Wednesday, 20th October, 2021

Wednesday, 20^th October, 2021

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

The House met at 1430 hours

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE RAISED BY MR SAMPA, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MATERO PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY, ON THE HER HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT REGARDING A NEWS ARTICLE IN THE ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL ON SHOOTINGS AT KATIMA MULILO

Mr Sampa (Matero): Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on Standing Order 134, Matter of Urgent Public Importance. I wish to refer to an article in the Zambia Daily Mail, on this day 28^th October, which is the memorial day for the Fifth President of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, may his soul rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, on this Matter of Urgent Public Importance, I wish to refer to page 1 of the Zambia Daily Mail, Volume 25 of Wednesday, 27^th October, 2021, where there is an article entitled “Shootings at Katima Mulilo” and the excerpt reads:

“Business at Katima Mulilo Border Post with Namibia was disrupted yesterday after suspected Namibian police officers fired shots to disperse cross-border traders who allegedly tried to force their way into that country.

“Three shots, allegedly fired by the Namibians on Zambian soil, were heard and the Zambia police officers managed to pick up one empty cartridge.

“A video of the incident was immediately shared on various social media platforms.”

Madam Speaker, this matter is cutting across various ministries, which include the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security. I would, therefore, like to put this Matter of Urgent Public Importance to Her Honour the Vice-President, and ask whether, indeed, this Government is in order to keep quiet when the lives of our citizens are being threatened by international forces and on no man’s land where, according to the Geneva Convention, nobody can be arrested or harassed, except by the local police officers. So, is this Government in order or is Her Honour the Vice-President in order to keep quiet when the lives of traders at Katima Mulilo Border Post are being threatened by the Namibians who are coming in slowly with a friendly march, and next, may even enter the Katima Mulilo Town?

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Member for Matero, for raising that Matter of Urgent Public Importance under Standing Order 134. Indeed, the matter that has been raised is of urgent public importance. I direct that Her Honour the Vice-President comes back to this House on Wednesday next week with a statement on the issue that has been raised.

May the paper be laid on the Table.

Mr Sampa: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Sampa laid the paper on the Table.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

LUWINGU/NSOMBO/CHABA ROAD TARRING

48. Mr Fube (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

whether the Government has any plans to tar the Luwingu/Nsombo/Chaba Road in the Northern Province;
if so, when the plans will be implemented;
what the estimated cost of the project is; and
what the estimated time frame for the completion of the project is.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, the Government will consider upgrading to bituminous standard the Luwingu/Nsombo/Chaba Road in Chilubi District once funds for the project have been secured. Currently, the Government is upgrading the road to an engineered gravel road.

Madam Speaker, the plans will be implemented once funds for the project have been secured.

Madam Speaker, the estimated cost for the current works on the Luwingu/Nsombo/Chaba Road in Chilubi District is US$8,040,000.

Madam Speaker, the estimated time frame for the completion of the project is sixty calendar months comprising twenty-four months for rehabilitation and a further thirty-six months for maintenance.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: We will proceed to supplementary questions. Hon. Members, please, when you ask your supplementary questions, go straight to the questions instead of debating. This is time to ask supplementary questions arising from the answer that has been given to that particular question.

The hon. Member for Chilubi may ask his question.

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister made reference to the current gravel road. If I got him right, he said that the Government is attending to it. What is the status of the works today? Could the hon. Minister tell the people of Chilubi the status of the gravel road?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, what I said in my answer is that currently, the Government is upgrading the roads to engineered gravel roads. I am sure the work is ongoing.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chewe (Lubansenshi): Madam Speaker, the Luwingu/Nsombo/Chaba Road is an economic road which needs to be attended to quickly. When is the money for this road going to be found? The United Party for National Development (UPND) Government promised the Zambian people that it was going to fix the problems immediately it was ushered into Government. This road needs to be fixed immediately –

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, ask your question.

Mr Chewe: Madam Speaker, when is the Government going to source funds so that this road can be worked on other than keep on promising?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the temptation to get involved with the politics that the hon. Member wants to get involved in is tremendous, but I will not go that way. The hon. Member is fully aware of the difficulties, which I explained yesterday in my answer to one of the questions.

Madam Speaker, in case he wants more information, let me say that the works on this particular road; the Luwingu/Nsombo/Chaba Road, are parts of the project for what we call the Output and Performance-Based Road Contract (OPRC). This was for the design, rehabilitation/improvement and routine and periodic maintenance of approximately 3,017 km of roads not only in the Northern Province, but also in Central, the Copperbelt, the North-Western and the Western provinces of Zambia. This was supposed to be supported by the World Bank. That was the initial plan.

Madam Speaker, the contractor, that is, China Geo-Engineering Corporation, was engaged. For the information of the hon. Member, the contract sum for the entire project covering 3,017 km is US$312,048,579. We are talking about a lot of money here. Works on this particular road, the Luwingu/Nsombo/Chaba Road, which is 120 km, is envisaged to cost US$8,040,000. The contractor is on site and works are ongoing. So far, 55 km out of the 120 km have been completed on the Luwingu/Nsombo/Chaba Road, and a total of US$1,041,462 has been paid to the contractor on the entire project including this particular road.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member may be interested to note that under the OPRC approach, the contractor undertakes the improvement works in the first two years and then undertakes maintenance works for the subsequent three years. This work started on 9^th December, 2019 and is ongoing. Rather than say it is immediate, we are saying this is ongoing work.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Madam Speaker, I just want to know how the hon. Minister is going to reconcile the imbalance that has existed in the past regime of the Patriotic Front (PF) where road works were concentrated in certain areas. The road that the hon. Member has asked about here, is one of those roads which were favoured instead of our roads. Our roads such as the Zambezi/Chitokoloki Road and others have not been attended to.

Madam Speaker, will the hon. Minister come back to the House to give us information on how the Government has reconciled this imbalance …

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

Mr Kambita: … to ensure that there is the equitable distribution of the national resources in the New Dawn Government.

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

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order as per Standing Order No. 65(1)(a) which states:

“(1) A member who is debating shall -

confine his or her debate to the subject under discussion;”

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to insinuate that the previous regime divided this country by not taking development to other regions like the one he has mentioned, yet he is coming from a province where there is the Chingola/Solwezi Road, among other infrastructure developments? Even the Southern Province, which has been in contention for quite some time by hon. Members received a fair share of development. I come from a constituency where at least 80 per cent of the projects that were started have stalled, and even the people there are crying for development.

Madam Speaker, is this a systematic way of ensuring that this Government focuses on three regions instead of the entire nation? Is the hon. Member in order to go against what His Excellency the Republican President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, stands for? The President is preaching unity in the nation, but his hon. Member of Parliament is busy dividing the nation by insinuating that the previous Government concentrated only on seven provinces and not the other three provinces, yet there is sufficient development in those provinces?

Madam Speaker: The hon. Member for Mpika Central has sufficiently debated his point of order, and I believe the hon. Member of Parliament for Zambezi East has also heard that questions to be asked are supplementary to the question that is being discussed on the Floor.

Let us not bring politics in the House. So, please, hon. Member for Zambezi East, ask a direct question to the hon. Minister so that he can give you a sufficient answer arising out of Question No. 48. Hon. Member for Zambezi East, please re-ask the question related to the question that is being discussed on the Floor.

Mr Kambita: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to rephrase my question. I appreciate your counsel. What I want to know from the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development is that now that we have a New Dawn Government, which wants to take development to all parts of the country equitably, is he soon coming to this House to give us information on the priority roads that will be attended to, which includes the road in question that we are debating right now?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, indeed, I think the hon. Member is right. If you look at the information that I gave, this project covering 3,017 km and costing US$312 million covered a number of provinces, which include, Copperbelt Province, the Northern Province, the North-Western Province and the Western Province.

Madam Speaker, as a country, if we are to resolve the problems we have and move forward, it will be absolutely critical that we do not forget history. We must look at what has happened even as we move into the future. It is true to say, and this statement is backed by facts, that in terms of the implementation of the construction and rehabilitation of roads, there was no equity.

Madam Speaker, when the previous speaker talked about works on roads in certain regions of this country having been put on hold as a result of them having not achieved the 80 per cent, is correct. So, in order to ensure that this House is fully acquainted with what has happened in terms of infrastructure development as it pertains to roads, it is my intention that I come to this House and give a comprehensive statement as to what roads have been put on programmes, what the level of completion that has been achieved is and break that down province by province. I think after that statement, the House will know exactly what happened and we shall also indicate as to how we want to move forward. It is important that we move this country forward, as one nation, but in order to do that, there has got to be equity. That is all that the President is saying.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mundubile (Mporokoso): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has touched partly on the question I wanted to ask and I am glad that the hon. Minister will come to this House with information on how the roads were distributed.

Madam Speaker, I was privileged to serve as the hon. Minister for Northern Province, then, and our Government had a system where we used to report in clusters. It was discovered during one of the reporting sessions that when we looked at infrastructure, especially to do with roads, the Northern Province had the least with only 10 per cent of the projects in the road sector. When you looked at provinces like the Southern, the Western and the North-Western provinces that we are talking about now and referring to as being disadvantaged, the profiling was not only based on kilometres, but also on the amount of investment. We looked at roads like the Solwezi/Chingola Road, and the values attached to them. When you looked at roads within the Southern Province, it was discovered that when profiling the level of investment in terms of infrastructure, the provinces being referred to today, as having been disadvantaged, were actually on top.

Madam Speaker, I am happy that the hon. Minister will come back to this House, but he should not only bring a report that discloses the kilometres of these roads, but also the standard and the values of these roads. This will enable the people of Zambia to appreciate what happened as opposed to the statements that we have heard in this House in the past couple of weeks. Development was actually distributed equitably, as provided for in the Constitution.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: That was a comment. So I do not know whether the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development would want to comment on that.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, first of all, I just want to remind the Leader of the Opposition that he is the Leader of the Opposition and that covers the whole country. He is not the Leader of the Opposition for the Northern Province and therefore, he should not get himself engaged in comments that further divide the country.

Madam Speaker, the information that will come will show exactly how the roads were distributed, how many kilometres were covered, what they cost and whether they were all-weather gravel roads or bituminous roads. So, let us wait for that information so that we see exactly what happened. However, his statement, as the Leader of the Opposition, to say that certain regions like the North-Western Province had a fair share, I think, is not based on facts. I, who has seen the facts, will tell you it is not correct. If we talk about the Southern Province, other than from Mazabuka to Turn Pike Corner, I do not see that anything else was done in that province.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mpundu: On a point of order, Madam.

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mpundu: Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of urgent public importance as provided for under Standing Order 134. You may wish to know there is an –

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

That matter has already lapsed. We have already bypassed that segment. If you indeed have an urgent matter to raise under Standing Order 134, you have to wait again until tomorrow.

Interruptions

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I want to put it on record that when the people of Chilubi are asking questions, they are not appreciating the ethnocentric approach, especially what we are getting from our Government on many factors.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Chilubi, please take your seat. Hon. Member, you are advised and guided to ask supplementary questions. Do not debate or make comments. Just ask for clarification and the hon. Minister will provide that clarification. You can proceed.

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I really find it a problem because sometimes you need to refer to certain issues. For instance, let me ask a question. Recently, I saw the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development being very overzealous on the issue of the Niko –

Interruptions

Mr Fube: I will not be intimidated, sorry. He was very overzealous on the issue of the Niko Road and he indicated, and it is on camera, that they are going to look for money because this road was neglected. The people of Chilubi want him to apply the same zeal that he applied on the Niko Road because they are talking about equity. The way the people of Chilubi understand equity is that when you have a loaf of bread –

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, ask your question.

Mr Fube: I will find it a problem because I think I am the mover of the question and I cannot ask a straight question without giving a particular background.

Interruptions

Mr Fube: No, I cannot.

Madam Speaker: Let us have order, hon. Member please take your seat.

Hon. Member, let us have order in the House. If you want to discuss an issue, you can take advantage of the Standing Orders. You can raise a Motion on a Wednesday and debate to the full capacity that you will be exhausted. When it is time for supplementary questions, you will have to just ask the supplementary question and the matter ends there. If we become upset or emotional in the manner that we ask questions, then we will not be able to ask proper questions. Let us be calm, sober and accommodate each other. That way we will be able to communicate in a better manner. So hon. Member for Chilubi Parliamentary Constituency, please ask your question if you have a question.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, the people of Chilubi want the 126 km Road to be funded and the hon. Minister to look for the money just as he is looking for money for Monze/Niko Road. So, when is the hon. Minister going to look for money, unlike giving us answers like “when the money is available.” We want him to apply the same zeal that he is applying on Monze/Niko Road.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the answer was quite straightforward. I have illustrated that the work is ongoing on this particular road, which is Luwingu/Nsombo/Chaba Road. If the hon. Member saw the pictures that I saw, and if he had nationalistic attitudes, he would not have raised the matter in the manner that he did in reference to the Monze-Niko Road. More than fifteen years ago when I was in Parliament, the Monze-Niko Road was the subject of debate almost continuously. The fact that more than fifteen years later, we are still talking about the same thing and even worse, when I travel on that road, the picture that came out, I think, does not illustrate that we are in the same country. It is in a deplorable state and is impassable even now in October. On about six sections of that road, vehicles cannot pass through, and divert in dambo areas making it completely impassable when it rains. There is nothing strange about that road. It was neglected. It is not the only area that was neglected. I have other reports of other roads.

Madam Speaker, my intentions as the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, is to ensure that we cover the whole country. There are certain roads in this country which have been reported to us by certain sections of society, which includes, hon. Members in the Opposition, and we are engaging. We meet with some of them in the offices and some here so that we can address those issues. The problem is funding because of the depleted coffers. What we have said on the Monze/Niko Road is that, for it, at least, to continue to be passable, we have to repair the bridges and the culverts.

Madam Speaker, for the hon. Member’s information, the road leading into Lundazi has similar considerations. It is my intentions that, very soon, I go there and have a look to see what we can do to ensure that Lundazi is not cut off. This New Dawn Government is looking at the whole country. The unity that we are talking about is not mere rhetoric. We want to develop the country as one unit.

I thank you, Madam Speaker

Mr Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, listening to the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, I realise that he is a minister who wants to work and do some of the projects that we are talking about in the august House. However, I realise he is handicapped in terms of resources. What is the hon. Minister’s focus in terms of raising these resources? Is the hon. Minister going to depend entirely on the locally generated revenue from the Treasury or has he any other avenues that he is looking at that can help his ministry have these much needed funds? If locally, has he taken time to sit with the hon. Minister of Finance –?

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member one question at a time.

Mr Chibuye: Madam Speaker, I thought it was a riding question just to connect to –

Madam Speaker: The hon. Member is supposed to ask one question only.

Mr Chibuye: Madam Speaker, well guided. Where is the hon. Minister looking at to raise these much needed funds? Has he taken his time to sit down with the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to talk to him nicely so that he can give a handsome chunk to his ministry, which I will personally stand and support in this House?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, yes, we do have difficulties with funds especially as regards to the debts. I think yesterday I was able to indicate to the House that in terms of road infrastructure, we owe contractors, engineers and consultants about K14.11 billion already. So, that money has to be found. These constrains are even in the next Budget going forward because what is owed also needs to be paid. So we have looked at alternatives. The Minister of Finance and National Planning, of course, working with the President and the rest of the Government, is doing the utmost to restructure this debt so that we can have fiscal space to release money from the interest repayments that we are currently providing for. So, that extra money that is saved will be used on other sectors, including infrastructure development.

Madam Speaker, the major part, which I ask all members on both sides of the House to help this Government, is that one way to achieve the infrastructure development even with this shortage of funds is to go the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) route. Where we require help from hon. Members of Parliament here is that they are aware of the local circumstances and the potential roads that can be done on a PPP basis. The revenue coming from there can be used to pay back the cost of constructing those roads. This is the route that we are going to undertake on a number of roads where we know quite clearly that those investors, contractors and financiers will recoup their monies. What we want as a Government is to ensure that we look after the interests of this country. Even under PPP, we shall ensure that the roads are done to the highest quality, maybe even a higher quality than we have seen hereto. The cost must be the right because that will determine the length of the concession period. We do not want to give our assets away for a longer period than it is absolutely necessary. We shall ensure that when that is done, all the projects are delivered on time and make sure that our people are able to utilise those resources. So, that is the route that we are going to use to ensure that we continue with development. What they will do, further going forward, maybe in the next financial year and the year after that, is that those roads that, obviously, cannot attract PPP, will be worked on using the money that we will get from the locally generated revenues.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chitotela (Pambashe): Madam Speaker, I listened to my successor respond to three questions. The first one was from the hon. Member for Zambezi East where he referred to history, which is very key. The second one was from the hon. Member for Chilubi concerning the Monze/Niko Road and the last one was on the Public-Private Partnership (PPP). My prayer is that we will not see those who wanted the PPP take over the roads before they start working.

Madam Speaker, does the hon. Minister intend to go on a countrywide tour to understand the state of the road network before singling out one region? He may be surprised that the Mansa/Kashikishi Road in Luapula Province has been cut at two points and it is impassable. So, does the hon. Minister intend to undertake a countrywide tour, as I did, to appreciate the road infrastructure status before giving a position on a certain region? When I was appointed Minister, I went to see the Dundumwezi/Kalomo Road. When the hon. Minister has a clear understanding of the road network, then, he can come and give a true picture of whether one, two or three regions were disadvantaged or it is just politicking by hon. Members of Parliament who may sway his principle stance on the national approach in terms of development.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Pambashe started well, but then, he went off tangent to politick. Let me make it very clear to the hon. Member who, indeed, was my predecessor in the ministry. Some of us look at this country as a whole. There is not a single constituency in this country where I cannot find people whom I know and can relate to, including in Pambashe.

Madam Speaker, when an hon. Minister goes to any place, he/she is obliged to report what he/she finds. The answer to the hon. Member’s question is that, yes, we intend to visit all the areas that we can. When I go to the Mansa/Kashikishi Road and I find the situation as the hon. Member described, at that particular time, I shall report to the nation what I find. I will not wait until I have seen the road from Chadiza to somewhere else. That is not how we should work. The nation needs to be informed. So, for the hon. Member to be unduly concerned because an hon. Minister has just seen one road, worries me. Hon. Members should appreciate that I have seen part of the country. I will not go back to the same road because I have seen it. I will go and see other roads wherever they are and I shall report. Like I have mentioned, I have not seen the bridge going to Lundazi, but from what I have heard, it is of immediate concern. That is how we look at the country. So, let us look at this country as a whole and that is how we should move.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, in the interest of time, the people of Chilubi are satisfied with the answers from the hon. Minister.

Mr Sampa (Matero): Madam Speaker, fortunately or unfortunately, infrastructure cuts across all the constituencies. The hon. Minister mentioned that the Luwingu/Nsombo/Chaba Road in question needs over US$300 million and I believe this is because it is over lakes and will have bridges just like the Mongu/Kalabo Road was done. However, the hon. Minister keeps mentioning that there are no funds and the worries on the loans and restructuring. He also mentioned that the repayments will be done when the Budget is presented next week. Unfortunately, that is a long-term solution because the Budget will only take effect in January, 2022.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), which is also a long-term solution to working on this road. The PPP takes about a year just to get approved. What is the ministry doing to ensure that all the road contractors in all the constituencies, including those in Chikankata whom we spoke about yesterday, are paid? The economy needs to move. Without the Government spending, the economy is on a standstill and it cannot wait for another three months. If all the outstanding debts in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development are paid, the economy will start moving. What is the ministry’s immediate solution to its local debt?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I rather like the hon. Member. I think he is very intelligent and he articulates issues very well. In fact, had he played his cards right, he would have been our President in 2015, ...

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Eng. Milupi: … but he was dribbled.

Madam Speaker, the answer to his question is that he is pushing us towards borrowing where we have noted sufficient locally generated revenues. The only way we can undertake some things, including paying huge amounts of money like the K14 billion we talked about yesterday, is to borrow. That has to be looked at very carefully in view of the fact that we are already an over-borrowed nation, and as a former banker, the hon. Member knows that. All these matters will be reviewed. However, the hon. Member said that K312 million will be needed for the road in question because it is similar to the road in the Western Province. That is not what I said. The value for this road is US$8,040,000 million. So, it is not that expensive.

Madam Speaker, when these matters are completely reviewed, including restructuring, I will be privileged to know what is going on and the budget, and we shall then be able to release money. I am concerned that our engineers and contractors, especially the Zambians ones, are owed huge amounts of money. This morning, the leaders of small contractors, the ones who maintain roads, including vegetation clearing, and so on and so forth, came through and expressed the same concern. They are owed just over K100 million, but to them, that is a lot of money. They should be comforted with the knowledge that the Government is aware of these issues, but it inherited a problem that it ought to put right by considering all angles and that is what it is doing.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Lusambo (Kabushi): Madam Speaker, first of all, I congratulate the hon. Minister on being appointed hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development.

Madam Speaker, when His Excellency the President of the Republic was the Opposition leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), at many fora, he promised that he would scrap off the toll fees that the people of Zambia pay because he wants them to enjoy their roads. Where is the Government taking the money which it has been collecting at toll gates across the country since it is failing to pay the contractors?

Madam Speaker: The question relating to the collection of toll fees is not related to Question No. 48. I advise the hon. Member for Kabushi to file in a specific question so that the hon. Minister is given sufficient time to prepare to answer that question. Right now, I believe he has been taken by surprise in terms of coming up with the actual numbers and where the money is going. So, hon. Member for Kabushi, file in a written question, then, the hon. Minister will be able to answer your question.

Mr Twasa (Kasenengwa): Madam Speaker, the Great East Road, especially the stretch between Chongwe to Luangwa Bridge, is in a very bad state including some bridges which seem to be weak. What is the Government’s position on this road and those bridges which seem to be weak and can be washed away anytime should we have heavy rains?

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Kasenengwa, that question is not related to Question No. 48. This question deals with the Luwingu/Nsombo/Chaba Road in the Northern Province and the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development has stated that he is going to come back to this honourable House to give a status on all the roads in the country. So, I suggest we wait for the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development to issue a statement and, then, he can be asked more questions.

NATUSEKO SITE AND SERVICE SILOS REHABILITATION

49. Ms Halwiindi (Kabwe Central) asked the Minister of Agriculture:

whether the Government has any plans to rehabilitate the silos in Natuseko Site and Service in Kabwe District; and
if so, when the plans will be implemented.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr M. Phiri): Madam Speaker, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has an infrastructure development plan called the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2013-2018 that picked out silos to be rehabilitated, including Natuseko in Kabwe. However, the plan was suspended due to fiscal constraints encountered by the Treasury.

Madam Speaker, the agency will commence the implementation of the infrastructure investment plan once the Government’s fiscal position allows. As you are aware, the Government requires time to put things in order before it starts undertaking such projects.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Halwiindi: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister of Agriculture for that answer. However, I want to highlight that the people of Kabwe Central Parliamentary Constituency, especially the youths, are looking in all corners for job opportunities and silos can offer employment once rehabilitated. Riding on the United Party for National Development (UPND)’s manifesto, we want to increase agricultural productivity and I know that the hon. Minister is so strategic in preparing for this call. Immediately the fiscal position is okay, the ministry should make sure that it rehabilitates the silos so that the people of Kabwe Central Parliamentary Constituency can have an opportunity to be employed at the silos. I hope it will be one of the projects that the ministry will embark on once the fiscal situation is okay.

Madam Speaker: It was a comment. Hon. Minister, would you like to comment on that?

Mr M. Phiri: Madam Speaker, immediately funds are made available, I think the silos will be worked on. I thank the hon. Member for the kind words.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, the New Dawn Government wants to do things differently as it has mentioned. However, the hon. Minister stated that they will have to wait for the Treasury to find money for the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). The FRA depends on our Treasury for the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), storage of maize, purchasing and storing the maize, and administrative functions for it to operate as an institution. All this is dependent on the taxpayer and the Treasury that the hon. Minister has referred to. Is the Government going to find new ways for this institution to raise its own money so that it can carry out some of the programmes such working on silos and many other things that it wants to invest in under infrastructure as opposed to waiting for the Treasury because that is not going to happen?

Mr M. Phiri: Madam Speaker, I appreciate the ever positive approach of the hon. Member. I admire his approach. Yes, we are working very hard to make the FRA self-sustaining. The hon. Member is right; the FRA and the FISP are the two units that take a huge amount of the Ministry of Agriculture’s budget and we want to change that.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

MUFUMBWE SCIENCE LABORATORIES CONSTRUCTION

50. Mr Kamondo (Mufumbwe) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

when the construction of science laboratories at the following secondary schools in Mufumbwe Parliamentary Constituency will be completed:

Kaminzekezeke;

Kalende; and

Kashima; and

b. what the cause of the delay in completing the project is

Eng. Milupi entered the Assembly Chamber.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I apologise for having taken a short break.

Madam Speaker, the construction of science laboratories at Kaminzekezeke, Kalende and Kashima Secondary Schools in Mufumbwe Parliamentary Constituency will be completed once projects that are at 80 per cent and above completion level are completed and funds are made available for projects below 80 per cent.

Madam Speaker, the delay in completing the projects is due to financial constraints.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kamondo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the answer he has just given to the people of Mufumbwe. One of the delays for these projects is that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government came up with the policy of completing projects that were at 80 per cent and above completion level. However, when you look at these projects in Mufumbwe, which were started in 2011, they have stalled at almost 83 per cent completion level, but were left out.

Madam Speaker, will the New Dawn Government continue with the same policy of considering only projects that are at 80 per cent and above completion level or it will change and consider projects that have, maybe, stalled for more than ten years? What is the position of the New Dawn Government?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Mufumbwe for the follow up question. In fact, the start date for these projects was not 2011, but earlier than that. It was 2010. For example, for Kaminzekezeke, the 1 x 2 science laboratory block, the percentage of work completed is 75 and that is why it has stalled. I can go through all the projects, but what I can assure the hon. Member for Mufumbwe is that – if he listened, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning reported to this House that there was need to secure some very concessionary funds for high schools – Completing some of these works, in my view and in the view of the Government, would qualify for that work. These are high schools and – Kaminzekezeke, for example, has reached the 75 per cent completion. We shall do what we can to ensure that some funds are directed to complete those projects.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, has the ministry done an evaluation to look at the rate of completion of many projects in the country and also to ascertain which projects are of vital importance according to priority, being education or health, which the Government wants to quickly complete and ensure that Zambian people have access or benefit from those services? What would be the exact cost? It will be important to look at the cost of the remaining percentages and see which projects can eventually be done in the quickest possible time.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, yes, indeed, we have comprehensive information as to the status of each and every project. Like I said, the first school that we dealt with this afternoon is at 75 per cent completion point. The last one, which is Kashima, is at 55 per cent complete. We can go through all the projects that are being undertaken in the country. However, I wish to inform the hon. Member for Bwana Mkubwa that the decision to suspend works on projects that had not achieved 80 per cent completion was made by the previous administration, and for good reasons, because funds had run out.

Madam Speaker, no Government wants to run with uncompleted projects. If you do not complete the project and get the population to use the project for what it was intended for, it begins to deteriorate so that at the time you go back to it, if necessary, you spend more money than you would otherwise have done.

Madam Speaker, our intention is to ensure that all projects started are completed because Zambian money has already been spent on these projects. It is a question of rearranging the finances that will become available in the future to ensure that these projects are completed. As to the hon. Member’s concern about whether we can prioritise the critical projects and so on, obviously, this we will have to do.

Madam Speaker, I was engaging with the hon. Member for Isoka just the other day about certain girl secondary schools that have not been completed, necessitating girls going to boys’ secondary schools. Obviously, everyone knows that that is not a good situation to be in. So, when funds are made available, it is situations like that that will be looked at as priorities to ensure that our population have use of these projects.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kamondo: Madam Speaker, is the New Dawn Government or administration not considering, seriously, making sure that it does not start new projects until the old projects are finished to avoid giving too much stress to the Government?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the short answer to that is no. Earlier on, we talked about equity, and areas that may have been disadvantaged. Those also have to be addressed in addition to completing some of these projects. I am sure the constituency that the hon. Member represents is probably one of those that requires new projects to be able to catch up with others.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Since there no further supplementary questions, we will proceed to Maiden Speeches.

______

Mr Kasandwe (Bangweulu): Madam Speaker, I thank you very much for the opportunity given to me this afternoon to deliver my maiden speech in this august House.

Madam Speaker, let me begin by saluting the Patriotic Front (PF) leadership headed by His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu for its support during the adoption process and giving me this rare opportunity to be the ambassador of development in Bangweulu Parliamentary Constituency on the PF ticket.

Madam Speaker, I also thank my campaign manager, Hon. Anthony Malama, my friends, relatives and the entire PF structure at various levels for its support. I will always be grateful for this privilege.

Madam Speaker, I deeply express my measured gratitude to the people of Bangweulu for electing me for the third time with a huge number of votes. They have once again expressed and demonstrated their confidence and trust in my leadership through their vote.

Madam Speaker, this kind of trust and support can never be taken for granted. I, therefore, pledge my continued availability, loyalty to their aspirations and unwavering commitment to their developmental needs.

Madam Speaker, further, I salute the youth of Bangweulu Parliamentary Constituency for their honest support. I, therefore, encourage them to take advantage of the so many developmental projects taking place in the constituency for their advancement.

Madam Speaker, from the outset, I wish to put it on record that in the past couple of years, the people of Bangweulu, just like the people of Monze, Dundumwezi, Namwala, Kalabo, Senanga, Mongu and Kazungula, have received meaningful development in various sectors such as health, energy, roads, education and tourism. The Patriotic Front (PF) regime, marshalled by one Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, massively invested in the tourism sector of which Samfya Beach is a beneficiary.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kasandwe: Madam Speaker, Samfya has no doubt been opened up and has turned the ‘potential’ song in tourism into reality. It is now a marvel to watch. Samfya has, indeed, become the gateway and preferred destination into the Northern Tourism Circuit, thanks to the former PF Government.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kasandwe: Madam Speaker, it is, therefore, our hope as the people of Bangweulu Parliamentary Constituency of Samfya that the completion of the Kapata/Mpanta Road and the transformation of Samfya Beach, which was started by the PF Government, will not be derailed by the new Government which has so far been so consistent in its inconsistencies. It must keep its promises and there should be no excuses. There should be no changing of goalposts. The people of Zambia, in general, and Samfya, in particular, have given the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government the mandate to deliver on its promises although most of them are unrealistic. The UPND’s promises appeared so attractive that many people voted for it. It is time for it to deliver, do more and talk less.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kasandwe: Madam Speaker, the Zambian people are watching every word and deed. Where there is inconsistency, credibility is lost. Being wishy-washy or inconsistent inhabits credibility. John Maxwell wrote:

“When you make a promise, you create an account of trustworthiness. Every promise you make either makes deposits or withdraws from it because people are convinced more by what a leader does than by what he says When your words and your walk do not match, you will definitely lose people’s trust and when that happens, they will show you an exit.”

Madam Speaker, it is like a bank. When a product looks attractive, many people will open accounts with that bank and make huge deposits. Immediately clients realise that the services they are receiving are not what they expected, withdraws and closures of accounts become apparent and inevitable.

Madam Speaker, several accounts were opened and huge deposits made in the UPND account on the belief that it would deliver what it promised. Looking at what has transpired in the last one month, many depositors already have begun withdrawing and closing their accounts with the UPND because free education, there is no; reduced fuel prices, there is no; reduced prices of fertiliser, there is no; reduced prices of mealie meal, there is no; increased prices of mapopwe and maize, there is no.

Mr Mbangweta: What are you saying?

Interruptions

Mr Kasandwe: Madam Speaker, the list is endless. The people of Bangweulu and many other people in this country have realised that not everything that glitters is gold. They were lied to. As the philosopher, Emmanuel Kent, argued:

“When a lie leads people to decide other than they would have known the truth, their dignity and autonomy is injured.”

Madam Speaker, he further argued that:

“Once one is misled, his ability to make free and rational choices is compromised.”

Madam Speaker, voters were robbed of their freedom to choose rationally. Therefore, what follows is that if one cannot choose rationally, then he or she is not free, but is a prisoner or a slave to the deceiver by defending him or her blindly and contextualising his deceit without his permission.

Madam Speaker, many voters believed that the UPND would deliver as per its campaign promises. Anyway, I am speaking English. Fili ukotuleya, mule kutika?

Interruptions

Mr Lusambo: Nipano tuli!

Mr Mbangweta: Meaning?

Mr Kasandwe: Are you listening?

Madam Speaker, I am using English. The people of Bangweulu are very expectant that the New Dawn Government will continue to deliver on it promises.

Madam Speaker, for the love of the people of Bangweulu and for the glory of God, I thank you

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hlazo (Chilanga): Madam Speaker, I rise to make my maiden speech in this august House. Firstly, I begin by thanking you most sincerely for giving me this opportunity to deliver my maiden speech to this august House. I congratulate you and your two deputies on being elected Speaker, First and Second Deputy Speakers, respectively.

Madam Speaker, secondly, I salute and thank the people of Chilanga for expressing overwhelming confidence that I represent them in this august House. I humbly promise that I will honour their confidence to represent and serve them as their hon. Member of Parliament.

I thank the many supporters of the United Party for National Development (UPND), the party members who made this win happen and, particularly, the long standing and dedicated provincial, district, constituency, ward and branch committee members who have stood with us and worked so tirelessly.

Mr Mubika: Hear, hear!

Mr Hlazo: Madam Speaker, this result is a credit of their efforts. To the other candidates, I thank them for their contest. They fault a tough campaign and I am all better and wiser because of them. To the many hardworking people of Chilanga who worked tirelessly for the other candidates, I wish to thank them for their earnestness. I want to say to them that I will be their hon. Member of Parliament too and I will represent their interests vigorously as those of my own team. I look forward to working with them all.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the President of my party, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, and the entire leadership of the UPND for their confidence in my candidature and tirelessly directing informed and issue-based and spirited campaign. The unity shown by the alliance members from their respective leadership right down to the grassroots portends well for the future of this country.

Madam Speaker, allow me to thank my wife; Natali, my children; my brothers; my mother-in-law; my close friends; and relatives, people whose love and support I depended on. Finally, above all this is God’s love and enabling grace. I am grateful to the almighty for this privilege to serve his people in this way.

Madam Speaker, I must pay tribute to my mother. Without her, I would not be in this House. I am so thankful to God for giving me such a great mother.

Madam Speaker, I will end my appreciation with the memory of my father, the late Stanford Hlazo, who served the people of Mumbwa in this House with distinction. My father was my biggest supporter in life. I therefore, dedicate this victory to him with the full knowledge that he would have worked hard to ensure that I represent the people of Chilanga with fairness and diligence.

Madam Speaker, in the 2021 General Election, the Zambian public gave the United Party for National Development (UPND) a strong mandate to govern. In my constituency, this mandate was heavily driven by the youth who constituted over 60 per cent of the electorate. Therefore, in my service to the constituency, my efforts will centre around the youths and women to ensure their inclusivity in all development efforts.

Madam Speaker, I believe in politics that empowers ordinary people to come together to organise and build their communities, shape our country and build better lives for themselves and their families. The UPND has always been a political party that stands for that kind of progressive change, and I am glad that the people of Zambia have finally given the party the mandate to govern its affairs. Our party is a combination of experience and the youth. Through that, it possesses the intellectual horsepower and the policy craft necessary to curve out an alternative vision for the nation as well as a programme of action for the realisation of that vision.

Madam Speaker, I am in this House, first and foremost, as a representative of my local community, Chilanga, which has done me the great honour of electing me as its representative. My time here will be spent representing the humble and hard working people of Chilanga.

Madam Speaker, Chilanga has an estimated population of 150,000 people and its main economic activities are agriculture, manufacturing and mining. During this term in office, my office will work with the communities to grow these areas and ensure that opportunities flow to the people of the constituency.

Madam Speaker, my term in this House will focus on two developmental blocs. The first bloc will address the priority sectors, while the second will address the general development of the constituency.

Priority Sectors

Madam Speaker, Chilanga will give priority to the following two sectors of development in order to improve the living conditions of the people of Chilanga:

improving access to water and sanitation;

Madam Speaker, the first of these is a lack of adequate water supply and sanitation facilities to the communities. By the end of this term, we will ensure that access to both water supply and sanitation is increased in order to improve both the heath and economic outcomes of the area;

b. building a district hospital and improving health infrastructure and services;

Madam Speaker, with the population cited above, Chilanga has no district hospital and the existing health infrastructure is poor and inadequately equipped. Therefore, the construction of Chilanga District Hospital to serve the growing population will be a priority, including building and upgrading the following health posts:

Mwembeshi Ward needs a new clinics with a maternity wing;
Chinyanja Ward needs a new clinic and a maternity wing; and
Namalombwe Ward has a large population and needs its clinic to be upgraded to a mini hospital.

Economic Development

Madam Speaker, the following areas will be addressed in order to foster the economic development of Chilanga:

completing the conferment process of district;

Madam Speaker, Chilanga was conferred with district status in 2012. Since then, there has been little progress to match the district status. The provision of the necessary infrastructure and social amenities in Chilanga District will come with obvious economic advantages in terms of securing certainty for long-term investments for both individuals and institutions.

Madam Speaker, secondly, Chilanga should be a planning authority so that decentralisation becomes a reality. Then, it will have a say on the ongoing economic planning and development of the district. Currently, there are numerous complaints because of the feeling that the local people are being left behind.

Madam Speaker, as for education, the story is not different. The infrastructure is dilapidated. There are no desks, there are few teachers and a very demotivating learning environment. Community schools have sprung up in many areas. Unfortunately, these are not regulated and therefore, unlikely to be offering education of unacceptable quality.

promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs):

we will enhance the support of MSMEs, especially targeting the youths and the women. This will be undergirded by a national level stable and a predictable policy environment;

we will support and facilitate the formation of MSMEs community savings and loans associations to promote a culture of savings. This will be in form of activities such as village banking and cooperatives, training in financial management and promoting access to soft loans for entrepreneur development; and

we shall also promote re-education, up skilling, retooling for formal and informal workers to respond to the emerging economic opportunities in Chilanga, especially for the vulnerable groups.

b. promotion of equitable access to land;

Madam Speaker, in line with the party manifesto, Chilanga will promote equitable access to land by all Chilanga residents. This will be based on the principle of equality under the law of citizens.

Madam Speaker, I do not know whether will be in this place for a short or a long time. That is for others to decide. However, what I do know is that I have no intention of being here just for the sake being here. Together with my hon. Colleagues in the UPND, it is my intention to make a difference, starting with decent, informed and ethical politics.

Madam Speaker, God bless the Republic of Zambia.

I thank you, Madam.

Madam Speaker: Order!

We still have seven more hon. Members who are yet to deliver their maiden speeches. For now, it appears we only had two. Since we do not have any more maiden speeches, I will call upon the Government Chief Whip.

_______

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

_______

The House adjourned at 1557 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 21^stOctober, 2020.

____________

Wednesday, 20^th October, 2021

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

The House met at 1430 hours

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

______

“Three shots, allegedly fired by the Namibians on Zambian soil, were heard and the Zambia police officers managed to pick up one empty cartridge.

“A video of the incident was immediately shared on various social media platforms.”

May the paper be laid on the Table.

Mr Sampa: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Sampa laid the paper on the Table.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

LUWINGU/NSOMBO/CHABA ROAD TARRING

48. Mr Fube (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

whether the Government has any plans to tar the Luwingu/Nsombo/Chaba Road in the Northern Province;

if so, when the plans will be implemented;

what the estimated cost of the project is; and

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

Madam Speaker, the plans will be implemented once funds for the project have been secured.

Madam Speaker, the estimated cost for the current works on the Luwingu/Nsombo/Chaba Road in Chilubi District is US$8,040,000.

Madam Speaker, the estimated time frame for the completion of the project is sixty calendar months comprising twenty-four months for rehabilitation and a further thirty-six months for maintenance.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

The hon. Member for Chilubi may ask his question.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, what I said in my answer is that currently, the Government is upgrading the roads to engineered gravel roads. I am sure the work is ongoing.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, ask your question.

Mr Chewe: Madam Speaker, when is the Government going to source funds so that this road can be worked on other than keep on promising?

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, will the hon. Minister come back to the House to give us information on how the Government has reconciled this imbalance …

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

Mr Kambita: … to ensure that there is the equitable distribution of the national resources in the New Dawn Government.

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

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order as per Standing Order No. 65(1)(a) which states:

“(1) A member who is debating shall -

confine his or her debate to the subject under discussion;”

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: That was a comment. So I do not know whether the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development would want to comment on that.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mpundu: On a point of order, Madam.

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mpundu: Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of urgent public importance as provided for under Standing Order 134. You may wish to know there is an –

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

That matter has already lapsed. We have already bypassed that segment. If you indeed have an urgent matter to raise under Standing Order 134, you have to wait again until tomorrow.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, ask your question.

Mr Fube: I will find it a problem because I think I am the mover of the question and I cannot ask a straight question without giving a particular background.

Interruptions

Mr Fube: No, I cannot.

Madam Speaker: Let us have order, hon. Member please take your seat.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

I thank you, Madam Speaker

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member one question at a time.

Mr Chibuye: Madam Speaker, I thought it was a riding question just to connect to –

Madam Speaker: The hon. Member is supposed to ask one question only.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, in the interest of time, the people of Chilubi are satisfied with the answers from the hon. Minister.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Eng. Milupi: … but he was dribbled.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Lusambo (Kabushi): Madam Speaker, first of all, I congratulate the hon. Minister on being appointed hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development.

NATUSEKO SITE AND SERVICE SILOS REHABILITATION

49. Ms Halwiindi (Kabwe Central) asked the Minister of Agriculture:

whether the Government has any plans to rehabilitate the silos in Natuseko Site and Service in Kabwe District; and

if so, when the plans will be implemented.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: It was a comment. Hon. Minister, would you like to comment on that?

Mr M. Phiri: Madam Speaker, immediately funds are made available, I think the silos will be worked on. I thank the hon. Member for the kind words.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

MUFUMBWE SCIENCE LABORATORIES CONSTRUCTION

50. Mr Kamondo (Mufumbwe) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

when the construction of science laboratories at the following secondary schools in Mufumbwe Parliamentary Constituency will be completed:

Kaminzekezeke;

Kalende; and

Kashima; and

what the cause of the delay in completing the project is

Eng. Milupi entered the Assembly Chamber.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I apologise for having taken a short break.

Madam Speaker, the delay in completing the projects is due to financial constraints.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Since there no further supplementary questions, we will proceed to Maiden Speeches.

______

Mr Kasandwe (Bangweulu): Madam Speaker, I thank you very much for the opportunity given to me this afternoon to deliver my maiden speech in this august House.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbangweta: What are you saying?

Interruptions

“When a lie leads people to decide other than they would have known the truth, their dignity and autonomy is injured.”

Madam Speaker, he further argued that:

“Once one is misled, his ability to make free and rational choices is compromised.”

Madam Speaker, many voters believed that the UPND would deliver as per its campaign promises. Anyway, I am speaking English. Fili ukotuleya, mule kutika?

Interruptions

Mr Lusambo: Nipano tuli!

Mr Mbangweta: Meaning?

Mr Kasandwe: Are you listening?

Madam Speaker, I am using English. The people of Bangweulu are very expectant that the New Dawn Government will continue to deliver on it promises.

Madam Speaker, for the love of the people of Bangweulu and for the glory of God, I thank you

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mubika: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker, I must pay tribute to my mother. Without her, I would not be in this House. I am so thankful to God for giving me such a great mother.

Priority Sectors

Madam Speaker, Chilanga will give priority to the following two sectors of development in order to improve the living conditions of the people of Chilanga:

improving access to water and sanitation;

building a district hospital and improving health infrastructure and services;

Mwembeshi Ward needs a new clinics with a maternity wing;

Chinyanja Ward needs a new clinic and a maternity wing; and

Namalombwe Ward has a large population and needs its clinic to be upgraded to a mini hospital.

Economic Development

Madam Speaker, the following areas will be addressed in order to foster the economic development of Chilanga:

completing the conferment process of district;

promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs):

we will enhance the support of MSMEs, especially targeting the youths and the women. This will be undergirded by a national level stable and a predictable policy environment;

we will support and facilitate the formation of MSMEs community savings and loans associations to promote a culture of savings. This will be in form of activities such as village banking and cooperatives, training in financial management and promoting access to soft loans for entrepreneur development; and

we shall also promote re-education, up skilling, retooling for formal and informal workers to respond to the emerging economic opportunities in Chilanga, especially for the vulnerable groups.

promotion of equitable access to land;

Madam Speaker, in line with the party manifesto, Chilanga will promote equitable access to land by all Chilanga residents. This will be based on the principle of equality under the law of citizens.

Madam Speaker, God bless the Republic of Zambia.

I thank you, Madam.

Madam Speaker: Order!

_______

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

_______

The House adjourned at 1557 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 21^stOctober, 2020.

____________

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