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{
    "id": 192441,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/192441/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 244,
    "type": "other",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "If I borrow the words of hon. Okemo when he was submitting, he said this House cannot be irresponsible to deny Government operation. We are now veering into that irresponsibility by actually saying, yes, we want to move on but we do not want to give enough muscle and legs for operations to move on. I believe that hon. Okemo mentioned and I think it was picked up, that we will not be making accountability. If they were in this House at the beginning of this Session, they would have noted that I tabled the accountability statement for the first quarter of 2007/2008 fiscal year which basically says what we did. I believe a lot of this may be informed by the fact that Members were not even aware of what we have presented before this House. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in moving the Motion, I gave reasons why we need 50 per cent and not less than 50 per cent. I indicated that there are some commitments that require to be paid on half- yearly basis and those will require the full amount for half of the year. I also mentioned that we need to give comfort for some of the construction contracts. There are people who need to see that within the Government Budget, there is enough money to facilitate the calling of tenders. We cannot do that with a quarter of the Budget. People need to see at least we have committed enough to be able to start a road and complete it. I believe it is not just that we did some leaner calculations. We consulted with the various Ministries and asked them what they needed. Invariably, every Ministry required much more than 50 per cent, but our limit is up to 50 per cent. So, what we are basically asking for is not because that is what will take the Government up to December, 2008. This money could well be finished by October. It is not just a simple calculation by dividing by 50 per cent. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this House is part of these beneficiaries. We need to buy vehicles and do electrical works. That will not mean that we only do 50 per cent. We cannot buy half a vehicle. Members cannot accept half a mortgage. Members will not accept half their salaries just because 1426 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES June 25, 2008 we are asking for 50 per cent. We are asking for the maximum amount that the Constitution can allow, knowing very clearly that we actually need much more money than this, even for the first half of the year. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg that the House dismisses this Motion---"
}