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{
    "id": 101153,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/101153/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 387,
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    "content": "I urge the side in front of me that the nature of parliamentary democracy is such that the minority will have their say and the majority will have their way. So, they have already lobbied their numbers. They already know until my Bill comes into effect--- That is why they are not very eager to assent to it so that they can continue herding sheep into their house as they have done now. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, be that as it may, I think it is important that the issues we want as a Parliament must be recorded. We, as a Parliament last time stood and asked: What is the basis for giving Government 50 per cent of the allocation? No satisfactory explanation has been forthcoming. The Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Finance, Planning and Trade has each and every year, including this afternoon said that he is going to repeat what he said last year: “Is that a good statement to the Minister for Finance that he heard us last year? Is it a statement from the Government side that they have been listening to Parliament where the Government has a membership? Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we do not want to act in vain. This is the supreme House and we want to act in a way that what we propose as a House is taken on board and into account. We want to bring this amendment because with the new Standing Orders - my good friend Mr. Orengo is here - we said that by 31st of August, we will do guillotine on all accounts. So already the quarter we are proposing will cover July, August and September. We will have enough money to cover the referendum and do what you need to do. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have heard from the Government side. Why does the Government not want to listen to us? Why do they want to behave like the famous story of the hyena talking to the stone quoted by Mr. Mwangale? We do not to be seen like a stumbling block to the referendum, and that is why we moved an amendment to the amendment. The other fundamental issue I want to raise is this: Every week the Government allocates money. It is not even monthly. It is done every week. Whatever revenue they get is what is allocated on a weekly basis. The Treasury cannot come here to convince us. I speak from a point of authority because I used to be an Assistant Minister for Planning and National Development. The Treasury cannot come to convince us here that they need that much time. It is not true. Secondly, I thank God for the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) because it has exposed the weaknesses in centralized planning and centralized Government. I want to thank God because God spoke to men. He spoke to a man known as Eng. Karue. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the CDF Act stipulates that the money must b released every quarter. While I appreciate the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, I think of all Ministers, he is the first one who has released all the money within the year. However, he has never maintained that schedule of every quarter. Why does he need 50 per cent now? Minister, start with small mercies and then we will grant you bigger things. That is what the Bible says in the parable of the talent. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, if he had already demonstrated that, I would have been the first person to support and trust him. Finally, I do not want to give these people 50 per cent because---"
}