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{
    "id": 1382970,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1382970/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 224,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Okiya Omtatah",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity to address the House. I rise to confer because a BPS is a very important document in the Republic budget making process. It provides the broad guidelines under which the National Treasury will make the Budget that will be submitted to Parliament. Parliament is giving the National Treasury, the broad guidelines for enacting the Budget. I have looked at the Chairperson’s forward. It is very saddening when you look at paragraph (c) that shows that the County Equitable Share has grown disproportionately to that of the projected growth in revenue. It has grown by a paltry 1.5 per cent against a growth of 13.9 per cent, which means the BPS 2024 is anti-devolution in one way. I am also looking at additional allocation for transfer of library services. The undertaking by the National Treasury was never honoured. The same applies to many other undertakings that were made. I would love to see, and I I urge the National Treasury to honour its commitments so that devolution can function. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, coming to the question of debt, there is provision to borrow internationally and domestically in the BPS. I hope that when the Treasury puts together the Budget for the coming financial year, it will indicate what domestic borrowing will be used for. This is because, most of the time, money borrowed domestically is not tied to anything. I also urge that this time round, the Budget proposal should also come to the Senate because, Article 249(3) of the Constitution is very clear that Parliament shall ensure proper allocation of funds to independent offices and constitutional commissions. When the Budget does not come to this House, it means a major violation of the Constitution is undertaken. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard Services, Senate."
}