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{
    "id": 45866,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/45866/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 293,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Bett",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Roads",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 157,
        "legal_name": "Franklin Kipng'etich Bett",
        "slug": "franklin-bett"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to second this Motion. The reasons which have been given by my colleague are, indeed, what we anticipate this piece of legislation will achieve once it is enacted. The precursor of this institution we are proposing is National Construction Corporation (NCC) which was established in 1967 and collapsed in 1998. This institution we are now proposing, to me, should have been established immediately when the National Construction Corporation Act was repealed. Why do I say so? Because that piece of legislation was the source of stability; pressing on professionalism and ethical behavior in the sector. When that particular piece of legislation was not in place, then it created a long absence of legal and institutional framework to promote, stimulate, improve and regulate the sector. The sector then suffered in that we had situations whereby contractors could not care on how they were performing their duties as contractors. That is being put to a stop by this piece of legislation. One other thing which my colleague may not have mentioned because I do not want to repeat what he already said, is that in the current situation, the Minister for Public Works and other Ministers within the construction sector are not authorized in law to go into a construction site for purposes of ascertaining the works that are being conducted in there. This is because the law would declare them persona non-grata in those particular construction sites. This law will now give authority to the relevant Minister and the necessary personnel to go in and inspect the works. They will find out whether they are in accordance with the law, so that the standards of works are maintained. We have suffered a lot when these buildings which are constructed haphazardly without due regard to standards and specifications of works even in terms of putting together materials have collapsed, thus occasioning death to our people. This will be put to a stop. So, the construction industry would, therefore, play its rightful role when this law is passed in generating wealth and improving the quality of life for our people. It has got a multiple effect. The moment you are in construction, the manufacturing sector is into business because of the inputs that are required in the construction sector. Financial services will also be at play. This is because people in construction will borrow money from the financial sector. That sector is also put into an impetus level. The professional services will not be left behind in this Bill. Our people will be stimulated into appreciating their professional qualifications. There are also elements of a healthy functioning economy. For example, we see a lot of construction of houses, commercial buildings and other property coming up in this construction sector. It is needless to say, it will create employment for our youth in a very decent manner. Again, this will enhance the quality of life of our youth. The other area which is of great importance is the issue of research. I know my colleague also touched on it. It is important for us to research in the construction sector as we do in other sectors of the economy. This would give us opportunity to improve on the quality of our facilities. It will also allow us to be cost-effective in our works. This particular piece of legislation will be insisting on placement of funds to promote research and encourage the use of newly emerging technologies and materials amongst contractors. Another area is training and re-training of our people even those ones who are unskilled being placed on training in particular fields of trade, so that they can also participate on matters of our national economy. Finally, in essence, this piece of legislation is intended to embed professionalism and ethical behaviour in the industry for the benefit of the country and for the benefit of the people. With those few remarks, I beg to second the Motion."
}