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{
    "id": 530651,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/530651/?format=api",
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    "content": "a function of county governments. Whereas the national Government will deal with matters of conservation, implementation of specific conservation laws and procedures are shared between the two levels of government. Therefore, I agree with the Senate Minority Leader who said that it should be our desire to follow the Constitution by devolving some of the environmental functions as provided by Schedule Four and follow up this with resources. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, one of the things that we debate about here all the time is about the money we devolve. However, we must also discuss other resources that we receive as a country as a result of carrying out environmental protection. For example, we receive grants and donations from various entities and agencies, including the United Nations (UN). There must be a clear way as enunciated in the Paris Declaration for management of donor funds that will ensure that in the discussion of financing and funding environmental issues, county governments are involved and represented. We, therefore, need to ensure that in addition to the allocation that we give out, there are other mechanisms that will ensure county governments receive resources. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have a few highlights to make from this Bill. The first one is on Clause 18. This one is about the county environmental committee which shall consist of certain members who will be appointed by the governor. This is a good proposal. However, we must go ahead and show that it is not an exclusive responsibility of one person to do the appointments. The danger here is that it is possible for a governor to appoint persons if he has a desire of continuing to destroy the environment or to benefit from the environment at the expense of the people. He will appoint people who support him and will carry out his own agenda. If we truly believe that a county assembly plays an oversight role and ensures that representation of various communities and groups of people in the county are achieved as provided for in Clause 18 which amends Section 29 of the parent Act, we should provide, in that Clause, that the county assembly will approve all the nominees by the governor. It is very important that we ensure that approvals are achieved. I wish the Mover of the Bill was here to take notes. In fact, Section 29 can be amended accordingly to give the county assemblies responsibility to approve all the names that are going to be appointed to the county environmental committees. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the other highlight is in Clause 23 which talks about the formulation of the National Environmental Action Plan. We are told in Clause 23 (2) that the Authority shall submit the plan to the Cabinet Secretary for approval. How can one person approve a national environmental action plan that will affect this country for many years? You have reminded us that the desert is growing at the rate of 45 kilometres per year. You cannot leave the responsibility to one individual. We are the representatives of the people and must amend this to make it very clear that approval of the National Environmental Action Plan is done by Parliament, so that both Houses of Parliament have a responsibility to debate and interrogate. You cannot give one individual the responsibility of approving a very important document like this. I propose that this clause be amended accordingly, so that Parliament has a responsibility to approve a national environmental action plan. Under Article 94 of the Constitution, the role of Parliament is to represent people in such important issues. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}