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{
    "id": 552212,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/552212/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 127,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Ababu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 108,
        "legal_name": "Ababu Tawfiq Pius Namwamba",
        "slug": "ababu-namwamba"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Deputy Speaker. It is very good to see a situation where finally you see some kind of meeting of minds between the two houses of Parliament. Therefore, let me start by commending and encouraging this spirit that, the Senate and the National Assembly can agree on legislation, especially critical legislation including the Public Audit Bill that this House has already considered and this Bill that we are debating now. This is the spirit and the makers of the Constitution envisaged a situation where the bicameral arrangement would work harmoniously where business can move from the National Assembly to the Senate and from the Senate to the National Assembly seamlessly.That, these two Houses which are chambers of the same House, would find common purpose in the best interest of the people of this country. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I wish to address two issues in respect of this critical Bill. Of all serious issues and key matters that touch on spending of public resources, nothing is more important than procurement. Therefore, having a law that is streamlined, harmonised and ensures smooth operation of public procurement is a major step forward. Even as we debate this law and enact it, there are two critical issues that must be at the back of our minds. One is the question of value for money. As we seek to follow the proper procedure to maintain fidelity to regulations, we must also insist on value for money because you can follow the procedures and the regulations, but still end up in a scenario or in an arrangement which costs the public the best value. So, value for money is key in this law. Secondly, the timeframe within which we are undertaking procurement in this country is still pretty much archaic and stone age. Now with the coming to town of the e- procurement, we would like to see a scenario where we revise time scales. You do not have to wait for two weeks or a whole month before these processes are concluded. So, we need a system that will make procurement and doing business in the public sector efficient, smooth, fast and cost effective. Therefore, without a doubt, this is one law that is definitely progressive and pointing in the right direction in so far as we seek to strategically locate this country as a competitive place to do business and even a destination for investment capital. I support, thank you."
}