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{
    "id": 1341334,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1341334/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 604,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Buuri, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Mugambi Rindikiri",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " I thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I am the Vice-Chair of the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works. This Bill was subjected to the normal requirement when presented as a draft. As per the Standing Orders, the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works was charged to pick it up. The Committee picked this matter and called for public participation. They received memoranda from the State Department of Public Works and the National Construction Authority (NCA). We also had the opportunity to receive a memorandum from the Mover of the Bill. From the onset, the Committee deliberated on this matter. Various observations were made. Section 34(2)(b) of the existing Bill provides that the charge levied on contractual services be given to the Authority as one of their sources of funds. As we speak, the contractual levy for the NCA was suspended. The only other source of revenue for contractors is registration. Secondly, we observed that Section 42(1) of the Act has given the Cabinet Secretary powers to make Regulations. Regulation 27 of the National Construction Authority Act, 2014 has empowered the Cabinet Secretary to determine fees payable from time to time. So, what are we saying? We are saying that the Committee feels there is no need to amend this regulation given to the Cabinet Secretary through legislation. This is because it helps the Cabinet Secretary to determine fees to be charged. At the same time, it gives the authority to waive fees on a case-to-case basis. The issue of women, youth and persons with disabilities is a sensitive matter. The Mover of this Bill has not clearly brought the age limit of a youth. A person aged 35 years and below can be called a youth and use those funds to start a business. So, the issue of women and persons with disabilities is open-ended. We have to understand there is the possibility of abuse the moment we legislate. That is why the Committee has become very sensitive because once we legislate and it becomes law, we need to make amendments from time to time. The Mover has agreed there is a possibility for abuse, and it cannot be left for start-ups only. Therefore, we need my very good friend to state the conditions for a start-up. The Committee has no problem with this. We also looked at Section 53(6) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, that is associated with Hon. Sakaja. It has given a condition that any Government or quasi-government entity should reserve 30 per cent of their budgetary allocations to enterprises that are owned by the youth, women, and persons with disabilities. We need to ask ourselves about the practicability because this area can be abused. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}