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{
    "id": 136800,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/136800/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 471,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "content": "focus on allocation of resources and personnel. It is working in many other sectors and these are the sectors that need more resources and even more focus for it to work. The Minister talked about the role of the architects and the quantity surveyors and the need to review Chapter 525, Laws of Kenya. It is important that we address what is not working as we praise what is working. If there is any area that is costing this country very many calamities is the construction sector. Many buildings are coming down in every town. many projects in the CDF, and I say this with my constituency Mukurweini in mind, works that have been passed by Ministry officials have been known for non- performance. Currently, two projects are being redone at a cost to my CDF kitty because of bad passage by officers. I think there is need, one, to remunerate better the employees of this Ministry, particularly the architects and the quantity surveyors so that like doctors they do not export their skills to South Africa and Europe after benefitting from the Kenyan taxpayer. It is important to retain them. A programme of retention is very important. In districts like mine, you will find very few quantity surveyors and architects. The only few that are available have been leaving to work overseas because the Government cannot pay better or that they are crowding the private sector where the fees is very exorbitant for public projects and, therefore, non-affordable. It is a loss to the country. There is need to create a programme for employee retention, particularly in those areas alongside others. As I mentioned about the other Ministry, there is also need for merit programme and recognition by awarding those who are performing better. This comes in tandem with a programme of punishment. We need to have punitive measures in place for those quantity surveyors and architects who are approving buildings and giving certification for projects that cannot even last for five years. That is a lot of money lost. Many dispensaries and schools in Mukurweini that were constructed in the last six months have been redone. There are three primary schools which have to be redone and polytechnics. These projects were approved by Government officers. So, there needs to be punishment so that if you submit a report of non-performance, that officer is blacklisted because it is an abrogation of ethics and responsibility that is very necessary. I appreciate that the Ministry of Public Works has done a lot of work in ensuring quality standards, efficiency and accountability, especially with the need for BoQs which are being used in the CDF projects. What is needed more is fast-tracking so that there are no delays. Many CDF projects are incomplete or have not started because officers are not available. They are very few. We need devolution so that this goes to the ground. Finally, we need to improve the stadia, especially with the National Youth Service and the military. I beg to support."
}