Wednesday, 15^th September, 2021

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

_______

 

MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

 

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Madam Speaker –

 

Mr Chitotela: On a Point of Matter of Urgent Public Importance, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: A point of Matter of Urgent Public Importance is raised.

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of public interest on the Leader of Government Business in this House, Her Honour the Vice-President.

 

Madam Speaker, Standing Order No. 134 clearly states why I am rising on the matter of urgent public interest. Standing Order No. 134 states as follows:

 

“A Member who intends to raise a matter of urgent public importance may, at an appropriate time, rise in his or her seat or indicate the intention electronically.”

 

Madam Speaker, I have done this. Having been recognised by the presiding officer, which I appreciate it, a Member shall state the matter he or she considers urgent and of public interest. The standing order further states the admissibility of such a matter. The reason I have risen at this point is according to Standing Order No. 51, which states the timing, which is that after a Motion relating to the arrangement of the Business of the House, matters of urgent public importance may be said. 

 

Madam Speaker, the nation has been awash with a serious matter of public interest. I will refer to the Daily Nation newspaper of Tuesday, 14^th September, 2021, Volume No.7, Issue No. 3046. The title of the article is “Jet Not for Sale.” The matter is on page 2. The article has quoted a party spokesperson on a matter of the Government to the public. The article reads:

 

“The UPND has backtracked on its campaign pledge to sell the presidential jet claiming it was an asset of the Zambia Air Force (ZAF).

 

Madam Speaker, I believe that the UPND spokesperson, Mr Cornelius Mweetwa, who is also an hon. Minister, is bound by the ministerial code of conduct, together with the rest of the Cabinet. I have a great admiration for Her Honour the Vice-President, who is a seasoned Cabinet hon. Minister, and has been a Deputy Speaker and is now the Vice-President.

 

Madam Speaker, Mr Cornelius Mweetwa went on to say:

 

“... the issue of the jet was neither here nor there because the jet is not an asset of the president but that of the defence wing. He said this when he featured on Diamond TV on Sunday where he discussed a wide range of issues that the party had undertaken ...”

 

Madam Speaker, he said that the new dawn administration has been well-guided on the presidential jet. Bear in mind that this advice could have probably come from the security wing of the State, and this advice is correct because the security wing is entitled to guide and advise the Republican President. That is within the domain of the Republican Constitution. 

 

Madam Speaker, let me quote from the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper of Wednesday, 15^th September, 2021, Volume No. 25, Issue No. 221. The title of the article is “Presidential jet Dilemma.” The article says:

 

“It seems the issue of the presidential jet will not simply fly away. With President Hakainde Hichilema due to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month, there was heightened interest in whether the Gulf Stream would be flying across the Atlantic. Simply put, it will not. While in opposition, the President’s position was that it was a waste of tax-payers’ money. That remains his position, according to United Party for National Development (UPND) spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa.”

 

Madam Speaker, the article goes on to page 3. He went on to say that after the security wing advises His Excellency the President, the matter will be a subject of the Cabinet. I find this very strange, being an immediate past Cabinet hon. Minister and a member of the ministerial security council that advises the President on the matters of security and defence, that the advice of the security wing of the Government to the President will become a subject of the Cabinet to decide upon.

 

Madam Speaker, is Her Honour the Vice-President in order to remain quiet and let Zambians begin to speculate on whether the enforcement of the information communicated through the security briefs that go to the President will now be decided upon by the Cabinet.

 

Madam Speaker, further, is Her Honour the Vice-President in order to let the party issue statements on matters of the Government without giving a chance to the Government spokesperson to give the position of the Government? Is she in order to allow the Republican President, who is not a UPND President but State property, to fly economy class during the heightened Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic for thirteen hours from Zambia to Washington and back?

 

Madam Speaker, I will help you by laying this on the Table so that you can make an informed decision. Is Her Honour the Vice-President in order to remain quiet and allow the breach of ministerial code of conduct by some of the members of her Cabinet and allow the party to be issuing statements on issues to deal with the Government, and alleging that His Excellency the President, will now subject the security briefs to the scrutiny of the Cabinet?

 

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

 

Madam Speaker:  Thank you very much, hon. Member, for the point of order, which has been duly noted. I will need to reserve my ruling on the point of order because I need to make inquiries and investigate the issue in order to render a ruling later.

 

_______

 

MOTION

 

MOTION OF THANKS

 

(Debate resumed)

 

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for according me this opportunity to render my second maiden speech to this House.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to pay tribute to some people. The first one is the former Republican President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for managing the affairs of this great nation and the Patriotic Front (PF) party diligently, being a unifier and distributing development equitably across the country.

 

Madam Speaker, secondly, I mentioned this matter even in my first maiden speech and I want to qualify it again because it is of great importance. Allow me to pay glowing tribute to the late President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, for having taught us politics of accepting defeat and congratulating winners. He also taught us to have patience and perseverance in politics and abhor political violence. Indeed, we, who have been through the Michael Sata Academy, are well-tested politicians.

 

Madam Speaker, I cannot forget, like my name suggests, to thank the PF party for giving me a second chance to contest the position of Member of Parliament in Chitambo Constituency. Allow me to also thank the people of Chitambo Constituency for voting for me overwhelmingly and convincingly. I shall never disappoint them in discharging my duties.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to thank my wife for understanding when I was away from home campaigning. It was one of the longest campaigns and it was not easy, but she encouraged me. I thank my children; Justina, Stephen and Alex Mutale; for being there for me whilst I was away campaigning. They made me very strong.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to also thank my district chairperson, the constituency chairperson and their groups. I also thank my aide, Mr Charles Mutale, whose hand was broken by a wheel spanner by our colleagues in the United Party for National Development (UPND). I urge him to stand strong because time will tell.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Shame!

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, before I talk about the developmental issues in Chitambo, allow me to talk about violence. The President has been talking about violence and we heard the UPND Spokesperson, Hon. Mweetwa, say that there shall never be thuggery in the UPND. I do not know whether it is deliberate that they say one thing and do the opposite.

 

Madam Speaker, a week ago, the Mayor of Kabwe went to court to answer his petition. What happened there is quite shameful. They removed the mayor from his official vehicle and almost damaged it. The matter was pushed to Kapiri Mposhi. Yesterday, in Kapiri Mposhi there was drama when UPND ‘thugs’ almost killed –

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, withdraw the word ‘thugs’.

 

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, I withdraw the word ‘thugs’ and replace it with ‘unruly UPND members’. They went for our council chairperson, who is the Mayor of Kabwe, and again disturbed court proceedings.

 

Madam Speaker, I want to make it known to Zambians that they should not trust the UPND when it comes to violence because what their leaders are telling us here is not what their followers are doing outside. Forewarned is forearmed. Zambians are watching them closely. They accused the PF of being violent, but it is now their turn and we shall be watching them closely. We know that their violence is beyond measure. We know that they are the architects of violence through the Mapatizya Formula and it is a continuation of the same.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, I appeal to the UPND to, please, tame its cadres. We need a peaceful nation. The UPND is on record as having said that it would defend itself if the police could not defend it. We do not want to reach that level. We want a peaceful Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, Chitambo Constituency is one of the constituencies in Central Province, and, like in any other rural constituency, poverty levels are high. We have challenges and the PF Government did its best to alleviate some of them. We are happy that our area, which did not have electricity since 1964, has power today. We are thankful to the PF Government for giving us mini-hospitals, health centres and schools.

 

Madam Speaker, I would also like to inform you that much of the population in Chitambo comprises peasant farmers who rely on the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), which is provided by the Government. The Government is supposed to give them farming inputs. Therefore, I would like to urge the United Party for National Development (UPND) to continue with the FISP policy and to be distributing farming inputs to the farmers on time.

 

Madam Speaker, I would also like to urge our colleagues in the Government, now, that constituencies such as Chitambo always experience floods. We also have elephants that terrorise the area. I, therefore, ask the Government to continue providing relief food to the people of Chitambo.

 

Madam Speaker, in Chitambo, there are minor challenges like river crossings where bridges are needed. We also have other areas that still need communication towers. I believe that if the UPND Government continues with the PF policies by giving us the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), some of these challenges will be alleviated. It is our prayer that the Ministry of Finance and National Planning will release the CDF on time this year. The PF Government left us with some CDF, which I know has contributed a lot to the people of Chitambo.

 

Madam Speaker, let me now turn to the President’s Speech.

 

Madam Speaker, we are in the Opposition, as the PF, and we have vowed that we shall criticise where it is due. I want to thank the President for having come to present his speech to this House. I agree with his speech because he realised that governments come and go. The policies that the President announced in this House are the policies that the PF Government was implementing in the country.

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, therefore, as a Zambian and a Member of Parliament, under the PF, I am very happy with the President’s Address. On page 9 of the speech, the President spoke very well. He said the following:

 

“As we embark on this journey, it is cardinal that we equally enhance the provision of equitable access to economic opportunities to our citizens, especially our youth.”

 

Madam Speaker, this means that the President realises that the PF was providing equitable access to economic opportunities to the youths. That is why he has also decided to embark on the same policy, which we are happy with, as the PF party. I will cite page 10 of the speech where the President spoke very well:

 

“We will also enhance provision of adequate social services.”

 

Madam Speaker, this means that he also realises that the policy that the PF Government was implementing was a good one and, therefore, he will also embark on it and enhance it.

 

Madam Speaker, on page 10 of the speech, the President went on to say:

 

“Indeed, we will further enhance the provision of social protection to the poor and vulnerable in our society.”

 

Madam Speaker, this means that the President realised that FISP and the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programmes are good and, therefore, he intends to follow through.

 

Madam Speaker, this speech is a reflection of what the PF was doing. Therefore, it means that it is the PF that is still ruling this country.

 

Interruptions

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, whether the UPND likes it or not, it has to give our people in the rural areas the SCT because, under the PF Government, it was realised that this money was helping the elderly people in the rural areas. I know that the President did not speak about all the promises that were made when the UPND was in the Opposition because he realised that governance is different from being in the Opposition. In the speech, there is nothing contained about the promises that they made and gave to the people of Zambia that is why he went for the policies of the PF Government.

 

Madam Speaker, I want the UPND Government to realise that there is a difference between being in the Opposition and being in Government. Whatever they envied when they were in the Opposition, they should forget about it. They should now realise that they are in power, and they must start doing what Zambians want and expect them to do.

 

Madam Speaker, for them to achieve that, they must come to us in the PF for training whether they like it or not. We are available to offer them this free training because we will not continue to bear with them when they start changing goal posts every day. We want them to deliver to the people of Zambia. For them to do that, they must come to us, their elder brothers, so that we can teach them how to lead this country.

 

Madam Speaker, I am sorry to mention to them that whatever they promised when they were in the Opposition, they shall never achieve it but instead, they will do the opposite. The people of Zambia should know that whatever the UPND promised them, nothing shall come to pass because being in the Government is very different from being in the Opposition. In the Opposition, there is chipantepante. This means that people can go anywhere and say whatever they want. However, since they are in the Government today, whatever they will say will be policy and the people will follow it up and ask them about it. I will be the first person to come here and ask them.

 

Madam Speaker, to Her Honour the Vice-President, I wish to state that today, my debate will be as simple as this. I will be waiting very patiently to see whether what is contained in this speech will come to pass. If it does not come to pass, it shall be different the next time I will rise in this House to speak. The spirit of the people that sent me here will come and speak in this House because what this Government has promised the people of Chitambo, and Zambia as a whole, is quite immense.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the speech delivered to this august House by the President of the Republic of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, before I get to the content of the speech, I just want to start by expressing my concern over the speech that the President delivered here. The speech is a national document and conveyance to this august House for the President to deliver is done procedurally. I am happy that the hon. Minister of Home Affairs is here and he should take note that on that day, we experienced something unusual because we had so many intruders, including the person who delivered the speech to the President, in this august House. That should never repeat itself.

 

Madam Speaker, the President is now the number one national asset, seconded by Her Honour the Vice-President, and it is the responsibility of the hon. Minister of Home Affairs to ensure that only those who are from State institutions handle matters of the Presidency. I am happy the Minister of Foreign Affairs is here. I want him to ensure that as he takes the President to New York to deliver his maiden speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, what transpired here does not repeat itself because we will be embarrassing the nation.

 

Mr Lusambo: Ka sangoma.

 

Mr Kampyongo: The Commander-in-Chief –­­

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kampyongo: You listen. Do not question.

 

Madam Speaker: Can we have some order.

 

Mr Kampyongo: The Commander-in-Chief comes here with his Aide and heads of service institutions. That is a serious undertaking. So, make sure that you do not allow that to happen again. We started doubting the document from that time because we thought the President had been handed a wrong document.

 

Madam Speaker, like many have debated, it is true that it was a missed opportunity for the President to state affirmative policies in this document, in line with the campaign promises that he made to the people of Zambia. We were expecting the President to set the tone for the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, who is yet to –

 

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Kakubo: Madam Speaker, looking at the way the debate is flowing in the House, I rise on a point of order, and I thank you for the opportunity.

 

Madam Speaker, yesterday, you guided that hon. Members who have made their maiden speeches can rise to debate the President’s Speech that was given last week, but what we are now seeing is that hon. Members want to stand to debate the President’s security detail.

 

Madam Speaker, I rise that you may provide detail –

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Can we, please, give him an opportunity to raise his point of order so that I can understand it.

 

Mr Kakubo: Madam Speaker, in the President’s Speech, there is nowhere were the President mentioned who his security detail is, but hon. Members are going all out to discuss the President’s security detail.

 

Madam Speaker, I rise that you may provide guidance on this serious point of order. Is the hon. Member on the Floor in order to divert all the way from the President’s Speech that we are debating here to now discus the Presidential security detail?

 

Madam Speaker, I seek your ruling.

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much for that point of order.

 

Yesterday, I guided that when hon. Members are debating, they should stick to the point on the Floor that is being debated. On the issue of the security detail, unless the hon. Member on the Floor is saying that the person is not qualified and that there are facts that can be produced on the Floor to show that he is not qualified to be part of the security detail or that he was not formerly appointed to be in the security detail, I think, it is better we avoid discussing the security detail. So, the guidance that I am giving is that let us stick to the President’s Speech and debate in accordance with the Standing Orders, as guided.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, well-guided. However, I was only talking about the conveyance of the speech to the House, which gave us doubts on whether we had received the genuine speech. It is important that our colleagues listen and learn from the free advice being given to them. We do not want to be embarrassed, as a country.

 

Madam Speaker, what I was saying is that this speech was expected to contain affirmative action of how the President is going to unpack his promises and set a tone for the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, as he comes to present the National Budget. One of the critical issues I wanted to hear from the President was that of the debt stock, which he talked about when he was interviewed by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and briefly referred to in his speech. I expected him to come to this august House, as the institution which holds both the past and present Executives accountable, to clearly state what he meant by saying that this House and many other institutions, including the International Monitory Fund (IMF), had received wrong figures in terms of the debt stock this country has. It would have been important for us to hear him state it here so that we know who to hold accountable between the current hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning and the past Minister of Finance because that is very serious, and we shall follow through with the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning.

 

Madam Speaker, we further expected him to clearly state how the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning was going to come here when the coffers they have inherited are empty. We all know what happens. The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning comes with his budget estimate projections of revenue collection and expenditure. However, if the President was quoted as having said that he inherited empty coffers, we would have loved to hear to what extent and what was expected of the hon. Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

 

Madam Speaker, this speech lacks clarity on a number of issues. It is no wonder that the other day, because of the statement made regarding mining that mines will be in the hands of Zambians, people misunderstood it because there was no clarity. In Mwinilunga, people tried to grab gold mines because they heard that the mines were now to be owned by locals. There was no clear message, and lives were lost. We are waiting for the hon. Minister of Home Affairs to come and share with us what transpired.

 

Madam, when the President came here on Friday, many Zambians expected to hear affirmative action in the agriculture sector. We were very clear in our manifesto on how we wanted to transform many initiatives in the agriculture sector such as the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), but farmers clearly heard how the president assured them on how they were going to be getting fertiliser worth K250 from 1^st September, 2021.

 

Madam Speaker, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) is now having challenges with farmers because they are asking whether the floor price for a bag of maize, which was set earlier, is what they are going to get for their produce. So, I am saying that it was a missed opportunity because of the lack of clarity on a number of issues.

 

Madam, I have seen many youths moving around with khaki envelopes looking for jobs.  I am happy that the new hon. Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development has now been sworn in. It is expected that he is going to be very busy because the youths, who were promised jobs by our hon. Colleagues, whether they change the language today or tomorrow, will be waiting.

 

Madam Speaker, I am sure we have heard what they are already saying. We do not want them to be in a defensive mode. So, the President should have pre-empted his polices clearly because when he starts hearing the youths say, “Bally, ni mudala waboza,” he will start having challenges.

 

Madam Speaker: Meaning what?

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, meaning Bally has departed from what he had promised us. That is what the youths are saying. If they are pretending, we shall be here. Do not ignore that. The expectations –

 

Madam Speaker, they are calling it BMW that Bally ni munthu waboza.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: So, that should not be ignored. A youth can be a double-edged sword. Youths do not wait. When you promise, they queue up. So, it is very important that as the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning comes, he shares with us how much will go in the basket of the new ministry, which has been tasked with issues of job creation.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Simushi (Sikongo): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak in this august House. Allow me to thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the speech presented on the Floor of this august House by His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema. However, before I contribute to the debate on the Motion, allow me to present my maiden speech.

 

Madam Speaker, it is my honour and rare privilege to address this august House, as the new Member of Parliament for Sikongo Parliamentary Constituency. Allow me at this junction to congratulate His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, and Her Honour the Vice-President, Mrs Mutale Nalumango, for their resounding victory in the 12^th August General Elections.

 

Madam Speaker, may I also take this opportunity to congratulate you on your deserved election as Speaker of this august House and also for being the first female Speaker of this great country. In the same vein, allow me to extend my congratulations to the First and Second Deputy Speakers on their deserved election. Further, may I also extend my heartfelt congratulations to my fellow hon. Members of Parliament for their victories in their respective constituencies.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to pass my special and heartfelt gratitude to the good people of Sikongo Constituency for the overwhelming support they gave me during the 12^th August Elections, which has seen me in this august House on the United Party for National Development (UPND) ticket. Being a Christian, I would be failing in my duty if I did not honour and give glory to God Almighty for his mercies before, during and after the elections and, indeed, for a resounding victory against all odds. During the course of my race to Manda Hill, I experienced miracles and I can confidently say that, indeed, God Almighty was by my side and he continues to be by my side to this day.

 

Madam Speaker, my decision to enter the political arena was borne out of a desire for two things only, that is, to be a voice of the voiceless and to contribute to uplifting the standard of living of the people of Zambia in general, and Sikongo in particular.

 

Madam Speaker, you may wish to know that Sikongo Constituency or District is one of the least developed places in this country and, as such, the development of Sikongo Constituency, thus far, leaves much to be desired to the extent that the people of Sikongo feel that they are not part and parcel of this country. It is unfortunate that fifty-seven years after Independence, the level of poverty and under development in Sikongo Constituency is so appalling and shameful to say the least.

 

Madam Speaker, to this day, the people of my constituency still lack basic needs of life such as adequate clean drinking water, shelter, food, access to decent health care, access to decent education and good roads to mention but a few. If no drastic measures are taken, in the short to medium term, the 2030 Vision of Zambia becoming a prosperous middle-income country will be, but a mere elusion for my constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, there are many people I would like to thank who played a special role in my journey to this august House. However, I cannot name them all, but there are a few I wish to mention. Firstly, it is my beloved parents, Mr and Mrs Simushi, who encouraged me and supported me spiritually, financially and morally throughout the campaign period. Unfortunately, on a sad note, I lost my beloved mother on 3^rd August, 2021, just when the campaign period was almost coming to an end. Allow me to dedicate this victory to my beloved late mother who shall forever occupy that special place in my heart. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

 

Madam Speaker, may I also take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, and the entire UPND for believing in me and adopting me to contest as Member of Parliament for Sikongo Constituency. I thank His Excellency the President so much and may God Almighty continue blessing him and the UPND. I pledge to remain loyal to the party and I will forever be grateful to the President and the party for this opportunity to serve mother Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, my third thanks and gratitude go to my wife, Zamiwe Ngwenyama, for the support and endurance under very difficult circumstances. I will not forget to thank my children and family members too many of them to thank individually. However, collectively, allow me to thank them all from the bottom of my heart for believing in me, for their wise counsel and for their unwavering support throughout the campaign period. I would also like to acknowledge and thank my campaign manager, Mr Vincent Silungwina, together with the rest of the campaign team for the unwavering commitment and support, which was vital to our strong results. He was, indeed, the right pick for the job.

 

Madam Speaker, as earlier referred to, the development of Sikongo leaves much to be desired. Successive Governments have been making empty promises to the people of Sikongo in terms of development. However, the worst, so far, has been the PF Government.

 

Hon. PF Members: Question!

 

Mr Simushi: Worst in the sense that this is a Government that had the audacity to cancel the Sikongo/Kalabo Road, a project that means a lot to the people of my constituency and that was in progress.

 

Madam Speaker, as if this was not enough insult to the people of Sikongo, the PF Government decided to halt other developmental projects that the late President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, may his soul rest in peace, started in 2013. These include thirty-two houses, the post office, administration block and a civic centre building. As a result of this, most civil servants in Sikongo have no accommodation. They have to commute from Kalabo every day, a situation that has proved to be unsustainable to the development of Sikongo, yet, on the other hand, we are hearing some people from the then PF strongholds boasting of unprecedented economic development during the PF Regime. This only goes to show how the development agenda of the PF Government was bias and segregative on political, tribal and regional lines.

 

Madam Speaker, Sikongo Constituency or District is just a district on paper. The reason being that all critical services needed by the people of Sikongo can only be accessed from Kalabo District, thanks to the PF Regime for not leaving anyone behind, and these include health care, justice, education, business opportunities, relief food and storage sheds and others. This sad state of affair must come to an end immediately. That is why it will be my duty while in this House to be the mouth piece for the people of Sikongo Constituency and ensure that they get a fair share of the national cake in a bid to transform their lives. However, I am happy to note that we are now under the new dawn UPND Government where development shall not be done on tribal, political and regional lines. Therefore, I am, indeed, confident that the people of Sikongo shall get a fair share of their development needs. Top on the development agenda for Sikongo Constituency in the next five years shall be:

 

Upgrading of the Sikongo/Kalabo Road to Bituminous Standard

 

Madam Speaker, you may wish to know that the Sikongo/Kalabo Road is an economic road whose potential benefits are not limited to the people of the Western Province, but reach as a far as Copperbelt, Lusaka and Central provinces. However, even in its bad state, we have seen people from Copperbelt, Lusaka and Central provinces of this country travel to Sikongo and Angola to buy fish, rice and other products using the Sikongo/Kalabo Road. This time around, I have no doubt that the Sikongo/Kalabo Road shall be fixed by the fixer himself.

 

Dredging of the Mwenyi/Makoma Canal

 

Madam Speaker, this is another important developmental undertaking that has been neglected for many years by successive Governments. This important transport route for the people of Makoma and Mwenyi was last dredged by the United National Independence Party (UNIP) Government. As a result, the canal has now silted to unmanageable levels, making navigation almost impossible, especially during the dry season. It is my strong appeal that this canal is worked on to bring to an end the suffering of the people of Makoma and Mwenyi. You may wish to know that this canal facilitates trade between Zambia and Angola as well.

 

Provision of Clean Drinking Water

 

Madam Speaker, they say water is life, yet for Sikongo, clean drinking water has remained a big challenge up to this day. Three quarters of the people of Sikongo drink dirty water from shallow wells, yet the PF is boasting of unprecedented development. If we cannot take development to Sikongo, as UPND, let us ensure that the people of Sikongo have access to clean drinking water.

 

Construction of Sikongo District Hospital

 

Madam Speaker, for God’s sake, Sikongo is a district just like Lusaka District and my people deserve access to decent health care as well. The people of Sikongo are dying like chickens due to poor access to adequate health care facilities. The few so called rural health centres are poorly manned with no medicines and equipment. Even panadol is not available in our rural health centres and patients have to buy such basic, but yet necessary drugs. In this regard, the people of Sikongo are demanding for the construction of not only a district hospital, but also the upgrading of Nanda, Sikushi and Makia Rural Health Centres to mini hospitals so that they too can have access to adequate decent health care as like their counterparts in Shiwang’andu.

 

Construction of Sikongo Magistrate Court

 

Madam Speaker, we say justice delayed is justice denied. Indeed, the people of Sikongo are being denied of their justice because they do not have a magistrate court. They have to travel to Kalabo to access the services of a magistrate and as result, in most cases, they have to wait for months or years for their cases to be heard. That is why –

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Can we have some order, please! When you are talking, you would want everybody to have an ear to your debate. So, let us give the hon. Member on the Floor time to debate freely without any interruption.

 

Hon. Member, you may proceed.

 

Mr Simushi: Madam Speaker, that is why in the constituency development plan for Sikongo, we have included the construction of a magistrate court.

 

Construction of High Schools

 

Madam Speaker, this is yet another big challenge that the people of Sikongo are faced with. You may wish to know that Sikongo District is vast, stretching from Makoma in the north to Sinyanganye at the border with Shangombo in the south, yet it has only one high school. If this country is to develop, it is important that we make serious investment in education, which is the best equaliser. In this regard, the people of Sikongo are demanding for the construction of Makia and Sikushi High Schools, and also upgrading of selected primary schools.

 

Upgrading of the Cordon Line to a Gravel Road

 

Madam Speaker, the cordon line which was created to control animal diseases has now lost its purpose. Nevertheless, the people of Sikongo strongly believe that it can now be turned into a useful feeder road not only to ease movement of people, but also to facilitate agriculture marketing.

 

Provision of desks in all Schools

 

Madam Speaker, it is sad that, fifty-seven years after Independence our children, not only in Sikongo, but in a number of schools across this country sit on the floor while learning. How can we then expect them to pass and proceed to tertiary education? Therefore, it is surprising and laughable that those from the PF can sing about unprecedented development when pupils in Sikongo sit on the floor and teachers have to buy their own chalk. We have also seen teachers in Sikongo build their own houses.

 

Connecting Schools and Health Facilities to Power

 

Madam Speaker, if we are to accelerate the development process of the rural areas of this country, we need to invest in energy. Doing so will enable our people leaving in rural areas have access to modern and decent health care facilities and equipment. Further, it will help us invest in modern education facilities. For instance, in Sikongo, patients have to travel to Kalabo District to access x-ray services. On paper, schools are offering computer studies, but the reality is that fully fledged computer studies are none existent due to lack of power supply. Now that Sikongo Boma is connected to the national electricity grid, the people of Sikongo are demanding that power now be taken to all schools and health facilities across the district.

 

Increased Rice Production and Productivity

 

Madam Speaker, Sikongo District has a comparative advantage in rice production. The potential to produce rice in Sikongo if well-harnessed has the capability of producing enough rice for domestic consumption in this country with surplus for export. Therefore, strictly speaking, with the right Government in place, the people of Sikongo are not supposed to be poor. All that needs to be done is to invest in increased agricultural rice production and productivity, by enabling people have access to agricultural inputs, equipment, implements and access to markets. In the same vein, the people of Sikongo would like to establish rice processing plants to maximise on value addition and job creation.

 

Madam Speaker, when it is all said and done, I have no doubt that the numerous projects that the PF Government failed to implement or complete because they were political and tribal in their national development agenda, shall be under taken by the UPND Government that is all inclusive.

 

Madam Speaker, the struggle for a better Zambia did not come on a silver plate. As a nation, we witnessed extra ordinary happenings during the past five years of the PF regime. We witnessed carnage of innocent citizens at the hands of the PF Government, which sadly resulted in loss of lives of innocent citizens. Instead of protecting its people to freely express their constitutional rights, we saw a regime that instead chose to brutalise its own citizens in a quest to continue to stay in power.

 

Madam Speaker, political cadres and militia groups armed to the teeth were allowed to freely roam our streets and cause mayhem. Cadres were incorporated into sensitive Government institutions, such as the police, in order to brutalise citizens for merely belonging to the Opposition. Allow me to mention here that such evil acts should not be allowed to happen in this country again and those who were involved in peddling these evil acts should be held to account.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a man who I respect and admire a lot for his outstanding leadership qualities, courage, resilience, accomplishment, uprightness, sacrifice and love for mother Zambia.

 

Hon. Member: On a point of order, Madam.

 

Madam Speaker: Please, as I guided, no points of order will be raised during the presentation of maiden speeches.

 

Hon. Member, you may proceed.

 

Mr Simushi: Madam Speaker, this man was ready to pay the ultimate price for the economic liberation of our country and it is no other than His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema (HH), ...

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Simushi: ... aka Bally, the fixer, the man of the people, musankwa mubotu. To my president, I would like to say that the tremendous suffering he experienced through numerous arrests, ridicule, acrimony to mention, but a few was for a purpose. I strongly believe that it was meant to shape and prepare him to be a great leader who would be able to lead this great nation out of bondage with untold wisdom. Therefore, I have no doubt whatsoever, that our country is now in safe hands.

 

Madam Speaker, as Sir Robert Menzie mentioned in the Forgotten People Speech, the ingredients of a good leader are flexibility of mind, constructive capacity, humility, integrity, determination, resilience and a sense of marked judgment. Without a shadow of doubt, His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, has truly modeled this transformational leadership not only for the UPND, but for the country at large.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Simushi: Madam Speaker, to this end, allow me to mention that there were a number of key factors that led to our convincing victory in the just ended august General Elections and without any doubt, the first was good leadership by the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema. He is, indeed, a breath of fresh air and I believe he is exactly what the Zambian people need at a critical time like this one. Suffice to mention that the victory that the UPND delivered is one for the history books.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Member’s time expired.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Member’s time has expired.

 

Mr E. Daka (Msanzala): Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me this time to present my maiden speech.

 

Madam Speaker, first of all, I would like to congratulate you and your team on being elected to spearhead the debates and the legislation of this House.

 

Madam Speaker, in the first place, I would like to thank God Almighty for granting me the opportunity to realise the dream which I embarked on many years ago of representing the people of Msanzala Constituency and the people of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, from the outset, let me thank my wife, Prospelina Zulu, and my children; Elias Daka, Emelda, Susan, and Pinkson; for the moral support they gave to me. Allow me to convey my gratitude to Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the Sixth President of the Republic of Zambia, who mentored me and facilitated my political career. Let me also thank the extended membership of the Patriotic Front (PF) Party, starting with members of the Central Committee and the provincial leadership for having confidence in me. This confidence will not go in vain as I will endeavour to serve the good people of Msanzala Constituency to the best of my ability.

 

Madam Speaker, expressing my gratitude will not be complete if I do not recognise the efforts of my party at district and constituency levels. In particular, I would like to thank my campaign manager, and my helpers; Mr Saviour Banda and Mr Francis Phiri; who worked tirelessly to make sure that we won the election, which was held on 12^thAugust, 2021.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to, most sincerely, thank the voters who braved the cold and other challenges to turn up in large numbers and convincingly chose to bank their trust in the party as well as in me, as their representative.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me also to pay particular tribute to my predecessor, Hon. Peter W. Daka, who diligently served the nation in various portfolios in order to uplift the welfare of the people of Zambia and Msanzala Constituency, in particular. The legacy he has left behind is evidenced by the structures he facilitated, especially in the social sector, such as education and health.

 

Madam Speaker, in a like manner, allow me to acknowledge the many landmark projects that the PF Government achieved in Msanzala Constituency and throughout the country. It is as a result of such developments that the good people of Msanzala found it easy to send a representative, in me, to Parliament on the PF ticket.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me, now, to point out a few key sector developments that have taken off in the constituency and what I intend to pursue for my people of Msanzala.

 

Health

 

Madam Speaker, in Msanzala Constituency, the PF Government, under the leadership of his Excellency, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, started a robust infrastructure development agenda, just like in many other parts of the country. In the health sector, we have two mini hospitals that are under construction with one at Misolo, which is at ground-breaking stage, while the other one is at Penje-penje, which is complete and awaiting handover to the Government once it is completed. These two facilities will greatly enhance the much-needed health service delivery to the people of Msanzala.

 

Madam Speaker, top on my developmental agenda, under this sector, is to ensure that a number of health posts are constructed. This will not just reduce the distance that the people of Msanzala travel to access health services, but it will also result in job creation for those trained health personnel. Furthermore, being a newly created district, it is my desire and my duty, on behalf of the people, to lobby the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government and the President to consider constructing a district hospital, as the case is for many other districts.

 

Water and Sanitation

 

Madam Speaker, on water and sanitation, the immediate past Government of the PF had done its level best to provide safe and clean drinking water to rural areas, such as in Msanzala Constituency. However, due to the increased number of settlers and the growing population, there is still high demand for safe and clean water. This can be achieved by way of drilling more boreholes, as they are more reliable for remote constituencies such as Msanzala. In view of this, I will ensure that I constantly engage the UPND Government, through the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to drill more boreholes in areas, such as Mcopwe, Chiwoza, Mainzi Farm, Dani and Pilingu Village, through Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and Local Government Equalisation Fund (LGEF).

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Msanzala Constituency are largely farmers who deal in both crop production and animal husbandry. In view of this, there is a need to construct more dams in order to sustain farming activities such as the livestock sub-sector. As their representative, I will engage the UPND Government constantly so that the said infrastructure is built around my constituency, especially at Sopa, Misolo, Nyamphande, Mwanika, Chikuse, Mawanda and Kasangazi, to mention just a few.

 

Road and Housing Infrastructure

 

Madam Speaker, for development to be realised in Msanzala, there is a need to upgrade our road infrastructure despite the ill-meant commentaries that some people passed under the rule of the PF that, “people cannot eat roads.” However, it is a well-known fact by all of us in this august House that roads are carriers of this much-needed development. I am glad that my immediate past Government, through the able leadership of the Sixth Republican President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, cast a deaf ear to these negative sentiments and went ahead to construct these roads some of which we are all enjoying driving on now.

 

Madam Speaker, I am grateful that my constituency got a share of this cake as construction of Chilongozi Road to a high gravel road commenced under the PF rule. Not only does his road link Petauke and Lusangazi districts, but it is also a shortcut to Mfuwe, a tourism attraction site in the Eastern Province. Therefore, it is a highly economical road, and I will ensure to pursue this administration to see to it that its construction is completed.

 

Madam Speaker, apart from this Chilongozi Road, there are many other feeder roads and crossing points that need construction. In view of this, I will ensure that on behalf of the good people of Msanzala, I engage the UPND Government, through the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, to ensure that feeder roads, such as Nyamphondolo/Chipungu Road, Misolo/Mkonda Road, Muzenje/Chipungu Road, Sichilima/Teteke Road, Maila/Mangolo Road and Chikowa Road, are worked on. Once worked on, it will result in reduced transportation cost for my people, thereby increasing their disposable income.

 

Technical malfunction

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, just hold on.

 

Hon. Members, if anybody has switched on his/her phone, please, switch it off. That is the one that is causing the interruption.

 

Mr E. Daka: Madam Speaker, the people of Lusangazi District admire the housing units built for men and women in uniform by our PF Government in other districts, and they would like to see such development go to Lusangazi. In addition, palaces for our chiefs, who are the custodians of our people and heritage, are in a state that needs urgent attention. I, therefore, wish to appeal to this UPND administration to emulate the immediate past PF Government and consider constructing palaces for our two chiefs in Msanzala, namely Chief Sandwe and Chief Nyampande.

 

Trade and Commerce

 

Madam Speaker, Musanzala Constituency, now Lusangazi District, being a newly created district, is in dire need of markets. This will enable those who feed their families and send children to school through such ventures to trade in a conducive environment.

 

Madam Speaker, Musanzala Constituency, as it is, has no banking facilities, which results into people travelling a long distance of about 80 km to Petauke Boma to access banking facilities. Both Government workers and the business community yearn for financial inclusion. They need access to good financial facilities. In this regard, I am glad that the immediate past Government constructed communication towers in certain areas because they facilitate for financial transactions in the absence of a physical bank. However, it is greatly desired that the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government, through the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, considers constructing and opening up a bank in my constituency.

 

Youth and Women Empowerment

 

Madam Speaker, it is evident enough that the youth make up the largest part of our national population and Msanzala is no exception. As such, youths are looking forward to youth empowerment and women empowerment like having competence-based skilled training centres. I will ensure that I engage the Ministry of Education so that the Ukwimi Trades Institute does not only empower young people with skills in carpentry, mechanics, plumbing agriculture, etcetera, but also fish farming and livestock. I believe this can have immediate economic benefit and create self employment amongst our youths, as not all of them can work as civil servants.

 

Madam Speaker, women also make up the second largest component of our population. As such, women empowerment is key to growth. I am glad that the PF Government implemented several women empowerment programmes, such Supporting Women Livelihoods (SWL), Keeping Girls in School (KGS) and the Social Cash Transfer (SCT), which I also encourage the UPND Government not to stop because it is really helping our people in rural areas.

 

Education

 

Madam Speaker, the Education sector is one of the most important sectors of our economy as it is a game changer. Like many other proponents have said before, indeed, education is the greatest equaliser. In view of this, I am here today because I went to school, and I am able to interact with my fellow hon. Members of Parliament.

 

Agriculture

 

Madam Speaker, Lusangazi District and Musanzala Constituency, in particular, hold agriculture as its main economic stay. This, therefore, means that my people are dependent on agriculture. Therefore, there is a dire need for the UPND Government to walk the PF footsteps and continue with the implementation of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) or expand the programme. As we heard in the President’s Address, he did not mention anything pertaining to when and how the prices of these things will be reduced. When I went back to Musanzala last week, my people were asking me what they going to do because they had already deposited some money and were all waiting to see how this reduction was going to take place.

 

Madam Speaker, coming to the President’s Speech, I would like to also assure the President that we will support all the economic programmes. However, I would also like to caution the President on the promise that our people would be removed from the bus stations. If these people are not taken care of well, then, we would have created a vacuum because some of these people really depended on the jobs they held in bus stations. So, I do not know now what will happen because there is no good roadmap that is there to show our cadres or our people in bus stations where to go.

 

Madam Speaker, on the other point, I would like to encourage the President to come up with a straightforward programme for our youths because they do not want to work nowadays. This is a group of people whose ability to wait is not in their − 

 

Interruption

 

Mr E. Daka: They want things to happen there and then.

 

Mr E. Daka: Madam Speaker, in Musanzala, there are two big roads that were being −  

 

Technical Malfunction.

 

Mr E. Daka: ... have stopped working on these roads.

 

Madam Speaker: Order! Please, zoom. Stop the Zoom.

 

Mr E. Daka: There is no continuity even from the President’s Speech on how these contractors are going to be encouraged because our roads have not yet been worked on.

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

 

Hon. Members, just by way of guidance, the first ten minutes will be dedicated to the maiden speech and the next eight minutes should be dedicated to the President’s Address. When an hon.  Member is debating the President’s Address, only then can hon. Members rise on a point of order, if any. However, during the maiden speech, no points of order will be allowed.

 

Mrs Sabao (Chikankata): Madam Speaker, I wish to congratulate you on being elected as the first female Speaker of this august House since inception. I am proud of you.

 

Madam, I am most grateful to be given this opportunity to deliver my maiden speech in this august House at this time, following my election as Member of Parliament for Chikankata Constituency, but more importantly, following the election of our new and Seventh Republican President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to start by expressing my gratitude to my party, the United Party for National Development (UPND), for choosing me to represent it in this last election when there were other equally capable members of the party who could have been chosen. I value the confidence shown in me by the party at all levels, from the ward, constituency, district, province, up to the National Management Committee (NMC). I say thank you.

 

Madam, I would like to pay my special tribute to men and women in Chikankata Constituency, who braved it all to support and campaign for me even when they were in danger of being arrested and brutalised, as the political atmosphere at that time was highly charged, hence making it difficult to campaign freely. To all the good people of Chikankata, I say thank you.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to thank my family, particularly my husband, who allowed me to participate in politics, which has a lot of challenges for the women in our country. I also thank him for supporting me morally and financially. I thank my children who allowed me to be away from home and coming back home late in the night. Thank you.

 

Madam, my greatest appreciation goes to the first President of our party, the late Anderson Kambela Mazoka, Mwana Mubontu, the man who made me join politics at a tender age because of his ability to identify talent among the people he interacted with. I shall forever remain indebted to this great son of the soil. I know that his soul is resting in peace, seeing that the young people he mentored have now entered the National Assembly to make a difference.

 

Madam, to our President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, became the President of the United Party for National Development (UPND) when it was not attractive to be, let alone lead the Opposition. However, he made the young people have confidence and gave them hope for the future by telling us that, “guys, we are winning the next elections” whenever we had a meeting with him. He is my mentor, my president, the President of Zambia. Thank you, Mr President.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Sabao: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank all my friends who supported me morally and financially in my campaign. I also pay my gratitude to Hon. Doreen Mwamba for her unwavering support and encouragement in my rough journey to my adoption as a candidate for the UPND. I also thank Ms Grace Chivube for her mature political guidance during my election campaign. I thank Uncle Costain for the financial support and parental guidance throughout my journey to become a Member of Parliament. Let me assure him that his niece shall, indeed, be strong and make the family proud.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to pay special tribute to their royal highnesses, Chief Naluwama and Chieftainess Mwenda, for the immense support, guidance and blessings I received from them before, during and after the elections. I value their wisdom and I thank them.

 

Madam Speaker, to the greater people of Chikankata, I thank them for repositing their trust in me. I would like to assure them that the choice they made was the right one, and I shall endeavour to represent them to the best of my ability. My call to public office was to answer a difficult question. I quote the words of John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Chikankata have sent me to this august House to speak for them and represent them. The people of Chikankata want inclusion with the rest of Zambia. They have, for a long time, lagged behind in development because of being denied their fair share of the national cake. Chikankata is a rural constituency, but it contributes greatly to the economic development of our great nation Zambia. The Kafue Gorge Power Station and, more recently, the Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station are located in Chikankata Constituency. The area can boast of many commercial farmers who produce various crops and livestock, but it still remains behind in development.

 

Madam Speaker, our rural folks are people who desire basic services. One of the main challenges that Chikankata has is the lack of safe drinking water for both humans and their animals. There is a need to have, at least, two dams and several boreholes in order to adequately supply water in the constituency. The road network is almost non-existent as all feeder roads were last maintained during the United National Independence Party (UNIP) administration. The following roads are in need of urgent rehabilitation:

 

1. Kasamu/Chikankata Road, which leads to the mission hospital, the biomedical university, and secondary school;
2. Chikankata/Hapiku/Bottom Road can be an economic road, as it would cut travel to Siavonga and Chirundu from Livingstone or Choma;
3. Zingu Road, which leads to a health centre and a school;
4. Nansenga/Nega nega Road;
5. Ching’ang’auka/Simwamba Road;
6. Chitete/Hakaantu Road; and
7. Kafue Gorge Power Station Road.

 

Madam Speaker, these are all important feeder and economic roads for the people of Chikankata. As I alluded to earlier, Chikankata Constituency has been neglected and abandoned by the previous Governments. Our ‘New Dawn’ Government, under our new President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, has been very clear. There shall be no discrimination in terms of development as all parts of Zambia belong to Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, recognising that some areas of Zambia have, for a long time, been systematically abandoned and neglected, resulting in remaining behind in development, I suggest, through this august House, that the Executive adopts a deliberate position of bringing these deprived areas up to speed in order to catch up with the rest of the country. This calls for specific and deliberate affirmative action for such areas. Chikankata Constituency is one of those constituencies that urgently requires affirmative action in order that the people there are quickly brought to the same level with the rest of Zambia. It will not do to allocate all areas with the same resources when there already exists unbalanced development.

 

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I urge my fellow hon. Members of Parliament in this House to support the ‘New Dawn’ Government’s ideas of inclusiveness and love for all our people. There should be no room for hate based on ethnicity and party affiliation, as was propagated by previous Governments that thrived on hate and division. There should be no room for trepidation in any section of the Zambian people –

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Mrs Sabao: Never again should any section of Zambia feel excluded, isolated and rejected by those in leadership. We are all one people.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Sabao: We all deserve equal treatment by any Government in leadership. We all deserve respect. We all deserve better. We are ‘One Zambia, One Nation.’

 

Madam Speaker, finally, the people of Chikankata send their love to all the people of Zambia.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Dr Chilufya (Mansa Central): Madam Speaker, I am most honoured for this unique opportunity to deliver my maiden speech a third time, more so under you, as the first female Speaker. I join the rest of the hon. Members in congratulating you on your election as Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, let me hasten to congratulate the United Party for National Development (UPND) and President Hakainde Hichilema and Her Honour the Vice-President, Hon. Nalumango on their victory in the last general election. In the same breath, let me recognise the statesman and the Sixth President, His Excellency, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for his boldness in ensuring a peaceful and smooth transition of power. Posterity will certainly place him on the right side of history. The Sixth President is also recognised for his unprecedented contribution to the development of the country under his tenure.

 

Madam Speaker, I am only able to speak today because of the privilege that the people of Mansa have accorded me to represent them. I was not the best nor the only one they could pick on, but they chose me to represent them a third time. I am indebted to them, and to them I say, I do not take for granted the support they gave me. I will continue serving them and ensuring that the development trajectory we started together is maintained.

 

Madam Speaker, let me hasten to thank my wife, Mutinta; I could not have vouched for a better woman to be my friend and wife; and all the children at home who have supported me for their resilience as I toiled during the campaigns. I thank my mother who has been there for me all along.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Mansa Central recognise the need for continuity. We have traversed the length and breadth of Mansa ensuring universal access to education and health services, ensuring that people invest in agriculture, and that we translate the natural resources we have in Luapula into wealth.

 

Madam Speaker, at the beginning of our journey, we had two secondary schools but today, we have seventeen. We had twenty-six health facilities, but we have seventy-nine today. We have a modernised general hospital. We quadrupled the number of beneficiaries on the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and increased the number of modern markets to four. We have built various roads, although there are many other roads that have not yet been worked on.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Mansa have seen modernised infrastructure in other sectors. In the communication sector, we have a new Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Studio. We have also seen many other developments in different sectors, including transport and communication. This is all because of the focus that the President had on the development of the nation.

 

Madam Speaker, the aspirations of the people of Mansa, today, remain the same. That farmer in Kalyongo would like to see the feeder road leading to his farm graded to ensure that he can transport his inputs and farm produce. The pupil in Kapisha looks forward to expanded infrastructure to ensure high quality education. The pregnant woman in Masaba is looking forward to the construction of maternity annexes to ensure safe delivery. The pupil in Muchinka looks forward to more teachers and expanded infrastructure to ensure that the quality of education is maintained. The road to Matanda remains an eye-sore and the people of Mansa hope that the road will be fixed.

 

Madam Speaker, we will continue serving the people of Mansa Central, working together with the Government of the day, to ensure development continues in the spirit of inclusiveness and equity in the distribution of resources.

 

Madam Speaker, I will conclude my maiden speech by calling upon the Government of the day to ensure that it continues on the trajectory that the previous Government embarked on, that is, equity of distribution of resources and inclusiveness in the management of the nation.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, the people of Mansa Central expect to catapult to a new level of development under the new Government.

 

Madam Speaker, let me now focus on the debate on the Motion of Thanks in support of His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, on the Official Opening of Parliament, under the theme, ‘To Create a United, Prosperous and Equitable Zambia: Restoring Economic Growth and Safeguarding Livelihoods’.

 

Madam Speaker, I will premise my debate on page thirty-five, which elucidates President Hakainde Hichilema’s aspirations in the health sector.

 

Madam Speaker, the fundamentals that the President brought to the fore in his speech include the following:

 

1. redefining health as an economic commodity;
2. redefining health as an economic investment; and
3. linking health to productivity.

 

I quote on page thirty-five where he said, “investment in health is key to attaining a healthy and productive population.”

 

Madam Speaker, the second issue I would like to recognise in his speech is that he will focus on strengthening health systems. The fundamentals that I picked out in his speech were health care financing, health security, human capital for health, the supply chain for medicine, and the continuum of care that spans from primary healthcare to secondary healthcare. Further, I picked out the modernisation of facilities and infrastructure to address inequalities between the rural and urban population and, indeed, the need to address one aspect of our disease burden, the non-communicable diseases.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to urge him on. Put differently, the President is talking about strengthening health systems in order to push or accelerate towards universal health coverage.

 

Madam Speaker, I will unzip a few things under that presentation and the first thing I will focus on is health security.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Zambia need to be shielded from epidemics, and the economy protected from the shocks of epidemics. Therefore, it is important that we continue investing in health security. I make a clarion call to the President to continue to invest in health security, uphold the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) and ensure that we invest more.

 

Madam Speaker, one of the epidemics that has hit us is the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The fourth wave is inevitable, by and large, because of the poor levels of vaccination in the country. The population is, by and large, unvaccinated. I call upon the President to ensure that we intensify the eight pillars in control of COVID-19, ensure that we establish testing points for those who are symptomatic and those who are not, and ensure that there is adequate human capital to fight COVID-19. We also need to ensure that we invest in surveillance for early detection.

 

Madam Speaker, health security is key, and I agree with the President when he states that investing in health is fundamental to developing the nation.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, as I talk about health security I would like him to build on what the PF Government started. We were the first nation to have a national public health institute and many countries in the region have followed suit. As a result of the establishment of the ZNPHI, our performance in the first wave was exemplary. It is fundamental to build on the progress that the previous Government made. Health is bipartisan and it is important that we work together to build on what has been started to accelerate towards universal health coverage.

 

Further, Madam, healthcare financing is critical to universal health coverage. Sustainable Development Goal No.3 recognises the need for health for everyone everywhere. It also recognises the need for us to raise sustainable and robust financing for that. That, then, brings to the fore the need for sustainable financing mechanisms for health.

 

Madam Speaker, I agree with the President in his talking about healthcare financing under health. However, I would like to warn him to pay attention to detail. As we were aligning ministries yesterday, we saw a shift of the National Health Insurance Management Authority from health to labour. The pinnacle of healthcare financing is health insurance. It is not a labour matter. It is not about health for workers, but health for everyone regardless of their employment status. If one wants to talk about universal health coverage, one must talk about health for everyone and make sure that healthcare financing addresses the marketeer, the loafer and the retiree, and not just the health worker. So, one must be wary of people who will derail him from his vision because if one talks about universal health coverage and picks out healthcare financing as the pinnacle, one cannot in the same breath just talk about healthcare financing for workers. That is incongruent. I urge the President to be mindful of people who can derail him from that trajectory.

 

Madam Speaker, I would also like to recognise the issue of modernisation. The Government should build from where the previous regime left off. Today, the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) is modernised and conducts kidney transplants, complex cardiac surgery and all sorts of operations. We have stopped taking patients to India and South Africa unnecessarily. The Government should build on that by investing in equipment. Six specialist hospitals have been built in the last few years. Let us build on that.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to focus on the issue of the disease burden. The President notably spoke about non-communicable diseases and health promotion as his key approach. However, we need to urge him to talk about both communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases. The Government should build on the progress. Zambia has made significant progress in reducing new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections, Tuberculosis (TB), malaria and it has made significant progress in universal health coverage by addressing maternal mortality.

 

Madam Speaker, human capital for health that the President spoke about is paramount. Zambia has established the first ever medical university. It should be left to be managed as it is because before, we were graduating 500 health workers in a year but, today, we are able to graduate 5,000 health workers because of it. That is a quantum leap towards universal health coverage (UHC).

 

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I would like to state that the President spoke about honesty being rewarded and dishonesty being frowned upon, that is fundamental. I, therefore, urge the President to intimately embrace the universal values of democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights, individual freedoms, and ensure that honest people are placed in charge of governance institutions so that they are not abused to distort the rights of individual citizens on any other grounds.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to, again, thank you for this opportunity to render my maiden speech. I also want to thank the people of Mansa Central for giving me the opportunity to serve.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Nkulukusa (Katuba): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Katuba, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to give my maiden speech and comment on the speech of the President to the House.

 

Madam Speaker, I first want to congratulate you and your two Deputies, as Presiding Officers, on being elected to this House. It is with a profound sense of honour that I speak for the first time in this House, having been sent by the people of Katuba to come and represent them.

 

Madam Speaker, on 12^thAugust, 2021, began the excitement and the challenge that has defined our country today. This day will be remembered in history as the day that marked the start of our unresolved proper relationship with the people of Zambia. The elections have left fond memories, more especially to my family and I.

 

 

Madam, it was in the month of August, forty-five years ago, that my parents celebrated the birthday of their eighth born child. It is the same month of August that forty-five years later, their child has become a representative of the people in their constituency. It was yet again in the same month of August 1994, three months after one of the greatest freedom triumphs, when Madiba Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected leader. This made me realise that always, power belongs to the people. I have grown even more cognisant of the great privilege and honour it is to undertake such a journey of public service and advocacy for the people of Katuba.

 

Madam Speaker, representing the people of Katuba is a great honour and I will endeavour to meet the challenges that come with this role with the highest levels of public service, integrity, and honour. Like any other person who comes to join others, I count on those who came before me, the real pioneers of democracy in the last decade; the likes of my elder brothers; Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, Hon. Gary Nkombo, Hon. Douglas Syakalima, and Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa; to mention but a few. These gallants have done so much for the country and our duty is to now come and celebrate triumph of democracy with them.

 

Madam Speaker, I now know that beyond these gallants that I have mentioned, there are many unsung heroes and heroines on whose shoulders the 2021 victory for the United Party for National Development (UPND) was anchored. There comes some of us, a product of real sacrifice by our parents, born in villages of peasant farmers during primary schools that needed to walk 8 km to and from school. This meant walking 16 km every day to access primary education. The wisdom of our parents knew that beyond anything, education could bring to the people and to their children triumph and they knew what this could mean to the next generation.

 

Madam Speaker, it is for this reason that I decided to be part of the team that will improve the living standards of the people and bring prosperity to the country. It is because of this story that I am privileged, today, to represent the people of Katuba.

 

Madam Speaker, I now fully understand that only self-reliant and resilient individuals build communities in which everybody can be given the opportunity to achieve their highest potential while ensuring that those that need special help and care are never left behind. The story of resilience of our President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, tells it all.

 

Madam Speaker, the promise of quality education is one of the most transformative things in one’s life. Each one of us has a responsibility to contribute to public service and build a better life for communities. Zambia is a constitutional democracy whose values are underpinned by liberty and constrained by the state, communists or cadres who believe that an individual cannot and should not determine their own future.

 

Madam Speaker, this is what our forefathers fought against and that is why, today, we join the movement for change. Our liberties can only be assured by free speech, freedom to assemble, the right to participate at all levels of society, and a representative democracy where the Government listens to the community and is guided by its voice. Our liberties demand no restrictions of access to opportunities such as work, education or to make a better life for ourselves and for the next generation. In a country like ours, there should be boundless opportunities for all. The Government should enable economic prosperity that underpins opportunity for each individual to fulfill their own dreams.

 

Madam Speaker, choosing to be part of the UPND enshrines those values and beliefs in individuals and their rights, freedoms and opportunities. I would like to believe that, as a party and Government in leadership now, and not in power, because power belongs to the people, we will continue to uphold the promise of our generation.

 

Madam Speaker, I am lucky to have joined a government that will reduce its net debt, create an economic environment within which business can flourish, and which is already attracting huge inward investment. Just for the period that this Government has been in leadership, the country has moved from defaulting on debt payment to an investor favourite on the continent. We have seen the Kwacha moving from junk to one of the best promising currencies in the world, reducing foreign debt service by almost 40 per cent.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Nkulukusa: Madam Speaker, we are now making headlines in the international media for good reasons and not bad ones.

 

Madam Speaker, the speech to this House during the Official Opening of the First Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly by the President demonstrated how the Government will truly be people-centered. It demonstrated that the work of the Government does not end with an economy that is thriving. A strong economy, indeed, should enable us to improve the lives of families affected by poverty, lack of health care, lack of good sanitation, and above all, those that are lacking quality education.

 

Madam Speaker, this has been my life, lived, and experienced in Katuba. The belief that a strong economy will enable us to give our next generation the best start through quality education is a belief that gives me hope in desperation. Just like death, we all know that education is the greatest equaliser of humanity.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Katuba bring to this House the belief that the Government has a responsibility to encourage social justice. When women continue to be brutalised by their partners, our society is unjust. When children continue to suffer violence in their homes and on the streets, our society is not just. When poor people are not given an opportunity to access social needs, our society is not just. When intelligent youths cannot be given an opportunity to access quality education so as to make them realise their full potential, our society is not just.

 

Madam Speaker, I have come here to speak for the people of Katuba, who cannot access the opportunity of our country yet. I know and recognise the rupturing impact on a child brought up by a struggling family. I have experienced it myself and I know the struggle that goes with it. I know and understand better the hardships of poverty, the struggle of welfare, yet I also know the almost limitless power of education to cut through all these challenges.

 

Madam Speaker, I bring to this House nothing, but what the experience of resilience, patience, other amenities, and other things that give humanity the life to live, can achieve. I want to make it very clear that I am not here merely as a representative of the great people of Katuba, but I am here because I believe that questions of women, youths, and the less privileged in Katuba are national questions. My belief is that time has come when the child of a peasant farmer in Katuba can also dream of a better life and be counted as an equal partner.

 

Madam Speaker, it is, therefore, a great privilege and honour for me to represent the electorate that has been part of me for the past four and half decades of my life. Katuba is my birthplace; it is my childhood place where I spent two decades of life searching for stability and a future for myself. I am genuinely a representative of my constituency and my community so that what I have tasted, they may taste too.

 

Madam Speaker, Katuba is near the capital city, Lusaka, almost only 40km, yet far when it is compared to the amenities lacking in the constituency. We are the long-suffering users of one of the most congested roads at 10 miles as you drive past to Ndola. The feeder roads in Katuba have remained poor. Most of the constituency has no electricity despite the proximity to sources of electricity. There is no hospital, and the few existing clinics lack basic health amenities. There are inadequate primary and tertiary education facilities and above all, Katuba has limited access to clean drinking water.

 

Madam Speaker, despite all these challenges, and now that the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government, in whose leadership we so much believe, Katuba has a vision, which is founded and anchored on the principles of a just society. The vision of Katuba is to be a fully developed and self-sustaining, industrial, commercial, and agricultural constituency. This vision is in line with and contributes to the national vision of making Zambia a prosperous middle income economy.

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Kang’ombe: In Standing Order number 69, it guides on the number of things that are considered when you are delivering a maiden speech. It reads:

 

“(3) In making a maiden speech, a Member shall not speak for more than ten minutes.”

 

Standing Order No. 59 also guides on the number of minutes a member shall speak on a Motion before the Floor. Is the hon. Member in order to continue delivering a maiden speech beyond the ten minutes that you guided?

 

I seek your ruling, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you. The hon. Member should now concentrate on the President’s Address. He referred to it, then, for some reason, he went back to his maiden speech. However, the hon. Member should, for the remaining minutes, continue and address his mind to the President’s Address.

 

Mr Nkulukusa: Madam Speaker, thank you very much. Commenting on the presentation by the president to the House, when the President gave the speech, it was clear that we now have a straightforward trajectory to where the country is going in terms of strategic direction. We saw that the President highlighted a number of strategies on how, firstly, job creation is going to be done and, secondly, how the back bone of the economy is going to be supported by technology. Following this direction, we have seen that the President has formed or established two very important ministries; one which looks at technology and the other at enterprise development. To me, this speaks volume in trying to look at how the country is going to look at the trajectory of success when it comes to economic rebuilding.

 

Madam Speaker, we all know how the economy is doing now. The first priority that we must look at is how to ensure that the rebound of the economy is, firstly, secured because everything else, talk of employment, cost of leaving and cost of amenities are going to be determined by the rebounding of the economy. For that reason, we believe that, now, we have a President who can give us a vision that will give us hope. Of course, I am not saying that we have in President Hakainde a perfect individual. We all know that we are not looking for perfection but a leader who has love for his people, who can give strategic direction to the country, who has a passion for what he is doing and above all, for a leader who hates blood, and who wants to make sure that people do not brutalise each other for the sake of politics.

 

Madam Speaker, I agree with my colleagues that never again should we see what we have seen in the past. Never again should we see access to employment being segregated based on political affiliation. Never again should we see police nailing down individuals simply because they have a different political affiliation. Never again should we see us, as Zambians, coming against each other. This is only possible because we have now a responsible leader and responsible Government.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr E. Tembo (Feira): Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to debate. I humbly stand before you and, through you, I wish to deliver my maiden speech to the House. With great honour and humility, I have accepted the honour to serve the people of Feira Constituency and the people of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, before I start my discourse, allow me to congratulate you on your election as Speaker of the House. May I also congratulate the First and Second Deputy Speakers of this hon. House on their election as Presiding Officers.

 

Madam Speaker, may I first and foremost begin by thanking God Almighty, Jehovah, for the enduring mercies and His hand upon me. I say this because my journey to this august cannot be attributed to my efforts, but God’s mercies. I also wish to thank the president of the Patriotic Front (PF), who is the Sixth Republican President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu. The PF Central Committee, Luangwa District PF officials, and the people of Feira Constituency for ensuring that I am elected to represent them.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to also thank the Zambian people at large for ensuring that democracy keeps on growing through their conduct of a peaceful change of government. In the same vein, as Opposition Parliamentarians, we shall not grow weary of offering the much-needed checks and balances as well as constructive criticism. I, indeed, thank and acknowledge the rare son of Africa, statesman and a great son of the soil, the former President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for the smooth handover of power to His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema. I also wish to acknowledge the immense development occasioned across the country during the tenure of His Excellency the former President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu. I congratulate President Hakainde Hichilema on his victory as the Seventh Republican President of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, I made a number of promises to the people of Feira Constituency and top on the list was an undertaking to help improve the local economy. At the moment, the economy of Feira is anchored on fishing business. It is my desire to broaden the economic base of the district by increasing fish production, tourism, mining and cross border trade, among others. Therefore, there is a need for the Government to support private businesses in general and also to support small-scale entrepreneurs through the provision of affordable financial capital.

 

Madam Speaker, before I proceed, let me give a brief picture of Feira Constituency. Feira Constituency is the only constituency in Luangwa Constituency and it is in Lusaka Province. The Luangwa Bridge and the fish, masau and the craft market that most of you see at the Great East Road side is just a tip of an iceberg of what Luangwa is. The district is governed by 90 per cent of the Luangwa River bordering with Mozambique on the Eastern side and about 13 km of the Zambezi River bordering Zimbabwe.

 

Madam Speaker, the first thing that will catch the attention of a visitor in the beautiful geographical setup are the beautiful mountains surrounding the area, the baobab trees, the beautiful Luangwa River and the friendly local people. In 2014, the PF Administration tarred the D-145 Main Road, which is a 91-km stretch from the Luangwa Bridge to the Boma. The constituency has two chiefdoms with Senior Mbuluma and Chief Mpuka as royal highnesses, whom I am indebted to for their support, together with their headmen and churches in the constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, let me also address the issue of education. Feira Constituency has a considerable number of primary and secondary schools. However, the people of Luangwa are in dire need of a university, college and technical skills centres to improve the skills of the youths. Further, support is required to increase the number of classroom blocks, both at primary and secondary level. My priority, as Member of Parliament, will be to promote education. As such, there is a need for more investment in education infrastructure while at the same time, ensuring quality education. The constituency has twenty-seven schools of which seven are secondary schools while twenty are primary schools. However, the constituency has a shortage of 120 teachers.

 

Madam Speaker, the policy of free education by the new administration will go a long a way and will give an opportunity to the poor to access education from Grade 1 to university level. Whether the new Government likes it or not, it will have to implement the free education policy. In Nyanja they say, “lonjezo unagwila muthu wa Yohane,” meaning a promise made John the Baptist’s head to be beheaded because King Herod promised his daughter that he would cut off the head of John the Baptist. So, in the same manner, the UPND Government’s promise to provide free education from Grade 1 to university is not negotiable and must be attained.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr E. Tembo: Madam Speaker, in the area of health, the district has two hospitals, Katondwe Mission Hospital and Luangwa District Hospital, constructed under the PF Administration. The hospitals still have a challenge of a mortuary while the construction of health staff offices at Mandombe District Hospital has also not been completed. There are fifteen other health facilities providing health care services while two hospitals provide first level health services. However, the challenge of the availability of medicines remains an issue to deal with. Staffing levels are still low, but there are volunteers who have worked for many years without being confirmed as full time staff. This is an urgent matter because these people have been instrumental in providing health services although they work on a voluntary basis.

 

Madam Speaker, the PF Administration improved the road network by upgrading and constructing the main roads to bituminous standard and this has shortened the route to our neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe and Mozambique. There is a further possibility of connecting Luangwa to Chirundu. This will enhance the economic status of Luangwa and decongest the Chirundu Border as it will be an alternative route to the two bordering districts of Zumbu and Luangwa in Mozambique and Zambia respectively. This move will, subsequently, enhance cross border trade.

 

Madam Speaker, while the PF Administration worked hard to tar the main road, there are also a number of bridges on the main road that need to be worked on and, indeed, must be worked on. Further, township roads need to be tarred and these include Janele Road, Chitotela/ Ngelengele Road and Kavalamanja Road. These roads need to be constructed to improve access and promote business linkages.

 

Madam Speaker, the plan to construct a bridge between Zambia and Mozambique at the Luangwa and Zambezi River confluence is still welcome and it must be implemented because this will improve trade among Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. There are also several bridges in the seventeen wards of the constituency that need to be constructed because some of these cut children off from going to school in the rainy season. Further, the pontoon which was bought also needs to be commissioned so that it can become operational.

 

Madam Speaker, on water and energy, the people of Feira are in dire need of clean and safe water. At the moment, there is a need to sink over 110 boreholes in various villages. There is also a need to provide piped water in the medium-term across the constituency and not only at the Boma. This is an urgent need. The PF Administration connected the constituency to the National Electricity Grid and public facilities and domestic users have started benefiting from the electricity supply. So, let us move a step further and work on the water situation to increase electricity supply to the markets, domestic and commercial users across the constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, the constituency also has a human-animal conflict challenge and this problem dates many years back. The time to completely end this problem has come. The elephants have been the main culprits. Today, animal-human conflict remains a daunting problem in the community. People are either killed by animals or their crops are eaten up or destroyed. We need to find a working formula on how people can coexist with the animals.

 

Madam Speaker, the Zambia wildlife officers have been overwhelmed because they only have one vehicle to man Rufunsa and Luangwa districts. There is a need for increased funding to community scouts and to also fence the fields in the entire constituency. Feira Constituency is generally secure save for the UPND cadres who, after the last elections, have been harassing people and desiring to control markets. Even as I speak, there are UPND cadres at the police station giving the police instructions.

 

Madam Speaker, the constituency also habours the Luangwa Police Station, which oversees Shikabeta in Rufunsa District, Kacholola in Nyimba District in addition to Luangwa itself. The only vehicle the station has breaks down from time to time, making it difficult for officers to man and maintain security. I urge the new administration to take a leaf from the PF Administration –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

 

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mr E. Tembo: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I was about to wind up my maiden speech.

 

Madam Speaker, Feira is a tourist area and the name is Portuguese as a result of a market for slaves. It is also an important area because of the war that took place between Zambia and Southern Rhodesia in 1970, and there are several other issues that make it a tourist attraction –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Member will now debate the President’s Address.

 

Mr E. Tembo: Madam Speaker, in debating the President’s Speech, I heard the President say that he was reading English. I agree that the President read the speech, as it was presented, very well. However, I expected certain fundamentals to be pronounced, which did not come out and, therefore, I would like to debate as follows.

 

Madam Speaker, on the rule of law, His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, has sworn to defend the Constitution and uphold the rule of law. As I mentioned earlier, there is a difference between what has been stated in terms of maintaining the rule of law and what is happening out there. We have seen lawlessness in terms of cadres taking centre stage whilst this has been one of the main issues that came out as being one of those on which we would see the law take its course. On one hand, whilst there have been continued pronouncements, on the other hand, we have seen cadres, particularly in Feira, in markets, bus stops and the harbour disturbing private businesses. For me, this does not show seriousness in the statement as regards the rule of law.

 

Madam Speaker, I want to address the position of the President at several other fora in reference to the statement that there is no money in the coffers. We expected the President to be clear on this issue. As I know, there is no Government whatsoever that would have no money. If the Government did not have any money left, we would not have been seating in the House today and the President would have not even come to deliver the speech. I do not know which fuel he would have used. For me, that is an indication of failure and preparing people to find excuses for not fulfilling the promises that were made.

 

Madam Speaker, it would have been very important for the President to also acknowledge the strong economic growth in terms of massive infrastructure, particularly in the road sector.

 

Madam Speaker, some places could not be reached and we used to hear of tonnes and tonnes of maize, rice and other crops being wasted because of poor roads. Today, our farmers are able to transport their goods to whichever market they choose, whether private or Government. So, I would have loved for that issue to come out.

 

Madam Speaker, on the issue of free education, parents and the youths out there are still waiting. Concepts like access and so on and so forth are mere terminologies by the underlying issue. We are waiting for the Bill on free education to come through.

 

Madam Speaker, I would also have wanted to hear the clear position on mining and timber. Most Zambian business people are into small-scale mining and timber. The President should have stated his position on the issue of Mukula and how the Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) issue, which is under Government control, will be handled. Indeed, I did not hear anything on these issues. Also, several other promises that were made were did not come out in the President’s Speech.

 

Madam Speaker, we wanted to be clear on how the exchange rate will be dealt with, on the reduction of the price of fertiliser to K250 per bag and how the marketing of maize and many other crops would clearly be handled. It is very easy to say all these sweet words. Yes, the English language was being spoken, but we wanted to hear fundamental issues come out of the speech. Several other issues such as taxing the big mines, such as Kagem Mine, which is rich in emerald, copper and gold, are other issues that should have come out. That is why I cannot accept that this Government found the coffers empty because even as I speak, I know that toll gates and other sources of income are bringing in money. Therefore, let us not find any reasons for not performing. In any case, the PF is not in Government. It is those in the Government who need to start fixing the economy. So, they should start doing that.

 

Madam Speaker, lastly, there is an issue of fast track courts to deal with asset recovery. We currently have a problem with the current court set up. We have problems with space as regards the courts and the number of judges. One judge handles about 250 cases and this has delayed things. So, I do not know how the creation of new courts will help the justice system. What I see is confusion. However, if such courts are created, we will support them and we look forward to how they will perform better than the current ones.

 

Madam Speaker, indeed, I would have also loved to hear something on Foreign Policy. There were no Foreign Policy pronouncements, and as we know, we are today dealing with so many powerful forces such as the United States of America (USA) and China. How is Zambia going to organise itself to protect our local sovereignty and interest at international level? We are not going to be entering any agreements just because of the USA and everyone talks about it. So, I would have wanted the President to clearly state how he is going to handle international policy issues. As we know, Foreign Policy is part of the economic area that we need to organise ourselves.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, I indicated my willingness to contribute to the speech by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, as I read and listened to the speech, I sat exactly where I am seated today. I want to make two observations on the President’s Speech. The first observation relates to provisions in the Constitution that seek to empower local authorities in Zambia and one particular provision relates to exclusive functions of local authorities in Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, I was very expectant when I was listening attentively to the President’s Address that there would be mention of how soon those provisions in the Constitution, which favour revenue collection for local authorities under exclusive functions, would be effected. I am sure Her Honour the Vice-President is aware that in 2016, the Constitution of Zambia was amended to give exclusive functions to local authorities. Even as I make this observation, I would want Her Honour the Vice-President to take note and, I am sure, that an appropriate time, we would need a response or comment on the issue pertaining to the exclusive functions of local authorities which was omitted in the President’s Address. My desire and hope was that with the speech by the Republican President, we would see more revenue being actualised through constitutional provisions.

 

Madam Speaker, I am making this comment because we heard, through the speech by the President, that there would be more focus on service delivery. One of the arms of the Government that is responsible for service delivery is the local authorities. The first observation on the speech by His Excellency the President relates to the lack of mention on actualising the constitutional provisions that relate to the exclusive functions of councils in Zambia in as far as revenue is concerned. Allow me to amplify my point.

 

Madam Speaker, we are all aware that when the amendments were made in 2016, there were specific functions that were delegated to the local authorities. I will highlight one of them. One of the exclusive functions of local authorities relates to collection of toll fees. Currently, we have a system of collection of toll fees which is not being done by local authorities, yet it is a constitutional matter.

 

Madam Speaker, the second function which is a responsibility of local authorities in Zambia relates to licensing of motor vehicles. Currently, the Constitution states that motor vehicle licensing shall be a responsibility of local authorities. I did not see any specific reference being made in this speech. Once local authorities have more revenue, I believe that even the current Government will be able to see local authorities perform more duties on behalf of the Central Government. Where we are seated today, our role is to make observations. Where our hon. colleagues are seated, on the Right Side of the House, is to implement Government policy.

 

Madam Speaker, I know that they are determined to see to it that some of these things are implemented for service delivery to be achieved. Notwithstanding the many other things that have been omitted in this very important document, which I am holding in my hand, I believe that we can begin with getting more clarity especially on constitutional provisions that relate to implementing things that are abound by service delivery.

 

I beg to submit.

 

Thank you, Madam Speaker

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, let me join the long list of my hon. Colleagues who have congratulated you on being elected the first female Speaker of this august House. Let me extend my congratulations to the two Presiding Officers, that is, the First and Second Deputy Speakers of the House.

 

Madam Speaker, to begin my maiden speech, let me indicate that the 2021 General Elections, through which I was elected Member of Parliament, were conducted in extremely free and conducive environment, particularly in Chama South. This was made possible because of the good programmes and developmental projects which the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, the former Ruling Party, had initiated and implemented in Chama South Constituency. I, therefore, take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved in my campaign, particularly the following people: our District Chairlady; Mfumukazi Dorothy Dewe, also referred to as headwoman Mbudu. I want to thank Headman Chumbizi, Christopher Kumwenda; who is our District Information and Publicity Secretary (IPS); our Constituency Chairperson; Mathews Mvula, Secretary; Brina Nyirenda; Samson Kumwenda, Top ten, Chairlady; Jane Mteuka; and many others who sacrificed their time to ensure that we conducted an issue-based campaign.

 

Madam Speaker, let me also take this opportunity to thank His Excellency, the former and the Sixth President of this Republic, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for the confidence he had shown in me. It is not easy to be re-elected or re-adopted in the PF, considering the competition which was there. However, he saw it fit, together with the Central Committee, to nominate me to contest as Member of Parliament. Let me also thank and greatly appreciate this son of the soil, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for his greatness that he demonstrated through how he handled the transition period.

 

Mr Nkombo: He had no option!

 

Mr Mung’andu: I think we are a beacon of democracy in this region, if not Africa as a whole, because of the smooth way he handled the transition period.

 

Mr Jamba: Chinja team!

 

Mr Mung’andu: For that we say that President Lungu will remain in the books of history of this country as one of those who demonstrated that, indeed, power belongs to the people.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mung’andu: We are yet to see how our colleagues, whom I know, that come 2026, will be saying bye, ...

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mung’andu: ...  will handle transition, and they better start preparing.

 

Mr Nkombo: The change will be with yourselves. Not here!

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, people of Chama South are expectant of this Government.

 

Mr Nkombo: Yes!

 

Mr Mung’andu: Chama might be the only district which is unreachable during the rainy season.

 

Mr Jamba: Why?

 

Mr Mung’andu: The contractor who was engaged to work on the Chama/Matumbo Road, I think, left 61 km of the road incomplete, which the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government should ensure that it completes.

 

Mr Jamba: Has your seat been petitioned?

 

Mr Nkombo: But you were saying the PF was a working Government.

 

Mr Mung’andu: We are looking forward to that part of the road being worked on.

 

Madam Speaker, the PF Government also initiated a power transmission project. The transmission lines are complete from Chama Central business District (CDB) to Chikwa, from Emusa to Chikwa and another line is also complete from Chama to Tembwe. What remains is for this Government to ensure that the contractor for substations is taken on site. I can assure you that should this Government complete the power project, we will be the first ones to praise it. We will not play the politics which it did. For us, where the Government will do well, we will support it. Where it will do wrong, we will be able to point out by saying, “this is wrong”. We will not walk out during very crucial debates. We will engage the Government and explain what our people need.

 

Mr Nkombo: Just like us!

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, Chama South, I must mention, is a constituency that is besieged by human-animal conflict.

 

Mr Nkombo: Which one are you?

 

Mr Mung’andu: We have a serious challenge regarding human-animal conflict and we look forward to the UPND Government ensuring that it looks into this issue.

 

Madam, that is not all, but there are also many projects which were initiated by the PF Government such as communication towers which must be looked into. There are a few areas which do not have communication network to date. We will be looking forward the UPND Government …

 

Mr Jamba: Question!

 

Mr Nkombo: We are a working Government.

 

Mr Mung’andu: ... to ensuring that ...

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Can we have some order.

 

Mr Lusambo: Surveyor, nichani?

 

Mr Mung’andu: ... these projects are completed.

 

Madam Speaker, we also have another challenge to do with agriculture marketing. A number of our people, for the first time, produced a lot of maize because of the good policies of the former Government. As we speak, we have a challenge of empty bags, which the new Government should ensure it delivers to our farmers so that our farmers can prepare for the next farming season, which is not too far from now.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to make an assurance to the people of Chama South that their confidence in me is a demonstration of what they believe I have done, as an individual, and what my former Government, the PF Government, had done for them. We will ensure that all the projects that were started through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) are completed. Now that it is after elections, I can assure the people of Chama South that the contractor will be back on the ground to ensure that the much-needed clean safe drinking water is provided.

 

Madam Speaker, we will ensure that the court at Chikwa, which is at 30 per cent completion, is completed and many schools that we are rehabilitating, apart from those that we have handled over, are equally be completed.

 

Madam Speaker, we will also be appealing to the UPND Government to ensure that the CDF is actually released on time.  If possible, this fund should be increased. It will be for the Government’s own good. The CDF has already demonstrated that it is the only fund that has served our people on the ground. For example, if it is increased to US$1 million per constituency, ...

 

Hon Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mung’andu: ... it will be thumbs up to President HH. However, if the Government fails, we will be able to compare and contrast what–

 

Mr Nkombo: On a point order, Madam.

 

Madam Speaker: He is delivering his maiden speech.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, I am still delivering my maiden speech. I am sure the hon. Member raising a point of order was not –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Member is delivering his maiden speech and as directed, there will be no interruptions during the presentation of maiden speeches.

 

The hon. Member may continue. 

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, thank you for your protection.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Chama South will be looking forward to this Government ensuring that the CDF is increased so that it serves our rural communities.

 

Madam Speaker, coming to the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address to this august House –

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I am truly thankful for allowing me the opportunity to raise a point of order. One of the conventions that we practice here is in the way we address the Head of State and one of the rules of procedure is that a point of order must be raised contemporaneously. I am sorry I rose on a point of order at a time when the hon. Member was delivering his maiden speech. Now that I have the opportunity to raise a point of order, I would like to find out whether the hon. Member of Parliament for Chama South was in order to address the His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema as “President HH”.

 

I seek your ruling.

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you for that point of order. The hon. Member for Chama South was definitely out of order. May the hon. Member for Chama South properly address the President of the Republic of Zambia.

 

May the hon. Member continue.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister for Local Government and Rural Development has severally referred to His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema as “President HH”. Let me withdraw and, maybe, replace it with His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, I would refer the speech by His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema to this august House as a green speech, a speech that was 90 per cent a PF speech, but coated with red ink. Why do I say so? If you look at the fisheries sector, which President Hakainde mentioned, you will realise that it is a policy that was well initiated and implemented by the former ruling party, the PF. Therefore, it was simply an admission that the programmes initiated and implemented by the PF will continue. For that, I would like to congratulate President Hakainde Hichilema because he is simply continuing from where President Edgar Lungu has left, and that is how it should be.

 

Madam Speaker, the President in his speech also referred to the energy sector and assured this country that his focus is to ensure that load shedding is a thing of the past. I would like to state that, indeed, load shedding is already a thing of the past. Thanks to the PF Government which heavily invested in this sector. Right now, we, as a country, have a surplus of 250MW because of the good policies and investment which the PF Government made in this sector. I will, therefore, refer to it as a green speech copied or probably built on PF policies.

 

Madam Speaker, one thing that I will whole-heartedly support President Hakainde Hichilema on is the issue of corruption. He mentioned that he is going to have zero tolerance towards those who will involve themselves in corruption. He gave an example or went further to demonstrate that he is going to set up a fast-truck court to ensure that those who have stolen or probably obtained national wealth through illegal means are made to account for it. We will support that, but I wish to state that His Excellency ensures that he does not fall into the same trap that the late President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, SC., had fallen into by setting up of a Task Force on Corruption. He should not bring the same individuals who were leaders of the Task Force on Corruption, who recovered nothing compared to what they were being paid. We do not wish to hear that UD$30 to UD$40 is paid to individuals to sit on the Task Force on Corruption, which we know will not do anything. We have enough competent prosecutors in this country and institutions that can investigate cases. If there is a wrong doing, people can be brought to book. We will be looking forward to that because one of the very hurtful assertions that has been labelled against us, as the PF, is that we were corrupt. We would like to see who was corrupt in the PF. If the Government fails to show us who was corrupt, we are coming in 2026, which is not very far, to demonstrate –

 

Madam Speaker, President Hakainde Hichilema should ensure that corruption is fought among his Government members, and I will give an example. If K2.7 million appeared in the UPND account, and the President was not aware of where it came from, he should ensure that someone who had contact with the person who gave the account details is dealt with, even if he is an hon. Minister. I know that President Hakainde and I are on the same page when it comes to corruption. If that person is an hon. Minister, the President should demonstrate his stance on corruption by dropping or firing that fellow immediately. That will demonstrate that the President has taken a zero tolerance stance against corruption.

 

Madam Speaker, let me give another example. If an individual within his Cabinet is busy soliciting income from Zambians of Asian origin, and the President has that information, he should not spare that person, and we will support him. If anything, such people will be the ones who will bring the downfall of his Government. Those of us who will be with him can assure him that in 2026, if he does the right thing for the people, he will continue to be in the Government. However, if he falls prey to people who are quick to make money at the expense of Zambians and his Government, he will find it very difficult.

 

Madam Speaker, Zambia has demonstrated that it has strong institutions. Mark my words. It has demonstrated that it has strong institutions, both security and civil society institutions, which are able to remove people who do not protect the State. We are here on the left today probably because there are certain things that we did not listen to from our people. We believe President Hakainde Hichilema will fight corruption by ensuring that he shows the door to those around him in the Executive when he gets information about their engagement in corrupt activities. As the Opposition, we will praise him and support him when he does that.

 

Madam Speaker, President Hakainde also talked about infrastructure. The PF Government has done or probably did more than what many other Governments achieved, including what this UPND might achieve in ten years. Therefore, the beginning of infrastructure development in this Government should be the completion of the projects which the PF Government did not complete. I already heard an hon. Member from the Western Province appeal to the Government to ensure that the outstanding projects in the province are implemented. We will look to President HH.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker. 

 

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, in the first place, I appreciate and congratulate you and your Deputies on your election to this House.

 

Madam Speaker, I will segment my speech in two parts. I will start with the maiden speech, and then I intend to debate the President’s Speech. To start with, I would like to apologise because I may not be as romantic as I may be expected to be in my submission of facts before this House.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank the Sixth President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and his team, for not only supporting me through my re-election, but also adopting me to stand as Member of Parliament again. That showed confidence in me. Further, I would like to appreciate the district and constituency teams that laboured with me. From my observation, the last election in Chilubi was the most dangerous election I have ever participated in. It was marred by intimidation and violence. This was the first time it happened in Chilubi. That being the case, I thank the gallant men and women who braved such an environment which was witnessed for the first time in Chilubi since Independence. The violence and intimidation I am talking about was instigated by the United Party for National Development (UPND).

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I think I will do my constituency a disservice if I do not highlight certain things that are needed in Chilubi. The Patriotic Front (PF) Government, through its economic and social activities, created a tall order in terms of development. Our new Government, the New Dawn Government may not even do a quarter of what has been done from what I am seeing currently. Why do I say so? The PF Government in Chilubi implemented different projects in ranging sectors, such as the social sector like education and health. Chilubi was one of the most neglected constituencies and district in the Northern Province. Maybe, it is on a par with districts like Kaputa. Since the coming of the PF, Chilubi was gifted with, I think, two new hospitals. If you check properly, you will find that it could be the only district that received two district hospitals. As if that was not enough, Chilubi was also given a nursing school to supplement the hospital to train the personnel who should work not only in the district hospitals, but also in other health posts scattered around the twenty-four wards of Chilubi.

 

Madam Speaker, I think it is unfair for any Zambian to water down what the PF did, especially in my area, for ten years. We were more like orphans and were condemned to victimhood of poverty before the coming of the PF. I would do my people a disservice if I did not acknowledge the actions of Mr Michael Sata, may his soul rest in peace, and Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who is still with us. It is with that backdrop that I am in Parliament today. Had it not been for the projects that the PF implemented, by and large, I would not be here.

 

Madam Speaker, my role as Member of Parliament is to legislate, represent the people, approve the Budget, and play an oversight role. I also want to attend to an ethnocentric picture that has been painted in this nation.

 

Madam Speaker, I want to rally by what my president promoted through and through, leaving no one behind, which was in our Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP). When the PF came into power, it found the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP). It could not fit its policies into this plan because the SNDP was tailored to the aspirations of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD)’s liberalised policies and free-market economy. When PF could not fit in, it decided to go for a revised SNDP which, by and large, was a makeshift. We had to settle for the current 7NDP, which I believe in my soul and spirit, is a good document that was developed to tally with our 2011-2016 and 2016-2021 manifestos because they march arm in arm.

 

Madam Speaker, it is this same manifesto and plan that delivered electricity to seven districts in the North-Western Province, the Mongu/Kalabo Road, the Kazungula Bridge and dams scattered all over the country, among other things. I am a proud PF Member of Parliament as I stand in this House because we worked. As I said earlier, it will be a tall order for the UPND to reach the standards that we have set.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I believe that there is no need to be excited about implementing programmes, economic recovery and many other things. It is one thing to say, we will do this, but it is another thing to say, we have done this. I belong to the side that has experienced real life. I belong to the side that can sonta, which means point. We have left a legacy that has opened up the country to commerce and all sorts of economic activity.

 

Madam Speaker, I do not agree with those who say the economy has been left in tatters because one cannot talk about an economy without talking about infrastructure. We have attended to everything which includes optic fibre, communication towers, roads and other things like airports. I do not see why they need to write the script that the PF failed. I am one of those that disagree.

 

Madam Speaker, during campaigns, I know that people went to town to paint the PF black. These elections were won based on ‘lies’, innuendo and falsehoods.

 

Hon. Government Members: Ah!

 

Mr Mutelo: Withdraw the word ‘lies’.

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I withdraw the word “lies” and replace it with ‘falsehoods’. However, the PF chose to exchange falsehoods with facts because it had something to show the Zambian people regarding what it had done.

 

Madam Speaker, let me now contribute to the debate on the President’s Speech, as I indicated, given on Friday, 10^th September, 2021. In the last paragraph of the speech, the President said that he would factor in the aspirations of the Zambian people. I believe that we reach out to voters because we have a package of promises that we believe would change their lives in one way or another and improve the lives of those in poverty.

 

Madam Speaker, Zambians aspire to see a corruption-free country, delivery of free education and a reduction in the price of fertiliser from K750 to K250. Zambians also want to see the Farmer Input Supply Programme (FISP) carried on the backdrop of fifteen bags per farmer, 60,000 teachers employed by February, nurses and doctors in the health sector employed and the youths, who are heterogeneous by nature, employed.

 

Madam Speaker, on agriculture, the President talked about improving livestock through restocking. The PF Government demonstrated a pedigree in that area by investing K235 million in thirty-five districts, which gave an output to the level of 196 million fingerlings in the country with 300,000 metric tonnes of fish feed in that area and the citizenry were involved. I am talking about fisheries because I come from an area that has the potential in that sector. Looking at what the PF did in the thirty-five districts, out of the aforementioned feed, 60 per cent of it has been available for export. Had it not been for the falsehoods that were told, the PF was preparing to be a net exporter of fish feed to neighbouring countries and the world over.

 

Madam Speaker, the PF demonstrated how to deliver inputs at the right time and also made sure that it had a good floor price for maize. The PF demonstrated crop diversification within FISP, which is something that the President also addressed. Looking at such factors, the PF moved towards the growing of soya beans because it realised that edible oils were becoming a problem in the nation.

 

Madam Speaker, I also want to address the issue of corruption. There is petty corruption, grand corruption and institutional corruption. Of late, we have seen that heads of agencies in charge of implementing the law are playing to the gallery for survival and to save their jobs. When a child obtains a leakage, that falls under petty corruption because such a child may not be a proper product. Institutional corruption is what has started happening within the corridors. We are seeing symptoms in the UPND Government.

 

Mr Jamba: Where?

 

Mr Fube: What I am referring to are issues where you find –

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Jamba: Madam Speaker, I stand on a very serious point of order. The hon. Member is saying that in the corridors of the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government, there is corruption. In this House –

 

Madam Speaker: Order! Can the hon. Member cite the breach that has been committed.

 

Mr Jamba: Madam Speaker, that is what I am bringing up. In this House, we are supposed to bring evidence and if someone does not have it, he or she should not say certain things. The hon. Member is saying that there is institutional corruption happening now in this new Government, which is very clean and as white as a cloth. Can he produce the evidence that there is institutional corruption taking place in our corridors? Is he in order to mislead himself and the nation that there is corruption in the corridors of the New Dawn Government of His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema?

 

 I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: My ruling is that when hon. Members are debating, they should be able to produce evidence and speak to facts. If the hon. Member has no facts to show that there is corruption in the corridors of power of the United Party for National Development (UPND), then, the hon. Member should desist from such line of debate.

 

The hon. Member may continue.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, my debate was still flowing. It is unfortunate that I could not be given an opportunity to explain and pour out my thoughts on what exactly I meant. I mentioned three types of corruption and these were petty corruption, institutional corruption, and grand corruption. I know that time cannot allow me to really break them down properly for the benefit of those who may not understand them.

 

Madam Speaker, what I meant by institutional corruption is when someone picks up a phone and starts calling another person to give directives. For example, you are not an hon. Minister of Education but you call the Permanent Secretary (PS) under the Minister of Education and start giving him directives on when colleges or universities should open. This is even in the public domain.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, it will be helpful if you state facts. If there are any facts, state them and produce evidence. Do not speculate.

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I comply. What I meant is that corruption is an embedded culture. If corruption is embedded, it means that in order to fight its cause, you need to start by fighting the culture itself. For example, we have been talking about caderism. You cannot only uproot a PF cadre because caderism is in different classes. There is also white collar, blue collar, and peasant caderism. You cannot just uproot a PF cadre and replace him or her with a UPND cadre in a particular market or station, like it is happening at the Inter City Bus Terminus, and then say that you are fighting corruption.

 

Madam Speaker, like I said earlier, we heard people say that “Bally Will fix it” in their speeches. This meant that our current President is a Mr BWFI. Now, if these things are not attended to, our current President is likely to become a BMW where people will refer to him as “Bally ni muntu wa boza”. I think, we do not want to reach an extent where –

 

Interruptions

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I am grateful, once again, for an opportunity to raise a procedural point of order. The hon. Member, who is on the Floor, is making pronouncements that are suggesting that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, who during the campaign was referred to as Bally, is a liar. Impliedly, that is what it means in his Chinyanja language, which he has failed to translate into English. I will quote what he said. He said that “Bally ni muntu wa boza.”

 

Madam Speaker, is he in order, truly to demean the stature of a popularly elected President, who won convincingly by more than plus or minus a million votes? Is he in order to take that route of demeaning a Head of State in the manner that he is?

 

I seek your ruling on this matter, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: My short ruling is that the hon. Member is out of order. He should use Parliamentary language. Unparliamentary language is not acceptable. The use of the word “boza”, which means lies, is not Parliamentary.

 

The hon. Member may continue but, please, do not use words that are not acceptable.

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I comply. Although I used the word likely which –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Member’s time expired.

 

Ms Katuta (Chienge): Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to give my second maiden speech to this House, especially that I am the first ever female Member of Parliament for Chienge since Independence to beat the Ruling Party and the major Opposition political parties twice in a very difficult campaign.  This was all by the grace of the Almighty God. This entails that in my first term of office, I delivered to the expectations of the people of Chienge, as an Opposition Member of Parliament.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to the people of Chienge and Their Royal Highnesses, especially Chief Mununga and Chieftainess Lambwe Chomba, the Clergy, the Church, the Victory of the World Ministries, Shalom Embassy, the United Church of Zambia (UCZ), and the Chienge Pastors Fellowship, for their prayers and support. Above all, I wish to thank my campaign team and campaign manager; Kalumba Chifukushi Mathews; Chongo William, Ng’ambi John, Everisto Chishala and Paul Kaweme. To you guys, I say you are stars. I call them my Grade 2 team because that is what we are called.

 

Madam Speaker: Order! Withdraw the use of the word “guys.”

 

Ms Katuta: To you, Hon. Campaign –

 

Madam Speaker: Order! Hon. Member, withdraw the word “guy”.

 

Ms Katuta: Madam Speaker, I withdraw the word “guys” and replace it with ‘men of valour’. They are great because they managed to send the Ruling Party and main Opposition Party, then, to their camp. I thank them so much for the job well done.

 

Madam Speaker, I give special thanks to all my family members and those who travelled to Chienge to support me. I say, I love them and I thank them for the support because it was not easy. Of course, I cannot forget my sweet husband, Lawrence Mwelwa; he is God given to me. You are and have always been an all-weather friend to me, honey.

 

Madam Speaker, I also wish to congratulate you on your election to the position of Speaker of the House. It is gratifying to know that you are the first female Speaker of the House. I also wish to congratulate all hon. Members who have been re-elected, particularly those who have been newly elected.

 

Madam Speaker, on the ticket of the people of Chienge, I have come back to this House. On my way to this House, I knew very well that I was coming as an Independent Backbencher to represent the people of Chienge, who voted for me. My job, therefore, will be to offer objective criticism.

 

Madam Speaker, in 2016, I decided to run as a Member of Parliament because of one major reason which concerns the Chienge/Kashikishi Road. I was confident that the road would be worked on because the former President, His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, had pledged the road would be worked on or he would have his index finger cut off, and my brothers from Chishinga, Hon. Chitotela Kaoma and Hon. Nixon Chilangwa, had assured the people of Chienge regarding this matter. 

 

 

Madam Speaker, I am truly at pains to inform this august House that from 2016 to 2021, the people of Chienge looked for the former President to cut off his index finger and surely, on the 12^th of August 2021, they successfully cut his index finger and voted for change. They voted for free education, lower cost of fertiliser, low cost of living, better price for their maize and upholding their fundamental human rights. They voted against cadrerism and cadrerisation of the Civil Service and police brutality. I would like to advise the New Dawn Administration of the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, that they must fulfil their promises or else the people of Chienge will not hesitate to vote them out in 2026.

 

Madam Speaker, I am a bearer of a message to the President of the Republic of Zambia that the people of Chienge are saying that from twenty-seven years to twenty years to ten years, the latter might be just five years if promises are not fulfilled. He that has ears let him hear.

 

Madam Speaker, the mistake the pro Edgar Lungu supporters made was that of placing the interests of the Patriotic Front (PF) above those of the nation. Instead of being an extra eye in keeping the promise to serve the people of Chienge and Zambians at large, as per their party’s manifesto, PF supporters chose to worship the former Head of State, to an extent of even telling lies by sticking to only what he wanted to hear even when the truth on the ground was the complete opposite.

 

Madam, one would have expected the United Party for National Development (UPND) supporters to have learnt one or two lessons from the aforementioned PF blunders. Alas, they are in high gear defending President Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s every word even without digesting it. This mentality has led them to turn against some of us who have been consistent on the issue of Mr Hichilema being economical with the truth. I will not be doing the Zambians justice if I join the praise singers who may lead the President into a ditch, as the former praise singers did with His Excellency Mr Lungu.

 

Madam Speaker, before I address myself to the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address, let me highlight some of the successes during my first term in office. I facilitated nine governmental scholarships for almost 400 pupils, who are the youths of Chienge, to various universities and colleges. I sourced an 11kv gen-set for Chienge Hospital, built community schools, such as Lambwe Kapampale School, using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and personal resources. Lambwe Chomba is now connected to the National Electricity Grid. Since 1964, we did not have electricity there. I donated computers to secondary schools and hammer mills to co-operatives. I introduced a commercial radio station which was gutted by some wicked people; they know themselves. I empowered youths with motor bikes, built Mwabu maternity wing, built Lambwe Chomba Secondary School laboratories, built Lambwe Chikwama dormitories, and built Mununga Modern Market using CDF. I donated beds to health centres by lobbying from my colleagues, constructed six health posts, which I lobbied from the Government, I took communication towers to most areas, and I have also created a football club called Intamba Mweru Club to support the youths who are talented in football. We are, currently, in the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Division 1, at provisional level.

 

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Republic of Zambia, I held, and have continued to hold the prestigious positions as president of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Advisory Group on Health, I am a member of the Unite Network which has Members of Parliament who are influential in the world. I am also a member of other international platforms where I have been invited to attend conferences this month because they have been following my works as a Member of Parliament of the Opposition and I believe the reason I am here is to make sure that I do the right thing and deliver justice to the people of Chienge.

 

Madam Speaker, I will continue to carry the Zambian flag with pride on other international engagements. This was made possible through the support of the former Government. It is my sincere hope that we will be able to do more during the tenure of the New Dawn Administration.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to give my vote of thanks on the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address, which he gave to the nation, through this august House.

 

Madam Speaker, I listened to the President attentively with excitement, and I expected to hear a different kind of speech from the other speeches that I have heard during the past five years I have been in Parliament. Alas, it sounded the same as the past speeches. They are all like campaign messages.

 

Madam, I listened carefully hoping there would be something tangible that would lead a time frame being attached. When you go through the speech, you will see that these are long-term plans. Looking at the five years, I am wondering how the New Dawn Government will develop a new curriculum in the education system and fulfil all those promises made under education. Unless it will be done, I do not know how it will be done.

 

Madam Speaker, when I look at that, I realise that it means my people in Chienge will be cut off because we are talking about technology. We do not have adequate network coverage to enable our children to get exposed to technology. We have issues. I am even wondering how this education is going to be transformed to international standard. How is our current education system going to be turned into international standard when, at the moment, my brothers, children and nieces in Chienge are sitting on the floor. In some of the schools, we do not even have power because we are not connected to the National Electricity Grid. Moreover, in some of the schools, we do not have teachers. You would find that at certain community schools, people just volunteer to teach. We have Government schools at which we have about two teachers running the entire school. I am wondering how all this is going to be. Talking is good, but how is this going to be implemented?

 

Madam Speaker, I am going to tell the people of Chienge what the President said by reading the speech and asking those who are able to speak vernacular fluently to interpret for them what the President has promised them through his speech.

 

Madam, I would also like to talk about the Ministry of Small-Scale and Medium Enterprises, which was created and was mentioned in the speech. We had Small Industrial Development Organisation (SIDO) during the time of United National Independence Party (UNIP) and it did so well as a department. I do not see the reason why it should now be a ministry.

 

Madam, we are talking about money. The same Government is talking about being responsible, accountable and that it did not inherit anything and that there is no money, all this calls for money. Where is the money going to come from? We want our President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, not to be economical with the truth. It will help us because 2026 is not like going to heaven by road. It is just around the corner. What are we going to tell the people of Chienge to convince them to re-elect this Government? We want the truth. Let the people of Chienge be told that these are long-term measures which will be achieved as time goes by because we will come back and criticise them by saying they told us that they were going to raise the education standards to international standards. What would they have done in Chienge at that school in Futu, Kampange and Chikubi? 

 

Madam Speaker, there are schools in Chienge which have only a 1X3 classroom block to cater for about 1,000 plus children. How are we going to attain the international standards?

 

Interruptions

 

Ms Katuta: Madam Speaker, to those who are speaking loudly, I know that they will even say that, “you were supporting this,” but we know them. I am not the type of person who can betray the people of Zambia by jumping on another ticket just because I want to come back to Parliament. I am here to speak on behalf of the people of Chienge and that is the reason I won for the second time without belonging to the Ruling Party or major Opposition party. The people of Chienge know that I stand to defend their rights because their human rights have been abused. His Excellency the President spoke about human fundamental rights. How is that going to be attained when already there is a breach in telling them the truth that it is not attainable in five years. It is wrong to take advantage of the people of Chienge.

 

Madam Speaker, those who are seated on your right side used to sit on your left. They know what led to our colleagues being booted out. They are next. Zambians have changed. It could be twenty-seven years, twenty years, ten years or five years. They will have to approve to the people of Chienge that they will raise the standards of living to international standards. We need water and equality. The people of Chienge have suffered long enough. They want to receive what others have been receiving and that is the reason they voted for the UPND Government. So, we want to see desks and that all schools have computers. We want to see a child in Chienge also enjoy the technology that a child in Lusaka is enjoying.

 

Madam Speaker, I am trying to make recommendations to my hon. Colleagues. I am not fighting them although I am being told that I supported the previous Government. I campaigned for His Excellency to go through in Chienge. So, I know what I am talking about. Some people are saying that it is just rhetoric, but I am asking my hon. Colleagues to be sincere with the people in rural areas in the entire country. We have suffered and we have felt the pain. In everything, there is no equality because this only happens in the urban areas.

 

Madam Speaker, I hope those who have ears have heard. The people of Chienge are not going to be taken for a ride. I am sorry. No one will do that. We want the truth and we also want to see manifestation taking place in Chienge. With those few words, I support His Excellency the President’s Speech. It was a good speech, but I want to see its manifestation.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Ms Nyirenda (Lundazi): Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate you on being the first female Speaker of this House since Independence. Congratulations, Madam.

 

Madam Speaker, I am standing here representing the wonderful people of Lundazi. Lundazi is a rural constituency situated at the border line and its main activity is farming.

 

Madam Speaker, I am the first female Member of Parliament for Lundazi Constituency and I know that I am walking in the footsteps of giants. I would like to acknowledge my immediate predecessor, Hon. Nyirenda, for his positive contribution to the welfare of the people of Lundazi. I intend to take on where he has left off and build on and ensure that our people receive better.

 

Madam Speaker, I was born in Lundazi and I have lived in Lundazi, but due to a lack of good secondary schools and universities, I had to come to Lusaka where I completed my education. However, Lundazi runs through my heart and DNA. I have gone back to my people because I know that they deserve better.

 

Madam Speaker, I have been in the constituency for the past three years. I was a shadow Member of Parliament and I have traversed from Chenda to Kanolo and I can report to the House that Lundazi has not received any news schools that I hear some people talk about since 1964. This is painful for me, as an educator and psychologist, who understands developmental issues which start at a very young age.

 

Madam Speaker, I understand that the challenges being faced by the people of Lundazi are, sometimes, due to previous Governments. We have always been in the Opposition. Unfortunately, the development that my people have received has been lagging behind for a long time. There was an Independent hon. Member of Parliament before me and before that, there was an Opposition hon. Member of Parliament. I appeal to the United Party for National Development (UPND), the Government that is ruling at the moment, to not look at the face when considering taking development to a given area, but to develop the whole country as a whole.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, I am trying to say that it is very difficult for me to reach my constituency. The road that passes through Chipangali up to Lundazi is literally impassable. It is painful for me, as a mother, to leave my children and they do not even know whether I will go back because of the road which is not a good condition.

 

Madam Speaker, I am speaking for my people in Lundazi. A hospital is being constructed and it is at 60 per cent completion, yet due to pressure, my people had move into that hospital. I want to report that we are using second hand beds, which were being used by the old hospital, and I urge Hon. Masebo to go to Lundazi and see how my people are suffering.

 

Madam Speaker, I know it is not easy, as a woman, to attain some leadership positions. I am talking from a gender point of view and I understand the inequalities which are present in this country and Africa as a whole. I know that governments are ready to sign many treaties, move people, go to Ethiopia, move people, go to England or go to China just to make money and say they are going to prioritise the participation of women to get into decision-making positions, but alas, it ends at the signature. Implementation to have women in leadership positions is literally impossible.

 

Madam Speaker, every time I am coming up the staircase and I look behind, I see several portraits of men who have been Speakers in this House. That is why for me, as a gender expert, it is a plus to see a woman sitting there.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, it would be wrong for me not to appreciate the former ruling party, the Patriotic Front (PF), which gave me the adoption certificate. I did not get it easily. I had to be fought left, right and centre, but I knew what I wanted and how my people were suffering and I was ready to stand. Hence, if women are to ascend to leadership positions, they should not be discouraged by having their husbands in the House. They too can be in the House. It is attainable.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker, I would like appreciate His Excellency the former President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who after seeing my potential decided to put his foot down and gave me the adoption certificate despite my husband also having had one. For that, I salute him. He is a hero and he will remain a hero.

 

Madam Speaker, I also appreciate my campaign manager who did so much, Mr Bili, Mrs Phiri, the constituency, districts, wards and sections. We all did it together and here I am. They have produced a Member of Parliament who will not just sit and drink tea, but will open her mouth and talk about the challenges that are being faced in Lundazi.

 

Madam Speaker, I come from a constituency where schools are a challenge. The school that I attended, which is 9 km away from my home, is still the only school that is there today. Hence, I am appealing to my friends on the right to be very considerate when looking at the distribution of the much-needed development.

 

Madam Speaker, the past election was marred with quite a lot of violence. For sure in my constituency, I had done my ground work very well, but my councillors were being gassed and beaten up. However, we stood firm and said, let us just fight for this noble cause. Getting into power should not come at the expense of someone losing his arm, eye or even his life. Therefore, I got jeered up when I saw people fighting and killing themselves. The PF lost its member of the Central Committee by the name of Jack Kungo. It was not worth it. No one is taking care of his children right now. It is not good to lose a life just in a quest to ascend to power and let this not repeat itself.

 

Madam Speaker, let me take this opportunity to talk about some of the major challenges that my people are still facing. At the moment, some people still sleep at the tobacco board –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, your time for the maiden speech is up. May you now debate the President’s Speech.

 

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, I salute the speech made by His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema. It was a good speech, but as a researcher, I would like to see a situation analysis done so that whatever is in the speech is practiced.

 

Madam Speaker, it is not good to leave out the 9.8 million people who are women. During the inauguration speech, women were not mentioned and added that, there is no gender ministry. In the President’s Speech, the President speaks about it as just a bypass. In this country, women are more than 53 per cent and we expect to see policies which are being created favouring more women. Even in this House, there are mostly men. There are more women in the Republic, but look at the number of women who are in this House. This Parliament I can say is skewed. Ideally, we are supposed to be more women and fewer men because there are more women out there who need representation in this House.

 

Madam Speaker, let me talk about the issue of corruption. I hate corruption and even the name itself. Whoever has stolen what belongs to the people of Zambia must bring it here.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, it does not matter whether one is on the right or left. Whoever benefitted from the Lusaka East Forest Reserve No. 27 and has a plot there and has moved to the right must be answerable. I want it to be done equally and I am going to stand here to fight for my people in Lundazi. There are no tarred roads in Lundazi because of corruption.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, my coming here to Parliament is to ensure that my people receive the best and if there is anyone who has taken anything that belongs to the people of Lundazi, recovery time is now.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Madam Speaker, before I debate the President’s Speech presented to the First Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly, allow me to deliver my maiden speech.

 

Madam Speaker, first and foremost, it is my great honour and privilege to be accorded this rare opportunity to deliver my maiden speech to this august House, courtesy of the people of Chama North Constituency in Muchinga Province, who gave me this mandate to preside over their affairs for the next five years, as their Member of Parliament. Therefore, I thank them for their support and, as such, I promise them that I will never let them down. I shall always be with them in difficulties and happiness, as I have always done in the past. Needless to say, I, as their true servant, will discharge my duties to the best of my ability in order to reciprocate their continued support.

 

Madam Speaker, may I also take this opportunity to thank the Almighty living God for having seen me through during the campaign process. Credit also goes to the religious leaders in my constituency for their prayers and support, particularly Reverend Stephen Chileshe of the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Saint Margaret’s Congregation of Chama. He is the reason I am able to stand here in this august House.

 

Madam Speaker, I also congratulate you and your team on being elected as Presiding Officers of this distinguished legislative institution. Therefore, I pray that the Almighty living God continues to give you abundant wealth of wisdom to preside over this important and prestigious institution.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to also thank my wife, Beauty, who has been with me through and through even during the dark days. My children, relatives, my campaign team led by the iron lady; Betty Mkandawire, Lazawawa, January Banda, Mr Kaleya, Mr Solomon Mbuzi, Mr Chidula and the youth leader; Katowola Thole; and many others, so many to mention.

 

Madam Speaker, I also want to take this opportunity to thank traditional leaders, particularly Chief Lundu, Senior Chief Kambombo Zamangwe and Chief Mulilo for their unwavering support during the whole election process without forgetting the leadership of the national energy sector and allied workers union where I served as General-Secretary. I particularly thank Mr Manson Mtambo, the General-Secretary, and Mr Geoffrey Mbewe, the President of the union.

 

Madam Speaker, I would be failing in my noble duties if I did not acknowledge and appreciate the immense support I received from the Sixth Republican President, His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who is also our party president. I also thank the Patriotic Front (PF) Central Committee and, more importantly, for adopting me to stand on the former ruling party ticket despite being relatively new in the party. This was a clear indication that the PF remains an all inclusive political party.

 

Madam Speaker, the smooth and peaceful transition of power in Zambia from this great son of the soil, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, to President Hakainde Hichilema, is a clear demonstration that Zambia’s democratic credentials should continue to be a shining example in Africa and beyond our borders. The former United States of America President, Thomas Jefferson, once said that the ability of the people to change or remove their Governments democratically is a cornerstone of democracy.

 

It is, therefore, my prayer that the New Dawn Administration will further elevate our tenets of democracy to a higher level, in accordance with its campaign promises.

 

Madam Speaker, may I also take this opportunity to thank the labour movement to which I belonged. I am standing tall today because of the experience I got from the labour movement. For that, I want to promise the movement that I will continue to advocate for better working conditions for the Zambian workers.

 

Madam Speaker, my main focus in the next five years, as Chama North Member of Parliament, will be on the road infrastructure and bridges. The people of Chama North continue to be subjected to poor road network since Independence. However, I must salute the former Government of PF for demonstrating political will by undertaking some road projects such as tarring part of the Chama/Matumbo Road, Chama/Muyombe Road, and some township roads which have added beauty to Chama District although more needs to be done in this area.

 

Madam Speaker, the famous 145-km Chama/Matumbo Road remains incomplete because works on the remaining sixty-five-km stretch, which is in a deplorable state, has stalled since 2014. As such, it takes four to five hours to drive on this road. The Chama/Lundazi Road is equally in a bad state and a distance of only 155 km takes six to seven hours, hence transportation of goods and services has become a nightmare for the people of Chama and the business community. Further, the Chama/Kanyelele Road, which is a gateway to Mafinga District and Malawi, is also in a state of disrepair as it cannot be used during the rainy season. This means that Chama risks being cut off completely from the rest of the country if nothing is done urgently. Tenders were awarded to three contractors, but the projects have not been funded for some years now.

 

Madam Speaker, furthermore, the 60-km Isoka/Chibale Road in Nkanka Ward in Chama North Constituency is also an area of grave concern because the contractor removed old structures on three bridges hoping to replace them with new ones, but due to erratic funding to the contractor, Tomorrow Investments, works have stagnated. If urgent measures are not taken on this project before the onset of the rainy season, Chibale will be cut off completely from the rest of the country, hence putting many lives at great risk, especially expectant mothers, as it will be extremely difficult to refer emergency cases to Isoka General Hospital, which is the nearest health facility. Besides, Chibale is one of the leading rice producers and other agricultural products in the country. However, I am delighted to note that we have agreed with the new Minister for Muchinga Province, Hon. Sikazwe, to travel to Chama to have an on-the-spot check of the status of these projects.

 

Madam Speaker, provision of clean and safe drinking water is one of my top priority areas as the majority of households in my constituency continue to face water challenges. As such, they resort to sharing water with domestic and wild animals, of course, from shallow wells and rivers, fifty-seven years after Independence, resulting in some instances where our women and girls are incessantly victims of crocodile attacks. Many lives have been lost in the process of fetching water from crocodile-infested rivers. As such, this cannot be allowed to continue for we are determined to change this scenario by ensuring that more boreholes are drilled to mitigate the water challenges. Nevertheless, I am happy that we have already started addressing this challenge by using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).Corporate entities have come on board and I think the contractor is on site.

 

Madam Speaker, electricity is a catalyst of economic development. Unfortunately, Chama North Constituency has not benefited from the Rural Electrification Fund being undertaken by the Rural Electrification Authority (REA). As such, we will engage the Ministry of Energy, Zesco Limited, and REA in order to accelerate electricity accessibility to many rural households in my constituency to improve the quality of life of our people. Besides, no single chief’s palace has been electrified in the constituency. I hope Zesco Limited will expedite the construction of substations following the completion of power lines from Chipata to Chama.

 

Madam Speaker, taking health services closer to our people in the constituency is of paramount importance. Therefore, more schools and health facilities need to be built and upgraded in all chiefdoms to meet the ever-growing demand of such services if we are to combat diseases and illiteracy, which are more pronounced in rural areas. I am happy that the PF Government has built a number of health institutions and schools in my constituency, but more needs to be done. The worry is the pupil-teacher ratio has continued to widen because of the tendency of people from urban areas getting jobs in rural areas and going back to urbn areas after working for three to six months. Hence, exacerbating the low pupil-teach ratio. I think this must come to an end.

 

Madam Speaker, human-animal conflict, I think my hon. colleague mentioned, has continued to wreck havoc in Chama District.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, your time to deliver your maiden speech has expired.

 

You can now turn to the President’s Speech.

 

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, let me now go to the President’s Address. I have dissected this speech and, I think, it looks to be a very good speech. It is almost similar to previous speeches. However, what is important is the implementation. I hope that the current administration will be able to implement what is contained therein.

 

Madam Speaker, the energy sector is close to my heart. In the speech, the President talked about cost reflective tariffs. The issue of cost reflective tariffs is a contentious one. At the moment, electricity is very expensive beyond the reach of the majority Zambians. When the Government says that it will migrate to cost reflective tariffs, it means that the cost of doing business in the country will increase. Therefore, it will be very difficult to create jobs.

 

Madam Speaker, accessibility to electricity in Zambia is about 31 per cent. It is 67 per cent in urban areas while in rural areas, it is at 4 per cent. If we increase tariffs, it means that accessibility to electricity is going to dwindle and we will not have economic development in this country. We must appreciate the PF Government which invested heavily in power generation sector.

 

Madam Speaker, in the last forty-five years, there has been no major investment in power generation except the Kafue Gorge, which was built in 1977. The Kafue Gorge Lower, which will have an installed generation capacity 750 MW, is a game changer. This means that load shedding will be a thing of the past. Therefore, it is my appeal to the new Government to focus on developing potential hydropower and other forms of energy because Zambia currently stands at 6,000 MW potential power. Let us take advantage of what is obtaining in the Southern African Region by exporting more power to these countries.

 

Madam Speaker, on the issue of the mines, it is true that a stable, predictable, and consistent mining regime is very critical for the growth of the mining sector. In that speech, I did not see any mention of the status of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Mopani Copper Mines on whether this Government is going to take back the mines to foreign investors or it will maintain them to be run by the Zambians themselves. We must realise that foreign investors have been externalising all the resources, hence we have not developed as a country. Therefore, it is important that the Government gives a policy direction on what will happen to KCM and Mopani Copper Mines.

 

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, coming from a trade union background, which is close to my heart, I did not see mention in that speech about increasing salaries and improving conditions of service for public sector workers. Workers are currently going through many financial difficulties, therefore, my appeal and hope is that the budget, which is going to be announced by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, will have a provision for salary increment, in accordance with the campaign promises.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kampampi (Mwansabombwe) Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to debate. In the first place, let me start by congratulating you and your two Deputies on having been elected to this august House to preside over the Business of this House.

 

Madam Speaker, on 12^thAugust 2021, the people of Mwansabombwe woke up early in the morning to cast their votes to choose leaders of their choice. They turned up in huge numbers, especially women and the youth because they wanted to usher in leaders who can put their interests first. It was during the same period that the people of Mwansabombwe gave me and my party, the Patriotic Front (PF), a resounding victory. May I, therefore, take this opportunity to thank the people of Mwansabombwe for re-electing me as their Member of Parliament for a second time. I was in this House in the previous sitting for only six months.

 

Madam Speaker, every transition of power in Zambia has been peaceful since the adoption of multi-party democracy in 1990, as was seen from the recent transfer of power by His Excellency the former President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, to President Hakainde Hichilema. My hope is that this continues as a stepping-stone even in generations to come. 

 

Madam Speaker, may I take this chance to congratulate His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema and the United Party for National Development (UPND) on coming out victorious in the 12^th August, 2021General Election. Despite the victory, various incidents of violence have been seen in different parts of the country where some members of the PF have been victimised and some beaten up because they are now in Opposition. If the former Head of State had won these elections, this country could have been on fire from what is happening.

 

Madam Speaker, Mwansabombwe Constituency is a haven of peace, tourism potential, rich virgin land for farming, and abundant natural resources for crop production and fish farming, which if harnessed, can definitely change the social and economic outlook of our constituency and the country at large. It is for this reason that I pledge to work to the fullest of my capability to ensure that our people do not continue to stay in abject poverty.

 

Madam Speaker, may I implore the new Government to work tirelessly on programmes that will transform the lives of our people in this country. I further advise my fellow Parliamentarians in the Ruling Party that the time for politicking is long gone. What the people of this great country need is food on their table, good quality education for all, clean and safe drinking water, and good policies that will enable the people of Mwansabombwe to realise their full potential so that they can greatly contribute to the development of this great nation.

 

Madam Speaker, my good people of Mwansabombwe have not been spared by the negative impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has brought about numerous challenges in the socio-economic aspect of the lives of our people. I, therefore, implore the new Government of the day to continue with the deliberate polices that the previous Government embarked on to cushion the suffering of the people of this country.

 

Madam Speaker, Mwansabombwe Constituency sits in Mwansabombwe District, which was created in 2012 by the son of the soil, the late His Excellency President Michael Chilufya Sata, may his soul rest in peace. Since then, we saw a number of projects going to Mwansabombwe such as the construction of the district administration block, the Civic Centre, low and high medium houses, the Pave Mwansabombwe Project (PMP), and, indeed, many infrastructure developments. It is in this vein that I humbly request the new Government, under the leadership of His Excellency Mr Hakainde Hichilema to ensure that these projects are concluded as quickly as possible so that the service delivery to our people is enhanced.

 

Madam Speaker, I reaffirm my commitment to fight and end child marriages and defilement in the district. In the same vein, may I implore the Government to tighten the law so that would-be perpetrators of such vices are brought to book. I, therefore, humbly request all well-meaning Zambians, co-operating partners, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), traditional leaders, and the Church, to join hands with me to work together to end this vice.

 

Madam Speaker, I will stay true to the early promise that I made when I first entered this house in the last sitting that I will always put my people first in everything I do.

 

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I humbly accept this challenging role of Member of Parliament for the good people of Mwansabombwe, and above all, to be to be a servant of my people.

 

Madam Speaker, may I sincerely thank my family, friends, supporters, and my campaign team for their support both, materially and financially. To the people of Mwansabombwe, I say thank you so much for the trust that you have given me, again, as your Member of Parliament. I can only say I will always be there for you.

 

Madam Speaker, further, let me extend my gratitude to the community leaders, above all his Royal Highness, the Mwata Kazembe, and all village headmen, churches, and all religious leaders.

 

Madam Speaker, I further extend my gratitude to the former President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the former Vice-President, Mama Inonge Mutukwa Wina, the entire PF leadership, and the campaign team, for having adopted me as the candidate for Mwansabombwe Constituency. I say thank you so much and God bless.

 

Madam Speaker, coming to the President’s Address, from the look of the speech after I went through it, I would say it is a copy of the 2021-2026 Patriotic Front Manifesto. Most of the things which were spoken about by the President are in the Patriotic Front Manifesto. The only thing which the speech lacked were timelines on which the pronouncements would be delivered to the people of Zambia, especially the policies which the President made during the campaigns.

 

Madam Speaker, other than that, I would like to dwell so much on my main area of concern, since I am coming from an area where there are abundant water resources. In aquaculture farming, the PF invested about K275million in aquaculture and about thirty-five districts benefitted from that. If you look at the way the PF improved aquaculture, in 2016, about 5,000 tonnes of fish were being produced and in 2019, production went up to 38,000 tonnes of fish, which already in itself shows that the PF Government had done something in that area. The only thing I would urge the new Government is to make sure that measures are put in place, especially in Luapula, in order that aquaculture is taken as their priority to meet the basic needs of the people of Mwansabombwe.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Chewe (Lubansenshi): Madam Speaker, thank you so much (Inaudible) −

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Please, if there is anybody who is on the Zoom platform right now, kindly switch it off.

 

Mr Chewe: Madam Speaker, thank you so much for according me this opportunity –

 

Madam Speaker: The microphone is off.

 

Mr Chewe: Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me an opportunity to speak and represent the people of Lubansenshi (Inaudible)

 

Madam Speaker: There is still a Zoom Application that is on. Can that be checked, please.

 

Mr Chewe: Madam Speaker, thank you once more for giving me this opportunity to speak in this House and represent the people of Lubansenshi Constituency of Luwingu District in the Northern Province.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me also to congratulate you, together with your fellow Presiding Officers, on your wonderful election. I say congratulations to you.

 

Madam Speaker, I am here to convey gratitude to the Almighty God for the opportunity he has given me to stand and present my maiden speech on the Floor of this House. Let me begin by thanking the Almighty God for his faithfulness and grace that have made it possible for me to stand before you.

 

Madam Speaker, I also thank His Excellency the then President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, together with the entire Patriotic Front (PF), for adopting me to stand in Lubansenshi Constituency on the PF platform. Special thanks also go to the campaign team in Luwingu in Lubansenshi Constituency for working hard to ensure that I won this election. It was not easy.

 

Madam Speaker, I also thank my wife, Esther Chewe Mwashima and my children for the support that they rendered to me to date. I also thank those who were close to me. I thank them so much for the love, the encouragement, and the monetary support rendered to me before and during the elections. I am highly indebted to them, and may the Almighty God continue blessing them.

 

Madam Speaker, I would be failing in my duties if I did not thank the good people of Lubansenshi Constituency for the confidence and responsibility they have deposited in me to represent them in this House. I can assure them that I will not let them down. Instead, I will ably represent them without fear or favour, and I will embrace everyone, including those who did not vote for me.

 

Madam Speaker, my speech would be incomplete if I did not commend the people of Lubansenshi for demonstrating that elections in the constituency can be done without engaging in violence, as was evidenced by the record of no violent incidents during the just-ended election. There was no violence in Lubansenshi, but I have a serious concern for other parts of this country where there was violence in places such as Mpulungu and Solwezi in the North-Western Province, parts of Lusaka and other places here in Zambia. This is unacceptable because we do not expect to have violence during elections. We have a proper record that our provincial chairperson by the name of Jackson Kungo died during voting day. This is time for the United Party for National Development (UPND) to ensure that such incidents do not repeat themselves. The records are there at the police stations. Someone can go there and obtain the names of culprits when it comes to violence.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to take this opportunity to thank the Zambia Police Service and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for a job well done when it came to the way they conducted the general elections. This is good. May God continue blessing them.

 

Madam Speaker, let me take this opportunity to observe a moment of silence in remembering the great men who fought for this freedom that we are enjoying today. My fellow hon. Members of Parliament, allow me to observe a moment of silence in remembering our First Republican President, Dr Kenneth David Kaunda, Mr Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe and even those who died during the 2021 General Elections.

 

Hon. Members of Parliament stood in silence for one minute.

 

Mr Chewe: May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace.

 

Madam Speaker, let me begin by congratulating His Excellency, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, the Seventh Republican President and the United Party for National Development (UPND) on winning the 2021 General Elections. It is now time for the people of Lubansenshi Constituency to join hands with the UPND Government, under His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, and work towards the development of this great constituency and the entire nation.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank the people of Zambia who turned out in large numbers and voted for the UPND based on various promises made by President Hakainde Hichilema during the campaign period, such as free education from Grade 1 to university, a reduction in the price of fertiliser from K700 to K200, a reduction in the price of a 25 kg bag of mealie meal from K150 to K50 and a salary increment for all civil servants of K1,500. Other promises included employing all the youths, teachers, doctors, nurses and others who are not yet employed and a reduction in the price of diesel and petrol from K17 to K5. The Zambian people are waiting to see all these promises fulfilled. If the Government does not do these things, it will be up to the Zambian people to judge because what President Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu has done for this great Zambia is on record –

 

Hon. Government Members: Former!

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, he is the former President.

 

Mr Chewe: Thank you for your guidance, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, what Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the former Republican President, has done for Zambia is on record. Therefore, the people out there are waiting to see what President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND Government will do for them.

 

Mr Mutelo: His Excellency.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, address the President appropriately.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chewe: Madam Speaker, thank you for your guidance.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to also comment on the development that the former President, Mr Edgar Lungu, has taken to Lubansenshi Constituency. I would be insincere to the Zambian people and the hon. Members of Parliament in this House if I did not appreciate the former President and the PF Government because the roads, schools and hospitals in Lusaka speak for themselves. Everyone, including the new hon. Ministers, can testify because they use the same infrastructure that we are talking about.

 

Madam Speaker, many roads are being constructed in Lubansenshi Constituency, such as the Luwingu/Nsombo/Chaba Road, the Chifwile/Luena Mission, the Mupepa via Shimumbi/Njoko Road.

 

Madam Speaker, Lubansenshi Constituency has also received the three mini hospitals that are being constructed in Chief Chipalo, Chief Shimumbi and Chief Tungati’s areas. So, for now, we look forward to the UPND ensuring that it completes this project because this is what the people of Lubansenshi are expecting.

 

Madam Speaker, let me now talk about the speech that was presented to this House by the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema. I will only comment on two ministries that the President has created, namely the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment and the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts. I am requesting the UPND Government to start explaining to the people of Zambia, including the people Lubansenshi, what the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment is all about. The people of Lubansenshi Constituency think that the ideology of having this ministry has been propagated by President Peter Sinkamba who encourages the growing marijuana. I see not much difference between this ministry and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. We need to have a clear understanding of the objective of this ministry. We need to hear what this ministry will offer to the people of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, it is on record that the hon. Minister in charge of this ministry and his staff under this ministry will be getting emoluments which are supposed to be used to complete the roads in Lubansenshi Constituency. We need to know what the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment is going to do for the Zambian people so that the people Lubansenshi Constituency can also benefit from this.

 

Madam Speaker, let me also talk about the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts.

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Amutike: Madam Speaker, my point of order is in relation to Standing Order No. 67, which talks about irrelevance or repetition. The hon. Member is talking about ministries that have been dissolved and those that have been approved. I think the House has already approved the ministries. So, at this point, I think, the hon. Member should stick to the debate on the President’s Speech.

 

Madam Speaker: May the hon. Member on the Floor take note of that observation and debate the President’s Speech.

 

May the hon. Member continue.

 

Mr Chewe: Madam Speaker, it is good that you have guided that the approval of these ministries has already been done. I will concentrate on commenting on the President’s Speech. The President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, talked about economic transformation on page 13 of the speech.

 

Madam Speaker, I am coming from a mining background, and I think this speech lacked a lot of things when it comes to the clear direction on how these mines will be run. In 2015, most of the miners lost employment in the mining sector due to the copper price which went down on the London Metal Exchange (LME). Therefore, we would need to hear more from the President on how he is going to make sure that jobs for the miners in Zambia, especially on the Copperbelt Province, the North-Western Province, and other places where mining is taking place, will not be lost. What guarantee is there to ensure that jobs for these people will be safeguarded?

 

Secondly, Madam, on the issue of tax, the President talked about inconsistency in policies when it comes to mining taxes. We need a clear direction because, at the moment, Zambia does not buy copper. We just produce and take it outside the country. What measures is the President going to put in place to ensure that we are guaranteed that, indeed, there will be no inconsistency when it comes to the production and selling of copper? The people of Zambia have to benefit, just like what Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu facilitated. He brought in a lot of interventions to safeguard the jobs of the people of Zambia in the mining sector. I will give you an example of a number of people who lost employment in the mining sector in 2015. For record purposes, 10,333 people lost employment as at 31^st of December 2015.

 

Madam, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu made deliberate policies to ensure that people who lost employment were taken care of by providing them with farmland. At the moment, we have many ex-miners who have benefited from this. However, because of the promises that the UPND made, the people who were in the pipeline for similar empowerment are now stranded. So, we need a clear direction from President Hakainde Hichilema on how he is going to take care of these ex-miners because they have families and lives to lead.

 

Madam Speaker, as I wind-up, I would also like to remind the UPND Government that the people of Zambia out there, particularly the people of Lubansenshi, are waiting for all the promises that it has made to be fulfilled. If the Government will not fulfil what it promised, it has to prepare for the PF’s bouncing back in 2026.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

MOTION

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

Question put and agreed to.

_______

The House adjourned at 1908 hours until 1430 on Thursday, 16^th, 2021

 

___________