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{
    "id": 1085872,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1085872/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 281,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Zani",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13119,
        "legal_name": "Agnes Zani",
        "slug": "agnes-zani"
    },
    "content": "It then allows Parliament the necessary democratic governance that is anchored on the fundamental principle that Parliament represents the will of the people and exercises their sovereignty. We are looking at this as a responsibility, almost a right, brought on the governors, on the Senators, on agencies to ensure that this happens as expected. We also have the issue of very important aspects like, for example, policy, the use of time and resources. In many of these reports that we give, parliamentary committee reports contain important policy recommendations and perspectives. These need to be enhanced not only just within Government offices, but also independent of these constitutional commissions and the Executive. Therefore, feedback mechanism is very important. It will take some time initially, but I am sure when a line of engagement is developed and we know that there is a particular officer dealing with a specific issue, then they can give feedback at the right time. Most of the time, we tend to rely on our Standing Orders even when we are interacting with other organs, external to Parliament. We have our Standing Orders that tell us exactly what to do within our legislative framework, but these do not apply to the other institutions. That is the lacuna that this particular amendment is trying to fill. We can rely on our Standing Orders here, but externally we can have another mechanism. This structured mechanism will help to give greater consideration to the issues that are being raised and I think that is very key. We have various clauses that are added, but the main addition comes just immediately after Part 6. This introduces a Part 6(a) which specifically indicates how reports should be handled; reports on action taken on parliamentary resolutions. We have the idea at 23(a) of the responsible officer, meaning the relevant officer who has that responsibility to enact and make sure that the resolution is tabled and finally a report is given. At 23(b) we give the Clerk of the relevant House a time frame for action. So, within seven days of a resolution of the House or the tabling of the report of a committee convey the resolution or a copy of the report to the responsible officer. So, within seven days that should have happened. Once that has happened, the resolution or the recommendation that that committee has given should also be able to come back. The responsible officer shall submit a status report. This is very key and mandatory. The report can give three specific conditions: The action that has been taken, where there has not been any action, resolution or recommendation of the report and the reason for such inaction. I think the report containing these specific formulations will be very important. For example, if it has not been implemented, why and when that will be implemented. Therefore, a report through a formal process will give us the meat to bite to ensure that this information comes on board. The committee can increase the days. For example, after they have got the report the relevant committee can say we are giving you this timeline and these specifications that need to be done and this will be communicated to the legislators. Clause 23(c) gives the penalty clause and I had already alluded to that. This will be very key in ensuring that this provision is put in place. This also allows for a 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."
}