Pomp and splendour characterized the official opening of the second session of the Tenth National Assembly by President Levy Mwanawasa.
The President who was clad in an immaculate blue suit accompanied by his wife, Maureen, arrived at Parliament Building at 10:30 hrs and was met on arrival by Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa and Service Chiefs.
Dr. Mwanawasa was accorded the 21 gun salute fired by the salute Troop of the Zambia Army Artillery and a fly past by the Zambia Air Force jets.
However, Dr. Mwanawasa could not inspect the guard of honour mounted by the Second Battalion of the Zambia Regiment due to rains that started a few minutes after his arrival.
The Parade, Photojournalists and hundreds of people braved the rains to witness the arrival of the President.
Immediately after the National Anthem was played, Dr. Mwanawasa, the First Lady and the Speaker, despite the rains, ceremoniously proceeded into the chamber where he addressed Members of Parliament.
After officially opening parliament, the President left the chambers and was accorded the third presidential salute before departure at about 13:50 hours.
On Quality of MP Debates
President Levy Mwanawasa showered Members of Parliament with glowing tribute, saying their style and manner of debate was a sign of a fledging democracy in Zambia.
Dr. Mwanawasa congratulated the members for debating matters of great importance to the nation with maturity and transparency in the previous session of the National Assembly.
During the first session of the tenth National Assembly, 1,120 questions for oral answers were considered while six private members’ motions and 34 ministerial statements were dealt with in parliament.
“My administration is grateful to this house for the outstanding manner in which Honourable members debated and passed the bills which came before them in 2007. This demonstrated the constructive manner in which this house scrutinized government intensions and proposals,” he said.
In the same session, 21 motions to adopt reports of sessional committees and six motions to adopt reports of select committees to ratify presidential appointments to constitutional offices were also considered.
The house also considered 105 papers laid on the table by government ministries.
“This is a demonstration of our efforts to foster good governance and our desire to remain transparent and accountable at all times,” he said.
Dr. Mwanawasa has since called on the Members of Parliament to work with his administration in order to accelerate socio-economic development, which, he said, people of Zambia were yearning for.
He however noted that some opposition members of parliament have been opposing government programmes merely for the sake of opposing.
“This is a disservice to the electorate and we must avoid it,” he said.
The President was also happy that efforts to improve parliamentary reforms have also paid off.
He cited the live broadcasting of parliamentary debates to areas along the line of rail, implementation and the establishment of parliamentary offices in all the constituencies around the country as some of the evident developments in parliamentary reforms.
He reiterated his call on members of parliament to discharge their duties with diligence, commitment and selflessness because of their serious tasks of dealing with legislative maters, approving the budget and giving Zambians a constitution that would stand the test of time.
“The daunting challenge of youth unemployment, HIV and AIDS and the high poverty levels are still with us, but we must not give up in tackling these head on,” he said.
Dr. Mwanawasa said in his 84-paged speech, that each Member of Parliament had a responsibility to work tirelessly towards fulfilling their social contract that they had with Zambian people.
“..to serve them in an atmosphere that transcends partisan and individual interests. In this way, we will not betray the trust and confidence the Zambian people have placed on us,” he emphasized.
The public gallery of the parliament chamber was full of invited guests who included diplomats accredited to Zambia, donor community representatives, Supreme and High Court judges, mayors, permanent secretaries and several other people.
On the Media
President Levy Mwanawasa announced that Government will this year reintroduce the Freedom of Information Bill in the House.
President Mwanawasa told the gathering that Government has consulted widely and has taken time to learn from other democracies that have enacted similar laws.
In re-tabling the Bill, he said, Government will provide safeguards to ensure that increased access to information does not compromise Zambia’s National Security nor violate people’s rights to privacy.
President Mwanawasa said the implementation of this legislation will necessitate more work on the part of Government as there will be need to restructure, overhaul and streamline public institutions.
He acknowledged that the fight against poverty and corruption can not be won, if the media is not fully involved as it was a powerful, educative and information tool for development.
The President said under the Fifth National Development Plan, Government has endeavoured to take the Media close to the people by installing television transmitters in rural districts and the next stage would be to take newspapers to the people.
He disclosed that the Printing Presses under the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) will be decentralised starting with Chipata, a move, Dr Mwanawasa said was aimed at having local language newspapers printed close to the intended audiences to enable them follow national events as they happen.
In addition, the President announced that Government has made progress in repealing the Theatres and Cinematography Act adding that it is in the process of introducing legislation that will help in classification of materials for public viewing and check on the proliferation of illegal video houses.
Dr Mwanawasa also disclosed that the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation Board of Directors will be appointed this year.
“The Independent Broadcasting Authority will also be made operational after the Board Members have been ratified by the House”, announced President Mwanawasa.
On Legal Front and Accountability
President Mwanawasa announced that the decentralisation of the Legal Aid Board and Director of Public Prosecution Chambers is underway.
He said there was need to enhance access to Justice for the Zambian people hence Government’s endeavour to decentralise the two institutions.
President Mwanawasa said his administration shall continue to uphold the rule of law and ensure that the Public Service is transparent and accountable to the Zambian people.
Dr Mwanawasa noted that accountability and prudent use of public funds shall continue to be top priority in the governance of the nation adding that Government will continue to strengthen the institutions that promote Good Governance in the country.
On corruption, the President said Government had now moved a step further towards institutionalising the prevention of corruption in ministries, departments and public bodies through the Integrity Committee Initiative.
To this end, he disclosed that eight pilot Integrity Committees were set up last year and thirty two members sworn in with a mandate to address the vice and other malpractices.
Dr Mwanawasa also informed the gathering that the construction of office buildings in five provincial centres was nearing completion adding that the developments are aimed at decentralising Audit Services countrywide.
On Government Management of Finances
President Levy Mwanawasa made a declaration that his government would this year implement the computerized and integrated financial management information system (IFMIS) in ministries, provinces and spending agencies.
Dr. Mwanawasa said that the system would improve further the operations of the public expenditure management and financial accountability in government.
He said the implementation of the computerized and integrated financial management information system was a key milestone in public expenditure and financial management area of government.
He told Members of Parliament that government would also continue to review tax policies and administration to ensure that tax was aligned to development in the economy.
“These reforms are important to ensure that each Kwacha of public financial resources spent brings about tangible socio-economic benefits to the country,” he said.
President Mwanawasa restated that the country has continued to foster a conducive investment climate which would stimulate and attract local and foreign direct investors through various reforms.
He cited the private sector development reform programme, the citizens’ economic empowerment programme and the creation of the Zambia Development Agency.
“In spite of all these macro-economic gains, we still have the challenges of equitably translating them into improved living standards for the people,” he observed.
Dr. Mwanawasa said to this end, government was implementing the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) whose objective is to create jobs through the participation of citizens.
And the President said government would this year operationalise the empowerment fund under the Citizens’ Economic Empowerment Commission, whose desire is to encourage citizens to be economically active on their own.
He said government would also encourage Zambians to participate in the economy and encourage foreign companies to be actively involved in other facets of empowerment.
Dr. Mwanawasa said through the effective participation of the private sector and cooperation, government would reduce the cost of doing business in the country.
On Oil and Gas deposits
President Mwanawasa said he is optimistic that Zambia has high chances of having oil and gas deposits in dotted areas of Western, north-western and eastern province.
President Mwanawasa said most of the samples collected in selected areas have tested positive to the presence of oil and gas.
Dr. Mwanawasa said soil samples that were sent to Germany for analysis using the technique of Microbial Prospecting for Oil and Gas (MPOG) indicate that the Zambian ground held oil and gas deposits.
He said out of 11 samples that were collected in August 2005 and analysed using the MPOG technique, nine tested positive for oil while the remaining two tested positive for gas.
In July 2006, 31 samples were collected from North-western province, 12 of them tested positive for oil while six tested positive for gas.
“These results were strong indicators of the presence of oil and gas in the districts of Kabompo, Chavuma and Zambezi. Further, investigations were extended to Eastern province in 2007 where 153 soil samples were collected in north Luangwa valley and whose laboratory results are equally encouraging,” he said.
He said 277 soil samples were collected from Western province. The results were that Lukulu and Kalabo have the highest chance of finding oil while Mongu district has high chances of gas deposits.
Dr. Mwanawasa has since appointed members of a petroleum committee as provided for under the petroleum exploration and production Act. The committee is already spearheading formulation of policies and guidelines relating to petroleum and its development in Zambia.
He said it was now necessary to amend the petroleum exploration and production Act of 1985 and also to have a strong legal provision on environmental protection.
Government has since suspended all processes of invitation to tender until the Act is repealed and replaced through a bill that would be dealt with in parliament in the first quarter of this year.
And Dr. Mwanawasa has disclosed that government has established a stabilization fund aimed at cushioning high import prices of refined petroleum products when Indeni Oil Refinery is shut.
He said government has therefore put in place a mechanism for long term supply of 1.44 million metric tones of crude feed stock over a period of two years, which is 2008 and 2009.
“The feed stock will be supplied by the Independent Petroleum Groups (IPG) who have been awarded a contract after a competitive tender bidding process managed by the Zambia National Tender Board,” he said.
The President said government and Total, which are the two shareholders in Indeni, have agreed to invite a third shareholder to take up 30 per cent of the shares.
He said the restructuring of shareholding of Indeni would contribute further to the recapitalization and investment in the company.
On Climate Change
Dr. Mwanawasa said government has formulated a national adaptation programme of action which aims at mapping out adaptation strategies to address the adverse impact of climate change.
He said although Zambia was not a major contributor to greenhouse gases, the country was still vulnerable to the consequences of climate variabilities such as droughts and floods.
“These particularly affect the small-scale farmers and the poor, threatening their food security,” he said.
On forestry, Dr. Mwanawasa said government would focus on creating large industrial plantations for re-foresting degraded land around the country.
The President told parliament that government was already persuading investors for this sector, adding that traditional authorities were also being approached to release part of their pieces of land for the same.
He envisages a creation of thousands of jobs once such industries were created.
He also said Zambians have been able to use the Forestry Development Credit Facility for the development of forestry and other related industries in the country.
On International relations
President Levy Mwanawasa says the Asian continent as a strategic region is expected to remain an important source of technology, Trade and Investment for Zambia.
President Mwanawasa added that Government is mindful of the long historical ties between Zambia and the Asian continent.
Dr Mwanawasa who described the Asian continent as the fastest economic region of the 21st century said it was gratifying to note that strategic countries in that region are showing keen interest in bringing significant investments to Zambia.
In recognition of Zambia’s contribution to peace and security in the SADC region, the President disclosed that the country was requested to host the centre for the promotion of Democracy, Good Governance, Human Rights and Civic Education within the Great Lakes Region Framework.
In addition, President Mwanawasa said as part of Zambia’s commitment to the cause of African Unity, Government has presented the candidature of a distinguished professional for the position of AU Chairperson, Ambassador to the US Dr Inonge Mbikusita Lewanika.
The President further acknowledged that the European Union is Zambia’s largest donor and pledged to continue engaging this bloc in various development matters affecting Zambia and the region.
He said Zambia anticipated increased European participation in its national development programmes particularly after the EU/AU Summit held in December last year which afforded both sides a rare opportunity to discuss critical issues of mutual concern.
The President also pledged commitment towards relations between Zambia and the USA adding that Government recognises America’s unique position of world influence and responsibility.
On Taxing Foreign Mining Investors
President Mwanawasa said government has decided to introduce a new fiscal and regulatory regime in order to bring about an equitable distribution of mineral wealth between the government and mining companies.
Dr. Mwanawasa said the new regime introduces a windfall tax and variable profit tax that has been designed to work in periods of both high and low prices and for high and low cost mining projects to ensure that the tax system remains stable.
The president assured mining companies that the new regime will still be immensely profitable to them and the mining industry in Zambia will continue to be attractive to investors.
We are tired of listern to your speech,because you are enjoying alone Levy.Its speech after speech.You promise things that don’t even work but there only work for,shikapwasha, kunda,mpombo and you.I wish you would strive to work for every zambian.Anyway am happy for you Levy because you are making it.I admire you.
Well done levy you kept to the script
We need to see more fruits in creation of employemnt, education and Health care delivary. We also demand that Govt improve and upgrade all squatters and Ghettos were the majority of the poor live. The issues raised in the speech will remian in a script unless we see a paradigm shift in the way govt implements its policies. The Budget will be presented very soon, we hope these factors that govt is ignoring will be included.
The truth #1
The current government has been the best since colonialism, making it BIG hasn’t been simpler since Adam & Eve and due to this brilliance at home, some us as young as 24 have already started employing other people.
#4 Dear me, my foot! This is the best Govt since Colonial Era? You must be one of the Director of Tomorrow Investments. Just because you have a Katemba and you employ a minor who is supposed to be in school, you get big headed and you think this is the best Zambia has ever hard. KK’s Govt still remain the best. Just look around you if you wont see anything with KK’s marks. Many counties in Africa, America, UK have very highly qualified Zambians in responsible positions, all because of KK’s
But farmers in Namwala have not been paid yet by FRA. This is really sad. How are these farmers whose sources of livelihood depend on farming going to sustain their livelihood? They have not planted enough for their food as well as for their financial needs. And yet some people out there just for debating are being paid K46m/month. And yet a farmer who toils 365 days of a year just to help put food in the national basket is left unpaid just that ka-small FIVE MILLION KWACHA. Are we remorseless?
ctd from #5..good education policy. The rate you are moving at now, come 2020 nobody will respect Zambians for their brains. Zulu 83, I have seen the future and you are not in it with your Tutemba. MAN YOU ARE SO FAR BEHIND, YOU THINK YOU ARE FIRST. Wake up man. This govt has not yet matched even a quarter of what KK’s govt did for Zambia. And mind you, copper prices are now at an all time high and what does the country have to show for it? ..NCC & The Task Force on Corruption..what a circus.
It’s about time everyone wakes up and face the facts, no government will come to your house and give you bread, It’s us who’ll have to work our socks off and then give a little portion of our hard earned cash to the government. sounds unfair but that’s how things work worldwide.
There is alot that is desired to be done un terms of development in Zambia. Only those who do not go out of zambia who say there is development in Zambia.The problem with zambia is that alot of this politicians including Levy are job sicker who only serve their interest. Alot of Zambians are suffering while these few political players are enjying at the expense of the poor. Corruption in zambia is the order of the day because, Levy chooses who to prosecute and who to let free. I expected Levy to
I know Mwanawasa had to drop the case involving Katumbi Just because he was the beneficially of the maise deal with Chiluba prepared for Levy’y ascession to the presidential seat. Who doesent know that Mwanawasa’s Presidence in a product of corruption? Mwanawasa shoul tell us what is his source of corruptin definition as his fight against corrupion leaves much to be questioned. Alot of people are dying because of the poor governance of our country. Can anything good come out of MMD?
you are suffering because you want to my friends. workerholics like myself cannot suffer. my dad stopped saying my school fees when i was only 15 but today i’m a respectable entrepreneur. the KK’s, the Mazoka’s and the Mwanawasa’s me this world were born naked just like you and myself. we just have to work.
Hey Zulu, nobody is disputing your working hard. Keep it up. The issue is saying that this Govt is the best we have ever hard since colonial time. That is dead wrong and I wonder what benchmark you are using. Looks like this entrepreneur crap has gotten to your head despite the fact that my domestic worker earns more in a month than what your company earns in six months. Am sure you can make a better drink than Coca-Cola Co, but can you sell more than they do.Hope you get the picture Mr Entrep..
God save us from chaps who are born with a silver spoon in the mouth like zulu 83. Just becoz you possess some enterprenuership skills doesnt mean all people do.
Put the ball down boys, hardworking pays but you one need incentives. If this Zulu chaps has lucky to be the right place at the right time then welland good he must go ahead and help other Zambians. Just a reminder for Bwana Zulu not to endup like the Chungu. In economics we say little input with a big outcome. This is a principle that real works and it pays off. We should look at issue that affect our communities like why should farmers not be paid for the 2006/7 harvest. Not paying them is eng
aging them in a reserve gear. In KK era Farmers were getting their monies in August and September before the next planting season starts. What have go wrong.We need proactive solution to problems which are disastrous can cause suffering.
Forget the content of the speech but this thing of ‘Dr’ Mwanawasa simply annoys me. Imagine ‘Dr’ Beckham, ‘Dr’ Zuma, ‘Dr’ Oprah Winfrey as all these have honorary degrees!
Can someone pump sense in us?
hahaha… the truth hurts doesn’t it? the majority of sufferers are suffering because of lazyness. our county is rich and you don’t need a genius to prove that, Indians come to zed and make a fortune and so do the whites, chinese and all these people who got self confidence…
and you zed people who think you deserve free things will remain poor. foreigners come to zed knowing that their president ain’t their for them.
#18 Ka Shaka Zulu,not yaping I thought you mentioned that at 15 you were suffering. So becare dont laugh at the poor but instead help them where you can because the devil will decieve you one and start asking yourself wat went wrong.Life is wrong wat is green today can turn red in future. Just be thankful and contribute to fighting poverty. Remember you might one of the chose ones but misusing your privelleges can have painful consquences. Seek advise from elders.
# Villager, yor real typical one, honorar degrees are given to outstanding persons in society because of the good life history. Mugabe has 7, Mandela has also some including noble price. In some case these rewards are dotted with monies. KK your grandfather has because of the methodes he used to fight for freedom your freedom today and the rebaliation struggle support he gave for most African countries and world over. If you want do something outside and you can be awarded such a recognition.
Villager jealousy doesnt pay but to emulate what others have done in life is the best thing my brother.
Well I little suprised here, Mwanawasa has a Docotorate is it ??its my first time to see him adressed as Dr. Mwanawasa. Anyone to shed more light to me please???
I beg Zulu who is rich to talk to Mwanawasa to have simpathy on the Namwala farms. That ka-small one million kwacha is all they have to feed on and send children to school. It has been toiled for one whole year. Atleast from your abundance your pay taxes but what about them. Feel pity. Probably you have been away from Zambia for too long and may not understand the situation back home. The pick of the economy is only for the rich. They change vehicles. Poor farmers, not even an ox-drawn plough.
The Government’s commitment to agriculture has just been lip service. Agriculture GDP shows declines in 2001, 2002 & 2005. With the current floods, I expect another decline in 2008.It shows you a flip-flop policy, if any. With over 70% of our people engaged in farming, we’d have eradicated poverty if we targetted this sector the way Chiluba tagetted the transport sector – for that i give him credit. Same ol’ story every agricultural season-use of ploughs, late delivery of inputs,non-payments,etc
like many speeches before, this will also go will again next year listen to another, unless leaders see to it that what they read is not mare words ,but endervour to make a folloup before the next speech. otherwise we are tired of listening
Why blame Levi for FRA’s felure? visit Google & search for “FRA mwanawasa Lusakatimes” and you’ll remember that Levy tried to push the FRA to come right, but most of you opposed and argued that the FRA worked properly and didn’t want levi’s lectures.leadership is just a thankless job and thats the reason many good people are now no longer interested in becoming presidents, you’ll be left with the likes of Sata
Zulu 83
i Salute you, your thinking and mindset is what we need for our citizens in this country.Most of the people we have in Zambia have become so used to complaining and blaming everyone else except themselve for whatever problems they encounter.Very few people want to be a part of the solution. Like you says everyone was born naked and it is up to you to make your lot better. I have lived under KK,Chiluba and Mwanawasa. KK and Mwanawasa have tried their best for this country.
#13 X-KILLER
Whether you educated,not educated,poor,rich,lame,ablebodied,female, male,white,black,yellow
Well done Dr Mwanawasa. Shame to Sata and his tandem of crooks in PF
Leavy get a life! You talk so much and do so little. You seem to live in a different Zambia. We will be marking 20 years of MMD, what do you guys have to show for it. All the roads, clinics, hospitals, schools, rail line, buildings etc have KK and UNIP marks on them. All you do leavy is hang around plot No1, go to Mufuwe, go to Livingstone, then to the copperbelt and back to No1! Have you ever been to Kanyama: the roads look as if they have been bombed! As if you are in Iraq! Wake up Zambia!!
#30 Beezy B
I thought your PF controlled council was responsible for road maintenace in Kanyama. We were told that within 90 days all the roads will be tarred and pot holes will be athing of the past…We are still waiting for that 90 DAYS
Ha!ha!ha! It’s a funny world we live in Zulu you the man you’ve every right to boast about your achievement. We need people like you, Levy has done a lot to turn around the mess chiluba left and for this he deserves credit, yes a lot has to be done, this is the foundation being laid, Levy has done what he can the onus is now on the next president. Graft Mr Zulu! Graft, people are intitled to their opinions don’t let it get to you, well done, this just proves people empowerment. Big up levy
Viva #30. But point of correction, I have never seen Dr. Chuchu on the CB for business, the few times he has been he is duck and diving on funneral errands and ends up at Keta farm. Serious speaking I have never seen or heard him come to address any of the many problems the province is going throu’! Shame!!
Viva #30. But point of correction, I have never seen Dr. Chuchu on the CB for business, the few times he has been he is duck and diving on funneral errands and ends up at Kateta farm. Serious speaking I have never seen or heard him come to address any of the many problems the province is going throu’! Shame!!
Viva #30. But point of correction, I have never seen Dr. Chuchu on the CB for business, the few times he has been he is duck and diving on funneral errands and ends up at Kateka farm. Serious speaking I have never seen or heard him come to address any of the many problems the province is going throu’! Shame!!