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{
    "id": 512149,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/512149/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 206,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Ababu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 108,
        "legal_name": "Ababu Tawfiq Pius Namwamba",
        "slug": "ababu-namwamba"
    },
    "content": "and decide to make a difference, then we will not make a difference. We will continue to engage in blame game after blame game. Therefore, we must acknowledge that there is a problem and we have to confront that problem. On December 18th 2014 tnere was an issue which we cannot run away from. For me, as I have said, I am willing and ready to say I am guilty as charged. What about you? I sat in the Tenth Parliament, perhaps one of the most divided Houses we will ever see, a House that had just emerged out of war. It was a war Parliament. It was a Parliament that was also charged with the responsibility of panel-beating the famous “Agenda Four” that had emerged out of the Anan talks. That House was charged with the responsibility of piecing together a new constitutional order for this country. But, like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, the Members of the Tenth Parliament acquitted themselves and were able to put this country together and maintain the honour and respect of the House. Standing Order No.91 is an important Standing Order in terms of the decorum of this House and respect for each other in this House. When we are out there on the campaign trail and in public rallies as politicians, we are subjected to all kinds of abuse, insults and odium from rivals and members of the public. When we come to this House, Standing Order No.91 is intended to protect the dignity of Members. That is why it is provides clearly--- Let me also put it on record. It says that:- “(1) A Member shall be responsible for the accuracy of any facts which the Member alleges to be true and may be required to substantiate any such facts instantly”. We cannot operate in a House where out of the blue, you just make allegations against other Members and ignore completely the requirement for substantiation and that remains that way. It becomes extremely difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction. I sat in the Tenth Parliament and witnessed attempts of such a nature to besmirch the character of Members, absolutely in violation of the Standing Orders, but the Chair and the House always stood firm in terms of upholding Standing Order No.91. I want to submit that, as we debate this matter, let us debate it in a context where we look in totality at the image and conduct of this House. I want to conclude by making reference to one of the rulings of the Speaker because it has been subject of public discussion. The last major ruling made by the Speaker related to the Public Accounts Committee. The essence of that ruling was to refer the matter of the Public Accounts Committee to the Powers and Privileges Committee of this House. On the day the Speaker made that ruling, I submitted on this Floor that it was unprecedented. It was an unprecedented measure in the sense that such a move had never been taken before. I supported that move and I still support it now as being a bold move. If, for instance, anybody would wish to use that particular ruling as an excuse, I, being right in the eye of that storm, tell you that the ruling the Speaker made to send this matter to the Powers and Privileges Committee was a bold ruling that may just have provided this House with an opportunity to create an avenue to deal with matters such as this. It is not always the convenient way that matters. Sometimes, you have to make a choice between what is convenient and what is right. In this case, what the Speaker did 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."
}