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    "id": 526517,
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    "content": "As you are aware, the events that took place in the House during the last Session, the last Special Sitting, brought the dignity of the House to its lowest ebb ever. You will agree with me that the conduct exhibited by most Members on Thursday 18th December, 2014, can only be described as despicable and shameful as the image of the august House was thrown into serious disrepute. You will recall from a Communication I had made earlier that day that there was fast degeneration in the propriety of our conduct, manners and reference to each other in speeches. In addition, Members were witnessed creating disorder, using or threatening violence against colleagues and/or abusing their privilege. Members also showed disrespect towards presiding officers while others threatened to take away the Mace during proceedings. This was objectionable and a serious breach of our Standing Orders. Hon. Members, I was greatly disturbed by these series of events. I take this opportunity to implore you to once again familiarise yourselves with the provisions of the Standing Orders regarding rules of debate and order in the House and in the Committee of the whole House, and particularly Standing Order Nos. 98, 102, 103, 104 and 107 to 112, which should provide you with the requisite guidance on the breaches and sanctions that follow disorderly conduct in the House. Article 124 of our Constitution empowers the House to make Standing Orders for the orderly conduct of its proceedings and its Committees. A House of Parliament has complete authority concerning its procedure so far as it is not limited by the Constitution and any other relevant law enacted by Parliament. Any action taken by the House on a Member under its Standing Orders, whenever such of its rules are breached, cannot be challenged by any other authority. And for this, I would like to refer to the Mason’s Manual on Legislative Procedure, the 2010 Edition, which says: “The provision of the Constitution that each House shall have power to determine the rules of its proceedings is not restricted to the proceedings of the body in the ordinary legislative matters, but extends to determination of propriety and effect of any action taken by the body in the exercise of any power, in the transaction of business or performance of any duty conferred upon it by the constitution.” As I stated that day, the Standing Orders, practices and rules of the House are designed to ensure that you exercise your privilege of free speech while maintaining courtesy of language towards other Members in debate and proper decorum as befits your stature. I wish to reiterate that any future acts of grossly disorderly conduct in the House, including disgracing or removing the Mace will be met with the greatest severity of discipline allowed by the Standing Orders and practices of the House. Hon. Members, I, therefore, call upon all of us to agree in one accord never to have a repeat of such an abhorrent incident irrespective of our differences. Let us learn to dialogue and build consensus through consultation and compromises. Remember, Parliament is commonly described as the “august House”, which word connotes “honour and dignity.” We, therefore, have an obligation to espouse such behavior and deportment as that which esteems us as honourable persons before those we represent, the country and the world at large. I thank you hon. Members."
}