving at its decision. However, I have not been persuaded to uphold its recommendation. This is because this matter borders on the fundamental duty of an hon. Member to ensure that the information they provide to the House is not only factual and verifiable, but also substantiated; a duty I have belaboured to remind hon. Members on numerous occasions.

 

Hon. Members, in his debate, Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, said the following:

 

“Hon. Members of Parliament have bought buses, which are not equivalent to what they are earning. That is what is happening. Madam, in Chililabombwe and Nkana constituencies, the buses have been bought, and it is in the public media, and that is the evidence. ”

 

Hon. Members, in his own debate, Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, unequivocally stated that hon. Members of Parliament had bought buses, which were not equivalent to what they were earning. Had he ended there, the complaint by Hon. A. Chiteme, MP, would not have arisen. However, by going further to indicate that “in Chililabombwe and Nkana constituencies, the buses had been bought,” Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu implied that it was the hon. Members of Parliament for Chililabombwe and Nkana constituencies who had bought buses for their constituencies, which actions, according to Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP’s debate, were beyond their means.

 

Hon. Members, while it is true that Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu did not make a direct reference to Hon. A. Chiteme, MP, paragraph 24(b) of Chapter 5 of the National Assembly Members’ Handbook 2006, on Conduct of Members of Parliament and Parliamentary Etiquette, proscribes hon. Members from, while on the floor, making allegations or imputing motives or questioning the character or reputation of another hon. Member, when it states as follows at page 22:

 

“24.     While on the Floor of the House, Members should not:

 

(b)        make personal reference by way of making an allegation imputing a motive to or questioning the character or reputation of any other Member of the House unless it be imperatively necessary for the purpose of the debate, being itself a matter in issue or relevant thereto;”

 

I had occasion to apply this rule in the case of Dr S. Musokotwane, MP vs Mr R. Mutale, MP. In that case, Mr R. Mutale, MP, alleged that a former hon. Minister of Finance, who was in the House, had not divulged to the nation the owner of the houses, referring to forty-eight houses that had been seized by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), when he knew the owner of the houses who happened to be his relative. Dr Musokotwane being the only male former hon. Minister of Finance in the House lodged a complaint that the statement was directed at him. Upon deliberating on the matter, the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services found that Mr R. Mutale, MP’s reference to a former hon. Minister of Finance was, indeed, a reference to Dr S. Musokotwane, MP, who was the only male former hon. Minister of Finance in the House at the time.

 

Hon. A. Chiteme, MP, was, therefore, in order to complain in the manner that he did, because by his debate, Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, imputed and implied that the hon. Members of Parliament for Chililabombwe and Nkana had purchased buses for their constituencies through dubious means. Hon. Members, since Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, made a statement on the Floor of the House that he could neither verify nor substantiate, he was out of order.

 

I am constrained to admonish Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, MP, granted that he holds a very senior position of the Leader of the Opposition. However, as a long standing hon. Member of the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services, which superintends the observance of the rules of the House, his conduct should be exemplary. It is, thus, regrettable that he acted to the contrary. I earnestly expect that, in future, he will conduct himself in a manner befitting the status of the Leader of the Opposition and a senior hon. Member of this august House.

 

I thank you.

 

_______

 

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

 

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

 

Sir, on Tuesday, 13th April, 2021, the Business of the House will begin with Questions for Oral Answer. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider the Committee Stage of the following Bills:

 

  1. The Accountants (Amendment) Bill, 2021; and
  2. The Zambia Institute of Marketing (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

 

The House will, then, debate the Motions to adopt the following reports:

 

  1. Report of the Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Zambia’s Economy; and
  2. Report of the Committee on Media, Information and Communication Technologies on Investigative Journalism in Zambia.

 

Mr Speaker, on Wednesday, 14th April, 2021, the Business of the House will start with Questions for Oral Answer. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will, then, debate the Motions to adopt the following reports:

 

  1. Report of the Committee on Energy, Water Development and Tourism on the Performance Audit on the Control of Water Pollution in Zambia for the Period 2016 to 2019; and
  2. Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Interim Report of the Auditor-General on the Audit of the Utilisation of the COVID-19 Resources as at 31st July, 2020.

 

Sir, on Thursday, 15th April, 2021, the Business of the House will begin with Questions for Oral Answer. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will debate the Motions to adopt the following reports:

 

  1. Report of the Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Services on Zambia’s Preparedness to Respond to Epidemics and Pandemics; and
  2. Report of the Committee on Energy, Water Development and Tourism on Accommodation Classification and Grading System in Zambia.

 

Mr Speaker, on Friday, 16th April, 2021, the Business of the House will commence with the Vice-President’s Question Time. Thereafter, the House will consider Questions for Oral Answer. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider the Second Reading Stage of the following Bills:

 

  1. The Health Professions (Amendment) Bill No. 24, 2021; and
  2. The Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (Amendment) Bill No. 27, 2021.

 

Sir, the House will then debate the Motion to adopt the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Report of the Auditor-General on the Accounts of the Republic for the Financial Year Ended, 31st December, 2019.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

_______

 

 

THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME

 

Mr Siwanzi (Nakonde): Mr Speaker, in the recent past, the nation has witnessed defections of well-meaning politicians to the mighty Patriotic Front (PF) party, Nakonde inclusive. The candidate who challenged me in 2016 has also defected to the PF.

 

Mr Speaker, does this mean that come August 2021, the PF will carry the day? I also want to know if this can be attributed to the massive infrastructure development and the good policies that the PF Government has implemented.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, what is your question? I want to be clear. I did not get your question.

 

Mr Siwanzi: Mr Speaker, I want to know what the defections mean to the people of Zambia. Is it because of the massive infrastructure development that has been –

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, are you asking a question and suggesting an answer? In which case, I will leave it at that. You provide a question and supply the answer. There is nothing for Her Honour the Vice-President to say.

 

Mr Siwanzi: Mr Speaker, my question is: Can we safely say that the PF will carry the day in the August 2021 General Elections?

 

Mr Speaker: I am sure even the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) would not expect us to debate that.

 

Mr Lihefu (Manyinga): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to ask Her Honour the Vice-President a question.

 

Sir, the depreciation of the Kwacha to major currencies like the United States (US) Dollar and Pound is worrying the Zambians because every day, commodity prices are going up. As I speak, your people in rural areas are really suffering. The price of cement has gone up to K200. In some outlets it is selling at K165. Businesses are collapsing because of this exchange rate. Business men and women are now –

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Manyinga, can you get to your question.

 

Mr Lihefu: Mr Speaker, what measure has the Government put in place to protect the businesses of Zambians from further going down or collapsing?

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, this Government is not pleased to see its people suffering or experience the rise in the cost of living because this affects the most vulnerable people in our society. Therefore, the Government is doing everything possible to ensure that the cost of living is taken care of through the many policies it is putting in place. This starts with food commodities. The Government is working with millers to ensure that the staple food, which is mealie meal, is readily available to the Zambian people and that the cost of that mealie meal and prices for other commodities that seem to impact negatively on the livelihood of Zambians are reduced. The Government is definitely not pleased, and so, it is doing something to ensure that the livelihoods of Zambians are improved.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Mr Speaker, the fuel shortages under the Patriotic Front (PF) Government have become the order of the day. I would like Her Honour the Vice-President to tell the Zambian people why, of late, we are faced with fuel shortages.

 

Mr Speaker: Her Honour the Vice-President, did you get the question?

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I did not.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Bweengwa, you were unusually very low in your question. We could not hear you.

 

Mr Michelo: Mr Speaker, fuel shortages in the country, under the PF rule, have become the order of the day. As I am speaking, we do not have fuel in Monze. Is Her Honour the Vice-President in a position to explain to the people of Zambia why Zambia is faced with fuel challenges today?

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, for all we know, the fuel shortage was experienced for a day or two when the fuel tanker drivers had downed tools. As of now, with regards to the reported fuel shortages in some parts of the country, I would like the House to be informed that the situation has since normalised, taking into account that the country has enough stocks of fuel. Currently, the country has ten days stock of diesel and eleven days stock of petrol, as of 6th April, 2021. Of course, we would like to see this being increased. The engaged suppliers have continued to import petrol and diesel on behalf of the Ministry of Energy while the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have continued to import under the waiver that has been given to them. Therefore, there is no shortage of fuel in the country.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Jere (Livingstone): Mr Speaker, elections, if not well handled, can be and have been a source of conflict. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, would Her Honour the Vice-President confirm whether her Government will sponsor observers from political parties that will take part in this year’s general election and other stakeholders to observe the printing of ballot papers wherever they will be printed?

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member has been a Member of Parliament for four years or more and, by now, should have learned the guidelines relating to elections in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), in the African Union (AU), in the Commonwealth and all these other international organisations that Zambia is a member of. As such, the country is geared to observe transparency and accountability in the process of conducting elections before and after 12th August, 2021.

 

Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in the process of inviting the relevant stakeholders internationally, particularly the SADC community, the AU, the Commonwealth, as well as others international organisations to be observers in the conduct of elections in Zambia. Just recently, the European Union (EU) Delegation visited Zambia to check on the various aspects of how Zambia was preparing to go to elections in August 2021.

 

Mr Speaker, the whole process is transparent and all the political parties should observe that this Government is open to anyone to observe elections provided they have been accredited by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I have also received requests or indications on the Zoom platform from the hon. Member for Sioma, the hon. Member for Serenje, the hon. Member for Mwinilunga, the hon. Member for Chasefu, the hon. Member for Mapatizya and the hon. Member for Chilanga. Therefore, I will alternate between these two lists.

 

Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, the people of Katombola Constituency in Kazungula District and, indeed, many other farmers in the Southern Province have lamented the decision by the Government to put them on the Electronic Voucher system (e-Voucher) whereas other people elsewhere are on the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). Where they are on FISP, they are getting seven or eight bags of fertiliser whereas the people of the Southern Province and Katombola, in particular, on e-Voucher are getting three bags of fertiliser. In the worst case scenario, because of inflation, they are getting two bags of fertiliser.

 

Mr Speaker, this has created problems because the Southern Province is a maize belt that feeds the nation. Would Her Honour the Vice-President inform the nation and, indeed, the people of Kazungula District that the Government is going to reverse that decision so that the farmers of the Southern Province and, indeed, Kazungula District are also put on FISP to get their fair share of the national cake in terms of fertiliser distribution of seven to eight bags and not the three bags that they are getting, at the moment, because they need it to produce more food for the country.

 

Could Her Honour the Vice-President confirm that that decision will be made this year so that our farmers are not left behind?

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, to ensure that there is strict efficiency in the agriculture sector, the Government is addressing the issue of the Electronic Voucher system (e-Voucher) very seriously in that the whole country will, at one point or another, and soon, experience the use of the e-Voucher. So, I congratulate the people of the Southern Province and other parts of the country who are now leaders in the e-Voucher system because that way, they will learn the ropes on how to deal with the programme.

 

Mr Speaker, the e-Voucher opens doors to the farmer in many respects in that the farmer has a choice of the seed he/she wants to purchase and the agricultural input items such as fertiliser or livestock medicines. As such, the farmer has a wider field in which he can access agricultural inputs for major or enhanced production.

 

Mr Speaker, on the indication that the Southern Province is the bread basket, we cannot guarantee that under the current climatic conditions. We saw in the 2014/2015 Farming Season that the region suffered greatly from a spell of drought and the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) had to dispatch food to feed people in the Southern Province. The other regions that produced more maize and other food stuffs were able to feed the Southern Province. So, the issue of one province being the dominant maize producing region during this period may not be very factual. We have other parts of the country that require the help of the Government. Currently, there are sixty districts that are experiencing floods, including parts of the Southern Province, and the Government has an obligation to feed the people in these areas. So, the hon. Member should bear in mind that the e-Voucher is the way to go for the Zambian Government.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Subulwa (Sioma): Mr Speaker, while the people of Sioma appreciate the number of development works that the Government has undertaken there, they are equally concerned about the number of commitments that the Government has made which have not been fulfilled. For example, the stalled works at the new district, that is, the Civic Centre and the houses that are at 80 per completion point, the Matebele Bridge and the provision of two doctors and an ambulance that were assured the people of Sioma. The people of Sioma would like to find out from Her Honour the Vice-President when those commitments will be fulfilled.

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the fact that Sioma is a newly created district entails that the Government had good intentions in ensuring that this was realised. As such, the Government is prioritising the development of some of the infrastructure in these new districts, including in Sioma, for early completion. Recently, I was in the province with the hon. Minister of Finance and the hon. Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development for that very specific reason. We went to inspect the new districts and assess the levels of development that is taking place so that the two ministries can see where intervention is needed. So, the new districts that are scattered all over the country have some infrastructure that needs to be completed by the Government and that is a Government commitment. The work will continue in those new districts.

 

Sir, as for the other projects in Sioma such as the Matebele Bridge, the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development is still addressing them and the hon. Member of Parliament will be informed. Regarding the doctors that were promised for the mini hospitals, the Ministry of Health is also looking into the matter. That is my response to those questions.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama  South): Mr Speaker, there is a story circulating on social media that the United Party for National Development (UPND) President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, has complained to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) about the increased number of registered voters in the Patriotic Front (PF) strongholds. What is the Government’s position on this matter?

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the Government of His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia, remains committed to the principles of respect for human rights, democracy, good governance, accountability, transparency and the rule of law, as enshrined in the Zambian Constitution.

 

Mr Speaker, further, the Zambian Government is committed to the adherence of SADC principles and guidelines governing elections and the AU guidelines for election observation and monitoring missions. 

 

Mr Speaker, therefore, I want to assure the House and the nation at large that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government will ensure that the forthcoming general elections are conducted in accordance with the afore mentioned principles and that a level playing field exists for all political players.

 

Mr Speaker, as I indicated earlier, the Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is in the process of sending out invitations to relevant organisations including SADC, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Commonwealth and the AU to participate as election observers in the forthcoming general elections.

 

Mr Speaker, the tradition of involving foreign observer missions in an electoral process, which the PF Government has upheld since 2011, serves as a strong demonstration of the Government’s commitment to upholding democratic tenets.

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to remind the House that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) provides a platform for the settlement of election disputes. Zambia’s membership to regional bodies, including SADC and the AU, entails that as a sovereign State, it will adhere to the prescribed principles utilising the internal structures within its governance architecture.

 

The Vice-President coughed and drunk some water.

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, therefore, all stakeholders, including political parties, would be encouraged to exhaust these channels before engaging regional and international bodies. Accordingly, I wish to state that the Government has not been notified on whether SADC and the AU, to which Zambia is an active and respected member, have received the said letters from the United Party for National Development (UPND) leader.

 

Mr Speaker, during the 2016 General Elections, Zambia commended the UPND for mobilising people in its strongholds to register as voters. The party secured 80 per cent registered voters. Neither the PF nor any other Zambian political party at that time complained to regional and international bodies. So, what has changed now? 

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, in 2020, the PF hon. Members of Parliament worked very hard and mobilised people on the ground to register and the outcome is what we are witnessing today.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Kabanda (Serenje): Mr Speaker, farmers in Zambia are losing 35 per cent of their harvest annually in post harvest losses. What measures does the Government intend to put in place in order to avert this situation?

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, repeat your question.

 

Mr Kabanda: Mr Speaker, I said that farmers in Zambia lose 35 per cent of their harvest annually in post harvest losses. Therefore, are there any measures the Government is putting in place to reduce post harvest losses in the farming fraternity?

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, the Government has recognised this challenge in the farming sector and that is why there has been an introduction of insurance cover to support farmers. It has equally recognised the post harvest losses of crops and other agricultural produce that farmers incur in the production, storage and marketing stages of their crop production.

 

Sir, the post harvest losses are as high as 35 per cent, depending on the crops. The total post harvest losses in maize are estimated to be at 26 per cent of the harvest. In horticulture crops such as tomatoes, these losses can be as high as 35 per cent and in order to reduce the post harvest losses, the Government has put in place the following interventions:

 

  1. developing post harvest management strategy in order to have a systematic approach to mitigate the losses;
  2. training of extension works and farmers in good harvest management practices for crops; and
  3. promoting improved own farm storage structures such as metal silos, plastic storage containers and special bags amongst farmers.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government has trained local metal fabricators of metal silos to increase availability of the metal silos. Farmers can obtain plastic containers and bags from agro dealers. The reason we encourage the e-Voucher system is that farmers can have access to some of these facilities.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, this year, we have seen a number of agro dealers supplying fake fertilisers to our farmers and thereby increasing hunger in our area. What is the Government doing to ensure that this fake fertiliser is completely withdrawn from our market, especially from the agro dealers?

 

The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, those are criminal activities that should be nipped in the bud. The hon. Member should report such matters to relevant authorities, including security wings of the Government, when he receives the information from the farmers and not wait for the Vice-President’s Question Time in Parliament. That may be too late for our people to access justice for their labour.

 

Mr Speaker, I invite the hon. Member to ensure that where this matter exists, it is reported to agriculture authorities and other wings of the Government to take remedies so that our farmers are not deprived of their production because it is a very serious matter.

 

I thank you, Sir.

_______

 

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

 

THE ACQUISITION OF COVID-19 VACCINES

 

The Minister of Health (Dr Chanda): Mr Speaker, may I start by thanking you for according me this opportunity to update this august House and the nation at large on the acquisition and deployment of vaccines for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country. The House may recall that on 7thApril, 2021, I rendered a ministerial statement, which highlighted among others, the acquisition of the COVID-19 vaccines under the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility.

 

Mr Speaker, the nation may wish to recall that on 12th March, 2021, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, led by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, announced that it had agreed, in principle, to adopt the COVID-19 vaccine programme as one of the key pillars in mitigating the health and socio-economic impact of COVID-19, particularly on the vulnerable of our population, and that this will be done in a cautious and phased up manner and on a pilot and voluntary basis.

 

Mr Speaker, further, the Cabinet at its fourth meeting held on 24thMarch, 2021, considered the recommendations by the hon. Minister of Health and the hon. Minister of Finance, and approved that the Government considers, among others, a basket of Covid-19 vaccines which will be based on efficacy and safety, where they have been tested, approved and used.

 

Mr Speaker, as some may be aware, we have Zambians, currently, going to neighbouring countries and as far as Dubai to access these COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, as a responsible Government, we had to make a decision to protect the lives of Zambians.

 

Mr Speaker, in keeping with the foregoing, the Government of the Republic of Zambia is pleased to announce that the first consignment of COVID-19 vaccines, under the COVAX facility, is scheduled to arrive at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) on Monday, 12th April, 2021, at 1435 hours.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Ngulube: My birthday!

 

Dr Chanda: Mr Speaker, let me repeat that. In keeping with the foregoing, the Government of the Republic of Zambia is pleased to announce that the first consignment of COVID-19 vaccines, under the COVAX facility, is scheduled to arrive at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) on Monday, 12thApril, 2021, at 1435 hours.

 

Mr Speaker, this consignment will consist of an initial 228,000 doses of the Covishield vaccine, commonly known as AstraZeneca, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. This is only one of the vaccines in the basket approved by the Cabinet. As I said in my ministerial statement, the COVAX facility will cover 20 per cent of the eligible adult population above eighteen years old, that is, 3,676,791 people while the rest of the 26 per cent will be covered under the other pillars under the vaccine programme. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, members of the press will be invited to witness the arrival of this consignment. More consignments of COVID-19 vaccines are expected to follow in due course, and the nation will be informed accordingly.

 

Mr Speaker, while all adults above the age of eighteen are eligible to be vaccinated, administration will be in accordance with the prioritisation criteria, as outlined in the National Vaccines Deployment Plan (NVDP), to ensure that those at greatest risk receive the vaccines first. The first category to be considered will be frontline health workers, followed by other frontline workers performing core societal functions, including the police, security forces, teachers, traditional leaders, the clergy and immigration officers. This will be followed by those over the age of sixty-five and people with underlying conditions. Those living in congregate settings and the rest of the population who are eligible will also be vaccinated, including marketeers, traders, bus drivers, truck drivers and others.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government wishes to reiterate its commitment to protecting the health and well-being of every citizen and that no one who is eligible as long he/she is willing and volunteering will be left behind. While there are reported very rare side effects of all vaccines, whether AstraZeneca or Johnson and Johnson, as we read today, I would like to assure the House and the nation that the benefits of being vaccinated far outweigh the risks. The benefits include reduced transmission, reduced severity of disease, reduced hospitalisation and, indeed, reduced mortality. People are urged not to fall prey to myths, misconceptions and conspiracy theories.

 

Mr Speaker, we continue to monitor and learn lessons from other countries in the region and globally which have gone ahead of us in rolling out the COVID-19 vaccines, including thirty-five countries in Africa at the moment. The Government’s decisions will continue to be firmly premised on empirical scientific evidence and we will continue to monitor the latest data, as it is made available by reputable authorities.

 

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, allow me to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa, for his guidance in the entire COVID-19 response strategy for Zambia, which includes the acquisition and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines as part of the health security measures to protect the lives of the Zambian people. We have achieved great success, as we can see during the second wave in reduced numbers of transmission, numbers of cases, hospital admissions and, indeed, reduced mortality rate.

 

Mr Speaker, lastly, but not less important, allow me to thank the multi-sectoral response teams and supporting co-operating partners and the private sector that have put in a lot of effort in the fight against COVID-19, which cannot be fought by the Government alone. We all have a patriotic duty to play in the fight against COVID-19 and together, we can defeat COVID-19.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the statement given by the hon. Minister of Health.

 

Dr Ng’ambi (Chifubu): Mr Speaker, I would like to appreciate the Patriotic Front (PF) Government for bringing the vaccines into this country. However, I would like to find out whether there will be cost implications that the people will incur for them to be vaccinated. I did not get that from the statement.

 

Dr Chanda: Mr Speaker, as I stated in the earlier statement that I presented a few days ago, the Government has four pillars of the COVID-19 vaccine programme. Pillar I is the COVAX facility, which is backed by the United Nations’ (UN’s) World Health Organisation (WHO) and other bodies. This facility is totally free, and so, the vaccines that are arriving on Monday are free. Then, there is the second pillar, which comes from other countries or our co-operating partners donating vaccines to Zambia. Again, this facility will be free because those are donations. So, the vaccines under Pillar I and II are free.

 

Sir, we, then, have, of course, allowed the involvement of the private sector. I am happy to say that we just concluded our meeting with the private sector today in Chisamba. The private sector has a role to play in the COVID-19 vaccination programme. So, the Zambians who feel that they can access a vaccine through the private sector will be given that opportunity and I am sure there is a cost attached to that. Lastly, in covering any other person who may be left behind, the Government will, of course, have to look for resources and vaccines given out in this regard will also be free. So, any vaccines that will be sourced by the Government, through COVAX or, indeed, donations will be free.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the statement. We are being told that in certain countries, you now need to be certified as being vaccinated for you to be allowed entry. Will there be any form of certification for those who will be vaccinated so that they can access those countries that require vaccination certification?

 

Dr Chanda: Mr Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Chitambo for that very important question. According to the way the world is moving and in line with international travel regulations, it will be a requirement for travelers to show evidence of having been vaccinated for COVID-19 because this is public health security both at the local level and also at the global level. Even now as we speak, for you to travel internationally, you need to show that you have tested for COVID-19 by way of having the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test done.

 

So, the whole world is actually treading towards that, and this is not unique or new. We have seen it with the yellow fever vaccine. When yellow fever was a problem, there were certain countries that one could not travel to without a yellow fever card. So, many countries are enforcing that requirement. I think the British are even taking it further by classifying other countries using the traffic sign system of red, amber and green colours. If you are coming from a country in the green category, you are allowed to enter Britain. If you are coming from a country in the amber group, you are quarantined at home. Then, if you are traveling from a country in the red zone where there is no vaccination, you are quarantined in a hotel at your own cost.

 

Mr Speaker, so, indeed, when we vaccinate someone, for the sake of also following up to know how many people we have vaccinated, we have to issue documentation. Whether we call it a COVID-19 certificate, passport or any other terminology will be determined later. However, definitely, there will be that documentation and it will be a requirement.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, I want to get clarification from the hon. Minister on the distribution of this vaccine. I have observed that in the rural areas, especially here in Kalabo, the Government has not been paying much attention to the delivery of drugs related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). So, you find that some checkpoints were stopped because the workers were not well-attended to. What is the Government’s stance on the frontline workers who are in the first priority category serving in the rural areas? How will they be catered for and how different will it be from those in the urban areas?

 

Dr Chanda: Mr Speaker, the Government’s approach is that all the 8.4 million adults in this country are eligible to be vaccinated and we are going to provide vaccines for them. However, this will be done in a cautious and phased up manner and on a pilot and voluntary basis. That is the Government’s approach.

 

Secondly, when you look at the criteria of the first priority group, I said frontline health workers will be vaccinated first. We have health workers everywhere in all the ten provinces of Zambia. So, Kalabo is one of the places with frontline health workers and we will start at the community level and move up to the district and the provincial levels. This will be done.

 

Mr Speaker, in the next category, we have teachers. We are working with the Ministry of General Education to make sure that all the teachers are catered for because they are in the first priority group. Thereafter, it is the men and women in uniform. These are the security people such as the police and immigration officers.

 

Sir, this is not about an urban or rural divide. This is about catering for all the aforementioned populations. In fact, in the priority group, we have also included traditional leaders who are found in the rural parts of Zambia. In Bwana Mkubwa Constituency, there are no traditional leaders. So, most of them will be vaccinated in rural areas like Pambashe and other places.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Chibanda (Mufulira): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for this long awaited news of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine landing in our country. I want to find out from him whether we are going to follow the same pattern, which has been seen the world over whereby these vaccines are given to the people in two phases. There is a first shot that is given to people and after a certain time, the same people are subjected to another vaccine dose. Is the hon. Minister able to confirm that we are going to follow that same practice and is he also able to tell us when the first shots will be given to the Zambian volunteers?

 

Dr Chanda: Mr Speaker, the vaccines that we are dealing with have international standards. So, there is no variation, for example, in Zambia we give the AstraZeneca vaccine this way and in another country administer it in another way. When I was giving the ministerial statement, I said that as of now, we have thirteen vaccines that are being given out globally. Out of the thirteen, twelve of them require two doses. There is the initial dose and then the second dose. Only the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is administered as a single dose, although that one is not readily available yet. Whenever it is available, it will also be part of the COVAX mechanism.

 

So, yes, I can confirm that it will be two doses. You get the initial dose and then after some time, you also get a second dose. So, the vaccine could be given within twelve weeks. Others are doing it in twenty-one days. So, between twenty-one days to twelve weeks is the time that you get a second dose. That is a scientific fact because science has shown that when you are given the initial dose, your antibodies rapidly shoot up to protect you. Then, towards the end of the twenty-one days or twelve weeks, you need another booster to just ensure that you have a sustained level of antibodies so that when you come across COVID-19, you are adequately protected.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr S. Banda (Kasenengwa): Mr Speaker, it is gratifying to note that the long awaited vaccine will be arriving in the country. However, could the hon. Minister assure the nation on the preparedness of the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) to actually competently validate this vaccine and also state when the vaccination will be rolled out.

 

Dr Chanda: Mr Speaker, I want to assure the hon. Member of Parliament for Kasenengwa that the Ministry of Health, through the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA), which is a statutory body under the ministry, is more than ready for deployment of vaccines. There is nothing unique about vaccines. I think through our immunisation programme in Zambia, we are already giving out twelve vaccines. If you look at what we give at the under five level and the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to our adolescent girls, this is already going on. So, it will be the same way. It will be administered in the same way other vaccines are administered using a syringe.

 

However, it is true that this is the first time that Zambia will be vaccinating an adult population at such a huge and unprecedented level. This is why we are saying that the Government alone cannot do it. Therefore, we have invited the private sector and other co-operating partners to partner with us. It is an effort that requires everyone. We have taken a one government approach and I think all players in society have to be put together. So, I can assure the House that the Ministry of Health has been more than ready to receive and deploy these vaccines.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Musonda was inaudible.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that statement. The hon. Minister has said that his ministry will start with frontline staff and those at high risk of contracting the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). I want to find out what will happen to our citizens who reside in the border areas. I ask this question because most of the cases, including fatal ones in Chama, are emanating from the nearest border towns in Malawi such as Mbarachanda and Madede, where our people go to trade. Is the ministry considering including such populations of our country that are at high risk in border towns if possible so that they are also protected?

 

Dr Chanda: Mr Speaker, ideally, if the Government had all the vaccine doses in the country, it would have vaccinated everyone at a goal, as long as they volunteered. That is the ideal situation. In countries where they are manufacturing vaccines, there are so many outlets that they can use to vaccinate. However, in a situation where we are getting vaccines from outside the country, we have to prioritise. When you look at the clinical profile of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), we know the people who have been at most risk. Many health workers have been infected and a number of them have died due to COVID-19 because they are the first ones to get in touch with patients.

 

Mr Speaker, it is the same with immigration officers, police, traditional leaders and the clergy. However, that prioritisation does not exclude any other Zambia. I would like to assure the House and, through it, the Nation, that the basket of vaccines will continue growing. It will not shrink. As you know, many countries are pouring in resources. So, while today we are talking about COVAX mechanisms, maybe, covering 20 per cent, we have governments like that of the United States of America (USA) which are pumping-in huge resources. It has pledged US$4 billion towards the COVAX mechanism.

 

Mr Speaker, as you may be aware, before the new administration, the USA was not part of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and COVAX. However, the new USA administration is now pumping-in a lot of resources. Therefore, I want to assure everyone who is eligible, that is, the 8.4 million Zambians, that they will be catered for through any of the mechanisms available.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker gave the Floor to Mr Kabanda, but he was not available.

 

Mr Zimba (Chasefu): Mr Speaker, there is an issue that the AstraZeneca vaccine causes blood clotting. The hon. Minister referred to the fact that before the vaccines come into the country, there are serious medical tests that are conducted in Zambia.

 

In the light that the AstraZeneca vaccine has an issue of clotting blood, I would like to find out if it is going to be tested again in Zambia or it will be administered and has already been tested?

 

Dr Chanda: Mr Speaker, I think the hon. Member may have missed my earlier ministerial statement were I spent a lot of time talking about the AstraZeneca vaccine and the figures of blood clots involved. I must have also said it even in today’s statement that every drug or vaccine has a side effect. I said that even when you take a child to the under-five clinic today and they are given any vaccine, say for Measles, Polio, the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) that is given against Tuberculosis (TB) or any other vaccine, some would react. The principle of a vaccine is to try and elicit the body to produce anti-bodies. The immunity of the body has to respond so that the body reads that there is a foreign body that has entered, but is deactivated and then you have a lot of these anti bodies. So, in the process of the body producing those anti-bodies, you may have side effects. However, I said those are very rare side effects. Like in the United Kingdom (UK), out of 20 million people vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, only seven cases of clotting were identified. We know there may be a link with one or two, but if you look at statics of the very rare side effects versus the benefits, the benefits far outweigh the associated risk.

 

Mr Speaker, what we are seeing even in countries like the UK is that with the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine, they have actually cut down on the number of new transmissions by over 80 per cent and hospitalisation also by over 80 per cent. In the most vulnerable, mortality has been reduced by over 80 per cent. So, the benefits far outweigh the associated risk.

 

Mr Speaker, with that said, we will get the clinical history of the patients. If someone has an allergic reaction, a deep vein thrombosis or clotting problem, it will be identified and the health experts will advise. That is why the Government has not gone for a one bullet theory and has instead gone for a basket. However, I want to assure the nation that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine far outweigh any associated risks.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker: I will take the last three interventions and then we will move on to our next business as follows: the hon. Member for Kamfinsa, the hon. Member for Chembe and the last intervention will be from the hon. Member for Kabompo.

 

Mr Musonda (Kamfinsa): Mr Speaker, I extend my sincere apology on the first call as I was let down by the system. I thank the hon. Minister for the pleasing statement. I am sure many Zambians are happy that we have now received the vaccines.

 

Mr Speaker, in his statement, the hon. Minister said that 228,000 doses of the vaccine will arrive on Monday. In terms of distribution, how has he allocated the 200,000 doses of vaccines province by province and when exactly will the administration of the same start?

 

Dr Chanda: Mr Speaker, I just want to guide that the allocation of COVID-19 vaccines is not according to provinces, but according to the prioritisation list. So, when we say frontline health workers, it does not matter who is in which province as long as one is a frontline worker. When we say traditional leaders, it does not matter which province, as long one is a traditional leader. The same applies to the clergy, immigration, security, police, army, the Zambia Air Force (ZAF). We are looking at citizens not in terms of provinces, but as Zambian citizens who qualify to be protected.

 

Therefore, in terms of the distribution of the 228,000 doses, I should mention that COVAX covers 20 per cent of the eligible population, which is 3.6 million Zambians. This is an initial consignment and I said more consignments will be on their way. So, in short, people will be catered for. However, in terms of the detailed deployment plan of what goes were and which time depending on the number of those prioritised populations, we can make that available to the House. However, like I said, the Government’s desire and goal is to protect all Zambians as long as they are willing and volunteering to be protected.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Dr Kopulande (Chembe): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank you for permitting a question from Chembe. There is a tendency among certain political parties to politicise anything, including health matters such as the one the hon. Minister on the Floor is addressing right now. In order to –

 

Dr Kopulande was inaudible.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member for Chembe we have lost you, are you still available?

 

Dr Kopulande: Mr Speaker, I am available.

 

Mr Speaker: You may proceed with your question.

 

Dr Kopulande: Mr Speaker, I am sitting in Chembe, as I speak right now, but have not heard any sensitisation being done on the vaccination programme in this rural part of the country. What strategy does the Government have to sensitise the people of this Republic about the vaccination programme and the benefits that it has before this is turned into a political issue?

 

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BILLS

 

SECOND READING

 

THE ZAMBIA INSTITUTE FOR TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY STUDIES (Amendment) BILL, 2021

 

(Debate resumed)

 

Mrs Chinyama: Mr Speaker, I would like to start on a lighter note. When will I be confirmed as Chairperson of the Committee?

 

Mr Speaker: You are on probation.

 

Laughter

 

Mrs Chinyama: Mr Speaker, yesterday, before my debate was curtailed, I had just highlighted one concern that was expressed by stakeholders that the Bill needed to be clear as to whether what needed accreditation to the Higher Education Authority were the training programmes themselves or the institute. In that regard, your Committee recommended that the Bill should be reworded to reflect that it is the training programmes that will be administered by the institute that are to be accredited by the Higher Education Authority.

 

Mr Speaker, another concern that your Committee came across is that of there being a dual reporting structure for the institute. This arises from the fact that the institute falls under the Ministry of Tourism and Arts and its principle Act is under the guardianship of the same ministry, whereas the Higher Education Authority (HEA), which will be mandated to accredit academic programmes offered by the institute, is superintended over by the Ministry of Higher Education. Therefore, your Committee recommends that the Bill should be amended so as to clearly stipulate how the institute will be reporting to the Ministry of Tourism and Arts and the Ministry of Higher Education.

 

Mr Speaker, your Committee further observes that the Bill has not specified which of the programmes that are offered by the Zambia Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Studies (ZITHS) are under the ambit of the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) will be accredited by HEA. This uncertainty arises due to the fact that TEVETA has the mandate to accredit the vocational and skills orientated programmes. This uncertainty has resulted in failure by most stakeholders to fully appreciate the functions of the various accrediting institutions in the country, especially as they relate to ZITHS.

 

Mr Speaker, in light of the above, your Committee recommends that the Bill must explicitly state the programmes which will be accredited by TEVETA and those to be accredited by the HEA. This will remove any ambiguity that may arise in the absence of such clarity. Your Committee further recommends that there is need to sensitise stakeholders on the mandates of HEA, TEVETA and ZITHS.

 

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, allow me to render my sincere gratitude to you and the Clerk of the National Assembly and her staff for the support and guidance rendered to your Committee throughout its deliberations. I also wish to place on record the appreciation of your Committee to all the stakeholders who made submissions before it on the Bill.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

The Minister of Tourism and Arts (Mr Chitotela): Mr Speaker, I want to thank all the people who have supported the Bill. I also want to thank your Committee and all the witnesses that appeared before it and the House for supporting the Bill.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Question put and agreed to and the Bill read a second time.

 

Committed to a committee of the Whole House.

 

Committee on Wednesday, 14th April, 2021.

 

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MOTIONS

 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT, WORKS AND SUPPLY

 

(Debate resumed)

 

Mr Speaker gave the Floor to Dr Musokotwane.

 

Dr Musokotwane was not in the House.

 

Mr Syakalima (Chirundu): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank all the hon. Members who debated this Motion. On that note, I would like to thank you as well.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

_______

 

The House adjourned at 1107 hours until 1430 hours on 13th April, 2021.

 

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