ADDRESS
By
HIS EXCELLENCY MR. EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
On The PROGRESS MADE IN THE APPLICATION OF THE
NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES Delivered
TO THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE TWELFTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
On FRIDAY, 6TH MARCH 2020
INTRODUCTION
MR. SPEAKER,
- BEFORE I PROCEED WITH MY ADDRESS, LET ME TAKE THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST THE HONOURABLE MEMBERS TO STAND
AND JOIN ME IN OBSERVING A MINUTE OF SILENCE IN HONOUR OF
THE LATE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR CHILUBI CONSTITUENCY,
HONOURABLE ROSARIO CHAILUNGA FUNDANGA, WHO PASSED
AWAY ON 20TH NOVEMBER, 2019 AS WELL AS OUR PEOPLE WHO
LOST THEIR LIVES AT THE HANDS OF MOBS FOLLOWING
GASSING INCIDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
(MINUTE OF SILENCE) - MAY THE SOUL OF THE DEPARTED MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT AND OUR
BROTHERS AND SISTERS REST IN ETERNAL PEACE! - MEMBERS OF THIS AUGUST HOUSE, THE PEOPLE OF CHILUBI AND
THE NATION AT LARGE WILL FONDLY REMEMBER THE LATE HONOURABLE
FUNDANGA FOR HER INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THIS HOUSE, HER
CONSTITUENCY AND THE NATION AT LARGE. MAY HER SOUL REST IN
ETERNAL PEACE.
MR. SPEAKER, - FOLLOWING THE PASSING ON OF HONOURABLE FUNDANGA, THE
PEOPLE OF CHILUBI ELECTED A NEW MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT ON 13TH
FEBRUARY 2020. LET ME, THEREFORE, WELCOME HONOURABLE
MULENGA FUBE, MP. TO THE HOUSE. - I CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR ELECTION. IN THE SAME VEIN, I
COMMEND ALL THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE CHILUBI BY-ELECTION
FOR EXERCISING THEIR DEMOCRATIC RIGHT AND ENHANCING OUR
GROWING DEMOCRACY.
MR. SPEAKER, - IT IS MORE THAN THREE MONTHS AGO SINCE ZAMBIA WOKE UP TO
A HORRIBLE REALITY THAT THE COUNTRY WAS UNDER ATTACK FROM
UNKNOWN PEOPLE WHO NOT JUST INFLICTED PHYSICAL HARM BUT ALSO
APPLIED PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE ON OUR PEOPLE. - THE LAUNCHPAD WAS CHINGOLA BUT SINCE THEN MANY
PARTS OF ZAMBIA HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS INHUMAN
PHENOMENON OF GAS ATTACKS ON OUR PEOPLE, OFTEN
CULMINATING IN LOSS OF LIVES AT THE HANDS OF MOBS,
ACTING IN THE NAME OF ‘COMMUNITY JUSTICE’. THESE
COORDINATED GAS ATTACKS HAVE TRIGGERED IRRATIONAL MOB
ATTACKS ON SUSPECTS, VANDALISM OF PUBLIC PROPERTY, DEATH
OF INNOCENT LIVES AND CONSTANT FEAR AMONG OUR PEOPLE IN
MANY COMMUNITIES.
MR SPEAKER, - WE HAVE WITNESSED MERCILESS KILLINGS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE
IN NOT ONLY CHINGOLA BUT ALSO IN OTHER PARTS OF OUR
MOTHERLAND. WE HAVE EQUALLY WITNESSED MERCILESS
REACTIONS FROM CITIZENS AFTER THESE KILLINGS. WE HAVE
WITNESSED SPRAYING OF CHEMICALS ON FAMILIES, SCHOOL
CHILDREN, AND THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL. - WE HAVE WITNESSED REPULSIVE REACTIONS BY CITIZENS,
INCLUDING STONING AND BURNING OF SUSPECTS. WE HAVE SEEN
HORRIFYING PICTURES ON SOCIAL MEDIA. WE HAVE ALSO
WITNESSED MASS HYSTERIA; PEOPLE REACTING VIOLENTLY TO
RUMOURS OF ATTACKS; FAILING TO SLEEP FOR FEAR OF THE
WORST.
MR SPEAKER, - WE HAVE LOST IN EXCESS OF 50 LIVES OF PEOPLE
MURDERED BY VARIOUS MOBS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. ABOUT
24 PEOPLE HAVE SURVIVED, EITHER SAVED BY SECURITY PEOPLE OR
GOOD SAMARITANS, LIKE TRADITIONAL OR RELIGIOUS LEADERS. - REGRETABLY, IN SOME CASES, MY GOVERNMENT IS AWARE THAT
SOME TRADITIONAL LEADERS AND CHURCH LEADERS HAVE EITHER
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FUELED AND INSTIGATED THESE MOB
ATTACKS. - MR SPEAKER,
- AS IF THAT IS NOT ENOUGH, IN THE ENSUING CONFUSION, POLICE
HAVE SHOT PEOPLE. SOME OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN THE MOST
UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDE, SCHOOLBOYS, FRANK
MUGALA AGED ONLY 14; AND SYDNEY MOONGA, AGED 17. - THE DEATHS OF THESE TWO BOYS AND OTHER CITIZENS ARE
INCOMPREHENSIBLY REGRETTABLE, AND MY HEART GOES
OUT TO THE BEREAVED FAMILIES. THIS IS WHAT THE ENEMY
ACHIEVED IN THEIR EFFORT TO DISTABILISE OUR PEACEFUL NATION.
MR SPEAKER, - TWENTY-SIX (26) SUSPECTS HAVE SO FAR BEEN ARRESTED AND
INVESTIGATIONS ARE STILL GOING ON; WHILE THE SECURITY
SITUATION HAS GENERALLY IMPROVED. - IT HAS BEEN OBSERVED HOWEVER THAT, THE ENEMY HAS SHIFTED
FOCUS TO THE RURAL AREAS WHERE FALSE INFORMATION IS NOW
BEING GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC WITH A VIEW TO INCITING CITIZENS
TO RISE AND CAUSE PUBLIC DISORDER. - LET ME THANK THE HEADMEN, HEADWOMEN, RELIGIOUS AND
COMMUNITY LEADERS, CIVIL SERVANTS AND INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS
WHO HAVE PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN RESCUING VICTIMS THAT HAVE
ALMOST BEEN LYNCHED BY MOBS. YOUR SAMARITAN GESTURE
OF CITIZEN PATRIOTISM AND GOOD NEIGHBOURLINESS IS
HIGHLY COMMENDABLE. - IN THE SAME VEIN, LET ME STRONGLY WARN THOSE HEADMEN AND
WOMEN, RELIGIOUS, CIVIC AND ALL COMMUNITY LEADERS
ENCOURAGING MOB JUSTICE THAT THE LAW WILL SOON CATCH UP
WITH YOU. THE STATE SHALL CATCH UP WITH THE ENEMIES OF THE
STATE AND ISOLATE THEM FROM THE ZAMBIAN POPULATION.
MR SPEAKER, - AT THIS JUNCTURE, I WISH TO THANK THE MEN AND WOMEN IN
UNIFORM FOR THEIR GALLANT EFFORTS TO RESTORE ORDER AND
PEACE. THEIR WORK IS NOT OVER. NEITHER IS OURS. AS
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES AND HEAD OF
STATE AND GOVERNMENT, I WANT TO PROMISE ZAMBIANS THAT THE
ENEMIES OF OUR PEOPLE WILL BE CRUSHED AND BURIED. - TO THIS EFFECT, I AM SERIOULY CONSIDERING CONSTITUTING A
COMMISSION OF INQUIRY TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THESE
GASSING AND MOB ATTACKS, AND BE REST ASURED THAT ALL THE
CULPRITS WILL BE BROUGHT TO BOOK REGARDLESS OF THEIR
STANDING IN SOCIETY. - THE ENEMY WILL SURELY BE DEFEATED, WITHOUT ANY
DOUBT, AND LIFE WILL RETURN TO NORMAL FOR OUR PEOPLE
SOONER THAN LATER.
MR. SPEAKER, - THE PEOPLE OF THIS GREAT NATION, ZAMBIA HAVE, THROUGH THE
CONSTITUTION, MANDATED THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC TO
ADDRESS THIS AUGUST HOUSE AT LEAST TWICE IN A SESSION OF
PARLIAMENT. THE FIRST MANDATORY ADDRESS BEING THE OFFICIAL
OPENING OF PARLIAMENT IN SEPTEMBER AND THE SECOND BEING THIS
MARCH ADDRESS, ON THE NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 9, SUB-ARTICLE (2) OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA. - TODAY, THEREFORE, I AM HERE TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE AND THE
NATION AT LARGE ON THE PROGRESS THE COUNTRY HAS MADE IN THE
APPLICATION OF NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES WHICH SHOULD
DEFINE WHO WE ARE AS A PEOPLE.
MR. SPEAKER, - THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME I AM ADDRESSING PARLIAMENT AND THE
NATION ON THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE APPLICATION OF OUR
NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES. AS I UNDERTAKE THIS
CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT INCULCATING
NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES AND BUILDING A NATION’S
CHARACTER IS A LONG TERM UNDERTAKING, REQUIRING CONCERTED
EFFORTS BY ALL STAKEHOLDERS.
MR SPEAKER, - THE COUNTRY HAS EQUALLY WITNESSED VIOLENCE DURING
ELECTIONS. WE NEED TO MAKE A DELIBERATE EFFORT TO WORK WITH
ONE ANOTHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR MOTHERLAND. WE HAVE ONE
CHOICE AND THAT ONLY CHOICE IS TO SUCCEED AS ONE NATION. BUT
WE CAN ONLY SUCCEED IN TACKLING THE CHALLENGES WE FACE AS A
NATION, IF WE ACCEPT TO SEE OURSELVES AS “ONE ZAMBIA, ONE
NATION, AND ONE PEOPLE”. ELECTIONS SHOULD NOT DIVIDE US
INTO PERPETUAL POLITICAL HOSTILITY AND WARRING CAMPS! - IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT WE CANNOT IMPROVE THE LIVES
OF OUR PEOPLE THROUGH POLITICAL VIOLENCE. IT IS DISHEARTENING
THAT WE CONTINUE EXPERIENCING VIOLENCE DURING ELECTIONS. IT IS
AN ABOMINATION THAT WE SHOULD EVEN LOSE LIVES BECAUSE OF AN
ELECTION. ONE ZAMBIAN LIFE LOST IS ONE LIFE TOO MANY. - LET ME SOUND A STERN WARNING THAT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I
DIRECT ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO ARREST THE SITUATION
ONCE AND FOR ALL. THERE SHOULD BE NO SACRED COWS IN
ADMINISTERING JUSTICE. SIMILARLY, WE SHOULD HAVE NO SACRIFICIAL
LAMBS! THE LAW SHOULD ALWAYS TAKE ITS FULL COURSE ON
PERPETRATORS OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE OR MOB ATTACKS, REGARDLESS
OF ONE’S POLITICAL AFFILIATION OR ANY OTHER CONSIDERATION.
TRIBALISM AND HATE SPEECH HAS NO PLACE IN ZAMBIA.
POLITICIANS, PLEASE STOP IT!
MR. SPEAKER, - GOVERNMENT IS EQUALLY CONCERNED WITH THE ESCALATION OF
NEGATIVE SENTIMENTS BASED ON NARROW SECTARIAN INTERESTS. OUR
COUNTRY IS A NATION OF 73 ETHNIC GROUPINGS. WE ALL HAVE AN
EQUAL STAKE IN THIS COUNTRY. THERE IS NO MERIT IN ANYONE TRYING
TO DEMEAN OTHER CITIZENS BASED ON TRIBE, SO AS TO GAIN
POLITICAL MILEAGE. THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE STOP TO THIS
NEGATIVE AND DIVISIVE TREND. TRIBALISM AND HATE SPEECH HAS NO
PLACE IN ZAMBIA. POLITICIAN, PLEASE STOP IT!
MR SPEAKER, - LET ME NOW RESTATE TO THE HOUSE AND THE NATION, THE SET
OF NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES THAT WE HAVE EMBRACED FOR
OURSELVES AS ENSHRINED IN ARTICLE 8 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA. THESE ARE:
(i) MORALITY AND ETHICS;
(ii) PATRIOTISM AND NATIONAL UNITY;
(iii) DEMOCRACY AND CONSTITUTIONALISM;
(iv) HUMAN DIGNITY, EQUITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND NONDISCRIMINATION;
(v) GOOD GOVERNANCE AND INTEGRITY; AND
(vi) SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. - THESE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES INFLUENCE OUR ATTITUDE,
BEHAVIOUR AND CONDUCT AS A PEOPLE. THEY ALSO CONTRIBUTE
TO THE CONSCIENCE OF THE NATION AND PROVIDE A MORAL
COMPASS IN THE FORMULATION OF POLICY AND RUNNING OF
GOVERNMENT, BUSINESSES AND ONE’S PERSONAL LIFE. THE
IMPORTANCE OF THESE NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES CANNOT,
THEREFORE, BE OVER-EMPHASISED.
MR. SPEAKER, - I WILL NOW PROCEED TO HIGHLIGHT THE PROGRESS WE HAVE
MADE AS A NATION ON THE APPLICATION OF EACH OF OUR NATIONAL
VALUES AND PRINCIPLES.
MORALITY AND ETHICS
MR. SPEAKER, - MORALITY AND ETHICS IS ABOUT WHAT WE AS A PEOPLE CONSIDER
TO BE SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE AND DESIRABLE. THESE INCLUDE
HOSPITALITY, GENEROSITY, AND RESPECT FOR ELDERS, THE
ENVIRONMENT, HUMAN LIFE, AND PROPERTY. - LET ME THANK THE DISTINGUISHED COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN
WHO ARE LIVING TO DEFEND HARD WORK, GENEROSITY, INTEGRITY,
RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE, ELDERS AND PUBLIC PROPERTY. - TO ALL ZAMBIANS WHO HAVE SAID NO TO MOB JUSTICE, CHEMICAL
SPRAYING, AND DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE; TO ALL ZAMBIANS WHO
HAVE RESPECT FOR ELDERS, PROPERTY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT, I WANT
TO SALUTE AND THANK YOU FOR UPHOLDING GOOD MORALS AND
ETHICS. - I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UPON THE CHURCH, TRADITIONAL LEADERS,
TEACHERS, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO FULLY TAKE UP THEIR GOD
GIVEN ROLE OF POSITIVELY GUIDING AND MENTORING OUR CHILDREN
AND YOUTH TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS WHO VALUE AND
UPHOLD HARD WORK, HONESTY, RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE, RESPECT
FOR ELDERS, RESPECT FOR PROPERTY AND RESPECT FOR THE
ENVIRONMENT. THIS INVOLVES VALUING INTEGRITY, HARD WORK,
LOYALTY AND HONESTY.
MR SPEAKER - THERE ARE, HOWEVER, VICES THAT ARE PREVALENT IN OUR
COMMUNITIES SUCH AS CHILD MARRIAGE; GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
(GBV); AS WELL AS ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, WHICH DEGRADE
OUR MORAL FIBRE. THESE VICES ARE DETRIMENTAL TO THE HEALTH AND
WELLBEING OF OUR SOCIETY. WE MUST ALL PROACTIVELY GUARD
AGAINST THEM.
MR. SPEAKER, - ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE REMAINS A MATTER OF PUBLIC
CONCERN. ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE IS A SIGNIFICANT
CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO GENDER BASED VIOLENCE, PROMISCUITY
AND THE SPREAD OF HIV AND AIDS. ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
ALSO CONTRIBUTES TO ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, LOW PRODUCTIVITY,
AND SOCIAL DISORDER.
DUE TO ABUSE OF ALCOHOL, WE ARE NOW SEEING MORE FAMILIES
BREAKING UP AND A GENERAL DECLINE IN MORAL VALUES. AS A
COUNTRY, WE MUST NOT ALLOW OURSELVES TO LOSE OUR MORAL
COMPASS.
MR. SPEAKER, - CONSEQUENTLY, MY GOVERNMENT WILL NOT RELENT IN
SENSITISING THE PEOPLE ON THE DANGERS OF ALCOHOL AND
SUBSTANCE ABUSE. TO THIS EFFECT, WE SENSITISED 644,940 PEOPLE
IN 2019 AS COMPARED TO 486,104 IN 2018 ON THE DANGERS OF
ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE. THIS MILESTONE WAS ACHIEVED
THROUGH PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAMMES CARRIED OUT IN
INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING, WORKPLACES AND COMMUNITY-BASED
STRUCTURES. - IN ADDITION, MY GOVERNMENT IS PROVIDING COUNSELLING AND
REHABILITATION TO DRUG DEPENDENT PERSONS. IN 2019, GOVERNMENT
SUPPORTED 797 CLIENTS COMPARED TO 757 IN 2018. FURTHER, 471
CASES INVOLVING LEARNERS IN INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING WERE
HANDLED AS COMPARED TO 367 IN 2018. - I APPLAUD AUTHORITIES IN THOSE INSTITUTIONS THAT WERE ABLE
TO IDENTIFY VULNERABLE LEARNERS AND FACILITATED COUNSELLING
AND REHABILITATION. THE AUTHORITIES MUST GO FURTHER TO
IDENTIFY THE ROOT CAUSES OF DELINQUENCY AMONG OUR LEARNERS
BECAUSE, WE NEED A DRUG-FREE ENVIRONMENT IN OUR INSTITUTIONS
OF LEARNING. - I, THEREFORE, CALL UPON PARENTS, THE COMMUNITIES AND THE
CHURCH TO TAKE KEEN INTEREST IN THE WELFARE OF OUR CHILDREN.
MR. SPEAKER, - GOVERNMENT IS EQUALLY AWARE OF THE ABUSE OF DRUGS AMONG
SPORTSMEN AND SPORTSWOMEN. THIS IS WHY GOVERNMENT HAS
CONTINUED TO IMPLEMENT THE ‘ANTI-DOPING IN SPORT PROGRAMME’.
IN 2019, GOVERNMENT SENSITISED 3,000 SPORTSMEN AND
SPORTSWOMEN, COMPRISING 2,000 MALES AND 1,000 FEMALES. - MY GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT ANTI-DOPING
TRAINING AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS. WE VALUE THE ROLE SPORT
PLAYS IN BUILDING CHARACTER AND IMPARTING POSITIVE VALUES.
MR. SPEAKER, - DEVELOPMENTS IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY HAVE TRANSFORMED OUR SOCIETY. IT IS INTERESTING TO
SEE HOW INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY HAS
ENHANCED THE WAY WE ACQUIRE INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE, AS
WELL AS HOW WE ARE ABLE TO REACH ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD AT
THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON. AS OF 30TH SEPTEMBER 2019, THE COUNTRY
HAD AN ESTIMATED 9.1 MILLION ACTIVE INTERNET USERS,
REPRESENTING AN INTERNET PENETRATION RATE OF 52.2 PERCENT.
THIS IS ABOVE THE CONTINENTAL AVERAGE OF 35.9 PERCENT. - THE DIGITAL ERA HAS, POSITIVELY AND NEGATIVELY, IMPACTED
MORALITY AND ETHICS IN WAYS WE COULD HARDLY HAVE IMAGINED A
FEW YEARS AGO. THE DIGITAL ERA HAS RAPIDLY CHANGED THE WAY WE
CONDUCT OUR BUSINESS, POLITICS, EDUCATION, CAREERS AND MUCH
MORE.
OUR PEOPLE CAN EASILY ACCESS USEFUL INFORMATION THAT IS
HELPFUL IN THEIR BUSINESSES, CAREERS OR EDUCATION. WHILE SOME
OF OUR PEOPLE USE THIS TECHNOLOGY APPROPRIATELY, IT IS OF
CONCERN TO MY GOVERNMENT THAT OTHERS USE IT TO VIOLATE HUMAN
RIGHTS AND TO COMMIT CRIME. - FORMULATION OF STRINGENT LAWS AND ENFORCEMENT COULD
DETER SOME OF OUR PEOPLE IN THE HABIT OF CIRCULATING
INAPPROPROPRIATE MATERIALS. YET AGAIN, CULPRITS OF THESE
INDISCRETIONS CANNOT BE BROUGHT TO BOOK IF THE INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY REGULATOR AND THE POLICE DO NOT COORDINATE TO
TRACK THEM DOWN. - I AM HAPPY TO INFORM THE HOUSE THAT THE TWO ORGANS HAVE
ARRESTED SOME CRIMINALS SO FAR AND SOME ARE UNDERGOING TRIAL
IN COURT OF LAW. BUT THIS IS NOT ENOUGH, SOCIAL MEDIA ABUSE IS
IN FACT GEETING WORSE BY THE DAY. HAVE WE NOT SEEN PICTURES OF
ACCIDENT VICTIMS BEING SPLASHED ON SOCIAL MEDIA? HAVE WE NOT
SEEN PICTURES OF HUMAN BEINGS BEING STONED AND BURNT, LATELY
ON SOCIAL MEDIA? THE ABUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IS REAL AND THE
BATTLE IS FAR FROM BEING WON. - IN 2019, SENSITISATION PROGRAMMES ON THE APPROPRIATE USE
OF SOCIAL MEDIA WERE CONDUCTED IN 70 SECONDARY SCHOOLS,
COVERING 15 DISTRICTS IN WESTERN AND COPPERBELT PROVINCES.
THESE PROGRAMMES TARGETED PUPILS, MEMBERS OF STAFF AND
DISTRICT EDUCATION BOARDS. I AM HAPPY THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE
RESPONDING POSITIVELY TO THESE INTERVENTIONS. - IN ADDITION, TRAINING OF MORE ZAMBIA POLICE OFFICERS IN
CYBER-CRIME DETECTION AND FORENSIC INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN
UNDERTAKEN. - I AM EQUALLY GRATIFIED THAT A NUMBER OF PRINT MEDIA, RADIO
AND TELEVISION STATIONS ARE INCREASINGLY PROMOTING
DISCUSSIONS ON THESE IMPORTANT SUBJECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND
CYBER-CRIME. LET US INTROSPECT AND RETHINK HOW WE INTERACT
WITH INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS.
LET US NOT ABUSE GREAT INVENTIONS CREATED TO IMPROVE OUR
LIVES.
MR. SPEAKER, - IN LINE WITH MY GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO THE UN
CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD (CRC), THE SEVENTH
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND THE “NATIONAL STRATEGY
ON ENDING CHILD MARRIAGE”, OUR VISION IS TO REDUCE CHILD
MARRIAGE IN 2021 BY 40 PER CENT AND TO HAVE A ZAMBIA FREE
FROM CHILD MARRIAGE BY 2030. - THE INCIDENCES OF CHILD MARRIAGES AND TEENAGE
PREGNANCIES IN THE COUNTRY ARE OF GREAT CONCERN. IT IS MORALLY
UNACCEPTABLE TO FORCE YOUNG GIRLS INTO EARLY MARRIAGES. THIS
DENIES THEM THE RIGHT TO ENJOY THEIR CHILDHOOD, A HEALTHY LIFE
AND AN UNINTERRUPTED EDUCATION. IT IS FOR THIS REASON, THAT WE
ARE WORKING WITH TRADITIONAL LEADERS TO CURB THIS SCOURGE IN
THEIR RESPECTIVE CHIEFDOMS. IN 2019, GOVERNMENT SENSITISED 146
TRADITIONAL LEADERS IN 14 DISTRICTS OF EASTERN, CENTRAL AND
NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCES. - THE INITIATIVE OF WORKING WITH TRADITIONAL LEADERS IN
ENDING CHILD MARRIAGES WON THE COUNTRY A GOLD AWARD FOR
INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT AT THE 2019 AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE
IN CAIRO, EGYPT. THIS ACCOLADE MUST INSPIRE US TO WORK HARD AND
DO MORE IN ERADICATING CHILD MARRIAGES. - I WANT TO COMMEND OUR TRADITIONAL LEADERS WHO HAVE
TAKEN IT UPON THEMSELVES TO WITHDRAW CHILDREN FROM
MARRIAGES AND TAKEN THEM BACK TO SCHOOL. NOTABLE AMONG THEM
ARE CHIEF MADZIMAWE, CHIEF MUMENA AND THE LATE CHIEF
NYAMPHANDE THE FOURTH. WE WANT TO SEE MORE OF SUCH
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ACROSS OUR CHIEFDOMS. THIS IS A CLEAR
DEMONSTRATION THAT ONCE OUR TRADITIONAL LEADERS, CIVIC AND
RELIGIOUS LEADERS PARTNER WITH GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS SOCIAL
VICES, A LOT CAN BE ACHIEVED.
MR. SPEAKER, - APART FROM CHILD MARRIAGE, OUR COMMUNITIES ARE GRAPPLING
WITH THE PROBLEM OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY. TO THIS EFFECT,
GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED IMPLEMENTING THE ADOLESCENT
HEALTH STRATEGY. IN 2019, 1,967 HEALTH WORKERS AND 3,025 PEER
EDUCATORS WERE TRAINED IN ADOLESCENT HEALTH. CURRENTLY, THE
COUNTRY HAS 464 HEALTH FACILITIES OFFERING ADOLESCENT HEALTH
SERVICES. THIS IS ALL IN A BID TO ENSURE THAT OUR TEENAGERS ARE
WELL INFORMED ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND THE DANGERS OF
TEENAGE PREGNANCY. - A NUMBER OF STAKEHOLDERS ARE COMPLEMENTING
GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN ADDRESSING TEENAGE PREGNANCY.
GOVERNMENT IS, THEREFORE, APPRECIATIVE OF THE INITIATIVE TAKEN
BY STAKEHOLDERS IN INTRODUCING A WEBSITE ON REPRODUCTIVE
HEALTH EDUCATION AND SENSITISATION. THIS TOOL IS
COMPLEMENTING THE TRADITIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMMES TO RAISE
AWARENESS AND PREVENT THE OCCURRENCE OF TEENAGE PREGNANCIES
AMONG OUR CHILDREN.
MR SPEAKER,
THE INCREASING NUMBER OF CHILD DEFILEMENT CASES, REMAINS A
GREAT CONCERN TO GOVERNMENT. OUR SENSITISATION PROGRAMMES
AGAINST THIS VICE HAVE RESULTED IN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF
CASES BEING REPORTED AND DEALT WITH. A TOTAL OF 2,653 CASES OF
DEFILEMENT COMPRISING 2,637 GIRLS AND 16 BOYS WERE REPORTED
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN 2019, WHILE 2,578 WERE REPORTED IN
2018 OF WHICH 2,574 WERE GIRLS AND 4 WERE BOYS. - WE NEED TO DO MORE TO ADDRESS THIS CHALLENGE. I,
THEREFORE, IMPLORE OUR TRADITIONAL LEADERS, FAMILIES, THE
CHURCH, CIVIL SOCIETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO
REDOUBLE EFFORTS IN PROTECTING OUR INNOCENT CHILDREN.
FAMILIES MUST DESIST FROM THE TEMPTATION OF PROTECTING
PERPETRATORS FROM FACING THE LAW.
MR SPEAKER, - GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IS A SOCIAL CULTURAL MATTER THAT
CONTINUES TO ERODE THE MORAL FIBRE OF OUR SOCIETY. IT IS
SADDENING TO NOTE THAT THE NUMBER OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
CASES REPORTED COUNTRYWIDE INCREASED FROM 22,073 IN 2018 TO
25,121 IN 2019. THE MAJORITY OF VICTIMS WERE WOMEN AND GIRLS,
ACCOUNTING FOR 19,720 CASES. WHILE WE APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS
BEING MADE TO REPORT THESE CASES, OUR COLLECTIVE EFFORT
SHOULD ALSO BE ON REDUCING THE INCIDENCES OF GENDER BASED
VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES. LET US INCULCATE GOOD MORALS IN
OUR CHILDREN FROM A TENDER AGE. THIS WAY, THEY WILL GROW UP TO
BE LOVING, CARING AND RESPECTFUL CITIZENS. - TO THIS END, MY GOVERNMENT IS TAKING A HOLISTIC APPROACH
IN COMBATING THE VICE. THIS INCLUDES SENSITISATION OF THE
PUBLIC, PROSECUTION OF PERPETRATORS AS WELL AS PROTECTION AND
REHABILITATION OF VICTIMS. - TO FACILITATE THE PROTECTION, REHABILITATION AND LEGAL
SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE, 32 ONE-STOP
CENTRES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN SELECTED HOSPITALS IN ALL THE
TEN PROVINCES. - WE HAVE ALSO CONTINUED TO ESTABLISH FAST TRACK COURTS
ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE NOW HAVE 7 FAST TRACK COURTS, WITH
ONE ADDITIONAL FAST TRACK COURT HAVING BEEN ESTABLISHED IN
KITWE IN 2019. THESE COURTS ARE FACILITATING THE SPEEDY DISPOSAL
OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE CASES.
MR SPEAKER, - IN MY LAST ADDRESS ON NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES, I
INFORMED THIS AUGUST HOUSE THAT MY GOVERNMENT HAD PUT IN
PLACE MEASURES TO BRING EXAMINATION MALPRACTICES TO AN END. - I AM GLAD TO REPORT THAT IN 2019 THE COUNTRY RECORDED
MALPRACTICE-FREE EXAMINATIONS. I COMMEND THE TEACHERS,
LEARNERS, PARENTS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS FOR THIS
ACHIEVEMENT. THIS IS AS IT SHOULD BE. WE CANNOT BUILD A
PROGRESSIVE ZAMBIA IF THE FOUNDATION OF OUR CHILDREN IS BASED
ON DECEIT AND FALSEHOOD.
PATRIOTISM AND NATIONAL UNITY
MR. SPEAKER, - EVERY ZAMBIAN HAS A DUTY TO LOVE THIS COUNTRY,
DEFEND ITS INTERESTS AND WORK FOR THE UNITY OF THE
NATION REGARDLESS OF ONE’S RACE, TRIBE, RELIGION OR
POLITICAL AFFILIATION. WE EQUALLY HAVE TO BUILD OUR UNITY
AROUND THE MOTTO OF ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION. THIS IS THE
HEARTBEAT IN FOSTERING POLITICAL STABILITY, NATIONAL UNITY AND
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. - ONE WAY OF SHOWING LOVE FOR OUR COUNTRY IS TO CARE FOR
PUBLIC ASSETS SUCH AS ROAD SIGNS MOUNTED TO GUIDE ROAD USERS
AND MINIMISE ACCIDENTS. LOVE FOR OUR COUNTRY INCLUDES OUR
ANIMALS, WHICH ARE OUR NATIONAL HERITAGE. I BRING THIS ISSUE UP
AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT KILLING OF 2 RHINOS BY AN
OVERSPEEDING DRIVER. THAT ACTION WAS UNPATRIOTIC. I AM GLAD
THAT THE CULPRIT WAS BROUGHT TO BOOK. - AS PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, IN THE RECENT SPATE OF
GASSING INCIDENTS, I FOUND IT VERY SHAMEFUL, UNACCEPTABLE AND
REGRETABLE TO SEE OUR OWN PEOPLE VANDALISING POLICE STATIONS,
SCHOOLS, MARKET PLACES, HOSPITALS AND OTHER PUBLIC
INFRASTRATURE. - WHEN PEOPLE VANDALIZED THESE PUBLIC ASSETS RECENTLY, WE
DID NOT ONLY UNDERMINE OUR OWN SECURITY AND DESTROYED OUR
MUCH NEEDED INFRASTRURE, BUT WE ALSO DENOUNCED THE VALUES OF
PATRIOTISM, GOOD CITIZENSHIP, COLLECTIVE SOVEREIGNTY AND
NATIONAL UNITY. - I WANT TO REITARIATE THAT, WE MUST PROTECT PUBLIC
INFRASTRUCTURE AGAINST VANDALISM. WE MUST TAKE PRIDE IN
BRINGING BEAUTY TO OUR HOMES, WORKPLACES, AND PUBLIC PLACES
AS PATRIOTIC ZAMBIANS. WE MUST GUARD MOTHER ZAMBIA, JEALOUSLY. - BEING PATRIOTIC MEANS ALWAYS BEING POSITIVE AND SPEAKING
GOOD ABOUT ZAMBIA, BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD. MY GOVERNMENT IS
FULLY COMMITTED TO WORKING TOGETHER WITH ALL WELL MEANING
PATRIOTIC ZAMBIANS TO MARKET AND ADVERTISE OUR BEAUTIFUL AND
PEACEFUL COUNTRY.
MR. SPEAKER, - I HAVE OBSERVED WITH CONCERN THAT SOME OF OUR LOCAL
CONTRACTORS WHO ARE AWARDED CONTRACTS HAVE NOT DELIVERED
TO THE EXPECTATION OF THEIR CLIENTS. I WANT TO SEE YOU BE MORE
PATRIOTIC BY ENSURING THAT YOU DELIVER QUALITY WORKS ON TIME
AND WITHIN COST. TO THE FOREIGN CONTRACTORS, I EQUALLY WANT
TO SEE YOU DELIVER VALUE FOR MONEY. THIS IS ONE AREA OUR
23
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS COULD HELP US IN UPHOLDING AND APPLYING
PATRIOTISM.
MR. SPEAKER, - MY GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO IMPLEMENT THE BUY
ZAMBIAN CAMPAIGN, AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF PATRIOTISM. TO
PROMOTE OWNERSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THIS INITIATIVE,
GOVERNMENT IS SUPPORTING THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO ENHANCE THE
MARKET SHARE FOR ZAMBIAN PRODUCTS ON THE DOMESTIC AND
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. TO THIS EFFECT, LOCAL PRODUCTS ARE
CERTIFIED FOR MEETING QUALITY STANDARDS AND ARE CLEARLY
LABELED WITH THE PROUDLY ZAMBIAN LOGO. THESE INCLUDE TRADE
KINGS, CARLIFONIAN BEVERAGE, ZAMBEEF, ETC. AS AT 31ST DECEMBER
2019, 21 COMPANIES WERE REGISTERED TO USE THE PROUDLY ZAMBIAN
CAMPAIGN LOGO. - THE PROUDLY ZAMBIA LOGO HELPS US TO EASILY IDENTIFY LOCAL
PRODUCTS IN OUR SHOPS OR CHAIN STORES. WHEN WE SUPPORT THAT
FARMER WHO GROWS ORANGES OR VEGETABLES IN CHIBOMBO, SHE
WILL PLOUGH BACK THE PROFITS INTO GROWING MORE VEGETABLES
AND ORANGES. THIS INEVITABLY ENCOURAGES HER TO EMPLOY MORE
PEOPLE AND CREATE MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES. THE MORE OF SUCH
FARMERS WE HAVE, THE MORE WE ARE LIKELY TO ATTRACT OTHER
PLAYERS IN THE VALUE CHAIN, ULTIMATELY, OUR ECONOMY WILL GROW.
MR. SPEAKER, - THE PROUDLY ZAMBIAN CAMPAIGN IS BEING PROMOTED THROUGH
SENSITISATION ACTIVITIES AT VARIOUS SHOWS AND FAIRS IN THE
COUNTRY AND ABROAD, AS WELL AS ON RADIO, TELEVISION AND PRINT
MEDIA. IT IS EXCITING TO WATCH ALL THOSE ADVERTS ON OUR
NATIONAL TELEVISION THAT PROMOTE ZAMBIAN MANUFACTURED
GOODS, WHICH OUR PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO RELATE TO AND ARE HAPPILY
WILLING TO BUY THOSE PRODUCTS. THAT IS BUYING PROUDLY ZAMBIAN. - I URGE MORE OF OUR COMPANIES IN ZAMBIA TO TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF THIS INITIATIVE AND REGISTER TO BE FLAG CARRIERS OF THE BUY
ZAMBIAN CAMPAIGN. I ALSO URGE OUR PEOPLE TO SUPPORT
GOVERNMENT AND ZAMBIAN BUSINESSES BY BUYING LOCAL PRODUCTS
WHO’S QUALITY IS COMPARABLE TO IMPORTED PRODUCTS. FURTHER,
ALL GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO CONSIDER
BUYING LOCAL PRODUCTS. THIS WILL NOT ONLY PROMOTE THE GROWTH
OF OUR LOCAL INDUSTRY BUT ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY.
MR. SPEAKER, - GIVING THE BEST OF OURSELVES IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS IS
YET ANOTHER WAY OF DEMONSTRATING PATRIOTISM. I AM,
THEREFORE, ENCOURAGED BY WHAT I SEE HAPPENING IN SOME OF
OUR INSTITUTIONS. FOR INSTANCE, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
LOCALISE SPECIALIST TREATMENT AND BUILD LOCAL CAPACITY,
THANKS TO OUR DEDICATED TEAM OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL. AS A
RESULT, WE HAVE SEEN GROUND-BREAKING SURGERIES IN KIDNEY
TRANSPLANT, OPEN AND CLOSED HEART SURGERY AND SEPARATION
OF SIAMESE TWINS BEING CONDUCTED BY OUR LOCAL MEDICAL
PERSONNEL. - I ALSO SALUTE OUR CROP SCIENTISTS WHO ARE DEDICATING
THEIR TIME TO GIVE US CLIMATE RESILIENT SEED VARIETIES. THIS IS
CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS HOUSEHOLD AND NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY.
BEING PATRIOTIC MEANS PRESERVING OUR ENVIRONMENT AGAINST THE
THREAT AND IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE. I CALL UPON EVERY ZAMBIAN
TO JOIN ME IN A PATRIOTIC CRUSADE OF PLANTING TREES AS WELL AS
ENGAGING IN CLEAN AND SMART ENERGY GENERATION SUCH AS SOLAR
AS OPPOSED TO CUTTING TREES AND CHARCOAL BURNING.
MR. SPEAKER, - AS CITIZENS, LET US CONTINUE DEVELOPING AND NURTURING A
STRONG SENSE OF DEVOTION AND ATTACHMENT TO OUR COUNTRY.
WE NEED TO DEVELOP A DEEP SENSE OF LOYALTY TO THE NATION
AND ENDURING SUPPORT IN DEFENCE OF OUR COUNTRY WITHOUT
EXPECTING ANY PAYBACK OR REWARD. LET EACH AND EVERY CITIZEN
MAKE A CONSCIENCE DECISION TO PUT THE INTEREST OF THE
NATION FIRST, BEFORE SELF. LET US PROMOTE HARD WORK,
INNOVATION AND PATRIOTISM AMONG OURSELVES. IT IS
UNFORTUNATE TO SEE SOME OF OUR OWN PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GO
AGAINST ALL THIS GOOD VALUES.
DEMOCRACY AND CONSTITUTIONALISM
MR. SPEAKER, - DEMOCRACY ALLOWS EVERYONE TO FREELY AND FAIRLY
PARTICIPATE IN THE GOVERNANCE OF THE COUNTRY WITHOUT ANY
FORM OF COERCION, INTIMIDATION OR DISCRIMINATION. THIS GOES
HAND IN HAND WITH CONSTITUTIONALISM, WHICH IS ABOUT
UPHOLDING THE RULE OF LAW BY BOTH GOVERNMENT AND THE
GOVERNED. - IT IS IN THIS SPIRIT THAT MY ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES
IMPLEMENTING LEGAL REFORMS AIMED AT ADDRESSING EMERGING
ISSUES THAT HINGE ON DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW. - THE EMERGING ISSUES INCLUDED THE LACUNAE SURROUNDING
SOME OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PROVISIONS IN OUR CONSTITUTION,
CONCERNS RAISED OVER THE PUBLIC ORDER ACT AND THE NEED TO
STRENGTHEN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS. LEGAL REFORMS ARE BEING
UNDERTAKEN FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS, WITH A VIEW TO
ENHANCING THE RULE OF LAW AND THE EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION OF
OUR PEOPLE IN THE RUNNING OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE NATION. - I AM GLAD TO REPORT THAT MY ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE SOME
SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN FOSTERING LEGAL REFORMS IN ADDRESSING
KNOWN LACUNAE. FOR EXAMPLE, I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT MANY
PATRIOTIC ZAMBIANS AND STAKEHOLDERS HAVE TAKEN INTEREST IN
READING AND ASSIMILATING THE PROPOSED PROVISIONS IN THE
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BILL NUMBER 10.
MR SPEAKER, - IN BILL 10, OUR CHIEFS AND TRADITIONAL LEADERS HOPE TO
REGAIN THEIR HERITAGE SECURITY AND SMOOTH SUCCESSION;
POLITICAL PLAYERS WANT TO SEE AN EXTENSION TO THE PERIOD OF
PRESIDENTIAL PETITION FROM 14 DAYS TO 30 DAYS; IN BILL 10, MANY
ZAMBIANS WANT THE CHRISTIAN NATION IDENTITY TO BE SECURED AND
PROTECTED; IN BILL 10, OUR WOMEN, YOUTH AND THE DIFFERENTLY
ABLED WANT THEIR OWN REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENT; THE
JUDICIARY WANT CLARITY OF HIERARCHY BETWEEN THE SUPREME
COURT AND CONCOURT; IN BILL 10, OUR PEOPLE WANT ENHANCED
SEPARATIONS OF POWERS; BANK OF ZAMBIA WANT TO SEE THEIR
MANDATE HARMONIZED TO REGIONAL AND GLOBAL STANDARDS; AND IN
BILL 10, ALL OF US WANT TO CLEAR AND BURY ALL LEGAL LACUNAE AND
INCONSISTENCIES FOUND IN THE CURRENT CONSTITUTION. - THE HEALTH INSURANCE ACT NO. 2 OF 2018 HAS MADE IT
MANDATORY FOR ALL ZAMBIANS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SCHEME AND
REDUCE THE COST OF SEEKING MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE PUBLIC
FINANCE MANAGEMENT ACT NO. 1 OF 2018, HAS STREAMLINED THE
MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FINANCES, WITH MORE STRINGENT SANCTIONS
AGAINST CULPRITS. - THE ABOVE ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT SPEAK TO OUR
NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY AND
CONSTITUTIONALISM. AS CITIZENS, IT IS MY OBLIGATION, YOUR
OBLIGATION AND OUR OBLIGATION TO EFFECTIVELY, TOGETHER,
PARTICIPATE IN LEGAL REFORMS TO ENHANCE OUR DEMOCRACY AND
PROGRESSIVE CONSTITUTIONALISM. OUR LEGAL REFORM PROCESS
BEGINS WITH THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND. OUR CONSTITUTION,
AND ALL SUBSEQUENT LEGISLATION THAT GOVERNS OUR NATION. - MY GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO UPHOLDING AND
FOSTERING THE KEY TENETS OF DEMOCRACY, INCLUDING FREE AND FAIR
ELECTIONS, FREE MEDIA, CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND
REPRESENTATION, MULTI-PARTY POLITICAL SYSTEM, CITIZEN EQUALITY,
RULE OF LAW, SEPARATION OF POWERS, RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, POLITICAL TRANSPARENCY AND
LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABILITY.
MR SPEAKER, - ONE OF THE THREATS TO OUR DEMOCRACY IS VOTER APATHY. A
VOTER, WHO IS A CITIZEN OF THE COUNTRY, IS THE RUNNING FUEL AND
ENGINE OF DEMOCRACY. WHEN WE DO NOT VOTE, DEMOCRACY SUFFERS.
WHEN DEMOCRACY SUFFERS, GOOD GOVERNANCE SUFFERS. THE
RECURRENCE OF VOTER APATHY IN GENERAL ELECTIONS AND
SIGNIFICANTLY IN BY-ELECTIONS, REMAINS A CONCERN TO ALL OF US.
FOR INSTANCE, IN 2019 ALL PARLIAMENTARY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
BY-ELECTIONS, THE VOTER TURN OUT WAS LESS THAN 50%, AN
INDICATION THAT MOST OF OUR CITIZENS DO NOT UNDERSTAND AND
APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM. - IN THIS REGARD, I APPEAL TO LEARNING INSTITUTIONS, CIVIL
SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS, FAITH-BASED ORGANISATIONS AND NONSTATE
ACTORS TO GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE OF VOTER APATHY IN THE
COUNTRY AND DEVISE EFFECTIVE WAYS OF RE-ENERGISING THE SENSE
OF CIVIC DUTY IN OUR PEOPLE. WE NEED TO NURTURE OUR DEMOCRACY. - FURTHER, I APPEAL TO THE MEDIA IN THE COUNTRY TO PLAY AN
ACTIVE ROLE IN REPORTING POSITIVELY INFORMATION ON THE
IMPORTANCE OF VOTING AND DEMOCRATIC VALUES. THE ELECTORAL
COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA (ECZ) SHOULD ALSO DEVOTE MORE TIME AND
RESOURCES TO SENSITISE AND CREATE PUBLIC AWARENESS AMONG OUR
PEOPLE.
HUMAN DIGNITY, EQUITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND NONDISCRIMINATION
MR. SPEAKER, - EVERY HUMAN BEING HAS AN INHERENT RIGHT TO LIFE AND
HUMAN DIGNITY. WE, THEREFORE, NEED TO TREAT EVERYONE WITH
LOVE AND RESPECT, REGARDLESS OF SOCIAL CLASS, RACE, GENDER,
NATIONALITY, EDUCATION OR RELIGION. THIS IS WHY MY GOVERNMENT
IS IMPROVING ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY, WATER AND SANITATION,
AMONG OTHERS. - MY GOVERNMENT IS ALSO MAKING STEADY PROGRESS IN
SUPPORTING OUR GIRL CHILD IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR. FOR
EXAMPLE, MY GOVERNMENT KEEPS ON SCORING HIGH UNDER THE GIRLS
EDUCATION, WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND LIVELIHOODS (GEWEL)
PROJECT WITH SUPPORT FROM THE WORLD BANK. WITH THE AIM OF
INCREASING ACCESS TO THE LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT FOR WOMEN AND
ACCESS TO SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION FOR DISADVANTAGED
GIRLS IN EXTREMELY POOR HOUSEHOLD, THE GEWEL PROJECT
REACHED 16,082 BENEFICIARIES IN 2018 AND INCREASED TO 16,584
BENEFICIARIES IN 2019. SUCH ARE PRACTICAL GOVERNMENT
PROGRAMMES AIMED AT FOSTERING HUMAN DIGNITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE,
EQUALITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION AMONG ZAMBIANS. - AS A PRO-POOR GOVERNMENT, WE ARE EQUALLY PAYING
PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE MARGINALISED SECTIONS OF OUR
SOCIETY. AS YOU MAY BE AWARE, THE SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER
PROGRAM AIMED AT HELPING TO REDUCE POVERTY THROUGH
TRANSFER OF MONEY TO PERSONS WHO MEET THE SPECIFIED
CRITERIA OF VULNERABILITY STANDS OUT IN THIS CASE. BY
COMPARISON, THE INDIVIDUAL AND HOUSEHOLD BENEFICIARIES OF
THE SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER INITIATIVE IN 2018 WAS 574,663, WHILE
IN 2019 INCREASED TO 632,327. - IN ALL THESE EFFORTS, MY GOVERNMENT IS WORKING WITH
RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS, THE
PRIVATE SECTOR, THE DONOR COMMUNITY AND OUR TRADITIONAL
LEADERS TO PROMOTE AND IMPROVE THE DIGNITY AND LIVELIHOOD OF
OUR PEOPLE.
MR. SPEAKER, - TO IMPROVE THE DIGNITY OF OUR PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS, WE
HAVE MADE PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OPEN
DEFECATION-FREE PROGRAMME. IN 2019, THE LUNDU CHIEFDOM IN
MUCHINGA PROVINCE BECAME THE LATEST CHIEFDOM TO ATTAIN THE
OPEN DEFECATION-FREE STATUS. THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF
OPEN DEFECATION-FREE STATUS CHIEFDOMS TO 53 OUT OF 288
CHIEFDOMS IN THE COUNTRY. IN ADDITION, 60 PERCENT OF THE
TARGETED 7.8 MILLION PEOPLE IN 102 SELECTED RURAL DISTRICTS
NOW HAVE ACCESS TO HAND WASHING FACILITIES. - FURTHERMORE, 152,808 SEWER CONNECTIONS WERE MADE TO
PROVIDE ADEQUATE SANITATION AND PROMOTE HYGIENE FOR CLOSE TO
1.3 MILLION PEOPLE IN URBAN AREAS.
MR. SPEAKER, - TO MAKE GOOD ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY, MY GOVERNMENT
IS INCREASING ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY IN RURAL AREAS. EIGHT GRID
EXTENSIONS WERE COMPLETED IN 2019, RESULTING IN 408 INITIAL
CONNECTIONS. RURAL HOUSEHOLDS ARE THE PRIMARY TARGET FOR
CONNECTION TO THE ELECTRICITY GRID AND THIS IS DONE AT A
SUBSIDISED FEE. - FURTHER, 16,662 HOUSEHOLDS OUT OF THE TARGETED 22,000
HOUSEHOLDS COUNTRYWIDE HAVE SO FAR BEEN CONNECTED TO
ELECTRICITY UNDER THE ELECTRICITY SERVICE ACCESS PROJECT. IN
ADDITION, WE ARE WORKING ON THREE MINI GRIDS AND 25 GRID
EXTENSION PROJECTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT ARE AT VARIOUS
STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION. THIS IS WORK IN PROGRESS AND WE ARE
CERTAIN WE SHALL REACH OUR TARGET. - IN THE SAME VEIN, IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, I PERSONALLY
INITIATED AND CONSEQUENTLY COMMISSIONED THE 32.5
KILOWATTS SOLAR POWER STATION IN CHIEF CHIBWIKA’S
AREA IN MWINILUNGA DISTRICT WITH THE AIM OF HELPING TO
CHANGE AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE. MY
GOVERNMENT PLANS TO INSTALL AND SUPPORT MANY SUCH
INITIATIVES ACROSS ZAMBIA.
TODAY, I AM HAPPY TO REPORT TO THIS HOUSE AND THE NATION
THAT THE OFF GRID SOLAR POWER STATION IN CHIEF
CHIBWIKA’S CHIEFDOM NOW CONNECTS OVER 300
HOUSEHOLDS, SCHOOLS AS WELL AS A CLINIC TO ELECTRICITY.
THIS IS EVIDENT TESTIMONY THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS
COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE HUMAN DIGNITY AND LIVES OF OUR
CITIZENS WITHOUT LEAVING ANYONE BEHIND.
MR. SPEAKER, - TO ENCOURAGE ENROLMENT, ATTENDANCE AND CONCENTRATION
IN CLASS, MY GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTING THE HOME
GROWN SCHOOL-FEEDING PROGRAMME. THE PROGRAMME PROVIDES
MEALS TO LEARNERS FROM POOR AND VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS IN
SELECTED DISTRICTS AND PROVINCES. AS AT DECEMBER 2019,
1,156,760 LEARNERS WERE BEING FED EVERY DAY IN 3,004 SCHOOLS
COVERING 39 SELECTED DISTRICTS. THE 2019-TARGETED REACH OF
1,156,760 IS A BIG IMPROVEMENT IN TERMS OF BENEFICIARIES.
EVIDENTLY, PROVISION OF EDUCATION AND FEEDING SUPPORT TO
VULNERABLE CHILDREN IS AN IMPORTANT WAY OF PROMOTING
EQUALITY; SOCIAL JUSTICE; EQUITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION. - FURTHER, 14,395 VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
WERE SUPPORTED WITH EDUCATION BURSARIES THROUGH THE
SERVICE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS FOR VULNERABLE
CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS INITIATIVE. THIS SUPPORT IS
ENABLING THE MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN OUR SOCIETY TO MEET
THEIR BASIC NEEDS AND PREVENT THEM FROM DELINQUENCY.
MR. SPEAKER, - IN OUR RESOLVE TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVE EDUCATION,
GOVERNMENT IS OFFERING EDUCATION TO ALL, INCLUDING PERSONS
WHO ARE DIFFERENTLY ABLED. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE 215 INCLUSIVE
SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. I AM HAPPY TO NOTE THAT ZAMBIA
HAS 458 TEACHERS WHO ARE COMPETENT IN SIGN LANGUAGE AND 253
IN BRAILLE.
MR. SPEAKER, - TO FURTHER PROMOTE SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY, GOVERNMENT
CONTINUES TO INCREASE ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATION FACILITIES, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS. THIS IS
BEING DONE THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMMUNICATION
TOWERS. GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE ERECTED 1,009 TOWERS BY THE
END OF 2020. SO FAR 776 TOWERS HAVE BEEN ERECTED, OUT OF WHICH
655 ARE FUNCTIONAL COMPARED TO 338 IN 2018. - THESE TOWERS HAVE IMPROVED COMMUNICATION IN RURAL AREAS
AND BROUGHT THE BENEFITS OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY TO OUR PEOPLE.
THE BENEFITS INCLUDE MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATION AND FINANCIAL
INCLUSION THROUGH MOBILE MONEY AND INTERNET BANKING. - FURTHER, NINE ADDITIONAL RADIO STATIONS AND ONE
TELEVISION STATION HAVE BEEN LICENSED, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO
142 RADIO STATIONS AND 45 TELEVISION STATIONS COUNTRYWIDE.
THIS HAS INCREASED ACCESS TO INFORMATION FOR OUR PEOPLE. MORE
IMPORTANTLY, PLURALITY OF VOICES IN THE MEDIA MEANS THAT
ZAMBIA’S DEMOCRACY HAS BEEN ENHANCED, AS THE MEDIA IS A
MARKETPLACE OF IDEAS.
MR. SPEAKER, - GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO ENHANCING EQUAL ACCESS TO
JUSTICE, PARTICULARLY FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS AS WELL AS INMATES. - FOLLOWING THE LAUNCH OF THE NATIONAL LEGAL AID POLICY,
GOVERNMENT, IN 2019, EMBARKED ON SENSITISATION PROGRAMMES IN
SOUTHERN, CENTRAL, COPPERBELT, NORTH-WESTERN AND LUSAKA
PROVINCES. DURING THESE SENSITISATION PROGRAMMES, THE GENERAL
CITIZENRY WAS ALSO PROVIDED WITH LEGAL AID CLINICS. THESE
SENSITISATION PROGRAMMES WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE REMAINING
PROVINCES. - TO PROMOTE SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY AMONG THE POOR,
GOVERNMENT IS TRAINING, 280 PARA-LEGALS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS. IT
IS ALSO GRATIFYING TO NOTE THAT, IN 2019, 9,229 PEOPLE SOUGHT
LEGAL AID ASSISTANCE AND WERE ALL ASSISTED.
GOOD GOVERNANCE AND INTEGRITY
MR. SPEAKER, - GOOD GOVERNANCE IS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVING OUR NATIONAL
GOALS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. WE ARE ENSURING CITIZEN
PARTICIPATION, ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN THE RUNNING
OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE COUNTRY. - WE HAVE CONTINUED TO PROMOTE THE PARTICIPATION OF OUR
PEOPLE IN DECISION MAKING AND THE COUNTRY HAS WITNESSED A
MARKED INCREASE IN PARTICIPATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT
COORDINATING COMMITTEES BY PRIVATE AND OTHER NON-STATE
ACTORS. THIS IS IMPORTANT AS THESE PLATFORMS PROVIDE OUR
PEOPLE WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT
PROCESS OF THIS COUNTRY.
MR. SPEAKER, - TO FURTHER PROMOTE PARTICIPATION OF OUR PEOPLE AT LOCAL
LEVEL, WE HAVE ENACTED THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT NO.2 OF 2019.
THE ACT GIVES EFFECT TO THE DECENTRALISATION OF FUNCTIONS,
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED AT ALL LEVELS OF
LOCAL GOVERNMENT. IN ADDITION, THE ACT PROVIDES FOR THE ROLE
OF TRADITIONAL LEADERS IN THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE OF THE
COUNTRY. - I AM GLAD TO REPORT THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT
HAS COMMENCED. SO FAR, DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN
FORMED AND ARE OPERATIONAL IN 1,326 OUT OF THE 1,624 WARDS.
MR. SPEAKER, - GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO TABLED THE NATIONAL PLANNING AND
BUDGETING BILL NO. 22 OF 2019 BEFORE THIS AUGUST HOUSE. THE
BILL AIMS AT PROVIDING AN INTEGRATED NATIONAL PLANNING AND
BUDGETING PROCESS. ONCE ENACTED INTO LAW, THE LEGISLATION WILL
IMPROVE GOOD GOVERNANCE BY PROVIDING A PARTICIPATORY AND
DECENTRALISED NATIONAL PLANNING AND BUDGETING PROCESS. - I URGE MEMBERS OF THIS AUGUST HOUSE TO SUPPORT THE BILL AS
IT WILL FACILITATE AND ENHANCE OUR PEOPLES’ PARTICIPATION IN
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
MR. SPEAKER, - TO CONSOLIDATE GOOD GOVERNANCE AND THE INTEGRITY OF OUR
ELECTORAL PROCESS, THERE IS NEED TO ENSURE, AMONG OTHERS, THAT
ALL CITIZENS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ARE ACCORDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO
EXERCISE THEIR DEMOCRATIC RIGHT. IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT,
THIS YEAR, THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA WILL CONDUCT
THE VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE. - I URGE ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS TO PLAY
THEIR RESPECTIVE ROLES IN ORDER FOR OUR ELECTIONS TO CONTINUE
BEING CREDIBLE AND TRANSPARENT.
MR. SPEAKER, - TO PROMOTE GOOD GOVERNANCE AND INTEGRITY IN THE
PROVISION OF SERVICES, GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO DEPLOY
ELECTRONIC SERVICES. THE DEPLOYMENT OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS IN
THE PUBLIC SERVICE HAS RESTRICTED DISCRETION BY OFFICIALS AND
INCREASED DETECTION OF CORRUPTION. - I AM GLAD TO INFORM THE HOUSE AND THE NATION THAT
GOVERNMENT HAS DEVELOPED AN INTEGRATED DIGITAL PLATFORM
KNOWN AS THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE BUS AND PAYMENT
GATEWAY. THIS PLATFORM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED WITH AN INTERNET
BASED SINGLE-WINDOW SERVICE FOR ACCESSING AND DELIVERING
SELECTED GOVERNMENT SERVICES ELECTRONICALLY. MORE OF OUR
CITIZENS WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS AND PAY FOR SERVICES USING THE
INTERNET FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR HOMES, OFFICES OR BUSINESS
PREMISES. - SOME OF THE ELECTRONIC SERVICES THAT WILL BE LAUNCHED
SOON ON THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE BUS AND PAYMENT GATEWAY
INCLUDE THE MOTOR VEHICLE ROAD WORTHINESS; ROAD TAX AND
CARBON EMISSION SERVICE; BUSINESS-NAME SEARCHES AND
CLEARANCE; PRINTOUT AND ANNUAL RETURNS AND ONLINE BUSINESS
REGISTRATION. - FURTHERMORE, PAYMENT OF GROUND RENT; CONSIDERATION
FEES; CERTIFICATES OF TITLE; LAND SURVEYS AND FORESTRY FEES; AND
INTERPOL VEHICLE CLEARANCE WILL BE INCLUDED ON THE SINGLE
WINDOW ELECTRONIC PLATFORM. OTHER SERVICES TO COME ON BOARD
ARE HUNTING AND SAFARI PARK LICENCES; ONLINE TAX IDENTIFICATION
REGISTRATION AND DECLARATIONS; VISAS AND WORK PERMITS.
MR. SPEAKER, - MY GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO THE FIGHT AGAINST
CORRUPTION. UNDER THE CORRUPTION PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS,
WE HAVE INTRODUCED ANTI-CORRUPTION CONTENT IN THE SCHOOL
CURRICULUM AT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVELS, TO INSTIL
HIGH INTEGRITY VALUES IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. - IN ADDITION, SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE TO
FURTHER INSTITUTIONALISE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION. IN 2019, 30
MORE INTEGRITY COMMITTEES WERE ESTABLISHED IN BOTH PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE SECTORS BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER TO 94. THESE EFFORTS
ARE PRACTICAL STEPS IN CLOSING ALL LEAKING TAPS IN MANAGEMENT
OF PUBLIC FUNDS. - WITH REGARD TO PROSECUTIONS, THE ANTI-CORRUPTION
COMMISSION SECURED 17 CONVICTIONS AND RECORDED SEVEN
ACQUITTALS DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW. - I URGE INDIVIDUALS, THE PUBLIC SECTOR AS WELL AS NON-STATE
ACTORS TO CONTINUE PARTNERING WITH GOVERNMENT IN THE FIGHT
AGAINST CORRUPTION. WE MUST ALL HATE CORRUPTION IN ORDER
TO FIGHT AND ERADICATE IT BECAUSE CORRUPTION IS NUMBER
ONE ENEMY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND GOOD
GOVERNANCE.
REMEMBER CORRUPTION IS A TWO-WAY VICE THAT REQUIRES - CONCERTED EFFORT TO CURB. JOIN MY GOVERNMENT IN FIGHTING
CORRUPTION; JOIN US IN DEVELOPING ZAMBIA, WITHOUT LIVING
ANYONE BEHIND.
MR. SPEAKER, - I HAVE CONSISTENTLY REMINDED THE MEDIA THAT, THEY PLAY A
CRITICAL ROLE IN PROMOTING DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE.
HOWEVER, THE NATION HAS WITNESSED THE EROSION OF MEDIA ETHICS
BY PRACTITIONERS, AS WELL AS MEDIA OWNERS. THE CRITICAL ROLE
THAT THE MEDIA PLAYS, AS THE FOURTH ESTATE, AS WELL AS A
WATCHDOG OF SOCIETY, HAS BEEN CIRCUMVENTED BY FINANCIAL AND
POLITICAL INTEREST; ALL WE HEAR AND READ IS NOT EDITORIAL
CONTENT BUT PROPAGANDA AIMING TO BOLSTER MEDIA OWNERS AND
POLITICAL PLAYERS’ INTERESTS. THIS MUST STOP! - I CONDEMN IN THE STRONGEST TERMS ACTIONS BY PEOPLE
ABUSING THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM TO VICTIMISE, UNDERMINE AND
EMBARASS THOSE THEY CHOOSE TO TARGET. COUNTRY MEN AND
WOMEN, THERE IS NO INTEGRITY IN FILMING ACCIDENT VICTIMS
INSTEAD OF HELPING THEM? NEITHER IS THERE ANY INTEGRITY IN
FILMING TERMINALLY ILL PEOPLE AND SHARING TO THE GENERAL
PUBLIC? - DESPITE ALL THIS, MY GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOWED THE MEDIA TO
OPERATE WITHOUT INTERFERANCE. MY HOPE AND PRAYER IS THAT
JOURNALISTS WILL SOON FREE THEMSELVES FROM THE NEW FORM OF
CONTROL BY PEOPLE WITH MONEY.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
MR. SPEAKER, - MY GOVERNMENT HAS PRIORITISED SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN
OUR QUEST TO ACHIEVE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND
PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR NEEDS AND THE NEEDS OF
GENERATIONS TO COME. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT OUR DEVELOPMENT
PROCESS GUARANTEES INTER-GENERATIONAL EQUITY. - WE REMAIN MINDFUL OF THE INTER-LINKAGES OF THE ECONOMIC,
SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PILLARS. OUR ASPIRATIONS FOR A DECENT
LIFE FOR OUR PEOPLE THROUGH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAVE,
THEREFORE, NOT BEEN AT THE EXCLUSION OF SOCIAL AND
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY.
MR. SPEAKER, - CLIMATE CHANGE CAN IMPEDE OUR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
AGENDA. THAT IS WHY IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE CONTINUE TO MITIGATE
AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE. ACCORDINGLY, WE WILL
CONTINUE TO SUPPORT RESEARCH IN AGRICULTURE IN ORDER TO DEVELOP
MORE CLIMATE RESILIENT SEED VARIETIES. CURRENTLY, WE ARE
PROMOTING THE USE OF CONSERVATION FARMING PRACTICES, ESPECIALLY
IN THE DROUGHT PRONE AREAS OF OUR COUNTRY. - I AM GLAD TO INFORM THIS AUGUST HOUSE THAT THE NUMBER OF
FARMERS PRACTISING CONSERVATION FARMING STOOD AT 532,000 IN
2019 IN COMPARISON TO 267,000 IN 2018.
MR. SPEAKER, - COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN, MY HEART BLEEDS TO SEE THE RECENT
CALAMITIES OUR FACING OUR PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE PEOPLE
OF KANYAMA, CHILANGA AND LUANGWA IN LUSAKA PROVINCE. THE PEOPLE
OF LUMEZI, MAMBWE, NYIMBA, LUSANGAZI, PETAUKE AND LUNDAZI IN THE
EASTERN PROVINCE. THE PEOPLE OF CHAMA, MAFINGA, AND KANCHIBIYA IN
MUCHINGA PROVINCE. PEOPLE OF MUNGWI, KASAMA, KAPUTA, CHILUBI
ISLAND AND LUWINGU IN NORTHERN PROVINCE. PEOPLE OF LUNGA,
CHEMBE, AND MILENGE IN LUAPULA PROVINCE. PEOPLE OF CHITAMBO IN
CENTRAL PROVINCE. THE PEOPLE OF KITWE AND CHILILABOMBWE IN
COPPERBELT PROVINCE. THE PEOPLE OF CHAVUMA AND ZAMBEZI IN NORTH
WESTERN PROVINCE. THE PEOPLE OF MITETE IN WESTERN PROVINCE. AND
THE PEOPLE OF SINAZONGWE, GWEMBE, CHIKANKATA, MAZABUKA AND
SIAVONGA IN THE SOUTHERN PROVINCE OF ZAMBIA. ALL THESE NATIONALS
HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY FLOODING AS A RESULT OF CLIMATE CHANGE. - THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE CAN CAUSE AN
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SHUTDOWN. FOR EXAMPLE, RECENTLY EASTERN
PROVINCE WAS CUT OF FROM THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, WHILE IN MANY
PLACES PUPILS AND ESPECIALLY MOTHER HAD NO ACCESS TO FOOD, THEIR
SCHOOLS, HEALTH FACILITIES AND MARKETS. - FURTHERMORE, OTHER NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THIS FLOODING HAS
CAUSED INSECURITY AMONG OUR NATIONALS AS DANGEROUS REPTILES
HAVE BEEN BROUGHT INTO DIRECT CONTACT AND CONFLICT WITH OUR
PEOPLE.
MR. SPEAKER, - TO ENSURE WE MITIGATE THE EFFECT THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS
CAUSING TO OUR ENVIRONMENT, AFFORESTATION AND REFORESTATION
ARE KEY INTERVENTIONS IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE USE OF OUR
FORESTRY RESOURCES. TO THIS EFFECT, 34,650 PINE TREES AND 13,432
FRUIT TREES WERE PLANTED IN THE LAKE TANGANYIKA BASIN IN
NORTHERN PROVINCE DURING THE 2019/2020 RAINY SEASON. THIS
INITIATIVE IS AIMED AT PROTECTING THE ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY OF
THE BASIN. - I COMMEND ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE TAKEN A LEAD IN
SUPPORTING THIS DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONE OF PLANTING TREES. I
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE FRUITION OF THE ‘PLANT A MILLION
TREES INITIATIVE’, AND MANY OTHERS. TREE PLANTING IMPROVES THE
WATER HOLDING CAPACITY AND THE CARBON SINK, IN ADDITION TO
BRINGING GENERAL BEAUTY TO OUR ENVIRONMENT.
MR. SPEAKER, - INNOVATIONS ARE THE SPICE OF DEVELOPMENT. THEY NOT ONLY
- CATALYSE THE PACE OF DEVELOPMENT, BUT ALSO BUILD THE MOMENTUM
FOR CHANGE. I SALUTE THE EFFORTS BEING MADE IN VARIOUS SECTORS AS
WE PURSUE DEVELOPMENT IN A SUSTAINABLE MANNER. - THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE THE DIVERSIFICATION OF OUR ENERGY
SOURCES, DEVELOPMENTS IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS AS WELL AS IN MEDICINE AND OTHER
SCIENCES. - FOR EXAMPLE, LAST YEAR, A UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA ENGINEERING
RESEARCHER, DR. SAM SICHILALU, CAME UP WITH AN INNOVATION TO
GENERATE FUEL FROM POLYMER WASTE SUCH AS DISCARDED TYRES,
PLASTICS AND RUBBER. - THIS INNOVATION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CONTRIBUTE
SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE PRODUCTION OF CHEAPER ENERGY AND IMPROVE
SANITATION. IN ADDITION, THIS NEW ENERGY SOURCE COULD SAVE OUR
FOREST RESOURCE AND HELP MITIGATE AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE. OUR
WOMEN AND YOUTH WOULD ALSO HAVE A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO
PROVIDE RAW MATERIALS TO THE INDUSTRY IN THE FORM OF DISCARDED
TYRES, PLASTICS AND RUBBER. - I ENCOURAGE THE CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY TO TAKE KEEN INTEREST
IN THE VARIOUS INNOVATIONS BEING SHOW-CASED BY OUR HIGHER
LEARNING AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS. ZAMBIA WOULD BE RICHER IF
THESE INNOVATIONS WERE QUICKLY PATENTED AND COMMERCIALISED. I
FURTHER ENCOUARGE THE COMMERCE INDUSTRY AND RESEARCHERS TO
TAP THE POTENTIAL OF EXISTING AND NEW RURAL INNOVATIONS SUCH,
FOOD PRESERVATION, FOOD AND NUTRITION PRODUCTION, PREVENTION
OF AILMENTS, ETC.
MR. SPEAKER, - WE HAVE A DUTY TO SAFEGUARD OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.
ACCORDINGLY, GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO REGULATE THE
UTILISATION OF GROUND WATER RESOURCES IN THE COUNTRY. SO FAR,
32,000 BOREHOLES AND 94 DRILLING COMPANIES HAVE BEEN
REGISTERED. TO FURTHER GUIDE THE PUBLIC ON WATER UTILISATION,
CABINET HAS APPROVED THE NATIONAL WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION
POLICY. - IN 2019 ALONE, WE CONSTRUCTED 1,454 BOREHOLES
COUNTRYWIDE. FURTHER, THE CHONGWE WATER SUPPLY AND
SANITATION PROJECT AND THE KAFULAFUTA WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS
PROJECT HAVE REACHED AN ADVANCED STAGE, CURRENTLY STANDING
AT 90 PERCENT AND 55 PERCENT, RESPECTIVELY. - I ALSO WANT TO ENCOURAGE MY FELLOW CITIZENS TO DEVELOP THE
CULTURE OF WATER HARVESTING. AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL, A LOT OF RUNOFF
WATER CAN BE HARVESTED DURING THE RAINY SEASON FOR USE IN
OUR GARDENS AND OTHER DOMESTIC PURPOSES. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL
AUTHORITIES CAN ALSO POOL RESOURCES AND APPLY THEM ON
CONSTRUCTING SMALL SCALE DAMS. AS GOVERNMENT, WE WILL CONTINUE
TO WORK ON EXISTING WATER HARVESTING PROJECTS ACROSS THE
COUNTRY. - MR. SPEAKER,
- ZAMBIA IS RENOWNED FOR ITS RICH WILDLIFE AND PRISTINE
NATIONAL PARKS. THIS VITAL RESOURCE CAN EASILY BE LOST DUE TO
RAMPANT POACHING AND CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS. GOVERNMENT HAS,
THEREFORE, EMPOWERED LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN VILLAGES TO MANAGE
AND PRESERVE THE NATURAL WILDLIFE FOR THEM TO CONTINUE
RECEIVING ECONOMIC BENEFITS THROUGH TOURISM. - SO FAR, COMMUNITY CONSERVANCIES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN
SELECTED GAME MANAGEMENT AREAS TO HELP CONSERVE OUR WILDLIFE
AND BUILD SUSTAINABLE WILDLIFE-BASED ECONOMIES FOR THE AFFECTED
COMMUNITIES. THIS INITIATIVE WILL ALSO INFLUENCE POSITIVE AND
PROACTIVE PRACTICES OF CONSERVING WILDLIFE AS WELL AS REDUCING
HUMAN ANIMAL CONFLICTS. THE HEIGHTENED SENSE OF COMMUNITY
OWNERSHIP INEVITABLY LEADS TO A REDUCTION IN POACHING.
MR. SPEAKER, - THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCE AND A
NUMBER OF DISTRICTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY RESULTED IN AN
INCREASE IN ILLEGAL MINING ACTIVITIES. IT IS UNFORTUNATE AND
REGRETABLE TO NOTE THAT THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD AND OTHER
PRECIOUS MINERALS HAS CURRENTLY BIRTHED UNLICENCED MINING,
UNSAFE MINING PRACTICES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BURIED ALIVE AND
CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES WHILE SCRUMBLING OF THIS PRECIOUS MINERAL. - IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD THIS PRECIOUS MINERAL AND OTHER
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY IN THE MINING
SECTOR, MY GOVERNMENT HAS INTRODUCED A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO
MITIGATE ILLEGAL MINING AND ITS NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON OUR ECONOMY. - SUBSEQUENTLY, GOVERNMENT HAS DECLARED GOLD A STRATEGIC
RESOURCE AND ESTABLISHED THE ZCCM GOLD COMPANY LIMITED TO
SPEARHEAD AND MANAGE THE GOLD MINING VALUE CHAIN IN A FORMAL
AND STRUCTURED MANNER. THIS MEASURE WILL ENSURE THAT, WE
EXPLOIT THIS NATURAL RESOURCE IN A SUSTAINABLE MANNER AND
TRANSFORM OUR COUNTRY’S ECONOMIC FORTUNES.
MR. SPEAKER, - INDISCRIMINATE DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE HAS CONTINUED TO BE
A MENACE AND A PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARD IN OUR COMMUNITIES. IN
ADDITION, IT IMPEDES OUR PROGRESS IN ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT. - I HAVE OBSERVED WITH CONCERN THAT THE KEEP ZAMBIA CLEAN,
GREEN AND HEALTHY CAMPAIGN IS YEILDING VERY LITTLE RESULTS. WHEN
YOU LOOK AROUND THE CITIES, THERE IS LITTLE IMPROVEMENT AT
REACHING THE DESIRED OBJECTIVE. COUNCILS ARE NOT PROACTIVELY
COLLECTING GARBAGE AND CLEANING THE CITIES. HOW ARE COUNCILS
JUSTIFYING THE RECEIPT OF EQUALISATION FUNDS WHEN SOCIAL SERVICES
ARE POORLY DELIVERED? MAYORS AND COUNCIL SECRETARIES, WHAT ARE
YOU DOING TO ENSURE YOUR TOWNS AND CITIES ARE CLEAN, GREEN AND
HEALTHY? - AND WHAT ARE YOU AS CITIZENS DOING AT INDIVIDUAL TO KEEP
YOUR SURROUNDINGS CLEAN, GREEN AND HEALTHY, ON A DAILY BASIS?
THE ONE-DAY CLEANING EXERCISE A MONTH IS NOTED BUT INSUFFICIENT.
TO ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS, TAKE THIS RESPONSIBILITY
VERY SERIOUSLY AND ENSURE EVERYONE IS DEDICATED TO CLEANING
THEIR SURROUNDINGS. FURTHER, ALL COMMUNITY LEADERS SHOULD
ENSURE THAT HOUSEHOLDS CLEAN THEIR SURROUNDINGS EVERY DAY AND
ARRANGE FOR APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY WASTE DISPOSAL. - COUNCILS SHOULD BE INNOVATIVE AND CREATE A COMPETITIVE
REWARD SYSTEM FOR THOSE HOUSEHOLDS AND COMMUNITIES WHO ARE
ADHERING TO KEEPING THEIR SURROUNDINGS CLEAN, GREEN AND
HEALTHY. I FURTHER ENCOURAGE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO JOIN BY
SUPPORTING THIS INITIATIVE. - I ALSO CALL UPON OUR PEOPLE AND AGENCIES MANAGING THE
MARKETS AND OTHER TRADING AREAS TO ENSURE THAT THEY PUT IN
PLACE EFFECTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES. FURTHER, I URGE
INDUSTRIES, THE CORPORATE WORLD AND THE MINING COMPANIES TO
ENSURE THAT THEY COMPLY WITH THE LAW ON POLLUTION MANAGEMENT
AND SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL. - WE MUST BEGIN WITH OUR OWN HOMES. WE MUST DISPOSE ALL OUR
WASTE IN THE RIGHT MANNER. WE MUST KEEP OUR HOME ENVIRONMENT
CLEAN, GREEN AND HEALTHY.
MR. SPEAKER, - A HEALTHY POPULATION IS KEY TO ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT. THEREFORE, THE EMERGENCE OF THE CORONAVIRUS IS NOT
ONLY A PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN BUT ALSO A THREAT TO SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT. ZAMBIA, BEING PART OF THE GLOBAL VILLAGE, IS
SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE DISEASE. IN THIS REGARD, GOVERNMENT HAS PUT IN
PLACE MEASURES TO ENHANCE PUBLIC HEALTH SECURITY IN THE COUNTRY
INCLUDING CREATING A CONTINGENCY FUND FOR EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, PREVENTION AND MITIGATION. FURTHER, THE ZAMBIAN
MISSIONS ABROAD ARE MONITORING THE SITUATION REGARDING
ZAMBIANS STUDYING OR LIVING IN THE AFFECTED COUNTRIES. IN
ADDITION, ALL OUR PORTS OF ENTRY ARE ON EQUALLY ON HIGH ALERT. - HERE IN ZAMBIA, LET US ALL BE ALERT AND ADHERE TO THE
GUIDANCE BEING PROVIDED BY HEALTH OFFICIALS, SUCH AS WASHING
HANDS REGULARLY, COVERING YOUR MOUTH WITH YOUR ELBOW WHEN
COUGHING AND SEEKING MEDICAL ATTENTION FROM THE NEAREST HEALTH
FACILITY, AS WELL AS ADVICE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WHEN YOU FEEL
YOU HAVE FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS. THESE MEASURES APPLY TO OTHER
INFECTIOUS DISEASES SUCH AS EBOLA.
CONCLUSION
MR. SPEAKER, - NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES ARE A CRITICAL INGREDIENT IN
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PROSPEROUS ZAMBIA. I AM CONVINCED THAT
ADHERENCE TO OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES WILL KEEP US
FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE. - IT IS OUR DUTY TO INVEST TIME, RESOURCES AND ENERGY IN
MAKING OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES A DEFINING FEATURE
OF OUR COUNTRY. WE MUST ALL STAND UP AND LIVE BY THESE VALUES
AND PRINCIPLES. WE OWE IT TO THE NEXT GENERATION TO INCULCATE
OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES IN THEIR LIVES. NATIONAL
VALUES AND PRINCIPLES ARE THE GLUE THAT HOLDS US TOGETHER AS A
NATION. LET OUR GREATNESS BE MEASURED NOT BY OUR
QUALIFICATIONS OR WEALTH, BUT BY THE STRENGTH OF OUR DEVOTION
TO OUR NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES.
MR. SPEAKER, - I RECALL THAT EACH TIME I PAID A VISIT TO MY VILLAGE AS A
YOUNG MAN THEN, I WAS ALWAYS REMINDED THAT THE WORTH OF A
PERSON WAS NOT IN THE NUMBER OF CHICKENS, GOATS OR CATTLE ONE
OWNED, BUT RATHER THE GOOD NAME ONE CARRIED. BY THAT, THEY
MEANT THE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES THAT ONE LIVED BY, AND WERE AN
EXAMPLE TO OTHERS. - I ALSO TREASURE THE EXPERIENCES AND LESSONS I LEARNT FROM
MY EXTENDED FAMILY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPECT AND FAMILY.
THIS PROVIDED A SENSE OF BELONGING AND SECURITY BECAUSE AS A
CHILD I WAS SAFE EVEN WHEN MY BIOLOGICAL PARENTS WERE NOT
THERE. THIS VALUE WAS TAUGHT AND PASSED ON FROM THE OLDER
FOLKS TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN EVERY PART OF ZAMBIA. THIS
IS THE ZAMBIA I KNOW AND DESIRE TO SEE. - WE HAVE, THEREFORE, NO EXCUSE BUT TO LIVE BY OUR NATIONAL
VALUES AND PRINCIPLES. IT IS OUR DUTY NOW TO ENSURE THAT THIS
WISDOM CONTINUES TO BE TAUGHT TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN
THE SPIRIT AND NAME OF “ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION”. - FOR YOU AND ME, ZAMBIA IS OUR ONLY GOD GIVEN COUNTRY, OUR
OWN TRUE NATION, OUR ONLY HERITAGE, AND COLLECTIVELY OUR
HOME. THEREFORE, WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO KEEP ZAMBIA
PEACEFUL AND BEAUTIFUL; NOT ONLY FOR OURSELVES TODAY,
BUT FOR OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR CHILDREN, FOR TOMORROW
AND ETERNITY.
MR. SPEAKER, - MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS US ALL AND OUR GREAT NATION,
ZAMBIA. - I THANK YOU.
