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{
    "id": 136860,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/136860/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 531,
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank the hon. Members who have expressed concern about the bills of quantities. I have expressed similar concerns and the members of staff in my Ministry are aware of this. This criticism is leveled at our Ministry from time to time, to the extent that certain members of the public feel that there are questions of integrity and dishonesty leading to exaggeration of costs. However, this is a matter which we are looking at very closely. Explanations have been given on the mature and cost of materials used and the scope of work for each project. I will organise a workshop for professionals, especially quantity surveyors and architects. We will go into great details on this subject, so that members of the public can understand the professional perspective and how we come up with these bills. They will propose how we can reduce the general cost of construction, and in particular, bills of quantities. This is a subject on which I will contact Members of the relevant Committee. We will have more discussion considering that this is a subject that affects all our projects and the people who use the buildings we construct. General concern has been expressed regarding collapsing buildings. This is a matter which touches on a number of Ministries. The Ministry of Local Government, for example, is charged with approval of building designs. It also gives occupational licences. Therefore, I will not say that my Ministry is directly involved in this issue, unless the structures affected are public buildings. However, I am also aware that the Prime Minister recently appointed a task force, comprising of members from the relevant Ministries. The task force will come up with proposals or possibly, a Bill which will be presented for debate in this House. This will enable us to know precisely who the approving authority should be ."
}