Tuesday, 28^th September, 2021

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

______

 

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

 

VIOLENCE ON PF CADRES BY ALLEGED UPND CADRES

 

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu): Madam Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to make my first ministerial statement on the Floor of this House.

 

Madam Speaker, with your permission, I would like to congratulate the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, for the resounding victory that he achieved on behalf of the people of Zambia on 12^th August, 2021. It was a long and hazardous journey, but against all odds, President Hakainde managed to win the election as President of the Republic of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, I also would like to congratulate his running mate, Madam Mutale Nalumango, for being elected Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia. The Vice-President endured a lot of abuse and many threats to her life and, in particular, the threat to her life when her helicopter was almost brought down in Shiwang’andu Parliamentary Constituency. However, she never gave up. She has managed to become Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me also to congratulate you on your ascendancy to the position of Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Zambia. You have done the nation of Zambia proud by being the first female Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia. Congratulations, Madam Speaker. I would also like to congratulate the First Deputy Speaker and the Second Deputy Speaker for wining their seats as Deputy Speakers of the House.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you for according me this opportunity to issue a ministerial statement on the point of order raised by Hon. Stephen Kampyongo, Member of Parliament for Shiwang’andu Parliamentary Constituency, on the violence against Patriotic Front (PF) cadres by alleged United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres.

 

Madam Speaker, the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia under Part III, Article 11(b) provides for the freedom of conscience, expression, assembly, movement and association. Further, during the ceremonial opening of the First Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, made it clear that the UPND Government does not condone any form of violence. It is in this regard that the New Dawn Administration is anchored on the rule of law.

 

Madam Speaker, as we endeavour to provide for the people of Zambia, we shall ensure that the rights of the people are protected in the country. We shall guarantee security, fundamental human rights and civil liberties for all, irrespective of their political affiliation. The bedrock of the New Dawn Administration is a conducive governance environment for our country’s political stability, security, economic growth and sustainable development.

 

Madam Speaker, in the recent past, the Government has noted with great concern that some people have been attacking fellow citizens, particularly those who belong to other political parties. This vice is criminal and must come to an end.

 

Madam Speaker, the violent attacks do not only breach the peace in the country, but also contravene the provisions of the law. The law clearly stipulates that any person attacking any other person commits an offence. The New Dawn Government considers peace as the greatest asset to foster socio-economic development, and it is in this regard that His Excellency, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, the President of the Republic of Zambia, instructed all cadres across the party divide to stop any form of violence.

 

Madam Speaker, with regard to the specific cases raised by the hon. Member of Parliament for Shiwang’andu Parliamentary Constituency, I would like to give some brief facts.

 

 Firstly, in the case of Hon. Chisopa, the Member of Parliament for Mkushi North Parliamentary Constituency, the brief facts are that during the campaign period, the Zambia Police Service in Mkushi received reports of assault and malicious damage to property. It was alleged that the PF candidate, who is now the hon. Member of Parliament, had assaulted some members of the opposition party then, the UPND.

 

Madam Speaker, the Zambia Police Service instituted investigations into the matter. On 17^th September, 2021, Hon. Chisopa appeared before the courts of law in Mkush District to hear the petition of his election.

 

After the court session, the hon. Member of Parliament was apprehended at Dada’s Company near Mkushi Town Centre over the cases reported during the campaign period. The hon. Member was formally charged and arrested on 17^th September, 2021, on one count of malicious damage to property and four counts of assault cases. He has been released on police bond and will appear in court soon.

 

Madam Speaker, secondly, with regard to the case of the Kabwe Municipal Council Mayor, on 9^th September, 2021, the Mayor-elect was due to appear before the court on the election petition case. On that particular day, the Mayor went into the court premises driving the official mayoral vehicle. This act raised concern among UPND sympathisers that the Mayor-elect was not in order to drive the official mayoral vehicle as he was not yet installed. This caused confusion at the court premises. The police quickly moved in and restored order.

 

Madam Speaker, thirdly, for the case of the allegedly unruly UPND cadres ambushing the PF Secretariat, the brief facts of the matter are that on 20^th September, 2021, suspected UPND cadres attempted to launch an attack on the PF Secretariat. The intended attack was thwarted by alert police officers.

 

Madam Speaker, fourthly, on the case of alleged UPND cadres attacking innocent people in Lusaka Town Centre and Kamwala trading areas, the facts of the matter are that on 20^th September, 2021, around 1000 hours, alleged UPND cadres attacked innocent people and traders in Lusaka Town Centre and Kamwala trading areas targeting the shops owned by suspected PF cadres. Police officers rushed to the scene to control the situation, and in the process, a police officer was injured. So far, fourteen suspects have been arrested and investigations in the matter are still going on.

 

Madam Speaker, lastly, with regard to the stripping of a woman in Chilenje by alleged UPND cadres, I wish to inform the House that this particular case has not been reported at any of our police stations. Let me urge the public to report such cases to the police rather than only sharing them with the press. Let me urge the Zambia Police Service to expeditiously bring all those involved to book regardless of their political affiliation. The Government of the UPND detests any kind of violence.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, the Zambia Police Service has put in place some measures aimed at ensuring that violence in all its forms comes to an end. Some of these measures include the following:

 

1. engaging stakeholders on the importance of unity regardless of political, religious and ethnic groupings to avoid the loss of life and damage to property;
2. sensitising the general public on the importance of upholding law and order;
3. enhancing intelligence information gathering; and
4. enhancing foot and motorised patrols by the Zambia Police Service particularly in high crime-prone areas.

 

Madam Speaker, in concluding my statement, I wish to warn all those in the habit of perpetuating violence, especially political party cadres that they are not exempt from the provisions of the law. Anyone who breaches the provisions of the law will be dealt with regardless of political affiliation.

 

Madam Speaker, to all members of various political parties, I urge them to desist from any acts of violence. Violence will tarnish the good standing of the country, and those found wanting will be dealt with like any other criminal case. To the general citizenry, I appeal to them all to report any suspicious persons or groupings intending to attack others to the Zambia Police Service to ensure that they get protection.

 

Let us embrace unity anchored on the rule of law. Let me urge all peace-loving citizens to abide by the provisions of the law.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

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

 

Ms Nyirenda: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Lundazi, please, resume your seat.

 

Before the hon. Member for Kasenengwa asks his question, there is a point of order being raised by the hon. Member for Lundazi. I do not know on whom this point of order is being raised.

 

Ms Nyirenda: I thank you for allowing me to raise this point of order.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Lundazi, resume your seat.

 

My guidance is that no point of order can be raised on an hon. Minister when making a ministerial statement. So, that point of order, if it relates to the issue that is being discussed on the Floor of the House, is not allowed.

 

Mr Twasa (Kasenengwa): Madam Speaker, – (inaudible) – including my four daughters that they can aim high right here in Zambia with the full conviction that their gender is not a stumbling block to their aspirations. It is my hope that you will use this privileged position to serve all the Zambian people and not just one political party.

 

Madam Speaker, while I congratulate you, I also note that overall, the appointments we have seen so far –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Kasenengwa, this is time for questions relating to the ministerial statement that has been delivered by the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

 

Hon. Member: Adult education.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order, please, as I guide!

 

The maiden speeches will come later. We are still dealing with the ministerial statement. The hon. Member for Shiwang’andu may ask his question.

 

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for this opportunity. Let me start by congratulating the hon. Minister on his appointment to this very important ministry. I want to acknowledge that when the hon. Minister was on this side of the House, we, on several occasions, engaged in discussing matters of political violence.

 

Madam Speaker, I also want to appreciate him for delivering that very thorough statement with a tone required from the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security. One of the challenges he is going to encounter is a historical one. There is the propensity by some political cadres belonging to the Ruling Party of wanting to act with impunity thinking that they have more rights than other citizens. I am saying this from experience and, indeed, the hon. Minister is going to encounter this several times.

 

Madam Speaker, you have men and women in uniform, who are sometimes, at the receiving end of these political cadres. What assurance or word does the hon. Minister have to give the political cadres who want to act with impunity using the Ruling Party as a pretext for their actions? Furthermore, what word of encouragement does the hon. Minster have for the officers on the ground?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Hon. Kampyongo, the immediate past Home Affairs Minister for the question he has raised, which is very important as it pertains to the security of this country.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to make it very clear that under the New Dawn Administration, we shall not allow impunity to reign.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, we shall not allow any political party cadre, whether from the Ruling Party or Opposition, to abuse the rights of citizens in this country. The people of Zambia spoke very loudly on 12^th August, 2021.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, the people spoke very loudly because of the impunity and abuses political party cadres used to vent on members of the public. I would like to make it very clear that the New Dawn Administration under the leadership of His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema made it very clear when he was being inaugurated and when he spoke on the Floor of this House that “We shall ensure that we rule in accordance with the rule of law and the rights and privileges of citizens shall be upheld. We shall never go back to the dark ages whereby, in this country, we were witnessing political party cadres who had risen above the law and could abuse policemen as well as beat hon. Ministers during that unfortunate era. Let me repeat that we shall never allow impunity to reign again.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I would like to assure the men and women in uniform that they will have all the protection of the Government of the New Dawn Administration provided they are professional in their conduct and in the way they handle the matters of the people of Zambia. They should not fear any victimisation from this political party. We were voted into power on the premise of the rule of law. We shall ensure that the rule of law in this country reigns for the benefit of every Zambian irrespective of the political affiliation.

 

 Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I would like to assure the members of the public that please, with effect from the time the New Dawn Administration came into power, they should be free to go to the police station to report anyone who is abusing their rights, and the law will follow whoever is found wanting.

 

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Member: No more kamugodi.

 

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, let me join Hon. Kampyongo in congratulating our new hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security. Congratulations once more.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the enthusiasm he has displayed over this matter. However, I find it quite surprising that the United Party for National Development (UPND) Chairperson for Lusaka Province yesterday said the following:

 

“We will form branches in all markets and we will not be responsible for collecting revenue, but maintain order.”

 

Madam Speaker, how? Could the hon. Minister enlighten us more about what is happening in the UPND Government, especially that what the party chairperson for Lusaka Province has said is against His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s public statement. This is undermining the President. Could he tell us what his party is doing about this issue?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I listened to the question which was posed by my very good friend and hon. Member for Kantanshi pertaining to the statement which was made by the UPND Provincial Chairperson for Lusaka Province. According to him, the provincial chairperson indicated that he will form branches in the markets and that in the process, they will ensure that they will maintain order and will not collect any money from the marketeers. That is how it should be.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam, the provincial chairperson is saying that the members will be orderly and will not cause any confusion in the markets.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

You may continue, hon. Minister.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, the provincial chairperson was very categorical. He has indicated that they are going to strictly adhere to the instruction that was given by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia and that they will never collect any money. They will never run the bus stations and will not run the markets. Further, he indicated that they shall be orderly as they politic in the markets.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the chairperson for wanting to ensure that there is no anarchy in the markets. He is a very good chairperson for ensuring that that there will be order in the markets.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mufalali (Nominated): Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to ask a question.

 

Hon. Minster of Home Affairs and Internal Security, congratulations once again. Let me put it on record that the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security has come out very clearly concerning cadres and the rule of law. We were, in the past, subjected to situations whereby the condemnation was not there for any cadre who could move into the markets.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that they arrested twenty-four or so people who were involved in some activity, which was reported. Could he just highlight whether these people who were arrested were identified. I ask this because I am happy that the hon. Minister kept on saying alleged United Party for National Development (UPND) members and so on and so forth, something that never happened in this House.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, as I indicated in my statement, there was an allegation that those who were involved in those criminal activities were UPND members, but there has never been any evidence that has been adduced that those who have been arrested are UPND members. We must bear in mind that political cadres mutate. Every time when there is a change of Government, the violent political cadres change sides. That is what happened.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Yes!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, even in this situation, we are aware of known criminal cadres who have gone into hiding. They have changed their skills and want to associate themselves with the UPND. They have continued their criminal ways. However, I want to mention that the UPND is not a hiding place for anyone who wants to engage in criminal activities.

 

Madam Speaker, we, as the UPND, shall not condone anyone who abuses members of the public. We are here as Government, to protect the interests of every Zambian. We will not condone anyone, whether from the UPND or PF, …

 

Mr Syakalima: Or anything!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: …or ‘anything’, I hear, who will engage in political violence.

 

Mr Fube: Question!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Fube: Which anything?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: So, Hon. Likando Mufalali, as the Ministry of Home Affairs and internal Security through the police, we swung into action and arrested all those who were found wanting on that particular day. However, it has not been established whether they belong to the UPND or they are PF reincarnates. We do not know.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mubika: They are PF!

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for that statement.

 

Madam Speaker, the cadres are becoming a serious problem. The hon. Minister must take this matter seriously. We are not saying this out of malice or because of wanting to politick, no. Chama is a very peaceful district. If you look at the electoral process in Chama, you will see that there was no record of violence. We were hugging with the United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate while we were campaigning. However, yesterday, the UPND cadres, under the instruction of the UPND district chairperson went to close the office of the acting district commissioner who is only, by the way, two weeks old on the job. I do not even know him personally. Today, they threatened to remove the council secretary from office. What measures is the Government putting in place to ensure that our colleagues should understand that for the Government to deliver, it needs to work with these civil servants? What measures is the Government putting in place to ensure that there is peace and harmony? We want to support development in our country. By the way, let me congratulate the hon. Minister for the stance he has taken on zero tolerance to cadreism because that is what cost us in the PF.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, what measures is the Government putting in place to ensure that the cadres are either educated or stopped other than claiming that their identity is not known? I have given you an example that in Chama, we know them. They are chasing civil servants from their offices.

 

I submit, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, the rules of this House do not allow speculation. The question that was posed to me and the one which I am supposed to answer are very specific. I cannot start speculating as to what happened in Chama pertaining to the so called UPND cadres who were locking up offices. I will not be in a position to answer that question.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chitotela (Pambashe): Madam Speaker, I congratulate the Minister of Home affairs and Internal Security, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu.

 

Hon. Minister, you remember that in the last Parliament, we used to engage seriously and condemned the political violence perpetuated by political cadres.

 

Mr Kangombe: Question!

 

Mr Chitotela: My strongest point is, the position which the hon. Minister first gave and the second one after the hon. Member for Kantanshi asked a question seemed to be contradictory. This country does not belong to political cadres. It does not belong to the United Party for National Development (UPND) or the Patriotic Front (PF). There are members of the public who do not associate with any of the political groupings.

 

Mr Chaatila: Pamene mwaziba lelo?

 

Mr Sing’ombe: It is a good thing you know.

 

Mr Chitotela: Bearing that in mind, …

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order hon. Members!

 

Mr Chitotela: … we used to speak and condemn this. If it happened, we must learn lessons. These cadres mutated from the United Nation Independence Party (UNIP) to the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD). From the MMD to the PF and now they are in the UPND.

 

Dr Katakwe: Spoiled by the PF!

 

Mr Chitotela: Hon. Minister, after that strong position given by His Excellency the President here, giving directives that cadres – I remember even the late Anderson Mazoka said the same thing. We must keep the cadres well without compromising the security of the nation on the pretext of us taking care of them. It is a regrettable position.

 

Mr Chaatila: What is your question?

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, what assurance and comfort is the hon. Minister giving the Zambian people that if they can refuse to take heed of the instruction by His Excellency the President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, that after that statement, we will see peace returning to Zambia. This is because what is happening across the country is unacceptable, especially where election petitions are being heard. Cadres are almost manhandling members of the public who do not belong to the UPND. This statement of saying alleged cadres is very unfortunate. I was looking at the former hon. Minister of Home Affairs, who could have also referred to these people as alleged cadres. That is the same stance you have also taken of saying alleged cadres.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Sing’ombe: What is your question?

 

Mr Chitotela: My question is: what assurance is the hon. Minister giving us here in the House and the Zambian people, …

 

Mr Mufalali: We are not giving assurances here!

 

Mr Chitotela: …out there that after the ministerial statement, we will see a return to normalcy whereby Zambian people, regardless of their political affiliation, will move very freely without being harassed seriously, after they disobeyed the instruction given by His Excellency the President when he was opening Parliament?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Pambashe for his kind words.

 

Hon. Colleague, the statement which you are alluding to having been made by the provincial chairperson for Lusaka Province is in no way contradicting the instruction that was issued by the President of the Republic of Zambia. The President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, made it very clear that no cadre shall be allowed to collect any fees at any bus station or market. Number two, that party cadres will not be involved in the management of bus stations and markets. I would like to make it very clear on the Floor of this House that we shall not allow any party cadre to collect fees from markets and bus stations from the members of the public.

 

My hon. Colleagues, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, has also made it very clear that we are not going to allow that. However, we should also realise that there is a law that manages bus stations and markets in this country, and we shall ensure that we enforce that law. We will not allow anarchy to come back to markets and bus stations, as was the case before.

 

Madam Speaker, let me make it very clear that in this country, there is no statute of limitation pertaining to criminal activities. If you committed an offence two years ago and there is evidence, the long arm of the law will follow you. We are not going to divert from the law.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, to ensure that people respect the law, those who have broken the law will be followed. Those who want to commit criminal offences, now, will be followed. We have made it very clear that when we arrest you, we will ensure that you are given bond within forty-eight hours. Unlike the way it was before because we respect human rights. However, we are not going to allow impunity whereby party officials shoot and kill people in campaign areas. No, we will not allow that. We would like to go back to the days where every Zambian was proud to belong to Zambia, and it has already started. Whenever we meet in the streets, people are smiling and are happy that once again...

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Hon PF Members: Question!

 

Mr Mwiimbu:... they have been liberated and the liberators are the UPND, and that they will not be abused again.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

As hon. Members are asking on points of clarification on the ministerial statement, they should bear in mind that the questions should be short, precise, and relate to what the statement was delivered on.

 

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Madam Speaker, yesterday I was in Kalingalinga where people told me that they are now breathing fresh air and that there is hygiene in the country.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the Hon. Minister whether it is an offence for police officers to arrest an hon. Member of Parliament who has committed an offence of malicious damage and is it also lawful for somebody to drive a council vehicle when he or she has not yet been installed in his/her official position?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, the Constitution of Zambia states that there no one who is above the law. If you are a member of the public or an hon. Member of Parliament and you commit an offence, the law will follow you. You will be arrested and will appear in court. That is exactly what transpired in Mkushi South.

 

Madam Speaker, I will not go in detail because the matter is now in court. The police followed the process by arresting our hon. Colleague and they followed the instructions of the New Dawn Administration that if a case is bondable, instead of putting the accused in police cells, you quickly give the accused person bond, and that is what we have done. That is why the people of Zambia are so happy, including the hon. Colleague that he did not enter the cells because we were able to give him police bond.

 

Madam Speaker, secondly, on the issue of the mayor, my hon. Colleague, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development is here. The regulations are very clear. A mayoral vehicle is only supposed to be utilised by the chairperson or mayor when on official duties. Going to court, flying a flag of the city is an affront to good governance. We will not allow impunity like it used to happen in the past, whereby hon. Members of this House and hon. Ministers used to fly flags going to court. That will never happen. Therefore, in this particular case, the members of the public were agitated by the abuse of office by the mayor. However, the police were on hand to ensure that law and order obtained during that process.

 

I thank you.

 

Mr Tembo (Feira): Madam Speaker, I want a clarification from the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security regarding the statement which he has delivered and also regarding what he said about the Kabwe Mayor that it was not allowed for the mayor to actually use the official vehicle. He did say that the United Party for National Development (UPND) sympathisers upon seeing that the mayor was using that official vehicle, took it upon themselves to stop that mayor from doing so.

 

Madam Speaker, whenever a wrong has been seen by members of the public, they must report to the matter to the relevant authorities and not to take it upon themselves. However, the hon. Minister says that was correct. In the same vein, he says that the committees which the UNPD Lusaka Province Chairperson, Obvious Mwaletata, will form in markets and bus stations are lawful because these people will maintain law and order.

 

Madam Speaker, I am worried about what the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security has said because it appears that he is replacing the duties of the police. The duties of the police are now going to be undertaken by the UPND cadres and I think there is a serious potential for illegality as well as lawlessness. As I speak right now, I am a victim because in Feira right now, based on what Mr Obvious Mwaletata said, the cadres have taken over the harbour –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Members, as I guided earlier, can we be short and precise as we are asking points of clarification on the ministerial statement, not going all over and asking about what happened in our respective constituencies. We do not have the luxury of time; we need to move. Therefore, what is your question hon. Member for Feira?

 

Mr Tembo: Madam Speaker, in terms of enforcing the law, are the UNPD cadres or sympathisers going to take over the role of the police and other security organs?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I was very precise and categorical in my statement. I did indicate that we shall not allow any political cadre to manage bus stations and markets. I did also say that the provincial chairperson for Lusaka Province merely indicated that in whatever politicking they will be doing, they will be orderly. I did not say that they should enforce law and order in the markets.

 

Madam Speaker, even in my statement, I did not say that members of the public harassed or arrested the mayor for Kabwe. I did not say that. What I said was that there was agitation on the part of members of the public. Maybe for his own information, I should point out that if someone is found breaking the law by members of the public, the public has the right to effect a citizen’s arrest of the person who is breaking the law and surrender that person to the police. Those are provisions which we all are supposed to know as lawmakers in this House.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Ms Nyirenda (Lundazi): Madam Speaker, hearty congratulations to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security. I am prompted to just comment on the alleged arrest of Hon. Chisopa.

 

Interruptions

 

Ms Nyirenda: I want to just give a clarification –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, can you just take your seat. Hon. Members, can we have some form of decorum and dignity in the House. As the hon. Member is asking a question, please we should have no running commentaries.

 

Mr Sing’ombe: She should declare interest.

 

Madam Speaker: If there will be any more running commentaries, that hon. Member will find themselves outside to go and make running commentaries  or I will ask that respective hon. Member to answer the question because he wants to be the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Lundazi, please ask a specific question relating to the points that are being debated now.

 

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, thank you for your guidance. I wanted to just add on what happened –

 

Madam Speaker: Ask your question, hon. Member.

 

Ms Nyirenda: It is not a question. Allow me to say it –

 

Hon. Government Members: No!

 

Ms Nyirenda: It is not a question.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, can you take your seat.

 

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Madam Speaker, I am happy with the stance that the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security has taken on violence, and I must commend him for making it very clear to all Zambians about this scourge. It is a cancer.

 

Madam Speaker, it was very unfortunate and is still very unfortunate that the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security has been misguided by the officers in his office about the happenings that occurred in Mkushi. I was present in Mkushi and this matter happened in court, whereby Hon. Chisopa –

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chitambo, ask your question.

 

Mr Mutale: How is the hon. Minister going to ensure that all those attending to court petitions, which the United Party for National Development (UPND) themselves have taken to court, especially hon. Members of Parliament, are protected?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I would like to assure my hon. Colleague, who is also appearing in court, and he has not been harassed …

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: … that the same rights which he is enjoying will continue without being abated. I assure him that we will not interfere, but the police will follow those who have breached the law. If they committed an offense outside court, the police will effect an arrest if need be and that is exactly what transpired in Mkushi. The police did not interfere with the court deliberations. They waited until the hon. Colleague was outside court and the police effected an arrest. I can assure him that he will continue enjoying his rights as he attends his petition without interference from the police.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Simuzingili (Gwembe): Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Minister for this quite elaborate statement. It is common knowledge that this sporadic violence that we are seeing is commonplace in many of our compounds. I want to ask the hon. Minister if there is any deliberate policy to reintroduce or establish neighbourhood committees, so that our people can be assured that there will be safety in their compounds.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I note that the question he has posed is very important. However, the issue being raised is unrelated to the issues I raised on the Floor of this House.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker gave the Floor to Mr Chabinga.

 

Mr Chabinga (Mafinga): Madam Speaker, I think my question has been overtaken by events.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker gave the Floor to Mr Lumayi.

 

Mr Lumayi (Chavuma): Madam Speaker, I thought I had withdrawn my question. However, allow me to get a clarification from the hon. Minister. What caused the hon. Member –

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, if you have withdrawn, we can call the next hon. Member, so that we save on time.

 

Mr Sampa (Matero): Madam Speaker, I congratulate the hon. Minister on his appointment. It feels a bit strange to listen to him from the right side and not the left side of the House.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Sampa: Madam Speaker, the Markets and Bus Stations Act states that only the council is allowed to manage markets. Now, the hon. Minister sounded delighted by the statement by my hon. Colleague, the hon. Minister for Lusaka Province, that the United Party for National Development (UPND) will form branches in the markets. My questions to the hon. Minister are: What will they be doing there? Will they put up flags? Also, since they will be there the whole day, what will they be eating? Where will they be getting the money to eat? Since the hon. Minister said they will not be getting money in the markets, who will be ensuring that they are not getting that money. Also, since the UPND as the Ruling Party will be allowed to establish –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Matero, please take your seat. The question that is being asked is relating to the cadres in the markets. The one that is on the Floor where hon. Members are seeking points of clarification is in accordance with what the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu asked. There were specific questions that were asked. Now, if you want to go all out to ask about issues of violence, first of all, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security will not have had sufficient time to answer those questions adequately. So that question is not allowed.

 

Can we make progress. I am just going to allow two more questions. We have more business coming.

 

Madam Speaker gave the Floor Mr Kapyanga.

 

Mr Kapyanga was inaudible.

 

Madam Speaker: If he is not available, the last question will come from the hon. Member for Bwacha.

 

Mr Mushanga was inaudible.

 

_______

 

QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

COVID-19 FOURTH WAVE PREPAREDNESS

 

2.  Dr Chilufya (Mansa Central) asked the Minister of Health:

 

1. what measures the Government is taking to ensure that the country is adequately prepared for the 4th wave of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
2. what measures are being taken to ensure that Zambia is removed from the red list of countries, considering the country’s current reduced levels of COVID-19.

 

The Minister of Health (Mrs Masebo): Madam Speaker, the Government has taken the following measures to ensure that the country is adequately prepared for the anticipated fourth wave of the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), which is expected in December 2021:

 

1. continued surveillance and testing to ensure timely detection and management of COVID-19 cases. Disease intelligence and surveillance activities continue to be heightened at healthcare facilities, points of entry, transport corridors and various congregate settings, such as schools and prisons;
2. improving  COVID-19 vaccination coverage by ensuring the following:

 

1. acquisition of more vaccines;
2. vaccine advocacy, communication and social mobilisation, enhancing community sensitisations to demystify myths and improve vaccine acceptability in addition to emphasising compliance with the five golden rules, which are masking up correctly and consistently, washing hands with soap or sanitising with an alcohol based hand sanitiser, keeping social distancing, avoiding crowded places and seeking medical attention if one is not feeling well. I also wish to add getting vaccinated against COVID-19 as a key intervention in preventing severe illness and death.

 

   b. conducting data reviews, analysis and making projections by using desk reviews and modelling techniques  

       as well as genomic sequencing to closely monitor the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic;

  c. undertaking intra-action reviews at provincial and district levels to understand the challenges and best  

     practices for an  informed and improved response. We are further enhancing co-ordination mechanisms by:

 

1. strengthening epidemic preparedness, prevention, control and management committees at all levels;
2. strengthening and constantly conducting incident management system meetings; and
3. keeping up-to-date and enhancing monitoring and response activities under the public health emergency operation centres.

     d. ensuring an up-to-date  skilled workforce to support the response by implementing the following;

1. capacity building through training and re-orientation of staff at all levels; and
2. mobilisation of extra staff and providing appropriate technical support both by government institutions and other partners and stakeholders.

 

   f.   ensuring logistics and commodity security to safeguard medicines, vaccines, medical supplies and

       equipment, and working on various areas including;

1. increasing oxygen production and delivery capacity through maintenance of oxygen plants, establishment of extra oxygen plants and acquisition of  more oxygen cylinders and concentrators;
2. stockpiling medical supplies and commodities including oxygen;
3. increasing storage and transportation capacity; and
4. expansion of bed capacity for case management and continued quality routine healthcare services, through the Government and partners, and stakeholder support. The Government, through the Ministry of Health, will renovate two structures, one in Lusaka and the other one in Kitwe, to support the increasing numbers of cases.

 

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that Zambia is at the tail end of the third COVID-19 wave, and yet remains threatened by an imminent increase in view of the global trends.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government has taken the following measures to ensure that Zambia is removed from the red list of countries:

 

1. all travellers out of Zambia are tested in the  African Union Trusted Travel Platform (AUTTP) certified laboratories and certificates are issued by this same platform; and
2. the Government, through the Ministry of Health, is working to address some of the concerns of countries who still have us on their red list and I remain confident of a positive outcome soon. The United Kingdom (UK) and other partners have pledged to support the Ministry of Health and the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) in strengthening genomic sequencing and ensuring timely sharing of data. In addition, we will continue rolling out our vaccination and certification programme.

 

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that Zambia is now in the green zone with the sustained positivity rate of less than 5 per cent across the country, since 22^nd August, 2021. It is important to state that sovereign states and territories remain with their rights to determine who qualifies to enter their countries. However, recently, Germany removed restrictions on Zambians travelling to their country, while we remain on the red list of others such as the UK, but as earlier said, I am confident that with the interventions we continue to put in place, this will soon be reviewed to the advantage of our country.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for –

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order on whom?

 

Mr Chaatila: Madam Speaker, paragraph 2(j) of Standing Order No. 204 of 2021, on parliamentary decorum and etiquette, reads: 

 

“A member shall not shout political party slogans or display political flags, emblems or any such articles in the House.”

 

Madam Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order against Hon. Anthony C. Mumba, Member of Parliament for Kantanshi. From where I stand, he is wearing a face mask which has a Patriotic Front (PF) emblem. Is he in order to do that?

 

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr A. C. Mumba removed his branded face mask and wore a different one.

 

Madam Speaker: Order! The hon. Member is not in order and I note that he has corrected himself. So, he can be excused. Let us make progress.

 

The hon. Member for Zambezi East may continue.

 

Mr Kambita: Madam Speaker, I am glad that the hon. Member for Mansa Central, who is also the former Minister of Health, now realises the need for epidemic preparedness. In the same vein, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister as to what kind of challenges she is facing in running the Ministry of Health, especially pertaining to the question that the hon. Member for Mansa Central has asked emanating from the inefficiencies of the past Government of the Patriotic Front (PF), which has made it very difficult for us to be prepared for such epidemic diseases?

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question. Let me take this opportunity to give more information to the House. The situation that the health sector is currently facing is very serious. What has worsened it, obviously, is the COVID-19 pandemic and there are major areas where we have problems.

 

Madam Speaker, there is an issue of lack of human resources in the sector. A number of hon. Members of Parliament, when they were debating the President’s Speech, indicated that they have challenges of lack of qualified staff in most of the health centres. So, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it means that the few health workers are being overworked and this has affected service delivery.

 

Madam Speaker, the other issue is in relation to resources. As we all know, the past three years, there has been a reduction in the resources allocated to the Ministry of Health. What is making matters worse is that there has been the mismanagement of these resources going by what we have been reading and by the Report of the Auditor-General. That also, has been a challenge.

 

Madam Speaker, the other issue has to do with the availability of drugs in health centres. A number of us here know what happened even during the campaigns. It was the cry of many citizens that every time they went to health centres, instead of being given medicine, they were given prescriptions. This means that we did not have sufficient drugs to meet the demand which was put on the health systems, arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Madam Speaker, the other challenge is in relation to health equipment. Again, a number of hon. Members continue to talk about lack of equipment in health centres and that some of it is obsolete or has not been functioning for so many years. That in itself has also put a strain on health service delivery.

 

Madam Speaker, I commend the previous Government on the robust construction of a number of health posts countrywide.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, however, the only challenge is that our colleagues did not take into account the fact that those health centres would need more health staff and did not employ more staff. So, we have a big number of nurses, doctors and other health paramedics walking on the streets unemployed because the Government did not budget enough resources. So, that created a problem. We have structures littered countrywide, some of which are becoming white elephants because either we did not budget enough or maybe, sometimes, some of the decisions we make are politically motivated. So, officers do not quickly open those clinics and they just remain white elephants.

 

Madam Speaker, the other point is that there has been negativity, especially on social media, concerning vaccination against the COVID-19, yet vaccination is one important step towards preventing people from catching COVID-19 or passing it on to their loved ones. I also noticed that when we politicise health programmes, you will find that those in the Opposition will not come forward. I think this led to the situation whereby, many United Party for National Development (UPND) hon. Members having been in an opposition political party did not get vaccinated. So, this time around, we will ensure that all members of political parties, be it in the Opposition or Ruling, including all the Zambians are encouraged to get vaccinated because it is very important, especially that we have been given an alert that come December, we may have the worst outbreak and we could lose our loved ones. So, I want to take this opportunity to appeal to the hon. Members of Parliament to encourage the people in their various constituencies to ensure that they get vaccinated.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, I would like to begin by congratulating the hon. Minister of Health on her appointment. Secondly, I thank her for the elaborate and eloquent response to the question, which was almost spoiled by the follow up question. I will not glorify that with a response.

 

Madam Speaker, in reference to the interventions the hon. Minister spoke about, genomic sequencing is one of the interventions that they are doing in order to understand the epidemic. My question is: How much have they been doing in terms of genomic sequencing and what are the preliminary results so far in terms of this intervention?

 

Mrs Masebo:  Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that follow up question. On the issue of sequencing, I will try to use ordinary language so that the people in Chongwe can understand what we are talking about.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, this is to ensure that we continuously take samples from various people who are infected with the COVID-19 to determine what type of variant they have. I am sure the hon. Members have heard people say that this is a South African or a UK type of COVID-19. So, that is the process and Zambia is supposed to conduct that kind of research, if I may use that term, and we are doing this through the ZNPHI. That is also being done by other institutions. Although this is being done and the results are being given almost on a daily basis, I cannot say that that information is sufficient. As it stands now, Zambia is carrying out the research, but the information is not sufficient. We hope that as we move forward, we can improve by ensuring that more resources are put in the sector to help us be able to cover a big population in order for us to carry out the research or sequencing.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, I start by welcoming the hon. Minister back to this august House and thanking her for the response provided to the question posed by my colleague, the hon. Member for Mansa Central.

 

Madam Speaker, we certainly commend the efforts of your medical staff and your professional and technical staff at the ministry who have been working day and night trying to deal with this pandemic, which is relatively new globally. We appreciate their efforts to take vaccination programmes to provincial centres and a few districts.

 

Madam Speaker, speaking for the rural constituency, I would like to found out what the hon. Minister and her ministry intend to do to ensure that even our villagers can be considered in terms of accessing vaccines? We know that we have been receiving vaccines of different types from the time we started receiving the AstraZeneca, but we only had the urban populace benefiting from the vaccines.

 

What mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that even our villagers who go to rural health centres can be reached in order for them to access these vaccines?

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, as a country, we are ensuring that we increase the procurement of drugs and vaccines, particularly, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. To that effect, I am pleased to inform the House that we currently have quite substantial amounts of vaccines, thanks to our cooperating partners and the Government of the Republic of Zambia for the vaccines so far received. Only last week, we received a new consignment and are continuing to receive more consignments to meet the demand.

 

Madam Speaker, you will appreciate that this is the point which His Excellency the President made at the United Nations (UN) when he said that in terms of having sufficient vaccines, Africa in general has this challenge and Zambia is included. The President was appealing to developed countries to ensure that these vaccines are easily made available to African countries, which would mean even the rural parts of Africa and Zambia in particular.

 

Madam Speaker, the African Union (AU) has come up with what it is calling the Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC). They have put resources together and are buying more COVID-19 vaccines which they are distributing to member States and Zambia has received some vaccines from this source, apart from some of the western donors who are also supporting us.

 

Madam Speaker, currently, Zambia has sufficient vaccines to cover the current demand, but not enough to cover the entire population that requires to be vaccinated. So, we are working tirelessly as the Government under the Ministry of Health to ensure that we continue to lobby for resources and also continue to mobilise internal resources towards acquiring more vaccines so that when the demand rises, we will be able to vaccinate everybody.

 

Madam Speaker, we are hoping that by next year, 2022, we should have vaccinated 70 per cent of those who are eligible to be vaccinated among the people. However, for now, we are very much behind. I think we are below 3 to 4 per cent.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, again, I just appreciate the hon. Minister for her kind remarks on the infrastructure development programme that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government embarked on in the health sector. Health is bipartisan and, therefore, the blueprint is uniform and so, it is good that we build on that blueprint.

 

Madam Speaker, I make a follow up on one intervention, testing. Testing is important for those who are symptomatic and those who are asymptomatic, that is, those who have symptoms and those who do not have symptoms. Are there any plans to set up testing points in all districts for both symptomatic and asymptomatic people to ascertain, (a) the extent of the problem and (b) to diagnose early so that we can isolate quickly in order to stop the spread of the virus?

 

Mr Michelo: What did you do?

 

Dr Chilufya: For those asking what we did, we are a model country in the health sector.

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, the simple answer to that question is yes, we have plans. In fact, we have more plans than what he has even articulated towards getting ourselves prepared for the fourth COVID-19 wave, except to say funds permitting. We hope that we can do much more than what we have planned.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Anakoka (Luena): Madam Speaker, given that the fight against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been made difficult by the lack of resources, as the hon. Minister alluded to, and that this lack of resources was exacerbated by the fact that some of the money that was supposed to be used to fight COVID-19 was looted by the previous regime.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Anakoka: Is the ministry going to consider engaging independent forensic auditors to follow up the use of the recourses that were allocated for the fight against COVID-19?

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

That is completely a new question. It will be unfair to the hon. Minister because she has not prepared for that question.

 

Mr Sampa (Matero): Madam Speaker, I am most humbled.  I congratulate the hon. Minister on her presidential appointment. I am very clear in my mind that this is a field that is close to her heart and that she will make all of us proud.

 

Madam Speaker, the international protocols on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) disadvantaged Zambia in terms of football. Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu were not allowed to travel and come and play against Tunisia. As a result, we lost 2-0. It was used against us. Beyond that, what is the hon. Minister doing to ensure that this does not recur?

 

As I conclude, this field of vaccines against COVID-19 has a lot of stigma. In Matero, for instance, most people still think it is a disease for the Caucasians and not us the muntus. The other stigma is that the COVID-19 vaccine diminishes human energy.

 

Hon. Government Members: What energy?

 

Mr Sampa: What measures have been put in place to ensure that there is awareness to remove the stigma around COVID-19 vaccination and that football players come to Zambia and are not used to deprive us due to COVID-19 protocols?

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, on the issue of the footballers that could have been stopped from participating on account of restrictions, all I can say is that firstly, for us in Zambia, one of the things we are doing is to make sure that we are removed from the red list as earlier alluded to because that helps you have easy access to places. Secondly, we need to make sure that most of our people, if not all, get the vaccination. There are others who, for religious reasons or, maybe, even for health reasons, may not take the vaccination. However, if one is just okay, like most Zambians are, I would like that all of us as community leaders here help to convince the people in communities like Matero to take the vaccination.

 

Madam Speaker, this is why I said that the Ministry of Health, this Friday, is re-launching the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination Programme and we shall continue to re-launch it. It is another way of getting the message across to the public that it is important for every citizen of Zambia to take this vaccination because it helps to make sure one does not contract the COVID-19 or pass it. Even when someone is sick, one does not get worse or may not die. So, the chances of getting sick and dying are reduced.

 

Madam Speaker, we need to share the correct messages with our communities. The stigma, the half-truths and the political games that sometimes we play as leaders, we need to stop that. If the House would recall, we had the first, second and now the third wave. If you remember what happened when we got to the third wave, a number of people which included Zambians passed away. Many of us were affected.  I do not know how many in this House can claim that they were not directly or indirectly affected.

 

So, this is a serious health hazard. It is a health concern and it is real. Therefore, it is important that we, as leaders, help people who may not understand the situation.

 

Madam Speaker, like I said, this Friday, I personally will be taking the vaccine because I have not yet done so. So, this Friday, I will take the vaccine and I have asked members of the community in Lusaka, Chongwe and throughout the country to take part in the exercise. All provincial headquarters and, indeed, districts will be setting up points where the community can go and get vaccinated. So, let us help our people.

Madam Speaker, I suppose the campaigns are over now. We were all busy with our campaigns, but are no longer busy now. I am sure we can spare some time for the community so that we can engage and inform the people so that the numbers begin to increase. Let us have a problem of the shortage of vaccinations as opposed to having the shortage of people interested in getting vaccinated. Currently, we do have vaccines throughout the country, which is in all the provincial headquarters and districts. Indeed, there are maybe some health centres that may not have the vaccine, but we are ensuring that the vaccine is made available in almost all major health centres so that there is no excuse.

 

Madam Speaker, the other point is that apart from doing the re-launch, we are also encouraging musicians to start singing. Instead of singing political songs, I think the time has now come to sing good songs about the COVID-19 so that the people can be drawn to go and get vaccinated. So, we are also working with various partners and other stakeholders. We are also now extending to traditional leaders to help in the campaign.

 

Madam Speaker, we also want to decentralise the campaign to local authorities because councillors are the ones who are much closer to communities. So, we can also work efficiently and effectively with the councillors and the councils throughout the country and the constituency offices, traditional authorities, the business community, the church and prominent individuals. We hope that with time, our First Lady, Madam Mutinta Hichilema, can come forward and help us. We also hope that prominent footballers and musicians can also come on board to help us. We hope that our Speaker …

 

 Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

 Mrs Masebo: …  can also come forward to help us because the very fact that she is the first woman Speaker makes her unique and many young ladies will be encouraged when they see her come forward.

 

So, we will use everything and everybody who could help us to ensure that the message is well received and the stigma is removed.

 

Madam Speaker, Zambia is known to be very good at such programmes. Currently, when we look at the fight against HIV/AIDS, Zambia is among the top countries which have done quite well in that field. So, I am confident that even with this COVID-19, Zambia will not fail. Our health professionals, nurses and doctors, when it comes to things like fighting disease, are very good. Just help us with resources, support and the right messaging.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: With that elaborate answer and because of the limitations of time, I will not allow any more questions on that matter.   

 

_______

 

MOTION

 

MOTION OF THANKS

 

(Debate resumed)

 

Mr Mubika (Shangombo): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for once again giving me this opportunity to render my maiden speech.

 

Madam Speaker, on Friday, before we adjourned, I was talking about how the Patriotic Front (PF) made a record of being the worst performing defending champions in the world by losing with that big margin of one million plus votes. If it was in football, I would say they were beaten at home and away.

 

Madam Speaker, the PF used all its tricks in trying to rig the elections. In Shangombo, where I am coming from, or the Western Province as a whole, they did not issue National Registration Cards (NRCs). They only concentrated in their perceived strongholds, but we managed to beat them even in their strongholds.

 

Madam Speaker, let me continue by congratulating you for being elected the first female Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia. Let me also congratulate the First and Second Deputy Speakers on their victory in their new positions. The three of you deserve your victories.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to thank my loving wife, Mrs Mutepa Sichone Mubika, for the support she gave me during the entire campaign period. I also thank my immediate brothers and sisters and the Council Chairperson for Shangombo District, who is my sister, Councillor Inonge Mubika, Councillor Nangana, my twin sisters, Priscilla and Prisca Mubika, Mwangala Mubika, my brothers, Clive Mubika, Nawa, Subulwa, Lubasi, Silumensi, Mr Sililo Mwakamuyi, Mr Buckley, Mr Muyendekwa and Mr Namunji. Let me also thank my security team, which was led by Mr Duncan Sikenja Sikwama, Mr Lwambo, Mr Simushi, Mr Mubita Lilami and the entire team for protecting me from the PF thugs.

 

Madam Speaker, I also thank my children for supporting me during the campaigns. At least, now I have two children who were voters, and I am sure they voted for me. These are Martin Mubika, Namakau, Inonge, Nangana, Chipo, Mwangala and Ketiwe.

 

Madam Speaker, let me thank all those who supported me during the tiresome, expensive and PF violent campaign. I thank the United Party for National Development District Chairperson in Shangombo, Mr Steven Linyeta, the vice chairperson, Mr Chinchi Okwalela, the constituency chairperson, Mrs Kasali Kamalasha, Mrs Mufungulwa, Madam Matumba, Mr John Sikelemi, Mr Petulo Lumana, Mr Kahilu, my daughter-in-law, Monde Kawayo, Mrs Sapi, Mrs Simbotwe, Mrs Kawayo and all the councillors. The others are Mrs Nawa Mwangala, Mr Kachana and Mr Mwambwa.

 

Madam Speaker, I also wish to thank all the ward chairpersons and women chairpersons in all the structures in Shangombo. Shame to the ZASHA members. ZASHA was a committee of some civil servants who were hired and paid by the PF to rig elections in Shangombo. Let me thank Madam Beauty Chikwama, Christina Sipupe Kayenda, Madam Mazinyani, Mr Lindunda, Mr Libakeni, Mr Konester, the World’s Invention Executive, Kongamashi State Ranch, the mighty Mulangu ward, Kiyena and Namono.

 

Madam Speaker, let thank my late father, posthumously, Mr Jonas Mubika who died on 12^th July, 2021, exactly one month to voting day. He was a good father, a leader and giver who mentored me and my other brothers and sisters on how to live with people, respect other people and to live for other people. Dad, I miss you, and may your soul rest in eternal peace till we meet again.

 

Madam Speaker, let me thank my mother, Mrs Maureen Namangolwa Mubika, for the love and support she gave and showed to me after the loss of my father. Mum, I love you and I will always make you proud.

 

Madam Speaker, I also finally thank the UPND for adopting me in the last election. I thank you and I will remain loyal to you.

 

Madam Speaker, on developmental issues, I am appealing to the New Dawn Government to work on the Sioma/Shangombo Road, the Kaungamashi/Sinjembela Road, Kaungamashi/Natukoma Road, Kalongola/Keyana Road up to Shangombo via Mambolomoka and the road from Shangombo to Kaungamashi via Sikuma.

 

Madam Speaker, let me also request the Government to build houses for our teachers in rural areas and to build more classrooms for our learners, improve Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) in our schools, employ and deploy more teachers and give a chance to those who are currently teaching on voluntary basis, especially those in Shangombo District.

 

Madam Speaker, let me also appeal to the Government to employ veterinary and agriculture extension officers to take care of our livestock and teach our farmers good farming methods. I must say that the PF should never have formed Government because of it’s members appetite to enrich themselves as seen by the glass houses that they are busy building at the expense of delivering services to the poor voters who put them in power.

 

Madam Speaker, the former President, Edgar Lungu’s Empowerment Fund Manager, went to Shangombo and gave the marketers K1,000 to do business. Imagine going with two helicopters to just take K1,000 when he used to give around K500,000 in other areas or parts of the country. Shame to you, PF. You wasted our resources.

 

Madam Speaker, the Sioma/Shangombo Road is the worst road in Zambia, and I am calling upon the New Dawn Government to work on the road as a matter of urgency before the onset of rains so that goods and services can move quickly to Shangombo.

 

Madam Speaker, I now come to the President’s Speech. Let me thank the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema for his maiden speech to this august House. The theme for the speech was, “Creating a United Prosperous and Equitable Zambia, Restoring Economic Growth and Safeguarding Livelihoods.”

 

Madam Speaker, in his speech, the President talked about unity in our country. Unity is very important. We must all unite as a country because some of us married from other regions. I am married to a Namwanga woman coming from Muchinga Province. So, there is a need for us as a country to unite. It was shameful to see former PF Ministers promoting tribalism in Zambia. The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) footage is there and it shows when senior Government officials promoted the vice of tribalism in the Northern Province. I expected the President to discipline the former hon. Ministers of Commerce, Trade and Industry and Fisheries and Livestock, but he kept quiet. To me, that was not right. Instead of disciplining the other hon. Minister, she was even made running mate for the PF.

 

Madam Speaker, the President also spoke about the economy. It is true that PF Government officials were encouraged when the President used a slogan of “ubomba mwibala, alya mwibala.”

 

Mr Haimbe: Meaning?

 

Mr Mubika: That means that whoever had a chance or was given the responsibility to handle Government funds must eat from those funds.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mubika: Madam Speaker, that was wrong to come from the President and must be condemned. This is still happening, especially with the Social Cash Transfer Scheme. I am appealing to the new hon. Minister of Community Development and Social Services to audit the people listed as beneficiaries. I believe people’s names go missing on a monthly basis, according to some officers. I suspect that because of the illiteracy levels, especially in Shangombo, officers involved are the ones who get this money. I, therefore, call upon the hon. Minister to move in quickly and audit the list of beneficiaries in Shangombo to ensure that they match the names in the system in Lusaka with the actual people who receive the funds on the ground. I say this because the lifestyle of people involved in handling the cash is very different from other civil servants who are even senior civil servants.

 

Madam Speaker, let me join other hon. Members in encouraging the President to ensure that those who steal public resources must account for their actions. They must bring back the stolen monies so that the state recovers the proceeds of crime. I, therefore, support the creation of fast track courts.

 

Madam Speaker, let me give those who steal a twenty-four-hour amnesty to surrender all the stolen money, which is packed in ukwa bags, and properties bought so that they might be forgiven, than wasting our money and energy by following them and going to court. We will charge them interest.

 

Madam Speaker, it was disheartening to see PF cadres displaying cash in their houses and on the streets and boast of enjoying because they belonged to the Ruling Party. They should also be followed. Footage is there. I am urging the police and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) to pick all those cadres who were showing off that money and ensure they account for it.

 

Madam Speaker, the monies which are going to be recovered will assist this New Dawn Government in providing free education to our people. I know that as a Government, we promised free education and it is possible. The money which has been seen being recovered and had been used during the campaigns by the PF is a lot, which if channelled to education, free education can achieved.

 

Madam Speaker, even in Shangombo, there is no medicine in the clinics and district hospitals. Everytime you go to the hospital, you are given a prescription, and there is no chemist in Shang’ombo where people can buy medicines. In any case, according to statistics by the then Ministry of National Development and Planning, Shangombo is the poorest district in Zambia. So, where do you expect the people of Shangombo to buy the expensive medicine?

Madam Speaker, in terms of morals, I was very disturbed and disappointed during the burial of my father. The PF campaign team came to the burial site singing their songs, celebrating the death of my father. PF preaches no morals. Their behaviour should be deleted in the history of this country.

 

Madam Speaker, under the PF, we saw a video in which somebody pointed at the former President saying aba ndiya bene balina kasaka kandalama.

 

Dr Katakwe demonstrated by jumping around.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, that will not be allowed.

 

Mr Mubika: Madam Speaker, that was very wrong. You cannot be boasting that nibene bakasaka ka ndalama. That was Government money, which was supposed to be accounted for. We want that money in Shangombo so that everyone can benefit from it. We want our farmers in Shangombo to also benefit through cattle restocking, free education, medicines in health centres and the recruitment of teachers.

 

Madam Speaker, I am asking the hon. Minister of Home affairs and Internal Security to ensure that the police in Shangombo are given a motor vehicle. I know that he is capable of providing transport for the officers in Shangombo. I am also appealing to him to ensure that more police posts are constructed in Shangombo and to provide officers in places like Kaungamashi and Kayana.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity and wish you God’s blessings in your new seat.

 

I thank you.

 

Madam Speaker: Before we proceed, this theatrical demonstration of what happened is not allowed. Hon. Members resist from doing such.

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Further, when the hon. Member for Lundazi stood to ask a question, there was a comment which was to the effect that she was here to defend her husband. That comment was not called for. She is here to represent the people of Lundazi and therefore, has the full protection of the Chairperson. Any comments bordering on looking down on a person whether man or woman will not be tolerated and will be visited with the strongest sanctions that will be available.

 

Is the hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry ready to debate? I understand he has to catch a flight at 1700 hours. He is not here.

 

The Minister of Health (Ms Masebo): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to debate the Motion that was moved by the hon. Member for Mufumbwe Parliamentary Constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to congratulate His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema on his resounding victory in the elections held on 12^th August, 2021 and Her Honour the Vice-President, Mrs Mutale Nalumango. Allow me to also congratulate you madam on your election as the first female Speaker of the National Assembly. Let me also congratulate the First and Second Deputy Speakers on their elections to their positions.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to further express my profound gratitude to the United Party for National Development (UPND) and, indeed, the good people of Chongwe Parliamentary Constituency, for giving me the opportunity to contest the Chongwe seat in the last elections. I pledge, to the people of Chongwe, that I will be their true servant and together, we will deliver the much-needed development to the constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema for appointing me as Minister of Health. I would like to assure His Excellency that I will perform to the best of my abilities and in my work, I will always put the Zambian people at the centre. After all, it is the Zambian people who have put us in power and we have that responsibility to improve their health and wellbeing.

 

Madam Speaker, let me now turn to the President’s Speech. In his address to the nation during the Official Opening of the First Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly, His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema emphasised that investment in health is key to attaining a healthy and productive population. His Excellency the President, further, stressed that health is not only a social determinant, but an economic commodity which is key for our country to attain socio-economic development. To this end, His Excellency the President reiterated that in moving forward, the UPND Government will prioritise addressing inequalities in health service delivery, especially between the rural and urban areas.  He further called for institutional and systems’ strengthening to ensure health security for the nation, which will enable us to prevent and mitigate pandemics such as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), while continuing with the provision of essential health services in an integrated manner.

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President stressed that the Government will further prioritise investment in human resources for health for both rural and urban communities, increase health care financing and ensure the availability of medicines, vaccines and medical supplies. He also stated that the Government will provide modern medical equipment for health facilities to facilitate the implementation of an equitable infrastructure development and maintenance programme.

 

Madam Speaker, these planned investments by the New Dawn Government will set us on a path to improving the health and wellbeing of our people, the main reason the Zambian people voted for us as a party. I am cognisant of the fact that the health sector today is besieged by so many challenges, which need to be addressed. I am also aware that we need to be strategic in our approach, as the resource envelope is not enough for us to implement all the desired activities at once. We have to ensure that we channel the available resources to high impact interventions with the potential to bring an immediate positive impact on the lives of our people.

 

Madam Speaker, as the Government, we have critically reviewed the situation in the health sector and have ensured that in our priorities we shall strike a balance between investing in preventive public health programmes on one hand and in the provision of hospital services on the other hand. We want to ensure that as we scale-up the implementation of primary healthcare programmes, we pay adequate attention to the quality clinical care services in the hospitals.

 

Madam Speaker, with that said, may I take some time to shed more light on what we intend to do regarding these key building blocks for the health sector as articulated by His Excellency the President in his opening speech. In doing so, I shall also indirectly be responding to some of the concerns that have been raised by hon. Members of the House, both on the right and left sides.

 

Madam Speaker, the first issue is human resources for health. The severe shortage of personnel in the health sector has persisted in Zambia for years, denying millions of our people access to basic and specialist care. Equitable access to cost effective quality healthcare for our people cannot be achieved if we do not have competent, skilled, and well distributed health professionals. We have a situation whereby our rural and remote areas of the country are the worst hit. In addition, a large number of health facilities have been constructed across the country without matching human resources.

 

Madam Speaker, the establishment approved by Cabinet Office for the Ministry of Health stands at 126,831 positions, but out of these, only 64,761 are funded positions, representing 51 per cent. This leaves a gap of 62,070, representing 49 per cent. Currently, the number of unemployed health workers stands at approximately 20,000, which includes 500 medical doctors.

Madam Speaker, the Government is committed to increasing the number of health workers over the next five years for improved health outcomes. The good news is that this Government has already committed itself to recruiting 500 medical doctors this year going into next year. I am also happy that His Excellency the President stated that there will be increased financing to the health sector, which can be utilised to address this and indeed other health challenges.

 

Madam Speaker, on the issue of medical and non-medical equipment, the President in his speech underscored the need for the provision of modern equipment and adoption of a systematic approach to maintenance of medical and non-medical equipment. Currently, most of the medical equipment is either nonfunctional or obsolete. In addition, some of the newly built health facilities have completely no equipment, creating a huge challenge in the provision of quality health services. In line with the UPND Manifesto, the Government will secure modern equipment such as the ones for dental services, X-rays, Computed Tomography (CT) scanners, cancer, theatre, laboratory, and laundry equipment, among others, and we shall design a robust maintenance system for the equipment.

 

Madam Speaker, on essential medicines and medical supplies, this Government under the able leadership of His Excellency the President will work hard to ensure the availability of drugs and medical supplies in our health facilities. We also owe suppliers an amount of K2.5 billion for medicines. So, you can imagine that we are starting with this bill and we have to clear it. We are committed to dismantling the debt.

 

Madam Speaker, on infrastructure and transport, which most of the hon. Members of Parliament raised, I want to assure them that the ministry will ensure that we deal with this matter. However, we only have 259 running ambulances against the needed 1,000, which leaves a deficit of 741 ambulances. As you obviously know, transport helps in service delivery. So, this Government under the able leadership of the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, will ensure that it addresses this problem.

 

Madam Speaker, there are also issues of decentralisation and governance. You heard the President talk about decentralisation. I want to assure you that the Ministry of Health will decentralise certain functions to the local authorities.

 

Madam Speaker, lastly, but not the least, there is an assurance that there will be improved resources to the health sector and I am happy to say that the President did make this announcement here. Therefore, I look forward to support from the House when the ministry’s budget is brought here.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mubika: Quality!

 

The Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Mr Mubanga): Madam Speaker, allow me to thank God for giving me this opportunity to be alive and for preserving my life to be able to stand in this august House to appreciate the people of Zambia for voting for the United Party for National Development (UPND). This victory has brought peace in the country, and it can be seen by everyone.

 

Madam Speaker, I am grateful to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, for nominating me as an hon. Member of Parliament and appointing me as the hon. Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to congratulate you for being elected as the first female Speaker of the National Assembly. In the same vein, allow me as well to congratulate the First and Second Deputy Speakers of this august House.

 

Madam Speaker, I would also like to thank the members of the UPND for working hard to remove the Patriotic Front (PF) from Government.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mubanga: Special thanks go to my family for standing with me during the campaign period.

 

Madam Speaker, the PF Government did ran down our economy to a point where investor confidence in the country was eroded. The investors were even more disturbed because the PF used violence to win previous by-elections. The country in the past ten years has experienced declining economic prospects, leading to high unemployment levels, coupled with declining standards of living. We cannot allow this to continue. The economic situation today demands dynamic growth.

 

Madam Speaker, my ministry is focusing on addressing unemployment and economic hardships being faced by our youths, who were not happy with the way the PF was running this country and decided to unite and woke up very early in the morning of 12^th August this year and voted them out in order to change the Government.

 

Madam Speaker, the creation of the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development will without doubt enhance growth and support small and medium businesses. My ministry will focus on establishing a stable and predictable policy environment that will promote private investment, growth and job creation. My ministry has a strategy for employment and job creation for Zambians. The approach identifies strong private sector growth, particularly the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as the most powerful driver of job creation.

 

Madam Speaker, working with other institutions, my ministry will introduce skills training courses that will motivate and encourage the youths and women, including vulnerable groups in society, to become successful entrepreneurs. We will focus on changing –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

 

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, my ministry will place a high priority on the establishment of policy reforms that will ensure harmony and a healthy interaction between the workforce and the private sectors as a main engine for job creation.

 

Madam Speaker, the creation of the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development as brought Government agencies, commissions like the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) and cooperatives together. These institutions have been in existence for a long time, without a proper re-arrangement for effective delivery to our people.

 

Madam Speaker, it is clear that the people of Zambia have welcomed the creation of this ministry because they are hopeful that the ministry will quickly address the unemployment situation in the country.

 

Madam Speaker, we cannot run away from the fact that this new ministry will without a doubt help grow the economy, which is limping at the moment. It is a fact that the young people of Zambia voted out the PF because of the confidence they have in the UPND Government. My ministry is, therefore, already putting up practical measures to address unemployment among our people especially the youth and women.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Art (Mr Nkandu): Madam Speaker, before I proceed with my contribution, allow me to congratulate the Seventh President of the Republic of Zambia Mr Hakainde Hichilema and the Vice-President Mrs Mutale Nalumango, for emerging victorious in the just ended 2021 General Elections.

 

Madam Speaker, in addition, allow me on this gracious occasion to congratulate you and your two deputies for being elected to spearhead the business of the National Assembly. Once again, I say congratulations, and may God guide you and bless you as you execute your duties.

 

Madam Speaker, I would also like to thank the President of the Republic for appointing me as hon. Minister for a critical ministry, which I believe brought this Government into office.

 

Madam Speaker, I would also like to congratulate my fellow hon. Members of Parliament for being elected and entrusted to serve the people of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, further, I would like to thank you for according me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the speech presented by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema to this august House on 10^thSeptember 2021, during the Official Opening of the First Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly. Under the theme, “Creating a United Prosperous and Equitable Zambia: Restoring Economic Growth and Safeguarding Livelihoods.”

 

Madam Speaker, it would be gratifying for me if our hon. Colleagues on your left had congratulated the United Party for National Development (UPND) for making it possible to elect the first woman as Speaker, which I did not hear from them.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to inform the august House that Zambia’s population is predominantly youthful, according to the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) – 2018.

 

Madam Speaker, to achieve meaningful development, there is need to provide interventions that will enable this population to participate in the social-economic development of the country and contribute to the attainment of the Vision 2030 aspiration of making Zambia a prosperous middle income country.

 

Madam Speaker, my ministry will upscale and implement programmes that will create employment and empowerment opportunities for the youth. This will be in an effort to contribute to the reduction of youth unemployment through the establishment of recycling plants, support to micro, small and medium youth enterprises, empowerment of youth through the aquaculture values chain, which is fish farming, skills training of artists through existing youth skills training centres, strengthening participation of the general public in sports events though festivals, sports events and tournaments, and the resettlement of youths in youth resettlement schemes, among others.

 

Madam Speaker, I commend the President of the Republic of Zambia on the desire to reverse the current economic downturn through accelerating economic growth and creating opportunities for all especially the youth. This indeed, is a recommendable policy direction aimed at addressing the many challenges faced by the youths in the country, which includes youth unemployment, among others. All this will be achieved through focussing on the following thematic areas:

 

1. economic transformation  and job creation;
2. human and social development;
3. environment sustainability; and
4. and good governance environment.

 

Madam Speaker, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, highlighted economic transformation that will bring together various interventions from various sectors of the economy in order to create jobs and reduce poverty among its citizens. In order to contribute to the creation of opportunities in the country, my ministry will upscale youth, sport and art empowerment programmes that will spur employment creation for the youths, artists sports men and women in the country. This action will create youth employment opportunities by stimulating business opportunities that will result into creating a resilient, innovative, and productive youth population.

 

Madam Speaker, in this regard, Members of this august House may wish to note that my ministry will upscale youth empowerment by providing the youth with resources and equipment that will enable them venture into aquaculture in order to contribute to the reduction in the deficit of fish in the country. In view of the foregoing, my ministry will also provide resources aimed at empowering the youths that would like to venture into agriculture and livestock production.

 

Madam Speaker, the UPND Government has aligned and upscaled the current youth empowerment programme and internship in line with its manifesto based on the creative minds of the youth, nurtured to an extent that it translates into economic value and job creation. For a long time, the youths have been treated like second-class citizens and only appeased towards elections. The focus of the UPND Government is to change the narrative. The current empowerment will be revised and aligned to the UPND Manifesto based on change, corruption free, hard work, good governance, and economic transformation. This is not what the Patriotic Front (PF) Government stood for.

 

Madam Speaker, the President placed great emphasis on the need to position the country to be a leading manufacturer of mineral value-added products, such as electrical cables and copper based accessories to meet the growing demand. This action will translate into more employment opportunities for the people especially the youth. In this regard, my ministry will provide resources, equipment, and mentorship programmes for the youths who would like to setup small manufacturing industries. Further, this action will contribute to the reduction of the exploration of raw materials and will provide an opportunity to increase the exportation of high value finished products, which will in turn bring into the country the much needed foreign exchange to destabilise the local exchange rates.

 

Madam Speaker, the move by the Government to focus on the development of SMEs as the main engine to spur job and wealth creation in the country is a welcome development. In view of the foregoing, allow me to stress that my ministry will up-scale financing youth, sport and arts and sport led enterprise to enable them create sustainable employment opportunities for themselves.

Madam Speaker, I also want to give the status of Kaole Stadium, which was talked about by the hon. Member for Bahati. I assure him that that stadium will be renovated by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FIFA and all the stadia will be looked at, especially those areas where we have infrastructure. This Government will invest heavily in infrastructure development. After that, definitely, we will have to invest in preparations. Thereafter, we will be able to reap medals.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Minister of Defence (Mr Lufuma): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to contribute to the President’s Address that was delivered on 17^th September, 2021, and ably moved by the hon. Member for Mufumbwe, Mr Kamondo.

 

Madam Speaker, first and foremost, it is only befitting that I give thanks to the Almighty God for his divine intervention and grace for, indeed, the seemingly impossible task of forming Government was made possible contrary to the assertions and wishes of the then, Ruling Party, which claimed that President Hakainde Hichilema and the United Party for National Development (UPND) would never rule, not until after fifty years. The resounding victory has put such claims to rest.

 

Madam Speaker, secondly, many thanks go to the Zambian people, especially the youth and here I include, my immense appreciation to the people of Kabompo Parliamentary Constituency for their unshakable resolve to protect the vote from illegal manipulation and thereof, vote out the Patriotic Front (PF). I thank the now Republican President for his resilience and determination for, indeed, despite all odds which included being arrested for more than fifteen times, being denied and prevented from enjoying the freedom of movement and association to execute his campaigns and even being imprisoned at Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Centre for 127 days on tramped up treason charges. He never relented, but soldiered on. The rest is history. He is now the President of the Republic of Zambia, contrary to the pronouncements that he would never be President of the Republic of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank all my friends and relatives in Zambia and the diaspora for the support financially, spiritually and otherwise. Finally, I thank the President for appointing me as Minister of Defence. I take this appointment with the seriousness that it deserves and promise to serve to the best of my capability. I also congratulate His Excellency, Mr President, and the Vice-President for resounding victories.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to also congratulate you as the first female Speaker and your two Deputies for winning the elections. Congratulations!

 

Madam Speaker, the President’s Address emphasises the importance of creating a conducive governance environment for our country’s political stability, security, economic growth and sustainable development. My ministry shall ensure that peace and security prevails in the country in order to aid the realisation of the President’s vision and aspirations of the citizens of this country. My ministry, therefore, is guided by the following mission statement “to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity for national peace and security.” In this regard, the men and women in uniform have effectively discharged their responsibilities and will continue to do so.

 

Madam Speaker, in line with the ministerial mandate, the Defence Force remains committed to the attainment of the theme through the continuous provision of peace and security, thereby creating an enabling and conducive environment for economic growth and prosperity. In addition, my ministry will continue to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security by sending our men and women in uniform to conflict areas under the auspices of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN).

 

Madam Speaker, in his address, the President reiterated the critical nature of the agricultural sector in driving economic growth, creating employment opportunities and contributing to the prosperity of our country. In this regard, my ministry has put up programmes to acquire land for agricultural purposes for the three services to increase agricultural production. Further, in order to contribute to the food security of the country, we intend to increase hectarage under irrigation. We also intend to increase productivity through the practice of modern agricultural techniques as well as value addition.

 

Madam Speaker, with regard to food security and contributing to value addition, the Government procured and allocated six milling plants to the Zambia National Service (ZNS). Three of these milling plants are operational. Through these milling plants, my ministry will be able to produce affordable mealie meal and also, offer a market for maize to the farmers. It is worth noting that not only has the ZNS been allocated milling plants, but it also has ten centre pivots, and this is for irrigation purposes so that we can increase both production and productivity.

 

Madam Speaker, with regard to promoting and increasing livestock production, my ministry will focus on restocking of animals, which include cattle (beef and dairy), pigs and small ruminants such as goats and sheep, and we shall also be involved in poultry production.

 

Madam Speaker, as anchored in the stated vision contained in the President’s Address, which is to have a united and prosperous Zambia that provides equal opportunities for all, my ministry will continue to give equal opportunities to all eligible candidates during recruitment in the Defence Forces regardless of tribe, gender, region or any other eligible social strata. It is important to give a face of Zambia to the recruitment process.

 

Madam Speaker, the President has emphasised the need to maintain, rehabilitate and upgrade road infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. My ministry will continue to upgrade rural roads in our country, through the Zambia National Service Land Development Branch, in order to open up rural areas to enhance economic activities and ease access to markets.

 

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, in our quest to curb youth unemployment and promote youth entrepreneurship, my ministry intends to increase the number of the ZNS youth skills training centres to preferably one in each provision. This will increase the uptake of youths in training centres. So far, we have three training centres that are operational. The youths being trained will be equipped with life sustaining skills that include carpentry, tailoring, plumbing, bricklaying, plastering, welding, fabrication, cookery, auto mechanics and agriculture, thereby helping them to be self-sustaining. The ministry will further work with other stakeholders to ensure that a proper exit strategy is developed to integrate the graduating youths into industry so that they can run and own industries and businesses.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

The Minister for Western Province (Mr Mbangweta): Madam Speaker, allow me to start by congratulating you for going into the history books as the first female Speaker in the House. I also congratulate your two Deputies, one of whom was our Vice-Chairperson in the Committee of National Security and Foreign Affairs in the last term of Parliament.

 

Madam Speaker, I also congratulate our President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, and Her Honour the Vice-President of Zambia and Leader of Government Business in the House, on their success in the just ended 12^th August 2021 General Elections, which they won in the face of adversity. They were constrained from campaigning, but through their determination, they were able to prevail. I also thank the people of Nkeyema for voting for me and the group as well as providing voter protection at the polling stations.

 

Madam Speaker, we, from the Western Province, like and appreciate the speech by the President and its theme which is “creating a united, prosperous and equitable Zambia: Restoring economic growth and safeguarding livelihoods”. The speech, in our view, gives us four concepts that apply particularly to the Western Province, namely, unity, prosperity, equity and restoration. This is because the Western Province was neglected and, unlike other provinces, we need to have a different approach to reach the level where other provinces are.

 

Madam Speaker, the previous Government failed to unite the nation as evidenced by the negligence inflicted on the so-called ‘opposition strongholds’, which is the category where the Western Province fell. The negligence has resulted in the Western Province being the poorest province compared to other provinces. The poverty levels stand at 82.2 per cent and the province only contributes a paltry 3 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country despite it being endowed with a number of resources that have not been exploited to their full potential.

 

Madam Speaker, in this regard, what do the people of the Western Province expect from the New Dawn Government? The people of the Western Province are in dire need of proper and functioning roads, schools and teachers houses, clean drinking water, skills training centres, health facilities, functioning agricultural policies such as the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and the Direct Input Supply (DIS) Programme, jobs, recreation centres, support in the management of their livestock, fair access to employment opportunities and the acquisition of National Registration Cards (NRCs).

 

Madam Speaker, above all, they expect the Bomas that are still in the ‘soil’ in Mitete, Limulunga, Sikongo, Mulobezi and Nkeyema to be completed. They also expect the Lewanika University in Namushakende as well as the stadium in Mongu and the dredging of canals to also be attended to. They also expect the palaces for the traditional leaders and the roads leading to them to be attended to.

 

In effect, Madam Speaker, this Government has inherited a poisoned chalice from our colleagues because of the number of problems that they have left us with. I believe it was not lost on all of us when our colleagues from the Patriotic Front (PF) were debating in here indicating what the previous Government had done in their areas, which was quite a lot in terms of schools, clinics, health centres and roads. If you contrast that to the Western Province where all hon. Members of Parliament, without exception, had concerns, it appears as if the people of the Western Province were not paying taxes. They were, in effect, subsidising other regions. Equally, in the New Dawn Government, it will be expected that that injustice will need to be rectified. We are hoping that our colleagues on the left will not raise objections when we try to do this because we would simply be bringing things to an equal level.

 

Madam Speaker, in terms of road infrastructure, I want to acknowledge the concerns raised by some of our colleagues like the hon. Member for Sikongo, the hon. Member for Nalikwanda and the hon. Member for Mulobezi, among others, regarding the poor state of roads and infrastructure in the Western Province. It is, indeed, a sorrowful sight and one cannot understand why the former Government allowed such a situation to prevail. Most districts in the Western Province did not even benefit from gravel roads. Roads such as the Katunda/Lukulu, Lusaka/Mongu, Livingstone/Sesheke, Mulobezi/Simungoma and Kalabo/Sikongo will need to be constructed. We will need to agree with our colleagues in the line ministries to find out which ones of these roads will form the priority to be addressed based on the available resources.

 

Madam Speaker, agricultural support has also been a problem. The Western Province has the lowest number of beneficiaries at 27,208 when the majority of the provinces in this country have in excess of 60,000 registered beneficiaries. No wonder productivity in the province has reduced and we will need to work on this area with our colleagues from the line ministries to see how best we can try to bring the situation to acceptable levels.

 

Madam Speaker, there is also the issue of NRCs. We will need to have a sense of that because, previously, the Western Province had the lowest NRCs issued at 62,000 as opposed to others –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Member’s time expired.

 

The Minister for Central Province (Mr Nanjuwa): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the speech delivered by His Excellency the President on 10^th September, 2021.

 

Madam Speaker, on 10^th September, 2021, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, addressed this august House as provided for in Article 86 of the Republican Constitution. The President’s Speech provided the framework on key issues of governance under which the Government shall operate and be assessed by the people of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, I congratulate His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, and Her Honour the Vice-President, for their victory in the just ended general elections. I also join all hon. Members of Parliament in congratulating you on being the first female Speaker of the National Assembly. It is the desire of the United Party for National Development (UPND) to see more women take key positions in the governance of this country, Zambia. I extend my profound gratitude to the President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, for giving me an opportunity to serve as Central Province Minister at a time when the people look up to the new leadership to provide real change in their lives. I am extremely honoured and humbled by the confidence reposed in me and wish to pledge my commitment to execute my duties diligently and tirelessly. I want also to appreciate my family, friends and loved ones for the support rendered during the campaign and have continued to support me.

 

Madam Speaker, the President centred his address on the theme: “Creating a United, Prosperous and Equitable Zambia: Restoring Economic Growth and Safe-guarding Livelihoods.”

 

The speech resonates well with the mandate of the province and our commitment to contribute to the creation of a conducive environment and attainment of prosperous middle-income status. The President highlighted the broad policy direction for the next five years under the four thematic areas which include:

 

1. economic transformation and job creation;
2. human and social development;
3. environmental sustainability; and
4. good governance environment.

 

I wish to speak to these fundamental issues and what the people of the Central Province shall expect from the provincial administration from now up to 2026.

 

Madam Speaker, the Central Province has enormous potential in the agriculture, agro-processing, tourism, mining, manufacturing and energy sectors. The province is well-endowed with natural resources such as arable land, water masses and produces in large scale various crops. The province has been a leading producer in major corps and ranks first or second in maize production next to the Eastern Province.

 

 Madam Speaker, the high production in both crop and livestock agriculture presents a huge opportunity for investment in agro-processing which can provide the much desired value addition to agricultural products, maximise profits by farmers and significantly boost the economy of our province. However, very little has been done to improve value addition to crops and livestock in order to contribute to the creation of wealth for the province. The sector is characterised by high cost of financing and high dependency on one crop, maize.

 

Madam Speaker, the province shall revisit the concept of farm blocks, improve agriculture infrastructure and make agriculture a profitable venture. In this regard, we shall bring Nansanga Farm Block to life which has hugely remained underdeveloped. The province shall further ensure that the recently competed Mwomboshi Dam meets its objective of supporting more than 10,000 ha irrigation schemes in Chisamba District.

 

Madam Speaker, in view of the transformation agenda, I wish to inform the House that the Government is determined to open up the Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe, which has been closed since 2007.  A total of US$150 million has been sourced to recapitalise the plant and the company shall invest more than K6 million in cotton out-grower schemes to support the production of raw materials. The textile is expected to be viable and contribute to national revenue, create job opportunities for more than 2,000 youths and provide a readily available market for cotton farmers in the Central Province. Further, Central Province has potential in various mineral resources.

 

Madam Speaker, good governance environment is good for supporting investment opportunities, economic growth and social economic development. The province will strengthen transparent participation of citizens in governance through the engagement of civil society organisations (CSOs), tradition leaders, faith based organisations and consultation of the community leadership such as councillors, mayors and council chairpersons. We shall promote the hosting of provincial and district development coordinating committee meetings.

 

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to state that President’s Address provided hope and confidence that Zambia will retake the right course towards economic emancipation after years of negligence by the previous administration. On behalf of the people of the Central Province, I wish to thank the Head of State for providing us with clear roadmap of the New Dawn Administration in a bid to achieve the economic transformation of our country. In this regard, I would like to assure you that the people of the Central Province will support every effort aimed at realising this great objective for the benefit of the country.

 

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources (Mr Muchima): In the first place, I thank you for this opportunity. I also extend my gratitude for being given the forth term to come to Parliament. It was not easy to come to Parliament under the rule of the Patriotic Front (PF) a dictatorship that has never been experienced in this country and it is never hoped by any person that the PF can ever be remembered. They made sure that I did not come back. I only campaigned for two days. That brutality, in this country, should never be entertained.

 

Madam Speaker, may I also join other hon. Members to congratulate you on being elected Speaker and also to congratulate my colleagues who have been elected to come to Parliament. The New Dawn Government will treat everyone equally, not the way the PF did. The PF should go forever and never be remembered.

 

 Laughter

 

 Mr Muchima:  Madam Speaker, the New Dawn Government wants every Zambian to enjoy peace and the speech of the President to the House brought a breath of fresh air as it outlined the policy direction to be achieved in the next five years. The direction creates an environment in which every citizen will have an opportunity to participate in and benefit from various social, economic and political activities.

 

Madam Speaker, the theme also sits very well in the current environment and is equal to the task as you can see from his return the United Nations General Assembly. He is a man of words and is equal to the task.

 

Madam Speaker, my ministry, in responding to the important issues which were highlighted in the speech and those which have arisen during the debate, would like to affirm to this House that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is mandated to implement programmes that enhance performance of the lands and natural resources sector to contribute to the Government’s objectives outlined in the 7^th National Development Plan (7thNDP) by focusing on reducing developmental inequalities and creating a conducive governance environment for a diversified economy.

 

Madam Speaker, as this august House is aware, approximately 90 per cent of the land mass of Zambia is customary while approximately 10 per cent belongs to the State. The UPND Government, though the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, will continue to intensify its advocacy programmes especially to sensitise traditional rulers on the importance of releasing traditional land for economic development.     

 

 Madam Speaker, my ministry issued guidelines to local authorities throughout the country urging them to set aside land for residential, commercial and industrial use in their respective districts. Further, my ministry would like to promote the acquisition of land by youths and women who wish to engage in agriculture and agro related activities in all districts. My ministry has continued to receive positive feedback from their royal highnesses on the acquisition of land.

 

Madam Speaker, as the House maybe aware, most of the land in Zambia is not held on title. This implies that occupants of such land do not have the security of tenure and, therefore, are prone to displacements. A large proportion of our citizens are also not able to use land as collateral to access various financial and lending institutions. In addition, untitled land has resulted in the loss of revenue for the Government as land is not subject to fees related to land.

 

Madam Speaker, in order to guarantee the security of tenure for the people of Zambia, especially the vulnerable groups, and increase the revenue base, my ministry embarked on the implementation of the National Land Titling Programme. The aim of the programme is to bring all State land in Zambia into the National Land Registration System to ensure the security of tenure. The ministry has projected to raise K159,288,800 from the National Land Titling Programme in 2021 with a target of 250,000 properties.

 

Madam Speaker, in addressing the issue of the prompt issuance of certificates of title, my ministry amended the Land and Deeds Registry Act. The amended Act No. 37 of 2021 provides for electronic registration, use of digital signatures, maintenance and issuance of records relating to land and related rights in electronic form from the electronic lodgement of documents by the public. Further, it will facilitate for a systematic regularisation of unplanned settlements as it will allow for batch processing of certificates of title through electronic means.

 

Madam Speaker, in line with the policy, my ministry will decentralise the services to all provinces. On international boundaries, my ministry is working hard so that it reduces conflicts between Zambia and its neighbours.

 

Madam Speaker, the ministry faces a serious challenge with record keeping because of inadequate registry facilities. It is hoped that this Government will resolve this issue immediately. My ministry will also deal with the rampant corruption that had engulfed the ministry by ensuring that proper officers are retained and those found wanting are moved to other areas because this has brought about a lot of complaints among our people.

 

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, I wish to reiterate that my ministry is determined to ensuring that services are taken closer to the people in accordance with the laws of Zambia and that corruption is completely wiped out and that there is efficiency in the deliverance of services to our people.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

The Minister of Information and Media (Ms Kasanda): Madam Speaker, firstly, may I take this opportunity to congratulate you for being elected as the first female Speaker to the Zambian Parliament. May I also congratulate your two deputies.

 

Madam Speaker, may I also wholeheartedly congratulate His Excellency Mr Hakainde Hichilema and Her Honour the Vice-President, Madam Mutale Nalumango, on being elected as President and Vice-President, respectively. Furthermore, I would like to thank our able President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, for the opportunity given to me to serve in his first Cabinet as Minister of Information and Media. His support for women and gender is unwavering.

 

Madam Speaker, I would also like to thank the people of Chisamba and the United Party for National Development (UPND) party for adopting and electing me as their Member of Parliament for the second time. I do not take this for granted. Special thanks go to my supportive husband, Dr Maurice Jangulo, my children and family and all friends that saw me through this difficult election.

 

Allow me, Madam Speaker, to now move to the ministerial presentation or speech that I have. I beg to move to debate the Motion of Thanks to the speech made by the President.

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President set out broad plans for the priorities, policies and programmes for the UPND Administration. My task this afternoon is to unveil more details of how my ministry, the Ministry of information and Media, plans to realise the pronouncements made by the President in his speech.

 

Madam Speaker, the President said:

 

“to further improve the governance environment, we will enhance media freedom and access to information by facilitating the establishment of a media self-regulatory framework, and enacting legislation on access to information.”

 

Madam Speaker, as you may be aware, the ministry has just been realigned and renamed. It was called the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services. It is now called the Ministry of Information and Media. ‘Broadcasting Services’ has been replaced by ‘Media’ to reaffirm that the ministry is responsible for all forms of mass media and not just broadcasting. There has been a slight adjustment in the portfolio functions. Some portfolio functions have been transferred to other line ministries. The ministry has remained with three core functions, namely;

 

1. broadcasting and television services;
2. information and media policy; and
3. information services.

 

Madam Speaker, to enhance media freedom, my ministry is facilitating the establishment of a media self-regulatory framework. The mechanism is aimed at putting a law in place which will enable media professionals to regulate themselves in their practice of journalism.

Madam Speaker, the UPND administration believes that media organisations and journalists should set and supervise, on their own, professional standards and codes of practice. Journalistic ethics require that:

 

1. the media should report adequately and fairly;
2. issue corrections when they get their facts wrong;
3. allow a fair opportunity to reply, when necessary; and
4. subject to legitimate public interest, respect the right to privacy.

 

The UPND Administration also wants media owners to know that media ownership entails a commitment to inform citizens about matters of public interest and not merely to advance partisan or personal interests. It is part of the media’s responsibility to ensure that journalists are adequately trained and that their private interests do not distort their reporting of public issues.

 

With this in mind, Madam Speaker, I am confident that the media will enjoy their freedom without compromising the rights of other citizens. The lead agenda item for the New Dawn Administration is to ensure that a media self-regulation mechanism is established in the shortest possible time. Journalists are currently drafting a self-regulatory framework in form of a layman’s Bill. In the next few days, they will be submitting the draft Bill to my office so that the ministry facilitates the process of passing the law to establish a media council.

 

Madam Speaker, to improve access to information, my ministry is bringing to this august House the Access to Information Bill. Access to information held by public authorities is key to promoting transparency, good governance and the full participation of citizens in the democratic process.

 

Madam Speaker, there is already a draft Bill that was prepared in 2002 and revised in 2018. The UPND Administration has come to pass the Access to Information Law. My ministry is currently editing the draft Bill to ensure that it is in line with the ideals of the New Dawn Administration.

 

Madam Speaker, the UPND Administration wants an efficient Government, but one which is not bloated. Against this background, I have instructed my officers to redraft the Bill such that it does not provide for the creation of massive administrative structures. My specific instruction to the technocrats is that they provide for access to information to be enforced using already existing institutions such as the Office of the Public Protector.

 

Madam Speaker, my ministry is also keen to promote the freedom of expression to all citizens. Top of the agenda of the UPND Administration is to guarantee editorial independence for the media so that it may serve as a platform for all Zambians to exercise their freedom of expression.

 

Madam Speaker, the freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democracy, which underpins good governance, public accountability and the respect for all human rights. Every Zambian has the right to freedom of expression, which includes the right to seek, receive and impart information ideas of all kinds through any media. The UPND-led Government respects the rights to freedom of expression and will promote the free flow of information and ideals by allowing the media to operate independently.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Minister’s time expired.

 

The Minister of Tourism (Mr Sikumba): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate in support of the speech delivered to this august House by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, during the Official Opening of the First Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly held on Friday, 10^th September, 2021.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to join other hon. Members of Parliament in congratulating you and the two Deputy Speakers on your well-deserved election to preside over the Business of the House. In addition, I wish to congratulate my fellow hon. Members of Parliament on their election to the House. I also wish to take this opportunity to thank the good people of Livingstone Parliamentary Constituency for according me the opportunity to represent them in this House. I further wish to assure them that I consider the responsibility they have bestowed upon me as a great honour and I shall, therefore, execute the task to the best of my ability.

 

Madam Speaker, yet again, I join the numerous distinguished citizens across the country who have acknowledged that the address delivered by the President has given a lot of hope to the Zambian citizens regarding the future development prospects of our country. The speech marked the defining moment in relation to the trust of the national development agenda to be implemented by the New Dawn United Party for National Development (UPND) Administration for the next five years.

 

Madam Speaker, the President’s Speech provided a clear direction pertaining to the priorities to be implemented in order to resolve the numerous challenges that the country has been facing for some time now. In his speech, the President highlighted a number of priorities which included among others, economic transformation and job creation, human and social development, environmental sustainability and good governance. As compatriots of the New Dawn Government, we are resolved to work collectively under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, to rebuild the economy, increase the participation of Zambians in the economy and most importantly, improve the living standards of all citizens without discrimination.

 

Madam Speaker, accordingly, as the Government formulates the Eighth National Development Plan and the 2022 Budget, attention should be given to the mechanisms on how each sector will practically translate into reality the intentions set forth by His Excellency the President. The UPND Government has the noble responsibility to fulfil the aspirations of the Zambian people who have expressed confidence in us. We, therefore, will have honour from the people by governing the great country in a manner that will meet their expectations.

 

Madam Speaker, the tourism sector will be a key driver of the new Government’s development agenda alongside agriculture, mining, energy, commerce and industry, green economy, transport as well as the Information and Communications Technology (ICT). In relation to the four pillars of the development agenda, the tourism sector will primarily focus on maximising its contribution to the three pillars namely; economic transformation and job creation, enhancing human and social development and environmental satiability.

 

Madam Speaker, under all the three pillars, our interventions will be designed to achieve specific results through targeted measures. Allow me then, to highlight some of the expected results and their related measures.

 

Madam Speaker, firstly, we will focus our energies on achieving the full recovery of the tourism sector from the negative effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, through provisions of appropriate and targeted incentives and relief packages to key stockholders in the sector. Most importantly, there is a need to put in place an aggressive COVID-19 vaccination strategy that will enable the country to attain herd immunity in the shortest possible time. This will be critical in assuring both international and domestic tourists that Zambia is a safe tourist destination. At the moment, the COVID-19 vaccine statistics do not appear encouraging as only about four percent of the illegible population has been fully vaccinated. To change this scenario, the ministry in conjunction with key stakeholders in the tourism sector will set up sensitisation campaigns to ensure that all the workers in the tourism enterprise business are vaccinated.

 

Secondly, we plan to increase the number of domestic and international tourist arrivals as well as diversification of tourist source markets through designing and implementing a robust and integrated tourism making strategy that will cover a diverse range of products. That is our unique cultural natural heritage, audio and visual arts, development and introduction of new innovative affordable tourism products as well as establishing and strengthening visitor information services.

 

Madam Speaker, thirdly, in our quest to increase the local content in the sector, we intend to increase the number of Zambian owned business enterprises, jobs created and actualise local investment. Further, we will seek to improve environmental management at tourist sites by mainstreaming environmental concerns and principles into tourism polices, plans, systems and actual business practices in order to address the needs of the visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.

 

Madam Speaker, the active participation of private sector will be key in realising the objectives of the tourism sector. We will, therefore, encourage an active private sector participation in the tourism sector by strengthening Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) through enhanced dialogue, consultation and coordination. Furthermore, we plan to strengthen support systems for meetings, incentives, conferences and events as well as institutional capacity for regulation and law enforcement in the industry. In addition, we shall focus on improving quality standards by establishing a dynamic grading system for tourism establishments and providing tourism and hospitality skills.

 

Madam Speaker, all these measures and strategies are aimed at reducing the cost of doing business in the tourism sector, providing basic tourism infrastructure to facilitate easy access to tourist sites and increasing the length of stay at tourist sites. This is premised on the strong belief that the successful implementation of these measures will ultimately result in boosting the sector’s overall contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). We are, however, fully aware of the fact that most of these measures we intend to implement will require to be supported by appropriate legislative and institutional reforms. In this regard, we have already identified priority legislation and institutional arrangements which require immediate attention.

Madam Speaker, as a ministry, we are committed to ensuring that immediate action is taken to implement programmes that will actualise the Government’s intention to rebuild the economy. We are further committed to channelling the results of the improved economy towards improving the livelihoods of the citizens.

 

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Tourism will effectively play its expected role and will collaborate with the privet sector, civil society originations, State actors and, indeed, local communities, in pursuit of these sector goals.

 

Madam Speaker, in undertaking this work, we shall require to reform the relevant laws and institutions. Therefore, I wish to request for the support of the hon. Members of this House in this endeavour. I shall endeavour to encourage hon. Members that Livingstone is, indeed, open for jobs to the hon. Members’ relatives and friends.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of Energy (Mr Kapala): Madam Speaker, I wish to thank you for this opportunity that you have given me to react to the speech made by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, on the occasion of the Official Opening of the First Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly, delivered on 10^th September, 2021. The theme of the speech was, “Creating a United, Prosperous and Equitable Zambia: Restoring Economic Growth and Safeguarding Livelihoods.” The speech has given hope to the Zambian people and has brought investor confidence to the Zambian energy sector.

 

Madam Speaker, may I congratulate the Zambian people for showing confidence in the all-inclusive United Party for National Development (UPND) Alliance and the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema and Her Honour the Vice-President, Mrs Mutale Nalumango on the resounding victory. Surely, a new dawn is upon us.

 

Madam Speaker, I further would like to extend my warm congratulations to you for having been elected as the first female Speaker. I am confident that your wealth of knowledge will propel this House to greater heights.

 

Madam Speaker, I am grateful to the President for appointing me not only as a Member of Parliament, but as Cabinet Minister in-charge of energy. I do not take this appointment lightly. I am confident that my experience and qualifications shall provide the required leadership to deliver affordable and clean energy solutions to the people of Zambia as promulgated in the UPND Manifesto.

 

Madam Speaker, as you may be aware, energy is a critical resource for economic growth. The importance of energy as an enabler to the industrial drive and economic transformation for this country cannot be overemphasised. Zambia’s economic and social sectors largely depend on equitable and secure access to energy. That is to say the mining, agriculture and tourism industries, among others, will not thrive without access to energy.

 

Madam Speaker, the New Dawn Administration under the leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, will ensure that the energy sector has steady, consistent and transparent policies, particularly around shifting focus towards alternative energy solutions.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government will implement an ambitious renewable energy investment plan that will improve the energy mix. This will reduce our vulnerability to climate shocks by leveraging the declining cost of technologies to harness our vast resources. Currently, hydro-power continues to account for a higher proportion of the generation mix at 79.65 per cent, followed by coal at 10.96 per cent, Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) at 3.65 per cent, solar at 2.96 per cent and diesel at 2.78 per cent.

 

Madam Speaker, as Minister responsible for energy, it shall be my role to provide the policy leadership and guidance to ensure that the vision and intent per our UPND Manifesto is translated into actionable programmes and strategies.

 

Madam Speaker, the UPND Government is determined and committed to turning Zambian into an electricity hub for the region by increasing power generation, distribution and transmission. This will improve the quality of supply domestically and we will have excess power for the export market. The Ministry of Energy, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, shall ensure that the operations of the ZESCO Limited are improved so as to attain long-term financial sustainability for the utility company.

 

Madam Speaker, the issues of private sector participation and increased investment opportunities are a priority for this New Dawn Government. The President clearly highlighted the importance of scaling up investment in off-grid solutions and the need to de-risk the investments in the energy sector. This, in the long-run, will allow the participation of the Private- Public Partnerships (PPPs) in each province of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, the UPND Government will play a supportive role by providing an enabling environment to attract private sector investment into the energy sector. Indeed, as Minister of Energy, it shall be my role and responsibility to ensure that the enabling environment is created to attract investment that shall contribute to job creation, revenue for the Government and more importantly, the improved wellbeing of our people.

 

Madam Speaker, the intention of our Government is to reach the population of Zambia as much as possible in order to attain equitable access to electricity for economic growth and safeguarding livelihoods. As you may be aware, access to electricity in the rural areas currently stands at 8.8 per cent of the total national households, a statistic one should not be proud of, as our rural areas have the opportunity to immensely contribute to the economic transformation and job creation agenda that the New Dawn Government has set in motion. The New Dawn Government will scale up the programme of rural electrification through the extension of the grid network and deployment of off-grid electrification solutions.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me now to speak on the petroleum sub-sector. The petroleum products are currently contributing 9.4 per cent to the total national energy demand. Fuel prices are largely determined by two factors; international oil prices and the exchange rate of the Zambian Kwacha against the United States (US) Dollar. The UPND Government will restructure the fuel supply model to ensure fuel security and remove any unnecessary cost from the supply chain, as clearly highlighted in our manifesto. Furthermore, my ministry shall spearhead reforms that will see the introduction of legislation that will improve the operations in the petroleum sector as well as provide a platform for private sector participation in the petroleum products supply chain.

 

Madam Speaker, also critical and very important to mention is that the UPND Government under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema shall put in place measures to ensure that our Zambian people, especially the youths, begin to participate more actively and visibly in the petroleum sector by ensuring that they have the right knowledge and skills to participate in the sector. As Minister in-charge of the sector, it is my pledge to provide the leadership that shall create a suitable policy and legislative environment to attain this.

 

Madam Speaker, in closing, allow me to state that I support the Motion and the President’s Speech in totality.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker gave the Floor to Mr Samakayi.

 

Mr Samakayi was inaudible.

 

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Ms Tambatamba): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for according me this opportunity to contribute to debate on the Motion of Thanks on the Address by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, during the Official Opening Ceremony of the First Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly on 10^th September, 2021.

 

Madam Speaker, may I also join the others who have spoken before me, to congratulate you for being elected as the first woman Speaker since Zambia’s independence. May I also congratulate your two deputies for successfully being elected to their positions respectively.

 

Madam Speaker, I would be making an omission if I did not recognise the people of Kasempa, who gave me the opportunity to come to this House for a second term.  These people also made it possible for His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, to give me this rare opportunity as a first woman Member of Parliament for Kasempa, and to subsequently be appointed to the position of Minister of Labour and Social Security.

 

Madam Speaker, I am grateful for this gesture of recognition by the President to assign me to such an important portfolio that is so critical for the economy of Zambia even if this sector has not received much recognition for the contribution it makes to the Zambian economy or indeed other economies worldwide. This ministry is of critical importance to the Zambian economy.

 

Madam Speaker, the address that the President delivered to this House was not only visionary and inspiring, but also a national guide for the rebuilding of our economy in order to deliver jobs and better the lives of the people of Zambia. It gave a clear guide especially for us Cabinet Ministers regarding key areas to focus on in order to meaningfully contribute to the economic transformation agenda, which is key for the New Dawn Administration of the United Party for National Development (UPND) and the alliance partners.

 

Madam Speaker, the President’s Address hinged on ending the vicious circle of poverty to bringing about prosperity to all, including issues of employment creation, pension reforms, fair wages, and social dialogue. This resonates well with the mandate of my ministry, whose portfolio functions are about delivering decent jobs to the citizens, strengthening productivity in a healthy and safe working environment in all business enterprises, and ensuring that the workers have appropriate social security. As a ministry, we are also happy to note that the New Dawn Administration has created a dedicated Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development to stimulate and support innovation among the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which is a major part of the informal economy.

Madam Speaker, in support to the informal sector and the new ministry, I am happy to report to this august House that my ministry has already hit the ground running regarding the support to the MSMEs. Thus on Thursday, 16^th September, 2021, my ministry launched a project on mainstreaming of productivity, occupational safety, health, and social security in the MSMEs in the informal economy through digital inclusion.  The aim of this project is to bring about decent and productive jobs in a health and safe business environment in the informal sector, in order to improve the livelihoods of our people.

 

Madam Speaker, at a broader level, my ministry will play the critical role, of upholding principles of decent work by ensuring a harmonious working environment, improved labour productivity and ensuring efficiency in the labour market as enshrined in the international and regional labour conventions to which Zambia is State party. I believe that this will enhance the sector’s contribution to sustainable social and economic development for the people of Zambia. 

 

Madam Speaker, you may wish to note that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has policies that address issues of labour and employment in the country. Notable among these are the National Employment and Labour Market Policy (NELMP), the National Productivity Policy (NPP), among other strategic documents. These policies will be aligned to the aspirations of the New Dawn Administration, to ensure an effective workforce.

 

Madam Speaker, my ministry is cognisant of the fact that well stipulated polices and legal frameworks are not an end in themselves to bring about economic prosperity that this country desperately needs. There is need for a mindset change in all citizens. My ministry will, therefore, work to bring about the right mindset in our citizenly through sensitisation on the contents of the NPP.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to conclude my contribution by pledging, on behalf of my ministry, to diligently execute our mandate in line with the guidance given in both the President’s Address and the manifesto for the UPND and its alliance partners. The ministry will continue working with its tripartite constituencies to ensure that the decent work agenda is pursued vigorously to ensure that there is harmony in the labour market if we are to achieve a productive and efficient labour market anchored on the principles of equity and social justice.

 

Madam Speaker, with these few words, I make my contribution

 

 I thank you, Madam.

 

The Minister of Justice (Mr Haimbe): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for affording me this opportunity to debate the Motion Thanks on the President’s Address, as moved by the hon. Member for Mufumbwe Parliamentary Constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, to start with, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate you and other presiding officers on your election, as other hon. Members indicated in their salutations. I simply ride on that, as this is a historic moment for the people of Zambia,

 

Madam Speaker, may I also take this opportunity to thank the people of Lusaka Central for voting for me in these historic elections and those that have been my support system: My family, wife, my children, the broader family, and indeed the larger United Party for National Development (UPND) family. I simply say, thank you. I cannot say more than that because my heart is with them and going forward, my actions will speak on my behalf.

 

Madam Speaker, from the outset, I wish to state that I support the Motion of Thanks and wish to commend His Excellency the President for a well-rounded, thoughtful, and timely speech to this august House and for the policy guidelines contained therein.

 

Madam Speaker, one of the four thematic areas addressed in the speech by His Excellency the President, which goes to the core of our mandate as the Ministry of Justice, is that of good governance. Indeed, as rightly observed by his Excellency on page 45 of the speech, a conducive governance environment is imperative for our country’s political stability, security, economic growth, and sustainable development. Quite clearly, there can be no better policy pronouncement than this as it covers all the bases and all the aspects that need to be covered in a struggling environment that we find ourselves in as Zambia currently.

 

Madam Speaker, as the ministry, we take this policy pronouncement with the seriousness it deserves and we shall accordingly, undertake the necessary measures to ensure that it is actualised so that we play our part in meeting the aspirations of the people of Zambia at large. Indeed, it goes without saying that as aptly put by His Excellency the President in his speech, “A free mind is a productive mind.” We are alive as the ministry to the requirements of making this a reality. Amongst them, to mention but a few, is the need for us to play an effective role in the process of review of key pieces of legislation including the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia. Only through that process can we make what has been put forward as a policy guideline a reality and meet in the process, the aspirations of the people of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, we also take key note of the stated objective on page 48 of the President’s Address in which His Excellency the President referred to the plight of pensioners. We would like to make this one of our objectives as it goes to the root of the expectations of the people of Zambia, who have suffered through the preceding times that we have gone through. It is our portion to see that the policy pronouncement which looks to resolve the plight of pensioners and secure their rights comes to fruition. We want to assure the people of Zambia, as the Ministry of Justice in this regard, that President Hichilema and the New Dawn Government are equal to the task. This leads me to make a few comments on the submissions made by hon. Members on the Floor of this august House regarding the Motion that is before the House, which I am speaking to at the moment. On the fast track mechanism, regarding the recovery of stolen assets, there was a concern raised by the hon. Member for Pambashe who submitted that justice must be for all and that the procedures to be undertaken in the fast track mechanism should be in accordance with the law. Indeed, other hon. Members echoed the sentiments made by the hon. Member for Pambashe and some of them suggested that this could be a witch hunt.

 

Madam Speaker, we want to make it very clear that only those that have involved themselves in wrongdoing should have anything to worry about; past, present, and future. The process that has been made clear by His Excellency the President will be enshrined in the law and we commit, as the Ministry of Justice, to ensuring that the law only prevails.

 

Madam Speaker, as a matter of fact, it comes to us with the sense of surprise that the hon. Members on your left did not give any indication how they would assist in this process. Having been the gatekeepers in their immediate past regime, it was our expectation that they would weigh in on mechanisms that could be useful in ensuring that this objective which is in the interest of the nation at large is achieved. Therefore, we want to reassure the people of Zambia that the legal mechanisms exist to protect and ring fence the process to ensure that it is as objective as possible. For example, the laws spoken about by the hon. Member for Pambashe gives an opportunity for those that may have involved themselves in questionable activities to come clean and volunteer information.

 

Madam Speaker, indeed, if I may indulge this hon. House, the Anti-Corruption Commission Act No. 3 of 2012 is one such piece of legislation. It provides, without going into too much detail, in Section 68, a mechanism by which people can volunteer information. They can give the Government or indeed, the law enforcement agency the necessary information to assist in the process of recovery. In that way, they will be protected as well.

 

Madam Speaker, that is just, but one example how this whole process will be enshrined in the law. As the ministry, as I mentioned earlier, we are equal to the task. Ours is to protect the interest of the people of Zambia, and that is what we shall do.

 

Madam Speaker, in concluding my debate, I would like to further add that lives should never be lost in the political process. We, as the Ministry of Justice, intend to ensure that we play our part in protecting the lives of many citizens out there. Our colleagues on the left went to length to talk about the life that was lost. I do not wish to go into detail with that, but I have here –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Member’s time expired.

 

Mr Mulusa (Solwezi Central): Madam Speaker, let me start by congratulating His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, and our able Vice-President, Madam Mutale Nalumango, for their successful election victory in this country.

 

Madam Speaker, the resounding victory of the United Party for National Development (UPND) sends a clear message to politicians that they should never take people for granted. It sends a very strong message that Zambians love peace. They hate corruption, tribalism, and intimidation, especially by those they give power to rule over them.

 

Madam Speaker, may I take this opportunity to congratulate you, and your two Deputy Speakers for your successful election as Presiding Officers for this Parliament. Let me also appreciate and thank the people of Solwezi Central for giving me a resounding second term victory to represent them in Parliament. When I came for my first term in Parliament, the people of Solwezi gave me more than 35,000 votes against the Patriotic Front (PF) with 10,000 votes only. When I came for my second term, they gave me more than 43,000 votes against PF with 10,000 votes.

 

Madam Speaker, I appreciate my constituency chairperson, Mr Tiki Mulofwa and the whole executive for the hard work. I know that the campaign period was long and my campaign managers campaigned throughout in all corners of Solwezi Central without resting. I also appreciate my campaign manager, Mr Manjomba, and a colleague we call “General”, who is a very strong campaigner for the UPND in Solwezi Central Parliamentary Constituency, for their hard work.

 

Madam Speaker, we went in every corner of Solwezi Central to spread the good word of hope to the people of Zambia and they gave us the votes we needed. My President was elected the seventh President of the Republic of Zambia successfully with more than 1 million votes, chasing away the PF Government that was hated by the people of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, let me now comment on the President’s Speech and I will dwell on page 10 where my able President talked about the unity of purpose beyond political affiliation, ethnicity and religion. I will also talk about the same throughout my speech.

 

Madam Speaker, we shall forgive the PF, but not forget all the bad things it did in this country. We shall not forget how it segregated against us in wealth distribution in this country.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Solwezi will remember the PF as a party that never cared for them. This is the party that neglected them and only cared to get revenue, and leave the place dirty, with no township roads. There are no good health facilities and tertiary education programmes for the whole province. This is a party that never told the truth, but created more by-elections than development. The PF will be remembered as the most violent political party in this country. It will be remembered as the political party that promoted tribalism in the governance of this country; a party that divided the nation with impunity in all its appointments and disappointments. It was a very bad party that will never resurrect in this country.

 

Madam Speaker, the UPND’s resounding victory through our God-fearing leader, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, is a great turnaround to unite Zambia and put it back to the motto of “One Zambia, One Nation”. Today, we have a balanced Cabinet for unity, peace and freedom, but more so, the fair distribution of wealth. This leadership has brought hope to Zambians and the people on the streets are full of smiles. Wherever you go, people are free. As we unite this country, the wrongdoers must be brought to book and should answer to the corruption charges.

 

Madam Speaker, we saw and we have heard how in some parts of this country, hon. Members were able to give themselves more than seventeen health posts in one constituency, denying others even one. We have heard how roads were made in some constituencies where only one or two vehicles pass in twenty-four hours.

 

Madam Speaker, Solwezi deserves better. We need township roads and I am sure the coming of the UPND Government will bring change in Solwezi. Our people are very expectant. They know that it is now time to have township roads in Solwezi. It is now time to be fair in terms of wealth distribution. It is now time for them to also benefit. However, these benefits are not only for the people of Solwezi, but the whole country. The change we are expecting is a change that will benefit the whole country without intimidation and discrimination, but with the fair distribution of wealth.

 

Madam Speaker, with those few words, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chipili.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: He is not there. Alright, I recognise the hon. Member for Matero.

 

Mr Sampa (Matero): Madam Speaker –

 

Madam Speaker: Sorry. The hon. Member for Chipili is available. You will be the next to debate.

 

Mr Sampa: Noted.

 

Mr Chala (Chipili): Madam Speaker, I salute you most sincerely for giving me this opportunity to deliver my maiden speech to this august House following the elections that took place on 12^th August 2021, where I emerged victorious as the Member of Parliament for Chipili Parliamentary Constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, before I go any further, I give glory to the Almighty God who has made it possible for me to stand here before you. May the Lord Almighty continue guiding me throughout my tenure of office.

 

Madam Speaker, I pay credit to all the members of the Patriotic Front (PF) for giving me this opportunity to stand on the PF ticket and for all the support rendered to me during the campaign period. I cannot forget to give salutation to the former President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for the manner in which he handled the affairs of this country and how he handed over the instruments of power to the current President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema. I would be failing in my duty if I did not congratulate the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, on his victory in the just ended general elections.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank the people of Chipili Parliamentary Constituency for the support and trust in me by electing me as their Member of Parliament. I thank my family for their support, especially my wife, Isabelle Katongo Kanshanda and my children, Memory Kanshanda, Mpundu Kanshanda, Dorothy Kanshanda and Christina Kanshanda, to mention, but a few. They were with me through and through. I also thank my relatives for the encouragement and support rendered to me during the campaign period. May the Almighty God be with them.

 

Madam Speaker, Chipili District and constituency is a rural setup. In Chipili District, we have so many challenges that my people are expecting their representative to address. Chipili is a rural setup and a newly created district. I call it a newly created district because there is literally nothing that has been done in Chipili for the past five years.

 

Madam Speaker, I heard my colleagues talk about development, but there is nothing that one can point at in Chipili that has been done in the last five years. Chipili has remained behind. Being a district that was created by the late Michael Chilufya Sata, Chipili must have a district hospital, but at the moment, there is nothing to talk about Chipili District.

 

Madam Speaker, apart from some buildings at the civic centre, there is nothing that one can point at. As a result, workers from different ministries have failed to move to Chipili District to give service to my people because of lack of office buildings and accommodation. Mwenda Secondary School has been abandoned for an unknown reason, but probably because of the non-availability of funds. So, the contractor has abandoned the work.

 

Madam Speaker, in Chipili, we have a secondary school called Chipili Secondary School. This school was built sometime back specifically for the handicapped, and it was called Chipili Blind School.

 

   Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order! If there is an hon. Member who has his/her Zoom on, please, turn it off. That is why we have feedback.

 

May the hon. Member for Chipili continue.

 

Mr Chala: Madam Speaker, Chipili Blind School was built sometime back by Dr Kenneth Kaunda, may his soul rest in peace, specifically for the blind. This school has been turned into Chipili Secondary School. Also, there is not much to talk about the primary school that was built by the missionaries. In my view, these two buildings must be brought down completely and we should build new infrastructure.

 

Madam Speaker, the schools under the Ministry of Education only have two classrooms, which go up to Grade 7 –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

(Debate adjourned)

 

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The House adjourned at 1840 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 29^th September, 2021.

 

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