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{
    "id": 494930,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/494930/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 149,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Katoo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 199,
        "legal_name": "Judah Katoo Ole-Metito",
        "slug": "judah-ole-metito"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Deputy Speaker. I stand to second this Bill and first let me congratulate the Mover for the way she has ably moved this Bill and actually made the House understand generally this very important Bill. The gist of this Bill is about providing regulations for the management, conserving, usage, developing of water resources and more importantly, the sewerage services which is a very critical component in both our urban and rural areas. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I picked about six very important aspects of this Bill and one of them, although it has been said by the Mover, is about clearly defining the ownership of and critical management and use of these water resources. That is well spelt in Part II and specifically Clause 5. That may be also in contention. I also noted that the aspect of devolution needs to have been taken into account on that function. The second one is the issue of establishing the Water Resource Regulatory Authority. This is done in Clause 10 and purposely meant to formulate and enforce standards and procedures for management and use of this water. It also talks about mitigating cases of floods which are very common in this country. The third one is a provision in terms of conserving the water catchment areas and also ground water because if you do not conserve water catchment areas, then we should not be talking of water resources. That is well spelt under Clauses 20 and 21. Hon. Deputy Speaker, the fourth one is a clear provision in Clause 27 of the establishment of water resources and user associations which have become very common at the grassroots because this is where the communities are involved in the management of these water resources. Fifthly, there is establishment of a trust fund under the water sector and it is well spelt out in Clause 112. I think this water fund is meant to provide both conditional and unconditional grants to the counties. That will go well with the Equalisation Fund so that there will be management of these areas that are marginalised but are in need of water services. I think the national Government is going to be very important here. Just like we have the Tourism Trust Fund that helps in developing tourist activities across the country, this is also going to be critical and even help the country achieve the percentage required in terms of water levels in this country. The final resolution or provision that I noted is the one on dispute resolution which is clearly shown in Clause 117. That actually has been the cause of animosity among communities and counties because water is a scarce resource. If this Bill is 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."
}