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{
    "id": 1016871,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1016871/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 475,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Musuruve",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13188,
        "legal_name": "Getrude Musuruve Inimah",
        "slug": "getrude-musuruve-inimah"
    },
    "content": "they do not benefit because when they do business with Government entities they are not paid promptly. There is need for them to be paid promptly so that they can continue supplying goods and rendering services to the Government. It is a pity that people we refer to as briefcase service providers are always paid upfront without supplying goods or rendering any service to the Government. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, sometimes you will find contractors of roads are paid upfront even before the construction of roads commences or is completed. When it comes to women, PWDs and youths, sometimes they rely on the AGPO to do their businesses hence they should be paid promptly so that they continue supplying goods and services. In that way, they will see the benefit of the AGPO. On the ground, let the AGPO money that is set aside be a reality. Let the money paid be commensurate with the services offered. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I also thank Sen. Farhiya and Sen. Sakaja for ensuring that there was public participation on this Bill. I am happy that even stakeholders have spoken on it. They want it fast-tracked so that it becomes law. This will deal with malpractices that happen in many Government offices. You find that someone has already delivered goods and services, but he is not paid. Before he is paid, he is asked for a 10 per cent or five per cent. If this Bill becomes a law, it will deal with the cartels who demand kickback before they can pay those people who have supplied goods and services. Talking about PWDs, women and youth on how they will benefit once this Bill is enacted into law, it is also important to talk about farmers who supply their produce to the Government. For example, they supply their beans and maize to Government, but they are not paid immediately. They end up getting frustrated and even regretting why they supplied their produce to the Government. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, every county government has an annual budget for services and goods to be supplied during the financial year. Therefore, I do not see the reason why they do not pay immediately for goods or services rendered to them. Why do they not pay before the financial year ends? It is because of malpractices going on within the Government offices. There is need for us to do our oversight role in the counties. We should ask ourselves the following questions: what did they procure? What money was set aside yearly for whatever has been procured? Whatever has been procured; has it been paid for? Once we do that, we will ensure that there is sanity in the counties and Government offices. Suppliers will not be taken for granted. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this Bill will kill the so-called briefcase suppliers of goods and services. We want to see genuine suppliers and providers of goods being paid promptly. When we are talking of AGPO, why should the PWDs not benefit? Why should they cry now and they supplied goods and services yet they have not been paid? I want to speak to all public organizations and private sectors as well. There is need for them to ensure inclusivity. Even when they are procuring services, they ensure that an element of PWD is brought on board so that they are given an opportunity to continue doing business with our counties. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}