President Rupiah Banda's speech on opening parliament

President Rupiah Banda's speech on opening parliament
By President Rupiah Banda
Sun 19 Sep. 2010, 07:40 CAT

SPEECH FOR THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE TENTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BY HIS EXCELLENCY MR. RUPIAH BWEZANI BANDA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA ON FRIDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER, 2010

INTRODUCTION

MR. SPEAKER,

IT IS EXACTLY ONE YEAR SINCE I LAST ADDRESSED THIS AUGUST HOUSE. AT THAT TIME OUR COUNTRY, WAS REELING FROM THE EFFECTS OF THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS. TODAY, I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT WE HAVE MADE A REMARKABLE RECOVERY.

AS I ADDRESS THIS AUGUST HOUSE ON THE OPENING OF THIS FIFTH SESSION OF THE TENTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, I WISH TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA FOR THEIR RESILIENCE AND DETERMINATION WHICH HELPED BRING OUR ECONOMY OUT OF THIS GLOBAL CRISIS.
OUR PEOPLE HAVE ALSO WORKED HARD TO MAINTAIN ZAMBIA AS AN OASIS OF PEACE, ALLOWING FOR MUCHNEEDED DEVELOPMENT. WE ARE DOING WHAT WE DO BEST, WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF THE NATION.

OBITUARY

MR. SPEAKER,

I REGRET TO SAY THAT DURING THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE TENTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, THE HOUSE LOST FOUR HONOURABLE MEMBERS, NAMELY: MR. REUBEN CHISANGA BANDA, FOR MILANZI CONSTITUENCY; MR. MISHECK BONSHE, FOR MUFUMBWE CONSTITUENCY, WHO WAS ALSO DEPUTY MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS; MR. BENSON MWAMBA BWALYA, FOR CHIFUBU CONSTITUENCY; AND RECENTLY, MR. LAMECK KAUZI CHIBOMBAMILIMO FOR MPULUNGU CONSTITUENCY.

MAY I ASK THE HOUSE TO RISE AND OBSERVE A MINUTE OF SILENCE IN HONOUR OF OUR DEAR DEPARTED COLLEAGUES. (THE HOUSE RISES) MAY THE SOULS OF OUR DEPARTED COLLEAGUES REST IN ETERNAL PEACE. (THE HOUSE SITS) BY-ELECTIONS

MR. SPEAKER,

FOLLOWING THE DEMISE OF THESE FOUR HONOURABLE COLLEAGUES AND THE RESIGNATION OF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR LUENA, THE LAST SESSION SAW FOUR BY-ELECTIONS. I WISH TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE THE NEWLY ELECTED HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FOR THEIR VICTORIES.
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

MR. SPEAKER,

THIS HOUSE HAS DONE EXCELLENT WORK TO ENSURE THAT OUR DEMOCRACY, WHICH ALLOWS FOR CHECKS AND BALANCES ON THE GOVERNMENT, IS PRESERVED AND STRENGTHENED.
ALLOW ME THEREFORE TO THANK YOU FOR THE IMPARTIAL AND EFFICIENT MANNER IN WHICH YOU STEERED THE BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE DURING THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE TENTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

MAY I ALSO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE HONOURABLE MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER, THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES OF THE WHOLE HOUSE AND THE CHAIRPERSONS OF ALL THE PARLIAMENTARY SESSIONAL AND SELECT COMMITTEES FOR THE EFFECTIVE WAY IN WHICH THEY TOO HAVE DISCHARGED THEIR DUTIES.

IN CONGRATULATING THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES OF THE WHOLE HOUSE, HONOURABLE ERNEST CHITUMWA MWANSA, I COMMEND THE HOUSE FOR UNANIMOUSLY ELECTING HIM TO HIS POSITION FOLLOWING THE APPOINTMENT OF THE FORMER DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON, HONOURABLE MKHONDO DANWOOD LUNGU, AS MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS. MAY I ALSO RECOGNIZE THE WORK OF THE CLERK OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND HER HIGHLY EFFICIENT STAFF DURING THE LAST SESSION.

I FURTHER WISH TO APPLAUD THE LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE, HIS HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT, FOR THE EXCELLENT MANNER IN WHICH HE HAS HANDLED GOVERNMENT BUSINESS. FINALLY MAY I COMMEND ALL THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FOR THEIR DEDICATION TOWARDS THE BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE IN THE LAST SESSION.

MR. SPEAKER,

DURING THE LAST SESSION THE HOUSE CONSIDERED AND PASSED A TOTAL OF 38 BILLS. IN ADDITION, THE HOUSE DEBATED 655 PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS, 4 PRIVATE MEMBERS’ MOTIONS AND 27 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS.

I AM GLAD TO NOTE THAT 35 MOTIONS TO ADOPT REPORTS OF PARLIAMENTARY SESSIONAL COMMITTEES AND FIVE (5) MOTIONS TO ADOPT SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS FOR RATIFICATION OF PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS TO CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES WERE CONSIDERED AND ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE. FURTHER, A TOTAL OF 117 PAPERS AND ANNUAL REPORTS WERE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THIS HOUSE BY GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES AND QUASI-GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.

MR. SPEAKER

THESE PAPERS AND ANNUAL REPORTS ARE EVIDENCE OF MY GOVERNMENT’S DESIRE TO FOSTER GOOD GOVERNANCE AND REMAIN TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE TO THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE. THE DELIBERATIONS IN THE HOUSE DEMONSTRATE THAT DESPITE THE DIVERSE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION, MEMBERS ARE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR COUNTRY. IT IS OUR JOB TO SERVE THE PEOPLE, WE ARE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE AND IT IS UP TO US TO DELIVER LEIGISLATION THAT WILL PROVIDE THE SECURITY AND STABILITY THAT WILL LEAD TO PROSPERITY FOR ALL.

PARLIAMENTARY REFORMS

MR. SPEAKER,

I AM PLEASED TO NOTE THAT PARLIAMENTARY REFORMS HAVE PROGRESSED, MAKING PARLIAMENT MORE EFFECTIVE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.
AS A RESULT OF THESE REFORMS WE HAVE :

I) DELIVERED PARLIAMENTARY RADIO COVERAGE EXTENDING TO EIGHT PROVINCIAL CAPITALS
INCLUDING MONGU AND CHIPATA AS PROMISED IN MY LAST ADDRESS.

II) DELIVERED NEW CONSTITUENCY OFFICES IN CHASEFU, MASAITI, MWEMBESHI AND RUFUNSA, WHILE THE CONSTRUCTION OF FIVE MORE IN LUKASHYA, PAMBASHE, ZAMBEZI EAST, KATOMBORA AND LUKULU EAST HAS COMMENCED. IN THE REST OF THE CONSTITUENCIES PARLIAMENT IS RENTING OFFICE SPACE.

III) DELIVERED THE NEW PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE BUILDING AT PARLIAMENT TO PROVIDE MORE SPACE FOR THE PUBLIC.

MR. SPEAKER,

I WISH TO EXPRESS HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO THOSE COOPERATING PARTNERS SUPPORTING OUR PARLIAMENTARY REFORM PROGRAMME.

ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT

MR. SPEAKER,

EVEN AS THE GLOBAL RECESSION CAUSED HAVOC AROUND THE WORLD, THE ZAMBIAN ECONOMY
DEMONSTRATED ITS RESILIENCE. IT DELIVERED GROWTH IN THESE DIFFICULT ECONOMIC TIMES. THIS WAS ON ACCOUNT OF THE SOUND POLICIES ADOPTED BY GOVERNMENT.

OUR MACROECONOMIC OBJECTIVES FOR 2010 WERE TO SUSTAIN POSITIVE GROWTH AND MAINTAIN MACROECONOMIC STABILITY. IN ADDITION THE GOVERNMENT SET OUT TO ACCELERATE THE DIVERSIFICATION PROGRAMME, TO ENHANCE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE ECONOMY AND PURSUE

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

THIS YEAR, PROJECTIONS ARE THAT GROWTH WILL REMAIN AT ABOUT 6.6 PERCENT OR EVEN STRONGER. THIS GROWTH IS BEING DRIVEN BY THE MINING, AGRICULTURE, TOURISM AND CONSTRUCTION SECTORS.

INFLATION WHICH REVERTED TO SINGLE DIGIT, STANDING AT 9 PERCENT AT END OF 2009, IS PROJECTED TO DECLINE FURTHER TO EIGHT PERCENT AT THE END OF 2010.
THE EXCHANGE RATE HAS REMAINED STABLE.

I AM RIGHTLY PROUD OF THIS STABLE ECONOMIC PLATFORM DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNMENT. IT IS CONDITIONS SUCH AS THESE WHICH WILL DELIVER PROSPERITY FOR ALL.

MR. SPEAKER,

NOTWITHSTANDING THE POSITIVE MACROECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS WHICH I HAVE OUTLINED, THE YEAR 2010 HAS HAD ITS OWN CHALLENGES. THESE INCLUDE DECLINING DOMESTIC TAX REVENUE, CONTINUING HIGH POVERTY LEVELS AND REDUCED DONOR SUPPORT FOR THE HEALTH AND ROAD SECTORS.

TO ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES THERE IS NEED FOR CONTINUED ECONOMIC GROWTH AND FOR THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE TO REVIEW TAX POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION.

MR. SPEAKER,

IN MY ADDRESS TO THE HOUSE LAST SEPTEMBER, I INDICATED THAT THE FIFTH NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (FNDP) WOULD END THIS YEAR AND THAT THE NEXT PLAN WAS BEING PREPARED. I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT PREPARATIONS OF THE SIXTH NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PLAN (SNDP) ARE WELL ADVANCED AND THE PLAN WILL BE LAUNCHED THIS YEAR, IN TIME FOR THE 2011 BUDGET CYCLE.

THIS AND SUCCESSIVE PLANS AND BUDGETS WILL CONTINUE TO BE GUIDED BY OUR STATED VISION 2030.

CONSULTATIONS WITH STAKEHOLDERS ON THE BUDGET BILL HAVE CONTINUED. I AM OPTIMISTIC THAT THE BILL WILL BE PRESENTED TO THIS HOUSE DURING THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

MR. SPEAKER, IF OUR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS ARE TO SUCCEED, PRUDENT USE OF RESOURCES WILL BE IMPORTANT. GOVERNMENT HAS IMPLEMENTED FUNDAMENTAL PUBLIC SERVICE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REFORMS. THESE INCLUDE THE PUBLIC EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT AND THE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY (PEMFA) PROGRAMME, AND THE INTEGRATED FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (IFMIS).

THE FOLLOWING STEPS HAVE ALSO BEEN TAKEN:

THE ENACTMENT OF THE NEW PUBLIC PROCUREMENT ACT WHICH HAS ESTABLISHED THE ZAMBIA PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY AND PROVIDED A FRAMEWORK FOR THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT
REFORMS; AND • THE APPOINTMENT OF AUDIT COMMITTEES IN MINISTRIES TO GUIDE THE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES.

THESE REFORMS, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR-GENERAL, THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND THE ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS WILL OPTIMIZE THE USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES.

MR SPEAKER,

ALLOW ME TO NOW DISCUSS THE KEY SECTORS OF OUR ECONOMY.

AGRICULTURE

MR. SPEAKER, LAST YEAR I ANNOUNCED THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE FARMER INPUT SUPPORT PROGRAMME BY REDUCING THE SIZE OF THE PACK. THE PURPOSE WAS TO MAKE FARMERS MORE PRODUCTIVE AND INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES FROM 250,000 TO 500,000. AS A RESULT OF THESE MEASURES, WE HAVE RECORDED AN UNPRECEDENTED HARVEST OF 2.7 MILLION METRIC TONNES OF MAIZE. INCREASED PRODUCTION WAS ALSO RECORDED FOR MOST OTHER MAJOR CROPS. MY GOVERNMENT DELIVERED FOR THE FARMERS AND THEY IN-TURN HAVE DELIVERED FOOD FOR THE NATION.

THIS YEAR MY GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES FROM 500,000 UPWARDS. THIS MEANS THAT EVEN MORE FARMERS, MAINLY IN RURAL AREAS, WILL BENEFIT. BY SUPPORTING THEM IN THIS MANNER ALL ZAMBIANS BENEFITS FROM ADDED FOOD SECURITY AND PRICE STABILITY.

MR SPEAKER THE BUMPER HARVEST WHICH WE HAVE RECORDED HAS CAUSED SOME CHALLENGES. THE OUTSTANDING SUCCESS OF OUR FARMERS AND THE SHEER SIZE OF THE MAIZE HARVEST HAS CREATED SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE COLLECTION OF THE CROP INTO STORAGE FACILITIES.
WE ARE URGENTLY WORKING ON FINDING THE SOLUTION TO THIS CHALLENGE.

THANKS TO THESE SUCCESFUL AGRICULTURAL POLICIES ZAMBIA IS IN A POSITION TO ASSIST OUR NEIGHBOURS.

MY GOVERNMENT HAS THEREFORE DECIDED, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR, TO ALLOW EXPORTS OF SURPLUS MAIZE WITHOUT COMPROMISING FOOD SECURITY.

MR. SPEAKER,

MY GOVERNMENT IS STILL CONSULTING VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS ON THE POSSIBILITY OF PUTTING IN PLACE A MARKETING SYSTEM THAT WILL ADDRESS CHALLENGES THE COUNTRY IS FACING IN AGRICULTURE MARKETING.

MY GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO BRING THE AGRICULTURE CREDITS BILL TO THIS HOUSE. THE BILL AIMS TO IMPROVE FARMERS’ ACCESS TO FINANCE AND WILL ALLOW THEM TO USE STORED CROPS AS SECURITY.

WHILE SUCH VITAL MECHANISMS ARE BEING CONSIDERED, MY GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO
INVEST IN THE REPAIR OF STORAGE FACILITIES. MY GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO INVEST IN IRRIGATION AND IN FEEDER ROADS.

WE MUST SUSTAIN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY. MY ULTIMATE GOAL IS FOR ZAMBIA TO BE BECOME THE BREADBASKET FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA.

LIVESTOCK

MR. SPEAKER,

LAST YEAR, I ANNOUNCED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW MINISTRY OF LIVESTOCK AND FISHERIES. I AM GLAD TO CONFIRM THAT IT IS NOW OPERATIONAL UNDER A STRENGTHENED LEGAL FRAMEWORK.

GOVERNMENT HAS NOW PUT IN PLACE LIVESTOCK DISEASE CONTROL MEASURES AND CREATED DISEASE FREE ZONES. THESE MEASURES HAVE RESULTED IN REDUCED DISEASE OUTBREAKS. IN ADDITION, GOVERNMENT IS DEVELOPING BREEDING CENTRES TO SUPPLY QUALITY STOCK TO FARMERS.

TO STRENGTHEN VETERINARY HEALTH SERVICES, MY GOVERNMENT WILL BRING TO THIS AUGUST HOUSE TWO BILLS: THE VETERINARY AND THE PARA-VETERINARY PROFESSIONAL BILLS. THESE WILL HELP IMPROVE

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION.

MR. SPEAKER,

MY GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE PROMOTINGSUSTAINABLE EXPLOITATION OF FISHERIES WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE AVAILABILITY OF STOCK. AN AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO BOOST FISH FARMING. THE FISHERIES ACT IS BEING REVIEWED TO BRING IT IN LINE WITH CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS.

MR. SPEAKER

AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES ARE VITAL TO OUR ECONOMY. THOSE INVOLVED ARE KEY TO ZAMBIA BEING A HEALTHY NATION. GOOD QUALITY FOOD ON OUR TABLES MEANS CHILDREN WHO LEARN BETTER AND WORKERS WHO WORK HARDER. I AM PROUD OF OUR ACHIEVEMENTS AND WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ALL THOSE INVOLVED. WE MUST NOT JEOPARDIZE THIS PROGRESS.

TOURISM

MR. SPEAKER,

TOURISM IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT SECTOR IN OUR ECONOMY, GIVEN ITS POTENTIAL FOR JOB AND WEALTH CREATION.

ALTHOUGH TOURISM IS PREDOMINANTLY PRIVATE SECTOR-DRIVEN, GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE WITH KEY INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT.

WE HAVE IN MIND THE UPLIFTING OF THE NORTHERN CIRCUIT AND THE INTERNATIONAL MARKETING OF ZAMBIA AS A TOURIST DESTINATION.

EFFORTS ARE ALSO BEING MADE TO IMPROVE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT. TO THIS EFFECT, MY GOVERNMENT WILL BE INTRODUCING THE WILDLIFE BILL.
MY GOVERNMENT IS STILL CONSULTING ON THE CURRENT LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF THE BROADER TOURISM SECTOR.

MR. SPEAKER,

TO PROMOTE LUSAKA AS A TOURIST DESTINATION, MY GOVERNMENT IS ESTABLISHING THE LUSAKA NATIONAL PARK IN THE SHANTUMBU AREA. THIS PARK IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN BY THE END OF 2011.

I WAS IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE RECENTLY AND CAN PERSONALLY ATTEST TO THE WARMTH OF THE PEOPLE; APRIME EXAMPLE OF THE RECEPTION ALL VISITORS TOZAMBIA CAN EXPECT.TO MAKE LIVINGSTONE MORE COMPETITIVE, IT IS BEINGREBRANDED AS AN INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL CITY.

ENVIRONMENT

MR. SPEAKER,

THE ENVIRONMENT IS CENTRAL TO SUSTAINABLEDEVELOPMENT. THE GOVERNMENT THEREFORE AIMS TOMINIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION. TO ACHIEVETHIS, GOVERNMENT IS IMPLEMENTING THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND MAINSTREAMING PROGRAMME.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO DRAFTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BILL WHICH WILL
IMPROVE THE SECTOR’S LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK. THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL CREATE JOBS AND GIVE ZAMBIANS OPPORTUNITIES TO EARN AN INCOME FROM THEIR ENVIRONMENT.

MR. SPEAKER,

THE FLOODS AND DROUGHTS RECENTLY EXPERIENCED IN OUR COUNTRY HIGHLIGHT THE THREAT FROM CLIMATE CHANGE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP A NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE STRATEGY.

FORESTRY

MR. SPEAKER,

FORESTRY IS IMPORTANT TO OUR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUST BE MANAGED SUSTAINABLY.

TO ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY OF THIS SECTOR, GOVERNMENT IS REVISING THE FORESTRY POLICY OF 1998 TO IMPROVE FOREST MANAGEMENT. THE FORESTS ACT OF 1999 IS ALSO BEING AMENDED TO STRENGTHEN LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKS. TO GROW THE SECTOR, GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT PLANTATION ESTABLISHMENT AND REFORESTATION.

WATER RESOURCES MR. SPEAKER, SOME OF OUR PEOPLE STILL CANNOT ACCESS CLEAN, SAFE
WATER. THE REVISED NATIONAL WATER POLICY WILL IMPROVE THE SITUATION.

A CAREFULLY MANAGED WATER RESOURCE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF ZAMBIA. THE GOVERNMENT WILL REPAIR AND CONSTRUCT DAMS AND BOREHOLES AROUND THE COUNTRY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY.

THE GOVERNMENT WILL PREPARE THE INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BILL AND BRING IT TO THE HOUSE FOR ENACTMENT.
SINCE 2008 THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONSTRUCTED OR REFURBISHED THREE DAMS AND DRILLED MORE THAN 2000 NEW BOREHOLES.

MINES AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT

MR. SPEAKER,

LAST YEAR, I INFORMED THIS AUGUST HOUSE THAT THE MINING SECTOR WAS RECOVERING FROM THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS OF 2008. I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT DUE TO THE POSITIVE PERFORMANCE OF OUR MINING SECTOR, COPPER PRODUCTION IS STILL INCREASING. THIS IS DUE TO THE POSITIVE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT CREATED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

ALL THE MINES THAT WERE “UNDER CARE AND MAINTENANCE” DURING THE CRISIS ARE NOW WORKING, AS I INSTRUCTED. THIS WAS VITAL AS COPPER REMAINS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR ECONOMY. AT THE TIME I WAS DOUBTED. I DO NOT APOLOGISE FOR SAVING MINES AND JOBS, AND YES, I WOULD DO IT AGAIN IF I HAD TO.

MR. SPEAKER,

SINCE THE RESUMPTION OF OPERATIONS AT LUANSHYA MINE, PRODUCTION HAS INCREASED BY 3.6 PERCENT AND MORE THAN 1000 NEW JOBS HAVE BEEN CREATED. FURTHERMORE, DEVELOPMENT OF THE MULIASHI MINE HAS STARTED.

THE NATION WILL WELCOME THE NEWS THAT PRODUCTION AT THE RE-OPENED MUNALI NICKEL MINE IN MAZABUKA HAS RESUMED. I WISH TO FURTHER INFORM THE HOUSE THAT THE PETROLEUM COMMITTEE HAS AWARDED ELEVEN OIL BLOCKS TO SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS.

THE POSITIVE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT HAS RESULTED IN THE RESUMPTION OF SUSPENDED
EXPLORATION PROJECTS. THESE DEVELOPMENTS WILL CREATE MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR PEOPLE.

MR. SPEAKER,

BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT WANTED TO ENSURE STABILITY AND SECURITY IN THE MINING SECTOR WE PLACED EMPHASIS ON IMPROVING ITS REGULATORY FRAMEWORK BY REVIEWING THE MINES AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2008. THE REVISED ACT FOCUSES ON VALUE ADDITION INDUSTRIES FOR ALL MINERALS.

IN 2011 WE WILL FOCUS ON INCREASED PRODUCTION. I APPEAL TO ALL MINE OPERATORS TO INVOLVE LOCAL SUPPLIERS OF MATERIALS AND RELEVANT ZAMBIAN BUSINESS HOUSES IN THEIR OPERATIONS.

GOVERNMENT ALSO EXPECTS MINE OPERATORS TO CONTINUE TO TAKE THEIR CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY BY INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED TO HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS AND SPORTS. I WANT TO SEE MINING CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE STABILITY OF OUR ECONOMY, TO THE JOB SECURITY OF WORKERS AND FOR ALL ZAMBIANS TO ENJOY THE PROSPERITY THIS SECTOR BRINGS.

MR. SPEAKER

COMMERCE, TRADE AND INDUSTRY

THE PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT REFORMS (PSDP) HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS. THE PROGRAMME AIMS TO REDUCE THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS IN ZAMBIA. IN THE BUSINESS LICENSING REFORM, 14 BILLS WERE PASSED BY THIS AUGUST HOUSE DURING THE FIRST SITTING OF 2010.

AMENDMENTS WERE ALSO MADE TO THE COMPANIES ACT REMOVING THE MINIMUM PAID-UP CAPITAL REQUIREMENT WHEN REGISTERING A BUSINESS. AS A RESULT OF THESE MEASURES, ZAMBIA’S WORLD BANK RANKING FOR EASE OF DOING BUSINESS HAS RISEN 10 PLACES IN THE LAST YEAR.

MR. SPEAKER,

THE GOVERNMENT SEES MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SME’S) AS IMPORTANT PARTNERS IN POVERTY REDUCTION. IN SUPPORT OF SUCH ENTERPRISES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS FACILITATED THE BUSINESS LINKAGES PROGRAMME THROUGH TAILORMADE TRAINING IN ACCESS TO MARKETS AND FINANCE.

ADDED TO THIS, A CREDIT GUARANTEE SCHEME HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT BANK OF ZAMBIA. THIS WILL ENABLE SMALL BUSINESSES WHICH LACK ADEQUATE COLLATERAL TO ACCESS LOANS.

I HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR OUR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARTNERS. THE GOVERNMENT HAS LAUNCHED THE SIMPLIFIED TRADE REGIME FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES, THE FIRST ONE BEING WITH MALAWI. THIS WILL ADDRESS TRADE EXPANSION AND ENHANCE ZAMBIA’S CAPACITY TO EXPLOIT TRADE OPPORTUNITIES.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO STARTED ESTABLISHING ONE-STOP-BORDER POSTS. THE CHIRUNDU ONE-STOP BORDER POST IS NOW OPERATIONAL AND WORK IS NOW IN PROGRESS AT NAKONDE AND KASUMBALESA BORDER POSTS. THESE MEASURES WILL MAKE CROSS-BORDER TRADEEASIER.

CITIZENS’ ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

MR. SPEAKER

THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF ZAMBIANS IS IMPORTANT IN INVOLVING CITIZENS’ IN DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY REDUCTION. THOUGH PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE TO SIMPLIFY THE ACCESSING OF FUNDS, THE PERFORMANCE OF THE COMMISSION STILL REMAINS UNSATISFACTORY. I AM ASKING THE MINISTRY CONCERNED TO ADDRESS THIS URGENTLY.

MULTI-FACILITY ECONOMIC ZONES

MR. SPEAKER,

IT SHOULD PLEASE THIS AUGUST HOUSE THAT STEADY PROGRESS IS BEING MADE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MULTI-FACILTITY ECONOMIC ZONES AND INDUSTRIAL PARKS. THE CHAMBESHI ECONOMIC ZONE NOW HAS 13 ENTERPRISES WITH AN INVESTMENT OF MORE THAN US$550 MILLION.

THESE ARE PROVIDING MORE THAN 3,500 JOBS WITH MORE EXPECTED. CONSTRUCTION OF THE LUSAKA SOUTH ZONE HAS BEGUN. IMPLEMENTATION PLANS FOR LUMWANA AND LUSAKA EAST ZONES ARE BEING DEVELOPED. GOVERNMENT ALSO HAS PLANS TO CREATE INDUSTRIAL PARKS IN LUSAKA AND NDOLA.

REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE

MR. SPEAKER,

DESPITE THE 2008 GLOBAL CRISIS, MINERALS STILL ACCOUNT FOR OVER 80 PERCENT OF OUR EXPORT.

EARNINGS. 2009 MINERAL EXPORT EARNINGS STOOD AT US$4.2 BILLION. IMPROVED EARNINGS WERE ALSO RECORDED IN NON-TRADITIONAL EXPORTS. THESE GREW FROM US$1.2 BILLION IN 2008 TO US$ 1.4 BILLION IN 2009.

THESE ARE IMPRESSIVE FIGURES, FIGURES WHICH I EXPECT TO IMPROVE. THIS ECONOMIC STABILITY WILL YIELD JOBS AND MORE FOREIGN INVESTMENT.

ZAMBIA IS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN THE COMMON MARKET FOR EAST AND SOUTHERN AFRICA (COMESA) AND SOUTHERN AFRICA DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC) FREE TRADE AREAS. THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED CUSTOMS UNION IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE OUR SHARE
OF TRADE IN THE COMESA REGION. AS A RESULT TRADE WILL GROW FASTER.

MR. SPEAKER,
IN MY LAST ADDRESS TO THIS AUGUST ASSEMBLY, I REPORTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD AGREED THE AFRICAN GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES ACT (AGOA) WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

THIS WILL OFFER NEW MARKETS FOR ZAMBIAN GOODS AND ACCESS TO TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, OF GREAT VALUE TO OUR ECONOMY.
ZAMBIA WAS RECENTLY ELECTED THE NEXT CHAIR AND WILL HOST THE 2011 AGOA FORUM.

ENERGY

MR. SPEAKER,

ENERGY SECURITY IS VITAL TO THE STABILITY OF OUR ECONOMY. THE GOVERNMENT IS WORKING TO ENSURE STABLE AND IMPROVED SUPPLY OF BOTH PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND ELECTRICITY.

AS PART OF OUR GOAL TO INCREASE AND IMPROVE PETROLEUM STORAGE CAPACITY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMPLETED THE 40 MILLION LITRE DIESEL TANK AT BWANA MKUBWA. OTHER STORAGE FACILITIES, INCLUDING PROVINCIAL ONES FOR STRATEGIC RESERVES HAVE BEEN REBUILT.

OUR STRATEGIC FUEL RESERVES, WHICH PREVIOUSLY STOOD AT 15 DAYS, HAVE NOW MORE THAN QUADRUPLED.

MR. SPEAKER,

THE CURRENT FUEL PRICING SYSTEM IS UNFAIR. THE FURTHER ONE IS FROM NDOLA, THE MORE EXPENSIVE FUEL BECOMES. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES IN OUTLYING AREAS. THIS WILL CHANGE.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOW WORKED OUT A UNIFORM PRICING MECHANISM TO ENSURE FUEL PRICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE THE SAME.

MR. SPEAKER,

WITH INCREASED INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE COUNTRY HAS EXPERIENCED A SHORTAGE OF POWER, LEADING TO LOAD-SHEDDING.

THE GOVERNMENT WILL INCREASE POWER GENERATION BY AT LEAST 1,080 MEGA WATTS. WE ARE UNDERTAKING THE KARIBA NORTH BANK EXTENSION PROJECT, THE KAFUE GORGE LOWER PROJECT, THE ITEZHI-TEZHI POWER PROJECT AND THE SMALLER LUNZUWA AND LUSIWASI POWER EXTENSION PROJECTS. THESE HAVE ALREADY BEEN FUNDED AND WE WELCOME THE JOBS THEY ARE CREATING.

GOVERNMENT WILL THIS YEAR ALSO COMMISSION THE 50 MEGA WATT HEAVY FUEL OIL PLANT IN NDOLA, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN ZAMBIA. THESE ARE ALL IN ADDITION TO THE 360 MEGAWATTS OF GENERATING POWER INSTALLED SINCE 2008.

MR. SPEAKER,

IN ADDITION TO THIS NEW GENERATING CAPACITY WE ALSO NEED A BETTER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. TO INCREASE ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY IN RURAL AREAS, THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION MASTER PLAN IS BEING IMPLEMENTED. SO FAR, 67 RURAL ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND 24 ARE ONGOING.

MR SPEAKER, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO ERADICATE LOADSHEDDING IN 90 DAYS, AS SOME HAVE RASHLY PROMISED IN THE PAST, BUT MY GOVERNMENT IS MAKING STEADY PROGRESS IN BOTH GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION. TRULY WE ARE LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS OF TOMORROW’S ZAMBIA.

INFRASTRUCTURE

MR. SPEAKER,

INFRASTRUCTURE IS CRITICAL TO DEVELOPMENT. GOOD TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS ARE VITAL FOR COMMERCE, BE IT MOVING SACKS OF MEALIE MEAL OR HEAVY MINING EQUIPMENT.

THE EMPHASIS, THEREFORE, WILL BE ON CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF THE COUNTRY’S PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE. IN VIEW OF THE HIGH COST OF THIS DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS WILL BE KEY.

MR. SPEAKER,
PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN DESIGNING THE KAZUNGULA BRIDGE ACROSS THE ZAMBEZI RIVER.

CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE BY THE END OF 2011. THIS BRIDGE WILL MAKE REGIONAL TRADE WITH COUNTRIES IN THE SOUTH MUCH EASIER.
SINCE 2008 WE HAVE DELIVERED 17 NEW BRIDGES.
MEANWHILE, THE REPAIR AND UPGRADING OF ROADS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IS PROGRESSING WELL.

SOME OF THE KEY ROADS BEING UPGRADED OR CONSTRUCTED INCLUDE SERENJE-MANSA, MUTANDA – ZAMBEZI – CHAVUMA AND CHOMA-NAMWALA, CHIPATALUNDAZI AND CHIPATA-MFUWE.
OTHER ROAD PROJECTS TO BE COMPLETED IN 2011 INCLUDE, KASAMA-LUWINGU, KABOMPO- HAVUMA, SENANGA-SESHEKE, AND THE RENEWAL OF THE GREAT EAST ROAD FROM LUANGWA BRIDGE TO MWAMI BORDER.

CONSTRUCTION OF MONGU-KALABO ROAD WILL START. WE ARE WORKING WITH PARTNERS ON THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TOLL ROADS: CHIRUNDUKAFUE; LIVINGSTONE-LUSAKA; LUSAKA-NDOLA; KAFULAFUTA-LUANSHYA; AND CHINGOLA-SOLWEZIMWINILUNGA-JIMBE ROAD.
SINCE 2008 WE HAVE REFURBISHED A TOTAL OF 40,435 KILOMETERS OF ROADS.

MR. SPEAKER,

ZAMBIA IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING THE BIGGEST SURGE IN DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN OUR RECENT HISTORY.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND UPGRADING OF INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING, SCHOOLS, CLINICS, BORDER POSTS AND PRISONS.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE NDOLA STADIUM HAS PROGRESSED WHILE PLANS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LUSAKA NATIONAL STADIUM HAVE REACHED AN ADVANCED STAGE.

IN RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE, THE GOVERNMENTS OF ZAMBIA AND TANZANIA HAVE SOURCED US$ 40 MILLION TO IMPROVE THE TANZANIA-ZAMBIA RAILWAY LINE (TAZARA). THE 24 KILOMETRE CHIPATA/MCHINJI RAILWAY IS NOW OPERATIONAL.

I AM PLEASED TO SEE THE PRIVATE SECTOR PLAYING ITS PART IN THESE IMPRTANT PROJECTS.
MR. SPEAKER, GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE AIR AND WATER TRANSPORT SECTORS. THIS INCLUDES THE EXPANSION OF SOME PROVINCIAL TERMINAL BUILDINGS.

THE EXTENSION OF THE KASABA BAY RUNWAY TO HANDLE LARGE AIRCRAFT HAS BEGUN. THE IMPROVEMENT OF HARBOURS AND CLEARING OF CANALS IS ALSO ONGOING. THE MPULUNGU PORT HAS FAILED TO REALISE ITS FULL POTENTIAL. FOLLOWING A RECENT COURT RULING MEASURES ARE NOW AFOOT TO DEVELOP THE PORT’S CAPACITY.

FOLLOWING MY VISIT TO TURKEY EARLIER THIS YEAR I CAN CONFIRM THAT TURKISH AIRLINES WILL SOON BE STARTING REGULAR SERVICES BETWEEN LUSAKA AND ISTANBUL. THIS WILL PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO EUROPEAN MARKETS AND ASSIST TOURISM.
THIS IS IMPORTANT AS TURKEY IS EUROPE’S 5TH LARGEST ECONOMY AND IS RANKED 16TH IN THE WORLD.

MY GOVERNMENT IS DELIVERING REAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE NATION. THESE ARE NOT EMPTY POLITICAL PROMISES BUT PROJECTS ONE CAN SEE AND TOUCH.

LAND

MR. SPEAKER,

LAND IS A FACTOR OF PRODUCTION WHOSE MANAGEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION HAVE A GREAT
IMPACT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY. IT IS, THEREFORE, VITAL THAT LAND IS MADE AVAILABLE TO CITIZENS AND DEVELOPERS IN AN EFFICIENT AND EQUITABLE MANNER.
IN MY SPEECH LAST YEAR, I INFORMED THE HOUSE THAT GOVERNMENT WAS DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM OF UNPLANNED URBAN SETTLEMENTS. THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLANS HAS STARTED. PLANS FOR LUSAKA, LUMWANA AND SOLWEZI HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

MR. SPEAKER,

WE HAVE SEEN AN EXPLOSION OF ILLEGAL SETTLEMENTS, WHERE UNRULY INDIVIDUALS HAVE ILLEGALY TAKEN LAND. A MULTI-SECTORAL TASK FORCE HAS BEEN CREATED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTROL OF ILLEGAL SETTLEMENTS WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR WELL PLANNED RESIDENTIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS.

MR. SPEAKER,

GOVERNMENT IS ALSO WORKING TOWARDS GRANTING WOMEN GREATER ACCESS IN ACQUIRING LAND FOR BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PURPOSES. TO ACHIEVE THIS THE GOVERNMENT IS PURSUING A DELIBERATE POLICY OF ALLOCATING 30 PERCENT OF ALL AVAILABLE LAND TO WOMEN. THIS WILL BOTH EMPOWER AND PROVIDE THEM WITH SECURITY. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD FAR RATHER EMPOWER WOMEN THAN BEAT THEM.

IN RELATION TO ZAMBIANS LIVING IN THE DIASPORA, I AM HAPPY TO NOTE THAT THE GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE OF ENCOURAGING OUR PEOPLE TO INVEST IN THE COUNTRY IS YIELDING POSITIVE RESULTS. I AM PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE ALLOCATION OF LAND ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ZAMBIANS IN THE DIASPORA HAS BEGUN.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING

MR. SPEAKER,

DECENTRALISATION WILL ENHANCE LOCAL PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND
IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY.

THE GOVERNMENT THEREFORE REMAINS COMMITTED TO FULLY IMPLEMENTING THE NATIONAL
DECENTRALISATION POLICY, AND HAS THEREFORE APPROVED THE DECENTRALISATION IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (DIP) FOR THE PERIOD 2010-2013. I CALL UPON ALL STAKEHOLDERS IDENTIFIED IN THE PLAN TO SUPPORT GOVERNMENT IN IMPLEMENTING THIS IMPORTANT PROGRAMME.

MR. SPEAKER,

THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE THAT THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECENTRALISATION PLAN DEPENDS ON THE CAPACITIES OF PARTICIPANTS AT LOCAL LEVEL. TO ENSURE THAT CAPACITY EXISTS, MY GOVERNMENT HAS ENACTED LEGISLATION TO ALLOW FOR THE RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE COMMISSION TO ENSURE THAT QUALIFIED STAFF ARE EMPLOYED IN ALL COUNCILS.

MR. SPEAKER,

THE GOVERNMENT IS CONTINUING EFFORTS TO DEVELOP INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENHANCE SERVICE DELIVERY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. IN THIS REGARD, REFORMS IN THE WATER SECTOR HAVE FACILITATED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WATER UTILITIES IN ALL THE NINE PROVINCES OF ZAMBIA.

THIS WILL IMPROVE THE SUPPLY OF CLEAN, SAFE WATER IN RURAL AREAS. OVER 1000 WATER POINTS HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED OR REPAIRED. UNDER THE NATIONAL RURAL WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION PROGRAMME, GOVERNMENT PLANS TO CONSTRUCT UP TO 10,000 AND REBUILD ABOUT 700,000 WATER POINTS BY THE YEAR 2015. THIS DELIVERY OF SAFE AND CLEAN WATER MEANS LESS DISEASE, A MUCH HEALTHIER NATION AND REDUCED MEDICAL EXPENDITURE.

• DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION

MR. SPEAKER,

OUR COUNTRY EXPERIENCED FLOODS DURING THE LAST RAIN SEASON LEADING TO LOSS OF LIFE AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY AND INFRASTRUCTURE. SOME DISTRICTS LIKE SINAZONGWE, LUNDAZI AND CHAMA WERE CUT OFF FROM THE REST OF THE COUNTRY. THE DAMAGE ALSO CAUSED DISRUPTION TO THE SCHOOLS AND HEALTH SERVICES.

MR. SPEAKER,

THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION UNIT’S QUICK RESPONSE MINIMISED LOSS OF LIFE, PROPERTY AND DAMAGE. IN LUSAKA FLOOD VICTIMS WERE EVACUATED TO THE INDEPENDENCE STADIUM AREA UNTIL THE SITUATION HAD NORMALIZED.

I COMMEND THE VICE PRESIDENT AND HIS TEAM FOR THE PROFESSIONAL MANNER IN WHICH THE EVACUATION WAS CONDUCTED. I ALSO WISH TO COMMEND OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM WHO RAPIDLY RECONNECTED THE AREAS WHICH HAD BEEN CUT OFF.

I WISH TO THANK CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HELPED PROVIDE RELIEF SUPPLIES AND OTHER SERVICES. IT PROVIDED A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF ZAMBIANS WORKING TOGETHER IN A TIME OF HARDSHIP. WE CAN RIGHTLY BE PROUD OF OURSELVES.

MR. SPEAKER,

MY GOVERNMENT HAS PUT IN PLACE LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE DISASTER PREVENTION, PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE. THIS WILL SPECIFY THE ROLES OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE COORDINATION OF THESE ACTIVITIES.

SOCIAL SERVICES HEALTH

MR. SPEAKER,

IN THE HEALTH SECTOR, THE GOVERNMENT IS PLEDGED TO “PROVIDE THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA WITH EQUITY OF ACCESS TO COST-EFFECTIVE, QUALITY HEALTH CARE AS CLOSE TO THE FAMILY AS POSSIBLE”. THE MAIN STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING THIS VISION IS PRIMARY HEALTH CARE WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH.

ZAMBIA REMAINS COMMITTED TO ATTAINING THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS ON HEALTH BY 2015. TO ACHIEVE THIS WE RECENTLY LAUNCHED THE “CAMPAIGN FOR ACCELERATED REDUCTION OF MATERNAL MORTALITY IN AFRICA” (CARMMA). THE GOVERNMENT WILL STRIVE TO LIVE BY THE IDEAL THAT “NO WOMAN SHOULD DIE WHEN GIVING LIFE”.

I AM PROUD TO REPORT THAT IN CHILD HEALTH, THE EXPANDED PROGRAMME ON IMMUNIZATION HAS KEPT NATIONAL COVERAGE RATES ABOVE THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION TARGET OF 85 PERCENT.

MR. SPEAKER,

THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV AND AIDS. I WISH TO REPORT THAT BY APRIL 2010, GOVERNMENT HAD SUCCESSFULLY PLACED 300,000 PEOPLE INCLUDING 23,000 CHILDREN ON ANTI-RETRO VIRAL DRUGS (ARVS). THIS REPRESENTS 89 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH AIDS IN NEED OF ARV DRUGS. THIS FIGURE IS AN INCREASE OF 25 PERCENTAGE POINTS ON THE 64 PERCENT THAT I REPORTED TO THIS HOUSE LAST YEAR.

THE NUMBER OF HIV INFECTED PREGNANT WOMEN WHO RECEIVED ARVS UNDER THE PREVENTION OF MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION INCREASED FROM 26,000 IN 2006, TO 47,000 IN 2009. THE GOAL OF MY GOVERNMENT IS TO ATTAIN VIRTUAL ELIMINATION OF MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV AND IMPROVE MATERNAL, NEWBORN AND CHILD HEALTH AND SURVIVAL BY 2015. THIS WILL BE ACHIEVED BY INCREASING INTERVENTION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV AND AIDS.

HIV/AIDS IS A SCOURGE BUT WE DO HAVE ACCESS TO ANTI-RETROVIRALS AND I PROMISE THAT MY GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO DELIVER THEM.

MR. SPEAKER,

MALARIA CONTINUES TO BE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN OUR COUNTRY. SADLY, THE MOST AFFECTED ARE PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE. THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE STRENGTHENING INTERVENTIONS TO ELIMINATE MALARIA BY INCREASING INDOOR RESIDUAL SPRAYING, MASS DISTRIBUTION OF LONG LASTING INSECTICIDE TREATED MOSQUITO NETS FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE, AND IMPROVED CASE MANAGEMENT FOR THE TREATMENT OF MALARIA.

FOLLOWING MY VISIT TO CUBA LAST YEAR I CAN ANNOUNCE THAT USING CUBAN KNOW-HOW THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDERTAKING A NATIONAL ERADICATION PROGRAMME TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF MALARIA CARRYING MOSQUITOES. THIS PROGRAMME, WHICH WORKS BY DESTROYING MOSQUITO LARVAE IN THE BREEDING GROUNDS, IS ABOUT TO BE LAUNCHED.

GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF MALARIA BY TRAINING COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS.

ZAMBIA’S IMPRESSIVE ACHIEVEMENTS IN MALARIA CONTROL HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED ALL OVER THE WORLD. WITH MALARIA DEATHS HAVING DECLINED BY 66 PERCENT, ZAMBIA SURPASSED THE 2010 ‘ROLL BACK MALARIA’ ABUJA TARGET.

THANKS TO THE GOVERNMENT’S CONCERTED ACTIONS PEOPLE ARE ALIVE TODAY WHO OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE DIED. WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT MALARIA AND WE WILL BEAT IT.

MR. SPEAKER,

NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES HAVE BECOME A MAJOR CAUSE OF DEATH IN OUR COUNTRY. LAST YEAR ALONE, 14,500 NEW DIABETIC CASES AND 23,000 NEW HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS WERE TREATED IN OUR HOSPITALS AND CLINICS. CANCERS ARE ALSO ON THE INCREASE HAVING RISEN FROM 1,428 CASES IN 2008 TO 2000 IN 2009. THESE FIGURES CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO A MORE MODERN LIFESTYLE. FACTORS SUCH AS STRESS AND DIET ALL CONTRIBUTE.

GOVERNMENT IS MAKING CONCERTED EFFORTS TO REVERSE THE INCREASING TREND IN NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES THROUGH SCREENING FOR CERVICAL CANCER AND BETTER DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT USING MODERN EQUIPMENT.

ONLY THREE DAYS I AGO I INAUGURATED A NEW MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE (MRI) AND COMPUTERISED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCANNER AT UTH HOSPITAL IN LUSAKA – THE FIRST SUCH EQUIPMENT IN ALL OF ZAMBIA.

ALLOW ME TO QUOTE FROM A STATEMENT BY SENIOR MEDICAL PRACTITIONER, DR LACKSON KASONKA AT THE FUNCTION:

“THIS EXPENSIVE, BUT YET VERY ESSENTIAL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT, IS THE HALLMARK IN THE DETECTION OF SEVERAL ILLNESSES IN THE HUMAN BODY. IT IS A DREAM OF EVERY MEDICAL PRACTITIONER, AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATOR ALIKE, TO HAVE THIS NOVEL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT, IN THEIR INVENTORY OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT”.

MR. SPEAKER,

SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED MANPOWER IN THE HEALTH SECTOR CONTINUES TO BE A CHALLENGE. TO ADDRESS THIS, GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTING THE HUMAN RESOURCE FOR HEALTH STRATEGIC PLAN (20062010) WHICH HAS SEVERAL INCENTIVES, INCLUDING THE RURAL RETENTION SCHEME.

THE 2011-2015 PLAN IS BEING DEVELOPED WITH KEY STRATEGIES WHICH WILL INCLUDE, INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TRAINED HEALTH WORKERS, IMPROVING EFFICIENCY IN UTILIZATION OF EXISTING STAFF AND PROVIDING APPROPRIATE TRAINING AND INCENTIVES TO COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS TO MITIGATE SHORTFALLS, ESPECIALLY IN REMOTE AREAS.
SINCE 2008 WE HAVE RECRUITED 3,600 MEDICAL STAFF WHICH INCLUDES DOCTORS, NURSES AND ANCILLARY HEALTH WORKERS.

MR. SPEAKER,

THE GOVERNMENT WILL BUILD HOSPITALS IN 19 DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY DURING THE SIXTH NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (SNDP) PERIOD.

THIS YEAR ALONE, DISTRICT HOSPITALS WILL BE COMMISSIONED AT KAOMA, LUMWANA, KAPIRI MPOSHI, MUMBWA, KAPUTA AND MUFUMBWE.

DISTRICT HOSPITALS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN SAMFYA, CHADIZA, LUFWANYAMA, CHIENGI, CHONGWE AND LUSAKA DISTRICTS. COMMISSIONING HAS BEGUN AND WILL CONCLUDE NEXT YEAR.

GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO UPGRADED FIVE CLINICS IN LUSAKA NAMELY: CHAWAMA, MATERO, CHILENJE, KANYAMA AND CHIPATA TO 1ST LEVEL DISTRICT HOSPITALS.
SURGICAL THEATRES UNDER THISUPGRADING PHASE WILL BE COMMISSIONED BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR. CHAWAMA WAS COMMISSIONED JUST TWO DAYS AGO.

A TOTAL OF 323 HEALTH POSTS AND HEALTH CENTRES WILL ALSO BE COMMISSIONED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
IN ADDITION TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF HEALTH POSTS, GOVERNMENT HAS PROCURED NINE MOBILE HOSPITALS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS. I AM GLAD THAT THE MAJORITY OF OUR PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY IN RURAL AREAS, APPRECIATE THIS INITIATIVE.

MY GOAL IS A HEALTHY NATION IN WHICH NO-ONE DIES UNNECESSARILY. GOOD HEALTH CREATES SECURITY AND STABILITY, MEANING THAT CITIZENS CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE ECONOMY AND SHARE IN THE NATIONS PROSPERITY.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS TRAINING

MR. SPEAKER

TO DEVELOP THIS COUNTRY, WE NEED AN EDUCATED AND INFORMED POPULATION. THIS IS WHY THE ADMINISTRATION HAS CONSIDERABLY INCREASED INVESTMENT IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. A TOTAL OF 2,543 NEW CLASSROOMS WERE CONSTRUCTED IN 2009 WHILE ANOTHER 2,016 ARE BEING BUILT. IN ADDITION, 45 HIGH SCHOOLS AND 42 BASIC SCHOOLS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 2011. TO

SUPPORT THIS, GOVERNMENT RECRUITED 2,500 NEW TEACHERS IN 2010; 1000 FOR HIGH SCHOOLS AND 1500 FOR BASIC SCHOOLS. I BELIEVE PASSIONATELY THAT EDUCATION IS THE PATH AND PASSPORT TO PROSPERITY. I AM THEREFORE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT SINCE 2008 THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECRUITED A TOTAL OF 12,500 TEACHERS. LET THIS FIGURE DEMONSTRATE MY DETERMINATION TO TURN TODAY’S YOUTH INTO TOMORROW’S EDUCATED WORKFORCE.

MR. SPEAKER,

THE TRANSFORMATION OF NKRUMAH AND COPPERBELT TEACHER TRAINING COLLEGES INTO UNIVERSITIES IS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DRIVE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF GRADUATE TEACHERS.

TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT RECENTLY ENACTED FOUR BILLS TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ‘THE TEACHING COUNCIL OF ZAMBIA’, ‘THE NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK AUTHORITY’ AND ‘THE HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORITY’.
THESE WILL ENSURE PROVISION OF QUALITY EDUCATION.

MR. SPEAKER,

A LARGE NUMBER OF SCHOOL LEAVERS HAVE NO ACCESS TO TERTIARY EDUCATION. TO ADDRESS THIS, GOVERNMENT IN 2009 COMPLETED NEW TRADES TRAINING INSTITUTES IN CHIPATA, PETAUKE, MONGU, KAOMA AND SOLWEZI.

THE SECOND PHASE OF THIS PROGRAMME IS CONTINUING THIS YEAR AND WILL COVER KALABO, MILENGE AND ISOKA. IN TOTAL WE HAVE NOW BUILT EIGHT TRAINING INSTITUTES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SOCIAL WELFARE

MR. SPEAKER,

I CARE ABOUT THE POOR AND THE VULNERABLE. WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR THEM. THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES, IS STRENGTHENING PEOPLE’S WELFARE PROGRAMMES.

GOVERNMENT, WORKING WITH COOPERATING PARTNERS, HAS DEVELOPED A MULTI-YEAR FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CASH TRANSFER SCHEME, AMOUNTING TO US$63 MILLION OVER A 10 YEAR PERIOD STARTING THIS YEAR.

THIS PROGRAMME AIMS TO REDUCE EXTREME POVERTY THROUGH CASH TRANSFERS TO DESERVING HOUSEHOLDS. GOVERNMENT HAS ADDED 5 MORE DISTRICTS TO THE ORIGINAL FIVE TO COVER AN ESTIMATED 250,000 PEOPLE. GOVERNMENT WILL REVIEW THE FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMME IN THE 2010/2011 FARMING SEASON TO SUSTAIN FOOD SECURITY.

MR SPEAKER,

TO EMPOWER MOTHERS ECONOMICALLY, GOVERNMENT THIS YEAR PROVIDED K5 BILLION IN THE BUDGET. IN ADDITION WOMEN WERE OFFERED ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING TO HELP THEM BETTER MANAGE THEIR INCOME GENERATION. SO FAR, ALMOST 4000 WOMEN HAVE BENEFITTED FROM THIS PROGRAMME.

MY COMMITMENT TO THE WOMEN OF ZAMBIA IS GENUINE. JUST THIS WEEK, OF THE NINE JUDGES I SWORE IN, FIVE WERE WOMEN. I DO NOT WANT ZAMBIA TO MERELY BE A LAND OF OPPORTUNITY; I WANT ZAMBIA TO BE A LAND OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY.

MR. SPEAKER,

WE ZAMBIANS ARE PROUD OF OUR CULTURAL IDENTITY AND HERITAGE. MY GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION AND REFURBISHING OF
FACILITIES FOR PERFORMANCES, EXHIBITIONS, PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF CULTURAL PRODUCTS.

MR. SPEAKER

I RECALL WITH PLEASURE MY VISIT IN MAY, 2010 TO THE DEAF BAPTIST CHURCH HERE IN LUSAKA WHERE I MET DEAF CHILDREN AND THEIR TEACHERS. THIS LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION ON MY MIND. SO MUCH SO THAT GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOCATED NEARLY K30 BILLION FOR ZAMBIA’S FIRST BOARDING SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF.

THIS WILL CATER FOR UP TO 500 PUPILS, FROM BASIC TO SENIOR SCHOOL. I INTEND TO HAVE THE MISSIONARY IN CHARGE OF THE LUSAKA SCHOOL TO RUN THIS NEW SCHOOL.
I THEREFORE WISH TO REAFFIRM THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE WELFARE OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ARE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED.

WE HAVE RATIFIED THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. I URGE ALL ZAMBIANS TO SUPPORT THE WELLBEING OF OUR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

AS A FURTHER MEASURE I WANT ALL NEW PUBLIC BUILDINGS TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE DISABLED THROUGH, FOR EXAMPLE THE PROVISION OF RAMPS FOR WHEELCHAIRS.
COUNCILS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO REJECT BUILDING PLANS WHICH DO NOT CATER FOR THE DISABLED.

LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

MR. SPEAKER,

GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT OF THE COUNTRY’S LABOUR FORCE IS KEY IF POVERTY IS TO BE REDUCED AND LIVING STANDARDS IMPROVED.
2008 AND 2009 WERE HARD YEARS, NOT JUST FOR US BUT FOR THE WORLD. OUR WORK IN JOB CREATION ACROSS ZAMBIA WILL CONTINUE, TO ENSURE THAT ZAMBIANS CAN PUT THESE DIFFICULT YEARS BEHIND THEM.

PUBLIC SERVICE MANAGEMENT

MR. SPEAKER,

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT THE QUALITY OF SERVICE RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE. THE PUBLIC SERVICE IS INSTRUMENTAL IN PROVIDING THE DELIVERY OF GOVERNMENT TO OUR PEOPLE.

THE GOVERNMENT IS IMPROVING THE MANAGEMENT AND OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

THIS IS BEING DONE THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF SERVICE DELIVERY CHARTERS, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRES, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC SERVICE PAY POLICY.

GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO CONSTITUTED THE SALARIES AND WAGES REVIEW COMMISSION TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC SERVICE SALARIES STRUCTURE.
OUR PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS MUST REMAIN PROPERLY MOTIVATED TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES PROFESSIONALLY.

MR. SPEAKER,

TO PROMOTE A POSITIVE WORK CULTURE IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS REVISED AND LAUNCHED THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE INSTRUCTIONS.

THESE COMPLEMENT THE PUBLIC SERVICE CODE OF ETHICS AND PROVIDE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES ON THE MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AND RECORDS.

GENDER

MR. SPEAKER,

DURING MY LAST ADDRESS, I ASSURED THE NATION THAT GENDER WOULD SYSTEMATICALLY BE MAINSTREAMED ACROSS ALL SECTORS AND AREAS OF POLICY. “THE STRATEGY FOR ENSURING THAT GENDER IS INCLUDED IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE” HAS BEEN DEVELOPED. THIS WILL PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR MAINSTREAMING GENDER IN PLANNING, PROGRAMME EXECUTION AND MONITORING AND EVALUATION.

MR. SPEAKER,

PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN CONSULTING KEY STAKEHOLDERS ON THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION ON
GENDER BASED VIOLENCE. GOVERNMENT WILL BRING TO THE HOUSE THE PROPOSED BILL. THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA WILL NOT TOLERATE GENDER BASED VIOLENCE SPORT, YOUTH AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

MR. SPEAKER,

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE MAKE UP NEARLY 70 PERCENT OF OUR POPULATION. THEY ARE THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE OF THIS NATION. IT IS IMPORTANT THEREFORE THAT THEIR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IS SUPPORTED AND GUIDED.

MR. SPEAKER,

TO PROVIDE FOR THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL BEING OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, GOVERNMENT IN APRIL THIS YEAR, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (IOC), COMMISSIONED A WORLD CLASS OLYMPIC YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTRE IN LUSAKA.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE GOOD CARE OF THIS FACILITY FOR THE FUTURE.

THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO REFURBISHING EXISTING STADIA AND CONSTRUCTING NEW ONES INCLUDING THE STADIUM IN NDOLA AND ONE JUST STARTED IN LUSAKA.
ONCE COMPLETED, THESE FACILITIES WILL ASSIST THE TRAINING OF OUR SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN.

MR. SPEAKER,

THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO ASSIST AND EMPOWER THE YOUNG BY PROMOTING FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND TRAINING. THIS YEAR, A K5 BILLION FUND WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROMOTE YOUTH ENTERPRISE. THIS FUND WILL FOSTER THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.

MR. SPEAKER,

CURRENTLY, CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES ARE NOT WELL COORDINATED. GOVERNMENT HAS
ESTABLISHED ‘THE ZAMBIA COUNCIL OF THE CHILD’ TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND TO ENSURE CHILD DEVELOPMENT IS WELL MANAGED.

GOVERNANCE

MR. SPEAKER,

MY ADMINISTRATION REMAINS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT THE NORMS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE ARE UPHELD.

MR. SPEAKER,

THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IS A TOP PRIORITY. I AM PLEASED TO INFORM THIS AUGUST HOUSE THAT GOVERNMENT HAS LAUNCHED THE ANTI-CORRUPTION IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IS NOW MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND COORDINATED. THE ANTI-CORRUPTION ACT WILL BE AMENDED TO BRING IT IN LINE WITH THE POLICY AND RELATED LEGISLATION.

THE PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURE (PROTECTION OF WHISTLE BLOWERS) BILL AND THE FORFEITURE OF PROCEEDS OF CRIME BILL WERE PASSED IN THE LAST SESSION. THE PROCEEDS OF CRIME CAN NOW BE CONFISCATED BY THE STATE. THESE INSTRUMENTS STRENGTHEN GOVERNMENT’S HAND IN FIGHTING

CORRUPTION.

MR. SPEAKER,

GOVERNMENT IS PLEASED THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS JOINED THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION WITH THE ‘BUSINESS ACTION AGAINST CORRUPTION’ INITIATIVE, A TOOL TO COMBAT CRIME IN THE BUSINESS SECTOR.

CODES OF ETHICS FOR SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE ENTERPRISES NOT REGISTERED ON THE LUSAKA STOCK EXCHANGE HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED TO GUIDE THEIR BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS. WE WELCOME THIS MULTISECTORAL APPROACH TO COMBAT CORRUPTION.

MR SPEAKER, IT IS SIMPLE TO ACCUSE AN INSTITUTION OR A PERSON OF BEING CORRUPT. THE WORD ‘CORRUPTION’ STICKS EASILY, WITH OR WITHOUT PROOF AND IS HARD TO DISLODGE. THOSE WHO USE THE WORD TOO READILY SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THEY RISK DAMAGING THE STANDING OF OUR NATION.

WE KNOW CORRUPTION EXISTS AND WITH THE LEGISLATION I HAVE JUST MENTIONED WE WILL ROOT IT OUT.

WE CANNOT RETROSPECTIVELY ENACT LAWS, WE CANNOT FASHION OUR LAWS TO SUIT FOREIGN POWERS BUT WE CAN, AND WILL, USE ZAMBIAN LAWS TO HUNT DOWN CORRUPT INDIVIDUALS.

MARK MY WORDS; ‘WHEN’, NOT ‘IF’ YOU ARE CAUGHT YOU WILL BE DEALT WITH SEVERELY. IF CONVICTED EXPECT NO LENIENCY, JUST KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT DISHONOUR TO YOUR NAME.

MR. SPEAKER,

MY GOVERNMENT HAS DEMONSTRATED ITS COMMITMENT TOWARDS IMPROVING ZAMBIA’S JUSTICE
SYSTEM BY INCREASING COURT ROOM CAPACITY FOR THE MORE EFFICIENT HANDLING OF CASES. NEW SUBORDINATE COURTS HAVE BEEN BUILT IN NAKONDE, CHILILABOMBWE AND SHANG’OMBO.
BUDGETARY ALLOCATIONS TO THE JUDICIARY HAVE BEEN INCREASED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 100 NEW LOCAL COURTS.

MR. SPEAKER,

TO IMPROVE THE STAFFING LEVELS OF OUR SUPERIOR COURTS, GOVERNMENT HAS FURTHER AMENDED THE RELEVANT LAWS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SUPREME COURT JUDGES FROM NINE TO ELEVEN AND THAT OF HIGH COURT JUDGES FROM THIRTY (30) TO FIFTY (50).

TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF PROSECUTIONS IN OUR COURTS AND INCREASE THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS, THIS AUGUST HOUSE RECENTLY ENACTED THE NATIONAL PROSECUTION AUTHORITY BILL. THIS ACT BRINGS ALL PROSECUTORS UNDER THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS.

MR. SPEAKER,THE GOVERNMENT IS READY TO BE REVIEWED UNDER THE AFRICA PEER REVIEW MECHANISM, AN INITIATIVE OF THE AFRICAN UNION WHICH MEASURES STANDARDS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE.

WE VOLUNTARILY SUBSCRIBE TO THIS REVIEW BY COMPLETING THE COUNTRY SELF-ASSESSMENT REPORT AND FINALISING THE NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN WILL COMMENCE NEXT YEAR.

ELECTORAL REFORMS

MR. SPEAKER,

THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES WITH ELECTORAL REFORM. THIS YEAR, THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA COMMENCED THE LONG AWAITED CONTINUOUS VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE THROUGH MOBILE VOTER REGISTRATION IN ALL DISTRICTS.

THE HOUSE MAY WISH TO NOTE THAT AS OF 4TH AUGUST 2010, THREE HUNDRED AND NINE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED AND THIRTY (309,530) NEW VOTERS HAD BEEN REGISTERED. SOME WERE TRANSFERRED TO NEW POLLING DISTRICTS COUNTRYWIDE.

THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA ALSO UPDATED THE REGISTER BY DELETING THE NAMES OF DECEASED VOTERS.

MR. SPEAKER,

IN ADDITION TO THE CONTINUOUS VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE, THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION ALSO REVIEWED THE ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT IN READINESS FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION NEXT YEAR.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES MR. SPEAKER, SINCE THE LAUNCH OF THE NATIONAL INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICT) POLICY IN 2007, PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ICT SECTOR. SEVERAL MINISTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS NOW HAVE ICT POLICIES AND OFFICIAL WEBSITES.

TO FURTHER SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY, THIS HOUSE LAST YEAR PASSED ‘THE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES ACT’ (ICT), ‘THE ELECTRONIC AND COMMUNICATIONS TRANSACTIONS ACT’, AND ‘THE POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES ACT’.

THE NEW INFORMATION COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGIES ACT ESTABLISHED THE ZAMBIA INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES AUTHORITY (ZICTA) TO REGULATE THE ICT SECTOR.

THESE ACTS IMPROVED THE LICENSING REGIME AND ENABLED MOBILE SERVICE OPERATORS TO LAUNCH ADVANCED MOBILE AND INTERNET SERVICES, POPULARLY REFERRED TO AS 3G. WITH THIS LAUNCH, INTERNET SERVICES ARE EXPECTED TO EXPAND AND THEIR COST TO FALL.

MR. SPEAKER,

IN OUR EFFORTS TO RAISE COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS SUPPORTED THE ROLLING-OUT OF THE FIBRE OPTIC NETWORK ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ENSURE WIDE SPREAD ACCESS TO HIGH SPEED BROADBAND. ALL NINE PROVINCIAL CENTRES

HAVE NOW BEEN CONNECTED AND THE SECOND PHASE TO LINK ALL DISTRICTS IS UNDERWAY. GOVERNMENT HAS OPENED ACCESS TO THE INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY THEREBY REDUCING THE COST OF INTERNATIONAL CALLS.

MR. SPEAKER,

LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO PARTIALLY PRIVATISE ZAMTEL WHICH WAS PERFORMING POORLY. IN ORDER TO SAVE THIS LOSS MAKING PARASTATAL FROM TOTAL COLLAPSE, THE GOVERNMENT APPROVED THE SALE OF 75 PERCENT TO AN EQUITY PARTNER.
I AM PLEASED TO INFORM THIS AUGUST HOUSE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE PARTIAL PRIVATIZATION OF ZAMTEL.

MR. SPEAKER,

ZAMBIANS STAND TO BENEFIT FROM THE SALE OF ZAMTEL THROUGH IMPROVED ELECOMMUNICATIONS, INDUSTRY COMPETITIVENESS AND UPGRADED INFRASTRUCTURE.

ALREADY WE HAVE SEEN ZAIN AND MTN REDUCE THEIR CALL TARIFFS, PROOF THAT COMPETITION IS GOOD FOR ZAMBIANS. ZAMTEL WILL BECOME A NET CONTRIBUTOR TO THE ECONOMY, RATHER THAN BEING A DRAIN ON PUBLIC FINANCES.

I THANK THE UNIONS NOT ONLY FOR STANDING BY TO ASSIST, BUT FOR SUPPORTING THE PRIVATISATION PROCESS.

ONCE THE COMPANY BECOMES SUSTAINABLE AND SUCCESSFUL, GOVERNMENT WILL OFFER IT’S 25 PERCENT SHARE TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH A PUBLIC FLOTATION AS PART OF OUR COMMITMENT TO EMPOWER ZAMBIANS.

MEDIA

MR. SPEAKER,

FOR ZAMBIA TO DERIVE MAXIMUM BENEFITS FROM THE MEDIA, WE NEED TO GROW THE LOCAL FILM PRODUCTION INDUSTRY TO PROVIDE PROGRAMMING FOR TELEVISION AND TO CREATE JOBS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY SO AS WE ENTER THE DIGITAL ERA. THE GOVERNMENT HAS ESTABLISHED ‘THE DIGITAL MIGRATION NATIONAL TASK FORCE’ TO SPEARHEAD THE MIGRATION TO FULL DIGITAL SERVICES.

MR. SPEAKER,

RAPID ADVANCEMENT IN THE INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES SECTOR HAS NECESSITATED NEW REGULATION AND A REEXAMINATION OF SOME POLICIES.

THE NEW INDEPENDENT BROADCASTING AUTHORITY AMENDMENT ACT WILL STREAMLINE THE LICENSING REGIME AND REGULATION OF THE GROWING ELECTRONIC MEDIA INDUSTRY. THE ZAMBIA NATIONAL BROADCASTING CORPORATION AMENDMENT ACT WILL IMPROVE COLLECTION OF THE TELEVISION LEVY.

MR. SPEAKER,

GOVERNMENT HAS INVESTED IN PRINTING PRESSES IN PROVINCIAL CENTRES TO IMPROVE LOCAL ACCESS TO INFORMATION. TWO PRESSES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR CHIPATA AND KASAMA FOR USE BY ALL NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS.

THE FIBRE OPTIC CABLE LAID BY ZAMTEL AND ZESCO WILL HELP GOVERNMENT ESTABLISH A WIDE AREA NETWORK, TO WHICH FIFTEEN DISTRICT NEWS AND INFORMATION SERVICES WILL BE CONNECTED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

THIS WILL SPEED UP INTERNET CONNECTIVITY AND GREATLY ENHANCE THE FLOW OF INFORMATION ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

NOT ONLY IS THE GOVERNMENT GROWING THE ECONOMY, IT IS ALSO MODERNISING IT. WE WILL
CONTINUE ON THIS PATH WITH VIGOUR AND DETERMINATION.

REGIONAL CO-OPERATION AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
MR. SPEAKER, ZAMBIA WILL CONTINUE TO COOPERATE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES AT BILATERAL AND MULTI-LATERAL LEVELS BOTH REGIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.

MR. SPEAKER, ZAMBIA IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN PEACE INITIATIVES UNDER THE AFRICAN UNION (AU) AND THE UNITED NATIONS (UN). WE CONTRIBUTE TO VARIOUS PEACE KEEPING MISSIONS ON THE CONTINENT AND ELSEWHERE.

I AM PROUD TO REPORT THAT AT THE RECENT SUMMIT HELD IN NAMIBIA, ZAMBIA ASSUMED CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE SADC ORGAN ON POLITICS, DEFENCE AND SECURITY.

I AM ALSO PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT OUR FIRST REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT, DR. KENNETH KAUNDA, WAS APPOINTED AT THE 15TH SESSION OF THE AFRICAN UNION, AS ONE OF THE ELITE MEMBERS OF THE AU PANEL OF THE WISE. THE PANEL IS AN IMPORTANT INSTITUTION IN CHAMPIONING PEACE AND SECURITY ON THE CONTINENT.

ZAMBIA ALSO VALUES HER MEMBERSHIP OF VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL BODIES AND GLOBAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, INCLUDING THE CHINA-AFRICA COOPERATION, THE TOKYO-INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT, THE AFRICA-INDIA PARTNERSHIP FORUM, THE AFRICA- OUTH AMERICA SUMMIT AND THE COMMONWEALTH.


PEACE AND SECURITY

MR. SPEAKER,

OUR SECURITY SERVICES ARE VITAL IN PRESERVING, PROTECTING AND DEFENDING THE SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF ZAMBIA. WE VALUE THEM BECAUSE PEACE AND SECURITY ARE IMPERATIVE FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

ON BEHALF OF ALL ZAMBIANS, I SALUTE AND APPLAUD OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN THE SECURITY SERVICES WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR ALL OF US TO ENJOY LASTING PEACE AND SECURITY. OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM NOT ONLY DEFEND AND PROTECT THIS COUNTRY AND ITS CITIZENS, BUT ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN LAND DEVELOPMENT, DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION AND AGRICULTURE. THE NATION IS FOREVER INDEBTED TO OUR GALLANT DEFENCE AND SECURITY PROFESSIONALS.

MR. SPEAKER,

OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM OPERATE UNDER EXTREMELY DIFFICULT CONDITIONS. I ASSURE THEM THAT GOVERNMENT IS WORKING HARD TO MINIMIZE AND RESOLVE THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE. I WISH TO INFORM THE HOUSE THAT GOVERNMENT HAS CONSTRUCTED 520 HOUSES AND PURCHASED MORE THAN 330 MORE TO EASE OFFICER ACCOMMODATION PROBLEMS.

MR SPEAKER, BEFORE I CONCLUDE ALLOW ME TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE YEAR AHEAD.
2011 WILL BE AN ELECTION YEAR, MEMBERS OF THIS HOUSE AND I AS PRESIDENT WILL FACE RE-ELECTION. CONTRARY TO SOME RUMOURS THE ELECTION DATE HAS NOT YET BEEN DECIDED. I HAVE NOT CONFIDED IN ANYONE, NOT EVEN MY COUSIN MR SATA. I CAN ASSURE THOSE WHO MIGHT BELIEVE SUCH RUMOURS THAT ONLY A FOOL WOULD VOTE ON THE 1ST OF APRIL; SO DO NOT FALL FOR THAT OLD JOKE.

IN 2008 I ASKED THE VOTERS TO LOOK AT WHAT THE CANDIDATES HAD ACTUALLY DONE FOR ZAMBIA AND NOT AT WHAT THEY SAID THEY HAD DONE. I STAND BY THOSE WORDS. I WILL URGE VOTERS TO LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED SINCE 2008; AT THE SCHOOLS, THE TEACHERS, THE HOSPITALS, THE DOCTORS, THE ROADS, THE BRIDGES, THE NUMBER OF NEW JOBS, THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INVESTMENT AND TRADE, AND OUR HIGHEST EVER FOREIGN CURRENCY RESERVES.

I WILL ASK THE PEOPLE TO JUDGE DEEDS NOT WORDS. THE GOVERNMENT IS PROUD OF ITS ACHIEVEMENTS AND OF ITS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. WE WILL FIGHT HARD FOR OUR MANDATE BECAUSE THERE IS STILL MUCH TO DO FOR ZAMBIA.

SINCE 2008 WE HAVE BEEN LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR TOMORROW’S ZAMBIA. OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE SECURITY, STABILITY AND PROSPERITY FOR ALL. WE DO NOT INTEND TO DEVIATE FROM THAT PATH.

LET ME SHARE A LITTLE SECRET WITH THIS AUGUST HOUSE. I HAVE RECENTLY HIRED A PERSONAL PHYSICAL TRAINER AND INTEND TO BE FIGHTING FIT FOR THE CAMPAIGN YEAR. I URGE ALL MEMBERS TO DO LIKEWISE, THOUGH THROUGH PROPER FITNESS AND NOT BY HAVING DOMESTIC FIGHTS.

2011 WILL NOT BE FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED. I WILL FIGHT TO WIN THIS ELECTION SO THAT I CAN CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO WIN FOR ZAMBIA. WE HAVE SET THE FOUNDATIONS… NOW IS THE TIME TO BUILD A STRONGER ZAMBIA.

SO MR. SPEAKER,

I WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE THAT WITH THE KIND OF UNITY OF PURPOSE, RESILIENCE AND DETERMINATION WE HAVE SHOWN, IN TIMES OF ECONOMIC CRISIS AND NATURAL DISASTER, OUR COUNTRY IS POISED FOR GREATER ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENT. WE HAVE PROVED THAT WE ARE SELFSUFFICIENT IN FOOD AND CAN MAINTAIN A PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO INVESTMENT AND TRADE.

MR. SPEAKER,

I ENCOURAGE HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, TO CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER AS ALLIES IN THE COMMON QUEST OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT. THERE ARE MANY ADVANTAGES IN WORKING TOGETHER AND SHARING IDEAS AS COMPATRIOTS. WE OWE IT TO THE PEOPLE TO COOPERATE BEYOND PARTY BOUNDARIES.

AS WE APPROACH THE GENERAL ELECTION NEXT YEAR, LET ALL POLITICIANS BE MINDFUL THAT OUR POLITICS SHOULD BE EXEMPLARY AND NOT CENTRED ON SELFINTEREST ALONE. REMEMBER - ZAMBIA IS GREATER THAN ANY ONE OF US. WE MUST STRIVE TO BUILD A BETTER ZAMBIA FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

I THANK THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE AND OUR COOPERATING PARTNERS FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF MY ADMINISTRATION.

MAY GOD BLESS AND PROSPER OUR GREAT NATION MR. SPEAKER,

I THANK YOU.