Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 620916,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/620916/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 250,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Kabando wa Kabando",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 31,
        "legal_name": "Kabando wa Kabando",
        "slug": "kabando-kabando"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I rise to oppose the amendment entirely, aware that this is a very sensitive Motion. The tone and content of one’s contribution could easily be misconstrued to mean that one is not seized of the importance of the Motion before the House. I do so for purposes of being practical. The spirit of a Motion of this nature is a call, challenge or request to the Executive to put in place the necessary systems that will be enacted into regulations or subsequent Bills or to activate an existing framework in order to actualize a system that will benefit the very spirit that is being called upon by the Motion. I have not seen, for the nearly eight years I have been here, with all due respect to the Member for Seme, Dr. Nyikal, that in a Motion of this nature, we actually list exact administrative actions that need to be taken. Number two, that we even provide timelines in a Motion. Even in the Constitution which is the script for national governance, there are appendices like schedules to guide implementation. In the case of this Motion, and I know people with disabilities are watching and are very keen to know what we are doing in this House, our duty is to make sure that this call is accepted. That is why I will be supporting this Motion as originally stated. Thereafter, the relevant Government agencies, including the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), will embrace this matter. In the Motion, we urge the Government, and there is only one Government, to put in place the necessary infrastructure to facilitate mobility of people with disabilities. Adding anything beyond that will appear as if we want to micro-manage the call that is originally stated, and that will be disastrous. Again, if we accept the amendments as being proposed by the great leader from Seme Constituency, we will be tying not just Parliament, but the Government to timelines that may not be achievable. I am not saying that it cannot be done today or that the budget allocations should not be done tomorrow, but we need to be fair to the expectations of the people. We also need to be practical and realistic so that the achievements are realised sequentially. In conclusion, I have canvassed with Hon. Mwaura and even as we sit here, we are still canvassing with him through WhatsApp. I am very sure that the original spirit of this matter is well thought out. So, with a lot of consciousness, sensitivity and appreciating that the buildings we are constructing in Mukurweini, including the constituency office, are being constructed in total compliance with the needs of persons with disabilities, I persuade my great friend to drop the amendment so that we proceed with the Motion."
}