Government says the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) has started discussion on harmonisation of polices in the management of the fishing industry.
Agriculture and Co-opertives Minister Ben Kapita observed that the fish ban was not
effective because countries would enforce such mesaures at different times.
With such discussions, Mr. Kapita was optimistic that the management of the industry
would now be effective.
The allocation of about K25.7 in this years budget, the Minister said would further
help adddress transport woes which was an impediment in monitoring the exercise and
to undertake sensitisation programmes.
He said Government would before embarking on the restocking exercise, educate people
on the danger of using bad fishing methods that have led to fish depletion in the
rivers.
The Minister said with resources available in this year’s budget, his ministry will
employ more staff to conduct sensitisation programmes.
He was giving a supplementary answer to Roan Member of Parliament (MP) Chishimba
Kabwili who asked Government on the effectiveness of the fish ban taking into
consideration that the programme was not conducted at the same time with countries
that share rivers with Zambia.
Earlier, Agriculture Deputy Minister Albert Mulongo said the ministry would
undertakerestocking of fish in Western Province after assessing the levels of fish
in baroste plains.
He was responding to Luena MP Charles Milupi who asked Government when it will
start the fish restocking in Western Province especially in the Barotse plains.
Meanwhile, Local Government and Housing Minister Syliva Masebo told Parlimaent that
the National Housing Authority (NHA) built a total of 650 houses between 2004 to
2006.
She said the houses which included low, medium and high costs were built at Bennie
Mwiinga , Ibex Hill, Nyumba Yanga in Lusaka and Ndola Twapia township.
The Minister said although the programme is supposed to be countrywide, NHA had
started with the urban areas where there is demand for accomodation .
Ms. Masebo said as a measure to expedite the construction of houses, Government had
last year directed all local authorities to identify pieces of land for the
construction of houses.
She said Government has further come up with a munucipal bond through which it hopes more houses would be constructed.
