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{
    "id": 1267872,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1267872/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 87,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mumma",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for allowing me to contribute to this conversation. I think what is happening is affirming the need for the Senate to fight for its independence so that it can move as itself not because there is a trigger from the Executive. The Wednesday morning sessions were celebrated as ones which were going to bring a cure for the perennial non-appearance of the Cabinet Secretaries in the Senate. You can see that it does not seem to be any different. The Cabinet Secretaries do not want to come to committees and they have started snubbing this session. It points to the fact that we needed to look at what our functions are independently and insist on implementing our powers without necessarily saying we are setting a session because it is the desire of the President. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to wear the shoe of Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Hon. Nakhumicha, for a second. This session was on the trigger of the President that Cabinet Secretaries should come here every Wednesday. However, it is the same President whom we are being told has gone with hon. Nakhumicha to a foreign trip. We are talking about a House that acted in order to meet the President’s needs and also a Cabinet Secretary trying to meet the President’s need. It shows that as a Parliament; as a Senate to focus on our mandate and implement it without feeling like we are doing so as a favour to the Executive. If we do not get back to that, we are losing this House. I request that in all matters the Senate does not defer to the Executive. Otherwise, they feel we are a footnote in all their business and, therefore, our business can wait. Moreover, on short notice they can tell us to hold on because they have more important business to do as the Executive. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it has been suggested that the Cabinet Secretary be surcharged. I agree. I hope the taxpayer shall not be paying the surcharge because it is the taxpayer who is being short changed here. If any Cabinet Secretary is to be surcharged on this matter, I request that the Senate ensures that the rule requires the Cabinet Secretary pay from their own personal resources. The taxpayer is not surcharged for the failure of a public officer in taking on their responsibility."
}