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{
    "id": 1494971,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1494971/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 97,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Okiya Omtatah",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "As I conclude, it is also important to note that primary oversight is a function of the county assembly. Primary oversight, whereby the county budget is held against the implementation of projects in the county, is really a function that MCAs should do because they live in those wards, they pass those budgets, they know what goes to their counties, and they should see if the money is being applied lawfully, using the budget as the marking scheme, and also whether the money is being used effectively. Right now, to wait until the point whereby you get an Auditor General's report to interrogate, sometimes it is too late. You find a lot of things are missing in that report, a lot of issues have been missed, and even if you are to intervene at that time, most of the time, the horse has already bolted, and closing the gate does not achieve much. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I congratulate you for coming up with this Bill. I support this Bill, and pray that this Bill sees the light of day, but going forward as a House, we need to revisit the Public Finance Management Act. It even takes away the power of our clerk. When there was an amendment by the National Assembly that created two heads for the Parliamentary Service Commission, it took away the power of the Clerk of this House as the Secretary of the Parliamentary Service Commission. He is basically a figurehead. The powers of the Chairman remain intact; the powers of the Clerk are taken away by being split into three centres. We need to revisit those kinds of things and make sure that the stature of this House is not undermined through legislation. Fidelity to the Constitution and whatever we do, we do it with the Constitution as our North Star. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, with those few remarks, I support the Bill. I thank you."
}