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{
    "id": 114420,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/114420/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 209,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. ole Metito",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Regional Development Authorities",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 199,
        "legal_name": "Judah Katoo Ole-Metito",
        "slug": "judah-ole-metito"
    },
    "content": "discussion on the Presidential Address by now, had it not been the lack of political parties’ internal democracy that delayed the formation of the House Business Committee. So, the Election Bill should address democracy in political parties. We are now in the process of starting the voter registration exercise, which is set to begin on 22nd March, 2010. The Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) is doing its best to ensure that there is confidence, transparency and accountability in that body. We need to bring all the Acts of Parliament relating to elections under one roof. We should also try to emphasise transparency and accountability in the elections body. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the other issue that His Excellency the President mentioned is that of the East African Community Custom Protocol that is proposed to come into effect from 1st July, this year. The integration of the East African Community with respect to the custom protocol is very important. I think it will make this country a regional hub in terms of business. Those of us who represent constituencies that border East African countries like Tanzania and Uganda see this as a matter of urgency. I know that the benefits accruing from that protocol were extended to other partner States apart from our country which is due to benefit from 1st July, this year. That should be enhanced and fast tracked because we see a lot of business through the movement of people, goods and services to a country like Tanzania which we border. Had we taken advantage of that in 2003 or some years ago, I think we would have been a little bit far in terms of business benefit. I also want to talk about the economic stimulus. In his Address, His Excellency mentioned that since the formation of the Grand Coalition Government in 2008 to date, we have had an economic growth rate of 1.7 per cent and 2.5 per cent for the last two years. This year, the focus is 4.5 per cent. Last year the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance introduced the Economic Stimulus Package that was supposed to stimulate the economic growth at the grassroots level. More specifically, it was constituency-based. I think we are yet to see the benefits of the Economic Stimulus Package. This is so because there is a lot that needs to be put in place, but I am concerned with the pace in which that programme is moving because we are in the last quarter of the financial year and none of the proposed projects that were supposed to be funded by the Economic Stimulus Package have taken off. The hon. Member who was just on the Floor has talked about the centers of excellence that were supposed to be funded through that programme. However, the rest have not taken place. I urge the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Finance to do something and try to fast track the implementation of that package because we might end the financial year without seeing the benefits of that programme. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we also have bursaries for secondary schools in the Ministry of Education. This financial year is coming to an end and I do not think there is a single constituency that has received any money meant for bursaries for secondary school students. Those are some of the issues that need to be addressed and fast-tracked. The other issue was the Constitution. I think a lot has been said about this. We need to address and approach the constitutional debate in a very sober way. We also need to keep the country cohesive. If we go the direction, as the Speaker announced yesterday, of us having a retreat where can build consensus on these issues, we can move forward. I beg to support this Motion."
}