Embassy of the Republic of Zambia
Sweden - Stockholm

STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY DR. EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA ON PROGRESS MADE IN THE APPLICATION OF THE NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

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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,

  1. 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)
  2. MAY THE SOUL OF THE DEPARTED MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT AND OUR
    BROTHERS AND SISTERS REST IN ETERNAL PEACE!
  3. 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,
  4. 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.
  5. 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,
  6. 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.
  7. 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,
  8. 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.
  9. 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,
  10. 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.

  11. 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.
  12. MR SPEAKER,
  13. 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.
  14. 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,
  15. TWENTY-SIX (26) SUSPECTS HAVE SO FAR BEEN ARRESTED AND
    INVESTIGATIONS ARE STILL GOING ON; WHILE THE SECURITY
    SITUATION HAS GENERALLY IMPROVED.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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,
  19. 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.

  20. 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.
  21. THE ENEMY WILL SURELY BE DEFEATED, WITHOUT ANY
    DOUBT, AND LIFE WILL RETURN TO NORMAL FOR OUR PEOPLE
    SOONER THAN LATER.
    MR. SPEAKER,
  22. 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.
  23. 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,
  24. 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,
  25. 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!
  26. 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.

  27. 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,
  28. 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,
  29. 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.
  30. 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,
  31. 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,
  32. 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.
  33. 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.
  34. 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.
  35. 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
  36. 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,
  37. 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,
  38. 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.
  39. 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.
  40. 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.
  41. I, THEREFORE, CALL UPON PARENTS, THE COMMUNITIES AND THE
    CHURCH TO TAKE KEEN INTEREST IN THE WELFARE OF OUR CHILDREN.

    MR. SPEAKER,
  42. 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.
  43. 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,
  44. 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.
  45. 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.
  46. 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.
  47. 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.
  48. 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.
  49. IN ADDITION, TRAINING OF MORE ZAMBIA POLICE OFFICERS IN
    CYBER-CRIME DETECTION AND FORENSIC INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN
    UNDERTAKEN.
  50. 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,
  51. 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.
  52. 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.
  53. 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.
  54. 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,

  55. 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.
  56. 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.
  57. 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,
  58. 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.
  59. 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.
  60. 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.
  61. 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,
  62. 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.
  63. 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,
  64. 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.
  65. 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.
  66. 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.

  67. 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.
  68. 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.
  69. 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,
  70. 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,
  71. 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.
  72. 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,

  73. 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.
  74. 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,
  75. 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.
  76. 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,
  77. 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,
  78. 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.
  79. 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.
  80. 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.
  81. 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,
  82. 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.
  83. 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.
  84. 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.
  85. 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,
  86. 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.
  87. 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.
  88. 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,
  89. 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.
  90. 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.
  91. 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.

  92. 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,
  93. 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.
  94. 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,

  95. 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.
  96. 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.
  97. 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,
  98. 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.
  99. 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,

  100. 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,
  101. 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.
  102. 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.
  103. 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,
  104. GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO ENHANCING EQUAL ACCESS TO
    JUSTICE, PARTICULARLY FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS AS WELL AS INMATES.
  105. 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.
  106. 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,
  107. 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.
  108. 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,
  109. 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.
  110. 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,

  111. 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.
  112. 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,
  113. 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.
  114. 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,
  115. 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.
  116. 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.
  117. 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.
  118. 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,
  119. 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.
  120. 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.
  121. WITH REGARD TO PROSECUTIONS, THE ANTI-CORRUPTION
    COMMISSION SECURED 17 CONVICTIONS AND RECORDED SEVEN
    ACQUITTALS DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW.
  122. 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
  123. CONCERTED EFFORT TO CURB. JOIN MY GOVERNMENT IN FIGHTING
    CORRUPTION; JOIN US IN DEVELOPING ZAMBIA, WITHOUT LIVING
    ANYONE BEHIND.
    MR. SPEAKER,
  124. 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!
  125. 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?

  126. 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,
  127. 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.
  128. 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,
  129. 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.
  130. 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,
  131. 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.
  132. 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.
  133. 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,
  134. 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.
  135. 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,

  136. INNOVATIONS ARE THE SPICE OF DEVELOPMENT. THEY NOT ONLY
  137. 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.
  138. THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE THE DIVERSIFICATION OF OUR ENERGY
    SOURCES, DEVELOPMENTS IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
    TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS AS WELL AS IN MEDICINE AND OTHER
    SCIENCES.
  139. 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.
  140. 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.
  141. 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,
  142. 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.
  143. 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.
  144. 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.
  145. MR. SPEAKER,
  146. 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.
  147. 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,
  148. 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.
  149. 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.
  150. 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,
  151. 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.
  152. 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?
  153. 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.
  154. 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.
  155. 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.
  156. 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,
  157. 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.
  158. 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,
  159. 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.
  160. 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,
  161. 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.
  162. 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.
  163. 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”.
  164. 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,
  165. MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS US ALL AND OUR GREAT NATION,
    ZAMBIA.
  166. I THANK YOU.

 

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