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{
    "id": 465776,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/465776/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 323,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Kajuju",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 840,
        "legal_name": "Florence Kajuju",
        "slug": "florence-kajuju"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, in our terms of reference, we had also indicated that we would like to look at various legislations that are in place to see what would happen in the event that the Committee makes some recommendations. I had mentioned the Crops Act No.16 of 2012 and also the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act No.4 of 1994. The National Assembly was kind enough to give us a research assistant who has been sitting with this Committee day-in day-out. She has prepared some report which needed further beefing up upon receipt of the conclusive data from the various Ministries. Looking at the intensive and extensive research that must be conducted, we also feel as a Committee that there must be a study tour that is to be carried by this Committee to countries that have banned miraa and those which are about to ban that crop. Therefore, like I submitted earlier, the United Kingdom (UK) should be one of the countries. We intend to see if we are able to get to the Netherlands. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have been trying to talk to the National Assembly to see whether the Parliamentary Service Commission will allow us travel. This has not happened as yet but there is a promise that it can happen if we are given some more time to clean up the report. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, you also remember that this House had gone on recess, and there is the issue that hon. Members had to go for a retreat when Committees were not meeting. All these are issues that have really eaten part of the Committee’s time in terms of the frequency of meetings. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, due to the intensive nature of the activities that are yet to be carried out and taking into account the time that has to be taken in terms of report writing, it is therefore important that we seek for an extension of time. I can see with certainty that this Committee has already conducted around 70 per cent of its work. What remains is 30 per cent. That is why I come before this House, with your permission, to allow this Committee 60 more days. Within the 60 days, we will be able to carry out any study tour that the House is going to enable us carry out. We are going to get conclusive data from the various institutions, especially National Authority for Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA). Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, you are aware there was change of management. We have a new Chairman who requested that he needs time to be able to give us a report. Therefore, I plead with this House that this Committee has been extremely active. I believe it is the best Committee that has ever been created by this House in terms of ad hoc Committees. It will not cost a lot if we are allowed just 60 more days so that when we come back with the report, this House is going to make a decision based it. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, there has been a lot of interest that has been elicited out of this discussion on miraa . We have had religious groups coming to us seeking for an opportunity to be heard by this Committee. We have encouraged persons, whether you are opposed to miraa as a crop or whether you are for miraa that you come before the Committee so that you are able to give us your views. So, I believe it is important that we get an extension. We do not want to close out any person who has an interest in whichever manner, so that we are able to come to the House with a comprehensive report. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}