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{
"id": 212623,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/212623/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Ms. Karua",
"speaker_title": "The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs",
"speaker": {
"id": 166,
"legal_name": "Martha Wangari Karua",
"slug": "martha-karua"
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"content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I say this realising that the road and building works are capital-intensive. It is not possible for this Ministry to have projects in each individual constituency, but the way it is moving, I am convinced that very soon, all our constituents will register projects starting and being completed in their constituencies. The importance of our roads network cannot be overstated. We need our roads in order to go about our business, transport our produce to the market and even communicate as human beings. As hon. Members of Parliament, we need good road networks to be able to consult our constituents. I want to urge the Ministry and its team to continue increasing the speed with which they rehabilitate and construct new roads in the country. I want to acknowledge and support the reforms that are going on within this Ministry and its efforts to decentralise its services. I notice with appreciation that they do resemble the reforms and decentralisation in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, which I am familiar with, having been in that Ministry. Decentralisation, actually, helps to speed up the rate of planning and implementation. It gives the people the chance to be able to give an input in the process of planning and implementation. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would want to say that coupled with these reforms, there is one area 2692 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES July 24, 2007 where I know that the Ministry is making some efforts. But I am calling upon the Ministry and, especially, the technocrats in it, to increase their efforts, in terms of their efficiency in the use of both financial and human resources. It is generally said that our roads are the most expensive in the region. It is, therefore, the work of this Ministry to ensure that a market survey is conducted, so that we get more kilometres from our money and more roads from our shillings. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have in mind a market survey that would involve checking what a kilometre of road is costing in our neighbouring countries, that is, Uganda and Tanzania. We should also look at the cost in countries like Botswana, South Africa and, generally, the African region. I say \"the African region\" because if we look at Europe where the standard and cost of living are higher, it may be deceptive. We want to compare with our region and see how well we are doing. I am convinced that if this Ministry conducts a market survey and insists that anybody bidding for roads construction has to conform with the prices obtaining in the market, after this market survey, we shall be able to double the number of kilometres that we get from our shilling. It is of vital importance that this Ministry becomes very conscious of the need for cost effectiveness and value for money, remembering that it influences strength in Government in key areas, such as, purchase of motor vehicles and their repair, construction and maintenance of buildings and partitions and, also, the very important work of constructing roads. This Ministry is the one which is responsible for giving specifications in, almost, all the civil works. This means that if there are exaggerated prices emanating from this Ministry, they affect the entire Government. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I had occasion, two years back, to encounter a contract for purchase of motor vehicles, which was above the market price. Why is this happening when we have so many professionals in this Ministry? With the lame excuse that the Government takes long to pay--- Since the money is budgeted for, why not expect that each Ministry and department will pay on delivery and, therefore, get the best value for money? It is time we held each officer accountable. Any officer who makes the Government pay more than it should, should be surcharged and punished individually. I want to say that when it comes to contracts for construction of roads and buildings, there must be no variation. If there is variation, we should look at why it is necessary. We do not want contractors who start as the lowest bidders and by the time they finish the contracts, they end up as the highest bidders. Looking all over the country at the roads network constructed recently, you will see some roads which are just six years old, having such potholes that you wonder whether any professional advice or scrutiny was exercised during the construction. I do take it that some of the engineers who supervised these roads may still be with the Ministry. I am, therefore, asking for vigilance in this Ministry, so that we ensure that all the roads that are constructed will last for the duration that they are expected to last. The quality of roads in the recent times appears to be up to standard. What do we do with the contractors who built the substandard roads? Should we continue to give them contracts, or should we blacklist them? It is an offence against the Kenyan public to give a contractor, who has recently shortchanged Kenyans, more work. I am asking this Ministry, and especially the technocrats, to be vigilant. I know that efforts are being made to meet all the issues that I am raising, but I am calling for increased vigilance and for speeding up of the reforms that will ensure that we get more kilometres for the money that we have budgeted. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to generally support this Vote, and also call upon hon. Members to support it. I would also ask them to appreciate the good work that is being done by the Minister and his team. Mr. Speaker, Sir, with those many remarks, I beg to second."
}